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DBYhpb5hrAYgQjQaMhNYyQ	[ { "business_id": "wxJwNCV2oC5Tnan8rzi9iw", "business_name": "Zest! Exciting Food Creations", "rating": 5, "text": "We love the environment for brunch and their many options. My top picks are the Creme Brulee french toast, stuffed tortilla, and BLT. The mac and cheese side is delish. If you saved room check out their brownies.", "timestamp": "2015-04-08T17:35:50" }, { "business_id": "0N2D4HtF2gLJvWxjIfiZDg", "business_name": "La Chinita Poblana", "rating": 4, "text": "Great place to stop in and get delicious tacos. While there aren't tables you can stand and eat. My favorites are the spicy shrimp and chicken tamarind. The chips and salsa are great too. I'm not one to share my chips and salsa from there. The owner George is almost always there and has delivered my order before. Great small business.", "timestamp": "2015-04-19T21:07:00" }, { "business_id": "rVhsjZWk_u20TDcvwhbdyQ", "business_name": "Indy Tacos", "rating": 5, "text": "We popped in for dinner tonight after looking at the sign for a couple of weeks. We had heard good things from neighbors. The tacos were delicious, good portions, and fresh. We had the steak, chicken and chorizo tacos. The quacamole was great too. Can't wait to go back and continue to support a local business.", "timestamp": "2015-05-05T00:30:57" }, { "business_id": "EQ-TZ2eeD_E0BHuvoaeG5Q", "business_name": "Milktooth", "rating": 4, "text": "This was our first time in and we will be back. Servers and hostesses were friendly. Lots of action in the restaurant. We would have loved to sit at the counter and watch the chef create. The vintage decor is wonderful too. Atmosphere is kid friendly. As for the food, it was cooked perfectly. The unique menu is great to explore new breakfast options, definitely not your traditional breakfast spot. Hubby had the savory dutch baby pancake, he was unsure of the grapes at first but it worked well with the dish. I opted for the sweet version and was very pleased. Not too sweet, the fig jam and cream helped provide a nice balance. We look forward to going again in the future.", "timestamp": "2015-05-18T18:55:40" }, { "business_id": "VklF-5UrAIrDtcYolY3AWA", "business_name": "The Paw Patch Place", "rating": 4, "text": "We have been going to the Paw Patch Place for a couple of years. We recently had to take our dog in for some health concerns. They did a good job of giving us options, being thorough in their exam and considerate on the cost. Dr. Dowden has a wonderful bed side manner, which is really important to me. It's not easy when your animal is sick. They were on time with the appointment and we were able to leave within about 30 minutes. I appreciate their promptness as well.", "timestamp": "2015-05-21T17:47:05" }, { "business_id": "9V0LMtO1riRw9-pUuG4NFg", "business_name": "Delicia", "rating": 4, "text": "This is our first brunch experience here. We have had wonderful dinners in the past. The server recommended the Dominican Breakfast, it was great. The plantains and fried cheese go together perfectly. The sausage was delicious. We also ordered the ceviche to split. The cornmeal biscuits and chorizo gravy were spot on. Sweetness from the cornmeal compliments the chorizo. Service was great as well.", "timestamp": "2015-05-24T15:12:25" }, { "business_id": "KInoSyTm9ioQcY1RFQ4ISg", "business_name": "The District Tap", "rating": 4, "text": "Wonderful beer selection full of local and regional breweries. Pricing for beer isn't too high either. Servers and staff were friendly and welcoming. Good variety of food for adults and kids. I have had a mac and cheese pot (delish) and the Mexicali Mess burger. Burger was cooked perfectly and not completely messy. We will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-06-06T11:57:24" }, { "business_id": "w2zvMPmyqxalHQ5LVmFktA", "business_name": "The Dancing Donut", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been waiting to pop over to The Dancing Donut since they opened. Went this morning and quite the selection of donuts to choose from. I chuckled at the names as I made my selection. I chose the Berry Poppins and was really pleased with it. The strawberry cream filling was delish and the lemon topping contrasted it perfectly. Lots of yeast flavor and very filling. Loved the decor of the shop as well. I look forward to going back in the future.", "timestamp": "2015-07-07T15:12:39" }, { "business_id": "UT6RNEKJj6OZMnSwZprXTw", "business_name": "Fat Dan's Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "Popped over for a quick lunch today. Interesting selection of craft beers, a number of choices. This may be random but I love their corn dog. Not too much breading and deep fried to perfection. Order tots as a side. Lots of good options on the menu. Hubby wemt with the Italian beef and wondered what had taken him so long to try it.", "timestamp": "2015-07-13T00:03:12" }, { "business_id": "sTPueJEwcRDj7ZJmG7okYA", "business_name": "Jim's South St", "rating": 4, "text": "Forget Pat's or Gyno's, go to Jim's. This has been our go to spot for years. Popped in today as detour on a long road trip. Perfect. While in line decide your order. Don't wait to look at the menu until you're at the grill.", "timestamp": "2015-07-19T17:57:13" }, { "business_id": "3CGXa85uNgvp8Berx5AhQQ", "business_name": "La Margarita", "rating": 5, "text": "Come for the food...stay for the margaritas. Great food that is filling and priced right. Margaritas are dangerously delicious. Service was wonderful. We will be back. My toddler recommends the mints at the hostess station.", "timestamp": "2015-08-08T19:19:09" }, { "business_id": "tPYkrHdTsYe_-Ty5EPiP2Q", "business_name": "Iaria's Italian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "We randomly selected to have tonight be our first visit. The diner feel is different but gives so much character. We sat at the bar, our favorite place to sit in a restaurant. The craft beer selection was impressive. For our dinner selections we kept it simple. Meat ravioli and chicken parmesan. I opt for seasonal veggies instead of pasta. I know odd. Both entrees were great. My chicken parmesan did give my knife a fight with all the mozzarella on top. Not too much and it was melted perfectly. Meatballs were good too. The marinara sauce is a bit sweeter than expected but still good. Loads of regulars in with their family and friends. Service was great. We will be back. Now I'm gonna go eat the tiramisu I brought home. Too full to eat it there.", "timestamp": "2015-08-15T00:43:40" }, { "business_id": "iNiAJAtsbV5xOQGRtce-NQ", "business_name": "Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Indianapolis", "rating": 4, "text": "We explored a variety of red wines and decided on the house cabernet sauvigon. Server was very knowledgeable on varieties to try. We enjoyed our entrees and drinks. Enjoyed the cheesecake pops as well. Chose both the white and dark chocolate. Unsure about joining the wine/month club. Maybe next time we visit.", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T01:20:57" }, { "business_id": "dP5k-Plsiw9dn9h9Y1oWNA", "business_name": "Chilly Water Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "Great beer and tasty food. Skip, your balls are the best. I recommend the peanut butter. Delish! The outdoor seating is perfect for people watching along the trail. Pop in, have a drink, and support an award winning brewery.", "timestamp": "2015-08-28T19:55:49" }, { "business_id": "HH9x7WcNQR3cnwkHo_YL0w", "business_name": "Mimi Blue Meatballs", "rating": 4, "text": "The toddler chose meatballs over pizza. Glad we didn't argue. This was our first stop in. We were surprised my the quickness of service. Our server was outstanding. While they don't have a kid's menu the server recommended the slider for him. It was the right amount of food for him along with part of our side. Hubby and I split the 4 baller. We opted for the blue ball special (yes we giggled at that), turkey, veggie, and classic. My favorite was the veggie with spicy cilantro sauce. Reminded me of a falafel. I also like the turkey with garlic cream. Instead of the recommended brussel sprouts we qent for the mac & queso. Enough for the two of us to split and not feel stuffed. We will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-10T00:30:45" }, { "business_id": "vgaDkuxjt8-w-0PtE8tTCA", "business_name": "Yolk - City Way", "rating": 4, "text": "Great service from a friendly and welcoming staff. Our server offered to go coffees, she was after my heart. I was really torn on what to get. It's hard to pass up Chicken and Waffles, especially those that are a bit different. I opted to hold out until my next trip. The seasonal option of pumpkin pancakes sounded delish as well. Instead went for the El Torero Scrambler and ordered the pancake on the side. Their home made picante salsa was a nice compliment to the scrambler. My pancakes were tasty and had a hint of vanilla. Lots of variety on the menu to meet anyone's breakfast cravings.", "timestamp": "2015-10-21T20:08:29" }, { "business_id": "6o3Xj4Lxa2XcaHuCblCc3g", "business_name": "Big Lug Canteen", "rating": 4, "text": "So happy to have a new place in the Nora area to visit. The service was great and loved the environment. We sampled a couple different beers and liked the flavors. I had the stout, hubby had the IPA. I was also intrigued to see all the spirits from one midwest company. Didn't try any this visit, maybe on our next visit. For the food we ordered Nashville hot boneless wings. I was hoping for more heat and flavor. They were a little bland for my liking. I will try them again at a later time. We split the full shrimp po boy and enjoyed the flavors. We also split a house salad. For dressing I chose the parmesan vinaigrette. Order it, it's delicious and you may want more. Overall great experience and we will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-11-02T18:00:17" }, { "business_id": "lyCsdcVlyq--sTOxDNk4LQ", "business_name": "Eat+Drink", "rating": 3, "text": "Popped in for drinks with a group of people after dinner. Service was a bit slow to get beers. Maybe a keg blew, but it just seemed slow compared to other places. We will try another night for dinner and see how it works out.", "timestamp": "2015-11-03T14:15:34" }, { "business_id": "_m0mp3Wjcteysto6azQ9iA", "business_name": "Seasons 52", "rating": 4, "text": "Went on Friday night with a group of friends. This was my first time. Upon arrival the smell of garlic was wafting through the air. That's pretty enticing to me. The decor inside was intimate. Ordering a bottle of wine was cheaper for us than individual drinks for hubby and I. Many things on the menu sounded good, especially with their fall menu items included. The butternut squash soup with smooth and full of flavor. While the crab cake I ordered was crispy, I wish it had some more flavor. Hubby ordered the scallops. They were buttery and seared to perfection. I would have eaten lots of the risotto that was a side with the scallops. We didn't order dessert, but they looked very tempting. Bringing the finished product to the table is genius. I could have ordered three. Overall it was a good experience with a great wait staff. Not sure if it makes my list to return to very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-11-16T21:40:52" }, { "business_id": "_r8Uv8fZpkTqQBaaG51Yhg", "business_name": "The North End BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "Tonight was our second time at North End. We will be back. Both times we have brought our toddler and it's gone well. We enjoyed the ribs + one meat entree. Ribs were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. You do not need sauce. The sauce is a nice bonus. For our other meat we opted for the brisket. It too was exactly as it should be and more. My choice for sauce in the Texas Red. They do offer a Carolina mustard based sauce, something we do not have alot of around here. As for sides, get the mac & cheese. The bacon jam stirred in adds a new level of flavor. I wanted to lick the dish clean. The drink menu is expansive and offers a little bit for everyone. My first drink was the seasonal shake up. Think spiced apple cider, delish. My second cocktail was the rotating house barrel aged drink. It was something with rose. While I was hesitant at first, I was pleased with the selection.", "timestamp": "2015-11-21T04:41:45" }, { "business_id": "Pk3N--cpw3uWZHhtUgR_FA", "business_name": "Pawn Shop Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "One of my favorite spots in Indy. Favorite guilty pleasure is the onion rings. They offer cocktail with it and it's tasty. Wear your stretchy pants and order the breaded tenderloin. It is the best I have had. Additionally there are great drink deals and your wallet won't be hurting after a visit.", "timestamp": "2015-12-08T03:51:21" }, { "business_id": "tFpstYqxugKHzeyNUsuD_A", "business_name": "The Pint Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped in over the weekend with family in town. The atmosphere was inviting and the staff was great. Since this was our first time in we ordered a variety of burgers and split them. We ordered The Hangover, Shitake, & BBQ. The Hangover was my favorite. Ordered the regular and sweet potato fries. Sweet potato fries a great choice and the dipping sauce wasn't too sweet. The beer menu is expansive, 124 beers on tap. Their beer menu was well organized and labeled. The bartender was very knowledgeable about the breweries and beers available. If we are up that way again, we will pop in. Glad we did and tried somewhere new.", "timestamp": "2015-12-08T03:57:57" }, { "business_id": "aREOVt958pzJsuNmX1-LUQ", "business_name": "Twenty Tap", "rating": 5, "text": "We have been huge fans since Twenty Tap opened. It's been great watching them grow and strive with their success. Their staff is knowledgeable about beer and the various breweries. Beers are constantly changing so check their list daily. This is the go to spot we bring out of town friends and family. Some still talk about it after one trip. My order is usually the Pork Bah Mi with side salad. It's not too spicy, but does give a good amount of heat. Depending on my mood I will opt for the fries or side salad. Saturday night I went for the salad. Best part of the dish is the little dish of housemade pickles. Perfection! For an appetizer I recommend the cheese curds. Order the garlic and sriracha aiolis. It's best to split with friends, but no judgement if you can't resist the whole plate. The kids menu doesn't disappoint either. Lots of options and sides, plus it comes with a drink for $5-6. Not a bad deal. Brioche bun for the toddler's chicken sandwich. He took a bite and said Delicious! If you're going with kids you may have a wait due to the smaller family dining side. I recommend going at off times or at lunch for less wait. Without the kids relax at the bar, it's common for people to eat at the bar especially with a wait.", "timestamp": "2015-12-14T17:33:35" }, { "business_id": "ZVFGfG-BuiCT0RBRFSdx3Q", "business_name": "Recess", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow! We have been reluctant to try Recess because we were worried it wouldn't live up to the hype. We were wrong, very wrong. Our dinner and experience was spectacular and everything we expected. Hubby made reservations for dinner last night, my birthday, and completely surprised me. The coursed menu looked great, but we opted for a la carte options. The addition of the raw bar is perfect. Hubby ordered oysters and I opted for the chirashi with tuna, himachi, and scallops. The scallops were like butter. This course I refused to share, it was too good. For dinner we each chose a different entree. I had the winter fluke with wild rice and cranberry chutney. I wanted more of the wild rice mix to take home. The fish was tender and tasted impeccable. Hubby went with the lamb, mashed potatoes and zucchini puree. It was not too heavy, but just right. Dessert with a chocolate hazelnut deliciousness topped with pomegranate seeds and crushed candy canes. Sounds odd, but combined for wonderful flavors. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable on wine and dinner selections. We had a chance to speak with Greg, the head chef, and he's pretty awesome. So glad a restaurant of this caliber is my neighborhood and is everything everyone told us it would be. We will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-12-18T21:40:42" }, { "business_id": "ZiEnbtECCJjvBegWMFLs1g", "business_name": "Libertine Liquor Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "It's a great place to come and try something different. We may not come here frequently, but each time has been fun. You pay for craft cocktails or you can choose beer and wine as well. My only negative is that is gets crowded pretty easily. At least give it a try if you're on Mass Ave.", "timestamp": "2016-01-03T15:26:25" }, { "business_id": "4MFIksBbFgsbVyqH9Tmoiw", "business_name": "Pizzology Craft Pizza & Pub", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been a fan of Pizzology since they opened their Carmel location. The Homemade Sausage is amazing. It's my go to selection along with a large chop salad to split. We have tried a variety of their pizzas and haven't had anything we didn't like. Seasonal selections on the appetizer menu rotate. They used to have zuchinni fritters that were awesome, wish they would bring those back. Order the sidecar of sauces to help use up that last bit of crust. Mix the garlic and mornay together...perfection. Good selection or wine, beer, and drinks. It's kid friendly, but I prefer to enjoy without my toddler.", "timestamp": "2016-01-03T15:32:25" }, { "business_id": "b2IDM2SC0HkcflLl_nSTrA", "business_name": "Danny Boy Beer Works", "rating": 4, "text": "If you are up near the Village of West Clay, you should stop in. They make some great house beers and have taps available for other craft breweries. Very open and inviting bar. Best part ladies is the hooks under the bar and outlets! Seriously, something little like this makes me want to come back. Beers were delish. Opted for a sampler of 4 beers, focusing on IPA's, browns, and/or porters.", "timestamp": "2016-01-03T20:34:34" }, { "business_id": "BSArML9g8DF8ZinTwfZ6Vg", "business_name": "Greek's Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "Pizza was great as always. The delicious garlic butter they put on the crust is my favorite. Great deals for a Saturday, Medium 1 topping pizza and sticks. This local has canned craft beer for a great price. It's cozy inside like other locations. Since Broad Ripple closed, if we are up this way, we stop again.", "timestamp": "2016-01-07T21:56:02" }, { "business_id": "xTtWhx2vqyWoUDAKLgSAHw", "business_name": "Guresu", "rating": 4, "text": "Ordered carry out for lunch and was very pleased. The lunch special of 3 rolls for $10.50 is a great deal. I ordered the following rolls: Spicy tuna Spicy scallop Keystone roll I was expecting smaller rolls for the price, but not at all. 8 pieces of each. On top of the great deal they were tasty. Adding this to my lunch spot options near the office.", "timestamp": "2016-01-08T18:53:54" }, { "business_id": "-b8qRoIcTo7NBgTAe9XhgA", "business_name": "Chef Joseph's at The Connoisseur Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Visited over the weekend with friends. We wanted to try somewhere new and on the Devour Downtown list. Enjoyed the atmosphere along with the friendly staff. They had a jazz singer belting out tunes during dinner. Did you know they have brunch on Saturday and Sunday? Me either but adding to my list of things to try. Duck bacon was the item of the night at our table. Duck bacon fries (serving size is huge) and the empanada as well. The sauce on the empanada was perfection. My scallops were cooked perfectly. Hubby opted for something off their normal menu, a shrimp pasta. He enjoyed it. Bottles of wine were reasonably priced and they offer a chef's reserve selection. Can't wait to update my review after we try their brunch.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T02:16:19" }, { "business_id": "A1UcdK-Eb4xsqXequ4zNUA", "business_name": "Falcone Automotive", "rating": 4, "text": "We just wanted to test drive a couple of models as we begin our new car research. We were upfront about that we were not buying, just getting some information for ~6 months down the road. I haven't bought a newer car in 8 years and wasn't sure what to expect. Let me say the staff was friendly and very knowledgeable. They let us test drive cars, answered our random questions, and didn't pressure us into buying. The service left an impression and somewhere we will visit again when we narrow our search.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T02:23:25" }, { "business_id": "oyJ3gXNkV0DO0YxcaTgtTg", "business_name": "Thunderbird", "rating": 4, "text": "We have been here a number of times to enjoy their libations. This weekend was the first time we sampled their food menu. The Nashville Hot chicken is HOT. I was expecting heat, but this was a bit much for me. Luckily, hubby loves hot food. The coleslaw was amazing. We swapped plates and I enjoyed his shrimp po' boy. I also ordered the cornbread. Order it and enjoy the flavored butter and apple butter. My best advice for visiting Thunderbird is to talk to the bartender, tell them your favorite spirit, and be open for recommendations. It's a great spot we don't get to enough.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T02:38:15" }, { "business_id": "_VW9zTozHT0k8luWnmsDQQ", "business_name": "Drake's Keystone", "rating": 3, "text": "Went in for a team dinner with work. One of my coworkers recommended it based on the menu. Tables are a little odd for a group, you are right up against the next table on benches. Lots of choose from on their menu. Burgers, sandwiches, and sushi. Sounds like an odd combination, but they do all pretty well. The beer selection was a bit too generic for my tastes. They have craft beers, but I like more local selection. I would like to go back without being in a work environment to try them out.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T18:18:16" }, { "business_id": "BUPtFEuzN1KeB4erBi-ivA", "business_name": "Ruth's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Wonderful selection of breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. We have been in a few times and each time I wonder why we don't visit more. I ordered a half size biscuits and chorizo gravy. Wow, it was good. I wanted more for the taste, but was full. The baked goods are very tempting to try. The eclectic decor always makes me chuckle. It feels like your visiting a home to enjoy your meal. If you are looking for a northside brunch spot add this to your list.", "timestamp": "2016-02-17T15:24:35" }, { "business_id": "ipZ7neK1bjBAUrCqyCvB_Q", "business_name": "Goose The Market", "rating": 5, "text": "Best sandwiches in Indy. Order the Batali or Goose and you can't go wrong. Great spread of meats and cheeses. I love to go in and just pick and choose a few items. Local breads and other options are available as well. So much variety and amazing items packed into a small space.", "timestamp": "2016-03-04T18:51:05" }, { "business_id": "UFCN0bYdHroPKu6KV5CJqg", "business_name": "The Eagle", "rating": 4, "text": "Come for the new feel and vibe of this location. Stay for the fried chicken. Seriously, order the fried chicken. The flavor is spectacular. We ordered half a fried chicken and two sides. It was the right amount for us. The mac n cheese was good, but liked it the next day better, the flavor had sat in more. Staff was friendly and very attentive. Next time I'm trying the fried chicken sandwich, which reminds me of a Hattie's Chicken Sandwich from NY.", "timestamp": "2016-03-08T16:58:06" }, { "business_id": "u2FUWB2xMipayzmNmJ2Mhg", "business_name": "The Koelschip", "rating": 5, "text": "Gotta love a place with a good sense of humor right when you walk in. No they aren't Goose, but go next door and bring back cheese says the sign. The artwork is impeccable. Once you go in you will see what I'm talking about. Excited for Central State to have a home for their beers and a good selection for people to try. Great selection of other breweries as well. It's nice to be somewhere that is a bar, but didn't feel like I needed to get wasted sitting in there to fit in. Come in and a have a drink with your friends and enjoy a great taproom.", "timestamp": "2016-04-03T23:21:08" }, { "business_id": "Orvi9NZMyy4p1kGSe8WBow", "business_name": "Kincaid's Meat Market", "rating": 5, "text": "MEAT!!! Lots of wonderful meat choices and great customer service. Let's not forget affordable and supporting a small local business. We love getting gyro meat from here for a version at home. Sausages are made in house. They will cut meat to whatever, however you would like it.", "timestamp": "2016-04-16T17:32:01" }, { "business_id": "2OSz7GqL8D5-s4T7jUMLFQ", "business_name": "Northside Kitchenette", "rating": 4, "text": "Found another brunch option in Broad Ripple. I had been here for lunch a few years ago and the food was good. It's still good. The decor is open and friendly. I commented that I liked all the white. Maybe because it reminds me of eating in my kitchen or a friend's kitchen. Ordered the rueben and was not disappointed. Homemade chips were the perfect compliment. You can order sandwiches or breakfast anytime. Perfection. Oh wait, I did try some breakfast. A half order of biscuits and gravy. It would have been rude for me to lick the plate, but I did think about it. Service was friendly and just right.", "timestamp": "2016-04-16T17:35:35" }, { "business_id": "oM9ZFIgO88Hu0ppDZPjuwg", "business_name": "Metazoa Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "We stopped in on open weekend and really enjoyed our time. Lots of tables for groups. The handmade tables and chairs were a great detail in the decor. We tried a flight of beer and happy with the options. The Red Devilicious and Honey Badger were a couple of my favorites. I'm normally a hop head, but the IPA wasn't my favorite. I plan to do some more research (taste testing) on their beers in the future.", "timestamp": "2016-04-16T17:40:35" }, { "business_id": "HuypDIPw8O4P_cC1fcsE8A", "business_name": "Marrow", "rating": 4, "text": "We had really been looking forward to trying out Marrow. We dropped the kid off at grandmas and headed down. The ambiance is casual and comfortable. Drink list is a good combination of beer, wine and craft cocktails. There is something for everyone on there. We shared the tandoori fried chicken and shells and pannier. Wow! The flavor and crunch on the chicken was spectacular. I almost didn't want to share and wanted to eat all four pieces myself. That may have been too much :) The shells and pannier was my favorite thing. Ridiculously amazing. Think shells and cheese with an Indian twist. This should be in my weekly menu. It's on our list to try again and enjoy.", "timestamp": "2016-05-05T15:56:18" }, { "business_id": "VtrVZACbp2kikpjdqvOfdA", "business_name": "Scratchtruck", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed Scratch??? I feel like I'm slacking on my reviewing skills for that mistake. Order the Scratch burger. If you add ketchup to it, you ruin the delicious bacon marmalade. Yes, bacon marmalade tops this delicious burger. I have bought this as gifts for people it's that good. The fries are perfection with the right sprinkle of pepper and salt. This is where ketchup is acceptable. Service from the staff is great, they are very friendly. If you see Scratchtruck you should stop and order. They have a variety of food options, but the burger is hands down my favorite thing. Possibly one of my favorite foods in general.", "timestamp": "2016-05-05T17:53:10" }, { "business_id": "ReV4Q3rEJ8neicQPc6pC0w", "business_name": "St. Elmo Steak House", "rating": 4, "text": "Love the atmosphere and style of the restaurant. It's a wonderful Indianapolis treasure. The steaks are wonderful. Offerings include a variety of cuts and ounces. There is something for everyone. Order a couple of sides for the table to share. Unless, you want the lobster mac n cheese for yourself. No one would blame you. Don't forget the shrimp cocktail. Practice moderation with the cocktail sauce. The horseradish is stronger than you may think. I really enjoy looking over the wine list and picking something we normally don't drink. The servers are very knowledgeable about the offerings. They scrape the table of any crumbs very frequently with what looks like a barber's straight edge. It's part of the experience and the little touches that make St. Elmo's what it is.", "timestamp": "2016-05-13T13:02:44" }, { "business_id": "L7cO2qZurrt-7SLl2oDSrA", "business_name": "Upland Brewing Co Tasting Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a great spot to have a beer and conversation. It's usually not too crowded. They have food trucks occasionally as well. They have changed the decor around a bit. The long church pew is a nice addition. Love their beers. I prefer the Bad Elmer's Porter or Dragonfly IPA. Have a pint or bring a growler in for a refill. Dogs on a leash are welcome. Humans under 21 are not.", "timestamp": "2016-06-01T15:25:51" }, { "business_id": "DZRkJUI9iv1mDY_JaCY3sg", "business_name": "Scotty's Brewhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to lunch spot when I'm in the office. I rarely sit down and have lunch inside, but today was different. Service was great and timely on my limited lunch break. Ordered the new tuna poke salad. Perfect lunch portion and was tasty. The beer list looked good for the day, but couldn't imbibe due to going back to work. Typically I call and order to go Buffalo Breath Salad. Order it with MoFo hot! Bring the kids and enjoy a family friendly environment outside of work hours too.", "timestamp": "2016-06-07T14:01:26" }, { "business_id": "gFApW0S59priCHlZbMPSiA", "business_name": "Punch Burger", "rating": 3, "text": "Burgers are great. Ordered the Thai burger and liked it. The peanut butter wasn't overpowering. Sampled the burnt cheese burger and liked it as well. Good atmosphere overall. Nice addition to have beers on tap from local breweries. Busy but service was prompt. Next time I go back I'm trying a milkshake.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T01:10:44" }, { "business_id": "SMZ2-pycp9di-ee5FJ-anw", "business_name": "Salty Cowboy", "rating": 4, "text": "Food was good, service was great, but overall I think it's a bit pricey. I live for tacos and found $5-$6/taco just a bit too much. Instead, we opted to split some appetizers and brisket. Queso was delicious, we kept asking for more chips, it's a generous portion for two people. They offer a good selection of drinks: beer, margaritas, and craft cocktails. Had a couple different options and both were good. Brisket was good. A bit salty, but then again it's called Salty Cowboy. Worth the drive if you want something different for Mexican food. You can find something for everyone on the menu. Decor and vibe overall are what we enjoy when we don't have the kid.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T01:17:43" }, { "business_id": "Xm3fazqrD-Fi4tVPlc4i6Q", "business_name": "Caplinger's Fresh Catch", "rating": 5, "text": "Did you ever go to their old place? Well this a HUGE upgrade. The decor and flow is much better. The fish quality is still as good. Order the special and get a side. Hush puppies...YUM! Lunch is busy but worth the wait. Need something from the fish counter? The will cook it for you. Great variety of options. Stop into this gem for your next lunch or dinner. They also cater.", "timestamp": "2016-08-13T18:38:46" }, { "business_id": "cwHoYlBw7QRZLSbu9hLcbg", "business_name": "Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Lunch date during the week with hubby and preschooler. Service was prompt and friendly. This was our first stop at this location. So many choices on pizzas. We were lame and went more traditional. They have a great beer selection, but since I was going back to work, it was a no go. Maybe next time.", "timestamp": "2016-10-07T12:26:32" }, { "business_id": "XoLU3K7Z5R8aTpuYArnhFw", "business_name": "Lockerbie Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "We love to come here. Hello mini tacos. I love coming here for a divey feel and fried food. I was one of three customers that afternoon. Enjoyed a beer, some college football and ordered some cheese sticks. See, fried foods. Order the mini tacos and you won't be disappointed. I enjoy coming here late on Friday or Saturday when we don't have our kid. Sounds weird, but it's a special place for my hubby and I.", "timestamp": "2016-10-07T16:34:53" }, { "business_id": "oJ4ik-4PZe6gexxW-tSmsw", "business_name": "Broad Ripple Brewpub", "rating": 4, "text": "I love the Brewpub for their variety of dishes. Nachos, pizza and sandwiches. Variety of beers to choose from crafted right on sight. Every time we go, the service is slow. I think it's just the pace of the restaurant. It's never a quick beer and a bite of food. Instead, enjoy the patio and friends, savor that time. Kid and dog friendly environment. Also great for your vegetarian and vegan friends. My go to is a half order of the nachos or fish & chips. Tried their Pumpkin Seasonal Beer and it's on par with some of my favorite pumpkins.", "timestamp": "2016-10-26T15:29:56" }, { "business_id": "IcqvNEGpi94KcvpS_wUBRQ", "business_name": "The Tap", "rating": 4, "text": "Huge selection of beers made in house and from various other breweries. There is something for everything in the group to choose from. Food menu was interesting with many choices. It was hard to narrow down to exactly what I wanted. I love tacos and was really interested in a couple. I was sad that I couldn't mix and match, hopefully they take my suggestion at some point. House made salsa was good. The Firecracker shrimp taco was good. The stuffed the guacamole down into the bottom of the shell, which is nice to avoid a mess. It's really bright and airy in the main area with all the giant windows. Lots of seating in the restaurant. I would like to come back and enjoy the patio in the warmer weather.", "timestamp": "2016-11-14T13:53:34" }, { "business_id": "cM3C8AT3IhOIM4ccBofuSg", "business_name": "Blind Owl Brewery", "rating": 4, "text": "We have been here a couple of times since they have opened. Service, food and beer has gotten better the longer they are open. Love sitting outside, playing cornhole or bocce ball. Great space outside. The restaurant is kid friendly, always helpful for us. Kid's menu is affordable. Great variety of beers brewed in house and guest taps as well. Lots of food choices as well.", "timestamp": "2016-11-14T16:21:46" }, { "business_id": "0QSxyOzXwDdaSbeK7p3GYw", "business_name": "Keystone Sports Review", "rating": 4, "text": "Come here for the wings and amazing blue cheese. It's a dive bar with great food. Order the wings extra crispy for best flavor. They make their own blue cheese and you may want to order your own for dipping. The pizza is another favorite of mine. Service can be slow, so enjoy yourself while you're there. If you want faster service, call ahead and take home. They even deliver if you live nearby. Place is 21+. Good place to watch a game and enjoy the regulars.", "timestamp": "2016-11-25T14:26:35" }, { "business_id": "JydmOKf-8Plo13Idj33Iyw", "business_name": "Round Town Brewery", "rating": 4, "text": "Grab a pint of the Irish Coffee. It's fabulous and my new favorite beer. Lager, Hoppy Wheat and Happy Face round out a nice selection of beers for all tastes. Dog friendly brewery where you may get to meet new four legged friends as you grab a pint.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:07:09" }, { "business_id": "dRKztV_Vtl7AvZg052SgRQ", "business_name": "Open Society", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been in just for drinks and coffee in the morning. Each time staff has been friendly and knowledgeable. I've yet to have a meal or snack crafted there. Great craft beer selection to sip and enjoy. The bar area is intimate and the decor is fresh. Regular drip coffee was tasty. I sat in the front part this time and also enjoyed my experience. Love all the windows and light. Excited to have another brunch option in the area and on multiple days. Can't wait to come back and enjoy.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:14:17" }, { "business_id": "Qcx9efNRe78no3Fb7-466w", "business_name": "JLI Holiday Mart", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been to the event over a couple of years. Attended this year and enjoyed that they were selling beer and wine as you shopped. There were a variety of vendors and price points. Happy to see a vast selection of local artisans too. Hopefully in the future they continue to expand that area of the market. Many home decor and clothing options. Pleasantly surprised by the book options as well. While I prefer to shop local, it's nice to meet new businesses.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:19:49" }, { "business_id": "pafrjSu3h0v0N8GR3ghNtQ", "business_name": "Yats", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite cheap eats in Indy, plus my preferred location. Order the Chili Cheese Etouffee and extra bread. Always extra bread. The butter is perfection. Get a half and half with Drunken Chicken too. Great way to fill up on two fabulous choices. The rice is always perfectly cooked. The food isn't spicy but there is quite the selection of hot sauces if you want to spice it up. Put a bit of your food on the bread and use it as a utensil. Stick around a bit and you may see Joe the owner. He pops in to say hi every now and then. This is our place to take out of town guests for a quick lunch.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:25:55" }, { "business_id": "LY1WmE1DwtkGd37eG3SoSQ", "business_name": "Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "One of my favorite spots to have dinner with my family. Anywhere that brings popcorn to the table before you order is going to win me over. The staff is friendly and prompt. Our favorite night to go is Tuesday. If you aren't a fan of kids, this is the night to avoid. The chopped salad for two is huge, worth the price, and tasty. Order a pizza or sandwich. I prefer pizza in a traditional manner. Sausage, pepperoni and mushroom. I enjoy that it's not perfectly round pizza dough. Enjoy a pint of craft beer as well. I prefer the Hubbards & Craven Porter or Golden Zoe IPA. Look for drink specials when you visit. Join the rewards program if you frequent their locations.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:38:22" }, { "business_id": "zISlbx0dpSSE-S4c8LwDyg", "business_name": "Napolese Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite pizzas in Indy, we order out more than in. Order the marinara and goat cheese appetizer. Enjoy the assorted olives brought to the table. We almost always order the Hamaker's Corner. A pizza is good for 2-3 people. The atmosphere is intimate. It isn't somewhere I really want to bring my kid, he would bother others. Grab some spirits and enjoy the surroundings. I love the decor and mood lighting in here. If you get the chance to sit at the bar, do it. It's amazing it sit and watch them create.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:47:48" }, { "business_id": "f9C3eDtfbQrFklCCLDFuaQ", "business_name": "Workingman's Friend", "rating": 4, "text": "Bring cash and some stretchy pants. I have heard a few mentions of this place, but never made it over there. Some co-workers suggested it and we all went. Server was prompt and notified us all that they only accept cash. The server did a good job of up selling the double cheeseburger instead of the single. She noted they were thin patties in case we were hungry. A single would have been plenty with a side. Why not go with the double as recommended. It was too much food but worth eating all of it. The onion rings were done perfectly. Next time I want to try the seasoned fries.", "timestamp": "2017-01-27T15:33:36" }, { "business_id": "Ud4ySJB6xQd14nMooHUnZw", "business_name": "Diavola Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "We had a chance to visit during Devour for the first time. The Devour menu was budget friendly and a great way to try a number of items. For an appetizer we chose the Nonna's meatballs. The flavors were perfect and the right amount of sauce to go with the dish. We each got a different salad and were happy with them. Biggest draw back to the night...service was slow. Everything felt spaced out during the meal by 5-10 minutes too long. There were a couple of larger parties in the restaurant before us and it was Devour. Everyone was friendly on staff. Next time I just hope it's timed better. The pizzas were great. We ordered from the red and white options. Loads of flavor in the white garlic pizza. Excited to have this option around the corner from us.", "timestamp": "2017-02-10T17:26:58" }, { "business_id": "DoYN9_pucSfhJwjI107Qug", "business_name": "Louie's Wine Dive", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped in during Devour as part of a date night. We made reservations ahead of time, which was a great idea, they were busy. Our server was great and very knowledgeable. She made a recommendation between the two bottles of wine we had narrowed our focus to. We were happy with the Sonoma Valley choice. They did have a variety of California wines which is always nice to see. As our meals were served the server noted my husband's dish didn't look quite right. He ordered the Diablo and apparently it was supposed to be more red/orange. She went to the kitchen to get it remade for him and boxed up the original for us to take home. Great eye! My salmon was delish. We skipped dessert this time.", "timestamp": "2017-02-10T17:52:34" }, { "business_id": "Zx05t1cRAipPrpQOtzd9RQ", "business_name": "Brics", "rating": 4, "text": "One of our favorite spots on the Monon. Customer service is great too even when they are busy. Order a scoop and in a waffle cone. Enjoy your favorite flavor on the patio. Lots of good flavor choices. My favorite is chocolate malt.", "timestamp": "2017-02-21T22:32:24" }, { "business_id": "Xjg1hrJNSmUIZP3TzXeQvQ", "business_name": "Simply Chic", "rating": 4, "text": "Second time in the store and had a much better experience overall. Staff was friendly and the selection was great. I really enjoyed how the store was organized. Got the cutest boots that get complimented all the time. This is one of my now go to spots if I'm shopping. I will be back as I update my work wardrobe for spring.", "timestamp": "2017-03-01T19:08:59" }, { "business_id": "tUtQic1R0uYoJ09xzpNsOA", "business_name": "Rockstone Pizzeria & Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "Good food with an overall good experience. We should have gotten there a bit earlier and scored the $3 appetizer menu. Visit between 3-6pm or 9-? and they have a discounted menu. We were torn on the pizza size. Our server recommended the 10\" since it's wood fired and it was worth going for the smaller pizza. Next time I'm ordering the kid his own pizza so he doesn't steal all of mine. We added the Spinartigoat dip to help round out the meal. It was probably my favorite part besides the beer. The wood fired crackers served with the dip were perfect. Price point is good for the area. Bonus that they work with local food sources for their products. They offer a variety of beer and wine as well.", "timestamp": "2017-03-02T23:44:09" }, { "business_id": "Cd6Dfli4JBpHGgh0LVslpQ", "business_name": "Mama's House", "rating": 4, "text": "We have wanted to try this place for awhile and finally decided it was time. We went around 7:30 and they were busy. I would suggest reading the menu ahead of time to have questions or be ready. We ordered the Mama's Special for two that included chicken, beef and pork. The meats were flavorful and more than enough for two people. Servers did a good job bringing us a new clean grill top every so often. It can get pretty smoky while cooking otherwise. As for the sides they were yummy. A few were spicy but not too hot. I can't wait to go back and try something new. Maybe be more adventurous in our choices.", "timestamp": "2017-03-07T16:14:02" }, { "business_id": "POwyAA0vf4PvWe1L8Oc3Eg", "business_name": "Books & Brews", "rating": 4, "text": "Beer, video games, and a kid friendly area...sign my family up. We stopped in while running errands to enjoy a drink and give our kid somewhere to let off some steam. I truly appreciate a business that has a kid's area. Their beers are solid. I enjoyed The Stout of Monte Cristo. Eat a sandwich and check out some books while you're there. Interested to come back for the events they are running. Lots of trivia and movie viewing.", "timestamp": "2017-03-16T17:20:29" }, { "business_id": "nxOtSRgqnr_3fb-nnSc8mg", "business_name": "Scotty's Dawghouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Good spot close to home instead of going into Broad Ripple. If you have eaten at Scotty's, it's the same menu and offers many options. This time we sat in the family section, which I truly appreciate. My kid was restless and could play while we ate. It's part of the reason we chose this restaurant over others in the area that night. Our first time in we had great service and a very knowledgeable server. Our second experience wasn't quite the same. It was a Friday night and they were pretty busy. The server seemed a bit more scattered. I want to come back and enjoy the patio soon.", "timestamp": "2017-04-18T19:07:03" }, { "business_id": "QfVeoUCXT-CRrp0tMcPs4A", "business_name": "Rook", "rating": 4, "text": "Korean Fried chicken sandwich, ORDER IT! It was delicious and I really wanted to order a second one to enjoy the flavors again. The chicken was crisp and the slaw was flavorful. Best touch was the Velveeta. I thought it was odd at first but works perfectly. My coworker and I wished the sandwich came with a side because we were hungry, but the dish is great. Should have added the pork belly steam bun as my other coworker did. He devoured it. He noted the gin drinks here are pretty spectacular. Since we had to go back to work we stuck to food. Come ready to try new flavors and maybe share a table with others. Loved the open kitchen concept. Our server was great and offered good suggestions. Bonus is that they play 90's and 00's rap music.", "timestamp": "2017-04-18T19:18:19" }, { "business_id": "-jNOHaFwWsBpaf9l5gvRwQ", "business_name": "Black Circle", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great addition to the Arsenal Park area of SoBro. Thank you for revamping a neighborhood eyesore. It's unique but fits this area well. They play music on albums, mostly metal. Love video games? You need to check this place out. They have live music regularly too. Follow them on social media to stay in the know of what's happening and their hours. It's the type of place to sit, drink beers, and chat with your friends about all the dumb shenanigans you used to get into. Then move on to more grown up topics. Had their White Bronco and it was solid. I need to come back to try more beers and the cuban food.", "timestamp": "2017-04-18T19:31:22" }, { "business_id": "U6oNVSJAngSFXcCzNBXgGA", "business_name": "The Urban Chalkboard", "rating": 5, "text": "I was excited to visit Urban Chalkboard for the first time and it did not disappoint. Think art studio, meets library, meets cafe, and a play place. Lots of great options for kids. Color was the theme of the event. The stations were perfect for my little guy. Whole Foods provided yogurt parfaits with colorful topping choices. Red raspberries, clementines, blueberries, green grapes, coconut, and granola completed our rainbow parfait. Yummy. Turkey pinwheels were a nice touch. The overhead projector with an interactive game on the floor was a great way to get out some energy. Boogie down on the keyboard if you have a chance. Light sensory play was fun and exciting. P got to be in a rainbow of fiber optic lights. Thanks to Nicole from Art to The Extreme for her awesome recycled crayons. Some dinosaurs came home with us. Little Yelper events are lots of fun for the family.", "timestamp": "2017-04-20T00:09:33" }, { "business_id": "WrZaL6BxHqVqt3sAcJ-5Rg", "business_name": "Bluebeard", "rating": 5, "text": "Haven't been here in a few years, but came for lunch and it was perfect. It will be on my list to recommend to coworkers for lunch. Also, I need to go back and eat more of their sandwiches. Currently they have a crawfish roll on the menu and there were zero doubts that's what I would order. The bread was crusty and had the perfect crispness. Lots of crawfish and it's a meaty sandwich. The flavors were on point as well. Coleslaw was the side which complimented the sandwich perfectly. Not too creamy or too vinegar based. Service was great. Our server gave my coworkers some good suggestions based on their preferences.", "timestamp": "2017-05-04T15:37:54" }, { "business_id": "V5D41y4cSOVBlx-bVCR1_g", "business_name": "Metro Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "We were able to pop in on a Sunday morning. The staff was very friendly and attentive. We opted to sit at the counter. I was impressed watching the kitchen work together and serve up their creations. We split the chicken biscuit sandwhich. Wish we would have ordered two, so I didn't have to share. We each got deli sandwhiches as well. I really wanted to try the chicken and waffles, but that is not for one person. Come hungry with a friend to try it. The menu is huge. Everyone should be able to find something they want to try.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T14:49:05" }, { "business_id": "Lq0g_QceWkx_spQyzyTwIw", "business_name": "The Woodhouse Day Spa - Carmel", "rating": 5, "text": "My first visit was absolutely amazing! I spent the afternoon being pampered as part of a girl's day and it was perfect. My friend did call and arrange everything for us. The staff was on their game and made the experience even better. We changed into the robes and shoes in a gorgeous locker room, then rested in the quiet room for our treatments to begin. The robes were a little heavy for the summer months and still nice. My treatments included a facial, pedicure, and massage. My favorite was the massage. I rarely have them and it was blissful. I will schedule another massage in the future. Apparently the spa has been there for years and I had no clue. I thought it worth every penny to be pampered for the afternoon. They included a basket at the end of all the products used on you throughout the day. It wasn't pushy, which I appreciate.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T14:56:25" }, { "business_id": "SqkBIkfYOkwJrdehXBvVIQ", "business_name": "Chris' Ice Cream", "rating": 4, "text": "Don't let the name fool you, this place is the spot for Mexican food. It may be a new favorite to add to my rotation. Good thing they are not closer to my house. Affordable and delicious. Order your options at the counter. We each chose the steak burrito. Then grab a booth or table to anxiously await your order brought to you. The first bite was flavorful. Watch the salsa, it has some kick. Good thing they give it to you on the side. The burrito was great and I left full, there was no room for ice cream.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T15:07:17" }, { "business_id": "K96eX9tL3nsfuEJcNYNVQA", "business_name": "Greek's Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "Love the new space and happy they opened in SoBro. They offer delivery, take out and of course dining in. If you don't have kids with you, check out the bar upstairs. Kids are welcome downstairs. The parking lot can be packed, if you're nearby bike over. Greek's is one of my favorite pizza spots. We don't venture too far away from our favorite, sausage, pepperoni and mushroom, especially with the small human in tow. Always grab an order of breadsticks and marinara sauce.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T15:12:41" }, { "business_id": "8VO4Ma7FhsLYop9tk87tbA", "business_name": "Garage Door Doctor", "rating": 4, "text": "Our garage door suffered a terrible fate and we thought we could DIY a fix. However, it became apparent that we needed professional assistance to actually fix the door. It was either that or risk a hernia everytime we tried to open the door. We called Garage Door Doctors and a tech came out to inspect our door. He was knowledgeable and provided useful information. Also that we did need to replace the door. I cringed as I waited to see the quote. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the quote, completely reasonable. We got a couple of additional quotes that didn't even come close. The door was ordered and within a couple of weeks, the install was ready. The tech called a few minutes before he arrived within the two hour window they had promised. I had ordered a color that will go great once we paint our garage to match the house. The tech was concerned I wouldn't like the color, so he double checked. I truly appreciated that touch. He was done in a timely manner and took the few extra minutes to clean up his cardboard and other items. My husband and I are very happy with our new door. No more risking hernias or being smashed by a broken door.", "timestamp": "2017-08-30T19:31:51" }, { "business_id": "bxS6WyZO_s7x-JY-P1m0tQ", "business_name": "Buck Creek Winery", "rating": 4, "text": "Worth the drive off the interstate for wine. We stopped by on a Friday early afternoon on our way to a Girl's Weekend. How had we not heard about this winery? Tasting offered many samples and lots of variety to choose from. As someone who likes drier wines, I was very happy. Their Riesling was more dry than sweet, which was my favorite. A couple bottles of that came home with me. Adding to my list of spots to check out again.", "timestamp": "2017-09-22T16:33:53" }, { "business_id": "saB1o6fF4ozyp0O7LyueOA", "business_name": "Repeal Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Had not tried this restaurant yet and a group of us went over from work. Overall I was pleasantly surprised with the food. Loved the ambiance. Be sure to visit the restroom and check the original brick archways. Great detail in a repurposed building. Ordered the fish sandwhich and it was tasty. A couple of people ordered the fish tacos and raved about them. Tempted by the brisket tacos, but we had brisket a couple of nights that week. I'm adding this to my list of places to come back and check out.", "timestamp": "2017-12-29T16:50:51" }, { "business_id": "CSRJYftc_THPHSJQAqghCg", "business_name": "Crispy Bird", "rating": 3, "text": "The chicken sandwich was cripsy and everything I want in a fried chicken sandwich. Reminded me of a Hattie's chicken sandwich from Saratoga. Their twist on coleslaw with sliced apple was a nice touch. The decor is modern, fresh, and has lots of natural light. I honestly enjoyed the pictures of the chickens on the wall. They are Chinese show chickens the server noted. Our service was good. The server did not inform us that a refill for tea or lemonade would be another drink. Really irks me when restaurants aren't up front about that. Also the kid's meal is $10 with no drink included. Glad to have somewhere I can get a decent chicken sandwich on the northside.", "timestamp": "2018-01-15T20:58:10" }, { "business_id": "punLF4oSWHbH7JK4wO4HzA", "business_name": "Watami Sushi All You Can Eat", "rating": 4, "text": "Hubby and I had a much needed date night here and enjoyed our meal. The server was very attentive and made sure we understood how ordering works. Lots of great options to choose from. Their specialty rolls were cleverly named. The sushi was delish. Excited to have this option around Broad Ripple and want to go back.", "timestamp": "2018-01-15T21:02:09" }, { "business_id": "whbDvrMP-3N-tFRM35YD-g", "business_name": "Flatwater Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Enjoyed brunch recently. Ordered the Peach Bellini and it was tasty. Make sure you ask for the brunch special of the day. It's hard to venture away from my favorite, the tuna tartare but the rest of the menu is delish too.", "timestamp": "2018-01-25T23:37:46" }, { "business_id": "1MoiTfuItt3dZkaQfJkpYw", "business_name": "TwoDEEP Brewing", "rating": 4, "text": "How have I not stopped in here more. Great location, lots of space to enjoy the bar area or sit on a couch. This is a malt forward brewery, so the beers don't have much hops. I was able to have a sample of five beers and enjoyed them all. Ordered the zuchinni sticks and they were tasty. I would like to go back and try more of their food.", "timestamp": "2018-01-26T02:29:37" }, { "business_id": "sr-5EY6bmp4jINhea06MjA", "business_name": "The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers-Broad Ripple Village", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a Pinterest/design dream come true from the moment you walk in. It's feminine and finely dusted with glitter. Detailed decor to match the season. There was no detail left out when designing the experience you have here. We had a girl's lunch here and utilized the back room. Our server was attentive and gave amazing recommendations. Drinks, lunch, and dessert were all delish. Many in our group enjoyed the quiche. I opted for the chicken salad croissant and have zero regrets. There's no butter in there right? Dessert had to be my favorite part. Cake, pie, bars, or other assorted goodies to choose from. The to-go containers are adorable, this goes back to the design details. Overall you are paying for an experience. This is not your traditional bakery. Also reservations for dining are highly encouraged as wait times can be long without. You can walk in and order items to go as well.", "timestamp": "2018-01-26T02:37:59" }, { "business_id": "F-vfI049swuwDR7HMOW1Fg", "business_name": "Red Habanero", "rating": 4, "text": "Simple Saturday afternoon snack, check. After running errands my friend and I stopped in for a snack. Servers were friendly and attentive. I wasn't sure what to get hut the queso with chorizo looked tasty. It felt like a large portion and after a basket of chips it looked like I had barely made a dent. Best thing is the server took our checks to the cashier versus us having to stand in line post meal. That's apparently how they roll. It's minor but definitely encourages me to come back.", "timestamp": "2018-03-13T01:12:22" }, { "business_id": "UK007MpAU5B6P4o7_dVsTA", "business_name": "Between the Bun - Burgers, Dogs and More", "rating": 4, "text": "We were in the area and thought why not try something different. For a Friday lunch, they were busy and there was a bit of a wait. Our server was hustling and remained courteous. She rocked. Lots of choices for burgers. We opted to split the four slider sampler pack. We chose the classic, Boss Hog, Swiss and Shroom, and the pickle one (can't remember the name). We added the tater tots versus fries. We also opted for BBQ sauce to dip our tots in. Wise move. The Johnny Appleseed was sweet with a tiny bit of heat. The place was backed and glad we made the drive. May try an off hour next time.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T15:19:10" }, { "business_id": "0vOOrWqn-7HlyVIqUT_8JA", "business_name": "Noah Grant's", "rating": 5, "text": "Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the crowd. If you want the dining room, make a reservation. We didn't know what to expect when we went in, but worth our wait for a seat. Wonderful selection of oysters. The people beside us tried the sushi and were gracious enough to share with us. Delish, but glad I didn't make my whole meal it. I was torn between the scallops and another dish. Our server recommended the scallops and it was amazing. Hubby ordered the small steak and it was perfect. If you need a date night, or looking for something upscale, this is it! The decor is wonderful, fresh, and modern.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T15:26:24" }, { "business_id": "X-J8KLkbFJB4WCGdqSvePQ", "business_name": "Goodfellas Pizzeria - Broad Ripple", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm married to a New Yorker and the hunt for NY style pizza has taken a while around Indy. No more. Thin foldable slices. Delish. Pop in for a lunch special. Dluce, side, and drink for $6. They even offer it on Saturday. Pricing for whole pies is reseaonable.", "timestamp": "2018-04-21T16:49:48" }, { "business_id": "h4RaM9E8C0d20Uw-nLR5aw", "business_name": "The Children's Museum of Indianapolis", "rating": 5, "text": "The new outdoor experience is no joke. This is exactly what the museum needed to round out their offerings. So much space for kids to run and play. The treehouse is a new family favorite. Pack the water bottle and sunscreen for the family as you won't want to miss this. Excited to introduce my kid to a variety of sports and help gauge interest before we sign him up for something. What great exposure for kids.", "timestamp": "2018-05-20T14:55:33" }, { "business_id": "jJbygynjo79uPbGwhPiONw", "business_name": "Crab general", "rating": 5, "text": "Stop in and enjoy your own hot pot. Our server gave us a great tip:. Order seafood first. Next round order meat and veggies. Save the noodles and meatballs until the end. We didn't know that until we asked. It's a fun food adventure. Make your own creations and combinations. Don't forget to stop by the sauce bar. Your broth will have flavor but this is to finish everything before you take a bite. Hubby and I enjoyed our evening. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable.", "timestamp": "2018-06-23T00:05:34" }, { "business_id": "xne1l7I2166PbF59qQUxGg", "business_name": "Next Door American Eatery", "rating": 3, "text": "Excited to have another eatery in the neighborhood. We went in the first week of opening. Service was good. We went for a late lunch and had minimal wait. Food selection is solid. We had the beet burger and regular burger. My favorite part was the pickles.", "timestamp": "2018-06-23T00:10:39" }, { "business_id": "yiOdk7N4_id1f5nwGvVAgw", "business_name": "Life Time", "rating": 4, "text": "Writing a review for a gym seems silly, but I want to share why I joined. I had been a long time member of another chain in Indy. Their service and equipment wasn't up to snuff anymore and my favorite instructor was leaving. The cost for Life Time is more than most gyms, but this frugal momma says it's worth it! Most classes are included in your membership, there are paid classes available. These tend to be smaller class sizes and more personalized. Seriously, check out Josh's Boxing class there. The facility is clean, has many amenities, and the staff is friendly. My son loves the kid's area. He doesn't mind spending time there since they have a basketball court, indoor climbing maze, and tablets. Plus childcare hours are decent for my schedule. My favorite part is the steam room. Can I just stay in there forever? The cardio equipment and weights areas are clean. It doesn't feel gross. It's weird to see staff on the floor cleaning equipment even during high traffic times. I truly appreciate that.", "timestamp": "2018-09-06T20:27:29" }, { "business_id": "sAVZbkhmIt0Am-iPJcFzig", "business_name": "Holliday Park", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite parks in the city. Huge playground for kids. Hiking trails that are pretty tame. Ruins are great for exploring. Bonus is the nature center. It's free and perfect for a rainy day. We have hosted a birthday party there and it was affordable. Visit this lovely escape in the city.", "timestamp": "2018-09-30T15:44:56" }, { "business_id": "jyFIMQV67um9Mz_tNjHZ3g", "business_name": "Hoagies & Hops", "rating": 5, "text": "Come in and get yourself a cheesesteak. It's the closest in the city to Philly. So much food and you will be full for the day. There are other sandwiches that are tasty as well. Pickles are perfection.", "timestamp": "2018-09-30T15:48:08" }, { "business_id": "CxUcM0VdEcHhlm_4_Mbwyw", "business_name": "Tube Factory Artspace", "rating": 5, "text": "My first visit was for a poetry reading. I want sure what to expect from the space. However, it was amazing. This art space is cultivated to give you a variety of experiences. Take in the art work, read a book, or even play some putt putt. The space is designed for both indoor and outdoor usage.", "timestamp": "2018-09-30T15:50:43" }, { "business_id": "o6No8FiwyDAOlcY7PGUEXw", "business_name": "Thaitanium", "rating": 4, "text": "It's nice to see a Thai spot on Mass ave. Ordered the crab rangoon and was really happy with it. The entire dumpling was fried perfectly. Each bit had some crunch but wasn't oily. Tom yum soup medium hot rounded out my meal. Lots of veggies included. They had a lot of takeout business while I was dining in. I thought our service was a bit slow but seeing the carry out traffic I'm okay with it. Plus I want in a rush. Staff was friendly and the dining environment is nice.", "timestamp": "2018-10-11T16:18:26" }, { "business_id": "ibe3g1TlMJmlkz_8Go0m1A", "business_name": "Nine Lives Cat Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Visited for an event a friend hosted. Learned alot about the adoptions and work that they are doing with Indy Humane. Come pet a kitty, get a coffee, and hang out. The cats are separate from the coffee. Even those with is that are allergic to cats managed well. The cats are well cat like. They could gave card less about humans. HA!", "timestamp": "2018-10-11T16:22:00" }, { "business_id": "7g7frE-BAJ6FrVZaXdVp8Q", "business_name": "Lego Store", "rating": 4, "text": "Brought my son here for the first time and he was mesmerized. He of course wanted everything in the store. He enjoyed being able to customize a character with their in store setup. There were lots of options to choose from, but it was lacking accessories. Maybe they were just buried at the bottom. The wall of Legos was a site. It's actually the best deal I think the store. Use a container and fill it up for $9 or $16 with anything on the wall. It was nice to add some more colors to our collection.", "timestamp": "2018-11-13T16:14:05" }, { "business_id": "lqF0Q5vVLxY-_Cth6LtEdg", "business_name": "The Gallery Pastry Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "While I love this place, my five year old adores it more. He has a wonderful appreciation for macaroons. Our favorite is $1 Wednesday. It's worth heading into the shop and dining in. The decor is amazing, the staff is friendly, and you can watch them making their next creations. My favorite is to sit at the bar and watch. They offer a variety of beverages, cocktails, pastries, and food. I have popped in for a croissant to enjoy the next morning.", "timestamp": "2018-11-13T16:31:51" }, { "business_id": "kcOAfvwLUOAYQO3x4gocqA", "business_name": "Maxine's Chicken & Waffles", "rating": 4, "text": "Come with your best stretchy pants on. They have the best fried chicken in Indy. This is not some quick deep fry, greatness takes time. Is it worth the longer wait once you order...absolutely. Make sure you sample the peach butter. We ordered the cinnamon waffle and added the peach butter. The flavors were amazing and surprisingly, not overly sweet. I love to make my own chicken biscuit sandwich. Order the boneless chicken breast along with an order of biscuits. My son is a chicken finger expert. While he was skeptical at first, he later admitted they were some of the best chicken fingers he's had. Servers always make me feel like I'm eating dinner at my aunt's house. They ask if you need anything else, call you sweetie, and overall have a great demeanor.", "timestamp": "2018-11-29T20:21:04" }, { "business_id": "FtiM7EZMKvAPqZqud27x3A", "business_name": "Nick's Chili Parlor", "rating": 4, "text": "My parents have been lugging me here for years. Recently, they were in town and really wanted Nick's. Sure, why not. I forget out this gem since I rarely explore the westside. We went on Tuesday, which happens to be the Chili Dog deal day. I won't say how many my dad and I ordered, but worth every bite. There is something about this place. Maybe it's the fact that the same people have been working there for years. Maybe it's the nostalgia of going with my parents. They are open on Sundays now too, if you're out and about.", "timestamp": "2018-11-29T20:24:15" }, { "business_id": "-bOe__PV8KQM_v1hguxSAA", "business_name": "Hogan Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze", "rating": 4, "text": "I had never heard of this location until we researched pumpkin patches open on Sunday. We went mid morning and had a wonderful time. Being able to explore the pumpkins and pick them off the vine was nice. The smaller pumpkins were already available towards the front. Easier to make your selections. It was muddy and fun. Staff was friendly.", "timestamp": "2018-11-29T20:29:10" }, { "business_id": "msnm4l6xGcCDrPrjDzUVbQ", "business_name": "Winterlights at Newfields", "rating": 4, "text": "Lovely event that I'm glad Newfields brought back this year. Loved the addition of the marketplace before heading out. My favorite this year is at the end but I don't want to ruin the surprise. Check it out. Get the glasses to see some special effects.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:04:30" }, { "business_id": "d03SfBQVCfjgLrxBc5_iuA", "business_name": "Zen Nail Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "This was the first time I booked an appointment through yelp. The salon was very responsive and made it easy. Great feature. We arrived early and they were able to get us in. Picking a color was the hardest part. Too many to choice from. I opted for a gel manicure, but excited to come back for the dip gel manicure. You can choose a beverage during your visit. I opted for coffee but wine is available. Nice touch. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable on the different product options.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:10:10" }, { "business_id": "vuxophXABXyZW7MbnH-iXg", "business_name": "The Donut Experiment Indianapolis", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute experience. We attended a birthday party here and loved it. You can customize your donuts. Great for those picky small humans or adults that like to try something new. Lots of options to create your donuts. The owner was awesome and so patient with all the kids. She walked us all through the process and let us create. If you need a fun party idea, connect with The Donut Experiment.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:18:26" }, { "business_id": "nACvSXi3Sl7ns9tN4b4V2w", "business_name": "Condado Tacos", "rating": 4, "text": "I love tacos and was excited to try this new place. Couldn't decide if I should create my own or go on menu. Opted to try their menu options and was not disappointed. Best part is the price point, affordable. The place can be packed but service wasn't an issue. Our server had solid recommendations. My friend is vegetarian and she had many options to choose from. Excited to go back and try more.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:21:30" }, { "business_id": "f7FPMRaMbGiX-CXPaLFCJw", "business_name": "Taste Restaurant At Lucky Lou Seafood and Dimsum", "rating": 4, "text": "Great experience dinner option. Come with a group and order a few items. Serving sizes are for family style dining. The lazy susan on the total was my favorite. No awkward passing of plates, just spin. We ordered the lamb and it was amazing. We also had the friend bean curd and it was perfectly seasoned. I went with friends that had been before. I would go again with them before trying on my own.", "timestamp": "2019-01-09T17:17:25" }, { "business_id": "QFQ8PQit-SCD5L1rUsvTBQ", "business_name": "Burgerhaus", "rating": 4, "text": "Wanted to try for a bit especially after walking by one night. It smelled amazing. Lots of options for burgers. Create your own or go with one of their creations. Opted for the Monaco since I wanted the fancy red wine mayo. I would get it again. Staff was great and provided good suggestions. Plus our server gave me a to go diet coke. That was really appreciated.", "timestamp": "2019-01-09T17:21:24" }, { "business_id": "nR5YybQrv7P62jd_oP5p7g", "business_name": "Mama Carolla's", "rating": 4, "text": "Come for dinner, stay for the atmosphere. On weekends it can be busy so expect a wait. Many great appetizers. The calamari is delish. However, I long for the crab cakes to return to the menu. The warm bread is my second favorite thing on the menu. The first is dessert. Tiramisu and a chocolate martini. They are a delish combination. As for entrees I bounce between the chicken rigatoni, pasta too good, and chicken lasagna. Always get the Italian wedding soup. My favorite aspect of Mama's is that most of the staff has been there for years. Some places that could be bad. However it's great here. They can handle the waits, maneuver around people, and still deliver great service. Wait time too long, make new friends in the bar area while you wait. Enjoy your evening and dinner.", "timestamp": "2019-01-27T01:00:50" }, { "business_id": "IU64UZ7SJlfDnxFV-w0Q9Q", "business_name": "Christie Cookie", "rating": 5, "text": "Seriously the best sugar cookie ever. I was drawn in because of the cookies sign on the side of the building. It did not disappoint. Sampled the chocolate chunk cookie and the snickerdoodle. Best decision on a whim I've made. Get your butt here and try these cookies. Also, do you ship to Indy??", "timestamp": "2019-02-22T22:16:48" }, { "business_id": "m7-OF4M95sUbR_y5qSQ1kQ", "business_name": "Draper James", "rating": 4, "text": "Hey Y'all this store is adorable. Stumbled upon it while exploring Nashville and was so glad. You are greeted with sweet tea when you enter. The customer service was friendly and made great recommendations based on what I had picked out. The store has a couple of spots to sit and relax. The dressing rooms are spacious and well lit. This store is an overall experience. So thankful I got to see it in person.", "timestamp": "2019-02-23T13:20:54" }, { "business_id": "7_uMEn4P2HpimT1IXsHS9g", "business_name": "Asian Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "After reading the reviews we opted to give this one a try. Best decision. Called in our order and told 10 minutes. Guess what? Stuff was fresh and ready in 10 minutes. The dinner portions are huge. To go containers full of the dish and fried rice on the side separately. The dishes were flavorful and not that taste of being full of salt. Our favorite was the crab rangoon. Other reviewers noted it tasted like crab vs just cream cheese and it's TRUE. Very glad we ordered what we thought would be too much. Cant wait to order again and support this business.", "timestamp": "2019-06-16T21:04:48" }, { "business_id": "teFjQxUqT8c-yxQdoILDVQ", "business_name": "Nada", "rating": 5, "text": "Great atmosphere and love the decor. Seriously I love the tile work and the wallpaper in the bathroom stalls. Ordered the carne asada, baja, and pastor tacos. They were delish. They have revamped the menu and my favorite dish...fried chicken is gone. That's okay, those tacos were spectacular. The flavor on the carne asada was perfect. Come for dinner with friends or something more cozy.", "timestamp": "2019-08-11T00:53:45" }, { "business_id": "WWKHJNBeUeq7XxtGhjkQkA", "business_name": "Taqueria La Chela", "rating": 4, "text": "Delish new spot in Midtown that you should check out. Had the chorizo, pastor, and asada tacos. They were flavorful and had the right amount of filling. Order the poderosa and it comes with rice, beans, and a drink. Lots of food for a great price. The inside is small, but plenty of room to stay and enjoy your meal. Staff was friendly and answered our questions.", "timestamp": "2019-08-13T17:00:01" }, { "business_id": "W_32KZk49L2ATbh9w9Tabw", "business_name": "Pivot Bar and Balcony", "rating": 4, "text": "Come for the view and atmosphere, stay for the drinks. I ordered a brown bag beer. My friends ordered a million espresso martinis and the bartender was on top of it. Big couches, fireplace, and lots of seating. Adding to my list of places to visit more often downtown.", "timestamp": "2019-09-27T12:20:49" }, { "business_id": "nNYKCU_9TOjJLRYwtRiHvQ", "business_name": "Rene's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "Lovely little spot. My kid wanted something sweet for breakfast do why not visit Renee's. He couldn't choose from all the delicious pastries. Finally, he selected the cinnamon roll. He's had a few cinnamon rolls in his life and this hands down was the best. He kept commenting how good it was. Bring hand wipes because it got everywhere. We watched staff make the next round of goodies and they were super friendly.", "timestamp": "2019-09-27T12:27:38" }, { "business_id": "ppV8AwESFjlG5FSRXdvtyg", "business_name": "LouVino", "rating": 5, "text": "Dinner was amazing along with the service. We ordered a number of small plates to share. My favorites were the brussel sprouts, scallops, and risotto. Ordered a wine flight. They were out of the one wine I really wanted but subbed with a wonderful option. The atmosphere was great and I can't wait to go back.", "timestamp": "2019-10-17T14:34:14" }, { "business_id": "WQ1oZ11HbYL7K7kj62ttAw", "business_name": "Half Liter Beer & BBQ Hall", "rating": 4, "text": "So glad to have a good BBQ spot in midtown. Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere. I've sat inside and outside. My favorite is the top outdoor seating where kids aren't allowed. It's a nice break for parents. Love the brisket and mac n cheese. The hish puppies are a nice addition as well. As a frequent runner on the Monon I also appreciate they have put a water cooler along the trail.", "timestamp": "2019-10-17T14:41:08" }, { "business_id": "cSHp3ncOeVuIRNHqxf-7kQ", "business_name": "HI-FI", "rating": 5, "text": "First time visit and loved it. Most music venues when you leave you cant hear for hours. The acoustics are setup correctly and make the experience enjoyable. Staff was friendly and bonus for clean bathrooms. Why did I wait so long to visit? Adding to my list of places to check out regularly.", "timestamp": "2019-10-24T12:53:48" }, { "business_id": "yxs_SMXOMC7fDOVWwDLBdg", "business_name": "Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery", "rating": 4, "text": "It's so peaceful and beautiful. My favorite time of year to visit is fall. The trees are colorful and sprinkle their leaves upon the graves. Going up to James Whitcomb Riley's tomb is worth the effort. Plus, provides an amazing view of the city. I also enjoy strolling around the gothic cathedral for it's beauty. Everytime I visit I find something new to admire. Go explore and see what interesting things you find.", "timestamp": "2019-11-01T23:38:44" }, { "business_id": "mPZuMGNWXMnaAOBiVG7jxQ", "business_name": "Urban Air Adventure Park - Noblesville", "rating": 5, "text": "Visited for a birthday party and loved it. It's well organized from a party perspective. Staff was friendly and responsive to concerns. My son can't wait to.go back.and run around. He spent a lot of time on this jump dodge game. They do offer a food court and adult beverages as well. Tip: dress your kid in something easily recognizable. The place is huge and the playground can be hard to find them at times. A bright shirt or shorts will help.", "timestamp": "2019-12-01T12:36:40" }, { "business_id": "OvqKkasmJeDEPVsADSmG1A", "business_name": "Salon 6", "rating": 5, "text": "I love coming to Salon 6. The staff is friendly, scheduling is easy, and it's very comfy inside especially the waiting area. Stephanie has been cutting my hair for years. She takes the time to do a consultation with each cut, even if I'm doing the same thing. While doing the shampoo she gives the BEST head massage. I could sit there all day letting her massage my head. She also does wonderful color work. We did a balayage color with blonde and it's held up so well. I got so many compliments on this color. I always walk out feeling refreshed and energized from a great cut. I don't feel pressured to buy a ton of products. They do offer the Eurphora line and it's a great company. Environmentally friendly products for your hair and body. If you're looking for a salon, give Salon 6 a try!", "timestamp": "2019-12-06T15:33:09" }, { "business_id": "ZAZljXWLdWUhTSAkO8qdXg", "business_name": "The Old Spaghetti Factory", "rating": 3, "text": "Downtown Indy staple for years. Stopped in because the small human wanted spaghetti and meatballs while we were out. We were seated quickly but service felt slow. Maybe light on staff for a Saturday afternoon? I appreciate they still offer salad and dessert with their entrees. Opted for the spinach tortellini and it was tasty. Kid said his spaghetti and sauce were the best. We asked to sit in the trolley to do something different and so glad we did. The kid loved it. Gave us a chance to talk about the history of Indy.", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T21:53:08" } ]	{ "business_id": "52q3_FQ5uX43IayrQS7znQ", "business_name": "Carmel Christkindlmarkt", "rating": 4, "text": "Great free event. Went with family and there was something for people of all ages. Spent about an hour or so exploring. Skate rental was easy once tickets were acquired. You may have to wait for a timeframe to skate, check upon getting to the market. We found that hitting the vendors towards the back had shorter lines especially for hot chocolate. We will go back next year.", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T22:00:20" }
DBYhpb5hrAYgQjQaMhNYyQ	[ { "business_id": "wxJwNCV2oC5Tnan8rzi9iw", "business_name": "Zest! Exciting Food Creations", "rating": 5, "text": "We love the environment for brunch and their many options. My top picks are the Creme Brulee french toast, stuffed tortilla, and BLT. The mac and cheese side is delish. If you saved room check out their brownies.", "timestamp": "2015-04-08T17:35:50" }, { "business_id": "0N2D4HtF2gLJvWxjIfiZDg", "business_name": "La Chinita Poblana", "rating": 4, "text": "Great place to stop in and get delicious tacos. While there aren't tables you can stand and eat. My favorites are the spicy shrimp and chicken tamarind. The chips and salsa are great too. I'm not one to share my chips and salsa from there. The owner George is almost always there and has delivered my order before. Great small business.", "timestamp": "2015-04-19T21:07:00" }, { "business_id": "rVhsjZWk_u20TDcvwhbdyQ", "business_name": "Indy Tacos", "rating": 5, "text": "We popped in for dinner tonight after looking at the sign for a couple of weeks. We had heard good things from neighbors. The tacos were delicious, good portions, and fresh. We had the steak, chicken and chorizo tacos. The quacamole was great too. Can't wait to go back and continue to support a local business.", "timestamp": "2015-05-05T00:30:57" }, { "business_id": "EQ-TZ2eeD_E0BHuvoaeG5Q", "business_name": "Milktooth", "rating": 4, "text": "This was our first time in and we will be back. Servers and hostesses were friendly. Lots of action in the restaurant. We would have loved to sit at the counter and watch the chef create. The vintage decor is wonderful too. Atmosphere is kid friendly. As for the food, it was cooked perfectly. The unique menu is great to explore new breakfast options, definitely not your traditional breakfast spot. Hubby had the savory dutch baby pancake, he was unsure of the grapes at first but it worked well with the dish. I opted for the sweet version and was very pleased. Not too sweet, the fig jam and cream helped provide a nice balance. We look forward to going again in the future.", "timestamp": "2015-05-18T18:55:40" }, { "business_id": "VklF-5UrAIrDtcYolY3AWA", "business_name": "The Paw Patch Place", "rating": 4, "text": "We have been going to the Paw Patch Place for a couple of years. We recently had to take our dog in for some health concerns. They did a good job of giving us options, being thorough in their exam and considerate on the cost. Dr. Dowden has a wonderful bed side manner, which is really important to me. It's not easy when your animal is sick. They were on time with the appointment and we were able to leave within about 30 minutes. I appreciate their promptness as well.", "timestamp": "2015-05-21T17:47:05" }, { "business_id": "9V0LMtO1riRw9-pUuG4NFg", "business_name": "Delicia", "rating": 4, "text": "This is our first brunch experience here. We have had wonderful dinners in the past. The server recommended the Dominican Breakfast, it was great. The plantains and fried cheese go together perfectly. The sausage was delicious. We also ordered the ceviche to split. The cornmeal biscuits and chorizo gravy were spot on. Sweetness from the cornmeal compliments the chorizo. Service was great as well.", "timestamp": "2015-05-24T15:12:25" }, { "business_id": "KInoSyTm9ioQcY1RFQ4ISg", "business_name": "The District Tap", "rating": 4, "text": "Wonderful beer selection full of local and regional breweries. Pricing for beer isn't too high either. Servers and staff were friendly and welcoming. Good variety of food for adults and kids. I have had a mac and cheese pot (delish) and the Mexicali Mess burger. Burger was cooked perfectly and not completely messy. We will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-06-06T11:57:24" }, { "business_id": "w2zvMPmyqxalHQ5LVmFktA", "business_name": "The Dancing Donut", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been waiting to pop over to The Dancing Donut since they opened. Went this morning and quite the selection of donuts to choose from. I chuckled at the names as I made my selection. I chose the Berry Poppins and was really pleased with it. The strawberry cream filling was delish and the lemon topping contrasted it perfectly. Lots of yeast flavor and very filling. Loved the decor of the shop as well. I look forward to going back in the future.", "timestamp": "2015-07-07T15:12:39" }, { "business_id": "UT6RNEKJj6OZMnSwZprXTw", "business_name": "Fat Dan's Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "Popped over for a quick lunch today. Interesting selection of craft beers, a number of choices. This may be random but I love their corn dog. Not too much breading and deep fried to perfection. Order tots as a side. Lots of good options on the menu. Hubby wemt with the Italian beef and wondered what had taken him so long to try it.", "timestamp": "2015-07-13T00:03:12" }, { "business_id": "sTPueJEwcRDj7ZJmG7okYA", "business_name": "Jim's South St", "rating": 4, "text": "Forget Pat's or Gyno's, go to Jim's. This has been our go to spot for years. Popped in today as detour on a long road trip. Perfect. While in line decide your order. Don't wait to look at the menu until you're at the grill.", "timestamp": "2015-07-19T17:57:13" }, { "business_id": "3CGXa85uNgvp8Berx5AhQQ", "business_name": "La Margarita", "rating": 5, "text": "Come for the food...stay for the margaritas. Great food that is filling and priced right. Margaritas are dangerously delicious. Service was wonderful. We will be back. My toddler recommends the mints at the hostess station.", "timestamp": "2015-08-08T19:19:09" }, { "business_id": "tPYkrHdTsYe_-Ty5EPiP2Q", "business_name": "Iaria's Italian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "We randomly selected to have tonight be our first visit. The diner feel is different but gives so much character. We sat at the bar, our favorite place to sit in a restaurant. The craft beer selection was impressive. For our dinner selections we kept it simple. Meat ravioli and chicken parmesan. I opt for seasonal veggies instead of pasta. I know odd. Both entrees were great. My chicken parmesan did give my knife a fight with all the mozzarella on top. Not too much and it was melted perfectly. Meatballs were good too. The marinara sauce is a bit sweeter than expected but still good. Loads of regulars in with their family and friends. Service was great. We will be back. Now I'm gonna go eat the tiramisu I brought home. Too full to eat it there.", "timestamp": "2015-08-15T00:43:40" }, { "business_id": "iNiAJAtsbV5xOQGRtce-NQ", "business_name": "Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Indianapolis", "rating": 4, "text": "We explored a variety of red wines and decided on the house cabernet sauvigon. Server was very knowledgeable on varieties to try. We enjoyed our entrees and drinks. Enjoyed the cheesecake pops as well. Chose both the white and dark chocolate. Unsure about joining the wine/month club. Maybe next time we visit.", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T01:20:57" }, { "business_id": "dP5k-Plsiw9dn9h9Y1oWNA", "business_name": "Chilly Water Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "Great beer and tasty food. Skip, your balls are the best. I recommend the peanut butter. Delish! The outdoor seating is perfect for people watching along the trail. Pop in, have a drink, and support an award winning brewery.", "timestamp": "2015-08-28T19:55:49" }, { "business_id": "HH9x7WcNQR3cnwkHo_YL0w", "business_name": "Mimi Blue Meatballs", "rating": 4, "text": "The toddler chose meatballs over pizza. Glad we didn't argue. This was our first stop in. We were surprised my the quickness of service. Our server was outstanding. While they don't have a kid's menu the server recommended the slider for him. It was the right amount of food for him along with part of our side. Hubby and I split the 4 baller. We opted for the blue ball special (yes we giggled at that), turkey, veggie, and classic. My favorite was the veggie with spicy cilantro sauce. Reminded me of a falafel. I also like the turkey with garlic cream. Instead of the recommended brussel sprouts we qent for the mac & queso. Enough for the two of us to split and not feel stuffed. We will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-10T00:30:45" }, { "business_id": "vgaDkuxjt8-w-0PtE8tTCA", "business_name": "Yolk - City Way", "rating": 4, "text": "Great service from a friendly and welcoming staff. Our server offered to go coffees, she was after my heart. I was really torn on what to get. It's hard to pass up Chicken and Waffles, especially those that are a bit different. I opted to hold out until my next trip. The seasonal option of pumpkin pancakes sounded delish as well. Instead went for the El Torero Scrambler and ordered the pancake on the side. Their home made picante salsa was a nice compliment to the scrambler. My pancakes were tasty and had a hint of vanilla. Lots of variety on the menu to meet anyone's breakfast cravings.", "timestamp": "2015-10-21T20:08:29" }, { "business_id": "6o3Xj4Lxa2XcaHuCblCc3g", "business_name": "Big Lug Canteen", "rating": 4, "text": "So happy to have a new place in the Nora area to visit. The service was great and loved the environment. We sampled a couple different beers and liked the flavors. I had the stout, hubby had the IPA. I was also intrigued to see all the spirits from one midwest company. Didn't try any this visit, maybe on our next visit. For the food we ordered Nashville hot boneless wings. I was hoping for more heat and flavor. They were a little bland for my liking. I will try them again at a later time. We split the full shrimp po boy and enjoyed the flavors. We also split a house salad. For dressing I chose the parmesan vinaigrette. Order it, it's delicious and you may want more. Overall great experience and we will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-11-02T18:00:17" }, { "business_id": "lyCsdcVlyq--sTOxDNk4LQ", "business_name": "Eat+Drink", "rating": 3, "text": "Popped in for drinks with a group of people after dinner. Service was a bit slow to get beers. Maybe a keg blew, but it just seemed slow compared to other places. We will try another night for dinner and see how it works out.", "timestamp": "2015-11-03T14:15:34" }, { "business_id": "_m0mp3Wjcteysto6azQ9iA", "business_name": "Seasons 52", "rating": 4, "text": "Went on Friday night with a group of friends. This was my first time. Upon arrival the smell of garlic was wafting through the air. That's pretty enticing to me. The decor inside was intimate. Ordering a bottle of wine was cheaper for us than individual drinks for hubby and I. Many things on the menu sounded good, especially with their fall menu items included. The butternut squash soup with smooth and full of flavor. While the crab cake I ordered was crispy, I wish it had some more flavor. Hubby ordered the scallops. They were buttery and seared to perfection. I would have eaten lots of the risotto that was a side with the scallops. We didn't order dessert, but they looked very tempting. Bringing the finished product to the table is genius. I could have ordered three. Overall it was a good experience with a great wait staff. Not sure if it makes my list to return to very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-11-16T21:40:52" }, { "business_id": "_r8Uv8fZpkTqQBaaG51Yhg", "business_name": "The North End BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "Tonight was our second time at North End. We will be back. Both times we have brought our toddler and it's gone well. We enjoyed the ribs + one meat entree. Ribs were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. You do not need sauce. The sauce is a nice bonus. For our other meat we opted for the brisket. It too was exactly as it should be and more. My choice for sauce in the Texas Red. They do offer a Carolina mustard based sauce, something we do not have alot of around here. As for sides, get the mac & cheese. The bacon jam stirred in adds a new level of flavor. I wanted to lick the dish clean. The drink menu is expansive and offers a little bit for everyone. My first drink was the seasonal shake up. Think spiced apple cider, delish. My second cocktail was the rotating house barrel aged drink. It was something with rose. While I was hesitant at first, I was pleased with the selection.", "timestamp": "2015-11-21T04:41:45" }, { "business_id": "Pk3N--cpw3uWZHhtUgR_FA", "business_name": "Pawn Shop Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "One of my favorite spots in Indy. Favorite guilty pleasure is the onion rings. They offer cocktail with it and it's tasty. Wear your stretchy pants and order the breaded tenderloin. It is the best I have had. Additionally there are great drink deals and your wallet won't be hurting after a visit.", "timestamp": "2015-12-08T03:51:21" }, { "business_id": "tFpstYqxugKHzeyNUsuD_A", "business_name": "The Pint Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped in over the weekend with family in town. The atmosphere was inviting and the staff was great. Since this was our first time in we ordered a variety of burgers and split them. We ordered The Hangover, Shitake, & BBQ. The Hangover was my favorite. Ordered the regular and sweet potato fries. Sweet potato fries a great choice and the dipping sauce wasn't too sweet. The beer menu is expansive, 124 beers on tap. Their beer menu was well organized and labeled. The bartender was very knowledgeable about the breweries and beers available. If we are up that way again, we will pop in. Glad we did and tried somewhere new.", "timestamp": "2015-12-08T03:57:57" }, { "business_id": "aREOVt958pzJsuNmX1-LUQ", "business_name": "Twenty Tap", "rating": 5, "text": "We have been huge fans since Twenty Tap opened. It's been great watching them grow and strive with their success. Their staff is knowledgeable about beer and the various breweries. Beers are constantly changing so check their list daily. This is the go to spot we bring out of town friends and family. Some still talk about it after one trip. My order is usually the Pork Bah Mi with side salad. It's not too spicy, but does give a good amount of heat. Depending on my mood I will opt for the fries or side salad. Saturday night I went for the salad. Best part of the dish is the little dish of housemade pickles. Perfection! For an appetizer I recommend the cheese curds. Order the garlic and sriracha aiolis. It's best to split with friends, but no judgement if you can't resist the whole plate. The kids menu doesn't disappoint either. Lots of options and sides, plus it comes with a drink for $5-6. Not a bad deal. Brioche bun for the toddler's chicken sandwich. He took a bite and said Delicious! If you're going with kids you may have a wait due to the smaller family dining side. I recommend going at off times or at lunch for less wait. Without the kids relax at the bar, it's common for people to eat at the bar especially with a wait.", "timestamp": "2015-12-14T17:33:35" }, { "business_id": "ZVFGfG-BuiCT0RBRFSdx3Q", "business_name": "Recess", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow! We have been reluctant to try Recess because we were worried it wouldn't live up to the hype. We were wrong, very wrong. Our dinner and experience was spectacular and everything we expected. Hubby made reservations for dinner last night, my birthday, and completely surprised me. The coursed menu looked great, but we opted for a la carte options. The addition of the raw bar is perfect. Hubby ordered oysters and I opted for the chirashi with tuna, himachi, and scallops. The scallops were like butter. This course I refused to share, it was too good. For dinner we each chose a different entree. I had the winter fluke with wild rice and cranberry chutney. I wanted more of the wild rice mix to take home. The fish was tender and tasted impeccable. Hubby went with the lamb, mashed potatoes and zucchini puree. It was not too heavy, but just right. Dessert with a chocolate hazelnut deliciousness topped with pomegranate seeds and crushed candy canes. Sounds odd, but combined for wonderful flavors. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable on wine and dinner selections. We had a chance to speak with Greg, the head chef, and he's pretty awesome. So glad a restaurant of this caliber is my neighborhood and is everything everyone told us it would be. We will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-12-18T21:40:42" }, { "business_id": "ZiEnbtECCJjvBegWMFLs1g", "business_name": "Libertine Liquor Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "It's a great place to come and try something different. We may not come here frequently, but each time has been fun. You pay for craft cocktails or you can choose beer and wine as well. My only negative is that is gets crowded pretty easily. At least give it a try if you're on Mass Ave.", "timestamp": "2016-01-03T15:26:25" }, { "business_id": "4MFIksBbFgsbVyqH9Tmoiw", "business_name": "Pizzology Craft Pizza & Pub", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been a fan of Pizzology since they opened their Carmel location. The Homemade Sausage is amazing. It's my go to selection along with a large chop salad to split. We have tried a variety of their pizzas and haven't had anything we didn't like. Seasonal selections on the appetizer menu rotate. They used to have zuchinni fritters that were awesome, wish they would bring those back. Order the sidecar of sauces to help use up that last bit of crust. Mix the garlic and mornay together...perfection. Good selection or wine, beer, and drinks. It's kid friendly, but I prefer to enjoy without my toddler.", "timestamp": "2016-01-03T15:32:25" }, { "business_id": "b2IDM2SC0HkcflLl_nSTrA", "business_name": "Danny Boy Beer Works", "rating": 4, "text": "If you are up near the Village of West Clay, you should stop in. They make some great house beers and have taps available for other craft breweries. Very open and inviting bar. Best part ladies is the hooks under the bar and outlets! Seriously, something little like this makes me want to come back. Beers were delish. Opted for a sampler of 4 beers, focusing on IPA's, browns, and/or porters.", "timestamp": "2016-01-03T20:34:34" }, { "business_id": "BSArML9g8DF8ZinTwfZ6Vg", "business_name": "Greek's Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "Pizza was great as always. The delicious garlic butter they put on the crust is my favorite. Great deals for a Saturday, Medium 1 topping pizza and sticks. This local has canned craft beer for a great price. It's cozy inside like other locations. Since Broad Ripple closed, if we are up this way, we stop again.", "timestamp": "2016-01-07T21:56:02" }, { "business_id": "xTtWhx2vqyWoUDAKLgSAHw", "business_name": "Guresu", "rating": 4, "text": "Ordered carry out for lunch and was very pleased. The lunch special of 3 rolls for $10.50 is a great deal. I ordered the following rolls: Spicy tuna Spicy scallop Keystone roll I was expecting smaller rolls for the price, but not at all. 8 pieces of each. On top of the great deal they were tasty. Adding this to my lunch spot options near the office.", "timestamp": "2016-01-08T18:53:54" }, { "business_id": "-b8qRoIcTo7NBgTAe9XhgA", "business_name": "Chef Joseph's at The Connoisseur Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Visited over the weekend with friends. We wanted to try somewhere new and on the Devour Downtown list. Enjoyed the atmosphere along with the friendly staff. They had a jazz singer belting out tunes during dinner. Did you know they have brunch on Saturday and Sunday? Me either but adding to my list of things to try. Duck bacon was the item of the night at our table. Duck bacon fries (serving size is huge) and the empanada as well. The sauce on the empanada was perfection. My scallops were cooked perfectly. Hubby opted for something off their normal menu, a shrimp pasta. He enjoyed it. Bottles of wine were reasonably priced and they offer a chef's reserve selection. Can't wait to update my review after we try their brunch.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T02:16:19" }, { "business_id": "A1UcdK-Eb4xsqXequ4zNUA", "business_name": "Falcone Automotive", "rating": 4, "text": "We just wanted to test drive a couple of models as we begin our new car research. We were upfront about that we were not buying, just getting some information for ~6 months down the road. I haven't bought a newer car in 8 years and wasn't sure what to expect. Let me say the staff was friendly and very knowledgeable. They let us test drive cars, answered our random questions, and didn't pressure us into buying. The service left an impression and somewhere we will visit again when we narrow our search.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T02:23:25" }, { "business_id": "oyJ3gXNkV0DO0YxcaTgtTg", "business_name": "Thunderbird", "rating": 4, "text": "We have been here a number of times to enjoy their libations. This weekend was the first time we sampled their food menu. The Nashville Hot chicken is HOT. I was expecting heat, but this was a bit much for me. Luckily, hubby loves hot food. The coleslaw was amazing. We swapped plates and I enjoyed his shrimp po' boy. I also ordered the cornbread. Order it and enjoy the flavored butter and apple butter. My best advice for visiting Thunderbird is to talk to the bartender, tell them your favorite spirit, and be open for recommendations. It's a great spot we don't get to enough.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T02:38:15" }, { "business_id": "_VW9zTozHT0k8luWnmsDQQ", "business_name": "Drake's Keystone", "rating": 3, "text": "Went in for a team dinner with work. One of my coworkers recommended it based on the menu. Tables are a little odd for a group, you are right up against the next table on benches. Lots of choose from on their menu. Burgers, sandwiches, and sushi. Sounds like an odd combination, but they do all pretty well. The beer selection was a bit too generic for my tastes. They have craft beers, but I like more local selection. I would like to go back without being in a work environment to try them out.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T18:18:16" }, { "business_id": "BUPtFEuzN1KeB4erBi-ivA", "business_name": "Ruth's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Wonderful selection of breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. We have been in a few times and each time I wonder why we don't visit more. I ordered a half size biscuits and chorizo gravy. Wow, it was good. I wanted more for the taste, but was full. The baked goods are very tempting to try. The eclectic decor always makes me chuckle. It feels like your visiting a home to enjoy your meal. If you are looking for a northside brunch spot add this to your list.", "timestamp": "2016-02-17T15:24:35" }, { "business_id": "ipZ7neK1bjBAUrCqyCvB_Q", "business_name": "Goose The Market", "rating": 5, "text": "Best sandwiches in Indy. Order the Batali or Goose and you can't go wrong. Great spread of meats and cheeses. I love to go in and just pick and choose a few items. Local breads and other options are available as well. So much variety and amazing items packed into a small space.", "timestamp": "2016-03-04T18:51:05" }, { "business_id": "UFCN0bYdHroPKu6KV5CJqg", "business_name": "The Eagle", "rating": 4, "text": "Come for the new feel and vibe of this location. Stay for the fried chicken. Seriously, order the fried chicken. The flavor is spectacular. We ordered half a fried chicken and two sides. It was the right amount for us. The mac n cheese was good, but liked it the next day better, the flavor had sat in more. Staff was friendly and very attentive. Next time I'm trying the fried chicken sandwich, which reminds me of a Hattie's Chicken Sandwich from NY.", "timestamp": "2016-03-08T16:58:06" }, { "business_id": "u2FUWB2xMipayzmNmJ2Mhg", "business_name": "The Koelschip", "rating": 5, "text": "Gotta love a place with a good sense of humor right when you walk in. No they aren't Goose, but go next door and bring back cheese says the sign. The artwork is impeccable. Once you go in you will see what I'm talking about. Excited for Central State to have a home for their beers and a good selection for people to try. Great selection of other breweries as well. It's nice to be somewhere that is a bar, but didn't feel like I needed to get wasted sitting in there to fit in. Come in and a have a drink with your friends and enjoy a great taproom.", "timestamp": "2016-04-03T23:21:08" }, { "business_id": "Orvi9NZMyy4p1kGSe8WBow", "business_name": "Kincaid's Meat Market", "rating": 5, "text": "MEAT!!! Lots of wonderful meat choices and great customer service. Let's not forget affordable and supporting a small local business. We love getting gyro meat from here for a version at home. Sausages are made in house. They will cut meat to whatever, however you would like it.", "timestamp": "2016-04-16T17:32:01" }, { "business_id": "2OSz7GqL8D5-s4T7jUMLFQ", "business_name": "Northside Kitchenette", "rating": 4, "text": "Found another brunch option in Broad Ripple. I had been here for lunch a few years ago and the food was good. It's still good. The decor is open and friendly. I commented that I liked all the white. Maybe because it reminds me of eating in my kitchen or a friend's kitchen. Ordered the rueben and was not disappointed. Homemade chips were the perfect compliment. You can order sandwiches or breakfast anytime. Perfection. Oh wait, I did try some breakfast. A half order of biscuits and gravy. It would have been rude for me to lick the plate, but I did think about it. Service was friendly and just right.", "timestamp": "2016-04-16T17:35:35" }, { "business_id": "oM9ZFIgO88Hu0ppDZPjuwg", "business_name": "Metazoa Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "We stopped in on open weekend and really enjoyed our time. Lots of tables for groups. The handmade tables and chairs were a great detail in the decor. We tried a flight of beer and happy with the options. The Red Devilicious and Honey Badger were a couple of my favorites. I'm normally a hop head, but the IPA wasn't my favorite. I plan to do some more research (taste testing) on their beers in the future.", "timestamp": "2016-04-16T17:40:35" }, { "business_id": "HuypDIPw8O4P_cC1fcsE8A", "business_name": "Marrow", "rating": 4, "text": "We had really been looking forward to trying out Marrow. We dropped the kid off at grandmas and headed down. The ambiance is casual and comfortable. Drink list is a good combination of beer, wine and craft cocktails. There is something for everyone on there. We shared the tandoori fried chicken and shells and pannier. Wow! The flavor and crunch on the chicken was spectacular. I almost didn't want to share and wanted to eat all four pieces myself. That may have been too much :) The shells and pannier was my favorite thing. Ridiculously amazing. Think shells and cheese with an Indian twist. This should be in my weekly menu. It's on our list to try again and enjoy.", "timestamp": "2016-05-05T15:56:18" }, { "business_id": "VtrVZACbp2kikpjdqvOfdA", "business_name": "Scratchtruck", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed Scratch??? I feel like I'm slacking on my reviewing skills for that mistake. Order the Scratch burger. If you add ketchup to it, you ruin the delicious bacon marmalade. Yes, bacon marmalade tops this delicious burger. I have bought this as gifts for people it's that good. The fries are perfection with the right sprinkle of pepper and salt. This is where ketchup is acceptable. Service from the staff is great, they are very friendly. If you see Scratchtruck you should stop and order. They have a variety of food options, but the burger is hands down my favorite thing. Possibly one of my favorite foods in general.", "timestamp": "2016-05-05T17:53:10" }, { "business_id": "ReV4Q3rEJ8neicQPc6pC0w", "business_name": "St. Elmo Steak House", "rating": 4, "text": "Love the atmosphere and style of the restaurant. It's a wonderful Indianapolis treasure. The steaks are wonderful. Offerings include a variety of cuts and ounces. There is something for everyone. Order a couple of sides for the table to share. Unless, you want the lobster mac n cheese for yourself. No one would blame you. Don't forget the shrimp cocktail. Practice moderation with the cocktail sauce. The horseradish is stronger than you may think. I really enjoy looking over the wine list and picking something we normally don't drink. The servers are very knowledgeable about the offerings. They scrape the table of any crumbs very frequently with what looks like a barber's straight edge. It's part of the experience and the little touches that make St. Elmo's what it is.", "timestamp": "2016-05-13T13:02:44" }, { "business_id": "L7cO2qZurrt-7SLl2oDSrA", "business_name": "Upland Brewing Co Tasting Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a great spot to have a beer and conversation. It's usually not too crowded. They have food trucks occasionally as well. They have changed the decor around a bit. The long church pew is a nice addition. Love their beers. I prefer the Bad Elmer's Porter or Dragonfly IPA. Have a pint or bring a growler in for a refill. Dogs on a leash are welcome. Humans under 21 are not.", "timestamp": "2016-06-01T15:25:51" }, { "business_id": "DZRkJUI9iv1mDY_JaCY3sg", "business_name": "Scotty's Brewhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to lunch spot when I'm in the office. I rarely sit down and have lunch inside, but today was different. Service was great and timely on my limited lunch break. Ordered the new tuna poke salad. Perfect lunch portion and was tasty. The beer list looked good for the day, but couldn't imbibe due to going back to work. Typically I call and order to go Buffalo Breath Salad. Order it with MoFo hot! Bring the kids and enjoy a family friendly environment outside of work hours too.", "timestamp": "2016-06-07T14:01:26" }, { "business_id": "gFApW0S59priCHlZbMPSiA", "business_name": "Punch Burger", "rating": 3, "text": "Burgers are great. Ordered the Thai burger and liked it. The peanut butter wasn't overpowering. Sampled the burnt cheese burger and liked it as well. Good atmosphere overall. Nice addition to have beers on tap from local breweries. Busy but service was prompt. Next time I go back I'm trying a milkshake.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T01:10:44" }, { "business_id": "SMZ2-pycp9di-ee5FJ-anw", "business_name": "Salty Cowboy", "rating": 4, "text": "Food was good, service was great, but overall I think it's a bit pricey. I live for tacos and found $5-$6/taco just a bit too much. Instead, we opted to split some appetizers and brisket. Queso was delicious, we kept asking for more chips, it's a generous portion for two people. They offer a good selection of drinks: beer, margaritas, and craft cocktails. Had a couple different options and both were good. Brisket was good. A bit salty, but then again it's called Salty Cowboy. Worth the drive if you want something different for Mexican food. You can find something for everyone on the menu. Decor and vibe overall are what we enjoy when we don't have the kid.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T01:17:43" }, { "business_id": "Xm3fazqrD-Fi4tVPlc4i6Q", "business_name": "Caplinger's Fresh Catch", "rating": 5, "text": "Did you ever go to their old place? Well this a HUGE upgrade. The decor and flow is much better. The fish quality is still as good. Order the special and get a side. Hush puppies...YUM! Lunch is busy but worth the wait. Need something from the fish counter? The will cook it for you. Great variety of options. Stop into this gem for your next lunch or dinner. They also cater.", "timestamp": "2016-08-13T18:38:46" }, { "business_id": "cwHoYlBw7QRZLSbu9hLcbg", "business_name": "Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Lunch date during the week with hubby and preschooler. Service was prompt and friendly. This was our first stop at this location. So many choices on pizzas. We were lame and went more traditional. They have a great beer selection, but since I was going back to work, it was a no go. Maybe next time.", "timestamp": "2016-10-07T12:26:32" }, { "business_id": "XoLU3K7Z5R8aTpuYArnhFw", "business_name": "Lockerbie Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "We love to come here. Hello mini tacos. I love coming here for a divey feel and fried food. I was one of three customers that afternoon. Enjoyed a beer, some college football and ordered some cheese sticks. See, fried foods. Order the mini tacos and you won't be disappointed. I enjoy coming here late on Friday or Saturday when we don't have our kid. Sounds weird, but it's a special place for my hubby and I.", "timestamp": "2016-10-07T16:34:53" }, { "business_id": "oJ4ik-4PZe6gexxW-tSmsw", "business_name": "Broad Ripple Brewpub", "rating": 4, "text": "I love the Brewpub for their variety of dishes. Nachos, pizza and sandwiches. Variety of beers to choose from crafted right on sight. Every time we go, the service is slow. I think it's just the pace of the restaurant. It's never a quick beer and a bite of food. Instead, enjoy the patio and friends, savor that time. Kid and dog friendly environment. Also great for your vegetarian and vegan friends. My go to is a half order of the nachos or fish & chips. Tried their Pumpkin Seasonal Beer and it's on par with some of my favorite pumpkins.", "timestamp": "2016-10-26T15:29:56" }, { "business_id": "IcqvNEGpi94KcvpS_wUBRQ", "business_name": "The Tap", "rating": 4, "text": "Huge selection of beers made in house and from various other breweries. There is something for everything in the group to choose from. Food menu was interesting with many choices. It was hard to narrow down to exactly what I wanted. I love tacos and was really interested in a couple. I was sad that I couldn't mix and match, hopefully they take my suggestion at some point. House made salsa was good. The Firecracker shrimp taco was good. The stuffed the guacamole down into the bottom of the shell, which is nice to avoid a mess. It's really bright and airy in the main area with all the giant windows. Lots of seating in the restaurant. I would like to come back and enjoy the patio in the warmer weather.", "timestamp": "2016-11-14T13:53:34" }, { "business_id": "cM3C8AT3IhOIM4ccBofuSg", "business_name": "Blind Owl Brewery", "rating": 4, "text": "We have been here a couple of times since they have opened. Service, food and beer has gotten better the longer they are open. Love sitting outside, playing cornhole or bocce ball. Great space outside. The restaurant is kid friendly, always helpful for us. Kid's menu is affordable. Great variety of beers brewed in house and guest taps as well. Lots of food choices as well.", "timestamp": "2016-11-14T16:21:46" }, { "business_id": "0QSxyOzXwDdaSbeK7p3GYw", "business_name": "Keystone Sports Review", "rating": 4, "text": "Come here for the wings and amazing blue cheese. It's a dive bar with great food. Order the wings extra crispy for best flavor. They make their own blue cheese and you may want to order your own for dipping. The pizza is another favorite of mine. Service can be slow, so enjoy yourself while you're there. If you want faster service, call ahead and take home. They even deliver if you live nearby. Place is 21+. Good place to watch a game and enjoy the regulars.", "timestamp": "2016-11-25T14:26:35" }, { "business_id": "JydmOKf-8Plo13Idj33Iyw", "business_name": "Round Town Brewery", "rating": 4, "text": "Grab a pint of the Irish Coffee. It's fabulous and my new favorite beer. Lager, Hoppy Wheat and Happy Face round out a nice selection of beers for all tastes. Dog friendly brewery where you may get to meet new four legged friends as you grab a pint.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:07:09" }, { "business_id": "dRKztV_Vtl7AvZg052SgRQ", "business_name": "Open Society", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been in just for drinks and coffee in the morning. Each time staff has been friendly and knowledgeable. I've yet to have a meal or snack crafted there. Great craft beer selection to sip and enjoy. The bar area is intimate and the decor is fresh. Regular drip coffee was tasty. I sat in the front part this time and also enjoyed my experience. Love all the windows and light. Excited to have another brunch option in the area and on multiple days. Can't wait to come back and enjoy.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:14:17" }, { "business_id": "Qcx9efNRe78no3Fb7-466w", "business_name": "JLI Holiday Mart", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been to the event over a couple of years. Attended this year and enjoyed that they were selling beer and wine as you shopped. There were a variety of vendors and price points. Happy to see a vast selection of local artisans too. Hopefully in the future they continue to expand that area of the market. Many home decor and clothing options. Pleasantly surprised by the book options as well. While I prefer to shop local, it's nice to meet new businesses.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:19:49" }, { "business_id": "pafrjSu3h0v0N8GR3ghNtQ", "business_name": "Yats", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite cheap eats in Indy, plus my preferred location. Order the Chili Cheese Etouffee and extra bread. Always extra bread. The butter is perfection. Get a half and half with Drunken Chicken too. Great way to fill up on two fabulous choices. The rice is always perfectly cooked. The food isn't spicy but there is quite the selection of hot sauces if you want to spice it up. Put a bit of your food on the bread and use it as a utensil. Stick around a bit and you may see Joe the owner. He pops in to say hi every now and then. This is our place to take out of town guests for a quick lunch.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:25:55" }, { "business_id": "LY1WmE1DwtkGd37eG3SoSQ", "business_name": "Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "One of my favorite spots to have dinner with my family. Anywhere that brings popcorn to the table before you order is going to win me over. The staff is friendly and prompt. Our favorite night to go is Tuesday. If you aren't a fan of kids, this is the night to avoid. The chopped salad for two is huge, worth the price, and tasty. Order a pizza or sandwich. I prefer pizza in a traditional manner. Sausage, pepperoni and mushroom. I enjoy that it's not perfectly round pizza dough. Enjoy a pint of craft beer as well. I prefer the Hubbards & Craven Porter or Golden Zoe IPA. Look for drink specials when you visit. Join the rewards program if you frequent their locations.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:38:22" }, { "business_id": "zISlbx0dpSSE-S4c8LwDyg", "business_name": "Napolese Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite pizzas in Indy, we order out more than in. Order the marinara and goat cheese appetizer. Enjoy the assorted olives brought to the table. We almost always order the Hamaker's Corner. A pizza is good for 2-3 people. The atmosphere is intimate. It isn't somewhere I really want to bring my kid, he would bother others. Grab some spirits and enjoy the surroundings. I love the decor and mood lighting in here. If you get the chance to sit at the bar, do it. It's amazing it sit and watch them create.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:47:48" }, { "business_id": "f9C3eDtfbQrFklCCLDFuaQ", "business_name": "Workingman's Friend", "rating": 4, "text": "Bring cash and some stretchy pants. I have heard a few mentions of this place, but never made it over there. Some co-workers suggested it and we all went. Server was prompt and notified us all that they only accept cash. The server did a good job of up selling the double cheeseburger instead of the single. She noted they were thin patties in case we were hungry. A single would have been plenty with a side. Why not go with the double as recommended. It was too much food but worth eating all of it. The onion rings were done perfectly. Next time I want to try the seasoned fries.", "timestamp": "2017-01-27T15:33:36" }, { "business_id": "Ud4ySJB6xQd14nMooHUnZw", "business_name": "Diavola Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "We had a chance to visit during Devour for the first time. The Devour menu was budget friendly and a great way to try a number of items. For an appetizer we chose the Nonna's meatballs. The flavors were perfect and the right amount of sauce to go with the dish. We each got a different salad and were happy with them. Biggest draw back to the night...service was slow. Everything felt spaced out during the meal by 5-10 minutes too long. There were a couple of larger parties in the restaurant before us and it was Devour. Everyone was friendly on staff. Next time I just hope it's timed better. The pizzas were great. We ordered from the red and white options. Loads of flavor in the white garlic pizza. Excited to have this option around the corner from us.", "timestamp": "2017-02-10T17:26:58" }, { "business_id": "DoYN9_pucSfhJwjI107Qug", "business_name": "Louie's Wine Dive", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped in during Devour as part of a date night. We made reservations ahead of time, which was a great idea, they were busy. Our server was great and very knowledgeable. She made a recommendation between the two bottles of wine we had narrowed our focus to. We were happy with the Sonoma Valley choice. They did have a variety of California wines which is always nice to see. As our meals were served the server noted my husband's dish didn't look quite right. He ordered the Diablo and apparently it was supposed to be more red/orange. She went to the kitchen to get it remade for him and boxed up the original for us to take home. Great eye! My salmon was delish. We skipped dessert this time.", "timestamp": "2017-02-10T17:52:34" }, { "business_id": "Zx05t1cRAipPrpQOtzd9RQ", "business_name": "Brics", "rating": 4, "text": "One of our favorite spots on the Monon. Customer service is great too even when they are busy. Order a scoop and in a waffle cone. Enjoy your favorite flavor on the patio. Lots of good flavor choices. My favorite is chocolate malt.", "timestamp": "2017-02-21T22:32:24" }, { "business_id": "Xjg1hrJNSmUIZP3TzXeQvQ", "business_name": "Simply Chic", "rating": 4, "text": "Second time in the store and had a much better experience overall. Staff was friendly and the selection was great. I really enjoyed how the store was organized. Got the cutest boots that get complimented all the time. This is one of my now go to spots if I'm shopping. I will be back as I update my work wardrobe for spring.", "timestamp": "2017-03-01T19:08:59" }, { "business_id": "tUtQic1R0uYoJ09xzpNsOA", "business_name": "Rockstone Pizzeria & Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "Good food with an overall good experience. We should have gotten there a bit earlier and scored the $3 appetizer menu. Visit between 3-6pm or 9-? and they have a discounted menu. We were torn on the pizza size. Our server recommended the 10\" since it's wood fired and it was worth going for the smaller pizza. Next time I'm ordering the kid his own pizza so he doesn't steal all of mine. We added the Spinartigoat dip to help round out the meal. It was probably my favorite part besides the beer. The wood fired crackers served with the dip were perfect. Price point is good for the area. Bonus that they work with local food sources for their products. They offer a variety of beer and wine as well.", "timestamp": "2017-03-02T23:44:09" }, { "business_id": "Cd6Dfli4JBpHGgh0LVslpQ", "business_name": "Mama's House", "rating": 4, "text": "We have wanted to try this place for awhile and finally decided it was time. We went around 7:30 and they were busy. I would suggest reading the menu ahead of time to have questions or be ready. We ordered the Mama's Special for two that included chicken, beef and pork. The meats were flavorful and more than enough for two people. Servers did a good job bringing us a new clean grill top every so often. It can get pretty smoky while cooking otherwise. As for the sides they were yummy. A few were spicy but not too hot. I can't wait to go back and try something new. Maybe be more adventurous in our choices.", "timestamp": "2017-03-07T16:14:02" }, { "business_id": "POwyAA0vf4PvWe1L8Oc3Eg", "business_name": "Books & Brews", "rating": 4, "text": "Beer, video games, and a kid friendly area...sign my family up. We stopped in while running errands to enjoy a drink and give our kid somewhere to let off some steam. I truly appreciate a business that has a kid's area. Their beers are solid. I enjoyed The Stout of Monte Cristo. Eat a sandwich and check out some books while you're there. Interested to come back for the events they are running. Lots of trivia and movie viewing.", "timestamp": "2017-03-16T17:20:29" }, { "business_id": "nxOtSRgqnr_3fb-nnSc8mg", "business_name": "Scotty's Dawghouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Good spot close to home instead of going into Broad Ripple. If you have eaten at Scotty's, it's the same menu and offers many options. This time we sat in the family section, which I truly appreciate. My kid was restless and could play while we ate. It's part of the reason we chose this restaurant over others in the area that night. Our first time in we had great service and a very knowledgeable server. Our second experience wasn't quite the same. It was a Friday night and they were pretty busy. The server seemed a bit more scattered. I want to come back and enjoy the patio soon.", "timestamp": "2017-04-18T19:07:03" }, { "business_id": "QfVeoUCXT-CRrp0tMcPs4A", "business_name": "Rook", "rating": 4, "text": "Korean Fried chicken sandwich, ORDER IT! It was delicious and I really wanted to order a second one to enjoy the flavors again. The chicken was crisp and the slaw was flavorful. Best touch was the Velveeta. I thought it was odd at first but works perfectly. My coworker and I wished the sandwich came with a side because we were hungry, but the dish is great. Should have added the pork belly steam bun as my other coworker did. He devoured it. He noted the gin drinks here are pretty spectacular. Since we had to go back to work we stuck to food. Come ready to try new flavors and maybe share a table with others. Loved the open kitchen concept. Our server was great and offered good suggestions. Bonus is that they play 90's and 00's rap music.", "timestamp": "2017-04-18T19:18:19" }, { "business_id": "-jNOHaFwWsBpaf9l5gvRwQ", "business_name": "Black Circle", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great addition to the Arsenal Park area of SoBro. Thank you for revamping a neighborhood eyesore. It's unique but fits this area well. They play music on albums, mostly metal. Love video games? You need to check this place out. They have live music regularly too. Follow them on social media to stay in the know of what's happening and their hours. It's the type of place to sit, drink beers, and chat with your friends about all the dumb shenanigans you used to get into. Then move on to more grown up topics. Had their White Bronco and it was solid. I need to come back to try more beers and the cuban food.", "timestamp": "2017-04-18T19:31:22" }, { "business_id": "U6oNVSJAngSFXcCzNBXgGA", "business_name": "The Urban Chalkboard", "rating": 5, "text": "I was excited to visit Urban Chalkboard for the first time and it did not disappoint. Think art studio, meets library, meets cafe, and a play place. Lots of great options for kids. Color was the theme of the event. The stations were perfect for my little guy. Whole Foods provided yogurt parfaits with colorful topping choices. Red raspberries, clementines, blueberries, green grapes, coconut, and granola completed our rainbow parfait. Yummy. Turkey pinwheels were a nice touch. The overhead projector with an interactive game on the floor was a great way to get out some energy. Boogie down on the keyboard if you have a chance. Light sensory play was fun and exciting. P got to be in a rainbow of fiber optic lights. Thanks to Nicole from Art to The Extreme for her awesome recycled crayons. Some dinosaurs came home with us. Little Yelper events are lots of fun for the family.", "timestamp": "2017-04-20T00:09:33" }, { "business_id": "WrZaL6BxHqVqt3sAcJ-5Rg", "business_name": "Bluebeard", "rating": 5, "text": "Haven't been here in a few years, but came for lunch and it was perfect. It will be on my list to recommend to coworkers for lunch. Also, I need to go back and eat more of their sandwiches. Currently they have a crawfish roll on the menu and there were zero doubts that's what I would order. The bread was crusty and had the perfect crispness. Lots of crawfish and it's a meaty sandwich. The flavors were on point as well. Coleslaw was the side which complimented the sandwich perfectly. Not too creamy or too vinegar based. Service was great. Our server gave my coworkers some good suggestions based on their preferences.", "timestamp": "2017-05-04T15:37:54" }, { "business_id": "V5D41y4cSOVBlx-bVCR1_g", "business_name": "Metro Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "We were able to pop in on a Sunday morning. The staff was very friendly and attentive. We opted to sit at the counter. I was impressed watching the kitchen work together and serve up their creations. We split the chicken biscuit sandwhich. Wish we would have ordered two, so I didn't have to share. We each got deli sandwhiches as well. I really wanted to try the chicken and waffles, but that is not for one person. Come hungry with a friend to try it. The menu is huge. Everyone should be able to find something they want to try.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T14:49:05" }, { "business_id": "Lq0g_QceWkx_spQyzyTwIw", "business_name": "The Woodhouse Day Spa - Carmel", "rating": 5, "text": "My first visit was absolutely amazing! I spent the afternoon being pampered as part of a girl's day and it was perfect. My friend did call and arrange everything for us. The staff was on their game and made the experience even better. We changed into the robes and shoes in a gorgeous locker room, then rested in the quiet room for our treatments to begin. The robes were a little heavy for the summer months and still nice. My treatments included a facial, pedicure, and massage. My favorite was the massage. I rarely have them and it was blissful. I will schedule another massage in the future. Apparently the spa has been there for years and I had no clue. I thought it worth every penny to be pampered for the afternoon. They included a basket at the end of all the products used on you throughout the day. It wasn't pushy, which I appreciate.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T14:56:25" }, { "business_id": "SqkBIkfYOkwJrdehXBvVIQ", "business_name": "Chris' Ice Cream", "rating": 4, "text": "Don't let the name fool you, this place is the spot for Mexican food. It may be a new favorite to add to my rotation. Good thing they are not closer to my house. Affordable and delicious. Order your options at the counter. We each chose the steak burrito. Then grab a booth or table to anxiously await your order brought to you. The first bite was flavorful. Watch the salsa, it has some kick. Good thing they give it to you on the side. The burrito was great and I left full, there was no room for ice cream.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T15:07:17" }, { "business_id": "K96eX9tL3nsfuEJcNYNVQA", "business_name": "Greek's Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "Love the new space and happy they opened in SoBro. They offer delivery, take out and of course dining in. If you don't have kids with you, check out the bar upstairs. Kids are welcome downstairs. The parking lot can be packed, if you're nearby bike over. Greek's is one of my favorite pizza spots. We don't venture too far away from our favorite, sausage, pepperoni and mushroom, especially with the small human in tow. Always grab an order of breadsticks and marinara sauce.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T15:12:41" }, { "business_id": "8VO4Ma7FhsLYop9tk87tbA", "business_name": "Garage Door Doctor", "rating": 4, "text": "Our garage door suffered a terrible fate and we thought we could DIY a fix. However, it became apparent that we needed professional assistance to actually fix the door. It was either that or risk a hernia everytime we tried to open the door. We called Garage Door Doctors and a tech came out to inspect our door. He was knowledgeable and provided useful information. Also that we did need to replace the door. I cringed as I waited to see the quote. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the quote, completely reasonable. We got a couple of additional quotes that didn't even come close. The door was ordered and within a couple of weeks, the install was ready. The tech called a few minutes before he arrived within the two hour window they had promised. I had ordered a color that will go great once we paint our garage to match the house. The tech was concerned I wouldn't like the color, so he double checked. I truly appreciated that touch. He was done in a timely manner and took the few extra minutes to clean up his cardboard and other items. My husband and I are very happy with our new door. No more risking hernias or being smashed by a broken door.", "timestamp": "2017-08-30T19:31:51" }, { "business_id": "bxS6WyZO_s7x-JY-P1m0tQ", "business_name": "Buck Creek Winery", "rating": 4, "text": "Worth the drive off the interstate for wine. We stopped by on a Friday early afternoon on our way to a Girl's Weekend. How had we not heard about this winery? Tasting offered many samples and lots of variety to choose from. As someone who likes drier wines, I was very happy. Their Riesling was more dry than sweet, which was my favorite. A couple bottles of that came home with me. Adding to my list of spots to check out again.", "timestamp": "2017-09-22T16:33:53" }, { "business_id": "saB1o6fF4ozyp0O7LyueOA", "business_name": "Repeal Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Had not tried this restaurant yet and a group of us went over from work. Overall I was pleasantly surprised with the food. Loved the ambiance. Be sure to visit the restroom and check the original brick archways. Great detail in a repurposed building. Ordered the fish sandwhich and it was tasty. A couple of people ordered the fish tacos and raved about them. Tempted by the brisket tacos, but we had brisket a couple of nights that week. I'm adding this to my list of places to come back and check out.", "timestamp": "2017-12-29T16:50:51" }, { "business_id": "CSRJYftc_THPHSJQAqghCg", "business_name": "Crispy Bird", "rating": 3, "text": "The chicken sandwich was cripsy and everything I want in a fried chicken sandwich. Reminded me of a Hattie's chicken sandwich from Saratoga. Their twist on coleslaw with sliced apple was a nice touch. The decor is modern, fresh, and has lots of natural light. I honestly enjoyed the pictures of the chickens on the wall. They are Chinese show chickens the server noted. Our service was good. The server did not inform us that a refill for tea or lemonade would be another drink. Really irks me when restaurants aren't up front about that. Also the kid's meal is $10 with no drink included. Glad to have somewhere I can get a decent chicken sandwich on the northside.", "timestamp": "2018-01-15T20:58:10" }, { "business_id": "punLF4oSWHbH7JK4wO4HzA", "business_name": "Watami Sushi All You Can Eat", "rating": 4, "text": "Hubby and I had a much needed date night here and enjoyed our meal. The server was very attentive and made sure we understood how ordering works. Lots of great options to choose from. Their specialty rolls were cleverly named. The sushi was delish. Excited to have this option around Broad Ripple and want to go back.", "timestamp": "2018-01-15T21:02:09" }, { "business_id": "whbDvrMP-3N-tFRM35YD-g", "business_name": "Flatwater Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Enjoyed brunch recently. Ordered the Peach Bellini and it was tasty. Make sure you ask for the brunch special of the day. It's hard to venture away from my favorite, the tuna tartare but the rest of the menu is delish too.", "timestamp": "2018-01-25T23:37:46" }, { "business_id": "1MoiTfuItt3dZkaQfJkpYw", "business_name": "TwoDEEP Brewing", "rating": 4, "text": "How have I not stopped in here more. Great location, lots of space to enjoy the bar area or sit on a couch. This is a malt forward brewery, so the beers don't have much hops. I was able to have a sample of five beers and enjoyed them all. Ordered the zuchinni sticks and they were tasty. I would like to go back and try more of their food.", "timestamp": "2018-01-26T02:29:37" }, { "business_id": "sr-5EY6bmp4jINhea06MjA", "business_name": "The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers-Broad Ripple Village", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a Pinterest/design dream come true from the moment you walk in. It's feminine and finely dusted with glitter. Detailed decor to match the season. There was no detail left out when designing the experience you have here. We had a girl's lunch here and utilized the back room. Our server was attentive and gave amazing recommendations. Drinks, lunch, and dessert were all delish. Many in our group enjoyed the quiche. I opted for the chicken salad croissant and have zero regrets. There's no butter in there right? Dessert had to be my favorite part. Cake, pie, bars, or other assorted goodies to choose from. The to-go containers are adorable, this goes back to the design details. Overall you are paying for an experience. This is not your traditional bakery. Also reservations for dining are highly encouraged as wait times can be long without. You can walk in and order items to go as well.", "timestamp": "2018-01-26T02:37:59" }, { "business_id": "F-vfI049swuwDR7HMOW1Fg", "business_name": "Red Habanero", "rating": 4, "text": "Simple Saturday afternoon snack, check. After running errands my friend and I stopped in for a snack. Servers were friendly and attentive. I wasn't sure what to get hut the queso with chorizo looked tasty. It felt like a large portion and after a basket of chips it looked like I had barely made a dent. Best thing is the server took our checks to the cashier versus us having to stand in line post meal. That's apparently how they roll. It's minor but definitely encourages me to come back.", "timestamp": "2018-03-13T01:12:22" }, { "business_id": "UK007MpAU5B6P4o7_dVsTA", "business_name": "Between the Bun - Burgers, Dogs and More", "rating": 4, "text": "We were in the area and thought why not try something different. For a Friday lunch, they were busy and there was a bit of a wait. Our server was hustling and remained courteous. She rocked. Lots of choices for burgers. We opted to split the four slider sampler pack. We chose the classic, Boss Hog, Swiss and Shroom, and the pickle one (can't remember the name). We added the tater tots versus fries. We also opted for BBQ sauce to dip our tots in. Wise move. The Johnny Appleseed was sweet with a tiny bit of heat. The place was backed and glad we made the drive. May try an off hour next time.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T15:19:10" }, { "business_id": "0vOOrWqn-7HlyVIqUT_8JA", "business_name": "Noah Grant's", "rating": 5, "text": "Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the crowd. If you want the dining room, make a reservation. We didn't know what to expect when we went in, but worth our wait for a seat. Wonderful selection of oysters. The people beside us tried the sushi and were gracious enough to share with us. Delish, but glad I didn't make my whole meal it. I was torn between the scallops and another dish. Our server recommended the scallops and it was amazing. Hubby ordered the small steak and it was perfect. If you need a date night, or looking for something upscale, this is it! The decor is wonderful, fresh, and modern.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T15:26:24" }, { "business_id": "X-J8KLkbFJB4WCGdqSvePQ", "business_name": "Goodfellas Pizzeria - Broad Ripple", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm married to a New Yorker and the hunt for NY style pizza has taken a while around Indy. No more. Thin foldable slices. Delish. Pop in for a lunch special. Dluce, side, and drink for $6. They even offer it on Saturday. Pricing for whole pies is reseaonable.", "timestamp": "2018-04-21T16:49:48" }, { "business_id": "h4RaM9E8C0d20Uw-nLR5aw", "business_name": "The Children's Museum of Indianapolis", "rating": 5, "text": "The new outdoor experience is no joke. This is exactly what the museum needed to round out their offerings. So much space for kids to run and play. The treehouse is a new family favorite. Pack the water bottle and sunscreen for the family as you won't want to miss this. Excited to introduce my kid to a variety of sports and help gauge interest before we sign him up for something. What great exposure for kids.", "timestamp": "2018-05-20T14:55:33" }, { "business_id": "jJbygynjo79uPbGwhPiONw", "business_name": "Crab general", "rating": 5, "text": "Stop in and enjoy your own hot pot. Our server gave us a great tip:. Order seafood first. Next round order meat and veggies. Save the noodles and meatballs until the end. We didn't know that until we asked. It's a fun food adventure. Make your own creations and combinations. Don't forget to stop by the sauce bar. Your broth will have flavor but this is to finish everything before you take a bite. Hubby and I enjoyed our evening. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable.", "timestamp": "2018-06-23T00:05:34" }, { "business_id": "xne1l7I2166PbF59qQUxGg", "business_name": "Next Door American Eatery", "rating": 3, "text": "Excited to have another eatery in the neighborhood. We went in the first week of opening. Service was good. We went for a late lunch and had minimal wait. Food selection is solid. We had the beet burger and regular burger. My favorite part was the pickles.", "timestamp": "2018-06-23T00:10:39" }, { "business_id": "yiOdk7N4_id1f5nwGvVAgw", "business_name": "Life Time", "rating": 4, "text": "Writing a review for a gym seems silly, but I want to share why I joined. I had been a long time member of another chain in Indy. Their service and equipment wasn't up to snuff anymore and my favorite instructor was leaving. The cost for Life Time is more than most gyms, but this frugal momma says it's worth it! Most classes are included in your membership, there are paid classes available. These tend to be smaller class sizes and more personalized. Seriously, check out Josh's Boxing class there. The facility is clean, has many amenities, and the staff is friendly. My son loves the kid's area. He doesn't mind spending time there since they have a basketball court, indoor climbing maze, and tablets. Plus childcare hours are decent for my schedule. My favorite part is the steam room. Can I just stay in there forever? The cardio equipment and weights areas are clean. It doesn't feel gross. It's weird to see staff on the floor cleaning equipment even during high traffic times. I truly appreciate that.", "timestamp": "2018-09-06T20:27:29" }, { "business_id": "sAVZbkhmIt0Am-iPJcFzig", "business_name": "Holliday Park", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite parks in the city. Huge playground for kids. Hiking trails that are pretty tame. Ruins are great for exploring. Bonus is the nature center. It's free and perfect for a rainy day. We have hosted a birthday party there and it was affordable. Visit this lovely escape in the city.", "timestamp": "2018-09-30T15:44:56" }, { "business_id": "jyFIMQV67um9Mz_tNjHZ3g", "business_name": "Hoagies & Hops", "rating": 5, "text": "Come in and get yourself a cheesesteak. It's the closest in the city to Philly. So much food and you will be full for the day. There are other sandwiches that are tasty as well. Pickles are perfection.", "timestamp": "2018-09-30T15:48:08" }, { "business_id": "CxUcM0VdEcHhlm_4_Mbwyw", "business_name": "Tube Factory Artspace", "rating": 5, "text": "My first visit was for a poetry reading. I want sure what to expect from the space. However, it was amazing. This art space is cultivated to give you a variety of experiences. Take in the art work, read a book, or even play some putt putt. The space is designed for both indoor and outdoor usage.", "timestamp": "2018-09-30T15:50:43" }, { "business_id": "o6No8FiwyDAOlcY7PGUEXw", "business_name": "Thaitanium", "rating": 4, "text": "It's nice to see a Thai spot on Mass ave. Ordered the crab rangoon and was really happy with it. The entire dumpling was fried perfectly. Each bit had some crunch but wasn't oily. Tom yum soup medium hot rounded out my meal. Lots of veggies included. They had a lot of takeout business while I was dining in. I thought our service was a bit slow but seeing the carry out traffic I'm okay with it. Plus I want in a rush. Staff was friendly and the dining environment is nice.", "timestamp": "2018-10-11T16:18:26" }, { "business_id": "ibe3g1TlMJmlkz_8Go0m1A", "business_name": "Nine Lives Cat Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Visited for an event a friend hosted. Learned alot about the adoptions and work that they are doing with Indy Humane. Come pet a kitty, get a coffee, and hang out. The cats are separate from the coffee. Even those with is that are allergic to cats managed well. The cats are well cat like. They could gave card less about humans. HA!", "timestamp": "2018-10-11T16:22:00" }, { "business_id": "7g7frE-BAJ6FrVZaXdVp8Q", "business_name": "Lego Store", "rating": 4, "text": "Brought my son here for the first time and he was mesmerized. He of course wanted everything in the store. He enjoyed being able to customize a character with their in store setup. There were lots of options to choose from, but it was lacking accessories. Maybe they were just buried at the bottom. The wall of Legos was a site. It's actually the best deal I think the store. Use a container and fill it up for $9 or $16 with anything on the wall. It was nice to add some more colors to our collection.", "timestamp": "2018-11-13T16:14:05" }, { "business_id": "lqF0Q5vVLxY-_Cth6LtEdg", "business_name": "The Gallery Pastry Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "While I love this place, my five year old adores it more. He has a wonderful appreciation for macaroons. Our favorite is $1 Wednesday. It's worth heading into the shop and dining in. The decor is amazing, the staff is friendly, and you can watch them making their next creations. My favorite is to sit at the bar and watch. They offer a variety of beverages, cocktails, pastries, and food. I have popped in for a croissant to enjoy the next morning.", "timestamp": "2018-11-13T16:31:51" }, { "business_id": "kcOAfvwLUOAYQO3x4gocqA", "business_name": "Maxine's Chicken & Waffles", "rating": 4, "text": "Come with your best stretchy pants on. They have the best fried chicken in Indy. This is not some quick deep fry, greatness takes time. Is it worth the longer wait once you order...absolutely. Make sure you sample the peach butter. We ordered the cinnamon waffle and added the peach butter. The flavors were amazing and surprisingly, not overly sweet. I love to make my own chicken biscuit sandwich. Order the boneless chicken breast along with an order of biscuits. My son is a chicken finger expert. While he was skeptical at first, he later admitted they were some of the best chicken fingers he's had. Servers always make me feel like I'm eating dinner at my aunt's house. They ask if you need anything else, call you sweetie, and overall have a great demeanor.", "timestamp": "2018-11-29T20:21:04" }, { "business_id": "FtiM7EZMKvAPqZqud27x3A", "business_name": "Nick's Chili Parlor", "rating": 4, "text": "My parents have been lugging me here for years. Recently, they were in town and really wanted Nick's. Sure, why not. I forget out this gem since I rarely explore the westside. We went on Tuesday, which happens to be the Chili Dog deal day. I won't say how many my dad and I ordered, but worth every bite. There is something about this place. Maybe it's the fact that the same people have been working there for years. Maybe it's the nostalgia of going with my parents. They are open on Sundays now too, if you're out and about.", "timestamp": "2018-11-29T20:24:15" }, { "business_id": "-bOe__PV8KQM_v1hguxSAA", "business_name": "Hogan Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze", "rating": 4, "text": "I had never heard of this location until we researched pumpkin patches open on Sunday. We went mid morning and had a wonderful time. Being able to explore the pumpkins and pick them off the vine was nice. The smaller pumpkins were already available towards the front. Easier to make your selections. It was muddy and fun. Staff was friendly.", "timestamp": "2018-11-29T20:29:10" }, { "business_id": "msnm4l6xGcCDrPrjDzUVbQ", "business_name": "Winterlights at Newfields", "rating": 4, "text": "Lovely event that I'm glad Newfields brought back this year. Loved the addition of the marketplace before heading out. My favorite this year is at the end but I don't want to ruin the surprise. Check it out. Get the glasses to see some special effects.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:04:30" }, { "business_id": "d03SfBQVCfjgLrxBc5_iuA", "business_name": "Zen Nail Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "This was the first time I booked an appointment through yelp. The salon was very responsive and made it easy. Great feature. We arrived early and they were able to get us in. Picking a color was the hardest part. Too many to choice from. I opted for a gel manicure, but excited to come back for the dip gel manicure. You can choose a beverage during your visit. I opted for coffee but wine is available. Nice touch. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable on the different product options.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:10:10" }, { "business_id": "vuxophXABXyZW7MbnH-iXg", "business_name": "The Donut Experiment Indianapolis", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute experience. We attended a birthday party here and loved it. You can customize your donuts. Great for those picky small humans or adults that like to try something new. Lots of options to create your donuts. The owner was awesome and so patient with all the kids. She walked us all through the process and let us create. If you need a fun party idea, connect with The Donut Experiment.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:18:26" }, { "business_id": "nACvSXi3Sl7ns9tN4b4V2w", "business_name": "Condado Tacos", "rating": 4, "text": "I love tacos and was excited to try this new place. Couldn't decide if I should create my own or go on menu. Opted to try their menu options and was not disappointed. Best part is the price point, affordable. The place can be packed but service wasn't an issue. Our server had solid recommendations. My friend is vegetarian and she had many options to choose from. Excited to go back and try more.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:21:30" }, { "business_id": "f7FPMRaMbGiX-CXPaLFCJw", "business_name": "Taste Restaurant At Lucky Lou Seafood and Dimsum", "rating": 4, "text": "Great experience dinner option. Come with a group and order a few items. Serving sizes are for family style dining. The lazy susan on the total was my favorite. No awkward passing of plates, just spin. We ordered the lamb and it was amazing. We also had the friend bean curd and it was perfectly seasoned. I went with friends that had been before. I would go again with them before trying on my own.", "timestamp": "2019-01-09T17:17:25" }, { "business_id": "QFQ8PQit-SCD5L1rUsvTBQ", "business_name": "Burgerhaus", "rating": 4, "text": "Wanted to try for a bit especially after walking by one night. It smelled amazing. Lots of options for burgers. Create your own or go with one of their creations. Opted for the Monaco since I wanted the fancy red wine mayo. I would get it again. Staff was great and provided good suggestions. Plus our server gave me a to go diet coke. That was really appreciated.", "timestamp": "2019-01-09T17:21:24" }, { "business_id": "nR5YybQrv7P62jd_oP5p7g", "business_name": "Mama Carolla's", "rating": 4, "text": "Come for dinner, stay for the atmosphere. On weekends it can be busy so expect a wait. Many great appetizers. The calamari is delish. However, I long for the crab cakes to return to the menu. The warm bread is my second favorite thing on the menu. The first is dessert. Tiramisu and a chocolate martini. They are a delish combination. As for entrees I bounce between the chicken rigatoni, pasta too good, and chicken lasagna. Always get the Italian wedding soup. My favorite aspect of Mama's is that most of the staff has been there for years. Some places that could be bad. However it's great here. They can handle the waits, maneuver around people, and still deliver great service. Wait time too long, make new friends in the bar area while you wait. Enjoy your evening and dinner.", "timestamp": "2019-01-27T01:00:50" }, { "business_id": "IU64UZ7SJlfDnxFV-w0Q9Q", "business_name": "Christie Cookie", "rating": 5, "text": "Seriously the best sugar cookie ever. I was drawn in because of the cookies sign on the side of the building. It did not disappoint. Sampled the chocolate chunk cookie and the snickerdoodle. Best decision on a whim I've made. Get your butt here and try these cookies. Also, do you ship to Indy??", "timestamp": "2019-02-22T22:16:48" }, { "business_id": "m7-OF4M95sUbR_y5qSQ1kQ", "business_name": "Draper James", "rating": 4, "text": "Hey Y'all this store is adorable. Stumbled upon it while exploring Nashville and was so glad. You are greeted with sweet tea when you enter. The customer service was friendly and made great recommendations based on what I had picked out. The store has a couple of spots to sit and relax. The dressing rooms are spacious and well lit. This store is an overall experience. So thankful I got to see it in person.", "timestamp": "2019-02-23T13:20:54" }, { "business_id": "7_uMEn4P2HpimT1IXsHS9g", "business_name": "Asian Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "After reading the reviews we opted to give this one a try. Best decision. Called in our order and told 10 minutes. Guess what? Stuff was fresh and ready in 10 minutes. The dinner portions are huge. To go containers full of the dish and fried rice on the side separately. The dishes were flavorful and not that taste of being full of salt. Our favorite was the crab rangoon. Other reviewers noted it tasted like crab vs just cream cheese and it's TRUE. Very glad we ordered what we thought would be too much. Cant wait to order again and support this business.", "timestamp": "2019-06-16T21:04:48" }, { "business_id": "teFjQxUqT8c-yxQdoILDVQ", "business_name": "Nada", "rating": 5, "text": "Great atmosphere and love the decor. Seriously I love the tile work and the wallpaper in the bathroom stalls. Ordered the carne asada, baja, and pastor tacos. They were delish. They have revamped the menu and my favorite dish...fried chicken is gone. That's okay, those tacos were spectacular. The flavor on the carne asada was perfect. Come for dinner with friends or something more cozy.", "timestamp": "2019-08-11T00:53:45" }, { "business_id": "WWKHJNBeUeq7XxtGhjkQkA", "business_name": "Taqueria La Chela", "rating": 4, "text": "Delish new spot in Midtown that you should check out. Had the chorizo, pastor, and asada tacos. They were flavorful and had the right amount of filling. Order the poderosa and it comes with rice, beans, and a drink. Lots of food for a great price. The inside is small, but plenty of room to stay and enjoy your meal. Staff was friendly and answered our questions.", "timestamp": "2019-08-13T17:00:01" }, { "business_id": "W_32KZk49L2ATbh9w9Tabw", "business_name": "Pivot Bar and Balcony", "rating": 4, "text": "Come for the view and atmosphere, stay for the drinks. I ordered a brown bag beer. My friends ordered a million espresso martinis and the bartender was on top of it. Big couches, fireplace, and lots of seating. Adding to my list of places to visit more often downtown.", "timestamp": "2019-09-27T12:20:49" }, { "business_id": "nNYKCU_9TOjJLRYwtRiHvQ", "business_name": "Rene's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "Lovely little spot. My kid wanted something sweet for breakfast do why not visit Renee's. He couldn't choose from all the delicious pastries. Finally, he selected the cinnamon roll. He's had a few cinnamon rolls in his life and this hands down was the best. He kept commenting how good it was. Bring hand wipes because it got everywhere. We watched staff make the next round of goodies and they were super friendly.", "timestamp": "2019-09-27T12:27:38" }, { "business_id": "ppV8AwESFjlG5FSRXdvtyg", "business_name": "LouVino", "rating": 5, "text": "Dinner was amazing along with the service. We ordered a number of small plates to share. My favorites were the brussel sprouts, scallops, and risotto. Ordered a wine flight. They were out of the one wine I really wanted but subbed with a wonderful option. The atmosphere was great and I can't wait to go back.", "timestamp": "2019-10-17T14:34:14" }, { "business_id": "WQ1oZ11HbYL7K7kj62ttAw", "business_name": "Half Liter Beer & BBQ Hall", "rating": 4, "text": "So glad to have a good BBQ spot in midtown. Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere. I've sat inside and outside. My favorite is the top outdoor seating where kids aren't allowed. It's a nice break for parents. Love the brisket and mac n cheese. The hish puppies are a nice addition as well. As a frequent runner on the Monon I also appreciate they have put a water cooler along the trail.", "timestamp": "2019-10-17T14:41:08" }, { "business_id": "cSHp3ncOeVuIRNHqxf-7kQ", "business_name": "HI-FI", "rating": 5, "text": "First time visit and loved it. Most music venues when you leave you cant hear for hours. The acoustics are setup correctly and make the experience enjoyable. Staff was friendly and bonus for clean bathrooms. Why did I wait so long to visit? Adding to my list of places to check out regularly.", "timestamp": "2019-10-24T12:53:48" }, { "business_id": "yxs_SMXOMC7fDOVWwDLBdg", "business_name": "Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery", "rating": 4, "text": "It's so peaceful and beautiful. My favorite time of year to visit is fall. The trees are colorful and sprinkle their leaves upon the graves. Going up to James Whitcomb Riley's tomb is worth the effort. Plus, provides an amazing view of the city. I also enjoy strolling around the gothic cathedral for it's beauty. Everytime I visit I find something new to admire. Go explore and see what interesting things you find.", "timestamp": "2019-11-01T23:38:44" }, { "business_id": "mPZuMGNWXMnaAOBiVG7jxQ", "business_name": "Urban Air Adventure Park - Noblesville", "rating": 5, "text": "Visited for a birthday party and loved it. It's well organized from a party perspective. Staff was friendly and responsive to concerns. My son can't wait to.go back.and run around. He spent a lot of time on this jump dodge game. They do offer a food court and adult beverages as well. Tip: dress your kid in something easily recognizable. The place is huge and the playground can be hard to find them at times. A bright shirt or shorts will help.", "timestamp": "2019-12-01T12:36:40" }, { "business_id": "OvqKkasmJeDEPVsADSmG1A", "business_name": "Salon 6", "rating": 5, "text": "I love coming to Salon 6. The staff is friendly, scheduling is easy, and it's very comfy inside especially the waiting area. Stephanie has been cutting my hair for years. She takes the time to do a consultation with each cut, even if I'm doing the same thing. While doing the shampoo she gives the BEST head massage. I could sit there all day letting her massage my head. She also does wonderful color work. We did a balayage color with blonde and it's held up so well. I got so many compliments on this color. I always walk out feeling refreshed and energized from a great cut. I don't feel pressured to buy a ton of products. They do offer the Eurphora line and it's a great company. Environmentally friendly products for your hair and body. If you're looking for a salon, give Salon 6 a try!", "timestamp": "2019-12-06T15:33:09" }, { "business_id": "ZAZljXWLdWUhTSAkO8qdXg", "business_name": "The Old Spaghetti Factory", "rating": 3, "text": "Downtown Indy staple for years. Stopped in because the small human wanted spaghetti and meatballs while we were out. We were seated quickly but service felt slow. Maybe light on staff for a Saturday afternoon? I appreciate they still offer salad and dessert with their entrees. Opted for the spinach tortellini and it was tasty. Kid said his spaghetti and sauce were the best. We asked to sit in the trolley to do something different and so glad we did. The kid loved it. Gave us a chance to talk about the history of Indy.", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T21:53:08" }, { "business_id": "52q3_FQ5uX43IayrQS7znQ", "business_name": "Carmel Christkindlmarkt", "rating": 4, "text": "Great free event. Went with family and there was something for people of all ages. Spent about an hour or so exploring. Skate rental was easy once tickets were acquired. You may have to wait for a timeframe to skate, check upon getting to the market. We found that hitting the vendors towards the back had shorter lines especially for hot chocolate. We will go back next year.", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T22:00:20" } ]	{ "business_id": "rOn3ESN6KMwrLfER86NbGw", "business_name": "Elena Ruz Cuban Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Elena Ruz is awesome. I've had their food before while meeting up at Black Circle. Have you thought about them for catering? Seriously you should. They were affordable and Rob was on top of it for our event. The empanadas are tasty. We had a variety for our event. The plantain chips are hands down my favorite. That garlic sauce will keep vampires away for weeks though. Great for events that aren't sit down style. I enjoy eating at the restaurant as well. Pop into Black Circle and enjoy some Cuban options. They are expanding so this spring they should have more options.", "timestamp": "2020-03-03T15:08:31" }
DBYhpb5hrAYgQjQaMhNYyQ	[ { "business_id": "wxJwNCV2oC5Tnan8rzi9iw", "business_name": "Zest! Exciting Food Creations", "rating": 5, "text": "We love the environment for brunch and their many options. My top picks are the Creme Brulee french toast, stuffed tortilla, and BLT. The mac and cheese side is delish. If you saved room check out their brownies.", "timestamp": "2015-04-08T17:35:50" }, { "business_id": "0N2D4HtF2gLJvWxjIfiZDg", "business_name": "La Chinita Poblana", "rating": 4, "text": "Great place to stop in and get delicious tacos. While there aren't tables you can stand and eat. My favorites are the spicy shrimp and chicken tamarind. The chips and salsa are great too. I'm not one to share my chips and salsa from there. The owner George is almost always there and has delivered my order before. Great small business.", "timestamp": "2015-04-19T21:07:00" }, { "business_id": "rVhsjZWk_u20TDcvwhbdyQ", "business_name": "Indy Tacos", "rating": 5, "text": "We popped in for dinner tonight after looking at the sign for a couple of weeks. We had heard good things from neighbors. The tacos were delicious, good portions, and fresh. We had the steak, chicken and chorizo tacos. The quacamole was great too. Can't wait to go back and continue to support a local business.", "timestamp": "2015-05-05T00:30:57" }, { "business_id": "EQ-TZ2eeD_E0BHuvoaeG5Q", "business_name": "Milktooth", "rating": 4, "text": "This was our first time in and we will be back. Servers and hostesses were friendly. Lots of action in the restaurant. We would have loved to sit at the counter and watch the chef create. The vintage decor is wonderful too. Atmosphere is kid friendly. As for the food, it was cooked perfectly. The unique menu is great to explore new breakfast options, definitely not your traditional breakfast spot. Hubby had the savory dutch baby pancake, he was unsure of the grapes at first but it worked well with the dish. I opted for the sweet version and was very pleased. Not too sweet, the fig jam and cream helped provide a nice balance. We look forward to going again in the future.", "timestamp": "2015-05-18T18:55:40" }, { "business_id": "VklF-5UrAIrDtcYolY3AWA", "business_name": "The Paw Patch Place", "rating": 4, "text": "We have been going to the Paw Patch Place for a couple of years. We recently had to take our dog in for some health concerns. They did a good job of giving us options, being thorough in their exam and considerate on the cost. Dr. Dowden has a wonderful bed side manner, which is really important to me. It's not easy when your animal is sick. They were on time with the appointment and we were able to leave within about 30 minutes. I appreciate their promptness as well.", "timestamp": "2015-05-21T17:47:05" }, { "business_id": "9V0LMtO1riRw9-pUuG4NFg", "business_name": "Delicia", "rating": 4, "text": "This is our first brunch experience here. We have had wonderful dinners in the past. The server recommended the Dominican Breakfast, it was great. The plantains and fried cheese go together perfectly. The sausage was delicious. We also ordered the ceviche to split. The cornmeal biscuits and chorizo gravy were spot on. Sweetness from the cornmeal compliments the chorizo. Service was great as well.", "timestamp": "2015-05-24T15:12:25" }, { "business_id": "KInoSyTm9ioQcY1RFQ4ISg", "business_name": "The District Tap", "rating": 4, "text": "Wonderful beer selection full of local and regional breweries. Pricing for beer isn't too high either. Servers and staff were friendly and welcoming. Good variety of food for adults and kids. I have had a mac and cheese pot (delish) and the Mexicali Mess burger. Burger was cooked perfectly and not completely messy. We will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-06-06T11:57:24" }, { "business_id": "w2zvMPmyqxalHQ5LVmFktA", "business_name": "The Dancing Donut", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been waiting to pop over to The Dancing Donut since they opened. Went this morning and quite the selection of donuts to choose from. I chuckled at the names as I made my selection. I chose the Berry Poppins and was really pleased with it. The strawberry cream filling was delish and the lemon topping contrasted it perfectly. Lots of yeast flavor and very filling. Loved the decor of the shop as well. I look forward to going back in the future.", "timestamp": "2015-07-07T15:12:39" }, { "business_id": "UT6RNEKJj6OZMnSwZprXTw", "business_name": "Fat Dan's Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "Popped over for a quick lunch today. Interesting selection of craft beers, a number of choices. This may be random but I love their corn dog. Not too much breading and deep fried to perfection. Order tots as a side. Lots of good options on the menu. Hubby wemt with the Italian beef and wondered what had taken him so long to try it.", "timestamp": "2015-07-13T00:03:12" }, { "business_id": "sTPueJEwcRDj7ZJmG7okYA", "business_name": "Jim's South St", "rating": 4, "text": "Forget Pat's or Gyno's, go to Jim's. This has been our go to spot for years. Popped in today as detour on a long road trip. Perfect. While in line decide your order. Don't wait to look at the menu until you're at the grill.", "timestamp": "2015-07-19T17:57:13" }, { "business_id": "3CGXa85uNgvp8Berx5AhQQ", "business_name": "La Margarita", "rating": 5, "text": "Come for the food...stay for the margaritas. Great food that is filling and priced right. Margaritas are dangerously delicious. Service was wonderful. We will be back. My toddler recommends the mints at the hostess station.", "timestamp": "2015-08-08T19:19:09" }, { "business_id": "tPYkrHdTsYe_-Ty5EPiP2Q", "business_name": "Iaria's Italian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "We randomly selected to have tonight be our first visit. The diner feel is different but gives so much character. We sat at the bar, our favorite place to sit in a restaurant. The craft beer selection was impressive. For our dinner selections we kept it simple. Meat ravioli and chicken parmesan. I opt for seasonal veggies instead of pasta. I know odd. Both entrees were great. My chicken parmesan did give my knife a fight with all the mozzarella on top. Not too much and it was melted perfectly. Meatballs were good too. The marinara sauce is a bit sweeter than expected but still good. Loads of regulars in with their family and friends. Service was great. We will be back. Now I'm gonna go eat the tiramisu I brought home. Too full to eat it there.", "timestamp": "2015-08-15T00:43:40" }, { "business_id": "iNiAJAtsbV5xOQGRtce-NQ", "business_name": "Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Indianapolis", "rating": 4, "text": "We explored a variety of red wines and decided on the house cabernet sauvigon. Server was very knowledgeable on varieties to try. We enjoyed our entrees and drinks. Enjoyed the cheesecake pops as well. Chose both the white and dark chocolate. Unsure about joining the wine/month club. Maybe next time we visit.", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T01:20:57" }, { "business_id": "dP5k-Plsiw9dn9h9Y1oWNA", "business_name": "Chilly Water Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "Great beer and tasty food. Skip, your balls are the best. I recommend the peanut butter. Delish! The outdoor seating is perfect for people watching along the trail. Pop in, have a drink, and support an award winning brewery.", "timestamp": "2015-08-28T19:55:49" }, { "business_id": "HH9x7WcNQR3cnwkHo_YL0w", "business_name": "Mimi Blue Meatballs", "rating": 4, "text": "The toddler chose meatballs over pizza. Glad we didn't argue. This was our first stop in. We were surprised my the quickness of service. Our server was outstanding. While they don't have a kid's menu the server recommended the slider for him. It was the right amount of food for him along with part of our side. Hubby and I split the 4 baller. We opted for the blue ball special (yes we giggled at that), turkey, veggie, and classic. My favorite was the veggie with spicy cilantro sauce. Reminded me of a falafel. I also like the turkey with garlic cream. Instead of the recommended brussel sprouts we qent for the mac & queso. Enough for the two of us to split and not feel stuffed. We will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-10T00:30:45" }, { "business_id": "vgaDkuxjt8-w-0PtE8tTCA", "business_name": "Yolk - City Way", "rating": 4, "text": "Great service from a friendly and welcoming staff. Our server offered to go coffees, she was after my heart. I was really torn on what to get. It's hard to pass up Chicken and Waffles, especially those that are a bit different. I opted to hold out until my next trip. The seasonal option of pumpkin pancakes sounded delish as well. Instead went for the El Torero Scrambler and ordered the pancake on the side. Their home made picante salsa was a nice compliment to the scrambler. My pancakes were tasty and had a hint of vanilla. Lots of variety on the menu to meet anyone's breakfast cravings.", "timestamp": "2015-10-21T20:08:29" }, { "business_id": "6o3Xj4Lxa2XcaHuCblCc3g", "business_name": "Big Lug Canteen", "rating": 4, "text": "So happy to have a new place in the Nora area to visit. The service was great and loved the environment. We sampled a couple different beers and liked the flavors. I had the stout, hubby had the IPA. I was also intrigued to see all the spirits from one midwest company. Didn't try any this visit, maybe on our next visit. For the food we ordered Nashville hot boneless wings. I was hoping for more heat and flavor. They were a little bland for my liking. I will try them again at a later time. We split the full shrimp po boy and enjoyed the flavors. We also split a house salad. For dressing I chose the parmesan vinaigrette. Order it, it's delicious and you may want more. Overall great experience and we will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-11-02T18:00:17" }, { "business_id": "lyCsdcVlyq--sTOxDNk4LQ", "business_name": "Eat+Drink", "rating": 3, "text": "Popped in for drinks with a group of people after dinner. Service was a bit slow to get beers. Maybe a keg blew, but it just seemed slow compared to other places. We will try another night for dinner and see how it works out.", "timestamp": "2015-11-03T14:15:34" }, { "business_id": "_m0mp3Wjcteysto6azQ9iA", "business_name": "Seasons 52", "rating": 4, "text": "Went on Friday night with a group of friends. This was my first time. Upon arrival the smell of garlic was wafting through the air. That's pretty enticing to me. The decor inside was intimate. Ordering a bottle of wine was cheaper for us than individual drinks for hubby and I. Many things on the menu sounded good, especially with their fall menu items included. The butternut squash soup with smooth and full of flavor. While the crab cake I ordered was crispy, I wish it had some more flavor. Hubby ordered the scallops. They were buttery and seared to perfection. I would have eaten lots of the risotto that was a side with the scallops. We didn't order dessert, but they looked very tempting. Bringing the finished product to the table is genius. I could have ordered three. Overall it was a good experience with a great wait staff. Not sure if it makes my list to return to very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-11-16T21:40:52" }, { "business_id": "_r8Uv8fZpkTqQBaaG51Yhg", "business_name": "The North End BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "Tonight was our second time at North End. We will be back. Both times we have brought our toddler and it's gone well. We enjoyed the ribs + one meat entree. Ribs were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. You do not need sauce. The sauce is a nice bonus. For our other meat we opted for the brisket. It too was exactly as it should be and more. My choice for sauce in the Texas Red. They do offer a Carolina mustard based sauce, something we do not have alot of around here. As for sides, get the mac & cheese. The bacon jam stirred in adds a new level of flavor. I wanted to lick the dish clean. The drink menu is expansive and offers a little bit for everyone. My first drink was the seasonal shake up. Think spiced apple cider, delish. My second cocktail was the rotating house barrel aged drink. It was something with rose. While I was hesitant at first, I was pleased with the selection.", "timestamp": "2015-11-21T04:41:45" }, { "business_id": "Pk3N--cpw3uWZHhtUgR_FA", "business_name": "Pawn Shop Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "One of my favorite spots in Indy. Favorite guilty pleasure is the onion rings. They offer cocktail with it and it's tasty. Wear your stretchy pants and order the breaded tenderloin. It is the best I have had. Additionally there are great drink deals and your wallet won't be hurting after a visit.", "timestamp": "2015-12-08T03:51:21" }, { "business_id": "tFpstYqxugKHzeyNUsuD_A", "business_name": "The Pint Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped in over the weekend with family in town. The atmosphere was inviting and the staff was great. Since this was our first time in we ordered a variety of burgers and split them. We ordered The Hangover, Shitake, & BBQ. The Hangover was my favorite. Ordered the regular and sweet potato fries. Sweet potato fries a great choice and the dipping sauce wasn't too sweet. The beer menu is expansive, 124 beers on tap. Their beer menu was well organized and labeled. The bartender was very knowledgeable about the breweries and beers available. If we are up that way again, we will pop in. Glad we did and tried somewhere new.", "timestamp": "2015-12-08T03:57:57" }, { "business_id": "aREOVt958pzJsuNmX1-LUQ", "business_name": "Twenty Tap", "rating": 5, "text": "We have been huge fans since Twenty Tap opened. It's been great watching them grow and strive with their success. Their staff is knowledgeable about beer and the various breweries. Beers are constantly changing so check their list daily. This is the go to spot we bring out of town friends and family. Some still talk about it after one trip. My order is usually the Pork Bah Mi with side salad. It's not too spicy, but does give a good amount of heat. Depending on my mood I will opt for the fries or side salad. Saturday night I went for the salad. Best part of the dish is the little dish of housemade pickles. Perfection! For an appetizer I recommend the cheese curds. Order the garlic and sriracha aiolis. It's best to split with friends, but no judgement if you can't resist the whole plate. The kids menu doesn't disappoint either. Lots of options and sides, plus it comes with a drink for $5-6. Not a bad deal. Brioche bun for the toddler's chicken sandwich. He took a bite and said Delicious! If you're going with kids you may have a wait due to the smaller family dining side. I recommend going at off times or at lunch for less wait. Without the kids relax at the bar, it's common for people to eat at the bar especially with a wait.", "timestamp": "2015-12-14T17:33:35" }, { "business_id": "ZVFGfG-BuiCT0RBRFSdx3Q", "business_name": "Recess", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow! We have been reluctant to try Recess because we were worried it wouldn't live up to the hype. We were wrong, very wrong. Our dinner and experience was spectacular and everything we expected. Hubby made reservations for dinner last night, my birthday, and completely surprised me. The coursed menu looked great, but we opted for a la carte options. The addition of the raw bar is perfect. Hubby ordered oysters and I opted for the chirashi with tuna, himachi, and scallops. The scallops were like butter. This course I refused to share, it was too good. For dinner we each chose a different entree. I had the winter fluke with wild rice and cranberry chutney. I wanted more of the wild rice mix to take home. The fish was tender and tasted impeccable. Hubby went with the lamb, mashed potatoes and zucchini puree. It was not too heavy, but just right. Dessert with a chocolate hazelnut deliciousness topped with pomegranate seeds and crushed candy canes. Sounds odd, but combined for wonderful flavors. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable on wine and dinner selections. We had a chance to speak with Greg, the head chef, and he's pretty awesome. So glad a restaurant of this caliber is my neighborhood and is everything everyone told us it would be. We will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-12-18T21:40:42" }, { "business_id": "ZiEnbtECCJjvBegWMFLs1g", "business_name": "Libertine Liquor Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "It's a great place to come and try something different. We may not come here frequently, but each time has been fun. You pay for craft cocktails or you can choose beer and wine as well. My only negative is that is gets crowded pretty easily. At least give it a try if you're on Mass Ave.", "timestamp": "2016-01-03T15:26:25" }, { "business_id": "4MFIksBbFgsbVyqH9Tmoiw", "business_name": "Pizzology Craft Pizza & Pub", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been a fan of Pizzology since they opened their Carmel location. The Homemade Sausage is amazing. It's my go to selection along with a large chop salad to split. We have tried a variety of their pizzas and haven't had anything we didn't like. Seasonal selections on the appetizer menu rotate. They used to have zuchinni fritters that were awesome, wish they would bring those back. Order the sidecar of sauces to help use up that last bit of crust. Mix the garlic and mornay together...perfection. Good selection or wine, beer, and drinks. It's kid friendly, but I prefer to enjoy without my toddler.", "timestamp": "2016-01-03T15:32:25" }, { "business_id": "b2IDM2SC0HkcflLl_nSTrA", "business_name": "Danny Boy Beer Works", "rating": 4, "text": "If you are up near the Village of West Clay, you should stop in. They make some great house beers and have taps available for other craft breweries. Very open and inviting bar. Best part ladies is the hooks under the bar and outlets! Seriously, something little like this makes me want to come back. Beers were delish. Opted for a sampler of 4 beers, focusing on IPA's, browns, and/or porters.", "timestamp": "2016-01-03T20:34:34" }, { "business_id": "BSArML9g8DF8ZinTwfZ6Vg", "business_name": "Greek's Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "Pizza was great as always. The delicious garlic butter they put on the crust is my favorite. Great deals for a Saturday, Medium 1 topping pizza and sticks. This local has canned craft beer for a great price. It's cozy inside like other locations. Since Broad Ripple closed, if we are up this way, we stop again.", "timestamp": "2016-01-07T21:56:02" }, { "business_id": "xTtWhx2vqyWoUDAKLgSAHw", "business_name": "Guresu", "rating": 4, "text": "Ordered carry out for lunch and was very pleased. The lunch special of 3 rolls for $10.50 is a great deal. I ordered the following rolls: Spicy tuna Spicy scallop Keystone roll I was expecting smaller rolls for the price, but not at all. 8 pieces of each. On top of the great deal they were tasty. Adding this to my lunch spot options near the office.", "timestamp": "2016-01-08T18:53:54" }, { "business_id": "-b8qRoIcTo7NBgTAe9XhgA", "business_name": "Chef Joseph's at The Connoisseur Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Visited over the weekend with friends. We wanted to try somewhere new and on the Devour Downtown list. Enjoyed the atmosphere along with the friendly staff. They had a jazz singer belting out tunes during dinner. Did you know they have brunch on Saturday and Sunday? Me either but adding to my list of things to try. Duck bacon was the item of the night at our table. Duck bacon fries (serving size is huge) and the empanada as well. The sauce on the empanada was perfection. My scallops were cooked perfectly. Hubby opted for something off their normal menu, a shrimp pasta. He enjoyed it. Bottles of wine were reasonably priced and they offer a chef's reserve selection. Can't wait to update my review after we try their brunch.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T02:16:19" }, { "business_id": "A1UcdK-Eb4xsqXequ4zNUA", "business_name": "Falcone Automotive", "rating": 4, "text": "We just wanted to test drive a couple of models as we begin our new car research. We were upfront about that we were not buying, just getting some information for ~6 months down the road. I haven't bought a newer car in 8 years and wasn't sure what to expect. Let me say the staff was friendly and very knowledgeable. They let us test drive cars, answered our random questions, and didn't pressure us into buying. The service left an impression and somewhere we will visit again when we narrow our search.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T02:23:25" }, { "business_id": "oyJ3gXNkV0DO0YxcaTgtTg", "business_name": "Thunderbird", "rating": 4, "text": "We have been here a number of times to enjoy their libations. This weekend was the first time we sampled their food menu. The Nashville Hot chicken is HOT. I was expecting heat, but this was a bit much for me. Luckily, hubby loves hot food. The coleslaw was amazing. We swapped plates and I enjoyed his shrimp po' boy. I also ordered the cornbread. Order it and enjoy the flavored butter and apple butter. My best advice for visiting Thunderbird is to talk to the bartender, tell them your favorite spirit, and be open for recommendations. It's a great spot we don't get to enough.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T02:38:15" }, { "business_id": "_VW9zTozHT0k8luWnmsDQQ", "business_name": "Drake's Keystone", "rating": 3, "text": "Went in for a team dinner with work. One of my coworkers recommended it based on the menu. Tables are a little odd for a group, you are right up against the next table on benches. Lots of choose from on their menu. Burgers, sandwiches, and sushi. Sounds like an odd combination, but they do all pretty well. The beer selection was a bit too generic for my tastes. They have craft beers, but I like more local selection. I would like to go back without being in a work environment to try them out.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T18:18:16" }, { "business_id": "BUPtFEuzN1KeB4erBi-ivA", "business_name": "Ruth's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Wonderful selection of breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. We have been in a few times and each time I wonder why we don't visit more. I ordered a half size biscuits and chorizo gravy. Wow, it was good. I wanted more for the taste, but was full. The baked goods are very tempting to try. The eclectic decor always makes me chuckle. It feels like your visiting a home to enjoy your meal. If you are looking for a northside brunch spot add this to your list.", "timestamp": "2016-02-17T15:24:35" }, { "business_id": "ipZ7neK1bjBAUrCqyCvB_Q", "business_name": "Goose The Market", "rating": 5, "text": "Best sandwiches in Indy. Order the Batali or Goose and you can't go wrong. Great spread of meats and cheeses. I love to go in and just pick and choose a few items. Local breads and other options are available as well. So much variety and amazing items packed into a small space.", "timestamp": "2016-03-04T18:51:05" }, { "business_id": "UFCN0bYdHroPKu6KV5CJqg", "business_name": "The Eagle", "rating": 4, "text": "Come for the new feel and vibe of this location. Stay for the fried chicken. Seriously, order the fried chicken. The flavor is spectacular. We ordered half a fried chicken and two sides. It was the right amount for us. The mac n cheese was good, but liked it the next day better, the flavor had sat in more. Staff was friendly and very attentive. Next time I'm trying the fried chicken sandwich, which reminds me of a Hattie's Chicken Sandwich from NY.", "timestamp": "2016-03-08T16:58:06" }, { "business_id": "u2FUWB2xMipayzmNmJ2Mhg", "business_name": "The Koelschip", "rating": 5, "text": "Gotta love a place with a good sense of humor right when you walk in. No they aren't Goose, but go next door and bring back cheese says the sign. The artwork is impeccable. Once you go in you will see what I'm talking about. Excited for Central State to have a home for their beers and a good selection for people to try. Great selection of other breweries as well. It's nice to be somewhere that is a bar, but didn't feel like I needed to get wasted sitting in there to fit in. Come in and a have a drink with your friends and enjoy a great taproom.", "timestamp": "2016-04-03T23:21:08" }, { "business_id": "Orvi9NZMyy4p1kGSe8WBow", "business_name": "Kincaid's Meat Market", "rating": 5, "text": "MEAT!!! Lots of wonderful meat choices and great customer service. Let's not forget affordable and supporting a small local business. We love getting gyro meat from here for a version at home. Sausages are made in house. They will cut meat to whatever, however you would like it.", "timestamp": "2016-04-16T17:32:01" }, { "business_id": "2OSz7GqL8D5-s4T7jUMLFQ", "business_name": "Northside Kitchenette", "rating": 4, "text": "Found another brunch option in Broad Ripple. I had been here for lunch a few years ago and the food was good. It's still good. The decor is open and friendly. I commented that I liked all the white. Maybe because it reminds me of eating in my kitchen or a friend's kitchen. Ordered the rueben and was not disappointed. Homemade chips were the perfect compliment. You can order sandwiches or breakfast anytime. Perfection. Oh wait, I did try some breakfast. A half order of biscuits and gravy. It would have been rude for me to lick the plate, but I did think about it. Service was friendly and just right.", "timestamp": "2016-04-16T17:35:35" }, { "business_id": "oM9ZFIgO88Hu0ppDZPjuwg", "business_name": "Metazoa Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "We stopped in on open weekend and really enjoyed our time. Lots of tables for groups. The handmade tables and chairs were a great detail in the decor. We tried a flight of beer and happy with the options. The Red Devilicious and Honey Badger were a couple of my favorites. I'm normally a hop head, but the IPA wasn't my favorite. I plan to do some more research (taste testing) on their beers in the future.", "timestamp": "2016-04-16T17:40:35" }, { "business_id": "HuypDIPw8O4P_cC1fcsE8A", "business_name": "Marrow", "rating": 4, "text": "We had really been looking forward to trying out Marrow. We dropped the kid off at grandmas and headed down. The ambiance is casual and comfortable. Drink list is a good combination of beer, wine and craft cocktails. There is something for everyone on there. We shared the tandoori fried chicken and shells and pannier. Wow! The flavor and crunch on the chicken was spectacular. I almost didn't want to share and wanted to eat all four pieces myself. That may have been too much :) The shells and pannier was my favorite thing. Ridiculously amazing. Think shells and cheese with an Indian twist. This should be in my weekly menu. It's on our list to try again and enjoy.", "timestamp": "2016-05-05T15:56:18" }, { "business_id": "VtrVZACbp2kikpjdqvOfdA", "business_name": "Scratchtruck", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed Scratch??? I feel like I'm slacking on my reviewing skills for that mistake. Order the Scratch burger. If you add ketchup to it, you ruin the delicious bacon marmalade. Yes, bacon marmalade tops this delicious burger. I have bought this as gifts for people it's that good. The fries are perfection with the right sprinkle of pepper and salt. This is where ketchup is acceptable. Service from the staff is great, they are very friendly. If you see Scratchtruck you should stop and order. They have a variety of food options, but the burger is hands down my favorite thing. Possibly one of my favorite foods in general.", "timestamp": "2016-05-05T17:53:10" }, { "business_id": "ReV4Q3rEJ8neicQPc6pC0w", "business_name": "St. Elmo Steak House", "rating": 4, "text": "Love the atmosphere and style of the restaurant. It's a wonderful Indianapolis treasure. The steaks are wonderful. Offerings include a variety of cuts and ounces. There is something for everyone. Order a couple of sides for the table to share. Unless, you want the lobster mac n cheese for yourself. No one would blame you. Don't forget the shrimp cocktail. Practice moderation with the cocktail sauce. The horseradish is stronger than you may think. I really enjoy looking over the wine list and picking something we normally don't drink. The servers are very knowledgeable about the offerings. They scrape the table of any crumbs very frequently with what looks like a barber's straight edge. It's part of the experience and the little touches that make St. Elmo's what it is.", "timestamp": "2016-05-13T13:02:44" }, { "business_id": "L7cO2qZurrt-7SLl2oDSrA", "business_name": "Upland Brewing Co Tasting Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a great spot to have a beer and conversation. It's usually not too crowded. They have food trucks occasionally as well. They have changed the decor around a bit. The long church pew is a nice addition. Love their beers. I prefer the Bad Elmer's Porter or Dragonfly IPA. Have a pint or bring a growler in for a refill. Dogs on a leash are welcome. Humans under 21 are not.", "timestamp": "2016-06-01T15:25:51" }, { "business_id": "DZRkJUI9iv1mDY_JaCY3sg", "business_name": "Scotty's Brewhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to lunch spot when I'm in the office. I rarely sit down and have lunch inside, but today was different. Service was great and timely on my limited lunch break. Ordered the new tuna poke salad. Perfect lunch portion and was tasty. The beer list looked good for the day, but couldn't imbibe due to going back to work. Typically I call and order to go Buffalo Breath Salad. Order it with MoFo hot! Bring the kids and enjoy a family friendly environment outside of work hours too.", "timestamp": "2016-06-07T14:01:26" }, { "business_id": "gFApW0S59priCHlZbMPSiA", "business_name": "Punch Burger", "rating": 3, "text": "Burgers are great. Ordered the Thai burger and liked it. The peanut butter wasn't overpowering. Sampled the burnt cheese burger and liked it as well. Good atmosphere overall. Nice addition to have beers on tap from local breweries. Busy but service was prompt. Next time I go back I'm trying a milkshake.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T01:10:44" }, { "business_id": "SMZ2-pycp9di-ee5FJ-anw", "business_name": "Salty Cowboy", "rating": 4, "text": "Food was good, service was great, but overall I think it's a bit pricey. I live for tacos and found $5-$6/taco just a bit too much. Instead, we opted to split some appetizers and brisket. Queso was delicious, we kept asking for more chips, it's a generous portion for two people. They offer a good selection of drinks: beer, margaritas, and craft cocktails. Had a couple different options and both were good. Brisket was good. A bit salty, but then again it's called Salty Cowboy. Worth the drive if you want something different for Mexican food. You can find something for everyone on the menu. Decor and vibe overall are what we enjoy when we don't have the kid.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T01:17:43" }, { "business_id": "Xm3fazqrD-Fi4tVPlc4i6Q", "business_name": "Caplinger's Fresh Catch", "rating": 5, "text": "Did you ever go to their old place? Well this a HUGE upgrade. The decor and flow is much better. The fish quality is still as good. Order the special and get a side. Hush puppies...YUM! Lunch is busy but worth the wait. Need something from the fish counter? The will cook it for you. Great variety of options. Stop into this gem for your next lunch or dinner. They also cater.", "timestamp": "2016-08-13T18:38:46" }, { "business_id": "cwHoYlBw7QRZLSbu9hLcbg", "business_name": "Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Lunch date during the week with hubby and preschooler. Service was prompt and friendly. This was our first stop at this location. So many choices on pizzas. We were lame and went more traditional. They have a great beer selection, but since I was going back to work, it was a no go. Maybe next time.", "timestamp": "2016-10-07T12:26:32" }, { "business_id": "XoLU3K7Z5R8aTpuYArnhFw", "business_name": "Lockerbie Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "We love to come here. Hello mini tacos. I love coming here for a divey feel and fried food. I was one of three customers that afternoon. Enjoyed a beer, some college football and ordered some cheese sticks. See, fried foods. Order the mini tacos and you won't be disappointed. I enjoy coming here late on Friday or Saturday when we don't have our kid. Sounds weird, but it's a special place for my hubby and I.", "timestamp": "2016-10-07T16:34:53" }, { "business_id": "oJ4ik-4PZe6gexxW-tSmsw", "business_name": "Broad Ripple Brewpub", "rating": 4, "text": "I love the Brewpub for their variety of dishes. Nachos, pizza and sandwiches. Variety of beers to choose from crafted right on sight. Every time we go, the service is slow. I think it's just the pace of the restaurant. It's never a quick beer and a bite of food. Instead, enjoy the patio and friends, savor that time. Kid and dog friendly environment. Also great for your vegetarian and vegan friends. My go to is a half order of the nachos or fish & chips. Tried their Pumpkin Seasonal Beer and it's on par with some of my favorite pumpkins.", "timestamp": "2016-10-26T15:29:56" }, { "business_id": "IcqvNEGpi94KcvpS_wUBRQ", "business_name": "The Tap", "rating": 4, "text": "Huge selection of beers made in house and from various other breweries. There is something for everything in the group to choose from. Food menu was interesting with many choices. It was hard to narrow down to exactly what I wanted. I love tacos and was really interested in a couple. I was sad that I couldn't mix and match, hopefully they take my suggestion at some point. House made salsa was good. The Firecracker shrimp taco was good. The stuffed the guacamole down into the bottom of the shell, which is nice to avoid a mess. It's really bright and airy in the main area with all the giant windows. Lots of seating in the restaurant. I would like to come back and enjoy the patio in the warmer weather.", "timestamp": "2016-11-14T13:53:34" }, { "business_id": "cM3C8AT3IhOIM4ccBofuSg", "business_name": "Blind Owl Brewery", "rating": 4, "text": "We have been here a couple of times since they have opened. Service, food and beer has gotten better the longer they are open. Love sitting outside, playing cornhole or bocce ball. Great space outside. The restaurant is kid friendly, always helpful for us. Kid's menu is affordable. Great variety of beers brewed in house and guest taps as well. Lots of food choices as well.", "timestamp": "2016-11-14T16:21:46" }, { "business_id": "0QSxyOzXwDdaSbeK7p3GYw", "business_name": "Keystone Sports Review", "rating": 4, "text": "Come here for the wings and amazing blue cheese. It's a dive bar with great food. Order the wings extra crispy for best flavor. They make their own blue cheese and you may want to order your own for dipping. The pizza is another favorite of mine. Service can be slow, so enjoy yourself while you're there. If you want faster service, call ahead and take home. They even deliver if you live nearby. Place is 21+. Good place to watch a game and enjoy the regulars.", "timestamp": "2016-11-25T14:26:35" }, { "business_id": "JydmOKf-8Plo13Idj33Iyw", "business_name": "Round Town Brewery", "rating": 4, "text": "Grab a pint of the Irish Coffee. It's fabulous and my new favorite beer. Lager, Hoppy Wheat and Happy Face round out a nice selection of beers for all tastes. Dog friendly brewery where you may get to meet new four legged friends as you grab a pint.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:07:09" }, { "business_id": "dRKztV_Vtl7AvZg052SgRQ", "business_name": "Open Society", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been in just for drinks and coffee in the morning. Each time staff has been friendly and knowledgeable. I've yet to have a meal or snack crafted there. Great craft beer selection to sip and enjoy. The bar area is intimate and the decor is fresh. Regular drip coffee was tasty. I sat in the front part this time and also enjoyed my experience. Love all the windows and light. Excited to have another brunch option in the area and on multiple days. Can't wait to come back and enjoy.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:14:17" }, { "business_id": "Qcx9efNRe78no3Fb7-466w", "business_name": "JLI Holiday Mart", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been to the event over a couple of years. Attended this year and enjoyed that they were selling beer and wine as you shopped. There were a variety of vendors and price points. Happy to see a vast selection of local artisans too. Hopefully in the future they continue to expand that area of the market. Many home decor and clothing options. Pleasantly surprised by the book options as well. While I prefer to shop local, it's nice to meet new businesses.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:19:49" }, { "business_id": "pafrjSu3h0v0N8GR3ghNtQ", "business_name": "Yats", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite cheap eats in Indy, plus my preferred location. Order the Chili Cheese Etouffee and extra bread. Always extra bread. The butter is perfection. Get a half and half with Drunken Chicken too. Great way to fill up on two fabulous choices. The rice is always perfectly cooked. The food isn't spicy but there is quite the selection of hot sauces if you want to spice it up. Put a bit of your food on the bread and use it as a utensil. Stick around a bit and you may see Joe the owner. He pops in to say hi every now and then. This is our place to take out of town guests for a quick lunch.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:25:55" }, { "business_id": "LY1WmE1DwtkGd37eG3SoSQ", "business_name": "Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "One of my favorite spots to have dinner with my family. Anywhere that brings popcorn to the table before you order is going to win me over. The staff is friendly and prompt. Our favorite night to go is Tuesday. If you aren't a fan of kids, this is the night to avoid. The chopped salad for two is huge, worth the price, and tasty. Order a pizza or sandwich. I prefer pizza in a traditional manner. Sausage, pepperoni and mushroom. I enjoy that it's not perfectly round pizza dough. Enjoy a pint of craft beer as well. I prefer the Hubbards & Craven Porter or Golden Zoe IPA. Look for drink specials when you visit. Join the rewards program if you frequent their locations.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:38:22" }, { "business_id": "zISlbx0dpSSE-S4c8LwDyg", "business_name": "Napolese Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite pizzas in Indy, we order out more than in. Order the marinara and goat cheese appetizer. Enjoy the assorted olives brought to the table. We almost always order the Hamaker's Corner. A pizza is good for 2-3 people. The atmosphere is intimate. It isn't somewhere I really want to bring my kid, he would bother others. Grab some spirits and enjoy the surroundings. I love the decor and mood lighting in here. If you get the chance to sit at the bar, do it. It's amazing it sit and watch them create.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:47:48" }, { "business_id": "f9C3eDtfbQrFklCCLDFuaQ", "business_name": "Workingman's Friend", "rating": 4, "text": "Bring cash and some stretchy pants. I have heard a few mentions of this place, but never made it over there. Some co-workers suggested it and we all went. Server was prompt and notified us all that they only accept cash. The server did a good job of up selling the double cheeseburger instead of the single. She noted they were thin patties in case we were hungry. A single would have been plenty with a side. Why not go with the double as recommended. It was too much food but worth eating all of it. The onion rings were done perfectly. Next time I want to try the seasoned fries.", "timestamp": "2017-01-27T15:33:36" }, { "business_id": "Ud4ySJB6xQd14nMooHUnZw", "business_name": "Diavola Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "We had a chance to visit during Devour for the first time. The Devour menu was budget friendly and a great way to try a number of items. For an appetizer we chose the Nonna's meatballs. The flavors were perfect and the right amount of sauce to go with the dish. We each got a different salad and were happy with them. Biggest draw back to the night...service was slow. Everything felt spaced out during the meal by 5-10 minutes too long. There were a couple of larger parties in the restaurant before us and it was Devour. Everyone was friendly on staff. Next time I just hope it's timed better. The pizzas were great. We ordered from the red and white options. Loads of flavor in the white garlic pizza. Excited to have this option around the corner from us.", "timestamp": "2017-02-10T17:26:58" }, { "business_id": "DoYN9_pucSfhJwjI107Qug", "business_name": "Louie's Wine Dive", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped in during Devour as part of a date night. We made reservations ahead of time, which was a great idea, they were busy. Our server was great and very knowledgeable. She made a recommendation between the two bottles of wine we had narrowed our focus to. We were happy with the Sonoma Valley choice. They did have a variety of California wines which is always nice to see. As our meals were served the server noted my husband's dish didn't look quite right. He ordered the Diablo and apparently it was supposed to be more red/orange. She went to the kitchen to get it remade for him and boxed up the original for us to take home. Great eye! My salmon was delish. We skipped dessert this time.", "timestamp": "2017-02-10T17:52:34" }, { "business_id": "Zx05t1cRAipPrpQOtzd9RQ", "business_name": "Brics", "rating": 4, "text": "One of our favorite spots on the Monon. Customer service is great too even when they are busy. Order a scoop and in a waffle cone. Enjoy your favorite flavor on the patio. Lots of good flavor choices. My favorite is chocolate malt.", "timestamp": "2017-02-21T22:32:24" }, { "business_id": "Xjg1hrJNSmUIZP3TzXeQvQ", "business_name": "Simply Chic", "rating": 4, "text": "Second time in the store and had a much better experience overall. Staff was friendly and the selection was great. I really enjoyed how the store was organized. Got the cutest boots that get complimented all the time. This is one of my now go to spots if I'm shopping. I will be back as I update my work wardrobe for spring.", "timestamp": "2017-03-01T19:08:59" }, { "business_id": "tUtQic1R0uYoJ09xzpNsOA", "business_name": "Rockstone Pizzeria & Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "Good food with an overall good experience. We should have gotten there a bit earlier and scored the $3 appetizer menu. Visit between 3-6pm or 9-? and they have a discounted menu. We were torn on the pizza size. Our server recommended the 10\" since it's wood fired and it was worth going for the smaller pizza. Next time I'm ordering the kid his own pizza so he doesn't steal all of mine. We added the Spinartigoat dip to help round out the meal. It was probably my favorite part besides the beer. The wood fired crackers served with the dip were perfect. Price point is good for the area. Bonus that they work with local food sources for their products. They offer a variety of beer and wine as well.", "timestamp": "2017-03-02T23:44:09" }, { "business_id": "Cd6Dfli4JBpHGgh0LVslpQ", "business_name": "Mama's House", "rating": 4, "text": "We have wanted to try this place for awhile and finally decided it was time. We went around 7:30 and they were busy. I would suggest reading the menu ahead of time to have questions or be ready. We ordered the Mama's Special for two that included chicken, beef and pork. The meats were flavorful and more than enough for two people. Servers did a good job bringing us a new clean grill top every so often. It can get pretty smoky while cooking otherwise. As for the sides they were yummy. A few were spicy but not too hot. I can't wait to go back and try something new. Maybe be more adventurous in our choices.", "timestamp": "2017-03-07T16:14:02" }, { "business_id": "POwyAA0vf4PvWe1L8Oc3Eg", "business_name": "Books & Brews", "rating": 4, "text": "Beer, video games, and a kid friendly area...sign my family up. We stopped in while running errands to enjoy a drink and give our kid somewhere to let off some steam. I truly appreciate a business that has a kid's area. Their beers are solid. I enjoyed The Stout of Monte Cristo. Eat a sandwich and check out some books while you're there. Interested to come back for the events they are running. Lots of trivia and movie viewing.", "timestamp": "2017-03-16T17:20:29" }, { "business_id": "nxOtSRgqnr_3fb-nnSc8mg", "business_name": "Scotty's Dawghouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Good spot close to home instead of going into Broad Ripple. If you have eaten at Scotty's, it's the same menu and offers many options. This time we sat in the family section, which I truly appreciate. My kid was restless and could play while we ate. It's part of the reason we chose this restaurant over others in the area that night. Our first time in we had great service and a very knowledgeable server. Our second experience wasn't quite the same. It was a Friday night and they were pretty busy. The server seemed a bit more scattered. I want to come back and enjoy the patio soon.", "timestamp": "2017-04-18T19:07:03" }, { "business_id": "QfVeoUCXT-CRrp0tMcPs4A", "business_name": "Rook", "rating": 4, "text": "Korean Fried chicken sandwich, ORDER IT! It was delicious and I really wanted to order a second one to enjoy the flavors again. The chicken was crisp and the slaw was flavorful. Best touch was the Velveeta. I thought it was odd at first but works perfectly. My coworker and I wished the sandwich came with a side because we were hungry, but the dish is great. Should have added the pork belly steam bun as my other coworker did. He devoured it. He noted the gin drinks here are pretty spectacular. Since we had to go back to work we stuck to food. Come ready to try new flavors and maybe share a table with others. Loved the open kitchen concept. Our server was great and offered good suggestions. Bonus is that they play 90's and 00's rap music.", "timestamp": "2017-04-18T19:18:19" }, { "business_id": "-jNOHaFwWsBpaf9l5gvRwQ", "business_name": "Black Circle", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great addition to the Arsenal Park area of SoBro. Thank you for revamping a neighborhood eyesore. It's unique but fits this area well. They play music on albums, mostly metal. Love video games? You need to check this place out. They have live music regularly too. Follow them on social media to stay in the know of what's happening and their hours. It's the type of place to sit, drink beers, and chat with your friends about all the dumb shenanigans you used to get into. Then move on to more grown up topics. Had their White Bronco and it was solid. I need to come back to try more beers and the cuban food.", "timestamp": "2017-04-18T19:31:22" }, { "business_id": "U6oNVSJAngSFXcCzNBXgGA", "business_name": "The Urban Chalkboard", "rating": 5, "text": "I was excited to visit Urban Chalkboard for the first time and it did not disappoint. Think art studio, meets library, meets cafe, and a play place. Lots of great options for kids. Color was the theme of the event. The stations were perfect for my little guy. Whole Foods provided yogurt parfaits with colorful topping choices. Red raspberries, clementines, blueberries, green grapes, coconut, and granola completed our rainbow parfait. Yummy. Turkey pinwheels were a nice touch. The overhead projector with an interactive game on the floor was a great way to get out some energy. Boogie down on the keyboard if you have a chance. Light sensory play was fun and exciting. P got to be in a rainbow of fiber optic lights. Thanks to Nicole from Art to The Extreme for her awesome recycled crayons. Some dinosaurs came home with us. Little Yelper events are lots of fun for the family.", "timestamp": "2017-04-20T00:09:33" }, { "business_id": "WrZaL6BxHqVqt3sAcJ-5Rg", "business_name": "Bluebeard", "rating": 5, "text": "Haven't been here in a few years, but came for lunch and it was perfect. It will be on my list to recommend to coworkers for lunch. Also, I need to go back and eat more of their sandwiches. Currently they have a crawfish roll on the menu and there were zero doubts that's what I would order. The bread was crusty and had the perfect crispness. Lots of crawfish and it's a meaty sandwich. The flavors were on point as well. Coleslaw was the side which complimented the sandwich perfectly. Not too creamy or too vinegar based. Service was great. Our server gave my coworkers some good suggestions based on their preferences.", "timestamp": "2017-05-04T15:37:54" }, { "business_id": "V5D41y4cSOVBlx-bVCR1_g", "business_name": "Metro Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "We were able to pop in on a Sunday morning. The staff was very friendly and attentive. We opted to sit at the counter. I was impressed watching the kitchen work together and serve up their creations. We split the chicken biscuit sandwhich. Wish we would have ordered two, so I didn't have to share. We each got deli sandwhiches as well. I really wanted to try the chicken and waffles, but that is not for one person. Come hungry with a friend to try it. The menu is huge. Everyone should be able to find something they want to try.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T14:49:05" }, { "business_id": "Lq0g_QceWkx_spQyzyTwIw", "business_name": "The Woodhouse Day Spa - Carmel", "rating": 5, "text": "My first visit was absolutely amazing! I spent the afternoon being pampered as part of a girl's day and it was perfect. My friend did call and arrange everything for us. The staff was on their game and made the experience even better. We changed into the robes and shoes in a gorgeous locker room, then rested in the quiet room for our treatments to begin. The robes were a little heavy for the summer months and still nice. My treatments included a facial, pedicure, and massage. My favorite was the massage. I rarely have them and it was blissful. I will schedule another massage in the future. Apparently the spa has been there for years and I had no clue. I thought it worth every penny to be pampered for the afternoon. They included a basket at the end of all the products used on you throughout the day. It wasn't pushy, which I appreciate.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T14:56:25" }, { "business_id": "SqkBIkfYOkwJrdehXBvVIQ", "business_name": "Chris' Ice Cream", "rating": 4, "text": "Don't let the name fool you, this place is the spot for Mexican food. It may be a new favorite to add to my rotation. Good thing they are not closer to my house. Affordable and delicious. Order your options at the counter. We each chose the steak burrito. Then grab a booth or table to anxiously await your order brought to you. The first bite was flavorful. Watch the salsa, it has some kick. Good thing they give it to you on the side. The burrito was great and I left full, there was no room for ice cream.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T15:07:17" }, { "business_id": "K96eX9tL3nsfuEJcNYNVQA", "business_name": "Greek's Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "Love the new space and happy they opened in SoBro. They offer delivery, take out and of course dining in. If you don't have kids with you, check out the bar upstairs. Kids are welcome downstairs. The parking lot can be packed, if you're nearby bike over. Greek's is one of my favorite pizza spots. We don't venture too far away from our favorite, sausage, pepperoni and mushroom, especially with the small human in tow. Always grab an order of breadsticks and marinara sauce.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T15:12:41" }, { "business_id": "8VO4Ma7FhsLYop9tk87tbA", "business_name": "Garage Door Doctor", "rating": 4, "text": "Our garage door suffered a terrible fate and we thought we could DIY a fix. However, it became apparent that we needed professional assistance to actually fix the door. It was either that or risk a hernia everytime we tried to open the door. We called Garage Door Doctors and a tech came out to inspect our door. He was knowledgeable and provided useful information. Also that we did need to replace the door. I cringed as I waited to see the quote. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the quote, completely reasonable. We got a couple of additional quotes that didn't even come close. The door was ordered and within a couple of weeks, the install was ready. The tech called a few minutes before he arrived within the two hour window they had promised. I had ordered a color that will go great once we paint our garage to match the house. The tech was concerned I wouldn't like the color, so he double checked. I truly appreciated that touch. He was done in a timely manner and took the few extra minutes to clean up his cardboard and other items. My husband and I are very happy with our new door. No more risking hernias or being smashed by a broken door.", "timestamp": "2017-08-30T19:31:51" }, { "business_id": "bxS6WyZO_s7x-JY-P1m0tQ", "business_name": "Buck Creek Winery", "rating": 4, "text": "Worth the drive off the interstate for wine. We stopped by on a Friday early afternoon on our way to a Girl's Weekend. How had we not heard about this winery? Tasting offered many samples and lots of variety to choose from. As someone who likes drier wines, I was very happy. Their Riesling was more dry than sweet, which was my favorite. A couple bottles of that came home with me. Adding to my list of spots to check out again.", "timestamp": "2017-09-22T16:33:53" }, { "business_id": "saB1o6fF4ozyp0O7LyueOA", "business_name": "Repeal Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Had not tried this restaurant yet and a group of us went over from work. Overall I was pleasantly surprised with the food. Loved the ambiance. Be sure to visit the restroom and check the original brick archways. Great detail in a repurposed building. Ordered the fish sandwhich and it was tasty. A couple of people ordered the fish tacos and raved about them. Tempted by the brisket tacos, but we had brisket a couple of nights that week. I'm adding this to my list of places to come back and check out.", "timestamp": "2017-12-29T16:50:51" }, { "business_id": "CSRJYftc_THPHSJQAqghCg", "business_name": "Crispy Bird", "rating": 3, "text": "The chicken sandwich was cripsy and everything I want in a fried chicken sandwich. Reminded me of a Hattie's chicken sandwich from Saratoga. Their twist on coleslaw with sliced apple was a nice touch. The decor is modern, fresh, and has lots of natural light. I honestly enjoyed the pictures of the chickens on the wall. They are Chinese show chickens the server noted. Our service was good. The server did not inform us that a refill for tea or lemonade would be another drink. Really irks me when restaurants aren't up front about that. Also the kid's meal is $10 with no drink included. Glad to have somewhere I can get a decent chicken sandwich on the northside.", "timestamp": "2018-01-15T20:58:10" }, { "business_id": "punLF4oSWHbH7JK4wO4HzA", "business_name": "Watami Sushi All You Can Eat", "rating": 4, "text": "Hubby and I had a much needed date night here and enjoyed our meal. The server was very attentive and made sure we understood how ordering works. Lots of great options to choose from. Their specialty rolls were cleverly named. The sushi was delish. Excited to have this option around Broad Ripple and want to go back.", "timestamp": "2018-01-15T21:02:09" }, { "business_id": "whbDvrMP-3N-tFRM35YD-g", "business_name": "Flatwater Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Enjoyed brunch recently. Ordered the Peach Bellini and it was tasty. Make sure you ask for the brunch special of the day. It's hard to venture away from my favorite, the tuna tartare but the rest of the menu is delish too.", "timestamp": "2018-01-25T23:37:46" }, { "business_id": "1MoiTfuItt3dZkaQfJkpYw", "business_name": "TwoDEEP Brewing", "rating": 4, "text": "How have I not stopped in here more. Great location, lots of space to enjoy the bar area or sit on a couch. This is a malt forward brewery, so the beers don't have much hops. I was able to have a sample of five beers and enjoyed them all. Ordered the zuchinni sticks and they were tasty. I would like to go back and try more of their food.", "timestamp": "2018-01-26T02:29:37" }, { "business_id": "sr-5EY6bmp4jINhea06MjA", "business_name": "The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers-Broad Ripple Village", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a Pinterest/design dream come true from the moment you walk in. It's feminine and finely dusted with glitter. Detailed decor to match the season. There was no detail left out when designing the experience you have here. We had a girl's lunch here and utilized the back room. Our server was attentive and gave amazing recommendations. Drinks, lunch, and dessert were all delish. Many in our group enjoyed the quiche. I opted for the chicken salad croissant and have zero regrets. There's no butter in there right? Dessert had to be my favorite part. Cake, pie, bars, or other assorted goodies to choose from. The to-go containers are adorable, this goes back to the design details. Overall you are paying for an experience. This is not your traditional bakery. Also reservations for dining are highly encouraged as wait times can be long without. You can walk in and order items to go as well.", "timestamp": "2018-01-26T02:37:59" }, { "business_id": "F-vfI049swuwDR7HMOW1Fg", "business_name": "Red Habanero", "rating": 4, "text": "Simple Saturday afternoon snack, check. After running errands my friend and I stopped in for a snack. Servers were friendly and attentive. I wasn't sure what to get hut the queso with chorizo looked tasty. It felt like a large portion and after a basket of chips it looked like I had barely made a dent. Best thing is the server took our checks to the cashier versus us having to stand in line post meal. That's apparently how they roll. It's minor but definitely encourages me to come back.", "timestamp": "2018-03-13T01:12:22" }, { "business_id": "UK007MpAU5B6P4o7_dVsTA", "business_name": "Between the Bun - Burgers, Dogs and More", "rating": 4, "text": "We were in the area and thought why not try something different. For a Friday lunch, they were busy and there was a bit of a wait. Our server was hustling and remained courteous. She rocked. Lots of choices for burgers. We opted to split the four slider sampler pack. We chose the classic, Boss Hog, Swiss and Shroom, and the pickle one (can't remember the name). We added the tater tots versus fries. We also opted for BBQ sauce to dip our tots in. Wise move. The Johnny Appleseed was sweet with a tiny bit of heat. The place was backed and glad we made the drive. May try an off hour next time.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T15:19:10" }, { "business_id": "0vOOrWqn-7HlyVIqUT_8JA", "business_name": "Noah Grant's", "rating": 5, "text": "Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the crowd. If you want the dining room, make a reservation. We didn't know what to expect when we went in, but worth our wait for a seat. Wonderful selection of oysters. The people beside us tried the sushi and were gracious enough to share with us. Delish, but glad I didn't make my whole meal it. I was torn between the scallops and another dish. Our server recommended the scallops and it was amazing. Hubby ordered the small steak and it was perfect. If you need a date night, or looking for something upscale, this is it! The decor is wonderful, fresh, and modern.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T15:26:24" }, { "business_id": "X-J8KLkbFJB4WCGdqSvePQ", "business_name": "Goodfellas Pizzeria - Broad Ripple", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm married to a New Yorker and the hunt for NY style pizza has taken a while around Indy. No more. Thin foldable slices. Delish. Pop in for a lunch special. Dluce, side, and drink for $6. They even offer it on Saturday. Pricing for whole pies is reseaonable.", "timestamp": "2018-04-21T16:49:48" }, { "business_id": "h4RaM9E8C0d20Uw-nLR5aw", "business_name": "The Children's Museum of Indianapolis", "rating": 5, "text": "The new outdoor experience is no joke. This is exactly what the museum needed to round out their offerings. So much space for kids to run and play. The treehouse is a new family favorite. Pack the water bottle and sunscreen for the family as you won't want to miss this. Excited to introduce my kid to a variety of sports and help gauge interest before we sign him up for something. What great exposure for kids.", "timestamp": "2018-05-20T14:55:33" }, { "business_id": "jJbygynjo79uPbGwhPiONw", "business_name": "Crab general", "rating": 5, "text": "Stop in and enjoy your own hot pot. Our server gave us a great tip:. Order seafood first. Next round order meat and veggies. Save the noodles and meatballs until the end. We didn't know that until we asked. It's a fun food adventure. Make your own creations and combinations. Don't forget to stop by the sauce bar. Your broth will have flavor but this is to finish everything before you take a bite. Hubby and I enjoyed our evening. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable.", "timestamp": "2018-06-23T00:05:34" }, { "business_id": "xne1l7I2166PbF59qQUxGg", "business_name": "Next Door American Eatery", "rating": 3, "text": "Excited to have another eatery in the neighborhood. We went in the first week of opening. Service was good. We went for a late lunch and had minimal wait. Food selection is solid. We had the beet burger and regular burger. My favorite part was the pickles.", "timestamp": "2018-06-23T00:10:39" }, { "business_id": "yiOdk7N4_id1f5nwGvVAgw", "business_name": "Life Time", "rating": 4, "text": "Writing a review for a gym seems silly, but I want to share why I joined. I had been a long time member of another chain in Indy. Their service and equipment wasn't up to snuff anymore and my favorite instructor was leaving. The cost for Life Time is more than most gyms, but this frugal momma says it's worth it! Most classes are included in your membership, there are paid classes available. These tend to be smaller class sizes and more personalized. Seriously, check out Josh's Boxing class there. The facility is clean, has many amenities, and the staff is friendly. My son loves the kid's area. He doesn't mind spending time there since they have a basketball court, indoor climbing maze, and tablets. Plus childcare hours are decent for my schedule. My favorite part is the steam room. Can I just stay in there forever? The cardio equipment and weights areas are clean. It doesn't feel gross. It's weird to see staff on the floor cleaning equipment even during high traffic times. I truly appreciate that.", "timestamp": "2018-09-06T20:27:29" }, { "business_id": "sAVZbkhmIt0Am-iPJcFzig", "business_name": "Holliday Park", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite parks in the city. Huge playground for kids. Hiking trails that are pretty tame. Ruins are great for exploring. Bonus is the nature center. It's free and perfect for a rainy day. We have hosted a birthday party there and it was affordable. Visit this lovely escape in the city.", "timestamp": "2018-09-30T15:44:56" }, { "business_id": "jyFIMQV67um9Mz_tNjHZ3g", "business_name": "Hoagies & Hops", "rating": 5, "text": "Come in and get yourself a cheesesteak. It's the closest in the city to Philly. So much food and you will be full for the day. There are other sandwiches that are tasty as well. Pickles are perfection.", "timestamp": "2018-09-30T15:48:08" }, { "business_id": "CxUcM0VdEcHhlm_4_Mbwyw", "business_name": "Tube Factory Artspace", "rating": 5, "text": "My first visit was for a poetry reading. I want sure what to expect from the space. However, it was amazing. This art space is cultivated to give you a variety of experiences. Take in the art work, read a book, or even play some putt putt. The space is designed for both indoor and outdoor usage.", "timestamp": "2018-09-30T15:50:43" }, { "business_id": "o6No8FiwyDAOlcY7PGUEXw", "business_name": "Thaitanium", "rating": 4, "text": "It's nice to see a Thai spot on Mass ave. Ordered the crab rangoon and was really happy with it. The entire dumpling was fried perfectly. Each bit had some crunch but wasn't oily. Tom yum soup medium hot rounded out my meal. Lots of veggies included. They had a lot of takeout business while I was dining in. I thought our service was a bit slow but seeing the carry out traffic I'm okay with it. Plus I want in a rush. Staff was friendly and the dining environment is nice.", "timestamp": "2018-10-11T16:18:26" }, { "business_id": "ibe3g1TlMJmlkz_8Go0m1A", "business_name": "Nine Lives Cat Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Visited for an event a friend hosted. Learned alot about the adoptions and work that they are doing with Indy Humane. Come pet a kitty, get a coffee, and hang out. The cats are separate from the coffee. Even those with is that are allergic to cats managed well. The cats are well cat like. They could gave card less about humans. HA!", "timestamp": "2018-10-11T16:22:00" }, { "business_id": "7g7frE-BAJ6FrVZaXdVp8Q", "business_name": "Lego Store", "rating": 4, "text": "Brought my son here for the first time and he was mesmerized. He of course wanted everything in the store. He enjoyed being able to customize a character with their in store setup. There were lots of options to choose from, but it was lacking accessories. Maybe they were just buried at the bottom. The wall of Legos was a site. It's actually the best deal I think the store. Use a container and fill it up for $9 or $16 with anything on the wall. It was nice to add some more colors to our collection.", "timestamp": "2018-11-13T16:14:05" }, { "business_id": "lqF0Q5vVLxY-_Cth6LtEdg", "business_name": "The Gallery Pastry Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "While I love this place, my five year old adores it more. He has a wonderful appreciation for macaroons. Our favorite is $1 Wednesday. It's worth heading into the shop and dining in. The decor is amazing, the staff is friendly, and you can watch them making their next creations. My favorite is to sit at the bar and watch. They offer a variety of beverages, cocktails, pastries, and food. I have popped in for a croissant to enjoy the next morning.", "timestamp": "2018-11-13T16:31:51" }, { "business_id": "kcOAfvwLUOAYQO3x4gocqA", "business_name": "Maxine's Chicken & Waffles", "rating": 4, "text": "Come with your best stretchy pants on. They have the best fried chicken in Indy. This is not some quick deep fry, greatness takes time. Is it worth the longer wait once you order...absolutely. Make sure you sample the peach butter. We ordered the cinnamon waffle and added the peach butter. The flavors were amazing and surprisingly, not overly sweet. I love to make my own chicken biscuit sandwich. Order the boneless chicken breast along with an order of biscuits. My son is a chicken finger expert. While he was skeptical at first, he later admitted they were some of the best chicken fingers he's had. Servers always make me feel like I'm eating dinner at my aunt's house. They ask if you need anything else, call you sweetie, and overall have a great demeanor.", "timestamp": "2018-11-29T20:21:04" }, { "business_id": "FtiM7EZMKvAPqZqud27x3A", "business_name": "Nick's Chili Parlor", "rating": 4, "text": "My parents have been lugging me here for years. Recently, they were in town and really wanted Nick's. Sure, why not. I forget out this gem since I rarely explore the westside. We went on Tuesday, which happens to be the Chili Dog deal day. I won't say how many my dad and I ordered, but worth every bite. There is something about this place. Maybe it's the fact that the same people have been working there for years. Maybe it's the nostalgia of going with my parents. They are open on Sundays now too, if you're out and about.", "timestamp": "2018-11-29T20:24:15" }, { "business_id": "-bOe__PV8KQM_v1hguxSAA", "business_name": "Hogan Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze", "rating": 4, "text": "I had never heard of this location until we researched pumpkin patches open on Sunday. We went mid morning and had a wonderful time. Being able to explore the pumpkins and pick them off the vine was nice. The smaller pumpkins were already available towards the front. Easier to make your selections. It was muddy and fun. Staff was friendly.", "timestamp": "2018-11-29T20:29:10" }, { "business_id": "msnm4l6xGcCDrPrjDzUVbQ", "business_name": "Winterlights at Newfields", "rating": 4, "text": "Lovely event that I'm glad Newfields brought back this year. Loved the addition of the marketplace before heading out. My favorite this year is at the end but I don't want to ruin the surprise. Check it out. Get the glasses to see some special effects.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:04:30" }, { "business_id": "d03SfBQVCfjgLrxBc5_iuA", "business_name": "Zen Nail Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "This was the first time I booked an appointment through yelp. The salon was very responsive and made it easy. Great feature. We arrived early and they were able to get us in. Picking a color was the hardest part. Too many to choice from. I opted for a gel manicure, but excited to come back for the dip gel manicure. You can choose a beverage during your visit. I opted for coffee but wine is available. Nice touch. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable on the different product options.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:10:10" }, { "business_id": "vuxophXABXyZW7MbnH-iXg", "business_name": "The Donut Experiment Indianapolis", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute experience. We attended a birthday party here and loved it. You can customize your donuts. Great for those picky small humans or adults that like to try something new. Lots of options to create your donuts. The owner was awesome and so patient with all the kids. She walked us all through the process and let us create. If you need a fun party idea, connect with The Donut Experiment.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:18:26" }, { "business_id": "nACvSXi3Sl7ns9tN4b4V2w", "business_name": "Condado Tacos", "rating": 4, "text": "I love tacos and was excited to try this new place. Couldn't decide if I should create my own or go on menu. Opted to try their menu options and was not disappointed. Best part is the price point, affordable. The place can be packed but service wasn't an issue. Our server had solid recommendations. My friend is vegetarian and she had many options to choose from. Excited to go back and try more.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:21:30" }, { "business_id": "f7FPMRaMbGiX-CXPaLFCJw", "business_name": "Taste Restaurant At Lucky Lou Seafood and Dimsum", "rating": 4, "text": "Great experience dinner option. Come with a group and order a few items. Serving sizes are for family style dining. The lazy susan on the total was my favorite. No awkward passing of plates, just spin. We ordered the lamb and it was amazing. We also had the friend bean curd and it was perfectly seasoned. I went with friends that had been before. I would go again with them before trying on my own.", "timestamp": "2019-01-09T17:17:25" }, { "business_id": "QFQ8PQit-SCD5L1rUsvTBQ", "business_name": "Burgerhaus", "rating": 4, "text": "Wanted to try for a bit especially after walking by one night. It smelled amazing. Lots of options for burgers. Create your own or go with one of their creations. Opted for the Monaco since I wanted the fancy red wine mayo. I would get it again. Staff was great and provided good suggestions. Plus our server gave me a to go diet coke. That was really appreciated.", "timestamp": "2019-01-09T17:21:24" }, { "business_id": "nR5YybQrv7P62jd_oP5p7g", "business_name": "Mama Carolla's", "rating": 4, "text": "Come for dinner, stay for the atmosphere. On weekends it can be busy so expect a wait. Many great appetizers. The calamari is delish. However, I long for the crab cakes to return to the menu. The warm bread is my second favorite thing on the menu. The first is dessert. Tiramisu and a chocolate martini. They are a delish combination. As for entrees I bounce between the chicken rigatoni, pasta too good, and chicken lasagna. Always get the Italian wedding soup. My favorite aspect of Mama's is that most of the staff has been there for years. Some places that could be bad. However it's great here. They can handle the waits, maneuver around people, and still deliver great service. Wait time too long, make new friends in the bar area while you wait. Enjoy your evening and dinner.", "timestamp": "2019-01-27T01:00:50" }, { "business_id": "IU64UZ7SJlfDnxFV-w0Q9Q", "business_name": "Christie Cookie", "rating": 5, "text": "Seriously the best sugar cookie ever. I was drawn in because of the cookies sign on the side of the building. It did not disappoint. Sampled the chocolate chunk cookie and the snickerdoodle. Best decision on a whim I've made. Get your butt here and try these cookies. Also, do you ship to Indy??", "timestamp": "2019-02-22T22:16:48" }, { "business_id": "m7-OF4M95sUbR_y5qSQ1kQ", "business_name": "Draper James", "rating": 4, "text": "Hey Y'all this store is adorable. Stumbled upon it while exploring Nashville and was so glad. You are greeted with sweet tea when you enter. The customer service was friendly and made great recommendations based on what I had picked out. The store has a couple of spots to sit and relax. The dressing rooms are spacious and well lit. This store is an overall experience. So thankful I got to see it in person.", "timestamp": "2019-02-23T13:20:54" }, { "business_id": "7_uMEn4P2HpimT1IXsHS9g", "business_name": "Asian Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "After reading the reviews we opted to give this one a try. Best decision. Called in our order and told 10 minutes. Guess what? Stuff was fresh and ready in 10 minutes. The dinner portions are huge. To go containers full of the dish and fried rice on the side separately. The dishes were flavorful and not that taste of being full of salt. Our favorite was the crab rangoon. Other reviewers noted it tasted like crab vs just cream cheese and it's TRUE. Very glad we ordered what we thought would be too much. Cant wait to order again and support this business.", "timestamp": "2019-06-16T21:04:48" }, { "business_id": "teFjQxUqT8c-yxQdoILDVQ", "business_name": "Nada", "rating": 5, "text": "Great atmosphere and love the decor. Seriously I love the tile work and the wallpaper in the bathroom stalls. Ordered the carne asada, baja, and pastor tacos. They were delish. They have revamped the menu and my favorite dish...fried chicken is gone. That's okay, those tacos were spectacular. The flavor on the carne asada was perfect. Come for dinner with friends or something more cozy.", "timestamp": "2019-08-11T00:53:45" }, { "business_id": "WWKHJNBeUeq7XxtGhjkQkA", "business_name": "Taqueria La Chela", "rating": 4, "text": "Delish new spot in Midtown that you should check out. Had the chorizo, pastor, and asada tacos. They were flavorful and had the right amount of filling. Order the poderosa and it comes with rice, beans, and a drink. Lots of food for a great price. The inside is small, but plenty of room to stay and enjoy your meal. Staff was friendly and answered our questions.", "timestamp": "2019-08-13T17:00:01" }, { "business_id": "W_32KZk49L2ATbh9w9Tabw", "business_name": "Pivot Bar and Balcony", "rating": 4, "text": "Come for the view and atmosphere, stay for the drinks. I ordered a brown bag beer. My friends ordered a million espresso martinis and the bartender was on top of it. Big couches, fireplace, and lots of seating. Adding to my list of places to visit more often downtown.", "timestamp": "2019-09-27T12:20:49" }, { "business_id": "nNYKCU_9TOjJLRYwtRiHvQ", "business_name": "Rene's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "Lovely little spot. My kid wanted something sweet for breakfast do why not visit Renee's. He couldn't choose from all the delicious pastries. Finally, he selected the cinnamon roll. He's had a few cinnamon rolls in his life and this hands down was the best. He kept commenting how good it was. Bring hand wipes because it got everywhere. We watched staff make the next round of goodies and they were super friendly.", "timestamp": "2019-09-27T12:27:38" }, { "business_id": "ppV8AwESFjlG5FSRXdvtyg", "business_name": "LouVino", "rating": 5, "text": "Dinner was amazing along with the service. We ordered a number of small plates to share. My favorites were the brussel sprouts, scallops, and risotto. Ordered a wine flight. They were out of the one wine I really wanted but subbed with a wonderful option. The atmosphere was great and I can't wait to go back.", "timestamp": "2019-10-17T14:34:14" }, { "business_id": "WQ1oZ11HbYL7K7kj62ttAw", "business_name": "Half Liter Beer & BBQ Hall", "rating": 4, "text": "So glad to have a good BBQ spot in midtown. Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere. I've sat inside and outside. My favorite is the top outdoor seating where kids aren't allowed. It's a nice break for parents. Love the brisket and mac n cheese. The hish puppies are a nice addition as well. As a frequent runner on the Monon I also appreciate they have put a water cooler along the trail.", "timestamp": "2019-10-17T14:41:08" }, { "business_id": "cSHp3ncOeVuIRNHqxf-7kQ", "business_name": "HI-FI", "rating": 5, "text": "First time visit and loved it. Most music venues when you leave you cant hear for hours. The acoustics are setup correctly and make the experience enjoyable. Staff was friendly and bonus for clean bathrooms. Why did I wait so long to visit? Adding to my list of places to check out regularly.", "timestamp": "2019-10-24T12:53:48" }, { "business_id": "yxs_SMXOMC7fDOVWwDLBdg", "business_name": "Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery", "rating": 4, "text": "It's so peaceful and beautiful. My favorite time of year to visit is fall. The trees are colorful and sprinkle their leaves upon the graves. Going up to James Whitcomb Riley's tomb is worth the effort. Plus, provides an amazing view of the city. I also enjoy strolling around the gothic cathedral for it's beauty. Everytime I visit I find something new to admire. Go explore and see what interesting things you find.", "timestamp": "2019-11-01T23:38:44" }, { "business_id": "mPZuMGNWXMnaAOBiVG7jxQ", "business_name": "Urban Air Adventure Park - Noblesville", "rating": 5, "text": "Visited for a birthday party and loved it. It's well organized from a party perspective. Staff was friendly and responsive to concerns. My son can't wait to.go back.and run around. He spent a lot of time on this jump dodge game. They do offer a food court and adult beverages as well. Tip: dress your kid in something easily recognizable. The place is huge and the playground can be hard to find them at times. A bright shirt or shorts will help.", "timestamp": "2019-12-01T12:36:40" }, { "business_id": "OvqKkasmJeDEPVsADSmG1A", "business_name": "Salon 6", "rating": 5, "text": "I love coming to Salon 6. The staff is friendly, scheduling is easy, and it's very comfy inside especially the waiting area. Stephanie has been cutting my hair for years. She takes the time to do a consultation with each cut, even if I'm doing the same thing. While doing the shampoo she gives the BEST head massage. I could sit there all day letting her massage my head. She also does wonderful color work. We did a balayage color with blonde and it's held up so well. I got so many compliments on this color. I always walk out feeling refreshed and energized from a great cut. I don't feel pressured to buy a ton of products. They do offer the Eurphora line and it's a great company. Environmentally friendly products for your hair and body. If you're looking for a salon, give Salon 6 a try!", "timestamp": "2019-12-06T15:33:09" }, { "business_id": "ZAZljXWLdWUhTSAkO8qdXg", "business_name": "The Old Spaghetti Factory", "rating": 3, "text": "Downtown Indy staple for years. Stopped in because the small human wanted spaghetti and meatballs while we were out. We were seated quickly but service felt slow. Maybe light on staff for a Saturday afternoon? I appreciate they still offer salad and dessert with their entrees. Opted for the spinach tortellini and it was tasty. Kid said his spaghetti and sauce were the best. We asked to sit in the trolley to do something different and so glad we did. The kid loved it. Gave us a chance to talk about the history of Indy.", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T21:53:08" }, { "business_id": "52q3_FQ5uX43IayrQS7znQ", "business_name": "Carmel Christkindlmarkt", "rating": 4, "text": "Great free event. Went with family and there was something for people of all ages. Spent about an hour or so exploring. Skate rental was easy once tickets were acquired. You may have to wait for a timeframe to skate, check upon getting to the market. We found that hitting the vendors towards the back had shorter lines especially for hot chocolate. We will go back next year.", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T22:00:20" }, { "business_id": "rOn3ESN6KMwrLfER86NbGw", "business_name": "Elena Ruz Cuban Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Elena Ruz is awesome. I've had their food before while meeting up at Black Circle. Have you thought about them for catering? Seriously you should. They were affordable and Rob was on top of it for our event. The empanadas are tasty. We had a variety for our event. The plantain chips are hands down my favorite. That garlic sauce will keep vampires away for weeks though. Great for events that aren't sit down style. I enjoy eating at the restaurant as well. Pop into Black Circle and enjoy some Cuban options. They are expanding so this spring they should have more options.", "timestamp": "2020-03-03T15:08:31" } ]	{ "business_id": "hx_9etInU71CGRs6xDjM0g", "business_name": "Brickhouse Coffee", "rating": 5, "text": "Excited to have a nearby local coffee spot. Staff was friendly and gave us good options for our coffee selection today. If you like cinnamon rolls this is a place to checkout. Smothered in cream cheese icing and enormous. The flavor is perfect and I can't wait to have another of their house made goodies. Noticed they have a lunch menu to try next.", "timestamp": "2020-11-28T23:55:59" }
DBYhpb5hrAYgQjQaMhNYyQ	[ { "business_id": "wxJwNCV2oC5Tnan8rzi9iw", "business_name": "Zest! Exciting Food Creations", "rating": 5, "text": "We love the environment for brunch and their many options. My top picks are the Creme Brulee french toast, stuffed tortilla, and BLT. The mac and cheese side is delish. If you saved room check out their brownies.", "timestamp": "2015-04-08T17:35:50" }, { "business_id": "0N2D4HtF2gLJvWxjIfiZDg", "business_name": "La Chinita Poblana", "rating": 4, "text": "Great place to stop in and get delicious tacos. While there aren't tables you can stand and eat. My favorites are the spicy shrimp and chicken tamarind. The chips and salsa are great too. I'm not one to share my chips and salsa from there. The owner George is almost always there and has delivered my order before. Great small business.", "timestamp": "2015-04-19T21:07:00" }, { "business_id": "rVhsjZWk_u20TDcvwhbdyQ", "business_name": "Indy Tacos", "rating": 5, "text": "We popped in for dinner tonight after looking at the sign for a couple of weeks. We had heard good things from neighbors. The tacos were delicious, good portions, and fresh. We had the steak, chicken and chorizo tacos. The quacamole was great too. Can't wait to go back and continue to support a local business.", "timestamp": "2015-05-05T00:30:57" }, { "business_id": "EQ-TZ2eeD_E0BHuvoaeG5Q", "business_name": "Milktooth", "rating": 4, "text": "This was our first time in and we will be back. Servers and hostesses were friendly. Lots of action in the restaurant. We would have loved to sit at the counter and watch the chef create. The vintage decor is wonderful too. Atmosphere is kid friendly. As for the food, it was cooked perfectly. The unique menu is great to explore new breakfast options, definitely not your traditional breakfast spot. Hubby had the savory dutch baby pancake, he was unsure of the grapes at first but it worked well with the dish. I opted for the sweet version and was very pleased. Not too sweet, the fig jam and cream helped provide a nice balance. We look forward to going again in the future.", "timestamp": "2015-05-18T18:55:40" }, { "business_id": "VklF-5UrAIrDtcYolY3AWA", "business_name": "The Paw Patch Place", "rating": 4, "text": "We have been going to the Paw Patch Place for a couple of years. We recently had to take our dog in for some health concerns. They did a good job of giving us options, being thorough in their exam and considerate on the cost. Dr. Dowden has a wonderful bed side manner, which is really important to me. It's not easy when your animal is sick. They were on time with the appointment and we were able to leave within about 30 minutes. I appreciate their promptness as well.", "timestamp": "2015-05-21T17:47:05" }, { "business_id": "9V0LMtO1riRw9-pUuG4NFg", "business_name": "Delicia", "rating": 4, "text": "This is our first brunch experience here. We have had wonderful dinners in the past. The server recommended the Dominican Breakfast, it was great. The plantains and fried cheese go together perfectly. The sausage was delicious. We also ordered the ceviche to split. The cornmeal biscuits and chorizo gravy were spot on. Sweetness from the cornmeal compliments the chorizo. Service was great as well.", "timestamp": "2015-05-24T15:12:25" }, { "business_id": "KInoSyTm9ioQcY1RFQ4ISg", "business_name": "The District Tap", "rating": 4, "text": "Wonderful beer selection full of local and regional breweries. Pricing for beer isn't too high either. Servers and staff were friendly and welcoming. Good variety of food for adults and kids. I have had a mac and cheese pot (delish) and the Mexicali Mess burger. Burger was cooked perfectly and not completely messy. We will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-06-06T11:57:24" }, { "business_id": "w2zvMPmyqxalHQ5LVmFktA", "business_name": "The Dancing Donut", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been waiting to pop over to The Dancing Donut since they opened. Went this morning and quite the selection of donuts to choose from. I chuckled at the names as I made my selection. I chose the Berry Poppins and was really pleased with it. The strawberry cream filling was delish and the lemon topping contrasted it perfectly. Lots of yeast flavor and very filling. Loved the decor of the shop as well. I look forward to going back in the future.", "timestamp": "2015-07-07T15:12:39" }, { "business_id": "UT6RNEKJj6OZMnSwZprXTw", "business_name": "Fat Dan's Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "Popped over for a quick lunch today. Interesting selection of craft beers, a number of choices. This may be random but I love their corn dog. Not too much breading and deep fried to perfection. Order tots as a side. Lots of good options on the menu. Hubby wemt with the Italian beef and wondered what had taken him so long to try it.", "timestamp": "2015-07-13T00:03:12" }, { "business_id": "sTPueJEwcRDj7ZJmG7okYA", "business_name": "Jim's South St", "rating": 4, "text": "Forget Pat's or Gyno's, go to Jim's. This has been our go to spot for years. Popped in today as detour on a long road trip. Perfect. While in line decide your order. Don't wait to look at the menu until you're at the grill.", "timestamp": "2015-07-19T17:57:13" }, { "business_id": "3CGXa85uNgvp8Berx5AhQQ", "business_name": "La Margarita", "rating": 5, "text": "Come for the food...stay for the margaritas. Great food that is filling and priced right. Margaritas are dangerously delicious. Service was wonderful. We will be back. My toddler recommends the mints at the hostess station.", "timestamp": "2015-08-08T19:19:09" }, { "business_id": "tPYkrHdTsYe_-Ty5EPiP2Q", "business_name": "Iaria's Italian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "We randomly selected to have tonight be our first visit. The diner feel is different but gives so much character. We sat at the bar, our favorite place to sit in a restaurant. The craft beer selection was impressive. For our dinner selections we kept it simple. Meat ravioli and chicken parmesan. I opt for seasonal veggies instead of pasta. I know odd. Both entrees were great. My chicken parmesan did give my knife a fight with all the mozzarella on top. Not too much and it was melted perfectly. Meatballs were good too. The marinara sauce is a bit sweeter than expected but still good. Loads of regulars in with their family and friends. Service was great. We will be back. Now I'm gonna go eat the tiramisu I brought home. Too full to eat it there.", "timestamp": "2015-08-15T00:43:40" }, { "business_id": "iNiAJAtsbV5xOQGRtce-NQ", "business_name": "Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Indianapolis", "rating": 4, "text": "We explored a variety of red wines and decided on the house cabernet sauvigon. Server was very knowledgeable on varieties to try. We enjoyed our entrees and drinks. Enjoyed the cheesecake pops as well. Chose both the white and dark chocolate. Unsure about joining the wine/month club. Maybe next time we visit.", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T01:20:57" }, { "business_id": "dP5k-Plsiw9dn9h9Y1oWNA", "business_name": "Chilly Water Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "Great beer and tasty food. Skip, your balls are the best. I recommend the peanut butter. Delish! The outdoor seating is perfect for people watching along the trail. Pop in, have a drink, and support an award winning brewery.", "timestamp": "2015-08-28T19:55:49" }, { "business_id": "HH9x7WcNQR3cnwkHo_YL0w", "business_name": "Mimi Blue Meatballs", "rating": 4, "text": "The toddler chose meatballs over pizza. Glad we didn't argue. This was our first stop in. We were surprised my the quickness of service. Our server was outstanding. While they don't have a kid's menu the server recommended the slider for him. It was the right amount of food for him along with part of our side. Hubby and I split the 4 baller. We opted for the blue ball special (yes we giggled at that), turkey, veggie, and classic. My favorite was the veggie with spicy cilantro sauce. Reminded me of a falafel. I also like the turkey with garlic cream. Instead of the recommended brussel sprouts we qent for the mac & queso. Enough for the two of us to split and not feel stuffed. We will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-10T00:30:45" }, { "business_id": "vgaDkuxjt8-w-0PtE8tTCA", "business_name": "Yolk - City Way", "rating": 4, "text": "Great service from a friendly and welcoming staff. Our server offered to go coffees, she was after my heart. I was really torn on what to get. It's hard to pass up Chicken and Waffles, especially those that are a bit different. I opted to hold out until my next trip. The seasonal option of pumpkin pancakes sounded delish as well. Instead went for the El Torero Scrambler and ordered the pancake on the side. Their home made picante salsa was a nice compliment to the scrambler. My pancakes were tasty and had a hint of vanilla. Lots of variety on the menu to meet anyone's breakfast cravings.", "timestamp": "2015-10-21T20:08:29" }, { "business_id": "6o3Xj4Lxa2XcaHuCblCc3g", "business_name": "Big Lug Canteen", "rating": 4, "text": "So happy to have a new place in the Nora area to visit. The service was great and loved the environment. We sampled a couple different beers and liked the flavors. I had the stout, hubby had the IPA. I was also intrigued to see all the spirits from one midwest company. Didn't try any this visit, maybe on our next visit. For the food we ordered Nashville hot boneless wings. I was hoping for more heat and flavor. They were a little bland for my liking. I will try them again at a later time. We split the full shrimp po boy and enjoyed the flavors. We also split a house salad. For dressing I chose the parmesan vinaigrette. Order it, it's delicious and you may want more. Overall great experience and we will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-11-02T18:00:17" }, { "business_id": "lyCsdcVlyq--sTOxDNk4LQ", "business_name": "Eat+Drink", "rating": 3, "text": "Popped in for drinks with a group of people after dinner. Service was a bit slow to get beers. Maybe a keg blew, but it just seemed slow compared to other places. We will try another night for dinner and see how it works out.", "timestamp": "2015-11-03T14:15:34" }, { "business_id": "_m0mp3Wjcteysto6azQ9iA", "business_name": "Seasons 52", "rating": 4, "text": "Went on Friday night with a group of friends. This was my first time. Upon arrival the smell of garlic was wafting through the air. That's pretty enticing to me. The decor inside was intimate. Ordering a bottle of wine was cheaper for us than individual drinks for hubby and I. Many things on the menu sounded good, especially with their fall menu items included. The butternut squash soup with smooth and full of flavor. While the crab cake I ordered was crispy, I wish it had some more flavor. Hubby ordered the scallops. They were buttery and seared to perfection. I would have eaten lots of the risotto that was a side with the scallops. We didn't order dessert, but they looked very tempting. Bringing the finished product to the table is genius. I could have ordered three. Overall it was a good experience with a great wait staff. Not sure if it makes my list to return to very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-11-16T21:40:52" }, { "business_id": "_r8Uv8fZpkTqQBaaG51Yhg", "business_name": "The North End BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "Tonight was our second time at North End. We will be back. Both times we have brought our toddler and it's gone well. We enjoyed the ribs + one meat entree. Ribs were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. You do not need sauce. The sauce is a nice bonus. For our other meat we opted for the brisket. It too was exactly as it should be and more. My choice for sauce in the Texas Red. They do offer a Carolina mustard based sauce, something we do not have alot of around here. As for sides, get the mac & cheese. The bacon jam stirred in adds a new level of flavor. I wanted to lick the dish clean. The drink menu is expansive and offers a little bit for everyone. My first drink was the seasonal shake up. Think spiced apple cider, delish. My second cocktail was the rotating house barrel aged drink. It was something with rose. While I was hesitant at first, I was pleased with the selection.", "timestamp": "2015-11-21T04:41:45" }, { "business_id": "Pk3N--cpw3uWZHhtUgR_FA", "business_name": "Pawn Shop Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "One of my favorite spots in Indy. Favorite guilty pleasure is the onion rings. They offer cocktail with it and it's tasty. Wear your stretchy pants and order the breaded tenderloin. It is the best I have had. Additionally there are great drink deals and your wallet won't be hurting after a visit.", "timestamp": "2015-12-08T03:51:21" }, { "business_id": "tFpstYqxugKHzeyNUsuD_A", "business_name": "The Pint Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped in over the weekend with family in town. The atmosphere was inviting and the staff was great. Since this was our first time in we ordered a variety of burgers and split them. We ordered The Hangover, Shitake, & BBQ. The Hangover was my favorite. Ordered the regular and sweet potato fries. Sweet potato fries a great choice and the dipping sauce wasn't too sweet. The beer menu is expansive, 124 beers on tap. Their beer menu was well organized and labeled. The bartender was very knowledgeable about the breweries and beers available. If we are up that way again, we will pop in. Glad we did and tried somewhere new.", "timestamp": "2015-12-08T03:57:57" }, { "business_id": "aREOVt958pzJsuNmX1-LUQ", "business_name": "Twenty Tap", "rating": 5, "text": "We have been huge fans since Twenty Tap opened. It's been great watching them grow and strive with their success. Their staff is knowledgeable about beer and the various breweries. Beers are constantly changing so check their list daily. This is the go to spot we bring out of town friends and family. Some still talk about it after one trip. My order is usually the Pork Bah Mi with side salad. It's not too spicy, but does give a good amount of heat. Depending on my mood I will opt for the fries or side salad. Saturday night I went for the salad. Best part of the dish is the little dish of housemade pickles. Perfection! For an appetizer I recommend the cheese curds. Order the garlic and sriracha aiolis. It's best to split with friends, but no judgement if you can't resist the whole plate. The kids menu doesn't disappoint either. Lots of options and sides, plus it comes with a drink for $5-6. Not a bad deal. Brioche bun for the toddler's chicken sandwich. He took a bite and said Delicious! If you're going with kids you may have a wait due to the smaller family dining side. I recommend going at off times or at lunch for less wait. Without the kids relax at the bar, it's common for people to eat at the bar especially with a wait.", "timestamp": "2015-12-14T17:33:35" }, { "business_id": "ZVFGfG-BuiCT0RBRFSdx3Q", "business_name": "Recess", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow! We have been reluctant to try Recess because we were worried it wouldn't live up to the hype. We were wrong, very wrong. Our dinner and experience was spectacular and everything we expected. Hubby made reservations for dinner last night, my birthday, and completely surprised me. The coursed menu looked great, but we opted for a la carte options. The addition of the raw bar is perfect. Hubby ordered oysters and I opted for the chirashi with tuna, himachi, and scallops. The scallops were like butter. This course I refused to share, it was too good. For dinner we each chose a different entree. I had the winter fluke with wild rice and cranberry chutney. I wanted more of the wild rice mix to take home. The fish was tender and tasted impeccable. Hubby went with the lamb, mashed potatoes and zucchini puree. It was not too heavy, but just right. Dessert with a chocolate hazelnut deliciousness topped with pomegranate seeds and crushed candy canes. Sounds odd, but combined for wonderful flavors. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable on wine and dinner selections. We had a chance to speak with Greg, the head chef, and he's pretty awesome. So glad a restaurant of this caliber is my neighborhood and is everything everyone told us it would be. We will be back.", "timestamp": "2015-12-18T21:40:42" }, { "business_id": "ZiEnbtECCJjvBegWMFLs1g", "business_name": "Libertine Liquor Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "It's a great place to come and try something different. We may not come here frequently, but each time has been fun. You pay for craft cocktails or you can choose beer and wine as well. My only negative is that is gets crowded pretty easily. At least give it a try if you're on Mass Ave.", "timestamp": "2016-01-03T15:26:25" }, { "business_id": "4MFIksBbFgsbVyqH9Tmoiw", "business_name": "Pizzology Craft Pizza & Pub", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been a fan of Pizzology since they opened their Carmel location. The Homemade Sausage is amazing. It's my go to selection along with a large chop salad to split. We have tried a variety of their pizzas and haven't had anything we didn't like. Seasonal selections on the appetizer menu rotate. They used to have zuchinni fritters that were awesome, wish they would bring those back. Order the sidecar of sauces to help use up that last bit of crust. Mix the garlic and mornay together...perfection. Good selection or wine, beer, and drinks. It's kid friendly, but I prefer to enjoy without my toddler.", "timestamp": "2016-01-03T15:32:25" }, { "business_id": "b2IDM2SC0HkcflLl_nSTrA", "business_name": "Danny Boy Beer Works", "rating": 4, "text": "If you are up near the Village of West Clay, you should stop in. They make some great house beers and have taps available for other craft breweries. Very open and inviting bar. Best part ladies is the hooks under the bar and outlets! Seriously, something little like this makes me want to come back. Beers were delish. Opted for a sampler of 4 beers, focusing on IPA's, browns, and/or porters.", "timestamp": "2016-01-03T20:34:34" }, { "business_id": "BSArML9g8DF8ZinTwfZ6Vg", "business_name": "Greek's Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "Pizza was great as always. The delicious garlic butter they put on the crust is my favorite. Great deals for a Saturday, Medium 1 topping pizza and sticks. This local has canned craft beer for a great price. It's cozy inside like other locations. Since Broad Ripple closed, if we are up this way, we stop again.", "timestamp": "2016-01-07T21:56:02" }, { "business_id": "xTtWhx2vqyWoUDAKLgSAHw", "business_name": "Guresu", "rating": 4, "text": "Ordered carry out for lunch and was very pleased. The lunch special of 3 rolls for $10.50 is a great deal. I ordered the following rolls: Spicy tuna Spicy scallop Keystone roll I was expecting smaller rolls for the price, but not at all. 8 pieces of each. On top of the great deal they were tasty. Adding this to my lunch spot options near the office.", "timestamp": "2016-01-08T18:53:54" }, { "business_id": "-b8qRoIcTo7NBgTAe9XhgA", "business_name": "Chef Joseph's at The Connoisseur Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Visited over the weekend with friends. We wanted to try somewhere new and on the Devour Downtown list. Enjoyed the atmosphere along with the friendly staff. They had a jazz singer belting out tunes during dinner. Did you know they have brunch on Saturday and Sunday? Me either but adding to my list of things to try. Duck bacon was the item of the night at our table. Duck bacon fries (serving size is huge) and the empanada as well. The sauce on the empanada was perfection. My scallops were cooked perfectly. Hubby opted for something off their normal menu, a shrimp pasta. He enjoyed it. Bottles of wine were reasonably priced and they offer a chef's reserve selection. Can't wait to update my review after we try their brunch.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T02:16:19" }, { "business_id": "A1UcdK-Eb4xsqXequ4zNUA", "business_name": "Falcone Automotive", "rating": 4, "text": "We just wanted to test drive a couple of models as we begin our new car research. We were upfront about that we were not buying, just getting some information for ~6 months down the road. I haven't bought a newer car in 8 years and wasn't sure what to expect. Let me say the staff was friendly and very knowledgeable. They let us test drive cars, answered our random questions, and didn't pressure us into buying. The service left an impression and somewhere we will visit again when we narrow our search.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T02:23:25" }, { "business_id": "oyJ3gXNkV0DO0YxcaTgtTg", "business_name": "Thunderbird", "rating": 4, "text": "We have been here a number of times to enjoy their libations. This weekend was the first time we sampled their food menu. The Nashville Hot chicken is HOT. I was expecting heat, but this was a bit much for me. Luckily, hubby loves hot food. The coleslaw was amazing. We swapped plates and I enjoyed his shrimp po' boy. I also ordered the cornbread. Order it and enjoy the flavored butter and apple butter. My best advice for visiting Thunderbird is to talk to the bartender, tell them your favorite spirit, and be open for recommendations. It's a great spot we don't get to enough.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T02:38:15" }, { "business_id": "_VW9zTozHT0k8luWnmsDQQ", "business_name": "Drake's Keystone", "rating": 3, "text": "Went in for a team dinner with work. One of my coworkers recommended it based on the menu. Tables are a little odd for a group, you are right up against the next table on benches. Lots of choose from on their menu. Burgers, sandwiches, and sushi. Sounds like an odd combination, but they do all pretty well. The beer selection was a bit too generic for my tastes. They have craft beers, but I like more local selection. I would like to go back without being in a work environment to try them out.", "timestamp": "2016-02-10T18:18:16" }, { "business_id": "BUPtFEuzN1KeB4erBi-ivA", "business_name": "Ruth's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Wonderful selection of breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. We have been in a few times and each time I wonder why we don't visit more. I ordered a half size biscuits and chorizo gravy. Wow, it was good. I wanted more for the taste, but was full. The baked goods are very tempting to try. The eclectic decor always makes me chuckle. It feels like your visiting a home to enjoy your meal. If you are looking for a northside brunch spot add this to your list.", "timestamp": "2016-02-17T15:24:35" }, { "business_id": "ipZ7neK1bjBAUrCqyCvB_Q", "business_name": "Goose The Market", "rating": 5, "text": "Best sandwiches in Indy. Order the Batali or Goose and you can't go wrong. Great spread of meats and cheeses. I love to go in and just pick and choose a few items. Local breads and other options are available as well. So much variety and amazing items packed into a small space.", "timestamp": "2016-03-04T18:51:05" }, { "business_id": "UFCN0bYdHroPKu6KV5CJqg", "business_name": "The Eagle", "rating": 4, "text": "Come for the new feel and vibe of this location. Stay for the fried chicken. Seriously, order the fried chicken. The flavor is spectacular. We ordered half a fried chicken and two sides. It was the right amount for us. The mac n cheese was good, but liked it the next day better, the flavor had sat in more. Staff was friendly and very attentive. Next time I'm trying the fried chicken sandwich, which reminds me of a Hattie's Chicken Sandwich from NY.", "timestamp": "2016-03-08T16:58:06" }, { "business_id": "u2FUWB2xMipayzmNmJ2Mhg", "business_name": "The Koelschip", "rating": 5, "text": "Gotta love a place with a good sense of humor right when you walk in. No they aren't Goose, but go next door and bring back cheese says the sign. The artwork is impeccable. Once you go in you will see what I'm talking about. Excited for Central State to have a home for their beers and a good selection for people to try. Great selection of other breweries as well. It's nice to be somewhere that is a bar, but didn't feel like I needed to get wasted sitting in there to fit in. Come in and a have a drink with your friends and enjoy a great taproom.", "timestamp": "2016-04-03T23:21:08" }, { "business_id": "Orvi9NZMyy4p1kGSe8WBow", "business_name": "Kincaid's Meat Market", "rating": 5, "text": "MEAT!!! Lots of wonderful meat choices and great customer service. Let's not forget affordable and supporting a small local business. We love getting gyro meat from here for a version at home. Sausages are made in house. They will cut meat to whatever, however you would like it.", "timestamp": "2016-04-16T17:32:01" }, { "business_id": "2OSz7GqL8D5-s4T7jUMLFQ", "business_name": "Northside Kitchenette", "rating": 4, "text": "Found another brunch option in Broad Ripple. I had been here for lunch a few years ago and the food was good. It's still good. The decor is open and friendly. I commented that I liked all the white. Maybe because it reminds me of eating in my kitchen or a friend's kitchen. Ordered the rueben and was not disappointed. Homemade chips were the perfect compliment. You can order sandwiches or breakfast anytime. Perfection. Oh wait, I did try some breakfast. A half order of biscuits and gravy. It would have been rude for me to lick the plate, but I did think about it. Service was friendly and just right.", "timestamp": "2016-04-16T17:35:35" }, { "business_id": "oM9ZFIgO88Hu0ppDZPjuwg", "business_name": "Metazoa Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "We stopped in on open weekend and really enjoyed our time. Lots of tables for groups. The handmade tables and chairs were a great detail in the decor. We tried a flight of beer and happy with the options. The Red Devilicious and Honey Badger were a couple of my favorites. I'm normally a hop head, but the IPA wasn't my favorite. I plan to do some more research (taste testing) on their beers in the future.", "timestamp": "2016-04-16T17:40:35" }, { "business_id": "HuypDIPw8O4P_cC1fcsE8A", "business_name": "Marrow", "rating": 4, "text": "We had really been looking forward to trying out Marrow. We dropped the kid off at grandmas and headed down. The ambiance is casual and comfortable. Drink list is a good combination of beer, wine and craft cocktails. There is something for everyone on there. We shared the tandoori fried chicken and shells and pannier. Wow! The flavor and crunch on the chicken was spectacular. I almost didn't want to share and wanted to eat all four pieces myself. That may have been too much :) The shells and pannier was my favorite thing. Ridiculously amazing. Think shells and cheese with an Indian twist. This should be in my weekly menu. It's on our list to try again and enjoy.", "timestamp": "2016-05-05T15:56:18" }, { "business_id": "VtrVZACbp2kikpjdqvOfdA", "business_name": "Scratchtruck", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed Scratch??? I feel like I'm slacking on my reviewing skills for that mistake. Order the Scratch burger. If you add ketchup to it, you ruin the delicious bacon marmalade. Yes, bacon marmalade tops this delicious burger. I have bought this as gifts for people it's that good. The fries are perfection with the right sprinkle of pepper and salt. This is where ketchup is acceptable. Service from the staff is great, they are very friendly. If you see Scratchtruck you should stop and order. They have a variety of food options, but the burger is hands down my favorite thing. Possibly one of my favorite foods in general.", "timestamp": "2016-05-05T17:53:10" }, { "business_id": "ReV4Q3rEJ8neicQPc6pC0w", "business_name": "St. Elmo Steak House", "rating": 4, "text": "Love the atmosphere and style of the restaurant. It's a wonderful Indianapolis treasure. The steaks are wonderful. Offerings include a variety of cuts and ounces. There is something for everyone. Order a couple of sides for the table to share. Unless, you want the lobster mac n cheese for yourself. No one would blame you. Don't forget the shrimp cocktail. Practice moderation with the cocktail sauce. The horseradish is stronger than you may think. I really enjoy looking over the wine list and picking something we normally don't drink. The servers are very knowledgeable about the offerings. They scrape the table of any crumbs very frequently with what looks like a barber's straight edge. It's part of the experience and the little touches that make St. Elmo's what it is.", "timestamp": "2016-05-13T13:02:44" }, { "business_id": "L7cO2qZurrt-7SLl2oDSrA", "business_name": "Upland Brewing Co Tasting Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a great spot to have a beer and conversation. It's usually not too crowded. They have food trucks occasionally as well. They have changed the decor around a bit. The long church pew is a nice addition. Love their beers. I prefer the Bad Elmer's Porter or Dragonfly IPA. Have a pint or bring a growler in for a refill. Dogs on a leash are welcome. Humans under 21 are not.", "timestamp": "2016-06-01T15:25:51" }, { "business_id": "DZRkJUI9iv1mDY_JaCY3sg", "business_name": "Scotty's Brewhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to lunch spot when I'm in the office. I rarely sit down and have lunch inside, but today was different. Service was great and timely on my limited lunch break. Ordered the new tuna poke salad. Perfect lunch portion and was tasty. The beer list looked good for the day, but couldn't imbibe due to going back to work. Typically I call and order to go Buffalo Breath Salad. Order it with MoFo hot! Bring the kids and enjoy a family friendly environment outside of work hours too.", "timestamp": "2016-06-07T14:01:26" }, { "business_id": "gFApW0S59priCHlZbMPSiA", "business_name": "Punch Burger", "rating": 3, "text": "Burgers are great. Ordered the Thai burger and liked it. The peanut butter wasn't overpowering. Sampled the burnt cheese burger and liked it as well. Good atmosphere overall. Nice addition to have beers on tap from local breweries. Busy but service was prompt. Next time I go back I'm trying a milkshake.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T01:10:44" }, { "business_id": "SMZ2-pycp9di-ee5FJ-anw", "business_name": "Salty Cowboy", "rating": 4, "text": "Food was good, service was great, but overall I think it's a bit pricey. I live for tacos and found $5-$6/taco just a bit too much. Instead, we opted to split some appetizers and brisket. Queso was delicious, we kept asking for more chips, it's a generous portion for two people. They offer a good selection of drinks: beer, margaritas, and craft cocktails. Had a couple different options and both were good. Brisket was good. A bit salty, but then again it's called Salty Cowboy. Worth the drive if you want something different for Mexican food. You can find something for everyone on the menu. Decor and vibe overall are what we enjoy when we don't have the kid.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T01:17:43" }, { "business_id": "Xm3fazqrD-Fi4tVPlc4i6Q", "business_name": "Caplinger's Fresh Catch", "rating": 5, "text": "Did you ever go to their old place? Well this a HUGE upgrade. The decor and flow is much better. The fish quality is still as good. Order the special and get a side. Hush puppies...YUM! Lunch is busy but worth the wait. Need something from the fish counter? The will cook it for you. Great variety of options. Stop into this gem for your next lunch or dinner. They also cater.", "timestamp": "2016-08-13T18:38:46" }, { "business_id": "cwHoYlBw7QRZLSbu9hLcbg", "business_name": "Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Lunch date during the week with hubby and preschooler. Service was prompt and friendly. This was our first stop at this location. So many choices on pizzas. We were lame and went more traditional. They have a great beer selection, but since I was going back to work, it was a no go. Maybe next time.", "timestamp": "2016-10-07T12:26:32" }, { "business_id": "XoLU3K7Z5R8aTpuYArnhFw", "business_name": "Lockerbie Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "We love to come here. Hello mini tacos. I love coming here for a divey feel and fried food. I was one of three customers that afternoon. Enjoyed a beer, some college football and ordered some cheese sticks. See, fried foods. Order the mini tacos and you won't be disappointed. I enjoy coming here late on Friday or Saturday when we don't have our kid. Sounds weird, but it's a special place for my hubby and I.", "timestamp": "2016-10-07T16:34:53" }, { "business_id": "oJ4ik-4PZe6gexxW-tSmsw", "business_name": "Broad Ripple Brewpub", "rating": 4, "text": "I love the Brewpub for their variety of dishes. Nachos, pizza and sandwiches. Variety of beers to choose from crafted right on sight. Every time we go, the service is slow. I think it's just the pace of the restaurant. It's never a quick beer and a bite of food. Instead, enjoy the patio and friends, savor that time. Kid and dog friendly environment. Also great for your vegetarian and vegan friends. My go to is a half order of the nachos or fish & chips. Tried their Pumpkin Seasonal Beer and it's on par with some of my favorite pumpkins.", "timestamp": "2016-10-26T15:29:56" }, { "business_id": "IcqvNEGpi94KcvpS_wUBRQ", "business_name": "The Tap", "rating": 4, "text": "Huge selection of beers made in house and from various other breweries. There is something for everything in the group to choose from. Food menu was interesting with many choices. It was hard to narrow down to exactly what I wanted. I love tacos and was really interested in a couple. I was sad that I couldn't mix and match, hopefully they take my suggestion at some point. House made salsa was good. The Firecracker shrimp taco was good. The stuffed the guacamole down into the bottom of the shell, which is nice to avoid a mess. It's really bright and airy in the main area with all the giant windows. Lots of seating in the restaurant. I would like to come back and enjoy the patio in the warmer weather.", "timestamp": "2016-11-14T13:53:34" }, { "business_id": "cM3C8AT3IhOIM4ccBofuSg", "business_name": "Blind Owl Brewery", "rating": 4, "text": "We have been here a couple of times since they have opened. Service, food and beer has gotten better the longer they are open. Love sitting outside, playing cornhole or bocce ball. Great space outside. The restaurant is kid friendly, always helpful for us. Kid's menu is affordable. Great variety of beers brewed in house and guest taps as well. Lots of food choices as well.", "timestamp": "2016-11-14T16:21:46" }, { "business_id": "0QSxyOzXwDdaSbeK7p3GYw", "business_name": "Keystone Sports Review", "rating": 4, "text": "Come here for the wings and amazing blue cheese. It's a dive bar with great food. Order the wings extra crispy for best flavor. They make their own blue cheese and you may want to order your own for dipping. The pizza is another favorite of mine. Service can be slow, so enjoy yourself while you're there. If you want faster service, call ahead and take home. They even deliver if you live nearby. Place is 21+. Good place to watch a game and enjoy the regulars.", "timestamp": "2016-11-25T14:26:35" }, { "business_id": "JydmOKf-8Plo13Idj33Iyw", "business_name": "Round Town Brewery", "rating": 4, "text": "Grab a pint of the Irish Coffee. It's fabulous and my new favorite beer. Lager, Hoppy Wheat and Happy Face round out a nice selection of beers for all tastes. Dog friendly brewery where you may get to meet new four legged friends as you grab a pint.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:07:09" }, { "business_id": "dRKztV_Vtl7AvZg052SgRQ", "business_name": "Open Society", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been in just for drinks and coffee in the morning. Each time staff has been friendly and knowledgeable. I've yet to have a meal or snack crafted there. Great craft beer selection to sip and enjoy. The bar area is intimate and the decor is fresh. Regular drip coffee was tasty. I sat in the front part this time and also enjoyed my experience. Love all the windows and light. Excited to have another brunch option in the area and on multiple days. Can't wait to come back and enjoy.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:14:17" }, { "business_id": "Qcx9efNRe78no3Fb7-466w", "business_name": "JLI Holiday Mart", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been to the event over a couple of years. Attended this year and enjoyed that they were selling beer and wine as you shopped. There were a variety of vendors and price points. Happy to see a vast selection of local artisans too. Hopefully in the future they continue to expand that area of the market. Many home decor and clothing options. Pleasantly surprised by the book options as well. While I prefer to shop local, it's nice to meet new businesses.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:19:49" }, { "business_id": "pafrjSu3h0v0N8GR3ghNtQ", "business_name": "Yats", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite cheap eats in Indy, plus my preferred location. Order the Chili Cheese Etouffee and extra bread. Always extra bread. The butter is perfection. Get a half and half with Drunken Chicken too. Great way to fill up on two fabulous choices. The rice is always perfectly cooked. The food isn't spicy but there is quite the selection of hot sauces if you want to spice it up. Put a bit of your food on the bread and use it as a utensil. Stick around a bit and you may see Joe the owner. He pops in to say hi every now and then. This is our place to take out of town guests for a quick lunch.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:25:55" }, { "business_id": "LY1WmE1DwtkGd37eG3SoSQ", "business_name": "Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "One of my favorite spots to have dinner with my family. Anywhere that brings popcorn to the table before you order is going to win me over. The staff is friendly and prompt. Our favorite night to go is Tuesday. If you aren't a fan of kids, this is the night to avoid. The chopped salad for two is huge, worth the price, and tasty. Order a pizza or sandwich. I prefer pizza in a traditional manner. Sausage, pepperoni and mushroom. I enjoy that it's not perfectly round pizza dough. Enjoy a pint of craft beer as well. I prefer the Hubbards & Craven Porter or Golden Zoe IPA. Look for drink specials when you visit. Join the rewards program if you frequent their locations.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:38:22" }, { "business_id": "zISlbx0dpSSE-S4c8LwDyg", "business_name": "Napolese Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite pizzas in Indy, we order out more than in. Order the marinara and goat cheese appetizer. Enjoy the assorted olives brought to the table. We almost always order the Hamaker's Corner. A pizza is good for 2-3 people. The atmosphere is intimate. It isn't somewhere I really want to bring my kid, he would bother others. Grab some spirits and enjoy the surroundings. I love the decor and mood lighting in here. If you get the chance to sit at the bar, do it. It's amazing it sit and watch them create.", "timestamp": "2016-12-21T00:47:48" }, { "business_id": "f9C3eDtfbQrFklCCLDFuaQ", "business_name": "Workingman's Friend", "rating": 4, "text": "Bring cash and some stretchy pants. I have heard a few mentions of this place, but never made it over there. Some co-workers suggested it and we all went. Server was prompt and notified us all that they only accept cash. The server did a good job of up selling the double cheeseburger instead of the single. She noted they were thin patties in case we were hungry. A single would have been plenty with a side. Why not go with the double as recommended. It was too much food but worth eating all of it. The onion rings were done perfectly. Next time I want to try the seasoned fries.", "timestamp": "2017-01-27T15:33:36" }, { "business_id": "Ud4ySJB6xQd14nMooHUnZw", "business_name": "Diavola Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "We had a chance to visit during Devour for the first time. The Devour menu was budget friendly and a great way to try a number of items. For an appetizer we chose the Nonna's meatballs. The flavors were perfect and the right amount of sauce to go with the dish. We each got a different salad and were happy with them. Biggest draw back to the night...service was slow. Everything felt spaced out during the meal by 5-10 minutes too long. There were a couple of larger parties in the restaurant before us and it was Devour. Everyone was friendly on staff. Next time I just hope it's timed better. The pizzas were great. We ordered from the red and white options. Loads of flavor in the white garlic pizza. Excited to have this option around the corner from us.", "timestamp": "2017-02-10T17:26:58" }, { "business_id": "DoYN9_pucSfhJwjI107Qug", "business_name": "Louie's Wine Dive", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped in during Devour as part of a date night. We made reservations ahead of time, which was a great idea, they were busy. Our server was great and very knowledgeable. She made a recommendation between the two bottles of wine we had narrowed our focus to. We were happy with the Sonoma Valley choice. They did have a variety of California wines which is always nice to see. As our meals were served the server noted my husband's dish didn't look quite right. He ordered the Diablo and apparently it was supposed to be more red/orange. She went to the kitchen to get it remade for him and boxed up the original for us to take home. Great eye! My salmon was delish. We skipped dessert this time.", "timestamp": "2017-02-10T17:52:34" }, { "business_id": "Zx05t1cRAipPrpQOtzd9RQ", "business_name": "Brics", "rating": 4, "text": "One of our favorite spots on the Monon. Customer service is great too even when they are busy. Order a scoop and in a waffle cone. Enjoy your favorite flavor on the patio. Lots of good flavor choices. My favorite is chocolate malt.", "timestamp": "2017-02-21T22:32:24" }, { "business_id": "Xjg1hrJNSmUIZP3TzXeQvQ", "business_name": "Simply Chic", "rating": 4, "text": "Second time in the store and had a much better experience overall. Staff was friendly and the selection was great. I really enjoyed how the store was organized. Got the cutest boots that get complimented all the time. This is one of my now go to spots if I'm shopping. I will be back as I update my work wardrobe for spring.", "timestamp": "2017-03-01T19:08:59" }, { "business_id": "tUtQic1R0uYoJ09xzpNsOA", "business_name": "Rockstone Pizzeria & Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "Good food with an overall good experience. We should have gotten there a bit earlier and scored the $3 appetizer menu. Visit between 3-6pm or 9-? and they have a discounted menu. We were torn on the pizza size. Our server recommended the 10\" since it's wood fired and it was worth going for the smaller pizza. Next time I'm ordering the kid his own pizza so he doesn't steal all of mine. We added the Spinartigoat dip to help round out the meal. It was probably my favorite part besides the beer. The wood fired crackers served with the dip were perfect. Price point is good for the area. Bonus that they work with local food sources for their products. They offer a variety of beer and wine as well.", "timestamp": "2017-03-02T23:44:09" }, { "business_id": "Cd6Dfli4JBpHGgh0LVslpQ", "business_name": "Mama's House", "rating": 4, "text": "We have wanted to try this place for awhile and finally decided it was time. We went around 7:30 and they were busy. I would suggest reading the menu ahead of time to have questions or be ready. We ordered the Mama's Special for two that included chicken, beef and pork. The meats were flavorful and more than enough for two people. Servers did a good job bringing us a new clean grill top every so often. It can get pretty smoky while cooking otherwise. As for the sides they were yummy. A few were spicy but not too hot. I can't wait to go back and try something new. Maybe be more adventurous in our choices.", "timestamp": "2017-03-07T16:14:02" }, { "business_id": "POwyAA0vf4PvWe1L8Oc3Eg", "business_name": "Books & Brews", "rating": 4, "text": "Beer, video games, and a kid friendly area...sign my family up. We stopped in while running errands to enjoy a drink and give our kid somewhere to let off some steam. I truly appreciate a business that has a kid's area. Their beers are solid. I enjoyed The Stout of Monte Cristo. Eat a sandwich and check out some books while you're there. Interested to come back for the events they are running. Lots of trivia and movie viewing.", "timestamp": "2017-03-16T17:20:29" }, { "business_id": "nxOtSRgqnr_3fb-nnSc8mg", "business_name": "Scotty's Dawghouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Good spot close to home instead of going into Broad Ripple. If you have eaten at Scotty's, it's the same menu and offers many options. This time we sat in the family section, which I truly appreciate. My kid was restless and could play while we ate. It's part of the reason we chose this restaurant over others in the area that night. Our first time in we had great service and a very knowledgeable server. Our second experience wasn't quite the same. It was a Friday night and they were pretty busy. The server seemed a bit more scattered. I want to come back and enjoy the patio soon.", "timestamp": "2017-04-18T19:07:03" }, { "business_id": "QfVeoUCXT-CRrp0tMcPs4A", "business_name": "Rook", "rating": 4, "text": "Korean Fried chicken sandwich, ORDER IT! It was delicious and I really wanted to order a second one to enjoy the flavors again. The chicken was crisp and the slaw was flavorful. Best touch was the Velveeta. I thought it was odd at first but works perfectly. My coworker and I wished the sandwich came with a side because we were hungry, but the dish is great. Should have added the pork belly steam bun as my other coworker did. He devoured it. He noted the gin drinks here are pretty spectacular. Since we had to go back to work we stuck to food. Come ready to try new flavors and maybe share a table with others. Loved the open kitchen concept. Our server was great and offered good suggestions. Bonus is that they play 90's and 00's rap music.", "timestamp": "2017-04-18T19:18:19" }, { "business_id": "-jNOHaFwWsBpaf9l5gvRwQ", "business_name": "Black Circle", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great addition to the Arsenal Park area of SoBro. Thank you for revamping a neighborhood eyesore. It's unique but fits this area well. They play music on albums, mostly metal. Love video games? You need to check this place out. They have live music regularly too. Follow them on social media to stay in the know of what's happening and their hours. It's the type of place to sit, drink beers, and chat with your friends about all the dumb shenanigans you used to get into. Then move on to more grown up topics. Had their White Bronco and it was solid. I need to come back to try more beers and the cuban food.", "timestamp": "2017-04-18T19:31:22" }, { "business_id": "U6oNVSJAngSFXcCzNBXgGA", "business_name": "The Urban Chalkboard", "rating": 5, "text": "I was excited to visit Urban Chalkboard for the first time and it did not disappoint. Think art studio, meets library, meets cafe, and a play place. Lots of great options for kids. Color was the theme of the event. The stations were perfect for my little guy. Whole Foods provided yogurt parfaits with colorful topping choices. Red raspberries, clementines, blueberries, green grapes, coconut, and granola completed our rainbow parfait. Yummy. Turkey pinwheels were a nice touch. The overhead projector with an interactive game on the floor was a great way to get out some energy. Boogie down on the keyboard if you have a chance. Light sensory play was fun and exciting. P got to be in a rainbow of fiber optic lights. Thanks to Nicole from Art to The Extreme for her awesome recycled crayons. Some dinosaurs came home with us. Little Yelper events are lots of fun for the family.", "timestamp": "2017-04-20T00:09:33" }, { "business_id": "WrZaL6BxHqVqt3sAcJ-5Rg", "business_name": "Bluebeard", "rating": 5, "text": "Haven't been here in a few years, but came for lunch and it was perfect. It will be on my list to recommend to coworkers for lunch. Also, I need to go back and eat more of their sandwiches. Currently they have a crawfish roll on the menu and there were zero doubts that's what I would order. The bread was crusty and had the perfect crispness. Lots of crawfish and it's a meaty sandwich. The flavors were on point as well. Coleslaw was the side which complimented the sandwich perfectly. Not too creamy or too vinegar based. Service was great. Our server gave my coworkers some good suggestions based on their preferences.", "timestamp": "2017-05-04T15:37:54" }, { "business_id": "V5D41y4cSOVBlx-bVCR1_g", "business_name": "Metro Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "We were able to pop in on a Sunday morning. The staff was very friendly and attentive. We opted to sit at the counter. I was impressed watching the kitchen work together and serve up their creations. We split the chicken biscuit sandwhich. Wish we would have ordered two, so I didn't have to share. We each got deli sandwhiches as well. I really wanted to try the chicken and waffles, but that is not for one person. Come hungry with a friend to try it. The menu is huge. Everyone should be able to find something they want to try.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T14:49:05" }, { "business_id": "Lq0g_QceWkx_spQyzyTwIw", "business_name": "The Woodhouse Day Spa - Carmel", "rating": 5, "text": "My first visit was absolutely amazing! I spent the afternoon being pampered as part of a girl's day and it was perfect. My friend did call and arrange everything for us. The staff was on their game and made the experience even better. We changed into the robes and shoes in a gorgeous locker room, then rested in the quiet room for our treatments to begin. The robes were a little heavy for the summer months and still nice. My treatments included a facial, pedicure, and massage. My favorite was the massage. I rarely have them and it was blissful. I will schedule another massage in the future. Apparently the spa has been there for years and I had no clue. I thought it worth every penny to be pampered for the afternoon. They included a basket at the end of all the products used on you throughout the day. It wasn't pushy, which I appreciate.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T14:56:25" }, { "business_id": "SqkBIkfYOkwJrdehXBvVIQ", "business_name": "Chris' Ice Cream", "rating": 4, "text": "Don't let the name fool you, this place is the spot for Mexican food. It may be a new favorite to add to my rotation. Good thing they are not closer to my house. Affordable and delicious. Order your options at the counter. We each chose the steak burrito. Then grab a booth or table to anxiously await your order brought to you. The first bite was flavorful. Watch the salsa, it has some kick. Good thing they give it to you on the side. The burrito was great and I left full, there was no room for ice cream.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T15:07:17" }, { "business_id": "K96eX9tL3nsfuEJcNYNVQA", "business_name": "Greek's Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "Love the new space and happy they opened in SoBro. They offer delivery, take out and of course dining in. If you don't have kids with you, check out the bar upstairs. Kids are welcome downstairs. The parking lot can be packed, if you're nearby bike over. Greek's is one of my favorite pizza spots. We don't venture too far away from our favorite, sausage, pepperoni and mushroom, especially with the small human in tow. Always grab an order of breadsticks and marinara sauce.", "timestamp": "2017-08-17T15:12:41" }, { "business_id": "8VO4Ma7FhsLYop9tk87tbA", "business_name": "Garage Door Doctor", "rating": 4, "text": "Our garage door suffered a terrible fate and we thought we could DIY a fix. However, it became apparent that we needed professional assistance to actually fix the door. It was either that or risk a hernia everytime we tried to open the door. We called Garage Door Doctors and a tech came out to inspect our door. He was knowledgeable and provided useful information. Also that we did need to replace the door. I cringed as I waited to see the quote. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the quote, completely reasonable. We got a couple of additional quotes that didn't even come close. The door was ordered and within a couple of weeks, the install was ready. The tech called a few minutes before he arrived within the two hour window they had promised. I had ordered a color that will go great once we paint our garage to match the house. The tech was concerned I wouldn't like the color, so he double checked. I truly appreciated that touch. He was done in a timely manner and took the few extra minutes to clean up his cardboard and other items. My husband and I are very happy with our new door. No more risking hernias or being smashed by a broken door.", "timestamp": "2017-08-30T19:31:51" }, { "business_id": "bxS6WyZO_s7x-JY-P1m0tQ", "business_name": "Buck Creek Winery", "rating": 4, "text": "Worth the drive off the interstate for wine. We stopped by on a Friday early afternoon on our way to a Girl's Weekend. How had we not heard about this winery? Tasting offered many samples and lots of variety to choose from. As someone who likes drier wines, I was very happy. Their Riesling was more dry than sweet, which was my favorite. A couple bottles of that came home with me. Adding to my list of spots to check out again.", "timestamp": "2017-09-22T16:33:53" }, { "business_id": "saB1o6fF4ozyp0O7LyueOA", "business_name": "Repeal Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Had not tried this restaurant yet and a group of us went over from work. Overall I was pleasantly surprised with the food. Loved the ambiance. Be sure to visit the restroom and check the original brick archways. Great detail in a repurposed building. Ordered the fish sandwhich and it was tasty. A couple of people ordered the fish tacos and raved about them. Tempted by the brisket tacos, but we had brisket a couple of nights that week. I'm adding this to my list of places to come back and check out.", "timestamp": "2017-12-29T16:50:51" }, { "business_id": "CSRJYftc_THPHSJQAqghCg", "business_name": "Crispy Bird", "rating": 3, "text": "The chicken sandwich was cripsy and everything I want in a fried chicken sandwich. Reminded me of a Hattie's chicken sandwich from Saratoga. Their twist on coleslaw with sliced apple was a nice touch. The decor is modern, fresh, and has lots of natural light. I honestly enjoyed the pictures of the chickens on the wall. They are Chinese show chickens the server noted. Our service was good. The server did not inform us that a refill for tea or lemonade would be another drink. Really irks me when restaurants aren't up front about that. Also the kid's meal is $10 with no drink included. Glad to have somewhere I can get a decent chicken sandwich on the northside.", "timestamp": "2018-01-15T20:58:10" }, { "business_id": "punLF4oSWHbH7JK4wO4HzA", "business_name": "Watami Sushi All You Can Eat", "rating": 4, "text": "Hubby and I had a much needed date night here and enjoyed our meal. The server was very attentive and made sure we understood how ordering works. Lots of great options to choose from. Their specialty rolls were cleverly named. The sushi was delish. Excited to have this option around Broad Ripple and want to go back.", "timestamp": "2018-01-15T21:02:09" }, { "business_id": "whbDvrMP-3N-tFRM35YD-g", "business_name": "Flatwater Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Enjoyed brunch recently. Ordered the Peach Bellini and it was tasty. Make sure you ask for the brunch special of the day. It's hard to venture away from my favorite, the tuna tartare but the rest of the menu is delish too.", "timestamp": "2018-01-25T23:37:46" }, { "business_id": "1MoiTfuItt3dZkaQfJkpYw", "business_name": "TwoDEEP Brewing", "rating": 4, "text": "How have I not stopped in here more. Great location, lots of space to enjoy the bar area or sit on a couch. This is a malt forward brewery, so the beers don't have much hops. I was able to have a sample of five beers and enjoyed them all. Ordered the zuchinni sticks and they were tasty. I would like to go back and try more of their food.", "timestamp": "2018-01-26T02:29:37" }, { "business_id": "sr-5EY6bmp4jINhea06MjA", "business_name": "The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers-Broad Ripple Village", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a Pinterest/design dream come true from the moment you walk in. It's feminine and finely dusted with glitter. Detailed decor to match the season. There was no detail left out when designing the experience you have here. We had a girl's lunch here and utilized the back room. Our server was attentive and gave amazing recommendations. Drinks, lunch, and dessert were all delish. Many in our group enjoyed the quiche. I opted for the chicken salad croissant and have zero regrets. There's no butter in there right? Dessert had to be my favorite part. Cake, pie, bars, or other assorted goodies to choose from. The to-go containers are adorable, this goes back to the design details. Overall you are paying for an experience. This is not your traditional bakery. Also reservations for dining are highly encouraged as wait times can be long without. You can walk in and order items to go as well.", "timestamp": "2018-01-26T02:37:59" }, { "business_id": "F-vfI049swuwDR7HMOW1Fg", "business_name": "Red Habanero", "rating": 4, "text": "Simple Saturday afternoon snack, check. After running errands my friend and I stopped in for a snack. Servers were friendly and attentive. I wasn't sure what to get hut the queso with chorizo looked tasty. It felt like a large portion and after a basket of chips it looked like I had barely made a dent. Best thing is the server took our checks to the cashier versus us having to stand in line post meal. That's apparently how they roll. It's minor but definitely encourages me to come back.", "timestamp": "2018-03-13T01:12:22" }, { "business_id": "UK007MpAU5B6P4o7_dVsTA", "business_name": "Between the Bun - Burgers, Dogs and More", "rating": 4, "text": "We were in the area and thought why not try something different. For a Friday lunch, they were busy and there was a bit of a wait. Our server was hustling and remained courteous. She rocked. Lots of choices for burgers. We opted to split the four slider sampler pack. We chose the classic, Boss Hog, Swiss and Shroom, and the pickle one (can't remember the name). We added the tater tots versus fries. We also opted for BBQ sauce to dip our tots in. Wise move. The Johnny Appleseed was sweet with a tiny bit of heat. The place was backed and glad we made the drive. May try an off hour next time.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T15:19:10" }, { "business_id": "0vOOrWqn-7HlyVIqUT_8JA", "business_name": "Noah Grant's", "rating": 5, "text": "Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the crowd. If you want the dining room, make a reservation. We didn't know what to expect when we went in, but worth our wait for a seat. Wonderful selection of oysters. The people beside us tried the sushi and were gracious enough to share with us. Delish, but glad I didn't make my whole meal it. I was torn between the scallops and another dish. Our server recommended the scallops and it was amazing. Hubby ordered the small steak and it was perfect. If you need a date night, or looking for something upscale, this is it! The decor is wonderful, fresh, and modern.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T15:26:24" }, { "business_id": "X-J8KLkbFJB4WCGdqSvePQ", "business_name": "Goodfellas Pizzeria - Broad Ripple", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm married to a New Yorker and the hunt for NY style pizza has taken a while around Indy. No more. Thin foldable slices. Delish. Pop in for a lunch special. Dluce, side, and drink for $6. They even offer it on Saturday. Pricing for whole pies is reseaonable.", "timestamp": "2018-04-21T16:49:48" }, { "business_id": "h4RaM9E8C0d20Uw-nLR5aw", "business_name": "The Children's Museum of Indianapolis", "rating": 5, "text": "The new outdoor experience is no joke. This is exactly what the museum needed to round out their offerings. So much space for kids to run and play. The treehouse is a new family favorite. Pack the water bottle and sunscreen for the family as you won't want to miss this. Excited to introduce my kid to a variety of sports and help gauge interest before we sign him up for something. What great exposure for kids.", "timestamp": "2018-05-20T14:55:33" }, { "business_id": "jJbygynjo79uPbGwhPiONw", "business_name": "Crab general", "rating": 5, "text": "Stop in and enjoy your own hot pot. Our server gave us a great tip:. Order seafood first. Next round order meat and veggies. Save the noodles and meatballs until the end. We didn't know that until we asked. It's a fun food adventure. Make your own creations and combinations. Don't forget to stop by the sauce bar. Your broth will have flavor but this is to finish everything before you take a bite. Hubby and I enjoyed our evening. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable.", "timestamp": "2018-06-23T00:05:34" }, { "business_id": "xne1l7I2166PbF59qQUxGg", "business_name": "Next Door American Eatery", "rating": 3, "text": "Excited to have another eatery in the neighborhood. We went in the first week of opening. Service was good. We went for a late lunch and had minimal wait. Food selection is solid. We had the beet burger and regular burger. My favorite part was the pickles.", "timestamp": "2018-06-23T00:10:39" }, { "business_id": "yiOdk7N4_id1f5nwGvVAgw", "business_name": "Life Time", "rating": 4, "text": "Writing a review for a gym seems silly, but I want to share why I joined. I had been a long time member of another chain in Indy. Their service and equipment wasn't up to snuff anymore and my favorite instructor was leaving. The cost for Life Time is more than most gyms, but this frugal momma says it's worth it! Most classes are included in your membership, there are paid classes available. These tend to be smaller class sizes and more personalized. Seriously, check out Josh's Boxing class there. The facility is clean, has many amenities, and the staff is friendly. My son loves the kid's area. He doesn't mind spending time there since they have a basketball court, indoor climbing maze, and tablets. Plus childcare hours are decent for my schedule. My favorite part is the steam room. Can I just stay in there forever? The cardio equipment and weights areas are clean. It doesn't feel gross. It's weird to see staff on the floor cleaning equipment even during high traffic times. I truly appreciate that.", "timestamp": "2018-09-06T20:27:29" }, { "business_id": "sAVZbkhmIt0Am-iPJcFzig", "business_name": "Holliday Park", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite parks in the city. Huge playground for kids. Hiking trails that are pretty tame. Ruins are great for exploring. Bonus is the nature center. It's free and perfect for a rainy day. We have hosted a birthday party there and it was affordable. Visit this lovely escape in the city.", "timestamp": "2018-09-30T15:44:56" }, { "business_id": "jyFIMQV67um9Mz_tNjHZ3g", "business_name": "Hoagies & Hops", "rating": 5, "text": "Come in and get yourself a cheesesteak. It's the closest in the city to Philly. So much food and you will be full for the day. There are other sandwiches that are tasty as well. Pickles are perfection.", "timestamp": "2018-09-30T15:48:08" }, { "business_id": "CxUcM0VdEcHhlm_4_Mbwyw", "business_name": "Tube Factory Artspace", "rating": 5, "text": "My first visit was for a poetry reading. I want sure what to expect from the space. However, it was amazing. This art space is cultivated to give you a variety of experiences. Take in the art work, read a book, or even play some putt putt. The space is designed for both indoor and outdoor usage.", "timestamp": "2018-09-30T15:50:43" }, { "business_id": "o6No8FiwyDAOlcY7PGUEXw", "business_name": "Thaitanium", "rating": 4, "text": "It's nice to see a Thai spot on Mass ave. Ordered the crab rangoon and was really happy with it. The entire dumpling was fried perfectly. Each bit had some crunch but wasn't oily. Tom yum soup medium hot rounded out my meal. Lots of veggies included. They had a lot of takeout business while I was dining in. I thought our service was a bit slow but seeing the carry out traffic I'm okay with it. Plus I want in a rush. Staff was friendly and the dining environment is nice.", "timestamp": "2018-10-11T16:18:26" }, { "business_id": "ibe3g1TlMJmlkz_8Go0m1A", "business_name": "Nine Lives Cat Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Visited for an event a friend hosted. Learned alot about the adoptions and work that they are doing with Indy Humane. Come pet a kitty, get a coffee, and hang out. The cats are separate from the coffee. Even those with is that are allergic to cats managed well. The cats are well cat like. They could gave card less about humans. HA!", "timestamp": "2018-10-11T16:22:00" }, { "business_id": "7g7frE-BAJ6FrVZaXdVp8Q", "business_name": "Lego Store", "rating": 4, "text": "Brought my son here for the first time and he was mesmerized. He of course wanted everything in the store. He enjoyed being able to customize a character with their in store setup. There were lots of options to choose from, but it was lacking accessories. Maybe they were just buried at the bottom. The wall of Legos was a site. It's actually the best deal I think the store. Use a container and fill it up for $9 or $16 with anything on the wall. It was nice to add some more colors to our collection.", "timestamp": "2018-11-13T16:14:05" }, { "business_id": "lqF0Q5vVLxY-_Cth6LtEdg", "business_name": "The Gallery Pastry Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "While I love this place, my five year old adores it more. He has a wonderful appreciation for macaroons. Our favorite is $1 Wednesday. It's worth heading into the shop and dining in. The decor is amazing, the staff is friendly, and you can watch them making their next creations. My favorite is to sit at the bar and watch. They offer a variety of beverages, cocktails, pastries, and food. I have popped in for a croissant to enjoy the next morning.", "timestamp": "2018-11-13T16:31:51" }, { "business_id": "kcOAfvwLUOAYQO3x4gocqA", "business_name": "Maxine's Chicken & Waffles", "rating": 4, "text": "Come with your best stretchy pants on. They have the best fried chicken in Indy. This is not some quick deep fry, greatness takes time. Is it worth the longer wait once you order...absolutely. Make sure you sample the peach butter. We ordered the cinnamon waffle and added the peach butter. The flavors were amazing and surprisingly, not overly sweet. I love to make my own chicken biscuit sandwich. Order the boneless chicken breast along with an order of biscuits. My son is a chicken finger expert. While he was skeptical at first, he later admitted they were some of the best chicken fingers he's had. Servers always make me feel like I'm eating dinner at my aunt's house. They ask if you need anything else, call you sweetie, and overall have a great demeanor.", "timestamp": "2018-11-29T20:21:04" }, { "business_id": "FtiM7EZMKvAPqZqud27x3A", "business_name": "Nick's Chili Parlor", "rating": 4, "text": "My parents have been lugging me here for years. Recently, they were in town and really wanted Nick's. Sure, why not. I forget out this gem since I rarely explore the westside. We went on Tuesday, which happens to be the Chili Dog deal day. I won't say how many my dad and I ordered, but worth every bite. There is something about this place. Maybe it's the fact that the same people have been working there for years. Maybe it's the nostalgia of going with my parents. They are open on Sundays now too, if you're out and about.", "timestamp": "2018-11-29T20:24:15" }, { "business_id": "-bOe__PV8KQM_v1hguxSAA", "business_name": "Hogan Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze", "rating": 4, "text": "I had never heard of this location until we researched pumpkin patches open on Sunday. We went mid morning and had a wonderful time. Being able to explore the pumpkins and pick them off the vine was nice. The smaller pumpkins were already available towards the front. Easier to make your selections. It was muddy and fun. Staff was friendly.", "timestamp": "2018-11-29T20:29:10" }, { "business_id": "msnm4l6xGcCDrPrjDzUVbQ", "business_name": "Winterlights at Newfields", "rating": 4, "text": "Lovely event that I'm glad Newfields brought back this year. Loved the addition of the marketplace before heading out. My favorite this year is at the end but I don't want to ruin the surprise. Check it out. Get the glasses to see some special effects.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:04:30" }, { "business_id": "d03SfBQVCfjgLrxBc5_iuA", "business_name": "Zen Nail Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "This was the first time I booked an appointment through yelp. The salon was very responsive and made it easy. Great feature. We arrived early and they were able to get us in. Picking a color was the hardest part. Too many to choice from. I opted for a gel manicure, but excited to come back for the dip gel manicure. You can choose a beverage during your visit. I opted for coffee but wine is available. Nice touch. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable on the different product options.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:10:10" }, { "business_id": "vuxophXABXyZW7MbnH-iXg", "business_name": "The Donut Experiment Indianapolis", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute experience. We attended a birthday party here and loved it. You can customize your donuts. Great for those picky small humans or adults that like to try something new. Lots of options to create your donuts. The owner was awesome and so patient with all the kids. She walked us all through the process and let us create. If you need a fun party idea, connect with The Donut Experiment.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:18:26" }, { "business_id": "nACvSXi3Sl7ns9tN4b4V2w", "business_name": "Condado Tacos", "rating": 4, "text": "I love tacos and was excited to try this new place. Couldn't decide if I should create my own or go on menu. Opted to try their menu options and was not disappointed. Best part is the price point, affordable. The place can be packed but service wasn't an issue. Our server had solid recommendations. My friend is vegetarian and she had many options to choose from. Excited to go back and try more.", "timestamp": "2018-12-08T02:21:30" }, { "business_id": "f7FPMRaMbGiX-CXPaLFCJw", "business_name": "Taste Restaurant At Lucky Lou Seafood and Dimsum", "rating": 4, "text": "Great experience dinner option. Come with a group and order a few items. Serving sizes are for family style dining. The lazy susan on the total was my favorite. No awkward passing of plates, just spin. We ordered the lamb and it was amazing. We also had the friend bean curd and it was perfectly seasoned. I went with friends that had been before. I would go again with them before trying on my own.", "timestamp": "2019-01-09T17:17:25" }, { "business_id": "QFQ8PQit-SCD5L1rUsvTBQ", "business_name": "Burgerhaus", "rating": 4, "text": "Wanted to try for a bit especially after walking by one night. It smelled amazing. Lots of options for burgers. Create your own or go with one of their creations. Opted for the Monaco since I wanted the fancy red wine mayo. I would get it again. Staff was great and provided good suggestions. Plus our server gave me a to go diet coke. That was really appreciated.", "timestamp": "2019-01-09T17:21:24" }, { "business_id": "nR5YybQrv7P62jd_oP5p7g", "business_name": "Mama Carolla's", "rating": 4, "text": "Come for dinner, stay for the atmosphere. On weekends it can be busy so expect a wait. Many great appetizers. The calamari is delish. However, I long for the crab cakes to return to the menu. The warm bread is my second favorite thing on the menu. The first is dessert. Tiramisu and a chocolate martini. They are a delish combination. As for entrees I bounce between the chicken rigatoni, pasta too good, and chicken lasagna. Always get the Italian wedding soup. My favorite aspect of Mama's is that most of the staff has been there for years. Some places that could be bad. However it's great here. They can handle the waits, maneuver around people, and still deliver great service. Wait time too long, make new friends in the bar area while you wait. Enjoy your evening and dinner.", "timestamp": "2019-01-27T01:00:50" }, { "business_id": "IU64UZ7SJlfDnxFV-w0Q9Q", "business_name": "Christie Cookie", "rating": 5, "text": "Seriously the best sugar cookie ever. I was drawn in because of the cookies sign on the side of the building. It did not disappoint. Sampled the chocolate chunk cookie and the snickerdoodle. Best decision on a whim I've made. Get your butt here and try these cookies. Also, do you ship to Indy??", "timestamp": "2019-02-22T22:16:48" }, { "business_id": "m7-OF4M95sUbR_y5qSQ1kQ", "business_name": "Draper James", "rating": 4, "text": "Hey Y'all this store is adorable. Stumbled upon it while exploring Nashville and was so glad. You are greeted with sweet tea when you enter. The customer service was friendly and made great recommendations based on what I had picked out. The store has a couple of spots to sit and relax. The dressing rooms are spacious and well lit. This store is an overall experience. So thankful I got to see it in person.", "timestamp": "2019-02-23T13:20:54" }, { "business_id": "7_uMEn4P2HpimT1IXsHS9g", "business_name": "Asian Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "After reading the reviews we opted to give this one a try. Best decision. Called in our order and told 10 minutes. Guess what? Stuff was fresh and ready in 10 minutes. The dinner portions are huge. To go containers full of the dish and fried rice on the side separately. The dishes were flavorful and not that taste of being full of salt. Our favorite was the crab rangoon. Other reviewers noted it tasted like crab vs just cream cheese and it's TRUE. Very glad we ordered what we thought would be too much. Cant wait to order again and support this business.", "timestamp": "2019-06-16T21:04:48" }, { "business_id": "teFjQxUqT8c-yxQdoILDVQ", "business_name": "Nada", "rating": 5, "text": "Great atmosphere and love the decor. Seriously I love the tile work and the wallpaper in the bathroom stalls. Ordered the carne asada, baja, and pastor tacos. They were delish. They have revamped the menu and my favorite dish...fried chicken is gone. That's okay, those tacos were spectacular. The flavor on the carne asada was perfect. Come for dinner with friends or something more cozy.", "timestamp": "2019-08-11T00:53:45" }, { "business_id": "WWKHJNBeUeq7XxtGhjkQkA", "business_name": "Taqueria La Chela", "rating": 4, "text": "Delish new spot in Midtown that you should check out. Had the chorizo, pastor, and asada tacos. They were flavorful and had the right amount of filling. Order the poderosa and it comes with rice, beans, and a drink. Lots of food for a great price. The inside is small, but plenty of room to stay and enjoy your meal. Staff was friendly and answered our questions.", "timestamp": "2019-08-13T17:00:01" }, { "business_id": "W_32KZk49L2ATbh9w9Tabw", "business_name": "Pivot Bar and Balcony", "rating": 4, "text": "Come for the view and atmosphere, stay for the drinks. I ordered a brown bag beer. My friends ordered a million espresso martinis and the bartender was on top of it. Big couches, fireplace, and lots of seating. Adding to my list of places to visit more often downtown.", "timestamp": "2019-09-27T12:20:49" }, { "business_id": "nNYKCU_9TOjJLRYwtRiHvQ", "business_name": "Rene's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "Lovely little spot. My kid wanted something sweet for breakfast do why not visit Renee's. He couldn't choose from all the delicious pastries. Finally, he selected the cinnamon roll. He's had a few cinnamon rolls in his life and this hands down was the best. He kept commenting how good it was. Bring hand wipes because it got everywhere. We watched staff make the next round of goodies and they were super friendly.", "timestamp": "2019-09-27T12:27:38" }, { "business_id": "ppV8AwESFjlG5FSRXdvtyg", "business_name": "LouVino", "rating": 5, "text": "Dinner was amazing along with the service. We ordered a number of small plates to share. My favorites were the brussel sprouts, scallops, and risotto. Ordered a wine flight. They were out of the one wine I really wanted but subbed with a wonderful option. The atmosphere was great and I can't wait to go back.", "timestamp": "2019-10-17T14:34:14" }, { "business_id": "WQ1oZ11HbYL7K7kj62ttAw", "business_name": "Half Liter Beer & BBQ Hall", "rating": 4, "text": "So glad to have a good BBQ spot in midtown. Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere. I've sat inside and outside. My favorite is the top outdoor seating where kids aren't allowed. It's a nice break for parents. Love the brisket and mac n cheese. The hish puppies are a nice addition as well. As a frequent runner on the Monon I also appreciate they have put a water cooler along the trail.", "timestamp": "2019-10-17T14:41:08" }, { "business_id": "cSHp3ncOeVuIRNHqxf-7kQ", "business_name": "HI-FI", "rating": 5, "text": "First time visit and loved it. Most music venues when you leave you cant hear for hours. The acoustics are setup correctly and make the experience enjoyable. Staff was friendly and bonus for clean bathrooms. Why did I wait so long to visit? Adding to my list of places to check out regularly.", "timestamp": "2019-10-24T12:53:48" }, { "business_id": "yxs_SMXOMC7fDOVWwDLBdg", "business_name": "Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery", "rating": 4, "text": "It's so peaceful and beautiful. My favorite time of year to visit is fall. The trees are colorful and sprinkle their leaves upon the graves. Going up to James Whitcomb Riley's tomb is worth the effort. Plus, provides an amazing view of the city. I also enjoy strolling around the gothic cathedral for it's beauty. Everytime I visit I find something new to admire. Go explore and see what interesting things you find.", "timestamp": "2019-11-01T23:38:44" }, { "business_id": "mPZuMGNWXMnaAOBiVG7jxQ", "business_name": "Urban Air Adventure Park - Noblesville", "rating": 5, "text": "Visited for a birthday party and loved it. It's well organized from a party perspective. Staff was friendly and responsive to concerns. My son can't wait to.go back.and run around. He spent a lot of time on this jump dodge game. They do offer a food court and adult beverages as well. Tip: dress your kid in something easily recognizable. The place is huge and the playground can be hard to find them at times. A bright shirt or shorts will help.", "timestamp": "2019-12-01T12:36:40" }, { "business_id": "OvqKkasmJeDEPVsADSmG1A", "business_name": "Salon 6", "rating": 5, "text": "I love coming to Salon 6. The staff is friendly, scheduling is easy, and it's very comfy inside especially the waiting area. Stephanie has been cutting my hair for years. She takes the time to do a consultation with each cut, even if I'm doing the same thing. While doing the shampoo she gives the BEST head massage. I could sit there all day letting her massage my head. She also does wonderful color work. We did a balayage color with blonde and it's held up so well. I got so many compliments on this color. I always walk out feeling refreshed and energized from a great cut. I don't feel pressured to buy a ton of products. They do offer the Eurphora line and it's a great company. Environmentally friendly products for your hair and body. If you're looking for a salon, give Salon 6 a try!", "timestamp": "2019-12-06T15:33:09" }, { "business_id": "ZAZljXWLdWUhTSAkO8qdXg", "business_name": "The Old Spaghetti Factory", "rating": 3, "text": "Downtown Indy staple for years. Stopped in because the small human wanted spaghetti and meatballs while we were out. We were seated quickly but service felt slow. Maybe light on staff for a Saturday afternoon? I appreciate they still offer salad and dessert with their entrees. Opted for the spinach tortellini and it was tasty. Kid said his spaghetti and sauce were the best. We asked to sit in the trolley to do something different and so glad we did. The kid loved it. Gave us a chance to talk about the history of Indy.", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T21:53:08" }, { "business_id": "52q3_FQ5uX43IayrQS7znQ", "business_name": "Carmel Christkindlmarkt", "rating": 4, "text": "Great free event. Went with family and there was something for people of all ages. Spent about an hour or so exploring. Skate rental was easy once tickets were acquired. You may have to wait for a timeframe to skate, check upon getting to the market. We found that hitting the vendors towards the back had shorter lines especially for hot chocolate. We will go back next year.", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T22:00:20" }, { "business_id": "rOn3ESN6KMwrLfER86NbGw", "business_name": "Elena Ruz Cuban Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Elena Ruz is awesome. I've had their food before while meeting up at Black Circle. Have you thought about them for catering? Seriously you should. They were affordable and Rob was on top of it for our event. The empanadas are tasty. We had a variety for our event. The plantain chips are hands down my favorite. That garlic sauce will keep vampires away for weeks though. Great for events that aren't sit down style. I enjoy eating at the restaurant as well. Pop into Black Circle and enjoy some Cuban options. They are expanding so this spring they should have more options.", "timestamp": "2020-03-03T15:08:31" }, { "business_id": "hx_9etInU71CGRs6xDjM0g", "business_name": "Brickhouse Coffee", "rating": 5, "text": "Excited to have a nearby local coffee spot. Staff was friendly and gave us good options for our coffee selection today. If you like cinnamon rolls this is a place to checkout. Smothered in cream cheese icing and enormous. The flavor is perfect and I can't wait to have another of their house made goodies. Noticed they have a lunch menu to try next.", "timestamp": "2020-11-28T23:55:59" } ]	{ "business_id": "O66AUt4swFQjfo4xuqYGOw", "business_name": "Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve", "rating": 4, "text": "Great park with lots of easy trails. Good spot to get out and enjoy nature. They make it very well known not to mess around in the creek. No Stomping allowed and stay on the paths. Can be muddy and messy if it's been raining. Bring your boots or shoes you don't mind getting dirty.", "timestamp": "2021-01-06T14:56:36" }
NUtIAX-ygn474tDg5nmesg	[ { "business_id": "wUnLSg_GKfEIQ5CQQ770_g", "business_name": "Vetri Cucina", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try this place. Heard good things about it. I was very impressed and enjoyed every dishes except one. Sadly that was my main dish. Ambiance wasn't fancy. Reminds small restaurant in Italy. Our waiter was excellent and very knowledgable. Definitely going back.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T04:26:32" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 4, "text": "Great lunch spot. Stopped by with my parents today for quick lunch. Lunch special is great deal. We ordered two lunch special and one appetizer and still had left over. Lunch special burrito was huge and my parents loved it. And my parents are pretty picky eaters so I assumed burrito was good even though I didn't taste it. I had chicken taco which was great as well. I will def come back again.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:27:13" }, { "business_id": "tC8i2_9ww-WoT1wZOCwRrw", "business_name": "Sue's Custom Dressmaking & Tailor Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. I am very particular with my dress. Really hard to find decent alteration in the US compare with where I am from. I always brought my dresses to Korea or HK until I found this place. I brought couple dresses to be tailored. I was little worried that It wouldn't be that simple job. They needed to be tailored entirely, not just trimmed. Materials weren't easy to handle since they were very delicate. And some of them were vintage items. They did amazing job and I love them all. Korean tailors are the best. And they are one of top for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:40:50" }, { "business_id": "LiHdRXlcj0GDm_e97oiwKw", "business_name": "Pure Fare", "rating": 4, "text": "Really delicious smoothie. I got leaf green one. Had spinach, banana, kale and etc I think. Was not super sweet or icy. It was very delicious and thick but not over powered banana flavor like other places! I would give 5 star if portion wasn't that tiny. The guy who made my smoothie threw away left over inside mixer after poured my smoothie in tiny cup. I wanted to cry!", "timestamp": "2014-07-31T20:01:31" }, { "business_id": "F7fC4dZW17muSvE8ixaXkQ", "business_name": "LeBus Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "It is a bakery but their bread selections aren't so amazing. I though muffins are just average. Cookies are just ok.. Actually loft bread was so dry. However I still go there pretty often for getting couscous and curry chicken deli sandwich for lunch. Their couscous is one of best I ever had.", "timestamp": "2014-11-25T00:56:34" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 2, "text": "Conveniently located in center city. Cozy ambiance and friendly staff. Nothing exciting on menu. Order bunch of dishes with group of ppl. Smoked tuna taco.. Tasted like mayo albacore tuna sandwich. I do like tuna sandwich but didn't expect eat them in restaurant. Bacon and date dish was good but who doesn't like that combo.. Hard to mess up that dish, nothing extraordinary. Had empanadas which was pretty average as well. Ordered ceviche smaller as well. I do heart law fish. It is really easy to impress me with raw seafood dish but even I wasn't blown away.. For main dishes we ordered scallops, skirt steak, tuna and duck dishes. I think duck dish was the best among them. Scallop was good as well but was a bit burned. Other dishes were so so. Not bad but not amazing. I was very excited to try dessert there because the signature dessert, chocolate cigar one looked amazing, it was really cute to see it but wasn't super tasty however coconut tapioca dessert was the hit. Probably the best part of this meal. We had 2 cocktail, one beer and one diet coke as well. Bill was around $400 for 4ppl. Not worth for the price.", "timestamp": "2014-12-17T03:58:33" }, { "business_id": "VJEzpfLs_Jnzgqh5A_FVTg", "business_name": "Jasmine Rice - Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I really wanted to like this place. People seem kind and conveniently located in center city. Wasn't able to find decent thai place in center city so I was excited to try new spot. Sadly couldn't reach my expectation. We ordered 4 appetizers and 2 main dishes for two ppl. I know it sounds a lot for two ppl but was good decision to order that much. Otherwise we would be left hungry. Got fried calamari, coconut soup, steamed mussels and spring rolls for appetizer. As some of others mentioned already the portions are tiny here. Soup size was ridiculous. Smallest soup I've never had.Spring roll size was about my pinky, was delicious but tiny tiny.. Those two appetizers were extremely small even for starter. For main dish we got pad Thai with beef and red curry with chicken. Pad Thai was really sweet. Maybe too sweet even for Americanized thai food. Red curry broth was delicious, was creamy and good amount of spice. But there wasn't enough soup. They serve curry on flat plate so they can't hold enough soup for curry and rice. I am not sure why they choose use that plate for soupy dishes. Curry broth was amazing but green bean and carrot weren't cooked at all. I wanted to give one star to be honest but only reason I gave two star was the server was very kind and gave me more broth for my curry. The extra curry broth he brought was bigger portion than my coconut soup btw.", "timestamp": "2014-12-22T19:38:13" }, { "business_id": "TunmRrfZb7bt53T6HJi4UQ", "business_name": "Bleu Sushi", "rating": 1, "text": "They have very strict groupon policy which I don't understand. The restaurant was more than half empty but owner gave us hard time to redeem groupon because we did not make a reservation with groupon. Won't back again.", "timestamp": "2014-12-24T18:26:15" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 1, "text": "Sadly have to leave negative review even though their lovely ambiance and great customer service. Tried tasting menu and most of dishes were overly salted except first course which was pumpkin spiced soup and dessert. Btw only good part of this meal. Two of us had to finish two bottle of water ( they were huge btw but we had to finish. If you wanna increase water intake..please go to this place) and also had to drink diet coke as well. I rather pay more and go back to Vetri to enjoy expensive Italian meal or just stick with my fav Little Nonna.. Philly just have too many Italian options.", "timestamp": "2014-12-25T07:15:58" }, { "business_id": "g8OyaT2RL8JCKItDExcFug", "business_name": "Blackfish", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried 7course tasting menu. Was $90 before tax so it is great deal for decent tasting. Right after had huge disappointment from il Pittore's super salty tasting menu, I was pretty satisfied with this place. They serve fresh oyster and tofu cream dish for amuse bouche. Had crudo with yuzu, chicken liver mousse, chestnut ravioli with mushroom foam I believe, seared salmon and braised beef dish. They were all delicious. I didn't have much expectation for this restaurant to be honest but I though all dishes were yummy! For dessert courses they served cheese plate, raspberry jelly donut which was meh... then finish with goat cheese mousse which was great. Since main dishes were so delicious, dessert was little weak but overall satisfied meal for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-12-28T05:00:52" }, { "business_id": "i76ERS3jM111T3VMbi2yrQ", "business_name": "Sagami", "rating": 3, "text": "After tried Morimoto, Zama, Raw, Fat salmon and etc.. I am still in searching mode for good sushi. Wish I found the one today but it did not happen. 4 of us ordered 2 zaru soba, chirashi, sushi set A, sashimi dinner set, seaweed side dish and mushroom and egg dashi soup. Nigiri size was very generous. They were thick and but lack of flavor. Friends who been here multiple times agreed that this place usually better than this but for some reason today.. everything was just plain. Rice wasn't seasoned enough either so chirashi wasn't so delicious. Soba was ok and tamago was pretty good, sweet and soft texture. Side dishes were good, seaweed and ginger salad weren't too sweet so I enjoyed them. But our main dishes were disappointing. I saw others ordered cooked dishes and they looked good. Think we picked wrong dishes.. I might give one more try since lack of my sushi choices in philly but probably will stick with cooked dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:31:40" }, { "business_id": "EwX4CUwRFwjO9oO5sJJ-bA", "business_name": "Pileggi on the Square", "rating": 5, "text": "My review is only about the massage experience with Dairo here. I tried so many massage therapists in philly and now finally I found the person to go to! This place divided to two section, hair salon and spa downstair. Massage room is clean and quite. You get to choose your oil and they give you solid 50 min massage. He mostly worked on upper body and didn't get to work on my legs much but 50 min is short time to cover both and I usually have really tense shoulder so was perfect for me. He ask you few questions before you going into the room so let him know where you want him to work on. I am so addict to massage. Can't get it enough and by far he is the best in Philly.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:54:20" }, { "business_id": "Oh3Q3QfhMl2DArFiLUrT9Q", "business_name": "La Fourno Ristorante Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "My star is based on Groupon dinner only. Used the groupon for dinner for two. Got salad ( fresh and yummy), soup( home style cooking) and pizza for appetizer. I saw a lot of reviews that their pizza is great and it was right. Pizza was delicious. Must get the pizza if you go. We got veal Parmesan and stuffed chicken dish for main. They were pretty good but I thought veal dish price is too high. For groupon deal, they were awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-01-22T23:25:00" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute French bistro in neighborhood. Warm ambiance and good service. The portion of dishes are generous here even for bistro. Had lamb shank and brisket dishes for main. Both were pretty good but they were really salty. I do like their dessert menu. Their Mille feuille is delicious. One thing I wasn't happy was their butter. They served little cold butter so hard to spread on bread :-(", "timestamp": "2015-01-23T00:03:07" }, { "business_id": "41Wm32-Aj7jdejK4QfUDDw", "business_name": "Schuylkill River Dog Run", "rating": 5, "text": "Great dog run. I've only been to doggie runs in NYC and this place is 10times better!!!!! It has two separate section for small and big doggies. It isn't stink like other doggie runs I experienced so I can tell Its very well maintained. Very very clean and I can tell it won't get muddy when it's snow or rain. Very satisfied with this place!!!", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T00:38:05" }, { "business_id": "bjPUhanWoinHi2kywvVzBA", "business_name": "Mercato BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "So happy that I found this place. I always walked by this place and always wondered. It is small and intimidate place. We shared fontana cheese meatball, soup and both had market fish platter. They were pretty delicious. And olive herb butter accompany to bread was nice touch.", "timestamp": "2015-01-28T02:35:05" }, { "business_id": "DsKzHnkLKnxZTVsFpts4oA", "business_name": "Red Owl Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "Better food than I thought. I had zero expectation when I walked in with group on sat evening. Has no reservation but we were seated promptly. Tried bunch of bar snack and burger and fries were good. Their cheese plate gave 5 kinds of cheese and generous with portion.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T03:58:51" }, { "business_id": "5INWCIArMbFd-aku3-UI3Q", "business_name": "Ana Pesce Advance Skin Technology", "rating": 5, "text": "My visit to Ana Pesce again. Had another amazing experience there and I noticed they moved to bigger and nicer venue so I felt like I should update my review. Weather hasn't been nice so my skin got dry and needed another facial.Today I went back to Ana and I feel like I got what I needed. She did some amazing mask( she applied thick mask then cover it with plasticky paper then use lightening machine to massage) I am not sure what she did since she improvise depends on your skin condition so every visit was little different each time in my case. Got a amazing result. I applied make up on after my facial. My skin was glowing and smooth. Loved the result. My friend did facial with Cindy to get extraction. Her treatment is little longer than mine since she got extraction and some laser treatment done. She looked absolutely fresh after facial and she was very happy with Cindy's work. I love that they are very professional and dedicate to their job. I thought was weird that they asked so many questions when I did my first facial. Like my diet!, skin routine, if I taking any supplement etc but now I know they understand my skin very well and it's all applied to my treatment. Love them a lot and I keep going back for sure. Just go and get the facial from Ana or Cindy.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:07:45" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually like this place a lot. Ppl are very nice and attentive. I always get the continental salad with grilled chicken. It is basic menu but they do cook chicken very tender and juicy. Alway get the best grilled chicken salad there. And the portion is HUGE. Since I do hate tiny salad ( how much cost give us little more green?) this is the place to go to get good salad.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:14:20" }, { "business_id": "fJQzUesrvvoMUkjQBNxc6g", "business_name": "Nail Spa Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Want to love this place so bad.. but I can't. It is so close to me and the price is relatively good. Got $30 mani pedi. The lady did mine was really quick. I was done entire thing already when my friend was only finishing her pedi. She was fast but her job wasn't that great. I tipped her ok and gave two star on Yelp since this place is cheap, she was quick( this place get really busy)and gave me a cup of tea but I prolly won't go back there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:20:54" }, { "business_id": "EhotxJEJxpMgCJ0F82Buvg", "business_name": "The Olde Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I read about this place and wanted to check out. It is pretty venue and staffs are happy to show you around. The oyster is fresh and I can't tell much about drink since I am not a drinker but friends seemed happy! They get really busy on wkend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:25:50" }, { "business_id": "ChAVUpsZ0GTZ4m8T10ACqw", "business_name": "Just Dogs and Cats", "rating": 5, "text": "Cute store in the neighborhood. I walked in with my puppy and wanted to get little ball for her to play. I don't like tennis ball since she is big time chewer and tear apart very easily. The owner lady recommended perfect rubber balls for her tiny mouth. And the best part was they were not made in China. Those are my puppies favorite toy! Also she gave my puppy free chocolate peanut butter cup. That was so sweet!", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:08:42" }, { "business_id": "WCLexnTQmylse_p0kQbz2g", "business_name": "The Treemont", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to try this place after I had good experience at Blackfish. Food was decent and ambiance was cozy as well. I had chicken liver pate and short rib. Chicken liver pate is one of my favorite dishes so I usually get it whenever I see them on the menu. Sadly it was just average. Not bad but not good either. Liked their creamy texture but was lack on flavor, they gave you a lot of brioche though. Beef short rib dish was pretty good but was little too sweet in my opinion. For me, 4 or 5 star on yelp means I would like to go back. This place more like 3.5 star or above but just not a 4 star...", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:21:33" }, { "business_id": "UDOcMEgRKfoCc-BikZJFhg", "business_name": "Maha Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "I love practice here. People here are very nice and welcoming you even though you are new. You think ppl at yoga studio would be so nice but not always. Yoga studio can be very intimidating. I usually go their yoga hour. They offer more yoga hours and other promotions than other studios at center city. I like their location, price and instructors.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:25:23" }, { "business_id": "woTZpX92uByUgliPrh39Mg", "business_name": "Ocean Prime", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not sure why I never tried this restaurant until now. It is in my neighborhood and I passed by all the time. Since it is restaurant week so we wanted to try new places we haven't been. You can't really tell from outside but the ambiance is very nice inside once you walk in, little bit darker and high ceiling. It's like classic and fancy steak house. We got the lobster bisque, salad, filet mignon, teriyaki salmon with sticky rice and 5 layered carrot cake. Appetizers were pretty good and I didn't try the meat dish but my husband said it was good. I thought salmon cooked perfectly and well seasoned. Also rice was delicious. As some other reviewer mentioned the carrot cake was good but a bit too sweet. But pineapple sauce does magic :-) The service was really really great. They are attentive and very sweet. It was satisfied meal overall.", "timestamp": "2015-02-02T19:12:38" }, { "business_id": "0oSSjekU-3GR8gselReWnA", "business_name": "Butcher and Singer", "rating": 4, "text": "Review is based on restaurant wk menu, we stop by for weekday lunch. Shared butternut squash soup, Rockefeller oyster for appetizer. Soup was hot and creamy just I like. Oyster was delicious as well. We got burger and crab sandwich for entree. Burger meat was well cooked since my mother in law ordered well done but was still juicy. I thought was pretty delicious. Fries were salty but I found most fries are salty to me in Philadelphia so.. Crab sandwich was my favorite, perfectly seasoned and thin slice chips were delicious as well. For dessert we got carrot cake and I thought was little bland. Salted chocolate and caramel tart was very delicious. Good portion of food and great service. I would go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-04T20:54:58" }, { "business_id": "85e8Uyn8tIyEZCqBP80rqA", "business_name": "Lolita", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to Mexican restaurant. It is hard to find good Mexican place in the east coast but this place by far the best for me. I really enjoy their taco varieties. My friend had couple of diet restriction. Like no dairy, gluten and no pistachios etc. They were very good at accommodating our order and since we split the plate, they serve all sauces and cheese on the side. Salad portion is generous and fresh and their guacamole is always awesome too. It is my favorite Mexican place in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-06T04:31:32" }, { "business_id": "urO7cwWPFRZU1MpSt9JIGw", "business_name": "Doggie Style Pets", "rating": 4, "text": "I stop by here with my puppy on the way to doggie park. I like this location a lot because it is conveniently located on the way to park and staffs are very friendly. They are usually very young and I see some complains that they are not well trained but I did not have those negative experiences. They were very attentive and willing to help. And most importantly, they are dog loving people. Plus they have free treats for dogs by register :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-09T01:30:07" }, { "business_id": "DLM7E6lrW-zpM10RJ4fAeg", "business_name": "Urban Front Pilates", "rating": 4, "text": "Clean facility and friendly staffs! My visit to Urban front Pilates was so enjoyable. I tried only mat Pilates and Vbarre class. I never liked mat Pilates classes before ( tried couple times from other studios) but this one was different. I will come back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T22:56:03" }, { "business_id": "Jm8OvNQy8PlXUroRmKE10Q", "business_name": "Focus Barre & Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "Recently tried their hot yoga and barre classes. Both instructors were very nice and helpful. I enjoyed classes with full of women in the room. The classes had great energy. I personally try to avoid hot yoga after 3 years of my Bikram yoga addiction which left me broken capillaries but I did not know they had hot yoga room until I get there. Even though I am trying to avoid hot yoga, their class quality was great and instructor was knowledgable. Barre class was harder than I thought. All that small muscle work out was definitely tough! Overall great studio to have near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T23:05:11" }, { "business_id": "vhDWGF-8BfsxvS7Zo5Wv2w", "business_name": "Abe Fisher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their food, great service and cozy ambiance. But salty salty salty. 2 of tried their tasting menu. I thought most dishes were delicious. Def was better ones I tried in NYC. If they were little less saltier, more like 4.5 star :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:15:47" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 3, "text": "Maybe I am a girl with huge stomach but I don't get full with one piece of pita and small hummus :-(. This place sounds like heaven for hummus lover. I do love hummus too but I need something else to eat with. I never had hummus alone for lunch so... Dish itself is pretty good but not mind-blowing. I went back couple times so far since it is so close to me but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:21:10" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 4, "text": "Best fries ever! I am not a burger person so can't tell but everyone seems really enjoying it. I go there to get short rib fries. Combination of cheese and short rib.... It is just AMAZING. It is worth to gain weight. I even picked it up on way home and ate once. Wasn't same... Go to restaurant and get one.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:26:45" }, { "business_id": "6wqxuBt2InDipRuUj8BNuQ", "business_name": "La Colombe Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "It is my go to coffee spot in my neighborhood. One thing I like about Philly is La Columbe is so close to me now! I used to walk all the way downtown in NYU to go there! Now I can go anytime! And store has unique ambiance. They serve your coffee in cute china and baristas are so knowledgable and attentive. They do not serve soy milk btw.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:33:04" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant looks so warm and cozy from outside. And it is! Very cute ambiance and dishes are pretty good. I thought it is so cute that they give you little present like small jam when you are leaving.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:53:08" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 3, "text": "I might have to give another shot to this place to be fair. I went there once and I still have so many new places to try in Philly. Order fish of the day dish and other friends ordered steak and burger. My fish was just average. Nothing special about it to remember except it was tiny piece of fish. This place seems very well popular here and a lot of ppl loving it so I may give another try...", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:59:08" }, { "business_id": "vCHNWdW-ys-nWUx3Cpvk8Q", "business_name": "Swiss Haus Cafe & Pastry Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I purchased box of cookies and gifted to friend. I haven't tried but my friend said kids loved them and literally had to pull them away from box before they finished them haha. They were picky eaters so I guess they do bake good cookies.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:05:46" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "I was give this place 5 star but changed my mind. I think this place could be hit and miss based on my two visits. First time I went there I had THE MEAL. Falafel was so hot, freshly fried and I even got one extra free to taste before purchased. I got Mama's platter both times. Was amazing for the first visit. Everything fresh and veggies were crunch. 5 star for sure. My second visit was more like 3 star. Everything was cold and falafel wasn't tasty like before. Veggies were soggy as well. I will give another shot and will see.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:14:10" }, { "business_id": "YzluF3FNGjnW-tOrLZt8JA", "business_name": "Zama", "rating": 3, "text": "Fresh sushi/ sashimi is my favorite meal. I can literally eat 3 times per day! I was so eager to find my favorite Japanese restaurant once I came to Philly. Zama was my first try. Location is good and ambiance is typical Japanese restaurant. Tried uni, tuna, fatty tuna, salmon, salmon roe sashimi. Those are my favorite so I get them wherever I go. They were good but not outstanding. I thought price was little high for what it is.. But I still go there for quick lunch since location is so awesome for me and I do like that intimate ambiance to chat with my friends. If price was little lower I would give 4 star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:27:49" }, { "business_id": "h7TO_IsmLCYmKKDVOOIeFw", "business_name": "Fat Salmon", "rating": 2, "text": "Ordered my usual. Sashimi platter with salmon, salmon roe, Tuna and uni. They were somewhat flavorless. Rolls seemed good with all the sauces etc but sashimi wasn't that good. And personally I am not fan of blue neon light with food presentation. Not so appetizing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:33:22" }, { "business_id": "rVGxva6cx2eID4ghDLVHJg", "business_name": "1225Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I thought sashimi was ok but I did enjoy their spicy sashimi salad. Owner must be Korean or at least has staff who is Korean. They make kick ass spicy go-chu-jang sauce for sashimi salad. And I tried to copy it at home for other dish I cooked and I was terribly failed. I thought just mix sugar and sesame oil with go-chi-Jang but it wasn't same. I must go back there to find out.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:37:12" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this Morimoto than nyc one. I did not know Morimoto was from Philadelphia. I only got the omakase in nyc one and wasn't very impressed every time I ordered! We ordered dishes this time in philly and I enjoyed every bite. Black cod was cooked perfectly and I really liked ponzu sauce for hamachi. Def going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:42:53" }, { "business_id": "trwHwsXOVV-ZmF-MtP98BA", "business_name": "High Street Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Was excited to try this place when they were opened it. Eh.... Not going back. They were very cheap with ingredient and some what salty. And very small portion. Maybe ppl in Philly do not eat much like I do... Philly has so many better options than here.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T02:01:33" }, { "business_id": "RnhLCG4N9MPy6ZRzq787Cg", "business_name": "Devil's Alley Bar & Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "I had brunch once and late night snack there once. Both were decent meal and good price. It looked like bar from outside and I expected nothing. But was better than my expectation. Quesadilla was delicious and ingredients were fresh. Salad was good too. Staffs were very nice as well.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T15:45:34" }, { "business_id": "WXRZlGsdUjraCAcgtCyk4Q", "business_name": "Potito's Italian American Pastries", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their cakes! It is firm and moist and since it is so thick and firm that I can order it a day before and still fresh. I normally prefer French or Japanese bake goods over Italian but this is my cake shop in Philly! I also tried cannoli and various individual cake pieces but I thought whole cake was much better deal here. Also taste better too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:05:28" }, { "business_id": "iUZEGx29miZObLd6_lt7Vg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I love their Asian salad!! I got it one at university city location and fell in love! So ordered same dish here as well. The veggies they used little different that day- no green pea in my sale :-( and the portion was smaller. I do enjoy huge salad so was little disappointing since I expected same quality as other location. My mom loved their stuff French toast so ordered same dish and wasn't good as we had before... But service was ver attentive. She kept giving us coffee and stopped by if we needed anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:12:49" }, { "business_id": "ctHjyadbDQAtUFfkcAFEHw", "business_name": "Zahav", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant is beautiful. Very pretty deco and service is great too. I heart middle eastern food and I have my favorite middle eastern place in NYC but now I am eager to find one in Philly. This place is the closest I can find for now. We tried tasting menu once, tried multiple small plate on the list. They were all decent but not mind blowing, more than anything I wasn't impressed by their hummus and falafel... Bummer.. Lamb shoulder was ran out so couldn't get it either. Second time we ordered lamb shoulder for 4 ppl. Woot woot! Was a lot of food since we ordered other plates as well. Ended up wrapping up left over and ate it for days haha.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:30:35" }, { "business_id": "mlgewa5y_a_AxVTamXGemA", "business_name": "Walnut Street Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "Have been a subscriber for 2014-15. So far they had great shows. Somewhat very commercial and but entertaining. Their actors were very talented and knew how to entertain audiences. Whenever I watched musicals/ shows there I ended up laughing a lot. Looking forward next show!", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:22:54" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 4, "text": "My second season subscribing here. So far we got a pretty good seat except twice. Once I sat behind really big guy and missed half of the play and ended up fall asleep haha. Since it is small theater with stadium style seat, secure good view is the must. They do have some great plays though. Seems like they have a lot of discount for student and young audience. So far pretty satisfied.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:27:08" }, { "business_id": "MMRRS6YhVRx_iN5-JhMRYg", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "Very delicious and salty! But it is Chinese place so I have no complain. Went with big group so could tasted a lot of their signature dishes. Dan Dan noodle seems very popular but just not my kid of dish. I did enjoy fried fish with sweet sauce and chicken with cashew. Also dumpling with hot oil was yummy. In the end of meal, my mouth was burning but I enjoyed all.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:30:41" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Enjoyed my meal here. Went with friend and we shared Samson roll, Naruto roll, spider roll, spicy salmon tartar ,tuna dumpling, edamame and sunomono. We were initially going to get sashimi platter but rolls looked amazing so went for it. Wasn't disappointing. Sauces weren't overpowering and sashimi were very fresh. We did not get the 3 roll special and order individual but if you order their special , price is really cheap. Very happy that found this place. P.s they freshly fried soft shell crab when you order spider roll. Soooo tender and soooo juicy. Loved it. Must get that item. Naruto roll is definitely better than any other places. Cucumber paper is thinner and fresher. And has so much flavor. I did not really like tartar dish. Didn't have much flavor compare to other dishes. I will just order rolls next time I visit which would be next wk.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:14:32" }, { "business_id": "khH0QtNyUjcExh9i2CwGfg", "business_name": "Serpico", "rating": 3, "text": "Was intrigued by their Korean influenced menu. We got raw fluke, consommé, pig head, fried duck leg sandwich, duck mousse and lamb rib for three of us! Everything was ok but nothing was memorable except lamb rib. I thought rib was really delicious. Raw fluke was fresh but ponzu sauce was not special and very small. Comsome was very boring... Pig head was too greasy, duck mousse was pretty delicious. Duck leg sandwich was just ok. Also has rocky road for dessert. Since the portion isn't that big you get to order a lot if you are hungry. I though food wasn't very special.. Prolly won't go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:28:33" }, { "business_id": "mUIBtlWNPD7sz3rGGWQ1RA", "business_name": "Kanella", "rating": 3, "text": "Had really high hope about this place and I am sad that my meal didn't reach my expectation. Order whole fish of the day. I got branzino and had so much bone in it... And fish itself wasn't very tasty. Also had organic sirloin kebab. Meat was tough and little dry even for kebab.. Dips of the day was good though. I see that they got a lot of good reviews about their brunch than dinner. I might try their brunch and give fair review.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:34:47" }, { "business_id": "aaILnjUFC0i0uRkg5hYgnQ", "business_name": "Aqua Asian Bistro", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to get my thai take out here. Fast service and I seems like they keep their kitchen clean. Their spring roll is alway freshly fried and sauce is creamy and good. They don't give authentic fish sauce kind of sauce like other places but I like Americanized thai cuisine so I have no problem with that. Fried noodle dishes are safe choice here I believe. Their spring roll is my favorite though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:01:58" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 2, "text": "Seems like this place is pretty popular. And I had take out quite few times here since it is so close to me. Simply I don't really like their food. I thought they use a lot of fish sauce. Maybe it's more close to authentic cooking. Tried spring rolls, pad thai, red curry with tofu, green curry with chicken and vegetable soup. For pad thai, noodle was stuck together so hard to eat.. Curry is good, delicious and creamy but not enough of broth and tofu and chicken were too dry for me. Vegetable soup was just blend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:07:37" }, { "business_id": "0S3TvsmbCeOZ9UitnpRd1A", "business_name": "Dim Sum House", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood. It is clean and big open space. Whenever I went, there were a lot of ppl. Had wonton in hot oil, scallion pancake, brussell sprout, honey walnut shrimp. Fried dishes are delicious there and sauce is not overpowering. Not overly salty either. Prolly favorite my Chinese restaurant in town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:12:56" }, { "business_id": "ex8RrhAhVVexndFhmNfG1Q", "business_name": "Wokworks", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to like this place. Healthy version of Chinese food? Sounded so good to me. And store looked clean from outside and also liked their name... Got quinoa fried rice with bean sprout and veggies...simply no good... I like healthy food but has to tasty to keep going back. That was my last visit... But I liked their clean container and healthy concept so.. It is two star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:17:51" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "One of my favorite Asian cuisine is Malaysian food. Especially their curry!!!!? Now I have to find my go to spot in Philly... I was excited to try this place. Got roti canai and seafood casserole dish as usual. Maybe I have high expectation but dishes weren't that good. Green curry casserole was lack of the flavor and literally had couple piece of seafood. Didn't even bother to complain. We just left after few bite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:15:12" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am not a donut person. But it is the one of the best donut s I've ever had. Since another donut shop in NYU I fell in love charged $5 per donut and I waited in line for 30 min to get two donut! .... this place is heaven. So cheap, fast service, fresh and you can get as many as you want! There donut fillings are amazing but just get the maple cream donut and blueberry fritters.. They are absolutely amazing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:29:40" }, { "business_id": "xAW4nw9DrW77vWF61_l-Qg", "business_name": "Famous 4th Street Delicatessen", "rating": 4, "text": "Huge portion and hearty food. 3 of us shared their large chicken soup and we still had left over for days. I think they cooked entire chicken in it and matzoh balls were awesome. Main dish came with two side dishes- we chose potato fritters and side salad. They serve you cabbage salad once you are seated and it is really delicious! I love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:14:44" }, { "business_id": "73UjNbSoQjQAOS45rcihFg", "business_name": "Cantina Dos Segundos", "rating": 4, "text": "Wasn't super hungry so 3 of us shared chimichanga and guacamole with chips. Chips were very good, not oily and freshly fried. My parents enjoyed chimichanga and said very delicious and seasoning was just enough. Wish they were close to me..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:21:27" }, { "business_id": "SCjUeZfjafJ88fWWQjRh2w", "business_name": "El Rey", "rating": 5, "text": "I can only speak based on my happy hour experience. For happy hour, they have amazing deal. Tacos and empanadas are soooo delicious. Food served when it's hot and fresh. And super cheap. Not sure about their regular menu but I do enjoy their happy hour.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:30:10" }, { "business_id": "9_B5sCqKBOKDAmYpByiFFg", "business_name": "Branzino Italian Ristorante", "rating": 3, "text": "Had branzino for lunch here. Was pretty quite during weekday lunch hour. Definitely not busy spot. I saw couple old coupe were dining. My branzino was decent size and was ok. But nothing special. I wasn't very impressed so haven't back since my last trip..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:36:55" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I want to give them zero star if I can. I went to serafina in NYC once and never went back hah...it is sort of chain restaurant and over priced for what it is but I was happy to see some familiar place in Philly so decided to give another shot. Me,my friend and my little puppy got table outside. It was 20 degrees, freezing cold day but we were hungry and had to eat.... And we had 3 pounds tiny puppy with us. I have no complain we sat outside. We have a dog so I asked them if we could get a table. They said its really cold but if u want u can get table outside so we did. The worst part, the waitress neglected us for over 20 min to get us water or take an order. We had to keep going in to ask for someone. It's only 20 min but we were freezing and restaurant wasn't that busy either. I don't understand why they just hung out at the counter and never bother to come out to take an order or just look if your space heater is working which it wasn't! Food was just mediocre. NYC one isn't that great but this one is just worse.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:46:28" }, { "business_id": "cGX-1IUwXOjkUqZbkKYcjw", "business_name": "Fogo de Chao", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed their salad bar! Went there for lunch and I am not a huge meat eater but still had decent amount of meat there. Service was very attentive and fast. All veggies at the salad bar were fresh and I enjoyed their ham and cheese selection. Even though I did not eat much of meat, their lunch price was pretty good deal for big salad bar eater like me:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:48:57" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped by here for quick snack. Shared fungi flat bread, cheese plate and salad. Flat bread was delicious. Moist and crispy. Wish it was little bigger haha. Cheese selection was nice too but just very very small. I would like this place way more of the portion is little bit bigger!!!!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:52:44" }, { "business_id": "4R2KR_-FybS7oegGrXjHVg", "business_name": "Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Probably this is my favorite chain restaurant. They have good deal for weekday lunch prefix and menus are great. The portion is generous, salad is fresh and soups are very hearty. Whenever I went, their services were very nice and kind. Has both salad and soup for appetizer. Both were very good. Salmon was juicy and burger was well cooked but not dry since I ordered medium well. Cheese cake was huge and rich. I really enjoyed my lunch here and looking forward going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:02:18" }, { "business_id": "H3EK1Q8tqRGqPBps05Uahw", "business_name": "Tashan", "rating": 5, "text": "Tasting menu.... The best. Got the deal from online and tried their tasting menu. Location was kind off. Distance wise was not that far but it was definitely long walk from center city. There were so many courses that I lost track. I am not sure even if they gave us more service sincere we felt like there were couple courses of appetizer and lay least 2 of main dishes. Food kept coming and EVERYTHING was delicious. When you go make sure you are hungry. Can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:24:38" }, { "business_id": "4tU9hlfzrCpcGWTIm-OKVA", "business_name": "Rouge", "rating": 4, "text": "Rouge and Parc. They were the first restaurant I dined in Philly. Mostly they were right next me and seemed pretty busy every time I passed by. Had couple times of dinner and lunch at Rouge, I felt this place is solid at least. Their foods were consistent so did their services. So far I liked their burger, roasted beets, their cheese plate and truffle fries. Burger was juicy and they cut the half so we can share which was nice. Roasted beet is alway my go to order and pretty good here. And fries.... were very crispy and perfectly seasoned.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:02:08" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is still one of my most visited places in Philly. Mostly because of location. So close to me and all of other friends, we meet there during the day, get brunch and have great girly times. I enjoy going there except the weekend, their brunch menu weren't bad but I would wait more than 10 min for their food. First time I went there for burger and steak fries on weekend ended up waiting for 30min to be seated and has to fight for staff's attention. But for during the weekday lunch, this place is lovely. It is our go to lunch spot after morning yoga class. 3 of us enjoyed their breakfast menu, lunch menu and oyster( from the morning!) and chatted there like hours. They were very nice refilling coffee and etc and never gave us any pressure to leave after we finished the meal. Place never get too busy during weekday lunch hour. I usually get their salad verde, roasted salmon or sea scallop. Salad verde was simple, super fresh but still full of flavor. Their salmon and scallop were pretty good too but I never really dreamed about their food after so I guess it's just ok. For food, it's more close to 3 star but me and my friends enjoy this place for regular girly date spot and enjoy ambiance so... I would give one more star for that.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:19:52" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "The first bar I've visited in Philly as out of towner. Doormen were nice unlike underground bar doormen in NYC. The bar was very pretty, cozy and reminds of me some hipster bars in Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan. I am non drink so I can only judge by the ambiance of my friends opinion about drinks, seems like everyone enjoyed their pretty cocktails and looked delicious :-) we did enjoy time there and since so close to me, I am sure I will be back very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:00:15" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Had couple visits there so far. I had mixed feeling about this place. My first time there was amazing. Mussel dish was huge, fresh and delicious. Bread was moist and good too. Had wonderful experience and couldn't wait to go back. Second time was so so. Mussel's size was tiny and broth didn't have much flavor. Bread was tough and dry. I hoped my third visit would be a charm but wasn't so lucky. Not sure if I should give another shot or not. Indecisive.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:05:04" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 3, "text": "I had only one visit to this place so not sure if I this review would be accurate since this place seems super popular. It's located right in front me and I see this places always crowded. I had such a high hope to try yummy vegan place. I ordered jerk Caesar salad only because it was top of their menu and there was full of people waiting so I didn't want to take too long to decide at the counter. When I tried my salad at home... Humm what to say, I usually like vegan meat a lot. Any kind of tofu/ fake meat I love more than actual meat haha. It was good since I like fake meat and veggies already but just not good enough to go back there. There are so many other places offer delicious food in Philly and I am not a vegetarian so I don't have to only eat there I guess. I haven't back there since my first visit but I may try their burger in future. Seems like everyone in my yoga class enjoyed their burger so, I might give a shot very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:15:13" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy!! Fresh turkey spinach salad! They gave me tons of turkey ham and a lot of spinach. All ingredients were fresh and I enjoyed my salad. Was huge so I could have left over but I am a girl with big appetite! Other friends had sandwiches and said very good also. Solid local sandwich shop for sure. Now actually it became my regular sandwich spot. I always get mensch. It's soooo good. Potato cake and mixed fries are must.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:42:18" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to Tria for brunch! Delicious small plates, cozy ambiance, this is perfect girly brunch spot in neighborhood. Two of us shared marinated calamari salad, roasted beet, egg toast. We weren't very hungry so it was perfect small snack. They have awesome ice tea and keep refilling your drink. Also other drink's menu are nice and affordable. Love this place!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:48:37" }, { "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 3, "text": "I liked the concept of this restaurant when I heard about this place. Seems like farm to table kind of restaurants are everywhere in NYC these days. Was excited to one in Philly. Maybe ingredients they get from farms in somewhere Pennsylvania will be super fresh! Got beet salad and scallop for appetizer and Cod dish for main. I am huge fan of beet, I love beet even if I eat out from can. If chef do little trick, I would go crazy about any kind of beet dish. This one was decent, not mind blowing. Maybe chef wanted us to taste fresh ingredient so didn't use much sauce on it. Maybe... Scallop was well cooked, kinda tiny even for appetizer.. Well I am a girl with big stomach.. Had big hope for my cod since appetizers didn't blow my mind. I definitely could taste the fish was fresh, was tangy and juicy but again chef could use little bit more seasoning. I usually have issue with overpowering sauce but this dish was little bland for me. The service was nice though. Professional and attentive. Haven't back yet since my first trip... Maybe will give another shot after finish all of my Philly restaurant lists.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:02:47" }, { "business_id": "2qHkwqao9GyxnDXHzCv4JA", "business_name": "Wedge + Fig", "rating": 5, "text": "Wish this place was close to me!!!! I felt so lucky to find this small lunch spot in Old city while I was doing yoga teacher's training. I was wondering around for grabbing quick bite and saw this place. Looked super cute from outside and menu looked awesome. I would totally go for cheese or heavier salad if I didn't have class right after. I went for tuna salad. They gave me generous amount tuna and veggies. Dressing was yummy too. Other dishes looked really good too. I will have to go back to try other dishes soon!", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:22:36" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried bunch of dishes for two of us, bacon wrapped date, clams, octopus, garlic shrimp, lamb meatballs and braised pork shoulder flat bread. Probably we ordered more but can't remember all. Wish I came with bigger group, would be awesome if we tried more since it was small tapas and they had pretty big menu. My favorite was bacon wrapped date. It's common dish and I tried from quite few other places but this one was one of top notched I tried. Bacon wasn't burned and cooked perfectly. Crispy but still juicy. Date was baked in perfection as well. Really enjoyed it so much so I had all myself! Other dishes were pretty good too except garlic shrimp dish. Shrimp cooked too much, they were really tough to chew :-( Overall it was pleasant dinner and service was very nice too. I will go back with bigger group next time for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:45:57" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "I heard so much good things about Han Dynasty and couldn't wait to try. Got bunch of dishes include spicy cucumber salad, dan Dan noodle, dumpling in hot oil, scallion pancakes, fried rice, fish in clay pot, dry chicken, garlic eggplants and mapo tofu. Dumpling in hot oil was big hit, it was simple but had so much flavor in it. Scallion pancake was fried well and chewy, dipping sauce wasn't salty. Everyone seems excited about their dan Dan noodle but it didn't so much for me. Maybe I am not a big fan of noodle. I did enjoy mapo tofu, wasn't too greasy and enough spicy for me. Dry chicken was delicious but was too salty for me. I had few bite then couldn't touch more. Fish in clay pot had full of flavor but a bit greasy for me. Since most main dishes we ordered had powerful flavor, the fried rice was most popular dish on our table. Dinner was enjoyable and liked the fun ambiance. Like old Chinese restaurant in movie. I will definitely go back soon but I will order more appetitive and be easy on strong flavored main dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T02:20:33" }, { "business_id": "nIAbuktMEzVjT4P9pG89rQ", "business_name": "Buddakan", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try original Buddakan! I've been the one in NYC many times back in the day but haven't been budakkan for awhile and was excited to check out original one. The deco and music were somewhat similar the ones NYC but smaller and more opened space. We were seated in 10min at the second floor and restaurant was packed. Two of us shared spring roll, sea bass and duck. Yum yum yum! I actually though this location has way better food than the one in NYC. I used to go there pretty often long time ago but not for their food. Never impressed with their food except dessert but I did enjoy every dishes at this location. The portion was generous and I actually liked the light at the restaurant wasn't too dark. I like to see my food and appreciated! Very impressed ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T03:53:33" }, { "business_id": "i6jA8vSHrP9LiUPHlqPVwA", "business_name": "Cafe Olé", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like quick lunch spot. Should be affordable and provide fast service. Checked and checked. Your lunch will be ready in 3min in front of you. I went to this place when I did yoga teacher's training at Old city. Most of my class mates include teachers grabbed lunch there. They were pretty picky (mostly health conscious vegetarian) eaters so I thought that place must be good. I tagged them along one day and it turned out pretty nice time. Nice sunny weather in summer, we were seated outside and grabbed various salads. They had pre made salads displayed and they were all freshly made. Got myself Greek salad and strawberry/ banana smoothie. Smoothie was gigantic so probably most girls would be for their lunch itself. I am not so I had salad as well. Salad was huge too. I actually had left over. Everything was affordable there. Nothing over $10. They are not overly nice to offer any service since its self service kind of place but cheap, fast and fresh. What can you ask more.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T04:01:38" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not huge fan of lamb and chicken platter but I must have very high standard since only place I had this dish was Halah guys in NYC. My hub is cart food expert lol and found this place near us. He loves Halah guys so much that he was eager to find something like that in Philly. Well.. When I received my platter, was a bit disappointed about the size of meat. Guess I was so used to Halah guys huge portion. And again I am a girl with big stomach! I thought the platter was pretty good, meat was tender and juicy. But the charm of this platter is white sauce!!! At least for me. I am the person eating these kind of platter with EXTRA white sauce and not worry about calories so.... I did put extra white sauce top on my platter. The sauce was not my style. I want something creamier and thicker and still not greasy... Sauce was a bit off for me.... And the portion. Yes haha. We haven't back since then... but my friends said they have yummy Kati roll so I might try other dish next time. And I am not sitting at the corner of somewhere 6th ave to eat from the tin box so that's plus too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:17:46" }, { "business_id": "ZewrmVIdr77Kinj-njv6RQ", "business_name": "Insomnia Cookies", "rating": 4, "text": "Cookies in 3am? That's amazing concept except I crave salty fried food usually at that time haha. Actually surprised that they open until that late since Philly does not have much night life I thought. Most places are closed by 2am but people are still out to eat cookies? Guess they do! They seems always busy whenever I passed by. I got curious so picked up few cookies. Yum Yum Yum! I am not a big cookie person. I am more like gummy person but those are delicious. Warm, chewy and not crazy sweet. Had 3 of them at once. They were that good.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:22:07" }, { "business_id": "e4MoozYGqe_rb4_ZC1rYMQ", "business_name": "Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "So comfortable to hang around. Owner lady was so so nice. I stopped by couple times after my yoga class and had good spirit. The owner lady had too! She smiled to customers and was very kind. I instantly liked this place. I got small coffee with their home made ginger mascarpone cheese cake. So so so so good!!! Not sweet at all and they use fresh ingredient. 2nd time I was there, I got large cup of green tea, they charge same price for small or large cup of tea so why not. Also tried her ( owner lady baked everything in the kitchen and brought sweet out) peanut butter chocolate cup. Yum. Everything is very affordable here and again, fresh.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "f-qlRLsQ2vPATmlLTgLHbQ", "business_name": "Joe Coffee Company", "rating": 3, "text": "Joe's cup of coffee used to be my one of favorite coffee spot in NYC. Was tiny space near NYU, down to earth and I could just hang out there for hours. Loved that place and when I saw Joe's in my neighborhood in Philly, I was so happy. I got my latte couple times there and my experiences were different in Philly location. It's kind of fancy coffee shop than the one in NYC. Me and my friend couldn't really hang out and chat there. It's super crowded all the time and staffs weren't super nice.. no offense, they were super professional but just I didn't feel the warm greeting from them whenever I visited. Maybe I am picky but I prefer cozy coffee shop with warm people around. And I realized Philly has a lot of amazing coffee spot so...", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:34:31" }, { "business_id": "rgeuy1qbw6Z8B6CSVANHIA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 3, "text": "Seems like they are super famous. Whenever I search Philly eatery as Philly newbie, they are the one first come out most of times. Lucky I live so close to them! So made couple visit there. Tried their fancy donuts. Several times, several flavor. Probably I tried most of flavor they offered. Well... Fancy donut didn't do much for me. Not impressed. Once I was late so fancy donuts were sold out, I got regular sugar coated donut. Humm.. I actually liked true or regular donut much better! Tried their chicken too! All of their flavors. Humm it's good but not awesome for me. Was super crispy when I had the first bite but inside my mouth were peeled after finished my meal. Big no no for me. Good crispy chicken shouldn't do that to you. I think I spent fair amount time to eat fried chicken in my life as Korean. Their fried chicken is pretty good but not mind blowing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:43:24" }, { "business_id": "oqbhVgliVJH-iRa3AnD-3A", "business_name": "Elixr Coffee Roasters", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Another awesome coffee shop in neighborhood. Philly does have cool coffee shops everywhere! Very impressed. $4 of awesome hand drop coffee... Amazing. Great price and awesome staff who knows coffee. I am not a coffee snob so I usually go to coffee shop where make me feel welcomed. They did. They explained well about their menu and showed us whole process. And the shop is really pretty. They have limited seats because they are always crowded but they are just awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:46:12" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 2, "text": "This place looks super cute from outside and reminds me of small coffee place in Paris. I expected same experience when I had in Paris. I was dreaming to get some fresh pastries with full of butter flavor with some good coffee. Humm... My first bite was DRY, lack of butter.. Wasn't very good. I usually try to give second shot if my experience wasn't so terrible. So I went back. Got macaron and coffee. Lack of richness. Lack of something definitely. I still give two star because the shop is still pretty though and they don't have much competition in my neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:50:48" }, { "business_id": "lWedWkinrM5j13pyimbpbA", "business_name": "Miles Table", "rating": 3, "text": "My first visit to this place was few months ago. 2 of us waked there for brunch with our puppy. We were seated outside and got us burger, kale salad and coffee. Place was crowded but we scored seat pretty much right away. Everything was affordable and doggies were welcomed at the outdoor table. I didn't taste burger so can't speak for that. My kale salad was decent but wasn't amazing. Coffee tasted little bitter, maybe was a bit burned... We were appreciate seating with our puppy at the table but they were located in small street so it was kinda awkward seating outside and everyone was looking at you when they were passing by. That was my last trip and I don't think I will come back anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T06:23:28" }, { "business_id": "U2y7fsqDgxAXskoJNVxbwg", "business_name": "Happily Ever After", "rating": 4, "text": "Shaved ice bowl is my # 1 dessert all the time. I like Korean, Taiwanese, Malaysian style the most. I wasn't able to find any Korean style shaved ice in Philly but this place was the closest I could find. I like a bit of crunchiness on Korean styled shaved ice. If it's too soft then it's more like Taiwanese style. This place ice was very close to Korean one. Also they use condensed milk and crushed nut like Korean one. Little rough shaving ice is best with sweet milk and some nutty flavor for sure. For fruit topping I would go for super soft shaved ice. I finished my bowl myself and was very happy. The portion was definitely smaller compare with my go to places in NYC but well... this place doesn't have much competition for this menu so I will take what I can get in Philly. Hope I can see more Asian styled shaving ice dessert places in Philly this summer.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:34:26" }, { "business_id": "ZpgVL2z1kgRi954c9m9INw", "business_name": "United By Blue", "rating": 3, "text": "Another cool find through my yoga school. They are located in local clothing store which is nice. Very pretty deco and trendy. Me and my classmates hung out here a lot during lunch break. I've never eaten here but saw sandwiches and they looked good. I didn't think their coffee was special though and somewhat pricy. But it is really cute coffee shop and I would go back there if I am near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:37:48" }, { "business_id": "yYG2XDKCaf5yOLgJSKMw6g", "business_name": "Anthony's Italian Coffee House and Chocolate House", "rating": 5, "text": "Love love love their espresso. Their coffee is amazing. It is kinda far from me but I still walk there to buy their espresso coffee bean. They freshly grind for you right there and price is awesome. About $7-8 per package. My sister and mom in Korea got so hooked ( they are definitely coffee snob unlike me) so I have to buy for them too and mail them! I get their caffe latte and one biscotti and grind espresso beans to go. Glad I found this little shop.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:41:58" }, { "business_id": "RSKvB-XntkiDnMqYqAmtKw", "business_name": "Seafood Unlimited", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked their name. Seafood unlimited, what a great name. Unfortunately their food wasn't. The interior was unique, very blue and dark not sure if I liked that. I feel like I was eating in a fish tank. Restaurant was pretty empty and we were seated right away. Got grilled salmon dish and scallop. Eh... I had better before. Food wasn't very special to me and I wasn't very impressed with ambiance either so I haven't back since my first trip.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T23:54:38" }, { "business_id": "fcGexL5VH5G2Xw0tRj9uOQ", "business_name": "Slice", "rating": 3, "text": "I have mixed feeling about this place. I do enjoy their pizza. Since it was so close to me I just stopped by for slice of pizza to go. I got bacon and onion and eggplant pizza to go. Also got side salad. Salad was fresh and reasonably priced. Nothing special about their dressing but veggies were very fresh so I was happy. About pizza I thought was really delicious. Sauce was good and sweet and savory. I really enjoyed them. I made couple more trips there to grab quick pizza whenever I had craving, this place was never really busy, usually 2-3 customers there but my order usually took more than 10-15 min. I am not sure why took so long to heat up slice of pizza since they did not make it fresh when I ordered. Their service is just ok not super nice or rude. Wish they had faster service, it is deal breaker for me since I want to go there, grab my pizza and in and out fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:03:59" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't want to give them 5 star because I don't want them to be more popular than already now!!! But I have to... This is food heaven. Had amazing food and the ambiance was so cozy and comfortable to sit down and talk. First course, ordered chicken mousse with toast. Yum...so creamy and savory spread and toast was perfect too. Sweet and sour jam made perfect combination for the toast. Second course, had buckwheat pasta. I just had pretty bad experience with buckwheat past at the High street market. Was so scared to try but this one was amazing. Noodle was chewy and tender, sauce was just amazing. Definitely made my #1 pasta in Philly. For main, we shared cod with broth. Humm. That was our least favorite dish that night. Did not have much flavor overall. I still rate this place 5 star because I did have the best past in Philly and ambiance wise I felt so comfortable there. I will definitely going back very soon but I will order a lot of small dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:19:54" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 3, "text": "This place seems always busy and smelled so nice when I passed by. We went there one night to grab quick dinner. I got smoked trout and my hub got mixed wurst platter. My trout looked really smaller than their photo. Was decent. Not bad but I probably won't go back for that dish. His wurst platter was gigantic. He could not finish it so we had half left over. He did not like it much so ended up not eating his left over...", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:26:10" }, { "business_id": "7xckZSLRWf5uf3L1IsF1Kg", "business_name": "Mandarin Palace", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes I have Chinese food craving. Until I found my go to spot in this city I mist keep exploring!!!! Today I tried the place right next me.. Was very empty. I see more employees than actually customers, I was instantly got nervous.. Maybe it's really bad sign but again, it's Chinese restaurant so maybe ppl just order delivery. We were seated and server brought us tea which was nice. Order cashew chicken and hub has beef dish and lo main. They were decent. Food was just cooked so was really hot. I would give 4 star if it was little cheaper. I am so spoiled with cheap and yummy Chinese food in NYC so this place felt little pricy for me for what it is.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:34:26" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by there after terrible dinner. This place healed us from horrendous experience. 4 of us got own drinks, beer,wine and orange soda for me! We shared small plates and cheese platter. We ended up getting two cheese platter because they were soooooo good. Our waiter, did not get his name but he was so enthusiastic when he explained about each cheese. We ended up having great time there and left happy. Will go back anytime.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:39:32" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "4 of us were craving some ramen so went to this place. Wasn't sure how Philly ramen scene would be. My hub got spicy shoyu ramen and my parents shared miso ramen. I wasn't very hungry so got fried chicken appetizer. Chicken appetizer was very good. I actually liked their chicken than other famous chicken places in Philly. My parents thought their ramen was too salty for them. They just had noodles and left most of broth. My hub actually thought this place was decent. He finished his dish. I really enjoyed their chicken and the Korean waitress was very nice.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:21:48" }, { "business_id": "nR3VW9i2K8033QY0ZMTisw", "business_name": "Zento Contemporary Japanese Cuisine", "rating": 2, "text": "This place seems have always promotions going on. I see their coupons pretty often. We went there after our show at Arden theater. Restaurant wasn't big but clean. There was semi private dining area in the end of hall but they didn't have door so it was really loud since big group was drinking and eating. Wasn't able to enjoy our dinner at all. Food was ok and they had promotion but I would not necessarily go to old city to eat there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:25:12" }, { "business_id": "2f6NaQVGTM59OGvsdT9pxg", "business_name": "Mood Indian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "So I saw this place had pretty good review on yelp and just purchased the deal online. As a Philly newbie I did not aware this restaurant was far from Rittenhouse square. We had to drive to Northern liberty to eat since I already got the coupon. Food better be good.... Two of us got samosa chaat and chicken tikka masala with garlic naan and mango lassi. Apparently yelp review www pretty accurate. This was 4 star restaurant for me. Samosa chaat was huge as appetizer. Probably most girls would be ok for their main dish itself. Chicken tikka masala was creamy, buttery and meat was tender. Delicious. We ended up having whole bowl of rice with it. Lassi was thick and amazing. I hate watery lassi and this place wasn't one of them. We were only customer when we were there and service was not bad or extra nice. They did minimum service for you haha. But I loved the food there and wish they were close to me. I would go often.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:32:26" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't eat much steak but like to go to ones. One of main reason is my hub is big meat eater and I usually find seafood dishes at steak house are very yummy. We got one soup and salad for appetizer. They weren't very memorable. Wasn't bad but nothing special to say. He got prime rib and I got crab cake. The portion of my dish was pretty small. I could eat double portion. For dessert we got chocolate and cheese cake. They were ok. I would say very average food. Nothing really remarkable. The ambiance is like classy, old apartment with piano. It's classy but maybe little to old for us. The service was very nice. Not likely go back though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:39:28" }, { "business_id": "V0SHmvYtXqdv8-AsqshV6w", "business_name": "Smokin Bettys", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to get some brunch as newbie in Philly, we googled this place and went on Sunday. Place was really crowded, but it was big so we waited just little. I got egg while omelette and he got the burger. My omelette was ok but I probably could make that one. He liked the burger and enjoyed fries too but we never went back there for their burger. Maybe Philly has too many burger places.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:42:35" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I hope they open their new location somewhere close to Rittenhouse square. So close to me, I know nothing about Philly, Little Pete did show me some comfort time. The owner guy was always at the counter and he was nice. The waitress ladies seemed tough but they were actually very friendly and attentive. I had couple dishes there since I got my breakfast there couple times. Loved their greek salad, this was so big that I always had left over and ate later. Their omelet was pretty good. Fluffy and yum. The egg sandwich, I liked it very much! They gave you so much egg and it was delicious. My go to breakfast awhile. Their French fries!!!! Crispy and just perfect with mayo. The waitress ladies remembered me and packed mayo with my fries even I did not ask for. I like to have this comfy diner right next me. Sad to see them leaving. We don't have many diners in center city though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:49:35" }, { "business_id": "-ATiAtTikuGuqvaW2O6tNA", "business_name": "Marathon", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh, disappointing food. I saw this place got busy during lunch hour so gave a shot during weekday lunch. Place was busy and I saw people getting salad with salmon so I got that one as well. My salmon was dry... And lukewarm. Definitely didn't enjoyed my protein. I had only one visit so I can't speak for all but my salad wasn't fresh either that day. Sandwiches on other tables looked good though. That was my first and only trip to Marathon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:53:31" }, { "business_id": "Uky0DD3LU4C7eyNDhpmOXg", "business_name": "Day By Day", "rating": 3, "text": "I saw people were waiting outside of the restaurant all the time. This place must be good I thought. Maybe I picked the wrong dish. I enjoyed my stuffed challah French toast but I wouldn't wait more than 10 min to eat it again. That was right after my mind blowing experience at Sabrina cafe's stuffed french toast so Day by Day one didn't do much for me.... My parter of scavenger hunt got burger. He enjoyed and finished all but hasn't asked me go back there yet so I guess it is solid 3 star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:58:51" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not sure why I don't go this place more often. I had good time at their oyster happy hour! Enjoyed my discounted oyster and I thought was fresh and delicious. But that place got really busy during happy hour so waiting was painful and they put large jar of oyster cracker to share. Everyone's hands going to touch the crackers so I couldn't eat it and I didn't see anyone touching it. That's minus point for me too. If less crowded and provided individual oyster cracker like other places I might give me more star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:04:00" }, { "business_id": "9mA9qYqiv4c0T9ASid3PIQ", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 3, "text": "I had really good meal at Capital grille at Providence few years ago. I still remember how proud and profession they were. And the food was absolute perfection. I never went other locations but I wanted to try the one in Philly since I had such a amazing time before. I got same meal, chowder soup, salad and glazed salmon. Soup was a bit saltier side for me. It was ok eating with bread but in general I am not fan of salty food. Salad was decent and my salmon was a bit overpowering with citrus sauce. It was pretty but I wasn't amazed like last time. The bread basket was warm and good though. And service was good too. But it just wasn't same..", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:12:57" }, { "business_id": "-t5dx3X0O63jCUuFEd-FcA", "business_name": "The Palm Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. Weird fries... That's first thing I remember about this place. Humongous and lack of flavored stack of fries.. Shared burger and fries and fried calamari and cheese cake. The burger was ok. Just ok but we all know Philly is the burger central. You don't need to eat burger here. I am usually go for fries than burgers when I order this dish. I think I know good fries... For some reason Palm's fries had literally no flavor. Didn't even oily anything. It's crunch but I wasn't sure what I was eating. Ended up left most of dish. Cheese cake was only thing I liked. It was like thick cheese cake from juniors. On offense, I love those commercial kind. Destroyed cake and left and never looked back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:20:13" }, { "business_id": "m_P0oMu3PVz5pGBKjYGl_A", "business_name": "Chris' Jazz Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I would give them 5 stars for their music. I never had food there but if food were bad, I would still give 5 stars. I have been there couple times, the musician there were phenomenon. Real professional and one of top notched. I used to go jazz clubs in NYC pretty often. You can't get seats easily like this place, and definitely not affordable like this place. But the music at Chris, as good as the ones in NYC. I am glad they are so close by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:24:35" }, { "business_id": "GUMVStVaJfWmCIpQA4TtHg", "business_name": "Crazy Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My sushi place hunt hasn't finished yet. We tried bonsai roll, one night stand roll, volcano roll and sashimi platter. They did put a lot of effort decorating the dishes. We were very hungry so rather getting dishes as soon as we can lol Even though I appreciated their beautiful decoration, sushi wasn't that impressive. I did enjoy one night stand roll but bonsai roll had too much cucumber. I like thin slice of cucumber just round once or twice otherwise I can't really taste any sashimi because cucumber has pretty strong scent itself. I felt like I had big chunk of cucumber after all..the quality of sashimi was ok but nothing extra ordinary. And the bill ended up not that cheap. I think I could find this quality food with less price.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:32:34" }, { "business_id": "peeXG1Ra-DClPQv14jvKvg", "business_name": "Square on Square", "rating": 3, "text": "I was happy to find Chinese place near me, I need to find my Chinese take out place so... Order crispy spring roll with shrimp , spicy chicken for main. Everything was pretty good. Dishes were super hot and just cooked. Ambiance was a bit awkward but service was fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:40:16" }, { "business_id": "WYel6hMEEPNwzVUlVBacbw", "business_name": "honeygrow", "rating": 3, "text": "Solid lunch spot for sure, they are always busy and there is reason why people keep going there. I prefer comfy, rustic ambiance over modern and fancy. And rather order my meal old fashion way over vending machine. Honey grow reminds me of cafeterias in Japan or HK. I get overwhelmed with all ordering through machine and it isn't so much fun for me.. Salad is delicious though but I like to put a lot of topping to make it yummier and m salad is usually around $12 and still doesn't fill me up!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:48:13" }, { "business_id": "oziGQYLaEWOpNmPKrZP86g", "business_name": "Isgro Pastries", "rating": 3, "text": "Craving some Italian dessert. I need to eat some good cannoli and lobster tail. I walked all the way to Italian market and got in this small bakery. Need to warn you, the ladies who worked there, they must be super busy with non stop customers. They don't want to be bothered so do not ask any question... My cannoli... Ok.. Wasn't bad. But not as good as the one at Veniero's in NYC but definitely better than the Bruno's or petitio's. Lobster tail was ok. Pastries were well baked but their custard cream was just ok. I'm general their fillings were nothing special to me. I would never crave their filling though. Unexpected jackpot was carrot cake. Not too sweet but their cream cheese icing was amazing. Now I am craving their carrot cake though. If the ladies there were little nicer, at least answer your questions w/o being annoyed I would give them 4 star because of their carrot cake.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:57:22" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing hidden gem. This store is too little but have full of valuable things. So much fun to check out all different kinds spices, teas and snacks. And their coffee.... Hazelnut coffee is amazing!!!! I drink a lot of coffee but I like to drink decaf. It is really hard to find good decaf but I found one in Philly. Their hazelnut coffee is so aromatic, just brewing at home made you feel good. I got like more than 10 packages so far and loving them. Also got bunch of spices. Cumin, wasabi powder, paprika, anise, rosemary, red and white pepper... Just make it. They have all. The owner lady doesn't speak much initially but once she recognize your face, she is the sweetest. So helpful and get chatty. I had So much fun talking to her and looking forward going back there once weather get warm!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:02:17" }, { "business_id": "rQW9iupvhk6ScPn2VPNLVQ", "business_name": "Octopus Falafel Truck", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a groupie. He is amazing. I am sad that I got to have his dish only once. Now all construction on market I can't find him!! His chicken is the most tender and smoky I've ever had. Side dishes are creative and awesome too. I hope he is back soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:05:21" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 2, "text": "Had quick bite with hub on the way to watch the show. Shared wings and nacho. Price was cheap and snacks were ok. If they had in NYC I would give them more star for sure. Bar foods in NYC are mostly inedible. But in Philly some bar foods are better than restaurants. This place is below average in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:09:05" }, { "business_id": "3uLXZMnm68l1YwI8_FaFNA", "business_name": "Bangkok Thai 9 Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "Hubby picked up my lunch so had this meal at home to be clear. Had coconut soup, shrimp pad Thai and he had curry. My soup was ok. A bit too sour. I like more creamier side for sure. I didn't like much. My pad thai was fail though. Noodles were stuck together when I tried to pick up with chopstick. I had to use it like fork... Not sure if because it was take out. But still we get fair amount of take out, it doesn't usually happen. And shrimp was so so so over cooked. Tasted almost like rubber. Too bad, they are really close to me though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:15:12" }, { "business_id": "6LCZLGa09Qifn6rG7-DNrg", "business_name": "Erawan Thai Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to menu is coconut soup and pad thai with protein. I tried same menu here. Actually really like their coconut soup. They used enough amount of coconut milk that soup was really creamy and wasn't over powering with herb. I am so used to Americanized thai cuisine that I prefer less herb on my dish except cilantro. Pat thai was great too. Liked the amount of peanut they used, noodle was chewy and perfect and not too sweet. They gave me generous amount of chicken and white meat wasn't dry so I was very happy with my meal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:20:16" }, { "business_id": "FYhsm9Efvw8lw7zAOIDUbg", "business_name": "Rosa Blanca", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious ham and cheese empanada!!! And all other different kinda! I think I had like 10 of them. They were so so so good. The place looked tiny from outside and I thought it was local diner. Pretty spacious inside and cozy. I went there for happy hour and got bunch of small snacks and had wonderful time. All delicious!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:01:36" }, { "business_id": "PVVFos1LDfD7iETY0w4vaA", "business_name": "Su Xing House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am meat eater who likes go to vegetarian restaurant. I actually like flavor of soy protein. I had hight hope about this place. This place was always packed with people and known as their affordable price. I went there and I got my favorite Chinese menu. Sesame seitan. It came with brown rice and two side veggies. I got corn and steamed broccoli. And vegetarian spring roll. I did not expect gourmet meal for $10 but food did not reach my expectation at all even I considered their amazing price. I did not like my sesame chicken's sauce at all. Way too sweet and lack of flavor beside the sweetness. Side veggies were just sad, they threw couple pieces of steamed veggies and canned corn. Was lame... When I almost finished my meal, I realized they forgot my spring roll. Didn't bother to call them or go back. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:15:02" }, { "business_id": "lYloPAiaWJwWgno4SdxD0Q", "business_name": "Dolce Carini", "rating": 5, "text": "In general pizza in Philly is really amazing. I am not sure why NY pizza is so popular. Philly should be! Even this humble local pizzeria makes amazing pizza. I always get their creamy spinach pizza. Their Alfredo sauce is really good. It's simple but has so much flavor. It's perfect with baked spinach. The pizza crust is so crunch and delicious. I never Thorpe away their edge. Yum yum yum.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T00:24:53" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location than others. Less crowded most of times and people there are very friendly and helpful when you want to try different flavors. And settings are comfortable there. Since weather is cold, I have not had awhile but I used enjoy their hazelnut, avocado, coconut and tiramisu flavors the most. They also have coffee and other sweets as well. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:46:53" }, { "business_id": "eLt-dwl-xxXj9nklhs2eOw", "business_name": "Sweet Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I never seen this franchise in NYC so was happy to try new ones. I believe the owner is Korean and Korean makes GOOD froyo. Already had very high hope. The shop looked typical froyo spot and seems busy. They were located in very busy streets. 2 locations both. I I always get froyo with no topping. I can taste good froyo better w/o topping in my opinion so I did. Froyo was very tarty for me. And I am not a fan of those kind of froyo. Everyone has different tastes so I can't speak for all. Just not my thing. Since they are so convenient for me, I got my bubble tea couple times and also macaron. My taro bubble was once too sweet and once was less powders in it so it tasted like just purple water.. I brought it back and the guy made new one for me. People who worked there were very friendly but their products just did not do much for me so I stopped going there.. Sad. I need to find other froyo spot since red mango left town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:52:19" }, { "business_id": "JMPZQKPPQI15C8FnACKk-A", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 4, "text": "My hub likes creamy ice cream. I am more into gelato or froyo but if I have thick creamy ice cream craving, I go to this place. The shop is relatively newly opened, so it is very clean. Also located upstairs of my Chinese massage place. My massage therapist was so mad during my massage once because there was non stop construction noise going on when she gave me a massage. I had to hear she was arguing with construction guy, I also cheered for her and hated ppl on upstairs ruining my massage session. Well... Ironically I am regular customer for both of them haha. People who work there are all super friendly. You can try all different flavor and they don't mind. Ice creams are good too. Always get their coconut flavor. It's rich and aromatic. Once I let me eating ice cream with my 3 pounds puppy at the corner of shop(we all aware dog is not allowed) but was freezing cold and my pup can stay in my pocket. Literally 3 pounds she was. And I really wanted ice cream. They were so kind let me stay til finish my ice cram and lucky never get crowded there. I still appreciate their kindness:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:58:05" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 3, "text": "Very very busy location. And probably my least favorite location among this franchise. Couple times there were crazy line I couldn't even get in to store and had to leave. The people who worked there were unnecessarily unfriendly but just way to busy that it's hard to ask them to try new favors or ask any questions. I rather walk to Rittenhouse square location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:21:36" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite frozen yogurt place in Philly. Since Red Mango was close down I was looking for my new froyo spot. Yogorino is the closest I can find. Their froyo tastes like heaven. Perfectly icy, tarty and creamy. I could taste that they use real yogurt( also a lot of them) in their ice cream. I always get the froyo with milk chocolate topping which is free. Their chocolate is really good too. Store is very white and clean and girls there are very friendly. Love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:24:59" }, { "business_id": "qcn10016DUkbgCbQi9L1WA", "business_name": "Bassetts Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "The oldest ice cream, I think this place is amazing with their presence itself. But wasn't impressed by their vanilla ice cream. Maybe my palate is get used all commercial ice creams. Their ice cream was good but wasn't super special to go there, waited in line, may not even able to secure seats to enjoy your ice cream... Wasn't pleasant experience. As a Philly tourist was enough to go there once, get my ice cream scoop and take a photo. That once was enough for me.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:35:19" }, { "business_id": "4hv1n1VBzMvE-T4UtIcOcw", "business_name": "Di Bruno Bros.", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is literally in front of my apartment and I really want to love this place. I appreciate that I have multi food store in the neighborhood. It is pretty store, big cheese section in the back of the room, veggie and fruit section, bakery section, meat and fish section and upstairs cafe. I am regular customer for their cheese and bakery section. I had little bad experience with veggie section once and never really went back. Veggies were not fresh at all and gone bad the day after I purchased. Pre cooked food section seemed very nice. I might try that very soon. Tried couple cakes there. Was decent but not amazing... Still go there because so convenient but not super satisfied with the quality.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:42:36" }, { "business_id": "Ou-_OQUNvBcaAoRU0XPtaQ", "business_name": "Jamonera", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been there twice so far. Once for day time snacking and once I went there for weekend prefix. Prefix was definitely good deal. We get to try various dishes and they were not very crowded. I really enjoyed my visit during the day time. Not many people come to that place during weekday daytime so it's very quite and you can chat with friends with good snack and drink. It wasn't the best tapas I have ever had but decent.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:53:27" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh yeah, the best deal for the bucks..... Their happy hour is steal. So good and so cheap. Foods are basically same as their regular menu. Really enjoyed their brussel sprout, Vietnamese sandwich, Korean fried chicken, kimchi friend rice, edamame dumpling in broth and skewers. So so so good. I love to sit at the bar and grab yummy bar snacks. I've been there multiple times and they were always good. Went there for regular dinner and basically got same food and payed more than double so.. Go to their happy hours. It is just amazing deal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "dSPA4yql9vUwnYRxHiVtHA", "business_name": "Makiman Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there after watched the show. Place was half empty and we saw people were eating Korean bi bim bop in hot stone bowl. Maybe it's Korean owned sushi place or at least be of chefs is Korean. I got sashimi salad and roll without rice. Sashimi salad was sooooooooo spicy even to me. I can handle some spicy but this was just pure go chu jang ( Korean red chilly pepper paste) I had to take out most of sauces and ate them. Sashimi was ok but their sauce already burned my tongue couldn't taste anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:03:25" }, { "business_id": "JDv3h1xRFIW8fXckqgTdRg", "business_name": "Fuji Mountain", "rating": 3, "text": "I have never had sushi here but tried nabeyaki, gyoza and agedashi tofu one late night. Restaurant structor was unique. It was 3 story restaurants and divided sushi bar, restaurants and karaoke. I guess some ppl eat, drink and go upstairs to sing after. My nabe dish was pretty good. I was craving some hot soup and it was soothing. What I needed that night. Gyoza was little greasy and didn't have much stuffing. Was failed dish. Agedashi tofu was crispy and well fried. And liked the dashi broth with radish. Yum. Was my favorite dish. I have not back there for two reasons. Still need to try other new places and also really creepy guy tried to talked to me at the restaurant that night ( but waitress lady piloted stopped the creepy guy, thanks to her ), I just creeped out from that weird vibe from dinner so have not back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:11:34" }, { "business_id": "cmETClmvGoUZZwBXRtv6kw", "business_name": "Good Stuff Eatery", "rating": 2, "text": "Had really soggy fries here. It was rosemary French fries and it is one of my favorite snacks in the world!!! Got one bite, boo.... Was so so so soggy. Liked that they had a lot of free drippings. There were actually good and my favorite Begium fries place in NYC, they charged for the same digging so that was big plus. My hub said the burger was ok and also wasn't happy with soggy fries. I thought it might be just that day. But apparently one of my other friends was mentioned that she had burger and fries there and she didn't like their soggy fries. Guess that is the style there. Not my thing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:22:18" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 3, "text": "I love roasted chicken. Apparently this dish is not easy to find than you think so I was happy to find this place. Got half roasted chicken with roast beet and feta. Chicken was pretty but not enough meat for me. I got hungry after finished my meal. Maybe they cooked really small chicken that day.. I just don't want to get hungry after finishing half of chicken myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:27:40" }, { "business_id": "VIYvcX9SScnqmoI0so1KZA", "business_name": "PrimoHoagies", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not a sandwich fan at all. It probably my last choice of meal to be honest. But if I get sandwich craving really once in awhile, I go to this place. One you get there friendly Italian guys welcome you and get the order promptly. And your hoagie is ready to eat in 5 min. Their hoagie is gigantic. I get really full after finishing it. I got cold turkey and meatball once. I really liked meatball marinara. Wasn't too soggy but they just had enough marinara to covered the bread. Yum. And their meatballs were delicious! I don't go there often enough but for my next visit, I am getting my meal all sub again. Super satisfying.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:31:23" }, { "business_id": "8ohaL9a02bWZDxOxfZCTxw", "business_name": "Four Seasons Food Court", "rating": 4, "text": "Sometimes I get lazy and get dinner from here. Sold by weight buffet place isn't my thing but the owner lady was so kind when I visited them first time. She asked if I was student and offered me 10% discount whenever I come and can eat the buffet with affordable prices. I thought that was so nice that they offered discount to students. Maybe she did because I am same Korean as she is. But those kindness I was never had in NYC for last 10 years. Beside kindness, their buffet is pretty nice actually. Like their salad. Was fresh and they have different kinds. And a lot of vegetarian options. I am not vegetarian but I like to have some vegetarian options with my meat. I got my dinner and it was like $7. Good price and I had filling dinner.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:43:16" }, { "business_id": "i-clumHx1gMhf5B8MROyHA", "business_name": "Falafel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Tried one at their old location. Got my falafel sandwich. Was average falafel, nothing special about it and they did not give me enough white sauce even tough I asked. Liked the roasted carrot and their pickle though. I will give another try to their new location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:45:49" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "Presentation is main charm of this restaurant. I used to just love fancy decoration on my palate in my early 20's. If they draw flower on my plate I was so so so impressed already. Now I l have known better, eaten out so much, I admit that so hard to get impressed by restaurant. Either price has to be good or has to be superb with food. Just beautifully decorated food doesn't impress me much anymore. Small portion was fine with me. I do aware fine dining place will never full me so we order a lot so it wasn't about their portion. Was off from the start, I prefer spread butter to be room temperature. This one wasn't. Little disappointed from the beginning. Presentation of food was beautiful. They do care about color of your plate and have great sense. But it gets boring if I keep eating unflavored white foam with gello typed sauce. I remember it was super impressed when I had gello sauce and foams on my food. I was like wow. This is genius but that was couple years ago. Now wherever I go, I get to eat foams and I don't like foams that much... Maybe we ordered too much seafood oriented menu but I am a seafood fan.. Most dishes tasted too similar. My halibut was chewy and well cooked but broth was a bit boring... Luckily the portion wasn't so big so finished all of my food. They got amazing reviews about their brunch. I think o rather want to try their brunch not regular meal next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:44:22" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like 4.5 star but definitely better that 4 so I will still give 5. Had amazing meals there whenever I visited. Love their raw beet and kale salad, Br sprout salad and cheese plate. They are super creative and beautifully presented. Others enjoyed their pizza and meatballs very much. I just love their salad so much. A lot of flavor and absolutely heavenly. It is my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:56:07" }, { "business_id": "u7_3L1NBWgxhBM_B-cmmnA", "business_name": "Pizzeria Vetri", "rating": 3, "text": "Was on the way Petco me and my parents saw this place was empty. No line! We weren't very hungry but had to get a pizza here. I had high hope about this pizzeria since I just had amazing experience at Vetri. How good would be! And Philly does have great pizza overall, this one might be too good to me to handle. Got rotolo and margarita pizza. Both were very decent food. I just wouldn't wait for that or walk all the way to restaurant from my neighborhood. Pretty far to walk from center city..", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:05:35" }, { "business_id": "elSnD7Vuxnlg5_9gTqBqmA", "business_name": "Barra Rossa Ristorante", "rating": 2, "text": "Went there for one of friends Bday. Think they booked this place because she was on gluten free diet and needed private space for the event. Wasn't completely private but they did have sort of separated group dining space. Ambiance reminded me modern cafeteria and wasn't impressed. We were waited to be seated a bit so I had glimpsed on others pasta dishes and quickly made up my mind to order something safe. I got cheese platter. It's gonna be safe bet c The platter was HUGE. They gave me so much cheese and that was very generous. Sadly my cheese was not good. Some of them I did not taste any flavor. Kind of rubbery texture when you chew on not so good quality of cheese. No one really enjoyed it.. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:25:05" }, { "business_id": "t37dsDBpe65qUb81OSFr-g", "business_name": "Philadelphia Theatre Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a subscriber and very satisfied so far. They have been showing good plays which mostly nominated/ awarded. They have spacious stage and setting is really nice. They have been presenting great writing and directing. Actors are very professional too. As a subscriber I got to go opening nights and they usually have post play event. Q&A with actors and writers which is always nice. Also their seats are very comfy and leg rooms are large. I am so used watch Broadway shows in NYC so I was really surprised to be seated like this. That makes the experience so much enjoyable!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:23:52" }, { "business_id": "MbFiVsqtIt75yrUNd8LT3Q", "business_name": "Prince Music Theater", "rating": 3, "text": "Very young and energetic theater I thought. I checked their annual playlist but wasn't much my style so did nothing t subscribed. However if I find something interesting I still go watch. Me and hub went to watch Evil dead. Was definitely very entertaining. It feels like you watch very exciting short film. Acting was great and fun vibe filled entire theater. Beside play I did think theater itself was nice. Since most theaters are so nice here this one was definitely less classier than other places. But its fun venue to check out for once.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:30:20" }, { "business_id": "dBRWKIS7h-qZCi8EjUJ2HA", "business_name": "The Franklin Institute Science Museum", "rating": 3, "text": "This museum ended up pretty pricy if you want to experience whole package. I was surprised that there is no student discount package for entrance, Imax and special exhibition. That was one of the most expensive museum visit I have ever had. Whenever I visited new city I try to visit every museum and galleries. Those places usually offer student discount or any kind of deal for tourist. This place had non. When I got there with my parents, it was really windy mid of weekday. Think we picked the wrong day. There were tons of kids running around without any observation. No offense, it would be perfect study/ play venue for them. And they probably need to experience this venue more than I do. Apparently we did not get to see any of exhibits. Children were screaming everywhere and no one really supervise them. And a lot of things were broken and left it there. Well. We ended up leaving this place in a hour. This place could be so much better.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:43:18" }, { "business_id": "bmrEQ_4nzXc72zAFotrLYA", "business_name": "Arden Theatre Company", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my favorite theater in Philadelphia. I am a subscriber and can not be happier than this. This beautiful theater is located on prettt street at Old city. I love to make my trip out of it and check out Old city as well. They have first and second go, separated theater. Both have nice and comfy seats and great sound and view. I have been sitting front seat to watch but I believe most seats in that theater have great view. So far they have been showing amazing musical and plays. Some of them made me cry and some of them made me cry from laughing. Actors in Arden theater are super talented and so enthusiastic. You must check out this beautiful place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:47:08" }, { "business_id": "PhLYLCjM_dS_seS_fMBVeg", "business_name": "Helium Comedy Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to standing comedy show. I have been ones in NYC and LA only before coming to this once. From my past experience, comedy clubs were very pushy with minimum purchase. They were kept asking if I order another drink to have 2 drink minimum. It's their rule so I was fine with it. At least this place did not have that push. Actually was so hard to order our bar snack lol because the venue was so full and so hard to get attention from waitress. Well it's very refreshing haha We went there for special guest Bobby Lee comedy show. He was funny as I expected. Thought the opening guy was even funnier though. Now I will go back there for Margaret Cho show next month. I am super excited!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:50:33" }, { "business_id": "YWI4lRnWY7-dFBAei7JAEQ", "business_name": "Academy of Music", "rating": 4, "text": "It is gorgeous venue, so classic and beautiful! I like their Broadway musicals very much. So much cheaper than Broadway in NYC and as good as them. Watched musical Once, Phantom of the Opera and Cinderella. I probably watched Phantom at least 7 times haha. I know it is lame but I just love that show. My parents and me are such a big fan so we both watched multiple times but we read this new version of Phantom will be showing in Philly so we were exited to watch. And so excited to see how they were going to use this classic old style theater. It would be just perfect venue for phantom without trying. Setting was beautiful and music was great as usual. I just wasn't fan of new version they did. I really like their dramatic ending when phantom is surrounded by flames. I cried with him every time I watched. Revised ending was less dramatic and was a bit disappointing. Not sure if they did it because the stage had less space than ones in nyc. We did enjoyed Once and Cinderella as well. Very entertaining, great performance. They did not disappointed me. One thing was odd that the actors usually asked for the donation for their charity work after curtain call. I thought that was very nice and also smart. The audiences were so happy after watching fun musicals and willing to chip in. We all got out and walked down the stairs and the exit just lead us to street. We did not see anyone collecting donation. I saw people actually wanted to donate a bit and that was little disappointing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:05:26" }, { "business_id": "_aO_GP15Zrh7wcOuvaXnNw", "business_name": "Rodin Museum", "rating": 4, "text": "Who knew Philly has so much to offer to us! I never knew about Rodin this much until I visited this place. Me and my parents had artsy date and we had amazing time at Philadelphia museum of Art then we got free pass for this place. It was much smaller than expected but had a lot to enjoy. Loved that this museum wasn't too crowded, you can enjoy as long as you want. I saw Rodin's pieces at Met and Louvre but never get to enjoy with in peace like this. We walk around every rooms and enjoyed it. There was pretty corner of the room and you can leave your own sketch. My mom and I sat there and draw together. What a beautiful experience we had. Outdoor park was small but beautiful. Please check out this venue. You won't find like this anywhere.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 4, "text": "The first place I have visited in Philly. It is massive and events, special exhibitions are going on. First time we went there to watch \" Korean \" special exhibition. We actually booked the restaurant there to try their Korean themed tasting menu. Food was Asian fusion dish which wasn't too refreshing to us anymore but the venue was pretty and we enjoyed our meal. The museum was very impressive. They have amazing art as much as other major museums in other city and definitely less crowded than them. You get out of it so much. My mom is artist and she said it was amazing and had wonderful time with me. I am glad I got to check out and I do know I will have to make regular visit to this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:28:58" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 5, "text": "I finally get to see Barns foundation myself! Amazing!! I read about this place so much from news paper and art magazine. I heard this place is legendary and was excited to see it myself. What to say, it is modern and beautiful. And as we heard, they have so so so many art to display. They displayed every art as Dr. Barns had them in his mansion. You feel like you are waking into gorgeous house with full of collection. I was just stunned. There were so many things to see, the time slot we had felt so short. Mom and dad had amazing time too. My mom did say this was the best museum she's ever been too. I can't agree more. For example, Met or Louvre museums are so massive that I was already too intimidated by them and I got to walk way too much to enjoy them all. I got physically too tired to enjoy their art. Barns foundation was smaller and displayed so many art in one wall since they recreated exact same layout. I did not have to hop around too much and still got to see a lot. That was big plus. Now I have to schedule my next visit there to educate myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:37:29" }, { "business_id": "xrlyoI0SHEFBJa52qQnPUw", "business_name": "iSushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My another visit, was in the neighborhood and wanted to grab quick sushi and Vic sushi was way too far and I was starving... Got chicken wing, salmon salad, banzi roll as usual, one night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll. We were too hungry so was in hurry to order. I didn't have chicken wing but my hub enjoyed all. He said kinda taste like sesame chicken. My miso soup wasn't salty and really hot. I liked it, was perfect for this cold night. Banzi roll... could been better, too much cucumber than actual sashimi. I did miss my Vic sushi's Naruto roll again. One night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll were pretty good actually. Size is big and filled with crunchiness crabmeat with spicy mayo. I realized they just use same sauce for tuna sashimi as the dressing. I should've got tuna salad. Little lame. I did enjoyed one night and tuna rolls. But banzi roll and sashimi salad were little disappointing. Still solid 3 star place. But I will still go back there if I am in neighborhood. Just not gonna order banzi roll anymore.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T22:55:27" }, { "business_id": "bgxDswHIdFP0Go0pNfyAAw", "business_name": "Hummus Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "It feels so refreshing get away from Rittenhouse square area and up to university city. I liked the busy vibe and ethnic food options. Needed to grab quick bite after movie and we stopped by Hummus grill. Got Chicken Schwarma platter with eggplants and beef kabob. The portion was generous and veggies seemed fresh. My chicken was tender and delicious, I liked it a lot. Hummus was decent but I wouldn't say it was great. Egg plants was little too greasy. I wish I ordered beet salad instead. It looked better. It looked like fast food chain and service was fast. Dining area was little cold since customers kept coming in and out. It was definitely busy place. I don't think I want to eat there again. To go maybe..", "timestamp": "2015-02-19T00:56:39" }, { "business_id": "1LhpU1alopR_l-bWVQPkUA", "business_name": "Oh Shea's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "I felt interesting vibe from this place so I thought it is worth to leave review. Stopped by for quick drink. I am a non drinker so I can only review about bar food and ambiance. We ordered French fries, was unbelievably cheap.. Like $4 and they give you stack of French fries. OMG. Nothing special about that fries but for that price I was just amazed. It was just regular sports bar, not that crowded but it's located in center city anyway so I assume it would get busier during wkend or something. And I realized our waitress lady was like 60 or 70? years old beautiful lady. She was attentive and nice. She might be the owner. I am not sure, I am new here but this is something I never saw it in NYC before. I thought it was really cool :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:03:38" }, { "business_id": "dST75t2bHG-JtNTiYuSBMg", "business_name": "Uniqlo", "rating": 4, "text": "My favorite uniqlo store, there is never line. People who hadn't had experience at uniqlo store in NYC or any other major city wouldn't understand. Once I went there to exchange the size, I ended up waiting 40 min and I gave up exchanging. This store is new and people are so nice unlike employees in nyc. I think people there just are tired or just have bad temper maybe. I have amazing experiences here so far. They were so helpful finding design and my size for me and super friendly and actually enjoy working there. Must make my shopping so pleasant. They do have awesome basic stuff and have amazing price. They run size little bigger than original uniqlo in Asia so keep in mind and order one size smaller if you do.", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:11:08" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 3, "text": "4 of us had dinner there tonight. My hub dined there before and we awarded of their small portions. He was not very impressed with his last visit but 3 of us haven't been there so we gave a shot anyway. The restaurant was cozy and warm. Very tiny but we did not mind as long as food good. I got crudo, sautéed mushroom appetizer. Since it would be small I ordered two for myself. My hub got mussel. Did not find anything special about crudo, I thought mushroom appetizer was the best among them. Maybe too much butter on them but I am a huge butter lover. The main dish was disappointing. Me and my friends both ordered Bouillabaisse. When our server described it, that sounded so awesome. When we saw our dish... that was sad. Literally there were two piece of fish in my soup. Size of my thumb nail. My friend's one was same. There was no decent meat in it at all so I really hoped the broth would be amazing. It wasn't. Lack of flavor and I got really sad since I really like bouillabaisse. I left all of my soup even the portion was tiny.. Tried my hub's pork cheek dish as well. The smell of pork really disturbed me for some reason. I am not a crazy meat lover so I easily disturbed by smell of the meat. But I do eat steak and any kind of meat. But just that dish had really strong pork smell I did not like. My hub did not enjoy very either. This place seems have pretty good review so I am not sure if it was only us but non of us thought our meal was delicious at all but we did enjoy byob and cozy ambiance very much. Since I gave only one try I might go back eventually but definitely not anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-21T08:20:23" }, { "business_id": "ArGw19nfPgjR28TTfgb7iw", "business_name": "Smith & Wollensky", "rating": 4, "text": "Had pleasant dinner there. Me and my hub only have been to S&W in NYC and both had decent experiences there. I am not a huge meat eater but I do enjoy bread basket ( they always have great ones!) and appetizers at steak house. We got bunch of appetizers and one huge aged rib eye. Ordered Wollensky salad, mussels, fritto misto, crab cake. I enjoyed the crab cake and fritto misto the most. They were really delicious. Salad and mussels were good too but little salty for me but I enjoyed them all. Hub got spiced rubbed rib eye. I had some, was juicy and tender. I thought was delicious but again, I am not a huge meat eater so I might be wrong. Our sever, I think his name was Rick, he was very attentive and nice. Service wise it was great. I liked that this place wasn't overly packed so we could enjoy quite meal there. The NYC one always packed with cooperate people and tourists whenever I visited there. Wasn't super pleasant. Overall was very satisfying meal. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-23T04:26:38" }, { "business_id": "-0TffRSXXIlBYVbb5AwfTg", "business_name": "IndeBlue Modern Indian Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad to find beautiful indian restaurant in the hood. Tried their vegetable samosa, spicy scallop and shrimp crusted salmon. They were all good! Samosa was crispy and deliciously seasoned. Scallop and salmon were great. I really liked the ambiance, it was lively and was perfect for grabbing some yummy food and enjoy conversation. I tried the lassi as well. And was rich and creamy as I like. I wish I tried their crispy chaat. Looked really but no one wanted to order so we skipped it. I will definitely try that dish next time I am there. The service was very professional and kind.", "timestamp": "2015-02-24T07:48:23" }, { "business_id": "DAbpxhhHOxInDNLdvWrTTQ", "business_name": "Smile Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is only based on take out food. We ordered couple dishes for delivery. Spring rolls, chicken wing with sweet chili sauce, pad see ew and Tom yum soup noodle. Food got delivered in about 40min. There was some good and bad about their food. Spring roll was not so greasy and crispy but lack of flavor. It was already kind of cold but it was delivery food so understandable. Chicken wings were actually delicious. Was good choice. The most disappointing dish was my pad see ew. Noodles were all stuck together so it was like gigantic rice cake and half of them got no sauce on them and uncooked. They put generous portion of vegetable and seemed fresh ones so that was plus. My hub did not enjoy his Tom yum noodle soup. I tasted it, it had too much lime in the broth and I prefer little less but everyone has different preference. Overall was average experience for me. We enjoyed their appetizers but not much luck with main dishes. I am not sure because it was my first try and it was take out. If I dine there it might be total different experience. But no more delivery from this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-26T01:59:47" }, { "business_id": "IsmxvaMe2i-eWnHDyC0WJQ", "business_name": "Rice & Mix", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried their take out dinner last night. I ordered spicy pork over the rice and hub got galbi tang. My hub loves authentic Korean food and me not so much. I can't handle garlic and spicy very well and doesn't appreciate free kimchi side either so I actually prefer Korean fusion places. I thought this place might be the one for me. And actually I was right. My spicy pork dish was just right for me. That means for someone looking for authentic Spicy pork dishes.. might be disappointed. I liked the fact that they didn't use much or garlic and did not see any red pepper flakes on my plate. I do hate red pepper flakes mixed with sauce usually so it was just right for me. They gave hot sauce on the side but I did not use that. It was a bit sweet and slightly spicy side. And I also got the multigrain rice which was delicious. The texture was chewy and dry side so it was almost like multi grain salad. They give edamame and steamed carrot on the side which I wasn't fan of. My dish was delicious ( for me) but was too small. I am so used huge portion of Korean meal with free sides. But I did like the sauce a lot so I will keep going back whenever I am craving. My hub actually enjoyed his galbi tang. They used LA galbi, different type of galbi Korean uses for this soup but broth was good. He finished all. But he is the kind of guy needs kimchi and side dishes when he eats Korean so he was sad there was no free kimchi. I would really like this place if they have little bigger portion .", "timestamp": "2015-02-27T17:59:40" }, { "business_id": "tS8uQ3F3azhluLqcoG3v-Q", "business_name": "Balance Spa & Fitness", "rating": 4, "text": "My review is only about massage sessions. Went there to get 50 min massage from Yolanda. I read good reviews about her massage so was very excited. The reviews were right. Her Swedish massage was very soothing. I got so relaxed so almost fell asleep during the session. She asked about my concerns before massage and worked on it very detailed. Wish I booked two hour session. 50 min felt really short working on entire body since she moves very slowly ( that was really soothing and awesome btw) She got warm and soft hands which is so important for me! Once I got massage from therapist who had ice cold and rough hands. I prayed for my session to be over soon for entire hour. Yolanda even apologized that she had long nails today which I didn't feel any, her nail was short enough for massage. If you got scratched by nails during massage you would know what I mean. She was very professional. I could not give 5 star because it was not a just massage therapist office. It was a hotel spa and the facility wasn't that great. The robe seemed worn off, the pool didn't seen super nice so I didn't use it after my session. They suppose to have jacuzzi and sauna also but I didn't not check after I saw the pool. I was very satisfied with session but facilities.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:19:59" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 5, "text": "So so so good. I love their salad and Italian seafood grill. I have been there multiple times but once I had just ok meal. My seafood grill was overly cooked that day. I hated the texture of my rubbery calamari and dry swordfish that day. Last night I asked the server that I prefer not over cooked seafood. She was so kind and said she will make sure. And my dish was phenomenon. Was sooooo good and the best grilled seafood I had. I was super satisfied. We also got shaved sprout salad, garlic bread, meatball and vongole pasta. They were all delicious. We really enjoyed them all. I can eat there everyday.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:28:26" }, { "business_id": "1qw5dIsQPNGLOwnuP7Wj1g", "business_name": "South Bowl", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there for their soft opening since lucky strike and north bowl had longer wait. Uber driver had hard time to find the place since there was no sign outside. We were roughly waited for an hour and got some drink at the bar. Some guy spilled his drinks on us and we got all wet. It's happy Saturday night so we didn't wanna be mean anything. We said ok and waited for napkin or anything from bartender at the bar. We had to wait 10 min to get some napkin to clean up and we got soaked with drink and stood there. It was busy but not that busy compare with north bowl. The staffs seemed trying their best( they seemed really overwhelmed) but just very unorganized yet. When I got my bowling shoes, they were wrong size first so went back to switch to other ones then they gave me both left side lol. Something like small things kept happening. I think because it was first night. It wasn't smooth overall. We ordered bunch of food. Food was similar with north bowl but just takes really long to get food and drink. It is opening night for them so I am sure they will get better by time.", "timestamp": "2015-03-01T07:23:24" }, { "business_id": "kjKImJ8dLwN4jDi5PQP46g", "business_name": "Unite Fitness - Philly East", "rating": 4, "text": "Enjoyed working out there for a month and I am looking forward going back. The coaches there were professional and encouraged the people like me who weren't very athletic. I've never really done any strength work out in my life and definitely not athletic side. I actually hate working out. But their 75 min class was pretty fun even to me. People there seemed very strong and well trained compare to me so I was little intimidated but I survived. I could give 5 star for their classes and coaches but little pricy side for me and no free towel services or shower etc was little inconvenient for me.", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T04:41:36" }, { "business_id": "8P8HIysyyGbG8_94cG1Jyg", "business_name": "Entree BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "Had very pleasant evening at Entree BYOB. I saw great reviews about this place and finally decided to give a shot. 6 of us got a big table near entrance. It was small restaurant so that was only table can accommodate big group. We sat promptly and ordered $50 pre fix. It was great deal. We got all different dishes. Lobster tempura, cheese plate, prosciutto wrapped date. I got cheese plate. They serve 5 different kind cheese I think. I liked blue cheese and fried goat cheese the most. It came with peanut brittle, pear slice, arugula and some bread. It was huge for appetizer and was great choice. I didn't taste other friend's dishes but everyone enjoyed theirs. I got seared tuna and scallop with ink pasta for main dish. The pasta sauce was eggplant and tomato based and it was delicious! And spicy!!!! Scallop was good size and perfectly cooked. I liked scallop more than tuna. Pasta had very strong garlic flavor so I couldn't taste seared tuna very well since I started eating pasta first. But overall very satisfying dish. For dessert, got lemon mascarpone cheese cake. Yum yum yum. And also their fried Oreo... Was very good choice as others said. The portion was huge and price was awesome too. Really enjoyed it. Place was small and we sat in front of entrance and people kept coming in so it got cold while dining. Except that it was fantastic restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:28:37" }, { "business_id": "1o0C_fqBgnQCiWn4A0R68g", "business_name": "Nuts To You", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite snack heaven in Philly. I get so happy whenever I go to their store. I am a gummy lover and its gummy heaven. I grab could different kinds gummy and dark roast peanut for my hub. He really likes roast peanut from them. Today I got gummy, peanut, raw pumpkin seed and Turkish coffee. Total was just over $18. So cheap and snacks are fresh. Love love them!", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:41:27" }, { "business_id": "3NsTKp85H2FUjr1SURf0NQ", "business_name": "Greenstreet Coffee Co.", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute and little neighborhood coffee spot. Me and u friend stopped by today for quick coffee and snack. Ordered cappuccino, ice green tea and biscotti. We were in very chatty mood so we sat outside. Small place was filled with patron who were working or studying there so felt bad to sit there and disturb them since it was tiny spot. Cappuccino was foamy and smelled awesome. I got ice green tea and they didn't charge for extra like other places. Biscotti was big enough also. One barista there made good coffee alone and very quite so it would be perfect study spot not for chatty date with girlfriends.", "timestamp": "2015-03-09T21:20:26" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I might ordered the least popular menu here but I loved it. I was wondering about this place since I see always long line of people waiting outside even during wkdays. I had beet salad and hub got the burger. And side of mac and cheese. I really enjoyed my beet salad. The portion of beet was very generous. Also they gave me a lot of goat cheese which was so yummy. Greens were fresh and dressing was delicious. He said burger was just ok. He wished he got the French toast or pancake. Seems like everyone getting them and looked really good. I will definitely go back there to try their best sellers.", "timestamp": "2015-05-17T21:46:04" }, { "business_id": "QhgrhVKlXZtSY6gRThf8zA", "business_name": "Bing Bing Dim Sum", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty interesting restaurant. This was my first visit to E Passyunk. I was pleasantly surprised with their dishes. We were extremely hungry so ordered basically everything on the menu. I enjoyed everything we ordered except pork soup dumpling. It was corn and bacon based so the soup was little greasier than others but my friend enjoyed it. I did enjoyed their bun, Taiwanese dumplings, xo sauced chicken wings, turnip cake and scallion rice dish. Yum yum yum. Dishes could be spicier side since they are not afraid using chili oil and sriracha sauce but they were delicious to me. Sitting outside and having a Dimsum?! Sounds Awesome to me.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:35:05" }, { "business_id": "yAXiqUXVDdzWAXMFAobuCQ", "business_name": "Wheel Fun Rentals - Boathouse Row", "rating": 5, "text": "It was best $30 I spent this year. Me and my friend enjoyed awesome 80 min surrey ride. It looked uncoolest thing you could ride but we had a puppy and wanted check out the park so we decide to give a shot anyway. I ended up purchasing annual membership lol. They basically give you 50% time for free if you have membership which was nice deal. We had little ride by river and turned out it was tremendous work out. Our original plan was doing this then go to flywheel after but we skipped the gym after this. It was really nice to see the scenery and get some outdoor activity. Plus my dog loved it ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:47:38" }, { "business_id": "noBinj5ChHbPCHfqTcUO6g", "business_name": "Plenty Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I adore this little cafe. People there are so nice and pet friendly. Their peach cobbler cake is so moist and just enough sweet. Their ice tea is awesome, fresh squeezed orange juice is always delicious. Their little outdoor seats are always nice.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:50:22" }, { "business_id": "EMp87GsYkVdwHftE7Ar2_w", "business_name": "Cosmic Café and Ciderhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "I appreciate this little cafe a lot. It is locate to right next bike rental, entrance of boathouse row so I would say it is in prime location. In the winter, you want to grab hot coffee here and during the summer, you want ice coffee from this place. I mean this place would be doing great no matter what because of the location. But their coffee is actually pretty good, they make fresh fruit smoothies without any sweetener. Only fresh fruit in there. Their frittata was delicious, side salad and potato were fresh. Yum yum yum. I had veggie wrap before and it was yummy. All food and drink looked very fresh to me and seems like people there make an effort to make this place pleasant. 5 stars.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:57:09" }, { "business_id": "i_FWONQD1ZBqrNE2b-M5Ug", "business_name": "Talula's Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "This is such a beautiful restaurant and I am so happy to live near by. I had brunch before and this time I tried dinner and I am glad I did. The weather was perfect for outdoor dining experience and food was delicious. Me and my girlfriend split couple dishes and we really enjoyed them. We got welcome dish- fresh baked brioche. Yum yum yum. For appetizer, got tuna crudo and sweet pea salad. Tuna was so fresh and paired watermelon was amazing. Sweet pea salad was little blend for me but friend enjoyed it. We shared pan seared halibut. The portion was not so small and broccoli was delicious with fish. We couldn't decide btwn ricotta donut and butterscotch pudding so we got both! The pudding was the winner for sure . Must get it.", "timestamp": "2015-06-17T03:37:05" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 4, "text": "After watched the show at Arden, me and my hubby grabbed dinner at Fork. We had so so experiences at High street on Market so hesitated a bit but we gave a shot after read positive reviews. It had welcoming and beautiful ambiance and services were professional. Overall I enjoyed my meal but husband wasn't very impressed. I guess restaurant really can't satisfy everyone. I am a girl who hates leaving restaurant hungry so amuse bouche and several house treat platters made me very happy. We had 4 course tasting menu and they served different treats after each course. Sweet bread starter and shrimp raw platter were delicious start. They were not super small portion. For pasta course,we had gnudi pasta and ravioli. Gnudi pasta was delicious since I am big fan of cheese but it could be too rich for others who doesn't enjoy rich cheese. I thought ravioli was lack of flavor. But again, I am rich, creamy pasta girl. For main, we got duck breast and pork. Hubby ordered pork but he didn't like it much so we ended up switching the plate. I thought pork was ok. But not blown away. Oddly side dishes for both main courses were pickled vegetable. Since I got pickled veggie for my sweet bread starter, it was too much pickle for 4 courses dinner. Dessert, hubby got Black Forest cake( it's more like mousse) and I got cheese plate. Cheese selection was good. I enjoyed mine. Hubby didn't like his mousse so I ended up finishing his. It was rich but too bitter for me. Overall I left restaurant full and happy, I would go back if I am near for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-06-24T05:26:05" }, { "business_id": "bLJP0fVgscuUQy0hE_CRXA", "business_name": "Xiandu Thai", "rating": 4, "text": "Very decent Thai restaurant in center city. I had lunch special with friends and I was really satisfied. Had Tum yum soup and red curry with rice. Soup was really delicious even though I normally don't like tom yum soup. Red curry was mild spicy and creamy. Really like it. It could have been 5 star if our server were little bit helpful. My friend asked about her menu, she didn't want to order fried food and wanted to make sure but our server gave her wrong information and she ended up with deep fried dish. It was delicious however that was not what she was asking. It could have been 5 star.", "timestamp": "2015-07-10T03:01:12" }, { "business_id": "6aoXAXNrL7KrGBVRYBMFWw", "business_name": "Andre Richard Salon", "rating": 5, "text": "They have two salons at Washington square park area. They are so close to me so I've been both locations. The one at 12th street gym location is smaller but the one on Locust street is much larger and nicer. My girl is Anastasia and I really like her. She listens my concern and try to help out. It is crucial for me to click with my hair stylist since communication is very important. She is definitely very thoughtful and not pushy. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-07-24T19:41:13" }, { "business_id": "pxmBh8YZ6HLGQfNHvJoHzA", "business_name": "Nomad Roman Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "It is great local pizza spot for me. Convenient location and no waiting to be seated. I noticed Philly has some great pizza spots!!! Nomad was on my list and finally tried. I saw great reviews about root salad and margarita pizza so I got them and also tried meat balls. I did enjoy my root salad, it has so much flavor but It was little small even for appetizer. Pizza was pretty good but I've had better in Philly. However meatball was disappointing. Was lack of flavor and I tried some amazing meatball dishes in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T21:35:10" }, { "business_id": "FhwTEGqdir75uyXZqWqxlw", "business_name": "Big Gay Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "I was glad this cute ice cream shop opened near my place. There was long line and I loved their excited ambiance. I tried their best seller - salty pimp. They sprinkled a lot of salt, caramel and covered with chocolate. I was super excited to watch them making my ice cream. I think I enjoyed that experience more than eating it. Maybe it's only me, I was never big fan of salted caramel fan. And def it was pricier side for soft ice cream. I think I will stick with my Yogorino.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T22:13:17" }, { "business_id": "rMWdWJHblLHt_BQ2kWj5Bg", "business_name": "Seger Dog Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad I have couple doggie run near me. I appreciate having this park close to me. Compare to the one by river, this one doesn't not have separate doggie run so it might be not suitable for small dogs but my 7 pounds baby loves go there and hang out with big dogs. I did not have any bad experiences there so far, big dogs there behave so well and gentle with my small baby. They play so well together and we had a great time however you just never know. C I met some cool people there, they were every friendly. It's not artificial grass so her paws got dirty after playing there and sometimes it stink.", "timestamp": "2015-08-13T18:18:33" }, { "business_id": "V8we7-uCa-SouadZmZ9Ieg", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory", "rating": 3, "text": "It is so lame but this was chain restaurant I really wanted to try haha. I just heard about this place a lot- huge portion, good dessert etc however I've never seen this place anywhere in city. Now I finally went! Stopped by for lunch, got Alfredo fettuccini ( lunch portion) with chicken and classic burger with fries. We thought that would be safe choice since it was our first visit. Pasta was very thick, creamy like other chain restaurant. Chicken breast was moist and tender. My hubby enjoyed his burger and couldn't finish his fries. We were full so had original cheese cake piece to go. Our server was very friendly and had full of smile on her face whenever we sees her. Food was nothing ordinary but service was nice and I like to have this restaurant in the city.", "timestamp": "2015-08-14T17:34:40" }, { "business_id": "2er_V-oAd7IbQ5YTY56r7A", "business_name": "Bareburger - Midtown Village", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to be a big fan of Bare burger when they opened in NYC. I am not sure why I totally neglected this place for years. I only tried their vegetarian menus in NYC, my vegetarian friends really appreciated their veggie protein options. I remember those were yummy. Today we got County, Caviar burger with fries and rings. Large size comes with 4 speciality sauces. I thought burger bun was pretty good however I prefer juicy meat so this one was a bit dry for me. Also I prefer crispy fries, this one was little soggy... I remember this chain used to much better, maybe it depends on location. I am still glad to have heathy burger option near me", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T17:16:49" }, { "business_id": "NUJrCPU51Cvip4ayZD1P5g", "business_name": "Jose Pistola's", "rating": 4, "text": "I would say their bar food is very decent. I actually enjoyed their taco and nachos very much. I am not huge fan of bar food- normal greasy and very salty for me. However couple of friends recommended this place for Mexican snack and I can't agree more. Nachos were so yummy!! Crispy and I liked their topping. Not soggy and just perfect combination of bean, veggies and cheese! Tacos were decent as well however I think nacho was the winner. Definitely going back for some snack.", "timestamp": "2015-08-20T03:06:57" }, { "business_id": "uIZwBkvWicqyWraXvYOipw", "business_name": "Sbraga", "rating": 5, "text": "They have great 4 course meal for $55. What a amazing deal. And absolutely delicious. I was very happy to receive warm and crispy pop over and foie gras soup. I wasn't feeling for pop over so didn't have it but my hubby said it was so good and he finished it. And he is not a bread person. Their welcome dishes are even impressive. The soup was.... amazing. So creamy and so savory. Can't get enough. Wish they have that for their regular menu. I will totally get it. I got hamachi, lamb pasta appetizer, striped bass and cheese plate. 3 decent sized pieces of hamachi accompanied with jalapeño. It was so good, I forgot to take photo. Lamb pasta was delicious and rich with sauce. But I switched to my hubby's dish- saffron pasta with crab meat. I liked his dish better. Bass was cooked so moist and delicious. Very very satisfied. I was very happy to see cheese plate w/o extra charge. Nice touch! They gave me 3 piece with candid walnut and fig. I enjoyed sheep milk cheese the most.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:42:17" }, { "business_id": "nsH0hQ7xB5LS2_Ba3mqHTQ", "business_name": "Paesano's Philly Style", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok. So I finally tried Paesano sandwich. I was meaning to try it for very long time. My hubby picked up for me and I had it for lunch next day. I enjoyed it very much and I am sure if I eat fresh one.. I will be blown away.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:55:53" }, { "business_id": "fEqiXG_B-fn__w0aeF3nBQ", "business_name": "Laurel", "rating": 4, "text": "Very creative restaurant. I am not a fan of cold dishes but I did enjoy my ice flaked hamachi and foie gras dish. They were creamy but not overly empowering. We ordered truffle gnocchi for extra and that was right choice. I enjoyed very much. They were not cheap with truffle so $30 was so worthy. For main course, cod was decent size and my boo liked that dish the most. Pork was super tender and delicious. Dessert was chocolate pudding. I was expecting something special so when dessert came out, I was little disappointed. It was yummy but nothing special about dessert.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:51:03" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my favorite Sabrina's brand. I tried all 3 locations in city and keep coming back to this one. Staff is nice and food is consistent. I feel this space little larger than one at Italian market so feel less cramped. Burger and breakfast egg are always delicious and enjoy their fresh sneezed juice. Can't wait to go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:57:50" }, { "business_id": "POuaebsAeCyNx-8qZ3O7XQ", "business_name": "Shang Hai 1", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their soup dumpling very much. They are fast,delicious and super cheap. Tried couple dumplings here and they were all good. We got experimental and ordered regular menu but they were so so. I will stick to dumplings only from now on.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T04:01:28" }, { "business_id": "pXRrRf8fDv6yU3xp1E25hA", "business_name": "Bud & Marilyn's", "rating": 4, "text": "I was wondering about this place awhile and finally got to try it. Got cheese curds, short rib stroganoff, fried chicken and lobster buns. I always wanted to try cheese curd truck but never got to wait to get to so this was perfect. Was little salty for me but if you skip the sauce then it's bearable. As other reviews said, short rib stroganoff was definitely winner of the night. Was delicious and I love it very much. Lobster buns were pretty good too. Decent size of lobsters in it. Not heavy on sauce. Yum. Fried chicken dish was huge. Big two pieces include breast. I prefer white meat part so it was perfect. It wasn't Korean fried chicken style,it was more like Blue ribbon fried chicken in NYU. Otherwise fancy KFC lol Most dishes were little saltier side than other restaurants but maybe good with drinks. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T17:21:31" }, { "business_id": "8-A_4Jp2-NHKvjLcPE8HVA", "business_name": "United States Postal Service Land Title Station", "rating": 1, "text": "Wish I could give \" zero\" star. Yelp needs to give us option to give zero star. Seriously.. This location usps deserve to get Zero star. Normally most of experiences at USPS are not very pleasant. But I am reasonable person. I do not expect 5 star hotel service here. You do not have to kind and super helpful to me. Just let me send out my pkg without making me so unpleasant. I went to this location multiple times since it is so close to me however it was my last time to go there. One of lady is extremely rude. I did not see her name ( wish I did, so I can save a lot of people's bad experiences there) but I think most reviews here already mention about her. I actually saw once she made one customer cried. She yelled and extremely rude to her and the poor young lady actually cried in front of other ppl and said she shouldn't be so mean. I did not hear whole conversation so I did not leave any review at that time. This time, actually was my experience. Same lady extremely rude to me for no reason and I did not argue with crazy lady so just left saying nothing since even if I complain, the crazy lady won't change. Do not go there. There are other locations.. And if you must..do not go to right side of counter. There are two counters. She will find way to yell at you even if you did anything wrong and just waiting on line for your turn. She loves to boss around and yell at her customers and most of us are too busy and just want to leave there asap.. She is abusing it. So far she was always on the right side. She is extremely unpleasant person to deal with. Be aware.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T15:20:21" } ]	{ "business_id": "3eJMsl41qwhcYlvoTF1ElQ", "business_name": "a.kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is purely about their lunch special. Had pleasant experience there. Their lunch special is great deal. Big portion and great service. I had smoked charr flat bread and Tuna. Hubby got steak tartare and octopus. I liked my tuna a lot. They served 3 huge chunk of tuna pieces. I have big portion but this satisfied me :-) Smoked char, I normally love this dish but this one was too salty. Couldn't really taste fish be cause it was too picked. I did not enjoy hubby's tartar, raw meat was very chunky, piece was too big for steak tartar but hubby enjoyed it. Octopus was my favorite dish there. Chef must love pickle so much. Our dish was full of prickly flavor. I love them so had no problem.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T16:38:29" }
NUtIAX-ygn474tDg5nmesg	[ { "business_id": "wUnLSg_GKfEIQ5CQQ770_g", "business_name": "Vetri Cucina", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try this place. Heard good things about it. I was very impressed and enjoyed every dishes except one. Sadly that was my main dish. Ambiance wasn't fancy. Reminds small restaurant in Italy. Our waiter was excellent and very knowledgable. Definitely going back.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T04:26:32" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 4, "text": "Great lunch spot. Stopped by with my parents today for quick lunch. Lunch special is great deal. We ordered two lunch special and one appetizer and still had left over. Lunch special burrito was huge and my parents loved it. And my parents are pretty picky eaters so I assumed burrito was good even though I didn't taste it. I had chicken taco which was great as well. I will def come back again.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:27:13" }, { "business_id": "tC8i2_9ww-WoT1wZOCwRrw", "business_name": "Sue's Custom Dressmaking & Tailor Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. I am very particular with my dress. Really hard to find decent alteration in the US compare with where I am from. I always brought my dresses to Korea or HK until I found this place. I brought couple dresses to be tailored. I was little worried that It wouldn't be that simple job. They needed to be tailored entirely, not just trimmed. Materials weren't easy to handle since they were very delicate. And some of them were vintage items. They did amazing job and I love them all. Korean tailors are the best. And they are one of top for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:40:50" }, { "business_id": "LiHdRXlcj0GDm_e97oiwKw", "business_name": "Pure Fare", "rating": 4, "text": "Really delicious smoothie. I got leaf green one. Had spinach, banana, kale and etc I think. Was not super sweet or icy. It was very delicious and thick but not over powered banana flavor like other places! I would give 5 star if portion wasn't that tiny. The guy who made my smoothie threw away left over inside mixer after poured my smoothie in tiny cup. I wanted to cry!", "timestamp": "2014-07-31T20:01:31" }, { "business_id": "F7fC4dZW17muSvE8ixaXkQ", "business_name": "LeBus Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "It is a bakery but their bread selections aren't so amazing. I though muffins are just average. Cookies are just ok.. Actually loft bread was so dry. However I still go there pretty often for getting couscous and curry chicken deli sandwich for lunch. Their couscous is one of best I ever had.", "timestamp": "2014-11-25T00:56:34" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 2, "text": "Conveniently located in center city. Cozy ambiance and friendly staff. Nothing exciting on menu. Order bunch of dishes with group of ppl. Smoked tuna taco.. Tasted like mayo albacore tuna sandwich. I do like tuna sandwich but didn't expect eat them in restaurant. Bacon and date dish was good but who doesn't like that combo.. Hard to mess up that dish, nothing extraordinary. Had empanadas which was pretty average as well. Ordered ceviche smaller as well. I do heart law fish. It is really easy to impress me with raw seafood dish but even I wasn't blown away.. For main dishes we ordered scallops, skirt steak, tuna and duck dishes. I think duck dish was the best among them. Scallop was good as well but was a bit burned. Other dishes were so so. Not bad but not amazing. I was very excited to try dessert there because the signature dessert, chocolate cigar one looked amazing, it was really cute to see it but wasn't super tasty however coconut tapioca dessert was the hit. Probably the best part of this meal. We had 2 cocktail, one beer and one diet coke as well. Bill was around $400 for 4ppl. Not worth for the price.", "timestamp": "2014-12-17T03:58:33" }, { "business_id": "VJEzpfLs_Jnzgqh5A_FVTg", "business_name": "Jasmine Rice - Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I really wanted to like this place. People seem kind and conveniently located in center city. Wasn't able to find decent thai place in center city so I was excited to try new spot. Sadly couldn't reach my expectation. We ordered 4 appetizers and 2 main dishes for two ppl. I know it sounds a lot for two ppl but was good decision to order that much. Otherwise we would be left hungry. Got fried calamari, coconut soup, steamed mussels and spring rolls for appetizer. As some of others mentioned already the portions are tiny here. Soup size was ridiculous. Smallest soup I've never had.Spring roll size was about my pinky, was delicious but tiny tiny.. Those two appetizers were extremely small even for starter. For main dish we got pad Thai with beef and red curry with chicken. Pad Thai was really sweet. Maybe too sweet even for Americanized thai food. Red curry broth was delicious, was creamy and good amount of spice. But there wasn't enough soup. They serve curry on flat plate so they can't hold enough soup for curry and rice. I am not sure why they choose use that plate for soupy dishes. Curry broth was amazing but green bean and carrot weren't cooked at all. I wanted to give one star to be honest but only reason I gave two star was the server was very kind and gave me more broth for my curry. The extra curry broth he brought was bigger portion than my coconut soup btw.", "timestamp": "2014-12-22T19:38:13" }, { "business_id": "TunmRrfZb7bt53T6HJi4UQ", "business_name": "Bleu Sushi", "rating": 1, "text": "They have very strict groupon policy which I don't understand. The restaurant was more than half empty but owner gave us hard time to redeem groupon because we did not make a reservation with groupon. Won't back again.", "timestamp": "2014-12-24T18:26:15" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 1, "text": "Sadly have to leave negative review even though their lovely ambiance and great customer service. Tried tasting menu and most of dishes were overly salted except first course which was pumpkin spiced soup and dessert. Btw only good part of this meal. Two of us had to finish two bottle of water ( they were huge btw but we had to finish. If you wanna increase water intake..please go to this place) and also had to drink diet coke as well. I rather pay more and go back to Vetri to enjoy expensive Italian meal or just stick with my fav Little Nonna.. Philly just have too many Italian options.", "timestamp": "2014-12-25T07:15:58" }, { "business_id": "g8OyaT2RL8JCKItDExcFug", "business_name": "Blackfish", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried 7course tasting menu. Was $90 before tax so it is great deal for decent tasting. Right after had huge disappointment from il Pittore's super salty tasting menu, I was pretty satisfied with this place. They serve fresh oyster and tofu cream dish for amuse bouche. Had crudo with yuzu, chicken liver mousse, chestnut ravioli with mushroom foam I believe, seared salmon and braised beef dish. They were all delicious. I didn't have much expectation for this restaurant to be honest but I though all dishes were yummy! For dessert courses they served cheese plate, raspberry jelly donut which was meh... then finish with goat cheese mousse which was great. Since main dishes were so delicious, dessert was little weak but overall satisfied meal for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-12-28T05:00:52" }, { "business_id": "i76ERS3jM111T3VMbi2yrQ", "business_name": "Sagami", "rating": 3, "text": "After tried Morimoto, Zama, Raw, Fat salmon and etc.. I am still in searching mode for good sushi. Wish I found the one today but it did not happen. 4 of us ordered 2 zaru soba, chirashi, sushi set A, sashimi dinner set, seaweed side dish and mushroom and egg dashi soup. Nigiri size was very generous. They were thick and but lack of flavor. Friends who been here multiple times agreed that this place usually better than this but for some reason today.. everything was just plain. Rice wasn't seasoned enough either so chirashi wasn't so delicious. Soba was ok and tamago was pretty good, sweet and soft texture. Side dishes were good, seaweed and ginger salad weren't too sweet so I enjoyed them. But our main dishes were disappointing. I saw others ordered cooked dishes and they looked good. Think we picked wrong dishes.. I might give one more try since lack of my sushi choices in philly but probably will stick with cooked dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:31:40" }, { "business_id": "EwX4CUwRFwjO9oO5sJJ-bA", "business_name": "Pileggi on the Square", "rating": 5, "text": "My review is only about the massage experience with Dairo here. I tried so many massage therapists in philly and now finally I found the person to go to! This place divided to two section, hair salon and spa downstair. Massage room is clean and quite. You get to choose your oil and they give you solid 50 min massage. He mostly worked on upper body and didn't get to work on my legs much but 50 min is short time to cover both and I usually have really tense shoulder so was perfect for me. He ask you few questions before you going into the room so let him know where you want him to work on. I am so addict to massage. Can't get it enough and by far he is the best in Philly.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:54:20" }, { "business_id": "Oh3Q3QfhMl2DArFiLUrT9Q", "business_name": "La Fourno Ristorante Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "My star is based on Groupon dinner only. Used the groupon for dinner for two. Got salad ( fresh and yummy), soup( home style cooking) and pizza for appetizer. I saw a lot of reviews that their pizza is great and it was right. Pizza was delicious. Must get the pizza if you go. We got veal Parmesan and stuffed chicken dish for main. They were pretty good but I thought veal dish price is too high. For groupon deal, they were awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-01-22T23:25:00" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute French bistro in neighborhood. Warm ambiance and good service. The portion of dishes are generous here even for bistro. Had lamb shank and brisket dishes for main. Both were pretty good but they were really salty. I do like their dessert menu. Their Mille feuille is delicious. One thing I wasn't happy was their butter. They served little cold butter so hard to spread on bread :-(", "timestamp": "2015-01-23T00:03:07" }, { "business_id": "41Wm32-Aj7jdejK4QfUDDw", "business_name": "Schuylkill River Dog Run", "rating": 5, "text": "Great dog run. I've only been to doggie runs in NYC and this place is 10times better!!!!! It has two separate section for small and big doggies. It isn't stink like other doggie runs I experienced so I can tell Its very well maintained. Very very clean and I can tell it won't get muddy when it's snow or rain. Very satisfied with this place!!!", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T00:38:05" }, { "business_id": "bjPUhanWoinHi2kywvVzBA", "business_name": "Mercato BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "So happy that I found this place. I always walked by this place and always wondered. It is small and intimidate place. We shared fontana cheese meatball, soup and both had market fish platter. They were pretty delicious. And olive herb butter accompany to bread was nice touch.", "timestamp": "2015-01-28T02:35:05" }, { "business_id": "DsKzHnkLKnxZTVsFpts4oA", "business_name": "Red Owl Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "Better food than I thought. I had zero expectation when I walked in with group on sat evening. Has no reservation but we were seated promptly. Tried bunch of bar snack and burger and fries were good. Their cheese plate gave 5 kinds of cheese and generous with portion.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T03:58:51" }, { "business_id": "5INWCIArMbFd-aku3-UI3Q", "business_name": "Ana Pesce Advance Skin Technology", "rating": 5, "text": "My visit to Ana Pesce again. Had another amazing experience there and I noticed they moved to bigger and nicer venue so I felt like I should update my review. Weather hasn't been nice so my skin got dry and needed another facial.Today I went back to Ana and I feel like I got what I needed. She did some amazing mask( she applied thick mask then cover it with plasticky paper then use lightening machine to massage) I am not sure what she did since she improvise depends on your skin condition so every visit was little different each time in my case. Got a amazing result. I applied make up on after my facial. My skin was glowing and smooth. Loved the result. My friend did facial with Cindy to get extraction. Her treatment is little longer than mine since she got extraction and some laser treatment done. She looked absolutely fresh after facial and she was very happy with Cindy's work. I love that they are very professional and dedicate to their job. I thought was weird that they asked so many questions when I did my first facial. Like my diet!, skin routine, if I taking any supplement etc but now I know they understand my skin very well and it's all applied to my treatment. Love them a lot and I keep going back for sure. Just go and get the facial from Ana or Cindy.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:07:45" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually like this place a lot. Ppl are very nice and attentive. I always get the continental salad with grilled chicken. It is basic menu but they do cook chicken very tender and juicy. Alway get the best grilled chicken salad there. And the portion is HUGE. Since I do hate tiny salad ( how much cost give us little more green?) this is the place to go to get good salad.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:14:20" }, { "business_id": "fJQzUesrvvoMUkjQBNxc6g", "business_name": "Nail Spa Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Want to love this place so bad.. but I can't. It is so close to me and the price is relatively good. Got $30 mani pedi. The lady did mine was really quick. I was done entire thing already when my friend was only finishing her pedi. She was fast but her job wasn't that great. I tipped her ok and gave two star on Yelp since this place is cheap, she was quick( this place get really busy)and gave me a cup of tea but I prolly won't go back there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:20:54" }, { "business_id": "EhotxJEJxpMgCJ0F82Buvg", "business_name": "The Olde Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I read about this place and wanted to check out. It is pretty venue and staffs are happy to show you around. The oyster is fresh and I can't tell much about drink since I am not a drinker but friends seemed happy! They get really busy on wkend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:25:50" }, { "business_id": "ChAVUpsZ0GTZ4m8T10ACqw", "business_name": "Just Dogs and Cats", "rating": 5, "text": "Cute store in the neighborhood. I walked in with my puppy and wanted to get little ball for her to play. I don't like tennis ball since she is big time chewer and tear apart very easily. The owner lady recommended perfect rubber balls for her tiny mouth. And the best part was they were not made in China. Those are my puppies favorite toy! Also she gave my puppy free chocolate peanut butter cup. That was so sweet!", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:08:42" }, { "business_id": "WCLexnTQmylse_p0kQbz2g", "business_name": "The Treemont", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to try this place after I had good experience at Blackfish. Food was decent and ambiance was cozy as well. I had chicken liver pate and short rib. Chicken liver pate is one of my favorite dishes so I usually get it whenever I see them on the menu. Sadly it was just average. Not bad but not good either. Liked their creamy texture but was lack on flavor, they gave you a lot of brioche though. Beef short rib dish was pretty good but was little too sweet in my opinion. For me, 4 or 5 star on yelp means I would like to go back. This place more like 3.5 star or above but just not a 4 star...", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:21:33" }, { "business_id": "UDOcMEgRKfoCc-BikZJFhg", "business_name": "Maha Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "I love practice here. People here are very nice and welcoming you even though you are new. You think ppl at yoga studio would be so nice but not always. Yoga studio can be very intimidating. I usually go their yoga hour. They offer more yoga hours and other promotions than other studios at center city. I like their location, price and instructors.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:25:23" }, { "business_id": "woTZpX92uByUgliPrh39Mg", "business_name": "Ocean Prime", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not sure why I never tried this restaurant until now. It is in my neighborhood and I passed by all the time. Since it is restaurant week so we wanted to try new places we haven't been. You can't really tell from outside but the ambiance is very nice inside once you walk in, little bit darker and high ceiling. It's like classic and fancy steak house. We got the lobster bisque, salad, filet mignon, teriyaki salmon with sticky rice and 5 layered carrot cake. Appetizers were pretty good and I didn't try the meat dish but my husband said it was good. I thought salmon cooked perfectly and well seasoned. Also rice was delicious. As some other reviewer mentioned the carrot cake was good but a bit too sweet. But pineapple sauce does magic :-) The service was really really great. They are attentive and very sweet. It was satisfied meal overall.", "timestamp": "2015-02-02T19:12:38" }, { "business_id": "0oSSjekU-3GR8gselReWnA", "business_name": "Butcher and Singer", "rating": 4, "text": "Review is based on restaurant wk menu, we stop by for weekday lunch. Shared butternut squash soup, Rockefeller oyster for appetizer. Soup was hot and creamy just I like. Oyster was delicious as well. We got burger and crab sandwich for entree. Burger meat was well cooked since my mother in law ordered well done but was still juicy. I thought was pretty delicious. Fries were salty but I found most fries are salty to me in Philadelphia so.. Crab sandwich was my favorite, perfectly seasoned and thin slice chips were delicious as well. For dessert we got carrot cake and I thought was little bland. Salted chocolate and caramel tart was very delicious. Good portion of food and great service. I would go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-04T20:54:58" }, { "business_id": "85e8Uyn8tIyEZCqBP80rqA", "business_name": "Lolita", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to Mexican restaurant. It is hard to find good Mexican place in the east coast but this place by far the best for me. I really enjoy their taco varieties. My friend had couple of diet restriction. Like no dairy, gluten and no pistachios etc. They were very good at accommodating our order and since we split the plate, they serve all sauces and cheese on the side. Salad portion is generous and fresh and their guacamole is always awesome too. It is my favorite Mexican place in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-06T04:31:32" }, { "business_id": "urO7cwWPFRZU1MpSt9JIGw", "business_name": "Doggie Style Pets", "rating": 4, "text": "I stop by here with my puppy on the way to doggie park. I like this location a lot because it is conveniently located on the way to park and staffs are very friendly. They are usually very young and I see some complains that they are not well trained but I did not have those negative experiences. They were very attentive and willing to help. And most importantly, they are dog loving people. Plus they have free treats for dogs by register :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-09T01:30:07" }, { "business_id": "DLM7E6lrW-zpM10RJ4fAeg", "business_name": "Urban Front Pilates", "rating": 4, "text": "Clean facility and friendly staffs! My visit to Urban front Pilates was so enjoyable. I tried only mat Pilates and Vbarre class. I never liked mat Pilates classes before ( tried couple times from other studios) but this one was different. I will come back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T22:56:03" }, { "business_id": "Jm8OvNQy8PlXUroRmKE10Q", "business_name": "Focus Barre & Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "Recently tried their hot yoga and barre classes. Both instructors were very nice and helpful. I enjoyed classes with full of women in the room. The classes had great energy. I personally try to avoid hot yoga after 3 years of my Bikram yoga addiction which left me broken capillaries but I did not know they had hot yoga room until I get there. Even though I am trying to avoid hot yoga, their class quality was great and instructor was knowledgable. Barre class was harder than I thought. All that small muscle work out was definitely tough! Overall great studio to have near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T23:05:11" }, { "business_id": "vhDWGF-8BfsxvS7Zo5Wv2w", "business_name": "Abe Fisher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their food, great service and cozy ambiance. But salty salty salty. 2 of tried their tasting menu. I thought most dishes were delicious. Def was better ones I tried in NYC. If they were little less saltier, more like 4.5 star :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:15:47" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 3, "text": "Maybe I am a girl with huge stomach but I don't get full with one piece of pita and small hummus :-(. This place sounds like heaven for hummus lover. I do love hummus too but I need something else to eat with. I never had hummus alone for lunch so... Dish itself is pretty good but not mind-blowing. I went back couple times so far since it is so close to me but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:21:10" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 4, "text": "Best fries ever! I am not a burger person so can't tell but everyone seems really enjoying it. I go there to get short rib fries. Combination of cheese and short rib.... It is just AMAZING. It is worth to gain weight. I even picked it up on way home and ate once. Wasn't same... Go to restaurant and get one.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:26:45" }, { "business_id": "6wqxuBt2InDipRuUj8BNuQ", "business_name": "La Colombe Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "It is my go to coffee spot in my neighborhood. One thing I like about Philly is La Columbe is so close to me now! I used to walk all the way downtown in NYU to go there! Now I can go anytime! And store has unique ambiance. They serve your coffee in cute china and baristas are so knowledgable and attentive. They do not serve soy milk btw.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:33:04" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant looks so warm and cozy from outside. And it is! Very cute ambiance and dishes are pretty good. I thought it is so cute that they give you little present like small jam when you are leaving.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:53:08" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 3, "text": "I might have to give another shot to this place to be fair. I went there once and I still have so many new places to try in Philly. Order fish of the day dish and other friends ordered steak and burger. My fish was just average. Nothing special about it to remember except it was tiny piece of fish. This place seems very well popular here and a lot of ppl loving it so I may give another try...", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:59:08" }, { "business_id": "vCHNWdW-ys-nWUx3Cpvk8Q", "business_name": "Swiss Haus Cafe & Pastry Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I purchased box of cookies and gifted to friend. I haven't tried but my friend said kids loved them and literally had to pull them away from box before they finished them haha. They were picky eaters so I guess they do bake good cookies.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:05:46" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "I was give this place 5 star but changed my mind. I think this place could be hit and miss based on my two visits. First time I went there I had THE MEAL. Falafel was so hot, freshly fried and I even got one extra free to taste before purchased. I got Mama's platter both times. Was amazing for the first visit. Everything fresh and veggies were crunch. 5 star for sure. My second visit was more like 3 star. Everything was cold and falafel wasn't tasty like before. Veggies were soggy as well. I will give another shot and will see.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:14:10" }, { "business_id": "YzluF3FNGjnW-tOrLZt8JA", "business_name": "Zama", "rating": 3, "text": "Fresh sushi/ sashimi is my favorite meal. I can literally eat 3 times per day! I was so eager to find my favorite Japanese restaurant once I came to Philly. Zama was my first try. Location is good and ambiance is typical Japanese restaurant. Tried uni, tuna, fatty tuna, salmon, salmon roe sashimi. Those are my favorite so I get them wherever I go. They were good but not outstanding. I thought price was little high for what it is.. But I still go there for quick lunch since location is so awesome for me and I do like that intimate ambiance to chat with my friends. If price was little lower I would give 4 star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:27:49" }, { "business_id": "h7TO_IsmLCYmKKDVOOIeFw", "business_name": "Fat Salmon", "rating": 2, "text": "Ordered my usual. Sashimi platter with salmon, salmon roe, Tuna and uni. They were somewhat flavorless. Rolls seemed good with all the sauces etc but sashimi wasn't that good. And personally I am not fan of blue neon light with food presentation. Not so appetizing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:33:22" }, { "business_id": "rVGxva6cx2eID4ghDLVHJg", "business_name": "1225Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I thought sashimi was ok but I did enjoy their spicy sashimi salad. Owner must be Korean or at least has staff who is Korean. They make kick ass spicy go-chu-jang sauce for sashimi salad. And I tried to copy it at home for other dish I cooked and I was terribly failed. I thought just mix sugar and sesame oil with go-chi-Jang but it wasn't same. I must go back there to find out.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:37:12" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this Morimoto than nyc one. I did not know Morimoto was from Philadelphia. I only got the omakase in nyc one and wasn't very impressed every time I ordered! We ordered dishes this time in philly and I enjoyed every bite. Black cod was cooked perfectly and I really liked ponzu sauce for hamachi. Def going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:42:53" }, { "business_id": "trwHwsXOVV-ZmF-MtP98BA", "business_name": "High Street Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Was excited to try this place when they were opened it. Eh.... Not going back. They were very cheap with ingredient and some what salty. And very small portion. Maybe ppl in Philly do not eat much like I do... Philly has so many better options than here.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T02:01:33" }, { "business_id": "RnhLCG4N9MPy6ZRzq787Cg", "business_name": "Devil's Alley Bar & Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "I had brunch once and late night snack there once. Both were decent meal and good price. It looked like bar from outside and I expected nothing. But was better than my expectation. Quesadilla was delicious and ingredients were fresh. Salad was good too. Staffs were very nice as well.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T15:45:34" }, { "business_id": "WXRZlGsdUjraCAcgtCyk4Q", "business_name": "Potito's Italian American Pastries", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their cakes! It is firm and moist and since it is so thick and firm that I can order it a day before and still fresh. I normally prefer French or Japanese bake goods over Italian but this is my cake shop in Philly! I also tried cannoli and various individual cake pieces but I thought whole cake was much better deal here. Also taste better too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:05:28" }, { "business_id": "iUZEGx29miZObLd6_lt7Vg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I love their Asian salad!! I got it one at university city location and fell in love! So ordered same dish here as well. The veggies they used little different that day- no green pea in my sale :-( and the portion was smaller. I do enjoy huge salad so was little disappointing since I expected same quality as other location. My mom loved their stuff French toast so ordered same dish and wasn't good as we had before... But service was ver attentive. She kept giving us coffee and stopped by if we needed anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:12:49" }, { "business_id": "ctHjyadbDQAtUFfkcAFEHw", "business_name": "Zahav", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant is beautiful. Very pretty deco and service is great too. I heart middle eastern food and I have my favorite middle eastern place in NYC but now I am eager to find one in Philly. This place is the closest I can find for now. We tried tasting menu once, tried multiple small plate on the list. They were all decent but not mind blowing, more than anything I wasn't impressed by their hummus and falafel... Bummer.. Lamb shoulder was ran out so couldn't get it either. Second time we ordered lamb shoulder for 4 ppl. Woot woot! Was a lot of food since we ordered other plates as well. Ended up wrapping up left over and ate it for days haha.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:30:35" }, { "business_id": "mlgewa5y_a_AxVTamXGemA", "business_name": "Walnut Street Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "Have been a subscriber for 2014-15. So far they had great shows. Somewhat very commercial and but entertaining. Their actors were very talented and knew how to entertain audiences. Whenever I watched musicals/ shows there I ended up laughing a lot. Looking forward next show!", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:22:54" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 4, "text": "My second season subscribing here. So far we got a pretty good seat except twice. Once I sat behind really big guy and missed half of the play and ended up fall asleep haha. Since it is small theater with stadium style seat, secure good view is the must. They do have some great plays though. Seems like they have a lot of discount for student and young audience. So far pretty satisfied.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:27:08" }, { "business_id": "MMRRS6YhVRx_iN5-JhMRYg", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "Very delicious and salty! But it is Chinese place so I have no complain. Went with big group so could tasted a lot of their signature dishes. Dan Dan noodle seems very popular but just not my kid of dish. I did enjoy fried fish with sweet sauce and chicken with cashew. Also dumpling with hot oil was yummy. In the end of meal, my mouth was burning but I enjoyed all.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:30:41" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Enjoyed my meal here. Went with friend and we shared Samson roll, Naruto roll, spider roll, spicy salmon tartar ,tuna dumpling, edamame and sunomono. We were initially going to get sashimi platter but rolls looked amazing so went for it. Wasn't disappointing. Sauces weren't overpowering and sashimi were very fresh. We did not get the 3 roll special and order individual but if you order their special , price is really cheap. Very happy that found this place. P.s they freshly fried soft shell crab when you order spider roll. Soooo tender and soooo juicy. Loved it. Must get that item. Naruto roll is definitely better than any other places. Cucumber paper is thinner and fresher. And has so much flavor. I did not really like tartar dish. Didn't have much flavor compare to other dishes. I will just order rolls next time I visit which would be next wk.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:14:32" }, { "business_id": "khH0QtNyUjcExh9i2CwGfg", "business_name": "Serpico", "rating": 3, "text": "Was intrigued by their Korean influenced menu. We got raw fluke, consommé, pig head, fried duck leg sandwich, duck mousse and lamb rib for three of us! Everything was ok but nothing was memorable except lamb rib. I thought rib was really delicious. Raw fluke was fresh but ponzu sauce was not special and very small. Comsome was very boring... Pig head was too greasy, duck mousse was pretty delicious. Duck leg sandwich was just ok. Also has rocky road for dessert. Since the portion isn't that big you get to order a lot if you are hungry. I though food wasn't very special.. Prolly won't go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:28:33" }, { "business_id": "mUIBtlWNPD7sz3rGGWQ1RA", "business_name": "Kanella", "rating": 3, "text": "Had really high hope about this place and I am sad that my meal didn't reach my expectation. Order whole fish of the day. I got branzino and had so much bone in it... And fish itself wasn't very tasty. Also had organic sirloin kebab. Meat was tough and little dry even for kebab.. Dips of the day was good though. I see that they got a lot of good reviews about their brunch than dinner. I might try their brunch and give fair review.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:34:47" }, { "business_id": "aaILnjUFC0i0uRkg5hYgnQ", "business_name": "Aqua Asian Bistro", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to get my thai take out here. Fast service and I seems like they keep their kitchen clean. Their spring roll is alway freshly fried and sauce is creamy and good. They don't give authentic fish sauce kind of sauce like other places but I like Americanized thai cuisine so I have no problem with that. Fried noodle dishes are safe choice here I believe. Their spring roll is my favorite though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:01:58" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 2, "text": "Seems like this place is pretty popular. And I had take out quite few times here since it is so close to me. Simply I don't really like their food. I thought they use a lot of fish sauce. Maybe it's more close to authentic cooking. Tried spring rolls, pad thai, red curry with tofu, green curry with chicken and vegetable soup. For pad thai, noodle was stuck together so hard to eat.. Curry is good, delicious and creamy but not enough of broth and tofu and chicken were too dry for me. Vegetable soup was just blend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:07:37" }, { "business_id": "0S3TvsmbCeOZ9UitnpRd1A", "business_name": "Dim Sum House", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood. It is clean and big open space. Whenever I went, there were a lot of ppl. Had wonton in hot oil, scallion pancake, brussell sprout, honey walnut shrimp. Fried dishes are delicious there and sauce is not overpowering. Not overly salty either. Prolly favorite my Chinese restaurant in town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:12:56" }, { "business_id": "ex8RrhAhVVexndFhmNfG1Q", "business_name": "Wokworks", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to like this place. Healthy version of Chinese food? Sounded so good to me. And store looked clean from outside and also liked their name... Got quinoa fried rice with bean sprout and veggies...simply no good... I like healthy food but has to tasty to keep going back. That was my last visit... But I liked their clean container and healthy concept so.. It is two star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:17:51" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "One of my favorite Asian cuisine is Malaysian food. Especially their curry!!!!? Now I have to find my go to spot in Philly... I was excited to try this place. Got roti canai and seafood casserole dish as usual. Maybe I have high expectation but dishes weren't that good. Green curry casserole was lack of the flavor and literally had couple piece of seafood. Didn't even bother to complain. We just left after few bite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:15:12" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am not a donut person. But it is the one of the best donut s I've ever had. Since another donut shop in NYU I fell in love charged $5 per donut and I waited in line for 30 min to get two donut! .... this place is heaven. So cheap, fast service, fresh and you can get as many as you want! There donut fillings are amazing but just get the maple cream donut and blueberry fritters.. They are absolutely amazing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:29:40" }, { "business_id": "xAW4nw9DrW77vWF61_l-Qg", "business_name": "Famous 4th Street Delicatessen", "rating": 4, "text": "Huge portion and hearty food. 3 of us shared their large chicken soup and we still had left over for days. I think they cooked entire chicken in it and matzoh balls were awesome. Main dish came with two side dishes- we chose potato fritters and side salad. They serve you cabbage salad once you are seated and it is really delicious! I love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:14:44" }, { "business_id": "73UjNbSoQjQAOS45rcihFg", "business_name": "Cantina Dos Segundos", "rating": 4, "text": "Wasn't super hungry so 3 of us shared chimichanga and guacamole with chips. Chips were very good, not oily and freshly fried. My parents enjoyed chimichanga and said very delicious and seasoning was just enough. Wish they were close to me..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:21:27" }, { "business_id": "SCjUeZfjafJ88fWWQjRh2w", "business_name": "El Rey", "rating": 5, "text": "I can only speak based on my happy hour experience. For happy hour, they have amazing deal. Tacos and empanadas are soooo delicious. Food served when it's hot and fresh. And super cheap. Not sure about their regular menu but I do enjoy their happy hour.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:30:10" }, { "business_id": "9_B5sCqKBOKDAmYpByiFFg", "business_name": "Branzino Italian Ristorante", "rating": 3, "text": "Had branzino for lunch here. Was pretty quite during weekday lunch hour. Definitely not busy spot. I saw couple old coupe were dining. My branzino was decent size and was ok. But nothing special. I wasn't very impressed so haven't back since my last trip..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:36:55" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I want to give them zero star if I can. I went to serafina in NYC once and never went back hah...it is sort of chain restaurant and over priced for what it is but I was happy to see some familiar place in Philly so decided to give another shot. Me,my friend and my little puppy got table outside. It was 20 degrees, freezing cold day but we were hungry and had to eat.... And we had 3 pounds tiny puppy with us. I have no complain we sat outside. We have a dog so I asked them if we could get a table. They said its really cold but if u want u can get table outside so we did. The worst part, the waitress neglected us for over 20 min to get us water or take an order. We had to keep going in to ask for someone. It's only 20 min but we were freezing and restaurant wasn't that busy either. I don't understand why they just hung out at the counter and never bother to come out to take an order or just look if your space heater is working which it wasn't! Food was just mediocre. NYC one isn't that great but this one is just worse.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:46:28" }, { "business_id": "cGX-1IUwXOjkUqZbkKYcjw", "business_name": "Fogo de Chao", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed their salad bar! Went there for lunch and I am not a huge meat eater but still had decent amount of meat there. Service was very attentive and fast. All veggies at the salad bar were fresh and I enjoyed their ham and cheese selection. Even though I did not eat much of meat, their lunch price was pretty good deal for big salad bar eater like me:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:48:57" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped by here for quick snack. Shared fungi flat bread, cheese plate and salad. Flat bread was delicious. Moist and crispy. Wish it was little bigger haha. Cheese selection was nice too but just very very small. I would like this place way more of the portion is little bit bigger!!!!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:52:44" }, { "business_id": "4R2KR_-FybS7oegGrXjHVg", "business_name": "Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Probably this is my favorite chain restaurant. They have good deal for weekday lunch prefix and menus are great. The portion is generous, salad is fresh and soups are very hearty. Whenever I went, their services were very nice and kind. Has both salad and soup for appetizer. Both were very good. Salmon was juicy and burger was well cooked but not dry since I ordered medium well. Cheese cake was huge and rich. I really enjoyed my lunch here and looking forward going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:02:18" }, { "business_id": "H3EK1Q8tqRGqPBps05Uahw", "business_name": "Tashan", "rating": 5, "text": "Tasting menu.... The best. Got the deal from online and tried their tasting menu. Location was kind off. Distance wise was not that far but it was definitely long walk from center city. There were so many courses that I lost track. I am not sure even if they gave us more service sincere we felt like there were couple courses of appetizer and lay least 2 of main dishes. Food kept coming and EVERYTHING was delicious. When you go make sure you are hungry. Can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:24:38" }, { "business_id": "4tU9hlfzrCpcGWTIm-OKVA", "business_name": "Rouge", "rating": 4, "text": "Rouge and Parc. They were the first restaurant I dined in Philly. Mostly they were right next me and seemed pretty busy every time I passed by. Had couple times of dinner and lunch at Rouge, I felt this place is solid at least. Their foods were consistent so did their services. So far I liked their burger, roasted beets, their cheese plate and truffle fries. Burger was juicy and they cut the half so we can share which was nice. Roasted beet is alway my go to order and pretty good here. And fries.... were very crispy and perfectly seasoned.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:02:08" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is still one of my most visited places in Philly. Mostly because of location. So close to me and all of other friends, we meet there during the day, get brunch and have great girly times. I enjoy going there except the weekend, their brunch menu weren't bad but I would wait more than 10 min for their food. First time I went there for burger and steak fries on weekend ended up waiting for 30min to be seated and has to fight for staff's attention. But for during the weekday lunch, this place is lovely. It is our go to lunch spot after morning yoga class. 3 of us enjoyed their breakfast menu, lunch menu and oyster( from the morning!) and chatted there like hours. They were very nice refilling coffee and etc and never gave us any pressure to leave after we finished the meal. Place never get too busy during weekday lunch hour. I usually get their salad verde, roasted salmon or sea scallop. Salad verde was simple, super fresh but still full of flavor. Their salmon and scallop were pretty good too but I never really dreamed about their food after so I guess it's just ok. For food, it's more close to 3 star but me and my friends enjoy this place for regular girly date spot and enjoy ambiance so... I would give one more star for that.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:19:52" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "The first bar I've visited in Philly as out of towner. Doormen were nice unlike underground bar doormen in NYC. The bar was very pretty, cozy and reminds of me some hipster bars in Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan. I am non drink so I can only judge by the ambiance of my friends opinion about drinks, seems like everyone enjoyed their pretty cocktails and looked delicious :-) we did enjoy time there and since so close to me, I am sure I will be back very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:00:15" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Had couple visits there so far. I had mixed feeling about this place. My first time there was amazing. Mussel dish was huge, fresh and delicious. Bread was moist and good too. Had wonderful experience and couldn't wait to go back. Second time was so so. Mussel's size was tiny and broth didn't have much flavor. Bread was tough and dry. I hoped my third visit would be a charm but wasn't so lucky. Not sure if I should give another shot or not. Indecisive.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:05:04" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 3, "text": "I had only one visit to this place so not sure if I this review would be accurate since this place seems super popular. It's located right in front me and I see this places always crowded. I had such a high hope to try yummy vegan place. I ordered jerk Caesar salad only because it was top of their menu and there was full of people waiting so I didn't want to take too long to decide at the counter. When I tried my salad at home... Humm what to say, I usually like vegan meat a lot. Any kind of tofu/ fake meat I love more than actual meat haha. It was good since I like fake meat and veggies already but just not good enough to go back there. There are so many other places offer delicious food in Philly and I am not a vegetarian so I don't have to only eat there I guess. I haven't back there since my first visit but I may try their burger in future. Seems like everyone in my yoga class enjoyed their burger so, I might give a shot very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:15:13" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy!! Fresh turkey spinach salad! They gave me tons of turkey ham and a lot of spinach. All ingredients were fresh and I enjoyed my salad. Was huge so I could have left over but I am a girl with big appetite! Other friends had sandwiches and said very good also. Solid local sandwich shop for sure. Now actually it became my regular sandwich spot. I always get mensch. It's soooo good. Potato cake and mixed fries are must.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:42:18" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to Tria for brunch! Delicious small plates, cozy ambiance, this is perfect girly brunch spot in neighborhood. Two of us shared marinated calamari salad, roasted beet, egg toast. We weren't very hungry so it was perfect small snack. They have awesome ice tea and keep refilling your drink. Also other drink's menu are nice and affordable. Love this place!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:48:37" }, { "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 3, "text": "I liked the concept of this restaurant when I heard about this place. Seems like farm to table kind of restaurants are everywhere in NYC these days. Was excited to one in Philly. Maybe ingredients they get from farms in somewhere Pennsylvania will be super fresh! Got beet salad and scallop for appetizer and Cod dish for main. I am huge fan of beet, I love beet even if I eat out from can. If chef do little trick, I would go crazy about any kind of beet dish. This one was decent, not mind blowing. Maybe chef wanted us to taste fresh ingredient so didn't use much sauce on it. Maybe... Scallop was well cooked, kinda tiny even for appetizer.. Well I am a girl with big stomach.. Had big hope for my cod since appetizers didn't blow my mind. I definitely could taste the fish was fresh, was tangy and juicy but again chef could use little bit more seasoning. I usually have issue with overpowering sauce but this dish was little bland for me. The service was nice though. Professional and attentive. Haven't back yet since my first trip... Maybe will give another shot after finish all of my Philly restaurant lists.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:02:47" }, { "business_id": "2qHkwqao9GyxnDXHzCv4JA", "business_name": "Wedge + Fig", "rating": 5, "text": "Wish this place was close to me!!!! I felt so lucky to find this small lunch spot in Old city while I was doing yoga teacher's training. I was wondering around for grabbing quick bite and saw this place. Looked super cute from outside and menu looked awesome. I would totally go for cheese or heavier salad if I didn't have class right after. I went for tuna salad. They gave me generous amount tuna and veggies. Dressing was yummy too. Other dishes looked really good too. I will have to go back to try other dishes soon!", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:22:36" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried bunch of dishes for two of us, bacon wrapped date, clams, octopus, garlic shrimp, lamb meatballs and braised pork shoulder flat bread. Probably we ordered more but can't remember all. Wish I came with bigger group, would be awesome if we tried more since it was small tapas and they had pretty big menu. My favorite was bacon wrapped date. It's common dish and I tried from quite few other places but this one was one of top notched I tried. Bacon wasn't burned and cooked perfectly. Crispy but still juicy. Date was baked in perfection as well. Really enjoyed it so much so I had all myself! Other dishes were pretty good too except garlic shrimp dish. Shrimp cooked too much, they were really tough to chew :-( Overall it was pleasant dinner and service was very nice too. I will go back with bigger group next time for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:45:57" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "I heard so much good things about Han Dynasty and couldn't wait to try. Got bunch of dishes include spicy cucumber salad, dan Dan noodle, dumpling in hot oil, scallion pancakes, fried rice, fish in clay pot, dry chicken, garlic eggplants and mapo tofu. Dumpling in hot oil was big hit, it was simple but had so much flavor in it. Scallion pancake was fried well and chewy, dipping sauce wasn't salty. Everyone seems excited about their dan Dan noodle but it didn't so much for me. Maybe I am not a big fan of noodle. I did enjoy mapo tofu, wasn't too greasy and enough spicy for me. Dry chicken was delicious but was too salty for me. I had few bite then couldn't touch more. Fish in clay pot had full of flavor but a bit greasy for me. Since most main dishes we ordered had powerful flavor, the fried rice was most popular dish on our table. Dinner was enjoyable and liked the fun ambiance. Like old Chinese restaurant in movie. I will definitely go back soon but I will order more appetitive and be easy on strong flavored main dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T02:20:33" }, { "business_id": "nIAbuktMEzVjT4P9pG89rQ", "business_name": "Buddakan", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try original Buddakan! I've been the one in NYC many times back in the day but haven't been budakkan for awhile and was excited to check out original one. The deco and music were somewhat similar the ones NYC but smaller and more opened space. We were seated in 10min at the second floor and restaurant was packed. Two of us shared spring roll, sea bass and duck. Yum yum yum! I actually though this location has way better food than the one in NYC. I used to go there pretty often long time ago but not for their food. Never impressed with their food except dessert but I did enjoy every dishes at this location. The portion was generous and I actually liked the light at the restaurant wasn't too dark. I like to see my food and appreciated! Very impressed ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T03:53:33" }, { "business_id": "i6jA8vSHrP9LiUPHlqPVwA", "business_name": "Cafe Olé", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like quick lunch spot. Should be affordable and provide fast service. Checked and checked. Your lunch will be ready in 3min in front of you. I went to this place when I did yoga teacher's training at Old city. Most of my class mates include teachers grabbed lunch there. They were pretty picky (mostly health conscious vegetarian) eaters so I thought that place must be good. I tagged them along one day and it turned out pretty nice time. Nice sunny weather in summer, we were seated outside and grabbed various salads. They had pre made salads displayed and they were all freshly made. Got myself Greek salad and strawberry/ banana smoothie. Smoothie was gigantic so probably most girls would be for their lunch itself. I am not so I had salad as well. Salad was huge too. I actually had left over. Everything was affordable there. Nothing over $10. They are not overly nice to offer any service since its self service kind of place but cheap, fast and fresh. What can you ask more.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T04:01:38" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not huge fan of lamb and chicken platter but I must have very high standard since only place I had this dish was Halah guys in NYC. My hub is cart food expert lol and found this place near us. He loves Halah guys so much that he was eager to find something like that in Philly. Well.. When I received my platter, was a bit disappointed about the size of meat. Guess I was so used to Halah guys huge portion. And again I am a girl with big stomach! I thought the platter was pretty good, meat was tender and juicy. But the charm of this platter is white sauce!!! At least for me. I am the person eating these kind of platter with EXTRA white sauce and not worry about calories so.... I did put extra white sauce top on my platter. The sauce was not my style. I want something creamier and thicker and still not greasy... Sauce was a bit off for me.... And the portion. Yes haha. We haven't back since then... but my friends said they have yummy Kati roll so I might try other dish next time. And I am not sitting at the corner of somewhere 6th ave to eat from the tin box so that's plus too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:17:46" }, { "business_id": "ZewrmVIdr77Kinj-njv6RQ", "business_name": "Insomnia Cookies", "rating": 4, "text": "Cookies in 3am? That's amazing concept except I crave salty fried food usually at that time haha. Actually surprised that they open until that late since Philly does not have much night life I thought. Most places are closed by 2am but people are still out to eat cookies? Guess they do! They seems always busy whenever I passed by. I got curious so picked up few cookies. Yum Yum Yum! I am not a big cookie person. I am more like gummy person but those are delicious. Warm, chewy and not crazy sweet. Had 3 of them at once. They were that good.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:22:07" }, { "business_id": "e4MoozYGqe_rb4_ZC1rYMQ", "business_name": "Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "So comfortable to hang around. Owner lady was so so nice. I stopped by couple times after my yoga class and had good spirit. The owner lady had too! She smiled to customers and was very kind. I instantly liked this place. I got small coffee with their home made ginger mascarpone cheese cake. So so so so good!!! Not sweet at all and they use fresh ingredient. 2nd time I was there, I got large cup of green tea, they charge same price for small or large cup of tea so why not. Also tried her ( owner lady baked everything in the kitchen and brought sweet out) peanut butter chocolate cup. Yum. Everything is very affordable here and again, fresh.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "f-qlRLsQ2vPATmlLTgLHbQ", "business_name": "Joe Coffee Company", "rating": 3, "text": "Joe's cup of coffee used to be my one of favorite coffee spot in NYC. Was tiny space near NYU, down to earth and I could just hang out there for hours. Loved that place and when I saw Joe's in my neighborhood in Philly, I was so happy. I got my latte couple times there and my experiences were different in Philly location. It's kind of fancy coffee shop than the one in NYC. Me and my friend couldn't really hang out and chat there. It's super crowded all the time and staffs weren't super nice.. no offense, they were super professional but just I didn't feel the warm greeting from them whenever I visited. Maybe I am picky but I prefer cozy coffee shop with warm people around. And I realized Philly has a lot of amazing coffee spot so...", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:34:31" }, { "business_id": "rgeuy1qbw6Z8B6CSVANHIA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 3, "text": "Seems like they are super famous. Whenever I search Philly eatery as Philly newbie, they are the one first come out most of times. Lucky I live so close to them! So made couple visit there. Tried their fancy donuts. Several times, several flavor. Probably I tried most of flavor they offered. Well... Fancy donut didn't do much for me. Not impressed. Once I was late so fancy donuts were sold out, I got regular sugar coated donut. Humm.. I actually liked true or regular donut much better! Tried their chicken too! All of their flavors. Humm it's good but not awesome for me. Was super crispy when I had the first bite but inside my mouth were peeled after finished my meal. Big no no for me. Good crispy chicken shouldn't do that to you. I think I spent fair amount time to eat fried chicken in my life as Korean. Their fried chicken is pretty good but not mind blowing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:43:24" }, { "business_id": "oqbhVgliVJH-iRa3AnD-3A", "business_name": "Elixr Coffee Roasters", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Another awesome coffee shop in neighborhood. Philly does have cool coffee shops everywhere! Very impressed. $4 of awesome hand drop coffee... Amazing. Great price and awesome staff who knows coffee. I am not a coffee snob so I usually go to coffee shop where make me feel welcomed. They did. They explained well about their menu and showed us whole process. And the shop is really pretty. They have limited seats because they are always crowded but they are just awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:46:12" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 2, "text": "This place looks super cute from outside and reminds me of small coffee place in Paris. I expected same experience when I had in Paris. I was dreaming to get some fresh pastries with full of butter flavor with some good coffee. Humm... My first bite was DRY, lack of butter.. Wasn't very good. I usually try to give second shot if my experience wasn't so terrible. So I went back. Got macaron and coffee. Lack of richness. Lack of something definitely. I still give two star because the shop is still pretty though and they don't have much competition in my neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:50:48" }, { "business_id": "lWedWkinrM5j13pyimbpbA", "business_name": "Miles Table", "rating": 3, "text": "My first visit to this place was few months ago. 2 of us waked there for brunch with our puppy. We were seated outside and got us burger, kale salad and coffee. Place was crowded but we scored seat pretty much right away. Everything was affordable and doggies were welcomed at the outdoor table. I didn't taste burger so can't speak for that. My kale salad was decent but wasn't amazing. Coffee tasted little bitter, maybe was a bit burned... We were appreciate seating with our puppy at the table but they were located in small street so it was kinda awkward seating outside and everyone was looking at you when they were passing by. That was my last trip and I don't think I will come back anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T06:23:28" }, { "business_id": "U2y7fsqDgxAXskoJNVxbwg", "business_name": "Happily Ever After", "rating": 4, "text": "Shaved ice bowl is my # 1 dessert all the time. I like Korean, Taiwanese, Malaysian style the most. I wasn't able to find any Korean style shaved ice in Philly but this place was the closest I could find. I like a bit of crunchiness on Korean styled shaved ice. If it's too soft then it's more like Taiwanese style. This place ice was very close to Korean one. Also they use condensed milk and crushed nut like Korean one. Little rough shaving ice is best with sweet milk and some nutty flavor for sure. For fruit topping I would go for super soft shaved ice. I finished my bowl myself and was very happy. The portion was definitely smaller compare with my go to places in NYC but well... this place doesn't have much competition for this menu so I will take what I can get in Philly. Hope I can see more Asian styled shaving ice dessert places in Philly this summer.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:34:26" }, { "business_id": "ZpgVL2z1kgRi954c9m9INw", "business_name": "United By Blue", "rating": 3, "text": "Another cool find through my yoga school. They are located in local clothing store which is nice. Very pretty deco and trendy. Me and my classmates hung out here a lot during lunch break. I've never eaten here but saw sandwiches and they looked good. I didn't think their coffee was special though and somewhat pricy. But it is really cute coffee shop and I would go back there if I am near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:37:48" }, { "business_id": "yYG2XDKCaf5yOLgJSKMw6g", "business_name": "Anthony's Italian Coffee House and Chocolate House", "rating": 5, "text": "Love love love their espresso. Their coffee is amazing. It is kinda far from me but I still walk there to buy their espresso coffee bean. They freshly grind for you right there and price is awesome. About $7-8 per package. My sister and mom in Korea got so hooked ( they are definitely coffee snob unlike me) so I have to buy for them too and mail them! I get their caffe latte and one biscotti and grind espresso beans to go. Glad I found this little shop.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:41:58" }, { "business_id": "RSKvB-XntkiDnMqYqAmtKw", "business_name": "Seafood Unlimited", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked their name. Seafood unlimited, what a great name. Unfortunately their food wasn't. The interior was unique, very blue and dark not sure if I liked that. I feel like I was eating in a fish tank. Restaurant was pretty empty and we were seated right away. Got grilled salmon dish and scallop. Eh... I had better before. Food wasn't very special to me and I wasn't very impressed with ambiance either so I haven't back since my first trip.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T23:54:38" }, { "business_id": "fcGexL5VH5G2Xw0tRj9uOQ", "business_name": "Slice", "rating": 3, "text": "I have mixed feeling about this place. I do enjoy their pizza. Since it was so close to me I just stopped by for slice of pizza to go. I got bacon and onion and eggplant pizza to go. Also got side salad. Salad was fresh and reasonably priced. Nothing special about their dressing but veggies were very fresh so I was happy. About pizza I thought was really delicious. Sauce was good and sweet and savory. I really enjoyed them. I made couple more trips there to grab quick pizza whenever I had craving, this place was never really busy, usually 2-3 customers there but my order usually took more than 10-15 min. I am not sure why took so long to heat up slice of pizza since they did not make it fresh when I ordered. Their service is just ok not super nice or rude. Wish they had faster service, it is deal breaker for me since I want to go there, grab my pizza and in and out fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:03:59" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't want to give them 5 star because I don't want them to be more popular than already now!!! But I have to... This is food heaven. Had amazing food and the ambiance was so cozy and comfortable to sit down and talk. First course, ordered chicken mousse with toast. Yum...so creamy and savory spread and toast was perfect too. Sweet and sour jam made perfect combination for the toast. Second course, had buckwheat pasta. I just had pretty bad experience with buckwheat past at the High street market. Was so scared to try but this one was amazing. Noodle was chewy and tender, sauce was just amazing. Definitely made my #1 pasta in Philly. For main, we shared cod with broth. Humm. That was our least favorite dish that night. Did not have much flavor overall. I still rate this place 5 star because I did have the best past in Philly and ambiance wise I felt so comfortable there. I will definitely going back very soon but I will order a lot of small dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:19:54" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 3, "text": "This place seems always busy and smelled so nice when I passed by. We went there one night to grab quick dinner. I got smoked trout and my hub got mixed wurst platter. My trout looked really smaller than their photo. Was decent. Not bad but I probably won't go back for that dish. His wurst platter was gigantic. He could not finish it so we had half left over. He did not like it much so ended up not eating his left over...", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:26:10" }, { "business_id": "7xckZSLRWf5uf3L1IsF1Kg", "business_name": "Mandarin Palace", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes I have Chinese food craving. Until I found my go to spot in this city I mist keep exploring!!!! Today I tried the place right next me.. Was very empty. I see more employees than actually customers, I was instantly got nervous.. Maybe it's really bad sign but again, it's Chinese restaurant so maybe ppl just order delivery. We were seated and server brought us tea which was nice. Order cashew chicken and hub has beef dish and lo main. They were decent. Food was just cooked so was really hot. I would give 4 star if it was little cheaper. I am so spoiled with cheap and yummy Chinese food in NYC so this place felt little pricy for me for what it is.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:34:26" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by there after terrible dinner. This place healed us from horrendous experience. 4 of us got own drinks, beer,wine and orange soda for me! We shared small plates and cheese platter. We ended up getting two cheese platter because they were soooooo good. Our waiter, did not get his name but he was so enthusiastic when he explained about each cheese. We ended up having great time there and left happy. Will go back anytime.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:39:32" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "4 of us were craving some ramen so went to this place. Wasn't sure how Philly ramen scene would be. My hub got spicy shoyu ramen and my parents shared miso ramen. I wasn't very hungry so got fried chicken appetizer. Chicken appetizer was very good. I actually liked their chicken than other famous chicken places in Philly. My parents thought their ramen was too salty for them. They just had noodles and left most of broth. My hub actually thought this place was decent. He finished his dish. I really enjoyed their chicken and the Korean waitress was very nice.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:21:48" }, { "business_id": "nR3VW9i2K8033QY0ZMTisw", "business_name": "Zento Contemporary Japanese Cuisine", "rating": 2, "text": "This place seems have always promotions going on. I see their coupons pretty often. We went there after our show at Arden theater. Restaurant wasn't big but clean. There was semi private dining area in the end of hall but they didn't have door so it was really loud since big group was drinking and eating. Wasn't able to enjoy our dinner at all. Food was ok and they had promotion but I would not necessarily go to old city to eat there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:25:12" }, { "business_id": "2f6NaQVGTM59OGvsdT9pxg", "business_name": "Mood Indian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "So I saw this place had pretty good review on yelp and just purchased the deal online. As a Philly newbie I did not aware this restaurant was far from Rittenhouse square. We had to drive to Northern liberty to eat since I already got the coupon. Food better be good.... Two of us got samosa chaat and chicken tikka masala with garlic naan and mango lassi. Apparently yelp review www pretty accurate. This was 4 star restaurant for me. Samosa chaat was huge as appetizer. Probably most girls would be ok for their main dish itself. Chicken tikka masala was creamy, buttery and meat was tender. Delicious. We ended up having whole bowl of rice with it. Lassi was thick and amazing. I hate watery lassi and this place wasn't one of them. We were only customer when we were there and service was not bad or extra nice. They did minimum service for you haha. But I loved the food there and wish they were close to me. I would go often.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:32:26" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't eat much steak but like to go to ones. One of main reason is my hub is big meat eater and I usually find seafood dishes at steak house are very yummy. We got one soup and salad for appetizer. They weren't very memorable. Wasn't bad but nothing special to say. He got prime rib and I got crab cake. The portion of my dish was pretty small. I could eat double portion. For dessert we got chocolate and cheese cake. They were ok. I would say very average food. Nothing really remarkable. The ambiance is like classy, old apartment with piano. It's classy but maybe little to old for us. The service was very nice. Not likely go back though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:39:28" }, { "business_id": "V0SHmvYtXqdv8-AsqshV6w", "business_name": "Smokin Bettys", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to get some brunch as newbie in Philly, we googled this place and went on Sunday. Place was really crowded, but it was big so we waited just little. I got egg while omelette and he got the burger. My omelette was ok but I probably could make that one. He liked the burger and enjoyed fries too but we never went back there for their burger. Maybe Philly has too many burger places.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:42:35" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I hope they open their new location somewhere close to Rittenhouse square. So close to me, I know nothing about Philly, Little Pete did show me some comfort time. The owner guy was always at the counter and he was nice. The waitress ladies seemed tough but they were actually very friendly and attentive. I had couple dishes there since I got my breakfast there couple times. Loved their greek salad, this was so big that I always had left over and ate later. Their omelet was pretty good. Fluffy and yum. The egg sandwich, I liked it very much! They gave you so much egg and it was delicious. My go to breakfast awhile. Their French fries!!!! Crispy and just perfect with mayo. The waitress ladies remembered me and packed mayo with my fries even I did not ask for. I like to have this comfy diner right next me. Sad to see them leaving. We don't have many diners in center city though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:49:35" }, { "business_id": "-ATiAtTikuGuqvaW2O6tNA", "business_name": "Marathon", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh, disappointing food. I saw this place got busy during lunch hour so gave a shot during weekday lunch. Place was busy and I saw people getting salad with salmon so I got that one as well. My salmon was dry... And lukewarm. Definitely didn't enjoyed my protein. I had only one visit so I can't speak for all but my salad wasn't fresh either that day. Sandwiches on other tables looked good though. That was my first and only trip to Marathon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:53:31" }, { "business_id": "Uky0DD3LU4C7eyNDhpmOXg", "business_name": "Day By Day", "rating": 3, "text": "I saw people were waiting outside of the restaurant all the time. This place must be good I thought. Maybe I picked the wrong dish. I enjoyed my stuffed challah French toast but I wouldn't wait more than 10 min to eat it again. That was right after my mind blowing experience at Sabrina cafe's stuffed french toast so Day by Day one didn't do much for me.... My parter of scavenger hunt got burger. He enjoyed and finished all but hasn't asked me go back there yet so I guess it is solid 3 star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:58:51" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not sure why I don't go this place more often. I had good time at their oyster happy hour! Enjoyed my discounted oyster and I thought was fresh and delicious. But that place got really busy during happy hour so waiting was painful and they put large jar of oyster cracker to share. Everyone's hands going to touch the crackers so I couldn't eat it and I didn't see anyone touching it. That's minus point for me too. If less crowded and provided individual oyster cracker like other places I might give me more star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:04:00" }, { "business_id": "9mA9qYqiv4c0T9ASid3PIQ", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 3, "text": "I had really good meal at Capital grille at Providence few years ago. I still remember how proud and profession they were. And the food was absolute perfection. I never went other locations but I wanted to try the one in Philly since I had such a amazing time before. I got same meal, chowder soup, salad and glazed salmon. Soup was a bit saltier side for me. It was ok eating with bread but in general I am not fan of salty food. Salad was decent and my salmon was a bit overpowering with citrus sauce. It was pretty but I wasn't amazed like last time. The bread basket was warm and good though. And service was good too. But it just wasn't same..", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:12:57" }, { "business_id": "-t5dx3X0O63jCUuFEd-FcA", "business_name": "The Palm Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. Weird fries... That's first thing I remember about this place. Humongous and lack of flavored stack of fries.. Shared burger and fries and fried calamari and cheese cake. The burger was ok. Just ok but we all know Philly is the burger central. You don't need to eat burger here. I am usually go for fries than burgers when I order this dish. I think I know good fries... For some reason Palm's fries had literally no flavor. Didn't even oily anything. It's crunch but I wasn't sure what I was eating. Ended up left most of dish. Cheese cake was only thing I liked. It was like thick cheese cake from juniors. On offense, I love those commercial kind. Destroyed cake and left and never looked back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:20:13" }, { "business_id": "m_P0oMu3PVz5pGBKjYGl_A", "business_name": "Chris' Jazz Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I would give them 5 stars for their music. I never had food there but if food were bad, I would still give 5 stars. I have been there couple times, the musician there were phenomenon. Real professional and one of top notched. I used to go jazz clubs in NYC pretty often. You can't get seats easily like this place, and definitely not affordable like this place. But the music at Chris, as good as the ones in NYC. I am glad they are so close by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:24:35" }, { "business_id": "GUMVStVaJfWmCIpQA4TtHg", "business_name": "Crazy Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My sushi place hunt hasn't finished yet. We tried bonsai roll, one night stand roll, volcano roll and sashimi platter. They did put a lot of effort decorating the dishes. We were very hungry so rather getting dishes as soon as we can lol Even though I appreciated their beautiful decoration, sushi wasn't that impressive. I did enjoy one night stand roll but bonsai roll had too much cucumber. I like thin slice of cucumber just round once or twice otherwise I can't really taste any sashimi because cucumber has pretty strong scent itself. I felt like I had big chunk of cucumber after all..the quality of sashimi was ok but nothing extra ordinary. And the bill ended up not that cheap. I think I could find this quality food with less price.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:32:34" }, { "business_id": "peeXG1Ra-DClPQv14jvKvg", "business_name": "Square on Square", "rating": 3, "text": "I was happy to find Chinese place near me, I need to find my Chinese take out place so... Order crispy spring roll with shrimp , spicy chicken for main. Everything was pretty good. Dishes were super hot and just cooked. Ambiance was a bit awkward but service was fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:40:16" }, { "business_id": "WYel6hMEEPNwzVUlVBacbw", "business_name": "honeygrow", "rating": 3, "text": "Solid lunch spot for sure, they are always busy and there is reason why people keep going there. I prefer comfy, rustic ambiance over modern and fancy. And rather order my meal old fashion way over vending machine. Honey grow reminds me of cafeterias in Japan or HK. I get overwhelmed with all ordering through machine and it isn't so much fun for me.. Salad is delicious though but I like to put a lot of topping to make it yummier and m salad is usually around $12 and still doesn't fill me up!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:48:13" }, { "business_id": "oziGQYLaEWOpNmPKrZP86g", "business_name": "Isgro Pastries", "rating": 3, "text": "Craving some Italian dessert. I need to eat some good cannoli and lobster tail. I walked all the way to Italian market and got in this small bakery. Need to warn you, the ladies who worked there, they must be super busy with non stop customers. They don't want to be bothered so do not ask any question... My cannoli... Ok.. Wasn't bad. But not as good as the one at Veniero's in NYC but definitely better than the Bruno's or petitio's. Lobster tail was ok. Pastries were well baked but their custard cream was just ok. I'm general their fillings were nothing special to me. I would never crave their filling though. Unexpected jackpot was carrot cake. Not too sweet but their cream cheese icing was amazing. Now I am craving their carrot cake though. If the ladies there were little nicer, at least answer your questions w/o being annoyed I would give them 4 star because of their carrot cake.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:57:22" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing hidden gem. This store is too little but have full of valuable things. So much fun to check out all different kinds spices, teas and snacks. And their coffee.... Hazelnut coffee is amazing!!!! I drink a lot of coffee but I like to drink decaf. It is really hard to find good decaf but I found one in Philly. Their hazelnut coffee is so aromatic, just brewing at home made you feel good. I got like more than 10 packages so far and loving them. Also got bunch of spices. Cumin, wasabi powder, paprika, anise, rosemary, red and white pepper... Just make it. They have all. The owner lady doesn't speak much initially but once she recognize your face, she is the sweetest. So helpful and get chatty. I had So much fun talking to her and looking forward going back there once weather get warm!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:02:17" }, { "business_id": "rQW9iupvhk6ScPn2VPNLVQ", "business_name": "Octopus Falafel Truck", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a groupie. He is amazing. I am sad that I got to have his dish only once. Now all construction on market I can't find him!! His chicken is the most tender and smoky I've ever had. Side dishes are creative and awesome too. I hope he is back soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:05:21" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 2, "text": "Had quick bite with hub on the way to watch the show. Shared wings and nacho. Price was cheap and snacks were ok. If they had in NYC I would give them more star for sure. Bar foods in NYC are mostly inedible. But in Philly some bar foods are better than restaurants. This place is below average in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:09:05" }, { "business_id": "3uLXZMnm68l1YwI8_FaFNA", "business_name": "Bangkok Thai 9 Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "Hubby picked up my lunch so had this meal at home to be clear. Had coconut soup, shrimp pad Thai and he had curry. My soup was ok. A bit too sour. I like more creamier side for sure. I didn't like much. My pad thai was fail though. Noodles were stuck together when I tried to pick up with chopstick. I had to use it like fork... Not sure if because it was take out. But still we get fair amount of take out, it doesn't usually happen. And shrimp was so so so over cooked. Tasted almost like rubber. Too bad, they are really close to me though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:15:12" }, { "business_id": "6LCZLGa09Qifn6rG7-DNrg", "business_name": "Erawan Thai Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to menu is coconut soup and pad thai with protein. I tried same menu here. Actually really like their coconut soup. They used enough amount of coconut milk that soup was really creamy and wasn't over powering with herb. I am so used to Americanized thai cuisine that I prefer less herb on my dish except cilantro. Pat thai was great too. Liked the amount of peanut they used, noodle was chewy and perfect and not too sweet. They gave me generous amount of chicken and white meat wasn't dry so I was very happy with my meal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:20:16" }, { "business_id": "FYhsm9Efvw8lw7zAOIDUbg", "business_name": "Rosa Blanca", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious ham and cheese empanada!!! And all other different kinda! I think I had like 10 of them. They were so so so good. The place looked tiny from outside and I thought it was local diner. Pretty spacious inside and cozy. I went there for happy hour and got bunch of small snacks and had wonderful time. All delicious!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:01:36" }, { "business_id": "PVVFos1LDfD7iETY0w4vaA", "business_name": "Su Xing House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am meat eater who likes go to vegetarian restaurant. I actually like flavor of soy protein. I had hight hope about this place. This place was always packed with people and known as their affordable price. I went there and I got my favorite Chinese menu. Sesame seitan. It came with brown rice and two side veggies. I got corn and steamed broccoli. And vegetarian spring roll. I did not expect gourmet meal for $10 but food did not reach my expectation at all even I considered their amazing price. I did not like my sesame chicken's sauce at all. Way too sweet and lack of flavor beside the sweetness. Side veggies were just sad, they threw couple pieces of steamed veggies and canned corn. Was lame... When I almost finished my meal, I realized they forgot my spring roll. Didn't bother to call them or go back. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:15:02" }, { "business_id": "lYloPAiaWJwWgno4SdxD0Q", "business_name": "Dolce Carini", "rating": 5, "text": "In general pizza in Philly is really amazing. I am not sure why NY pizza is so popular. Philly should be! Even this humble local pizzeria makes amazing pizza. I always get their creamy spinach pizza. Their Alfredo sauce is really good. It's simple but has so much flavor. It's perfect with baked spinach. The pizza crust is so crunch and delicious. I never Thorpe away their edge. Yum yum yum.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T00:24:53" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location than others. Less crowded most of times and people there are very friendly and helpful when you want to try different flavors. And settings are comfortable there. Since weather is cold, I have not had awhile but I used enjoy their hazelnut, avocado, coconut and tiramisu flavors the most. They also have coffee and other sweets as well. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:46:53" }, { "business_id": "eLt-dwl-xxXj9nklhs2eOw", "business_name": "Sweet Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I never seen this franchise in NYC so was happy to try new ones. I believe the owner is Korean and Korean makes GOOD froyo. Already had very high hope. The shop looked typical froyo spot and seems busy. They were located in very busy streets. 2 locations both. I I always get froyo with no topping. I can taste good froyo better w/o topping in my opinion so I did. Froyo was very tarty for me. And I am not a fan of those kind of froyo. Everyone has different tastes so I can't speak for all. Just not my thing. Since they are so convenient for me, I got my bubble tea couple times and also macaron. My taro bubble was once too sweet and once was less powders in it so it tasted like just purple water.. I brought it back and the guy made new one for me. People who worked there were very friendly but their products just did not do much for me so I stopped going there.. Sad. I need to find other froyo spot since red mango left town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:52:19" }, { "business_id": "JMPZQKPPQI15C8FnACKk-A", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 4, "text": "My hub likes creamy ice cream. I am more into gelato or froyo but if I have thick creamy ice cream craving, I go to this place. The shop is relatively newly opened, so it is very clean. Also located upstairs of my Chinese massage place. My massage therapist was so mad during my massage once because there was non stop construction noise going on when she gave me a massage. I had to hear she was arguing with construction guy, I also cheered for her and hated ppl on upstairs ruining my massage session. Well... Ironically I am regular customer for both of them haha. People who work there are all super friendly. You can try all different flavor and they don't mind. Ice creams are good too. Always get their coconut flavor. It's rich and aromatic. Once I let me eating ice cream with my 3 pounds puppy at the corner of shop(we all aware dog is not allowed) but was freezing cold and my pup can stay in my pocket. Literally 3 pounds she was. And I really wanted ice cream. They were so kind let me stay til finish my ice cram and lucky never get crowded there. I still appreciate their kindness:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:58:05" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 3, "text": "Very very busy location. And probably my least favorite location among this franchise. Couple times there were crazy line I couldn't even get in to store and had to leave. The people who worked there were unnecessarily unfriendly but just way to busy that it's hard to ask them to try new favors or ask any questions. I rather walk to Rittenhouse square location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:21:36" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite frozen yogurt place in Philly. Since Red Mango was close down I was looking for my new froyo spot. Yogorino is the closest I can find. Their froyo tastes like heaven. Perfectly icy, tarty and creamy. I could taste that they use real yogurt( also a lot of them) in their ice cream. I always get the froyo with milk chocolate topping which is free. Their chocolate is really good too. Store is very white and clean and girls there are very friendly. Love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:24:59" }, { "business_id": "qcn10016DUkbgCbQi9L1WA", "business_name": "Bassetts Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "The oldest ice cream, I think this place is amazing with their presence itself. But wasn't impressed by their vanilla ice cream. Maybe my palate is get used all commercial ice creams. Their ice cream was good but wasn't super special to go there, waited in line, may not even able to secure seats to enjoy your ice cream... Wasn't pleasant experience. As a Philly tourist was enough to go there once, get my ice cream scoop and take a photo. That once was enough for me.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:35:19" }, { "business_id": "4hv1n1VBzMvE-T4UtIcOcw", "business_name": "Di Bruno Bros.", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is literally in front of my apartment and I really want to love this place. I appreciate that I have multi food store in the neighborhood. It is pretty store, big cheese section in the back of the room, veggie and fruit section, bakery section, meat and fish section and upstairs cafe. I am regular customer for their cheese and bakery section. I had little bad experience with veggie section once and never really went back. Veggies were not fresh at all and gone bad the day after I purchased. Pre cooked food section seemed very nice. I might try that very soon. Tried couple cakes there. Was decent but not amazing... Still go there because so convenient but not super satisfied with the quality.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:42:36" }, { "business_id": "Ou-_OQUNvBcaAoRU0XPtaQ", "business_name": "Jamonera", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been there twice so far. Once for day time snacking and once I went there for weekend prefix. Prefix was definitely good deal. We get to try various dishes and they were not very crowded. I really enjoyed my visit during the day time. Not many people come to that place during weekday daytime so it's very quite and you can chat with friends with good snack and drink. It wasn't the best tapas I have ever had but decent.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:53:27" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh yeah, the best deal for the bucks..... Their happy hour is steal. So good and so cheap. Foods are basically same as their regular menu. Really enjoyed their brussel sprout, Vietnamese sandwich, Korean fried chicken, kimchi friend rice, edamame dumpling in broth and skewers. So so so good. I love to sit at the bar and grab yummy bar snacks. I've been there multiple times and they were always good. Went there for regular dinner and basically got same food and payed more than double so.. Go to their happy hours. It is just amazing deal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "dSPA4yql9vUwnYRxHiVtHA", "business_name": "Makiman Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there after watched the show. Place was half empty and we saw people were eating Korean bi bim bop in hot stone bowl. Maybe it's Korean owned sushi place or at least be of chefs is Korean. I got sashimi salad and roll without rice. Sashimi salad was sooooooooo spicy even to me. I can handle some spicy but this was just pure go chu jang ( Korean red chilly pepper paste) I had to take out most of sauces and ate them. Sashimi was ok but their sauce already burned my tongue couldn't taste anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:03:25" }, { "business_id": "JDv3h1xRFIW8fXckqgTdRg", "business_name": "Fuji Mountain", "rating": 3, "text": "I have never had sushi here but tried nabeyaki, gyoza and agedashi tofu one late night. Restaurant structor was unique. It was 3 story restaurants and divided sushi bar, restaurants and karaoke. I guess some ppl eat, drink and go upstairs to sing after. My nabe dish was pretty good. I was craving some hot soup and it was soothing. What I needed that night. Gyoza was little greasy and didn't have much stuffing. Was failed dish. Agedashi tofu was crispy and well fried. And liked the dashi broth with radish. Yum. Was my favorite dish. I have not back there for two reasons. Still need to try other new places and also really creepy guy tried to talked to me at the restaurant that night ( but waitress lady piloted stopped the creepy guy, thanks to her ), I just creeped out from that weird vibe from dinner so have not back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:11:34" }, { "business_id": "cmETClmvGoUZZwBXRtv6kw", "business_name": "Good Stuff Eatery", "rating": 2, "text": "Had really soggy fries here. It was rosemary French fries and it is one of my favorite snacks in the world!!! Got one bite, boo.... Was so so so soggy. Liked that they had a lot of free drippings. There were actually good and my favorite Begium fries place in NYC, they charged for the same digging so that was big plus. My hub said the burger was ok and also wasn't happy with soggy fries. I thought it might be just that day. But apparently one of my other friends was mentioned that she had burger and fries there and she didn't like their soggy fries. Guess that is the style there. Not my thing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:22:18" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 3, "text": "I love roasted chicken. Apparently this dish is not easy to find than you think so I was happy to find this place. Got half roasted chicken with roast beet and feta. Chicken was pretty but not enough meat for me. I got hungry after finished my meal. Maybe they cooked really small chicken that day.. I just don't want to get hungry after finishing half of chicken myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:27:40" }, { "business_id": "VIYvcX9SScnqmoI0so1KZA", "business_name": "PrimoHoagies", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not a sandwich fan at all. It probably my last choice of meal to be honest. But if I get sandwich craving really once in awhile, I go to this place. One you get there friendly Italian guys welcome you and get the order promptly. And your hoagie is ready to eat in 5 min. Their hoagie is gigantic. I get really full after finishing it. I got cold turkey and meatball once. I really liked meatball marinara. Wasn't too soggy but they just had enough marinara to covered the bread. Yum. And their meatballs were delicious! I don't go there often enough but for my next visit, I am getting my meal all sub again. Super satisfying.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:31:23" }, { "business_id": "8ohaL9a02bWZDxOxfZCTxw", "business_name": "Four Seasons Food Court", "rating": 4, "text": "Sometimes I get lazy and get dinner from here. Sold by weight buffet place isn't my thing but the owner lady was so kind when I visited them first time. She asked if I was student and offered me 10% discount whenever I come and can eat the buffet with affordable prices. I thought that was so nice that they offered discount to students. Maybe she did because I am same Korean as she is. But those kindness I was never had in NYC for last 10 years. Beside kindness, their buffet is pretty nice actually. Like their salad. Was fresh and they have different kinds. And a lot of vegetarian options. I am not vegetarian but I like to have some vegetarian options with my meat. I got my dinner and it was like $7. Good price and I had filling dinner.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:43:16" }, { "business_id": "i-clumHx1gMhf5B8MROyHA", "business_name": "Falafel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Tried one at their old location. Got my falafel sandwich. Was average falafel, nothing special about it and they did not give me enough white sauce even tough I asked. Liked the roasted carrot and their pickle though. I will give another try to their new location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:45:49" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "Presentation is main charm of this restaurant. I used to just love fancy decoration on my palate in my early 20's. If they draw flower on my plate I was so so so impressed already. Now I l have known better, eaten out so much, I admit that so hard to get impressed by restaurant. Either price has to be good or has to be superb with food. Just beautifully decorated food doesn't impress me much anymore. Small portion was fine with me. I do aware fine dining place will never full me so we order a lot so it wasn't about their portion. Was off from the start, I prefer spread butter to be room temperature. This one wasn't. Little disappointed from the beginning. Presentation of food was beautiful. They do care about color of your plate and have great sense. But it gets boring if I keep eating unflavored white foam with gello typed sauce. I remember it was super impressed when I had gello sauce and foams on my food. I was like wow. This is genius but that was couple years ago. Now wherever I go, I get to eat foams and I don't like foams that much... Maybe we ordered too much seafood oriented menu but I am a seafood fan.. Most dishes tasted too similar. My halibut was chewy and well cooked but broth was a bit boring... Luckily the portion wasn't so big so finished all of my food. They got amazing reviews about their brunch. I think o rather want to try their brunch not regular meal next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:44:22" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like 4.5 star but definitely better that 4 so I will still give 5. Had amazing meals there whenever I visited. Love their raw beet and kale salad, Br sprout salad and cheese plate. They are super creative and beautifully presented. Others enjoyed their pizza and meatballs very much. I just love their salad so much. A lot of flavor and absolutely heavenly. It is my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:56:07" }, { "business_id": "u7_3L1NBWgxhBM_B-cmmnA", "business_name": "Pizzeria Vetri", "rating": 3, "text": "Was on the way Petco me and my parents saw this place was empty. No line! We weren't very hungry but had to get a pizza here. I had high hope about this pizzeria since I just had amazing experience at Vetri. How good would be! And Philly does have great pizza overall, this one might be too good to me to handle. Got rotolo and margarita pizza. Both were very decent food. I just wouldn't wait for that or walk all the way to restaurant from my neighborhood. Pretty far to walk from center city..", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:05:35" }, { "business_id": "elSnD7Vuxnlg5_9gTqBqmA", "business_name": "Barra Rossa Ristorante", "rating": 2, "text": "Went there for one of friends Bday. Think they booked this place because she was on gluten free diet and needed private space for the event. Wasn't completely private but they did have sort of separated group dining space. Ambiance reminded me modern cafeteria and wasn't impressed. We were waited to be seated a bit so I had glimpsed on others pasta dishes and quickly made up my mind to order something safe. I got cheese platter. It's gonna be safe bet c The platter was HUGE. They gave me so much cheese and that was very generous. Sadly my cheese was not good. Some of them I did not taste any flavor. Kind of rubbery texture when you chew on not so good quality of cheese. No one really enjoyed it.. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:25:05" }, { "business_id": "t37dsDBpe65qUb81OSFr-g", "business_name": "Philadelphia Theatre Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a subscriber and very satisfied so far. They have been showing good plays which mostly nominated/ awarded. They have spacious stage and setting is really nice. They have been presenting great writing and directing. Actors are very professional too. As a subscriber I got to go opening nights and they usually have post play event. Q&A with actors and writers which is always nice. Also their seats are very comfy and leg rooms are large. I am so used watch Broadway shows in NYC so I was really surprised to be seated like this. That makes the experience so much enjoyable!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:23:52" }, { "business_id": "MbFiVsqtIt75yrUNd8LT3Q", "business_name": "Prince Music Theater", "rating": 3, "text": "Very young and energetic theater I thought. I checked their annual playlist but wasn't much my style so did nothing t subscribed. However if I find something interesting I still go watch. Me and hub went to watch Evil dead. Was definitely very entertaining. It feels like you watch very exciting short film. Acting was great and fun vibe filled entire theater. Beside play I did think theater itself was nice. Since most theaters are so nice here this one was definitely less classier than other places. But its fun venue to check out for once.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:30:20" }, { "business_id": "dBRWKIS7h-qZCi8EjUJ2HA", "business_name": "The Franklin Institute Science Museum", "rating": 3, "text": "This museum ended up pretty pricy if you want to experience whole package. I was surprised that there is no student discount package for entrance, Imax and special exhibition. That was one of the most expensive museum visit I have ever had. Whenever I visited new city I try to visit every museum and galleries. Those places usually offer student discount or any kind of deal for tourist. This place had non. When I got there with my parents, it was really windy mid of weekday. Think we picked the wrong day. There were tons of kids running around without any observation. No offense, it would be perfect study/ play venue for them. And they probably need to experience this venue more than I do. Apparently we did not get to see any of exhibits. Children were screaming everywhere and no one really supervise them. And a lot of things were broken and left it there. Well. We ended up leaving this place in a hour. This place could be so much better.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:43:18" }, { "business_id": "bmrEQ_4nzXc72zAFotrLYA", "business_name": "Arden Theatre Company", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my favorite theater in Philadelphia. I am a subscriber and can not be happier than this. This beautiful theater is located on prettt street at Old city. I love to make my trip out of it and check out Old city as well. They have first and second go, separated theater. Both have nice and comfy seats and great sound and view. I have been sitting front seat to watch but I believe most seats in that theater have great view. So far they have been showing amazing musical and plays. Some of them made me cry and some of them made me cry from laughing. Actors in Arden theater are super talented and so enthusiastic. You must check out this beautiful place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:47:08" }, { "business_id": "PhLYLCjM_dS_seS_fMBVeg", "business_name": "Helium Comedy Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to standing comedy show. I have been ones in NYC and LA only before coming to this once. From my past experience, comedy clubs were very pushy with minimum purchase. They were kept asking if I order another drink to have 2 drink minimum. It's their rule so I was fine with it. At least this place did not have that push. Actually was so hard to order our bar snack lol because the venue was so full and so hard to get attention from waitress. Well it's very refreshing haha We went there for special guest Bobby Lee comedy show. He was funny as I expected. Thought the opening guy was even funnier though. Now I will go back there for Margaret Cho show next month. I am super excited!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:50:33" }, { "business_id": "YWI4lRnWY7-dFBAei7JAEQ", "business_name": "Academy of Music", "rating": 4, "text": "It is gorgeous venue, so classic and beautiful! I like their Broadway musicals very much. So much cheaper than Broadway in NYC and as good as them. Watched musical Once, Phantom of the Opera and Cinderella. I probably watched Phantom at least 7 times haha. I know it is lame but I just love that show. My parents and me are such a big fan so we both watched multiple times but we read this new version of Phantom will be showing in Philly so we were exited to watch. And so excited to see how they were going to use this classic old style theater. It would be just perfect venue for phantom without trying. Setting was beautiful and music was great as usual. I just wasn't fan of new version they did. I really like their dramatic ending when phantom is surrounded by flames. I cried with him every time I watched. Revised ending was less dramatic and was a bit disappointing. Not sure if they did it because the stage had less space than ones in nyc. We did enjoyed Once and Cinderella as well. Very entertaining, great performance. They did not disappointed me. One thing was odd that the actors usually asked for the donation for their charity work after curtain call. I thought that was very nice and also smart. The audiences were so happy after watching fun musicals and willing to chip in. We all got out and walked down the stairs and the exit just lead us to street. We did not see anyone collecting donation. I saw people actually wanted to donate a bit and that was little disappointing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:05:26" }, { "business_id": "_aO_GP15Zrh7wcOuvaXnNw", "business_name": "Rodin Museum", "rating": 4, "text": "Who knew Philly has so much to offer to us! I never knew about Rodin this much until I visited this place. Me and my parents had artsy date and we had amazing time at Philadelphia museum of Art then we got free pass for this place. It was much smaller than expected but had a lot to enjoy. Loved that this museum wasn't too crowded, you can enjoy as long as you want. I saw Rodin's pieces at Met and Louvre but never get to enjoy with in peace like this. We walk around every rooms and enjoyed it. There was pretty corner of the room and you can leave your own sketch. My mom and I sat there and draw together. What a beautiful experience we had. Outdoor park was small but beautiful. Please check out this venue. You won't find like this anywhere.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 4, "text": "The first place I have visited in Philly. It is massive and events, special exhibitions are going on. First time we went there to watch \" Korean \" special exhibition. We actually booked the restaurant there to try their Korean themed tasting menu. Food was Asian fusion dish which wasn't too refreshing to us anymore but the venue was pretty and we enjoyed our meal. The museum was very impressive. They have amazing art as much as other major museums in other city and definitely less crowded than them. You get out of it so much. My mom is artist and she said it was amazing and had wonderful time with me. I am glad I got to check out and I do know I will have to make regular visit to this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:28:58" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 5, "text": "I finally get to see Barns foundation myself! Amazing!! I read about this place so much from news paper and art magazine. I heard this place is legendary and was excited to see it myself. What to say, it is modern and beautiful. And as we heard, they have so so so many art to display. They displayed every art as Dr. Barns had them in his mansion. You feel like you are waking into gorgeous house with full of collection. I was just stunned. There were so many things to see, the time slot we had felt so short. Mom and dad had amazing time too. My mom did say this was the best museum she's ever been too. I can't agree more. For example, Met or Louvre museums are so massive that I was already too intimidated by them and I got to walk way too much to enjoy them all. I got physically too tired to enjoy their art. Barns foundation was smaller and displayed so many art in one wall since they recreated exact same layout. I did not have to hop around too much and still got to see a lot. That was big plus. Now I have to schedule my next visit there to educate myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:37:29" }, { "business_id": "xrlyoI0SHEFBJa52qQnPUw", "business_name": "iSushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My another visit, was in the neighborhood and wanted to grab quick sushi and Vic sushi was way too far and I was starving... Got chicken wing, salmon salad, banzi roll as usual, one night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll. We were too hungry so was in hurry to order. I didn't have chicken wing but my hub enjoyed all. He said kinda taste like sesame chicken. My miso soup wasn't salty and really hot. I liked it, was perfect for this cold night. Banzi roll... could been better, too much cucumber than actual sashimi. I did miss my Vic sushi's Naruto roll again. One night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll were pretty good actually. Size is big and filled with crunchiness crabmeat with spicy mayo. I realized they just use same sauce for tuna sashimi as the dressing. I should've got tuna salad. Little lame. I did enjoyed one night and tuna rolls. But banzi roll and sashimi salad were little disappointing. Still solid 3 star place. But I will still go back there if I am in neighborhood. Just not gonna order banzi roll anymore.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T22:55:27" }, { "business_id": "bgxDswHIdFP0Go0pNfyAAw", "business_name": "Hummus Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "It feels so refreshing get away from Rittenhouse square area and up to university city. I liked the busy vibe and ethnic food options. Needed to grab quick bite after movie and we stopped by Hummus grill. Got Chicken Schwarma platter with eggplants and beef kabob. The portion was generous and veggies seemed fresh. My chicken was tender and delicious, I liked it a lot. Hummus was decent but I wouldn't say it was great. Egg plants was little too greasy. I wish I ordered beet salad instead. It looked better. It looked like fast food chain and service was fast. Dining area was little cold since customers kept coming in and out. It was definitely busy place. I don't think I want to eat there again. To go maybe..", "timestamp": "2015-02-19T00:56:39" }, { "business_id": "1LhpU1alopR_l-bWVQPkUA", "business_name": "Oh Shea's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "I felt interesting vibe from this place so I thought it is worth to leave review. Stopped by for quick drink. I am a non drinker so I can only review about bar food and ambiance. We ordered French fries, was unbelievably cheap.. Like $4 and they give you stack of French fries. OMG. Nothing special about that fries but for that price I was just amazed. It was just regular sports bar, not that crowded but it's located in center city anyway so I assume it would get busier during wkend or something. And I realized our waitress lady was like 60 or 70? years old beautiful lady. She was attentive and nice. She might be the owner. I am not sure, I am new here but this is something I never saw it in NYC before. I thought it was really cool :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:03:38" }, { "business_id": "dST75t2bHG-JtNTiYuSBMg", "business_name": "Uniqlo", "rating": 4, "text": "My favorite uniqlo store, there is never line. People who hadn't had experience at uniqlo store in NYC or any other major city wouldn't understand. Once I went there to exchange the size, I ended up waiting 40 min and I gave up exchanging. This store is new and people are so nice unlike employees in nyc. I think people there just are tired or just have bad temper maybe. I have amazing experiences here so far. They were so helpful finding design and my size for me and super friendly and actually enjoy working there. Must make my shopping so pleasant. They do have awesome basic stuff and have amazing price. They run size little bigger than original uniqlo in Asia so keep in mind and order one size smaller if you do.", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:11:08" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 3, "text": "4 of us had dinner there tonight. My hub dined there before and we awarded of their small portions. He was not very impressed with his last visit but 3 of us haven't been there so we gave a shot anyway. The restaurant was cozy and warm. Very tiny but we did not mind as long as food good. I got crudo, sautéed mushroom appetizer. Since it would be small I ordered two for myself. My hub got mussel. Did not find anything special about crudo, I thought mushroom appetizer was the best among them. Maybe too much butter on them but I am a huge butter lover. The main dish was disappointing. Me and my friends both ordered Bouillabaisse. When our server described it, that sounded so awesome. When we saw our dish... that was sad. Literally there were two piece of fish in my soup. Size of my thumb nail. My friend's one was same. There was no decent meat in it at all so I really hoped the broth would be amazing. It wasn't. Lack of flavor and I got really sad since I really like bouillabaisse. I left all of my soup even the portion was tiny.. Tried my hub's pork cheek dish as well. The smell of pork really disturbed me for some reason. I am not a crazy meat lover so I easily disturbed by smell of the meat. But I do eat steak and any kind of meat. But just that dish had really strong pork smell I did not like. My hub did not enjoy very either. This place seems have pretty good review so I am not sure if it was only us but non of us thought our meal was delicious at all but we did enjoy byob and cozy ambiance very much. Since I gave only one try I might go back eventually but definitely not anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-21T08:20:23" }, { "business_id": "ArGw19nfPgjR28TTfgb7iw", "business_name": "Smith & Wollensky", "rating": 4, "text": "Had pleasant dinner there. Me and my hub only have been to S&W in NYC and both had decent experiences there. I am not a huge meat eater but I do enjoy bread basket ( they always have great ones!) and appetizers at steak house. We got bunch of appetizers and one huge aged rib eye. Ordered Wollensky salad, mussels, fritto misto, crab cake. I enjoyed the crab cake and fritto misto the most. They were really delicious. Salad and mussels were good too but little salty for me but I enjoyed them all. Hub got spiced rubbed rib eye. I had some, was juicy and tender. I thought was delicious but again, I am not a huge meat eater so I might be wrong. Our sever, I think his name was Rick, he was very attentive and nice. Service wise it was great. I liked that this place wasn't overly packed so we could enjoy quite meal there. The NYC one always packed with cooperate people and tourists whenever I visited there. Wasn't super pleasant. Overall was very satisfying meal. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-23T04:26:38" }, { "business_id": "-0TffRSXXIlBYVbb5AwfTg", "business_name": "IndeBlue Modern Indian Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad to find beautiful indian restaurant in the hood. Tried their vegetable samosa, spicy scallop and shrimp crusted salmon. They were all good! Samosa was crispy and deliciously seasoned. Scallop and salmon were great. I really liked the ambiance, it was lively and was perfect for grabbing some yummy food and enjoy conversation. I tried the lassi as well. And was rich and creamy as I like. I wish I tried their crispy chaat. Looked really but no one wanted to order so we skipped it. I will definitely try that dish next time I am there. The service was very professional and kind.", "timestamp": "2015-02-24T07:48:23" }, { "business_id": "DAbpxhhHOxInDNLdvWrTTQ", "business_name": "Smile Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is only based on take out food. We ordered couple dishes for delivery. Spring rolls, chicken wing with sweet chili sauce, pad see ew and Tom yum soup noodle. Food got delivered in about 40min. There was some good and bad about their food. Spring roll was not so greasy and crispy but lack of flavor. It was already kind of cold but it was delivery food so understandable. Chicken wings were actually delicious. Was good choice. The most disappointing dish was my pad see ew. Noodles were all stuck together so it was like gigantic rice cake and half of them got no sauce on them and uncooked. They put generous portion of vegetable and seemed fresh ones so that was plus. My hub did not enjoy his Tom yum noodle soup. I tasted it, it had too much lime in the broth and I prefer little less but everyone has different preference. Overall was average experience for me. We enjoyed their appetizers but not much luck with main dishes. I am not sure because it was my first try and it was take out. If I dine there it might be total different experience. But no more delivery from this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-26T01:59:47" }, { "business_id": "IsmxvaMe2i-eWnHDyC0WJQ", "business_name": "Rice & Mix", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried their take out dinner last night. I ordered spicy pork over the rice and hub got galbi tang. My hub loves authentic Korean food and me not so much. I can't handle garlic and spicy very well and doesn't appreciate free kimchi side either so I actually prefer Korean fusion places. I thought this place might be the one for me. And actually I was right. My spicy pork dish was just right for me. That means for someone looking for authentic Spicy pork dishes.. might be disappointed. I liked the fact that they didn't use much or garlic and did not see any red pepper flakes on my plate. I do hate red pepper flakes mixed with sauce usually so it was just right for me. They gave hot sauce on the side but I did not use that. It was a bit sweet and slightly spicy side. And I also got the multigrain rice which was delicious. The texture was chewy and dry side so it was almost like multi grain salad. They give edamame and steamed carrot on the side which I wasn't fan of. My dish was delicious ( for me) but was too small. I am so used huge portion of Korean meal with free sides. But I did like the sauce a lot so I will keep going back whenever I am craving. My hub actually enjoyed his galbi tang. They used LA galbi, different type of galbi Korean uses for this soup but broth was good. He finished all. But he is the kind of guy needs kimchi and side dishes when he eats Korean so he was sad there was no free kimchi. I would really like this place if they have little bigger portion .", "timestamp": "2015-02-27T17:59:40" }, { "business_id": "tS8uQ3F3azhluLqcoG3v-Q", "business_name": "Balance Spa & Fitness", "rating": 4, "text": "My review is only about massage sessions. Went there to get 50 min massage from Yolanda. I read good reviews about her massage so was very excited. The reviews were right. Her Swedish massage was very soothing. I got so relaxed so almost fell asleep during the session. She asked about my concerns before massage and worked on it very detailed. Wish I booked two hour session. 50 min felt really short working on entire body since she moves very slowly ( that was really soothing and awesome btw) She got warm and soft hands which is so important for me! Once I got massage from therapist who had ice cold and rough hands. I prayed for my session to be over soon for entire hour. Yolanda even apologized that she had long nails today which I didn't feel any, her nail was short enough for massage. If you got scratched by nails during massage you would know what I mean. She was very professional. I could not give 5 star because it was not a just massage therapist office. It was a hotel spa and the facility wasn't that great. The robe seemed worn off, the pool didn't seen super nice so I didn't use it after my session. They suppose to have jacuzzi and sauna also but I didn't not check after I saw the pool. I was very satisfied with session but facilities.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:19:59" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 5, "text": "So so so good. I love their salad and Italian seafood grill. I have been there multiple times but once I had just ok meal. My seafood grill was overly cooked that day. I hated the texture of my rubbery calamari and dry swordfish that day. Last night I asked the server that I prefer not over cooked seafood. She was so kind and said she will make sure. And my dish was phenomenon. Was sooooo good and the best grilled seafood I had. I was super satisfied. We also got shaved sprout salad, garlic bread, meatball and vongole pasta. They were all delicious. We really enjoyed them all. I can eat there everyday.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:28:26" }, { "business_id": "1qw5dIsQPNGLOwnuP7Wj1g", "business_name": "South Bowl", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there for their soft opening since lucky strike and north bowl had longer wait. Uber driver had hard time to find the place since there was no sign outside. We were roughly waited for an hour and got some drink at the bar. Some guy spilled his drinks on us and we got all wet. It's happy Saturday night so we didn't wanna be mean anything. We said ok and waited for napkin or anything from bartender at the bar. We had to wait 10 min to get some napkin to clean up and we got soaked with drink and stood there. It was busy but not that busy compare with north bowl. The staffs seemed trying their best( they seemed really overwhelmed) but just very unorganized yet. When I got my bowling shoes, they were wrong size first so went back to switch to other ones then they gave me both left side lol. Something like small things kept happening. I think because it was first night. It wasn't smooth overall. We ordered bunch of food. Food was similar with north bowl but just takes really long to get food and drink. It is opening night for them so I am sure they will get better by time.", "timestamp": "2015-03-01T07:23:24" }, { "business_id": "kjKImJ8dLwN4jDi5PQP46g", "business_name": "Unite Fitness - Philly East", "rating": 4, "text": "Enjoyed working out there for a month and I am looking forward going back. The coaches there were professional and encouraged the people like me who weren't very athletic. I've never really done any strength work out in my life and definitely not athletic side. I actually hate working out. But their 75 min class was pretty fun even to me. People there seemed very strong and well trained compare to me so I was little intimidated but I survived. I could give 5 star for their classes and coaches but little pricy side for me and no free towel services or shower etc was little inconvenient for me.", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T04:41:36" }, { "business_id": "8P8HIysyyGbG8_94cG1Jyg", "business_name": "Entree BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "Had very pleasant evening at Entree BYOB. I saw great reviews about this place and finally decided to give a shot. 6 of us got a big table near entrance. It was small restaurant so that was only table can accommodate big group. We sat promptly and ordered $50 pre fix. It was great deal. We got all different dishes. Lobster tempura, cheese plate, prosciutto wrapped date. I got cheese plate. They serve 5 different kind cheese I think. I liked blue cheese and fried goat cheese the most. It came with peanut brittle, pear slice, arugula and some bread. It was huge for appetizer and was great choice. I didn't taste other friend's dishes but everyone enjoyed theirs. I got seared tuna and scallop with ink pasta for main dish. The pasta sauce was eggplant and tomato based and it was delicious! And spicy!!!! Scallop was good size and perfectly cooked. I liked scallop more than tuna. Pasta had very strong garlic flavor so I couldn't taste seared tuna very well since I started eating pasta first. But overall very satisfying dish. For dessert, got lemon mascarpone cheese cake. Yum yum yum. And also their fried Oreo... Was very good choice as others said. The portion was huge and price was awesome too. Really enjoyed it. Place was small and we sat in front of entrance and people kept coming in so it got cold while dining. Except that it was fantastic restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:28:37" }, { "business_id": "1o0C_fqBgnQCiWn4A0R68g", "business_name": "Nuts To You", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite snack heaven in Philly. I get so happy whenever I go to their store. I am a gummy lover and its gummy heaven. I grab could different kinds gummy and dark roast peanut for my hub. He really likes roast peanut from them. Today I got gummy, peanut, raw pumpkin seed and Turkish coffee. Total was just over $18. So cheap and snacks are fresh. Love love them!", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:41:27" }, { "business_id": "3NsTKp85H2FUjr1SURf0NQ", "business_name": "Greenstreet Coffee Co.", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute and little neighborhood coffee spot. Me and u friend stopped by today for quick coffee and snack. Ordered cappuccino, ice green tea and biscotti. We were in very chatty mood so we sat outside. Small place was filled with patron who were working or studying there so felt bad to sit there and disturb them since it was tiny spot. Cappuccino was foamy and smelled awesome. I got ice green tea and they didn't charge for extra like other places. Biscotti was big enough also. One barista there made good coffee alone and very quite so it would be perfect study spot not for chatty date with girlfriends.", "timestamp": "2015-03-09T21:20:26" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I might ordered the least popular menu here but I loved it. I was wondering about this place since I see always long line of people waiting outside even during wkdays. I had beet salad and hub got the burger. And side of mac and cheese. I really enjoyed my beet salad. The portion of beet was very generous. Also they gave me a lot of goat cheese which was so yummy. Greens were fresh and dressing was delicious. He said burger was just ok. He wished he got the French toast or pancake. Seems like everyone getting them and looked really good. I will definitely go back there to try their best sellers.", "timestamp": "2015-05-17T21:46:04" }, { "business_id": "QhgrhVKlXZtSY6gRThf8zA", "business_name": "Bing Bing Dim Sum", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty interesting restaurant. This was my first visit to E Passyunk. I was pleasantly surprised with their dishes. We were extremely hungry so ordered basically everything on the menu. I enjoyed everything we ordered except pork soup dumpling. It was corn and bacon based so the soup was little greasier than others but my friend enjoyed it. I did enjoyed their bun, Taiwanese dumplings, xo sauced chicken wings, turnip cake and scallion rice dish. Yum yum yum. Dishes could be spicier side since they are not afraid using chili oil and sriracha sauce but they were delicious to me. Sitting outside and having a Dimsum?! Sounds Awesome to me.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:35:05" }, { "business_id": "yAXiqUXVDdzWAXMFAobuCQ", "business_name": "Wheel Fun Rentals - Boathouse Row", "rating": 5, "text": "It was best $30 I spent this year. Me and my friend enjoyed awesome 80 min surrey ride. It looked uncoolest thing you could ride but we had a puppy and wanted check out the park so we decide to give a shot anyway. I ended up purchasing annual membership lol. They basically give you 50% time for free if you have membership which was nice deal. We had little ride by river and turned out it was tremendous work out. Our original plan was doing this then go to flywheel after but we skipped the gym after this. It was really nice to see the scenery and get some outdoor activity. Plus my dog loved it ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:47:38" }, { "business_id": "noBinj5ChHbPCHfqTcUO6g", "business_name": "Plenty Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I adore this little cafe. People there are so nice and pet friendly. Their peach cobbler cake is so moist and just enough sweet. Their ice tea is awesome, fresh squeezed orange juice is always delicious. Their little outdoor seats are always nice.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:50:22" }, { "business_id": "EMp87GsYkVdwHftE7Ar2_w", "business_name": "Cosmic Café and Ciderhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "I appreciate this little cafe a lot. It is locate to right next bike rental, entrance of boathouse row so I would say it is in prime location. In the winter, you want to grab hot coffee here and during the summer, you want ice coffee from this place. I mean this place would be doing great no matter what because of the location. But their coffee is actually pretty good, they make fresh fruit smoothies without any sweetener. Only fresh fruit in there. Their frittata was delicious, side salad and potato were fresh. Yum yum yum. I had veggie wrap before and it was yummy. All food and drink looked very fresh to me and seems like people there make an effort to make this place pleasant. 5 stars.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:57:09" }, { "business_id": "i_FWONQD1ZBqrNE2b-M5Ug", "business_name": "Talula's Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "This is such a beautiful restaurant and I am so happy to live near by. I had brunch before and this time I tried dinner and I am glad I did. The weather was perfect for outdoor dining experience and food was delicious. Me and my girlfriend split couple dishes and we really enjoyed them. We got welcome dish- fresh baked brioche. Yum yum yum. For appetizer, got tuna crudo and sweet pea salad. Tuna was so fresh and paired watermelon was amazing. Sweet pea salad was little blend for me but friend enjoyed it. We shared pan seared halibut. The portion was not so small and broccoli was delicious with fish. We couldn't decide btwn ricotta donut and butterscotch pudding so we got both! The pudding was the winner for sure . Must get it.", "timestamp": "2015-06-17T03:37:05" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 4, "text": "After watched the show at Arden, me and my hubby grabbed dinner at Fork. We had so so experiences at High street on Market so hesitated a bit but we gave a shot after read positive reviews. It had welcoming and beautiful ambiance and services were professional. Overall I enjoyed my meal but husband wasn't very impressed. I guess restaurant really can't satisfy everyone. I am a girl who hates leaving restaurant hungry so amuse bouche and several house treat platters made me very happy. We had 4 course tasting menu and they served different treats after each course. Sweet bread starter and shrimp raw platter were delicious start. They were not super small portion. For pasta course,we had gnudi pasta and ravioli. Gnudi pasta was delicious since I am big fan of cheese but it could be too rich for others who doesn't enjoy rich cheese. I thought ravioli was lack of flavor. But again, I am rich, creamy pasta girl. For main, we got duck breast and pork. Hubby ordered pork but he didn't like it much so we ended up switching the plate. I thought pork was ok. But not blown away. Oddly side dishes for both main courses were pickled vegetable. Since I got pickled veggie for my sweet bread starter, it was too much pickle for 4 courses dinner. Dessert, hubby got Black Forest cake( it's more like mousse) and I got cheese plate. Cheese selection was good. I enjoyed mine. Hubby didn't like his mousse so I ended up finishing his. It was rich but too bitter for me. Overall I left restaurant full and happy, I would go back if I am near for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-06-24T05:26:05" }, { "business_id": "bLJP0fVgscuUQy0hE_CRXA", "business_name": "Xiandu Thai", "rating": 4, "text": "Very decent Thai restaurant in center city. I had lunch special with friends and I was really satisfied. Had Tum yum soup and red curry with rice. Soup was really delicious even though I normally don't like tom yum soup. Red curry was mild spicy and creamy. Really like it. It could have been 5 star if our server were little bit helpful. My friend asked about her menu, she didn't want to order fried food and wanted to make sure but our server gave her wrong information and she ended up with deep fried dish. It was delicious however that was not what she was asking. It could have been 5 star.", "timestamp": "2015-07-10T03:01:12" }, { "business_id": "6aoXAXNrL7KrGBVRYBMFWw", "business_name": "Andre Richard Salon", "rating": 5, "text": "They have two salons at Washington square park area. They are so close to me so I've been both locations. The one at 12th street gym location is smaller but the one on Locust street is much larger and nicer. My girl is Anastasia and I really like her. She listens my concern and try to help out. It is crucial for me to click with my hair stylist since communication is very important. She is definitely very thoughtful and not pushy. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-07-24T19:41:13" }, { "business_id": "pxmBh8YZ6HLGQfNHvJoHzA", "business_name": "Nomad Roman Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "It is great local pizza spot for me. Convenient location and no waiting to be seated. I noticed Philly has some great pizza spots!!! Nomad was on my list and finally tried. I saw great reviews about root salad and margarita pizza so I got them and also tried meat balls. I did enjoy my root salad, it has so much flavor but It was little small even for appetizer. Pizza was pretty good but I've had better in Philly. However meatball was disappointing. Was lack of flavor and I tried some amazing meatball dishes in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T21:35:10" }, { "business_id": "FhwTEGqdir75uyXZqWqxlw", "business_name": "Big Gay Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "I was glad this cute ice cream shop opened near my place. There was long line and I loved their excited ambiance. I tried their best seller - salty pimp. They sprinkled a lot of salt, caramel and covered with chocolate. I was super excited to watch them making my ice cream. I think I enjoyed that experience more than eating it. Maybe it's only me, I was never big fan of salted caramel fan. And def it was pricier side for soft ice cream. I think I will stick with my Yogorino.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T22:13:17" }, { "business_id": "rMWdWJHblLHt_BQ2kWj5Bg", "business_name": "Seger Dog Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad I have couple doggie run near me. I appreciate having this park close to me. Compare to the one by river, this one doesn't not have separate doggie run so it might be not suitable for small dogs but my 7 pounds baby loves go there and hang out with big dogs. I did not have any bad experiences there so far, big dogs there behave so well and gentle with my small baby. They play so well together and we had a great time however you just never know. C I met some cool people there, they were every friendly. It's not artificial grass so her paws got dirty after playing there and sometimes it stink.", "timestamp": "2015-08-13T18:18:33" }, { "business_id": "V8we7-uCa-SouadZmZ9Ieg", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory", "rating": 3, "text": "It is so lame but this was chain restaurant I really wanted to try haha. I just heard about this place a lot- huge portion, good dessert etc however I've never seen this place anywhere in city. Now I finally went! Stopped by for lunch, got Alfredo fettuccini ( lunch portion) with chicken and classic burger with fries. We thought that would be safe choice since it was our first visit. Pasta was very thick, creamy like other chain restaurant. Chicken breast was moist and tender. My hubby enjoyed his burger and couldn't finish his fries. We were full so had original cheese cake piece to go. Our server was very friendly and had full of smile on her face whenever we sees her. Food was nothing ordinary but service was nice and I like to have this restaurant in the city.", "timestamp": "2015-08-14T17:34:40" }, { "business_id": "2er_V-oAd7IbQ5YTY56r7A", "business_name": "Bareburger - Midtown Village", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to be a big fan of Bare burger when they opened in NYC. I am not sure why I totally neglected this place for years. I only tried their vegetarian menus in NYC, my vegetarian friends really appreciated their veggie protein options. I remember those were yummy. Today we got County, Caviar burger with fries and rings. Large size comes with 4 speciality sauces. I thought burger bun was pretty good however I prefer juicy meat so this one was a bit dry for me. Also I prefer crispy fries, this one was little soggy... I remember this chain used to much better, maybe it depends on location. I am still glad to have heathy burger option near me", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T17:16:49" }, { "business_id": "NUJrCPU51Cvip4ayZD1P5g", "business_name": "Jose Pistola's", "rating": 4, "text": "I would say their bar food is very decent. I actually enjoyed their taco and nachos very much. I am not huge fan of bar food- normal greasy and very salty for me. However couple of friends recommended this place for Mexican snack and I can't agree more. Nachos were so yummy!! Crispy and I liked their topping. Not soggy and just perfect combination of bean, veggies and cheese! Tacos were decent as well however I think nacho was the winner. Definitely going back for some snack.", "timestamp": "2015-08-20T03:06:57" }, { "business_id": "uIZwBkvWicqyWraXvYOipw", "business_name": "Sbraga", "rating": 5, "text": "They have great 4 course meal for $55. What a amazing deal. And absolutely delicious. I was very happy to receive warm and crispy pop over and foie gras soup. I wasn't feeling for pop over so didn't have it but my hubby said it was so good and he finished it. And he is not a bread person. Their welcome dishes are even impressive. The soup was.... amazing. So creamy and so savory. Can't get enough. Wish they have that for their regular menu. I will totally get it. I got hamachi, lamb pasta appetizer, striped bass and cheese plate. 3 decent sized pieces of hamachi accompanied with jalapeño. It was so good, I forgot to take photo. Lamb pasta was delicious and rich with sauce. But I switched to my hubby's dish- saffron pasta with crab meat. I liked his dish better. Bass was cooked so moist and delicious. Very very satisfied. I was very happy to see cheese plate w/o extra charge. Nice touch! They gave me 3 piece with candid walnut and fig. I enjoyed sheep milk cheese the most.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:42:17" }, { "business_id": "nsH0hQ7xB5LS2_Ba3mqHTQ", "business_name": "Paesano's Philly Style", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok. So I finally tried Paesano sandwich. I was meaning to try it for very long time. My hubby picked up for me and I had it for lunch next day. I enjoyed it very much and I am sure if I eat fresh one.. I will be blown away.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:55:53" }, { "business_id": "fEqiXG_B-fn__w0aeF3nBQ", "business_name": "Laurel", "rating": 4, "text": "Very creative restaurant. I am not a fan of cold dishes but I did enjoy my ice flaked hamachi and foie gras dish. They were creamy but not overly empowering. We ordered truffle gnocchi for extra and that was right choice. I enjoyed very much. They were not cheap with truffle so $30 was so worthy. For main course, cod was decent size and my boo liked that dish the most. Pork was super tender and delicious. Dessert was chocolate pudding. I was expecting something special so when dessert came out, I was little disappointed. It was yummy but nothing special about dessert.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:51:03" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my favorite Sabrina's brand. I tried all 3 locations in city and keep coming back to this one. Staff is nice and food is consistent. I feel this space little larger than one at Italian market so feel less cramped. Burger and breakfast egg are always delicious and enjoy their fresh sneezed juice. Can't wait to go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:57:50" }, { "business_id": "POuaebsAeCyNx-8qZ3O7XQ", "business_name": "Shang Hai 1", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their soup dumpling very much. They are fast,delicious and super cheap. Tried couple dumplings here and they were all good. We got experimental and ordered regular menu but they were so so. I will stick to dumplings only from now on.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T04:01:28" }, { "business_id": "pXRrRf8fDv6yU3xp1E25hA", "business_name": "Bud & Marilyn's", "rating": 4, "text": "I was wondering about this place awhile and finally got to try it. Got cheese curds, short rib stroganoff, fried chicken and lobster buns. I always wanted to try cheese curd truck but never got to wait to get to so this was perfect. Was little salty for me but if you skip the sauce then it's bearable. As other reviews said, short rib stroganoff was definitely winner of the night. Was delicious and I love it very much. Lobster buns were pretty good too. Decent size of lobsters in it. Not heavy on sauce. Yum. Fried chicken dish was huge. Big two pieces include breast. I prefer white meat part so it was perfect. It wasn't Korean fried chicken style,it was more like Blue ribbon fried chicken in NYU. Otherwise fancy KFC lol Most dishes were little saltier side than other restaurants but maybe good with drinks. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T17:21:31" }, { "business_id": "8-A_4Jp2-NHKvjLcPE8HVA", "business_name": "United States Postal Service Land Title Station", "rating": 1, "text": "Wish I could give \" zero\" star. Yelp needs to give us option to give zero star. Seriously.. This location usps deserve to get Zero star. Normally most of experiences at USPS are not very pleasant. But I am reasonable person. I do not expect 5 star hotel service here. You do not have to kind and super helpful to me. Just let me send out my pkg without making me so unpleasant. I went to this location multiple times since it is so close to me however it was my last time to go there. One of lady is extremely rude. I did not see her name ( wish I did, so I can save a lot of people's bad experiences there) but I think most reviews here already mention about her. I actually saw once she made one customer cried. She yelled and extremely rude to her and the poor young lady actually cried in front of other ppl and said she shouldn't be so mean. I did not hear whole conversation so I did not leave any review at that time. This time, actually was my experience. Same lady extremely rude to me for no reason and I did not argue with crazy lady so just left saying nothing since even if I complain, the crazy lady won't change. Do not go there. There are other locations.. And if you must..do not go to right side of counter. There are two counters. She will find way to yell at you even if you did anything wrong and just waiting on line for your turn. She loves to boss around and yell at her customers and most of us are too busy and just want to leave there asap.. She is abusing it. So far she was always on the right side. She is extremely unpleasant person to deal with. Be aware.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T15:20:21" }, { "business_id": "3eJMsl41qwhcYlvoTF1ElQ", "business_name": "a.kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is purely about their lunch special. Had pleasant experience there. Their lunch special is great deal. Big portion and great service. I had smoked charr flat bread and Tuna. Hubby got steak tartare and octopus. I liked my tuna a lot. They served 3 huge chunk of tuna pieces. I have big portion but this satisfied me :-) Smoked char, I normally love this dish but this one was too salty. Couldn't really taste fish be cause it was too picked. I did not enjoy hubby's tartar, raw meat was very chunky, piece was too big for steak tartar but hubby enjoyed it. Octopus was my favorite dish there. Chef must love pickle so much. Our dish was full of prickly flavor. I love them so had no problem.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T16:38:29" } ]	{ "business_id": "4HLur5bFXB6pT0o4ao3wgA", "business_name": "Nagwon Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "Best value all you can eat Korean bbq in city. It's not close from where we live so hesitated to go there however the owner couple were very attentive. All you can eat bbq has all kind of meats and seafood. So everyone has something to eat. Side dishes are pretty good. Sometime they are cold if you go odd hour. Bean paste stew are delicious. Great value. Wish they were close to center city.", "timestamp": "2016-01-29T05:47:11" }
NUtIAX-ygn474tDg5nmesg	[ { "business_id": "wUnLSg_GKfEIQ5CQQ770_g", "business_name": "Vetri Cucina", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try this place. Heard good things about it. I was very impressed and enjoyed every dishes except one. Sadly that was my main dish. Ambiance wasn't fancy. Reminds small restaurant in Italy. Our waiter was excellent and very knowledgable. Definitely going back.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T04:26:32" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 4, "text": "Great lunch spot. Stopped by with my parents today for quick lunch. Lunch special is great deal. We ordered two lunch special and one appetizer and still had left over. Lunch special burrito was huge and my parents loved it. And my parents are pretty picky eaters so I assumed burrito was good even though I didn't taste it. I had chicken taco which was great as well. I will def come back again.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:27:13" }, { "business_id": "tC8i2_9ww-WoT1wZOCwRrw", "business_name": "Sue's Custom Dressmaking & Tailor Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. I am very particular with my dress. Really hard to find decent alteration in the US compare with where I am from. I always brought my dresses to Korea or HK until I found this place. I brought couple dresses to be tailored. I was little worried that It wouldn't be that simple job. They needed to be tailored entirely, not just trimmed. Materials weren't easy to handle since they were very delicate. And some of them were vintage items. They did amazing job and I love them all. Korean tailors are the best. And they are one of top for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:40:50" }, { "business_id": "LiHdRXlcj0GDm_e97oiwKw", "business_name": "Pure Fare", "rating": 4, "text": "Really delicious smoothie. I got leaf green one. Had spinach, banana, kale and etc I think. Was not super sweet or icy. It was very delicious and thick but not over powered banana flavor like other places! I would give 5 star if portion wasn't that tiny. The guy who made my smoothie threw away left over inside mixer after poured my smoothie in tiny cup. I wanted to cry!", "timestamp": "2014-07-31T20:01:31" }, { "business_id": "F7fC4dZW17muSvE8ixaXkQ", "business_name": "LeBus Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "It is a bakery but their bread selections aren't so amazing. I though muffins are just average. Cookies are just ok.. Actually loft bread was so dry. However I still go there pretty often for getting couscous and curry chicken deli sandwich for lunch. Their couscous is one of best I ever had.", "timestamp": "2014-11-25T00:56:34" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 2, "text": "Conveniently located in center city. Cozy ambiance and friendly staff. Nothing exciting on menu. Order bunch of dishes with group of ppl. Smoked tuna taco.. Tasted like mayo albacore tuna sandwich. I do like tuna sandwich but didn't expect eat them in restaurant. Bacon and date dish was good but who doesn't like that combo.. Hard to mess up that dish, nothing extraordinary. Had empanadas which was pretty average as well. Ordered ceviche smaller as well. I do heart law fish. It is really easy to impress me with raw seafood dish but even I wasn't blown away.. For main dishes we ordered scallops, skirt steak, tuna and duck dishes. I think duck dish was the best among them. Scallop was good as well but was a bit burned. Other dishes were so so. Not bad but not amazing. I was very excited to try dessert there because the signature dessert, chocolate cigar one looked amazing, it was really cute to see it but wasn't super tasty however coconut tapioca dessert was the hit. Probably the best part of this meal. We had 2 cocktail, one beer and one diet coke as well. Bill was around $400 for 4ppl. Not worth for the price.", "timestamp": "2014-12-17T03:58:33" }, { "business_id": "VJEzpfLs_Jnzgqh5A_FVTg", "business_name": "Jasmine Rice - Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I really wanted to like this place. People seem kind and conveniently located in center city. Wasn't able to find decent thai place in center city so I was excited to try new spot. Sadly couldn't reach my expectation. We ordered 4 appetizers and 2 main dishes for two ppl. I know it sounds a lot for two ppl but was good decision to order that much. Otherwise we would be left hungry. Got fried calamari, coconut soup, steamed mussels and spring rolls for appetizer. As some of others mentioned already the portions are tiny here. Soup size was ridiculous. Smallest soup I've never had.Spring roll size was about my pinky, was delicious but tiny tiny.. Those two appetizers were extremely small even for starter. For main dish we got pad Thai with beef and red curry with chicken. Pad Thai was really sweet. Maybe too sweet even for Americanized thai food. Red curry broth was delicious, was creamy and good amount of spice. But there wasn't enough soup. They serve curry on flat plate so they can't hold enough soup for curry and rice. I am not sure why they choose use that plate for soupy dishes. Curry broth was amazing but green bean and carrot weren't cooked at all. I wanted to give one star to be honest but only reason I gave two star was the server was very kind and gave me more broth for my curry. The extra curry broth he brought was bigger portion than my coconut soup btw.", "timestamp": "2014-12-22T19:38:13" }, { "business_id": "TunmRrfZb7bt53T6HJi4UQ", "business_name": "Bleu Sushi", "rating": 1, "text": "They have very strict groupon policy which I don't understand. The restaurant was more than half empty but owner gave us hard time to redeem groupon because we did not make a reservation with groupon. Won't back again.", "timestamp": "2014-12-24T18:26:15" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 1, "text": "Sadly have to leave negative review even though their lovely ambiance and great customer service. Tried tasting menu and most of dishes were overly salted except first course which was pumpkin spiced soup and dessert. Btw only good part of this meal. Two of us had to finish two bottle of water ( they were huge btw but we had to finish. If you wanna increase water intake..please go to this place) and also had to drink diet coke as well. I rather pay more and go back to Vetri to enjoy expensive Italian meal or just stick with my fav Little Nonna.. Philly just have too many Italian options.", "timestamp": "2014-12-25T07:15:58" }, { "business_id": "g8OyaT2RL8JCKItDExcFug", "business_name": "Blackfish", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried 7course tasting menu. Was $90 before tax so it is great deal for decent tasting. Right after had huge disappointment from il Pittore's super salty tasting menu, I was pretty satisfied with this place. They serve fresh oyster and tofu cream dish for amuse bouche. Had crudo with yuzu, chicken liver mousse, chestnut ravioli with mushroom foam I believe, seared salmon and braised beef dish. They were all delicious. I didn't have much expectation for this restaurant to be honest but I though all dishes were yummy! For dessert courses they served cheese plate, raspberry jelly donut which was meh... then finish with goat cheese mousse which was great. Since main dishes were so delicious, dessert was little weak but overall satisfied meal for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-12-28T05:00:52" }, { "business_id": "i76ERS3jM111T3VMbi2yrQ", "business_name": "Sagami", "rating": 3, "text": "After tried Morimoto, Zama, Raw, Fat salmon and etc.. I am still in searching mode for good sushi. Wish I found the one today but it did not happen. 4 of us ordered 2 zaru soba, chirashi, sushi set A, sashimi dinner set, seaweed side dish and mushroom and egg dashi soup. Nigiri size was very generous. They were thick and but lack of flavor. Friends who been here multiple times agreed that this place usually better than this but for some reason today.. everything was just plain. Rice wasn't seasoned enough either so chirashi wasn't so delicious. Soba was ok and tamago was pretty good, sweet and soft texture. Side dishes were good, seaweed and ginger salad weren't too sweet so I enjoyed them. But our main dishes were disappointing. I saw others ordered cooked dishes and they looked good. Think we picked wrong dishes.. I might give one more try since lack of my sushi choices in philly but probably will stick with cooked dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:31:40" }, { "business_id": "EwX4CUwRFwjO9oO5sJJ-bA", "business_name": "Pileggi on the Square", "rating": 5, "text": "My review is only about the massage experience with Dairo here. I tried so many massage therapists in philly and now finally I found the person to go to! This place divided to two section, hair salon and spa downstair. Massage room is clean and quite. You get to choose your oil and they give you solid 50 min massage. He mostly worked on upper body and didn't get to work on my legs much but 50 min is short time to cover both and I usually have really tense shoulder so was perfect for me. He ask you few questions before you going into the room so let him know where you want him to work on. I am so addict to massage. Can't get it enough and by far he is the best in Philly.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:54:20" }, { "business_id": "Oh3Q3QfhMl2DArFiLUrT9Q", "business_name": "La Fourno Ristorante Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "My star is based on Groupon dinner only. Used the groupon for dinner for two. Got salad ( fresh and yummy), soup( home style cooking) and pizza for appetizer. I saw a lot of reviews that their pizza is great and it was right. Pizza was delicious. Must get the pizza if you go. We got veal Parmesan and stuffed chicken dish for main. They were pretty good but I thought veal dish price is too high. For groupon deal, they were awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-01-22T23:25:00" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute French bistro in neighborhood. Warm ambiance and good service. The portion of dishes are generous here even for bistro. Had lamb shank and brisket dishes for main. Both were pretty good but they were really salty. I do like their dessert menu. Their Mille feuille is delicious. One thing I wasn't happy was their butter. They served little cold butter so hard to spread on bread :-(", "timestamp": "2015-01-23T00:03:07" }, { "business_id": "41Wm32-Aj7jdejK4QfUDDw", "business_name": "Schuylkill River Dog Run", "rating": 5, "text": "Great dog run. I've only been to doggie runs in NYC and this place is 10times better!!!!! It has two separate section for small and big doggies. It isn't stink like other doggie runs I experienced so I can tell Its very well maintained. Very very clean and I can tell it won't get muddy when it's snow or rain. Very satisfied with this place!!!", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T00:38:05" }, { "business_id": "bjPUhanWoinHi2kywvVzBA", "business_name": "Mercato BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "So happy that I found this place. I always walked by this place and always wondered. It is small and intimidate place. We shared fontana cheese meatball, soup and both had market fish platter. They were pretty delicious. And olive herb butter accompany to bread was nice touch.", "timestamp": "2015-01-28T02:35:05" }, { "business_id": "DsKzHnkLKnxZTVsFpts4oA", "business_name": "Red Owl Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "Better food than I thought. I had zero expectation when I walked in with group on sat evening. Has no reservation but we were seated promptly. Tried bunch of bar snack and burger and fries were good. Their cheese plate gave 5 kinds of cheese and generous with portion.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T03:58:51" }, { "business_id": "5INWCIArMbFd-aku3-UI3Q", "business_name": "Ana Pesce Advance Skin Technology", "rating": 5, "text": "My visit to Ana Pesce again. Had another amazing experience there and I noticed they moved to bigger and nicer venue so I felt like I should update my review. Weather hasn't been nice so my skin got dry and needed another facial.Today I went back to Ana and I feel like I got what I needed. She did some amazing mask( she applied thick mask then cover it with plasticky paper then use lightening machine to massage) I am not sure what she did since she improvise depends on your skin condition so every visit was little different each time in my case. Got a amazing result. I applied make up on after my facial. My skin was glowing and smooth. Loved the result. My friend did facial with Cindy to get extraction. Her treatment is little longer than mine since she got extraction and some laser treatment done. She looked absolutely fresh after facial and she was very happy with Cindy's work. I love that they are very professional and dedicate to their job. I thought was weird that they asked so many questions when I did my first facial. Like my diet!, skin routine, if I taking any supplement etc but now I know they understand my skin very well and it's all applied to my treatment. Love them a lot and I keep going back for sure. Just go and get the facial from Ana or Cindy.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:07:45" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually like this place a lot. Ppl are very nice and attentive. I always get the continental salad with grilled chicken. It is basic menu but they do cook chicken very tender and juicy. Alway get the best grilled chicken salad there. And the portion is HUGE. Since I do hate tiny salad ( how much cost give us little more green?) this is the place to go to get good salad.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:14:20" }, { "business_id": "fJQzUesrvvoMUkjQBNxc6g", "business_name": "Nail Spa Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Want to love this place so bad.. but I can't. It is so close to me and the price is relatively good. Got $30 mani pedi. The lady did mine was really quick. I was done entire thing already when my friend was only finishing her pedi. She was fast but her job wasn't that great. I tipped her ok and gave two star on Yelp since this place is cheap, she was quick( this place get really busy)and gave me a cup of tea but I prolly won't go back there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:20:54" }, { "business_id": "EhotxJEJxpMgCJ0F82Buvg", "business_name": "The Olde Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I read about this place and wanted to check out. It is pretty venue and staffs are happy to show you around. The oyster is fresh and I can't tell much about drink since I am not a drinker but friends seemed happy! They get really busy on wkend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:25:50" }, { "business_id": "ChAVUpsZ0GTZ4m8T10ACqw", "business_name": "Just Dogs and Cats", "rating": 5, "text": "Cute store in the neighborhood. I walked in with my puppy and wanted to get little ball for her to play. I don't like tennis ball since she is big time chewer and tear apart very easily. The owner lady recommended perfect rubber balls for her tiny mouth. And the best part was they were not made in China. Those are my puppies favorite toy! Also she gave my puppy free chocolate peanut butter cup. That was so sweet!", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:08:42" }, { "business_id": "WCLexnTQmylse_p0kQbz2g", "business_name": "The Treemont", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to try this place after I had good experience at Blackfish. Food was decent and ambiance was cozy as well. I had chicken liver pate and short rib. Chicken liver pate is one of my favorite dishes so I usually get it whenever I see them on the menu. Sadly it was just average. Not bad but not good either. Liked their creamy texture but was lack on flavor, they gave you a lot of brioche though. Beef short rib dish was pretty good but was little too sweet in my opinion. For me, 4 or 5 star on yelp means I would like to go back. This place more like 3.5 star or above but just not a 4 star...", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:21:33" }, { "business_id": "UDOcMEgRKfoCc-BikZJFhg", "business_name": "Maha Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "I love practice here. People here are very nice and welcoming you even though you are new. You think ppl at yoga studio would be so nice but not always. Yoga studio can be very intimidating. I usually go their yoga hour. They offer more yoga hours and other promotions than other studios at center city. I like their location, price and instructors.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:25:23" }, { "business_id": "woTZpX92uByUgliPrh39Mg", "business_name": "Ocean Prime", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not sure why I never tried this restaurant until now. It is in my neighborhood and I passed by all the time. Since it is restaurant week so we wanted to try new places we haven't been. You can't really tell from outside but the ambiance is very nice inside once you walk in, little bit darker and high ceiling. It's like classic and fancy steak house. We got the lobster bisque, salad, filet mignon, teriyaki salmon with sticky rice and 5 layered carrot cake. Appetizers were pretty good and I didn't try the meat dish but my husband said it was good. I thought salmon cooked perfectly and well seasoned. Also rice was delicious. As some other reviewer mentioned the carrot cake was good but a bit too sweet. But pineapple sauce does magic :-) The service was really really great. They are attentive and very sweet. It was satisfied meal overall.", "timestamp": "2015-02-02T19:12:38" }, { "business_id": "0oSSjekU-3GR8gselReWnA", "business_name": "Butcher and Singer", "rating": 4, "text": "Review is based on restaurant wk menu, we stop by for weekday lunch. Shared butternut squash soup, Rockefeller oyster for appetizer. Soup was hot and creamy just I like. Oyster was delicious as well. We got burger and crab sandwich for entree. Burger meat was well cooked since my mother in law ordered well done but was still juicy. I thought was pretty delicious. Fries were salty but I found most fries are salty to me in Philadelphia so.. Crab sandwich was my favorite, perfectly seasoned and thin slice chips were delicious as well. For dessert we got carrot cake and I thought was little bland. Salted chocolate and caramel tart was very delicious. Good portion of food and great service. I would go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-04T20:54:58" }, { "business_id": "85e8Uyn8tIyEZCqBP80rqA", "business_name": "Lolita", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to Mexican restaurant. It is hard to find good Mexican place in the east coast but this place by far the best for me. I really enjoy their taco varieties. My friend had couple of diet restriction. Like no dairy, gluten and no pistachios etc. They were very good at accommodating our order and since we split the plate, they serve all sauces and cheese on the side. Salad portion is generous and fresh and their guacamole is always awesome too. It is my favorite Mexican place in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-06T04:31:32" }, { "business_id": "urO7cwWPFRZU1MpSt9JIGw", "business_name": "Doggie Style Pets", "rating": 4, "text": "I stop by here with my puppy on the way to doggie park. I like this location a lot because it is conveniently located on the way to park and staffs are very friendly. They are usually very young and I see some complains that they are not well trained but I did not have those negative experiences. They were very attentive and willing to help. And most importantly, they are dog loving people. Plus they have free treats for dogs by register :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-09T01:30:07" }, { "business_id": "DLM7E6lrW-zpM10RJ4fAeg", "business_name": "Urban Front Pilates", "rating": 4, "text": "Clean facility and friendly staffs! My visit to Urban front Pilates was so enjoyable. I tried only mat Pilates and Vbarre class. I never liked mat Pilates classes before ( tried couple times from other studios) but this one was different. I will come back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T22:56:03" }, { "business_id": "Jm8OvNQy8PlXUroRmKE10Q", "business_name": "Focus Barre & Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "Recently tried their hot yoga and barre classes. Both instructors were very nice and helpful. I enjoyed classes with full of women in the room. The classes had great energy. I personally try to avoid hot yoga after 3 years of my Bikram yoga addiction which left me broken capillaries but I did not know they had hot yoga room until I get there. Even though I am trying to avoid hot yoga, their class quality was great and instructor was knowledgable. Barre class was harder than I thought. All that small muscle work out was definitely tough! Overall great studio to have near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T23:05:11" }, { "business_id": "vhDWGF-8BfsxvS7Zo5Wv2w", "business_name": "Abe Fisher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their food, great service and cozy ambiance. But salty salty salty. 2 of tried their tasting menu. I thought most dishes were delicious. Def was better ones I tried in NYC. If they were little less saltier, more like 4.5 star :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:15:47" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 3, "text": "Maybe I am a girl with huge stomach but I don't get full with one piece of pita and small hummus :-(. This place sounds like heaven for hummus lover. I do love hummus too but I need something else to eat with. I never had hummus alone for lunch so... Dish itself is pretty good but not mind-blowing. I went back couple times so far since it is so close to me but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:21:10" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 4, "text": "Best fries ever! I am not a burger person so can't tell but everyone seems really enjoying it. I go there to get short rib fries. Combination of cheese and short rib.... It is just AMAZING. It is worth to gain weight. I even picked it up on way home and ate once. Wasn't same... Go to restaurant and get one.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:26:45" }, { "business_id": "6wqxuBt2InDipRuUj8BNuQ", "business_name": "La Colombe Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "It is my go to coffee spot in my neighborhood. One thing I like about Philly is La Columbe is so close to me now! I used to walk all the way downtown in NYU to go there! Now I can go anytime! And store has unique ambiance. They serve your coffee in cute china and baristas are so knowledgable and attentive. They do not serve soy milk btw.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:33:04" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant looks so warm and cozy from outside. And it is! Very cute ambiance and dishes are pretty good. I thought it is so cute that they give you little present like small jam when you are leaving.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:53:08" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 3, "text": "I might have to give another shot to this place to be fair. I went there once and I still have so many new places to try in Philly. Order fish of the day dish and other friends ordered steak and burger. My fish was just average. Nothing special about it to remember except it was tiny piece of fish. This place seems very well popular here and a lot of ppl loving it so I may give another try...", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:59:08" }, { "business_id": "vCHNWdW-ys-nWUx3Cpvk8Q", "business_name": "Swiss Haus Cafe & Pastry Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I purchased box of cookies and gifted to friend. I haven't tried but my friend said kids loved them and literally had to pull them away from box before they finished them haha. They were picky eaters so I guess they do bake good cookies.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:05:46" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "I was give this place 5 star but changed my mind. I think this place could be hit and miss based on my two visits. First time I went there I had THE MEAL. Falafel was so hot, freshly fried and I even got one extra free to taste before purchased. I got Mama's platter both times. Was amazing for the first visit. Everything fresh and veggies were crunch. 5 star for sure. My second visit was more like 3 star. Everything was cold and falafel wasn't tasty like before. Veggies were soggy as well. I will give another shot and will see.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:14:10" }, { "business_id": "YzluF3FNGjnW-tOrLZt8JA", "business_name": "Zama", "rating": 3, "text": "Fresh sushi/ sashimi is my favorite meal. I can literally eat 3 times per day! I was so eager to find my favorite Japanese restaurant once I came to Philly. Zama was my first try. Location is good and ambiance is typical Japanese restaurant. Tried uni, tuna, fatty tuna, salmon, salmon roe sashimi. Those are my favorite so I get them wherever I go. They were good but not outstanding. I thought price was little high for what it is.. But I still go there for quick lunch since location is so awesome for me and I do like that intimate ambiance to chat with my friends. If price was little lower I would give 4 star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:27:49" }, { "business_id": "h7TO_IsmLCYmKKDVOOIeFw", "business_name": "Fat Salmon", "rating": 2, "text": "Ordered my usual. Sashimi platter with salmon, salmon roe, Tuna and uni. They were somewhat flavorless. Rolls seemed good with all the sauces etc but sashimi wasn't that good. And personally I am not fan of blue neon light with food presentation. Not so appetizing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:33:22" }, { "business_id": "rVGxva6cx2eID4ghDLVHJg", "business_name": "1225Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I thought sashimi was ok but I did enjoy their spicy sashimi salad. Owner must be Korean or at least has staff who is Korean. They make kick ass spicy go-chu-jang sauce for sashimi salad. And I tried to copy it at home for other dish I cooked and I was terribly failed. I thought just mix sugar and sesame oil with go-chi-Jang but it wasn't same. I must go back there to find out.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:37:12" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this Morimoto than nyc one. I did not know Morimoto was from Philadelphia. I only got the omakase in nyc one and wasn't very impressed every time I ordered! We ordered dishes this time in philly and I enjoyed every bite. Black cod was cooked perfectly and I really liked ponzu sauce for hamachi. Def going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:42:53" }, { "business_id": "trwHwsXOVV-ZmF-MtP98BA", "business_name": "High Street Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Was excited to try this place when they were opened it. Eh.... Not going back. They were very cheap with ingredient and some what salty. And very small portion. Maybe ppl in Philly do not eat much like I do... Philly has so many better options than here.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T02:01:33" }, { "business_id": "RnhLCG4N9MPy6ZRzq787Cg", "business_name": "Devil's Alley Bar & Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "I had brunch once and late night snack there once. Both were decent meal and good price. It looked like bar from outside and I expected nothing. But was better than my expectation. Quesadilla was delicious and ingredients were fresh. Salad was good too. Staffs were very nice as well.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T15:45:34" }, { "business_id": "WXRZlGsdUjraCAcgtCyk4Q", "business_name": "Potito's Italian American Pastries", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their cakes! It is firm and moist and since it is so thick and firm that I can order it a day before and still fresh. I normally prefer French or Japanese bake goods over Italian but this is my cake shop in Philly! I also tried cannoli and various individual cake pieces but I thought whole cake was much better deal here. Also taste better too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:05:28" }, { "business_id": "iUZEGx29miZObLd6_lt7Vg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I love their Asian salad!! I got it one at university city location and fell in love! So ordered same dish here as well. The veggies they used little different that day- no green pea in my sale :-( and the portion was smaller. I do enjoy huge salad so was little disappointing since I expected same quality as other location. My mom loved their stuff French toast so ordered same dish and wasn't good as we had before... But service was ver attentive. She kept giving us coffee and stopped by if we needed anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:12:49" }, { "business_id": "ctHjyadbDQAtUFfkcAFEHw", "business_name": "Zahav", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant is beautiful. Very pretty deco and service is great too. I heart middle eastern food and I have my favorite middle eastern place in NYC but now I am eager to find one in Philly. This place is the closest I can find for now. We tried tasting menu once, tried multiple small plate on the list. They were all decent but not mind blowing, more than anything I wasn't impressed by their hummus and falafel... Bummer.. Lamb shoulder was ran out so couldn't get it either. Second time we ordered lamb shoulder for 4 ppl. Woot woot! Was a lot of food since we ordered other plates as well. Ended up wrapping up left over and ate it for days haha.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:30:35" }, { "business_id": "mlgewa5y_a_AxVTamXGemA", "business_name": "Walnut Street Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "Have been a subscriber for 2014-15. So far they had great shows. Somewhat very commercial and but entertaining. Their actors were very talented and knew how to entertain audiences. Whenever I watched musicals/ shows there I ended up laughing a lot. Looking forward next show!", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:22:54" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 4, "text": "My second season subscribing here. So far we got a pretty good seat except twice. Once I sat behind really big guy and missed half of the play and ended up fall asleep haha. Since it is small theater with stadium style seat, secure good view is the must. They do have some great plays though. Seems like they have a lot of discount for student and young audience. So far pretty satisfied.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:27:08" }, { "business_id": "MMRRS6YhVRx_iN5-JhMRYg", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "Very delicious and salty! But it is Chinese place so I have no complain. Went with big group so could tasted a lot of their signature dishes. Dan Dan noodle seems very popular but just not my kid of dish. I did enjoy fried fish with sweet sauce and chicken with cashew. Also dumpling with hot oil was yummy. In the end of meal, my mouth was burning but I enjoyed all.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:30:41" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Enjoyed my meal here. Went with friend and we shared Samson roll, Naruto roll, spider roll, spicy salmon tartar ,tuna dumpling, edamame and sunomono. We were initially going to get sashimi platter but rolls looked amazing so went for it. Wasn't disappointing. Sauces weren't overpowering and sashimi were very fresh. We did not get the 3 roll special and order individual but if you order their special , price is really cheap. Very happy that found this place. P.s they freshly fried soft shell crab when you order spider roll. Soooo tender and soooo juicy. Loved it. Must get that item. Naruto roll is definitely better than any other places. Cucumber paper is thinner and fresher. And has so much flavor. I did not really like tartar dish. Didn't have much flavor compare to other dishes. I will just order rolls next time I visit which would be next wk.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:14:32" }, { "business_id": "khH0QtNyUjcExh9i2CwGfg", "business_name": "Serpico", "rating": 3, "text": "Was intrigued by their Korean influenced menu. We got raw fluke, consommé, pig head, fried duck leg sandwich, duck mousse and lamb rib for three of us! Everything was ok but nothing was memorable except lamb rib. I thought rib was really delicious. Raw fluke was fresh but ponzu sauce was not special and very small. Comsome was very boring... Pig head was too greasy, duck mousse was pretty delicious. Duck leg sandwich was just ok. Also has rocky road for dessert. Since the portion isn't that big you get to order a lot if you are hungry. I though food wasn't very special.. Prolly won't go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:28:33" }, { "business_id": "mUIBtlWNPD7sz3rGGWQ1RA", "business_name": "Kanella", "rating": 3, "text": "Had really high hope about this place and I am sad that my meal didn't reach my expectation. Order whole fish of the day. I got branzino and had so much bone in it... And fish itself wasn't very tasty. Also had organic sirloin kebab. Meat was tough and little dry even for kebab.. Dips of the day was good though. I see that they got a lot of good reviews about their brunch than dinner. I might try their brunch and give fair review.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:34:47" }, { "business_id": "aaILnjUFC0i0uRkg5hYgnQ", "business_name": "Aqua Asian Bistro", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to get my thai take out here. Fast service and I seems like they keep their kitchen clean. Their spring roll is alway freshly fried and sauce is creamy and good. They don't give authentic fish sauce kind of sauce like other places but I like Americanized thai cuisine so I have no problem with that. Fried noodle dishes are safe choice here I believe. Their spring roll is my favorite though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:01:58" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 2, "text": "Seems like this place is pretty popular. And I had take out quite few times here since it is so close to me. Simply I don't really like their food. I thought they use a lot of fish sauce. Maybe it's more close to authentic cooking. Tried spring rolls, pad thai, red curry with tofu, green curry with chicken and vegetable soup. For pad thai, noodle was stuck together so hard to eat.. Curry is good, delicious and creamy but not enough of broth and tofu and chicken were too dry for me. Vegetable soup was just blend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:07:37" }, { "business_id": "0S3TvsmbCeOZ9UitnpRd1A", "business_name": "Dim Sum House", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood. It is clean and big open space. Whenever I went, there were a lot of ppl. Had wonton in hot oil, scallion pancake, brussell sprout, honey walnut shrimp. Fried dishes are delicious there and sauce is not overpowering. Not overly salty either. Prolly favorite my Chinese restaurant in town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:12:56" }, { "business_id": "ex8RrhAhVVexndFhmNfG1Q", "business_name": "Wokworks", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to like this place. Healthy version of Chinese food? Sounded so good to me. And store looked clean from outside and also liked their name... Got quinoa fried rice with bean sprout and veggies...simply no good... I like healthy food but has to tasty to keep going back. That was my last visit... But I liked their clean container and healthy concept so.. It is two star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:17:51" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "One of my favorite Asian cuisine is Malaysian food. Especially their curry!!!!? Now I have to find my go to spot in Philly... I was excited to try this place. Got roti canai and seafood casserole dish as usual. Maybe I have high expectation but dishes weren't that good. Green curry casserole was lack of the flavor and literally had couple piece of seafood. Didn't even bother to complain. We just left after few bite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:15:12" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am not a donut person. But it is the one of the best donut s I've ever had. Since another donut shop in NYU I fell in love charged $5 per donut and I waited in line for 30 min to get two donut! .... this place is heaven. So cheap, fast service, fresh and you can get as many as you want! There donut fillings are amazing but just get the maple cream donut and blueberry fritters.. They are absolutely amazing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:29:40" }, { "business_id": "xAW4nw9DrW77vWF61_l-Qg", "business_name": "Famous 4th Street Delicatessen", "rating": 4, "text": "Huge portion and hearty food. 3 of us shared their large chicken soup and we still had left over for days. I think they cooked entire chicken in it and matzoh balls were awesome. Main dish came with two side dishes- we chose potato fritters and side salad. They serve you cabbage salad once you are seated and it is really delicious! I love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:14:44" }, { "business_id": "73UjNbSoQjQAOS45rcihFg", "business_name": "Cantina Dos Segundos", "rating": 4, "text": "Wasn't super hungry so 3 of us shared chimichanga and guacamole with chips. Chips were very good, not oily and freshly fried. My parents enjoyed chimichanga and said very delicious and seasoning was just enough. Wish they were close to me..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:21:27" }, { "business_id": "SCjUeZfjafJ88fWWQjRh2w", "business_name": "El Rey", "rating": 5, "text": "I can only speak based on my happy hour experience. For happy hour, they have amazing deal. Tacos and empanadas are soooo delicious. Food served when it's hot and fresh. And super cheap. Not sure about their regular menu but I do enjoy their happy hour.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:30:10" }, { "business_id": "9_B5sCqKBOKDAmYpByiFFg", "business_name": "Branzino Italian Ristorante", "rating": 3, "text": "Had branzino for lunch here. Was pretty quite during weekday lunch hour. Definitely not busy spot. I saw couple old coupe were dining. My branzino was decent size and was ok. But nothing special. I wasn't very impressed so haven't back since my last trip..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:36:55" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I want to give them zero star if I can. I went to serafina in NYC once and never went back hah...it is sort of chain restaurant and over priced for what it is but I was happy to see some familiar place in Philly so decided to give another shot. Me,my friend and my little puppy got table outside. It was 20 degrees, freezing cold day but we were hungry and had to eat.... And we had 3 pounds tiny puppy with us. I have no complain we sat outside. We have a dog so I asked them if we could get a table. They said its really cold but if u want u can get table outside so we did. The worst part, the waitress neglected us for over 20 min to get us water or take an order. We had to keep going in to ask for someone. It's only 20 min but we were freezing and restaurant wasn't that busy either. I don't understand why they just hung out at the counter and never bother to come out to take an order or just look if your space heater is working which it wasn't! Food was just mediocre. NYC one isn't that great but this one is just worse.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:46:28" }, { "business_id": "cGX-1IUwXOjkUqZbkKYcjw", "business_name": "Fogo de Chao", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed their salad bar! Went there for lunch and I am not a huge meat eater but still had decent amount of meat there. Service was very attentive and fast. All veggies at the salad bar were fresh and I enjoyed their ham and cheese selection. Even though I did not eat much of meat, their lunch price was pretty good deal for big salad bar eater like me:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:48:57" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped by here for quick snack. Shared fungi flat bread, cheese plate and salad. Flat bread was delicious. Moist and crispy. Wish it was little bigger haha. Cheese selection was nice too but just very very small. I would like this place way more of the portion is little bit bigger!!!!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:52:44" }, { "business_id": "4R2KR_-FybS7oegGrXjHVg", "business_name": "Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Probably this is my favorite chain restaurant. They have good deal for weekday lunch prefix and menus are great. The portion is generous, salad is fresh and soups are very hearty. Whenever I went, their services were very nice and kind. Has both salad and soup for appetizer. Both were very good. Salmon was juicy and burger was well cooked but not dry since I ordered medium well. Cheese cake was huge and rich. I really enjoyed my lunch here and looking forward going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:02:18" }, { "business_id": "H3EK1Q8tqRGqPBps05Uahw", "business_name": "Tashan", "rating": 5, "text": "Tasting menu.... The best. Got the deal from online and tried their tasting menu. Location was kind off. Distance wise was not that far but it was definitely long walk from center city. There were so many courses that I lost track. I am not sure even if they gave us more service sincere we felt like there were couple courses of appetizer and lay least 2 of main dishes. Food kept coming and EVERYTHING was delicious. When you go make sure you are hungry. Can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:24:38" }, { "business_id": "4tU9hlfzrCpcGWTIm-OKVA", "business_name": "Rouge", "rating": 4, "text": "Rouge and Parc. They were the first restaurant I dined in Philly. Mostly they were right next me and seemed pretty busy every time I passed by. Had couple times of dinner and lunch at Rouge, I felt this place is solid at least. Their foods were consistent so did their services. So far I liked their burger, roasted beets, their cheese plate and truffle fries. Burger was juicy and they cut the half so we can share which was nice. Roasted beet is alway my go to order and pretty good here. And fries.... were very crispy and perfectly seasoned.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:02:08" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is still one of my most visited places in Philly. Mostly because of location. So close to me and all of other friends, we meet there during the day, get brunch and have great girly times. I enjoy going there except the weekend, their brunch menu weren't bad but I would wait more than 10 min for their food. First time I went there for burger and steak fries on weekend ended up waiting for 30min to be seated and has to fight for staff's attention. But for during the weekday lunch, this place is lovely. It is our go to lunch spot after morning yoga class. 3 of us enjoyed their breakfast menu, lunch menu and oyster( from the morning!) and chatted there like hours. They were very nice refilling coffee and etc and never gave us any pressure to leave after we finished the meal. Place never get too busy during weekday lunch hour. I usually get their salad verde, roasted salmon or sea scallop. Salad verde was simple, super fresh but still full of flavor. Their salmon and scallop were pretty good too but I never really dreamed about their food after so I guess it's just ok. For food, it's more close to 3 star but me and my friends enjoy this place for regular girly date spot and enjoy ambiance so... I would give one more star for that.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:19:52" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "The first bar I've visited in Philly as out of towner. Doormen were nice unlike underground bar doormen in NYC. The bar was very pretty, cozy and reminds of me some hipster bars in Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan. I am non drink so I can only judge by the ambiance of my friends opinion about drinks, seems like everyone enjoyed their pretty cocktails and looked delicious :-) we did enjoy time there and since so close to me, I am sure I will be back very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:00:15" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Had couple visits there so far. I had mixed feeling about this place. My first time there was amazing. Mussel dish was huge, fresh and delicious. Bread was moist and good too. Had wonderful experience and couldn't wait to go back. Second time was so so. Mussel's size was tiny and broth didn't have much flavor. Bread was tough and dry. I hoped my third visit would be a charm but wasn't so lucky. Not sure if I should give another shot or not. Indecisive.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:05:04" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 3, "text": "I had only one visit to this place so not sure if I this review would be accurate since this place seems super popular. It's located right in front me and I see this places always crowded. I had such a high hope to try yummy vegan place. I ordered jerk Caesar salad only because it was top of their menu and there was full of people waiting so I didn't want to take too long to decide at the counter. When I tried my salad at home... Humm what to say, I usually like vegan meat a lot. Any kind of tofu/ fake meat I love more than actual meat haha. It was good since I like fake meat and veggies already but just not good enough to go back there. There are so many other places offer delicious food in Philly and I am not a vegetarian so I don't have to only eat there I guess. I haven't back there since my first visit but I may try their burger in future. Seems like everyone in my yoga class enjoyed their burger so, I might give a shot very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:15:13" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy!! Fresh turkey spinach salad! They gave me tons of turkey ham and a lot of spinach. All ingredients were fresh and I enjoyed my salad. Was huge so I could have left over but I am a girl with big appetite! Other friends had sandwiches and said very good also. Solid local sandwich shop for sure. Now actually it became my regular sandwich spot. I always get mensch. It's soooo good. Potato cake and mixed fries are must.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:42:18" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to Tria for brunch! Delicious small plates, cozy ambiance, this is perfect girly brunch spot in neighborhood. Two of us shared marinated calamari salad, roasted beet, egg toast. We weren't very hungry so it was perfect small snack. They have awesome ice tea and keep refilling your drink. Also other drink's menu are nice and affordable. Love this place!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:48:37" }, { "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 3, "text": "I liked the concept of this restaurant when I heard about this place. Seems like farm to table kind of restaurants are everywhere in NYC these days. Was excited to one in Philly. Maybe ingredients they get from farms in somewhere Pennsylvania will be super fresh! Got beet salad and scallop for appetizer and Cod dish for main. I am huge fan of beet, I love beet even if I eat out from can. If chef do little trick, I would go crazy about any kind of beet dish. This one was decent, not mind blowing. Maybe chef wanted us to taste fresh ingredient so didn't use much sauce on it. Maybe... Scallop was well cooked, kinda tiny even for appetizer.. Well I am a girl with big stomach.. Had big hope for my cod since appetizers didn't blow my mind. I definitely could taste the fish was fresh, was tangy and juicy but again chef could use little bit more seasoning. I usually have issue with overpowering sauce but this dish was little bland for me. The service was nice though. Professional and attentive. Haven't back yet since my first trip... Maybe will give another shot after finish all of my Philly restaurant lists.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:02:47" }, { "business_id": "2qHkwqao9GyxnDXHzCv4JA", "business_name": "Wedge + Fig", "rating": 5, "text": "Wish this place was close to me!!!! I felt so lucky to find this small lunch spot in Old city while I was doing yoga teacher's training. I was wondering around for grabbing quick bite and saw this place. Looked super cute from outside and menu looked awesome. I would totally go for cheese or heavier salad if I didn't have class right after. I went for tuna salad. They gave me generous amount tuna and veggies. Dressing was yummy too. Other dishes looked really good too. I will have to go back to try other dishes soon!", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:22:36" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried bunch of dishes for two of us, bacon wrapped date, clams, octopus, garlic shrimp, lamb meatballs and braised pork shoulder flat bread. Probably we ordered more but can't remember all. Wish I came with bigger group, would be awesome if we tried more since it was small tapas and they had pretty big menu. My favorite was bacon wrapped date. It's common dish and I tried from quite few other places but this one was one of top notched I tried. Bacon wasn't burned and cooked perfectly. Crispy but still juicy. Date was baked in perfection as well. Really enjoyed it so much so I had all myself! Other dishes were pretty good too except garlic shrimp dish. Shrimp cooked too much, they were really tough to chew :-( Overall it was pleasant dinner and service was very nice too. I will go back with bigger group next time for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:45:57" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "I heard so much good things about Han Dynasty and couldn't wait to try. Got bunch of dishes include spicy cucumber salad, dan Dan noodle, dumpling in hot oil, scallion pancakes, fried rice, fish in clay pot, dry chicken, garlic eggplants and mapo tofu. Dumpling in hot oil was big hit, it was simple but had so much flavor in it. Scallion pancake was fried well and chewy, dipping sauce wasn't salty. Everyone seems excited about their dan Dan noodle but it didn't so much for me. Maybe I am not a big fan of noodle. I did enjoy mapo tofu, wasn't too greasy and enough spicy for me. Dry chicken was delicious but was too salty for me. I had few bite then couldn't touch more. Fish in clay pot had full of flavor but a bit greasy for me. Since most main dishes we ordered had powerful flavor, the fried rice was most popular dish on our table. Dinner was enjoyable and liked the fun ambiance. Like old Chinese restaurant in movie. I will definitely go back soon but I will order more appetitive and be easy on strong flavored main dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T02:20:33" }, { "business_id": "nIAbuktMEzVjT4P9pG89rQ", "business_name": "Buddakan", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try original Buddakan! I've been the one in NYC many times back in the day but haven't been budakkan for awhile and was excited to check out original one. The deco and music were somewhat similar the ones NYC but smaller and more opened space. We were seated in 10min at the second floor and restaurant was packed. Two of us shared spring roll, sea bass and duck. Yum yum yum! I actually though this location has way better food than the one in NYC. I used to go there pretty often long time ago but not for their food. Never impressed with their food except dessert but I did enjoy every dishes at this location. The portion was generous and I actually liked the light at the restaurant wasn't too dark. I like to see my food and appreciated! Very impressed ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T03:53:33" }, { "business_id": "i6jA8vSHrP9LiUPHlqPVwA", "business_name": "Cafe Olé", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like quick lunch spot. Should be affordable and provide fast service. Checked and checked. Your lunch will be ready in 3min in front of you. I went to this place when I did yoga teacher's training at Old city. Most of my class mates include teachers grabbed lunch there. They were pretty picky (mostly health conscious vegetarian) eaters so I thought that place must be good. I tagged them along one day and it turned out pretty nice time. Nice sunny weather in summer, we were seated outside and grabbed various salads. They had pre made salads displayed and they were all freshly made. Got myself Greek salad and strawberry/ banana smoothie. Smoothie was gigantic so probably most girls would be for their lunch itself. I am not so I had salad as well. Salad was huge too. I actually had left over. Everything was affordable there. Nothing over $10. They are not overly nice to offer any service since its self service kind of place but cheap, fast and fresh. What can you ask more.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T04:01:38" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not huge fan of lamb and chicken platter but I must have very high standard since only place I had this dish was Halah guys in NYC. My hub is cart food expert lol and found this place near us. He loves Halah guys so much that he was eager to find something like that in Philly. Well.. When I received my platter, was a bit disappointed about the size of meat. Guess I was so used to Halah guys huge portion. And again I am a girl with big stomach! I thought the platter was pretty good, meat was tender and juicy. But the charm of this platter is white sauce!!! At least for me. I am the person eating these kind of platter with EXTRA white sauce and not worry about calories so.... I did put extra white sauce top on my platter. The sauce was not my style. I want something creamier and thicker and still not greasy... Sauce was a bit off for me.... And the portion. Yes haha. We haven't back since then... but my friends said they have yummy Kati roll so I might try other dish next time. And I am not sitting at the corner of somewhere 6th ave to eat from the tin box so that's plus too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:17:46" }, { "business_id": "ZewrmVIdr77Kinj-njv6RQ", "business_name": "Insomnia Cookies", "rating": 4, "text": "Cookies in 3am? That's amazing concept except I crave salty fried food usually at that time haha. Actually surprised that they open until that late since Philly does not have much night life I thought. Most places are closed by 2am but people are still out to eat cookies? Guess they do! They seems always busy whenever I passed by. I got curious so picked up few cookies. Yum Yum Yum! I am not a big cookie person. I am more like gummy person but those are delicious. Warm, chewy and not crazy sweet. Had 3 of them at once. They were that good.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:22:07" }, { "business_id": "e4MoozYGqe_rb4_ZC1rYMQ", "business_name": "Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "So comfortable to hang around. Owner lady was so so nice. I stopped by couple times after my yoga class and had good spirit. The owner lady had too! She smiled to customers and was very kind. I instantly liked this place. I got small coffee with their home made ginger mascarpone cheese cake. So so so so good!!! Not sweet at all and they use fresh ingredient. 2nd time I was there, I got large cup of green tea, they charge same price for small or large cup of tea so why not. Also tried her ( owner lady baked everything in the kitchen and brought sweet out) peanut butter chocolate cup. Yum. Everything is very affordable here and again, fresh.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "f-qlRLsQ2vPATmlLTgLHbQ", "business_name": "Joe Coffee Company", "rating": 3, "text": "Joe's cup of coffee used to be my one of favorite coffee spot in NYC. Was tiny space near NYU, down to earth and I could just hang out there for hours. Loved that place and when I saw Joe's in my neighborhood in Philly, I was so happy. I got my latte couple times there and my experiences were different in Philly location. It's kind of fancy coffee shop than the one in NYC. Me and my friend couldn't really hang out and chat there. It's super crowded all the time and staffs weren't super nice.. no offense, they were super professional but just I didn't feel the warm greeting from them whenever I visited. Maybe I am picky but I prefer cozy coffee shop with warm people around. And I realized Philly has a lot of amazing coffee spot so...", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:34:31" }, { "business_id": "rgeuy1qbw6Z8B6CSVANHIA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 3, "text": "Seems like they are super famous. Whenever I search Philly eatery as Philly newbie, they are the one first come out most of times. Lucky I live so close to them! So made couple visit there. Tried their fancy donuts. Several times, several flavor. Probably I tried most of flavor they offered. Well... Fancy donut didn't do much for me. Not impressed. Once I was late so fancy donuts were sold out, I got regular sugar coated donut. Humm.. I actually liked true or regular donut much better! Tried their chicken too! All of their flavors. Humm it's good but not awesome for me. Was super crispy when I had the first bite but inside my mouth were peeled after finished my meal. Big no no for me. Good crispy chicken shouldn't do that to you. I think I spent fair amount time to eat fried chicken in my life as Korean. Their fried chicken is pretty good but not mind blowing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:43:24" }, { "business_id": "oqbhVgliVJH-iRa3AnD-3A", "business_name": "Elixr Coffee Roasters", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Another awesome coffee shop in neighborhood. Philly does have cool coffee shops everywhere! Very impressed. $4 of awesome hand drop coffee... Amazing. Great price and awesome staff who knows coffee. I am not a coffee snob so I usually go to coffee shop where make me feel welcomed. They did. They explained well about their menu and showed us whole process. And the shop is really pretty. They have limited seats because they are always crowded but they are just awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:46:12" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 2, "text": "This place looks super cute from outside and reminds me of small coffee place in Paris. I expected same experience when I had in Paris. I was dreaming to get some fresh pastries with full of butter flavor with some good coffee. Humm... My first bite was DRY, lack of butter.. Wasn't very good. I usually try to give second shot if my experience wasn't so terrible. So I went back. Got macaron and coffee. Lack of richness. Lack of something definitely. I still give two star because the shop is still pretty though and they don't have much competition in my neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:50:48" }, { "business_id": "lWedWkinrM5j13pyimbpbA", "business_name": "Miles Table", "rating": 3, "text": "My first visit to this place was few months ago. 2 of us waked there for brunch with our puppy. We were seated outside and got us burger, kale salad and coffee. Place was crowded but we scored seat pretty much right away. Everything was affordable and doggies were welcomed at the outdoor table. I didn't taste burger so can't speak for that. My kale salad was decent but wasn't amazing. Coffee tasted little bitter, maybe was a bit burned... We were appreciate seating with our puppy at the table but they were located in small street so it was kinda awkward seating outside and everyone was looking at you when they were passing by. That was my last trip and I don't think I will come back anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T06:23:28" }, { "business_id": "U2y7fsqDgxAXskoJNVxbwg", "business_name": "Happily Ever After", "rating": 4, "text": "Shaved ice bowl is my # 1 dessert all the time. I like Korean, Taiwanese, Malaysian style the most. I wasn't able to find any Korean style shaved ice in Philly but this place was the closest I could find. I like a bit of crunchiness on Korean styled shaved ice. If it's too soft then it's more like Taiwanese style. This place ice was very close to Korean one. Also they use condensed milk and crushed nut like Korean one. Little rough shaving ice is best with sweet milk and some nutty flavor for sure. For fruit topping I would go for super soft shaved ice. I finished my bowl myself and was very happy. The portion was definitely smaller compare with my go to places in NYC but well... this place doesn't have much competition for this menu so I will take what I can get in Philly. Hope I can see more Asian styled shaving ice dessert places in Philly this summer.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:34:26" }, { "business_id": "ZpgVL2z1kgRi954c9m9INw", "business_name": "United By Blue", "rating": 3, "text": "Another cool find through my yoga school. They are located in local clothing store which is nice. Very pretty deco and trendy. Me and my classmates hung out here a lot during lunch break. I've never eaten here but saw sandwiches and they looked good. I didn't think their coffee was special though and somewhat pricy. But it is really cute coffee shop and I would go back there if I am near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:37:48" }, { "business_id": "yYG2XDKCaf5yOLgJSKMw6g", "business_name": "Anthony's Italian Coffee House and Chocolate House", "rating": 5, "text": "Love love love their espresso. Their coffee is amazing. It is kinda far from me but I still walk there to buy their espresso coffee bean. They freshly grind for you right there and price is awesome. About $7-8 per package. My sister and mom in Korea got so hooked ( they are definitely coffee snob unlike me) so I have to buy for them too and mail them! I get their caffe latte and one biscotti and grind espresso beans to go. Glad I found this little shop.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:41:58" }, { "business_id": "RSKvB-XntkiDnMqYqAmtKw", "business_name": "Seafood Unlimited", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked their name. Seafood unlimited, what a great name. Unfortunately their food wasn't. The interior was unique, very blue and dark not sure if I liked that. I feel like I was eating in a fish tank. Restaurant was pretty empty and we were seated right away. Got grilled salmon dish and scallop. Eh... I had better before. Food wasn't very special to me and I wasn't very impressed with ambiance either so I haven't back since my first trip.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T23:54:38" }, { "business_id": "fcGexL5VH5G2Xw0tRj9uOQ", "business_name": "Slice", "rating": 3, "text": "I have mixed feeling about this place. I do enjoy their pizza. Since it was so close to me I just stopped by for slice of pizza to go. I got bacon and onion and eggplant pizza to go. Also got side salad. Salad was fresh and reasonably priced. Nothing special about their dressing but veggies were very fresh so I was happy. About pizza I thought was really delicious. Sauce was good and sweet and savory. I really enjoyed them. I made couple more trips there to grab quick pizza whenever I had craving, this place was never really busy, usually 2-3 customers there but my order usually took more than 10-15 min. I am not sure why took so long to heat up slice of pizza since they did not make it fresh when I ordered. Their service is just ok not super nice or rude. Wish they had faster service, it is deal breaker for me since I want to go there, grab my pizza and in and out fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:03:59" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't want to give them 5 star because I don't want them to be more popular than already now!!! But I have to... This is food heaven. Had amazing food and the ambiance was so cozy and comfortable to sit down and talk. First course, ordered chicken mousse with toast. Yum...so creamy and savory spread and toast was perfect too. Sweet and sour jam made perfect combination for the toast. Second course, had buckwheat pasta. I just had pretty bad experience with buckwheat past at the High street market. Was so scared to try but this one was amazing. Noodle was chewy and tender, sauce was just amazing. Definitely made my #1 pasta in Philly. For main, we shared cod with broth. Humm. That was our least favorite dish that night. Did not have much flavor overall. I still rate this place 5 star because I did have the best past in Philly and ambiance wise I felt so comfortable there. I will definitely going back very soon but I will order a lot of small dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:19:54" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 3, "text": "This place seems always busy and smelled so nice when I passed by. We went there one night to grab quick dinner. I got smoked trout and my hub got mixed wurst platter. My trout looked really smaller than their photo. Was decent. Not bad but I probably won't go back for that dish. His wurst platter was gigantic. He could not finish it so we had half left over. He did not like it much so ended up not eating his left over...", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:26:10" }, { "business_id": "7xckZSLRWf5uf3L1IsF1Kg", "business_name": "Mandarin Palace", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes I have Chinese food craving. Until I found my go to spot in this city I mist keep exploring!!!! Today I tried the place right next me.. Was very empty. I see more employees than actually customers, I was instantly got nervous.. Maybe it's really bad sign but again, it's Chinese restaurant so maybe ppl just order delivery. We were seated and server brought us tea which was nice. Order cashew chicken and hub has beef dish and lo main. They were decent. Food was just cooked so was really hot. I would give 4 star if it was little cheaper. I am so spoiled with cheap and yummy Chinese food in NYC so this place felt little pricy for me for what it is.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:34:26" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by there after terrible dinner. This place healed us from horrendous experience. 4 of us got own drinks, beer,wine and orange soda for me! We shared small plates and cheese platter. We ended up getting two cheese platter because they were soooooo good. Our waiter, did not get his name but he was so enthusiastic when he explained about each cheese. We ended up having great time there and left happy. Will go back anytime.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:39:32" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "4 of us were craving some ramen so went to this place. Wasn't sure how Philly ramen scene would be. My hub got spicy shoyu ramen and my parents shared miso ramen. I wasn't very hungry so got fried chicken appetizer. Chicken appetizer was very good. I actually liked their chicken than other famous chicken places in Philly. My parents thought their ramen was too salty for them. They just had noodles and left most of broth. My hub actually thought this place was decent. He finished his dish. I really enjoyed their chicken and the Korean waitress was very nice.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:21:48" }, { "business_id": "nR3VW9i2K8033QY0ZMTisw", "business_name": "Zento Contemporary Japanese Cuisine", "rating": 2, "text": "This place seems have always promotions going on. I see their coupons pretty often. We went there after our show at Arden theater. Restaurant wasn't big but clean. There was semi private dining area in the end of hall but they didn't have door so it was really loud since big group was drinking and eating. Wasn't able to enjoy our dinner at all. Food was ok and they had promotion but I would not necessarily go to old city to eat there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:25:12" }, { "business_id": "2f6NaQVGTM59OGvsdT9pxg", "business_name": "Mood Indian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "So I saw this place had pretty good review on yelp and just purchased the deal online. As a Philly newbie I did not aware this restaurant was far from Rittenhouse square. We had to drive to Northern liberty to eat since I already got the coupon. Food better be good.... Two of us got samosa chaat and chicken tikka masala with garlic naan and mango lassi. Apparently yelp review www pretty accurate. This was 4 star restaurant for me. Samosa chaat was huge as appetizer. Probably most girls would be ok for their main dish itself. Chicken tikka masala was creamy, buttery and meat was tender. Delicious. We ended up having whole bowl of rice with it. Lassi was thick and amazing. I hate watery lassi and this place wasn't one of them. We were only customer when we were there and service was not bad or extra nice. They did minimum service for you haha. But I loved the food there and wish they were close to me. I would go often.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:32:26" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't eat much steak but like to go to ones. One of main reason is my hub is big meat eater and I usually find seafood dishes at steak house are very yummy. We got one soup and salad for appetizer. They weren't very memorable. Wasn't bad but nothing special to say. He got prime rib and I got crab cake. The portion of my dish was pretty small. I could eat double portion. For dessert we got chocolate and cheese cake. They were ok. I would say very average food. Nothing really remarkable. The ambiance is like classy, old apartment with piano. It's classy but maybe little to old for us. The service was very nice. Not likely go back though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:39:28" }, { "business_id": "V0SHmvYtXqdv8-AsqshV6w", "business_name": "Smokin Bettys", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to get some brunch as newbie in Philly, we googled this place and went on Sunday. Place was really crowded, but it was big so we waited just little. I got egg while omelette and he got the burger. My omelette was ok but I probably could make that one. He liked the burger and enjoyed fries too but we never went back there for their burger. Maybe Philly has too many burger places.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:42:35" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I hope they open their new location somewhere close to Rittenhouse square. So close to me, I know nothing about Philly, Little Pete did show me some comfort time. The owner guy was always at the counter and he was nice. The waitress ladies seemed tough but they were actually very friendly and attentive. I had couple dishes there since I got my breakfast there couple times. Loved their greek salad, this was so big that I always had left over and ate later. Their omelet was pretty good. Fluffy and yum. The egg sandwich, I liked it very much! They gave you so much egg and it was delicious. My go to breakfast awhile. Their French fries!!!! Crispy and just perfect with mayo. The waitress ladies remembered me and packed mayo with my fries even I did not ask for. I like to have this comfy diner right next me. Sad to see them leaving. We don't have many diners in center city though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:49:35" }, { "business_id": "-ATiAtTikuGuqvaW2O6tNA", "business_name": "Marathon", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh, disappointing food. I saw this place got busy during lunch hour so gave a shot during weekday lunch. Place was busy and I saw people getting salad with salmon so I got that one as well. My salmon was dry... And lukewarm. Definitely didn't enjoyed my protein. I had only one visit so I can't speak for all but my salad wasn't fresh either that day. Sandwiches on other tables looked good though. That was my first and only trip to Marathon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:53:31" }, { "business_id": "Uky0DD3LU4C7eyNDhpmOXg", "business_name": "Day By Day", "rating": 3, "text": "I saw people were waiting outside of the restaurant all the time. This place must be good I thought. Maybe I picked the wrong dish. I enjoyed my stuffed challah French toast but I wouldn't wait more than 10 min to eat it again. That was right after my mind blowing experience at Sabrina cafe's stuffed french toast so Day by Day one didn't do much for me.... My parter of scavenger hunt got burger. He enjoyed and finished all but hasn't asked me go back there yet so I guess it is solid 3 star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:58:51" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not sure why I don't go this place more often. I had good time at their oyster happy hour! Enjoyed my discounted oyster and I thought was fresh and delicious. But that place got really busy during happy hour so waiting was painful and they put large jar of oyster cracker to share. Everyone's hands going to touch the crackers so I couldn't eat it and I didn't see anyone touching it. That's minus point for me too. If less crowded and provided individual oyster cracker like other places I might give me more star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:04:00" }, { "business_id": "9mA9qYqiv4c0T9ASid3PIQ", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 3, "text": "I had really good meal at Capital grille at Providence few years ago. I still remember how proud and profession they were. And the food was absolute perfection. I never went other locations but I wanted to try the one in Philly since I had such a amazing time before. I got same meal, chowder soup, salad and glazed salmon. Soup was a bit saltier side for me. It was ok eating with bread but in general I am not fan of salty food. Salad was decent and my salmon was a bit overpowering with citrus sauce. It was pretty but I wasn't amazed like last time. The bread basket was warm and good though. And service was good too. But it just wasn't same..", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:12:57" }, { "business_id": "-t5dx3X0O63jCUuFEd-FcA", "business_name": "The Palm Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. Weird fries... That's first thing I remember about this place. Humongous and lack of flavored stack of fries.. Shared burger and fries and fried calamari and cheese cake. The burger was ok. Just ok but we all know Philly is the burger central. You don't need to eat burger here. I am usually go for fries than burgers when I order this dish. I think I know good fries... For some reason Palm's fries had literally no flavor. Didn't even oily anything. It's crunch but I wasn't sure what I was eating. Ended up left most of dish. Cheese cake was only thing I liked. It was like thick cheese cake from juniors. On offense, I love those commercial kind. Destroyed cake and left and never looked back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:20:13" }, { "business_id": "m_P0oMu3PVz5pGBKjYGl_A", "business_name": "Chris' Jazz Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I would give them 5 stars for their music. I never had food there but if food were bad, I would still give 5 stars. I have been there couple times, the musician there were phenomenon. Real professional and one of top notched. I used to go jazz clubs in NYC pretty often. You can't get seats easily like this place, and definitely not affordable like this place. But the music at Chris, as good as the ones in NYC. I am glad they are so close by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:24:35" }, { "business_id": "GUMVStVaJfWmCIpQA4TtHg", "business_name": "Crazy Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My sushi place hunt hasn't finished yet. We tried bonsai roll, one night stand roll, volcano roll and sashimi platter. They did put a lot of effort decorating the dishes. We were very hungry so rather getting dishes as soon as we can lol Even though I appreciated their beautiful decoration, sushi wasn't that impressive. I did enjoy one night stand roll but bonsai roll had too much cucumber. I like thin slice of cucumber just round once or twice otherwise I can't really taste any sashimi because cucumber has pretty strong scent itself. I felt like I had big chunk of cucumber after all..the quality of sashimi was ok but nothing extra ordinary. And the bill ended up not that cheap. I think I could find this quality food with less price.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:32:34" }, { "business_id": "peeXG1Ra-DClPQv14jvKvg", "business_name": "Square on Square", "rating": 3, "text": "I was happy to find Chinese place near me, I need to find my Chinese take out place so... Order crispy spring roll with shrimp , spicy chicken for main. Everything was pretty good. Dishes were super hot and just cooked. Ambiance was a bit awkward but service was fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:40:16" }, { "business_id": "WYel6hMEEPNwzVUlVBacbw", "business_name": "honeygrow", "rating": 3, "text": "Solid lunch spot for sure, they are always busy and there is reason why people keep going there. I prefer comfy, rustic ambiance over modern and fancy. And rather order my meal old fashion way over vending machine. Honey grow reminds me of cafeterias in Japan or HK. I get overwhelmed with all ordering through machine and it isn't so much fun for me.. Salad is delicious though but I like to put a lot of topping to make it yummier and m salad is usually around $12 and still doesn't fill me up!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:48:13" }, { "business_id": "oziGQYLaEWOpNmPKrZP86g", "business_name": "Isgro Pastries", "rating": 3, "text": "Craving some Italian dessert. I need to eat some good cannoli and lobster tail. I walked all the way to Italian market and got in this small bakery. Need to warn you, the ladies who worked there, they must be super busy with non stop customers. They don't want to be bothered so do not ask any question... My cannoli... Ok.. Wasn't bad. But not as good as the one at Veniero's in NYC but definitely better than the Bruno's or petitio's. Lobster tail was ok. Pastries were well baked but their custard cream was just ok. I'm general their fillings were nothing special to me. I would never crave their filling though. Unexpected jackpot was carrot cake. Not too sweet but their cream cheese icing was amazing. Now I am craving their carrot cake though. If the ladies there were little nicer, at least answer your questions w/o being annoyed I would give them 4 star because of their carrot cake.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:57:22" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing hidden gem. This store is too little but have full of valuable things. So much fun to check out all different kinds spices, teas and snacks. And their coffee.... Hazelnut coffee is amazing!!!! I drink a lot of coffee but I like to drink decaf. It is really hard to find good decaf but I found one in Philly. Their hazelnut coffee is so aromatic, just brewing at home made you feel good. I got like more than 10 packages so far and loving them. Also got bunch of spices. Cumin, wasabi powder, paprika, anise, rosemary, red and white pepper... Just make it. They have all. The owner lady doesn't speak much initially but once she recognize your face, she is the sweetest. So helpful and get chatty. I had So much fun talking to her and looking forward going back there once weather get warm!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:02:17" }, { "business_id": "rQW9iupvhk6ScPn2VPNLVQ", "business_name": "Octopus Falafel Truck", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a groupie. He is amazing. I am sad that I got to have his dish only once. Now all construction on market I can't find him!! His chicken is the most tender and smoky I've ever had. Side dishes are creative and awesome too. I hope he is back soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:05:21" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 2, "text": "Had quick bite with hub on the way to watch the show. Shared wings and nacho. Price was cheap and snacks were ok. If they had in NYC I would give them more star for sure. Bar foods in NYC are mostly inedible. But in Philly some bar foods are better than restaurants. This place is below average in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:09:05" }, { "business_id": "3uLXZMnm68l1YwI8_FaFNA", "business_name": "Bangkok Thai 9 Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "Hubby picked up my lunch so had this meal at home to be clear. Had coconut soup, shrimp pad Thai and he had curry. My soup was ok. A bit too sour. I like more creamier side for sure. I didn't like much. My pad thai was fail though. Noodles were stuck together when I tried to pick up with chopstick. I had to use it like fork... Not sure if because it was take out. But still we get fair amount of take out, it doesn't usually happen. And shrimp was so so so over cooked. Tasted almost like rubber. Too bad, they are really close to me though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:15:12" }, { "business_id": "6LCZLGa09Qifn6rG7-DNrg", "business_name": "Erawan Thai Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to menu is coconut soup and pad thai with protein. I tried same menu here. Actually really like their coconut soup. They used enough amount of coconut milk that soup was really creamy and wasn't over powering with herb. I am so used to Americanized thai cuisine that I prefer less herb on my dish except cilantro. Pat thai was great too. Liked the amount of peanut they used, noodle was chewy and perfect and not too sweet. They gave me generous amount of chicken and white meat wasn't dry so I was very happy with my meal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:20:16" }, { "business_id": "FYhsm9Efvw8lw7zAOIDUbg", "business_name": "Rosa Blanca", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious ham and cheese empanada!!! And all other different kinda! I think I had like 10 of them. They were so so so good. The place looked tiny from outside and I thought it was local diner. Pretty spacious inside and cozy. I went there for happy hour and got bunch of small snacks and had wonderful time. All delicious!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:01:36" }, { "business_id": "PVVFos1LDfD7iETY0w4vaA", "business_name": "Su Xing House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am meat eater who likes go to vegetarian restaurant. I actually like flavor of soy protein. I had hight hope about this place. This place was always packed with people and known as their affordable price. I went there and I got my favorite Chinese menu. Sesame seitan. It came with brown rice and two side veggies. I got corn and steamed broccoli. And vegetarian spring roll. I did not expect gourmet meal for $10 but food did not reach my expectation at all even I considered their amazing price. I did not like my sesame chicken's sauce at all. Way too sweet and lack of flavor beside the sweetness. Side veggies were just sad, they threw couple pieces of steamed veggies and canned corn. Was lame... When I almost finished my meal, I realized they forgot my spring roll. Didn't bother to call them or go back. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:15:02" }, { "business_id": "lYloPAiaWJwWgno4SdxD0Q", "business_name": "Dolce Carini", "rating": 5, "text": "In general pizza in Philly is really amazing. I am not sure why NY pizza is so popular. Philly should be! Even this humble local pizzeria makes amazing pizza. I always get their creamy spinach pizza. Their Alfredo sauce is really good. It's simple but has so much flavor. It's perfect with baked spinach. The pizza crust is so crunch and delicious. I never Thorpe away their edge. Yum yum yum.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T00:24:53" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location than others. Less crowded most of times and people there are very friendly and helpful when you want to try different flavors. And settings are comfortable there. Since weather is cold, I have not had awhile but I used enjoy their hazelnut, avocado, coconut and tiramisu flavors the most. They also have coffee and other sweets as well. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:46:53" }, { "business_id": "eLt-dwl-xxXj9nklhs2eOw", "business_name": "Sweet Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I never seen this franchise in NYC so was happy to try new ones. I believe the owner is Korean and Korean makes GOOD froyo. Already had very high hope. The shop looked typical froyo spot and seems busy. They were located in very busy streets. 2 locations both. I I always get froyo with no topping. I can taste good froyo better w/o topping in my opinion so I did. Froyo was very tarty for me. And I am not a fan of those kind of froyo. Everyone has different tastes so I can't speak for all. Just not my thing. Since they are so convenient for me, I got my bubble tea couple times and also macaron. My taro bubble was once too sweet and once was less powders in it so it tasted like just purple water.. I brought it back and the guy made new one for me. People who worked there were very friendly but their products just did not do much for me so I stopped going there.. Sad. I need to find other froyo spot since red mango left town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:52:19" }, { "business_id": "JMPZQKPPQI15C8FnACKk-A", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 4, "text": "My hub likes creamy ice cream. I am more into gelato or froyo but if I have thick creamy ice cream craving, I go to this place. The shop is relatively newly opened, so it is very clean. Also located upstairs of my Chinese massage place. My massage therapist was so mad during my massage once because there was non stop construction noise going on when she gave me a massage. I had to hear she was arguing with construction guy, I also cheered for her and hated ppl on upstairs ruining my massage session. Well... Ironically I am regular customer for both of them haha. People who work there are all super friendly. You can try all different flavor and they don't mind. Ice creams are good too. Always get their coconut flavor. It's rich and aromatic. Once I let me eating ice cream with my 3 pounds puppy at the corner of shop(we all aware dog is not allowed) but was freezing cold and my pup can stay in my pocket. Literally 3 pounds she was. And I really wanted ice cream. They were so kind let me stay til finish my ice cram and lucky never get crowded there. I still appreciate their kindness:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:58:05" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 3, "text": "Very very busy location. And probably my least favorite location among this franchise. Couple times there were crazy line I couldn't even get in to store and had to leave. The people who worked there were unnecessarily unfriendly but just way to busy that it's hard to ask them to try new favors or ask any questions. I rather walk to Rittenhouse square location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:21:36" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite frozen yogurt place in Philly. Since Red Mango was close down I was looking for my new froyo spot. Yogorino is the closest I can find. Their froyo tastes like heaven. Perfectly icy, tarty and creamy. I could taste that they use real yogurt( also a lot of them) in their ice cream. I always get the froyo with milk chocolate topping which is free. Their chocolate is really good too. Store is very white and clean and girls there are very friendly. Love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:24:59" }, { "business_id": "qcn10016DUkbgCbQi9L1WA", "business_name": "Bassetts Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "The oldest ice cream, I think this place is amazing with their presence itself. But wasn't impressed by their vanilla ice cream. Maybe my palate is get used all commercial ice creams. Their ice cream was good but wasn't super special to go there, waited in line, may not even able to secure seats to enjoy your ice cream... Wasn't pleasant experience. As a Philly tourist was enough to go there once, get my ice cream scoop and take a photo. That once was enough for me.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:35:19" }, { "business_id": "4hv1n1VBzMvE-T4UtIcOcw", "business_name": "Di Bruno Bros.", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is literally in front of my apartment and I really want to love this place. I appreciate that I have multi food store in the neighborhood. It is pretty store, big cheese section in the back of the room, veggie and fruit section, bakery section, meat and fish section and upstairs cafe. I am regular customer for their cheese and bakery section. I had little bad experience with veggie section once and never really went back. Veggies were not fresh at all and gone bad the day after I purchased. Pre cooked food section seemed very nice. I might try that very soon. Tried couple cakes there. Was decent but not amazing... Still go there because so convenient but not super satisfied with the quality.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:42:36" }, { "business_id": "Ou-_OQUNvBcaAoRU0XPtaQ", "business_name": "Jamonera", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been there twice so far. Once for day time snacking and once I went there for weekend prefix. Prefix was definitely good deal. We get to try various dishes and they were not very crowded. I really enjoyed my visit during the day time. Not many people come to that place during weekday daytime so it's very quite and you can chat with friends with good snack and drink. It wasn't the best tapas I have ever had but decent.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:53:27" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh yeah, the best deal for the bucks..... Their happy hour is steal. So good and so cheap. Foods are basically same as their regular menu. Really enjoyed their brussel sprout, Vietnamese sandwich, Korean fried chicken, kimchi friend rice, edamame dumpling in broth and skewers. So so so good. I love to sit at the bar and grab yummy bar snacks. I've been there multiple times and they were always good. Went there for regular dinner and basically got same food and payed more than double so.. Go to their happy hours. It is just amazing deal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "dSPA4yql9vUwnYRxHiVtHA", "business_name": "Makiman Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there after watched the show. Place was half empty and we saw people were eating Korean bi bim bop in hot stone bowl. Maybe it's Korean owned sushi place or at least be of chefs is Korean. I got sashimi salad and roll without rice. Sashimi salad was sooooooooo spicy even to me. I can handle some spicy but this was just pure go chu jang ( Korean red chilly pepper paste) I had to take out most of sauces and ate them. Sashimi was ok but their sauce already burned my tongue couldn't taste anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:03:25" }, { "business_id": "JDv3h1xRFIW8fXckqgTdRg", "business_name": "Fuji Mountain", "rating": 3, "text": "I have never had sushi here but tried nabeyaki, gyoza and agedashi tofu one late night. Restaurant structor was unique. It was 3 story restaurants and divided sushi bar, restaurants and karaoke. I guess some ppl eat, drink and go upstairs to sing after. My nabe dish was pretty good. I was craving some hot soup and it was soothing. What I needed that night. Gyoza was little greasy and didn't have much stuffing. Was failed dish. Agedashi tofu was crispy and well fried. And liked the dashi broth with radish. Yum. Was my favorite dish. I have not back there for two reasons. Still need to try other new places and also really creepy guy tried to talked to me at the restaurant that night ( but waitress lady piloted stopped the creepy guy, thanks to her ), I just creeped out from that weird vibe from dinner so have not back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:11:34" }, { "business_id": "cmETClmvGoUZZwBXRtv6kw", "business_name": "Good Stuff Eatery", "rating": 2, "text": "Had really soggy fries here. It was rosemary French fries and it is one of my favorite snacks in the world!!! Got one bite, boo.... Was so so so soggy. Liked that they had a lot of free drippings. There were actually good and my favorite Begium fries place in NYC, they charged for the same digging so that was big plus. My hub said the burger was ok and also wasn't happy with soggy fries. I thought it might be just that day. But apparently one of my other friends was mentioned that she had burger and fries there and she didn't like their soggy fries. Guess that is the style there. Not my thing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:22:18" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 3, "text": "I love roasted chicken. Apparently this dish is not easy to find than you think so I was happy to find this place. Got half roasted chicken with roast beet and feta. Chicken was pretty but not enough meat for me. I got hungry after finished my meal. Maybe they cooked really small chicken that day.. I just don't want to get hungry after finishing half of chicken myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:27:40" }, { "business_id": "VIYvcX9SScnqmoI0so1KZA", "business_name": "PrimoHoagies", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not a sandwich fan at all. It probably my last choice of meal to be honest. But if I get sandwich craving really once in awhile, I go to this place. One you get there friendly Italian guys welcome you and get the order promptly. And your hoagie is ready to eat in 5 min. Their hoagie is gigantic. I get really full after finishing it. I got cold turkey and meatball once. I really liked meatball marinara. Wasn't too soggy but they just had enough marinara to covered the bread. Yum. And their meatballs were delicious! I don't go there often enough but for my next visit, I am getting my meal all sub again. Super satisfying.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:31:23" }, { "business_id": "8ohaL9a02bWZDxOxfZCTxw", "business_name": "Four Seasons Food Court", "rating": 4, "text": "Sometimes I get lazy and get dinner from here. Sold by weight buffet place isn't my thing but the owner lady was so kind when I visited them first time. She asked if I was student and offered me 10% discount whenever I come and can eat the buffet with affordable prices. I thought that was so nice that they offered discount to students. Maybe she did because I am same Korean as she is. But those kindness I was never had in NYC for last 10 years. Beside kindness, their buffet is pretty nice actually. Like their salad. Was fresh and they have different kinds. And a lot of vegetarian options. I am not vegetarian but I like to have some vegetarian options with my meat. I got my dinner and it was like $7. Good price and I had filling dinner.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:43:16" }, { "business_id": "i-clumHx1gMhf5B8MROyHA", "business_name": "Falafel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Tried one at their old location. Got my falafel sandwich. Was average falafel, nothing special about it and they did not give me enough white sauce even tough I asked. Liked the roasted carrot and their pickle though. I will give another try to their new location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:45:49" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "Presentation is main charm of this restaurant. I used to just love fancy decoration on my palate in my early 20's. If they draw flower on my plate I was so so so impressed already. Now I l have known better, eaten out so much, I admit that so hard to get impressed by restaurant. Either price has to be good or has to be superb with food. Just beautifully decorated food doesn't impress me much anymore. Small portion was fine with me. I do aware fine dining place will never full me so we order a lot so it wasn't about their portion. Was off from the start, I prefer spread butter to be room temperature. This one wasn't. Little disappointed from the beginning. Presentation of food was beautiful. They do care about color of your plate and have great sense. But it gets boring if I keep eating unflavored white foam with gello typed sauce. I remember it was super impressed when I had gello sauce and foams on my food. I was like wow. This is genius but that was couple years ago. Now wherever I go, I get to eat foams and I don't like foams that much... Maybe we ordered too much seafood oriented menu but I am a seafood fan.. Most dishes tasted too similar. My halibut was chewy and well cooked but broth was a bit boring... Luckily the portion wasn't so big so finished all of my food. They got amazing reviews about their brunch. I think o rather want to try their brunch not regular meal next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:44:22" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like 4.5 star but definitely better that 4 so I will still give 5. Had amazing meals there whenever I visited. Love their raw beet and kale salad, Br sprout salad and cheese plate. They are super creative and beautifully presented. Others enjoyed their pizza and meatballs very much. I just love their salad so much. A lot of flavor and absolutely heavenly. It is my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:56:07" }, { "business_id": "u7_3L1NBWgxhBM_B-cmmnA", "business_name": "Pizzeria Vetri", "rating": 3, "text": "Was on the way Petco me and my parents saw this place was empty. No line! We weren't very hungry but had to get a pizza here. I had high hope about this pizzeria since I just had amazing experience at Vetri. How good would be! And Philly does have great pizza overall, this one might be too good to me to handle. Got rotolo and margarita pizza. Both were very decent food. I just wouldn't wait for that or walk all the way to restaurant from my neighborhood. Pretty far to walk from center city..", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:05:35" }, { "business_id": "elSnD7Vuxnlg5_9gTqBqmA", "business_name": "Barra Rossa Ristorante", "rating": 2, "text": "Went there for one of friends Bday. Think they booked this place because she was on gluten free diet and needed private space for the event. Wasn't completely private but they did have sort of separated group dining space. Ambiance reminded me modern cafeteria and wasn't impressed. We were waited to be seated a bit so I had glimpsed on others pasta dishes and quickly made up my mind to order something safe. I got cheese platter. It's gonna be safe bet c The platter was HUGE. They gave me so much cheese and that was very generous. Sadly my cheese was not good. Some of them I did not taste any flavor. Kind of rubbery texture when you chew on not so good quality of cheese. No one really enjoyed it.. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:25:05" }, { "business_id": "t37dsDBpe65qUb81OSFr-g", "business_name": "Philadelphia Theatre Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a subscriber and very satisfied so far. They have been showing good plays which mostly nominated/ awarded. They have spacious stage and setting is really nice. They have been presenting great writing and directing. Actors are very professional too. As a subscriber I got to go opening nights and they usually have post play event. Q&A with actors and writers which is always nice. Also their seats are very comfy and leg rooms are large. I am so used watch Broadway shows in NYC so I was really surprised to be seated like this. That makes the experience so much enjoyable!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:23:52" }, { "business_id": "MbFiVsqtIt75yrUNd8LT3Q", "business_name": "Prince Music Theater", "rating": 3, "text": "Very young and energetic theater I thought. I checked their annual playlist but wasn't much my style so did nothing t subscribed. However if I find something interesting I still go watch. Me and hub went to watch Evil dead. Was definitely very entertaining. It feels like you watch very exciting short film. Acting was great and fun vibe filled entire theater. Beside play I did think theater itself was nice. Since most theaters are so nice here this one was definitely less classier than other places. But its fun venue to check out for once.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:30:20" }, { "business_id": "dBRWKIS7h-qZCi8EjUJ2HA", "business_name": "The Franklin Institute Science Museum", "rating": 3, "text": "This museum ended up pretty pricy if you want to experience whole package. I was surprised that there is no student discount package for entrance, Imax and special exhibition. That was one of the most expensive museum visit I have ever had. Whenever I visited new city I try to visit every museum and galleries. Those places usually offer student discount or any kind of deal for tourist. This place had non. When I got there with my parents, it was really windy mid of weekday. Think we picked the wrong day. There were tons of kids running around without any observation. No offense, it would be perfect study/ play venue for them. And they probably need to experience this venue more than I do. Apparently we did not get to see any of exhibits. Children were screaming everywhere and no one really supervise them. And a lot of things were broken and left it there. Well. We ended up leaving this place in a hour. This place could be so much better.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:43:18" }, { "business_id": "bmrEQ_4nzXc72zAFotrLYA", "business_name": "Arden Theatre Company", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my favorite theater in Philadelphia. I am a subscriber and can not be happier than this. This beautiful theater is located on prettt street at Old city. I love to make my trip out of it and check out Old city as well. They have first and second go, separated theater. Both have nice and comfy seats and great sound and view. I have been sitting front seat to watch but I believe most seats in that theater have great view. So far they have been showing amazing musical and plays. Some of them made me cry and some of them made me cry from laughing. Actors in Arden theater are super talented and so enthusiastic. You must check out this beautiful place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:47:08" }, { "business_id": "PhLYLCjM_dS_seS_fMBVeg", "business_name": "Helium Comedy Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to standing comedy show. I have been ones in NYC and LA only before coming to this once. From my past experience, comedy clubs were very pushy with minimum purchase. They were kept asking if I order another drink to have 2 drink minimum. It's their rule so I was fine with it. At least this place did not have that push. Actually was so hard to order our bar snack lol because the venue was so full and so hard to get attention from waitress. Well it's very refreshing haha We went there for special guest Bobby Lee comedy show. He was funny as I expected. Thought the opening guy was even funnier though. Now I will go back there for Margaret Cho show next month. I am super excited!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:50:33" }, { "business_id": "YWI4lRnWY7-dFBAei7JAEQ", "business_name": "Academy of Music", "rating": 4, "text": "It is gorgeous venue, so classic and beautiful! I like their Broadway musicals very much. So much cheaper than Broadway in NYC and as good as them. Watched musical Once, Phantom of the Opera and Cinderella. I probably watched Phantom at least 7 times haha. I know it is lame but I just love that show. My parents and me are such a big fan so we both watched multiple times but we read this new version of Phantom will be showing in Philly so we were exited to watch. And so excited to see how they were going to use this classic old style theater. It would be just perfect venue for phantom without trying. Setting was beautiful and music was great as usual. I just wasn't fan of new version they did. I really like their dramatic ending when phantom is surrounded by flames. I cried with him every time I watched. Revised ending was less dramatic and was a bit disappointing. Not sure if they did it because the stage had less space than ones in nyc. We did enjoyed Once and Cinderella as well. Very entertaining, great performance. They did not disappointed me. One thing was odd that the actors usually asked for the donation for their charity work after curtain call. I thought that was very nice and also smart. The audiences were so happy after watching fun musicals and willing to chip in. We all got out and walked down the stairs and the exit just lead us to street. We did not see anyone collecting donation. I saw people actually wanted to donate a bit and that was little disappointing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:05:26" }, { "business_id": "_aO_GP15Zrh7wcOuvaXnNw", "business_name": "Rodin Museum", "rating": 4, "text": "Who knew Philly has so much to offer to us! I never knew about Rodin this much until I visited this place. Me and my parents had artsy date and we had amazing time at Philadelphia museum of Art then we got free pass for this place. It was much smaller than expected but had a lot to enjoy. Loved that this museum wasn't too crowded, you can enjoy as long as you want. I saw Rodin's pieces at Met and Louvre but never get to enjoy with in peace like this. We walk around every rooms and enjoyed it. There was pretty corner of the room and you can leave your own sketch. My mom and I sat there and draw together. What a beautiful experience we had. Outdoor park was small but beautiful. Please check out this venue. You won't find like this anywhere.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 4, "text": "The first place I have visited in Philly. It is massive and events, special exhibitions are going on. First time we went there to watch \" Korean \" special exhibition. We actually booked the restaurant there to try their Korean themed tasting menu. Food was Asian fusion dish which wasn't too refreshing to us anymore but the venue was pretty and we enjoyed our meal. The museum was very impressive. They have amazing art as much as other major museums in other city and definitely less crowded than them. You get out of it so much. My mom is artist and she said it was amazing and had wonderful time with me. I am glad I got to check out and I do know I will have to make regular visit to this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:28:58" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 5, "text": "I finally get to see Barns foundation myself! Amazing!! I read about this place so much from news paper and art magazine. I heard this place is legendary and was excited to see it myself. What to say, it is modern and beautiful. And as we heard, they have so so so many art to display. They displayed every art as Dr. Barns had them in his mansion. You feel like you are waking into gorgeous house with full of collection. I was just stunned. There were so many things to see, the time slot we had felt so short. Mom and dad had amazing time too. My mom did say this was the best museum she's ever been too. I can't agree more. For example, Met or Louvre museums are so massive that I was already too intimidated by them and I got to walk way too much to enjoy them all. I got physically too tired to enjoy their art. Barns foundation was smaller and displayed so many art in one wall since they recreated exact same layout. I did not have to hop around too much and still got to see a lot. That was big plus. Now I have to schedule my next visit there to educate myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:37:29" }, { "business_id": "xrlyoI0SHEFBJa52qQnPUw", "business_name": "iSushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My another visit, was in the neighborhood and wanted to grab quick sushi and Vic sushi was way too far and I was starving... Got chicken wing, salmon salad, banzi roll as usual, one night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll. We were too hungry so was in hurry to order. I didn't have chicken wing but my hub enjoyed all. He said kinda taste like sesame chicken. My miso soup wasn't salty and really hot. I liked it, was perfect for this cold night. Banzi roll... could been better, too much cucumber than actual sashimi. I did miss my Vic sushi's Naruto roll again. One night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll were pretty good actually. Size is big and filled with crunchiness crabmeat with spicy mayo. I realized they just use same sauce for tuna sashimi as the dressing. I should've got tuna salad. Little lame. I did enjoyed one night and tuna rolls. But banzi roll and sashimi salad were little disappointing. Still solid 3 star place. But I will still go back there if I am in neighborhood. Just not gonna order banzi roll anymore.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T22:55:27" }, { "business_id": "bgxDswHIdFP0Go0pNfyAAw", "business_name": "Hummus Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "It feels so refreshing get away from Rittenhouse square area and up to university city. I liked the busy vibe and ethnic food options. Needed to grab quick bite after movie and we stopped by Hummus grill. Got Chicken Schwarma platter with eggplants and beef kabob. The portion was generous and veggies seemed fresh. My chicken was tender and delicious, I liked it a lot. Hummus was decent but I wouldn't say it was great. Egg plants was little too greasy. I wish I ordered beet salad instead. It looked better. It looked like fast food chain and service was fast. Dining area was little cold since customers kept coming in and out. It was definitely busy place. I don't think I want to eat there again. To go maybe..", "timestamp": "2015-02-19T00:56:39" }, { "business_id": "1LhpU1alopR_l-bWVQPkUA", "business_name": "Oh Shea's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "I felt interesting vibe from this place so I thought it is worth to leave review. Stopped by for quick drink. I am a non drinker so I can only review about bar food and ambiance. We ordered French fries, was unbelievably cheap.. Like $4 and they give you stack of French fries. OMG. Nothing special about that fries but for that price I was just amazed. It was just regular sports bar, not that crowded but it's located in center city anyway so I assume it would get busier during wkend or something. And I realized our waitress lady was like 60 or 70? years old beautiful lady. She was attentive and nice. She might be the owner. I am not sure, I am new here but this is something I never saw it in NYC before. I thought it was really cool :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:03:38" }, { "business_id": "dST75t2bHG-JtNTiYuSBMg", "business_name": "Uniqlo", "rating": 4, "text": "My favorite uniqlo store, there is never line. People who hadn't had experience at uniqlo store in NYC or any other major city wouldn't understand. Once I went there to exchange the size, I ended up waiting 40 min and I gave up exchanging. This store is new and people are so nice unlike employees in nyc. I think people there just are tired or just have bad temper maybe. I have amazing experiences here so far. They were so helpful finding design and my size for me and super friendly and actually enjoy working there. Must make my shopping so pleasant. They do have awesome basic stuff and have amazing price. They run size little bigger than original uniqlo in Asia so keep in mind and order one size smaller if you do.", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:11:08" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 3, "text": "4 of us had dinner there tonight. My hub dined there before and we awarded of their small portions. He was not very impressed with his last visit but 3 of us haven't been there so we gave a shot anyway. The restaurant was cozy and warm. Very tiny but we did not mind as long as food good. I got crudo, sautéed mushroom appetizer. Since it would be small I ordered two for myself. My hub got mussel. Did not find anything special about crudo, I thought mushroom appetizer was the best among them. Maybe too much butter on them but I am a huge butter lover. The main dish was disappointing. Me and my friends both ordered Bouillabaisse. When our server described it, that sounded so awesome. When we saw our dish... that was sad. Literally there were two piece of fish in my soup. Size of my thumb nail. My friend's one was same. There was no decent meat in it at all so I really hoped the broth would be amazing. It wasn't. Lack of flavor and I got really sad since I really like bouillabaisse. I left all of my soup even the portion was tiny.. Tried my hub's pork cheek dish as well. The smell of pork really disturbed me for some reason. I am not a crazy meat lover so I easily disturbed by smell of the meat. But I do eat steak and any kind of meat. But just that dish had really strong pork smell I did not like. My hub did not enjoy very either. This place seems have pretty good review so I am not sure if it was only us but non of us thought our meal was delicious at all but we did enjoy byob and cozy ambiance very much. Since I gave only one try I might go back eventually but definitely not anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-21T08:20:23" }, { "business_id": "ArGw19nfPgjR28TTfgb7iw", "business_name": "Smith & Wollensky", "rating": 4, "text": "Had pleasant dinner there. Me and my hub only have been to S&W in NYC and both had decent experiences there. I am not a huge meat eater but I do enjoy bread basket ( they always have great ones!) and appetizers at steak house. We got bunch of appetizers and one huge aged rib eye. Ordered Wollensky salad, mussels, fritto misto, crab cake. I enjoyed the crab cake and fritto misto the most. They were really delicious. Salad and mussels were good too but little salty for me but I enjoyed them all. Hub got spiced rubbed rib eye. I had some, was juicy and tender. I thought was delicious but again, I am not a huge meat eater so I might be wrong. Our sever, I think his name was Rick, he was very attentive and nice. Service wise it was great. I liked that this place wasn't overly packed so we could enjoy quite meal there. The NYC one always packed with cooperate people and tourists whenever I visited there. Wasn't super pleasant. Overall was very satisfying meal. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-23T04:26:38" }, { "business_id": "-0TffRSXXIlBYVbb5AwfTg", "business_name": "IndeBlue Modern Indian Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad to find beautiful indian restaurant in the hood. Tried their vegetable samosa, spicy scallop and shrimp crusted salmon. They were all good! Samosa was crispy and deliciously seasoned. Scallop and salmon were great. I really liked the ambiance, it was lively and was perfect for grabbing some yummy food and enjoy conversation. I tried the lassi as well. And was rich and creamy as I like. I wish I tried their crispy chaat. Looked really but no one wanted to order so we skipped it. I will definitely try that dish next time I am there. The service was very professional and kind.", "timestamp": "2015-02-24T07:48:23" }, { "business_id": "DAbpxhhHOxInDNLdvWrTTQ", "business_name": "Smile Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is only based on take out food. We ordered couple dishes for delivery. Spring rolls, chicken wing with sweet chili sauce, pad see ew and Tom yum soup noodle. Food got delivered in about 40min. There was some good and bad about their food. Spring roll was not so greasy and crispy but lack of flavor. It was already kind of cold but it was delivery food so understandable. Chicken wings were actually delicious. Was good choice. The most disappointing dish was my pad see ew. Noodles were all stuck together so it was like gigantic rice cake and half of them got no sauce on them and uncooked. They put generous portion of vegetable and seemed fresh ones so that was plus. My hub did not enjoy his Tom yum noodle soup. I tasted it, it had too much lime in the broth and I prefer little less but everyone has different preference. Overall was average experience for me. We enjoyed their appetizers but not much luck with main dishes. I am not sure because it was my first try and it was take out. If I dine there it might be total different experience. But no more delivery from this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-26T01:59:47" }, { "business_id": "IsmxvaMe2i-eWnHDyC0WJQ", "business_name": "Rice & Mix", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried their take out dinner last night. I ordered spicy pork over the rice and hub got galbi tang. My hub loves authentic Korean food and me not so much. I can't handle garlic and spicy very well and doesn't appreciate free kimchi side either so I actually prefer Korean fusion places. I thought this place might be the one for me. And actually I was right. My spicy pork dish was just right for me. That means for someone looking for authentic Spicy pork dishes.. might be disappointed. I liked the fact that they didn't use much or garlic and did not see any red pepper flakes on my plate. I do hate red pepper flakes mixed with sauce usually so it was just right for me. They gave hot sauce on the side but I did not use that. It was a bit sweet and slightly spicy side. And I also got the multigrain rice which was delicious. The texture was chewy and dry side so it was almost like multi grain salad. They give edamame and steamed carrot on the side which I wasn't fan of. My dish was delicious ( for me) but was too small. I am so used huge portion of Korean meal with free sides. But I did like the sauce a lot so I will keep going back whenever I am craving. My hub actually enjoyed his galbi tang. They used LA galbi, different type of galbi Korean uses for this soup but broth was good. He finished all. But he is the kind of guy needs kimchi and side dishes when he eats Korean so he was sad there was no free kimchi. I would really like this place if they have little bigger portion .", "timestamp": "2015-02-27T17:59:40" }, { "business_id": "tS8uQ3F3azhluLqcoG3v-Q", "business_name": "Balance Spa & Fitness", "rating": 4, "text": "My review is only about massage sessions. Went there to get 50 min massage from Yolanda. I read good reviews about her massage so was very excited. The reviews were right. Her Swedish massage was very soothing. I got so relaxed so almost fell asleep during the session. She asked about my concerns before massage and worked on it very detailed. Wish I booked two hour session. 50 min felt really short working on entire body since she moves very slowly ( that was really soothing and awesome btw) She got warm and soft hands which is so important for me! Once I got massage from therapist who had ice cold and rough hands. I prayed for my session to be over soon for entire hour. Yolanda even apologized that she had long nails today which I didn't feel any, her nail was short enough for massage. If you got scratched by nails during massage you would know what I mean. She was very professional. I could not give 5 star because it was not a just massage therapist office. It was a hotel spa and the facility wasn't that great. The robe seemed worn off, the pool didn't seen super nice so I didn't use it after my session. They suppose to have jacuzzi and sauna also but I didn't not check after I saw the pool. I was very satisfied with session but facilities.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:19:59" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 5, "text": "So so so good. I love their salad and Italian seafood grill. I have been there multiple times but once I had just ok meal. My seafood grill was overly cooked that day. I hated the texture of my rubbery calamari and dry swordfish that day. Last night I asked the server that I prefer not over cooked seafood. She was so kind and said she will make sure. And my dish was phenomenon. Was sooooo good and the best grilled seafood I had. I was super satisfied. We also got shaved sprout salad, garlic bread, meatball and vongole pasta. They were all delicious. We really enjoyed them all. I can eat there everyday.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:28:26" }, { "business_id": "1qw5dIsQPNGLOwnuP7Wj1g", "business_name": "South Bowl", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there for their soft opening since lucky strike and north bowl had longer wait. Uber driver had hard time to find the place since there was no sign outside. We were roughly waited for an hour and got some drink at the bar. Some guy spilled his drinks on us and we got all wet. It's happy Saturday night so we didn't wanna be mean anything. We said ok and waited for napkin or anything from bartender at the bar. We had to wait 10 min to get some napkin to clean up and we got soaked with drink and stood there. It was busy but not that busy compare with north bowl. The staffs seemed trying their best( they seemed really overwhelmed) but just very unorganized yet. When I got my bowling shoes, they were wrong size first so went back to switch to other ones then they gave me both left side lol. Something like small things kept happening. I think because it was first night. It wasn't smooth overall. We ordered bunch of food. Food was similar with north bowl but just takes really long to get food and drink. It is opening night for them so I am sure they will get better by time.", "timestamp": "2015-03-01T07:23:24" }, { "business_id": "kjKImJ8dLwN4jDi5PQP46g", "business_name": "Unite Fitness - Philly East", "rating": 4, "text": "Enjoyed working out there for a month and I am looking forward going back. The coaches there were professional and encouraged the people like me who weren't very athletic. I've never really done any strength work out in my life and definitely not athletic side. I actually hate working out. But their 75 min class was pretty fun even to me. People there seemed very strong and well trained compare to me so I was little intimidated but I survived. I could give 5 star for their classes and coaches but little pricy side for me and no free towel services or shower etc was little inconvenient for me.", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T04:41:36" }, { "business_id": "8P8HIysyyGbG8_94cG1Jyg", "business_name": "Entree BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "Had very pleasant evening at Entree BYOB. I saw great reviews about this place and finally decided to give a shot. 6 of us got a big table near entrance. It was small restaurant so that was only table can accommodate big group. We sat promptly and ordered $50 pre fix. It was great deal. We got all different dishes. Lobster tempura, cheese plate, prosciutto wrapped date. I got cheese plate. They serve 5 different kind cheese I think. I liked blue cheese and fried goat cheese the most. It came with peanut brittle, pear slice, arugula and some bread. It was huge for appetizer and was great choice. I didn't taste other friend's dishes but everyone enjoyed theirs. I got seared tuna and scallop with ink pasta for main dish. The pasta sauce was eggplant and tomato based and it was delicious! And spicy!!!! Scallop was good size and perfectly cooked. I liked scallop more than tuna. Pasta had very strong garlic flavor so I couldn't taste seared tuna very well since I started eating pasta first. But overall very satisfying dish. For dessert, got lemon mascarpone cheese cake. Yum yum yum. And also their fried Oreo... Was very good choice as others said. The portion was huge and price was awesome too. Really enjoyed it. Place was small and we sat in front of entrance and people kept coming in so it got cold while dining. Except that it was fantastic restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:28:37" }, { "business_id": "1o0C_fqBgnQCiWn4A0R68g", "business_name": "Nuts To You", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite snack heaven in Philly. I get so happy whenever I go to their store. I am a gummy lover and its gummy heaven. I grab could different kinds gummy and dark roast peanut for my hub. He really likes roast peanut from them. Today I got gummy, peanut, raw pumpkin seed and Turkish coffee. Total was just over $18. So cheap and snacks are fresh. Love love them!", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:41:27" }, { "business_id": "3NsTKp85H2FUjr1SURf0NQ", "business_name": "Greenstreet Coffee Co.", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute and little neighborhood coffee spot. Me and u friend stopped by today for quick coffee and snack. Ordered cappuccino, ice green tea and biscotti. We were in very chatty mood so we sat outside. Small place was filled with patron who were working or studying there so felt bad to sit there and disturb them since it was tiny spot. Cappuccino was foamy and smelled awesome. I got ice green tea and they didn't charge for extra like other places. Biscotti was big enough also. One barista there made good coffee alone and very quite so it would be perfect study spot not for chatty date with girlfriends.", "timestamp": "2015-03-09T21:20:26" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I might ordered the least popular menu here but I loved it. I was wondering about this place since I see always long line of people waiting outside even during wkdays. I had beet salad and hub got the burger. And side of mac and cheese. I really enjoyed my beet salad. The portion of beet was very generous. Also they gave me a lot of goat cheese which was so yummy. Greens were fresh and dressing was delicious. He said burger was just ok. He wished he got the French toast or pancake. Seems like everyone getting them and looked really good. I will definitely go back there to try their best sellers.", "timestamp": "2015-05-17T21:46:04" }, { "business_id": "QhgrhVKlXZtSY6gRThf8zA", "business_name": "Bing Bing Dim Sum", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty interesting restaurant. This was my first visit to E Passyunk. I was pleasantly surprised with their dishes. We were extremely hungry so ordered basically everything on the menu. I enjoyed everything we ordered except pork soup dumpling. It was corn and bacon based so the soup was little greasier than others but my friend enjoyed it. I did enjoyed their bun, Taiwanese dumplings, xo sauced chicken wings, turnip cake and scallion rice dish. Yum yum yum. Dishes could be spicier side since they are not afraid using chili oil and sriracha sauce but they were delicious to me. Sitting outside and having a Dimsum?! Sounds Awesome to me.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:35:05" }, { "business_id": "yAXiqUXVDdzWAXMFAobuCQ", "business_name": "Wheel Fun Rentals - Boathouse Row", "rating": 5, "text": "It was best $30 I spent this year. Me and my friend enjoyed awesome 80 min surrey ride. It looked uncoolest thing you could ride but we had a puppy and wanted check out the park so we decide to give a shot anyway. I ended up purchasing annual membership lol. They basically give you 50% time for free if you have membership which was nice deal. We had little ride by river and turned out it was tremendous work out. Our original plan was doing this then go to flywheel after but we skipped the gym after this. It was really nice to see the scenery and get some outdoor activity. Plus my dog loved it ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:47:38" }, { "business_id": "noBinj5ChHbPCHfqTcUO6g", "business_name": "Plenty Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I adore this little cafe. People there are so nice and pet friendly. Their peach cobbler cake is so moist and just enough sweet. Their ice tea is awesome, fresh squeezed orange juice is always delicious. Their little outdoor seats are always nice.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:50:22" }, { "business_id": "EMp87GsYkVdwHftE7Ar2_w", "business_name": "Cosmic Café and Ciderhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "I appreciate this little cafe a lot. It is locate to right next bike rental, entrance of boathouse row so I would say it is in prime location. In the winter, you want to grab hot coffee here and during the summer, you want ice coffee from this place. I mean this place would be doing great no matter what because of the location. But their coffee is actually pretty good, they make fresh fruit smoothies without any sweetener. Only fresh fruit in there. Their frittata was delicious, side salad and potato were fresh. Yum yum yum. I had veggie wrap before and it was yummy. All food and drink looked very fresh to me and seems like people there make an effort to make this place pleasant. 5 stars.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:57:09" }, { "business_id": "i_FWONQD1ZBqrNE2b-M5Ug", "business_name": "Talula's Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "This is such a beautiful restaurant and I am so happy to live near by. I had brunch before and this time I tried dinner and I am glad I did. The weather was perfect for outdoor dining experience and food was delicious. Me and my girlfriend split couple dishes and we really enjoyed them. We got welcome dish- fresh baked brioche. Yum yum yum. For appetizer, got tuna crudo and sweet pea salad. Tuna was so fresh and paired watermelon was amazing. Sweet pea salad was little blend for me but friend enjoyed it. We shared pan seared halibut. The portion was not so small and broccoli was delicious with fish. We couldn't decide btwn ricotta donut and butterscotch pudding so we got both! The pudding was the winner for sure . Must get it.", "timestamp": "2015-06-17T03:37:05" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 4, "text": "After watched the show at Arden, me and my hubby grabbed dinner at Fork. We had so so experiences at High street on Market so hesitated a bit but we gave a shot after read positive reviews. It had welcoming and beautiful ambiance and services were professional. Overall I enjoyed my meal but husband wasn't very impressed. I guess restaurant really can't satisfy everyone. I am a girl who hates leaving restaurant hungry so amuse bouche and several house treat platters made me very happy. We had 4 course tasting menu and they served different treats after each course. Sweet bread starter and shrimp raw platter were delicious start. They were not super small portion. For pasta course,we had gnudi pasta and ravioli. Gnudi pasta was delicious since I am big fan of cheese but it could be too rich for others who doesn't enjoy rich cheese. I thought ravioli was lack of flavor. But again, I am rich, creamy pasta girl. For main, we got duck breast and pork. Hubby ordered pork but he didn't like it much so we ended up switching the plate. I thought pork was ok. But not blown away. Oddly side dishes for both main courses were pickled vegetable. Since I got pickled veggie for my sweet bread starter, it was too much pickle for 4 courses dinner. Dessert, hubby got Black Forest cake( it's more like mousse) and I got cheese plate. Cheese selection was good. I enjoyed mine. Hubby didn't like his mousse so I ended up finishing his. It was rich but too bitter for me. Overall I left restaurant full and happy, I would go back if I am near for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-06-24T05:26:05" }, { "business_id": "bLJP0fVgscuUQy0hE_CRXA", "business_name": "Xiandu Thai", "rating": 4, "text": "Very decent Thai restaurant in center city. I had lunch special with friends and I was really satisfied. Had Tum yum soup and red curry with rice. Soup was really delicious even though I normally don't like tom yum soup. Red curry was mild spicy and creamy. Really like it. It could have been 5 star if our server were little bit helpful. My friend asked about her menu, she didn't want to order fried food and wanted to make sure but our server gave her wrong information and she ended up with deep fried dish. It was delicious however that was not what she was asking. It could have been 5 star.", "timestamp": "2015-07-10T03:01:12" }, { "business_id": "6aoXAXNrL7KrGBVRYBMFWw", "business_name": "Andre Richard Salon", "rating": 5, "text": "They have two salons at Washington square park area. They are so close to me so I've been both locations. The one at 12th street gym location is smaller but the one on Locust street is much larger and nicer. My girl is Anastasia and I really like her. She listens my concern and try to help out. It is crucial for me to click with my hair stylist since communication is very important. She is definitely very thoughtful and not pushy. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-07-24T19:41:13" }, { "business_id": "pxmBh8YZ6HLGQfNHvJoHzA", "business_name": "Nomad Roman Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "It is great local pizza spot for me. Convenient location and no waiting to be seated. I noticed Philly has some great pizza spots!!! Nomad was on my list and finally tried. I saw great reviews about root salad and margarita pizza so I got them and also tried meat balls. I did enjoy my root salad, it has so much flavor but It was little small even for appetizer. Pizza was pretty good but I've had better in Philly. However meatball was disappointing. Was lack of flavor and I tried some amazing meatball dishes in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T21:35:10" }, { "business_id": "FhwTEGqdir75uyXZqWqxlw", "business_name": "Big Gay Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "I was glad this cute ice cream shop opened near my place. There was long line and I loved their excited ambiance. I tried their best seller - salty pimp. They sprinkled a lot of salt, caramel and covered with chocolate. I was super excited to watch them making my ice cream. I think I enjoyed that experience more than eating it. Maybe it's only me, I was never big fan of salted caramel fan. And def it was pricier side for soft ice cream. I think I will stick with my Yogorino.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T22:13:17" }, { "business_id": "rMWdWJHblLHt_BQ2kWj5Bg", "business_name": "Seger Dog Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad I have couple doggie run near me. I appreciate having this park close to me. Compare to the one by river, this one doesn't not have separate doggie run so it might be not suitable for small dogs but my 7 pounds baby loves go there and hang out with big dogs. I did not have any bad experiences there so far, big dogs there behave so well and gentle with my small baby. They play so well together and we had a great time however you just never know. C I met some cool people there, they were every friendly. It's not artificial grass so her paws got dirty after playing there and sometimes it stink.", "timestamp": "2015-08-13T18:18:33" }, { "business_id": "V8we7-uCa-SouadZmZ9Ieg", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory", "rating": 3, "text": "It is so lame but this was chain restaurant I really wanted to try haha. I just heard about this place a lot- huge portion, good dessert etc however I've never seen this place anywhere in city. Now I finally went! Stopped by for lunch, got Alfredo fettuccini ( lunch portion) with chicken and classic burger with fries. We thought that would be safe choice since it was our first visit. Pasta was very thick, creamy like other chain restaurant. Chicken breast was moist and tender. My hubby enjoyed his burger and couldn't finish his fries. We were full so had original cheese cake piece to go. Our server was very friendly and had full of smile on her face whenever we sees her. Food was nothing ordinary but service was nice and I like to have this restaurant in the city.", "timestamp": "2015-08-14T17:34:40" }, { "business_id": "2er_V-oAd7IbQ5YTY56r7A", "business_name": "Bareburger - Midtown Village", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to be a big fan of Bare burger when they opened in NYC. I am not sure why I totally neglected this place for years. I only tried their vegetarian menus in NYC, my vegetarian friends really appreciated their veggie protein options. I remember those were yummy. Today we got County, Caviar burger with fries and rings. Large size comes with 4 speciality sauces. I thought burger bun was pretty good however I prefer juicy meat so this one was a bit dry for me. Also I prefer crispy fries, this one was little soggy... I remember this chain used to much better, maybe it depends on location. I am still glad to have heathy burger option near me", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T17:16:49" }, { "business_id": "NUJrCPU51Cvip4ayZD1P5g", "business_name": "Jose Pistola's", "rating": 4, "text": "I would say their bar food is very decent. I actually enjoyed their taco and nachos very much. I am not huge fan of bar food- normal greasy and very salty for me. However couple of friends recommended this place for Mexican snack and I can't agree more. Nachos were so yummy!! Crispy and I liked their topping. Not soggy and just perfect combination of bean, veggies and cheese! Tacos were decent as well however I think nacho was the winner. Definitely going back for some snack.", "timestamp": "2015-08-20T03:06:57" }, { "business_id": "uIZwBkvWicqyWraXvYOipw", "business_name": "Sbraga", "rating": 5, "text": "They have great 4 course meal for $55. What a amazing deal. And absolutely delicious. I was very happy to receive warm and crispy pop over and foie gras soup. I wasn't feeling for pop over so didn't have it but my hubby said it was so good and he finished it. And he is not a bread person. Their welcome dishes are even impressive. The soup was.... amazing. So creamy and so savory. Can't get enough. Wish they have that for their regular menu. I will totally get it. I got hamachi, lamb pasta appetizer, striped bass and cheese plate. 3 decent sized pieces of hamachi accompanied with jalapeño. It was so good, I forgot to take photo. Lamb pasta was delicious and rich with sauce. But I switched to my hubby's dish- saffron pasta with crab meat. I liked his dish better. Bass was cooked so moist and delicious. Very very satisfied. I was very happy to see cheese plate w/o extra charge. Nice touch! They gave me 3 piece with candid walnut and fig. I enjoyed sheep milk cheese the most.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:42:17" }, { "business_id": "nsH0hQ7xB5LS2_Ba3mqHTQ", "business_name": "Paesano's Philly Style", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok. So I finally tried Paesano sandwich. I was meaning to try it for very long time. My hubby picked up for me and I had it for lunch next day. I enjoyed it very much and I am sure if I eat fresh one.. I will be blown away.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:55:53" }, { "business_id": "fEqiXG_B-fn__w0aeF3nBQ", "business_name": "Laurel", "rating": 4, "text": "Very creative restaurant. I am not a fan of cold dishes but I did enjoy my ice flaked hamachi and foie gras dish. They were creamy but not overly empowering. We ordered truffle gnocchi for extra and that was right choice. I enjoyed very much. They were not cheap with truffle so $30 was so worthy. For main course, cod was decent size and my boo liked that dish the most. Pork was super tender and delicious. Dessert was chocolate pudding. I was expecting something special so when dessert came out, I was little disappointed. It was yummy but nothing special about dessert.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:51:03" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my favorite Sabrina's brand. I tried all 3 locations in city and keep coming back to this one. Staff is nice and food is consistent. I feel this space little larger than one at Italian market so feel less cramped. Burger and breakfast egg are always delicious and enjoy their fresh sneezed juice. Can't wait to go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:57:50" }, { "business_id": "POuaebsAeCyNx-8qZ3O7XQ", "business_name": "Shang Hai 1", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their soup dumpling very much. They are fast,delicious and super cheap. Tried couple dumplings here and they were all good. We got experimental and ordered regular menu but they were so so. I will stick to dumplings only from now on.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T04:01:28" }, { "business_id": "pXRrRf8fDv6yU3xp1E25hA", "business_name": "Bud & Marilyn's", "rating": 4, "text": "I was wondering about this place awhile and finally got to try it. Got cheese curds, short rib stroganoff, fried chicken and lobster buns. I always wanted to try cheese curd truck but never got to wait to get to so this was perfect. Was little salty for me but if you skip the sauce then it's bearable. As other reviews said, short rib stroganoff was definitely winner of the night. Was delicious and I love it very much. Lobster buns were pretty good too. Decent size of lobsters in it. Not heavy on sauce. Yum. Fried chicken dish was huge. Big two pieces include breast. I prefer white meat part so it was perfect. It wasn't Korean fried chicken style,it was more like Blue ribbon fried chicken in NYU. Otherwise fancy KFC lol Most dishes were little saltier side than other restaurants but maybe good with drinks. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T17:21:31" }, { "business_id": "8-A_4Jp2-NHKvjLcPE8HVA", "business_name": "United States Postal Service Land Title Station", "rating": 1, "text": "Wish I could give \" zero\" star. Yelp needs to give us option to give zero star. Seriously.. This location usps deserve to get Zero star. Normally most of experiences at USPS are not very pleasant. But I am reasonable person. I do not expect 5 star hotel service here. You do not have to kind and super helpful to me. Just let me send out my pkg without making me so unpleasant. I went to this location multiple times since it is so close to me however it was my last time to go there. One of lady is extremely rude. I did not see her name ( wish I did, so I can save a lot of people's bad experiences there) but I think most reviews here already mention about her. I actually saw once she made one customer cried. She yelled and extremely rude to her and the poor young lady actually cried in front of other ppl and said she shouldn't be so mean. I did not hear whole conversation so I did not leave any review at that time. This time, actually was my experience. Same lady extremely rude to me for no reason and I did not argue with crazy lady so just left saying nothing since even if I complain, the crazy lady won't change. Do not go there. There are other locations.. And if you must..do not go to right side of counter. There are two counters. She will find way to yell at you even if you did anything wrong and just waiting on line for your turn. She loves to boss around and yell at her customers and most of us are too busy and just want to leave there asap.. She is abusing it. So far she was always on the right side. She is extremely unpleasant person to deal with. Be aware.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T15:20:21" }, { "business_id": "3eJMsl41qwhcYlvoTF1ElQ", "business_name": "a.kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is purely about their lunch special. Had pleasant experience there. Their lunch special is great deal. Big portion and great service. I had smoked charr flat bread and Tuna. Hubby got steak tartare and octopus. I liked my tuna a lot. They served 3 huge chunk of tuna pieces. I have big portion but this satisfied me :-) Smoked char, I normally love this dish but this one was too salty. Couldn't really taste fish be cause it was too picked. I did not enjoy hubby's tartar, raw meat was very chunky, piece was too big for steak tartar but hubby enjoyed it. Octopus was my favorite dish there. Chef must love pickle so much. Our dish was full of prickly flavor. I love them so had no problem.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T16:38:29" }, { "business_id": "4HLur5bFXB6pT0o4ao3wgA", "business_name": "Nagwon Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "Best value all you can eat Korean bbq in city. It's not close from where we live so hesitated to go there however the owner couple were very attentive. All you can eat bbq has all kind of meats and seafood. So everyone has something to eat. Side dishes are pretty good. Sometime they are cold if you go odd hour. Bean paste stew are delicious. Great value. Wish they were close to center city.", "timestamp": "2016-01-29T05:47:11" } ]	{ "business_id": "gjFUrbSMo1rA1jgG5IhA2A", "business_name": "Chima Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I was surprised by their size when I walked in. They did not seem that big from outside. We were seated promptly and they were very fast took our order. Creamy mashed potato, cheese bread and sweet plantain came out right away. I really liked their salad bar. Gorgonzola cheese dressing with endive was my favorite. Fresh greens and grilled vegetables. Yummy. I was more focused on salad bar than meat buffet so can't give enough reviews about meat but my meat eater husband enjoyed them very much so must be good. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:22:22" }
NUtIAX-ygn474tDg5nmesg	[ { "business_id": "wUnLSg_GKfEIQ5CQQ770_g", "business_name": "Vetri Cucina", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try this place. Heard good things about it. I was very impressed and enjoyed every dishes except one. Sadly that was my main dish. Ambiance wasn't fancy. Reminds small restaurant in Italy. Our waiter was excellent and very knowledgable. Definitely going back.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T04:26:32" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 4, "text": "Great lunch spot. Stopped by with my parents today for quick lunch. Lunch special is great deal. We ordered two lunch special and one appetizer and still had left over. Lunch special burrito was huge and my parents loved it. And my parents are pretty picky eaters so I assumed burrito was good even though I didn't taste it. I had chicken taco which was great as well. I will def come back again.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:27:13" }, { "business_id": "tC8i2_9ww-WoT1wZOCwRrw", "business_name": "Sue's Custom Dressmaking & Tailor Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. I am very particular with my dress. Really hard to find decent alteration in the US compare with where I am from. I always brought my dresses to Korea or HK until I found this place. I brought couple dresses to be tailored. I was little worried that It wouldn't be that simple job. They needed to be tailored entirely, not just trimmed. Materials weren't easy to handle since they were very delicate. And some of them were vintage items. They did amazing job and I love them all. Korean tailors are the best. And they are one of top for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:40:50" }, { "business_id": "LiHdRXlcj0GDm_e97oiwKw", "business_name": "Pure Fare", "rating": 4, "text": "Really delicious smoothie. I got leaf green one. Had spinach, banana, kale and etc I think. Was not super sweet or icy. It was very delicious and thick but not over powered banana flavor like other places! I would give 5 star if portion wasn't that tiny. The guy who made my smoothie threw away left over inside mixer after poured my smoothie in tiny cup. I wanted to cry!", "timestamp": "2014-07-31T20:01:31" }, { "business_id": "F7fC4dZW17muSvE8ixaXkQ", "business_name": "LeBus Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "It is a bakery but their bread selections aren't so amazing. I though muffins are just average. Cookies are just ok.. Actually loft bread was so dry. However I still go there pretty often for getting couscous and curry chicken deli sandwich for lunch. Their couscous is one of best I ever had.", "timestamp": "2014-11-25T00:56:34" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 2, "text": "Conveniently located in center city. Cozy ambiance and friendly staff. Nothing exciting on menu. Order bunch of dishes with group of ppl. Smoked tuna taco.. Tasted like mayo albacore tuna sandwich. I do like tuna sandwich but didn't expect eat them in restaurant. Bacon and date dish was good but who doesn't like that combo.. Hard to mess up that dish, nothing extraordinary. Had empanadas which was pretty average as well. Ordered ceviche smaller as well. I do heart law fish. It is really easy to impress me with raw seafood dish but even I wasn't blown away.. For main dishes we ordered scallops, skirt steak, tuna and duck dishes. I think duck dish was the best among them. Scallop was good as well but was a bit burned. Other dishes were so so. Not bad but not amazing. I was very excited to try dessert there because the signature dessert, chocolate cigar one looked amazing, it was really cute to see it but wasn't super tasty however coconut tapioca dessert was the hit. Probably the best part of this meal. We had 2 cocktail, one beer and one diet coke as well. Bill was around $400 for 4ppl. Not worth for the price.", "timestamp": "2014-12-17T03:58:33" }, { "business_id": "VJEzpfLs_Jnzgqh5A_FVTg", "business_name": "Jasmine Rice - Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I really wanted to like this place. People seem kind and conveniently located in center city. Wasn't able to find decent thai place in center city so I was excited to try new spot. Sadly couldn't reach my expectation. We ordered 4 appetizers and 2 main dishes for two ppl. I know it sounds a lot for two ppl but was good decision to order that much. Otherwise we would be left hungry. Got fried calamari, coconut soup, steamed mussels and spring rolls for appetizer. As some of others mentioned already the portions are tiny here. Soup size was ridiculous. Smallest soup I've never had.Spring roll size was about my pinky, was delicious but tiny tiny.. Those two appetizers were extremely small even for starter. For main dish we got pad Thai with beef and red curry with chicken. Pad Thai was really sweet. Maybe too sweet even for Americanized thai food. Red curry broth was delicious, was creamy and good amount of spice. But there wasn't enough soup. They serve curry on flat plate so they can't hold enough soup for curry and rice. I am not sure why they choose use that plate for soupy dishes. Curry broth was amazing but green bean and carrot weren't cooked at all. I wanted to give one star to be honest but only reason I gave two star was the server was very kind and gave me more broth for my curry. The extra curry broth he brought was bigger portion than my coconut soup btw.", "timestamp": "2014-12-22T19:38:13" }, { "business_id": "TunmRrfZb7bt53T6HJi4UQ", "business_name": "Bleu Sushi", "rating": 1, "text": "They have very strict groupon policy which I don't understand. The restaurant was more than half empty but owner gave us hard time to redeem groupon because we did not make a reservation with groupon. Won't back again.", "timestamp": "2014-12-24T18:26:15" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 1, "text": "Sadly have to leave negative review even though their lovely ambiance and great customer service. Tried tasting menu and most of dishes were overly salted except first course which was pumpkin spiced soup and dessert. Btw only good part of this meal. Two of us had to finish two bottle of water ( they were huge btw but we had to finish. If you wanna increase water intake..please go to this place) and also had to drink diet coke as well. I rather pay more and go back to Vetri to enjoy expensive Italian meal or just stick with my fav Little Nonna.. Philly just have too many Italian options.", "timestamp": "2014-12-25T07:15:58" }, { "business_id": "g8OyaT2RL8JCKItDExcFug", "business_name": "Blackfish", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried 7course tasting menu. Was $90 before tax so it is great deal for decent tasting. Right after had huge disappointment from il Pittore's super salty tasting menu, I was pretty satisfied with this place. They serve fresh oyster and tofu cream dish for amuse bouche. Had crudo with yuzu, chicken liver mousse, chestnut ravioli with mushroom foam I believe, seared salmon and braised beef dish. They were all delicious. I didn't have much expectation for this restaurant to be honest but I though all dishes were yummy! For dessert courses they served cheese plate, raspberry jelly donut which was meh... then finish with goat cheese mousse which was great. Since main dishes were so delicious, dessert was little weak but overall satisfied meal for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-12-28T05:00:52" }, { "business_id": "i76ERS3jM111T3VMbi2yrQ", "business_name": "Sagami", "rating": 3, "text": "After tried Morimoto, Zama, Raw, Fat salmon and etc.. I am still in searching mode for good sushi. Wish I found the one today but it did not happen. 4 of us ordered 2 zaru soba, chirashi, sushi set A, sashimi dinner set, seaweed side dish and mushroom and egg dashi soup. Nigiri size was very generous. They were thick and but lack of flavor. Friends who been here multiple times agreed that this place usually better than this but for some reason today.. everything was just plain. Rice wasn't seasoned enough either so chirashi wasn't so delicious. Soba was ok and tamago was pretty good, sweet and soft texture. Side dishes were good, seaweed and ginger salad weren't too sweet so I enjoyed them. But our main dishes were disappointing. I saw others ordered cooked dishes and they looked good. Think we picked wrong dishes.. I might give one more try since lack of my sushi choices in philly but probably will stick with cooked dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:31:40" }, { "business_id": "EwX4CUwRFwjO9oO5sJJ-bA", "business_name": "Pileggi on the Square", "rating": 5, "text": "My review is only about the massage experience with Dairo here. I tried so many massage therapists in philly and now finally I found the person to go to! This place divided to two section, hair salon and spa downstair. Massage room is clean and quite. You get to choose your oil and they give you solid 50 min massage. He mostly worked on upper body and didn't get to work on my legs much but 50 min is short time to cover both and I usually have really tense shoulder so was perfect for me. He ask you few questions before you going into the room so let him know where you want him to work on. I am so addict to massage. Can't get it enough and by far he is the best in Philly.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:54:20" }, { "business_id": "Oh3Q3QfhMl2DArFiLUrT9Q", "business_name": "La Fourno Ristorante Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "My star is based on Groupon dinner only. Used the groupon for dinner for two. Got salad ( fresh and yummy), soup( home style cooking) and pizza for appetizer. I saw a lot of reviews that their pizza is great and it was right. Pizza was delicious. Must get the pizza if you go. We got veal Parmesan and stuffed chicken dish for main. They were pretty good but I thought veal dish price is too high. For groupon deal, they were awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-01-22T23:25:00" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute French bistro in neighborhood. Warm ambiance and good service. The portion of dishes are generous here even for bistro. Had lamb shank and brisket dishes for main. Both were pretty good but they were really salty. I do like their dessert menu. Their Mille feuille is delicious. One thing I wasn't happy was their butter. They served little cold butter so hard to spread on bread :-(", "timestamp": "2015-01-23T00:03:07" }, { "business_id": "41Wm32-Aj7jdejK4QfUDDw", "business_name": "Schuylkill River Dog Run", "rating": 5, "text": "Great dog run. I've only been to doggie runs in NYC and this place is 10times better!!!!! It has two separate section for small and big doggies. It isn't stink like other doggie runs I experienced so I can tell Its very well maintained. Very very clean and I can tell it won't get muddy when it's snow or rain. Very satisfied with this place!!!", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T00:38:05" }, { "business_id": "bjPUhanWoinHi2kywvVzBA", "business_name": "Mercato BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "So happy that I found this place. I always walked by this place and always wondered. It is small and intimidate place. We shared fontana cheese meatball, soup and both had market fish platter. They were pretty delicious. And olive herb butter accompany to bread was nice touch.", "timestamp": "2015-01-28T02:35:05" }, { "business_id": "DsKzHnkLKnxZTVsFpts4oA", "business_name": "Red Owl Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "Better food than I thought. I had zero expectation when I walked in with group on sat evening. Has no reservation but we were seated promptly. Tried bunch of bar snack and burger and fries were good. Their cheese plate gave 5 kinds of cheese and generous with portion.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T03:58:51" }, { "business_id": "5INWCIArMbFd-aku3-UI3Q", "business_name": "Ana Pesce Advance Skin Technology", "rating": 5, "text": "My visit to Ana Pesce again. Had another amazing experience there and I noticed they moved to bigger and nicer venue so I felt like I should update my review. Weather hasn't been nice so my skin got dry and needed another facial.Today I went back to Ana and I feel like I got what I needed. She did some amazing mask( she applied thick mask then cover it with plasticky paper then use lightening machine to massage) I am not sure what she did since she improvise depends on your skin condition so every visit was little different each time in my case. Got a amazing result. I applied make up on after my facial. My skin was glowing and smooth. Loved the result. My friend did facial with Cindy to get extraction. Her treatment is little longer than mine since she got extraction and some laser treatment done. She looked absolutely fresh after facial and she was very happy with Cindy's work. I love that they are very professional and dedicate to their job. I thought was weird that they asked so many questions when I did my first facial. Like my diet!, skin routine, if I taking any supplement etc but now I know they understand my skin very well and it's all applied to my treatment. Love them a lot and I keep going back for sure. Just go and get the facial from Ana or Cindy.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:07:45" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually like this place a lot. Ppl are very nice and attentive. I always get the continental salad with grilled chicken. It is basic menu but they do cook chicken very tender and juicy. Alway get the best grilled chicken salad there. And the portion is HUGE. Since I do hate tiny salad ( how much cost give us little more green?) this is the place to go to get good salad.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:14:20" }, { "business_id": "fJQzUesrvvoMUkjQBNxc6g", "business_name": "Nail Spa Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Want to love this place so bad.. but I can't. It is so close to me and the price is relatively good. Got $30 mani pedi. The lady did mine was really quick. I was done entire thing already when my friend was only finishing her pedi. She was fast but her job wasn't that great. I tipped her ok and gave two star on Yelp since this place is cheap, she was quick( this place get really busy)and gave me a cup of tea but I prolly won't go back there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:20:54" }, { "business_id": "EhotxJEJxpMgCJ0F82Buvg", "business_name": "The Olde Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I read about this place and wanted to check out. It is pretty venue and staffs are happy to show you around. The oyster is fresh and I can't tell much about drink since I am not a drinker but friends seemed happy! They get really busy on wkend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:25:50" }, { "business_id": "ChAVUpsZ0GTZ4m8T10ACqw", "business_name": "Just Dogs and Cats", "rating": 5, "text": "Cute store in the neighborhood. I walked in with my puppy and wanted to get little ball for her to play. I don't like tennis ball since she is big time chewer and tear apart very easily. The owner lady recommended perfect rubber balls for her tiny mouth. And the best part was they were not made in China. Those are my puppies favorite toy! Also she gave my puppy free chocolate peanut butter cup. That was so sweet!", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:08:42" }, { "business_id": "WCLexnTQmylse_p0kQbz2g", "business_name": "The Treemont", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to try this place after I had good experience at Blackfish. Food was decent and ambiance was cozy as well. I had chicken liver pate and short rib. Chicken liver pate is one of my favorite dishes so I usually get it whenever I see them on the menu. Sadly it was just average. Not bad but not good either. Liked their creamy texture but was lack on flavor, they gave you a lot of brioche though. Beef short rib dish was pretty good but was little too sweet in my opinion. For me, 4 or 5 star on yelp means I would like to go back. This place more like 3.5 star or above but just not a 4 star...", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:21:33" }, { "business_id": "UDOcMEgRKfoCc-BikZJFhg", "business_name": "Maha Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "I love practice here. People here are very nice and welcoming you even though you are new. You think ppl at yoga studio would be so nice but not always. Yoga studio can be very intimidating. I usually go their yoga hour. They offer more yoga hours and other promotions than other studios at center city. I like their location, price and instructors.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:25:23" }, { "business_id": "woTZpX92uByUgliPrh39Mg", "business_name": "Ocean Prime", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not sure why I never tried this restaurant until now. It is in my neighborhood and I passed by all the time. Since it is restaurant week so we wanted to try new places we haven't been. You can't really tell from outside but the ambiance is very nice inside once you walk in, little bit darker and high ceiling. It's like classic and fancy steak house. We got the lobster bisque, salad, filet mignon, teriyaki salmon with sticky rice and 5 layered carrot cake. Appetizers were pretty good and I didn't try the meat dish but my husband said it was good. I thought salmon cooked perfectly and well seasoned. Also rice was delicious. As some other reviewer mentioned the carrot cake was good but a bit too sweet. But pineapple sauce does magic :-) The service was really really great. They are attentive and very sweet. It was satisfied meal overall.", "timestamp": "2015-02-02T19:12:38" }, { "business_id": "0oSSjekU-3GR8gselReWnA", "business_name": "Butcher and Singer", "rating": 4, "text": "Review is based on restaurant wk menu, we stop by for weekday lunch. Shared butternut squash soup, Rockefeller oyster for appetizer. Soup was hot and creamy just I like. Oyster was delicious as well. We got burger and crab sandwich for entree. Burger meat was well cooked since my mother in law ordered well done but was still juicy. I thought was pretty delicious. Fries were salty but I found most fries are salty to me in Philadelphia so.. Crab sandwich was my favorite, perfectly seasoned and thin slice chips were delicious as well. For dessert we got carrot cake and I thought was little bland. Salted chocolate and caramel tart was very delicious. Good portion of food and great service. I would go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-04T20:54:58" }, { "business_id": "85e8Uyn8tIyEZCqBP80rqA", "business_name": "Lolita", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to Mexican restaurant. It is hard to find good Mexican place in the east coast but this place by far the best for me. I really enjoy their taco varieties. My friend had couple of diet restriction. Like no dairy, gluten and no pistachios etc. They were very good at accommodating our order and since we split the plate, they serve all sauces and cheese on the side. Salad portion is generous and fresh and their guacamole is always awesome too. It is my favorite Mexican place in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-06T04:31:32" }, { "business_id": "urO7cwWPFRZU1MpSt9JIGw", "business_name": "Doggie Style Pets", "rating": 4, "text": "I stop by here with my puppy on the way to doggie park. I like this location a lot because it is conveniently located on the way to park and staffs are very friendly. They are usually very young and I see some complains that they are not well trained but I did not have those negative experiences. They were very attentive and willing to help. And most importantly, they are dog loving people. Plus they have free treats for dogs by register :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-09T01:30:07" }, { "business_id": "DLM7E6lrW-zpM10RJ4fAeg", "business_name": "Urban Front Pilates", "rating": 4, "text": "Clean facility and friendly staffs! My visit to Urban front Pilates was so enjoyable. I tried only mat Pilates and Vbarre class. I never liked mat Pilates classes before ( tried couple times from other studios) but this one was different. I will come back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T22:56:03" }, { "business_id": "Jm8OvNQy8PlXUroRmKE10Q", "business_name": "Focus Barre & Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "Recently tried their hot yoga and barre classes. Both instructors were very nice and helpful. I enjoyed classes with full of women in the room. The classes had great energy. I personally try to avoid hot yoga after 3 years of my Bikram yoga addiction which left me broken capillaries but I did not know they had hot yoga room until I get there. Even though I am trying to avoid hot yoga, their class quality was great and instructor was knowledgable. Barre class was harder than I thought. All that small muscle work out was definitely tough! Overall great studio to have near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T23:05:11" }, { "business_id": "vhDWGF-8BfsxvS7Zo5Wv2w", "business_name": "Abe Fisher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their food, great service and cozy ambiance. But salty salty salty. 2 of tried their tasting menu. I thought most dishes were delicious. Def was better ones I tried in NYC. If they were little less saltier, more like 4.5 star :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:15:47" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 3, "text": "Maybe I am a girl with huge stomach but I don't get full with one piece of pita and small hummus :-(. This place sounds like heaven for hummus lover. I do love hummus too but I need something else to eat with. I never had hummus alone for lunch so... Dish itself is pretty good but not mind-blowing. I went back couple times so far since it is so close to me but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:21:10" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 4, "text": "Best fries ever! I am not a burger person so can't tell but everyone seems really enjoying it. I go there to get short rib fries. Combination of cheese and short rib.... It is just AMAZING. It is worth to gain weight. I even picked it up on way home and ate once. Wasn't same... Go to restaurant and get one.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:26:45" }, { "business_id": "6wqxuBt2InDipRuUj8BNuQ", "business_name": "La Colombe Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "It is my go to coffee spot in my neighborhood. One thing I like about Philly is La Columbe is so close to me now! I used to walk all the way downtown in NYU to go there! Now I can go anytime! And store has unique ambiance. They serve your coffee in cute china and baristas are so knowledgable and attentive. They do not serve soy milk btw.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:33:04" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant looks so warm and cozy from outside. And it is! Very cute ambiance and dishes are pretty good. I thought it is so cute that they give you little present like small jam when you are leaving.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:53:08" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 3, "text": "I might have to give another shot to this place to be fair. I went there once and I still have so many new places to try in Philly. Order fish of the day dish and other friends ordered steak and burger. My fish was just average. Nothing special about it to remember except it was tiny piece of fish. This place seems very well popular here and a lot of ppl loving it so I may give another try...", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:59:08" }, { "business_id": "vCHNWdW-ys-nWUx3Cpvk8Q", "business_name": "Swiss Haus Cafe & Pastry Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I purchased box of cookies and gifted to friend. I haven't tried but my friend said kids loved them and literally had to pull them away from box before they finished them haha. They were picky eaters so I guess they do bake good cookies.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:05:46" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "I was give this place 5 star but changed my mind. I think this place could be hit and miss based on my two visits. First time I went there I had THE MEAL. Falafel was so hot, freshly fried and I even got one extra free to taste before purchased. I got Mama's platter both times. Was amazing for the first visit. Everything fresh and veggies were crunch. 5 star for sure. My second visit was more like 3 star. Everything was cold and falafel wasn't tasty like before. Veggies were soggy as well. I will give another shot and will see.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:14:10" }, { "business_id": "YzluF3FNGjnW-tOrLZt8JA", "business_name": "Zama", "rating": 3, "text": "Fresh sushi/ sashimi is my favorite meal. I can literally eat 3 times per day! I was so eager to find my favorite Japanese restaurant once I came to Philly. Zama was my first try. Location is good and ambiance is typical Japanese restaurant. Tried uni, tuna, fatty tuna, salmon, salmon roe sashimi. Those are my favorite so I get them wherever I go. They were good but not outstanding. I thought price was little high for what it is.. But I still go there for quick lunch since location is so awesome for me and I do like that intimate ambiance to chat with my friends. If price was little lower I would give 4 star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:27:49" }, { "business_id": "h7TO_IsmLCYmKKDVOOIeFw", "business_name": "Fat Salmon", "rating": 2, "text": "Ordered my usual. Sashimi platter with salmon, salmon roe, Tuna and uni. They were somewhat flavorless. Rolls seemed good with all the sauces etc but sashimi wasn't that good. And personally I am not fan of blue neon light with food presentation. Not so appetizing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:33:22" }, { "business_id": "rVGxva6cx2eID4ghDLVHJg", "business_name": "1225Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I thought sashimi was ok but I did enjoy their spicy sashimi salad. Owner must be Korean or at least has staff who is Korean. They make kick ass spicy go-chu-jang sauce for sashimi salad. And I tried to copy it at home for other dish I cooked and I was terribly failed. I thought just mix sugar and sesame oil with go-chi-Jang but it wasn't same. I must go back there to find out.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:37:12" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this Morimoto than nyc one. I did not know Morimoto was from Philadelphia. I only got the omakase in nyc one and wasn't very impressed every time I ordered! We ordered dishes this time in philly and I enjoyed every bite. Black cod was cooked perfectly and I really liked ponzu sauce for hamachi. Def going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:42:53" }, { "business_id": "trwHwsXOVV-ZmF-MtP98BA", "business_name": "High Street Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Was excited to try this place when they were opened it. Eh.... Not going back. They were very cheap with ingredient and some what salty. And very small portion. Maybe ppl in Philly do not eat much like I do... Philly has so many better options than here.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T02:01:33" }, { "business_id": "RnhLCG4N9MPy6ZRzq787Cg", "business_name": "Devil's Alley Bar & Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "I had brunch once and late night snack there once. Both were decent meal and good price. It looked like bar from outside and I expected nothing. But was better than my expectation. Quesadilla was delicious and ingredients were fresh. Salad was good too. Staffs were very nice as well.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T15:45:34" }, { "business_id": "WXRZlGsdUjraCAcgtCyk4Q", "business_name": "Potito's Italian American Pastries", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their cakes! It is firm and moist and since it is so thick and firm that I can order it a day before and still fresh. I normally prefer French or Japanese bake goods over Italian but this is my cake shop in Philly! I also tried cannoli and various individual cake pieces but I thought whole cake was much better deal here. Also taste better too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:05:28" }, { "business_id": "iUZEGx29miZObLd6_lt7Vg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I love their Asian salad!! I got it one at university city location and fell in love! So ordered same dish here as well. The veggies they used little different that day- no green pea in my sale :-( and the portion was smaller. I do enjoy huge salad so was little disappointing since I expected same quality as other location. My mom loved their stuff French toast so ordered same dish and wasn't good as we had before... But service was ver attentive. She kept giving us coffee and stopped by if we needed anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:12:49" }, { "business_id": "ctHjyadbDQAtUFfkcAFEHw", "business_name": "Zahav", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant is beautiful. Very pretty deco and service is great too. I heart middle eastern food and I have my favorite middle eastern place in NYC but now I am eager to find one in Philly. This place is the closest I can find for now. We tried tasting menu once, tried multiple small plate on the list. They were all decent but not mind blowing, more than anything I wasn't impressed by their hummus and falafel... Bummer.. Lamb shoulder was ran out so couldn't get it either. Second time we ordered lamb shoulder for 4 ppl. Woot woot! Was a lot of food since we ordered other plates as well. Ended up wrapping up left over and ate it for days haha.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:30:35" }, { "business_id": "mlgewa5y_a_AxVTamXGemA", "business_name": "Walnut Street Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "Have been a subscriber for 2014-15. So far they had great shows. Somewhat very commercial and but entertaining. Their actors were very talented and knew how to entertain audiences. Whenever I watched musicals/ shows there I ended up laughing a lot. Looking forward next show!", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:22:54" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 4, "text": "My second season subscribing here. So far we got a pretty good seat except twice. Once I sat behind really big guy and missed half of the play and ended up fall asleep haha. Since it is small theater with stadium style seat, secure good view is the must. They do have some great plays though. Seems like they have a lot of discount for student and young audience. So far pretty satisfied.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:27:08" }, { "business_id": "MMRRS6YhVRx_iN5-JhMRYg", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "Very delicious and salty! But it is Chinese place so I have no complain. Went with big group so could tasted a lot of their signature dishes. Dan Dan noodle seems very popular but just not my kid of dish. I did enjoy fried fish with sweet sauce and chicken with cashew. Also dumpling with hot oil was yummy. In the end of meal, my mouth was burning but I enjoyed all.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:30:41" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Enjoyed my meal here. Went with friend and we shared Samson roll, Naruto roll, spider roll, spicy salmon tartar ,tuna dumpling, edamame and sunomono. We were initially going to get sashimi platter but rolls looked amazing so went for it. Wasn't disappointing. Sauces weren't overpowering and sashimi were very fresh. We did not get the 3 roll special and order individual but if you order their special , price is really cheap. Very happy that found this place. P.s they freshly fried soft shell crab when you order spider roll. Soooo tender and soooo juicy. Loved it. Must get that item. Naruto roll is definitely better than any other places. Cucumber paper is thinner and fresher. And has so much flavor. I did not really like tartar dish. Didn't have much flavor compare to other dishes. I will just order rolls next time I visit which would be next wk.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:14:32" }, { "business_id": "khH0QtNyUjcExh9i2CwGfg", "business_name": "Serpico", "rating": 3, "text": "Was intrigued by their Korean influenced menu. We got raw fluke, consommé, pig head, fried duck leg sandwich, duck mousse and lamb rib for three of us! Everything was ok but nothing was memorable except lamb rib. I thought rib was really delicious. Raw fluke was fresh but ponzu sauce was not special and very small. Comsome was very boring... Pig head was too greasy, duck mousse was pretty delicious. Duck leg sandwich was just ok. Also has rocky road for dessert. Since the portion isn't that big you get to order a lot if you are hungry. I though food wasn't very special.. Prolly won't go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:28:33" }, { "business_id": "mUIBtlWNPD7sz3rGGWQ1RA", "business_name": "Kanella", "rating": 3, "text": "Had really high hope about this place and I am sad that my meal didn't reach my expectation. Order whole fish of the day. I got branzino and had so much bone in it... And fish itself wasn't very tasty. Also had organic sirloin kebab. Meat was tough and little dry even for kebab.. Dips of the day was good though. I see that they got a lot of good reviews about their brunch than dinner. I might try their brunch and give fair review.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:34:47" }, { "business_id": "aaILnjUFC0i0uRkg5hYgnQ", "business_name": "Aqua Asian Bistro", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to get my thai take out here. Fast service and I seems like they keep their kitchen clean. Their spring roll is alway freshly fried and sauce is creamy and good. They don't give authentic fish sauce kind of sauce like other places but I like Americanized thai cuisine so I have no problem with that. Fried noodle dishes are safe choice here I believe. Their spring roll is my favorite though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:01:58" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 2, "text": "Seems like this place is pretty popular. And I had take out quite few times here since it is so close to me. Simply I don't really like their food. I thought they use a lot of fish sauce. Maybe it's more close to authentic cooking. Tried spring rolls, pad thai, red curry with tofu, green curry with chicken and vegetable soup. For pad thai, noodle was stuck together so hard to eat.. Curry is good, delicious and creamy but not enough of broth and tofu and chicken were too dry for me. Vegetable soup was just blend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:07:37" }, { "business_id": "0S3TvsmbCeOZ9UitnpRd1A", "business_name": "Dim Sum House", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood. It is clean and big open space. Whenever I went, there were a lot of ppl. Had wonton in hot oil, scallion pancake, brussell sprout, honey walnut shrimp. Fried dishes are delicious there and sauce is not overpowering. Not overly salty either. Prolly favorite my Chinese restaurant in town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:12:56" }, { "business_id": "ex8RrhAhVVexndFhmNfG1Q", "business_name": "Wokworks", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to like this place. Healthy version of Chinese food? Sounded so good to me. And store looked clean from outside and also liked their name... Got quinoa fried rice with bean sprout and veggies...simply no good... I like healthy food but has to tasty to keep going back. That was my last visit... But I liked their clean container and healthy concept so.. It is two star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:17:51" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "One of my favorite Asian cuisine is Malaysian food. Especially their curry!!!!? Now I have to find my go to spot in Philly... I was excited to try this place. Got roti canai and seafood casserole dish as usual. Maybe I have high expectation but dishes weren't that good. Green curry casserole was lack of the flavor and literally had couple piece of seafood. Didn't even bother to complain. We just left after few bite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:15:12" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am not a donut person. But it is the one of the best donut s I've ever had. Since another donut shop in NYU I fell in love charged $5 per donut and I waited in line for 30 min to get two donut! .... this place is heaven. So cheap, fast service, fresh and you can get as many as you want! There donut fillings are amazing but just get the maple cream donut and blueberry fritters.. They are absolutely amazing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:29:40" }, { "business_id": "xAW4nw9DrW77vWF61_l-Qg", "business_name": "Famous 4th Street Delicatessen", "rating": 4, "text": "Huge portion and hearty food. 3 of us shared their large chicken soup and we still had left over for days. I think they cooked entire chicken in it and matzoh balls were awesome. Main dish came with two side dishes- we chose potato fritters and side salad. They serve you cabbage salad once you are seated and it is really delicious! I love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:14:44" }, { "business_id": "73UjNbSoQjQAOS45rcihFg", "business_name": "Cantina Dos Segundos", "rating": 4, "text": "Wasn't super hungry so 3 of us shared chimichanga and guacamole with chips. Chips were very good, not oily and freshly fried. My parents enjoyed chimichanga and said very delicious and seasoning was just enough. Wish they were close to me..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:21:27" }, { "business_id": "SCjUeZfjafJ88fWWQjRh2w", "business_name": "El Rey", "rating": 5, "text": "I can only speak based on my happy hour experience. For happy hour, they have amazing deal. Tacos and empanadas are soooo delicious. Food served when it's hot and fresh. And super cheap. Not sure about their regular menu but I do enjoy their happy hour.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:30:10" }, { "business_id": "9_B5sCqKBOKDAmYpByiFFg", "business_name": "Branzino Italian Ristorante", "rating": 3, "text": "Had branzino for lunch here. Was pretty quite during weekday lunch hour. Definitely not busy spot. I saw couple old coupe were dining. My branzino was decent size and was ok. But nothing special. I wasn't very impressed so haven't back since my last trip..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:36:55" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I want to give them zero star if I can. I went to serafina in NYC once and never went back hah...it is sort of chain restaurant and over priced for what it is but I was happy to see some familiar place in Philly so decided to give another shot. Me,my friend and my little puppy got table outside. It was 20 degrees, freezing cold day but we were hungry and had to eat.... And we had 3 pounds tiny puppy with us. I have no complain we sat outside. We have a dog so I asked them if we could get a table. They said its really cold but if u want u can get table outside so we did. The worst part, the waitress neglected us for over 20 min to get us water or take an order. We had to keep going in to ask for someone. It's only 20 min but we were freezing and restaurant wasn't that busy either. I don't understand why they just hung out at the counter and never bother to come out to take an order or just look if your space heater is working which it wasn't! Food was just mediocre. NYC one isn't that great but this one is just worse.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:46:28" }, { "business_id": "cGX-1IUwXOjkUqZbkKYcjw", "business_name": "Fogo de Chao", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed their salad bar! Went there for lunch and I am not a huge meat eater but still had decent amount of meat there. Service was very attentive and fast. All veggies at the salad bar were fresh and I enjoyed their ham and cheese selection. Even though I did not eat much of meat, their lunch price was pretty good deal for big salad bar eater like me:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:48:57" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped by here for quick snack. Shared fungi flat bread, cheese plate and salad. Flat bread was delicious. Moist and crispy. Wish it was little bigger haha. Cheese selection was nice too but just very very small. I would like this place way more of the portion is little bit bigger!!!!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:52:44" }, { "business_id": "4R2KR_-FybS7oegGrXjHVg", "business_name": "Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Probably this is my favorite chain restaurant. They have good deal for weekday lunch prefix and menus are great. The portion is generous, salad is fresh and soups are very hearty. Whenever I went, their services were very nice and kind. Has both salad and soup for appetizer. Both were very good. Salmon was juicy and burger was well cooked but not dry since I ordered medium well. Cheese cake was huge and rich. I really enjoyed my lunch here and looking forward going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:02:18" }, { "business_id": "H3EK1Q8tqRGqPBps05Uahw", "business_name": "Tashan", "rating": 5, "text": "Tasting menu.... The best. Got the deal from online and tried their tasting menu. Location was kind off. Distance wise was not that far but it was definitely long walk from center city. There were so many courses that I lost track. I am not sure even if they gave us more service sincere we felt like there were couple courses of appetizer and lay least 2 of main dishes. Food kept coming and EVERYTHING was delicious. When you go make sure you are hungry. Can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:24:38" }, { "business_id": "4tU9hlfzrCpcGWTIm-OKVA", "business_name": "Rouge", "rating": 4, "text": "Rouge and Parc. They were the first restaurant I dined in Philly. Mostly they were right next me and seemed pretty busy every time I passed by. Had couple times of dinner and lunch at Rouge, I felt this place is solid at least. Their foods were consistent so did their services. So far I liked their burger, roasted beets, their cheese plate and truffle fries. Burger was juicy and they cut the half so we can share which was nice. Roasted beet is alway my go to order and pretty good here. And fries.... were very crispy and perfectly seasoned.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:02:08" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is still one of my most visited places in Philly. Mostly because of location. So close to me and all of other friends, we meet there during the day, get brunch and have great girly times. I enjoy going there except the weekend, their brunch menu weren't bad but I would wait more than 10 min for their food. First time I went there for burger and steak fries on weekend ended up waiting for 30min to be seated and has to fight for staff's attention. But for during the weekday lunch, this place is lovely. It is our go to lunch spot after morning yoga class. 3 of us enjoyed their breakfast menu, lunch menu and oyster( from the morning!) and chatted there like hours. They were very nice refilling coffee and etc and never gave us any pressure to leave after we finished the meal. Place never get too busy during weekday lunch hour. I usually get their salad verde, roasted salmon or sea scallop. Salad verde was simple, super fresh but still full of flavor. Their salmon and scallop were pretty good too but I never really dreamed about their food after so I guess it's just ok. For food, it's more close to 3 star but me and my friends enjoy this place for regular girly date spot and enjoy ambiance so... I would give one more star for that.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:19:52" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "The first bar I've visited in Philly as out of towner. Doormen were nice unlike underground bar doormen in NYC. The bar was very pretty, cozy and reminds of me some hipster bars in Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan. I am non drink so I can only judge by the ambiance of my friends opinion about drinks, seems like everyone enjoyed their pretty cocktails and looked delicious :-) we did enjoy time there and since so close to me, I am sure I will be back very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:00:15" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Had couple visits there so far. I had mixed feeling about this place. My first time there was amazing. Mussel dish was huge, fresh and delicious. Bread was moist and good too. Had wonderful experience and couldn't wait to go back. Second time was so so. Mussel's size was tiny and broth didn't have much flavor. Bread was tough and dry. I hoped my third visit would be a charm but wasn't so lucky. Not sure if I should give another shot or not. Indecisive.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:05:04" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 3, "text": "I had only one visit to this place so not sure if I this review would be accurate since this place seems super popular. It's located right in front me and I see this places always crowded. I had such a high hope to try yummy vegan place. I ordered jerk Caesar salad only because it was top of their menu and there was full of people waiting so I didn't want to take too long to decide at the counter. When I tried my salad at home... Humm what to say, I usually like vegan meat a lot. Any kind of tofu/ fake meat I love more than actual meat haha. It was good since I like fake meat and veggies already but just not good enough to go back there. There are so many other places offer delicious food in Philly and I am not a vegetarian so I don't have to only eat there I guess. I haven't back there since my first visit but I may try their burger in future. Seems like everyone in my yoga class enjoyed their burger so, I might give a shot very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:15:13" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy!! Fresh turkey spinach salad! They gave me tons of turkey ham and a lot of spinach. All ingredients were fresh and I enjoyed my salad. Was huge so I could have left over but I am a girl with big appetite! Other friends had sandwiches and said very good also. Solid local sandwich shop for sure. Now actually it became my regular sandwich spot. I always get mensch. It's soooo good. Potato cake and mixed fries are must.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:42:18" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to Tria for brunch! Delicious small plates, cozy ambiance, this is perfect girly brunch spot in neighborhood. Two of us shared marinated calamari salad, roasted beet, egg toast. We weren't very hungry so it was perfect small snack. They have awesome ice tea and keep refilling your drink. Also other drink's menu are nice and affordable. Love this place!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:48:37" }, { "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 3, "text": "I liked the concept of this restaurant when I heard about this place. Seems like farm to table kind of restaurants are everywhere in NYC these days. Was excited to one in Philly. Maybe ingredients they get from farms in somewhere Pennsylvania will be super fresh! Got beet salad and scallop for appetizer and Cod dish for main. I am huge fan of beet, I love beet even if I eat out from can. If chef do little trick, I would go crazy about any kind of beet dish. This one was decent, not mind blowing. Maybe chef wanted us to taste fresh ingredient so didn't use much sauce on it. Maybe... Scallop was well cooked, kinda tiny even for appetizer.. Well I am a girl with big stomach.. Had big hope for my cod since appetizers didn't blow my mind. I definitely could taste the fish was fresh, was tangy and juicy but again chef could use little bit more seasoning. I usually have issue with overpowering sauce but this dish was little bland for me. The service was nice though. Professional and attentive. Haven't back yet since my first trip... Maybe will give another shot after finish all of my Philly restaurant lists.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:02:47" }, { "business_id": "2qHkwqao9GyxnDXHzCv4JA", "business_name": "Wedge + Fig", "rating": 5, "text": "Wish this place was close to me!!!! I felt so lucky to find this small lunch spot in Old city while I was doing yoga teacher's training. I was wondering around for grabbing quick bite and saw this place. Looked super cute from outside and menu looked awesome. I would totally go for cheese or heavier salad if I didn't have class right after. I went for tuna salad. They gave me generous amount tuna and veggies. Dressing was yummy too. Other dishes looked really good too. I will have to go back to try other dishes soon!", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:22:36" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried bunch of dishes for two of us, bacon wrapped date, clams, octopus, garlic shrimp, lamb meatballs and braised pork shoulder flat bread. Probably we ordered more but can't remember all. Wish I came with bigger group, would be awesome if we tried more since it was small tapas and they had pretty big menu. My favorite was bacon wrapped date. It's common dish and I tried from quite few other places but this one was one of top notched I tried. Bacon wasn't burned and cooked perfectly. Crispy but still juicy. Date was baked in perfection as well. Really enjoyed it so much so I had all myself! Other dishes were pretty good too except garlic shrimp dish. Shrimp cooked too much, they were really tough to chew :-( Overall it was pleasant dinner and service was very nice too. I will go back with bigger group next time for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:45:57" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "I heard so much good things about Han Dynasty and couldn't wait to try. Got bunch of dishes include spicy cucumber salad, dan Dan noodle, dumpling in hot oil, scallion pancakes, fried rice, fish in clay pot, dry chicken, garlic eggplants and mapo tofu. Dumpling in hot oil was big hit, it was simple but had so much flavor in it. Scallion pancake was fried well and chewy, dipping sauce wasn't salty. Everyone seems excited about their dan Dan noodle but it didn't so much for me. Maybe I am not a big fan of noodle. I did enjoy mapo tofu, wasn't too greasy and enough spicy for me. Dry chicken was delicious but was too salty for me. I had few bite then couldn't touch more. Fish in clay pot had full of flavor but a bit greasy for me. Since most main dishes we ordered had powerful flavor, the fried rice was most popular dish on our table. Dinner was enjoyable and liked the fun ambiance. Like old Chinese restaurant in movie. I will definitely go back soon but I will order more appetitive and be easy on strong flavored main dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T02:20:33" }, { "business_id": "nIAbuktMEzVjT4P9pG89rQ", "business_name": "Buddakan", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try original Buddakan! I've been the one in NYC many times back in the day but haven't been budakkan for awhile and was excited to check out original one. The deco and music were somewhat similar the ones NYC but smaller and more opened space. We were seated in 10min at the second floor and restaurant was packed. Two of us shared spring roll, sea bass and duck. Yum yum yum! I actually though this location has way better food than the one in NYC. I used to go there pretty often long time ago but not for their food. Never impressed with their food except dessert but I did enjoy every dishes at this location. The portion was generous and I actually liked the light at the restaurant wasn't too dark. I like to see my food and appreciated! Very impressed ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T03:53:33" }, { "business_id": "i6jA8vSHrP9LiUPHlqPVwA", "business_name": "Cafe Olé", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like quick lunch spot. Should be affordable and provide fast service. Checked and checked. Your lunch will be ready in 3min in front of you. I went to this place when I did yoga teacher's training at Old city. Most of my class mates include teachers grabbed lunch there. They were pretty picky (mostly health conscious vegetarian) eaters so I thought that place must be good. I tagged them along one day and it turned out pretty nice time. Nice sunny weather in summer, we were seated outside and grabbed various salads. They had pre made salads displayed and they were all freshly made. Got myself Greek salad and strawberry/ banana smoothie. Smoothie was gigantic so probably most girls would be for their lunch itself. I am not so I had salad as well. Salad was huge too. I actually had left over. Everything was affordable there. Nothing over $10. They are not overly nice to offer any service since its self service kind of place but cheap, fast and fresh. What can you ask more.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T04:01:38" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not huge fan of lamb and chicken platter but I must have very high standard since only place I had this dish was Halah guys in NYC. My hub is cart food expert lol and found this place near us. He loves Halah guys so much that he was eager to find something like that in Philly. Well.. When I received my platter, was a bit disappointed about the size of meat. Guess I was so used to Halah guys huge portion. And again I am a girl with big stomach! I thought the platter was pretty good, meat was tender and juicy. But the charm of this platter is white sauce!!! At least for me. I am the person eating these kind of platter with EXTRA white sauce and not worry about calories so.... I did put extra white sauce top on my platter. The sauce was not my style. I want something creamier and thicker and still not greasy... Sauce was a bit off for me.... And the portion. Yes haha. We haven't back since then... but my friends said they have yummy Kati roll so I might try other dish next time. And I am not sitting at the corner of somewhere 6th ave to eat from the tin box so that's plus too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:17:46" }, { "business_id": "ZewrmVIdr77Kinj-njv6RQ", "business_name": "Insomnia Cookies", "rating": 4, "text": "Cookies in 3am? That's amazing concept except I crave salty fried food usually at that time haha. Actually surprised that they open until that late since Philly does not have much night life I thought. Most places are closed by 2am but people are still out to eat cookies? Guess they do! They seems always busy whenever I passed by. I got curious so picked up few cookies. Yum Yum Yum! I am not a big cookie person. I am more like gummy person but those are delicious. Warm, chewy and not crazy sweet. Had 3 of them at once. They were that good.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:22:07" }, { "business_id": "e4MoozYGqe_rb4_ZC1rYMQ", "business_name": "Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "So comfortable to hang around. Owner lady was so so nice. I stopped by couple times after my yoga class and had good spirit. The owner lady had too! She smiled to customers and was very kind. I instantly liked this place. I got small coffee with their home made ginger mascarpone cheese cake. So so so so good!!! Not sweet at all and they use fresh ingredient. 2nd time I was there, I got large cup of green tea, they charge same price for small or large cup of tea so why not. Also tried her ( owner lady baked everything in the kitchen and brought sweet out) peanut butter chocolate cup. Yum. Everything is very affordable here and again, fresh.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "f-qlRLsQ2vPATmlLTgLHbQ", "business_name": "Joe Coffee Company", "rating": 3, "text": "Joe's cup of coffee used to be my one of favorite coffee spot in NYC. Was tiny space near NYU, down to earth and I could just hang out there for hours. Loved that place and when I saw Joe's in my neighborhood in Philly, I was so happy. I got my latte couple times there and my experiences were different in Philly location. It's kind of fancy coffee shop than the one in NYC. Me and my friend couldn't really hang out and chat there. It's super crowded all the time and staffs weren't super nice.. no offense, they were super professional but just I didn't feel the warm greeting from them whenever I visited. Maybe I am picky but I prefer cozy coffee shop with warm people around. And I realized Philly has a lot of amazing coffee spot so...", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:34:31" }, { "business_id": "rgeuy1qbw6Z8B6CSVANHIA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 3, "text": "Seems like they are super famous. Whenever I search Philly eatery as Philly newbie, they are the one first come out most of times. Lucky I live so close to them! So made couple visit there. Tried their fancy donuts. Several times, several flavor. Probably I tried most of flavor they offered. Well... Fancy donut didn't do much for me. Not impressed. Once I was late so fancy donuts were sold out, I got regular sugar coated donut. Humm.. I actually liked true or regular donut much better! Tried their chicken too! All of their flavors. Humm it's good but not awesome for me. Was super crispy when I had the first bite but inside my mouth were peeled after finished my meal. Big no no for me. Good crispy chicken shouldn't do that to you. I think I spent fair amount time to eat fried chicken in my life as Korean. Their fried chicken is pretty good but not mind blowing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:43:24" }, { "business_id": "oqbhVgliVJH-iRa3AnD-3A", "business_name": "Elixr Coffee Roasters", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Another awesome coffee shop in neighborhood. Philly does have cool coffee shops everywhere! Very impressed. $4 of awesome hand drop coffee... Amazing. Great price and awesome staff who knows coffee. I am not a coffee snob so I usually go to coffee shop where make me feel welcomed. They did. They explained well about their menu and showed us whole process. And the shop is really pretty. They have limited seats because they are always crowded but they are just awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:46:12" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 2, "text": "This place looks super cute from outside and reminds me of small coffee place in Paris. I expected same experience when I had in Paris. I was dreaming to get some fresh pastries with full of butter flavor with some good coffee. Humm... My first bite was DRY, lack of butter.. Wasn't very good. I usually try to give second shot if my experience wasn't so terrible. So I went back. Got macaron and coffee. Lack of richness. Lack of something definitely. I still give two star because the shop is still pretty though and they don't have much competition in my neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:50:48" }, { "business_id": "lWedWkinrM5j13pyimbpbA", "business_name": "Miles Table", "rating": 3, "text": "My first visit to this place was few months ago. 2 of us waked there for brunch with our puppy. We were seated outside and got us burger, kale salad and coffee. Place was crowded but we scored seat pretty much right away. Everything was affordable and doggies were welcomed at the outdoor table. I didn't taste burger so can't speak for that. My kale salad was decent but wasn't amazing. Coffee tasted little bitter, maybe was a bit burned... We were appreciate seating with our puppy at the table but they were located in small street so it was kinda awkward seating outside and everyone was looking at you when they were passing by. That was my last trip and I don't think I will come back anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T06:23:28" }, { "business_id": "U2y7fsqDgxAXskoJNVxbwg", "business_name": "Happily Ever After", "rating": 4, "text": "Shaved ice bowl is my # 1 dessert all the time. I like Korean, Taiwanese, Malaysian style the most. I wasn't able to find any Korean style shaved ice in Philly but this place was the closest I could find. I like a bit of crunchiness on Korean styled shaved ice. If it's too soft then it's more like Taiwanese style. This place ice was very close to Korean one. Also they use condensed milk and crushed nut like Korean one. Little rough shaving ice is best with sweet milk and some nutty flavor for sure. For fruit topping I would go for super soft shaved ice. I finished my bowl myself and was very happy. The portion was definitely smaller compare with my go to places in NYC but well... this place doesn't have much competition for this menu so I will take what I can get in Philly. Hope I can see more Asian styled shaving ice dessert places in Philly this summer.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:34:26" }, { "business_id": "ZpgVL2z1kgRi954c9m9INw", "business_name": "United By Blue", "rating": 3, "text": "Another cool find through my yoga school. They are located in local clothing store which is nice. Very pretty deco and trendy. Me and my classmates hung out here a lot during lunch break. I've never eaten here but saw sandwiches and they looked good. I didn't think their coffee was special though and somewhat pricy. But it is really cute coffee shop and I would go back there if I am near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:37:48" }, { "business_id": "yYG2XDKCaf5yOLgJSKMw6g", "business_name": "Anthony's Italian Coffee House and Chocolate House", "rating": 5, "text": "Love love love their espresso. Their coffee is amazing. It is kinda far from me but I still walk there to buy their espresso coffee bean. They freshly grind for you right there and price is awesome. About $7-8 per package. My sister and mom in Korea got so hooked ( they are definitely coffee snob unlike me) so I have to buy for them too and mail them! I get their caffe latte and one biscotti and grind espresso beans to go. Glad I found this little shop.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:41:58" }, { "business_id": "RSKvB-XntkiDnMqYqAmtKw", "business_name": "Seafood Unlimited", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked their name. Seafood unlimited, what a great name. Unfortunately their food wasn't. The interior was unique, very blue and dark not sure if I liked that. I feel like I was eating in a fish tank. Restaurant was pretty empty and we were seated right away. Got grilled salmon dish and scallop. Eh... I had better before. Food wasn't very special to me and I wasn't very impressed with ambiance either so I haven't back since my first trip.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T23:54:38" }, { "business_id": "fcGexL5VH5G2Xw0tRj9uOQ", "business_name": "Slice", "rating": 3, "text": "I have mixed feeling about this place. I do enjoy their pizza. Since it was so close to me I just stopped by for slice of pizza to go. I got bacon and onion and eggplant pizza to go. Also got side salad. Salad was fresh and reasonably priced. Nothing special about their dressing but veggies were very fresh so I was happy. About pizza I thought was really delicious. Sauce was good and sweet and savory. I really enjoyed them. I made couple more trips there to grab quick pizza whenever I had craving, this place was never really busy, usually 2-3 customers there but my order usually took more than 10-15 min. I am not sure why took so long to heat up slice of pizza since they did not make it fresh when I ordered. Their service is just ok not super nice or rude. Wish they had faster service, it is deal breaker for me since I want to go there, grab my pizza and in and out fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:03:59" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't want to give them 5 star because I don't want them to be more popular than already now!!! But I have to... This is food heaven. Had amazing food and the ambiance was so cozy and comfortable to sit down and talk. First course, ordered chicken mousse with toast. Yum...so creamy and savory spread and toast was perfect too. Sweet and sour jam made perfect combination for the toast. Second course, had buckwheat pasta. I just had pretty bad experience with buckwheat past at the High street market. Was so scared to try but this one was amazing. Noodle was chewy and tender, sauce was just amazing. Definitely made my #1 pasta in Philly. For main, we shared cod with broth. Humm. That was our least favorite dish that night. Did not have much flavor overall. I still rate this place 5 star because I did have the best past in Philly and ambiance wise I felt so comfortable there. I will definitely going back very soon but I will order a lot of small dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:19:54" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 3, "text": "This place seems always busy and smelled so nice when I passed by. We went there one night to grab quick dinner. I got smoked trout and my hub got mixed wurst platter. My trout looked really smaller than their photo. Was decent. Not bad but I probably won't go back for that dish. His wurst platter was gigantic. He could not finish it so we had half left over. He did not like it much so ended up not eating his left over...", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:26:10" }, { "business_id": "7xckZSLRWf5uf3L1IsF1Kg", "business_name": "Mandarin Palace", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes I have Chinese food craving. Until I found my go to spot in this city I mist keep exploring!!!! Today I tried the place right next me.. Was very empty. I see more employees than actually customers, I was instantly got nervous.. Maybe it's really bad sign but again, it's Chinese restaurant so maybe ppl just order delivery. We were seated and server brought us tea which was nice. Order cashew chicken and hub has beef dish and lo main. They were decent. Food was just cooked so was really hot. I would give 4 star if it was little cheaper. I am so spoiled with cheap and yummy Chinese food in NYC so this place felt little pricy for me for what it is.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:34:26" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by there after terrible dinner. This place healed us from horrendous experience. 4 of us got own drinks, beer,wine and orange soda for me! We shared small plates and cheese platter. We ended up getting two cheese platter because they were soooooo good. Our waiter, did not get his name but he was so enthusiastic when he explained about each cheese. We ended up having great time there and left happy. Will go back anytime.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:39:32" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "4 of us were craving some ramen so went to this place. Wasn't sure how Philly ramen scene would be. My hub got spicy shoyu ramen and my parents shared miso ramen. I wasn't very hungry so got fried chicken appetizer. Chicken appetizer was very good. I actually liked their chicken than other famous chicken places in Philly. My parents thought their ramen was too salty for them. They just had noodles and left most of broth. My hub actually thought this place was decent. He finished his dish. I really enjoyed their chicken and the Korean waitress was very nice.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:21:48" }, { "business_id": "nR3VW9i2K8033QY0ZMTisw", "business_name": "Zento Contemporary Japanese Cuisine", "rating": 2, "text": "This place seems have always promotions going on. I see their coupons pretty often. We went there after our show at Arden theater. Restaurant wasn't big but clean. There was semi private dining area in the end of hall but they didn't have door so it was really loud since big group was drinking and eating. Wasn't able to enjoy our dinner at all. Food was ok and they had promotion but I would not necessarily go to old city to eat there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:25:12" }, { "business_id": "2f6NaQVGTM59OGvsdT9pxg", "business_name": "Mood Indian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "So I saw this place had pretty good review on yelp and just purchased the deal online. As a Philly newbie I did not aware this restaurant was far from Rittenhouse square. We had to drive to Northern liberty to eat since I already got the coupon. Food better be good.... Two of us got samosa chaat and chicken tikka masala with garlic naan and mango lassi. Apparently yelp review www pretty accurate. This was 4 star restaurant for me. Samosa chaat was huge as appetizer. Probably most girls would be ok for their main dish itself. Chicken tikka masala was creamy, buttery and meat was tender. Delicious. We ended up having whole bowl of rice with it. Lassi was thick and amazing. I hate watery lassi and this place wasn't one of them. We were only customer when we were there and service was not bad or extra nice. They did minimum service for you haha. But I loved the food there and wish they were close to me. I would go often.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:32:26" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't eat much steak but like to go to ones. One of main reason is my hub is big meat eater and I usually find seafood dishes at steak house are very yummy. We got one soup and salad for appetizer. They weren't very memorable. Wasn't bad but nothing special to say. He got prime rib and I got crab cake. The portion of my dish was pretty small. I could eat double portion. For dessert we got chocolate and cheese cake. They were ok. I would say very average food. Nothing really remarkable. The ambiance is like classy, old apartment with piano. It's classy but maybe little to old for us. The service was very nice. Not likely go back though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:39:28" }, { "business_id": "V0SHmvYtXqdv8-AsqshV6w", "business_name": "Smokin Bettys", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to get some brunch as newbie in Philly, we googled this place and went on Sunday. Place was really crowded, but it was big so we waited just little. I got egg while omelette and he got the burger. My omelette was ok but I probably could make that one. He liked the burger and enjoyed fries too but we never went back there for their burger. Maybe Philly has too many burger places.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:42:35" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I hope they open their new location somewhere close to Rittenhouse square. So close to me, I know nothing about Philly, Little Pete did show me some comfort time. The owner guy was always at the counter and he was nice. The waitress ladies seemed tough but they were actually very friendly and attentive. I had couple dishes there since I got my breakfast there couple times. Loved their greek salad, this was so big that I always had left over and ate later. Their omelet was pretty good. Fluffy and yum. The egg sandwich, I liked it very much! They gave you so much egg and it was delicious. My go to breakfast awhile. Their French fries!!!! Crispy and just perfect with mayo. The waitress ladies remembered me and packed mayo with my fries even I did not ask for. I like to have this comfy diner right next me. Sad to see them leaving. We don't have many diners in center city though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:49:35" }, { "business_id": "-ATiAtTikuGuqvaW2O6tNA", "business_name": "Marathon", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh, disappointing food. I saw this place got busy during lunch hour so gave a shot during weekday lunch. Place was busy and I saw people getting salad with salmon so I got that one as well. My salmon was dry... And lukewarm. Definitely didn't enjoyed my protein. I had only one visit so I can't speak for all but my salad wasn't fresh either that day. Sandwiches on other tables looked good though. That was my first and only trip to Marathon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:53:31" }, { "business_id": "Uky0DD3LU4C7eyNDhpmOXg", "business_name": "Day By Day", "rating": 3, "text": "I saw people were waiting outside of the restaurant all the time. This place must be good I thought. Maybe I picked the wrong dish. I enjoyed my stuffed challah French toast but I wouldn't wait more than 10 min to eat it again. That was right after my mind blowing experience at Sabrina cafe's stuffed french toast so Day by Day one didn't do much for me.... My parter of scavenger hunt got burger. He enjoyed and finished all but hasn't asked me go back there yet so I guess it is solid 3 star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:58:51" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not sure why I don't go this place more often. I had good time at their oyster happy hour! Enjoyed my discounted oyster and I thought was fresh and delicious. But that place got really busy during happy hour so waiting was painful and they put large jar of oyster cracker to share. Everyone's hands going to touch the crackers so I couldn't eat it and I didn't see anyone touching it. That's minus point for me too. If less crowded and provided individual oyster cracker like other places I might give me more star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:04:00" }, { "business_id": "9mA9qYqiv4c0T9ASid3PIQ", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 3, "text": "I had really good meal at Capital grille at Providence few years ago. I still remember how proud and profession they were. And the food was absolute perfection. I never went other locations but I wanted to try the one in Philly since I had such a amazing time before. I got same meal, chowder soup, salad and glazed salmon. Soup was a bit saltier side for me. It was ok eating with bread but in general I am not fan of salty food. Salad was decent and my salmon was a bit overpowering with citrus sauce. It was pretty but I wasn't amazed like last time. The bread basket was warm and good though. And service was good too. But it just wasn't same..", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:12:57" }, { "business_id": "-t5dx3X0O63jCUuFEd-FcA", "business_name": "The Palm Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. Weird fries... That's first thing I remember about this place. Humongous and lack of flavored stack of fries.. Shared burger and fries and fried calamari and cheese cake. The burger was ok. Just ok but we all know Philly is the burger central. You don't need to eat burger here. I am usually go for fries than burgers when I order this dish. I think I know good fries... For some reason Palm's fries had literally no flavor. Didn't even oily anything. It's crunch but I wasn't sure what I was eating. Ended up left most of dish. Cheese cake was only thing I liked. It was like thick cheese cake from juniors. On offense, I love those commercial kind. Destroyed cake and left and never looked back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:20:13" }, { "business_id": "m_P0oMu3PVz5pGBKjYGl_A", "business_name": "Chris' Jazz Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I would give them 5 stars for their music. I never had food there but if food were bad, I would still give 5 stars. I have been there couple times, the musician there were phenomenon. Real professional and one of top notched. I used to go jazz clubs in NYC pretty often. You can't get seats easily like this place, and definitely not affordable like this place. But the music at Chris, as good as the ones in NYC. I am glad they are so close by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:24:35" }, { "business_id": "GUMVStVaJfWmCIpQA4TtHg", "business_name": "Crazy Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My sushi place hunt hasn't finished yet. We tried bonsai roll, one night stand roll, volcano roll and sashimi platter. They did put a lot of effort decorating the dishes. We were very hungry so rather getting dishes as soon as we can lol Even though I appreciated their beautiful decoration, sushi wasn't that impressive. I did enjoy one night stand roll but bonsai roll had too much cucumber. I like thin slice of cucumber just round once or twice otherwise I can't really taste any sashimi because cucumber has pretty strong scent itself. I felt like I had big chunk of cucumber after all..the quality of sashimi was ok but nothing extra ordinary. And the bill ended up not that cheap. I think I could find this quality food with less price.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:32:34" }, { "business_id": "peeXG1Ra-DClPQv14jvKvg", "business_name": "Square on Square", "rating": 3, "text": "I was happy to find Chinese place near me, I need to find my Chinese take out place so... Order crispy spring roll with shrimp , spicy chicken for main. Everything was pretty good. Dishes were super hot and just cooked. Ambiance was a bit awkward but service was fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:40:16" }, { "business_id": "WYel6hMEEPNwzVUlVBacbw", "business_name": "honeygrow", "rating": 3, "text": "Solid lunch spot for sure, they are always busy and there is reason why people keep going there. I prefer comfy, rustic ambiance over modern and fancy. And rather order my meal old fashion way over vending machine. Honey grow reminds me of cafeterias in Japan or HK. I get overwhelmed with all ordering through machine and it isn't so much fun for me.. Salad is delicious though but I like to put a lot of topping to make it yummier and m salad is usually around $12 and still doesn't fill me up!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:48:13" }, { "business_id": "oziGQYLaEWOpNmPKrZP86g", "business_name": "Isgro Pastries", "rating": 3, "text": "Craving some Italian dessert. I need to eat some good cannoli and lobster tail. I walked all the way to Italian market and got in this small bakery. Need to warn you, the ladies who worked there, they must be super busy with non stop customers. They don't want to be bothered so do not ask any question... My cannoli... Ok.. Wasn't bad. But not as good as the one at Veniero's in NYC but definitely better than the Bruno's or petitio's. Lobster tail was ok. Pastries were well baked but their custard cream was just ok. I'm general their fillings were nothing special to me. I would never crave their filling though. Unexpected jackpot was carrot cake. Not too sweet but their cream cheese icing was amazing. Now I am craving their carrot cake though. If the ladies there were little nicer, at least answer your questions w/o being annoyed I would give them 4 star because of their carrot cake.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:57:22" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing hidden gem. This store is too little but have full of valuable things. So much fun to check out all different kinds spices, teas and snacks. And their coffee.... Hazelnut coffee is amazing!!!! I drink a lot of coffee but I like to drink decaf. It is really hard to find good decaf but I found one in Philly. Their hazelnut coffee is so aromatic, just brewing at home made you feel good. I got like more than 10 packages so far and loving them. Also got bunch of spices. Cumin, wasabi powder, paprika, anise, rosemary, red and white pepper... Just make it. They have all. The owner lady doesn't speak much initially but once she recognize your face, she is the sweetest. So helpful and get chatty. I had So much fun talking to her and looking forward going back there once weather get warm!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:02:17" }, { "business_id": "rQW9iupvhk6ScPn2VPNLVQ", "business_name": "Octopus Falafel Truck", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a groupie. He is amazing. I am sad that I got to have his dish only once. Now all construction on market I can't find him!! His chicken is the most tender and smoky I've ever had. Side dishes are creative and awesome too. I hope he is back soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:05:21" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 2, "text": "Had quick bite with hub on the way to watch the show. Shared wings and nacho. Price was cheap and snacks were ok. If they had in NYC I would give them more star for sure. Bar foods in NYC are mostly inedible. But in Philly some bar foods are better than restaurants. This place is below average in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:09:05" }, { "business_id": "3uLXZMnm68l1YwI8_FaFNA", "business_name": "Bangkok Thai 9 Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "Hubby picked up my lunch so had this meal at home to be clear. Had coconut soup, shrimp pad Thai and he had curry. My soup was ok. A bit too sour. I like more creamier side for sure. I didn't like much. My pad thai was fail though. Noodles were stuck together when I tried to pick up with chopstick. I had to use it like fork... Not sure if because it was take out. But still we get fair amount of take out, it doesn't usually happen. And shrimp was so so so over cooked. Tasted almost like rubber. Too bad, they are really close to me though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:15:12" }, { "business_id": "6LCZLGa09Qifn6rG7-DNrg", "business_name": "Erawan Thai Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to menu is coconut soup and pad thai with protein. I tried same menu here. Actually really like their coconut soup. They used enough amount of coconut milk that soup was really creamy and wasn't over powering with herb. I am so used to Americanized thai cuisine that I prefer less herb on my dish except cilantro. Pat thai was great too. Liked the amount of peanut they used, noodle was chewy and perfect and not too sweet. They gave me generous amount of chicken and white meat wasn't dry so I was very happy with my meal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:20:16" }, { "business_id": "FYhsm9Efvw8lw7zAOIDUbg", "business_name": "Rosa Blanca", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious ham and cheese empanada!!! And all other different kinda! I think I had like 10 of them. They were so so so good. The place looked tiny from outside and I thought it was local diner. Pretty spacious inside and cozy. I went there for happy hour and got bunch of small snacks and had wonderful time. All delicious!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:01:36" }, { "business_id": "PVVFos1LDfD7iETY0w4vaA", "business_name": "Su Xing House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am meat eater who likes go to vegetarian restaurant. I actually like flavor of soy protein. I had hight hope about this place. This place was always packed with people and known as their affordable price. I went there and I got my favorite Chinese menu. Sesame seitan. It came with brown rice and two side veggies. I got corn and steamed broccoli. And vegetarian spring roll. I did not expect gourmet meal for $10 but food did not reach my expectation at all even I considered their amazing price. I did not like my sesame chicken's sauce at all. Way too sweet and lack of flavor beside the sweetness. Side veggies were just sad, they threw couple pieces of steamed veggies and canned corn. Was lame... When I almost finished my meal, I realized they forgot my spring roll. Didn't bother to call them or go back. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:15:02" }, { "business_id": "lYloPAiaWJwWgno4SdxD0Q", "business_name": "Dolce Carini", "rating": 5, "text": "In general pizza in Philly is really amazing. I am not sure why NY pizza is so popular. Philly should be! Even this humble local pizzeria makes amazing pizza. I always get their creamy spinach pizza. Their Alfredo sauce is really good. It's simple but has so much flavor. It's perfect with baked spinach. The pizza crust is so crunch and delicious. I never Thorpe away their edge. Yum yum yum.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T00:24:53" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location than others. Less crowded most of times and people there are very friendly and helpful when you want to try different flavors. And settings are comfortable there. Since weather is cold, I have not had awhile but I used enjoy their hazelnut, avocado, coconut and tiramisu flavors the most. They also have coffee and other sweets as well. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:46:53" }, { "business_id": "eLt-dwl-xxXj9nklhs2eOw", "business_name": "Sweet Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I never seen this franchise in NYC so was happy to try new ones. I believe the owner is Korean and Korean makes GOOD froyo. Already had very high hope. The shop looked typical froyo spot and seems busy. They were located in very busy streets. 2 locations both. I I always get froyo with no topping. I can taste good froyo better w/o topping in my opinion so I did. Froyo was very tarty for me. And I am not a fan of those kind of froyo. Everyone has different tastes so I can't speak for all. Just not my thing. Since they are so convenient for me, I got my bubble tea couple times and also macaron. My taro bubble was once too sweet and once was less powders in it so it tasted like just purple water.. I brought it back and the guy made new one for me. People who worked there were very friendly but their products just did not do much for me so I stopped going there.. Sad. I need to find other froyo spot since red mango left town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:52:19" }, { "business_id": "JMPZQKPPQI15C8FnACKk-A", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 4, "text": "My hub likes creamy ice cream. I am more into gelato or froyo but if I have thick creamy ice cream craving, I go to this place. The shop is relatively newly opened, so it is very clean. Also located upstairs of my Chinese massage place. My massage therapist was so mad during my massage once because there was non stop construction noise going on when she gave me a massage. I had to hear she was arguing with construction guy, I also cheered for her and hated ppl on upstairs ruining my massage session. Well... Ironically I am regular customer for both of them haha. People who work there are all super friendly. You can try all different flavor and they don't mind. Ice creams are good too. Always get their coconut flavor. It's rich and aromatic. Once I let me eating ice cream with my 3 pounds puppy at the corner of shop(we all aware dog is not allowed) but was freezing cold and my pup can stay in my pocket. Literally 3 pounds she was. And I really wanted ice cream. They were so kind let me stay til finish my ice cram and lucky never get crowded there. I still appreciate their kindness:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:58:05" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 3, "text": "Very very busy location. And probably my least favorite location among this franchise. Couple times there were crazy line I couldn't even get in to store and had to leave. The people who worked there were unnecessarily unfriendly but just way to busy that it's hard to ask them to try new favors or ask any questions. I rather walk to Rittenhouse square location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:21:36" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite frozen yogurt place in Philly. Since Red Mango was close down I was looking for my new froyo spot. Yogorino is the closest I can find. Their froyo tastes like heaven. Perfectly icy, tarty and creamy. I could taste that they use real yogurt( also a lot of them) in their ice cream. I always get the froyo with milk chocolate topping which is free. Their chocolate is really good too. Store is very white and clean and girls there are very friendly. Love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:24:59" }, { "business_id": "qcn10016DUkbgCbQi9L1WA", "business_name": "Bassetts Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "The oldest ice cream, I think this place is amazing with their presence itself. But wasn't impressed by their vanilla ice cream. Maybe my palate is get used all commercial ice creams. Their ice cream was good but wasn't super special to go there, waited in line, may not even able to secure seats to enjoy your ice cream... Wasn't pleasant experience. As a Philly tourist was enough to go there once, get my ice cream scoop and take a photo. That once was enough for me.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:35:19" }, { "business_id": "4hv1n1VBzMvE-T4UtIcOcw", "business_name": "Di Bruno Bros.", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is literally in front of my apartment and I really want to love this place. I appreciate that I have multi food store in the neighborhood. It is pretty store, big cheese section in the back of the room, veggie and fruit section, bakery section, meat and fish section and upstairs cafe. I am regular customer for their cheese and bakery section. I had little bad experience with veggie section once and never really went back. Veggies were not fresh at all and gone bad the day after I purchased. Pre cooked food section seemed very nice. I might try that very soon. Tried couple cakes there. Was decent but not amazing... Still go there because so convenient but not super satisfied with the quality.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:42:36" }, { "business_id": "Ou-_OQUNvBcaAoRU0XPtaQ", "business_name": "Jamonera", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been there twice so far. Once for day time snacking and once I went there for weekend prefix. Prefix was definitely good deal. We get to try various dishes and they were not very crowded. I really enjoyed my visit during the day time. Not many people come to that place during weekday daytime so it's very quite and you can chat with friends with good snack and drink. It wasn't the best tapas I have ever had but decent.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:53:27" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh yeah, the best deal for the bucks..... Their happy hour is steal. So good and so cheap. Foods are basically same as their regular menu. Really enjoyed their brussel sprout, Vietnamese sandwich, Korean fried chicken, kimchi friend rice, edamame dumpling in broth and skewers. So so so good. I love to sit at the bar and grab yummy bar snacks. I've been there multiple times and they were always good. Went there for regular dinner and basically got same food and payed more than double so.. Go to their happy hours. It is just amazing deal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "dSPA4yql9vUwnYRxHiVtHA", "business_name": "Makiman Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there after watched the show. Place was half empty and we saw people were eating Korean bi bim bop in hot stone bowl. Maybe it's Korean owned sushi place or at least be of chefs is Korean. I got sashimi salad and roll without rice. Sashimi salad was sooooooooo spicy even to me. I can handle some spicy but this was just pure go chu jang ( Korean red chilly pepper paste) I had to take out most of sauces and ate them. Sashimi was ok but their sauce already burned my tongue couldn't taste anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:03:25" }, { "business_id": "JDv3h1xRFIW8fXckqgTdRg", "business_name": "Fuji Mountain", "rating": 3, "text": "I have never had sushi here but tried nabeyaki, gyoza and agedashi tofu one late night. Restaurant structor was unique. It was 3 story restaurants and divided sushi bar, restaurants and karaoke. I guess some ppl eat, drink and go upstairs to sing after. My nabe dish was pretty good. I was craving some hot soup and it was soothing. What I needed that night. Gyoza was little greasy and didn't have much stuffing. Was failed dish. Agedashi tofu was crispy and well fried. And liked the dashi broth with radish. Yum. Was my favorite dish. I have not back there for two reasons. Still need to try other new places and also really creepy guy tried to talked to me at the restaurant that night ( but waitress lady piloted stopped the creepy guy, thanks to her ), I just creeped out from that weird vibe from dinner so have not back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:11:34" }, { "business_id": "cmETClmvGoUZZwBXRtv6kw", "business_name": "Good Stuff Eatery", "rating": 2, "text": "Had really soggy fries here. It was rosemary French fries and it is one of my favorite snacks in the world!!! Got one bite, boo.... Was so so so soggy. Liked that they had a lot of free drippings. There were actually good and my favorite Begium fries place in NYC, they charged for the same digging so that was big plus. My hub said the burger was ok and also wasn't happy with soggy fries. I thought it might be just that day. But apparently one of my other friends was mentioned that she had burger and fries there and she didn't like their soggy fries. Guess that is the style there. Not my thing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:22:18" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 3, "text": "I love roasted chicken. Apparently this dish is not easy to find than you think so I was happy to find this place. Got half roasted chicken with roast beet and feta. Chicken was pretty but not enough meat for me. I got hungry after finished my meal. Maybe they cooked really small chicken that day.. I just don't want to get hungry after finishing half of chicken myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:27:40" }, { "business_id": "VIYvcX9SScnqmoI0so1KZA", "business_name": "PrimoHoagies", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not a sandwich fan at all. It probably my last choice of meal to be honest. But if I get sandwich craving really once in awhile, I go to this place. One you get there friendly Italian guys welcome you and get the order promptly. And your hoagie is ready to eat in 5 min. Their hoagie is gigantic. I get really full after finishing it. I got cold turkey and meatball once. I really liked meatball marinara. Wasn't too soggy but they just had enough marinara to covered the bread. Yum. And their meatballs were delicious! I don't go there often enough but for my next visit, I am getting my meal all sub again. Super satisfying.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:31:23" }, { "business_id": "8ohaL9a02bWZDxOxfZCTxw", "business_name": "Four Seasons Food Court", "rating": 4, "text": "Sometimes I get lazy and get dinner from here. Sold by weight buffet place isn't my thing but the owner lady was so kind when I visited them first time. She asked if I was student and offered me 10% discount whenever I come and can eat the buffet with affordable prices. I thought that was so nice that they offered discount to students. Maybe she did because I am same Korean as she is. But those kindness I was never had in NYC for last 10 years. Beside kindness, their buffet is pretty nice actually. Like their salad. Was fresh and they have different kinds. And a lot of vegetarian options. I am not vegetarian but I like to have some vegetarian options with my meat. I got my dinner and it was like $7. Good price and I had filling dinner.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:43:16" }, { "business_id": "i-clumHx1gMhf5B8MROyHA", "business_name": "Falafel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Tried one at their old location. Got my falafel sandwich. Was average falafel, nothing special about it and they did not give me enough white sauce even tough I asked. Liked the roasted carrot and their pickle though. I will give another try to their new location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:45:49" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "Presentation is main charm of this restaurant. I used to just love fancy decoration on my palate in my early 20's. If they draw flower on my plate I was so so so impressed already. Now I l have known better, eaten out so much, I admit that so hard to get impressed by restaurant. Either price has to be good or has to be superb with food. Just beautifully decorated food doesn't impress me much anymore. Small portion was fine with me. I do aware fine dining place will never full me so we order a lot so it wasn't about their portion. Was off from the start, I prefer spread butter to be room temperature. This one wasn't. Little disappointed from the beginning. Presentation of food was beautiful. They do care about color of your plate and have great sense. But it gets boring if I keep eating unflavored white foam with gello typed sauce. I remember it was super impressed when I had gello sauce and foams on my food. I was like wow. This is genius but that was couple years ago. Now wherever I go, I get to eat foams and I don't like foams that much... Maybe we ordered too much seafood oriented menu but I am a seafood fan.. Most dishes tasted too similar. My halibut was chewy and well cooked but broth was a bit boring... Luckily the portion wasn't so big so finished all of my food. They got amazing reviews about their brunch. I think o rather want to try their brunch not regular meal next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:44:22" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like 4.5 star but definitely better that 4 so I will still give 5. Had amazing meals there whenever I visited. Love their raw beet and kale salad, Br sprout salad and cheese plate. They are super creative and beautifully presented. Others enjoyed their pizza and meatballs very much. I just love their salad so much. A lot of flavor and absolutely heavenly. It is my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:56:07" }, { "business_id": "u7_3L1NBWgxhBM_B-cmmnA", "business_name": "Pizzeria Vetri", "rating": 3, "text": "Was on the way Petco me and my parents saw this place was empty. No line! We weren't very hungry but had to get a pizza here. I had high hope about this pizzeria since I just had amazing experience at Vetri. How good would be! And Philly does have great pizza overall, this one might be too good to me to handle. Got rotolo and margarita pizza. Both were very decent food. I just wouldn't wait for that or walk all the way to restaurant from my neighborhood. Pretty far to walk from center city..", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:05:35" }, { "business_id": "elSnD7Vuxnlg5_9gTqBqmA", "business_name": "Barra Rossa Ristorante", "rating": 2, "text": "Went there for one of friends Bday. Think they booked this place because she was on gluten free diet and needed private space for the event. Wasn't completely private but they did have sort of separated group dining space. Ambiance reminded me modern cafeteria and wasn't impressed. We were waited to be seated a bit so I had glimpsed on others pasta dishes and quickly made up my mind to order something safe. I got cheese platter. It's gonna be safe bet c The platter was HUGE. They gave me so much cheese and that was very generous. Sadly my cheese was not good. Some of them I did not taste any flavor. Kind of rubbery texture when you chew on not so good quality of cheese. No one really enjoyed it.. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:25:05" }, { "business_id": "t37dsDBpe65qUb81OSFr-g", "business_name": "Philadelphia Theatre Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a subscriber and very satisfied so far. They have been showing good plays which mostly nominated/ awarded. They have spacious stage and setting is really nice. They have been presenting great writing and directing. Actors are very professional too. As a subscriber I got to go opening nights and they usually have post play event. Q&A with actors and writers which is always nice. Also their seats are very comfy and leg rooms are large. I am so used watch Broadway shows in NYC so I was really surprised to be seated like this. That makes the experience so much enjoyable!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:23:52" }, { "business_id": "MbFiVsqtIt75yrUNd8LT3Q", "business_name": "Prince Music Theater", "rating": 3, "text": "Very young and energetic theater I thought. I checked their annual playlist but wasn't much my style so did nothing t subscribed. However if I find something interesting I still go watch. Me and hub went to watch Evil dead. Was definitely very entertaining. It feels like you watch very exciting short film. Acting was great and fun vibe filled entire theater. Beside play I did think theater itself was nice. Since most theaters are so nice here this one was definitely less classier than other places. But its fun venue to check out for once.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:30:20" }, { "business_id": "dBRWKIS7h-qZCi8EjUJ2HA", "business_name": "The Franklin Institute Science Museum", "rating": 3, "text": "This museum ended up pretty pricy if you want to experience whole package. I was surprised that there is no student discount package for entrance, Imax and special exhibition. That was one of the most expensive museum visit I have ever had. Whenever I visited new city I try to visit every museum and galleries. Those places usually offer student discount or any kind of deal for tourist. This place had non. When I got there with my parents, it was really windy mid of weekday. Think we picked the wrong day. There were tons of kids running around without any observation. No offense, it would be perfect study/ play venue for them. And they probably need to experience this venue more than I do. Apparently we did not get to see any of exhibits. Children were screaming everywhere and no one really supervise them. And a lot of things were broken and left it there. Well. We ended up leaving this place in a hour. This place could be so much better.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:43:18" }, { "business_id": "bmrEQ_4nzXc72zAFotrLYA", "business_name": "Arden Theatre Company", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my favorite theater in Philadelphia. I am a subscriber and can not be happier than this. This beautiful theater is located on prettt street at Old city. I love to make my trip out of it and check out Old city as well. They have first and second go, separated theater. Both have nice and comfy seats and great sound and view. I have been sitting front seat to watch but I believe most seats in that theater have great view. So far they have been showing amazing musical and plays. Some of them made me cry and some of them made me cry from laughing. Actors in Arden theater are super talented and so enthusiastic. You must check out this beautiful place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:47:08" }, { "business_id": "PhLYLCjM_dS_seS_fMBVeg", "business_name": "Helium Comedy Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to standing comedy show. I have been ones in NYC and LA only before coming to this once. From my past experience, comedy clubs were very pushy with minimum purchase. They were kept asking if I order another drink to have 2 drink minimum. It's their rule so I was fine with it. At least this place did not have that push. Actually was so hard to order our bar snack lol because the venue was so full and so hard to get attention from waitress. Well it's very refreshing haha We went there for special guest Bobby Lee comedy show. He was funny as I expected. Thought the opening guy was even funnier though. Now I will go back there for Margaret Cho show next month. I am super excited!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:50:33" }, { "business_id": "YWI4lRnWY7-dFBAei7JAEQ", "business_name": "Academy of Music", "rating": 4, "text": "It is gorgeous venue, so classic and beautiful! I like their Broadway musicals very much. So much cheaper than Broadway in NYC and as good as them. Watched musical Once, Phantom of the Opera and Cinderella. I probably watched Phantom at least 7 times haha. I know it is lame but I just love that show. My parents and me are such a big fan so we both watched multiple times but we read this new version of Phantom will be showing in Philly so we were exited to watch. And so excited to see how they were going to use this classic old style theater. It would be just perfect venue for phantom without trying. Setting was beautiful and music was great as usual. I just wasn't fan of new version they did. I really like their dramatic ending when phantom is surrounded by flames. I cried with him every time I watched. Revised ending was less dramatic and was a bit disappointing. Not sure if they did it because the stage had less space than ones in nyc. We did enjoyed Once and Cinderella as well. Very entertaining, great performance. They did not disappointed me. One thing was odd that the actors usually asked for the donation for their charity work after curtain call. I thought that was very nice and also smart. The audiences were so happy after watching fun musicals and willing to chip in. We all got out and walked down the stairs and the exit just lead us to street. We did not see anyone collecting donation. I saw people actually wanted to donate a bit and that was little disappointing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:05:26" }, { "business_id": "_aO_GP15Zrh7wcOuvaXnNw", "business_name": "Rodin Museum", "rating": 4, "text": "Who knew Philly has so much to offer to us! I never knew about Rodin this much until I visited this place. Me and my parents had artsy date and we had amazing time at Philadelphia museum of Art then we got free pass for this place. It was much smaller than expected but had a lot to enjoy. Loved that this museum wasn't too crowded, you can enjoy as long as you want. I saw Rodin's pieces at Met and Louvre but never get to enjoy with in peace like this. We walk around every rooms and enjoyed it. There was pretty corner of the room and you can leave your own sketch. My mom and I sat there and draw together. What a beautiful experience we had. Outdoor park was small but beautiful. Please check out this venue. You won't find like this anywhere.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 4, "text": "The first place I have visited in Philly. It is massive and events, special exhibitions are going on. First time we went there to watch \" Korean \" special exhibition. We actually booked the restaurant there to try their Korean themed tasting menu. Food was Asian fusion dish which wasn't too refreshing to us anymore but the venue was pretty and we enjoyed our meal. The museum was very impressive. They have amazing art as much as other major museums in other city and definitely less crowded than them. You get out of it so much. My mom is artist and she said it was amazing and had wonderful time with me. I am glad I got to check out and I do know I will have to make regular visit to this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:28:58" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 5, "text": "I finally get to see Barns foundation myself! Amazing!! I read about this place so much from news paper and art magazine. I heard this place is legendary and was excited to see it myself. What to say, it is modern and beautiful. And as we heard, they have so so so many art to display. They displayed every art as Dr. Barns had them in his mansion. You feel like you are waking into gorgeous house with full of collection. I was just stunned. There were so many things to see, the time slot we had felt so short. Mom and dad had amazing time too. My mom did say this was the best museum she's ever been too. I can't agree more. For example, Met or Louvre museums are so massive that I was already too intimidated by them and I got to walk way too much to enjoy them all. I got physically too tired to enjoy their art. Barns foundation was smaller and displayed so many art in one wall since they recreated exact same layout. I did not have to hop around too much and still got to see a lot. That was big plus. Now I have to schedule my next visit there to educate myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:37:29" }, { "business_id": "xrlyoI0SHEFBJa52qQnPUw", "business_name": "iSushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My another visit, was in the neighborhood and wanted to grab quick sushi and Vic sushi was way too far and I was starving... Got chicken wing, salmon salad, banzi roll as usual, one night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll. We were too hungry so was in hurry to order. I didn't have chicken wing but my hub enjoyed all. He said kinda taste like sesame chicken. My miso soup wasn't salty and really hot. I liked it, was perfect for this cold night. Banzi roll... could been better, too much cucumber than actual sashimi. I did miss my Vic sushi's Naruto roll again. One night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll were pretty good actually. Size is big and filled with crunchiness crabmeat with spicy mayo. I realized they just use same sauce for tuna sashimi as the dressing. I should've got tuna salad. Little lame. I did enjoyed one night and tuna rolls. But banzi roll and sashimi salad were little disappointing. Still solid 3 star place. But I will still go back there if I am in neighborhood. Just not gonna order banzi roll anymore.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T22:55:27" }, { "business_id": "bgxDswHIdFP0Go0pNfyAAw", "business_name": "Hummus Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "It feels so refreshing get away from Rittenhouse square area and up to university city. I liked the busy vibe and ethnic food options. Needed to grab quick bite after movie and we stopped by Hummus grill. Got Chicken Schwarma platter with eggplants and beef kabob. The portion was generous and veggies seemed fresh. My chicken was tender and delicious, I liked it a lot. Hummus was decent but I wouldn't say it was great. Egg plants was little too greasy. I wish I ordered beet salad instead. It looked better. It looked like fast food chain and service was fast. Dining area was little cold since customers kept coming in and out. It was definitely busy place. I don't think I want to eat there again. To go maybe..", "timestamp": "2015-02-19T00:56:39" }, { "business_id": "1LhpU1alopR_l-bWVQPkUA", "business_name": "Oh Shea's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "I felt interesting vibe from this place so I thought it is worth to leave review. Stopped by for quick drink. I am a non drinker so I can only review about bar food and ambiance. We ordered French fries, was unbelievably cheap.. Like $4 and they give you stack of French fries. OMG. Nothing special about that fries but for that price I was just amazed. It was just regular sports bar, not that crowded but it's located in center city anyway so I assume it would get busier during wkend or something. And I realized our waitress lady was like 60 or 70? years old beautiful lady. She was attentive and nice. She might be the owner. I am not sure, I am new here but this is something I never saw it in NYC before. I thought it was really cool :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:03:38" }, { "business_id": "dST75t2bHG-JtNTiYuSBMg", "business_name": "Uniqlo", "rating": 4, "text": "My favorite uniqlo store, there is never line. People who hadn't had experience at uniqlo store in NYC or any other major city wouldn't understand. Once I went there to exchange the size, I ended up waiting 40 min and I gave up exchanging. This store is new and people are so nice unlike employees in nyc. I think people there just are tired or just have bad temper maybe. I have amazing experiences here so far. They were so helpful finding design and my size for me and super friendly and actually enjoy working there. Must make my shopping so pleasant. They do have awesome basic stuff and have amazing price. They run size little bigger than original uniqlo in Asia so keep in mind and order one size smaller if you do.", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:11:08" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 3, "text": "4 of us had dinner there tonight. My hub dined there before and we awarded of their small portions. He was not very impressed with his last visit but 3 of us haven't been there so we gave a shot anyway. The restaurant was cozy and warm. Very tiny but we did not mind as long as food good. I got crudo, sautéed mushroom appetizer. Since it would be small I ordered two for myself. My hub got mussel. Did not find anything special about crudo, I thought mushroom appetizer was the best among them. Maybe too much butter on them but I am a huge butter lover. The main dish was disappointing. Me and my friends both ordered Bouillabaisse. When our server described it, that sounded so awesome. When we saw our dish... that was sad. Literally there were two piece of fish in my soup. Size of my thumb nail. My friend's one was same. There was no decent meat in it at all so I really hoped the broth would be amazing. It wasn't. Lack of flavor and I got really sad since I really like bouillabaisse. I left all of my soup even the portion was tiny.. Tried my hub's pork cheek dish as well. The smell of pork really disturbed me for some reason. I am not a crazy meat lover so I easily disturbed by smell of the meat. But I do eat steak and any kind of meat. But just that dish had really strong pork smell I did not like. My hub did not enjoy very either. This place seems have pretty good review so I am not sure if it was only us but non of us thought our meal was delicious at all but we did enjoy byob and cozy ambiance very much. Since I gave only one try I might go back eventually but definitely not anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-21T08:20:23" }, { "business_id": "ArGw19nfPgjR28TTfgb7iw", "business_name": "Smith & Wollensky", "rating": 4, "text": "Had pleasant dinner there. Me and my hub only have been to S&W in NYC and both had decent experiences there. I am not a huge meat eater but I do enjoy bread basket ( they always have great ones!) and appetizers at steak house. We got bunch of appetizers and one huge aged rib eye. Ordered Wollensky salad, mussels, fritto misto, crab cake. I enjoyed the crab cake and fritto misto the most. They were really delicious. Salad and mussels were good too but little salty for me but I enjoyed them all. Hub got spiced rubbed rib eye. I had some, was juicy and tender. I thought was delicious but again, I am not a huge meat eater so I might be wrong. Our sever, I think his name was Rick, he was very attentive and nice. Service wise it was great. I liked that this place wasn't overly packed so we could enjoy quite meal there. The NYC one always packed with cooperate people and tourists whenever I visited there. Wasn't super pleasant. Overall was very satisfying meal. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-23T04:26:38" }, { "business_id": "-0TffRSXXIlBYVbb5AwfTg", "business_name": "IndeBlue Modern Indian Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad to find beautiful indian restaurant in the hood. Tried their vegetable samosa, spicy scallop and shrimp crusted salmon. They were all good! Samosa was crispy and deliciously seasoned. Scallop and salmon were great. I really liked the ambiance, it was lively and was perfect for grabbing some yummy food and enjoy conversation. I tried the lassi as well. And was rich and creamy as I like. I wish I tried their crispy chaat. Looked really but no one wanted to order so we skipped it. I will definitely try that dish next time I am there. The service was very professional and kind.", "timestamp": "2015-02-24T07:48:23" }, { "business_id": "DAbpxhhHOxInDNLdvWrTTQ", "business_name": "Smile Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is only based on take out food. We ordered couple dishes for delivery. Spring rolls, chicken wing with sweet chili sauce, pad see ew and Tom yum soup noodle. Food got delivered in about 40min. There was some good and bad about their food. Spring roll was not so greasy and crispy but lack of flavor. It was already kind of cold but it was delivery food so understandable. Chicken wings were actually delicious. Was good choice. The most disappointing dish was my pad see ew. Noodles were all stuck together so it was like gigantic rice cake and half of them got no sauce on them and uncooked. They put generous portion of vegetable and seemed fresh ones so that was plus. My hub did not enjoy his Tom yum noodle soup. I tasted it, it had too much lime in the broth and I prefer little less but everyone has different preference. Overall was average experience for me. We enjoyed their appetizers but not much luck with main dishes. I am not sure because it was my first try and it was take out. If I dine there it might be total different experience. But no more delivery from this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-26T01:59:47" }, { "business_id": "IsmxvaMe2i-eWnHDyC0WJQ", "business_name": "Rice & Mix", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried their take out dinner last night. I ordered spicy pork over the rice and hub got galbi tang. My hub loves authentic Korean food and me not so much. I can't handle garlic and spicy very well and doesn't appreciate free kimchi side either so I actually prefer Korean fusion places. I thought this place might be the one for me. And actually I was right. My spicy pork dish was just right for me. That means for someone looking for authentic Spicy pork dishes.. might be disappointed. I liked the fact that they didn't use much or garlic and did not see any red pepper flakes on my plate. I do hate red pepper flakes mixed with sauce usually so it was just right for me. They gave hot sauce on the side but I did not use that. It was a bit sweet and slightly spicy side. And I also got the multigrain rice which was delicious. The texture was chewy and dry side so it was almost like multi grain salad. They give edamame and steamed carrot on the side which I wasn't fan of. My dish was delicious ( for me) but was too small. I am so used huge portion of Korean meal with free sides. But I did like the sauce a lot so I will keep going back whenever I am craving. My hub actually enjoyed his galbi tang. They used LA galbi, different type of galbi Korean uses for this soup but broth was good. He finished all. But he is the kind of guy needs kimchi and side dishes when he eats Korean so he was sad there was no free kimchi. I would really like this place if they have little bigger portion .", "timestamp": "2015-02-27T17:59:40" }, { "business_id": "tS8uQ3F3azhluLqcoG3v-Q", "business_name": "Balance Spa & Fitness", "rating": 4, "text": "My review is only about massage sessions. Went there to get 50 min massage from Yolanda. I read good reviews about her massage so was very excited. The reviews were right. Her Swedish massage was very soothing. I got so relaxed so almost fell asleep during the session. She asked about my concerns before massage and worked on it very detailed. Wish I booked two hour session. 50 min felt really short working on entire body since she moves very slowly ( that was really soothing and awesome btw) She got warm and soft hands which is so important for me! Once I got massage from therapist who had ice cold and rough hands. I prayed for my session to be over soon for entire hour. Yolanda even apologized that she had long nails today which I didn't feel any, her nail was short enough for massage. If you got scratched by nails during massage you would know what I mean. She was very professional. I could not give 5 star because it was not a just massage therapist office. It was a hotel spa and the facility wasn't that great. The robe seemed worn off, the pool didn't seen super nice so I didn't use it after my session. They suppose to have jacuzzi and sauna also but I didn't not check after I saw the pool. I was very satisfied with session but facilities.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:19:59" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 5, "text": "So so so good. I love their salad and Italian seafood grill. I have been there multiple times but once I had just ok meal. My seafood grill was overly cooked that day. I hated the texture of my rubbery calamari and dry swordfish that day. Last night I asked the server that I prefer not over cooked seafood. She was so kind and said she will make sure. And my dish was phenomenon. Was sooooo good and the best grilled seafood I had. I was super satisfied. We also got shaved sprout salad, garlic bread, meatball and vongole pasta. They were all delicious. We really enjoyed them all. I can eat there everyday.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:28:26" }, { "business_id": "1qw5dIsQPNGLOwnuP7Wj1g", "business_name": "South Bowl", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there for their soft opening since lucky strike and north bowl had longer wait. Uber driver had hard time to find the place since there was no sign outside. We were roughly waited for an hour and got some drink at the bar. Some guy spilled his drinks on us and we got all wet. It's happy Saturday night so we didn't wanna be mean anything. We said ok and waited for napkin or anything from bartender at the bar. We had to wait 10 min to get some napkin to clean up and we got soaked with drink and stood there. It was busy but not that busy compare with north bowl. The staffs seemed trying their best( they seemed really overwhelmed) but just very unorganized yet. When I got my bowling shoes, they were wrong size first so went back to switch to other ones then they gave me both left side lol. Something like small things kept happening. I think because it was first night. It wasn't smooth overall. We ordered bunch of food. Food was similar with north bowl but just takes really long to get food and drink. It is opening night for them so I am sure they will get better by time.", "timestamp": "2015-03-01T07:23:24" }, { "business_id": "kjKImJ8dLwN4jDi5PQP46g", "business_name": "Unite Fitness - Philly East", "rating": 4, "text": "Enjoyed working out there for a month and I am looking forward going back. The coaches there were professional and encouraged the people like me who weren't very athletic. I've never really done any strength work out in my life and definitely not athletic side. I actually hate working out. But their 75 min class was pretty fun even to me. People there seemed very strong and well trained compare to me so I was little intimidated but I survived. I could give 5 star for their classes and coaches but little pricy side for me and no free towel services or shower etc was little inconvenient for me.", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T04:41:36" }, { "business_id": "8P8HIysyyGbG8_94cG1Jyg", "business_name": "Entree BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "Had very pleasant evening at Entree BYOB. I saw great reviews about this place and finally decided to give a shot. 6 of us got a big table near entrance. It was small restaurant so that was only table can accommodate big group. We sat promptly and ordered $50 pre fix. It was great deal. We got all different dishes. Lobster tempura, cheese plate, prosciutto wrapped date. I got cheese plate. They serve 5 different kind cheese I think. I liked blue cheese and fried goat cheese the most. It came with peanut brittle, pear slice, arugula and some bread. It was huge for appetizer and was great choice. I didn't taste other friend's dishes but everyone enjoyed theirs. I got seared tuna and scallop with ink pasta for main dish. The pasta sauce was eggplant and tomato based and it was delicious! And spicy!!!! Scallop was good size and perfectly cooked. I liked scallop more than tuna. Pasta had very strong garlic flavor so I couldn't taste seared tuna very well since I started eating pasta first. But overall very satisfying dish. For dessert, got lemon mascarpone cheese cake. Yum yum yum. And also their fried Oreo... Was very good choice as others said. The portion was huge and price was awesome too. Really enjoyed it. Place was small and we sat in front of entrance and people kept coming in so it got cold while dining. Except that it was fantastic restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:28:37" }, { "business_id": "1o0C_fqBgnQCiWn4A0R68g", "business_name": "Nuts To You", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite snack heaven in Philly. I get so happy whenever I go to their store. I am a gummy lover and its gummy heaven. I grab could different kinds gummy and dark roast peanut for my hub. He really likes roast peanut from them. Today I got gummy, peanut, raw pumpkin seed and Turkish coffee. Total was just over $18. So cheap and snacks are fresh. Love love them!", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:41:27" }, { "business_id": "3NsTKp85H2FUjr1SURf0NQ", "business_name": "Greenstreet Coffee Co.", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute and little neighborhood coffee spot. Me and u friend stopped by today for quick coffee and snack. Ordered cappuccino, ice green tea and biscotti. We were in very chatty mood so we sat outside. Small place was filled with patron who were working or studying there so felt bad to sit there and disturb them since it was tiny spot. Cappuccino was foamy and smelled awesome. I got ice green tea and they didn't charge for extra like other places. Biscotti was big enough also. One barista there made good coffee alone and very quite so it would be perfect study spot not for chatty date with girlfriends.", "timestamp": "2015-03-09T21:20:26" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I might ordered the least popular menu here but I loved it. I was wondering about this place since I see always long line of people waiting outside even during wkdays. I had beet salad and hub got the burger. And side of mac and cheese. I really enjoyed my beet salad. The portion of beet was very generous. Also they gave me a lot of goat cheese which was so yummy. Greens were fresh and dressing was delicious. He said burger was just ok. He wished he got the French toast or pancake. Seems like everyone getting them and looked really good. I will definitely go back there to try their best sellers.", "timestamp": "2015-05-17T21:46:04" }, { "business_id": "QhgrhVKlXZtSY6gRThf8zA", "business_name": "Bing Bing Dim Sum", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty interesting restaurant. This was my first visit to E Passyunk. I was pleasantly surprised with their dishes. We were extremely hungry so ordered basically everything on the menu. I enjoyed everything we ordered except pork soup dumpling. It was corn and bacon based so the soup was little greasier than others but my friend enjoyed it. I did enjoyed their bun, Taiwanese dumplings, xo sauced chicken wings, turnip cake and scallion rice dish. Yum yum yum. Dishes could be spicier side since they are not afraid using chili oil and sriracha sauce but they were delicious to me. Sitting outside and having a Dimsum?! Sounds Awesome to me.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:35:05" }, { "business_id": "yAXiqUXVDdzWAXMFAobuCQ", "business_name": "Wheel Fun Rentals - Boathouse Row", "rating": 5, "text": "It was best $30 I spent this year. Me and my friend enjoyed awesome 80 min surrey ride. It looked uncoolest thing you could ride but we had a puppy and wanted check out the park so we decide to give a shot anyway. I ended up purchasing annual membership lol. They basically give you 50% time for free if you have membership which was nice deal. We had little ride by river and turned out it was tremendous work out. Our original plan was doing this then go to flywheel after but we skipped the gym after this. It was really nice to see the scenery and get some outdoor activity. Plus my dog loved it ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:47:38" }, { "business_id": "noBinj5ChHbPCHfqTcUO6g", "business_name": "Plenty Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I adore this little cafe. People there are so nice and pet friendly. Their peach cobbler cake is so moist and just enough sweet. Their ice tea is awesome, fresh squeezed orange juice is always delicious. Their little outdoor seats are always nice.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:50:22" }, { "business_id": "EMp87GsYkVdwHftE7Ar2_w", "business_name": "Cosmic Café and Ciderhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "I appreciate this little cafe a lot. It is locate to right next bike rental, entrance of boathouse row so I would say it is in prime location. In the winter, you want to grab hot coffee here and during the summer, you want ice coffee from this place. I mean this place would be doing great no matter what because of the location. But their coffee is actually pretty good, they make fresh fruit smoothies without any sweetener. Only fresh fruit in there. Their frittata was delicious, side salad and potato were fresh. Yum yum yum. I had veggie wrap before and it was yummy. All food and drink looked very fresh to me and seems like people there make an effort to make this place pleasant. 5 stars.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:57:09" }, { "business_id": "i_FWONQD1ZBqrNE2b-M5Ug", "business_name": "Talula's Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "This is such a beautiful restaurant and I am so happy to live near by. I had brunch before and this time I tried dinner and I am glad I did. The weather was perfect for outdoor dining experience and food was delicious. Me and my girlfriend split couple dishes and we really enjoyed them. We got welcome dish- fresh baked brioche. Yum yum yum. For appetizer, got tuna crudo and sweet pea salad. Tuna was so fresh and paired watermelon was amazing. Sweet pea salad was little blend for me but friend enjoyed it. We shared pan seared halibut. The portion was not so small and broccoli was delicious with fish. We couldn't decide btwn ricotta donut and butterscotch pudding so we got both! The pudding was the winner for sure . Must get it.", "timestamp": "2015-06-17T03:37:05" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 4, "text": "After watched the show at Arden, me and my hubby grabbed dinner at Fork. We had so so experiences at High street on Market so hesitated a bit but we gave a shot after read positive reviews. It had welcoming and beautiful ambiance and services were professional. Overall I enjoyed my meal but husband wasn't very impressed. I guess restaurant really can't satisfy everyone. I am a girl who hates leaving restaurant hungry so amuse bouche and several house treat platters made me very happy. We had 4 course tasting menu and they served different treats after each course. Sweet bread starter and shrimp raw platter were delicious start. They were not super small portion. For pasta course,we had gnudi pasta and ravioli. Gnudi pasta was delicious since I am big fan of cheese but it could be too rich for others who doesn't enjoy rich cheese. I thought ravioli was lack of flavor. But again, I am rich, creamy pasta girl. For main, we got duck breast and pork. Hubby ordered pork but he didn't like it much so we ended up switching the plate. I thought pork was ok. But not blown away. Oddly side dishes for both main courses were pickled vegetable. Since I got pickled veggie for my sweet bread starter, it was too much pickle for 4 courses dinner. Dessert, hubby got Black Forest cake( it's more like mousse) and I got cheese plate. Cheese selection was good. I enjoyed mine. Hubby didn't like his mousse so I ended up finishing his. It was rich but too bitter for me. Overall I left restaurant full and happy, I would go back if I am near for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-06-24T05:26:05" }, { "business_id": "bLJP0fVgscuUQy0hE_CRXA", "business_name": "Xiandu Thai", "rating": 4, "text": "Very decent Thai restaurant in center city. I had lunch special with friends and I was really satisfied. Had Tum yum soup and red curry with rice. Soup was really delicious even though I normally don't like tom yum soup. Red curry was mild spicy and creamy. Really like it. It could have been 5 star if our server were little bit helpful. My friend asked about her menu, she didn't want to order fried food and wanted to make sure but our server gave her wrong information and she ended up with deep fried dish. It was delicious however that was not what she was asking. It could have been 5 star.", "timestamp": "2015-07-10T03:01:12" }, { "business_id": "6aoXAXNrL7KrGBVRYBMFWw", "business_name": "Andre Richard Salon", "rating": 5, "text": "They have two salons at Washington square park area. They are so close to me so I've been both locations. The one at 12th street gym location is smaller but the one on Locust street is much larger and nicer. My girl is Anastasia and I really like her. She listens my concern and try to help out. It is crucial for me to click with my hair stylist since communication is very important. She is definitely very thoughtful and not pushy. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-07-24T19:41:13" }, { "business_id": "pxmBh8YZ6HLGQfNHvJoHzA", "business_name": "Nomad Roman Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "It is great local pizza spot for me. Convenient location and no waiting to be seated. I noticed Philly has some great pizza spots!!! Nomad was on my list and finally tried. I saw great reviews about root salad and margarita pizza so I got them and also tried meat balls. I did enjoy my root salad, it has so much flavor but It was little small even for appetizer. Pizza was pretty good but I've had better in Philly. However meatball was disappointing. Was lack of flavor and I tried some amazing meatball dishes in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T21:35:10" }, { "business_id": "FhwTEGqdir75uyXZqWqxlw", "business_name": "Big Gay Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "I was glad this cute ice cream shop opened near my place. There was long line and I loved their excited ambiance. I tried their best seller - salty pimp. They sprinkled a lot of salt, caramel and covered with chocolate. I was super excited to watch them making my ice cream. I think I enjoyed that experience more than eating it. Maybe it's only me, I was never big fan of salted caramel fan. And def it was pricier side for soft ice cream. I think I will stick with my Yogorino.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T22:13:17" }, { "business_id": "rMWdWJHblLHt_BQ2kWj5Bg", "business_name": "Seger Dog Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad I have couple doggie run near me. I appreciate having this park close to me. Compare to the one by river, this one doesn't not have separate doggie run so it might be not suitable for small dogs but my 7 pounds baby loves go there and hang out with big dogs. I did not have any bad experiences there so far, big dogs there behave so well and gentle with my small baby. They play so well together and we had a great time however you just never know. C I met some cool people there, they were every friendly. It's not artificial grass so her paws got dirty after playing there and sometimes it stink.", "timestamp": "2015-08-13T18:18:33" }, { "business_id": "V8we7-uCa-SouadZmZ9Ieg", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory", "rating": 3, "text": "It is so lame but this was chain restaurant I really wanted to try haha. I just heard about this place a lot- huge portion, good dessert etc however I've never seen this place anywhere in city. Now I finally went! Stopped by for lunch, got Alfredo fettuccini ( lunch portion) with chicken and classic burger with fries. We thought that would be safe choice since it was our first visit. Pasta was very thick, creamy like other chain restaurant. Chicken breast was moist and tender. My hubby enjoyed his burger and couldn't finish his fries. We were full so had original cheese cake piece to go. Our server was very friendly and had full of smile on her face whenever we sees her. Food was nothing ordinary but service was nice and I like to have this restaurant in the city.", "timestamp": "2015-08-14T17:34:40" }, { "business_id": "2er_V-oAd7IbQ5YTY56r7A", "business_name": "Bareburger - Midtown Village", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to be a big fan of Bare burger when they opened in NYC. I am not sure why I totally neglected this place for years. I only tried their vegetarian menus in NYC, my vegetarian friends really appreciated their veggie protein options. I remember those were yummy. Today we got County, Caviar burger with fries and rings. Large size comes with 4 speciality sauces. I thought burger bun was pretty good however I prefer juicy meat so this one was a bit dry for me. Also I prefer crispy fries, this one was little soggy... I remember this chain used to much better, maybe it depends on location. I am still glad to have heathy burger option near me", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T17:16:49" }, { "business_id": "NUJrCPU51Cvip4ayZD1P5g", "business_name": "Jose Pistola's", "rating": 4, "text": "I would say their bar food is very decent. I actually enjoyed their taco and nachos very much. I am not huge fan of bar food- normal greasy and very salty for me. However couple of friends recommended this place for Mexican snack and I can't agree more. Nachos were so yummy!! Crispy and I liked their topping. Not soggy and just perfect combination of bean, veggies and cheese! Tacos were decent as well however I think nacho was the winner. Definitely going back for some snack.", "timestamp": "2015-08-20T03:06:57" }, { "business_id": "uIZwBkvWicqyWraXvYOipw", "business_name": "Sbraga", "rating": 5, "text": "They have great 4 course meal for $55. What a amazing deal. And absolutely delicious. I was very happy to receive warm and crispy pop over and foie gras soup. I wasn't feeling for pop over so didn't have it but my hubby said it was so good and he finished it. And he is not a bread person. Their welcome dishes are even impressive. The soup was.... amazing. So creamy and so savory. Can't get enough. Wish they have that for their regular menu. I will totally get it. I got hamachi, lamb pasta appetizer, striped bass and cheese plate. 3 decent sized pieces of hamachi accompanied with jalapeño. It was so good, I forgot to take photo. Lamb pasta was delicious and rich with sauce. But I switched to my hubby's dish- saffron pasta with crab meat. I liked his dish better. Bass was cooked so moist and delicious. Very very satisfied. I was very happy to see cheese plate w/o extra charge. Nice touch! They gave me 3 piece with candid walnut and fig. I enjoyed sheep milk cheese the most.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:42:17" }, { "business_id": "nsH0hQ7xB5LS2_Ba3mqHTQ", "business_name": "Paesano's Philly Style", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok. So I finally tried Paesano sandwich. I was meaning to try it for very long time. My hubby picked up for me and I had it for lunch next day. I enjoyed it very much and I am sure if I eat fresh one.. I will be blown away.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:55:53" }, { "business_id": "fEqiXG_B-fn__w0aeF3nBQ", "business_name": "Laurel", "rating": 4, "text": "Very creative restaurant. I am not a fan of cold dishes but I did enjoy my ice flaked hamachi and foie gras dish. They were creamy but not overly empowering. We ordered truffle gnocchi for extra and that was right choice. I enjoyed very much. They were not cheap with truffle so $30 was so worthy. For main course, cod was decent size and my boo liked that dish the most. Pork was super tender and delicious. Dessert was chocolate pudding. I was expecting something special so when dessert came out, I was little disappointed. It was yummy but nothing special about dessert.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:51:03" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my favorite Sabrina's brand. I tried all 3 locations in city and keep coming back to this one. Staff is nice and food is consistent. I feel this space little larger than one at Italian market so feel less cramped. Burger and breakfast egg are always delicious and enjoy their fresh sneezed juice. Can't wait to go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:57:50" }, { "business_id": "POuaebsAeCyNx-8qZ3O7XQ", "business_name": "Shang Hai 1", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their soup dumpling very much. They are fast,delicious and super cheap. Tried couple dumplings here and they were all good. We got experimental and ordered regular menu but they were so so. I will stick to dumplings only from now on.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T04:01:28" }, { "business_id": "pXRrRf8fDv6yU3xp1E25hA", "business_name": "Bud & Marilyn's", "rating": 4, "text": "I was wondering about this place awhile and finally got to try it. Got cheese curds, short rib stroganoff, fried chicken and lobster buns. I always wanted to try cheese curd truck but never got to wait to get to so this was perfect. Was little salty for me but if you skip the sauce then it's bearable. As other reviews said, short rib stroganoff was definitely winner of the night. Was delicious and I love it very much. Lobster buns were pretty good too. Decent size of lobsters in it. Not heavy on sauce. Yum. Fried chicken dish was huge. Big two pieces include breast. I prefer white meat part so it was perfect. It wasn't Korean fried chicken style,it was more like Blue ribbon fried chicken in NYU. Otherwise fancy KFC lol Most dishes were little saltier side than other restaurants but maybe good with drinks. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T17:21:31" }, { "business_id": "8-A_4Jp2-NHKvjLcPE8HVA", "business_name": "United States Postal Service Land Title Station", "rating": 1, "text": "Wish I could give \" zero\" star. Yelp needs to give us option to give zero star. Seriously.. This location usps deserve to get Zero star. Normally most of experiences at USPS are not very pleasant. But I am reasonable person. I do not expect 5 star hotel service here. You do not have to kind and super helpful to me. Just let me send out my pkg without making me so unpleasant. I went to this location multiple times since it is so close to me however it was my last time to go there. One of lady is extremely rude. I did not see her name ( wish I did, so I can save a lot of people's bad experiences there) but I think most reviews here already mention about her. I actually saw once she made one customer cried. She yelled and extremely rude to her and the poor young lady actually cried in front of other ppl and said she shouldn't be so mean. I did not hear whole conversation so I did not leave any review at that time. This time, actually was my experience. Same lady extremely rude to me for no reason and I did not argue with crazy lady so just left saying nothing since even if I complain, the crazy lady won't change. Do not go there. There are other locations.. And if you must..do not go to right side of counter. There are two counters. She will find way to yell at you even if you did anything wrong and just waiting on line for your turn. She loves to boss around and yell at her customers and most of us are too busy and just want to leave there asap.. She is abusing it. So far she was always on the right side. She is extremely unpleasant person to deal with. Be aware.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T15:20:21" }, { "business_id": "3eJMsl41qwhcYlvoTF1ElQ", "business_name": "a.kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is purely about their lunch special. Had pleasant experience there. Their lunch special is great deal. Big portion and great service. I had smoked charr flat bread and Tuna. Hubby got steak tartare and octopus. I liked my tuna a lot. They served 3 huge chunk of tuna pieces. I have big portion but this satisfied me :-) Smoked char, I normally love this dish but this one was too salty. Couldn't really taste fish be cause it was too picked. I did not enjoy hubby's tartar, raw meat was very chunky, piece was too big for steak tartar but hubby enjoyed it. Octopus was my favorite dish there. Chef must love pickle so much. Our dish was full of prickly flavor. I love them so had no problem.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T16:38:29" }, { "business_id": "4HLur5bFXB6pT0o4ao3wgA", "business_name": "Nagwon Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "Best value all you can eat Korean bbq in city. It's not close from where we live so hesitated to go there however the owner couple were very attentive. All you can eat bbq has all kind of meats and seafood. So everyone has something to eat. Side dishes are pretty good. Sometime they are cold if you go odd hour. Bean paste stew are delicious. Great value. Wish they were close to center city.", "timestamp": "2016-01-29T05:47:11" }, { "business_id": "gjFUrbSMo1rA1jgG5IhA2A", "business_name": "Chima Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I was surprised by their size when I walked in. They did not seem that big from outside. We were seated promptly and they were very fast took our order. Creamy mashed potato, cheese bread and sweet plantain came out right away. I really liked their salad bar. Gorgonzola cheese dressing with endive was my favorite. Fresh greens and grilled vegetables. Yummy. I was more focused on salad bar than meat buffet so can't give enough reviews about meat but my meat eater husband enjoyed them very much so must be good. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:22:22" } ]	{ "business_id": "kj3Lyh9KooU8GcRBbMDQWQ", "business_name": "Le Pain Quotidien", "rating": 4, "text": "This is probably one of my favorite chain restaurant/ bakery. It is so convenient for me and really like their cozy ambiance. They do not really bother me once I order so it is perfect to catch up with friends or read myself even. I always get their Paris ham & cheese tartine or quinoa cake with arugula. Once they ran out hummus and informed me after I ordered so I had to eat without hummus. Wasn't that good. Would been nice if they substitute with other ingredient though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:34:42" }
NUtIAX-ygn474tDg5nmesg	[ { "business_id": "wUnLSg_GKfEIQ5CQQ770_g", "business_name": "Vetri Cucina", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try this place. Heard good things about it. I was very impressed and enjoyed every dishes except one. Sadly that was my main dish. Ambiance wasn't fancy. Reminds small restaurant in Italy. Our waiter was excellent and very knowledgable. Definitely going back.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T04:26:32" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 4, "text": "Great lunch spot. Stopped by with my parents today for quick lunch. Lunch special is great deal. We ordered two lunch special and one appetizer and still had left over. Lunch special burrito was huge and my parents loved it. And my parents are pretty picky eaters so I assumed burrito was good even though I didn't taste it. I had chicken taco which was great as well. I will def come back again.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:27:13" }, { "business_id": "tC8i2_9ww-WoT1wZOCwRrw", "business_name": "Sue's Custom Dressmaking & Tailor Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. I am very particular with my dress. Really hard to find decent alteration in the US compare with where I am from. I always brought my dresses to Korea or HK until I found this place. I brought couple dresses to be tailored. I was little worried that It wouldn't be that simple job. They needed to be tailored entirely, not just trimmed. Materials weren't easy to handle since they were very delicate. And some of them were vintage items. They did amazing job and I love them all. Korean tailors are the best. And they are one of top for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:40:50" }, { "business_id": "LiHdRXlcj0GDm_e97oiwKw", "business_name": "Pure Fare", "rating": 4, "text": "Really delicious smoothie. I got leaf green one. Had spinach, banana, kale and etc I think. Was not super sweet or icy. It was very delicious and thick but not over powered banana flavor like other places! I would give 5 star if portion wasn't that tiny. The guy who made my smoothie threw away left over inside mixer after poured my smoothie in tiny cup. I wanted to cry!", "timestamp": "2014-07-31T20:01:31" }, { "business_id": "F7fC4dZW17muSvE8ixaXkQ", "business_name": "LeBus Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "It is a bakery but their bread selections aren't so amazing. I though muffins are just average. Cookies are just ok.. Actually loft bread was so dry. However I still go there pretty often for getting couscous and curry chicken deli sandwich for lunch. Their couscous is one of best I ever had.", "timestamp": "2014-11-25T00:56:34" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 2, "text": "Conveniently located in center city. Cozy ambiance and friendly staff. Nothing exciting on menu. Order bunch of dishes with group of ppl. Smoked tuna taco.. Tasted like mayo albacore tuna sandwich. I do like tuna sandwich but didn't expect eat them in restaurant. Bacon and date dish was good but who doesn't like that combo.. Hard to mess up that dish, nothing extraordinary. Had empanadas which was pretty average as well. Ordered ceviche smaller as well. I do heart law fish. It is really easy to impress me with raw seafood dish but even I wasn't blown away.. For main dishes we ordered scallops, skirt steak, tuna and duck dishes. I think duck dish was the best among them. Scallop was good as well but was a bit burned. Other dishes were so so. Not bad but not amazing. I was very excited to try dessert there because the signature dessert, chocolate cigar one looked amazing, it was really cute to see it but wasn't super tasty however coconut tapioca dessert was the hit. Probably the best part of this meal. We had 2 cocktail, one beer and one diet coke as well. Bill was around $400 for 4ppl. Not worth for the price.", "timestamp": "2014-12-17T03:58:33" }, { "business_id": "VJEzpfLs_Jnzgqh5A_FVTg", "business_name": "Jasmine Rice - Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I really wanted to like this place. People seem kind and conveniently located in center city. Wasn't able to find decent thai place in center city so I was excited to try new spot. Sadly couldn't reach my expectation. We ordered 4 appetizers and 2 main dishes for two ppl. I know it sounds a lot for two ppl but was good decision to order that much. Otherwise we would be left hungry. Got fried calamari, coconut soup, steamed mussels and spring rolls for appetizer. As some of others mentioned already the portions are tiny here. Soup size was ridiculous. Smallest soup I've never had.Spring roll size was about my pinky, was delicious but tiny tiny.. Those two appetizers were extremely small even for starter. For main dish we got pad Thai with beef and red curry with chicken. Pad Thai was really sweet. Maybe too sweet even for Americanized thai food. Red curry broth was delicious, was creamy and good amount of spice. But there wasn't enough soup. They serve curry on flat plate so they can't hold enough soup for curry and rice. I am not sure why they choose use that plate for soupy dishes. Curry broth was amazing but green bean and carrot weren't cooked at all. I wanted to give one star to be honest but only reason I gave two star was the server was very kind and gave me more broth for my curry. The extra curry broth he brought was bigger portion than my coconut soup btw.", "timestamp": "2014-12-22T19:38:13" }, { "business_id": "TunmRrfZb7bt53T6HJi4UQ", "business_name": "Bleu Sushi", "rating": 1, "text": "They have very strict groupon policy which I don't understand. The restaurant was more than half empty but owner gave us hard time to redeem groupon because we did not make a reservation with groupon. Won't back again.", "timestamp": "2014-12-24T18:26:15" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 1, "text": "Sadly have to leave negative review even though their lovely ambiance and great customer service. Tried tasting menu and most of dishes were overly salted except first course which was pumpkin spiced soup and dessert. Btw only good part of this meal. Two of us had to finish two bottle of water ( they were huge btw but we had to finish. If you wanna increase water intake..please go to this place) and also had to drink diet coke as well. I rather pay more and go back to Vetri to enjoy expensive Italian meal or just stick with my fav Little Nonna.. Philly just have too many Italian options.", "timestamp": "2014-12-25T07:15:58" }, { "business_id": "g8OyaT2RL8JCKItDExcFug", "business_name": "Blackfish", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried 7course tasting menu. Was $90 before tax so it is great deal for decent tasting. Right after had huge disappointment from il Pittore's super salty tasting menu, I was pretty satisfied with this place. They serve fresh oyster and tofu cream dish for amuse bouche. Had crudo with yuzu, chicken liver mousse, chestnut ravioli with mushroom foam I believe, seared salmon and braised beef dish. They were all delicious. I didn't have much expectation for this restaurant to be honest but I though all dishes were yummy! For dessert courses they served cheese plate, raspberry jelly donut which was meh... then finish with goat cheese mousse which was great. Since main dishes were so delicious, dessert was little weak but overall satisfied meal for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-12-28T05:00:52" }, { "business_id": "i76ERS3jM111T3VMbi2yrQ", "business_name": "Sagami", "rating": 3, "text": "After tried Morimoto, Zama, Raw, Fat salmon and etc.. I am still in searching mode for good sushi. Wish I found the one today but it did not happen. 4 of us ordered 2 zaru soba, chirashi, sushi set A, sashimi dinner set, seaweed side dish and mushroom and egg dashi soup. Nigiri size was very generous. They were thick and but lack of flavor. Friends who been here multiple times agreed that this place usually better than this but for some reason today.. everything was just plain. Rice wasn't seasoned enough either so chirashi wasn't so delicious. Soba was ok and tamago was pretty good, sweet and soft texture. Side dishes were good, seaweed and ginger salad weren't too sweet so I enjoyed them. But our main dishes were disappointing. I saw others ordered cooked dishes and they looked good. Think we picked wrong dishes.. I might give one more try since lack of my sushi choices in philly but probably will stick with cooked dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:31:40" }, { "business_id": "EwX4CUwRFwjO9oO5sJJ-bA", "business_name": "Pileggi on the Square", "rating": 5, "text": "My review is only about the massage experience with Dairo here. I tried so many massage therapists in philly and now finally I found the person to go to! This place divided to two section, hair salon and spa downstair. Massage room is clean and quite. You get to choose your oil and they give you solid 50 min massage. He mostly worked on upper body and didn't get to work on my legs much but 50 min is short time to cover both and I usually have really tense shoulder so was perfect for me. He ask you few questions before you going into the room so let him know where you want him to work on. I am so addict to massage. Can't get it enough and by far he is the best in Philly.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:54:20" }, { "business_id": "Oh3Q3QfhMl2DArFiLUrT9Q", "business_name": "La Fourno Ristorante Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "My star is based on Groupon dinner only. Used the groupon for dinner for two. Got salad ( fresh and yummy), soup( home style cooking) and pizza for appetizer. I saw a lot of reviews that their pizza is great and it was right. Pizza was delicious. Must get the pizza if you go. We got veal Parmesan and stuffed chicken dish for main. They were pretty good but I thought veal dish price is too high. For groupon deal, they were awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-01-22T23:25:00" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute French bistro in neighborhood. Warm ambiance and good service. The portion of dishes are generous here even for bistro. Had lamb shank and brisket dishes for main. Both were pretty good but they were really salty. I do like their dessert menu. Their Mille feuille is delicious. One thing I wasn't happy was their butter. They served little cold butter so hard to spread on bread :-(", "timestamp": "2015-01-23T00:03:07" }, { "business_id": "41Wm32-Aj7jdejK4QfUDDw", "business_name": "Schuylkill River Dog Run", "rating": 5, "text": "Great dog run. I've only been to doggie runs in NYC and this place is 10times better!!!!! It has two separate section for small and big doggies. It isn't stink like other doggie runs I experienced so I can tell Its very well maintained. Very very clean and I can tell it won't get muddy when it's snow or rain. Very satisfied with this place!!!", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T00:38:05" }, { "business_id": "bjPUhanWoinHi2kywvVzBA", "business_name": "Mercato BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "So happy that I found this place. I always walked by this place and always wondered. It is small and intimidate place. We shared fontana cheese meatball, soup and both had market fish platter. They were pretty delicious. And olive herb butter accompany to bread was nice touch.", "timestamp": "2015-01-28T02:35:05" }, { "business_id": "DsKzHnkLKnxZTVsFpts4oA", "business_name": "Red Owl Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "Better food than I thought. I had zero expectation when I walked in with group on sat evening. Has no reservation but we were seated promptly. Tried bunch of bar snack and burger and fries were good. Their cheese plate gave 5 kinds of cheese and generous with portion.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T03:58:51" }, { "business_id": "5INWCIArMbFd-aku3-UI3Q", "business_name": "Ana Pesce Advance Skin Technology", "rating": 5, "text": "My visit to Ana Pesce again. Had another amazing experience there and I noticed they moved to bigger and nicer venue so I felt like I should update my review. Weather hasn't been nice so my skin got dry and needed another facial.Today I went back to Ana and I feel like I got what I needed. She did some amazing mask( she applied thick mask then cover it with plasticky paper then use lightening machine to massage) I am not sure what she did since she improvise depends on your skin condition so every visit was little different each time in my case. Got a amazing result. I applied make up on after my facial. My skin was glowing and smooth. Loved the result. My friend did facial with Cindy to get extraction. Her treatment is little longer than mine since she got extraction and some laser treatment done. She looked absolutely fresh after facial and she was very happy with Cindy's work. I love that they are very professional and dedicate to their job. I thought was weird that they asked so many questions when I did my first facial. Like my diet!, skin routine, if I taking any supplement etc but now I know they understand my skin very well and it's all applied to my treatment. Love them a lot and I keep going back for sure. Just go and get the facial from Ana or Cindy.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:07:45" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually like this place a lot. Ppl are very nice and attentive. I always get the continental salad with grilled chicken. It is basic menu but they do cook chicken very tender and juicy. Alway get the best grilled chicken salad there. And the portion is HUGE. Since I do hate tiny salad ( how much cost give us little more green?) this is the place to go to get good salad.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:14:20" }, { "business_id": "fJQzUesrvvoMUkjQBNxc6g", "business_name": "Nail Spa Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Want to love this place so bad.. but I can't. It is so close to me and the price is relatively good. Got $30 mani pedi. The lady did mine was really quick. I was done entire thing already when my friend was only finishing her pedi. She was fast but her job wasn't that great. I tipped her ok and gave two star on Yelp since this place is cheap, she was quick( this place get really busy)and gave me a cup of tea but I prolly won't go back there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:20:54" }, { "business_id": "EhotxJEJxpMgCJ0F82Buvg", "business_name": "The Olde Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I read about this place and wanted to check out. It is pretty venue and staffs are happy to show you around. The oyster is fresh and I can't tell much about drink since I am not a drinker but friends seemed happy! They get really busy on wkend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:25:50" }, { "business_id": "ChAVUpsZ0GTZ4m8T10ACqw", "business_name": "Just Dogs and Cats", "rating": 5, "text": "Cute store in the neighborhood. I walked in with my puppy and wanted to get little ball for her to play. I don't like tennis ball since she is big time chewer and tear apart very easily. The owner lady recommended perfect rubber balls for her tiny mouth. And the best part was they were not made in China. Those are my puppies favorite toy! Also she gave my puppy free chocolate peanut butter cup. That was so sweet!", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:08:42" }, { "business_id": "WCLexnTQmylse_p0kQbz2g", "business_name": "The Treemont", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to try this place after I had good experience at Blackfish. Food was decent and ambiance was cozy as well. I had chicken liver pate and short rib. Chicken liver pate is one of my favorite dishes so I usually get it whenever I see them on the menu. Sadly it was just average. Not bad but not good either. Liked their creamy texture but was lack on flavor, they gave you a lot of brioche though. Beef short rib dish was pretty good but was little too sweet in my opinion. For me, 4 or 5 star on yelp means I would like to go back. This place more like 3.5 star or above but just not a 4 star...", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:21:33" }, { "business_id": "UDOcMEgRKfoCc-BikZJFhg", "business_name": "Maha Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "I love practice here. People here are very nice and welcoming you even though you are new. You think ppl at yoga studio would be so nice but not always. Yoga studio can be very intimidating. I usually go their yoga hour. They offer more yoga hours and other promotions than other studios at center city. I like their location, price and instructors.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:25:23" }, { "business_id": "woTZpX92uByUgliPrh39Mg", "business_name": "Ocean Prime", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not sure why I never tried this restaurant until now. It is in my neighborhood and I passed by all the time. Since it is restaurant week so we wanted to try new places we haven't been. You can't really tell from outside but the ambiance is very nice inside once you walk in, little bit darker and high ceiling. It's like classic and fancy steak house. We got the lobster bisque, salad, filet mignon, teriyaki salmon with sticky rice and 5 layered carrot cake. Appetizers were pretty good and I didn't try the meat dish but my husband said it was good. I thought salmon cooked perfectly and well seasoned. Also rice was delicious. As some other reviewer mentioned the carrot cake was good but a bit too sweet. But pineapple sauce does magic :-) The service was really really great. They are attentive and very sweet. It was satisfied meal overall.", "timestamp": "2015-02-02T19:12:38" }, { "business_id": "0oSSjekU-3GR8gselReWnA", "business_name": "Butcher and Singer", "rating": 4, "text": "Review is based on restaurant wk menu, we stop by for weekday lunch. Shared butternut squash soup, Rockefeller oyster for appetizer. Soup was hot and creamy just I like. Oyster was delicious as well. We got burger and crab sandwich for entree. Burger meat was well cooked since my mother in law ordered well done but was still juicy. I thought was pretty delicious. Fries were salty but I found most fries are salty to me in Philadelphia so.. Crab sandwich was my favorite, perfectly seasoned and thin slice chips were delicious as well. For dessert we got carrot cake and I thought was little bland. Salted chocolate and caramel tart was very delicious. Good portion of food and great service. I would go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-04T20:54:58" }, { "business_id": "85e8Uyn8tIyEZCqBP80rqA", "business_name": "Lolita", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to Mexican restaurant. It is hard to find good Mexican place in the east coast but this place by far the best for me. I really enjoy their taco varieties. My friend had couple of diet restriction. Like no dairy, gluten and no pistachios etc. They were very good at accommodating our order and since we split the plate, they serve all sauces and cheese on the side. Salad portion is generous and fresh and their guacamole is always awesome too. It is my favorite Mexican place in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-06T04:31:32" }, { "business_id": "urO7cwWPFRZU1MpSt9JIGw", "business_name": "Doggie Style Pets", "rating": 4, "text": "I stop by here with my puppy on the way to doggie park. I like this location a lot because it is conveniently located on the way to park and staffs are very friendly. They are usually very young and I see some complains that they are not well trained but I did not have those negative experiences. They were very attentive and willing to help. And most importantly, they are dog loving people. Plus they have free treats for dogs by register :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-09T01:30:07" }, { "business_id": "DLM7E6lrW-zpM10RJ4fAeg", "business_name": "Urban Front Pilates", "rating": 4, "text": "Clean facility and friendly staffs! My visit to Urban front Pilates was so enjoyable. I tried only mat Pilates and Vbarre class. I never liked mat Pilates classes before ( tried couple times from other studios) but this one was different. I will come back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T22:56:03" }, { "business_id": "Jm8OvNQy8PlXUroRmKE10Q", "business_name": "Focus Barre & Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "Recently tried their hot yoga and barre classes. Both instructors were very nice and helpful. I enjoyed classes with full of women in the room. The classes had great energy. I personally try to avoid hot yoga after 3 years of my Bikram yoga addiction which left me broken capillaries but I did not know they had hot yoga room until I get there. Even though I am trying to avoid hot yoga, their class quality was great and instructor was knowledgable. Barre class was harder than I thought. All that small muscle work out was definitely tough! Overall great studio to have near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T23:05:11" }, { "business_id": "vhDWGF-8BfsxvS7Zo5Wv2w", "business_name": "Abe Fisher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their food, great service and cozy ambiance. But salty salty salty. 2 of tried their tasting menu. I thought most dishes were delicious. Def was better ones I tried in NYC. If they were little less saltier, more like 4.5 star :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:15:47" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 3, "text": "Maybe I am a girl with huge stomach but I don't get full with one piece of pita and small hummus :-(. This place sounds like heaven for hummus lover. I do love hummus too but I need something else to eat with. I never had hummus alone for lunch so... Dish itself is pretty good but not mind-blowing. I went back couple times so far since it is so close to me but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:21:10" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 4, "text": "Best fries ever! I am not a burger person so can't tell but everyone seems really enjoying it. I go there to get short rib fries. Combination of cheese and short rib.... It is just AMAZING. It is worth to gain weight. I even picked it up on way home and ate once. Wasn't same... Go to restaurant and get one.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:26:45" }, { "business_id": "6wqxuBt2InDipRuUj8BNuQ", "business_name": "La Colombe Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "It is my go to coffee spot in my neighborhood. One thing I like about Philly is La Columbe is so close to me now! I used to walk all the way downtown in NYU to go there! Now I can go anytime! And store has unique ambiance. They serve your coffee in cute china and baristas are so knowledgable and attentive. They do not serve soy milk btw.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:33:04" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant looks so warm and cozy from outside. And it is! Very cute ambiance and dishes are pretty good. I thought it is so cute that they give you little present like small jam when you are leaving.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:53:08" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 3, "text": "I might have to give another shot to this place to be fair. I went there once and I still have so many new places to try in Philly. Order fish of the day dish and other friends ordered steak and burger. My fish was just average. Nothing special about it to remember except it was tiny piece of fish. This place seems very well popular here and a lot of ppl loving it so I may give another try...", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:59:08" }, { "business_id": "vCHNWdW-ys-nWUx3Cpvk8Q", "business_name": "Swiss Haus Cafe & Pastry Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I purchased box of cookies and gifted to friend. I haven't tried but my friend said kids loved them and literally had to pull them away from box before they finished them haha. They were picky eaters so I guess they do bake good cookies.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:05:46" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "I was give this place 5 star but changed my mind. I think this place could be hit and miss based on my two visits. First time I went there I had THE MEAL. Falafel was so hot, freshly fried and I even got one extra free to taste before purchased. I got Mama's platter both times. Was amazing for the first visit. Everything fresh and veggies were crunch. 5 star for sure. My second visit was more like 3 star. Everything was cold and falafel wasn't tasty like before. Veggies were soggy as well. I will give another shot and will see.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:14:10" }, { "business_id": "YzluF3FNGjnW-tOrLZt8JA", "business_name": "Zama", "rating": 3, "text": "Fresh sushi/ sashimi is my favorite meal. I can literally eat 3 times per day! I was so eager to find my favorite Japanese restaurant once I came to Philly. Zama was my first try. Location is good and ambiance is typical Japanese restaurant. Tried uni, tuna, fatty tuna, salmon, salmon roe sashimi. Those are my favorite so I get them wherever I go. They were good but not outstanding. I thought price was little high for what it is.. But I still go there for quick lunch since location is so awesome for me and I do like that intimate ambiance to chat with my friends. If price was little lower I would give 4 star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:27:49" }, { "business_id": "h7TO_IsmLCYmKKDVOOIeFw", "business_name": "Fat Salmon", "rating": 2, "text": "Ordered my usual. Sashimi platter with salmon, salmon roe, Tuna and uni. They were somewhat flavorless. Rolls seemed good with all the sauces etc but sashimi wasn't that good. And personally I am not fan of blue neon light with food presentation. Not so appetizing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:33:22" }, { "business_id": "rVGxva6cx2eID4ghDLVHJg", "business_name": "1225Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I thought sashimi was ok but I did enjoy their spicy sashimi salad. Owner must be Korean or at least has staff who is Korean. They make kick ass spicy go-chu-jang sauce for sashimi salad. And I tried to copy it at home for other dish I cooked and I was terribly failed. I thought just mix sugar and sesame oil with go-chi-Jang but it wasn't same. I must go back there to find out.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:37:12" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this Morimoto than nyc one. I did not know Morimoto was from Philadelphia. I only got the omakase in nyc one and wasn't very impressed every time I ordered! We ordered dishes this time in philly and I enjoyed every bite. Black cod was cooked perfectly and I really liked ponzu sauce for hamachi. Def going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:42:53" }, { "business_id": "trwHwsXOVV-ZmF-MtP98BA", "business_name": "High Street Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Was excited to try this place when they were opened it. Eh.... Not going back. They were very cheap with ingredient and some what salty. And very small portion. Maybe ppl in Philly do not eat much like I do... Philly has so many better options than here.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T02:01:33" }, { "business_id": "RnhLCG4N9MPy6ZRzq787Cg", "business_name": "Devil's Alley Bar & Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "I had brunch once and late night snack there once. Both were decent meal and good price. It looked like bar from outside and I expected nothing. But was better than my expectation. Quesadilla was delicious and ingredients were fresh. Salad was good too. Staffs were very nice as well.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T15:45:34" }, { "business_id": "WXRZlGsdUjraCAcgtCyk4Q", "business_name": "Potito's Italian American Pastries", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their cakes! It is firm and moist and since it is so thick and firm that I can order it a day before and still fresh. I normally prefer French or Japanese bake goods over Italian but this is my cake shop in Philly! I also tried cannoli and various individual cake pieces but I thought whole cake was much better deal here. Also taste better too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:05:28" }, { "business_id": "iUZEGx29miZObLd6_lt7Vg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I love their Asian salad!! I got it one at university city location and fell in love! So ordered same dish here as well. The veggies they used little different that day- no green pea in my sale :-( and the portion was smaller. I do enjoy huge salad so was little disappointing since I expected same quality as other location. My mom loved their stuff French toast so ordered same dish and wasn't good as we had before... But service was ver attentive. She kept giving us coffee and stopped by if we needed anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:12:49" }, { "business_id": "ctHjyadbDQAtUFfkcAFEHw", "business_name": "Zahav", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant is beautiful. Very pretty deco and service is great too. I heart middle eastern food and I have my favorite middle eastern place in NYC but now I am eager to find one in Philly. This place is the closest I can find for now. We tried tasting menu once, tried multiple small plate on the list. They were all decent but not mind blowing, more than anything I wasn't impressed by their hummus and falafel... Bummer.. Lamb shoulder was ran out so couldn't get it either. Second time we ordered lamb shoulder for 4 ppl. Woot woot! Was a lot of food since we ordered other plates as well. Ended up wrapping up left over and ate it for days haha.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:30:35" }, { "business_id": "mlgewa5y_a_AxVTamXGemA", "business_name": "Walnut Street Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "Have been a subscriber for 2014-15. So far they had great shows. Somewhat very commercial and but entertaining. Their actors were very talented and knew how to entertain audiences. Whenever I watched musicals/ shows there I ended up laughing a lot. Looking forward next show!", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:22:54" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 4, "text": "My second season subscribing here. So far we got a pretty good seat except twice. Once I sat behind really big guy and missed half of the play and ended up fall asleep haha. Since it is small theater with stadium style seat, secure good view is the must. They do have some great plays though. Seems like they have a lot of discount for student and young audience. So far pretty satisfied.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:27:08" }, { "business_id": "MMRRS6YhVRx_iN5-JhMRYg", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "Very delicious and salty! But it is Chinese place so I have no complain. Went with big group so could tasted a lot of their signature dishes. Dan Dan noodle seems very popular but just not my kid of dish. I did enjoy fried fish with sweet sauce and chicken with cashew. Also dumpling with hot oil was yummy. In the end of meal, my mouth was burning but I enjoyed all.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:30:41" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Enjoyed my meal here. Went with friend and we shared Samson roll, Naruto roll, spider roll, spicy salmon tartar ,tuna dumpling, edamame and sunomono. We were initially going to get sashimi platter but rolls looked amazing so went for it. Wasn't disappointing. Sauces weren't overpowering and sashimi were very fresh. We did not get the 3 roll special and order individual but if you order their special , price is really cheap. Very happy that found this place. P.s they freshly fried soft shell crab when you order spider roll. Soooo tender and soooo juicy. Loved it. Must get that item. Naruto roll is definitely better than any other places. Cucumber paper is thinner and fresher. And has so much flavor. I did not really like tartar dish. Didn't have much flavor compare to other dishes. I will just order rolls next time I visit which would be next wk.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:14:32" }, { "business_id": "khH0QtNyUjcExh9i2CwGfg", "business_name": "Serpico", "rating": 3, "text": "Was intrigued by their Korean influenced menu. We got raw fluke, consommé, pig head, fried duck leg sandwich, duck mousse and lamb rib for three of us! Everything was ok but nothing was memorable except lamb rib. I thought rib was really delicious. Raw fluke was fresh but ponzu sauce was not special and very small. Comsome was very boring... Pig head was too greasy, duck mousse was pretty delicious. Duck leg sandwich was just ok. Also has rocky road for dessert. Since the portion isn't that big you get to order a lot if you are hungry. I though food wasn't very special.. Prolly won't go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:28:33" }, { "business_id": "mUIBtlWNPD7sz3rGGWQ1RA", "business_name": "Kanella", "rating": 3, "text": "Had really high hope about this place and I am sad that my meal didn't reach my expectation. Order whole fish of the day. I got branzino and had so much bone in it... And fish itself wasn't very tasty. Also had organic sirloin kebab. Meat was tough and little dry even for kebab.. Dips of the day was good though. I see that they got a lot of good reviews about their brunch than dinner. I might try their brunch and give fair review.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:34:47" }, { "business_id": "aaILnjUFC0i0uRkg5hYgnQ", "business_name": "Aqua Asian Bistro", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to get my thai take out here. Fast service and I seems like they keep their kitchen clean. Their spring roll is alway freshly fried and sauce is creamy and good. They don't give authentic fish sauce kind of sauce like other places but I like Americanized thai cuisine so I have no problem with that. Fried noodle dishes are safe choice here I believe. Their spring roll is my favorite though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:01:58" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 2, "text": "Seems like this place is pretty popular. And I had take out quite few times here since it is so close to me. Simply I don't really like their food. I thought they use a lot of fish sauce. Maybe it's more close to authentic cooking. Tried spring rolls, pad thai, red curry with tofu, green curry with chicken and vegetable soup. For pad thai, noodle was stuck together so hard to eat.. Curry is good, delicious and creamy but not enough of broth and tofu and chicken were too dry for me. Vegetable soup was just blend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:07:37" }, { "business_id": "0S3TvsmbCeOZ9UitnpRd1A", "business_name": "Dim Sum House", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood. It is clean and big open space. Whenever I went, there were a lot of ppl. Had wonton in hot oil, scallion pancake, brussell sprout, honey walnut shrimp. Fried dishes are delicious there and sauce is not overpowering. Not overly salty either. Prolly favorite my Chinese restaurant in town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:12:56" }, { "business_id": "ex8RrhAhVVexndFhmNfG1Q", "business_name": "Wokworks", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to like this place. Healthy version of Chinese food? Sounded so good to me. And store looked clean from outside and also liked their name... Got quinoa fried rice with bean sprout and veggies...simply no good... I like healthy food but has to tasty to keep going back. That was my last visit... But I liked their clean container and healthy concept so.. It is two star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:17:51" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "One of my favorite Asian cuisine is Malaysian food. Especially their curry!!!!? Now I have to find my go to spot in Philly... I was excited to try this place. Got roti canai and seafood casserole dish as usual. Maybe I have high expectation but dishes weren't that good. Green curry casserole was lack of the flavor and literally had couple piece of seafood. Didn't even bother to complain. We just left after few bite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:15:12" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am not a donut person. But it is the one of the best donut s I've ever had. Since another donut shop in NYU I fell in love charged $5 per donut and I waited in line for 30 min to get two donut! .... this place is heaven. So cheap, fast service, fresh and you can get as many as you want! There donut fillings are amazing but just get the maple cream donut and blueberry fritters.. They are absolutely amazing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:29:40" }, { "business_id": "xAW4nw9DrW77vWF61_l-Qg", "business_name": "Famous 4th Street Delicatessen", "rating": 4, "text": "Huge portion and hearty food. 3 of us shared their large chicken soup and we still had left over for days. I think they cooked entire chicken in it and matzoh balls were awesome. Main dish came with two side dishes- we chose potato fritters and side salad. They serve you cabbage salad once you are seated and it is really delicious! I love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:14:44" }, { "business_id": "73UjNbSoQjQAOS45rcihFg", "business_name": "Cantina Dos Segundos", "rating": 4, "text": "Wasn't super hungry so 3 of us shared chimichanga and guacamole with chips. Chips were very good, not oily and freshly fried. My parents enjoyed chimichanga and said very delicious and seasoning was just enough. Wish they were close to me..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:21:27" }, { "business_id": "SCjUeZfjafJ88fWWQjRh2w", "business_name": "El Rey", "rating": 5, "text": "I can only speak based on my happy hour experience. For happy hour, they have amazing deal. Tacos and empanadas are soooo delicious. Food served when it's hot and fresh. And super cheap. Not sure about their regular menu but I do enjoy their happy hour.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:30:10" }, { "business_id": "9_B5sCqKBOKDAmYpByiFFg", "business_name": "Branzino Italian Ristorante", "rating": 3, "text": "Had branzino for lunch here. Was pretty quite during weekday lunch hour. Definitely not busy spot. I saw couple old coupe were dining. My branzino was decent size and was ok. But nothing special. I wasn't very impressed so haven't back since my last trip..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:36:55" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I want to give them zero star if I can. I went to serafina in NYC once and never went back hah...it is sort of chain restaurant and over priced for what it is but I was happy to see some familiar place in Philly so decided to give another shot. Me,my friend and my little puppy got table outside. It was 20 degrees, freezing cold day but we were hungry and had to eat.... And we had 3 pounds tiny puppy with us. I have no complain we sat outside. We have a dog so I asked them if we could get a table. They said its really cold but if u want u can get table outside so we did. The worst part, the waitress neglected us for over 20 min to get us water or take an order. We had to keep going in to ask for someone. It's only 20 min but we were freezing and restaurant wasn't that busy either. I don't understand why they just hung out at the counter and never bother to come out to take an order or just look if your space heater is working which it wasn't! Food was just mediocre. NYC one isn't that great but this one is just worse.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:46:28" }, { "business_id": "cGX-1IUwXOjkUqZbkKYcjw", "business_name": "Fogo de Chao", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed their salad bar! Went there for lunch and I am not a huge meat eater but still had decent amount of meat there. Service was very attentive and fast. All veggies at the salad bar were fresh and I enjoyed their ham and cheese selection. Even though I did not eat much of meat, their lunch price was pretty good deal for big salad bar eater like me:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:48:57" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped by here for quick snack. Shared fungi flat bread, cheese plate and salad. Flat bread was delicious. Moist and crispy. Wish it was little bigger haha. Cheese selection was nice too but just very very small. I would like this place way more of the portion is little bit bigger!!!!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:52:44" }, { "business_id": "4R2KR_-FybS7oegGrXjHVg", "business_name": "Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Probably this is my favorite chain restaurant. They have good deal for weekday lunch prefix and menus are great. The portion is generous, salad is fresh and soups are very hearty. Whenever I went, their services were very nice and kind. Has both salad and soup for appetizer. Both were very good. Salmon was juicy and burger was well cooked but not dry since I ordered medium well. Cheese cake was huge and rich. I really enjoyed my lunch here and looking forward going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:02:18" }, { "business_id": "H3EK1Q8tqRGqPBps05Uahw", "business_name": "Tashan", "rating": 5, "text": "Tasting menu.... The best. Got the deal from online and tried their tasting menu. Location was kind off. Distance wise was not that far but it was definitely long walk from center city. There were so many courses that I lost track. I am not sure even if they gave us more service sincere we felt like there were couple courses of appetizer and lay least 2 of main dishes. Food kept coming and EVERYTHING was delicious. When you go make sure you are hungry. Can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:24:38" }, { "business_id": "4tU9hlfzrCpcGWTIm-OKVA", "business_name": "Rouge", "rating": 4, "text": "Rouge and Parc. They were the first restaurant I dined in Philly. Mostly they were right next me and seemed pretty busy every time I passed by. Had couple times of dinner and lunch at Rouge, I felt this place is solid at least. Their foods were consistent so did their services. So far I liked their burger, roasted beets, their cheese plate and truffle fries. Burger was juicy and they cut the half so we can share which was nice. Roasted beet is alway my go to order and pretty good here. And fries.... were very crispy and perfectly seasoned.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:02:08" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is still one of my most visited places in Philly. Mostly because of location. So close to me and all of other friends, we meet there during the day, get brunch and have great girly times. I enjoy going there except the weekend, their brunch menu weren't bad but I would wait more than 10 min for their food. First time I went there for burger and steak fries on weekend ended up waiting for 30min to be seated and has to fight for staff's attention. But for during the weekday lunch, this place is lovely. It is our go to lunch spot after morning yoga class. 3 of us enjoyed their breakfast menu, lunch menu and oyster( from the morning!) and chatted there like hours. They were very nice refilling coffee and etc and never gave us any pressure to leave after we finished the meal. Place never get too busy during weekday lunch hour. I usually get their salad verde, roasted salmon or sea scallop. Salad verde was simple, super fresh but still full of flavor. Their salmon and scallop were pretty good too but I never really dreamed about their food after so I guess it's just ok. For food, it's more close to 3 star but me and my friends enjoy this place for regular girly date spot and enjoy ambiance so... I would give one more star for that.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:19:52" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "The first bar I've visited in Philly as out of towner. Doormen were nice unlike underground bar doormen in NYC. The bar was very pretty, cozy and reminds of me some hipster bars in Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan. I am non drink so I can only judge by the ambiance of my friends opinion about drinks, seems like everyone enjoyed their pretty cocktails and looked delicious :-) we did enjoy time there and since so close to me, I am sure I will be back very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:00:15" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Had couple visits there so far. I had mixed feeling about this place. My first time there was amazing. Mussel dish was huge, fresh and delicious. Bread was moist and good too. Had wonderful experience and couldn't wait to go back. Second time was so so. Mussel's size was tiny and broth didn't have much flavor. Bread was tough and dry. I hoped my third visit would be a charm but wasn't so lucky. Not sure if I should give another shot or not. Indecisive.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:05:04" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 3, "text": "I had only one visit to this place so not sure if I this review would be accurate since this place seems super popular. It's located right in front me and I see this places always crowded. I had such a high hope to try yummy vegan place. I ordered jerk Caesar salad only because it was top of their menu and there was full of people waiting so I didn't want to take too long to decide at the counter. When I tried my salad at home... Humm what to say, I usually like vegan meat a lot. Any kind of tofu/ fake meat I love more than actual meat haha. It was good since I like fake meat and veggies already but just not good enough to go back there. There are so many other places offer delicious food in Philly and I am not a vegetarian so I don't have to only eat there I guess. I haven't back there since my first visit but I may try their burger in future. Seems like everyone in my yoga class enjoyed their burger so, I might give a shot very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:15:13" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy!! Fresh turkey spinach salad! They gave me tons of turkey ham and a lot of spinach. All ingredients were fresh and I enjoyed my salad. Was huge so I could have left over but I am a girl with big appetite! Other friends had sandwiches and said very good also. Solid local sandwich shop for sure. Now actually it became my regular sandwich spot. I always get mensch. It's soooo good. Potato cake and mixed fries are must.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:42:18" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to Tria for brunch! Delicious small plates, cozy ambiance, this is perfect girly brunch spot in neighborhood. Two of us shared marinated calamari salad, roasted beet, egg toast. We weren't very hungry so it was perfect small snack. They have awesome ice tea and keep refilling your drink. Also other drink's menu are nice and affordable. Love this place!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:48:37" }, { "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 3, "text": "I liked the concept of this restaurant when I heard about this place. Seems like farm to table kind of restaurants are everywhere in NYC these days. Was excited to one in Philly. Maybe ingredients they get from farms in somewhere Pennsylvania will be super fresh! Got beet salad and scallop for appetizer and Cod dish for main. I am huge fan of beet, I love beet even if I eat out from can. If chef do little trick, I would go crazy about any kind of beet dish. This one was decent, not mind blowing. Maybe chef wanted us to taste fresh ingredient so didn't use much sauce on it. Maybe... Scallop was well cooked, kinda tiny even for appetizer.. Well I am a girl with big stomach.. Had big hope for my cod since appetizers didn't blow my mind. I definitely could taste the fish was fresh, was tangy and juicy but again chef could use little bit more seasoning. I usually have issue with overpowering sauce but this dish was little bland for me. The service was nice though. Professional and attentive. Haven't back yet since my first trip... Maybe will give another shot after finish all of my Philly restaurant lists.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:02:47" }, { "business_id": "2qHkwqao9GyxnDXHzCv4JA", "business_name": "Wedge + Fig", "rating": 5, "text": "Wish this place was close to me!!!! I felt so lucky to find this small lunch spot in Old city while I was doing yoga teacher's training. I was wondering around for grabbing quick bite and saw this place. Looked super cute from outside and menu looked awesome. I would totally go for cheese or heavier salad if I didn't have class right after. I went for tuna salad. They gave me generous amount tuna and veggies. Dressing was yummy too. Other dishes looked really good too. I will have to go back to try other dishes soon!", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:22:36" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried bunch of dishes for two of us, bacon wrapped date, clams, octopus, garlic shrimp, lamb meatballs and braised pork shoulder flat bread. Probably we ordered more but can't remember all. Wish I came with bigger group, would be awesome if we tried more since it was small tapas and they had pretty big menu. My favorite was bacon wrapped date. It's common dish and I tried from quite few other places but this one was one of top notched I tried. Bacon wasn't burned and cooked perfectly. Crispy but still juicy. Date was baked in perfection as well. Really enjoyed it so much so I had all myself! Other dishes were pretty good too except garlic shrimp dish. Shrimp cooked too much, they were really tough to chew :-( Overall it was pleasant dinner and service was very nice too. I will go back with bigger group next time for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:45:57" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "I heard so much good things about Han Dynasty and couldn't wait to try. Got bunch of dishes include spicy cucumber salad, dan Dan noodle, dumpling in hot oil, scallion pancakes, fried rice, fish in clay pot, dry chicken, garlic eggplants and mapo tofu. Dumpling in hot oil was big hit, it was simple but had so much flavor in it. Scallion pancake was fried well and chewy, dipping sauce wasn't salty. Everyone seems excited about their dan Dan noodle but it didn't so much for me. Maybe I am not a big fan of noodle. I did enjoy mapo tofu, wasn't too greasy and enough spicy for me. Dry chicken was delicious but was too salty for me. I had few bite then couldn't touch more. Fish in clay pot had full of flavor but a bit greasy for me. Since most main dishes we ordered had powerful flavor, the fried rice was most popular dish on our table. Dinner was enjoyable and liked the fun ambiance. Like old Chinese restaurant in movie. I will definitely go back soon but I will order more appetitive and be easy on strong flavored main dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T02:20:33" }, { "business_id": "nIAbuktMEzVjT4P9pG89rQ", "business_name": "Buddakan", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try original Buddakan! I've been the one in NYC many times back in the day but haven't been budakkan for awhile and was excited to check out original one. The deco and music were somewhat similar the ones NYC but smaller and more opened space. We were seated in 10min at the second floor and restaurant was packed. Two of us shared spring roll, sea bass and duck. Yum yum yum! I actually though this location has way better food than the one in NYC. I used to go there pretty often long time ago but not for their food. Never impressed with their food except dessert but I did enjoy every dishes at this location. The portion was generous and I actually liked the light at the restaurant wasn't too dark. I like to see my food and appreciated! Very impressed ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T03:53:33" }, { "business_id": "i6jA8vSHrP9LiUPHlqPVwA", "business_name": "Cafe Olé", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like quick lunch spot. Should be affordable and provide fast service. Checked and checked. Your lunch will be ready in 3min in front of you. I went to this place when I did yoga teacher's training at Old city. Most of my class mates include teachers grabbed lunch there. They were pretty picky (mostly health conscious vegetarian) eaters so I thought that place must be good. I tagged them along one day and it turned out pretty nice time. Nice sunny weather in summer, we were seated outside and grabbed various salads. They had pre made salads displayed and they were all freshly made. Got myself Greek salad and strawberry/ banana smoothie. Smoothie was gigantic so probably most girls would be for their lunch itself. I am not so I had salad as well. Salad was huge too. I actually had left over. Everything was affordable there. Nothing over $10. They are not overly nice to offer any service since its self service kind of place but cheap, fast and fresh. What can you ask more.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T04:01:38" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not huge fan of lamb and chicken platter but I must have very high standard since only place I had this dish was Halah guys in NYC. My hub is cart food expert lol and found this place near us. He loves Halah guys so much that he was eager to find something like that in Philly. Well.. When I received my platter, was a bit disappointed about the size of meat. Guess I was so used to Halah guys huge portion. And again I am a girl with big stomach! I thought the platter was pretty good, meat was tender and juicy. But the charm of this platter is white sauce!!! At least for me. I am the person eating these kind of platter with EXTRA white sauce and not worry about calories so.... I did put extra white sauce top on my platter. The sauce was not my style. I want something creamier and thicker and still not greasy... Sauce was a bit off for me.... And the portion. Yes haha. We haven't back since then... but my friends said they have yummy Kati roll so I might try other dish next time. And I am not sitting at the corner of somewhere 6th ave to eat from the tin box so that's plus too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:17:46" }, { "business_id": "ZewrmVIdr77Kinj-njv6RQ", "business_name": "Insomnia Cookies", "rating": 4, "text": "Cookies in 3am? That's amazing concept except I crave salty fried food usually at that time haha. Actually surprised that they open until that late since Philly does not have much night life I thought. Most places are closed by 2am but people are still out to eat cookies? Guess they do! They seems always busy whenever I passed by. I got curious so picked up few cookies. Yum Yum Yum! I am not a big cookie person. I am more like gummy person but those are delicious. Warm, chewy and not crazy sweet. Had 3 of them at once. They were that good.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:22:07" }, { "business_id": "e4MoozYGqe_rb4_ZC1rYMQ", "business_name": "Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "So comfortable to hang around. Owner lady was so so nice. I stopped by couple times after my yoga class and had good spirit. The owner lady had too! She smiled to customers and was very kind. I instantly liked this place. I got small coffee with their home made ginger mascarpone cheese cake. So so so so good!!! Not sweet at all and they use fresh ingredient. 2nd time I was there, I got large cup of green tea, they charge same price for small or large cup of tea so why not. Also tried her ( owner lady baked everything in the kitchen and brought sweet out) peanut butter chocolate cup. Yum. Everything is very affordable here and again, fresh.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "f-qlRLsQ2vPATmlLTgLHbQ", "business_name": "Joe Coffee Company", "rating": 3, "text": "Joe's cup of coffee used to be my one of favorite coffee spot in NYC. Was tiny space near NYU, down to earth and I could just hang out there for hours. Loved that place and when I saw Joe's in my neighborhood in Philly, I was so happy. I got my latte couple times there and my experiences were different in Philly location. It's kind of fancy coffee shop than the one in NYC. Me and my friend couldn't really hang out and chat there. It's super crowded all the time and staffs weren't super nice.. no offense, they were super professional but just I didn't feel the warm greeting from them whenever I visited. Maybe I am picky but I prefer cozy coffee shop with warm people around. And I realized Philly has a lot of amazing coffee spot so...", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:34:31" }, { "business_id": "rgeuy1qbw6Z8B6CSVANHIA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 3, "text": "Seems like they are super famous. Whenever I search Philly eatery as Philly newbie, they are the one first come out most of times. Lucky I live so close to them! So made couple visit there. Tried their fancy donuts. Several times, several flavor. Probably I tried most of flavor they offered. Well... Fancy donut didn't do much for me. Not impressed. Once I was late so fancy donuts were sold out, I got regular sugar coated donut. Humm.. I actually liked true or regular donut much better! Tried their chicken too! All of their flavors. Humm it's good but not awesome for me. Was super crispy when I had the first bite but inside my mouth were peeled after finished my meal. Big no no for me. Good crispy chicken shouldn't do that to you. I think I spent fair amount time to eat fried chicken in my life as Korean. Their fried chicken is pretty good but not mind blowing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:43:24" }, { "business_id": "oqbhVgliVJH-iRa3AnD-3A", "business_name": "Elixr Coffee Roasters", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Another awesome coffee shop in neighborhood. Philly does have cool coffee shops everywhere! Very impressed. $4 of awesome hand drop coffee... Amazing. Great price and awesome staff who knows coffee. I am not a coffee snob so I usually go to coffee shop where make me feel welcomed. They did. They explained well about their menu and showed us whole process. And the shop is really pretty. They have limited seats because they are always crowded but they are just awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:46:12" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 2, "text": "This place looks super cute from outside and reminds me of small coffee place in Paris. I expected same experience when I had in Paris. I was dreaming to get some fresh pastries with full of butter flavor with some good coffee. Humm... My first bite was DRY, lack of butter.. Wasn't very good. I usually try to give second shot if my experience wasn't so terrible. So I went back. Got macaron and coffee. Lack of richness. Lack of something definitely. I still give two star because the shop is still pretty though and they don't have much competition in my neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:50:48" }, { "business_id": "lWedWkinrM5j13pyimbpbA", "business_name": "Miles Table", "rating": 3, "text": "My first visit to this place was few months ago. 2 of us waked there for brunch with our puppy. We were seated outside and got us burger, kale salad and coffee. Place was crowded but we scored seat pretty much right away. Everything was affordable and doggies were welcomed at the outdoor table. I didn't taste burger so can't speak for that. My kale salad was decent but wasn't amazing. Coffee tasted little bitter, maybe was a bit burned... We were appreciate seating with our puppy at the table but they were located in small street so it was kinda awkward seating outside and everyone was looking at you when they were passing by. That was my last trip and I don't think I will come back anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T06:23:28" }, { "business_id": "U2y7fsqDgxAXskoJNVxbwg", "business_name": "Happily Ever After", "rating": 4, "text": "Shaved ice bowl is my # 1 dessert all the time. I like Korean, Taiwanese, Malaysian style the most. I wasn't able to find any Korean style shaved ice in Philly but this place was the closest I could find. I like a bit of crunchiness on Korean styled shaved ice. If it's too soft then it's more like Taiwanese style. This place ice was very close to Korean one. Also they use condensed milk and crushed nut like Korean one. Little rough shaving ice is best with sweet milk and some nutty flavor for sure. For fruit topping I would go for super soft shaved ice. I finished my bowl myself and was very happy. The portion was definitely smaller compare with my go to places in NYC but well... this place doesn't have much competition for this menu so I will take what I can get in Philly. Hope I can see more Asian styled shaving ice dessert places in Philly this summer.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:34:26" }, { "business_id": "ZpgVL2z1kgRi954c9m9INw", "business_name": "United By Blue", "rating": 3, "text": "Another cool find through my yoga school. They are located in local clothing store which is nice. Very pretty deco and trendy. Me and my classmates hung out here a lot during lunch break. I've never eaten here but saw sandwiches and they looked good. I didn't think their coffee was special though and somewhat pricy. But it is really cute coffee shop and I would go back there if I am near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:37:48" }, { "business_id": "yYG2XDKCaf5yOLgJSKMw6g", "business_name": "Anthony's Italian Coffee House and Chocolate House", "rating": 5, "text": "Love love love their espresso. Their coffee is amazing. It is kinda far from me but I still walk there to buy their espresso coffee bean. They freshly grind for you right there and price is awesome. About $7-8 per package. My sister and mom in Korea got so hooked ( they are definitely coffee snob unlike me) so I have to buy for them too and mail them! I get their caffe latte and one biscotti and grind espresso beans to go. Glad I found this little shop.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:41:58" }, { "business_id": "RSKvB-XntkiDnMqYqAmtKw", "business_name": "Seafood Unlimited", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked their name. Seafood unlimited, what a great name. Unfortunately their food wasn't. The interior was unique, very blue and dark not sure if I liked that. I feel like I was eating in a fish tank. Restaurant was pretty empty and we were seated right away. Got grilled salmon dish and scallop. Eh... I had better before. Food wasn't very special to me and I wasn't very impressed with ambiance either so I haven't back since my first trip.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T23:54:38" }, { "business_id": "fcGexL5VH5G2Xw0tRj9uOQ", "business_name": "Slice", "rating": 3, "text": "I have mixed feeling about this place. I do enjoy their pizza. Since it was so close to me I just stopped by for slice of pizza to go. I got bacon and onion and eggplant pizza to go. Also got side salad. Salad was fresh and reasonably priced. Nothing special about their dressing but veggies were very fresh so I was happy. About pizza I thought was really delicious. Sauce was good and sweet and savory. I really enjoyed them. I made couple more trips there to grab quick pizza whenever I had craving, this place was never really busy, usually 2-3 customers there but my order usually took more than 10-15 min. I am not sure why took so long to heat up slice of pizza since they did not make it fresh when I ordered. Their service is just ok not super nice or rude. Wish they had faster service, it is deal breaker for me since I want to go there, grab my pizza and in and out fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:03:59" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't want to give them 5 star because I don't want them to be more popular than already now!!! But I have to... This is food heaven. Had amazing food and the ambiance was so cozy and comfortable to sit down and talk. First course, ordered chicken mousse with toast. Yum...so creamy and savory spread and toast was perfect too. Sweet and sour jam made perfect combination for the toast. Second course, had buckwheat pasta. I just had pretty bad experience with buckwheat past at the High street market. Was so scared to try but this one was amazing. Noodle was chewy and tender, sauce was just amazing. Definitely made my #1 pasta in Philly. For main, we shared cod with broth. Humm. That was our least favorite dish that night. Did not have much flavor overall. I still rate this place 5 star because I did have the best past in Philly and ambiance wise I felt so comfortable there. I will definitely going back very soon but I will order a lot of small dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:19:54" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 3, "text": "This place seems always busy and smelled so nice when I passed by. We went there one night to grab quick dinner. I got smoked trout and my hub got mixed wurst platter. My trout looked really smaller than their photo. Was decent. Not bad but I probably won't go back for that dish. His wurst platter was gigantic. He could not finish it so we had half left over. He did not like it much so ended up not eating his left over...", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:26:10" }, { "business_id": "7xckZSLRWf5uf3L1IsF1Kg", "business_name": "Mandarin Palace", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes I have Chinese food craving. Until I found my go to spot in this city I mist keep exploring!!!! Today I tried the place right next me.. Was very empty. I see more employees than actually customers, I was instantly got nervous.. Maybe it's really bad sign but again, it's Chinese restaurant so maybe ppl just order delivery. We were seated and server brought us tea which was nice. Order cashew chicken and hub has beef dish and lo main. They were decent. Food was just cooked so was really hot. I would give 4 star if it was little cheaper. I am so spoiled with cheap and yummy Chinese food in NYC so this place felt little pricy for me for what it is.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:34:26" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by there after terrible dinner. This place healed us from horrendous experience. 4 of us got own drinks, beer,wine and orange soda for me! We shared small plates and cheese platter. We ended up getting two cheese platter because they were soooooo good. Our waiter, did not get his name but he was so enthusiastic when he explained about each cheese. We ended up having great time there and left happy. Will go back anytime.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:39:32" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "4 of us were craving some ramen so went to this place. Wasn't sure how Philly ramen scene would be. My hub got spicy shoyu ramen and my parents shared miso ramen. I wasn't very hungry so got fried chicken appetizer. Chicken appetizer was very good. I actually liked their chicken than other famous chicken places in Philly. My parents thought their ramen was too salty for them. They just had noodles and left most of broth. My hub actually thought this place was decent. He finished his dish. I really enjoyed their chicken and the Korean waitress was very nice.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:21:48" }, { "business_id": "nR3VW9i2K8033QY0ZMTisw", "business_name": "Zento Contemporary Japanese Cuisine", "rating": 2, "text": "This place seems have always promotions going on. I see their coupons pretty often. We went there after our show at Arden theater. Restaurant wasn't big but clean. There was semi private dining area in the end of hall but they didn't have door so it was really loud since big group was drinking and eating. Wasn't able to enjoy our dinner at all. Food was ok and they had promotion but I would not necessarily go to old city to eat there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:25:12" }, { "business_id": "2f6NaQVGTM59OGvsdT9pxg", "business_name": "Mood Indian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "So I saw this place had pretty good review on yelp and just purchased the deal online. As a Philly newbie I did not aware this restaurant was far from Rittenhouse square. We had to drive to Northern liberty to eat since I already got the coupon. Food better be good.... Two of us got samosa chaat and chicken tikka masala with garlic naan and mango lassi. Apparently yelp review www pretty accurate. This was 4 star restaurant for me. Samosa chaat was huge as appetizer. Probably most girls would be ok for their main dish itself. Chicken tikka masala was creamy, buttery and meat was tender. Delicious. We ended up having whole bowl of rice with it. Lassi was thick and amazing. I hate watery lassi and this place wasn't one of them. We were only customer when we were there and service was not bad or extra nice. They did minimum service for you haha. But I loved the food there and wish they were close to me. I would go often.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:32:26" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't eat much steak but like to go to ones. One of main reason is my hub is big meat eater and I usually find seafood dishes at steak house are very yummy. We got one soup and salad for appetizer. They weren't very memorable. Wasn't bad but nothing special to say. He got prime rib and I got crab cake. The portion of my dish was pretty small. I could eat double portion. For dessert we got chocolate and cheese cake. They were ok. I would say very average food. Nothing really remarkable. The ambiance is like classy, old apartment with piano. It's classy but maybe little to old for us. The service was very nice. Not likely go back though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:39:28" }, { "business_id": "V0SHmvYtXqdv8-AsqshV6w", "business_name": "Smokin Bettys", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to get some brunch as newbie in Philly, we googled this place and went on Sunday. Place was really crowded, but it was big so we waited just little. I got egg while omelette and he got the burger. My omelette was ok but I probably could make that one. He liked the burger and enjoyed fries too but we never went back there for their burger. Maybe Philly has too many burger places.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:42:35" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I hope they open their new location somewhere close to Rittenhouse square. So close to me, I know nothing about Philly, Little Pete did show me some comfort time. The owner guy was always at the counter and he was nice. The waitress ladies seemed tough but they were actually very friendly and attentive. I had couple dishes there since I got my breakfast there couple times. Loved their greek salad, this was so big that I always had left over and ate later. Their omelet was pretty good. Fluffy and yum. The egg sandwich, I liked it very much! They gave you so much egg and it was delicious. My go to breakfast awhile. Their French fries!!!! Crispy and just perfect with mayo. The waitress ladies remembered me and packed mayo with my fries even I did not ask for. I like to have this comfy diner right next me. Sad to see them leaving. We don't have many diners in center city though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:49:35" }, { "business_id": "-ATiAtTikuGuqvaW2O6tNA", "business_name": "Marathon", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh, disappointing food. I saw this place got busy during lunch hour so gave a shot during weekday lunch. Place was busy and I saw people getting salad with salmon so I got that one as well. My salmon was dry... And lukewarm. Definitely didn't enjoyed my protein. I had only one visit so I can't speak for all but my salad wasn't fresh either that day. Sandwiches on other tables looked good though. That was my first and only trip to Marathon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:53:31" }, { "business_id": "Uky0DD3LU4C7eyNDhpmOXg", "business_name": "Day By Day", "rating": 3, "text": "I saw people were waiting outside of the restaurant all the time. This place must be good I thought. Maybe I picked the wrong dish. I enjoyed my stuffed challah French toast but I wouldn't wait more than 10 min to eat it again. That was right after my mind blowing experience at Sabrina cafe's stuffed french toast so Day by Day one didn't do much for me.... My parter of scavenger hunt got burger. He enjoyed and finished all but hasn't asked me go back there yet so I guess it is solid 3 star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:58:51" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not sure why I don't go this place more often. I had good time at their oyster happy hour! Enjoyed my discounted oyster and I thought was fresh and delicious. But that place got really busy during happy hour so waiting was painful and they put large jar of oyster cracker to share. Everyone's hands going to touch the crackers so I couldn't eat it and I didn't see anyone touching it. That's minus point for me too. If less crowded and provided individual oyster cracker like other places I might give me more star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:04:00" }, { "business_id": "9mA9qYqiv4c0T9ASid3PIQ", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 3, "text": "I had really good meal at Capital grille at Providence few years ago. I still remember how proud and profession they were. And the food was absolute perfection. I never went other locations but I wanted to try the one in Philly since I had such a amazing time before. I got same meal, chowder soup, salad and glazed salmon. Soup was a bit saltier side for me. It was ok eating with bread but in general I am not fan of salty food. Salad was decent and my salmon was a bit overpowering with citrus sauce. It was pretty but I wasn't amazed like last time. The bread basket was warm and good though. And service was good too. But it just wasn't same..", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:12:57" }, { "business_id": "-t5dx3X0O63jCUuFEd-FcA", "business_name": "The Palm Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. Weird fries... That's first thing I remember about this place. Humongous and lack of flavored stack of fries.. Shared burger and fries and fried calamari and cheese cake. The burger was ok. Just ok but we all know Philly is the burger central. You don't need to eat burger here. I am usually go for fries than burgers when I order this dish. I think I know good fries... For some reason Palm's fries had literally no flavor. Didn't even oily anything. It's crunch but I wasn't sure what I was eating. Ended up left most of dish. Cheese cake was only thing I liked. It was like thick cheese cake from juniors. On offense, I love those commercial kind. Destroyed cake and left and never looked back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:20:13" }, { "business_id": "m_P0oMu3PVz5pGBKjYGl_A", "business_name": "Chris' Jazz Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I would give them 5 stars for their music. I never had food there but if food were bad, I would still give 5 stars. I have been there couple times, the musician there were phenomenon. Real professional and one of top notched. I used to go jazz clubs in NYC pretty often. You can't get seats easily like this place, and definitely not affordable like this place. But the music at Chris, as good as the ones in NYC. I am glad they are so close by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:24:35" }, { "business_id": "GUMVStVaJfWmCIpQA4TtHg", "business_name": "Crazy Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My sushi place hunt hasn't finished yet. We tried bonsai roll, one night stand roll, volcano roll and sashimi platter. They did put a lot of effort decorating the dishes. We were very hungry so rather getting dishes as soon as we can lol Even though I appreciated their beautiful decoration, sushi wasn't that impressive. I did enjoy one night stand roll but bonsai roll had too much cucumber. I like thin slice of cucumber just round once or twice otherwise I can't really taste any sashimi because cucumber has pretty strong scent itself. I felt like I had big chunk of cucumber after all..the quality of sashimi was ok but nothing extra ordinary. And the bill ended up not that cheap. I think I could find this quality food with less price.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:32:34" }, { "business_id": "peeXG1Ra-DClPQv14jvKvg", "business_name": "Square on Square", "rating": 3, "text": "I was happy to find Chinese place near me, I need to find my Chinese take out place so... Order crispy spring roll with shrimp , spicy chicken for main. Everything was pretty good. Dishes were super hot and just cooked. Ambiance was a bit awkward but service was fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:40:16" }, { "business_id": "WYel6hMEEPNwzVUlVBacbw", "business_name": "honeygrow", "rating": 3, "text": "Solid lunch spot for sure, they are always busy and there is reason why people keep going there. I prefer comfy, rustic ambiance over modern and fancy. And rather order my meal old fashion way over vending machine. Honey grow reminds me of cafeterias in Japan or HK. I get overwhelmed with all ordering through machine and it isn't so much fun for me.. Salad is delicious though but I like to put a lot of topping to make it yummier and m salad is usually around $12 and still doesn't fill me up!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:48:13" }, { "business_id": "oziGQYLaEWOpNmPKrZP86g", "business_name": "Isgro Pastries", "rating": 3, "text": "Craving some Italian dessert. I need to eat some good cannoli and lobster tail. I walked all the way to Italian market and got in this small bakery. Need to warn you, the ladies who worked there, they must be super busy with non stop customers. They don't want to be bothered so do not ask any question... My cannoli... Ok.. Wasn't bad. But not as good as the one at Veniero's in NYC but definitely better than the Bruno's or petitio's. Lobster tail was ok. Pastries were well baked but their custard cream was just ok. I'm general their fillings were nothing special to me. I would never crave their filling though. Unexpected jackpot was carrot cake. Not too sweet but their cream cheese icing was amazing. Now I am craving their carrot cake though. If the ladies there were little nicer, at least answer your questions w/o being annoyed I would give them 4 star because of their carrot cake.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:57:22" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing hidden gem. This store is too little but have full of valuable things. So much fun to check out all different kinds spices, teas and snacks. And their coffee.... Hazelnut coffee is amazing!!!! I drink a lot of coffee but I like to drink decaf. It is really hard to find good decaf but I found one in Philly. Their hazelnut coffee is so aromatic, just brewing at home made you feel good. I got like more than 10 packages so far and loving them. Also got bunch of spices. Cumin, wasabi powder, paprika, anise, rosemary, red and white pepper... Just make it. They have all. The owner lady doesn't speak much initially but once she recognize your face, she is the sweetest. So helpful and get chatty. I had So much fun talking to her and looking forward going back there once weather get warm!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:02:17" }, { "business_id": "rQW9iupvhk6ScPn2VPNLVQ", "business_name": "Octopus Falafel Truck", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a groupie. He is amazing. I am sad that I got to have his dish only once. Now all construction on market I can't find him!! His chicken is the most tender and smoky I've ever had. Side dishes are creative and awesome too. I hope he is back soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:05:21" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 2, "text": "Had quick bite with hub on the way to watch the show. Shared wings and nacho. Price was cheap and snacks were ok. If they had in NYC I would give them more star for sure. Bar foods in NYC are mostly inedible. But in Philly some bar foods are better than restaurants. This place is below average in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:09:05" }, { "business_id": "3uLXZMnm68l1YwI8_FaFNA", "business_name": "Bangkok Thai 9 Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "Hubby picked up my lunch so had this meal at home to be clear. Had coconut soup, shrimp pad Thai and he had curry. My soup was ok. A bit too sour. I like more creamier side for sure. I didn't like much. My pad thai was fail though. Noodles were stuck together when I tried to pick up with chopstick. I had to use it like fork... Not sure if because it was take out. But still we get fair amount of take out, it doesn't usually happen. And shrimp was so so so over cooked. Tasted almost like rubber. Too bad, they are really close to me though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:15:12" }, { "business_id": "6LCZLGa09Qifn6rG7-DNrg", "business_name": "Erawan Thai Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to menu is coconut soup and pad thai with protein. I tried same menu here. Actually really like their coconut soup. They used enough amount of coconut milk that soup was really creamy and wasn't over powering with herb. I am so used to Americanized thai cuisine that I prefer less herb on my dish except cilantro. Pat thai was great too. Liked the amount of peanut they used, noodle was chewy and perfect and not too sweet. They gave me generous amount of chicken and white meat wasn't dry so I was very happy with my meal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:20:16" }, { "business_id": "FYhsm9Efvw8lw7zAOIDUbg", "business_name": "Rosa Blanca", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious ham and cheese empanada!!! And all other different kinda! I think I had like 10 of them. They were so so so good. The place looked tiny from outside and I thought it was local diner. Pretty spacious inside and cozy. I went there for happy hour and got bunch of small snacks and had wonderful time. All delicious!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:01:36" }, { "business_id": "PVVFos1LDfD7iETY0w4vaA", "business_name": "Su Xing House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am meat eater who likes go to vegetarian restaurant. I actually like flavor of soy protein. I had hight hope about this place. This place was always packed with people and known as their affordable price. I went there and I got my favorite Chinese menu. Sesame seitan. It came with brown rice and two side veggies. I got corn and steamed broccoli. And vegetarian spring roll. I did not expect gourmet meal for $10 but food did not reach my expectation at all even I considered their amazing price. I did not like my sesame chicken's sauce at all. Way too sweet and lack of flavor beside the sweetness. Side veggies were just sad, they threw couple pieces of steamed veggies and canned corn. Was lame... When I almost finished my meal, I realized they forgot my spring roll. Didn't bother to call them or go back. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:15:02" }, { "business_id": "lYloPAiaWJwWgno4SdxD0Q", "business_name": "Dolce Carini", "rating": 5, "text": "In general pizza in Philly is really amazing. I am not sure why NY pizza is so popular. Philly should be! Even this humble local pizzeria makes amazing pizza. I always get their creamy spinach pizza. Their Alfredo sauce is really good. It's simple but has so much flavor. It's perfect with baked spinach. The pizza crust is so crunch and delicious. I never Thorpe away their edge. Yum yum yum.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T00:24:53" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location than others. Less crowded most of times and people there are very friendly and helpful when you want to try different flavors. And settings are comfortable there. Since weather is cold, I have not had awhile but I used enjoy their hazelnut, avocado, coconut and tiramisu flavors the most. They also have coffee and other sweets as well. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:46:53" }, { "business_id": "eLt-dwl-xxXj9nklhs2eOw", "business_name": "Sweet Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I never seen this franchise in NYC so was happy to try new ones. I believe the owner is Korean and Korean makes GOOD froyo. Already had very high hope. The shop looked typical froyo spot and seems busy. They were located in very busy streets. 2 locations both. I I always get froyo with no topping. I can taste good froyo better w/o topping in my opinion so I did. Froyo was very tarty for me. And I am not a fan of those kind of froyo. Everyone has different tastes so I can't speak for all. Just not my thing. Since they are so convenient for me, I got my bubble tea couple times and also macaron. My taro bubble was once too sweet and once was less powders in it so it tasted like just purple water.. I brought it back and the guy made new one for me. People who worked there were very friendly but their products just did not do much for me so I stopped going there.. Sad. I need to find other froyo spot since red mango left town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:52:19" }, { "business_id": "JMPZQKPPQI15C8FnACKk-A", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 4, "text": "My hub likes creamy ice cream. I am more into gelato or froyo but if I have thick creamy ice cream craving, I go to this place. The shop is relatively newly opened, so it is very clean. Also located upstairs of my Chinese massage place. My massage therapist was so mad during my massage once because there was non stop construction noise going on when she gave me a massage. I had to hear she was arguing with construction guy, I also cheered for her and hated ppl on upstairs ruining my massage session. Well... Ironically I am regular customer for both of them haha. People who work there are all super friendly. You can try all different flavor and they don't mind. Ice creams are good too. Always get their coconut flavor. It's rich and aromatic. Once I let me eating ice cream with my 3 pounds puppy at the corner of shop(we all aware dog is not allowed) but was freezing cold and my pup can stay in my pocket. Literally 3 pounds she was. And I really wanted ice cream. They were so kind let me stay til finish my ice cram and lucky never get crowded there. I still appreciate their kindness:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:58:05" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 3, "text": "Very very busy location. And probably my least favorite location among this franchise. Couple times there were crazy line I couldn't even get in to store and had to leave. The people who worked there were unnecessarily unfriendly but just way to busy that it's hard to ask them to try new favors or ask any questions. I rather walk to Rittenhouse square location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:21:36" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite frozen yogurt place in Philly. Since Red Mango was close down I was looking for my new froyo spot. Yogorino is the closest I can find. Their froyo tastes like heaven. Perfectly icy, tarty and creamy. I could taste that they use real yogurt( also a lot of them) in their ice cream. I always get the froyo with milk chocolate topping which is free. Their chocolate is really good too. Store is very white and clean and girls there are very friendly. Love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:24:59" }, { "business_id": "qcn10016DUkbgCbQi9L1WA", "business_name": "Bassetts Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "The oldest ice cream, I think this place is amazing with their presence itself. But wasn't impressed by their vanilla ice cream. Maybe my palate is get used all commercial ice creams. Their ice cream was good but wasn't super special to go there, waited in line, may not even able to secure seats to enjoy your ice cream... Wasn't pleasant experience. As a Philly tourist was enough to go there once, get my ice cream scoop and take a photo. That once was enough for me.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:35:19" }, { "business_id": "4hv1n1VBzMvE-T4UtIcOcw", "business_name": "Di Bruno Bros.", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is literally in front of my apartment and I really want to love this place. I appreciate that I have multi food store in the neighborhood. It is pretty store, big cheese section in the back of the room, veggie and fruit section, bakery section, meat and fish section and upstairs cafe. I am regular customer for their cheese and bakery section. I had little bad experience with veggie section once and never really went back. Veggies were not fresh at all and gone bad the day after I purchased. Pre cooked food section seemed very nice. I might try that very soon. Tried couple cakes there. Was decent but not amazing... Still go there because so convenient but not super satisfied with the quality.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:42:36" }, { "business_id": "Ou-_OQUNvBcaAoRU0XPtaQ", "business_name": "Jamonera", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been there twice so far. Once for day time snacking and once I went there for weekend prefix. Prefix was definitely good deal. We get to try various dishes and they were not very crowded. I really enjoyed my visit during the day time. Not many people come to that place during weekday daytime so it's very quite and you can chat with friends with good snack and drink. It wasn't the best tapas I have ever had but decent.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:53:27" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh yeah, the best deal for the bucks..... Their happy hour is steal. So good and so cheap. Foods are basically same as their regular menu. Really enjoyed their brussel sprout, Vietnamese sandwich, Korean fried chicken, kimchi friend rice, edamame dumpling in broth and skewers. So so so good. I love to sit at the bar and grab yummy bar snacks. I've been there multiple times and they were always good. Went there for regular dinner and basically got same food and payed more than double so.. Go to their happy hours. It is just amazing deal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "dSPA4yql9vUwnYRxHiVtHA", "business_name": "Makiman Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there after watched the show. Place was half empty and we saw people were eating Korean bi bim bop in hot stone bowl. Maybe it's Korean owned sushi place or at least be of chefs is Korean. I got sashimi salad and roll without rice. Sashimi salad was sooooooooo spicy even to me. I can handle some spicy but this was just pure go chu jang ( Korean red chilly pepper paste) I had to take out most of sauces and ate them. Sashimi was ok but their sauce already burned my tongue couldn't taste anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:03:25" }, { "business_id": "JDv3h1xRFIW8fXckqgTdRg", "business_name": "Fuji Mountain", "rating": 3, "text": "I have never had sushi here but tried nabeyaki, gyoza and agedashi tofu one late night. Restaurant structor was unique. It was 3 story restaurants and divided sushi bar, restaurants and karaoke. I guess some ppl eat, drink and go upstairs to sing after. My nabe dish was pretty good. I was craving some hot soup and it was soothing. What I needed that night. Gyoza was little greasy and didn't have much stuffing. Was failed dish. Agedashi tofu was crispy and well fried. And liked the dashi broth with radish. Yum. Was my favorite dish. I have not back there for two reasons. Still need to try other new places and also really creepy guy tried to talked to me at the restaurant that night ( but waitress lady piloted stopped the creepy guy, thanks to her ), I just creeped out from that weird vibe from dinner so have not back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:11:34" }, { "business_id": "cmETClmvGoUZZwBXRtv6kw", "business_name": "Good Stuff Eatery", "rating": 2, "text": "Had really soggy fries here. It was rosemary French fries and it is one of my favorite snacks in the world!!! Got one bite, boo.... Was so so so soggy. Liked that they had a lot of free drippings. There were actually good and my favorite Begium fries place in NYC, they charged for the same digging so that was big plus. My hub said the burger was ok and also wasn't happy with soggy fries. I thought it might be just that day. But apparently one of my other friends was mentioned that she had burger and fries there and she didn't like their soggy fries. Guess that is the style there. Not my thing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:22:18" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 3, "text": "I love roasted chicken. Apparently this dish is not easy to find than you think so I was happy to find this place. Got half roasted chicken with roast beet and feta. Chicken was pretty but not enough meat for me. I got hungry after finished my meal. Maybe they cooked really small chicken that day.. I just don't want to get hungry after finishing half of chicken myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:27:40" }, { "business_id": "VIYvcX9SScnqmoI0so1KZA", "business_name": "PrimoHoagies", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not a sandwich fan at all. It probably my last choice of meal to be honest. But if I get sandwich craving really once in awhile, I go to this place. One you get there friendly Italian guys welcome you and get the order promptly. And your hoagie is ready to eat in 5 min. Their hoagie is gigantic. I get really full after finishing it. I got cold turkey and meatball once. I really liked meatball marinara. Wasn't too soggy but they just had enough marinara to covered the bread. Yum. And their meatballs were delicious! I don't go there often enough but for my next visit, I am getting my meal all sub again. Super satisfying.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:31:23" }, { "business_id": "8ohaL9a02bWZDxOxfZCTxw", "business_name": "Four Seasons Food Court", "rating": 4, "text": "Sometimes I get lazy and get dinner from here. Sold by weight buffet place isn't my thing but the owner lady was so kind when I visited them first time. She asked if I was student and offered me 10% discount whenever I come and can eat the buffet with affordable prices. I thought that was so nice that they offered discount to students. Maybe she did because I am same Korean as she is. But those kindness I was never had in NYC for last 10 years. Beside kindness, their buffet is pretty nice actually. Like their salad. Was fresh and they have different kinds. And a lot of vegetarian options. I am not vegetarian but I like to have some vegetarian options with my meat. I got my dinner and it was like $7. Good price and I had filling dinner.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:43:16" }, { "business_id": "i-clumHx1gMhf5B8MROyHA", "business_name": "Falafel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Tried one at their old location. Got my falafel sandwich. Was average falafel, nothing special about it and they did not give me enough white sauce even tough I asked. Liked the roasted carrot and their pickle though. I will give another try to their new location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:45:49" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "Presentation is main charm of this restaurant. I used to just love fancy decoration on my palate in my early 20's. If they draw flower on my plate I was so so so impressed already. Now I l have known better, eaten out so much, I admit that so hard to get impressed by restaurant. Either price has to be good or has to be superb with food. Just beautifully decorated food doesn't impress me much anymore. Small portion was fine with me. I do aware fine dining place will never full me so we order a lot so it wasn't about their portion. Was off from the start, I prefer spread butter to be room temperature. This one wasn't. Little disappointed from the beginning. Presentation of food was beautiful. They do care about color of your plate and have great sense. But it gets boring if I keep eating unflavored white foam with gello typed sauce. I remember it was super impressed when I had gello sauce and foams on my food. I was like wow. This is genius but that was couple years ago. Now wherever I go, I get to eat foams and I don't like foams that much... Maybe we ordered too much seafood oriented menu but I am a seafood fan.. Most dishes tasted too similar. My halibut was chewy and well cooked but broth was a bit boring... Luckily the portion wasn't so big so finished all of my food. They got amazing reviews about their brunch. I think o rather want to try their brunch not regular meal next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:44:22" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like 4.5 star but definitely better that 4 so I will still give 5. Had amazing meals there whenever I visited. Love their raw beet and kale salad, Br sprout salad and cheese plate. They are super creative and beautifully presented. Others enjoyed their pizza and meatballs very much. I just love their salad so much. A lot of flavor and absolutely heavenly. It is my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:56:07" }, { "business_id": "u7_3L1NBWgxhBM_B-cmmnA", "business_name": "Pizzeria Vetri", "rating": 3, "text": "Was on the way Petco me and my parents saw this place was empty. No line! We weren't very hungry but had to get a pizza here. I had high hope about this pizzeria since I just had amazing experience at Vetri. How good would be! And Philly does have great pizza overall, this one might be too good to me to handle. Got rotolo and margarita pizza. Both were very decent food. I just wouldn't wait for that or walk all the way to restaurant from my neighborhood. Pretty far to walk from center city..", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:05:35" }, { "business_id": "elSnD7Vuxnlg5_9gTqBqmA", "business_name": "Barra Rossa Ristorante", "rating": 2, "text": "Went there for one of friends Bday. Think they booked this place because she was on gluten free diet and needed private space for the event. Wasn't completely private but they did have sort of separated group dining space. Ambiance reminded me modern cafeteria and wasn't impressed. We were waited to be seated a bit so I had glimpsed on others pasta dishes and quickly made up my mind to order something safe. I got cheese platter. It's gonna be safe bet c The platter was HUGE. They gave me so much cheese and that was very generous. Sadly my cheese was not good. Some of them I did not taste any flavor. Kind of rubbery texture when you chew on not so good quality of cheese. No one really enjoyed it.. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:25:05" }, { "business_id": "t37dsDBpe65qUb81OSFr-g", "business_name": "Philadelphia Theatre Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a subscriber and very satisfied so far. They have been showing good plays which mostly nominated/ awarded. They have spacious stage and setting is really nice. They have been presenting great writing and directing. Actors are very professional too. As a subscriber I got to go opening nights and they usually have post play event. Q&A with actors and writers which is always nice. Also their seats are very comfy and leg rooms are large. I am so used watch Broadway shows in NYC so I was really surprised to be seated like this. That makes the experience so much enjoyable!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:23:52" }, { "business_id": "MbFiVsqtIt75yrUNd8LT3Q", "business_name": "Prince Music Theater", "rating": 3, "text": "Very young and energetic theater I thought. I checked their annual playlist but wasn't much my style so did nothing t subscribed. However if I find something interesting I still go watch. Me and hub went to watch Evil dead. Was definitely very entertaining. It feels like you watch very exciting short film. Acting was great and fun vibe filled entire theater. Beside play I did think theater itself was nice. Since most theaters are so nice here this one was definitely less classier than other places. But its fun venue to check out for once.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:30:20" }, { "business_id": "dBRWKIS7h-qZCi8EjUJ2HA", "business_name": "The Franklin Institute Science Museum", "rating": 3, "text": "This museum ended up pretty pricy if you want to experience whole package. I was surprised that there is no student discount package for entrance, Imax and special exhibition. That was one of the most expensive museum visit I have ever had. Whenever I visited new city I try to visit every museum and galleries. Those places usually offer student discount or any kind of deal for tourist. This place had non. When I got there with my parents, it was really windy mid of weekday. Think we picked the wrong day. There were tons of kids running around without any observation. No offense, it would be perfect study/ play venue for them. And they probably need to experience this venue more than I do. Apparently we did not get to see any of exhibits. Children were screaming everywhere and no one really supervise them. And a lot of things were broken and left it there. Well. We ended up leaving this place in a hour. This place could be so much better.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:43:18" }, { "business_id": "bmrEQ_4nzXc72zAFotrLYA", "business_name": "Arden Theatre Company", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my favorite theater in Philadelphia. I am a subscriber and can not be happier than this. This beautiful theater is located on prettt street at Old city. I love to make my trip out of it and check out Old city as well. They have first and second go, separated theater. Both have nice and comfy seats and great sound and view. I have been sitting front seat to watch but I believe most seats in that theater have great view. So far they have been showing amazing musical and plays. Some of them made me cry and some of them made me cry from laughing. Actors in Arden theater are super talented and so enthusiastic. You must check out this beautiful place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:47:08" }, { "business_id": "PhLYLCjM_dS_seS_fMBVeg", "business_name": "Helium Comedy Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to standing comedy show. I have been ones in NYC and LA only before coming to this once. From my past experience, comedy clubs were very pushy with minimum purchase. They were kept asking if I order another drink to have 2 drink minimum. It's their rule so I was fine with it. At least this place did not have that push. Actually was so hard to order our bar snack lol because the venue was so full and so hard to get attention from waitress. Well it's very refreshing haha We went there for special guest Bobby Lee comedy show. He was funny as I expected. Thought the opening guy was even funnier though. Now I will go back there for Margaret Cho show next month. I am super excited!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:50:33" }, { "business_id": "YWI4lRnWY7-dFBAei7JAEQ", "business_name": "Academy of Music", "rating": 4, "text": "It is gorgeous venue, so classic and beautiful! I like their Broadway musicals very much. So much cheaper than Broadway in NYC and as good as them. Watched musical Once, Phantom of the Opera and Cinderella. I probably watched Phantom at least 7 times haha. I know it is lame but I just love that show. My parents and me are such a big fan so we both watched multiple times but we read this new version of Phantom will be showing in Philly so we were exited to watch. And so excited to see how they were going to use this classic old style theater. It would be just perfect venue for phantom without trying. Setting was beautiful and music was great as usual. I just wasn't fan of new version they did. I really like their dramatic ending when phantom is surrounded by flames. I cried with him every time I watched. Revised ending was less dramatic and was a bit disappointing. Not sure if they did it because the stage had less space than ones in nyc. We did enjoyed Once and Cinderella as well. Very entertaining, great performance. They did not disappointed me. One thing was odd that the actors usually asked for the donation for their charity work after curtain call. I thought that was very nice and also smart. The audiences were so happy after watching fun musicals and willing to chip in. We all got out and walked down the stairs and the exit just lead us to street. We did not see anyone collecting donation. I saw people actually wanted to donate a bit and that was little disappointing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:05:26" }, { "business_id": "_aO_GP15Zrh7wcOuvaXnNw", "business_name": "Rodin Museum", "rating": 4, "text": "Who knew Philly has so much to offer to us! I never knew about Rodin this much until I visited this place. Me and my parents had artsy date and we had amazing time at Philadelphia museum of Art then we got free pass for this place. It was much smaller than expected but had a lot to enjoy. Loved that this museum wasn't too crowded, you can enjoy as long as you want. I saw Rodin's pieces at Met and Louvre but never get to enjoy with in peace like this. We walk around every rooms and enjoyed it. There was pretty corner of the room and you can leave your own sketch. My mom and I sat there and draw together. What a beautiful experience we had. Outdoor park was small but beautiful. Please check out this venue. You won't find like this anywhere.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 4, "text": "The first place I have visited in Philly. It is massive and events, special exhibitions are going on. First time we went there to watch \" Korean \" special exhibition. We actually booked the restaurant there to try their Korean themed tasting menu. Food was Asian fusion dish which wasn't too refreshing to us anymore but the venue was pretty and we enjoyed our meal. The museum was very impressive. They have amazing art as much as other major museums in other city and definitely less crowded than them. You get out of it so much. My mom is artist and she said it was amazing and had wonderful time with me. I am glad I got to check out and I do know I will have to make regular visit to this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:28:58" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 5, "text": "I finally get to see Barns foundation myself! Amazing!! I read about this place so much from news paper and art magazine. I heard this place is legendary and was excited to see it myself. What to say, it is modern and beautiful. And as we heard, they have so so so many art to display. They displayed every art as Dr. Barns had them in his mansion. You feel like you are waking into gorgeous house with full of collection. I was just stunned. There were so many things to see, the time slot we had felt so short. Mom and dad had amazing time too. My mom did say this was the best museum she's ever been too. I can't agree more. For example, Met or Louvre museums are so massive that I was already too intimidated by them and I got to walk way too much to enjoy them all. I got physically too tired to enjoy their art. Barns foundation was smaller and displayed so many art in one wall since they recreated exact same layout. I did not have to hop around too much and still got to see a lot. That was big plus. Now I have to schedule my next visit there to educate myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:37:29" }, { "business_id": "xrlyoI0SHEFBJa52qQnPUw", "business_name": "iSushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My another visit, was in the neighborhood and wanted to grab quick sushi and Vic sushi was way too far and I was starving... Got chicken wing, salmon salad, banzi roll as usual, one night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll. We were too hungry so was in hurry to order. I didn't have chicken wing but my hub enjoyed all. He said kinda taste like sesame chicken. My miso soup wasn't salty and really hot. I liked it, was perfect for this cold night. Banzi roll... could been better, too much cucumber than actual sashimi. I did miss my Vic sushi's Naruto roll again. One night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll were pretty good actually. Size is big and filled with crunchiness crabmeat with spicy mayo. I realized they just use same sauce for tuna sashimi as the dressing. I should've got tuna salad. Little lame. I did enjoyed one night and tuna rolls. But banzi roll and sashimi salad were little disappointing. Still solid 3 star place. But I will still go back there if I am in neighborhood. Just not gonna order banzi roll anymore.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T22:55:27" }, { "business_id": "bgxDswHIdFP0Go0pNfyAAw", "business_name": "Hummus Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "It feels so refreshing get away from Rittenhouse square area and up to university city. I liked the busy vibe and ethnic food options. Needed to grab quick bite after movie and we stopped by Hummus grill. Got Chicken Schwarma platter with eggplants and beef kabob. The portion was generous and veggies seemed fresh. My chicken was tender and delicious, I liked it a lot. Hummus was decent but I wouldn't say it was great. Egg plants was little too greasy. I wish I ordered beet salad instead. It looked better. It looked like fast food chain and service was fast. Dining area was little cold since customers kept coming in and out. It was definitely busy place. I don't think I want to eat there again. To go maybe..", "timestamp": "2015-02-19T00:56:39" }, { "business_id": "1LhpU1alopR_l-bWVQPkUA", "business_name": "Oh Shea's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "I felt interesting vibe from this place so I thought it is worth to leave review. Stopped by for quick drink. I am a non drinker so I can only review about bar food and ambiance. We ordered French fries, was unbelievably cheap.. Like $4 and they give you stack of French fries. OMG. Nothing special about that fries but for that price I was just amazed. It was just regular sports bar, not that crowded but it's located in center city anyway so I assume it would get busier during wkend or something. And I realized our waitress lady was like 60 or 70? years old beautiful lady. She was attentive and nice. She might be the owner. I am not sure, I am new here but this is something I never saw it in NYC before. I thought it was really cool :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:03:38" }, { "business_id": "dST75t2bHG-JtNTiYuSBMg", "business_name": "Uniqlo", "rating": 4, "text": "My favorite uniqlo store, there is never line. People who hadn't had experience at uniqlo store in NYC or any other major city wouldn't understand. Once I went there to exchange the size, I ended up waiting 40 min and I gave up exchanging. This store is new and people are so nice unlike employees in nyc. I think people there just are tired or just have bad temper maybe. I have amazing experiences here so far. They were so helpful finding design and my size for me and super friendly and actually enjoy working there. Must make my shopping so pleasant. They do have awesome basic stuff and have amazing price. They run size little bigger than original uniqlo in Asia so keep in mind and order one size smaller if you do.", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:11:08" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 3, "text": "4 of us had dinner there tonight. My hub dined there before and we awarded of their small portions. He was not very impressed with his last visit but 3 of us haven't been there so we gave a shot anyway. The restaurant was cozy and warm. Very tiny but we did not mind as long as food good. I got crudo, sautéed mushroom appetizer. Since it would be small I ordered two for myself. My hub got mussel. Did not find anything special about crudo, I thought mushroom appetizer was the best among them. Maybe too much butter on them but I am a huge butter lover. The main dish was disappointing. Me and my friends both ordered Bouillabaisse. When our server described it, that sounded so awesome. When we saw our dish... that was sad. Literally there were two piece of fish in my soup. Size of my thumb nail. My friend's one was same. There was no decent meat in it at all so I really hoped the broth would be amazing. It wasn't. Lack of flavor and I got really sad since I really like bouillabaisse. I left all of my soup even the portion was tiny.. Tried my hub's pork cheek dish as well. The smell of pork really disturbed me for some reason. I am not a crazy meat lover so I easily disturbed by smell of the meat. But I do eat steak and any kind of meat. But just that dish had really strong pork smell I did not like. My hub did not enjoy very either. This place seems have pretty good review so I am not sure if it was only us but non of us thought our meal was delicious at all but we did enjoy byob and cozy ambiance very much. Since I gave only one try I might go back eventually but definitely not anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-21T08:20:23" }, { "business_id": "ArGw19nfPgjR28TTfgb7iw", "business_name": "Smith & Wollensky", "rating": 4, "text": "Had pleasant dinner there. Me and my hub only have been to S&W in NYC and both had decent experiences there. I am not a huge meat eater but I do enjoy bread basket ( they always have great ones!) and appetizers at steak house. We got bunch of appetizers and one huge aged rib eye. Ordered Wollensky salad, mussels, fritto misto, crab cake. I enjoyed the crab cake and fritto misto the most. They were really delicious. Salad and mussels were good too but little salty for me but I enjoyed them all. Hub got spiced rubbed rib eye. I had some, was juicy and tender. I thought was delicious but again, I am not a huge meat eater so I might be wrong. Our sever, I think his name was Rick, he was very attentive and nice. Service wise it was great. I liked that this place wasn't overly packed so we could enjoy quite meal there. The NYC one always packed with cooperate people and tourists whenever I visited there. Wasn't super pleasant. Overall was very satisfying meal. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-23T04:26:38" }, { "business_id": "-0TffRSXXIlBYVbb5AwfTg", "business_name": "IndeBlue Modern Indian Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad to find beautiful indian restaurant in the hood. Tried their vegetable samosa, spicy scallop and shrimp crusted salmon. They were all good! Samosa was crispy and deliciously seasoned. Scallop and salmon were great. I really liked the ambiance, it was lively and was perfect for grabbing some yummy food and enjoy conversation. I tried the lassi as well. And was rich and creamy as I like. I wish I tried their crispy chaat. Looked really but no one wanted to order so we skipped it. I will definitely try that dish next time I am there. The service was very professional and kind.", "timestamp": "2015-02-24T07:48:23" }, { "business_id": "DAbpxhhHOxInDNLdvWrTTQ", "business_name": "Smile Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is only based on take out food. We ordered couple dishes for delivery. Spring rolls, chicken wing with sweet chili sauce, pad see ew and Tom yum soup noodle. Food got delivered in about 40min. There was some good and bad about their food. Spring roll was not so greasy and crispy but lack of flavor. It was already kind of cold but it was delivery food so understandable. Chicken wings were actually delicious. Was good choice. The most disappointing dish was my pad see ew. Noodles were all stuck together so it was like gigantic rice cake and half of them got no sauce on them and uncooked. They put generous portion of vegetable and seemed fresh ones so that was plus. My hub did not enjoy his Tom yum noodle soup. I tasted it, it had too much lime in the broth and I prefer little less but everyone has different preference. Overall was average experience for me. We enjoyed their appetizers but not much luck with main dishes. I am not sure because it was my first try and it was take out. If I dine there it might be total different experience. But no more delivery from this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-26T01:59:47" }, { "business_id": "IsmxvaMe2i-eWnHDyC0WJQ", "business_name": "Rice & Mix", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried their take out dinner last night. I ordered spicy pork over the rice and hub got galbi tang. My hub loves authentic Korean food and me not so much. I can't handle garlic and spicy very well and doesn't appreciate free kimchi side either so I actually prefer Korean fusion places. I thought this place might be the one for me. And actually I was right. My spicy pork dish was just right for me. That means for someone looking for authentic Spicy pork dishes.. might be disappointed. I liked the fact that they didn't use much or garlic and did not see any red pepper flakes on my plate. I do hate red pepper flakes mixed with sauce usually so it was just right for me. They gave hot sauce on the side but I did not use that. It was a bit sweet and slightly spicy side. And I also got the multigrain rice which was delicious. The texture was chewy and dry side so it was almost like multi grain salad. They give edamame and steamed carrot on the side which I wasn't fan of. My dish was delicious ( for me) but was too small. I am so used huge portion of Korean meal with free sides. But I did like the sauce a lot so I will keep going back whenever I am craving. My hub actually enjoyed his galbi tang. They used LA galbi, different type of galbi Korean uses for this soup but broth was good. He finished all. But he is the kind of guy needs kimchi and side dishes when he eats Korean so he was sad there was no free kimchi. I would really like this place if they have little bigger portion .", "timestamp": "2015-02-27T17:59:40" }, { "business_id": "tS8uQ3F3azhluLqcoG3v-Q", "business_name": "Balance Spa & Fitness", "rating": 4, "text": "My review is only about massage sessions. Went there to get 50 min massage from Yolanda. I read good reviews about her massage so was very excited. The reviews were right. Her Swedish massage was very soothing. I got so relaxed so almost fell asleep during the session. She asked about my concerns before massage and worked on it very detailed. Wish I booked two hour session. 50 min felt really short working on entire body since she moves very slowly ( that was really soothing and awesome btw) She got warm and soft hands which is so important for me! Once I got massage from therapist who had ice cold and rough hands. I prayed for my session to be over soon for entire hour. Yolanda even apologized that she had long nails today which I didn't feel any, her nail was short enough for massage. If you got scratched by nails during massage you would know what I mean. She was very professional. I could not give 5 star because it was not a just massage therapist office. It was a hotel spa and the facility wasn't that great. The robe seemed worn off, the pool didn't seen super nice so I didn't use it after my session. They suppose to have jacuzzi and sauna also but I didn't not check after I saw the pool. I was very satisfied with session but facilities.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:19:59" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 5, "text": "So so so good. I love their salad and Italian seafood grill. I have been there multiple times but once I had just ok meal. My seafood grill was overly cooked that day. I hated the texture of my rubbery calamari and dry swordfish that day. Last night I asked the server that I prefer not over cooked seafood. She was so kind and said she will make sure. And my dish was phenomenon. Was sooooo good and the best grilled seafood I had. I was super satisfied. We also got shaved sprout salad, garlic bread, meatball and vongole pasta. They were all delicious. We really enjoyed them all. I can eat there everyday.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:28:26" }, { "business_id": "1qw5dIsQPNGLOwnuP7Wj1g", "business_name": "South Bowl", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there for their soft opening since lucky strike and north bowl had longer wait. Uber driver had hard time to find the place since there was no sign outside. We were roughly waited for an hour and got some drink at the bar. Some guy spilled his drinks on us and we got all wet. It's happy Saturday night so we didn't wanna be mean anything. We said ok and waited for napkin or anything from bartender at the bar. We had to wait 10 min to get some napkin to clean up and we got soaked with drink and stood there. It was busy but not that busy compare with north bowl. The staffs seemed trying their best( they seemed really overwhelmed) but just very unorganized yet. When I got my bowling shoes, they were wrong size first so went back to switch to other ones then they gave me both left side lol. Something like small things kept happening. I think because it was first night. It wasn't smooth overall. We ordered bunch of food. Food was similar with north bowl but just takes really long to get food and drink. It is opening night for them so I am sure they will get better by time.", "timestamp": "2015-03-01T07:23:24" }, { "business_id": "kjKImJ8dLwN4jDi5PQP46g", "business_name": "Unite Fitness - Philly East", "rating": 4, "text": "Enjoyed working out there for a month and I am looking forward going back. The coaches there were professional and encouraged the people like me who weren't very athletic. I've never really done any strength work out in my life and definitely not athletic side. I actually hate working out. But their 75 min class was pretty fun even to me. People there seemed very strong and well trained compare to me so I was little intimidated but I survived. I could give 5 star for their classes and coaches but little pricy side for me and no free towel services or shower etc was little inconvenient for me.", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T04:41:36" }, { "business_id": "8P8HIysyyGbG8_94cG1Jyg", "business_name": "Entree BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "Had very pleasant evening at Entree BYOB. I saw great reviews about this place and finally decided to give a shot. 6 of us got a big table near entrance. It was small restaurant so that was only table can accommodate big group. We sat promptly and ordered $50 pre fix. It was great deal. We got all different dishes. Lobster tempura, cheese plate, prosciutto wrapped date. I got cheese plate. They serve 5 different kind cheese I think. I liked blue cheese and fried goat cheese the most. It came with peanut brittle, pear slice, arugula and some bread. It was huge for appetizer and was great choice. I didn't taste other friend's dishes but everyone enjoyed theirs. I got seared tuna and scallop with ink pasta for main dish. The pasta sauce was eggplant and tomato based and it was delicious! And spicy!!!! Scallop was good size and perfectly cooked. I liked scallop more than tuna. Pasta had very strong garlic flavor so I couldn't taste seared tuna very well since I started eating pasta first. But overall very satisfying dish. For dessert, got lemon mascarpone cheese cake. Yum yum yum. And also their fried Oreo... Was very good choice as others said. The portion was huge and price was awesome too. Really enjoyed it. Place was small and we sat in front of entrance and people kept coming in so it got cold while dining. Except that it was fantastic restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:28:37" }, { "business_id": "1o0C_fqBgnQCiWn4A0R68g", "business_name": "Nuts To You", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite snack heaven in Philly. I get so happy whenever I go to their store. I am a gummy lover and its gummy heaven. I grab could different kinds gummy and dark roast peanut for my hub. He really likes roast peanut from them. Today I got gummy, peanut, raw pumpkin seed and Turkish coffee. Total was just over $18. So cheap and snacks are fresh. Love love them!", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:41:27" }, { "business_id": "3NsTKp85H2FUjr1SURf0NQ", "business_name": "Greenstreet Coffee Co.", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute and little neighborhood coffee spot. Me and u friend stopped by today for quick coffee and snack. Ordered cappuccino, ice green tea and biscotti. We were in very chatty mood so we sat outside. Small place was filled with patron who were working or studying there so felt bad to sit there and disturb them since it was tiny spot. Cappuccino was foamy and smelled awesome. I got ice green tea and they didn't charge for extra like other places. Biscotti was big enough also. One barista there made good coffee alone and very quite so it would be perfect study spot not for chatty date with girlfriends.", "timestamp": "2015-03-09T21:20:26" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I might ordered the least popular menu here but I loved it. I was wondering about this place since I see always long line of people waiting outside even during wkdays. I had beet salad and hub got the burger. And side of mac and cheese. I really enjoyed my beet salad. The portion of beet was very generous. Also they gave me a lot of goat cheese which was so yummy. Greens were fresh and dressing was delicious. He said burger was just ok. He wished he got the French toast or pancake. Seems like everyone getting them and looked really good. I will definitely go back there to try their best sellers.", "timestamp": "2015-05-17T21:46:04" }, { "business_id": "QhgrhVKlXZtSY6gRThf8zA", "business_name": "Bing Bing Dim Sum", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty interesting restaurant. This was my first visit to E Passyunk. I was pleasantly surprised with their dishes. We were extremely hungry so ordered basically everything on the menu. I enjoyed everything we ordered except pork soup dumpling. It was corn and bacon based so the soup was little greasier than others but my friend enjoyed it. I did enjoyed their bun, Taiwanese dumplings, xo sauced chicken wings, turnip cake and scallion rice dish. Yum yum yum. Dishes could be spicier side since they are not afraid using chili oil and sriracha sauce but they were delicious to me. Sitting outside and having a Dimsum?! Sounds Awesome to me.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:35:05" }, { "business_id": "yAXiqUXVDdzWAXMFAobuCQ", "business_name": "Wheel Fun Rentals - Boathouse Row", "rating": 5, "text": "It was best $30 I spent this year. Me and my friend enjoyed awesome 80 min surrey ride. It looked uncoolest thing you could ride but we had a puppy and wanted check out the park so we decide to give a shot anyway. I ended up purchasing annual membership lol. They basically give you 50% time for free if you have membership which was nice deal. We had little ride by river and turned out it was tremendous work out. Our original plan was doing this then go to flywheel after but we skipped the gym after this. It was really nice to see the scenery and get some outdoor activity. Plus my dog loved it ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:47:38" }, { "business_id": "noBinj5ChHbPCHfqTcUO6g", "business_name": "Plenty Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I adore this little cafe. People there are so nice and pet friendly. Their peach cobbler cake is so moist and just enough sweet. Their ice tea is awesome, fresh squeezed orange juice is always delicious. Their little outdoor seats are always nice.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:50:22" }, { "business_id": "EMp87GsYkVdwHftE7Ar2_w", "business_name": "Cosmic Café and Ciderhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "I appreciate this little cafe a lot. It is locate to right next bike rental, entrance of boathouse row so I would say it is in prime location. In the winter, you want to grab hot coffee here and during the summer, you want ice coffee from this place. I mean this place would be doing great no matter what because of the location. But their coffee is actually pretty good, they make fresh fruit smoothies without any sweetener. Only fresh fruit in there. Their frittata was delicious, side salad and potato were fresh. Yum yum yum. I had veggie wrap before and it was yummy. All food and drink looked very fresh to me and seems like people there make an effort to make this place pleasant. 5 stars.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:57:09" }, { "business_id": "i_FWONQD1ZBqrNE2b-M5Ug", "business_name": "Talula's Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "This is such a beautiful restaurant and I am so happy to live near by. I had brunch before and this time I tried dinner and I am glad I did. The weather was perfect for outdoor dining experience and food was delicious. Me and my girlfriend split couple dishes and we really enjoyed them. We got welcome dish- fresh baked brioche. Yum yum yum. For appetizer, got tuna crudo and sweet pea salad. Tuna was so fresh and paired watermelon was amazing. Sweet pea salad was little blend for me but friend enjoyed it. We shared pan seared halibut. The portion was not so small and broccoli was delicious with fish. We couldn't decide btwn ricotta donut and butterscotch pudding so we got both! The pudding was the winner for sure . Must get it.", "timestamp": "2015-06-17T03:37:05" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 4, "text": "After watched the show at Arden, me and my hubby grabbed dinner at Fork. We had so so experiences at High street on Market so hesitated a bit but we gave a shot after read positive reviews. It had welcoming and beautiful ambiance and services were professional. Overall I enjoyed my meal but husband wasn't very impressed. I guess restaurant really can't satisfy everyone. I am a girl who hates leaving restaurant hungry so amuse bouche and several house treat platters made me very happy. We had 4 course tasting menu and they served different treats after each course. Sweet bread starter and shrimp raw platter were delicious start. They were not super small portion. For pasta course,we had gnudi pasta and ravioli. Gnudi pasta was delicious since I am big fan of cheese but it could be too rich for others who doesn't enjoy rich cheese. I thought ravioli was lack of flavor. But again, I am rich, creamy pasta girl. For main, we got duck breast and pork. Hubby ordered pork but he didn't like it much so we ended up switching the plate. I thought pork was ok. But not blown away. Oddly side dishes for both main courses were pickled vegetable. Since I got pickled veggie for my sweet bread starter, it was too much pickle for 4 courses dinner. Dessert, hubby got Black Forest cake( it's more like mousse) and I got cheese plate. Cheese selection was good. I enjoyed mine. Hubby didn't like his mousse so I ended up finishing his. It was rich but too bitter for me. Overall I left restaurant full and happy, I would go back if I am near for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-06-24T05:26:05" }, { "business_id": "bLJP0fVgscuUQy0hE_CRXA", "business_name": "Xiandu Thai", "rating": 4, "text": "Very decent Thai restaurant in center city. I had lunch special with friends and I was really satisfied. Had Tum yum soup and red curry with rice. Soup was really delicious even though I normally don't like tom yum soup. Red curry was mild spicy and creamy. Really like it. It could have been 5 star if our server were little bit helpful. My friend asked about her menu, she didn't want to order fried food and wanted to make sure but our server gave her wrong information and she ended up with deep fried dish. It was delicious however that was not what she was asking. It could have been 5 star.", "timestamp": "2015-07-10T03:01:12" }, { "business_id": "6aoXAXNrL7KrGBVRYBMFWw", "business_name": "Andre Richard Salon", "rating": 5, "text": "They have two salons at Washington square park area. They are so close to me so I've been both locations. The one at 12th street gym location is smaller but the one on Locust street is much larger and nicer. My girl is Anastasia and I really like her. She listens my concern and try to help out. It is crucial for me to click with my hair stylist since communication is very important. She is definitely very thoughtful and not pushy. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-07-24T19:41:13" }, { "business_id": "pxmBh8YZ6HLGQfNHvJoHzA", "business_name": "Nomad Roman Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "It is great local pizza spot for me. Convenient location and no waiting to be seated. I noticed Philly has some great pizza spots!!! Nomad was on my list and finally tried. I saw great reviews about root salad and margarita pizza so I got them and also tried meat balls. I did enjoy my root salad, it has so much flavor but It was little small even for appetizer. Pizza was pretty good but I've had better in Philly. However meatball was disappointing. Was lack of flavor and I tried some amazing meatball dishes in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T21:35:10" }, { "business_id": "FhwTEGqdir75uyXZqWqxlw", "business_name": "Big Gay Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "I was glad this cute ice cream shop opened near my place. There was long line and I loved their excited ambiance. I tried their best seller - salty pimp. They sprinkled a lot of salt, caramel and covered with chocolate. I was super excited to watch them making my ice cream. I think I enjoyed that experience more than eating it. Maybe it's only me, I was never big fan of salted caramel fan. And def it was pricier side for soft ice cream. I think I will stick with my Yogorino.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T22:13:17" }, { "business_id": "rMWdWJHblLHt_BQ2kWj5Bg", "business_name": "Seger Dog Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad I have couple doggie run near me. I appreciate having this park close to me. Compare to the one by river, this one doesn't not have separate doggie run so it might be not suitable for small dogs but my 7 pounds baby loves go there and hang out with big dogs. I did not have any bad experiences there so far, big dogs there behave so well and gentle with my small baby. They play so well together and we had a great time however you just never know. C I met some cool people there, they were every friendly. It's not artificial grass so her paws got dirty after playing there and sometimes it stink.", "timestamp": "2015-08-13T18:18:33" }, { "business_id": "V8we7-uCa-SouadZmZ9Ieg", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory", "rating": 3, "text": "It is so lame but this was chain restaurant I really wanted to try haha. I just heard about this place a lot- huge portion, good dessert etc however I've never seen this place anywhere in city. Now I finally went! Stopped by for lunch, got Alfredo fettuccini ( lunch portion) with chicken and classic burger with fries. We thought that would be safe choice since it was our first visit. Pasta was very thick, creamy like other chain restaurant. Chicken breast was moist and tender. My hubby enjoyed his burger and couldn't finish his fries. We were full so had original cheese cake piece to go. Our server was very friendly and had full of smile on her face whenever we sees her. Food was nothing ordinary but service was nice and I like to have this restaurant in the city.", "timestamp": "2015-08-14T17:34:40" }, { "business_id": "2er_V-oAd7IbQ5YTY56r7A", "business_name": "Bareburger - Midtown Village", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to be a big fan of Bare burger when they opened in NYC. I am not sure why I totally neglected this place for years. I only tried their vegetarian menus in NYC, my vegetarian friends really appreciated their veggie protein options. I remember those were yummy. Today we got County, Caviar burger with fries and rings. Large size comes with 4 speciality sauces. I thought burger bun was pretty good however I prefer juicy meat so this one was a bit dry for me. Also I prefer crispy fries, this one was little soggy... I remember this chain used to much better, maybe it depends on location. I am still glad to have heathy burger option near me", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T17:16:49" }, { "business_id": "NUJrCPU51Cvip4ayZD1P5g", "business_name": "Jose Pistola's", "rating": 4, "text": "I would say their bar food is very decent. I actually enjoyed their taco and nachos very much. I am not huge fan of bar food- normal greasy and very salty for me. However couple of friends recommended this place for Mexican snack and I can't agree more. Nachos were so yummy!! Crispy and I liked their topping. Not soggy and just perfect combination of bean, veggies and cheese! Tacos were decent as well however I think nacho was the winner. Definitely going back for some snack.", "timestamp": "2015-08-20T03:06:57" }, { "business_id": "uIZwBkvWicqyWraXvYOipw", "business_name": "Sbraga", "rating": 5, "text": "They have great 4 course meal for $55. What a amazing deal. And absolutely delicious. I was very happy to receive warm and crispy pop over and foie gras soup. I wasn't feeling for pop over so didn't have it but my hubby said it was so good and he finished it. And he is not a bread person. Their welcome dishes are even impressive. The soup was.... amazing. So creamy and so savory. Can't get enough. Wish they have that for their regular menu. I will totally get it. I got hamachi, lamb pasta appetizer, striped bass and cheese plate. 3 decent sized pieces of hamachi accompanied with jalapeño. It was so good, I forgot to take photo. Lamb pasta was delicious and rich with sauce. But I switched to my hubby's dish- saffron pasta with crab meat. I liked his dish better. Bass was cooked so moist and delicious. Very very satisfied. I was very happy to see cheese plate w/o extra charge. Nice touch! They gave me 3 piece with candid walnut and fig. I enjoyed sheep milk cheese the most.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:42:17" }, { "business_id": "nsH0hQ7xB5LS2_Ba3mqHTQ", "business_name": "Paesano's Philly Style", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok. So I finally tried Paesano sandwich. I was meaning to try it for very long time. My hubby picked up for me and I had it for lunch next day. I enjoyed it very much and I am sure if I eat fresh one.. I will be blown away.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:55:53" }, { "business_id": "fEqiXG_B-fn__w0aeF3nBQ", "business_name": "Laurel", "rating": 4, "text": "Very creative restaurant. I am not a fan of cold dishes but I did enjoy my ice flaked hamachi and foie gras dish. They were creamy but not overly empowering. We ordered truffle gnocchi for extra and that was right choice. I enjoyed very much. They were not cheap with truffle so $30 was so worthy. For main course, cod was decent size and my boo liked that dish the most. Pork was super tender and delicious. Dessert was chocolate pudding. I was expecting something special so when dessert came out, I was little disappointed. It was yummy but nothing special about dessert.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:51:03" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my favorite Sabrina's brand. I tried all 3 locations in city and keep coming back to this one. Staff is nice and food is consistent. I feel this space little larger than one at Italian market so feel less cramped. Burger and breakfast egg are always delicious and enjoy their fresh sneezed juice. Can't wait to go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:57:50" }, { "business_id": "POuaebsAeCyNx-8qZ3O7XQ", "business_name": "Shang Hai 1", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their soup dumpling very much. They are fast,delicious and super cheap. Tried couple dumplings here and they were all good. We got experimental and ordered regular menu but they were so so. I will stick to dumplings only from now on.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T04:01:28" }, { "business_id": "pXRrRf8fDv6yU3xp1E25hA", "business_name": "Bud & Marilyn's", "rating": 4, "text": "I was wondering about this place awhile and finally got to try it. Got cheese curds, short rib stroganoff, fried chicken and lobster buns. I always wanted to try cheese curd truck but never got to wait to get to so this was perfect. Was little salty for me but if you skip the sauce then it's bearable. As other reviews said, short rib stroganoff was definitely winner of the night. Was delicious and I love it very much. Lobster buns were pretty good too. Decent size of lobsters in it. Not heavy on sauce. Yum. Fried chicken dish was huge. Big two pieces include breast. I prefer white meat part so it was perfect. It wasn't Korean fried chicken style,it was more like Blue ribbon fried chicken in NYU. Otherwise fancy KFC lol Most dishes were little saltier side than other restaurants but maybe good with drinks. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T17:21:31" }, { "business_id": "8-A_4Jp2-NHKvjLcPE8HVA", "business_name": "United States Postal Service Land Title Station", "rating": 1, "text": "Wish I could give \" zero\" star. Yelp needs to give us option to give zero star. Seriously.. This location usps deserve to get Zero star. Normally most of experiences at USPS are not very pleasant. But I am reasonable person. I do not expect 5 star hotel service here. You do not have to kind and super helpful to me. Just let me send out my pkg without making me so unpleasant. I went to this location multiple times since it is so close to me however it was my last time to go there. One of lady is extremely rude. I did not see her name ( wish I did, so I can save a lot of people's bad experiences there) but I think most reviews here already mention about her. I actually saw once she made one customer cried. She yelled and extremely rude to her and the poor young lady actually cried in front of other ppl and said she shouldn't be so mean. I did not hear whole conversation so I did not leave any review at that time. This time, actually was my experience. Same lady extremely rude to me for no reason and I did not argue with crazy lady so just left saying nothing since even if I complain, the crazy lady won't change. Do not go there. There are other locations.. And if you must..do not go to right side of counter. There are two counters. She will find way to yell at you even if you did anything wrong and just waiting on line for your turn. She loves to boss around and yell at her customers and most of us are too busy and just want to leave there asap.. She is abusing it. So far she was always on the right side. She is extremely unpleasant person to deal with. Be aware.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T15:20:21" }, { "business_id": "3eJMsl41qwhcYlvoTF1ElQ", "business_name": "a.kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is purely about their lunch special. Had pleasant experience there. Their lunch special is great deal. Big portion and great service. I had smoked charr flat bread and Tuna. Hubby got steak tartare and octopus. I liked my tuna a lot. They served 3 huge chunk of tuna pieces. I have big portion but this satisfied me :-) Smoked char, I normally love this dish but this one was too salty. Couldn't really taste fish be cause it was too picked. I did not enjoy hubby's tartar, raw meat was very chunky, piece was too big for steak tartar but hubby enjoyed it. Octopus was my favorite dish there. Chef must love pickle so much. Our dish was full of prickly flavor. I love them so had no problem.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T16:38:29" }, { "business_id": "4HLur5bFXB6pT0o4ao3wgA", "business_name": "Nagwon Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "Best value all you can eat Korean bbq in city. It's not close from where we live so hesitated to go there however the owner couple were very attentive. All you can eat bbq has all kind of meats and seafood. So everyone has something to eat. Side dishes are pretty good. Sometime they are cold if you go odd hour. Bean paste stew are delicious. Great value. Wish they were close to center city.", "timestamp": "2016-01-29T05:47:11" }, { "business_id": "gjFUrbSMo1rA1jgG5IhA2A", "business_name": "Chima Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I was surprised by their size when I walked in. They did not seem that big from outside. We were seated promptly and they were very fast took our order. Creamy mashed potato, cheese bread and sweet plantain came out right away. I really liked their salad bar. Gorgonzola cheese dressing with endive was my favorite. Fresh greens and grilled vegetables. Yummy. I was more focused on salad bar than meat buffet so can't give enough reviews about meat but my meat eater husband enjoyed them very much so must be good. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:22:22" }, { "business_id": "kj3Lyh9KooU8GcRBbMDQWQ", "business_name": "Le Pain Quotidien", "rating": 4, "text": "This is probably one of my favorite chain restaurant/ bakery. It is so convenient for me and really like their cozy ambiance. They do not really bother me once I order so it is perfect to catch up with friends or read myself even. I always get their Paris ham & cheese tartine or quinoa cake with arugula. Once they ran out hummus and informed me after I ordered so I had to eat without hummus. Wasn't that good. Would been nice if they substitute with other ingredient though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:34:42" } ]	{ "business_id": "KscVqYYG7ziAroZhfNb0Ng", "business_name": "South", "rating": 5, "text": "First time I tried this restaurant and it was restaurant week visit. I was super satisfied after my meal ;-) The location was kinda far. I've been that place before and it was lobster/ seafood place if I remember right. The ambiance was pretty same except they were playing live jazz music and it was quite nice. 3 course restaurant week menu we tried were gumbo( our waitress recommended and she was right), pork chop, mahi and chicken. For dessert we got spiced pumpkin cake and pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. Their bread basket was die for. Yummy cheese biscuit and corn bread with cream cheese butter. We ended up asking second basket. Appetizer sized gumbo was huge and delicious. Everyone enjoyed it. I believe pork chop was the best choice among main dish. Mahi with farro salad was pretty good too but little lack of flavor. For dessert huge pecan pie piece came out with big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Was really delicious. I ended up left my spice pumpkin dessert and just ate pecan pie coz was so so good. Overall was super satisfying. I will def go back.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:46:37" }
NUtIAX-ygn474tDg5nmesg	[ { "business_id": "wUnLSg_GKfEIQ5CQQ770_g", "business_name": "Vetri Cucina", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try this place. Heard good things about it. I was very impressed and enjoyed every dishes except one. Sadly that was my main dish. Ambiance wasn't fancy. Reminds small restaurant in Italy. Our waiter was excellent and very knowledgable. Definitely going back.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T04:26:32" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 4, "text": "Great lunch spot. Stopped by with my parents today for quick lunch. Lunch special is great deal. We ordered two lunch special and one appetizer and still had left over. Lunch special burrito was huge and my parents loved it. And my parents are pretty picky eaters so I assumed burrito was good even though I didn't taste it. I had chicken taco which was great as well. I will def come back again.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:27:13" }, { "business_id": "tC8i2_9ww-WoT1wZOCwRrw", "business_name": "Sue's Custom Dressmaking & Tailor Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. I am very particular with my dress. Really hard to find decent alteration in the US compare with where I am from. I always brought my dresses to Korea or HK until I found this place. I brought couple dresses to be tailored. I was little worried that It wouldn't be that simple job. They needed to be tailored entirely, not just trimmed. Materials weren't easy to handle since they were very delicate. And some of them were vintage items. They did amazing job and I love them all. Korean tailors are the best. And they are one of top for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:40:50" }, { "business_id": "LiHdRXlcj0GDm_e97oiwKw", "business_name": "Pure Fare", "rating": 4, "text": "Really delicious smoothie. I got leaf green one. Had spinach, banana, kale and etc I think. Was not super sweet or icy. It was very delicious and thick but not over powered banana flavor like other places! I would give 5 star if portion wasn't that tiny. The guy who made my smoothie threw away left over inside mixer after poured my smoothie in tiny cup. I wanted to cry!", "timestamp": "2014-07-31T20:01:31" }, { "business_id": "F7fC4dZW17muSvE8ixaXkQ", "business_name": "LeBus Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "It is a bakery but their bread selections aren't so amazing. I though muffins are just average. Cookies are just ok.. Actually loft bread was so dry. However I still go there pretty often for getting couscous and curry chicken deli sandwich for lunch. Their couscous is one of best I ever had.", "timestamp": "2014-11-25T00:56:34" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 2, "text": "Conveniently located in center city. Cozy ambiance and friendly staff. Nothing exciting on menu. Order bunch of dishes with group of ppl. Smoked tuna taco.. Tasted like mayo albacore tuna sandwich. I do like tuna sandwich but didn't expect eat them in restaurant. Bacon and date dish was good but who doesn't like that combo.. Hard to mess up that dish, nothing extraordinary. Had empanadas which was pretty average as well. Ordered ceviche smaller as well. I do heart law fish. It is really easy to impress me with raw seafood dish but even I wasn't blown away.. For main dishes we ordered scallops, skirt steak, tuna and duck dishes. I think duck dish was the best among them. Scallop was good as well but was a bit burned. Other dishes were so so. Not bad but not amazing. I was very excited to try dessert there because the signature dessert, chocolate cigar one looked amazing, it was really cute to see it but wasn't super tasty however coconut tapioca dessert was the hit. Probably the best part of this meal. We had 2 cocktail, one beer and one diet coke as well. Bill was around $400 for 4ppl. Not worth for the price.", "timestamp": "2014-12-17T03:58:33" }, { "business_id": "VJEzpfLs_Jnzgqh5A_FVTg", "business_name": "Jasmine Rice - Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I really wanted to like this place. People seem kind and conveniently located in center city. Wasn't able to find decent thai place in center city so I was excited to try new spot. Sadly couldn't reach my expectation. We ordered 4 appetizers and 2 main dishes for two ppl. I know it sounds a lot for two ppl but was good decision to order that much. Otherwise we would be left hungry. Got fried calamari, coconut soup, steamed mussels and spring rolls for appetizer. As some of others mentioned already the portions are tiny here. Soup size was ridiculous. Smallest soup I've never had.Spring roll size was about my pinky, was delicious but tiny tiny.. Those two appetizers were extremely small even for starter. For main dish we got pad Thai with beef and red curry with chicken. Pad Thai was really sweet. Maybe too sweet even for Americanized thai food. Red curry broth was delicious, was creamy and good amount of spice. But there wasn't enough soup. They serve curry on flat plate so they can't hold enough soup for curry and rice. I am not sure why they choose use that plate for soupy dishes. Curry broth was amazing but green bean and carrot weren't cooked at all. I wanted to give one star to be honest but only reason I gave two star was the server was very kind and gave me more broth for my curry. The extra curry broth he brought was bigger portion than my coconut soup btw.", "timestamp": "2014-12-22T19:38:13" }, { "business_id": "TunmRrfZb7bt53T6HJi4UQ", "business_name": "Bleu Sushi", "rating": 1, "text": "They have very strict groupon policy which I don't understand. The restaurant was more than half empty but owner gave us hard time to redeem groupon because we did not make a reservation with groupon. Won't back again.", "timestamp": "2014-12-24T18:26:15" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 1, "text": "Sadly have to leave negative review even though their lovely ambiance and great customer service. Tried tasting menu and most of dishes were overly salted except first course which was pumpkin spiced soup and dessert. Btw only good part of this meal. Two of us had to finish two bottle of water ( they were huge btw but we had to finish. If you wanna increase water intake..please go to this place) and also had to drink diet coke as well. I rather pay more and go back to Vetri to enjoy expensive Italian meal or just stick with my fav Little Nonna.. Philly just have too many Italian options.", "timestamp": "2014-12-25T07:15:58" }, { "business_id": "g8OyaT2RL8JCKItDExcFug", "business_name": "Blackfish", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried 7course tasting menu. Was $90 before tax so it is great deal for decent tasting. Right after had huge disappointment from il Pittore's super salty tasting menu, I was pretty satisfied with this place. They serve fresh oyster and tofu cream dish for amuse bouche. Had crudo with yuzu, chicken liver mousse, chestnut ravioli with mushroom foam I believe, seared salmon and braised beef dish. They were all delicious. I didn't have much expectation for this restaurant to be honest but I though all dishes were yummy! For dessert courses they served cheese plate, raspberry jelly donut which was meh... then finish with goat cheese mousse which was great. Since main dishes were so delicious, dessert was little weak but overall satisfied meal for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-12-28T05:00:52" }, { "business_id": "i76ERS3jM111T3VMbi2yrQ", "business_name": "Sagami", "rating": 3, "text": "After tried Morimoto, Zama, Raw, Fat salmon and etc.. I am still in searching mode for good sushi. Wish I found the one today but it did not happen. 4 of us ordered 2 zaru soba, chirashi, sushi set A, sashimi dinner set, seaweed side dish and mushroom and egg dashi soup. Nigiri size was very generous. They were thick and but lack of flavor. Friends who been here multiple times agreed that this place usually better than this but for some reason today.. everything was just plain. Rice wasn't seasoned enough either so chirashi wasn't so delicious. Soba was ok and tamago was pretty good, sweet and soft texture. Side dishes were good, seaweed and ginger salad weren't too sweet so I enjoyed them. But our main dishes were disappointing. I saw others ordered cooked dishes and they looked good. Think we picked wrong dishes.. I might give one more try since lack of my sushi choices in philly but probably will stick with cooked dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:31:40" }, { "business_id": "EwX4CUwRFwjO9oO5sJJ-bA", "business_name": "Pileggi on the Square", "rating": 5, "text": "My review is only about the massage experience with Dairo here. I tried so many massage therapists in philly and now finally I found the person to go to! This place divided to two section, hair salon and spa downstair. Massage room is clean and quite. You get to choose your oil and they give you solid 50 min massage. He mostly worked on upper body and didn't get to work on my legs much but 50 min is short time to cover both and I usually have really tense shoulder so was perfect for me. He ask you few questions before you going into the room so let him know where you want him to work on. I am so addict to massage. Can't get it enough and by far he is the best in Philly.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:54:20" }, { "business_id": "Oh3Q3QfhMl2DArFiLUrT9Q", "business_name": "La Fourno Ristorante Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "My star is based on Groupon dinner only. Used the groupon for dinner for two. Got salad ( fresh and yummy), soup( home style cooking) and pizza for appetizer. I saw a lot of reviews that their pizza is great and it was right. Pizza was delicious. Must get the pizza if you go. We got veal Parmesan and stuffed chicken dish for main. They were pretty good but I thought veal dish price is too high. For groupon deal, they were awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-01-22T23:25:00" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute French bistro in neighborhood. Warm ambiance and good service. The portion of dishes are generous here even for bistro. Had lamb shank and brisket dishes for main. Both were pretty good but they were really salty. I do like their dessert menu. Their Mille feuille is delicious. One thing I wasn't happy was their butter. They served little cold butter so hard to spread on bread :-(", "timestamp": "2015-01-23T00:03:07" }, { "business_id": "41Wm32-Aj7jdejK4QfUDDw", "business_name": "Schuylkill River Dog Run", "rating": 5, "text": "Great dog run. I've only been to doggie runs in NYC and this place is 10times better!!!!! It has two separate section for small and big doggies. It isn't stink like other doggie runs I experienced so I can tell Its very well maintained. Very very clean and I can tell it won't get muddy when it's snow or rain. Very satisfied with this place!!!", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T00:38:05" }, { "business_id": "bjPUhanWoinHi2kywvVzBA", "business_name": "Mercato BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "So happy that I found this place. I always walked by this place and always wondered. It is small and intimidate place. We shared fontana cheese meatball, soup and both had market fish platter. They were pretty delicious. And olive herb butter accompany to bread was nice touch.", "timestamp": "2015-01-28T02:35:05" }, { "business_id": "DsKzHnkLKnxZTVsFpts4oA", "business_name": "Red Owl Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "Better food than I thought. I had zero expectation when I walked in with group on sat evening. Has no reservation but we were seated promptly. Tried bunch of bar snack and burger and fries were good. Their cheese plate gave 5 kinds of cheese and generous with portion.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T03:58:51" }, { "business_id": "5INWCIArMbFd-aku3-UI3Q", "business_name": "Ana Pesce Advance Skin Technology", "rating": 5, "text": "My visit to Ana Pesce again. Had another amazing experience there and I noticed they moved to bigger and nicer venue so I felt like I should update my review. Weather hasn't been nice so my skin got dry and needed another facial.Today I went back to Ana and I feel like I got what I needed. She did some amazing mask( she applied thick mask then cover it with plasticky paper then use lightening machine to massage) I am not sure what she did since she improvise depends on your skin condition so every visit was little different each time in my case. Got a amazing result. I applied make up on after my facial. My skin was glowing and smooth. Loved the result. My friend did facial with Cindy to get extraction. Her treatment is little longer than mine since she got extraction and some laser treatment done. She looked absolutely fresh after facial and she was very happy with Cindy's work. I love that they are very professional and dedicate to their job. I thought was weird that they asked so many questions when I did my first facial. Like my diet!, skin routine, if I taking any supplement etc but now I know they understand my skin very well and it's all applied to my treatment. Love them a lot and I keep going back for sure. Just go and get the facial from Ana or Cindy.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:07:45" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually like this place a lot. Ppl are very nice and attentive. I always get the continental salad with grilled chicken. It is basic menu but they do cook chicken very tender and juicy. Alway get the best grilled chicken salad there. And the portion is HUGE. Since I do hate tiny salad ( how much cost give us little more green?) this is the place to go to get good salad.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:14:20" }, { "business_id": "fJQzUesrvvoMUkjQBNxc6g", "business_name": "Nail Spa Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Want to love this place so bad.. but I can't. It is so close to me and the price is relatively good. Got $30 mani pedi. The lady did mine was really quick. I was done entire thing already when my friend was only finishing her pedi. She was fast but her job wasn't that great. I tipped her ok and gave two star on Yelp since this place is cheap, she was quick( this place get really busy)and gave me a cup of tea but I prolly won't go back there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:20:54" }, { "business_id": "EhotxJEJxpMgCJ0F82Buvg", "business_name": "The Olde Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I read about this place and wanted to check out. It is pretty venue and staffs are happy to show you around. The oyster is fresh and I can't tell much about drink since I am not a drinker but friends seemed happy! They get really busy on wkend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:25:50" }, { "business_id": "ChAVUpsZ0GTZ4m8T10ACqw", "business_name": "Just Dogs and Cats", "rating": 5, "text": "Cute store in the neighborhood. I walked in with my puppy and wanted to get little ball for her to play. I don't like tennis ball since she is big time chewer and tear apart very easily. The owner lady recommended perfect rubber balls for her tiny mouth. And the best part was they were not made in China. Those are my puppies favorite toy! Also she gave my puppy free chocolate peanut butter cup. That was so sweet!", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:08:42" }, { "business_id": "WCLexnTQmylse_p0kQbz2g", "business_name": "The Treemont", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to try this place after I had good experience at Blackfish. Food was decent and ambiance was cozy as well. I had chicken liver pate and short rib. Chicken liver pate is one of my favorite dishes so I usually get it whenever I see them on the menu. Sadly it was just average. Not bad but not good either. Liked their creamy texture but was lack on flavor, they gave you a lot of brioche though. Beef short rib dish was pretty good but was little too sweet in my opinion. For me, 4 or 5 star on yelp means I would like to go back. This place more like 3.5 star or above but just not a 4 star...", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:21:33" }, { "business_id": "UDOcMEgRKfoCc-BikZJFhg", "business_name": "Maha Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "I love practice here. People here are very nice and welcoming you even though you are new. You think ppl at yoga studio would be so nice but not always. Yoga studio can be very intimidating. I usually go their yoga hour. They offer more yoga hours and other promotions than other studios at center city. I like their location, price and instructors.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:25:23" }, { "business_id": "woTZpX92uByUgliPrh39Mg", "business_name": "Ocean Prime", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not sure why I never tried this restaurant until now. It is in my neighborhood and I passed by all the time. Since it is restaurant week so we wanted to try new places we haven't been. You can't really tell from outside but the ambiance is very nice inside once you walk in, little bit darker and high ceiling. It's like classic and fancy steak house. We got the lobster bisque, salad, filet mignon, teriyaki salmon with sticky rice and 5 layered carrot cake. Appetizers were pretty good and I didn't try the meat dish but my husband said it was good. I thought salmon cooked perfectly and well seasoned. Also rice was delicious. As some other reviewer mentioned the carrot cake was good but a bit too sweet. But pineapple sauce does magic :-) The service was really really great. They are attentive and very sweet. It was satisfied meal overall.", "timestamp": "2015-02-02T19:12:38" }, { "business_id": "0oSSjekU-3GR8gselReWnA", "business_name": "Butcher and Singer", "rating": 4, "text": "Review is based on restaurant wk menu, we stop by for weekday lunch. Shared butternut squash soup, Rockefeller oyster for appetizer. Soup was hot and creamy just I like. Oyster was delicious as well. We got burger and crab sandwich for entree. Burger meat was well cooked since my mother in law ordered well done but was still juicy. I thought was pretty delicious. Fries were salty but I found most fries are salty to me in Philadelphia so.. Crab sandwich was my favorite, perfectly seasoned and thin slice chips were delicious as well. For dessert we got carrot cake and I thought was little bland. Salted chocolate and caramel tart was very delicious. Good portion of food and great service. I would go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-04T20:54:58" }, { "business_id": "85e8Uyn8tIyEZCqBP80rqA", "business_name": "Lolita", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to Mexican restaurant. It is hard to find good Mexican place in the east coast but this place by far the best for me. I really enjoy their taco varieties. My friend had couple of diet restriction. Like no dairy, gluten and no pistachios etc. They were very good at accommodating our order and since we split the plate, they serve all sauces and cheese on the side. Salad portion is generous and fresh and their guacamole is always awesome too. It is my favorite Mexican place in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-06T04:31:32" }, { "business_id": "urO7cwWPFRZU1MpSt9JIGw", "business_name": "Doggie Style Pets", "rating": 4, "text": "I stop by here with my puppy on the way to doggie park. I like this location a lot because it is conveniently located on the way to park and staffs are very friendly. They are usually very young and I see some complains that they are not well trained but I did not have those negative experiences. They were very attentive and willing to help. And most importantly, they are dog loving people. Plus they have free treats for dogs by register :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-09T01:30:07" }, { "business_id": "DLM7E6lrW-zpM10RJ4fAeg", "business_name": "Urban Front Pilates", "rating": 4, "text": "Clean facility and friendly staffs! My visit to Urban front Pilates was so enjoyable. I tried only mat Pilates and Vbarre class. I never liked mat Pilates classes before ( tried couple times from other studios) but this one was different. I will come back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T22:56:03" }, { "business_id": "Jm8OvNQy8PlXUroRmKE10Q", "business_name": "Focus Barre & Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "Recently tried their hot yoga and barre classes. Both instructors were very nice and helpful. I enjoyed classes with full of women in the room. The classes had great energy. I personally try to avoid hot yoga after 3 years of my Bikram yoga addiction which left me broken capillaries but I did not know they had hot yoga room until I get there. Even though I am trying to avoid hot yoga, their class quality was great and instructor was knowledgable. Barre class was harder than I thought. All that small muscle work out was definitely tough! Overall great studio to have near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T23:05:11" }, { "business_id": "vhDWGF-8BfsxvS7Zo5Wv2w", "business_name": "Abe Fisher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their food, great service and cozy ambiance. But salty salty salty. 2 of tried their tasting menu. I thought most dishes were delicious. Def was better ones I tried in NYC. If they were little less saltier, more like 4.5 star :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:15:47" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 3, "text": "Maybe I am a girl with huge stomach but I don't get full with one piece of pita and small hummus :-(. This place sounds like heaven for hummus lover. I do love hummus too but I need something else to eat with. I never had hummus alone for lunch so... Dish itself is pretty good but not mind-blowing. I went back couple times so far since it is so close to me but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:21:10" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 4, "text": "Best fries ever! I am not a burger person so can't tell but everyone seems really enjoying it. I go there to get short rib fries. Combination of cheese and short rib.... It is just AMAZING. It is worth to gain weight. I even picked it up on way home and ate once. Wasn't same... Go to restaurant and get one.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:26:45" }, { "business_id": "6wqxuBt2InDipRuUj8BNuQ", "business_name": "La Colombe Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "It is my go to coffee spot in my neighborhood. One thing I like about Philly is La Columbe is so close to me now! I used to walk all the way downtown in NYU to go there! Now I can go anytime! And store has unique ambiance. They serve your coffee in cute china and baristas are so knowledgable and attentive. They do not serve soy milk btw.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:33:04" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant looks so warm and cozy from outside. And it is! Very cute ambiance and dishes are pretty good. I thought it is so cute that they give you little present like small jam when you are leaving.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:53:08" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 3, "text": "I might have to give another shot to this place to be fair. I went there once and I still have so many new places to try in Philly. Order fish of the day dish and other friends ordered steak and burger. My fish was just average. Nothing special about it to remember except it was tiny piece of fish. This place seems very well popular here and a lot of ppl loving it so I may give another try...", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:59:08" }, { "business_id": "vCHNWdW-ys-nWUx3Cpvk8Q", "business_name": "Swiss Haus Cafe & Pastry Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I purchased box of cookies and gifted to friend. I haven't tried but my friend said kids loved them and literally had to pull them away from box before they finished them haha. They were picky eaters so I guess they do bake good cookies.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:05:46" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "I was give this place 5 star but changed my mind. I think this place could be hit and miss based on my two visits. First time I went there I had THE MEAL. Falafel was so hot, freshly fried and I even got one extra free to taste before purchased. I got Mama's platter both times. Was amazing for the first visit. Everything fresh and veggies were crunch. 5 star for sure. My second visit was more like 3 star. Everything was cold and falafel wasn't tasty like before. Veggies were soggy as well. I will give another shot and will see.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:14:10" }, { "business_id": "YzluF3FNGjnW-tOrLZt8JA", "business_name": "Zama", "rating": 3, "text": "Fresh sushi/ sashimi is my favorite meal. I can literally eat 3 times per day! I was so eager to find my favorite Japanese restaurant once I came to Philly. Zama was my first try. Location is good and ambiance is typical Japanese restaurant. Tried uni, tuna, fatty tuna, salmon, salmon roe sashimi. Those are my favorite so I get them wherever I go. They were good but not outstanding. I thought price was little high for what it is.. But I still go there for quick lunch since location is so awesome for me and I do like that intimate ambiance to chat with my friends. If price was little lower I would give 4 star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:27:49" }, { "business_id": "h7TO_IsmLCYmKKDVOOIeFw", "business_name": "Fat Salmon", "rating": 2, "text": "Ordered my usual. Sashimi platter with salmon, salmon roe, Tuna and uni. They were somewhat flavorless. Rolls seemed good with all the sauces etc but sashimi wasn't that good. And personally I am not fan of blue neon light with food presentation. Not so appetizing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:33:22" }, { "business_id": "rVGxva6cx2eID4ghDLVHJg", "business_name": "1225Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I thought sashimi was ok but I did enjoy their spicy sashimi salad. Owner must be Korean or at least has staff who is Korean. They make kick ass spicy go-chu-jang sauce for sashimi salad. And I tried to copy it at home for other dish I cooked and I was terribly failed. I thought just mix sugar and sesame oil with go-chi-Jang but it wasn't same. I must go back there to find out.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:37:12" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this Morimoto than nyc one. I did not know Morimoto was from Philadelphia. I only got the omakase in nyc one and wasn't very impressed every time I ordered! We ordered dishes this time in philly and I enjoyed every bite. Black cod was cooked perfectly and I really liked ponzu sauce for hamachi. Def going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:42:53" }, { "business_id": "trwHwsXOVV-ZmF-MtP98BA", "business_name": "High Street Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Was excited to try this place when they were opened it. Eh.... Not going back. They were very cheap with ingredient and some what salty. And very small portion. Maybe ppl in Philly do not eat much like I do... Philly has so many better options than here.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T02:01:33" }, { "business_id": "RnhLCG4N9MPy6ZRzq787Cg", "business_name": "Devil's Alley Bar & Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "I had brunch once and late night snack there once. Both were decent meal and good price. It looked like bar from outside and I expected nothing. But was better than my expectation. Quesadilla was delicious and ingredients were fresh. Salad was good too. Staffs were very nice as well.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T15:45:34" }, { "business_id": "WXRZlGsdUjraCAcgtCyk4Q", "business_name": "Potito's Italian American Pastries", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their cakes! It is firm and moist and since it is so thick and firm that I can order it a day before and still fresh. I normally prefer French or Japanese bake goods over Italian but this is my cake shop in Philly! I also tried cannoli and various individual cake pieces but I thought whole cake was much better deal here. Also taste better too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:05:28" }, { "business_id": "iUZEGx29miZObLd6_lt7Vg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I love their Asian salad!! I got it one at university city location and fell in love! So ordered same dish here as well. The veggies they used little different that day- no green pea in my sale :-( and the portion was smaller. I do enjoy huge salad so was little disappointing since I expected same quality as other location. My mom loved their stuff French toast so ordered same dish and wasn't good as we had before... But service was ver attentive. She kept giving us coffee and stopped by if we needed anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:12:49" }, { "business_id": "ctHjyadbDQAtUFfkcAFEHw", "business_name": "Zahav", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant is beautiful. Very pretty deco and service is great too. I heart middle eastern food and I have my favorite middle eastern place in NYC but now I am eager to find one in Philly. This place is the closest I can find for now. We tried tasting menu once, tried multiple small plate on the list. They were all decent but not mind blowing, more than anything I wasn't impressed by their hummus and falafel... Bummer.. Lamb shoulder was ran out so couldn't get it either. Second time we ordered lamb shoulder for 4 ppl. Woot woot! Was a lot of food since we ordered other plates as well. Ended up wrapping up left over and ate it for days haha.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:30:35" }, { "business_id": "mlgewa5y_a_AxVTamXGemA", "business_name": "Walnut Street Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "Have been a subscriber for 2014-15. So far they had great shows. Somewhat very commercial and but entertaining. Their actors were very talented and knew how to entertain audiences. Whenever I watched musicals/ shows there I ended up laughing a lot. Looking forward next show!", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:22:54" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 4, "text": "My second season subscribing here. So far we got a pretty good seat except twice. Once I sat behind really big guy and missed half of the play and ended up fall asleep haha. Since it is small theater with stadium style seat, secure good view is the must. They do have some great plays though. Seems like they have a lot of discount for student and young audience. So far pretty satisfied.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:27:08" }, { "business_id": "MMRRS6YhVRx_iN5-JhMRYg", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "Very delicious and salty! But it is Chinese place so I have no complain. Went with big group so could tasted a lot of their signature dishes. Dan Dan noodle seems very popular but just not my kid of dish. I did enjoy fried fish with sweet sauce and chicken with cashew. Also dumpling with hot oil was yummy. In the end of meal, my mouth was burning but I enjoyed all.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:30:41" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Enjoyed my meal here. Went with friend and we shared Samson roll, Naruto roll, spider roll, spicy salmon tartar ,tuna dumpling, edamame and sunomono. We were initially going to get sashimi platter but rolls looked amazing so went for it. Wasn't disappointing. Sauces weren't overpowering and sashimi were very fresh. We did not get the 3 roll special and order individual but if you order their special , price is really cheap. Very happy that found this place. P.s they freshly fried soft shell crab when you order spider roll. Soooo tender and soooo juicy. Loved it. Must get that item. Naruto roll is definitely better than any other places. Cucumber paper is thinner and fresher. And has so much flavor. I did not really like tartar dish. Didn't have much flavor compare to other dishes. I will just order rolls next time I visit which would be next wk.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:14:32" }, { "business_id": "khH0QtNyUjcExh9i2CwGfg", "business_name": "Serpico", "rating": 3, "text": "Was intrigued by their Korean influenced menu. We got raw fluke, consommé, pig head, fried duck leg sandwich, duck mousse and lamb rib for three of us! Everything was ok but nothing was memorable except lamb rib. I thought rib was really delicious. Raw fluke was fresh but ponzu sauce was not special and very small. Comsome was very boring... Pig head was too greasy, duck mousse was pretty delicious. Duck leg sandwich was just ok. Also has rocky road for dessert. Since the portion isn't that big you get to order a lot if you are hungry. I though food wasn't very special.. Prolly won't go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:28:33" }, { "business_id": "mUIBtlWNPD7sz3rGGWQ1RA", "business_name": "Kanella", "rating": 3, "text": "Had really high hope about this place and I am sad that my meal didn't reach my expectation. Order whole fish of the day. I got branzino and had so much bone in it... And fish itself wasn't very tasty. Also had organic sirloin kebab. Meat was tough and little dry even for kebab.. Dips of the day was good though. I see that they got a lot of good reviews about their brunch than dinner. I might try their brunch and give fair review.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:34:47" }, { "business_id": "aaILnjUFC0i0uRkg5hYgnQ", "business_name": "Aqua Asian Bistro", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to get my thai take out here. Fast service and I seems like they keep their kitchen clean. Their spring roll is alway freshly fried and sauce is creamy and good. They don't give authentic fish sauce kind of sauce like other places but I like Americanized thai cuisine so I have no problem with that. Fried noodle dishes are safe choice here I believe. Their spring roll is my favorite though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:01:58" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 2, "text": "Seems like this place is pretty popular. And I had take out quite few times here since it is so close to me. Simply I don't really like their food. I thought they use a lot of fish sauce. Maybe it's more close to authentic cooking. Tried spring rolls, pad thai, red curry with tofu, green curry with chicken and vegetable soup. For pad thai, noodle was stuck together so hard to eat.. Curry is good, delicious and creamy but not enough of broth and tofu and chicken were too dry for me. Vegetable soup was just blend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:07:37" }, { "business_id": "0S3TvsmbCeOZ9UitnpRd1A", "business_name": "Dim Sum House", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood. It is clean and big open space. Whenever I went, there were a lot of ppl. Had wonton in hot oil, scallion pancake, brussell sprout, honey walnut shrimp. Fried dishes are delicious there and sauce is not overpowering. Not overly salty either. Prolly favorite my Chinese restaurant in town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:12:56" }, { "business_id": "ex8RrhAhVVexndFhmNfG1Q", "business_name": "Wokworks", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to like this place. Healthy version of Chinese food? Sounded so good to me. And store looked clean from outside and also liked their name... Got quinoa fried rice with bean sprout and veggies...simply no good... I like healthy food but has to tasty to keep going back. That was my last visit... But I liked their clean container and healthy concept so.. It is two star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:17:51" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "One of my favorite Asian cuisine is Malaysian food. Especially their curry!!!!? Now I have to find my go to spot in Philly... I was excited to try this place. Got roti canai and seafood casserole dish as usual. Maybe I have high expectation but dishes weren't that good. Green curry casserole was lack of the flavor and literally had couple piece of seafood. Didn't even bother to complain. We just left after few bite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:15:12" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am not a donut person. But it is the one of the best donut s I've ever had. Since another donut shop in NYU I fell in love charged $5 per donut and I waited in line for 30 min to get two donut! .... this place is heaven. So cheap, fast service, fresh and you can get as many as you want! There donut fillings are amazing but just get the maple cream donut and blueberry fritters.. They are absolutely amazing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:29:40" }, { "business_id": "xAW4nw9DrW77vWF61_l-Qg", "business_name": "Famous 4th Street Delicatessen", "rating": 4, "text": "Huge portion and hearty food. 3 of us shared their large chicken soup and we still had left over for days. I think they cooked entire chicken in it and matzoh balls were awesome. Main dish came with two side dishes- we chose potato fritters and side salad. They serve you cabbage salad once you are seated and it is really delicious! I love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:14:44" }, { "business_id": "73UjNbSoQjQAOS45rcihFg", "business_name": "Cantina Dos Segundos", "rating": 4, "text": "Wasn't super hungry so 3 of us shared chimichanga and guacamole with chips. Chips were very good, not oily and freshly fried. My parents enjoyed chimichanga and said very delicious and seasoning was just enough. Wish they were close to me..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:21:27" }, { "business_id": "SCjUeZfjafJ88fWWQjRh2w", "business_name": "El Rey", "rating": 5, "text": "I can only speak based on my happy hour experience. For happy hour, they have amazing deal. Tacos and empanadas are soooo delicious. Food served when it's hot and fresh. And super cheap. Not sure about their regular menu but I do enjoy their happy hour.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:30:10" }, { "business_id": "9_B5sCqKBOKDAmYpByiFFg", "business_name": "Branzino Italian Ristorante", "rating": 3, "text": "Had branzino for lunch here. Was pretty quite during weekday lunch hour. Definitely not busy spot. I saw couple old coupe were dining. My branzino was decent size and was ok. But nothing special. I wasn't very impressed so haven't back since my last trip..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:36:55" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I want to give them zero star if I can. I went to serafina in NYC once and never went back hah...it is sort of chain restaurant and over priced for what it is but I was happy to see some familiar place in Philly so decided to give another shot. Me,my friend and my little puppy got table outside. It was 20 degrees, freezing cold day but we were hungry and had to eat.... And we had 3 pounds tiny puppy with us. I have no complain we sat outside. We have a dog so I asked them if we could get a table. They said its really cold but if u want u can get table outside so we did. The worst part, the waitress neglected us for over 20 min to get us water or take an order. We had to keep going in to ask for someone. It's only 20 min but we were freezing and restaurant wasn't that busy either. I don't understand why they just hung out at the counter and never bother to come out to take an order or just look if your space heater is working which it wasn't! Food was just mediocre. NYC one isn't that great but this one is just worse.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:46:28" }, { "business_id": "cGX-1IUwXOjkUqZbkKYcjw", "business_name": "Fogo de Chao", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed their salad bar! Went there for lunch and I am not a huge meat eater but still had decent amount of meat there. Service was very attentive and fast. All veggies at the salad bar were fresh and I enjoyed their ham and cheese selection. Even though I did not eat much of meat, their lunch price was pretty good deal for big salad bar eater like me:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:48:57" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped by here for quick snack. Shared fungi flat bread, cheese plate and salad. Flat bread was delicious. Moist and crispy. Wish it was little bigger haha. Cheese selection was nice too but just very very small. I would like this place way more of the portion is little bit bigger!!!!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:52:44" }, { "business_id": "4R2KR_-FybS7oegGrXjHVg", "business_name": "Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Probably this is my favorite chain restaurant. They have good deal for weekday lunch prefix and menus are great. The portion is generous, salad is fresh and soups are very hearty. Whenever I went, their services were very nice and kind. Has both salad and soup for appetizer. Both were very good. Salmon was juicy and burger was well cooked but not dry since I ordered medium well. Cheese cake was huge and rich. I really enjoyed my lunch here and looking forward going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:02:18" }, { "business_id": "H3EK1Q8tqRGqPBps05Uahw", "business_name": "Tashan", "rating": 5, "text": "Tasting menu.... The best. Got the deal from online and tried their tasting menu. Location was kind off. Distance wise was not that far but it was definitely long walk from center city. There were so many courses that I lost track. I am not sure even if they gave us more service sincere we felt like there were couple courses of appetizer and lay least 2 of main dishes. Food kept coming and EVERYTHING was delicious. When you go make sure you are hungry. Can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:24:38" }, { "business_id": "4tU9hlfzrCpcGWTIm-OKVA", "business_name": "Rouge", "rating": 4, "text": "Rouge and Parc. They were the first restaurant I dined in Philly. Mostly they were right next me and seemed pretty busy every time I passed by. Had couple times of dinner and lunch at Rouge, I felt this place is solid at least. Their foods were consistent so did their services. So far I liked their burger, roasted beets, their cheese plate and truffle fries. Burger was juicy and they cut the half so we can share which was nice. Roasted beet is alway my go to order and pretty good here. And fries.... were very crispy and perfectly seasoned.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:02:08" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is still one of my most visited places in Philly. Mostly because of location. So close to me and all of other friends, we meet there during the day, get brunch and have great girly times. I enjoy going there except the weekend, their brunch menu weren't bad but I would wait more than 10 min for their food. First time I went there for burger and steak fries on weekend ended up waiting for 30min to be seated and has to fight for staff's attention. But for during the weekday lunch, this place is lovely. It is our go to lunch spot after morning yoga class. 3 of us enjoyed their breakfast menu, lunch menu and oyster( from the morning!) and chatted there like hours. They were very nice refilling coffee and etc and never gave us any pressure to leave after we finished the meal. Place never get too busy during weekday lunch hour. I usually get their salad verde, roasted salmon or sea scallop. Salad verde was simple, super fresh but still full of flavor. Their salmon and scallop were pretty good too but I never really dreamed about their food after so I guess it's just ok. For food, it's more close to 3 star but me and my friends enjoy this place for regular girly date spot and enjoy ambiance so... I would give one more star for that.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:19:52" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "The first bar I've visited in Philly as out of towner. Doormen were nice unlike underground bar doormen in NYC. The bar was very pretty, cozy and reminds of me some hipster bars in Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan. I am non drink so I can only judge by the ambiance of my friends opinion about drinks, seems like everyone enjoyed their pretty cocktails and looked delicious :-) we did enjoy time there and since so close to me, I am sure I will be back very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:00:15" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Had couple visits there so far. I had mixed feeling about this place. My first time there was amazing. Mussel dish was huge, fresh and delicious. Bread was moist and good too. Had wonderful experience and couldn't wait to go back. Second time was so so. Mussel's size was tiny and broth didn't have much flavor. Bread was tough and dry. I hoped my third visit would be a charm but wasn't so lucky. Not sure if I should give another shot or not. Indecisive.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:05:04" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 3, "text": "I had only one visit to this place so not sure if I this review would be accurate since this place seems super popular. It's located right in front me and I see this places always crowded. I had such a high hope to try yummy vegan place. I ordered jerk Caesar salad only because it was top of their menu and there was full of people waiting so I didn't want to take too long to decide at the counter. When I tried my salad at home... Humm what to say, I usually like vegan meat a lot. Any kind of tofu/ fake meat I love more than actual meat haha. It was good since I like fake meat and veggies already but just not good enough to go back there. There are so many other places offer delicious food in Philly and I am not a vegetarian so I don't have to only eat there I guess. I haven't back there since my first visit but I may try their burger in future. Seems like everyone in my yoga class enjoyed their burger so, I might give a shot very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:15:13" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy!! Fresh turkey spinach salad! They gave me tons of turkey ham and a lot of spinach. All ingredients were fresh and I enjoyed my salad. Was huge so I could have left over but I am a girl with big appetite! Other friends had sandwiches and said very good also. Solid local sandwich shop for sure. Now actually it became my regular sandwich spot. I always get mensch. It's soooo good. Potato cake and mixed fries are must.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:42:18" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to Tria for brunch! Delicious small plates, cozy ambiance, this is perfect girly brunch spot in neighborhood. Two of us shared marinated calamari salad, roasted beet, egg toast. We weren't very hungry so it was perfect small snack. They have awesome ice tea and keep refilling your drink. Also other drink's menu are nice and affordable. Love this place!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:48:37" }, { "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 3, "text": "I liked the concept of this restaurant when I heard about this place. Seems like farm to table kind of restaurants are everywhere in NYC these days. Was excited to one in Philly. Maybe ingredients they get from farms in somewhere Pennsylvania will be super fresh! Got beet salad and scallop for appetizer and Cod dish for main. I am huge fan of beet, I love beet even if I eat out from can. If chef do little trick, I would go crazy about any kind of beet dish. This one was decent, not mind blowing. Maybe chef wanted us to taste fresh ingredient so didn't use much sauce on it. Maybe... Scallop was well cooked, kinda tiny even for appetizer.. Well I am a girl with big stomach.. Had big hope for my cod since appetizers didn't blow my mind. I definitely could taste the fish was fresh, was tangy and juicy but again chef could use little bit more seasoning. I usually have issue with overpowering sauce but this dish was little bland for me. The service was nice though. Professional and attentive. Haven't back yet since my first trip... Maybe will give another shot after finish all of my Philly restaurant lists.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:02:47" }, { "business_id": "2qHkwqao9GyxnDXHzCv4JA", "business_name": "Wedge + Fig", "rating": 5, "text": "Wish this place was close to me!!!! I felt so lucky to find this small lunch spot in Old city while I was doing yoga teacher's training. I was wondering around for grabbing quick bite and saw this place. Looked super cute from outside and menu looked awesome. I would totally go for cheese or heavier salad if I didn't have class right after. I went for tuna salad. They gave me generous amount tuna and veggies. Dressing was yummy too. Other dishes looked really good too. I will have to go back to try other dishes soon!", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:22:36" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried bunch of dishes for two of us, bacon wrapped date, clams, octopus, garlic shrimp, lamb meatballs and braised pork shoulder flat bread. Probably we ordered more but can't remember all. Wish I came with bigger group, would be awesome if we tried more since it was small tapas and they had pretty big menu. My favorite was bacon wrapped date. It's common dish and I tried from quite few other places but this one was one of top notched I tried. Bacon wasn't burned and cooked perfectly. Crispy but still juicy. Date was baked in perfection as well. Really enjoyed it so much so I had all myself! Other dishes were pretty good too except garlic shrimp dish. Shrimp cooked too much, they were really tough to chew :-( Overall it was pleasant dinner and service was very nice too. I will go back with bigger group next time for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:45:57" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "I heard so much good things about Han Dynasty and couldn't wait to try. Got bunch of dishes include spicy cucumber salad, dan Dan noodle, dumpling in hot oil, scallion pancakes, fried rice, fish in clay pot, dry chicken, garlic eggplants and mapo tofu. Dumpling in hot oil was big hit, it was simple but had so much flavor in it. Scallion pancake was fried well and chewy, dipping sauce wasn't salty. Everyone seems excited about their dan Dan noodle but it didn't so much for me. Maybe I am not a big fan of noodle. I did enjoy mapo tofu, wasn't too greasy and enough spicy for me. Dry chicken was delicious but was too salty for me. I had few bite then couldn't touch more. Fish in clay pot had full of flavor but a bit greasy for me. Since most main dishes we ordered had powerful flavor, the fried rice was most popular dish on our table. Dinner was enjoyable and liked the fun ambiance. Like old Chinese restaurant in movie. I will definitely go back soon but I will order more appetitive and be easy on strong flavored main dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T02:20:33" }, { "business_id": "nIAbuktMEzVjT4P9pG89rQ", "business_name": "Buddakan", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try original Buddakan! I've been the one in NYC many times back in the day but haven't been budakkan for awhile and was excited to check out original one. The deco and music were somewhat similar the ones NYC but smaller and more opened space. We were seated in 10min at the second floor and restaurant was packed. Two of us shared spring roll, sea bass and duck. Yum yum yum! I actually though this location has way better food than the one in NYC. I used to go there pretty often long time ago but not for their food. Never impressed with their food except dessert but I did enjoy every dishes at this location. The portion was generous and I actually liked the light at the restaurant wasn't too dark. I like to see my food and appreciated! Very impressed ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T03:53:33" }, { "business_id": "i6jA8vSHrP9LiUPHlqPVwA", "business_name": "Cafe Olé", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like quick lunch spot. Should be affordable and provide fast service. Checked and checked. Your lunch will be ready in 3min in front of you. I went to this place when I did yoga teacher's training at Old city. Most of my class mates include teachers grabbed lunch there. They were pretty picky (mostly health conscious vegetarian) eaters so I thought that place must be good. I tagged them along one day and it turned out pretty nice time. Nice sunny weather in summer, we were seated outside and grabbed various salads. They had pre made salads displayed and they were all freshly made. Got myself Greek salad and strawberry/ banana smoothie. Smoothie was gigantic so probably most girls would be for their lunch itself. I am not so I had salad as well. Salad was huge too. I actually had left over. Everything was affordable there. Nothing over $10. They are not overly nice to offer any service since its self service kind of place but cheap, fast and fresh. What can you ask more.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T04:01:38" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not huge fan of lamb and chicken platter but I must have very high standard since only place I had this dish was Halah guys in NYC. My hub is cart food expert lol and found this place near us. He loves Halah guys so much that he was eager to find something like that in Philly. Well.. When I received my platter, was a bit disappointed about the size of meat. Guess I was so used to Halah guys huge portion. And again I am a girl with big stomach! I thought the platter was pretty good, meat was tender and juicy. But the charm of this platter is white sauce!!! At least for me. I am the person eating these kind of platter with EXTRA white sauce and not worry about calories so.... I did put extra white sauce top on my platter. The sauce was not my style. I want something creamier and thicker and still not greasy... Sauce was a bit off for me.... And the portion. Yes haha. We haven't back since then... but my friends said they have yummy Kati roll so I might try other dish next time. And I am not sitting at the corner of somewhere 6th ave to eat from the tin box so that's plus too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:17:46" }, { "business_id": "ZewrmVIdr77Kinj-njv6RQ", "business_name": "Insomnia Cookies", "rating": 4, "text": "Cookies in 3am? That's amazing concept except I crave salty fried food usually at that time haha. Actually surprised that they open until that late since Philly does not have much night life I thought. Most places are closed by 2am but people are still out to eat cookies? Guess they do! They seems always busy whenever I passed by. I got curious so picked up few cookies. Yum Yum Yum! I am not a big cookie person. I am more like gummy person but those are delicious. Warm, chewy and not crazy sweet. Had 3 of them at once. They were that good.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:22:07" }, { "business_id": "e4MoozYGqe_rb4_ZC1rYMQ", "business_name": "Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "So comfortable to hang around. Owner lady was so so nice. I stopped by couple times after my yoga class and had good spirit. The owner lady had too! She smiled to customers and was very kind. I instantly liked this place. I got small coffee with their home made ginger mascarpone cheese cake. So so so so good!!! Not sweet at all and they use fresh ingredient. 2nd time I was there, I got large cup of green tea, they charge same price for small or large cup of tea so why not. Also tried her ( owner lady baked everything in the kitchen and brought sweet out) peanut butter chocolate cup. Yum. Everything is very affordable here and again, fresh.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "f-qlRLsQ2vPATmlLTgLHbQ", "business_name": "Joe Coffee Company", "rating": 3, "text": "Joe's cup of coffee used to be my one of favorite coffee spot in NYC. Was tiny space near NYU, down to earth and I could just hang out there for hours. Loved that place and when I saw Joe's in my neighborhood in Philly, I was so happy. I got my latte couple times there and my experiences were different in Philly location. It's kind of fancy coffee shop than the one in NYC. Me and my friend couldn't really hang out and chat there. It's super crowded all the time and staffs weren't super nice.. no offense, they were super professional but just I didn't feel the warm greeting from them whenever I visited. Maybe I am picky but I prefer cozy coffee shop with warm people around. And I realized Philly has a lot of amazing coffee spot so...", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:34:31" }, { "business_id": "rgeuy1qbw6Z8B6CSVANHIA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 3, "text": "Seems like they are super famous. Whenever I search Philly eatery as Philly newbie, they are the one first come out most of times. Lucky I live so close to them! So made couple visit there. Tried their fancy donuts. Several times, several flavor. Probably I tried most of flavor they offered. Well... Fancy donut didn't do much for me. Not impressed. Once I was late so fancy donuts were sold out, I got regular sugar coated donut. Humm.. I actually liked true or regular donut much better! Tried their chicken too! All of their flavors. Humm it's good but not awesome for me. Was super crispy when I had the first bite but inside my mouth were peeled after finished my meal. Big no no for me. Good crispy chicken shouldn't do that to you. I think I spent fair amount time to eat fried chicken in my life as Korean. Their fried chicken is pretty good but not mind blowing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:43:24" }, { "business_id": "oqbhVgliVJH-iRa3AnD-3A", "business_name": "Elixr Coffee Roasters", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Another awesome coffee shop in neighborhood. Philly does have cool coffee shops everywhere! Very impressed. $4 of awesome hand drop coffee... Amazing. Great price and awesome staff who knows coffee. I am not a coffee snob so I usually go to coffee shop where make me feel welcomed. They did. They explained well about their menu and showed us whole process. And the shop is really pretty. They have limited seats because they are always crowded but they are just awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:46:12" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 2, "text": "This place looks super cute from outside and reminds me of small coffee place in Paris. I expected same experience when I had in Paris. I was dreaming to get some fresh pastries with full of butter flavor with some good coffee. Humm... My first bite was DRY, lack of butter.. Wasn't very good. I usually try to give second shot if my experience wasn't so terrible. So I went back. Got macaron and coffee. Lack of richness. Lack of something definitely. I still give two star because the shop is still pretty though and they don't have much competition in my neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:50:48" }, { "business_id": "lWedWkinrM5j13pyimbpbA", "business_name": "Miles Table", "rating": 3, "text": "My first visit to this place was few months ago. 2 of us waked there for brunch with our puppy. We were seated outside and got us burger, kale salad and coffee. Place was crowded but we scored seat pretty much right away. Everything was affordable and doggies were welcomed at the outdoor table. I didn't taste burger so can't speak for that. My kale salad was decent but wasn't amazing. Coffee tasted little bitter, maybe was a bit burned... We were appreciate seating with our puppy at the table but they were located in small street so it was kinda awkward seating outside and everyone was looking at you when they were passing by. That was my last trip and I don't think I will come back anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T06:23:28" }, { "business_id": "U2y7fsqDgxAXskoJNVxbwg", "business_name": "Happily Ever After", "rating": 4, "text": "Shaved ice bowl is my # 1 dessert all the time. I like Korean, Taiwanese, Malaysian style the most. I wasn't able to find any Korean style shaved ice in Philly but this place was the closest I could find. I like a bit of crunchiness on Korean styled shaved ice. If it's too soft then it's more like Taiwanese style. This place ice was very close to Korean one. Also they use condensed milk and crushed nut like Korean one. Little rough shaving ice is best with sweet milk and some nutty flavor for sure. For fruit topping I would go for super soft shaved ice. I finished my bowl myself and was very happy. The portion was definitely smaller compare with my go to places in NYC but well... this place doesn't have much competition for this menu so I will take what I can get in Philly. Hope I can see more Asian styled shaving ice dessert places in Philly this summer.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:34:26" }, { "business_id": "ZpgVL2z1kgRi954c9m9INw", "business_name": "United By Blue", "rating": 3, "text": "Another cool find through my yoga school. They are located in local clothing store which is nice. Very pretty deco and trendy. Me and my classmates hung out here a lot during lunch break. I've never eaten here but saw sandwiches and they looked good. I didn't think their coffee was special though and somewhat pricy. But it is really cute coffee shop and I would go back there if I am near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:37:48" }, { "business_id": "yYG2XDKCaf5yOLgJSKMw6g", "business_name": "Anthony's Italian Coffee House and Chocolate House", "rating": 5, "text": "Love love love their espresso. Their coffee is amazing. It is kinda far from me but I still walk there to buy their espresso coffee bean. They freshly grind for you right there and price is awesome. About $7-8 per package. My sister and mom in Korea got so hooked ( they are definitely coffee snob unlike me) so I have to buy for them too and mail them! I get their caffe latte and one biscotti and grind espresso beans to go. Glad I found this little shop.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:41:58" }, { "business_id": "RSKvB-XntkiDnMqYqAmtKw", "business_name": "Seafood Unlimited", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked their name. Seafood unlimited, what a great name. Unfortunately their food wasn't. The interior was unique, very blue and dark not sure if I liked that. I feel like I was eating in a fish tank. Restaurant was pretty empty and we were seated right away. Got grilled salmon dish and scallop. Eh... I had better before. Food wasn't very special to me and I wasn't very impressed with ambiance either so I haven't back since my first trip.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T23:54:38" }, { "business_id": "fcGexL5VH5G2Xw0tRj9uOQ", "business_name": "Slice", "rating": 3, "text": "I have mixed feeling about this place. I do enjoy their pizza. Since it was so close to me I just stopped by for slice of pizza to go. I got bacon and onion and eggplant pizza to go. Also got side salad. Salad was fresh and reasonably priced. Nothing special about their dressing but veggies were very fresh so I was happy. About pizza I thought was really delicious. Sauce was good and sweet and savory. I really enjoyed them. I made couple more trips there to grab quick pizza whenever I had craving, this place was never really busy, usually 2-3 customers there but my order usually took more than 10-15 min. I am not sure why took so long to heat up slice of pizza since they did not make it fresh when I ordered. Their service is just ok not super nice or rude. Wish they had faster service, it is deal breaker for me since I want to go there, grab my pizza and in and out fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:03:59" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't want to give them 5 star because I don't want them to be more popular than already now!!! But I have to... This is food heaven. Had amazing food and the ambiance was so cozy and comfortable to sit down and talk. First course, ordered chicken mousse with toast. Yum...so creamy and savory spread and toast was perfect too. Sweet and sour jam made perfect combination for the toast. Second course, had buckwheat pasta. I just had pretty bad experience with buckwheat past at the High street market. Was so scared to try but this one was amazing. Noodle was chewy and tender, sauce was just amazing. Definitely made my #1 pasta in Philly. For main, we shared cod with broth. Humm. That was our least favorite dish that night. Did not have much flavor overall. I still rate this place 5 star because I did have the best past in Philly and ambiance wise I felt so comfortable there. I will definitely going back very soon but I will order a lot of small dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:19:54" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 3, "text": "This place seems always busy and smelled so nice when I passed by. We went there one night to grab quick dinner. I got smoked trout and my hub got mixed wurst platter. My trout looked really smaller than their photo. Was decent. Not bad but I probably won't go back for that dish. His wurst platter was gigantic. He could not finish it so we had half left over. He did not like it much so ended up not eating his left over...", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:26:10" }, { "business_id": "7xckZSLRWf5uf3L1IsF1Kg", "business_name": "Mandarin Palace", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes I have Chinese food craving. Until I found my go to spot in this city I mist keep exploring!!!! Today I tried the place right next me.. Was very empty. I see more employees than actually customers, I was instantly got nervous.. Maybe it's really bad sign but again, it's Chinese restaurant so maybe ppl just order delivery. We were seated and server brought us tea which was nice. Order cashew chicken and hub has beef dish and lo main. They were decent. Food was just cooked so was really hot. I would give 4 star if it was little cheaper. I am so spoiled with cheap and yummy Chinese food in NYC so this place felt little pricy for me for what it is.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:34:26" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by there after terrible dinner. This place healed us from horrendous experience. 4 of us got own drinks, beer,wine and orange soda for me! We shared small plates and cheese platter. We ended up getting two cheese platter because they were soooooo good. Our waiter, did not get his name but he was so enthusiastic when he explained about each cheese. We ended up having great time there and left happy. Will go back anytime.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:39:32" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "4 of us were craving some ramen so went to this place. Wasn't sure how Philly ramen scene would be. My hub got spicy shoyu ramen and my parents shared miso ramen. I wasn't very hungry so got fried chicken appetizer. Chicken appetizer was very good. I actually liked their chicken than other famous chicken places in Philly. My parents thought their ramen was too salty for them. They just had noodles and left most of broth. My hub actually thought this place was decent. He finished his dish. I really enjoyed their chicken and the Korean waitress was very nice.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:21:48" }, { "business_id": "nR3VW9i2K8033QY0ZMTisw", "business_name": "Zento Contemporary Japanese Cuisine", "rating": 2, "text": "This place seems have always promotions going on. I see their coupons pretty often. We went there after our show at Arden theater. Restaurant wasn't big but clean. There was semi private dining area in the end of hall but they didn't have door so it was really loud since big group was drinking and eating. Wasn't able to enjoy our dinner at all. Food was ok and they had promotion but I would not necessarily go to old city to eat there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:25:12" }, { "business_id": "2f6NaQVGTM59OGvsdT9pxg", "business_name": "Mood Indian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "So I saw this place had pretty good review on yelp and just purchased the deal online. As a Philly newbie I did not aware this restaurant was far from Rittenhouse square. We had to drive to Northern liberty to eat since I already got the coupon. Food better be good.... Two of us got samosa chaat and chicken tikka masala with garlic naan and mango lassi. Apparently yelp review www pretty accurate. This was 4 star restaurant for me. Samosa chaat was huge as appetizer. Probably most girls would be ok for their main dish itself. Chicken tikka masala was creamy, buttery and meat was tender. Delicious. We ended up having whole bowl of rice with it. Lassi was thick and amazing. I hate watery lassi and this place wasn't one of them. We were only customer when we were there and service was not bad or extra nice. They did minimum service for you haha. But I loved the food there and wish they were close to me. I would go often.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:32:26" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't eat much steak but like to go to ones. One of main reason is my hub is big meat eater and I usually find seafood dishes at steak house are very yummy. We got one soup and salad for appetizer. They weren't very memorable. Wasn't bad but nothing special to say. He got prime rib and I got crab cake. The portion of my dish was pretty small. I could eat double portion. For dessert we got chocolate and cheese cake. They were ok. I would say very average food. Nothing really remarkable. The ambiance is like classy, old apartment with piano. It's classy but maybe little to old for us. The service was very nice. Not likely go back though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:39:28" }, { "business_id": "V0SHmvYtXqdv8-AsqshV6w", "business_name": "Smokin Bettys", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to get some brunch as newbie in Philly, we googled this place and went on Sunday. Place was really crowded, but it was big so we waited just little. I got egg while omelette and he got the burger. My omelette was ok but I probably could make that one. He liked the burger and enjoyed fries too but we never went back there for their burger. Maybe Philly has too many burger places.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:42:35" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I hope they open their new location somewhere close to Rittenhouse square. So close to me, I know nothing about Philly, Little Pete did show me some comfort time. The owner guy was always at the counter and he was nice. The waitress ladies seemed tough but they were actually very friendly and attentive. I had couple dishes there since I got my breakfast there couple times. Loved their greek salad, this was so big that I always had left over and ate later. Their omelet was pretty good. Fluffy and yum. The egg sandwich, I liked it very much! They gave you so much egg and it was delicious. My go to breakfast awhile. Their French fries!!!! Crispy and just perfect with mayo. The waitress ladies remembered me and packed mayo with my fries even I did not ask for. I like to have this comfy diner right next me. Sad to see them leaving. We don't have many diners in center city though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:49:35" }, { "business_id": "-ATiAtTikuGuqvaW2O6tNA", "business_name": "Marathon", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh, disappointing food. I saw this place got busy during lunch hour so gave a shot during weekday lunch. Place was busy and I saw people getting salad with salmon so I got that one as well. My salmon was dry... And lukewarm. Definitely didn't enjoyed my protein. I had only one visit so I can't speak for all but my salad wasn't fresh either that day. Sandwiches on other tables looked good though. That was my first and only trip to Marathon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:53:31" }, { "business_id": "Uky0DD3LU4C7eyNDhpmOXg", "business_name": "Day By Day", "rating": 3, "text": "I saw people were waiting outside of the restaurant all the time. This place must be good I thought. Maybe I picked the wrong dish. I enjoyed my stuffed challah French toast but I wouldn't wait more than 10 min to eat it again. That was right after my mind blowing experience at Sabrina cafe's stuffed french toast so Day by Day one didn't do much for me.... My parter of scavenger hunt got burger. He enjoyed and finished all but hasn't asked me go back there yet so I guess it is solid 3 star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:58:51" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not sure why I don't go this place more often. I had good time at their oyster happy hour! Enjoyed my discounted oyster and I thought was fresh and delicious. But that place got really busy during happy hour so waiting was painful and they put large jar of oyster cracker to share. Everyone's hands going to touch the crackers so I couldn't eat it and I didn't see anyone touching it. That's minus point for me too. If less crowded and provided individual oyster cracker like other places I might give me more star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:04:00" }, { "business_id": "9mA9qYqiv4c0T9ASid3PIQ", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 3, "text": "I had really good meal at Capital grille at Providence few years ago. I still remember how proud and profession they were. And the food was absolute perfection. I never went other locations but I wanted to try the one in Philly since I had such a amazing time before. I got same meal, chowder soup, salad and glazed salmon. Soup was a bit saltier side for me. It was ok eating with bread but in general I am not fan of salty food. Salad was decent and my salmon was a bit overpowering with citrus sauce. It was pretty but I wasn't amazed like last time. The bread basket was warm and good though. And service was good too. But it just wasn't same..", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:12:57" }, { "business_id": "-t5dx3X0O63jCUuFEd-FcA", "business_name": "The Palm Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. Weird fries... That's first thing I remember about this place. Humongous and lack of flavored stack of fries.. Shared burger and fries and fried calamari and cheese cake. The burger was ok. Just ok but we all know Philly is the burger central. You don't need to eat burger here. I am usually go for fries than burgers when I order this dish. I think I know good fries... For some reason Palm's fries had literally no flavor. Didn't even oily anything. It's crunch but I wasn't sure what I was eating. Ended up left most of dish. Cheese cake was only thing I liked. It was like thick cheese cake from juniors. On offense, I love those commercial kind. Destroyed cake and left and never looked back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:20:13" }, { "business_id": "m_P0oMu3PVz5pGBKjYGl_A", "business_name": "Chris' Jazz Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I would give them 5 stars for their music. I never had food there but if food were bad, I would still give 5 stars. I have been there couple times, the musician there were phenomenon. Real professional and one of top notched. I used to go jazz clubs in NYC pretty often. You can't get seats easily like this place, and definitely not affordable like this place. But the music at Chris, as good as the ones in NYC. I am glad they are so close by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:24:35" }, { "business_id": "GUMVStVaJfWmCIpQA4TtHg", "business_name": "Crazy Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My sushi place hunt hasn't finished yet. We tried bonsai roll, one night stand roll, volcano roll and sashimi platter. They did put a lot of effort decorating the dishes. We were very hungry so rather getting dishes as soon as we can lol Even though I appreciated their beautiful decoration, sushi wasn't that impressive. I did enjoy one night stand roll but bonsai roll had too much cucumber. I like thin slice of cucumber just round once or twice otherwise I can't really taste any sashimi because cucumber has pretty strong scent itself. I felt like I had big chunk of cucumber after all..the quality of sashimi was ok but nothing extra ordinary. And the bill ended up not that cheap. I think I could find this quality food with less price.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:32:34" }, { "business_id": "peeXG1Ra-DClPQv14jvKvg", "business_name": "Square on Square", "rating": 3, "text": "I was happy to find Chinese place near me, I need to find my Chinese take out place so... Order crispy spring roll with shrimp , spicy chicken for main. Everything was pretty good. Dishes were super hot and just cooked. Ambiance was a bit awkward but service was fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:40:16" }, { "business_id": "WYel6hMEEPNwzVUlVBacbw", "business_name": "honeygrow", "rating": 3, "text": "Solid lunch spot for sure, they are always busy and there is reason why people keep going there. I prefer comfy, rustic ambiance over modern and fancy. And rather order my meal old fashion way over vending machine. Honey grow reminds me of cafeterias in Japan or HK. I get overwhelmed with all ordering through machine and it isn't so much fun for me.. Salad is delicious though but I like to put a lot of topping to make it yummier and m salad is usually around $12 and still doesn't fill me up!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:48:13" }, { "business_id": "oziGQYLaEWOpNmPKrZP86g", "business_name": "Isgro Pastries", "rating": 3, "text": "Craving some Italian dessert. I need to eat some good cannoli and lobster tail. I walked all the way to Italian market and got in this small bakery. Need to warn you, the ladies who worked there, they must be super busy with non stop customers. They don't want to be bothered so do not ask any question... My cannoli... Ok.. Wasn't bad. But not as good as the one at Veniero's in NYC but definitely better than the Bruno's or petitio's. Lobster tail was ok. Pastries were well baked but their custard cream was just ok. I'm general their fillings were nothing special to me. I would never crave their filling though. Unexpected jackpot was carrot cake. Not too sweet but their cream cheese icing was amazing. Now I am craving their carrot cake though. If the ladies there were little nicer, at least answer your questions w/o being annoyed I would give them 4 star because of their carrot cake.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:57:22" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing hidden gem. This store is too little but have full of valuable things. So much fun to check out all different kinds spices, teas and snacks. And their coffee.... Hazelnut coffee is amazing!!!! I drink a lot of coffee but I like to drink decaf. It is really hard to find good decaf but I found one in Philly. Their hazelnut coffee is so aromatic, just brewing at home made you feel good. I got like more than 10 packages so far and loving them. Also got bunch of spices. Cumin, wasabi powder, paprika, anise, rosemary, red and white pepper... Just make it. They have all. The owner lady doesn't speak much initially but once she recognize your face, she is the sweetest. So helpful and get chatty. I had So much fun talking to her and looking forward going back there once weather get warm!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:02:17" }, { "business_id": "rQW9iupvhk6ScPn2VPNLVQ", "business_name": "Octopus Falafel Truck", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a groupie. He is amazing. I am sad that I got to have his dish only once. Now all construction on market I can't find him!! His chicken is the most tender and smoky I've ever had. Side dishes are creative and awesome too. I hope he is back soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:05:21" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 2, "text": "Had quick bite with hub on the way to watch the show. Shared wings and nacho. Price was cheap and snacks were ok. If they had in NYC I would give them more star for sure. Bar foods in NYC are mostly inedible. But in Philly some bar foods are better than restaurants. This place is below average in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:09:05" }, { "business_id": "3uLXZMnm68l1YwI8_FaFNA", "business_name": "Bangkok Thai 9 Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "Hubby picked up my lunch so had this meal at home to be clear. Had coconut soup, shrimp pad Thai and he had curry. My soup was ok. A bit too sour. I like more creamier side for sure. I didn't like much. My pad thai was fail though. Noodles were stuck together when I tried to pick up with chopstick. I had to use it like fork... Not sure if because it was take out. But still we get fair amount of take out, it doesn't usually happen. And shrimp was so so so over cooked. Tasted almost like rubber. Too bad, they are really close to me though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:15:12" }, { "business_id": "6LCZLGa09Qifn6rG7-DNrg", "business_name": "Erawan Thai Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to menu is coconut soup and pad thai with protein. I tried same menu here. Actually really like their coconut soup. They used enough amount of coconut milk that soup was really creamy and wasn't over powering with herb. I am so used to Americanized thai cuisine that I prefer less herb on my dish except cilantro. Pat thai was great too. Liked the amount of peanut they used, noodle was chewy and perfect and not too sweet. They gave me generous amount of chicken and white meat wasn't dry so I was very happy with my meal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:20:16" }, { "business_id": "FYhsm9Efvw8lw7zAOIDUbg", "business_name": "Rosa Blanca", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious ham and cheese empanada!!! And all other different kinda! I think I had like 10 of them. They were so so so good. The place looked tiny from outside and I thought it was local diner. Pretty spacious inside and cozy. I went there for happy hour and got bunch of small snacks and had wonderful time. All delicious!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:01:36" }, { "business_id": "PVVFos1LDfD7iETY0w4vaA", "business_name": "Su Xing House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am meat eater who likes go to vegetarian restaurant. I actually like flavor of soy protein. I had hight hope about this place. This place was always packed with people and known as their affordable price. I went there and I got my favorite Chinese menu. Sesame seitan. It came with brown rice and two side veggies. I got corn and steamed broccoli. And vegetarian spring roll. I did not expect gourmet meal for $10 but food did not reach my expectation at all even I considered their amazing price. I did not like my sesame chicken's sauce at all. Way too sweet and lack of flavor beside the sweetness. Side veggies were just sad, they threw couple pieces of steamed veggies and canned corn. Was lame... When I almost finished my meal, I realized they forgot my spring roll. Didn't bother to call them or go back. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:15:02" }, { "business_id": "lYloPAiaWJwWgno4SdxD0Q", "business_name": "Dolce Carini", "rating": 5, "text": "In general pizza in Philly is really amazing. I am not sure why NY pizza is so popular. Philly should be! Even this humble local pizzeria makes amazing pizza. I always get their creamy spinach pizza. Their Alfredo sauce is really good. It's simple but has so much flavor. It's perfect with baked spinach. The pizza crust is so crunch and delicious. I never Thorpe away their edge. Yum yum yum.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T00:24:53" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location than others. Less crowded most of times and people there are very friendly and helpful when you want to try different flavors. And settings are comfortable there. Since weather is cold, I have not had awhile but I used enjoy their hazelnut, avocado, coconut and tiramisu flavors the most. They also have coffee and other sweets as well. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:46:53" }, { "business_id": "eLt-dwl-xxXj9nklhs2eOw", "business_name": "Sweet Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I never seen this franchise in NYC so was happy to try new ones. I believe the owner is Korean and Korean makes GOOD froyo. Already had very high hope. The shop looked typical froyo spot and seems busy. They were located in very busy streets. 2 locations both. I I always get froyo with no topping. I can taste good froyo better w/o topping in my opinion so I did. Froyo was very tarty for me. And I am not a fan of those kind of froyo. Everyone has different tastes so I can't speak for all. Just not my thing. Since they are so convenient for me, I got my bubble tea couple times and also macaron. My taro bubble was once too sweet and once was less powders in it so it tasted like just purple water.. I brought it back and the guy made new one for me. People who worked there were very friendly but their products just did not do much for me so I stopped going there.. Sad. I need to find other froyo spot since red mango left town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:52:19" }, { "business_id": "JMPZQKPPQI15C8FnACKk-A", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 4, "text": "My hub likes creamy ice cream. I am more into gelato or froyo but if I have thick creamy ice cream craving, I go to this place. The shop is relatively newly opened, so it is very clean. Also located upstairs of my Chinese massage place. My massage therapist was so mad during my massage once because there was non stop construction noise going on when she gave me a massage. I had to hear she was arguing with construction guy, I also cheered for her and hated ppl on upstairs ruining my massage session. Well... Ironically I am regular customer for both of them haha. People who work there are all super friendly. You can try all different flavor and they don't mind. Ice creams are good too. Always get their coconut flavor. It's rich and aromatic. Once I let me eating ice cream with my 3 pounds puppy at the corner of shop(we all aware dog is not allowed) but was freezing cold and my pup can stay in my pocket. Literally 3 pounds she was. And I really wanted ice cream. They were so kind let me stay til finish my ice cram and lucky never get crowded there. I still appreciate their kindness:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:58:05" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 3, "text": "Very very busy location. And probably my least favorite location among this franchise. Couple times there were crazy line I couldn't even get in to store and had to leave. The people who worked there were unnecessarily unfriendly but just way to busy that it's hard to ask them to try new favors or ask any questions. I rather walk to Rittenhouse square location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:21:36" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite frozen yogurt place in Philly. Since Red Mango was close down I was looking for my new froyo spot. Yogorino is the closest I can find. Their froyo tastes like heaven. Perfectly icy, tarty and creamy. I could taste that they use real yogurt( also a lot of them) in their ice cream. I always get the froyo with milk chocolate topping which is free. Their chocolate is really good too. Store is very white and clean and girls there are very friendly. Love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:24:59" }, { "business_id": "qcn10016DUkbgCbQi9L1WA", "business_name": "Bassetts Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "The oldest ice cream, I think this place is amazing with their presence itself. But wasn't impressed by their vanilla ice cream. Maybe my palate is get used all commercial ice creams. Their ice cream was good but wasn't super special to go there, waited in line, may not even able to secure seats to enjoy your ice cream... Wasn't pleasant experience. As a Philly tourist was enough to go there once, get my ice cream scoop and take a photo. That once was enough for me.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:35:19" }, { "business_id": "4hv1n1VBzMvE-T4UtIcOcw", "business_name": "Di Bruno Bros.", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is literally in front of my apartment and I really want to love this place. I appreciate that I have multi food store in the neighborhood. It is pretty store, big cheese section in the back of the room, veggie and fruit section, bakery section, meat and fish section and upstairs cafe. I am regular customer for their cheese and bakery section. I had little bad experience with veggie section once and never really went back. Veggies were not fresh at all and gone bad the day after I purchased. Pre cooked food section seemed very nice. I might try that very soon. Tried couple cakes there. Was decent but not amazing... Still go there because so convenient but not super satisfied with the quality.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:42:36" }, { "business_id": "Ou-_OQUNvBcaAoRU0XPtaQ", "business_name": "Jamonera", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been there twice so far. Once for day time snacking and once I went there for weekend prefix. Prefix was definitely good deal. We get to try various dishes and they were not very crowded. I really enjoyed my visit during the day time. Not many people come to that place during weekday daytime so it's very quite and you can chat with friends with good snack and drink. It wasn't the best tapas I have ever had but decent.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:53:27" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh yeah, the best deal for the bucks..... Their happy hour is steal. So good and so cheap. Foods are basically same as their regular menu. Really enjoyed their brussel sprout, Vietnamese sandwich, Korean fried chicken, kimchi friend rice, edamame dumpling in broth and skewers. So so so good. I love to sit at the bar and grab yummy bar snacks. I've been there multiple times and they were always good. Went there for regular dinner and basically got same food and payed more than double so.. Go to their happy hours. It is just amazing deal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "dSPA4yql9vUwnYRxHiVtHA", "business_name": "Makiman Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there after watched the show. Place was half empty and we saw people were eating Korean bi bim bop in hot stone bowl. Maybe it's Korean owned sushi place or at least be of chefs is Korean. I got sashimi salad and roll without rice. Sashimi salad was sooooooooo spicy even to me. I can handle some spicy but this was just pure go chu jang ( Korean red chilly pepper paste) I had to take out most of sauces and ate them. Sashimi was ok but their sauce already burned my tongue couldn't taste anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:03:25" }, { "business_id": "JDv3h1xRFIW8fXckqgTdRg", "business_name": "Fuji Mountain", "rating": 3, "text": "I have never had sushi here but tried nabeyaki, gyoza and agedashi tofu one late night. Restaurant structor was unique. It was 3 story restaurants and divided sushi bar, restaurants and karaoke. I guess some ppl eat, drink and go upstairs to sing after. My nabe dish was pretty good. I was craving some hot soup and it was soothing. What I needed that night. Gyoza was little greasy and didn't have much stuffing. Was failed dish. Agedashi tofu was crispy and well fried. And liked the dashi broth with radish. Yum. Was my favorite dish. I have not back there for two reasons. Still need to try other new places and also really creepy guy tried to talked to me at the restaurant that night ( but waitress lady piloted stopped the creepy guy, thanks to her ), I just creeped out from that weird vibe from dinner so have not back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:11:34" }, { "business_id": "cmETClmvGoUZZwBXRtv6kw", "business_name": "Good Stuff Eatery", "rating": 2, "text": "Had really soggy fries here. It was rosemary French fries and it is one of my favorite snacks in the world!!! Got one bite, boo.... Was so so so soggy. Liked that they had a lot of free drippings. There were actually good and my favorite Begium fries place in NYC, they charged for the same digging so that was big plus. My hub said the burger was ok and also wasn't happy with soggy fries. I thought it might be just that day. But apparently one of my other friends was mentioned that she had burger and fries there and she didn't like their soggy fries. Guess that is the style there. Not my thing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:22:18" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 3, "text": "I love roasted chicken. Apparently this dish is not easy to find than you think so I was happy to find this place. Got half roasted chicken with roast beet and feta. Chicken was pretty but not enough meat for me. I got hungry after finished my meal. Maybe they cooked really small chicken that day.. I just don't want to get hungry after finishing half of chicken myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:27:40" }, { "business_id": "VIYvcX9SScnqmoI0so1KZA", "business_name": "PrimoHoagies", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not a sandwich fan at all. It probably my last choice of meal to be honest. But if I get sandwich craving really once in awhile, I go to this place. One you get there friendly Italian guys welcome you and get the order promptly. And your hoagie is ready to eat in 5 min. Their hoagie is gigantic. I get really full after finishing it. I got cold turkey and meatball once. I really liked meatball marinara. Wasn't too soggy but they just had enough marinara to covered the bread. Yum. And their meatballs were delicious! I don't go there often enough but for my next visit, I am getting my meal all sub again. Super satisfying.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:31:23" }, { "business_id": "8ohaL9a02bWZDxOxfZCTxw", "business_name": "Four Seasons Food Court", "rating": 4, "text": "Sometimes I get lazy and get dinner from here. Sold by weight buffet place isn't my thing but the owner lady was so kind when I visited them first time. She asked if I was student and offered me 10% discount whenever I come and can eat the buffet with affordable prices. I thought that was so nice that they offered discount to students. Maybe she did because I am same Korean as she is. But those kindness I was never had in NYC for last 10 years. Beside kindness, their buffet is pretty nice actually. Like their salad. Was fresh and they have different kinds. And a lot of vegetarian options. I am not vegetarian but I like to have some vegetarian options with my meat. I got my dinner and it was like $7. Good price and I had filling dinner.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:43:16" }, { "business_id": "i-clumHx1gMhf5B8MROyHA", "business_name": "Falafel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Tried one at their old location. Got my falafel sandwich. Was average falafel, nothing special about it and they did not give me enough white sauce even tough I asked. Liked the roasted carrot and their pickle though. I will give another try to their new location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:45:49" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "Presentation is main charm of this restaurant. I used to just love fancy decoration on my palate in my early 20's. If they draw flower on my plate I was so so so impressed already. Now I l have known better, eaten out so much, I admit that so hard to get impressed by restaurant. Either price has to be good or has to be superb with food. Just beautifully decorated food doesn't impress me much anymore. Small portion was fine with me. I do aware fine dining place will never full me so we order a lot so it wasn't about their portion. Was off from the start, I prefer spread butter to be room temperature. This one wasn't. Little disappointed from the beginning. Presentation of food was beautiful. They do care about color of your plate and have great sense. But it gets boring if I keep eating unflavored white foam with gello typed sauce. I remember it was super impressed when I had gello sauce and foams on my food. I was like wow. This is genius but that was couple years ago. Now wherever I go, I get to eat foams and I don't like foams that much... Maybe we ordered too much seafood oriented menu but I am a seafood fan.. Most dishes tasted too similar. My halibut was chewy and well cooked but broth was a bit boring... Luckily the portion wasn't so big so finished all of my food. They got amazing reviews about their brunch. I think o rather want to try their brunch not regular meal next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:44:22" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like 4.5 star but definitely better that 4 so I will still give 5. Had amazing meals there whenever I visited. Love their raw beet and kale salad, Br sprout salad and cheese plate. They are super creative and beautifully presented. Others enjoyed their pizza and meatballs very much. I just love their salad so much. A lot of flavor and absolutely heavenly. It is my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:56:07" }, { "business_id": "u7_3L1NBWgxhBM_B-cmmnA", "business_name": "Pizzeria Vetri", "rating": 3, "text": "Was on the way Petco me and my parents saw this place was empty. No line! We weren't very hungry but had to get a pizza here. I had high hope about this pizzeria since I just had amazing experience at Vetri. How good would be! And Philly does have great pizza overall, this one might be too good to me to handle. Got rotolo and margarita pizza. Both were very decent food. I just wouldn't wait for that or walk all the way to restaurant from my neighborhood. Pretty far to walk from center city..", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:05:35" }, { "business_id": "elSnD7Vuxnlg5_9gTqBqmA", "business_name": "Barra Rossa Ristorante", "rating": 2, "text": "Went there for one of friends Bday. Think they booked this place because she was on gluten free diet and needed private space for the event. Wasn't completely private but they did have sort of separated group dining space. Ambiance reminded me modern cafeteria and wasn't impressed. We were waited to be seated a bit so I had glimpsed on others pasta dishes and quickly made up my mind to order something safe. I got cheese platter. It's gonna be safe bet c The platter was HUGE. They gave me so much cheese and that was very generous. Sadly my cheese was not good. Some of them I did not taste any flavor. Kind of rubbery texture when you chew on not so good quality of cheese. No one really enjoyed it.. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:25:05" }, { "business_id": "t37dsDBpe65qUb81OSFr-g", "business_name": "Philadelphia Theatre Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a subscriber and very satisfied so far. They have been showing good plays which mostly nominated/ awarded. They have spacious stage and setting is really nice. They have been presenting great writing and directing. Actors are very professional too. As a subscriber I got to go opening nights and they usually have post play event. Q&A with actors and writers which is always nice. Also their seats are very comfy and leg rooms are large. I am so used watch Broadway shows in NYC so I was really surprised to be seated like this. That makes the experience so much enjoyable!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:23:52" }, { "business_id": "MbFiVsqtIt75yrUNd8LT3Q", "business_name": "Prince Music Theater", "rating": 3, "text": "Very young and energetic theater I thought. I checked their annual playlist but wasn't much my style so did nothing t subscribed. However if I find something interesting I still go watch. Me and hub went to watch Evil dead. Was definitely very entertaining. It feels like you watch very exciting short film. Acting was great and fun vibe filled entire theater. Beside play I did think theater itself was nice. Since most theaters are so nice here this one was definitely less classier than other places. But its fun venue to check out for once.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:30:20" }, { "business_id": "dBRWKIS7h-qZCi8EjUJ2HA", "business_name": "The Franklin Institute Science Museum", "rating": 3, "text": "This museum ended up pretty pricy if you want to experience whole package. I was surprised that there is no student discount package for entrance, Imax and special exhibition. That was one of the most expensive museum visit I have ever had. Whenever I visited new city I try to visit every museum and galleries. Those places usually offer student discount or any kind of deal for tourist. This place had non. When I got there with my parents, it was really windy mid of weekday. Think we picked the wrong day. There were tons of kids running around without any observation. No offense, it would be perfect study/ play venue for them. And they probably need to experience this venue more than I do. Apparently we did not get to see any of exhibits. Children were screaming everywhere and no one really supervise them. And a lot of things were broken and left it there. Well. We ended up leaving this place in a hour. This place could be so much better.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:43:18" }, { "business_id": "bmrEQ_4nzXc72zAFotrLYA", "business_name": "Arden Theatre Company", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my favorite theater in Philadelphia. I am a subscriber and can not be happier than this. This beautiful theater is located on prettt street at Old city. I love to make my trip out of it and check out Old city as well. They have first and second go, separated theater. Both have nice and comfy seats and great sound and view. I have been sitting front seat to watch but I believe most seats in that theater have great view. So far they have been showing amazing musical and plays. Some of them made me cry and some of them made me cry from laughing. Actors in Arden theater are super talented and so enthusiastic. You must check out this beautiful place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:47:08" }, { "business_id": "PhLYLCjM_dS_seS_fMBVeg", "business_name": "Helium Comedy Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to standing comedy show. I have been ones in NYC and LA only before coming to this once. From my past experience, comedy clubs were very pushy with minimum purchase. They were kept asking if I order another drink to have 2 drink minimum. It's their rule so I was fine with it. At least this place did not have that push. Actually was so hard to order our bar snack lol because the venue was so full and so hard to get attention from waitress. Well it's very refreshing haha We went there for special guest Bobby Lee comedy show. He was funny as I expected. Thought the opening guy was even funnier though. Now I will go back there for Margaret Cho show next month. I am super excited!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:50:33" }, { "business_id": "YWI4lRnWY7-dFBAei7JAEQ", "business_name": "Academy of Music", "rating": 4, "text": "It is gorgeous venue, so classic and beautiful! I like their Broadway musicals very much. So much cheaper than Broadway in NYC and as good as them. Watched musical Once, Phantom of the Opera and Cinderella. I probably watched Phantom at least 7 times haha. I know it is lame but I just love that show. My parents and me are such a big fan so we both watched multiple times but we read this new version of Phantom will be showing in Philly so we were exited to watch. And so excited to see how they were going to use this classic old style theater. It would be just perfect venue for phantom without trying. Setting was beautiful and music was great as usual. I just wasn't fan of new version they did. I really like their dramatic ending when phantom is surrounded by flames. I cried with him every time I watched. Revised ending was less dramatic and was a bit disappointing. Not sure if they did it because the stage had less space than ones in nyc. We did enjoyed Once and Cinderella as well. Very entertaining, great performance. They did not disappointed me. One thing was odd that the actors usually asked for the donation for their charity work after curtain call. I thought that was very nice and also smart. The audiences were so happy after watching fun musicals and willing to chip in. We all got out and walked down the stairs and the exit just lead us to street. We did not see anyone collecting donation. I saw people actually wanted to donate a bit and that was little disappointing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:05:26" }, { "business_id": "_aO_GP15Zrh7wcOuvaXnNw", "business_name": "Rodin Museum", "rating": 4, "text": "Who knew Philly has so much to offer to us! I never knew about Rodin this much until I visited this place. Me and my parents had artsy date and we had amazing time at Philadelphia museum of Art then we got free pass for this place. It was much smaller than expected but had a lot to enjoy. Loved that this museum wasn't too crowded, you can enjoy as long as you want. I saw Rodin's pieces at Met and Louvre but never get to enjoy with in peace like this. We walk around every rooms and enjoyed it. There was pretty corner of the room and you can leave your own sketch. My mom and I sat there and draw together. What a beautiful experience we had. Outdoor park was small but beautiful. Please check out this venue. You won't find like this anywhere.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 4, "text": "The first place I have visited in Philly. It is massive and events, special exhibitions are going on. First time we went there to watch \" Korean \" special exhibition. We actually booked the restaurant there to try their Korean themed tasting menu. Food was Asian fusion dish which wasn't too refreshing to us anymore but the venue was pretty and we enjoyed our meal. The museum was very impressive. They have amazing art as much as other major museums in other city and definitely less crowded than them. You get out of it so much. My mom is artist and she said it was amazing and had wonderful time with me. I am glad I got to check out and I do know I will have to make regular visit to this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:28:58" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 5, "text": "I finally get to see Barns foundation myself! Amazing!! I read about this place so much from news paper and art magazine. I heard this place is legendary and was excited to see it myself. What to say, it is modern and beautiful. And as we heard, they have so so so many art to display. They displayed every art as Dr. Barns had them in his mansion. You feel like you are waking into gorgeous house with full of collection. I was just stunned. There were so many things to see, the time slot we had felt so short. Mom and dad had amazing time too. My mom did say this was the best museum she's ever been too. I can't agree more. For example, Met or Louvre museums are so massive that I was already too intimidated by them and I got to walk way too much to enjoy them all. I got physically too tired to enjoy their art. Barns foundation was smaller and displayed so many art in one wall since they recreated exact same layout. I did not have to hop around too much and still got to see a lot. That was big plus. Now I have to schedule my next visit there to educate myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:37:29" }, { "business_id": "xrlyoI0SHEFBJa52qQnPUw", "business_name": "iSushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My another visit, was in the neighborhood and wanted to grab quick sushi and Vic sushi was way too far and I was starving... Got chicken wing, salmon salad, banzi roll as usual, one night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll. We were too hungry so was in hurry to order. I didn't have chicken wing but my hub enjoyed all. He said kinda taste like sesame chicken. My miso soup wasn't salty and really hot. I liked it, was perfect for this cold night. Banzi roll... could been better, too much cucumber than actual sashimi. I did miss my Vic sushi's Naruto roll again. One night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll were pretty good actually. Size is big and filled with crunchiness crabmeat with spicy mayo. I realized they just use same sauce for tuna sashimi as the dressing. I should've got tuna salad. Little lame. I did enjoyed one night and tuna rolls. But banzi roll and sashimi salad were little disappointing. Still solid 3 star place. But I will still go back there if I am in neighborhood. Just not gonna order banzi roll anymore.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T22:55:27" }, { "business_id": "bgxDswHIdFP0Go0pNfyAAw", "business_name": "Hummus Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "It feels so refreshing get away from Rittenhouse square area and up to university city. I liked the busy vibe and ethnic food options. Needed to grab quick bite after movie and we stopped by Hummus grill. Got Chicken Schwarma platter with eggplants and beef kabob. The portion was generous and veggies seemed fresh. My chicken was tender and delicious, I liked it a lot. Hummus was decent but I wouldn't say it was great. Egg plants was little too greasy. I wish I ordered beet salad instead. It looked better. It looked like fast food chain and service was fast. Dining area was little cold since customers kept coming in and out. It was definitely busy place. I don't think I want to eat there again. To go maybe..", "timestamp": "2015-02-19T00:56:39" }, { "business_id": "1LhpU1alopR_l-bWVQPkUA", "business_name": "Oh Shea's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "I felt interesting vibe from this place so I thought it is worth to leave review. Stopped by for quick drink. I am a non drinker so I can only review about bar food and ambiance. We ordered French fries, was unbelievably cheap.. Like $4 and they give you stack of French fries. OMG. Nothing special about that fries but for that price I was just amazed. It was just regular sports bar, not that crowded but it's located in center city anyway so I assume it would get busier during wkend or something. And I realized our waitress lady was like 60 or 70? years old beautiful lady. She was attentive and nice. She might be the owner. I am not sure, I am new here but this is something I never saw it in NYC before. I thought it was really cool :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:03:38" }, { "business_id": "dST75t2bHG-JtNTiYuSBMg", "business_name": "Uniqlo", "rating": 4, "text": "My favorite uniqlo store, there is never line. People who hadn't had experience at uniqlo store in NYC or any other major city wouldn't understand. Once I went there to exchange the size, I ended up waiting 40 min and I gave up exchanging. This store is new and people are so nice unlike employees in nyc. I think people there just are tired or just have bad temper maybe. I have amazing experiences here so far. They were so helpful finding design and my size for me and super friendly and actually enjoy working there. Must make my shopping so pleasant. They do have awesome basic stuff and have amazing price. They run size little bigger than original uniqlo in Asia so keep in mind and order one size smaller if you do.", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:11:08" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 3, "text": "4 of us had dinner there tonight. My hub dined there before and we awarded of their small portions. He was not very impressed with his last visit but 3 of us haven't been there so we gave a shot anyway. The restaurant was cozy and warm. Very tiny but we did not mind as long as food good. I got crudo, sautéed mushroom appetizer. Since it would be small I ordered two for myself. My hub got mussel. Did not find anything special about crudo, I thought mushroom appetizer was the best among them. Maybe too much butter on them but I am a huge butter lover. The main dish was disappointing. Me and my friends both ordered Bouillabaisse. When our server described it, that sounded so awesome. When we saw our dish... that was sad. Literally there were two piece of fish in my soup. Size of my thumb nail. My friend's one was same. There was no decent meat in it at all so I really hoped the broth would be amazing. It wasn't. Lack of flavor and I got really sad since I really like bouillabaisse. I left all of my soup even the portion was tiny.. Tried my hub's pork cheek dish as well. The smell of pork really disturbed me for some reason. I am not a crazy meat lover so I easily disturbed by smell of the meat. But I do eat steak and any kind of meat. But just that dish had really strong pork smell I did not like. My hub did not enjoy very either. This place seems have pretty good review so I am not sure if it was only us but non of us thought our meal was delicious at all but we did enjoy byob and cozy ambiance very much. Since I gave only one try I might go back eventually but definitely not anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-21T08:20:23" }, { "business_id": "ArGw19nfPgjR28TTfgb7iw", "business_name": "Smith & Wollensky", "rating": 4, "text": "Had pleasant dinner there. Me and my hub only have been to S&W in NYC and both had decent experiences there. I am not a huge meat eater but I do enjoy bread basket ( they always have great ones!) and appetizers at steak house. We got bunch of appetizers and one huge aged rib eye. Ordered Wollensky salad, mussels, fritto misto, crab cake. I enjoyed the crab cake and fritto misto the most. They were really delicious. Salad and mussels were good too but little salty for me but I enjoyed them all. Hub got spiced rubbed rib eye. I had some, was juicy and tender. I thought was delicious but again, I am not a huge meat eater so I might be wrong. Our sever, I think his name was Rick, he was very attentive and nice. Service wise it was great. I liked that this place wasn't overly packed so we could enjoy quite meal there. The NYC one always packed with cooperate people and tourists whenever I visited there. Wasn't super pleasant. Overall was very satisfying meal. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-23T04:26:38" }, { "business_id": "-0TffRSXXIlBYVbb5AwfTg", "business_name": "IndeBlue Modern Indian Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad to find beautiful indian restaurant in the hood. Tried their vegetable samosa, spicy scallop and shrimp crusted salmon. They were all good! Samosa was crispy and deliciously seasoned. Scallop and salmon were great. I really liked the ambiance, it was lively and was perfect for grabbing some yummy food and enjoy conversation. I tried the lassi as well. And was rich and creamy as I like. I wish I tried their crispy chaat. Looked really but no one wanted to order so we skipped it. I will definitely try that dish next time I am there. The service was very professional and kind.", "timestamp": "2015-02-24T07:48:23" }, { "business_id": "DAbpxhhHOxInDNLdvWrTTQ", "business_name": "Smile Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is only based on take out food. We ordered couple dishes for delivery. Spring rolls, chicken wing with sweet chili sauce, pad see ew and Tom yum soup noodle. Food got delivered in about 40min. There was some good and bad about their food. Spring roll was not so greasy and crispy but lack of flavor. It was already kind of cold but it was delivery food so understandable. Chicken wings were actually delicious. Was good choice. The most disappointing dish was my pad see ew. Noodles were all stuck together so it was like gigantic rice cake and half of them got no sauce on them and uncooked. They put generous portion of vegetable and seemed fresh ones so that was plus. My hub did not enjoy his Tom yum noodle soup. I tasted it, it had too much lime in the broth and I prefer little less but everyone has different preference. Overall was average experience for me. We enjoyed their appetizers but not much luck with main dishes. I am not sure because it was my first try and it was take out. If I dine there it might be total different experience. But no more delivery from this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-26T01:59:47" }, { "business_id": "IsmxvaMe2i-eWnHDyC0WJQ", "business_name": "Rice & Mix", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried their take out dinner last night. I ordered spicy pork over the rice and hub got galbi tang. My hub loves authentic Korean food and me not so much. I can't handle garlic and spicy very well and doesn't appreciate free kimchi side either so I actually prefer Korean fusion places. I thought this place might be the one for me. And actually I was right. My spicy pork dish was just right for me. That means for someone looking for authentic Spicy pork dishes.. might be disappointed. I liked the fact that they didn't use much or garlic and did not see any red pepper flakes on my plate. I do hate red pepper flakes mixed with sauce usually so it was just right for me. They gave hot sauce on the side but I did not use that. It was a bit sweet and slightly spicy side. And I also got the multigrain rice which was delicious. The texture was chewy and dry side so it was almost like multi grain salad. They give edamame and steamed carrot on the side which I wasn't fan of. My dish was delicious ( for me) but was too small. I am so used huge portion of Korean meal with free sides. But I did like the sauce a lot so I will keep going back whenever I am craving. My hub actually enjoyed his galbi tang. They used LA galbi, different type of galbi Korean uses for this soup but broth was good. He finished all. But he is the kind of guy needs kimchi and side dishes when he eats Korean so he was sad there was no free kimchi. I would really like this place if they have little bigger portion .", "timestamp": "2015-02-27T17:59:40" }, { "business_id": "tS8uQ3F3azhluLqcoG3v-Q", "business_name": "Balance Spa & Fitness", "rating": 4, "text": "My review is only about massage sessions. Went there to get 50 min massage from Yolanda. I read good reviews about her massage so was very excited. The reviews were right. Her Swedish massage was very soothing. I got so relaxed so almost fell asleep during the session. She asked about my concerns before massage and worked on it very detailed. Wish I booked two hour session. 50 min felt really short working on entire body since she moves very slowly ( that was really soothing and awesome btw) She got warm and soft hands which is so important for me! Once I got massage from therapist who had ice cold and rough hands. I prayed for my session to be over soon for entire hour. Yolanda even apologized that she had long nails today which I didn't feel any, her nail was short enough for massage. If you got scratched by nails during massage you would know what I mean. She was very professional. I could not give 5 star because it was not a just massage therapist office. It was a hotel spa and the facility wasn't that great. The robe seemed worn off, the pool didn't seen super nice so I didn't use it after my session. They suppose to have jacuzzi and sauna also but I didn't not check after I saw the pool. I was very satisfied with session but facilities.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:19:59" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 5, "text": "So so so good. I love their salad and Italian seafood grill. I have been there multiple times but once I had just ok meal. My seafood grill was overly cooked that day. I hated the texture of my rubbery calamari and dry swordfish that day. Last night I asked the server that I prefer not over cooked seafood. She was so kind and said she will make sure. And my dish was phenomenon. Was sooooo good and the best grilled seafood I had. I was super satisfied. We also got shaved sprout salad, garlic bread, meatball and vongole pasta. They were all delicious. We really enjoyed them all. I can eat there everyday.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:28:26" }, { "business_id": "1qw5dIsQPNGLOwnuP7Wj1g", "business_name": "South Bowl", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there for their soft opening since lucky strike and north bowl had longer wait. Uber driver had hard time to find the place since there was no sign outside. We were roughly waited for an hour and got some drink at the bar. Some guy spilled his drinks on us and we got all wet. It's happy Saturday night so we didn't wanna be mean anything. We said ok and waited for napkin or anything from bartender at the bar. We had to wait 10 min to get some napkin to clean up and we got soaked with drink and stood there. It was busy but not that busy compare with north bowl. The staffs seemed trying their best( they seemed really overwhelmed) but just very unorganized yet. When I got my bowling shoes, they were wrong size first so went back to switch to other ones then they gave me both left side lol. Something like small things kept happening. I think because it was first night. It wasn't smooth overall. We ordered bunch of food. Food was similar with north bowl but just takes really long to get food and drink. It is opening night for them so I am sure they will get better by time.", "timestamp": "2015-03-01T07:23:24" }, { "business_id": "kjKImJ8dLwN4jDi5PQP46g", "business_name": "Unite Fitness - Philly East", "rating": 4, "text": "Enjoyed working out there for a month and I am looking forward going back. The coaches there were professional and encouraged the people like me who weren't very athletic. I've never really done any strength work out in my life and definitely not athletic side. I actually hate working out. But their 75 min class was pretty fun even to me. People there seemed very strong and well trained compare to me so I was little intimidated but I survived. I could give 5 star for their classes and coaches but little pricy side for me and no free towel services or shower etc was little inconvenient for me.", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T04:41:36" }, { "business_id": "8P8HIysyyGbG8_94cG1Jyg", "business_name": "Entree BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "Had very pleasant evening at Entree BYOB. I saw great reviews about this place and finally decided to give a shot. 6 of us got a big table near entrance. It was small restaurant so that was only table can accommodate big group. We sat promptly and ordered $50 pre fix. It was great deal. We got all different dishes. Lobster tempura, cheese plate, prosciutto wrapped date. I got cheese plate. They serve 5 different kind cheese I think. I liked blue cheese and fried goat cheese the most. It came with peanut brittle, pear slice, arugula and some bread. It was huge for appetizer and was great choice. I didn't taste other friend's dishes but everyone enjoyed theirs. I got seared tuna and scallop with ink pasta for main dish. The pasta sauce was eggplant and tomato based and it was delicious! And spicy!!!! Scallop was good size and perfectly cooked. I liked scallop more than tuna. Pasta had very strong garlic flavor so I couldn't taste seared tuna very well since I started eating pasta first. But overall very satisfying dish. For dessert, got lemon mascarpone cheese cake. Yum yum yum. And also their fried Oreo... Was very good choice as others said. The portion was huge and price was awesome too. Really enjoyed it. Place was small and we sat in front of entrance and people kept coming in so it got cold while dining. Except that it was fantastic restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:28:37" }, { "business_id": "1o0C_fqBgnQCiWn4A0R68g", "business_name": "Nuts To You", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite snack heaven in Philly. I get so happy whenever I go to their store. I am a gummy lover and its gummy heaven. I grab could different kinds gummy and dark roast peanut for my hub. He really likes roast peanut from them. Today I got gummy, peanut, raw pumpkin seed and Turkish coffee. Total was just over $18. So cheap and snacks are fresh. Love love them!", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:41:27" }, { "business_id": "3NsTKp85H2FUjr1SURf0NQ", "business_name": "Greenstreet Coffee Co.", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute and little neighborhood coffee spot. Me and u friend stopped by today for quick coffee and snack. Ordered cappuccino, ice green tea and biscotti. We were in very chatty mood so we sat outside. Small place was filled with patron who were working or studying there so felt bad to sit there and disturb them since it was tiny spot. Cappuccino was foamy and smelled awesome. I got ice green tea and they didn't charge for extra like other places. Biscotti was big enough also. One barista there made good coffee alone and very quite so it would be perfect study spot not for chatty date with girlfriends.", "timestamp": "2015-03-09T21:20:26" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I might ordered the least popular menu here but I loved it. I was wondering about this place since I see always long line of people waiting outside even during wkdays. I had beet salad and hub got the burger. And side of mac and cheese. I really enjoyed my beet salad. The portion of beet was very generous. Also they gave me a lot of goat cheese which was so yummy. Greens were fresh and dressing was delicious. He said burger was just ok. He wished he got the French toast or pancake. Seems like everyone getting them and looked really good. I will definitely go back there to try their best sellers.", "timestamp": "2015-05-17T21:46:04" }, { "business_id": "QhgrhVKlXZtSY6gRThf8zA", "business_name": "Bing Bing Dim Sum", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty interesting restaurant. This was my first visit to E Passyunk. I was pleasantly surprised with their dishes. We were extremely hungry so ordered basically everything on the menu. I enjoyed everything we ordered except pork soup dumpling. It was corn and bacon based so the soup was little greasier than others but my friend enjoyed it. I did enjoyed their bun, Taiwanese dumplings, xo sauced chicken wings, turnip cake and scallion rice dish. Yum yum yum. Dishes could be spicier side since they are not afraid using chili oil and sriracha sauce but they were delicious to me. Sitting outside and having a Dimsum?! Sounds Awesome to me.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:35:05" }, { "business_id": "yAXiqUXVDdzWAXMFAobuCQ", "business_name": "Wheel Fun Rentals - Boathouse Row", "rating": 5, "text": "It was best $30 I spent this year. Me and my friend enjoyed awesome 80 min surrey ride. It looked uncoolest thing you could ride but we had a puppy and wanted check out the park so we decide to give a shot anyway. I ended up purchasing annual membership lol. They basically give you 50% time for free if you have membership which was nice deal. We had little ride by river and turned out it was tremendous work out. Our original plan was doing this then go to flywheel after but we skipped the gym after this. It was really nice to see the scenery and get some outdoor activity. Plus my dog loved it ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:47:38" }, { "business_id": "noBinj5ChHbPCHfqTcUO6g", "business_name": "Plenty Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I adore this little cafe. People there are so nice and pet friendly. Their peach cobbler cake is so moist and just enough sweet. Their ice tea is awesome, fresh squeezed orange juice is always delicious. Their little outdoor seats are always nice.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:50:22" }, { "business_id": "EMp87GsYkVdwHftE7Ar2_w", "business_name": "Cosmic Café and Ciderhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "I appreciate this little cafe a lot. It is locate to right next bike rental, entrance of boathouse row so I would say it is in prime location. In the winter, you want to grab hot coffee here and during the summer, you want ice coffee from this place. I mean this place would be doing great no matter what because of the location. But their coffee is actually pretty good, they make fresh fruit smoothies without any sweetener. Only fresh fruit in there. Their frittata was delicious, side salad and potato were fresh. Yum yum yum. I had veggie wrap before and it was yummy. All food and drink looked very fresh to me and seems like people there make an effort to make this place pleasant. 5 stars.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:57:09" }, { "business_id": "i_FWONQD1ZBqrNE2b-M5Ug", "business_name": "Talula's Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "This is such a beautiful restaurant and I am so happy to live near by. I had brunch before and this time I tried dinner and I am glad I did. The weather was perfect for outdoor dining experience and food was delicious. Me and my girlfriend split couple dishes and we really enjoyed them. We got welcome dish- fresh baked brioche. Yum yum yum. For appetizer, got tuna crudo and sweet pea salad. Tuna was so fresh and paired watermelon was amazing. Sweet pea salad was little blend for me but friend enjoyed it. We shared pan seared halibut. The portion was not so small and broccoli was delicious with fish. We couldn't decide btwn ricotta donut and butterscotch pudding so we got both! The pudding was the winner for sure . Must get it.", "timestamp": "2015-06-17T03:37:05" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 4, "text": "After watched the show at Arden, me and my hubby grabbed dinner at Fork. We had so so experiences at High street on Market so hesitated a bit but we gave a shot after read positive reviews. It had welcoming and beautiful ambiance and services were professional. Overall I enjoyed my meal but husband wasn't very impressed. I guess restaurant really can't satisfy everyone. I am a girl who hates leaving restaurant hungry so amuse bouche and several house treat platters made me very happy. We had 4 course tasting menu and they served different treats after each course. Sweet bread starter and shrimp raw platter were delicious start. They were not super small portion. For pasta course,we had gnudi pasta and ravioli. Gnudi pasta was delicious since I am big fan of cheese but it could be too rich for others who doesn't enjoy rich cheese. I thought ravioli was lack of flavor. But again, I am rich, creamy pasta girl. For main, we got duck breast and pork. Hubby ordered pork but he didn't like it much so we ended up switching the plate. I thought pork was ok. But not blown away. Oddly side dishes for both main courses were pickled vegetable. Since I got pickled veggie for my sweet bread starter, it was too much pickle for 4 courses dinner. Dessert, hubby got Black Forest cake( it's more like mousse) and I got cheese plate. Cheese selection was good. I enjoyed mine. Hubby didn't like his mousse so I ended up finishing his. It was rich but too bitter for me. Overall I left restaurant full and happy, I would go back if I am near for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-06-24T05:26:05" }, { "business_id": "bLJP0fVgscuUQy0hE_CRXA", "business_name": "Xiandu Thai", "rating": 4, "text": "Very decent Thai restaurant in center city. I had lunch special with friends and I was really satisfied. Had Tum yum soup and red curry with rice. Soup was really delicious even though I normally don't like tom yum soup. Red curry was mild spicy and creamy. Really like it. It could have been 5 star if our server were little bit helpful. My friend asked about her menu, she didn't want to order fried food and wanted to make sure but our server gave her wrong information and she ended up with deep fried dish. It was delicious however that was not what she was asking. It could have been 5 star.", "timestamp": "2015-07-10T03:01:12" }, { "business_id": "6aoXAXNrL7KrGBVRYBMFWw", "business_name": "Andre Richard Salon", "rating": 5, "text": "They have two salons at Washington square park area. They are so close to me so I've been both locations. The one at 12th street gym location is smaller but the one on Locust street is much larger and nicer. My girl is Anastasia and I really like her. She listens my concern and try to help out. It is crucial for me to click with my hair stylist since communication is very important. She is definitely very thoughtful and not pushy. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-07-24T19:41:13" }, { "business_id": "pxmBh8YZ6HLGQfNHvJoHzA", "business_name": "Nomad Roman Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "It is great local pizza spot for me. Convenient location and no waiting to be seated. I noticed Philly has some great pizza spots!!! Nomad was on my list and finally tried. I saw great reviews about root salad and margarita pizza so I got them and also tried meat balls. I did enjoy my root salad, it has so much flavor but It was little small even for appetizer. Pizza was pretty good but I've had better in Philly. However meatball was disappointing. Was lack of flavor and I tried some amazing meatball dishes in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T21:35:10" }, { "business_id": "FhwTEGqdir75uyXZqWqxlw", "business_name": "Big Gay Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "I was glad this cute ice cream shop opened near my place. There was long line and I loved their excited ambiance. I tried their best seller - salty pimp. They sprinkled a lot of salt, caramel and covered with chocolate. I was super excited to watch them making my ice cream. I think I enjoyed that experience more than eating it. Maybe it's only me, I was never big fan of salted caramel fan. And def it was pricier side for soft ice cream. I think I will stick with my Yogorino.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T22:13:17" }, { "business_id": "rMWdWJHblLHt_BQ2kWj5Bg", "business_name": "Seger Dog Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad I have couple doggie run near me. I appreciate having this park close to me. Compare to the one by river, this one doesn't not have separate doggie run so it might be not suitable for small dogs but my 7 pounds baby loves go there and hang out with big dogs. I did not have any bad experiences there so far, big dogs there behave so well and gentle with my small baby. They play so well together and we had a great time however you just never know. C I met some cool people there, they were every friendly. It's not artificial grass so her paws got dirty after playing there and sometimes it stink.", "timestamp": "2015-08-13T18:18:33" }, { "business_id": "V8we7-uCa-SouadZmZ9Ieg", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory", "rating": 3, "text": "It is so lame but this was chain restaurant I really wanted to try haha. I just heard about this place a lot- huge portion, good dessert etc however I've never seen this place anywhere in city. Now I finally went! Stopped by for lunch, got Alfredo fettuccini ( lunch portion) with chicken and classic burger with fries. We thought that would be safe choice since it was our first visit. Pasta was very thick, creamy like other chain restaurant. Chicken breast was moist and tender. My hubby enjoyed his burger and couldn't finish his fries. We were full so had original cheese cake piece to go. Our server was very friendly and had full of smile on her face whenever we sees her. Food was nothing ordinary but service was nice and I like to have this restaurant in the city.", "timestamp": "2015-08-14T17:34:40" }, { "business_id": "2er_V-oAd7IbQ5YTY56r7A", "business_name": "Bareburger - Midtown Village", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to be a big fan of Bare burger when they opened in NYC. I am not sure why I totally neglected this place for years. I only tried their vegetarian menus in NYC, my vegetarian friends really appreciated their veggie protein options. I remember those were yummy. Today we got County, Caviar burger with fries and rings. Large size comes with 4 speciality sauces. I thought burger bun was pretty good however I prefer juicy meat so this one was a bit dry for me. Also I prefer crispy fries, this one was little soggy... I remember this chain used to much better, maybe it depends on location. I am still glad to have heathy burger option near me", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T17:16:49" }, { "business_id": "NUJrCPU51Cvip4ayZD1P5g", "business_name": "Jose Pistola's", "rating": 4, "text": "I would say their bar food is very decent. I actually enjoyed their taco and nachos very much. I am not huge fan of bar food- normal greasy and very salty for me. However couple of friends recommended this place for Mexican snack and I can't agree more. Nachos were so yummy!! Crispy and I liked their topping. Not soggy and just perfect combination of bean, veggies and cheese! Tacos were decent as well however I think nacho was the winner. Definitely going back for some snack.", "timestamp": "2015-08-20T03:06:57" }, { "business_id": "uIZwBkvWicqyWraXvYOipw", "business_name": "Sbraga", "rating": 5, "text": "They have great 4 course meal for $55. What a amazing deal. And absolutely delicious. I was very happy to receive warm and crispy pop over and foie gras soup. I wasn't feeling for pop over so didn't have it but my hubby said it was so good and he finished it. And he is not a bread person. Their welcome dishes are even impressive. The soup was.... amazing. So creamy and so savory. Can't get enough. Wish they have that for their regular menu. I will totally get it. I got hamachi, lamb pasta appetizer, striped bass and cheese plate. 3 decent sized pieces of hamachi accompanied with jalapeño. It was so good, I forgot to take photo. Lamb pasta was delicious and rich with sauce. But I switched to my hubby's dish- saffron pasta with crab meat. I liked his dish better. Bass was cooked so moist and delicious. Very very satisfied. I was very happy to see cheese plate w/o extra charge. Nice touch! They gave me 3 piece with candid walnut and fig. I enjoyed sheep milk cheese the most.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:42:17" }, { "business_id": "nsH0hQ7xB5LS2_Ba3mqHTQ", "business_name": "Paesano's Philly Style", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok. So I finally tried Paesano sandwich. I was meaning to try it for very long time. My hubby picked up for me and I had it for lunch next day. I enjoyed it very much and I am sure if I eat fresh one.. I will be blown away.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:55:53" }, { "business_id": "fEqiXG_B-fn__w0aeF3nBQ", "business_name": "Laurel", "rating": 4, "text": "Very creative restaurant. I am not a fan of cold dishes but I did enjoy my ice flaked hamachi and foie gras dish. They were creamy but not overly empowering. We ordered truffle gnocchi for extra and that was right choice. I enjoyed very much. They were not cheap with truffle so $30 was so worthy. For main course, cod was decent size and my boo liked that dish the most. Pork was super tender and delicious. Dessert was chocolate pudding. I was expecting something special so when dessert came out, I was little disappointed. It was yummy but nothing special about dessert.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:51:03" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my favorite Sabrina's brand. I tried all 3 locations in city and keep coming back to this one. Staff is nice and food is consistent. I feel this space little larger than one at Italian market so feel less cramped. Burger and breakfast egg are always delicious and enjoy their fresh sneezed juice. Can't wait to go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:57:50" }, { "business_id": "POuaebsAeCyNx-8qZ3O7XQ", "business_name": "Shang Hai 1", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their soup dumpling very much. They are fast,delicious and super cheap. Tried couple dumplings here and they were all good. We got experimental and ordered regular menu but they were so so. I will stick to dumplings only from now on.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T04:01:28" }, { "business_id": "pXRrRf8fDv6yU3xp1E25hA", "business_name": "Bud & Marilyn's", "rating": 4, "text": "I was wondering about this place awhile and finally got to try it. Got cheese curds, short rib stroganoff, fried chicken and lobster buns. I always wanted to try cheese curd truck but never got to wait to get to so this was perfect. Was little salty for me but if you skip the sauce then it's bearable. As other reviews said, short rib stroganoff was definitely winner of the night. Was delicious and I love it very much. Lobster buns were pretty good too. Decent size of lobsters in it. Not heavy on sauce. Yum. Fried chicken dish was huge. Big two pieces include breast. I prefer white meat part so it was perfect. It wasn't Korean fried chicken style,it was more like Blue ribbon fried chicken in NYU. Otherwise fancy KFC lol Most dishes were little saltier side than other restaurants but maybe good with drinks. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T17:21:31" }, { "business_id": "8-A_4Jp2-NHKvjLcPE8HVA", "business_name": "United States Postal Service Land Title Station", "rating": 1, "text": "Wish I could give \" zero\" star. Yelp needs to give us option to give zero star. Seriously.. This location usps deserve to get Zero star. Normally most of experiences at USPS are not very pleasant. But I am reasonable person. I do not expect 5 star hotel service here. You do not have to kind and super helpful to me. Just let me send out my pkg without making me so unpleasant. I went to this location multiple times since it is so close to me however it was my last time to go there. One of lady is extremely rude. I did not see her name ( wish I did, so I can save a lot of people's bad experiences there) but I think most reviews here already mention about her. I actually saw once she made one customer cried. She yelled and extremely rude to her and the poor young lady actually cried in front of other ppl and said she shouldn't be so mean. I did not hear whole conversation so I did not leave any review at that time. This time, actually was my experience. Same lady extremely rude to me for no reason and I did not argue with crazy lady so just left saying nothing since even if I complain, the crazy lady won't change. Do not go there. There are other locations.. And if you must..do not go to right side of counter. There are two counters. She will find way to yell at you even if you did anything wrong and just waiting on line for your turn. She loves to boss around and yell at her customers and most of us are too busy and just want to leave there asap.. She is abusing it. So far she was always on the right side. She is extremely unpleasant person to deal with. Be aware.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T15:20:21" }, { "business_id": "3eJMsl41qwhcYlvoTF1ElQ", "business_name": "a.kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is purely about their lunch special. Had pleasant experience there. Their lunch special is great deal. Big portion and great service. I had smoked charr flat bread and Tuna. Hubby got steak tartare and octopus. I liked my tuna a lot. They served 3 huge chunk of tuna pieces. I have big portion but this satisfied me :-) Smoked char, I normally love this dish but this one was too salty. Couldn't really taste fish be cause it was too picked. I did not enjoy hubby's tartar, raw meat was very chunky, piece was too big for steak tartar but hubby enjoyed it. Octopus was my favorite dish there. Chef must love pickle so much. Our dish was full of prickly flavor. I love them so had no problem.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T16:38:29" }, { "business_id": "4HLur5bFXB6pT0o4ao3wgA", "business_name": "Nagwon Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "Best value all you can eat Korean bbq in city. It's not close from where we live so hesitated to go there however the owner couple were very attentive. All you can eat bbq has all kind of meats and seafood. So everyone has something to eat. Side dishes are pretty good. Sometime they are cold if you go odd hour. Bean paste stew are delicious. Great value. Wish they were close to center city.", "timestamp": "2016-01-29T05:47:11" }, { "business_id": "gjFUrbSMo1rA1jgG5IhA2A", "business_name": "Chima Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I was surprised by their size when I walked in. They did not seem that big from outside. We were seated promptly and they were very fast took our order. Creamy mashed potato, cheese bread and sweet plantain came out right away. I really liked their salad bar. Gorgonzola cheese dressing with endive was my favorite. Fresh greens and grilled vegetables. Yummy. I was more focused on salad bar than meat buffet so can't give enough reviews about meat but my meat eater husband enjoyed them very much so must be good. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:22:22" }, { "business_id": "kj3Lyh9KooU8GcRBbMDQWQ", "business_name": "Le Pain Quotidien", "rating": 4, "text": "This is probably one of my favorite chain restaurant/ bakery. It is so convenient for me and really like their cozy ambiance. They do not really bother me once I order so it is perfect to catch up with friends or read myself even. I always get their Paris ham & cheese tartine or quinoa cake with arugula. Once they ran out hummus and informed me after I ordered so I had to eat without hummus. Wasn't that good. Would been nice if they substitute with other ingredient though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:34:42" }, { "business_id": "KscVqYYG7ziAroZhfNb0Ng", "business_name": "South", "rating": 5, "text": "First time I tried this restaurant and it was restaurant week visit. I was super satisfied after my meal ;-) The location was kinda far. I've been that place before and it was lobster/ seafood place if I remember right. The ambiance was pretty same except they were playing live jazz music and it was quite nice. 3 course restaurant week menu we tried were gumbo( our waitress recommended and she was right), pork chop, mahi and chicken. For dessert we got spiced pumpkin cake and pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. Their bread basket was die for. Yummy cheese biscuit and corn bread with cream cheese butter. We ended up asking second basket. Appetizer sized gumbo was huge and delicious. Everyone enjoyed it. I believe pork chop was the best choice among main dish. Mahi with farro salad was pretty good too but little lack of flavor. For dessert huge pecan pie piece came out with big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Was really delicious. I ended up left my spice pumpkin dessert and just ate pecan pie coz was so so good. Overall was super satisfying. I will def go back.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:46:37" } ]	{ "business_id": "sVZb87xjhbCWHQ2UXOGLrA", "business_name": "Giorgio On Pine", "rating": 1, "text": "I had decent food here. Pasta was ok. Salad was ok. But their reservation system isn't very pleasant. Called few times and finally talked to someone and reserved table. Guess what, they never write down my reservation. We had to leave or move over to pizzeria next door. It is fine to make a mistake but the way they handle was horrible. They basically told me just leave or go to pizzeria. Was sat night, peak dinner time, we won't able to get in anywhere last min. Never going back. We just have so many other options to go.", "timestamp": "2016-07-01T22:32:48" }
NUtIAX-ygn474tDg5nmesg	[ { "business_id": "wUnLSg_GKfEIQ5CQQ770_g", "business_name": "Vetri Cucina", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try this place. Heard good things about it. I was very impressed and enjoyed every dishes except one. Sadly that was my main dish. Ambiance wasn't fancy. Reminds small restaurant in Italy. Our waiter was excellent and very knowledgable. Definitely going back.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T04:26:32" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 4, "text": "Great lunch spot. Stopped by with my parents today for quick lunch. Lunch special is great deal. We ordered two lunch special and one appetizer and still had left over. Lunch special burrito was huge and my parents loved it. And my parents are pretty picky eaters so I assumed burrito was good even though I didn't taste it. I had chicken taco which was great as well. I will def come back again.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:27:13" }, { "business_id": "tC8i2_9ww-WoT1wZOCwRrw", "business_name": "Sue's Custom Dressmaking & Tailor Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. I am very particular with my dress. Really hard to find decent alteration in the US compare with where I am from. I always brought my dresses to Korea or HK until I found this place. I brought couple dresses to be tailored. I was little worried that It wouldn't be that simple job. They needed to be tailored entirely, not just trimmed. Materials weren't easy to handle since they were very delicate. And some of them were vintage items. They did amazing job and I love them all. Korean tailors are the best. And they are one of top for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:40:50" }, { "business_id": "LiHdRXlcj0GDm_e97oiwKw", "business_name": "Pure Fare", "rating": 4, "text": "Really delicious smoothie. I got leaf green one. Had spinach, banana, kale and etc I think. Was not super sweet or icy. It was very delicious and thick but not over powered banana flavor like other places! I would give 5 star if portion wasn't that tiny. The guy who made my smoothie threw away left over inside mixer after poured my smoothie in tiny cup. I wanted to cry!", "timestamp": "2014-07-31T20:01:31" }, { "business_id": "F7fC4dZW17muSvE8ixaXkQ", "business_name": "LeBus Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "It is a bakery but their bread selections aren't so amazing. I though muffins are just average. Cookies are just ok.. Actually loft bread was so dry. However I still go there pretty often for getting couscous and curry chicken deli sandwich for lunch. Their couscous is one of best I ever had.", "timestamp": "2014-11-25T00:56:34" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 2, "text": "Conveniently located in center city. Cozy ambiance and friendly staff. Nothing exciting on menu. Order bunch of dishes with group of ppl. Smoked tuna taco.. Tasted like mayo albacore tuna sandwich. I do like tuna sandwich but didn't expect eat them in restaurant. Bacon and date dish was good but who doesn't like that combo.. Hard to mess up that dish, nothing extraordinary. Had empanadas which was pretty average as well. Ordered ceviche smaller as well. I do heart law fish. It is really easy to impress me with raw seafood dish but even I wasn't blown away.. For main dishes we ordered scallops, skirt steak, tuna and duck dishes. I think duck dish was the best among them. Scallop was good as well but was a bit burned. Other dishes were so so. Not bad but not amazing. I was very excited to try dessert there because the signature dessert, chocolate cigar one looked amazing, it was really cute to see it but wasn't super tasty however coconut tapioca dessert was the hit. Probably the best part of this meal. We had 2 cocktail, one beer and one diet coke as well. Bill was around $400 for 4ppl. Not worth for the price.", "timestamp": "2014-12-17T03:58:33" }, { "business_id": "VJEzpfLs_Jnzgqh5A_FVTg", "business_name": "Jasmine Rice - Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I really wanted to like this place. People seem kind and conveniently located in center city. Wasn't able to find decent thai place in center city so I was excited to try new spot. Sadly couldn't reach my expectation. We ordered 4 appetizers and 2 main dishes for two ppl. I know it sounds a lot for two ppl but was good decision to order that much. Otherwise we would be left hungry. Got fried calamari, coconut soup, steamed mussels and spring rolls for appetizer. As some of others mentioned already the portions are tiny here. Soup size was ridiculous. Smallest soup I've never had.Spring roll size was about my pinky, was delicious but tiny tiny.. Those two appetizers were extremely small even for starter. For main dish we got pad Thai with beef and red curry with chicken. Pad Thai was really sweet. Maybe too sweet even for Americanized thai food. Red curry broth was delicious, was creamy and good amount of spice. But there wasn't enough soup. They serve curry on flat plate so they can't hold enough soup for curry and rice. I am not sure why they choose use that plate for soupy dishes. Curry broth was amazing but green bean and carrot weren't cooked at all. I wanted to give one star to be honest but only reason I gave two star was the server was very kind and gave me more broth for my curry. The extra curry broth he brought was bigger portion than my coconut soup btw.", "timestamp": "2014-12-22T19:38:13" }, { "business_id": "TunmRrfZb7bt53T6HJi4UQ", "business_name": "Bleu Sushi", "rating": 1, "text": "They have very strict groupon policy which I don't understand. The restaurant was more than half empty but owner gave us hard time to redeem groupon because we did not make a reservation with groupon. Won't back again.", "timestamp": "2014-12-24T18:26:15" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 1, "text": "Sadly have to leave negative review even though their lovely ambiance and great customer service. Tried tasting menu and most of dishes were overly salted except first course which was pumpkin spiced soup and dessert. Btw only good part of this meal. Two of us had to finish two bottle of water ( they were huge btw but we had to finish. If you wanna increase water intake..please go to this place) and also had to drink diet coke as well. I rather pay more and go back to Vetri to enjoy expensive Italian meal or just stick with my fav Little Nonna.. Philly just have too many Italian options.", "timestamp": "2014-12-25T07:15:58" }, { "business_id": "g8OyaT2RL8JCKItDExcFug", "business_name": "Blackfish", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried 7course tasting menu. Was $90 before tax so it is great deal for decent tasting. Right after had huge disappointment from il Pittore's super salty tasting menu, I was pretty satisfied with this place. They serve fresh oyster and tofu cream dish for amuse bouche. Had crudo with yuzu, chicken liver mousse, chestnut ravioli with mushroom foam I believe, seared salmon and braised beef dish. They were all delicious. I didn't have much expectation for this restaurant to be honest but I though all dishes were yummy! For dessert courses they served cheese plate, raspberry jelly donut which was meh... then finish with goat cheese mousse which was great. Since main dishes were so delicious, dessert was little weak but overall satisfied meal for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-12-28T05:00:52" }, { "business_id": "i76ERS3jM111T3VMbi2yrQ", "business_name": "Sagami", "rating": 3, "text": "After tried Morimoto, Zama, Raw, Fat salmon and etc.. I am still in searching mode for good sushi. Wish I found the one today but it did not happen. 4 of us ordered 2 zaru soba, chirashi, sushi set A, sashimi dinner set, seaweed side dish and mushroom and egg dashi soup. Nigiri size was very generous. They were thick and but lack of flavor. Friends who been here multiple times agreed that this place usually better than this but for some reason today.. everything was just plain. Rice wasn't seasoned enough either so chirashi wasn't so delicious. Soba was ok and tamago was pretty good, sweet and soft texture. Side dishes were good, seaweed and ginger salad weren't too sweet so I enjoyed them. But our main dishes were disappointing. I saw others ordered cooked dishes and they looked good. Think we picked wrong dishes.. I might give one more try since lack of my sushi choices in philly but probably will stick with cooked dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:31:40" }, { "business_id": "EwX4CUwRFwjO9oO5sJJ-bA", "business_name": "Pileggi on the Square", "rating": 5, "text": "My review is only about the massage experience with Dairo here. I tried so many massage therapists in philly and now finally I found the person to go to! This place divided to two section, hair salon and spa downstair. Massage room is clean and quite. You get to choose your oil and they give you solid 50 min massage. He mostly worked on upper body and didn't get to work on my legs much but 50 min is short time to cover both and I usually have really tense shoulder so was perfect for me. He ask you few questions before you going into the room so let him know where you want him to work on. I am so addict to massage. Can't get it enough and by far he is the best in Philly.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:54:20" }, { "business_id": "Oh3Q3QfhMl2DArFiLUrT9Q", "business_name": "La Fourno Ristorante Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "My star is based on Groupon dinner only. Used the groupon for dinner for two. Got salad ( fresh and yummy), soup( home style cooking) and pizza for appetizer. I saw a lot of reviews that their pizza is great and it was right. Pizza was delicious. Must get the pizza if you go. We got veal Parmesan and stuffed chicken dish for main. They were pretty good but I thought veal dish price is too high. For groupon deal, they were awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-01-22T23:25:00" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute French bistro in neighborhood. Warm ambiance and good service. The portion of dishes are generous here even for bistro. Had lamb shank and brisket dishes for main. Both were pretty good but they were really salty. I do like their dessert menu. Their Mille feuille is delicious. One thing I wasn't happy was their butter. They served little cold butter so hard to spread on bread :-(", "timestamp": "2015-01-23T00:03:07" }, { "business_id": "41Wm32-Aj7jdejK4QfUDDw", "business_name": "Schuylkill River Dog Run", "rating": 5, "text": "Great dog run. I've only been to doggie runs in NYC and this place is 10times better!!!!! It has two separate section for small and big doggies. It isn't stink like other doggie runs I experienced so I can tell Its very well maintained. Very very clean and I can tell it won't get muddy when it's snow or rain. Very satisfied with this place!!!", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T00:38:05" }, { "business_id": "bjPUhanWoinHi2kywvVzBA", "business_name": "Mercato BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "So happy that I found this place. I always walked by this place and always wondered. It is small and intimidate place. We shared fontana cheese meatball, soup and both had market fish platter. They were pretty delicious. And olive herb butter accompany to bread was nice touch.", "timestamp": "2015-01-28T02:35:05" }, { "business_id": "DsKzHnkLKnxZTVsFpts4oA", "business_name": "Red Owl Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "Better food than I thought. I had zero expectation when I walked in with group on sat evening. Has no reservation but we were seated promptly. Tried bunch of bar snack and burger and fries were good. Their cheese plate gave 5 kinds of cheese and generous with portion.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T03:58:51" }, { "business_id": "5INWCIArMbFd-aku3-UI3Q", "business_name": "Ana Pesce Advance Skin Technology", "rating": 5, "text": "My visit to Ana Pesce again. Had another amazing experience there and I noticed they moved to bigger and nicer venue so I felt like I should update my review. Weather hasn't been nice so my skin got dry and needed another facial.Today I went back to Ana and I feel like I got what I needed. She did some amazing mask( she applied thick mask then cover it with plasticky paper then use lightening machine to massage) I am not sure what she did since she improvise depends on your skin condition so every visit was little different each time in my case. Got a amazing result. I applied make up on after my facial. My skin was glowing and smooth. Loved the result. My friend did facial with Cindy to get extraction. Her treatment is little longer than mine since she got extraction and some laser treatment done. She looked absolutely fresh after facial and she was very happy with Cindy's work. I love that they are very professional and dedicate to their job. I thought was weird that they asked so many questions when I did my first facial. Like my diet!, skin routine, if I taking any supplement etc but now I know they understand my skin very well and it's all applied to my treatment. Love them a lot and I keep going back for sure. Just go and get the facial from Ana or Cindy.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:07:45" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually like this place a lot. Ppl are very nice and attentive. I always get the continental salad with grilled chicken. It is basic menu but they do cook chicken very tender and juicy. Alway get the best grilled chicken salad there. And the portion is HUGE. Since I do hate tiny salad ( how much cost give us little more green?) this is the place to go to get good salad.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:14:20" }, { "business_id": "fJQzUesrvvoMUkjQBNxc6g", "business_name": "Nail Spa Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Want to love this place so bad.. but I can't. It is so close to me and the price is relatively good. Got $30 mani pedi. The lady did mine was really quick. I was done entire thing already when my friend was only finishing her pedi. She was fast but her job wasn't that great. I tipped her ok and gave two star on Yelp since this place is cheap, she was quick( this place get really busy)and gave me a cup of tea but I prolly won't go back there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:20:54" }, { "business_id": "EhotxJEJxpMgCJ0F82Buvg", "business_name": "The Olde Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I read about this place and wanted to check out. It is pretty venue and staffs are happy to show you around. The oyster is fresh and I can't tell much about drink since I am not a drinker but friends seemed happy! They get really busy on wkend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:25:50" }, { "business_id": "ChAVUpsZ0GTZ4m8T10ACqw", "business_name": "Just Dogs and Cats", "rating": 5, "text": "Cute store in the neighborhood. I walked in with my puppy and wanted to get little ball for her to play. I don't like tennis ball since she is big time chewer and tear apart very easily. The owner lady recommended perfect rubber balls for her tiny mouth. And the best part was they were not made in China. Those are my puppies favorite toy! Also she gave my puppy free chocolate peanut butter cup. That was so sweet!", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:08:42" }, { "business_id": "WCLexnTQmylse_p0kQbz2g", "business_name": "The Treemont", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to try this place after I had good experience at Blackfish. Food was decent and ambiance was cozy as well. I had chicken liver pate and short rib. Chicken liver pate is one of my favorite dishes so I usually get it whenever I see them on the menu. Sadly it was just average. Not bad but not good either. Liked their creamy texture but was lack on flavor, they gave you a lot of brioche though. Beef short rib dish was pretty good but was little too sweet in my opinion. For me, 4 or 5 star on yelp means I would like to go back. This place more like 3.5 star or above but just not a 4 star...", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:21:33" }, { "business_id": "UDOcMEgRKfoCc-BikZJFhg", "business_name": "Maha Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "I love practice here. People here are very nice and welcoming you even though you are new. You think ppl at yoga studio would be so nice but not always. Yoga studio can be very intimidating. I usually go their yoga hour. They offer more yoga hours and other promotions than other studios at center city. I like their location, price and instructors.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:25:23" }, { "business_id": "woTZpX92uByUgliPrh39Mg", "business_name": "Ocean Prime", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not sure why I never tried this restaurant until now. It is in my neighborhood and I passed by all the time. Since it is restaurant week so we wanted to try new places we haven't been. You can't really tell from outside but the ambiance is very nice inside once you walk in, little bit darker and high ceiling. It's like classic and fancy steak house. We got the lobster bisque, salad, filet mignon, teriyaki salmon with sticky rice and 5 layered carrot cake. Appetizers were pretty good and I didn't try the meat dish but my husband said it was good. I thought salmon cooked perfectly and well seasoned. Also rice was delicious. As some other reviewer mentioned the carrot cake was good but a bit too sweet. But pineapple sauce does magic :-) The service was really really great. They are attentive and very sweet. It was satisfied meal overall.", "timestamp": "2015-02-02T19:12:38" }, { "business_id": "0oSSjekU-3GR8gselReWnA", "business_name": "Butcher and Singer", "rating": 4, "text": "Review is based on restaurant wk menu, we stop by for weekday lunch. Shared butternut squash soup, Rockefeller oyster for appetizer. Soup was hot and creamy just I like. Oyster was delicious as well. We got burger and crab sandwich for entree. Burger meat was well cooked since my mother in law ordered well done but was still juicy. I thought was pretty delicious. Fries were salty but I found most fries are salty to me in Philadelphia so.. Crab sandwich was my favorite, perfectly seasoned and thin slice chips were delicious as well. For dessert we got carrot cake and I thought was little bland. Salted chocolate and caramel tart was very delicious. Good portion of food and great service. I would go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-04T20:54:58" }, { "business_id": "85e8Uyn8tIyEZCqBP80rqA", "business_name": "Lolita", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to Mexican restaurant. It is hard to find good Mexican place in the east coast but this place by far the best for me. I really enjoy their taco varieties. My friend had couple of diet restriction. Like no dairy, gluten and no pistachios etc. They were very good at accommodating our order and since we split the plate, they serve all sauces and cheese on the side. Salad portion is generous and fresh and their guacamole is always awesome too. It is my favorite Mexican place in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-06T04:31:32" }, { "business_id": "urO7cwWPFRZU1MpSt9JIGw", "business_name": "Doggie Style Pets", "rating": 4, "text": "I stop by here with my puppy on the way to doggie park. I like this location a lot because it is conveniently located on the way to park and staffs are very friendly. They are usually very young and I see some complains that they are not well trained but I did not have those negative experiences. They were very attentive and willing to help. And most importantly, they are dog loving people. Plus they have free treats for dogs by register :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-09T01:30:07" }, { "business_id": "DLM7E6lrW-zpM10RJ4fAeg", "business_name": "Urban Front Pilates", "rating": 4, "text": "Clean facility and friendly staffs! My visit to Urban front Pilates was so enjoyable. I tried only mat Pilates and Vbarre class. I never liked mat Pilates classes before ( tried couple times from other studios) but this one was different. I will come back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T22:56:03" }, { "business_id": "Jm8OvNQy8PlXUroRmKE10Q", "business_name": "Focus Barre & Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "Recently tried their hot yoga and barre classes. Both instructors were very nice and helpful. I enjoyed classes with full of women in the room. The classes had great energy. I personally try to avoid hot yoga after 3 years of my Bikram yoga addiction which left me broken capillaries but I did not know they had hot yoga room until I get there. Even though I am trying to avoid hot yoga, their class quality was great and instructor was knowledgable. Barre class was harder than I thought. All that small muscle work out was definitely tough! Overall great studio to have near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T23:05:11" }, { "business_id": "vhDWGF-8BfsxvS7Zo5Wv2w", "business_name": "Abe Fisher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their food, great service and cozy ambiance. But salty salty salty. 2 of tried their tasting menu. I thought most dishes were delicious. Def was better ones I tried in NYC. If they were little less saltier, more like 4.5 star :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:15:47" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 3, "text": "Maybe I am a girl with huge stomach but I don't get full with one piece of pita and small hummus :-(. This place sounds like heaven for hummus lover. I do love hummus too but I need something else to eat with. I never had hummus alone for lunch so... Dish itself is pretty good but not mind-blowing. I went back couple times so far since it is so close to me but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:21:10" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 4, "text": "Best fries ever! I am not a burger person so can't tell but everyone seems really enjoying it. I go there to get short rib fries. Combination of cheese and short rib.... It is just AMAZING. It is worth to gain weight. I even picked it up on way home and ate once. Wasn't same... Go to restaurant and get one.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:26:45" }, { "business_id": "6wqxuBt2InDipRuUj8BNuQ", "business_name": "La Colombe Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "It is my go to coffee spot in my neighborhood. One thing I like about Philly is La Columbe is so close to me now! I used to walk all the way downtown in NYU to go there! Now I can go anytime! And store has unique ambiance. They serve your coffee in cute china and baristas are so knowledgable and attentive. They do not serve soy milk btw.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:33:04" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant looks so warm and cozy from outside. And it is! Very cute ambiance and dishes are pretty good. I thought it is so cute that they give you little present like small jam when you are leaving.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:53:08" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 3, "text": "I might have to give another shot to this place to be fair. I went there once and I still have so many new places to try in Philly. Order fish of the day dish and other friends ordered steak and burger. My fish was just average. Nothing special about it to remember except it was tiny piece of fish. This place seems very well popular here and a lot of ppl loving it so I may give another try...", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:59:08" }, { "business_id": "vCHNWdW-ys-nWUx3Cpvk8Q", "business_name": "Swiss Haus Cafe & Pastry Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I purchased box of cookies and gifted to friend. I haven't tried but my friend said kids loved them and literally had to pull them away from box before they finished them haha. They were picky eaters so I guess they do bake good cookies.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:05:46" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "I was give this place 5 star but changed my mind. I think this place could be hit and miss based on my two visits. First time I went there I had THE MEAL. Falafel was so hot, freshly fried and I even got one extra free to taste before purchased. I got Mama's platter both times. Was amazing for the first visit. Everything fresh and veggies were crunch. 5 star for sure. My second visit was more like 3 star. Everything was cold and falafel wasn't tasty like before. Veggies were soggy as well. I will give another shot and will see.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:14:10" }, { "business_id": "YzluF3FNGjnW-tOrLZt8JA", "business_name": "Zama", "rating": 3, "text": "Fresh sushi/ sashimi is my favorite meal. I can literally eat 3 times per day! I was so eager to find my favorite Japanese restaurant once I came to Philly. Zama was my first try. Location is good and ambiance is typical Japanese restaurant. Tried uni, tuna, fatty tuna, salmon, salmon roe sashimi. Those are my favorite so I get them wherever I go. They were good but not outstanding. I thought price was little high for what it is.. But I still go there for quick lunch since location is so awesome for me and I do like that intimate ambiance to chat with my friends. If price was little lower I would give 4 star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:27:49" }, { "business_id": "h7TO_IsmLCYmKKDVOOIeFw", "business_name": "Fat Salmon", "rating": 2, "text": "Ordered my usual. Sashimi platter with salmon, salmon roe, Tuna and uni. They were somewhat flavorless. Rolls seemed good with all the sauces etc but sashimi wasn't that good. And personally I am not fan of blue neon light with food presentation. Not so appetizing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:33:22" }, { "business_id": "rVGxva6cx2eID4ghDLVHJg", "business_name": "1225Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I thought sashimi was ok but I did enjoy their spicy sashimi salad. Owner must be Korean or at least has staff who is Korean. They make kick ass spicy go-chu-jang sauce for sashimi salad. And I tried to copy it at home for other dish I cooked and I was terribly failed. I thought just mix sugar and sesame oil with go-chi-Jang but it wasn't same. I must go back there to find out.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:37:12" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this Morimoto than nyc one. I did not know Morimoto was from Philadelphia. I only got the omakase in nyc one and wasn't very impressed every time I ordered! We ordered dishes this time in philly and I enjoyed every bite. Black cod was cooked perfectly and I really liked ponzu sauce for hamachi. Def going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:42:53" }, { "business_id": "trwHwsXOVV-ZmF-MtP98BA", "business_name": "High Street Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Was excited to try this place when they were opened it. Eh.... Not going back. They were very cheap with ingredient and some what salty. And very small portion. Maybe ppl in Philly do not eat much like I do... Philly has so many better options than here.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T02:01:33" }, { "business_id": "RnhLCG4N9MPy6ZRzq787Cg", "business_name": "Devil's Alley Bar & Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "I had brunch once and late night snack there once. Both were decent meal and good price. It looked like bar from outside and I expected nothing. But was better than my expectation. Quesadilla was delicious and ingredients were fresh. Salad was good too. Staffs were very nice as well.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T15:45:34" }, { "business_id": "WXRZlGsdUjraCAcgtCyk4Q", "business_name": "Potito's Italian American Pastries", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their cakes! It is firm and moist and since it is so thick and firm that I can order it a day before and still fresh. I normally prefer French or Japanese bake goods over Italian but this is my cake shop in Philly! I also tried cannoli and various individual cake pieces but I thought whole cake was much better deal here. Also taste better too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:05:28" }, { "business_id": "iUZEGx29miZObLd6_lt7Vg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I love their Asian salad!! I got it one at university city location and fell in love! So ordered same dish here as well. The veggies they used little different that day- no green pea in my sale :-( and the portion was smaller. I do enjoy huge salad so was little disappointing since I expected same quality as other location. My mom loved their stuff French toast so ordered same dish and wasn't good as we had before... But service was ver attentive. She kept giving us coffee and stopped by if we needed anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:12:49" }, { "business_id": "ctHjyadbDQAtUFfkcAFEHw", "business_name": "Zahav", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant is beautiful. Very pretty deco and service is great too. I heart middle eastern food and I have my favorite middle eastern place in NYC but now I am eager to find one in Philly. This place is the closest I can find for now. We tried tasting menu once, tried multiple small plate on the list. They were all decent but not mind blowing, more than anything I wasn't impressed by their hummus and falafel... Bummer.. Lamb shoulder was ran out so couldn't get it either. Second time we ordered lamb shoulder for 4 ppl. Woot woot! Was a lot of food since we ordered other plates as well. Ended up wrapping up left over and ate it for days haha.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:30:35" }, { "business_id": "mlgewa5y_a_AxVTamXGemA", "business_name": "Walnut Street Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "Have been a subscriber for 2014-15. So far they had great shows. Somewhat very commercial and but entertaining. Their actors were very talented and knew how to entertain audiences. Whenever I watched musicals/ shows there I ended up laughing a lot. Looking forward next show!", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:22:54" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 4, "text": "My second season subscribing here. So far we got a pretty good seat except twice. Once I sat behind really big guy and missed half of the play and ended up fall asleep haha. Since it is small theater with stadium style seat, secure good view is the must. They do have some great plays though. Seems like they have a lot of discount for student and young audience. So far pretty satisfied.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:27:08" }, { "business_id": "MMRRS6YhVRx_iN5-JhMRYg", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "Very delicious and salty! But it is Chinese place so I have no complain. Went with big group so could tasted a lot of their signature dishes. Dan Dan noodle seems very popular but just not my kid of dish. I did enjoy fried fish with sweet sauce and chicken with cashew. Also dumpling with hot oil was yummy. In the end of meal, my mouth was burning but I enjoyed all.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:30:41" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Enjoyed my meal here. Went with friend and we shared Samson roll, Naruto roll, spider roll, spicy salmon tartar ,tuna dumpling, edamame and sunomono. We were initially going to get sashimi platter but rolls looked amazing so went for it. Wasn't disappointing. Sauces weren't overpowering and sashimi were very fresh. We did not get the 3 roll special and order individual but if you order their special , price is really cheap. Very happy that found this place. P.s they freshly fried soft shell crab when you order spider roll. Soooo tender and soooo juicy. Loved it. Must get that item. Naruto roll is definitely better than any other places. Cucumber paper is thinner and fresher. And has so much flavor. I did not really like tartar dish. Didn't have much flavor compare to other dishes. I will just order rolls next time I visit which would be next wk.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:14:32" }, { "business_id": "khH0QtNyUjcExh9i2CwGfg", "business_name": "Serpico", "rating": 3, "text": "Was intrigued by their Korean influenced menu. We got raw fluke, consommé, pig head, fried duck leg sandwich, duck mousse and lamb rib for three of us! Everything was ok but nothing was memorable except lamb rib. I thought rib was really delicious. Raw fluke was fresh but ponzu sauce was not special and very small. Comsome was very boring... Pig head was too greasy, duck mousse was pretty delicious. Duck leg sandwich was just ok. Also has rocky road for dessert. Since the portion isn't that big you get to order a lot if you are hungry. I though food wasn't very special.. Prolly won't go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:28:33" }, { "business_id": "mUIBtlWNPD7sz3rGGWQ1RA", "business_name": "Kanella", "rating": 3, "text": "Had really high hope about this place and I am sad that my meal didn't reach my expectation. Order whole fish of the day. I got branzino and had so much bone in it... And fish itself wasn't very tasty. Also had organic sirloin kebab. Meat was tough and little dry even for kebab.. Dips of the day was good though. I see that they got a lot of good reviews about their brunch than dinner. I might try their brunch and give fair review.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:34:47" }, { "business_id": "aaILnjUFC0i0uRkg5hYgnQ", "business_name": "Aqua Asian Bistro", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to get my thai take out here. Fast service and I seems like they keep their kitchen clean. Their spring roll is alway freshly fried and sauce is creamy and good. They don't give authentic fish sauce kind of sauce like other places but I like Americanized thai cuisine so I have no problem with that. Fried noodle dishes are safe choice here I believe. Their spring roll is my favorite though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:01:58" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 2, "text": "Seems like this place is pretty popular. And I had take out quite few times here since it is so close to me. Simply I don't really like their food. I thought they use a lot of fish sauce. Maybe it's more close to authentic cooking. Tried spring rolls, pad thai, red curry with tofu, green curry with chicken and vegetable soup. For pad thai, noodle was stuck together so hard to eat.. Curry is good, delicious and creamy but not enough of broth and tofu and chicken were too dry for me. Vegetable soup was just blend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:07:37" }, { "business_id": "0S3TvsmbCeOZ9UitnpRd1A", "business_name": "Dim Sum House", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood. It is clean and big open space. Whenever I went, there were a lot of ppl. Had wonton in hot oil, scallion pancake, brussell sprout, honey walnut shrimp. Fried dishes are delicious there and sauce is not overpowering. Not overly salty either. Prolly favorite my Chinese restaurant in town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:12:56" }, { "business_id": "ex8RrhAhVVexndFhmNfG1Q", "business_name": "Wokworks", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to like this place. Healthy version of Chinese food? Sounded so good to me. And store looked clean from outside and also liked their name... Got quinoa fried rice with bean sprout and veggies...simply no good... I like healthy food but has to tasty to keep going back. That was my last visit... But I liked their clean container and healthy concept so.. It is two star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:17:51" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "One of my favorite Asian cuisine is Malaysian food. Especially their curry!!!!? Now I have to find my go to spot in Philly... I was excited to try this place. Got roti canai and seafood casserole dish as usual. Maybe I have high expectation but dishes weren't that good. Green curry casserole was lack of the flavor and literally had couple piece of seafood. Didn't even bother to complain. We just left after few bite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:15:12" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am not a donut person. But it is the one of the best donut s I've ever had. Since another donut shop in NYU I fell in love charged $5 per donut and I waited in line for 30 min to get two donut! .... this place is heaven. So cheap, fast service, fresh and you can get as many as you want! There donut fillings are amazing but just get the maple cream donut and blueberry fritters.. They are absolutely amazing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:29:40" }, { "business_id": "xAW4nw9DrW77vWF61_l-Qg", "business_name": "Famous 4th Street Delicatessen", "rating": 4, "text": "Huge portion and hearty food. 3 of us shared their large chicken soup and we still had left over for days. I think they cooked entire chicken in it and matzoh balls were awesome. Main dish came with two side dishes- we chose potato fritters and side salad. They serve you cabbage salad once you are seated and it is really delicious! I love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:14:44" }, { "business_id": "73UjNbSoQjQAOS45rcihFg", "business_name": "Cantina Dos Segundos", "rating": 4, "text": "Wasn't super hungry so 3 of us shared chimichanga and guacamole with chips. Chips were very good, not oily and freshly fried. My parents enjoyed chimichanga and said very delicious and seasoning was just enough. Wish they were close to me..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:21:27" }, { "business_id": "SCjUeZfjafJ88fWWQjRh2w", "business_name": "El Rey", "rating": 5, "text": "I can only speak based on my happy hour experience. For happy hour, they have amazing deal. Tacos and empanadas are soooo delicious. Food served when it's hot and fresh. And super cheap. Not sure about their regular menu but I do enjoy their happy hour.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:30:10" }, { "business_id": "9_B5sCqKBOKDAmYpByiFFg", "business_name": "Branzino Italian Ristorante", "rating": 3, "text": "Had branzino for lunch here. Was pretty quite during weekday lunch hour. Definitely not busy spot. I saw couple old coupe were dining. My branzino was decent size and was ok. But nothing special. I wasn't very impressed so haven't back since my last trip..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:36:55" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I want to give them zero star if I can. I went to serafina in NYC once and never went back hah...it is sort of chain restaurant and over priced for what it is but I was happy to see some familiar place in Philly so decided to give another shot. Me,my friend and my little puppy got table outside. It was 20 degrees, freezing cold day but we were hungry and had to eat.... And we had 3 pounds tiny puppy with us. I have no complain we sat outside. We have a dog so I asked them if we could get a table. They said its really cold but if u want u can get table outside so we did. The worst part, the waitress neglected us for over 20 min to get us water or take an order. We had to keep going in to ask for someone. It's only 20 min but we were freezing and restaurant wasn't that busy either. I don't understand why they just hung out at the counter and never bother to come out to take an order or just look if your space heater is working which it wasn't! Food was just mediocre. NYC one isn't that great but this one is just worse.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:46:28" }, { "business_id": "cGX-1IUwXOjkUqZbkKYcjw", "business_name": "Fogo de Chao", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed their salad bar! Went there for lunch and I am not a huge meat eater but still had decent amount of meat there. Service was very attentive and fast. All veggies at the salad bar were fresh and I enjoyed their ham and cheese selection. Even though I did not eat much of meat, their lunch price was pretty good deal for big salad bar eater like me:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:48:57" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped by here for quick snack. Shared fungi flat bread, cheese plate and salad. Flat bread was delicious. Moist and crispy. Wish it was little bigger haha. Cheese selection was nice too but just very very small. I would like this place way more of the portion is little bit bigger!!!!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:52:44" }, { "business_id": "4R2KR_-FybS7oegGrXjHVg", "business_name": "Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Probably this is my favorite chain restaurant. They have good deal for weekday lunch prefix and menus are great. The portion is generous, salad is fresh and soups are very hearty. Whenever I went, their services were very nice and kind. Has both salad and soup for appetizer. Both were very good. Salmon was juicy and burger was well cooked but not dry since I ordered medium well. Cheese cake was huge and rich. I really enjoyed my lunch here and looking forward going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:02:18" }, { "business_id": "H3EK1Q8tqRGqPBps05Uahw", "business_name": "Tashan", "rating": 5, "text": "Tasting menu.... The best. Got the deal from online and tried their tasting menu. Location was kind off. Distance wise was not that far but it was definitely long walk from center city. There were so many courses that I lost track. I am not sure even if they gave us more service sincere we felt like there were couple courses of appetizer and lay least 2 of main dishes. Food kept coming and EVERYTHING was delicious. When you go make sure you are hungry. Can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:24:38" }, { "business_id": "4tU9hlfzrCpcGWTIm-OKVA", "business_name": "Rouge", "rating": 4, "text": "Rouge and Parc. They were the first restaurant I dined in Philly. Mostly they were right next me and seemed pretty busy every time I passed by. Had couple times of dinner and lunch at Rouge, I felt this place is solid at least. Their foods were consistent so did their services. So far I liked their burger, roasted beets, their cheese plate and truffle fries. Burger was juicy and they cut the half so we can share which was nice. Roasted beet is alway my go to order and pretty good here. And fries.... were very crispy and perfectly seasoned.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:02:08" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is still one of my most visited places in Philly. Mostly because of location. So close to me and all of other friends, we meet there during the day, get brunch and have great girly times. I enjoy going there except the weekend, their brunch menu weren't bad but I would wait more than 10 min for their food. First time I went there for burger and steak fries on weekend ended up waiting for 30min to be seated and has to fight for staff's attention. But for during the weekday lunch, this place is lovely. It is our go to lunch spot after morning yoga class. 3 of us enjoyed their breakfast menu, lunch menu and oyster( from the morning!) and chatted there like hours. They were very nice refilling coffee and etc and never gave us any pressure to leave after we finished the meal. Place never get too busy during weekday lunch hour. I usually get their salad verde, roasted salmon or sea scallop. Salad verde was simple, super fresh but still full of flavor. Their salmon and scallop were pretty good too but I never really dreamed about their food after so I guess it's just ok. For food, it's more close to 3 star but me and my friends enjoy this place for regular girly date spot and enjoy ambiance so... I would give one more star for that.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:19:52" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "The first bar I've visited in Philly as out of towner. Doormen were nice unlike underground bar doormen in NYC. The bar was very pretty, cozy and reminds of me some hipster bars in Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan. I am non drink so I can only judge by the ambiance of my friends opinion about drinks, seems like everyone enjoyed their pretty cocktails and looked delicious :-) we did enjoy time there and since so close to me, I am sure I will be back very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:00:15" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Had couple visits there so far. I had mixed feeling about this place. My first time there was amazing. Mussel dish was huge, fresh and delicious. Bread was moist and good too. Had wonderful experience and couldn't wait to go back. Second time was so so. Mussel's size was tiny and broth didn't have much flavor. Bread was tough and dry. I hoped my third visit would be a charm but wasn't so lucky. Not sure if I should give another shot or not. Indecisive.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:05:04" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 3, "text": "I had only one visit to this place so not sure if I this review would be accurate since this place seems super popular. It's located right in front me and I see this places always crowded. I had such a high hope to try yummy vegan place. I ordered jerk Caesar salad only because it was top of their menu and there was full of people waiting so I didn't want to take too long to decide at the counter. When I tried my salad at home... Humm what to say, I usually like vegan meat a lot. Any kind of tofu/ fake meat I love more than actual meat haha. It was good since I like fake meat and veggies already but just not good enough to go back there. There are so many other places offer delicious food in Philly and I am not a vegetarian so I don't have to only eat there I guess. I haven't back there since my first visit but I may try their burger in future. Seems like everyone in my yoga class enjoyed their burger so, I might give a shot very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:15:13" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy!! Fresh turkey spinach salad! They gave me tons of turkey ham and a lot of spinach. All ingredients were fresh and I enjoyed my salad. Was huge so I could have left over but I am a girl with big appetite! Other friends had sandwiches and said very good also. Solid local sandwich shop for sure. Now actually it became my regular sandwich spot. I always get mensch. It's soooo good. Potato cake and mixed fries are must.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:42:18" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to Tria for brunch! Delicious small plates, cozy ambiance, this is perfect girly brunch spot in neighborhood. Two of us shared marinated calamari salad, roasted beet, egg toast. We weren't very hungry so it was perfect small snack. They have awesome ice tea and keep refilling your drink. Also other drink's menu are nice and affordable. Love this place!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:48:37" }, { "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 3, "text": "I liked the concept of this restaurant when I heard about this place. Seems like farm to table kind of restaurants are everywhere in NYC these days. Was excited to one in Philly. Maybe ingredients they get from farms in somewhere Pennsylvania will be super fresh! Got beet salad and scallop for appetizer and Cod dish for main. I am huge fan of beet, I love beet even if I eat out from can. If chef do little trick, I would go crazy about any kind of beet dish. This one was decent, not mind blowing. Maybe chef wanted us to taste fresh ingredient so didn't use much sauce on it. Maybe... Scallop was well cooked, kinda tiny even for appetizer.. Well I am a girl with big stomach.. Had big hope for my cod since appetizers didn't blow my mind. I definitely could taste the fish was fresh, was tangy and juicy but again chef could use little bit more seasoning. I usually have issue with overpowering sauce but this dish was little bland for me. The service was nice though. Professional and attentive. Haven't back yet since my first trip... Maybe will give another shot after finish all of my Philly restaurant lists.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:02:47" }, { "business_id": "2qHkwqao9GyxnDXHzCv4JA", "business_name": "Wedge + Fig", "rating": 5, "text": "Wish this place was close to me!!!! I felt so lucky to find this small lunch spot in Old city while I was doing yoga teacher's training. I was wondering around for grabbing quick bite and saw this place. Looked super cute from outside and menu looked awesome. I would totally go for cheese or heavier salad if I didn't have class right after. I went for tuna salad. They gave me generous amount tuna and veggies. Dressing was yummy too. Other dishes looked really good too. I will have to go back to try other dishes soon!", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:22:36" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried bunch of dishes for two of us, bacon wrapped date, clams, octopus, garlic shrimp, lamb meatballs and braised pork shoulder flat bread. Probably we ordered more but can't remember all. Wish I came with bigger group, would be awesome if we tried more since it was small tapas and they had pretty big menu. My favorite was bacon wrapped date. It's common dish and I tried from quite few other places but this one was one of top notched I tried. Bacon wasn't burned and cooked perfectly. Crispy but still juicy. Date was baked in perfection as well. Really enjoyed it so much so I had all myself! Other dishes were pretty good too except garlic shrimp dish. Shrimp cooked too much, they were really tough to chew :-( Overall it was pleasant dinner and service was very nice too. I will go back with bigger group next time for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:45:57" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "I heard so much good things about Han Dynasty and couldn't wait to try. Got bunch of dishes include spicy cucumber salad, dan Dan noodle, dumpling in hot oil, scallion pancakes, fried rice, fish in clay pot, dry chicken, garlic eggplants and mapo tofu. Dumpling in hot oil was big hit, it was simple but had so much flavor in it. Scallion pancake was fried well and chewy, dipping sauce wasn't salty. Everyone seems excited about their dan Dan noodle but it didn't so much for me. Maybe I am not a big fan of noodle. I did enjoy mapo tofu, wasn't too greasy and enough spicy for me. Dry chicken was delicious but was too salty for me. I had few bite then couldn't touch more. Fish in clay pot had full of flavor but a bit greasy for me. Since most main dishes we ordered had powerful flavor, the fried rice was most popular dish on our table. Dinner was enjoyable and liked the fun ambiance. Like old Chinese restaurant in movie. I will definitely go back soon but I will order more appetitive and be easy on strong flavored main dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T02:20:33" }, { "business_id": "nIAbuktMEzVjT4P9pG89rQ", "business_name": "Buddakan", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try original Buddakan! I've been the one in NYC many times back in the day but haven't been budakkan for awhile and was excited to check out original one. The deco and music were somewhat similar the ones NYC but smaller and more opened space. We were seated in 10min at the second floor and restaurant was packed. Two of us shared spring roll, sea bass and duck. Yum yum yum! I actually though this location has way better food than the one in NYC. I used to go there pretty often long time ago but not for their food. Never impressed with their food except dessert but I did enjoy every dishes at this location. The portion was generous and I actually liked the light at the restaurant wasn't too dark. I like to see my food and appreciated! Very impressed ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T03:53:33" }, { "business_id": "i6jA8vSHrP9LiUPHlqPVwA", "business_name": "Cafe Olé", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like quick lunch spot. Should be affordable and provide fast service. Checked and checked. Your lunch will be ready in 3min in front of you. I went to this place when I did yoga teacher's training at Old city. Most of my class mates include teachers grabbed lunch there. They were pretty picky (mostly health conscious vegetarian) eaters so I thought that place must be good. I tagged them along one day and it turned out pretty nice time. Nice sunny weather in summer, we were seated outside and grabbed various salads. They had pre made salads displayed and they were all freshly made. Got myself Greek salad and strawberry/ banana smoothie. Smoothie was gigantic so probably most girls would be for their lunch itself. I am not so I had salad as well. Salad was huge too. I actually had left over. Everything was affordable there. Nothing over $10. They are not overly nice to offer any service since its self service kind of place but cheap, fast and fresh. What can you ask more.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T04:01:38" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not huge fan of lamb and chicken platter but I must have very high standard since only place I had this dish was Halah guys in NYC. My hub is cart food expert lol and found this place near us. He loves Halah guys so much that he was eager to find something like that in Philly. Well.. When I received my platter, was a bit disappointed about the size of meat. Guess I was so used to Halah guys huge portion. And again I am a girl with big stomach! I thought the platter was pretty good, meat was tender and juicy. But the charm of this platter is white sauce!!! At least for me. I am the person eating these kind of platter with EXTRA white sauce and not worry about calories so.... I did put extra white sauce top on my platter. The sauce was not my style. I want something creamier and thicker and still not greasy... Sauce was a bit off for me.... And the portion. Yes haha. We haven't back since then... but my friends said they have yummy Kati roll so I might try other dish next time. And I am not sitting at the corner of somewhere 6th ave to eat from the tin box so that's plus too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:17:46" }, { "business_id": "ZewrmVIdr77Kinj-njv6RQ", "business_name": "Insomnia Cookies", "rating": 4, "text": "Cookies in 3am? That's amazing concept except I crave salty fried food usually at that time haha. Actually surprised that they open until that late since Philly does not have much night life I thought. Most places are closed by 2am but people are still out to eat cookies? Guess they do! They seems always busy whenever I passed by. I got curious so picked up few cookies. Yum Yum Yum! I am not a big cookie person. I am more like gummy person but those are delicious. Warm, chewy and not crazy sweet. Had 3 of them at once. They were that good.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:22:07" }, { "business_id": "e4MoozYGqe_rb4_ZC1rYMQ", "business_name": "Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "So comfortable to hang around. Owner lady was so so nice. I stopped by couple times after my yoga class and had good spirit. The owner lady had too! She smiled to customers and was very kind. I instantly liked this place. I got small coffee with their home made ginger mascarpone cheese cake. So so so so good!!! Not sweet at all and they use fresh ingredient. 2nd time I was there, I got large cup of green tea, they charge same price for small or large cup of tea so why not. Also tried her ( owner lady baked everything in the kitchen and brought sweet out) peanut butter chocolate cup. Yum. Everything is very affordable here and again, fresh.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "f-qlRLsQ2vPATmlLTgLHbQ", "business_name": "Joe Coffee Company", "rating": 3, "text": "Joe's cup of coffee used to be my one of favorite coffee spot in NYC. Was tiny space near NYU, down to earth and I could just hang out there for hours. Loved that place and when I saw Joe's in my neighborhood in Philly, I was so happy. I got my latte couple times there and my experiences were different in Philly location. It's kind of fancy coffee shop than the one in NYC. Me and my friend couldn't really hang out and chat there. It's super crowded all the time and staffs weren't super nice.. no offense, they were super professional but just I didn't feel the warm greeting from them whenever I visited. Maybe I am picky but I prefer cozy coffee shop with warm people around. And I realized Philly has a lot of amazing coffee spot so...", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:34:31" }, { "business_id": "rgeuy1qbw6Z8B6CSVANHIA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 3, "text": "Seems like they are super famous. Whenever I search Philly eatery as Philly newbie, they are the one first come out most of times. Lucky I live so close to them! So made couple visit there. Tried their fancy donuts. Several times, several flavor. Probably I tried most of flavor they offered. Well... Fancy donut didn't do much for me. Not impressed. Once I was late so fancy donuts were sold out, I got regular sugar coated donut. Humm.. I actually liked true or regular donut much better! Tried their chicken too! All of their flavors. Humm it's good but not awesome for me. Was super crispy when I had the first bite but inside my mouth were peeled after finished my meal. Big no no for me. Good crispy chicken shouldn't do that to you. I think I spent fair amount time to eat fried chicken in my life as Korean. Their fried chicken is pretty good but not mind blowing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:43:24" }, { "business_id": "oqbhVgliVJH-iRa3AnD-3A", "business_name": "Elixr Coffee Roasters", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Another awesome coffee shop in neighborhood. Philly does have cool coffee shops everywhere! Very impressed. $4 of awesome hand drop coffee... Amazing. Great price and awesome staff who knows coffee. I am not a coffee snob so I usually go to coffee shop where make me feel welcomed. They did. They explained well about their menu and showed us whole process. And the shop is really pretty. They have limited seats because they are always crowded but they are just awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:46:12" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 2, "text": "This place looks super cute from outside and reminds me of small coffee place in Paris. I expected same experience when I had in Paris. I was dreaming to get some fresh pastries with full of butter flavor with some good coffee. Humm... My first bite was DRY, lack of butter.. Wasn't very good. I usually try to give second shot if my experience wasn't so terrible. So I went back. Got macaron and coffee. Lack of richness. Lack of something definitely. I still give two star because the shop is still pretty though and they don't have much competition in my neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:50:48" }, { "business_id": "lWedWkinrM5j13pyimbpbA", "business_name": "Miles Table", "rating": 3, "text": "My first visit to this place was few months ago. 2 of us waked there for brunch with our puppy. We were seated outside and got us burger, kale salad and coffee. Place was crowded but we scored seat pretty much right away. Everything was affordable and doggies were welcomed at the outdoor table. I didn't taste burger so can't speak for that. My kale salad was decent but wasn't amazing. Coffee tasted little bitter, maybe was a bit burned... We were appreciate seating with our puppy at the table but they were located in small street so it was kinda awkward seating outside and everyone was looking at you when they were passing by. That was my last trip and I don't think I will come back anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T06:23:28" }, { "business_id": "U2y7fsqDgxAXskoJNVxbwg", "business_name": "Happily Ever After", "rating": 4, "text": "Shaved ice bowl is my # 1 dessert all the time. I like Korean, Taiwanese, Malaysian style the most. I wasn't able to find any Korean style shaved ice in Philly but this place was the closest I could find. I like a bit of crunchiness on Korean styled shaved ice. If it's too soft then it's more like Taiwanese style. This place ice was very close to Korean one. Also they use condensed milk and crushed nut like Korean one. Little rough shaving ice is best with sweet milk and some nutty flavor for sure. For fruit topping I would go for super soft shaved ice. I finished my bowl myself and was very happy. The portion was definitely smaller compare with my go to places in NYC but well... this place doesn't have much competition for this menu so I will take what I can get in Philly. Hope I can see more Asian styled shaving ice dessert places in Philly this summer.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:34:26" }, { "business_id": "ZpgVL2z1kgRi954c9m9INw", "business_name": "United By Blue", "rating": 3, "text": "Another cool find through my yoga school. They are located in local clothing store which is nice. Very pretty deco and trendy. Me and my classmates hung out here a lot during lunch break. I've never eaten here but saw sandwiches and they looked good. I didn't think their coffee was special though and somewhat pricy. But it is really cute coffee shop and I would go back there if I am near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:37:48" }, { "business_id": "yYG2XDKCaf5yOLgJSKMw6g", "business_name": "Anthony's Italian Coffee House and Chocolate House", "rating": 5, "text": "Love love love their espresso. Their coffee is amazing. It is kinda far from me but I still walk there to buy their espresso coffee bean. They freshly grind for you right there and price is awesome. About $7-8 per package. My sister and mom in Korea got so hooked ( they are definitely coffee snob unlike me) so I have to buy for them too and mail them! I get their caffe latte and one biscotti and grind espresso beans to go. Glad I found this little shop.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:41:58" }, { "business_id": "RSKvB-XntkiDnMqYqAmtKw", "business_name": "Seafood Unlimited", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked their name. Seafood unlimited, what a great name. Unfortunately their food wasn't. The interior was unique, very blue and dark not sure if I liked that. I feel like I was eating in a fish tank. Restaurant was pretty empty and we were seated right away. Got grilled salmon dish and scallop. Eh... I had better before. Food wasn't very special to me and I wasn't very impressed with ambiance either so I haven't back since my first trip.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T23:54:38" }, { "business_id": "fcGexL5VH5G2Xw0tRj9uOQ", "business_name": "Slice", "rating": 3, "text": "I have mixed feeling about this place. I do enjoy their pizza. Since it was so close to me I just stopped by for slice of pizza to go. I got bacon and onion and eggplant pizza to go. Also got side salad. Salad was fresh and reasonably priced. Nothing special about their dressing but veggies were very fresh so I was happy. About pizza I thought was really delicious. Sauce was good and sweet and savory. I really enjoyed them. I made couple more trips there to grab quick pizza whenever I had craving, this place was never really busy, usually 2-3 customers there but my order usually took more than 10-15 min. I am not sure why took so long to heat up slice of pizza since they did not make it fresh when I ordered. Their service is just ok not super nice or rude. Wish they had faster service, it is deal breaker for me since I want to go there, grab my pizza and in and out fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:03:59" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't want to give them 5 star because I don't want them to be more popular than already now!!! But I have to... This is food heaven. Had amazing food and the ambiance was so cozy and comfortable to sit down and talk. First course, ordered chicken mousse with toast. Yum...so creamy and savory spread and toast was perfect too. Sweet and sour jam made perfect combination for the toast. Second course, had buckwheat pasta. I just had pretty bad experience with buckwheat past at the High street market. Was so scared to try but this one was amazing. Noodle was chewy and tender, sauce was just amazing. Definitely made my #1 pasta in Philly. For main, we shared cod with broth. Humm. That was our least favorite dish that night. Did not have much flavor overall. I still rate this place 5 star because I did have the best past in Philly and ambiance wise I felt so comfortable there. I will definitely going back very soon but I will order a lot of small dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:19:54" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 3, "text": "This place seems always busy and smelled so nice when I passed by. We went there one night to grab quick dinner. I got smoked trout and my hub got mixed wurst platter. My trout looked really smaller than their photo. Was decent. Not bad but I probably won't go back for that dish. His wurst platter was gigantic. He could not finish it so we had half left over. He did not like it much so ended up not eating his left over...", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:26:10" }, { "business_id": "7xckZSLRWf5uf3L1IsF1Kg", "business_name": "Mandarin Palace", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes I have Chinese food craving. Until I found my go to spot in this city I mist keep exploring!!!! Today I tried the place right next me.. Was very empty. I see more employees than actually customers, I was instantly got nervous.. Maybe it's really bad sign but again, it's Chinese restaurant so maybe ppl just order delivery. We were seated and server brought us tea which was nice. Order cashew chicken and hub has beef dish and lo main. They were decent. Food was just cooked so was really hot. I would give 4 star if it was little cheaper. I am so spoiled with cheap and yummy Chinese food in NYC so this place felt little pricy for me for what it is.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:34:26" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by there after terrible dinner. This place healed us from horrendous experience. 4 of us got own drinks, beer,wine and orange soda for me! We shared small plates and cheese platter. We ended up getting two cheese platter because they were soooooo good. Our waiter, did not get his name but he was so enthusiastic when he explained about each cheese. We ended up having great time there and left happy. Will go back anytime.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:39:32" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "4 of us were craving some ramen so went to this place. Wasn't sure how Philly ramen scene would be. My hub got spicy shoyu ramen and my parents shared miso ramen. I wasn't very hungry so got fried chicken appetizer. Chicken appetizer was very good. I actually liked their chicken than other famous chicken places in Philly. My parents thought their ramen was too salty for them. They just had noodles and left most of broth. My hub actually thought this place was decent. He finished his dish. I really enjoyed their chicken and the Korean waitress was very nice.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:21:48" }, { "business_id": "nR3VW9i2K8033QY0ZMTisw", "business_name": "Zento Contemporary Japanese Cuisine", "rating": 2, "text": "This place seems have always promotions going on. I see their coupons pretty often. We went there after our show at Arden theater. Restaurant wasn't big but clean. There was semi private dining area in the end of hall but they didn't have door so it was really loud since big group was drinking and eating. Wasn't able to enjoy our dinner at all. Food was ok and they had promotion but I would not necessarily go to old city to eat there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:25:12" }, { "business_id": "2f6NaQVGTM59OGvsdT9pxg", "business_name": "Mood Indian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "So I saw this place had pretty good review on yelp and just purchased the deal online. As a Philly newbie I did not aware this restaurant was far from Rittenhouse square. We had to drive to Northern liberty to eat since I already got the coupon. Food better be good.... Two of us got samosa chaat and chicken tikka masala with garlic naan and mango lassi. Apparently yelp review www pretty accurate. This was 4 star restaurant for me. Samosa chaat was huge as appetizer. Probably most girls would be ok for their main dish itself. Chicken tikka masala was creamy, buttery and meat was tender. Delicious. We ended up having whole bowl of rice with it. Lassi was thick and amazing. I hate watery lassi and this place wasn't one of them. We were only customer when we were there and service was not bad or extra nice. They did minimum service for you haha. But I loved the food there and wish they were close to me. I would go often.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:32:26" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't eat much steak but like to go to ones. One of main reason is my hub is big meat eater and I usually find seafood dishes at steak house are very yummy. We got one soup and salad for appetizer. They weren't very memorable. Wasn't bad but nothing special to say. He got prime rib and I got crab cake. The portion of my dish was pretty small. I could eat double portion. For dessert we got chocolate and cheese cake. They were ok. I would say very average food. Nothing really remarkable. The ambiance is like classy, old apartment with piano. It's classy but maybe little to old for us. The service was very nice. Not likely go back though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:39:28" }, { "business_id": "V0SHmvYtXqdv8-AsqshV6w", "business_name": "Smokin Bettys", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to get some brunch as newbie in Philly, we googled this place and went on Sunday. Place was really crowded, but it was big so we waited just little. I got egg while omelette and he got the burger. My omelette was ok but I probably could make that one. He liked the burger and enjoyed fries too but we never went back there for their burger. Maybe Philly has too many burger places.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:42:35" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I hope they open their new location somewhere close to Rittenhouse square. So close to me, I know nothing about Philly, Little Pete did show me some comfort time. The owner guy was always at the counter and he was nice. The waitress ladies seemed tough but they were actually very friendly and attentive. I had couple dishes there since I got my breakfast there couple times. Loved their greek salad, this was so big that I always had left over and ate later. Their omelet was pretty good. Fluffy and yum. The egg sandwich, I liked it very much! They gave you so much egg and it was delicious. My go to breakfast awhile. Their French fries!!!! Crispy and just perfect with mayo. The waitress ladies remembered me and packed mayo with my fries even I did not ask for. I like to have this comfy diner right next me. Sad to see them leaving. We don't have many diners in center city though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:49:35" }, { "business_id": "-ATiAtTikuGuqvaW2O6tNA", "business_name": "Marathon", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh, disappointing food. I saw this place got busy during lunch hour so gave a shot during weekday lunch. Place was busy and I saw people getting salad with salmon so I got that one as well. My salmon was dry... And lukewarm. Definitely didn't enjoyed my protein. I had only one visit so I can't speak for all but my salad wasn't fresh either that day. Sandwiches on other tables looked good though. That was my first and only trip to Marathon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:53:31" }, { "business_id": "Uky0DD3LU4C7eyNDhpmOXg", "business_name": "Day By Day", "rating": 3, "text": "I saw people were waiting outside of the restaurant all the time. This place must be good I thought. Maybe I picked the wrong dish. I enjoyed my stuffed challah French toast but I wouldn't wait more than 10 min to eat it again. That was right after my mind blowing experience at Sabrina cafe's stuffed french toast so Day by Day one didn't do much for me.... My parter of scavenger hunt got burger. He enjoyed and finished all but hasn't asked me go back there yet so I guess it is solid 3 star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:58:51" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not sure why I don't go this place more often. I had good time at their oyster happy hour! Enjoyed my discounted oyster and I thought was fresh and delicious. But that place got really busy during happy hour so waiting was painful and they put large jar of oyster cracker to share. Everyone's hands going to touch the crackers so I couldn't eat it and I didn't see anyone touching it. That's minus point for me too. If less crowded and provided individual oyster cracker like other places I might give me more star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:04:00" }, { "business_id": "9mA9qYqiv4c0T9ASid3PIQ", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 3, "text": "I had really good meal at Capital grille at Providence few years ago. I still remember how proud and profession they were. And the food was absolute perfection. I never went other locations but I wanted to try the one in Philly since I had such a amazing time before. I got same meal, chowder soup, salad and glazed salmon. Soup was a bit saltier side for me. It was ok eating with bread but in general I am not fan of salty food. Salad was decent and my salmon was a bit overpowering with citrus sauce. It was pretty but I wasn't amazed like last time. The bread basket was warm and good though. And service was good too. But it just wasn't same..", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:12:57" }, { "business_id": "-t5dx3X0O63jCUuFEd-FcA", "business_name": "The Palm Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. Weird fries... That's first thing I remember about this place. Humongous and lack of flavored stack of fries.. Shared burger and fries and fried calamari and cheese cake. The burger was ok. Just ok but we all know Philly is the burger central. You don't need to eat burger here. I am usually go for fries than burgers when I order this dish. I think I know good fries... For some reason Palm's fries had literally no flavor. Didn't even oily anything. It's crunch but I wasn't sure what I was eating. Ended up left most of dish. Cheese cake was only thing I liked. It was like thick cheese cake from juniors. On offense, I love those commercial kind. Destroyed cake and left and never looked back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:20:13" }, { "business_id": "m_P0oMu3PVz5pGBKjYGl_A", "business_name": "Chris' Jazz Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I would give them 5 stars for their music. I never had food there but if food were bad, I would still give 5 stars. I have been there couple times, the musician there were phenomenon. Real professional and one of top notched. I used to go jazz clubs in NYC pretty often. You can't get seats easily like this place, and definitely not affordable like this place. But the music at Chris, as good as the ones in NYC. I am glad they are so close by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:24:35" }, { "business_id": "GUMVStVaJfWmCIpQA4TtHg", "business_name": "Crazy Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My sushi place hunt hasn't finished yet. We tried bonsai roll, one night stand roll, volcano roll and sashimi platter. They did put a lot of effort decorating the dishes. We were very hungry so rather getting dishes as soon as we can lol Even though I appreciated their beautiful decoration, sushi wasn't that impressive. I did enjoy one night stand roll but bonsai roll had too much cucumber. I like thin slice of cucumber just round once or twice otherwise I can't really taste any sashimi because cucumber has pretty strong scent itself. I felt like I had big chunk of cucumber after all..the quality of sashimi was ok but nothing extra ordinary. And the bill ended up not that cheap. I think I could find this quality food with less price.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:32:34" }, { "business_id": "peeXG1Ra-DClPQv14jvKvg", "business_name": "Square on Square", "rating": 3, "text": "I was happy to find Chinese place near me, I need to find my Chinese take out place so... Order crispy spring roll with shrimp , spicy chicken for main. Everything was pretty good. Dishes were super hot and just cooked. Ambiance was a bit awkward but service was fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:40:16" }, { "business_id": "WYel6hMEEPNwzVUlVBacbw", "business_name": "honeygrow", "rating": 3, "text": "Solid lunch spot for sure, they are always busy and there is reason why people keep going there. I prefer comfy, rustic ambiance over modern and fancy. And rather order my meal old fashion way over vending machine. Honey grow reminds me of cafeterias in Japan or HK. I get overwhelmed with all ordering through machine and it isn't so much fun for me.. Salad is delicious though but I like to put a lot of topping to make it yummier and m salad is usually around $12 and still doesn't fill me up!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:48:13" }, { "business_id": "oziGQYLaEWOpNmPKrZP86g", "business_name": "Isgro Pastries", "rating": 3, "text": "Craving some Italian dessert. I need to eat some good cannoli and lobster tail. I walked all the way to Italian market and got in this small bakery. Need to warn you, the ladies who worked there, they must be super busy with non stop customers. They don't want to be bothered so do not ask any question... My cannoli... Ok.. Wasn't bad. But not as good as the one at Veniero's in NYC but definitely better than the Bruno's or petitio's. Lobster tail was ok. Pastries were well baked but their custard cream was just ok. I'm general their fillings were nothing special to me. I would never crave their filling though. Unexpected jackpot was carrot cake. Not too sweet but their cream cheese icing was amazing. Now I am craving their carrot cake though. If the ladies there were little nicer, at least answer your questions w/o being annoyed I would give them 4 star because of their carrot cake.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:57:22" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing hidden gem. This store is too little but have full of valuable things. So much fun to check out all different kinds spices, teas and snacks. And their coffee.... Hazelnut coffee is amazing!!!! I drink a lot of coffee but I like to drink decaf. It is really hard to find good decaf but I found one in Philly. Their hazelnut coffee is so aromatic, just brewing at home made you feel good. I got like more than 10 packages so far and loving them. Also got bunch of spices. Cumin, wasabi powder, paprika, anise, rosemary, red and white pepper... Just make it. They have all. The owner lady doesn't speak much initially but once she recognize your face, she is the sweetest. So helpful and get chatty. I had So much fun talking to her and looking forward going back there once weather get warm!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:02:17" }, { "business_id": "rQW9iupvhk6ScPn2VPNLVQ", "business_name": "Octopus Falafel Truck", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a groupie. He is amazing. I am sad that I got to have his dish only once. Now all construction on market I can't find him!! His chicken is the most tender and smoky I've ever had. Side dishes are creative and awesome too. I hope he is back soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:05:21" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 2, "text": "Had quick bite with hub on the way to watch the show. Shared wings and nacho. Price was cheap and snacks were ok. If they had in NYC I would give them more star for sure. Bar foods in NYC are mostly inedible. But in Philly some bar foods are better than restaurants. This place is below average in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:09:05" }, { "business_id": "3uLXZMnm68l1YwI8_FaFNA", "business_name": "Bangkok Thai 9 Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "Hubby picked up my lunch so had this meal at home to be clear. Had coconut soup, shrimp pad Thai and he had curry. My soup was ok. A bit too sour. I like more creamier side for sure. I didn't like much. My pad thai was fail though. Noodles were stuck together when I tried to pick up with chopstick. I had to use it like fork... Not sure if because it was take out. But still we get fair amount of take out, it doesn't usually happen. And shrimp was so so so over cooked. Tasted almost like rubber. Too bad, they are really close to me though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:15:12" }, { "business_id": "6LCZLGa09Qifn6rG7-DNrg", "business_name": "Erawan Thai Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to menu is coconut soup and pad thai with protein. I tried same menu here. Actually really like their coconut soup. They used enough amount of coconut milk that soup was really creamy and wasn't over powering with herb. I am so used to Americanized thai cuisine that I prefer less herb on my dish except cilantro. Pat thai was great too. Liked the amount of peanut they used, noodle was chewy and perfect and not too sweet. They gave me generous amount of chicken and white meat wasn't dry so I was very happy with my meal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:20:16" }, { "business_id": "FYhsm9Efvw8lw7zAOIDUbg", "business_name": "Rosa Blanca", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious ham and cheese empanada!!! And all other different kinda! I think I had like 10 of them. They were so so so good. The place looked tiny from outside and I thought it was local diner. Pretty spacious inside and cozy. I went there for happy hour and got bunch of small snacks and had wonderful time. All delicious!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:01:36" }, { "business_id": "PVVFos1LDfD7iETY0w4vaA", "business_name": "Su Xing House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am meat eater who likes go to vegetarian restaurant. I actually like flavor of soy protein. I had hight hope about this place. This place was always packed with people and known as their affordable price. I went there and I got my favorite Chinese menu. Sesame seitan. It came with brown rice and two side veggies. I got corn and steamed broccoli. And vegetarian spring roll. I did not expect gourmet meal for $10 but food did not reach my expectation at all even I considered their amazing price. I did not like my sesame chicken's sauce at all. Way too sweet and lack of flavor beside the sweetness. Side veggies were just sad, they threw couple pieces of steamed veggies and canned corn. Was lame... When I almost finished my meal, I realized they forgot my spring roll. Didn't bother to call them or go back. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:15:02" }, { "business_id": "lYloPAiaWJwWgno4SdxD0Q", "business_name": "Dolce Carini", "rating": 5, "text": "In general pizza in Philly is really amazing. I am not sure why NY pizza is so popular. Philly should be! Even this humble local pizzeria makes amazing pizza. I always get their creamy spinach pizza. Their Alfredo sauce is really good. It's simple but has so much flavor. It's perfect with baked spinach. The pizza crust is so crunch and delicious. I never Thorpe away their edge. Yum yum yum.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T00:24:53" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location than others. Less crowded most of times and people there are very friendly and helpful when you want to try different flavors. And settings are comfortable there. Since weather is cold, I have not had awhile but I used enjoy their hazelnut, avocado, coconut and tiramisu flavors the most. They also have coffee and other sweets as well. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:46:53" }, { "business_id": "eLt-dwl-xxXj9nklhs2eOw", "business_name": "Sweet Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I never seen this franchise in NYC so was happy to try new ones. I believe the owner is Korean and Korean makes GOOD froyo. Already had very high hope. The shop looked typical froyo spot and seems busy. They were located in very busy streets. 2 locations both. I I always get froyo with no topping. I can taste good froyo better w/o topping in my opinion so I did. Froyo was very tarty for me. And I am not a fan of those kind of froyo. Everyone has different tastes so I can't speak for all. Just not my thing. Since they are so convenient for me, I got my bubble tea couple times and also macaron. My taro bubble was once too sweet and once was less powders in it so it tasted like just purple water.. I brought it back and the guy made new one for me. People who worked there were very friendly but their products just did not do much for me so I stopped going there.. Sad. I need to find other froyo spot since red mango left town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:52:19" }, { "business_id": "JMPZQKPPQI15C8FnACKk-A", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 4, "text": "My hub likes creamy ice cream. I am more into gelato or froyo but if I have thick creamy ice cream craving, I go to this place. The shop is relatively newly opened, so it is very clean. Also located upstairs of my Chinese massage place. My massage therapist was so mad during my massage once because there was non stop construction noise going on when she gave me a massage. I had to hear she was arguing with construction guy, I also cheered for her and hated ppl on upstairs ruining my massage session. Well... Ironically I am regular customer for both of them haha. People who work there are all super friendly. You can try all different flavor and they don't mind. Ice creams are good too. Always get their coconut flavor. It's rich and aromatic. Once I let me eating ice cream with my 3 pounds puppy at the corner of shop(we all aware dog is not allowed) but was freezing cold and my pup can stay in my pocket. Literally 3 pounds she was. And I really wanted ice cream. They were so kind let me stay til finish my ice cram and lucky never get crowded there. I still appreciate their kindness:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:58:05" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 3, "text": "Very very busy location. And probably my least favorite location among this franchise. Couple times there were crazy line I couldn't even get in to store and had to leave. The people who worked there were unnecessarily unfriendly but just way to busy that it's hard to ask them to try new favors or ask any questions. I rather walk to Rittenhouse square location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:21:36" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite frozen yogurt place in Philly. Since Red Mango was close down I was looking for my new froyo spot. Yogorino is the closest I can find. Their froyo tastes like heaven. Perfectly icy, tarty and creamy. I could taste that they use real yogurt( also a lot of them) in their ice cream. I always get the froyo with milk chocolate topping which is free. Their chocolate is really good too. Store is very white and clean and girls there are very friendly. Love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:24:59" }, { "business_id": "qcn10016DUkbgCbQi9L1WA", "business_name": "Bassetts Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "The oldest ice cream, I think this place is amazing with their presence itself. But wasn't impressed by their vanilla ice cream. Maybe my palate is get used all commercial ice creams. Their ice cream was good but wasn't super special to go there, waited in line, may not even able to secure seats to enjoy your ice cream... Wasn't pleasant experience. As a Philly tourist was enough to go there once, get my ice cream scoop and take a photo. That once was enough for me.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:35:19" }, { "business_id": "4hv1n1VBzMvE-T4UtIcOcw", "business_name": "Di Bruno Bros.", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is literally in front of my apartment and I really want to love this place. I appreciate that I have multi food store in the neighborhood. It is pretty store, big cheese section in the back of the room, veggie and fruit section, bakery section, meat and fish section and upstairs cafe. I am regular customer for their cheese and bakery section. I had little bad experience with veggie section once and never really went back. Veggies were not fresh at all and gone bad the day after I purchased. Pre cooked food section seemed very nice. I might try that very soon. Tried couple cakes there. Was decent but not amazing... Still go there because so convenient but not super satisfied with the quality.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:42:36" }, { "business_id": "Ou-_OQUNvBcaAoRU0XPtaQ", "business_name": "Jamonera", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been there twice so far. Once for day time snacking and once I went there for weekend prefix. Prefix was definitely good deal. We get to try various dishes and they were not very crowded. I really enjoyed my visit during the day time. Not many people come to that place during weekday daytime so it's very quite and you can chat with friends with good snack and drink. It wasn't the best tapas I have ever had but decent.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:53:27" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh yeah, the best deal for the bucks..... Their happy hour is steal. So good and so cheap. Foods are basically same as their regular menu. Really enjoyed their brussel sprout, Vietnamese sandwich, Korean fried chicken, kimchi friend rice, edamame dumpling in broth and skewers. So so so good. I love to sit at the bar and grab yummy bar snacks. I've been there multiple times and they were always good. Went there for regular dinner and basically got same food and payed more than double so.. Go to their happy hours. It is just amazing deal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "dSPA4yql9vUwnYRxHiVtHA", "business_name": "Makiman Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there after watched the show. Place was half empty and we saw people were eating Korean bi bim bop in hot stone bowl. Maybe it's Korean owned sushi place or at least be of chefs is Korean. I got sashimi salad and roll without rice. Sashimi salad was sooooooooo spicy even to me. I can handle some spicy but this was just pure go chu jang ( Korean red chilly pepper paste) I had to take out most of sauces and ate them. Sashimi was ok but their sauce already burned my tongue couldn't taste anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:03:25" }, { "business_id": "JDv3h1xRFIW8fXckqgTdRg", "business_name": "Fuji Mountain", "rating": 3, "text": "I have never had sushi here but tried nabeyaki, gyoza and agedashi tofu one late night. Restaurant structor was unique. It was 3 story restaurants and divided sushi bar, restaurants and karaoke. I guess some ppl eat, drink and go upstairs to sing after. My nabe dish was pretty good. I was craving some hot soup and it was soothing. What I needed that night. Gyoza was little greasy and didn't have much stuffing. Was failed dish. Agedashi tofu was crispy and well fried. And liked the dashi broth with radish. Yum. Was my favorite dish. I have not back there for two reasons. Still need to try other new places and also really creepy guy tried to talked to me at the restaurant that night ( but waitress lady piloted stopped the creepy guy, thanks to her ), I just creeped out from that weird vibe from dinner so have not back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:11:34" }, { "business_id": "cmETClmvGoUZZwBXRtv6kw", "business_name": "Good Stuff Eatery", "rating": 2, "text": "Had really soggy fries here. It was rosemary French fries and it is one of my favorite snacks in the world!!! Got one bite, boo.... Was so so so soggy. Liked that they had a lot of free drippings. There were actually good and my favorite Begium fries place in NYC, they charged for the same digging so that was big plus. My hub said the burger was ok and also wasn't happy with soggy fries. I thought it might be just that day. But apparently one of my other friends was mentioned that she had burger and fries there and she didn't like their soggy fries. Guess that is the style there. Not my thing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:22:18" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 3, "text": "I love roasted chicken. Apparently this dish is not easy to find than you think so I was happy to find this place. Got half roasted chicken with roast beet and feta. Chicken was pretty but not enough meat for me. I got hungry after finished my meal. Maybe they cooked really small chicken that day.. I just don't want to get hungry after finishing half of chicken myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:27:40" }, { "business_id": "VIYvcX9SScnqmoI0so1KZA", "business_name": "PrimoHoagies", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not a sandwich fan at all. It probably my last choice of meal to be honest. But if I get sandwich craving really once in awhile, I go to this place. One you get there friendly Italian guys welcome you and get the order promptly. And your hoagie is ready to eat in 5 min. Their hoagie is gigantic. I get really full after finishing it. I got cold turkey and meatball once. I really liked meatball marinara. Wasn't too soggy but they just had enough marinara to covered the bread. Yum. And their meatballs were delicious! I don't go there often enough but for my next visit, I am getting my meal all sub again. Super satisfying.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:31:23" }, { "business_id": "8ohaL9a02bWZDxOxfZCTxw", "business_name": "Four Seasons Food Court", "rating": 4, "text": "Sometimes I get lazy and get dinner from here. Sold by weight buffet place isn't my thing but the owner lady was so kind when I visited them first time. She asked if I was student and offered me 10% discount whenever I come and can eat the buffet with affordable prices. I thought that was so nice that they offered discount to students. Maybe she did because I am same Korean as she is. But those kindness I was never had in NYC for last 10 years. Beside kindness, their buffet is pretty nice actually. Like their salad. Was fresh and they have different kinds. And a lot of vegetarian options. I am not vegetarian but I like to have some vegetarian options with my meat. I got my dinner and it was like $7. Good price and I had filling dinner.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:43:16" }, { "business_id": "i-clumHx1gMhf5B8MROyHA", "business_name": "Falafel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Tried one at their old location. Got my falafel sandwich. Was average falafel, nothing special about it and they did not give me enough white sauce even tough I asked. Liked the roasted carrot and their pickle though. I will give another try to their new location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:45:49" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "Presentation is main charm of this restaurant. I used to just love fancy decoration on my palate in my early 20's. If they draw flower on my plate I was so so so impressed already. Now I l have known better, eaten out so much, I admit that so hard to get impressed by restaurant. Either price has to be good or has to be superb with food. Just beautifully decorated food doesn't impress me much anymore. Small portion was fine with me. I do aware fine dining place will never full me so we order a lot so it wasn't about their portion. Was off from the start, I prefer spread butter to be room temperature. This one wasn't. Little disappointed from the beginning. Presentation of food was beautiful. They do care about color of your plate and have great sense. But it gets boring if I keep eating unflavored white foam with gello typed sauce. I remember it was super impressed when I had gello sauce and foams on my food. I was like wow. This is genius but that was couple years ago. Now wherever I go, I get to eat foams and I don't like foams that much... Maybe we ordered too much seafood oriented menu but I am a seafood fan.. Most dishes tasted too similar. My halibut was chewy and well cooked but broth was a bit boring... Luckily the portion wasn't so big so finished all of my food. They got amazing reviews about their brunch. I think o rather want to try their brunch not regular meal next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:44:22" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like 4.5 star but definitely better that 4 so I will still give 5. Had amazing meals there whenever I visited. Love their raw beet and kale salad, Br sprout salad and cheese plate. They are super creative and beautifully presented. Others enjoyed their pizza and meatballs very much. I just love their salad so much. A lot of flavor and absolutely heavenly. It is my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:56:07" }, { "business_id": "u7_3L1NBWgxhBM_B-cmmnA", "business_name": "Pizzeria Vetri", "rating": 3, "text": "Was on the way Petco me and my parents saw this place was empty. No line! We weren't very hungry but had to get a pizza here. I had high hope about this pizzeria since I just had amazing experience at Vetri. How good would be! And Philly does have great pizza overall, this one might be too good to me to handle. Got rotolo and margarita pizza. Both were very decent food. I just wouldn't wait for that or walk all the way to restaurant from my neighborhood. Pretty far to walk from center city..", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:05:35" }, { "business_id": "elSnD7Vuxnlg5_9gTqBqmA", "business_name": "Barra Rossa Ristorante", "rating": 2, "text": "Went there for one of friends Bday. Think they booked this place because she was on gluten free diet and needed private space for the event. Wasn't completely private but they did have sort of separated group dining space. Ambiance reminded me modern cafeteria and wasn't impressed. We were waited to be seated a bit so I had glimpsed on others pasta dishes and quickly made up my mind to order something safe. I got cheese platter. It's gonna be safe bet c The platter was HUGE. They gave me so much cheese and that was very generous. Sadly my cheese was not good. Some of them I did not taste any flavor. Kind of rubbery texture when you chew on not so good quality of cheese. No one really enjoyed it.. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:25:05" }, { "business_id": "t37dsDBpe65qUb81OSFr-g", "business_name": "Philadelphia Theatre Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a subscriber and very satisfied so far. They have been showing good plays which mostly nominated/ awarded. They have spacious stage and setting is really nice. They have been presenting great writing and directing. Actors are very professional too. As a subscriber I got to go opening nights and they usually have post play event. Q&A with actors and writers which is always nice. Also their seats are very comfy and leg rooms are large. I am so used watch Broadway shows in NYC so I was really surprised to be seated like this. That makes the experience so much enjoyable!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:23:52" }, { "business_id": "MbFiVsqtIt75yrUNd8LT3Q", "business_name": "Prince Music Theater", "rating": 3, "text": "Very young and energetic theater I thought. I checked their annual playlist but wasn't much my style so did nothing t subscribed. However if I find something interesting I still go watch. Me and hub went to watch Evil dead. Was definitely very entertaining. It feels like you watch very exciting short film. Acting was great and fun vibe filled entire theater. Beside play I did think theater itself was nice. Since most theaters are so nice here this one was definitely less classier than other places. But its fun venue to check out for once.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:30:20" }, { "business_id": "dBRWKIS7h-qZCi8EjUJ2HA", "business_name": "The Franklin Institute Science Museum", "rating": 3, "text": "This museum ended up pretty pricy if you want to experience whole package. I was surprised that there is no student discount package for entrance, Imax and special exhibition. That was one of the most expensive museum visit I have ever had. Whenever I visited new city I try to visit every museum and galleries. Those places usually offer student discount or any kind of deal for tourist. This place had non. When I got there with my parents, it was really windy mid of weekday. Think we picked the wrong day. There were tons of kids running around without any observation. No offense, it would be perfect study/ play venue for them. And they probably need to experience this venue more than I do. Apparently we did not get to see any of exhibits. Children were screaming everywhere and no one really supervise them. And a lot of things were broken and left it there. Well. We ended up leaving this place in a hour. This place could be so much better.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:43:18" }, { "business_id": "bmrEQ_4nzXc72zAFotrLYA", "business_name": "Arden Theatre Company", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my favorite theater in Philadelphia. I am a subscriber and can not be happier than this. This beautiful theater is located on prettt street at Old city. I love to make my trip out of it and check out Old city as well. They have first and second go, separated theater. Both have nice and comfy seats and great sound and view. I have been sitting front seat to watch but I believe most seats in that theater have great view. So far they have been showing amazing musical and plays. Some of them made me cry and some of them made me cry from laughing. Actors in Arden theater are super talented and so enthusiastic. You must check out this beautiful place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:47:08" }, { "business_id": "PhLYLCjM_dS_seS_fMBVeg", "business_name": "Helium Comedy Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to standing comedy show. I have been ones in NYC and LA only before coming to this once. From my past experience, comedy clubs were very pushy with minimum purchase. They were kept asking if I order another drink to have 2 drink minimum. It's their rule so I was fine with it. At least this place did not have that push. Actually was so hard to order our bar snack lol because the venue was so full and so hard to get attention from waitress. Well it's very refreshing haha We went there for special guest Bobby Lee comedy show. He was funny as I expected. Thought the opening guy was even funnier though. Now I will go back there for Margaret Cho show next month. I am super excited!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:50:33" }, { "business_id": "YWI4lRnWY7-dFBAei7JAEQ", "business_name": "Academy of Music", "rating": 4, "text": "It is gorgeous venue, so classic and beautiful! I like their Broadway musicals very much. So much cheaper than Broadway in NYC and as good as them. Watched musical Once, Phantom of the Opera and Cinderella. I probably watched Phantom at least 7 times haha. I know it is lame but I just love that show. My parents and me are such a big fan so we both watched multiple times but we read this new version of Phantom will be showing in Philly so we were exited to watch. And so excited to see how they were going to use this classic old style theater. It would be just perfect venue for phantom without trying. Setting was beautiful and music was great as usual. I just wasn't fan of new version they did. I really like their dramatic ending when phantom is surrounded by flames. I cried with him every time I watched. Revised ending was less dramatic and was a bit disappointing. Not sure if they did it because the stage had less space than ones in nyc. We did enjoyed Once and Cinderella as well. Very entertaining, great performance. They did not disappointed me. One thing was odd that the actors usually asked for the donation for their charity work after curtain call. I thought that was very nice and also smart. The audiences were so happy after watching fun musicals and willing to chip in. We all got out and walked down the stairs and the exit just lead us to street. We did not see anyone collecting donation. I saw people actually wanted to donate a bit and that was little disappointing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:05:26" }, { "business_id": "_aO_GP15Zrh7wcOuvaXnNw", "business_name": "Rodin Museum", "rating": 4, "text": "Who knew Philly has so much to offer to us! I never knew about Rodin this much until I visited this place. Me and my parents had artsy date and we had amazing time at Philadelphia museum of Art then we got free pass for this place. It was much smaller than expected but had a lot to enjoy. Loved that this museum wasn't too crowded, you can enjoy as long as you want. I saw Rodin's pieces at Met and Louvre but never get to enjoy with in peace like this. We walk around every rooms and enjoyed it. There was pretty corner of the room and you can leave your own sketch. My mom and I sat there and draw together. What a beautiful experience we had. Outdoor park was small but beautiful. Please check out this venue. You won't find like this anywhere.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 4, "text": "The first place I have visited in Philly. It is massive and events, special exhibitions are going on. First time we went there to watch \" Korean \" special exhibition. We actually booked the restaurant there to try their Korean themed tasting menu. Food was Asian fusion dish which wasn't too refreshing to us anymore but the venue was pretty and we enjoyed our meal. The museum was very impressive. They have amazing art as much as other major museums in other city and definitely less crowded than them. You get out of it so much. My mom is artist and she said it was amazing and had wonderful time with me. I am glad I got to check out and I do know I will have to make regular visit to this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:28:58" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 5, "text": "I finally get to see Barns foundation myself! Amazing!! I read about this place so much from news paper and art magazine. I heard this place is legendary and was excited to see it myself. What to say, it is modern and beautiful. And as we heard, they have so so so many art to display. They displayed every art as Dr. Barns had them in his mansion. You feel like you are waking into gorgeous house with full of collection. I was just stunned. There were so many things to see, the time slot we had felt so short. Mom and dad had amazing time too. My mom did say this was the best museum she's ever been too. I can't agree more. For example, Met or Louvre museums are so massive that I was already too intimidated by them and I got to walk way too much to enjoy them all. I got physically too tired to enjoy their art. Barns foundation was smaller and displayed so many art in one wall since they recreated exact same layout. I did not have to hop around too much and still got to see a lot. That was big plus. Now I have to schedule my next visit there to educate myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:37:29" }, { "business_id": "xrlyoI0SHEFBJa52qQnPUw", "business_name": "iSushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My another visit, was in the neighborhood and wanted to grab quick sushi and Vic sushi was way too far and I was starving... Got chicken wing, salmon salad, banzi roll as usual, one night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll. We were too hungry so was in hurry to order. I didn't have chicken wing but my hub enjoyed all. He said kinda taste like sesame chicken. My miso soup wasn't salty and really hot. I liked it, was perfect for this cold night. Banzi roll... could been better, too much cucumber than actual sashimi. I did miss my Vic sushi's Naruto roll again. One night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll were pretty good actually. Size is big and filled with crunchiness crabmeat with spicy mayo. I realized they just use same sauce for tuna sashimi as the dressing. I should've got tuna salad. Little lame. I did enjoyed one night and tuna rolls. But banzi roll and sashimi salad were little disappointing. Still solid 3 star place. But I will still go back there if I am in neighborhood. Just not gonna order banzi roll anymore.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T22:55:27" }, { "business_id": "bgxDswHIdFP0Go0pNfyAAw", "business_name": "Hummus Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "It feels so refreshing get away from Rittenhouse square area and up to university city. I liked the busy vibe and ethnic food options. Needed to grab quick bite after movie and we stopped by Hummus grill. Got Chicken Schwarma platter with eggplants and beef kabob. The portion was generous and veggies seemed fresh. My chicken was tender and delicious, I liked it a lot. Hummus was decent but I wouldn't say it was great. Egg plants was little too greasy. I wish I ordered beet salad instead. It looked better. It looked like fast food chain and service was fast. Dining area was little cold since customers kept coming in and out. It was definitely busy place. I don't think I want to eat there again. To go maybe..", "timestamp": "2015-02-19T00:56:39" }, { "business_id": "1LhpU1alopR_l-bWVQPkUA", "business_name": "Oh Shea's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "I felt interesting vibe from this place so I thought it is worth to leave review. Stopped by for quick drink. I am a non drinker so I can only review about bar food and ambiance. We ordered French fries, was unbelievably cheap.. Like $4 and they give you stack of French fries. OMG. Nothing special about that fries but for that price I was just amazed. It was just regular sports bar, not that crowded but it's located in center city anyway so I assume it would get busier during wkend or something. And I realized our waitress lady was like 60 or 70? years old beautiful lady. She was attentive and nice. She might be the owner. I am not sure, I am new here but this is something I never saw it in NYC before. I thought it was really cool :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:03:38" }, { "business_id": "dST75t2bHG-JtNTiYuSBMg", "business_name": "Uniqlo", "rating": 4, "text": "My favorite uniqlo store, there is never line. People who hadn't had experience at uniqlo store in NYC or any other major city wouldn't understand. Once I went there to exchange the size, I ended up waiting 40 min and I gave up exchanging. This store is new and people are so nice unlike employees in nyc. I think people there just are tired or just have bad temper maybe. I have amazing experiences here so far. They were so helpful finding design and my size for me and super friendly and actually enjoy working there. Must make my shopping so pleasant. They do have awesome basic stuff and have amazing price. They run size little bigger than original uniqlo in Asia so keep in mind and order one size smaller if you do.", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:11:08" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 3, "text": "4 of us had dinner there tonight. My hub dined there before and we awarded of their small portions. He was not very impressed with his last visit but 3 of us haven't been there so we gave a shot anyway. The restaurant was cozy and warm. Very tiny but we did not mind as long as food good. I got crudo, sautéed mushroom appetizer. Since it would be small I ordered two for myself. My hub got mussel. Did not find anything special about crudo, I thought mushroom appetizer was the best among them. Maybe too much butter on them but I am a huge butter lover. The main dish was disappointing. Me and my friends both ordered Bouillabaisse. When our server described it, that sounded so awesome. When we saw our dish... that was sad. Literally there were two piece of fish in my soup. Size of my thumb nail. My friend's one was same. There was no decent meat in it at all so I really hoped the broth would be amazing. It wasn't. Lack of flavor and I got really sad since I really like bouillabaisse. I left all of my soup even the portion was tiny.. Tried my hub's pork cheek dish as well. The smell of pork really disturbed me for some reason. I am not a crazy meat lover so I easily disturbed by smell of the meat. But I do eat steak and any kind of meat. But just that dish had really strong pork smell I did not like. My hub did not enjoy very either. This place seems have pretty good review so I am not sure if it was only us but non of us thought our meal was delicious at all but we did enjoy byob and cozy ambiance very much. Since I gave only one try I might go back eventually but definitely not anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-21T08:20:23" }, { "business_id": "ArGw19nfPgjR28TTfgb7iw", "business_name": "Smith & Wollensky", "rating": 4, "text": "Had pleasant dinner there. Me and my hub only have been to S&W in NYC and both had decent experiences there. I am not a huge meat eater but I do enjoy bread basket ( they always have great ones!) and appetizers at steak house. We got bunch of appetizers and one huge aged rib eye. Ordered Wollensky salad, mussels, fritto misto, crab cake. I enjoyed the crab cake and fritto misto the most. They were really delicious. Salad and mussels were good too but little salty for me but I enjoyed them all. Hub got spiced rubbed rib eye. I had some, was juicy and tender. I thought was delicious but again, I am not a huge meat eater so I might be wrong. Our sever, I think his name was Rick, he was very attentive and nice. Service wise it was great. I liked that this place wasn't overly packed so we could enjoy quite meal there. The NYC one always packed with cooperate people and tourists whenever I visited there. Wasn't super pleasant. Overall was very satisfying meal. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-23T04:26:38" }, { "business_id": "-0TffRSXXIlBYVbb5AwfTg", "business_name": "IndeBlue Modern Indian Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad to find beautiful indian restaurant in the hood. Tried their vegetable samosa, spicy scallop and shrimp crusted salmon. They were all good! Samosa was crispy and deliciously seasoned. Scallop and salmon were great. I really liked the ambiance, it was lively and was perfect for grabbing some yummy food and enjoy conversation. I tried the lassi as well. And was rich and creamy as I like. I wish I tried their crispy chaat. Looked really but no one wanted to order so we skipped it. I will definitely try that dish next time I am there. The service was very professional and kind.", "timestamp": "2015-02-24T07:48:23" }, { "business_id": "DAbpxhhHOxInDNLdvWrTTQ", "business_name": "Smile Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is only based on take out food. We ordered couple dishes for delivery. Spring rolls, chicken wing with sweet chili sauce, pad see ew and Tom yum soup noodle. Food got delivered in about 40min. There was some good and bad about their food. Spring roll was not so greasy and crispy but lack of flavor. It was already kind of cold but it was delivery food so understandable. Chicken wings were actually delicious. Was good choice. The most disappointing dish was my pad see ew. Noodles were all stuck together so it was like gigantic rice cake and half of them got no sauce on them and uncooked. They put generous portion of vegetable and seemed fresh ones so that was plus. My hub did not enjoy his Tom yum noodle soup. I tasted it, it had too much lime in the broth and I prefer little less but everyone has different preference. Overall was average experience for me. We enjoyed their appetizers but not much luck with main dishes. I am not sure because it was my first try and it was take out. If I dine there it might be total different experience. But no more delivery from this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-26T01:59:47" }, { "business_id": "IsmxvaMe2i-eWnHDyC0WJQ", "business_name": "Rice & Mix", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried their take out dinner last night. I ordered spicy pork over the rice and hub got galbi tang. My hub loves authentic Korean food and me not so much. I can't handle garlic and spicy very well and doesn't appreciate free kimchi side either so I actually prefer Korean fusion places. I thought this place might be the one for me. And actually I was right. My spicy pork dish was just right for me. That means for someone looking for authentic Spicy pork dishes.. might be disappointed. I liked the fact that they didn't use much or garlic and did not see any red pepper flakes on my plate. I do hate red pepper flakes mixed with sauce usually so it was just right for me. They gave hot sauce on the side but I did not use that. It was a bit sweet and slightly spicy side. And I also got the multigrain rice which was delicious. The texture was chewy and dry side so it was almost like multi grain salad. They give edamame and steamed carrot on the side which I wasn't fan of. My dish was delicious ( for me) but was too small. I am so used huge portion of Korean meal with free sides. But I did like the sauce a lot so I will keep going back whenever I am craving. My hub actually enjoyed his galbi tang. They used LA galbi, different type of galbi Korean uses for this soup but broth was good. He finished all. But he is the kind of guy needs kimchi and side dishes when he eats Korean so he was sad there was no free kimchi. I would really like this place if they have little bigger portion .", "timestamp": "2015-02-27T17:59:40" }, { "business_id": "tS8uQ3F3azhluLqcoG3v-Q", "business_name": "Balance Spa & Fitness", "rating": 4, "text": "My review is only about massage sessions. Went there to get 50 min massage from Yolanda. I read good reviews about her massage so was very excited. The reviews were right. Her Swedish massage was very soothing. I got so relaxed so almost fell asleep during the session. She asked about my concerns before massage and worked on it very detailed. Wish I booked two hour session. 50 min felt really short working on entire body since she moves very slowly ( that was really soothing and awesome btw) She got warm and soft hands which is so important for me! Once I got massage from therapist who had ice cold and rough hands. I prayed for my session to be over soon for entire hour. Yolanda even apologized that she had long nails today which I didn't feel any, her nail was short enough for massage. If you got scratched by nails during massage you would know what I mean. She was very professional. I could not give 5 star because it was not a just massage therapist office. It was a hotel spa and the facility wasn't that great. The robe seemed worn off, the pool didn't seen super nice so I didn't use it after my session. They suppose to have jacuzzi and sauna also but I didn't not check after I saw the pool. I was very satisfied with session but facilities.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:19:59" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 5, "text": "So so so good. I love their salad and Italian seafood grill. I have been there multiple times but once I had just ok meal. My seafood grill was overly cooked that day. I hated the texture of my rubbery calamari and dry swordfish that day. Last night I asked the server that I prefer not over cooked seafood. She was so kind and said she will make sure. And my dish was phenomenon. Was sooooo good and the best grilled seafood I had. I was super satisfied. We also got shaved sprout salad, garlic bread, meatball and vongole pasta. They were all delicious. We really enjoyed them all. I can eat there everyday.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:28:26" }, { "business_id": "1qw5dIsQPNGLOwnuP7Wj1g", "business_name": "South Bowl", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there for their soft opening since lucky strike and north bowl had longer wait. Uber driver had hard time to find the place since there was no sign outside. We were roughly waited for an hour and got some drink at the bar. Some guy spilled his drinks on us and we got all wet. It's happy Saturday night so we didn't wanna be mean anything. We said ok and waited for napkin or anything from bartender at the bar. We had to wait 10 min to get some napkin to clean up and we got soaked with drink and stood there. It was busy but not that busy compare with north bowl. The staffs seemed trying their best( they seemed really overwhelmed) but just very unorganized yet. When I got my bowling shoes, they were wrong size first so went back to switch to other ones then they gave me both left side lol. Something like small things kept happening. I think because it was first night. It wasn't smooth overall. We ordered bunch of food. Food was similar with north bowl but just takes really long to get food and drink. It is opening night for them so I am sure they will get better by time.", "timestamp": "2015-03-01T07:23:24" }, { "business_id": "kjKImJ8dLwN4jDi5PQP46g", "business_name": "Unite Fitness - Philly East", "rating": 4, "text": "Enjoyed working out there for a month and I am looking forward going back. The coaches there were professional and encouraged the people like me who weren't very athletic. I've never really done any strength work out in my life and definitely not athletic side. I actually hate working out. But their 75 min class was pretty fun even to me. People there seemed very strong and well trained compare to me so I was little intimidated but I survived. I could give 5 star for their classes and coaches but little pricy side for me and no free towel services or shower etc was little inconvenient for me.", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T04:41:36" }, { "business_id": "8P8HIysyyGbG8_94cG1Jyg", "business_name": "Entree BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "Had very pleasant evening at Entree BYOB. I saw great reviews about this place and finally decided to give a shot. 6 of us got a big table near entrance. It was small restaurant so that was only table can accommodate big group. We sat promptly and ordered $50 pre fix. It was great deal. We got all different dishes. Lobster tempura, cheese plate, prosciutto wrapped date. I got cheese plate. They serve 5 different kind cheese I think. I liked blue cheese and fried goat cheese the most. It came with peanut brittle, pear slice, arugula and some bread. It was huge for appetizer and was great choice. I didn't taste other friend's dishes but everyone enjoyed theirs. I got seared tuna and scallop with ink pasta for main dish. The pasta sauce was eggplant and tomato based and it was delicious! And spicy!!!! Scallop was good size and perfectly cooked. I liked scallop more than tuna. Pasta had very strong garlic flavor so I couldn't taste seared tuna very well since I started eating pasta first. But overall very satisfying dish. For dessert, got lemon mascarpone cheese cake. Yum yum yum. And also their fried Oreo... Was very good choice as others said. The portion was huge and price was awesome too. Really enjoyed it. Place was small and we sat in front of entrance and people kept coming in so it got cold while dining. Except that it was fantastic restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:28:37" }, { "business_id": "1o0C_fqBgnQCiWn4A0R68g", "business_name": "Nuts To You", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite snack heaven in Philly. I get so happy whenever I go to their store. I am a gummy lover and its gummy heaven. I grab could different kinds gummy and dark roast peanut for my hub. He really likes roast peanut from them. Today I got gummy, peanut, raw pumpkin seed and Turkish coffee. Total was just over $18. So cheap and snacks are fresh. Love love them!", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:41:27" }, { "business_id": "3NsTKp85H2FUjr1SURf0NQ", "business_name": "Greenstreet Coffee Co.", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute and little neighborhood coffee spot. Me and u friend stopped by today for quick coffee and snack. Ordered cappuccino, ice green tea and biscotti. We were in very chatty mood so we sat outside. Small place was filled with patron who were working or studying there so felt bad to sit there and disturb them since it was tiny spot. Cappuccino was foamy and smelled awesome. I got ice green tea and they didn't charge for extra like other places. Biscotti was big enough also. One barista there made good coffee alone and very quite so it would be perfect study spot not for chatty date with girlfriends.", "timestamp": "2015-03-09T21:20:26" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I might ordered the least popular menu here but I loved it. I was wondering about this place since I see always long line of people waiting outside even during wkdays. I had beet salad and hub got the burger. And side of mac and cheese. I really enjoyed my beet salad. The portion of beet was very generous. Also they gave me a lot of goat cheese which was so yummy. Greens were fresh and dressing was delicious. He said burger was just ok. He wished he got the French toast or pancake. Seems like everyone getting them and looked really good. I will definitely go back there to try their best sellers.", "timestamp": "2015-05-17T21:46:04" }, { "business_id": "QhgrhVKlXZtSY6gRThf8zA", "business_name": "Bing Bing Dim Sum", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty interesting restaurant. This was my first visit to E Passyunk. I was pleasantly surprised with their dishes. We were extremely hungry so ordered basically everything on the menu. I enjoyed everything we ordered except pork soup dumpling. It was corn and bacon based so the soup was little greasier than others but my friend enjoyed it. I did enjoyed their bun, Taiwanese dumplings, xo sauced chicken wings, turnip cake and scallion rice dish. Yum yum yum. Dishes could be spicier side since they are not afraid using chili oil and sriracha sauce but they were delicious to me. Sitting outside and having a Dimsum?! Sounds Awesome to me.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:35:05" }, { "business_id": "yAXiqUXVDdzWAXMFAobuCQ", "business_name": "Wheel Fun Rentals - Boathouse Row", "rating": 5, "text": "It was best $30 I spent this year. Me and my friend enjoyed awesome 80 min surrey ride. It looked uncoolest thing you could ride but we had a puppy and wanted check out the park so we decide to give a shot anyway. I ended up purchasing annual membership lol. They basically give you 50% time for free if you have membership which was nice deal. We had little ride by river and turned out it was tremendous work out. Our original plan was doing this then go to flywheel after but we skipped the gym after this. It was really nice to see the scenery and get some outdoor activity. Plus my dog loved it ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:47:38" }, { "business_id": "noBinj5ChHbPCHfqTcUO6g", "business_name": "Plenty Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I adore this little cafe. People there are so nice and pet friendly. Their peach cobbler cake is so moist and just enough sweet. Their ice tea is awesome, fresh squeezed orange juice is always delicious. Their little outdoor seats are always nice.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:50:22" }, { "business_id": "EMp87GsYkVdwHftE7Ar2_w", "business_name": "Cosmic Café and Ciderhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "I appreciate this little cafe a lot. It is locate to right next bike rental, entrance of boathouse row so I would say it is in prime location. In the winter, you want to grab hot coffee here and during the summer, you want ice coffee from this place. I mean this place would be doing great no matter what because of the location. But their coffee is actually pretty good, they make fresh fruit smoothies without any sweetener. Only fresh fruit in there. Their frittata was delicious, side salad and potato were fresh. Yum yum yum. I had veggie wrap before and it was yummy. All food and drink looked very fresh to me and seems like people there make an effort to make this place pleasant. 5 stars.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:57:09" }, { "business_id": "i_FWONQD1ZBqrNE2b-M5Ug", "business_name": "Talula's Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "This is such a beautiful restaurant and I am so happy to live near by. I had brunch before and this time I tried dinner and I am glad I did. The weather was perfect for outdoor dining experience and food was delicious. Me and my girlfriend split couple dishes and we really enjoyed them. We got welcome dish- fresh baked brioche. Yum yum yum. For appetizer, got tuna crudo and sweet pea salad. Tuna was so fresh and paired watermelon was amazing. Sweet pea salad was little blend for me but friend enjoyed it. We shared pan seared halibut. The portion was not so small and broccoli was delicious with fish. We couldn't decide btwn ricotta donut and butterscotch pudding so we got both! The pudding was the winner for sure . Must get it.", "timestamp": "2015-06-17T03:37:05" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 4, "text": "After watched the show at Arden, me and my hubby grabbed dinner at Fork. We had so so experiences at High street on Market so hesitated a bit but we gave a shot after read positive reviews. It had welcoming and beautiful ambiance and services were professional. Overall I enjoyed my meal but husband wasn't very impressed. I guess restaurant really can't satisfy everyone. I am a girl who hates leaving restaurant hungry so amuse bouche and several house treat platters made me very happy. We had 4 course tasting menu and they served different treats after each course. Sweet bread starter and shrimp raw platter were delicious start. They were not super small portion. For pasta course,we had gnudi pasta and ravioli. Gnudi pasta was delicious since I am big fan of cheese but it could be too rich for others who doesn't enjoy rich cheese. I thought ravioli was lack of flavor. But again, I am rich, creamy pasta girl. For main, we got duck breast and pork. Hubby ordered pork but he didn't like it much so we ended up switching the plate. I thought pork was ok. But not blown away. Oddly side dishes for both main courses were pickled vegetable. Since I got pickled veggie for my sweet bread starter, it was too much pickle for 4 courses dinner. Dessert, hubby got Black Forest cake( it's more like mousse) and I got cheese plate. Cheese selection was good. I enjoyed mine. Hubby didn't like his mousse so I ended up finishing his. It was rich but too bitter for me. Overall I left restaurant full and happy, I would go back if I am near for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-06-24T05:26:05" }, { "business_id": "bLJP0fVgscuUQy0hE_CRXA", "business_name": "Xiandu Thai", "rating": 4, "text": "Very decent Thai restaurant in center city. I had lunch special with friends and I was really satisfied. Had Tum yum soup and red curry with rice. Soup was really delicious even though I normally don't like tom yum soup. Red curry was mild spicy and creamy. Really like it. It could have been 5 star if our server were little bit helpful. My friend asked about her menu, she didn't want to order fried food and wanted to make sure but our server gave her wrong information and she ended up with deep fried dish. It was delicious however that was not what she was asking. It could have been 5 star.", "timestamp": "2015-07-10T03:01:12" }, { "business_id": "6aoXAXNrL7KrGBVRYBMFWw", "business_name": "Andre Richard Salon", "rating": 5, "text": "They have two salons at Washington square park area. They are so close to me so I've been both locations. The one at 12th street gym location is smaller but the one on Locust street is much larger and nicer. My girl is Anastasia and I really like her. She listens my concern and try to help out. It is crucial for me to click with my hair stylist since communication is very important. She is definitely very thoughtful and not pushy. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-07-24T19:41:13" }, { "business_id": "pxmBh8YZ6HLGQfNHvJoHzA", "business_name": "Nomad Roman Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "It is great local pizza spot for me. Convenient location and no waiting to be seated. I noticed Philly has some great pizza spots!!! Nomad was on my list and finally tried. I saw great reviews about root salad and margarita pizza so I got them and also tried meat balls. I did enjoy my root salad, it has so much flavor but It was little small even for appetizer. Pizza was pretty good but I've had better in Philly. However meatball was disappointing. Was lack of flavor and I tried some amazing meatball dishes in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T21:35:10" }, { "business_id": "FhwTEGqdir75uyXZqWqxlw", "business_name": "Big Gay Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "I was glad this cute ice cream shop opened near my place. There was long line and I loved their excited ambiance. I tried their best seller - salty pimp. They sprinkled a lot of salt, caramel and covered with chocolate. I was super excited to watch them making my ice cream. I think I enjoyed that experience more than eating it. Maybe it's only me, I was never big fan of salted caramel fan. And def it was pricier side for soft ice cream. I think I will stick with my Yogorino.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T22:13:17" }, { "business_id": "rMWdWJHblLHt_BQ2kWj5Bg", "business_name": "Seger Dog Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad I have couple doggie run near me. I appreciate having this park close to me. Compare to the one by river, this one doesn't not have separate doggie run so it might be not suitable for small dogs but my 7 pounds baby loves go there and hang out with big dogs. I did not have any bad experiences there so far, big dogs there behave so well and gentle with my small baby. They play so well together and we had a great time however you just never know. C I met some cool people there, they were every friendly. It's not artificial grass so her paws got dirty after playing there and sometimes it stink.", "timestamp": "2015-08-13T18:18:33" }, { "business_id": "V8we7-uCa-SouadZmZ9Ieg", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory", "rating": 3, "text": "It is so lame but this was chain restaurant I really wanted to try haha. I just heard about this place a lot- huge portion, good dessert etc however I've never seen this place anywhere in city. Now I finally went! Stopped by for lunch, got Alfredo fettuccini ( lunch portion) with chicken and classic burger with fries. We thought that would be safe choice since it was our first visit. Pasta was very thick, creamy like other chain restaurant. Chicken breast was moist and tender. My hubby enjoyed his burger and couldn't finish his fries. We were full so had original cheese cake piece to go. Our server was very friendly and had full of smile on her face whenever we sees her. Food was nothing ordinary but service was nice and I like to have this restaurant in the city.", "timestamp": "2015-08-14T17:34:40" }, { "business_id": "2er_V-oAd7IbQ5YTY56r7A", "business_name": "Bareburger - Midtown Village", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to be a big fan of Bare burger when they opened in NYC. I am not sure why I totally neglected this place for years. I only tried their vegetarian menus in NYC, my vegetarian friends really appreciated their veggie protein options. I remember those were yummy. Today we got County, Caviar burger with fries and rings. Large size comes with 4 speciality sauces. I thought burger bun was pretty good however I prefer juicy meat so this one was a bit dry for me. Also I prefer crispy fries, this one was little soggy... I remember this chain used to much better, maybe it depends on location. I am still glad to have heathy burger option near me", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T17:16:49" }, { "business_id": "NUJrCPU51Cvip4ayZD1P5g", "business_name": "Jose Pistola's", "rating": 4, "text": "I would say their bar food is very decent. I actually enjoyed their taco and nachos very much. I am not huge fan of bar food- normal greasy and very salty for me. However couple of friends recommended this place for Mexican snack and I can't agree more. Nachos were so yummy!! Crispy and I liked their topping. Not soggy and just perfect combination of bean, veggies and cheese! Tacos were decent as well however I think nacho was the winner. Definitely going back for some snack.", "timestamp": "2015-08-20T03:06:57" }, { "business_id": "uIZwBkvWicqyWraXvYOipw", "business_name": "Sbraga", "rating": 5, "text": "They have great 4 course meal for $55. What a amazing deal. And absolutely delicious. I was very happy to receive warm and crispy pop over and foie gras soup. I wasn't feeling for pop over so didn't have it but my hubby said it was so good and he finished it. And he is not a bread person. Their welcome dishes are even impressive. The soup was.... amazing. So creamy and so savory. Can't get enough. Wish they have that for their regular menu. I will totally get it. I got hamachi, lamb pasta appetizer, striped bass and cheese plate. 3 decent sized pieces of hamachi accompanied with jalapeño. It was so good, I forgot to take photo. Lamb pasta was delicious and rich with sauce. But I switched to my hubby's dish- saffron pasta with crab meat. I liked his dish better. Bass was cooked so moist and delicious. Very very satisfied. I was very happy to see cheese plate w/o extra charge. Nice touch! They gave me 3 piece with candid walnut and fig. I enjoyed sheep milk cheese the most.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:42:17" }, { "business_id": "nsH0hQ7xB5LS2_Ba3mqHTQ", "business_name": "Paesano's Philly Style", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok. So I finally tried Paesano sandwich. I was meaning to try it for very long time. My hubby picked up for me and I had it for lunch next day. I enjoyed it very much and I am sure if I eat fresh one.. I will be blown away.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:55:53" }, { "business_id": "fEqiXG_B-fn__w0aeF3nBQ", "business_name": "Laurel", "rating": 4, "text": "Very creative restaurant. I am not a fan of cold dishes but I did enjoy my ice flaked hamachi and foie gras dish. They were creamy but not overly empowering. We ordered truffle gnocchi for extra and that was right choice. I enjoyed very much. They were not cheap with truffle so $30 was so worthy. For main course, cod was decent size and my boo liked that dish the most. Pork was super tender and delicious. Dessert was chocolate pudding. I was expecting something special so when dessert came out, I was little disappointed. It was yummy but nothing special about dessert.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:51:03" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my favorite Sabrina's brand. I tried all 3 locations in city and keep coming back to this one. Staff is nice and food is consistent. I feel this space little larger than one at Italian market so feel less cramped. Burger and breakfast egg are always delicious and enjoy their fresh sneezed juice. Can't wait to go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:57:50" }, { "business_id": "POuaebsAeCyNx-8qZ3O7XQ", "business_name": "Shang Hai 1", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their soup dumpling very much. They are fast,delicious and super cheap. Tried couple dumplings here and they were all good. We got experimental and ordered regular menu but they were so so. I will stick to dumplings only from now on.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T04:01:28" }, { "business_id": "pXRrRf8fDv6yU3xp1E25hA", "business_name": "Bud & Marilyn's", "rating": 4, "text": "I was wondering about this place awhile and finally got to try it. Got cheese curds, short rib stroganoff, fried chicken and lobster buns. I always wanted to try cheese curd truck but never got to wait to get to so this was perfect. Was little salty for me but if you skip the sauce then it's bearable. As other reviews said, short rib stroganoff was definitely winner of the night. Was delicious and I love it very much. Lobster buns were pretty good too. Decent size of lobsters in it. Not heavy on sauce. Yum. Fried chicken dish was huge. Big two pieces include breast. I prefer white meat part so it was perfect. It wasn't Korean fried chicken style,it was more like Blue ribbon fried chicken in NYU. Otherwise fancy KFC lol Most dishes were little saltier side than other restaurants but maybe good with drinks. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T17:21:31" }, { "business_id": "8-A_4Jp2-NHKvjLcPE8HVA", "business_name": "United States Postal Service Land Title Station", "rating": 1, "text": "Wish I could give \" zero\" star. Yelp needs to give us option to give zero star. Seriously.. This location usps deserve to get Zero star. Normally most of experiences at USPS are not very pleasant. But I am reasonable person. I do not expect 5 star hotel service here. You do not have to kind and super helpful to me. Just let me send out my pkg without making me so unpleasant. I went to this location multiple times since it is so close to me however it was my last time to go there. One of lady is extremely rude. I did not see her name ( wish I did, so I can save a lot of people's bad experiences there) but I think most reviews here already mention about her. I actually saw once she made one customer cried. She yelled and extremely rude to her and the poor young lady actually cried in front of other ppl and said she shouldn't be so mean. I did not hear whole conversation so I did not leave any review at that time. This time, actually was my experience. Same lady extremely rude to me for no reason and I did not argue with crazy lady so just left saying nothing since even if I complain, the crazy lady won't change. Do not go there. There are other locations.. And if you must..do not go to right side of counter. There are two counters. She will find way to yell at you even if you did anything wrong and just waiting on line for your turn. She loves to boss around and yell at her customers and most of us are too busy and just want to leave there asap.. She is abusing it. So far she was always on the right side. She is extremely unpleasant person to deal with. Be aware.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T15:20:21" }, { "business_id": "3eJMsl41qwhcYlvoTF1ElQ", "business_name": "a.kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is purely about their lunch special. Had pleasant experience there. Their lunch special is great deal. Big portion and great service. I had smoked charr flat bread and Tuna. Hubby got steak tartare and octopus. I liked my tuna a lot. They served 3 huge chunk of tuna pieces. I have big portion but this satisfied me :-) Smoked char, I normally love this dish but this one was too salty. Couldn't really taste fish be cause it was too picked. I did not enjoy hubby's tartar, raw meat was very chunky, piece was too big for steak tartar but hubby enjoyed it. Octopus was my favorite dish there. Chef must love pickle so much. Our dish was full of prickly flavor. I love them so had no problem.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T16:38:29" }, { "business_id": "4HLur5bFXB6pT0o4ao3wgA", "business_name": "Nagwon Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "Best value all you can eat Korean bbq in city. It's not close from where we live so hesitated to go there however the owner couple were very attentive. All you can eat bbq has all kind of meats and seafood. So everyone has something to eat. Side dishes are pretty good. Sometime they are cold if you go odd hour. Bean paste stew are delicious. Great value. Wish they were close to center city.", "timestamp": "2016-01-29T05:47:11" }, { "business_id": "gjFUrbSMo1rA1jgG5IhA2A", "business_name": "Chima Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I was surprised by their size when I walked in. They did not seem that big from outside. We were seated promptly and they were very fast took our order. Creamy mashed potato, cheese bread and sweet plantain came out right away. I really liked their salad bar. Gorgonzola cheese dressing with endive was my favorite. Fresh greens and grilled vegetables. Yummy. I was more focused on salad bar than meat buffet so can't give enough reviews about meat but my meat eater husband enjoyed them very much so must be good. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:22:22" }, { "business_id": "kj3Lyh9KooU8GcRBbMDQWQ", "business_name": "Le Pain Quotidien", "rating": 4, "text": "This is probably one of my favorite chain restaurant/ bakery. It is so convenient for me and really like their cozy ambiance. They do not really bother me once I order so it is perfect to catch up with friends or read myself even. I always get their Paris ham & cheese tartine or quinoa cake with arugula. Once they ran out hummus and informed me after I ordered so I had to eat without hummus. Wasn't that good. Would been nice if they substitute with other ingredient though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:34:42" }, { "business_id": "KscVqYYG7ziAroZhfNb0Ng", "business_name": "South", "rating": 5, "text": "First time I tried this restaurant and it was restaurant week visit. I was super satisfied after my meal ;-) The location was kinda far. I've been that place before and it was lobster/ seafood place if I remember right. The ambiance was pretty same except they were playing live jazz music and it was quite nice. 3 course restaurant week menu we tried were gumbo( our waitress recommended and she was right), pork chop, mahi and chicken. For dessert we got spiced pumpkin cake and pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. Their bread basket was die for. Yummy cheese biscuit and corn bread with cream cheese butter. We ended up asking second basket. Appetizer sized gumbo was huge and delicious. Everyone enjoyed it. I believe pork chop was the best choice among main dish. Mahi with farro salad was pretty good too but little lack of flavor. For dessert huge pecan pie piece came out with big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Was really delicious. I ended up left my spice pumpkin dessert and just ate pecan pie coz was so so good. Overall was super satisfying. I will def go back.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:46:37" }, { "business_id": "sVZb87xjhbCWHQ2UXOGLrA", "business_name": "Giorgio On Pine", "rating": 1, "text": "I had decent food here. Pasta was ok. Salad was ok. But their reservation system isn't very pleasant. Called few times and finally talked to someone and reserved table. Guess what, they never write down my reservation. We had to leave or move over to pizzeria next door. It is fine to make a mistake but the way they handle was horrible. They basically told me just leave or go to pizzeria. Was sat night, peak dinner time, we won't able to get in anywhere last min. Never going back. We just have so many other options to go.", "timestamp": "2016-07-01T22:32:48" } ]	{ "business_id": "-cSHu3A9IalZn8s7NGJagw", "business_name": "Phila Massages", "rating": 5, "text": "Definitely best massage in Philadelphia. I think I tried 99% massage place in center city. I had good and bad but this place is serious. I always have shoulder pain, super tensed so I get massage regularly. Non of place solved my issue like this place. I was so impressed. I am coming back even though I hate walk up building!!!", "timestamp": "2016-07-01T22:35:27" }
NUtIAX-ygn474tDg5nmesg	[ { "business_id": "wUnLSg_GKfEIQ5CQQ770_g", "business_name": "Vetri Cucina", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try this place. Heard good things about it. I was very impressed and enjoyed every dishes except one. Sadly that was my main dish. Ambiance wasn't fancy. Reminds small restaurant in Italy. Our waiter was excellent and very knowledgable. Definitely going back.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T04:26:32" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 4, "text": "Great lunch spot. Stopped by with my parents today for quick lunch. Lunch special is great deal. We ordered two lunch special and one appetizer and still had left over. Lunch special burrito was huge and my parents loved it. And my parents are pretty picky eaters so I assumed burrito was good even though I didn't taste it. I had chicken taco which was great as well. I will def come back again.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:27:13" }, { "business_id": "tC8i2_9ww-WoT1wZOCwRrw", "business_name": "Sue's Custom Dressmaking & Tailor Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. I am very particular with my dress. Really hard to find decent alteration in the US compare with where I am from. I always brought my dresses to Korea or HK until I found this place. I brought couple dresses to be tailored. I was little worried that It wouldn't be that simple job. They needed to be tailored entirely, not just trimmed. Materials weren't easy to handle since they were very delicate. And some of them were vintage items. They did amazing job and I love them all. Korean tailors are the best. And they are one of top for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-04-14T23:40:50" }, { "business_id": "LiHdRXlcj0GDm_e97oiwKw", "business_name": "Pure Fare", "rating": 4, "text": "Really delicious smoothie. I got leaf green one. Had spinach, banana, kale and etc I think. Was not super sweet or icy. It was very delicious and thick but not over powered banana flavor like other places! I would give 5 star if portion wasn't that tiny. The guy who made my smoothie threw away left over inside mixer after poured my smoothie in tiny cup. I wanted to cry!", "timestamp": "2014-07-31T20:01:31" }, { "business_id": "F7fC4dZW17muSvE8ixaXkQ", "business_name": "LeBus Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "It is a bakery but their bread selections aren't so amazing. I though muffins are just average. Cookies are just ok.. Actually loft bread was so dry. However I still go there pretty often for getting couscous and curry chicken deli sandwich for lunch. Their couscous is one of best I ever had.", "timestamp": "2014-11-25T00:56:34" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 2, "text": "Conveniently located in center city. Cozy ambiance and friendly staff. Nothing exciting on menu. Order bunch of dishes with group of ppl. Smoked tuna taco.. Tasted like mayo albacore tuna sandwich. I do like tuna sandwich but didn't expect eat them in restaurant. Bacon and date dish was good but who doesn't like that combo.. Hard to mess up that dish, nothing extraordinary. Had empanadas which was pretty average as well. Ordered ceviche smaller as well. I do heart law fish. It is really easy to impress me with raw seafood dish but even I wasn't blown away.. For main dishes we ordered scallops, skirt steak, tuna and duck dishes. I think duck dish was the best among them. Scallop was good as well but was a bit burned. Other dishes were so so. Not bad but not amazing. I was very excited to try dessert there because the signature dessert, chocolate cigar one looked amazing, it was really cute to see it but wasn't super tasty however coconut tapioca dessert was the hit. Probably the best part of this meal. We had 2 cocktail, one beer and one diet coke as well. Bill was around $400 for 4ppl. Not worth for the price.", "timestamp": "2014-12-17T03:58:33" }, { "business_id": "VJEzpfLs_Jnzgqh5A_FVTg", "business_name": "Jasmine Rice - Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I really wanted to like this place. People seem kind and conveniently located in center city. Wasn't able to find decent thai place in center city so I was excited to try new spot. Sadly couldn't reach my expectation. We ordered 4 appetizers and 2 main dishes for two ppl. I know it sounds a lot for two ppl but was good decision to order that much. Otherwise we would be left hungry. Got fried calamari, coconut soup, steamed mussels and spring rolls for appetizer. As some of others mentioned already the portions are tiny here. Soup size was ridiculous. Smallest soup I've never had.Spring roll size was about my pinky, was delicious but tiny tiny.. Those two appetizers were extremely small even for starter. For main dish we got pad Thai with beef and red curry with chicken. Pad Thai was really sweet. Maybe too sweet even for Americanized thai food. Red curry broth was delicious, was creamy and good amount of spice. But there wasn't enough soup. They serve curry on flat plate so they can't hold enough soup for curry and rice. I am not sure why they choose use that plate for soupy dishes. Curry broth was amazing but green bean and carrot weren't cooked at all. I wanted to give one star to be honest but only reason I gave two star was the server was very kind and gave me more broth for my curry. The extra curry broth he brought was bigger portion than my coconut soup btw.", "timestamp": "2014-12-22T19:38:13" }, { "business_id": "TunmRrfZb7bt53T6HJi4UQ", "business_name": "Bleu Sushi", "rating": 1, "text": "They have very strict groupon policy which I don't understand. The restaurant was more than half empty but owner gave us hard time to redeem groupon because we did not make a reservation with groupon. Won't back again.", "timestamp": "2014-12-24T18:26:15" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 1, "text": "Sadly have to leave negative review even though their lovely ambiance and great customer service. Tried tasting menu and most of dishes were overly salted except first course which was pumpkin spiced soup and dessert. Btw only good part of this meal. Two of us had to finish two bottle of water ( they were huge btw but we had to finish. If you wanna increase water intake..please go to this place) and also had to drink diet coke as well. I rather pay more and go back to Vetri to enjoy expensive Italian meal or just stick with my fav Little Nonna.. Philly just have too many Italian options.", "timestamp": "2014-12-25T07:15:58" }, { "business_id": "g8OyaT2RL8JCKItDExcFug", "business_name": "Blackfish", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried 7course tasting menu. Was $90 before tax so it is great deal for decent tasting. Right after had huge disappointment from il Pittore's super salty tasting menu, I was pretty satisfied with this place. They serve fresh oyster and tofu cream dish for amuse bouche. Had crudo with yuzu, chicken liver mousse, chestnut ravioli with mushroom foam I believe, seared salmon and braised beef dish. They were all delicious. I didn't have much expectation for this restaurant to be honest but I though all dishes were yummy! For dessert courses they served cheese plate, raspberry jelly donut which was meh... then finish with goat cheese mousse which was great. Since main dishes were so delicious, dessert was little weak but overall satisfied meal for sure.", "timestamp": "2014-12-28T05:00:52" }, { "business_id": "i76ERS3jM111T3VMbi2yrQ", "business_name": "Sagami", "rating": 3, "text": "After tried Morimoto, Zama, Raw, Fat salmon and etc.. I am still in searching mode for good sushi. Wish I found the one today but it did not happen. 4 of us ordered 2 zaru soba, chirashi, sushi set A, sashimi dinner set, seaweed side dish and mushroom and egg dashi soup. Nigiri size was very generous. They were thick and but lack of flavor. Friends who been here multiple times agreed that this place usually better than this but for some reason today.. everything was just plain. Rice wasn't seasoned enough either so chirashi wasn't so delicious. Soba was ok and tamago was pretty good, sweet and soft texture. Side dishes were good, seaweed and ginger salad weren't too sweet so I enjoyed them. But our main dishes were disappointing. I saw others ordered cooked dishes and they looked good. Think we picked wrong dishes.. I might give one more try since lack of my sushi choices in philly but probably will stick with cooked dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:31:40" }, { "business_id": "EwX4CUwRFwjO9oO5sJJ-bA", "business_name": "Pileggi on the Square", "rating": 5, "text": "My review is only about the massage experience with Dairo here. I tried so many massage therapists in philly and now finally I found the person to go to! This place divided to two section, hair salon and spa downstair. Massage room is clean and quite. You get to choose your oil and they give you solid 50 min massage. He mostly worked on upper body and didn't get to work on my legs much but 50 min is short time to cover both and I usually have really tense shoulder so was perfect for me. He ask you few questions before you going into the room so let him know where you want him to work on. I am so addict to massage. Can't get it enough and by far he is the best in Philly.", "timestamp": "2014-12-29T07:54:20" }, { "business_id": "Oh3Q3QfhMl2DArFiLUrT9Q", "business_name": "La Fourno Ristorante Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "My star is based on Groupon dinner only. Used the groupon for dinner for two. Got salad ( fresh and yummy), soup( home style cooking) and pizza for appetizer. I saw a lot of reviews that their pizza is great and it was right. Pizza was delicious. Must get the pizza if you go. We got veal Parmesan and stuffed chicken dish for main. They were pretty good but I thought veal dish price is too high. For groupon deal, they were awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-01-22T23:25:00" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute French bistro in neighborhood. Warm ambiance and good service. The portion of dishes are generous here even for bistro. Had lamb shank and brisket dishes for main. Both were pretty good but they were really salty. I do like their dessert menu. Their Mille feuille is delicious. One thing I wasn't happy was their butter. They served little cold butter so hard to spread on bread :-(", "timestamp": "2015-01-23T00:03:07" }, { "business_id": "41Wm32-Aj7jdejK4QfUDDw", "business_name": "Schuylkill River Dog Run", "rating": 5, "text": "Great dog run. I've only been to doggie runs in NYC and this place is 10times better!!!!! It has two separate section for small and big doggies. It isn't stink like other doggie runs I experienced so I can tell Its very well maintained. Very very clean and I can tell it won't get muddy when it's snow or rain. Very satisfied with this place!!!", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T00:38:05" }, { "business_id": "bjPUhanWoinHi2kywvVzBA", "business_name": "Mercato BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "So happy that I found this place. I always walked by this place and always wondered. It is small and intimidate place. We shared fontana cheese meatball, soup and both had market fish platter. They were pretty delicious. And olive herb butter accompany to bread was nice touch.", "timestamp": "2015-01-28T02:35:05" }, { "business_id": "DsKzHnkLKnxZTVsFpts4oA", "business_name": "Red Owl Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "Better food than I thought. I had zero expectation when I walked in with group on sat evening. Has no reservation but we were seated promptly. Tried bunch of bar snack and burger and fries were good. Their cheese plate gave 5 kinds of cheese and generous with portion.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T03:58:51" }, { "business_id": "5INWCIArMbFd-aku3-UI3Q", "business_name": "Ana Pesce Advance Skin Technology", "rating": 5, "text": "My visit to Ana Pesce again. Had another amazing experience there and I noticed they moved to bigger and nicer venue so I felt like I should update my review. Weather hasn't been nice so my skin got dry and needed another facial.Today I went back to Ana and I feel like I got what I needed. She did some amazing mask( she applied thick mask then cover it with plasticky paper then use lightening machine to massage) I am not sure what she did since she improvise depends on your skin condition so every visit was little different each time in my case. Got a amazing result. I applied make up on after my facial. My skin was glowing and smooth. Loved the result. My friend did facial with Cindy to get extraction. Her treatment is little longer than mine since she got extraction and some laser treatment done. She looked absolutely fresh after facial and she was very happy with Cindy's work. I love that they are very professional and dedicate to their job. I thought was weird that they asked so many questions when I did my first facial. Like my diet!, skin routine, if I taking any supplement etc but now I know they understand my skin very well and it's all applied to my treatment. Love them a lot and I keep going back for sure. Just go and get the facial from Ana or Cindy.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:07:45" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually like this place a lot. Ppl are very nice and attentive. I always get the continental salad with grilled chicken. It is basic menu but they do cook chicken very tender and juicy. Alway get the best grilled chicken salad there. And the portion is HUGE. Since I do hate tiny salad ( how much cost give us little more green?) this is the place to go to get good salad.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:14:20" }, { "business_id": "fJQzUesrvvoMUkjQBNxc6g", "business_name": "Nail Spa Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Want to love this place so bad.. but I can't. It is so close to me and the price is relatively good. Got $30 mani pedi. The lady did mine was really quick. I was done entire thing already when my friend was only finishing her pedi. She was fast but her job wasn't that great. I tipped her ok and gave two star on Yelp since this place is cheap, she was quick( this place get really busy)and gave me a cup of tea but I prolly won't go back there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:20:54" }, { "business_id": "EhotxJEJxpMgCJ0F82Buvg", "business_name": "The Olde Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I read about this place and wanted to check out. It is pretty venue and staffs are happy to show you around. The oyster is fresh and I can't tell much about drink since I am not a drinker but friends seemed happy! They get really busy on wkend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T04:25:50" }, { "business_id": "ChAVUpsZ0GTZ4m8T10ACqw", "business_name": "Just Dogs and Cats", "rating": 5, "text": "Cute store in the neighborhood. I walked in with my puppy and wanted to get little ball for her to play. I don't like tennis ball since she is big time chewer and tear apart very easily. The owner lady recommended perfect rubber balls for her tiny mouth. And the best part was they were not made in China. Those are my puppies favorite toy! Also she gave my puppy free chocolate peanut butter cup. That was so sweet!", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:08:42" }, { "business_id": "WCLexnTQmylse_p0kQbz2g", "business_name": "The Treemont", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to try this place after I had good experience at Blackfish. Food was decent and ambiance was cozy as well. I had chicken liver pate and short rib. Chicken liver pate is one of my favorite dishes so I usually get it whenever I see them on the menu. Sadly it was just average. Not bad but not good either. Liked their creamy texture but was lack on flavor, they gave you a lot of brioche though. Beef short rib dish was pretty good but was little too sweet in my opinion. For me, 4 or 5 star on yelp means I would like to go back. This place more like 3.5 star or above but just not a 4 star...", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:21:33" }, { "business_id": "UDOcMEgRKfoCc-BikZJFhg", "business_name": "Maha Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "I love practice here. People here are very nice and welcoming you even though you are new. You think ppl at yoga studio would be so nice but not always. Yoga studio can be very intimidating. I usually go their yoga hour. They offer more yoga hours and other promotions than other studios at center city. I like their location, price and instructors.", "timestamp": "2015-02-01T05:25:23" }, { "business_id": "woTZpX92uByUgliPrh39Mg", "business_name": "Ocean Prime", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not sure why I never tried this restaurant until now. It is in my neighborhood and I passed by all the time. Since it is restaurant week so we wanted to try new places we haven't been. You can't really tell from outside but the ambiance is very nice inside once you walk in, little bit darker and high ceiling. It's like classic and fancy steak house. We got the lobster bisque, salad, filet mignon, teriyaki salmon with sticky rice and 5 layered carrot cake. Appetizers were pretty good and I didn't try the meat dish but my husband said it was good. I thought salmon cooked perfectly and well seasoned. Also rice was delicious. As some other reviewer mentioned the carrot cake was good but a bit too sweet. But pineapple sauce does magic :-) The service was really really great. They are attentive and very sweet. It was satisfied meal overall.", "timestamp": "2015-02-02T19:12:38" }, { "business_id": "0oSSjekU-3GR8gselReWnA", "business_name": "Butcher and Singer", "rating": 4, "text": "Review is based on restaurant wk menu, we stop by for weekday lunch. Shared butternut squash soup, Rockefeller oyster for appetizer. Soup was hot and creamy just I like. Oyster was delicious as well. We got burger and crab sandwich for entree. Burger meat was well cooked since my mother in law ordered well done but was still juicy. I thought was pretty delicious. Fries were salty but I found most fries are salty to me in Philadelphia so.. Crab sandwich was my favorite, perfectly seasoned and thin slice chips were delicious as well. For dessert we got carrot cake and I thought was little bland. Salted chocolate and caramel tart was very delicious. Good portion of food and great service. I would go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-04T20:54:58" }, { "business_id": "85e8Uyn8tIyEZCqBP80rqA", "business_name": "Lolita", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to Mexican restaurant. It is hard to find good Mexican place in the east coast but this place by far the best for me. I really enjoy their taco varieties. My friend had couple of diet restriction. Like no dairy, gluten and no pistachios etc. They were very good at accommodating our order and since we split the plate, they serve all sauces and cheese on the side. Salad portion is generous and fresh and their guacamole is always awesome too. It is my favorite Mexican place in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-06T04:31:32" }, { "business_id": "urO7cwWPFRZU1MpSt9JIGw", "business_name": "Doggie Style Pets", "rating": 4, "text": "I stop by here with my puppy on the way to doggie park. I like this location a lot because it is conveniently located on the way to park and staffs are very friendly. They are usually very young and I see some complains that they are not well trained but I did not have those negative experiences. They were very attentive and willing to help. And most importantly, they are dog loving people. Plus they have free treats for dogs by register :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-09T01:30:07" }, { "business_id": "DLM7E6lrW-zpM10RJ4fAeg", "business_name": "Urban Front Pilates", "rating": 4, "text": "Clean facility and friendly staffs! My visit to Urban front Pilates was so enjoyable. I tried only mat Pilates and Vbarre class. I never liked mat Pilates classes before ( tried couple times from other studios) but this one was different. I will come back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T22:56:03" }, { "business_id": "Jm8OvNQy8PlXUroRmKE10Q", "business_name": "Focus Barre & Yoga", "rating": 4, "text": "Recently tried their hot yoga and barre classes. Both instructors were very nice and helpful. I enjoyed classes with full of women in the room. The classes had great energy. I personally try to avoid hot yoga after 3 years of my Bikram yoga addiction which left me broken capillaries but I did not know they had hot yoga room until I get there. Even though I am trying to avoid hot yoga, their class quality was great and instructor was knowledgable. Barre class was harder than I thought. All that small muscle work out was definitely tough! Overall great studio to have near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-10T23:05:11" }, { "business_id": "vhDWGF-8BfsxvS7Zo5Wv2w", "business_name": "Abe Fisher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their food, great service and cozy ambiance. But salty salty salty. 2 of tried their tasting menu. I thought most dishes were delicious. Def was better ones I tried in NYC. If they were little less saltier, more like 4.5 star :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:15:47" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 3, "text": "Maybe I am a girl with huge stomach but I don't get full with one piece of pita and small hummus :-(. This place sounds like heaven for hummus lover. I do love hummus too but I need something else to eat with. I never had hummus alone for lunch so... Dish itself is pretty good but not mind-blowing. I went back couple times so far since it is so close to me but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:21:10" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 4, "text": "Best fries ever! I am not a burger person so can't tell but everyone seems really enjoying it. I go there to get short rib fries. Combination of cheese and short rib.... It is just AMAZING. It is worth to gain weight. I even picked it up on way home and ate once. Wasn't same... Go to restaurant and get one.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:26:45" }, { "business_id": "6wqxuBt2InDipRuUj8BNuQ", "business_name": "La Colombe Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "It is my go to coffee spot in my neighborhood. One thing I like about Philly is La Columbe is so close to me now! I used to walk all the way downtown in NYU to go there! Now I can go anytime! And store has unique ambiance. They serve your coffee in cute china and baristas are so knowledgable and attentive. They do not serve soy milk btw.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:33:04" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant looks so warm and cozy from outside. And it is! Very cute ambiance and dishes are pretty good. I thought it is so cute that they give you little present like small jam when you are leaving.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:53:08" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 3, "text": "I might have to give another shot to this place to be fair. I went there once and I still have so many new places to try in Philly. Order fish of the day dish and other friends ordered steak and burger. My fish was just average. Nothing special about it to remember except it was tiny piece of fish. This place seems very well popular here and a lot of ppl loving it so I may give another try...", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T00:59:08" }, { "business_id": "vCHNWdW-ys-nWUx3Cpvk8Q", "business_name": "Swiss Haus Cafe & Pastry Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I purchased box of cookies and gifted to friend. I haven't tried but my friend said kids loved them and literally had to pull them away from box before they finished them haha. They were picky eaters so I guess they do bake good cookies.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:05:46" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "I was give this place 5 star but changed my mind. I think this place could be hit and miss based on my two visits. First time I went there I had THE MEAL. Falafel was so hot, freshly fried and I even got one extra free to taste before purchased. I got Mama's platter both times. Was amazing for the first visit. Everything fresh and veggies were crunch. 5 star for sure. My second visit was more like 3 star. Everything was cold and falafel wasn't tasty like before. Veggies were soggy as well. I will give another shot and will see.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:14:10" }, { "business_id": "YzluF3FNGjnW-tOrLZt8JA", "business_name": "Zama", "rating": 3, "text": "Fresh sushi/ sashimi is my favorite meal. I can literally eat 3 times per day! I was so eager to find my favorite Japanese restaurant once I came to Philly. Zama was my first try. Location is good and ambiance is typical Japanese restaurant. Tried uni, tuna, fatty tuna, salmon, salmon roe sashimi. Those are my favorite so I get them wherever I go. They were good but not outstanding. I thought price was little high for what it is.. But I still go there for quick lunch since location is so awesome for me and I do like that intimate ambiance to chat with my friends. If price was little lower I would give 4 star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:27:49" }, { "business_id": "h7TO_IsmLCYmKKDVOOIeFw", "business_name": "Fat Salmon", "rating": 2, "text": "Ordered my usual. Sashimi platter with salmon, salmon roe, Tuna and uni. They were somewhat flavorless. Rolls seemed good with all the sauces etc but sashimi wasn't that good. And personally I am not fan of blue neon light with food presentation. Not so appetizing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:33:22" }, { "business_id": "rVGxva6cx2eID4ghDLVHJg", "business_name": "1225Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I thought sashimi was ok but I did enjoy their spicy sashimi salad. Owner must be Korean or at least has staff who is Korean. They make kick ass spicy go-chu-jang sauce for sashimi salad. And I tried to copy it at home for other dish I cooked and I was terribly failed. I thought just mix sugar and sesame oil with go-chi-Jang but it wasn't same. I must go back there to find out.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:37:12" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this Morimoto than nyc one. I did not know Morimoto was from Philadelphia. I only got the omakase in nyc one and wasn't very impressed every time I ordered! We ordered dishes this time in philly and I enjoyed every bite. Black cod was cooked perfectly and I really liked ponzu sauce for hamachi. Def going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T01:42:53" }, { "business_id": "trwHwsXOVV-ZmF-MtP98BA", "business_name": "High Street Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Was excited to try this place when they were opened it. Eh.... Not going back. They were very cheap with ingredient and some what salty. And very small portion. Maybe ppl in Philly do not eat much like I do... Philly has so many better options than here.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T02:01:33" }, { "business_id": "RnhLCG4N9MPy6ZRzq787Cg", "business_name": "Devil's Alley Bar & Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "I had brunch once and late night snack there once. Both were decent meal and good price. It looked like bar from outside and I expected nothing. But was better than my expectation. Quesadilla was delicious and ingredients were fresh. Salad was good too. Staffs were very nice as well.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T15:45:34" }, { "business_id": "WXRZlGsdUjraCAcgtCyk4Q", "business_name": "Potito's Italian American Pastries", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their cakes! It is firm and moist and since it is so thick and firm that I can order it a day before and still fresh. I normally prefer French or Japanese bake goods over Italian but this is my cake shop in Philly! I also tried cannoli and various individual cake pieces but I thought whole cake was much better deal here. Also taste better too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:05:28" }, { "business_id": "iUZEGx29miZObLd6_lt7Vg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I love their Asian salad!! I got it one at university city location and fell in love! So ordered same dish here as well. The veggies they used little different that day- no green pea in my sale :-( and the portion was smaller. I do enjoy huge salad so was little disappointing since I expected same quality as other location. My mom loved their stuff French toast so ordered same dish and wasn't good as we had before... But service was ver attentive. She kept giving us coffee and stopped by if we needed anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:12:49" }, { "business_id": "ctHjyadbDQAtUFfkcAFEHw", "business_name": "Zahav", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant is beautiful. Very pretty deco and service is great too. I heart middle eastern food and I have my favorite middle eastern place in NYC but now I am eager to find one in Philly. This place is the closest I can find for now. We tried tasting menu once, tried multiple small plate on the list. They were all decent but not mind blowing, more than anything I wasn't impressed by their hummus and falafel... Bummer.. Lamb shoulder was ran out so couldn't get it either. Second time we ordered lamb shoulder for 4 ppl. Woot woot! Was a lot of food since we ordered other plates as well. Ended up wrapping up left over and ate it for days haha.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T16:30:35" }, { "business_id": "mlgewa5y_a_AxVTamXGemA", "business_name": "Walnut Street Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "Have been a subscriber for 2014-15. So far they had great shows. Somewhat very commercial and but entertaining. Their actors were very talented and knew how to entertain audiences. Whenever I watched musicals/ shows there I ended up laughing a lot. Looking forward next show!", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:22:54" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 4, "text": "My second season subscribing here. So far we got a pretty good seat except twice. Once I sat behind really big guy and missed half of the play and ended up fall asleep haha. Since it is small theater with stadium style seat, secure good view is the must. They do have some great plays though. Seems like they have a lot of discount for student and young audience. So far pretty satisfied.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:27:08" }, { "business_id": "MMRRS6YhVRx_iN5-JhMRYg", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "Very delicious and salty! But it is Chinese place so I have no complain. Went with big group so could tasted a lot of their signature dishes. Dan Dan noodle seems very popular but just not my kid of dish. I did enjoy fried fish with sweet sauce and chicken with cashew. Also dumpling with hot oil was yummy. In the end of meal, my mouth was burning but I enjoyed all.", "timestamp": "2015-02-11T17:30:41" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Enjoyed my meal here. Went with friend and we shared Samson roll, Naruto roll, spider roll, spicy salmon tartar ,tuna dumpling, edamame and sunomono. We were initially going to get sashimi platter but rolls looked amazing so went for it. Wasn't disappointing. Sauces weren't overpowering and sashimi were very fresh. We did not get the 3 roll special and order individual but if you order their special , price is really cheap. Very happy that found this place. P.s they freshly fried soft shell crab when you order spider roll. Soooo tender and soooo juicy. Loved it. Must get that item. Naruto roll is definitely better than any other places. Cucumber paper is thinner and fresher. And has so much flavor. I did not really like tartar dish. Didn't have much flavor compare to other dishes. I will just order rolls next time I visit which would be next wk.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:14:32" }, { "business_id": "khH0QtNyUjcExh9i2CwGfg", "business_name": "Serpico", "rating": 3, "text": "Was intrigued by their Korean influenced menu. We got raw fluke, consommé, pig head, fried duck leg sandwich, duck mousse and lamb rib for three of us! Everything was ok but nothing was memorable except lamb rib. I thought rib was really delicious. Raw fluke was fresh but ponzu sauce was not special and very small. Comsome was very boring... Pig head was too greasy, duck mousse was pretty delicious. Duck leg sandwich was just ok. Also has rocky road for dessert. Since the portion isn't that big you get to order a lot if you are hungry. I though food wasn't very special.. Prolly won't go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:28:33" }, { "business_id": "mUIBtlWNPD7sz3rGGWQ1RA", "business_name": "Kanella", "rating": 3, "text": "Had really high hope about this place and I am sad that my meal didn't reach my expectation. Order whole fish of the day. I got branzino and had so much bone in it... And fish itself wasn't very tasty. Also had organic sirloin kebab. Meat was tough and little dry even for kebab.. Dips of the day was good though. I see that they got a lot of good reviews about their brunch than dinner. I might try their brunch and give fair review.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T01:34:47" }, { "business_id": "aaILnjUFC0i0uRkg5hYgnQ", "business_name": "Aqua Asian Bistro", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to get my thai take out here. Fast service and I seems like they keep their kitchen clean. Their spring roll is alway freshly fried and sauce is creamy and good. They don't give authentic fish sauce kind of sauce like other places but I like Americanized thai cuisine so I have no problem with that. Fried noodle dishes are safe choice here I believe. Their spring roll is my favorite though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:01:58" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 2, "text": "Seems like this place is pretty popular. And I had take out quite few times here since it is so close to me. Simply I don't really like their food. I thought they use a lot of fish sauce. Maybe it's more close to authentic cooking. Tried spring rolls, pad thai, red curry with tofu, green curry with chicken and vegetable soup. For pad thai, noodle was stuck together so hard to eat.. Curry is good, delicious and creamy but not enough of broth and tofu and chicken were too dry for me. Vegetable soup was just blend.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:07:37" }, { "business_id": "0S3TvsmbCeOZ9UitnpRd1A", "business_name": "Dim Sum House", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood. It is clean and big open space. Whenever I went, there were a lot of ppl. Had wonton in hot oil, scallion pancake, brussell sprout, honey walnut shrimp. Fried dishes are delicious there and sauce is not overpowering. Not overly salty either. Prolly favorite my Chinese restaurant in town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:12:56" }, { "business_id": "ex8RrhAhVVexndFhmNfG1Q", "business_name": "Wokworks", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to like this place. Healthy version of Chinese food? Sounded so good to me. And store looked clean from outside and also liked their name... Got quinoa fried rice with bean sprout and veggies...simply no good... I like healthy food but has to tasty to keep going back. That was my last visit... But I liked their clean container and healthy concept so.. It is two star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T05:17:51" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "One of my favorite Asian cuisine is Malaysian food. Especially their curry!!!!? Now I have to find my go to spot in Philly... I was excited to try this place. Got roti canai and seafood casserole dish as usual. Maybe I have high expectation but dishes weren't that good. Green curry casserole was lack of the flavor and literally had couple piece of seafood. Didn't even bother to complain. We just left after few bite.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:15:12" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am not a donut person. But it is the one of the best donut s I've ever had. Since another donut shop in NYU I fell in love charged $5 per donut and I waited in line for 30 min to get two donut! .... this place is heaven. So cheap, fast service, fresh and you can get as many as you want! There donut fillings are amazing but just get the maple cream donut and blueberry fritters.. They are absolutely amazing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T19:29:40" }, { "business_id": "xAW4nw9DrW77vWF61_l-Qg", "business_name": "Famous 4th Street Delicatessen", "rating": 4, "text": "Huge portion and hearty food. 3 of us shared their large chicken soup and we still had left over for days. I think they cooked entire chicken in it and matzoh balls were awesome. Main dish came with two side dishes- we chose potato fritters and side salad. They serve you cabbage salad once you are seated and it is really delicious! I love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:14:44" }, { "business_id": "73UjNbSoQjQAOS45rcihFg", "business_name": "Cantina Dos Segundos", "rating": 4, "text": "Wasn't super hungry so 3 of us shared chimichanga and guacamole with chips. Chips were very good, not oily and freshly fried. My parents enjoyed chimichanga and said very delicious and seasoning was just enough. Wish they were close to me..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:21:27" }, { "business_id": "SCjUeZfjafJ88fWWQjRh2w", "business_name": "El Rey", "rating": 5, "text": "I can only speak based on my happy hour experience. For happy hour, they have amazing deal. Tacos and empanadas are soooo delicious. Food served when it's hot and fresh. And super cheap. Not sure about their regular menu but I do enjoy their happy hour.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:30:10" }, { "business_id": "9_B5sCqKBOKDAmYpByiFFg", "business_name": "Branzino Italian Ristorante", "rating": 3, "text": "Had branzino for lunch here. Was pretty quite during weekday lunch hour. Definitely not busy spot. I saw couple old coupe were dining. My branzino was decent size and was ok. But nothing special. I wasn't very impressed so haven't back since my last trip..", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:36:55" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I want to give them zero star if I can. I went to serafina in NYC once and never went back hah...it is sort of chain restaurant and over priced for what it is but I was happy to see some familiar place in Philly so decided to give another shot. Me,my friend and my little puppy got table outside. It was 20 degrees, freezing cold day but we were hungry and had to eat.... And we had 3 pounds tiny puppy with us. I have no complain we sat outside. We have a dog so I asked them if we could get a table. They said its really cold but if u want u can get table outside so we did. The worst part, the waitress neglected us for over 20 min to get us water or take an order. We had to keep going in to ask for someone. It's only 20 min but we were freezing and restaurant wasn't that busy either. I don't understand why they just hung out at the counter and never bother to come out to take an order or just look if your space heater is working which it wasn't! Food was just mediocre. NYC one isn't that great but this one is just worse.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T20:46:28" }, { "business_id": "cGX-1IUwXOjkUqZbkKYcjw", "business_name": "Fogo de Chao", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed their salad bar! Went there for lunch and I am not a huge meat eater but still had decent amount of meat there. Service was very attentive and fast. All veggies at the salad bar were fresh and I enjoyed their ham and cheese selection. Even though I did not eat much of meat, their lunch price was pretty good deal for big salad bar eater like me:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:48:57" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped by here for quick snack. Shared fungi flat bread, cheese plate and salad. Flat bread was delicious. Moist and crispy. Wish it was little bigger haha. Cheese selection was nice too but just very very small. I would like this place way more of the portion is little bit bigger!!!!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T07:52:44" }, { "business_id": "4R2KR_-FybS7oegGrXjHVg", "business_name": "Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Probably this is my favorite chain restaurant. They have good deal for weekday lunch prefix and menus are great. The portion is generous, salad is fresh and soups are very hearty. Whenever I went, their services were very nice and kind. Has both salad and soup for appetizer. Both were very good. Salmon was juicy and burger was well cooked but not dry since I ordered medium well. Cheese cake was huge and rich. I really enjoyed my lunch here and looking forward going back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:02:18" }, { "business_id": "H3EK1Q8tqRGqPBps05Uahw", "business_name": "Tashan", "rating": 5, "text": "Tasting menu.... The best. Got the deal from online and tried their tasting menu. Location was kind off. Distance wise was not that far but it was definitely long walk from center city. There were so many courses that I lost track. I am not sure even if they gave us more service sincere we felt like there were couple courses of appetizer and lay least 2 of main dishes. Food kept coming and EVERYTHING was delicious. When you go make sure you are hungry. Can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T08:24:38" }, { "business_id": "4tU9hlfzrCpcGWTIm-OKVA", "business_name": "Rouge", "rating": 4, "text": "Rouge and Parc. They were the first restaurant I dined in Philly. Mostly they were right next me and seemed pretty busy every time I passed by. Had couple times of dinner and lunch at Rouge, I felt this place is solid at least. Their foods were consistent so did their services. So far I liked their burger, roasted beets, their cheese plate and truffle fries. Burger was juicy and they cut the half so we can share which was nice. Roasted beet is alway my go to order and pretty good here. And fries.... were very crispy and perfectly seasoned.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:02:08" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is still one of my most visited places in Philly. Mostly because of location. So close to me and all of other friends, we meet there during the day, get brunch and have great girly times. I enjoy going there except the weekend, their brunch menu weren't bad but I would wait more than 10 min for their food. First time I went there for burger and steak fries on weekend ended up waiting for 30min to be seated and has to fight for staff's attention. But for during the weekday lunch, this place is lovely. It is our go to lunch spot after morning yoga class. 3 of us enjoyed their breakfast menu, lunch menu and oyster( from the morning!) and chatted there like hours. They were very nice refilling coffee and etc and never gave us any pressure to leave after we finished the meal. Place never get too busy during weekday lunch hour. I usually get their salad verde, roasted salmon or sea scallop. Salad verde was simple, super fresh but still full of flavor. Their salmon and scallop were pretty good too but I never really dreamed about their food after so I guess it's just ok. For food, it's more close to 3 star but me and my friends enjoy this place for regular girly date spot and enjoy ambiance so... I would give one more star for that.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T15:19:52" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "The first bar I've visited in Philly as out of towner. Doormen were nice unlike underground bar doormen in NYC. The bar was very pretty, cozy and reminds of me some hipster bars in Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan. I am non drink so I can only judge by the ambiance of my friends opinion about drinks, seems like everyone enjoyed their pretty cocktails and looked delicious :-) we did enjoy time there and since so close to me, I am sure I will be back very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:00:15" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Had couple visits there so far. I had mixed feeling about this place. My first time there was amazing. Mussel dish was huge, fresh and delicious. Bread was moist and good too. Had wonderful experience and couldn't wait to go back. Second time was so so. Mussel's size was tiny and broth didn't have much flavor. Bread was tough and dry. I hoped my third visit would be a charm but wasn't so lucky. Not sure if I should give another shot or not. Indecisive.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:05:04" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 3, "text": "I had only one visit to this place so not sure if I this review would be accurate since this place seems super popular. It's located right in front me and I see this places always crowded. I had such a high hope to try yummy vegan place. I ordered jerk Caesar salad only because it was top of their menu and there was full of people waiting so I didn't want to take too long to decide at the counter. When I tried my salad at home... Humm what to say, I usually like vegan meat a lot. Any kind of tofu/ fake meat I love more than actual meat haha. It was good since I like fake meat and veggies already but just not good enough to go back there. There are so many other places offer delicious food in Philly and I am not a vegetarian so I don't have to only eat there I guess. I haven't back there since my first visit but I may try their burger in future. Seems like everyone in my yoga class enjoyed their burger so, I might give a shot very soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:15:13" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Yummy!! Fresh turkey spinach salad! They gave me tons of turkey ham and a lot of spinach. All ingredients were fresh and I enjoyed my salad. Was huge so I could have left over but I am a girl with big appetite! Other friends had sandwiches and said very good also. Solid local sandwich shop for sure. Now actually it became my regular sandwich spot. I always get mensch. It's soooo good. Potato cake and mixed fries are must.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:42:18" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to Tria for brunch! Delicious small plates, cozy ambiance, this is perfect girly brunch spot in neighborhood. Two of us shared marinated calamari salad, roasted beet, egg toast. We weren't very hungry so it was perfect small snack. They have awesome ice tea and keep refilling your drink. Also other drink's menu are nice and affordable. Love this place!", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T23:48:37" }, { "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 3, "text": "I liked the concept of this restaurant when I heard about this place. Seems like farm to table kind of restaurants are everywhere in NYC these days. Was excited to one in Philly. Maybe ingredients they get from farms in somewhere Pennsylvania will be super fresh! Got beet salad and scallop for appetizer and Cod dish for main. I am huge fan of beet, I love beet even if I eat out from can. If chef do little trick, I would go crazy about any kind of beet dish. This one was decent, not mind blowing. Maybe chef wanted us to taste fresh ingredient so didn't use much sauce on it. Maybe... Scallop was well cooked, kinda tiny even for appetizer.. Well I am a girl with big stomach.. Had big hope for my cod since appetizers didn't blow my mind. I definitely could taste the fish was fresh, was tangy and juicy but again chef could use little bit more seasoning. I usually have issue with overpowering sauce but this dish was little bland for me. The service was nice though. Professional and attentive. Haven't back yet since my first trip... Maybe will give another shot after finish all of my Philly restaurant lists.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:02:47" }, { "business_id": "2qHkwqao9GyxnDXHzCv4JA", "business_name": "Wedge + Fig", "rating": 5, "text": "Wish this place was close to me!!!! I felt so lucky to find this small lunch spot in Old city while I was doing yoga teacher's training. I was wondering around for grabbing quick bite and saw this place. Looked super cute from outside and menu looked awesome. I would totally go for cheese or heavier salad if I didn't have class right after. I went for tuna salad. They gave me generous amount tuna and veggies. Dressing was yummy too. Other dishes looked really good too. I will have to go back to try other dishes soon!", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:22:36" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried bunch of dishes for two of us, bacon wrapped date, clams, octopus, garlic shrimp, lamb meatballs and braised pork shoulder flat bread. Probably we ordered more but can't remember all. Wish I came with bigger group, would be awesome if we tried more since it was small tapas and they had pretty big menu. My favorite was bacon wrapped date. It's common dish and I tried from quite few other places but this one was one of top notched I tried. Bacon wasn't burned and cooked perfectly. Crispy but still juicy. Date was baked in perfection as well. Really enjoyed it so much so I had all myself! Other dishes were pretty good too except garlic shrimp dish. Shrimp cooked too much, they were really tough to chew :-( Overall it was pleasant dinner and service was very nice too. I will go back with bigger group next time for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T01:45:57" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 4, "text": "I heard so much good things about Han Dynasty and couldn't wait to try. Got bunch of dishes include spicy cucumber salad, dan Dan noodle, dumpling in hot oil, scallion pancakes, fried rice, fish in clay pot, dry chicken, garlic eggplants and mapo tofu. Dumpling in hot oil was big hit, it was simple but had so much flavor in it. Scallion pancake was fried well and chewy, dipping sauce wasn't salty. Everyone seems excited about their dan Dan noodle but it didn't so much for me. Maybe I am not a big fan of noodle. I did enjoy mapo tofu, wasn't too greasy and enough spicy for me. Dry chicken was delicious but was too salty for me. I had few bite then couldn't touch more. Fish in clay pot had full of flavor but a bit greasy for me. Since most main dishes we ordered had powerful flavor, the fried rice was most popular dish on our table. Dinner was enjoyable and liked the fun ambiance. Like old Chinese restaurant in movie. I will definitely go back soon but I will order more appetitive and be easy on strong flavored main dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T02:20:33" }, { "business_id": "nIAbuktMEzVjT4P9pG89rQ", "business_name": "Buddakan", "rating": 4, "text": "Excited to try original Buddakan! I've been the one in NYC many times back in the day but haven't been budakkan for awhile and was excited to check out original one. The deco and music were somewhat similar the ones NYC but smaller and more opened space. We were seated in 10min at the second floor and restaurant was packed. Two of us shared spring roll, sea bass and duck. Yum yum yum! I actually though this location has way better food than the one in NYC. I used to go there pretty often long time ago but not for their food. Never impressed with their food except dessert but I did enjoy every dishes at this location. The portion was generous and I actually liked the light at the restaurant wasn't too dark. I like to see my food and appreciated! Very impressed ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T03:53:33" }, { "business_id": "i6jA8vSHrP9LiUPHlqPVwA", "business_name": "Cafe Olé", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like quick lunch spot. Should be affordable and provide fast service. Checked and checked. Your lunch will be ready in 3min in front of you. I went to this place when I did yoga teacher's training at Old city. Most of my class mates include teachers grabbed lunch there. They were pretty picky (mostly health conscious vegetarian) eaters so I thought that place must be good. I tagged them along one day and it turned out pretty nice time. Nice sunny weather in summer, we were seated outside and grabbed various salads. They had pre made salads displayed and they were all freshly made. Got myself Greek salad and strawberry/ banana smoothie. Smoothie was gigantic so probably most girls would be for their lunch itself. I am not so I had salad as well. Salad was huge too. I actually had left over. Everything was affordable there. Nothing over $10. They are not overly nice to offer any service since its self service kind of place but cheap, fast and fresh. What can you ask more.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T04:01:38" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not huge fan of lamb and chicken platter but I must have very high standard since only place I had this dish was Halah guys in NYC. My hub is cart food expert lol and found this place near us. He loves Halah guys so much that he was eager to find something like that in Philly. Well.. When I received my platter, was a bit disappointed about the size of meat. Guess I was so used to Halah guys huge portion. And again I am a girl with big stomach! I thought the platter was pretty good, meat was tender and juicy. But the charm of this platter is white sauce!!! At least for me. I am the person eating these kind of platter with EXTRA white sauce and not worry about calories so.... I did put extra white sauce top on my platter. The sauce was not my style. I want something creamier and thicker and still not greasy... Sauce was a bit off for me.... And the portion. Yes haha. We haven't back since then... but my friends said they have yummy Kati roll so I might try other dish next time. And I am not sitting at the corner of somewhere 6th ave to eat from the tin box so that's plus too.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:17:46" }, { "business_id": "ZewrmVIdr77Kinj-njv6RQ", "business_name": "Insomnia Cookies", "rating": 4, "text": "Cookies in 3am? That's amazing concept except I crave salty fried food usually at that time haha. Actually surprised that they open until that late since Philly does not have much night life I thought. Most places are closed by 2am but people are still out to eat cookies? Guess they do! They seems always busy whenever I passed by. I got curious so picked up few cookies. Yum Yum Yum! I am not a big cookie person. I am more like gummy person but those are delicious. Warm, chewy and not crazy sweet. Had 3 of them at once. They were that good.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:22:07" }, { "business_id": "e4MoozYGqe_rb4_ZC1rYMQ", "business_name": "Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "So comfortable to hang around. Owner lady was so so nice. I stopped by couple times after my yoga class and had good spirit. The owner lady had too! She smiled to customers and was very kind. I instantly liked this place. I got small coffee with their home made ginger mascarpone cheese cake. So so so so good!!! Not sweet at all and they use fresh ingredient. 2nd time I was there, I got large cup of green tea, they charge same price for small or large cup of tea so why not. Also tried her ( owner lady baked everything in the kitchen and brought sweet out) peanut butter chocolate cup. Yum. Everything is very affordable here and again, fresh.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "f-qlRLsQ2vPATmlLTgLHbQ", "business_name": "Joe Coffee Company", "rating": 3, "text": "Joe's cup of coffee used to be my one of favorite coffee spot in NYC. Was tiny space near NYU, down to earth and I could just hang out there for hours. Loved that place and when I saw Joe's in my neighborhood in Philly, I was so happy. I got my latte couple times there and my experiences were different in Philly location. It's kind of fancy coffee shop than the one in NYC. Me and my friend couldn't really hang out and chat there. It's super crowded all the time and staffs weren't super nice.. no offense, they were super professional but just I didn't feel the warm greeting from them whenever I visited. Maybe I am picky but I prefer cozy coffee shop with warm people around. And I realized Philly has a lot of amazing coffee spot so...", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:34:31" }, { "business_id": "rgeuy1qbw6Z8B6CSVANHIA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 3, "text": "Seems like they are super famous. Whenever I search Philly eatery as Philly newbie, they are the one first come out most of times. Lucky I live so close to them! So made couple visit there. Tried their fancy donuts. Several times, several flavor. Probably I tried most of flavor they offered. Well... Fancy donut didn't do much for me. Not impressed. Once I was late so fancy donuts were sold out, I got regular sugar coated donut. Humm.. I actually liked true or regular donut much better! Tried their chicken too! All of their flavors. Humm it's good but not awesome for me. Was super crispy when I had the first bite but inside my mouth were peeled after finished my meal. Big no no for me. Good crispy chicken shouldn't do that to you. I think I spent fair amount time to eat fried chicken in my life as Korean. Their fried chicken is pretty good but not mind blowing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:43:24" }, { "business_id": "oqbhVgliVJH-iRa3AnD-3A", "business_name": "Elixr Coffee Roasters", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Another awesome coffee shop in neighborhood. Philly does have cool coffee shops everywhere! Very impressed. $4 of awesome hand drop coffee... Amazing. Great price and awesome staff who knows coffee. I am not a coffee snob so I usually go to coffee shop where make me feel welcomed. They did. They explained well about their menu and showed us whole process. And the shop is really pretty. They have limited seats because they are always crowded but they are just awesome.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:46:12" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 2, "text": "This place looks super cute from outside and reminds me of small coffee place in Paris. I expected same experience when I had in Paris. I was dreaming to get some fresh pastries with full of butter flavor with some good coffee. Humm... My first bite was DRY, lack of butter.. Wasn't very good. I usually try to give second shot if my experience wasn't so terrible. So I went back. Got macaron and coffee. Lack of richness. Lack of something definitely. I still give two star because the shop is still pretty though and they don't have much competition in my neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T05:50:48" }, { "business_id": "lWedWkinrM5j13pyimbpbA", "business_name": "Miles Table", "rating": 3, "text": "My first visit to this place was few months ago. 2 of us waked there for brunch with our puppy. We were seated outside and got us burger, kale salad and coffee. Place was crowded but we scored seat pretty much right away. Everything was affordable and doggies were welcomed at the outdoor table. I didn't taste burger so can't speak for that. My kale salad was decent but wasn't amazing. Coffee tasted little bitter, maybe was a bit burned... We were appreciate seating with our puppy at the table but they were located in small street so it was kinda awkward seating outside and everyone was looking at you when they were passing by. That was my last trip and I don't think I will come back anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T06:23:28" }, { "business_id": "U2y7fsqDgxAXskoJNVxbwg", "business_name": "Happily Ever After", "rating": 4, "text": "Shaved ice bowl is my # 1 dessert all the time. I like Korean, Taiwanese, Malaysian style the most. I wasn't able to find any Korean style shaved ice in Philly but this place was the closest I could find. I like a bit of crunchiness on Korean styled shaved ice. If it's too soft then it's more like Taiwanese style. This place ice was very close to Korean one. Also they use condensed milk and crushed nut like Korean one. Little rough shaving ice is best with sweet milk and some nutty flavor for sure. For fruit topping I would go for super soft shaved ice. I finished my bowl myself and was very happy. The portion was definitely smaller compare with my go to places in NYC but well... this place doesn't have much competition for this menu so I will take what I can get in Philly. Hope I can see more Asian styled shaving ice dessert places in Philly this summer.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:34:26" }, { "business_id": "ZpgVL2z1kgRi954c9m9INw", "business_name": "United By Blue", "rating": 3, "text": "Another cool find through my yoga school. They are located in local clothing store which is nice. Very pretty deco and trendy. Me and my classmates hung out here a lot during lunch break. I've never eaten here but saw sandwiches and they looked good. I didn't think their coffee was special though and somewhat pricy. But it is really cute coffee shop and I would go back there if I am near by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:37:48" }, { "business_id": "yYG2XDKCaf5yOLgJSKMw6g", "business_name": "Anthony's Italian Coffee House and Chocolate House", "rating": 5, "text": "Love love love their espresso. Their coffee is amazing. It is kinda far from me but I still walk there to buy their espresso coffee bean. They freshly grind for you right there and price is awesome. About $7-8 per package. My sister and mom in Korea got so hooked ( they are definitely coffee snob unlike me) so I have to buy for them too and mail them! I get their caffe latte and one biscotti and grind espresso beans to go. Glad I found this little shop.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T07:41:58" }, { "business_id": "RSKvB-XntkiDnMqYqAmtKw", "business_name": "Seafood Unlimited", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked their name. Seafood unlimited, what a great name. Unfortunately their food wasn't. The interior was unique, very blue and dark not sure if I liked that. I feel like I was eating in a fish tank. Restaurant was pretty empty and we were seated right away. Got grilled salmon dish and scallop. Eh... I had better before. Food wasn't very special to me and I wasn't very impressed with ambiance either so I haven't back since my first trip.", "timestamp": "2015-02-15T23:54:38" }, { "business_id": "fcGexL5VH5G2Xw0tRj9uOQ", "business_name": "Slice", "rating": 3, "text": "I have mixed feeling about this place. I do enjoy their pizza. Since it was so close to me I just stopped by for slice of pizza to go. I got bacon and onion and eggplant pizza to go. Also got side salad. Salad was fresh and reasonably priced. Nothing special about their dressing but veggies were very fresh so I was happy. About pizza I thought was really delicious. Sauce was good and sweet and savory. I really enjoyed them. I made couple more trips there to grab quick pizza whenever I had craving, this place was never really busy, usually 2-3 customers there but my order usually took more than 10-15 min. I am not sure why took so long to heat up slice of pizza since they did not make it fresh when I ordered. Their service is just ok not super nice or rude. Wish they had faster service, it is deal breaker for me since I want to go there, grab my pizza and in and out fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:03:59" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't want to give them 5 star because I don't want them to be more popular than already now!!! But I have to... This is food heaven. Had amazing food and the ambiance was so cozy and comfortable to sit down and talk. First course, ordered chicken mousse with toast. Yum...so creamy and savory spread and toast was perfect too. Sweet and sour jam made perfect combination for the toast. Second course, had buckwheat pasta. I just had pretty bad experience with buckwheat past at the High street market. Was so scared to try but this one was amazing. Noodle was chewy and tender, sauce was just amazing. Definitely made my #1 pasta in Philly. For main, we shared cod with broth. Humm. That was our least favorite dish that night. Did not have much flavor overall. I still rate this place 5 star because I did have the best past in Philly and ambiance wise I felt so comfortable there. I will definitely going back very soon but I will order a lot of small dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:19:54" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 3, "text": "This place seems always busy and smelled so nice when I passed by. We went there one night to grab quick dinner. I got smoked trout and my hub got mixed wurst platter. My trout looked really smaller than their photo. Was decent. Not bad but I probably won't go back for that dish. His wurst platter was gigantic. He could not finish it so we had half left over. He did not like it much so ended up not eating his left over...", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:26:10" }, { "business_id": "7xckZSLRWf5uf3L1IsF1Kg", "business_name": "Mandarin Palace", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes I have Chinese food craving. Until I found my go to spot in this city I mist keep exploring!!!! Today I tried the place right next me.. Was very empty. I see more employees than actually customers, I was instantly got nervous.. Maybe it's really bad sign but again, it's Chinese restaurant so maybe ppl just order delivery. We were seated and server brought us tea which was nice. Order cashew chicken and hub has beef dish and lo main. They were decent. Food was just cooked so was really hot. I would give 4 star if it was little cheaper. I am so spoiled with cheap and yummy Chinese food in NYC so this place felt little pricy for me for what it is.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:34:26" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by there after terrible dinner. This place healed us from horrendous experience. 4 of us got own drinks, beer,wine and orange soda for me! We shared small plates and cheese platter. We ended up getting two cheese platter because they were soooooo good. Our waiter, did not get his name but he was so enthusiastic when he explained about each cheese. We ended up having great time there and left happy. Will go back anytime.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T00:39:32" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "4 of us were craving some ramen so went to this place. Wasn't sure how Philly ramen scene would be. My hub got spicy shoyu ramen and my parents shared miso ramen. I wasn't very hungry so got fried chicken appetizer. Chicken appetizer was very good. I actually liked their chicken than other famous chicken places in Philly. My parents thought their ramen was too salty for them. They just had noodles and left most of broth. My hub actually thought this place was decent. He finished his dish. I really enjoyed their chicken and the Korean waitress was very nice.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:21:48" }, { "business_id": "nR3VW9i2K8033QY0ZMTisw", "business_name": "Zento Contemporary Japanese Cuisine", "rating": 2, "text": "This place seems have always promotions going on. I see their coupons pretty often. We went there after our show at Arden theater. Restaurant wasn't big but clean. There was semi private dining area in the end of hall but they didn't have door so it was really loud since big group was drinking and eating. Wasn't able to enjoy our dinner at all. Food was ok and they had promotion but I would not necessarily go to old city to eat there.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:25:12" }, { "business_id": "2f6NaQVGTM59OGvsdT9pxg", "business_name": "Mood Indian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "So I saw this place had pretty good review on yelp and just purchased the deal online. As a Philly newbie I did not aware this restaurant was far from Rittenhouse square. We had to drive to Northern liberty to eat since I already got the coupon. Food better be good.... Two of us got samosa chaat and chicken tikka masala with garlic naan and mango lassi. Apparently yelp review www pretty accurate. This was 4 star restaurant for me. Samosa chaat was huge as appetizer. Probably most girls would be ok for their main dish itself. Chicken tikka masala was creamy, buttery and meat was tender. Delicious. We ended up having whole bowl of rice with it. Lassi was thick and amazing. I hate watery lassi and this place wasn't one of them. We were only customer when we were there and service was not bad or extra nice. They did minimum service for you haha. But I loved the food there and wish they were close to me. I would go often.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:32:26" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't eat much steak but like to go to ones. One of main reason is my hub is big meat eater and I usually find seafood dishes at steak house are very yummy. We got one soup and salad for appetizer. They weren't very memorable. Wasn't bad but nothing special to say. He got prime rib and I got crab cake. The portion of my dish was pretty small. I could eat double portion. For dessert we got chocolate and cheese cake. They were ok. I would say very average food. Nothing really remarkable. The ambiance is like classy, old apartment with piano. It's classy but maybe little to old for us. The service was very nice. Not likely go back though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:39:28" }, { "business_id": "V0SHmvYtXqdv8-AsqshV6w", "business_name": "Smokin Bettys", "rating": 3, "text": "Wanted to get some brunch as newbie in Philly, we googled this place and went on Sunday. Place was really crowded, but it was big so we waited just little. I got egg while omelette and he got the burger. My omelette was ok but I probably could make that one. He liked the burger and enjoyed fries too but we never went back there for their burger. Maybe Philly has too many burger places.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:42:35" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I hope they open their new location somewhere close to Rittenhouse square. So close to me, I know nothing about Philly, Little Pete did show me some comfort time. The owner guy was always at the counter and he was nice. The waitress ladies seemed tough but they were actually very friendly and attentive. I had couple dishes there since I got my breakfast there couple times. Loved their greek salad, this was so big that I always had left over and ate later. Their omelet was pretty good. Fluffy and yum. The egg sandwich, I liked it very much! They gave you so much egg and it was delicious. My go to breakfast awhile. Their French fries!!!! Crispy and just perfect with mayo. The waitress ladies remembered me and packed mayo with my fries even I did not ask for. I like to have this comfy diner right next me. Sad to see them leaving. We don't have many diners in center city though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:49:35" }, { "business_id": "-ATiAtTikuGuqvaW2O6tNA", "business_name": "Marathon", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh, disappointing food. I saw this place got busy during lunch hour so gave a shot during weekday lunch. Place was busy and I saw people getting salad with salmon so I got that one as well. My salmon was dry... And lukewarm. Definitely didn't enjoyed my protein. I had only one visit so I can't speak for all but my salad wasn't fresh either that day. Sandwiches on other tables looked good though. That was my first and only trip to Marathon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:53:31" }, { "business_id": "Uky0DD3LU4C7eyNDhpmOXg", "business_name": "Day By Day", "rating": 3, "text": "I saw people were waiting outside of the restaurant all the time. This place must be good I thought. Maybe I picked the wrong dish. I enjoyed my stuffed challah French toast but I wouldn't wait more than 10 min to eat it again. That was right after my mind blowing experience at Sabrina cafe's stuffed french toast so Day by Day one didn't do much for me.... My parter of scavenger hunt got burger. He enjoyed and finished all but hasn't asked me go back there yet so I guess it is solid 3 star place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T05:58:51" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am not sure why I don't go this place more often. I had good time at their oyster happy hour! Enjoyed my discounted oyster and I thought was fresh and delicious. But that place got really busy during happy hour so waiting was painful and they put large jar of oyster cracker to share. Everyone's hands going to touch the crackers so I couldn't eat it and I didn't see anyone touching it. That's minus point for me too. If less crowded and provided individual oyster cracker like other places I might give me more star.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:04:00" }, { "business_id": "9mA9qYqiv4c0T9ASid3PIQ", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 3, "text": "I had really good meal at Capital grille at Providence few years ago. I still remember how proud and profession they were. And the food was absolute perfection. I never went other locations but I wanted to try the one in Philly since I had such a amazing time before. I got same meal, chowder soup, salad and glazed salmon. Soup was a bit saltier side for me. It was ok eating with bread but in general I am not fan of salty food. Salad was decent and my salmon was a bit overpowering with citrus sauce. It was pretty but I wasn't amazed like last time. The bread basket was warm and good though. And service was good too. But it just wasn't same..", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:12:57" }, { "business_id": "-t5dx3X0O63jCUuFEd-FcA", "business_name": "The Palm Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. Weird fries... That's first thing I remember about this place. Humongous and lack of flavored stack of fries.. Shared burger and fries and fried calamari and cheese cake. The burger was ok. Just ok but we all know Philly is the burger central. You don't need to eat burger here. I am usually go for fries than burgers when I order this dish. I think I know good fries... For some reason Palm's fries had literally no flavor. Didn't even oily anything. It's crunch but I wasn't sure what I was eating. Ended up left most of dish. Cheese cake was only thing I liked. It was like thick cheese cake from juniors. On offense, I love those commercial kind. Destroyed cake and left and never looked back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:20:13" }, { "business_id": "m_P0oMu3PVz5pGBKjYGl_A", "business_name": "Chris' Jazz Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I would give them 5 stars for their music. I never had food there but if food were bad, I would still give 5 stars. I have been there couple times, the musician there were phenomenon. Real professional and one of top notched. I used to go jazz clubs in NYC pretty often. You can't get seats easily like this place, and definitely not affordable like this place. But the music at Chris, as good as the ones in NYC. I am glad they are so close by.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:24:35" }, { "business_id": "GUMVStVaJfWmCIpQA4TtHg", "business_name": "Crazy Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My sushi place hunt hasn't finished yet. We tried bonsai roll, one night stand roll, volcano roll and sashimi platter. They did put a lot of effort decorating the dishes. We were very hungry so rather getting dishes as soon as we can lol Even though I appreciated their beautiful decoration, sushi wasn't that impressive. I did enjoy one night stand roll but bonsai roll had too much cucumber. I like thin slice of cucumber just round once or twice otherwise I can't really taste any sashimi because cucumber has pretty strong scent itself. I felt like I had big chunk of cucumber after all..the quality of sashimi was ok but nothing extra ordinary. And the bill ended up not that cheap. I think I could find this quality food with less price.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:32:34" }, { "business_id": "peeXG1Ra-DClPQv14jvKvg", "business_name": "Square on Square", "rating": 3, "text": "I was happy to find Chinese place near me, I need to find my Chinese take out place so... Order crispy spring roll with shrimp , spicy chicken for main. Everything was pretty good. Dishes were super hot and just cooked. Ambiance was a bit awkward but service was fast.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:40:16" }, { "business_id": "WYel6hMEEPNwzVUlVBacbw", "business_name": "honeygrow", "rating": 3, "text": "Solid lunch spot for sure, they are always busy and there is reason why people keep going there. I prefer comfy, rustic ambiance over modern and fancy. And rather order my meal old fashion way over vending machine. Honey grow reminds me of cafeterias in Japan or HK. I get overwhelmed with all ordering through machine and it isn't so much fun for me.. Salad is delicious though but I like to put a lot of topping to make it yummier and m salad is usually around $12 and still doesn't fill me up!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:48:13" }, { "business_id": "oziGQYLaEWOpNmPKrZP86g", "business_name": "Isgro Pastries", "rating": 3, "text": "Craving some Italian dessert. I need to eat some good cannoli and lobster tail. I walked all the way to Italian market and got in this small bakery. Need to warn you, the ladies who worked there, they must be super busy with non stop customers. They don't want to be bothered so do not ask any question... My cannoli... Ok.. Wasn't bad. But not as good as the one at Veniero's in NYC but definitely better than the Bruno's or petitio's. Lobster tail was ok. Pastries were well baked but their custard cream was just ok. I'm general their fillings were nothing special to me. I would never crave their filling though. Unexpected jackpot was carrot cake. Not too sweet but their cream cheese icing was amazing. Now I am craving their carrot cake though. If the ladies there were little nicer, at least answer your questions w/o being annoyed I would give them 4 star because of their carrot cake.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T06:57:22" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing hidden gem. This store is too little but have full of valuable things. So much fun to check out all different kinds spices, teas and snacks. And their coffee.... Hazelnut coffee is amazing!!!! I drink a lot of coffee but I like to drink decaf. It is really hard to find good decaf but I found one in Philly. Their hazelnut coffee is so aromatic, just brewing at home made you feel good. I got like more than 10 packages so far and loving them. Also got bunch of spices. Cumin, wasabi powder, paprika, anise, rosemary, red and white pepper... Just make it. They have all. The owner lady doesn't speak much initially but once she recognize your face, she is the sweetest. So helpful and get chatty. I had So much fun talking to her and looking forward going back there once weather get warm!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:02:17" }, { "business_id": "rQW9iupvhk6ScPn2VPNLVQ", "business_name": "Octopus Falafel Truck", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a groupie. He is amazing. I am sad that I got to have his dish only once. Now all construction on market I can't find him!! His chicken is the most tender and smoky I've ever had. Side dishes are creative and awesome too. I hope he is back soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:05:21" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 2, "text": "Had quick bite with hub on the way to watch the show. Shared wings and nacho. Price was cheap and snacks were ok. If they had in NYC I would give them more star for sure. Bar foods in NYC are mostly inedible. But in Philly some bar foods are better than restaurants. This place is below average in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:09:05" }, { "business_id": "3uLXZMnm68l1YwI8_FaFNA", "business_name": "Bangkok Thai 9 Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "Hubby picked up my lunch so had this meal at home to be clear. Had coconut soup, shrimp pad Thai and he had curry. My soup was ok. A bit too sour. I like more creamier side for sure. I didn't like much. My pad thai was fail though. Noodles were stuck together when I tried to pick up with chopstick. I had to use it like fork... Not sure if because it was take out. But still we get fair amount of take out, it doesn't usually happen. And shrimp was so so so over cooked. Tasted almost like rubber. Too bad, they are really close to me though.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:15:12" }, { "business_id": "6LCZLGa09Qifn6rG7-DNrg", "business_name": "Erawan Thai Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to menu is coconut soup and pad thai with protein. I tried same menu here. Actually really like their coconut soup. They used enough amount of coconut milk that soup was really creamy and wasn't over powering with herb. I am so used to Americanized thai cuisine that I prefer less herb on my dish except cilantro. Pat thai was great too. Liked the amount of peanut they used, noodle was chewy and perfect and not too sweet. They gave me generous amount of chicken and white meat wasn't dry so I was very happy with my meal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T07:20:16" }, { "business_id": "FYhsm9Efvw8lw7zAOIDUbg", "business_name": "Rosa Blanca", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious ham and cheese empanada!!! And all other different kinda! I think I had like 10 of them. They were so so so good. The place looked tiny from outside and I thought it was local diner. Pretty spacious inside and cozy. I went there for happy hour and got bunch of small snacks and had wonderful time. All delicious!", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:01:36" }, { "business_id": "PVVFos1LDfD7iETY0w4vaA", "business_name": "Su Xing House", "rating": 3, "text": "I am meat eater who likes go to vegetarian restaurant. I actually like flavor of soy protein. I had hight hope about this place. This place was always packed with people and known as their affordable price. I went there and I got my favorite Chinese menu. Sesame seitan. It came with brown rice and two side veggies. I got corn and steamed broccoli. And vegetarian spring roll. I did not expect gourmet meal for $10 but food did not reach my expectation at all even I considered their amazing price. I did not like my sesame chicken's sauce at all. Way too sweet and lack of flavor beside the sweetness. Side veggies were just sad, they threw couple pieces of steamed veggies and canned corn. Was lame... When I almost finished my meal, I realized they forgot my spring roll. Didn't bother to call them or go back. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-16T23:15:02" }, { "business_id": "lYloPAiaWJwWgno4SdxD0Q", "business_name": "Dolce Carini", "rating": 5, "text": "In general pizza in Philly is really amazing. I am not sure why NY pizza is so popular. Philly should be! Even this humble local pizzeria makes amazing pizza. I always get their creamy spinach pizza. Their Alfredo sauce is really good. It's simple but has so much flavor. It's perfect with baked spinach. The pizza crust is so crunch and delicious. I never Thorpe away their edge. Yum yum yum.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T00:24:53" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location than others. Less crowded most of times and people there are very friendly and helpful when you want to try different flavors. And settings are comfortable there. Since weather is cold, I have not had awhile but I used enjoy their hazelnut, avocado, coconut and tiramisu flavors the most. They also have coffee and other sweets as well. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:46:53" }, { "business_id": "eLt-dwl-xxXj9nklhs2eOw", "business_name": "Sweet Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I never seen this franchise in NYC so was happy to try new ones. I believe the owner is Korean and Korean makes GOOD froyo. Already had very high hope. The shop looked typical froyo spot and seems busy. They were located in very busy streets. 2 locations both. I I always get froyo with no topping. I can taste good froyo better w/o topping in my opinion so I did. Froyo was very tarty for me. And I am not a fan of those kind of froyo. Everyone has different tastes so I can't speak for all. Just not my thing. Since they are so convenient for me, I got my bubble tea couple times and also macaron. My taro bubble was once too sweet and once was less powders in it so it tasted like just purple water.. I brought it back and the guy made new one for me. People who worked there were very friendly but their products just did not do much for me so I stopped going there.. Sad. I need to find other froyo spot since red mango left town.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:52:19" }, { "business_id": "JMPZQKPPQI15C8FnACKk-A", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 4, "text": "My hub likes creamy ice cream. I am more into gelato or froyo but if I have thick creamy ice cream craving, I go to this place. The shop is relatively newly opened, so it is very clean. Also located upstairs of my Chinese massage place. My massage therapist was so mad during my massage once because there was non stop construction noise going on when she gave me a massage. I had to hear she was arguing with construction guy, I also cheered for her and hated ppl on upstairs ruining my massage session. Well... Ironically I am regular customer for both of them haha. People who work there are all super friendly. You can try all different flavor and they don't mind. Ice creams are good too. Always get their coconut flavor. It's rich and aromatic. Once I let me eating ice cream with my 3 pounds puppy at the corner of shop(we all aware dog is not allowed) but was freezing cold and my pup can stay in my pocket. Literally 3 pounds she was. And I really wanted ice cream. They were so kind let me stay til finish my ice cram and lucky never get crowded there. I still appreciate their kindness:-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T01:58:05" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 3, "text": "Very very busy location. And probably my least favorite location among this franchise. Couple times there were crazy line I couldn't even get in to store and had to leave. The people who worked there were unnecessarily unfriendly but just way to busy that it's hard to ask them to try new favors or ask any questions. I rather walk to Rittenhouse square location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:21:36" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite frozen yogurt place in Philly. Since Red Mango was close down I was looking for my new froyo spot. Yogorino is the closest I can find. Their froyo tastes like heaven. Perfectly icy, tarty and creamy. I could taste that they use real yogurt( also a lot of them) in their ice cream. I always get the froyo with milk chocolate topping which is free. Their chocolate is really good too. Store is very white and clean and girls there are very friendly. Love this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:24:59" }, { "business_id": "qcn10016DUkbgCbQi9L1WA", "business_name": "Bassetts Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "The oldest ice cream, I think this place is amazing with their presence itself. But wasn't impressed by their vanilla ice cream. Maybe my palate is get used all commercial ice creams. Their ice cream was good but wasn't super special to go there, waited in line, may not even able to secure seats to enjoy your ice cream... Wasn't pleasant experience. As a Philly tourist was enough to go there once, get my ice cream scoop and take a photo. That once was enough for me.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:35:19" }, { "business_id": "4hv1n1VBzMvE-T4UtIcOcw", "business_name": "Di Bruno Bros.", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is literally in front of my apartment and I really want to love this place. I appreciate that I have multi food store in the neighborhood. It is pretty store, big cheese section in the back of the room, veggie and fruit section, bakery section, meat and fish section and upstairs cafe. I am regular customer for their cheese and bakery section. I had little bad experience with veggie section once and never really went back. Veggies were not fresh at all and gone bad the day after I purchased. Pre cooked food section seemed very nice. I might try that very soon. Tried couple cakes there. Was decent but not amazing... Still go there because so convenient but not super satisfied with the quality.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:42:36" }, { "business_id": "Ou-_OQUNvBcaAoRU0XPtaQ", "business_name": "Jamonera", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been there twice so far. Once for day time snacking and once I went there for weekend prefix. Prefix was definitely good deal. We get to try various dishes and they were not very crowded. I really enjoyed my visit during the day time. Not many people come to that place during weekday daytime so it's very quite and you can chat with friends with good snack and drink. It wasn't the best tapas I have ever had but decent.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:53:27" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh yeah, the best deal for the bucks..... Their happy hour is steal. So good and so cheap. Foods are basically same as their regular menu. Really enjoyed their brussel sprout, Vietnamese sandwich, Korean fried chicken, kimchi friend rice, edamame dumpling in broth and skewers. So so so good. I love to sit at the bar and grab yummy bar snacks. I've been there multiple times and they were always good. Went there for regular dinner and basically got same food and payed more than double so.. Go to their happy hours. It is just amazing deal.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "dSPA4yql9vUwnYRxHiVtHA", "business_name": "Makiman Sushi", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there after watched the show. Place was half empty and we saw people were eating Korean bi bim bop in hot stone bowl. Maybe it's Korean owned sushi place or at least be of chefs is Korean. I got sashimi salad and roll without rice. Sashimi salad was sooooooooo spicy even to me. I can handle some spicy but this was just pure go chu jang ( Korean red chilly pepper paste) I had to take out most of sauces and ate them. Sashimi was ok but their sauce already burned my tongue couldn't taste anything.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:03:25" }, { "business_id": "JDv3h1xRFIW8fXckqgTdRg", "business_name": "Fuji Mountain", "rating": 3, "text": "I have never had sushi here but tried nabeyaki, gyoza and agedashi tofu one late night. Restaurant structor was unique. It was 3 story restaurants and divided sushi bar, restaurants and karaoke. I guess some ppl eat, drink and go upstairs to sing after. My nabe dish was pretty good. I was craving some hot soup and it was soothing. What I needed that night. Gyoza was little greasy and didn't have much stuffing. Was failed dish. Agedashi tofu was crispy and well fried. And liked the dashi broth with radish. Yum. Was my favorite dish. I have not back there for two reasons. Still need to try other new places and also really creepy guy tried to talked to me at the restaurant that night ( but waitress lady piloted stopped the creepy guy, thanks to her ), I just creeped out from that weird vibe from dinner so have not back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:11:34" }, { "business_id": "cmETClmvGoUZZwBXRtv6kw", "business_name": "Good Stuff Eatery", "rating": 2, "text": "Had really soggy fries here. It was rosemary French fries and it is one of my favorite snacks in the world!!! Got one bite, boo.... Was so so so soggy. Liked that they had a lot of free drippings. There were actually good and my favorite Begium fries place in NYC, they charged for the same digging so that was big plus. My hub said the burger was ok and also wasn't happy with soggy fries. I thought it might be just that day. But apparently one of my other friends was mentioned that she had burger and fries there and she didn't like their soggy fries. Guess that is the style there. Not my thing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:22:18" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 3, "text": "I love roasted chicken. Apparently this dish is not easy to find than you think so I was happy to find this place. Got half roasted chicken with roast beet and feta. Chicken was pretty but not enough meat for me. I got hungry after finished my meal. Maybe they cooked really small chicken that day.. I just don't want to get hungry after finishing half of chicken myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:27:40" }, { "business_id": "VIYvcX9SScnqmoI0so1KZA", "business_name": "PrimoHoagies", "rating": 4, "text": "I am not a sandwich fan at all. It probably my last choice of meal to be honest. But if I get sandwich craving really once in awhile, I go to this place. One you get there friendly Italian guys welcome you and get the order promptly. And your hoagie is ready to eat in 5 min. Their hoagie is gigantic. I get really full after finishing it. I got cold turkey and meatball once. I really liked meatball marinara. Wasn't too soggy but they just had enough marinara to covered the bread. Yum. And their meatballs were delicious! I don't go there often enough but for my next visit, I am getting my meal all sub again. Super satisfying.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:31:23" }, { "business_id": "8ohaL9a02bWZDxOxfZCTxw", "business_name": "Four Seasons Food Court", "rating": 4, "text": "Sometimes I get lazy and get dinner from here. Sold by weight buffet place isn't my thing but the owner lady was so kind when I visited them first time. She asked if I was student and offered me 10% discount whenever I come and can eat the buffet with affordable prices. I thought that was so nice that they offered discount to students. Maybe she did because I am same Korean as she is. But those kindness I was never had in NYC for last 10 years. Beside kindness, their buffet is pretty nice actually. Like their salad. Was fresh and they have different kinds. And a lot of vegetarian options. I am not vegetarian but I like to have some vegetarian options with my meat. I got my dinner and it was like $7. Good price and I had filling dinner.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:43:16" }, { "business_id": "i-clumHx1gMhf5B8MROyHA", "business_name": "Falafel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Tried one at their old location. Got my falafel sandwich. Was average falafel, nothing special about it and they did not give me enough white sauce even tough I asked. Liked the roasted carrot and their pickle though. I will give another try to their new location.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T04:45:49" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "Presentation is main charm of this restaurant. I used to just love fancy decoration on my palate in my early 20's. If they draw flower on my plate I was so so so impressed already. Now I l have known better, eaten out so much, I admit that so hard to get impressed by restaurant. Either price has to be good or has to be superb with food. Just beautifully decorated food doesn't impress me much anymore. Small portion was fine with me. I do aware fine dining place will never full me so we order a lot so it wasn't about their portion. Was off from the start, I prefer spread butter to be room temperature. This one wasn't. Little disappointed from the beginning. Presentation of food was beautiful. They do care about color of your plate and have great sense. But it gets boring if I keep eating unflavored white foam with gello typed sauce. I remember it was super impressed when I had gello sauce and foams on my food. I was like wow. This is genius but that was couple years ago. Now wherever I go, I get to eat foams and I don't like foams that much... Maybe we ordered too much seafood oriented menu but I am a seafood fan.. Most dishes tasted too similar. My halibut was chewy and well cooked but broth was a bit boring... Luckily the portion wasn't so big so finished all of my food. They got amazing reviews about their brunch. I think o rather want to try their brunch not regular meal next time.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:44:22" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 5, "text": "It's more like 4.5 star but definitely better that 4 so I will still give 5. Had amazing meals there whenever I visited. Love their raw beet and kale salad, Br sprout salad and cheese plate. They are super creative and beautifully presented. Others enjoyed their pizza and meatballs very much. I just love their salad so much. A lot of flavor and absolutely heavenly. It is my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T15:56:07" }, { "business_id": "u7_3L1NBWgxhBM_B-cmmnA", "business_name": "Pizzeria Vetri", "rating": 3, "text": "Was on the way Petco me and my parents saw this place was empty. No line! We weren't very hungry but had to get a pizza here. I had high hope about this pizzeria since I just had amazing experience at Vetri. How good would be! And Philly does have great pizza overall, this one might be too good to me to handle. Got rotolo and margarita pizza. Both were very decent food. I just wouldn't wait for that or walk all the way to restaurant from my neighborhood. Pretty far to walk from center city..", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:05:35" }, { "business_id": "elSnD7Vuxnlg5_9gTqBqmA", "business_name": "Barra Rossa Ristorante", "rating": 2, "text": "Went there for one of friends Bday. Think they booked this place because she was on gluten free diet and needed private space for the event. Wasn't completely private but they did have sort of separated group dining space. Ambiance reminded me modern cafeteria and wasn't impressed. We were waited to be seated a bit so I had glimpsed on others pasta dishes and quickly made up my mind to order something safe. I got cheese platter. It's gonna be safe bet c The platter was HUGE. They gave me so much cheese and that was very generous. Sadly my cheese was not good. Some of them I did not taste any flavor. Kind of rubbery texture when you chew on not so good quality of cheese. No one really enjoyed it.. Boo.", "timestamp": "2015-02-17T16:25:05" }, { "business_id": "t37dsDBpe65qUb81OSFr-g", "business_name": "Philadelphia Theatre Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a subscriber and very satisfied so far. They have been showing good plays which mostly nominated/ awarded. They have spacious stage and setting is really nice. They have been presenting great writing and directing. Actors are very professional too. As a subscriber I got to go opening nights and they usually have post play event. Q&A with actors and writers which is always nice. Also their seats are very comfy and leg rooms are large. I am so used watch Broadway shows in NYC so I was really surprised to be seated like this. That makes the experience so much enjoyable!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:23:52" }, { "business_id": "MbFiVsqtIt75yrUNd8LT3Q", "business_name": "Prince Music Theater", "rating": 3, "text": "Very young and energetic theater I thought. I checked their annual playlist but wasn't much my style so did nothing t subscribed. However if I find something interesting I still go watch. Me and hub went to watch Evil dead. Was definitely very entertaining. It feels like you watch very exciting short film. Acting was great and fun vibe filled entire theater. Beside play I did think theater itself was nice. Since most theaters are so nice here this one was definitely less classier than other places. But its fun venue to check out for once.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:30:20" }, { "business_id": "dBRWKIS7h-qZCi8EjUJ2HA", "business_name": "The Franklin Institute Science Museum", "rating": 3, "text": "This museum ended up pretty pricy if you want to experience whole package. I was surprised that there is no student discount package for entrance, Imax and special exhibition. That was one of the most expensive museum visit I have ever had. Whenever I visited new city I try to visit every museum and galleries. Those places usually offer student discount or any kind of deal for tourist. This place had non. When I got there with my parents, it was really windy mid of weekday. Think we picked the wrong day. There were tons of kids running around without any observation. No offense, it would be perfect study/ play venue for them. And they probably need to experience this venue more than I do. Apparently we did not get to see any of exhibits. Children were screaming everywhere and no one really supervise them. And a lot of things were broken and left it there. Well. We ended up leaving this place in a hour. This place could be so much better.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:43:18" }, { "business_id": "bmrEQ_4nzXc72zAFotrLYA", "business_name": "Arden Theatre Company", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my favorite theater in Philadelphia. I am a subscriber and can not be happier than this. This beautiful theater is located on prettt street at Old city. I love to make my trip out of it and check out Old city as well. They have first and second go, separated theater. Both have nice and comfy seats and great sound and view. I have been sitting front seat to watch but I believe most seats in that theater have great view. So far they have been showing amazing musical and plays. Some of them made me cry and some of them made me cry from laughing. Actors in Arden theater are super talented and so enthusiastic. You must check out this beautiful place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:47:08" }, { "business_id": "PhLYLCjM_dS_seS_fMBVeg", "business_name": "Helium Comedy Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I like to go to standing comedy show. I have been ones in NYC and LA only before coming to this once. From my past experience, comedy clubs were very pushy with minimum purchase. They were kept asking if I order another drink to have 2 drink minimum. It's their rule so I was fine with it. At least this place did not have that push. Actually was so hard to order our bar snack lol because the venue was so full and so hard to get attention from waitress. Well it's very refreshing haha We went there for special guest Bobby Lee comedy show. He was funny as I expected. Thought the opening guy was even funnier though. Now I will go back there for Margaret Cho show next month. I am super excited!", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T04:50:33" }, { "business_id": "YWI4lRnWY7-dFBAei7JAEQ", "business_name": "Academy of Music", "rating": 4, "text": "It is gorgeous venue, so classic and beautiful! I like their Broadway musicals very much. So much cheaper than Broadway in NYC and as good as them. Watched musical Once, Phantom of the Opera and Cinderella. I probably watched Phantom at least 7 times haha. I know it is lame but I just love that show. My parents and me are such a big fan so we both watched multiple times but we read this new version of Phantom will be showing in Philly so we were exited to watch. And so excited to see how they were going to use this classic old style theater. It would be just perfect venue for phantom without trying. Setting was beautiful and music was great as usual. I just wasn't fan of new version they did. I really like their dramatic ending when phantom is surrounded by flames. I cried with him every time I watched. Revised ending was less dramatic and was a bit disappointing. Not sure if they did it because the stage had less space than ones in nyc. We did enjoyed Once and Cinderella as well. Very entertaining, great performance. They did not disappointed me. One thing was odd that the actors usually asked for the donation for their charity work after curtain call. I thought that was very nice and also smart. The audiences were so happy after watching fun musicals and willing to chip in. We all got out and walked down the stairs and the exit just lead us to street. We did not see anyone collecting donation. I saw people actually wanted to donate a bit and that was little disappointing.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:05:26" }, { "business_id": "_aO_GP15Zrh7wcOuvaXnNw", "business_name": "Rodin Museum", "rating": 4, "text": "Who knew Philly has so much to offer to us! I never knew about Rodin this much until I visited this place. Me and my parents had artsy date and we had amazing time at Philadelphia museum of Art then we got free pass for this place. It was much smaller than expected but had a lot to enjoy. Loved that this museum wasn't too crowded, you can enjoy as long as you want. I saw Rodin's pieces at Met and Louvre but never get to enjoy with in peace like this. We walk around every rooms and enjoyed it. There was pretty corner of the room and you can leave your own sketch. My mom and I sat there and draw together. What a beautiful experience we had. Outdoor park was small but beautiful. Please check out this venue. You won't find like this anywhere.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 4, "text": "The first place I have visited in Philly. It is massive and events, special exhibitions are going on. First time we went there to watch \" Korean \" special exhibition. We actually booked the restaurant there to try their Korean themed tasting menu. Food was Asian fusion dish which wasn't too refreshing to us anymore but the venue was pretty and we enjoyed our meal. The museum was very impressive. They have amazing art as much as other major museums in other city and definitely less crowded than them. You get out of it so much. My mom is artist and she said it was amazing and had wonderful time with me. I am glad I got to check out and I do know I will have to make regular visit to this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:28:58" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 5, "text": "I finally get to see Barns foundation myself! Amazing!! I read about this place so much from news paper and art magazine. I heard this place is legendary and was excited to see it myself. What to say, it is modern and beautiful. And as we heard, they have so so so many art to display. They displayed every art as Dr. Barns had them in his mansion. You feel like you are waking into gorgeous house with full of collection. I was just stunned. There were so many things to see, the time slot we had felt so short. Mom and dad had amazing time too. My mom did say this was the best museum she's ever been too. I can't agree more. For example, Met or Louvre museums are so massive that I was already too intimidated by them and I got to walk way too much to enjoy them all. I got physically too tired to enjoy their art. Barns foundation was smaller and displayed so many art in one wall since they recreated exact same layout. I did not have to hop around too much and still got to see a lot. That was big plus. Now I have to schedule my next visit there to educate myself.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T05:37:29" }, { "business_id": "xrlyoI0SHEFBJa52qQnPUw", "business_name": "iSushi", "rating": 3, "text": "My another visit, was in the neighborhood and wanted to grab quick sushi and Vic sushi was way too far and I was starving... Got chicken wing, salmon salad, banzi roll as usual, one night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll. We were too hungry so was in hurry to order. I didn't have chicken wing but my hub enjoyed all. He said kinda taste like sesame chicken. My miso soup wasn't salty and really hot. I liked it, was perfect for this cold night. Banzi roll... could been better, too much cucumber than actual sashimi. I did miss my Vic sushi's Naruto roll again. One night stand roll and tuna sashimi roll were pretty good actually. Size is big and filled with crunchiness crabmeat with spicy mayo. I realized they just use same sauce for tuna sashimi as the dressing. I should've got tuna salad. Little lame. I did enjoyed one night and tuna rolls. But banzi roll and sashimi salad were little disappointing. Still solid 3 star place. But I will still go back there if I am in neighborhood. Just not gonna order banzi roll anymore.", "timestamp": "2015-02-18T22:55:27" }, { "business_id": "bgxDswHIdFP0Go0pNfyAAw", "business_name": "Hummus Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "It feels so refreshing get away from Rittenhouse square area and up to university city. I liked the busy vibe and ethnic food options. Needed to grab quick bite after movie and we stopped by Hummus grill. Got Chicken Schwarma platter with eggplants and beef kabob. The portion was generous and veggies seemed fresh. My chicken was tender and delicious, I liked it a lot. Hummus was decent but I wouldn't say it was great. Egg plants was little too greasy. I wish I ordered beet salad instead. It looked better. It looked like fast food chain and service was fast. Dining area was little cold since customers kept coming in and out. It was definitely busy place. I don't think I want to eat there again. To go maybe..", "timestamp": "2015-02-19T00:56:39" }, { "business_id": "1LhpU1alopR_l-bWVQPkUA", "business_name": "Oh Shea's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "I felt interesting vibe from this place so I thought it is worth to leave review. Stopped by for quick drink. I am a non drinker so I can only review about bar food and ambiance. We ordered French fries, was unbelievably cheap.. Like $4 and they give you stack of French fries. OMG. Nothing special about that fries but for that price I was just amazed. It was just regular sports bar, not that crowded but it's located in center city anyway so I assume it would get busier during wkend or something. And I realized our waitress lady was like 60 or 70? years old beautiful lady. She was attentive and nice. She might be the owner. I am not sure, I am new here but this is something I never saw it in NYC before. I thought it was really cool :-)", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:03:38" }, { "business_id": "dST75t2bHG-JtNTiYuSBMg", "business_name": "Uniqlo", "rating": 4, "text": "My favorite uniqlo store, there is never line. People who hadn't had experience at uniqlo store in NYC or any other major city wouldn't understand. Once I went there to exchange the size, I ended up waiting 40 min and I gave up exchanging. This store is new and people are so nice unlike employees in nyc. I think people there just are tired or just have bad temper maybe. I have amazing experiences here so far. They were so helpful finding design and my size for me and super friendly and actually enjoy working there. Must make my shopping so pleasant. They do have awesome basic stuff and have amazing price. They run size little bigger than original uniqlo in Asia so keep in mind and order one size smaller if you do.", "timestamp": "2015-02-20T05:11:08" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 3, "text": "4 of us had dinner there tonight. My hub dined there before and we awarded of their small portions. He was not very impressed with his last visit but 3 of us haven't been there so we gave a shot anyway. The restaurant was cozy and warm. Very tiny but we did not mind as long as food good. I got crudo, sautéed mushroom appetizer. Since it would be small I ordered two for myself. My hub got mussel. Did not find anything special about crudo, I thought mushroom appetizer was the best among them. Maybe too much butter on them but I am a huge butter lover. The main dish was disappointing. Me and my friends both ordered Bouillabaisse. When our server described it, that sounded so awesome. When we saw our dish... that was sad. Literally there were two piece of fish in my soup. Size of my thumb nail. My friend's one was same. There was no decent meat in it at all so I really hoped the broth would be amazing. It wasn't. Lack of flavor and I got really sad since I really like bouillabaisse. I left all of my soup even the portion was tiny.. Tried my hub's pork cheek dish as well. The smell of pork really disturbed me for some reason. I am not a crazy meat lover so I easily disturbed by smell of the meat. But I do eat steak and any kind of meat. But just that dish had really strong pork smell I did not like. My hub did not enjoy very either. This place seems have pretty good review so I am not sure if it was only us but non of us thought our meal was delicious at all but we did enjoy byob and cozy ambiance very much. Since I gave only one try I might go back eventually but definitely not anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2015-02-21T08:20:23" }, { "business_id": "ArGw19nfPgjR28TTfgb7iw", "business_name": "Smith & Wollensky", "rating": 4, "text": "Had pleasant dinner there. Me and my hub only have been to S&W in NYC and both had decent experiences there. I am not a huge meat eater but I do enjoy bread basket ( they always have great ones!) and appetizers at steak house. We got bunch of appetizers and one huge aged rib eye. Ordered Wollensky salad, mussels, fritto misto, crab cake. I enjoyed the crab cake and fritto misto the most. They were really delicious. Salad and mussels were good too but little salty for me but I enjoyed them all. Hub got spiced rubbed rib eye. I had some, was juicy and tender. I thought was delicious but again, I am not a huge meat eater so I might be wrong. Our sever, I think his name was Rick, he was very attentive and nice. Service wise it was great. I liked that this place wasn't overly packed so we could enjoy quite meal there. The NYC one always packed with cooperate people and tourists whenever I visited there. Wasn't super pleasant. Overall was very satisfying meal. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-02-23T04:26:38" }, { "business_id": "-0TffRSXXIlBYVbb5AwfTg", "business_name": "IndeBlue Modern Indian Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad to find beautiful indian restaurant in the hood. Tried their vegetable samosa, spicy scallop and shrimp crusted salmon. They were all good! Samosa was crispy and deliciously seasoned. Scallop and salmon were great. I really liked the ambiance, it was lively and was perfect for grabbing some yummy food and enjoy conversation. I tried the lassi as well. And was rich and creamy as I like. I wish I tried their crispy chaat. Looked really but no one wanted to order so we skipped it. I will definitely try that dish next time I am there. The service was very professional and kind.", "timestamp": "2015-02-24T07:48:23" }, { "business_id": "DAbpxhhHOxInDNLdvWrTTQ", "business_name": "Smile Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is only based on take out food. We ordered couple dishes for delivery. Spring rolls, chicken wing with sweet chili sauce, pad see ew and Tom yum soup noodle. Food got delivered in about 40min. There was some good and bad about their food. Spring roll was not so greasy and crispy but lack of flavor. It was already kind of cold but it was delivery food so understandable. Chicken wings were actually delicious. Was good choice. The most disappointing dish was my pad see ew. Noodles were all stuck together so it was like gigantic rice cake and half of them got no sauce on them and uncooked. They put generous portion of vegetable and seemed fresh ones so that was plus. My hub did not enjoy his Tom yum noodle soup. I tasted it, it had too much lime in the broth and I prefer little less but everyone has different preference. Overall was average experience for me. We enjoyed their appetizers but not much luck with main dishes. I am not sure because it was my first try and it was take out. If I dine there it might be total different experience. But no more delivery from this place.", "timestamp": "2015-02-26T01:59:47" }, { "business_id": "IsmxvaMe2i-eWnHDyC0WJQ", "business_name": "Rice & Mix", "rating": 4, "text": "Tried their take out dinner last night. I ordered spicy pork over the rice and hub got galbi tang. My hub loves authentic Korean food and me not so much. I can't handle garlic and spicy very well and doesn't appreciate free kimchi side either so I actually prefer Korean fusion places. I thought this place might be the one for me. And actually I was right. My spicy pork dish was just right for me. That means for someone looking for authentic Spicy pork dishes.. might be disappointed. I liked the fact that they didn't use much or garlic and did not see any red pepper flakes on my plate. I do hate red pepper flakes mixed with sauce usually so it was just right for me. They gave hot sauce on the side but I did not use that. It was a bit sweet and slightly spicy side. And I also got the multigrain rice which was delicious. The texture was chewy and dry side so it was almost like multi grain salad. They give edamame and steamed carrot on the side which I wasn't fan of. My dish was delicious ( for me) but was too small. I am so used huge portion of Korean meal with free sides. But I did like the sauce a lot so I will keep going back whenever I am craving. My hub actually enjoyed his galbi tang. They used LA galbi, different type of galbi Korean uses for this soup but broth was good. He finished all. But he is the kind of guy needs kimchi and side dishes when he eats Korean so he was sad there was no free kimchi. I would really like this place if they have little bigger portion .", "timestamp": "2015-02-27T17:59:40" }, { "business_id": "tS8uQ3F3azhluLqcoG3v-Q", "business_name": "Balance Spa & Fitness", "rating": 4, "text": "My review is only about massage sessions. Went there to get 50 min massage from Yolanda. I read good reviews about her massage so was very excited. The reviews were right. Her Swedish massage was very soothing. I got so relaxed so almost fell asleep during the session. She asked about my concerns before massage and worked on it very detailed. Wish I booked two hour session. 50 min felt really short working on entire body since she moves very slowly ( that was really soothing and awesome btw) She got warm and soft hands which is so important for me! Once I got massage from therapist who had ice cold and rough hands. I prayed for my session to be over soon for entire hour. Yolanda even apologized that she had long nails today which I didn't feel any, her nail was short enough for massage. If you got scratched by nails during massage you would know what I mean. She was very professional. I could not give 5 star because it was not a just massage therapist office. It was a hotel spa and the facility wasn't that great. The robe seemed worn off, the pool didn't seen super nice so I didn't use it after my session. They suppose to have jacuzzi and sauna also but I didn't not check after I saw the pool. I was very satisfied with session but facilities.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:19:59" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 5, "text": "So so so good. I love their salad and Italian seafood grill. I have been there multiple times but once I had just ok meal. My seafood grill was overly cooked that day. I hated the texture of my rubbery calamari and dry swordfish that day. Last night I asked the server that I prefer not over cooked seafood. She was so kind and said she will make sure. And my dish was phenomenon. Was sooooo good and the best grilled seafood I had. I was super satisfied. We also got shaved sprout salad, garlic bread, meatball and vongole pasta. They were all delicious. We really enjoyed them all. I can eat there everyday.", "timestamp": "2015-02-28T21:28:26" }, { "business_id": "1qw5dIsQPNGLOwnuP7Wj1g", "business_name": "South Bowl", "rating": 3, "text": "Went there for their soft opening since lucky strike and north bowl had longer wait. Uber driver had hard time to find the place since there was no sign outside. We were roughly waited for an hour and got some drink at the bar. Some guy spilled his drinks on us and we got all wet. It's happy Saturday night so we didn't wanna be mean anything. We said ok and waited for napkin or anything from bartender at the bar. We had to wait 10 min to get some napkin to clean up and we got soaked with drink and stood there. It was busy but not that busy compare with north bowl. The staffs seemed trying their best( they seemed really overwhelmed) but just very unorganized yet. When I got my bowling shoes, they were wrong size first so went back to switch to other ones then they gave me both left side lol. Something like small things kept happening. I think because it was first night. It wasn't smooth overall. We ordered bunch of food. Food was similar with north bowl but just takes really long to get food and drink. It is opening night for them so I am sure they will get better by time.", "timestamp": "2015-03-01T07:23:24" }, { "business_id": "kjKImJ8dLwN4jDi5PQP46g", "business_name": "Unite Fitness - Philly East", "rating": 4, "text": "Enjoyed working out there for a month and I am looking forward going back. The coaches there were professional and encouraged the people like me who weren't very athletic. I've never really done any strength work out in my life and definitely not athletic side. I actually hate working out. But their 75 min class was pretty fun even to me. People there seemed very strong and well trained compare to me so I was little intimidated but I survived. I could give 5 star for their classes and coaches but little pricy side for me and no free towel services or shower etc was little inconvenient for me.", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T04:41:36" }, { "business_id": "8P8HIysyyGbG8_94cG1Jyg", "business_name": "Entree BYOB", "rating": 4, "text": "Had very pleasant evening at Entree BYOB. I saw great reviews about this place and finally decided to give a shot. 6 of us got a big table near entrance. It was small restaurant so that was only table can accommodate big group. We sat promptly and ordered $50 pre fix. It was great deal. We got all different dishes. Lobster tempura, cheese plate, prosciutto wrapped date. I got cheese plate. They serve 5 different kind cheese I think. I liked blue cheese and fried goat cheese the most. It came with peanut brittle, pear slice, arugula and some bread. It was huge for appetizer and was great choice. I didn't taste other friend's dishes but everyone enjoyed theirs. I got seared tuna and scallop with ink pasta for main dish. The pasta sauce was eggplant and tomato based and it was delicious! And spicy!!!! Scallop was good size and perfectly cooked. I liked scallop more than tuna. Pasta had very strong garlic flavor so I couldn't taste seared tuna very well since I started eating pasta first. But overall very satisfying dish. For dessert, got lemon mascarpone cheese cake. Yum yum yum. And also their fried Oreo... Was very good choice as others said. The portion was huge and price was awesome too. Really enjoyed it. Place was small and we sat in front of entrance and people kept coming in so it got cold while dining. Except that it was fantastic restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:28:37" }, { "business_id": "1o0C_fqBgnQCiWn4A0R68g", "business_name": "Nuts To You", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite snack heaven in Philly. I get so happy whenever I go to their store. I am a gummy lover and its gummy heaven. I grab could different kinds gummy and dark roast peanut for my hub. He really likes roast peanut from them. Today I got gummy, peanut, raw pumpkin seed and Turkish coffee. Total was just over $18. So cheap and snacks are fresh. Love love them!", "timestamp": "2015-03-07T04:41:27" }, { "business_id": "3NsTKp85H2FUjr1SURf0NQ", "business_name": "Greenstreet Coffee Co.", "rating": 4, "text": "Cute and little neighborhood coffee spot. Me and u friend stopped by today for quick coffee and snack. Ordered cappuccino, ice green tea and biscotti. We were in very chatty mood so we sat outside. Small place was filled with patron who were working or studying there so felt bad to sit there and disturb them since it was tiny spot. Cappuccino was foamy and smelled awesome. I got ice green tea and they didn't charge for extra like other places. Biscotti was big enough also. One barista there made good coffee alone and very quite so it would be perfect study spot not for chatty date with girlfriends.", "timestamp": "2015-03-09T21:20:26" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I might ordered the least popular menu here but I loved it. I was wondering about this place since I see always long line of people waiting outside even during wkdays. I had beet salad and hub got the burger. And side of mac and cheese. I really enjoyed my beet salad. The portion of beet was very generous. Also they gave me a lot of goat cheese which was so yummy. Greens were fresh and dressing was delicious. He said burger was just ok. He wished he got the French toast or pancake. Seems like everyone getting them and looked really good. I will definitely go back there to try their best sellers.", "timestamp": "2015-05-17T21:46:04" }, { "business_id": "QhgrhVKlXZtSY6gRThf8zA", "business_name": "Bing Bing Dim Sum", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty interesting restaurant. This was my first visit to E Passyunk. I was pleasantly surprised with their dishes. We were extremely hungry so ordered basically everything on the menu. I enjoyed everything we ordered except pork soup dumpling. It was corn and bacon based so the soup was little greasier than others but my friend enjoyed it. I did enjoyed their bun, Taiwanese dumplings, xo sauced chicken wings, turnip cake and scallion rice dish. Yum yum yum. Dishes could be spicier side since they are not afraid using chili oil and sriracha sauce but they were delicious to me. Sitting outside and having a Dimsum?! Sounds Awesome to me.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:35:05" }, { "business_id": "yAXiqUXVDdzWAXMFAobuCQ", "business_name": "Wheel Fun Rentals - Boathouse Row", "rating": 5, "text": "It was best $30 I spent this year. Me and my friend enjoyed awesome 80 min surrey ride. It looked uncoolest thing you could ride but we had a puppy and wanted check out the park so we decide to give a shot anyway. I ended up purchasing annual membership lol. They basically give you 50% time for free if you have membership which was nice deal. We had little ride by river and turned out it was tremendous work out. Our original plan was doing this then go to flywheel after but we skipped the gym after this. It was really nice to see the scenery and get some outdoor activity. Plus my dog loved it ;-)", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:47:38" }, { "business_id": "noBinj5ChHbPCHfqTcUO6g", "business_name": "Plenty Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I adore this little cafe. People there are so nice and pet friendly. Their peach cobbler cake is so moist and just enough sweet. Their ice tea is awesome, fresh squeezed orange juice is always delicious. Their little outdoor seats are always nice.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:50:22" }, { "business_id": "EMp87GsYkVdwHftE7Ar2_w", "business_name": "Cosmic Café and Ciderhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "I appreciate this little cafe a lot. It is locate to right next bike rental, entrance of boathouse row so I would say it is in prime location. In the winter, you want to grab hot coffee here and during the summer, you want ice coffee from this place. I mean this place would be doing great no matter what because of the location. But their coffee is actually pretty good, they make fresh fruit smoothies without any sweetener. Only fresh fruit in there. Their frittata was delicious, side salad and potato were fresh. Yum yum yum. I had veggie wrap before and it was yummy. All food and drink looked very fresh to me and seems like people there make an effort to make this place pleasant. 5 stars.", "timestamp": "2015-06-12T03:57:09" }, { "business_id": "i_FWONQD1ZBqrNE2b-M5Ug", "business_name": "Talula's Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "This is such a beautiful restaurant and I am so happy to live near by. I had brunch before and this time I tried dinner and I am glad I did. The weather was perfect for outdoor dining experience and food was delicious. Me and my girlfriend split couple dishes and we really enjoyed them. We got welcome dish- fresh baked brioche. Yum yum yum. For appetizer, got tuna crudo and sweet pea salad. Tuna was so fresh and paired watermelon was amazing. Sweet pea salad was little blend for me but friend enjoyed it. We shared pan seared halibut. The portion was not so small and broccoli was delicious with fish. We couldn't decide btwn ricotta donut and butterscotch pudding so we got both! The pudding was the winner for sure . Must get it.", "timestamp": "2015-06-17T03:37:05" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 4, "text": "After watched the show at Arden, me and my hubby grabbed dinner at Fork. We had so so experiences at High street on Market so hesitated a bit but we gave a shot after read positive reviews. It had welcoming and beautiful ambiance and services were professional. Overall I enjoyed my meal but husband wasn't very impressed. I guess restaurant really can't satisfy everyone. I am a girl who hates leaving restaurant hungry so amuse bouche and several house treat platters made me very happy. We had 4 course tasting menu and they served different treats after each course. Sweet bread starter and shrimp raw platter were delicious start. They were not super small portion. For pasta course,we had gnudi pasta and ravioli. Gnudi pasta was delicious since I am big fan of cheese but it could be too rich for others who doesn't enjoy rich cheese. I thought ravioli was lack of flavor. But again, I am rich, creamy pasta girl. For main, we got duck breast and pork. Hubby ordered pork but he didn't like it much so we ended up switching the plate. I thought pork was ok. But not blown away. Oddly side dishes for both main courses were pickled vegetable. Since I got pickled veggie for my sweet bread starter, it was too much pickle for 4 courses dinner. Dessert, hubby got Black Forest cake( it's more like mousse) and I got cheese plate. Cheese selection was good. I enjoyed mine. Hubby didn't like his mousse so I ended up finishing his. It was rich but too bitter for me. Overall I left restaurant full and happy, I would go back if I am near for sure.", "timestamp": "2015-06-24T05:26:05" }, { "business_id": "bLJP0fVgscuUQy0hE_CRXA", "business_name": "Xiandu Thai", "rating": 4, "text": "Very decent Thai restaurant in center city. I had lunch special with friends and I was really satisfied. Had Tum yum soup and red curry with rice. Soup was really delicious even though I normally don't like tom yum soup. Red curry was mild spicy and creamy. Really like it. It could have been 5 star if our server were little bit helpful. My friend asked about her menu, she didn't want to order fried food and wanted to make sure but our server gave her wrong information and she ended up with deep fried dish. It was delicious however that was not what she was asking. It could have been 5 star.", "timestamp": "2015-07-10T03:01:12" }, { "business_id": "6aoXAXNrL7KrGBVRYBMFWw", "business_name": "Andre Richard Salon", "rating": 5, "text": "They have two salons at Washington square park area. They are so close to me so I've been both locations. The one at 12th street gym location is smaller but the one on Locust street is much larger and nicer. My girl is Anastasia and I really like her. She listens my concern and try to help out. It is crucial for me to click with my hair stylist since communication is very important. She is definitely very thoughtful and not pushy. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2015-07-24T19:41:13" }, { "business_id": "pxmBh8YZ6HLGQfNHvJoHzA", "business_name": "Nomad Roman Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "It is great local pizza spot for me. Convenient location and no waiting to be seated. I noticed Philly has some great pizza spots!!! Nomad was on my list and finally tried. I saw great reviews about root salad and margarita pizza so I got them and also tried meat balls. I did enjoy my root salad, it has so much flavor but It was little small even for appetizer. Pizza was pretty good but I've had better in Philly. However meatball was disappointing. Was lack of flavor and I tried some amazing meatball dishes in Philly.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T21:35:10" }, { "business_id": "FhwTEGqdir75uyXZqWqxlw", "business_name": "Big Gay Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "I was glad this cute ice cream shop opened near my place. There was long line and I loved their excited ambiance. I tried their best seller - salty pimp. They sprinkled a lot of salt, caramel and covered with chocolate. I was super excited to watch them making my ice cream. I think I enjoyed that experience more than eating it. Maybe it's only me, I was never big fan of salted caramel fan. And def it was pricier side for soft ice cream. I think I will stick with my Yogorino.", "timestamp": "2015-08-12T22:13:17" }, { "business_id": "rMWdWJHblLHt_BQ2kWj5Bg", "business_name": "Seger Dog Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Glad I have couple doggie run near me. I appreciate having this park close to me. Compare to the one by river, this one doesn't not have separate doggie run so it might be not suitable for small dogs but my 7 pounds baby loves go there and hang out with big dogs. I did not have any bad experiences there so far, big dogs there behave so well and gentle with my small baby. They play so well together and we had a great time however you just never know. C I met some cool people there, they were every friendly. It's not artificial grass so her paws got dirty after playing there and sometimes it stink.", "timestamp": "2015-08-13T18:18:33" }, { "business_id": "V8we7-uCa-SouadZmZ9Ieg", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory", "rating": 3, "text": "It is so lame but this was chain restaurant I really wanted to try haha. I just heard about this place a lot- huge portion, good dessert etc however I've never seen this place anywhere in city. Now I finally went! Stopped by for lunch, got Alfredo fettuccini ( lunch portion) with chicken and classic burger with fries. We thought that would be safe choice since it was our first visit. Pasta was very thick, creamy like other chain restaurant. Chicken breast was moist and tender. My hubby enjoyed his burger and couldn't finish his fries. We were full so had original cheese cake piece to go. Our server was very friendly and had full of smile on her face whenever we sees her. Food was nothing ordinary but service was nice and I like to have this restaurant in the city.", "timestamp": "2015-08-14T17:34:40" }, { "business_id": "2er_V-oAd7IbQ5YTY56r7A", "business_name": "Bareburger - Midtown Village", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to be a big fan of Bare burger when they opened in NYC. I am not sure why I totally neglected this place for years. I only tried their vegetarian menus in NYC, my vegetarian friends really appreciated their veggie protein options. I remember those were yummy. Today we got County, Caviar burger with fries and rings. Large size comes with 4 speciality sauces. I thought burger bun was pretty good however I prefer juicy meat so this one was a bit dry for me. Also I prefer crispy fries, this one was little soggy... I remember this chain used to much better, maybe it depends on location. I am still glad to have heathy burger option near me", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T17:16:49" }, { "business_id": "NUJrCPU51Cvip4ayZD1P5g", "business_name": "Jose Pistola's", "rating": 4, "text": "I would say their bar food is very decent. I actually enjoyed their taco and nachos very much. I am not huge fan of bar food- normal greasy and very salty for me. However couple of friends recommended this place for Mexican snack and I can't agree more. Nachos were so yummy!! Crispy and I liked their topping. Not soggy and just perfect combination of bean, veggies and cheese! Tacos were decent as well however I think nacho was the winner. Definitely going back for some snack.", "timestamp": "2015-08-20T03:06:57" }, { "business_id": "uIZwBkvWicqyWraXvYOipw", "business_name": "Sbraga", "rating": 5, "text": "They have great 4 course meal for $55. What a amazing deal. And absolutely delicious. I was very happy to receive warm and crispy pop over and foie gras soup. I wasn't feeling for pop over so didn't have it but my hubby said it was so good and he finished it. And he is not a bread person. Their welcome dishes are even impressive. The soup was.... amazing. So creamy and so savory. Can't get enough. Wish they have that for their regular menu. I will totally get it. I got hamachi, lamb pasta appetizer, striped bass and cheese plate. 3 decent sized pieces of hamachi accompanied with jalapeño. It was so good, I forgot to take photo. Lamb pasta was delicious and rich with sauce. But I switched to my hubby's dish- saffron pasta with crab meat. I liked his dish better. Bass was cooked so moist and delicious. Very very satisfied. I was very happy to see cheese plate w/o extra charge. Nice touch! They gave me 3 piece with candid walnut and fig. I enjoyed sheep milk cheese the most.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:42:17" }, { "business_id": "nsH0hQ7xB5LS2_Ba3mqHTQ", "business_name": "Paesano's Philly Style", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok. So I finally tried Paesano sandwich. I was meaning to try it for very long time. My hubby picked up for me and I had it for lunch next day. I enjoyed it very much and I am sure if I eat fresh one.. I will be blown away.", "timestamp": "2015-08-31T17:55:53" }, { "business_id": "fEqiXG_B-fn__w0aeF3nBQ", "business_name": "Laurel", "rating": 4, "text": "Very creative restaurant. I am not a fan of cold dishes but I did enjoy my ice flaked hamachi and foie gras dish. They were creamy but not overly empowering. We ordered truffle gnocchi for extra and that was right choice. I enjoyed very much. They were not cheap with truffle so $30 was so worthy. For main course, cod was decent size and my boo liked that dish the most. Pork was super tender and delicious. Dessert was chocolate pudding. I was expecting something special so when dessert came out, I was little disappointed. It was yummy but nothing special about dessert.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:51:03" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my favorite Sabrina's brand. I tried all 3 locations in city and keep coming back to this one. Staff is nice and food is consistent. I feel this space little larger than one at Italian market so feel less cramped. Burger and breakfast egg are always delicious and enjoy their fresh sneezed juice. Can't wait to go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T03:57:50" }, { "business_id": "POuaebsAeCyNx-8qZ3O7XQ", "business_name": "Shang Hai 1", "rating": 4, "text": "I like their soup dumpling very much. They are fast,delicious and super cheap. Tried couple dumplings here and they were all good. We got experimental and ordered regular menu but they were so so. I will stick to dumplings only from now on.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T04:01:28" }, { "business_id": "pXRrRf8fDv6yU3xp1E25hA", "business_name": "Bud & Marilyn's", "rating": 4, "text": "I was wondering about this place awhile and finally got to try it. Got cheese curds, short rib stroganoff, fried chicken and lobster buns. I always wanted to try cheese curd truck but never got to wait to get to so this was perfect. Was little salty for me but if you skip the sauce then it's bearable. As other reviews said, short rib stroganoff was definitely winner of the night. Was delicious and I love it very much. Lobster buns were pretty good too. Decent size of lobsters in it. Not heavy on sauce. Yum. Fried chicken dish was huge. Big two pieces include breast. I prefer white meat part so it was perfect. It wasn't Korean fried chicken style,it was more like Blue ribbon fried chicken in NYU. Otherwise fancy KFC lol Most dishes were little saltier side than other restaurants but maybe good with drinks. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2015-10-26T17:21:31" }, { "business_id": "8-A_4Jp2-NHKvjLcPE8HVA", "business_name": "United States Postal Service Land Title Station", "rating": 1, "text": "Wish I could give \" zero\" star. Yelp needs to give us option to give zero star. Seriously.. This location usps deserve to get Zero star. Normally most of experiences at USPS are not very pleasant. But I am reasonable person. I do not expect 5 star hotel service here. You do not have to kind and super helpful to me. Just let me send out my pkg without making me so unpleasant. I went to this location multiple times since it is so close to me however it was my last time to go there. One of lady is extremely rude. I did not see her name ( wish I did, so I can save a lot of people's bad experiences there) but I think most reviews here already mention about her. I actually saw once she made one customer cried. She yelled and extremely rude to her and the poor young lady actually cried in front of other ppl and said she shouldn't be so mean. I did not hear whole conversation so I did not leave any review at that time. This time, actually was my experience. Same lady extremely rude to me for no reason and I did not argue with crazy lady so just left saying nothing since even if I complain, the crazy lady won't change. Do not go there. There are other locations.. And if you must..do not go to right side of counter. There are two counters. She will find way to yell at you even if you did anything wrong and just waiting on line for your turn. She loves to boss around and yell at her customers and most of us are too busy and just want to leave there asap.. She is abusing it. So far she was always on the right side. She is extremely unpleasant person to deal with. Be aware.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T15:20:21" }, { "business_id": "3eJMsl41qwhcYlvoTF1ElQ", "business_name": "a.kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is purely about their lunch special. Had pleasant experience there. Their lunch special is great deal. Big portion and great service. I had smoked charr flat bread and Tuna. Hubby got steak tartare and octopus. I liked my tuna a lot. They served 3 huge chunk of tuna pieces. I have big portion but this satisfied me :-) Smoked char, I normally love this dish but this one was too salty. Couldn't really taste fish be cause it was too picked. I did not enjoy hubby's tartar, raw meat was very chunky, piece was too big for steak tartar but hubby enjoyed it. Octopus was my favorite dish there. Chef must love pickle so much. Our dish was full of prickly flavor. I love them so had no problem.", "timestamp": "2015-12-10T16:38:29" }, { "business_id": "4HLur5bFXB6pT0o4ao3wgA", "business_name": "Nagwon Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "Best value all you can eat Korean bbq in city. It's not close from where we live so hesitated to go there however the owner couple were very attentive. All you can eat bbq has all kind of meats and seafood. So everyone has something to eat. Side dishes are pretty good. Sometime they are cold if you go odd hour. Bean paste stew are delicious. Great value. Wish they were close to center city.", "timestamp": "2016-01-29T05:47:11" }, { "business_id": "gjFUrbSMo1rA1jgG5IhA2A", "business_name": "Chima Steakhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "I was surprised by their size when I walked in. They did not seem that big from outside. We were seated promptly and they were very fast took our order. Creamy mashed potato, cheese bread and sweet plantain came out right away. I really liked their salad bar. Gorgonzola cheese dressing with endive was my favorite. Fresh greens and grilled vegetables. Yummy. I was more focused on salad bar than meat buffet so can't give enough reviews about meat but my meat eater husband enjoyed them very much so must be good. Will go back.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:22:22" }, { "business_id": "kj3Lyh9KooU8GcRBbMDQWQ", "business_name": "Le Pain Quotidien", "rating": 4, "text": "This is probably one of my favorite chain restaurant/ bakery. It is so convenient for me and really like their cozy ambiance. They do not really bother me once I order so it is perfect to catch up with friends or read myself even. I always get their Paris ham & cheese tartine or quinoa cake with arugula. Once they ran out hummus and informed me after I ordered so I had to eat without hummus. Wasn't that good. Would been nice if they substitute with other ingredient though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:34:42" }, { "business_id": "KscVqYYG7ziAroZhfNb0Ng", "business_name": "South", "rating": 5, "text": "First time I tried this restaurant and it was restaurant week visit. I was super satisfied after my meal ;-) The location was kinda far. I've been that place before and it was lobster/ seafood place if I remember right. The ambiance was pretty same except they were playing live jazz music and it was quite nice. 3 course restaurant week menu we tried were gumbo( our waitress recommended and she was right), pork chop, mahi and chicken. For dessert we got spiced pumpkin cake and pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. Their bread basket was die for. Yummy cheese biscuit and corn bread with cream cheese butter. We ended up asking second basket. Appetizer sized gumbo was huge and delicious. Everyone enjoyed it. I believe pork chop was the best choice among main dish. Mahi with farro salad was pretty good too but little lack of flavor. For dessert huge pecan pie piece came out with big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Was really delicious. I ended up left my spice pumpkin dessert and just ate pecan pie coz was so so good. Overall was super satisfying. I will def go back.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T04:46:37" }, { "business_id": "sVZb87xjhbCWHQ2UXOGLrA", "business_name": "Giorgio On Pine", "rating": 1, "text": "I had decent food here. Pasta was ok. Salad was ok. But their reservation system isn't very pleasant. Called few times and finally talked to someone and reserved table. Guess what, they never write down my reservation. We had to leave or move over to pizzeria next door. It is fine to make a mistake but the way they handle was horrible. They basically told me just leave or go to pizzeria. Was sat night, peak dinner time, we won't able to get in anywhere last min. Never going back. We just have so many other options to go.", "timestamp": "2016-07-01T22:32:48" }, { "business_id": "-cSHu3A9IalZn8s7NGJagw", "business_name": "Phila Massages", "rating": 5, "text": "Definitely best massage in Philadelphia. I think I tried 99% massage place in center city. I had good and bad but this place is serious. I always have shoulder pain, super tensed so I get massage regularly. Non of place solved my issue like this place. I was so impressed. I am coming back even though I hate walk up building!!!", "timestamp": "2016-07-01T22:35:27" } ]	{ "business_id": "dKfMKFaiHC_9XLHdqhFN2w", "business_name": "The Sporting Club at the Bellevue", "rating": 5, "text": "I joined this gym because it is so close to me. I did not know how much I will love my gym. It is spacious and have a lot of group classes to offer. I love their yoga classes. I stop going to my yoga studio and just take classes at gym. Love their cafeteria. Staffs are very helpful. Probably the best gym in center city.", "timestamp": "2016-07-01T22:42:49" }
uAu772KpSkb-tPFgZmU-lA	[ { "business_id": "_gaOrkYtODrxY0JlWFe-sQ", "business_name": "High Point Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Ever since my departure from New York City after graduating from college, I've been looking for a local place that's good for a caffeine buzz, light lunch, or study spot. Starbucks and other chain stores grossly fail to meet my above standards mostly because customers are generally treated as nameless, faceless drones. I found High Point after I joined the Weavers Way Co-Op in West Mount Airy and was hooked. The staff? Knowledgeable! Don't know the difference between a caffe latte and a hole in the ground? Don't worry, they'll take you through their great menu without the side condescension. Always courteous and friendly, even to the gaggles of kids that come in from the school across the street around 3pm. The drinks? Made to order, the right way, the first time. They even offer their own beans. The food? Amazing quiche and crepes made to order. A diverse array of taste bud temping baked goodies. And salads for the guilty folks. Best of all - you can load a gift card in the shop, write your name on it, and have it stored behind the counter for your next visit. No more digging nickels out of your pockets to get a fix. No worries, they also take plastic. They're also pretty eco-friendly and inspire their customers to be as well by offering a credit for anyone who brings their own mug or thermos. I love that you can form relationships here, bring your mom here, meet a potential date here. The bulletin board is filled with active posts about pets for adoption, mommy and me groups, etc. And I'm only a few yards from the Co-Op across the road for groceries.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T19:56:28" }, { "business_id": "tkQfxEYkL-Fq3Al0hH9hKg", "business_name": "The Cat Doctor", "rating": 5, "text": "Who knew taking your cats to the vet could be this pleasant!? A friend recommended that I take my kitties here after I moved from the 'burbs. The staff is WONDERFUL! I get follow-up emails asking how my furrballs are doing after they've have procedures or sick visits. They're great about responding to questions by email. I was really impressed with the thorough \"report card\" I get after each visit. When my newest kitty got spayed, I got a full rundown on post-op care as if I was the one who have gone under the knife. Even when Bali had complications from the sutures, the staff was really supportive. No accusations of being an over-protective owner whatsoever. They handle cats gently and the exams are very thorough. They truly love their furry clients and treat owners with great respect and kindness.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T20:03:36" }, { "business_id": "8B_xigUkb_HxDvkXVa3LRw", "business_name": "Webb Cam", "rating": 5, "text": "I found Webb Cam through my Dad. They may seem a little out of the way for some folks but they are well worth the trip. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable and they have a great selection of equipment. You never have to worry about the hassle of some nerdy Best Buy salesman breathing down your neck to buy, buy, buy. Even the mayor's official photographer shops here. If you're serious about your photos, check out Webb Cam.", "timestamp": "2008-09-25T02:51:07" }, { "business_id": "gwUJdtb5vdVEmpa75yPDsA", "business_name": "Richard Nicholas Hair Studio", "rating": 5, "text": "I started going to Richard Nicholas when I moved back to Philly from New York City after college. There was no way in hell I was going to use the stylist my mom goes to. The guy will spray you down with Lysol if you have the slightest sniffle. I found RN after browsing Philadelphia Magazine's website. Joanne came highly rated and I made an appointment with her. At the time, she had pink hair and I was a bit skeptical of what I might look like when I left the place. Joanne is wonderful, though. She's creative and a bit of a risk taker. If you want something new, she's the go-to gal. She also listened to what I wanted and didn't push me past my comfort zone. She's warm, friendly, and a good conversationalist if you're in a chatty mood. She also isn't a product-pusher. Come to think of it, no one at RN has ever pushed services or products on me. Also, I feel that their services are well priced considering the surrounding area. I never have to wait months to get an appointment, the staff is superb and unpretentious, and the shop has a nice modern feel to it. I highly recommend them.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:35:24" }, { "business_id": "nDXR7nnWXDlkTvlx3Qbqgw", "business_name": "WXPN Radio", "rating": 4, "text": "I want to give this 5 stars, but I miss the Barnard student run WBAR alot post-college. Also, I'd love it, like alot of folks, if Y-Rock were on more often. I do have to say that I can no longer listen to commercial radio now that I listen to XPN. I mean, B101.1 starts Christmas music right after Halloween! And let's not forget the idiot jocks on one station who were part of that whole fiasco where a chick died from water intoxication. I secretly enjoy Kids' Corner if I'm in the car at 7pm when it airs. You'd be surprised what you learn on that show. Bottom line - I like that there are musicians that I can recognize who are actually musicians and I like that they introduce me to new artists.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:59:15" }, { "business_id": "YqmClmk7oLcDzPWKHzgA-Q", "business_name": "South Philadelphia Tap Room", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here with a friend to get over my shitty Thanksgiving holiday. Being the weekend of a holiday, the place was quiet. I tried the Mom's Meatloaf which came with Mac and Cheese. The portions are generous to say the least. I'm a beer fan and enjoyed the offerings they had on tap. They have a good selection of your regular favorites and things off the beaten path. I would definitely go back and think the SPTR is probably good for groups of folks looking to get together. I also like that the staff seems relatively unpretentious. I especially enjoyed our waitress' amusing stories of the the whole chef saga.", "timestamp": "2008-12-01T03:17:06" }, { "business_id": "RoUP3lcY4wEtdASLNIcmSw", "business_name": "Water Works Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the Waterworks - the river, the historical architectural, the romantic lighting... But, the food could be a bit better. I've been here a few times for various meals and I've never been flat-out disappointed. I just haven't been wowed. My dad and I hosted a surprise 60th birthday party here for my mom this past September. The private party experience was by far better than the average dining experience. The staff were attentive, but not smothering and kept all the guests well stocked with mimosas and bloody marys throughout the morning. The brunch was a lavish spread that seemed to suit everyone's tastes. Overall, I think we got quite a bit for our money, considering the whole shindig was under $2,000. The event planner was especially wonderful. She was professional and receptive to our needs and wants for the event. I think they could improve some of their culinary offerings, but otherwise, it's a fine place to bring the parents when they're in town. Bonus: free valet parking on Sundays for brunch.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T01:41:04" }, { "business_id": "nIlmZLuMs0JuBRvAHSIf8Q", "business_name": "Bredenbeck's Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor", "rating": 5, "text": "I've loved this place since I was old enough to spill an ice cream cone on myself. This seems to happen every time! My mother always got our birthday cakes from this family-owned bakery and nothing seems to compare. The baked goods are always fresh and made with premium ingredients. The ice cream is equally delectable, especially considering their wide assortment of sundaes and other concoctions. It's the cake the brings me back again and again for all occasions. The final product is always artfully presented and, of course, delicious. I also enjoy the friendly staff. The place is a little cramped, but I find it charming and fitting with the rest of Chestnut Hill.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T04:59:31" }, { "business_id": "VHA-b1NH4tIZB_IVEf_pmA", "business_name": "Minado", "rating": 2, "text": "A family friend kept telling me that she HAD to bring me to Minado. I am not one for buffets at all, so I really balked at the idea of a sushi buffet, but I finally let her take me. First of all, the drive out there was ridiculously long. That's beside the point, though. I didn't think the sushi selection was anything to write home about - the items didn't seem well labeled and they never seemed to have enough. The rest of the food reminded me of chinese takeout and I felt a bit overwhelmed by the myriad choices. The screaming children didn't help either. I don't envision myself driving all the way out there again. I'll stick to the local sushi joints.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T05:07:50" }, { "business_id": "MACqP6DlXBwTsXOhp0C6AA", "business_name": "Delicious Boutique", "rating": 5, "text": "I ended up with a corset thanks to a recent ex-boyfriend of mine. Yeah, don't ask. Anyway, I ended up with a Delicious corset - the best thing to come out of said relationship. I really have very little knowledge about the world of corsets, but the product I received was fabulous, especially for the price. Hell, I'd pay that price just because of the teeny-tiny waist it gives once I'm cinched in. The materials are definitely top of the line and the construction is completely solid. I am definitely appreciative of the fact that they really do follow your measurements to the T. A corset is the perfect under(or over)garment to make a gal feel just sexy enough, rather than like a bare-it-all tramp.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T03:58:12" }, { "business_id": "Vxsq098z903XRXBq4IZWTw", "business_name": "PASSIONAL Boutique & Sexploratorium", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to be a fan of this store and, for a while, I was pretty excited that they existed. After living in New York City, however, they just don't compare to Babeland. They offer a decent selection of toys and other accessories, but their prices seem pretty high for the industry. This is especially true if you head up the block to their clothing store. Are there really people who spend hundreds of dollars on latex clothing? I do commend their very knowledgeable and friendly staff who seem to be well versed on various things from products to techniques. They even offer classes. Considering that Philadelphia is lacking in reputable, well-run, educational sex shops, they do a darn good job. I think I'll probably stick to visiting Babeland on runs to NYC, though.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:03:50" }, { "business_id": "2GYg3liJ9-m6Z67L_4_BRQ", "business_name": "Weavers Way Co-Op", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVE Weaver's Way and really disagree with some of the content in previous reviews. WW is not necessarily meant for convenience shopping. I am a single woman and I find that I have no trouble shopping at the co-op, during peak times or otherwise. I actually find the co-op to be a great place to shop if you live alone because I can get smaller quantities of items than if I shop at the corporate stores like Acme. I also enjoy the work hours - I've worked throughout the store, but most recently, I have been getting in my hours by participating in the membership committee. I wouldn't say that the community is necessarily made up of \"tree huggers\" and \"earth children\", though. The community is made up of a variety of similarly-minded folks from different backgrounds. I enjoy having a place to go to where I can obtain locally grown produce, a place that offers more natural, wholesome, and preservative-free foods than chain stores with prices way below that of Whole Foods. I enjoy interacting with other members and contributing to my local and global community. I don't find the membership fee or the work hours to be prohibitive being a single person vs. a family. I don't think that membership in a co-op is for everyone and, if you aren't single, it's definitely not a solo decision. If you're keen on being committed to the Weaver Way values, you couldn't find a better place to shop. If not, stick to the chain stores or just pay the 10% visitors' fee to pop in once in a while.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:13:43" }, { "business_id": "aZNiVR6oAMQX5__yGPvYsg", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "My first trip to Susanna Foo was at 6 months old when the restaurant was still a hole-in-the-wall takeout joint owned by Susanna's parents. My parents have been taking my brother and I ever since. I have many fond memories of Susanna fashioning dolls for us out of the linen napkins and preparing Chicken with Cashew Nuts when we refused to eat anything else. The food has always been reliable, but now that I am an adult, I find it lacking excitement. The service is always impeccable and I have never been disappointed by the overall decor or ambience. I'd like to see Susanna improve upon some of her traditional recipes by either adding new flavors or perhaps returning to her Chinese roots with a more ethnic menu. I'm hoping there will be a revitalization and that I will come to love Susanna Foo as much as I did as a child.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:24:16" }, { "business_id": "jZGqAdBlDnrP-J7--vdPxA", "business_name": "Beijing Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "If you work at HUP or UPenn, chances are you've visited Beijing. I don't understand the allure. I'd rather work a 12-hour shift on my busy oncology floor than eat here again. The food is greasy and has to be laced with a healthy dose of MSG. The flavors are mediocre and nothing on the menu stands out. The stale smell of cooking oil overwhelms the restaurant, making it hard for your taste buds to actually do their job. At least they allow you to substitute brown rice with no hefty charge. This is hardly the place to find \"authentic chinese\" fare. If you're a poor college kid/med student/grad student I won't hold it against you. If you can afford it, treat yourself to something classier.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T05:06:05" }, { "business_id": "wgyh6_YZt_ByA9iBbX5i7g", "business_name": "Body Graphics, Inc", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm new to the world of tattoos and went to Body Graphics for the first time ever this past summer to have a small piece done inside my left ankle. I sheepishly admit that I was pretty nervous since I wasn't sure how to go about the whole affair. Luckily, Andrew was working and made me feel completely at ease. We joked over my wanting a sheep tattoo and he drew up a couple of sketches before I settled on my favorite. He didn't gouge me on the price either and was completely supportive of my being a newbie to the whole tattoo process. He was extremely professional and fastidious about cleanliness and such. He was thorough in his explanation of caring for my newest piece of artwork and gave me his card in case I had any problems. There was no pretentious vibe from this guy and we had a good chuckle over the adorable sheep that now sits above my ankle. I'm planning to go back to get more work done and will definitely give an update then. For my first experience, Body Graphics was pretty great - a clean, professional shop, and Andrew is tops in my book.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T16:17:38" }, { "business_id": "o8J_QeVwDZAugMYNOPAgPQ", "business_name": "Marco Polo", "rating": 4, "text": "I give this 4 stars partly for reasons of nostalgia and partly because I actually like some of the dishes here. I grew up within walking distance of the restaurant in Elkins Park and had the (dis)pleasure of seeing it evolve over the years. I have to say that the food isn't as great since Chef Lo has left. I like that there is a seasonal component to the menu and that they do have pretty good specials. The traditional Italian dishes are a bit lackluster, but if you're not particular about your spaghetti... I do like that they serve bruschetta and olives instead of bread. The service is always snappy and friendly, especially since the manager circulates throughout the dining room on most nights. It's still a decent place to go with the parents.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T02:55:49" }, { "business_id": "dERS4qwl9v-Gwft-Ug8APA", "business_name": "West Ave Grille Jenkintown Restaurant and Food Truck ", "rating": 4, "text": "It was pretty exciting when West Avenue Grill opened up considering the lack of good eateries in the neighborhood. I've eaten here for brunch, lunch, and dinner on numerous occasions. The food is consistently good and there are yummy seasonal options that they add to the existing menu. Sometimes, the service leaves something to be desired if you get stuck with some high school newbie. There can definitely be a wait when all of the blue-haired ladies decide they want to lunch (or see a movie at the theater down the street). They offer a decent array of beers beyond the standards that most restaurants carry. The outdoor seating for warm weather is a plus as well.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:07:00" }, { "business_id": "JmzNw0WCPmZPZdq5nx9brg", "business_name": "Kitchen Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "My mother likes to drag me here when I pop by the house. The menu is a little overwhelming consider the array of choices that mix flavors from different parts of the globe. They also have some of the unhealthiest options I've seen in quite a while. Is that a whole cow between those buns? The portions are hearty to say the least, but the food still isn't anything to write home about. I find the flavors to be muddled or hidden beneath too much spice. It's a good place for mom and dad to take the kiddies on a Saturday night. It's also popular with meat-head men and their dates looking to get trashed while they watch the latest game. The bar still allowed smoking as of my last trip and that was a major turn-off as the smoke tends to waft into the dining room. Plus: the Abington Pharmacy next door where you can grab some chocolates to replace the unoriginal dessert you just ate next door.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:15:04" }, { "business_id": "ZF0tt7hn6WK3-aNWgtLcFA", "business_name": "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site", "rating": 5, "text": "ESP is another Philadelphia site that I enjoy wandering around. The staff members here are incredibly well educated as most have backgrounds in history, architecture/preservation, anthropology, etc. I recently became a member and have enjoyed the special perks they provide like \"behind the scenes\" tours of the hospital ward and kitchens of the prison - areas that aren't open to the general public. ESP is also a wonderful academic resource for those conducting research on related topics. The place is a photographer's dream with the abundance of natural light that filters in through the stone, not to mention the interesting architectural details. I even recommend the Halloween bash \"Terror Behind the Walls\". If you can stand the hyper-active teenagers, it's a good scare. I'm not sure if the hardhat requirement still persists, but be aware that ESP is in a state of ruin. I also believe that children under a certain age are not permitted, but I would double-check. Also, there aren't bathroom facilities except for a lone port-a-potty or two on the grounds.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:45:11" }, { "business_id": "uI5k9lJkWlKi6OUW5yYIpQ", "business_name": "Benjamin Lovell Shoes", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm very picky about shoes. I want to put something stylish yet original on my feet without having to suffer hours of pain throughout the day. I have a bit of a hard-to-fit foot due a high instep, but I always manage to find something to suit my mood. I prefer the Rittenhouse store to the Manayunk and South St. locations. I think that all three stores have relatively good selections, but I seem to find my favorites at the Rittenhouse shop. They carry many brands that you won't find at other department or bargain stores: Tsubo, Camper, Everybody, MBT, Naot, Birkenstock, Ugg, and more. It's no secret that alot of their shoes come with a considerable price tag if you're used to stores like Payless or DSW, but I find the brands offered at Benjamin Lovell wear better and last longer than many others I've owned. I've always received prompt, courteous service from the staff members. If they are out of stock in my size, they have never hesitated to try and order what I'm looking for. The sale section is also worthwhile if you're looking for more of a bargain. Benjamin Lovell has become one of the few places where I will shop for shoes. Definitely check them out for wide selection of Dansko and Mephisto shoes, or if you're looking to break out of the mold a bit. Do we really need another pair of Tory Burch flats walking through the city?", "timestamp": "2008-12-05T03:02:38" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I enjoyed myself at Monk's. It's a good standby to have in your arsenal for the out-of-town guests, but not great. Our service was a bit spotty and I felt like our waitress was totally uninterested in us. I enjoyed the burger I ordered, but the fries were nothing to rave about. Also, it annoys me when places make you order fries as a side instead of just providing them with your meal. Of course, the beer selection is enough to make your head spin.I had a few tasty brews that made the trip worthwhile. Maybe next time I'll just come for drinks and skip the food.", "timestamp": "2008-12-10T02:44:32" }, { "business_id": "R1aHeUAwUF1Qkpacrn2Njw", "business_name": "Hideaway Music", "rating": 4, "text": "I don't buy very many cd's anymore. iTunes just makes it too easy to have instant access to many artists. However, when I want to have an actual disk, I head to Hideaway. If I had a record player I would totally buy vinyls here as well as their selection looks pretty sweet. I love that I can almost always find what I'm looking for. And if I can't? They'll order it for me. I prefer the posters that line the Hideaway walls instead of running into grubby guys in Best Buy t-shirts. Check out the Chestnut Hill Coffee Co. up the way too if you're strung out on Starbucks.", "timestamp": "2008-12-11T00:34:18" }, { "business_id": "itwiCpfGR5xlUpawXrt4tA", "business_name": "Penn Campus Recreation", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Pottruck. I initially signed up because, as a HUP employee, I get a pretty sweet discount. I wasn't sure how much I'd actually like it since he place is huge and rather sterile feeling. After a couple of spins on the elliptical, I realized that I was extremely pleased with the facility. Pottruck is clean and spacious enough to handle hundreds of people a day. I have never had to wait for a machine and I have never encountered out-of-order equipment. The machines have iPod jacks that will play your music through the machine AND charge your iPod at the same time. The hours are great - I can go early in the morning, later at night, and anytime in between. The staff, for the most part, is really friendly, accommodating, and helpful. One afternoon, I forgot my lock and one staff member offered to watch my stuff while I worked out so that I wouldn't have to hunt for a quarter locker. I like that they have day lockers where you can supply your own lock. This means not having to shell out extra dough for a place to stash your stuff during your work out. The juice bar is a plus as well if you're in need of a bottle of water or a recovery shake. I can't yet comment on the the classes, but I'm looking forward to trying a few come spring. Pottruck offers alot from classes, to rock climbing and an outdoors club, to the pool, and their Penn Fit Program. They also offer personal training and massage therapy which I am looking forward to trying. The best part for me is that they are a part of the Blue Cross' Healthy Lifestyles program - after 120 workouts, I get $150 back from my health insurance company.", "timestamp": "2008-12-12T02:42:27" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "I still love the PMA. I took myself to see the Gee's Bend exhibit today. Normally, I meander through exhibits on my own, but today I decided to take the free guided tour. I have to say having a tour guide really made a difference. The woman could have been a little more friendly - I felt she was a tad brusque in her answering of questions - but her knowledge of quilting, quilt design and the Gee's Bend aesthetic made up for her demeanor. Since she had met with the women/artists when they came for the opening of the exhibit so we was able to share all sorts of little bits of stories with us. The quilts were absolutely stunning and I'm inspired to break out the sewing machine. I really enjoyed the photography mini exhibit at the beginning with intimate portraits of some of the artists. The 28 minute documentary at the Perelman center was a great addition and another way to \"meet\" the quilters. I like that the museum continued the exhibit in Perelman by adding examples of Victorian and Amish quilting. This is only the second time in my life that I have bought the \"coffee table book\" of an exhibit, but I was so taken with the Gee's Bend exhibit that I couldn't resist. Also, there were double discounts for members! I also popped into the James Castle exhibit which was equally fascinating. Once again, my membership pays for itself.", "timestamp": "2008-12-13T00:15:16" }, { "business_id": "jtMPW39yiv5CorhKfgUaTw", "business_name": "Daryl's Pastries", "rating": 5, "text": "I've come to realize that there are two kinds of people in this town: those who go to Dunkin Donuts and those who don't. I try to avoid DD if at all possible. Especially since I always seem to see them in the news when they get robbed at gunpoint. Also, let's face it people, their doughnuts leave something to be desired - I always seem to get something stale or a slightly soggy French Cruller. Daryl's, on the other hand, owns a special place in my heart. As a kid, I knew it was a special weekend if I found a crisp white box of Daryl's pastries and doughnuts on the kitchen table. Things I like about Daryl's: 1. Family owned and operated. 2. Everything is made fresh on the premises. 3. Best doughnuts ever! 4. They have breakfast sandwiches and coffee too. 5. The staff is friendly and speaks intelligible English. 6. There cakes and other pastries are just as tasty and well-made as their doughnuts.", "timestamp": "2008-12-20T15:34:13" }, { "business_id": "lH_UKAJy6YTa1ArfdACU4g", "business_name": "Olive Garden Italian Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll admit I enjoy a meal at Olive Garden every now and then when I'm craving artery-clogging bread sticks. I stopped by this location today for some take-out after shopping with my mom. While we didn't actually dine-in at this location, we did wait long enough to have to suffer through the obnoxious population of people streaming through the door. Is it just me or is this location chock full of women who have squeezed themselves into tiny outfits like sausages into ill-fitting casings? I didn't really think a 45 minute wait for take out was necessary given that we were there at 5pm. My spaghetti and italian sausage came with way over done sausage and they gave me meat sauce even though I specifically requested regular marinara sauce. My dad's lasagna looked like it was slapped together by a 3 year old, making me wonder if they tossed it from across the room into its container. My mom's chicken carbonara looked like it was already a left-over with slightly-congealed sauce over the noodles. Luckily, the breadsticks and salad saved the meal. Everyone gets their own portion of salad, the dressing comes in sealed take-out cups, and the servings of breadsticks are generous.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:32:49" }, { "business_id": "3Ce8r1K1O-2JKSMXdXID-w", "business_name": "Linvilla Orchards", "rating": 3, "text": "A friend and I hiked (not literally) to Linvilla this autumn to pick some apples for sauce and pies. Having visited other area orchards throughout my life, I was seriously surprised to find that this one is like some sort of kiddie wonderland complete with Pumpkinland, petting zoo, and stilt walkers. I thought I had possibly made a wrong turn along the way. Luckily, the actual apple orchard is across the road from all the juvenile madness. I was a bit disappointed in the selection they had at the time (early October) as we seemed limited to picking Red and Golden Delicious - two very unexciting apple varieties. I did manage to get a fair amount of Macoun's though which worked nicely for all the sauce I made. I managed to pick several pounds of apples (I completely overestimated how many pounds I am actually able to lift and schlep to my car) and only had to shell out $20 or so. Being childless, we happily skipped Pumpkinland, the train ride, and the petting zoo in favor of the country store. I scored a much needed apple sliver/corer and some decadent caramel dip. The pie line is insane and you'll need to use your elbows to keep your spot lest you get bullied out of the way by burly suburban soccer moms. The cider donuts are definitely worth the push and shove as well. I recommend the store for picking up all those culinary goodies you've always wanted to make but will never find the time in which to do so (chutney, jam, pickles, soups). Don't forget to pick up a gallon of apple cider for those chilly fall nights! I could do without the Six Flags-like atmosphere and the county fair-like food stands, though. The crowds are large and made up of people mostly under 4 feet tall. Expect parking delays, lots of walking, screaming and whining and tantrums. If, like me, you don't have kids, you can smile serenely and be happy that you don't have any sticky hands to wipe.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:49:18" }, { "business_id": "DRr5xdfHtqgWfhmdTU1B8Q", "business_name": "London Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to London Grill the other night with a friend. We arrived around 9pm and the place was relatively busy, but we were promptly seated. This is my second time to LG (I've previously been here for brunch with the parents). Honestly, I've had no problem with the service. Our particular server seemed overwhelmed, so another waiter stepped in to help her. Our meals were served fairly quickly - within 20 minutes of ordering. After a 12 hour shift at work, I had the best meal of the day at LG. I ordered the Roast BBQ pork which came with collard greens and macaroni and cheese. It's easy to screw up collard greens, but these were tender with a spicy/vinegar punch. The pork was cooked to perfection - moist with no hint of gristle. The barbecue sauce was equally tasty and didn't evoke the flavors of bottles sauces one bit. The macaroni was also delicious. They smartly avoiding \"dressing\" it up and stuck with ooey-gooey cheese and tender elbow noodles. My friend was equally pleased with his fish and chips. Their selection of beer is pretty impressive and this is one of the few places that seems to carry Strongbow cider (which they serve in a HUGE glass). Needless to say, we had a great time. The atmosphere is inviting and the atrium is a great place to sit even in the winter. Jeff is a great bartender and I was glad to have John and Brighid as our servers. I've definitely had no problems with service here.", "timestamp": "2009-01-05T08:21:06" }, { "business_id": "jHVotJhyPKOLuO7MVnmbtQ", "business_name": "Royal Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Some friends and I wandered into the Royal Tavern to continue my birthday celebration after leaving the South Philly Taproom. The place is tiny, but wasn't crowded when we arrived and we were able to grab seats at the bar. The bar tender was attentive and friendly and we didn't have to fight with other patrons to get drinks. We ordered a plate of Nachos which were some of the best I've had - lots of fresh tomatoes and cheese, generous helpings of guacamole and sour cream, and the chips were perfectly crisp instead of soggy or stale. The single strand of holiday lights above the wood bar lend a perfect ambience to the dimly lit tavern. The kitchen is open until 1am which is great for night owls. I was impressed by the beers that they had both in bottles and on draught - enough choices to suit a variety of tastes. I look forward to going back to try more of their culinary offerings, especially their brunch.", "timestamp": "2009-01-11T18:17:49" }, { "business_id": "6TPlb2eRasW6R0Fzz6T_JQ", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "For me, Susanna Foo's Gourmet Kitchen will never compare to her fine-dining establishment in Center City, but I was pleasantly surprised. My parents have known Susanna since she took over her parents' restaurant, Hunan's, and I have been sampling her culinary creations since I was 6 months old. So my fondness for Susanne Foo in general runs much deeper than the successes and failures I've seen her weather in the restaurant world. I had read the less-than-stellar reviews of the Gourmet Kitchen and wasn't really sure what to expect when my mom and I had lunch on my birthday. First of all, the decor is stunning - deep reds, golds, supple leather chairs, large circular chandeliers, deep vessel sinks in the washroom, and a modern-styled bar. I ordered a spicy tuna roll to start. Not knowing what to expect of sushi at a supposedly Chinese restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised - the fish was extremely fresh, tender, and totally lacking in any fishy taste. The spicy sauce wasn't one of those heavy mayo concoctions you sometimes encounter that over-powers the fish. For my entree, I ordered the crispy tofu with tomatoes in a kung pao sauce which was accompanied by fried rice, hot and sour soup, and steamed vegetables. My selection was delicious! The tofu was lightly crisped on the outside, yet tender in the middle and oozing the savory kung pao sauce. The vegetables were tender with a hint of crunch which preserved their unique flavors. The rice was light, fluffy, and lacking the oily heaviness you traditionally find in other establishments. Of course, the hot and sour soup is always my favorite - a perfect blend of spice and pucker. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday meal and look forward to going back to sample more dishes. I also felt that the pricing was reasonable - my mother and I both had appetizers and entrees, all for $40 dollars. The service, too, was impeccable.", "timestamp": "2009-01-20T17:11:56" }, { "business_id": "oa5h-kz5oFYHBKpasKYXQw", "business_name": "Charlie Gray's Rib Crib", "rating": 4, "text": "As a kid I had this phobia of meat on the bone (ribs, chicken legs, pork chops, et al.) I know someone is going to turn that into a crass joke, but it's true. So, as I kid, the only thing I really ever ate from the Rib Crib was the macaroni salad. At some point my dad put his foot down, saying that it was just un-African American to dislike ribs. How can you ignore that challenge? The Rib Crib is an institution in Germantown and in our family with many a Friday night spent covered in barbecue sauce. I love that you can watch the meat being smoked right in the open pit as you wait for your order. At their best, Rib Crib ribs are smokey with fall-off-the-bone tender meat, and slathered in a sweet/tangy/spicy sauce. Unfortunately, you don't always get perfection, which is disappointing given the fact that they are open only a few days a week. I agree with Mark C. - the joint is take out only and it's frustrating to get home with your order to realize that it's been and \"off day\" at the Crib. In my opinion, the tangy macaroni salad can't be beat and there's nothing better than sopping up extra sauce with fluffy slices of white bread. The friendly staff can't be beat, though, and the owner has been active in the community for years. Of course, you can't miss the myriad photos of prominent black folks that adorn the walls of the small space. Those photos were some of my earliest lessons in Black History. For a biracial kid from the 'burbs, this is a place where I was actually able to connect with my African American heritage. The Rib Crib is worth a try if you're into hitting barbecue spots around the Philly area, but they may no longer be the best in the business.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T17:47:44" }, { "business_id": "E52a-tWfAVUigt1ArF711w", "business_name": "Joseph Fox Bookshop", "rating": 5, "text": "I was in Joseph Fox yesterday. It's my go-to spot when I've had a bad day. I received a call that a book I had requested was in store. I've been trying to get my hands on a copy of \"Revolutionary Road\" since I refuse to see the movie before reading the book. One of the saleswomen had pulled a copy from a recent shipment and held it for me. The best part? She had put aside a non-movie cover copy for me. \"You just seemed like the kind of woman who wouldn't want a copy with Leonardo DiCaprio slathered all over it.\" How right she was! I ended up leaving with that, a copy of Madame Bovary, and Persepolis I and II. Again, the service was friendly and impeccable. I think I've sworn off big-box bookstores for good. I also find solace in that I am not the only customer in this bookstore not reading Stephanie Meyer's \"Twilight\" series, whereas Borders seems to bombard me with displays. Also, at Joseph Fox, I don't have to deal with the extraneous other junk other stores sell.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T18:12:44" }, { "business_id": "Vcn_cuQNKRF0eQ16TXVaXQ", "business_name": "The Night Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is for the recent batch of cupcakes I had from The Night Kitchen. I was really disappointed with them, or mostly the icing. I hope it was just a fluke, but the icing was terrible! It was like a little rosette of lard on top of a not-so-moist, crumbly cake. Waaaay too much butter and way too little whipping. I didn't even finish the whole cake because of the terribly cloying taste. Also, the cakes are tiny in comparison for their cost. Now when I go to TNK, I stick to their cookies.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:18:32" }, { "business_id": "HZDJl_MpCBz2_juU1BvDTw", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 1, "text": "I wish there were Waffle Houses this far north. If there was I would quickly trade IHOP for them. I love IHOP, or rather \"loved\" them. It's hard to let go of those childhood memories of days off from school and pancake breakfasts that included chocolate chips of all things. Today's trip was just terrible. Of course the wait is long because people crawl out of the woodwork to get to this place on the weekend. It's the only place I ever see other black folks in Jenkintown! We've been the only black family on my Elkins Park block for years, but we're not alone at IHOP. Weird. We were seated fairly quickly and our drink orders were taken. 15-20 minutes later we were still liquid-less; as were the surrounding tables being serviced by the same waitress. After a chat with the manager, we received our drinks. Another long wait forced us to hijack another waitress just to get our food orders in. By the time all was said and done, breakfast had turned into a 2-hour affair. It would have been nice to see the manager be a bit more involved on a busy Saturday when several customers were lacking decent service. Contrary to the tv commercials, the food just isn't worth hanging around all morning with screaming children.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "6w6wDhgTzteP1tCBvK6fnw", "business_name": "Loie", "rating": 4, "text": "I met a friend here for brunch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The place was really empty and I was a bit skeptical. If a brunch place is empty at noon on a Sunday, it doesn't say much about the food, etc. The emptiness, however, meant that we were seated and attended to promptly. The prix-fixe menu includes all-you-can-drink Mimosas or Bloody Marys. My friend and I each started with a Mimosa. I was pleased that they weren't overly skimpy on the champagne. I started with their garden salad which is pretty large and just right on the dressing. Not too dry and not swimming in oil. I ordered an omelette which was chock-full of my favorites: cheese, spinach, and mushrooms. The dish was cooked perfectly - the eggs weren't runny or overcooked and they came with wonderfully seasoned diced new potatoes. The service continued to be wonderful even as the restaurant filled up. The atmosphere was cozy and I enjoyed our seats by the large, open windows in the front. I'm sure this place is quite lovely in the warmer months. I would definitely consider this spot for out-of-town guests, family, and friends. You won't have to smash your piggy bank for a good meal.", "timestamp": "2009-04-08T04:52:18" }, { "business_id": "K3RURR9lIEE4JjOaPt99zg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been trying to get in for a meal at Sabrina's for months now. I wish someone had told me that they are only open until 4pm two days a week as it seems that those were the days when I tried to go for dinner. I was able to try out their lunch menu earlier this week with my mom and her friend. Being a Monday afternoon, the place was relatively quiet and we were seated immediately. The menu was a little daunting since you can get everything from eggs to cheesesteaks. I settled on a veggie burger with portobello mushrooms and cheddar cheese + the parmesan fries. I rounded things out with an ice cold rootbeer opting for the increased caloric hit rather than subject myself to Diet Rite. The burger was hearty and delicious - you'd have hardly known it wasn't meat with all of the mushrooms. I was quite happy to not have received anything wimpy and previously frozen from a cardboard box. The cheese was perfectly gooey and resembled nothing like those chemically concocted slices you find elsewhere. The fries were the best thing on the plate, though. Who would have thought that parmesan cheese could significantly elevate the humble french fry? The service was average - nothing spectacular. I did catch a little bit of hipster vibe from one of the servers, but such attitudes are becoming harder to avoid in most city neighborhoods. The only thing that could have made the day better? If they hadn't been out of key lime pie.", "timestamp": "2009-05-15T16:57:07" }, { "business_id": "XBwxCXPE8MX1aMs-zT1-Fg", "business_name": "Studio 34", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been wanting to take an African dance class since college but loathed the idea of hopping around with mostly white, mostly classically trained dancers at my liberal arts institution. Then I moved back to Philly and thought about taking a class at the UPenn gym where I am already a member. However, the whopping class fee - uh, hello, I already pay a yearly fee! - and thought of suffering the annoyances of the UPenn female undergrad population - why are you plastered to your Blackberry while working out?! - was equally unappealing. A friend of mine raved about Studio 34 and the work exchange program she had done there. Lo and behold, they have a weekly, drop-in African dance class for...wait for it, wait for it....$10! Yes, $10! Luckily, that price does not include snarky undergrads. I went to my first class on a rainy Sunday and had a great time. There were only three other people present, but I felt immediately comfortable and supported despite my complete lack of dance ability or training. By the end of the class, I was moving along just as well as the other folks. The teacher, Assumane, is wonderful and enthusiastic and you can't help but want to give it your best shot even if your left foot won't listen to your brain. This class is a great workout, especially for someone like me who isn't very in tune with her body but hates toiling away on a machine. You use all parts of your body in these dances from Guinea-Bissau and therefore, you kind of just make peace with whatever wobbly bits you've got. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that this is a weekly ongoing class. I don't have to worry about schedule interferences because I know I can always go the next week. You can't beat $10 to try something out. I look forward to trying some of their yoga classes as my body confidence improves. I am also much impressed by their commitment to the community, the friendliness of the staff, and the welcoming physical space.", "timestamp": "2009-05-16T02:33:07" }, { "business_id": "u7cZUEGK6iJP2gvI22xY2A", "business_name": "Memphis Taproom", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is still awesome. Roasted mushroom grinder = way better than any cheesesteak I've had in this town. I know, sacrilege, right? The atmosphere was better this time and our party didn't get shushed for adult-themed topics. I still don't love that lots of folks bring their kids here, though. Sometimes, I like to go out to eat and avoid toddling children who wander over unattended. I love that they have Sam Smith's Organic Cider in bottles, Allagash Tripel, and Monk's Sour Ale - some of my favorite libations. The fried pickles and suicide rings still light my fire. If only I could find a boy as yummy as they are instead of tables of canoodling couples.", "timestamp": "2009-06-27T19:47:17" }, { "business_id": "EPMHuTHu46B123ivRIZ-Xg", "business_name": "Magic Carpet", "rating": 5, "text": "The Magic Carpet truck is the only lunch truck I frequent. I can guarantee that I can get a sizeable portion of food that will do my body good for about $5. All of the food is prepared by the Magic Carpet folks in their offsite, commercial kitchen so you won't be getting frozen falafel balls here. Their portions are generous enough to cover you for lunch and the afternoon munchies that hit later in the day. It's best to try and sneak in early right around Noon or you are sure to have to contend with a substantial queue. Just like Pat's or Geno's, be sure to know what you want, how you want it before it's your turn or the other hungry customers are sure to grumble as you hem and haw over El Gringo or Magic Meatballs. Definite pros: - no cross contamination from meats - no msg laden crap - folks who speak great english - freshly prepared meals - beverage options that aren't just huge bottles of sugar-y soda Cons: - the long line - having to choose between lots of tasty options.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:21:06" }, { "business_id": "W_vlLO_fS_MuLTvxt1B7AA", "business_name": "Brewers Outlet Of Mt. Airy & Chestnut Hill", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best beer distributor out of the ones I've hit in the 'burbs. I grew up going to Madonna's on Easton Road, but because it's a drive-through, you've got to know what you want when you reach the window. Frosty Caps on 611 comes complete with a guy who looks like John Travolta, but mainly services the Miller Light crowd. Brewer's Outlet is one-stop shopping for beer, cider, and the Vintage seltzer that I love. I wish I could afford to buy an entire case of the Allagash Tripel ($74), but I'll have to stick to drinking it by the glass at Memphis Taproom. I can't confirm that they're over-priced on some goods because I rarely find the brews I like at other distributors. Most people's reaction to my query about Samuel Smith's Organic Cider is \"huh?\" A major boon is their swap policy. Buying a case of something from a microbrewery? Want to try a bottle of that local ____ before buying the whole case? Swap a bottle of yours for a bottle of theirs! Again, it's also convenient to be able to pick up bottled water and the like at the same spot. I've also never gotten those stares male employees sometimes give women that say \"You're picking out the beer? That party's going to suck.\" The employees are helpful without any hints of snobbery. FYI: I'm listing this place as \"pricey\" because the beverages I like don't tend to come cheap.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:31:42" }, { "business_id": "rIqkOMxkeoqvUzl909gNmQ", "business_name": "Kiwi Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "I like the fact that I can exercise my own version of portion control at this new Univ. City establishment. I do wish they had cups smaller than their smallest one, though, because it's hard to know when you've overdone it until you're paying $6 for fro-yo. I mixed the original tart and pumpkin. Both had exceptionally good flavor. The pumpkin actually tasted like pumpkin pie - neither too sweet nor too spicy. Unfortunately, I think some folks believe that fro-yo equals a completely guilt free treat. In reality, you can't really frequent the place several times in a week and expect not to pay for it. Yeah, they use HFCS, but I'm ok with that because I'm not eating there every week. I also like that I can indulge in sinful toppings like snickers bars and chocolate sauce if I'm so inclined. As someone with a nut allergy, I'm glad the place isn't overflowing with all manner of those options. I think the self-serve option is great and it's fun to swirl unusual flavors together. I feel like this a great place for students unlike some of the more pretentious-feeling venues in center city. Dessert should be fun - and I don't necessarily want to cover it in fruit and granola after long day.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:11:18" }, { "business_id": "Kdq1xfIFIKOdO-qW-_tg8A", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "First off - I wouldn't describe this establishment as Asian Fusion. I recall reading that they serve \"Contemporary American\", but I could have made that up. Some friends and I dined here for Restaurant Week Fall 2009 and it as a darn good choice. The wrap-around windows really make for a lovely atmosphere. The cocktails were creative and I enjoyed vodka for the first time in a long while. I also like the long, bar-like table that runs the length of the restaurant, providing extra seating that doesn't make you feel as if you are sitting on top of your neighbor. I was impressed with the menu and the number of choices they provided. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer and say that my meal was fantastic. I started with the heirloom tomato gazpacho with lemon sorbet. The lemon sorbet added a wonderfully cool, summer flavor to the spice of this Spanish soup without diluting the overall tomato flavor. The rolls were wonderfully textured - chewy and warm inside with a crisp crust. The wasabi butter was a definite bonus. My main course of roasted free-range chicken, brussels sprouts, and yukon mashed potatoes was hearty and delicious. The brussels sprouts were especially superb and lacked all trace of the pungent horseradish flavor they sometimes acquire during cooking. Dessert was a lovely little trio chosen beforehand - apple pie, warm chocolate tarte, and ginger ice cream. Our server was attentive, but not overbearing and was especially knowledgeable about the wine selections. I'd recommend this venue for all manner of dinners: dates, parents in town, friends, or even just to treat yourself.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:25:13" }, { "business_id": "Z6WntA-h-vBAQ3Xoe2Xy6Q", "business_name": "Brickbat Books", "rating": 5, "text": "I stumbled into this shop after previous afternoons of passing it by because I talked myself out of going into yet another bookshop. This space is different, though. This is where my fellow book snobs and I can congregate. I make no apologies for eschewing \"beach reads\", Jodi Picoult, and just about most things sold at the big box stores. With so many books in the world, one really does have to have discriminating tastes, don't you think? I love that they have great bits of Edward Gorey 1st editions. I love that there was a James Joyce reading group taking up most of the room. I picked up a loved copy of The Grapes of Wrath (why is this never in when I'm at the library!?) and a vintage edition of The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen. Nevermind that I have no clue who Elizabeth Bowen is, the cover of the plastic-wrapped petite paperback was calling my name. This is where you go to find diamonds in the rough for your literary collection - titles people will pull off of your shelf and say \"I've never seen this before\" and you can tell them all about the day you stumbled into Brickbat and found a new love.", "timestamp": "2009-11-10T00:57:25" }, { "business_id": "-DGsnMlRrR_tv8avrpQLQw", "business_name": "Sam's Morning Glory Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend and I decided on Wednesday morning brunch in order to catch up and unwind post-holiday. I'd passed Morning Glory a number of times while in the neighborhood, but hadn't ever eaten there. I like the vibe - it felt much less pretentious than in Sabrina's where I feel out of place with only one tattoo and feet not shod in Converse. I have to say that I wouldn't attempt to eat here with your 10 best friends, though, as space is an issue. There was no wait when we arrived at 10am, but I was surprised at how quickly the place filled up on a Wednesday in January - does no one work these days? This also isn't place where you can linger over a cup of coffee for hours given said lack of space. The staff will probably appreciate you much more if you pay your check in a timely manner and vamoose if there are people waiting. That being said, my Irish oatmeal was lovely. I was grateful that it wasn't soupy, but just right. Baby Bear would have approved. It was topped with a generous helping of strawberries, bananas, and blueberries. I also ordered a side of turkey sausage which was delicious and fork-tender. Few people probably care about this, but I found it charming that they serve their coffee in large tin mugs instead of the usual white ceramic stuff. My friend ordered a hearty portion of eggs, turkey sausage, and biscuit - which looked thoroughly delicious, but equally taxing on one's gallbladder. Maybe I'll for it next time, when I'm not contending with post-holiday pudge. The staff was great and quick with the coffee refills.", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T15:56:56" }, { "business_id": "TeHlA3PjMCAwJSLymjhz3A", "business_name": "Beans", "rating": 4, "text": "Was surprised to see that Beans opened a new location while in the city the other day. I've never been overly impressed by their other locations in the suburbs. If this store doesn't have it, you probably don't need it. And if you're looking for stuff on the cheap (ie: no $20 blow dryers here), this probably isn't the shop for you. The store is actually really lovely with high ceilings and an open feeling. They've got tons of products for just about anything you could imagine from hair color to nail polish to styling tools. I got a lot of (as in probably just a tad more than I like) help in selecting a hair dryer since I've gasp never owned one! I decided to go with something that will die probably after I do. I appreciate that my new hair dryer also comes with a free class in how to actually use the thing to achieve the style I want. They also do repairs! And who doesn't like a free pouch of jelly beans with each purchase?", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T23:29:22" }, { "business_id": "fhoqmnw5sXzj91-7yBW0Kw", "business_name": "Mugshots Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I ordered the Aztec hot chocolate one afternoon which nearly had me choking due to the amount of cayenne pepper that was in the drink. I thought the idea was to give your tastebuds a hint of heat, not send you into a coughing fit. I'm also kind of annoyed by the whole wi-fi set up. When you purchase a beverage, you get an hour of wi-fi through a code they give you. Essentially, you've got to make another purchase every hour to stay connected. I think I would rather pay a flat fee up front than having to keep purchasing more food/drinks. I wasn't too pleased with the fact that I had also ordered a sandwich, but the person who took my order only put in for my beverage. I should have caught it when I paid, but my mind was elsewhere. I ended up waiting for 20 or so minutes before I realized. I would also appreciate if Mugshots could put some kind of time limit on those who are taking up tables. Is it really fair to spread out your laptop and school books and take up a seat for hours on end when other people would like to sit and enjoy their beverage?", "timestamp": "2010-01-15T21:14:33" }, { "business_id": "M1q0l_VuI6MqRYLWGVhCCw", "business_name": "The Belgian Café", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite Schuyler L.'s run-in with soggy French Toast at brunch, I still enjoy this place. A few friends took me out for a belated-birthday drink. As usual, I had to request the Monk's Flemish Sour Ale which I now have several other friends veritably addicted to. It's sweet and refreshing with a hint of tang. I also tried the Young's Chocolate Stout which was delicious - rich, velvety, great foamy head. Essentially, it's dessert in a beer. The can also contains this thing called a \"widget\" which releases nitrogen once you pop the top to simulate what would happen if it were on tap. It blends the stout into creamy goodness so don't be alarmed by something rolling around at the bottom of your can. I tried to Reuben sandwich which was surprisingly delicious for how little meat I eat. Tender corned beef, gooey swiss cheese, and crisp buttery bread. Of course, there were fries as well with a generous portion of their dipping sauce. We also shared an item off of the dessert menu, but I can't recall the name. Basically, they're awesome cinnamon-sugared doughnuts. They come with a caramel dipping sauce, but I found it too rich for my blood. The doughnuts are warm and made of a dense cake that crumbles in your mouth. It puts anything you'd get at Dunkin' Donuts to shame by a lot. All in all, another fantastic evening!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:00:05" }, { "business_id": "f88P1gIbRpRzsYAHj9hGdA", "business_name": "Sid Booker's Shrimp", "rating": 5, "text": "(I think I may be giving it 5 stars for sentimental reasons, but I've also got some legit claims) So I grew up in a white Jewish neighborhood. Sometimes my father, who was African American, just had to flee the scene to get a taste of his childhood. This meant that we'd often make our way down Broad Street to Sid Booker's. If you can get past the bullet-proof screen and the little lazy-susan they use to take in cash and serve up fried goodies, I recommend you stop by once in your life. Oh, this place may be in what you consider the \"ghetto\" but it ain't cheap (honestly, if it were cheap, I'd be concerned about the ingredients they were using) so hit the ATM first. I don't really love shrimp, but I do adore Sid Booker's fried version. Large, plump, tender, and with a crisp batter that will make your arteries weep. We'd take our foil wrapped bundles home and have a little feast as if we were in Richmond with the family and not in Elkins Park. The ladies there are always kind, but they do a brisk business at certain times of day so don't expect a whole lot of chit chat. Note: This is take-out only and you're going to have to wait on the corner or in your car for a bit while they get your order ready. Contrary to El S.' review, I don't think you're likely to get taken down in a drive-by here as there are usually lots of folks. But like any denizen of a city, I wouldn't be hoppin' in the car for shrimp at 11pm if I wasn't a card-carrying member of that particular 'hood.", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:11:06" }, { "business_id": "O286wXm4mcznQn_1JieD1g", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "So back in December when Silk put out their yearly Soy Nog and Pumpkin Spice flavors, I had trouble deciding which one to buy. I had already tried their soy nog and thought about just sticking with a good thing. On the other hand, the pumpkin spice could be awesome. I was in the middle of this dilemma when one of the guys stocking the case noticed my perplexed look. He popped open a pumpkin spice for me and let me sample it. After I decided I really liked it, he marked the carton as a sample and I got to take it home for free! Now that's customer service!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:34:50" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I always enjoy coming to this theater. Below is a brief outline of why. 1. The seats are comfortable and, unlike many of the theaters in NYC, were not made for very short, very thin people. 2. Continuing on the theme of seats...There are no bad seats due to the intimate nature of the theater. 3. $10 student tickets for Sunday evening performances. Don't forget your student ID, though. If you forget your ID, Will-Call will not give you the student price. 4. They have Junior Mints at the concessions stand. 5. I have always enjoyed the productions they host. Avant-garde enough to make you seem as if you are culturally in-the-know, but not so strange that you'll be yawning for 2 hours. 6. Great set designs and creative use of space. I love their minimalist approach for most things. 7. If you're not a student, no worries! They've still go cheap seats for you twenty-somethings. Bring an ID to confirm your age and you can get tickets for $22.50. I saw Becky Shaw - it was fantastic and is now running through early Feb. Go see it!", "timestamp": "2010-01-25T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "Rmx12lwZbs94MkPaS2o7vw", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "Checking out this brand-spanking-new WFM was the highlight of my weekend. I am aware of just how lame that sounds but, with all the hype, I wasn't going to be left out. This store is easily twice the size of the one in Jenkintown. I love how it's as shiny as a newly minted penny. I didn't get to check each department out as closely as I would have liked due to the sheer throngs of people in there, but here is what I like so far: - Large produce section with an impressively number of organic items. I grabbed some golden turnips, tomatillos, and Italian broccoli. - Impressive fish and meat offerings - alot more prepared items (like the things they pre-marinate or stuff, etc) - Expanded bulk foods section where you can get all the barely or oats or stevia your heart desires. - Huge frozen selection! I didn't know WFM had their own brand of shoestring fries. I often supplement my recipes with frozen veggies in winter and they had everything I needed. - Easy to navigate body care, etc section with more products than my eyeballs could take. - The salad/prepared foods bar of my dreams. - Yogurt stocked so that they come out one at a time (kind of like a vending machine). No worries about having to hunt through a mess of flavors and brands. - The aisles are fairly wide and I was able to maneuver my cart pretty well without getting run into despite the crowd. Nothing can be done about the 80 year old women who shuffle along like it's a Sunday stroll, wide aisle or not. In a perfect world WFM would only have seasonal produce (strawberries are not native to the NE in January), but that's my own personal preference with regards to diet and health. Next time, I plan to actually try some of the food they've got on hand and pop into the pub. Of course, it's still \"Whole Paycheck\" but for my produce and specialty ingredients, this place is still #1.", "timestamp": "2010-01-30T22:14:30" }, { "business_id": "s2JiYzE7i68cXIV6YEcVTw", "business_name": "Local 44", "rating": 4, "text": "Came here for lunch the other day. The place was dead at 2pm, but I didn't mind. The bartendress was very friendly and she kept me entertained. I ordered the fish and chips upon her suggestion and was thoroughly pleased. The batter had a delicious, buttery quality to it and the the fish had a lovely creamy taste. Hard to describe, but I quite enjoyed it. The dish comes with fries and hush puppies which seemed like too many carbs, but still yummy. The fries are hand-cut and well seasoned. The hush puppies were the best I've had above the Mason-Dixon line and I couldn't help but think they'd taste amazing with vanilla ice cream. They've got quite a few of my favorite beers on tap including Allagash White and Monk's Sour Flemish Ale. The atmosphere is very warm with lots of dark wood and I'm sure it's a popular spot in the evening. The bartendress and I got into a conversation about UPenn undergrads trying to sneak in on the weekends and it seems they've got a pretty good system for keeping the wee ones out. Apparently, they've thwarted quite a few wily undergrads with fake ID's. I wouldn't say this place is mainly for UPenn students (whatever their age) but a place that's trying to provide more options for folks north of 40th street. It just so happens that many of those who live in that area are also students or employees of Penn (they are the largest employer in the city afterall). So pop by, grab a beer and a burger, and let the security staff take care of the interlopers.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:04:15" }, { "business_id": "u9XTeDl_If4U5Eixl6ys7g", "business_name": "The Foodery", "rating": 4, "text": "You'll need an adequate amount of time to spare if you're going to stop by The Foodery. I don't know how anyone could walk in and walk out in under 10 minutes. Half the fun is just looking at the labels of bottles from various breweries. I almost found myself choosing my beer based on which ones had the best labels. I've chosen books like that, and it never works out very well. I love any place that offers DIY 6-packs. I also love that their selection is pretty comprehensive, featuring some of the best beers that our city, country, and globe has to offer. The guys behind the counter were friendly and didn't look at me like some damsel in distress when I asked their advice on certain bottles. As previous reviews have stated, if you want to avoid sticker shock, look up the individual beer prices in the manifest or you might find yourself with a hefty bill. I spent $50 on 12 bottles (an assortment of Young's Chocolate Stout, Schneider Weiss, Allagash, Monk's, and Stoudt's). You're sure to be the hit of any party, especially if other people have brought anything closely resembling Bud Light. Me? I prefer to relax and have a night in with my special purchases and a friend or two. I was so enamored with the beer selection that I barely glanced at the rest of the store, so that's on my agenda for next time.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:24:05" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "So, I liked this place the first two or three times I went when I lived in NYC. However, the fourth and fifth times are not the charm, even when dining at the Philly location. I am constantly disappointed by how many of their offerings contain tree nuts. I know it's more or less my problem that I'm allergic to some of the tastiest nuts out there, but do they need to be in all things chocolate? I end up with only two or three choices of dessert because something or other always contains hazelnuts that cannot be left off the item. I also find that the portions are nowhere near comparable to the prices they charge. I'm not an individual who bases my like or dislike of an establishment solely on portion size, but I don't enjoy paying $20 for something I could have essentially made at home. I shared a chocolate fondue for two with a friend and I think there were exactly two of everything: two strawberries, two marshmallows, etc. The staff is friendly, but nothing to write home about as the place seems to hum like a well-oiled machine. Everything comes at a staccato-like pace if they are not super crowded: you are seated, your order is taken, your order arrives, you eat, plates are cleared, you pay, you leave. It's not a place where I feel I can linger a bit and savor the experience. The concept is great and the menu (at least with regards to dessert) has the potential to be quite delicious and satisfying, but I am always left feeling that something is missing, that something could be better.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:42:08" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been frequenting this shop - in person and online - for several years now. I don't even bother to buy spices or the like in the grocery store at this point. I really love this little shop. It is small and fragrant and filled with everything I need for canning/preserving to meatloaf-making to baking. They also have an online shop and will ship directly to you. I particularly love how they have different colors of jimmies/sprinkles separated by color into their own jars. Of course, you can get the rainbow blend, but there's something about seeing millions of neon pink jimmies that makes me smile. I think they've got a great selection of teas and coffees (flavored coffee as well!). You can also pick up little sachets for the loose tea here as well to avoid an extra errand. I usually pop in to refresh my stock of spices and meat seasonings. Try their mix for poultry to get your chicken out of a flavor rut. The shop is ideal for your bulk needs: flour, sugar, nuts, grains, etc. I find it to be better to come here for those items than to try to obtain them from Whole Foods where I'm likely to be charged more. The staff can be a bit aloof, but I've never had a bad experience. It is pretty obvious from the signage that you shouldn't attempt to bag your own purchases so, if you are reprimanded, you probably weren't paying attention. I really wouldn't want god-knows-how-many people reaching their hands into jars of spices all day long. It's also easier for the staff to eyeball an ounce of cloves than for me to do so. Be warned that they are also cash only. This shouldn't worry people too much, though, because their prices are excellent and a $20 should cover most of the damage.", "timestamp": "2010-02-10T03:03:56" }, { "business_id": "IkY2ticzHEn4QFn8hQLSWg", "business_name": "Geno's Steaks", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm not going to lay down esoteric comments about a cheesesteak since it's not a pretentious food. I'm a Philly native that had never had the Geno's experience. Shameful as it may be, I've finally joined the club. In short: Delicious, soft bread layered with thin slices of steak, whiz, and chopped onions. The perfect \"junk\" food for a cold Saturday. The line moved quickly and we managed to avoid getting yelled at by putting our order in correctly. I didn't think the fries were anything special - good, but I'd probably skip them next time. I was surprised at how much I like the mix of flavors considering whiz just seems disgusting on any other food. I can see why these steaks are the cuisine of choice for tipsy college kids.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:55:15" }, { "business_id": "S1FwTmCAwv5ulu5gToWi_w", "business_name": "RIM Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "After freezing to death eating our Geno's steaks, two friends and I popped in for some warming up. The volcano hot chocolate here is certainly worth the $6.00 - if not for the actual drink, then certainly for the process and display that goes into making one. A young man was playing La Vie en Rose on the piano in the back which made the place seem that much more romantic and charming. I could easily find myself here with a knitting project or book, sipping away on decadent espresso drinks. Strangely enough, the bathroom with its red light a pasted photos was a highlight. It's small and cozy - perfect for two or three, but no parties larger than that I would say.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:59:52" }, { "business_id": "1UNJeHTsS7WS9RxRzHw06g", "business_name": "Varga Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "After seeing the latest UPenn Mask and Wig production, I was so hopped up on good humor that I didn't want to end the evening by heading straight home. At first, we planned to go to Tria, but found ourselves face to face with Varga Bar after walking in the wrong direction from Quince Street. The place was crowded at 10:30pm, but not so much that you couldn't comfortably breathe. We put our name in for a table for 5 and passed time at the bar. I was impressed with their many beers on tap - Allagash, Victory, Rogue, Sly Fox, etc. They do offer a few specialty cocktails, but nothing overly fancy. The hostess was extremely pleasant and we were eventually seated moments before our appetizers arrived. I ordered the Kobe Beef Sliders which were delicious and the perfect portion for a late-night snack. They come topped with a delicious aioli that completely negates any need for ketchup or mustard. Their onion rings were crisp, yet tender and drizzled with a piquant dipping sauce. My friends tried the veggie burger and the chili-topped hotdog which they gave favorable reviews. We also shared some fries with the cheese sauce on the side and sans crab meat. The cheese dipping sauce was a great accompaniment the crisp, shoestring potatoes. Definitely a great little place for a light bite to eat. I wouldn't try to squeeze a party larger than 6 or so in here as space is tight. I would certainly recommend it for date night considering the low lighting and intimate tables for two.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T23:14:23" }, { "business_id": "DJujODX9OTMuveKxMEL0zg", "business_name": "Mask and Wig", "rating": 4, "text": "As a Penn grad student and child of a Penn Med professor, I have seen my fair share of Mask and Wig productions. However, when my parents dragged me as a teenager, the ribald humor was generally lost on my rather naive ears. I've come to love the Mask and Wig club for their witty, off-color productions featuring and all-male cast, crew, and band. I love the tradition of the club that dates back to the 1890's and don't mind joining with the \"rah, rah, Pennsyl-van-i-a\" at the end of each performance. The shows are wildly funny and entertaining for all - well, leave the wee ones at home - over the age of 16 or so. You'll enjoy yourself so much, you'll forget that you're seated on a folding chair. I am always impressed by the quality of the music and writing that these undergrads put into each spring show. The clubhouse is also a gem unto itself with original artwork by Maxfield Parrish. They even serve cocktails and beer in the grill room before and after the performances. The downside? Having to mingle with lots of Penn undergrads who come to support their friends. I say just suck it up and go anyway. It's maybe the best $25 you'll spend ($12 for current students).", "timestamp": "2010-02-14T19:24:25" }, { "business_id": "Yn6oUj778ETC5kYs7IPH0g", "business_name": "Tiffin Elkins Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Tiffin just opened up right down the road from my house and is in the same little complex as my gym so it seemed logical to pick up some takeout after an evening workout the other day. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, and Naan. It came with Basmati rice, chutney, and an accompanying sauce. I was a bit worried about the spice factor, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't need a fire extinguisher to eat my meal. My mom, who has a rather sensitive tongue, even got through her Chicken Korma without complaint. I imagine, if you prefer your food to be blacken your tongue that they would oblige. Both dishes were excellent - creamy, rich, not greasy. The rice was cooked to perfection and tastes wonderful with a bit of chutney stirred in. I didn't find the restaurant to resemble a fast food chain. I felt that the colors were appropriate for an Indian restaurant and the dim lighting enhanced the small BYOB. The furniture is modest, but I wouldn't describe it as cheap-looking. I appreciate that they didn't try to cram in as many tables and chairs as possible. Overall, I am pleased that Elkins Park actually has an eating establishment that might survive besides Marco Polo. If only they could give a face-lift to the rest of the shopping complex.", "timestamp": "2010-03-06T01:34:11" }, { "business_id": "pWzrmh1oiU9ngWXGHKnnwQ", "business_name": "Down Home Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "As a kid, we used to stop in here quite a bit after a tour through the Market, but it's just not the same 10-15 years later. My mom and I decided to grab some dinner here after a rather exhausting day at the Flower Show. We were seated right away which was nice considering that it was 6pm on a Friday night and the crowds from the Convention Center were massive. I ordered the BLT which was disappointing - too much lettuce and the wheat bread wasn't substantial enough to hold the thing together. Also, their \"cold sandwiches\" don't come with fries, so I ended up with a sad looking slice of cantaloupe instead. My mom's minestrone soup and grilled cheese with tomato looked much more appetizing. The fries that I ordered on the side weren't anything to write home about - skinny little things resembling the kind that McDonald's sells. For a place that claims to source all of their ingredients from the market, I really expected top notch, fresh food, even if it is a \"diner\".", "timestamp": "2010-03-07T16:46:48" }, { "business_id": "8Wq0LZSuHdPTlleQD5sU_w", "business_name": "The Bubble House", "rating": 1, "text": "This little place has the potential to be great. I'm actually a fan of their bubble teas - taro, in particular. The food isn't terrible either. I had a grilled portabella mushroom sandwich on foccacia with tomatoes and gouda with the side of sweet potato fries. $9 seemed a bit pricey for a one-mushroom sandwich, though, portabella or not. However, what really prevents me from giving The Bubble House more stars is the service - slow and uninspiring. The interior could also use a fresh coat of paint and the tables and floors could also stand to be refinished. There is just an overall grimy feeling to the restaurant that makes you wonder just how \"clean\" your food is. What really put me off was having to watch the guy who prepared the teas and manned the take-out counter sit outside and smoke three times in an hour whilst spitting here and there in plain view of the restaurant window. I do hope he washed his hands after each cigarette break, but I can't be too sure. I would probably skip this place in the future despite its proximity to campus.", "timestamp": "2010-03-11T02:18:03" }, { "business_id": "GsBDSxvX4VcvmdVODoJ_lQ", "business_name": "Primex Garden Center", "rating": 5, "text": "While, in the future, I'll probably try to avoid Primex on a Saturday afternoon, it's still my favorite garden supply spot. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about their products from plants to seeds to fertilizers and more. They even do soil testing to help you make the most of your lawn and/or garden. I feel that their prices are fair for a locally owned, family business and the new rewards program allows you to accrue monetary value towards future purchases. They hold double-point days throughout the season, too. On busy weekends this time of year, parking can be a hassle, so be patient. You can park right in front of the store, in their lot, on the side of the store, and back behind the warehouse as well. Now that planting season is in full swing, you can for flowers and other seedlings outside at the shed by the greenhouse. Just be sure to have a staff member write up your purchases first. For great soil, I recommend their Bumper Crop which gave me some impressive veggies last year. It retails for about $14 per 2 cubic feet. I'm also pleased that they offer planting potatoes, garlic, onions, and rhubarb - things you can't really grow from seed and are only offered early in the season. Their impressive selection of flower bulbs is also not to be missed! Be sure to pick up one of their great eco-friendly flower pots, too - they're recyclable!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:17:07" }, { "business_id": "MbKhuO-4uYPc0NRZDRWoew", "business_name": "MexiCali", "rating": 4, "text": "I've eaten at both the bricks and mortar shop and the lunch truck on 38th and Walnut. These are pretty much the only burritos I eat. Sure, Chipotle is just up the block, but why bother with those inflated prices? The quality of the Mexicali ingredients is superb - not once have I questioned whether my chicken was really chicken or dug in only to have gristle and fat meet my teeth. I've had consistently great experiences with the food here and find that both their meat and vegetarian options are equally delicious. Sometimes, a vegetarian options just means a weak assortment of peppers and onions or beans, but Mexicali provides a variety of options from tofu to plantains to sweet potato. Most options are around $4-5 for meat options and as low as around $2 for veggie options. Keep in mind these aren't skimpy portions either!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:22:17" }, { "business_id": "_tt4nysrN8JpzLLVXL-z5A", "business_name": "Creperie Beau Monde & L'Etage", "rating": 4, "text": "Love this place! I have never had a bad meal here. Tonight, a friend and I dined al fresco. Amanda, our server, was lovely - friendly and attentive, but not overbearing and very knowledgeable about the menu. We enjoyed the special soup of the day, a creamy artichoke with chipotle that was warm, smoky, and rich. We also had the special sweet crepe of the day which was delicious - sweet potatoes poached in coconut milk and pureed, accompanied by caramel sauce, toasted pecans, and vanilla gelato. Per usual, my savory entree crepe was generously portioned and full of fresh ham, cheddar, and broccoli. I thoroughly enjoyed their appetizer salad of house greens with a mustard vinaigrette - pleasingly tangy with a hint of bite. Beau Monde is one of my favorite places to end a spring afternoon with a good friend.", "timestamp": "2010-04-23T02:01:48" }, { "business_id": "zuNEmJXTIAMRwRY5v-oSCg", "business_name": "L'etage", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited L'Etage last night for an event. The space is cozy with fabric covered walls and dark, leather furniture. Given a large crowd, though, this performance space could get uncomfortable quite quickly. I honestly didn't find the staff to be that welcoming or friendly and the table service during the performance was distracting because it's hard to avoid walking in front of the stage. Also, $7 for gin and tonic? Really? I'll just bring a thermos next time. I'm interested to check out the story slams here, though I don't think they could even hold a candle to The Moth's productions.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:17:10" }, { "business_id": "K9cn-DrPEEXse1s1n-6mMw", "business_name": "Bridget Foy's", "rating": 3, "text": "Following a performance at L'Etage, my friends and I were famished. And, after 2 drinks on an empty stomach, I was feeling tipsy as well. South Street was mobbed on this Friday night, but we were seated immediately on B. Foy's outdoor patio which provided the perfect perch for observing a plethora of police officers canvassing the area status post the flash mob fiasco. I don't think I've seen so many brothers in blue since the Rodney King videos. Given the number of teenage twerps out and about, I was glad to have the extra security. But I digress... B. Foy's hit the spot but their food isn't exactly inspiring. I ordered a Walt Whit and the crispy chicken sandwich. I swapped the pepperjack for cheddar and got exactly what I ordered. I would have preferred a bit more avocado and less chipotle mayo as the sandwich was more spicy that I like. The bun was flaky, soft, and big enough to hold everything together. I felt the chicken was a bit overdone, but still good. The fries were average and lacked sufficient seasoning. The prices were more than reasonable, though, and three of us ate for $50, drinks included. This location is definitely a plus if you're doing the tourist thing with friends or family and need a place to please most palates. Just don't expect too much.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:26:03" }, { "business_id": "7WWLPXpOjrh_1EvjFuw3hQ", "business_name": "The Drake Tavern", "rating": 1, "text": "I really want to like this place because it's a short drive from my door, but I really just can't get behind it. First of all, I generally find the crowd to be an obnoxious mix of middle-aged folks trying to forget the work week and early twenty-somethings looking to get obliterated. The music is always too loud and seems to be piped straight from 104.5. The beer is nothing to write home about and they only get as adventurous as Magic Hat it seems. Who wouldn't, though, when most of your crowd is content with Budweiser and Coors? We're not exactly dealing with sophisticated palates. I have never found the service to be stellar and I could really do without young women prancing around in low-cut, tight t-shirts as if Hooters has come to town. And then there is the food... They do a decent job with their burgers, but it pretty much ends there. If you're going to attempt things like crab quesdillas, at least know what you're doing and use real crab meat. Most everything on the menu involves something fried. The food is bland and lacks creativity just like the rest of this place.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:34:13" }, { "business_id": "AERr7jPbAZmShrwfKzUqfA", "business_name": "Big Blue Marble Bookstore", "rating": 5, "text": "Yep, I still really love this place. As other reviews mention, you may be out of luck if you're pining after a certain book as there is no way this little shop can hold it all, but you can place an order for no extra charge and have your goods within the week. Big Blue Marble goes for quality, not quantity in my opinion and offers sophisticated, yet good reads that cater to the interests of their community. On my most recent trip, they had lots for the backyard gardener and most of the popular new releases that the big box stores have on their shelves. The book I really wanted was sold out, but I placed an order on Wednesday and had the book in my hands on Saturday. I love that they carry a good selection of Nikki McClure's cards and journals as well as items by Little Otsu. It's not as close as Barnes and Noble for me, but I still prefer to give my patronage to this Mt. Airy gem.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:39:14" }, { "business_id": "fOhnSqmO4XY5vSI8whVKSA", "business_name": "Farmicia", "rating": 4, "text": "Certainly one of the best brunches I've had in a while. I had made a reservation in light of the potential craziness from the Broadstreet Run earlier in the day. A wise move, indeed. I had time to kill before my tablemate arrived and enjoyed their happy hour cocktail prices and an assortment of fresh fruit. I thought the apple centerpieces were a rather whimsical touch. I ordered the Brunch Sandwich was the perfect union of fried egg, Amish cheese, and country toast. It was accompanied by more fresh fruit and I think I nearly hit my 5 servings for the day! The eggs were cooked as I like them - not too runny, but not hard either, just enough so that you don't end up covered in yolk. The fruit was certainly fresh which is not always the case when ordering such at an establishment. Strawberries, raspberries, and grapes - all ripe and delicious. I will certainly return in the future as their menu has many tempting offerings and who can resist half price drinks on a Sunday?", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:48:38" }, { "business_id": "V7KWP_nQkpSxR3t7bEqrMw", "business_name": "Bartram's Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "If you don't know that this place exists, shame on you! This charming 18th century historic site and it's gardens offer much needed respite from the hectic pace of modern life. Just get over the discomfort of having to drive through less-than-appealing blocks of West Philadelphia. Really folks, it's not like you're going to get caught in a drive-by. The winding drive takes you off the beaten path and away from bustling city streets to what can really be described as a botanical oasis. The place was virtually deserted on this sunny Tuesday afternoon as guided tours only take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, it was nice to be left alone to explore and enjoy the rows of vegetables peeking out from the soil and the variety of flowers and trees. There are placards interspersed throughout to explain the history and heritage of the Bartram family and the grounds. If only the rest of West Philadelphia had been so well-preserved! We took one of the paths down toward the river and found ourselves tip-toeing on rocks to save a floundering fish and picking buttercups in the adjoining meadow. It's lovely to view the steely-grey of the Philadelphia skyline from this idyllic spot. I'd certainly return for a tour and will keep an eye out for their events. Conveniently, they are open everyday 10a-5p (except holidays) and admission is free, unless you plan to take a tour. Another bonus? They do their own plant and seed sale!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:59:28" }, { "business_id": "qQO7ErS_RAN4Vs1uX0L55Q", "business_name": "The Franklin Fountain", "rating": 4, "text": "Yep, still awesome. Their butter pecan really tastes like there is a stick of butter in the ice cream. I love their waffle cones, which are substantial, keep your ice cream off of your hands, and provide just enough satisfying crunch!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:02:45" }, { "business_id": "RUWCx8WPhq4JwQjv_eGZ8g", "business_name": "Velvet Sky Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I love cake. It's a problem. Luckily, I don't pass by this little bakery too often. Their red velvet made my week. My only complaint? A little less icing perhaps. Sometimes my teeth veritably ache after one of these little beauties.", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:11:07" }, { "business_id": "a9tI3YQyIXHqt0c1AxaSbA", "business_name": "Valley Green Inn", "rating": 4, "text": "Even though this historic venue could use some sprucing up (fresh paint, etc), it's still one of my favorite places in the world and it's slightly rustic feel is all part of the charm. I know that seems like an exaggeration, but I've been going to the Valley Green Inn since my little legs could pedal a bike to get there. As a family, we always biked the trail instead of driving in. The food is still delicious, especially their yam fries. My roast turkey breast sandwich with applewood smoked bacon was one of the best lunches I'd had in a while. The bread, especially, was delicious and certainly held up against a slathering of mayo. I really detest wimpy bread. This is a place that feels upscale but is down to earth and equally wonderful whether you want brunch, lunch, or dinner. Bring the family or someone special, either way, you're sure to enjoy yourself.", "timestamp": "2010-06-04T20:06:34" }, { "business_id": "X_OnAUXVGHjyWP9zoPVLTA", "business_name": "Megabus", "rating": 3, "text": "Thus far, I've only ridden Megabus once so I am holding out on giving it more stars until I have other experiences to compare to this one. I had no problems with my trip to and from NYC. Our bus left on time and even arrived in NYC a little early. The ride was comfortable enough - the seats could have been a bit roomier and the frigid air conditioning was refreshing at first, but not so much 30 minutes into the ride. The driver and employees were courteous at both ends of the trip and I had no issues with luggage. I really had no use for the wi-fi or the outlets, so I can't comment on those, but others on the ride seemed to have no trouble accomplishing various tasks on their laptops or charging their phones enough to scream into them the entire ride. The most annoying aspect was actually due to a couple riding in front of my friend and I who refused to stop groping each other. My first choice for travel would be Amtrak, but for $12, I think I got what I expected - average service.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:06:53" }, { "business_id": "eXKblEHP3YJYU1Awz08hVw", "business_name": "Tacos Don Memo", "rating": 4, "text": "Well, I'll never eat at MexiPhilly again, that's for dang sure! My al pastor burrito more than made up for my terrible lunch date. I ended up making lunch AND dinner out of my burrito which was crammed with savory black beans, fluffy rice, avocado, lettuce, tomato and, of course, pork. I don't even really like pork! Just ask my mom about the faces I make if she makes pork chops. It's ugly. My lunch \"date\" had talked up the al pastor so much, though, that I took the plunge. A few things to know before you go: - the wait can be lengthy so you might want to bring a folding chair - it ain't as cheap as some other carts The ingredients are really fresh and there is a whole lot of effort that goes into the preparation of your order. I don't know how they got everything in my burrito, but it stayed together down to the last bite. The owner even has a bricks and mortar shop up near the 69th street terminal and will bring in specials from the restaurant on occasion.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:31:15" }, { "business_id": "-b8iNhBez0hRu478nIDhyg", "business_name": "Swift Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Gastropubs are taking over the world! Or at least Northern Liberties. This was my first trip to Swift Half and the Piazza, for that matter. I've lived in the Philadelphia area just about all my life and still find it a little weird that someone thought to plunk down this Piazza thing in Northern Liberties. Does someone want to tell me where all the regular folks are going to live once we've gentrified this entire city? But I digress... I appreciate what Swift Half is aiming for - a fresh, unique, delicious menu. However, I agree with Anthony S. in that they miss the mark with their \"go big or go home\" attitude. I was pretty excited about my B.E.L.T. (bacon, egg, lettuce, and tomato) sandwich because I adore breakfast for dinner. I felt the egg was overcooked, the bacon lacked the thick texture I was expecting, and the mayo was straight up out of the Hellman's mayo jar I presume. The bread was very good, but could have used toasting to give it some oomph. I thought the fries were delicious, though. Overall, I kind of felt that their menu was all over the place: mussels, fish and chips, burgers. Too many unrelated choices in my opinion. I really enjoyed my Georgia Kiss cocktail (gin, peach schnapps, soda water, and lime) and thought that was a pretty original drink. They also have a great selection of beers which do not disappoint. I liked the atmosphere. It was a bit noisy due to all of the people out on a Friday night at 9pm, but the large open space lends itself well to coming with a group. The outdoor patio on the Piazza is also a definitive plus. I look forward to trying Swift Half again and hope they \"grow into\" their grown up menu. Just do simple food well, guys. Don't prissy it up for the No Libs hipster crowd. When I go to a pub, I want hearty food that will compliment my beer selection and leave me feeling satisfied.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:27:13" }, { "business_id": "qAjsqPKJwcWX97_EBHwfjw", "business_name": "Rosie's Yarn Cellar", "rating": 5, "text": "You know, Rosie's has really grown on me as I've delved deeper and deeper into this knitting....hobby. Well, let's call it what it really is, shall we? It's a full blown obsession for me at this point. I like that Rosie's has a nice mix of the luxe and the everyman's fiber. You've got your Swan Lake fingering, your Manos, your Cascade 220 - something for every taste and budget. Oh how I love their lush selection of Manos in all its myriad colors. I love that I can still get plenty of Rowan and Koigu here, too. Yes, the shop is still tiny, but that's part of the charm and I take my yarn home to wind rather that risk whacking someone with the swift. Rosie's is one of those neighborhood places where you have to go a few times to sort of feel like you belong. I like the staff and have never had a problem. If you're feeling neglected, speak up! If I'm new to a particular shop, I sometimes feel awkward and out of place. Knitting is such a community thing these days and shops have fiercely loyal clientele, so just give it some time if you're a newbie. Rosie's will certainly welcome you in if you leave your attitude outside.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:36:31" }, { "business_id": "LklDTDwgJLbUjd67ZKsvCg", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Square Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Who doesn't love sunshine and grass?! I love sunshine and grass and knitting or reading on a lovely afternoon. I don't love the tiny, yapping dogs or women in skimpy bikinis, or the couples who obviously need to get a room. Rittenhouse Square Park is a place where some people obviously come to see and be seen as if they're dining at the Ivy on an episode of The Hills. So...these 4 stars are really for awesome things like the free Saturday yoga classes and the Saturday farmers market where I score delicious local eats like yellow carrots, chioggia beets, brightly colored zinnias, and 3 different kinds of plums. These 4 stars are also for those early spring days where hope springs eternal after a winter of drudgery and snow. They are also for those great first date strolls, laughing with your best friends, or sneaking some solitude. For all those things, it really is a 5 star kinda place.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:45:05" }, { "business_id": "EpFFiPHKx9yP-WqOCuxRCw", "business_name": "Mayfair Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I have a hard time believing this place ever got \"Best of Philly\" even if it was in 2002. But, after a long morning doing health education down the road at CFCF at the Philadelphia Prison System, you'd need a milkshake and french toast, too. The milkshake was probably the best part even if it was a little on the small side. What happened to the days when you got the silver cup on the side with the leftover shake!? My french toast was good because I was hungry and in a crappy mood, but nothing to write home about. The service was all NE Philly (\"What'll youse be havin'?), accent included. Essentially the clientele here is 65 and over and they're probably eating soup when it's 95 degrees outside. Are there any great Philly diners left?", "timestamp": "2010-08-04T00:46:55" }, { "business_id": "A7z2nV4JUlmwBbQx3ge2rw", "business_name": "Dujour", "rating": 5, "text": "Du Jour features a great lunch menu and today was no exception. In the summer, I particularly enjoy their freshly made Gazpacho soup. It can be really hard to find a great Gazpacho that isn't overly spicy, not too chunky, not too heavy on vegetables that shouldn't be in there in the first place (like carrots), and doesn't separate quickly. Unless I make it myself, the only Gazpacho I'll eat is from Du Jour. It is smooth and well blended with plenty of tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumber. It has a refreshing, crisp tang provided by the vinegar. I followed up with their low-fat tuna sandwich on multigrain bread with lettuce and tomato and a side salad. I think they make a great tuna sandwich - it's not dry and comes on hearty bread with a thick slice of tomato and crisp lettuce. It is also features a pretty substantial helping of tuna which kept me energized through 4 hours of poolside lounging later in the afternoon. The absolute best part was the kind gesture we received from the chef, Mike. A professional photographer was in the restaurant shooting photographs of various plates from the new menu. When the chef brought out a large slice of blueberry pie accompanied by a generous helping of gelato I was done for. After the photographer had finished her shots of the pie, I jokingly called to the chef to ask if I could have it. To my surprise he turned around and said \"sure!\" since it was going to go to waste anyway. He was really very kind and seemed happy to let three of us in on this delicious new menu item. Made with local blueberries, the pie was delicious and full of sweet summer flavor. The cinnamon gelato was a perfect creamy partner to the butter in the crust and the sweet-tart of the fruit. I'm pretty sure the huge slice and scoop we had were not the usual serving size, though! Once again a delicious lunch with exceptional service.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T01:56:05" }, { "business_id": "IvMEGUlmbDZVzftmRCLdDg", "business_name": "Margaret Kuo's Wayne", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't love Chinese food, but aside from Cin Cin in Chestnut Hill, Margaret Kuo's is much more palatable than other establishments I've visited. I like the portion sizes here because they are enough for one person, possibly two if you plan to share more than one dish or order appetizers. The menu tends to feature more than your average take out spot and I find the fare to be less greasy and salty. I particularly like the Chicken with Shitake Mushrooms which is not slathered in brown sauce as it might be elsewhere. It is a healthy portion of chicken, snow peas, and mushrooms that I like to mix with brown rice. I was left satisfied but not stuffed to the gills. I am always a little confused when ethnic restaurants start crossing cultural borders and am not sure why they feel the need to offer sushi as well. I've never tried their sushi offerings and cannot speak to its quality, but I feel that you should probably just stick with what you know. Beware that a lot of families tend to pack her restaurant on a weekend evening so you will most likely be contending with the shrill voices of wee ones. If you're looking for a more intimate setting, I might dine later in the evening to avoid the Sesame Street crowd.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T02:03:11" }, { "business_id": "kK1re49IK3jmCYTL6B6_lw", "business_name": "Trolley Car Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure how it took me so long to visit this place. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner and found it to be a much better experience than some other diners I've experienced as of late. They have an impressive offering of beers and you can make your own six-pack without hiking down to the Foodery and paying an arm and a leg. Their menu is extensive and they serve breakfast all day. Their portions are hearty and they make their own kettle chips. I don't have kids, but this place would satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Their milkshakes are also pretty great. You even get the extra in the metal mixing cup. There's just something about getting a huge helping of ice cream that makes my day. Keep in mind that this place can get busy and that there will probably be a munchkin or two who is in a bad mood. I find the staff to be very friendly and attentive even when they're running between multiple tables. This is also a good place for groups as their large booths can accommodate three people on each side. I think this may be my new favorite, local spot for a satisfying meal, good beer, and reasonable prices.", "timestamp": "2010-09-18T22:53:00" }, { "business_id": "U9gATBSpddPuqZdfhYOaUQ", "business_name": "Clark Park Farmers' Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoy the cultural milieu one can find at any given local farmers' market. You can walk through an epic, medieval battle of capture-the-flag in the park and find yourself face to face with all sorts of interesting folks and vegetables, too. I always find unique varietals here that add flair to even the most familiar dishes in my culinary repertoire. On my last visit, I picked up a delicious sugar baby melon - the baby cousin to the watermelon - that was filled with sweet, juicy flesh. I also love going towards the end of the market and scoring handfuls of plump, fragrant zinnias at half price from the Amish growers. The blooms are as bright as the sun and are sure to make any gal swoon. You can also find some great local, grass-fed meat, cheese, yogurt, and milk if you're not into the conventional, homogenized varieties at the grocery store. Go, if not for the good, for the atmosphere. You'll also get to avoid the ritzy crowd that frequents the Rittenhouse Market, making food shopping seem like high art for the privileged classes.", "timestamp": "2010-09-20T01:53:11" }, { "business_id": "aF7RIFJwdjv21eVYgMqJFw", "business_name": "Rosey's BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "Rosey's has moved into the location formerly inhabited by Abner's. I am sure that some people are perturbed by this but, rest assured, Rosey's did not put Abner's out of business. Considering the lack of quality restaurant food in Jenkintown and the fact that they are flanked by IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, and Chilis, I didn't expect too much from Rosey's. I was pleasantly pleased with their menu and food, though, and have been back twice since my initial visit. I really like their brisket sandwich which comes chopped on a kaiser role. I ordered the coleslaw and sauce on the side to cut down on the mess. The brisket was smoked to perfect and extremely tender. Their house-made BBQ sauce is a perfect compliment to any of their meats and isn't as tomato-based as some other establishments. The sauce has just the right amount of tang and spice. I really enjoyed their greens, which are tender and well seasoned without being overly peppery. They cook their greens with turkey which is a good substitute for the ham hocks I might use if I made my own. The owner commented that given the Jewish population in the area he felt it was better for sales to keep the greens pork free. Smart move, I think. The mashed sweet potatoes are also delicious and could almost double as dessert. Don't forget a glass of their house-made sweet tea - just enough sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth but still provide actual refreshment. My absolute favorite item on the Rosey's menu? The banana pudding. It's almost as good as my auntie's and chock full of vanilla wafers and actual banana. Rosey's isn't pretentious and is certainly closer than Smokin' Betty's and Percy Street - places that serve decidedly different styles of BBQ.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:38:10" }, { "business_id": "ZKPrXH_GNW_AtZ31tP3NmA", "business_name": "White Dog Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been coming to the White Dog since I was a wee one. I completely disagree with the review by Ed M. and wonder why he insists on frequenting the restaurant if he clearly doesn't enjoy the food. That's another story for another time, though... I enjoy the restaurant and the events that they hold. I've had two impressive meals in conjunction with community events - one a book reading with a sumptuous steak dinner; the other, a trolley car mural tour with continental breakfast and sit-down lunch. Sometimes, I will pop in and treat myself to lunch after a day of classes. The best meals I've had here have been shared with family and friends, though, and are often celebrations of something great that has just occurred. I greatly appreciate and admire how the White Dog works so diligently to provide fresh, local, seasonal, and organic ingredients on a regular basis. They even have their own bottled sparkling water! Some restaurants claim that their menus are local or organic, but it's such a small percentage of the items, that you might as well not bother mentioning it at all. I also find it admirable that WDC finds it important to connect with their customers and their community through regular events, educational opportunities, etc. I've never had a bad meal here and, for the most part, the staff provides a very enjoyable experience. I particularly like their soups and use of seasonal vegetables. I can always count on them to have vegan/vegetarian menu options which means I can come here with all of my friends. Penn students clogging the bar or not, cranky reviews by others or not, I will still consider this one of my favorite places in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:50:23" }, { "business_id": "2BRbu3cBbH2bCgzN3DVc8w", "business_name": "Table 31", "rating": 2, "text": "Considering Table 31's atmosphere, I was expecting to be much more impressed by the actual service, drink menu, and food. Is there some rule of the universe where the effort and expense put into the decor is inversely proportional to the quality of the food and service? I found the staff to be rigid and off-putting, as if I clearly wasn't cool enough to be drinking in their establishment. Their cocktail menu was very expensive and heavy on the martinis. An homage to Sex and the City maybe? Their bar food also seemed much too over the top and expensive - seafood, pizza, and meatballs? What about a shrimp cocktail or salad or canapes. Something other than $50 of mollusks, please! Our little party ended up getting a cheese plate which was tasty but not satisfying and didn't come with nearly enough bread. The bread that did come was accompanied by this odd looking dipping mixture that was pure oil with red sediment at the bottom. No amount of stirring seemed to get it to mix and I wasn't sure if I should try to eat it or just play with it. Overall, Table 31 just tries too hard without actually accomplishing anything. I felt uncomfortable and unsatisfied. I'd only recommend it if you wanted to swig a whiskey in a dark suit and imagine that you're Don Draper for half a minute. Then get the heck outta there and pick up a bottle of something better on your way home.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T02:01:30" }, { "business_id": "N3CuXqWoFpBtYMBGhBE2fA", "business_name": "Milk & Honey Market", "rating": 2, "text": "Is it just me or are sandwiches in Philadelphia becoming ridiculously expensive. $8 for an \"Italian Hoagie\" - I hope the meats were just off the boat from Italy! I met a friend here for lunch a while back as we both hadn't visited this new addition to the West Philadelphia community. I was disappointed with their selection of items. Given the lack of grocery stores in the area, it would be nice to have a little marketplace where one could actually accomplish a complete shopping trip. Instead, M&H provides alot of specialty and gourmet items that I wouldn't necessarily require on a weekly basis. Their produce and dairy is pretty limited. They do, of course, have quite the honey selection. I enjoy honey just as much as the next gal, but it doesn't exactly qualify as anything remotely close to a meal. My Italian hoagie wasn't as good as I had anticipated owing to the fact that the bread was pretty stiff and I had a hard time sinking my teeth into it. Perhaps this was because it had been sitting, pre-made, in the deli case for lord knows how long. The sandwich lacked filling and I think I got more arugula than anything else. The market was also out of a ridiculous number of menu items which left my friend and I with about 3 choices on a Monday afternoon. I also didn't feel that the employees were very friendly. I felt largely ignored for the most part, like I was intruding on something. What happened to \"Hi, how may I help you?\". Hopefully, as the market settles into the community, they will continue to improve, but I don't think I'll make them a frequent stop.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T19:50:28" }, { "business_id": "9Pvwx_IfQgQL4ykmlGV6yA", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "I don't love Chinese food and P.F. Chang's occasionally reminds me why. I've been to 3 of their locations and have never had a stellar experience at any of them. I am pleased, though, that there are buildings occupying the property in Plymouth Meeting other than that pitiful structure they call a mall. We dined relatively early when the restaurant was barely full but I felt rushed by our server. He also completely glossed over any explanation of what the sauces were that they provide. I ordered the chow fun noodles with chicken and was disappointed to see that that was the extend of the meal: chow fun noodles, chicken, and scallion slices. Would the addition of some other vegetables be inappropriate? It irks me that one has to order most of their dish via the appetizer and side dish section if you want to create something well-rounded. I found the noodles to be rather lackluster in flavor and largely dominated by the long scallion stalks that I had to pick out of my bowl. The outdoor patio is a nice addition, though, for warm-weather dining. I doubt I will rush back here unless accompanied by someone delirious for their food.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:10:55" }, { "business_id": "lpDOqBhkJlxACzKQGAj_uA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm not going to lie, I really enjoy shopping at Whole Foods. Prices and hipster foodies be damned. As far as WFM's go, though, this is not my favorite location. The store feels crowded and the layout doesn't allow for fluid movement from one department to the next. I think this is because the baked goods, salad bar, and hot foods bar are smack in the middle of the store. The aisles also seem rather cramped and difficult to navigate with a cart. The staff are still friendly folks, but the other customers always seem agitated when I am there. Maybe grocery shopping in the city is just more stressful? I'll stick to the stores in the 'burbs where there is more room to maneuver.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:14:32" }, { "business_id": "1tkXPP1K1jBIgIthy6idwQ", "business_name": "Burholme Park Golf Center", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! What has happened to this place since my childhood? I actually went here for a date recently and it's not something I would ever repeat. Unfortunately, I wouldn't repeat the date with the same guy anywhere else, but that's another story. When I was little, Burholme was THE place to have your summer birthday party, complete with mini golf, hot dogs, and ice cream. Now it just seems a rather sad shell of itself. The pro shop was dark and looked fairly disorganized as if people just dropped things and left. The snack stand was pitiful and appeared to need a thorough cleaning. There was really no menu to speak of as they apparently don't sell much unless it's summertime. The girls behind the counter were more interested in a laptop than customers and provided us with some rather tired looking bats. There were only three open batting cages and the rest were locked. The equipment seemed to need replacing and malfunctioned. It was difficult to even tell when the machines were on and I lost a few swings because I didn't know that I was still \"up\". It might be the guy, it might be Burlhome, but I probably won't be revisiting this golf center ever again. Too many painful memories ::sniff::", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:21:12" }, { "business_id": "SGi8AJhR8iS-LsQwcMOAVA", "business_name": "Eulogy Belgian Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "3 stars for the beer selection which just can't be beat. Unfortunately, I'm inclined to only assign 2 stars to the food. Being that this establishment is in Old City, I should have contemplated how tiny it might be. At 10pm on a Saturday night, the bar was pretty darn crowded and as hot and humid as a gym locker room with all of the bodies and winter coats jammed inside. We were able to get a table upstairs, but the close proximity of other patrons made me feel a bit claustrophobic. I was glad to get a taste of the Troeg's Mad Elf as it's a seasonal beer not easily found in this land of state stores and beer distributors. At about 10% abv, one brimming goblet was enough to thoroughly wet my whistle. One of my friends, didn't have such great luck with his selection as each beverage he chose seemed to be unavailable. Eventually, our server asked him to choose anything on the menu on the house which was definitely a sign of superb service. I was disappointed with the Belgian fries we ordered as they seemed overdone and too thickly cut. The dipping sauce didn't light my fire either. Perhaps my expectations are too high after years of consuming the potatoes from Pomme Frites in NYC? I'll be sure to give them another try at a later date and hope for a better outcome. I don't know if this place is never not packed, but I'll attempt to give it another go at a time when it might be less crowded and I can get a seat at the bar.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:49:12" }, { "business_id": "Ukkr1N8UApmJsOzbX4XnRA", "business_name": "The Green Line Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to love The Green Line, but it hasn't won me over yet. I never get a warm-fuzzy vibe from the staff. It's as if people can tell that I'm not vegetarian or vegan and that I drive a car! Furthermore, I always seem to get stuck sitting outside amidst a cluster of chain smokers. Also, the fact that they only take cash is kind of irritating in this modern era of debit/credit cards, especially when coffee can run you upwards of $5 depending on the menu item. Brownie points for the fact that they do serve fair trade coffee.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:54:20" }, { "business_id": "qlt0aeVnh4B3X5mUeEUtnQ", "business_name": "Regal Warrington Crossing ScreenX, 4DX, IMAX & RPX", "rating": 3, "text": "I wish I lived close enough to Center City to do most of my movie viewing at the Ritz but, alas, we suburban folks have to trek to the Regal which might as well be it's own small metropolis. I like that this venue has 22 screens which means there will most likely be at least one movie that everyone in your group can agree on. This also means that they can show very popular movies on more than one screen, thus lessening the possibility of sold out shows. I enjoy the stadium seating and relatively roomy chairs that recline just enough to be relaxing without allowing the person in front of you to end up in your lap. I usually skip the concession stand unless I really want to part with $20. Honestly, with the purse I carry, it's easy enough to smuggle in my own Junior Mints and my Klean Kanteen water bottle. The concession line is also usually infuriatingly slow because the teenage cashiers seem to find it a prime time to flirt with one another as they sling jumbo sodas and buckets of popcorn towards beleaguered parents. I know the price of movies these days is a major bone of contention with most folks, but it's not like it's a secret or anything. You can always count on dropping at least $10 per ticket (more if you're going to pre-order via Fandango or something) and another $20 for snacks. I recommend the matinees, taking advantage of the Regal card, utilizing student ID's, or just investing in Netflix if the cost is a major hardship. A major bonus is the fact that they also screen operas via simulcast from the Met. All the glory of Don Giovanni without the cost and hassle of going to NYC.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:04:21" }, { "business_id": "vy0IlrE3Zl44HwxbsZhh2g", "business_name": "Ritz East", "rating": 4, "text": "Somehow I always get myself lost trying to find the Ritz East vs the Ritz, but I always leave pleased. This is where I come a) to see movies that don't make it to the large, mega theaters and b) to see grown up flicks that don't involve texting teenagers or whining toddlers in the audience. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance as a number of shows I have seen here have sold out rather quickly. The tickets for both the 8p and 10p shows of Black Swan on a Saturday night were gone within minutes which resulted in many boyfriends receiving rather pouty faces from their significant others! The prices are reasonable and relatively comparable to the rest of the city/suburbs. I always skip the snacks in favor of visiting a favorite, local restaurant instead. They do have better fare than your average theater, though. Who doesn't love Pocky!? While it probably sucks to get caught in this predicament, it is kind of nice that they prohibit folks from entering the theater 15 minutes after the main event has begun. There is nothing worse than being stepped upon after you've gotten all settled and into the rhythm of the story. The seats are large and I'm always comfortable even when the place is packed. The best part is that you're probably not likely to find yourself in danger of being shot while any of the Ritz theaters. I wish I could say the same for the Riverview or Bridge cinemas!", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:13:32" }, { "business_id": "EAtdpksdWfWAaqh3XdnNNg", "business_name": "Essene Market & Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I always enjoy a trip to the Essene market which is almost always a must if I am getting a haircut next door at JuJu Salon. I like that they carry a variety of eco-friendly containers and utensils for toting my lunch to work. I really can't say enough good things about the LunchBots products. They've got a great variety of fresh produce and an impressive bulk section for nuts, grains, and flours. Their stock of cereals, pastas, juices, and frozen items is likely to have the unique items your Veganomicon recipe is calling for. They also have items that more conventional folks enjoy as well in case you're not into spelt or teff flour. It would be fairly expensive to do your regular shopping here unless you are some sort of super-vegan or have very stringent dietary requirements. I'd recommend using them for the specialty items you may need in smaller quantities. I have mixed feelings about their prepared foods bar as it just seems utterly overpriced to me. I lunched at Essene with two friends the other day and my plate of various incarnations of tofu and seitan came to over $13.00. I had to wonder if they were actually counting the glass plate as a part of the meal! I know fresh produce has gone up a bit in price (and they do use quality ingredients), but lunch over $10 for a plate that wasn't exactly loaded with heaping helpings was a surprise. Oh, and if you'd like chopsticks - those are an extra 80 cents or so. I'd recommend just using the silverware. For free.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:17:08" }, { "business_id": "xCXGV3wEvYd4xBGx8ZRFQA", "business_name": "La Va Cafe", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! I don't know what happened this evening when I popped in to grab a warm beverage before my quilting class, but I experienced one of the worst lattes this evening. It was grainy. As in, full of sediment. I'm no coffee expert, but I believe sediment is not a common ingredient in a vanilla latte. I was very disappointed. If I had had more time, I would have taken it back for a re-do. I actually cleansed my palate at Starbucks later in the evening. Here's to hoping that the next visit is better.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:21:00" }, { "business_id": "ExfSwwCB1zQ6ZGd_UQ4wYQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "I kind of loathe reviews of chains, but I feel obligated to make a comment seeing as I \"checked in\" at this particular location. Darn you Yelp iPhone app! I pretty much feel \"a-ok\" about all Starbucks regardless of location. Their beverages don't send me into a transcendent state, but they do warm me up and make me feel like I'm giving myself a little treat. It's especially nice when I remember that I have money on my little key fob thing and can rack up those little stars towards nifty rewards. Who doesn't like a freebie drink on their birthday? The staff here was friendly. They made my drink correctly. That pretty much sums it up.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:24:08" }, { "business_id": "gcjziNbsRYMfdcbOuCCufw", "business_name": "Rx Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Headed to Rx the other weekend with a couple of pals for a bit of Sunday brunch. I was much happier with my menu choice on this trip as the mushroom and spinach omelet was so tasty that I ran out to grab a stash of ingredients to repeat the whole thing at home the following week. The oyster mushrooms were a unique way to spice up a traditional omelet where most places would just use conventional, button 'shrooms. The spinach was tender and not the least bitter from overcooking. They used just the right amount of eggs as well - I'm guessing 3 as opposed to IHOP's whopping 6. I just wish it had come with a side of something - potatoes, fruit salad, regular salad...as my plate seemed kind of empty. I would have liked to see some new menu additions since my last review in the Fall. Maybe I missed them? Maybe I forgot what was even on the menu last time. It's possible. I do know that they still have the tofu stir fry and the corn flake-crusted french toast. Given their limited menu, I think that they could really do a lot with seasonal items and unique flavors. I still enjoy the coffee which they keep coming at regular intervals. If you're feeling high class, order a mimosa and sip into the afternoon. For the price, Rx still beats cereal and milk at home.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T03:08:30" }, { "business_id": "lOOePsuwr75TCvIhV1Am1A", "business_name": "The Daily Grind Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "It's become obvious to me that I am terrible at studying at home. I always manage to find 900 other things to do - cleaning, returning emails, obsessively checking Facebook. Today, I left the house in search of a study location. Sure, there is the local library, but they don't have food and beverages to keep my brain humming. My first thought - Barnes and Noble - was a very poor choice. Their cafe is cramped and uncomfortable and, today, featured an obnoxious, screaming child. I gave a thought to Starbucks but hate the idea of shelling out extra cash for the wi-fi, and the parking situation for the Jenkintown location is abominable. Then I remembered The Daily Grind! Close to my home, good coffee, Mighty Leaf Teas, punch card incentive, free wi-fi access, and actual food. The Daily Grind was a good choice indeed. The staff are very friendly and you don't have to know coffee lingo to get exactly what you're craving; they'll help you customize your drink. Because they are inside the Pavilion, there is no cold draft to interrupt me every time someone breezes in the door. People come and people go, but it's surprisingly quiet and I didn't have to compete with anyone for a table and an outlet. They now offer quite a menu if you've got the tummy-rumblies: brisket sandwiches that feature meat from Rosey's BBQ down the road, soups (get there early, though, because they sold out today!), salads, sandwiches (pressed or not), and personal-sized pizzas. Their drink menu features your standard coffee and tea faves + smoothies. Kudos to them for featuring food items from other local spots - Rosey's BBQ as mentioned above and bagels from Rolings Bakery in Elkins Park. I'm glad to be able to support a local business. I'll save the Starbucks run for desperate times only, like when I'm at the airport and my only other nourishment option is McDonald's.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T23:00:09" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "In case anyone had any reason to doubt the frequent buyer program - doubt no more, Thomas! Last night, I ordered two whole pies (or slabs maybe, sine they're rectangular?) and was promptly told that our household had spent $100 on pizza and we'd be receiving our $10 credit. It was a nice way to end the week. Please note, though, that the frequent buyer program only applies to the purchase of whole pies. They track your purchase history via your phone number. I still really enjoy Jules Pizza. I am never disappointed by the quality of the ingredients, the friendly service, the taste, or the clean and bright dining area. I find that dining in works for any number of situations: a casual date, lunch meeting, catching-up with friends, a post-play group snack for moms and kids, etc. The fact that you can bring your own juice boxes or beer means that just about everyone should be happy, even your kid with 12 food allergies. They even feature cute coloring pages and crayons at the register that kind of made me want to break out my 96 box of Crayola's. It may be thin crust, but Jules Pizza is satisfying and certainly provides and easy way to get in some of those 5 veggies you need every day. Their honest business practices and openness about the source of their ingredients continues to keep me coming back.", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:29:36" }, { "business_id": "q43nr6E8ib2p39sVYtPGww", "business_name": "Juju Salon & Organics", "rating": 5, "text": "I think that JuJu and I are officially in a long-term relationship now. Sure, we're comfortable, but not so comfortable that the staff slack on service or that my stylist resorts to some standard-issue cut. I still enjoy coming into the shop for the relaxing atmosphere. Janka continues to provide me with superb haircuts that leave me inwardly sighing \"ahhh, now that's better\". It's always a treat when one of the staff have their pooches in tow. What could be better than having your hair washed AND a snuggling doggie in your lap? I'd also like to highlight the fact that JuJu is always very accommodating of me when I call to reschedule or change an appointment. I had to change my last appointment twice because life got in the way, but I was never treated rudely. I also appreciate the confirmation phone calls so that I don't inadvertently forget!", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:44:40" }, { "business_id": "3GvaJRiDGxzJzqoPX0xUeA", "business_name": "Spool", "rating": 5, "text": "The beginning quilting class taught by Ashley Kayhart was wonderful. In just five weeks, I have learned an entirely new skill and finished my first quilt complete with hand-sewn binding. I highly recommend this class to anyone wanting to take the plunge into the world of quilt-making. Ashley is enthusiastic and has wonderful sense for color and design. She will certainly put you at ease about your project as she reminds you that you need not be perfect. I liked that the class was limited to about 8 students which meant that you could have the personal attention you might need should your sewing go awry. You are also welcome to bring your own fabrics for the class, which I thought was quite generous considering Spool is a fabric shop afterall. Some nights, I wished we had more than two hours and my only suggestion is that those purchasing their fabric from Spool might want to do so before class time to ensure that there is enough time to complete all the steps in a given night. I'm pretty darn proud of my finished product and glad to have met such wonderful people.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:30:42" }, { "business_id": "mC_m-4k9Xo1kzjSL0w7uoA", "business_name": "Alice Bakery & Confectionary", "rating": 4, "text": "This neighborhood bakery is adorable. Dennis Darr, a graduate of Chicago's French Pastry School, as some wonderful ambitions for this little shop including such delights as mousse cakes! For now, though, you will have to satisfy yourself with their homemade chocolates, cupcakes, sticky buns, and breads. Dare I say that the cupcake obsession is waning after years of New Yorkers clamoring for a taste of Magnolia's treats? It seems the cupcake phenomenon has peaked as bakeries pull out all of the stops to make the largest, most unique, most decadent handheld treats. Unfortunately, many of these mini masterpieces often fall flat in taste, texture, and experience. And, honestly, who wants to pay upwards of $3 for a cupcake!? Darr keeps it simple with traditionally-sized cakes that are flavorful and moist. The red velvet variety that I sampled was topped with a vanilla bean butter cream that complimented instead of overwhelming the cake with just enough sweetness. The chocolate cupcakes are also rich, light, and moist instead of the dry crumbly cake I'm used to. The sticky bun, even the plain one, was superb. It had a light, yeasty quality with just the right about of chewiness, It was sweet but not cloying and I recommend you order yours hot with a cup of freshly brewed Illy coffee or herbal tea. Be sure to take home some focaccia or a smoked gouda loaf for later. Can there be anything better than bread AND cheese? The sea salt rolls would be excellent as a pairing with any winter soup or stew. I look forward to seeing the new offerings that Darr comes up with in his kitchen. He runs a very friendly shop with room for you to sit and linger and certainly works to get to know his customers. ABC is definitely a superb addition to the suburban landscape. If only they also served hot chocolate, my bakery experience would be complete.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:45:15" }, { "business_id": "ADe114o7Z4vb1O6HkM6YEA", "business_name": "Greek Lady", "rating": 3, "text": "The recent renovations are really lovely and the expanded seating area is a very welcome addition. The restaurant feels much cleaner and brighter. I like that the order and pick-up areas are separate to keep customers flowing. I enjoy their chicken gyro when I'm in the mood for \"fast food\". Something about the french fries inside just adds that extra, greasy, yet satisfying something. I may move on to trying other menu items at some point. I've gotten a peek at the salads ordered by other customers and they do look rather appealing. Greek Lady is also a good bet in a pinch when working a long shift at the hospital because they deliver fairly late and, chances are, the rest of the unit staff will want in on the order, too.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:49:34" }, { "business_id": "AqX_5srdyAS1tNiqC3mDvg", "business_name": "Noche", "rating": 1, "text": "Noche is perpetually crowded and noisy and lacking in seating space. I'm not really sure what the awkward swathe of floor is for between the front windows and the bar. It's like no-man's land. There are no tables and chairs and it doesn't seem to serve as a dance space either. On a weekend evening, it's veritably impossible to reach the bar without having to throw a few punches. Once you reach the bar, you're lucky if the bartender can understand you over the awful din of the sound system. The restrooms are at the very back of the establishment and difficult to reach when the crowd is really thick. If memory serves me correctly, there is also a rather random seeming pool table back there as well. I'm not sure if Noche is trying to be a bar or a restaurant, but it's difficult to order food when you have nowhere to sit. I don't enjoy the crowd either - overly pretentious, popped-collar types that fancy buying a condo on Rittenhouse Square. I'd caution against having any sort of organization event/fundraider here as they tend to continue to let hordes of people in off of the street making it very hot and tight. The available food selections are also pretty mediocre. I've had better salsa from a jar. The drink specials will end up being little more than watery Miller Light.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:57:46" }, { "business_id": "Xq-8-I0U8Artr7d70SjX-g", "business_name": "30th Street Station", "rating": 4, "text": "30th Street Station - how I prefer you over Penn Station in NYC! There is plenty of wide open space and seating that doesn't make me feel like I'm in an underground bunker. The lines for Amtrak trains tend to be orderly because you aren't forced to snake around the 400 other passengers milling about or sitting smack in the middle of the floor. There are plenty of options for a meal or a snack before your journey. The new Old Nelson Market serves up a good breakfast sandwich in addition to having the odd sundries that you might need on your way home via SEPTA. I like that I can get fresh fruit there instead of from Au Bon Pain which charges an arm and a leg. SEPTA still bites most days but that's not the station's fault.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T03:01:59" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "This sushi bar is just that - a 6 to 10 seat bar with an extra table by the door to squeeze in a few extra customers. The $10.95 three roll deal cannot be beat. You can't even get sushi for that price at Whole Foods. The fish and other ingredients are fresh and comparable to many other more expensive restaurants. The rolls could use a more generous coating of rice on the outside, though. I've eaten in for lunch when it is slow and I can sip miso soup and read a book. I've also called for take-out after a long day of work and arrived to find my order ready and waiting. I also recommend their shumai and salad with ginger dressing to round out your meal. I've seen many other customers order the fancy rolls which just look a little too rich for my stomach (I prefer to keep it simple with spicy tuna), but they seem to get good reviews for their unique flavor combinations and creative presentations. The tuna dumplings mentioned by other reviewers do look pretty intriguing! The staff are very friendly and this could easily be a place where you become a \"regular\".", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:41:26" }, { "business_id": "Jc-y852Fq1_6VB5kPUjxfA", "business_name": "City Planter", "rating": 4, "text": "This shop is absolutely lovely! The staff are friendly and knowledgeable without that horticultural pretense you find at some nursery/garden shops. The staff members know plants and plant care, but they can also help you to create an artful arrangement - just pick out and plant and a pot and you are good to go. Soon you'll be populating your place with vegetation as art! I have enjoyed planting terrariums as of late to bring a bit of nature indoors and was quite inspired by the examples City Planter has throughout their shop. They have a great selection of terrarium supplies - including miniature garden rakes, trowels, and spades - and their miniature plants are well priced at about $3 a pop. They have a great selection of unique glass vessels as well whether you want a traditional, free-standing vase, something to suspend from the air, or a wall planter. I especially love that you can make your own bag of gravel and rocks which they sell by the pound. This means that you don't have to pay for or get more than you need. They also have gravel in lovely shades of blue and larger rocks that are a cool, milky white which add nicely to the overall look of my terrariums. Don't forget the preserved moss for decoration! They carry your traditional flower favorites like pansies for spring planting, but you can also find orchids and other \"delicacies\" here as well. Check out their eco-friendly offerings like plantable wall baskets made from wool, I believe.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:50:24" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 3, "text": "If I am going to have my ice cream beaten to a pulp before I eat it, I much prefer Scoop De Ville to Cold Stone Creamery. At Scoop, your ice cream is mixed via machine instead of pummeled by the staff on an icy slab that could be a breeding ground for god-knows-what. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a Plain Jane when it comes to frozen treats. I like my ice cream scooped into a cone in it's natural state, no mixing, but maybe some rainbow jimmies. I also can't fathom paying $5 or more dollars every time I've got a taste for some mint chocolate chip even if the portions are on the generous side. The menu offers so many choices for mix-ins that it's difficult to make a decision even with their suggestions printed up before you. I would avoid taking small children there at all costs as they'll never make up their little minds! The chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate, caramel, and sea salt was pretty delectable and I do recommend that for a twist on your ordinary day. If you're looking for an out-of-the-ordinary ice cream treat and a splurge, head in to Scoop, but I won't be making this shop my regular summer ice cream spot.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:57:55" }, { "business_id": "d_UJWp4IlGS4sgnjE60eBw", "business_name": "Longwood Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite \"public\" gardens. And by public I do not mean free. I mean open to the public. Each spring Longwood is a spectacular showcase for blooming wisteria, tulips, anemone, foxglove, and snapdragon. The Italian fountains will mesmerize as your eyes are immediately drawn to the cool blue tiles shimmering beneath the surface. We have a dual membership in our household and it is well worth it for the 4 or more times a year that I go for seasonal exhibits, fireworks displays, and musical concerts. Wear comfortable shoes and stroll the paths as the landscape changes from manicured flower gardens to open field and meadow. Stop for an iced tea at the Terrace Cafe before heading to the conservatory to view more exotic species of flora. Read a book or enjoy a romp in the cow pasture where DuPont used to graze his dairy herd. This is a place I actually recommend for kids because of the wide open spaces and abundance of color and shape and texture to keep them interested. The garden also offers and abundance of classes for the novice or advanced horticulturalist and has a gift shop with all sorts of tempting items from seed and garden supplies, to books, to jewelry and scented soaps. I highly recommend the fireworks displays that they pair with music. Splurge and pair the evening with Longwood's delicious pre-show barbeque. It's work the ticket price! Don't forget to view the holiday light display over Christmas and the 1906 restaurant is perfect for a more formal and romantic setting if you're bringing someone special!", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:47:50" }, { "business_id": "2PWmnUV2Leb2Loj0TqxCMA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - University City", "rating": 3, "text": "Bring your ID after 4pm because they will card everything that breathes. A good deal for over-sized (22 oz) margaritas and greasy munchies like nachos, which is pretty much what you want to eat when you're through with multiple shots or frozen tequila. You're sure to run into a crowd on any weekend so count on lots of noise and a possible wait. At least their vigilant ID-checking keeps most UPenn undergrads out. Don't even try the \"i'm just here for the food\" excuse. That won't get you through the door either. Traditional Mexican this isn't, but their menu items are tasty and satisfying if not the most flavorful meals I've ever had. They also have an economical late-night menu. Let's be honest, though, you're probably there for the cocktails.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:54:31" }, { "business_id": "BsnP3lXh-QaOSgAw2t-omA", "business_name": "Kildare's Irish Pub - Manayunk", "rating": 1, "text": "Never...ever...again. There is nothing pleasant about this place in my opinion. It is consistently and constantly crowded with students spewed from St. Joe's, LaSalle, and other local institutions. Even on a weeknight, you'll be crammed in cheek by jowl with coeds looking for cheap beer. They tend not to have anything on tap worth drinking and it's not even worth the gas money to head over there for $2 Coors or Miller or Budweiser. The food is bland and greasy with an odd and random assortment of options constituting bar fare and half-hearted attempts at \"Irish\" favorites. The place is ridiculously loud with music over the speakers and then a band or two upstairs. Someone is bound to step on your or slosh their beer down the side of your pants. With so little seating for actual eating, the place reminds me of a cattle market. Unfortunately, places like Kildare's have forever branded Manayunk in my mind as a place I will avoid like the plague after 5pm. Even if you're dining slightly upscale, you can't escape the college kids who ruin the atmosphere for the rest of civilized folk.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:02:01" }, { "business_id": "kQCJRWvfpiW1p_4hgwD8Uw", "business_name": "Roller's Restaurant at Flying Fish", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked Roller's better when it was at the top of the Hill and Roller's Express-O is great for breakfast and ice cream. This location used to be the Flying Fish which I remember turning out superb seafood dishes throughout my childhood. It appears, though, that the furniture and decor has not changed since I was 8 giving the place an odd \"first apartment\" feel. I don't think they even use the upstairs for seating anymore. I, too, was also thrown off by the whinnie-the-pooh soap in the bathroom which made me feel like I had accidentally walked into someone else's house. I was disappointed that there is no choice in side dish and that everyone seems to get the mashed sweet potato which was a bit stringy and a ratatouille of squash of sorts. My mexican chicken, however, was quite delicious. They do have a rather creative way of pairing dishes and desserts together to give you a pretty good deal on your entire meal. Their rhubarb pie was very good. The French onion soup seemed very thin as it did not have any chunks of break beneath the cheese. I would have preferred that my waitress be able to describe the beer offerings to me as they do carry local and microbrew options. I ordered a bottle of Scarlet Lady on a whim and was glad that it wasn't terrible since no one seemed to be able to give me a description. I also think there needs to be some uniformity in attire for the waitstaff as I don't consider leggings appropriate work clothing. Apparently, it is or was shad season and the elderly folks next to us were tickled pink over the shad roe offering. I know the restaurant is small and privately owned, but it is the 21st century and it would be nice if they would accept at least Visa for payment. Considering the new eateries coming to Chestnut Hill, Roller's could take a serious hit if the more contemporary places draw business to their doors.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "iqJ3t9iq0fsWaYL93s8Vmw", "business_name": "King of Prussia", "rating": 4, "text": "If I am going to go to a mall, I am going to go here. It has virtually every store I could need in one tidy location. KOP used to cater equally to the Main Line elite and suburban scrubs with Neiman Marcus and Sears at opposite poles of the complex. However, with the arrival of high-end retailers like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Versace the parking lot is filled with more Ferrari than Ford. The message that this mall aims to send is becoming clear: if you're not going to drop $3,500 on a handbag, please exit the premises, do not pass go, and take your measly $200 with you on the way out. Honestly, I am a bit surprised that we haven't seen such retailers trying to snap up space in Center City around Rittenhouse Square. Even The Court is more upscale these days despite the Macy's tethered to it. There is a clear dichotomy in the shoppers you'll see walking the wide, sunlit aisles - those who wear stretch pants with stirrups and those who do not. And, as always, you've got the handful of tourists sprinkled in for a bit of diversity. Even the piped in classical music seems to be trying to lure a certain crowd - those with distinctly refined tastes. Of course, don't worry, there is still a Taco Bell in the food court and an Old Navy for those who want more down-to-earth than designer. I know Bill M. is looking for a little something unique here, but it's a mall and malls aren't about boutique style and individual tastes. What IS unique about THIS mall, though, is that it has added luxury retailers yet is still situated only minutes from a Hooters and Red Lobster.", "timestamp": "2011-05-24T03:45:24" }, { "business_id": "oFv9-wwifD3u8FFx6fPRYA", "business_name": "Baja Room at Pico de Gallo", "rating": 4, "text": "Feeling the need to wash ourselves of a very long 12 hour nursing shift, a friend and I stumbled into this little place after deciding that the hipster/biker crowd at Bob and Barbara's was just not for us. Unfortunately, I had left my skinny scrubs at home that day. Being a Wednesday evening, the restaurant wasn't populated by too many other parties and we were seated on the back patio where we enjoyed the eclectic collection of bric-a-brac that goes for decor and numerous strands of twinkly lights. We ordered a STAT round of margaritas which were topped with fresh mint and lime wedges. They didn't seem particularly strong at the time, but my coma-like sleep later that night tells me you're in for a kick in the pants later if you consumer multiples. We ordered the cheese, bean, and guacamole nachos and sushi-grade tuna tacos to share. Both were delicious! The nachos were crisp and topped with generous helpings of beans, cheese, and guacamole so that you weren't left munching naked chips by the time you'd dug through the pile. The tuna tacos were surprisingly refreshing - quickly seared/rare tuna on light flour tortillas, topped with fresh tomato salsa. Rice, refried beans, and a grilled plantain come on the side. The atmosphere was just what we were looking for after work - laid back, where we wouldn't be pestered to eat quickly and move on. The night air was just a bit warm and you couldn't help but feel cocooned sitting on the back patio hidden by the picket fence. The place has a certain unpretentious charm and broken-in-ness that makes me want to come back again.", "timestamp": "2011-05-31T17:58:28" }, { "business_id": "lRbHFOIFuusN2WOR_ypQ_A", "business_name": "Ants Pants Café", "rating": 5, "text": "This little \"blink and you'll miss it\" cafe is quickly becoming one of my post-night shift breakfast spots. They open early, have a quiet and cozy atmosphere, and serve consistently delicious, comforting food. The staff is especially friendly and courteous. My favorites to date are their grilled cheese with tomato and bacon, their milkshakes, and their creme brulee battered french toast with maple syrup and sour cream sauce. Honestly, I was pretty wary of the sour cream sauce at first but it provides refreshing coolness to the sweet bread and maple syrup. The portions aren't skimpy either; once I've paid my check and hit the road home, I'm ready to hop into bed and start all over again later that day with another 12 hours at work sans tummy rumblies. Don't forget: they are a cash-only joint. They do have an ATM in-house, though. Oh, and don't try to bring your 10 best friends to dine here, they're small and other patrons will appreciate not having to rub elbows with your entire clan.", "timestamp": "2011-11-06T18:30:15" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 3, "text": "Fork is one of those restaurants that I, as a faithful Yelper, felt guilty for not having visited. I finally checked it off my list in early September! My first meal there rates a mediocre 3 stars. I really love the atmosphere - open kitchen, cozy and intimate with dim lighting and green foliage screening canoodling couples from other diners. Maybe not a place I'd take your staid in-laws considering the \"sexy vibe\" as Dave H. puts it. I was disappointed by the portion size of my mushroom risotto - one lonely ladle-ful in the midst of a sea of china. At least put it in a smaller dish so that I think I'm getting what I paid for. The flavor of the dish was pretty banal as well. Give me a can of chicken stock, some locally picked mushrooms, and I could have whipped up a better batch at home. We were seated right next to the bar which makes for some unfortunate annoyances as waitstaff bustle back and forth and the din can get quite loud from other patrons dousing themselves in house-made cocktails. The service, however, was impeccable with an attentive but not overbearing waiter. He knew the menu well and was able to describe the dishes in detail as if he had personally tasted each one. Needless to say, I'll need to reprise my meal here to get a better feel for the place.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:42:54" }, { "business_id": "uVoAlvNxz2IRvhXccU1tFw", "business_name": "Union Transfer", "rating": 5, "text": "No one told me the Spaghetti Warehouse closed! What a relief! That place was a poor excuse for \"Italian\" food. Luckily, the building has been reincarnated into my new favorite music venue. I was blown away by the Gillian Welch performance I saw in late October. Given that the floor plan is open with no assigned seating I was worried that this event would be a repeat of a show I saw at the Electric Factory where, crammed cheek by jowl, I had the misfortune of standing next to a stoner who vomited all over my shoes. The UT is extremely spacious: concert-goers can belly right up to the stage (or bar for that matter), fan out along the top-tier balconies, or relax next to the bar at high tops and tables for two. Everyone can enjoy the show from a good vantage point without another person or post in your sight line (ahem, I'm thinking of you Academy of Music!). If the show isn't all-ages you can even keep your \"adult beverage\" with you on the main floor. They also have a concession stand. I found the drink prices to be fair - I think my can of PBR was $3.75. I could also totally be making that up. The place has an industrial vibe that makes you feel like the place used to be a factory for train trestles. The acoustics are phenomenal - you're neither deafened nor guessing at the lyrics. The staff are very friendly and I actually enjoyed tipping my waitress as it meant not having to run back and forth to the bar. If you're driving, you can pre-pay online before the show and park in the lot directly behind the venue for $8 or so. Extra bonus: not having to buy tickets through Ticketmaster! Randomness: I know people with babies and small kids like music. I know they like concerts, but really...is it a good idea to bring your small child to a live show that starts at 9p, a time when they should be sleeping? Probably not. Sleepy kids are cranky as hell.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:58:04" }, { "business_id": "nWHNtH3v6BPnV7MUWejOyw", "business_name": "Solebury Orchards", "rating": 5, "text": "Do yourself a favor. Skip Linvilla Orchards with it's mazes, clowns, huge gift shop and other gimmicks. I've been hooked on Solebury Orchards ever since I tried their cider doughnuts that are sold via Weavers Way Co-Op. You literally park your car, grab your bag, and walk right into the orchard or take the hay wagon for a ride for picking at the other end of the property. The whole process is neat and efficient given the crowds that can show up here on a Fall weekend. I think Solebury has become my favorite orchard for apple picking with their offerings of Empire, Pinata, Honeycrisp and more. The trees are well-maintained with lots of low-hanging fruit and scattered ladders/step-stools for the apples on higher branches. I ended up picking over 20lbs and have many jars of superb applesauce to show for it. You'd be an idiot to skip the fresh cider and doughnuts no matter what diet you're on this year. Their pear butter is also fantastic on fresh, crisp bread with Whole Foods fresh honey-roasted peanut butter. Seriously, I eat it just about every day. The orchard also offers pick-your-own flowers and pumpkins (though not in a pick-your-own patch). When you've had your fill of apple goodness, head down the road a stretch and check out the Carousel Lavender farm!", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T02:17:19" }, { "business_id": "tM-ObyoUno83kylE283iXw", "business_name": "A Taste of Britain", "rating": 4, "text": "I found this adorable little tea spot while running errands through Wayne the other day. The decor is simple and unassuming yet charming with a soothing green color covering the walls and dark wood throughout. As a child, afternoon tea was a special occasion with my mother that required a party dress and a trip downtown to the Four Seasons or Rittenhouse hotels. I was happy to discover somewhere more casual and certainly less expensive on this afternoon. My server, Rebecca, provided impeccable service and was very helpful when I was making my tea and menu selections. Their lunch offerings of soups, fritatta, salads, and sandwiches were rather appealing but I decided on the full Afternoon Tea ($18 per person). The selections were really quite generous: 1 large scone of your choice with fresh lemon curd, clotted cream, and raspberry preserves as well as other assorted mini pastries, 8 tea sandwiches of tuna, cheddar with chutney, roast beef, and sweet cheese, and one pot of tea all artfully prepared and served. I was afraid the little restaurant would be filled with the Main Line elite whose attitudes easily ruin a peaceful afternoon to one's self, but none were to be found at the surrounding tables and I was happy to be treated with such care and attention. This is a place where one can be at ease even if you don't sport diamonds and fur. They provided for parties of up to 14 in house and can also coordinate catering. They offer and assortment of British favorites from HP sauce to Cadbury Chocolate to PG Tips tea. You can even take home steak and kidney pie, meat pasties, fresh lemon curd and clotted cream. I would consider this a lovely place to bring your friends, your daughter, your mother or even your husband.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:15:08" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 3, "text": "Crowded and busy but with extremely fast service. Fast, not necessarily good. Extremely inexpensive. Not a place to sit and linger, maybe get it to go. The small bowl is a misnomer. It's really two meals in one. Are those chopsticks really sanitary? Great bowl of steaming soup - add the fresh basil and hot sauce. Yes, that meat in the steak pho really is cooked. If you're adventurous, try the tripe, fatty flank, and tendons. I'm not that adventurous.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:57:09" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite a rave review in The New York Times, I still don't understand how fried chicken and doughnuts compliment one another. Sometimes, after a night shift, I will drive out of the way for the Vanilla-Lavender. That and the Indian Cinnamon are my favorite. Nothing beats a warm, soft, aromatic treat. The fancy flavors don't rate as high on my list because I'm a fan of keeping it simple and flavors like Pina Colada are usually more than my tastebuds want to handle early in the morning. The service is remarkably cheery and snappy even at 8am on a Saturday morning which is when you had better get there lest you want to miss out. Doughnuts are continually cranked in perfect form right behind the counter. It's rather mesmerizing. The coffee is good and strong but I do wish they had tea and hot chocolate as well. Perhaps someday I will try the chicken, but to tell the truth - I hate meat on bones.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:41:33" }, { "business_id": "GoYSJ-YY-YwbxdgasHuq-Q", "business_name": "Mixto", "rating": 2, "text": "Visited Mixto after an evening at the annual UPenn Mask and Wig production at their clubhouse on Quince Street. I enjoyed the red sangria which was full of fresh fruit and well chilled. Unfortunately, the black bean soup was bland and lackluster. I appreciate that it wasn't overwhelmingly spicy, but would I would have liked to be overwhelmed by some kind of flavor. The tres leches cake was too soggy. I know that this traditional Mexican dessert is made with milk, but once it hit my tongue the cake's texture felt as if it had been marinating in liquid all day. Lastly, what's with the toasted bread they bring without butter? It seems out of place and like an afterthought \"Well I guess we should serve the people bread, might as well toast it while we're at it\". The restaurant was also very drafty on that cold night and any time anyone opened the door, some kind of vacuum was created that prevented them from closing the door quickly and keeping the chilled air outside. I may visit again, but it looks like the repeat customers are just as puzzled by the underwhelming experience.", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T21:35:21" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Sabrina's on Powelton is every bit as good as the original in the Italian Market. I really love the new space - an old Victorian home which features a charming wrap-around porch with large sunny windows. The porch can be a bit chilly in winter but they'll happily flip on the heaters to keep you cozy. I consider Sabrina's a staple in list of places to frequent for post night-shift breakfast as their fare is hearty, satisfying, and affordable. Thus ensuring me a good day's rest once home. My only complaint is that their french toast is sometimes too thick, leaving the middle of the toast dry. I only recommend the stuffed french toast if bringing friends as you will be bested by it's sheer volume if you attempt it alone. I honestly don't have an issue with students from Penn and Drexel who dine here on the regular as they are hardly any more of a nuisance than the hipster crowd at Honey's or the toddler-toting young families at Sabrina's original location.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:44:01" }, { "business_id": "rAe-1HU5Z-DuUXEbzASXDA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - Willow Grove", "rating": 2, "text": "Mad Mex Willow Grove is every bit as boisterous as the University City location. Be prepared to wait on the weekends as there will most likely be a healthy crowd, especially around the bar. You can barely hear yourself think let alone listen to your tablemates over the din of the sound system. The margaritas are potent but the food is still average Americanized Tex-Mex that relies heavily on salt and spice rather than the flavors of the actual ingredients. Not a bad place for a bite before or after a movie at the Warrington Regal cinema, but not exactly a destination.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:50:14" }, { "business_id": "ohWH383r60AREWh-aphpSw", "business_name": "Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm pleased that Iron Hill has popped up in Chestnut Hill to provide some contrast to all of the smaller, independent shops and restaurants in the area. The block the the brewery occupies was looking especially vacant and I much prefer Iron Hill to the likes of Chili's or Houlihan's. However, it is a chain and attracts everyone from couples out for date night to young families to older couples to groups of friends. My point? The place gets crowded quickly and you're bound to wait or duke it out for one of the high top bar tables. The bar tables actually turn over fairly quickly and I've never ended up waiting more than 10-15 minutes. I have never really seen the rest of the property because we stick to the high tops as the wait has usually been about an hour on a Thursday-Saturday night. The atmosphere is lively and your boyfriend, brother, or dad will appreciate whatever game is on if they are inclined to avoid small-talk. The beer selection is good and rotates depending on the season to include standard favorites and unique flavors like the Oompa Loompa Chocolate Stout. If you can't decide, get a flight of beers to taste. The waitstaff is very friendly and attentive. They are also actually very knowledgeable about each brew and certainly equipped to help you find your favorite selection. Their food is good and the portions substantial. They serve standard \"pub fare\" from pizza and nachos to pastas, burgers, steaks, and seafood. I wouldn't say they really do anyone thing extremely well, but fish and chips will certainly help sop up all that beer you're downing. I wouldn't consider Iron Hill a destination but certainly a place to keep in the rotation for casual weekend dining when you just don't want to order in another pizza.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T02:02:09" }, { "business_id": "4Am_sbP0WDw0Q7aaAy6XhA", "business_name": "REI", "rating": 4, "text": "You'd be hard-pressed to find a store that meets the needs of the outdoor enthusiast more than REI. The staff have always been kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. They are enthusiastic about the activities they participate in and often encouraging of a customer's interest, even those of us who are new to the worlds of hiking, biking, running, camping, etc. Shopping here offers and advantage as the company is a co-op and you will receive your dividends back in March. The amount is usually about 10% of all of your eligible purchases during the year. I like that they sell maps and guides for popular hiking trails and state parks - items that can be hard to find elsewhere. I find their prices to be fairly competitive with similar stores like EMS and Campmoor. I buy my favorite Halo snack bars here and they offer a 20% discount when you buy an entire box. I also applaud their stewardship efforts and the community building they do with educational programs, travel, and community service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T21:51:53" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I could do without Serafina's bright yellow awnings on 18th Street. The restaurant feels like one of those places where you come to see and be seen - like Parc but without the help of a Stephen Starr reputation. In fact, I found myself heading over to Parc after a disappointing dinner of too-heavy Penne Vodka for a strong cocktail and dessert. You cannot be seated at an outside table unless you are ordering food which was very disappointing to learn. The menu is fairly large and the kitchen doesn't produce any excellent dish but manages to turn out a variety of mediocre Italian-ish plates. The wait staff was rather aloof and my meal felt rushed. There was a great deal of whining at the bar by neighborhood regulars who had come to complain about their life, their day, their relationships. It made for quite the melancholy atmosphere. A meal will easily run you more than $20 per person, even at lunch, especially if you order any seafood. Prices I am not willing to pay for less than stellar offerings.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T22:09:24" }, { "business_id": "yDHINEt7By47My7x4Mb8oA", "business_name": "The Gypsy Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "I'll admit that I don't consider Conshohocken when I think about going out to dinner but I was persuaded to try this restaurant after reading a newspaper review. I love the atmosphere - a dark, warm wood bar with ceilings and walls draped with printed fabrics, all lit by the warm glow from hanging lamps and candles. I felt that the mounted plasma tv's really detracted from the ambiance, though, and made the venue feel less intimate. The menu is eclectic - pasta, seafood, meat, but I thought that their meatloaf was a stand out. The calamari was also surprisingly good - lightly fried and crispy. The lobster mac and cheese seems to be a clear crowd-pleaser, though. I thought that the service was standard - prompt and polite. No horror stories here. This is a casual, neighborhood place - good for a low-key meal on a Friday night, meeting old friends, sipping cocktails, etc. The portions were a bit too large for my taste, but you can always take the rest home! I might recommend adding another server to take some of the strain off of the two sisters that were manning the dining room when we were in on a Tuesday night - they did a great job juggling a pretty full house on a week night!", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:13:32" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Get the mussels. You may not be close to the coast, but they are delicious. Tender morsels in a deeply savory broth. Skip the frites and dip crusty bread in after the shells are gone. Or eat both. Drink a romarin (the citrus is pleasantly tart yet refreshing) while sitting outside in large, dark sunglasses. Enjoy Parc for what it is - don't whine about the prices, just enjoy daydreaming about actually dining al fresco in Paris.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:40:16" }, { "business_id": "fBOoOWHRWPXIrMvVVkZqMg", "business_name": "Cake", "rating": 4, "text": "Two things: The balsamic portobello mushroom with farro, mozzarella, and assorted vegetables was amazing. I wish I could remember the exact name of the dish! It was so good, I only ate half so that I could eat the remainder the next day. The mushrooms were bursting with tangy, balsamic flavor that mingled so nicely with the meaty texture of the portobellos. The lemon tart is the best version of a citrus dessert that I have ever had. I really hate lemon things that are overly sweet. I also hate when they are mussed up by fruit or other adornments. The citron dessert features smooth, pucker-worthy lemon custard over the thinnest of chocolate-y layers, couched in a light, crumby shell. Heaven! Dinner is only served Thursday and Friday. Make a reservation to be guaranteed a seat. Last seating is 8:30p. Go early to avoid missing out on certain menu selections. The trout was very popular the night I stopped in and was 86ed fairly fast. I thought the prices were very fair considering the restaurants use of fresh, local, organic ingredients. The menu appears to make great use of seasonal variety and I imagine we'll be seeing some creative squash dishes soon. The greenhouse setting is very charming and makes for a relaxed, yet intimate venue suitable for date night or brunch with the family.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:52:21" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 3, "text": "After having sampled the confections at the La Duree location in Manhattan, I developed pretty high standards for macarons. Miel Patisserie gives a whole-hearted attempt at perfecting the macaron in Philadelphia but falls just a bit short, in my opinion. I tried 4 flavors - coconut, chocolate, rosewater, and salted caramel. While their chocolate was rich and delicious, I expected more from the other flavors. The salted caramel filling had a very buttery taste and was overly salty, leaving me feeling a tad queasy. The rosewater had too much of a pronounced rose taste that made me feel as if I had licked a perfume bottle. I prefer a much more subtle rose flavor. The coconut tasted more like pineapple or pina colada to me and consisted of an eerily translucent filling rather than a cream. I was impressed with their meringues, though - a light and crisp shell with a pleasant chew to the center. I'd never be one to pass up a baked good, so I am sure I will have occasion to sample these and other flavors again before I declare La Duree my clear favorite here in America.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T22:47:52" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Yet another breakfast option in a city of brunch fanatics. I feel like we're in an episode of Sex and the City and Philadelphia is only now getting to the table. Manhattan has made brunch a serious weekend habit for at least the last decade. Green Eggs Cafe is a serious contender in my book for best brunch. It's BYOB so you don't have to worry about over-paying for your mimosa since you Bring Your Own Bubbly. The portions are large enough that you'll be taking home the rest for dinner. If you're looking for something dainty and on your 1200 calorie diet, I advise staying home. The quinoa porridge, however, is a great option for those looking to avoid the damage incurred by eating french toast. There are vegan options as well - vegan french toast, vegan sausage, and more so don't forget to invite your friends with esoteric food preferences. I recommend sharing dishes like the creme brulee french toast or red velvet pancakes so that you can try some other things on the menu like the rosemary potatoes which are very flavorful. In this town people complain that portions are either too large or too small. I felt that $11 for a dish that feeds me twice is pretty darn reasonable. Of course, it will be crowded and the wait will be long on the weekends. You're not the only one who wanted to skip cereal and milk in their apartment this morning. Count on at least 15 minutes, but up to 30 depending on the size of your party. They were seating outside today but few people accepted an open table because they forgot to read the weather report before heading outside in the chill. Do your homework and hit the bank on the way as Green Eggs is cash only. They do have their own ATM with a fee of 99 cents for those who don't like to plan ahead. Do note that this spot is also popular with families and dog owners.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T23:00:56" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 4, "text": "What is there to say about The Barnes that hasn't already been said or argued about? The new location is lovely and makes me feel entirely at peace with the smooth stone walls and quiet reflection pools. The art collection, of course, is unparalleled and a must-see for anyone and everyone. Make multiple visits as it would be difficult and rather exhausting to thoroughly appreciate the many works in one trip. The Friday night entertainment offerings are quite worthwhile and a sophisticated way to wind up the week - sip a cocktail, enjoy some music or dance, wander the galleries. Don't forget to count yourself lucky to have the privilege to spend time in such intimate proximity to some of the world's most lovely objects.", "timestamp": "2012-11-17T01:39:14" }, { "business_id": "or_WcjWELDsssk2JruvJcg", "business_name": "Café Lutecia", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been meaning to stop in to Cafe Lutecia for years now. I've only driven by it a thousand and one times in my life. It always appeared to me to be the type of place where you could get lost in a good book. The cafe is remarkably tiny and simple. If it is made out of flour, it is probably on the menu - bagels, baguettes with ham and brie, croissant, muffins, etc. Simple as it is, I quite enjoyed my ham and brie on a baguette. I don't know how you would make something so simple any better than to serve it on good, warm crusty bread with quality meat and cheese, which is exactly what Cafe Lutecia does. They also make an astonishingly good cafe au lait. I am not a coffee snob - if it tastes good to me, I will drink it. I thought the cafe au lait that I had was a creamy bit of heaven. Way better than most places that masquerade as \"coffee shops\". Don't come here to do your work, though. This is not Starbucks and you cannot spread out as if it is your own personal library. Also, it is a neighborhood place. Children will wander in and out on the hip of a parent and will jabber to the owners and you will look like a jerk if you scowl or complain. Meet a good friend or a new friend and catch up at a tiny table as if you are in Paris. Throw your New Year's resolution out the window and eat ham and brie and a croissant or even on a croissant. Cafe Lutecia is owned by an incredibly warm and friendly couple who are an integral part of the neighborhood. It is so nice to go to a place where you can interact and engage with other patrons and not be thought to be a loon or nosey. I only wish the chairs were slightly bigger. Remember: cash only.", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T20:38:54" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to find good bubble tea, or boba, in LA. Not so much in Philadelphia. Until now. Tea Do is my go-to spot for icy cold taro bubble tea or avocado smoothies. Yes, avocado smoothies. Trust me, they taste much better than one would think. Tea Do is legit - they even have a specific machine just for the purpose of shaking up your drink. There are plenty of flavors and varieties to choose from to suit just about any palate. Get your fix with traditional tapioca pearls or try the \"popping bubbles\" which are reminiscent of Gushers. A large beverage will run you about $4 which is about the same as your daily drink at Starbucks. The best part? Picking out your favorite color straw!", "timestamp": "2013-03-23T20:38:34" }, { "business_id": "1fGaY2WlGv2l4as6UkMFrg", "business_name": "The Trestle Inn", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited the Trestle Inn for an event, so I can't directly comment on the venue except to say that the bartenders are snappy and sling well-blended drinks. The space is dimly lit, cozy, and intimate. I don't think it's the best space for large events, though, as the bar and back room are pretty narrow, making it difficult to navigate the establishment when it is filled with 100 or so people.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:35:48" }, { "business_id": "dpdMVwjAFOkwITNnS_Hu7g", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "The cupcake craze continues. As more and more shops flood the market for handheld baked goods, I am finding that I am not as easily impressed as I once was. Philly Cupcake turns out a good product that is delicious, but I don't know if they are any better or worse than any other establishment in the city. I am impressed by their flavor offerings, though, and the vegan selections. There is certainly something for everybody. This particular location also offers coffee, other pastries, and an array of made-on-premises candies. Expect to pay a little under $5 for some of their more decadent creations.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:39:51" }, { "business_id": "kz8OeP88ZYjDBWb0LePJ3A", "business_name": "Chill On the Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Chill on the Hill is a brightly lit, crisp, clean shop compared to the rainbow-hued chaos of other establishments. Unlike other local frozen yogurt places, Chill lets its customers fill their own sample cups which means not having to wait while the customer in front of you tries 6 different flavors. I appreciate that they put all toppings with nuts in a separate section to discourage cross-contamination for people with allergies. Their flavors pretty much hit the mark - no funny aftertaste or odd concoctions. They keep it simple with pretty standard fare - vanilla, chocolate, original tart, birthday cake, etc. Seating is somewhat minimal as the store is not overly large but the long bench along one wall makes good use of space to keep the shop from feeling very crowded when busy. They also have a frequent buyer program which will come in handy this summer for lots of customers. Chill seems to also aim to really interact with the community - they feature merchandise (t-shirts, etc) with their logo and will be soon hosting a mini film festival. Customer photos and other events can also be displayed on the LCD screens built in to one wall. Prices are comparable to shops like U-Swirl and Kiwi Yogurt.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:49:25" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "I had heard so many wonderful things about the burger offerings here. I was so disappointed to find that, on the night I chose to dine in, they had taken their list of burgers down to one - the once famous Churchill Burger, I believe. I've had better at Five Guys. Warm bleu cheese just does not do wonders for me - I felt it gave the burger bitter, gritty taste. It couldn't even be redeemed by the fries. The atmosphere is also overwhelmingly noisy on a Friday night. The music is in constant competition with customers who get louder and louder with each beer they toss back.", "timestamp": "2013-06-09T01:36:59" }, { "business_id": "4GBQc6XbJVhfH58WjHLBvw", "business_name": "Brandywine River Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "If you've already frequented other east coast art museums with large collections (think: MOMA, the Met, the Frick, the Barnes, PMA) why not give the Brandywine a try? Given that this museum is a tightly curated collected of Wyeth family favorites and other special exhibits, touring the Brandywine is like spending time on one specific subject in a larger art history class. Sunday mornings are free, so get up early, treat yourself to brunch in the area and digest that omelette while you consider Wyeth's relationship with his model, Helga. Friends? Lovers? Wyeth really captures the pastoral beauty of rural Pennsylvania and the majesty of the Maine coast. Unfortunately, his paintings are one thin thread that we have connecting us to much of our agriculture heritage in this area of the state. Children will especially love N.C. Wyeth's original illustrations for Treasure Island - they are still some of my all time favorite pieces in the world.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:38:57" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually quite prefer the new Honey's location to the original. Perhaps it's the particular chef at this location? I'm an over-easy eggs kind of woman and Honey's never disappoints. Add on a latke and I'm set for the day. The wait was remarkably shorter at this location despite being situated among prime residential real estate. The service was lively and attentive - the host even pitched in, clearing plates and filling beverages, when the place got busy. My only complaint? Being seated near the kitchen means you can see who goes in and out quite frequently. I wouldn't mind if management encouraged their employees, including kitchen staff, to dress a little less like they just rolled out of bed and rode their fixed gear 20 miles before landing at work. Remember folks: cash only! ATM available but not for free.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:43:48" }, { "business_id": "TYZ6hF3HLulzePIworiIUw", "business_name": "U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite the evening crowds, U-Swirl is one of my favorite yogurt shops. They have at least 10 flavors to choose from and do rotate \"specialty\" flavors pretty regularly. They also have more toppings than any other yogurt shop I have been, too. U-Swirl also offers a really good frequent buyer program compared to some other shops. They give you 16oz of free yogurt for every 10 you purchase. Other shops limit you to 5 oz. The staff is always very friendly and refreshes the toppings frequently. Keep an eye on those kiddos, though, little hands have made their way into various containers. Luckily, the staff are happy to replace anything that has been licked or had grubby fingers in it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:49:15" }, { "business_id": "WNLUBI0my0WLpmWTNUsK9w", "business_name": "Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "After 11 years of knitting, I still love Loop. I'm always impressed by the new yarns Craig and Laura bring in and I appreciate their dedication to choosing local and independent fiber artists as well as more commercially available products. They've even got their own line now that Laura hand dyes. The service and kindness of the staff is still unparalleled. If you're a Philly native or just passing through, be sure to pop into my favorite place in the city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T05:58:45" }, { "business_id": "m64OHmyD7OqAyQmoJETkfQ", "business_name": "Moon + Arrow", "rating": 4, "text": "I loved Moon and Arrow when it was a pop-up shop on 4th street and am thrilled that it has found a permanent home there. I always find unique bits and bobs here for gifts. I am especially fond of the mineral pendants and vintage linens. If you're looking for a typewriter, you can usually find one here in great working condition. There are always new finds to be had which makes shopping exciting. It's always a good trip when the owner's pup, Loretta, is hanging out in the shop - she gives free kisses!", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:04:30" }, { "business_id": "08fkgKXeLTFmE35fCydRpA", "business_name": "juju spa", "rating": 5, "text": "If you're headed to JuJu, request Jill. She is an excellent aesthetician and I always enjoy my facials with her. She is extremely gentle throughout the entire treatment which means you won't be left looking red and blotchy the next day. Jill also does a wonderful job with eyebrows, leaving a very natural and tidy look. As always, the spa is lovely - warm, private, and inviting.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "-T_lkOvaK39R-Ufg6VUyxg", "business_name": "Magpie", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so grateful to Magpie for getting Philadelphia out of the cupcake rut! Magpie treats pie baking like a craft - dreaming up delicious flavor combinations beyond the traditional. The crust is, by far, the best part of a Magpie pie - flaky and slightly crisp on the outside but tender inside. No tooth cracking crunch here! Flavors like lime custard are elevated past the likes of the traditional key lime pie by the addition of a sublime basil custard and pistachio crunch. The caramel custard takes on a deep smokey flavor with the addition of bourbon. The fruit pies are equally delicious as Magpie utilizes the freshest local fruit of the season. My go-to savory choice is the Chicken Pot Pie which is instantly comforting and chock-full of meat and veggies. Pull it out of the oven on a crisp Fall day and you'll completely forget that your mom didn't make it for you! Last, but not least, do yourself a favor and get their salted carmel latte - an instant belly warmer and perfect complement to any of Magpie's apple pies.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:31:21" }, { "business_id": "3WX24d4v-R1OK4xqrcVL7g", "business_name": "Lacquer Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "Lacquer Lounge certainly lives up to the Best of Philly 2013 hype! Beware the wait, though - make an appointment in advance as a walk-in spot seems pretty hard to come by these days. The shop has a total of six technicians, so they are definitely not a high-volume nail salon that churns out scores of manicured digits like some other city establishments. The staff is so pleasant and attentive - water, coffee, and tea are all available and complimentary. Forgot your flip flops? Those are available, too, for a nominal price. The chairs are luxe white leather with fluffy hot pink pillows - talk about a girl's dream! Each client will receive their own files and the like which you are free to take home if you choose. All other nail tools are opened in front of you and come out of sterilized packages as if you were at a physician's office. When Lacquer Lounge advertises that health and safety are paramount, they mean it! Pedicures are done using individual tubs with disposable liners. You still get the spa feel without the worry of a fungal infection or worse later. I was impressed with their extensive collection of Essie and OPI polishes. They also have more than a dozen gel colors to choose from which is many more than some salons that only feature the basics like reds and pinks. Do be aware that gel removal is $10 unless you are coming in for a repeat gel manicure. Lacquer Lounge does accept credit cards and does allow tipping on credit cards which is quite convenient. I am sure I will be back to try their other services soon! Mary is a superb manicurist and I highly recommend her if you stop by. I felt the prices were quite reasonable (and comparable to other establishments in the city) considering the level of service and the extra health precautions.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:50:01" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 4, "text": "The Ziggy is my new favorite meal. This burger is full of smokey flavor and toothsome enough to satisfy even the most hardcore carnivores. The soft, wheat bun totally makes this burger for me. Get a banana whip for dessert if you have room - cool, creamy, guilt-free! No bathrooms here, though, which makes wiping off all of that special sauce a bit tough. Plan to take out as dine-in space is cramped, limited, and not made for lingering. Take that as a hint and try to avoid squeezing your baby wagon (seriously! When did strollers become actual vehicles!?) or oversized tote bag in here during the lunch rush! Even better? Call ahead for pick-up service.", "timestamp": "2013-10-19T11:27:53" }, { "business_id": "LnZvGYbqozanOSevcftnrw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg - University City", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't get enough of the Ziggy Burger, especially now that there is a University City location which means I can pick up an order after work and not have to worry about parking my car in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. If they add delivery - I'll be over the moon as it will mean a better take-out option when at work than Greek Lady. I heartily recommend the Ziggy Burger as the tempeh bacon and special sauce just really take the humble veggie burger to a whole new level of delicious. It will also keep you satisfied for hours. Splurge on some sweet potato fries as well for their slaty, tender goodness. I like the black bean cilantro dipping sauce which is a flavorful alternative to ketchup. If you're in the mood for something lighter, you can't go wrong with a green smoothie (groothie) or a banana whip. The service is ridiculously friendly and the orders are up quickly. I am always promptly greeted and the staff often provide great recommendations regarding menu items if you can't decide. If you're in a hurry, call ahead and your order is sure to be ready when you arrive. Compared to the Rittenhouse location this space is huge with seating for everyone! They still compost and recycle so after you satisfy your hunger you can satisfy your conscience as well. I enjoy this place so much that I feel they should have a frequent buyer punch card for their burgers.", "timestamp": "2013-11-17T23:38:20" }, { "business_id": "Zkvjfrl2Wx7VvfKoNahWWQ", "business_name": "Leila's Restaurant and Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Great spot for an impromptu date with your beau or bestie (yes, I said \"bestie\"). A reservation is certainly recommended for this cozy neighborhood French-inspired spot. BYOB and expect dishes like the generous (large enough that I could take the impressive bone home to my yellow lab) veal chop that is so perfectly seasoned and tender that it needs no further gilding beyond that of the tender winter vegetables and light au jus that are its accompaniments. The onion soup is quite a departure from the cheese-heavy, thin broth substitutes you'll find at lesser establishments. It is a rather hearty and creamy concoction with the cheese blended right in. Don't skip dessert - especially not the butterscotch pot de creme which is just as decadent as it sounds. It is exceptionally smooth on the tongue and has just the slightest taste of burnt caramel to keep it from being overly sweet. Make sure you pad your wallet with cash or a check as Leila's does not accept credit cards (my dinner for two including two appetizers, a seafood special, and two desserts rang in at just under $100 and well worth it, too!) As far as \"French\" dining goes, Leila's is utterly unpretentious and casual enough that you don't need to break out your LBD (Little Black Dress for those not in the know). It's one of those familiar restaurants that you can go to again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-01-08T16:45:58" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "How to sum up my late night experience at Little Pete's....? If you're stopping in after midnight, you're bound to find an eclectic crowd of party kids, club goers, wanna-be socialites, and anyone else who has been drinking since sundown. You will probably be called \"Hun\" by the waitstaff. They have an actual cigarette machine. Great vanilla milkshake but the huge, starchy steak fries leave a lot to be desired. Cash only.", "timestamp": "2014-01-09T00:06:00" } ]	{ "business_id": "STwdgdVYWm-pBDF1JIpAVA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi & Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "It took a bit of investigation but I finally discovered where the \"real\" Vic has been hiding. His latest spot is a mere 15 minutes from me, just up Easton Road in the Willow Grove area. No more fighting for a parking space on Sansom Street or shivering in the cold while waiting for a spot at the tiny sushi bar. Vic apparently sold the Center City and Springhouse locations. The menu is virtually the same as the other \"Vic\" establishments, but this restaurant also features Thai food. I'm familiar with Vic's restaurants because of his sushi, so I didn't opt to try the Thai options. The extended menu, however, means that you could lure non-sushi lovers here as well. I really feel that, unless you go straight to Japan, you can't really find better sushi in the 'burbs. The fish is very fresh! The Tuna Dumplings are a great example of the excellent seafood that they provide - imagine little tuna purses that are so tender they virtually melt in your mouth. The 3 hand rolls for $10.95 really cannot be beat. I enjoy the Spicy Tuna, Spicy Salmon, Alaskan, and Sweet Potato rolls. The Black Dragon roll with eel was exceptional - tender, moist, and slightly sweet. The rolls are very generously packed with fish and I like how the fish and spicy sauces are mixed together. The staff is very friendly and the service is prompt. Vic himself manned the sushi bar while we were there. BYOB and you've got an affordable meal for date night, girls night out, or just because.", "timestamp": "2014-01-13T00:10:51" }
uAu772KpSkb-tPFgZmU-lA	[ { "business_id": "_gaOrkYtODrxY0JlWFe-sQ", "business_name": "High Point Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Ever since my departure from New York City after graduating from college, I've been looking for a local place that's good for a caffeine buzz, light lunch, or study spot. Starbucks and other chain stores grossly fail to meet my above standards mostly because customers are generally treated as nameless, faceless drones. I found High Point after I joined the Weavers Way Co-Op in West Mount Airy and was hooked. The staff? Knowledgeable! Don't know the difference between a caffe latte and a hole in the ground? Don't worry, they'll take you through their great menu without the side condescension. Always courteous and friendly, even to the gaggles of kids that come in from the school across the street around 3pm. The drinks? Made to order, the right way, the first time. They even offer their own beans. The food? Amazing quiche and crepes made to order. A diverse array of taste bud temping baked goodies. And salads for the guilty folks. Best of all - you can load a gift card in the shop, write your name on it, and have it stored behind the counter for your next visit. No more digging nickels out of your pockets to get a fix. No worries, they also take plastic. They're also pretty eco-friendly and inspire their customers to be as well by offering a credit for anyone who brings their own mug or thermos. I love that you can form relationships here, bring your mom here, meet a potential date here. The bulletin board is filled with active posts about pets for adoption, mommy and me groups, etc. And I'm only a few yards from the Co-Op across the road for groceries.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T19:56:28" }, { "business_id": "tkQfxEYkL-Fq3Al0hH9hKg", "business_name": "The Cat Doctor", "rating": 5, "text": "Who knew taking your cats to the vet could be this pleasant!? A friend recommended that I take my kitties here after I moved from the 'burbs. The staff is WONDERFUL! I get follow-up emails asking how my furrballs are doing after they've have procedures or sick visits. They're great about responding to questions by email. I was really impressed with the thorough \"report card\" I get after each visit. When my newest kitty got spayed, I got a full rundown on post-op care as if I was the one who have gone under the knife. Even when Bali had complications from the sutures, the staff was really supportive. No accusations of being an over-protective owner whatsoever. They handle cats gently and the exams are very thorough. They truly love their furry clients and treat owners with great respect and kindness.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T20:03:36" }, { "business_id": "8B_xigUkb_HxDvkXVa3LRw", "business_name": "Webb Cam", "rating": 5, "text": "I found Webb Cam through my Dad. They may seem a little out of the way for some folks but they are well worth the trip. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable and they have a great selection of equipment. You never have to worry about the hassle of some nerdy Best Buy salesman breathing down your neck to buy, buy, buy. Even the mayor's official photographer shops here. If you're serious about your photos, check out Webb Cam.", "timestamp": "2008-09-25T02:51:07" }, { "business_id": "gwUJdtb5vdVEmpa75yPDsA", "business_name": "Richard Nicholas Hair Studio", "rating": 5, "text": "I started going to Richard Nicholas when I moved back to Philly from New York City after college. There was no way in hell I was going to use the stylist my mom goes to. The guy will spray you down with Lysol if you have the slightest sniffle. I found RN after browsing Philadelphia Magazine's website. Joanne came highly rated and I made an appointment with her. At the time, she had pink hair and I was a bit skeptical of what I might look like when I left the place. Joanne is wonderful, though. She's creative and a bit of a risk taker. If you want something new, she's the go-to gal. She also listened to what I wanted and didn't push me past my comfort zone. She's warm, friendly, and a good conversationalist if you're in a chatty mood. She also isn't a product-pusher. Come to think of it, no one at RN has ever pushed services or products on me. Also, I feel that their services are well priced considering the surrounding area. I never have to wait months to get an appointment, the staff is superb and unpretentious, and the shop has a nice modern feel to it. I highly recommend them.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:35:24" }, { "business_id": "nDXR7nnWXDlkTvlx3Qbqgw", "business_name": "WXPN Radio", "rating": 4, "text": "I want to give this 5 stars, but I miss the Barnard student run WBAR alot post-college. Also, I'd love it, like alot of folks, if Y-Rock were on more often. I do have to say that I can no longer listen to commercial radio now that I listen to XPN. I mean, B101.1 starts Christmas music right after Halloween! And let's not forget the idiot jocks on one station who were part of that whole fiasco where a chick died from water intoxication. I secretly enjoy Kids' Corner if I'm in the car at 7pm when it airs. You'd be surprised what you learn on that show. Bottom line - I like that there are musicians that I can recognize who are actually musicians and I like that they introduce me to new artists.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:59:15" }, { "business_id": "YqmClmk7oLcDzPWKHzgA-Q", "business_name": "South Philadelphia Tap Room", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here with a friend to get over my shitty Thanksgiving holiday. Being the weekend of a holiday, the place was quiet. I tried the Mom's Meatloaf which came with Mac and Cheese. The portions are generous to say the least. I'm a beer fan and enjoyed the offerings they had on tap. They have a good selection of your regular favorites and things off the beaten path. I would definitely go back and think the SPTR is probably good for groups of folks looking to get together. I also like that the staff seems relatively unpretentious. I especially enjoyed our waitress' amusing stories of the the whole chef saga.", "timestamp": "2008-12-01T03:17:06" }, { "business_id": "RoUP3lcY4wEtdASLNIcmSw", "business_name": "Water Works Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the Waterworks - the river, the historical architectural, the romantic lighting... But, the food could be a bit better. I've been here a few times for various meals and I've never been flat-out disappointed. I just haven't been wowed. My dad and I hosted a surprise 60th birthday party here for my mom this past September. The private party experience was by far better than the average dining experience. The staff were attentive, but not smothering and kept all the guests well stocked with mimosas and bloody marys throughout the morning. The brunch was a lavish spread that seemed to suit everyone's tastes. Overall, I think we got quite a bit for our money, considering the whole shindig was under $2,000. The event planner was especially wonderful. She was professional and receptive to our needs and wants for the event. I think they could improve some of their culinary offerings, but otherwise, it's a fine place to bring the parents when they're in town. Bonus: free valet parking on Sundays for brunch.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T01:41:04" }, { "business_id": "nIlmZLuMs0JuBRvAHSIf8Q", "business_name": "Bredenbeck's Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor", "rating": 5, "text": "I've loved this place since I was old enough to spill an ice cream cone on myself. This seems to happen every time! My mother always got our birthday cakes from this family-owned bakery and nothing seems to compare. The baked goods are always fresh and made with premium ingredients. The ice cream is equally delectable, especially considering their wide assortment of sundaes and other concoctions. It's the cake the brings me back again and again for all occasions. The final product is always artfully presented and, of course, delicious. I also enjoy the friendly staff. The place is a little cramped, but I find it charming and fitting with the rest of Chestnut Hill.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T04:59:31" }, { "business_id": "VHA-b1NH4tIZB_IVEf_pmA", "business_name": "Minado", "rating": 2, "text": "A family friend kept telling me that she HAD to bring me to Minado. I am not one for buffets at all, so I really balked at the idea of a sushi buffet, but I finally let her take me. First of all, the drive out there was ridiculously long. That's beside the point, though. I didn't think the sushi selection was anything to write home about - the items didn't seem well labeled and they never seemed to have enough. The rest of the food reminded me of chinese takeout and I felt a bit overwhelmed by the myriad choices. The screaming children didn't help either. I don't envision myself driving all the way out there again. I'll stick to the local sushi joints.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T05:07:50" }, { "business_id": "MACqP6DlXBwTsXOhp0C6AA", "business_name": "Delicious Boutique", "rating": 5, "text": "I ended up with a corset thanks to a recent ex-boyfriend of mine. Yeah, don't ask. Anyway, I ended up with a Delicious corset - the best thing to come out of said relationship. I really have very little knowledge about the world of corsets, but the product I received was fabulous, especially for the price. Hell, I'd pay that price just because of the teeny-tiny waist it gives once I'm cinched in. The materials are definitely top of the line and the construction is completely solid. I am definitely appreciative of the fact that they really do follow your measurements to the T. A corset is the perfect under(or over)garment to make a gal feel just sexy enough, rather than like a bare-it-all tramp.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T03:58:12" }, { "business_id": "Vxsq098z903XRXBq4IZWTw", "business_name": "PASSIONAL Boutique & Sexploratorium", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to be a fan of this store and, for a while, I was pretty excited that they existed. After living in New York City, however, they just don't compare to Babeland. They offer a decent selection of toys and other accessories, but their prices seem pretty high for the industry. This is especially true if you head up the block to their clothing store. Are there really people who spend hundreds of dollars on latex clothing? I do commend their very knowledgeable and friendly staff who seem to be well versed on various things from products to techniques. They even offer classes. Considering that Philadelphia is lacking in reputable, well-run, educational sex shops, they do a darn good job. I think I'll probably stick to visiting Babeland on runs to NYC, though.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:03:50" }, { "business_id": "2GYg3liJ9-m6Z67L_4_BRQ", "business_name": "Weavers Way Co-Op", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVE Weaver's Way and really disagree with some of the content in previous reviews. WW is not necessarily meant for convenience shopping. I am a single woman and I find that I have no trouble shopping at the co-op, during peak times or otherwise. I actually find the co-op to be a great place to shop if you live alone because I can get smaller quantities of items than if I shop at the corporate stores like Acme. I also enjoy the work hours - I've worked throughout the store, but most recently, I have been getting in my hours by participating in the membership committee. I wouldn't say that the community is necessarily made up of \"tree huggers\" and \"earth children\", though. The community is made up of a variety of similarly-minded folks from different backgrounds. I enjoy having a place to go to where I can obtain locally grown produce, a place that offers more natural, wholesome, and preservative-free foods than chain stores with prices way below that of Whole Foods. I enjoy interacting with other members and contributing to my local and global community. I don't find the membership fee or the work hours to be prohibitive being a single person vs. a family. I don't think that membership in a co-op is for everyone and, if you aren't single, it's definitely not a solo decision. If you're keen on being committed to the Weaver Way values, you couldn't find a better place to shop. If not, stick to the chain stores or just pay the 10% visitors' fee to pop in once in a while.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:13:43" }, { "business_id": "aZNiVR6oAMQX5__yGPvYsg", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "My first trip to Susanna Foo was at 6 months old when the restaurant was still a hole-in-the-wall takeout joint owned by Susanna's parents. My parents have been taking my brother and I ever since. I have many fond memories of Susanna fashioning dolls for us out of the linen napkins and preparing Chicken with Cashew Nuts when we refused to eat anything else. The food has always been reliable, but now that I am an adult, I find it lacking excitement. The service is always impeccable and I have never been disappointed by the overall decor or ambience. I'd like to see Susanna improve upon some of her traditional recipes by either adding new flavors or perhaps returning to her Chinese roots with a more ethnic menu. I'm hoping there will be a revitalization and that I will come to love Susanna Foo as much as I did as a child.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:24:16" }, { "business_id": "jZGqAdBlDnrP-J7--vdPxA", "business_name": "Beijing Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "If you work at HUP or UPenn, chances are you've visited Beijing. I don't understand the allure. I'd rather work a 12-hour shift on my busy oncology floor than eat here again. The food is greasy and has to be laced with a healthy dose of MSG. The flavors are mediocre and nothing on the menu stands out. The stale smell of cooking oil overwhelms the restaurant, making it hard for your taste buds to actually do their job. At least they allow you to substitute brown rice with no hefty charge. This is hardly the place to find \"authentic chinese\" fare. If you're a poor college kid/med student/grad student I won't hold it against you. If you can afford it, treat yourself to something classier.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T05:06:05" }, { "business_id": "wgyh6_YZt_ByA9iBbX5i7g", "business_name": "Body Graphics, Inc", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm new to the world of tattoos and went to Body Graphics for the first time ever this past summer to have a small piece done inside my left ankle. I sheepishly admit that I was pretty nervous since I wasn't sure how to go about the whole affair. Luckily, Andrew was working and made me feel completely at ease. We joked over my wanting a sheep tattoo and he drew up a couple of sketches before I settled on my favorite. He didn't gouge me on the price either and was completely supportive of my being a newbie to the whole tattoo process. He was extremely professional and fastidious about cleanliness and such. He was thorough in his explanation of caring for my newest piece of artwork and gave me his card in case I had any problems. There was no pretentious vibe from this guy and we had a good chuckle over the adorable sheep that now sits above my ankle. I'm planning to go back to get more work done and will definitely give an update then. For my first experience, Body Graphics was pretty great - a clean, professional shop, and Andrew is tops in my book.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T16:17:38" }, { "business_id": "o8J_QeVwDZAugMYNOPAgPQ", "business_name": "Marco Polo", "rating": 4, "text": "I give this 4 stars partly for reasons of nostalgia and partly because I actually like some of the dishes here. I grew up within walking distance of the restaurant in Elkins Park and had the (dis)pleasure of seeing it evolve over the years. I have to say that the food isn't as great since Chef Lo has left. I like that there is a seasonal component to the menu and that they do have pretty good specials. The traditional Italian dishes are a bit lackluster, but if you're not particular about your spaghetti... I do like that they serve bruschetta and olives instead of bread. The service is always snappy and friendly, especially since the manager circulates throughout the dining room on most nights. It's still a decent place to go with the parents.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T02:55:49" }, { "business_id": "dERS4qwl9v-Gwft-Ug8APA", "business_name": "West Ave Grille Jenkintown Restaurant and Food Truck ", "rating": 4, "text": "It was pretty exciting when West Avenue Grill opened up considering the lack of good eateries in the neighborhood. I've eaten here for brunch, lunch, and dinner on numerous occasions. The food is consistently good and there are yummy seasonal options that they add to the existing menu. Sometimes, the service leaves something to be desired if you get stuck with some high school newbie. There can definitely be a wait when all of the blue-haired ladies decide they want to lunch (or see a movie at the theater down the street). They offer a decent array of beers beyond the standards that most restaurants carry. The outdoor seating for warm weather is a plus as well.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:07:00" }, { "business_id": "JmzNw0WCPmZPZdq5nx9brg", "business_name": "Kitchen Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "My mother likes to drag me here when I pop by the house. The menu is a little overwhelming consider the array of choices that mix flavors from different parts of the globe. They also have some of the unhealthiest options I've seen in quite a while. Is that a whole cow between those buns? The portions are hearty to say the least, but the food still isn't anything to write home about. I find the flavors to be muddled or hidden beneath too much spice. It's a good place for mom and dad to take the kiddies on a Saturday night. It's also popular with meat-head men and their dates looking to get trashed while they watch the latest game. The bar still allowed smoking as of my last trip and that was a major turn-off as the smoke tends to waft into the dining room. Plus: the Abington Pharmacy next door where you can grab some chocolates to replace the unoriginal dessert you just ate next door.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:15:04" }, { "business_id": "ZF0tt7hn6WK3-aNWgtLcFA", "business_name": "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site", "rating": 5, "text": "ESP is another Philadelphia site that I enjoy wandering around. The staff members here are incredibly well educated as most have backgrounds in history, architecture/preservation, anthropology, etc. I recently became a member and have enjoyed the special perks they provide like \"behind the scenes\" tours of the hospital ward and kitchens of the prison - areas that aren't open to the general public. ESP is also a wonderful academic resource for those conducting research on related topics. The place is a photographer's dream with the abundance of natural light that filters in through the stone, not to mention the interesting architectural details. I even recommend the Halloween bash \"Terror Behind the Walls\". If you can stand the hyper-active teenagers, it's a good scare. I'm not sure if the hardhat requirement still persists, but be aware that ESP is in a state of ruin. I also believe that children under a certain age are not permitted, but I would double-check. Also, there aren't bathroom facilities except for a lone port-a-potty or two on the grounds.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:45:11" }, { "business_id": "uI5k9lJkWlKi6OUW5yYIpQ", "business_name": "Benjamin Lovell Shoes", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm very picky about shoes. I want to put something stylish yet original on my feet without having to suffer hours of pain throughout the day. I have a bit of a hard-to-fit foot due a high instep, but I always manage to find something to suit my mood. I prefer the Rittenhouse store to the Manayunk and South St. locations. I think that all three stores have relatively good selections, but I seem to find my favorites at the Rittenhouse shop. They carry many brands that you won't find at other department or bargain stores: Tsubo, Camper, Everybody, MBT, Naot, Birkenstock, Ugg, and more. It's no secret that alot of their shoes come with a considerable price tag if you're used to stores like Payless or DSW, but I find the brands offered at Benjamin Lovell wear better and last longer than many others I've owned. I've always received prompt, courteous service from the staff members. If they are out of stock in my size, they have never hesitated to try and order what I'm looking for. The sale section is also worthwhile if you're looking for more of a bargain. Benjamin Lovell has become one of the few places where I will shop for shoes. Definitely check them out for wide selection of Dansko and Mephisto shoes, or if you're looking to break out of the mold a bit. Do we really need another pair of Tory Burch flats walking through the city?", "timestamp": "2008-12-05T03:02:38" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I enjoyed myself at Monk's. It's a good standby to have in your arsenal for the out-of-town guests, but not great. Our service was a bit spotty and I felt like our waitress was totally uninterested in us. I enjoyed the burger I ordered, but the fries were nothing to rave about. Also, it annoys me when places make you order fries as a side instead of just providing them with your meal. Of course, the beer selection is enough to make your head spin.I had a few tasty brews that made the trip worthwhile. Maybe next time I'll just come for drinks and skip the food.", "timestamp": "2008-12-10T02:44:32" }, { "business_id": "R1aHeUAwUF1Qkpacrn2Njw", "business_name": "Hideaway Music", "rating": 4, "text": "I don't buy very many cd's anymore. iTunes just makes it too easy to have instant access to many artists. However, when I want to have an actual disk, I head to Hideaway. If I had a record player I would totally buy vinyls here as well as their selection looks pretty sweet. I love that I can almost always find what I'm looking for. And if I can't? They'll order it for me. I prefer the posters that line the Hideaway walls instead of running into grubby guys in Best Buy t-shirts. Check out the Chestnut Hill Coffee Co. up the way too if you're strung out on Starbucks.", "timestamp": "2008-12-11T00:34:18" }, { "business_id": "itwiCpfGR5xlUpawXrt4tA", "business_name": "Penn Campus Recreation", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Pottruck. I initially signed up because, as a HUP employee, I get a pretty sweet discount. I wasn't sure how much I'd actually like it since he place is huge and rather sterile feeling. After a couple of spins on the elliptical, I realized that I was extremely pleased with the facility. Pottruck is clean and spacious enough to handle hundreds of people a day. I have never had to wait for a machine and I have never encountered out-of-order equipment. The machines have iPod jacks that will play your music through the machine AND charge your iPod at the same time. The hours are great - I can go early in the morning, later at night, and anytime in between. The staff, for the most part, is really friendly, accommodating, and helpful. One afternoon, I forgot my lock and one staff member offered to watch my stuff while I worked out so that I wouldn't have to hunt for a quarter locker. I like that they have day lockers where you can supply your own lock. This means not having to shell out extra dough for a place to stash your stuff during your work out. The juice bar is a plus as well if you're in need of a bottle of water or a recovery shake. I can't yet comment on the the classes, but I'm looking forward to trying a few come spring. Pottruck offers alot from classes, to rock climbing and an outdoors club, to the pool, and their Penn Fit Program. They also offer personal training and massage therapy which I am looking forward to trying. The best part for me is that they are a part of the Blue Cross' Healthy Lifestyles program - after 120 workouts, I get $150 back from my health insurance company.", "timestamp": "2008-12-12T02:42:27" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "I still love the PMA. I took myself to see the Gee's Bend exhibit today. Normally, I meander through exhibits on my own, but today I decided to take the free guided tour. I have to say having a tour guide really made a difference. The woman could have been a little more friendly - I felt she was a tad brusque in her answering of questions - but her knowledge of quilting, quilt design and the Gee's Bend aesthetic made up for her demeanor. Since she had met with the women/artists when they came for the opening of the exhibit so we was able to share all sorts of little bits of stories with us. The quilts were absolutely stunning and I'm inspired to break out the sewing machine. I really enjoyed the photography mini exhibit at the beginning with intimate portraits of some of the artists. The 28 minute documentary at the Perelman center was a great addition and another way to \"meet\" the quilters. I like that the museum continued the exhibit in Perelman by adding examples of Victorian and Amish quilting. This is only the second time in my life that I have bought the \"coffee table book\" of an exhibit, but I was so taken with the Gee's Bend exhibit that I couldn't resist. Also, there were double discounts for members! I also popped into the James Castle exhibit which was equally fascinating. Once again, my membership pays for itself.", "timestamp": "2008-12-13T00:15:16" }, { "business_id": "jtMPW39yiv5CorhKfgUaTw", "business_name": "Daryl's Pastries", "rating": 5, "text": "I've come to realize that there are two kinds of people in this town: those who go to Dunkin Donuts and those who don't. I try to avoid DD if at all possible. Especially since I always seem to see them in the news when they get robbed at gunpoint. Also, let's face it people, their doughnuts leave something to be desired - I always seem to get something stale or a slightly soggy French Cruller. Daryl's, on the other hand, owns a special place in my heart. As a kid, I knew it was a special weekend if I found a crisp white box of Daryl's pastries and doughnuts on the kitchen table. Things I like about Daryl's: 1. Family owned and operated. 2. Everything is made fresh on the premises. 3. Best doughnuts ever! 4. They have breakfast sandwiches and coffee too. 5. The staff is friendly and speaks intelligible English. 6. There cakes and other pastries are just as tasty and well-made as their doughnuts.", "timestamp": "2008-12-20T15:34:13" }, { "business_id": "lH_UKAJy6YTa1ArfdACU4g", "business_name": "Olive Garden Italian Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll admit I enjoy a meal at Olive Garden every now and then when I'm craving artery-clogging bread sticks. I stopped by this location today for some take-out after shopping with my mom. While we didn't actually dine-in at this location, we did wait long enough to have to suffer through the obnoxious population of people streaming through the door. Is it just me or is this location chock full of women who have squeezed themselves into tiny outfits like sausages into ill-fitting casings? I didn't really think a 45 minute wait for take out was necessary given that we were there at 5pm. My spaghetti and italian sausage came with way over done sausage and they gave me meat sauce even though I specifically requested regular marinara sauce. My dad's lasagna looked like it was slapped together by a 3 year old, making me wonder if they tossed it from across the room into its container. My mom's chicken carbonara looked like it was already a left-over with slightly-congealed sauce over the noodles. Luckily, the breadsticks and salad saved the meal. Everyone gets their own portion of salad, the dressing comes in sealed take-out cups, and the servings of breadsticks are generous.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:32:49" }, { "business_id": "3Ce8r1K1O-2JKSMXdXID-w", "business_name": "Linvilla Orchards", "rating": 3, "text": "A friend and I hiked (not literally) to Linvilla this autumn to pick some apples for sauce and pies. Having visited other area orchards throughout my life, I was seriously surprised to find that this one is like some sort of kiddie wonderland complete with Pumpkinland, petting zoo, and stilt walkers. I thought I had possibly made a wrong turn along the way. Luckily, the actual apple orchard is across the road from all the juvenile madness. I was a bit disappointed in the selection they had at the time (early October) as we seemed limited to picking Red and Golden Delicious - two very unexciting apple varieties. I did manage to get a fair amount of Macoun's though which worked nicely for all the sauce I made. I managed to pick several pounds of apples (I completely overestimated how many pounds I am actually able to lift and schlep to my car) and only had to shell out $20 or so. Being childless, we happily skipped Pumpkinland, the train ride, and the petting zoo in favor of the country store. I scored a much needed apple sliver/corer and some decadent caramel dip. The pie line is insane and you'll need to use your elbows to keep your spot lest you get bullied out of the way by burly suburban soccer moms. The cider donuts are definitely worth the push and shove as well. I recommend the store for picking up all those culinary goodies you've always wanted to make but will never find the time in which to do so (chutney, jam, pickles, soups). Don't forget to pick up a gallon of apple cider for those chilly fall nights! I could do without the Six Flags-like atmosphere and the county fair-like food stands, though. The crowds are large and made up of people mostly under 4 feet tall. Expect parking delays, lots of walking, screaming and whining and tantrums. If, like me, you don't have kids, you can smile serenely and be happy that you don't have any sticky hands to wipe.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:49:18" }, { "business_id": "DRr5xdfHtqgWfhmdTU1B8Q", "business_name": "London Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to London Grill the other night with a friend. We arrived around 9pm and the place was relatively busy, but we were promptly seated. This is my second time to LG (I've previously been here for brunch with the parents). Honestly, I've had no problem with the service. Our particular server seemed overwhelmed, so another waiter stepped in to help her. Our meals were served fairly quickly - within 20 minutes of ordering. After a 12 hour shift at work, I had the best meal of the day at LG. I ordered the Roast BBQ pork which came with collard greens and macaroni and cheese. It's easy to screw up collard greens, but these were tender with a spicy/vinegar punch. The pork was cooked to perfection - moist with no hint of gristle. The barbecue sauce was equally tasty and didn't evoke the flavors of bottles sauces one bit. The macaroni was also delicious. They smartly avoiding \"dressing\" it up and stuck with ooey-gooey cheese and tender elbow noodles. My friend was equally pleased with his fish and chips. Their selection of beer is pretty impressive and this is one of the few places that seems to carry Strongbow cider (which they serve in a HUGE glass). Needless to say, we had a great time. The atmosphere is inviting and the atrium is a great place to sit even in the winter. Jeff is a great bartender and I was glad to have John and Brighid as our servers. I've definitely had no problems with service here.", "timestamp": "2009-01-05T08:21:06" }, { "business_id": "jHVotJhyPKOLuO7MVnmbtQ", "business_name": "Royal Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Some friends and I wandered into the Royal Tavern to continue my birthday celebration after leaving the South Philly Taproom. The place is tiny, but wasn't crowded when we arrived and we were able to grab seats at the bar. The bar tender was attentive and friendly and we didn't have to fight with other patrons to get drinks. We ordered a plate of Nachos which were some of the best I've had - lots of fresh tomatoes and cheese, generous helpings of guacamole and sour cream, and the chips were perfectly crisp instead of soggy or stale. The single strand of holiday lights above the wood bar lend a perfect ambience to the dimly lit tavern. The kitchen is open until 1am which is great for night owls. I was impressed by the beers that they had both in bottles and on draught - enough choices to suit a variety of tastes. I look forward to going back to try more of their culinary offerings, especially their brunch.", "timestamp": "2009-01-11T18:17:49" }, { "business_id": "6TPlb2eRasW6R0Fzz6T_JQ", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "For me, Susanna Foo's Gourmet Kitchen will never compare to her fine-dining establishment in Center City, but I was pleasantly surprised. My parents have known Susanna since she took over her parents' restaurant, Hunan's, and I have been sampling her culinary creations since I was 6 months old. So my fondness for Susanne Foo in general runs much deeper than the successes and failures I've seen her weather in the restaurant world. I had read the less-than-stellar reviews of the Gourmet Kitchen and wasn't really sure what to expect when my mom and I had lunch on my birthday. First of all, the decor is stunning - deep reds, golds, supple leather chairs, large circular chandeliers, deep vessel sinks in the washroom, and a modern-styled bar. I ordered a spicy tuna roll to start. Not knowing what to expect of sushi at a supposedly Chinese restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised - the fish was extremely fresh, tender, and totally lacking in any fishy taste. The spicy sauce wasn't one of those heavy mayo concoctions you sometimes encounter that over-powers the fish. For my entree, I ordered the crispy tofu with tomatoes in a kung pao sauce which was accompanied by fried rice, hot and sour soup, and steamed vegetables. My selection was delicious! The tofu was lightly crisped on the outside, yet tender in the middle and oozing the savory kung pao sauce. The vegetables were tender with a hint of crunch which preserved their unique flavors. The rice was light, fluffy, and lacking the oily heaviness you traditionally find in other establishments. Of course, the hot and sour soup is always my favorite - a perfect blend of spice and pucker. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday meal and look forward to going back to sample more dishes. I also felt that the pricing was reasonable - my mother and I both had appetizers and entrees, all for $40 dollars. The service, too, was impeccable.", "timestamp": "2009-01-20T17:11:56" }, { "business_id": "oa5h-kz5oFYHBKpasKYXQw", "business_name": "Charlie Gray's Rib Crib", "rating": 4, "text": "As a kid I had this phobia of meat on the bone (ribs, chicken legs, pork chops, et al.) I know someone is going to turn that into a crass joke, but it's true. So, as I kid, the only thing I really ever ate from the Rib Crib was the macaroni salad. At some point my dad put his foot down, saying that it was just un-African American to dislike ribs. How can you ignore that challenge? The Rib Crib is an institution in Germantown and in our family with many a Friday night spent covered in barbecue sauce. I love that you can watch the meat being smoked right in the open pit as you wait for your order. At their best, Rib Crib ribs are smokey with fall-off-the-bone tender meat, and slathered in a sweet/tangy/spicy sauce. Unfortunately, you don't always get perfection, which is disappointing given the fact that they are open only a few days a week. I agree with Mark C. - the joint is take out only and it's frustrating to get home with your order to realize that it's been and \"off day\" at the Crib. In my opinion, the tangy macaroni salad can't be beat and there's nothing better than sopping up extra sauce with fluffy slices of white bread. The friendly staff can't be beat, though, and the owner has been active in the community for years. Of course, you can't miss the myriad photos of prominent black folks that adorn the walls of the small space. Those photos were some of my earliest lessons in Black History. For a biracial kid from the 'burbs, this is a place where I was actually able to connect with my African American heritage. The Rib Crib is worth a try if you're into hitting barbecue spots around the Philly area, but they may no longer be the best in the business.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T17:47:44" }, { "business_id": "E52a-tWfAVUigt1ArF711w", "business_name": "Joseph Fox Bookshop", "rating": 5, "text": "I was in Joseph Fox yesterday. It's my go-to spot when I've had a bad day. I received a call that a book I had requested was in store. I've been trying to get my hands on a copy of \"Revolutionary Road\" since I refuse to see the movie before reading the book. One of the saleswomen had pulled a copy from a recent shipment and held it for me. The best part? She had put aside a non-movie cover copy for me. \"You just seemed like the kind of woman who wouldn't want a copy with Leonardo DiCaprio slathered all over it.\" How right she was! I ended up leaving with that, a copy of Madame Bovary, and Persepolis I and II. Again, the service was friendly and impeccable. I think I've sworn off big-box bookstores for good. I also find solace in that I am not the only customer in this bookstore not reading Stephanie Meyer's \"Twilight\" series, whereas Borders seems to bombard me with displays. Also, at Joseph Fox, I don't have to deal with the extraneous other junk other stores sell.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T18:12:44" }, { "business_id": "Vcn_cuQNKRF0eQ16TXVaXQ", "business_name": "The Night Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is for the recent batch of cupcakes I had from The Night Kitchen. I was really disappointed with them, or mostly the icing. I hope it was just a fluke, but the icing was terrible! It was like a little rosette of lard on top of a not-so-moist, crumbly cake. Waaaay too much butter and way too little whipping. I didn't even finish the whole cake because of the terribly cloying taste. Also, the cakes are tiny in comparison for their cost. Now when I go to TNK, I stick to their cookies.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:18:32" }, { "business_id": "HZDJl_MpCBz2_juU1BvDTw", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 1, "text": "I wish there were Waffle Houses this far north. If there was I would quickly trade IHOP for them. I love IHOP, or rather \"loved\" them. It's hard to let go of those childhood memories of days off from school and pancake breakfasts that included chocolate chips of all things. Today's trip was just terrible. Of course the wait is long because people crawl out of the woodwork to get to this place on the weekend. It's the only place I ever see other black folks in Jenkintown! We've been the only black family on my Elkins Park block for years, but we're not alone at IHOP. Weird. We were seated fairly quickly and our drink orders were taken. 15-20 minutes later we were still liquid-less; as were the surrounding tables being serviced by the same waitress. After a chat with the manager, we received our drinks. Another long wait forced us to hijack another waitress just to get our food orders in. By the time all was said and done, breakfast had turned into a 2-hour affair. It would have been nice to see the manager be a bit more involved on a busy Saturday when several customers were lacking decent service. Contrary to the tv commercials, the food just isn't worth hanging around all morning with screaming children.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "6w6wDhgTzteP1tCBvK6fnw", "business_name": "Loie", "rating": 4, "text": "I met a friend here for brunch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The place was really empty and I was a bit skeptical. If a brunch place is empty at noon on a Sunday, it doesn't say much about the food, etc. The emptiness, however, meant that we were seated and attended to promptly. The prix-fixe menu includes all-you-can-drink Mimosas or Bloody Marys. My friend and I each started with a Mimosa. I was pleased that they weren't overly skimpy on the champagne. I started with their garden salad which is pretty large and just right on the dressing. Not too dry and not swimming in oil. I ordered an omelette which was chock-full of my favorites: cheese, spinach, and mushrooms. The dish was cooked perfectly - the eggs weren't runny or overcooked and they came with wonderfully seasoned diced new potatoes. The service continued to be wonderful even as the restaurant filled up. The atmosphere was cozy and I enjoyed our seats by the large, open windows in the front. I'm sure this place is quite lovely in the warmer months. I would definitely consider this spot for out-of-town guests, family, and friends. You won't have to smash your piggy bank for a good meal.", "timestamp": "2009-04-08T04:52:18" }, { "business_id": "K3RURR9lIEE4JjOaPt99zg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been trying to get in for a meal at Sabrina's for months now. I wish someone had told me that they are only open until 4pm two days a week as it seems that those were the days when I tried to go for dinner. I was able to try out their lunch menu earlier this week with my mom and her friend. Being a Monday afternoon, the place was relatively quiet and we were seated immediately. The menu was a little daunting since you can get everything from eggs to cheesesteaks. I settled on a veggie burger with portobello mushrooms and cheddar cheese + the parmesan fries. I rounded things out with an ice cold rootbeer opting for the increased caloric hit rather than subject myself to Diet Rite. The burger was hearty and delicious - you'd have hardly known it wasn't meat with all of the mushrooms. I was quite happy to not have received anything wimpy and previously frozen from a cardboard box. The cheese was perfectly gooey and resembled nothing like those chemically concocted slices you find elsewhere. The fries were the best thing on the plate, though. Who would have thought that parmesan cheese could significantly elevate the humble french fry? The service was average - nothing spectacular. I did catch a little bit of hipster vibe from one of the servers, but such attitudes are becoming harder to avoid in most city neighborhoods. The only thing that could have made the day better? If they hadn't been out of key lime pie.", "timestamp": "2009-05-15T16:57:07" }, { "business_id": "XBwxCXPE8MX1aMs-zT1-Fg", "business_name": "Studio 34", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been wanting to take an African dance class since college but loathed the idea of hopping around with mostly white, mostly classically trained dancers at my liberal arts institution. Then I moved back to Philly and thought about taking a class at the UPenn gym where I am already a member. However, the whopping class fee - uh, hello, I already pay a yearly fee! - and thought of suffering the annoyances of the UPenn female undergrad population - why are you plastered to your Blackberry while working out?! - was equally unappealing. A friend of mine raved about Studio 34 and the work exchange program she had done there. Lo and behold, they have a weekly, drop-in African dance class for...wait for it, wait for it....$10! Yes, $10! Luckily, that price does not include snarky undergrads. I went to my first class on a rainy Sunday and had a great time. There were only three other people present, but I felt immediately comfortable and supported despite my complete lack of dance ability or training. By the end of the class, I was moving along just as well as the other folks. The teacher, Assumane, is wonderful and enthusiastic and you can't help but want to give it your best shot even if your left foot won't listen to your brain. This class is a great workout, especially for someone like me who isn't very in tune with her body but hates toiling away on a machine. You use all parts of your body in these dances from Guinea-Bissau and therefore, you kind of just make peace with whatever wobbly bits you've got. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that this is a weekly ongoing class. I don't have to worry about schedule interferences because I know I can always go the next week. You can't beat $10 to try something out. I look forward to trying some of their yoga classes as my body confidence improves. I am also much impressed by their commitment to the community, the friendliness of the staff, and the welcoming physical space.", "timestamp": "2009-05-16T02:33:07" }, { "business_id": "u7cZUEGK6iJP2gvI22xY2A", "business_name": "Memphis Taproom", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is still awesome. Roasted mushroom grinder = way better than any cheesesteak I've had in this town. I know, sacrilege, right? The atmosphere was better this time and our party didn't get shushed for adult-themed topics. I still don't love that lots of folks bring their kids here, though. Sometimes, I like to go out to eat and avoid toddling children who wander over unattended. I love that they have Sam Smith's Organic Cider in bottles, Allagash Tripel, and Monk's Sour Ale - some of my favorite libations. The fried pickles and suicide rings still light my fire. If only I could find a boy as yummy as they are instead of tables of canoodling couples.", "timestamp": "2009-06-27T19:47:17" }, { "business_id": "EPMHuTHu46B123ivRIZ-Xg", "business_name": "Magic Carpet", "rating": 5, "text": "The Magic Carpet truck is the only lunch truck I frequent. I can guarantee that I can get a sizeable portion of food that will do my body good for about $5. All of the food is prepared by the Magic Carpet folks in their offsite, commercial kitchen so you won't be getting frozen falafel balls here. Their portions are generous enough to cover you for lunch and the afternoon munchies that hit later in the day. It's best to try and sneak in early right around Noon or you are sure to have to contend with a substantial queue. Just like Pat's or Geno's, be sure to know what you want, how you want it before it's your turn or the other hungry customers are sure to grumble as you hem and haw over El Gringo or Magic Meatballs. Definite pros: - no cross contamination from meats - no msg laden crap - folks who speak great english - freshly prepared meals - beverage options that aren't just huge bottles of sugar-y soda Cons: - the long line - having to choose between lots of tasty options.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:21:06" }, { "business_id": "W_vlLO_fS_MuLTvxt1B7AA", "business_name": "Brewers Outlet Of Mt. Airy & Chestnut Hill", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best beer distributor out of the ones I've hit in the 'burbs. I grew up going to Madonna's on Easton Road, but because it's a drive-through, you've got to know what you want when you reach the window. Frosty Caps on 611 comes complete with a guy who looks like John Travolta, but mainly services the Miller Light crowd. Brewer's Outlet is one-stop shopping for beer, cider, and the Vintage seltzer that I love. I wish I could afford to buy an entire case of the Allagash Tripel ($74), but I'll have to stick to drinking it by the glass at Memphis Taproom. I can't confirm that they're over-priced on some goods because I rarely find the brews I like at other distributors. Most people's reaction to my query about Samuel Smith's Organic Cider is \"huh?\" A major boon is their swap policy. Buying a case of something from a microbrewery? Want to try a bottle of that local ____ before buying the whole case? Swap a bottle of yours for a bottle of theirs! Again, it's also convenient to be able to pick up bottled water and the like at the same spot. I've also never gotten those stares male employees sometimes give women that say \"You're picking out the beer? That party's going to suck.\" The employees are helpful without any hints of snobbery. FYI: I'm listing this place as \"pricey\" because the beverages I like don't tend to come cheap.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:31:42" }, { "business_id": "rIqkOMxkeoqvUzl909gNmQ", "business_name": "Kiwi Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "I like the fact that I can exercise my own version of portion control at this new Univ. City establishment. I do wish they had cups smaller than their smallest one, though, because it's hard to know when you've overdone it until you're paying $6 for fro-yo. I mixed the original tart and pumpkin. Both had exceptionally good flavor. The pumpkin actually tasted like pumpkin pie - neither too sweet nor too spicy. Unfortunately, I think some folks believe that fro-yo equals a completely guilt free treat. In reality, you can't really frequent the place several times in a week and expect not to pay for it. Yeah, they use HFCS, but I'm ok with that because I'm not eating there every week. I also like that I can indulge in sinful toppings like snickers bars and chocolate sauce if I'm so inclined. As someone with a nut allergy, I'm glad the place isn't overflowing with all manner of those options. I think the self-serve option is great and it's fun to swirl unusual flavors together. I feel like this a great place for students unlike some of the more pretentious-feeling venues in center city. Dessert should be fun - and I don't necessarily want to cover it in fruit and granola after long day.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:11:18" }, { "business_id": "Kdq1xfIFIKOdO-qW-_tg8A", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "First off - I wouldn't describe this establishment as Asian Fusion. I recall reading that they serve \"Contemporary American\", but I could have made that up. Some friends and I dined here for Restaurant Week Fall 2009 and it as a darn good choice. The wrap-around windows really make for a lovely atmosphere. The cocktails were creative and I enjoyed vodka for the first time in a long while. I also like the long, bar-like table that runs the length of the restaurant, providing extra seating that doesn't make you feel as if you are sitting on top of your neighbor. I was impressed with the menu and the number of choices they provided. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer and say that my meal was fantastic. I started with the heirloom tomato gazpacho with lemon sorbet. The lemon sorbet added a wonderfully cool, summer flavor to the spice of this Spanish soup without diluting the overall tomato flavor. The rolls were wonderfully textured - chewy and warm inside with a crisp crust. The wasabi butter was a definite bonus. My main course of roasted free-range chicken, brussels sprouts, and yukon mashed potatoes was hearty and delicious. The brussels sprouts were especially superb and lacked all trace of the pungent horseradish flavor they sometimes acquire during cooking. Dessert was a lovely little trio chosen beforehand - apple pie, warm chocolate tarte, and ginger ice cream. Our server was attentive, but not overbearing and was especially knowledgeable about the wine selections. I'd recommend this venue for all manner of dinners: dates, parents in town, friends, or even just to treat yourself.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:25:13" }, { "business_id": "Z6WntA-h-vBAQ3Xoe2Xy6Q", "business_name": "Brickbat Books", "rating": 5, "text": "I stumbled into this shop after previous afternoons of passing it by because I talked myself out of going into yet another bookshop. This space is different, though. This is where my fellow book snobs and I can congregate. I make no apologies for eschewing \"beach reads\", Jodi Picoult, and just about most things sold at the big box stores. With so many books in the world, one really does have to have discriminating tastes, don't you think? I love that they have great bits of Edward Gorey 1st editions. I love that there was a James Joyce reading group taking up most of the room. I picked up a loved copy of The Grapes of Wrath (why is this never in when I'm at the library!?) and a vintage edition of The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen. Nevermind that I have no clue who Elizabeth Bowen is, the cover of the plastic-wrapped petite paperback was calling my name. This is where you go to find diamonds in the rough for your literary collection - titles people will pull off of your shelf and say \"I've never seen this before\" and you can tell them all about the day you stumbled into Brickbat and found a new love.", "timestamp": "2009-11-10T00:57:25" }, { "business_id": "-DGsnMlRrR_tv8avrpQLQw", "business_name": "Sam's Morning Glory Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend and I decided on Wednesday morning brunch in order to catch up and unwind post-holiday. I'd passed Morning Glory a number of times while in the neighborhood, but hadn't ever eaten there. I like the vibe - it felt much less pretentious than in Sabrina's where I feel out of place with only one tattoo and feet not shod in Converse. I have to say that I wouldn't attempt to eat here with your 10 best friends, though, as space is an issue. There was no wait when we arrived at 10am, but I was surprised at how quickly the place filled up on a Wednesday in January - does no one work these days? This also isn't place where you can linger over a cup of coffee for hours given said lack of space. The staff will probably appreciate you much more if you pay your check in a timely manner and vamoose if there are people waiting. That being said, my Irish oatmeal was lovely. I was grateful that it wasn't soupy, but just right. Baby Bear would have approved. It was topped with a generous helping of strawberries, bananas, and blueberries. I also ordered a side of turkey sausage which was delicious and fork-tender. Few people probably care about this, but I found it charming that they serve their coffee in large tin mugs instead of the usual white ceramic stuff. My friend ordered a hearty portion of eggs, turkey sausage, and biscuit - which looked thoroughly delicious, but equally taxing on one's gallbladder. Maybe I'll for it next time, when I'm not contending with post-holiday pudge. The staff was great and quick with the coffee refills.", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T15:56:56" }, { "business_id": "TeHlA3PjMCAwJSLymjhz3A", "business_name": "Beans", "rating": 4, "text": "Was surprised to see that Beans opened a new location while in the city the other day. I've never been overly impressed by their other locations in the suburbs. If this store doesn't have it, you probably don't need it. And if you're looking for stuff on the cheap (ie: no $20 blow dryers here), this probably isn't the shop for you. The store is actually really lovely with high ceilings and an open feeling. They've got tons of products for just about anything you could imagine from hair color to nail polish to styling tools. I got a lot of (as in probably just a tad more than I like) help in selecting a hair dryer since I've gasp never owned one! I decided to go with something that will die probably after I do. I appreciate that my new hair dryer also comes with a free class in how to actually use the thing to achieve the style I want. They also do repairs! And who doesn't like a free pouch of jelly beans with each purchase?", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T23:29:22" }, { "business_id": "fhoqmnw5sXzj91-7yBW0Kw", "business_name": "Mugshots Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I ordered the Aztec hot chocolate one afternoon which nearly had me choking due to the amount of cayenne pepper that was in the drink. I thought the idea was to give your tastebuds a hint of heat, not send you into a coughing fit. I'm also kind of annoyed by the whole wi-fi set up. When you purchase a beverage, you get an hour of wi-fi through a code they give you. Essentially, you've got to make another purchase every hour to stay connected. I think I would rather pay a flat fee up front than having to keep purchasing more food/drinks. I wasn't too pleased with the fact that I had also ordered a sandwich, but the person who took my order only put in for my beverage. I should have caught it when I paid, but my mind was elsewhere. I ended up waiting for 20 or so minutes before I realized. I would also appreciate if Mugshots could put some kind of time limit on those who are taking up tables. Is it really fair to spread out your laptop and school books and take up a seat for hours on end when other people would like to sit and enjoy their beverage?", "timestamp": "2010-01-15T21:14:33" }, { "business_id": "M1q0l_VuI6MqRYLWGVhCCw", "business_name": "The Belgian Café", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite Schuyler L.'s run-in with soggy French Toast at brunch, I still enjoy this place. A few friends took me out for a belated-birthday drink. As usual, I had to request the Monk's Flemish Sour Ale which I now have several other friends veritably addicted to. It's sweet and refreshing with a hint of tang. I also tried the Young's Chocolate Stout which was delicious - rich, velvety, great foamy head. Essentially, it's dessert in a beer. The can also contains this thing called a \"widget\" which releases nitrogen once you pop the top to simulate what would happen if it were on tap. It blends the stout into creamy goodness so don't be alarmed by something rolling around at the bottom of your can. I tried to Reuben sandwich which was surprisingly delicious for how little meat I eat. Tender corned beef, gooey swiss cheese, and crisp buttery bread. Of course, there were fries as well with a generous portion of their dipping sauce. We also shared an item off of the dessert menu, but I can't recall the name. Basically, they're awesome cinnamon-sugared doughnuts. They come with a caramel dipping sauce, but I found it too rich for my blood. The doughnuts are warm and made of a dense cake that crumbles in your mouth. It puts anything you'd get at Dunkin' Donuts to shame by a lot. All in all, another fantastic evening!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:00:05" }, { "business_id": "f88P1gIbRpRzsYAHj9hGdA", "business_name": "Sid Booker's Shrimp", "rating": 5, "text": "(I think I may be giving it 5 stars for sentimental reasons, but I've also got some legit claims) So I grew up in a white Jewish neighborhood. Sometimes my father, who was African American, just had to flee the scene to get a taste of his childhood. This meant that we'd often make our way down Broad Street to Sid Booker's. If you can get past the bullet-proof screen and the little lazy-susan they use to take in cash and serve up fried goodies, I recommend you stop by once in your life. Oh, this place may be in what you consider the \"ghetto\" but it ain't cheap (honestly, if it were cheap, I'd be concerned about the ingredients they were using) so hit the ATM first. I don't really love shrimp, but I do adore Sid Booker's fried version. Large, plump, tender, and with a crisp batter that will make your arteries weep. We'd take our foil wrapped bundles home and have a little feast as if we were in Richmond with the family and not in Elkins Park. The ladies there are always kind, but they do a brisk business at certain times of day so don't expect a whole lot of chit chat. Note: This is take-out only and you're going to have to wait on the corner or in your car for a bit while they get your order ready. Contrary to El S.' review, I don't think you're likely to get taken down in a drive-by here as there are usually lots of folks. But like any denizen of a city, I wouldn't be hoppin' in the car for shrimp at 11pm if I wasn't a card-carrying member of that particular 'hood.", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:11:06" }, { "business_id": "O286wXm4mcznQn_1JieD1g", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "So back in December when Silk put out their yearly Soy Nog and Pumpkin Spice flavors, I had trouble deciding which one to buy. I had already tried their soy nog and thought about just sticking with a good thing. On the other hand, the pumpkin spice could be awesome. I was in the middle of this dilemma when one of the guys stocking the case noticed my perplexed look. He popped open a pumpkin spice for me and let me sample it. After I decided I really liked it, he marked the carton as a sample and I got to take it home for free! Now that's customer service!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:34:50" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I always enjoy coming to this theater. Below is a brief outline of why. 1. The seats are comfortable and, unlike many of the theaters in NYC, were not made for very short, very thin people. 2. Continuing on the theme of seats...There are no bad seats due to the intimate nature of the theater. 3. $10 student tickets for Sunday evening performances. Don't forget your student ID, though. If you forget your ID, Will-Call will not give you the student price. 4. They have Junior Mints at the concessions stand. 5. I have always enjoyed the productions they host. Avant-garde enough to make you seem as if you are culturally in-the-know, but not so strange that you'll be yawning for 2 hours. 6. Great set designs and creative use of space. I love their minimalist approach for most things. 7. If you're not a student, no worries! They've still go cheap seats for you twenty-somethings. Bring an ID to confirm your age and you can get tickets for $22.50. I saw Becky Shaw - it was fantastic and is now running through early Feb. Go see it!", "timestamp": "2010-01-25T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "Rmx12lwZbs94MkPaS2o7vw", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "Checking out this brand-spanking-new WFM was the highlight of my weekend. I am aware of just how lame that sounds but, with all the hype, I wasn't going to be left out. This store is easily twice the size of the one in Jenkintown. I love how it's as shiny as a newly minted penny. I didn't get to check each department out as closely as I would have liked due to the sheer throngs of people in there, but here is what I like so far: - Large produce section with an impressively number of organic items. I grabbed some golden turnips, tomatillos, and Italian broccoli. - Impressive fish and meat offerings - alot more prepared items (like the things they pre-marinate or stuff, etc) - Expanded bulk foods section where you can get all the barely or oats or stevia your heart desires. - Huge frozen selection! I didn't know WFM had their own brand of shoestring fries. I often supplement my recipes with frozen veggies in winter and they had everything I needed. - Easy to navigate body care, etc section with more products than my eyeballs could take. - The salad/prepared foods bar of my dreams. - Yogurt stocked so that they come out one at a time (kind of like a vending machine). No worries about having to hunt through a mess of flavors and brands. - The aisles are fairly wide and I was able to maneuver my cart pretty well without getting run into despite the crowd. Nothing can be done about the 80 year old women who shuffle along like it's a Sunday stroll, wide aisle or not. In a perfect world WFM would only have seasonal produce (strawberries are not native to the NE in January), but that's my own personal preference with regards to diet and health. Next time, I plan to actually try some of the food they've got on hand and pop into the pub. Of course, it's still \"Whole Paycheck\" but for my produce and specialty ingredients, this place is still #1.", "timestamp": "2010-01-30T22:14:30" }, { "business_id": "s2JiYzE7i68cXIV6YEcVTw", "business_name": "Local 44", "rating": 4, "text": "Came here for lunch the other day. The place was dead at 2pm, but I didn't mind. The bartendress was very friendly and she kept me entertained. I ordered the fish and chips upon her suggestion and was thoroughly pleased. The batter had a delicious, buttery quality to it and the the fish had a lovely creamy taste. Hard to describe, but I quite enjoyed it. The dish comes with fries and hush puppies which seemed like too many carbs, but still yummy. The fries are hand-cut and well seasoned. The hush puppies were the best I've had above the Mason-Dixon line and I couldn't help but think they'd taste amazing with vanilla ice cream. They've got quite a few of my favorite beers on tap including Allagash White and Monk's Sour Flemish Ale. The atmosphere is very warm with lots of dark wood and I'm sure it's a popular spot in the evening. The bartendress and I got into a conversation about UPenn undergrads trying to sneak in on the weekends and it seems they've got a pretty good system for keeping the wee ones out. Apparently, they've thwarted quite a few wily undergrads with fake ID's. I wouldn't say this place is mainly for UPenn students (whatever their age) but a place that's trying to provide more options for folks north of 40th street. It just so happens that many of those who live in that area are also students or employees of Penn (they are the largest employer in the city afterall). So pop by, grab a beer and a burger, and let the security staff take care of the interlopers.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:04:15" }, { "business_id": "u9XTeDl_If4U5Eixl6ys7g", "business_name": "The Foodery", "rating": 4, "text": "You'll need an adequate amount of time to spare if you're going to stop by The Foodery. I don't know how anyone could walk in and walk out in under 10 minutes. Half the fun is just looking at the labels of bottles from various breweries. I almost found myself choosing my beer based on which ones had the best labels. I've chosen books like that, and it never works out very well. I love any place that offers DIY 6-packs. I also love that their selection is pretty comprehensive, featuring some of the best beers that our city, country, and globe has to offer. The guys behind the counter were friendly and didn't look at me like some damsel in distress when I asked their advice on certain bottles. As previous reviews have stated, if you want to avoid sticker shock, look up the individual beer prices in the manifest or you might find yourself with a hefty bill. I spent $50 on 12 bottles (an assortment of Young's Chocolate Stout, Schneider Weiss, Allagash, Monk's, and Stoudt's). You're sure to be the hit of any party, especially if other people have brought anything closely resembling Bud Light. Me? I prefer to relax and have a night in with my special purchases and a friend or two. I was so enamored with the beer selection that I barely glanced at the rest of the store, so that's on my agenda for next time.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:24:05" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "So, I liked this place the first two or three times I went when I lived in NYC. However, the fourth and fifth times are not the charm, even when dining at the Philly location. I am constantly disappointed by how many of their offerings contain tree nuts. I know it's more or less my problem that I'm allergic to some of the tastiest nuts out there, but do they need to be in all things chocolate? I end up with only two or three choices of dessert because something or other always contains hazelnuts that cannot be left off the item. I also find that the portions are nowhere near comparable to the prices they charge. I'm not an individual who bases my like or dislike of an establishment solely on portion size, but I don't enjoy paying $20 for something I could have essentially made at home. I shared a chocolate fondue for two with a friend and I think there were exactly two of everything: two strawberries, two marshmallows, etc. The staff is friendly, but nothing to write home about as the place seems to hum like a well-oiled machine. Everything comes at a staccato-like pace if they are not super crowded: you are seated, your order is taken, your order arrives, you eat, plates are cleared, you pay, you leave. It's not a place where I feel I can linger a bit and savor the experience. The concept is great and the menu (at least with regards to dessert) has the potential to be quite delicious and satisfying, but I am always left feeling that something is missing, that something could be better.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:42:08" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been frequenting this shop - in person and online - for several years now. I don't even bother to buy spices or the like in the grocery store at this point. I really love this little shop. It is small and fragrant and filled with everything I need for canning/preserving to meatloaf-making to baking. They also have an online shop and will ship directly to you. I particularly love how they have different colors of jimmies/sprinkles separated by color into their own jars. Of course, you can get the rainbow blend, but there's something about seeing millions of neon pink jimmies that makes me smile. I think they've got a great selection of teas and coffees (flavored coffee as well!). You can also pick up little sachets for the loose tea here as well to avoid an extra errand. I usually pop in to refresh my stock of spices and meat seasonings. Try their mix for poultry to get your chicken out of a flavor rut. The shop is ideal for your bulk needs: flour, sugar, nuts, grains, etc. I find it to be better to come here for those items than to try to obtain them from Whole Foods where I'm likely to be charged more. The staff can be a bit aloof, but I've never had a bad experience. It is pretty obvious from the signage that you shouldn't attempt to bag your own purchases so, if you are reprimanded, you probably weren't paying attention. I really wouldn't want god-knows-how-many people reaching their hands into jars of spices all day long. It's also easier for the staff to eyeball an ounce of cloves than for me to do so. Be warned that they are also cash only. This shouldn't worry people too much, though, because their prices are excellent and a $20 should cover most of the damage.", "timestamp": "2010-02-10T03:03:56" }, { "business_id": "IkY2ticzHEn4QFn8hQLSWg", "business_name": "Geno's Steaks", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm not going to lay down esoteric comments about a cheesesteak since it's not a pretentious food. I'm a Philly native that had never had the Geno's experience. Shameful as it may be, I've finally joined the club. In short: Delicious, soft bread layered with thin slices of steak, whiz, and chopped onions. The perfect \"junk\" food for a cold Saturday. The line moved quickly and we managed to avoid getting yelled at by putting our order in correctly. I didn't think the fries were anything special - good, but I'd probably skip them next time. I was surprised at how much I like the mix of flavors considering whiz just seems disgusting on any other food. I can see why these steaks are the cuisine of choice for tipsy college kids.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:55:15" }, { "business_id": "S1FwTmCAwv5ulu5gToWi_w", "business_name": "RIM Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "After freezing to death eating our Geno's steaks, two friends and I popped in for some warming up. The volcano hot chocolate here is certainly worth the $6.00 - if not for the actual drink, then certainly for the process and display that goes into making one. A young man was playing La Vie en Rose on the piano in the back which made the place seem that much more romantic and charming. I could easily find myself here with a knitting project or book, sipping away on decadent espresso drinks. Strangely enough, the bathroom with its red light a pasted photos was a highlight. It's small and cozy - perfect for two or three, but no parties larger than that I would say.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:59:52" }, { "business_id": "1UNJeHTsS7WS9RxRzHw06g", "business_name": "Varga Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "After seeing the latest UPenn Mask and Wig production, I was so hopped up on good humor that I didn't want to end the evening by heading straight home. At first, we planned to go to Tria, but found ourselves face to face with Varga Bar after walking in the wrong direction from Quince Street. The place was crowded at 10:30pm, but not so much that you couldn't comfortably breathe. We put our name in for a table for 5 and passed time at the bar. I was impressed with their many beers on tap - Allagash, Victory, Rogue, Sly Fox, etc. They do offer a few specialty cocktails, but nothing overly fancy. The hostess was extremely pleasant and we were eventually seated moments before our appetizers arrived. I ordered the Kobe Beef Sliders which were delicious and the perfect portion for a late-night snack. They come topped with a delicious aioli that completely negates any need for ketchup or mustard. Their onion rings were crisp, yet tender and drizzled with a piquant dipping sauce. My friends tried the veggie burger and the chili-topped hotdog which they gave favorable reviews. We also shared some fries with the cheese sauce on the side and sans crab meat. The cheese dipping sauce was a great accompaniment the crisp, shoestring potatoes. Definitely a great little place for a light bite to eat. I wouldn't try to squeeze a party larger than 6 or so in here as space is tight. I would certainly recommend it for date night considering the low lighting and intimate tables for two.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T23:14:23" }, { "business_id": "DJujODX9OTMuveKxMEL0zg", "business_name": "Mask and Wig", "rating": 4, "text": "As a Penn grad student and child of a Penn Med professor, I have seen my fair share of Mask and Wig productions. However, when my parents dragged me as a teenager, the ribald humor was generally lost on my rather naive ears. I've come to love the Mask and Wig club for their witty, off-color productions featuring and all-male cast, crew, and band. I love the tradition of the club that dates back to the 1890's and don't mind joining with the \"rah, rah, Pennsyl-van-i-a\" at the end of each performance. The shows are wildly funny and entertaining for all - well, leave the wee ones at home - over the age of 16 or so. You'll enjoy yourself so much, you'll forget that you're seated on a folding chair. I am always impressed by the quality of the music and writing that these undergrads put into each spring show. The clubhouse is also a gem unto itself with original artwork by Maxfield Parrish. They even serve cocktails and beer in the grill room before and after the performances. The downside? Having to mingle with lots of Penn undergrads who come to support their friends. I say just suck it up and go anyway. It's maybe the best $25 you'll spend ($12 for current students).", "timestamp": "2010-02-14T19:24:25" }, { "business_id": "Yn6oUj778ETC5kYs7IPH0g", "business_name": "Tiffin Elkins Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Tiffin just opened up right down the road from my house and is in the same little complex as my gym so it seemed logical to pick up some takeout after an evening workout the other day. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, and Naan. It came with Basmati rice, chutney, and an accompanying sauce. I was a bit worried about the spice factor, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't need a fire extinguisher to eat my meal. My mom, who has a rather sensitive tongue, even got through her Chicken Korma without complaint. I imagine, if you prefer your food to be blacken your tongue that they would oblige. Both dishes were excellent - creamy, rich, not greasy. The rice was cooked to perfection and tastes wonderful with a bit of chutney stirred in. I didn't find the restaurant to resemble a fast food chain. I felt that the colors were appropriate for an Indian restaurant and the dim lighting enhanced the small BYOB. The furniture is modest, but I wouldn't describe it as cheap-looking. I appreciate that they didn't try to cram in as many tables and chairs as possible. Overall, I am pleased that Elkins Park actually has an eating establishment that might survive besides Marco Polo. If only they could give a face-lift to the rest of the shopping complex.", "timestamp": "2010-03-06T01:34:11" }, { "business_id": "pWzrmh1oiU9ngWXGHKnnwQ", "business_name": "Down Home Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "As a kid, we used to stop in here quite a bit after a tour through the Market, but it's just not the same 10-15 years later. My mom and I decided to grab some dinner here after a rather exhausting day at the Flower Show. We were seated right away which was nice considering that it was 6pm on a Friday night and the crowds from the Convention Center were massive. I ordered the BLT which was disappointing - too much lettuce and the wheat bread wasn't substantial enough to hold the thing together. Also, their \"cold sandwiches\" don't come with fries, so I ended up with a sad looking slice of cantaloupe instead. My mom's minestrone soup and grilled cheese with tomato looked much more appetizing. The fries that I ordered on the side weren't anything to write home about - skinny little things resembling the kind that McDonald's sells. For a place that claims to source all of their ingredients from the market, I really expected top notch, fresh food, even if it is a \"diner\".", "timestamp": "2010-03-07T16:46:48" }, { "business_id": "8Wq0LZSuHdPTlleQD5sU_w", "business_name": "The Bubble House", "rating": 1, "text": "This little place has the potential to be great. I'm actually a fan of their bubble teas - taro, in particular. The food isn't terrible either. I had a grilled portabella mushroom sandwich on foccacia with tomatoes and gouda with the side of sweet potato fries. $9 seemed a bit pricey for a one-mushroom sandwich, though, portabella or not. However, what really prevents me from giving The Bubble House more stars is the service - slow and uninspiring. The interior could also use a fresh coat of paint and the tables and floors could also stand to be refinished. There is just an overall grimy feeling to the restaurant that makes you wonder just how \"clean\" your food is. What really put me off was having to watch the guy who prepared the teas and manned the take-out counter sit outside and smoke three times in an hour whilst spitting here and there in plain view of the restaurant window. I do hope he washed his hands after each cigarette break, but I can't be too sure. I would probably skip this place in the future despite its proximity to campus.", "timestamp": "2010-03-11T02:18:03" }, { "business_id": "GsBDSxvX4VcvmdVODoJ_lQ", "business_name": "Primex Garden Center", "rating": 5, "text": "While, in the future, I'll probably try to avoid Primex on a Saturday afternoon, it's still my favorite garden supply spot. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about their products from plants to seeds to fertilizers and more. They even do soil testing to help you make the most of your lawn and/or garden. I feel that their prices are fair for a locally owned, family business and the new rewards program allows you to accrue monetary value towards future purchases. They hold double-point days throughout the season, too. On busy weekends this time of year, parking can be a hassle, so be patient. You can park right in front of the store, in their lot, on the side of the store, and back behind the warehouse as well. Now that planting season is in full swing, you can for flowers and other seedlings outside at the shed by the greenhouse. Just be sure to have a staff member write up your purchases first. For great soil, I recommend their Bumper Crop which gave me some impressive veggies last year. It retails for about $14 per 2 cubic feet. I'm also pleased that they offer planting potatoes, garlic, onions, and rhubarb - things you can't really grow from seed and are only offered early in the season. Their impressive selection of flower bulbs is also not to be missed! Be sure to pick up one of their great eco-friendly flower pots, too - they're recyclable!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:17:07" }, { "business_id": "MbKhuO-4uYPc0NRZDRWoew", "business_name": "MexiCali", "rating": 4, "text": "I've eaten at both the bricks and mortar shop and the lunch truck on 38th and Walnut. These are pretty much the only burritos I eat. Sure, Chipotle is just up the block, but why bother with those inflated prices? The quality of the Mexicali ingredients is superb - not once have I questioned whether my chicken was really chicken or dug in only to have gristle and fat meet my teeth. I've had consistently great experiences with the food here and find that both their meat and vegetarian options are equally delicious. Sometimes, a vegetarian options just means a weak assortment of peppers and onions or beans, but Mexicali provides a variety of options from tofu to plantains to sweet potato. Most options are around $4-5 for meat options and as low as around $2 for veggie options. Keep in mind these aren't skimpy portions either!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:22:17" }, { "business_id": "_tt4nysrN8JpzLLVXL-z5A", "business_name": "Creperie Beau Monde & L'Etage", "rating": 4, "text": "Love this place! I have never had a bad meal here. Tonight, a friend and I dined al fresco. Amanda, our server, was lovely - friendly and attentive, but not overbearing and very knowledgeable about the menu. We enjoyed the special soup of the day, a creamy artichoke with chipotle that was warm, smoky, and rich. We also had the special sweet crepe of the day which was delicious - sweet potatoes poached in coconut milk and pureed, accompanied by caramel sauce, toasted pecans, and vanilla gelato. Per usual, my savory entree crepe was generously portioned and full of fresh ham, cheddar, and broccoli. I thoroughly enjoyed their appetizer salad of house greens with a mustard vinaigrette - pleasingly tangy with a hint of bite. Beau Monde is one of my favorite places to end a spring afternoon with a good friend.", "timestamp": "2010-04-23T02:01:48" }, { "business_id": "zuNEmJXTIAMRwRY5v-oSCg", "business_name": "L'etage", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited L'Etage last night for an event. The space is cozy with fabric covered walls and dark, leather furniture. Given a large crowd, though, this performance space could get uncomfortable quite quickly. I honestly didn't find the staff to be that welcoming or friendly and the table service during the performance was distracting because it's hard to avoid walking in front of the stage. Also, $7 for gin and tonic? Really? I'll just bring a thermos next time. I'm interested to check out the story slams here, though I don't think they could even hold a candle to The Moth's productions.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:17:10" }, { "business_id": "K9cn-DrPEEXse1s1n-6mMw", "business_name": "Bridget Foy's", "rating": 3, "text": "Following a performance at L'Etage, my friends and I were famished. And, after 2 drinks on an empty stomach, I was feeling tipsy as well. South Street was mobbed on this Friday night, but we were seated immediately on B. Foy's outdoor patio which provided the perfect perch for observing a plethora of police officers canvassing the area status post the flash mob fiasco. I don't think I've seen so many brothers in blue since the Rodney King videos. Given the number of teenage twerps out and about, I was glad to have the extra security. But I digress... B. Foy's hit the spot but their food isn't exactly inspiring. I ordered a Walt Whit and the crispy chicken sandwich. I swapped the pepperjack for cheddar and got exactly what I ordered. I would have preferred a bit more avocado and less chipotle mayo as the sandwich was more spicy that I like. The bun was flaky, soft, and big enough to hold everything together. I felt the chicken was a bit overdone, but still good. The fries were average and lacked sufficient seasoning. The prices were more than reasonable, though, and three of us ate for $50, drinks included. This location is definitely a plus if you're doing the tourist thing with friends or family and need a place to please most palates. Just don't expect too much.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:26:03" }, { "business_id": "7WWLPXpOjrh_1EvjFuw3hQ", "business_name": "The Drake Tavern", "rating": 1, "text": "I really want to like this place because it's a short drive from my door, but I really just can't get behind it. First of all, I generally find the crowd to be an obnoxious mix of middle-aged folks trying to forget the work week and early twenty-somethings looking to get obliterated. The music is always too loud and seems to be piped straight from 104.5. The beer is nothing to write home about and they only get as adventurous as Magic Hat it seems. Who wouldn't, though, when most of your crowd is content with Budweiser and Coors? We're not exactly dealing with sophisticated palates. I have never found the service to be stellar and I could really do without young women prancing around in low-cut, tight t-shirts as if Hooters has come to town. And then there is the food... They do a decent job with their burgers, but it pretty much ends there. If you're going to attempt things like crab quesdillas, at least know what you're doing and use real crab meat. Most everything on the menu involves something fried. The food is bland and lacks creativity just like the rest of this place.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:34:13" }, { "business_id": "AERr7jPbAZmShrwfKzUqfA", "business_name": "Big Blue Marble Bookstore", "rating": 5, "text": "Yep, I still really love this place. As other reviews mention, you may be out of luck if you're pining after a certain book as there is no way this little shop can hold it all, but you can place an order for no extra charge and have your goods within the week. Big Blue Marble goes for quality, not quantity in my opinion and offers sophisticated, yet good reads that cater to the interests of their community. On my most recent trip, they had lots for the backyard gardener and most of the popular new releases that the big box stores have on their shelves. The book I really wanted was sold out, but I placed an order on Wednesday and had the book in my hands on Saturday. I love that they carry a good selection of Nikki McClure's cards and journals as well as items by Little Otsu. It's not as close as Barnes and Noble for me, but I still prefer to give my patronage to this Mt. Airy gem.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:39:14" }, { "business_id": "fOhnSqmO4XY5vSI8whVKSA", "business_name": "Farmicia", "rating": 4, "text": "Certainly one of the best brunches I've had in a while. I had made a reservation in light of the potential craziness from the Broadstreet Run earlier in the day. A wise move, indeed. I had time to kill before my tablemate arrived and enjoyed their happy hour cocktail prices and an assortment of fresh fruit. I thought the apple centerpieces were a rather whimsical touch. I ordered the Brunch Sandwich was the perfect union of fried egg, Amish cheese, and country toast. It was accompanied by more fresh fruit and I think I nearly hit my 5 servings for the day! The eggs were cooked as I like them - not too runny, but not hard either, just enough so that you don't end up covered in yolk. The fruit was certainly fresh which is not always the case when ordering such at an establishment. Strawberries, raspberries, and grapes - all ripe and delicious. I will certainly return in the future as their menu has many tempting offerings and who can resist half price drinks on a Sunday?", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:48:38" }, { "business_id": "V7KWP_nQkpSxR3t7bEqrMw", "business_name": "Bartram's Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "If you don't know that this place exists, shame on you! This charming 18th century historic site and it's gardens offer much needed respite from the hectic pace of modern life. Just get over the discomfort of having to drive through less-than-appealing blocks of West Philadelphia. Really folks, it's not like you're going to get caught in a drive-by. The winding drive takes you off the beaten path and away from bustling city streets to what can really be described as a botanical oasis. The place was virtually deserted on this sunny Tuesday afternoon as guided tours only take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, it was nice to be left alone to explore and enjoy the rows of vegetables peeking out from the soil and the variety of flowers and trees. There are placards interspersed throughout to explain the history and heritage of the Bartram family and the grounds. If only the rest of West Philadelphia had been so well-preserved! We took one of the paths down toward the river and found ourselves tip-toeing on rocks to save a floundering fish and picking buttercups in the adjoining meadow. It's lovely to view the steely-grey of the Philadelphia skyline from this idyllic spot. I'd certainly return for a tour and will keep an eye out for their events. Conveniently, they are open everyday 10a-5p (except holidays) and admission is free, unless you plan to take a tour. Another bonus? They do their own plant and seed sale!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:59:28" }, { "business_id": "qQO7ErS_RAN4Vs1uX0L55Q", "business_name": "The Franklin Fountain", "rating": 4, "text": "Yep, still awesome. Their butter pecan really tastes like there is a stick of butter in the ice cream. I love their waffle cones, which are substantial, keep your ice cream off of your hands, and provide just enough satisfying crunch!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:02:45" }, { "business_id": "RUWCx8WPhq4JwQjv_eGZ8g", "business_name": "Velvet Sky Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I love cake. It's a problem. Luckily, I don't pass by this little bakery too often. Their red velvet made my week. My only complaint? A little less icing perhaps. Sometimes my teeth veritably ache after one of these little beauties.", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:11:07" }, { "business_id": "a9tI3YQyIXHqt0c1AxaSbA", "business_name": "Valley Green Inn", "rating": 4, "text": "Even though this historic venue could use some sprucing up (fresh paint, etc), it's still one of my favorite places in the world and it's slightly rustic feel is all part of the charm. I know that seems like an exaggeration, but I've been going to the Valley Green Inn since my little legs could pedal a bike to get there. As a family, we always biked the trail instead of driving in. The food is still delicious, especially their yam fries. My roast turkey breast sandwich with applewood smoked bacon was one of the best lunches I'd had in a while. The bread, especially, was delicious and certainly held up against a slathering of mayo. I really detest wimpy bread. This is a place that feels upscale but is down to earth and equally wonderful whether you want brunch, lunch, or dinner. Bring the family or someone special, either way, you're sure to enjoy yourself.", "timestamp": "2010-06-04T20:06:34" }, { "business_id": "X_OnAUXVGHjyWP9zoPVLTA", "business_name": "Megabus", "rating": 3, "text": "Thus far, I've only ridden Megabus once so I am holding out on giving it more stars until I have other experiences to compare to this one. I had no problems with my trip to and from NYC. Our bus left on time and even arrived in NYC a little early. The ride was comfortable enough - the seats could have been a bit roomier and the frigid air conditioning was refreshing at first, but not so much 30 minutes into the ride. The driver and employees were courteous at both ends of the trip and I had no issues with luggage. I really had no use for the wi-fi or the outlets, so I can't comment on those, but others on the ride seemed to have no trouble accomplishing various tasks on their laptops or charging their phones enough to scream into them the entire ride. The most annoying aspect was actually due to a couple riding in front of my friend and I who refused to stop groping each other. My first choice for travel would be Amtrak, but for $12, I think I got what I expected - average service.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:06:53" }, { "business_id": "eXKblEHP3YJYU1Awz08hVw", "business_name": "Tacos Don Memo", "rating": 4, "text": "Well, I'll never eat at MexiPhilly again, that's for dang sure! My al pastor burrito more than made up for my terrible lunch date. I ended up making lunch AND dinner out of my burrito which was crammed with savory black beans, fluffy rice, avocado, lettuce, tomato and, of course, pork. I don't even really like pork! Just ask my mom about the faces I make if she makes pork chops. It's ugly. My lunch \"date\" had talked up the al pastor so much, though, that I took the plunge. A few things to know before you go: - the wait can be lengthy so you might want to bring a folding chair - it ain't as cheap as some other carts The ingredients are really fresh and there is a whole lot of effort that goes into the preparation of your order. I don't know how they got everything in my burrito, but it stayed together down to the last bite. The owner even has a bricks and mortar shop up near the 69th street terminal and will bring in specials from the restaurant on occasion.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:31:15" }, { "business_id": "-b8iNhBez0hRu478nIDhyg", "business_name": "Swift Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Gastropubs are taking over the world! Or at least Northern Liberties. This was my first trip to Swift Half and the Piazza, for that matter. I've lived in the Philadelphia area just about all my life and still find it a little weird that someone thought to plunk down this Piazza thing in Northern Liberties. Does someone want to tell me where all the regular folks are going to live once we've gentrified this entire city? But I digress... I appreciate what Swift Half is aiming for - a fresh, unique, delicious menu. However, I agree with Anthony S. in that they miss the mark with their \"go big or go home\" attitude. I was pretty excited about my B.E.L.T. (bacon, egg, lettuce, and tomato) sandwich because I adore breakfast for dinner. I felt the egg was overcooked, the bacon lacked the thick texture I was expecting, and the mayo was straight up out of the Hellman's mayo jar I presume. The bread was very good, but could have used toasting to give it some oomph. I thought the fries were delicious, though. Overall, I kind of felt that their menu was all over the place: mussels, fish and chips, burgers. Too many unrelated choices in my opinion. I really enjoyed my Georgia Kiss cocktail (gin, peach schnapps, soda water, and lime) and thought that was a pretty original drink. They also have a great selection of beers which do not disappoint. I liked the atmosphere. It was a bit noisy due to all of the people out on a Friday night at 9pm, but the large open space lends itself well to coming with a group. The outdoor patio on the Piazza is also a definitive plus. I look forward to trying Swift Half again and hope they \"grow into\" their grown up menu. Just do simple food well, guys. Don't prissy it up for the No Libs hipster crowd. When I go to a pub, I want hearty food that will compliment my beer selection and leave me feeling satisfied.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:27:13" }, { "business_id": "qAjsqPKJwcWX97_EBHwfjw", "business_name": "Rosie's Yarn Cellar", "rating": 5, "text": "You know, Rosie's has really grown on me as I've delved deeper and deeper into this knitting....hobby. Well, let's call it what it really is, shall we? It's a full blown obsession for me at this point. I like that Rosie's has a nice mix of the luxe and the everyman's fiber. You've got your Swan Lake fingering, your Manos, your Cascade 220 - something for every taste and budget. Oh how I love their lush selection of Manos in all its myriad colors. I love that I can still get plenty of Rowan and Koigu here, too. Yes, the shop is still tiny, but that's part of the charm and I take my yarn home to wind rather that risk whacking someone with the swift. Rosie's is one of those neighborhood places where you have to go a few times to sort of feel like you belong. I like the staff and have never had a problem. If you're feeling neglected, speak up! If I'm new to a particular shop, I sometimes feel awkward and out of place. Knitting is such a community thing these days and shops have fiercely loyal clientele, so just give it some time if you're a newbie. Rosie's will certainly welcome you in if you leave your attitude outside.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:36:31" }, { "business_id": "LklDTDwgJLbUjd67ZKsvCg", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Square Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Who doesn't love sunshine and grass?! I love sunshine and grass and knitting or reading on a lovely afternoon. I don't love the tiny, yapping dogs or women in skimpy bikinis, or the couples who obviously need to get a room. Rittenhouse Square Park is a place where some people obviously come to see and be seen as if they're dining at the Ivy on an episode of The Hills. So...these 4 stars are really for awesome things like the free Saturday yoga classes and the Saturday farmers market where I score delicious local eats like yellow carrots, chioggia beets, brightly colored zinnias, and 3 different kinds of plums. These 4 stars are also for those early spring days where hope springs eternal after a winter of drudgery and snow. They are also for those great first date strolls, laughing with your best friends, or sneaking some solitude. For all those things, it really is a 5 star kinda place.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:45:05" }, { "business_id": "EpFFiPHKx9yP-WqOCuxRCw", "business_name": "Mayfair Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I have a hard time believing this place ever got \"Best of Philly\" even if it was in 2002. But, after a long morning doing health education down the road at CFCF at the Philadelphia Prison System, you'd need a milkshake and french toast, too. The milkshake was probably the best part even if it was a little on the small side. What happened to the days when you got the silver cup on the side with the leftover shake!? My french toast was good because I was hungry and in a crappy mood, but nothing to write home about. The service was all NE Philly (\"What'll youse be havin'?), accent included. Essentially the clientele here is 65 and over and they're probably eating soup when it's 95 degrees outside. Are there any great Philly diners left?", "timestamp": "2010-08-04T00:46:55" }, { "business_id": "A7z2nV4JUlmwBbQx3ge2rw", "business_name": "Dujour", "rating": 5, "text": "Du Jour features a great lunch menu and today was no exception. In the summer, I particularly enjoy their freshly made Gazpacho soup. It can be really hard to find a great Gazpacho that isn't overly spicy, not too chunky, not too heavy on vegetables that shouldn't be in there in the first place (like carrots), and doesn't separate quickly. Unless I make it myself, the only Gazpacho I'll eat is from Du Jour. It is smooth and well blended with plenty of tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumber. It has a refreshing, crisp tang provided by the vinegar. I followed up with their low-fat tuna sandwich on multigrain bread with lettuce and tomato and a side salad. I think they make a great tuna sandwich - it's not dry and comes on hearty bread with a thick slice of tomato and crisp lettuce. It is also features a pretty substantial helping of tuna which kept me energized through 4 hours of poolside lounging later in the afternoon. The absolute best part was the kind gesture we received from the chef, Mike. A professional photographer was in the restaurant shooting photographs of various plates from the new menu. When the chef brought out a large slice of blueberry pie accompanied by a generous helping of gelato I was done for. After the photographer had finished her shots of the pie, I jokingly called to the chef to ask if I could have it. To my surprise he turned around and said \"sure!\" since it was going to go to waste anyway. He was really very kind and seemed happy to let three of us in on this delicious new menu item. Made with local blueberries, the pie was delicious and full of sweet summer flavor. The cinnamon gelato was a perfect creamy partner to the butter in the crust and the sweet-tart of the fruit. I'm pretty sure the huge slice and scoop we had were not the usual serving size, though! Once again a delicious lunch with exceptional service.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T01:56:05" }, { "business_id": "IvMEGUlmbDZVzftmRCLdDg", "business_name": "Margaret Kuo's Wayne", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't love Chinese food, but aside from Cin Cin in Chestnut Hill, Margaret Kuo's is much more palatable than other establishments I've visited. I like the portion sizes here because they are enough for one person, possibly two if you plan to share more than one dish or order appetizers. The menu tends to feature more than your average take out spot and I find the fare to be less greasy and salty. I particularly like the Chicken with Shitake Mushrooms which is not slathered in brown sauce as it might be elsewhere. It is a healthy portion of chicken, snow peas, and mushrooms that I like to mix with brown rice. I was left satisfied but not stuffed to the gills. I am always a little confused when ethnic restaurants start crossing cultural borders and am not sure why they feel the need to offer sushi as well. I've never tried their sushi offerings and cannot speak to its quality, but I feel that you should probably just stick with what you know. Beware that a lot of families tend to pack her restaurant on a weekend evening so you will most likely be contending with the shrill voices of wee ones. If you're looking for a more intimate setting, I might dine later in the evening to avoid the Sesame Street crowd.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T02:03:11" }, { "business_id": "kK1re49IK3jmCYTL6B6_lw", "business_name": "Trolley Car Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure how it took me so long to visit this place. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner and found it to be a much better experience than some other diners I've experienced as of late. They have an impressive offering of beers and you can make your own six-pack without hiking down to the Foodery and paying an arm and a leg. Their menu is extensive and they serve breakfast all day. Their portions are hearty and they make their own kettle chips. I don't have kids, but this place would satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Their milkshakes are also pretty great. You even get the extra in the metal mixing cup. There's just something about getting a huge helping of ice cream that makes my day. Keep in mind that this place can get busy and that there will probably be a munchkin or two who is in a bad mood. I find the staff to be very friendly and attentive even when they're running between multiple tables. This is also a good place for groups as their large booths can accommodate three people on each side. I think this may be my new favorite, local spot for a satisfying meal, good beer, and reasonable prices.", "timestamp": "2010-09-18T22:53:00" }, { "business_id": "U9gATBSpddPuqZdfhYOaUQ", "business_name": "Clark Park Farmers' Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoy the cultural milieu one can find at any given local farmers' market. You can walk through an epic, medieval battle of capture-the-flag in the park and find yourself face to face with all sorts of interesting folks and vegetables, too. I always find unique varietals here that add flair to even the most familiar dishes in my culinary repertoire. On my last visit, I picked up a delicious sugar baby melon - the baby cousin to the watermelon - that was filled with sweet, juicy flesh. I also love going towards the end of the market and scoring handfuls of plump, fragrant zinnias at half price from the Amish growers. The blooms are as bright as the sun and are sure to make any gal swoon. You can also find some great local, grass-fed meat, cheese, yogurt, and milk if you're not into the conventional, homogenized varieties at the grocery store. Go, if not for the good, for the atmosphere. You'll also get to avoid the ritzy crowd that frequents the Rittenhouse Market, making food shopping seem like high art for the privileged classes.", "timestamp": "2010-09-20T01:53:11" }, { "business_id": "aF7RIFJwdjv21eVYgMqJFw", "business_name": "Rosey's BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "Rosey's has moved into the location formerly inhabited by Abner's. I am sure that some people are perturbed by this but, rest assured, Rosey's did not put Abner's out of business. Considering the lack of quality restaurant food in Jenkintown and the fact that they are flanked by IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, and Chilis, I didn't expect too much from Rosey's. I was pleasantly pleased with their menu and food, though, and have been back twice since my initial visit. I really like their brisket sandwich which comes chopped on a kaiser role. I ordered the coleslaw and sauce on the side to cut down on the mess. The brisket was smoked to perfect and extremely tender. Their house-made BBQ sauce is a perfect compliment to any of their meats and isn't as tomato-based as some other establishments. The sauce has just the right amount of tang and spice. I really enjoyed their greens, which are tender and well seasoned without being overly peppery. They cook their greens with turkey which is a good substitute for the ham hocks I might use if I made my own. The owner commented that given the Jewish population in the area he felt it was better for sales to keep the greens pork free. Smart move, I think. The mashed sweet potatoes are also delicious and could almost double as dessert. Don't forget a glass of their house-made sweet tea - just enough sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth but still provide actual refreshment. My absolute favorite item on the Rosey's menu? The banana pudding. It's almost as good as my auntie's and chock full of vanilla wafers and actual banana. Rosey's isn't pretentious and is certainly closer than Smokin' Betty's and Percy Street - places that serve decidedly different styles of BBQ.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:38:10" }, { "business_id": "ZKPrXH_GNW_AtZ31tP3NmA", "business_name": "White Dog Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been coming to the White Dog since I was a wee one. I completely disagree with the review by Ed M. and wonder why he insists on frequenting the restaurant if he clearly doesn't enjoy the food. That's another story for another time, though... I enjoy the restaurant and the events that they hold. I've had two impressive meals in conjunction with community events - one a book reading with a sumptuous steak dinner; the other, a trolley car mural tour with continental breakfast and sit-down lunch. Sometimes, I will pop in and treat myself to lunch after a day of classes. The best meals I've had here have been shared with family and friends, though, and are often celebrations of something great that has just occurred. I greatly appreciate and admire how the White Dog works so diligently to provide fresh, local, seasonal, and organic ingredients on a regular basis. They even have their own bottled sparkling water! Some restaurants claim that their menus are local or organic, but it's such a small percentage of the items, that you might as well not bother mentioning it at all. I also find it admirable that WDC finds it important to connect with their customers and their community through regular events, educational opportunities, etc. I've never had a bad meal here and, for the most part, the staff provides a very enjoyable experience. I particularly like their soups and use of seasonal vegetables. I can always count on them to have vegan/vegetarian menu options which means I can come here with all of my friends. Penn students clogging the bar or not, cranky reviews by others or not, I will still consider this one of my favorite places in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:50:23" }, { "business_id": "2BRbu3cBbH2bCgzN3DVc8w", "business_name": "Table 31", "rating": 2, "text": "Considering Table 31's atmosphere, I was expecting to be much more impressed by the actual service, drink menu, and food. Is there some rule of the universe where the effort and expense put into the decor is inversely proportional to the quality of the food and service? I found the staff to be rigid and off-putting, as if I clearly wasn't cool enough to be drinking in their establishment. Their cocktail menu was very expensive and heavy on the martinis. An homage to Sex and the City maybe? Their bar food also seemed much too over the top and expensive - seafood, pizza, and meatballs? What about a shrimp cocktail or salad or canapes. Something other than $50 of mollusks, please! Our little party ended up getting a cheese plate which was tasty but not satisfying and didn't come with nearly enough bread. The bread that did come was accompanied by this odd looking dipping mixture that was pure oil with red sediment at the bottom. No amount of stirring seemed to get it to mix and I wasn't sure if I should try to eat it or just play with it. Overall, Table 31 just tries too hard without actually accomplishing anything. I felt uncomfortable and unsatisfied. I'd only recommend it if you wanted to swig a whiskey in a dark suit and imagine that you're Don Draper for half a minute. Then get the heck outta there and pick up a bottle of something better on your way home.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T02:01:30" }, { "business_id": "N3CuXqWoFpBtYMBGhBE2fA", "business_name": "Milk & Honey Market", "rating": 2, "text": "Is it just me or are sandwiches in Philadelphia becoming ridiculously expensive. $8 for an \"Italian Hoagie\" - I hope the meats were just off the boat from Italy! I met a friend here for lunch a while back as we both hadn't visited this new addition to the West Philadelphia community. I was disappointed with their selection of items. Given the lack of grocery stores in the area, it would be nice to have a little marketplace where one could actually accomplish a complete shopping trip. Instead, M&H provides alot of specialty and gourmet items that I wouldn't necessarily require on a weekly basis. Their produce and dairy is pretty limited. They do, of course, have quite the honey selection. I enjoy honey just as much as the next gal, but it doesn't exactly qualify as anything remotely close to a meal. My Italian hoagie wasn't as good as I had anticipated owing to the fact that the bread was pretty stiff and I had a hard time sinking my teeth into it. Perhaps this was because it had been sitting, pre-made, in the deli case for lord knows how long. The sandwich lacked filling and I think I got more arugula than anything else. The market was also out of a ridiculous number of menu items which left my friend and I with about 3 choices on a Monday afternoon. I also didn't feel that the employees were very friendly. I felt largely ignored for the most part, like I was intruding on something. What happened to \"Hi, how may I help you?\". Hopefully, as the market settles into the community, they will continue to improve, but I don't think I'll make them a frequent stop.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T19:50:28" }, { "business_id": "9Pvwx_IfQgQL4ykmlGV6yA", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "I don't love Chinese food and P.F. Chang's occasionally reminds me why. I've been to 3 of their locations and have never had a stellar experience at any of them. I am pleased, though, that there are buildings occupying the property in Plymouth Meeting other than that pitiful structure they call a mall. We dined relatively early when the restaurant was barely full but I felt rushed by our server. He also completely glossed over any explanation of what the sauces were that they provide. I ordered the chow fun noodles with chicken and was disappointed to see that that was the extend of the meal: chow fun noodles, chicken, and scallion slices. Would the addition of some other vegetables be inappropriate? It irks me that one has to order most of their dish via the appetizer and side dish section if you want to create something well-rounded. I found the noodles to be rather lackluster in flavor and largely dominated by the long scallion stalks that I had to pick out of my bowl. The outdoor patio is a nice addition, though, for warm-weather dining. I doubt I will rush back here unless accompanied by someone delirious for their food.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:10:55" }, { "business_id": "lpDOqBhkJlxACzKQGAj_uA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm not going to lie, I really enjoy shopping at Whole Foods. Prices and hipster foodies be damned. As far as WFM's go, though, this is not my favorite location. The store feels crowded and the layout doesn't allow for fluid movement from one department to the next. I think this is because the baked goods, salad bar, and hot foods bar are smack in the middle of the store. The aisles also seem rather cramped and difficult to navigate with a cart. The staff are still friendly folks, but the other customers always seem agitated when I am there. Maybe grocery shopping in the city is just more stressful? I'll stick to the stores in the 'burbs where there is more room to maneuver.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:14:32" }, { "business_id": "1tkXPP1K1jBIgIthy6idwQ", "business_name": "Burholme Park Golf Center", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! What has happened to this place since my childhood? I actually went here for a date recently and it's not something I would ever repeat. Unfortunately, I wouldn't repeat the date with the same guy anywhere else, but that's another story. When I was little, Burholme was THE place to have your summer birthday party, complete with mini golf, hot dogs, and ice cream. Now it just seems a rather sad shell of itself. The pro shop was dark and looked fairly disorganized as if people just dropped things and left. The snack stand was pitiful and appeared to need a thorough cleaning. There was really no menu to speak of as they apparently don't sell much unless it's summertime. The girls behind the counter were more interested in a laptop than customers and provided us with some rather tired looking bats. There were only three open batting cages and the rest were locked. The equipment seemed to need replacing and malfunctioned. It was difficult to even tell when the machines were on and I lost a few swings because I didn't know that I was still \"up\". It might be the guy, it might be Burlhome, but I probably won't be revisiting this golf center ever again. Too many painful memories ::sniff::", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:21:12" }, { "business_id": "SGi8AJhR8iS-LsQwcMOAVA", "business_name": "Eulogy Belgian Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "3 stars for the beer selection which just can't be beat. Unfortunately, I'm inclined to only assign 2 stars to the food. Being that this establishment is in Old City, I should have contemplated how tiny it might be. At 10pm on a Saturday night, the bar was pretty darn crowded and as hot and humid as a gym locker room with all of the bodies and winter coats jammed inside. We were able to get a table upstairs, but the close proximity of other patrons made me feel a bit claustrophobic. I was glad to get a taste of the Troeg's Mad Elf as it's a seasonal beer not easily found in this land of state stores and beer distributors. At about 10% abv, one brimming goblet was enough to thoroughly wet my whistle. One of my friends, didn't have such great luck with his selection as each beverage he chose seemed to be unavailable. Eventually, our server asked him to choose anything on the menu on the house which was definitely a sign of superb service. I was disappointed with the Belgian fries we ordered as they seemed overdone and too thickly cut. The dipping sauce didn't light my fire either. Perhaps my expectations are too high after years of consuming the potatoes from Pomme Frites in NYC? I'll be sure to give them another try at a later date and hope for a better outcome. I don't know if this place is never not packed, but I'll attempt to give it another go at a time when it might be less crowded and I can get a seat at the bar.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:49:12" }, { "business_id": "Ukkr1N8UApmJsOzbX4XnRA", "business_name": "The Green Line Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to love The Green Line, but it hasn't won me over yet. I never get a warm-fuzzy vibe from the staff. It's as if people can tell that I'm not vegetarian or vegan and that I drive a car! Furthermore, I always seem to get stuck sitting outside amidst a cluster of chain smokers. Also, the fact that they only take cash is kind of irritating in this modern era of debit/credit cards, especially when coffee can run you upwards of $5 depending on the menu item. Brownie points for the fact that they do serve fair trade coffee.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:54:20" }, { "business_id": "qlt0aeVnh4B3X5mUeEUtnQ", "business_name": "Regal Warrington Crossing ScreenX, 4DX, IMAX & RPX", "rating": 3, "text": "I wish I lived close enough to Center City to do most of my movie viewing at the Ritz but, alas, we suburban folks have to trek to the Regal which might as well be it's own small metropolis. I like that this venue has 22 screens which means there will most likely be at least one movie that everyone in your group can agree on. This also means that they can show very popular movies on more than one screen, thus lessening the possibility of sold out shows. I enjoy the stadium seating and relatively roomy chairs that recline just enough to be relaxing without allowing the person in front of you to end up in your lap. I usually skip the concession stand unless I really want to part with $20. Honestly, with the purse I carry, it's easy enough to smuggle in my own Junior Mints and my Klean Kanteen water bottle. The concession line is also usually infuriatingly slow because the teenage cashiers seem to find it a prime time to flirt with one another as they sling jumbo sodas and buckets of popcorn towards beleaguered parents. I know the price of movies these days is a major bone of contention with most folks, but it's not like it's a secret or anything. You can always count on dropping at least $10 per ticket (more if you're going to pre-order via Fandango or something) and another $20 for snacks. I recommend the matinees, taking advantage of the Regal card, utilizing student ID's, or just investing in Netflix if the cost is a major hardship. A major bonus is the fact that they also screen operas via simulcast from the Met. All the glory of Don Giovanni without the cost and hassle of going to NYC.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:04:21" }, { "business_id": "vy0IlrE3Zl44HwxbsZhh2g", "business_name": "Ritz East", "rating": 4, "text": "Somehow I always get myself lost trying to find the Ritz East vs the Ritz, but I always leave pleased. This is where I come a) to see movies that don't make it to the large, mega theaters and b) to see grown up flicks that don't involve texting teenagers or whining toddlers in the audience. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance as a number of shows I have seen here have sold out rather quickly. The tickets for both the 8p and 10p shows of Black Swan on a Saturday night were gone within minutes which resulted in many boyfriends receiving rather pouty faces from their significant others! The prices are reasonable and relatively comparable to the rest of the city/suburbs. I always skip the snacks in favor of visiting a favorite, local restaurant instead. They do have better fare than your average theater, though. Who doesn't love Pocky!? While it probably sucks to get caught in this predicament, it is kind of nice that they prohibit folks from entering the theater 15 minutes after the main event has begun. There is nothing worse than being stepped upon after you've gotten all settled and into the rhythm of the story. The seats are large and I'm always comfortable even when the place is packed. The best part is that you're probably not likely to find yourself in danger of being shot while any of the Ritz theaters. I wish I could say the same for the Riverview or Bridge cinemas!", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:13:32" }, { "business_id": "EAtdpksdWfWAaqh3XdnNNg", "business_name": "Essene Market & Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I always enjoy a trip to the Essene market which is almost always a must if I am getting a haircut next door at JuJu Salon. I like that they carry a variety of eco-friendly containers and utensils for toting my lunch to work. I really can't say enough good things about the LunchBots products. They've got a great variety of fresh produce and an impressive bulk section for nuts, grains, and flours. Their stock of cereals, pastas, juices, and frozen items is likely to have the unique items your Veganomicon recipe is calling for. They also have items that more conventional folks enjoy as well in case you're not into spelt or teff flour. It would be fairly expensive to do your regular shopping here unless you are some sort of super-vegan or have very stringent dietary requirements. I'd recommend using them for the specialty items you may need in smaller quantities. I have mixed feelings about their prepared foods bar as it just seems utterly overpriced to me. I lunched at Essene with two friends the other day and my plate of various incarnations of tofu and seitan came to over $13.00. I had to wonder if they were actually counting the glass plate as a part of the meal! I know fresh produce has gone up a bit in price (and they do use quality ingredients), but lunch over $10 for a plate that wasn't exactly loaded with heaping helpings was a surprise. Oh, and if you'd like chopsticks - those are an extra 80 cents or so. I'd recommend just using the silverware. For free.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:17:08" }, { "business_id": "xCXGV3wEvYd4xBGx8ZRFQA", "business_name": "La Va Cafe", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! I don't know what happened this evening when I popped in to grab a warm beverage before my quilting class, but I experienced one of the worst lattes this evening. It was grainy. As in, full of sediment. I'm no coffee expert, but I believe sediment is not a common ingredient in a vanilla latte. I was very disappointed. If I had had more time, I would have taken it back for a re-do. I actually cleansed my palate at Starbucks later in the evening. Here's to hoping that the next visit is better.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:21:00" }, { "business_id": "ExfSwwCB1zQ6ZGd_UQ4wYQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "I kind of loathe reviews of chains, but I feel obligated to make a comment seeing as I \"checked in\" at this particular location. Darn you Yelp iPhone app! I pretty much feel \"a-ok\" about all Starbucks regardless of location. Their beverages don't send me into a transcendent state, but they do warm me up and make me feel like I'm giving myself a little treat. It's especially nice when I remember that I have money on my little key fob thing and can rack up those little stars towards nifty rewards. Who doesn't like a freebie drink on their birthday? The staff here was friendly. They made my drink correctly. That pretty much sums it up.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:24:08" }, { "business_id": "gcjziNbsRYMfdcbOuCCufw", "business_name": "Rx Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Headed to Rx the other weekend with a couple of pals for a bit of Sunday brunch. I was much happier with my menu choice on this trip as the mushroom and spinach omelet was so tasty that I ran out to grab a stash of ingredients to repeat the whole thing at home the following week. The oyster mushrooms were a unique way to spice up a traditional omelet where most places would just use conventional, button 'shrooms. The spinach was tender and not the least bitter from overcooking. They used just the right amount of eggs as well - I'm guessing 3 as opposed to IHOP's whopping 6. I just wish it had come with a side of something - potatoes, fruit salad, regular salad...as my plate seemed kind of empty. I would have liked to see some new menu additions since my last review in the Fall. Maybe I missed them? Maybe I forgot what was even on the menu last time. It's possible. I do know that they still have the tofu stir fry and the corn flake-crusted french toast. Given their limited menu, I think that they could really do a lot with seasonal items and unique flavors. I still enjoy the coffee which they keep coming at regular intervals. If you're feeling high class, order a mimosa and sip into the afternoon. For the price, Rx still beats cereal and milk at home.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T03:08:30" }, { "business_id": "lOOePsuwr75TCvIhV1Am1A", "business_name": "The Daily Grind Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "It's become obvious to me that I am terrible at studying at home. I always manage to find 900 other things to do - cleaning, returning emails, obsessively checking Facebook. Today, I left the house in search of a study location. Sure, there is the local library, but they don't have food and beverages to keep my brain humming. My first thought - Barnes and Noble - was a very poor choice. Their cafe is cramped and uncomfortable and, today, featured an obnoxious, screaming child. I gave a thought to Starbucks but hate the idea of shelling out extra cash for the wi-fi, and the parking situation for the Jenkintown location is abominable. Then I remembered The Daily Grind! Close to my home, good coffee, Mighty Leaf Teas, punch card incentive, free wi-fi access, and actual food. The Daily Grind was a good choice indeed. The staff are very friendly and you don't have to know coffee lingo to get exactly what you're craving; they'll help you customize your drink. Because they are inside the Pavilion, there is no cold draft to interrupt me every time someone breezes in the door. People come and people go, but it's surprisingly quiet and I didn't have to compete with anyone for a table and an outlet. They now offer quite a menu if you've got the tummy-rumblies: brisket sandwiches that feature meat from Rosey's BBQ down the road, soups (get there early, though, because they sold out today!), salads, sandwiches (pressed or not), and personal-sized pizzas. Their drink menu features your standard coffee and tea faves + smoothies. Kudos to them for featuring food items from other local spots - Rosey's BBQ as mentioned above and bagels from Rolings Bakery in Elkins Park. I'm glad to be able to support a local business. I'll save the Starbucks run for desperate times only, like when I'm at the airport and my only other nourishment option is McDonald's.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T23:00:09" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "In case anyone had any reason to doubt the frequent buyer program - doubt no more, Thomas! Last night, I ordered two whole pies (or slabs maybe, sine they're rectangular?) and was promptly told that our household had spent $100 on pizza and we'd be receiving our $10 credit. It was a nice way to end the week. Please note, though, that the frequent buyer program only applies to the purchase of whole pies. They track your purchase history via your phone number. I still really enjoy Jules Pizza. I am never disappointed by the quality of the ingredients, the friendly service, the taste, or the clean and bright dining area. I find that dining in works for any number of situations: a casual date, lunch meeting, catching-up with friends, a post-play group snack for moms and kids, etc. The fact that you can bring your own juice boxes or beer means that just about everyone should be happy, even your kid with 12 food allergies. They even feature cute coloring pages and crayons at the register that kind of made me want to break out my 96 box of Crayola's. It may be thin crust, but Jules Pizza is satisfying and certainly provides and easy way to get in some of those 5 veggies you need every day. Their honest business practices and openness about the source of their ingredients continues to keep me coming back.", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:29:36" }, { "business_id": "q43nr6E8ib2p39sVYtPGww", "business_name": "Juju Salon & Organics", "rating": 5, "text": "I think that JuJu and I are officially in a long-term relationship now. Sure, we're comfortable, but not so comfortable that the staff slack on service or that my stylist resorts to some standard-issue cut. I still enjoy coming into the shop for the relaxing atmosphere. Janka continues to provide me with superb haircuts that leave me inwardly sighing \"ahhh, now that's better\". It's always a treat when one of the staff have their pooches in tow. What could be better than having your hair washed AND a snuggling doggie in your lap? I'd also like to highlight the fact that JuJu is always very accommodating of me when I call to reschedule or change an appointment. I had to change my last appointment twice because life got in the way, but I was never treated rudely. I also appreciate the confirmation phone calls so that I don't inadvertently forget!", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:44:40" }, { "business_id": "3GvaJRiDGxzJzqoPX0xUeA", "business_name": "Spool", "rating": 5, "text": "The beginning quilting class taught by Ashley Kayhart was wonderful. In just five weeks, I have learned an entirely new skill and finished my first quilt complete with hand-sewn binding. I highly recommend this class to anyone wanting to take the plunge into the world of quilt-making. Ashley is enthusiastic and has wonderful sense for color and design. She will certainly put you at ease about your project as she reminds you that you need not be perfect. I liked that the class was limited to about 8 students which meant that you could have the personal attention you might need should your sewing go awry. You are also welcome to bring your own fabrics for the class, which I thought was quite generous considering Spool is a fabric shop afterall. Some nights, I wished we had more than two hours and my only suggestion is that those purchasing their fabric from Spool might want to do so before class time to ensure that there is enough time to complete all the steps in a given night. I'm pretty darn proud of my finished product and glad to have met such wonderful people.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:30:42" }, { "business_id": "mC_m-4k9Xo1kzjSL0w7uoA", "business_name": "Alice Bakery & Confectionary", "rating": 4, "text": "This neighborhood bakery is adorable. Dennis Darr, a graduate of Chicago's French Pastry School, as some wonderful ambitions for this little shop including such delights as mousse cakes! For now, though, you will have to satisfy yourself with their homemade chocolates, cupcakes, sticky buns, and breads. Dare I say that the cupcake obsession is waning after years of New Yorkers clamoring for a taste of Magnolia's treats? It seems the cupcake phenomenon has peaked as bakeries pull out all of the stops to make the largest, most unique, most decadent handheld treats. Unfortunately, many of these mini masterpieces often fall flat in taste, texture, and experience. And, honestly, who wants to pay upwards of $3 for a cupcake!? Darr keeps it simple with traditionally-sized cakes that are flavorful and moist. The red velvet variety that I sampled was topped with a vanilla bean butter cream that complimented instead of overwhelming the cake with just enough sweetness. The chocolate cupcakes are also rich, light, and moist instead of the dry crumbly cake I'm used to. The sticky bun, even the plain one, was superb. It had a light, yeasty quality with just the right about of chewiness, It was sweet but not cloying and I recommend you order yours hot with a cup of freshly brewed Illy coffee or herbal tea. Be sure to take home some focaccia or a smoked gouda loaf for later. Can there be anything better than bread AND cheese? The sea salt rolls would be excellent as a pairing with any winter soup or stew. I look forward to seeing the new offerings that Darr comes up with in his kitchen. He runs a very friendly shop with room for you to sit and linger and certainly works to get to know his customers. ABC is definitely a superb addition to the suburban landscape. If only they also served hot chocolate, my bakery experience would be complete.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:45:15" }, { "business_id": "ADe114o7Z4vb1O6HkM6YEA", "business_name": "Greek Lady", "rating": 3, "text": "The recent renovations are really lovely and the expanded seating area is a very welcome addition. The restaurant feels much cleaner and brighter. I like that the order and pick-up areas are separate to keep customers flowing. I enjoy their chicken gyro when I'm in the mood for \"fast food\". Something about the french fries inside just adds that extra, greasy, yet satisfying something. I may move on to trying other menu items at some point. I've gotten a peek at the salads ordered by other customers and they do look rather appealing. Greek Lady is also a good bet in a pinch when working a long shift at the hospital because they deliver fairly late and, chances are, the rest of the unit staff will want in on the order, too.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:49:34" }, { "business_id": "AqX_5srdyAS1tNiqC3mDvg", "business_name": "Noche", "rating": 1, "text": "Noche is perpetually crowded and noisy and lacking in seating space. I'm not really sure what the awkward swathe of floor is for between the front windows and the bar. It's like no-man's land. There are no tables and chairs and it doesn't seem to serve as a dance space either. On a weekend evening, it's veritably impossible to reach the bar without having to throw a few punches. Once you reach the bar, you're lucky if the bartender can understand you over the awful din of the sound system. The restrooms are at the very back of the establishment and difficult to reach when the crowd is really thick. If memory serves me correctly, there is also a rather random seeming pool table back there as well. I'm not sure if Noche is trying to be a bar or a restaurant, but it's difficult to order food when you have nowhere to sit. I don't enjoy the crowd either - overly pretentious, popped-collar types that fancy buying a condo on Rittenhouse Square. I'd caution against having any sort of organization event/fundraider here as they tend to continue to let hordes of people in off of the street making it very hot and tight. The available food selections are also pretty mediocre. I've had better salsa from a jar. The drink specials will end up being little more than watery Miller Light.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:57:46" }, { "business_id": "Xq-8-I0U8Artr7d70SjX-g", "business_name": "30th Street Station", "rating": 4, "text": "30th Street Station - how I prefer you over Penn Station in NYC! There is plenty of wide open space and seating that doesn't make me feel like I'm in an underground bunker. The lines for Amtrak trains tend to be orderly because you aren't forced to snake around the 400 other passengers milling about or sitting smack in the middle of the floor. There are plenty of options for a meal or a snack before your journey. The new Old Nelson Market serves up a good breakfast sandwich in addition to having the odd sundries that you might need on your way home via SEPTA. I like that I can get fresh fruit there instead of from Au Bon Pain which charges an arm and a leg. SEPTA still bites most days but that's not the station's fault.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T03:01:59" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "This sushi bar is just that - a 6 to 10 seat bar with an extra table by the door to squeeze in a few extra customers. The $10.95 three roll deal cannot be beat. You can't even get sushi for that price at Whole Foods. The fish and other ingredients are fresh and comparable to many other more expensive restaurants. The rolls could use a more generous coating of rice on the outside, though. I've eaten in for lunch when it is slow and I can sip miso soup and read a book. I've also called for take-out after a long day of work and arrived to find my order ready and waiting. I also recommend their shumai and salad with ginger dressing to round out your meal. I've seen many other customers order the fancy rolls which just look a little too rich for my stomach (I prefer to keep it simple with spicy tuna), but they seem to get good reviews for their unique flavor combinations and creative presentations. The tuna dumplings mentioned by other reviewers do look pretty intriguing! The staff are very friendly and this could easily be a place where you become a \"regular\".", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:41:26" }, { "business_id": "Jc-y852Fq1_6VB5kPUjxfA", "business_name": "City Planter", "rating": 4, "text": "This shop is absolutely lovely! The staff are friendly and knowledgeable without that horticultural pretense you find at some nursery/garden shops. The staff members know plants and plant care, but they can also help you to create an artful arrangement - just pick out and plant and a pot and you are good to go. Soon you'll be populating your place with vegetation as art! I have enjoyed planting terrariums as of late to bring a bit of nature indoors and was quite inspired by the examples City Planter has throughout their shop. They have a great selection of terrarium supplies - including miniature garden rakes, trowels, and spades - and their miniature plants are well priced at about $3 a pop. They have a great selection of unique glass vessels as well whether you want a traditional, free-standing vase, something to suspend from the air, or a wall planter. I especially love that you can make your own bag of gravel and rocks which they sell by the pound. This means that you don't have to pay for or get more than you need. They also have gravel in lovely shades of blue and larger rocks that are a cool, milky white which add nicely to the overall look of my terrariums. Don't forget the preserved moss for decoration! They carry your traditional flower favorites like pansies for spring planting, but you can also find orchids and other \"delicacies\" here as well. Check out their eco-friendly offerings like plantable wall baskets made from wool, I believe.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:50:24" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 3, "text": "If I am going to have my ice cream beaten to a pulp before I eat it, I much prefer Scoop De Ville to Cold Stone Creamery. At Scoop, your ice cream is mixed via machine instead of pummeled by the staff on an icy slab that could be a breeding ground for god-knows-what. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a Plain Jane when it comes to frozen treats. I like my ice cream scooped into a cone in it's natural state, no mixing, but maybe some rainbow jimmies. I also can't fathom paying $5 or more dollars every time I've got a taste for some mint chocolate chip even if the portions are on the generous side. The menu offers so many choices for mix-ins that it's difficult to make a decision even with their suggestions printed up before you. I would avoid taking small children there at all costs as they'll never make up their little minds! The chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate, caramel, and sea salt was pretty delectable and I do recommend that for a twist on your ordinary day. If you're looking for an out-of-the-ordinary ice cream treat and a splurge, head in to Scoop, but I won't be making this shop my regular summer ice cream spot.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:57:55" }, { "business_id": "d_UJWp4IlGS4sgnjE60eBw", "business_name": "Longwood Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite \"public\" gardens. And by public I do not mean free. I mean open to the public. Each spring Longwood is a spectacular showcase for blooming wisteria, tulips, anemone, foxglove, and snapdragon. The Italian fountains will mesmerize as your eyes are immediately drawn to the cool blue tiles shimmering beneath the surface. We have a dual membership in our household and it is well worth it for the 4 or more times a year that I go for seasonal exhibits, fireworks displays, and musical concerts. Wear comfortable shoes and stroll the paths as the landscape changes from manicured flower gardens to open field and meadow. Stop for an iced tea at the Terrace Cafe before heading to the conservatory to view more exotic species of flora. Read a book or enjoy a romp in the cow pasture where DuPont used to graze his dairy herd. This is a place I actually recommend for kids because of the wide open spaces and abundance of color and shape and texture to keep them interested. The garden also offers and abundance of classes for the novice or advanced horticulturalist and has a gift shop with all sorts of tempting items from seed and garden supplies, to books, to jewelry and scented soaps. I highly recommend the fireworks displays that they pair with music. Splurge and pair the evening with Longwood's delicious pre-show barbeque. It's work the ticket price! Don't forget to view the holiday light display over Christmas and the 1906 restaurant is perfect for a more formal and romantic setting if you're bringing someone special!", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:47:50" }, { "business_id": "2PWmnUV2Leb2Loj0TqxCMA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - University City", "rating": 3, "text": "Bring your ID after 4pm because they will card everything that breathes. A good deal for over-sized (22 oz) margaritas and greasy munchies like nachos, which is pretty much what you want to eat when you're through with multiple shots or frozen tequila. You're sure to run into a crowd on any weekend so count on lots of noise and a possible wait. At least their vigilant ID-checking keeps most UPenn undergrads out. Don't even try the \"i'm just here for the food\" excuse. That won't get you through the door either. Traditional Mexican this isn't, but their menu items are tasty and satisfying if not the most flavorful meals I've ever had. They also have an economical late-night menu. Let's be honest, though, you're probably there for the cocktails.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:54:31" }, { "business_id": "BsnP3lXh-QaOSgAw2t-omA", "business_name": "Kildare's Irish Pub - Manayunk", "rating": 1, "text": "Never...ever...again. There is nothing pleasant about this place in my opinion. It is consistently and constantly crowded with students spewed from St. Joe's, LaSalle, and other local institutions. Even on a weeknight, you'll be crammed in cheek by jowl with coeds looking for cheap beer. They tend not to have anything on tap worth drinking and it's not even worth the gas money to head over there for $2 Coors or Miller or Budweiser. The food is bland and greasy with an odd and random assortment of options constituting bar fare and half-hearted attempts at \"Irish\" favorites. The place is ridiculously loud with music over the speakers and then a band or two upstairs. Someone is bound to step on your or slosh their beer down the side of your pants. With so little seating for actual eating, the place reminds me of a cattle market. Unfortunately, places like Kildare's have forever branded Manayunk in my mind as a place I will avoid like the plague after 5pm. Even if you're dining slightly upscale, you can't escape the college kids who ruin the atmosphere for the rest of civilized folk.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:02:01" }, { "business_id": "kQCJRWvfpiW1p_4hgwD8Uw", "business_name": "Roller's Restaurant at Flying Fish", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked Roller's better when it was at the top of the Hill and Roller's Express-O is great for breakfast and ice cream. This location used to be the Flying Fish which I remember turning out superb seafood dishes throughout my childhood. It appears, though, that the furniture and decor has not changed since I was 8 giving the place an odd \"first apartment\" feel. I don't think they even use the upstairs for seating anymore. I, too, was also thrown off by the whinnie-the-pooh soap in the bathroom which made me feel like I had accidentally walked into someone else's house. I was disappointed that there is no choice in side dish and that everyone seems to get the mashed sweet potato which was a bit stringy and a ratatouille of squash of sorts. My mexican chicken, however, was quite delicious. They do have a rather creative way of pairing dishes and desserts together to give you a pretty good deal on your entire meal. Their rhubarb pie was very good. The French onion soup seemed very thin as it did not have any chunks of break beneath the cheese. I would have preferred that my waitress be able to describe the beer offerings to me as they do carry local and microbrew options. I ordered a bottle of Scarlet Lady on a whim and was glad that it wasn't terrible since no one seemed to be able to give me a description. I also think there needs to be some uniformity in attire for the waitstaff as I don't consider leggings appropriate work clothing. Apparently, it is or was shad season and the elderly folks next to us were tickled pink over the shad roe offering. I know the restaurant is small and privately owned, but it is the 21st century and it would be nice if they would accept at least Visa for payment. Considering the new eateries coming to Chestnut Hill, Roller's could take a serious hit if the more contemporary places draw business to their doors.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "iqJ3t9iq0fsWaYL93s8Vmw", "business_name": "King of Prussia", "rating": 4, "text": "If I am going to go to a mall, I am going to go here. It has virtually every store I could need in one tidy location. KOP used to cater equally to the Main Line elite and suburban scrubs with Neiman Marcus and Sears at opposite poles of the complex. However, with the arrival of high-end retailers like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Versace the parking lot is filled with more Ferrari than Ford. The message that this mall aims to send is becoming clear: if you're not going to drop $3,500 on a handbag, please exit the premises, do not pass go, and take your measly $200 with you on the way out. Honestly, I am a bit surprised that we haven't seen such retailers trying to snap up space in Center City around Rittenhouse Square. Even The Court is more upscale these days despite the Macy's tethered to it. There is a clear dichotomy in the shoppers you'll see walking the wide, sunlit aisles - those who wear stretch pants with stirrups and those who do not. And, as always, you've got the handful of tourists sprinkled in for a bit of diversity. Even the piped in classical music seems to be trying to lure a certain crowd - those with distinctly refined tastes. Of course, don't worry, there is still a Taco Bell in the food court and an Old Navy for those who want more down-to-earth than designer. I know Bill M. is looking for a little something unique here, but it's a mall and malls aren't about boutique style and individual tastes. What IS unique about THIS mall, though, is that it has added luxury retailers yet is still situated only minutes from a Hooters and Red Lobster.", "timestamp": "2011-05-24T03:45:24" }, { "business_id": "oFv9-wwifD3u8FFx6fPRYA", "business_name": "Baja Room at Pico de Gallo", "rating": 4, "text": "Feeling the need to wash ourselves of a very long 12 hour nursing shift, a friend and I stumbled into this little place after deciding that the hipster/biker crowd at Bob and Barbara's was just not for us. Unfortunately, I had left my skinny scrubs at home that day. Being a Wednesday evening, the restaurant wasn't populated by too many other parties and we were seated on the back patio where we enjoyed the eclectic collection of bric-a-brac that goes for decor and numerous strands of twinkly lights. We ordered a STAT round of margaritas which were topped with fresh mint and lime wedges. They didn't seem particularly strong at the time, but my coma-like sleep later that night tells me you're in for a kick in the pants later if you consumer multiples. We ordered the cheese, bean, and guacamole nachos and sushi-grade tuna tacos to share. Both were delicious! The nachos were crisp and topped with generous helpings of beans, cheese, and guacamole so that you weren't left munching naked chips by the time you'd dug through the pile. The tuna tacos were surprisingly refreshing - quickly seared/rare tuna on light flour tortillas, topped with fresh tomato salsa. Rice, refried beans, and a grilled plantain come on the side. The atmosphere was just what we were looking for after work - laid back, where we wouldn't be pestered to eat quickly and move on. The night air was just a bit warm and you couldn't help but feel cocooned sitting on the back patio hidden by the picket fence. The place has a certain unpretentious charm and broken-in-ness that makes me want to come back again.", "timestamp": "2011-05-31T17:58:28" }, { "business_id": "lRbHFOIFuusN2WOR_ypQ_A", "business_name": "Ants Pants Café", "rating": 5, "text": "This little \"blink and you'll miss it\" cafe is quickly becoming one of my post-night shift breakfast spots. They open early, have a quiet and cozy atmosphere, and serve consistently delicious, comforting food. The staff is especially friendly and courteous. My favorites to date are their grilled cheese with tomato and bacon, their milkshakes, and their creme brulee battered french toast with maple syrup and sour cream sauce. Honestly, I was pretty wary of the sour cream sauce at first but it provides refreshing coolness to the sweet bread and maple syrup. The portions aren't skimpy either; once I've paid my check and hit the road home, I'm ready to hop into bed and start all over again later that day with another 12 hours at work sans tummy rumblies. Don't forget: they are a cash-only joint. They do have an ATM in-house, though. Oh, and don't try to bring your 10 best friends to dine here, they're small and other patrons will appreciate not having to rub elbows with your entire clan.", "timestamp": "2011-11-06T18:30:15" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 3, "text": "Fork is one of those restaurants that I, as a faithful Yelper, felt guilty for not having visited. I finally checked it off my list in early September! My first meal there rates a mediocre 3 stars. I really love the atmosphere - open kitchen, cozy and intimate with dim lighting and green foliage screening canoodling couples from other diners. Maybe not a place I'd take your staid in-laws considering the \"sexy vibe\" as Dave H. puts it. I was disappointed by the portion size of my mushroom risotto - one lonely ladle-ful in the midst of a sea of china. At least put it in a smaller dish so that I think I'm getting what I paid for. The flavor of the dish was pretty banal as well. Give me a can of chicken stock, some locally picked mushrooms, and I could have whipped up a better batch at home. We were seated right next to the bar which makes for some unfortunate annoyances as waitstaff bustle back and forth and the din can get quite loud from other patrons dousing themselves in house-made cocktails. The service, however, was impeccable with an attentive but not overbearing waiter. He knew the menu well and was able to describe the dishes in detail as if he had personally tasted each one. Needless to say, I'll need to reprise my meal here to get a better feel for the place.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:42:54" }, { "business_id": "uVoAlvNxz2IRvhXccU1tFw", "business_name": "Union Transfer", "rating": 5, "text": "No one told me the Spaghetti Warehouse closed! What a relief! That place was a poor excuse for \"Italian\" food. Luckily, the building has been reincarnated into my new favorite music venue. I was blown away by the Gillian Welch performance I saw in late October. Given that the floor plan is open with no assigned seating I was worried that this event would be a repeat of a show I saw at the Electric Factory where, crammed cheek by jowl, I had the misfortune of standing next to a stoner who vomited all over my shoes. The UT is extremely spacious: concert-goers can belly right up to the stage (or bar for that matter), fan out along the top-tier balconies, or relax next to the bar at high tops and tables for two. Everyone can enjoy the show from a good vantage point without another person or post in your sight line (ahem, I'm thinking of you Academy of Music!). If the show isn't all-ages you can even keep your \"adult beverage\" with you on the main floor. They also have a concession stand. I found the drink prices to be fair - I think my can of PBR was $3.75. I could also totally be making that up. The place has an industrial vibe that makes you feel like the place used to be a factory for train trestles. The acoustics are phenomenal - you're neither deafened nor guessing at the lyrics. The staff are very friendly and I actually enjoyed tipping my waitress as it meant not having to run back and forth to the bar. If you're driving, you can pre-pay online before the show and park in the lot directly behind the venue for $8 or so. Extra bonus: not having to buy tickets through Ticketmaster! Randomness: I know people with babies and small kids like music. I know they like concerts, but really...is it a good idea to bring your small child to a live show that starts at 9p, a time when they should be sleeping? Probably not. Sleepy kids are cranky as hell.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:58:04" }, { "business_id": "nWHNtH3v6BPnV7MUWejOyw", "business_name": "Solebury Orchards", "rating": 5, "text": "Do yourself a favor. Skip Linvilla Orchards with it's mazes, clowns, huge gift shop and other gimmicks. I've been hooked on Solebury Orchards ever since I tried their cider doughnuts that are sold via Weavers Way Co-Op. You literally park your car, grab your bag, and walk right into the orchard or take the hay wagon for a ride for picking at the other end of the property. The whole process is neat and efficient given the crowds that can show up here on a Fall weekend. I think Solebury has become my favorite orchard for apple picking with their offerings of Empire, Pinata, Honeycrisp and more. The trees are well-maintained with lots of low-hanging fruit and scattered ladders/step-stools for the apples on higher branches. I ended up picking over 20lbs and have many jars of superb applesauce to show for it. You'd be an idiot to skip the fresh cider and doughnuts no matter what diet you're on this year. Their pear butter is also fantastic on fresh, crisp bread with Whole Foods fresh honey-roasted peanut butter. Seriously, I eat it just about every day. The orchard also offers pick-your-own flowers and pumpkins (though not in a pick-your-own patch). When you've had your fill of apple goodness, head down the road a stretch and check out the Carousel Lavender farm!", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T02:17:19" }, { "business_id": "tM-ObyoUno83kylE283iXw", "business_name": "A Taste of Britain", "rating": 4, "text": "I found this adorable little tea spot while running errands through Wayne the other day. The decor is simple and unassuming yet charming with a soothing green color covering the walls and dark wood throughout. As a child, afternoon tea was a special occasion with my mother that required a party dress and a trip downtown to the Four Seasons or Rittenhouse hotels. I was happy to discover somewhere more casual and certainly less expensive on this afternoon. My server, Rebecca, provided impeccable service and was very helpful when I was making my tea and menu selections. Their lunch offerings of soups, fritatta, salads, and sandwiches were rather appealing but I decided on the full Afternoon Tea ($18 per person). The selections were really quite generous: 1 large scone of your choice with fresh lemon curd, clotted cream, and raspberry preserves as well as other assorted mini pastries, 8 tea sandwiches of tuna, cheddar with chutney, roast beef, and sweet cheese, and one pot of tea all artfully prepared and served. I was afraid the little restaurant would be filled with the Main Line elite whose attitudes easily ruin a peaceful afternoon to one's self, but none were to be found at the surrounding tables and I was happy to be treated with such care and attention. This is a place where one can be at ease even if you don't sport diamonds and fur. They provided for parties of up to 14 in house and can also coordinate catering. They offer and assortment of British favorites from HP sauce to Cadbury Chocolate to PG Tips tea. You can even take home steak and kidney pie, meat pasties, fresh lemon curd and clotted cream. I would consider this a lovely place to bring your friends, your daughter, your mother or even your husband.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:15:08" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 3, "text": "Crowded and busy but with extremely fast service. Fast, not necessarily good. Extremely inexpensive. Not a place to sit and linger, maybe get it to go. The small bowl is a misnomer. It's really two meals in one. Are those chopsticks really sanitary? Great bowl of steaming soup - add the fresh basil and hot sauce. Yes, that meat in the steak pho really is cooked. If you're adventurous, try the tripe, fatty flank, and tendons. I'm not that adventurous.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:57:09" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite a rave review in The New York Times, I still don't understand how fried chicken and doughnuts compliment one another. Sometimes, after a night shift, I will drive out of the way for the Vanilla-Lavender. That and the Indian Cinnamon are my favorite. Nothing beats a warm, soft, aromatic treat. The fancy flavors don't rate as high on my list because I'm a fan of keeping it simple and flavors like Pina Colada are usually more than my tastebuds want to handle early in the morning. The service is remarkably cheery and snappy even at 8am on a Saturday morning which is when you had better get there lest you want to miss out. Doughnuts are continually cranked in perfect form right behind the counter. It's rather mesmerizing. The coffee is good and strong but I do wish they had tea and hot chocolate as well. Perhaps someday I will try the chicken, but to tell the truth - I hate meat on bones.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:41:33" }, { "business_id": "GoYSJ-YY-YwbxdgasHuq-Q", "business_name": "Mixto", "rating": 2, "text": "Visited Mixto after an evening at the annual UPenn Mask and Wig production at their clubhouse on Quince Street. I enjoyed the red sangria which was full of fresh fruit and well chilled. Unfortunately, the black bean soup was bland and lackluster. I appreciate that it wasn't overwhelmingly spicy, but would I would have liked to be overwhelmed by some kind of flavor. The tres leches cake was too soggy. I know that this traditional Mexican dessert is made with milk, but once it hit my tongue the cake's texture felt as if it had been marinating in liquid all day. Lastly, what's with the toasted bread they bring without butter? It seems out of place and like an afterthought \"Well I guess we should serve the people bread, might as well toast it while we're at it\". The restaurant was also very drafty on that cold night and any time anyone opened the door, some kind of vacuum was created that prevented them from closing the door quickly and keeping the chilled air outside. I may visit again, but it looks like the repeat customers are just as puzzled by the underwhelming experience.", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T21:35:21" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Sabrina's on Powelton is every bit as good as the original in the Italian Market. I really love the new space - an old Victorian home which features a charming wrap-around porch with large sunny windows. The porch can be a bit chilly in winter but they'll happily flip on the heaters to keep you cozy. I consider Sabrina's a staple in list of places to frequent for post night-shift breakfast as their fare is hearty, satisfying, and affordable. Thus ensuring me a good day's rest once home. My only complaint is that their french toast is sometimes too thick, leaving the middle of the toast dry. I only recommend the stuffed french toast if bringing friends as you will be bested by it's sheer volume if you attempt it alone. I honestly don't have an issue with students from Penn and Drexel who dine here on the regular as they are hardly any more of a nuisance than the hipster crowd at Honey's or the toddler-toting young families at Sabrina's original location.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:44:01" }, { "business_id": "rAe-1HU5Z-DuUXEbzASXDA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - Willow Grove", "rating": 2, "text": "Mad Mex Willow Grove is every bit as boisterous as the University City location. Be prepared to wait on the weekends as there will most likely be a healthy crowd, especially around the bar. You can barely hear yourself think let alone listen to your tablemates over the din of the sound system. The margaritas are potent but the food is still average Americanized Tex-Mex that relies heavily on salt and spice rather than the flavors of the actual ingredients. Not a bad place for a bite before or after a movie at the Warrington Regal cinema, but not exactly a destination.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:50:14" }, { "business_id": "ohWH383r60AREWh-aphpSw", "business_name": "Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm pleased that Iron Hill has popped up in Chestnut Hill to provide some contrast to all of the smaller, independent shops and restaurants in the area. The block the the brewery occupies was looking especially vacant and I much prefer Iron Hill to the likes of Chili's or Houlihan's. However, it is a chain and attracts everyone from couples out for date night to young families to older couples to groups of friends. My point? The place gets crowded quickly and you're bound to wait or duke it out for one of the high top bar tables. The bar tables actually turn over fairly quickly and I've never ended up waiting more than 10-15 minutes. I have never really seen the rest of the property because we stick to the high tops as the wait has usually been about an hour on a Thursday-Saturday night. The atmosphere is lively and your boyfriend, brother, or dad will appreciate whatever game is on if they are inclined to avoid small-talk. The beer selection is good and rotates depending on the season to include standard favorites and unique flavors like the Oompa Loompa Chocolate Stout. If you can't decide, get a flight of beers to taste. The waitstaff is very friendly and attentive. They are also actually very knowledgeable about each brew and certainly equipped to help you find your favorite selection. Their food is good and the portions substantial. They serve standard \"pub fare\" from pizza and nachos to pastas, burgers, steaks, and seafood. I wouldn't say they really do anyone thing extremely well, but fish and chips will certainly help sop up all that beer you're downing. I wouldn't consider Iron Hill a destination but certainly a place to keep in the rotation for casual weekend dining when you just don't want to order in another pizza.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T02:02:09" }, { "business_id": "4Am_sbP0WDw0Q7aaAy6XhA", "business_name": "REI", "rating": 4, "text": "You'd be hard-pressed to find a store that meets the needs of the outdoor enthusiast more than REI. The staff have always been kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. They are enthusiastic about the activities they participate in and often encouraging of a customer's interest, even those of us who are new to the worlds of hiking, biking, running, camping, etc. Shopping here offers and advantage as the company is a co-op and you will receive your dividends back in March. The amount is usually about 10% of all of your eligible purchases during the year. I like that they sell maps and guides for popular hiking trails and state parks - items that can be hard to find elsewhere. I find their prices to be fairly competitive with similar stores like EMS and Campmoor. I buy my favorite Halo snack bars here and they offer a 20% discount when you buy an entire box. I also applaud their stewardship efforts and the community building they do with educational programs, travel, and community service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T21:51:53" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I could do without Serafina's bright yellow awnings on 18th Street. The restaurant feels like one of those places where you come to see and be seen - like Parc but without the help of a Stephen Starr reputation. In fact, I found myself heading over to Parc after a disappointing dinner of too-heavy Penne Vodka for a strong cocktail and dessert. You cannot be seated at an outside table unless you are ordering food which was very disappointing to learn. The menu is fairly large and the kitchen doesn't produce any excellent dish but manages to turn out a variety of mediocre Italian-ish plates. The wait staff was rather aloof and my meal felt rushed. There was a great deal of whining at the bar by neighborhood regulars who had come to complain about their life, their day, their relationships. It made for quite the melancholy atmosphere. A meal will easily run you more than $20 per person, even at lunch, especially if you order any seafood. Prices I am not willing to pay for less than stellar offerings.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T22:09:24" }, { "business_id": "yDHINEt7By47My7x4Mb8oA", "business_name": "The Gypsy Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "I'll admit that I don't consider Conshohocken when I think about going out to dinner but I was persuaded to try this restaurant after reading a newspaper review. I love the atmosphere - a dark, warm wood bar with ceilings and walls draped with printed fabrics, all lit by the warm glow from hanging lamps and candles. I felt that the mounted plasma tv's really detracted from the ambiance, though, and made the venue feel less intimate. The menu is eclectic - pasta, seafood, meat, but I thought that their meatloaf was a stand out. The calamari was also surprisingly good - lightly fried and crispy. The lobster mac and cheese seems to be a clear crowd-pleaser, though. I thought that the service was standard - prompt and polite. No horror stories here. This is a casual, neighborhood place - good for a low-key meal on a Friday night, meeting old friends, sipping cocktails, etc. The portions were a bit too large for my taste, but you can always take the rest home! I might recommend adding another server to take some of the strain off of the two sisters that were manning the dining room when we were in on a Tuesday night - they did a great job juggling a pretty full house on a week night!", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:13:32" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Get the mussels. You may not be close to the coast, but they are delicious. Tender morsels in a deeply savory broth. Skip the frites and dip crusty bread in after the shells are gone. Or eat both. Drink a romarin (the citrus is pleasantly tart yet refreshing) while sitting outside in large, dark sunglasses. Enjoy Parc for what it is - don't whine about the prices, just enjoy daydreaming about actually dining al fresco in Paris.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:40:16" }, { "business_id": "fBOoOWHRWPXIrMvVVkZqMg", "business_name": "Cake", "rating": 4, "text": "Two things: The balsamic portobello mushroom with farro, mozzarella, and assorted vegetables was amazing. I wish I could remember the exact name of the dish! It was so good, I only ate half so that I could eat the remainder the next day. The mushrooms were bursting with tangy, balsamic flavor that mingled so nicely with the meaty texture of the portobellos. The lemon tart is the best version of a citrus dessert that I have ever had. I really hate lemon things that are overly sweet. I also hate when they are mussed up by fruit or other adornments. The citron dessert features smooth, pucker-worthy lemon custard over the thinnest of chocolate-y layers, couched in a light, crumby shell. Heaven! Dinner is only served Thursday and Friday. Make a reservation to be guaranteed a seat. Last seating is 8:30p. Go early to avoid missing out on certain menu selections. The trout was very popular the night I stopped in and was 86ed fairly fast. I thought the prices were very fair considering the restaurants use of fresh, local, organic ingredients. The menu appears to make great use of seasonal variety and I imagine we'll be seeing some creative squash dishes soon. The greenhouse setting is very charming and makes for a relaxed, yet intimate venue suitable for date night or brunch with the family.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:52:21" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 3, "text": "After having sampled the confections at the La Duree location in Manhattan, I developed pretty high standards for macarons. Miel Patisserie gives a whole-hearted attempt at perfecting the macaron in Philadelphia but falls just a bit short, in my opinion. I tried 4 flavors - coconut, chocolate, rosewater, and salted caramel. While their chocolate was rich and delicious, I expected more from the other flavors. The salted caramel filling had a very buttery taste and was overly salty, leaving me feeling a tad queasy. The rosewater had too much of a pronounced rose taste that made me feel as if I had licked a perfume bottle. I prefer a much more subtle rose flavor. The coconut tasted more like pineapple or pina colada to me and consisted of an eerily translucent filling rather than a cream. I was impressed with their meringues, though - a light and crisp shell with a pleasant chew to the center. I'd never be one to pass up a baked good, so I am sure I will have occasion to sample these and other flavors again before I declare La Duree my clear favorite here in America.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T22:47:52" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Yet another breakfast option in a city of brunch fanatics. I feel like we're in an episode of Sex and the City and Philadelphia is only now getting to the table. Manhattan has made brunch a serious weekend habit for at least the last decade. Green Eggs Cafe is a serious contender in my book for best brunch. It's BYOB so you don't have to worry about over-paying for your mimosa since you Bring Your Own Bubbly. The portions are large enough that you'll be taking home the rest for dinner. If you're looking for something dainty and on your 1200 calorie diet, I advise staying home. The quinoa porridge, however, is a great option for those looking to avoid the damage incurred by eating french toast. There are vegan options as well - vegan french toast, vegan sausage, and more so don't forget to invite your friends with esoteric food preferences. I recommend sharing dishes like the creme brulee french toast or red velvet pancakes so that you can try some other things on the menu like the rosemary potatoes which are very flavorful. In this town people complain that portions are either too large or too small. I felt that $11 for a dish that feeds me twice is pretty darn reasonable. Of course, it will be crowded and the wait will be long on the weekends. You're not the only one who wanted to skip cereal and milk in their apartment this morning. Count on at least 15 minutes, but up to 30 depending on the size of your party. They were seating outside today but few people accepted an open table because they forgot to read the weather report before heading outside in the chill. Do your homework and hit the bank on the way as Green Eggs is cash only. They do have their own ATM with a fee of 99 cents for those who don't like to plan ahead. Do note that this spot is also popular with families and dog owners.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T23:00:56" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 4, "text": "What is there to say about The Barnes that hasn't already been said or argued about? The new location is lovely and makes me feel entirely at peace with the smooth stone walls and quiet reflection pools. The art collection, of course, is unparalleled and a must-see for anyone and everyone. Make multiple visits as it would be difficult and rather exhausting to thoroughly appreciate the many works in one trip. The Friday night entertainment offerings are quite worthwhile and a sophisticated way to wind up the week - sip a cocktail, enjoy some music or dance, wander the galleries. Don't forget to count yourself lucky to have the privilege to spend time in such intimate proximity to some of the world's most lovely objects.", "timestamp": "2012-11-17T01:39:14" }, { "business_id": "or_WcjWELDsssk2JruvJcg", "business_name": "Café Lutecia", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been meaning to stop in to Cafe Lutecia for years now. I've only driven by it a thousand and one times in my life. It always appeared to me to be the type of place where you could get lost in a good book. The cafe is remarkably tiny and simple. If it is made out of flour, it is probably on the menu - bagels, baguettes with ham and brie, croissant, muffins, etc. Simple as it is, I quite enjoyed my ham and brie on a baguette. I don't know how you would make something so simple any better than to serve it on good, warm crusty bread with quality meat and cheese, which is exactly what Cafe Lutecia does. They also make an astonishingly good cafe au lait. I am not a coffee snob - if it tastes good to me, I will drink it. I thought the cafe au lait that I had was a creamy bit of heaven. Way better than most places that masquerade as \"coffee shops\". Don't come here to do your work, though. This is not Starbucks and you cannot spread out as if it is your own personal library. Also, it is a neighborhood place. Children will wander in and out on the hip of a parent and will jabber to the owners and you will look like a jerk if you scowl or complain. Meet a good friend or a new friend and catch up at a tiny table as if you are in Paris. Throw your New Year's resolution out the window and eat ham and brie and a croissant or even on a croissant. Cafe Lutecia is owned by an incredibly warm and friendly couple who are an integral part of the neighborhood. It is so nice to go to a place where you can interact and engage with other patrons and not be thought to be a loon or nosey. I only wish the chairs were slightly bigger. Remember: cash only.", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T20:38:54" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to find good bubble tea, or boba, in LA. Not so much in Philadelphia. Until now. Tea Do is my go-to spot for icy cold taro bubble tea or avocado smoothies. Yes, avocado smoothies. Trust me, they taste much better than one would think. Tea Do is legit - they even have a specific machine just for the purpose of shaking up your drink. There are plenty of flavors and varieties to choose from to suit just about any palate. Get your fix with traditional tapioca pearls or try the \"popping bubbles\" which are reminiscent of Gushers. A large beverage will run you about $4 which is about the same as your daily drink at Starbucks. The best part? Picking out your favorite color straw!", "timestamp": "2013-03-23T20:38:34" }, { "business_id": "1fGaY2WlGv2l4as6UkMFrg", "business_name": "The Trestle Inn", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited the Trestle Inn for an event, so I can't directly comment on the venue except to say that the bartenders are snappy and sling well-blended drinks. The space is dimly lit, cozy, and intimate. I don't think it's the best space for large events, though, as the bar and back room are pretty narrow, making it difficult to navigate the establishment when it is filled with 100 or so people.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:35:48" }, { "business_id": "dpdMVwjAFOkwITNnS_Hu7g", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "The cupcake craze continues. As more and more shops flood the market for handheld baked goods, I am finding that I am not as easily impressed as I once was. Philly Cupcake turns out a good product that is delicious, but I don't know if they are any better or worse than any other establishment in the city. I am impressed by their flavor offerings, though, and the vegan selections. There is certainly something for everybody. This particular location also offers coffee, other pastries, and an array of made-on-premises candies. Expect to pay a little under $5 for some of their more decadent creations.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:39:51" }, { "business_id": "kz8OeP88ZYjDBWb0LePJ3A", "business_name": "Chill On the Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Chill on the Hill is a brightly lit, crisp, clean shop compared to the rainbow-hued chaos of other establishments. Unlike other local frozen yogurt places, Chill lets its customers fill their own sample cups which means not having to wait while the customer in front of you tries 6 different flavors. I appreciate that they put all toppings with nuts in a separate section to discourage cross-contamination for people with allergies. Their flavors pretty much hit the mark - no funny aftertaste or odd concoctions. They keep it simple with pretty standard fare - vanilla, chocolate, original tart, birthday cake, etc. Seating is somewhat minimal as the store is not overly large but the long bench along one wall makes good use of space to keep the shop from feeling very crowded when busy. They also have a frequent buyer program which will come in handy this summer for lots of customers. Chill seems to also aim to really interact with the community - they feature merchandise (t-shirts, etc) with their logo and will be soon hosting a mini film festival. Customer photos and other events can also be displayed on the LCD screens built in to one wall. Prices are comparable to shops like U-Swirl and Kiwi Yogurt.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:49:25" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "I had heard so many wonderful things about the burger offerings here. I was so disappointed to find that, on the night I chose to dine in, they had taken their list of burgers down to one - the once famous Churchill Burger, I believe. I've had better at Five Guys. Warm bleu cheese just does not do wonders for me - I felt it gave the burger bitter, gritty taste. It couldn't even be redeemed by the fries. The atmosphere is also overwhelmingly noisy on a Friday night. The music is in constant competition with customers who get louder and louder with each beer they toss back.", "timestamp": "2013-06-09T01:36:59" }, { "business_id": "4GBQc6XbJVhfH58WjHLBvw", "business_name": "Brandywine River Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "If you've already frequented other east coast art museums with large collections (think: MOMA, the Met, the Frick, the Barnes, PMA) why not give the Brandywine a try? Given that this museum is a tightly curated collected of Wyeth family favorites and other special exhibits, touring the Brandywine is like spending time on one specific subject in a larger art history class. Sunday mornings are free, so get up early, treat yourself to brunch in the area and digest that omelette while you consider Wyeth's relationship with his model, Helga. Friends? Lovers? Wyeth really captures the pastoral beauty of rural Pennsylvania and the majesty of the Maine coast. Unfortunately, his paintings are one thin thread that we have connecting us to much of our agriculture heritage in this area of the state. Children will especially love N.C. Wyeth's original illustrations for Treasure Island - they are still some of my all time favorite pieces in the world.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:38:57" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually quite prefer the new Honey's location to the original. Perhaps it's the particular chef at this location? I'm an over-easy eggs kind of woman and Honey's never disappoints. Add on a latke and I'm set for the day. The wait was remarkably shorter at this location despite being situated among prime residential real estate. The service was lively and attentive - the host even pitched in, clearing plates and filling beverages, when the place got busy. My only complaint? Being seated near the kitchen means you can see who goes in and out quite frequently. I wouldn't mind if management encouraged their employees, including kitchen staff, to dress a little less like they just rolled out of bed and rode their fixed gear 20 miles before landing at work. Remember folks: cash only! ATM available but not for free.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:43:48" }, { "business_id": "TYZ6hF3HLulzePIworiIUw", "business_name": "U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite the evening crowds, U-Swirl is one of my favorite yogurt shops. They have at least 10 flavors to choose from and do rotate \"specialty\" flavors pretty regularly. They also have more toppings than any other yogurt shop I have been, too. U-Swirl also offers a really good frequent buyer program compared to some other shops. They give you 16oz of free yogurt for every 10 you purchase. Other shops limit you to 5 oz. The staff is always very friendly and refreshes the toppings frequently. Keep an eye on those kiddos, though, little hands have made their way into various containers. Luckily, the staff are happy to replace anything that has been licked or had grubby fingers in it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:49:15" }, { "business_id": "WNLUBI0my0WLpmWTNUsK9w", "business_name": "Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "After 11 years of knitting, I still love Loop. I'm always impressed by the new yarns Craig and Laura bring in and I appreciate their dedication to choosing local and independent fiber artists as well as more commercially available products. They've even got their own line now that Laura hand dyes. The service and kindness of the staff is still unparalleled. If you're a Philly native or just passing through, be sure to pop into my favorite place in the city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T05:58:45" }, { "business_id": "m64OHmyD7OqAyQmoJETkfQ", "business_name": "Moon + Arrow", "rating": 4, "text": "I loved Moon and Arrow when it was a pop-up shop on 4th street and am thrilled that it has found a permanent home there. I always find unique bits and bobs here for gifts. I am especially fond of the mineral pendants and vintage linens. If you're looking for a typewriter, you can usually find one here in great working condition. There are always new finds to be had which makes shopping exciting. It's always a good trip when the owner's pup, Loretta, is hanging out in the shop - she gives free kisses!", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:04:30" }, { "business_id": "08fkgKXeLTFmE35fCydRpA", "business_name": "juju spa", "rating": 5, "text": "If you're headed to JuJu, request Jill. She is an excellent aesthetician and I always enjoy my facials with her. She is extremely gentle throughout the entire treatment which means you won't be left looking red and blotchy the next day. Jill also does a wonderful job with eyebrows, leaving a very natural and tidy look. As always, the spa is lovely - warm, private, and inviting.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "-T_lkOvaK39R-Ufg6VUyxg", "business_name": "Magpie", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so grateful to Magpie for getting Philadelphia out of the cupcake rut! Magpie treats pie baking like a craft - dreaming up delicious flavor combinations beyond the traditional. The crust is, by far, the best part of a Magpie pie - flaky and slightly crisp on the outside but tender inside. No tooth cracking crunch here! Flavors like lime custard are elevated past the likes of the traditional key lime pie by the addition of a sublime basil custard and pistachio crunch. The caramel custard takes on a deep smokey flavor with the addition of bourbon. The fruit pies are equally delicious as Magpie utilizes the freshest local fruit of the season. My go-to savory choice is the Chicken Pot Pie which is instantly comforting and chock-full of meat and veggies. Pull it out of the oven on a crisp Fall day and you'll completely forget that your mom didn't make it for you! Last, but not least, do yourself a favor and get their salted carmel latte - an instant belly warmer and perfect complement to any of Magpie's apple pies.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:31:21" }, { "business_id": "3WX24d4v-R1OK4xqrcVL7g", "business_name": "Lacquer Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "Lacquer Lounge certainly lives up to the Best of Philly 2013 hype! Beware the wait, though - make an appointment in advance as a walk-in spot seems pretty hard to come by these days. The shop has a total of six technicians, so they are definitely not a high-volume nail salon that churns out scores of manicured digits like some other city establishments. The staff is so pleasant and attentive - water, coffee, and tea are all available and complimentary. Forgot your flip flops? Those are available, too, for a nominal price. The chairs are luxe white leather with fluffy hot pink pillows - talk about a girl's dream! Each client will receive their own files and the like which you are free to take home if you choose. All other nail tools are opened in front of you and come out of sterilized packages as if you were at a physician's office. When Lacquer Lounge advertises that health and safety are paramount, they mean it! Pedicures are done using individual tubs with disposable liners. You still get the spa feel without the worry of a fungal infection or worse later. I was impressed with their extensive collection of Essie and OPI polishes. They also have more than a dozen gel colors to choose from which is many more than some salons that only feature the basics like reds and pinks. Do be aware that gel removal is $10 unless you are coming in for a repeat gel manicure. Lacquer Lounge does accept credit cards and does allow tipping on credit cards which is quite convenient. I am sure I will be back to try their other services soon! Mary is a superb manicurist and I highly recommend her if you stop by. I felt the prices were quite reasonable (and comparable to other establishments in the city) considering the level of service and the extra health precautions.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:50:01" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 4, "text": "The Ziggy is my new favorite meal. This burger is full of smokey flavor and toothsome enough to satisfy even the most hardcore carnivores. The soft, wheat bun totally makes this burger for me. Get a banana whip for dessert if you have room - cool, creamy, guilt-free! No bathrooms here, though, which makes wiping off all of that special sauce a bit tough. Plan to take out as dine-in space is cramped, limited, and not made for lingering. Take that as a hint and try to avoid squeezing your baby wagon (seriously! When did strollers become actual vehicles!?) or oversized tote bag in here during the lunch rush! Even better? Call ahead for pick-up service.", "timestamp": "2013-10-19T11:27:53" }, { "business_id": "LnZvGYbqozanOSevcftnrw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg - University City", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't get enough of the Ziggy Burger, especially now that there is a University City location which means I can pick up an order after work and not have to worry about parking my car in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. If they add delivery - I'll be over the moon as it will mean a better take-out option when at work than Greek Lady. I heartily recommend the Ziggy Burger as the tempeh bacon and special sauce just really take the humble veggie burger to a whole new level of delicious. It will also keep you satisfied for hours. Splurge on some sweet potato fries as well for their slaty, tender goodness. I like the black bean cilantro dipping sauce which is a flavorful alternative to ketchup. If you're in the mood for something lighter, you can't go wrong with a green smoothie (groothie) or a banana whip. The service is ridiculously friendly and the orders are up quickly. I am always promptly greeted and the staff often provide great recommendations regarding menu items if you can't decide. If you're in a hurry, call ahead and your order is sure to be ready when you arrive. Compared to the Rittenhouse location this space is huge with seating for everyone! They still compost and recycle so after you satisfy your hunger you can satisfy your conscience as well. I enjoy this place so much that I feel they should have a frequent buyer punch card for their burgers.", "timestamp": "2013-11-17T23:38:20" }, { "business_id": "Zkvjfrl2Wx7VvfKoNahWWQ", "business_name": "Leila's Restaurant and Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Great spot for an impromptu date with your beau or bestie (yes, I said \"bestie\"). A reservation is certainly recommended for this cozy neighborhood French-inspired spot. BYOB and expect dishes like the generous (large enough that I could take the impressive bone home to my yellow lab) veal chop that is so perfectly seasoned and tender that it needs no further gilding beyond that of the tender winter vegetables and light au jus that are its accompaniments. The onion soup is quite a departure from the cheese-heavy, thin broth substitutes you'll find at lesser establishments. It is a rather hearty and creamy concoction with the cheese blended right in. Don't skip dessert - especially not the butterscotch pot de creme which is just as decadent as it sounds. It is exceptionally smooth on the tongue and has just the slightest taste of burnt caramel to keep it from being overly sweet. Make sure you pad your wallet with cash or a check as Leila's does not accept credit cards (my dinner for two including two appetizers, a seafood special, and two desserts rang in at just under $100 and well worth it, too!) As far as \"French\" dining goes, Leila's is utterly unpretentious and casual enough that you don't need to break out your LBD (Little Black Dress for those not in the know). It's one of those familiar restaurants that you can go to again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-01-08T16:45:58" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "How to sum up my late night experience at Little Pete's....? If you're stopping in after midnight, you're bound to find an eclectic crowd of party kids, club goers, wanna-be socialites, and anyone else who has been drinking since sundown. You will probably be called \"Hun\" by the waitstaff. They have an actual cigarette machine. Great vanilla milkshake but the huge, starchy steak fries leave a lot to be desired. Cash only.", "timestamp": "2014-01-09T00:06:00" }, { "business_id": "STwdgdVYWm-pBDF1JIpAVA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi & Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "It took a bit of investigation but I finally discovered where the \"real\" Vic has been hiding. His latest spot is a mere 15 minutes from me, just up Easton Road in the Willow Grove area. No more fighting for a parking space on Sansom Street or shivering in the cold while waiting for a spot at the tiny sushi bar. Vic apparently sold the Center City and Springhouse locations. The menu is virtually the same as the other \"Vic\" establishments, but this restaurant also features Thai food. I'm familiar with Vic's restaurants because of his sushi, so I didn't opt to try the Thai options. The extended menu, however, means that you could lure non-sushi lovers here as well. I really feel that, unless you go straight to Japan, you can't really find better sushi in the 'burbs. The fish is very fresh! The Tuna Dumplings are a great example of the excellent seafood that they provide - imagine little tuna purses that are so tender they virtually melt in your mouth. The 3 hand rolls for $10.95 really cannot be beat. I enjoy the Spicy Tuna, Spicy Salmon, Alaskan, and Sweet Potato rolls. The Black Dragon roll with eel was exceptional - tender, moist, and slightly sweet. The rolls are very generously packed with fish and I like how the fish and spicy sauces are mixed together. The staff is very friendly and the service is prompt. Vic himself manned the sushi bar while we were there. BYOB and you've got an affordable meal for date night, girls night out, or just because.", "timestamp": "2014-01-13T00:10:51" } ]	{ "business_id": "avlwCvHzrhU5UOvz1Y3_gQ", "business_name": "Ambler Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I really disliked going to the movies - large crowds, groups of loitering teens, crabby/surly employees, sticky floors, unclean bathrooms - especially if it involved going to a Regal \"megaplex\". I usually prefer to pop my Netflix choice into my large-screen computer and settle down with some knitting in the comfort of my own home. However, after purchasing a membership for my movie-loving mother, The Ambler Theater has quickly brought me out of my little movie-viewing cave and back to the big screen. They tend to always show flicks that I am inclined to see and have special events throughout the year showing old flicks like Casablanca or silent films with accompanying live music. As a member (starting at about $40/year), you can't beat the sneak previews of new movies and $5 price tag for tickets. Membership also grants you $5 admission to the Hiway and County Theaters. The bonus at Ambler is that they have more than one screen giving you a greater chance that they are showing something you'll want to see. They typically run 3 films at a time - often something in the art-house/indie genre and then some more mainstream options. I like that they have little indulgences like Ritter chocolate bars at the concession stand in addition to the old standards like Junior Mints. The old-world detailing and photos of the theater's historical journey make your night out at the movies feel like a classy event. They also always supply summaries/reviews of each movie they are showing which I like to read after the show just in case I missed something (very helpful with flicks like 'Her' or 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' where you want to get another perspective). There are plenty of options for grabbing a drink and a bite before or after the show and Ambler provides that \"small town\" feel that is very much lacking in most of suburban America.", "timestamp": "2014-03-25T01:11:03" }
uAu772KpSkb-tPFgZmU-lA	[ { "business_id": "_gaOrkYtODrxY0JlWFe-sQ", "business_name": "High Point Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Ever since my departure from New York City after graduating from college, I've been looking for a local place that's good for a caffeine buzz, light lunch, or study spot. Starbucks and other chain stores grossly fail to meet my above standards mostly because customers are generally treated as nameless, faceless drones. I found High Point after I joined the Weavers Way Co-Op in West Mount Airy and was hooked. The staff? Knowledgeable! Don't know the difference between a caffe latte and a hole in the ground? Don't worry, they'll take you through their great menu without the side condescension. Always courteous and friendly, even to the gaggles of kids that come in from the school across the street around 3pm. The drinks? Made to order, the right way, the first time. They even offer their own beans. The food? Amazing quiche and crepes made to order. A diverse array of taste bud temping baked goodies. And salads for the guilty folks. Best of all - you can load a gift card in the shop, write your name on it, and have it stored behind the counter for your next visit. No more digging nickels out of your pockets to get a fix. No worries, they also take plastic. They're also pretty eco-friendly and inspire their customers to be as well by offering a credit for anyone who brings their own mug or thermos. I love that you can form relationships here, bring your mom here, meet a potential date here. The bulletin board is filled with active posts about pets for adoption, mommy and me groups, etc. And I'm only a few yards from the Co-Op across the road for groceries.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T19:56:28" }, { "business_id": "tkQfxEYkL-Fq3Al0hH9hKg", "business_name": "The Cat Doctor", "rating": 5, "text": "Who knew taking your cats to the vet could be this pleasant!? A friend recommended that I take my kitties here after I moved from the 'burbs. The staff is WONDERFUL! I get follow-up emails asking how my furrballs are doing after they've have procedures or sick visits. They're great about responding to questions by email. I was really impressed with the thorough \"report card\" I get after each visit. When my newest kitty got spayed, I got a full rundown on post-op care as if I was the one who have gone under the knife. Even when Bali had complications from the sutures, the staff was really supportive. No accusations of being an over-protective owner whatsoever. They handle cats gently and the exams are very thorough. They truly love their furry clients and treat owners with great respect and kindness.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T20:03:36" }, { "business_id": "8B_xigUkb_HxDvkXVa3LRw", "business_name": "Webb Cam", "rating": 5, "text": "I found Webb Cam through my Dad. They may seem a little out of the way for some folks but they are well worth the trip. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable and they have a great selection of equipment. You never have to worry about the hassle of some nerdy Best Buy salesman breathing down your neck to buy, buy, buy. Even the mayor's official photographer shops here. If you're serious about your photos, check out Webb Cam.", "timestamp": "2008-09-25T02:51:07" }, { "business_id": "gwUJdtb5vdVEmpa75yPDsA", "business_name": "Richard Nicholas Hair Studio", "rating": 5, "text": "I started going to Richard Nicholas when I moved back to Philly from New York City after college. There was no way in hell I was going to use the stylist my mom goes to. The guy will spray you down with Lysol if you have the slightest sniffle. I found RN after browsing Philadelphia Magazine's website. Joanne came highly rated and I made an appointment with her. At the time, she had pink hair and I was a bit skeptical of what I might look like when I left the place. Joanne is wonderful, though. She's creative and a bit of a risk taker. If you want something new, she's the go-to gal. She also listened to what I wanted and didn't push me past my comfort zone. She's warm, friendly, and a good conversationalist if you're in a chatty mood. She also isn't a product-pusher. Come to think of it, no one at RN has ever pushed services or products on me. Also, I feel that their services are well priced considering the surrounding area. I never have to wait months to get an appointment, the staff is superb and unpretentious, and the shop has a nice modern feel to it. I highly recommend them.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:35:24" }, { "business_id": "nDXR7nnWXDlkTvlx3Qbqgw", "business_name": "WXPN Radio", "rating": 4, "text": "I want to give this 5 stars, but I miss the Barnard student run WBAR alot post-college. Also, I'd love it, like alot of folks, if Y-Rock were on more often. I do have to say that I can no longer listen to commercial radio now that I listen to XPN. I mean, B101.1 starts Christmas music right after Halloween! And let's not forget the idiot jocks on one station who were part of that whole fiasco where a chick died from water intoxication. I secretly enjoy Kids' Corner if I'm in the car at 7pm when it airs. You'd be surprised what you learn on that show. Bottom line - I like that there are musicians that I can recognize who are actually musicians and I like that they introduce me to new artists.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:59:15" }, { "business_id": "YqmClmk7oLcDzPWKHzgA-Q", "business_name": "South Philadelphia Tap Room", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here with a friend to get over my shitty Thanksgiving holiday. Being the weekend of a holiday, the place was quiet. I tried the Mom's Meatloaf which came with Mac and Cheese. The portions are generous to say the least. I'm a beer fan and enjoyed the offerings they had on tap. They have a good selection of your regular favorites and things off the beaten path. I would definitely go back and think the SPTR is probably good for groups of folks looking to get together. I also like that the staff seems relatively unpretentious. I especially enjoyed our waitress' amusing stories of the the whole chef saga.", "timestamp": "2008-12-01T03:17:06" }, { "business_id": "RoUP3lcY4wEtdASLNIcmSw", "business_name": "Water Works Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the Waterworks - the river, the historical architectural, the romantic lighting... But, the food could be a bit better. I've been here a few times for various meals and I've never been flat-out disappointed. I just haven't been wowed. My dad and I hosted a surprise 60th birthday party here for my mom this past September. The private party experience was by far better than the average dining experience. The staff were attentive, but not smothering and kept all the guests well stocked with mimosas and bloody marys throughout the morning. The brunch was a lavish spread that seemed to suit everyone's tastes. Overall, I think we got quite a bit for our money, considering the whole shindig was under $2,000. The event planner was especially wonderful. She was professional and receptive to our needs and wants for the event. I think they could improve some of their culinary offerings, but otherwise, it's a fine place to bring the parents when they're in town. Bonus: free valet parking on Sundays for brunch.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T01:41:04" }, { "business_id": "nIlmZLuMs0JuBRvAHSIf8Q", "business_name": "Bredenbeck's Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor", "rating": 5, "text": "I've loved this place since I was old enough to spill an ice cream cone on myself. This seems to happen every time! My mother always got our birthday cakes from this family-owned bakery and nothing seems to compare. The baked goods are always fresh and made with premium ingredients. The ice cream is equally delectable, especially considering their wide assortment of sundaes and other concoctions. It's the cake the brings me back again and again for all occasions. The final product is always artfully presented and, of course, delicious. I also enjoy the friendly staff. The place is a little cramped, but I find it charming and fitting with the rest of Chestnut Hill.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T04:59:31" }, { "business_id": "VHA-b1NH4tIZB_IVEf_pmA", "business_name": "Minado", "rating": 2, "text": "A family friend kept telling me that she HAD to bring me to Minado. I am not one for buffets at all, so I really balked at the idea of a sushi buffet, but I finally let her take me. First of all, the drive out there was ridiculously long. That's beside the point, though. I didn't think the sushi selection was anything to write home about - the items didn't seem well labeled and they never seemed to have enough. The rest of the food reminded me of chinese takeout and I felt a bit overwhelmed by the myriad choices. The screaming children didn't help either. I don't envision myself driving all the way out there again. I'll stick to the local sushi joints.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T05:07:50" }, { "business_id": "MACqP6DlXBwTsXOhp0C6AA", "business_name": "Delicious Boutique", "rating": 5, "text": "I ended up with a corset thanks to a recent ex-boyfriend of mine. Yeah, don't ask. Anyway, I ended up with a Delicious corset - the best thing to come out of said relationship. I really have very little knowledge about the world of corsets, but the product I received was fabulous, especially for the price. Hell, I'd pay that price just because of the teeny-tiny waist it gives once I'm cinched in. The materials are definitely top of the line and the construction is completely solid. I am definitely appreciative of the fact that they really do follow your measurements to the T. A corset is the perfect under(or over)garment to make a gal feel just sexy enough, rather than like a bare-it-all tramp.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T03:58:12" }, { "business_id": "Vxsq098z903XRXBq4IZWTw", "business_name": "PASSIONAL Boutique & Sexploratorium", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to be a fan of this store and, for a while, I was pretty excited that they existed. After living in New York City, however, they just don't compare to Babeland. They offer a decent selection of toys and other accessories, but their prices seem pretty high for the industry. This is especially true if you head up the block to their clothing store. Are there really people who spend hundreds of dollars on latex clothing? I do commend their very knowledgeable and friendly staff who seem to be well versed on various things from products to techniques. They even offer classes. Considering that Philadelphia is lacking in reputable, well-run, educational sex shops, they do a darn good job. I think I'll probably stick to visiting Babeland on runs to NYC, though.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:03:50" }, { "business_id": "2GYg3liJ9-m6Z67L_4_BRQ", "business_name": "Weavers Way Co-Op", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVE Weaver's Way and really disagree with some of the content in previous reviews. WW is not necessarily meant for convenience shopping. I am a single woman and I find that I have no trouble shopping at the co-op, during peak times or otherwise. I actually find the co-op to be a great place to shop if you live alone because I can get smaller quantities of items than if I shop at the corporate stores like Acme. I also enjoy the work hours - I've worked throughout the store, but most recently, I have been getting in my hours by participating in the membership committee. I wouldn't say that the community is necessarily made up of \"tree huggers\" and \"earth children\", though. The community is made up of a variety of similarly-minded folks from different backgrounds. I enjoy having a place to go to where I can obtain locally grown produce, a place that offers more natural, wholesome, and preservative-free foods than chain stores with prices way below that of Whole Foods. I enjoy interacting with other members and contributing to my local and global community. I don't find the membership fee or the work hours to be prohibitive being a single person vs. a family. I don't think that membership in a co-op is for everyone and, if you aren't single, it's definitely not a solo decision. If you're keen on being committed to the Weaver Way values, you couldn't find a better place to shop. If not, stick to the chain stores or just pay the 10% visitors' fee to pop in once in a while.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:13:43" }, { "business_id": "aZNiVR6oAMQX5__yGPvYsg", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "My first trip to Susanna Foo was at 6 months old when the restaurant was still a hole-in-the-wall takeout joint owned by Susanna's parents. My parents have been taking my brother and I ever since. I have many fond memories of Susanna fashioning dolls for us out of the linen napkins and preparing Chicken with Cashew Nuts when we refused to eat anything else. The food has always been reliable, but now that I am an adult, I find it lacking excitement. The service is always impeccable and I have never been disappointed by the overall decor or ambience. I'd like to see Susanna improve upon some of her traditional recipes by either adding new flavors or perhaps returning to her Chinese roots with a more ethnic menu. I'm hoping there will be a revitalization and that I will come to love Susanna Foo as much as I did as a child.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:24:16" }, { "business_id": "jZGqAdBlDnrP-J7--vdPxA", "business_name": "Beijing Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "If you work at HUP or UPenn, chances are you've visited Beijing. I don't understand the allure. I'd rather work a 12-hour shift on my busy oncology floor than eat here again. The food is greasy and has to be laced with a healthy dose of MSG. The flavors are mediocre and nothing on the menu stands out. The stale smell of cooking oil overwhelms the restaurant, making it hard for your taste buds to actually do their job. At least they allow you to substitute brown rice with no hefty charge. This is hardly the place to find \"authentic chinese\" fare. If you're a poor college kid/med student/grad student I won't hold it against you. If you can afford it, treat yourself to something classier.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T05:06:05" }, { "business_id": "wgyh6_YZt_ByA9iBbX5i7g", "business_name": "Body Graphics, Inc", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm new to the world of tattoos and went to Body Graphics for the first time ever this past summer to have a small piece done inside my left ankle. I sheepishly admit that I was pretty nervous since I wasn't sure how to go about the whole affair. Luckily, Andrew was working and made me feel completely at ease. We joked over my wanting a sheep tattoo and he drew up a couple of sketches before I settled on my favorite. He didn't gouge me on the price either and was completely supportive of my being a newbie to the whole tattoo process. He was extremely professional and fastidious about cleanliness and such. He was thorough in his explanation of caring for my newest piece of artwork and gave me his card in case I had any problems. There was no pretentious vibe from this guy and we had a good chuckle over the adorable sheep that now sits above my ankle. I'm planning to go back to get more work done and will definitely give an update then. For my first experience, Body Graphics was pretty great - a clean, professional shop, and Andrew is tops in my book.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T16:17:38" }, { "business_id": "o8J_QeVwDZAugMYNOPAgPQ", "business_name": "Marco Polo", "rating": 4, "text": "I give this 4 stars partly for reasons of nostalgia and partly because I actually like some of the dishes here. I grew up within walking distance of the restaurant in Elkins Park and had the (dis)pleasure of seeing it evolve over the years. I have to say that the food isn't as great since Chef Lo has left. I like that there is a seasonal component to the menu and that they do have pretty good specials. The traditional Italian dishes are a bit lackluster, but if you're not particular about your spaghetti... I do like that they serve bruschetta and olives instead of bread. The service is always snappy and friendly, especially since the manager circulates throughout the dining room on most nights. It's still a decent place to go with the parents.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T02:55:49" }, { "business_id": "dERS4qwl9v-Gwft-Ug8APA", "business_name": "West Ave Grille Jenkintown Restaurant and Food Truck ", "rating": 4, "text": "It was pretty exciting when West Avenue Grill opened up considering the lack of good eateries in the neighborhood. I've eaten here for brunch, lunch, and dinner on numerous occasions. The food is consistently good and there are yummy seasonal options that they add to the existing menu. Sometimes, the service leaves something to be desired if you get stuck with some high school newbie. There can definitely be a wait when all of the blue-haired ladies decide they want to lunch (or see a movie at the theater down the street). They offer a decent array of beers beyond the standards that most restaurants carry. The outdoor seating for warm weather is a plus as well.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:07:00" }, { "business_id": "JmzNw0WCPmZPZdq5nx9brg", "business_name": "Kitchen Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "My mother likes to drag me here when I pop by the house. The menu is a little overwhelming consider the array of choices that mix flavors from different parts of the globe. They also have some of the unhealthiest options I've seen in quite a while. Is that a whole cow between those buns? The portions are hearty to say the least, but the food still isn't anything to write home about. I find the flavors to be muddled or hidden beneath too much spice. It's a good place for mom and dad to take the kiddies on a Saturday night. It's also popular with meat-head men and their dates looking to get trashed while they watch the latest game. The bar still allowed smoking as of my last trip and that was a major turn-off as the smoke tends to waft into the dining room. Plus: the Abington Pharmacy next door where you can grab some chocolates to replace the unoriginal dessert you just ate next door.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:15:04" }, { "business_id": "ZF0tt7hn6WK3-aNWgtLcFA", "business_name": "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site", "rating": 5, "text": "ESP is another Philadelphia site that I enjoy wandering around. The staff members here are incredibly well educated as most have backgrounds in history, architecture/preservation, anthropology, etc. I recently became a member and have enjoyed the special perks they provide like \"behind the scenes\" tours of the hospital ward and kitchens of the prison - areas that aren't open to the general public. ESP is also a wonderful academic resource for those conducting research on related topics. The place is a photographer's dream with the abundance of natural light that filters in through the stone, not to mention the interesting architectural details. I even recommend the Halloween bash \"Terror Behind the Walls\". If you can stand the hyper-active teenagers, it's a good scare. I'm not sure if the hardhat requirement still persists, but be aware that ESP is in a state of ruin. I also believe that children under a certain age are not permitted, but I would double-check. Also, there aren't bathroom facilities except for a lone port-a-potty or two on the grounds.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:45:11" }, { "business_id": "uI5k9lJkWlKi6OUW5yYIpQ", "business_name": "Benjamin Lovell Shoes", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm very picky about shoes. I want to put something stylish yet original on my feet without having to suffer hours of pain throughout the day. I have a bit of a hard-to-fit foot due a high instep, but I always manage to find something to suit my mood. I prefer the Rittenhouse store to the Manayunk and South St. locations. I think that all three stores have relatively good selections, but I seem to find my favorites at the Rittenhouse shop. They carry many brands that you won't find at other department or bargain stores: Tsubo, Camper, Everybody, MBT, Naot, Birkenstock, Ugg, and more. It's no secret that alot of their shoes come with a considerable price tag if you're used to stores like Payless or DSW, but I find the brands offered at Benjamin Lovell wear better and last longer than many others I've owned. I've always received prompt, courteous service from the staff members. If they are out of stock in my size, they have never hesitated to try and order what I'm looking for. The sale section is also worthwhile if you're looking for more of a bargain. Benjamin Lovell has become one of the few places where I will shop for shoes. Definitely check them out for wide selection of Dansko and Mephisto shoes, or if you're looking to break out of the mold a bit. Do we really need another pair of Tory Burch flats walking through the city?", "timestamp": "2008-12-05T03:02:38" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I enjoyed myself at Monk's. It's a good standby to have in your arsenal for the out-of-town guests, but not great. Our service was a bit spotty and I felt like our waitress was totally uninterested in us. I enjoyed the burger I ordered, but the fries were nothing to rave about. Also, it annoys me when places make you order fries as a side instead of just providing them with your meal. Of course, the beer selection is enough to make your head spin.I had a few tasty brews that made the trip worthwhile. Maybe next time I'll just come for drinks and skip the food.", "timestamp": "2008-12-10T02:44:32" }, { "business_id": "R1aHeUAwUF1Qkpacrn2Njw", "business_name": "Hideaway Music", "rating": 4, "text": "I don't buy very many cd's anymore. iTunes just makes it too easy to have instant access to many artists. However, when I want to have an actual disk, I head to Hideaway. If I had a record player I would totally buy vinyls here as well as their selection looks pretty sweet. I love that I can almost always find what I'm looking for. And if I can't? They'll order it for me. I prefer the posters that line the Hideaway walls instead of running into grubby guys in Best Buy t-shirts. Check out the Chestnut Hill Coffee Co. up the way too if you're strung out on Starbucks.", "timestamp": "2008-12-11T00:34:18" }, { "business_id": "itwiCpfGR5xlUpawXrt4tA", "business_name": "Penn Campus Recreation", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Pottruck. I initially signed up because, as a HUP employee, I get a pretty sweet discount. I wasn't sure how much I'd actually like it since he place is huge and rather sterile feeling. After a couple of spins on the elliptical, I realized that I was extremely pleased with the facility. Pottruck is clean and spacious enough to handle hundreds of people a day. I have never had to wait for a machine and I have never encountered out-of-order equipment. The machines have iPod jacks that will play your music through the machine AND charge your iPod at the same time. The hours are great - I can go early in the morning, later at night, and anytime in between. The staff, for the most part, is really friendly, accommodating, and helpful. One afternoon, I forgot my lock and one staff member offered to watch my stuff while I worked out so that I wouldn't have to hunt for a quarter locker. I like that they have day lockers where you can supply your own lock. This means not having to shell out extra dough for a place to stash your stuff during your work out. The juice bar is a plus as well if you're in need of a bottle of water or a recovery shake. I can't yet comment on the the classes, but I'm looking forward to trying a few come spring. Pottruck offers alot from classes, to rock climbing and an outdoors club, to the pool, and their Penn Fit Program. They also offer personal training and massage therapy which I am looking forward to trying. The best part for me is that they are a part of the Blue Cross' Healthy Lifestyles program - after 120 workouts, I get $150 back from my health insurance company.", "timestamp": "2008-12-12T02:42:27" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "I still love the PMA. I took myself to see the Gee's Bend exhibit today. Normally, I meander through exhibits on my own, but today I decided to take the free guided tour. I have to say having a tour guide really made a difference. The woman could have been a little more friendly - I felt she was a tad brusque in her answering of questions - but her knowledge of quilting, quilt design and the Gee's Bend aesthetic made up for her demeanor. Since she had met with the women/artists when they came for the opening of the exhibit so we was able to share all sorts of little bits of stories with us. The quilts were absolutely stunning and I'm inspired to break out the sewing machine. I really enjoyed the photography mini exhibit at the beginning with intimate portraits of some of the artists. The 28 minute documentary at the Perelman center was a great addition and another way to \"meet\" the quilters. I like that the museum continued the exhibit in Perelman by adding examples of Victorian and Amish quilting. This is only the second time in my life that I have bought the \"coffee table book\" of an exhibit, but I was so taken with the Gee's Bend exhibit that I couldn't resist. Also, there were double discounts for members! I also popped into the James Castle exhibit which was equally fascinating. Once again, my membership pays for itself.", "timestamp": "2008-12-13T00:15:16" }, { "business_id": "jtMPW39yiv5CorhKfgUaTw", "business_name": "Daryl's Pastries", "rating": 5, "text": "I've come to realize that there are two kinds of people in this town: those who go to Dunkin Donuts and those who don't. I try to avoid DD if at all possible. Especially since I always seem to see them in the news when they get robbed at gunpoint. Also, let's face it people, their doughnuts leave something to be desired - I always seem to get something stale or a slightly soggy French Cruller. Daryl's, on the other hand, owns a special place in my heart. As a kid, I knew it was a special weekend if I found a crisp white box of Daryl's pastries and doughnuts on the kitchen table. Things I like about Daryl's: 1. Family owned and operated. 2. Everything is made fresh on the premises. 3. Best doughnuts ever! 4. They have breakfast sandwiches and coffee too. 5. The staff is friendly and speaks intelligible English. 6. There cakes and other pastries are just as tasty and well-made as their doughnuts.", "timestamp": "2008-12-20T15:34:13" }, { "business_id": "lH_UKAJy6YTa1ArfdACU4g", "business_name": "Olive Garden Italian Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll admit I enjoy a meal at Olive Garden every now and then when I'm craving artery-clogging bread sticks. I stopped by this location today for some take-out after shopping with my mom. While we didn't actually dine-in at this location, we did wait long enough to have to suffer through the obnoxious population of people streaming through the door. Is it just me or is this location chock full of women who have squeezed themselves into tiny outfits like sausages into ill-fitting casings? I didn't really think a 45 minute wait for take out was necessary given that we were there at 5pm. My spaghetti and italian sausage came with way over done sausage and they gave me meat sauce even though I specifically requested regular marinara sauce. My dad's lasagna looked like it was slapped together by a 3 year old, making me wonder if they tossed it from across the room into its container. My mom's chicken carbonara looked like it was already a left-over with slightly-congealed sauce over the noodles. Luckily, the breadsticks and salad saved the meal. Everyone gets their own portion of salad, the dressing comes in sealed take-out cups, and the servings of breadsticks are generous.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:32:49" }, { "business_id": "3Ce8r1K1O-2JKSMXdXID-w", "business_name": "Linvilla Orchards", "rating": 3, "text": "A friend and I hiked (not literally) to Linvilla this autumn to pick some apples for sauce and pies. Having visited other area orchards throughout my life, I was seriously surprised to find that this one is like some sort of kiddie wonderland complete with Pumpkinland, petting zoo, and stilt walkers. I thought I had possibly made a wrong turn along the way. Luckily, the actual apple orchard is across the road from all the juvenile madness. I was a bit disappointed in the selection they had at the time (early October) as we seemed limited to picking Red and Golden Delicious - two very unexciting apple varieties. I did manage to get a fair amount of Macoun's though which worked nicely for all the sauce I made. I managed to pick several pounds of apples (I completely overestimated how many pounds I am actually able to lift and schlep to my car) and only had to shell out $20 or so. Being childless, we happily skipped Pumpkinland, the train ride, and the petting zoo in favor of the country store. I scored a much needed apple sliver/corer and some decadent caramel dip. The pie line is insane and you'll need to use your elbows to keep your spot lest you get bullied out of the way by burly suburban soccer moms. The cider donuts are definitely worth the push and shove as well. I recommend the store for picking up all those culinary goodies you've always wanted to make but will never find the time in which to do so (chutney, jam, pickles, soups). Don't forget to pick up a gallon of apple cider for those chilly fall nights! I could do without the Six Flags-like atmosphere and the county fair-like food stands, though. The crowds are large and made up of people mostly under 4 feet tall. Expect parking delays, lots of walking, screaming and whining and tantrums. If, like me, you don't have kids, you can smile serenely and be happy that you don't have any sticky hands to wipe.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:49:18" }, { "business_id": "DRr5xdfHtqgWfhmdTU1B8Q", "business_name": "London Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to London Grill the other night with a friend. We arrived around 9pm and the place was relatively busy, but we were promptly seated. This is my second time to LG (I've previously been here for brunch with the parents). Honestly, I've had no problem with the service. Our particular server seemed overwhelmed, so another waiter stepped in to help her. Our meals were served fairly quickly - within 20 minutes of ordering. After a 12 hour shift at work, I had the best meal of the day at LG. I ordered the Roast BBQ pork which came with collard greens and macaroni and cheese. It's easy to screw up collard greens, but these were tender with a spicy/vinegar punch. The pork was cooked to perfection - moist with no hint of gristle. The barbecue sauce was equally tasty and didn't evoke the flavors of bottles sauces one bit. The macaroni was also delicious. They smartly avoiding \"dressing\" it up and stuck with ooey-gooey cheese and tender elbow noodles. My friend was equally pleased with his fish and chips. Their selection of beer is pretty impressive and this is one of the few places that seems to carry Strongbow cider (which they serve in a HUGE glass). Needless to say, we had a great time. The atmosphere is inviting and the atrium is a great place to sit even in the winter. Jeff is a great bartender and I was glad to have John and Brighid as our servers. I've definitely had no problems with service here.", "timestamp": "2009-01-05T08:21:06" }, { "business_id": "jHVotJhyPKOLuO7MVnmbtQ", "business_name": "Royal Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Some friends and I wandered into the Royal Tavern to continue my birthday celebration after leaving the South Philly Taproom. The place is tiny, but wasn't crowded when we arrived and we were able to grab seats at the bar. The bar tender was attentive and friendly and we didn't have to fight with other patrons to get drinks. We ordered a plate of Nachos which were some of the best I've had - lots of fresh tomatoes and cheese, generous helpings of guacamole and sour cream, and the chips were perfectly crisp instead of soggy or stale. The single strand of holiday lights above the wood bar lend a perfect ambience to the dimly lit tavern. The kitchen is open until 1am which is great for night owls. I was impressed by the beers that they had both in bottles and on draught - enough choices to suit a variety of tastes. I look forward to going back to try more of their culinary offerings, especially their brunch.", "timestamp": "2009-01-11T18:17:49" }, { "business_id": "6TPlb2eRasW6R0Fzz6T_JQ", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "For me, Susanna Foo's Gourmet Kitchen will never compare to her fine-dining establishment in Center City, but I was pleasantly surprised. My parents have known Susanna since she took over her parents' restaurant, Hunan's, and I have been sampling her culinary creations since I was 6 months old. So my fondness for Susanne Foo in general runs much deeper than the successes and failures I've seen her weather in the restaurant world. I had read the less-than-stellar reviews of the Gourmet Kitchen and wasn't really sure what to expect when my mom and I had lunch on my birthday. First of all, the decor is stunning - deep reds, golds, supple leather chairs, large circular chandeliers, deep vessel sinks in the washroom, and a modern-styled bar. I ordered a spicy tuna roll to start. Not knowing what to expect of sushi at a supposedly Chinese restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised - the fish was extremely fresh, tender, and totally lacking in any fishy taste. The spicy sauce wasn't one of those heavy mayo concoctions you sometimes encounter that over-powers the fish. For my entree, I ordered the crispy tofu with tomatoes in a kung pao sauce which was accompanied by fried rice, hot and sour soup, and steamed vegetables. My selection was delicious! The tofu was lightly crisped on the outside, yet tender in the middle and oozing the savory kung pao sauce. The vegetables were tender with a hint of crunch which preserved their unique flavors. The rice was light, fluffy, and lacking the oily heaviness you traditionally find in other establishments. Of course, the hot and sour soup is always my favorite - a perfect blend of spice and pucker. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday meal and look forward to going back to sample more dishes. I also felt that the pricing was reasonable - my mother and I both had appetizers and entrees, all for $40 dollars. The service, too, was impeccable.", "timestamp": "2009-01-20T17:11:56" }, { "business_id": "oa5h-kz5oFYHBKpasKYXQw", "business_name": "Charlie Gray's Rib Crib", "rating": 4, "text": "As a kid I had this phobia of meat on the bone (ribs, chicken legs, pork chops, et al.) I know someone is going to turn that into a crass joke, but it's true. So, as I kid, the only thing I really ever ate from the Rib Crib was the macaroni salad. At some point my dad put his foot down, saying that it was just un-African American to dislike ribs. How can you ignore that challenge? The Rib Crib is an institution in Germantown and in our family with many a Friday night spent covered in barbecue sauce. I love that you can watch the meat being smoked right in the open pit as you wait for your order. At their best, Rib Crib ribs are smokey with fall-off-the-bone tender meat, and slathered in a sweet/tangy/spicy sauce. Unfortunately, you don't always get perfection, which is disappointing given the fact that they are open only a few days a week. I agree with Mark C. - the joint is take out only and it's frustrating to get home with your order to realize that it's been and \"off day\" at the Crib. In my opinion, the tangy macaroni salad can't be beat and there's nothing better than sopping up extra sauce with fluffy slices of white bread. The friendly staff can't be beat, though, and the owner has been active in the community for years. Of course, you can't miss the myriad photos of prominent black folks that adorn the walls of the small space. Those photos were some of my earliest lessons in Black History. For a biracial kid from the 'burbs, this is a place where I was actually able to connect with my African American heritage. The Rib Crib is worth a try if you're into hitting barbecue spots around the Philly area, but they may no longer be the best in the business.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T17:47:44" }, { "business_id": "E52a-tWfAVUigt1ArF711w", "business_name": "Joseph Fox Bookshop", "rating": 5, "text": "I was in Joseph Fox yesterday. It's my go-to spot when I've had a bad day. I received a call that a book I had requested was in store. I've been trying to get my hands on a copy of \"Revolutionary Road\" since I refuse to see the movie before reading the book. One of the saleswomen had pulled a copy from a recent shipment and held it for me. The best part? She had put aside a non-movie cover copy for me. \"You just seemed like the kind of woman who wouldn't want a copy with Leonardo DiCaprio slathered all over it.\" How right she was! I ended up leaving with that, a copy of Madame Bovary, and Persepolis I and II. Again, the service was friendly and impeccable. I think I've sworn off big-box bookstores for good. I also find solace in that I am not the only customer in this bookstore not reading Stephanie Meyer's \"Twilight\" series, whereas Borders seems to bombard me with displays. Also, at Joseph Fox, I don't have to deal with the extraneous other junk other stores sell.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T18:12:44" }, { "business_id": "Vcn_cuQNKRF0eQ16TXVaXQ", "business_name": "The Night Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is for the recent batch of cupcakes I had from The Night Kitchen. I was really disappointed with them, or mostly the icing. I hope it was just a fluke, but the icing was terrible! It was like a little rosette of lard on top of a not-so-moist, crumbly cake. Waaaay too much butter and way too little whipping. I didn't even finish the whole cake because of the terribly cloying taste. Also, the cakes are tiny in comparison for their cost. Now when I go to TNK, I stick to their cookies.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:18:32" }, { "business_id": "HZDJl_MpCBz2_juU1BvDTw", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 1, "text": "I wish there were Waffle Houses this far north. If there was I would quickly trade IHOP for them. I love IHOP, or rather \"loved\" them. It's hard to let go of those childhood memories of days off from school and pancake breakfasts that included chocolate chips of all things. Today's trip was just terrible. Of course the wait is long because people crawl out of the woodwork to get to this place on the weekend. It's the only place I ever see other black folks in Jenkintown! We've been the only black family on my Elkins Park block for years, but we're not alone at IHOP. Weird. We were seated fairly quickly and our drink orders were taken. 15-20 minutes later we were still liquid-less; as were the surrounding tables being serviced by the same waitress. After a chat with the manager, we received our drinks. Another long wait forced us to hijack another waitress just to get our food orders in. By the time all was said and done, breakfast had turned into a 2-hour affair. It would have been nice to see the manager be a bit more involved on a busy Saturday when several customers were lacking decent service. Contrary to the tv commercials, the food just isn't worth hanging around all morning with screaming children.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "6w6wDhgTzteP1tCBvK6fnw", "business_name": "Loie", "rating": 4, "text": "I met a friend here for brunch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The place was really empty and I was a bit skeptical. If a brunch place is empty at noon on a Sunday, it doesn't say much about the food, etc. The emptiness, however, meant that we were seated and attended to promptly. The prix-fixe menu includes all-you-can-drink Mimosas or Bloody Marys. My friend and I each started with a Mimosa. I was pleased that they weren't overly skimpy on the champagne. I started with their garden salad which is pretty large and just right on the dressing. Not too dry and not swimming in oil. I ordered an omelette which was chock-full of my favorites: cheese, spinach, and mushrooms. The dish was cooked perfectly - the eggs weren't runny or overcooked and they came with wonderfully seasoned diced new potatoes. The service continued to be wonderful even as the restaurant filled up. The atmosphere was cozy and I enjoyed our seats by the large, open windows in the front. I'm sure this place is quite lovely in the warmer months. I would definitely consider this spot for out-of-town guests, family, and friends. You won't have to smash your piggy bank for a good meal.", "timestamp": "2009-04-08T04:52:18" }, { "business_id": "K3RURR9lIEE4JjOaPt99zg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been trying to get in for a meal at Sabrina's for months now. I wish someone had told me that they are only open until 4pm two days a week as it seems that those were the days when I tried to go for dinner. I was able to try out their lunch menu earlier this week with my mom and her friend. Being a Monday afternoon, the place was relatively quiet and we were seated immediately. The menu was a little daunting since you can get everything from eggs to cheesesteaks. I settled on a veggie burger with portobello mushrooms and cheddar cheese + the parmesan fries. I rounded things out with an ice cold rootbeer opting for the increased caloric hit rather than subject myself to Diet Rite. The burger was hearty and delicious - you'd have hardly known it wasn't meat with all of the mushrooms. I was quite happy to not have received anything wimpy and previously frozen from a cardboard box. The cheese was perfectly gooey and resembled nothing like those chemically concocted slices you find elsewhere. The fries were the best thing on the plate, though. Who would have thought that parmesan cheese could significantly elevate the humble french fry? The service was average - nothing spectacular. I did catch a little bit of hipster vibe from one of the servers, but such attitudes are becoming harder to avoid in most city neighborhoods. The only thing that could have made the day better? If they hadn't been out of key lime pie.", "timestamp": "2009-05-15T16:57:07" }, { "business_id": "XBwxCXPE8MX1aMs-zT1-Fg", "business_name": "Studio 34", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been wanting to take an African dance class since college but loathed the idea of hopping around with mostly white, mostly classically trained dancers at my liberal arts institution. Then I moved back to Philly and thought about taking a class at the UPenn gym where I am already a member. However, the whopping class fee - uh, hello, I already pay a yearly fee! - and thought of suffering the annoyances of the UPenn female undergrad population - why are you plastered to your Blackberry while working out?! - was equally unappealing. A friend of mine raved about Studio 34 and the work exchange program she had done there. Lo and behold, they have a weekly, drop-in African dance class for...wait for it, wait for it....$10! Yes, $10! Luckily, that price does not include snarky undergrads. I went to my first class on a rainy Sunday and had a great time. There were only three other people present, but I felt immediately comfortable and supported despite my complete lack of dance ability or training. By the end of the class, I was moving along just as well as the other folks. The teacher, Assumane, is wonderful and enthusiastic and you can't help but want to give it your best shot even if your left foot won't listen to your brain. This class is a great workout, especially for someone like me who isn't very in tune with her body but hates toiling away on a machine. You use all parts of your body in these dances from Guinea-Bissau and therefore, you kind of just make peace with whatever wobbly bits you've got. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that this is a weekly ongoing class. I don't have to worry about schedule interferences because I know I can always go the next week. You can't beat $10 to try something out. I look forward to trying some of their yoga classes as my body confidence improves. I am also much impressed by their commitment to the community, the friendliness of the staff, and the welcoming physical space.", "timestamp": "2009-05-16T02:33:07" }, { "business_id": "u7cZUEGK6iJP2gvI22xY2A", "business_name": "Memphis Taproom", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is still awesome. Roasted mushroom grinder = way better than any cheesesteak I've had in this town. I know, sacrilege, right? The atmosphere was better this time and our party didn't get shushed for adult-themed topics. I still don't love that lots of folks bring their kids here, though. Sometimes, I like to go out to eat and avoid toddling children who wander over unattended. I love that they have Sam Smith's Organic Cider in bottles, Allagash Tripel, and Monk's Sour Ale - some of my favorite libations. The fried pickles and suicide rings still light my fire. If only I could find a boy as yummy as they are instead of tables of canoodling couples.", "timestamp": "2009-06-27T19:47:17" }, { "business_id": "EPMHuTHu46B123ivRIZ-Xg", "business_name": "Magic Carpet", "rating": 5, "text": "The Magic Carpet truck is the only lunch truck I frequent. I can guarantee that I can get a sizeable portion of food that will do my body good for about $5. All of the food is prepared by the Magic Carpet folks in their offsite, commercial kitchen so you won't be getting frozen falafel balls here. Their portions are generous enough to cover you for lunch and the afternoon munchies that hit later in the day. It's best to try and sneak in early right around Noon or you are sure to have to contend with a substantial queue. Just like Pat's or Geno's, be sure to know what you want, how you want it before it's your turn or the other hungry customers are sure to grumble as you hem and haw over El Gringo or Magic Meatballs. Definite pros: - no cross contamination from meats - no msg laden crap - folks who speak great english - freshly prepared meals - beverage options that aren't just huge bottles of sugar-y soda Cons: - the long line - having to choose between lots of tasty options.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:21:06" }, { "business_id": "W_vlLO_fS_MuLTvxt1B7AA", "business_name": "Brewers Outlet Of Mt. Airy & Chestnut Hill", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best beer distributor out of the ones I've hit in the 'burbs. I grew up going to Madonna's on Easton Road, but because it's a drive-through, you've got to know what you want when you reach the window. Frosty Caps on 611 comes complete with a guy who looks like John Travolta, but mainly services the Miller Light crowd. Brewer's Outlet is one-stop shopping for beer, cider, and the Vintage seltzer that I love. I wish I could afford to buy an entire case of the Allagash Tripel ($74), but I'll have to stick to drinking it by the glass at Memphis Taproom. I can't confirm that they're over-priced on some goods because I rarely find the brews I like at other distributors. Most people's reaction to my query about Samuel Smith's Organic Cider is \"huh?\" A major boon is their swap policy. Buying a case of something from a microbrewery? Want to try a bottle of that local ____ before buying the whole case? Swap a bottle of yours for a bottle of theirs! Again, it's also convenient to be able to pick up bottled water and the like at the same spot. I've also never gotten those stares male employees sometimes give women that say \"You're picking out the beer? That party's going to suck.\" The employees are helpful without any hints of snobbery. FYI: I'm listing this place as \"pricey\" because the beverages I like don't tend to come cheap.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:31:42" }, { "business_id": "rIqkOMxkeoqvUzl909gNmQ", "business_name": "Kiwi Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "I like the fact that I can exercise my own version of portion control at this new Univ. City establishment. I do wish they had cups smaller than their smallest one, though, because it's hard to know when you've overdone it until you're paying $6 for fro-yo. I mixed the original tart and pumpkin. Both had exceptionally good flavor. The pumpkin actually tasted like pumpkin pie - neither too sweet nor too spicy. Unfortunately, I think some folks believe that fro-yo equals a completely guilt free treat. In reality, you can't really frequent the place several times in a week and expect not to pay for it. Yeah, they use HFCS, but I'm ok with that because I'm not eating there every week. I also like that I can indulge in sinful toppings like snickers bars and chocolate sauce if I'm so inclined. As someone with a nut allergy, I'm glad the place isn't overflowing with all manner of those options. I think the self-serve option is great and it's fun to swirl unusual flavors together. I feel like this a great place for students unlike some of the more pretentious-feeling venues in center city. Dessert should be fun - and I don't necessarily want to cover it in fruit and granola after long day.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:11:18" }, { "business_id": "Kdq1xfIFIKOdO-qW-_tg8A", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "First off - I wouldn't describe this establishment as Asian Fusion. I recall reading that they serve \"Contemporary American\", but I could have made that up. Some friends and I dined here for Restaurant Week Fall 2009 and it as a darn good choice. The wrap-around windows really make for a lovely atmosphere. The cocktails were creative and I enjoyed vodka for the first time in a long while. I also like the long, bar-like table that runs the length of the restaurant, providing extra seating that doesn't make you feel as if you are sitting on top of your neighbor. I was impressed with the menu and the number of choices they provided. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer and say that my meal was fantastic. I started with the heirloom tomato gazpacho with lemon sorbet. The lemon sorbet added a wonderfully cool, summer flavor to the spice of this Spanish soup without diluting the overall tomato flavor. The rolls were wonderfully textured - chewy and warm inside with a crisp crust. The wasabi butter was a definite bonus. My main course of roasted free-range chicken, brussels sprouts, and yukon mashed potatoes was hearty and delicious. The brussels sprouts were especially superb and lacked all trace of the pungent horseradish flavor they sometimes acquire during cooking. Dessert was a lovely little trio chosen beforehand - apple pie, warm chocolate tarte, and ginger ice cream. Our server was attentive, but not overbearing and was especially knowledgeable about the wine selections. I'd recommend this venue for all manner of dinners: dates, parents in town, friends, or even just to treat yourself.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:25:13" }, { "business_id": "Z6WntA-h-vBAQ3Xoe2Xy6Q", "business_name": "Brickbat Books", "rating": 5, "text": "I stumbled into this shop after previous afternoons of passing it by because I talked myself out of going into yet another bookshop. This space is different, though. This is where my fellow book snobs and I can congregate. I make no apologies for eschewing \"beach reads\", Jodi Picoult, and just about most things sold at the big box stores. With so many books in the world, one really does have to have discriminating tastes, don't you think? I love that they have great bits of Edward Gorey 1st editions. I love that there was a James Joyce reading group taking up most of the room. I picked up a loved copy of The Grapes of Wrath (why is this never in when I'm at the library!?) and a vintage edition of The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen. Nevermind that I have no clue who Elizabeth Bowen is, the cover of the plastic-wrapped petite paperback was calling my name. This is where you go to find diamonds in the rough for your literary collection - titles people will pull off of your shelf and say \"I've never seen this before\" and you can tell them all about the day you stumbled into Brickbat and found a new love.", "timestamp": "2009-11-10T00:57:25" }, { "business_id": "-DGsnMlRrR_tv8avrpQLQw", "business_name": "Sam's Morning Glory Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend and I decided on Wednesday morning brunch in order to catch up and unwind post-holiday. I'd passed Morning Glory a number of times while in the neighborhood, but hadn't ever eaten there. I like the vibe - it felt much less pretentious than in Sabrina's where I feel out of place with only one tattoo and feet not shod in Converse. I have to say that I wouldn't attempt to eat here with your 10 best friends, though, as space is an issue. There was no wait when we arrived at 10am, but I was surprised at how quickly the place filled up on a Wednesday in January - does no one work these days? This also isn't place where you can linger over a cup of coffee for hours given said lack of space. The staff will probably appreciate you much more if you pay your check in a timely manner and vamoose if there are people waiting. That being said, my Irish oatmeal was lovely. I was grateful that it wasn't soupy, but just right. Baby Bear would have approved. It was topped with a generous helping of strawberries, bananas, and blueberries. I also ordered a side of turkey sausage which was delicious and fork-tender. Few people probably care about this, but I found it charming that they serve their coffee in large tin mugs instead of the usual white ceramic stuff. My friend ordered a hearty portion of eggs, turkey sausage, and biscuit - which looked thoroughly delicious, but equally taxing on one's gallbladder. Maybe I'll for it next time, when I'm not contending with post-holiday pudge. The staff was great and quick with the coffee refills.", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T15:56:56" }, { "business_id": "TeHlA3PjMCAwJSLymjhz3A", "business_name": "Beans", "rating": 4, "text": "Was surprised to see that Beans opened a new location while in the city the other day. I've never been overly impressed by their other locations in the suburbs. If this store doesn't have it, you probably don't need it. And if you're looking for stuff on the cheap (ie: no $20 blow dryers here), this probably isn't the shop for you. The store is actually really lovely with high ceilings and an open feeling. They've got tons of products for just about anything you could imagine from hair color to nail polish to styling tools. I got a lot of (as in probably just a tad more than I like) help in selecting a hair dryer since I've gasp never owned one! I decided to go with something that will die probably after I do. I appreciate that my new hair dryer also comes with a free class in how to actually use the thing to achieve the style I want. They also do repairs! And who doesn't like a free pouch of jelly beans with each purchase?", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T23:29:22" }, { "business_id": "fhoqmnw5sXzj91-7yBW0Kw", "business_name": "Mugshots Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I ordered the Aztec hot chocolate one afternoon which nearly had me choking due to the amount of cayenne pepper that was in the drink. I thought the idea was to give your tastebuds a hint of heat, not send you into a coughing fit. I'm also kind of annoyed by the whole wi-fi set up. When you purchase a beverage, you get an hour of wi-fi through a code they give you. Essentially, you've got to make another purchase every hour to stay connected. I think I would rather pay a flat fee up front than having to keep purchasing more food/drinks. I wasn't too pleased with the fact that I had also ordered a sandwich, but the person who took my order only put in for my beverage. I should have caught it when I paid, but my mind was elsewhere. I ended up waiting for 20 or so minutes before I realized. I would also appreciate if Mugshots could put some kind of time limit on those who are taking up tables. Is it really fair to spread out your laptop and school books and take up a seat for hours on end when other people would like to sit and enjoy their beverage?", "timestamp": "2010-01-15T21:14:33" }, { "business_id": "M1q0l_VuI6MqRYLWGVhCCw", "business_name": "The Belgian Café", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite Schuyler L.'s run-in with soggy French Toast at brunch, I still enjoy this place. A few friends took me out for a belated-birthday drink. As usual, I had to request the Monk's Flemish Sour Ale which I now have several other friends veritably addicted to. It's sweet and refreshing with a hint of tang. I also tried the Young's Chocolate Stout which was delicious - rich, velvety, great foamy head. Essentially, it's dessert in a beer. The can also contains this thing called a \"widget\" which releases nitrogen once you pop the top to simulate what would happen if it were on tap. It blends the stout into creamy goodness so don't be alarmed by something rolling around at the bottom of your can. I tried to Reuben sandwich which was surprisingly delicious for how little meat I eat. Tender corned beef, gooey swiss cheese, and crisp buttery bread. Of course, there were fries as well with a generous portion of their dipping sauce. We also shared an item off of the dessert menu, but I can't recall the name. Basically, they're awesome cinnamon-sugared doughnuts. They come with a caramel dipping sauce, but I found it too rich for my blood. The doughnuts are warm and made of a dense cake that crumbles in your mouth. It puts anything you'd get at Dunkin' Donuts to shame by a lot. All in all, another fantastic evening!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:00:05" }, { "business_id": "f88P1gIbRpRzsYAHj9hGdA", "business_name": "Sid Booker's Shrimp", "rating": 5, "text": "(I think I may be giving it 5 stars for sentimental reasons, but I've also got some legit claims) So I grew up in a white Jewish neighborhood. Sometimes my father, who was African American, just had to flee the scene to get a taste of his childhood. This meant that we'd often make our way down Broad Street to Sid Booker's. If you can get past the bullet-proof screen and the little lazy-susan they use to take in cash and serve up fried goodies, I recommend you stop by once in your life. Oh, this place may be in what you consider the \"ghetto\" but it ain't cheap (honestly, if it were cheap, I'd be concerned about the ingredients they were using) so hit the ATM first. I don't really love shrimp, but I do adore Sid Booker's fried version. Large, plump, tender, and with a crisp batter that will make your arteries weep. We'd take our foil wrapped bundles home and have a little feast as if we were in Richmond with the family and not in Elkins Park. The ladies there are always kind, but they do a brisk business at certain times of day so don't expect a whole lot of chit chat. Note: This is take-out only and you're going to have to wait on the corner or in your car for a bit while they get your order ready. Contrary to El S.' review, I don't think you're likely to get taken down in a drive-by here as there are usually lots of folks. But like any denizen of a city, I wouldn't be hoppin' in the car for shrimp at 11pm if I wasn't a card-carrying member of that particular 'hood.", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:11:06" }, { "business_id": "O286wXm4mcznQn_1JieD1g", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "So back in December when Silk put out their yearly Soy Nog and Pumpkin Spice flavors, I had trouble deciding which one to buy. I had already tried their soy nog and thought about just sticking with a good thing. On the other hand, the pumpkin spice could be awesome. I was in the middle of this dilemma when one of the guys stocking the case noticed my perplexed look. He popped open a pumpkin spice for me and let me sample it. After I decided I really liked it, he marked the carton as a sample and I got to take it home for free! Now that's customer service!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:34:50" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I always enjoy coming to this theater. Below is a brief outline of why. 1. The seats are comfortable and, unlike many of the theaters in NYC, were not made for very short, very thin people. 2. Continuing on the theme of seats...There are no bad seats due to the intimate nature of the theater. 3. $10 student tickets for Sunday evening performances. Don't forget your student ID, though. If you forget your ID, Will-Call will not give you the student price. 4. They have Junior Mints at the concessions stand. 5. I have always enjoyed the productions they host. Avant-garde enough to make you seem as if you are culturally in-the-know, but not so strange that you'll be yawning for 2 hours. 6. Great set designs and creative use of space. I love their minimalist approach for most things. 7. If you're not a student, no worries! They've still go cheap seats for you twenty-somethings. Bring an ID to confirm your age and you can get tickets for $22.50. I saw Becky Shaw - it was fantastic and is now running through early Feb. Go see it!", "timestamp": "2010-01-25T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "Rmx12lwZbs94MkPaS2o7vw", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "Checking out this brand-spanking-new WFM was the highlight of my weekend. I am aware of just how lame that sounds but, with all the hype, I wasn't going to be left out. This store is easily twice the size of the one in Jenkintown. I love how it's as shiny as a newly minted penny. I didn't get to check each department out as closely as I would have liked due to the sheer throngs of people in there, but here is what I like so far: - Large produce section with an impressively number of organic items. I grabbed some golden turnips, tomatillos, and Italian broccoli. - Impressive fish and meat offerings - alot more prepared items (like the things they pre-marinate or stuff, etc) - Expanded bulk foods section where you can get all the barely or oats or stevia your heart desires. - Huge frozen selection! I didn't know WFM had their own brand of shoestring fries. I often supplement my recipes with frozen veggies in winter and they had everything I needed. - Easy to navigate body care, etc section with more products than my eyeballs could take. - The salad/prepared foods bar of my dreams. - Yogurt stocked so that they come out one at a time (kind of like a vending machine). No worries about having to hunt through a mess of flavors and brands. - The aisles are fairly wide and I was able to maneuver my cart pretty well without getting run into despite the crowd. Nothing can be done about the 80 year old women who shuffle along like it's a Sunday stroll, wide aisle or not. In a perfect world WFM would only have seasonal produce (strawberries are not native to the NE in January), but that's my own personal preference with regards to diet and health. Next time, I plan to actually try some of the food they've got on hand and pop into the pub. Of course, it's still \"Whole Paycheck\" but for my produce and specialty ingredients, this place is still #1.", "timestamp": "2010-01-30T22:14:30" }, { "business_id": "s2JiYzE7i68cXIV6YEcVTw", "business_name": "Local 44", "rating": 4, "text": "Came here for lunch the other day. The place was dead at 2pm, but I didn't mind. The bartendress was very friendly and she kept me entertained. I ordered the fish and chips upon her suggestion and was thoroughly pleased. The batter had a delicious, buttery quality to it and the the fish had a lovely creamy taste. Hard to describe, but I quite enjoyed it. The dish comes with fries and hush puppies which seemed like too many carbs, but still yummy. The fries are hand-cut and well seasoned. The hush puppies were the best I've had above the Mason-Dixon line and I couldn't help but think they'd taste amazing with vanilla ice cream. They've got quite a few of my favorite beers on tap including Allagash White and Monk's Sour Flemish Ale. The atmosphere is very warm with lots of dark wood and I'm sure it's a popular spot in the evening. The bartendress and I got into a conversation about UPenn undergrads trying to sneak in on the weekends and it seems they've got a pretty good system for keeping the wee ones out. Apparently, they've thwarted quite a few wily undergrads with fake ID's. I wouldn't say this place is mainly for UPenn students (whatever their age) but a place that's trying to provide more options for folks north of 40th street. It just so happens that many of those who live in that area are also students or employees of Penn (they are the largest employer in the city afterall). So pop by, grab a beer and a burger, and let the security staff take care of the interlopers.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:04:15" }, { "business_id": "u9XTeDl_If4U5Eixl6ys7g", "business_name": "The Foodery", "rating": 4, "text": "You'll need an adequate amount of time to spare if you're going to stop by The Foodery. I don't know how anyone could walk in and walk out in under 10 minutes. Half the fun is just looking at the labels of bottles from various breweries. I almost found myself choosing my beer based on which ones had the best labels. I've chosen books like that, and it never works out very well. I love any place that offers DIY 6-packs. I also love that their selection is pretty comprehensive, featuring some of the best beers that our city, country, and globe has to offer. The guys behind the counter were friendly and didn't look at me like some damsel in distress when I asked their advice on certain bottles. As previous reviews have stated, if you want to avoid sticker shock, look up the individual beer prices in the manifest or you might find yourself with a hefty bill. I spent $50 on 12 bottles (an assortment of Young's Chocolate Stout, Schneider Weiss, Allagash, Monk's, and Stoudt's). You're sure to be the hit of any party, especially if other people have brought anything closely resembling Bud Light. Me? I prefer to relax and have a night in with my special purchases and a friend or two. I was so enamored with the beer selection that I barely glanced at the rest of the store, so that's on my agenda for next time.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:24:05" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "So, I liked this place the first two or three times I went when I lived in NYC. However, the fourth and fifth times are not the charm, even when dining at the Philly location. I am constantly disappointed by how many of their offerings contain tree nuts. I know it's more or less my problem that I'm allergic to some of the tastiest nuts out there, but do they need to be in all things chocolate? I end up with only two or three choices of dessert because something or other always contains hazelnuts that cannot be left off the item. I also find that the portions are nowhere near comparable to the prices they charge. I'm not an individual who bases my like or dislike of an establishment solely on portion size, but I don't enjoy paying $20 for something I could have essentially made at home. I shared a chocolate fondue for two with a friend and I think there were exactly two of everything: two strawberries, two marshmallows, etc. The staff is friendly, but nothing to write home about as the place seems to hum like a well-oiled machine. Everything comes at a staccato-like pace if they are not super crowded: you are seated, your order is taken, your order arrives, you eat, plates are cleared, you pay, you leave. It's not a place where I feel I can linger a bit and savor the experience. The concept is great and the menu (at least with regards to dessert) has the potential to be quite delicious and satisfying, but I am always left feeling that something is missing, that something could be better.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:42:08" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been frequenting this shop - in person and online - for several years now. I don't even bother to buy spices or the like in the grocery store at this point. I really love this little shop. It is small and fragrant and filled with everything I need for canning/preserving to meatloaf-making to baking. They also have an online shop and will ship directly to you. I particularly love how they have different colors of jimmies/sprinkles separated by color into their own jars. Of course, you can get the rainbow blend, but there's something about seeing millions of neon pink jimmies that makes me smile. I think they've got a great selection of teas and coffees (flavored coffee as well!). You can also pick up little sachets for the loose tea here as well to avoid an extra errand. I usually pop in to refresh my stock of spices and meat seasonings. Try their mix for poultry to get your chicken out of a flavor rut. The shop is ideal for your bulk needs: flour, sugar, nuts, grains, etc. I find it to be better to come here for those items than to try to obtain them from Whole Foods where I'm likely to be charged more. The staff can be a bit aloof, but I've never had a bad experience. It is pretty obvious from the signage that you shouldn't attempt to bag your own purchases so, if you are reprimanded, you probably weren't paying attention. I really wouldn't want god-knows-how-many people reaching their hands into jars of spices all day long. It's also easier for the staff to eyeball an ounce of cloves than for me to do so. Be warned that they are also cash only. This shouldn't worry people too much, though, because their prices are excellent and a $20 should cover most of the damage.", "timestamp": "2010-02-10T03:03:56" }, { "business_id": "IkY2ticzHEn4QFn8hQLSWg", "business_name": "Geno's Steaks", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm not going to lay down esoteric comments about a cheesesteak since it's not a pretentious food. I'm a Philly native that had never had the Geno's experience. Shameful as it may be, I've finally joined the club. In short: Delicious, soft bread layered with thin slices of steak, whiz, and chopped onions. The perfect \"junk\" food for a cold Saturday. The line moved quickly and we managed to avoid getting yelled at by putting our order in correctly. I didn't think the fries were anything special - good, but I'd probably skip them next time. I was surprised at how much I like the mix of flavors considering whiz just seems disgusting on any other food. I can see why these steaks are the cuisine of choice for tipsy college kids.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:55:15" }, { "business_id": "S1FwTmCAwv5ulu5gToWi_w", "business_name": "RIM Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "After freezing to death eating our Geno's steaks, two friends and I popped in for some warming up. The volcano hot chocolate here is certainly worth the $6.00 - if not for the actual drink, then certainly for the process and display that goes into making one. A young man was playing La Vie en Rose on the piano in the back which made the place seem that much more romantic and charming. I could easily find myself here with a knitting project or book, sipping away on decadent espresso drinks. Strangely enough, the bathroom with its red light a pasted photos was a highlight. It's small and cozy - perfect for two or three, but no parties larger than that I would say.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:59:52" }, { "business_id": "1UNJeHTsS7WS9RxRzHw06g", "business_name": "Varga Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "After seeing the latest UPenn Mask and Wig production, I was so hopped up on good humor that I didn't want to end the evening by heading straight home. At first, we planned to go to Tria, but found ourselves face to face with Varga Bar after walking in the wrong direction from Quince Street. The place was crowded at 10:30pm, but not so much that you couldn't comfortably breathe. We put our name in for a table for 5 and passed time at the bar. I was impressed with their many beers on tap - Allagash, Victory, Rogue, Sly Fox, etc. They do offer a few specialty cocktails, but nothing overly fancy. The hostess was extremely pleasant and we were eventually seated moments before our appetizers arrived. I ordered the Kobe Beef Sliders which were delicious and the perfect portion for a late-night snack. They come topped with a delicious aioli that completely negates any need for ketchup or mustard. Their onion rings were crisp, yet tender and drizzled with a piquant dipping sauce. My friends tried the veggie burger and the chili-topped hotdog which they gave favorable reviews. We also shared some fries with the cheese sauce on the side and sans crab meat. The cheese dipping sauce was a great accompaniment the crisp, shoestring potatoes. Definitely a great little place for a light bite to eat. I wouldn't try to squeeze a party larger than 6 or so in here as space is tight. I would certainly recommend it for date night considering the low lighting and intimate tables for two.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T23:14:23" }, { "business_id": "DJujODX9OTMuveKxMEL0zg", "business_name": "Mask and Wig", "rating": 4, "text": "As a Penn grad student and child of a Penn Med professor, I have seen my fair share of Mask and Wig productions. However, when my parents dragged me as a teenager, the ribald humor was generally lost on my rather naive ears. I've come to love the Mask and Wig club for their witty, off-color productions featuring and all-male cast, crew, and band. I love the tradition of the club that dates back to the 1890's and don't mind joining with the \"rah, rah, Pennsyl-van-i-a\" at the end of each performance. The shows are wildly funny and entertaining for all - well, leave the wee ones at home - over the age of 16 or so. You'll enjoy yourself so much, you'll forget that you're seated on a folding chair. I am always impressed by the quality of the music and writing that these undergrads put into each spring show. The clubhouse is also a gem unto itself with original artwork by Maxfield Parrish. They even serve cocktails and beer in the grill room before and after the performances. The downside? Having to mingle with lots of Penn undergrads who come to support their friends. I say just suck it up and go anyway. It's maybe the best $25 you'll spend ($12 for current students).", "timestamp": "2010-02-14T19:24:25" }, { "business_id": "Yn6oUj778ETC5kYs7IPH0g", "business_name": "Tiffin Elkins Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Tiffin just opened up right down the road from my house and is in the same little complex as my gym so it seemed logical to pick up some takeout after an evening workout the other day. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, and Naan. It came with Basmati rice, chutney, and an accompanying sauce. I was a bit worried about the spice factor, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't need a fire extinguisher to eat my meal. My mom, who has a rather sensitive tongue, even got through her Chicken Korma without complaint. I imagine, if you prefer your food to be blacken your tongue that they would oblige. Both dishes were excellent - creamy, rich, not greasy. The rice was cooked to perfection and tastes wonderful with a bit of chutney stirred in. I didn't find the restaurant to resemble a fast food chain. I felt that the colors were appropriate for an Indian restaurant and the dim lighting enhanced the small BYOB. The furniture is modest, but I wouldn't describe it as cheap-looking. I appreciate that they didn't try to cram in as many tables and chairs as possible. Overall, I am pleased that Elkins Park actually has an eating establishment that might survive besides Marco Polo. If only they could give a face-lift to the rest of the shopping complex.", "timestamp": "2010-03-06T01:34:11" }, { "business_id": "pWzrmh1oiU9ngWXGHKnnwQ", "business_name": "Down Home Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "As a kid, we used to stop in here quite a bit after a tour through the Market, but it's just not the same 10-15 years later. My mom and I decided to grab some dinner here after a rather exhausting day at the Flower Show. We were seated right away which was nice considering that it was 6pm on a Friday night and the crowds from the Convention Center were massive. I ordered the BLT which was disappointing - too much lettuce and the wheat bread wasn't substantial enough to hold the thing together. Also, their \"cold sandwiches\" don't come with fries, so I ended up with a sad looking slice of cantaloupe instead. My mom's minestrone soup and grilled cheese with tomato looked much more appetizing. The fries that I ordered on the side weren't anything to write home about - skinny little things resembling the kind that McDonald's sells. For a place that claims to source all of their ingredients from the market, I really expected top notch, fresh food, even if it is a \"diner\".", "timestamp": "2010-03-07T16:46:48" }, { "business_id": "8Wq0LZSuHdPTlleQD5sU_w", "business_name": "The Bubble House", "rating": 1, "text": "This little place has the potential to be great. I'm actually a fan of their bubble teas - taro, in particular. The food isn't terrible either. I had a grilled portabella mushroom sandwich on foccacia with tomatoes and gouda with the side of sweet potato fries. $9 seemed a bit pricey for a one-mushroom sandwich, though, portabella or not. However, what really prevents me from giving The Bubble House more stars is the service - slow and uninspiring. The interior could also use a fresh coat of paint and the tables and floors could also stand to be refinished. There is just an overall grimy feeling to the restaurant that makes you wonder just how \"clean\" your food is. What really put me off was having to watch the guy who prepared the teas and manned the take-out counter sit outside and smoke three times in an hour whilst spitting here and there in plain view of the restaurant window. I do hope he washed his hands after each cigarette break, but I can't be too sure. I would probably skip this place in the future despite its proximity to campus.", "timestamp": "2010-03-11T02:18:03" }, { "business_id": "GsBDSxvX4VcvmdVODoJ_lQ", "business_name": "Primex Garden Center", "rating": 5, "text": "While, in the future, I'll probably try to avoid Primex on a Saturday afternoon, it's still my favorite garden supply spot. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about their products from plants to seeds to fertilizers and more. They even do soil testing to help you make the most of your lawn and/or garden. I feel that their prices are fair for a locally owned, family business and the new rewards program allows you to accrue monetary value towards future purchases. They hold double-point days throughout the season, too. On busy weekends this time of year, parking can be a hassle, so be patient. You can park right in front of the store, in their lot, on the side of the store, and back behind the warehouse as well. Now that planting season is in full swing, you can for flowers and other seedlings outside at the shed by the greenhouse. Just be sure to have a staff member write up your purchases first. For great soil, I recommend their Bumper Crop which gave me some impressive veggies last year. It retails for about $14 per 2 cubic feet. I'm also pleased that they offer planting potatoes, garlic, onions, and rhubarb - things you can't really grow from seed and are only offered early in the season. Their impressive selection of flower bulbs is also not to be missed! Be sure to pick up one of their great eco-friendly flower pots, too - they're recyclable!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:17:07" }, { "business_id": "MbKhuO-4uYPc0NRZDRWoew", "business_name": "MexiCali", "rating": 4, "text": "I've eaten at both the bricks and mortar shop and the lunch truck on 38th and Walnut. These are pretty much the only burritos I eat. Sure, Chipotle is just up the block, but why bother with those inflated prices? The quality of the Mexicali ingredients is superb - not once have I questioned whether my chicken was really chicken or dug in only to have gristle and fat meet my teeth. I've had consistently great experiences with the food here and find that both their meat and vegetarian options are equally delicious. Sometimes, a vegetarian options just means a weak assortment of peppers and onions or beans, but Mexicali provides a variety of options from tofu to plantains to sweet potato. Most options are around $4-5 for meat options and as low as around $2 for veggie options. Keep in mind these aren't skimpy portions either!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:22:17" }, { "business_id": "_tt4nysrN8JpzLLVXL-z5A", "business_name": "Creperie Beau Monde & L'Etage", "rating": 4, "text": "Love this place! I have never had a bad meal here. Tonight, a friend and I dined al fresco. Amanda, our server, was lovely - friendly and attentive, but not overbearing and very knowledgeable about the menu. We enjoyed the special soup of the day, a creamy artichoke with chipotle that was warm, smoky, and rich. We also had the special sweet crepe of the day which was delicious - sweet potatoes poached in coconut milk and pureed, accompanied by caramel sauce, toasted pecans, and vanilla gelato. Per usual, my savory entree crepe was generously portioned and full of fresh ham, cheddar, and broccoli. I thoroughly enjoyed their appetizer salad of house greens with a mustard vinaigrette - pleasingly tangy with a hint of bite. Beau Monde is one of my favorite places to end a spring afternoon with a good friend.", "timestamp": "2010-04-23T02:01:48" }, { "business_id": "zuNEmJXTIAMRwRY5v-oSCg", "business_name": "L'etage", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited L'Etage last night for an event. The space is cozy with fabric covered walls and dark, leather furniture. Given a large crowd, though, this performance space could get uncomfortable quite quickly. I honestly didn't find the staff to be that welcoming or friendly and the table service during the performance was distracting because it's hard to avoid walking in front of the stage. Also, $7 for gin and tonic? Really? I'll just bring a thermos next time. I'm interested to check out the story slams here, though I don't think they could even hold a candle to The Moth's productions.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:17:10" }, { "business_id": "K9cn-DrPEEXse1s1n-6mMw", "business_name": "Bridget Foy's", "rating": 3, "text": "Following a performance at L'Etage, my friends and I were famished. And, after 2 drinks on an empty stomach, I was feeling tipsy as well. South Street was mobbed on this Friday night, but we were seated immediately on B. Foy's outdoor patio which provided the perfect perch for observing a plethora of police officers canvassing the area status post the flash mob fiasco. I don't think I've seen so many brothers in blue since the Rodney King videos. Given the number of teenage twerps out and about, I was glad to have the extra security. But I digress... B. Foy's hit the spot but their food isn't exactly inspiring. I ordered a Walt Whit and the crispy chicken sandwich. I swapped the pepperjack for cheddar and got exactly what I ordered. I would have preferred a bit more avocado and less chipotle mayo as the sandwich was more spicy that I like. The bun was flaky, soft, and big enough to hold everything together. I felt the chicken was a bit overdone, but still good. The fries were average and lacked sufficient seasoning. The prices were more than reasonable, though, and three of us ate for $50, drinks included. This location is definitely a plus if you're doing the tourist thing with friends or family and need a place to please most palates. Just don't expect too much.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:26:03" }, { "business_id": "7WWLPXpOjrh_1EvjFuw3hQ", "business_name": "The Drake Tavern", "rating": 1, "text": "I really want to like this place because it's a short drive from my door, but I really just can't get behind it. First of all, I generally find the crowd to be an obnoxious mix of middle-aged folks trying to forget the work week and early twenty-somethings looking to get obliterated. The music is always too loud and seems to be piped straight from 104.5. The beer is nothing to write home about and they only get as adventurous as Magic Hat it seems. Who wouldn't, though, when most of your crowd is content with Budweiser and Coors? We're not exactly dealing with sophisticated palates. I have never found the service to be stellar and I could really do without young women prancing around in low-cut, tight t-shirts as if Hooters has come to town. And then there is the food... They do a decent job with their burgers, but it pretty much ends there. If you're going to attempt things like crab quesdillas, at least know what you're doing and use real crab meat. Most everything on the menu involves something fried. The food is bland and lacks creativity just like the rest of this place.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:34:13" }, { "business_id": "AERr7jPbAZmShrwfKzUqfA", "business_name": "Big Blue Marble Bookstore", "rating": 5, "text": "Yep, I still really love this place. As other reviews mention, you may be out of luck if you're pining after a certain book as there is no way this little shop can hold it all, but you can place an order for no extra charge and have your goods within the week. Big Blue Marble goes for quality, not quantity in my opinion and offers sophisticated, yet good reads that cater to the interests of their community. On my most recent trip, they had lots for the backyard gardener and most of the popular new releases that the big box stores have on their shelves. The book I really wanted was sold out, but I placed an order on Wednesday and had the book in my hands on Saturday. I love that they carry a good selection of Nikki McClure's cards and journals as well as items by Little Otsu. It's not as close as Barnes and Noble for me, but I still prefer to give my patronage to this Mt. Airy gem.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:39:14" }, { "business_id": "fOhnSqmO4XY5vSI8whVKSA", "business_name": "Farmicia", "rating": 4, "text": "Certainly one of the best brunches I've had in a while. I had made a reservation in light of the potential craziness from the Broadstreet Run earlier in the day. A wise move, indeed. I had time to kill before my tablemate arrived and enjoyed their happy hour cocktail prices and an assortment of fresh fruit. I thought the apple centerpieces were a rather whimsical touch. I ordered the Brunch Sandwich was the perfect union of fried egg, Amish cheese, and country toast. It was accompanied by more fresh fruit and I think I nearly hit my 5 servings for the day! The eggs were cooked as I like them - not too runny, but not hard either, just enough so that you don't end up covered in yolk. The fruit was certainly fresh which is not always the case when ordering such at an establishment. Strawberries, raspberries, and grapes - all ripe and delicious. I will certainly return in the future as their menu has many tempting offerings and who can resist half price drinks on a Sunday?", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:48:38" }, { "business_id": "V7KWP_nQkpSxR3t7bEqrMw", "business_name": "Bartram's Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "If you don't know that this place exists, shame on you! This charming 18th century historic site and it's gardens offer much needed respite from the hectic pace of modern life. Just get over the discomfort of having to drive through less-than-appealing blocks of West Philadelphia. Really folks, it's not like you're going to get caught in a drive-by. The winding drive takes you off the beaten path and away from bustling city streets to what can really be described as a botanical oasis. The place was virtually deserted on this sunny Tuesday afternoon as guided tours only take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, it was nice to be left alone to explore and enjoy the rows of vegetables peeking out from the soil and the variety of flowers and trees. There are placards interspersed throughout to explain the history and heritage of the Bartram family and the grounds. If only the rest of West Philadelphia had been so well-preserved! We took one of the paths down toward the river and found ourselves tip-toeing on rocks to save a floundering fish and picking buttercups in the adjoining meadow. It's lovely to view the steely-grey of the Philadelphia skyline from this idyllic spot. I'd certainly return for a tour and will keep an eye out for their events. Conveniently, they are open everyday 10a-5p (except holidays) and admission is free, unless you plan to take a tour. Another bonus? They do their own plant and seed sale!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:59:28" }, { "business_id": "qQO7ErS_RAN4Vs1uX0L55Q", "business_name": "The Franklin Fountain", "rating": 4, "text": "Yep, still awesome. Their butter pecan really tastes like there is a stick of butter in the ice cream. I love their waffle cones, which are substantial, keep your ice cream off of your hands, and provide just enough satisfying crunch!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:02:45" }, { "business_id": "RUWCx8WPhq4JwQjv_eGZ8g", "business_name": "Velvet Sky Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I love cake. It's a problem. Luckily, I don't pass by this little bakery too often. Their red velvet made my week. My only complaint? A little less icing perhaps. Sometimes my teeth veritably ache after one of these little beauties.", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:11:07" }, { "business_id": "a9tI3YQyIXHqt0c1AxaSbA", "business_name": "Valley Green Inn", "rating": 4, "text": "Even though this historic venue could use some sprucing up (fresh paint, etc), it's still one of my favorite places in the world and it's slightly rustic feel is all part of the charm. I know that seems like an exaggeration, but I've been going to the Valley Green Inn since my little legs could pedal a bike to get there. As a family, we always biked the trail instead of driving in. The food is still delicious, especially their yam fries. My roast turkey breast sandwich with applewood smoked bacon was one of the best lunches I'd had in a while. The bread, especially, was delicious and certainly held up against a slathering of mayo. I really detest wimpy bread. This is a place that feels upscale but is down to earth and equally wonderful whether you want brunch, lunch, or dinner. Bring the family or someone special, either way, you're sure to enjoy yourself.", "timestamp": "2010-06-04T20:06:34" }, { "business_id": "X_OnAUXVGHjyWP9zoPVLTA", "business_name": "Megabus", "rating": 3, "text": "Thus far, I've only ridden Megabus once so I am holding out on giving it more stars until I have other experiences to compare to this one. I had no problems with my trip to and from NYC. Our bus left on time and even arrived in NYC a little early. The ride was comfortable enough - the seats could have been a bit roomier and the frigid air conditioning was refreshing at first, but not so much 30 minutes into the ride. The driver and employees were courteous at both ends of the trip and I had no issues with luggage. I really had no use for the wi-fi or the outlets, so I can't comment on those, but others on the ride seemed to have no trouble accomplishing various tasks on their laptops or charging their phones enough to scream into them the entire ride. The most annoying aspect was actually due to a couple riding in front of my friend and I who refused to stop groping each other. My first choice for travel would be Amtrak, but for $12, I think I got what I expected - average service.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:06:53" }, { "business_id": "eXKblEHP3YJYU1Awz08hVw", "business_name": "Tacos Don Memo", "rating": 4, "text": "Well, I'll never eat at MexiPhilly again, that's for dang sure! My al pastor burrito more than made up for my terrible lunch date. I ended up making lunch AND dinner out of my burrito which was crammed with savory black beans, fluffy rice, avocado, lettuce, tomato and, of course, pork. I don't even really like pork! Just ask my mom about the faces I make if she makes pork chops. It's ugly. My lunch \"date\" had talked up the al pastor so much, though, that I took the plunge. A few things to know before you go: - the wait can be lengthy so you might want to bring a folding chair - it ain't as cheap as some other carts The ingredients are really fresh and there is a whole lot of effort that goes into the preparation of your order. I don't know how they got everything in my burrito, but it stayed together down to the last bite. The owner even has a bricks and mortar shop up near the 69th street terminal and will bring in specials from the restaurant on occasion.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:31:15" }, { "business_id": "-b8iNhBez0hRu478nIDhyg", "business_name": "Swift Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Gastropubs are taking over the world! Or at least Northern Liberties. This was my first trip to Swift Half and the Piazza, for that matter. I've lived in the Philadelphia area just about all my life and still find it a little weird that someone thought to plunk down this Piazza thing in Northern Liberties. Does someone want to tell me where all the regular folks are going to live once we've gentrified this entire city? But I digress... I appreciate what Swift Half is aiming for - a fresh, unique, delicious menu. However, I agree with Anthony S. in that they miss the mark with their \"go big or go home\" attitude. I was pretty excited about my B.E.L.T. (bacon, egg, lettuce, and tomato) sandwich because I adore breakfast for dinner. I felt the egg was overcooked, the bacon lacked the thick texture I was expecting, and the mayo was straight up out of the Hellman's mayo jar I presume. The bread was very good, but could have used toasting to give it some oomph. I thought the fries were delicious, though. Overall, I kind of felt that their menu was all over the place: mussels, fish and chips, burgers. Too many unrelated choices in my opinion. I really enjoyed my Georgia Kiss cocktail (gin, peach schnapps, soda water, and lime) and thought that was a pretty original drink. They also have a great selection of beers which do not disappoint. I liked the atmosphere. It was a bit noisy due to all of the people out on a Friday night at 9pm, but the large open space lends itself well to coming with a group. The outdoor patio on the Piazza is also a definitive plus. I look forward to trying Swift Half again and hope they \"grow into\" their grown up menu. Just do simple food well, guys. Don't prissy it up for the No Libs hipster crowd. When I go to a pub, I want hearty food that will compliment my beer selection and leave me feeling satisfied.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:27:13" }, { "business_id": "qAjsqPKJwcWX97_EBHwfjw", "business_name": "Rosie's Yarn Cellar", "rating": 5, "text": "You know, Rosie's has really grown on me as I've delved deeper and deeper into this knitting....hobby. Well, let's call it what it really is, shall we? It's a full blown obsession for me at this point. I like that Rosie's has a nice mix of the luxe and the everyman's fiber. You've got your Swan Lake fingering, your Manos, your Cascade 220 - something for every taste and budget. Oh how I love their lush selection of Manos in all its myriad colors. I love that I can still get plenty of Rowan and Koigu here, too. Yes, the shop is still tiny, but that's part of the charm and I take my yarn home to wind rather that risk whacking someone with the swift. Rosie's is one of those neighborhood places where you have to go a few times to sort of feel like you belong. I like the staff and have never had a problem. If you're feeling neglected, speak up! If I'm new to a particular shop, I sometimes feel awkward and out of place. Knitting is such a community thing these days and shops have fiercely loyal clientele, so just give it some time if you're a newbie. Rosie's will certainly welcome you in if you leave your attitude outside.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:36:31" }, { "business_id": "LklDTDwgJLbUjd67ZKsvCg", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Square Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Who doesn't love sunshine and grass?! I love sunshine and grass and knitting or reading on a lovely afternoon. I don't love the tiny, yapping dogs or women in skimpy bikinis, or the couples who obviously need to get a room. Rittenhouse Square Park is a place where some people obviously come to see and be seen as if they're dining at the Ivy on an episode of The Hills. So...these 4 stars are really for awesome things like the free Saturday yoga classes and the Saturday farmers market where I score delicious local eats like yellow carrots, chioggia beets, brightly colored zinnias, and 3 different kinds of plums. These 4 stars are also for those early spring days where hope springs eternal after a winter of drudgery and snow. They are also for those great first date strolls, laughing with your best friends, or sneaking some solitude. For all those things, it really is a 5 star kinda place.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:45:05" }, { "business_id": "EpFFiPHKx9yP-WqOCuxRCw", "business_name": "Mayfair Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I have a hard time believing this place ever got \"Best of Philly\" even if it was in 2002. But, after a long morning doing health education down the road at CFCF at the Philadelphia Prison System, you'd need a milkshake and french toast, too. The milkshake was probably the best part even if it was a little on the small side. What happened to the days when you got the silver cup on the side with the leftover shake!? My french toast was good because I was hungry and in a crappy mood, but nothing to write home about. The service was all NE Philly (\"What'll youse be havin'?), accent included. Essentially the clientele here is 65 and over and they're probably eating soup when it's 95 degrees outside. Are there any great Philly diners left?", "timestamp": "2010-08-04T00:46:55" }, { "business_id": "A7z2nV4JUlmwBbQx3ge2rw", "business_name": "Dujour", "rating": 5, "text": "Du Jour features a great lunch menu and today was no exception. In the summer, I particularly enjoy their freshly made Gazpacho soup. It can be really hard to find a great Gazpacho that isn't overly spicy, not too chunky, not too heavy on vegetables that shouldn't be in there in the first place (like carrots), and doesn't separate quickly. Unless I make it myself, the only Gazpacho I'll eat is from Du Jour. It is smooth and well blended with plenty of tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumber. It has a refreshing, crisp tang provided by the vinegar. I followed up with their low-fat tuna sandwich on multigrain bread with lettuce and tomato and a side salad. I think they make a great tuna sandwich - it's not dry and comes on hearty bread with a thick slice of tomato and crisp lettuce. It is also features a pretty substantial helping of tuna which kept me energized through 4 hours of poolside lounging later in the afternoon. The absolute best part was the kind gesture we received from the chef, Mike. A professional photographer was in the restaurant shooting photographs of various plates from the new menu. When the chef brought out a large slice of blueberry pie accompanied by a generous helping of gelato I was done for. After the photographer had finished her shots of the pie, I jokingly called to the chef to ask if I could have it. To my surprise he turned around and said \"sure!\" since it was going to go to waste anyway. He was really very kind and seemed happy to let three of us in on this delicious new menu item. Made with local blueberries, the pie was delicious and full of sweet summer flavor. The cinnamon gelato was a perfect creamy partner to the butter in the crust and the sweet-tart of the fruit. I'm pretty sure the huge slice and scoop we had were not the usual serving size, though! Once again a delicious lunch with exceptional service.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T01:56:05" }, { "business_id": "IvMEGUlmbDZVzftmRCLdDg", "business_name": "Margaret Kuo's Wayne", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't love Chinese food, but aside from Cin Cin in Chestnut Hill, Margaret Kuo's is much more palatable than other establishments I've visited. I like the portion sizes here because they are enough for one person, possibly two if you plan to share more than one dish or order appetizers. The menu tends to feature more than your average take out spot and I find the fare to be less greasy and salty. I particularly like the Chicken with Shitake Mushrooms which is not slathered in brown sauce as it might be elsewhere. It is a healthy portion of chicken, snow peas, and mushrooms that I like to mix with brown rice. I was left satisfied but not stuffed to the gills. I am always a little confused when ethnic restaurants start crossing cultural borders and am not sure why they feel the need to offer sushi as well. I've never tried their sushi offerings and cannot speak to its quality, but I feel that you should probably just stick with what you know. Beware that a lot of families tend to pack her restaurant on a weekend evening so you will most likely be contending with the shrill voices of wee ones. If you're looking for a more intimate setting, I might dine later in the evening to avoid the Sesame Street crowd.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T02:03:11" }, { "business_id": "kK1re49IK3jmCYTL6B6_lw", "business_name": "Trolley Car Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure how it took me so long to visit this place. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner and found it to be a much better experience than some other diners I've experienced as of late. They have an impressive offering of beers and you can make your own six-pack without hiking down to the Foodery and paying an arm and a leg. Their menu is extensive and they serve breakfast all day. Their portions are hearty and they make their own kettle chips. I don't have kids, but this place would satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Their milkshakes are also pretty great. You even get the extra in the metal mixing cup. There's just something about getting a huge helping of ice cream that makes my day. Keep in mind that this place can get busy and that there will probably be a munchkin or two who is in a bad mood. I find the staff to be very friendly and attentive even when they're running between multiple tables. This is also a good place for groups as their large booths can accommodate three people on each side. I think this may be my new favorite, local spot for a satisfying meal, good beer, and reasonable prices.", "timestamp": "2010-09-18T22:53:00" }, { "business_id": "U9gATBSpddPuqZdfhYOaUQ", "business_name": "Clark Park Farmers' Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoy the cultural milieu one can find at any given local farmers' market. You can walk through an epic, medieval battle of capture-the-flag in the park and find yourself face to face with all sorts of interesting folks and vegetables, too. I always find unique varietals here that add flair to even the most familiar dishes in my culinary repertoire. On my last visit, I picked up a delicious sugar baby melon - the baby cousin to the watermelon - that was filled with sweet, juicy flesh. I also love going towards the end of the market and scoring handfuls of plump, fragrant zinnias at half price from the Amish growers. The blooms are as bright as the sun and are sure to make any gal swoon. You can also find some great local, grass-fed meat, cheese, yogurt, and milk if you're not into the conventional, homogenized varieties at the grocery store. Go, if not for the good, for the atmosphere. You'll also get to avoid the ritzy crowd that frequents the Rittenhouse Market, making food shopping seem like high art for the privileged classes.", "timestamp": "2010-09-20T01:53:11" }, { "business_id": "aF7RIFJwdjv21eVYgMqJFw", "business_name": "Rosey's BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "Rosey's has moved into the location formerly inhabited by Abner's. I am sure that some people are perturbed by this but, rest assured, Rosey's did not put Abner's out of business. Considering the lack of quality restaurant food in Jenkintown and the fact that they are flanked by IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, and Chilis, I didn't expect too much from Rosey's. I was pleasantly pleased with their menu and food, though, and have been back twice since my initial visit. I really like their brisket sandwich which comes chopped on a kaiser role. I ordered the coleslaw and sauce on the side to cut down on the mess. The brisket was smoked to perfect and extremely tender. Their house-made BBQ sauce is a perfect compliment to any of their meats and isn't as tomato-based as some other establishments. The sauce has just the right amount of tang and spice. I really enjoyed their greens, which are tender and well seasoned without being overly peppery. They cook their greens with turkey which is a good substitute for the ham hocks I might use if I made my own. The owner commented that given the Jewish population in the area he felt it was better for sales to keep the greens pork free. Smart move, I think. The mashed sweet potatoes are also delicious and could almost double as dessert. Don't forget a glass of their house-made sweet tea - just enough sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth but still provide actual refreshment. My absolute favorite item on the Rosey's menu? The banana pudding. It's almost as good as my auntie's and chock full of vanilla wafers and actual banana. Rosey's isn't pretentious and is certainly closer than Smokin' Betty's and Percy Street - places that serve decidedly different styles of BBQ.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:38:10" }, { "business_id": "ZKPrXH_GNW_AtZ31tP3NmA", "business_name": "White Dog Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been coming to the White Dog since I was a wee one. I completely disagree with the review by Ed M. and wonder why he insists on frequenting the restaurant if he clearly doesn't enjoy the food. That's another story for another time, though... I enjoy the restaurant and the events that they hold. I've had two impressive meals in conjunction with community events - one a book reading with a sumptuous steak dinner; the other, a trolley car mural tour with continental breakfast and sit-down lunch. Sometimes, I will pop in and treat myself to lunch after a day of classes. The best meals I've had here have been shared with family and friends, though, and are often celebrations of something great that has just occurred. I greatly appreciate and admire how the White Dog works so diligently to provide fresh, local, seasonal, and organic ingredients on a regular basis. They even have their own bottled sparkling water! Some restaurants claim that their menus are local or organic, but it's such a small percentage of the items, that you might as well not bother mentioning it at all. I also find it admirable that WDC finds it important to connect with their customers and their community through regular events, educational opportunities, etc. I've never had a bad meal here and, for the most part, the staff provides a very enjoyable experience. I particularly like their soups and use of seasonal vegetables. I can always count on them to have vegan/vegetarian menu options which means I can come here with all of my friends. Penn students clogging the bar or not, cranky reviews by others or not, I will still consider this one of my favorite places in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:50:23" }, { "business_id": "2BRbu3cBbH2bCgzN3DVc8w", "business_name": "Table 31", "rating": 2, "text": "Considering Table 31's atmosphere, I was expecting to be much more impressed by the actual service, drink menu, and food. Is there some rule of the universe where the effort and expense put into the decor is inversely proportional to the quality of the food and service? I found the staff to be rigid and off-putting, as if I clearly wasn't cool enough to be drinking in their establishment. Their cocktail menu was very expensive and heavy on the martinis. An homage to Sex and the City maybe? Their bar food also seemed much too over the top and expensive - seafood, pizza, and meatballs? What about a shrimp cocktail or salad or canapes. Something other than $50 of mollusks, please! Our little party ended up getting a cheese plate which was tasty but not satisfying and didn't come with nearly enough bread. The bread that did come was accompanied by this odd looking dipping mixture that was pure oil with red sediment at the bottom. No amount of stirring seemed to get it to mix and I wasn't sure if I should try to eat it or just play with it. Overall, Table 31 just tries too hard without actually accomplishing anything. I felt uncomfortable and unsatisfied. I'd only recommend it if you wanted to swig a whiskey in a dark suit and imagine that you're Don Draper for half a minute. Then get the heck outta there and pick up a bottle of something better on your way home.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T02:01:30" }, { "business_id": "N3CuXqWoFpBtYMBGhBE2fA", "business_name": "Milk & Honey Market", "rating": 2, "text": "Is it just me or are sandwiches in Philadelphia becoming ridiculously expensive. $8 for an \"Italian Hoagie\" - I hope the meats were just off the boat from Italy! I met a friend here for lunch a while back as we both hadn't visited this new addition to the West Philadelphia community. I was disappointed with their selection of items. Given the lack of grocery stores in the area, it would be nice to have a little marketplace where one could actually accomplish a complete shopping trip. Instead, M&H provides alot of specialty and gourmet items that I wouldn't necessarily require on a weekly basis. Their produce and dairy is pretty limited. They do, of course, have quite the honey selection. I enjoy honey just as much as the next gal, but it doesn't exactly qualify as anything remotely close to a meal. My Italian hoagie wasn't as good as I had anticipated owing to the fact that the bread was pretty stiff and I had a hard time sinking my teeth into it. Perhaps this was because it had been sitting, pre-made, in the deli case for lord knows how long. The sandwich lacked filling and I think I got more arugula than anything else. The market was also out of a ridiculous number of menu items which left my friend and I with about 3 choices on a Monday afternoon. I also didn't feel that the employees were very friendly. I felt largely ignored for the most part, like I was intruding on something. What happened to \"Hi, how may I help you?\". Hopefully, as the market settles into the community, they will continue to improve, but I don't think I'll make them a frequent stop.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T19:50:28" }, { "business_id": "9Pvwx_IfQgQL4ykmlGV6yA", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "I don't love Chinese food and P.F. Chang's occasionally reminds me why. I've been to 3 of their locations and have never had a stellar experience at any of them. I am pleased, though, that there are buildings occupying the property in Plymouth Meeting other than that pitiful structure they call a mall. We dined relatively early when the restaurant was barely full but I felt rushed by our server. He also completely glossed over any explanation of what the sauces were that they provide. I ordered the chow fun noodles with chicken and was disappointed to see that that was the extend of the meal: chow fun noodles, chicken, and scallion slices. Would the addition of some other vegetables be inappropriate? It irks me that one has to order most of their dish via the appetizer and side dish section if you want to create something well-rounded. I found the noodles to be rather lackluster in flavor and largely dominated by the long scallion stalks that I had to pick out of my bowl. The outdoor patio is a nice addition, though, for warm-weather dining. I doubt I will rush back here unless accompanied by someone delirious for their food.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:10:55" }, { "business_id": "lpDOqBhkJlxACzKQGAj_uA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm not going to lie, I really enjoy shopping at Whole Foods. Prices and hipster foodies be damned. As far as WFM's go, though, this is not my favorite location. The store feels crowded and the layout doesn't allow for fluid movement from one department to the next. I think this is because the baked goods, salad bar, and hot foods bar are smack in the middle of the store. The aisles also seem rather cramped and difficult to navigate with a cart. The staff are still friendly folks, but the other customers always seem agitated when I am there. Maybe grocery shopping in the city is just more stressful? I'll stick to the stores in the 'burbs where there is more room to maneuver.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:14:32" }, { "business_id": "1tkXPP1K1jBIgIthy6idwQ", "business_name": "Burholme Park Golf Center", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! What has happened to this place since my childhood? I actually went here for a date recently and it's not something I would ever repeat. Unfortunately, I wouldn't repeat the date with the same guy anywhere else, but that's another story. When I was little, Burholme was THE place to have your summer birthday party, complete with mini golf, hot dogs, and ice cream. Now it just seems a rather sad shell of itself. The pro shop was dark and looked fairly disorganized as if people just dropped things and left. The snack stand was pitiful and appeared to need a thorough cleaning. There was really no menu to speak of as they apparently don't sell much unless it's summertime. The girls behind the counter were more interested in a laptop than customers and provided us with some rather tired looking bats. There were only three open batting cages and the rest were locked. The equipment seemed to need replacing and malfunctioned. It was difficult to even tell when the machines were on and I lost a few swings because I didn't know that I was still \"up\". It might be the guy, it might be Burlhome, but I probably won't be revisiting this golf center ever again. Too many painful memories ::sniff::", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:21:12" }, { "business_id": "SGi8AJhR8iS-LsQwcMOAVA", "business_name": "Eulogy Belgian Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "3 stars for the beer selection which just can't be beat. Unfortunately, I'm inclined to only assign 2 stars to the food. Being that this establishment is in Old City, I should have contemplated how tiny it might be. At 10pm on a Saturday night, the bar was pretty darn crowded and as hot and humid as a gym locker room with all of the bodies and winter coats jammed inside. We were able to get a table upstairs, but the close proximity of other patrons made me feel a bit claustrophobic. I was glad to get a taste of the Troeg's Mad Elf as it's a seasonal beer not easily found in this land of state stores and beer distributors. At about 10% abv, one brimming goblet was enough to thoroughly wet my whistle. One of my friends, didn't have such great luck with his selection as each beverage he chose seemed to be unavailable. Eventually, our server asked him to choose anything on the menu on the house which was definitely a sign of superb service. I was disappointed with the Belgian fries we ordered as they seemed overdone and too thickly cut. The dipping sauce didn't light my fire either. Perhaps my expectations are too high after years of consuming the potatoes from Pomme Frites in NYC? I'll be sure to give them another try at a later date and hope for a better outcome. I don't know if this place is never not packed, but I'll attempt to give it another go at a time when it might be less crowded and I can get a seat at the bar.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:49:12" }, { "business_id": "Ukkr1N8UApmJsOzbX4XnRA", "business_name": "The Green Line Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to love The Green Line, but it hasn't won me over yet. I never get a warm-fuzzy vibe from the staff. It's as if people can tell that I'm not vegetarian or vegan and that I drive a car! Furthermore, I always seem to get stuck sitting outside amidst a cluster of chain smokers. Also, the fact that they only take cash is kind of irritating in this modern era of debit/credit cards, especially when coffee can run you upwards of $5 depending on the menu item. Brownie points for the fact that they do serve fair trade coffee.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:54:20" }, { "business_id": "qlt0aeVnh4B3X5mUeEUtnQ", "business_name": "Regal Warrington Crossing ScreenX, 4DX, IMAX & RPX", "rating": 3, "text": "I wish I lived close enough to Center City to do most of my movie viewing at the Ritz but, alas, we suburban folks have to trek to the Regal which might as well be it's own small metropolis. I like that this venue has 22 screens which means there will most likely be at least one movie that everyone in your group can agree on. This also means that they can show very popular movies on more than one screen, thus lessening the possibility of sold out shows. I enjoy the stadium seating and relatively roomy chairs that recline just enough to be relaxing without allowing the person in front of you to end up in your lap. I usually skip the concession stand unless I really want to part with $20. Honestly, with the purse I carry, it's easy enough to smuggle in my own Junior Mints and my Klean Kanteen water bottle. The concession line is also usually infuriatingly slow because the teenage cashiers seem to find it a prime time to flirt with one another as they sling jumbo sodas and buckets of popcorn towards beleaguered parents. I know the price of movies these days is a major bone of contention with most folks, but it's not like it's a secret or anything. You can always count on dropping at least $10 per ticket (more if you're going to pre-order via Fandango or something) and another $20 for snacks. I recommend the matinees, taking advantage of the Regal card, utilizing student ID's, or just investing in Netflix if the cost is a major hardship. A major bonus is the fact that they also screen operas via simulcast from the Met. All the glory of Don Giovanni without the cost and hassle of going to NYC.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:04:21" }, { "business_id": "vy0IlrE3Zl44HwxbsZhh2g", "business_name": "Ritz East", "rating": 4, "text": "Somehow I always get myself lost trying to find the Ritz East vs the Ritz, but I always leave pleased. This is where I come a) to see movies that don't make it to the large, mega theaters and b) to see grown up flicks that don't involve texting teenagers or whining toddlers in the audience. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance as a number of shows I have seen here have sold out rather quickly. The tickets for both the 8p and 10p shows of Black Swan on a Saturday night were gone within minutes which resulted in many boyfriends receiving rather pouty faces from their significant others! The prices are reasonable and relatively comparable to the rest of the city/suburbs. I always skip the snacks in favor of visiting a favorite, local restaurant instead. They do have better fare than your average theater, though. Who doesn't love Pocky!? While it probably sucks to get caught in this predicament, it is kind of nice that they prohibit folks from entering the theater 15 minutes after the main event has begun. There is nothing worse than being stepped upon after you've gotten all settled and into the rhythm of the story. The seats are large and I'm always comfortable even when the place is packed. The best part is that you're probably not likely to find yourself in danger of being shot while any of the Ritz theaters. I wish I could say the same for the Riverview or Bridge cinemas!", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:13:32" }, { "business_id": "EAtdpksdWfWAaqh3XdnNNg", "business_name": "Essene Market & Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I always enjoy a trip to the Essene market which is almost always a must if I am getting a haircut next door at JuJu Salon. I like that they carry a variety of eco-friendly containers and utensils for toting my lunch to work. I really can't say enough good things about the LunchBots products. They've got a great variety of fresh produce and an impressive bulk section for nuts, grains, and flours. Their stock of cereals, pastas, juices, and frozen items is likely to have the unique items your Veganomicon recipe is calling for. They also have items that more conventional folks enjoy as well in case you're not into spelt or teff flour. It would be fairly expensive to do your regular shopping here unless you are some sort of super-vegan or have very stringent dietary requirements. I'd recommend using them for the specialty items you may need in smaller quantities. I have mixed feelings about their prepared foods bar as it just seems utterly overpriced to me. I lunched at Essene with two friends the other day and my plate of various incarnations of tofu and seitan came to over $13.00. I had to wonder if they were actually counting the glass plate as a part of the meal! I know fresh produce has gone up a bit in price (and they do use quality ingredients), but lunch over $10 for a plate that wasn't exactly loaded with heaping helpings was a surprise. Oh, and if you'd like chopsticks - those are an extra 80 cents or so. I'd recommend just using the silverware. For free.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:17:08" }, { "business_id": "xCXGV3wEvYd4xBGx8ZRFQA", "business_name": "La Va Cafe", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! I don't know what happened this evening when I popped in to grab a warm beverage before my quilting class, but I experienced one of the worst lattes this evening. It was grainy. As in, full of sediment. I'm no coffee expert, but I believe sediment is not a common ingredient in a vanilla latte. I was very disappointed. If I had had more time, I would have taken it back for a re-do. I actually cleansed my palate at Starbucks later in the evening. Here's to hoping that the next visit is better.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:21:00" }, { "business_id": "ExfSwwCB1zQ6ZGd_UQ4wYQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "I kind of loathe reviews of chains, but I feel obligated to make a comment seeing as I \"checked in\" at this particular location. Darn you Yelp iPhone app! I pretty much feel \"a-ok\" about all Starbucks regardless of location. Their beverages don't send me into a transcendent state, but they do warm me up and make me feel like I'm giving myself a little treat. It's especially nice when I remember that I have money on my little key fob thing and can rack up those little stars towards nifty rewards. Who doesn't like a freebie drink on their birthday? The staff here was friendly. They made my drink correctly. That pretty much sums it up.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:24:08" }, { "business_id": "gcjziNbsRYMfdcbOuCCufw", "business_name": "Rx Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Headed to Rx the other weekend with a couple of pals for a bit of Sunday brunch. I was much happier with my menu choice on this trip as the mushroom and spinach omelet was so tasty that I ran out to grab a stash of ingredients to repeat the whole thing at home the following week. The oyster mushrooms were a unique way to spice up a traditional omelet where most places would just use conventional, button 'shrooms. The spinach was tender and not the least bitter from overcooking. They used just the right amount of eggs as well - I'm guessing 3 as opposed to IHOP's whopping 6. I just wish it had come with a side of something - potatoes, fruit salad, regular salad...as my plate seemed kind of empty. I would have liked to see some new menu additions since my last review in the Fall. Maybe I missed them? Maybe I forgot what was even on the menu last time. It's possible. I do know that they still have the tofu stir fry and the corn flake-crusted french toast. Given their limited menu, I think that they could really do a lot with seasonal items and unique flavors. I still enjoy the coffee which they keep coming at regular intervals. If you're feeling high class, order a mimosa and sip into the afternoon. For the price, Rx still beats cereal and milk at home.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T03:08:30" }, { "business_id": "lOOePsuwr75TCvIhV1Am1A", "business_name": "The Daily Grind Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "It's become obvious to me that I am terrible at studying at home. I always manage to find 900 other things to do - cleaning, returning emails, obsessively checking Facebook. Today, I left the house in search of a study location. Sure, there is the local library, but they don't have food and beverages to keep my brain humming. My first thought - Barnes and Noble - was a very poor choice. Their cafe is cramped and uncomfortable and, today, featured an obnoxious, screaming child. I gave a thought to Starbucks but hate the idea of shelling out extra cash for the wi-fi, and the parking situation for the Jenkintown location is abominable. Then I remembered The Daily Grind! Close to my home, good coffee, Mighty Leaf Teas, punch card incentive, free wi-fi access, and actual food. The Daily Grind was a good choice indeed. The staff are very friendly and you don't have to know coffee lingo to get exactly what you're craving; they'll help you customize your drink. Because they are inside the Pavilion, there is no cold draft to interrupt me every time someone breezes in the door. People come and people go, but it's surprisingly quiet and I didn't have to compete with anyone for a table and an outlet. They now offer quite a menu if you've got the tummy-rumblies: brisket sandwiches that feature meat from Rosey's BBQ down the road, soups (get there early, though, because they sold out today!), salads, sandwiches (pressed or not), and personal-sized pizzas. Their drink menu features your standard coffee and tea faves + smoothies. Kudos to them for featuring food items from other local spots - Rosey's BBQ as mentioned above and bagels from Rolings Bakery in Elkins Park. I'm glad to be able to support a local business. I'll save the Starbucks run for desperate times only, like when I'm at the airport and my only other nourishment option is McDonald's.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T23:00:09" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "In case anyone had any reason to doubt the frequent buyer program - doubt no more, Thomas! Last night, I ordered two whole pies (or slabs maybe, sine they're rectangular?) and was promptly told that our household had spent $100 on pizza and we'd be receiving our $10 credit. It was a nice way to end the week. Please note, though, that the frequent buyer program only applies to the purchase of whole pies. They track your purchase history via your phone number. I still really enjoy Jules Pizza. I am never disappointed by the quality of the ingredients, the friendly service, the taste, or the clean and bright dining area. I find that dining in works for any number of situations: a casual date, lunch meeting, catching-up with friends, a post-play group snack for moms and kids, etc. The fact that you can bring your own juice boxes or beer means that just about everyone should be happy, even your kid with 12 food allergies. They even feature cute coloring pages and crayons at the register that kind of made me want to break out my 96 box of Crayola's. It may be thin crust, but Jules Pizza is satisfying and certainly provides and easy way to get in some of those 5 veggies you need every day. Their honest business practices and openness about the source of their ingredients continues to keep me coming back.", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:29:36" }, { "business_id": "q43nr6E8ib2p39sVYtPGww", "business_name": "Juju Salon & Organics", "rating": 5, "text": "I think that JuJu and I are officially in a long-term relationship now. Sure, we're comfortable, but not so comfortable that the staff slack on service or that my stylist resorts to some standard-issue cut. I still enjoy coming into the shop for the relaxing atmosphere. Janka continues to provide me with superb haircuts that leave me inwardly sighing \"ahhh, now that's better\". It's always a treat when one of the staff have their pooches in tow. What could be better than having your hair washed AND a snuggling doggie in your lap? I'd also like to highlight the fact that JuJu is always very accommodating of me when I call to reschedule or change an appointment. I had to change my last appointment twice because life got in the way, but I was never treated rudely. I also appreciate the confirmation phone calls so that I don't inadvertently forget!", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:44:40" }, { "business_id": "3GvaJRiDGxzJzqoPX0xUeA", "business_name": "Spool", "rating": 5, "text": "The beginning quilting class taught by Ashley Kayhart was wonderful. In just five weeks, I have learned an entirely new skill and finished my first quilt complete with hand-sewn binding. I highly recommend this class to anyone wanting to take the plunge into the world of quilt-making. Ashley is enthusiastic and has wonderful sense for color and design. She will certainly put you at ease about your project as she reminds you that you need not be perfect. I liked that the class was limited to about 8 students which meant that you could have the personal attention you might need should your sewing go awry. You are also welcome to bring your own fabrics for the class, which I thought was quite generous considering Spool is a fabric shop afterall. Some nights, I wished we had more than two hours and my only suggestion is that those purchasing their fabric from Spool might want to do so before class time to ensure that there is enough time to complete all the steps in a given night. I'm pretty darn proud of my finished product and glad to have met such wonderful people.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:30:42" }, { "business_id": "mC_m-4k9Xo1kzjSL0w7uoA", "business_name": "Alice Bakery & Confectionary", "rating": 4, "text": "This neighborhood bakery is adorable. Dennis Darr, a graduate of Chicago's French Pastry School, as some wonderful ambitions for this little shop including such delights as mousse cakes! For now, though, you will have to satisfy yourself with their homemade chocolates, cupcakes, sticky buns, and breads. Dare I say that the cupcake obsession is waning after years of New Yorkers clamoring for a taste of Magnolia's treats? It seems the cupcake phenomenon has peaked as bakeries pull out all of the stops to make the largest, most unique, most decadent handheld treats. Unfortunately, many of these mini masterpieces often fall flat in taste, texture, and experience. And, honestly, who wants to pay upwards of $3 for a cupcake!? Darr keeps it simple with traditionally-sized cakes that are flavorful and moist. The red velvet variety that I sampled was topped with a vanilla bean butter cream that complimented instead of overwhelming the cake with just enough sweetness. The chocolate cupcakes are also rich, light, and moist instead of the dry crumbly cake I'm used to. The sticky bun, even the plain one, was superb. It had a light, yeasty quality with just the right about of chewiness, It was sweet but not cloying and I recommend you order yours hot with a cup of freshly brewed Illy coffee or herbal tea. Be sure to take home some focaccia or a smoked gouda loaf for later. Can there be anything better than bread AND cheese? The sea salt rolls would be excellent as a pairing with any winter soup or stew. I look forward to seeing the new offerings that Darr comes up with in his kitchen. He runs a very friendly shop with room for you to sit and linger and certainly works to get to know his customers. ABC is definitely a superb addition to the suburban landscape. If only they also served hot chocolate, my bakery experience would be complete.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:45:15" }, { "business_id": "ADe114o7Z4vb1O6HkM6YEA", "business_name": "Greek Lady", "rating": 3, "text": "The recent renovations are really lovely and the expanded seating area is a very welcome addition. The restaurant feels much cleaner and brighter. I like that the order and pick-up areas are separate to keep customers flowing. I enjoy their chicken gyro when I'm in the mood for \"fast food\". Something about the french fries inside just adds that extra, greasy, yet satisfying something. I may move on to trying other menu items at some point. I've gotten a peek at the salads ordered by other customers and they do look rather appealing. Greek Lady is also a good bet in a pinch when working a long shift at the hospital because they deliver fairly late and, chances are, the rest of the unit staff will want in on the order, too.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:49:34" }, { "business_id": "AqX_5srdyAS1tNiqC3mDvg", "business_name": "Noche", "rating": 1, "text": "Noche is perpetually crowded and noisy and lacking in seating space. I'm not really sure what the awkward swathe of floor is for between the front windows and the bar. It's like no-man's land. There are no tables and chairs and it doesn't seem to serve as a dance space either. On a weekend evening, it's veritably impossible to reach the bar without having to throw a few punches. Once you reach the bar, you're lucky if the bartender can understand you over the awful din of the sound system. The restrooms are at the very back of the establishment and difficult to reach when the crowd is really thick. If memory serves me correctly, there is also a rather random seeming pool table back there as well. I'm not sure if Noche is trying to be a bar or a restaurant, but it's difficult to order food when you have nowhere to sit. I don't enjoy the crowd either - overly pretentious, popped-collar types that fancy buying a condo on Rittenhouse Square. I'd caution against having any sort of organization event/fundraider here as they tend to continue to let hordes of people in off of the street making it very hot and tight. The available food selections are also pretty mediocre. I've had better salsa from a jar. The drink specials will end up being little more than watery Miller Light.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:57:46" }, { "business_id": "Xq-8-I0U8Artr7d70SjX-g", "business_name": "30th Street Station", "rating": 4, "text": "30th Street Station - how I prefer you over Penn Station in NYC! There is plenty of wide open space and seating that doesn't make me feel like I'm in an underground bunker. The lines for Amtrak trains tend to be orderly because you aren't forced to snake around the 400 other passengers milling about or sitting smack in the middle of the floor. There are plenty of options for a meal or a snack before your journey. The new Old Nelson Market serves up a good breakfast sandwich in addition to having the odd sundries that you might need on your way home via SEPTA. I like that I can get fresh fruit there instead of from Au Bon Pain which charges an arm and a leg. SEPTA still bites most days but that's not the station's fault.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T03:01:59" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "This sushi bar is just that - a 6 to 10 seat bar with an extra table by the door to squeeze in a few extra customers. The $10.95 three roll deal cannot be beat. You can't even get sushi for that price at Whole Foods. The fish and other ingredients are fresh and comparable to many other more expensive restaurants. The rolls could use a more generous coating of rice on the outside, though. I've eaten in for lunch when it is slow and I can sip miso soup and read a book. I've also called for take-out after a long day of work and arrived to find my order ready and waiting. I also recommend their shumai and salad with ginger dressing to round out your meal. I've seen many other customers order the fancy rolls which just look a little too rich for my stomach (I prefer to keep it simple with spicy tuna), but they seem to get good reviews for their unique flavor combinations and creative presentations. The tuna dumplings mentioned by other reviewers do look pretty intriguing! The staff are very friendly and this could easily be a place where you become a \"regular\".", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:41:26" }, { "business_id": "Jc-y852Fq1_6VB5kPUjxfA", "business_name": "City Planter", "rating": 4, "text": "This shop is absolutely lovely! The staff are friendly and knowledgeable without that horticultural pretense you find at some nursery/garden shops. The staff members know plants and plant care, but they can also help you to create an artful arrangement - just pick out and plant and a pot and you are good to go. Soon you'll be populating your place with vegetation as art! I have enjoyed planting terrariums as of late to bring a bit of nature indoors and was quite inspired by the examples City Planter has throughout their shop. They have a great selection of terrarium supplies - including miniature garden rakes, trowels, and spades - and their miniature plants are well priced at about $3 a pop. They have a great selection of unique glass vessels as well whether you want a traditional, free-standing vase, something to suspend from the air, or a wall planter. I especially love that you can make your own bag of gravel and rocks which they sell by the pound. This means that you don't have to pay for or get more than you need. They also have gravel in lovely shades of blue and larger rocks that are a cool, milky white which add nicely to the overall look of my terrariums. Don't forget the preserved moss for decoration! They carry your traditional flower favorites like pansies for spring planting, but you can also find orchids and other \"delicacies\" here as well. Check out their eco-friendly offerings like plantable wall baskets made from wool, I believe.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:50:24" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 3, "text": "If I am going to have my ice cream beaten to a pulp before I eat it, I much prefer Scoop De Ville to Cold Stone Creamery. At Scoop, your ice cream is mixed via machine instead of pummeled by the staff on an icy slab that could be a breeding ground for god-knows-what. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a Plain Jane when it comes to frozen treats. I like my ice cream scooped into a cone in it's natural state, no mixing, but maybe some rainbow jimmies. I also can't fathom paying $5 or more dollars every time I've got a taste for some mint chocolate chip even if the portions are on the generous side. The menu offers so many choices for mix-ins that it's difficult to make a decision even with their suggestions printed up before you. I would avoid taking small children there at all costs as they'll never make up their little minds! The chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate, caramel, and sea salt was pretty delectable and I do recommend that for a twist on your ordinary day. If you're looking for an out-of-the-ordinary ice cream treat and a splurge, head in to Scoop, but I won't be making this shop my regular summer ice cream spot.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:57:55" }, { "business_id": "d_UJWp4IlGS4sgnjE60eBw", "business_name": "Longwood Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite \"public\" gardens. And by public I do not mean free. I mean open to the public. Each spring Longwood is a spectacular showcase for blooming wisteria, tulips, anemone, foxglove, and snapdragon. The Italian fountains will mesmerize as your eyes are immediately drawn to the cool blue tiles shimmering beneath the surface. We have a dual membership in our household and it is well worth it for the 4 or more times a year that I go for seasonal exhibits, fireworks displays, and musical concerts. Wear comfortable shoes and stroll the paths as the landscape changes from manicured flower gardens to open field and meadow. Stop for an iced tea at the Terrace Cafe before heading to the conservatory to view more exotic species of flora. Read a book or enjoy a romp in the cow pasture where DuPont used to graze his dairy herd. This is a place I actually recommend for kids because of the wide open spaces and abundance of color and shape and texture to keep them interested. The garden also offers and abundance of classes for the novice or advanced horticulturalist and has a gift shop with all sorts of tempting items from seed and garden supplies, to books, to jewelry and scented soaps. I highly recommend the fireworks displays that they pair with music. Splurge and pair the evening with Longwood's delicious pre-show barbeque. It's work the ticket price! Don't forget to view the holiday light display over Christmas and the 1906 restaurant is perfect for a more formal and romantic setting if you're bringing someone special!", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:47:50" }, { "business_id": "2PWmnUV2Leb2Loj0TqxCMA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - University City", "rating": 3, "text": "Bring your ID after 4pm because they will card everything that breathes. A good deal for over-sized (22 oz) margaritas and greasy munchies like nachos, which is pretty much what you want to eat when you're through with multiple shots or frozen tequila. You're sure to run into a crowd on any weekend so count on lots of noise and a possible wait. At least their vigilant ID-checking keeps most UPenn undergrads out. Don't even try the \"i'm just here for the food\" excuse. That won't get you through the door either. Traditional Mexican this isn't, but their menu items are tasty and satisfying if not the most flavorful meals I've ever had. They also have an economical late-night menu. Let's be honest, though, you're probably there for the cocktails.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:54:31" }, { "business_id": "BsnP3lXh-QaOSgAw2t-omA", "business_name": "Kildare's Irish Pub - Manayunk", "rating": 1, "text": "Never...ever...again. There is nothing pleasant about this place in my opinion. It is consistently and constantly crowded with students spewed from St. Joe's, LaSalle, and other local institutions. Even on a weeknight, you'll be crammed in cheek by jowl with coeds looking for cheap beer. They tend not to have anything on tap worth drinking and it's not even worth the gas money to head over there for $2 Coors or Miller or Budweiser. The food is bland and greasy with an odd and random assortment of options constituting bar fare and half-hearted attempts at \"Irish\" favorites. The place is ridiculously loud with music over the speakers and then a band or two upstairs. Someone is bound to step on your or slosh their beer down the side of your pants. With so little seating for actual eating, the place reminds me of a cattle market. Unfortunately, places like Kildare's have forever branded Manayunk in my mind as a place I will avoid like the plague after 5pm. Even if you're dining slightly upscale, you can't escape the college kids who ruin the atmosphere for the rest of civilized folk.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:02:01" }, { "business_id": "kQCJRWvfpiW1p_4hgwD8Uw", "business_name": "Roller's Restaurant at Flying Fish", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked Roller's better when it was at the top of the Hill and Roller's Express-O is great for breakfast and ice cream. This location used to be the Flying Fish which I remember turning out superb seafood dishes throughout my childhood. It appears, though, that the furniture and decor has not changed since I was 8 giving the place an odd \"first apartment\" feel. I don't think they even use the upstairs for seating anymore. I, too, was also thrown off by the whinnie-the-pooh soap in the bathroom which made me feel like I had accidentally walked into someone else's house. I was disappointed that there is no choice in side dish and that everyone seems to get the mashed sweet potato which was a bit stringy and a ratatouille of squash of sorts. My mexican chicken, however, was quite delicious. They do have a rather creative way of pairing dishes and desserts together to give you a pretty good deal on your entire meal. Their rhubarb pie was very good. The French onion soup seemed very thin as it did not have any chunks of break beneath the cheese. I would have preferred that my waitress be able to describe the beer offerings to me as they do carry local and microbrew options. I ordered a bottle of Scarlet Lady on a whim and was glad that it wasn't terrible since no one seemed to be able to give me a description. I also think there needs to be some uniformity in attire for the waitstaff as I don't consider leggings appropriate work clothing. Apparently, it is or was shad season and the elderly folks next to us were tickled pink over the shad roe offering. I know the restaurant is small and privately owned, but it is the 21st century and it would be nice if they would accept at least Visa for payment. Considering the new eateries coming to Chestnut Hill, Roller's could take a serious hit if the more contemporary places draw business to their doors.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "iqJ3t9iq0fsWaYL93s8Vmw", "business_name": "King of Prussia", "rating": 4, "text": "If I am going to go to a mall, I am going to go here. It has virtually every store I could need in one tidy location. KOP used to cater equally to the Main Line elite and suburban scrubs with Neiman Marcus and Sears at opposite poles of the complex. However, with the arrival of high-end retailers like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Versace the parking lot is filled with more Ferrari than Ford. The message that this mall aims to send is becoming clear: if you're not going to drop $3,500 on a handbag, please exit the premises, do not pass go, and take your measly $200 with you on the way out. Honestly, I am a bit surprised that we haven't seen such retailers trying to snap up space in Center City around Rittenhouse Square. Even The Court is more upscale these days despite the Macy's tethered to it. There is a clear dichotomy in the shoppers you'll see walking the wide, sunlit aisles - those who wear stretch pants with stirrups and those who do not. And, as always, you've got the handful of tourists sprinkled in for a bit of diversity. Even the piped in classical music seems to be trying to lure a certain crowd - those with distinctly refined tastes. Of course, don't worry, there is still a Taco Bell in the food court and an Old Navy for those who want more down-to-earth than designer. I know Bill M. is looking for a little something unique here, but it's a mall and malls aren't about boutique style and individual tastes. What IS unique about THIS mall, though, is that it has added luxury retailers yet is still situated only minutes from a Hooters and Red Lobster.", "timestamp": "2011-05-24T03:45:24" }, { "business_id": "oFv9-wwifD3u8FFx6fPRYA", "business_name": "Baja Room at Pico de Gallo", "rating": 4, "text": "Feeling the need to wash ourselves of a very long 12 hour nursing shift, a friend and I stumbled into this little place after deciding that the hipster/biker crowd at Bob and Barbara's was just not for us. Unfortunately, I had left my skinny scrubs at home that day. Being a Wednesday evening, the restaurant wasn't populated by too many other parties and we were seated on the back patio where we enjoyed the eclectic collection of bric-a-brac that goes for decor and numerous strands of twinkly lights. We ordered a STAT round of margaritas which were topped with fresh mint and lime wedges. They didn't seem particularly strong at the time, but my coma-like sleep later that night tells me you're in for a kick in the pants later if you consumer multiples. We ordered the cheese, bean, and guacamole nachos and sushi-grade tuna tacos to share. Both were delicious! The nachos were crisp and topped with generous helpings of beans, cheese, and guacamole so that you weren't left munching naked chips by the time you'd dug through the pile. The tuna tacos were surprisingly refreshing - quickly seared/rare tuna on light flour tortillas, topped with fresh tomato salsa. Rice, refried beans, and a grilled plantain come on the side. The atmosphere was just what we were looking for after work - laid back, where we wouldn't be pestered to eat quickly and move on. The night air was just a bit warm and you couldn't help but feel cocooned sitting on the back patio hidden by the picket fence. The place has a certain unpretentious charm and broken-in-ness that makes me want to come back again.", "timestamp": "2011-05-31T17:58:28" }, { "business_id": "lRbHFOIFuusN2WOR_ypQ_A", "business_name": "Ants Pants Café", "rating": 5, "text": "This little \"blink and you'll miss it\" cafe is quickly becoming one of my post-night shift breakfast spots. They open early, have a quiet and cozy atmosphere, and serve consistently delicious, comforting food. The staff is especially friendly and courteous. My favorites to date are their grilled cheese with tomato and bacon, their milkshakes, and their creme brulee battered french toast with maple syrup and sour cream sauce. Honestly, I was pretty wary of the sour cream sauce at first but it provides refreshing coolness to the sweet bread and maple syrup. The portions aren't skimpy either; once I've paid my check and hit the road home, I'm ready to hop into bed and start all over again later that day with another 12 hours at work sans tummy rumblies. Don't forget: they are a cash-only joint. They do have an ATM in-house, though. Oh, and don't try to bring your 10 best friends to dine here, they're small and other patrons will appreciate not having to rub elbows with your entire clan.", "timestamp": "2011-11-06T18:30:15" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 3, "text": "Fork is one of those restaurants that I, as a faithful Yelper, felt guilty for not having visited. I finally checked it off my list in early September! My first meal there rates a mediocre 3 stars. I really love the atmosphere - open kitchen, cozy and intimate with dim lighting and green foliage screening canoodling couples from other diners. Maybe not a place I'd take your staid in-laws considering the \"sexy vibe\" as Dave H. puts it. I was disappointed by the portion size of my mushroom risotto - one lonely ladle-ful in the midst of a sea of china. At least put it in a smaller dish so that I think I'm getting what I paid for. The flavor of the dish was pretty banal as well. Give me a can of chicken stock, some locally picked mushrooms, and I could have whipped up a better batch at home. We were seated right next to the bar which makes for some unfortunate annoyances as waitstaff bustle back and forth and the din can get quite loud from other patrons dousing themselves in house-made cocktails. The service, however, was impeccable with an attentive but not overbearing waiter. He knew the menu well and was able to describe the dishes in detail as if he had personally tasted each one. Needless to say, I'll need to reprise my meal here to get a better feel for the place.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:42:54" }, { "business_id": "uVoAlvNxz2IRvhXccU1tFw", "business_name": "Union Transfer", "rating": 5, "text": "No one told me the Spaghetti Warehouse closed! What a relief! That place was a poor excuse for \"Italian\" food. Luckily, the building has been reincarnated into my new favorite music venue. I was blown away by the Gillian Welch performance I saw in late October. Given that the floor plan is open with no assigned seating I was worried that this event would be a repeat of a show I saw at the Electric Factory where, crammed cheek by jowl, I had the misfortune of standing next to a stoner who vomited all over my shoes. The UT is extremely spacious: concert-goers can belly right up to the stage (or bar for that matter), fan out along the top-tier balconies, or relax next to the bar at high tops and tables for two. Everyone can enjoy the show from a good vantage point without another person or post in your sight line (ahem, I'm thinking of you Academy of Music!). If the show isn't all-ages you can even keep your \"adult beverage\" with you on the main floor. They also have a concession stand. I found the drink prices to be fair - I think my can of PBR was $3.75. I could also totally be making that up. The place has an industrial vibe that makes you feel like the place used to be a factory for train trestles. The acoustics are phenomenal - you're neither deafened nor guessing at the lyrics. The staff are very friendly and I actually enjoyed tipping my waitress as it meant not having to run back and forth to the bar. If you're driving, you can pre-pay online before the show and park in the lot directly behind the venue for $8 or so. Extra bonus: not having to buy tickets through Ticketmaster! Randomness: I know people with babies and small kids like music. I know they like concerts, but really...is it a good idea to bring your small child to a live show that starts at 9p, a time when they should be sleeping? Probably not. Sleepy kids are cranky as hell.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:58:04" }, { "business_id": "nWHNtH3v6BPnV7MUWejOyw", "business_name": "Solebury Orchards", "rating": 5, "text": "Do yourself a favor. Skip Linvilla Orchards with it's mazes, clowns, huge gift shop and other gimmicks. I've been hooked on Solebury Orchards ever since I tried their cider doughnuts that are sold via Weavers Way Co-Op. You literally park your car, grab your bag, and walk right into the orchard or take the hay wagon for a ride for picking at the other end of the property. The whole process is neat and efficient given the crowds that can show up here on a Fall weekend. I think Solebury has become my favorite orchard for apple picking with their offerings of Empire, Pinata, Honeycrisp and more. The trees are well-maintained with lots of low-hanging fruit and scattered ladders/step-stools for the apples on higher branches. I ended up picking over 20lbs and have many jars of superb applesauce to show for it. You'd be an idiot to skip the fresh cider and doughnuts no matter what diet you're on this year. Their pear butter is also fantastic on fresh, crisp bread with Whole Foods fresh honey-roasted peanut butter. Seriously, I eat it just about every day. The orchard also offers pick-your-own flowers and pumpkins (though not in a pick-your-own patch). When you've had your fill of apple goodness, head down the road a stretch and check out the Carousel Lavender farm!", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T02:17:19" }, { "business_id": "tM-ObyoUno83kylE283iXw", "business_name": "A Taste of Britain", "rating": 4, "text": "I found this adorable little tea spot while running errands through Wayne the other day. The decor is simple and unassuming yet charming with a soothing green color covering the walls and dark wood throughout. As a child, afternoon tea was a special occasion with my mother that required a party dress and a trip downtown to the Four Seasons or Rittenhouse hotels. I was happy to discover somewhere more casual and certainly less expensive on this afternoon. My server, Rebecca, provided impeccable service and was very helpful when I was making my tea and menu selections. Their lunch offerings of soups, fritatta, salads, and sandwiches were rather appealing but I decided on the full Afternoon Tea ($18 per person). The selections were really quite generous: 1 large scone of your choice with fresh lemon curd, clotted cream, and raspberry preserves as well as other assorted mini pastries, 8 tea sandwiches of tuna, cheddar with chutney, roast beef, and sweet cheese, and one pot of tea all artfully prepared and served. I was afraid the little restaurant would be filled with the Main Line elite whose attitudes easily ruin a peaceful afternoon to one's self, but none were to be found at the surrounding tables and I was happy to be treated with such care and attention. This is a place where one can be at ease even if you don't sport diamonds and fur. They provided for parties of up to 14 in house and can also coordinate catering. They offer and assortment of British favorites from HP sauce to Cadbury Chocolate to PG Tips tea. You can even take home steak and kidney pie, meat pasties, fresh lemon curd and clotted cream. I would consider this a lovely place to bring your friends, your daughter, your mother or even your husband.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:15:08" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 3, "text": "Crowded and busy but with extremely fast service. Fast, not necessarily good. Extremely inexpensive. Not a place to sit and linger, maybe get it to go. The small bowl is a misnomer. It's really two meals in one. Are those chopsticks really sanitary? Great bowl of steaming soup - add the fresh basil and hot sauce. Yes, that meat in the steak pho really is cooked. If you're adventurous, try the tripe, fatty flank, and tendons. I'm not that adventurous.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:57:09" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite a rave review in The New York Times, I still don't understand how fried chicken and doughnuts compliment one another. Sometimes, after a night shift, I will drive out of the way for the Vanilla-Lavender. That and the Indian Cinnamon are my favorite. Nothing beats a warm, soft, aromatic treat. The fancy flavors don't rate as high on my list because I'm a fan of keeping it simple and flavors like Pina Colada are usually more than my tastebuds want to handle early in the morning. The service is remarkably cheery and snappy even at 8am on a Saturday morning which is when you had better get there lest you want to miss out. Doughnuts are continually cranked in perfect form right behind the counter. It's rather mesmerizing. The coffee is good and strong but I do wish they had tea and hot chocolate as well. Perhaps someday I will try the chicken, but to tell the truth - I hate meat on bones.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:41:33" }, { "business_id": "GoYSJ-YY-YwbxdgasHuq-Q", "business_name": "Mixto", "rating": 2, "text": "Visited Mixto after an evening at the annual UPenn Mask and Wig production at their clubhouse on Quince Street. I enjoyed the red sangria which was full of fresh fruit and well chilled. Unfortunately, the black bean soup was bland and lackluster. I appreciate that it wasn't overwhelmingly spicy, but would I would have liked to be overwhelmed by some kind of flavor. The tres leches cake was too soggy. I know that this traditional Mexican dessert is made with milk, but once it hit my tongue the cake's texture felt as if it had been marinating in liquid all day. Lastly, what's with the toasted bread they bring without butter? It seems out of place and like an afterthought \"Well I guess we should serve the people bread, might as well toast it while we're at it\". The restaurant was also very drafty on that cold night and any time anyone opened the door, some kind of vacuum was created that prevented them from closing the door quickly and keeping the chilled air outside. I may visit again, but it looks like the repeat customers are just as puzzled by the underwhelming experience.", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T21:35:21" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Sabrina's on Powelton is every bit as good as the original in the Italian Market. I really love the new space - an old Victorian home which features a charming wrap-around porch with large sunny windows. The porch can be a bit chilly in winter but they'll happily flip on the heaters to keep you cozy. I consider Sabrina's a staple in list of places to frequent for post night-shift breakfast as their fare is hearty, satisfying, and affordable. Thus ensuring me a good day's rest once home. My only complaint is that their french toast is sometimes too thick, leaving the middle of the toast dry. I only recommend the stuffed french toast if bringing friends as you will be bested by it's sheer volume if you attempt it alone. I honestly don't have an issue with students from Penn and Drexel who dine here on the regular as they are hardly any more of a nuisance than the hipster crowd at Honey's or the toddler-toting young families at Sabrina's original location.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:44:01" }, { "business_id": "rAe-1HU5Z-DuUXEbzASXDA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - Willow Grove", "rating": 2, "text": "Mad Mex Willow Grove is every bit as boisterous as the University City location. Be prepared to wait on the weekends as there will most likely be a healthy crowd, especially around the bar. You can barely hear yourself think let alone listen to your tablemates over the din of the sound system. The margaritas are potent but the food is still average Americanized Tex-Mex that relies heavily on salt and spice rather than the flavors of the actual ingredients. Not a bad place for a bite before or after a movie at the Warrington Regal cinema, but not exactly a destination.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:50:14" }, { "business_id": "ohWH383r60AREWh-aphpSw", "business_name": "Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm pleased that Iron Hill has popped up in Chestnut Hill to provide some contrast to all of the smaller, independent shops and restaurants in the area. The block the the brewery occupies was looking especially vacant and I much prefer Iron Hill to the likes of Chili's or Houlihan's. However, it is a chain and attracts everyone from couples out for date night to young families to older couples to groups of friends. My point? The place gets crowded quickly and you're bound to wait or duke it out for one of the high top bar tables. The bar tables actually turn over fairly quickly and I've never ended up waiting more than 10-15 minutes. I have never really seen the rest of the property because we stick to the high tops as the wait has usually been about an hour on a Thursday-Saturday night. The atmosphere is lively and your boyfriend, brother, or dad will appreciate whatever game is on if they are inclined to avoid small-talk. The beer selection is good and rotates depending on the season to include standard favorites and unique flavors like the Oompa Loompa Chocolate Stout. If you can't decide, get a flight of beers to taste. The waitstaff is very friendly and attentive. They are also actually very knowledgeable about each brew and certainly equipped to help you find your favorite selection. Their food is good and the portions substantial. They serve standard \"pub fare\" from pizza and nachos to pastas, burgers, steaks, and seafood. I wouldn't say they really do anyone thing extremely well, but fish and chips will certainly help sop up all that beer you're downing. I wouldn't consider Iron Hill a destination but certainly a place to keep in the rotation for casual weekend dining when you just don't want to order in another pizza.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T02:02:09" }, { "business_id": "4Am_sbP0WDw0Q7aaAy6XhA", "business_name": "REI", "rating": 4, "text": "You'd be hard-pressed to find a store that meets the needs of the outdoor enthusiast more than REI. The staff have always been kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. They are enthusiastic about the activities they participate in and often encouraging of a customer's interest, even those of us who are new to the worlds of hiking, biking, running, camping, etc. Shopping here offers and advantage as the company is a co-op and you will receive your dividends back in March. The amount is usually about 10% of all of your eligible purchases during the year. I like that they sell maps and guides for popular hiking trails and state parks - items that can be hard to find elsewhere. I find their prices to be fairly competitive with similar stores like EMS and Campmoor. I buy my favorite Halo snack bars here and they offer a 20% discount when you buy an entire box. I also applaud their stewardship efforts and the community building they do with educational programs, travel, and community service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T21:51:53" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I could do without Serafina's bright yellow awnings on 18th Street. The restaurant feels like one of those places where you come to see and be seen - like Parc but without the help of a Stephen Starr reputation. In fact, I found myself heading over to Parc after a disappointing dinner of too-heavy Penne Vodka for a strong cocktail and dessert. You cannot be seated at an outside table unless you are ordering food which was very disappointing to learn. The menu is fairly large and the kitchen doesn't produce any excellent dish but manages to turn out a variety of mediocre Italian-ish plates. The wait staff was rather aloof and my meal felt rushed. There was a great deal of whining at the bar by neighborhood regulars who had come to complain about their life, their day, their relationships. It made for quite the melancholy atmosphere. A meal will easily run you more than $20 per person, even at lunch, especially if you order any seafood. Prices I am not willing to pay for less than stellar offerings.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T22:09:24" }, { "business_id": "yDHINEt7By47My7x4Mb8oA", "business_name": "The Gypsy Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "I'll admit that I don't consider Conshohocken when I think about going out to dinner but I was persuaded to try this restaurant after reading a newspaper review. I love the atmosphere - a dark, warm wood bar with ceilings and walls draped with printed fabrics, all lit by the warm glow from hanging lamps and candles. I felt that the mounted plasma tv's really detracted from the ambiance, though, and made the venue feel less intimate. The menu is eclectic - pasta, seafood, meat, but I thought that their meatloaf was a stand out. The calamari was also surprisingly good - lightly fried and crispy. The lobster mac and cheese seems to be a clear crowd-pleaser, though. I thought that the service was standard - prompt and polite. No horror stories here. This is a casual, neighborhood place - good for a low-key meal on a Friday night, meeting old friends, sipping cocktails, etc. The portions were a bit too large for my taste, but you can always take the rest home! I might recommend adding another server to take some of the strain off of the two sisters that were manning the dining room when we were in on a Tuesday night - they did a great job juggling a pretty full house on a week night!", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:13:32" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Get the mussels. You may not be close to the coast, but they are delicious. Tender morsels in a deeply savory broth. Skip the frites and dip crusty bread in after the shells are gone. Or eat both. Drink a romarin (the citrus is pleasantly tart yet refreshing) while sitting outside in large, dark sunglasses. Enjoy Parc for what it is - don't whine about the prices, just enjoy daydreaming about actually dining al fresco in Paris.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:40:16" }, { "business_id": "fBOoOWHRWPXIrMvVVkZqMg", "business_name": "Cake", "rating": 4, "text": "Two things: The balsamic portobello mushroom with farro, mozzarella, and assorted vegetables was amazing. I wish I could remember the exact name of the dish! It was so good, I only ate half so that I could eat the remainder the next day. The mushrooms were bursting with tangy, balsamic flavor that mingled so nicely with the meaty texture of the portobellos. The lemon tart is the best version of a citrus dessert that I have ever had. I really hate lemon things that are overly sweet. I also hate when they are mussed up by fruit or other adornments. The citron dessert features smooth, pucker-worthy lemon custard over the thinnest of chocolate-y layers, couched in a light, crumby shell. Heaven! Dinner is only served Thursday and Friday. Make a reservation to be guaranteed a seat. Last seating is 8:30p. Go early to avoid missing out on certain menu selections. The trout was very popular the night I stopped in and was 86ed fairly fast. I thought the prices were very fair considering the restaurants use of fresh, local, organic ingredients. The menu appears to make great use of seasonal variety and I imagine we'll be seeing some creative squash dishes soon. The greenhouse setting is very charming and makes for a relaxed, yet intimate venue suitable for date night or brunch with the family.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:52:21" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 3, "text": "After having sampled the confections at the La Duree location in Manhattan, I developed pretty high standards for macarons. Miel Patisserie gives a whole-hearted attempt at perfecting the macaron in Philadelphia but falls just a bit short, in my opinion. I tried 4 flavors - coconut, chocolate, rosewater, and salted caramel. While their chocolate was rich and delicious, I expected more from the other flavors. The salted caramel filling had a very buttery taste and was overly salty, leaving me feeling a tad queasy. The rosewater had too much of a pronounced rose taste that made me feel as if I had licked a perfume bottle. I prefer a much more subtle rose flavor. The coconut tasted more like pineapple or pina colada to me and consisted of an eerily translucent filling rather than a cream. I was impressed with their meringues, though - a light and crisp shell with a pleasant chew to the center. I'd never be one to pass up a baked good, so I am sure I will have occasion to sample these and other flavors again before I declare La Duree my clear favorite here in America.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T22:47:52" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Yet another breakfast option in a city of brunch fanatics. I feel like we're in an episode of Sex and the City and Philadelphia is only now getting to the table. Manhattan has made brunch a serious weekend habit for at least the last decade. Green Eggs Cafe is a serious contender in my book for best brunch. It's BYOB so you don't have to worry about over-paying for your mimosa since you Bring Your Own Bubbly. The portions are large enough that you'll be taking home the rest for dinner. If you're looking for something dainty and on your 1200 calorie diet, I advise staying home. The quinoa porridge, however, is a great option for those looking to avoid the damage incurred by eating french toast. There are vegan options as well - vegan french toast, vegan sausage, and more so don't forget to invite your friends with esoteric food preferences. I recommend sharing dishes like the creme brulee french toast or red velvet pancakes so that you can try some other things on the menu like the rosemary potatoes which are very flavorful. In this town people complain that portions are either too large or too small. I felt that $11 for a dish that feeds me twice is pretty darn reasonable. Of course, it will be crowded and the wait will be long on the weekends. You're not the only one who wanted to skip cereal and milk in their apartment this morning. Count on at least 15 minutes, but up to 30 depending on the size of your party. They were seating outside today but few people accepted an open table because they forgot to read the weather report before heading outside in the chill. Do your homework and hit the bank on the way as Green Eggs is cash only. They do have their own ATM with a fee of 99 cents for those who don't like to plan ahead. Do note that this spot is also popular with families and dog owners.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T23:00:56" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 4, "text": "What is there to say about The Barnes that hasn't already been said or argued about? The new location is lovely and makes me feel entirely at peace with the smooth stone walls and quiet reflection pools. The art collection, of course, is unparalleled and a must-see for anyone and everyone. Make multiple visits as it would be difficult and rather exhausting to thoroughly appreciate the many works in one trip. The Friday night entertainment offerings are quite worthwhile and a sophisticated way to wind up the week - sip a cocktail, enjoy some music or dance, wander the galleries. Don't forget to count yourself lucky to have the privilege to spend time in such intimate proximity to some of the world's most lovely objects.", "timestamp": "2012-11-17T01:39:14" }, { "business_id": "or_WcjWELDsssk2JruvJcg", "business_name": "Café Lutecia", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been meaning to stop in to Cafe Lutecia for years now. I've only driven by it a thousand and one times in my life. It always appeared to me to be the type of place where you could get lost in a good book. The cafe is remarkably tiny and simple. If it is made out of flour, it is probably on the menu - bagels, baguettes with ham and brie, croissant, muffins, etc. Simple as it is, I quite enjoyed my ham and brie on a baguette. I don't know how you would make something so simple any better than to serve it on good, warm crusty bread with quality meat and cheese, which is exactly what Cafe Lutecia does. They also make an astonishingly good cafe au lait. I am not a coffee snob - if it tastes good to me, I will drink it. I thought the cafe au lait that I had was a creamy bit of heaven. Way better than most places that masquerade as \"coffee shops\". Don't come here to do your work, though. This is not Starbucks and you cannot spread out as if it is your own personal library. Also, it is a neighborhood place. Children will wander in and out on the hip of a parent and will jabber to the owners and you will look like a jerk if you scowl or complain. Meet a good friend or a new friend and catch up at a tiny table as if you are in Paris. Throw your New Year's resolution out the window and eat ham and brie and a croissant or even on a croissant. Cafe Lutecia is owned by an incredibly warm and friendly couple who are an integral part of the neighborhood. It is so nice to go to a place where you can interact and engage with other patrons and not be thought to be a loon or nosey. I only wish the chairs were slightly bigger. Remember: cash only.", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T20:38:54" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to find good bubble tea, or boba, in LA. Not so much in Philadelphia. Until now. Tea Do is my go-to spot for icy cold taro bubble tea or avocado smoothies. Yes, avocado smoothies. Trust me, they taste much better than one would think. Tea Do is legit - they even have a specific machine just for the purpose of shaking up your drink. There are plenty of flavors and varieties to choose from to suit just about any palate. Get your fix with traditional tapioca pearls or try the \"popping bubbles\" which are reminiscent of Gushers. A large beverage will run you about $4 which is about the same as your daily drink at Starbucks. The best part? Picking out your favorite color straw!", "timestamp": "2013-03-23T20:38:34" }, { "business_id": "1fGaY2WlGv2l4as6UkMFrg", "business_name": "The Trestle Inn", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited the Trestle Inn for an event, so I can't directly comment on the venue except to say that the bartenders are snappy and sling well-blended drinks. The space is dimly lit, cozy, and intimate. I don't think it's the best space for large events, though, as the bar and back room are pretty narrow, making it difficult to navigate the establishment when it is filled with 100 or so people.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:35:48" }, { "business_id": "dpdMVwjAFOkwITNnS_Hu7g", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "The cupcake craze continues. As more and more shops flood the market for handheld baked goods, I am finding that I am not as easily impressed as I once was. Philly Cupcake turns out a good product that is delicious, but I don't know if they are any better or worse than any other establishment in the city. I am impressed by their flavor offerings, though, and the vegan selections. There is certainly something for everybody. This particular location also offers coffee, other pastries, and an array of made-on-premises candies. Expect to pay a little under $5 for some of their more decadent creations.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:39:51" }, { "business_id": "kz8OeP88ZYjDBWb0LePJ3A", "business_name": "Chill On the Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Chill on the Hill is a brightly lit, crisp, clean shop compared to the rainbow-hued chaos of other establishments. Unlike other local frozen yogurt places, Chill lets its customers fill their own sample cups which means not having to wait while the customer in front of you tries 6 different flavors. I appreciate that they put all toppings with nuts in a separate section to discourage cross-contamination for people with allergies. Their flavors pretty much hit the mark - no funny aftertaste or odd concoctions. They keep it simple with pretty standard fare - vanilla, chocolate, original tart, birthday cake, etc. Seating is somewhat minimal as the store is not overly large but the long bench along one wall makes good use of space to keep the shop from feeling very crowded when busy. They also have a frequent buyer program which will come in handy this summer for lots of customers. Chill seems to also aim to really interact with the community - they feature merchandise (t-shirts, etc) with their logo and will be soon hosting a mini film festival. Customer photos and other events can also be displayed on the LCD screens built in to one wall. Prices are comparable to shops like U-Swirl and Kiwi Yogurt.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:49:25" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "I had heard so many wonderful things about the burger offerings here. I was so disappointed to find that, on the night I chose to dine in, they had taken their list of burgers down to one - the once famous Churchill Burger, I believe. I've had better at Five Guys. Warm bleu cheese just does not do wonders for me - I felt it gave the burger bitter, gritty taste. It couldn't even be redeemed by the fries. The atmosphere is also overwhelmingly noisy on a Friday night. The music is in constant competition with customers who get louder and louder with each beer they toss back.", "timestamp": "2013-06-09T01:36:59" }, { "business_id": "4GBQc6XbJVhfH58WjHLBvw", "business_name": "Brandywine River Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "If you've already frequented other east coast art museums with large collections (think: MOMA, the Met, the Frick, the Barnes, PMA) why not give the Brandywine a try? Given that this museum is a tightly curated collected of Wyeth family favorites and other special exhibits, touring the Brandywine is like spending time on one specific subject in a larger art history class. Sunday mornings are free, so get up early, treat yourself to brunch in the area and digest that omelette while you consider Wyeth's relationship with his model, Helga. Friends? Lovers? Wyeth really captures the pastoral beauty of rural Pennsylvania and the majesty of the Maine coast. Unfortunately, his paintings are one thin thread that we have connecting us to much of our agriculture heritage in this area of the state. Children will especially love N.C. Wyeth's original illustrations for Treasure Island - they are still some of my all time favorite pieces in the world.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:38:57" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually quite prefer the new Honey's location to the original. Perhaps it's the particular chef at this location? I'm an over-easy eggs kind of woman and Honey's never disappoints. Add on a latke and I'm set for the day. The wait was remarkably shorter at this location despite being situated among prime residential real estate. The service was lively and attentive - the host even pitched in, clearing plates and filling beverages, when the place got busy. My only complaint? Being seated near the kitchen means you can see who goes in and out quite frequently. I wouldn't mind if management encouraged their employees, including kitchen staff, to dress a little less like they just rolled out of bed and rode their fixed gear 20 miles before landing at work. Remember folks: cash only! ATM available but not for free.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:43:48" }, { "business_id": "TYZ6hF3HLulzePIworiIUw", "business_name": "U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite the evening crowds, U-Swirl is one of my favorite yogurt shops. They have at least 10 flavors to choose from and do rotate \"specialty\" flavors pretty regularly. They also have more toppings than any other yogurt shop I have been, too. U-Swirl also offers a really good frequent buyer program compared to some other shops. They give you 16oz of free yogurt for every 10 you purchase. Other shops limit you to 5 oz. The staff is always very friendly and refreshes the toppings frequently. Keep an eye on those kiddos, though, little hands have made their way into various containers. Luckily, the staff are happy to replace anything that has been licked or had grubby fingers in it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:49:15" }, { "business_id": "WNLUBI0my0WLpmWTNUsK9w", "business_name": "Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "After 11 years of knitting, I still love Loop. I'm always impressed by the new yarns Craig and Laura bring in and I appreciate their dedication to choosing local and independent fiber artists as well as more commercially available products. They've even got their own line now that Laura hand dyes. The service and kindness of the staff is still unparalleled. If you're a Philly native or just passing through, be sure to pop into my favorite place in the city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T05:58:45" }, { "business_id": "m64OHmyD7OqAyQmoJETkfQ", "business_name": "Moon + Arrow", "rating": 4, "text": "I loved Moon and Arrow when it was a pop-up shop on 4th street and am thrilled that it has found a permanent home there. I always find unique bits and bobs here for gifts. I am especially fond of the mineral pendants and vintage linens. If you're looking for a typewriter, you can usually find one here in great working condition. There are always new finds to be had which makes shopping exciting. It's always a good trip when the owner's pup, Loretta, is hanging out in the shop - she gives free kisses!", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:04:30" }, { "business_id": "08fkgKXeLTFmE35fCydRpA", "business_name": "juju spa", "rating": 5, "text": "If you're headed to JuJu, request Jill. She is an excellent aesthetician and I always enjoy my facials with her. She is extremely gentle throughout the entire treatment which means you won't be left looking red and blotchy the next day. Jill also does a wonderful job with eyebrows, leaving a very natural and tidy look. As always, the spa is lovely - warm, private, and inviting.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "-T_lkOvaK39R-Ufg6VUyxg", "business_name": "Magpie", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so grateful to Magpie for getting Philadelphia out of the cupcake rut! Magpie treats pie baking like a craft - dreaming up delicious flavor combinations beyond the traditional. The crust is, by far, the best part of a Magpie pie - flaky and slightly crisp on the outside but tender inside. No tooth cracking crunch here! Flavors like lime custard are elevated past the likes of the traditional key lime pie by the addition of a sublime basil custard and pistachio crunch. The caramel custard takes on a deep smokey flavor with the addition of bourbon. The fruit pies are equally delicious as Magpie utilizes the freshest local fruit of the season. My go-to savory choice is the Chicken Pot Pie which is instantly comforting and chock-full of meat and veggies. Pull it out of the oven on a crisp Fall day and you'll completely forget that your mom didn't make it for you! Last, but not least, do yourself a favor and get their salted carmel latte - an instant belly warmer and perfect complement to any of Magpie's apple pies.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:31:21" }, { "business_id": "3WX24d4v-R1OK4xqrcVL7g", "business_name": "Lacquer Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "Lacquer Lounge certainly lives up to the Best of Philly 2013 hype! Beware the wait, though - make an appointment in advance as a walk-in spot seems pretty hard to come by these days. The shop has a total of six technicians, so they are definitely not a high-volume nail salon that churns out scores of manicured digits like some other city establishments. The staff is so pleasant and attentive - water, coffee, and tea are all available and complimentary. Forgot your flip flops? Those are available, too, for a nominal price. The chairs are luxe white leather with fluffy hot pink pillows - talk about a girl's dream! Each client will receive their own files and the like which you are free to take home if you choose. All other nail tools are opened in front of you and come out of sterilized packages as if you were at a physician's office. When Lacquer Lounge advertises that health and safety are paramount, they mean it! Pedicures are done using individual tubs with disposable liners. You still get the spa feel without the worry of a fungal infection or worse later. I was impressed with their extensive collection of Essie and OPI polishes. They also have more than a dozen gel colors to choose from which is many more than some salons that only feature the basics like reds and pinks. Do be aware that gel removal is $10 unless you are coming in for a repeat gel manicure. Lacquer Lounge does accept credit cards and does allow tipping on credit cards which is quite convenient. I am sure I will be back to try their other services soon! Mary is a superb manicurist and I highly recommend her if you stop by. I felt the prices were quite reasonable (and comparable to other establishments in the city) considering the level of service and the extra health precautions.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:50:01" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 4, "text": "The Ziggy is my new favorite meal. This burger is full of smokey flavor and toothsome enough to satisfy even the most hardcore carnivores. The soft, wheat bun totally makes this burger for me. Get a banana whip for dessert if you have room - cool, creamy, guilt-free! No bathrooms here, though, which makes wiping off all of that special sauce a bit tough. Plan to take out as dine-in space is cramped, limited, and not made for lingering. Take that as a hint and try to avoid squeezing your baby wagon (seriously! When did strollers become actual vehicles!?) or oversized tote bag in here during the lunch rush! Even better? Call ahead for pick-up service.", "timestamp": "2013-10-19T11:27:53" }, { "business_id": "LnZvGYbqozanOSevcftnrw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg - University City", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't get enough of the Ziggy Burger, especially now that there is a University City location which means I can pick up an order after work and not have to worry about parking my car in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. If they add delivery - I'll be over the moon as it will mean a better take-out option when at work than Greek Lady. I heartily recommend the Ziggy Burger as the tempeh bacon and special sauce just really take the humble veggie burger to a whole new level of delicious. It will also keep you satisfied for hours. Splurge on some sweet potato fries as well for their slaty, tender goodness. I like the black bean cilantro dipping sauce which is a flavorful alternative to ketchup. If you're in the mood for something lighter, you can't go wrong with a green smoothie (groothie) or a banana whip. The service is ridiculously friendly and the orders are up quickly. I am always promptly greeted and the staff often provide great recommendations regarding menu items if you can't decide. If you're in a hurry, call ahead and your order is sure to be ready when you arrive. Compared to the Rittenhouse location this space is huge with seating for everyone! They still compost and recycle so after you satisfy your hunger you can satisfy your conscience as well. I enjoy this place so much that I feel they should have a frequent buyer punch card for their burgers.", "timestamp": "2013-11-17T23:38:20" }, { "business_id": "Zkvjfrl2Wx7VvfKoNahWWQ", "business_name": "Leila's Restaurant and Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Great spot for an impromptu date with your beau or bestie (yes, I said \"bestie\"). A reservation is certainly recommended for this cozy neighborhood French-inspired spot. BYOB and expect dishes like the generous (large enough that I could take the impressive bone home to my yellow lab) veal chop that is so perfectly seasoned and tender that it needs no further gilding beyond that of the tender winter vegetables and light au jus that are its accompaniments. The onion soup is quite a departure from the cheese-heavy, thin broth substitutes you'll find at lesser establishments. It is a rather hearty and creamy concoction with the cheese blended right in. Don't skip dessert - especially not the butterscotch pot de creme which is just as decadent as it sounds. It is exceptionally smooth on the tongue and has just the slightest taste of burnt caramel to keep it from being overly sweet. Make sure you pad your wallet with cash or a check as Leila's does not accept credit cards (my dinner for two including two appetizers, a seafood special, and two desserts rang in at just under $100 and well worth it, too!) As far as \"French\" dining goes, Leila's is utterly unpretentious and casual enough that you don't need to break out your LBD (Little Black Dress for those not in the know). It's one of those familiar restaurants that you can go to again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-01-08T16:45:58" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "How to sum up my late night experience at Little Pete's....? If you're stopping in after midnight, you're bound to find an eclectic crowd of party kids, club goers, wanna-be socialites, and anyone else who has been drinking since sundown. You will probably be called \"Hun\" by the waitstaff. They have an actual cigarette machine. Great vanilla milkshake but the huge, starchy steak fries leave a lot to be desired. Cash only.", "timestamp": "2014-01-09T00:06:00" }, { "business_id": "STwdgdVYWm-pBDF1JIpAVA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi & Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "It took a bit of investigation but I finally discovered where the \"real\" Vic has been hiding. His latest spot is a mere 15 minutes from me, just up Easton Road in the Willow Grove area. No more fighting for a parking space on Sansom Street or shivering in the cold while waiting for a spot at the tiny sushi bar. Vic apparently sold the Center City and Springhouse locations. The menu is virtually the same as the other \"Vic\" establishments, but this restaurant also features Thai food. I'm familiar with Vic's restaurants because of his sushi, so I didn't opt to try the Thai options. The extended menu, however, means that you could lure non-sushi lovers here as well. I really feel that, unless you go straight to Japan, you can't really find better sushi in the 'burbs. The fish is very fresh! The Tuna Dumplings are a great example of the excellent seafood that they provide - imagine little tuna purses that are so tender they virtually melt in your mouth. The 3 hand rolls for $10.95 really cannot be beat. I enjoy the Spicy Tuna, Spicy Salmon, Alaskan, and Sweet Potato rolls. The Black Dragon roll with eel was exceptional - tender, moist, and slightly sweet. The rolls are very generously packed with fish and I like how the fish and spicy sauces are mixed together. The staff is very friendly and the service is prompt. Vic himself manned the sushi bar while we were there. BYOB and you've got an affordable meal for date night, girls night out, or just because.", "timestamp": "2014-01-13T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "avlwCvHzrhU5UOvz1Y3_gQ", "business_name": "Ambler Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I really disliked going to the movies - large crowds, groups of loitering teens, crabby/surly employees, sticky floors, unclean bathrooms - especially if it involved going to a Regal \"megaplex\". I usually prefer to pop my Netflix choice into my large-screen computer and settle down with some knitting in the comfort of my own home. However, after purchasing a membership for my movie-loving mother, The Ambler Theater has quickly brought me out of my little movie-viewing cave and back to the big screen. They tend to always show flicks that I am inclined to see and have special events throughout the year showing old flicks like Casablanca or silent films with accompanying live music. As a member (starting at about $40/year), you can't beat the sneak previews of new movies and $5 price tag for tickets. Membership also grants you $5 admission to the Hiway and County Theaters. The bonus at Ambler is that they have more than one screen giving you a greater chance that they are showing something you'll want to see. They typically run 3 films at a time - often something in the art-house/indie genre and then some more mainstream options. I like that they have little indulgences like Ritter chocolate bars at the concession stand in addition to the old standards like Junior Mints. The old-world detailing and photos of the theater's historical journey make your night out at the movies feel like a classy event. They also always supply summaries/reviews of each movie they are showing which I like to read after the show just in case I missed something (very helpful with flicks like 'Her' or 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' where you want to get another perspective). There are plenty of options for grabbing a drink and a bite before or after the show and Ambler provides that \"small town\" feel that is very much lacking in most of suburban America.", "timestamp": "2014-03-25T01:11:03" } ]	{ "business_id": "AGlh4ZDv6jnoiYfz7At9mw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to walk right past this little shop underneath the Philadelphia Convention Center. This unassuming space is home to some of the best soup dumplings I've had on the East coast. Meals are fast and cheap here. Somehow, though, it still seems very romantic to share a dim sum meal with your beloved in this tiny hovel, amidst the bustle and grit of Center City. No one cares who you are or how you're dressed. You can have your \"When Harry Met Sally\" moment. Visiting Dim Sum Garden is a great place to meet a few friends so that you can all order various dishes and share. My recommendations include the soup dumplings, cucumber salad, and scallion pancake. The soup dumplings are practically made to order because the restaurant has a continually operating dumpling assembly line in the kitchen. Some of the staff have very little English proficiency so don't get too technical with your menu questions - just try something!", "timestamp": "2014-05-21T22:41:37" }
uAu772KpSkb-tPFgZmU-lA	[ { "business_id": "_gaOrkYtODrxY0JlWFe-sQ", "business_name": "High Point Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Ever since my departure from New York City after graduating from college, I've been looking for a local place that's good for a caffeine buzz, light lunch, or study spot. Starbucks and other chain stores grossly fail to meet my above standards mostly because customers are generally treated as nameless, faceless drones. I found High Point after I joined the Weavers Way Co-Op in West Mount Airy and was hooked. The staff? Knowledgeable! Don't know the difference between a caffe latte and a hole in the ground? Don't worry, they'll take you through their great menu without the side condescension. Always courteous and friendly, even to the gaggles of kids that come in from the school across the street around 3pm. The drinks? Made to order, the right way, the first time. They even offer their own beans. The food? Amazing quiche and crepes made to order. A diverse array of taste bud temping baked goodies. And salads for the guilty folks. Best of all - you can load a gift card in the shop, write your name on it, and have it stored behind the counter for your next visit. No more digging nickels out of your pockets to get a fix. No worries, they also take plastic. They're also pretty eco-friendly and inspire their customers to be as well by offering a credit for anyone who brings their own mug or thermos. I love that you can form relationships here, bring your mom here, meet a potential date here. The bulletin board is filled with active posts about pets for adoption, mommy and me groups, etc. And I'm only a few yards from the Co-Op across the road for groceries.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T19:56:28" }, { "business_id": "tkQfxEYkL-Fq3Al0hH9hKg", "business_name": "The Cat Doctor", "rating": 5, "text": "Who knew taking your cats to the vet could be this pleasant!? A friend recommended that I take my kitties here after I moved from the 'burbs. The staff is WONDERFUL! I get follow-up emails asking how my furrballs are doing after they've have procedures or sick visits. They're great about responding to questions by email. I was really impressed with the thorough \"report card\" I get after each visit. When my newest kitty got spayed, I got a full rundown on post-op care as if I was the one who have gone under the knife. Even when Bali had complications from the sutures, the staff was really supportive. No accusations of being an over-protective owner whatsoever. They handle cats gently and the exams are very thorough. They truly love their furry clients and treat owners with great respect and kindness.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T20:03:36" }, { "business_id": "8B_xigUkb_HxDvkXVa3LRw", "business_name": "Webb Cam", "rating": 5, "text": "I found Webb Cam through my Dad. They may seem a little out of the way for some folks but they are well worth the trip. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable and they have a great selection of equipment. You never have to worry about the hassle of some nerdy Best Buy salesman breathing down your neck to buy, buy, buy. Even the mayor's official photographer shops here. If you're serious about your photos, check out Webb Cam.", "timestamp": "2008-09-25T02:51:07" }, { "business_id": "gwUJdtb5vdVEmpa75yPDsA", "business_name": "Richard Nicholas Hair Studio", "rating": 5, "text": "I started going to Richard Nicholas when I moved back to Philly from New York City after college. There was no way in hell I was going to use the stylist my mom goes to. The guy will spray you down with Lysol if you have the slightest sniffle. I found RN after browsing Philadelphia Magazine's website. Joanne came highly rated and I made an appointment with her. At the time, she had pink hair and I was a bit skeptical of what I might look like when I left the place. Joanne is wonderful, though. She's creative and a bit of a risk taker. If you want something new, she's the go-to gal. She also listened to what I wanted and didn't push me past my comfort zone. She's warm, friendly, and a good conversationalist if you're in a chatty mood. She also isn't a product-pusher. Come to think of it, no one at RN has ever pushed services or products on me. Also, I feel that their services are well priced considering the surrounding area. I never have to wait months to get an appointment, the staff is superb and unpretentious, and the shop has a nice modern feel to it. I highly recommend them.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:35:24" }, { "business_id": "nDXR7nnWXDlkTvlx3Qbqgw", "business_name": "WXPN Radio", "rating": 4, "text": "I want to give this 5 stars, but I miss the Barnard student run WBAR alot post-college. Also, I'd love it, like alot of folks, if Y-Rock were on more often. I do have to say that I can no longer listen to commercial radio now that I listen to XPN. I mean, B101.1 starts Christmas music right after Halloween! And let's not forget the idiot jocks on one station who were part of that whole fiasco where a chick died from water intoxication. I secretly enjoy Kids' Corner if I'm in the car at 7pm when it airs. You'd be surprised what you learn on that show. Bottom line - I like that there are musicians that I can recognize who are actually musicians and I like that they introduce me to new artists.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:59:15" }, { "business_id": "YqmClmk7oLcDzPWKHzgA-Q", "business_name": "South Philadelphia Tap Room", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here with a friend to get over my shitty Thanksgiving holiday. Being the weekend of a holiday, the place was quiet. I tried the Mom's Meatloaf which came with Mac and Cheese. The portions are generous to say the least. I'm a beer fan and enjoyed the offerings they had on tap. They have a good selection of your regular favorites and things off the beaten path. I would definitely go back and think the SPTR is probably good for groups of folks looking to get together. I also like that the staff seems relatively unpretentious. I especially enjoyed our waitress' amusing stories of the the whole chef saga.", "timestamp": "2008-12-01T03:17:06" }, { "business_id": "RoUP3lcY4wEtdASLNIcmSw", "business_name": "Water Works Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the Waterworks - the river, the historical architectural, the romantic lighting... But, the food could be a bit better. I've been here a few times for various meals and I've never been flat-out disappointed. I just haven't been wowed. My dad and I hosted a surprise 60th birthday party here for my mom this past September. The private party experience was by far better than the average dining experience. The staff were attentive, but not smothering and kept all the guests well stocked with mimosas and bloody marys throughout the morning. The brunch was a lavish spread that seemed to suit everyone's tastes. Overall, I think we got quite a bit for our money, considering the whole shindig was under $2,000. The event planner was especially wonderful. She was professional and receptive to our needs and wants for the event. I think they could improve some of their culinary offerings, but otherwise, it's a fine place to bring the parents when they're in town. Bonus: free valet parking on Sundays for brunch.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T01:41:04" }, { "business_id": "nIlmZLuMs0JuBRvAHSIf8Q", "business_name": "Bredenbeck's Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor", "rating": 5, "text": "I've loved this place since I was old enough to spill an ice cream cone on myself. This seems to happen every time! My mother always got our birthday cakes from this family-owned bakery and nothing seems to compare. The baked goods are always fresh and made with premium ingredients. The ice cream is equally delectable, especially considering their wide assortment of sundaes and other concoctions. It's the cake the brings me back again and again for all occasions. The final product is always artfully presented and, of course, delicious. I also enjoy the friendly staff. The place is a little cramped, but I find it charming and fitting with the rest of Chestnut Hill.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T04:59:31" }, { "business_id": "VHA-b1NH4tIZB_IVEf_pmA", "business_name": "Minado", "rating": 2, "text": "A family friend kept telling me that she HAD to bring me to Minado. I am not one for buffets at all, so I really balked at the idea of a sushi buffet, but I finally let her take me. First of all, the drive out there was ridiculously long. That's beside the point, though. I didn't think the sushi selection was anything to write home about - the items didn't seem well labeled and they never seemed to have enough. The rest of the food reminded me of chinese takeout and I felt a bit overwhelmed by the myriad choices. The screaming children didn't help either. I don't envision myself driving all the way out there again. I'll stick to the local sushi joints.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T05:07:50" }, { "business_id": "MACqP6DlXBwTsXOhp0C6AA", "business_name": "Delicious Boutique", "rating": 5, "text": "I ended up with a corset thanks to a recent ex-boyfriend of mine. Yeah, don't ask. Anyway, I ended up with a Delicious corset - the best thing to come out of said relationship. I really have very little knowledge about the world of corsets, but the product I received was fabulous, especially for the price. Hell, I'd pay that price just because of the teeny-tiny waist it gives once I'm cinched in. The materials are definitely top of the line and the construction is completely solid. I am definitely appreciative of the fact that they really do follow your measurements to the T. A corset is the perfect under(or over)garment to make a gal feel just sexy enough, rather than like a bare-it-all tramp.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T03:58:12" }, { "business_id": "Vxsq098z903XRXBq4IZWTw", "business_name": "PASSIONAL Boutique & Sexploratorium", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to be a fan of this store and, for a while, I was pretty excited that they existed. After living in New York City, however, they just don't compare to Babeland. They offer a decent selection of toys and other accessories, but their prices seem pretty high for the industry. This is especially true if you head up the block to their clothing store. Are there really people who spend hundreds of dollars on latex clothing? I do commend their very knowledgeable and friendly staff who seem to be well versed on various things from products to techniques. They even offer classes. Considering that Philadelphia is lacking in reputable, well-run, educational sex shops, they do a darn good job. I think I'll probably stick to visiting Babeland on runs to NYC, though.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:03:50" }, { "business_id": "2GYg3liJ9-m6Z67L_4_BRQ", "business_name": "Weavers Way Co-Op", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVE Weaver's Way and really disagree with some of the content in previous reviews. WW is not necessarily meant for convenience shopping. I am a single woman and I find that I have no trouble shopping at the co-op, during peak times or otherwise. I actually find the co-op to be a great place to shop if you live alone because I can get smaller quantities of items than if I shop at the corporate stores like Acme. I also enjoy the work hours - I've worked throughout the store, but most recently, I have been getting in my hours by participating in the membership committee. I wouldn't say that the community is necessarily made up of \"tree huggers\" and \"earth children\", though. The community is made up of a variety of similarly-minded folks from different backgrounds. I enjoy having a place to go to where I can obtain locally grown produce, a place that offers more natural, wholesome, and preservative-free foods than chain stores with prices way below that of Whole Foods. I enjoy interacting with other members and contributing to my local and global community. I don't find the membership fee or the work hours to be prohibitive being a single person vs. a family. I don't think that membership in a co-op is for everyone and, if you aren't single, it's definitely not a solo decision. If you're keen on being committed to the Weaver Way values, you couldn't find a better place to shop. If not, stick to the chain stores or just pay the 10% visitors' fee to pop in once in a while.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:13:43" }, { "business_id": "aZNiVR6oAMQX5__yGPvYsg", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "My first trip to Susanna Foo was at 6 months old when the restaurant was still a hole-in-the-wall takeout joint owned by Susanna's parents. My parents have been taking my brother and I ever since. I have many fond memories of Susanna fashioning dolls for us out of the linen napkins and preparing Chicken with Cashew Nuts when we refused to eat anything else. The food has always been reliable, but now that I am an adult, I find it lacking excitement. The service is always impeccable and I have never been disappointed by the overall decor or ambience. I'd like to see Susanna improve upon some of her traditional recipes by either adding new flavors or perhaps returning to her Chinese roots with a more ethnic menu. I'm hoping there will be a revitalization and that I will come to love Susanna Foo as much as I did as a child.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:24:16" }, { "business_id": "jZGqAdBlDnrP-J7--vdPxA", "business_name": "Beijing Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "If you work at HUP or UPenn, chances are you've visited Beijing. I don't understand the allure. I'd rather work a 12-hour shift on my busy oncology floor than eat here again. The food is greasy and has to be laced with a healthy dose of MSG. The flavors are mediocre and nothing on the menu stands out. The stale smell of cooking oil overwhelms the restaurant, making it hard for your taste buds to actually do their job. At least they allow you to substitute brown rice with no hefty charge. This is hardly the place to find \"authentic chinese\" fare. If you're a poor college kid/med student/grad student I won't hold it against you. If you can afford it, treat yourself to something classier.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T05:06:05" }, { "business_id": "wgyh6_YZt_ByA9iBbX5i7g", "business_name": "Body Graphics, Inc", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm new to the world of tattoos and went to Body Graphics for the first time ever this past summer to have a small piece done inside my left ankle. I sheepishly admit that I was pretty nervous since I wasn't sure how to go about the whole affair. Luckily, Andrew was working and made me feel completely at ease. We joked over my wanting a sheep tattoo and he drew up a couple of sketches before I settled on my favorite. He didn't gouge me on the price either and was completely supportive of my being a newbie to the whole tattoo process. He was extremely professional and fastidious about cleanliness and such. He was thorough in his explanation of caring for my newest piece of artwork and gave me his card in case I had any problems. There was no pretentious vibe from this guy and we had a good chuckle over the adorable sheep that now sits above my ankle. I'm planning to go back to get more work done and will definitely give an update then. For my first experience, Body Graphics was pretty great - a clean, professional shop, and Andrew is tops in my book.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T16:17:38" }, { "business_id": "o8J_QeVwDZAugMYNOPAgPQ", "business_name": "Marco Polo", "rating": 4, "text": "I give this 4 stars partly for reasons of nostalgia and partly because I actually like some of the dishes here. I grew up within walking distance of the restaurant in Elkins Park and had the (dis)pleasure of seeing it evolve over the years. I have to say that the food isn't as great since Chef Lo has left. I like that there is a seasonal component to the menu and that they do have pretty good specials. The traditional Italian dishes are a bit lackluster, but if you're not particular about your spaghetti... I do like that they serve bruschetta and olives instead of bread. The service is always snappy and friendly, especially since the manager circulates throughout the dining room on most nights. It's still a decent place to go with the parents.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T02:55:49" }, { "business_id": "dERS4qwl9v-Gwft-Ug8APA", "business_name": "West Ave Grille Jenkintown Restaurant and Food Truck ", "rating": 4, "text": "It was pretty exciting when West Avenue Grill opened up considering the lack of good eateries in the neighborhood. I've eaten here for brunch, lunch, and dinner on numerous occasions. The food is consistently good and there are yummy seasonal options that they add to the existing menu. Sometimes, the service leaves something to be desired if you get stuck with some high school newbie. There can definitely be a wait when all of the blue-haired ladies decide they want to lunch (or see a movie at the theater down the street). They offer a decent array of beers beyond the standards that most restaurants carry. The outdoor seating for warm weather is a plus as well.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:07:00" }, { "business_id": "JmzNw0WCPmZPZdq5nx9brg", "business_name": "Kitchen Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "My mother likes to drag me here when I pop by the house. The menu is a little overwhelming consider the array of choices that mix flavors from different parts of the globe. They also have some of the unhealthiest options I've seen in quite a while. Is that a whole cow between those buns? The portions are hearty to say the least, but the food still isn't anything to write home about. I find the flavors to be muddled or hidden beneath too much spice. It's a good place for mom and dad to take the kiddies on a Saturday night. It's also popular with meat-head men and their dates looking to get trashed while they watch the latest game. The bar still allowed smoking as of my last trip and that was a major turn-off as the smoke tends to waft into the dining room. Plus: the Abington Pharmacy next door where you can grab some chocolates to replace the unoriginal dessert you just ate next door.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:15:04" }, { "business_id": "ZF0tt7hn6WK3-aNWgtLcFA", "business_name": "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site", "rating": 5, "text": "ESP is another Philadelphia site that I enjoy wandering around. The staff members here are incredibly well educated as most have backgrounds in history, architecture/preservation, anthropology, etc. I recently became a member and have enjoyed the special perks they provide like \"behind the scenes\" tours of the hospital ward and kitchens of the prison - areas that aren't open to the general public. ESP is also a wonderful academic resource for those conducting research on related topics. The place is a photographer's dream with the abundance of natural light that filters in through the stone, not to mention the interesting architectural details. I even recommend the Halloween bash \"Terror Behind the Walls\". If you can stand the hyper-active teenagers, it's a good scare. I'm not sure if the hardhat requirement still persists, but be aware that ESP is in a state of ruin. I also believe that children under a certain age are not permitted, but I would double-check. Also, there aren't bathroom facilities except for a lone port-a-potty or two on the grounds.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:45:11" }, { "business_id": "uI5k9lJkWlKi6OUW5yYIpQ", "business_name": "Benjamin Lovell Shoes", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm very picky about shoes. I want to put something stylish yet original on my feet without having to suffer hours of pain throughout the day. I have a bit of a hard-to-fit foot due a high instep, but I always manage to find something to suit my mood. I prefer the Rittenhouse store to the Manayunk and South St. locations. I think that all three stores have relatively good selections, but I seem to find my favorites at the Rittenhouse shop. They carry many brands that you won't find at other department or bargain stores: Tsubo, Camper, Everybody, MBT, Naot, Birkenstock, Ugg, and more. It's no secret that alot of their shoes come with a considerable price tag if you're used to stores like Payless or DSW, but I find the brands offered at Benjamin Lovell wear better and last longer than many others I've owned. I've always received prompt, courteous service from the staff members. If they are out of stock in my size, they have never hesitated to try and order what I'm looking for. The sale section is also worthwhile if you're looking for more of a bargain. Benjamin Lovell has become one of the few places where I will shop for shoes. Definitely check them out for wide selection of Dansko and Mephisto shoes, or if you're looking to break out of the mold a bit. Do we really need another pair of Tory Burch flats walking through the city?", "timestamp": "2008-12-05T03:02:38" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I enjoyed myself at Monk's. It's a good standby to have in your arsenal for the out-of-town guests, but not great. Our service was a bit spotty and I felt like our waitress was totally uninterested in us. I enjoyed the burger I ordered, but the fries were nothing to rave about. Also, it annoys me when places make you order fries as a side instead of just providing them with your meal. Of course, the beer selection is enough to make your head spin.I had a few tasty brews that made the trip worthwhile. Maybe next time I'll just come for drinks and skip the food.", "timestamp": "2008-12-10T02:44:32" }, { "business_id": "R1aHeUAwUF1Qkpacrn2Njw", "business_name": "Hideaway Music", "rating": 4, "text": "I don't buy very many cd's anymore. iTunes just makes it too easy to have instant access to many artists. However, when I want to have an actual disk, I head to Hideaway. If I had a record player I would totally buy vinyls here as well as their selection looks pretty sweet. I love that I can almost always find what I'm looking for. And if I can't? They'll order it for me. I prefer the posters that line the Hideaway walls instead of running into grubby guys in Best Buy t-shirts. Check out the Chestnut Hill Coffee Co. up the way too if you're strung out on Starbucks.", "timestamp": "2008-12-11T00:34:18" }, { "business_id": "itwiCpfGR5xlUpawXrt4tA", "business_name": "Penn Campus Recreation", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Pottruck. I initially signed up because, as a HUP employee, I get a pretty sweet discount. I wasn't sure how much I'd actually like it since he place is huge and rather sterile feeling. After a couple of spins on the elliptical, I realized that I was extremely pleased with the facility. Pottruck is clean and spacious enough to handle hundreds of people a day. I have never had to wait for a machine and I have never encountered out-of-order equipment. The machines have iPod jacks that will play your music through the machine AND charge your iPod at the same time. The hours are great - I can go early in the morning, later at night, and anytime in between. The staff, for the most part, is really friendly, accommodating, and helpful. One afternoon, I forgot my lock and one staff member offered to watch my stuff while I worked out so that I wouldn't have to hunt for a quarter locker. I like that they have day lockers where you can supply your own lock. This means not having to shell out extra dough for a place to stash your stuff during your work out. The juice bar is a plus as well if you're in need of a bottle of water or a recovery shake. I can't yet comment on the the classes, but I'm looking forward to trying a few come spring. Pottruck offers alot from classes, to rock climbing and an outdoors club, to the pool, and their Penn Fit Program. They also offer personal training and massage therapy which I am looking forward to trying. The best part for me is that they are a part of the Blue Cross' Healthy Lifestyles program - after 120 workouts, I get $150 back from my health insurance company.", "timestamp": "2008-12-12T02:42:27" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "I still love the PMA. I took myself to see the Gee's Bend exhibit today. Normally, I meander through exhibits on my own, but today I decided to take the free guided tour. I have to say having a tour guide really made a difference. The woman could have been a little more friendly - I felt she was a tad brusque in her answering of questions - but her knowledge of quilting, quilt design and the Gee's Bend aesthetic made up for her demeanor. Since she had met with the women/artists when they came for the opening of the exhibit so we was able to share all sorts of little bits of stories with us. The quilts were absolutely stunning and I'm inspired to break out the sewing machine. I really enjoyed the photography mini exhibit at the beginning with intimate portraits of some of the artists. The 28 minute documentary at the Perelman center was a great addition and another way to \"meet\" the quilters. I like that the museum continued the exhibit in Perelman by adding examples of Victorian and Amish quilting. This is only the second time in my life that I have bought the \"coffee table book\" of an exhibit, but I was so taken with the Gee's Bend exhibit that I couldn't resist. Also, there were double discounts for members! I also popped into the James Castle exhibit which was equally fascinating. Once again, my membership pays for itself.", "timestamp": "2008-12-13T00:15:16" }, { "business_id": "jtMPW39yiv5CorhKfgUaTw", "business_name": "Daryl's Pastries", "rating": 5, "text": "I've come to realize that there are two kinds of people in this town: those who go to Dunkin Donuts and those who don't. I try to avoid DD if at all possible. Especially since I always seem to see them in the news when they get robbed at gunpoint. Also, let's face it people, their doughnuts leave something to be desired - I always seem to get something stale or a slightly soggy French Cruller. Daryl's, on the other hand, owns a special place in my heart. As a kid, I knew it was a special weekend if I found a crisp white box of Daryl's pastries and doughnuts on the kitchen table. Things I like about Daryl's: 1. Family owned and operated. 2. Everything is made fresh on the premises. 3. Best doughnuts ever! 4. They have breakfast sandwiches and coffee too. 5. The staff is friendly and speaks intelligible English. 6. There cakes and other pastries are just as tasty and well-made as their doughnuts.", "timestamp": "2008-12-20T15:34:13" }, { "business_id": "lH_UKAJy6YTa1ArfdACU4g", "business_name": "Olive Garden Italian Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll admit I enjoy a meal at Olive Garden every now and then when I'm craving artery-clogging bread sticks. I stopped by this location today for some take-out after shopping with my mom. While we didn't actually dine-in at this location, we did wait long enough to have to suffer through the obnoxious population of people streaming through the door. Is it just me or is this location chock full of women who have squeezed themselves into tiny outfits like sausages into ill-fitting casings? I didn't really think a 45 minute wait for take out was necessary given that we were there at 5pm. My spaghetti and italian sausage came with way over done sausage and they gave me meat sauce even though I specifically requested regular marinara sauce. My dad's lasagna looked like it was slapped together by a 3 year old, making me wonder if they tossed it from across the room into its container. My mom's chicken carbonara looked like it was already a left-over with slightly-congealed sauce over the noodles. Luckily, the breadsticks and salad saved the meal. Everyone gets their own portion of salad, the dressing comes in sealed take-out cups, and the servings of breadsticks are generous.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:32:49" }, { "business_id": "3Ce8r1K1O-2JKSMXdXID-w", "business_name": "Linvilla Orchards", "rating": 3, "text": "A friend and I hiked (not literally) to Linvilla this autumn to pick some apples for sauce and pies. Having visited other area orchards throughout my life, I was seriously surprised to find that this one is like some sort of kiddie wonderland complete with Pumpkinland, petting zoo, and stilt walkers. I thought I had possibly made a wrong turn along the way. Luckily, the actual apple orchard is across the road from all the juvenile madness. I was a bit disappointed in the selection they had at the time (early October) as we seemed limited to picking Red and Golden Delicious - two very unexciting apple varieties. I did manage to get a fair amount of Macoun's though which worked nicely for all the sauce I made. I managed to pick several pounds of apples (I completely overestimated how many pounds I am actually able to lift and schlep to my car) and only had to shell out $20 or so. Being childless, we happily skipped Pumpkinland, the train ride, and the petting zoo in favor of the country store. I scored a much needed apple sliver/corer and some decadent caramel dip. The pie line is insane and you'll need to use your elbows to keep your spot lest you get bullied out of the way by burly suburban soccer moms. The cider donuts are definitely worth the push and shove as well. I recommend the store for picking up all those culinary goodies you've always wanted to make but will never find the time in which to do so (chutney, jam, pickles, soups). Don't forget to pick up a gallon of apple cider for those chilly fall nights! I could do without the Six Flags-like atmosphere and the county fair-like food stands, though. The crowds are large and made up of people mostly under 4 feet tall. Expect parking delays, lots of walking, screaming and whining and tantrums. If, like me, you don't have kids, you can smile serenely and be happy that you don't have any sticky hands to wipe.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:49:18" }, { "business_id": "DRr5xdfHtqgWfhmdTU1B8Q", "business_name": "London Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to London Grill the other night with a friend. We arrived around 9pm and the place was relatively busy, but we were promptly seated. This is my second time to LG (I've previously been here for brunch with the parents). Honestly, I've had no problem with the service. Our particular server seemed overwhelmed, so another waiter stepped in to help her. Our meals were served fairly quickly - within 20 minutes of ordering. After a 12 hour shift at work, I had the best meal of the day at LG. I ordered the Roast BBQ pork which came with collard greens and macaroni and cheese. It's easy to screw up collard greens, but these were tender with a spicy/vinegar punch. The pork was cooked to perfection - moist with no hint of gristle. The barbecue sauce was equally tasty and didn't evoke the flavors of bottles sauces one bit. The macaroni was also delicious. They smartly avoiding \"dressing\" it up and stuck with ooey-gooey cheese and tender elbow noodles. My friend was equally pleased with his fish and chips. Their selection of beer is pretty impressive and this is one of the few places that seems to carry Strongbow cider (which they serve in a HUGE glass). Needless to say, we had a great time. The atmosphere is inviting and the atrium is a great place to sit even in the winter. Jeff is a great bartender and I was glad to have John and Brighid as our servers. I've definitely had no problems with service here.", "timestamp": "2009-01-05T08:21:06" }, { "business_id": "jHVotJhyPKOLuO7MVnmbtQ", "business_name": "Royal Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Some friends and I wandered into the Royal Tavern to continue my birthday celebration after leaving the South Philly Taproom. The place is tiny, but wasn't crowded when we arrived and we were able to grab seats at the bar. The bar tender was attentive and friendly and we didn't have to fight with other patrons to get drinks. We ordered a plate of Nachos which were some of the best I've had - lots of fresh tomatoes and cheese, generous helpings of guacamole and sour cream, and the chips were perfectly crisp instead of soggy or stale. The single strand of holiday lights above the wood bar lend a perfect ambience to the dimly lit tavern. The kitchen is open until 1am which is great for night owls. I was impressed by the beers that they had both in bottles and on draught - enough choices to suit a variety of tastes. I look forward to going back to try more of their culinary offerings, especially their brunch.", "timestamp": "2009-01-11T18:17:49" }, { "business_id": "6TPlb2eRasW6R0Fzz6T_JQ", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "For me, Susanna Foo's Gourmet Kitchen will never compare to her fine-dining establishment in Center City, but I was pleasantly surprised. My parents have known Susanna since she took over her parents' restaurant, Hunan's, and I have been sampling her culinary creations since I was 6 months old. So my fondness for Susanne Foo in general runs much deeper than the successes and failures I've seen her weather in the restaurant world. I had read the less-than-stellar reviews of the Gourmet Kitchen and wasn't really sure what to expect when my mom and I had lunch on my birthday. First of all, the decor is stunning - deep reds, golds, supple leather chairs, large circular chandeliers, deep vessel sinks in the washroom, and a modern-styled bar. I ordered a spicy tuna roll to start. Not knowing what to expect of sushi at a supposedly Chinese restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised - the fish was extremely fresh, tender, and totally lacking in any fishy taste. The spicy sauce wasn't one of those heavy mayo concoctions you sometimes encounter that over-powers the fish. For my entree, I ordered the crispy tofu with tomatoes in a kung pao sauce which was accompanied by fried rice, hot and sour soup, and steamed vegetables. My selection was delicious! The tofu was lightly crisped on the outside, yet tender in the middle and oozing the savory kung pao sauce. The vegetables were tender with a hint of crunch which preserved their unique flavors. The rice was light, fluffy, and lacking the oily heaviness you traditionally find in other establishments. Of course, the hot and sour soup is always my favorite - a perfect blend of spice and pucker. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday meal and look forward to going back to sample more dishes. I also felt that the pricing was reasonable - my mother and I both had appetizers and entrees, all for $40 dollars. The service, too, was impeccable.", "timestamp": "2009-01-20T17:11:56" }, { "business_id": "oa5h-kz5oFYHBKpasKYXQw", "business_name": "Charlie Gray's Rib Crib", "rating": 4, "text": "As a kid I had this phobia of meat on the bone (ribs, chicken legs, pork chops, et al.) I know someone is going to turn that into a crass joke, but it's true. So, as I kid, the only thing I really ever ate from the Rib Crib was the macaroni salad. At some point my dad put his foot down, saying that it was just un-African American to dislike ribs. How can you ignore that challenge? The Rib Crib is an institution in Germantown and in our family with many a Friday night spent covered in barbecue sauce. I love that you can watch the meat being smoked right in the open pit as you wait for your order. At their best, Rib Crib ribs are smokey with fall-off-the-bone tender meat, and slathered in a sweet/tangy/spicy sauce. Unfortunately, you don't always get perfection, which is disappointing given the fact that they are open only a few days a week. I agree with Mark C. - the joint is take out only and it's frustrating to get home with your order to realize that it's been and \"off day\" at the Crib. In my opinion, the tangy macaroni salad can't be beat and there's nothing better than sopping up extra sauce with fluffy slices of white bread. The friendly staff can't be beat, though, and the owner has been active in the community for years. Of course, you can't miss the myriad photos of prominent black folks that adorn the walls of the small space. Those photos were some of my earliest lessons in Black History. For a biracial kid from the 'burbs, this is a place where I was actually able to connect with my African American heritage. The Rib Crib is worth a try if you're into hitting barbecue spots around the Philly area, but they may no longer be the best in the business.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T17:47:44" }, { "business_id": "E52a-tWfAVUigt1ArF711w", "business_name": "Joseph Fox Bookshop", "rating": 5, "text": "I was in Joseph Fox yesterday. It's my go-to spot when I've had a bad day. I received a call that a book I had requested was in store. I've been trying to get my hands on a copy of \"Revolutionary Road\" since I refuse to see the movie before reading the book. One of the saleswomen had pulled a copy from a recent shipment and held it for me. The best part? She had put aside a non-movie cover copy for me. \"You just seemed like the kind of woman who wouldn't want a copy with Leonardo DiCaprio slathered all over it.\" How right she was! I ended up leaving with that, a copy of Madame Bovary, and Persepolis I and II. Again, the service was friendly and impeccable. I think I've sworn off big-box bookstores for good. I also find solace in that I am not the only customer in this bookstore not reading Stephanie Meyer's \"Twilight\" series, whereas Borders seems to bombard me with displays. Also, at Joseph Fox, I don't have to deal with the extraneous other junk other stores sell.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T18:12:44" }, { "business_id": "Vcn_cuQNKRF0eQ16TXVaXQ", "business_name": "The Night Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is for the recent batch of cupcakes I had from The Night Kitchen. I was really disappointed with them, or mostly the icing. I hope it was just a fluke, but the icing was terrible! It was like a little rosette of lard on top of a not-so-moist, crumbly cake. Waaaay too much butter and way too little whipping. I didn't even finish the whole cake because of the terribly cloying taste. Also, the cakes are tiny in comparison for their cost. Now when I go to TNK, I stick to their cookies.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:18:32" }, { "business_id": "HZDJl_MpCBz2_juU1BvDTw", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 1, "text": "I wish there were Waffle Houses this far north. If there was I would quickly trade IHOP for them. I love IHOP, or rather \"loved\" them. It's hard to let go of those childhood memories of days off from school and pancake breakfasts that included chocolate chips of all things. Today's trip was just terrible. Of course the wait is long because people crawl out of the woodwork to get to this place on the weekend. It's the only place I ever see other black folks in Jenkintown! We've been the only black family on my Elkins Park block for years, but we're not alone at IHOP. Weird. We were seated fairly quickly and our drink orders were taken. 15-20 minutes later we were still liquid-less; as were the surrounding tables being serviced by the same waitress. After a chat with the manager, we received our drinks. Another long wait forced us to hijack another waitress just to get our food orders in. By the time all was said and done, breakfast had turned into a 2-hour affair. It would have been nice to see the manager be a bit more involved on a busy Saturday when several customers were lacking decent service. Contrary to the tv commercials, the food just isn't worth hanging around all morning with screaming children.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "6w6wDhgTzteP1tCBvK6fnw", "business_name": "Loie", "rating": 4, "text": "I met a friend here for brunch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The place was really empty and I was a bit skeptical. If a brunch place is empty at noon on a Sunday, it doesn't say much about the food, etc. The emptiness, however, meant that we were seated and attended to promptly. The prix-fixe menu includes all-you-can-drink Mimosas or Bloody Marys. My friend and I each started with a Mimosa. I was pleased that they weren't overly skimpy on the champagne. I started with their garden salad which is pretty large and just right on the dressing. Not too dry and not swimming in oil. I ordered an omelette which was chock-full of my favorites: cheese, spinach, and mushrooms. The dish was cooked perfectly - the eggs weren't runny or overcooked and they came with wonderfully seasoned diced new potatoes. The service continued to be wonderful even as the restaurant filled up. The atmosphere was cozy and I enjoyed our seats by the large, open windows in the front. I'm sure this place is quite lovely in the warmer months. I would definitely consider this spot for out-of-town guests, family, and friends. You won't have to smash your piggy bank for a good meal.", "timestamp": "2009-04-08T04:52:18" }, { "business_id": "K3RURR9lIEE4JjOaPt99zg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been trying to get in for a meal at Sabrina's for months now. I wish someone had told me that they are only open until 4pm two days a week as it seems that those were the days when I tried to go for dinner. I was able to try out their lunch menu earlier this week with my mom and her friend. Being a Monday afternoon, the place was relatively quiet and we were seated immediately. The menu was a little daunting since you can get everything from eggs to cheesesteaks. I settled on a veggie burger with portobello mushrooms and cheddar cheese + the parmesan fries. I rounded things out with an ice cold rootbeer opting for the increased caloric hit rather than subject myself to Diet Rite. The burger was hearty and delicious - you'd have hardly known it wasn't meat with all of the mushrooms. I was quite happy to not have received anything wimpy and previously frozen from a cardboard box. The cheese was perfectly gooey and resembled nothing like those chemically concocted slices you find elsewhere. The fries were the best thing on the plate, though. Who would have thought that parmesan cheese could significantly elevate the humble french fry? The service was average - nothing spectacular. I did catch a little bit of hipster vibe from one of the servers, but such attitudes are becoming harder to avoid in most city neighborhoods. The only thing that could have made the day better? If they hadn't been out of key lime pie.", "timestamp": "2009-05-15T16:57:07" }, { "business_id": "XBwxCXPE8MX1aMs-zT1-Fg", "business_name": "Studio 34", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been wanting to take an African dance class since college but loathed the idea of hopping around with mostly white, mostly classically trained dancers at my liberal arts institution. Then I moved back to Philly and thought about taking a class at the UPenn gym where I am already a member. However, the whopping class fee - uh, hello, I already pay a yearly fee! - and thought of suffering the annoyances of the UPenn female undergrad population - why are you plastered to your Blackberry while working out?! - was equally unappealing. A friend of mine raved about Studio 34 and the work exchange program she had done there. Lo and behold, they have a weekly, drop-in African dance class for...wait for it, wait for it....$10! Yes, $10! Luckily, that price does not include snarky undergrads. I went to my first class on a rainy Sunday and had a great time. There were only three other people present, but I felt immediately comfortable and supported despite my complete lack of dance ability or training. By the end of the class, I was moving along just as well as the other folks. The teacher, Assumane, is wonderful and enthusiastic and you can't help but want to give it your best shot even if your left foot won't listen to your brain. This class is a great workout, especially for someone like me who isn't very in tune with her body but hates toiling away on a machine. You use all parts of your body in these dances from Guinea-Bissau and therefore, you kind of just make peace with whatever wobbly bits you've got. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that this is a weekly ongoing class. I don't have to worry about schedule interferences because I know I can always go the next week. You can't beat $10 to try something out. I look forward to trying some of their yoga classes as my body confidence improves. I am also much impressed by their commitment to the community, the friendliness of the staff, and the welcoming physical space.", "timestamp": "2009-05-16T02:33:07" }, { "business_id": "u7cZUEGK6iJP2gvI22xY2A", "business_name": "Memphis Taproom", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is still awesome. Roasted mushroom grinder = way better than any cheesesteak I've had in this town. I know, sacrilege, right? The atmosphere was better this time and our party didn't get shushed for adult-themed topics. I still don't love that lots of folks bring their kids here, though. Sometimes, I like to go out to eat and avoid toddling children who wander over unattended. I love that they have Sam Smith's Organic Cider in bottles, Allagash Tripel, and Monk's Sour Ale - some of my favorite libations. The fried pickles and suicide rings still light my fire. If only I could find a boy as yummy as they are instead of tables of canoodling couples.", "timestamp": "2009-06-27T19:47:17" }, { "business_id": "EPMHuTHu46B123ivRIZ-Xg", "business_name": "Magic Carpet", "rating": 5, "text": "The Magic Carpet truck is the only lunch truck I frequent. I can guarantee that I can get a sizeable portion of food that will do my body good for about $5. All of the food is prepared by the Magic Carpet folks in their offsite, commercial kitchen so you won't be getting frozen falafel balls here. Their portions are generous enough to cover you for lunch and the afternoon munchies that hit later in the day. It's best to try and sneak in early right around Noon or you are sure to have to contend with a substantial queue. Just like Pat's or Geno's, be sure to know what you want, how you want it before it's your turn or the other hungry customers are sure to grumble as you hem and haw over El Gringo or Magic Meatballs. Definite pros: - no cross contamination from meats - no msg laden crap - folks who speak great english - freshly prepared meals - beverage options that aren't just huge bottles of sugar-y soda Cons: - the long line - having to choose between lots of tasty options.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:21:06" }, { "business_id": "W_vlLO_fS_MuLTvxt1B7AA", "business_name": "Brewers Outlet Of Mt. Airy & Chestnut Hill", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best beer distributor out of the ones I've hit in the 'burbs. I grew up going to Madonna's on Easton Road, but because it's a drive-through, you've got to know what you want when you reach the window. Frosty Caps on 611 comes complete with a guy who looks like John Travolta, but mainly services the Miller Light crowd. Brewer's Outlet is one-stop shopping for beer, cider, and the Vintage seltzer that I love. I wish I could afford to buy an entire case of the Allagash Tripel ($74), but I'll have to stick to drinking it by the glass at Memphis Taproom. I can't confirm that they're over-priced on some goods because I rarely find the brews I like at other distributors. Most people's reaction to my query about Samuel Smith's Organic Cider is \"huh?\" A major boon is their swap policy. Buying a case of something from a microbrewery? Want to try a bottle of that local ____ before buying the whole case? Swap a bottle of yours for a bottle of theirs! Again, it's also convenient to be able to pick up bottled water and the like at the same spot. I've also never gotten those stares male employees sometimes give women that say \"You're picking out the beer? That party's going to suck.\" The employees are helpful without any hints of snobbery. FYI: I'm listing this place as \"pricey\" because the beverages I like don't tend to come cheap.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:31:42" }, { "business_id": "rIqkOMxkeoqvUzl909gNmQ", "business_name": "Kiwi Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "I like the fact that I can exercise my own version of portion control at this new Univ. City establishment. I do wish they had cups smaller than their smallest one, though, because it's hard to know when you've overdone it until you're paying $6 for fro-yo. I mixed the original tart and pumpkin. Both had exceptionally good flavor. The pumpkin actually tasted like pumpkin pie - neither too sweet nor too spicy. Unfortunately, I think some folks believe that fro-yo equals a completely guilt free treat. In reality, you can't really frequent the place several times in a week and expect not to pay for it. Yeah, they use HFCS, but I'm ok with that because I'm not eating there every week. I also like that I can indulge in sinful toppings like snickers bars and chocolate sauce if I'm so inclined. As someone with a nut allergy, I'm glad the place isn't overflowing with all manner of those options. I think the self-serve option is great and it's fun to swirl unusual flavors together. I feel like this a great place for students unlike some of the more pretentious-feeling venues in center city. Dessert should be fun - and I don't necessarily want to cover it in fruit and granola after long day.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:11:18" }, { "business_id": "Kdq1xfIFIKOdO-qW-_tg8A", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "First off - I wouldn't describe this establishment as Asian Fusion. I recall reading that they serve \"Contemporary American\", but I could have made that up. Some friends and I dined here for Restaurant Week Fall 2009 and it as a darn good choice. The wrap-around windows really make for a lovely atmosphere. The cocktails were creative and I enjoyed vodka for the first time in a long while. I also like the long, bar-like table that runs the length of the restaurant, providing extra seating that doesn't make you feel as if you are sitting on top of your neighbor. I was impressed with the menu and the number of choices they provided. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer and say that my meal was fantastic. I started with the heirloom tomato gazpacho with lemon sorbet. The lemon sorbet added a wonderfully cool, summer flavor to the spice of this Spanish soup without diluting the overall tomato flavor. The rolls were wonderfully textured - chewy and warm inside with a crisp crust. The wasabi butter was a definite bonus. My main course of roasted free-range chicken, brussels sprouts, and yukon mashed potatoes was hearty and delicious. The brussels sprouts were especially superb and lacked all trace of the pungent horseradish flavor they sometimes acquire during cooking. Dessert was a lovely little trio chosen beforehand - apple pie, warm chocolate tarte, and ginger ice cream. Our server was attentive, but not overbearing and was especially knowledgeable about the wine selections. I'd recommend this venue for all manner of dinners: dates, parents in town, friends, or even just to treat yourself.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:25:13" }, { "business_id": "Z6WntA-h-vBAQ3Xoe2Xy6Q", "business_name": "Brickbat Books", "rating": 5, "text": "I stumbled into this shop after previous afternoons of passing it by because I talked myself out of going into yet another bookshop. This space is different, though. This is where my fellow book snobs and I can congregate. I make no apologies for eschewing \"beach reads\", Jodi Picoult, and just about most things sold at the big box stores. With so many books in the world, one really does have to have discriminating tastes, don't you think? I love that they have great bits of Edward Gorey 1st editions. I love that there was a James Joyce reading group taking up most of the room. I picked up a loved copy of The Grapes of Wrath (why is this never in when I'm at the library!?) and a vintage edition of The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen. Nevermind that I have no clue who Elizabeth Bowen is, the cover of the plastic-wrapped petite paperback was calling my name. This is where you go to find diamonds in the rough for your literary collection - titles people will pull off of your shelf and say \"I've never seen this before\" and you can tell them all about the day you stumbled into Brickbat and found a new love.", "timestamp": "2009-11-10T00:57:25" }, { "business_id": "-DGsnMlRrR_tv8avrpQLQw", "business_name": "Sam's Morning Glory Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend and I decided on Wednesday morning brunch in order to catch up and unwind post-holiday. I'd passed Morning Glory a number of times while in the neighborhood, but hadn't ever eaten there. I like the vibe - it felt much less pretentious than in Sabrina's where I feel out of place with only one tattoo and feet not shod in Converse. I have to say that I wouldn't attempt to eat here with your 10 best friends, though, as space is an issue. There was no wait when we arrived at 10am, but I was surprised at how quickly the place filled up on a Wednesday in January - does no one work these days? This also isn't place where you can linger over a cup of coffee for hours given said lack of space. The staff will probably appreciate you much more if you pay your check in a timely manner and vamoose if there are people waiting. That being said, my Irish oatmeal was lovely. I was grateful that it wasn't soupy, but just right. Baby Bear would have approved. It was topped with a generous helping of strawberries, bananas, and blueberries. I also ordered a side of turkey sausage which was delicious and fork-tender. Few people probably care about this, but I found it charming that they serve their coffee in large tin mugs instead of the usual white ceramic stuff. My friend ordered a hearty portion of eggs, turkey sausage, and biscuit - which looked thoroughly delicious, but equally taxing on one's gallbladder. Maybe I'll for it next time, when I'm not contending with post-holiday pudge. The staff was great and quick with the coffee refills.", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T15:56:56" }, { "business_id": "TeHlA3PjMCAwJSLymjhz3A", "business_name": "Beans", "rating": 4, "text": "Was surprised to see that Beans opened a new location while in the city the other day. I've never been overly impressed by their other locations in the suburbs. If this store doesn't have it, you probably don't need it. And if you're looking for stuff on the cheap (ie: no $20 blow dryers here), this probably isn't the shop for you. The store is actually really lovely with high ceilings and an open feeling. They've got tons of products for just about anything you could imagine from hair color to nail polish to styling tools. I got a lot of (as in probably just a tad more than I like) help in selecting a hair dryer since I've gasp never owned one! I decided to go with something that will die probably after I do. I appreciate that my new hair dryer also comes with a free class in how to actually use the thing to achieve the style I want. They also do repairs! And who doesn't like a free pouch of jelly beans with each purchase?", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T23:29:22" }, { "business_id": "fhoqmnw5sXzj91-7yBW0Kw", "business_name": "Mugshots Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I ordered the Aztec hot chocolate one afternoon which nearly had me choking due to the amount of cayenne pepper that was in the drink. I thought the idea was to give your tastebuds a hint of heat, not send you into a coughing fit. I'm also kind of annoyed by the whole wi-fi set up. When you purchase a beverage, you get an hour of wi-fi through a code they give you. Essentially, you've got to make another purchase every hour to stay connected. I think I would rather pay a flat fee up front than having to keep purchasing more food/drinks. I wasn't too pleased with the fact that I had also ordered a sandwich, but the person who took my order only put in for my beverage. I should have caught it when I paid, but my mind was elsewhere. I ended up waiting for 20 or so minutes before I realized. I would also appreciate if Mugshots could put some kind of time limit on those who are taking up tables. Is it really fair to spread out your laptop and school books and take up a seat for hours on end when other people would like to sit and enjoy their beverage?", "timestamp": "2010-01-15T21:14:33" }, { "business_id": "M1q0l_VuI6MqRYLWGVhCCw", "business_name": "The Belgian Café", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite Schuyler L.'s run-in with soggy French Toast at brunch, I still enjoy this place. A few friends took me out for a belated-birthday drink. As usual, I had to request the Monk's Flemish Sour Ale which I now have several other friends veritably addicted to. It's sweet and refreshing with a hint of tang. I also tried the Young's Chocolate Stout which was delicious - rich, velvety, great foamy head. Essentially, it's dessert in a beer. The can also contains this thing called a \"widget\" which releases nitrogen once you pop the top to simulate what would happen if it were on tap. It blends the stout into creamy goodness so don't be alarmed by something rolling around at the bottom of your can. I tried to Reuben sandwich which was surprisingly delicious for how little meat I eat. Tender corned beef, gooey swiss cheese, and crisp buttery bread. Of course, there were fries as well with a generous portion of their dipping sauce. We also shared an item off of the dessert menu, but I can't recall the name. Basically, they're awesome cinnamon-sugared doughnuts. They come with a caramel dipping sauce, but I found it too rich for my blood. The doughnuts are warm and made of a dense cake that crumbles in your mouth. It puts anything you'd get at Dunkin' Donuts to shame by a lot. All in all, another fantastic evening!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:00:05" }, { "business_id": "f88P1gIbRpRzsYAHj9hGdA", "business_name": "Sid Booker's Shrimp", "rating": 5, "text": "(I think I may be giving it 5 stars for sentimental reasons, but I've also got some legit claims) So I grew up in a white Jewish neighborhood. Sometimes my father, who was African American, just had to flee the scene to get a taste of his childhood. This meant that we'd often make our way down Broad Street to Sid Booker's. If you can get past the bullet-proof screen and the little lazy-susan they use to take in cash and serve up fried goodies, I recommend you stop by once in your life. Oh, this place may be in what you consider the \"ghetto\" but it ain't cheap (honestly, if it were cheap, I'd be concerned about the ingredients they were using) so hit the ATM first. I don't really love shrimp, but I do adore Sid Booker's fried version. Large, plump, tender, and with a crisp batter that will make your arteries weep. We'd take our foil wrapped bundles home and have a little feast as if we were in Richmond with the family and not in Elkins Park. The ladies there are always kind, but they do a brisk business at certain times of day so don't expect a whole lot of chit chat. Note: This is take-out only and you're going to have to wait on the corner or in your car for a bit while they get your order ready. Contrary to El S.' review, I don't think you're likely to get taken down in a drive-by here as there are usually lots of folks. But like any denizen of a city, I wouldn't be hoppin' in the car for shrimp at 11pm if I wasn't a card-carrying member of that particular 'hood.", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:11:06" }, { "business_id": "O286wXm4mcznQn_1JieD1g", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "So back in December when Silk put out their yearly Soy Nog and Pumpkin Spice flavors, I had trouble deciding which one to buy. I had already tried their soy nog and thought about just sticking with a good thing. On the other hand, the pumpkin spice could be awesome. I was in the middle of this dilemma when one of the guys stocking the case noticed my perplexed look. He popped open a pumpkin spice for me and let me sample it. After I decided I really liked it, he marked the carton as a sample and I got to take it home for free! Now that's customer service!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:34:50" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I always enjoy coming to this theater. Below is a brief outline of why. 1. The seats are comfortable and, unlike many of the theaters in NYC, were not made for very short, very thin people. 2. Continuing on the theme of seats...There are no bad seats due to the intimate nature of the theater. 3. $10 student tickets for Sunday evening performances. Don't forget your student ID, though. If you forget your ID, Will-Call will not give you the student price. 4. They have Junior Mints at the concessions stand. 5. I have always enjoyed the productions they host. Avant-garde enough to make you seem as if you are culturally in-the-know, but not so strange that you'll be yawning for 2 hours. 6. Great set designs and creative use of space. I love their minimalist approach for most things. 7. If you're not a student, no worries! They've still go cheap seats for you twenty-somethings. Bring an ID to confirm your age and you can get tickets for $22.50. I saw Becky Shaw - it was fantastic and is now running through early Feb. Go see it!", "timestamp": "2010-01-25T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "Rmx12lwZbs94MkPaS2o7vw", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "Checking out this brand-spanking-new WFM was the highlight of my weekend. I am aware of just how lame that sounds but, with all the hype, I wasn't going to be left out. This store is easily twice the size of the one in Jenkintown. I love how it's as shiny as a newly minted penny. I didn't get to check each department out as closely as I would have liked due to the sheer throngs of people in there, but here is what I like so far: - Large produce section with an impressively number of organic items. I grabbed some golden turnips, tomatillos, and Italian broccoli. - Impressive fish and meat offerings - alot more prepared items (like the things they pre-marinate or stuff, etc) - Expanded bulk foods section where you can get all the barely or oats or stevia your heart desires. - Huge frozen selection! I didn't know WFM had their own brand of shoestring fries. I often supplement my recipes with frozen veggies in winter and they had everything I needed. - Easy to navigate body care, etc section with more products than my eyeballs could take. - The salad/prepared foods bar of my dreams. - Yogurt stocked so that they come out one at a time (kind of like a vending machine). No worries about having to hunt through a mess of flavors and brands. - The aisles are fairly wide and I was able to maneuver my cart pretty well without getting run into despite the crowd. Nothing can be done about the 80 year old women who shuffle along like it's a Sunday stroll, wide aisle or not. In a perfect world WFM would only have seasonal produce (strawberries are not native to the NE in January), but that's my own personal preference with regards to diet and health. Next time, I plan to actually try some of the food they've got on hand and pop into the pub. Of course, it's still \"Whole Paycheck\" but for my produce and specialty ingredients, this place is still #1.", "timestamp": "2010-01-30T22:14:30" }, { "business_id": "s2JiYzE7i68cXIV6YEcVTw", "business_name": "Local 44", "rating": 4, "text": "Came here for lunch the other day. The place was dead at 2pm, but I didn't mind. The bartendress was very friendly and she kept me entertained. I ordered the fish and chips upon her suggestion and was thoroughly pleased. The batter had a delicious, buttery quality to it and the the fish had a lovely creamy taste. Hard to describe, but I quite enjoyed it. The dish comes with fries and hush puppies which seemed like too many carbs, but still yummy. The fries are hand-cut and well seasoned. The hush puppies were the best I've had above the Mason-Dixon line and I couldn't help but think they'd taste amazing with vanilla ice cream. They've got quite a few of my favorite beers on tap including Allagash White and Monk's Sour Flemish Ale. The atmosphere is very warm with lots of dark wood and I'm sure it's a popular spot in the evening. The bartendress and I got into a conversation about UPenn undergrads trying to sneak in on the weekends and it seems they've got a pretty good system for keeping the wee ones out. Apparently, they've thwarted quite a few wily undergrads with fake ID's. I wouldn't say this place is mainly for UPenn students (whatever their age) but a place that's trying to provide more options for folks north of 40th street. It just so happens that many of those who live in that area are also students or employees of Penn (they are the largest employer in the city afterall). So pop by, grab a beer and a burger, and let the security staff take care of the interlopers.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:04:15" }, { "business_id": "u9XTeDl_If4U5Eixl6ys7g", "business_name": "The Foodery", "rating": 4, "text": "You'll need an adequate amount of time to spare if you're going to stop by The Foodery. I don't know how anyone could walk in and walk out in under 10 minutes. Half the fun is just looking at the labels of bottles from various breweries. I almost found myself choosing my beer based on which ones had the best labels. I've chosen books like that, and it never works out very well. I love any place that offers DIY 6-packs. I also love that their selection is pretty comprehensive, featuring some of the best beers that our city, country, and globe has to offer. The guys behind the counter were friendly and didn't look at me like some damsel in distress when I asked their advice on certain bottles. As previous reviews have stated, if you want to avoid sticker shock, look up the individual beer prices in the manifest or you might find yourself with a hefty bill. I spent $50 on 12 bottles (an assortment of Young's Chocolate Stout, Schneider Weiss, Allagash, Monk's, and Stoudt's). You're sure to be the hit of any party, especially if other people have brought anything closely resembling Bud Light. Me? I prefer to relax and have a night in with my special purchases and a friend or two. I was so enamored with the beer selection that I barely glanced at the rest of the store, so that's on my agenda for next time.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:24:05" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "So, I liked this place the first two or three times I went when I lived in NYC. However, the fourth and fifth times are not the charm, even when dining at the Philly location. I am constantly disappointed by how many of their offerings contain tree nuts. I know it's more or less my problem that I'm allergic to some of the tastiest nuts out there, but do they need to be in all things chocolate? I end up with only two or three choices of dessert because something or other always contains hazelnuts that cannot be left off the item. I also find that the portions are nowhere near comparable to the prices they charge. I'm not an individual who bases my like or dislike of an establishment solely on portion size, but I don't enjoy paying $20 for something I could have essentially made at home. I shared a chocolate fondue for two with a friend and I think there were exactly two of everything: two strawberries, two marshmallows, etc. The staff is friendly, but nothing to write home about as the place seems to hum like a well-oiled machine. Everything comes at a staccato-like pace if they are not super crowded: you are seated, your order is taken, your order arrives, you eat, plates are cleared, you pay, you leave. It's not a place where I feel I can linger a bit and savor the experience. The concept is great and the menu (at least with regards to dessert) has the potential to be quite delicious and satisfying, but I am always left feeling that something is missing, that something could be better.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:42:08" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been frequenting this shop - in person and online - for several years now. I don't even bother to buy spices or the like in the grocery store at this point. I really love this little shop. It is small and fragrant and filled with everything I need for canning/preserving to meatloaf-making to baking. They also have an online shop and will ship directly to you. I particularly love how they have different colors of jimmies/sprinkles separated by color into their own jars. Of course, you can get the rainbow blend, but there's something about seeing millions of neon pink jimmies that makes me smile. I think they've got a great selection of teas and coffees (flavored coffee as well!). You can also pick up little sachets for the loose tea here as well to avoid an extra errand. I usually pop in to refresh my stock of spices and meat seasonings. Try their mix for poultry to get your chicken out of a flavor rut. The shop is ideal for your bulk needs: flour, sugar, nuts, grains, etc. I find it to be better to come here for those items than to try to obtain them from Whole Foods where I'm likely to be charged more. The staff can be a bit aloof, but I've never had a bad experience. It is pretty obvious from the signage that you shouldn't attempt to bag your own purchases so, if you are reprimanded, you probably weren't paying attention. I really wouldn't want god-knows-how-many people reaching their hands into jars of spices all day long. It's also easier for the staff to eyeball an ounce of cloves than for me to do so. Be warned that they are also cash only. This shouldn't worry people too much, though, because their prices are excellent and a $20 should cover most of the damage.", "timestamp": "2010-02-10T03:03:56" }, { "business_id": "IkY2ticzHEn4QFn8hQLSWg", "business_name": "Geno's Steaks", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm not going to lay down esoteric comments about a cheesesteak since it's not a pretentious food. I'm a Philly native that had never had the Geno's experience. Shameful as it may be, I've finally joined the club. In short: Delicious, soft bread layered with thin slices of steak, whiz, and chopped onions. The perfect \"junk\" food for a cold Saturday. The line moved quickly and we managed to avoid getting yelled at by putting our order in correctly. I didn't think the fries were anything special - good, but I'd probably skip them next time. I was surprised at how much I like the mix of flavors considering whiz just seems disgusting on any other food. I can see why these steaks are the cuisine of choice for tipsy college kids.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:55:15" }, { "business_id": "S1FwTmCAwv5ulu5gToWi_w", "business_name": "RIM Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "After freezing to death eating our Geno's steaks, two friends and I popped in for some warming up. The volcano hot chocolate here is certainly worth the $6.00 - if not for the actual drink, then certainly for the process and display that goes into making one. A young man was playing La Vie en Rose on the piano in the back which made the place seem that much more romantic and charming. I could easily find myself here with a knitting project or book, sipping away on decadent espresso drinks. Strangely enough, the bathroom with its red light a pasted photos was a highlight. It's small and cozy - perfect for two or three, but no parties larger than that I would say.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:59:52" }, { "business_id": "1UNJeHTsS7WS9RxRzHw06g", "business_name": "Varga Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "After seeing the latest UPenn Mask and Wig production, I was so hopped up on good humor that I didn't want to end the evening by heading straight home. At first, we planned to go to Tria, but found ourselves face to face with Varga Bar after walking in the wrong direction from Quince Street. The place was crowded at 10:30pm, but not so much that you couldn't comfortably breathe. We put our name in for a table for 5 and passed time at the bar. I was impressed with their many beers on tap - Allagash, Victory, Rogue, Sly Fox, etc. They do offer a few specialty cocktails, but nothing overly fancy. The hostess was extremely pleasant and we were eventually seated moments before our appetizers arrived. I ordered the Kobe Beef Sliders which were delicious and the perfect portion for a late-night snack. They come topped with a delicious aioli that completely negates any need for ketchup or mustard. Their onion rings were crisp, yet tender and drizzled with a piquant dipping sauce. My friends tried the veggie burger and the chili-topped hotdog which they gave favorable reviews. We also shared some fries with the cheese sauce on the side and sans crab meat. The cheese dipping sauce was a great accompaniment the crisp, shoestring potatoes. Definitely a great little place for a light bite to eat. I wouldn't try to squeeze a party larger than 6 or so in here as space is tight. I would certainly recommend it for date night considering the low lighting and intimate tables for two.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T23:14:23" }, { "business_id": "DJujODX9OTMuveKxMEL0zg", "business_name": "Mask and Wig", "rating": 4, "text": "As a Penn grad student and child of a Penn Med professor, I have seen my fair share of Mask and Wig productions. However, when my parents dragged me as a teenager, the ribald humor was generally lost on my rather naive ears. I've come to love the Mask and Wig club for their witty, off-color productions featuring and all-male cast, crew, and band. I love the tradition of the club that dates back to the 1890's and don't mind joining with the \"rah, rah, Pennsyl-van-i-a\" at the end of each performance. The shows are wildly funny and entertaining for all - well, leave the wee ones at home - over the age of 16 or so. You'll enjoy yourself so much, you'll forget that you're seated on a folding chair. I am always impressed by the quality of the music and writing that these undergrads put into each spring show. The clubhouse is also a gem unto itself with original artwork by Maxfield Parrish. They even serve cocktails and beer in the grill room before and after the performances. The downside? Having to mingle with lots of Penn undergrads who come to support their friends. I say just suck it up and go anyway. It's maybe the best $25 you'll spend ($12 for current students).", "timestamp": "2010-02-14T19:24:25" }, { "business_id": "Yn6oUj778ETC5kYs7IPH0g", "business_name": "Tiffin Elkins Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Tiffin just opened up right down the road from my house and is in the same little complex as my gym so it seemed logical to pick up some takeout after an evening workout the other day. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, and Naan. It came with Basmati rice, chutney, and an accompanying sauce. I was a bit worried about the spice factor, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't need a fire extinguisher to eat my meal. My mom, who has a rather sensitive tongue, even got through her Chicken Korma without complaint. I imagine, if you prefer your food to be blacken your tongue that they would oblige. Both dishes were excellent - creamy, rich, not greasy. The rice was cooked to perfection and tastes wonderful with a bit of chutney stirred in. I didn't find the restaurant to resemble a fast food chain. I felt that the colors were appropriate for an Indian restaurant and the dim lighting enhanced the small BYOB. The furniture is modest, but I wouldn't describe it as cheap-looking. I appreciate that they didn't try to cram in as many tables and chairs as possible. Overall, I am pleased that Elkins Park actually has an eating establishment that might survive besides Marco Polo. If only they could give a face-lift to the rest of the shopping complex.", "timestamp": "2010-03-06T01:34:11" }, { "business_id": "pWzrmh1oiU9ngWXGHKnnwQ", "business_name": "Down Home Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "As a kid, we used to stop in here quite a bit after a tour through the Market, but it's just not the same 10-15 years later. My mom and I decided to grab some dinner here after a rather exhausting day at the Flower Show. We were seated right away which was nice considering that it was 6pm on a Friday night and the crowds from the Convention Center were massive. I ordered the BLT which was disappointing - too much lettuce and the wheat bread wasn't substantial enough to hold the thing together. Also, their \"cold sandwiches\" don't come with fries, so I ended up with a sad looking slice of cantaloupe instead. My mom's minestrone soup and grilled cheese with tomato looked much more appetizing. The fries that I ordered on the side weren't anything to write home about - skinny little things resembling the kind that McDonald's sells. For a place that claims to source all of their ingredients from the market, I really expected top notch, fresh food, even if it is a \"diner\".", "timestamp": "2010-03-07T16:46:48" }, { "business_id": "8Wq0LZSuHdPTlleQD5sU_w", "business_name": "The Bubble House", "rating": 1, "text": "This little place has the potential to be great. I'm actually a fan of their bubble teas - taro, in particular. The food isn't terrible either. I had a grilled portabella mushroom sandwich on foccacia with tomatoes and gouda with the side of sweet potato fries. $9 seemed a bit pricey for a one-mushroom sandwich, though, portabella or not. However, what really prevents me from giving The Bubble House more stars is the service - slow and uninspiring. The interior could also use a fresh coat of paint and the tables and floors could also stand to be refinished. There is just an overall grimy feeling to the restaurant that makes you wonder just how \"clean\" your food is. What really put me off was having to watch the guy who prepared the teas and manned the take-out counter sit outside and smoke three times in an hour whilst spitting here and there in plain view of the restaurant window. I do hope he washed his hands after each cigarette break, but I can't be too sure. I would probably skip this place in the future despite its proximity to campus.", "timestamp": "2010-03-11T02:18:03" }, { "business_id": "GsBDSxvX4VcvmdVODoJ_lQ", "business_name": "Primex Garden Center", "rating": 5, "text": "While, in the future, I'll probably try to avoid Primex on a Saturday afternoon, it's still my favorite garden supply spot. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about their products from plants to seeds to fertilizers and more. They even do soil testing to help you make the most of your lawn and/or garden. I feel that their prices are fair for a locally owned, family business and the new rewards program allows you to accrue monetary value towards future purchases. They hold double-point days throughout the season, too. On busy weekends this time of year, parking can be a hassle, so be patient. You can park right in front of the store, in their lot, on the side of the store, and back behind the warehouse as well. Now that planting season is in full swing, you can for flowers and other seedlings outside at the shed by the greenhouse. Just be sure to have a staff member write up your purchases first. For great soil, I recommend their Bumper Crop which gave me some impressive veggies last year. It retails for about $14 per 2 cubic feet. I'm also pleased that they offer planting potatoes, garlic, onions, and rhubarb - things you can't really grow from seed and are only offered early in the season. Their impressive selection of flower bulbs is also not to be missed! Be sure to pick up one of their great eco-friendly flower pots, too - they're recyclable!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:17:07" }, { "business_id": "MbKhuO-4uYPc0NRZDRWoew", "business_name": "MexiCali", "rating": 4, "text": "I've eaten at both the bricks and mortar shop and the lunch truck on 38th and Walnut. These are pretty much the only burritos I eat. Sure, Chipotle is just up the block, but why bother with those inflated prices? The quality of the Mexicali ingredients is superb - not once have I questioned whether my chicken was really chicken or dug in only to have gristle and fat meet my teeth. I've had consistently great experiences with the food here and find that both their meat and vegetarian options are equally delicious. Sometimes, a vegetarian options just means a weak assortment of peppers and onions or beans, but Mexicali provides a variety of options from tofu to plantains to sweet potato. Most options are around $4-5 for meat options and as low as around $2 for veggie options. Keep in mind these aren't skimpy portions either!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:22:17" }, { "business_id": "_tt4nysrN8JpzLLVXL-z5A", "business_name": "Creperie Beau Monde & L'Etage", "rating": 4, "text": "Love this place! I have never had a bad meal here. Tonight, a friend and I dined al fresco. Amanda, our server, was lovely - friendly and attentive, but not overbearing and very knowledgeable about the menu. We enjoyed the special soup of the day, a creamy artichoke with chipotle that was warm, smoky, and rich. We also had the special sweet crepe of the day which was delicious - sweet potatoes poached in coconut milk and pureed, accompanied by caramel sauce, toasted pecans, and vanilla gelato. Per usual, my savory entree crepe was generously portioned and full of fresh ham, cheddar, and broccoli. I thoroughly enjoyed their appetizer salad of house greens with a mustard vinaigrette - pleasingly tangy with a hint of bite. Beau Monde is one of my favorite places to end a spring afternoon with a good friend.", "timestamp": "2010-04-23T02:01:48" }, { "business_id": "zuNEmJXTIAMRwRY5v-oSCg", "business_name": "L'etage", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited L'Etage last night for an event. The space is cozy with fabric covered walls and dark, leather furniture. Given a large crowd, though, this performance space could get uncomfortable quite quickly. I honestly didn't find the staff to be that welcoming or friendly and the table service during the performance was distracting because it's hard to avoid walking in front of the stage. Also, $7 for gin and tonic? Really? I'll just bring a thermos next time. I'm interested to check out the story slams here, though I don't think they could even hold a candle to The Moth's productions.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:17:10" }, { "business_id": "K9cn-DrPEEXse1s1n-6mMw", "business_name": "Bridget Foy's", "rating": 3, "text": "Following a performance at L'Etage, my friends and I were famished. And, after 2 drinks on an empty stomach, I was feeling tipsy as well. South Street was mobbed on this Friday night, but we were seated immediately on B. Foy's outdoor patio which provided the perfect perch for observing a plethora of police officers canvassing the area status post the flash mob fiasco. I don't think I've seen so many brothers in blue since the Rodney King videos. Given the number of teenage twerps out and about, I was glad to have the extra security. But I digress... B. Foy's hit the spot but their food isn't exactly inspiring. I ordered a Walt Whit and the crispy chicken sandwich. I swapped the pepperjack for cheddar and got exactly what I ordered. I would have preferred a bit more avocado and less chipotle mayo as the sandwich was more spicy that I like. The bun was flaky, soft, and big enough to hold everything together. I felt the chicken was a bit overdone, but still good. The fries were average and lacked sufficient seasoning. The prices were more than reasonable, though, and three of us ate for $50, drinks included. This location is definitely a plus if you're doing the tourist thing with friends or family and need a place to please most palates. Just don't expect too much.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:26:03" }, { "business_id": "7WWLPXpOjrh_1EvjFuw3hQ", "business_name": "The Drake Tavern", "rating": 1, "text": "I really want to like this place because it's a short drive from my door, but I really just can't get behind it. First of all, I generally find the crowd to be an obnoxious mix of middle-aged folks trying to forget the work week and early twenty-somethings looking to get obliterated. The music is always too loud and seems to be piped straight from 104.5. The beer is nothing to write home about and they only get as adventurous as Magic Hat it seems. Who wouldn't, though, when most of your crowd is content with Budweiser and Coors? We're not exactly dealing with sophisticated palates. I have never found the service to be stellar and I could really do without young women prancing around in low-cut, tight t-shirts as if Hooters has come to town. And then there is the food... They do a decent job with their burgers, but it pretty much ends there. If you're going to attempt things like crab quesdillas, at least know what you're doing and use real crab meat. Most everything on the menu involves something fried. The food is bland and lacks creativity just like the rest of this place.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:34:13" }, { "business_id": "AERr7jPbAZmShrwfKzUqfA", "business_name": "Big Blue Marble Bookstore", "rating": 5, "text": "Yep, I still really love this place. As other reviews mention, you may be out of luck if you're pining after a certain book as there is no way this little shop can hold it all, but you can place an order for no extra charge and have your goods within the week. Big Blue Marble goes for quality, not quantity in my opinion and offers sophisticated, yet good reads that cater to the interests of their community. On my most recent trip, they had lots for the backyard gardener and most of the popular new releases that the big box stores have on their shelves. The book I really wanted was sold out, but I placed an order on Wednesday and had the book in my hands on Saturday. I love that they carry a good selection of Nikki McClure's cards and journals as well as items by Little Otsu. It's not as close as Barnes and Noble for me, but I still prefer to give my patronage to this Mt. Airy gem.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:39:14" }, { "business_id": "fOhnSqmO4XY5vSI8whVKSA", "business_name": "Farmicia", "rating": 4, "text": "Certainly one of the best brunches I've had in a while. I had made a reservation in light of the potential craziness from the Broadstreet Run earlier in the day. A wise move, indeed. I had time to kill before my tablemate arrived and enjoyed their happy hour cocktail prices and an assortment of fresh fruit. I thought the apple centerpieces were a rather whimsical touch. I ordered the Brunch Sandwich was the perfect union of fried egg, Amish cheese, and country toast. It was accompanied by more fresh fruit and I think I nearly hit my 5 servings for the day! The eggs were cooked as I like them - not too runny, but not hard either, just enough so that you don't end up covered in yolk. The fruit was certainly fresh which is not always the case when ordering such at an establishment. Strawberries, raspberries, and grapes - all ripe and delicious. I will certainly return in the future as their menu has many tempting offerings and who can resist half price drinks on a Sunday?", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:48:38" }, { "business_id": "V7KWP_nQkpSxR3t7bEqrMw", "business_name": "Bartram's Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "If you don't know that this place exists, shame on you! This charming 18th century historic site and it's gardens offer much needed respite from the hectic pace of modern life. Just get over the discomfort of having to drive through less-than-appealing blocks of West Philadelphia. Really folks, it's not like you're going to get caught in a drive-by. The winding drive takes you off the beaten path and away from bustling city streets to what can really be described as a botanical oasis. The place was virtually deserted on this sunny Tuesday afternoon as guided tours only take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, it was nice to be left alone to explore and enjoy the rows of vegetables peeking out from the soil and the variety of flowers and trees. There are placards interspersed throughout to explain the history and heritage of the Bartram family and the grounds. If only the rest of West Philadelphia had been so well-preserved! We took one of the paths down toward the river and found ourselves tip-toeing on rocks to save a floundering fish and picking buttercups in the adjoining meadow. It's lovely to view the steely-grey of the Philadelphia skyline from this idyllic spot. I'd certainly return for a tour and will keep an eye out for their events. Conveniently, they are open everyday 10a-5p (except holidays) and admission is free, unless you plan to take a tour. Another bonus? They do their own plant and seed sale!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:59:28" }, { "business_id": "qQO7ErS_RAN4Vs1uX0L55Q", "business_name": "The Franklin Fountain", "rating": 4, "text": "Yep, still awesome. Their butter pecan really tastes like there is a stick of butter in the ice cream. I love their waffle cones, which are substantial, keep your ice cream off of your hands, and provide just enough satisfying crunch!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:02:45" }, { "business_id": "RUWCx8WPhq4JwQjv_eGZ8g", "business_name": "Velvet Sky Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I love cake. It's a problem. Luckily, I don't pass by this little bakery too often. Their red velvet made my week. My only complaint? A little less icing perhaps. Sometimes my teeth veritably ache after one of these little beauties.", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:11:07" }, { "business_id": "a9tI3YQyIXHqt0c1AxaSbA", "business_name": "Valley Green Inn", "rating": 4, "text": "Even though this historic venue could use some sprucing up (fresh paint, etc), it's still one of my favorite places in the world and it's slightly rustic feel is all part of the charm. I know that seems like an exaggeration, but I've been going to the Valley Green Inn since my little legs could pedal a bike to get there. As a family, we always biked the trail instead of driving in. The food is still delicious, especially their yam fries. My roast turkey breast sandwich with applewood smoked bacon was one of the best lunches I'd had in a while. The bread, especially, was delicious and certainly held up against a slathering of mayo. I really detest wimpy bread. This is a place that feels upscale but is down to earth and equally wonderful whether you want brunch, lunch, or dinner. Bring the family or someone special, either way, you're sure to enjoy yourself.", "timestamp": "2010-06-04T20:06:34" }, { "business_id": "X_OnAUXVGHjyWP9zoPVLTA", "business_name": "Megabus", "rating": 3, "text": "Thus far, I've only ridden Megabus once so I am holding out on giving it more stars until I have other experiences to compare to this one. I had no problems with my trip to and from NYC. Our bus left on time and even arrived in NYC a little early. The ride was comfortable enough - the seats could have been a bit roomier and the frigid air conditioning was refreshing at first, but not so much 30 minutes into the ride. The driver and employees were courteous at both ends of the trip and I had no issues with luggage. I really had no use for the wi-fi or the outlets, so I can't comment on those, but others on the ride seemed to have no trouble accomplishing various tasks on their laptops or charging their phones enough to scream into them the entire ride. The most annoying aspect was actually due to a couple riding in front of my friend and I who refused to stop groping each other. My first choice for travel would be Amtrak, but for $12, I think I got what I expected - average service.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:06:53" }, { "business_id": "eXKblEHP3YJYU1Awz08hVw", "business_name": "Tacos Don Memo", "rating": 4, "text": "Well, I'll never eat at MexiPhilly again, that's for dang sure! My al pastor burrito more than made up for my terrible lunch date. I ended up making lunch AND dinner out of my burrito which was crammed with savory black beans, fluffy rice, avocado, lettuce, tomato and, of course, pork. I don't even really like pork! Just ask my mom about the faces I make if she makes pork chops. It's ugly. My lunch \"date\" had talked up the al pastor so much, though, that I took the plunge. A few things to know before you go: - the wait can be lengthy so you might want to bring a folding chair - it ain't as cheap as some other carts The ingredients are really fresh and there is a whole lot of effort that goes into the preparation of your order. I don't know how they got everything in my burrito, but it stayed together down to the last bite. The owner even has a bricks and mortar shop up near the 69th street terminal and will bring in specials from the restaurant on occasion.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:31:15" }, { "business_id": "-b8iNhBez0hRu478nIDhyg", "business_name": "Swift Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Gastropubs are taking over the world! Or at least Northern Liberties. This was my first trip to Swift Half and the Piazza, for that matter. I've lived in the Philadelphia area just about all my life and still find it a little weird that someone thought to plunk down this Piazza thing in Northern Liberties. Does someone want to tell me where all the regular folks are going to live once we've gentrified this entire city? But I digress... I appreciate what Swift Half is aiming for - a fresh, unique, delicious menu. However, I agree with Anthony S. in that they miss the mark with their \"go big or go home\" attitude. I was pretty excited about my B.E.L.T. (bacon, egg, lettuce, and tomato) sandwich because I adore breakfast for dinner. I felt the egg was overcooked, the bacon lacked the thick texture I was expecting, and the mayo was straight up out of the Hellman's mayo jar I presume. The bread was very good, but could have used toasting to give it some oomph. I thought the fries were delicious, though. Overall, I kind of felt that their menu was all over the place: mussels, fish and chips, burgers. Too many unrelated choices in my opinion. I really enjoyed my Georgia Kiss cocktail (gin, peach schnapps, soda water, and lime) and thought that was a pretty original drink. They also have a great selection of beers which do not disappoint. I liked the atmosphere. It was a bit noisy due to all of the people out on a Friday night at 9pm, but the large open space lends itself well to coming with a group. The outdoor patio on the Piazza is also a definitive plus. I look forward to trying Swift Half again and hope they \"grow into\" their grown up menu. Just do simple food well, guys. Don't prissy it up for the No Libs hipster crowd. When I go to a pub, I want hearty food that will compliment my beer selection and leave me feeling satisfied.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:27:13" }, { "business_id": "qAjsqPKJwcWX97_EBHwfjw", "business_name": "Rosie's Yarn Cellar", "rating": 5, "text": "You know, Rosie's has really grown on me as I've delved deeper and deeper into this knitting....hobby. Well, let's call it what it really is, shall we? It's a full blown obsession for me at this point. I like that Rosie's has a nice mix of the luxe and the everyman's fiber. You've got your Swan Lake fingering, your Manos, your Cascade 220 - something for every taste and budget. Oh how I love their lush selection of Manos in all its myriad colors. I love that I can still get plenty of Rowan and Koigu here, too. Yes, the shop is still tiny, but that's part of the charm and I take my yarn home to wind rather that risk whacking someone with the swift. Rosie's is one of those neighborhood places where you have to go a few times to sort of feel like you belong. I like the staff and have never had a problem. If you're feeling neglected, speak up! If I'm new to a particular shop, I sometimes feel awkward and out of place. Knitting is such a community thing these days and shops have fiercely loyal clientele, so just give it some time if you're a newbie. Rosie's will certainly welcome you in if you leave your attitude outside.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:36:31" }, { "business_id": "LklDTDwgJLbUjd67ZKsvCg", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Square Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Who doesn't love sunshine and grass?! I love sunshine and grass and knitting or reading on a lovely afternoon. I don't love the tiny, yapping dogs or women in skimpy bikinis, or the couples who obviously need to get a room. Rittenhouse Square Park is a place where some people obviously come to see and be seen as if they're dining at the Ivy on an episode of The Hills. So...these 4 stars are really for awesome things like the free Saturday yoga classes and the Saturday farmers market where I score delicious local eats like yellow carrots, chioggia beets, brightly colored zinnias, and 3 different kinds of plums. These 4 stars are also for those early spring days where hope springs eternal after a winter of drudgery and snow. They are also for those great first date strolls, laughing with your best friends, or sneaking some solitude. For all those things, it really is a 5 star kinda place.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:45:05" }, { "business_id": "EpFFiPHKx9yP-WqOCuxRCw", "business_name": "Mayfair Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I have a hard time believing this place ever got \"Best of Philly\" even if it was in 2002. But, after a long morning doing health education down the road at CFCF at the Philadelphia Prison System, you'd need a milkshake and french toast, too. The milkshake was probably the best part even if it was a little on the small side. What happened to the days when you got the silver cup on the side with the leftover shake!? My french toast was good because I was hungry and in a crappy mood, but nothing to write home about. The service was all NE Philly (\"What'll youse be havin'?), accent included. Essentially the clientele here is 65 and over and they're probably eating soup when it's 95 degrees outside. Are there any great Philly diners left?", "timestamp": "2010-08-04T00:46:55" }, { "business_id": "A7z2nV4JUlmwBbQx3ge2rw", "business_name": "Dujour", "rating": 5, "text": "Du Jour features a great lunch menu and today was no exception. In the summer, I particularly enjoy their freshly made Gazpacho soup. It can be really hard to find a great Gazpacho that isn't overly spicy, not too chunky, not too heavy on vegetables that shouldn't be in there in the first place (like carrots), and doesn't separate quickly. Unless I make it myself, the only Gazpacho I'll eat is from Du Jour. It is smooth and well blended with plenty of tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumber. It has a refreshing, crisp tang provided by the vinegar. I followed up with their low-fat tuna sandwich on multigrain bread with lettuce and tomato and a side salad. I think they make a great tuna sandwich - it's not dry and comes on hearty bread with a thick slice of tomato and crisp lettuce. It is also features a pretty substantial helping of tuna which kept me energized through 4 hours of poolside lounging later in the afternoon. The absolute best part was the kind gesture we received from the chef, Mike. A professional photographer was in the restaurant shooting photographs of various plates from the new menu. When the chef brought out a large slice of blueberry pie accompanied by a generous helping of gelato I was done for. After the photographer had finished her shots of the pie, I jokingly called to the chef to ask if I could have it. To my surprise he turned around and said \"sure!\" since it was going to go to waste anyway. He was really very kind and seemed happy to let three of us in on this delicious new menu item. Made with local blueberries, the pie was delicious and full of sweet summer flavor. The cinnamon gelato was a perfect creamy partner to the butter in the crust and the sweet-tart of the fruit. I'm pretty sure the huge slice and scoop we had were not the usual serving size, though! Once again a delicious lunch with exceptional service.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T01:56:05" }, { "business_id": "IvMEGUlmbDZVzftmRCLdDg", "business_name": "Margaret Kuo's Wayne", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't love Chinese food, but aside from Cin Cin in Chestnut Hill, Margaret Kuo's is much more palatable than other establishments I've visited. I like the portion sizes here because they are enough for one person, possibly two if you plan to share more than one dish or order appetizers. The menu tends to feature more than your average take out spot and I find the fare to be less greasy and salty. I particularly like the Chicken with Shitake Mushrooms which is not slathered in brown sauce as it might be elsewhere. It is a healthy portion of chicken, snow peas, and mushrooms that I like to mix with brown rice. I was left satisfied but not stuffed to the gills. I am always a little confused when ethnic restaurants start crossing cultural borders and am not sure why they feel the need to offer sushi as well. I've never tried their sushi offerings and cannot speak to its quality, but I feel that you should probably just stick with what you know. Beware that a lot of families tend to pack her restaurant on a weekend evening so you will most likely be contending with the shrill voices of wee ones. If you're looking for a more intimate setting, I might dine later in the evening to avoid the Sesame Street crowd.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T02:03:11" }, { "business_id": "kK1re49IK3jmCYTL6B6_lw", "business_name": "Trolley Car Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure how it took me so long to visit this place. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner and found it to be a much better experience than some other diners I've experienced as of late. They have an impressive offering of beers and you can make your own six-pack without hiking down to the Foodery and paying an arm and a leg. Their menu is extensive and they serve breakfast all day. Their portions are hearty and they make their own kettle chips. I don't have kids, but this place would satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Their milkshakes are also pretty great. You even get the extra in the metal mixing cup. There's just something about getting a huge helping of ice cream that makes my day. Keep in mind that this place can get busy and that there will probably be a munchkin or two who is in a bad mood. I find the staff to be very friendly and attentive even when they're running between multiple tables. This is also a good place for groups as their large booths can accommodate three people on each side. I think this may be my new favorite, local spot for a satisfying meal, good beer, and reasonable prices.", "timestamp": "2010-09-18T22:53:00" }, { "business_id": "U9gATBSpddPuqZdfhYOaUQ", "business_name": "Clark Park Farmers' Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoy the cultural milieu one can find at any given local farmers' market. You can walk through an epic, medieval battle of capture-the-flag in the park and find yourself face to face with all sorts of interesting folks and vegetables, too. I always find unique varietals here that add flair to even the most familiar dishes in my culinary repertoire. On my last visit, I picked up a delicious sugar baby melon - the baby cousin to the watermelon - that was filled with sweet, juicy flesh. I also love going towards the end of the market and scoring handfuls of plump, fragrant zinnias at half price from the Amish growers. The blooms are as bright as the sun and are sure to make any gal swoon. You can also find some great local, grass-fed meat, cheese, yogurt, and milk if you're not into the conventional, homogenized varieties at the grocery store. Go, if not for the good, for the atmosphere. You'll also get to avoid the ritzy crowd that frequents the Rittenhouse Market, making food shopping seem like high art for the privileged classes.", "timestamp": "2010-09-20T01:53:11" }, { "business_id": "aF7RIFJwdjv21eVYgMqJFw", "business_name": "Rosey's BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "Rosey's has moved into the location formerly inhabited by Abner's. I am sure that some people are perturbed by this but, rest assured, Rosey's did not put Abner's out of business. Considering the lack of quality restaurant food in Jenkintown and the fact that they are flanked by IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, and Chilis, I didn't expect too much from Rosey's. I was pleasantly pleased with their menu and food, though, and have been back twice since my initial visit. I really like their brisket sandwich which comes chopped on a kaiser role. I ordered the coleslaw and sauce on the side to cut down on the mess. The brisket was smoked to perfect and extremely tender. Their house-made BBQ sauce is a perfect compliment to any of their meats and isn't as tomato-based as some other establishments. The sauce has just the right amount of tang and spice. I really enjoyed their greens, which are tender and well seasoned without being overly peppery. They cook their greens with turkey which is a good substitute for the ham hocks I might use if I made my own. The owner commented that given the Jewish population in the area he felt it was better for sales to keep the greens pork free. Smart move, I think. The mashed sweet potatoes are also delicious and could almost double as dessert. Don't forget a glass of their house-made sweet tea - just enough sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth but still provide actual refreshment. My absolute favorite item on the Rosey's menu? The banana pudding. It's almost as good as my auntie's and chock full of vanilla wafers and actual banana. Rosey's isn't pretentious and is certainly closer than Smokin' Betty's and Percy Street - places that serve decidedly different styles of BBQ.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:38:10" }, { "business_id": "ZKPrXH_GNW_AtZ31tP3NmA", "business_name": "White Dog Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been coming to the White Dog since I was a wee one. I completely disagree with the review by Ed M. and wonder why he insists on frequenting the restaurant if he clearly doesn't enjoy the food. That's another story for another time, though... I enjoy the restaurant and the events that they hold. I've had two impressive meals in conjunction with community events - one a book reading with a sumptuous steak dinner; the other, a trolley car mural tour with continental breakfast and sit-down lunch. Sometimes, I will pop in and treat myself to lunch after a day of classes. The best meals I've had here have been shared with family and friends, though, and are often celebrations of something great that has just occurred. I greatly appreciate and admire how the White Dog works so diligently to provide fresh, local, seasonal, and organic ingredients on a regular basis. They even have their own bottled sparkling water! Some restaurants claim that their menus are local or organic, but it's such a small percentage of the items, that you might as well not bother mentioning it at all. I also find it admirable that WDC finds it important to connect with their customers and their community through regular events, educational opportunities, etc. I've never had a bad meal here and, for the most part, the staff provides a very enjoyable experience. I particularly like their soups and use of seasonal vegetables. I can always count on them to have vegan/vegetarian menu options which means I can come here with all of my friends. Penn students clogging the bar or not, cranky reviews by others or not, I will still consider this one of my favorite places in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:50:23" }, { "business_id": "2BRbu3cBbH2bCgzN3DVc8w", "business_name": "Table 31", "rating": 2, "text": "Considering Table 31's atmosphere, I was expecting to be much more impressed by the actual service, drink menu, and food. Is there some rule of the universe where the effort and expense put into the decor is inversely proportional to the quality of the food and service? I found the staff to be rigid and off-putting, as if I clearly wasn't cool enough to be drinking in their establishment. Their cocktail menu was very expensive and heavy on the martinis. An homage to Sex and the City maybe? Their bar food also seemed much too over the top and expensive - seafood, pizza, and meatballs? What about a shrimp cocktail or salad or canapes. Something other than $50 of mollusks, please! Our little party ended up getting a cheese plate which was tasty but not satisfying and didn't come with nearly enough bread. The bread that did come was accompanied by this odd looking dipping mixture that was pure oil with red sediment at the bottom. No amount of stirring seemed to get it to mix and I wasn't sure if I should try to eat it or just play with it. Overall, Table 31 just tries too hard without actually accomplishing anything. I felt uncomfortable and unsatisfied. I'd only recommend it if you wanted to swig a whiskey in a dark suit and imagine that you're Don Draper for half a minute. Then get the heck outta there and pick up a bottle of something better on your way home.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T02:01:30" }, { "business_id": "N3CuXqWoFpBtYMBGhBE2fA", "business_name": "Milk & Honey Market", "rating": 2, "text": "Is it just me or are sandwiches in Philadelphia becoming ridiculously expensive. $8 for an \"Italian Hoagie\" - I hope the meats were just off the boat from Italy! I met a friend here for lunch a while back as we both hadn't visited this new addition to the West Philadelphia community. I was disappointed with their selection of items. Given the lack of grocery stores in the area, it would be nice to have a little marketplace where one could actually accomplish a complete shopping trip. Instead, M&H provides alot of specialty and gourmet items that I wouldn't necessarily require on a weekly basis. Their produce and dairy is pretty limited. They do, of course, have quite the honey selection. I enjoy honey just as much as the next gal, but it doesn't exactly qualify as anything remotely close to a meal. My Italian hoagie wasn't as good as I had anticipated owing to the fact that the bread was pretty stiff and I had a hard time sinking my teeth into it. Perhaps this was because it had been sitting, pre-made, in the deli case for lord knows how long. The sandwich lacked filling and I think I got more arugula than anything else. The market was also out of a ridiculous number of menu items which left my friend and I with about 3 choices on a Monday afternoon. I also didn't feel that the employees were very friendly. I felt largely ignored for the most part, like I was intruding on something. What happened to \"Hi, how may I help you?\". Hopefully, as the market settles into the community, they will continue to improve, but I don't think I'll make them a frequent stop.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T19:50:28" }, { "business_id": "9Pvwx_IfQgQL4ykmlGV6yA", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "I don't love Chinese food and P.F. Chang's occasionally reminds me why. I've been to 3 of their locations and have never had a stellar experience at any of them. I am pleased, though, that there are buildings occupying the property in Plymouth Meeting other than that pitiful structure they call a mall. We dined relatively early when the restaurant was barely full but I felt rushed by our server. He also completely glossed over any explanation of what the sauces were that they provide. I ordered the chow fun noodles with chicken and was disappointed to see that that was the extend of the meal: chow fun noodles, chicken, and scallion slices. Would the addition of some other vegetables be inappropriate? It irks me that one has to order most of their dish via the appetizer and side dish section if you want to create something well-rounded. I found the noodles to be rather lackluster in flavor and largely dominated by the long scallion stalks that I had to pick out of my bowl. The outdoor patio is a nice addition, though, for warm-weather dining. I doubt I will rush back here unless accompanied by someone delirious for their food.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:10:55" }, { "business_id": "lpDOqBhkJlxACzKQGAj_uA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm not going to lie, I really enjoy shopping at Whole Foods. Prices and hipster foodies be damned. As far as WFM's go, though, this is not my favorite location. The store feels crowded and the layout doesn't allow for fluid movement from one department to the next. I think this is because the baked goods, salad bar, and hot foods bar are smack in the middle of the store. The aisles also seem rather cramped and difficult to navigate with a cart. The staff are still friendly folks, but the other customers always seem agitated when I am there. Maybe grocery shopping in the city is just more stressful? I'll stick to the stores in the 'burbs where there is more room to maneuver.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:14:32" }, { "business_id": "1tkXPP1K1jBIgIthy6idwQ", "business_name": "Burholme Park Golf Center", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! What has happened to this place since my childhood? I actually went here for a date recently and it's not something I would ever repeat. Unfortunately, I wouldn't repeat the date with the same guy anywhere else, but that's another story. When I was little, Burholme was THE place to have your summer birthday party, complete with mini golf, hot dogs, and ice cream. Now it just seems a rather sad shell of itself. The pro shop was dark and looked fairly disorganized as if people just dropped things and left. The snack stand was pitiful and appeared to need a thorough cleaning. There was really no menu to speak of as they apparently don't sell much unless it's summertime. The girls behind the counter were more interested in a laptop than customers and provided us with some rather tired looking bats. There were only three open batting cages and the rest were locked. The equipment seemed to need replacing and malfunctioned. It was difficult to even tell when the machines were on and I lost a few swings because I didn't know that I was still \"up\". It might be the guy, it might be Burlhome, but I probably won't be revisiting this golf center ever again. Too many painful memories ::sniff::", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:21:12" }, { "business_id": "SGi8AJhR8iS-LsQwcMOAVA", "business_name": "Eulogy Belgian Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "3 stars for the beer selection which just can't be beat. Unfortunately, I'm inclined to only assign 2 stars to the food. Being that this establishment is in Old City, I should have contemplated how tiny it might be. At 10pm on a Saturday night, the bar was pretty darn crowded and as hot and humid as a gym locker room with all of the bodies and winter coats jammed inside. We were able to get a table upstairs, but the close proximity of other patrons made me feel a bit claustrophobic. I was glad to get a taste of the Troeg's Mad Elf as it's a seasonal beer not easily found in this land of state stores and beer distributors. At about 10% abv, one brimming goblet was enough to thoroughly wet my whistle. One of my friends, didn't have such great luck with his selection as each beverage he chose seemed to be unavailable. Eventually, our server asked him to choose anything on the menu on the house which was definitely a sign of superb service. I was disappointed with the Belgian fries we ordered as they seemed overdone and too thickly cut. The dipping sauce didn't light my fire either. Perhaps my expectations are too high after years of consuming the potatoes from Pomme Frites in NYC? I'll be sure to give them another try at a later date and hope for a better outcome. I don't know if this place is never not packed, but I'll attempt to give it another go at a time when it might be less crowded and I can get a seat at the bar.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:49:12" }, { "business_id": "Ukkr1N8UApmJsOzbX4XnRA", "business_name": "The Green Line Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to love The Green Line, but it hasn't won me over yet. I never get a warm-fuzzy vibe from the staff. It's as if people can tell that I'm not vegetarian or vegan and that I drive a car! Furthermore, I always seem to get stuck sitting outside amidst a cluster of chain smokers. Also, the fact that they only take cash is kind of irritating in this modern era of debit/credit cards, especially when coffee can run you upwards of $5 depending on the menu item. Brownie points for the fact that they do serve fair trade coffee.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:54:20" }, { "business_id": "qlt0aeVnh4B3X5mUeEUtnQ", "business_name": "Regal Warrington Crossing ScreenX, 4DX, IMAX & RPX", "rating": 3, "text": "I wish I lived close enough to Center City to do most of my movie viewing at the Ritz but, alas, we suburban folks have to trek to the Regal which might as well be it's own small metropolis. I like that this venue has 22 screens which means there will most likely be at least one movie that everyone in your group can agree on. This also means that they can show very popular movies on more than one screen, thus lessening the possibility of sold out shows. I enjoy the stadium seating and relatively roomy chairs that recline just enough to be relaxing without allowing the person in front of you to end up in your lap. I usually skip the concession stand unless I really want to part with $20. Honestly, with the purse I carry, it's easy enough to smuggle in my own Junior Mints and my Klean Kanteen water bottle. The concession line is also usually infuriatingly slow because the teenage cashiers seem to find it a prime time to flirt with one another as they sling jumbo sodas and buckets of popcorn towards beleaguered parents. I know the price of movies these days is a major bone of contention with most folks, but it's not like it's a secret or anything. You can always count on dropping at least $10 per ticket (more if you're going to pre-order via Fandango or something) and another $20 for snacks. I recommend the matinees, taking advantage of the Regal card, utilizing student ID's, or just investing in Netflix if the cost is a major hardship. A major bonus is the fact that they also screen operas via simulcast from the Met. All the glory of Don Giovanni without the cost and hassle of going to NYC.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:04:21" }, { "business_id": "vy0IlrE3Zl44HwxbsZhh2g", "business_name": "Ritz East", "rating": 4, "text": "Somehow I always get myself lost trying to find the Ritz East vs the Ritz, but I always leave pleased. This is where I come a) to see movies that don't make it to the large, mega theaters and b) to see grown up flicks that don't involve texting teenagers or whining toddlers in the audience. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance as a number of shows I have seen here have sold out rather quickly. The tickets for both the 8p and 10p shows of Black Swan on a Saturday night were gone within minutes which resulted in many boyfriends receiving rather pouty faces from their significant others! The prices are reasonable and relatively comparable to the rest of the city/suburbs. I always skip the snacks in favor of visiting a favorite, local restaurant instead. They do have better fare than your average theater, though. Who doesn't love Pocky!? While it probably sucks to get caught in this predicament, it is kind of nice that they prohibit folks from entering the theater 15 minutes after the main event has begun. There is nothing worse than being stepped upon after you've gotten all settled and into the rhythm of the story. The seats are large and I'm always comfortable even when the place is packed. The best part is that you're probably not likely to find yourself in danger of being shot while any of the Ritz theaters. I wish I could say the same for the Riverview or Bridge cinemas!", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:13:32" }, { "business_id": "EAtdpksdWfWAaqh3XdnNNg", "business_name": "Essene Market & Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I always enjoy a trip to the Essene market which is almost always a must if I am getting a haircut next door at JuJu Salon. I like that they carry a variety of eco-friendly containers and utensils for toting my lunch to work. I really can't say enough good things about the LunchBots products. They've got a great variety of fresh produce and an impressive bulk section for nuts, grains, and flours. Their stock of cereals, pastas, juices, and frozen items is likely to have the unique items your Veganomicon recipe is calling for. They also have items that more conventional folks enjoy as well in case you're not into spelt or teff flour. It would be fairly expensive to do your regular shopping here unless you are some sort of super-vegan or have very stringent dietary requirements. I'd recommend using them for the specialty items you may need in smaller quantities. I have mixed feelings about their prepared foods bar as it just seems utterly overpriced to me. I lunched at Essene with two friends the other day and my plate of various incarnations of tofu and seitan came to over $13.00. I had to wonder if they were actually counting the glass plate as a part of the meal! I know fresh produce has gone up a bit in price (and they do use quality ingredients), but lunch over $10 for a plate that wasn't exactly loaded with heaping helpings was a surprise. Oh, and if you'd like chopsticks - those are an extra 80 cents or so. I'd recommend just using the silverware. For free.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:17:08" }, { "business_id": "xCXGV3wEvYd4xBGx8ZRFQA", "business_name": "La Va Cafe", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! I don't know what happened this evening when I popped in to grab a warm beverage before my quilting class, but I experienced one of the worst lattes this evening. It was grainy. As in, full of sediment. I'm no coffee expert, but I believe sediment is not a common ingredient in a vanilla latte. I was very disappointed. If I had had more time, I would have taken it back for a re-do. I actually cleansed my palate at Starbucks later in the evening. Here's to hoping that the next visit is better.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:21:00" }, { "business_id": "ExfSwwCB1zQ6ZGd_UQ4wYQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "I kind of loathe reviews of chains, but I feel obligated to make a comment seeing as I \"checked in\" at this particular location. Darn you Yelp iPhone app! I pretty much feel \"a-ok\" about all Starbucks regardless of location. Their beverages don't send me into a transcendent state, but they do warm me up and make me feel like I'm giving myself a little treat. It's especially nice when I remember that I have money on my little key fob thing and can rack up those little stars towards nifty rewards. Who doesn't like a freebie drink on their birthday? The staff here was friendly. They made my drink correctly. That pretty much sums it up.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:24:08" }, { "business_id": "gcjziNbsRYMfdcbOuCCufw", "business_name": "Rx Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Headed to Rx the other weekend with a couple of pals for a bit of Sunday brunch. I was much happier with my menu choice on this trip as the mushroom and spinach omelet was so tasty that I ran out to grab a stash of ingredients to repeat the whole thing at home the following week. The oyster mushrooms were a unique way to spice up a traditional omelet where most places would just use conventional, button 'shrooms. The spinach was tender and not the least bitter from overcooking. They used just the right amount of eggs as well - I'm guessing 3 as opposed to IHOP's whopping 6. I just wish it had come with a side of something - potatoes, fruit salad, regular salad...as my plate seemed kind of empty. I would have liked to see some new menu additions since my last review in the Fall. Maybe I missed them? Maybe I forgot what was even on the menu last time. It's possible. I do know that they still have the tofu stir fry and the corn flake-crusted french toast. Given their limited menu, I think that they could really do a lot with seasonal items and unique flavors. I still enjoy the coffee which they keep coming at regular intervals. If you're feeling high class, order a mimosa and sip into the afternoon. For the price, Rx still beats cereal and milk at home.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T03:08:30" }, { "business_id": "lOOePsuwr75TCvIhV1Am1A", "business_name": "The Daily Grind Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "It's become obvious to me that I am terrible at studying at home. I always manage to find 900 other things to do - cleaning, returning emails, obsessively checking Facebook. Today, I left the house in search of a study location. Sure, there is the local library, but they don't have food and beverages to keep my brain humming. My first thought - Barnes and Noble - was a very poor choice. Their cafe is cramped and uncomfortable and, today, featured an obnoxious, screaming child. I gave a thought to Starbucks but hate the idea of shelling out extra cash for the wi-fi, and the parking situation for the Jenkintown location is abominable. Then I remembered The Daily Grind! Close to my home, good coffee, Mighty Leaf Teas, punch card incentive, free wi-fi access, and actual food. The Daily Grind was a good choice indeed. The staff are very friendly and you don't have to know coffee lingo to get exactly what you're craving; they'll help you customize your drink. Because they are inside the Pavilion, there is no cold draft to interrupt me every time someone breezes in the door. People come and people go, but it's surprisingly quiet and I didn't have to compete with anyone for a table and an outlet. They now offer quite a menu if you've got the tummy-rumblies: brisket sandwiches that feature meat from Rosey's BBQ down the road, soups (get there early, though, because they sold out today!), salads, sandwiches (pressed or not), and personal-sized pizzas. Their drink menu features your standard coffee and tea faves + smoothies. Kudos to them for featuring food items from other local spots - Rosey's BBQ as mentioned above and bagels from Rolings Bakery in Elkins Park. I'm glad to be able to support a local business. I'll save the Starbucks run for desperate times only, like when I'm at the airport and my only other nourishment option is McDonald's.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T23:00:09" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "In case anyone had any reason to doubt the frequent buyer program - doubt no more, Thomas! Last night, I ordered two whole pies (or slabs maybe, sine they're rectangular?) and was promptly told that our household had spent $100 on pizza and we'd be receiving our $10 credit. It was a nice way to end the week. Please note, though, that the frequent buyer program only applies to the purchase of whole pies. They track your purchase history via your phone number. I still really enjoy Jules Pizza. I am never disappointed by the quality of the ingredients, the friendly service, the taste, or the clean and bright dining area. I find that dining in works for any number of situations: a casual date, lunch meeting, catching-up with friends, a post-play group snack for moms and kids, etc. The fact that you can bring your own juice boxes or beer means that just about everyone should be happy, even your kid with 12 food allergies. They even feature cute coloring pages and crayons at the register that kind of made me want to break out my 96 box of Crayola's. It may be thin crust, but Jules Pizza is satisfying and certainly provides and easy way to get in some of those 5 veggies you need every day. Their honest business practices and openness about the source of their ingredients continues to keep me coming back.", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:29:36" }, { "business_id": "q43nr6E8ib2p39sVYtPGww", "business_name": "Juju Salon & Organics", "rating": 5, "text": "I think that JuJu and I are officially in a long-term relationship now. Sure, we're comfortable, but not so comfortable that the staff slack on service or that my stylist resorts to some standard-issue cut. I still enjoy coming into the shop for the relaxing atmosphere. Janka continues to provide me with superb haircuts that leave me inwardly sighing \"ahhh, now that's better\". It's always a treat when one of the staff have their pooches in tow. What could be better than having your hair washed AND a snuggling doggie in your lap? I'd also like to highlight the fact that JuJu is always very accommodating of me when I call to reschedule or change an appointment. I had to change my last appointment twice because life got in the way, but I was never treated rudely. I also appreciate the confirmation phone calls so that I don't inadvertently forget!", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:44:40" }, { "business_id": "3GvaJRiDGxzJzqoPX0xUeA", "business_name": "Spool", "rating": 5, "text": "The beginning quilting class taught by Ashley Kayhart was wonderful. In just five weeks, I have learned an entirely new skill and finished my first quilt complete with hand-sewn binding. I highly recommend this class to anyone wanting to take the plunge into the world of quilt-making. Ashley is enthusiastic and has wonderful sense for color and design. She will certainly put you at ease about your project as she reminds you that you need not be perfect. I liked that the class was limited to about 8 students which meant that you could have the personal attention you might need should your sewing go awry. You are also welcome to bring your own fabrics for the class, which I thought was quite generous considering Spool is a fabric shop afterall. Some nights, I wished we had more than two hours and my only suggestion is that those purchasing their fabric from Spool might want to do so before class time to ensure that there is enough time to complete all the steps in a given night. I'm pretty darn proud of my finished product and glad to have met such wonderful people.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:30:42" }, { "business_id": "mC_m-4k9Xo1kzjSL0w7uoA", "business_name": "Alice Bakery & Confectionary", "rating": 4, "text": "This neighborhood bakery is adorable. Dennis Darr, a graduate of Chicago's French Pastry School, as some wonderful ambitions for this little shop including such delights as mousse cakes! For now, though, you will have to satisfy yourself with their homemade chocolates, cupcakes, sticky buns, and breads. Dare I say that the cupcake obsession is waning after years of New Yorkers clamoring for a taste of Magnolia's treats? It seems the cupcake phenomenon has peaked as bakeries pull out all of the stops to make the largest, most unique, most decadent handheld treats. Unfortunately, many of these mini masterpieces often fall flat in taste, texture, and experience. And, honestly, who wants to pay upwards of $3 for a cupcake!? Darr keeps it simple with traditionally-sized cakes that are flavorful and moist. The red velvet variety that I sampled was topped with a vanilla bean butter cream that complimented instead of overwhelming the cake with just enough sweetness. The chocolate cupcakes are also rich, light, and moist instead of the dry crumbly cake I'm used to. The sticky bun, even the plain one, was superb. It had a light, yeasty quality with just the right about of chewiness, It was sweet but not cloying and I recommend you order yours hot with a cup of freshly brewed Illy coffee or herbal tea. Be sure to take home some focaccia or a smoked gouda loaf for later. Can there be anything better than bread AND cheese? The sea salt rolls would be excellent as a pairing with any winter soup or stew. I look forward to seeing the new offerings that Darr comes up with in his kitchen. He runs a very friendly shop with room for you to sit and linger and certainly works to get to know his customers. ABC is definitely a superb addition to the suburban landscape. If only they also served hot chocolate, my bakery experience would be complete.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:45:15" }, { "business_id": "ADe114o7Z4vb1O6HkM6YEA", "business_name": "Greek Lady", "rating": 3, "text": "The recent renovations are really lovely and the expanded seating area is a very welcome addition. The restaurant feels much cleaner and brighter. I like that the order and pick-up areas are separate to keep customers flowing. I enjoy their chicken gyro when I'm in the mood for \"fast food\". Something about the french fries inside just adds that extra, greasy, yet satisfying something. I may move on to trying other menu items at some point. I've gotten a peek at the salads ordered by other customers and they do look rather appealing. Greek Lady is also a good bet in a pinch when working a long shift at the hospital because they deliver fairly late and, chances are, the rest of the unit staff will want in on the order, too.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:49:34" }, { "business_id": "AqX_5srdyAS1tNiqC3mDvg", "business_name": "Noche", "rating": 1, "text": "Noche is perpetually crowded and noisy and lacking in seating space. I'm not really sure what the awkward swathe of floor is for between the front windows and the bar. It's like no-man's land. There are no tables and chairs and it doesn't seem to serve as a dance space either. On a weekend evening, it's veritably impossible to reach the bar without having to throw a few punches. Once you reach the bar, you're lucky if the bartender can understand you over the awful din of the sound system. The restrooms are at the very back of the establishment and difficult to reach when the crowd is really thick. If memory serves me correctly, there is also a rather random seeming pool table back there as well. I'm not sure if Noche is trying to be a bar or a restaurant, but it's difficult to order food when you have nowhere to sit. I don't enjoy the crowd either - overly pretentious, popped-collar types that fancy buying a condo on Rittenhouse Square. I'd caution against having any sort of organization event/fundraider here as they tend to continue to let hordes of people in off of the street making it very hot and tight. The available food selections are also pretty mediocre. I've had better salsa from a jar. The drink specials will end up being little more than watery Miller Light.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:57:46" }, { "business_id": "Xq-8-I0U8Artr7d70SjX-g", "business_name": "30th Street Station", "rating": 4, "text": "30th Street Station - how I prefer you over Penn Station in NYC! There is plenty of wide open space and seating that doesn't make me feel like I'm in an underground bunker. The lines for Amtrak trains tend to be orderly because you aren't forced to snake around the 400 other passengers milling about or sitting smack in the middle of the floor. There are plenty of options for a meal or a snack before your journey. The new Old Nelson Market serves up a good breakfast sandwich in addition to having the odd sundries that you might need on your way home via SEPTA. I like that I can get fresh fruit there instead of from Au Bon Pain which charges an arm and a leg. SEPTA still bites most days but that's not the station's fault.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T03:01:59" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "This sushi bar is just that - a 6 to 10 seat bar with an extra table by the door to squeeze in a few extra customers. The $10.95 three roll deal cannot be beat. You can't even get sushi for that price at Whole Foods. The fish and other ingredients are fresh and comparable to many other more expensive restaurants. The rolls could use a more generous coating of rice on the outside, though. I've eaten in for lunch when it is slow and I can sip miso soup and read a book. I've also called for take-out after a long day of work and arrived to find my order ready and waiting. I also recommend their shumai and salad with ginger dressing to round out your meal. I've seen many other customers order the fancy rolls which just look a little too rich for my stomach (I prefer to keep it simple with spicy tuna), but they seem to get good reviews for their unique flavor combinations and creative presentations. The tuna dumplings mentioned by other reviewers do look pretty intriguing! The staff are very friendly and this could easily be a place where you become a \"regular\".", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:41:26" }, { "business_id": "Jc-y852Fq1_6VB5kPUjxfA", "business_name": "City Planter", "rating": 4, "text": "This shop is absolutely lovely! The staff are friendly and knowledgeable without that horticultural pretense you find at some nursery/garden shops. The staff members know plants and plant care, but they can also help you to create an artful arrangement - just pick out and plant and a pot and you are good to go. Soon you'll be populating your place with vegetation as art! I have enjoyed planting terrariums as of late to bring a bit of nature indoors and was quite inspired by the examples City Planter has throughout their shop. They have a great selection of terrarium supplies - including miniature garden rakes, trowels, and spades - and their miniature plants are well priced at about $3 a pop. They have a great selection of unique glass vessels as well whether you want a traditional, free-standing vase, something to suspend from the air, or a wall planter. I especially love that you can make your own bag of gravel and rocks which they sell by the pound. This means that you don't have to pay for or get more than you need. They also have gravel in lovely shades of blue and larger rocks that are a cool, milky white which add nicely to the overall look of my terrariums. Don't forget the preserved moss for decoration! They carry your traditional flower favorites like pansies for spring planting, but you can also find orchids and other \"delicacies\" here as well. Check out their eco-friendly offerings like plantable wall baskets made from wool, I believe.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:50:24" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 3, "text": "If I am going to have my ice cream beaten to a pulp before I eat it, I much prefer Scoop De Ville to Cold Stone Creamery. At Scoop, your ice cream is mixed via machine instead of pummeled by the staff on an icy slab that could be a breeding ground for god-knows-what. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a Plain Jane when it comes to frozen treats. I like my ice cream scooped into a cone in it's natural state, no mixing, but maybe some rainbow jimmies. I also can't fathom paying $5 or more dollars every time I've got a taste for some mint chocolate chip even if the portions are on the generous side. The menu offers so many choices for mix-ins that it's difficult to make a decision even with their suggestions printed up before you. I would avoid taking small children there at all costs as they'll never make up their little minds! The chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate, caramel, and sea salt was pretty delectable and I do recommend that for a twist on your ordinary day. If you're looking for an out-of-the-ordinary ice cream treat and a splurge, head in to Scoop, but I won't be making this shop my regular summer ice cream spot.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:57:55" }, { "business_id": "d_UJWp4IlGS4sgnjE60eBw", "business_name": "Longwood Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite \"public\" gardens. And by public I do not mean free. I mean open to the public. Each spring Longwood is a spectacular showcase for blooming wisteria, tulips, anemone, foxglove, and snapdragon. The Italian fountains will mesmerize as your eyes are immediately drawn to the cool blue tiles shimmering beneath the surface. We have a dual membership in our household and it is well worth it for the 4 or more times a year that I go for seasonal exhibits, fireworks displays, and musical concerts. Wear comfortable shoes and stroll the paths as the landscape changes from manicured flower gardens to open field and meadow. Stop for an iced tea at the Terrace Cafe before heading to the conservatory to view more exotic species of flora. Read a book or enjoy a romp in the cow pasture where DuPont used to graze his dairy herd. This is a place I actually recommend for kids because of the wide open spaces and abundance of color and shape and texture to keep them interested. The garden also offers and abundance of classes for the novice or advanced horticulturalist and has a gift shop with all sorts of tempting items from seed and garden supplies, to books, to jewelry and scented soaps. I highly recommend the fireworks displays that they pair with music. Splurge and pair the evening with Longwood's delicious pre-show barbeque. It's work the ticket price! Don't forget to view the holiday light display over Christmas and the 1906 restaurant is perfect for a more formal and romantic setting if you're bringing someone special!", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:47:50" }, { "business_id": "2PWmnUV2Leb2Loj0TqxCMA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - University City", "rating": 3, "text": "Bring your ID after 4pm because they will card everything that breathes. A good deal for over-sized (22 oz) margaritas and greasy munchies like nachos, which is pretty much what you want to eat when you're through with multiple shots or frozen tequila. You're sure to run into a crowd on any weekend so count on lots of noise and a possible wait. At least their vigilant ID-checking keeps most UPenn undergrads out. Don't even try the \"i'm just here for the food\" excuse. That won't get you through the door either. Traditional Mexican this isn't, but their menu items are tasty and satisfying if not the most flavorful meals I've ever had. They also have an economical late-night menu. Let's be honest, though, you're probably there for the cocktails.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:54:31" }, { "business_id": "BsnP3lXh-QaOSgAw2t-omA", "business_name": "Kildare's Irish Pub - Manayunk", "rating": 1, "text": "Never...ever...again. There is nothing pleasant about this place in my opinion. It is consistently and constantly crowded with students spewed from St. Joe's, LaSalle, and other local institutions. Even on a weeknight, you'll be crammed in cheek by jowl with coeds looking for cheap beer. They tend not to have anything on tap worth drinking and it's not even worth the gas money to head over there for $2 Coors or Miller or Budweiser. The food is bland and greasy with an odd and random assortment of options constituting bar fare and half-hearted attempts at \"Irish\" favorites. The place is ridiculously loud with music over the speakers and then a band or two upstairs. Someone is bound to step on your or slosh their beer down the side of your pants. With so little seating for actual eating, the place reminds me of a cattle market. Unfortunately, places like Kildare's have forever branded Manayunk in my mind as a place I will avoid like the plague after 5pm. Even if you're dining slightly upscale, you can't escape the college kids who ruin the atmosphere for the rest of civilized folk.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:02:01" }, { "business_id": "kQCJRWvfpiW1p_4hgwD8Uw", "business_name": "Roller's Restaurant at Flying Fish", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked Roller's better when it was at the top of the Hill and Roller's Express-O is great for breakfast and ice cream. This location used to be the Flying Fish which I remember turning out superb seafood dishes throughout my childhood. It appears, though, that the furniture and decor has not changed since I was 8 giving the place an odd \"first apartment\" feel. I don't think they even use the upstairs for seating anymore. I, too, was also thrown off by the whinnie-the-pooh soap in the bathroom which made me feel like I had accidentally walked into someone else's house. I was disappointed that there is no choice in side dish and that everyone seems to get the mashed sweet potato which was a bit stringy and a ratatouille of squash of sorts. My mexican chicken, however, was quite delicious. They do have a rather creative way of pairing dishes and desserts together to give you a pretty good deal on your entire meal. Their rhubarb pie was very good. The French onion soup seemed very thin as it did not have any chunks of break beneath the cheese. I would have preferred that my waitress be able to describe the beer offerings to me as they do carry local and microbrew options. I ordered a bottle of Scarlet Lady on a whim and was glad that it wasn't terrible since no one seemed to be able to give me a description. I also think there needs to be some uniformity in attire for the waitstaff as I don't consider leggings appropriate work clothing. Apparently, it is or was shad season and the elderly folks next to us were tickled pink over the shad roe offering. I know the restaurant is small and privately owned, but it is the 21st century and it would be nice if they would accept at least Visa for payment. Considering the new eateries coming to Chestnut Hill, Roller's could take a serious hit if the more contemporary places draw business to their doors.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "iqJ3t9iq0fsWaYL93s8Vmw", "business_name": "King of Prussia", "rating": 4, "text": "If I am going to go to a mall, I am going to go here. It has virtually every store I could need in one tidy location. KOP used to cater equally to the Main Line elite and suburban scrubs with Neiman Marcus and Sears at opposite poles of the complex. However, with the arrival of high-end retailers like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Versace the parking lot is filled with more Ferrari than Ford. The message that this mall aims to send is becoming clear: if you're not going to drop $3,500 on a handbag, please exit the premises, do not pass go, and take your measly $200 with you on the way out. Honestly, I am a bit surprised that we haven't seen such retailers trying to snap up space in Center City around Rittenhouse Square. Even The Court is more upscale these days despite the Macy's tethered to it. There is a clear dichotomy in the shoppers you'll see walking the wide, sunlit aisles - those who wear stretch pants with stirrups and those who do not. And, as always, you've got the handful of tourists sprinkled in for a bit of diversity. Even the piped in classical music seems to be trying to lure a certain crowd - those with distinctly refined tastes. Of course, don't worry, there is still a Taco Bell in the food court and an Old Navy for those who want more down-to-earth than designer. I know Bill M. is looking for a little something unique here, but it's a mall and malls aren't about boutique style and individual tastes. What IS unique about THIS mall, though, is that it has added luxury retailers yet is still situated only minutes from a Hooters and Red Lobster.", "timestamp": "2011-05-24T03:45:24" }, { "business_id": "oFv9-wwifD3u8FFx6fPRYA", "business_name": "Baja Room at Pico de Gallo", "rating": 4, "text": "Feeling the need to wash ourselves of a very long 12 hour nursing shift, a friend and I stumbled into this little place after deciding that the hipster/biker crowd at Bob and Barbara's was just not for us. Unfortunately, I had left my skinny scrubs at home that day. Being a Wednesday evening, the restaurant wasn't populated by too many other parties and we were seated on the back patio where we enjoyed the eclectic collection of bric-a-brac that goes for decor and numerous strands of twinkly lights. We ordered a STAT round of margaritas which were topped with fresh mint and lime wedges. They didn't seem particularly strong at the time, but my coma-like sleep later that night tells me you're in for a kick in the pants later if you consumer multiples. We ordered the cheese, bean, and guacamole nachos and sushi-grade tuna tacos to share. Both were delicious! The nachos were crisp and topped with generous helpings of beans, cheese, and guacamole so that you weren't left munching naked chips by the time you'd dug through the pile. The tuna tacos were surprisingly refreshing - quickly seared/rare tuna on light flour tortillas, topped with fresh tomato salsa. Rice, refried beans, and a grilled plantain come on the side. The atmosphere was just what we were looking for after work - laid back, where we wouldn't be pestered to eat quickly and move on. The night air was just a bit warm and you couldn't help but feel cocooned sitting on the back patio hidden by the picket fence. The place has a certain unpretentious charm and broken-in-ness that makes me want to come back again.", "timestamp": "2011-05-31T17:58:28" }, { "business_id": "lRbHFOIFuusN2WOR_ypQ_A", "business_name": "Ants Pants Café", "rating": 5, "text": "This little \"blink and you'll miss it\" cafe is quickly becoming one of my post-night shift breakfast spots. They open early, have a quiet and cozy atmosphere, and serve consistently delicious, comforting food. The staff is especially friendly and courteous. My favorites to date are their grilled cheese with tomato and bacon, their milkshakes, and their creme brulee battered french toast with maple syrup and sour cream sauce. Honestly, I was pretty wary of the sour cream sauce at first but it provides refreshing coolness to the sweet bread and maple syrup. The portions aren't skimpy either; once I've paid my check and hit the road home, I'm ready to hop into bed and start all over again later that day with another 12 hours at work sans tummy rumblies. Don't forget: they are a cash-only joint. They do have an ATM in-house, though. Oh, and don't try to bring your 10 best friends to dine here, they're small and other patrons will appreciate not having to rub elbows with your entire clan.", "timestamp": "2011-11-06T18:30:15" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 3, "text": "Fork is one of those restaurants that I, as a faithful Yelper, felt guilty for not having visited. I finally checked it off my list in early September! My first meal there rates a mediocre 3 stars. I really love the atmosphere - open kitchen, cozy and intimate with dim lighting and green foliage screening canoodling couples from other diners. Maybe not a place I'd take your staid in-laws considering the \"sexy vibe\" as Dave H. puts it. I was disappointed by the portion size of my mushroom risotto - one lonely ladle-ful in the midst of a sea of china. At least put it in a smaller dish so that I think I'm getting what I paid for. The flavor of the dish was pretty banal as well. Give me a can of chicken stock, some locally picked mushrooms, and I could have whipped up a better batch at home. We were seated right next to the bar which makes for some unfortunate annoyances as waitstaff bustle back and forth and the din can get quite loud from other patrons dousing themselves in house-made cocktails. The service, however, was impeccable with an attentive but not overbearing waiter. He knew the menu well and was able to describe the dishes in detail as if he had personally tasted each one. Needless to say, I'll need to reprise my meal here to get a better feel for the place.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:42:54" }, { "business_id": "uVoAlvNxz2IRvhXccU1tFw", "business_name": "Union Transfer", "rating": 5, "text": "No one told me the Spaghetti Warehouse closed! What a relief! That place was a poor excuse for \"Italian\" food. Luckily, the building has been reincarnated into my new favorite music venue. I was blown away by the Gillian Welch performance I saw in late October. Given that the floor plan is open with no assigned seating I was worried that this event would be a repeat of a show I saw at the Electric Factory where, crammed cheek by jowl, I had the misfortune of standing next to a stoner who vomited all over my shoes. The UT is extremely spacious: concert-goers can belly right up to the stage (or bar for that matter), fan out along the top-tier balconies, or relax next to the bar at high tops and tables for two. Everyone can enjoy the show from a good vantage point without another person or post in your sight line (ahem, I'm thinking of you Academy of Music!). If the show isn't all-ages you can even keep your \"adult beverage\" with you on the main floor. They also have a concession stand. I found the drink prices to be fair - I think my can of PBR was $3.75. I could also totally be making that up. The place has an industrial vibe that makes you feel like the place used to be a factory for train trestles. The acoustics are phenomenal - you're neither deafened nor guessing at the lyrics. The staff are very friendly and I actually enjoyed tipping my waitress as it meant not having to run back and forth to the bar. If you're driving, you can pre-pay online before the show and park in the lot directly behind the venue for $8 or so. Extra bonus: not having to buy tickets through Ticketmaster! Randomness: I know people with babies and small kids like music. I know they like concerts, but really...is it a good idea to bring your small child to a live show that starts at 9p, a time when they should be sleeping? Probably not. Sleepy kids are cranky as hell.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:58:04" }, { "business_id": "nWHNtH3v6BPnV7MUWejOyw", "business_name": "Solebury Orchards", "rating": 5, "text": "Do yourself a favor. Skip Linvilla Orchards with it's mazes, clowns, huge gift shop and other gimmicks. I've been hooked on Solebury Orchards ever since I tried their cider doughnuts that are sold via Weavers Way Co-Op. You literally park your car, grab your bag, and walk right into the orchard or take the hay wagon for a ride for picking at the other end of the property. The whole process is neat and efficient given the crowds that can show up here on a Fall weekend. I think Solebury has become my favorite orchard for apple picking with their offerings of Empire, Pinata, Honeycrisp and more. The trees are well-maintained with lots of low-hanging fruit and scattered ladders/step-stools for the apples on higher branches. I ended up picking over 20lbs and have many jars of superb applesauce to show for it. You'd be an idiot to skip the fresh cider and doughnuts no matter what diet you're on this year. Their pear butter is also fantastic on fresh, crisp bread with Whole Foods fresh honey-roasted peanut butter. Seriously, I eat it just about every day. The orchard also offers pick-your-own flowers and pumpkins (though not in a pick-your-own patch). When you've had your fill of apple goodness, head down the road a stretch and check out the Carousel Lavender farm!", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T02:17:19" }, { "business_id": "tM-ObyoUno83kylE283iXw", "business_name": "A Taste of Britain", "rating": 4, "text": "I found this adorable little tea spot while running errands through Wayne the other day. The decor is simple and unassuming yet charming with a soothing green color covering the walls and dark wood throughout. As a child, afternoon tea was a special occasion with my mother that required a party dress and a trip downtown to the Four Seasons or Rittenhouse hotels. I was happy to discover somewhere more casual and certainly less expensive on this afternoon. My server, Rebecca, provided impeccable service and was very helpful when I was making my tea and menu selections. Their lunch offerings of soups, fritatta, salads, and sandwiches were rather appealing but I decided on the full Afternoon Tea ($18 per person). The selections were really quite generous: 1 large scone of your choice with fresh lemon curd, clotted cream, and raspberry preserves as well as other assorted mini pastries, 8 tea sandwiches of tuna, cheddar with chutney, roast beef, and sweet cheese, and one pot of tea all artfully prepared and served. I was afraid the little restaurant would be filled with the Main Line elite whose attitudes easily ruin a peaceful afternoon to one's self, but none were to be found at the surrounding tables and I was happy to be treated with such care and attention. This is a place where one can be at ease even if you don't sport diamonds and fur. They provided for parties of up to 14 in house and can also coordinate catering. They offer and assortment of British favorites from HP sauce to Cadbury Chocolate to PG Tips tea. You can even take home steak and kidney pie, meat pasties, fresh lemon curd and clotted cream. I would consider this a lovely place to bring your friends, your daughter, your mother or even your husband.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:15:08" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 3, "text": "Crowded and busy but with extremely fast service. Fast, not necessarily good. Extremely inexpensive. Not a place to sit and linger, maybe get it to go. The small bowl is a misnomer. It's really two meals in one. Are those chopsticks really sanitary? Great bowl of steaming soup - add the fresh basil and hot sauce. Yes, that meat in the steak pho really is cooked. If you're adventurous, try the tripe, fatty flank, and tendons. I'm not that adventurous.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:57:09" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite a rave review in The New York Times, I still don't understand how fried chicken and doughnuts compliment one another. Sometimes, after a night shift, I will drive out of the way for the Vanilla-Lavender. That and the Indian Cinnamon are my favorite. Nothing beats a warm, soft, aromatic treat. The fancy flavors don't rate as high on my list because I'm a fan of keeping it simple and flavors like Pina Colada are usually more than my tastebuds want to handle early in the morning. The service is remarkably cheery and snappy even at 8am on a Saturday morning which is when you had better get there lest you want to miss out. Doughnuts are continually cranked in perfect form right behind the counter. It's rather mesmerizing. The coffee is good and strong but I do wish they had tea and hot chocolate as well. Perhaps someday I will try the chicken, but to tell the truth - I hate meat on bones.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:41:33" }, { "business_id": "GoYSJ-YY-YwbxdgasHuq-Q", "business_name": "Mixto", "rating": 2, "text": "Visited Mixto after an evening at the annual UPenn Mask and Wig production at their clubhouse on Quince Street. I enjoyed the red sangria which was full of fresh fruit and well chilled. Unfortunately, the black bean soup was bland and lackluster. I appreciate that it wasn't overwhelmingly spicy, but would I would have liked to be overwhelmed by some kind of flavor. The tres leches cake was too soggy. I know that this traditional Mexican dessert is made with milk, but once it hit my tongue the cake's texture felt as if it had been marinating in liquid all day. Lastly, what's with the toasted bread they bring without butter? It seems out of place and like an afterthought \"Well I guess we should serve the people bread, might as well toast it while we're at it\". The restaurant was also very drafty on that cold night and any time anyone opened the door, some kind of vacuum was created that prevented them from closing the door quickly and keeping the chilled air outside. I may visit again, but it looks like the repeat customers are just as puzzled by the underwhelming experience.", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T21:35:21" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Sabrina's on Powelton is every bit as good as the original in the Italian Market. I really love the new space - an old Victorian home which features a charming wrap-around porch with large sunny windows. The porch can be a bit chilly in winter but they'll happily flip on the heaters to keep you cozy. I consider Sabrina's a staple in list of places to frequent for post night-shift breakfast as their fare is hearty, satisfying, and affordable. Thus ensuring me a good day's rest once home. My only complaint is that their french toast is sometimes too thick, leaving the middle of the toast dry. I only recommend the stuffed french toast if bringing friends as you will be bested by it's sheer volume if you attempt it alone. I honestly don't have an issue with students from Penn and Drexel who dine here on the regular as they are hardly any more of a nuisance than the hipster crowd at Honey's or the toddler-toting young families at Sabrina's original location.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:44:01" }, { "business_id": "rAe-1HU5Z-DuUXEbzASXDA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - Willow Grove", "rating": 2, "text": "Mad Mex Willow Grove is every bit as boisterous as the University City location. Be prepared to wait on the weekends as there will most likely be a healthy crowd, especially around the bar. You can barely hear yourself think let alone listen to your tablemates over the din of the sound system. The margaritas are potent but the food is still average Americanized Tex-Mex that relies heavily on salt and spice rather than the flavors of the actual ingredients. Not a bad place for a bite before or after a movie at the Warrington Regal cinema, but not exactly a destination.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:50:14" }, { "business_id": "ohWH383r60AREWh-aphpSw", "business_name": "Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm pleased that Iron Hill has popped up in Chestnut Hill to provide some contrast to all of the smaller, independent shops and restaurants in the area. The block the the brewery occupies was looking especially vacant and I much prefer Iron Hill to the likes of Chili's or Houlihan's. However, it is a chain and attracts everyone from couples out for date night to young families to older couples to groups of friends. My point? The place gets crowded quickly and you're bound to wait or duke it out for one of the high top bar tables. The bar tables actually turn over fairly quickly and I've never ended up waiting more than 10-15 minutes. I have never really seen the rest of the property because we stick to the high tops as the wait has usually been about an hour on a Thursday-Saturday night. The atmosphere is lively and your boyfriend, brother, or dad will appreciate whatever game is on if they are inclined to avoid small-talk. The beer selection is good and rotates depending on the season to include standard favorites and unique flavors like the Oompa Loompa Chocolate Stout. If you can't decide, get a flight of beers to taste. The waitstaff is very friendly and attentive. They are also actually very knowledgeable about each brew and certainly equipped to help you find your favorite selection. Their food is good and the portions substantial. They serve standard \"pub fare\" from pizza and nachos to pastas, burgers, steaks, and seafood. I wouldn't say they really do anyone thing extremely well, but fish and chips will certainly help sop up all that beer you're downing. I wouldn't consider Iron Hill a destination but certainly a place to keep in the rotation for casual weekend dining when you just don't want to order in another pizza.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T02:02:09" }, { "business_id": "4Am_sbP0WDw0Q7aaAy6XhA", "business_name": "REI", "rating": 4, "text": "You'd be hard-pressed to find a store that meets the needs of the outdoor enthusiast more than REI. The staff have always been kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. They are enthusiastic about the activities they participate in and often encouraging of a customer's interest, even those of us who are new to the worlds of hiking, biking, running, camping, etc. Shopping here offers and advantage as the company is a co-op and you will receive your dividends back in March. The amount is usually about 10% of all of your eligible purchases during the year. I like that they sell maps and guides for popular hiking trails and state parks - items that can be hard to find elsewhere. I find their prices to be fairly competitive with similar stores like EMS and Campmoor. I buy my favorite Halo snack bars here and they offer a 20% discount when you buy an entire box. I also applaud their stewardship efforts and the community building they do with educational programs, travel, and community service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T21:51:53" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I could do without Serafina's bright yellow awnings on 18th Street. The restaurant feels like one of those places where you come to see and be seen - like Parc but without the help of a Stephen Starr reputation. In fact, I found myself heading over to Parc after a disappointing dinner of too-heavy Penne Vodka for a strong cocktail and dessert. You cannot be seated at an outside table unless you are ordering food which was very disappointing to learn. The menu is fairly large and the kitchen doesn't produce any excellent dish but manages to turn out a variety of mediocre Italian-ish plates. The wait staff was rather aloof and my meal felt rushed. There was a great deal of whining at the bar by neighborhood regulars who had come to complain about their life, their day, their relationships. It made for quite the melancholy atmosphere. A meal will easily run you more than $20 per person, even at lunch, especially if you order any seafood. Prices I am not willing to pay for less than stellar offerings.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T22:09:24" }, { "business_id": "yDHINEt7By47My7x4Mb8oA", "business_name": "The Gypsy Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "I'll admit that I don't consider Conshohocken when I think about going out to dinner but I was persuaded to try this restaurant after reading a newspaper review. I love the atmosphere - a dark, warm wood bar with ceilings and walls draped with printed fabrics, all lit by the warm glow from hanging lamps and candles. I felt that the mounted plasma tv's really detracted from the ambiance, though, and made the venue feel less intimate. The menu is eclectic - pasta, seafood, meat, but I thought that their meatloaf was a stand out. The calamari was also surprisingly good - lightly fried and crispy. The lobster mac and cheese seems to be a clear crowd-pleaser, though. I thought that the service was standard - prompt and polite. No horror stories here. This is a casual, neighborhood place - good for a low-key meal on a Friday night, meeting old friends, sipping cocktails, etc. The portions were a bit too large for my taste, but you can always take the rest home! I might recommend adding another server to take some of the strain off of the two sisters that were manning the dining room when we were in on a Tuesday night - they did a great job juggling a pretty full house on a week night!", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:13:32" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Get the mussels. You may not be close to the coast, but they are delicious. Tender morsels in a deeply savory broth. Skip the frites and dip crusty bread in after the shells are gone. Or eat both. Drink a romarin (the citrus is pleasantly tart yet refreshing) while sitting outside in large, dark sunglasses. Enjoy Parc for what it is - don't whine about the prices, just enjoy daydreaming about actually dining al fresco in Paris.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:40:16" }, { "business_id": "fBOoOWHRWPXIrMvVVkZqMg", "business_name": "Cake", "rating": 4, "text": "Two things: The balsamic portobello mushroom with farro, mozzarella, and assorted vegetables was amazing. I wish I could remember the exact name of the dish! It was so good, I only ate half so that I could eat the remainder the next day. The mushrooms were bursting with tangy, balsamic flavor that mingled so nicely with the meaty texture of the portobellos. The lemon tart is the best version of a citrus dessert that I have ever had. I really hate lemon things that are overly sweet. I also hate when they are mussed up by fruit or other adornments. The citron dessert features smooth, pucker-worthy lemon custard over the thinnest of chocolate-y layers, couched in a light, crumby shell. Heaven! Dinner is only served Thursday and Friday. Make a reservation to be guaranteed a seat. Last seating is 8:30p. Go early to avoid missing out on certain menu selections. The trout was very popular the night I stopped in and was 86ed fairly fast. I thought the prices were very fair considering the restaurants use of fresh, local, organic ingredients. The menu appears to make great use of seasonal variety and I imagine we'll be seeing some creative squash dishes soon. The greenhouse setting is very charming and makes for a relaxed, yet intimate venue suitable for date night or brunch with the family.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:52:21" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 3, "text": "After having sampled the confections at the La Duree location in Manhattan, I developed pretty high standards for macarons. Miel Patisserie gives a whole-hearted attempt at perfecting the macaron in Philadelphia but falls just a bit short, in my opinion. I tried 4 flavors - coconut, chocolate, rosewater, and salted caramel. While their chocolate was rich and delicious, I expected more from the other flavors. The salted caramel filling had a very buttery taste and was overly salty, leaving me feeling a tad queasy. The rosewater had too much of a pronounced rose taste that made me feel as if I had licked a perfume bottle. I prefer a much more subtle rose flavor. The coconut tasted more like pineapple or pina colada to me and consisted of an eerily translucent filling rather than a cream. I was impressed with their meringues, though - a light and crisp shell with a pleasant chew to the center. I'd never be one to pass up a baked good, so I am sure I will have occasion to sample these and other flavors again before I declare La Duree my clear favorite here in America.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T22:47:52" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Yet another breakfast option in a city of brunch fanatics. I feel like we're in an episode of Sex and the City and Philadelphia is only now getting to the table. Manhattan has made brunch a serious weekend habit for at least the last decade. Green Eggs Cafe is a serious contender in my book for best brunch. It's BYOB so you don't have to worry about over-paying for your mimosa since you Bring Your Own Bubbly. The portions are large enough that you'll be taking home the rest for dinner. If you're looking for something dainty and on your 1200 calorie diet, I advise staying home. The quinoa porridge, however, is a great option for those looking to avoid the damage incurred by eating french toast. There are vegan options as well - vegan french toast, vegan sausage, and more so don't forget to invite your friends with esoteric food preferences. I recommend sharing dishes like the creme brulee french toast or red velvet pancakes so that you can try some other things on the menu like the rosemary potatoes which are very flavorful. In this town people complain that portions are either too large or too small. I felt that $11 for a dish that feeds me twice is pretty darn reasonable. Of course, it will be crowded and the wait will be long on the weekends. You're not the only one who wanted to skip cereal and milk in their apartment this morning. Count on at least 15 minutes, but up to 30 depending on the size of your party. They were seating outside today but few people accepted an open table because they forgot to read the weather report before heading outside in the chill. Do your homework and hit the bank on the way as Green Eggs is cash only. They do have their own ATM with a fee of 99 cents for those who don't like to plan ahead. Do note that this spot is also popular with families and dog owners.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T23:00:56" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 4, "text": "What is there to say about The Barnes that hasn't already been said or argued about? The new location is lovely and makes me feel entirely at peace with the smooth stone walls and quiet reflection pools. The art collection, of course, is unparalleled and a must-see for anyone and everyone. Make multiple visits as it would be difficult and rather exhausting to thoroughly appreciate the many works in one trip. The Friday night entertainment offerings are quite worthwhile and a sophisticated way to wind up the week - sip a cocktail, enjoy some music or dance, wander the galleries. Don't forget to count yourself lucky to have the privilege to spend time in such intimate proximity to some of the world's most lovely objects.", "timestamp": "2012-11-17T01:39:14" }, { "business_id": "or_WcjWELDsssk2JruvJcg", "business_name": "Café Lutecia", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been meaning to stop in to Cafe Lutecia for years now. I've only driven by it a thousand and one times in my life. It always appeared to me to be the type of place where you could get lost in a good book. The cafe is remarkably tiny and simple. If it is made out of flour, it is probably on the menu - bagels, baguettes with ham and brie, croissant, muffins, etc. Simple as it is, I quite enjoyed my ham and brie on a baguette. I don't know how you would make something so simple any better than to serve it on good, warm crusty bread with quality meat and cheese, which is exactly what Cafe Lutecia does. They also make an astonishingly good cafe au lait. I am not a coffee snob - if it tastes good to me, I will drink it. I thought the cafe au lait that I had was a creamy bit of heaven. Way better than most places that masquerade as \"coffee shops\". Don't come here to do your work, though. This is not Starbucks and you cannot spread out as if it is your own personal library. Also, it is a neighborhood place. Children will wander in and out on the hip of a parent and will jabber to the owners and you will look like a jerk if you scowl or complain. Meet a good friend or a new friend and catch up at a tiny table as if you are in Paris. Throw your New Year's resolution out the window and eat ham and brie and a croissant or even on a croissant. Cafe Lutecia is owned by an incredibly warm and friendly couple who are an integral part of the neighborhood. It is so nice to go to a place where you can interact and engage with other patrons and not be thought to be a loon or nosey. I only wish the chairs were slightly bigger. Remember: cash only.", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T20:38:54" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to find good bubble tea, or boba, in LA. Not so much in Philadelphia. Until now. Tea Do is my go-to spot for icy cold taro bubble tea or avocado smoothies. Yes, avocado smoothies. Trust me, they taste much better than one would think. Tea Do is legit - they even have a specific machine just for the purpose of shaking up your drink. There are plenty of flavors and varieties to choose from to suit just about any palate. Get your fix with traditional tapioca pearls or try the \"popping bubbles\" which are reminiscent of Gushers. A large beverage will run you about $4 which is about the same as your daily drink at Starbucks. The best part? Picking out your favorite color straw!", "timestamp": "2013-03-23T20:38:34" }, { "business_id": "1fGaY2WlGv2l4as6UkMFrg", "business_name": "The Trestle Inn", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited the Trestle Inn for an event, so I can't directly comment on the venue except to say that the bartenders are snappy and sling well-blended drinks. The space is dimly lit, cozy, and intimate. I don't think it's the best space for large events, though, as the bar and back room are pretty narrow, making it difficult to navigate the establishment when it is filled with 100 or so people.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:35:48" }, { "business_id": "dpdMVwjAFOkwITNnS_Hu7g", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "The cupcake craze continues. As more and more shops flood the market for handheld baked goods, I am finding that I am not as easily impressed as I once was. Philly Cupcake turns out a good product that is delicious, but I don't know if they are any better or worse than any other establishment in the city. I am impressed by their flavor offerings, though, and the vegan selections. There is certainly something for everybody. This particular location also offers coffee, other pastries, and an array of made-on-premises candies. Expect to pay a little under $5 for some of their more decadent creations.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:39:51" }, { "business_id": "kz8OeP88ZYjDBWb0LePJ3A", "business_name": "Chill On the Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Chill on the Hill is a brightly lit, crisp, clean shop compared to the rainbow-hued chaos of other establishments. Unlike other local frozen yogurt places, Chill lets its customers fill their own sample cups which means not having to wait while the customer in front of you tries 6 different flavors. I appreciate that they put all toppings with nuts in a separate section to discourage cross-contamination for people with allergies. Their flavors pretty much hit the mark - no funny aftertaste or odd concoctions. They keep it simple with pretty standard fare - vanilla, chocolate, original tart, birthday cake, etc. Seating is somewhat minimal as the store is not overly large but the long bench along one wall makes good use of space to keep the shop from feeling very crowded when busy. They also have a frequent buyer program which will come in handy this summer for lots of customers. Chill seems to also aim to really interact with the community - they feature merchandise (t-shirts, etc) with their logo and will be soon hosting a mini film festival. Customer photos and other events can also be displayed on the LCD screens built in to one wall. Prices are comparable to shops like U-Swirl and Kiwi Yogurt.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:49:25" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "I had heard so many wonderful things about the burger offerings here. I was so disappointed to find that, on the night I chose to dine in, they had taken their list of burgers down to one - the once famous Churchill Burger, I believe. I've had better at Five Guys. Warm bleu cheese just does not do wonders for me - I felt it gave the burger bitter, gritty taste. It couldn't even be redeemed by the fries. The atmosphere is also overwhelmingly noisy on a Friday night. The music is in constant competition with customers who get louder and louder with each beer they toss back.", "timestamp": "2013-06-09T01:36:59" }, { "business_id": "4GBQc6XbJVhfH58WjHLBvw", "business_name": "Brandywine River Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "If you've already frequented other east coast art museums with large collections (think: MOMA, the Met, the Frick, the Barnes, PMA) why not give the Brandywine a try? Given that this museum is a tightly curated collected of Wyeth family favorites and other special exhibits, touring the Brandywine is like spending time on one specific subject in a larger art history class. Sunday mornings are free, so get up early, treat yourself to brunch in the area and digest that omelette while you consider Wyeth's relationship with his model, Helga. Friends? Lovers? Wyeth really captures the pastoral beauty of rural Pennsylvania and the majesty of the Maine coast. Unfortunately, his paintings are one thin thread that we have connecting us to much of our agriculture heritage in this area of the state. Children will especially love N.C. Wyeth's original illustrations for Treasure Island - they are still some of my all time favorite pieces in the world.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:38:57" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually quite prefer the new Honey's location to the original. Perhaps it's the particular chef at this location? I'm an over-easy eggs kind of woman and Honey's never disappoints. Add on a latke and I'm set for the day. The wait was remarkably shorter at this location despite being situated among prime residential real estate. The service was lively and attentive - the host even pitched in, clearing plates and filling beverages, when the place got busy. My only complaint? Being seated near the kitchen means you can see who goes in and out quite frequently. I wouldn't mind if management encouraged their employees, including kitchen staff, to dress a little less like they just rolled out of bed and rode their fixed gear 20 miles before landing at work. Remember folks: cash only! ATM available but not for free.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:43:48" }, { "business_id": "TYZ6hF3HLulzePIworiIUw", "business_name": "U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite the evening crowds, U-Swirl is one of my favorite yogurt shops. They have at least 10 flavors to choose from and do rotate \"specialty\" flavors pretty regularly. They also have more toppings than any other yogurt shop I have been, too. U-Swirl also offers a really good frequent buyer program compared to some other shops. They give you 16oz of free yogurt for every 10 you purchase. Other shops limit you to 5 oz. The staff is always very friendly and refreshes the toppings frequently. Keep an eye on those kiddos, though, little hands have made their way into various containers. Luckily, the staff are happy to replace anything that has been licked or had grubby fingers in it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:49:15" }, { "business_id": "WNLUBI0my0WLpmWTNUsK9w", "business_name": "Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "After 11 years of knitting, I still love Loop. I'm always impressed by the new yarns Craig and Laura bring in and I appreciate their dedication to choosing local and independent fiber artists as well as more commercially available products. They've even got their own line now that Laura hand dyes. The service and kindness of the staff is still unparalleled. If you're a Philly native or just passing through, be sure to pop into my favorite place in the city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T05:58:45" }, { "business_id": "m64OHmyD7OqAyQmoJETkfQ", "business_name": "Moon + Arrow", "rating": 4, "text": "I loved Moon and Arrow when it was a pop-up shop on 4th street and am thrilled that it has found a permanent home there. I always find unique bits and bobs here for gifts. I am especially fond of the mineral pendants and vintage linens. If you're looking for a typewriter, you can usually find one here in great working condition. There are always new finds to be had which makes shopping exciting. It's always a good trip when the owner's pup, Loretta, is hanging out in the shop - she gives free kisses!", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:04:30" }, { "business_id": "08fkgKXeLTFmE35fCydRpA", "business_name": "juju spa", "rating": 5, "text": "If you're headed to JuJu, request Jill. She is an excellent aesthetician and I always enjoy my facials with her. She is extremely gentle throughout the entire treatment which means you won't be left looking red and blotchy the next day. Jill also does a wonderful job with eyebrows, leaving a very natural and tidy look. As always, the spa is lovely - warm, private, and inviting.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "-T_lkOvaK39R-Ufg6VUyxg", "business_name": "Magpie", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so grateful to Magpie for getting Philadelphia out of the cupcake rut! Magpie treats pie baking like a craft - dreaming up delicious flavor combinations beyond the traditional. The crust is, by far, the best part of a Magpie pie - flaky and slightly crisp on the outside but tender inside. No tooth cracking crunch here! Flavors like lime custard are elevated past the likes of the traditional key lime pie by the addition of a sublime basil custard and pistachio crunch. The caramel custard takes on a deep smokey flavor with the addition of bourbon. The fruit pies are equally delicious as Magpie utilizes the freshest local fruit of the season. My go-to savory choice is the Chicken Pot Pie which is instantly comforting and chock-full of meat and veggies. Pull it out of the oven on a crisp Fall day and you'll completely forget that your mom didn't make it for you! Last, but not least, do yourself a favor and get their salted carmel latte - an instant belly warmer and perfect complement to any of Magpie's apple pies.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:31:21" }, { "business_id": "3WX24d4v-R1OK4xqrcVL7g", "business_name": "Lacquer Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "Lacquer Lounge certainly lives up to the Best of Philly 2013 hype! Beware the wait, though - make an appointment in advance as a walk-in spot seems pretty hard to come by these days. The shop has a total of six technicians, so they are definitely not a high-volume nail salon that churns out scores of manicured digits like some other city establishments. The staff is so pleasant and attentive - water, coffee, and tea are all available and complimentary. Forgot your flip flops? Those are available, too, for a nominal price. The chairs are luxe white leather with fluffy hot pink pillows - talk about a girl's dream! Each client will receive their own files and the like which you are free to take home if you choose. All other nail tools are opened in front of you and come out of sterilized packages as if you were at a physician's office. When Lacquer Lounge advertises that health and safety are paramount, they mean it! Pedicures are done using individual tubs with disposable liners. You still get the spa feel without the worry of a fungal infection or worse later. I was impressed with their extensive collection of Essie and OPI polishes. They also have more than a dozen gel colors to choose from which is many more than some salons that only feature the basics like reds and pinks. Do be aware that gel removal is $10 unless you are coming in for a repeat gel manicure. Lacquer Lounge does accept credit cards and does allow tipping on credit cards which is quite convenient. I am sure I will be back to try their other services soon! Mary is a superb manicurist and I highly recommend her if you stop by. I felt the prices were quite reasonable (and comparable to other establishments in the city) considering the level of service and the extra health precautions.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:50:01" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 4, "text": "The Ziggy is my new favorite meal. This burger is full of smokey flavor and toothsome enough to satisfy even the most hardcore carnivores. The soft, wheat bun totally makes this burger for me. Get a banana whip for dessert if you have room - cool, creamy, guilt-free! No bathrooms here, though, which makes wiping off all of that special sauce a bit tough. Plan to take out as dine-in space is cramped, limited, and not made for lingering. Take that as a hint and try to avoid squeezing your baby wagon (seriously! When did strollers become actual vehicles!?) or oversized tote bag in here during the lunch rush! Even better? Call ahead for pick-up service.", "timestamp": "2013-10-19T11:27:53" }, { "business_id": "LnZvGYbqozanOSevcftnrw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg - University City", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't get enough of the Ziggy Burger, especially now that there is a University City location which means I can pick up an order after work and not have to worry about parking my car in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. If they add delivery - I'll be over the moon as it will mean a better take-out option when at work than Greek Lady. I heartily recommend the Ziggy Burger as the tempeh bacon and special sauce just really take the humble veggie burger to a whole new level of delicious. It will also keep you satisfied for hours. Splurge on some sweet potato fries as well for their slaty, tender goodness. I like the black bean cilantro dipping sauce which is a flavorful alternative to ketchup. If you're in the mood for something lighter, you can't go wrong with a green smoothie (groothie) or a banana whip. The service is ridiculously friendly and the orders are up quickly. I am always promptly greeted and the staff often provide great recommendations regarding menu items if you can't decide. If you're in a hurry, call ahead and your order is sure to be ready when you arrive. Compared to the Rittenhouse location this space is huge with seating for everyone! They still compost and recycle so after you satisfy your hunger you can satisfy your conscience as well. I enjoy this place so much that I feel they should have a frequent buyer punch card for their burgers.", "timestamp": "2013-11-17T23:38:20" }, { "business_id": "Zkvjfrl2Wx7VvfKoNahWWQ", "business_name": "Leila's Restaurant and Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Great spot for an impromptu date with your beau or bestie (yes, I said \"bestie\"). A reservation is certainly recommended for this cozy neighborhood French-inspired spot. BYOB and expect dishes like the generous (large enough that I could take the impressive bone home to my yellow lab) veal chop that is so perfectly seasoned and tender that it needs no further gilding beyond that of the tender winter vegetables and light au jus that are its accompaniments. The onion soup is quite a departure from the cheese-heavy, thin broth substitutes you'll find at lesser establishments. It is a rather hearty and creamy concoction with the cheese blended right in. Don't skip dessert - especially not the butterscotch pot de creme which is just as decadent as it sounds. It is exceptionally smooth on the tongue and has just the slightest taste of burnt caramel to keep it from being overly sweet. Make sure you pad your wallet with cash or a check as Leila's does not accept credit cards (my dinner for two including two appetizers, a seafood special, and two desserts rang in at just under $100 and well worth it, too!) As far as \"French\" dining goes, Leila's is utterly unpretentious and casual enough that you don't need to break out your LBD (Little Black Dress for those not in the know). It's one of those familiar restaurants that you can go to again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-01-08T16:45:58" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "How to sum up my late night experience at Little Pete's....? If you're stopping in after midnight, you're bound to find an eclectic crowd of party kids, club goers, wanna-be socialites, and anyone else who has been drinking since sundown. You will probably be called \"Hun\" by the waitstaff. They have an actual cigarette machine. Great vanilla milkshake but the huge, starchy steak fries leave a lot to be desired. Cash only.", "timestamp": "2014-01-09T00:06:00" }, { "business_id": "STwdgdVYWm-pBDF1JIpAVA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi & Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "It took a bit of investigation but I finally discovered where the \"real\" Vic has been hiding. His latest spot is a mere 15 minutes from me, just up Easton Road in the Willow Grove area. No more fighting for a parking space on Sansom Street or shivering in the cold while waiting for a spot at the tiny sushi bar. Vic apparently sold the Center City and Springhouse locations. The menu is virtually the same as the other \"Vic\" establishments, but this restaurant also features Thai food. I'm familiar with Vic's restaurants because of his sushi, so I didn't opt to try the Thai options. The extended menu, however, means that you could lure non-sushi lovers here as well. I really feel that, unless you go straight to Japan, you can't really find better sushi in the 'burbs. The fish is very fresh! The Tuna Dumplings are a great example of the excellent seafood that they provide - imagine little tuna purses that are so tender they virtually melt in your mouth. The 3 hand rolls for $10.95 really cannot be beat. I enjoy the Spicy Tuna, Spicy Salmon, Alaskan, and Sweet Potato rolls. The Black Dragon roll with eel was exceptional - tender, moist, and slightly sweet. The rolls are very generously packed with fish and I like how the fish and spicy sauces are mixed together. The staff is very friendly and the service is prompt. Vic himself manned the sushi bar while we were there. BYOB and you've got an affordable meal for date night, girls night out, or just because.", "timestamp": "2014-01-13T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "avlwCvHzrhU5UOvz1Y3_gQ", "business_name": "Ambler Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I really disliked going to the movies - large crowds, groups of loitering teens, crabby/surly employees, sticky floors, unclean bathrooms - especially if it involved going to a Regal \"megaplex\". I usually prefer to pop my Netflix choice into my large-screen computer and settle down with some knitting in the comfort of my own home. However, after purchasing a membership for my movie-loving mother, The Ambler Theater has quickly brought me out of my little movie-viewing cave and back to the big screen. They tend to always show flicks that I am inclined to see and have special events throughout the year showing old flicks like Casablanca or silent films with accompanying live music. As a member (starting at about $40/year), you can't beat the sneak previews of new movies and $5 price tag for tickets. Membership also grants you $5 admission to the Hiway and County Theaters. The bonus at Ambler is that they have more than one screen giving you a greater chance that they are showing something you'll want to see. They typically run 3 films at a time - often something in the art-house/indie genre and then some more mainstream options. I like that they have little indulgences like Ritter chocolate bars at the concession stand in addition to the old standards like Junior Mints. The old-world detailing and photos of the theater's historical journey make your night out at the movies feel like a classy event. They also always supply summaries/reviews of each movie they are showing which I like to read after the show just in case I missed something (very helpful with flicks like 'Her' or 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' where you want to get another perspective). There are plenty of options for grabbing a drink and a bite before or after the show and Ambler provides that \"small town\" feel that is very much lacking in most of suburban America.", "timestamp": "2014-03-25T01:11:03" }, { "business_id": "AGlh4ZDv6jnoiYfz7At9mw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to walk right past this little shop underneath the Philadelphia Convention Center. This unassuming space is home to some of the best soup dumplings I've had on the East coast. Meals are fast and cheap here. Somehow, though, it still seems very romantic to share a dim sum meal with your beloved in this tiny hovel, amidst the bustle and grit of Center City. No one cares who you are or how you're dressed. You can have your \"When Harry Met Sally\" moment. Visiting Dim Sum Garden is a great place to meet a few friends so that you can all order various dishes and share. My recommendations include the soup dumplings, cucumber salad, and scallion pancake. The soup dumplings are practically made to order because the restaurant has a continually operating dumpling assembly line in the kitchen. Some of the staff have very little English proficiency so don't get too technical with your menu questions - just try something!", "timestamp": "2014-05-21T22:41:37" } ]	{ "business_id": "0rVp5KwX0knbSEgGHKug2Q", "business_name": "The Comet Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "The Blue Comet is a neighborhood institution. Everyone you know has been there at least once except you. Well, really, everyone except me. I love the \"Cheers\" everybody-knows-your-name feel of the Blue Comet. The staff is exceedingly friendly and chances are you may have played soccer with them as a kid or gone to high school together because this place is all about keeping it local. Even if you're new to the place, you will still get greeted as if you already belong. If you want to eat, I recommend heading over early. This small space can be pretty crowded by 6:30pm. If if's a Saturday or Sunday, you'll have even fewer seating options as local musical talent like the Gin Canaries take over the stage where they usually have high-tops. The drinks are strong and the drink specials, like $2 PBR's and $6 martinis and Manhattans, are a good incentive to unwind after a long work week. The food is heavy on the comfort options that will soak up all the booze you imbibe - wings, fish and chips, meatloaf, burgers. They also feature specials and a fish of the day as well. The room can get a bit loud when the live music is going and people are chattering away, so factor that in when you think about bringing out-of-town guests or older relatives. Yes, they serve french fries, but don't bring the kiddies - it's not the kind of neighborhood bar where everyone will put up with your hipster toddler.", "timestamp": "2014-05-21T22:58:35" }
uAu772KpSkb-tPFgZmU-lA	[ { "business_id": "_gaOrkYtODrxY0JlWFe-sQ", "business_name": "High Point Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Ever since my departure from New York City after graduating from college, I've been looking for a local place that's good for a caffeine buzz, light lunch, or study spot. Starbucks and other chain stores grossly fail to meet my above standards mostly because customers are generally treated as nameless, faceless drones. I found High Point after I joined the Weavers Way Co-Op in West Mount Airy and was hooked. The staff? Knowledgeable! Don't know the difference between a caffe latte and a hole in the ground? Don't worry, they'll take you through their great menu without the side condescension. Always courteous and friendly, even to the gaggles of kids that come in from the school across the street around 3pm. The drinks? Made to order, the right way, the first time. They even offer their own beans. The food? Amazing quiche and crepes made to order. A diverse array of taste bud temping baked goodies. And salads for the guilty folks. Best of all - you can load a gift card in the shop, write your name on it, and have it stored behind the counter for your next visit. No more digging nickels out of your pockets to get a fix. No worries, they also take plastic. They're also pretty eco-friendly and inspire their customers to be as well by offering a credit for anyone who brings their own mug or thermos. I love that you can form relationships here, bring your mom here, meet a potential date here. The bulletin board is filled with active posts about pets for adoption, mommy and me groups, etc. And I'm only a few yards from the Co-Op across the road for groceries.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T19:56:28" }, { "business_id": "tkQfxEYkL-Fq3Al0hH9hKg", "business_name": "The Cat Doctor", "rating": 5, "text": "Who knew taking your cats to the vet could be this pleasant!? A friend recommended that I take my kitties here after I moved from the 'burbs. The staff is WONDERFUL! I get follow-up emails asking how my furrballs are doing after they've have procedures or sick visits. They're great about responding to questions by email. I was really impressed with the thorough \"report card\" I get after each visit. When my newest kitty got spayed, I got a full rundown on post-op care as if I was the one who have gone under the knife. Even when Bali had complications from the sutures, the staff was really supportive. No accusations of being an over-protective owner whatsoever. They handle cats gently and the exams are very thorough. They truly love their furry clients and treat owners with great respect and kindness.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T20:03:36" }, { "business_id": "8B_xigUkb_HxDvkXVa3LRw", "business_name": "Webb Cam", "rating": 5, "text": "I found Webb Cam through my Dad. They may seem a little out of the way for some folks but they are well worth the trip. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable and they have a great selection of equipment. You never have to worry about the hassle of some nerdy Best Buy salesman breathing down your neck to buy, buy, buy. Even the mayor's official photographer shops here. If you're serious about your photos, check out Webb Cam.", "timestamp": "2008-09-25T02:51:07" }, { "business_id": "gwUJdtb5vdVEmpa75yPDsA", "business_name": "Richard Nicholas Hair Studio", "rating": 5, "text": "I started going to Richard Nicholas when I moved back to Philly from New York City after college. There was no way in hell I was going to use the stylist my mom goes to. The guy will spray you down with Lysol if you have the slightest sniffle. I found RN after browsing Philadelphia Magazine's website. Joanne came highly rated and I made an appointment with her. At the time, she had pink hair and I was a bit skeptical of what I might look like when I left the place. Joanne is wonderful, though. She's creative and a bit of a risk taker. If you want something new, she's the go-to gal. She also listened to what I wanted and didn't push me past my comfort zone. She's warm, friendly, and a good conversationalist if you're in a chatty mood. She also isn't a product-pusher. Come to think of it, no one at RN has ever pushed services or products on me. Also, I feel that their services are well priced considering the surrounding area. I never have to wait months to get an appointment, the staff is superb and unpretentious, and the shop has a nice modern feel to it. I highly recommend them.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:35:24" }, { "business_id": "nDXR7nnWXDlkTvlx3Qbqgw", "business_name": "WXPN Radio", "rating": 4, "text": "I want to give this 5 stars, but I miss the Barnard student run WBAR alot post-college. Also, I'd love it, like alot of folks, if Y-Rock were on more often. I do have to say that I can no longer listen to commercial radio now that I listen to XPN. I mean, B101.1 starts Christmas music right after Halloween! And let's not forget the idiot jocks on one station who were part of that whole fiasco where a chick died from water intoxication. I secretly enjoy Kids' Corner if I'm in the car at 7pm when it airs. You'd be surprised what you learn on that show. Bottom line - I like that there are musicians that I can recognize who are actually musicians and I like that they introduce me to new artists.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:59:15" }, { "business_id": "YqmClmk7oLcDzPWKHzgA-Q", "business_name": "South Philadelphia Tap Room", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here with a friend to get over my shitty Thanksgiving holiday. Being the weekend of a holiday, the place was quiet. I tried the Mom's Meatloaf which came with Mac and Cheese. The portions are generous to say the least. I'm a beer fan and enjoyed the offerings they had on tap. They have a good selection of your regular favorites and things off the beaten path. I would definitely go back and think the SPTR is probably good for groups of folks looking to get together. I also like that the staff seems relatively unpretentious. I especially enjoyed our waitress' amusing stories of the the whole chef saga.", "timestamp": "2008-12-01T03:17:06" }, { "business_id": "RoUP3lcY4wEtdASLNIcmSw", "business_name": "Water Works Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the Waterworks - the river, the historical architectural, the romantic lighting... But, the food could be a bit better. I've been here a few times for various meals and I've never been flat-out disappointed. I just haven't been wowed. My dad and I hosted a surprise 60th birthday party here for my mom this past September. The private party experience was by far better than the average dining experience. The staff were attentive, but not smothering and kept all the guests well stocked with mimosas and bloody marys throughout the morning. The brunch was a lavish spread that seemed to suit everyone's tastes. Overall, I think we got quite a bit for our money, considering the whole shindig was under $2,000. The event planner was especially wonderful. She was professional and receptive to our needs and wants for the event. I think they could improve some of their culinary offerings, but otherwise, it's a fine place to bring the parents when they're in town. Bonus: free valet parking on Sundays for brunch.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T01:41:04" }, { "business_id": "nIlmZLuMs0JuBRvAHSIf8Q", "business_name": "Bredenbeck's Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor", "rating": 5, "text": "I've loved this place since I was old enough to spill an ice cream cone on myself. This seems to happen every time! My mother always got our birthday cakes from this family-owned bakery and nothing seems to compare. The baked goods are always fresh and made with premium ingredients. The ice cream is equally delectable, especially considering their wide assortment of sundaes and other concoctions. It's the cake the brings me back again and again for all occasions. The final product is always artfully presented and, of course, delicious. I also enjoy the friendly staff. The place is a little cramped, but I find it charming and fitting with the rest of Chestnut Hill.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T04:59:31" }, { "business_id": "VHA-b1NH4tIZB_IVEf_pmA", "business_name": "Minado", "rating": 2, "text": "A family friend kept telling me that she HAD to bring me to Minado. I am not one for buffets at all, so I really balked at the idea of a sushi buffet, but I finally let her take me. First of all, the drive out there was ridiculously long. That's beside the point, though. I didn't think the sushi selection was anything to write home about - the items didn't seem well labeled and they never seemed to have enough. The rest of the food reminded me of chinese takeout and I felt a bit overwhelmed by the myriad choices. The screaming children didn't help either. I don't envision myself driving all the way out there again. I'll stick to the local sushi joints.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T05:07:50" }, { "business_id": "MACqP6DlXBwTsXOhp0C6AA", "business_name": "Delicious Boutique", "rating": 5, "text": "I ended up with a corset thanks to a recent ex-boyfriend of mine. Yeah, don't ask. Anyway, I ended up with a Delicious corset - the best thing to come out of said relationship. I really have very little knowledge about the world of corsets, but the product I received was fabulous, especially for the price. Hell, I'd pay that price just because of the teeny-tiny waist it gives once I'm cinched in. The materials are definitely top of the line and the construction is completely solid. I am definitely appreciative of the fact that they really do follow your measurements to the T. A corset is the perfect under(or over)garment to make a gal feel just sexy enough, rather than like a bare-it-all tramp.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T03:58:12" }, { "business_id": "Vxsq098z903XRXBq4IZWTw", "business_name": "PASSIONAL Boutique & Sexploratorium", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to be a fan of this store and, for a while, I was pretty excited that they existed. After living in New York City, however, they just don't compare to Babeland. They offer a decent selection of toys and other accessories, but their prices seem pretty high for the industry. This is especially true if you head up the block to their clothing store. Are there really people who spend hundreds of dollars on latex clothing? I do commend their very knowledgeable and friendly staff who seem to be well versed on various things from products to techniques. They even offer classes. Considering that Philadelphia is lacking in reputable, well-run, educational sex shops, they do a darn good job. I think I'll probably stick to visiting Babeland on runs to NYC, though.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:03:50" }, { "business_id": "2GYg3liJ9-m6Z67L_4_BRQ", "business_name": "Weavers Way Co-Op", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVE Weaver's Way and really disagree with some of the content in previous reviews. WW is not necessarily meant for convenience shopping. I am a single woman and I find that I have no trouble shopping at the co-op, during peak times or otherwise. I actually find the co-op to be a great place to shop if you live alone because I can get smaller quantities of items than if I shop at the corporate stores like Acme. I also enjoy the work hours - I've worked throughout the store, but most recently, I have been getting in my hours by participating in the membership committee. I wouldn't say that the community is necessarily made up of \"tree huggers\" and \"earth children\", though. The community is made up of a variety of similarly-minded folks from different backgrounds. I enjoy having a place to go to where I can obtain locally grown produce, a place that offers more natural, wholesome, and preservative-free foods than chain stores with prices way below that of Whole Foods. I enjoy interacting with other members and contributing to my local and global community. I don't find the membership fee or the work hours to be prohibitive being a single person vs. a family. I don't think that membership in a co-op is for everyone and, if you aren't single, it's definitely not a solo decision. If you're keen on being committed to the Weaver Way values, you couldn't find a better place to shop. If not, stick to the chain stores or just pay the 10% visitors' fee to pop in once in a while.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:13:43" }, { "business_id": "aZNiVR6oAMQX5__yGPvYsg", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "My first trip to Susanna Foo was at 6 months old when the restaurant was still a hole-in-the-wall takeout joint owned by Susanna's parents. My parents have been taking my brother and I ever since. I have many fond memories of Susanna fashioning dolls for us out of the linen napkins and preparing Chicken with Cashew Nuts when we refused to eat anything else. The food has always been reliable, but now that I am an adult, I find it lacking excitement. The service is always impeccable and I have never been disappointed by the overall decor or ambience. I'd like to see Susanna improve upon some of her traditional recipes by either adding new flavors or perhaps returning to her Chinese roots with a more ethnic menu. I'm hoping there will be a revitalization and that I will come to love Susanna Foo as much as I did as a child.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:24:16" }, { "business_id": "jZGqAdBlDnrP-J7--vdPxA", "business_name": "Beijing Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "If you work at HUP or UPenn, chances are you've visited Beijing. I don't understand the allure. I'd rather work a 12-hour shift on my busy oncology floor than eat here again. The food is greasy and has to be laced with a healthy dose of MSG. The flavors are mediocre and nothing on the menu stands out. The stale smell of cooking oil overwhelms the restaurant, making it hard for your taste buds to actually do their job. At least they allow you to substitute brown rice with no hefty charge. This is hardly the place to find \"authentic chinese\" fare. If you're a poor college kid/med student/grad student I won't hold it against you. If you can afford it, treat yourself to something classier.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T05:06:05" }, { "business_id": "wgyh6_YZt_ByA9iBbX5i7g", "business_name": "Body Graphics, Inc", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm new to the world of tattoos and went to Body Graphics for the first time ever this past summer to have a small piece done inside my left ankle. I sheepishly admit that I was pretty nervous since I wasn't sure how to go about the whole affair. Luckily, Andrew was working and made me feel completely at ease. We joked over my wanting a sheep tattoo and he drew up a couple of sketches before I settled on my favorite. He didn't gouge me on the price either and was completely supportive of my being a newbie to the whole tattoo process. He was extremely professional and fastidious about cleanliness and such. He was thorough in his explanation of caring for my newest piece of artwork and gave me his card in case I had any problems. There was no pretentious vibe from this guy and we had a good chuckle over the adorable sheep that now sits above my ankle. I'm planning to go back to get more work done and will definitely give an update then. For my first experience, Body Graphics was pretty great - a clean, professional shop, and Andrew is tops in my book.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T16:17:38" }, { "business_id": "o8J_QeVwDZAugMYNOPAgPQ", "business_name": "Marco Polo", "rating": 4, "text": "I give this 4 stars partly for reasons of nostalgia and partly because I actually like some of the dishes here. I grew up within walking distance of the restaurant in Elkins Park and had the (dis)pleasure of seeing it evolve over the years. I have to say that the food isn't as great since Chef Lo has left. I like that there is a seasonal component to the menu and that they do have pretty good specials. The traditional Italian dishes are a bit lackluster, but if you're not particular about your spaghetti... I do like that they serve bruschetta and olives instead of bread. The service is always snappy and friendly, especially since the manager circulates throughout the dining room on most nights. It's still a decent place to go with the parents.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T02:55:49" }, { "business_id": "dERS4qwl9v-Gwft-Ug8APA", "business_name": "West Ave Grille Jenkintown Restaurant and Food Truck ", "rating": 4, "text": "It was pretty exciting when West Avenue Grill opened up considering the lack of good eateries in the neighborhood. I've eaten here for brunch, lunch, and dinner on numerous occasions. The food is consistently good and there are yummy seasonal options that they add to the existing menu. Sometimes, the service leaves something to be desired if you get stuck with some high school newbie. There can definitely be a wait when all of the blue-haired ladies decide they want to lunch (or see a movie at the theater down the street). They offer a decent array of beers beyond the standards that most restaurants carry. The outdoor seating for warm weather is a plus as well.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:07:00" }, { "business_id": "JmzNw0WCPmZPZdq5nx9brg", "business_name": "Kitchen Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "My mother likes to drag me here when I pop by the house. The menu is a little overwhelming consider the array of choices that mix flavors from different parts of the globe. They also have some of the unhealthiest options I've seen in quite a while. Is that a whole cow between those buns? The portions are hearty to say the least, but the food still isn't anything to write home about. I find the flavors to be muddled or hidden beneath too much spice. It's a good place for mom and dad to take the kiddies on a Saturday night. It's also popular with meat-head men and their dates looking to get trashed while they watch the latest game. The bar still allowed smoking as of my last trip and that was a major turn-off as the smoke tends to waft into the dining room. Plus: the Abington Pharmacy next door where you can grab some chocolates to replace the unoriginal dessert you just ate next door.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:15:04" }, { "business_id": "ZF0tt7hn6WK3-aNWgtLcFA", "business_name": "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site", "rating": 5, "text": "ESP is another Philadelphia site that I enjoy wandering around. The staff members here are incredibly well educated as most have backgrounds in history, architecture/preservation, anthropology, etc. I recently became a member and have enjoyed the special perks they provide like \"behind the scenes\" tours of the hospital ward and kitchens of the prison - areas that aren't open to the general public. ESP is also a wonderful academic resource for those conducting research on related topics. The place is a photographer's dream with the abundance of natural light that filters in through the stone, not to mention the interesting architectural details. I even recommend the Halloween bash \"Terror Behind the Walls\". If you can stand the hyper-active teenagers, it's a good scare. I'm not sure if the hardhat requirement still persists, but be aware that ESP is in a state of ruin. I also believe that children under a certain age are not permitted, but I would double-check. Also, there aren't bathroom facilities except for a lone port-a-potty or two on the grounds.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:45:11" }, { "business_id": "uI5k9lJkWlKi6OUW5yYIpQ", "business_name": "Benjamin Lovell Shoes", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm very picky about shoes. I want to put something stylish yet original on my feet without having to suffer hours of pain throughout the day. I have a bit of a hard-to-fit foot due a high instep, but I always manage to find something to suit my mood. I prefer the Rittenhouse store to the Manayunk and South St. locations. I think that all three stores have relatively good selections, but I seem to find my favorites at the Rittenhouse shop. They carry many brands that you won't find at other department or bargain stores: Tsubo, Camper, Everybody, MBT, Naot, Birkenstock, Ugg, and more. It's no secret that alot of their shoes come with a considerable price tag if you're used to stores like Payless or DSW, but I find the brands offered at Benjamin Lovell wear better and last longer than many others I've owned. I've always received prompt, courteous service from the staff members. If they are out of stock in my size, they have never hesitated to try and order what I'm looking for. The sale section is also worthwhile if you're looking for more of a bargain. Benjamin Lovell has become one of the few places where I will shop for shoes. Definitely check them out for wide selection of Dansko and Mephisto shoes, or if you're looking to break out of the mold a bit. Do we really need another pair of Tory Burch flats walking through the city?", "timestamp": "2008-12-05T03:02:38" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I enjoyed myself at Monk's. It's a good standby to have in your arsenal for the out-of-town guests, but not great. Our service was a bit spotty and I felt like our waitress was totally uninterested in us. I enjoyed the burger I ordered, but the fries were nothing to rave about. Also, it annoys me when places make you order fries as a side instead of just providing them with your meal. Of course, the beer selection is enough to make your head spin.I had a few tasty brews that made the trip worthwhile. Maybe next time I'll just come for drinks and skip the food.", "timestamp": "2008-12-10T02:44:32" }, { "business_id": "R1aHeUAwUF1Qkpacrn2Njw", "business_name": "Hideaway Music", "rating": 4, "text": "I don't buy very many cd's anymore. iTunes just makes it too easy to have instant access to many artists. However, when I want to have an actual disk, I head to Hideaway. If I had a record player I would totally buy vinyls here as well as their selection looks pretty sweet. I love that I can almost always find what I'm looking for. And if I can't? They'll order it for me. I prefer the posters that line the Hideaway walls instead of running into grubby guys in Best Buy t-shirts. Check out the Chestnut Hill Coffee Co. up the way too if you're strung out on Starbucks.", "timestamp": "2008-12-11T00:34:18" }, { "business_id": "itwiCpfGR5xlUpawXrt4tA", "business_name": "Penn Campus Recreation", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Pottruck. I initially signed up because, as a HUP employee, I get a pretty sweet discount. I wasn't sure how much I'd actually like it since he place is huge and rather sterile feeling. After a couple of spins on the elliptical, I realized that I was extremely pleased with the facility. Pottruck is clean and spacious enough to handle hundreds of people a day. I have never had to wait for a machine and I have never encountered out-of-order equipment. The machines have iPod jacks that will play your music through the machine AND charge your iPod at the same time. The hours are great - I can go early in the morning, later at night, and anytime in between. The staff, for the most part, is really friendly, accommodating, and helpful. One afternoon, I forgot my lock and one staff member offered to watch my stuff while I worked out so that I wouldn't have to hunt for a quarter locker. I like that they have day lockers where you can supply your own lock. This means not having to shell out extra dough for a place to stash your stuff during your work out. The juice bar is a plus as well if you're in need of a bottle of water or a recovery shake. I can't yet comment on the the classes, but I'm looking forward to trying a few come spring. Pottruck offers alot from classes, to rock climbing and an outdoors club, to the pool, and their Penn Fit Program. They also offer personal training and massage therapy which I am looking forward to trying. The best part for me is that they are a part of the Blue Cross' Healthy Lifestyles program - after 120 workouts, I get $150 back from my health insurance company.", "timestamp": "2008-12-12T02:42:27" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "I still love the PMA. I took myself to see the Gee's Bend exhibit today. Normally, I meander through exhibits on my own, but today I decided to take the free guided tour. I have to say having a tour guide really made a difference. The woman could have been a little more friendly - I felt she was a tad brusque in her answering of questions - but her knowledge of quilting, quilt design and the Gee's Bend aesthetic made up for her demeanor. Since she had met with the women/artists when they came for the opening of the exhibit so we was able to share all sorts of little bits of stories with us. The quilts were absolutely stunning and I'm inspired to break out the sewing machine. I really enjoyed the photography mini exhibit at the beginning with intimate portraits of some of the artists. The 28 minute documentary at the Perelman center was a great addition and another way to \"meet\" the quilters. I like that the museum continued the exhibit in Perelman by adding examples of Victorian and Amish quilting. This is only the second time in my life that I have bought the \"coffee table book\" of an exhibit, but I was so taken with the Gee's Bend exhibit that I couldn't resist. Also, there were double discounts for members! I also popped into the James Castle exhibit which was equally fascinating. Once again, my membership pays for itself.", "timestamp": "2008-12-13T00:15:16" }, { "business_id": "jtMPW39yiv5CorhKfgUaTw", "business_name": "Daryl's Pastries", "rating": 5, "text": "I've come to realize that there are two kinds of people in this town: those who go to Dunkin Donuts and those who don't. I try to avoid DD if at all possible. Especially since I always seem to see them in the news when they get robbed at gunpoint. Also, let's face it people, their doughnuts leave something to be desired - I always seem to get something stale or a slightly soggy French Cruller. Daryl's, on the other hand, owns a special place in my heart. As a kid, I knew it was a special weekend if I found a crisp white box of Daryl's pastries and doughnuts on the kitchen table. Things I like about Daryl's: 1. Family owned and operated. 2. Everything is made fresh on the premises. 3. Best doughnuts ever! 4. They have breakfast sandwiches and coffee too. 5. The staff is friendly and speaks intelligible English. 6. There cakes and other pastries are just as tasty and well-made as their doughnuts.", "timestamp": "2008-12-20T15:34:13" }, { "business_id": "lH_UKAJy6YTa1ArfdACU4g", "business_name": "Olive Garden Italian Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll admit I enjoy a meal at Olive Garden every now and then when I'm craving artery-clogging bread sticks. I stopped by this location today for some take-out after shopping with my mom. While we didn't actually dine-in at this location, we did wait long enough to have to suffer through the obnoxious population of people streaming through the door. Is it just me or is this location chock full of women who have squeezed themselves into tiny outfits like sausages into ill-fitting casings? I didn't really think a 45 minute wait for take out was necessary given that we were there at 5pm. My spaghetti and italian sausage came with way over done sausage and they gave me meat sauce even though I specifically requested regular marinara sauce. My dad's lasagna looked like it was slapped together by a 3 year old, making me wonder if they tossed it from across the room into its container. My mom's chicken carbonara looked like it was already a left-over with slightly-congealed sauce over the noodles. Luckily, the breadsticks and salad saved the meal. Everyone gets their own portion of salad, the dressing comes in sealed take-out cups, and the servings of breadsticks are generous.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:32:49" }, { "business_id": "3Ce8r1K1O-2JKSMXdXID-w", "business_name": "Linvilla Orchards", "rating": 3, "text": "A friend and I hiked (not literally) to Linvilla this autumn to pick some apples for sauce and pies. Having visited other area orchards throughout my life, I was seriously surprised to find that this one is like some sort of kiddie wonderland complete with Pumpkinland, petting zoo, and stilt walkers. I thought I had possibly made a wrong turn along the way. Luckily, the actual apple orchard is across the road from all the juvenile madness. I was a bit disappointed in the selection they had at the time (early October) as we seemed limited to picking Red and Golden Delicious - two very unexciting apple varieties. I did manage to get a fair amount of Macoun's though which worked nicely for all the sauce I made. I managed to pick several pounds of apples (I completely overestimated how many pounds I am actually able to lift and schlep to my car) and only had to shell out $20 or so. Being childless, we happily skipped Pumpkinland, the train ride, and the petting zoo in favor of the country store. I scored a much needed apple sliver/corer and some decadent caramel dip. The pie line is insane and you'll need to use your elbows to keep your spot lest you get bullied out of the way by burly suburban soccer moms. The cider donuts are definitely worth the push and shove as well. I recommend the store for picking up all those culinary goodies you've always wanted to make but will never find the time in which to do so (chutney, jam, pickles, soups). Don't forget to pick up a gallon of apple cider for those chilly fall nights! I could do without the Six Flags-like atmosphere and the county fair-like food stands, though. The crowds are large and made up of people mostly under 4 feet tall. Expect parking delays, lots of walking, screaming and whining and tantrums. If, like me, you don't have kids, you can smile serenely and be happy that you don't have any sticky hands to wipe.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:49:18" }, { "business_id": "DRr5xdfHtqgWfhmdTU1B8Q", "business_name": "London Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to London Grill the other night with a friend. We arrived around 9pm and the place was relatively busy, but we were promptly seated. This is my second time to LG (I've previously been here for brunch with the parents). Honestly, I've had no problem with the service. Our particular server seemed overwhelmed, so another waiter stepped in to help her. Our meals were served fairly quickly - within 20 minutes of ordering. After a 12 hour shift at work, I had the best meal of the day at LG. I ordered the Roast BBQ pork which came with collard greens and macaroni and cheese. It's easy to screw up collard greens, but these were tender with a spicy/vinegar punch. The pork was cooked to perfection - moist with no hint of gristle. The barbecue sauce was equally tasty and didn't evoke the flavors of bottles sauces one bit. The macaroni was also delicious. They smartly avoiding \"dressing\" it up and stuck with ooey-gooey cheese and tender elbow noodles. My friend was equally pleased with his fish and chips. Their selection of beer is pretty impressive and this is one of the few places that seems to carry Strongbow cider (which they serve in a HUGE glass). Needless to say, we had a great time. The atmosphere is inviting and the atrium is a great place to sit even in the winter. Jeff is a great bartender and I was glad to have John and Brighid as our servers. I've definitely had no problems with service here.", "timestamp": "2009-01-05T08:21:06" }, { "business_id": "jHVotJhyPKOLuO7MVnmbtQ", "business_name": "Royal Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Some friends and I wandered into the Royal Tavern to continue my birthday celebration after leaving the South Philly Taproom. The place is tiny, but wasn't crowded when we arrived and we were able to grab seats at the bar. The bar tender was attentive and friendly and we didn't have to fight with other patrons to get drinks. We ordered a plate of Nachos which were some of the best I've had - lots of fresh tomatoes and cheese, generous helpings of guacamole and sour cream, and the chips were perfectly crisp instead of soggy or stale. The single strand of holiday lights above the wood bar lend a perfect ambience to the dimly lit tavern. The kitchen is open until 1am which is great for night owls. I was impressed by the beers that they had both in bottles and on draught - enough choices to suit a variety of tastes. I look forward to going back to try more of their culinary offerings, especially their brunch.", "timestamp": "2009-01-11T18:17:49" }, { "business_id": "6TPlb2eRasW6R0Fzz6T_JQ", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "For me, Susanna Foo's Gourmet Kitchen will never compare to her fine-dining establishment in Center City, but I was pleasantly surprised. My parents have known Susanna since she took over her parents' restaurant, Hunan's, and I have been sampling her culinary creations since I was 6 months old. So my fondness for Susanne Foo in general runs much deeper than the successes and failures I've seen her weather in the restaurant world. I had read the less-than-stellar reviews of the Gourmet Kitchen and wasn't really sure what to expect when my mom and I had lunch on my birthday. First of all, the decor is stunning - deep reds, golds, supple leather chairs, large circular chandeliers, deep vessel sinks in the washroom, and a modern-styled bar. I ordered a spicy tuna roll to start. Not knowing what to expect of sushi at a supposedly Chinese restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised - the fish was extremely fresh, tender, and totally lacking in any fishy taste. The spicy sauce wasn't one of those heavy mayo concoctions you sometimes encounter that over-powers the fish. For my entree, I ordered the crispy tofu with tomatoes in a kung pao sauce which was accompanied by fried rice, hot and sour soup, and steamed vegetables. My selection was delicious! The tofu was lightly crisped on the outside, yet tender in the middle and oozing the savory kung pao sauce. The vegetables were tender with a hint of crunch which preserved their unique flavors. The rice was light, fluffy, and lacking the oily heaviness you traditionally find in other establishments. Of course, the hot and sour soup is always my favorite - a perfect blend of spice and pucker. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday meal and look forward to going back to sample more dishes. I also felt that the pricing was reasonable - my mother and I both had appetizers and entrees, all for $40 dollars. The service, too, was impeccable.", "timestamp": "2009-01-20T17:11:56" }, { "business_id": "oa5h-kz5oFYHBKpasKYXQw", "business_name": "Charlie Gray's Rib Crib", "rating": 4, "text": "As a kid I had this phobia of meat on the bone (ribs, chicken legs, pork chops, et al.) I know someone is going to turn that into a crass joke, but it's true. So, as I kid, the only thing I really ever ate from the Rib Crib was the macaroni salad. At some point my dad put his foot down, saying that it was just un-African American to dislike ribs. How can you ignore that challenge? The Rib Crib is an institution in Germantown and in our family with many a Friday night spent covered in barbecue sauce. I love that you can watch the meat being smoked right in the open pit as you wait for your order. At their best, Rib Crib ribs are smokey with fall-off-the-bone tender meat, and slathered in a sweet/tangy/spicy sauce. Unfortunately, you don't always get perfection, which is disappointing given the fact that they are open only a few days a week. I agree with Mark C. - the joint is take out only and it's frustrating to get home with your order to realize that it's been and \"off day\" at the Crib. In my opinion, the tangy macaroni salad can't be beat and there's nothing better than sopping up extra sauce with fluffy slices of white bread. The friendly staff can't be beat, though, and the owner has been active in the community for years. Of course, you can't miss the myriad photos of prominent black folks that adorn the walls of the small space. Those photos were some of my earliest lessons in Black History. For a biracial kid from the 'burbs, this is a place where I was actually able to connect with my African American heritage. The Rib Crib is worth a try if you're into hitting barbecue spots around the Philly area, but they may no longer be the best in the business.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T17:47:44" }, { "business_id": "E52a-tWfAVUigt1ArF711w", "business_name": "Joseph Fox Bookshop", "rating": 5, "text": "I was in Joseph Fox yesterday. It's my go-to spot when I've had a bad day. I received a call that a book I had requested was in store. I've been trying to get my hands on a copy of \"Revolutionary Road\" since I refuse to see the movie before reading the book. One of the saleswomen had pulled a copy from a recent shipment and held it for me. The best part? She had put aside a non-movie cover copy for me. \"You just seemed like the kind of woman who wouldn't want a copy with Leonardo DiCaprio slathered all over it.\" How right she was! I ended up leaving with that, a copy of Madame Bovary, and Persepolis I and II. Again, the service was friendly and impeccable. I think I've sworn off big-box bookstores for good. I also find solace in that I am not the only customer in this bookstore not reading Stephanie Meyer's \"Twilight\" series, whereas Borders seems to bombard me with displays. Also, at Joseph Fox, I don't have to deal with the extraneous other junk other stores sell.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T18:12:44" }, { "business_id": "Vcn_cuQNKRF0eQ16TXVaXQ", "business_name": "The Night Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is for the recent batch of cupcakes I had from The Night Kitchen. I was really disappointed with them, or mostly the icing. I hope it was just a fluke, but the icing was terrible! It was like a little rosette of lard on top of a not-so-moist, crumbly cake. Waaaay too much butter and way too little whipping. I didn't even finish the whole cake because of the terribly cloying taste. Also, the cakes are tiny in comparison for their cost. Now when I go to TNK, I stick to their cookies.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:18:32" }, { "business_id": "HZDJl_MpCBz2_juU1BvDTw", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 1, "text": "I wish there were Waffle Houses this far north. If there was I would quickly trade IHOP for them. I love IHOP, or rather \"loved\" them. It's hard to let go of those childhood memories of days off from school and pancake breakfasts that included chocolate chips of all things. Today's trip was just terrible. Of course the wait is long because people crawl out of the woodwork to get to this place on the weekend. It's the only place I ever see other black folks in Jenkintown! We've been the only black family on my Elkins Park block for years, but we're not alone at IHOP. Weird. We were seated fairly quickly and our drink orders were taken. 15-20 minutes later we were still liquid-less; as were the surrounding tables being serviced by the same waitress. After a chat with the manager, we received our drinks. Another long wait forced us to hijack another waitress just to get our food orders in. By the time all was said and done, breakfast had turned into a 2-hour affair. It would have been nice to see the manager be a bit more involved on a busy Saturday when several customers were lacking decent service. Contrary to the tv commercials, the food just isn't worth hanging around all morning with screaming children.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "6w6wDhgTzteP1tCBvK6fnw", "business_name": "Loie", "rating": 4, "text": "I met a friend here for brunch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The place was really empty and I was a bit skeptical. If a brunch place is empty at noon on a Sunday, it doesn't say much about the food, etc. The emptiness, however, meant that we were seated and attended to promptly. The prix-fixe menu includes all-you-can-drink Mimosas or Bloody Marys. My friend and I each started with a Mimosa. I was pleased that they weren't overly skimpy on the champagne. I started with their garden salad which is pretty large and just right on the dressing. Not too dry and not swimming in oil. I ordered an omelette which was chock-full of my favorites: cheese, spinach, and mushrooms. The dish was cooked perfectly - the eggs weren't runny or overcooked and they came with wonderfully seasoned diced new potatoes. The service continued to be wonderful even as the restaurant filled up. The atmosphere was cozy and I enjoyed our seats by the large, open windows in the front. I'm sure this place is quite lovely in the warmer months. I would definitely consider this spot for out-of-town guests, family, and friends. You won't have to smash your piggy bank for a good meal.", "timestamp": "2009-04-08T04:52:18" }, { "business_id": "K3RURR9lIEE4JjOaPt99zg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been trying to get in for a meal at Sabrina's for months now. I wish someone had told me that they are only open until 4pm two days a week as it seems that those were the days when I tried to go for dinner. I was able to try out their lunch menu earlier this week with my mom and her friend. Being a Monday afternoon, the place was relatively quiet and we were seated immediately. The menu was a little daunting since you can get everything from eggs to cheesesteaks. I settled on a veggie burger with portobello mushrooms and cheddar cheese + the parmesan fries. I rounded things out with an ice cold rootbeer opting for the increased caloric hit rather than subject myself to Diet Rite. The burger was hearty and delicious - you'd have hardly known it wasn't meat with all of the mushrooms. I was quite happy to not have received anything wimpy and previously frozen from a cardboard box. The cheese was perfectly gooey and resembled nothing like those chemically concocted slices you find elsewhere. The fries were the best thing on the plate, though. Who would have thought that parmesan cheese could significantly elevate the humble french fry? The service was average - nothing spectacular. I did catch a little bit of hipster vibe from one of the servers, but such attitudes are becoming harder to avoid in most city neighborhoods. The only thing that could have made the day better? If they hadn't been out of key lime pie.", "timestamp": "2009-05-15T16:57:07" }, { "business_id": "XBwxCXPE8MX1aMs-zT1-Fg", "business_name": "Studio 34", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been wanting to take an African dance class since college but loathed the idea of hopping around with mostly white, mostly classically trained dancers at my liberal arts institution. Then I moved back to Philly and thought about taking a class at the UPenn gym where I am already a member. However, the whopping class fee - uh, hello, I already pay a yearly fee! - and thought of suffering the annoyances of the UPenn female undergrad population - why are you plastered to your Blackberry while working out?! - was equally unappealing. A friend of mine raved about Studio 34 and the work exchange program she had done there. Lo and behold, they have a weekly, drop-in African dance class for...wait for it, wait for it....$10! Yes, $10! Luckily, that price does not include snarky undergrads. I went to my first class on a rainy Sunday and had a great time. There were only three other people present, but I felt immediately comfortable and supported despite my complete lack of dance ability or training. By the end of the class, I was moving along just as well as the other folks. The teacher, Assumane, is wonderful and enthusiastic and you can't help but want to give it your best shot even if your left foot won't listen to your brain. This class is a great workout, especially for someone like me who isn't very in tune with her body but hates toiling away on a machine. You use all parts of your body in these dances from Guinea-Bissau and therefore, you kind of just make peace with whatever wobbly bits you've got. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that this is a weekly ongoing class. I don't have to worry about schedule interferences because I know I can always go the next week. You can't beat $10 to try something out. I look forward to trying some of their yoga classes as my body confidence improves. I am also much impressed by their commitment to the community, the friendliness of the staff, and the welcoming physical space.", "timestamp": "2009-05-16T02:33:07" }, { "business_id": "u7cZUEGK6iJP2gvI22xY2A", "business_name": "Memphis Taproom", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is still awesome. Roasted mushroom grinder = way better than any cheesesteak I've had in this town. I know, sacrilege, right? The atmosphere was better this time and our party didn't get shushed for adult-themed topics. I still don't love that lots of folks bring their kids here, though. Sometimes, I like to go out to eat and avoid toddling children who wander over unattended. I love that they have Sam Smith's Organic Cider in bottles, Allagash Tripel, and Monk's Sour Ale - some of my favorite libations. The fried pickles and suicide rings still light my fire. If only I could find a boy as yummy as they are instead of tables of canoodling couples.", "timestamp": "2009-06-27T19:47:17" }, { "business_id": "EPMHuTHu46B123ivRIZ-Xg", "business_name": "Magic Carpet", "rating": 5, "text": "The Magic Carpet truck is the only lunch truck I frequent. I can guarantee that I can get a sizeable portion of food that will do my body good for about $5. All of the food is prepared by the Magic Carpet folks in their offsite, commercial kitchen so you won't be getting frozen falafel balls here. Their portions are generous enough to cover you for lunch and the afternoon munchies that hit later in the day. It's best to try and sneak in early right around Noon or you are sure to have to contend with a substantial queue. Just like Pat's or Geno's, be sure to know what you want, how you want it before it's your turn or the other hungry customers are sure to grumble as you hem and haw over El Gringo or Magic Meatballs. Definite pros: - no cross contamination from meats - no msg laden crap - folks who speak great english - freshly prepared meals - beverage options that aren't just huge bottles of sugar-y soda Cons: - the long line - having to choose between lots of tasty options.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:21:06" }, { "business_id": "W_vlLO_fS_MuLTvxt1B7AA", "business_name": "Brewers Outlet Of Mt. Airy & Chestnut Hill", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best beer distributor out of the ones I've hit in the 'burbs. I grew up going to Madonna's on Easton Road, but because it's a drive-through, you've got to know what you want when you reach the window. Frosty Caps on 611 comes complete with a guy who looks like John Travolta, but mainly services the Miller Light crowd. Brewer's Outlet is one-stop shopping for beer, cider, and the Vintage seltzer that I love. I wish I could afford to buy an entire case of the Allagash Tripel ($74), but I'll have to stick to drinking it by the glass at Memphis Taproom. I can't confirm that they're over-priced on some goods because I rarely find the brews I like at other distributors. Most people's reaction to my query about Samuel Smith's Organic Cider is \"huh?\" A major boon is their swap policy. Buying a case of something from a microbrewery? Want to try a bottle of that local ____ before buying the whole case? Swap a bottle of yours for a bottle of theirs! Again, it's also convenient to be able to pick up bottled water and the like at the same spot. I've also never gotten those stares male employees sometimes give women that say \"You're picking out the beer? That party's going to suck.\" The employees are helpful without any hints of snobbery. FYI: I'm listing this place as \"pricey\" because the beverages I like don't tend to come cheap.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:31:42" }, { "business_id": "rIqkOMxkeoqvUzl909gNmQ", "business_name": "Kiwi Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "I like the fact that I can exercise my own version of portion control at this new Univ. City establishment. I do wish they had cups smaller than their smallest one, though, because it's hard to know when you've overdone it until you're paying $6 for fro-yo. I mixed the original tart and pumpkin. Both had exceptionally good flavor. The pumpkin actually tasted like pumpkin pie - neither too sweet nor too spicy. Unfortunately, I think some folks believe that fro-yo equals a completely guilt free treat. In reality, you can't really frequent the place several times in a week and expect not to pay for it. Yeah, they use HFCS, but I'm ok with that because I'm not eating there every week. I also like that I can indulge in sinful toppings like snickers bars and chocolate sauce if I'm so inclined. As someone with a nut allergy, I'm glad the place isn't overflowing with all manner of those options. I think the self-serve option is great and it's fun to swirl unusual flavors together. I feel like this a great place for students unlike some of the more pretentious-feeling venues in center city. Dessert should be fun - and I don't necessarily want to cover it in fruit and granola after long day.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:11:18" }, { "business_id": "Kdq1xfIFIKOdO-qW-_tg8A", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "First off - I wouldn't describe this establishment as Asian Fusion. I recall reading that they serve \"Contemporary American\", but I could have made that up. Some friends and I dined here for Restaurant Week Fall 2009 and it as a darn good choice. The wrap-around windows really make for a lovely atmosphere. The cocktails were creative and I enjoyed vodka for the first time in a long while. I also like the long, bar-like table that runs the length of the restaurant, providing extra seating that doesn't make you feel as if you are sitting on top of your neighbor. I was impressed with the menu and the number of choices they provided. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer and say that my meal was fantastic. I started with the heirloom tomato gazpacho with lemon sorbet. The lemon sorbet added a wonderfully cool, summer flavor to the spice of this Spanish soup without diluting the overall tomato flavor. The rolls were wonderfully textured - chewy and warm inside with a crisp crust. The wasabi butter was a definite bonus. My main course of roasted free-range chicken, brussels sprouts, and yukon mashed potatoes was hearty and delicious. The brussels sprouts were especially superb and lacked all trace of the pungent horseradish flavor they sometimes acquire during cooking. Dessert was a lovely little trio chosen beforehand - apple pie, warm chocolate tarte, and ginger ice cream. Our server was attentive, but not overbearing and was especially knowledgeable about the wine selections. I'd recommend this venue for all manner of dinners: dates, parents in town, friends, or even just to treat yourself.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:25:13" }, { "business_id": "Z6WntA-h-vBAQ3Xoe2Xy6Q", "business_name": "Brickbat Books", "rating": 5, "text": "I stumbled into this shop after previous afternoons of passing it by because I talked myself out of going into yet another bookshop. This space is different, though. This is where my fellow book snobs and I can congregate. I make no apologies for eschewing \"beach reads\", Jodi Picoult, and just about most things sold at the big box stores. With so many books in the world, one really does have to have discriminating tastes, don't you think? I love that they have great bits of Edward Gorey 1st editions. I love that there was a James Joyce reading group taking up most of the room. I picked up a loved copy of The Grapes of Wrath (why is this never in when I'm at the library!?) and a vintage edition of The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen. Nevermind that I have no clue who Elizabeth Bowen is, the cover of the plastic-wrapped petite paperback was calling my name. This is where you go to find diamonds in the rough for your literary collection - titles people will pull off of your shelf and say \"I've never seen this before\" and you can tell them all about the day you stumbled into Brickbat and found a new love.", "timestamp": "2009-11-10T00:57:25" }, { "business_id": "-DGsnMlRrR_tv8avrpQLQw", "business_name": "Sam's Morning Glory Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend and I decided on Wednesday morning brunch in order to catch up and unwind post-holiday. I'd passed Morning Glory a number of times while in the neighborhood, but hadn't ever eaten there. I like the vibe - it felt much less pretentious than in Sabrina's where I feel out of place with only one tattoo and feet not shod in Converse. I have to say that I wouldn't attempt to eat here with your 10 best friends, though, as space is an issue. There was no wait when we arrived at 10am, but I was surprised at how quickly the place filled up on a Wednesday in January - does no one work these days? This also isn't place where you can linger over a cup of coffee for hours given said lack of space. The staff will probably appreciate you much more if you pay your check in a timely manner and vamoose if there are people waiting. That being said, my Irish oatmeal was lovely. I was grateful that it wasn't soupy, but just right. Baby Bear would have approved. It was topped with a generous helping of strawberries, bananas, and blueberries. I also ordered a side of turkey sausage which was delicious and fork-tender. Few people probably care about this, but I found it charming that they serve their coffee in large tin mugs instead of the usual white ceramic stuff. My friend ordered a hearty portion of eggs, turkey sausage, and biscuit - which looked thoroughly delicious, but equally taxing on one's gallbladder. Maybe I'll for it next time, when I'm not contending with post-holiday pudge. The staff was great and quick with the coffee refills.", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T15:56:56" }, { "business_id": "TeHlA3PjMCAwJSLymjhz3A", "business_name": "Beans", "rating": 4, "text": "Was surprised to see that Beans opened a new location while in the city the other day. I've never been overly impressed by their other locations in the suburbs. If this store doesn't have it, you probably don't need it. And if you're looking for stuff on the cheap (ie: no $20 blow dryers here), this probably isn't the shop for you. The store is actually really lovely with high ceilings and an open feeling. They've got tons of products for just about anything you could imagine from hair color to nail polish to styling tools. I got a lot of (as in probably just a tad more than I like) help in selecting a hair dryer since I've gasp never owned one! I decided to go with something that will die probably after I do. I appreciate that my new hair dryer also comes with a free class in how to actually use the thing to achieve the style I want. They also do repairs! And who doesn't like a free pouch of jelly beans with each purchase?", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T23:29:22" }, { "business_id": "fhoqmnw5sXzj91-7yBW0Kw", "business_name": "Mugshots Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I ordered the Aztec hot chocolate one afternoon which nearly had me choking due to the amount of cayenne pepper that was in the drink. I thought the idea was to give your tastebuds a hint of heat, not send you into a coughing fit. I'm also kind of annoyed by the whole wi-fi set up. When you purchase a beverage, you get an hour of wi-fi through a code they give you. Essentially, you've got to make another purchase every hour to stay connected. I think I would rather pay a flat fee up front than having to keep purchasing more food/drinks. I wasn't too pleased with the fact that I had also ordered a sandwich, but the person who took my order only put in for my beverage. I should have caught it when I paid, but my mind was elsewhere. I ended up waiting for 20 or so minutes before I realized. I would also appreciate if Mugshots could put some kind of time limit on those who are taking up tables. Is it really fair to spread out your laptop and school books and take up a seat for hours on end when other people would like to sit and enjoy their beverage?", "timestamp": "2010-01-15T21:14:33" }, { "business_id": "M1q0l_VuI6MqRYLWGVhCCw", "business_name": "The Belgian Café", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite Schuyler L.'s run-in with soggy French Toast at brunch, I still enjoy this place. A few friends took me out for a belated-birthday drink. As usual, I had to request the Monk's Flemish Sour Ale which I now have several other friends veritably addicted to. It's sweet and refreshing with a hint of tang. I also tried the Young's Chocolate Stout which was delicious - rich, velvety, great foamy head. Essentially, it's dessert in a beer. The can also contains this thing called a \"widget\" which releases nitrogen once you pop the top to simulate what would happen if it were on tap. It blends the stout into creamy goodness so don't be alarmed by something rolling around at the bottom of your can. I tried to Reuben sandwich which was surprisingly delicious for how little meat I eat. Tender corned beef, gooey swiss cheese, and crisp buttery bread. Of course, there were fries as well with a generous portion of their dipping sauce. We also shared an item off of the dessert menu, but I can't recall the name. Basically, they're awesome cinnamon-sugared doughnuts. They come with a caramel dipping sauce, but I found it too rich for my blood. The doughnuts are warm and made of a dense cake that crumbles in your mouth. It puts anything you'd get at Dunkin' Donuts to shame by a lot. All in all, another fantastic evening!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:00:05" }, { "business_id": "f88P1gIbRpRzsYAHj9hGdA", "business_name": "Sid Booker's Shrimp", "rating": 5, "text": "(I think I may be giving it 5 stars for sentimental reasons, but I've also got some legit claims) So I grew up in a white Jewish neighborhood. Sometimes my father, who was African American, just had to flee the scene to get a taste of his childhood. This meant that we'd often make our way down Broad Street to Sid Booker's. If you can get past the bullet-proof screen and the little lazy-susan they use to take in cash and serve up fried goodies, I recommend you stop by once in your life. Oh, this place may be in what you consider the \"ghetto\" but it ain't cheap (honestly, if it were cheap, I'd be concerned about the ingredients they were using) so hit the ATM first. I don't really love shrimp, but I do adore Sid Booker's fried version. Large, plump, tender, and with a crisp batter that will make your arteries weep. We'd take our foil wrapped bundles home and have a little feast as if we were in Richmond with the family and not in Elkins Park. The ladies there are always kind, but they do a brisk business at certain times of day so don't expect a whole lot of chit chat. Note: This is take-out only and you're going to have to wait on the corner or in your car for a bit while they get your order ready. Contrary to El S.' review, I don't think you're likely to get taken down in a drive-by here as there are usually lots of folks. But like any denizen of a city, I wouldn't be hoppin' in the car for shrimp at 11pm if I wasn't a card-carrying member of that particular 'hood.", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:11:06" }, { "business_id": "O286wXm4mcznQn_1JieD1g", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "So back in December when Silk put out their yearly Soy Nog and Pumpkin Spice flavors, I had trouble deciding which one to buy. I had already tried their soy nog and thought about just sticking with a good thing. On the other hand, the pumpkin spice could be awesome. I was in the middle of this dilemma when one of the guys stocking the case noticed my perplexed look. He popped open a pumpkin spice for me and let me sample it. After I decided I really liked it, he marked the carton as a sample and I got to take it home for free! Now that's customer service!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:34:50" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I always enjoy coming to this theater. Below is a brief outline of why. 1. The seats are comfortable and, unlike many of the theaters in NYC, were not made for very short, very thin people. 2. Continuing on the theme of seats...There are no bad seats due to the intimate nature of the theater. 3. $10 student tickets for Sunday evening performances. Don't forget your student ID, though. If you forget your ID, Will-Call will not give you the student price. 4. They have Junior Mints at the concessions stand. 5. I have always enjoyed the productions they host. Avant-garde enough to make you seem as if you are culturally in-the-know, but not so strange that you'll be yawning for 2 hours. 6. Great set designs and creative use of space. I love their minimalist approach for most things. 7. If you're not a student, no worries! They've still go cheap seats for you twenty-somethings. Bring an ID to confirm your age and you can get tickets for $22.50. I saw Becky Shaw - it was fantastic and is now running through early Feb. Go see it!", "timestamp": "2010-01-25T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "Rmx12lwZbs94MkPaS2o7vw", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "Checking out this brand-spanking-new WFM was the highlight of my weekend. I am aware of just how lame that sounds but, with all the hype, I wasn't going to be left out. This store is easily twice the size of the one in Jenkintown. I love how it's as shiny as a newly minted penny. I didn't get to check each department out as closely as I would have liked due to the sheer throngs of people in there, but here is what I like so far: - Large produce section with an impressively number of organic items. I grabbed some golden turnips, tomatillos, and Italian broccoli. - Impressive fish and meat offerings - alot more prepared items (like the things they pre-marinate or stuff, etc) - Expanded bulk foods section where you can get all the barely or oats or stevia your heart desires. - Huge frozen selection! I didn't know WFM had their own brand of shoestring fries. I often supplement my recipes with frozen veggies in winter and they had everything I needed. - Easy to navigate body care, etc section with more products than my eyeballs could take. - The salad/prepared foods bar of my dreams. - Yogurt stocked so that they come out one at a time (kind of like a vending machine). No worries about having to hunt through a mess of flavors and brands. - The aisles are fairly wide and I was able to maneuver my cart pretty well without getting run into despite the crowd. Nothing can be done about the 80 year old women who shuffle along like it's a Sunday stroll, wide aisle or not. In a perfect world WFM would only have seasonal produce (strawberries are not native to the NE in January), but that's my own personal preference with regards to diet and health. Next time, I plan to actually try some of the food they've got on hand and pop into the pub. Of course, it's still \"Whole Paycheck\" but for my produce and specialty ingredients, this place is still #1.", "timestamp": "2010-01-30T22:14:30" }, { "business_id": "s2JiYzE7i68cXIV6YEcVTw", "business_name": "Local 44", "rating": 4, "text": "Came here for lunch the other day. The place was dead at 2pm, but I didn't mind. The bartendress was very friendly and she kept me entertained. I ordered the fish and chips upon her suggestion and was thoroughly pleased. The batter had a delicious, buttery quality to it and the the fish had a lovely creamy taste. Hard to describe, but I quite enjoyed it. The dish comes with fries and hush puppies which seemed like too many carbs, but still yummy. The fries are hand-cut and well seasoned. The hush puppies were the best I've had above the Mason-Dixon line and I couldn't help but think they'd taste amazing with vanilla ice cream. They've got quite a few of my favorite beers on tap including Allagash White and Monk's Sour Flemish Ale. The atmosphere is very warm with lots of dark wood and I'm sure it's a popular spot in the evening. The bartendress and I got into a conversation about UPenn undergrads trying to sneak in on the weekends and it seems they've got a pretty good system for keeping the wee ones out. Apparently, they've thwarted quite a few wily undergrads with fake ID's. I wouldn't say this place is mainly for UPenn students (whatever their age) but a place that's trying to provide more options for folks north of 40th street. It just so happens that many of those who live in that area are also students or employees of Penn (they are the largest employer in the city afterall). So pop by, grab a beer and a burger, and let the security staff take care of the interlopers.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:04:15" }, { "business_id": "u9XTeDl_If4U5Eixl6ys7g", "business_name": "The Foodery", "rating": 4, "text": "You'll need an adequate amount of time to spare if you're going to stop by The Foodery. I don't know how anyone could walk in and walk out in under 10 minutes. Half the fun is just looking at the labels of bottles from various breweries. I almost found myself choosing my beer based on which ones had the best labels. I've chosen books like that, and it never works out very well. I love any place that offers DIY 6-packs. I also love that their selection is pretty comprehensive, featuring some of the best beers that our city, country, and globe has to offer. The guys behind the counter were friendly and didn't look at me like some damsel in distress when I asked their advice on certain bottles. As previous reviews have stated, if you want to avoid sticker shock, look up the individual beer prices in the manifest or you might find yourself with a hefty bill. I spent $50 on 12 bottles (an assortment of Young's Chocolate Stout, Schneider Weiss, Allagash, Monk's, and Stoudt's). You're sure to be the hit of any party, especially if other people have brought anything closely resembling Bud Light. Me? I prefer to relax and have a night in with my special purchases and a friend or two. I was so enamored with the beer selection that I barely glanced at the rest of the store, so that's on my agenda for next time.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:24:05" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "So, I liked this place the first two or three times I went when I lived in NYC. However, the fourth and fifth times are not the charm, even when dining at the Philly location. I am constantly disappointed by how many of their offerings contain tree nuts. I know it's more or less my problem that I'm allergic to some of the tastiest nuts out there, but do they need to be in all things chocolate? I end up with only two or three choices of dessert because something or other always contains hazelnuts that cannot be left off the item. I also find that the portions are nowhere near comparable to the prices they charge. I'm not an individual who bases my like or dislike of an establishment solely on portion size, but I don't enjoy paying $20 for something I could have essentially made at home. I shared a chocolate fondue for two with a friend and I think there were exactly two of everything: two strawberries, two marshmallows, etc. The staff is friendly, but nothing to write home about as the place seems to hum like a well-oiled machine. Everything comes at a staccato-like pace if they are not super crowded: you are seated, your order is taken, your order arrives, you eat, plates are cleared, you pay, you leave. It's not a place where I feel I can linger a bit and savor the experience. The concept is great and the menu (at least with regards to dessert) has the potential to be quite delicious and satisfying, but I am always left feeling that something is missing, that something could be better.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:42:08" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been frequenting this shop - in person and online - for several years now. I don't even bother to buy spices or the like in the grocery store at this point. I really love this little shop. It is small and fragrant and filled with everything I need for canning/preserving to meatloaf-making to baking. They also have an online shop and will ship directly to you. I particularly love how they have different colors of jimmies/sprinkles separated by color into their own jars. Of course, you can get the rainbow blend, but there's something about seeing millions of neon pink jimmies that makes me smile. I think they've got a great selection of teas and coffees (flavored coffee as well!). You can also pick up little sachets for the loose tea here as well to avoid an extra errand. I usually pop in to refresh my stock of spices and meat seasonings. Try their mix for poultry to get your chicken out of a flavor rut. The shop is ideal for your bulk needs: flour, sugar, nuts, grains, etc. I find it to be better to come here for those items than to try to obtain them from Whole Foods where I'm likely to be charged more. The staff can be a bit aloof, but I've never had a bad experience. It is pretty obvious from the signage that you shouldn't attempt to bag your own purchases so, if you are reprimanded, you probably weren't paying attention. I really wouldn't want god-knows-how-many people reaching their hands into jars of spices all day long. It's also easier for the staff to eyeball an ounce of cloves than for me to do so. Be warned that they are also cash only. This shouldn't worry people too much, though, because their prices are excellent and a $20 should cover most of the damage.", "timestamp": "2010-02-10T03:03:56" }, { "business_id": "IkY2ticzHEn4QFn8hQLSWg", "business_name": "Geno's Steaks", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm not going to lay down esoteric comments about a cheesesteak since it's not a pretentious food. I'm a Philly native that had never had the Geno's experience. Shameful as it may be, I've finally joined the club. In short: Delicious, soft bread layered with thin slices of steak, whiz, and chopped onions. The perfect \"junk\" food for a cold Saturday. The line moved quickly and we managed to avoid getting yelled at by putting our order in correctly. I didn't think the fries were anything special - good, but I'd probably skip them next time. I was surprised at how much I like the mix of flavors considering whiz just seems disgusting on any other food. I can see why these steaks are the cuisine of choice for tipsy college kids.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:55:15" }, { "business_id": "S1FwTmCAwv5ulu5gToWi_w", "business_name": "RIM Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "After freezing to death eating our Geno's steaks, two friends and I popped in for some warming up. The volcano hot chocolate here is certainly worth the $6.00 - if not for the actual drink, then certainly for the process and display that goes into making one. A young man was playing La Vie en Rose on the piano in the back which made the place seem that much more romantic and charming. I could easily find myself here with a knitting project or book, sipping away on decadent espresso drinks. Strangely enough, the bathroom with its red light a pasted photos was a highlight. It's small and cozy - perfect for two or three, but no parties larger than that I would say.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:59:52" }, { "business_id": "1UNJeHTsS7WS9RxRzHw06g", "business_name": "Varga Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "After seeing the latest UPenn Mask and Wig production, I was so hopped up on good humor that I didn't want to end the evening by heading straight home. At first, we planned to go to Tria, but found ourselves face to face with Varga Bar after walking in the wrong direction from Quince Street. The place was crowded at 10:30pm, but not so much that you couldn't comfortably breathe. We put our name in for a table for 5 and passed time at the bar. I was impressed with their many beers on tap - Allagash, Victory, Rogue, Sly Fox, etc. They do offer a few specialty cocktails, but nothing overly fancy. The hostess was extremely pleasant and we were eventually seated moments before our appetizers arrived. I ordered the Kobe Beef Sliders which were delicious and the perfect portion for a late-night snack. They come topped with a delicious aioli that completely negates any need for ketchup or mustard. Their onion rings were crisp, yet tender and drizzled with a piquant dipping sauce. My friends tried the veggie burger and the chili-topped hotdog which they gave favorable reviews. We also shared some fries with the cheese sauce on the side and sans crab meat. The cheese dipping sauce was a great accompaniment the crisp, shoestring potatoes. Definitely a great little place for a light bite to eat. I wouldn't try to squeeze a party larger than 6 or so in here as space is tight. I would certainly recommend it for date night considering the low lighting and intimate tables for two.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T23:14:23" }, { "business_id": "DJujODX9OTMuveKxMEL0zg", "business_name": "Mask and Wig", "rating": 4, "text": "As a Penn grad student and child of a Penn Med professor, I have seen my fair share of Mask and Wig productions. However, when my parents dragged me as a teenager, the ribald humor was generally lost on my rather naive ears. I've come to love the Mask and Wig club for their witty, off-color productions featuring and all-male cast, crew, and band. I love the tradition of the club that dates back to the 1890's and don't mind joining with the \"rah, rah, Pennsyl-van-i-a\" at the end of each performance. The shows are wildly funny and entertaining for all - well, leave the wee ones at home - over the age of 16 or so. You'll enjoy yourself so much, you'll forget that you're seated on a folding chair. I am always impressed by the quality of the music and writing that these undergrads put into each spring show. The clubhouse is also a gem unto itself with original artwork by Maxfield Parrish. They even serve cocktails and beer in the grill room before and after the performances. The downside? Having to mingle with lots of Penn undergrads who come to support their friends. I say just suck it up and go anyway. It's maybe the best $25 you'll spend ($12 for current students).", "timestamp": "2010-02-14T19:24:25" }, { "business_id": "Yn6oUj778ETC5kYs7IPH0g", "business_name": "Tiffin Elkins Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Tiffin just opened up right down the road from my house and is in the same little complex as my gym so it seemed logical to pick up some takeout after an evening workout the other day. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, and Naan. It came with Basmati rice, chutney, and an accompanying sauce. I was a bit worried about the spice factor, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't need a fire extinguisher to eat my meal. My mom, who has a rather sensitive tongue, even got through her Chicken Korma without complaint. I imagine, if you prefer your food to be blacken your tongue that they would oblige. Both dishes were excellent - creamy, rich, not greasy. The rice was cooked to perfection and tastes wonderful with a bit of chutney stirred in. I didn't find the restaurant to resemble a fast food chain. I felt that the colors were appropriate for an Indian restaurant and the dim lighting enhanced the small BYOB. The furniture is modest, but I wouldn't describe it as cheap-looking. I appreciate that they didn't try to cram in as many tables and chairs as possible. Overall, I am pleased that Elkins Park actually has an eating establishment that might survive besides Marco Polo. If only they could give a face-lift to the rest of the shopping complex.", "timestamp": "2010-03-06T01:34:11" }, { "business_id": "pWzrmh1oiU9ngWXGHKnnwQ", "business_name": "Down Home Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "As a kid, we used to stop in here quite a bit after a tour through the Market, but it's just not the same 10-15 years later. My mom and I decided to grab some dinner here after a rather exhausting day at the Flower Show. We were seated right away which was nice considering that it was 6pm on a Friday night and the crowds from the Convention Center were massive. I ordered the BLT which was disappointing - too much lettuce and the wheat bread wasn't substantial enough to hold the thing together. Also, their \"cold sandwiches\" don't come with fries, so I ended up with a sad looking slice of cantaloupe instead. My mom's minestrone soup and grilled cheese with tomato looked much more appetizing. The fries that I ordered on the side weren't anything to write home about - skinny little things resembling the kind that McDonald's sells. For a place that claims to source all of their ingredients from the market, I really expected top notch, fresh food, even if it is a \"diner\".", "timestamp": "2010-03-07T16:46:48" }, { "business_id": "8Wq0LZSuHdPTlleQD5sU_w", "business_name": "The Bubble House", "rating": 1, "text": "This little place has the potential to be great. I'm actually a fan of their bubble teas - taro, in particular. The food isn't terrible either. I had a grilled portabella mushroom sandwich on foccacia with tomatoes and gouda with the side of sweet potato fries. $9 seemed a bit pricey for a one-mushroom sandwich, though, portabella or not. However, what really prevents me from giving The Bubble House more stars is the service - slow and uninspiring. The interior could also use a fresh coat of paint and the tables and floors could also stand to be refinished. There is just an overall grimy feeling to the restaurant that makes you wonder just how \"clean\" your food is. What really put me off was having to watch the guy who prepared the teas and manned the take-out counter sit outside and smoke three times in an hour whilst spitting here and there in plain view of the restaurant window. I do hope he washed his hands after each cigarette break, but I can't be too sure. I would probably skip this place in the future despite its proximity to campus.", "timestamp": "2010-03-11T02:18:03" }, { "business_id": "GsBDSxvX4VcvmdVODoJ_lQ", "business_name": "Primex Garden Center", "rating": 5, "text": "While, in the future, I'll probably try to avoid Primex on a Saturday afternoon, it's still my favorite garden supply spot. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about their products from plants to seeds to fertilizers and more. They even do soil testing to help you make the most of your lawn and/or garden. I feel that their prices are fair for a locally owned, family business and the new rewards program allows you to accrue monetary value towards future purchases. They hold double-point days throughout the season, too. On busy weekends this time of year, parking can be a hassle, so be patient. You can park right in front of the store, in their lot, on the side of the store, and back behind the warehouse as well. Now that planting season is in full swing, you can for flowers and other seedlings outside at the shed by the greenhouse. Just be sure to have a staff member write up your purchases first. For great soil, I recommend their Bumper Crop which gave me some impressive veggies last year. It retails for about $14 per 2 cubic feet. I'm also pleased that they offer planting potatoes, garlic, onions, and rhubarb - things you can't really grow from seed and are only offered early in the season. Their impressive selection of flower bulbs is also not to be missed! Be sure to pick up one of their great eco-friendly flower pots, too - they're recyclable!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:17:07" }, { "business_id": "MbKhuO-4uYPc0NRZDRWoew", "business_name": "MexiCali", "rating": 4, "text": "I've eaten at both the bricks and mortar shop and the lunch truck on 38th and Walnut. These are pretty much the only burritos I eat. Sure, Chipotle is just up the block, but why bother with those inflated prices? The quality of the Mexicali ingredients is superb - not once have I questioned whether my chicken was really chicken or dug in only to have gristle and fat meet my teeth. I've had consistently great experiences with the food here and find that both their meat and vegetarian options are equally delicious. Sometimes, a vegetarian options just means a weak assortment of peppers and onions or beans, but Mexicali provides a variety of options from tofu to plantains to sweet potato. Most options are around $4-5 for meat options and as low as around $2 for veggie options. Keep in mind these aren't skimpy portions either!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:22:17" }, { "business_id": "_tt4nysrN8JpzLLVXL-z5A", "business_name": "Creperie Beau Monde & L'Etage", "rating": 4, "text": "Love this place! I have never had a bad meal here. Tonight, a friend and I dined al fresco. Amanda, our server, was lovely - friendly and attentive, but not overbearing and very knowledgeable about the menu. We enjoyed the special soup of the day, a creamy artichoke with chipotle that was warm, smoky, and rich. We also had the special sweet crepe of the day which was delicious - sweet potatoes poached in coconut milk and pureed, accompanied by caramel sauce, toasted pecans, and vanilla gelato. Per usual, my savory entree crepe was generously portioned and full of fresh ham, cheddar, and broccoli. I thoroughly enjoyed their appetizer salad of house greens with a mustard vinaigrette - pleasingly tangy with a hint of bite. Beau Monde is one of my favorite places to end a spring afternoon with a good friend.", "timestamp": "2010-04-23T02:01:48" }, { "business_id": "zuNEmJXTIAMRwRY5v-oSCg", "business_name": "L'etage", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited L'Etage last night for an event. The space is cozy with fabric covered walls and dark, leather furniture. Given a large crowd, though, this performance space could get uncomfortable quite quickly. I honestly didn't find the staff to be that welcoming or friendly and the table service during the performance was distracting because it's hard to avoid walking in front of the stage. Also, $7 for gin and tonic? Really? I'll just bring a thermos next time. I'm interested to check out the story slams here, though I don't think they could even hold a candle to The Moth's productions.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:17:10" }, { "business_id": "K9cn-DrPEEXse1s1n-6mMw", "business_name": "Bridget Foy's", "rating": 3, "text": "Following a performance at L'Etage, my friends and I were famished. And, after 2 drinks on an empty stomach, I was feeling tipsy as well. South Street was mobbed on this Friday night, but we were seated immediately on B. Foy's outdoor patio which provided the perfect perch for observing a plethora of police officers canvassing the area status post the flash mob fiasco. I don't think I've seen so many brothers in blue since the Rodney King videos. Given the number of teenage twerps out and about, I was glad to have the extra security. But I digress... B. Foy's hit the spot but their food isn't exactly inspiring. I ordered a Walt Whit and the crispy chicken sandwich. I swapped the pepperjack for cheddar and got exactly what I ordered. I would have preferred a bit more avocado and less chipotle mayo as the sandwich was more spicy that I like. The bun was flaky, soft, and big enough to hold everything together. I felt the chicken was a bit overdone, but still good. The fries were average and lacked sufficient seasoning. The prices were more than reasonable, though, and three of us ate for $50, drinks included. This location is definitely a plus if you're doing the tourist thing with friends or family and need a place to please most palates. Just don't expect too much.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:26:03" }, { "business_id": "7WWLPXpOjrh_1EvjFuw3hQ", "business_name": "The Drake Tavern", "rating": 1, "text": "I really want to like this place because it's a short drive from my door, but I really just can't get behind it. First of all, I generally find the crowd to be an obnoxious mix of middle-aged folks trying to forget the work week and early twenty-somethings looking to get obliterated. The music is always too loud and seems to be piped straight from 104.5. The beer is nothing to write home about and they only get as adventurous as Magic Hat it seems. Who wouldn't, though, when most of your crowd is content with Budweiser and Coors? We're not exactly dealing with sophisticated palates. I have never found the service to be stellar and I could really do without young women prancing around in low-cut, tight t-shirts as if Hooters has come to town. And then there is the food... They do a decent job with their burgers, but it pretty much ends there. If you're going to attempt things like crab quesdillas, at least know what you're doing and use real crab meat. Most everything on the menu involves something fried. The food is bland and lacks creativity just like the rest of this place.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:34:13" }, { "business_id": "AERr7jPbAZmShrwfKzUqfA", "business_name": "Big Blue Marble Bookstore", "rating": 5, "text": "Yep, I still really love this place. As other reviews mention, you may be out of luck if you're pining after a certain book as there is no way this little shop can hold it all, but you can place an order for no extra charge and have your goods within the week. Big Blue Marble goes for quality, not quantity in my opinion and offers sophisticated, yet good reads that cater to the interests of their community. On my most recent trip, they had lots for the backyard gardener and most of the popular new releases that the big box stores have on their shelves. The book I really wanted was sold out, but I placed an order on Wednesday and had the book in my hands on Saturday. I love that they carry a good selection of Nikki McClure's cards and journals as well as items by Little Otsu. It's not as close as Barnes and Noble for me, but I still prefer to give my patronage to this Mt. Airy gem.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:39:14" }, { "business_id": "fOhnSqmO4XY5vSI8whVKSA", "business_name": "Farmicia", "rating": 4, "text": "Certainly one of the best brunches I've had in a while. I had made a reservation in light of the potential craziness from the Broadstreet Run earlier in the day. A wise move, indeed. I had time to kill before my tablemate arrived and enjoyed their happy hour cocktail prices and an assortment of fresh fruit. I thought the apple centerpieces were a rather whimsical touch. I ordered the Brunch Sandwich was the perfect union of fried egg, Amish cheese, and country toast. It was accompanied by more fresh fruit and I think I nearly hit my 5 servings for the day! The eggs were cooked as I like them - not too runny, but not hard either, just enough so that you don't end up covered in yolk. The fruit was certainly fresh which is not always the case when ordering such at an establishment. Strawberries, raspberries, and grapes - all ripe and delicious. I will certainly return in the future as their menu has many tempting offerings and who can resist half price drinks on a Sunday?", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:48:38" }, { "business_id": "V7KWP_nQkpSxR3t7bEqrMw", "business_name": "Bartram's Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "If you don't know that this place exists, shame on you! This charming 18th century historic site and it's gardens offer much needed respite from the hectic pace of modern life. Just get over the discomfort of having to drive through less-than-appealing blocks of West Philadelphia. Really folks, it's not like you're going to get caught in a drive-by. The winding drive takes you off the beaten path and away from bustling city streets to what can really be described as a botanical oasis. The place was virtually deserted on this sunny Tuesday afternoon as guided tours only take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, it was nice to be left alone to explore and enjoy the rows of vegetables peeking out from the soil and the variety of flowers and trees. There are placards interspersed throughout to explain the history and heritage of the Bartram family and the grounds. If only the rest of West Philadelphia had been so well-preserved! We took one of the paths down toward the river and found ourselves tip-toeing on rocks to save a floundering fish and picking buttercups in the adjoining meadow. It's lovely to view the steely-grey of the Philadelphia skyline from this idyllic spot. I'd certainly return for a tour and will keep an eye out for their events. Conveniently, they are open everyday 10a-5p (except holidays) and admission is free, unless you plan to take a tour. Another bonus? They do their own plant and seed sale!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:59:28" }, { "business_id": "qQO7ErS_RAN4Vs1uX0L55Q", "business_name": "The Franklin Fountain", "rating": 4, "text": "Yep, still awesome. Their butter pecan really tastes like there is a stick of butter in the ice cream. I love their waffle cones, which are substantial, keep your ice cream off of your hands, and provide just enough satisfying crunch!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:02:45" }, { "business_id": "RUWCx8WPhq4JwQjv_eGZ8g", "business_name": "Velvet Sky Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I love cake. It's a problem. Luckily, I don't pass by this little bakery too often. Their red velvet made my week. My only complaint? A little less icing perhaps. Sometimes my teeth veritably ache after one of these little beauties.", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:11:07" }, { "business_id": "a9tI3YQyIXHqt0c1AxaSbA", "business_name": "Valley Green Inn", "rating": 4, "text": "Even though this historic venue could use some sprucing up (fresh paint, etc), it's still one of my favorite places in the world and it's slightly rustic feel is all part of the charm. I know that seems like an exaggeration, but I've been going to the Valley Green Inn since my little legs could pedal a bike to get there. As a family, we always biked the trail instead of driving in. The food is still delicious, especially their yam fries. My roast turkey breast sandwich with applewood smoked bacon was one of the best lunches I'd had in a while. The bread, especially, was delicious and certainly held up against a slathering of mayo. I really detest wimpy bread. This is a place that feels upscale but is down to earth and equally wonderful whether you want brunch, lunch, or dinner. Bring the family or someone special, either way, you're sure to enjoy yourself.", "timestamp": "2010-06-04T20:06:34" }, { "business_id": "X_OnAUXVGHjyWP9zoPVLTA", "business_name": "Megabus", "rating": 3, "text": "Thus far, I've only ridden Megabus once so I am holding out on giving it more stars until I have other experiences to compare to this one. I had no problems with my trip to and from NYC. Our bus left on time and even arrived in NYC a little early. The ride was comfortable enough - the seats could have been a bit roomier and the frigid air conditioning was refreshing at first, but not so much 30 minutes into the ride. The driver and employees were courteous at both ends of the trip and I had no issues with luggage. I really had no use for the wi-fi or the outlets, so I can't comment on those, but others on the ride seemed to have no trouble accomplishing various tasks on their laptops or charging their phones enough to scream into them the entire ride. The most annoying aspect was actually due to a couple riding in front of my friend and I who refused to stop groping each other. My first choice for travel would be Amtrak, but for $12, I think I got what I expected - average service.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:06:53" }, { "business_id": "eXKblEHP3YJYU1Awz08hVw", "business_name": "Tacos Don Memo", "rating": 4, "text": "Well, I'll never eat at MexiPhilly again, that's for dang sure! My al pastor burrito more than made up for my terrible lunch date. I ended up making lunch AND dinner out of my burrito which was crammed with savory black beans, fluffy rice, avocado, lettuce, tomato and, of course, pork. I don't even really like pork! Just ask my mom about the faces I make if she makes pork chops. It's ugly. My lunch \"date\" had talked up the al pastor so much, though, that I took the plunge. A few things to know before you go: - the wait can be lengthy so you might want to bring a folding chair - it ain't as cheap as some other carts The ingredients are really fresh and there is a whole lot of effort that goes into the preparation of your order. I don't know how they got everything in my burrito, but it stayed together down to the last bite. The owner even has a bricks and mortar shop up near the 69th street terminal and will bring in specials from the restaurant on occasion.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:31:15" }, { "business_id": "-b8iNhBez0hRu478nIDhyg", "business_name": "Swift Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Gastropubs are taking over the world! Or at least Northern Liberties. This was my first trip to Swift Half and the Piazza, for that matter. I've lived in the Philadelphia area just about all my life and still find it a little weird that someone thought to plunk down this Piazza thing in Northern Liberties. Does someone want to tell me where all the regular folks are going to live once we've gentrified this entire city? But I digress... I appreciate what Swift Half is aiming for - a fresh, unique, delicious menu. However, I agree with Anthony S. in that they miss the mark with their \"go big or go home\" attitude. I was pretty excited about my B.E.L.T. (bacon, egg, lettuce, and tomato) sandwich because I adore breakfast for dinner. I felt the egg was overcooked, the bacon lacked the thick texture I was expecting, and the mayo was straight up out of the Hellman's mayo jar I presume. The bread was very good, but could have used toasting to give it some oomph. I thought the fries were delicious, though. Overall, I kind of felt that their menu was all over the place: mussels, fish and chips, burgers. Too many unrelated choices in my opinion. I really enjoyed my Georgia Kiss cocktail (gin, peach schnapps, soda water, and lime) and thought that was a pretty original drink. They also have a great selection of beers which do not disappoint. I liked the atmosphere. It was a bit noisy due to all of the people out on a Friday night at 9pm, but the large open space lends itself well to coming with a group. The outdoor patio on the Piazza is also a definitive plus. I look forward to trying Swift Half again and hope they \"grow into\" their grown up menu. Just do simple food well, guys. Don't prissy it up for the No Libs hipster crowd. When I go to a pub, I want hearty food that will compliment my beer selection and leave me feeling satisfied.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:27:13" }, { "business_id": "qAjsqPKJwcWX97_EBHwfjw", "business_name": "Rosie's Yarn Cellar", "rating": 5, "text": "You know, Rosie's has really grown on me as I've delved deeper and deeper into this knitting....hobby. Well, let's call it what it really is, shall we? It's a full blown obsession for me at this point. I like that Rosie's has a nice mix of the luxe and the everyman's fiber. You've got your Swan Lake fingering, your Manos, your Cascade 220 - something for every taste and budget. Oh how I love their lush selection of Manos in all its myriad colors. I love that I can still get plenty of Rowan and Koigu here, too. Yes, the shop is still tiny, but that's part of the charm and I take my yarn home to wind rather that risk whacking someone with the swift. Rosie's is one of those neighborhood places where you have to go a few times to sort of feel like you belong. I like the staff and have never had a problem. If you're feeling neglected, speak up! If I'm new to a particular shop, I sometimes feel awkward and out of place. Knitting is such a community thing these days and shops have fiercely loyal clientele, so just give it some time if you're a newbie. Rosie's will certainly welcome you in if you leave your attitude outside.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:36:31" }, { "business_id": "LklDTDwgJLbUjd67ZKsvCg", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Square Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Who doesn't love sunshine and grass?! I love sunshine and grass and knitting or reading on a lovely afternoon. I don't love the tiny, yapping dogs or women in skimpy bikinis, or the couples who obviously need to get a room. Rittenhouse Square Park is a place where some people obviously come to see and be seen as if they're dining at the Ivy on an episode of The Hills. So...these 4 stars are really for awesome things like the free Saturday yoga classes and the Saturday farmers market where I score delicious local eats like yellow carrots, chioggia beets, brightly colored zinnias, and 3 different kinds of plums. These 4 stars are also for those early spring days where hope springs eternal after a winter of drudgery and snow. They are also for those great first date strolls, laughing with your best friends, or sneaking some solitude. For all those things, it really is a 5 star kinda place.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:45:05" }, { "business_id": "EpFFiPHKx9yP-WqOCuxRCw", "business_name": "Mayfair Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I have a hard time believing this place ever got \"Best of Philly\" even if it was in 2002. But, after a long morning doing health education down the road at CFCF at the Philadelphia Prison System, you'd need a milkshake and french toast, too. The milkshake was probably the best part even if it was a little on the small side. What happened to the days when you got the silver cup on the side with the leftover shake!? My french toast was good because I was hungry and in a crappy mood, but nothing to write home about. The service was all NE Philly (\"What'll youse be havin'?), accent included. Essentially the clientele here is 65 and over and they're probably eating soup when it's 95 degrees outside. Are there any great Philly diners left?", "timestamp": "2010-08-04T00:46:55" }, { "business_id": "A7z2nV4JUlmwBbQx3ge2rw", "business_name": "Dujour", "rating": 5, "text": "Du Jour features a great lunch menu and today was no exception. In the summer, I particularly enjoy their freshly made Gazpacho soup. It can be really hard to find a great Gazpacho that isn't overly spicy, not too chunky, not too heavy on vegetables that shouldn't be in there in the first place (like carrots), and doesn't separate quickly. Unless I make it myself, the only Gazpacho I'll eat is from Du Jour. It is smooth and well blended with plenty of tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumber. It has a refreshing, crisp tang provided by the vinegar. I followed up with their low-fat tuna sandwich on multigrain bread with lettuce and tomato and a side salad. I think they make a great tuna sandwich - it's not dry and comes on hearty bread with a thick slice of tomato and crisp lettuce. It is also features a pretty substantial helping of tuna which kept me energized through 4 hours of poolside lounging later in the afternoon. The absolute best part was the kind gesture we received from the chef, Mike. A professional photographer was in the restaurant shooting photographs of various plates from the new menu. When the chef brought out a large slice of blueberry pie accompanied by a generous helping of gelato I was done for. After the photographer had finished her shots of the pie, I jokingly called to the chef to ask if I could have it. To my surprise he turned around and said \"sure!\" since it was going to go to waste anyway. He was really very kind and seemed happy to let three of us in on this delicious new menu item. Made with local blueberries, the pie was delicious and full of sweet summer flavor. The cinnamon gelato was a perfect creamy partner to the butter in the crust and the sweet-tart of the fruit. I'm pretty sure the huge slice and scoop we had were not the usual serving size, though! Once again a delicious lunch with exceptional service.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T01:56:05" }, { "business_id": "IvMEGUlmbDZVzftmRCLdDg", "business_name": "Margaret Kuo's Wayne", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't love Chinese food, but aside from Cin Cin in Chestnut Hill, Margaret Kuo's is much more palatable than other establishments I've visited. I like the portion sizes here because they are enough for one person, possibly two if you plan to share more than one dish or order appetizers. The menu tends to feature more than your average take out spot and I find the fare to be less greasy and salty. I particularly like the Chicken with Shitake Mushrooms which is not slathered in brown sauce as it might be elsewhere. It is a healthy portion of chicken, snow peas, and mushrooms that I like to mix with brown rice. I was left satisfied but not stuffed to the gills. I am always a little confused when ethnic restaurants start crossing cultural borders and am not sure why they feel the need to offer sushi as well. I've never tried their sushi offerings and cannot speak to its quality, but I feel that you should probably just stick with what you know. Beware that a lot of families tend to pack her restaurant on a weekend evening so you will most likely be contending with the shrill voices of wee ones. If you're looking for a more intimate setting, I might dine later in the evening to avoid the Sesame Street crowd.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T02:03:11" }, { "business_id": "kK1re49IK3jmCYTL6B6_lw", "business_name": "Trolley Car Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure how it took me so long to visit this place. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner and found it to be a much better experience than some other diners I've experienced as of late. They have an impressive offering of beers and you can make your own six-pack without hiking down to the Foodery and paying an arm and a leg. Their menu is extensive and they serve breakfast all day. Their portions are hearty and they make their own kettle chips. I don't have kids, but this place would satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Their milkshakes are also pretty great. You even get the extra in the metal mixing cup. There's just something about getting a huge helping of ice cream that makes my day. Keep in mind that this place can get busy and that there will probably be a munchkin or two who is in a bad mood. I find the staff to be very friendly and attentive even when they're running between multiple tables. This is also a good place for groups as their large booths can accommodate three people on each side. I think this may be my new favorite, local spot for a satisfying meal, good beer, and reasonable prices.", "timestamp": "2010-09-18T22:53:00" }, { "business_id": "U9gATBSpddPuqZdfhYOaUQ", "business_name": "Clark Park Farmers' Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoy the cultural milieu one can find at any given local farmers' market. You can walk through an epic, medieval battle of capture-the-flag in the park and find yourself face to face with all sorts of interesting folks and vegetables, too. I always find unique varietals here that add flair to even the most familiar dishes in my culinary repertoire. On my last visit, I picked up a delicious sugar baby melon - the baby cousin to the watermelon - that was filled with sweet, juicy flesh. I also love going towards the end of the market and scoring handfuls of plump, fragrant zinnias at half price from the Amish growers. The blooms are as bright as the sun and are sure to make any gal swoon. You can also find some great local, grass-fed meat, cheese, yogurt, and milk if you're not into the conventional, homogenized varieties at the grocery store. Go, if not for the good, for the atmosphere. You'll also get to avoid the ritzy crowd that frequents the Rittenhouse Market, making food shopping seem like high art for the privileged classes.", "timestamp": "2010-09-20T01:53:11" }, { "business_id": "aF7RIFJwdjv21eVYgMqJFw", "business_name": "Rosey's BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "Rosey's has moved into the location formerly inhabited by Abner's. I am sure that some people are perturbed by this but, rest assured, Rosey's did not put Abner's out of business. Considering the lack of quality restaurant food in Jenkintown and the fact that they are flanked by IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, and Chilis, I didn't expect too much from Rosey's. I was pleasantly pleased with their menu and food, though, and have been back twice since my initial visit. I really like their brisket sandwich which comes chopped on a kaiser role. I ordered the coleslaw and sauce on the side to cut down on the mess. The brisket was smoked to perfect and extremely tender. Their house-made BBQ sauce is a perfect compliment to any of their meats and isn't as tomato-based as some other establishments. The sauce has just the right amount of tang and spice. I really enjoyed their greens, which are tender and well seasoned without being overly peppery. They cook their greens with turkey which is a good substitute for the ham hocks I might use if I made my own. The owner commented that given the Jewish population in the area he felt it was better for sales to keep the greens pork free. Smart move, I think. The mashed sweet potatoes are also delicious and could almost double as dessert. Don't forget a glass of their house-made sweet tea - just enough sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth but still provide actual refreshment. My absolute favorite item on the Rosey's menu? The banana pudding. It's almost as good as my auntie's and chock full of vanilla wafers and actual banana. Rosey's isn't pretentious and is certainly closer than Smokin' Betty's and Percy Street - places that serve decidedly different styles of BBQ.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:38:10" }, { "business_id": "ZKPrXH_GNW_AtZ31tP3NmA", "business_name": "White Dog Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been coming to the White Dog since I was a wee one. I completely disagree with the review by Ed M. and wonder why he insists on frequenting the restaurant if he clearly doesn't enjoy the food. That's another story for another time, though... I enjoy the restaurant and the events that they hold. I've had two impressive meals in conjunction with community events - one a book reading with a sumptuous steak dinner; the other, a trolley car mural tour with continental breakfast and sit-down lunch. Sometimes, I will pop in and treat myself to lunch after a day of classes. The best meals I've had here have been shared with family and friends, though, and are often celebrations of something great that has just occurred. I greatly appreciate and admire how the White Dog works so diligently to provide fresh, local, seasonal, and organic ingredients on a regular basis. They even have their own bottled sparkling water! Some restaurants claim that their menus are local or organic, but it's such a small percentage of the items, that you might as well not bother mentioning it at all. I also find it admirable that WDC finds it important to connect with their customers and their community through regular events, educational opportunities, etc. I've never had a bad meal here and, for the most part, the staff provides a very enjoyable experience. I particularly like their soups and use of seasonal vegetables. I can always count on them to have vegan/vegetarian menu options which means I can come here with all of my friends. Penn students clogging the bar or not, cranky reviews by others or not, I will still consider this one of my favorite places in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:50:23" }, { "business_id": "2BRbu3cBbH2bCgzN3DVc8w", "business_name": "Table 31", "rating": 2, "text": "Considering Table 31's atmosphere, I was expecting to be much more impressed by the actual service, drink menu, and food. Is there some rule of the universe where the effort and expense put into the decor is inversely proportional to the quality of the food and service? I found the staff to be rigid and off-putting, as if I clearly wasn't cool enough to be drinking in their establishment. Their cocktail menu was very expensive and heavy on the martinis. An homage to Sex and the City maybe? Their bar food also seemed much too over the top and expensive - seafood, pizza, and meatballs? What about a shrimp cocktail or salad or canapes. Something other than $50 of mollusks, please! Our little party ended up getting a cheese plate which was tasty but not satisfying and didn't come with nearly enough bread. The bread that did come was accompanied by this odd looking dipping mixture that was pure oil with red sediment at the bottom. No amount of stirring seemed to get it to mix and I wasn't sure if I should try to eat it or just play with it. Overall, Table 31 just tries too hard without actually accomplishing anything. I felt uncomfortable and unsatisfied. I'd only recommend it if you wanted to swig a whiskey in a dark suit and imagine that you're Don Draper for half a minute. Then get the heck outta there and pick up a bottle of something better on your way home.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T02:01:30" }, { "business_id": "N3CuXqWoFpBtYMBGhBE2fA", "business_name": "Milk & Honey Market", "rating": 2, "text": "Is it just me or are sandwiches in Philadelphia becoming ridiculously expensive. $8 for an \"Italian Hoagie\" - I hope the meats were just off the boat from Italy! I met a friend here for lunch a while back as we both hadn't visited this new addition to the West Philadelphia community. I was disappointed with their selection of items. Given the lack of grocery stores in the area, it would be nice to have a little marketplace where one could actually accomplish a complete shopping trip. Instead, M&H provides alot of specialty and gourmet items that I wouldn't necessarily require on a weekly basis. Their produce and dairy is pretty limited. They do, of course, have quite the honey selection. I enjoy honey just as much as the next gal, but it doesn't exactly qualify as anything remotely close to a meal. My Italian hoagie wasn't as good as I had anticipated owing to the fact that the bread was pretty stiff and I had a hard time sinking my teeth into it. Perhaps this was because it had been sitting, pre-made, in the deli case for lord knows how long. The sandwich lacked filling and I think I got more arugula than anything else. The market was also out of a ridiculous number of menu items which left my friend and I with about 3 choices on a Monday afternoon. I also didn't feel that the employees were very friendly. I felt largely ignored for the most part, like I was intruding on something. What happened to \"Hi, how may I help you?\". Hopefully, as the market settles into the community, they will continue to improve, but I don't think I'll make them a frequent stop.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T19:50:28" }, { "business_id": "9Pvwx_IfQgQL4ykmlGV6yA", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "I don't love Chinese food and P.F. Chang's occasionally reminds me why. I've been to 3 of their locations and have never had a stellar experience at any of them. I am pleased, though, that there are buildings occupying the property in Plymouth Meeting other than that pitiful structure they call a mall. We dined relatively early when the restaurant was barely full but I felt rushed by our server. He also completely glossed over any explanation of what the sauces were that they provide. I ordered the chow fun noodles with chicken and was disappointed to see that that was the extend of the meal: chow fun noodles, chicken, and scallion slices. Would the addition of some other vegetables be inappropriate? It irks me that one has to order most of their dish via the appetizer and side dish section if you want to create something well-rounded. I found the noodles to be rather lackluster in flavor and largely dominated by the long scallion stalks that I had to pick out of my bowl. The outdoor patio is a nice addition, though, for warm-weather dining. I doubt I will rush back here unless accompanied by someone delirious for their food.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:10:55" }, { "business_id": "lpDOqBhkJlxACzKQGAj_uA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm not going to lie, I really enjoy shopping at Whole Foods. Prices and hipster foodies be damned. As far as WFM's go, though, this is not my favorite location. The store feels crowded and the layout doesn't allow for fluid movement from one department to the next. I think this is because the baked goods, salad bar, and hot foods bar are smack in the middle of the store. The aisles also seem rather cramped and difficult to navigate with a cart. The staff are still friendly folks, but the other customers always seem agitated when I am there. Maybe grocery shopping in the city is just more stressful? I'll stick to the stores in the 'burbs where there is more room to maneuver.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:14:32" }, { "business_id": "1tkXPP1K1jBIgIthy6idwQ", "business_name": "Burholme Park Golf Center", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! What has happened to this place since my childhood? I actually went here for a date recently and it's not something I would ever repeat. Unfortunately, I wouldn't repeat the date with the same guy anywhere else, but that's another story. When I was little, Burholme was THE place to have your summer birthday party, complete with mini golf, hot dogs, and ice cream. Now it just seems a rather sad shell of itself. The pro shop was dark and looked fairly disorganized as if people just dropped things and left. The snack stand was pitiful and appeared to need a thorough cleaning. There was really no menu to speak of as they apparently don't sell much unless it's summertime. The girls behind the counter were more interested in a laptop than customers and provided us with some rather tired looking bats. There were only three open batting cages and the rest were locked. The equipment seemed to need replacing and malfunctioned. It was difficult to even tell when the machines were on and I lost a few swings because I didn't know that I was still \"up\". It might be the guy, it might be Burlhome, but I probably won't be revisiting this golf center ever again. Too many painful memories ::sniff::", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:21:12" }, { "business_id": "SGi8AJhR8iS-LsQwcMOAVA", "business_name": "Eulogy Belgian Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "3 stars for the beer selection which just can't be beat. Unfortunately, I'm inclined to only assign 2 stars to the food. Being that this establishment is in Old City, I should have contemplated how tiny it might be. At 10pm on a Saturday night, the bar was pretty darn crowded and as hot and humid as a gym locker room with all of the bodies and winter coats jammed inside. We were able to get a table upstairs, but the close proximity of other patrons made me feel a bit claustrophobic. I was glad to get a taste of the Troeg's Mad Elf as it's a seasonal beer not easily found in this land of state stores and beer distributors. At about 10% abv, one brimming goblet was enough to thoroughly wet my whistle. One of my friends, didn't have such great luck with his selection as each beverage he chose seemed to be unavailable. Eventually, our server asked him to choose anything on the menu on the house which was definitely a sign of superb service. I was disappointed with the Belgian fries we ordered as they seemed overdone and too thickly cut. The dipping sauce didn't light my fire either. Perhaps my expectations are too high after years of consuming the potatoes from Pomme Frites in NYC? I'll be sure to give them another try at a later date and hope for a better outcome. I don't know if this place is never not packed, but I'll attempt to give it another go at a time when it might be less crowded and I can get a seat at the bar.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:49:12" }, { "business_id": "Ukkr1N8UApmJsOzbX4XnRA", "business_name": "The Green Line Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to love The Green Line, but it hasn't won me over yet. I never get a warm-fuzzy vibe from the staff. It's as if people can tell that I'm not vegetarian or vegan and that I drive a car! Furthermore, I always seem to get stuck sitting outside amidst a cluster of chain smokers. Also, the fact that they only take cash is kind of irritating in this modern era of debit/credit cards, especially when coffee can run you upwards of $5 depending on the menu item. Brownie points for the fact that they do serve fair trade coffee.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:54:20" }, { "business_id": "qlt0aeVnh4B3X5mUeEUtnQ", "business_name": "Regal Warrington Crossing ScreenX, 4DX, IMAX & RPX", "rating": 3, "text": "I wish I lived close enough to Center City to do most of my movie viewing at the Ritz but, alas, we suburban folks have to trek to the Regal which might as well be it's own small metropolis. I like that this venue has 22 screens which means there will most likely be at least one movie that everyone in your group can agree on. This also means that they can show very popular movies on more than one screen, thus lessening the possibility of sold out shows. I enjoy the stadium seating and relatively roomy chairs that recline just enough to be relaxing without allowing the person in front of you to end up in your lap. I usually skip the concession stand unless I really want to part with $20. Honestly, with the purse I carry, it's easy enough to smuggle in my own Junior Mints and my Klean Kanteen water bottle. The concession line is also usually infuriatingly slow because the teenage cashiers seem to find it a prime time to flirt with one another as they sling jumbo sodas and buckets of popcorn towards beleaguered parents. I know the price of movies these days is a major bone of contention with most folks, but it's not like it's a secret or anything. You can always count on dropping at least $10 per ticket (more if you're going to pre-order via Fandango or something) and another $20 for snacks. I recommend the matinees, taking advantage of the Regal card, utilizing student ID's, or just investing in Netflix if the cost is a major hardship. A major bonus is the fact that they also screen operas via simulcast from the Met. All the glory of Don Giovanni without the cost and hassle of going to NYC.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:04:21" }, { "business_id": "vy0IlrE3Zl44HwxbsZhh2g", "business_name": "Ritz East", "rating": 4, "text": "Somehow I always get myself lost trying to find the Ritz East vs the Ritz, but I always leave pleased. This is where I come a) to see movies that don't make it to the large, mega theaters and b) to see grown up flicks that don't involve texting teenagers or whining toddlers in the audience. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance as a number of shows I have seen here have sold out rather quickly. The tickets for both the 8p and 10p shows of Black Swan on a Saturday night were gone within minutes which resulted in many boyfriends receiving rather pouty faces from their significant others! The prices are reasonable and relatively comparable to the rest of the city/suburbs. I always skip the snacks in favor of visiting a favorite, local restaurant instead. They do have better fare than your average theater, though. Who doesn't love Pocky!? While it probably sucks to get caught in this predicament, it is kind of nice that they prohibit folks from entering the theater 15 minutes after the main event has begun. There is nothing worse than being stepped upon after you've gotten all settled and into the rhythm of the story. The seats are large and I'm always comfortable even when the place is packed. The best part is that you're probably not likely to find yourself in danger of being shot while any of the Ritz theaters. I wish I could say the same for the Riverview or Bridge cinemas!", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:13:32" }, { "business_id": "EAtdpksdWfWAaqh3XdnNNg", "business_name": "Essene Market & Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I always enjoy a trip to the Essene market which is almost always a must if I am getting a haircut next door at JuJu Salon. I like that they carry a variety of eco-friendly containers and utensils for toting my lunch to work. I really can't say enough good things about the LunchBots products. They've got a great variety of fresh produce and an impressive bulk section for nuts, grains, and flours. Their stock of cereals, pastas, juices, and frozen items is likely to have the unique items your Veganomicon recipe is calling for. They also have items that more conventional folks enjoy as well in case you're not into spelt or teff flour. It would be fairly expensive to do your regular shopping here unless you are some sort of super-vegan or have very stringent dietary requirements. I'd recommend using them for the specialty items you may need in smaller quantities. I have mixed feelings about their prepared foods bar as it just seems utterly overpriced to me. I lunched at Essene with two friends the other day and my plate of various incarnations of tofu and seitan came to over $13.00. I had to wonder if they were actually counting the glass plate as a part of the meal! I know fresh produce has gone up a bit in price (and they do use quality ingredients), but lunch over $10 for a plate that wasn't exactly loaded with heaping helpings was a surprise. Oh, and if you'd like chopsticks - those are an extra 80 cents or so. I'd recommend just using the silverware. For free.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:17:08" }, { "business_id": "xCXGV3wEvYd4xBGx8ZRFQA", "business_name": "La Va Cafe", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! I don't know what happened this evening when I popped in to grab a warm beverage before my quilting class, but I experienced one of the worst lattes this evening. It was grainy. As in, full of sediment. I'm no coffee expert, but I believe sediment is not a common ingredient in a vanilla latte. I was very disappointed. If I had had more time, I would have taken it back for a re-do. I actually cleansed my palate at Starbucks later in the evening. Here's to hoping that the next visit is better.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:21:00" }, { "business_id": "ExfSwwCB1zQ6ZGd_UQ4wYQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "I kind of loathe reviews of chains, but I feel obligated to make a comment seeing as I \"checked in\" at this particular location. Darn you Yelp iPhone app! I pretty much feel \"a-ok\" about all Starbucks regardless of location. Their beverages don't send me into a transcendent state, but they do warm me up and make me feel like I'm giving myself a little treat. It's especially nice when I remember that I have money on my little key fob thing and can rack up those little stars towards nifty rewards. Who doesn't like a freebie drink on their birthday? The staff here was friendly. They made my drink correctly. That pretty much sums it up.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:24:08" }, { "business_id": "gcjziNbsRYMfdcbOuCCufw", "business_name": "Rx Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Headed to Rx the other weekend with a couple of pals for a bit of Sunday brunch. I was much happier with my menu choice on this trip as the mushroom and spinach omelet was so tasty that I ran out to grab a stash of ingredients to repeat the whole thing at home the following week. The oyster mushrooms were a unique way to spice up a traditional omelet where most places would just use conventional, button 'shrooms. The spinach was tender and not the least bitter from overcooking. They used just the right amount of eggs as well - I'm guessing 3 as opposed to IHOP's whopping 6. I just wish it had come with a side of something - potatoes, fruit salad, regular salad...as my plate seemed kind of empty. I would have liked to see some new menu additions since my last review in the Fall. Maybe I missed them? Maybe I forgot what was even on the menu last time. It's possible. I do know that they still have the tofu stir fry and the corn flake-crusted french toast. Given their limited menu, I think that they could really do a lot with seasonal items and unique flavors. I still enjoy the coffee which they keep coming at regular intervals. If you're feeling high class, order a mimosa and sip into the afternoon. For the price, Rx still beats cereal and milk at home.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T03:08:30" }, { "business_id": "lOOePsuwr75TCvIhV1Am1A", "business_name": "The Daily Grind Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "It's become obvious to me that I am terrible at studying at home. I always manage to find 900 other things to do - cleaning, returning emails, obsessively checking Facebook. Today, I left the house in search of a study location. Sure, there is the local library, but they don't have food and beverages to keep my brain humming. My first thought - Barnes and Noble - was a very poor choice. Their cafe is cramped and uncomfortable and, today, featured an obnoxious, screaming child. I gave a thought to Starbucks but hate the idea of shelling out extra cash for the wi-fi, and the parking situation for the Jenkintown location is abominable. Then I remembered The Daily Grind! Close to my home, good coffee, Mighty Leaf Teas, punch card incentive, free wi-fi access, and actual food. The Daily Grind was a good choice indeed. The staff are very friendly and you don't have to know coffee lingo to get exactly what you're craving; they'll help you customize your drink. Because they are inside the Pavilion, there is no cold draft to interrupt me every time someone breezes in the door. People come and people go, but it's surprisingly quiet and I didn't have to compete with anyone for a table and an outlet. They now offer quite a menu if you've got the tummy-rumblies: brisket sandwiches that feature meat from Rosey's BBQ down the road, soups (get there early, though, because they sold out today!), salads, sandwiches (pressed or not), and personal-sized pizzas. Their drink menu features your standard coffee and tea faves + smoothies. Kudos to them for featuring food items from other local spots - Rosey's BBQ as mentioned above and bagels from Rolings Bakery in Elkins Park. I'm glad to be able to support a local business. I'll save the Starbucks run for desperate times only, like when I'm at the airport and my only other nourishment option is McDonald's.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T23:00:09" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "In case anyone had any reason to doubt the frequent buyer program - doubt no more, Thomas! Last night, I ordered two whole pies (or slabs maybe, sine they're rectangular?) and was promptly told that our household had spent $100 on pizza and we'd be receiving our $10 credit. It was a nice way to end the week. Please note, though, that the frequent buyer program only applies to the purchase of whole pies. They track your purchase history via your phone number. I still really enjoy Jules Pizza. I am never disappointed by the quality of the ingredients, the friendly service, the taste, or the clean and bright dining area. I find that dining in works for any number of situations: a casual date, lunch meeting, catching-up with friends, a post-play group snack for moms and kids, etc. The fact that you can bring your own juice boxes or beer means that just about everyone should be happy, even your kid with 12 food allergies. They even feature cute coloring pages and crayons at the register that kind of made me want to break out my 96 box of Crayola's. It may be thin crust, but Jules Pizza is satisfying and certainly provides and easy way to get in some of those 5 veggies you need every day. Their honest business practices and openness about the source of their ingredients continues to keep me coming back.", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:29:36" }, { "business_id": "q43nr6E8ib2p39sVYtPGww", "business_name": "Juju Salon & Organics", "rating": 5, "text": "I think that JuJu and I are officially in a long-term relationship now. Sure, we're comfortable, but not so comfortable that the staff slack on service or that my stylist resorts to some standard-issue cut. I still enjoy coming into the shop for the relaxing atmosphere. Janka continues to provide me with superb haircuts that leave me inwardly sighing \"ahhh, now that's better\". It's always a treat when one of the staff have their pooches in tow. What could be better than having your hair washed AND a snuggling doggie in your lap? I'd also like to highlight the fact that JuJu is always very accommodating of me when I call to reschedule or change an appointment. I had to change my last appointment twice because life got in the way, but I was never treated rudely. I also appreciate the confirmation phone calls so that I don't inadvertently forget!", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:44:40" }, { "business_id": "3GvaJRiDGxzJzqoPX0xUeA", "business_name": "Spool", "rating": 5, "text": "The beginning quilting class taught by Ashley Kayhart was wonderful. In just five weeks, I have learned an entirely new skill and finished my first quilt complete with hand-sewn binding. I highly recommend this class to anyone wanting to take the plunge into the world of quilt-making. Ashley is enthusiastic and has wonderful sense for color and design. She will certainly put you at ease about your project as she reminds you that you need not be perfect. I liked that the class was limited to about 8 students which meant that you could have the personal attention you might need should your sewing go awry. You are also welcome to bring your own fabrics for the class, which I thought was quite generous considering Spool is a fabric shop afterall. Some nights, I wished we had more than two hours and my only suggestion is that those purchasing their fabric from Spool might want to do so before class time to ensure that there is enough time to complete all the steps in a given night. I'm pretty darn proud of my finished product and glad to have met such wonderful people.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:30:42" }, { "business_id": "mC_m-4k9Xo1kzjSL0w7uoA", "business_name": "Alice Bakery & Confectionary", "rating": 4, "text": "This neighborhood bakery is adorable. Dennis Darr, a graduate of Chicago's French Pastry School, as some wonderful ambitions for this little shop including such delights as mousse cakes! For now, though, you will have to satisfy yourself with their homemade chocolates, cupcakes, sticky buns, and breads. Dare I say that the cupcake obsession is waning after years of New Yorkers clamoring for a taste of Magnolia's treats? It seems the cupcake phenomenon has peaked as bakeries pull out all of the stops to make the largest, most unique, most decadent handheld treats. Unfortunately, many of these mini masterpieces often fall flat in taste, texture, and experience. And, honestly, who wants to pay upwards of $3 for a cupcake!? Darr keeps it simple with traditionally-sized cakes that are flavorful and moist. The red velvet variety that I sampled was topped with a vanilla bean butter cream that complimented instead of overwhelming the cake with just enough sweetness. The chocolate cupcakes are also rich, light, and moist instead of the dry crumbly cake I'm used to. The sticky bun, even the plain one, was superb. It had a light, yeasty quality with just the right about of chewiness, It was sweet but not cloying and I recommend you order yours hot with a cup of freshly brewed Illy coffee or herbal tea. Be sure to take home some focaccia or a smoked gouda loaf for later. Can there be anything better than bread AND cheese? The sea salt rolls would be excellent as a pairing with any winter soup or stew. I look forward to seeing the new offerings that Darr comes up with in his kitchen. He runs a very friendly shop with room for you to sit and linger and certainly works to get to know his customers. ABC is definitely a superb addition to the suburban landscape. If only they also served hot chocolate, my bakery experience would be complete.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:45:15" }, { "business_id": "ADe114o7Z4vb1O6HkM6YEA", "business_name": "Greek Lady", "rating": 3, "text": "The recent renovations are really lovely and the expanded seating area is a very welcome addition. The restaurant feels much cleaner and brighter. I like that the order and pick-up areas are separate to keep customers flowing. I enjoy their chicken gyro when I'm in the mood for \"fast food\". Something about the french fries inside just adds that extra, greasy, yet satisfying something. I may move on to trying other menu items at some point. I've gotten a peek at the salads ordered by other customers and they do look rather appealing. Greek Lady is also a good bet in a pinch when working a long shift at the hospital because they deliver fairly late and, chances are, the rest of the unit staff will want in on the order, too.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:49:34" }, { "business_id": "AqX_5srdyAS1tNiqC3mDvg", "business_name": "Noche", "rating": 1, "text": "Noche is perpetually crowded and noisy and lacking in seating space. I'm not really sure what the awkward swathe of floor is for between the front windows and the bar. It's like no-man's land. There are no tables and chairs and it doesn't seem to serve as a dance space either. On a weekend evening, it's veritably impossible to reach the bar without having to throw a few punches. Once you reach the bar, you're lucky if the bartender can understand you over the awful din of the sound system. The restrooms are at the very back of the establishment and difficult to reach when the crowd is really thick. If memory serves me correctly, there is also a rather random seeming pool table back there as well. I'm not sure if Noche is trying to be a bar or a restaurant, but it's difficult to order food when you have nowhere to sit. I don't enjoy the crowd either - overly pretentious, popped-collar types that fancy buying a condo on Rittenhouse Square. I'd caution against having any sort of organization event/fundraider here as they tend to continue to let hordes of people in off of the street making it very hot and tight. The available food selections are also pretty mediocre. I've had better salsa from a jar. The drink specials will end up being little more than watery Miller Light.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:57:46" }, { "business_id": "Xq-8-I0U8Artr7d70SjX-g", "business_name": "30th Street Station", "rating": 4, "text": "30th Street Station - how I prefer you over Penn Station in NYC! There is plenty of wide open space and seating that doesn't make me feel like I'm in an underground bunker. The lines for Amtrak trains tend to be orderly because you aren't forced to snake around the 400 other passengers milling about or sitting smack in the middle of the floor. There are plenty of options for a meal or a snack before your journey. The new Old Nelson Market serves up a good breakfast sandwich in addition to having the odd sundries that you might need on your way home via SEPTA. I like that I can get fresh fruit there instead of from Au Bon Pain which charges an arm and a leg. SEPTA still bites most days but that's not the station's fault.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T03:01:59" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "This sushi bar is just that - a 6 to 10 seat bar with an extra table by the door to squeeze in a few extra customers. The $10.95 three roll deal cannot be beat. You can't even get sushi for that price at Whole Foods. The fish and other ingredients are fresh and comparable to many other more expensive restaurants. The rolls could use a more generous coating of rice on the outside, though. I've eaten in for lunch when it is slow and I can sip miso soup and read a book. I've also called for take-out after a long day of work and arrived to find my order ready and waiting. I also recommend their shumai and salad with ginger dressing to round out your meal. I've seen many other customers order the fancy rolls which just look a little too rich for my stomach (I prefer to keep it simple with spicy tuna), but they seem to get good reviews for their unique flavor combinations and creative presentations. The tuna dumplings mentioned by other reviewers do look pretty intriguing! The staff are very friendly and this could easily be a place where you become a \"regular\".", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:41:26" }, { "business_id": "Jc-y852Fq1_6VB5kPUjxfA", "business_name": "City Planter", "rating": 4, "text": "This shop is absolutely lovely! The staff are friendly and knowledgeable without that horticultural pretense you find at some nursery/garden shops. The staff members know plants and plant care, but they can also help you to create an artful arrangement - just pick out and plant and a pot and you are good to go. Soon you'll be populating your place with vegetation as art! I have enjoyed planting terrariums as of late to bring a bit of nature indoors and was quite inspired by the examples City Planter has throughout their shop. They have a great selection of terrarium supplies - including miniature garden rakes, trowels, and spades - and their miniature plants are well priced at about $3 a pop. They have a great selection of unique glass vessels as well whether you want a traditional, free-standing vase, something to suspend from the air, or a wall planter. I especially love that you can make your own bag of gravel and rocks which they sell by the pound. This means that you don't have to pay for or get more than you need. They also have gravel in lovely shades of blue and larger rocks that are a cool, milky white which add nicely to the overall look of my terrariums. Don't forget the preserved moss for decoration! They carry your traditional flower favorites like pansies for spring planting, but you can also find orchids and other \"delicacies\" here as well. Check out their eco-friendly offerings like plantable wall baskets made from wool, I believe.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:50:24" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 3, "text": "If I am going to have my ice cream beaten to a pulp before I eat it, I much prefer Scoop De Ville to Cold Stone Creamery. At Scoop, your ice cream is mixed via machine instead of pummeled by the staff on an icy slab that could be a breeding ground for god-knows-what. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a Plain Jane when it comes to frozen treats. I like my ice cream scooped into a cone in it's natural state, no mixing, but maybe some rainbow jimmies. I also can't fathom paying $5 or more dollars every time I've got a taste for some mint chocolate chip even if the portions are on the generous side. The menu offers so many choices for mix-ins that it's difficult to make a decision even with their suggestions printed up before you. I would avoid taking small children there at all costs as they'll never make up their little minds! The chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate, caramel, and sea salt was pretty delectable and I do recommend that for a twist on your ordinary day. If you're looking for an out-of-the-ordinary ice cream treat and a splurge, head in to Scoop, but I won't be making this shop my regular summer ice cream spot.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:57:55" }, { "business_id": "d_UJWp4IlGS4sgnjE60eBw", "business_name": "Longwood Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite \"public\" gardens. And by public I do not mean free. I mean open to the public. Each spring Longwood is a spectacular showcase for blooming wisteria, tulips, anemone, foxglove, and snapdragon. The Italian fountains will mesmerize as your eyes are immediately drawn to the cool blue tiles shimmering beneath the surface. We have a dual membership in our household and it is well worth it for the 4 or more times a year that I go for seasonal exhibits, fireworks displays, and musical concerts. Wear comfortable shoes and stroll the paths as the landscape changes from manicured flower gardens to open field and meadow. Stop for an iced tea at the Terrace Cafe before heading to the conservatory to view more exotic species of flora. Read a book or enjoy a romp in the cow pasture where DuPont used to graze his dairy herd. This is a place I actually recommend for kids because of the wide open spaces and abundance of color and shape and texture to keep them interested. The garden also offers and abundance of classes for the novice or advanced horticulturalist and has a gift shop with all sorts of tempting items from seed and garden supplies, to books, to jewelry and scented soaps. I highly recommend the fireworks displays that they pair with music. Splurge and pair the evening with Longwood's delicious pre-show barbeque. It's work the ticket price! Don't forget to view the holiday light display over Christmas and the 1906 restaurant is perfect for a more formal and romantic setting if you're bringing someone special!", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:47:50" }, { "business_id": "2PWmnUV2Leb2Loj0TqxCMA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - University City", "rating": 3, "text": "Bring your ID after 4pm because they will card everything that breathes. A good deal for over-sized (22 oz) margaritas and greasy munchies like nachos, which is pretty much what you want to eat when you're through with multiple shots or frozen tequila. You're sure to run into a crowd on any weekend so count on lots of noise and a possible wait. At least their vigilant ID-checking keeps most UPenn undergrads out. Don't even try the \"i'm just here for the food\" excuse. That won't get you through the door either. Traditional Mexican this isn't, but their menu items are tasty and satisfying if not the most flavorful meals I've ever had. They also have an economical late-night menu. Let's be honest, though, you're probably there for the cocktails.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:54:31" }, { "business_id": "BsnP3lXh-QaOSgAw2t-omA", "business_name": "Kildare's Irish Pub - Manayunk", "rating": 1, "text": "Never...ever...again. There is nothing pleasant about this place in my opinion. It is consistently and constantly crowded with students spewed from St. Joe's, LaSalle, and other local institutions. Even on a weeknight, you'll be crammed in cheek by jowl with coeds looking for cheap beer. They tend not to have anything on tap worth drinking and it's not even worth the gas money to head over there for $2 Coors or Miller or Budweiser. The food is bland and greasy with an odd and random assortment of options constituting bar fare and half-hearted attempts at \"Irish\" favorites. The place is ridiculously loud with music over the speakers and then a band or two upstairs. Someone is bound to step on your or slosh their beer down the side of your pants. With so little seating for actual eating, the place reminds me of a cattle market. Unfortunately, places like Kildare's have forever branded Manayunk in my mind as a place I will avoid like the plague after 5pm. Even if you're dining slightly upscale, you can't escape the college kids who ruin the atmosphere for the rest of civilized folk.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:02:01" }, { "business_id": "kQCJRWvfpiW1p_4hgwD8Uw", "business_name": "Roller's Restaurant at Flying Fish", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked Roller's better when it was at the top of the Hill and Roller's Express-O is great for breakfast and ice cream. This location used to be the Flying Fish which I remember turning out superb seafood dishes throughout my childhood. It appears, though, that the furniture and decor has not changed since I was 8 giving the place an odd \"first apartment\" feel. I don't think they even use the upstairs for seating anymore. I, too, was also thrown off by the whinnie-the-pooh soap in the bathroom which made me feel like I had accidentally walked into someone else's house. I was disappointed that there is no choice in side dish and that everyone seems to get the mashed sweet potato which was a bit stringy and a ratatouille of squash of sorts. My mexican chicken, however, was quite delicious. They do have a rather creative way of pairing dishes and desserts together to give you a pretty good deal on your entire meal. Their rhubarb pie was very good. The French onion soup seemed very thin as it did not have any chunks of break beneath the cheese. I would have preferred that my waitress be able to describe the beer offerings to me as they do carry local and microbrew options. I ordered a bottle of Scarlet Lady on a whim and was glad that it wasn't terrible since no one seemed to be able to give me a description. I also think there needs to be some uniformity in attire for the waitstaff as I don't consider leggings appropriate work clothing. Apparently, it is or was shad season and the elderly folks next to us were tickled pink over the shad roe offering. I know the restaurant is small and privately owned, but it is the 21st century and it would be nice if they would accept at least Visa for payment. Considering the new eateries coming to Chestnut Hill, Roller's could take a serious hit if the more contemporary places draw business to their doors.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "iqJ3t9iq0fsWaYL93s8Vmw", "business_name": "King of Prussia", "rating": 4, "text": "If I am going to go to a mall, I am going to go here. It has virtually every store I could need in one tidy location. KOP used to cater equally to the Main Line elite and suburban scrubs with Neiman Marcus and Sears at opposite poles of the complex. However, with the arrival of high-end retailers like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Versace the parking lot is filled with more Ferrari than Ford. The message that this mall aims to send is becoming clear: if you're not going to drop $3,500 on a handbag, please exit the premises, do not pass go, and take your measly $200 with you on the way out. Honestly, I am a bit surprised that we haven't seen such retailers trying to snap up space in Center City around Rittenhouse Square. Even The Court is more upscale these days despite the Macy's tethered to it. There is a clear dichotomy in the shoppers you'll see walking the wide, sunlit aisles - those who wear stretch pants with stirrups and those who do not. And, as always, you've got the handful of tourists sprinkled in for a bit of diversity. Even the piped in classical music seems to be trying to lure a certain crowd - those with distinctly refined tastes. Of course, don't worry, there is still a Taco Bell in the food court and an Old Navy for those who want more down-to-earth than designer. I know Bill M. is looking for a little something unique here, but it's a mall and malls aren't about boutique style and individual tastes. What IS unique about THIS mall, though, is that it has added luxury retailers yet is still situated only minutes from a Hooters and Red Lobster.", "timestamp": "2011-05-24T03:45:24" }, { "business_id": "oFv9-wwifD3u8FFx6fPRYA", "business_name": "Baja Room at Pico de Gallo", "rating": 4, "text": "Feeling the need to wash ourselves of a very long 12 hour nursing shift, a friend and I stumbled into this little place after deciding that the hipster/biker crowd at Bob and Barbara's was just not for us. Unfortunately, I had left my skinny scrubs at home that day. Being a Wednesday evening, the restaurant wasn't populated by too many other parties and we were seated on the back patio where we enjoyed the eclectic collection of bric-a-brac that goes for decor and numerous strands of twinkly lights. We ordered a STAT round of margaritas which were topped with fresh mint and lime wedges. They didn't seem particularly strong at the time, but my coma-like sleep later that night tells me you're in for a kick in the pants later if you consumer multiples. We ordered the cheese, bean, and guacamole nachos and sushi-grade tuna tacos to share. Both were delicious! The nachos were crisp and topped with generous helpings of beans, cheese, and guacamole so that you weren't left munching naked chips by the time you'd dug through the pile. The tuna tacos were surprisingly refreshing - quickly seared/rare tuna on light flour tortillas, topped with fresh tomato salsa. Rice, refried beans, and a grilled plantain come on the side. The atmosphere was just what we were looking for after work - laid back, where we wouldn't be pestered to eat quickly and move on. The night air was just a bit warm and you couldn't help but feel cocooned sitting on the back patio hidden by the picket fence. The place has a certain unpretentious charm and broken-in-ness that makes me want to come back again.", "timestamp": "2011-05-31T17:58:28" }, { "business_id": "lRbHFOIFuusN2WOR_ypQ_A", "business_name": "Ants Pants Café", "rating": 5, "text": "This little \"blink and you'll miss it\" cafe is quickly becoming one of my post-night shift breakfast spots. They open early, have a quiet and cozy atmosphere, and serve consistently delicious, comforting food. The staff is especially friendly and courteous. My favorites to date are their grilled cheese with tomato and bacon, their milkshakes, and their creme brulee battered french toast with maple syrup and sour cream sauce. Honestly, I was pretty wary of the sour cream sauce at first but it provides refreshing coolness to the sweet bread and maple syrup. The portions aren't skimpy either; once I've paid my check and hit the road home, I'm ready to hop into bed and start all over again later that day with another 12 hours at work sans tummy rumblies. Don't forget: they are a cash-only joint. They do have an ATM in-house, though. Oh, and don't try to bring your 10 best friends to dine here, they're small and other patrons will appreciate not having to rub elbows with your entire clan.", "timestamp": "2011-11-06T18:30:15" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 3, "text": "Fork is one of those restaurants that I, as a faithful Yelper, felt guilty for not having visited. I finally checked it off my list in early September! My first meal there rates a mediocre 3 stars. I really love the atmosphere - open kitchen, cozy and intimate with dim lighting and green foliage screening canoodling couples from other diners. Maybe not a place I'd take your staid in-laws considering the \"sexy vibe\" as Dave H. puts it. I was disappointed by the portion size of my mushroom risotto - one lonely ladle-ful in the midst of a sea of china. At least put it in a smaller dish so that I think I'm getting what I paid for. The flavor of the dish was pretty banal as well. Give me a can of chicken stock, some locally picked mushrooms, and I could have whipped up a better batch at home. We were seated right next to the bar which makes for some unfortunate annoyances as waitstaff bustle back and forth and the din can get quite loud from other patrons dousing themselves in house-made cocktails. The service, however, was impeccable with an attentive but not overbearing waiter. He knew the menu well and was able to describe the dishes in detail as if he had personally tasted each one. Needless to say, I'll need to reprise my meal here to get a better feel for the place.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:42:54" }, { "business_id": "uVoAlvNxz2IRvhXccU1tFw", "business_name": "Union Transfer", "rating": 5, "text": "No one told me the Spaghetti Warehouse closed! What a relief! That place was a poor excuse for \"Italian\" food. Luckily, the building has been reincarnated into my new favorite music venue. I was blown away by the Gillian Welch performance I saw in late October. Given that the floor plan is open with no assigned seating I was worried that this event would be a repeat of a show I saw at the Electric Factory where, crammed cheek by jowl, I had the misfortune of standing next to a stoner who vomited all over my shoes. The UT is extremely spacious: concert-goers can belly right up to the stage (or bar for that matter), fan out along the top-tier balconies, or relax next to the bar at high tops and tables for two. Everyone can enjoy the show from a good vantage point without another person or post in your sight line (ahem, I'm thinking of you Academy of Music!). If the show isn't all-ages you can even keep your \"adult beverage\" with you on the main floor. They also have a concession stand. I found the drink prices to be fair - I think my can of PBR was $3.75. I could also totally be making that up. The place has an industrial vibe that makes you feel like the place used to be a factory for train trestles. The acoustics are phenomenal - you're neither deafened nor guessing at the lyrics. The staff are very friendly and I actually enjoyed tipping my waitress as it meant not having to run back and forth to the bar. If you're driving, you can pre-pay online before the show and park in the lot directly behind the venue for $8 or so. Extra bonus: not having to buy tickets through Ticketmaster! Randomness: I know people with babies and small kids like music. I know they like concerts, but really...is it a good idea to bring your small child to a live show that starts at 9p, a time when they should be sleeping? Probably not. Sleepy kids are cranky as hell.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:58:04" }, { "business_id": "nWHNtH3v6BPnV7MUWejOyw", "business_name": "Solebury Orchards", "rating": 5, "text": "Do yourself a favor. Skip Linvilla Orchards with it's mazes, clowns, huge gift shop and other gimmicks. I've been hooked on Solebury Orchards ever since I tried their cider doughnuts that are sold via Weavers Way Co-Op. You literally park your car, grab your bag, and walk right into the orchard or take the hay wagon for a ride for picking at the other end of the property. The whole process is neat and efficient given the crowds that can show up here on a Fall weekend. I think Solebury has become my favorite orchard for apple picking with their offerings of Empire, Pinata, Honeycrisp and more. The trees are well-maintained with lots of low-hanging fruit and scattered ladders/step-stools for the apples on higher branches. I ended up picking over 20lbs and have many jars of superb applesauce to show for it. You'd be an idiot to skip the fresh cider and doughnuts no matter what diet you're on this year. Their pear butter is also fantastic on fresh, crisp bread with Whole Foods fresh honey-roasted peanut butter. Seriously, I eat it just about every day. The orchard also offers pick-your-own flowers and pumpkins (though not in a pick-your-own patch). When you've had your fill of apple goodness, head down the road a stretch and check out the Carousel Lavender farm!", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T02:17:19" }, { "business_id": "tM-ObyoUno83kylE283iXw", "business_name": "A Taste of Britain", "rating": 4, "text": "I found this adorable little tea spot while running errands through Wayne the other day. The decor is simple and unassuming yet charming with a soothing green color covering the walls and dark wood throughout. As a child, afternoon tea was a special occasion with my mother that required a party dress and a trip downtown to the Four Seasons or Rittenhouse hotels. I was happy to discover somewhere more casual and certainly less expensive on this afternoon. My server, Rebecca, provided impeccable service and was very helpful when I was making my tea and menu selections. Their lunch offerings of soups, fritatta, salads, and sandwiches were rather appealing but I decided on the full Afternoon Tea ($18 per person). The selections were really quite generous: 1 large scone of your choice with fresh lemon curd, clotted cream, and raspberry preserves as well as other assorted mini pastries, 8 tea sandwiches of tuna, cheddar with chutney, roast beef, and sweet cheese, and one pot of tea all artfully prepared and served. I was afraid the little restaurant would be filled with the Main Line elite whose attitudes easily ruin a peaceful afternoon to one's self, but none were to be found at the surrounding tables and I was happy to be treated with such care and attention. This is a place where one can be at ease even if you don't sport diamonds and fur. They provided for parties of up to 14 in house and can also coordinate catering. They offer and assortment of British favorites from HP sauce to Cadbury Chocolate to PG Tips tea. You can even take home steak and kidney pie, meat pasties, fresh lemon curd and clotted cream. I would consider this a lovely place to bring your friends, your daughter, your mother or even your husband.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:15:08" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 3, "text": "Crowded and busy but with extremely fast service. Fast, not necessarily good. Extremely inexpensive. Not a place to sit and linger, maybe get it to go. The small bowl is a misnomer. It's really two meals in one. Are those chopsticks really sanitary? Great bowl of steaming soup - add the fresh basil and hot sauce. Yes, that meat in the steak pho really is cooked. If you're adventurous, try the tripe, fatty flank, and tendons. I'm not that adventurous.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:57:09" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite a rave review in The New York Times, I still don't understand how fried chicken and doughnuts compliment one another. Sometimes, after a night shift, I will drive out of the way for the Vanilla-Lavender. That and the Indian Cinnamon are my favorite. Nothing beats a warm, soft, aromatic treat. The fancy flavors don't rate as high on my list because I'm a fan of keeping it simple and flavors like Pina Colada are usually more than my tastebuds want to handle early in the morning. The service is remarkably cheery and snappy even at 8am on a Saturday morning which is when you had better get there lest you want to miss out. Doughnuts are continually cranked in perfect form right behind the counter. It's rather mesmerizing. The coffee is good and strong but I do wish they had tea and hot chocolate as well. Perhaps someday I will try the chicken, but to tell the truth - I hate meat on bones.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:41:33" }, { "business_id": "GoYSJ-YY-YwbxdgasHuq-Q", "business_name": "Mixto", "rating": 2, "text": "Visited Mixto after an evening at the annual UPenn Mask and Wig production at their clubhouse on Quince Street. I enjoyed the red sangria which was full of fresh fruit and well chilled. Unfortunately, the black bean soup was bland and lackluster. I appreciate that it wasn't overwhelmingly spicy, but would I would have liked to be overwhelmed by some kind of flavor. The tres leches cake was too soggy. I know that this traditional Mexican dessert is made with milk, but once it hit my tongue the cake's texture felt as if it had been marinating in liquid all day. Lastly, what's with the toasted bread they bring without butter? It seems out of place and like an afterthought \"Well I guess we should serve the people bread, might as well toast it while we're at it\". The restaurant was also very drafty on that cold night and any time anyone opened the door, some kind of vacuum was created that prevented them from closing the door quickly and keeping the chilled air outside. I may visit again, but it looks like the repeat customers are just as puzzled by the underwhelming experience.", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T21:35:21" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Sabrina's on Powelton is every bit as good as the original in the Italian Market. I really love the new space - an old Victorian home which features a charming wrap-around porch with large sunny windows. The porch can be a bit chilly in winter but they'll happily flip on the heaters to keep you cozy. I consider Sabrina's a staple in list of places to frequent for post night-shift breakfast as their fare is hearty, satisfying, and affordable. Thus ensuring me a good day's rest once home. My only complaint is that their french toast is sometimes too thick, leaving the middle of the toast dry. I only recommend the stuffed french toast if bringing friends as you will be bested by it's sheer volume if you attempt it alone. I honestly don't have an issue with students from Penn and Drexel who dine here on the regular as they are hardly any more of a nuisance than the hipster crowd at Honey's or the toddler-toting young families at Sabrina's original location.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:44:01" }, { "business_id": "rAe-1HU5Z-DuUXEbzASXDA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - Willow Grove", "rating": 2, "text": "Mad Mex Willow Grove is every bit as boisterous as the University City location. Be prepared to wait on the weekends as there will most likely be a healthy crowd, especially around the bar. You can barely hear yourself think let alone listen to your tablemates over the din of the sound system. The margaritas are potent but the food is still average Americanized Tex-Mex that relies heavily on salt and spice rather than the flavors of the actual ingredients. Not a bad place for a bite before or after a movie at the Warrington Regal cinema, but not exactly a destination.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:50:14" }, { "business_id": "ohWH383r60AREWh-aphpSw", "business_name": "Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm pleased that Iron Hill has popped up in Chestnut Hill to provide some contrast to all of the smaller, independent shops and restaurants in the area. The block the the brewery occupies was looking especially vacant and I much prefer Iron Hill to the likes of Chili's or Houlihan's. However, it is a chain and attracts everyone from couples out for date night to young families to older couples to groups of friends. My point? The place gets crowded quickly and you're bound to wait or duke it out for one of the high top bar tables. The bar tables actually turn over fairly quickly and I've never ended up waiting more than 10-15 minutes. I have never really seen the rest of the property because we stick to the high tops as the wait has usually been about an hour on a Thursday-Saturday night. The atmosphere is lively and your boyfriend, brother, or dad will appreciate whatever game is on if they are inclined to avoid small-talk. The beer selection is good and rotates depending on the season to include standard favorites and unique flavors like the Oompa Loompa Chocolate Stout. If you can't decide, get a flight of beers to taste. The waitstaff is very friendly and attentive. They are also actually very knowledgeable about each brew and certainly equipped to help you find your favorite selection. Their food is good and the portions substantial. They serve standard \"pub fare\" from pizza and nachos to pastas, burgers, steaks, and seafood. I wouldn't say they really do anyone thing extremely well, but fish and chips will certainly help sop up all that beer you're downing. I wouldn't consider Iron Hill a destination but certainly a place to keep in the rotation for casual weekend dining when you just don't want to order in another pizza.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T02:02:09" }, { "business_id": "4Am_sbP0WDw0Q7aaAy6XhA", "business_name": "REI", "rating": 4, "text": "You'd be hard-pressed to find a store that meets the needs of the outdoor enthusiast more than REI. The staff have always been kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. They are enthusiastic about the activities they participate in and often encouraging of a customer's interest, even those of us who are new to the worlds of hiking, biking, running, camping, etc. Shopping here offers and advantage as the company is a co-op and you will receive your dividends back in March. The amount is usually about 10% of all of your eligible purchases during the year. I like that they sell maps and guides for popular hiking trails and state parks - items that can be hard to find elsewhere. I find their prices to be fairly competitive with similar stores like EMS and Campmoor. I buy my favorite Halo snack bars here and they offer a 20% discount when you buy an entire box. I also applaud their stewardship efforts and the community building they do with educational programs, travel, and community service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T21:51:53" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I could do without Serafina's bright yellow awnings on 18th Street. The restaurant feels like one of those places where you come to see and be seen - like Parc but without the help of a Stephen Starr reputation. In fact, I found myself heading over to Parc after a disappointing dinner of too-heavy Penne Vodka for a strong cocktail and dessert. You cannot be seated at an outside table unless you are ordering food which was very disappointing to learn. The menu is fairly large and the kitchen doesn't produce any excellent dish but manages to turn out a variety of mediocre Italian-ish plates. The wait staff was rather aloof and my meal felt rushed. There was a great deal of whining at the bar by neighborhood regulars who had come to complain about their life, their day, their relationships. It made for quite the melancholy atmosphere. A meal will easily run you more than $20 per person, even at lunch, especially if you order any seafood. Prices I am not willing to pay for less than stellar offerings.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T22:09:24" }, { "business_id": "yDHINEt7By47My7x4Mb8oA", "business_name": "The Gypsy Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "I'll admit that I don't consider Conshohocken when I think about going out to dinner but I was persuaded to try this restaurant after reading a newspaper review. I love the atmosphere - a dark, warm wood bar with ceilings and walls draped with printed fabrics, all lit by the warm glow from hanging lamps and candles. I felt that the mounted plasma tv's really detracted from the ambiance, though, and made the venue feel less intimate. The menu is eclectic - pasta, seafood, meat, but I thought that their meatloaf was a stand out. The calamari was also surprisingly good - lightly fried and crispy. The lobster mac and cheese seems to be a clear crowd-pleaser, though. I thought that the service was standard - prompt and polite. No horror stories here. This is a casual, neighborhood place - good for a low-key meal on a Friday night, meeting old friends, sipping cocktails, etc. The portions were a bit too large for my taste, but you can always take the rest home! I might recommend adding another server to take some of the strain off of the two sisters that were manning the dining room when we were in on a Tuesday night - they did a great job juggling a pretty full house on a week night!", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:13:32" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Get the mussels. You may not be close to the coast, but they are delicious. Tender morsels in a deeply savory broth. Skip the frites and dip crusty bread in after the shells are gone. Or eat both. Drink a romarin (the citrus is pleasantly tart yet refreshing) while sitting outside in large, dark sunglasses. Enjoy Parc for what it is - don't whine about the prices, just enjoy daydreaming about actually dining al fresco in Paris.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:40:16" }, { "business_id": "fBOoOWHRWPXIrMvVVkZqMg", "business_name": "Cake", "rating": 4, "text": "Two things: The balsamic portobello mushroom with farro, mozzarella, and assorted vegetables was amazing. I wish I could remember the exact name of the dish! It was so good, I only ate half so that I could eat the remainder the next day. The mushrooms were bursting with tangy, balsamic flavor that mingled so nicely with the meaty texture of the portobellos. The lemon tart is the best version of a citrus dessert that I have ever had. I really hate lemon things that are overly sweet. I also hate when they are mussed up by fruit or other adornments. The citron dessert features smooth, pucker-worthy lemon custard over the thinnest of chocolate-y layers, couched in a light, crumby shell. Heaven! Dinner is only served Thursday and Friday. Make a reservation to be guaranteed a seat. Last seating is 8:30p. Go early to avoid missing out on certain menu selections. The trout was very popular the night I stopped in and was 86ed fairly fast. I thought the prices were very fair considering the restaurants use of fresh, local, organic ingredients. The menu appears to make great use of seasonal variety and I imagine we'll be seeing some creative squash dishes soon. The greenhouse setting is very charming and makes for a relaxed, yet intimate venue suitable for date night or brunch with the family.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:52:21" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 3, "text": "After having sampled the confections at the La Duree location in Manhattan, I developed pretty high standards for macarons. Miel Patisserie gives a whole-hearted attempt at perfecting the macaron in Philadelphia but falls just a bit short, in my opinion. I tried 4 flavors - coconut, chocolate, rosewater, and salted caramel. While their chocolate was rich and delicious, I expected more from the other flavors. The salted caramel filling had a very buttery taste and was overly salty, leaving me feeling a tad queasy. The rosewater had too much of a pronounced rose taste that made me feel as if I had licked a perfume bottle. I prefer a much more subtle rose flavor. The coconut tasted more like pineapple or pina colada to me and consisted of an eerily translucent filling rather than a cream. I was impressed with their meringues, though - a light and crisp shell with a pleasant chew to the center. I'd never be one to pass up a baked good, so I am sure I will have occasion to sample these and other flavors again before I declare La Duree my clear favorite here in America.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T22:47:52" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Yet another breakfast option in a city of brunch fanatics. I feel like we're in an episode of Sex and the City and Philadelphia is only now getting to the table. Manhattan has made brunch a serious weekend habit for at least the last decade. Green Eggs Cafe is a serious contender in my book for best brunch. It's BYOB so you don't have to worry about over-paying for your mimosa since you Bring Your Own Bubbly. The portions are large enough that you'll be taking home the rest for dinner. If you're looking for something dainty and on your 1200 calorie diet, I advise staying home. The quinoa porridge, however, is a great option for those looking to avoid the damage incurred by eating french toast. There are vegan options as well - vegan french toast, vegan sausage, and more so don't forget to invite your friends with esoteric food preferences. I recommend sharing dishes like the creme brulee french toast or red velvet pancakes so that you can try some other things on the menu like the rosemary potatoes which are very flavorful. In this town people complain that portions are either too large or too small. I felt that $11 for a dish that feeds me twice is pretty darn reasonable. Of course, it will be crowded and the wait will be long on the weekends. You're not the only one who wanted to skip cereal and milk in their apartment this morning. Count on at least 15 minutes, but up to 30 depending on the size of your party. They were seating outside today but few people accepted an open table because they forgot to read the weather report before heading outside in the chill. Do your homework and hit the bank on the way as Green Eggs is cash only. They do have their own ATM with a fee of 99 cents for those who don't like to plan ahead. Do note that this spot is also popular with families and dog owners.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T23:00:56" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 4, "text": "What is there to say about The Barnes that hasn't already been said or argued about? The new location is lovely and makes me feel entirely at peace with the smooth stone walls and quiet reflection pools. The art collection, of course, is unparalleled and a must-see for anyone and everyone. Make multiple visits as it would be difficult and rather exhausting to thoroughly appreciate the many works in one trip. The Friday night entertainment offerings are quite worthwhile and a sophisticated way to wind up the week - sip a cocktail, enjoy some music or dance, wander the galleries. Don't forget to count yourself lucky to have the privilege to spend time in such intimate proximity to some of the world's most lovely objects.", "timestamp": "2012-11-17T01:39:14" }, { "business_id": "or_WcjWELDsssk2JruvJcg", "business_name": "Café Lutecia", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been meaning to stop in to Cafe Lutecia for years now. I've only driven by it a thousand and one times in my life. It always appeared to me to be the type of place where you could get lost in a good book. The cafe is remarkably tiny and simple. If it is made out of flour, it is probably on the menu - bagels, baguettes with ham and brie, croissant, muffins, etc. Simple as it is, I quite enjoyed my ham and brie on a baguette. I don't know how you would make something so simple any better than to serve it on good, warm crusty bread with quality meat and cheese, which is exactly what Cafe Lutecia does. They also make an astonishingly good cafe au lait. I am not a coffee snob - if it tastes good to me, I will drink it. I thought the cafe au lait that I had was a creamy bit of heaven. Way better than most places that masquerade as \"coffee shops\". Don't come here to do your work, though. This is not Starbucks and you cannot spread out as if it is your own personal library. Also, it is a neighborhood place. Children will wander in and out on the hip of a parent and will jabber to the owners and you will look like a jerk if you scowl or complain. Meet a good friend or a new friend and catch up at a tiny table as if you are in Paris. Throw your New Year's resolution out the window and eat ham and brie and a croissant or even on a croissant. Cafe Lutecia is owned by an incredibly warm and friendly couple who are an integral part of the neighborhood. It is so nice to go to a place where you can interact and engage with other patrons and not be thought to be a loon or nosey. I only wish the chairs were slightly bigger. Remember: cash only.", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T20:38:54" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to find good bubble tea, or boba, in LA. Not so much in Philadelphia. Until now. Tea Do is my go-to spot for icy cold taro bubble tea or avocado smoothies. Yes, avocado smoothies. Trust me, they taste much better than one would think. Tea Do is legit - they even have a specific machine just for the purpose of shaking up your drink. There are plenty of flavors and varieties to choose from to suit just about any palate. Get your fix with traditional tapioca pearls or try the \"popping bubbles\" which are reminiscent of Gushers. A large beverage will run you about $4 which is about the same as your daily drink at Starbucks. The best part? Picking out your favorite color straw!", "timestamp": "2013-03-23T20:38:34" }, { "business_id": "1fGaY2WlGv2l4as6UkMFrg", "business_name": "The Trestle Inn", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited the Trestle Inn for an event, so I can't directly comment on the venue except to say that the bartenders are snappy and sling well-blended drinks. The space is dimly lit, cozy, and intimate. I don't think it's the best space for large events, though, as the bar and back room are pretty narrow, making it difficult to navigate the establishment when it is filled with 100 or so people.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:35:48" }, { "business_id": "dpdMVwjAFOkwITNnS_Hu7g", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "The cupcake craze continues. As more and more shops flood the market for handheld baked goods, I am finding that I am not as easily impressed as I once was. Philly Cupcake turns out a good product that is delicious, but I don't know if they are any better or worse than any other establishment in the city. I am impressed by their flavor offerings, though, and the vegan selections. There is certainly something for everybody. This particular location also offers coffee, other pastries, and an array of made-on-premises candies. Expect to pay a little under $5 for some of their more decadent creations.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:39:51" }, { "business_id": "kz8OeP88ZYjDBWb0LePJ3A", "business_name": "Chill On the Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Chill on the Hill is a brightly lit, crisp, clean shop compared to the rainbow-hued chaos of other establishments. Unlike other local frozen yogurt places, Chill lets its customers fill their own sample cups which means not having to wait while the customer in front of you tries 6 different flavors. I appreciate that they put all toppings with nuts in a separate section to discourage cross-contamination for people with allergies. Their flavors pretty much hit the mark - no funny aftertaste or odd concoctions. They keep it simple with pretty standard fare - vanilla, chocolate, original tart, birthday cake, etc. Seating is somewhat minimal as the store is not overly large but the long bench along one wall makes good use of space to keep the shop from feeling very crowded when busy. They also have a frequent buyer program which will come in handy this summer for lots of customers. Chill seems to also aim to really interact with the community - they feature merchandise (t-shirts, etc) with their logo and will be soon hosting a mini film festival. Customer photos and other events can also be displayed on the LCD screens built in to one wall. Prices are comparable to shops like U-Swirl and Kiwi Yogurt.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:49:25" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "I had heard so many wonderful things about the burger offerings here. I was so disappointed to find that, on the night I chose to dine in, they had taken their list of burgers down to one - the once famous Churchill Burger, I believe. I've had better at Five Guys. Warm bleu cheese just does not do wonders for me - I felt it gave the burger bitter, gritty taste. It couldn't even be redeemed by the fries. The atmosphere is also overwhelmingly noisy on a Friday night. The music is in constant competition with customers who get louder and louder with each beer they toss back.", "timestamp": "2013-06-09T01:36:59" }, { "business_id": "4GBQc6XbJVhfH58WjHLBvw", "business_name": "Brandywine River Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "If you've already frequented other east coast art museums with large collections (think: MOMA, the Met, the Frick, the Barnes, PMA) why not give the Brandywine a try? Given that this museum is a tightly curated collected of Wyeth family favorites and other special exhibits, touring the Brandywine is like spending time on one specific subject in a larger art history class. Sunday mornings are free, so get up early, treat yourself to brunch in the area and digest that omelette while you consider Wyeth's relationship with his model, Helga. Friends? Lovers? Wyeth really captures the pastoral beauty of rural Pennsylvania and the majesty of the Maine coast. Unfortunately, his paintings are one thin thread that we have connecting us to much of our agriculture heritage in this area of the state. Children will especially love N.C. Wyeth's original illustrations for Treasure Island - they are still some of my all time favorite pieces in the world.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:38:57" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually quite prefer the new Honey's location to the original. Perhaps it's the particular chef at this location? I'm an over-easy eggs kind of woman and Honey's never disappoints. Add on a latke and I'm set for the day. The wait was remarkably shorter at this location despite being situated among prime residential real estate. The service was lively and attentive - the host even pitched in, clearing plates and filling beverages, when the place got busy. My only complaint? Being seated near the kitchen means you can see who goes in and out quite frequently. I wouldn't mind if management encouraged their employees, including kitchen staff, to dress a little less like they just rolled out of bed and rode their fixed gear 20 miles before landing at work. Remember folks: cash only! ATM available but not for free.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:43:48" }, { "business_id": "TYZ6hF3HLulzePIworiIUw", "business_name": "U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite the evening crowds, U-Swirl is one of my favorite yogurt shops. They have at least 10 flavors to choose from and do rotate \"specialty\" flavors pretty regularly. They also have more toppings than any other yogurt shop I have been, too. U-Swirl also offers a really good frequent buyer program compared to some other shops. They give you 16oz of free yogurt for every 10 you purchase. Other shops limit you to 5 oz. The staff is always very friendly and refreshes the toppings frequently. Keep an eye on those kiddos, though, little hands have made their way into various containers. Luckily, the staff are happy to replace anything that has been licked or had grubby fingers in it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:49:15" }, { "business_id": "WNLUBI0my0WLpmWTNUsK9w", "business_name": "Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "After 11 years of knitting, I still love Loop. I'm always impressed by the new yarns Craig and Laura bring in and I appreciate their dedication to choosing local and independent fiber artists as well as more commercially available products. They've even got their own line now that Laura hand dyes. The service and kindness of the staff is still unparalleled. If you're a Philly native or just passing through, be sure to pop into my favorite place in the city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T05:58:45" }, { "business_id": "m64OHmyD7OqAyQmoJETkfQ", "business_name": "Moon + Arrow", "rating": 4, "text": "I loved Moon and Arrow when it was a pop-up shop on 4th street and am thrilled that it has found a permanent home there. I always find unique bits and bobs here for gifts. I am especially fond of the mineral pendants and vintage linens. If you're looking for a typewriter, you can usually find one here in great working condition. There are always new finds to be had which makes shopping exciting. It's always a good trip when the owner's pup, Loretta, is hanging out in the shop - she gives free kisses!", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:04:30" }, { "business_id": "08fkgKXeLTFmE35fCydRpA", "business_name": "juju spa", "rating": 5, "text": "If you're headed to JuJu, request Jill. She is an excellent aesthetician and I always enjoy my facials with her. She is extremely gentle throughout the entire treatment which means you won't be left looking red and blotchy the next day. Jill also does a wonderful job with eyebrows, leaving a very natural and tidy look. As always, the spa is lovely - warm, private, and inviting.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "-T_lkOvaK39R-Ufg6VUyxg", "business_name": "Magpie", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so grateful to Magpie for getting Philadelphia out of the cupcake rut! Magpie treats pie baking like a craft - dreaming up delicious flavor combinations beyond the traditional. The crust is, by far, the best part of a Magpie pie - flaky and slightly crisp on the outside but tender inside. No tooth cracking crunch here! Flavors like lime custard are elevated past the likes of the traditional key lime pie by the addition of a sublime basil custard and pistachio crunch. The caramel custard takes on a deep smokey flavor with the addition of bourbon. The fruit pies are equally delicious as Magpie utilizes the freshest local fruit of the season. My go-to savory choice is the Chicken Pot Pie which is instantly comforting and chock-full of meat and veggies. Pull it out of the oven on a crisp Fall day and you'll completely forget that your mom didn't make it for you! Last, but not least, do yourself a favor and get their salted carmel latte - an instant belly warmer and perfect complement to any of Magpie's apple pies.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:31:21" }, { "business_id": "3WX24d4v-R1OK4xqrcVL7g", "business_name": "Lacquer Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "Lacquer Lounge certainly lives up to the Best of Philly 2013 hype! Beware the wait, though - make an appointment in advance as a walk-in spot seems pretty hard to come by these days. The shop has a total of six technicians, so they are definitely not a high-volume nail salon that churns out scores of manicured digits like some other city establishments. The staff is so pleasant and attentive - water, coffee, and tea are all available and complimentary. Forgot your flip flops? Those are available, too, for a nominal price. The chairs are luxe white leather with fluffy hot pink pillows - talk about a girl's dream! Each client will receive their own files and the like which you are free to take home if you choose. All other nail tools are opened in front of you and come out of sterilized packages as if you were at a physician's office. When Lacquer Lounge advertises that health and safety are paramount, they mean it! Pedicures are done using individual tubs with disposable liners. You still get the spa feel without the worry of a fungal infection or worse later. I was impressed with their extensive collection of Essie and OPI polishes. They also have more than a dozen gel colors to choose from which is many more than some salons that only feature the basics like reds and pinks. Do be aware that gel removal is $10 unless you are coming in for a repeat gel manicure. Lacquer Lounge does accept credit cards and does allow tipping on credit cards which is quite convenient. I am sure I will be back to try their other services soon! Mary is a superb manicurist and I highly recommend her if you stop by. I felt the prices were quite reasonable (and comparable to other establishments in the city) considering the level of service and the extra health precautions.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:50:01" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 4, "text": "The Ziggy is my new favorite meal. This burger is full of smokey flavor and toothsome enough to satisfy even the most hardcore carnivores. The soft, wheat bun totally makes this burger for me. Get a banana whip for dessert if you have room - cool, creamy, guilt-free! No bathrooms here, though, which makes wiping off all of that special sauce a bit tough. Plan to take out as dine-in space is cramped, limited, and not made for lingering. Take that as a hint and try to avoid squeezing your baby wagon (seriously! When did strollers become actual vehicles!?) or oversized tote bag in here during the lunch rush! Even better? Call ahead for pick-up service.", "timestamp": "2013-10-19T11:27:53" }, { "business_id": "LnZvGYbqozanOSevcftnrw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg - University City", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't get enough of the Ziggy Burger, especially now that there is a University City location which means I can pick up an order after work and not have to worry about parking my car in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. If they add delivery - I'll be over the moon as it will mean a better take-out option when at work than Greek Lady. I heartily recommend the Ziggy Burger as the tempeh bacon and special sauce just really take the humble veggie burger to a whole new level of delicious. It will also keep you satisfied for hours. Splurge on some sweet potato fries as well for their slaty, tender goodness. I like the black bean cilantro dipping sauce which is a flavorful alternative to ketchup. If you're in the mood for something lighter, you can't go wrong with a green smoothie (groothie) or a banana whip. The service is ridiculously friendly and the orders are up quickly. I am always promptly greeted and the staff often provide great recommendations regarding menu items if you can't decide. If you're in a hurry, call ahead and your order is sure to be ready when you arrive. Compared to the Rittenhouse location this space is huge with seating for everyone! They still compost and recycle so after you satisfy your hunger you can satisfy your conscience as well. I enjoy this place so much that I feel they should have a frequent buyer punch card for their burgers.", "timestamp": "2013-11-17T23:38:20" }, { "business_id": "Zkvjfrl2Wx7VvfKoNahWWQ", "business_name": "Leila's Restaurant and Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Great spot for an impromptu date with your beau or bestie (yes, I said \"bestie\"). A reservation is certainly recommended for this cozy neighborhood French-inspired spot. BYOB and expect dishes like the generous (large enough that I could take the impressive bone home to my yellow lab) veal chop that is so perfectly seasoned and tender that it needs no further gilding beyond that of the tender winter vegetables and light au jus that are its accompaniments. The onion soup is quite a departure from the cheese-heavy, thin broth substitutes you'll find at lesser establishments. It is a rather hearty and creamy concoction with the cheese blended right in. Don't skip dessert - especially not the butterscotch pot de creme which is just as decadent as it sounds. It is exceptionally smooth on the tongue and has just the slightest taste of burnt caramel to keep it from being overly sweet. Make sure you pad your wallet with cash or a check as Leila's does not accept credit cards (my dinner for two including two appetizers, a seafood special, and two desserts rang in at just under $100 and well worth it, too!) As far as \"French\" dining goes, Leila's is utterly unpretentious and casual enough that you don't need to break out your LBD (Little Black Dress for those not in the know). It's one of those familiar restaurants that you can go to again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-01-08T16:45:58" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "How to sum up my late night experience at Little Pete's....? If you're stopping in after midnight, you're bound to find an eclectic crowd of party kids, club goers, wanna-be socialites, and anyone else who has been drinking since sundown. You will probably be called \"Hun\" by the waitstaff. They have an actual cigarette machine. Great vanilla milkshake but the huge, starchy steak fries leave a lot to be desired. Cash only.", "timestamp": "2014-01-09T00:06:00" }, { "business_id": "STwdgdVYWm-pBDF1JIpAVA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi & Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "It took a bit of investigation but I finally discovered where the \"real\" Vic has been hiding. His latest spot is a mere 15 minutes from me, just up Easton Road in the Willow Grove area. No more fighting for a parking space on Sansom Street or shivering in the cold while waiting for a spot at the tiny sushi bar. Vic apparently sold the Center City and Springhouse locations. The menu is virtually the same as the other \"Vic\" establishments, but this restaurant also features Thai food. I'm familiar with Vic's restaurants because of his sushi, so I didn't opt to try the Thai options. The extended menu, however, means that you could lure non-sushi lovers here as well. I really feel that, unless you go straight to Japan, you can't really find better sushi in the 'burbs. The fish is very fresh! The Tuna Dumplings are a great example of the excellent seafood that they provide - imagine little tuna purses that are so tender they virtually melt in your mouth. The 3 hand rolls for $10.95 really cannot be beat. I enjoy the Spicy Tuna, Spicy Salmon, Alaskan, and Sweet Potato rolls. The Black Dragon roll with eel was exceptional - tender, moist, and slightly sweet. The rolls are very generously packed with fish and I like how the fish and spicy sauces are mixed together. The staff is very friendly and the service is prompt. Vic himself manned the sushi bar while we were there. BYOB and you've got an affordable meal for date night, girls night out, or just because.", "timestamp": "2014-01-13T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "avlwCvHzrhU5UOvz1Y3_gQ", "business_name": "Ambler Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I really disliked going to the movies - large crowds, groups of loitering teens, crabby/surly employees, sticky floors, unclean bathrooms - especially if it involved going to a Regal \"megaplex\". I usually prefer to pop my Netflix choice into my large-screen computer and settle down with some knitting in the comfort of my own home. However, after purchasing a membership for my movie-loving mother, The Ambler Theater has quickly brought me out of my little movie-viewing cave and back to the big screen. They tend to always show flicks that I am inclined to see and have special events throughout the year showing old flicks like Casablanca or silent films with accompanying live music. As a member (starting at about $40/year), you can't beat the sneak previews of new movies and $5 price tag for tickets. Membership also grants you $5 admission to the Hiway and County Theaters. The bonus at Ambler is that they have more than one screen giving you a greater chance that they are showing something you'll want to see. They typically run 3 films at a time - often something in the art-house/indie genre and then some more mainstream options. I like that they have little indulgences like Ritter chocolate bars at the concession stand in addition to the old standards like Junior Mints. The old-world detailing and photos of the theater's historical journey make your night out at the movies feel like a classy event. They also always supply summaries/reviews of each movie they are showing which I like to read after the show just in case I missed something (very helpful with flicks like 'Her' or 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' where you want to get another perspective). There are plenty of options for grabbing a drink and a bite before or after the show and Ambler provides that \"small town\" feel that is very much lacking in most of suburban America.", "timestamp": "2014-03-25T01:11:03" }, { "business_id": "AGlh4ZDv6jnoiYfz7At9mw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to walk right past this little shop underneath the Philadelphia Convention Center. This unassuming space is home to some of the best soup dumplings I've had on the East coast. Meals are fast and cheap here. Somehow, though, it still seems very romantic to share a dim sum meal with your beloved in this tiny hovel, amidst the bustle and grit of Center City. No one cares who you are or how you're dressed. You can have your \"When Harry Met Sally\" moment. Visiting Dim Sum Garden is a great place to meet a few friends so that you can all order various dishes and share. My recommendations include the soup dumplings, cucumber salad, and scallion pancake. The soup dumplings are practically made to order because the restaurant has a continually operating dumpling assembly line in the kitchen. Some of the staff have very little English proficiency so don't get too technical with your menu questions - just try something!", "timestamp": "2014-05-21T22:41:37" }, { "business_id": "0rVp5KwX0knbSEgGHKug2Q", "business_name": "The Comet Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "The Blue Comet is a neighborhood institution. Everyone you know has been there at least once except you. Well, really, everyone except me. I love the \"Cheers\" everybody-knows-your-name feel of the Blue Comet. The staff is exceedingly friendly and chances are you may have played soccer with them as a kid or gone to high school together because this place is all about keeping it local. Even if you're new to the place, you will still get greeted as if you already belong. If you want to eat, I recommend heading over early. This small space can be pretty crowded by 6:30pm. If if's a Saturday or Sunday, you'll have even fewer seating options as local musical talent like the Gin Canaries take over the stage where they usually have high-tops. The drinks are strong and the drink specials, like $2 PBR's and $6 martinis and Manhattans, are a good incentive to unwind after a long work week. The food is heavy on the comfort options that will soak up all the booze you imbibe - wings, fish and chips, meatloaf, burgers. They also feature specials and a fish of the day as well. The room can get a bit loud when the live music is going and people are chattering away, so factor that in when you think about bringing out-of-town guests or older relatives. Yes, they serve french fries, but don't bring the kiddies - it's not the kind of neighborhood bar where everyone will put up with your hipster toddler.", "timestamp": "2014-05-21T22:58:35" } ]	{ "business_id": "UUd81cZe5bpyFLwnYIZ6MA", "business_name": "Omoi Zakka Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "A great little shop to stumble upon while rambling around the city. The staff are so friendly and helpful - especially if you are trying to put together a gift for someone. You will find truly unique items here as the owner sources many of the offerings from Japan - think fabulous, adorable, brightly-colored bento boxes for toting your lunch to work; stationery staples like Blackwing Palomino pencils, washi tape, and Kaweco inks; fanciful letterpress cards and whimsical Philadelphia-themed tea towels; barware and handcrafted drink mixes; Meow Meow Tweet bath/body products....the list goes on. You're sure to enjoy browsing the artful displays and will find it difficult to leave without a little something for yourself.", "timestamp": "2014-10-25T17:55:12" }
uAu772KpSkb-tPFgZmU-lA	[ { "business_id": "_gaOrkYtODrxY0JlWFe-sQ", "business_name": "High Point Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Ever since my departure from New York City after graduating from college, I've been looking for a local place that's good for a caffeine buzz, light lunch, or study spot. Starbucks and other chain stores grossly fail to meet my above standards mostly because customers are generally treated as nameless, faceless drones. I found High Point after I joined the Weavers Way Co-Op in West Mount Airy and was hooked. The staff? Knowledgeable! Don't know the difference between a caffe latte and a hole in the ground? Don't worry, they'll take you through their great menu without the side condescension. Always courteous and friendly, even to the gaggles of kids that come in from the school across the street around 3pm. The drinks? Made to order, the right way, the first time. They even offer their own beans. The food? Amazing quiche and crepes made to order. A diverse array of taste bud temping baked goodies. And salads for the guilty folks. Best of all - you can load a gift card in the shop, write your name on it, and have it stored behind the counter for your next visit. No more digging nickels out of your pockets to get a fix. No worries, they also take plastic. They're also pretty eco-friendly and inspire their customers to be as well by offering a credit for anyone who brings their own mug or thermos. I love that you can form relationships here, bring your mom here, meet a potential date here. The bulletin board is filled with active posts about pets for adoption, mommy and me groups, etc. And I'm only a few yards from the Co-Op across the road for groceries.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T19:56:28" }, { "business_id": "tkQfxEYkL-Fq3Al0hH9hKg", "business_name": "The Cat Doctor", "rating": 5, "text": "Who knew taking your cats to the vet could be this pleasant!? A friend recommended that I take my kitties here after I moved from the 'burbs. The staff is WONDERFUL! I get follow-up emails asking how my furrballs are doing after they've have procedures or sick visits. They're great about responding to questions by email. I was really impressed with the thorough \"report card\" I get after each visit. When my newest kitty got spayed, I got a full rundown on post-op care as if I was the one who have gone under the knife. Even when Bali had complications from the sutures, the staff was really supportive. No accusations of being an over-protective owner whatsoever. They handle cats gently and the exams are very thorough. They truly love their furry clients and treat owners with great respect and kindness.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T20:03:36" }, { "business_id": "8B_xigUkb_HxDvkXVa3LRw", "business_name": "Webb Cam", "rating": 5, "text": "I found Webb Cam through my Dad. They may seem a little out of the way for some folks but they are well worth the trip. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable and they have a great selection of equipment. You never have to worry about the hassle of some nerdy Best Buy salesman breathing down your neck to buy, buy, buy. Even the mayor's official photographer shops here. If you're serious about your photos, check out Webb Cam.", "timestamp": "2008-09-25T02:51:07" }, { "business_id": "gwUJdtb5vdVEmpa75yPDsA", "business_name": "Richard Nicholas Hair Studio", "rating": 5, "text": "I started going to Richard Nicholas when I moved back to Philly from New York City after college. There was no way in hell I was going to use the stylist my mom goes to. The guy will spray you down with Lysol if you have the slightest sniffle. I found RN after browsing Philadelphia Magazine's website. Joanne came highly rated and I made an appointment with her. At the time, she had pink hair and I was a bit skeptical of what I might look like when I left the place. Joanne is wonderful, though. She's creative and a bit of a risk taker. If you want something new, she's the go-to gal. She also listened to what I wanted and didn't push me past my comfort zone. She's warm, friendly, and a good conversationalist if you're in a chatty mood. She also isn't a product-pusher. Come to think of it, no one at RN has ever pushed services or products on me. Also, I feel that their services are well priced considering the surrounding area. I never have to wait months to get an appointment, the staff is superb and unpretentious, and the shop has a nice modern feel to it. I highly recommend them.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:35:24" }, { "business_id": "nDXR7nnWXDlkTvlx3Qbqgw", "business_name": "WXPN Radio", "rating": 4, "text": "I want to give this 5 stars, but I miss the Barnard student run WBAR alot post-college. Also, I'd love it, like alot of folks, if Y-Rock were on more often. I do have to say that I can no longer listen to commercial radio now that I listen to XPN. I mean, B101.1 starts Christmas music right after Halloween! And let's not forget the idiot jocks on one station who were part of that whole fiasco where a chick died from water intoxication. I secretly enjoy Kids' Corner if I'm in the car at 7pm when it airs. You'd be surprised what you learn on that show. Bottom line - I like that there are musicians that I can recognize who are actually musicians and I like that they introduce me to new artists.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:59:15" }, { "business_id": "YqmClmk7oLcDzPWKHzgA-Q", "business_name": "South Philadelphia Tap Room", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here with a friend to get over my shitty Thanksgiving holiday. Being the weekend of a holiday, the place was quiet. I tried the Mom's Meatloaf which came with Mac and Cheese. The portions are generous to say the least. I'm a beer fan and enjoyed the offerings they had on tap. They have a good selection of your regular favorites and things off the beaten path. I would definitely go back and think the SPTR is probably good for groups of folks looking to get together. I also like that the staff seems relatively unpretentious. I especially enjoyed our waitress' amusing stories of the the whole chef saga.", "timestamp": "2008-12-01T03:17:06" }, { "business_id": "RoUP3lcY4wEtdASLNIcmSw", "business_name": "Water Works Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the Waterworks - the river, the historical architectural, the romantic lighting... But, the food could be a bit better. I've been here a few times for various meals and I've never been flat-out disappointed. I just haven't been wowed. My dad and I hosted a surprise 60th birthday party here for my mom this past September. The private party experience was by far better than the average dining experience. The staff were attentive, but not smothering and kept all the guests well stocked with mimosas and bloody marys throughout the morning. The brunch was a lavish spread that seemed to suit everyone's tastes. Overall, I think we got quite a bit for our money, considering the whole shindig was under $2,000. The event planner was especially wonderful. She was professional and receptive to our needs and wants for the event. I think they could improve some of their culinary offerings, but otherwise, it's a fine place to bring the parents when they're in town. Bonus: free valet parking on Sundays for brunch.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T01:41:04" }, { "business_id": "nIlmZLuMs0JuBRvAHSIf8Q", "business_name": "Bredenbeck's Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor", "rating": 5, "text": "I've loved this place since I was old enough to spill an ice cream cone on myself. This seems to happen every time! My mother always got our birthday cakes from this family-owned bakery and nothing seems to compare. The baked goods are always fresh and made with premium ingredients. The ice cream is equally delectable, especially considering their wide assortment of sundaes and other concoctions. It's the cake the brings me back again and again for all occasions. The final product is always artfully presented and, of course, delicious. I also enjoy the friendly staff. The place is a little cramped, but I find it charming and fitting with the rest of Chestnut Hill.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T04:59:31" }, { "business_id": "VHA-b1NH4tIZB_IVEf_pmA", "business_name": "Minado", "rating": 2, "text": "A family friend kept telling me that she HAD to bring me to Minado. I am not one for buffets at all, so I really balked at the idea of a sushi buffet, but I finally let her take me. First of all, the drive out there was ridiculously long. That's beside the point, though. I didn't think the sushi selection was anything to write home about - the items didn't seem well labeled and they never seemed to have enough. The rest of the food reminded me of chinese takeout and I felt a bit overwhelmed by the myriad choices. The screaming children didn't help either. I don't envision myself driving all the way out there again. I'll stick to the local sushi joints.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T05:07:50" }, { "business_id": "MACqP6DlXBwTsXOhp0C6AA", "business_name": "Delicious Boutique", "rating": 5, "text": "I ended up with a corset thanks to a recent ex-boyfriend of mine. Yeah, don't ask. Anyway, I ended up with a Delicious corset - the best thing to come out of said relationship. I really have very little knowledge about the world of corsets, but the product I received was fabulous, especially for the price. Hell, I'd pay that price just because of the teeny-tiny waist it gives once I'm cinched in. The materials are definitely top of the line and the construction is completely solid. I am definitely appreciative of the fact that they really do follow your measurements to the T. A corset is the perfect under(or over)garment to make a gal feel just sexy enough, rather than like a bare-it-all tramp.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T03:58:12" }, { "business_id": "Vxsq098z903XRXBq4IZWTw", "business_name": "PASSIONAL Boutique & Sexploratorium", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to be a fan of this store and, for a while, I was pretty excited that they existed. After living in New York City, however, they just don't compare to Babeland. They offer a decent selection of toys and other accessories, but their prices seem pretty high for the industry. This is especially true if you head up the block to their clothing store. Are there really people who spend hundreds of dollars on latex clothing? I do commend their very knowledgeable and friendly staff who seem to be well versed on various things from products to techniques. They even offer classes. Considering that Philadelphia is lacking in reputable, well-run, educational sex shops, they do a darn good job. I think I'll probably stick to visiting Babeland on runs to NYC, though.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:03:50" }, { "business_id": "2GYg3liJ9-m6Z67L_4_BRQ", "business_name": "Weavers Way Co-Op", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVE Weaver's Way and really disagree with some of the content in previous reviews. WW is not necessarily meant for convenience shopping. I am a single woman and I find that I have no trouble shopping at the co-op, during peak times or otherwise. I actually find the co-op to be a great place to shop if you live alone because I can get smaller quantities of items than if I shop at the corporate stores like Acme. I also enjoy the work hours - I've worked throughout the store, but most recently, I have been getting in my hours by participating in the membership committee. I wouldn't say that the community is necessarily made up of \"tree huggers\" and \"earth children\", though. The community is made up of a variety of similarly-minded folks from different backgrounds. I enjoy having a place to go to where I can obtain locally grown produce, a place that offers more natural, wholesome, and preservative-free foods than chain stores with prices way below that of Whole Foods. I enjoy interacting with other members and contributing to my local and global community. I don't find the membership fee or the work hours to be prohibitive being a single person vs. a family. I don't think that membership in a co-op is for everyone and, if you aren't single, it's definitely not a solo decision. If you're keen on being committed to the Weaver Way values, you couldn't find a better place to shop. If not, stick to the chain stores or just pay the 10% visitors' fee to pop in once in a while.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:13:43" }, { "business_id": "aZNiVR6oAMQX5__yGPvYsg", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "My first trip to Susanna Foo was at 6 months old when the restaurant was still a hole-in-the-wall takeout joint owned by Susanna's parents. My parents have been taking my brother and I ever since. I have many fond memories of Susanna fashioning dolls for us out of the linen napkins and preparing Chicken with Cashew Nuts when we refused to eat anything else. The food has always been reliable, but now that I am an adult, I find it lacking excitement. The service is always impeccable and I have never been disappointed by the overall decor or ambience. I'd like to see Susanna improve upon some of her traditional recipes by either adding new flavors or perhaps returning to her Chinese roots with a more ethnic menu. I'm hoping there will be a revitalization and that I will come to love Susanna Foo as much as I did as a child.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:24:16" }, { "business_id": "jZGqAdBlDnrP-J7--vdPxA", "business_name": "Beijing Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "If you work at HUP or UPenn, chances are you've visited Beijing. I don't understand the allure. I'd rather work a 12-hour shift on my busy oncology floor than eat here again. The food is greasy and has to be laced with a healthy dose of MSG. The flavors are mediocre and nothing on the menu stands out. The stale smell of cooking oil overwhelms the restaurant, making it hard for your taste buds to actually do their job. At least they allow you to substitute brown rice with no hefty charge. This is hardly the place to find \"authentic chinese\" fare. If you're a poor college kid/med student/grad student I won't hold it against you. If you can afford it, treat yourself to something classier.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T05:06:05" }, { "business_id": "wgyh6_YZt_ByA9iBbX5i7g", "business_name": "Body Graphics, Inc", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm new to the world of tattoos and went to Body Graphics for the first time ever this past summer to have a small piece done inside my left ankle. I sheepishly admit that I was pretty nervous since I wasn't sure how to go about the whole affair. Luckily, Andrew was working and made me feel completely at ease. We joked over my wanting a sheep tattoo and he drew up a couple of sketches before I settled on my favorite. He didn't gouge me on the price either and was completely supportive of my being a newbie to the whole tattoo process. He was extremely professional and fastidious about cleanliness and such. He was thorough in his explanation of caring for my newest piece of artwork and gave me his card in case I had any problems. There was no pretentious vibe from this guy and we had a good chuckle over the adorable sheep that now sits above my ankle. I'm planning to go back to get more work done and will definitely give an update then. For my first experience, Body Graphics was pretty great - a clean, professional shop, and Andrew is tops in my book.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T16:17:38" }, { "business_id": "o8J_QeVwDZAugMYNOPAgPQ", "business_name": "Marco Polo", "rating": 4, "text": "I give this 4 stars partly for reasons of nostalgia and partly because I actually like some of the dishes here. I grew up within walking distance of the restaurant in Elkins Park and had the (dis)pleasure of seeing it evolve over the years. I have to say that the food isn't as great since Chef Lo has left. I like that there is a seasonal component to the menu and that they do have pretty good specials. The traditional Italian dishes are a bit lackluster, but if you're not particular about your spaghetti... I do like that they serve bruschetta and olives instead of bread. The service is always snappy and friendly, especially since the manager circulates throughout the dining room on most nights. It's still a decent place to go with the parents.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T02:55:49" }, { "business_id": "dERS4qwl9v-Gwft-Ug8APA", "business_name": "West Ave Grille Jenkintown Restaurant and Food Truck ", "rating": 4, "text": "It was pretty exciting when West Avenue Grill opened up considering the lack of good eateries in the neighborhood. I've eaten here for brunch, lunch, and dinner on numerous occasions. The food is consistently good and there are yummy seasonal options that they add to the existing menu. Sometimes, the service leaves something to be desired if you get stuck with some high school newbie. There can definitely be a wait when all of the blue-haired ladies decide they want to lunch (or see a movie at the theater down the street). They offer a decent array of beers beyond the standards that most restaurants carry. The outdoor seating for warm weather is a plus as well.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:07:00" }, { "business_id": "JmzNw0WCPmZPZdq5nx9brg", "business_name": "Kitchen Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "My mother likes to drag me here when I pop by the house. The menu is a little overwhelming consider the array of choices that mix flavors from different parts of the globe. They also have some of the unhealthiest options I've seen in quite a while. Is that a whole cow between those buns? The portions are hearty to say the least, but the food still isn't anything to write home about. I find the flavors to be muddled or hidden beneath too much spice. It's a good place for mom and dad to take the kiddies on a Saturday night. It's also popular with meat-head men and their dates looking to get trashed while they watch the latest game. The bar still allowed smoking as of my last trip and that was a major turn-off as the smoke tends to waft into the dining room. Plus: the Abington Pharmacy next door where you can grab some chocolates to replace the unoriginal dessert you just ate next door.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:15:04" }, { "business_id": "ZF0tt7hn6WK3-aNWgtLcFA", "business_name": "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site", "rating": 5, "text": "ESP is another Philadelphia site that I enjoy wandering around. The staff members here are incredibly well educated as most have backgrounds in history, architecture/preservation, anthropology, etc. I recently became a member and have enjoyed the special perks they provide like \"behind the scenes\" tours of the hospital ward and kitchens of the prison - areas that aren't open to the general public. ESP is also a wonderful academic resource for those conducting research on related topics. The place is a photographer's dream with the abundance of natural light that filters in through the stone, not to mention the interesting architectural details. I even recommend the Halloween bash \"Terror Behind the Walls\". If you can stand the hyper-active teenagers, it's a good scare. I'm not sure if the hardhat requirement still persists, but be aware that ESP is in a state of ruin. I also believe that children under a certain age are not permitted, but I would double-check. Also, there aren't bathroom facilities except for a lone port-a-potty or two on the grounds.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:45:11" }, { "business_id": "uI5k9lJkWlKi6OUW5yYIpQ", "business_name": "Benjamin Lovell Shoes", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm very picky about shoes. I want to put something stylish yet original on my feet without having to suffer hours of pain throughout the day. I have a bit of a hard-to-fit foot due a high instep, but I always manage to find something to suit my mood. I prefer the Rittenhouse store to the Manayunk and South St. locations. I think that all three stores have relatively good selections, but I seem to find my favorites at the Rittenhouse shop. They carry many brands that you won't find at other department or bargain stores: Tsubo, Camper, Everybody, MBT, Naot, Birkenstock, Ugg, and more. It's no secret that alot of their shoes come with a considerable price tag if you're used to stores like Payless or DSW, but I find the brands offered at Benjamin Lovell wear better and last longer than many others I've owned. I've always received prompt, courteous service from the staff members. If they are out of stock in my size, they have never hesitated to try and order what I'm looking for. The sale section is also worthwhile if you're looking for more of a bargain. Benjamin Lovell has become one of the few places where I will shop for shoes. Definitely check them out for wide selection of Dansko and Mephisto shoes, or if you're looking to break out of the mold a bit. Do we really need another pair of Tory Burch flats walking through the city?", "timestamp": "2008-12-05T03:02:38" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I enjoyed myself at Monk's. It's a good standby to have in your arsenal for the out-of-town guests, but not great. Our service was a bit spotty and I felt like our waitress was totally uninterested in us. I enjoyed the burger I ordered, but the fries were nothing to rave about. Also, it annoys me when places make you order fries as a side instead of just providing them with your meal. Of course, the beer selection is enough to make your head spin.I had a few tasty brews that made the trip worthwhile. Maybe next time I'll just come for drinks and skip the food.", "timestamp": "2008-12-10T02:44:32" }, { "business_id": "R1aHeUAwUF1Qkpacrn2Njw", "business_name": "Hideaway Music", "rating": 4, "text": "I don't buy very many cd's anymore. iTunes just makes it too easy to have instant access to many artists. However, when I want to have an actual disk, I head to Hideaway. If I had a record player I would totally buy vinyls here as well as their selection looks pretty sweet. I love that I can almost always find what I'm looking for. And if I can't? They'll order it for me. I prefer the posters that line the Hideaway walls instead of running into grubby guys in Best Buy t-shirts. Check out the Chestnut Hill Coffee Co. up the way too if you're strung out on Starbucks.", "timestamp": "2008-12-11T00:34:18" }, { "business_id": "itwiCpfGR5xlUpawXrt4tA", "business_name": "Penn Campus Recreation", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Pottruck. I initially signed up because, as a HUP employee, I get a pretty sweet discount. I wasn't sure how much I'd actually like it since he place is huge and rather sterile feeling. After a couple of spins on the elliptical, I realized that I was extremely pleased with the facility. Pottruck is clean and spacious enough to handle hundreds of people a day. I have never had to wait for a machine and I have never encountered out-of-order equipment. The machines have iPod jacks that will play your music through the machine AND charge your iPod at the same time. The hours are great - I can go early in the morning, later at night, and anytime in between. The staff, for the most part, is really friendly, accommodating, and helpful. One afternoon, I forgot my lock and one staff member offered to watch my stuff while I worked out so that I wouldn't have to hunt for a quarter locker. I like that they have day lockers where you can supply your own lock. This means not having to shell out extra dough for a place to stash your stuff during your work out. The juice bar is a plus as well if you're in need of a bottle of water or a recovery shake. I can't yet comment on the the classes, but I'm looking forward to trying a few come spring. Pottruck offers alot from classes, to rock climbing and an outdoors club, to the pool, and their Penn Fit Program. They also offer personal training and massage therapy which I am looking forward to trying. The best part for me is that they are a part of the Blue Cross' Healthy Lifestyles program - after 120 workouts, I get $150 back from my health insurance company.", "timestamp": "2008-12-12T02:42:27" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "I still love the PMA. I took myself to see the Gee's Bend exhibit today. Normally, I meander through exhibits on my own, but today I decided to take the free guided tour. I have to say having a tour guide really made a difference. The woman could have been a little more friendly - I felt she was a tad brusque in her answering of questions - but her knowledge of quilting, quilt design and the Gee's Bend aesthetic made up for her demeanor. Since she had met with the women/artists when they came for the opening of the exhibit so we was able to share all sorts of little bits of stories with us. The quilts were absolutely stunning and I'm inspired to break out the sewing machine. I really enjoyed the photography mini exhibit at the beginning with intimate portraits of some of the artists. The 28 minute documentary at the Perelman center was a great addition and another way to \"meet\" the quilters. I like that the museum continued the exhibit in Perelman by adding examples of Victorian and Amish quilting. This is only the second time in my life that I have bought the \"coffee table book\" of an exhibit, but I was so taken with the Gee's Bend exhibit that I couldn't resist. Also, there were double discounts for members! I also popped into the James Castle exhibit which was equally fascinating. Once again, my membership pays for itself.", "timestamp": "2008-12-13T00:15:16" }, { "business_id": "jtMPW39yiv5CorhKfgUaTw", "business_name": "Daryl's Pastries", "rating": 5, "text": "I've come to realize that there are two kinds of people in this town: those who go to Dunkin Donuts and those who don't. I try to avoid DD if at all possible. Especially since I always seem to see them in the news when they get robbed at gunpoint. Also, let's face it people, their doughnuts leave something to be desired - I always seem to get something stale or a slightly soggy French Cruller. Daryl's, on the other hand, owns a special place in my heart. As a kid, I knew it was a special weekend if I found a crisp white box of Daryl's pastries and doughnuts on the kitchen table. Things I like about Daryl's: 1. Family owned and operated. 2. Everything is made fresh on the premises. 3. Best doughnuts ever! 4. They have breakfast sandwiches and coffee too. 5. The staff is friendly and speaks intelligible English. 6. There cakes and other pastries are just as tasty and well-made as their doughnuts.", "timestamp": "2008-12-20T15:34:13" }, { "business_id": "lH_UKAJy6YTa1ArfdACU4g", "business_name": "Olive Garden Italian Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll admit I enjoy a meal at Olive Garden every now and then when I'm craving artery-clogging bread sticks. I stopped by this location today for some take-out after shopping with my mom. While we didn't actually dine-in at this location, we did wait long enough to have to suffer through the obnoxious population of people streaming through the door. Is it just me or is this location chock full of women who have squeezed themselves into tiny outfits like sausages into ill-fitting casings? I didn't really think a 45 minute wait for take out was necessary given that we were there at 5pm. My spaghetti and italian sausage came with way over done sausage and they gave me meat sauce even though I specifically requested regular marinara sauce. My dad's lasagna looked like it was slapped together by a 3 year old, making me wonder if they tossed it from across the room into its container. My mom's chicken carbonara looked like it was already a left-over with slightly-congealed sauce over the noodles. Luckily, the breadsticks and salad saved the meal. Everyone gets their own portion of salad, the dressing comes in sealed take-out cups, and the servings of breadsticks are generous.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:32:49" }, { "business_id": "3Ce8r1K1O-2JKSMXdXID-w", "business_name": "Linvilla Orchards", "rating": 3, "text": "A friend and I hiked (not literally) to Linvilla this autumn to pick some apples for sauce and pies. Having visited other area orchards throughout my life, I was seriously surprised to find that this one is like some sort of kiddie wonderland complete with Pumpkinland, petting zoo, and stilt walkers. I thought I had possibly made a wrong turn along the way. Luckily, the actual apple orchard is across the road from all the juvenile madness. I was a bit disappointed in the selection they had at the time (early October) as we seemed limited to picking Red and Golden Delicious - two very unexciting apple varieties. I did manage to get a fair amount of Macoun's though which worked nicely for all the sauce I made. I managed to pick several pounds of apples (I completely overestimated how many pounds I am actually able to lift and schlep to my car) and only had to shell out $20 or so. Being childless, we happily skipped Pumpkinland, the train ride, and the petting zoo in favor of the country store. I scored a much needed apple sliver/corer and some decadent caramel dip. The pie line is insane and you'll need to use your elbows to keep your spot lest you get bullied out of the way by burly suburban soccer moms. The cider donuts are definitely worth the push and shove as well. I recommend the store for picking up all those culinary goodies you've always wanted to make but will never find the time in which to do so (chutney, jam, pickles, soups). Don't forget to pick up a gallon of apple cider for those chilly fall nights! I could do without the Six Flags-like atmosphere and the county fair-like food stands, though. The crowds are large and made up of people mostly under 4 feet tall. Expect parking delays, lots of walking, screaming and whining and tantrums. If, like me, you don't have kids, you can smile serenely and be happy that you don't have any sticky hands to wipe.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:49:18" }, { "business_id": "DRr5xdfHtqgWfhmdTU1B8Q", "business_name": "London Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to London Grill the other night with a friend. We arrived around 9pm and the place was relatively busy, but we were promptly seated. This is my second time to LG (I've previously been here for brunch with the parents). Honestly, I've had no problem with the service. Our particular server seemed overwhelmed, so another waiter stepped in to help her. Our meals were served fairly quickly - within 20 minutes of ordering. After a 12 hour shift at work, I had the best meal of the day at LG. I ordered the Roast BBQ pork which came with collard greens and macaroni and cheese. It's easy to screw up collard greens, but these were tender with a spicy/vinegar punch. The pork was cooked to perfection - moist with no hint of gristle. The barbecue sauce was equally tasty and didn't evoke the flavors of bottles sauces one bit. The macaroni was also delicious. They smartly avoiding \"dressing\" it up and stuck with ooey-gooey cheese and tender elbow noodles. My friend was equally pleased with his fish and chips. Their selection of beer is pretty impressive and this is one of the few places that seems to carry Strongbow cider (which they serve in a HUGE glass). Needless to say, we had a great time. The atmosphere is inviting and the atrium is a great place to sit even in the winter. Jeff is a great bartender and I was glad to have John and Brighid as our servers. I've definitely had no problems with service here.", "timestamp": "2009-01-05T08:21:06" }, { "business_id": "jHVotJhyPKOLuO7MVnmbtQ", "business_name": "Royal Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Some friends and I wandered into the Royal Tavern to continue my birthday celebration after leaving the South Philly Taproom. The place is tiny, but wasn't crowded when we arrived and we were able to grab seats at the bar. The bar tender was attentive and friendly and we didn't have to fight with other patrons to get drinks. We ordered a plate of Nachos which were some of the best I've had - lots of fresh tomatoes and cheese, generous helpings of guacamole and sour cream, and the chips were perfectly crisp instead of soggy or stale. The single strand of holiday lights above the wood bar lend a perfect ambience to the dimly lit tavern. The kitchen is open until 1am which is great for night owls. I was impressed by the beers that they had both in bottles and on draught - enough choices to suit a variety of tastes. I look forward to going back to try more of their culinary offerings, especially their brunch.", "timestamp": "2009-01-11T18:17:49" }, { "business_id": "6TPlb2eRasW6R0Fzz6T_JQ", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "For me, Susanna Foo's Gourmet Kitchen will never compare to her fine-dining establishment in Center City, but I was pleasantly surprised. My parents have known Susanna since she took over her parents' restaurant, Hunan's, and I have been sampling her culinary creations since I was 6 months old. So my fondness for Susanne Foo in general runs much deeper than the successes and failures I've seen her weather in the restaurant world. I had read the less-than-stellar reviews of the Gourmet Kitchen and wasn't really sure what to expect when my mom and I had lunch on my birthday. First of all, the decor is stunning - deep reds, golds, supple leather chairs, large circular chandeliers, deep vessel sinks in the washroom, and a modern-styled bar. I ordered a spicy tuna roll to start. Not knowing what to expect of sushi at a supposedly Chinese restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised - the fish was extremely fresh, tender, and totally lacking in any fishy taste. The spicy sauce wasn't one of those heavy mayo concoctions you sometimes encounter that over-powers the fish. For my entree, I ordered the crispy tofu with tomatoes in a kung pao sauce which was accompanied by fried rice, hot and sour soup, and steamed vegetables. My selection was delicious! The tofu was lightly crisped on the outside, yet tender in the middle and oozing the savory kung pao sauce. The vegetables were tender with a hint of crunch which preserved their unique flavors. The rice was light, fluffy, and lacking the oily heaviness you traditionally find in other establishments. Of course, the hot and sour soup is always my favorite - a perfect blend of spice and pucker. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday meal and look forward to going back to sample more dishes. I also felt that the pricing was reasonable - my mother and I both had appetizers and entrees, all for $40 dollars. The service, too, was impeccable.", "timestamp": "2009-01-20T17:11:56" }, { "business_id": "oa5h-kz5oFYHBKpasKYXQw", "business_name": "Charlie Gray's Rib Crib", "rating": 4, "text": "As a kid I had this phobia of meat on the bone (ribs, chicken legs, pork chops, et al.) I know someone is going to turn that into a crass joke, but it's true. So, as I kid, the only thing I really ever ate from the Rib Crib was the macaroni salad. At some point my dad put his foot down, saying that it was just un-African American to dislike ribs. How can you ignore that challenge? The Rib Crib is an institution in Germantown and in our family with many a Friday night spent covered in barbecue sauce. I love that you can watch the meat being smoked right in the open pit as you wait for your order. At their best, Rib Crib ribs are smokey with fall-off-the-bone tender meat, and slathered in a sweet/tangy/spicy sauce. Unfortunately, you don't always get perfection, which is disappointing given the fact that they are open only a few days a week. I agree with Mark C. - the joint is take out only and it's frustrating to get home with your order to realize that it's been and \"off day\" at the Crib. In my opinion, the tangy macaroni salad can't be beat and there's nothing better than sopping up extra sauce with fluffy slices of white bread. The friendly staff can't be beat, though, and the owner has been active in the community for years. Of course, you can't miss the myriad photos of prominent black folks that adorn the walls of the small space. Those photos were some of my earliest lessons in Black History. For a biracial kid from the 'burbs, this is a place where I was actually able to connect with my African American heritage. The Rib Crib is worth a try if you're into hitting barbecue spots around the Philly area, but they may no longer be the best in the business.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T17:47:44" }, { "business_id": "E52a-tWfAVUigt1ArF711w", "business_name": "Joseph Fox Bookshop", "rating": 5, "text": "I was in Joseph Fox yesterday. It's my go-to spot when I've had a bad day. I received a call that a book I had requested was in store. I've been trying to get my hands on a copy of \"Revolutionary Road\" since I refuse to see the movie before reading the book. One of the saleswomen had pulled a copy from a recent shipment and held it for me. The best part? She had put aside a non-movie cover copy for me. \"You just seemed like the kind of woman who wouldn't want a copy with Leonardo DiCaprio slathered all over it.\" How right she was! I ended up leaving with that, a copy of Madame Bovary, and Persepolis I and II. Again, the service was friendly and impeccable. I think I've sworn off big-box bookstores for good. I also find solace in that I am not the only customer in this bookstore not reading Stephanie Meyer's \"Twilight\" series, whereas Borders seems to bombard me with displays. Also, at Joseph Fox, I don't have to deal with the extraneous other junk other stores sell.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T18:12:44" }, { "business_id": "Vcn_cuQNKRF0eQ16TXVaXQ", "business_name": "The Night Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is for the recent batch of cupcakes I had from The Night Kitchen. I was really disappointed with them, or mostly the icing. I hope it was just a fluke, but the icing was terrible! It was like a little rosette of lard on top of a not-so-moist, crumbly cake. Waaaay too much butter and way too little whipping. I didn't even finish the whole cake because of the terribly cloying taste. Also, the cakes are tiny in comparison for their cost. Now when I go to TNK, I stick to their cookies.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:18:32" }, { "business_id": "HZDJl_MpCBz2_juU1BvDTw", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 1, "text": "I wish there were Waffle Houses this far north. If there was I would quickly trade IHOP for them. I love IHOP, or rather \"loved\" them. It's hard to let go of those childhood memories of days off from school and pancake breakfasts that included chocolate chips of all things. Today's trip was just terrible. Of course the wait is long because people crawl out of the woodwork to get to this place on the weekend. It's the only place I ever see other black folks in Jenkintown! We've been the only black family on my Elkins Park block for years, but we're not alone at IHOP. Weird. We were seated fairly quickly and our drink orders were taken. 15-20 minutes later we were still liquid-less; as were the surrounding tables being serviced by the same waitress. After a chat with the manager, we received our drinks. Another long wait forced us to hijack another waitress just to get our food orders in. By the time all was said and done, breakfast had turned into a 2-hour affair. It would have been nice to see the manager be a bit more involved on a busy Saturday when several customers were lacking decent service. Contrary to the tv commercials, the food just isn't worth hanging around all morning with screaming children.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "6w6wDhgTzteP1tCBvK6fnw", "business_name": "Loie", "rating": 4, "text": "I met a friend here for brunch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The place was really empty and I was a bit skeptical. If a brunch place is empty at noon on a Sunday, it doesn't say much about the food, etc. The emptiness, however, meant that we were seated and attended to promptly. The prix-fixe menu includes all-you-can-drink Mimosas or Bloody Marys. My friend and I each started with a Mimosa. I was pleased that they weren't overly skimpy on the champagne. I started with their garden salad which is pretty large and just right on the dressing. Not too dry and not swimming in oil. I ordered an omelette which was chock-full of my favorites: cheese, spinach, and mushrooms. The dish was cooked perfectly - the eggs weren't runny or overcooked and they came with wonderfully seasoned diced new potatoes. The service continued to be wonderful even as the restaurant filled up. The atmosphere was cozy and I enjoyed our seats by the large, open windows in the front. I'm sure this place is quite lovely in the warmer months. I would definitely consider this spot for out-of-town guests, family, and friends. You won't have to smash your piggy bank for a good meal.", "timestamp": "2009-04-08T04:52:18" }, { "business_id": "K3RURR9lIEE4JjOaPt99zg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been trying to get in for a meal at Sabrina's for months now. I wish someone had told me that they are only open until 4pm two days a week as it seems that those were the days when I tried to go for dinner. I was able to try out their lunch menu earlier this week with my mom and her friend. Being a Monday afternoon, the place was relatively quiet and we were seated immediately. The menu was a little daunting since you can get everything from eggs to cheesesteaks. I settled on a veggie burger with portobello mushrooms and cheddar cheese + the parmesan fries. I rounded things out with an ice cold rootbeer opting for the increased caloric hit rather than subject myself to Diet Rite. The burger was hearty and delicious - you'd have hardly known it wasn't meat with all of the mushrooms. I was quite happy to not have received anything wimpy and previously frozen from a cardboard box. The cheese was perfectly gooey and resembled nothing like those chemically concocted slices you find elsewhere. The fries were the best thing on the plate, though. Who would have thought that parmesan cheese could significantly elevate the humble french fry? The service was average - nothing spectacular. I did catch a little bit of hipster vibe from one of the servers, but such attitudes are becoming harder to avoid in most city neighborhoods. The only thing that could have made the day better? If they hadn't been out of key lime pie.", "timestamp": "2009-05-15T16:57:07" }, { "business_id": "XBwxCXPE8MX1aMs-zT1-Fg", "business_name": "Studio 34", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been wanting to take an African dance class since college but loathed the idea of hopping around with mostly white, mostly classically trained dancers at my liberal arts institution. Then I moved back to Philly and thought about taking a class at the UPenn gym where I am already a member. However, the whopping class fee - uh, hello, I already pay a yearly fee! - and thought of suffering the annoyances of the UPenn female undergrad population - why are you plastered to your Blackberry while working out?! - was equally unappealing. A friend of mine raved about Studio 34 and the work exchange program she had done there. Lo and behold, they have a weekly, drop-in African dance class for...wait for it, wait for it....$10! Yes, $10! Luckily, that price does not include snarky undergrads. I went to my first class on a rainy Sunday and had a great time. There were only three other people present, but I felt immediately comfortable and supported despite my complete lack of dance ability or training. By the end of the class, I was moving along just as well as the other folks. The teacher, Assumane, is wonderful and enthusiastic and you can't help but want to give it your best shot even if your left foot won't listen to your brain. This class is a great workout, especially for someone like me who isn't very in tune with her body but hates toiling away on a machine. You use all parts of your body in these dances from Guinea-Bissau and therefore, you kind of just make peace with whatever wobbly bits you've got. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that this is a weekly ongoing class. I don't have to worry about schedule interferences because I know I can always go the next week. You can't beat $10 to try something out. I look forward to trying some of their yoga classes as my body confidence improves. I am also much impressed by their commitment to the community, the friendliness of the staff, and the welcoming physical space.", "timestamp": "2009-05-16T02:33:07" }, { "business_id": "u7cZUEGK6iJP2gvI22xY2A", "business_name": "Memphis Taproom", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is still awesome. Roasted mushroom grinder = way better than any cheesesteak I've had in this town. I know, sacrilege, right? The atmosphere was better this time and our party didn't get shushed for adult-themed topics. I still don't love that lots of folks bring their kids here, though. Sometimes, I like to go out to eat and avoid toddling children who wander over unattended. I love that they have Sam Smith's Organic Cider in bottles, Allagash Tripel, and Monk's Sour Ale - some of my favorite libations. The fried pickles and suicide rings still light my fire. If only I could find a boy as yummy as they are instead of tables of canoodling couples.", "timestamp": "2009-06-27T19:47:17" }, { "business_id": "EPMHuTHu46B123ivRIZ-Xg", "business_name": "Magic Carpet", "rating": 5, "text": "The Magic Carpet truck is the only lunch truck I frequent. I can guarantee that I can get a sizeable portion of food that will do my body good for about $5. All of the food is prepared by the Magic Carpet folks in their offsite, commercial kitchen so you won't be getting frozen falafel balls here. Their portions are generous enough to cover you for lunch and the afternoon munchies that hit later in the day. It's best to try and sneak in early right around Noon or you are sure to have to contend with a substantial queue. Just like Pat's or Geno's, be sure to know what you want, how you want it before it's your turn or the other hungry customers are sure to grumble as you hem and haw over El Gringo or Magic Meatballs. Definite pros: - no cross contamination from meats - no msg laden crap - folks who speak great english - freshly prepared meals - beverage options that aren't just huge bottles of sugar-y soda Cons: - the long line - having to choose between lots of tasty options.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:21:06" }, { "business_id": "W_vlLO_fS_MuLTvxt1B7AA", "business_name": "Brewers Outlet Of Mt. Airy & Chestnut Hill", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best beer distributor out of the ones I've hit in the 'burbs. I grew up going to Madonna's on Easton Road, but because it's a drive-through, you've got to know what you want when you reach the window. Frosty Caps on 611 comes complete with a guy who looks like John Travolta, but mainly services the Miller Light crowd. Brewer's Outlet is one-stop shopping for beer, cider, and the Vintage seltzer that I love. I wish I could afford to buy an entire case of the Allagash Tripel ($74), but I'll have to stick to drinking it by the glass at Memphis Taproom. I can't confirm that they're over-priced on some goods because I rarely find the brews I like at other distributors. Most people's reaction to my query about Samuel Smith's Organic Cider is \"huh?\" A major boon is their swap policy. Buying a case of something from a microbrewery? Want to try a bottle of that local ____ before buying the whole case? Swap a bottle of yours for a bottle of theirs! Again, it's also convenient to be able to pick up bottled water and the like at the same spot. I've also never gotten those stares male employees sometimes give women that say \"You're picking out the beer? That party's going to suck.\" The employees are helpful without any hints of snobbery. FYI: I'm listing this place as \"pricey\" because the beverages I like don't tend to come cheap.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:31:42" }, { "business_id": "rIqkOMxkeoqvUzl909gNmQ", "business_name": "Kiwi Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "I like the fact that I can exercise my own version of portion control at this new Univ. City establishment. I do wish they had cups smaller than their smallest one, though, because it's hard to know when you've overdone it until you're paying $6 for fro-yo. I mixed the original tart and pumpkin. Both had exceptionally good flavor. The pumpkin actually tasted like pumpkin pie - neither too sweet nor too spicy. Unfortunately, I think some folks believe that fro-yo equals a completely guilt free treat. In reality, you can't really frequent the place several times in a week and expect not to pay for it. Yeah, they use HFCS, but I'm ok with that because I'm not eating there every week. I also like that I can indulge in sinful toppings like snickers bars and chocolate sauce if I'm so inclined. As someone with a nut allergy, I'm glad the place isn't overflowing with all manner of those options. I think the self-serve option is great and it's fun to swirl unusual flavors together. I feel like this a great place for students unlike some of the more pretentious-feeling venues in center city. Dessert should be fun - and I don't necessarily want to cover it in fruit and granola after long day.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:11:18" }, { "business_id": "Kdq1xfIFIKOdO-qW-_tg8A", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "First off - I wouldn't describe this establishment as Asian Fusion. I recall reading that they serve \"Contemporary American\", but I could have made that up. Some friends and I dined here for Restaurant Week Fall 2009 and it as a darn good choice. The wrap-around windows really make for a lovely atmosphere. The cocktails were creative and I enjoyed vodka for the first time in a long while. I also like the long, bar-like table that runs the length of the restaurant, providing extra seating that doesn't make you feel as if you are sitting on top of your neighbor. I was impressed with the menu and the number of choices they provided. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer and say that my meal was fantastic. I started with the heirloom tomato gazpacho with lemon sorbet. The lemon sorbet added a wonderfully cool, summer flavor to the spice of this Spanish soup without diluting the overall tomato flavor. The rolls were wonderfully textured - chewy and warm inside with a crisp crust. The wasabi butter was a definite bonus. My main course of roasted free-range chicken, brussels sprouts, and yukon mashed potatoes was hearty and delicious. The brussels sprouts were especially superb and lacked all trace of the pungent horseradish flavor they sometimes acquire during cooking. Dessert was a lovely little trio chosen beforehand - apple pie, warm chocolate tarte, and ginger ice cream. Our server was attentive, but not overbearing and was especially knowledgeable about the wine selections. I'd recommend this venue for all manner of dinners: dates, parents in town, friends, or even just to treat yourself.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:25:13" }, { "business_id": "Z6WntA-h-vBAQ3Xoe2Xy6Q", "business_name": "Brickbat Books", "rating": 5, "text": "I stumbled into this shop after previous afternoons of passing it by because I talked myself out of going into yet another bookshop. This space is different, though. This is where my fellow book snobs and I can congregate. I make no apologies for eschewing \"beach reads\", Jodi Picoult, and just about most things sold at the big box stores. With so many books in the world, one really does have to have discriminating tastes, don't you think? I love that they have great bits of Edward Gorey 1st editions. I love that there was a James Joyce reading group taking up most of the room. I picked up a loved copy of The Grapes of Wrath (why is this never in when I'm at the library!?) and a vintage edition of The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen. Nevermind that I have no clue who Elizabeth Bowen is, the cover of the plastic-wrapped petite paperback was calling my name. This is where you go to find diamonds in the rough for your literary collection - titles people will pull off of your shelf and say \"I've never seen this before\" and you can tell them all about the day you stumbled into Brickbat and found a new love.", "timestamp": "2009-11-10T00:57:25" }, { "business_id": "-DGsnMlRrR_tv8avrpQLQw", "business_name": "Sam's Morning Glory Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend and I decided on Wednesday morning brunch in order to catch up and unwind post-holiday. I'd passed Morning Glory a number of times while in the neighborhood, but hadn't ever eaten there. I like the vibe - it felt much less pretentious than in Sabrina's where I feel out of place with only one tattoo and feet not shod in Converse. I have to say that I wouldn't attempt to eat here with your 10 best friends, though, as space is an issue. There was no wait when we arrived at 10am, but I was surprised at how quickly the place filled up on a Wednesday in January - does no one work these days? This also isn't place where you can linger over a cup of coffee for hours given said lack of space. The staff will probably appreciate you much more if you pay your check in a timely manner and vamoose if there are people waiting. That being said, my Irish oatmeal was lovely. I was grateful that it wasn't soupy, but just right. Baby Bear would have approved. It was topped with a generous helping of strawberries, bananas, and blueberries. I also ordered a side of turkey sausage which was delicious and fork-tender. Few people probably care about this, but I found it charming that they serve their coffee in large tin mugs instead of the usual white ceramic stuff. My friend ordered a hearty portion of eggs, turkey sausage, and biscuit - which looked thoroughly delicious, but equally taxing on one's gallbladder. Maybe I'll for it next time, when I'm not contending with post-holiday pudge. The staff was great and quick with the coffee refills.", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T15:56:56" }, { "business_id": "TeHlA3PjMCAwJSLymjhz3A", "business_name": "Beans", "rating": 4, "text": "Was surprised to see that Beans opened a new location while in the city the other day. I've never been overly impressed by their other locations in the suburbs. If this store doesn't have it, you probably don't need it. And if you're looking for stuff on the cheap (ie: no $20 blow dryers here), this probably isn't the shop for you. The store is actually really lovely with high ceilings and an open feeling. They've got tons of products for just about anything you could imagine from hair color to nail polish to styling tools. I got a lot of (as in probably just a tad more than I like) help in selecting a hair dryer since I've gasp never owned one! I decided to go with something that will die probably after I do. I appreciate that my new hair dryer also comes with a free class in how to actually use the thing to achieve the style I want. They also do repairs! And who doesn't like a free pouch of jelly beans with each purchase?", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T23:29:22" }, { "business_id": "fhoqmnw5sXzj91-7yBW0Kw", "business_name": "Mugshots Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I ordered the Aztec hot chocolate one afternoon which nearly had me choking due to the amount of cayenne pepper that was in the drink. I thought the idea was to give your tastebuds a hint of heat, not send you into a coughing fit. I'm also kind of annoyed by the whole wi-fi set up. When you purchase a beverage, you get an hour of wi-fi through a code they give you. Essentially, you've got to make another purchase every hour to stay connected. I think I would rather pay a flat fee up front than having to keep purchasing more food/drinks. I wasn't too pleased with the fact that I had also ordered a sandwich, but the person who took my order only put in for my beverage. I should have caught it when I paid, but my mind was elsewhere. I ended up waiting for 20 or so minutes before I realized. I would also appreciate if Mugshots could put some kind of time limit on those who are taking up tables. Is it really fair to spread out your laptop and school books and take up a seat for hours on end when other people would like to sit and enjoy their beverage?", "timestamp": "2010-01-15T21:14:33" }, { "business_id": "M1q0l_VuI6MqRYLWGVhCCw", "business_name": "The Belgian Café", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite Schuyler L.'s run-in with soggy French Toast at brunch, I still enjoy this place. A few friends took me out for a belated-birthday drink. As usual, I had to request the Monk's Flemish Sour Ale which I now have several other friends veritably addicted to. It's sweet and refreshing with a hint of tang. I also tried the Young's Chocolate Stout which was delicious - rich, velvety, great foamy head. Essentially, it's dessert in a beer. The can also contains this thing called a \"widget\" which releases nitrogen once you pop the top to simulate what would happen if it were on tap. It blends the stout into creamy goodness so don't be alarmed by something rolling around at the bottom of your can. I tried to Reuben sandwich which was surprisingly delicious for how little meat I eat. Tender corned beef, gooey swiss cheese, and crisp buttery bread. Of course, there were fries as well with a generous portion of their dipping sauce. We also shared an item off of the dessert menu, but I can't recall the name. Basically, they're awesome cinnamon-sugared doughnuts. They come with a caramel dipping sauce, but I found it too rich for my blood. The doughnuts are warm and made of a dense cake that crumbles in your mouth. It puts anything you'd get at Dunkin' Donuts to shame by a lot. All in all, another fantastic evening!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:00:05" }, { "business_id": "f88P1gIbRpRzsYAHj9hGdA", "business_name": "Sid Booker's Shrimp", "rating": 5, "text": "(I think I may be giving it 5 stars for sentimental reasons, but I've also got some legit claims) So I grew up in a white Jewish neighborhood. Sometimes my father, who was African American, just had to flee the scene to get a taste of his childhood. This meant that we'd often make our way down Broad Street to Sid Booker's. If you can get past the bullet-proof screen and the little lazy-susan they use to take in cash and serve up fried goodies, I recommend you stop by once in your life. Oh, this place may be in what you consider the \"ghetto\" but it ain't cheap (honestly, if it were cheap, I'd be concerned about the ingredients they were using) so hit the ATM first. I don't really love shrimp, but I do adore Sid Booker's fried version. Large, plump, tender, and with a crisp batter that will make your arteries weep. We'd take our foil wrapped bundles home and have a little feast as if we were in Richmond with the family and not in Elkins Park. The ladies there are always kind, but they do a brisk business at certain times of day so don't expect a whole lot of chit chat. Note: This is take-out only and you're going to have to wait on the corner or in your car for a bit while they get your order ready. Contrary to El S.' review, I don't think you're likely to get taken down in a drive-by here as there are usually lots of folks. But like any denizen of a city, I wouldn't be hoppin' in the car for shrimp at 11pm if I wasn't a card-carrying member of that particular 'hood.", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:11:06" }, { "business_id": "O286wXm4mcznQn_1JieD1g", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "So back in December when Silk put out their yearly Soy Nog and Pumpkin Spice flavors, I had trouble deciding which one to buy. I had already tried their soy nog and thought about just sticking with a good thing. On the other hand, the pumpkin spice could be awesome. I was in the middle of this dilemma when one of the guys stocking the case noticed my perplexed look. He popped open a pumpkin spice for me and let me sample it. After I decided I really liked it, he marked the carton as a sample and I got to take it home for free! Now that's customer service!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:34:50" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I always enjoy coming to this theater. Below is a brief outline of why. 1. The seats are comfortable and, unlike many of the theaters in NYC, were not made for very short, very thin people. 2. Continuing on the theme of seats...There are no bad seats due to the intimate nature of the theater. 3. $10 student tickets for Sunday evening performances. Don't forget your student ID, though. If you forget your ID, Will-Call will not give you the student price. 4. They have Junior Mints at the concessions stand. 5. I have always enjoyed the productions they host. Avant-garde enough to make you seem as if you are culturally in-the-know, but not so strange that you'll be yawning for 2 hours. 6. Great set designs and creative use of space. I love their minimalist approach for most things. 7. If you're not a student, no worries! They've still go cheap seats for you twenty-somethings. Bring an ID to confirm your age and you can get tickets for $22.50. I saw Becky Shaw - it was fantastic and is now running through early Feb. Go see it!", "timestamp": "2010-01-25T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "Rmx12lwZbs94MkPaS2o7vw", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "Checking out this brand-spanking-new WFM was the highlight of my weekend. I am aware of just how lame that sounds but, with all the hype, I wasn't going to be left out. This store is easily twice the size of the one in Jenkintown. I love how it's as shiny as a newly minted penny. I didn't get to check each department out as closely as I would have liked due to the sheer throngs of people in there, but here is what I like so far: - Large produce section with an impressively number of organic items. I grabbed some golden turnips, tomatillos, and Italian broccoli. - Impressive fish and meat offerings - alot more prepared items (like the things they pre-marinate or stuff, etc) - Expanded bulk foods section where you can get all the barely or oats or stevia your heart desires. - Huge frozen selection! I didn't know WFM had their own brand of shoestring fries. I often supplement my recipes with frozen veggies in winter and they had everything I needed. - Easy to navigate body care, etc section with more products than my eyeballs could take. - The salad/prepared foods bar of my dreams. - Yogurt stocked so that they come out one at a time (kind of like a vending machine). No worries about having to hunt through a mess of flavors and brands. - The aisles are fairly wide and I was able to maneuver my cart pretty well without getting run into despite the crowd. Nothing can be done about the 80 year old women who shuffle along like it's a Sunday stroll, wide aisle or not. In a perfect world WFM would only have seasonal produce (strawberries are not native to the NE in January), but that's my own personal preference with regards to diet and health. Next time, I plan to actually try some of the food they've got on hand and pop into the pub. Of course, it's still \"Whole Paycheck\" but for my produce and specialty ingredients, this place is still #1.", "timestamp": "2010-01-30T22:14:30" }, { "business_id": "s2JiYzE7i68cXIV6YEcVTw", "business_name": "Local 44", "rating": 4, "text": "Came here for lunch the other day. The place was dead at 2pm, but I didn't mind. The bartendress was very friendly and she kept me entertained. I ordered the fish and chips upon her suggestion and was thoroughly pleased. The batter had a delicious, buttery quality to it and the the fish had a lovely creamy taste. Hard to describe, but I quite enjoyed it. The dish comes with fries and hush puppies which seemed like too many carbs, but still yummy. The fries are hand-cut and well seasoned. The hush puppies were the best I've had above the Mason-Dixon line and I couldn't help but think they'd taste amazing with vanilla ice cream. They've got quite a few of my favorite beers on tap including Allagash White and Monk's Sour Flemish Ale. The atmosphere is very warm with lots of dark wood and I'm sure it's a popular spot in the evening. The bartendress and I got into a conversation about UPenn undergrads trying to sneak in on the weekends and it seems they've got a pretty good system for keeping the wee ones out. Apparently, they've thwarted quite a few wily undergrads with fake ID's. I wouldn't say this place is mainly for UPenn students (whatever their age) but a place that's trying to provide more options for folks north of 40th street. It just so happens that many of those who live in that area are also students or employees of Penn (they are the largest employer in the city afterall). So pop by, grab a beer and a burger, and let the security staff take care of the interlopers.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:04:15" }, { "business_id": "u9XTeDl_If4U5Eixl6ys7g", "business_name": "The Foodery", "rating": 4, "text": "You'll need an adequate amount of time to spare if you're going to stop by The Foodery. I don't know how anyone could walk in and walk out in under 10 minutes. Half the fun is just looking at the labels of bottles from various breweries. I almost found myself choosing my beer based on which ones had the best labels. I've chosen books like that, and it never works out very well. I love any place that offers DIY 6-packs. I also love that their selection is pretty comprehensive, featuring some of the best beers that our city, country, and globe has to offer. The guys behind the counter were friendly and didn't look at me like some damsel in distress when I asked their advice on certain bottles. As previous reviews have stated, if you want to avoid sticker shock, look up the individual beer prices in the manifest or you might find yourself with a hefty bill. I spent $50 on 12 bottles (an assortment of Young's Chocolate Stout, Schneider Weiss, Allagash, Monk's, and Stoudt's). You're sure to be the hit of any party, especially if other people have brought anything closely resembling Bud Light. Me? I prefer to relax and have a night in with my special purchases and a friend or two. I was so enamored with the beer selection that I barely glanced at the rest of the store, so that's on my agenda for next time.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:24:05" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "So, I liked this place the first two or three times I went when I lived in NYC. However, the fourth and fifth times are not the charm, even when dining at the Philly location. I am constantly disappointed by how many of their offerings contain tree nuts. I know it's more or less my problem that I'm allergic to some of the tastiest nuts out there, but do they need to be in all things chocolate? I end up with only two or three choices of dessert because something or other always contains hazelnuts that cannot be left off the item. I also find that the portions are nowhere near comparable to the prices they charge. I'm not an individual who bases my like or dislike of an establishment solely on portion size, but I don't enjoy paying $20 for something I could have essentially made at home. I shared a chocolate fondue for two with a friend and I think there were exactly two of everything: two strawberries, two marshmallows, etc. The staff is friendly, but nothing to write home about as the place seems to hum like a well-oiled machine. Everything comes at a staccato-like pace if they are not super crowded: you are seated, your order is taken, your order arrives, you eat, plates are cleared, you pay, you leave. It's not a place where I feel I can linger a bit and savor the experience. The concept is great and the menu (at least with regards to dessert) has the potential to be quite delicious and satisfying, but I am always left feeling that something is missing, that something could be better.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:42:08" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been frequenting this shop - in person and online - for several years now. I don't even bother to buy spices or the like in the grocery store at this point. I really love this little shop. It is small and fragrant and filled with everything I need for canning/preserving to meatloaf-making to baking. They also have an online shop and will ship directly to you. I particularly love how they have different colors of jimmies/sprinkles separated by color into their own jars. Of course, you can get the rainbow blend, but there's something about seeing millions of neon pink jimmies that makes me smile. I think they've got a great selection of teas and coffees (flavored coffee as well!). You can also pick up little sachets for the loose tea here as well to avoid an extra errand. I usually pop in to refresh my stock of spices and meat seasonings. Try their mix for poultry to get your chicken out of a flavor rut. The shop is ideal for your bulk needs: flour, sugar, nuts, grains, etc. I find it to be better to come here for those items than to try to obtain them from Whole Foods where I'm likely to be charged more. The staff can be a bit aloof, but I've never had a bad experience. It is pretty obvious from the signage that you shouldn't attempt to bag your own purchases so, if you are reprimanded, you probably weren't paying attention. I really wouldn't want god-knows-how-many people reaching their hands into jars of spices all day long. It's also easier for the staff to eyeball an ounce of cloves than for me to do so. Be warned that they are also cash only. This shouldn't worry people too much, though, because their prices are excellent and a $20 should cover most of the damage.", "timestamp": "2010-02-10T03:03:56" }, { "business_id": "IkY2ticzHEn4QFn8hQLSWg", "business_name": "Geno's Steaks", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm not going to lay down esoteric comments about a cheesesteak since it's not a pretentious food. I'm a Philly native that had never had the Geno's experience. Shameful as it may be, I've finally joined the club. In short: Delicious, soft bread layered with thin slices of steak, whiz, and chopped onions. The perfect \"junk\" food for a cold Saturday. The line moved quickly and we managed to avoid getting yelled at by putting our order in correctly. I didn't think the fries were anything special - good, but I'd probably skip them next time. I was surprised at how much I like the mix of flavors considering whiz just seems disgusting on any other food. I can see why these steaks are the cuisine of choice for tipsy college kids.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:55:15" }, { "business_id": "S1FwTmCAwv5ulu5gToWi_w", "business_name": "RIM Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "After freezing to death eating our Geno's steaks, two friends and I popped in for some warming up. The volcano hot chocolate here is certainly worth the $6.00 - if not for the actual drink, then certainly for the process and display that goes into making one. A young man was playing La Vie en Rose on the piano in the back which made the place seem that much more romantic and charming. I could easily find myself here with a knitting project or book, sipping away on decadent espresso drinks. Strangely enough, the bathroom with its red light a pasted photos was a highlight. It's small and cozy - perfect for two or three, but no parties larger than that I would say.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:59:52" }, { "business_id": "1UNJeHTsS7WS9RxRzHw06g", "business_name": "Varga Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "After seeing the latest UPenn Mask and Wig production, I was so hopped up on good humor that I didn't want to end the evening by heading straight home. At first, we planned to go to Tria, but found ourselves face to face with Varga Bar after walking in the wrong direction from Quince Street. The place was crowded at 10:30pm, but not so much that you couldn't comfortably breathe. We put our name in for a table for 5 and passed time at the bar. I was impressed with their many beers on tap - Allagash, Victory, Rogue, Sly Fox, etc. They do offer a few specialty cocktails, but nothing overly fancy. The hostess was extremely pleasant and we were eventually seated moments before our appetizers arrived. I ordered the Kobe Beef Sliders which were delicious and the perfect portion for a late-night snack. They come topped with a delicious aioli that completely negates any need for ketchup or mustard. Their onion rings were crisp, yet tender and drizzled with a piquant dipping sauce. My friends tried the veggie burger and the chili-topped hotdog which they gave favorable reviews. We also shared some fries with the cheese sauce on the side and sans crab meat. The cheese dipping sauce was a great accompaniment the crisp, shoestring potatoes. Definitely a great little place for a light bite to eat. I wouldn't try to squeeze a party larger than 6 or so in here as space is tight. I would certainly recommend it for date night considering the low lighting and intimate tables for two.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T23:14:23" }, { "business_id": "DJujODX9OTMuveKxMEL0zg", "business_name": "Mask and Wig", "rating": 4, "text": "As a Penn grad student and child of a Penn Med professor, I have seen my fair share of Mask and Wig productions. However, when my parents dragged me as a teenager, the ribald humor was generally lost on my rather naive ears. I've come to love the Mask and Wig club for their witty, off-color productions featuring and all-male cast, crew, and band. I love the tradition of the club that dates back to the 1890's and don't mind joining with the \"rah, rah, Pennsyl-van-i-a\" at the end of each performance. The shows are wildly funny and entertaining for all - well, leave the wee ones at home - over the age of 16 or so. You'll enjoy yourself so much, you'll forget that you're seated on a folding chair. I am always impressed by the quality of the music and writing that these undergrads put into each spring show. The clubhouse is also a gem unto itself with original artwork by Maxfield Parrish. They even serve cocktails and beer in the grill room before and after the performances. The downside? Having to mingle with lots of Penn undergrads who come to support their friends. I say just suck it up and go anyway. It's maybe the best $25 you'll spend ($12 for current students).", "timestamp": "2010-02-14T19:24:25" }, { "business_id": "Yn6oUj778ETC5kYs7IPH0g", "business_name": "Tiffin Elkins Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Tiffin just opened up right down the road from my house and is in the same little complex as my gym so it seemed logical to pick up some takeout after an evening workout the other day. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, and Naan. It came with Basmati rice, chutney, and an accompanying sauce. I was a bit worried about the spice factor, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't need a fire extinguisher to eat my meal. My mom, who has a rather sensitive tongue, even got through her Chicken Korma without complaint. I imagine, if you prefer your food to be blacken your tongue that they would oblige. Both dishes were excellent - creamy, rich, not greasy. The rice was cooked to perfection and tastes wonderful with a bit of chutney stirred in. I didn't find the restaurant to resemble a fast food chain. I felt that the colors were appropriate for an Indian restaurant and the dim lighting enhanced the small BYOB. The furniture is modest, but I wouldn't describe it as cheap-looking. I appreciate that they didn't try to cram in as many tables and chairs as possible. Overall, I am pleased that Elkins Park actually has an eating establishment that might survive besides Marco Polo. If only they could give a face-lift to the rest of the shopping complex.", "timestamp": "2010-03-06T01:34:11" }, { "business_id": "pWzrmh1oiU9ngWXGHKnnwQ", "business_name": "Down Home Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "As a kid, we used to stop in here quite a bit after a tour through the Market, but it's just not the same 10-15 years later. My mom and I decided to grab some dinner here after a rather exhausting day at the Flower Show. We were seated right away which was nice considering that it was 6pm on a Friday night and the crowds from the Convention Center were massive. I ordered the BLT which was disappointing - too much lettuce and the wheat bread wasn't substantial enough to hold the thing together. Also, their \"cold sandwiches\" don't come with fries, so I ended up with a sad looking slice of cantaloupe instead. My mom's minestrone soup and grilled cheese with tomato looked much more appetizing. The fries that I ordered on the side weren't anything to write home about - skinny little things resembling the kind that McDonald's sells. For a place that claims to source all of their ingredients from the market, I really expected top notch, fresh food, even if it is a \"diner\".", "timestamp": "2010-03-07T16:46:48" }, { "business_id": "8Wq0LZSuHdPTlleQD5sU_w", "business_name": "The Bubble House", "rating": 1, "text": "This little place has the potential to be great. I'm actually a fan of their bubble teas - taro, in particular. The food isn't terrible either. I had a grilled portabella mushroom sandwich on foccacia with tomatoes and gouda with the side of sweet potato fries. $9 seemed a bit pricey for a one-mushroom sandwich, though, portabella or not. However, what really prevents me from giving The Bubble House more stars is the service - slow and uninspiring. The interior could also use a fresh coat of paint and the tables and floors could also stand to be refinished. There is just an overall grimy feeling to the restaurant that makes you wonder just how \"clean\" your food is. What really put me off was having to watch the guy who prepared the teas and manned the take-out counter sit outside and smoke three times in an hour whilst spitting here and there in plain view of the restaurant window. I do hope he washed his hands after each cigarette break, but I can't be too sure. I would probably skip this place in the future despite its proximity to campus.", "timestamp": "2010-03-11T02:18:03" }, { "business_id": "GsBDSxvX4VcvmdVODoJ_lQ", "business_name": "Primex Garden Center", "rating": 5, "text": "While, in the future, I'll probably try to avoid Primex on a Saturday afternoon, it's still my favorite garden supply spot. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about their products from plants to seeds to fertilizers and more. They even do soil testing to help you make the most of your lawn and/or garden. I feel that their prices are fair for a locally owned, family business and the new rewards program allows you to accrue monetary value towards future purchases. They hold double-point days throughout the season, too. On busy weekends this time of year, parking can be a hassle, so be patient. You can park right in front of the store, in their lot, on the side of the store, and back behind the warehouse as well. Now that planting season is in full swing, you can for flowers and other seedlings outside at the shed by the greenhouse. Just be sure to have a staff member write up your purchases first. For great soil, I recommend their Bumper Crop which gave me some impressive veggies last year. It retails for about $14 per 2 cubic feet. I'm also pleased that they offer planting potatoes, garlic, onions, and rhubarb - things you can't really grow from seed and are only offered early in the season. Their impressive selection of flower bulbs is also not to be missed! Be sure to pick up one of their great eco-friendly flower pots, too - they're recyclable!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:17:07" }, { "business_id": "MbKhuO-4uYPc0NRZDRWoew", "business_name": "MexiCali", "rating": 4, "text": "I've eaten at both the bricks and mortar shop and the lunch truck on 38th and Walnut. These are pretty much the only burritos I eat. Sure, Chipotle is just up the block, but why bother with those inflated prices? The quality of the Mexicali ingredients is superb - not once have I questioned whether my chicken was really chicken or dug in only to have gristle and fat meet my teeth. I've had consistently great experiences with the food here and find that both their meat and vegetarian options are equally delicious. Sometimes, a vegetarian options just means a weak assortment of peppers and onions or beans, but Mexicali provides a variety of options from tofu to plantains to sweet potato. Most options are around $4-5 for meat options and as low as around $2 for veggie options. Keep in mind these aren't skimpy portions either!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:22:17" }, { "business_id": "_tt4nysrN8JpzLLVXL-z5A", "business_name": "Creperie Beau Monde & L'Etage", "rating": 4, "text": "Love this place! I have never had a bad meal here. Tonight, a friend and I dined al fresco. Amanda, our server, was lovely - friendly and attentive, but not overbearing and very knowledgeable about the menu. We enjoyed the special soup of the day, a creamy artichoke with chipotle that was warm, smoky, and rich. We also had the special sweet crepe of the day which was delicious - sweet potatoes poached in coconut milk and pureed, accompanied by caramel sauce, toasted pecans, and vanilla gelato. Per usual, my savory entree crepe was generously portioned and full of fresh ham, cheddar, and broccoli. I thoroughly enjoyed their appetizer salad of house greens with a mustard vinaigrette - pleasingly tangy with a hint of bite. Beau Monde is one of my favorite places to end a spring afternoon with a good friend.", "timestamp": "2010-04-23T02:01:48" }, { "business_id": "zuNEmJXTIAMRwRY5v-oSCg", "business_name": "L'etage", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited L'Etage last night for an event. The space is cozy with fabric covered walls and dark, leather furniture. Given a large crowd, though, this performance space could get uncomfortable quite quickly. I honestly didn't find the staff to be that welcoming or friendly and the table service during the performance was distracting because it's hard to avoid walking in front of the stage. Also, $7 for gin and tonic? Really? I'll just bring a thermos next time. I'm interested to check out the story slams here, though I don't think they could even hold a candle to The Moth's productions.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:17:10" }, { "business_id": "K9cn-DrPEEXse1s1n-6mMw", "business_name": "Bridget Foy's", "rating": 3, "text": "Following a performance at L'Etage, my friends and I were famished. And, after 2 drinks on an empty stomach, I was feeling tipsy as well. South Street was mobbed on this Friday night, but we were seated immediately on B. Foy's outdoor patio which provided the perfect perch for observing a plethora of police officers canvassing the area status post the flash mob fiasco. I don't think I've seen so many brothers in blue since the Rodney King videos. Given the number of teenage twerps out and about, I was glad to have the extra security. But I digress... B. Foy's hit the spot but their food isn't exactly inspiring. I ordered a Walt Whit and the crispy chicken sandwich. I swapped the pepperjack for cheddar and got exactly what I ordered. I would have preferred a bit more avocado and less chipotle mayo as the sandwich was more spicy that I like. The bun was flaky, soft, and big enough to hold everything together. I felt the chicken was a bit overdone, but still good. The fries were average and lacked sufficient seasoning. The prices were more than reasonable, though, and three of us ate for $50, drinks included. This location is definitely a plus if you're doing the tourist thing with friends or family and need a place to please most palates. Just don't expect too much.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:26:03" }, { "business_id": "7WWLPXpOjrh_1EvjFuw3hQ", "business_name": "The Drake Tavern", "rating": 1, "text": "I really want to like this place because it's a short drive from my door, but I really just can't get behind it. First of all, I generally find the crowd to be an obnoxious mix of middle-aged folks trying to forget the work week and early twenty-somethings looking to get obliterated. The music is always too loud and seems to be piped straight from 104.5. The beer is nothing to write home about and they only get as adventurous as Magic Hat it seems. Who wouldn't, though, when most of your crowd is content with Budweiser and Coors? We're not exactly dealing with sophisticated palates. I have never found the service to be stellar and I could really do without young women prancing around in low-cut, tight t-shirts as if Hooters has come to town. And then there is the food... They do a decent job with their burgers, but it pretty much ends there. If you're going to attempt things like crab quesdillas, at least know what you're doing and use real crab meat. Most everything on the menu involves something fried. The food is bland and lacks creativity just like the rest of this place.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:34:13" }, { "business_id": "AERr7jPbAZmShrwfKzUqfA", "business_name": "Big Blue Marble Bookstore", "rating": 5, "text": "Yep, I still really love this place. As other reviews mention, you may be out of luck if you're pining after a certain book as there is no way this little shop can hold it all, but you can place an order for no extra charge and have your goods within the week. Big Blue Marble goes for quality, not quantity in my opinion and offers sophisticated, yet good reads that cater to the interests of their community. On my most recent trip, they had lots for the backyard gardener and most of the popular new releases that the big box stores have on their shelves. The book I really wanted was sold out, but I placed an order on Wednesday and had the book in my hands on Saturday. I love that they carry a good selection of Nikki McClure's cards and journals as well as items by Little Otsu. It's not as close as Barnes and Noble for me, but I still prefer to give my patronage to this Mt. Airy gem.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:39:14" }, { "business_id": "fOhnSqmO4XY5vSI8whVKSA", "business_name": "Farmicia", "rating": 4, "text": "Certainly one of the best brunches I've had in a while. I had made a reservation in light of the potential craziness from the Broadstreet Run earlier in the day. A wise move, indeed. I had time to kill before my tablemate arrived and enjoyed their happy hour cocktail prices and an assortment of fresh fruit. I thought the apple centerpieces were a rather whimsical touch. I ordered the Brunch Sandwich was the perfect union of fried egg, Amish cheese, and country toast. It was accompanied by more fresh fruit and I think I nearly hit my 5 servings for the day! The eggs were cooked as I like them - not too runny, but not hard either, just enough so that you don't end up covered in yolk. The fruit was certainly fresh which is not always the case when ordering such at an establishment. Strawberries, raspberries, and grapes - all ripe and delicious. I will certainly return in the future as their menu has many tempting offerings and who can resist half price drinks on a Sunday?", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:48:38" }, { "business_id": "V7KWP_nQkpSxR3t7bEqrMw", "business_name": "Bartram's Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "If you don't know that this place exists, shame on you! This charming 18th century historic site and it's gardens offer much needed respite from the hectic pace of modern life. Just get over the discomfort of having to drive through less-than-appealing blocks of West Philadelphia. Really folks, it's not like you're going to get caught in a drive-by. The winding drive takes you off the beaten path and away from bustling city streets to what can really be described as a botanical oasis. The place was virtually deserted on this sunny Tuesday afternoon as guided tours only take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, it was nice to be left alone to explore and enjoy the rows of vegetables peeking out from the soil and the variety of flowers and trees. There are placards interspersed throughout to explain the history and heritage of the Bartram family and the grounds. If only the rest of West Philadelphia had been so well-preserved! We took one of the paths down toward the river and found ourselves tip-toeing on rocks to save a floundering fish and picking buttercups in the adjoining meadow. It's lovely to view the steely-grey of the Philadelphia skyline from this idyllic spot. I'd certainly return for a tour and will keep an eye out for their events. Conveniently, they are open everyday 10a-5p (except holidays) and admission is free, unless you plan to take a tour. Another bonus? They do their own plant and seed sale!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:59:28" }, { "business_id": "qQO7ErS_RAN4Vs1uX0L55Q", "business_name": "The Franklin Fountain", "rating": 4, "text": "Yep, still awesome. Their butter pecan really tastes like there is a stick of butter in the ice cream. I love their waffle cones, which are substantial, keep your ice cream off of your hands, and provide just enough satisfying crunch!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:02:45" }, { "business_id": "RUWCx8WPhq4JwQjv_eGZ8g", "business_name": "Velvet Sky Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I love cake. It's a problem. Luckily, I don't pass by this little bakery too often. Their red velvet made my week. My only complaint? A little less icing perhaps. Sometimes my teeth veritably ache after one of these little beauties.", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:11:07" }, { "business_id": "a9tI3YQyIXHqt0c1AxaSbA", "business_name": "Valley Green Inn", "rating": 4, "text": "Even though this historic venue could use some sprucing up (fresh paint, etc), it's still one of my favorite places in the world and it's slightly rustic feel is all part of the charm. I know that seems like an exaggeration, but I've been going to the Valley Green Inn since my little legs could pedal a bike to get there. As a family, we always biked the trail instead of driving in. The food is still delicious, especially their yam fries. My roast turkey breast sandwich with applewood smoked bacon was one of the best lunches I'd had in a while. The bread, especially, was delicious and certainly held up against a slathering of mayo. I really detest wimpy bread. This is a place that feels upscale but is down to earth and equally wonderful whether you want brunch, lunch, or dinner. Bring the family or someone special, either way, you're sure to enjoy yourself.", "timestamp": "2010-06-04T20:06:34" }, { "business_id": "X_OnAUXVGHjyWP9zoPVLTA", "business_name": "Megabus", "rating": 3, "text": "Thus far, I've only ridden Megabus once so I am holding out on giving it more stars until I have other experiences to compare to this one. I had no problems with my trip to and from NYC. Our bus left on time and even arrived in NYC a little early. The ride was comfortable enough - the seats could have been a bit roomier and the frigid air conditioning was refreshing at first, but not so much 30 minutes into the ride. The driver and employees were courteous at both ends of the trip and I had no issues with luggage. I really had no use for the wi-fi or the outlets, so I can't comment on those, but others on the ride seemed to have no trouble accomplishing various tasks on their laptops or charging their phones enough to scream into them the entire ride. The most annoying aspect was actually due to a couple riding in front of my friend and I who refused to stop groping each other. My first choice for travel would be Amtrak, but for $12, I think I got what I expected - average service.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:06:53" }, { "business_id": "eXKblEHP3YJYU1Awz08hVw", "business_name": "Tacos Don Memo", "rating": 4, "text": "Well, I'll never eat at MexiPhilly again, that's for dang sure! My al pastor burrito more than made up for my terrible lunch date. I ended up making lunch AND dinner out of my burrito which was crammed with savory black beans, fluffy rice, avocado, lettuce, tomato and, of course, pork. I don't even really like pork! Just ask my mom about the faces I make if she makes pork chops. It's ugly. My lunch \"date\" had talked up the al pastor so much, though, that I took the plunge. A few things to know before you go: - the wait can be lengthy so you might want to bring a folding chair - it ain't as cheap as some other carts The ingredients are really fresh and there is a whole lot of effort that goes into the preparation of your order. I don't know how they got everything in my burrito, but it stayed together down to the last bite. The owner even has a bricks and mortar shop up near the 69th street terminal and will bring in specials from the restaurant on occasion.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:31:15" }, { "business_id": "-b8iNhBez0hRu478nIDhyg", "business_name": "Swift Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Gastropubs are taking over the world! Or at least Northern Liberties. This was my first trip to Swift Half and the Piazza, for that matter. I've lived in the Philadelphia area just about all my life and still find it a little weird that someone thought to plunk down this Piazza thing in Northern Liberties. Does someone want to tell me where all the regular folks are going to live once we've gentrified this entire city? But I digress... I appreciate what Swift Half is aiming for - a fresh, unique, delicious menu. However, I agree with Anthony S. in that they miss the mark with their \"go big or go home\" attitude. I was pretty excited about my B.E.L.T. (bacon, egg, lettuce, and tomato) sandwich because I adore breakfast for dinner. I felt the egg was overcooked, the bacon lacked the thick texture I was expecting, and the mayo was straight up out of the Hellman's mayo jar I presume. The bread was very good, but could have used toasting to give it some oomph. I thought the fries were delicious, though. Overall, I kind of felt that their menu was all over the place: mussels, fish and chips, burgers. Too many unrelated choices in my opinion. I really enjoyed my Georgia Kiss cocktail (gin, peach schnapps, soda water, and lime) and thought that was a pretty original drink. They also have a great selection of beers which do not disappoint. I liked the atmosphere. It was a bit noisy due to all of the people out on a Friday night at 9pm, but the large open space lends itself well to coming with a group. The outdoor patio on the Piazza is also a definitive plus. I look forward to trying Swift Half again and hope they \"grow into\" their grown up menu. Just do simple food well, guys. Don't prissy it up for the No Libs hipster crowd. When I go to a pub, I want hearty food that will compliment my beer selection and leave me feeling satisfied.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:27:13" }, { "business_id": "qAjsqPKJwcWX97_EBHwfjw", "business_name": "Rosie's Yarn Cellar", "rating": 5, "text": "You know, Rosie's has really grown on me as I've delved deeper and deeper into this knitting....hobby. Well, let's call it what it really is, shall we? It's a full blown obsession for me at this point. I like that Rosie's has a nice mix of the luxe and the everyman's fiber. You've got your Swan Lake fingering, your Manos, your Cascade 220 - something for every taste and budget. Oh how I love their lush selection of Manos in all its myriad colors. I love that I can still get plenty of Rowan and Koigu here, too. Yes, the shop is still tiny, but that's part of the charm and I take my yarn home to wind rather that risk whacking someone with the swift. Rosie's is one of those neighborhood places where you have to go a few times to sort of feel like you belong. I like the staff and have never had a problem. If you're feeling neglected, speak up! If I'm new to a particular shop, I sometimes feel awkward and out of place. Knitting is such a community thing these days and shops have fiercely loyal clientele, so just give it some time if you're a newbie. Rosie's will certainly welcome you in if you leave your attitude outside.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:36:31" }, { "business_id": "LklDTDwgJLbUjd67ZKsvCg", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Square Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Who doesn't love sunshine and grass?! I love sunshine and grass and knitting or reading on a lovely afternoon. I don't love the tiny, yapping dogs or women in skimpy bikinis, or the couples who obviously need to get a room. Rittenhouse Square Park is a place where some people obviously come to see and be seen as if they're dining at the Ivy on an episode of The Hills. So...these 4 stars are really for awesome things like the free Saturday yoga classes and the Saturday farmers market where I score delicious local eats like yellow carrots, chioggia beets, brightly colored zinnias, and 3 different kinds of plums. These 4 stars are also for those early spring days where hope springs eternal after a winter of drudgery and snow. They are also for those great first date strolls, laughing with your best friends, or sneaking some solitude. For all those things, it really is a 5 star kinda place.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:45:05" }, { "business_id": "EpFFiPHKx9yP-WqOCuxRCw", "business_name": "Mayfair Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I have a hard time believing this place ever got \"Best of Philly\" even if it was in 2002. But, after a long morning doing health education down the road at CFCF at the Philadelphia Prison System, you'd need a milkshake and french toast, too. The milkshake was probably the best part even if it was a little on the small side. What happened to the days when you got the silver cup on the side with the leftover shake!? My french toast was good because I was hungry and in a crappy mood, but nothing to write home about. The service was all NE Philly (\"What'll youse be havin'?), accent included. Essentially the clientele here is 65 and over and they're probably eating soup when it's 95 degrees outside. Are there any great Philly diners left?", "timestamp": "2010-08-04T00:46:55" }, { "business_id": "A7z2nV4JUlmwBbQx3ge2rw", "business_name": "Dujour", "rating": 5, "text": "Du Jour features a great lunch menu and today was no exception. In the summer, I particularly enjoy their freshly made Gazpacho soup. It can be really hard to find a great Gazpacho that isn't overly spicy, not too chunky, not too heavy on vegetables that shouldn't be in there in the first place (like carrots), and doesn't separate quickly. Unless I make it myself, the only Gazpacho I'll eat is from Du Jour. It is smooth and well blended with plenty of tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumber. It has a refreshing, crisp tang provided by the vinegar. I followed up with their low-fat tuna sandwich on multigrain bread with lettuce and tomato and a side salad. I think they make a great tuna sandwich - it's not dry and comes on hearty bread with a thick slice of tomato and crisp lettuce. It is also features a pretty substantial helping of tuna which kept me energized through 4 hours of poolside lounging later in the afternoon. The absolute best part was the kind gesture we received from the chef, Mike. A professional photographer was in the restaurant shooting photographs of various plates from the new menu. When the chef brought out a large slice of blueberry pie accompanied by a generous helping of gelato I was done for. After the photographer had finished her shots of the pie, I jokingly called to the chef to ask if I could have it. To my surprise he turned around and said \"sure!\" since it was going to go to waste anyway. He was really very kind and seemed happy to let three of us in on this delicious new menu item. Made with local blueberries, the pie was delicious and full of sweet summer flavor. The cinnamon gelato was a perfect creamy partner to the butter in the crust and the sweet-tart of the fruit. I'm pretty sure the huge slice and scoop we had were not the usual serving size, though! Once again a delicious lunch with exceptional service.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T01:56:05" }, { "business_id": "IvMEGUlmbDZVzftmRCLdDg", "business_name": "Margaret Kuo's Wayne", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't love Chinese food, but aside from Cin Cin in Chestnut Hill, Margaret Kuo's is much more palatable than other establishments I've visited. I like the portion sizes here because they are enough for one person, possibly two if you plan to share more than one dish or order appetizers. The menu tends to feature more than your average take out spot and I find the fare to be less greasy and salty. I particularly like the Chicken with Shitake Mushrooms which is not slathered in brown sauce as it might be elsewhere. It is a healthy portion of chicken, snow peas, and mushrooms that I like to mix with brown rice. I was left satisfied but not stuffed to the gills. I am always a little confused when ethnic restaurants start crossing cultural borders and am not sure why they feel the need to offer sushi as well. I've never tried their sushi offerings and cannot speak to its quality, but I feel that you should probably just stick with what you know. Beware that a lot of families tend to pack her restaurant on a weekend evening so you will most likely be contending with the shrill voices of wee ones. If you're looking for a more intimate setting, I might dine later in the evening to avoid the Sesame Street crowd.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T02:03:11" }, { "business_id": "kK1re49IK3jmCYTL6B6_lw", "business_name": "Trolley Car Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure how it took me so long to visit this place. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner and found it to be a much better experience than some other diners I've experienced as of late. They have an impressive offering of beers and you can make your own six-pack without hiking down to the Foodery and paying an arm and a leg. Their menu is extensive and they serve breakfast all day. Their portions are hearty and they make their own kettle chips. I don't have kids, but this place would satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Their milkshakes are also pretty great. You even get the extra in the metal mixing cup. There's just something about getting a huge helping of ice cream that makes my day. Keep in mind that this place can get busy and that there will probably be a munchkin or two who is in a bad mood. I find the staff to be very friendly and attentive even when they're running between multiple tables. This is also a good place for groups as their large booths can accommodate three people on each side. I think this may be my new favorite, local spot for a satisfying meal, good beer, and reasonable prices.", "timestamp": "2010-09-18T22:53:00" }, { "business_id": "U9gATBSpddPuqZdfhYOaUQ", "business_name": "Clark Park Farmers' Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoy the cultural milieu one can find at any given local farmers' market. You can walk through an epic, medieval battle of capture-the-flag in the park and find yourself face to face with all sorts of interesting folks and vegetables, too. I always find unique varietals here that add flair to even the most familiar dishes in my culinary repertoire. On my last visit, I picked up a delicious sugar baby melon - the baby cousin to the watermelon - that was filled with sweet, juicy flesh. I also love going towards the end of the market and scoring handfuls of plump, fragrant zinnias at half price from the Amish growers. The blooms are as bright as the sun and are sure to make any gal swoon. You can also find some great local, grass-fed meat, cheese, yogurt, and milk if you're not into the conventional, homogenized varieties at the grocery store. Go, if not for the good, for the atmosphere. You'll also get to avoid the ritzy crowd that frequents the Rittenhouse Market, making food shopping seem like high art for the privileged classes.", "timestamp": "2010-09-20T01:53:11" }, { "business_id": "aF7RIFJwdjv21eVYgMqJFw", "business_name": "Rosey's BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "Rosey's has moved into the location formerly inhabited by Abner's. I am sure that some people are perturbed by this but, rest assured, Rosey's did not put Abner's out of business. Considering the lack of quality restaurant food in Jenkintown and the fact that they are flanked by IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, and Chilis, I didn't expect too much from Rosey's. I was pleasantly pleased with their menu and food, though, and have been back twice since my initial visit. I really like their brisket sandwich which comes chopped on a kaiser role. I ordered the coleslaw and sauce on the side to cut down on the mess. The brisket was smoked to perfect and extremely tender. Their house-made BBQ sauce is a perfect compliment to any of their meats and isn't as tomato-based as some other establishments. The sauce has just the right amount of tang and spice. I really enjoyed their greens, which are tender and well seasoned without being overly peppery. They cook their greens with turkey which is a good substitute for the ham hocks I might use if I made my own. The owner commented that given the Jewish population in the area he felt it was better for sales to keep the greens pork free. Smart move, I think. The mashed sweet potatoes are also delicious and could almost double as dessert. Don't forget a glass of their house-made sweet tea - just enough sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth but still provide actual refreshment. My absolute favorite item on the Rosey's menu? The banana pudding. It's almost as good as my auntie's and chock full of vanilla wafers and actual banana. Rosey's isn't pretentious and is certainly closer than Smokin' Betty's and Percy Street - places that serve decidedly different styles of BBQ.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:38:10" }, { "business_id": "ZKPrXH_GNW_AtZ31tP3NmA", "business_name": "White Dog Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been coming to the White Dog since I was a wee one. I completely disagree with the review by Ed M. and wonder why he insists on frequenting the restaurant if he clearly doesn't enjoy the food. That's another story for another time, though... I enjoy the restaurant and the events that they hold. I've had two impressive meals in conjunction with community events - one a book reading with a sumptuous steak dinner; the other, a trolley car mural tour with continental breakfast and sit-down lunch. Sometimes, I will pop in and treat myself to lunch after a day of classes. The best meals I've had here have been shared with family and friends, though, and are often celebrations of something great that has just occurred. I greatly appreciate and admire how the White Dog works so diligently to provide fresh, local, seasonal, and organic ingredients on a regular basis. They even have their own bottled sparkling water! Some restaurants claim that their menus are local or organic, but it's such a small percentage of the items, that you might as well not bother mentioning it at all. I also find it admirable that WDC finds it important to connect with their customers and their community through regular events, educational opportunities, etc. I've never had a bad meal here and, for the most part, the staff provides a very enjoyable experience. I particularly like their soups and use of seasonal vegetables. I can always count on them to have vegan/vegetarian menu options which means I can come here with all of my friends. Penn students clogging the bar or not, cranky reviews by others or not, I will still consider this one of my favorite places in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:50:23" }, { "business_id": "2BRbu3cBbH2bCgzN3DVc8w", "business_name": "Table 31", "rating": 2, "text": "Considering Table 31's atmosphere, I was expecting to be much more impressed by the actual service, drink menu, and food. Is there some rule of the universe where the effort and expense put into the decor is inversely proportional to the quality of the food and service? I found the staff to be rigid and off-putting, as if I clearly wasn't cool enough to be drinking in their establishment. Their cocktail menu was very expensive and heavy on the martinis. An homage to Sex and the City maybe? Their bar food also seemed much too over the top and expensive - seafood, pizza, and meatballs? What about a shrimp cocktail or salad or canapes. Something other than $50 of mollusks, please! Our little party ended up getting a cheese plate which was tasty but not satisfying and didn't come with nearly enough bread. The bread that did come was accompanied by this odd looking dipping mixture that was pure oil with red sediment at the bottom. No amount of stirring seemed to get it to mix and I wasn't sure if I should try to eat it or just play with it. Overall, Table 31 just tries too hard without actually accomplishing anything. I felt uncomfortable and unsatisfied. I'd only recommend it if you wanted to swig a whiskey in a dark suit and imagine that you're Don Draper for half a minute. Then get the heck outta there and pick up a bottle of something better on your way home.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T02:01:30" }, { "business_id": "N3CuXqWoFpBtYMBGhBE2fA", "business_name": "Milk & Honey Market", "rating": 2, "text": "Is it just me or are sandwiches in Philadelphia becoming ridiculously expensive. $8 for an \"Italian Hoagie\" - I hope the meats were just off the boat from Italy! I met a friend here for lunch a while back as we both hadn't visited this new addition to the West Philadelphia community. I was disappointed with their selection of items. Given the lack of grocery stores in the area, it would be nice to have a little marketplace where one could actually accomplish a complete shopping trip. Instead, M&H provides alot of specialty and gourmet items that I wouldn't necessarily require on a weekly basis. Their produce and dairy is pretty limited. They do, of course, have quite the honey selection. I enjoy honey just as much as the next gal, but it doesn't exactly qualify as anything remotely close to a meal. My Italian hoagie wasn't as good as I had anticipated owing to the fact that the bread was pretty stiff and I had a hard time sinking my teeth into it. Perhaps this was because it had been sitting, pre-made, in the deli case for lord knows how long. The sandwich lacked filling and I think I got more arugula than anything else. The market was also out of a ridiculous number of menu items which left my friend and I with about 3 choices on a Monday afternoon. I also didn't feel that the employees were very friendly. I felt largely ignored for the most part, like I was intruding on something. What happened to \"Hi, how may I help you?\". Hopefully, as the market settles into the community, they will continue to improve, but I don't think I'll make them a frequent stop.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T19:50:28" }, { "business_id": "9Pvwx_IfQgQL4ykmlGV6yA", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "I don't love Chinese food and P.F. Chang's occasionally reminds me why. I've been to 3 of their locations and have never had a stellar experience at any of them. I am pleased, though, that there are buildings occupying the property in Plymouth Meeting other than that pitiful structure they call a mall. We dined relatively early when the restaurant was barely full but I felt rushed by our server. He also completely glossed over any explanation of what the sauces were that they provide. I ordered the chow fun noodles with chicken and was disappointed to see that that was the extend of the meal: chow fun noodles, chicken, and scallion slices. Would the addition of some other vegetables be inappropriate? It irks me that one has to order most of their dish via the appetizer and side dish section if you want to create something well-rounded. I found the noodles to be rather lackluster in flavor and largely dominated by the long scallion stalks that I had to pick out of my bowl. The outdoor patio is a nice addition, though, for warm-weather dining. I doubt I will rush back here unless accompanied by someone delirious for their food.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:10:55" }, { "business_id": "lpDOqBhkJlxACzKQGAj_uA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm not going to lie, I really enjoy shopping at Whole Foods. Prices and hipster foodies be damned. As far as WFM's go, though, this is not my favorite location. The store feels crowded and the layout doesn't allow for fluid movement from one department to the next. I think this is because the baked goods, salad bar, and hot foods bar are smack in the middle of the store. The aisles also seem rather cramped and difficult to navigate with a cart. The staff are still friendly folks, but the other customers always seem agitated when I am there. Maybe grocery shopping in the city is just more stressful? I'll stick to the stores in the 'burbs where there is more room to maneuver.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:14:32" }, { "business_id": "1tkXPP1K1jBIgIthy6idwQ", "business_name": "Burholme Park Golf Center", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! What has happened to this place since my childhood? I actually went here for a date recently and it's not something I would ever repeat. Unfortunately, I wouldn't repeat the date with the same guy anywhere else, but that's another story. When I was little, Burholme was THE place to have your summer birthday party, complete with mini golf, hot dogs, and ice cream. Now it just seems a rather sad shell of itself. The pro shop was dark and looked fairly disorganized as if people just dropped things and left. The snack stand was pitiful and appeared to need a thorough cleaning. There was really no menu to speak of as they apparently don't sell much unless it's summertime. The girls behind the counter were more interested in a laptop than customers and provided us with some rather tired looking bats. There were only three open batting cages and the rest were locked. The equipment seemed to need replacing and malfunctioned. It was difficult to even tell when the machines were on and I lost a few swings because I didn't know that I was still \"up\". It might be the guy, it might be Burlhome, but I probably won't be revisiting this golf center ever again. Too many painful memories ::sniff::", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:21:12" }, { "business_id": "SGi8AJhR8iS-LsQwcMOAVA", "business_name": "Eulogy Belgian Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "3 stars for the beer selection which just can't be beat. Unfortunately, I'm inclined to only assign 2 stars to the food. Being that this establishment is in Old City, I should have contemplated how tiny it might be. At 10pm on a Saturday night, the bar was pretty darn crowded and as hot and humid as a gym locker room with all of the bodies and winter coats jammed inside. We were able to get a table upstairs, but the close proximity of other patrons made me feel a bit claustrophobic. I was glad to get a taste of the Troeg's Mad Elf as it's a seasonal beer not easily found in this land of state stores and beer distributors. At about 10% abv, one brimming goblet was enough to thoroughly wet my whistle. One of my friends, didn't have such great luck with his selection as each beverage he chose seemed to be unavailable. Eventually, our server asked him to choose anything on the menu on the house which was definitely a sign of superb service. I was disappointed with the Belgian fries we ordered as they seemed overdone and too thickly cut. The dipping sauce didn't light my fire either. Perhaps my expectations are too high after years of consuming the potatoes from Pomme Frites in NYC? I'll be sure to give them another try at a later date and hope for a better outcome. I don't know if this place is never not packed, but I'll attempt to give it another go at a time when it might be less crowded and I can get a seat at the bar.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:49:12" }, { "business_id": "Ukkr1N8UApmJsOzbX4XnRA", "business_name": "The Green Line Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to love The Green Line, but it hasn't won me over yet. I never get a warm-fuzzy vibe from the staff. It's as if people can tell that I'm not vegetarian or vegan and that I drive a car! Furthermore, I always seem to get stuck sitting outside amidst a cluster of chain smokers. Also, the fact that they only take cash is kind of irritating in this modern era of debit/credit cards, especially when coffee can run you upwards of $5 depending on the menu item. Brownie points for the fact that they do serve fair trade coffee.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:54:20" }, { "business_id": "qlt0aeVnh4B3X5mUeEUtnQ", "business_name": "Regal Warrington Crossing ScreenX, 4DX, IMAX & RPX", "rating": 3, "text": "I wish I lived close enough to Center City to do most of my movie viewing at the Ritz but, alas, we suburban folks have to trek to the Regal which might as well be it's own small metropolis. I like that this venue has 22 screens which means there will most likely be at least one movie that everyone in your group can agree on. This also means that they can show very popular movies on more than one screen, thus lessening the possibility of sold out shows. I enjoy the stadium seating and relatively roomy chairs that recline just enough to be relaxing without allowing the person in front of you to end up in your lap. I usually skip the concession stand unless I really want to part with $20. Honestly, with the purse I carry, it's easy enough to smuggle in my own Junior Mints and my Klean Kanteen water bottle. The concession line is also usually infuriatingly slow because the teenage cashiers seem to find it a prime time to flirt with one another as they sling jumbo sodas and buckets of popcorn towards beleaguered parents. I know the price of movies these days is a major bone of contention with most folks, but it's not like it's a secret or anything. You can always count on dropping at least $10 per ticket (more if you're going to pre-order via Fandango or something) and another $20 for snacks. I recommend the matinees, taking advantage of the Regal card, utilizing student ID's, or just investing in Netflix if the cost is a major hardship. A major bonus is the fact that they also screen operas via simulcast from the Met. All the glory of Don Giovanni without the cost and hassle of going to NYC.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:04:21" }, { "business_id": "vy0IlrE3Zl44HwxbsZhh2g", "business_name": "Ritz East", "rating": 4, "text": "Somehow I always get myself lost trying to find the Ritz East vs the Ritz, but I always leave pleased. This is where I come a) to see movies that don't make it to the large, mega theaters and b) to see grown up flicks that don't involve texting teenagers or whining toddlers in the audience. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance as a number of shows I have seen here have sold out rather quickly. The tickets for both the 8p and 10p shows of Black Swan on a Saturday night were gone within minutes which resulted in many boyfriends receiving rather pouty faces from their significant others! The prices are reasonable and relatively comparable to the rest of the city/suburbs. I always skip the snacks in favor of visiting a favorite, local restaurant instead. They do have better fare than your average theater, though. Who doesn't love Pocky!? While it probably sucks to get caught in this predicament, it is kind of nice that they prohibit folks from entering the theater 15 minutes after the main event has begun. There is nothing worse than being stepped upon after you've gotten all settled and into the rhythm of the story. The seats are large and I'm always comfortable even when the place is packed. The best part is that you're probably not likely to find yourself in danger of being shot while any of the Ritz theaters. I wish I could say the same for the Riverview or Bridge cinemas!", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:13:32" }, { "business_id": "EAtdpksdWfWAaqh3XdnNNg", "business_name": "Essene Market & Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I always enjoy a trip to the Essene market which is almost always a must if I am getting a haircut next door at JuJu Salon. I like that they carry a variety of eco-friendly containers and utensils for toting my lunch to work. I really can't say enough good things about the LunchBots products. They've got a great variety of fresh produce and an impressive bulk section for nuts, grains, and flours. Their stock of cereals, pastas, juices, and frozen items is likely to have the unique items your Veganomicon recipe is calling for. They also have items that more conventional folks enjoy as well in case you're not into spelt or teff flour. It would be fairly expensive to do your regular shopping here unless you are some sort of super-vegan or have very stringent dietary requirements. I'd recommend using them for the specialty items you may need in smaller quantities. I have mixed feelings about their prepared foods bar as it just seems utterly overpriced to me. I lunched at Essene with two friends the other day and my plate of various incarnations of tofu and seitan came to over $13.00. I had to wonder if they were actually counting the glass plate as a part of the meal! I know fresh produce has gone up a bit in price (and they do use quality ingredients), but lunch over $10 for a plate that wasn't exactly loaded with heaping helpings was a surprise. Oh, and if you'd like chopsticks - those are an extra 80 cents or so. I'd recommend just using the silverware. For free.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:17:08" }, { "business_id": "xCXGV3wEvYd4xBGx8ZRFQA", "business_name": "La Va Cafe", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! I don't know what happened this evening when I popped in to grab a warm beverage before my quilting class, but I experienced one of the worst lattes this evening. It was grainy. As in, full of sediment. I'm no coffee expert, but I believe sediment is not a common ingredient in a vanilla latte. I was very disappointed. If I had had more time, I would have taken it back for a re-do. I actually cleansed my palate at Starbucks later in the evening. Here's to hoping that the next visit is better.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:21:00" }, { "business_id": "ExfSwwCB1zQ6ZGd_UQ4wYQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "I kind of loathe reviews of chains, but I feel obligated to make a comment seeing as I \"checked in\" at this particular location. Darn you Yelp iPhone app! I pretty much feel \"a-ok\" about all Starbucks regardless of location. Their beverages don't send me into a transcendent state, but they do warm me up and make me feel like I'm giving myself a little treat. It's especially nice when I remember that I have money on my little key fob thing and can rack up those little stars towards nifty rewards. Who doesn't like a freebie drink on their birthday? The staff here was friendly. They made my drink correctly. That pretty much sums it up.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:24:08" }, { "business_id": "gcjziNbsRYMfdcbOuCCufw", "business_name": "Rx Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Headed to Rx the other weekend with a couple of pals for a bit of Sunday brunch. I was much happier with my menu choice on this trip as the mushroom and spinach omelet was so tasty that I ran out to grab a stash of ingredients to repeat the whole thing at home the following week. The oyster mushrooms were a unique way to spice up a traditional omelet where most places would just use conventional, button 'shrooms. The spinach was tender and not the least bitter from overcooking. They used just the right amount of eggs as well - I'm guessing 3 as opposed to IHOP's whopping 6. I just wish it had come with a side of something - potatoes, fruit salad, regular salad...as my plate seemed kind of empty. I would have liked to see some new menu additions since my last review in the Fall. Maybe I missed them? Maybe I forgot what was even on the menu last time. It's possible. I do know that they still have the tofu stir fry and the corn flake-crusted french toast. Given their limited menu, I think that they could really do a lot with seasonal items and unique flavors. I still enjoy the coffee which they keep coming at regular intervals. If you're feeling high class, order a mimosa and sip into the afternoon. For the price, Rx still beats cereal and milk at home.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T03:08:30" }, { "business_id": "lOOePsuwr75TCvIhV1Am1A", "business_name": "The Daily Grind Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "It's become obvious to me that I am terrible at studying at home. I always manage to find 900 other things to do - cleaning, returning emails, obsessively checking Facebook. Today, I left the house in search of a study location. Sure, there is the local library, but they don't have food and beverages to keep my brain humming. My first thought - Barnes and Noble - was a very poor choice. Their cafe is cramped and uncomfortable and, today, featured an obnoxious, screaming child. I gave a thought to Starbucks but hate the idea of shelling out extra cash for the wi-fi, and the parking situation for the Jenkintown location is abominable. Then I remembered The Daily Grind! Close to my home, good coffee, Mighty Leaf Teas, punch card incentive, free wi-fi access, and actual food. The Daily Grind was a good choice indeed. The staff are very friendly and you don't have to know coffee lingo to get exactly what you're craving; they'll help you customize your drink. Because they are inside the Pavilion, there is no cold draft to interrupt me every time someone breezes in the door. People come and people go, but it's surprisingly quiet and I didn't have to compete with anyone for a table and an outlet. They now offer quite a menu if you've got the tummy-rumblies: brisket sandwiches that feature meat from Rosey's BBQ down the road, soups (get there early, though, because they sold out today!), salads, sandwiches (pressed or not), and personal-sized pizzas. Their drink menu features your standard coffee and tea faves + smoothies. Kudos to them for featuring food items from other local spots - Rosey's BBQ as mentioned above and bagels from Rolings Bakery in Elkins Park. I'm glad to be able to support a local business. I'll save the Starbucks run for desperate times only, like when I'm at the airport and my only other nourishment option is McDonald's.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T23:00:09" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "In case anyone had any reason to doubt the frequent buyer program - doubt no more, Thomas! Last night, I ordered two whole pies (or slabs maybe, sine they're rectangular?) and was promptly told that our household had spent $100 on pizza and we'd be receiving our $10 credit. It was a nice way to end the week. Please note, though, that the frequent buyer program only applies to the purchase of whole pies. They track your purchase history via your phone number. I still really enjoy Jules Pizza. I am never disappointed by the quality of the ingredients, the friendly service, the taste, or the clean and bright dining area. I find that dining in works for any number of situations: a casual date, lunch meeting, catching-up with friends, a post-play group snack for moms and kids, etc. The fact that you can bring your own juice boxes or beer means that just about everyone should be happy, even your kid with 12 food allergies. They even feature cute coloring pages and crayons at the register that kind of made me want to break out my 96 box of Crayola's. It may be thin crust, but Jules Pizza is satisfying and certainly provides and easy way to get in some of those 5 veggies you need every day. Their honest business practices and openness about the source of their ingredients continues to keep me coming back.", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:29:36" }, { "business_id": "q43nr6E8ib2p39sVYtPGww", "business_name": "Juju Salon & Organics", "rating": 5, "text": "I think that JuJu and I are officially in a long-term relationship now. Sure, we're comfortable, but not so comfortable that the staff slack on service or that my stylist resorts to some standard-issue cut. I still enjoy coming into the shop for the relaxing atmosphere. Janka continues to provide me with superb haircuts that leave me inwardly sighing \"ahhh, now that's better\". It's always a treat when one of the staff have their pooches in tow. What could be better than having your hair washed AND a snuggling doggie in your lap? I'd also like to highlight the fact that JuJu is always very accommodating of me when I call to reschedule or change an appointment. I had to change my last appointment twice because life got in the way, but I was never treated rudely. I also appreciate the confirmation phone calls so that I don't inadvertently forget!", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:44:40" }, { "business_id": "3GvaJRiDGxzJzqoPX0xUeA", "business_name": "Spool", "rating": 5, "text": "The beginning quilting class taught by Ashley Kayhart was wonderful. In just five weeks, I have learned an entirely new skill and finished my first quilt complete with hand-sewn binding. I highly recommend this class to anyone wanting to take the plunge into the world of quilt-making. Ashley is enthusiastic and has wonderful sense for color and design. She will certainly put you at ease about your project as she reminds you that you need not be perfect. I liked that the class was limited to about 8 students which meant that you could have the personal attention you might need should your sewing go awry. You are also welcome to bring your own fabrics for the class, which I thought was quite generous considering Spool is a fabric shop afterall. Some nights, I wished we had more than two hours and my only suggestion is that those purchasing their fabric from Spool might want to do so before class time to ensure that there is enough time to complete all the steps in a given night. I'm pretty darn proud of my finished product and glad to have met such wonderful people.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:30:42" }, { "business_id": "mC_m-4k9Xo1kzjSL0w7uoA", "business_name": "Alice Bakery & Confectionary", "rating": 4, "text": "This neighborhood bakery is adorable. Dennis Darr, a graduate of Chicago's French Pastry School, as some wonderful ambitions for this little shop including such delights as mousse cakes! For now, though, you will have to satisfy yourself with their homemade chocolates, cupcakes, sticky buns, and breads. Dare I say that the cupcake obsession is waning after years of New Yorkers clamoring for a taste of Magnolia's treats? It seems the cupcake phenomenon has peaked as bakeries pull out all of the stops to make the largest, most unique, most decadent handheld treats. Unfortunately, many of these mini masterpieces often fall flat in taste, texture, and experience. And, honestly, who wants to pay upwards of $3 for a cupcake!? Darr keeps it simple with traditionally-sized cakes that are flavorful and moist. The red velvet variety that I sampled was topped with a vanilla bean butter cream that complimented instead of overwhelming the cake with just enough sweetness. The chocolate cupcakes are also rich, light, and moist instead of the dry crumbly cake I'm used to. The sticky bun, even the plain one, was superb. It had a light, yeasty quality with just the right about of chewiness, It was sweet but not cloying and I recommend you order yours hot with a cup of freshly brewed Illy coffee or herbal tea. Be sure to take home some focaccia or a smoked gouda loaf for later. Can there be anything better than bread AND cheese? The sea salt rolls would be excellent as a pairing with any winter soup or stew. I look forward to seeing the new offerings that Darr comes up with in his kitchen. He runs a very friendly shop with room for you to sit and linger and certainly works to get to know his customers. ABC is definitely a superb addition to the suburban landscape. If only they also served hot chocolate, my bakery experience would be complete.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:45:15" }, { "business_id": "ADe114o7Z4vb1O6HkM6YEA", "business_name": "Greek Lady", "rating": 3, "text": "The recent renovations are really lovely and the expanded seating area is a very welcome addition. The restaurant feels much cleaner and brighter. I like that the order and pick-up areas are separate to keep customers flowing. I enjoy their chicken gyro when I'm in the mood for \"fast food\". Something about the french fries inside just adds that extra, greasy, yet satisfying something. I may move on to trying other menu items at some point. I've gotten a peek at the salads ordered by other customers and they do look rather appealing. Greek Lady is also a good bet in a pinch when working a long shift at the hospital because they deliver fairly late and, chances are, the rest of the unit staff will want in on the order, too.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:49:34" }, { "business_id": "AqX_5srdyAS1tNiqC3mDvg", "business_name": "Noche", "rating": 1, "text": "Noche is perpetually crowded and noisy and lacking in seating space. I'm not really sure what the awkward swathe of floor is for between the front windows and the bar. It's like no-man's land. There are no tables and chairs and it doesn't seem to serve as a dance space either. On a weekend evening, it's veritably impossible to reach the bar without having to throw a few punches. Once you reach the bar, you're lucky if the bartender can understand you over the awful din of the sound system. The restrooms are at the very back of the establishment and difficult to reach when the crowd is really thick. If memory serves me correctly, there is also a rather random seeming pool table back there as well. I'm not sure if Noche is trying to be a bar or a restaurant, but it's difficult to order food when you have nowhere to sit. I don't enjoy the crowd either - overly pretentious, popped-collar types that fancy buying a condo on Rittenhouse Square. I'd caution against having any sort of organization event/fundraider here as they tend to continue to let hordes of people in off of the street making it very hot and tight. The available food selections are also pretty mediocre. I've had better salsa from a jar. The drink specials will end up being little more than watery Miller Light.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:57:46" }, { "business_id": "Xq-8-I0U8Artr7d70SjX-g", "business_name": "30th Street Station", "rating": 4, "text": "30th Street Station - how I prefer you over Penn Station in NYC! There is plenty of wide open space and seating that doesn't make me feel like I'm in an underground bunker. The lines for Amtrak trains tend to be orderly because you aren't forced to snake around the 400 other passengers milling about or sitting smack in the middle of the floor. There are plenty of options for a meal or a snack before your journey. The new Old Nelson Market serves up a good breakfast sandwich in addition to having the odd sundries that you might need on your way home via SEPTA. I like that I can get fresh fruit there instead of from Au Bon Pain which charges an arm and a leg. SEPTA still bites most days but that's not the station's fault.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T03:01:59" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "This sushi bar is just that - a 6 to 10 seat bar with an extra table by the door to squeeze in a few extra customers. The $10.95 three roll deal cannot be beat. You can't even get sushi for that price at Whole Foods. The fish and other ingredients are fresh and comparable to many other more expensive restaurants. The rolls could use a more generous coating of rice on the outside, though. I've eaten in for lunch when it is slow and I can sip miso soup and read a book. I've also called for take-out after a long day of work and arrived to find my order ready and waiting. I also recommend their shumai and salad with ginger dressing to round out your meal. I've seen many other customers order the fancy rolls which just look a little too rich for my stomach (I prefer to keep it simple with spicy tuna), but they seem to get good reviews for their unique flavor combinations and creative presentations. The tuna dumplings mentioned by other reviewers do look pretty intriguing! The staff are very friendly and this could easily be a place where you become a \"regular\".", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:41:26" }, { "business_id": "Jc-y852Fq1_6VB5kPUjxfA", "business_name": "City Planter", "rating": 4, "text": "This shop is absolutely lovely! The staff are friendly and knowledgeable without that horticultural pretense you find at some nursery/garden shops. The staff members know plants and plant care, but they can also help you to create an artful arrangement - just pick out and plant and a pot and you are good to go. Soon you'll be populating your place with vegetation as art! I have enjoyed planting terrariums as of late to bring a bit of nature indoors and was quite inspired by the examples City Planter has throughout their shop. They have a great selection of terrarium supplies - including miniature garden rakes, trowels, and spades - and their miniature plants are well priced at about $3 a pop. They have a great selection of unique glass vessels as well whether you want a traditional, free-standing vase, something to suspend from the air, or a wall planter. I especially love that you can make your own bag of gravel and rocks which they sell by the pound. This means that you don't have to pay for or get more than you need. They also have gravel in lovely shades of blue and larger rocks that are a cool, milky white which add nicely to the overall look of my terrariums. Don't forget the preserved moss for decoration! They carry your traditional flower favorites like pansies for spring planting, but you can also find orchids and other \"delicacies\" here as well. Check out their eco-friendly offerings like plantable wall baskets made from wool, I believe.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:50:24" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 3, "text": "If I am going to have my ice cream beaten to a pulp before I eat it, I much prefer Scoop De Ville to Cold Stone Creamery. At Scoop, your ice cream is mixed via machine instead of pummeled by the staff on an icy slab that could be a breeding ground for god-knows-what. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a Plain Jane when it comes to frozen treats. I like my ice cream scooped into a cone in it's natural state, no mixing, but maybe some rainbow jimmies. I also can't fathom paying $5 or more dollars every time I've got a taste for some mint chocolate chip even if the portions are on the generous side. The menu offers so many choices for mix-ins that it's difficult to make a decision even with their suggestions printed up before you. I would avoid taking small children there at all costs as they'll never make up their little minds! The chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate, caramel, and sea salt was pretty delectable and I do recommend that for a twist on your ordinary day. If you're looking for an out-of-the-ordinary ice cream treat and a splurge, head in to Scoop, but I won't be making this shop my regular summer ice cream spot.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:57:55" }, { "business_id": "d_UJWp4IlGS4sgnjE60eBw", "business_name": "Longwood Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite \"public\" gardens. And by public I do not mean free. I mean open to the public. Each spring Longwood is a spectacular showcase for blooming wisteria, tulips, anemone, foxglove, and snapdragon. The Italian fountains will mesmerize as your eyes are immediately drawn to the cool blue tiles shimmering beneath the surface. We have a dual membership in our household and it is well worth it for the 4 or more times a year that I go for seasonal exhibits, fireworks displays, and musical concerts. Wear comfortable shoes and stroll the paths as the landscape changes from manicured flower gardens to open field and meadow. Stop for an iced tea at the Terrace Cafe before heading to the conservatory to view more exotic species of flora. Read a book or enjoy a romp in the cow pasture where DuPont used to graze his dairy herd. This is a place I actually recommend for kids because of the wide open spaces and abundance of color and shape and texture to keep them interested. The garden also offers and abundance of classes for the novice or advanced horticulturalist and has a gift shop with all sorts of tempting items from seed and garden supplies, to books, to jewelry and scented soaps. I highly recommend the fireworks displays that they pair with music. Splurge and pair the evening with Longwood's delicious pre-show barbeque. It's work the ticket price! Don't forget to view the holiday light display over Christmas and the 1906 restaurant is perfect for a more formal and romantic setting if you're bringing someone special!", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:47:50" }, { "business_id": "2PWmnUV2Leb2Loj0TqxCMA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - University City", "rating": 3, "text": "Bring your ID after 4pm because they will card everything that breathes. A good deal for over-sized (22 oz) margaritas and greasy munchies like nachos, which is pretty much what you want to eat when you're through with multiple shots or frozen tequila. You're sure to run into a crowd on any weekend so count on lots of noise and a possible wait. At least their vigilant ID-checking keeps most UPenn undergrads out. Don't even try the \"i'm just here for the food\" excuse. That won't get you through the door either. Traditional Mexican this isn't, but their menu items are tasty and satisfying if not the most flavorful meals I've ever had. They also have an economical late-night menu. Let's be honest, though, you're probably there for the cocktails.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:54:31" }, { "business_id": "BsnP3lXh-QaOSgAw2t-omA", "business_name": "Kildare's Irish Pub - Manayunk", "rating": 1, "text": "Never...ever...again. There is nothing pleasant about this place in my opinion. It is consistently and constantly crowded with students spewed from St. Joe's, LaSalle, and other local institutions. Even on a weeknight, you'll be crammed in cheek by jowl with coeds looking for cheap beer. They tend not to have anything on tap worth drinking and it's not even worth the gas money to head over there for $2 Coors or Miller or Budweiser. The food is bland and greasy with an odd and random assortment of options constituting bar fare and half-hearted attempts at \"Irish\" favorites. The place is ridiculously loud with music over the speakers and then a band or two upstairs. Someone is bound to step on your or slosh their beer down the side of your pants. With so little seating for actual eating, the place reminds me of a cattle market. Unfortunately, places like Kildare's have forever branded Manayunk in my mind as a place I will avoid like the plague after 5pm. Even if you're dining slightly upscale, you can't escape the college kids who ruin the atmosphere for the rest of civilized folk.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:02:01" }, { "business_id": "kQCJRWvfpiW1p_4hgwD8Uw", "business_name": "Roller's Restaurant at Flying Fish", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked Roller's better when it was at the top of the Hill and Roller's Express-O is great for breakfast and ice cream. This location used to be the Flying Fish which I remember turning out superb seafood dishes throughout my childhood. It appears, though, that the furniture and decor has not changed since I was 8 giving the place an odd \"first apartment\" feel. I don't think they even use the upstairs for seating anymore. I, too, was also thrown off by the whinnie-the-pooh soap in the bathroom which made me feel like I had accidentally walked into someone else's house. I was disappointed that there is no choice in side dish and that everyone seems to get the mashed sweet potato which was a bit stringy and a ratatouille of squash of sorts. My mexican chicken, however, was quite delicious. They do have a rather creative way of pairing dishes and desserts together to give you a pretty good deal on your entire meal. Their rhubarb pie was very good. The French onion soup seemed very thin as it did not have any chunks of break beneath the cheese. I would have preferred that my waitress be able to describe the beer offerings to me as they do carry local and microbrew options. I ordered a bottle of Scarlet Lady on a whim and was glad that it wasn't terrible since no one seemed to be able to give me a description. I also think there needs to be some uniformity in attire for the waitstaff as I don't consider leggings appropriate work clothing. Apparently, it is or was shad season and the elderly folks next to us were tickled pink over the shad roe offering. I know the restaurant is small and privately owned, but it is the 21st century and it would be nice if they would accept at least Visa for payment. Considering the new eateries coming to Chestnut Hill, Roller's could take a serious hit if the more contemporary places draw business to their doors.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "iqJ3t9iq0fsWaYL93s8Vmw", "business_name": "King of Prussia", "rating": 4, "text": "If I am going to go to a mall, I am going to go here. It has virtually every store I could need in one tidy location. KOP used to cater equally to the Main Line elite and suburban scrubs with Neiman Marcus and Sears at opposite poles of the complex. However, with the arrival of high-end retailers like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Versace the parking lot is filled with more Ferrari than Ford. The message that this mall aims to send is becoming clear: if you're not going to drop $3,500 on a handbag, please exit the premises, do not pass go, and take your measly $200 with you on the way out. Honestly, I am a bit surprised that we haven't seen such retailers trying to snap up space in Center City around Rittenhouse Square. Even The Court is more upscale these days despite the Macy's tethered to it. There is a clear dichotomy in the shoppers you'll see walking the wide, sunlit aisles - those who wear stretch pants with stirrups and those who do not. And, as always, you've got the handful of tourists sprinkled in for a bit of diversity. Even the piped in classical music seems to be trying to lure a certain crowd - those with distinctly refined tastes. Of course, don't worry, there is still a Taco Bell in the food court and an Old Navy for those who want more down-to-earth than designer. I know Bill M. is looking for a little something unique here, but it's a mall and malls aren't about boutique style and individual tastes. What IS unique about THIS mall, though, is that it has added luxury retailers yet is still situated only minutes from a Hooters and Red Lobster.", "timestamp": "2011-05-24T03:45:24" }, { "business_id": "oFv9-wwifD3u8FFx6fPRYA", "business_name": "Baja Room at Pico de Gallo", "rating": 4, "text": "Feeling the need to wash ourselves of a very long 12 hour nursing shift, a friend and I stumbled into this little place after deciding that the hipster/biker crowd at Bob and Barbara's was just not for us. Unfortunately, I had left my skinny scrubs at home that day. Being a Wednesday evening, the restaurant wasn't populated by too many other parties and we were seated on the back patio where we enjoyed the eclectic collection of bric-a-brac that goes for decor and numerous strands of twinkly lights. We ordered a STAT round of margaritas which were topped with fresh mint and lime wedges. They didn't seem particularly strong at the time, but my coma-like sleep later that night tells me you're in for a kick in the pants later if you consumer multiples. We ordered the cheese, bean, and guacamole nachos and sushi-grade tuna tacos to share. Both were delicious! The nachos were crisp and topped with generous helpings of beans, cheese, and guacamole so that you weren't left munching naked chips by the time you'd dug through the pile. The tuna tacos were surprisingly refreshing - quickly seared/rare tuna on light flour tortillas, topped with fresh tomato salsa. Rice, refried beans, and a grilled plantain come on the side. The atmosphere was just what we were looking for after work - laid back, where we wouldn't be pestered to eat quickly and move on. The night air was just a bit warm and you couldn't help but feel cocooned sitting on the back patio hidden by the picket fence. The place has a certain unpretentious charm and broken-in-ness that makes me want to come back again.", "timestamp": "2011-05-31T17:58:28" }, { "business_id": "lRbHFOIFuusN2WOR_ypQ_A", "business_name": "Ants Pants Café", "rating": 5, "text": "This little \"blink and you'll miss it\" cafe is quickly becoming one of my post-night shift breakfast spots. They open early, have a quiet and cozy atmosphere, and serve consistently delicious, comforting food. The staff is especially friendly and courteous. My favorites to date are their grilled cheese with tomato and bacon, their milkshakes, and their creme brulee battered french toast with maple syrup and sour cream sauce. Honestly, I was pretty wary of the sour cream sauce at first but it provides refreshing coolness to the sweet bread and maple syrup. The portions aren't skimpy either; once I've paid my check and hit the road home, I'm ready to hop into bed and start all over again later that day with another 12 hours at work sans tummy rumblies. Don't forget: they are a cash-only joint. They do have an ATM in-house, though. Oh, and don't try to bring your 10 best friends to dine here, they're small and other patrons will appreciate not having to rub elbows with your entire clan.", "timestamp": "2011-11-06T18:30:15" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 3, "text": "Fork is one of those restaurants that I, as a faithful Yelper, felt guilty for not having visited. I finally checked it off my list in early September! My first meal there rates a mediocre 3 stars. I really love the atmosphere - open kitchen, cozy and intimate with dim lighting and green foliage screening canoodling couples from other diners. Maybe not a place I'd take your staid in-laws considering the \"sexy vibe\" as Dave H. puts it. I was disappointed by the portion size of my mushroom risotto - one lonely ladle-ful in the midst of a sea of china. At least put it in a smaller dish so that I think I'm getting what I paid for. The flavor of the dish was pretty banal as well. Give me a can of chicken stock, some locally picked mushrooms, and I could have whipped up a better batch at home. We were seated right next to the bar which makes for some unfortunate annoyances as waitstaff bustle back and forth and the din can get quite loud from other patrons dousing themselves in house-made cocktails. The service, however, was impeccable with an attentive but not overbearing waiter. He knew the menu well and was able to describe the dishes in detail as if he had personally tasted each one. Needless to say, I'll need to reprise my meal here to get a better feel for the place.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:42:54" }, { "business_id": "uVoAlvNxz2IRvhXccU1tFw", "business_name": "Union Transfer", "rating": 5, "text": "No one told me the Spaghetti Warehouse closed! What a relief! That place was a poor excuse for \"Italian\" food. Luckily, the building has been reincarnated into my new favorite music venue. I was blown away by the Gillian Welch performance I saw in late October. Given that the floor plan is open with no assigned seating I was worried that this event would be a repeat of a show I saw at the Electric Factory where, crammed cheek by jowl, I had the misfortune of standing next to a stoner who vomited all over my shoes. The UT is extremely spacious: concert-goers can belly right up to the stage (or bar for that matter), fan out along the top-tier balconies, or relax next to the bar at high tops and tables for two. Everyone can enjoy the show from a good vantage point without another person or post in your sight line (ahem, I'm thinking of you Academy of Music!). If the show isn't all-ages you can even keep your \"adult beverage\" with you on the main floor. They also have a concession stand. I found the drink prices to be fair - I think my can of PBR was $3.75. I could also totally be making that up. The place has an industrial vibe that makes you feel like the place used to be a factory for train trestles. The acoustics are phenomenal - you're neither deafened nor guessing at the lyrics. The staff are very friendly and I actually enjoyed tipping my waitress as it meant not having to run back and forth to the bar. If you're driving, you can pre-pay online before the show and park in the lot directly behind the venue for $8 or so. Extra bonus: not having to buy tickets through Ticketmaster! Randomness: I know people with babies and small kids like music. I know they like concerts, but really...is it a good idea to bring your small child to a live show that starts at 9p, a time when they should be sleeping? Probably not. Sleepy kids are cranky as hell.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:58:04" }, { "business_id": "nWHNtH3v6BPnV7MUWejOyw", "business_name": "Solebury Orchards", "rating": 5, "text": "Do yourself a favor. Skip Linvilla Orchards with it's mazes, clowns, huge gift shop and other gimmicks. I've been hooked on Solebury Orchards ever since I tried their cider doughnuts that are sold via Weavers Way Co-Op. You literally park your car, grab your bag, and walk right into the orchard or take the hay wagon for a ride for picking at the other end of the property. The whole process is neat and efficient given the crowds that can show up here on a Fall weekend. I think Solebury has become my favorite orchard for apple picking with their offerings of Empire, Pinata, Honeycrisp and more. The trees are well-maintained with lots of low-hanging fruit and scattered ladders/step-stools for the apples on higher branches. I ended up picking over 20lbs and have many jars of superb applesauce to show for it. You'd be an idiot to skip the fresh cider and doughnuts no matter what diet you're on this year. Their pear butter is also fantastic on fresh, crisp bread with Whole Foods fresh honey-roasted peanut butter. Seriously, I eat it just about every day. The orchard also offers pick-your-own flowers and pumpkins (though not in a pick-your-own patch). When you've had your fill of apple goodness, head down the road a stretch and check out the Carousel Lavender farm!", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T02:17:19" }, { "business_id": "tM-ObyoUno83kylE283iXw", "business_name": "A Taste of Britain", "rating": 4, "text": "I found this adorable little tea spot while running errands through Wayne the other day. The decor is simple and unassuming yet charming with a soothing green color covering the walls and dark wood throughout. As a child, afternoon tea was a special occasion with my mother that required a party dress and a trip downtown to the Four Seasons or Rittenhouse hotels. I was happy to discover somewhere more casual and certainly less expensive on this afternoon. My server, Rebecca, provided impeccable service and was very helpful when I was making my tea and menu selections. Their lunch offerings of soups, fritatta, salads, and sandwiches were rather appealing but I decided on the full Afternoon Tea ($18 per person). The selections were really quite generous: 1 large scone of your choice with fresh lemon curd, clotted cream, and raspberry preserves as well as other assorted mini pastries, 8 tea sandwiches of tuna, cheddar with chutney, roast beef, and sweet cheese, and one pot of tea all artfully prepared and served. I was afraid the little restaurant would be filled with the Main Line elite whose attitudes easily ruin a peaceful afternoon to one's self, but none were to be found at the surrounding tables and I was happy to be treated with such care and attention. This is a place where one can be at ease even if you don't sport diamonds and fur. They provided for parties of up to 14 in house and can also coordinate catering. They offer and assortment of British favorites from HP sauce to Cadbury Chocolate to PG Tips tea. You can even take home steak and kidney pie, meat pasties, fresh lemon curd and clotted cream. I would consider this a lovely place to bring your friends, your daughter, your mother or even your husband.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:15:08" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 3, "text": "Crowded and busy but with extremely fast service. Fast, not necessarily good. Extremely inexpensive. Not a place to sit and linger, maybe get it to go. The small bowl is a misnomer. It's really two meals in one. Are those chopsticks really sanitary? Great bowl of steaming soup - add the fresh basil and hot sauce. Yes, that meat in the steak pho really is cooked. If you're adventurous, try the tripe, fatty flank, and tendons. I'm not that adventurous.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:57:09" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite a rave review in The New York Times, I still don't understand how fried chicken and doughnuts compliment one another. Sometimes, after a night shift, I will drive out of the way for the Vanilla-Lavender. That and the Indian Cinnamon are my favorite. Nothing beats a warm, soft, aromatic treat. The fancy flavors don't rate as high on my list because I'm a fan of keeping it simple and flavors like Pina Colada are usually more than my tastebuds want to handle early in the morning. The service is remarkably cheery and snappy even at 8am on a Saturday morning which is when you had better get there lest you want to miss out. Doughnuts are continually cranked in perfect form right behind the counter. It's rather mesmerizing. The coffee is good and strong but I do wish they had tea and hot chocolate as well. Perhaps someday I will try the chicken, but to tell the truth - I hate meat on bones.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:41:33" }, { "business_id": "GoYSJ-YY-YwbxdgasHuq-Q", "business_name": "Mixto", "rating": 2, "text": "Visited Mixto after an evening at the annual UPenn Mask and Wig production at their clubhouse on Quince Street. I enjoyed the red sangria which was full of fresh fruit and well chilled. Unfortunately, the black bean soup was bland and lackluster. I appreciate that it wasn't overwhelmingly spicy, but would I would have liked to be overwhelmed by some kind of flavor. The tres leches cake was too soggy. I know that this traditional Mexican dessert is made with milk, but once it hit my tongue the cake's texture felt as if it had been marinating in liquid all day. Lastly, what's with the toasted bread they bring without butter? It seems out of place and like an afterthought \"Well I guess we should serve the people bread, might as well toast it while we're at it\". The restaurant was also very drafty on that cold night and any time anyone opened the door, some kind of vacuum was created that prevented them from closing the door quickly and keeping the chilled air outside. I may visit again, but it looks like the repeat customers are just as puzzled by the underwhelming experience.", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T21:35:21" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Sabrina's on Powelton is every bit as good as the original in the Italian Market. I really love the new space - an old Victorian home which features a charming wrap-around porch with large sunny windows. The porch can be a bit chilly in winter but they'll happily flip on the heaters to keep you cozy. I consider Sabrina's a staple in list of places to frequent for post night-shift breakfast as their fare is hearty, satisfying, and affordable. Thus ensuring me a good day's rest once home. My only complaint is that their french toast is sometimes too thick, leaving the middle of the toast dry. I only recommend the stuffed french toast if bringing friends as you will be bested by it's sheer volume if you attempt it alone. I honestly don't have an issue with students from Penn and Drexel who dine here on the regular as they are hardly any more of a nuisance than the hipster crowd at Honey's or the toddler-toting young families at Sabrina's original location.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:44:01" }, { "business_id": "rAe-1HU5Z-DuUXEbzASXDA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - Willow Grove", "rating": 2, "text": "Mad Mex Willow Grove is every bit as boisterous as the University City location. Be prepared to wait on the weekends as there will most likely be a healthy crowd, especially around the bar. You can barely hear yourself think let alone listen to your tablemates over the din of the sound system. The margaritas are potent but the food is still average Americanized Tex-Mex that relies heavily on salt and spice rather than the flavors of the actual ingredients. Not a bad place for a bite before or after a movie at the Warrington Regal cinema, but not exactly a destination.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:50:14" }, { "business_id": "ohWH383r60AREWh-aphpSw", "business_name": "Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm pleased that Iron Hill has popped up in Chestnut Hill to provide some contrast to all of the smaller, independent shops and restaurants in the area. The block the the brewery occupies was looking especially vacant and I much prefer Iron Hill to the likes of Chili's or Houlihan's. However, it is a chain and attracts everyone from couples out for date night to young families to older couples to groups of friends. My point? The place gets crowded quickly and you're bound to wait or duke it out for one of the high top bar tables. The bar tables actually turn over fairly quickly and I've never ended up waiting more than 10-15 minutes. I have never really seen the rest of the property because we stick to the high tops as the wait has usually been about an hour on a Thursday-Saturday night. The atmosphere is lively and your boyfriend, brother, or dad will appreciate whatever game is on if they are inclined to avoid small-talk. The beer selection is good and rotates depending on the season to include standard favorites and unique flavors like the Oompa Loompa Chocolate Stout. If you can't decide, get a flight of beers to taste. The waitstaff is very friendly and attentive. They are also actually very knowledgeable about each brew and certainly equipped to help you find your favorite selection. Their food is good and the portions substantial. They serve standard \"pub fare\" from pizza and nachos to pastas, burgers, steaks, and seafood. I wouldn't say they really do anyone thing extremely well, but fish and chips will certainly help sop up all that beer you're downing. I wouldn't consider Iron Hill a destination but certainly a place to keep in the rotation for casual weekend dining when you just don't want to order in another pizza.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T02:02:09" }, { "business_id": "4Am_sbP0WDw0Q7aaAy6XhA", "business_name": "REI", "rating": 4, "text": "You'd be hard-pressed to find a store that meets the needs of the outdoor enthusiast more than REI. The staff have always been kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. They are enthusiastic about the activities they participate in and often encouraging of a customer's interest, even those of us who are new to the worlds of hiking, biking, running, camping, etc. Shopping here offers and advantage as the company is a co-op and you will receive your dividends back in March. The amount is usually about 10% of all of your eligible purchases during the year. I like that they sell maps and guides for popular hiking trails and state parks - items that can be hard to find elsewhere. I find their prices to be fairly competitive with similar stores like EMS and Campmoor. I buy my favorite Halo snack bars here and they offer a 20% discount when you buy an entire box. I also applaud their stewardship efforts and the community building they do with educational programs, travel, and community service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T21:51:53" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I could do without Serafina's bright yellow awnings on 18th Street. The restaurant feels like one of those places where you come to see and be seen - like Parc but without the help of a Stephen Starr reputation. In fact, I found myself heading over to Parc after a disappointing dinner of too-heavy Penne Vodka for a strong cocktail and dessert. You cannot be seated at an outside table unless you are ordering food which was very disappointing to learn. The menu is fairly large and the kitchen doesn't produce any excellent dish but manages to turn out a variety of mediocre Italian-ish plates. The wait staff was rather aloof and my meal felt rushed. There was a great deal of whining at the bar by neighborhood regulars who had come to complain about their life, their day, their relationships. It made for quite the melancholy atmosphere. A meal will easily run you more than $20 per person, even at lunch, especially if you order any seafood. Prices I am not willing to pay for less than stellar offerings.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T22:09:24" }, { "business_id": "yDHINEt7By47My7x4Mb8oA", "business_name": "The Gypsy Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "I'll admit that I don't consider Conshohocken when I think about going out to dinner but I was persuaded to try this restaurant after reading a newspaper review. I love the atmosphere - a dark, warm wood bar with ceilings and walls draped with printed fabrics, all lit by the warm glow from hanging lamps and candles. I felt that the mounted plasma tv's really detracted from the ambiance, though, and made the venue feel less intimate. The menu is eclectic - pasta, seafood, meat, but I thought that their meatloaf was a stand out. The calamari was also surprisingly good - lightly fried and crispy. The lobster mac and cheese seems to be a clear crowd-pleaser, though. I thought that the service was standard - prompt and polite. No horror stories here. This is a casual, neighborhood place - good for a low-key meal on a Friday night, meeting old friends, sipping cocktails, etc. The portions were a bit too large for my taste, but you can always take the rest home! I might recommend adding another server to take some of the strain off of the two sisters that were manning the dining room when we were in on a Tuesday night - they did a great job juggling a pretty full house on a week night!", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:13:32" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Get the mussels. You may not be close to the coast, but they are delicious. Tender morsels in a deeply savory broth. Skip the frites and dip crusty bread in after the shells are gone. Or eat both. Drink a romarin (the citrus is pleasantly tart yet refreshing) while sitting outside in large, dark sunglasses. Enjoy Parc for what it is - don't whine about the prices, just enjoy daydreaming about actually dining al fresco in Paris.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:40:16" }, { "business_id": "fBOoOWHRWPXIrMvVVkZqMg", "business_name": "Cake", "rating": 4, "text": "Two things: The balsamic portobello mushroom with farro, mozzarella, and assorted vegetables was amazing. I wish I could remember the exact name of the dish! It was so good, I only ate half so that I could eat the remainder the next day. The mushrooms were bursting with tangy, balsamic flavor that mingled so nicely with the meaty texture of the portobellos. The lemon tart is the best version of a citrus dessert that I have ever had. I really hate lemon things that are overly sweet. I also hate when they are mussed up by fruit or other adornments. The citron dessert features smooth, pucker-worthy lemon custard over the thinnest of chocolate-y layers, couched in a light, crumby shell. Heaven! Dinner is only served Thursday and Friday. Make a reservation to be guaranteed a seat. Last seating is 8:30p. Go early to avoid missing out on certain menu selections. The trout was very popular the night I stopped in and was 86ed fairly fast. I thought the prices were very fair considering the restaurants use of fresh, local, organic ingredients. The menu appears to make great use of seasonal variety and I imagine we'll be seeing some creative squash dishes soon. The greenhouse setting is very charming and makes for a relaxed, yet intimate venue suitable for date night or brunch with the family.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:52:21" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 3, "text": "After having sampled the confections at the La Duree location in Manhattan, I developed pretty high standards for macarons. Miel Patisserie gives a whole-hearted attempt at perfecting the macaron in Philadelphia but falls just a bit short, in my opinion. I tried 4 flavors - coconut, chocolate, rosewater, and salted caramel. While their chocolate was rich and delicious, I expected more from the other flavors. The salted caramel filling had a very buttery taste and was overly salty, leaving me feeling a tad queasy. The rosewater had too much of a pronounced rose taste that made me feel as if I had licked a perfume bottle. I prefer a much more subtle rose flavor. The coconut tasted more like pineapple or pina colada to me and consisted of an eerily translucent filling rather than a cream. I was impressed with their meringues, though - a light and crisp shell with a pleasant chew to the center. I'd never be one to pass up a baked good, so I am sure I will have occasion to sample these and other flavors again before I declare La Duree my clear favorite here in America.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T22:47:52" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Yet another breakfast option in a city of brunch fanatics. I feel like we're in an episode of Sex and the City and Philadelphia is only now getting to the table. Manhattan has made brunch a serious weekend habit for at least the last decade. Green Eggs Cafe is a serious contender in my book for best brunch. It's BYOB so you don't have to worry about over-paying for your mimosa since you Bring Your Own Bubbly. The portions are large enough that you'll be taking home the rest for dinner. If you're looking for something dainty and on your 1200 calorie diet, I advise staying home. The quinoa porridge, however, is a great option for those looking to avoid the damage incurred by eating french toast. There are vegan options as well - vegan french toast, vegan sausage, and more so don't forget to invite your friends with esoteric food preferences. I recommend sharing dishes like the creme brulee french toast or red velvet pancakes so that you can try some other things on the menu like the rosemary potatoes which are very flavorful. In this town people complain that portions are either too large or too small. I felt that $11 for a dish that feeds me twice is pretty darn reasonable. Of course, it will be crowded and the wait will be long on the weekends. You're not the only one who wanted to skip cereal and milk in their apartment this morning. Count on at least 15 minutes, but up to 30 depending on the size of your party. They were seating outside today but few people accepted an open table because they forgot to read the weather report before heading outside in the chill. Do your homework and hit the bank on the way as Green Eggs is cash only. They do have their own ATM with a fee of 99 cents for those who don't like to plan ahead. Do note that this spot is also popular with families and dog owners.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T23:00:56" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 4, "text": "What is there to say about The Barnes that hasn't already been said or argued about? The new location is lovely and makes me feel entirely at peace with the smooth stone walls and quiet reflection pools. The art collection, of course, is unparalleled and a must-see for anyone and everyone. Make multiple visits as it would be difficult and rather exhausting to thoroughly appreciate the many works in one trip. The Friday night entertainment offerings are quite worthwhile and a sophisticated way to wind up the week - sip a cocktail, enjoy some music or dance, wander the galleries. Don't forget to count yourself lucky to have the privilege to spend time in such intimate proximity to some of the world's most lovely objects.", "timestamp": "2012-11-17T01:39:14" }, { "business_id": "or_WcjWELDsssk2JruvJcg", "business_name": "Café Lutecia", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been meaning to stop in to Cafe Lutecia for years now. I've only driven by it a thousand and one times in my life. It always appeared to me to be the type of place where you could get lost in a good book. The cafe is remarkably tiny and simple. If it is made out of flour, it is probably on the menu - bagels, baguettes with ham and brie, croissant, muffins, etc. Simple as it is, I quite enjoyed my ham and brie on a baguette. I don't know how you would make something so simple any better than to serve it on good, warm crusty bread with quality meat and cheese, which is exactly what Cafe Lutecia does. They also make an astonishingly good cafe au lait. I am not a coffee snob - if it tastes good to me, I will drink it. I thought the cafe au lait that I had was a creamy bit of heaven. Way better than most places that masquerade as \"coffee shops\". Don't come here to do your work, though. This is not Starbucks and you cannot spread out as if it is your own personal library. Also, it is a neighborhood place. Children will wander in and out on the hip of a parent and will jabber to the owners and you will look like a jerk if you scowl or complain. Meet a good friend or a new friend and catch up at a tiny table as if you are in Paris. Throw your New Year's resolution out the window and eat ham and brie and a croissant or even on a croissant. Cafe Lutecia is owned by an incredibly warm and friendly couple who are an integral part of the neighborhood. It is so nice to go to a place where you can interact and engage with other patrons and not be thought to be a loon or nosey. I only wish the chairs were slightly bigger. Remember: cash only.", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T20:38:54" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to find good bubble tea, or boba, in LA. Not so much in Philadelphia. Until now. Tea Do is my go-to spot for icy cold taro bubble tea or avocado smoothies. Yes, avocado smoothies. Trust me, they taste much better than one would think. Tea Do is legit - they even have a specific machine just for the purpose of shaking up your drink. There are plenty of flavors and varieties to choose from to suit just about any palate. Get your fix with traditional tapioca pearls or try the \"popping bubbles\" which are reminiscent of Gushers. A large beverage will run you about $4 which is about the same as your daily drink at Starbucks. The best part? Picking out your favorite color straw!", "timestamp": "2013-03-23T20:38:34" }, { "business_id": "1fGaY2WlGv2l4as6UkMFrg", "business_name": "The Trestle Inn", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited the Trestle Inn for an event, so I can't directly comment on the venue except to say that the bartenders are snappy and sling well-blended drinks. The space is dimly lit, cozy, and intimate. I don't think it's the best space for large events, though, as the bar and back room are pretty narrow, making it difficult to navigate the establishment when it is filled with 100 or so people.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:35:48" }, { "business_id": "dpdMVwjAFOkwITNnS_Hu7g", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "The cupcake craze continues. As more and more shops flood the market for handheld baked goods, I am finding that I am not as easily impressed as I once was. Philly Cupcake turns out a good product that is delicious, but I don't know if they are any better or worse than any other establishment in the city. I am impressed by their flavor offerings, though, and the vegan selections. There is certainly something for everybody. This particular location also offers coffee, other pastries, and an array of made-on-premises candies. Expect to pay a little under $5 for some of their more decadent creations.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:39:51" }, { "business_id": "kz8OeP88ZYjDBWb0LePJ3A", "business_name": "Chill On the Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Chill on the Hill is a brightly lit, crisp, clean shop compared to the rainbow-hued chaos of other establishments. Unlike other local frozen yogurt places, Chill lets its customers fill their own sample cups which means not having to wait while the customer in front of you tries 6 different flavors. I appreciate that they put all toppings with nuts in a separate section to discourage cross-contamination for people with allergies. Their flavors pretty much hit the mark - no funny aftertaste or odd concoctions. They keep it simple with pretty standard fare - vanilla, chocolate, original tart, birthday cake, etc. Seating is somewhat minimal as the store is not overly large but the long bench along one wall makes good use of space to keep the shop from feeling very crowded when busy. They also have a frequent buyer program which will come in handy this summer for lots of customers. Chill seems to also aim to really interact with the community - they feature merchandise (t-shirts, etc) with their logo and will be soon hosting a mini film festival. Customer photos and other events can also be displayed on the LCD screens built in to one wall. Prices are comparable to shops like U-Swirl and Kiwi Yogurt.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:49:25" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "I had heard so many wonderful things about the burger offerings here. I was so disappointed to find that, on the night I chose to dine in, they had taken their list of burgers down to one - the once famous Churchill Burger, I believe. I've had better at Five Guys. Warm bleu cheese just does not do wonders for me - I felt it gave the burger bitter, gritty taste. It couldn't even be redeemed by the fries. The atmosphere is also overwhelmingly noisy on a Friday night. The music is in constant competition with customers who get louder and louder with each beer they toss back.", "timestamp": "2013-06-09T01:36:59" }, { "business_id": "4GBQc6XbJVhfH58WjHLBvw", "business_name": "Brandywine River Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "If you've already frequented other east coast art museums with large collections (think: MOMA, the Met, the Frick, the Barnes, PMA) why not give the Brandywine a try? Given that this museum is a tightly curated collected of Wyeth family favorites and other special exhibits, touring the Brandywine is like spending time on one specific subject in a larger art history class. Sunday mornings are free, so get up early, treat yourself to brunch in the area and digest that omelette while you consider Wyeth's relationship with his model, Helga. Friends? Lovers? Wyeth really captures the pastoral beauty of rural Pennsylvania and the majesty of the Maine coast. Unfortunately, his paintings are one thin thread that we have connecting us to much of our agriculture heritage in this area of the state. Children will especially love N.C. Wyeth's original illustrations for Treasure Island - they are still some of my all time favorite pieces in the world.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:38:57" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually quite prefer the new Honey's location to the original. Perhaps it's the particular chef at this location? I'm an over-easy eggs kind of woman and Honey's never disappoints. Add on a latke and I'm set for the day. The wait was remarkably shorter at this location despite being situated among prime residential real estate. The service was lively and attentive - the host even pitched in, clearing plates and filling beverages, when the place got busy. My only complaint? Being seated near the kitchen means you can see who goes in and out quite frequently. I wouldn't mind if management encouraged their employees, including kitchen staff, to dress a little less like they just rolled out of bed and rode their fixed gear 20 miles before landing at work. Remember folks: cash only! ATM available but not for free.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:43:48" }, { "business_id": "TYZ6hF3HLulzePIworiIUw", "business_name": "U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite the evening crowds, U-Swirl is one of my favorite yogurt shops. They have at least 10 flavors to choose from and do rotate \"specialty\" flavors pretty regularly. They also have more toppings than any other yogurt shop I have been, too. U-Swirl also offers a really good frequent buyer program compared to some other shops. They give you 16oz of free yogurt for every 10 you purchase. Other shops limit you to 5 oz. The staff is always very friendly and refreshes the toppings frequently. Keep an eye on those kiddos, though, little hands have made their way into various containers. Luckily, the staff are happy to replace anything that has been licked or had grubby fingers in it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:49:15" }, { "business_id": "WNLUBI0my0WLpmWTNUsK9w", "business_name": "Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "After 11 years of knitting, I still love Loop. I'm always impressed by the new yarns Craig and Laura bring in and I appreciate their dedication to choosing local and independent fiber artists as well as more commercially available products. They've even got their own line now that Laura hand dyes. The service and kindness of the staff is still unparalleled. If you're a Philly native or just passing through, be sure to pop into my favorite place in the city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T05:58:45" }, { "business_id": "m64OHmyD7OqAyQmoJETkfQ", "business_name": "Moon + Arrow", "rating": 4, "text": "I loved Moon and Arrow when it was a pop-up shop on 4th street and am thrilled that it has found a permanent home there. I always find unique bits and bobs here for gifts. I am especially fond of the mineral pendants and vintage linens. If you're looking for a typewriter, you can usually find one here in great working condition. There are always new finds to be had which makes shopping exciting. It's always a good trip when the owner's pup, Loretta, is hanging out in the shop - she gives free kisses!", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:04:30" }, { "business_id": "08fkgKXeLTFmE35fCydRpA", "business_name": "juju spa", "rating": 5, "text": "If you're headed to JuJu, request Jill. She is an excellent aesthetician and I always enjoy my facials with her. She is extremely gentle throughout the entire treatment which means you won't be left looking red and blotchy the next day. Jill also does a wonderful job with eyebrows, leaving a very natural and tidy look. As always, the spa is lovely - warm, private, and inviting.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "-T_lkOvaK39R-Ufg6VUyxg", "business_name": "Magpie", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so grateful to Magpie for getting Philadelphia out of the cupcake rut! Magpie treats pie baking like a craft - dreaming up delicious flavor combinations beyond the traditional. The crust is, by far, the best part of a Magpie pie - flaky and slightly crisp on the outside but tender inside. No tooth cracking crunch here! Flavors like lime custard are elevated past the likes of the traditional key lime pie by the addition of a sublime basil custard and pistachio crunch. The caramel custard takes on a deep smokey flavor with the addition of bourbon. The fruit pies are equally delicious as Magpie utilizes the freshest local fruit of the season. My go-to savory choice is the Chicken Pot Pie which is instantly comforting and chock-full of meat and veggies. Pull it out of the oven on a crisp Fall day and you'll completely forget that your mom didn't make it for you! Last, but not least, do yourself a favor and get their salted carmel latte - an instant belly warmer and perfect complement to any of Magpie's apple pies.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:31:21" }, { "business_id": "3WX24d4v-R1OK4xqrcVL7g", "business_name": "Lacquer Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "Lacquer Lounge certainly lives up to the Best of Philly 2013 hype! Beware the wait, though - make an appointment in advance as a walk-in spot seems pretty hard to come by these days. The shop has a total of six technicians, so they are definitely not a high-volume nail salon that churns out scores of manicured digits like some other city establishments. The staff is so pleasant and attentive - water, coffee, and tea are all available and complimentary. Forgot your flip flops? Those are available, too, for a nominal price. The chairs are luxe white leather with fluffy hot pink pillows - talk about a girl's dream! Each client will receive their own files and the like which you are free to take home if you choose. All other nail tools are opened in front of you and come out of sterilized packages as if you were at a physician's office. When Lacquer Lounge advertises that health and safety are paramount, they mean it! Pedicures are done using individual tubs with disposable liners. You still get the spa feel without the worry of a fungal infection or worse later. I was impressed with their extensive collection of Essie and OPI polishes. They also have more than a dozen gel colors to choose from which is many more than some salons that only feature the basics like reds and pinks. Do be aware that gel removal is $10 unless you are coming in for a repeat gel manicure. Lacquer Lounge does accept credit cards and does allow tipping on credit cards which is quite convenient. I am sure I will be back to try their other services soon! Mary is a superb manicurist and I highly recommend her if you stop by. I felt the prices were quite reasonable (and comparable to other establishments in the city) considering the level of service and the extra health precautions.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:50:01" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 4, "text": "The Ziggy is my new favorite meal. This burger is full of smokey flavor and toothsome enough to satisfy even the most hardcore carnivores. The soft, wheat bun totally makes this burger for me. Get a banana whip for dessert if you have room - cool, creamy, guilt-free! No bathrooms here, though, which makes wiping off all of that special sauce a bit tough. Plan to take out as dine-in space is cramped, limited, and not made for lingering. Take that as a hint and try to avoid squeezing your baby wagon (seriously! When did strollers become actual vehicles!?) or oversized tote bag in here during the lunch rush! Even better? Call ahead for pick-up service.", "timestamp": "2013-10-19T11:27:53" }, { "business_id": "LnZvGYbqozanOSevcftnrw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg - University City", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't get enough of the Ziggy Burger, especially now that there is a University City location which means I can pick up an order after work and not have to worry about parking my car in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. If they add delivery - I'll be over the moon as it will mean a better take-out option when at work than Greek Lady. I heartily recommend the Ziggy Burger as the tempeh bacon and special sauce just really take the humble veggie burger to a whole new level of delicious. It will also keep you satisfied for hours. Splurge on some sweet potato fries as well for their slaty, tender goodness. I like the black bean cilantro dipping sauce which is a flavorful alternative to ketchup. If you're in the mood for something lighter, you can't go wrong with a green smoothie (groothie) or a banana whip. The service is ridiculously friendly and the orders are up quickly. I am always promptly greeted and the staff often provide great recommendations regarding menu items if you can't decide. If you're in a hurry, call ahead and your order is sure to be ready when you arrive. Compared to the Rittenhouse location this space is huge with seating for everyone! They still compost and recycle so after you satisfy your hunger you can satisfy your conscience as well. I enjoy this place so much that I feel they should have a frequent buyer punch card for their burgers.", "timestamp": "2013-11-17T23:38:20" }, { "business_id": "Zkvjfrl2Wx7VvfKoNahWWQ", "business_name": "Leila's Restaurant and Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Great spot for an impromptu date with your beau or bestie (yes, I said \"bestie\"). A reservation is certainly recommended for this cozy neighborhood French-inspired spot. BYOB and expect dishes like the generous (large enough that I could take the impressive bone home to my yellow lab) veal chop that is so perfectly seasoned and tender that it needs no further gilding beyond that of the tender winter vegetables and light au jus that are its accompaniments. The onion soup is quite a departure from the cheese-heavy, thin broth substitutes you'll find at lesser establishments. It is a rather hearty and creamy concoction with the cheese blended right in. Don't skip dessert - especially not the butterscotch pot de creme which is just as decadent as it sounds. It is exceptionally smooth on the tongue and has just the slightest taste of burnt caramel to keep it from being overly sweet. Make sure you pad your wallet with cash or a check as Leila's does not accept credit cards (my dinner for two including two appetizers, a seafood special, and two desserts rang in at just under $100 and well worth it, too!) As far as \"French\" dining goes, Leila's is utterly unpretentious and casual enough that you don't need to break out your LBD (Little Black Dress for those not in the know). It's one of those familiar restaurants that you can go to again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-01-08T16:45:58" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "How to sum up my late night experience at Little Pete's....? If you're stopping in after midnight, you're bound to find an eclectic crowd of party kids, club goers, wanna-be socialites, and anyone else who has been drinking since sundown. You will probably be called \"Hun\" by the waitstaff. They have an actual cigarette machine. Great vanilla milkshake but the huge, starchy steak fries leave a lot to be desired. Cash only.", "timestamp": "2014-01-09T00:06:00" }, { "business_id": "STwdgdVYWm-pBDF1JIpAVA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi & Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "It took a bit of investigation but I finally discovered where the \"real\" Vic has been hiding. His latest spot is a mere 15 minutes from me, just up Easton Road in the Willow Grove area. No more fighting for a parking space on Sansom Street or shivering in the cold while waiting for a spot at the tiny sushi bar. Vic apparently sold the Center City and Springhouse locations. The menu is virtually the same as the other \"Vic\" establishments, but this restaurant also features Thai food. I'm familiar with Vic's restaurants because of his sushi, so I didn't opt to try the Thai options. The extended menu, however, means that you could lure non-sushi lovers here as well. I really feel that, unless you go straight to Japan, you can't really find better sushi in the 'burbs. The fish is very fresh! The Tuna Dumplings are a great example of the excellent seafood that they provide - imagine little tuna purses that are so tender they virtually melt in your mouth. The 3 hand rolls for $10.95 really cannot be beat. I enjoy the Spicy Tuna, Spicy Salmon, Alaskan, and Sweet Potato rolls. The Black Dragon roll with eel was exceptional - tender, moist, and slightly sweet. The rolls are very generously packed with fish and I like how the fish and spicy sauces are mixed together. The staff is very friendly and the service is prompt. Vic himself manned the sushi bar while we were there. BYOB and you've got an affordable meal for date night, girls night out, or just because.", "timestamp": "2014-01-13T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "avlwCvHzrhU5UOvz1Y3_gQ", "business_name": "Ambler Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I really disliked going to the movies - large crowds, groups of loitering teens, crabby/surly employees, sticky floors, unclean bathrooms - especially if it involved going to a Regal \"megaplex\". I usually prefer to pop my Netflix choice into my large-screen computer and settle down with some knitting in the comfort of my own home. However, after purchasing a membership for my movie-loving mother, The Ambler Theater has quickly brought me out of my little movie-viewing cave and back to the big screen. They tend to always show flicks that I am inclined to see and have special events throughout the year showing old flicks like Casablanca or silent films with accompanying live music. As a member (starting at about $40/year), you can't beat the sneak previews of new movies and $5 price tag for tickets. Membership also grants you $5 admission to the Hiway and County Theaters. The bonus at Ambler is that they have more than one screen giving you a greater chance that they are showing something you'll want to see. They typically run 3 films at a time - often something in the art-house/indie genre and then some more mainstream options. I like that they have little indulgences like Ritter chocolate bars at the concession stand in addition to the old standards like Junior Mints. The old-world detailing and photos of the theater's historical journey make your night out at the movies feel like a classy event. They also always supply summaries/reviews of each movie they are showing which I like to read after the show just in case I missed something (very helpful with flicks like 'Her' or 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' where you want to get another perspective). There are plenty of options for grabbing a drink and a bite before or after the show and Ambler provides that \"small town\" feel that is very much lacking in most of suburban America.", "timestamp": "2014-03-25T01:11:03" }, { "business_id": "AGlh4ZDv6jnoiYfz7At9mw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to walk right past this little shop underneath the Philadelphia Convention Center. This unassuming space is home to some of the best soup dumplings I've had on the East coast. Meals are fast and cheap here. Somehow, though, it still seems very romantic to share a dim sum meal with your beloved in this tiny hovel, amidst the bustle and grit of Center City. No one cares who you are or how you're dressed. You can have your \"When Harry Met Sally\" moment. Visiting Dim Sum Garden is a great place to meet a few friends so that you can all order various dishes and share. My recommendations include the soup dumplings, cucumber salad, and scallion pancake. The soup dumplings are practically made to order because the restaurant has a continually operating dumpling assembly line in the kitchen. Some of the staff have very little English proficiency so don't get too technical with your menu questions - just try something!", "timestamp": "2014-05-21T22:41:37" }, { "business_id": "0rVp5KwX0knbSEgGHKug2Q", "business_name": "The Comet Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "The Blue Comet is a neighborhood institution. Everyone you know has been there at least once except you. Well, really, everyone except me. I love the \"Cheers\" everybody-knows-your-name feel of the Blue Comet. The staff is exceedingly friendly and chances are you may have played soccer with them as a kid or gone to high school together because this place is all about keeping it local. Even if you're new to the place, you will still get greeted as if you already belong. If you want to eat, I recommend heading over early. This small space can be pretty crowded by 6:30pm. If if's a Saturday or Sunday, you'll have even fewer seating options as local musical talent like the Gin Canaries take over the stage where they usually have high-tops. The drinks are strong and the drink specials, like $2 PBR's and $6 martinis and Manhattans, are a good incentive to unwind after a long work week. The food is heavy on the comfort options that will soak up all the booze you imbibe - wings, fish and chips, meatloaf, burgers. They also feature specials and a fish of the day as well. The room can get a bit loud when the live music is going and people are chattering away, so factor that in when you think about bringing out-of-town guests or older relatives. Yes, they serve french fries, but don't bring the kiddies - it's not the kind of neighborhood bar where everyone will put up with your hipster toddler.", "timestamp": "2014-05-21T22:58:35" }, { "business_id": "UUd81cZe5bpyFLwnYIZ6MA", "business_name": "Omoi Zakka Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "A great little shop to stumble upon while rambling around the city. The staff are so friendly and helpful - especially if you are trying to put together a gift for someone. You will find truly unique items here as the owner sources many of the offerings from Japan - think fabulous, adorable, brightly-colored bento boxes for toting your lunch to work; stationery staples like Blackwing Palomino pencils, washi tape, and Kaweco inks; fanciful letterpress cards and whimsical Philadelphia-themed tea towels; barware and handcrafted drink mixes; Meow Meow Tweet bath/body products....the list goes on. You're sure to enjoy browsing the artful displays and will find it difficult to leave without a little something for yourself.", "timestamp": "2014-10-25T17:55:12" } ]	{ "business_id": "30cpm1uq6xcQCmN6JTrB8w", "business_name": "Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "Having started my relationship with lobster rolls in the actual state of Maine, there is no way I would have believed that you could get fresh, delicious lobster on 17th Street in Philadelphia. Miracles really do happen and it is possible to be pleasantly surprised in a city whose culinary scene can be hit or miss depending upon the year and the chef-dujour. Keep a keen eye out or you could easily miss this below-street-level shop. The space is very seafood-shanty-chic with minimal decor and lots of wood and corrugated metal. The menu is straightforward - I got a half lobster roll and the lobster bisque which was perfect for a quick lunch. Add chips and a drink to make it a combo. The roll! It is toasted and buttered to delicious perfection - just enough crunch and squish. I don't know what they do to the lobster, but it doesn't involve globs of mayo and it is divine. The only way I can seem to describe the taste is: clean. You get large chunks of lobster meat that are subtly dressed and piled into the roll. The bisque is rich and creamy and filled with yet more chunks of lobster meat. For the price, you are getting quite a bit of fresh, tender meat. No minced or canned crap here. Swing around the corner to The Foodery and make it a BYO experience. They offer Maine rootbeer, blueberry soda, sasparilla and bottled water (no ice machine on premises - FYI). The establishment is clean and uncluttered with plenty of seating at three tables or around the periphery on bar stools. Take out and picnic in Rittenhouse Square on a sunny day or have them deliver for free ($20 min) - see website for delivery range.", "timestamp": "2014-10-25T18:10:35" }
uAu772KpSkb-tPFgZmU-lA	[ { "business_id": "_gaOrkYtODrxY0JlWFe-sQ", "business_name": "High Point Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Ever since my departure from New York City after graduating from college, I've been looking for a local place that's good for a caffeine buzz, light lunch, or study spot. Starbucks and other chain stores grossly fail to meet my above standards mostly because customers are generally treated as nameless, faceless drones. I found High Point after I joined the Weavers Way Co-Op in West Mount Airy and was hooked. The staff? Knowledgeable! Don't know the difference between a caffe latte and a hole in the ground? Don't worry, they'll take you through their great menu without the side condescension. Always courteous and friendly, even to the gaggles of kids that come in from the school across the street around 3pm. The drinks? Made to order, the right way, the first time. They even offer their own beans. The food? Amazing quiche and crepes made to order. A diverse array of taste bud temping baked goodies. And salads for the guilty folks. Best of all - you can load a gift card in the shop, write your name on it, and have it stored behind the counter for your next visit. No more digging nickels out of your pockets to get a fix. No worries, they also take plastic. They're also pretty eco-friendly and inspire their customers to be as well by offering a credit for anyone who brings their own mug or thermos. I love that you can form relationships here, bring your mom here, meet a potential date here. The bulletin board is filled with active posts about pets for adoption, mommy and me groups, etc. And I'm only a few yards from the Co-Op across the road for groceries.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T19:56:28" }, { "business_id": "tkQfxEYkL-Fq3Al0hH9hKg", "business_name": "The Cat Doctor", "rating": 5, "text": "Who knew taking your cats to the vet could be this pleasant!? A friend recommended that I take my kitties here after I moved from the 'burbs. The staff is WONDERFUL! I get follow-up emails asking how my furrballs are doing after they've have procedures or sick visits. They're great about responding to questions by email. I was really impressed with the thorough \"report card\" I get after each visit. When my newest kitty got spayed, I got a full rundown on post-op care as if I was the one who have gone under the knife. Even when Bali had complications from the sutures, the staff was really supportive. No accusations of being an over-protective owner whatsoever. They handle cats gently and the exams are very thorough. They truly love their furry clients and treat owners with great respect and kindness.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T20:03:36" }, { "business_id": "8B_xigUkb_HxDvkXVa3LRw", "business_name": "Webb Cam", "rating": 5, "text": "I found Webb Cam through my Dad. They may seem a little out of the way for some folks but they are well worth the trip. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable and they have a great selection of equipment. You never have to worry about the hassle of some nerdy Best Buy salesman breathing down your neck to buy, buy, buy. Even the mayor's official photographer shops here. If you're serious about your photos, check out Webb Cam.", "timestamp": "2008-09-25T02:51:07" }, { "business_id": "gwUJdtb5vdVEmpa75yPDsA", "business_name": "Richard Nicholas Hair Studio", "rating": 5, "text": "I started going to Richard Nicholas when I moved back to Philly from New York City after college. There was no way in hell I was going to use the stylist my mom goes to. The guy will spray you down with Lysol if you have the slightest sniffle. I found RN after browsing Philadelphia Magazine's website. Joanne came highly rated and I made an appointment with her. At the time, she had pink hair and I was a bit skeptical of what I might look like when I left the place. Joanne is wonderful, though. She's creative and a bit of a risk taker. If you want something new, she's the go-to gal. She also listened to what I wanted and didn't push me past my comfort zone. She's warm, friendly, and a good conversationalist if you're in a chatty mood. She also isn't a product-pusher. Come to think of it, no one at RN has ever pushed services or products on me. Also, I feel that their services are well priced considering the surrounding area. I never have to wait months to get an appointment, the staff is superb and unpretentious, and the shop has a nice modern feel to it. I highly recommend them.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:35:24" }, { "business_id": "nDXR7nnWXDlkTvlx3Qbqgw", "business_name": "WXPN Radio", "rating": 4, "text": "I want to give this 5 stars, but I miss the Barnard student run WBAR alot post-college. Also, I'd love it, like alot of folks, if Y-Rock were on more often. I do have to say that I can no longer listen to commercial radio now that I listen to XPN. I mean, B101.1 starts Christmas music right after Halloween! And let's not forget the idiot jocks on one station who were part of that whole fiasco where a chick died from water intoxication. I secretly enjoy Kids' Corner if I'm in the car at 7pm when it airs. You'd be surprised what you learn on that show. Bottom line - I like that there are musicians that I can recognize who are actually musicians and I like that they introduce me to new artists.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:59:15" }, { "business_id": "YqmClmk7oLcDzPWKHzgA-Q", "business_name": "South Philadelphia Tap Room", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here with a friend to get over my shitty Thanksgiving holiday. Being the weekend of a holiday, the place was quiet. I tried the Mom's Meatloaf which came with Mac and Cheese. The portions are generous to say the least. I'm a beer fan and enjoyed the offerings they had on tap. They have a good selection of your regular favorites and things off the beaten path. I would definitely go back and think the SPTR is probably good for groups of folks looking to get together. I also like that the staff seems relatively unpretentious. I especially enjoyed our waitress' amusing stories of the the whole chef saga.", "timestamp": "2008-12-01T03:17:06" }, { "business_id": "RoUP3lcY4wEtdASLNIcmSw", "business_name": "Water Works Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the Waterworks - the river, the historical architectural, the romantic lighting... But, the food could be a bit better. I've been here a few times for various meals and I've never been flat-out disappointed. I just haven't been wowed. My dad and I hosted a surprise 60th birthday party here for my mom this past September. The private party experience was by far better than the average dining experience. The staff were attentive, but not smothering and kept all the guests well stocked with mimosas and bloody marys throughout the morning. The brunch was a lavish spread that seemed to suit everyone's tastes. Overall, I think we got quite a bit for our money, considering the whole shindig was under $2,000. The event planner was especially wonderful. She was professional and receptive to our needs and wants for the event. I think they could improve some of their culinary offerings, but otherwise, it's a fine place to bring the parents when they're in town. Bonus: free valet parking on Sundays for brunch.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T01:41:04" }, { "business_id": "nIlmZLuMs0JuBRvAHSIf8Q", "business_name": "Bredenbeck's Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor", "rating": 5, "text": "I've loved this place since I was old enough to spill an ice cream cone on myself. This seems to happen every time! My mother always got our birthday cakes from this family-owned bakery and nothing seems to compare. The baked goods are always fresh and made with premium ingredients. The ice cream is equally delectable, especially considering their wide assortment of sundaes and other concoctions. It's the cake the brings me back again and again for all occasions. The final product is always artfully presented and, of course, delicious. I also enjoy the friendly staff. The place is a little cramped, but I find it charming and fitting with the rest of Chestnut Hill.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T04:59:31" }, { "business_id": "VHA-b1NH4tIZB_IVEf_pmA", "business_name": "Minado", "rating": 2, "text": "A family friend kept telling me that she HAD to bring me to Minado. I am not one for buffets at all, so I really balked at the idea of a sushi buffet, but I finally let her take me. First of all, the drive out there was ridiculously long. That's beside the point, though. I didn't think the sushi selection was anything to write home about - the items didn't seem well labeled and they never seemed to have enough. The rest of the food reminded me of chinese takeout and I felt a bit overwhelmed by the myriad choices. The screaming children didn't help either. I don't envision myself driving all the way out there again. I'll stick to the local sushi joints.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T05:07:50" }, { "business_id": "MACqP6DlXBwTsXOhp0C6AA", "business_name": "Delicious Boutique", "rating": 5, "text": "I ended up with a corset thanks to a recent ex-boyfriend of mine. Yeah, don't ask. Anyway, I ended up with a Delicious corset - the best thing to come out of said relationship. I really have very little knowledge about the world of corsets, but the product I received was fabulous, especially for the price. Hell, I'd pay that price just because of the teeny-tiny waist it gives once I'm cinched in. The materials are definitely top of the line and the construction is completely solid. I am definitely appreciative of the fact that they really do follow your measurements to the T. A corset is the perfect under(or over)garment to make a gal feel just sexy enough, rather than like a bare-it-all tramp.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T03:58:12" }, { "business_id": "Vxsq098z903XRXBq4IZWTw", "business_name": "PASSIONAL Boutique & Sexploratorium", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to be a fan of this store and, for a while, I was pretty excited that they existed. After living in New York City, however, they just don't compare to Babeland. They offer a decent selection of toys and other accessories, but their prices seem pretty high for the industry. This is especially true if you head up the block to their clothing store. Are there really people who spend hundreds of dollars on latex clothing? I do commend their very knowledgeable and friendly staff who seem to be well versed on various things from products to techniques. They even offer classes. Considering that Philadelphia is lacking in reputable, well-run, educational sex shops, they do a darn good job. I think I'll probably stick to visiting Babeland on runs to NYC, though.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:03:50" }, { "business_id": "2GYg3liJ9-m6Z67L_4_BRQ", "business_name": "Weavers Way Co-Op", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVE Weaver's Way and really disagree with some of the content in previous reviews. WW is not necessarily meant for convenience shopping. I am a single woman and I find that I have no trouble shopping at the co-op, during peak times or otherwise. I actually find the co-op to be a great place to shop if you live alone because I can get smaller quantities of items than if I shop at the corporate stores like Acme. I also enjoy the work hours - I've worked throughout the store, but most recently, I have been getting in my hours by participating in the membership committee. I wouldn't say that the community is necessarily made up of \"tree huggers\" and \"earth children\", though. The community is made up of a variety of similarly-minded folks from different backgrounds. I enjoy having a place to go to where I can obtain locally grown produce, a place that offers more natural, wholesome, and preservative-free foods than chain stores with prices way below that of Whole Foods. I enjoy interacting with other members and contributing to my local and global community. I don't find the membership fee or the work hours to be prohibitive being a single person vs. a family. I don't think that membership in a co-op is for everyone and, if you aren't single, it's definitely not a solo decision. If you're keen on being committed to the Weaver Way values, you couldn't find a better place to shop. If not, stick to the chain stores or just pay the 10% visitors' fee to pop in once in a while.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:13:43" }, { "business_id": "aZNiVR6oAMQX5__yGPvYsg", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "My first trip to Susanna Foo was at 6 months old when the restaurant was still a hole-in-the-wall takeout joint owned by Susanna's parents. My parents have been taking my brother and I ever since. I have many fond memories of Susanna fashioning dolls for us out of the linen napkins and preparing Chicken with Cashew Nuts when we refused to eat anything else. The food has always been reliable, but now that I am an adult, I find it lacking excitement. The service is always impeccable and I have never been disappointed by the overall decor or ambience. I'd like to see Susanna improve upon some of her traditional recipes by either adding new flavors or perhaps returning to her Chinese roots with a more ethnic menu. I'm hoping there will be a revitalization and that I will come to love Susanna Foo as much as I did as a child.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:24:16" }, { "business_id": "jZGqAdBlDnrP-J7--vdPxA", "business_name": "Beijing Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "If you work at HUP or UPenn, chances are you've visited Beijing. I don't understand the allure. I'd rather work a 12-hour shift on my busy oncology floor than eat here again. The food is greasy and has to be laced with a healthy dose of MSG. The flavors are mediocre and nothing on the menu stands out. The stale smell of cooking oil overwhelms the restaurant, making it hard for your taste buds to actually do their job. At least they allow you to substitute brown rice with no hefty charge. This is hardly the place to find \"authentic chinese\" fare. If you're a poor college kid/med student/grad student I won't hold it against you. If you can afford it, treat yourself to something classier.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T05:06:05" }, { "business_id": "wgyh6_YZt_ByA9iBbX5i7g", "business_name": "Body Graphics, Inc", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm new to the world of tattoos and went to Body Graphics for the first time ever this past summer to have a small piece done inside my left ankle. I sheepishly admit that I was pretty nervous since I wasn't sure how to go about the whole affair. Luckily, Andrew was working and made me feel completely at ease. We joked over my wanting a sheep tattoo and he drew up a couple of sketches before I settled on my favorite. He didn't gouge me on the price either and was completely supportive of my being a newbie to the whole tattoo process. He was extremely professional and fastidious about cleanliness and such. He was thorough in his explanation of caring for my newest piece of artwork and gave me his card in case I had any problems. There was no pretentious vibe from this guy and we had a good chuckle over the adorable sheep that now sits above my ankle. I'm planning to go back to get more work done and will definitely give an update then. For my first experience, Body Graphics was pretty great - a clean, professional shop, and Andrew is tops in my book.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T16:17:38" }, { "business_id": "o8J_QeVwDZAugMYNOPAgPQ", "business_name": "Marco Polo", "rating": 4, "text": "I give this 4 stars partly for reasons of nostalgia and partly because I actually like some of the dishes here. I grew up within walking distance of the restaurant in Elkins Park and had the (dis)pleasure of seeing it evolve over the years. I have to say that the food isn't as great since Chef Lo has left. I like that there is a seasonal component to the menu and that they do have pretty good specials. The traditional Italian dishes are a bit lackluster, but if you're not particular about your spaghetti... I do like that they serve bruschetta and olives instead of bread. The service is always snappy and friendly, especially since the manager circulates throughout the dining room on most nights. It's still a decent place to go with the parents.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T02:55:49" }, { "business_id": "dERS4qwl9v-Gwft-Ug8APA", "business_name": "West Ave Grille Jenkintown Restaurant and Food Truck ", "rating": 4, "text": "It was pretty exciting when West Avenue Grill opened up considering the lack of good eateries in the neighborhood. I've eaten here for brunch, lunch, and dinner on numerous occasions. The food is consistently good and there are yummy seasonal options that they add to the existing menu. Sometimes, the service leaves something to be desired if you get stuck with some high school newbie. There can definitely be a wait when all of the blue-haired ladies decide they want to lunch (or see a movie at the theater down the street). They offer a decent array of beers beyond the standards that most restaurants carry. The outdoor seating for warm weather is a plus as well.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:07:00" }, { "business_id": "JmzNw0WCPmZPZdq5nx9brg", "business_name": "Kitchen Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "My mother likes to drag me here when I pop by the house. The menu is a little overwhelming consider the array of choices that mix flavors from different parts of the globe. They also have some of the unhealthiest options I've seen in quite a while. Is that a whole cow between those buns? The portions are hearty to say the least, but the food still isn't anything to write home about. I find the flavors to be muddled or hidden beneath too much spice. It's a good place for mom and dad to take the kiddies on a Saturday night. It's also popular with meat-head men and their dates looking to get trashed while they watch the latest game. The bar still allowed smoking as of my last trip and that was a major turn-off as the smoke tends to waft into the dining room. Plus: the Abington Pharmacy next door where you can grab some chocolates to replace the unoriginal dessert you just ate next door.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:15:04" }, { "business_id": "ZF0tt7hn6WK3-aNWgtLcFA", "business_name": "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site", "rating": 5, "text": "ESP is another Philadelphia site that I enjoy wandering around. The staff members here are incredibly well educated as most have backgrounds in history, architecture/preservation, anthropology, etc. I recently became a member and have enjoyed the special perks they provide like \"behind the scenes\" tours of the hospital ward and kitchens of the prison - areas that aren't open to the general public. ESP is also a wonderful academic resource for those conducting research on related topics. The place is a photographer's dream with the abundance of natural light that filters in through the stone, not to mention the interesting architectural details. I even recommend the Halloween bash \"Terror Behind the Walls\". If you can stand the hyper-active teenagers, it's a good scare. I'm not sure if the hardhat requirement still persists, but be aware that ESP is in a state of ruin. I also believe that children under a certain age are not permitted, but I would double-check. Also, there aren't bathroom facilities except for a lone port-a-potty or two on the grounds.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:45:11" }, { "business_id": "uI5k9lJkWlKi6OUW5yYIpQ", "business_name": "Benjamin Lovell Shoes", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm very picky about shoes. I want to put something stylish yet original on my feet without having to suffer hours of pain throughout the day. I have a bit of a hard-to-fit foot due a high instep, but I always manage to find something to suit my mood. I prefer the Rittenhouse store to the Manayunk and South St. locations. I think that all three stores have relatively good selections, but I seem to find my favorites at the Rittenhouse shop. They carry many brands that you won't find at other department or bargain stores: Tsubo, Camper, Everybody, MBT, Naot, Birkenstock, Ugg, and more. It's no secret that alot of their shoes come with a considerable price tag if you're used to stores like Payless or DSW, but I find the brands offered at Benjamin Lovell wear better and last longer than many others I've owned. I've always received prompt, courteous service from the staff members. If they are out of stock in my size, they have never hesitated to try and order what I'm looking for. The sale section is also worthwhile if you're looking for more of a bargain. Benjamin Lovell has become one of the few places where I will shop for shoes. Definitely check them out for wide selection of Dansko and Mephisto shoes, or if you're looking to break out of the mold a bit. Do we really need another pair of Tory Burch flats walking through the city?", "timestamp": "2008-12-05T03:02:38" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I enjoyed myself at Monk's. It's a good standby to have in your arsenal for the out-of-town guests, but not great. Our service was a bit spotty and I felt like our waitress was totally uninterested in us. I enjoyed the burger I ordered, but the fries were nothing to rave about. Also, it annoys me when places make you order fries as a side instead of just providing them with your meal. Of course, the beer selection is enough to make your head spin.I had a few tasty brews that made the trip worthwhile. Maybe next time I'll just come for drinks and skip the food.", "timestamp": "2008-12-10T02:44:32" }, { "business_id": "R1aHeUAwUF1Qkpacrn2Njw", "business_name": "Hideaway Music", "rating": 4, "text": "I don't buy very many cd's anymore. iTunes just makes it too easy to have instant access to many artists. However, when I want to have an actual disk, I head to Hideaway. If I had a record player I would totally buy vinyls here as well as their selection looks pretty sweet. I love that I can almost always find what I'm looking for. And if I can't? They'll order it for me. I prefer the posters that line the Hideaway walls instead of running into grubby guys in Best Buy t-shirts. Check out the Chestnut Hill Coffee Co. up the way too if you're strung out on Starbucks.", "timestamp": "2008-12-11T00:34:18" }, { "business_id": "itwiCpfGR5xlUpawXrt4tA", "business_name": "Penn Campus Recreation", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Pottruck. I initially signed up because, as a HUP employee, I get a pretty sweet discount. I wasn't sure how much I'd actually like it since he place is huge and rather sterile feeling. After a couple of spins on the elliptical, I realized that I was extremely pleased with the facility. Pottruck is clean and spacious enough to handle hundreds of people a day. I have never had to wait for a machine and I have never encountered out-of-order equipment. The machines have iPod jacks that will play your music through the machine AND charge your iPod at the same time. The hours are great - I can go early in the morning, later at night, and anytime in between. The staff, for the most part, is really friendly, accommodating, and helpful. One afternoon, I forgot my lock and one staff member offered to watch my stuff while I worked out so that I wouldn't have to hunt for a quarter locker. I like that they have day lockers where you can supply your own lock. This means not having to shell out extra dough for a place to stash your stuff during your work out. The juice bar is a plus as well if you're in need of a bottle of water or a recovery shake. I can't yet comment on the the classes, but I'm looking forward to trying a few come spring. Pottruck offers alot from classes, to rock climbing and an outdoors club, to the pool, and their Penn Fit Program. They also offer personal training and massage therapy which I am looking forward to trying. The best part for me is that they are a part of the Blue Cross' Healthy Lifestyles program - after 120 workouts, I get $150 back from my health insurance company.", "timestamp": "2008-12-12T02:42:27" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "I still love the PMA. I took myself to see the Gee's Bend exhibit today. Normally, I meander through exhibits on my own, but today I decided to take the free guided tour. I have to say having a tour guide really made a difference. The woman could have been a little more friendly - I felt she was a tad brusque in her answering of questions - but her knowledge of quilting, quilt design and the Gee's Bend aesthetic made up for her demeanor. Since she had met with the women/artists when they came for the opening of the exhibit so we was able to share all sorts of little bits of stories with us. The quilts were absolutely stunning and I'm inspired to break out the sewing machine. I really enjoyed the photography mini exhibit at the beginning with intimate portraits of some of the artists. The 28 minute documentary at the Perelman center was a great addition and another way to \"meet\" the quilters. I like that the museum continued the exhibit in Perelman by adding examples of Victorian and Amish quilting. This is only the second time in my life that I have bought the \"coffee table book\" of an exhibit, but I was so taken with the Gee's Bend exhibit that I couldn't resist. Also, there were double discounts for members! I also popped into the James Castle exhibit which was equally fascinating. Once again, my membership pays for itself.", "timestamp": "2008-12-13T00:15:16" }, { "business_id": "jtMPW39yiv5CorhKfgUaTw", "business_name": "Daryl's Pastries", "rating": 5, "text": "I've come to realize that there are two kinds of people in this town: those who go to Dunkin Donuts and those who don't. I try to avoid DD if at all possible. Especially since I always seem to see them in the news when they get robbed at gunpoint. Also, let's face it people, their doughnuts leave something to be desired - I always seem to get something stale or a slightly soggy French Cruller. Daryl's, on the other hand, owns a special place in my heart. As a kid, I knew it was a special weekend if I found a crisp white box of Daryl's pastries and doughnuts on the kitchen table. Things I like about Daryl's: 1. Family owned and operated. 2. Everything is made fresh on the premises. 3. Best doughnuts ever! 4. They have breakfast sandwiches and coffee too. 5. The staff is friendly and speaks intelligible English. 6. There cakes and other pastries are just as tasty and well-made as their doughnuts.", "timestamp": "2008-12-20T15:34:13" }, { "business_id": "lH_UKAJy6YTa1ArfdACU4g", "business_name": "Olive Garden Italian Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll admit I enjoy a meal at Olive Garden every now and then when I'm craving artery-clogging bread sticks. I stopped by this location today for some take-out after shopping with my mom. While we didn't actually dine-in at this location, we did wait long enough to have to suffer through the obnoxious population of people streaming through the door. Is it just me or is this location chock full of women who have squeezed themselves into tiny outfits like sausages into ill-fitting casings? I didn't really think a 45 minute wait for take out was necessary given that we were there at 5pm. My spaghetti and italian sausage came with way over done sausage and they gave me meat sauce even though I specifically requested regular marinara sauce. My dad's lasagna looked like it was slapped together by a 3 year old, making me wonder if they tossed it from across the room into its container. My mom's chicken carbonara looked like it was already a left-over with slightly-congealed sauce over the noodles. Luckily, the breadsticks and salad saved the meal. Everyone gets their own portion of salad, the dressing comes in sealed take-out cups, and the servings of breadsticks are generous.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:32:49" }, { "business_id": "3Ce8r1K1O-2JKSMXdXID-w", "business_name": "Linvilla Orchards", "rating": 3, "text": "A friend and I hiked (not literally) to Linvilla this autumn to pick some apples for sauce and pies. Having visited other area orchards throughout my life, I was seriously surprised to find that this one is like some sort of kiddie wonderland complete with Pumpkinland, petting zoo, and stilt walkers. I thought I had possibly made a wrong turn along the way. Luckily, the actual apple orchard is across the road from all the juvenile madness. I was a bit disappointed in the selection they had at the time (early October) as we seemed limited to picking Red and Golden Delicious - two very unexciting apple varieties. I did manage to get a fair amount of Macoun's though which worked nicely for all the sauce I made. I managed to pick several pounds of apples (I completely overestimated how many pounds I am actually able to lift and schlep to my car) and only had to shell out $20 or so. Being childless, we happily skipped Pumpkinland, the train ride, and the petting zoo in favor of the country store. I scored a much needed apple sliver/corer and some decadent caramel dip. The pie line is insane and you'll need to use your elbows to keep your spot lest you get bullied out of the way by burly suburban soccer moms. The cider donuts are definitely worth the push and shove as well. I recommend the store for picking up all those culinary goodies you've always wanted to make but will never find the time in which to do so (chutney, jam, pickles, soups). Don't forget to pick up a gallon of apple cider for those chilly fall nights! I could do without the Six Flags-like atmosphere and the county fair-like food stands, though. The crowds are large and made up of people mostly under 4 feet tall. Expect parking delays, lots of walking, screaming and whining and tantrums. If, like me, you don't have kids, you can smile serenely and be happy that you don't have any sticky hands to wipe.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:49:18" }, { "business_id": "DRr5xdfHtqgWfhmdTU1B8Q", "business_name": "London Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to London Grill the other night with a friend. We arrived around 9pm and the place was relatively busy, but we were promptly seated. This is my second time to LG (I've previously been here for brunch with the parents). Honestly, I've had no problem with the service. Our particular server seemed overwhelmed, so another waiter stepped in to help her. Our meals were served fairly quickly - within 20 minutes of ordering. After a 12 hour shift at work, I had the best meal of the day at LG. I ordered the Roast BBQ pork which came with collard greens and macaroni and cheese. It's easy to screw up collard greens, but these were tender with a spicy/vinegar punch. The pork was cooked to perfection - moist with no hint of gristle. The barbecue sauce was equally tasty and didn't evoke the flavors of bottles sauces one bit. The macaroni was also delicious. They smartly avoiding \"dressing\" it up and stuck with ooey-gooey cheese and tender elbow noodles. My friend was equally pleased with his fish and chips. Their selection of beer is pretty impressive and this is one of the few places that seems to carry Strongbow cider (which they serve in a HUGE glass). Needless to say, we had a great time. The atmosphere is inviting and the atrium is a great place to sit even in the winter. Jeff is a great bartender and I was glad to have John and Brighid as our servers. I've definitely had no problems with service here.", "timestamp": "2009-01-05T08:21:06" }, { "business_id": "jHVotJhyPKOLuO7MVnmbtQ", "business_name": "Royal Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Some friends and I wandered into the Royal Tavern to continue my birthday celebration after leaving the South Philly Taproom. The place is tiny, but wasn't crowded when we arrived and we were able to grab seats at the bar. The bar tender was attentive and friendly and we didn't have to fight with other patrons to get drinks. We ordered a plate of Nachos which were some of the best I've had - lots of fresh tomatoes and cheese, generous helpings of guacamole and sour cream, and the chips were perfectly crisp instead of soggy or stale. The single strand of holiday lights above the wood bar lend a perfect ambience to the dimly lit tavern. The kitchen is open until 1am which is great for night owls. I was impressed by the beers that they had both in bottles and on draught - enough choices to suit a variety of tastes. I look forward to going back to try more of their culinary offerings, especially their brunch.", "timestamp": "2009-01-11T18:17:49" }, { "business_id": "6TPlb2eRasW6R0Fzz6T_JQ", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "For me, Susanna Foo's Gourmet Kitchen will never compare to her fine-dining establishment in Center City, but I was pleasantly surprised. My parents have known Susanna since she took over her parents' restaurant, Hunan's, and I have been sampling her culinary creations since I was 6 months old. So my fondness for Susanne Foo in general runs much deeper than the successes and failures I've seen her weather in the restaurant world. I had read the less-than-stellar reviews of the Gourmet Kitchen and wasn't really sure what to expect when my mom and I had lunch on my birthday. First of all, the decor is stunning - deep reds, golds, supple leather chairs, large circular chandeliers, deep vessel sinks in the washroom, and a modern-styled bar. I ordered a spicy tuna roll to start. Not knowing what to expect of sushi at a supposedly Chinese restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised - the fish was extremely fresh, tender, and totally lacking in any fishy taste. The spicy sauce wasn't one of those heavy mayo concoctions you sometimes encounter that over-powers the fish. For my entree, I ordered the crispy tofu with tomatoes in a kung pao sauce which was accompanied by fried rice, hot and sour soup, and steamed vegetables. My selection was delicious! The tofu was lightly crisped on the outside, yet tender in the middle and oozing the savory kung pao sauce. The vegetables were tender with a hint of crunch which preserved their unique flavors. The rice was light, fluffy, and lacking the oily heaviness you traditionally find in other establishments. Of course, the hot and sour soup is always my favorite - a perfect blend of spice and pucker. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday meal and look forward to going back to sample more dishes. I also felt that the pricing was reasonable - my mother and I both had appetizers and entrees, all for $40 dollars. The service, too, was impeccable.", "timestamp": "2009-01-20T17:11:56" }, { "business_id": "oa5h-kz5oFYHBKpasKYXQw", "business_name": "Charlie Gray's Rib Crib", "rating": 4, "text": "As a kid I had this phobia of meat on the bone (ribs, chicken legs, pork chops, et al.) I know someone is going to turn that into a crass joke, but it's true. So, as I kid, the only thing I really ever ate from the Rib Crib was the macaroni salad. At some point my dad put his foot down, saying that it was just un-African American to dislike ribs. How can you ignore that challenge? The Rib Crib is an institution in Germantown and in our family with many a Friday night spent covered in barbecue sauce. I love that you can watch the meat being smoked right in the open pit as you wait for your order. At their best, Rib Crib ribs are smokey with fall-off-the-bone tender meat, and slathered in a sweet/tangy/spicy sauce. Unfortunately, you don't always get perfection, which is disappointing given the fact that they are open only a few days a week. I agree with Mark C. - the joint is take out only and it's frustrating to get home with your order to realize that it's been and \"off day\" at the Crib. In my opinion, the tangy macaroni salad can't be beat and there's nothing better than sopping up extra sauce with fluffy slices of white bread. The friendly staff can't be beat, though, and the owner has been active in the community for years. Of course, you can't miss the myriad photos of prominent black folks that adorn the walls of the small space. Those photos were some of my earliest lessons in Black History. For a biracial kid from the 'burbs, this is a place where I was actually able to connect with my African American heritage. The Rib Crib is worth a try if you're into hitting barbecue spots around the Philly area, but they may no longer be the best in the business.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T17:47:44" }, { "business_id": "E52a-tWfAVUigt1ArF711w", "business_name": "Joseph Fox Bookshop", "rating": 5, "text": "I was in Joseph Fox yesterday. It's my go-to spot when I've had a bad day. I received a call that a book I had requested was in store. I've been trying to get my hands on a copy of \"Revolutionary Road\" since I refuse to see the movie before reading the book. One of the saleswomen had pulled a copy from a recent shipment and held it for me. The best part? She had put aside a non-movie cover copy for me. \"You just seemed like the kind of woman who wouldn't want a copy with Leonardo DiCaprio slathered all over it.\" How right she was! I ended up leaving with that, a copy of Madame Bovary, and Persepolis I and II. Again, the service was friendly and impeccable. I think I've sworn off big-box bookstores for good. I also find solace in that I am not the only customer in this bookstore not reading Stephanie Meyer's \"Twilight\" series, whereas Borders seems to bombard me with displays. Also, at Joseph Fox, I don't have to deal with the extraneous other junk other stores sell.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T18:12:44" }, { "business_id": "Vcn_cuQNKRF0eQ16TXVaXQ", "business_name": "The Night Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is for the recent batch of cupcakes I had from The Night Kitchen. I was really disappointed with them, or mostly the icing. I hope it was just a fluke, but the icing was terrible! It was like a little rosette of lard on top of a not-so-moist, crumbly cake. Waaaay too much butter and way too little whipping. I didn't even finish the whole cake because of the terribly cloying taste. Also, the cakes are tiny in comparison for their cost. Now when I go to TNK, I stick to their cookies.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:18:32" }, { "business_id": "HZDJl_MpCBz2_juU1BvDTw", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 1, "text": "I wish there were Waffle Houses this far north. If there was I would quickly trade IHOP for them. I love IHOP, or rather \"loved\" them. It's hard to let go of those childhood memories of days off from school and pancake breakfasts that included chocolate chips of all things. Today's trip was just terrible. Of course the wait is long because people crawl out of the woodwork to get to this place on the weekend. It's the only place I ever see other black folks in Jenkintown! We've been the only black family on my Elkins Park block for years, but we're not alone at IHOP. Weird. We were seated fairly quickly and our drink orders were taken. 15-20 minutes later we were still liquid-less; as were the surrounding tables being serviced by the same waitress. After a chat with the manager, we received our drinks. Another long wait forced us to hijack another waitress just to get our food orders in. By the time all was said and done, breakfast had turned into a 2-hour affair. It would have been nice to see the manager be a bit more involved on a busy Saturday when several customers were lacking decent service. Contrary to the tv commercials, the food just isn't worth hanging around all morning with screaming children.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "6w6wDhgTzteP1tCBvK6fnw", "business_name": "Loie", "rating": 4, "text": "I met a friend here for brunch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The place was really empty and I was a bit skeptical. If a brunch place is empty at noon on a Sunday, it doesn't say much about the food, etc. The emptiness, however, meant that we were seated and attended to promptly. The prix-fixe menu includes all-you-can-drink Mimosas or Bloody Marys. My friend and I each started with a Mimosa. I was pleased that they weren't overly skimpy on the champagne. I started with their garden salad which is pretty large and just right on the dressing. Not too dry and not swimming in oil. I ordered an omelette which was chock-full of my favorites: cheese, spinach, and mushrooms. The dish was cooked perfectly - the eggs weren't runny or overcooked and they came with wonderfully seasoned diced new potatoes. The service continued to be wonderful even as the restaurant filled up. The atmosphere was cozy and I enjoyed our seats by the large, open windows in the front. I'm sure this place is quite lovely in the warmer months. I would definitely consider this spot for out-of-town guests, family, and friends. You won't have to smash your piggy bank for a good meal.", "timestamp": "2009-04-08T04:52:18" }, { "business_id": "K3RURR9lIEE4JjOaPt99zg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been trying to get in for a meal at Sabrina's for months now. I wish someone had told me that they are only open until 4pm two days a week as it seems that those were the days when I tried to go for dinner. I was able to try out their lunch menu earlier this week with my mom and her friend. Being a Monday afternoon, the place was relatively quiet and we were seated immediately. The menu was a little daunting since you can get everything from eggs to cheesesteaks. I settled on a veggie burger with portobello mushrooms and cheddar cheese + the parmesan fries. I rounded things out with an ice cold rootbeer opting for the increased caloric hit rather than subject myself to Diet Rite. The burger was hearty and delicious - you'd have hardly known it wasn't meat with all of the mushrooms. I was quite happy to not have received anything wimpy and previously frozen from a cardboard box. The cheese was perfectly gooey and resembled nothing like those chemically concocted slices you find elsewhere. The fries were the best thing on the plate, though. Who would have thought that parmesan cheese could significantly elevate the humble french fry? The service was average - nothing spectacular. I did catch a little bit of hipster vibe from one of the servers, but such attitudes are becoming harder to avoid in most city neighborhoods. The only thing that could have made the day better? If they hadn't been out of key lime pie.", "timestamp": "2009-05-15T16:57:07" }, { "business_id": "XBwxCXPE8MX1aMs-zT1-Fg", "business_name": "Studio 34", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been wanting to take an African dance class since college but loathed the idea of hopping around with mostly white, mostly classically trained dancers at my liberal arts institution. Then I moved back to Philly and thought about taking a class at the UPenn gym where I am already a member. However, the whopping class fee - uh, hello, I already pay a yearly fee! - and thought of suffering the annoyances of the UPenn female undergrad population - why are you plastered to your Blackberry while working out?! - was equally unappealing. A friend of mine raved about Studio 34 and the work exchange program she had done there. Lo and behold, they have a weekly, drop-in African dance class for...wait for it, wait for it....$10! Yes, $10! Luckily, that price does not include snarky undergrads. I went to my first class on a rainy Sunday and had a great time. There were only three other people present, but I felt immediately comfortable and supported despite my complete lack of dance ability or training. By the end of the class, I was moving along just as well as the other folks. The teacher, Assumane, is wonderful and enthusiastic and you can't help but want to give it your best shot even if your left foot won't listen to your brain. This class is a great workout, especially for someone like me who isn't very in tune with her body but hates toiling away on a machine. You use all parts of your body in these dances from Guinea-Bissau and therefore, you kind of just make peace with whatever wobbly bits you've got. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that this is a weekly ongoing class. I don't have to worry about schedule interferences because I know I can always go the next week. You can't beat $10 to try something out. I look forward to trying some of their yoga classes as my body confidence improves. I am also much impressed by their commitment to the community, the friendliness of the staff, and the welcoming physical space.", "timestamp": "2009-05-16T02:33:07" }, { "business_id": "u7cZUEGK6iJP2gvI22xY2A", "business_name": "Memphis Taproom", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is still awesome. Roasted mushroom grinder = way better than any cheesesteak I've had in this town. I know, sacrilege, right? The atmosphere was better this time and our party didn't get shushed for adult-themed topics. I still don't love that lots of folks bring their kids here, though. Sometimes, I like to go out to eat and avoid toddling children who wander over unattended. I love that they have Sam Smith's Organic Cider in bottles, Allagash Tripel, and Monk's Sour Ale - some of my favorite libations. The fried pickles and suicide rings still light my fire. If only I could find a boy as yummy as they are instead of tables of canoodling couples.", "timestamp": "2009-06-27T19:47:17" }, { "business_id": "EPMHuTHu46B123ivRIZ-Xg", "business_name": "Magic Carpet", "rating": 5, "text": "The Magic Carpet truck is the only lunch truck I frequent. I can guarantee that I can get a sizeable portion of food that will do my body good for about $5. All of the food is prepared by the Magic Carpet folks in their offsite, commercial kitchen so you won't be getting frozen falafel balls here. Their portions are generous enough to cover you for lunch and the afternoon munchies that hit later in the day. It's best to try and sneak in early right around Noon or you are sure to have to contend with a substantial queue. Just like Pat's or Geno's, be sure to know what you want, how you want it before it's your turn or the other hungry customers are sure to grumble as you hem and haw over El Gringo or Magic Meatballs. Definite pros: - no cross contamination from meats - no msg laden crap - folks who speak great english - freshly prepared meals - beverage options that aren't just huge bottles of sugar-y soda Cons: - the long line - having to choose between lots of tasty options.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:21:06" }, { "business_id": "W_vlLO_fS_MuLTvxt1B7AA", "business_name": "Brewers Outlet Of Mt. Airy & Chestnut Hill", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best beer distributor out of the ones I've hit in the 'burbs. I grew up going to Madonna's on Easton Road, but because it's a drive-through, you've got to know what you want when you reach the window. Frosty Caps on 611 comes complete with a guy who looks like John Travolta, but mainly services the Miller Light crowd. Brewer's Outlet is one-stop shopping for beer, cider, and the Vintage seltzer that I love. I wish I could afford to buy an entire case of the Allagash Tripel ($74), but I'll have to stick to drinking it by the glass at Memphis Taproom. I can't confirm that they're over-priced on some goods because I rarely find the brews I like at other distributors. Most people's reaction to my query about Samuel Smith's Organic Cider is \"huh?\" A major boon is their swap policy. Buying a case of something from a microbrewery? Want to try a bottle of that local ____ before buying the whole case? Swap a bottle of yours for a bottle of theirs! Again, it's also convenient to be able to pick up bottled water and the like at the same spot. I've also never gotten those stares male employees sometimes give women that say \"You're picking out the beer? That party's going to suck.\" The employees are helpful without any hints of snobbery. FYI: I'm listing this place as \"pricey\" because the beverages I like don't tend to come cheap.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:31:42" }, { "business_id": "rIqkOMxkeoqvUzl909gNmQ", "business_name": "Kiwi Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "I like the fact that I can exercise my own version of portion control at this new Univ. City establishment. I do wish they had cups smaller than their smallest one, though, because it's hard to know when you've overdone it until you're paying $6 for fro-yo. I mixed the original tart and pumpkin. Both had exceptionally good flavor. The pumpkin actually tasted like pumpkin pie - neither too sweet nor too spicy. Unfortunately, I think some folks believe that fro-yo equals a completely guilt free treat. In reality, you can't really frequent the place several times in a week and expect not to pay for it. Yeah, they use HFCS, but I'm ok with that because I'm not eating there every week. I also like that I can indulge in sinful toppings like snickers bars and chocolate sauce if I'm so inclined. As someone with a nut allergy, I'm glad the place isn't overflowing with all manner of those options. I think the self-serve option is great and it's fun to swirl unusual flavors together. I feel like this a great place for students unlike some of the more pretentious-feeling venues in center city. Dessert should be fun - and I don't necessarily want to cover it in fruit and granola after long day.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:11:18" }, { "business_id": "Kdq1xfIFIKOdO-qW-_tg8A", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "First off - I wouldn't describe this establishment as Asian Fusion. I recall reading that they serve \"Contemporary American\", but I could have made that up. Some friends and I dined here for Restaurant Week Fall 2009 and it as a darn good choice. The wrap-around windows really make for a lovely atmosphere. The cocktails were creative and I enjoyed vodka for the first time in a long while. I also like the long, bar-like table that runs the length of the restaurant, providing extra seating that doesn't make you feel as if you are sitting on top of your neighbor. I was impressed with the menu and the number of choices they provided. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer and say that my meal was fantastic. I started with the heirloom tomato gazpacho with lemon sorbet. The lemon sorbet added a wonderfully cool, summer flavor to the spice of this Spanish soup without diluting the overall tomato flavor. The rolls were wonderfully textured - chewy and warm inside with a crisp crust. The wasabi butter was a definite bonus. My main course of roasted free-range chicken, brussels sprouts, and yukon mashed potatoes was hearty and delicious. The brussels sprouts were especially superb and lacked all trace of the pungent horseradish flavor they sometimes acquire during cooking. Dessert was a lovely little trio chosen beforehand - apple pie, warm chocolate tarte, and ginger ice cream. Our server was attentive, but not overbearing and was especially knowledgeable about the wine selections. I'd recommend this venue for all manner of dinners: dates, parents in town, friends, or even just to treat yourself.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:25:13" }, { "business_id": "Z6WntA-h-vBAQ3Xoe2Xy6Q", "business_name": "Brickbat Books", "rating": 5, "text": "I stumbled into this shop after previous afternoons of passing it by because I talked myself out of going into yet another bookshop. This space is different, though. This is where my fellow book snobs and I can congregate. I make no apologies for eschewing \"beach reads\", Jodi Picoult, and just about most things sold at the big box stores. With so many books in the world, one really does have to have discriminating tastes, don't you think? I love that they have great bits of Edward Gorey 1st editions. I love that there was a James Joyce reading group taking up most of the room. I picked up a loved copy of The Grapes of Wrath (why is this never in when I'm at the library!?) and a vintage edition of The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen. Nevermind that I have no clue who Elizabeth Bowen is, the cover of the plastic-wrapped petite paperback was calling my name. This is where you go to find diamonds in the rough for your literary collection - titles people will pull off of your shelf and say \"I've never seen this before\" and you can tell them all about the day you stumbled into Brickbat and found a new love.", "timestamp": "2009-11-10T00:57:25" }, { "business_id": "-DGsnMlRrR_tv8avrpQLQw", "business_name": "Sam's Morning Glory Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend and I decided on Wednesday morning brunch in order to catch up and unwind post-holiday. I'd passed Morning Glory a number of times while in the neighborhood, but hadn't ever eaten there. I like the vibe - it felt much less pretentious than in Sabrina's where I feel out of place with only one tattoo and feet not shod in Converse. I have to say that I wouldn't attempt to eat here with your 10 best friends, though, as space is an issue. There was no wait when we arrived at 10am, but I was surprised at how quickly the place filled up on a Wednesday in January - does no one work these days? This also isn't place where you can linger over a cup of coffee for hours given said lack of space. The staff will probably appreciate you much more if you pay your check in a timely manner and vamoose if there are people waiting. That being said, my Irish oatmeal was lovely. I was grateful that it wasn't soupy, but just right. Baby Bear would have approved. It was topped with a generous helping of strawberries, bananas, and blueberries. I also ordered a side of turkey sausage which was delicious and fork-tender. Few people probably care about this, but I found it charming that they serve their coffee in large tin mugs instead of the usual white ceramic stuff. My friend ordered a hearty portion of eggs, turkey sausage, and biscuit - which looked thoroughly delicious, but equally taxing on one's gallbladder. Maybe I'll for it next time, when I'm not contending with post-holiday pudge. The staff was great and quick with the coffee refills.", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T15:56:56" }, { "business_id": "TeHlA3PjMCAwJSLymjhz3A", "business_name": "Beans", "rating": 4, "text": "Was surprised to see that Beans opened a new location while in the city the other day. I've never been overly impressed by their other locations in the suburbs. If this store doesn't have it, you probably don't need it. And if you're looking for stuff on the cheap (ie: no $20 blow dryers here), this probably isn't the shop for you. The store is actually really lovely with high ceilings and an open feeling. They've got tons of products for just about anything you could imagine from hair color to nail polish to styling tools. I got a lot of (as in probably just a tad more than I like) help in selecting a hair dryer since I've gasp never owned one! I decided to go with something that will die probably after I do. I appreciate that my new hair dryer also comes with a free class in how to actually use the thing to achieve the style I want. They also do repairs! And who doesn't like a free pouch of jelly beans with each purchase?", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T23:29:22" }, { "business_id": "fhoqmnw5sXzj91-7yBW0Kw", "business_name": "Mugshots Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I ordered the Aztec hot chocolate one afternoon which nearly had me choking due to the amount of cayenne pepper that was in the drink. I thought the idea was to give your tastebuds a hint of heat, not send you into a coughing fit. I'm also kind of annoyed by the whole wi-fi set up. When you purchase a beverage, you get an hour of wi-fi through a code they give you. Essentially, you've got to make another purchase every hour to stay connected. I think I would rather pay a flat fee up front than having to keep purchasing more food/drinks. I wasn't too pleased with the fact that I had also ordered a sandwich, but the person who took my order only put in for my beverage. I should have caught it when I paid, but my mind was elsewhere. I ended up waiting for 20 or so minutes before I realized. I would also appreciate if Mugshots could put some kind of time limit on those who are taking up tables. Is it really fair to spread out your laptop and school books and take up a seat for hours on end when other people would like to sit and enjoy their beverage?", "timestamp": "2010-01-15T21:14:33" }, { "business_id": "M1q0l_VuI6MqRYLWGVhCCw", "business_name": "The Belgian Café", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite Schuyler L.'s run-in with soggy French Toast at brunch, I still enjoy this place. A few friends took me out for a belated-birthday drink. As usual, I had to request the Monk's Flemish Sour Ale which I now have several other friends veritably addicted to. It's sweet and refreshing with a hint of tang. I also tried the Young's Chocolate Stout which was delicious - rich, velvety, great foamy head. Essentially, it's dessert in a beer. The can also contains this thing called a \"widget\" which releases nitrogen once you pop the top to simulate what would happen if it were on tap. It blends the stout into creamy goodness so don't be alarmed by something rolling around at the bottom of your can. I tried to Reuben sandwich which was surprisingly delicious for how little meat I eat. Tender corned beef, gooey swiss cheese, and crisp buttery bread. Of course, there were fries as well with a generous portion of their dipping sauce. We also shared an item off of the dessert menu, but I can't recall the name. Basically, they're awesome cinnamon-sugared doughnuts. They come with a caramel dipping sauce, but I found it too rich for my blood. The doughnuts are warm and made of a dense cake that crumbles in your mouth. It puts anything you'd get at Dunkin' Donuts to shame by a lot. All in all, another fantastic evening!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:00:05" }, { "business_id": "f88P1gIbRpRzsYAHj9hGdA", "business_name": "Sid Booker's Shrimp", "rating": 5, "text": "(I think I may be giving it 5 stars for sentimental reasons, but I've also got some legit claims) So I grew up in a white Jewish neighborhood. Sometimes my father, who was African American, just had to flee the scene to get a taste of his childhood. This meant that we'd often make our way down Broad Street to Sid Booker's. If you can get past the bullet-proof screen and the little lazy-susan they use to take in cash and serve up fried goodies, I recommend you stop by once in your life. Oh, this place may be in what you consider the \"ghetto\" but it ain't cheap (honestly, if it were cheap, I'd be concerned about the ingredients they were using) so hit the ATM first. I don't really love shrimp, but I do adore Sid Booker's fried version. Large, plump, tender, and with a crisp batter that will make your arteries weep. We'd take our foil wrapped bundles home and have a little feast as if we were in Richmond with the family and not in Elkins Park. The ladies there are always kind, but they do a brisk business at certain times of day so don't expect a whole lot of chit chat. Note: This is take-out only and you're going to have to wait on the corner or in your car for a bit while they get your order ready. Contrary to El S.' review, I don't think you're likely to get taken down in a drive-by here as there are usually lots of folks. But like any denizen of a city, I wouldn't be hoppin' in the car for shrimp at 11pm if I wasn't a card-carrying member of that particular 'hood.", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:11:06" }, { "business_id": "O286wXm4mcznQn_1JieD1g", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "So back in December when Silk put out their yearly Soy Nog and Pumpkin Spice flavors, I had trouble deciding which one to buy. I had already tried their soy nog and thought about just sticking with a good thing. On the other hand, the pumpkin spice could be awesome. I was in the middle of this dilemma when one of the guys stocking the case noticed my perplexed look. He popped open a pumpkin spice for me and let me sample it. After I decided I really liked it, he marked the carton as a sample and I got to take it home for free! Now that's customer service!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:34:50" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I always enjoy coming to this theater. Below is a brief outline of why. 1. The seats are comfortable and, unlike many of the theaters in NYC, were not made for very short, very thin people. 2. Continuing on the theme of seats...There are no bad seats due to the intimate nature of the theater. 3. $10 student tickets for Sunday evening performances. Don't forget your student ID, though. If you forget your ID, Will-Call will not give you the student price. 4. They have Junior Mints at the concessions stand. 5. I have always enjoyed the productions they host. Avant-garde enough to make you seem as if you are culturally in-the-know, but not so strange that you'll be yawning for 2 hours. 6. Great set designs and creative use of space. I love their minimalist approach for most things. 7. If you're not a student, no worries! They've still go cheap seats for you twenty-somethings. Bring an ID to confirm your age and you can get tickets for $22.50. I saw Becky Shaw - it was fantastic and is now running through early Feb. Go see it!", "timestamp": "2010-01-25T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "Rmx12lwZbs94MkPaS2o7vw", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "Checking out this brand-spanking-new WFM was the highlight of my weekend. I am aware of just how lame that sounds but, with all the hype, I wasn't going to be left out. This store is easily twice the size of the one in Jenkintown. I love how it's as shiny as a newly minted penny. I didn't get to check each department out as closely as I would have liked due to the sheer throngs of people in there, but here is what I like so far: - Large produce section with an impressively number of organic items. I grabbed some golden turnips, tomatillos, and Italian broccoli. - Impressive fish and meat offerings - alot more prepared items (like the things they pre-marinate or stuff, etc) - Expanded bulk foods section where you can get all the barely or oats or stevia your heart desires. - Huge frozen selection! I didn't know WFM had their own brand of shoestring fries. I often supplement my recipes with frozen veggies in winter and they had everything I needed. - Easy to navigate body care, etc section with more products than my eyeballs could take. - The salad/prepared foods bar of my dreams. - Yogurt stocked so that they come out one at a time (kind of like a vending machine). No worries about having to hunt through a mess of flavors and brands. - The aisles are fairly wide and I was able to maneuver my cart pretty well without getting run into despite the crowd. Nothing can be done about the 80 year old women who shuffle along like it's a Sunday stroll, wide aisle or not. In a perfect world WFM would only have seasonal produce (strawberries are not native to the NE in January), but that's my own personal preference with regards to diet and health. Next time, I plan to actually try some of the food they've got on hand and pop into the pub. Of course, it's still \"Whole Paycheck\" but for my produce and specialty ingredients, this place is still #1.", "timestamp": "2010-01-30T22:14:30" }, { "business_id": "s2JiYzE7i68cXIV6YEcVTw", "business_name": "Local 44", "rating": 4, "text": "Came here for lunch the other day. The place was dead at 2pm, but I didn't mind. The bartendress was very friendly and she kept me entertained. I ordered the fish and chips upon her suggestion and was thoroughly pleased. The batter had a delicious, buttery quality to it and the the fish had a lovely creamy taste. Hard to describe, but I quite enjoyed it. The dish comes with fries and hush puppies which seemed like too many carbs, but still yummy. The fries are hand-cut and well seasoned. The hush puppies were the best I've had above the Mason-Dixon line and I couldn't help but think they'd taste amazing with vanilla ice cream. They've got quite a few of my favorite beers on tap including Allagash White and Monk's Sour Flemish Ale. The atmosphere is very warm with lots of dark wood and I'm sure it's a popular spot in the evening. The bartendress and I got into a conversation about UPenn undergrads trying to sneak in on the weekends and it seems they've got a pretty good system for keeping the wee ones out. Apparently, they've thwarted quite a few wily undergrads with fake ID's. I wouldn't say this place is mainly for UPenn students (whatever their age) but a place that's trying to provide more options for folks north of 40th street. It just so happens that many of those who live in that area are also students or employees of Penn (they are the largest employer in the city afterall). So pop by, grab a beer and a burger, and let the security staff take care of the interlopers.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:04:15" }, { "business_id": "u9XTeDl_If4U5Eixl6ys7g", "business_name": "The Foodery", "rating": 4, "text": "You'll need an adequate amount of time to spare if you're going to stop by The Foodery. I don't know how anyone could walk in and walk out in under 10 minutes. Half the fun is just looking at the labels of bottles from various breweries. I almost found myself choosing my beer based on which ones had the best labels. I've chosen books like that, and it never works out very well. I love any place that offers DIY 6-packs. I also love that their selection is pretty comprehensive, featuring some of the best beers that our city, country, and globe has to offer. The guys behind the counter were friendly and didn't look at me like some damsel in distress when I asked their advice on certain bottles. As previous reviews have stated, if you want to avoid sticker shock, look up the individual beer prices in the manifest or you might find yourself with a hefty bill. I spent $50 on 12 bottles (an assortment of Young's Chocolate Stout, Schneider Weiss, Allagash, Monk's, and Stoudt's). You're sure to be the hit of any party, especially if other people have brought anything closely resembling Bud Light. Me? I prefer to relax and have a night in with my special purchases and a friend or two. I was so enamored with the beer selection that I barely glanced at the rest of the store, so that's on my agenda for next time.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:24:05" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "So, I liked this place the first two or three times I went when I lived in NYC. However, the fourth and fifth times are not the charm, even when dining at the Philly location. I am constantly disappointed by how many of their offerings contain tree nuts. I know it's more or less my problem that I'm allergic to some of the tastiest nuts out there, but do they need to be in all things chocolate? I end up with only two or three choices of dessert because something or other always contains hazelnuts that cannot be left off the item. I also find that the portions are nowhere near comparable to the prices they charge. I'm not an individual who bases my like or dislike of an establishment solely on portion size, but I don't enjoy paying $20 for something I could have essentially made at home. I shared a chocolate fondue for two with a friend and I think there were exactly two of everything: two strawberries, two marshmallows, etc. The staff is friendly, but nothing to write home about as the place seems to hum like a well-oiled machine. Everything comes at a staccato-like pace if they are not super crowded: you are seated, your order is taken, your order arrives, you eat, plates are cleared, you pay, you leave. It's not a place where I feel I can linger a bit and savor the experience. The concept is great and the menu (at least with regards to dessert) has the potential to be quite delicious and satisfying, but I am always left feeling that something is missing, that something could be better.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:42:08" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been frequenting this shop - in person and online - for several years now. I don't even bother to buy spices or the like in the grocery store at this point. I really love this little shop. It is small and fragrant and filled with everything I need for canning/preserving to meatloaf-making to baking. They also have an online shop and will ship directly to you. I particularly love how they have different colors of jimmies/sprinkles separated by color into their own jars. Of course, you can get the rainbow blend, but there's something about seeing millions of neon pink jimmies that makes me smile. I think they've got a great selection of teas and coffees (flavored coffee as well!). You can also pick up little sachets for the loose tea here as well to avoid an extra errand. I usually pop in to refresh my stock of spices and meat seasonings. Try their mix for poultry to get your chicken out of a flavor rut. The shop is ideal for your bulk needs: flour, sugar, nuts, grains, etc. I find it to be better to come here for those items than to try to obtain them from Whole Foods where I'm likely to be charged more. The staff can be a bit aloof, but I've never had a bad experience. It is pretty obvious from the signage that you shouldn't attempt to bag your own purchases so, if you are reprimanded, you probably weren't paying attention. I really wouldn't want god-knows-how-many people reaching their hands into jars of spices all day long. It's also easier for the staff to eyeball an ounce of cloves than for me to do so. Be warned that they are also cash only. This shouldn't worry people too much, though, because their prices are excellent and a $20 should cover most of the damage.", "timestamp": "2010-02-10T03:03:56" }, { "business_id": "IkY2ticzHEn4QFn8hQLSWg", "business_name": "Geno's Steaks", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm not going to lay down esoteric comments about a cheesesteak since it's not a pretentious food. I'm a Philly native that had never had the Geno's experience. Shameful as it may be, I've finally joined the club. In short: Delicious, soft bread layered with thin slices of steak, whiz, and chopped onions. The perfect \"junk\" food for a cold Saturday. The line moved quickly and we managed to avoid getting yelled at by putting our order in correctly. I didn't think the fries were anything special - good, but I'd probably skip them next time. I was surprised at how much I like the mix of flavors considering whiz just seems disgusting on any other food. I can see why these steaks are the cuisine of choice for tipsy college kids.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:55:15" }, { "business_id": "S1FwTmCAwv5ulu5gToWi_w", "business_name": "RIM Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "After freezing to death eating our Geno's steaks, two friends and I popped in for some warming up. The volcano hot chocolate here is certainly worth the $6.00 - if not for the actual drink, then certainly for the process and display that goes into making one. A young man was playing La Vie en Rose on the piano in the back which made the place seem that much more romantic and charming. I could easily find myself here with a knitting project or book, sipping away on decadent espresso drinks. Strangely enough, the bathroom with its red light a pasted photos was a highlight. It's small and cozy - perfect for two or three, but no parties larger than that I would say.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:59:52" }, { "business_id": "1UNJeHTsS7WS9RxRzHw06g", "business_name": "Varga Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "After seeing the latest UPenn Mask and Wig production, I was so hopped up on good humor that I didn't want to end the evening by heading straight home. At first, we planned to go to Tria, but found ourselves face to face with Varga Bar after walking in the wrong direction from Quince Street. The place was crowded at 10:30pm, but not so much that you couldn't comfortably breathe. We put our name in for a table for 5 and passed time at the bar. I was impressed with their many beers on tap - Allagash, Victory, Rogue, Sly Fox, etc. They do offer a few specialty cocktails, but nothing overly fancy. The hostess was extremely pleasant and we were eventually seated moments before our appetizers arrived. I ordered the Kobe Beef Sliders which were delicious and the perfect portion for a late-night snack. They come topped with a delicious aioli that completely negates any need for ketchup or mustard. Their onion rings were crisp, yet tender and drizzled with a piquant dipping sauce. My friends tried the veggie burger and the chili-topped hotdog which they gave favorable reviews. We also shared some fries with the cheese sauce on the side and sans crab meat. The cheese dipping sauce was a great accompaniment the crisp, shoestring potatoes. Definitely a great little place for a light bite to eat. I wouldn't try to squeeze a party larger than 6 or so in here as space is tight. I would certainly recommend it for date night considering the low lighting and intimate tables for two.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T23:14:23" }, { "business_id": "DJujODX9OTMuveKxMEL0zg", "business_name": "Mask and Wig", "rating": 4, "text": "As a Penn grad student and child of a Penn Med professor, I have seen my fair share of Mask and Wig productions. However, when my parents dragged me as a teenager, the ribald humor was generally lost on my rather naive ears. I've come to love the Mask and Wig club for their witty, off-color productions featuring and all-male cast, crew, and band. I love the tradition of the club that dates back to the 1890's and don't mind joining with the \"rah, rah, Pennsyl-van-i-a\" at the end of each performance. The shows are wildly funny and entertaining for all - well, leave the wee ones at home - over the age of 16 or so. You'll enjoy yourself so much, you'll forget that you're seated on a folding chair. I am always impressed by the quality of the music and writing that these undergrads put into each spring show. The clubhouse is also a gem unto itself with original artwork by Maxfield Parrish. They even serve cocktails and beer in the grill room before and after the performances. The downside? Having to mingle with lots of Penn undergrads who come to support their friends. I say just suck it up and go anyway. It's maybe the best $25 you'll spend ($12 for current students).", "timestamp": "2010-02-14T19:24:25" }, { "business_id": "Yn6oUj778ETC5kYs7IPH0g", "business_name": "Tiffin Elkins Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Tiffin just opened up right down the road from my house and is in the same little complex as my gym so it seemed logical to pick up some takeout after an evening workout the other day. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, and Naan. It came with Basmati rice, chutney, and an accompanying sauce. I was a bit worried about the spice factor, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't need a fire extinguisher to eat my meal. My mom, who has a rather sensitive tongue, even got through her Chicken Korma without complaint. I imagine, if you prefer your food to be blacken your tongue that they would oblige. Both dishes were excellent - creamy, rich, not greasy. The rice was cooked to perfection and tastes wonderful with a bit of chutney stirred in. I didn't find the restaurant to resemble a fast food chain. I felt that the colors were appropriate for an Indian restaurant and the dim lighting enhanced the small BYOB. The furniture is modest, but I wouldn't describe it as cheap-looking. I appreciate that they didn't try to cram in as many tables and chairs as possible. Overall, I am pleased that Elkins Park actually has an eating establishment that might survive besides Marco Polo. If only they could give a face-lift to the rest of the shopping complex.", "timestamp": "2010-03-06T01:34:11" }, { "business_id": "pWzrmh1oiU9ngWXGHKnnwQ", "business_name": "Down Home Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "As a kid, we used to stop in here quite a bit after a tour through the Market, but it's just not the same 10-15 years later. My mom and I decided to grab some dinner here after a rather exhausting day at the Flower Show. We were seated right away which was nice considering that it was 6pm on a Friday night and the crowds from the Convention Center were massive. I ordered the BLT which was disappointing - too much lettuce and the wheat bread wasn't substantial enough to hold the thing together. Also, their \"cold sandwiches\" don't come with fries, so I ended up with a sad looking slice of cantaloupe instead. My mom's minestrone soup and grilled cheese with tomato looked much more appetizing. The fries that I ordered on the side weren't anything to write home about - skinny little things resembling the kind that McDonald's sells. For a place that claims to source all of their ingredients from the market, I really expected top notch, fresh food, even if it is a \"diner\".", "timestamp": "2010-03-07T16:46:48" }, { "business_id": "8Wq0LZSuHdPTlleQD5sU_w", "business_name": "The Bubble House", "rating": 1, "text": "This little place has the potential to be great. I'm actually a fan of their bubble teas - taro, in particular. The food isn't terrible either. I had a grilled portabella mushroom sandwich on foccacia with tomatoes and gouda with the side of sweet potato fries. $9 seemed a bit pricey for a one-mushroom sandwich, though, portabella or not. However, what really prevents me from giving The Bubble House more stars is the service - slow and uninspiring. The interior could also use a fresh coat of paint and the tables and floors could also stand to be refinished. There is just an overall grimy feeling to the restaurant that makes you wonder just how \"clean\" your food is. What really put me off was having to watch the guy who prepared the teas and manned the take-out counter sit outside and smoke three times in an hour whilst spitting here and there in plain view of the restaurant window. I do hope he washed his hands after each cigarette break, but I can't be too sure. I would probably skip this place in the future despite its proximity to campus.", "timestamp": "2010-03-11T02:18:03" }, { "business_id": "GsBDSxvX4VcvmdVODoJ_lQ", "business_name": "Primex Garden Center", "rating": 5, "text": "While, in the future, I'll probably try to avoid Primex on a Saturday afternoon, it's still my favorite garden supply spot. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about their products from plants to seeds to fertilizers and more. They even do soil testing to help you make the most of your lawn and/or garden. I feel that their prices are fair for a locally owned, family business and the new rewards program allows you to accrue monetary value towards future purchases. They hold double-point days throughout the season, too. On busy weekends this time of year, parking can be a hassle, so be patient. You can park right in front of the store, in their lot, on the side of the store, and back behind the warehouse as well. Now that planting season is in full swing, you can for flowers and other seedlings outside at the shed by the greenhouse. Just be sure to have a staff member write up your purchases first. For great soil, I recommend their Bumper Crop which gave me some impressive veggies last year. It retails for about $14 per 2 cubic feet. I'm also pleased that they offer planting potatoes, garlic, onions, and rhubarb - things you can't really grow from seed and are only offered early in the season. Their impressive selection of flower bulbs is also not to be missed! Be sure to pick up one of their great eco-friendly flower pots, too - they're recyclable!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:17:07" }, { "business_id": "MbKhuO-4uYPc0NRZDRWoew", "business_name": "MexiCali", "rating": 4, "text": "I've eaten at both the bricks and mortar shop and the lunch truck on 38th and Walnut. These are pretty much the only burritos I eat. Sure, Chipotle is just up the block, but why bother with those inflated prices? The quality of the Mexicali ingredients is superb - not once have I questioned whether my chicken was really chicken or dug in only to have gristle and fat meet my teeth. I've had consistently great experiences with the food here and find that both their meat and vegetarian options are equally delicious. Sometimes, a vegetarian options just means a weak assortment of peppers and onions or beans, but Mexicali provides a variety of options from tofu to plantains to sweet potato. Most options are around $4-5 for meat options and as low as around $2 for veggie options. Keep in mind these aren't skimpy portions either!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:22:17" }, { "business_id": "_tt4nysrN8JpzLLVXL-z5A", "business_name": "Creperie Beau Monde & L'Etage", "rating": 4, "text": "Love this place! I have never had a bad meal here. Tonight, a friend and I dined al fresco. Amanda, our server, was lovely - friendly and attentive, but not overbearing and very knowledgeable about the menu. We enjoyed the special soup of the day, a creamy artichoke with chipotle that was warm, smoky, and rich. We also had the special sweet crepe of the day which was delicious - sweet potatoes poached in coconut milk and pureed, accompanied by caramel sauce, toasted pecans, and vanilla gelato. Per usual, my savory entree crepe was generously portioned and full of fresh ham, cheddar, and broccoli. I thoroughly enjoyed their appetizer salad of house greens with a mustard vinaigrette - pleasingly tangy with a hint of bite. Beau Monde is one of my favorite places to end a spring afternoon with a good friend.", "timestamp": "2010-04-23T02:01:48" }, { "business_id": "zuNEmJXTIAMRwRY5v-oSCg", "business_name": "L'etage", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited L'Etage last night for an event. The space is cozy with fabric covered walls and dark, leather furniture. Given a large crowd, though, this performance space could get uncomfortable quite quickly. I honestly didn't find the staff to be that welcoming or friendly and the table service during the performance was distracting because it's hard to avoid walking in front of the stage. Also, $7 for gin and tonic? Really? I'll just bring a thermos next time. I'm interested to check out the story slams here, though I don't think they could even hold a candle to The Moth's productions.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:17:10" }, { "business_id": "K9cn-DrPEEXse1s1n-6mMw", "business_name": "Bridget Foy's", "rating": 3, "text": "Following a performance at L'Etage, my friends and I were famished. And, after 2 drinks on an empty stomach, I was feeling tipsy as well. South Street was mobbed on this Friday night, but we were seated immediately on B. Foy's outdoor patio which provided the perfect perch for observing a plethora of police officers canvassing the area status post the flash mob fiasco. I don't think I've seen so many brothers in blue since the Rodney King videos. Given the number of teenage twerps out and about, I was glad to have the extra security. But I digress... B. Foy's hit the spot but their food isn't exactly inspiring. I ordered a Walt Whit and the crispy chicken sandwich. I swapped the pepperjack for cheddar and got exactly what I ordered. I would have preferred a bit more avocado and less chipotle mayo as the sandwich was more spicy that I like. The bun was flaky, soft, and big enough to hold everything together. I felt the chicken was a bit overdone, but still good. The fries were average and lacked sufficient seasoning. The prices were more than reasonable, though, and three of us ate for $50, drinks included. This location is definitely a plus if you're doing the tourist thing with friends or family and need a place to please most palates. Just don't expect too much.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:26:03" }, { "business_id": "7WWLPXpOjrh_1EvjFuw3hQ", "business_name": "The Drake Tavern", "rating": 1, "text": "I really want to like this place because it's a short drive from my door, but I really just can't get behind it. First of all, I generally find the crowd to be an obnoxious mix of middle-aged folks trying to forget the work week and early twenty-somethings looking to get obliterated. The music is always too loud and seems to be piped straight from 104.5. The beer is nothing to write home about and they only get as adventurous as Magic Hat it seems. Who wouldn't, though, when most of your crowd is content with Budweiser and Coors? We're not exactly dealing with sophisticated palates. I have never found the service to be stellar and I could really do without young women prancing around in low-cut, tight t-shirts as if Hooters has come to town. And then there is the food... They do a decent job with their burgers, but it pretty much ends there. If you're going to attempt things like crab quesdillas, at least know what you're doing and use real crab meat. Most everything on the menu involves something fried. The food is bland and lacks creativity just like the rest of this place.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:34:13" }, { "business_id": "AERr7jPbAZmShrwfKzUqfA", "business_name": "Big Blue Marble Bookstore", "rating": 5, "text": "Yep, I still really love this place. As other reviews mention, you may be out of luck if you're pining after a certain book as there is no way this little shop can hold it all, but you can place an order for no extra charge and have your goods within the week. Big Blue Marble goes for quality, not quantity in my opinion and offers sophisticated, yet good reads that cater to the interests of their community. On my most recent trip, they had lots for the backyard gardener and most of the popular new releases that the big box stores have on their shelves. The book I really wanted was sold out, but I placed an order on Wednesday and had the book in my hands on Saturday. I love that they carry a good selection of Nikki McClure's cards and journals as well as items by Little Otsu. It's not as close as Barnes and Noble for me, but I still prefer to give my patronage to this Mt. Airy gem.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:39:14" }, { "business_id": "fOhnSqmO4XY5vSI8whVKSA", "business_name": "Farmicia", "rating": 4, "text": "Certainly one of the best brunches I've had in a while. I had made a reservation in light of the potential craziness from the Broadstreet Run earlier in the day. A wise move, indeed. I had time to kill before my tablemate arrived and enjoyed their happy hour cocktail prices and an assortment of fresh fruit. I thought the apple centerpieces were a rather whimsical touch. I ordered the Brunch Sandwich was the perfect union of fried egg, Amish cheese, and country toast. It was accompanied by more fresh fruit and I think I nearly hit my 5 servings for the day! The eggs were cooked as I like them - not too runny, but not hard either, just enough so that you don't end up covered in yolk. The fruit was certainly fresh which is not always the case when ordering such at an establishment. Strawberries, raspberries, and grapes - all ripe and delicious. I will certainly return in the future as their menu has many tempting offerings and who can resist half price drinks on a Sunday?", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:48:38" }, { "business_id": "V7KWP_nQkpSxR3t7bEqrMw", "business_name": "Bartram's Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "If you don't know that this place exists, shame on you! This charming 18th century historic site and it's gardens offer much needed respite from the hectic pace of modern life. Just get over the discomfort of having to drive through less-than-appealing blocks of West Philadelphia. Really folks, it's not like you're going to get caught in a drive-by. The winding drive takes you off the beaten path and away from bustling city streets to what can really be described as a botanical oasis. The place was virtually deserted on this sunny Tuesday afternoon as guided tours only take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, it was nice to be left alone to explore and enjoy the rows of vegetables peeking out from the soil and the variety of flowers and trees. There are placards interspersed throughout to explain the history and heritage of the Bartram family and the grounds. If only the rest of West Philadelphia had been so well-preserved! We took one of the paths down toward the river and found ourselves tip-toeing on rocks to save a floundering fish and picking buttercups in the adjoining meadow. It's lovely to view the steely-grey of the Philadelphia skyline from this idyllic spot. I'd certainly return for a tour and will keep an eye out for their events. Conveniently, they are open everyday 10a-5p (except holidays) and admission is free, unless you plan to take a tour. Another bonus? They do their own plant and seed sale!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:59:28" }, { "business_id": "qQO7ErS_RAN4Vs1uX0L55Q", "business_name": "The Franklin Fountain", "rating": 4, "text": "Yep, still awesome. Their butter pecan really tastes like there is a stick of butter in the ice cream. I love their waffle cones, which are substantial, keep your ice cream off of your hands, and provide just enough satisfying crunch!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:02:45" }, { "business_id": "RUWCx8WPhq4JwQjv_eGZ8g", "business_name": "Velvet Sky Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I love cake. It's a problem. Luckily, I don't pass by this little bakery too often. Their red velvet made my week. My only complaint? A little less icing perhaps. Sometimes my teeth veritably ache after one of these little beauties.", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:11:07" }, { "business_id": "a9tI3YQyIXHqt0c1AxaSbA", "business_name": "Valley Green Inn", "rating": 4, "text": "Even though this historic venue could use some sprucing up (fresh paint, etc), it's still one of my favorite places in the world and it's slightly rustic feel is all part of the charm. I know that seems like an exaggeration, but I've been going to the Valley Green Inn since my little legs could pedal a bike to get there. As a family, we always biked the trail instead of driving in. The food is still delicious, especially their yam fries. My roast turkey breast sandwich with applewood smoked bacon was one of the best lunches I'd had in a while. The bread, especially, was delicious and certainly held up against a slathering of mayo. I really detest wimpy bread. This is a place that feels upscale but is down to earth and equally wonderful whether you want brunch, lunch, or dinner. Bring the family or someone special, either way, you're sure to enjoy yourself.", "timestamp": "2010-06-04T20:06:34" }, { "business_id": "X_OnAUXVGHjyWP9zoPVLTA", "business_name": "Megabus", "rating": 3, "text": "Thus far, I've only ridden Megabus once so I am holding out on giving it more stars until I have other experiences to compare to this one. I had no problems with my trip to and from NYC. Our bus left on time and even arrived in NYC a little early. The ride was comfortable enough - the seats could have been a bit roomier and the frigid air conditioning was refreshing at first, but not so much 30 minutes into the ride. The driver and employees were courteous at both ends of the trip and I had no issues with luggage. I really had no use for the wi-fi or the outlets, so I can't comment on those, but others on the ride seemed to have no trouble accomplishing various tasks on their laptops or charging their phones enough to scream into them the entire ride. The most annoying aspect was actually due to a couple riding in front of my friend and I who refused to stop groping each other. My first choice for travel would be Amtrak, but for $12, I think I got what I expected - average service.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:06:53" }, { "business_id": "eXKblEHP3YJYU1Awz08hVw", "business_name": "Tacos Don Memo", "rating": 4, "text": "Well, I'll never eat at MexiPhilly again, that's for dang sure! My al pastor burrito more than made up for my terrible lunch date. I ended up making lunch AND dinner out of my burrito which was crammed with savory black beans, fluffy rice, avocado, lettuce, tomato and, of course, pork. I don't even really like pork! Just ask my mom about the faces I make if she makes pork chops. It's ugly. My lunch \"date\" had talked up the al pastor so much, though, that I took the plunge. A few things to know before you go: - the wait can be lengthy so you might want to bring a folding chair - it ain't as cheap as some other carts The ingredients are really fresh and there is a whole lot of effort that goes into the preparation of your order. I don't know how they got everything in my burrito, but it stayed together down to the last bite. The owner even has a bricks and mortar shop up near the 69th street terminal and will bring in specials from the restaurant on occasion.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:31:15" }, { "business_id": "-b8iNhBez0hRu478nIDhyg", "business_name": "Swift Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Gastropubs are taking over the world! Or at least Northern Liberties. This was my first trip to Swift Half and the Piazza, for that matter. I've lived in the Philadelphia area just about all my life and still find it a little weird that someone thought to plunk down this Piazza thing in Northern Liberties. Does someone want to tell me where all the regular folks are going to live once we've gentrified this entire city? But I digress... I appreciate what Swift Half is aiming for - a fresh, unique, delicious menu. However, I agree with Anthony S. in that they miss the mark with their \"go big or go home\" attitude. I was pretty excited about my B.E.L.T. (bacon, egg, lettuce, and tomato) sandwich because I adore breakfast for dinner. I felt the egg was overcooked, the bacon lacked the thick texture I was expecting, and the mayo was straight up out of the Hellman's mayo jar I presume. The bread was very good, but could have used toasting to give it some oomph. I thought the fries were delicious, though. Overall, I kind of felt that their menu was all over the place: mussels, fish and chips, burgers. Too many unrelated choices in my opinion. I really enjoyed my Georgia Kiss cocktail (gin, peach schnapps, soda water, and lime) and thought that was a pretty original drink. They also have a great selection of beers which do not disappoint. I liked the atmosphere. It was a bit noisy due to all of the people out on a Friday night at 9pm, but the large open space lends itself well to coming with a group. The outdoor patio on the Piazza is also a definitive plus. I look forward to trying Swift Half again and hope they \"grow into\" their grown up menu. Just do simple food well, guys. Don't prissy it up for the No Libs hipster crowd. When I go to a pub, I want hearty food that will compliment my beer selection and leave me feeling satisfied.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:27:13" }, { "business_id": "qAjsqPKJwcWX97_EBHwfjw", "business_name": "Rosie's Yarn Cellar", "rating": 5, "text": "You know, Rosie's has really grown on me as I've delved deeper and deeper into this knitting....hobby. Well, let's call it what it really is, shall we? It's a full blown obsession for me at this point. I like that Rosie's has a nice mix of the luxe and the everyman's fiber. You've got your Swan Lake fingering, your Manos, your Cascade 220 - something for every taste and budget. Oh how I love their lush selection of Manos in all its myriad colors. I love that I can still get plenty of Rowan and Koigu here, too. Yes, the shop is still tiny, but that's part of the charm and I take my yarn home to wind rather that risk whacking someone with the swift. Rosie's is one of those neighborhood places where you have to go a few times to sort of feel like you belong. I like the staff and have never had a problem. If you're feeling neglected, speak up! If I'm new to a particular shop, I sometimes feel awkward and out of place. Knitting is such a community thing these days and shops have fiercely loyal clientele, so just give it some time if you're a newbie. Rosie's will certainly welcome you in if you leave your attitude outside.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:36:31" }, { "business_id": "LklDTDwgJLbUjd67ZKsvCg", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Square Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Who doesn't love sunshine and grass?! I love sunshine and grass and knitting or reading on a lovely afternoon. I don't love the tiny, yapping dogs or women in skimpy bikinis, or the couples who obviously need to get a room. Rittenhouse Square Park is a place where some people obviously come to see and be seen as if they're dining at the Ivy on an episode of The Hills. So...these 4 stars are really for awesome things like the free Saturday yoga classes and the Saturday farmers market where I score delicious local eats like yellow carrots, chioggia beets, brightly colored zinnias, and 3 different kinds of plums. These 4 stars are also for those early spring days where hope springs eternal after a winter of drudgery and snow. They are also for those great first date strolls, laughing with your best friends, or sneaking some solitude. For all those things, it really is a 5 star kinda place.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:45:05" }, { "business_id": "EpFFiPHKx9yP-WqOCuxRCw", "business_name": "Mayfair Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I have a hard time believing this place ever got \"Best of Philly\" even if it was in 2002. But, after a long morning doing health education down the road at CFCF at the Philadelphia Prison System, you'd need a milkshake and french toast, too. The milkshake was probably the best part even if it was a little on the small side. What happened to the days when you got the silver cup on the side with the leftover shake!? My french toast was good because I was hungry and in a crappy mood, but nothing to write home about. The service was all NE Philly (\"What'll youse be havin'?), accent included. Essentially the clientele here is 65 and over and they're probably eating soup when it's 95 degrees outside. Are there any great Philly diners left?", "timestamp": "2010-08-04T00:46:55" }, { "business_id": "A7z2nV4JUlmwBbQx3ge2rw", "business_name": "Dujour", "rating": 5, "text": "Du Jour features a great lunch menu and today was no exception. In the summer, I particularly enjoy their freshly made Gazpacho soup. It can be really hard to find a great Gazpacho that isn't overly spicy, not too chunky, not too heavy on vegetables that shouldn't be in there in the first place (like carrots), and doesn't separate quickly. Unless I make it myself, the only Gazpacho I'll eat is from Du Jour. It is smooth and well blended with plenty of tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumber. It has a refreshing, crisp tang provided by the vinegar. I followed up with their low-fat tuna sandwich on multigrain bread with lettuce and tomato and a side salad. I think they make a great tuna sandwich - it's not dry and comes on hearty bread with a thick slice of tomato and crisp lettuce. It is also features a pretty substantial helping of tuna which kept me energized through 4 hours of poolside lounging later in the afternoon. The absolute best part was the kind gesture we received from the chef, Mike. A professional photographer was in the restaurant shooting photographs of various plates from the new menu. When the chef brought out a large slice of blueberry pie accompanied by a generous helping of gelato I was done for. After the photographer had finished her shots of the pie, I jokingly called to the chef to ask if I could have it. To my surprise he turned around and said \"sure!\" since it was going to go to waste anyway. He was really very kind and seemed happy to let three of us in on this delicious new menu item. Made with local blueberries, the pie was delicious and full of sweet summer flavor. The cinnamon gelato was a perfect creamy partner to the butter in the crust and the sweet-tart of the fruit. I'm pretty sure the huge slice and scoop we had were not the usual serving size, though! Once again a delicious lunch with exceptional service.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T01:56:05" }, { "business_id": "IvMEGUlmbDZVzftmRCLdDg", "business_name": "Margaret Kuo's Wayne", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't love Chinese food, but aside from Cin Cin in Chestnut Hill, Margaret Kuo's is much more palatable than other establishments I've visited. I like the portion sizes here because they are enough for one person, possibly two if you plan to share more than one dish or order appetizers. The menu tends to feature more than your average take out spot and I find the fare to be less greasy and salty. I particularly like the Chicken with Shitake Mushrooms which is not slathered in brown sauce as it might be elsewhere. It is a healthy portion of chicken, snow peas, and mushrooms that I like to mix with brown rice. I was left satisfied but not stuffed to the gills. I am always a little confused when ethnic restaurants start crossing cultural borders and am not sure why they feel the need to offer sushi as well. I've never tried their sushi offerings and cannot speak to its quality, but I feel that you should probably just stick with what you know. Beware that a lot of families tend to pack her restaurant on a weekend evening so you will most likely be contending with the shrill voices of wee ones. If you're looking for a more intimate setting, I might dine later in the evening to avoid the Sesame Street crowd.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T02:03:11" }, { "business_id": "kK1re49IK3jmCYTL6B6_lw", "business_name": "Trolley Car Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure how it took me so long to visit this place. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner and found it to be a much better experience than some other diners I've experienced as of late. They have an impressive offering of beers and you can make your own six-pack without hiking down to the Foodery and paying an arm and a leg. Their menu is extensive and they serve breakfast all day. Their portions are hearty and they make their own kettle chips. I don't have kids, but this place would satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Their milkshakes are also pretty great. You even get the extra in the metal mixing cup. There's just something about getting a huge helping of ice cream that makes my day. Keep in mind that this place can get busy and that there will probably be a munchkin or two who is in a bad mood. I find the staff to be very friendly and attentive even when they're running between multiple tables. This is also a good place for groups as their large booths can accommodate three people on each side. I think this may be my new favorite, local spot for a satisfying meal, good beer, and reasonable prices.", "timestamp": "2010-09-18T22:53:00" }, { "business_id": "U9gATBSpddPuqZdfhYOaUQ", "business_name": "Clark Park Farmers' Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoy the cultural milieu one can find at any given local farmers' market. You can walk through an epic, medieval battle of capture-the-flag in the park and find yourself face to face with all sorts of interesting folks and vegetables, too. I always find unique varietals here that add flair to even the most familiar dishes in my culinary repertoire. On my last visit, I picked up a delicious sugar baby melon - the baby cousin to the watermelon - that was filled with sweet, juicy flesh. I also love going towards the end of the market and scoring handfuls of plump, fragrant zinnias at half price from the Amish growers. The blooms are as bright as the sun and are sure to make any gal swoon. You can also find some great local, grass-fed meat, cheese, yogurt, and milk if you're not into the conventional, homogenized varieties at the grocery store. Go, if not for the good, for the atmosphere. You'll also get to avoid the ritzy crowd that frequents the Rittenhouse Market, making food shopping seem like high art for the privileged classes.", "timestamp": "2010-09-20T01:53:11" }, { "business_id": "aF7RIFJwdjv21eVYgMqJFw", "business_name": "Rosey's BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "Rosey's has moved into the location formerly inhabited by Abner's. I am sure that some people are perturbed by this but, rest assured, Rosey's did not put Abner's out of business. Considering the lack of quality restaurant food in Jenkintown and the fact that they are flanked by IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, and Chilis, I didn't expect too much from Rosey's. I was pleasantly pleased with their menu and food, though, and have been back twice since my initial visit. I really like their brisket sandwich which comes chopped on a kaiser role. I ordered the coleslaw and sauce on the side to cut down on the mess. The brisket was smoked to perfect and extremely tender. Their house-made BBQ sauce is a perfect compliment to any of their meats and isn't as tomato-based as some other establishments. The sauce has just the right amount of tang and spice. I really enjoyed their greens, which are tender and well seasoned without being overly peppery. They cook their greens with turkey which is a good substitute for the ham hocks I might use if I made my own. The owner commented that given the Jewish population in the area he felt it was better for sales to keep the greens pork free. Smart move, I think. The mashed sweet potatoes are also delicious and could almost double as dessert. Don't forget a glass of their house-made sweet tea - just enough sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth but still provide actual refreshment. My absolute favorite item on the Rosey's menu? The banana pudding. It's almost as good as my auntie's and chock full of vanilla wafers and actual banana. Rosey's isn't pretentious and is certainly closer than Smokin' Betty's and Percy Street - places that serve decidedly different styles of BBQ.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:38:10" }, { "business_id": "ZKPrXH_GNW_AtZ31tP3NmA", "business_name": "White Dog Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been coming to the White Dog since I was a wee one. I completely disagree with the review by Ed M. and wonder why he insists on frequenting the restaurant if he clearly doesn't enjoy the food. That's another story for another time, though... I enjoy the restaurant and the events that they hold. I've had two impressive meals in conjunction with community events - one a book reading with a sumptuous steak dinner; the other, a trolley car mural tour with continental breakfast and sit-down lunch. Sometimes, I will pop in and treat myself to lunch after a day of classes. The best meals I've had here have been shared with family and friends, though, and are often celebrations of something great that has just occurred. I greatly appreciate and admire how the White Dog works so diligently to provide fresh, local, seasonal, and organic ingredients on a regular basis. They even have their own bottled sparkling water! Some restaurants claim that their menus are local or organic, but it's such a small percentage of the items, that you might as well not bother mentioning it at all. I also find it admirable that WDC finds it important to connect with their customers and their community through regular events, educational opportunities, etc. I've never had a bad meal here and, for the most part, the staff provides a very enjoyable experience. I particularly like their soups and use of seasonal vegetables. I can always count on them to have vegan/vegetarian menu options which means I can come here with all of my friends. Penn students clogging the bar or not, cranky reviews by others or not, I will still consider this one of my favorite places in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:50:23" }, { "business_id": "2BRbu3cBbH2bCgzN3DVc8w", "business_name": "Table 31", "rating": 2, "text": "Considering Table 31's atmosphere, I was expecting to be much more impressed by the actual service, drink menu, and food. Is there some rule of the universe where the effort and expense put into the decor is inversely proportional to the quality of the food and service? I found the staff to be rigid and off-putting, as if I clearly wasn't cool enough to be drinking in their establishment. Their cocktail menu was very expensive and heavy on the martinis. An homage to Sex and the City maybe? Their bar food also seemed much too over the top and expensive - seafood, pizza, and meatballs? What about a shrimp cocktail or salad or canapes. Something other than $50 of mollusks, please! Our little party ended up getting a cheese plate which was tasty but not satisfying and didn't come with nearly enough bread. The bread that did come was accompanied by this odd looking dipping mixture that was pure oil with red sediment at the bottom. No amount of stirring seemed to get it to mix and I wasn't sure if I should try to eat it or just play with it. Overall, Table 31 just tries too hard without actually accomplishing anything. I felt uncomfortable and unsatisfied. I'd only recommend it if you wanted to swig a whiskey in a dark suit and imagine that you're Don Draper for half a minute. Then get the heck outta there and pick up a bottle of something better on your way home.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T02:01:30" }, { "business_id": "N3CuXqWoFpBtYMBGhBE2fA", "business_name": "Milk & Honey Market", "rating": 2, "text": "Is it just me or are sandwiches in Philadelphia becoming ridiculously expensive. $8 for an \"Italian Hoagie\" - I hope the meats were just off the boat from Italy! I met a friend here for lunch a while back as we both hadn't visited this new addition to the West Philadelphia community. I was disappointed with their selection of items. Given the lack of grocery stores in the area, it would be nice to have a little marketplace where one could actually accomplish a complete shopping trip. Instead, M&H provides alot of specialty and gourmet items that I wouldn't necessarily require on a weekly basis. Their produce and dairy is pretty limited. They do, of course, have quite the honey selection. I enjoy honey just as much as the next gal, but it doesn't exactly qualify as anything remotely close to a meal. My Italian hoagie wasn't as good as I had anticipated owing to the fact that the bread was pretty stiff and I had a hard time sinking my teeth into it. Perhaps this was because it had been sitting, pre-made, in the deli case for lord knows how long. The sandwich lacked filling and I think I got more arugula than anything else. The market was also out of a ridiculous number of menu items which left my friend and I with about 3 choices on a Monday afternoon. I also didn't feel that the employees were very friendly. I felt largely ignored for the most part, like I was intruding on something. What happened to \"Hi, how may I help you?\". Hopefully, as the market settles into the community, they will continue to improve, but I don't think I'll make them a frequent stop.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T19:50:28" }, { "business_id": "9Pvwx_IfQgQL4ykmlGV6yA", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "I don't love Chinese food and P.F. Chang's occasionally reminds me why. I've been to 3 of their locations and have never had a stellar experience at any of them. I am pleased, though, that there are buildings occupying the property in Plymouth Meeting other than that pitiful structure they call a mall. We dined relatively early when the restaurant was barely full but I felt rushed by our server. He also completely glossed over any explanation of what the sauces were that they provide. I ordered the chow fun noodles with chicken and was disappointed to see that that was the extend of the meal: chow fun noodles, chicken, and scallion slices. Would the addition of some other vegetables be inappropriate? It irks me that one has to order most of their dish via the appetizer and side dish section if you want to create something well-rounded. I found the noodles to be rather lackluster in flavor and largely dominated by the long scallion stalks that I had to pick out of my bowl. The outdoor patio is a nice addition, though, for warm-weather dining. I doubt I will rush back here unless accompanied by someone delirious for their food.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:10:55" }, { "business_id": "lpDOqBhkJlxACzKQGAj_uA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm not going to lie, I really enjoy shopping at Whole Foods. Prices and hipster foodies be damned. As far as WFM's go, though, this is not my favorite location. The store feels crowded and the layout doesn't allow for fluid movement from one department to the next. I think this is because the baked goods, salad bar, and hot foods bar are smack in the middle of the store. The aisles also seem rather cramped and difficult to navigate with a cart. The staff are still friendly folks, but the other customers always seem agitated when I am there. Maybe grocery shopping in the city is just more stressful? I'll stick to the stores in the 'burbs where there is more room to maneuver.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:14:32" }, { "business_id": "1tkXPP1K1jBIgIthy6idwQ", "business_name": "Burholme Park Golf Center", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! What has happened to this place since my childhood? I actually went here for a date recently and it's not something I would ever repeat. Unfortunately, I wouldn't repeat the date with the same guy anywhere else, but that's another story. When I was little, Burholme was THE place to have your summer birthday party, complete with mini golf, hot dogs, and ice cream. Now it just seems a rather sad shell of itself. The pro shop was dark and looked fairly disorganized as if people just dropped things and left. The snack stand was pitiful and appeared to need a thorough cleaning. There was really no menu to speak of as they apparently don't sell much unless it's summertime. The girls behind the counter were more interested in a laptop than customers and provided us with some rather tired looking bats. There were only three open batting cages and the rest were locked. The equipment seemed to need replacing and malfunctioned. It was difficult to even tell when the machines were on and I lost a few swings because I didn't know that I was still \"up\". It might be the guy, it might be Burlhome, but I probably won't be revisiting this golf center ever again. Too many painful memories ::sniff::", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:21:12" }, { "business_id": "SGi8AJhR8iS-LsQwcMOAVA", "business_name": "Eulogy Belgian Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "3 stars for the beer selection which just can't be beat. Unfortunately, I'm inclined to only assign 2 stars to the food. Being that this establishment is in Old City, I should have contemplated how tiny it might be. At 10pm on a Saturday night, the bar was pretty darn crowded and as hot and humid as a gym locker room with all of the bodies and winter coats jammed inside. We were able to get a table upstairs, but the close proximity of other patrons made me feel a bit claustrophobic. I was glad to get a taste of the Troeg's Mad Elf as it's a seasonal beer not easily found in this land of state stores and beer distributors. At about 10% abv, one brimming goblet was enough to thoroughly wet my whistle. One of my friends, didn't have such great luck with his selection as each beverage he chose seemed to be unavailable. Eventually, our server asked him to choose anything on the menu on the house which was definitely a sign of superb service. I was disappointed with the Belgian fries we ordered as they seemed overdone and too thickly cut. The dipping sauce didn't light my fire either. Perhaps my expectations are too high after years of consuming the potatoes from Pomme Frites in NYC? I'll be sure to give them another try at a later date and hope for a better outcome. I don't know if this place is never not packed, but I'll attempt to give it another go at a time when it might be less crowded and I can get a seat at the bar.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:49:12" }, { "business_id": "Ukkr1N8UApmJsOzbX4XnRA", "business_name": "The Green Line Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to love The Green Line, but it hasn't won me over yet. I never get a warm-fuzzy vibe from the staff. It's as if people can tell that I'm not vegetarian or vegan and that I drive a car! Furthermore, I always seem to get stuck sitting outside amidst a cluster of chain smokers. Also, the fact that they only take cash is kind of irritating in this modern era of debit/credit cards, especially when coffee can run you upwards of $5 depending on the menu item. Brownie points for the fact that they do serve fair trade coffee.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:54:20" }, { "business_id": "qlt0aeVnh4B3X5mUeEUtnQ", "business_name": "Regal Warrington Crossing ScreenX, 4DX, IMAX & RPX", "rating": 3, "text": "I wish I lived close enough to Center City to do most of my movie viewing at the Ritz but, alas, we suburban folks have to trek to the Regal which might as well be it's own small metropolis. I like that this venue has 22 screens which means there will most likely be at least one movie that everyone in your group can agree on. This also means that they can show very popular movies on more than one screen, thus lessening the possibility of sold out shows. I enjoy the stadium seating and relatively roomy chairs that recline just enough to be relaxing without allowing the person in front of you to end up in your lap. I usually skip the concession stand unless I really want to part with $20. Honestly, with the purse I carry, it's easy enough to smuggle in my own Junior Mints and my Klean Kanteen water bottle. The concession line is also usually infuriatingly slow because the teenage cashiers seem to find it a prime time to flirt with one another as they sling jumbo sodas and buckets of popcorn towards beleaguered parents. I know the price of movies these days is a major bone of contention with most folks, but it's not like it's a secret or anything. You can always count on dropping at least $10 per ticket (more if you're going to pre-order via Fandango or something) and another $20 for snacks. I recommend the matinees, taking advantage of the Regal card, utilizing student ID's, or just investing in Netflix if the cost is a major hardship. A major bonus is the fact that they also screen operas via simulcast from the Met. All the glory of Don Giovanni without the cost and hassle of going to NYC.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:04:21" }, { "business_id": "vy0IlrE3Zl44HwxbsZhh2g", "business_name": "Ritz East", "rating": 4, "text": "Somehow I always get myself lost trying to find the Ritz East vs the Ritz, but I always leave pleased. This is where I come a) to see movies that don't make it to the large, mega theaters and b) to see grown up flicks that don't involve texting teenagers or whining toddlers in the audience. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance as a number of shows I have seen here have sold out rather quickly. The tickets for both the 8p and 10p shows of Black Swan on a Saturday night were gone within minutes which resulted in many boyfriends receiving rather pouty faces from their significant others! The prices are reasonable and relatively comparable to the rest of the city/suburbs. I always skip the snacks in favor of visiting a favorite, local restaurant instead. They do have better fare than your average theater, though. Who doesn't love Pocky!? While it probably sucks to get caught in this predicament, it is kind of nice that they prohibit folks from entering the theater 15 minutes after the main event has begun. There is nothing worse than being stepped upon after you've gotten all settled and into the rhythm of the story. The seats are large and I'm always comfortable even when the place is packed. The best part is that you're probably not likely to find yourself in danger of being shot while any of the Ritz theaters. I wish I could say the same for the Riverview or Bridge cinemas!", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:13:32" }, { "business_id": "EAtdpksdWfWAaqh3XdnNNg", "business_name": "Essene Market & Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I always enjoy a trip to the Essene market which is almost always a must if I am getting a haircut next door at JuJu Salon. I like that they carry a variety of eco-friendly containers and utensils for toting my lunch to work. I really can't say enough good things about the LunchBots products. They've got a great variety of fresh produce and an impressive bulk section for nuts, grains, and flours. Their stock of cereals, pastas, juices, and frozen items is likely to have the unique items your Veganomicon recipe is calling for. They also have items that more conventional folks enjoy as well in case you're not into spelt or teff flour. It would be fairly expensive to do your regular shopping here unless you are some sort of super-vegan or have very stringent dietary requirements. I'd recommend using them for the specialty items you may need in smaller quantities. I have mixed feelings about their prepared foods bar as it just seems utterly overpriced to me. I lunched at Essene with two friends the other day and my plate of various incarnations of tofu and seitan came to over $13.00. I had to wonder if they were actually counting the glass plate as a part of the meal! I know fresh produce has gone up a bit in price (and they do use quality ingredients), but lunch over $10 for a plate that wasn't exactly loaded with heaping helpings was a surprise. Oh, and if you'd like chopsticks - those are an extra 80 cents or so. I'd recommend just using the silverware. For free.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:17:08" }, { "business_id": "xCXGV3wEvYd4xBGx8ZRFQA", "business_name": "La Va Cafe", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! I don't know what happened this evening when I popped in to grab a warm beverage before my quilting class, but I experienced one of the worst lattes this evening. It was grainy. As in, full of sediment. I'm no coffee expert, but I believe sediment is not a common ingredient in a vanilla latte. I was very disappointed. If I had had more time, I would have taken it back for a re-do. I actually cleansed my palate at Starbucks later in the evening. Here's to hoping that the next visit is better.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:21:00" }, { "business_id": "ExfSwwCB1zQ6ZGd_UQ4wYQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "I kind of loathe reviews of chains, but I feel obligated to make a comment seeing as I \"checked in\" at this particular location. Darn you Yelp iPhone app! I pretty much feel \"a-ok\" about all Starbucks regardless of location. Their beverages don't send me into a transcendent state, but they do warm me up and make me feel like I'm giving myself a little treat. It's especially nice when I remember that I have money on my little key fob thing and can rack up those little stars towards nifty rewards. Who doesn't like a freebie drink on their birthday? The staff here was friendly. They made my drink correctly. That pretty much sums it up.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:24:08" }, { "business_id": "gcjziNbsRYMfdcbOuCCufw", "business_name": "Rx Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Headed to Rx the other weekend with a couple of pals for a bit of Sunday brunch. I was much happier with my menu choice on this trip as the mushroom and spinach omelet was so tasty that I ran out to grab a stash of ingredients to repeat the whole thing at home the following week. The oyster mushrooms were a unique way to spice up a traditional omelet where most places would just use conventional, button 'shrooms. The spinach was tender and not the least bitter from overcooking. They used just the right amount of eggs as well - I'm guessing 3 as opposed to IHOP's whopping 6. I just wish it had come with a side of something - potatoes, fruit salad, regular salad...as my plate seemed kind of empty. I would have liked to see some new menu additions since my last review in the Fall. Maybe I missed them? Maybe I forgot what was even on the menu last time. It's possible. I do know that they still have the tofu stir fry and the corn flake-crusted french toast. Given their limited menu, I think that they could really do a lot with seasonal items and unique flavors. I still enjoy the coffee which they keep coming at regular intervals. If you're feeling high class, order a mimosa and sip into the afternoon. For the price, Rx still beats cereal and milk at home.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T03:08:30" }, { "business_id": "lOOePsuwr75TCvIhV1Am1A", "business_name": "The Daily Grind Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "It's become obvious to me that I am terrible at studying at home. I always manage to find 900 other things to do - cleaning, returning emails, obsessively checking Facebook. Today, I left the house in search of a study location. Sure, there is the local library, but they don't have food and beverages to keep my brain humming. My first thought - Barnes and Noble - was a very poor choice. Their cafe is cramped and uncomfortable and, today, featured an obnoxious, screaming child. I gave a thought to Starbucks but hate the idea of shelling out extra cash for the wi-fi, and the parking situation for the Jenkintown location is abominable. Then I remembered The Daily Grind! Close to my home, good coffee, Mighty Leaf Teas, punch card incentive, free wi-fi access, and actual food. The Daily Grind was a good choice indeed. The staff are very friendly and you don't have to know coffee lingo to get exactly what you're craving; they'll help you customize your drink. Because they are inside the Pavilion, there is no cold draft to interrupt me every time someone breezes in the door. People come and people go, but it's surprisingly quiet and I didn't have to compete with anyone for a table and an outlet. They now offer quite a menu if you've got the tummy-rumblies: brisket sandwiches that feature meat from Rosey's BBQ down the road, soups (get there early, though, because they sold out today!), salads, sandwiches (pressed or not), and personal-sized pizzas. Their drink menu features your standard coffee and tea faves + smoothies. Kudos to them for featuring food items from other local spots - Rosey's BBQ as mentioned above and bagels from Rolings Bakery in Elkins Park. I'm glad to be able to support a local business. I'll save the Starbucks run for desperate times only, like when I'm at the airport and my only other nourishment option is McDonald's.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T23:00:09" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "In case anyone had any reason to doubt the frequent buyer program - doubt no more, Thomas! Last night, I ordered two whole pies (or slabs maybe, sine they're rectangular?) and was promptly told that our household had spent $100 on pizza and we'd be receiving our $10 credit. It was a nice way to end the week. Please note, though, that the frequent buyer program only applies to the purchase of whole pies. They track your purchase history via your phone number. I still really enjoy Jules Pizza. I am never disappointed by the quality of the ingredients, the friendly service, the taste, or the clean and bright dining area. I find that dining in works for any number of situations: a casual date, lunch meeting, catching-up with friends, a post-play group snack for moms and kids, etc. The fact that you can bring your own juice boxes or beer means that just about everyone should be happy, even your kid with 12 food allergies. They even feature cute coloring pages and crayons at the register that kind of made me want to break out my 96 box of Crayola's. It may be thin crust, but Jules Pizza is satisfying and certainly provides and easy way to get in some of those 5 veggies you need every day. Their honest business practices and openness about the source of their ingredients continues to keep me coming back.", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:29:36" }, { "business_id": "q43nr6E8ib2p39sVYtPGww", "business_name": "Juju Salon & Organics", "rating": 5, "text": "I think that JuJu and I are officially in a long-term relationship now. Sure, we're comfortable, but not so comfortable that the staff slack on service or that my stylist resorts to some standard-issue cut. I still enjoy coming into the shop for the relaxing atmosphere. Janka continues to provide me with superb haircuts that leave me inwardly sighing \"ahhh, now that's better\". It's always a treat when one of the staff have their pooches in tow. What could be better than having your hair washed AND a snuggling doggie in your lap? I'd also like to highlight the fact that JuJu is always very accommodating of me when I call to reschedule or change an appointment. I had to change my last appointment twice because life got in the way, but I was never treated rudely. I also appreciate the confirmation phone calls so that I don't inadvertently forget!", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:44:40" }, { "business_id": "3GvaJRiDGxzJzqoPX0xUeA", "business_name": "Spool", "rating": 5, "text": "The beginning quilting class taught by Ashley Kayhart was wonderful. In just five weeks, I have learned an entirely new skill and finished my first quilt complete with hand-sewn binding. I highly recommend this class to anyone wanting to take the plunge into the world of quilt-making. Ashley is enthusiastic and has wonderful sense for color and design. She will certainly put you at ease about your project as she reminds you that you need not be perfect. I liked that the class was limited to about 8 students which meant that you could have the personal attention you might need should your sewing go awry. You are also welcome to bring your own fabrics for the class, which I thought was quite generous considering Spool is a fabric shop afterall. Some nights, I wished we had more than two hours and my only suggestion is that those purchasing their fabric from Spool might want to do so before class time to ensure that there is enough time to complete all the steps in a given night. I'm pretty darn proud of my finished product and glad to have met such wonderful people.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:30:42" }, { "business_id": "mC_m-4k9Xo1kzjSL0w7uoA", "business_name": "Alice Bakery & Confectionary", "rating": 4, "text": "This neighborhood bakery is adorable. Dennis Darr, a graduate of Chicago's French Pastry School, as some wonderful ambitions for this little shop including such delights as mousse cakes! For now, though, you will have to satisfy yourself with their homemade chocolates, cupcakes, sticky buns, and breads. Dare I say that the cupcake obsession is waning after years of New Yorkers clamoring for a taste of Magnolia's treats? It seems the cupcake phenomenon has peaked as bakeries pull out all of the stops to make the largest, most unique, most decadent handheld treats. Unfortunately, many of these mini masterpieces often fall flat in taste, texture, and experience. And, honestly, who wants to pay upwards of $3 for a cupcake!? Darr keeps it simple with traditionally-sized cakes that are flavorful and moist. The red velvet variety that I sampled was topped with a vanilla bean butter cream that complimented instead of overwhelming the cake with just enough sweetness. The chocolate cupcakes are also rich, light, and moist instead of the dry crumbly cake I'm used to. The sticky bun, even the plain one, was superb. It had a light, yeasty quality with just the right about of chewiness, It was sweet but not cloying and I recommend you order yours hot with a cup of freshly brewed Illy coffee or herbal tea. Be sure to take home some focaccia or a smoked gouda loaf for later. Can there be anything better than bread AND cheese? The sea salt rolls would be excellent as a pairing with any winter soup or stew. I look forward to seeing the new offerings that Darr comes up with in his kitchen. He runs a very friendly shop with room for you to sit and linger and certainly works to get to know his customers. ABC is definitely a superb addition to the suburban landscape. If only they also served hot chocolate, my bakery experience would be complete.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:45:15" }, { "business_id": "ADe114o7Z4vb1O6HkM6YEA", "business_name": "Greek Lady", "rating": 3, "text": "The recent renovations are really lovely and the expanded seating area is a very welcome addition. The restaurant feels much cleaner and brighter. I like that the order and pick-up areas are separate to keep customers flowing. I enjoy their chicken gyro when I'm in the mood for \"fast food\". Something about the french fries inside just adds that extra, greasy, yet satisfying something. I may move on to trying other menu items at some point. I've gotten a peek at the salads ordered by other customers and they do look rather appealing. Greek Lady is also a good bet in a pinch when working a long shift at the hospital because they deliver fairly late and, chances are, the rest of the unit staff will want in on the order, too.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:49:34" }, { "business_id": "AqX_5srdyAS1tNiqC3mDvg", "business_name": "Noche", "rating": 1, "text": "Noche is perpetually crowded and noisy and lacking in seating space. I'm not really sure what the awkward swathe of floor is for between the front windows and the bar. It's like no-man's land. There are no tables and chairs and it doesn't seem to serve as a dance space either. On a weekend evening, it's veritably impossible to reach the bar without having to throw a few punches. Once you reach the bar, you're lucky if the bartender can understand you over the awful din of the sound system. The restrooms are at the very back of the establishment and difficult to reach when the crowd is really thick. If memory serves me correctly, there is also a rather random seeming pool table back there as well. I'm not sure if Noche is trying to be a bar or a restaurant, but it's difficult to order food when you have nowhere to sit. I don't enjoy the crowd either - overly pretentious, popped-collar types that fancy buying a condo on Rittenhouse Square. I'd caution against having any sort of organization event/fundraider here as they tend to continue to let hordes of people in off of the street making it very hot and tight. The available food selections are also pretty mediocre. I've had better salsa from a jar. The drink specials will end up being little more than watery Miller Light.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:57:46" }, { "business_id": "Xq-8-I0U8Artr7d70SjX-g", "business_name": "30th Street Station", "rating": 4, "text": "30th Street Station - how I prefer you over Penn Station in NYC! There is plenty of wide open space and seating that doesn't make me feel like I'm in an underground bunker. The lines for Amtrak trains tend to be orderly because you aren't forced to snake around the 400 other passengers milling about or sitting smack in the middle of the floor. There are plenty of options for a meal or a snack before your journey. The new Old Nelson Market serves up a good breakfast sandwich in addition to having the odd sundries that you might need on your way home via SEPTA. I like that I can get fresh fruit there instead of from Au Bon Pain which charges an arm and a leg. SEPTA still bites most days but that's not the station's fault.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T03:01:59" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "This sushi bar is just that - a 6 to 10 seat bar with an extra table by the door to squeeze in a few extra customers. The $10.95 three roll deal cannot be beat. You can't even get sushi for that price at Whole Foods. The fish and other ingredients are fresh and comparable to many other more expensive restaurants. The rolls could use a more generous coating of rice on the outside, though. I've eaten in for lunch when it is slow and I can sip miso soup and read a book. I've also called for take-out after a long day of work and arrived to find my order ready and waiting. I also recommend their shumai and salad with ginger dressing to round out your meal. I've seen many other customers order the fancy rolls which just look a little too rich for my stomach (I prefer to keep it simple with spicy tuna), but they seem to get good reviews for their unique flavor combinations and creative presentations. The tuna dumplings mentioned by other reviewers do look pretty intriguing! The staff are very friendly and this could easily be a place where you become a \"regular\".", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:41:26" }, { "business_id": "Jc-y852Fq1_6VB5kPUjxfA", "business_name": "City Planter", "rating": 4, "text": "This shop is absolutely lovely! The staff are friendly and knowledgeable without that horticultural pretense you find at some nursery/garden shops. The staff members know plants and plant care, but they can also help you to create an artful arrangement - just pick out and plant and a pot and you are good to go. Soon you'll be populating your place with vegetation as art! I have enjoyed planting terrariums as of late to bring a bit of nature indoors and was quite inspired by the examples City Planter has throughout their shop. They have a great selection of terrarium supplies - including miniature garden rakes, trowels, and spades - and their miniature plants are well priced at about $3 a pop. They have a great selection of unique glass vessels as well whether you want a traditional, free-standing vase, something to suspend from the air, or a wall planter. I especially love that you can make your own bag of gravel and rocks which they sell by the pound. This means that you don't have to pay for or get more than you need. They also have gravel in lovely shades of blue and larger rocks that are a cool, milky white which add nicely to the overall look of my terrariums. Don't forget the preserved moss for decoration! They carry your traditional flower favorites like pansies for spring planting, but you can also find orchids and other \"delicacies\" here as well. Check out their eco-friendly offerings like plantable wall baskets made from wool, I believe.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:50:24" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 3, "text": "If I am going to have my ice cream beaten to a pulp before I eat it, I much prefer Scoop De Ville to Cold Stone Creamery. At Scoop, your ice cream is mixed via machine instead of pummeled by the staff on an icy slab that could be a breeding ground for god-knows-what. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a Plain Jane when it comes to frozen treats. I like my ice cream scooped into a cone in it's natural state, no mixing, but maybe some rainbow jimmies. I also can't fathom paying $5 or more dollars every time I've got a taste for some mint chocolate chip even if the portions are on the generous side. The menu offers so many choices for mix-ins that it's difficult to make a decision even with their suggestions printed up before you. I would avoid taking small children there at all costs as they'll never make up their little minds! The chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate, caramel, and sea salt was pretty delectable and I do recommend that for a twist on your ordinary day. If you're looking for an out-of-the-ordinary ice cream treat and a splurge, head in to Scoop, but I won't be making this shop my regular summer ice cream spot.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:57:55" }, { "business_id": "d_UJWp4IlGS4sgnjE60eBw", "business_name": "Longwood Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite \"public\" gardens. And by public I do not mean free. I mean open to the public. Each spring Longwood is a spectacular showcase for blooming wisteria, tulips, anemone, foxglove, and snapdragon. The Italian fountains will mesmerize as your eyes are immediately drawn to the cool blue tiles shimmering beneath the surface. We have a dual membership in our household and it is well worth it for the 4 or more times a year that I go for seasonal exhibits, fireworks displays, and musical concerts. Wear comfortable shoes and stroll the paths as the landscape changes from manicured flower gardens to open field and meadow. Stop for an iced tea at the Terrace Cafe before heading to the conservatory to view more exotic species of flora. Read a book or enjoy a romp in the cow pasture where DuPont used to graze his dairy herd. This is a place I actually recommend for kids because of the wide open spaces and abundance of color and shape and texture to keep them interested. The garden also offers and abundance of classes for the novice or advanced horticulturalist and has a gift shop with all sorts of tempting items from seed and garden supplies, to books, to jewelry and scented soaps. I highly recommend the fireworks displays that they pair with music. Splurge and pair the evening with Longwood's delicious pre-show barbeque. It's work the ticket price! Don't forget to view the holiday light display over Christmas and the 1906 restaurant is perfect for a more formal and romantic setting if you're bringing someone special!", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:47:50" }, { "business_id": "2PWmnUV2Leb2Loj0TqxCMA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - University City", "rating": 3, "text": "Bring your ID after 4pm because they will card everything that breathes. A good deal for over-sized (22 oz) margaritas and greasy munchies like nachos, which is pretty much what you want to eat when you're through with multiple shots or frozen tequila. You're sure to run into a crowd on any weekend so count on lots of noise and a possible wait. At least their vigilant ID-checking keeps most UPenn undergrads out. Don't even try the \"i'm just here for the food\" excuse. That won't get you through the door either. Traditional Mexican this isn't, but their menu items are tasty and satisfying if not the most flavorful meals I've ever had. They also have an economical late-night menu. Let's be honest, though, you're probably there for the cocktails.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:54:31" }, { "business_id": "BsnP3lXh-QaOSgAw2t-omA", "business_name": "Kildare's Irish Pub - Manayunk", "rating": 1, "text": "Never...ever...again. There is nothing pleasant about this place in my opinion. It is consistently and constantly crowded with students spewed from St. Joe's, LaSalle, and other local institutions. Even on a weeknight, you'll be crammed in cheek by jowl with coeds looking for cheap beer. They tend not to have anything on tap worth drinking and it's not even worth the gas money to head over there for $2 Coors or Miller or Budweiser. The food is bland and greasy with an odd and random assortment of options constituting bar fare and half-hearted attempts at \"Irish\" favorites. The place is ridiculously loud with music over the speakers and then a band or two upstairs. Someone is bound to step on your or slosh their beer down the side of your pants. With so little seating for actual eating, the place reminds me of a cattle market. Unfortunately, places like Kildare's have forever branded Manayunk in my mind as a place I will avoid like the plague after 5pm. Even if you're dining slightly upscale, you can't escape the college kids who ruin the atmosphere for the rest of civilized folk.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:02:01" }, { "business_id": "kQCJRWvfpiW1p_4hgwD8Uw", "business_name": "Roller's Restaurant at Flying Fish", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked Roller's better when it was at the top of the Hill and Roller's Express-O is great for breakfast and ice cream. This location used to be the Flying Fish which I remember turning out superb seafood dishes throughout my childhood. It appears, though, that the furniture and decor has not changed since I was 8 giving the place an odd \"first apartment\" feel. I don't think they even use the upstairs for seating anymore. I, too, was also thrown off by the whinnie-the-pooh soap in the bathroom which made me feel like I had accidentally walked into someone else's house. I was disappointed that there is no choice in side dish and that everyone seems to get the mashed sweet potato which was a bit stringy and a ratatouille of squash of sorts. My mexican chicken, however, was quite delicious. They do have a rather creative way of pairing dishes and desserts together to give you a pretty good deal on your entire meal. Their rhubarb pie was very good. The French onion soup seemed very thin as it did not have any chunks of break beneath the cheese. I would have preferred that my waitress be able to describe the beer offerings to me as they do carry local and microbrew options. I ordered a bottle of Scarlet Lady on a whim and was glad that it wasn't terrible since no one seemed to be able to give me a description. I also think there needs to be some uniformity in attire for the waitstaff as I don't consider leggings appropriate work clothing. Apparently, it is or was shad season and the elderly folks next to us were tickled pink over the shad roe offering. I know the restaurant is small and privately owned, but it is the 21st century and it would be nice if they would accept at least Visa for payment. Considering the new eateries coming to Chestnut Hill, Roller's could take a serious hit if the more contemporary places draw business to their doors.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "iqJ3t9iq0fsWaYL93s8Vmw", "business_name": "King of Prussia", "rating": 4, "text": "If I am going to go to a mall, I am going to go here. It has virtually every store I could need in one tidy location. KOP used to cater equally to the Main Line elite and suburban scrubs with Neiman Marcus and Sears at opposite poles of the complex. However, with the arrival of high-end retailers like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Versace the parking lot is filled with more Ferrari than Ford. The message that this mall aims to send is becoming clear: if you're not going to drop $3,500 on a handbag, please exit the premises, do not pass go, and take your measly $200 with you on the way out. Honestly, I am a bit surprised that we haven't seen such retailers trying to snap up space in Center City around Rittenhouse Square. Even The Court is more upscale these days despite the Macy's tethered to it. There is a clear dichotomy in the shoppers you'll see walking the wide, sunlit aisles - those who wear stretch pants with stirrups and those who do not. And, as always, you've got the handful of tourists sprinkled in for a bit of diversity. Even the piped in classical music seems to be trying to lure a certain crowd - those with distinctly refined tastes. Of course, don't worry, there is still a Taco Bell in the food court and an Old Navy for those who want more down-to-earth than designer. I know Bill M. is looking for a little something unique here, but it's a mall and malls aren't about boutique style and individual tastes. What IS unique about THIS mall, though, is that it has added luxury retailers yet is still situated only minutes from a Hooters and Red Lobster.", "timestamp": "2011-05-24T03:45:24" }, { "business_id": "oFv9-wwifD3u8FFx6fPRYA", "business_name": "Baja Room at Pico de Gallo", "rating": 4, "text": "Feeling the need to wash ourselves of a very long 12 hour nursing shift, a friend and I stumbled into this little place after deciding that the hipster/biker crowd at Bob and Barbara's was just not for us. Unfortunately, I had left my skinny scrubs at home that day. Being a Wednesday evening, the restaurant wasn't populated by too many other parties and we were seated on the back patio where we enjoyed the eclectic collection of bric-a-brac that goes for decor and numerous strands of twinkly lights. We ordered a STAT round of margaritas which were topped with fresh mint and lime wedges. They didn't seem particularly strong at the time, but my coma-like sleep later that night tells me you're in for a kick in the pants later if you consumer multiples. We ordered the cheese, bean, and guacamole nachos and sushi-grade tuna tacos to share. Both were delicious! The nachos were crisp and topped with generous helpings of beans, cheese, and guacamole so that you weren't left munching naked chips by the time you'd dug through the pile. The tuna tacos were surprisingly refreshing - quickly seared/rare tuna on light flour tortillas, topped with fresh tomato salsa. Rice, refried beans, and a grilled plantain come on the side. The atmosphere was just what we were looking for after work - laid back, where we wouldn't be pestered to eat quickly and move on. The night air was just a bit warm and you couldn't help but feel cocooned sitting on the back patio hidden by the picket fence. The place has a certain unpretentious charm and broken-in-ness that makes me want to come back again.", "timestamp": "2011-05-31T17:58:28" }, { "business_id": "lRbHFOIFuusN2WOR_ypQ_A", "business_name": "Ants Pants Café", "rating": 5, "text": "This little \"blink and you'll miss it\" cafe is quickly becoming one of my post-night shift breakfast spots. They open early, have a quiet and cozy atmosphere, and serve consistently delicious, comforting food. The staff is especially friendly and courteous. My favorites to date are their grilled cheese with tomato and bacon, their milkshakes, and their creme brulee battered french toast with maple syrup and sour cream sauce. Honestly, I was pretty wary of the sour cream sauce at first but it provides refreshing coolness to the sweet bread and maple syrup. The portions aren't skimpy either; once I've paid my check and hit the road home, I'm ready to hop into bed and start all over again later that day with another 12 hours at work sans tummy rumblies. Don't forget: they are a cash-only joint. They do have an ATM in-house, though. Oh, and don't try to bring your 10 best friends to dine here, they're small and other patrons will appreciate not having to rub elbows with your entire clan.", "timestamp": "2011-11-06T18:30:15" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 3, "text": "Fork is one of those restaurants that I, as a faithful Yelper, felt guilty for not having visited. I finally checked it off my list in early September! My first meal there rates a mediocre 3 stars. I really love the atmosphere - open kitchen, cozy and intimate with dim lighting and green foliage screening canoodling couples from other diners. Maybe not a place I'd take your staid in-laws considering the \"sexy vibe\" as Dave H. puts it. I was disappointed by the portion size of my mushroom risotto - one lonely ladle-ful in the midst of a sea of china. At least put it in a smaller dish so that I think I'm getting what I paid for. The flavor of the dish was pretty banal as well. Give me a can of chicken stock, some locally picked mushrooms, and I could have whipped up a better batch at home. We were seated right next to the bar which makes for some unfortunate annoyances as waitstaff bustle back and forth and the din can get quite loud from other patrons dousing themselves in house-made cocktails. The service, however, was impeccable with an attentive but not overbearing waiter. He knew the menu well and was able to describe the dishes in detail as if he had personally tasted each one. Needless to say, I'll need to reprise my meal here to get a better feel for the place.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:42:54" }, { "business_id": "uVoAlvNxz2IRvhXccU1tFw", "business_name": "Union Transfer", "rating": 5, "text": "No one told me the Spaghetti Warehouse closed! What a relief! That place was a poor excuse for \"Italian\" food. Luckily, the building has been reincarnated into my new favorite music venue. I was blown away by the Gillian Welch performance I saw in late October. Given that the floor plan is open with no assigned seating I was worried that this event would be a repeat of a show I saw at the Electric Factory where, crammed cheek by jowl, I had the misfortune of standing next to a stoner who vomited all over my shoes. The UT is extremely spacious: concert-goers can belly right up to the stage (or bar for that matter), fan out along the top-tier balconies, or relax next to the bar at high tops and tables for two. Everyone can enjoy the show from a good vantage point without another person or post in your sight line (ahem, I'm thinking of you Academy of Music!). If the show isn't all-ages you can even keep your \"adult beverage\" with you on the main floor. They also have a concession stand. I found the drink prices to be fair - I think my can of PBR was $3.75. I could also totally be making that up. The place has an industrial vibe that makes you feel like the place used to be a factory for train trestles. The acoustics are phenomenal - you're neither deafened nor guessing at the lyrics. The staff are very friendly and I actually enjoyed tipping my waitress as it meant not having to run back and forth to the bar. If you're driving, you can pre-pay online before the show and park in the lot directly behind the venue for $8 or so. Extra bonus: not having to buy tickets through Ticketmaster! Randomness: I know people with babies and small kids like music. I know they like concerts, but really...is it a good idea to bring your small child to a live show that starts at 9p, a time when they should be sleeping? Probably not. Sleepy kids are cranky as hell.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:58:04" }, { "business_id": "nWHNtH3v6BPnV7MUWejOyw", "business_name": "Solebury Orchards", "rating": 5, "text": "Do yourself a favor. Skip Linvilla Orchards with it's mazes, clowns, huge gift shop and other gimmicks. I've been hooked on Solebury Orchards ever since I tried their cider doughnuts that are sold via Weavers Way Co-Op. You literally park your car, grab your bag, and walk right into the orchard or take the hay wagon for a ride for picking at the other end of the property. The whole process is neat and efficient given the crowds that can show up here on a Fall weekend. I think Solebury has become my favorite orchard for apple picking with their offerings of Empire, Pinata, Honeycrisp and more. The trees are well-maintained with lots of low-hanging fruit and scattered ladders/step-stools for the apples on higher branches. I ended up picking over 20lbs and have many jars of superb applesauce to show for it. You'd be an idiot to skip the fresh cider and doughnuts no matter what diet you're on this year. Their pear butter is also fantastic on fresh, crisp bread with Whole Foods fresh honey-roasted peanut butter. Seriously, I eat it just about every day. The orchard also offers pick-your-own flowers and pumpkins (though not in a pick-your-own patch). When you've had your fill of apple goodness, head down the road a stretch and check out the Carousel Lavender farm!", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T02:17:19" }, { "business_id": "tM-ObyoUno83kylE283iXw", "business_name": "A Taste of Britain", "rating": 4, "text": "I found this adorable little tea spot while running errands through Wayne the other day. The decor is simple and unassuming yet charming with a soothing green color covering the walls and dark wood throughout. As a child, afternoon tea was a special occasion with my mother that required a party dress and a trip downtown to the Four Seasons or Rittenhouse hotels. I was happy to discover somewhere more casual and certainly less expensive on this afternoon. My server, Rebecca, provided impeccable service and was very helpful when I was making my tea and menu selections. Their lunch offerings of soups, fritatta, salads, and sandwiches were rather appealing but I decided on the full Afternoon Tea ($18 per person). The selections were really quite generous: 1 large scone of your choice with fresh lemon curd, clotted cream, and raspberry preserves as well as other assorted mini pastries, 8 tea sandwiches of tuna, cheddar with chutney, roast beef, and sweet cheese, and one pot of tea all artfully prepared and served. I was afraid the little restaurant would be filled with the Main Line elite whose attitudes easily ruin a peaceful afternoon to one's self, but none were to be found at the surrounding tables and I was happy to be treated with such care and attention. This is a place where one can be at ease even if you don't sport diamonds and fur. They provided for parties of up to 14 in house and can also coordinate catering. They offer and assortment of British favorites from HP sauce to Cadbury Chocolate to PG Tips tea. You can even take home steak and kidney pie, meat pasties, fresh lemon curd and clotted cream. I would consider this a lovely place to bring your friends, your daughter, your mother or even your husband.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:15:08" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 3, "text": "Crowded and busy but with extremely fast service. Fast, not necessarily good. Extremely inexpensive. Not a place to sit and linger, maybe get it to go. The small bowl is a misnomer. It's really two meals in one. Are those chopsticks really sanitary? Great bowl of steaming soup - add the fresh basil and hot sauce. Yes, that meat in the steak pho really is cooked. If you're adventurous, try the tripe, fatty flank, and tendons. I'm not that adventurous.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:57:09" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite a rave review in The New York Times, I still don't understand how fried chicken and doughnuts compliment one another. Sometimes, after a night shift, I will drive out of the way for the Vanilla-Lavender. That and the Indian Cinnamon are my favorite. Nothing beats a warm, soft, aromatic treat. The fancy flavors don't rate as high on my list because I'm a fan of keeping it simple and flavors like Pina Colada are usually more than my tastebuds want to handle early in the morning. The service is remarkably cheery and snappy even at 8am on a Saturday morning which is when you had better get there lest you want to miss out. Doughnuts are continually cranked in perfect form right behind the counter. It's rather mesmerizing. The coffee is good and strong but I do wish they had tea and hot chocolate as well. Perhaps someday I will try the chicken, but to tell the truth - I hate meat on bones.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:41:33" }, { "business_id": "GoYSJ-YY-YwbxdgasHuq-Q", "business_name": "Mixto", "rating": 2, "text": "Visited Mixto after an evening at the annual UPenn Mask and Wig production at their clubhouse on Quince Street. I enjoyed the red sangria which was full of fresh fruit and well chilled. Unfortunately, the black bean soup was bland and lackluster. I appreciate that it wasn't overwhelmingly spicy, but would I would have liked to be overwhelmed by some kind of flavor. The tres leches cake was too soggy. I know that this traditional Mexican dessert is made with milk, but once it hit my tongue the cake's texture felt as if it had been marinating in liquid all day. Lastly, what's with the toasted bread they bring without butter? It seems out of place and like an afterthought \"Well I guess we should serve the people bread, might as well toast it while we're at it\". The restaurant was also very drafty on that cold night and any time anyone opened the door, some kind of vacuum was created that prevented them from closing the door quickly and keeping the chilled air outside. I may visit again, but it looks like the repeat customers are just as puzzled by the underwhelming experience.", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T21:35:21" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Sabrina's on Powelton is every bit as good as the original in the Italian Market. I really love the new space - an old Victorian home which features a charming wrap-around porch with large sunny windows. The porch can be a bit chilly in winter but they'll happily flip on the heaters to keep you cozy. I consider Sabrina's a staple in list of places to frequent for post night-shift breakfast as their fare is hearty, satisfying, and affordable. Thus ensuring me a good day's rest once home. My only complaint is that their french toast is sometimes too thick, leaving the middle of the toast dry. I only recommend the stuffed french toast if bringing friends as you will be bested by it's sheer volume if you attempt it alone. I honestly don't have an issue with students from Penn and Drexel who dine here on the regular as they are hardly any more of a nuisance than the hipster crowd at Honey's or the toddler-toting young families at Sabrina's original location.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:44:01" }, { "business_id": "rAe-1HU5Z-DuUXEbzASXDA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - Willow Grove", "rating": 2, "text": "Mad Mex Willow Grove is every bit as boisterous as the University City location. Be prepared to wait on the weekends as there will most likely be a healthy crowd, especially around the bar. You can barely hear yourself think let alone listen to your tablemates over the din of the sound system. The margaritas are potent but the food is still average Americanized Tex-Mex that relies heavily on salt and spice rather than the flavors of the actual ingredients. Not a bad place for a bite before or after a movie at the Warrington Regal cinema, but not exactly a destination.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:50:14" }, { "business_id": "ohWH383r60AREWh-aphpSw", "business_name": "Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm pleased that Iron Hill has popped up in Chestnut Hill to provide some contrast to all of the smaller, independent shops and restaurants in the area. The block the the brewery occupies was looking especially vacant and I much prefer Iron Hill to the likes of Chili's or Houlihan's. However, it is a chain and attracts everyone from couples out for date night to young families to older couples to groups of friends. My point? The place gets crowded quickly and you're bound to wait or duke it out for one of the high top bar tables. The bar tables actually turn over fairly quickly and I've never ended up waiting more than 10-15 minutes. I have never really seen the rest of the property because we stick to the high tops as the wait has usually been about an hour on a Thursday-Saturday night. The atmosphere is lively and your boyfriend, brother, or dad will appreciate whatever game is on if they are inclined to avoid small-talk. The beer selection is good and rotates depending on the season to include standard favorites and unique flavors like the Oompa Loompa Chocolate Stout. If you can't decide, get a flight of beers to taste. The waitstaff is very friendly and attentive. They are also actually very knowledgeable about each brew and certainly equipped to help you find your favorite selection. Their food is good and the portions substantial. They serve standard \"pub fare\" from pizza and nachos to pastas, burgers, steaks, and seafood. I wouldn't say they really do anyone thing extremely well, but fish and chips will certainly help sop up all that beer you're downing. I wouldn't consider Iron Hill a destination but certainly a place to keep in the rotation for casual weekend dining when you just don't want to order in another pizza.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T02:02:09" }, { "business_id": "4Am_sbP0WDw0Q7aaAy6XhA", "business_name": "REI", "rating": 4, "text": "You'd be hard-pressed to find a store that meets the needs of the outdoor enthusiast more than REI. The staff have always been kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. They are enthusiastic about the activities they participate in and often encouraging of a customer's interest, even those of us who are new to the worlds of hiking, biking, running, camping, etc. Shopping here offers and advantage as the company is a co-op and you will receive your dividends back in March. The amount is usually about 10% of all of your eligible purchases during the year. I like that they sell maps and guides for popular hiking trails and state parks - items that can be hard to find elsewhere. I find their prices to be fairly competitive with similar stores like EMS and Campmoor. I buy my favorite Halo snack bars here and they offer a 20% discount when you buy an entire box. I also applaud their stewardship efforts and the community building they do with educational programs, travel, and community service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T21:51:53" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I could do without Serafina's bright yellow awnings on 18th Street. The restaurant feels like one of those places where you come to see and be seen - like Parc but without the help of a Stephen Starr reputation. In fact, I found myself heading over to Parc after a disappointing dinner of too-heavy Penne Vodka for a strong cocktail and dessert. You cannot be seated at an outside table unless you are ordering food which was very disappointing to learn. The menu is fairly large and the kitchen doesn't produce any excellent dish but manages to turn out a variety of mediocre Italian-ish plates. The wait staff was rather aloof and my meal felt rushed. There was a great deal of whining at the bar by neighborhood regulars who had come to complain about their life, their day, their relationships. It made for quite the melancholy atmosphere. A meal will easily run you more than $20 per person, even at lunch, especially if you order any seafood. Prices I am not willing to pay for less than stellar offerings.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T22:09:24" }, { "business_id": "yDHINEt7By47My7x4Mb8oA", "business_name": "The Gypsy Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "I'll admit that I don't consider Conshohocken when I think about going out to dinner but I was persuaded to try this restaurant after reading a newspaper review. I love the atmosphere - a dark, warm wood bar with ceilings and walls draped with printed fabrics, all lit by the warm glow from hanging lamps and candles. I felt that the mounted plasma tv's really detracted from the ambiance, though, and made the venue feel less intimate. The menu is eclectic - pasta, seafood, meat, but I thought that their meatloaf was a stand out. The calamari was also surprisingly good - lightly fried and crispy. The lobster mac and cheese seems to be a clear crowd-pleaser, though. I thought that the service was standard - prompt and polite. No horror stories here. This is a casual, neighborhood place - good for a low-key meal on a Friday night, meeting old friends, sipping cocktails, etc. The portions were a bit too large for my taste, but you can always take the rest home! I might recommend adding another server to take some of the strain off of the two sisters that were manning the dining room when we were in on a Tuesday night - they did a great job juggling a pretty full house on a week night!", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:13:32" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Get the mussels. You may not be close to the coast, but they are delicious. Tender morsels in a deeply savory broth. Skip the frites and dip crusty bread in after the shells are gone. Or eat both. Drink a romarin (the citrus is pleasantly tart yet refreshing) while sitting outside in large, dark sunglasses. Enjoy Parc for what it is - don't whine about the prices, just enjoy daydreaming about actually dining al fresco in Paris.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:40:16" }, { "business_id": "fBOoOWHRWPXIrMvVVkZqMg", "business_name": "Cake", "rating": 4, "text": "Two things: The balsamic portobello mushroom with farro, mozzarella, and assorted vegetables was amazing. I wish I could remember the exact name of the dish! It was so good, I only ate half so that I could eat the remainder the next day. The mushrooms were bursting with tangy, balsamic flavor that mingled so nicely with the meaty texture of the portobellos. The lemon tart is the best version of a citrus dessert that I have ever had. I really hate lemon things that are overly sweet. I also hate when they are mussed up by fruit or other adornments. The citron dessert features smooth, pucker-worthy lemon custard over the thinnest of chocolate-y layers, couched in a light, crumby shell. Heaven! Dinner is only served Thursday and Friday. Make a reservation to be guaranteed a seat. Last seating is 8:30p. Go early to avoid missing out on certain menu selections. The trout was very popular the night I stopped in and was 86ed fairly fast. I thought the prices were very fair considering the restaurants use of fresh, local, organic ingredients. The menu appears to make great use of seasonal variety and I imagine we'll be seeing some creative squash dishes soon. The greenhouse setting is very charming and makes for a relaxed, yet intimate venue suitable for date night or brunch with the family.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:52:21" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 3, "text": "After having sampled the confections at the La Duree location in Manhattan, I developed pretty high standards for macarons. Miel Patisserie gives a whole-hearted attempt at perfecting the macaron in Philadelphia but falls just a bit short, in my opinion. I tried 4 flavors - coconut, chocolate, rosewater, and salted caramel. While their chocolate was rich and delicious, I expected more from the other flavors. The salted caramel filling had a very buttery taste and was overly salty, leaving me feeling a tad queasy. The rosewater had too much of a pronounced rose taste that made me feel as if I had licked a perfume bottle. I prefer a much more subtle rose flavor. The coconut tasted more like pineapple or pina colada to me and consisted of an eerily translucent filling rather than a cream. I was impressed with their meringues, though - a light and crisp shell with a pleasant chew to the center. I'd never be one to pass up a baked good, so I am sure I will have occasion to sample these and other flavors again before I declare La Duree my clear favorite here in America.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T22:47:52" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Yet another breakfast option in a city of brunch fanatics. I feel like we're in an episode of Sex and the City and Philadelphia is only now getting to the table. Manhattan has made brunch a serious weekend habit for at least the last decade. Green Eggs Cafe is a serious contender in my book for best brunch. It's BYOB so you don't have to worry about over-paying for your mimosa since you Bring Your Own Bubbly. The portions are large enough that you'll be taking home the rest for dinner. If you're looking for something dainty and on your 1200 calorie diet, I advise staying home. The quinoa porridge, however, is a great option for those looking to avoid the damage incurred by eating french toast. There are vegan options as well - vegan french toast, vegan sausage, and more so don't forget to invite your friends with esoteric food preferences. I recommend sharing dishes like the creme brulee french toast or red velvet pancakes so that you can try some other things on the menu like the rosemary potatoes which are very flavorful. In this town people complain that portions are either too large or too small. I felt that $11 for a dish that feeds me twice is pretty darn reasonable. Of course, it will be crowded and the wait will be long on the weekends. You're not the only one who wanted to skip cereal and milk in their apartment this morning. Count on at least 15 minutes, but up to 30 depending on the size of your party. They were seating outside today but few people accepted an open table because they forgot to read the weather report before heading outside in the chill. Do your homework and hit the bank on the way as Green Eggs is cash only. They do have their own ATM with a fee of 99 cents for those who don't like to plan ahead. Do note that this spot is also popular with families and dog owners.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T23:00:56" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 4, "text": "What is there to say about The Barnes that hasn't already been said or argued about? The new location is lovely and makes me feel entirely at peace with the smooth stone walls and quiet reflection pools. The art collection, of course, is unparalleled and a must-see for anyone and everyone. Make multiple visits as it would be difficult and rather exhausting to thoroughly appreciate the many works in one trip. The Friday night entertainment offerings are quite worthwhile and a sophisticated way to wind up the week - sip a cocktail, enjoy some music or dance, wander the galleries. Don't forget to count yourself lucky to have the privilege to spend time in such intimate proximity to some of the world's most lovely objects.", "timestamp": "2012-11-17T01:39:14" }, { "business_id": "or_WcjWELDsssk2JruvJcg", "business_name": "Café Lutecia", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been meaning to stop in to Cafe Lutecia for years now. I've only driven by it a thousand and one times in my life. It always appeared to me to be the type of place where you could get lost in a good book. The cafe is remarkably tiny and simple. If it is made out of flour, it is probably on the menu - bagels, baguettes with ham and brie, croissant, muffins, etc. Simple as it is, I quite enjoyed my ham and brie on a baguette. I don't know how you would make something so simple any better than to serve it on good, warm crusty bread with quality meat and cheese, which is exactly what Cafe Lutecia does. They also make an astonishingly good cafe au lait. I am not a coffee snob - if it tastes good to me, I will drink it. I thought the cafe au lait that I had was a creamy bit of heaven. Way better than most places that masquerade as \"coffee shops\". Don't come here to do your work, though. This is not Starbucks and you cannot spread out as if it is your own personal library. Also, it is a neighborhood place. Children will wander in and out on the hip of a parent and will jabber to the owners and you will look like a jerk if you scowl or complain. Meet a good friend or a new friend and catch up at a tiny table as if you are in Paris. Throw your New Year's resolution out the window and eat ham and brie and a croissant or even on a croissant. Cafe Lutecia is owned by an incredibly warm and friendly couple who are an integral part of the neighborhood. It is so nice to go to a place where you can interact and engage with other patrons and not be thought to be a loon or nosey. I only wish the chairs were slightly bigger. Remember: cash only.", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T20:38:54" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to find good bubble tea, or boba, in LA. Not so much in Philadelphia. Until now. Tea Do is my go-to spot for icy cold taro bubble tea or avocado smoothies. Yes, avocado smoothies. Trust me, they taste much better than one would think. Tea Do is legit - they even have a specific machine just for the purpose of shaking up your drink. There are plenty of flavors and varieties to choose from to suit just about any palate. Get your fix with traditional tapioca pearls or try the \"popping bubbles\" which are reminiscent of Gushers. A large beverage will run you about $4 which is about the same as your daily drink at Starbucks. The best part? Picking out your favorite color straw!", "timestamp": "2013-03-23T20:38:34" }, { "business_id": "1fGaY2WlGv2l4as6UkMFrg", "business_name": "The Trestle Inn", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited the Trestle Inn for an event, so I can't directly comment on the venue except to say that the bartenders are snappy and sling well-blended drinks. The space is dimly lit, cozy, and intimate. I don't think it's the best space for large events, though, as the bar and back room are pretty narrow, making it difficult to navigate the establishment when it is filled with 100 or so people.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:35:48" }, { "business_id": "dpdMVwjAFOkwITNnS_Hu7g", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "The cupcake craze continues. As more and more shops flood the market for handheld baked goods, I am finding that I am not as easily impressed as I once was. Philly Cupcake turns out a good product that is delicious, but I don't know if they are any better or worse than any other establishment in the city. I am impressed by their flavor offerings, though, and the vegan selections. There is certainly something for everybody. This particular location also offers coffee, other pastries, and an array of made-on-premises candies. Expect to pay a little under $5 for some of their more decadent creations.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:39:51" }, { "business_id": "kz8OeP88ZYjDBWb0LePJ3A", "business_name": "Chill On the Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Chill on the Hill is a brightly lit, crisp, clean shop compared to the rainbow-hued chaos of other establishments. Unlike other local frozen yogurt places, Chill lets its customers fill their own sample cups which means not having to wait while the customer in front of you tries 6 different flavors. I appreciate that they put all toppings with nuts in a separate section to discourage cross-contamination for people with allergies. Their flavors pretty much hit the mark - no funny aftertaste or odd concoctions. They keep it simple with pretty standard fare - vanilla, chocolate, original tart, birthday cake, etc. Seating is somewhat minimal as the store is not overly large but the long bench along one wall makes good use of space to keep the shop from feeling very crowded when busy. They also have a frequent buyer program which will come in handy this summer for lots of customers. Chill seems to also aim to really interact with the community - they feature merchandise (t-shirts, etc) with their logo and will be soon hosting a mini film festival. Customer photos and other events can also be displayed on the LCD screens built in to one wall. Prices are comparable to shops like U-Swirl and Kiwi Yogurt.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:49:25" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "I had heard so many wonderful things about the burger offerings here. I was so disappointed to find that, on the night I chose to dine in, they had taken their list of burgers down to one - the once famous Churchill Burger, I believe. I've had better at Five Guys. Warm bleu cheese just does not do wonders for me - I felt it gave the burger bitter, gritty taste. It couldn't even be redeemed by the fries. The atmosphere is also overwhelmingly noisy on a Friday night. The music is in constant competition with customers who get louder and louder with each beer they toss back.", "timestamp": "2013-06-09T01:36:59" }, { "business_id": "4GBQc6XbJVhfH58WjHLBvw", "business_name": "Brandywine River Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "If you've already frequented other east coast art museums with large collections (think: MOMA, the Met, the Frick, the Barnes, PMA) why not give the Brandywine a try? Given that this museum is a tightly curated collected of Wyeth family favorites and other special exhibits, touring the Brandywine is like spending time on one specific subject in a larger art history class. Sunday mornings are free, so get up early, treat yourself to brunch in the area and digest that omelette while you consider Wyeth's relationship with his model, Helga. Friends? Lovers? Wyeth really captures the pastoral beauty of rural Pennsylvania and the majesty of the Maine coast. Unfortunately, his paintings are one thin thread that we have connecting us to much of our agriculture heritage in this area of the state. Children will especially love N.C. Wyeth's original illustrations for Treasure Island - they are still some of my all time favorite pieces in the world.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:38:57" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually quite prefer the new Honey's location to the original. Perhaps it's the particular chef at this location? I'm an over-easy eggs kind of woman and Honey's never disappoints. Add on a latke and I'm set for the day. The wait was remarkably shorter at this location despite being situated among prime residential real estate. The service was lively and attentive - the host even pitched in, clearing plates and filling beverages, when the place got busy. My only complaint? Being seated near the kitchen means you can see who goes in and out quite frequently. I wouldn't mind if management encouraged their employees, including kitchen staff, to dress a little less like they just rolled out of bed and rode their fixed gear 20 miles before landing at work. Remember folks: cash only! ATM available but not for free.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:43:48" }, { "business_id": "TYZ6hF3HLulzePIworiIUw", "business_name": "U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite the evening crowds, U-Swirl is one of my favorite yogurt shops. They have at least 10 flavors to choose from and do rotate \"specialty\" flavors pretty regularly. They also have more toppings than any other yogurt shop I have been, too. U-Swirl also offers a really good frequent buyer program compared to some other shops. They give you 16oz of free yogurt for every 10 you purchase. Other shops limit you to 5 oz. The staff is always very friendly and refreshes the toppings frequently. Keep an eye on those kiddos, though, little hands have made their way into various containers. Luckily, the staff are happy to replace anything that has been licked or had grubby fingers in it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:49:15" }, { "business_id": "WNLUBI0my0WLpmWTNUsK9w", "business_name": "Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "After 11 years of knitting, I still love Loop. I'm always impressed by the new yarns Craig and Laura bring in and I appreciate their dedication to choosing local and independent fiber artists as well as more commercially available products. They've even got their own line now that Laura hand dyes. The service and kindness of the staff is still unparalleled. If you're a Philly native or just passing through, be sure to pop into my favorite place in the city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T05:58:45" }, { "business_id": "m64OHmyD7OqAyQmoJETkfQ", "business_name": "Moon + Arrow", "rating": 4, "text": "I loved Moon and Arrow when it was a pop-up shop on 4th street and am thrilled that it has found a permanent home there. I always find unique bits and bobs here for gifts. I am especially fond of the mineral pendants and vintage linens. If you're looking for a typewriter, you can usually find one here in great working condition. There are always new finds to be had which makes shopping exciting. It's always a good trip when the owner's pup, Loretta, is hanging out in the shop - she gives free kisses!", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:04:30" }, { "business_id": "08fkgKXeLTFmE35fCydRpA", "business_name": "juju spa", "rating": 5, "text": "If you're headed to JuJu, request Jill. She is an excellent aesthetician and I always enjoy my facials with her. She is extremely gentle throughout the entire treatment which means you won't be left looking red and blotchy the next day. Jill also does a wonderful job with eyebrows, leaving a very natural and tidy look. As always, the spa is lovely - warm, private, and inviting.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "-T_lkOvaK39R-Ufg6VUyxg", "business_name": "Magpie", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so grateful to Magpie for getting Philadelphia out of the cupcake rut! Magpie treats pie baking like a craft - dreaming up delicious flavor combinations beyond the traditional. The crust is, by far, the best part of a Magpie pie - flaky and slightly crisp on the outside but tender inside. No tooth cracking crunch here! Flavors like lime custard are elevated past the likes of the traditional key lime pie by the addition of a sublime basil custard and pistachio crunch. The caramel custard takes on a deep smokey flavor with the addition of bourbon. The fruit pies are equally delicious as Magpie utilizes the freshest local fruit of the season. My go-to savory choice is the Chicken Pot Pie which is instantly comforting and chock-full of meat and veggies. Pull it out of the oven on a crisp Fall day and you'll completely forget that your mom didn't make it for you! Last, but not least, do yourself a favor and get their salted carmel latte - an instant belly warmer and perfect complement to any of Magpie's apple pies.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:31:21" }, { "business_id": "3WX24d4v-R1OK4xqrcVL7g", "business_name": "Lacquer Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "Lacquer Lounge certainly lives up to the Best of Philly 2013 hype! Beware the wait, though - make an appointment in advance as a walk-in spot seems pretty hard to come by these days. The shop has a total of six technicians, so they are definitely not a high-volume nail salon that churns out scores of manicured digits like some other city establishments. The staff is so pleasant and attentive - water, coffee, and tea are all available and complimentary. Forgot your flip flops? Those are available, too, for a nominal price. The chairs are luxe white leather with fluffy hot pink pillows - talk about a girl's dream! Each client will receive their own files and the like which you are free to take home if you choose. All other nail tools are opened in front of you and come out of sterilized packages as if you were at a physician's office. When Lacquer Lounge advertises that health and safety are paramount, they mean it! Pedicures are done using individual tubs with disposable liners. You still get the spa feel without the worry of a fungal infection or worse later. I was impressed with their extensive collection of Essie and OPI polishes. They also have more than a dozen gel colors to choose from which is many more than some salons that only feature the basics like reds and pinks. Do be aware that gel removal is $10 unless you are coming in for a repeat gel manicure. Lacquer Lounge does accept credit cards and does allow tipping on credit cards which is quite convenient. I am sure I will be back to try their other services soon! Mary is a superb manicurist and I highly recommend her if you stop by. I felt the prices were quite reasonable (and comparable to other establishments in the city) considering the level of service and the extra health precautions.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:50:01" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 4, "text": "The Ziggy is my new favorite meal. This burger is full of smokey flavor and toothsome enough to satisfy even the most hardcore carnivores. The soft, wheat bun totally makes this burger for me. Get a banana whip for dessert if you have room - cool, creamy, guilt-free! No bathrooms here, though, which makes wiping off all of that special sauce a bit tough. Plan to take out as dine-in space is cramped, limited, and not made for lingering. Take that as a hint and try to avoid squeezing your baby wagon (seriously! When did strollers become actual vehicles!?) or oversized tote bag in here during the lunch rush! Even better? Call ahead for pick-up service.", "timestamp": "2013-10-19T11:27:53" }, { "business_id": "LnZvGYbqozanOSevcftnrw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg - University City", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't get enough of the Ziggy Burger, especially now that there is a University City location which means I can pick up an order after work and not have to worry about parking my car in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. If they add delivery - I'll be over the moon as it will mean a better take-out option when at work than Greek Lady. I heartily recommend the Ziggy Burger as the tempeh bacon and special sauce just really take the humble veggie burger to a whole new level of delicious. It will also keep you satisfied for hours. Splurge on some sweet potato fries as well for their slaty, tender goodness. I like the black bean cilantro dipping sauce which is a flavorful alternative to ketchup. If you're in the mood for something lighter, you can't go wrong with a green smoothie (groothie) or a banana whip. The service is ridiculously friendly and the orders are up quickly. I am always promptly greeted and the staff often provide great recommendations regarding menu items if you can't decide. If you're in a hurry, call ahead and your order is sure to be ready when you arrive. Compared to the Rittenhouse location this space is huge with seating for everyone! They still compost and recycle so after you satisfy your hunger you can satisfy your conscience as well. I enjoy this place so much that I feel they should have a frequent buyer punch card for their burgers.", "timestamp": "2013-11-17T23:38:20" }, { "business_id": "Zkvjfrl2Wx7VvfKoNahWWQ", "business_name": "Leila's Restaurant and Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Great spot for an impromptu date with your beau or bestie (yes, I said \"bestie\"). A reservation is certainly recommended for this cozy neighborhood French-inspired spot. BYOB and expect dishes like the generous (large enough that I could take the impressive bone home to my yellow lab) veal chop that is so perfectly seasoned and tender that it needs no further gilding beyond that of the tender winter vegetables and light au jus that are its accompaniments. The onion soup is quite a departure from the cheese-heavy, thin broth substitutes you'll find at lesser establishments. It is a rather hearty and creamy concoction with the cheese blended right in. Don't skip dessert - especially not the butterscotch pot de creme which is just as decadent as it sounds. It is exceptionally smooth on the tongue and has just the slightest taste of burnt caramel to keep it from being overly sweet. Make sure you pad your wallet with cash or a check as Leila's does not accept credit cards (my dinner for two including two appetizers, a seafood special, and two desserts rang in at just under $100 and well worth it, too!) As far as \"French\" dining goes, Leila's is utterly unpretentious and casual enough that you don't need to break out your LBD (Little Black Dress for those not in the know). It's one of those familiar restaurants that you can go to again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-01-08T16:45:58" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "How to sum up my late night experience at Little Pete's....? If you're stopping in after midnight, you're bound to find an eclectic crowd of party kids, club goers, wanna-be socialites, and anyone else who has been drinking since sundown. You will probably be called \"Hun\" by the waitstaff. They have an actual cigarette machine. Great vanilla milkshake but the huge, starchy steak fries leave a lot to be desired. Cash only.", "timestamp": "2014-01-09T00:06:00" }, { "business_id": "STwdgdVYWm-pBDF1JIpAVA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi & Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "It took a bit of investigation but I finally discovered where the \"real\" Vic has been hiding. His latest spot is a mere 15 minutes from me, just up Easton Road in the Willow Grove area. No more fighting for a parking space on Sansom Street or shivering in the cold while waiting for a spot at the tiny sushi bar. Vic apparently sold the Center City and Springhouse locations. The menu is virtually the same as the other \"Vic\" establishments, but this restaurant also features Thai food. I'm familiar with Vic's restaurants because of his sushi, so I didn't opt to try the Thai options. The extended menu, however, means that you could lure non-sushi lovers here as well. I really feel that, unless you go straight to Japan, you can't really find better sushi in the 'burbs. The fish is very fresh! The Tuna Dumplings are a great example of the excellent seafood that they provide - imagine little tuna purses that are so tender they virtually melt in your mouth. The 3 hand rolls for $10.95 really cannot be beat. I enjoy the Spicy Tuna, Spicy Salmon, Alaskan, and Sweet Potato rolls. The Black Dragon roll with eel was exceptional - tender, moist, and slightly sweet. The rolls are very generously packed with fish and I like how the fish and spicy sauces are mixed together. The staff is very friendly and the service is prompt. Vic himself manned the sushi bar while we were there. BYOB and you've got an affordable meal for date night, girls night out, or just because.", "timestamp": "2014-01-13T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "avlwCvHzrhU5UOvz1Y3_gQ", "business_name": "Ambler Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I really disliked going to the movies - large crowds, groups of loitering teens, crabby/surly employees, sticky floors, unclean bathrooms - especially if it involved going to a Regal \"megaplex\". I usually prefer to pop my Netflix choice into my large-screen computer and settle down with some knitting in the comfort of my own home. However, after purchasing a membership for my movie-loving mother, The Ambler Theater has quickly brought me out of my little movie-viewing cave and back to the big screen. They tend to always show flicks that I am inclined to see and have special events throughout the year showing old flicks like Casablanca or silent films with accompanying live music. As a member (starting at about $40/year), you can't beat the sneak previews of new movies and $5 price tag for tickets. Membership also grants you $5 admission to the Hiway and County Theaters. The bonus at Ambler is that they have more than one screen giving you a greater chance that they are showing something you'll want to see. They typically run 3 films at a time - often something in the art-house/indie genre and then some more mainstream options. I like that they have little indulgences like Ritter chocolate bars at the concession stand in addition to the old standards like Junior Mints. The old-world detailing and photos of the theater's historical journey make your night out at the movies feel like a classy event. They also always supply summaries/reviews of each movie they are showing which I like to read after the show just in case I missed something (very helpful with flicks like 'Her' or 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' where you want to get another perspective). There are plenty of options for grabbing a drink and a bite before or after the show and Ambler provides that \"small town\" feel that is very much lacking in most of suburban America.", "timestamp": "2014-03-25T01:11:03" }, { "business_id": "AGlh4ZDv6jnoiYfz7At9mw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to walk right past this little shop underneath the Philadelphia Convention Center. This unassuming space is home to some of the best soup dumplings I've had on the East coast. Meals are fast and cheap here. Somehow, though, it still seems very romantic to share a dim sum meal with your beloved in this tiny hovel, amidst the bustle and grit of Center City. No one cares who you are or how you're dressed. You can have your \"When Harry Met Sally\" moment. Visiting Dim Sum Garden is a great place to meet a few friends so that you can all order various dishes and share. My recommendations include the soup dumplings, cucumber salad, and scallion pancake. The soup dumplings are practically made to order because the restaurant has a continually operating dumpling assembly line in the kitchen. Some of the staff have very little English proficiency so don't get too technical with your menu questions - just try something!", "timestamp": "2014-05-21T22:41:37" }, { "business_id": "0rVp5KwX0knbSEgGHKug2Q", "business_name": "The Comet Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "The Blue Comet is a neighborhood institution. Everyone you know has been there at least once except you. Well, really, everyone except me. I love the \"Cheers\" everybody-knows-your-name feel of the Blue Comet. The staff is exceedingly friendly and chances are you may have played soccer with them as a kid or gone to high school together because this place is all about keeping it local. Even if you're new to the place, you will still get greeted as if you already belong. If you want to eat, I recommend heading over early. This small space can be pretty crowded by 6:30pm. If if's a Saturday or Sunday, you'll have even fewer seating options as local musical talent like the Gin Canaries take over the stage where they usually have high-tops. The drinks are strong and the drink specials, like $2 PBR's and $6 martinis and Manhattans, are a good incentive to unwind after a long work week. The food is heavy on the comfort options that will soak up all the booze you imbibe - wings, fish and chips, meatloaf, burgers. They also feature specials and a fish of the day as well. The room can get a bit loud when the live music is going and people are chattering away, so factor that in when you think about bringing out-of-town guests or older relatives. Yes, they serve french fries, but don't bring the kiddies - it's not the kind of neighborhood bar where everyone will put up with your hipster toddler.", "timestamp": "2014-05-21T22:58:35" }, { "business_id": "UUd81cZe5bpyFLwnYIZ6MA", "business_name": "Omoi Zakka Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "A great little shop to stumble upon while rambling around the city. The staff are so friendly and helpful - especially if you are trying to put together a gift for someone. You will find truly unique items here as the owner sources many of the offerings from Japan - think fabulous, adorable, brightly-colored bento boxes for toting your lunch to work; stationery staples like Blackwing Palomino pencils, washi tape, and Kaweco inks; fanciful letterpress cards and whimsical Philadelphia-themed tea towels; barware and handcrafted drink mixes; Meow Meow Tweet bath/body products....the list goes on. You're sure to enjoy browsing the artful displays and will find it difficult to leave without a little something for yourself.", "timestamp": "2014-10-25T17:55:12" }, { "business_id": "30cpm1uq6xcQCmN6JTrB8w", "business_name": "Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "Having started my relationship with lobster rolls in the actual state of Maine, there is no way I would have believed that you could get fresh, delicious lobster on 17th Street in Philadelphia. Miracles really do happen and it is possible to be pleasantly surprised in a city whose culinary scene can be hit or miss depending upon the year and the chef-dujour. Keep a keen eye out or you could easily miss this below-street-level shop. The space is very seafood-shanty-chic with minimal decor and lots of wood and corrugated metal. The menu is straightforward - I got a half lobster roll and the lobster bisque which was perfect for a quick lunch. Add chips and a drink to make it a combo. The roll! It is toasted and buttered to delicious perfection - just enough crunch and squish. I don't know what they do to the lobster, but it doesn't involve globs of mayo and it is divine. The only way I can seem to describe the taste is: clean. You get large chunks of lobster meat that are subtly dressed and piled into the roll. The bisque is rich and creamy and filled with yet more chunks of lobster meat. For the price, you are getting quite a bit of fresh, tender meat. No minced or canned crap here. Swing around the corner to The Foodery and make it a BYO experience. They offer Maine rootbeer, blueberry soda, sasparilla and bottled water (no ice machine on premises - FYI). The establishment is clean and uncluttered with plenty of seating at three tables or around the periphery on bar stools. Take out and picnic in Rittenhouse Square on a sunny day or have them deliver for free ($20 min) - see website for delivery range.", "timestamp": "2014-10-25T18:10:35" } ]	{ "business_id": "YgyQ_o5db5gbqFxDt-a3HQ", "business_name": "Wheel Works", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't even bother going to any other car wash establishments - even if it means avoiding the line at Wheelworks on a sunny day. I've never found any other establishment that does as thorough a job in cleaning my car inside and out. They vacuum all the nooks and crannies - cup holders, door pockets, alongside the seats, and the weird little lip under the trunk door. I'm always impressed with how they thoroughly hand-dry the car so that you aren't left with water marks and streaks. The Wheelworks owner and crew are always friendly and always remember the regulars. You know that a place is a local favorite when you see $5's, $10's, and $20's in the tip box instead of just $1's. Wash prices start at $25 for your standard sedan and increase for larger vehicles. These prices are higher than your typical car wash, but the stellar service and attention to detail are worth it. Wheelworks also provides full interior and exterior detailing services. You can also purchase gift certificates for the person in your life to is fastidious about keeping a clean car.", "timestamp": "2014-10-25T18:44:25" }
uAu772KpSkb-tPFgZmU-lA	[ { "business_id": "_gaOrkYtODrxY0JlWFe-sQ", "business_name": "High Point Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Ever since my departure from New York City after graduating from college, I've been looking for a local place that's good for a caffeine buzz, light lunch, or study spot. Starbucks and other chain stores grossly fail to meet my above standards mostly because customers are generally treated as nameless, faceless drones. I found High Point after I joined the Weavers Way Co-Op in West Mount Airy and was hooked. The staff? Knowledgeable! Don't know the difference between a caffe latte and a hole in the ground? Don't worry, they'll take you through their great menu without the side condescension. Always courteous and friendly, even to the gaggles of kids that come in from the school across the street around 3pm. The drinks? Made to order, the right way, the first time. They even offer their own beans. The food? Amazing quiche and crepes made to order. A diverse array of taste bud temping baked goodies. And salads for the guilty folks. Best of all - you can load a gift card in the shop, write your name on it, and have it stored behind the counter for your next visit. No more digging nickels out of your pockets to get a fix. No worries, they also take plastic. They're also pretty eco-friendly and inspire their customers to be as well by offering a credit for anyone who brings their own mug or thermos. I love that you can form relationships here, bring your mom here, meet a potential date here. The bulletin board is filled with active posts about pets for adoption, mommy and me groups, etc. And I'm only a few yards from the Co-Op across the road for groceries.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T19:56:28" }, { "business_id": "tkQfxEYkL-Fq3Al0hH9hKg", "business_name": "The Cat Doctor", "rating": 5, "text": "Who knew taking your cats to the vet could be this pleasant!? A friend recommended that I take my kitties here after I moved from the 'burbs. The staff is WONDERFUL! I get follow-up emails asking how my furrballs are doing after they've have procedures or sick visits. They're great about responding to questions by email. I was really impressed with the thorough \"report card\" I get after each visit. When my newest kitty got spayed, I got a full rundown on post-op care as if I was the one who have gone under the knife. Even when Bali had complications from the sutures, the staff was really supportive. No accusations of being an over-protective owner whatsoever. They handle cats gently and the exams are very thorough. They truly love their furry clients and treat owners with great respect and kindness.", "timestamp": "2008-09-13T20:03:36" }, { "business_id": "8B_xigUkb_HxDvkXVa3LRw", "business_name": "Webb Cam", "rating": 5, "text": "I found Webb Cam through my Dad. They may seem a little out of the way for some folks but they are well worth the trip. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable and they have a great selection of equipment. You never have to worry about the hassle of some nerdy Best Buy salesman breathing down your neck to buy, buy, buy. Even the mayor's official photographer shops here. If you're serious about your photos, check out Webb Cam.", "timestamp": "2008-09-25T02:51:07" }, { "business_id": "gwUJdtb5vdVEmpa75yPDsA", "business_name": "Richard Nicholas Hair Studio", "rating": 5, "text": "I started going to Richard Nicholas when I moved back to Philly from New York City after college. There was no way in hell I was going to use the stylist my mom goes to. The guy will spray you down with Lysol if you have the slightest sniffle. I found RN after browsing Philadelphia Magazine's website. Joanne came highly rated and I made an appointment with her. At the time, she had pink hair and I was a bit skeptical of what I might look like when I left the place. Joanne is wonderful, though. She's creative and a bit of a risk taker. If you want something new, she's the go-to gal. She also listened to what I wanted and didn't push me past my comfort zone. She's warm, friendly, and a good conversationalist if you're in a chatty mood. She also isn't a product-pusher. Come to think of it, no one at RN has ever pushed services or products on me. Also, I feel that their services are well priced considering the surrounding area. I never have to wait months to get an appointment, the staff is superb and unpretentious, and the shop has a nice modern feel to it. I highly recommend them.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:35:24" }, { "business_id": "nDXR7nnWXDlkTvlx3Qbqgw", "business_name": "WXPN Radio", "rating": 4, "text": "I want to give this 5 stars, but I miss the Barnard student run WBAR alot post-college. Also, I'd love it, like alot of folks, if Y-Rock were on more often. I do have to say that I can no longer listen to commercial radio now that I listen to XPN. I mean, B101.1 starts Christmas music right after Halloween! And let's not forget the idiot jocks on one station who were part of that whole fiasco where a chick died from water intoxication. I secretly enjoy Kids' Corner if I'm in the car at 7pm when it airs. You'd be surprised what you learn on that show. Bottom line - I like that there are musicians that I can recognize who are actually musicians and I like that they introduce me to new artists.", "timestamp": "2008-11-30T04:59:15" }, { "business_id": "YqmClmk7oLcDzPWKHzgA-Q", "business_name": "South Philadelphia Tap Room", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here with a friend to get over my shitty Thanksgiving holiday. Being the weekend of a holiday, the place was quiet. I tried the Mom's Meatloaf which came with Mac and Cheese. The portions are generous to say the least. I'm a beer fan and enjoyed the offerings they had on tap. They have a good selection of your regular favorites and things off the beaten path. I would definitely go back and think the SPTR is probably good for groups of folks looking to get together. I also like that the staff seems relatively unpretentious. I especially enjoyed our waitress' amusing stories of the the whole chef saga.", "timestamp": "2008-12-01T03:17:06" }, { "business_id": "RoUP3lcY4wEtdASLNIcmSw", "business_name": "Water Works Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the Waterworks - the river, the historical architectural, the romantic lighting... But, the food could be a bit better. I've been here a few times for various meals and I've never been flat-out disappointed. I just haven't been wowed. My dad and I hosted a surprise 60th birthday party here for my mom this past September. The private party experience was by far better than the average dining experience. The staff were attentive, but not smothering and kept all the guests well stocked with mimosas and bloody marys throughout the morning. The brunch was a lavish spread that seemed to suit everyone's tastes. Overall, I think we got quite a bit for our money, considering the whole shindig was under $2,000. The event planner was especially wonderful. She was professional and receptive to our needs and wants for the event. I think they could improve some of their culinary offerings, but otherwise, it's a fine place to bring the parents when they're in town. Bonus: free valet parking on Sundays for brunch.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T01:41:04" }, { "business_id": "nIlmZLuMs0JuBRvAHSIf8Q", "business_name": "Bredenbeck's Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor", "rating": 5, "text": "I've loved this place since I was old enough to spill an ice cream cone on myself. This seems to happen every time! My mother always got our birthday cakes from this family-owned bakery and nothing seems to compare. The baked goods are always fresh and made with premium ingredients. The ice cream is equally delectable, especially considering their wide assortment of sundaes and other concoctions. It's the cake the brings me back again and again for all occasions. The final product is always artfully presented and, of course, delicious. I also enjoy the friendly staff. The place is a little cramped, but I find it charming and fitting with the rest of Chestnut Hill.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T04:59:31" }, { "business_id": "VHA-b1NH4tIZB_IVEf_pmA", "business_name": "Minado", "rating": 2, "text": "A family friend kept telling me that she HAD to bring me to Minado. I am not one for buffets at all, so I really balked at the idea of a sushi buffet, but I finally let her take me. First of all, the drive out there was ridiculously long. That's beside the point, though. I didn't think the sushi selection was anything to write home about - the items didn't seem well labeled and they never seemed to have enough. The rest of the food reminded me of chinese takeout and I felt a bit overwhelmed by the myriad choices. The screaming children didn't help either. I don't envision myself driving all the way out there again. I'll stick to the local sushi joints.", "timestamp": "2008-12-02T05:07:50" }, { "business_id": "MACqP6DlXBwTsXOhp0C6AA", "business_name": "Delicious Boutique", "rating": 5, "text": "I ended up with a corset thanks to a recent ex-boyfriend of mine. Yeah, don't ask. Anyway, I ended up with a Delicious corset - the best thing to come out of said relationship. I really have very little knowledge about the world of corsets, but the product I received was fabulous, especially for the price. Hell, I'd pay that price just because of the teeny-tiny waist it gives once I'm cinched in. The materials are definitely top of the line and the construction is completely solid. I am definitely appreciative of the fact that they really do follow your measurements to the T. A corset is the perfect under(or over)garment to make a gal feel just sexy enough, rather than like a bare-it-all tramp.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T03:58:12" }, { "business_id": "Vxsq098z903XRXBq4IZWTw", "business_name": "PASSIONAL Boutique & Sexploratorium", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to be a fan of this store and, for a while, I was pretty excited that they existed. After living in New York City, however, they just don't compare to Babeland. They offer a decent selection of toys and other accessories, but their prices seem pretty high for the industry. This is especially true if you head up the block to their clothing store. Are there really people who spend hundreds of dollars on latex clothing? I do commend their very knowledgeable and friendly staff who seem to be well versed on various things from products to techniques. They even offer classes. Considering that Philadelphia is lacking in reputable, well-run, educational sex shops, they do a darn good job. I think I'll probably stick to visiting Babeland on runs to NYC, though.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:03:50" }, { "business_id": "2GYg3liJ9-m6Z67L_4_BRQ", "business_name": "Weavers Way Co-Op", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVE Weaver's Way and really disagree with some of the content in previous reviews. WW is not necessarily meant for convenience shopping. I am a single woman and I find that I have no trouble shopping at the co-op, during peak times or otherwise. I actually find the co-op to be a great place to shop if you live alone because I can get smaller quantities of items than if I shop at the corporate stores like Acme. I also enjoy the work hours - I've worked throughout the store, but most recently, I have been getting in my hours by participating in the membership committee. I wouldn't say that the community is necessarily made up of \"tree huggers\" and \"earth children\", though. The community is made up of a variety of similarly-minded folks from different backgrounds. I enjoy having a place to go to where I can obtain locally grown produce, a place that offers more natural, wholesome, and preservative-free foods than chain stores with prices way below that of Whole Foods. I enjoy interacting with other members and contributing to my local and global community. I don't find the membership fee or the work hours to be prohibitive being a single person vs. a family. I don't think that membership in a co-op is for everyone and, if you aren't single, it's definitely not a solo decision. If you're keen on being committed to the Weaver Way values, you couldn't find a better place to shop. If not, stick to the chain stores or just pay the 10% visitors' fee to pop in once in a while.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:13:43" }, { "business_id": "aZNiVR6oAMQX5__yGPvYsg", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine", "rating": 3, "text": "My first trip to Susanna Foo was at 6 months old when the restaurant was still a hole-in-the-wall takeout joint owned by Susanna's parents. My parents have been taking my brother and I ever since. I have many fond memories of Susanna fashioning dolls for us out of the linen napkins and preparing Chicken with Cashew Nuts when we refused to eat anything else. The food has always been reliable, but now that I am an adult, I find it lacking excitement. The service is always impeccable and I have never been disappointed by the overall decor or ambience. I'd like to see Susanna improve upon some of her traditional recipes by either adding new flavors or perhaps returning to her Chinese roots with a more ethnic menu. I'm hoping there will be a revitalization and that I will come to love Susanna Foo as much as I did as a child.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T04:24:16" }, { "business_id": "jZGqAdBlDnrP-J7--vdPxA", "business_name": "Beijing Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "If you work at HUP or UPenn, chances are you've visited Beijing. I don't understand the allure. I'd rather work a 12-hour shift on my busy oncology floor than eat here again. The food is greasy and has to be laced with a healthy dose of MSG. The flavors are mediocre and nothing on the menu stands out. The stale smell of cooking oil overwhelms the restaurant, making it hard for your taste buds to actually do their job. At least they allow you to substitute brown rice with no hefty charge. This is hardly the place to find \"authentic chinese\" fare. If you're a poor college kid/med student/grad student I won't hold it against you. If you can afford it, treat yourself to something classier.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T05:06:05" }, { "business_id": "wgyh6_YZt_ByA9iBbX5i7g", "business_name": "Body Graphics, Inc", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm new to the world of tattoos and went to Body Graphics for the first time ever this past summer to have a small piece done inside my left ankle. I sheepishly admit that I was pretty nervous since I wasn't sure how to go about the whole affair. Luckily, Andrew was working and made me feel completely at ease. We joked over my wanting a sheep tattoo and he drew up a couple of sketches before I settled on my favorite. He didn't gouge me on the price either and was completely supportive of my being a newbie to the whole tattoo process. He was extremely professional and fastidious about cleanliness and such. He was thorough in his explanation of caring for my newest piece of artwork and gave me his card in case I had any problems. There was no pretentious vibe from this guy and we had a good chuckle over the adorable sheep that now sits above my ankle. I'm planning to go back to get more work done and will definitely give an update then. For my first experience, Body Graphics was pretty great - a clean, professional shop, and Andrew is tops in my book.", "timestamp": "2008-12-03T16:17:38" }, { "business_id": "o8J_QeVwDZAugMYNOPAgPQ", "business_name": "Marco Polo", "rating": 4, "text": "I give this 4 stars partly for reasons of nostalgia and partly because I actually like some of the dishes here. I grew up within walking distance of the restaurant in Elkins Park and had the (dis)pleasure of seeing it evolve over the years. I have to say that the food isn't as great since Chef Lo has left. I like that there is a seasonal component to the menu and that they do have pretty good specials. The traditional Italian dishes are a bit lackluster, but if you're not particular about your spaghetti... I do like that they serve bruschetta and olives instead of bread. The service is always snappy and friendly, especially since the manager circulates throughout the dining room on most nights. It's still a decent place to go with the parents.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T02:55:49" }, { "business_id": "dERS4qwl9v-Gwft-Ug8APA", "business_name": "West Ave Grille Jenkintown Restaurant and Food Truck ", "rating": 4, "text": "It was pretty exciting when West Avenue Grill opened up considering the lack of good eateries in the neighborhood. I've eaten here for brunch, lunch, and dinner on numerous occasions. The food is consistently good and there are yummy seasonal options that they add to the existing menu. Sometimes, the service leaves something to be desired if you get stuck with some high school newbie. There can definitely be a wait when all of the blue-haired ladies decide they want to lunch (or see a movie at the theater down the street). They offer a decent array of beers beyond the standards that most restaurants carry. The outdoor seating for warm weather is a plus as well.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:07:00" }, { "business_id": "JmzNw0WCPmZPZdq5nx9brg", "business_name": "Kitchen Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "My mother likes to drag me here when I pop by the house. The menu is a little overwhelming consider the array of choices that mix flavors from different parts of the globe. They also have some of the unhealthiest options I've seen in quite a while. Is that a whole cow between those buns? The portions are hearty to say the least, but the food still isn't anything to write home about. I find the flavors to be muddled or hidden beneath too much spice. It's a good place for mom and dad to take the kiddies on a Saturday night. It's also popular with meat-head men and their dates looking to get trashed while they watch the latest game. The bar still allowed smoking as of my last trip and that was a major turn-off as the smoke tends to waft into the dining room. Plus: the Abington Pharmacy next door where you can grab some chocolates to replace the unoriginal dessert you just ate next door.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:15:04" }, { "business_id": "ZF0tt7hn6WK3-aNWgtLcFA", "business_name": "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site", "rating": 5, "text": "ESP is another Philadelphia site that I enjoy wandering around. The staff members here are incredibly well educated as most have backgrounds in history, architecture/preservation, anthropology, etc. I recently became a member and have enjoyed the special perks they provide like \"behind the scenes\" tours of the hospital ward and kitchens of the prison - areas that aren't open to the general public. ESP is also a wonderful academic resource for those conducting research on related topics. The place is a photographer's dream with the abundance of natural light that filters in through the stone, not to mention the interesting architectural details. I even recommend the Halloween bash \"Terror Behind the Walls\". If you can stand the hyper-active teenagers, it's a good scare. I'm not sure if the hardhat requirement still persists, but be aware that ESP is in a state of ruin. I also believe that children under a certain age are not permitted, but I would double-check. Also, there aren't bathroom facilities except for a lone port-a-potty or two on the grounds.", "timestamp": "2008-12-04T03:45:11" }, { "business_id": "uI5k9lJkWlKi6OUW5yYIpQ", "business_name": "Benjamin Lovell Shoes", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm very picky about shoes. I want to put something stylish yet original on my feet without having to suffer hours of pain throughout the day. I have a bit of a hard-to-fit foot due a high instep, but I always manage to find something to suit my mood. I prefer the Rittenhouse store to the Manayunk and South St. locations. I think that all three stores have relatively good selections, but I seem to find my favorites at the Rittenhouse shop. They carry many brands that you won't find at other department or bargain stores: Tsubo, Camper, Everybody, MBT, Naot, Birkenstock, Ugg, and more. It's no secret that alot of their shoes come with a considerable price tag if you're used to stores like Payless or DSW, but I find the brands offered at Benjamin Lovell wear better and last longer than many others I've owned. I've always received prompt, courteous service from the staff members. If they are out of stock in my size, they have never hesitated to try and order what I'm looking for. The sale section is also worthwhile if you're looking for more of a bargain. Benjamin Lovell has become one of the few places where I will shop for shoes. Definitely check them out for wide selection of Dansko and Mephisto shoes, or if you're looking to break out of the mold a bit. Do we really need another pair of Tory Burch flats walking through the city?", "timestamp": "2008-12-05T03:02:38" }, { "business_id": "OdIBX09glfXNVSyd0RnIeg", "business_name": "Monk's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I enjoyed myself at Monk's. It's a good standby to have in your arsenal for the out-of-town guests, but not great. Our service was a bit spotty and I felt like our waitress was totally uninterested in us. I enjoyed the burger I ordered, but the fries were nothing to rave about. Also, it annoys me when places make you order fries as a side instead of just providing them with your meal. Of course, the beer selection is enough to make your head spin.I had a few tasty brews that made the trip worthwhile. Maybe next time I'll just come for drinks and skip the food.", "timestamp": "2008-12-10T02:44:32" }, { "business_id": "R1aHeUAwUF1Qkpacrn2Njw", "business_name": "Hideaway Music", "rating": 4, "text": "I don't buy very many cd's anymore. iTunes just makes it too easy to have instant access to many artists. However, when I want to have an actual disk, I head to Hideaway. If I had a record player I would totally buy vinyls here as well as their selection looks pretty sweet. I love that I can almost always find what I'm looking for. And if I can't? They'll order it for me. I prefer the posters that line the Hideaway walls instead of running into grubby guys in Best Buy t-shirts. Check out the Chestnut Hill Coffee Co. up the way too if you're strung out on Starbucks.", "timestamp": "2008-12-11T00:34:18" }, { "business_id": "itwiCpfGR5xlUpawXrt4tA", "business_name": "Penn Campus Recreation", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Pottruck. I initially signed up because, as a HUP employee, I get a pretty sweet discount. I wasn't sure how much I'd actually like it since he place is huge and rather sterile feeling. After a couple of spins on the elliptical, I realized that I was extremely pleased with the facility. Pottruck is clean and spacious enough to handle hundreds of people a day. I have never had to wait for a machine and I have never encountered out-of-order equipment. The machines have iPod jacks that will play your music through the machine AND charge your iPod at the same time. The hours are great - I can go early in the morning, later at night, and anytime in between. The staff, for the most part, is really friendly, accommodating, and helpful. One afternoon, I forgot my lock and one staff member offered to watch my stuff while I worked out so that I wouldn't have to hunt for a quarter locker. I like that they have day lockers where you can supply your own lock. This means not having to shell out extra dough for a place to stash your stuff during your work out. The juice bar is a plus as well if you're in need of a bottle of water or a recovery shake. I can't yet comment on the the classes, but I'm looking forward to trying a few come spring. Pottruck offers alot from classes, to rock climbing and an outdoors club, to the pool, and their Penn Fit Program. They also offer personal training and massage therapy which I am looking forward to trying. The best part for me is that they are a part of the Blue Cross' Healthy Lifestyles program - after 120 workouts, I get $150 back from my health insurance company.", "timestamp": "2008-12-12T02:42:27" }, { "business_id": "Qw7tz-UkPrpXaVidWuab4Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "I still love the PMA. I took myself to see the Gee's Bend exhibit today. Normally, I meander through exhibits on my own, but today I decided to take the free guided tour. I have to say having a tour guide really made a difference. The woman could have been a little more friendly - I felt she was a tad brusque in her answering of questions - but her knowledge of quilting, quilt design and the Gee's Bend aesthetic made up for her demeanor. Since she had met with the women/artists when they came for the opening of the exhibit so we was able to share all sorts of little bits of stories with us. The quilts were absolutely stunning and I'm inspired to break out the sewing machine. I really enjoyed the photography mini exhibit at the beginning with intimate portraits of some of the artists. The 28 minute documentary at the Perelman center was a great addition and another way to \"meet\" the quilters. I like that the museum continued the exhibit in Perelman by adding examples of Victorian and Amish quilting. This is only the second time in my life that I have bought the \"coffee table book\" of an exhibit, but I was so taken with the Gee's Bend exhibit that I couldn't resist. Also, there were double discounts for members! I also popped into the James Castle exhibit which was equally fascinating. Once again, my membership pays for itself.", "timestamp": "2008-12-13T00:15:16" }, { "business_id": "jtMPW39yiv5CorhKfgUaTw", "business_name": "Daryl's Pastries", "rating": 5, "text": "I've come to realize that there are two kinds of people in this town: those who go to Dunkin Donuts and those who don't. I try to avoid DD if at all possible. Especially since I always seem to see them in the news when they get robbed at gunpoint. Also, let's face it people, their doughnuts leave something to be desired - I always seem to get something stale or a slightly soggy French Cruller. Daryl's, on the other hand, owns a special place in my heart. As a kid, I knew it was a special weekend if I found a crisp white box of Daryl's pastries and doughnuts on the kitchen table. Things I like about Daryl's: 1. Family owned and operated. 2. Everything is made fresh on the premises. 3. Best doughnuts ever! 4. They have breakfast sandwiches and coffee too. 5. The staff is friendly and speaks intelligible English. 6. There cakes and other pastries are just as tasty and well-made as their doughnuts.", "timestamp": "2008-12-20T15:34:13" }, { "business_id": "lH_UKAJy6YTa1ArfdACU4g", "business_name": "Olive Garden Italian Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll admit I enjoy a meal at Olive Garden every now and then when I'm craving artery-clogging bread sticks. I stopped by this location today for some take-out after shopping with my mom. While we didn't actually dine-in at this location, we did wait long enough to have to suffer through the obnoxious population of people streaming through the door. Is it just me or is this location chock full of women who have squeezed themselves into tiny outfits like sausages into ill-fitting casings? I didn't really think a 45 minute wait for take out was necessary given that we were there at 5pm. My spaghetti and italian sausage came with way over done sausage and they gave me meat sauce even though I specifically requested regular marinara sauce. My dad's lasagna looked like it was slapped together by a 3 year old, making me wonder if they tossed it from across the room into its container. My mom's chicken carbonara looked like it was already a left-over with slightly-congealed sauce over the noodles. Luckily, the breadsticks and salad saved the meal. Everyone gets their own portion of salad, the dressing comes in sealed take-out cups, and the servings of breadsticks are generous.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:32:49" }, { "business_id": "3Ce8r1K1O-2JKSMXdXID-w", "business_name": "Linvilla Orchards", "rating": 3, "text": "A friend and I hiked (not literally) to Linvilla this autumn to pick some apples for sauce and pies. Having visited other area orchards throughout my life, I was seriously surprised to find that this one is like some sort of kiddie wonderland complete with Pumpkinland, petting zoo, and stilt walkers. I thought I had possibly made a wrong turn along the way. Luckily, the actual apple orchard is across the road from all the juvenile madness. I was a bit disappointed in the selection they had at the time (early October) as we seemed limited to picking Red and Golden Delicious - two very unexciting apple varieties. I did manage to get a fair amount of Macoun's though which worked nicely for all the sauce I made. I managed to pick several pounds of apples (I completely overestimated how many pounds I am actually able to lift and schlep to my car) and only had to shell out $20 or so. Being childless, we happily skipped Pumpkinland, the train ride, and the petting zoo in favor of the country store. I scored a much needed apple sliver/corer and some decadent caramel dip. The pie line is insane and you'll need to use your elbows to keep your spot lest you get bullied out of the way by burly suburban soccer moms. The cider donuts are definitely worth the push and shove as well. I recommend the store for picking up all those culinary goodies you've always wanted to make but will never find the time in which to do so (chutney, jam, pickles, soups). Don't forget to pick up a gallon of apple cider for those chilly fall nights! I could do without the Six Flags-like atmosphere and the county fair-like food stands, though. The crowds are large and made up of people mostly under 4 feet tall. Expect parking delays, lots of walking, screaming and whining and tantrums. If, like me, you don't have kids, you can smile serenely and be happy that you don't have any sticky hands to wipe.", "timestamp": "2008-12-29T03:49:18" }, { "business_id": "DRr5xdfHtqgWfhmdTU1B8Q", "business_name": "London Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to London Grill the other night with a friend. We arrived around 9pm and the place was relatively busy, but we were promptly seated. This is my second time to LG (I've previously been here for brunch with the parents). Honestly, I've had no problem with the service. Our particular server seemed overwhelmed, so another waiter stepped in to help her. Our meals were served fairly quickly - within 20 minutes of ordering. After a 12 hour shift at work, I had the best meal of the day at LG. I ordered the Roast BBQ pork which came with collard greens and macaroni and cheese. It's easy to screw up collard greens, but these were tender with a spicy/vinegar punch. The pork was cooked to perfection - moist with no hint of gristle. The barbecue sauce was equally tasty and didn't evoke the flavors of bottles sauces one bit. The macaroni was also delicious. They smartly avoiding \"dressing\" it up and stuck with ooey-gooey cheese and tender elbow noodles. My friend was equally pleased with his fish and chips. Their selection of beer is pretty impressive and this is one of the few places that seems to carry Strongbow cider (which they serve in a HUGE glass). Needless to say, we had a great time. The atmosphere is inviting and the atrium is a great place to sit even in the winter. Jeff is a great bartender and I was glad to have John and Brighid as our servers. I've definitely had no problems with service here.", "timestamp": "2009-01-05T08:21:06" }, { "business_id": "jHVotJhyPKOLuO7MVnmbtQ", "business_name": "Royal Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Some friends and I wandered into the Royal Tavern to continue my birthday celebration after leaving the South Philly Taproom. The place is tiny, but wasn't crowded when we arrived and we were able to grab seats at the bar. The bar tender was attentive and friendly and we didn't have to fight with other patrons to get drinks. We ordered a plate of Nachos which were some of the best I've had - lots of fresh tomatoes and cheese, generous helpings of guacamole and sour cream, and the chips were perfectly crisp instead of soggy or stale. The single strand of holiday lights above the wood bar lend a perfect ambience to the dimly lit tavern. The kitchen is open until 1am which is great for night owls. I was impressed by the beers that they had both in bottles and on draught - enough choices to suit a variety of tastes. I look forward to going back to try more of their culinary offerings, especially their brunch.", "timestamp": "2009-01-11T18:17:49" }, { "business_id": "6TPlb2eRasW6R0Fzz6T_JQ", "business_name": "Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "For me, Susanna Foo's Gourmet Kitchen will never compare to her fine-dining establishment in Center City, but I was pleasantly surprised. My parents have known Susanna since she took over her parents' restaurant, Hunan's, and I have been sampling her culinary creations since I was 6 months old. So my fondness for Susanne Foo in general runs much deeper than the successes and failures I've seen her weather in the restaurant world. I had read the less-than-stellar reviews of the Gourmet Kitchen and wasn't really sure what to expect when my mom and I had lunch on my birthday. First of all, the decor is stunning - deep reds, golds, supple leather chairs, large circular chandeliers, deep vessel sinks in the washroom, and a modern-styled bar. I ordered a spicy tuna roll to start. Not knowing what to expect of sushi at a supposedly Chinese restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised - the fish was extremely fresh, tender, and totally lacking in any fishy taste. The spicy sauce wasn't one of those heavy mayo concoctions you sometimes encounter that over-powers the fish. For my entree, I ordered the crispy tofu with tomatoes in a kung pao sauce which was accompanied by fried rice, hot and sour soup, and steamed vegetables. My selection was delicious! The tofu was lightly crisped on the outside, yet tender in the middle and oozing the savory kung pao sauce. The vegetables were tender with a hint of crunch which preserved their unique flavors. The rice was light, fluffy, and lacking the oily heaviness you traditionally find in other establishments. Of course, the hot and sour soup is always my favorite - a perfect blend of spice and pucker. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday meal and look forward to going back to sample more dishes. I also felt that the pricing was reasonable - my mother and I both had appetizers and entrees, all for $40 dollars. The service, too, was impeccable.", "timestamp": "2009-01-20T17:11:56" }, { "business_id": "oa5h-kz5oFYHBKpasKYXQw", "business_name": "Charlie Gray's Rib Crib", "rating": 4, "text": "As a kid I had this phobia of meat on the bone (ribs, chicken legs, pork chops, et al.) I know someone is going to turn that into a crass joke, but it's true. So, as I kid, the only thing I really ever ate from the Rib Crib was the macaroni salad. At some point my dad put his foot down, saying that it was just un-African American to dislike ribs. How can you ignore that challenge? The Rib Crib is an institution in Germantown and in our family with many a Friday night spent covered in barbecue sauce. I love that you can watch the meat being smoked right in the open pit as you wait for your order. At their best, Rib Crib ribs are smokey with fall-off-the-bone tender meat, and slathered in a sweet/tangy/spicy sauce. Unfortunately, you don't always get perfection, which is disappointing given the fact that they are open only a few days a week. I agree with Mark C. - the joint is take out only and it's frustrating to get home with your order to realize that it's been and \"off day\" at the Crib. In my opinion, the tangy macaroni salad can't be beat and there's nothing better than sopping up extra sauce with fluffy slices of white bread. The friendly staff can't be beat, though, and the owner has been active in the community for years. Of course, you can't miss the myriad photos of prominent black folks that adorn the walls of the small space. Those photos were some of my earliest lessons in Black History. For a biracial kid from the 'burbs, this is a place where I was actually able to connect with my African American heritage. The Rib Crib is worth a try if you're into hitting barbecue spots around the Philly area, but they may no longer be the best in the business.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T17:47:44" }, { "business_id": "E52a-tWfAVUigt1ArF711w", "business_name": "Joseph Fox Bookshop", "rating": 5, "text": "I was in Joseph Fox yesterday. It's my go-to spot when I've had a bad day. I received a call that a book I had requested was in store. I've been trying to get my hands on a copy of \"Revolutionary Road\" since I refuse to see the movie before reading the book. One of the saleswomen had pulled a copy from a recent shipment and held it for me. The best part? She had put aside a non-movie cover copy for me. \"You just seemed like the kind of woman who wouldn't want a copy with Leonardo DiCaprio slathered all over it.\" How right she was! I ended up leaving with that, a copy of Madame Bovary, and Persepolis I and II. Again, the service was friendly and impeccable. I think I've sworn off big-box bookstores for good. I also find solace in that I am not the only customer in this bookstore not reading Stephanie Meyer's \"Twilight\" series, whereas Borders seems to bombard me with displays. Also, at Joseph Fox, I don't have to deal with the extraneous other junk other stores sell.", "timestamp": "2009-02-06T18:12:44" }, { "business_id": "Vcn_cuQNKRF0eQ16TXVaXQ", "business_name": "The Night Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is for the recent batch of cupcakes I had from The Night Kitchen. I was really disappointed with them, or mostly the icing. I hope it was just a fluke, but the icing was terrible! It was like a little rosette of lard on top of a not-so-moist, crumbly cake. Waaaay too much butter and way too little whipping. I didn't even finish the whole cake because of the terribly cloying taste. Also, the cakes are tiny in comparison for their cost. Now when I go to TNK, I stick to their cookies.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:18:32" }, { "business_id": "HZDJl_MpCBz2_juU1BvDTw", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 1, "text": "I wish there were Waffle Houses this far north. If there was I would quickly trade IHOP for them. I love IHOP, or rather \"loved\" them. It's hard to let go of those childhood memories of days off from school and pancake breakfasts that included chocolate chips of all things. Today's trip was just terrible. Of course the wait is long because people crawl out of the woodwork to get to this place on the weekend. It's the only place I ever see other black folks in Jenkintown! We've been the only black family on my Elkins Park block for years, but we're not alone at IHOP. Weird. We were seated fairly quickly and our drink orders were taken. 15-20 minutes later we were still liquid-less; as were the surrounding tables being serviced by the same waitress. After a chat with the manager, we received our drinks. Another long wait forced us to hijack another waitress just to get our food orders in. By the time all was said and done, breakfast had turned into a 2-hour affair. It would have been nice to see the manager be a bit more involved on a busy Saturday when several customers were lacking decent service. Contrary to the tv commercials, the food just isn't worth hanging around all morning with screaming children.", "timestamp": "2009-02-22T05:29:17" }, { "business_id": "6w6wDhgTzteP1tCBvK6fnw", "business_name": "Loie", "rating": 4, "text": "I met a friend here for brunch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The place was really empty and I was a bit skeptical. If a brunch place is empty at noon on a Sunday, it doesn't say much about the food, etc. The emptiness, however, meant that we were seated and attended to promptly. The prix-fixe menu includes all-you-can-drink Mimosas or Bloody Marys. My friend and I each started with a Mimosa. I was pleased that they weren't overly skimpy on the champagne. I started with their garden salad which is pretty large and just right on the dressing. Not too dry and not swimming in oil. I ordered an omelette which was chock-full of my favorites: cheese, spinach, and mushrooms. The dish was cooked perfectly - the eggs weren't runny or overcooked and they came with wonderfully seasoned diced new potatoes. The service continued to be wonderful even as the restaurant filled up. The atmosphere was cozy and I enjoyed our seats by the large, open windows in the front. I'm sure this place is quite lovely in the warmer months. I would definitely consider this spot for out-of-town guests, family, and friends. You won't have to smash your piggy bank for a good meal.", "timestamp": "2009-04-08T04:52:18" }, { "business_id": "K3RURR9lIEE4JjOaPt99zg", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been trying to get in for a meal at Sabrina's for months now. I wish someone had told me that they are only open until 4pm two days a week as it seems that those were the days when I tried to go for dinner. I was able to try out their lunch menu earlier this week with my mom and her friend. Being a Monday afternoon, the place was relatively quiet and we were seated immediately. The menu was a little daunting since you can get everything from eggs to cheesesteaks. I settled on a veggie burger with portobello mushrooms and cheddar cheese + the parmesan fries. I rounded things out with an ice cold rootbeer opting for the increased caloric hit rather than subject myself to Diet Rite. The burger was hearty and delicious - you'd have hardly known it wasn't meat with all of the mushrooms. I was quite happy to not have received anything wimpy and previously frozen from a cardboard box. The cheese was perfectly gooey and resembled nothing like those chemically concocted slices you find elsewhere. The fries were the best thing on the plate, though. Who would have thought that parmesan cheese could significantly elevate the humble french fry? The service was average - nothing spectacular. I did catch a little bit of hipster vibe from one of the servers, but such attitudes are becoming harder to avoid in most city neighborhoods. The only thing that could have made the day better? If they hadn't been out of key lime pie.", "timestamp": "2009-05-15T16:57:07" }, { "business_id": "XBwxCXPE8MX1aMs-zT1-Fg", "business_name": "Studio 34", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been wanting to take an African dance class since college but loathed the idea of hopping around with mostly white, mostly classically trained dancers at my liberal arts institution. Then I moved back to Philly and thought about taking a class at the UPenn gym where I am already a member. However, the whopping class fee - uh, hello, I already pay a yearly fee! - and thought of suffering the annoyances of the UPenn female undergrad population - why are you plastered to your Blackberry while working out?! - was equally unappealing. A friend of mine raved about Studio 34 and the work exchange program she had done there. Lo and behold, they have a weekly, drop-in African dance class for...wait for it, wait for it....$10! Yes, $10! Luckily, that price does not include snarky undergrads. I went to my first class on a rainy Sunday and had a great time. There were only three other people present, but I felt immediately comfortable and supported despite my complete lack of dance ability or training. By the end of the class, I was moving along just as well as the other folks. The teacher, Assumane, is wonderful and enthusiastic and you can't help but want to give it your best shot even if your left foot won't listen to your brain. This class is a great workout, especially for someone like me who isn't very in tune with her body but hates toiling away on a machine. You use all parts of your body in these dances from Guinea-Bissau and therefore, you kind of just make peace with whatever wobbly bits you've got. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that this is a weekly ongoing class. I don't have to worry about schedule interferences because I know I can always go the next week. You can't beat $10 to try something out. I look forward to trying some of their yoga classes as my body confidence improves. I am also much impressed by their commitment to the community, the friendliness of the staff, and the welcoming physical space.", "timestamp": "2009-05-16T02:33:07" }, { "business_id": "u7cZUEGK6iJP2gvI22xY2A", "business_name": "Memphis Taproom", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is still awesome. Roasted mushroom grinder = way better than any cheesesteak I've had in this town. I know, sacrilege, right? The atmosphere was better this time and our party didn't get shushed for adult-themed topics. I still don't love that lots of folks bring their kids here, though. Sometimes, I like to go out to eat and avoid toddling children who wander over unattended. I love that they have Sam Smith's Organic Cider in bottles, Allagash Tripel, and Monk's Sour Ale - some of my favorite libations. The fried pickles and suicide rings still light my fire. If only I could find a boy as yummy as they are instead of tables of canoodling couples.", "timestamp": "2009-06-27T19:47:17" }, { "business_id": "EPMHuTHu46B123ivRIZ-Xg", "business_name": "Magic Carpet", "rating": 5, "text": "The Magic Carpet truck is the only lunch truck I frequent. I can guarantee that I can get a sizeable portion of food that will do my body good for about $5. All of the food is prepared by the Magic Carpet folks in their offsite, commercial kitchen so you won't be getting frozen falafel balls here. Their portions are generous enough to cover you for lunch and the afternoon munchies that hit later in the day. It's best to try and sneak in early right around Noon or you are sure to have to contend with a substantial queue. Just like Pat's or Geno's, be sure to know what you want, how you want it before it's your turn or the other hungry customers are sure to grumble as you hem and haw over El Gringo or Magic Meatballs. Definite pros: - no cross contamination from meats - no msg laden crap - folks who speak great english - freshly prepared meals - beverage options that aren't just huge bottles of sugar-y soda Cons: - the long line - having to choose between lots of tasty options.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:21:06" }, { "business_id": "W_vlLO_fS_MuLTvxt1B7AA", "business_name": "Brewers Outlet Of Mt. Airy & Chestnut Hill", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best beer distributor out of the ones I've hit in the 'burbs. I grew up going to Madonna's on Easton Road, but because it's a drive-through, you've got to know what you want when you reach the window. Frosty Caps on 611 comes complete with a guy who looks like John Travolta, but mainly services the Miller Light crowd. Brewer's Outlet is one-stop shopping for beer, cider, and the Vintage seltzer that I love. I wish I could afford to buy an entire case of the Allagash Tripel ($74), but I'll have to stick to drinking it by the glass at Memphis Taproom. I can't confirm that they're over-priced on some goods because I rarely find the brews I like at other distributors. Most people's reaction to my query about Samuel Smith's Organic Cider is \"huh?\" A major boon is their swap policy. Buying a case of something from a microbrewery? Want to try a bottle of that local ____ before buying the whole case? Swap a bottle of yours for a bottle of theirs! Again, it's also convenient to be able to pick up bottled water and the like at the same spot. I've also never gotten those stares male employees sometimes give women that say \"You're picking out the beer? That party's going to suck.\" The employees are helpful without any hints of snobbery. FYI: I'm listing this place as \"pricey\" because the beverages I like don't tend to come cheap.", "timestamp": "2009-07-23T15:31:42" }, { "business_id": "rIqkOMxkeoqvUzl909gNmQ", "business_name": "Kiwi Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "I like the fact that I can exercise my own version of portion control at this new Univ. City establishment. I do wish they had cups smaller than their smallest one, though, because it's hard to know when you've overdone it until you're paying $6 for fro-yo. I mixed the original tart and pumpkin. Both had exceptionally good flavor. The pumpkin actually tasted like pumpkin pie - neither too sweet nor too spicy. Unfortunately, I think some folks believe that fro-yo equals a completely guilt free treat. In reality, you can't really frequent the place several times in a week and expect not to pay for it. Yeah, they use HFCS, but I'm ok with that because I'm not eating there every week. I also like that I can indulge in sinful toppings like snickers bars and chocolate sauce if I'm so inclined. As someone with a nut allergy, I'm glad the place isn't overflowing with all manner of those options. I think the self-serve option is great and it's fun to swirl unusual flavors together. I feel like this a great place for students unlike some of the more pretentious-feeling venues in center city. Dessert should be fun - and I don't necessarily want to cover it in fruit and granola after long day.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:11:18" }, { "business_id": "Kdq1xfIFIKOdO-qW-_tg8A", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "First off - I wouldn't describe this establishment as Asian Fusion. I recall reading that they serve \"Contemporary American\", but I could have made that up. Some friends and I dined here for Restaurant Week Fall 2009 and it as a darn good choice. The wrap-around windows really make for a lovely atmosphere. The cocktails were creative and I enjoyed vodka for the first time in a long while. I also like the long, bar-like table that runs the length of the restaurant, providing extra seating that doesn't make you feel as if you are sitting on top of your neighbor. I was impressed with the menu and the number of choices they provided. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer and say that my meal was fantastic. I started with the heirloom tomato gazpacho with lemon sorbet. The lemon sorbet added a wonderfully cool, summer flavor to the spice of this Spanish soup without diluting the overall tomato flavor. The rolls were wonderfully textured - chewy and warm inside with a crisp crust. The wasabi butter was a definite bonus. My main course of roasted free-range chicken, brussels sprouts, and yukon mashed potatoes was hearty and delicious. The brussels sprouts were especially superb and lacked all trace of the pungent horseradish flavor they sometimes acquire during cooking. Dessert was a lovely little trio chosen beforehand - apple pie, warm chocolate tarte, and ginger ice cream. Our server was attentive, but not overbearing and was especially knowledgeable about the wine selections. I'd recommend this venue for all manner of dinners: dates, parents in town, friends, or even just to treat yourself.", "timestamp": "2009-10-09T23:25:13" }, { "business_id": "Z6WntA-h-vBAQ3Xoe2Xy6Q", "business_name": "Brickbat Books", "rating": 5, "text": "I stumbled into this shop after previous afternoons of passing it by because I talked myself out of going into yet another bookshop. This space is different, though. This is where my fellow book snobs and I can congregate. I make no apologies for eschewing \"beach reads\", Jodi Picoult, and just about most things sold at the big box stores. With so many books in the world, one really does have to have discriminating tastes, don't you think? I love that they have great bits of Edward Gorey 1st editions. I love that there was a James Joyce reading group taking up most of the room. I picked up a loved copy of The Grapes of Wrath (why is this never in when I'm at the library!?) and a vintage edition of The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen. Nevermind that I have no clue who Elizabeth Bowen is, the cover of the plastic-wrapped petite paperback was calling my name. This is where you go to find diamonds in the rough for your literary collection - titles people will pull off of your shelf and say \"I've never seen this before\" and you can tell them all about the day you stumbled into Brickbat and found a new love.", "timestamp": "2009-11-10T00:57:25" }, { "business_id": "-DGsnMlRrR_tv8avrpQLQw", "business_name": "Sam's Morning Glory Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend and I decided on Wednesday morning brunch in order to catch up and unwind post-holiday. I'd passed Morning Glory a number of times while in the neighborhood, but hadn't ever eaten there. I like the vibe - it felt much less pretentious than in Sabrina's where I feel out of place with only one tattoo and feet not shod in Converse. I have to say that I wouldn't attempt to eat here with your 10 best friends, though, as space is an issue. There was no wait when we arrived at 10am, but I was surprised at how quickly the place filled up on a Wednesday in January - does no one work these days? This also isn't place where you can linger over a cup of coffee for hours given said lack of space. The staff will probably appreciate you much more if you pay your check in a timely manner and vamoose if there are people waiting. That being said, my Irish oatmeal was lovely. I was grateful that it wasn't soupy, but just right. Baby Bear would have approved. It was topped with a generous helping of strawberries, bananas, and blueberries. I also ordered a side of turkey sausage which was delicious and fork-tender. Few people probably care about this, but I found it charming that they serve their coffee in large tin mugs instead of the usual white ceramic stuff. My friend ordered a hearty portion of eggs, turkey sausage, and biscuit - which looked thoroughly delicious, but equally taxing on one's gallbladder. Maybe I'll for it next time, when I'm not contending with post-holiday pudge. The staff was great and quick with the coffee refills.", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T15:56:56" }, { "business_id": "TeHlA3PjMCAwJSLymjhz3A", "business_name": "Beans", "rating": 4, "text": "Was surprised to see that Beans opened a new location while in the city the other day. I've never been overly impressed by their other locations in the suburbs. If this store doesn't have it, you probably don't need it. And if you're looking for stuff on the cheap (ie: no $20 blow dryers here), this probably isn't the shop for you. The store is actually really lovely with high ceilings and an open feeling. They've got tons of products for just about anything you could imagine from hair color to nail polish to styling tools. I got a lot of (as in probably just a tad more than I like) help in selecting a hair dryer since I've gasp never owned one! I decided to go with something that will die probably after I do. I appreciate that my new hair dryer also comes with a free class in how to actually use the thing to achieve the style I want. They also do repairs! And who doesn't like a free pouch of jelly beans with each purchase?", "timestamp": "2010-01-07T23:29:22" }, { "business_id": "fhoqmnw5sXzj91-7yBW0Kw", "business_name": "Mugshots Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I ordered the Aztec hot chocolate one afternoon which nearly had me choking due to the amount of cayenne pepper that was in the drink. I thought the idea was to give your tastebuds a hint of heat, not send you into a coughing fit. I'm also kind of annoyed by the whole wi-fi set up. When you purchase a beverage, you get an hour of wi-fi through a code they give you. Essentially, you've got to make another purchase every hour to stay connected. I think I would rather pay a flat fee up front than having to keep purchasing more food/drinks. I wasn't too pleased with the fact that I had also ordered a sandwich, but the person who took my order only put in for my beverage. I should have caught it when I paid, but my mind was elsewhere. I ended up waiting for 20 or so minutes before I realized. I would also appreciate if Mugshots could put some kind of time limit on those who are taking up tables. Is it really fair to spread out your laptop and school books and take up a seat for hours on end when other people would like to sit and enjoy their beverage?", "timestamp": "2010-01-15T21:14:33" }, { "business_id": "M1q0l_VuI6MqRYLWGVhCCw", "business_name": "The Belgian Café", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite Schuyler L.'s run-in with soggy French Toast at brunch, I still enjoy this place. A few friends took me out for a belated-birthday drink. As usual, I had to request the Monk's Flemish Sour Ale which I now have several other friends veritably addicted to. It's sweet and refreshing with a hint of tang. I also tried the Young's Chocolate Stout which was delicious - rich, velvety, great foamy head. Essentially, it's dessert in a beer. The can also contains this thing called a \"widget\" which releases nitrogen once you pop the top to simulate what would happen if it were on tap. It blends the stout into creamy goodness so don't be alarmed by something rolling around at the bottom of your can. I tried to Reuben sandwich which was surprisingly delicious for how little meat I eat. Tender corned beef, gooey swiss cheese, and crisp buttery bread. Of course, there were fries as well with a generous portion of their dipping sauce. We also shared an item off of the dessert menu, but I can't recall the name. Basically, they're awesome cinnamon-sugared doughnuts. They come with a caramel dipping sauce, but I found it too rich for my blood. The doughnuts are warm and made of a dense cake that crumbles in your mouth. It puts anything you'd get at Dunkin' Donuts to shame by a lot. All in all, another fantastic evening!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:00:05" }, { "business_id": "f88P1gIbRpRzsYAHj9hGdA", "business_name": "Sid Booker's Shrimp", "rating": 5, "text": "(I think I may be giving it 5 stars for sentimental reasons, but I've also got some legit claims) So I grew up in a white Jewish neighborhood. Sometimes my father, who was African American, just had to flee the scene to get a taste of his childhood. This meant that we'd often make our way down Broad Street to Sid Booker's. If you can get past the bullet-proof screen and the little lazy-susan they use to take in cash and serve up fried goodies, I recommend you stop by once in your life. Oh, this place may be in what you consider the \"ghetto\" but it ain't cheap (honestly, if it were cheap, I'd be concerned about the ingredients they were using) so hit the ATM first. I don't really love shrimp, but I do adore Sid Booker's fried version. Large, plump, tender, and with a crisp batter that will make your arteries weep. We'd take our foil wrapped bundles home and have a little feast as if we were in Richmond with the family and not in Elkins Park. The ladies there are always kind, but they do a brisk business at certain times of day so don't expect a whole lot of chit chat. Note: This is take-out only and you're going to have to wait on the corner or in your car for a bit while they get your order ready. Contrary to El S.' review, I don't think you're likely to get taken down in a drive-by here as there are usually lots of folks. But like any denizen of a city, I wouldn't be hoppin' in the car for shrimp at 11pm if I wasn't a card-carrying member of that particular 'hood.", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:11:06" }, { "business_id": "O286wXm4mcznQn_1JieD1g", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "So back in December when Silk put out their yearly Soy Nog and Pumpkin Spice flavors, I had trouble deciding which one to buy. I had already tried their soy nog and thought about just sticking with a good thing. On the other hand, the pumpkin spice could be awesome. I was in the middle of this dilemma when one of the guys stocking the case noticed my perplexed look. He popped open a pumpkin spice for me and let me sample it. After I decided I really liked it, he marked the carton as a sample and I got to take it home for free! Now that's customer service!", "timestamp": "2010-01-23T14:34:50" }, { "business_id": "TYURMcdjX8f0QcIkbEK2IQ", "business_name": "The Wilma Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I always enjoy coming to this theater. Below is a brief outline of why. 1. The seats are comfortable and, unlike many of the theaters in NYC, were not made for very short, very thin people. 2. Continuing on the theme of seats...There are no bad seats due to the intimate nature of the theater. 3. $10 student tickets for Sunday evening performances. Don't forget your student ID, though. If you forget your ID, Will-Call will not give you the student price. 4. They have Junior Mints at the concessions stand. 5. I have always enjoyed the productions they host. Avant-garde enough to make you seem as if you are culturally in-the-know, but not so strange that you'll be yawning for 2 hours. 6. Great set designs and creative use of space. I love their minimalist approach for most things. 7. If you're not a student, no worries! They've still go cheap seats for you twenty-somethings. Bring an ID to confirm your age and you can get tickets for $22.50. I saw Becky Shaw - it was fantastic and is now running through early Feb. Go see it!", "timestamp": "2010-01-25T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "Rmx12lwZbs94MkPaS2o7vw", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "Checking out this brand-spanking-new WFM was the highlight of my weekend. I am aware of just how lame that sounds but, with all the hype, I wasn't going to be left out. This store is easily twice the size of the one in Jenkintown. I love how it's as shiny as a newly minted penny. I didn't get to check each department out as closely as I would have liked due to the sheer throngs of people in there, but here is what I like so far: - Large produce section with an impressively number of organic items. I grabbed some golden turnips, tomatillos, and Italian broccoli. - Impressive fish and meat offerings - alot more prepared items (like the things they pre-marinate or stuff, etc) - Expanded bulk foods section where you can get all the barely or oats or stevia your heart desires. - Huge frozen selection! I didn't know WFM had their own brand of shoestring fries. I often supplement my recipes with frozen veggies in winter and they had everything I needed. - Easy to navigate body care, etc section with more products than my eyeballs could take. - The salad/prepared foods bar of my dreams. - Yogurt stocked so that they come out one at a time (kind of like a vending machine). No worries about having to hunt through a mess of flavors and brands. - The aisles are fairly wide and I was able to maneuver my cart pretty well without getting run into despite the crowd. Nothing can be done about the 80 year old women who shuffle along like it's a Sunday stroll, wide aisle or not. In a perfect world WFM would only have seasonal produce (strawberries are not native to the NE in January), but that's my own personal preference with regards to diet and health. Next time, I plan to actually try some of the food they've got on hand and pop into the pub. Of course, it's still \"Whole Paycheck\" but for my produce and specialty ingredients, this place is still #1.", "timestamp": "2010-01-30T22:14:30" }, { "business_id": "s2JiYzE7i68cXIV6YEcVTw", "business_name": "Local 44", "rating": 4, "text": "Came here for lunch the other day. The place was dead at 2pm, but I didn't mind. The bartendress was very friendly and she kept me entertained. I ordered the fish and chips upon her suggestion and was thoroughly pleased. The batter had a delicious, buttery quality to it and the the fish had a lovely creamy taste. Hard to describe, but I quite enjoyed it. The dish comes with fries and hush puppies which seemed like too many carbs, but still yummy. The fries are hand-cut and well seasoned. The hush puppies were the best I've had above the Mason-Dixon line and I couldn't help but think they'd taste amazing with vanilla ice cream. They've got quite a few of my favorite beers on tap including Allagash White and Monk's Sour Flemish Ale. The atmosphere is very warm with lots of dark wood and I'm sure it's a popular spot in the evening. The bartendress and I got into a conversation about UPenn undergrads trying to sneak in on the weekends and it seems they've got a pretty good system for keeping the wee ones out. Apparently, they've thwarted quite a few wily undergrads with fake ID's. I wouldn't say this place is mainly for UPenn students (whatever their age) but a place that's trying to provide more options for folks north of 40th street. It just so happens that many of those who live in that area are also students or employees of Penn (they are the largest employer in the city afterall). So pop by, grab a beer and a burger, and let the security staff take care of the interlopers.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:04:15" }, { "business_id": "u9XTeDl_If4U5Eixl6ys7g", "business_name": "The Foodery", "rating": 4, "text": "You'll need an adequate amount of time to spare if you're going to stop by The Foodery. I don't know how anyone could walk in and walk out in under 10 minutes. Half the fun is just looking at the labels of bottles from various breweries. I almost found myself choosing my beer based on which ones had the best labels. I've chosen books like that, and it never works out very well. I love any place that offers DIY 6-packs. I also love that their selection is pretty comprehensive, featuring some of the best beers that our city, country, and globe has to offer. The guys behind the counter were friendly and didn't look at me like some damsel in distress when I asked their advice on certain bottles. As previous reviews have stated, if you want to avoid sticker shock, look up the individual beer prices in the manifest or you might find yourself with a hefty bill. I spent $50 on 12 bottles (an assortment of Young's Chocolate Stout, Schneider Weiss, Allagash, Monk's, and Stoudt's). You're sure to be the hit of any party, especially if other people have brought anything closely resembling Bud Light. Me? I prefer to relax and have a night in with my special purchases and a friend or two. I was so enamored with the beer selection that I barely glanced at the rest of the store, so that's on my agenda for next time.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:24:05" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "So, I liked this place the first two or three times I went when I lived in NYC. However, the fourth and fifth times are not the charm, even when dining at the Philly location. I am constantly disappointed by how many of their offerings contain tree nuts. I know it's more or less my problem that I'm allergic to some of the tastiest nuts out there, but do they need to be in all things chocolate? I end up with only two or three choices of dessert because something or other always contains hazelnuts that cannot be left off the item. I also find that the portions are nowhere near comparable to the prices they charge. I'm not an individual who bases my like or dislike of an establishment solely on portion size, but I don't enjoy paying $20 for something I could have essentially made at home. I shared a chocolate fondue for two with a friend and I think there were exactly two of everything: two strawberries, two marshmallows, etc. The staff is friendly, but nothing to write home about as the place seems to hum like a well-oiled machine. Everything comes at a staccato-like pace if they are not super crowded: you are seated, your order is taken, your order arrives, you eat, plates are cleared, you pay, you leave. It's not a place where I feel I can linger a bit and savor the experience. The concept is great and the menu (at least with regards to dessert) has the potential to be quite delicious and satisfying, but I am always left feeling that something is missing, that something could be better.", "timestamp": "2010-02-05T01:42:08" }, { "business_id": "uMT7H0shZK4-pQ_J2qMEWA", "business_name": "The Spice Corner", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been frequenting this shop - in person and online - for several years now. I don't even bother to buy spices or the like in the grocery store at this point. I really love this little shop. It is small and fragrant and filled with everything I need for canning/preserving to meatloaf-making to baking. They also have an online shop and will ship directly to you. I particularly love how they have different colors of jimmies/sprinkles separated by color into their own jars. Of course, you can get the rainbow blend, but there's something about seeing millions of neon pink jimmies that makes me smile. I think they've got a great selection of teas and coffees (flavored coffee as well!). You can also pick up little sachets for the loose tea here as well to avoid an extra errand. I usually pop in to refresh my stock of spices and meat seasonings. Try their mix for poultry to get your chicken out of a flavor rut. The shop is ideal for your bulk needs: flour, sugar, nuts, grains, etc. I find it to be better to come here for those items than to try to obtain them from Whole Foods where I'm likely to be charged more. The staff can be a bit aloof, but I've never had a bad experience. It is pretty obvious from the signage that you shouldn't attempt to bag your own purchases so, if you are reprimanded, you probably weren't paying attention. I really wouldn't want god-knows-how-many people reaching their hands into jars of spices all day long. It's also easier for the staff to eyeball an ounce of cloves than for me to do so. Be warned that they are also cash only. This shouldn't worry people too much, though, because their prices are excellent and a $20 should cover most of the damage.", "timestamp": "2010-02-10T03:03:56" }, { "business_id": "IkY2ticzHEn4QFn8hQLSWg", "business_name": "Geno's Steaks", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm not going to lay down esoteric comments about a cheesesteak since it's not a pretentious food. I'm a Philly native that had never had the Geno's experience. Shameful as it may be, I've finally joined the club. In short: Delicious, soft bread layered with thin slices of steak, whiz, and chopped onions. The perfect \"junk\" food for a cold Saturday. The line moved quickly and we managed to avoid getting yelled at by putting our order in correctly. I didn't think the fries were anything special - good, but I'd probably skip them next time. I was surprised at how much I like the mix of flavors considering whiz just seems disgusting on any other food. I can see why these steaks are the cuisine of choice for tipsy college kids.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:55:15" }, { "business_id": "S1FwTmCAwv5ulu5gToWi_w", "business_name": "RIM Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "After freezing to death eating our Geno's steaks, two friends and I popped in for some warming up. The volcano hot chocolate here is certainly worth the $6.00 - if not for the actual drink, then certainly for the process and display that goes into making one. A young man was playing La Vie en Rose on the piano in the back which made the place seem that much more romantic and charming. I could easily find myself here with a knitting project or book, sipping away on decadent espresso drinks. Strangely enough, the bathroom with its red light a pasted photos was a highlight. It's small and cozy - perfect for two or three, but no parties larger than that I would say.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T22:59:52" }, { "business_id": "1UNJeHTsS7WS9RxRzHw06g", "business_name": "Varga Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "After seeing the latest UPenn Mask and Wig production, I was so hopped up on good humor that I didn't want to end the evening by heading straight home. At first, we planned to go to Tria, but found ourselves face to face with Varga Bar after walking in the wrong direction from Quince Street. The place was crowded at 10:30pm, but not so much that you couldn't comfortably breathe. We put our name in for a table for 5 and passed time at the bar. I was impressed with their many beers on tap - Allagash, Victory, Rogue, Sly Fox, etc. They do offer a few specialty cocktails, but nothing overly fancy. The hostess was extremely pleasant and we were eventually seated moments before our appetizers arrived. I ordered the Kobe Beef Sliders which were delicious and the perfect portion for a late-night snack. They come topped with a delicious aioli that completely negates any need for ketchup or mustard. Their onion rings were crisp, yet tender and drizzled with a piquant dipping sauce. My friends tried the veggie burger and the chili-topped hotdog which they gave favorable reviews. We also shared some fries with the cheese sauce on the side and sans crab meat. The cheese dipping sauce was a great accompaniment the crisp, shoestring potatoes. Definitely a great little place for a light bite to eat. I wouldn't try to squeeze a party larger than 6 or so in here as space is tight. I would certainly recommend it for date night considering the low lighting and intimate tables for two.", "timestamp": "2010-02-13T23:14:23" }, { "business_id": "DJujODX9OTMuveKxMEL0zg", "business_name": "Mask and Wig", "rating": 4, "text": "As a Penn grad student and child of a Penn Med professor, I have seen my fair share of Mask and Wig productions. However, when my parents dragged me as a teenager, the ribald humor was generally lost on my rather naive ears. I've come to love the Mask and Wig club for their witty, off-color productions featuring and all-male cast, crew, and band. I love the tradition of the club that dates back to the 1890's and don't mind joining with the \"rah, rah, Pennsyl-van-i-a\" at the end of each performance. The shows are wildly funny and entertaining for all - well, leave the wee ones at home - over the age of 16 or so. You'll enjoy yourself so much, you'll forget that you're seated on a folding chair. I am always impressed by the quality of the music and writing that these undergrads put into each spring show. The clubhouse is also a gem unto itself with original artwork by Maxfield Parrish. They even serve cocktails and beer in the grill room before and after the performances. The downside? Having to mingle with lots of Penn undergrads who come to support their friends. I say just suck it up and go anyway. It's maybe the best $25 you'll spend ($12 for current students).", "timestamp": "2010-02-14T19:24:25" }, { "business_id": "Yn6oUj778ETC5kYs7IPH0g", "business_name": "Tiffin Elkins Park", "rating": 4, "text": "Tiffin just opened up right down the road from my house and is in the same little complex as my gym so it seemed logical to pick up some takeout after an evening workout the other day. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, and Naan. It came with Basmati rice, chutney, and an accompanying sauce. I was a bit worried about the spice factor, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't need a fire extinguisher to eat my meal. My mom, who has a rather sensitive tongue, even got through her Chicken Korma without complaint. I imagine, if you prefer your food to be blacken your tongue that they would oblige. Both dishes were excellent - creamy, rich, not greasy. The rice was cooked to perfection and tastes wonderful with a bit of chutney stirred in. I didn't find the restaurant to resemble a fast food chain. I felt that the colors were appropriate for an Indian restaurant and the dim lighting enhanced the small BYOB. The furniture is modest, but I wouldn't describe it as cheap-looking. I appreciate that they didn't try to cram in as many tables and chairs as possible. Overall, I am pleased that Elkins Park actually has an eating establishment that might survive besides Marco Polo. If only they could give a face-lift to the rest of the shopping complex.", "timestamp": "2010-03-06T01:34:11" }, { "business_id": "pWzrmh1oiU9ngWXGHKnnwQ", "business_name": "Down Home Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "As a kid, we used to stop in here quite a bit after a tour through the Market, but it's just not the same 10-15 years later. My mom and I decided to grab some dinner here after a rather exhausting day at the Flower Show. We were seated right away which was nice considering that it was 6pm on a Friday night and the crowds from the Convention Center were massive. I ordered the BLT which was disappointing - too much lettuce and the wheat bread wasn't substantial enough to hold the thing together. Also, their \"cold sandwiches\" don't come with fries, so I ended up with a sad looking slice of cantaloupe instead. My mom's minestrone soup and grilled cheese with tomato looked much more appetizing. The fries that I ordered on the side weren't anything to write home about - skinny little things resembling the kind that McDonald's sells. For a place that claims to source all of their ingredients from the market, I really expected top notch, fresh food, even if it is a \"diner\".", "timestamp": "2010-03-07T16:46:48" }, { "business_id": "8Wq0LZSuHdPTlleQD5sU_w", "business_name": "The Bubble House", "rating": 1, "text": "This little place has the potential to be great. I'm actually a fan of their bubble teas - taro, in particular. The food isn't terrible either. I had a grilled portabella mushroom sandwich on foccacia with tomatoes and gouda with the side of sweet potato fries. $9 seemed a bit pricey for a one-mushroom sandwich, though, portabella or not. However, what really prevents me from giving The Bubble House more stars is the service - slow and uninspiring. The interior could also use a fresh coat of paint and the tables and floors could also stand to be refinished. There is just an overall grimy feeling to the restaurant that makes you wonder just how \"clean\" your food is. What really put me off was having to watch the guy who prepared the teas and manned the take-out counter sit outside and smoke three times in an hour whilst spitting here and there in plain view of the restaurant window. I do hope he washed his hands after each cigarette break, but I can't be too sure. I would probably skip this place in the future despite its proximity to campus.", "timestamp": "2010-03-11T02:18:03" }, { "business_id": "GsBDSxvX4VcvmdVODoJ_lQ", "business_name": "Primex Garden Center", "rating": 5, "text": "While, in the future, I'll probably try to avoid Primex on a Saturday afternoon, it's still my favorite garden supply spot. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about their products from plants to seeds to fertilizers and more. They even do soil testing to help you make the most of your lawn and/or garden. I feel that their prices are fair for a locally owned, family business and the new rewards program allows you to accrue monetary value towards future purchases. They hold double-point days throughout the season, too. On busy weekends this time of year, parking can be a hassle, so be patient. You can park right in front of the store, in their lot, on the side of the store, and back behind the warehouse as well. Now that planting season is in full swing, you can for flowers and other seedlings outside at the shed by the greenhouse. Just be sure to have a staff member write up your purchases first. For great soil, I recommend their Bumper Crop which gave me some impressive veggies last year. It retails for about $14 per 2 cubic feet. I'm also pleased that they offer planting potatoes, garlic, onions, and rhubarb - things you can't really grow from seed and are only offered early in the season. Their impressive selection of flower bulbs is also not to be missed! Be sure to pick up one of their great eco-friendly flower pots, too - they're recyclable!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:17:07" }, { "business_id": "MbKhuO-4uYPc0NRZDRWoew", "business_name": "MexiCali", "rating": 4, "text": "I've eaten at both the bricks and mortar shop and the lunch truck on 38th and Walnut. These are pretty much the only burritos I eat. Sure, Chipotle is just up the block, but why bother with those inflated prices? The quality of the Mexicali ingredients is superb - not once have I questioned whether my chicken was really chicken or dug in only to have gristle and fat meet my teeth. I've had consistently great experiences with the food here and find that both their meat and vegetarian options are equally delicious. Sometimes, a vegetarian options just means a weak assortment of peppers and onions or beans, but Mexicali provides a variety of options from tofu to plantains to sweet potato. Most options are around $4-5 for meat options and as low as around $2 for veggie options. Keep in mind these aren't skimpy portions either!", "timestamp": "2010-04-13T02:22:17" }, { "business_id": "_tt4nysrN8JpzLLVXL-z5A", "business_name": "Creperie Beau Monde & L'Etage", "rating": 4, "text": "Love this place! I have never had a bad meal here. Tonight, a friend and I dined al fresco. Amanda, our server, was lovely - friendly and attentive, but not overbearing and very knowledgeable about the menu. We enjoyed the special soup of the day, a creamy artichoke with chipotle that was warm, smoky, and rich. We also had the special sweet crepe of the day which was delicious - sweet potatoes poached in coconut milk and pureed, accompanied by caramel sauce, toasted pecans, and vanilla gelato. Per usual, my savory entree crepe was generously portioned and full of fresh ham, cheddar, and broccoli. I thoroughly enjoyed their appetizer salad of house greens with a mustard vinaigrette - pleasingly tangy with a hint of bite. Beau Monde is one of my favorite places to end a spring afternoon with a good friend.", "timestamp": "2010-04-23T02:01:48" }, { "business_id": "zuNEmJXTIAMRwRY5v-oSCg", "business_name": "L'etage", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited L'Etage last night for an event. The space is cozy with fabric covered walls and dark, leather furniture. Given a large crowd, though, this performance space could get uncomfortable quite quickly. I honestly didn't find the staff to be that welcoming or friendly and the table service during the performance was distracting because it's hard to avoid walking in front of the stage. Also, $7 for gin and tonic? Really? I'll just bring a thermos next time. I'm interested to check out the story slams here, though I don't think they could even hold a candle to The Moth's productions.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:17:10" }, { "business_id": "K9cn-DrPEEXse1s1n-6mMw", "business_name": "Bridget Foy's", "rating": 3, "text": "Following a performance at L'Etage, my friends and I were famished. And, after 2 drinks on an empty stomach, I was feeling tipsy as well. South Street was mobbed on this Friday night, but we were seated immediately on B. Foy's outdoor patio which provided the perfect perch for observing a plethora of police officers canvassing the area status post the flash mob fiasco. I don't think I've seen so many brothers in blue since the Rodney King videos. Given the number of teenage twerps out and about, I was glad to have the extra security. But I digress... B. Foy's hit the spot but their food isn't exactly inspiring. I ordered a Walt Whit and the crispy chicken sandwich. I swapped the pepperjack for cheddar and got exactly what I ordered. I would have preferred a bit more avocado and less chipotle mayo as the sandwich was more spicy that I like. The bun was flaky, soft, and big enough to hold everything together. I felt the chicken was a bit overdone, but still good. The fries were average and lacked sufficient seasoning. The prices were more than reasonable, though, and three of us ate for $50, drinks included. This location is definitely a plus if you're doing the tourist thing with friends or family and need a place to please most palates. Just don't expect too much.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:26:03" }, { "business_id": "7WWLPXpOjrh_1EvjFuw3hQ", "business_name": "The Drake Tavern", "rating": 1, "text": "I really want to like this place because it's a short drive from my door, but I really just can't get behind it. First of all, I generally find the crowd to be an obnoxious mix of middle-aged folks trying to forget the work week and early twenty-somethings looking to get obliterated. The music is always too loud and seems to be piped straight from 104.5. The beer is nothing to write home about and they only get as adventurous as Magic Hat it seems. Who wouldn't, though, when most of your crowd is content with Budweiser and Coors? We're not exactly dealing with sophisticated palates. I have never found the service to be stellar and I could really do without young women prancing around in low-cut, tight t-shirts as if Hooters has come to town. And then there is the food... They do a decent job with their burgers, but it pretty much ends there. If you're going to attempt things like crab quesdillas, at least know what you're doing and use real crab meat. Most everything on the menu involves something fried. The food is bland and lacks creativity just like the rest of this place.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:34:13" }, { "business_id": "AERr7jPbAZmShrwfKzUqfA", "business_name": "Big Blue Marble Bookstore", "rating": 5, "text": "Yep, I still really love this place. As other reviews mention, you may be out of luck if you're pining after a certain book as there is no way this little shop can hold it all, but you can place an order for no extra charge and have your goods within the week. Big Blue Marble goes for quality, not quantity in my opinion and offers sophisticated, yet good reads that cater to the interests of their community. On my most recent trip, they had lots for the backyard gardener and most of the popular new releases that the big box stores have on their shelves. The book I really wanted was sold out, but I placed an order on Wednesday and had the book in my hands on Saturday. I love that they carry a good selection of Nikki McClure's cards and journals as well as items by Little Otsu. It's not as close as Barnes and Noble for me, but I still prefer to give my patronage to this Mt. Airy gem.", "timestamp": "2010-05-01T23:39:14" }, { "business_id": "fOhnSqmO4XY5vSI8whVKSA", "business_name": "Farmicia", "rating": 4, "text": "Certainly one of the best brunches I've had in a while. I had made a reservation in light of the potential craziness from the Broadstreet Run earlier in the day. A wise move, indeed. I had time to kill before my tablemate arrived and enjoyed their happy hour cocktail prices and an assortment of fresh fruit. I thought the apple centerpieces were a rather whimsical touch. I ordered the Brunch Sandwich was the perfect union of fried egg, Amish cheese, and country toast. It was accompanied by more fresh fruit and I think I nearly hit my 5 servings for the day! The eggs were cooked as I like them - not too runny, but not hard either, just enough so that you don't end up covered in yolk. The fruit was certainly fresh which is not always the case when ordering such at an establishment. Strawberries, raspberries, and grapes - all ripe and delicious. I will certainly return in the future as their menu has many tempting offerings and who can resist half price drinks on a Sunday?", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:48:38" }, { "business_id": "V7KWP_nQkpSxR3t7bEqrMw", "business_name": "Bartram's Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "If you don't know that this place exists, shame on you! This charming 18th century historic site and it's gardens offer much needed respite from the hectic pace of modern life. Just get over the discomfort of having to drive through less-than-appealing blocks of West Philadelphia. Really folks, it's not like you're going to get caught in a drive-by. The winding drive takes you off the beaten path and away from bustling city streets to what can really be described as a botanical oasis. The place was virtually deserted on this sunny Tuesday afternoon as guided tours only take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, it was nice to be left alone to explore and enjoy the rows of vegetables peeking out from the soil and the variety of flowers and trees. There are placards interspersed throughout to explain the history and heritage of the Bartram family and the grounds. If only the rest of West Philadelphia had been so well-preserved! We took one of the paths down toward the river and found ourselves tip-toeing on rocks to save a floundering fish and picking buttercups in the adjoining meadow. It's lovely to view the steely-grey of the Philadelphia skyline from this idyllic spot. I'd certainly return for a tour and will keep an eye out for their events. Conveniently, they are open everyday 10a-5p (except holidays) and admission is free, unless you plan to take a tour. Another bonus? They do their own plant and seed sale!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T00:59:28" }, { "business_id": "qQO7ErS_RAN4Vs1uX0L55Q", "business_name": "The Franklin Fountain", "rating": 4, "text": "Yep, still awesome. Their butter pecan really tastes like there is a stick of butter in the ice cream. I love their waffle cones, which are substantial, keep your ice cream off of your hands, and provide just enough satisfying crunch!", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:02:45" }, { "business_id": "RUWCx8WPhq4JwQjv_eGZ8g", "business_name": "Velvet Sky Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I love cake. It's a problem. Luckily, I don't pass by this little bakery too often. Their red velvet made my week. My only complaint? A little less icing perhaps. Sometimes my teeth veritably ache after one of these little beauties.", "timestamp": "2010-05-06T01:11:07" }, { "business_id": "a9tI3YQyIXHqt0c1AxaSbA", "business_name": "Valley Green Inn", "rating": 4, "text": "Even though this historic venue could use some sprucing up (fresh paint, etc), it's still one of my favorite places in the world and it's slightly rustic feel is all part of the charm. I know that seems like an exaggeration, but I've been going to the Valley Green Inn since my little legs could pedal a bike to get there. As a family, we always biked the trail instead of driving in. The food is still delicious, especially their yam fries. My roast turkey breast sandwich with applewood smoked bacon was one of the best lunches I'd had in a while. The bread, especially, was delicious and certainly held up against a slathering of mayo. I really detest wimpy bread. This is a place that feels upscale but is down to earth and equally wonderful whether you want brunch, lunch, or dinner. Bring the family or someone special, either way, you're sure to enjoy yourself.", "timestamp": "2010-06-04T20:06:34" }, { "business_id": "X_OnAUXVGHjyWP9zoPVLTA", "business_name": "Megabus", "rating": 3, "text": "Thus far, I've only ridden Megabus once so I am holding out on giving it more stars until I have other experiences to compare to this one. I had no problems with my trip to and from NYC. Our bus left on time and even arrived in NYC a little early. The ride was comfortable enough - the seats could have been a bit roomier and the frigid air conditioning was refreshing at first, but not so much 30 minutes into the ride. The driver and employees were courteous at both ends of the trip and I had no issues with luggage. I really had no use for the wi-fi or the outlets, so I can't comment on those, but others on the ride seemed to have no trouble accomplishing various tasks on their laptops or charging their phones enough to scream into them the entire ride. The most annoying aspect was actually due to a couple riding in front of my friend and I who refused to stop groping each other. My first choice for travel would be Amtrak, but for $12, I think I got what I expected - average service.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:06:53" }, { "business_id": "eXKblEHP3YJYU1Awz08hVw", "business_name": "Tacos Don Memo", "rating": 4, "text": "Well, I'll never eat at MexiPhilly again, that's for dang sure! My al pastor burrito more than made up for my terrible lunch date. I ended up making lunch AND dinner out of my burrito which was crammed with savory black beans, fluffy rice, avocado, lettuce, tomato and, of course, pork. I don't even really like pork! Just ask my mom about the faces I make if she makes pork chops. It's ugly. My lunch \"date\" had talked up the al pastor so much, though, that I took the plunge. A few things to know before you go: - the wait can be lengthy so you might want to bring a folding chair - it ain't as cheap as some other carts The ingredients are really fresh and there is a whole lot of effort that goes into the preparation of your order. I don't know how they got everything in my burrito, but it stayed together down to the last bite. The owner even has a bricks and mortar shop up near the 69th street terminal and will bring in specials from the restaurant on occasion.", "timestamp": "2010-07-29T00:31:15" }, { "business_id": "-b8iNhBez0hRu478nIDhyg", "business_name": "Swift Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Gastropubs are taking over the world! Or at least Northern Liberties. This was my first trip to Swift Half and the Piazza, for that matter. I've lived in the Philadelphia area just about all my life and still find it a little weird that someone thought to plunk down this Piazza thing in Northern Liberties. Does someone want to tell me where all the regular folks are going to live once we've gentrified this entire city? But I digress... I appreciate what Swift Half is aiming for - a fresh, unique, delicious menu. However, I agree with Anthony S. in that they miss the mark with their \"go big or go home\" attitude. I was pretty excited about my B.E.L.T. (bacon, egg, lettuce, and tomato) sandwich because I adore breakfast for dinner. I felt the egg was overcooked, the bacon lacked the thick texture I was expecting, and the mayo was straight up out of the Hellman's mayo jar I presume. The bread was very good, but could have used toasting to give it some oomph. I thought the fries were delicious, though. Overall, I kind of felt that their menu was all over the place: mussels, fish and chips, burgers. Too many unrelated choices in my opinion. I really enjoyed my Georgia Kiss cocktail (gin, peach schnapps, soda water, and lime) and thought that was a pretty original drink. They also have a great selection of beers which do not disappoint. I liked the atmosphere. It was a bit noisy due to all of the people out on a Friday night at 9pm, but the large open space lends itself well to coming with a group. The outdoor patio on the Piazza is also a definitive plus. I look forward to trying Swift Half again and hope they \"grow into\" their grown up menu. Just do simple food well, guys. Don't prissy it up for the No Libs hipster crowd. When I go to a pub, I want hearty food that will compliment my beer selection and leave me feeling satisfied.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:27:13" }, { "business_id": "qAjsqPKJwcWX97_EBHwfjw", "business_name": "Rosie's Yarn Cellar", "rating": 5, "text": "You know, Rosie's has really grown on me as I've delved deeper and deeper into this knitting....hobby. Well, let's call it what it really is, shall we? It's a full blown obsession for me at this point. I like that Rosie's has a nice mix of the luxe and the everyman's fiber. You've got your Swan Lake fingering, your Manos, your Cascade 220 - something for every taste and budget. Oh how I love their lush selection of Manos in all its myriad colors. I love that I can still get plenty of Rowan and Koigu here, too. Yes, the shop is still tiny, but that's part of the charm and I take my yarn home to wind rather that risk whacking someone with the swift. Rosie's is one of those neighborhood places where you have to go a few times to sort of feel like you belong. I like the staff and have never had a problem. If you're feeling neglected, speak up! If I'm new to a particular shop, I sometimes feel awkward and out of place. Knitting is such a community thing these days and shops have fiercely loyal clientele, so just give it some time if you're a newbie. Rosie's will certainly welcome you in if you leave your attitude outside.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:36:31" }, { "business_id": "LklDTDwgJLbUjd67ZKsvCg", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Square Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Who doesn't love sunshine and grass?! I love sunshine and grass and knitting or reading on a lovely afternoon. I don't love the tiny, yapping dogs or women in skimpy bikinis, or the couples who obviously need to get a room. Rittenhouse Square Park is a place where some people obviously come to see and be seen as if they're dining at the Ivy on an episode of The Hills. So...these 4 stars are really for awesome things like the free Saturday yoga classes and the Saturday farmers market where I score delicious local eats like yellow carrots, chioggia beets, brightly colored zinnias, and 3 different kinds of plums. These 4 stars are also for those early spring days where hope springs eternal after a winter of drudgery and snow. They are also for those great first date strolls, laughing with your best friends, or sneaking some solitude. For all those things, it really is a 5 star kinda place.", "timestamp": "2010-08-02T16:45:05" }, { "business_id": "EpFFiPHKx9yP-WqOCuxRCw", "business_name": "Mayfair Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I have a hard time believing this place ever got \"Best of Philly\" even if it was in 2002. But, after a long morning doing health education down the road at CFCF at the Philadelphia Prison System, you'd need a milkshake and french toast, too. The milkshake was probably the best part even if it was a little on the small side. What happened to the days when you got the silver cup on the side with the leftover shake!? My french toast was good because I was hungry and in a crappy mood, but nothing to write home about. The service was all NE Philly (\"What'll youse be havin'?), accent included. Essentially the clientele here is 65 and over and they're probably eating soup when it's 95 degrees outside. Are there any great Philly diners left?", "timestamp": "2010-08-04T00:46:55" }, { "business_id": "A7z2nV4JUlmwBbQx3ge2rw", "business_name": "Dujour", "rating": 5, "text": "Du Jour features a great lunch menu and today was no exception. In the summer, I particularly enjoy their freshly made Gazpacho soup. It can be really hard to find a great Gazpacho that isn't overly spicy, not too chunky, not too heavy on vegetables that shouldn't be in there in the first place (like carrots), and doesn't separate quickly. Unless I make it myself, the only Gazpacho I'll eat is from Du Jour. It is smooth and well blended with plenty of tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumber. It has a refreshing, crisp tang provided by the vinegar. I followed up with their low-fat tuna sandwich on multigrain bread with lettuce and tomato and a side salad. I think they make a great tuna sandwich - it's not dry and comes on hearty bread with a thick slice of tomato and crisp lettuce. It is also features a pretty substantial helping of tuna which kept me energized through 4 hours of poolside lounging later in the afternoon. The absolute best part was the kind gesture we received from the chef, Mike. A professional photographer was in the restaurant shooting photographs of various plates from the new menu. When the chef brought out a large slice of blueberry pie accompanied by a generous helping of gelato I was done for. After the photographer had finished her shots of the pie, I jokingly called to the chef to ask if I could have it. To my surprise he turned around and said \"sure!\" since it was going to go to waste anyway. He was really very kind and seemed happy to let three of us in on this delicious new menu item. Made with local blueberries, the pie was delicious and full of sweet summer flavor. The cinnamon gelato was a perfect creamy partner to the butter in the crust and the sweet-tart of the fruit. I'm pretty sure the huge slice and scoop we had were not the usual serving size, though! Once again a delicious lunch with exceptional service.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T01:56:05" }, { "business_id": "IvMEGUlmbDZVzftmRCLdDg", "business_name": "Margaret Kuo's Wayne", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't love Chinese food, but aside from Cin Cin in Chestnut Hill, Margaret Kuo's is much more palatable than other establishments I've visited. I like the portion sizes here because they are enough for one person, possibly two if you plan to share more than one dish or order appetizers. The menu tends to feature more than your average take out spot and I find the fare to be less greasy and salty. I particularly like the Chicken with Shitake Mushrooms which is not slathered in brown sauce as it might be elsewhere. It is a healthy portion of chicken, snow peas, and mushrooms that I like to mix with brown rice. I was left satisfied but not stuffed to the gills. I am always a little confused when ethnic restaurants start crossing cultural borders and am not sure why they feel the need to offer sushi as well. I've never tried their sushi offerings and cannot speak to its quality, but I feel that you should probably just stick with what you know. Beware that a lot of families tend to pack her restaurant on a weekend evening so you will most likely be contending with the shrill voices of wee ones. If you're looking for a more intimate setting, I might dine later in the evening to avoid the Sesame Street crowd.", "timestamp": "2010-08-07T02:03:11" }, { "business_id": "kK1re49IK3jmCYTL6B6_lw", "business_name": "Trolley Car Diner", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure how it took me so long to visit this place. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner and found it to be a much better experience than some other diners I've experienced as of late. They have an impressive offering of beers and you can make your own six-pack without hiking down to the Foodery and paying an arm and a leg. Their menu is extensive and they serve breakfast all day. Their portions are hearty and they make their own kettle chips. I don't have kids, but this place would satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Their milkshakes are also pretty great. You even get the extra in the metal mixing cup. There's just something about getting a huge helping of ice cream that makes my day. Keep in mind that this place can get busy and that there will probably be a munchkin or two who is in a bad mood. I find the staff to be very friendly and attentive even when they're running between multiple tables. This is also a good place for groups as their large booths can accommodate three people on each side. I think this may be my new favorite, local spot for a satisfying meal, good beer, and reasonable prices.", "timestamp": "2010-09-18T22:53:00" }, { "business_id": "U9gATBSpddPuqZdfhYOaUQ", "business_name": "Clark Park Farmers' Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoy the cultural milieu one can find at any given local farmers' market. You can walk through an epic, medieval battle of capture-the-flag in the park and find yourself face to face with all sorts of interesting folks and vegetables, too. I always find unique varietals here that add flair to even the most familiar dishes in my culinary repertoire. On my last visit, I picked up a delicious sugar baby melon - the baby cousin to the watermelon - that was filled with sweet, juicy flesh. I also love going towards the end of the market and scoring handfuls of plump, fragrant zinnias at half price from the Amish growers. The blooms are as bright as the sun and are sure to make any gal swoon. You can also find some great local, grass-fed meat, cheese, yogurt, and milk if you're not into the conventional, homogenized varieties at the grocery store. Go, if not for the good, for the atmosphere. You'll also get to avoid the ritzy crowd that frequents the Rittenhouse Market, making food shopping seem like high art for the privileged classes.", "timestamp": "2010-09-20T01:53:11" }, { "business_id": "aF7RIFJwdjv21eVYgMqJFw", "business_name": "Rosey's BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "Rosey's has moved into the location formerly inhabited by Abner's. I am sure that some people are perturbed by this but, rest assured, Rosey's did not put Abner's out of business. Considering the lack of quality restaurant food in Jenkintown and the fact that they are flanked by IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, and Chilis, I didn't expect too much from Rosey's. I was pleasantly pleased with their menu and food, though, and have been back twice since my initial visit. I really like their brisket sandwich which comes chopped on a kaiser role. I ordered the coleslaw and sauce on the side to cut down on the mess. The brisket was smoked to perfect and extremely tender. Their house-made BBQ sauce is a perfect compliment to any of their meats and isn't as tomato-based as some other establishments. The sauce has just the right amount of tang and spice. I really enjoyed their greens, which are tender and well seasoned without being overly peppery. They cook their greens with turkey which is a good substitute for the ham hocks I might use if I made my own. The owner commented that given the Jewish population in the area he felt it was better for sales to keep the greens pork free. Smart move, I think. The mashed sweet potatoes are also delicious and could almost double as dessert. Don't forget a glass of their house-made sweet tea - just enough sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth but still provide actual refreshment. My absolute favorite item on the Rosey's menu? The banana pudding. It's almost as good as my auntie's and chock full of vanilla wafers and actual banana. Rosey's isn't pretentious and is certainly closer than Smokin' Betty's and Percy Street - places that serve decidedly different styles of BBQ.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:38:10" }, { "business_id": "ZKPrXH_GNW_AtZ31tP3NmA", "business_name": "White Dog Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been coming to the White Dog since I was a wee one. I completely disagree with the review by Ed M. and wonder why he insists on frequenting the restaurant if he clearly doesn't enjoy the food. That's another story for another time, though... I enjoy the restaurant and the events that they hold. I've had two impressive meals in conjunction with community events - one a book reading with a sumptuous steak dinner; the other, a trolley car mural tour with continental breakfast and sit-down lunch. Sometimes, I will pop in and treat myself to lunch after a day of classes. The best meals I've had here have been shared with family and friends, though, and are often celebrations of something great that has just occurred. I greatly appreciate and admire how the White Dog works so diligently to provide fresh, local, seasonal, and organic ingredients on a regular basis. They even have their own bottled sparkling water! Some restaurants claim that their menus are local or organic, but it's such a small percentage of the items, that you might as well not bother mentioning it at all. I also find it admirable that WDC finds it important to connect with their customers and their community through regular events, educational opportunities, etc. I've never had a bad meal here and, for the most part, the staff provides a very enjoyable experience. I particularly like their soups and use of seasonal vegetables. I can always count on them to have vegan/vegetarian menu options which means I can come here with all of my friends. Penn students clogging the bar or not, cranky reviews by others or not, I will still consider this one of my favorite places in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T01:50:23" }, { "business_id": "2BRbu3cBbH2bCgzN3DVc8w", "business_name": "Table 31", "rating": 2, "text": "Considering Table 31's atmosphere, I was expecting to be much more impressed by the actual service, drink menu, and food. Is there some rule of the universe where the effort and expense put into the decor is inversely proportional to the quality of the food and service? I found the staff to be rigid and off-putting, as if I clearly wasn't cool enough to be drinking in their establishment. Their cocktail menu was very expensive and heavy on the martinis. An homage to Sex and the City maybe? Their bar food also seemed much too over the top and expensive - seafood, pizza, and meatballs? What about a shrimp cocktail or salad or canapes. Something other than $50 of mollusks, please! Our little party ended up getting a cheese plate which was tasty but not satisfying and didn't come with nearly enough bread. The bread that did come was accompanied by this odd looking dipping mixture that was pure oil with red sediment at the bottom. No amount of stirring seemed to get it to mix and I wasn't sure if I should try to eat it or just play with it. Overall, Table 31 just tries too hard without actually accomplishing anything. I felt uncomfortable and unsatisfied. I'd only recommend it if you wanted to swig a whiskey in a dark suit and imagine that you're Don Draper for half a minute. Then get the heck outta there and pick up a bottle of something better on your way home.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T02:01:30" }, { "business_id": "N3CuXqWoFpBtYMBGhBE2fA", "business_name": "Milk & Honey Market", "rating": 2, "text": "Is it just me or are sandwiches in Philadelphia becoming ridiculously expensive. $8 for an \"Italian Hoagie\" - I hope the meats were just off the boat from Italy! I met a friend here for lunch a while back as we both hadn't visited this new addition to the West Philadelphia community. I was disappointed with their selection of items. Given the lack of grocery stores in the area, it would be nice to have a little marketplace where one could actually accomplish a complete shopping trip. Instead, M&H provides alot of specialty and gourmet items that I wouldn't necessarily require on a weekly basis. Their produce and dairy is pretty limited. They do, of course, have quite the honey selection. I enjoy honey just as much as the next gal, but it doesn't exactly qualify as anything remotely close to a meal. My Italian hoagie wasn't as good as I had anticipated owing to the fact that the bread was pretty stiff and I had a hard time sinking my teeth into it. Perhaps this was because it had been sitting, pre-made, in the deli case for lord knows how long. The sandwich lacked filling and I think I got more arugula than anything else. The market was also out of a ridiculous number of menu items which left my friend and I with about 3 choices on a Monday afternoon. I also didn't feel that the employees were very friendly. I felt largely ignored for the most part, like I was intruding on something. What happened to \"Hi, how may I help you?\". Hopefully, as the market settles into the community, they will continue to improve, but I don't think I'll make them a frequent stop.", "timestamp": "2010-11-20T19:50:28" }, { "business_id": "9Pvwx_IfQgQL4ykmlGV6yA", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "I don't love Chinese food and P.F. Chang's occasionally reminds me why. I've been to 3 of their locations and have never had a stellar experience at any of them. I am pleased, though, that there are buildings occupying the property in Plymouth Meeting other than that pitiful structure they call a mall. We dined relatively early when the restaurant was barely full but I felt rushed by our server. He also completely glossed over any explanation of what the sauces were that they provide. I ordered the chow fun noodles with chicken and was disappointed to see that that was the extend of the meal: chow fun noodles, chicken, and scallion slices. Would the addition of some other vegetables be inappropriate? It irks me that one has to order most of their dish via the appetizer and side dish section if you want to create something well-rounded. I found the noodles to be rather lackluster in flavor and largely dominated by the long scallion stalks that I had to pick out of my bowl. The outdoor patio is a nice addition, though, for warm-weather dining. I doubt I will rush back here unless accompanied by someone delirious for their food.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:10:55" }, { "business_id": "lpDOqBhkJlxACzKQGAj_uA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm not going to lie, I really enjoy shopping at Whole Foods. Prices and hipster foodies be damned. As far as WFM's go, though, this is not my favorite location. The store feels crowded and the layout doesn't allow for fluid movement from one department to the next. I think this is because the baked goods, salad bar, and hot foods bar are smack in the middle of the store. The aisles also seem rather cramped and difficult to navigate with a cart. The staff are still friendly folks, but the other customers always seem agitated when I am there. Maybe grocery shopping in the city is just more stressful? I'll stick to the stores in the 'burbs where there is more room to maneuver.", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:14:32" }, { "business_id": "1tkXPP1K1jBIgIthy6idwQ", "business_name": "Burholme Park Golf Center", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! What has happened to this place since my childhood? I actually went here for a date recently and it's not something I would ever repeat. Unfortunately, I wouldn't repeat the date with the same guy anywhere else, but that's another story. When I was little, Burholme was THE place to have your summer birthday party, complete with mini golf, hot dogs, and ice cream. Now it just seems a rather sad shell of itself. The pro shop was dark and looked fairly disorganized as if people just dropped things and left. The snack stand was pitiful and appeared to need a thorough cleaning. There was really no menu to speak of as they apparently don't sell much unless it's summertime. The girls behind the counter were more interested in a laptop than customers and provided us with some rather tired looking bats. There were only three open batting cages and the rest were locked. The equipment seemed to need replacing and malfunctioned. It was difficult to even tell when the machines were on and I lost a few swings because I didn't know that I was still \"up\". It might be the guy, it might be Burlhome, but I probably won't be revisiting this golf center ever again. Too many painful memories ::sniff::", "timestamp": "2010-11-22T00:21:12" }, { "business_id": "SGi8AJhR8iS-LsQwcMOAVA", "business_name": "Eulogy Belgian Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "3 stars for the beer selection which just can't be beat. Unfortunately, I'm inclined to only assign 2 stars to the food. Being that this establishment is in Old City, I should have contemplated how tiny it might be. At 10pm on a Saturday night, the bar was pretty darn crowded and as hot and humid as a gym locker room with all of the bodies and winter coats jammed inside. We were able to get a table upstairs, but the close proximity of other patrons made me feel a bit claustrophobic. I was glad to get a taste of the Troeg's Mad Elf as it's a seasonal beer not easily found in this land of state stores and beer distributors. At about 10% abv, one brimming goblet was enough to thoroughly wet my whistle. One of my friends, didn't have such great luck with his selection as each beverage he chose seemed to be unavailable. Eventually, our server asked him to choose anything on the menu on the house which was definitely a sign of superb service. I was disappointed with the Belgian fries we ordered as they seemed overdone and too thickly cut. The dipping sauce didn't light my fire either. Perhaps my expectations are too high after years of consuming the potatoes from Pomme Frites in NYC? I'll be sure to give them another try at a later date and hope for a better outcome. I don't know if this place is never not packed, but I'll attempt to give it another go at a time when it might be less crowded and I can get a seat at the bar.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:49:12" }, { "business_id": "Ukkr1N8UApmJsOzbX4XnRA", "business_name": "The Green Line Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "I really want to love The Green Line, but it hasn't won me over yet. I never get a warm-fuzzy vibe from the staff. It's as if people can tell that I'm not vegetarian or vegan and that I drive a car! Furthermore, I always seem to get stuck sitting outside amidst a cluster of chain smokers. Also, the fact that they only take cash is kind of irritating in this modern era of debit/credit cards, especially when coffee can run you upwards of $5 depending on the menu item. Brownie points for the fact that they do serve fair trade coffee.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T00:54:20" }, { "business_id": "qlt0aeVnh4B3X5mUeEUtnQ", "business_name": "Regal Warrington Crossing ScreenX, 4DX, IMAX & RPX", "rating": 3, "text": "I wish I lived close enough to Center City to do most of my movie viewing at the Ritz but, alas, we suburban folks have to trek to the Regal which might as well be it's own small metropolis. I like that this venue has 22 screens which means there will most likely be at least one movie that everyone in your group can agree on. This also means that they can show very popular movies on more than one screen, thus lessening the possibility of sold out shows. I enjoy the stadium seating and relatively roomy chairs that recline just enough to be relaxing without allowing the person in front of you to end up in your lap. I usually skip the concession stand unless I really want to part with $20. Honestly, with the purse I carry, it's easy enough to smuggle in my own Junior Mints and my Klean Kanteen water bottle. The concession line is also usually infuriatingly slow because the teenage cashiers seem to find it a prime time to flirt with one another as they sling jumbo sodas and buckets of popcorn towards beleaguered parents. I know the price of movies these days is a major bone of contention with most folks, but it's not like it's a secret or anything. You can always count on dropping at least $10 per ticket (more if you're going to pre-order via Fandango or something) and another $20 for snacks. I recommend the matinees, taking advantage of the Regal card, utilizing student ID's, or just investing in Netflix if the cost is a major hardship. A major bonus is the fact that they also screen operas via simulcast from the Met. All the glory of Don Giovanni without the cost and hassle of going to NYC.", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:04:21" }, { "business_id": "vy0IlrE3Zl44HwxbsZhh2g", "business_name": "Ritz East", "rating": 4, "text": "Somehow I always get myself lost trying to find the Ritz East vs the Ritz, but I always leave pleased. This is where I come a) to see movies that don't make it to the large, mega theaters and b) to see grown up flicks that don't involve texting teenagers or whining toddlers in the audience. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance as a number of shows I have seen here have sold out rather quickly. The tickets for both the 8p and 10p shows of Black Swan on a Saturday night were gone within minutes which resulted in many boyfriends receiving rather pouty faces from their significant others! The prices are reasonable and relatively comparable to the rest of the city/suburbs. I always skip the snacks in favor of visiting a favorite, local restaurant instead. They do have better fare than your average theater, though. Who doesn't love Pocky!? While it probably sucks to get caught in this predicament, it is kind of nice that they prohibit folks from entering the theater 15 minutes after the main event has begun. There is nothing worse than being stepped upon after you've gotten all settled and into the rhythm of the story. The seats are large and I'm always comfortable even when the place is packed. The best part is that you're probably not likely to find yourself in danger of being shot while any of the Ritz theaters. I wish I could say the same for the Riverview or Bridge cinemas!", "timestamp": "2010-12-31T01:13:32" }, { "business_id": "EAtdpksdWfWAaqh3XdnNNg", "business_name": "Essene Market & Café", "rating": 3, "text": "I always enjoy a trip to the Essene market which is almost always a must if I am getting a haircut next door at JuJu Salon. I like that they carry a variety of eco-friendly containers and utensils for toting my lunch to work. I really can't say enough good things about the LunchBots products. They've got a great variety of fresh produce and an impressive bulk section for nuts, grains, and flours. Their stock of cereals, pastas, juices, and frozen items is likely to have the unique items your Veganomicon recipe is calling for. They also have items that more conventional folks enjoy as well in case you're not into spelt or teff flour. It would be fairly expensive to do your regular shopping here unless you are some sort of super-vegan or have very stringent dietary requirements. I'd recommend using them for the specialty items you may need in smaller quantities. I have mixed feelings about their prepared foods bar as it just seems utterly overpriced to me. I lunched at Essene with two friends the other day and my plate of various incarnations of tofu and seitan came to over $13.00. I had to wonder if they were actually counting the glass plate as a part of the meal! I know fresh produce has gone up a bit in price (and they do use quality ingredients), but lunch over $10 for a plate that wasn't exactly loaded with heaping helpings was a surprise. Oh, and if you'd like chopsticks - those are an extra 80 cents or so. I'd recommend just using the silverware. For free.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:17:08" }, { "business_id": "xCXGV3wEvYd4xBGx8ZRFQA", "business_name": "La Va Cafe", "rating": 1, "text": "Yikes! I don't know what happened this evening when I popped in to grab a warm beverage before my quilting class, but I experienced one of the worst lattes this evening. It was grainy. As in, full of sediment. I'm no coffee expert, but I believe sediment is not a common ingredient in a vanilla latte. I was very disappointed. If I had had more time, I would have taken it back for a re-do. I actually cleansed my palate at Starbucks later in the evening. Here's to hoping that the next visit is better.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:21:00" }, { "business_id": "ExfSwwCB1zQ6ZGd_UQ4wYQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "I kind of loathe reviews of chains, but I feel obligated to make a comment seeing as I \"checked in\" at this particular location. Darn you Yelp iPhone app! I pretty much feel \"a-ok\" about all Starbucks regardless of location. Their beverages don't send me into a transcendent state, but they do warm me up and make me feel like I'm giving myself a little treat. It's especially nice when I remember that I have money on my little key fob thing and can rack up those little stars towards nifty rewards. Who doesn't like a freebie drink on their birthday? The staff here was friendly. They made my drink correctly. That pretty much sums it up.", "timestamp": "2011-01-05T04:24:08" }, { "business_id": "gcjziNbsRYMfdcbOuCCufw", "business_name": "Rx Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Headed to Rx the other weekend with a couple of pals for a bit of Sunday brunch. I was much happier with my menu choice on this trip as the mushroom and spinach omelet was so tasty that I ran out to grab a stash of ingredients to repeat the whole thing at home the following week. The oyster mushrooms were a unique way to spice up a traditional omelet where most places would just use conventional, button 'shrooms. The spinach was tender and not the least bitter from overcooking. They used just the right amount of eggs as well - I'm guessing 3 as opposed to IHOP's whopping 6. I just wish it had come with a side of something - potatoes, fruit salad, regular salad...as my plate seemed kind of empty. I would have liked to see some new menu additions since my last review in the Fall. Maybe I missed them? Maybe I forgot what was even on the menu last time. It's possible. I do know that they still have the tofu stir fry and the corn flake-crusted french toast. Given their limited menu, I think that they could really do a lot with seasonal items and unique flavors. I still enjoy the coffee which they keep coming at regular intervals. If you're feeling high class, order a mimosa and sip into the afternoon. For the price, Rx still beats cereal and milk at home.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T03:08:30" }, { "business_id": "lOOePsuwr75TCvIhV1Am1A", "business_name": "The Daily Grind Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "It's become obvious to me that I am terrible at studying at home. I always manage to find 900 other things to do - cleaning, returning emails, obsessively checking Facebook. Today, I left the house in search of a study location. Sure, there is the local library, but they don't have food and beverages to keep my brain humming. My first thought - Barnes and Noble - was a very poor choice. Their cafe is cramped and uncomfortable and, today, featured an obnoxious, screaming child. I gave a thought to Starbucks but hate the idea of shelling out extra cash for the wi-fi, and the parking situation for the Jenkintown location is abominable. Then I remembered The Daily Grind! Close to my home, good coffee, Mighty Leaf Teas, punch card incentive, free wi-fi access, and actual food. The Daily Grind was a good choice indeed. The staff are very friendly and you don't have to know coffee lingo to get exactly what you're craving; they'll help you customize your drink. Because they are inside the Pavilion, there is no cold draft to interrupt me every time someone breezes in the door. People come and people go, but it's surprisingly quiet and I didn't have to compete with anyone for a table and an outlet. They now offer quite a menu if you've got the tummy-rumblies: brisket sandwiches that feature meat from Rosey's BBQ down the road, soups (get there early, though, because they sold out today!), salads, sandwiches (pressed or not), and personal-sized pizzas. Their drink menu features your standard coffee and tea faves + smoothies. Kudos to them for featuring food items from other local spots - Rosey's BBQ as mentioned above and bagels from Rolings Bakery in Elkins Park. I'm glad to be able to support a local business. I'll save the Starbucks run for desperate times only, like when I'm at the airport and my only other nourishment option is McDonald's.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T23:00:09" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "In case anyone had any reason to doubt the frequent buyer program - doubt no more, Thomas! Last night, I ordered two whole pies (or slabs maybe, sine they're rectangular?) and was promptly told that our household had spent $100 on pizza and we'd be receiving our $10 credit. It was a nice way to end the week. Please note, though, that the frequent buyer program only applies to the purchase of whole pies. They track your purchase history via your phone number. I still really enjoy Jules Pizza. I am never disappointed by the quality of the ingredients, the friendly service, the taste, or the clean and bright dining area. I find that dining in works for any number of situations: a casual date, lunch meeting, catching-up with friends, a post-play group snack for moms and kids, etc. The fact that you can bring your own juice boxes or beer means that just about everyone should be happy, even your kid with 12 food allergies. They even feature cute coloring pages and crayons at the register that kind of made me want to break out my 96 box of Crayola's. It may be thin crust, but Jules Pizza is satisfying and certainly provides and easy way to get in some of those 5 veggies you need every day. Their honest business practices and openness about the source of their ingredients continues to keep me coming back.", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:29:36" }, { "business_id": "q43nr6E8ib2p39sVYtPGww", "business_name": "Juju Salon & Organics", "rating": 5, "text": "I think that JuJu and I are officially in a long-term relationship now. Sure, we're comfortable, but not so comfortable that the staff slack on service or that my stylist resorts to some standard-issue cut. I still enjoy coming into the shop for the relaxing atmosphere. Janka continues to provide me with superb haircuts that leave me inwardly sighing \"ahhh, now that's better\". It's always a treat when one of the staff have their pooches in tow. What could be better than having your hair washed AND a snuggling doggie in your lap? I'd also like to highlight the fact that JuJu is always very accommodating of me when I call to reschedule or change an appointment. I had to change my last appointment twice because life got in the way, but I was never treated rudely. I also appreciate the confirmation phone calls so that I don't inadvertently forget!", "timestamp": "2011-01-08T18:44:40" }, { "business_id": "3GvaJRiDGxzJzqoPX0xUeA", "business_name": "Spool", "rating": 5, "text": "The beginning quilting class taught by Ashley Kayhart was wonderful. In just five weeks, I have learned an entirely new skill and finished my first quilt complete with hand-sewn binding. I highly recommend this class to anyone wanting to take the plunge into the world of quilt-making. Ashley is enthusiastic and has wonderful sense for color and design. She will certainly put you at ease about your project as she reminds you that you need not be perfect. I liked that the class was limited to about 8 students which meant that you could have the personal attention you might need should your sewing go awry. You are also welcome to bring your own fabrics for the class, which I thought was quite generous considering Spool is a fabric shop afterall. Some nights, I wished we had more than two hours and my only suggestion is that those purchasing their fabric from Spool might want to do so before class time to ensure that there is enough time to complete all the steps in a given night. I'm pretty darn proud of my finished product and glad to have met such wonderful people.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:30:42" }, { "business_id": "mC_m-4k9Xo1kzjSL0w7uoA", "business_name": "Alice Bakery & Confectionary", "rating": 4, "text": "This neighborhood bakery is adorable. Dennis Darr, a graduate of Chicago's French Pastry School, as some wonderful ambitions for this little shop including such delights as mousse cakes! For now, though, you will have to satisfy yourself with their homemade chocolates, cupcakes, sticky buns, and breads. Dare I say that the cupcake obsession is waning after years of New Yorkers clamoring for a taste of Magnolia's treats? It seems the cupcake phenomenon has peaked as bakeries pull out all of the stops to make the largest, most unique, most decadent handheld treats. Unfortunately, many of these mini masterpieces often fall flat in taste, texture, and experience. And, honestly, who wants to pay upwards of $3 for a cupcake!? Darr keeps it simple with traditionally-sized cakes that are flavorful and moist. The red velvet variety that I sampled was topped with a vanilla bean butter cream that complimented instead of overwhelming the cake with just enough sweetness. The chocolate cupcakes are also rich, light, and moist instead of the dry crumbly cake I'm used to. The sticky bun, even the plain one, was superb. It had a light, yeasty quality with just the right about of chewiness, It was sweet but not cloying and I recommend you order yours hot with a cup of freshly brewed Illy coffee or herbal tea. Be sure to take home some focaccia or a smoked gouda loaf for later. Can there be anything better than bread AND cheese? The sea salt rolls would be excellent as a pairing with any winter soup or stew. I look forward to seeing the new offerings that Darr comes up with in his kitchen. He runs a very friendly shop with room for you to sit and linger and certainly works to get to know his customers. ABC is definitely a superb addition to the suburban landscape. If only they also served hot chocolate, my bakery experience would be complete.", "timestamp": "2011-02-08T01:45:15" }, { "business_id": "ADe114o7Z4vb1O6HkM6YEA", "business_name": "Greek Lady", "rating": 3, "text": "The recent renovations are really lovely and the expanded seating area is a very welcome addition. The restaurant feels much cleaner and brighter. I like that the order and pick-up areas are separate to keep customers flowing. I enjoy their chicken gyro when I'm in the mood for \"fast food\". Something about the french fries inside just adds that extra, greasy, yet satisfying something. I may move on to trying other menu items at some point. I've gotten a peek at the salads ordered by other customers and they do look rather appealing. Greek Lady is also a good bet in a pinch when working a long shift at the hospital because they deliver fairly late and, chances are, the rest of the unit staff will want in on the order, too.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:49:34" }, { "business_id": "AqX_5srdyAS1tNiqC3mDvg", "business_name": "Noche", "rating": 1, "text": "Noche is perpetually crowded and noisy and lacking in seating space. I'm not really sure what the awkward swathe of floor is for between the front windows and the bar. It's like no-man's land. There are no tables and chairs and it doesn't seem to serve as a dance space either. On a weekend evening, it's veritably impossible to reach the bar without having to throw a few punches. Once you reach the bar, you're lucky if the bartender can understand you over the awful din of the sound system. The restrooms are at the very back of the establishment and difficult to reach when the crowd is really thick. If memory serves me correctly, there is also a rather random seeming pool table back there as well. I'm not sure if Noche is trying to be a bar or a restaurant, but it's difficult to order food when you have nowhere to sit. I don't enjoy the crowd either - overly pretentious, popped-collar types that fancy buying a condo on Rittenhouse Square. I'd caution against having any sort of organization event/fundraider here as they tend to continue to let hordes of people in off of the street making it very hot and tight. The available food selections are also pretty mediocre. I've had better salsa from a jar. The drink specials will end up being little more than watery Miller Light.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T02:57:46" }, { "business_id": "Xq-8-I0U8Artr7d70SjX-g", "business_name": "30th Street Station", "rating": 4, "text": "30th Street Station - how I prefer you over Penn Station in NYC! There is plenty of wide open space and seating that doesn't make me feel like I'm in an underground bunker. The lines for Amtrak trains tend to be orderly because you aren't forced to snake around the 400 other passengers milling about or sitting smack in the middle of the floor. There are plenty of options for a meal or a snack before your journey. The new Old Nelson Market serves up a good breakfast sandwich in addition to having the odd sundries that you might need on your way home via SEPTA. I like that I can get fresh fruit there instead of from Au Bon Pain which charges an arm and a leg. SEPTA still bites most days but that's not the station's fault.", "timestamp": "2011-02-14T03:01:59" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "This sushi bar is just that - a 6 to 10 seat bar with an extra table by the door to squeeze in a few extra customers. The $10.95 three roll deal cannot be beat. You can't even get sushi for that price at Whole Foods. The fish and other ingredients are fresh and comparable to many other more expensive restaurants. The rolls could use a more generous coating of rice on the outside, though. I've eaten in for lunch when it is slow and I can sip miso soup and read a book. I've also called for take-out after a long day of work and arrived to find my order ready and waiting. I also recommend their shumai and salad with ginger dressing to round out your meal. I've seen many other customers order the fancy rolls which just look a little too rich for my stomach (I prefer to keep it simple with spicy tuna), but they seem to get good reviews for their unique flavor combinations and creative presentations. The tuna dumplings mentioned by other reviewers do look pretty intriguing! The staff are very friendly and this could easily be a place where you become a \"regular\".", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:41:26" }, { "business_id": "Jc-y852Fq1_6VB5kPUjxfA", "business_name": "City Planter", "rating": 4, "text": "This shop is absolutely lovely! The staff are friendly and knowledgeable without that horticultural pretense you find at some nursery/garden shops. The staff members know plants and plant care, but they can also help you to create an artful arrangement - just pick out and plant and a pot and you are good to go. Soon you'll be populating your place with vegetation as art! I have enjoyed planting terrariums as of late to bring a bit of nature indoors and was quite inspired by the examples City Planter has throughout their shop. They have a great selection of terrarium supplies - including miniature garden rakes, trowels, and spades - and their miniature plants are well priced at about $3 a pop. They have a great selection of unique glass vessels as well whether you want a traditional, free-standing vase, something to suspend from the air, or a wall planter. I especially love that you can make your own bag of gravel and rocks which they sell by the pound. This means that you don't have to pay for or get more than you need. They also have gravel in lovely shades of blue and larger rocks that are a cool, milky white which add nicely to the overall look of my terrariums. Don't forget the preserved moss for decoration! They carry your traditional flower favorites like pansies for spring planting, but you can also find orchids and other \"delicacies\" here as well. Check out their eco-friendly offerings like plantable wall baskets made from wool, I believe.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:50:24" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 3, "text": "If I am going to have my ice cream beaten to a pulp before I eat it, I much prefer Scoop De Ville to Cold Stone Creamery. At Scoop, your ice cream is mixed via machine instead of pummeled by the staff on an icy slab that could be a breeding ground for god-knows-what. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a Plain Jane when it comes to frozen treats. I like my ice cream scooped into a cone in it's natural state, no mixing, but maybe some rainbow jimmies. I also can't fathom paying $5 or more dollars every time I've got a taste for some mint chocolate chip even if the portions are on the generous side. The menu offers so many choices for mix-ins that it's difficult to make a decision even with their suggestions printed up before you. I would avoid taking small children there at all costs as they'll never make up their little minds! The chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate, caramel, and sea salt was pretty delectable and I do recommend that for a twist on your ordinary day. If you're looking for an out-of-the-ordinary ice cream treat and a splurge, head in to Scoop, but I won't be making this shop my regular summer ice cream spot.", "timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:57:55" }, { "business_id": "d_UJWp4IlGS4sgnjE60eBw", "business_name": "Longwood Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite \"public\" gardens. And by public I do not mean free. I mean open to the public. Each spring Longwood is a spectacular showcase for blooming wisteria, tulips, anemone, foxglove, and snapdragon. The Italian fountains will mesmerize as your eyes are immediately drawn to the cool blue tiles shimmering beneath the surface. We have a dual membership in our household and it is well worth it for the 4 or more times a year that I go for seasonal exhibits, fireworks displays, and musical concerts. Wear comfortable shoes and stroll the paths as the landscape changes from manicured flower gardens to open field and meadow. Stop for an iced tea at the Terrace Cafe before heading to the conservatory to view more exotic species of flora. Read a book or enjoy a romp in the cow pasture where DuPont used to graze his dairy herd. This is a place I actually recommend for kids because of the wide open spaces and abundance of color and shape and texture to keep them interested. The garden also offers and abundance of classes for the novice or advanced horticulturalist and has a gift shop with all sorts of tempting items from seed and garden supplies, to books, to jewelry and scented soaps. I highly recommend the fireworks displays that they pair with music. Splurge and pair the evening with Longwood's delicious pre-show barbeque. It's work the ticket price! Don't forget to view the holiday light display over Christmas and the 1906 restaurant is perfect for a more formal and romantic setting if you're bringing someone special!", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:47:50" }, { "business_id": "2PWmnUV2Leb2Loj0TqxCMA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - University City", "rating": 3, "text": "Bring your ID after 4pm because they will card everything that breathes. A good deal for over-sized (22 oz) margaritas and greasy munchies like nachos, which is pretty much what you want to eat when you're through with multiple shots or frozen tequila. You're sure to run into a crowd on any weekend so count on lots of noise and a possible wait. At least their vigilant ID-checking keeps most UPenn undergrads out. Don't even try the \"i'm just here for the food\" excuse. That won't get you through the door either. Traditional Mexican this isn't, but their menu items are tasty and satisfying if not the most flavorful meals I've ever had. They also have an economical late-night menu. Let's be honest, though, you're probably there for the cocktails.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T22:54:31" }, { "business_id": "BsnP3lXh-QaOSgAw2t-omA", "business_name": "Kildare's Irish Pub - Manayunk", "rating": 1, "text": "Never...ever...again. There is nothing pleasant about this place in my opinion. It is consistently and constantly crowded with students spewed from St. Joe's, LaSalle, and other local institutions. Even on a weeknight, you'll be crammed in cheek by jowl with coeds looking for cheap beer. They tend not to have anything on tap worth drinking and it's not even worth the gas money to head over there for $2 Coors or Miller or Budweiser. The food is bland and greasy with an odd and random assortment of options constituting bar fare and half-hearted attempts at \"Irish\" favorites. The place is ridiculously loud with music over the speakers and then a band or two upstairs. Someone is bound to step on your or slosh their beer down the side of your pants. With so little seating for actual eating, the place reminds me of a cattle market. Unfortunately, places like Kildare's have forever branded Manayunk in my mind as a place I will avoid like the plague after 5pm. Even if you're dining slightly upscale, you can't escape the college kids who ruin the atmosphere for the rest of civilized folk.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:02:01" }, { "business_id": "kQCJRWvfpiW1p_4hgwD8Uw", "business_name": "Roller's Restaurant at Flying Fish", "rating": 2, "text": "I liked Roller's better when it was at the top of the Hill and Roller's Express-O is great for breakfast and ice cream. This location used to be the Flying Fish which I remember turning out superb seafood dishes throughout my childhood. It appears, though, that the furniture and decor has not changed since I was 8 giving the place an odd \"first apartment\" feel. I don't think they even use the upstairs for seating anymore. I, too, was also thrown off by the whinnie-the-pooh soap in the bathroom which made me feel like I had accidentally walked into someone else's house. I was disappointed that there is no choice in side dish and that everyone seems to get the mashed sweet potato which was a bit stringy and a ratatouille of squash of sorts. My mexican chicken, however, was quite delicious. They do have a rather creative way of pairing dishes and desserts together to give you a pretty good deal on your entire meal. Their rhubarb pie was very good. The French onion soup seemed very thin as it did not have any chunks of break beneath the cheese. I would have preferred that my waitress be able to describe the beer offerings to me as they do carry local and microbrew options. I ordered a bottle of Scarlet Lady on a whim and was glad that it wasn't terrible since no one seemed to be able to give me a description. I also think there needs to be some uniformity in attire for the waitstaff as I don't consider leggings appropriate work clothing. Apparently, it is or was shad season and the elderly folks next to us were tickled pink over the shad roe offering. I know the restaurant is small and privately owned, but it is the 21st century and it would be nice if they would accept at least Visa for payment. Considering the new eateries coming to Chestnut Hill, Roller's could take a serious hit if the more contemporary places draw business to their doors.", "timestamp": "2011-05-17T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "iqJ3t9iq0fsWaYL93s8Vmw", "business_name": "King of Prussia", "rating": 4, "text": "If I am going to go to a mall, I am going to go here. It has virtually every store I could need in one tidy location. KOP used to cater equally to the Main Line elite and suburban scrubs with Neiman Marcus and Sears at opposite poles of the complex. However, with the arrival of high-end retailers like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Versace the parking lot is filled with more Ferrari than Ford. The message that this mall aims to send is becoming clear: if you're not going to drop $3,500 on a handbag, please exit the premises, do not pass go, and take your measly $200 with you on the way out. Honestly, I am a bit surprised that we haven't seen such retailers trying to snap up space in Center City around Rittenhouse Square. Even The Court is more upscale these days despite the Macy's tethered to it. There is a clear dichotomy in the shoppers you'll see walking the wide, sunlit aisles - those who wear stretch pants with stirrups and those who do not. And, as always, you've got the handful of tourists sprinkled in for a bit of diversity. Even the piped in classical music seems to be trying to lure a certain crowd - those with distinctly refined tastes. Of course, don't worry, there is still a Taco Bell in the food court and an Old Navy for those who want more down-to-earth than designer. I know Bill M. is looking for a little something unique here, but it's a mall and malls aren't about boutique style and individual tastes. What IS unique about THIS mall, though, is that it has added luxury retailers yet is still situated only minutes from a Hooters and Red Lobster.", "timestamp": "2011-05-24T03:45:24" }, { "business_id": "oFv9-wwifD3u8FFx6fPRYA", "business_name": "Baja Room at Pico de Gallo", "rating": 4, "text": "Feeling the need to wash ourselves of a very long 12 hour nursing shift, a friend and I stumbled into this little place after deciding that the hipster/biker crowd at Bob and Barbara's was just not for us. Unfortunately, I had left my skinny scrubs at home that day. Being a Wednesday evening, the restaurant wasn't populated by too many other parties and we were seated on the back patio where we enjoyed the eclectic collection of bric-a-brac that goes for decor and numerous strands of twinkly lights. We ordered a STAT round of margaritas which were topped with fresh mint and lime wedges. They didn't seem particularly strong at the time, but my coma-like sleep later that night tells me you're in for a kick in the pants later if you consumer multiples. We ordered the cheese, bean, and guacamole nachos and sushi-grade tuna tacos to share. Both were delicious! The nachos were crisp and topped with generous helpings of beans, cheese, and guacamole so that you weren't left munching naked chips by the time you'd dug through the pile. The tuna tacos were surprisingly refreshing - quickly seared/rare tuna on light flour tortillas, topped with fresh tomato salsa. Rice, refried beans, and a grilled plantain come on the side. The atmosphere was just what we were looking for after work - laid back, where we wouldn't be pestered to eat quickly and move on. The night air was just a bit warm and you couldn't help but feel cocooned sitting on the back patio hidden by the picket fence. The place has a certain unpretentious charm and broken-in-ness that makes me want to come back again.", "timestamp": "2011-05-31T17:58:28" }, { "business_id": "lRbHFOIFuusN2WOR_ypQ_A", "business_name": "Ants Pants Café", "rating": 5, "text": "This little \"blink and you'll miss it\" cafe is quickly becoming one of my post-night shift breakfast spots. They open early, have a quiet and cozy atmosphere, and serve consistently delicious, comforting food. The staff is especially friendly and courteous. My favorites to date are their grilled cheese with tomato and bacon, their milkshakes, and their creme brulee battered french toast with maple syrup and sour cream sauce. Honestly, I was pretty wary of the sour cream sauce at first but it provides refreshing coolness to the sweet bread and maple syrup. The portions aren't skimpy either; once I've paid my check and hit the road home, I'm ready to hop into bed and start all over again later that day with another 12 hours at work sans tummy rumblies. Don't forget: they are a cash-only joint. They do have an ATM in-house, though. Oh, and don't try to bring your 10 best friends to dine here, they're small and other patrons will appreciate not having to rub elbows with your entire clan.", "timestamp": "2011-11-06T18:30:15" }, { "business_id": "y1Z9tymuBGVDZnYZoLk-2Q", "business_name": "Fork", "rating": 3, "text": "Fork is one of those restaurants that I, as a faithful Yelper, felt guilty for not having visited. I finally checked it off my list in early September! My first meal there rates a mediocre 3 stars. I really love the atmosphere - open kitchen, cozy and intimate with dim lighting and green foliage screening canoodling couples from other diners. Maybe not a place I'd take your staid in-laws considering the \"sexy vibe\" as Dave H. puts it. I was disappointed by the portion size of my mushroom risotto - one lonely ladle-ful in the midst of a sea of china. At least put it in a smaller dish so that I think I'm getting what I paid for. The flavor of the dish was pretty banal as well. Give me a can of chicken stock, some locally picked mushrooms, and I could have whipped up a better batch at home. We were seated right next to the bar which makes for some unfortunate annoyances as waitstaff bustle back and forth and the din can get quite loud from other patrons dousing themselves in house-made cocktails. The service, however, was impeccable with an attentive but not overbearing waiter. He knew the menu well and was able to describe the dishes in detail as if he had personally tasted each one. Needless to say, I'll need to reprise my meal here to get a better feel for the place.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:42:54" }, { "business_id": "uVoAlvNxz2IRvhXccU1tFw", "business_name": "Union Transfer", "rating": 5, "text": "No one told me the Spaghetti Warehouse closed! What a relief! That place was a poor excuse for \"Italian\" food. Luckily, the building has been reincarnated into my new favorite music venue. I was blown away by the Gillian Welch performance I saw in late October. Given that the floor plan is open with no assigned seating I was worried that this event would be a repeat of a show I saw at the Electric Factory where, crammed cheek by jowl, I had the misfortune of standing next to a stoner who vomited all over my shoes. The UT is extremely spacious: concert-goers can belly right up to the stage (or bar for that matter), fan out along the top-tier balconies, or relax next to the bar at high tops and tables for two. Everyone can enjoy the show from a good vantage point without another person or post in your sight line (ahem, I'm thinking of you Academy of Music!). If the show isn't all-ages you can even keep your \"adult beverage\" with you on the main floor. They also have a concession stand. I found the drink prices to be fair - I think my can of PBR was $3.75. I could also totally be making that up. The place has an industrial vibe that makes you feel like the place used to be a factory for train trestles. The acoustics are phenomenal - you're neither deafened nor guessing at the lyrics. The staff are very friendly and I actually enjoyed tipping my waitress as it meant not having to run back and forth to the bar. If you're driving, you can pre-pay online before the show and park in the lot directly behind the venue for $8 or so. Extra bonus: not having to buy tickets through Ticketmaster! Randomness: I know people with babies and small kids like music. I know they like concerts, but really...is it a good idea to bring your small child to a live show that starts at 9p, a time when they should be sleeping? Probably not. Sleepy kids are cranky as hell.", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T01:58:04" }, { "business_id": "nWHNtH3v6BPnV7MUWejOyw", "business_name": "Solebury Orchards", "rating": 5, "text": "Do yourself a favor. Skip Linvilla Orchards with it's mazes, clowns, huge gift shop and other gimmicks. I've been hooked on Solebury Orchards ever since I tried their cider doughnuts that are sold via Weavers Way Co-Op. You literally park your car, grab your bag, and walk right into the orchard or take the hay wagon for a ride for picking at the other end of the property. The whole process is neat and efficient given the crowds that can show up here on a Fall weekend. I think Solebury has become my favorite orchard for apple picking with their offerings of Empire, Pinata, Honeycrisp and more. The trees are well-maintained with lots of low-hanging fruit and scattered ladders/step-stools for the apples on higher branches. I ended up picking over 20lbs and have many jars of superb applesauce to show for it. You'd be an idiot to skip the fresh cider and doughnuts no matter what diet you're on this year. Their pear butter is also fantastic on fresh, crisp bread with Whole Foods fresh honey-roasted peanut butter. Seriously, I eat it just about every day. The orchard also offers pick-your-own flowers and pumpkins (though not in a pick-your-own patch). When you've had your fill of apple goodness, head down the road a stretch and check out the Carousel Lavender farm!", "timestamp": "2011-11-07T02:17:19" }, { "business_id": "tM-ObyoUno83kylE283iXw", "business_name": "A Taste of Britain", "rating": 4, "text": "I found this adorable little tea spot while running errands through Wayne the other day. The decor is simple and unassuming yet charming with a soothing green color covering the walls and dark wood throughout. As a child, afternoon tea was a special occasion with my mother that required a party dress and a trip downtown to the Four Seasons or Rittenhouse hotels. I was happy to discover somewhere more casual and certainly less expensive on this afternoon. My server, Rebecca, provided impeccable service and was very helpful when I was making my tea and menu selections. Their lunch offerings of soups, fritatta, salads, and sandwiches were rather appealing but I decided on the full Afternoon Tea ($18 per person). The selections were really quite generous: 1 large scone of your choice with fresh lemon curd, clotted cream, and raspberry preserves as well as other assorted mini pastries, 8 tea sandwiches of tuna, cheddar with chutney, roast beef, and sweet cheese, and one pot of tea all artfully prepared and served. I was afraid the little restaurant would be filled with the Main Line elite whose attitudes easily ruin a peaceful afternoon to one's self, but none were to be found at the surrounding tables and I was happy to be treated with such care and attention. This is a place where one can be at ease even if you don't sport diamonds and fur. They provided for parties of up to 14 in house and can also coordinate catering. They offer and assortment of British favorites from HP sauce to Cadbury Chocolate to PG Tips tea. You can even take home steak and kidney pie, meat pasties, fresh lemon curd and clotted cream. I would consider this a lovely place to bring your friends, your daughter, your mother or even your husband.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:15:08" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 3, "text": "Crowded and busy but with extremely fast service. Fast, not necessarily good. Extremely inexpensive. Not a place to sit and linger, maybe get it to go. The small bowl is a misnomer. It's really two meals in one. Are those chopsticks really sanitary? Great bowl of steaming soup - add the fresh basil and hot sauce. Yes, that meat in the steak pho really is cooked. If you're adventurous, try the tripe, fatty flank, and tendons. I'm not that adventurous.", "timestamp": "2011-12-02T21:57:09" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite a rave review in The New York Times, I still don't understand how fried chicken and doughnuts compliment one another. Sometimes, after a night shift, I will drive out of the way for the Vanilla-Lavender. That and the Indian Cinnamon are my favorite. Nothing beats a warm, soft, aromatic treat. The fancy flavors don't rate as high on my list because I'm a fan of keeping it simple and flavors like Pina Colada are usually more than my tastebuds want to handle early in the morning. The service is remarkably cheery and snappy even at 8am on a Saturday morning which is when you had better get there lest you want to miss out. Doughnuts are continually cranked in perfect form right behind the counter. It's rather mesmerizing. The coffee is good and strong but I do wish they had tea and hot chocolate as well. Perhaps someday I will try the chicken, but to tell the truth - I hate meat on bones.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:41:33" }, { "business_id": "GoYSJ-YY-YwbxdgasHuq-Q", "business_name": "Mixto", "rating": 2, "text": "Visited Mixto after an evening at the annual UPenn Mask and Wig production at their clubhouse on Quince Street. I enjoyed the red sangria which was full of fresh fruit and well chilled. Unfortunately, the black bean soup was bland and lackluster. I appreciate that it wasn't overwhelmingly spicy, but would I would have liked to be overwhelmed by some kind of flavor. The tres leches cake was too soggy. I know that this traditional Mexican dessert is made with milk, but once it hit my tongue the cake's texture felt as if it had been marinating in liquid all day. Lastly, what's with the toasted bread they bring without butter? It seems out of place and like an afterthought \"Well I guess we should serve the people bread, might as well toast it while we're at it\". The restaurant was also very drafty on that cold night and any time anyone opened the door, some kind of vacuum was created that prevented them from closing the door quickly and keeping the chilled air outside. I may visit again, but it looks like the repeat customers are just as puzzled by the underwhelming experience.", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T21:35:21" }, { "business_id": "6ewV-e7-39oqYUq3yZuIyw", "business_name": "Sabrina's Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Sabrina's on Powelton is every bit as good as the original in the Italian Market. I really love the new space - an old Victorian home which features a charming wrap-around porch with large sunny windows. The porch can be a bit chilly in winter but they'll happily flip on the heaters to keep you cozy. I consider Sabrina's a staple in list of places to frequent for post night-shift breakfast as their fare is hearty, satisfying, and affordable. Thus ensuring me a good day's rest once home. My only complaint is that their french toast is sometimes too thick, leaving the middle of the toast dry. I only recommend the stuffed french toast if bringing friends as you will be bested by it's sheer volume if you attempt it alone. I honestly don't have an issue with students from Penn and Drexel who dine here on the regular as they are hardly any more of a nuisance than the hipster crowd at Honey's or the toddler-toting young families at Sabrina's original location.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:44:01" }, { "business_id": "rAe-1HU5Z-DuUXEbzASXDA", "business_name": "Mad Mex - Willow Grove", "rating": 2, "text": "Mad Mex Willow Grove is every bit as boisterous as the University City location. Be prepared to wait on the weekends as there will most likely be a healthy crowd, especially around the bar. You can barely hear yourself think let alone listen to your tablemates over the din of the sound system. The margaritas are potent but the food is still average Americanized Tex-Mex that relies heavily on salt and spice rather than the flavors of the actual ingredients. Not a bad place for a bite before or after a movie at the Warrington Regal cinema, but not exactly a destination.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T01:50:14" }, { "business_id": "ohWH383r60AREWh-aphpSw", "business_name": "Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm pleased that Iron Hill has popped up in Chestnut Hill to provide some contrast to all of the smaller, independent shops and restaurants in the area. The block the the brewery occupies was looking especially vacant and I much prefer Iron Hill to the likes of Chili's or Houlihan's. However, it is a chain and attracts everyone from couples out for date night to young families to older couples to groups of friends. My point? The place gets crowded quickly and you're bound to wait or duke it out for one of the high top bar tables. The bar tables actually turn over fairly quickly and I've never ended up waiting more than 10-15 minutes. I have never really seen the rest of the property because we stick to the high tops as the wait has usually been about an hour on a Thursday-Saturday night. The atmosphere is lively and your boyfriend, brother, or dad will appreciate whatever game is on if they are inclined to avoid small-talk. The beer selection is good and rotates depending on the season to include standard favorites and unique flavors like the Oompa Loompa Chocolate Stout. If you can't decide, get a flight of beers to taste. The waitstaff is very friendly and attentive. They are also actually very knowledgeable about each brew and certainly equipped to help you find your favorite selection. Their food is good and the portions substantial. They serve standard \"pub fare\" from pizza and nachos to pastas, burgers, steaks, and seafood. I wouldn't say they really do anyone thing extremely well, but fish and chips will certainly help sop up all that beer you're downing. I wouldn't consider Iron Hill a destination but certainly a place to keep in the rotation for casual weekend dining when you just don't want to order in another pizza.", "timestamp": "2012-05-02T02:02:09" }, { "business_id": "4Am_sbP0WDw0Q7aaAy6XhA", "business_name": "REI", "rating": 4, "text": "You'd be hard-pressed to find a store that meets the needs of the outdoor enthusiast more than REI. The staff have always been kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. They are enthusiastic about the activities they participate in and often encouraging of a customer's interest, even those of us who are new to the worlds of hiking, biking, running, camping, etc. Shopping here offers and advantage as the company is a co-op and you will receive your dividends back in March. The amount is usually about 10% of all of your eligible purchases during the year. I like that they sell maps and guides for popular hiking trails and state parks - items that can be hard to find elsewhere. I find their prices to be fairly competitive with similar stores like EMS and Campmoor. I buy my favorite Halo snack bars here and they offer a 20% discount when you buy an entire box. I also applaud their stewardship efforts and the community building they do with educational programs, travel, and community service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T21:51:53" }, { "business_id": "gy0NuW7nzIuZNq3lLLlgzA", "business_name": "Serafina Philadelphia", "rating": 1, "text": "I could do without Serafina's bright yellow awnings on 18th Street. The restaurant feels like one of those places where you come to see and be seen - like Parc but without the help of a Stephen Starr reputation. In fact, I found myself heading over to Parc after a disappointing dinner of too-heavy Penne Vodka for a strong cocktail and dessert. You cannot be seated at an outside table unless you are ordering food which was very disappointing to learn. The menu is fairly large and the kitchen doesn't produce any excellent dish but manages to turn out a variety of mediocre Italian-ish plates. The wait staff was rather aloof and my meal felt rushed. There was a great deal of whining at the bar by neighborhood regulars who had come to complain about their life, their day, their relationships. It made for quite the melancholy atmosphere. A meal will easily run you more than $20 per person, even at lunch, especially if you order any seafood. Prices I am not willing to pay for less than stellar offerings.", "timestamp": "2012-06-18T22:09:24" }, { "business_id": "yDHINEt7By47My7x4Mb8oA", "business_name": "The Gypsy Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "I'll admit that I don't consider Conshohocken when I think about going out to dinner but I was persuaded to try this restaurant after reading a newspaper review. I love the atmosphere - a dark, warm wood bar with ceilings and walls draped with printed fabrics, all lit by the warm glow from hanging lamps and candles. I felt that the mounted plasma tv's really detracted from the ambiance, though, and made the venue feel less intimate. The menu is eclectic - pasta, seafood, meat, but I thought that their meatloaf was a stand out. The calamari was also surprisingly good - lightly fried and crispy. The lobster mac and cheese seems to be a clear crowd-pleaser, though. I thought that the service was standard - prompt and polite. No horror stories here. This is a casual, neighborhood place - good for a low-key meal on a Friday night, meeting old friends, sipping cocktails, etc. The portions were a bit too large for my taste, but you can always take the rest home! I might recommend adding another server to take some of the strain off of the two sisters that were manning the dining room when we were in on a Tuesday night - they did a great job juggling a pretty full house on a week night!", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:13:32" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Get the mussels. You may not be close to the coast, but they are delicious. Tender morsels in a deeply savory broth. Skip the frites and dip crusty bread in after the shells are gone. Or eat both. Drink a romarin (the citrus is pleasantly tart yet refreshing) while sitting outside in large, dark sunglasses. Enjoy Parc for what it is - don't whine about the prices, just enjoy daydreaming about actually dining al fresco in Paris.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:40:16" }, { "business_id": "fBOoOWHRWPXIrMvVVkZqMg", "business_name": "Cake", "rating": 4, "text": "Two things: The balsamic portobello mushroom with farro, mozzarella, and assorted vegetables was amazing. I wish I could remember the exact name of the dish! It was so good, I only ate half so that I could eat the remainder the next day. The mushrooms were bursting with tangy, balsamic flavor that mingled so nicely with the meaty texture of the portobellos. The lemon tart is the best version of a citrus dessert that I have ever had. I really hate lemon things that are overly sweet. I also hate when they are mussed up by fruit or other adornments. The citron dessert features smooth, pucker-worthy lemon custard over the thinnest of chocolate-y layers, couched in a light, crumby shell. Heaven! Dinner is only served Thursday and Friday. Make a reservation to be guaranteed a seat. Last seating is 8:30p. Go early to avoid missing out on certain menu selections. The trout was very popular the night I stopped in and was 86ed fairly fast. I thought the prices were very fair considering the restaurants use of fresh, local, organic ingredients. The menu appears to make great use of seasonal variety and I imagine we'll be seeing some creative squash dishes soon. The greenhouse setting is very charming and makes for a relaxed, yet intimate venue suitable for date night or brunch with the family.", "timestamp": "2012-09-27T00:52:21" }, { "business_id": "QWZuvqTYTMncVdhulUU73A", "business_name": "Miel Patisserie", "rating": 3, "text": "After having sampled the confections at the La Duree location in Manhattan, I developed pretty high standards for macarons. Miel Patisserie gives a whole-hearted attempt at perfecting the macaron in Philadelphia but falls just a bit short, in my opinion. I tried 4 flavors - coconut, chocolate, rosewater, and salted caramel. While their chocolate was rich and delicious, I expected more from the other flavors. The salted caramel filling had a very buttery taste and was overly salty, leaving me feeling a tad queasy. The rosewater had too much of a pronounced rose taste that made me feel as if I had licked a perfume bottle. I prefer a much more subtle rose flavor. The coconut tasted more like pineapple or pina colada to me and consisted of an eerily translucent filling rather than a cream. I was impressed with their meringues, though - a light and crisp shell with a pleasant chew to the center. I'd never be one to pass up a baked good, so I am sure I will have occasion to sample these and other flavors again before I declare La Duree my clear favorite here in America.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T22:47:52" }, { "business_id": "0RuvlgTnKFbX3IK0ZOOocA", "business_name": "Green Eggs Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Yet another breakfast option in a city of brunch fanatics. I feel like we're in an episode of Sex and the City and Philadelphia is only now getting to the table. Manhattan has made brunch a serious weekend habit for at least the last decade. Green Eggs Cafe is a serious contender in my book for best brunch. It's BYOB so you don't have to worry about over-paying for your mimosa since you Bring Your Own Bubbly. The portions are large enough that you'll be taking home the rest for dinner. If you're looking for something dainty and on your 1200 calorie diet, I advise staying home. The quinoa porridge, however, is a great option for those looking to avoid the damage incurred by eating french toast. There are vegan options as well - vegan french toast, vegan sausage, and more so don't forget to invite your friends with esoteric food preferences. I recommend sharing dishes like the creme brulee french toast or red velvet pancakes so that you can try some other things on the menu like the rosemary potatoes which are very flavorful. In this town people complain that portions are either too large or too small. I felt that $11 for a dish that feeds me twice is pretty darn reasonable. Of course, it will be crowded and the wait will be long on the weekends. You're not the only one who wanted to skip cereal and milk in their apartment this morning. Count on at least 15 minutes, but up to 30 depending on the size of your party. They were seating outside today but few people accepted an open table because they forgot to read the weather report before heading outside in the chill. Do your homework and hit the bank on the way as Green Eggs is cash only. They do have their own ATM with a fee of 99 cents for those who don't like to plan ahead. Do note that this spot is also popular with families and dog owners.", "timestamp": "2012-09-29T23:00:56" }, { "business_id": "9DfzRvTs9tzFuj5PnnLOrA", "business_name": "The Barnes Foundation", "rating": 4, "text": "What is there to say about The Barnes that hasn't already been said or argued about? The new location is lovely and makes me feel entirely at peace with the smooth stone walls and quiet reflection pools. The art collection, of course, is unparalleled and a must-see for anyone and everyone. Make multiple visits as it would be difficult and rather exhausting to thoroughly appreciate the many works in one trip. The Friday night entertainment offerings are quite worthwhile and a sophisticated way to wind up the week - sip a cocktail, enjoy some music or dance, wander the galleries. Don't forget to count yourself lucky to have the privilege to spend time in such intimate proximity to some of the world's most lovely objects.", "timestamp": "2012-11-17T01:39:14" }, { "business_id": "or_WcjWELDsssk2JruvJcg", "business_name": "Café Lutecia", "rating": 3, "text": "I have been meaning to stop in to Cafe Lutecia for years now. I've only driven by it a thousand and one times in my life. It always appeared to me to be the type of place where you could get lost in a good book. The cafe is remarkably tiny and simple. If it is made out of flour, it is probably on the menu - bagels, baguettes with ham and brie, croissant, muffins, etc. Simple as it is, I quite enjoyed my ham and brie on a baguette. I don't know how you would make something so simple any better than to serve it on good, warm crusty bread with quality meat and cheese, which is exactly what Cafe Lutecia does. They also make an astonishingly good cafe au lait. I am not a coffee snob - if it tastes good to me, I will drink it. I thought the cafe au lait that I had was a creamy bit of heaven. Way better than most places that masquerade as \"coffee shops\". Don't come here to do your work, though. This is not Starbucks and you cannot spread out as if it is your own personal library. Also, it is a neighborhood place. Children will wander in and out on the hip of a parent and will jabber to the owners and you will look like a jerk if you scowl or complain. Meet a good friend or a new friend and catch up at a tiny table as if you are in Paris. Throw your New Year's resolution out the window and eat ham and brie and a croissant or even on a croissant. Cafe Lutecia is owned by an incredibly warm and friendly couple who are an integral part of the neighborhood. It is so nice to go to a place where you can interact and engage with other patrons and not be thought to be a loon or nosey. I only wish the chairs were slightly bigger. Remember: cash only.", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T20:38:54" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to find good bubble tea, or boba, in LA. Not so much in Philadelphia. Until now. Tea Do is my go-to spot for icy cold taro bubble tea or avocado smoothies. Yes, avocado smoothies. Trust me, they taste much better than one would think. Tea Do is legit - they even have a specific machine just for the purpose of shaking up your drink. There are plenty of flavors and varieties to choose from to suit just about any palate. Get your fix with traditional tapioca pearls or try the \"popping bubbles\" which are reminiscent of Gushers. A large beverage will run you about $4 which is about the same as your daily drink at Starbucks. The best part? Picking out your favorite color straw!", "timestamp": "2013-03-23T20:38:34" }, { "business_id": "1fGaY2WlGv2l4as6UkMFrg", "business_name": "The Trestle Inn", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited the Trestle Inn for an event, so I can't directly comment on the venue except to say that the bartenders are snappy and sling well-blended drinks. The space is dimly lit, cozy, and intimate. I don't think it's the best space for large events, though, as the bar and back room are pretty narrow, making it difficult to navigate the establishment when it is filled with 100 or so people.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:35:48" }, { "business_id": "dpdMVwjAFOkwITNnS_Hu7g", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "The cupcake craze continues. As more and more shops flood the market for handheld baked goods, I am finding that I am not as easily impressed as I once was. Philly Cupcake turns out a good product that is delicious, but I don't know if they are any better or worse than any other establishment in the city. I am impressed by their flavor offerings, though, and the vegan selections. There is certainly something for everybody. This particular location also offers coffee, other pastries, and an array of made-on-premises candies. Expect to pay a little under $5 for some of their more decadent creations.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:39:51" }, { "business_id": "kz8OeP88ZYjDBWb0LePJ3A", "business_name": "Chill On the Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Chill on the Hill is a brightly lit, crisp, clean shop compared to the rainbow-hued chaos of other establishments. Unlike other local frozen yogurt places, Chill lets its customers fill their own sample cups which means not having to wait while the customer in front of you tries 6 different flavors. I appreciate that they put all toppings with nuts in a separate section to discourage cross-contamination for people with allergies. Their flavors pretty much hit the mark - no funny aftertaste or odd concoctions. They keep it simple with pretty standard fare - vanilla, chocolate, original tart, birthday cake, etc. Seating is somewhat minimal as the store is not overly large but the long bench along one wall makes good use of space to keep the shop from feeling very crowded when busy. They also have a frequent buyer program which will come in handy this summer for lots of customers. Chill seems to also aim to really interact with the community - they feature merchandise (t-shirts, etc) with their logo and will be soon hosting a mini film festival. Customer photos and other events can also be displayed on the LCD screens built in to one wall. Prices are comparable to shops like U-Swirl and Kiwi Yogurt.", "timestamp": "2013-04-14T23:49:25" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "I had heard so many wonderful things about the burger offerings here. I was so disappointed to find that, on the night I chose to dine in, they had taken their list of burgers down to one - the once famous Churchill Burger, I believe. I've had better at Five Guys. Warm bleu cheese just does not do wonders for me - I felt it gave the burger bitter, gritty taste. It couldn't even be redeemed by the fries. The atmosphere is also overwhelmingly noisy on a Friday night. The music is in constant competition with customers who get louder and louder with each beer they toss back.", "timestamp": "2013-06-09T01:36:59" }, { "business_id": "4GBQc6XbJVhfH58WjHLBvw", "business_name": "Brandywine River Museum of Art", "rating": 5, "text": "If you've already frequented other east coast art museums with large collections (think: MOMA, the Met, the Frick, the Barnes, PMA) why not give the Brandywine a try? Given that this museum is a tightly curated collected of Wyeth family favorites and other special exhibits, touring the Brandywine is like spending time on one specific subject in a larger art history class. Sunday mornings are free, so get up early, treat yourself to brunch in the area and digest that omelette while you consider Wyeth's relationship with his model, Helga. Friends? Lovers? Wyeth really captures the pastoral beauty of rural Pennsylvania and the majesty of the Maine coast. Unfortunately, his paintings are one thin thread that we have connecting us to much of our agriculture heritage in this area of the state. Children will especially love N.C. Wyeth's original illustrations for Treasure Island - they are still some of my all time favorite pieces in the world.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:38:57" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 4, "text": "I actually quite prefer the new Honey's location to the original. Perhaps it's the particular chef at this location? I'm an over-easy eggs kind of woman and Honey's never disappoints. Add on a latke and I'm set for the day. The wait was remarkably shorter at this location despite being situated among prime residential real estate. The service was lively and attentive - the host even pitched in, clearing plates and filling beverages, when the place got busy. My only complaint? Being seated near the kitchen means you can see who goes in and out quite frequently. I wouldn't mind if management encouraged their employees, including kitchen staff, to dress a little less like they just rolled out of bed and rode their fixed gear 20 miles before landing at work. Remember folks: cash only! ATM available but not for free.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:43:48" }, { "business_id": "TYZ6hF3HLulzePIworiIUw", "business_name": "U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt", "rating": 4, "text": "Despite the evening crowds, U-Swirl is one of my favorite yogurt shops. They have at least 10 flavors to choose from and do rotate \"specialty\" flavors pretty regularly. They also have more toppings than any other yogurt shop I have been, too. U-Swirl also offers a really good frequent buyer program compared to some other shops. They give you 16oz of free yogurt for every 10 you purchase. Other shops limit you to 5 oz. The staff is always very friendly and refreshes the toppings frequently. Keep an eye on those kiddos, though, little hands have made their way into various containers. Luckily, the staff are happy to replace anything that has been licked or had grubby fingers in it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T17:49:15" }, { "business_id": "WNLUBI0my0WLpmWTNUsK9w", "business_name": "Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "After 11 years of knitting, I still love Loop. I'm always impressed by the new yarns Craig and Laura bring in and I appreciate their dedication to choosing local and independent fiber artists as well as more commercially available products. They've even got their own line now that Laura hand dyes. The service and kindness of the staff is still unparalleled. If you're a Philly native or just passing through, be sure to pop into my favorite place in the city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T05:58:45" }, { "business_id": "m64OHmyD7OqAyQmoJETkfQ", "business_name": "Moon + Arrow", "rating": 4, "text": "I loved Moon and Arrow when it was a pop-up shop on 4th street and am thrilled that it has found a permanent home there. I always find unique bits and bobs here for gifts. I am especially fond of the mineral pendants and vintage linens. If you're looking for a typewriter, you can usually find one here in great working condition. There are always new finds to be had which makes shopping exciting. It's always a good trip when the owner's pup, Loretta, is hanging out in the shop - she gives free kisses!", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:04:30" }, { "business_id": "08fkgKXeLTFmE35fCydRpA", "business_name": "juju spa", "rating": 5, "text": "If you're headed to JuJu, request Jill. She is an excellent aesthetician and I always enjoy my facials with her. She is extremely gentle throughout the entire treatment which means you won't be left looking red and blotchy the next day. Jill also does a wonderful job with eyebrows, leaving a very natural and tidy look. As always, the spa is lovely - warm, private, and inviting.", "timestamp": "2013-09-04T06:11:50" }, { "business_id": "-T_lkOvaK39R-Ufg6VUyxg", "business_name": "Magpie", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so grateful to Magpie for getting Philadelphia out of the cupcake rut! Magpie treats pie baking like a craft - dreaming up delicious flavor combinations beyond the traditional. The crust is, by far, the best part of a Magpie pie - flaky and slightly crisp on the outside but tender inside. No tooth cracking crunch here! Flavors like lime custard are elevated past the likes of the traditional key lime pie by the addition of a sublime basil custard and pistachio crunch. The caramel custard takes on a deep smokey flavor with the addition of bourbon. The fruit pies are equally delicious as Magpie utilizes the freshest local fruit of the season. My go-to savory choice is the Chicken Pot Pie which is instantly comforting and chock-full of meat and veggies. Pull it out of the oven on a crisp Fall day and you'll completely forget that your mom didn't make it for you! Last, but not least, do yourself a favor and get their salted carmel latte - an instant belly warmer and perfect complement to any of Magpie's apple pies.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:31:21" }, { "business_id": "3WX24d4v-R1OK4xqrcVL7g", "business_name": "Lacquer Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "Lacquer Lounge certainly lives up to the Best of Philly 2013 hype! Beware the wait, though - make an appointment in advance as a walk-in spot seems pretty hard to come by these days. The shop has a total of six technicians, so they are definitely not a high-volume nail salon that churns out scores of manicured digits like some other city establishments. The staff is so pleasant and attentive - water, coffee, and tea are all available and complimentary. Forgot your flip flops? Those are available, too, for a nominal price. The chairs are luxe white leather with fluffy hot pink pillows - talk about a girl's dream! Each client will receive their own files and the like which you are free to take home if you choose. All other nail tools are opened in front of you and come out of sterilized packages as if you were at a physician's office. When Lacquer Lounge advertises that health and safety are paramount, they mean it! Pedicures are done using individual tubs with disposable liners. You still get the spa feel without the worry of a fungal infection or worse later. I was impressed with their extensive collection of Essie and OPI polishes. They also have more than a dozen gel colors to choose from which is many more than some salons that only feature the basics like reds and pinks. Do be aware that gel removal is $10 unless you are coming in for a repeat gel manicure. Lacquer Lounge does accept credit cards and does allow tipping on credit cards which is quite convenient. I am sure I will be back to try their other services soon! Mary is a superb manicurist and I highly recommend her if you stop by. I felt the prices were quite reasonable (and comparable to other establishments in the city) considering the level of service and the extra health precautions.", "timestamp": "2013-09-05T19:50:01" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 4, "text": "The Ziggy is my new favorite meal. This burger is full of smokey flavor and toothsome enough to satisfy even the most hardcore carnivores. The soft, wheat bun totally makes this burger for me. Get a banana whip for dessert if you have room - cool, creamy, guilt-free! No bathrooms here, though, which makes wiping off all of that special sauce a bit tough. Plan to take out as dine-in space is cramped, limited, and not made for lingering. Take that as a hint and try to avoid squeezing your baby wagon (seriously! When did strollers become actual vehicles!?) or oversized tote bag in here during the lunch rush! Even better? Call ahead for pick-up service.", "timestamp": "2013-10-19T11:27:53" }, { "business_id": "LnZvGYbqozanOSevcftnrw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg - University City", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't get enough of the Ziggy Burger, especially now that there is a University City location which means I can pick up an order after work and not have to worry about parking my car in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. If they add delivery - I'll be over the moon as it will mean a better take-out option when at work than Greek Lady. I heartily recommend the Ziggy Burger as the tempeh bacon and special sauce just really take the humble veggie burger to a whole new level of delicious. It will also keep you satisfied for hours. Splurge on some sweet potato fries as well for their slaty, tender goodness. I like the black bean cilantro dipping sauce which is a flavorful alternative to ketchup. If you're in the mood for something lighter, you can't go wrong with a green smoothie (groothie) or a banana whip. The service is ridiculously friendly and the orders are up quickly. I am always promptly greeted and the staff often provide great recommendations regarding menu items if you can't decide. If you're in a hurry, call ahead and your order is sure to be ready when you arrive. Compared to the Rittenhouse location this space is huge with seating for everyone! They still compost and recycle so after you satisfy your hunger you can satisfy your conscience as well. I enjoy this place so much that I feel they should have a frequent buyer punch card for their burgers.", "timestamp": "2013-11-17T23:38:20" }, { "business_id": "Zkvjfrl2Wx7VvfKoNahWWQ", "business_name": "Leila's Restaurant and Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Great spot for an impromptu date with your beau or bestie (yes, I said \"bestie\"). A reservation is certainly recommended for this cozy neighborhood French-inspired spot. BYOB and expect dishes like the generous (large enough that I could take the impressive bone home to my yellow lab) veal chop that is so perfectly seasoned and tender that it needs no further gilding beyond that of the tender winter vegetables and light au jus that are its accompaniments. The onion soup is quite a departure from the cheese-heavy, thin broth substitutes you'll find at lesser establishments. It is a rather hearty and creamy concoction with the cheese blended right in. Don't skip dessert - especially not the butterscotch pot de creme which is just as decadent as it sounds. It is exceptionally smooth on the tongue and has just the slightest taste of burnt caramel to keep it from being overly sweet. Make sure you pad your wallet with cash or a check as Leila's does not accept credit cards (my dinner for two including two appetizers, a seafood special, and two desserts rang in at just under $100 and well worth it, too!) As far as \"French\" dining goes, Leila's is utterly unpretentious and casual enough that you don't need to break out your LBD (Little Black Dress for those not in the know). It's one of those familiar restaurants that you can go to again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-01-08T16:45:58" }, { "business_id": "5YkucjpFYEhg4gsWU4B1hQ", "business_name": "Little Pete's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "How to sum up my late night experience at Little Pete's....? If you're stopping in after midnight, you're bound to find an eclectic crowd of party kids, club goers, wanna-be socialites, and anyone else who has been drinking since sundown. You will probably be called \"Hun\" by the waitstaff. They have an actual cigarette machine. Great vanilla milkshake but the huge, starchy steak fries leave a lot to be desired. Cash only.", "timestamp": "2014-01-09T00:06:00" }, { "business_id": "STwdgdVYWm-pBDF1JIpAVA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi & Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "It took a bit of investigation but I finally discovered where the \"real\" Vic has been hiding. His latest spot is a mere 15 minutes from me, just up Easton Road in the Willow Grove area. No more fighting for a parking space on Sansom Street or shivering in the cold while waiting for a spot at the tiny sushi bar. Vic apparently sold the Center City and Springhouse locations. The menu is virtually the same as the other \"Vic\" establishments, but this restaurant also features Thai food. I'm familiar with Vic's restaurants because of his sushi, so I didn't opt to try the Thai options. The extended menu, however, means that you could lure non-sushi lovers here as well. I really feel that, unless you go straight to Japan, you can't really find better sushi in the 'burbs. The fish is very fresh! The Tuna Dumplings are a great example of the excellent seafood that they provide - imagine little tuna purses that are so tender they virtually melt in your mouth. The 3 hand rolls for $10.95 really cannot be beat. I enjoy the Spicy Tuna, Spicy Salmon, Alaskan, and Sweet Potato rolls. The Black Dragon roll with eel was exceptional - tender, moist, and slightly sweet. The rolls are very generously packed with fish and I like how the fish and spicy sauces are mixed together. The staff is very friendly and the service is prompt. Vic himself manned the sushi bar while we were there. BYOB and you've got an affordable meal for date night, girls night out, or just because.", "timestamp": "2014-01-13T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "avlwCvHzrhU5UOvz1Y3_gQ", "business_name": "Ambler Theater", "rating": 5, "text": "I really disliked going to the movies - large crowds, groups of loitering teens, crabby/surly employees, sticky floors, unclean bathrooms - especially if it involved going to a Regal \"megaplex\". I usually prefer to pop my Netflix choice into my large-screen computer and settle down with some knitting in the comfort of my own home. However, after purchasing a membership for my movie-loving mother, The Ambler Theater has quickly brought me out of my little movie-viewing cave and back to the big screen. They tend to always show flicks that I am inclined to see and have special events throughout the year showing old flicks like Casablanca or silent films with accompanying live music. As a member (starting at about $40/year), you can't beat the sneak previews of new movies and $5 price tag for tickets. Membership also grants you $5 admission to the Hiway and County Theaters. The bonus at Ambler is that they have more than one screen giving you a greater chance that they are showing something you'll want to see. They typically run 3 films at a time - often something in the art-house/indie genre and then some more mainstream options. I like that they have little indulgences like Ritter chocolate bars at the concession stand in addition to the old standards like Junior Mints. The old-world detailing and photos of the theater's historical journey make your night out at the movies feel like a classy event. They also always supply summaries/reviews of each movie they are showing which I like to read after the show just in case I missed something (very helpful with flicks like 'Her' or 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' where you want to get another perspective). There are plenty of options for grabbing a drink and a bite before or after the show and Ambler provides that \"small town\" feel that is very much lacking in most of suburban America.", "timestamp": "2014-03-25T01:11:03" }, { "business_id": "AGlh4ZDv6jnoiYfz7At9mw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "It's easy to walk right past this little shop underneath the Philadelphia Convention Center. This unassuming space is home to some of the best soup dumplings I've had on the East coast. Meals are fast and cheap here. Somehow, though, it still seems very romantic to share a dim sum meal with your beloved in this tiny hovel, amidst the bustle and grit of Center City. No one cares who you are or how you're dressed. You can have your \"When Harry Met Sally\" moment. Visiting Dim Sum Garden is a great place to meet a few friends so that you can all order various dishes and share. My recommendations include the soup dumplings, cucumber salad, and scallion pancake. The soup dumplings are practically made to order because the restaurant has a continually operating dumpling assembly line in the kitchen. Some of the staff have very little English proficiency so don't get too technical with your menu questions - just try something!", "timestamp": "2014-05-21T22:41:37" }, { "business_id": "0rVp5KwX0knbSEgGHKug2Q", "business_name": "The Comet Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "The Blue Comet is a neighborhood institution. Everyone you know has been there at least once except you. Well, really, everyone except me. I love the \"Cheers\" everybody-knows-your-name feel of the Blue Comet. The staff is exceedingly friendly and chances are you may have played soccer with them as a kid or gone to high school together because this place is all about keeping it local. Even if you're new to the place, you will still get greeted as if you already belong. If you want to eat, I recommend heading over early. This small space can be pretty crowded by 6:30pm. If if's a Saturday or Sunday, you'll have even fewer seating options as local musical talent like the Gin Canaries take over the stage where they usually have high-tops. The drinks are strong and the drink specials, like $2 PBR's and $6 martinis and Manhattans, are a good incentive to unwind after a long work week. The food is heavy on the comfort options that will soak up all the booze you imbibe - wings, fish and chips, meatloaf, burgers. They also feature specials and a fish of the day as well. The room can get a bit loud when the live music is going and people are chattering away, so factor that in when you think about bringing out-of-town guests or older relatives. Yes, they serve french fries, but don't bring the kiddies - it's not the kind of neighborhood bar where everyone will put up with your hipster toddler.", "timestamp": "2014-05-21T22:58:35" }, { "business_id": "UUd81cZe5bpyFLwnYIZ6MA", "business_name": "Omoi Zakka Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "A great little shop to stumble upon while rambling around the city. The staff are so friendly and helpful - especially if you are trying to put together a gift for someone. You will find truly unique items here as the owner sources many of the offerings from Japan - think fabulous, adorable, brightly-colored bento boxes for toting your lunch to work; stationery staples like Blackwing Palomino pencils, washi tape, and Kaweco inks; fanciful letterpress cards and whimsical Philadelphia-themed tea towels; barware and handcrafted drink mixes; Meow Meow Tweet bath/body products....the list goes on. You're sure to enjoy browsing the artful displays and will find it difficult to leave without a little something for yourself.", "timestamp": "2014-10-25T17:55:12" }, { "business_id": "30cpm1uq6xcQCmN6JTrB8w", "business_name": "Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "Having started my relationship with lobster rolls in the actual state of Maine, there is no way I would have believed that you could get fresh, delicious lobster on 17th Street in Philadelphia. Miracles really do happen and it is possible to be pleasantly surprised in a city whose culinary scene can be hit or miss depending upon the year and the chef-dujour. Keep a keen eye out or you could easily miss this below-street-level shop. The space is very seafood-shanty-chic with minimal decor and lots of wood and corrugated metal. The menu is straightforward - I got a half lobster roll and the lobster bisque which was perfect for a quick lunch. Add chips and a drink to make it a combo. The roll! It is toasted and buttered to delicious perfection - just enough crunch and squish. I don't know what they do to the lobster, but it doesn't involve globs of mayo and it is divine. The only way I can seem to describe the taste is: clean. You get large chunks of lobster meat that are subtly dressed and piled into the roll. The bisque is rich and creamy and filled with yet more chunks of lobster meat. For the price, you are getting quite a bit of fresh, tender meat. No minced or canned crap here. Swing around the corner to The Foodery and make it a BYO experience. They offer Maine rootbeer, blueberry soda, sasparilla and bottled water (no ice machine on premises - FYI). The establishment is clean and uncluttered with plenty of seating at three tables or around the periphery on bar stools. Take out and picnic in Rittenhouse Square on a sunny day or have them deliver for free ($20 min) - see website for delivery range.", "timestamp": "2014-10-25T18:10:35" }, { "business_id": "YgyQ_o5db5gbqFxDt-a3HQ", "business_name": "Wheel Works", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't even bother going to any other car wash establishments - even if it means avoiding the line at Wheelworks on a sunny day. I've never found any other establishment that does as thorough a job in cleaning my car inside and out. They vacuum all the nooks and crannies - cup holders, door pockets, alongside the seats, and the weird little lip under the trunk door. I'm always impressed with how they thoroughly hand-dry the car so that you aren't left with water marks and streaks. The Wheelworks owner and crew are always friendly and always remember the regulars. You know that a place is a local favorite when you see $5's, $10's, and $20's in the tip box instead of just $1's. Wash prices start at $25 for your standard sedan and increase for larger vehicles. These prices are higher than your typical car wash, but the stellar service and attention to detail are worth it. Wheelworks also provides full interior and exterior detailing services. You can also purchase gift certificates for the person in your life to is fastidious about keeping a clean car.", "timestamp": "2014-10-25T18:44:25" } ]	{ "business_id": "I1pRPU_OB8-gzgKOSl9zFg", "business_name": "Society Hill Society", "rating": 4, "text": "At some point over the summer I found myself following SHS on Instagram and vowed to get there after drooling over their photos of hand-crafted cocktails and elegant \"pub\" fare. SHS did not disappoint. Having never been to its predecessor, The Artful Dodger, I had no expectations. I really liked the ambience created by the warm, dim lighting and dark wood. It was all very reminiscent of Philadelphia's 18th and 19th century roots. The bar seemed to be populated by regulars and newbies alike and appeared to be a place where you could pop in after work for a beverage and chit-chat without any of the pretension that is served up at other Philadelphia watering holes. I found the staff to be amiable, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. I quite enjoyed the restaurant's take on chicken and dumplings. The chef literally uses the entire chicken (minus the innards) in the dish in a most creative way. The chicken appears to be pressed into small, toothsome triangles and is served with little dollops of buttermilk dumpling in a most savory sauce. The doughnuts I ordered for dessert were light and crispy instead of the leaden balls of dry dough that I've encountered at other establishments. I am normally ambivalent about cocktails - I'm usually overwhelmed by the sheer amount of alcohol mixed in or underwhelmed by accompanying flavors that have been mixed in. I was blown away by \"The Gift\" at SHS. It was delectable! An elegant and delicate mix of plum, lemon, vanilla, gin, and egg white. It was so smooth with just a hint of creaminess. The flavors blended so well that I was not walloped over the head with the gin or lemon. I will probably start a Paul MacDonald fan-club. SHS is a quiet, lovely little place for a date or meeting an old friend or if your parents are in town.", "timestamp": "2015-01-11T03:23:32" }
Z5j9Xw_G0c7M2b1-iS67wg	[ { "business_id": "3JpJ3b8r5jMdAb1yPmchrQ", "business_name": "Prince's Hot Chicken Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll start by saying I LOVE fried chicken. I also LOVE hot chicken. I did not love Prince's, unfortunately . It's hot and the seasoning is ok. What really made me sad was just how over cooked my chicken was. It was so dry and parts were tough. Like eating really spicy chicken splinters. Maybe it was an off night, but I've had better hot chicken elsewhere. Although judging by how busy it was, they won't miss me.", "timestamp": "2016-05-18T23:41:10" }, { "business_id": "15c8IT8faI1-Qz4V-1lxiQ", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 4, "text": "The flavors here are pretty incredible. I had the bourbon salted pecan which was really tasty and the wildberry lavender which rocked my world. A little on the pricey side; I spent $10 on two small scoops and a bottled seltzer water, but worth trying just for some of the unique flavors on offer.", "timestamp": "2016-05-19T03:12:31" }, { "business_id": "580Yyv_kzAaZSkHCj1LhBw", "business_name": "The Perch", "rating": 4, "text": "I came in for a cafe au lait and a sweet crepe. The guy helping me suggested Nutella and strawberry. The service was fast and friendly. My coffee was perfect and the crepe was really good. The strawberries were sliced perfectly thin and the Nutella was delicious as always, all wrapped up in a warm, light crepe. I'm already planning on going back tomorrow for something a little more creative. You can't go wrong stopping in here for brunch or even a coffee and crepe midday pick me up!", "timestamp": "2016-05-20T02:20:51" }, { "business_id": "16tjKOvMw_nOgNViq2LwOQ", "business_name": "Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville West", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my friends here to introduce them to Nashville hot chicken. They are now in love and often randomly wistfully reference it when I talk to them. The chicken is really good here and really hot. I ordered \"hot\" and it made my eyes water and nose run and mouth catch fire, but I didn't let my friends see me flinch. It's so much better than the other well known hot chicken place in town. For Nashville hot chicken you can't go wrong here. My only gripe is the pimento mac and cheese which tastes worse than sin to me. I'm really not a fan but my friend seemed to like it alright. So evil side dishes aside, the chicken is worth the trip!", "timestamp": "2016-10-08T04:28:32" }, { "business_id": "1LUZupYFJ6CxSKU37qDSXw", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped for a quick lunch and were pleasantly surprised by just how good the food was. Decently priced for what we got too. I got the French dip that was pretty tasty. A good find amidst all the typical chain restaurants around.", "timestamp": "2016-11-04T18:00:42" }, { "business_id": "EagkHaaC-kUozD3MPzbRIw", "business_name": "Stanley", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite place for breakfast in New Orleans. Their Eggs Benedict po'boy is so amazing. The French bread is crusty and light, eggs cooked perfectly, and the hollandaise is so fresh and light tasting. I also can't miss out on the creole potatoes which are spicy and delicious and go so well with anything! I love this place!", "timestamp": "2016-12-06T03:23:25" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "With all the BBQ places in this city, narrowing down which one to visit is a tough call. I went here on the recommendation of a friend and I'm really glad I did! Ribs were smoked perfectly. They aren't fall off the bone ribs, so don't expect it, but they're delicious. The dry rub is pretty amazing and not something we use a lot of in the south on our BBQ, so it was great to experience real St Louis BBQ and dry rub. I also tried the burnt ends and that was BBQ worth raving about! Someone in line said it's the first to sell out so if you can get it, get it. I can see why it goes fast. Flavor was amazing. I had the baked beans which are phenomenal and the coleslaw which was very different from all coleslaw back home. This seemed to be vinegar based which was a big change for this southerner. That I wasn't crazy about, but with all the meat you get, sides aren't really the main concern here. Overall, the BBQ here is delicious and well worth the wait! Because you'll wait a while for it. I was lucky and got in under 30 minutes but when I left, the line was already wrapped around the building. If you want awesome BBQ, you'll want Pappy's Smokehouse.", "timestamp": "2017-03-27T04:00:30" }, { "business_id": "9U2w4rQlIgBQqHuTRgp7Rw", "business_name": "Mauhaus", "rating": 5, "text": "A million stars! I love their mission to rescue and adopt out adult cats. $10 gets you an hour reservation and a latte. Besides spending an hour with adorable cats, the coffee itself is also great. I had a rose latte, a daily special, and it was delicious. My favorite cat I spent my hour with was 17 pound, squishy, cuddly Homer. The manger said Homer had a day left at the kill shelter he was rescued from. Pretty sure they'll have no problem getting this boy adopted. Wish I lived in St Louis; he'd be going home with me. Visit, pet cats, drink coffee, and leave a donation. They're doing a great thing here for these cats.", "timestamp": "2017-03-30T17:55:45" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 5, "text": "The best brisket I have eaten. Ever. And I've lived in Texas where the state bird is, I believe, brisket. I went to salt and smoke twice while I was in town for work. Once, with a client at her suggestion. I was blown away by just how good it was that I came back my last night in town. I also wanted to explore the bourbon list a little which is the most extensive list I've seen. The place is phenomenal all around. The BBQ Is awesome, the sides are as well thought out and executed as the main dish, and if you like whiskey or bourbon, the alcohol list will keep you busy! Also 5 stars for ambience. Really comfortable, nice decor.", "timestamp": "2017-04-01T23:45:49" }, { "business_id": "z7em5co2qckbAXoDGXynsA", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "The staff was friendly and food was ok. I had the DLT. BLT with duck instead of bacon. The house made bread was fantastic. But the food overall was a little too greasy for me. I don't think it was the duck so much as the bread drenched in butter and then grilled. It's unfortunate because the bread was good as is and didn't need all the added grease. I didn't find a lot on the menu I personally found too appealing but I hate mayo and all the sandwiches seem to get their kick from jazzed up aioli. Overall it was just alright for me. They do have wifi though which is nice and people who seem to be regulars came in and out so the vibe is relaxed and casual. Parking is easy. Restaurant is very clean.", "timestamp": "2017-04-02T00:38:02" }, { "business_id": "nYsNsyIppe_DTueBha1x9A", "business_name": "Red Mesa Cantina", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Mexican around. I wish this place was closer to Gainesville. I had the El Gordo steak burrito with jalapeño cream sauce. That jalapeño cream sauce is amazing!! If you haven't had it, you must try it! For $11 the burrito is large enough to be two meals. The ingredients taste fresh and you don't get that gross I-just-ate-Mexican-now-need-to-lay-down blah feeling. The plantains are also delicious. They come with some sort of lime-cream dipping sauce that wasn't bad, but I'm a purist when it comes to plantains so no sauces required in order for me to enjoy them and these plantains are exceptionally well done! I ate outside and the patio area is great. Plenty of shade and the fountain in the courtyard is a really nice touch. Definitely recommend coming here when you're in downtown St Pete and hungry!", "timestamp": "2017-06-15T03:04:37" }, { "business_id": "abzbYCaernXvdmYi1u9y-w", "business_name": "La Fondita de Leo", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious food and friendly service. I had never had mofongo (mashed green plantains that come in a mound; you can get it \"filled\" with different meat if you like) and wasn't sure if I'd like it. My waiter was kind enough to have a mini mofongo made for me to try to see if I wanted to order one. It was amazing; mofongo, where have you been all my life! I had the churrasco steak and a side of mofongo for lunch. Everything tasted so fresh and was so full of flavor. The green sauce is super tasty. I had a coconut creme brulee for dessert that was ok. This is a great little spot.", "timestamp": "2017-07-14T22:33:45" }, { "business_id": "GST3wg-wej15vHeCvaXE6w", "business_name": "Acme Feed & Seed", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like this place. Had the beer belly tacos which were super tasty. Wait can be really long like everything in this town. The best part was the band though. It was a nice break from the typical country music cover bands. The music was straight up bluegrass and it was AWESOME! Wish I remembered the name of the band, but they were they absolute best I've heard while in town. This is a fun stop if you're out on Broadway.", "timestamp": "2017-07-17T02:28:21" }, { "business_id": "HI1zbZuujFH9yPBKP1GH6g", "business_name": "Cork & Cow", "rating": 5, "text": "For about eight years now, if you asked me where the best burger I ever had was, I'd say at chef John Currence's The City Grocery in Oxford, MS. But that may have just changed after eating at the Cork and Cow. Their burger is absolutely phenomenal. Ground filet and bacon make for an absolute taste bud tingling delight! Besides the new best burger I've ever eaten, everything here made for a wonderful experience. The peach salad was delicious and fresh, the burger, obviously, amazing, and the hand crafted cocktails were other worldly good. Service was attentive and friendly. I truly enjoyed everything about my dining experience here. I wish I had been hungrier to try one of their steaks because I'm sure they are amazing as well. As it was, my dinner was one of my best meals since I've been in TN. Definitely worth the trip from Nashville to eat at this gem and if you're already in Franklin, then what are you waiting for? Go! This restaurant is on the pricey side (Plan $100 per person if you're going to have a drink and salad) but well worth every penny and seems to be about the going rate for this area.", "timestamp": "2017-07-18T22:56:32" }, { "business_id": "qb28j-FNX1_6xm7u372TZA", "business_name": "Gumbo Shop", "rating": 3, "text": "Gumbo is like BBQ, there are many opinions on what makes it great or not great. I'm not a fan of okra in my gumbo, they put okra in the gumbo. It doesn't mean it isn't good, it just isn't my preferred way to eat it. That being said, it's still tasty and a lot more authentic than a lot of these restaurants slinging gumbo around here. I accidentally stopped into the wrong place (with a super similar name) and ordered gumbo which came to the table with a red base. I knew this wasn't the gumbo for me and I was right. I paid my bill, left the meal and headed over here to get a better bowl of gumbo for dinner. While it is better than most, it still is not the greatest. I also ordered the blackened chicken po'boy for dinner which was disappointing. I expected the chicken to be a little more blackened versus the grilled for the most part chicken I got. It was pretty bland and I had to add a ton of hot sauce to salvage it. Overall, I'd probably not face long lines to eat here. I personally don't think it's worth the hype.", "timestamp": "2018-01-08T02:46:39" }, { "business_id": "f4DCA9U-TigfarQSagXkLA", "business_name": "Greek City Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is good. Like really, really good. I know Tarpon Springs is the place for Greek food but you just can't beat the food here. The restaurant is super clean and the staff is really friendly. Portions are huge and the prices are amazing. For $4 you can add a Greek salad and drink to your meal. The salad is huge and could be a meal in itself. It's loaded with veggies and even comes with potato salad which I love! Living in North Florida, I hardly ever find traditional Greek salads with potato salad, so I was in heaven when I got the salad here. The food is so fresh and the chicken pita was amazingly good. You can't go wrong eating here. Absolutely delicious, fresh Greek food and affordable prices.", "timestamp": "2018-03-07T21:56:29" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "$350 for three people. The price wouldn't be all that bad except the food was really bland. My prime rib was disturbingly pale and lacked any kind of flavor. I had to ask for horseradish which seems like a travesty. It's like putting ketchup on filet. But when the food has no flavor, what else can you do? Usually I'll eat all of my steak or prime rib but I decided this just wasn't worth the calories, so you know it's serious. The salad I started with was pretty good. The $13 loaded potato I order with my prime rib, was not. Creme brûlée was decent. For the money, I expected a lot more.", "timestamp": "2018-03-21T02:48:37" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 3, "text": "The food was ok. Dinner started out strong with amazing, fresh salads and an order of garlic bread that is absolutely worth the $5. I could have made a meal of bread and salad. We also got the gnocchi to share amongst the whole table so we could all try it. The gnocchi was really good but would have been way too rich to be an entire meal in my opinion. For my entree I got the spaghetti and meatballs. This was a real disappointment. Meatballs were very dry and the sauce was just not good. The flavor was off and it tasted pre-made. Like something from a can with that slightly metallic taste. It wasn't the rustic, homemade dish I was hoping for. I asked one of my friends, who got the same thing, if it was just me or if the spaghetti just wasn't great. She agreed hers wasn't very good either. We ordered dessert. I went with the tiramisu which was just ok. This place started off strong but the main course was a real let down.", "timestamp": "2018-03-22T02:41:31" }, { "business_id": "HTqXI5S2XcSlh_ylx9sE6g", "business_name": "Termini Bros Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I've only had the cannolis here but they are awesome! They're freshly filled when ordered and the filling is phenomenal. Not too sweet, it's perfect. If you like cannoli, if you don't think you like cannoli, you should definitely get one from Termini Bros.", "timestamp": "2018-03-23T14:35:33" }, { "business_id": "oJxsRgj8Un9VAPXpaDuufA", "business_name": "Bank & Bourbon", "rating": 5, "text": "Ate breakfast here and was pleasantly surprised all around with my experience. The ambiance is clean, warm, and welcoming. The food is farm to table and healthy. I have been trying to stick to the ol' resolutions I made this New Year by eating better and eating more veggies. When I'm home, this means it's green smoothies in the morning for me. After being on the road for quite some time, I was desperate for a green smoothie and veggies. Although not on the menu, they were awesome enough to make one for me and even asked what vegetables I wanted and what I wanted to avoid. This was above and beyond and I'm just so appreciative to find a restaurant that will provide foods that are delicious, healthy, and actually good for you. In addition to the green smoothie I also ordered two eggs that were cooked perfectly and mixed fruit that was amazingly good...none of that pre sliced fruit that's been sitting in preservatives. A tasty, healthy option with a menu broad enough to accommodate those who also want meals that feel liked calorie splurges.", "timestamp": "2018-03-24T04:16:05" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I eat here because I always get caught up in the \"best ever sandwich\" hype then remember that it really isn't the best ever sandwich and I should probably really start trying other places in the terminal market. I got the roast pork with provolone, broccoli rabe, and peppers. The pork is tender but also bland. You need the toppings to jazz it up. The provolone is sharp provolone and, for me, it just had a really dirty taste to it. It's almost too strong. That combined with the broccoli rabe makes for a bitter combo. The peppers, well if you make the mistake and don't get the hot peppers and get the sweet peppers, you'll realize they are vile. Get the hot peppers or get none. Seriously, those sweet peppers are really bad. They taste like they come from a can. I'm sure they don't, but they're just not good. I eventually opted to take all the toppings off my sandwich and load it with the banana pepper rings they keep on the counter. The bread though, that's the real star. That bread is delicious. Sandwiches are huge and are enough to split or make two lunches out of. Service is fast and friendly and you're food is out to you freakishly fast. Another mention about this place is the counter seating. Eating lunch with a bunch of friendly strangers is a fun way to pass your lunch break in the city of brotherly love.", "timestamp": "2018-03-25T23:48:56" }, { "business_id": "xQE1fuwKCXJEBcJgSSCNbw", "business_name": "Urban Farmer Philadelphia", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious as always. I've eaten at Urban Farmer in Cleveland and have been a huge fan of this restaurant since. I did show up a few minutes late to dinner and we already had a cheese board on the table. I will say, I don't know if it was the people already at the table who didn't know what to do or the restaurant here does things differently, but we didn't get to pick our own cheeses. At the Urban Farmer in Cleveland, someone came to our table with a cheese cart and let us sample each cheese and gave us a short history on the cheese before we put our board together. The cheese board here was a little on the disappointing side for my personal taste, but everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy it. The steaks were all delicious and perfectly prepared. This is one of the best places you can go to get a truly amazing steak. The sides were also as tasty as we remembered from our Cleveland trip. I did opt for dessert and found mine wasn't as great as I had hoped and the choices were not extensive, but really, if you're there, you're there for the steak anyway. Between two bottles of wine, steaks, cheese boards, sides, and desserts for nine people, we were right around $900. Budget $100 per person and know it will be worth it.", "timestamp": "2018-04-25T15:53:09" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has a large drinks list and large, clean(ish) dining space going for it but that's about it. The menu is pretty limited and is limited to mainly seafood. I had the chicken and jambalaya which from the menu description sounds like chicken IN jambalaya but it's actually a roasted chicken quarter on top of jambalaya. The chicken tasted not quite cooked through although I'm sure it was done. It just wasn't great. The jambalaya portion was very small and more of a side/garnish. Dinner for two was $100 even with tip. I wouldn't recommend it or come back. We only stopped here because we were starving and it was easy enough to get in and get a table. In hindsight, we should have planned better and went elsewhere.", "timestamp": "2018-06-21T03:57:35" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't get the hype. I had the gumbo and it was ok at best. Really salty. I asked for bread to go with it and got severe attitude. Oh, my bad. Just thought you'd serve it like every restaurant in New Orleans. We also ordered the gator appetizer which was cooked really well but covered in a mayo chili sauce that was pretty unappetizing, and the oysters which I did not try so I can't say if they were good or not. Service was pretty terrible. Multiple servers came to our table but were clearing things before we'd actually finished with them. At one point they moved our phones to take our napkins away. There were plenty of empty tables and we weren't exactly taking up prime real estate during peak meal time. Our waiter cashed us out and we had to go up to the bar to buy more drinks. There was just a feeling of being pushed out by the staff that was extremely irritating. I'm assuming it was a manger standing in the back near our table who also kept looking over like he either wanted us out or was expecting us to run out on the bill. All around an underwhelming experience. The high reviews are surprising but maybe I'm missing something or went on an off day. Regardless, I wouldn't go back.", "timestamp": "2018-06-22T16:04:38" } ]	{ "business_id": "DKtAKuOjI6vUAHhW4NR5UA", "business_name": "Mulate's", "rating": 3, "text": "The jambalaya here is great! If I came back, I would just do a jambalaya entree. We decided to do a small jambalaya and the burger. The burger here is $18.99 so I was expecting it to be amazing. The meat is really greasy, fries are ok, coleslaw just looked unappealing so I didn't try it. I ended up leaving the majority of my food. At these prices you could go anywhere and get much better food. I think they bank on their location next to the convention center but the food is not worth the outrageous prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-27T18:00:44" }
Z5j9Xw_G0c7M2b1-iS67wg	[ { "business_id": "3JpJ3b8r5jMdAb1yPmchrQ", "business_name": "Prince's Hot Chicken Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll start by saying I LOVE fried chicken. I also LOVE hot chicken. I did not love Prince's, unfortunately . It's hot and the seasoning is ok. What really made me sad was just how over cooked my chicken was. It was so dry and parts were tough. Like eating really spicy chicken splinters. Maybe it was an off night, but I've had better hot chicken elsewhere. Although judging by how busy it was, they won't miss me.", "timestamp": "2016-05-18T23:41:10" }, { "business_id": "15c8IT8faI1-Qz4V-1lxiQ", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 4, "text": "The flavors here are pretty incredible. I had the bourbon salted pecan which was really tasty and the wildberry lavender which rocked my world. A little on the pricey side; I spent $10 on two small scoops and a bottled seltzer water, but worth trying just for some of the unique flavors on offer.", "timestamp": "2016-05-19T03:12:31" }, { "business_id": "580Yyv_kzAaZSkHCj1LhBw", "business_name": "The Perch", "rating": 4, "text": "I came in for a cafe au lait and a sweet crepe. The guy helping me suggested Nutella and strawberry. The service was fast and friendly. My coffee was perfect and the crepe was really good. The strawberries were sliced perfectly thin and the Nutella was delicious as always, all wrapped up in a warm, light crepe. I'm already planning on going back tomorrow for something a little more creative. You can't go wrong stopping in here for brunch or even a coffee and crepe midday pick me up!", "timestamp": "2016-05-20T02:20:51" }, { "business_id": "16tjKOvMw_nOgNViq2LwOQ", "business_name": "Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville West", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my friends here to introduce them to Nashville hot chicken. They are now in love and often randomly wistfully reference it when I talk to them. The chicken is really good here and really hot. I ordered \"hot\" and it made my eyes water and nose run and mouth catch fire, but I didn't let my friends see me flinch. It's so much better than the other well known hot chicken place in town. For Nashville hot chicken you can't go wrong here. My only gripe is the pimento mac and cheese which tastes worse than sin to me. I'm really not a fan but my friend seemed to like it alright. So evil side dishes aside, the chicken is worth the trip!", "timestamp": "2016-10-08T04:28:32" }, { "business_id": "1LUZupYFJ6CxSKU37qDSXw", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped for a quick lunch and were pleasantly surprised by just how good the food was. Decently priced for what we got too. I got the French dip that was pretty tasty. A good find amidst all the typical chain restaurants around.", "timestamp": "2016-11-04T18:00:42" }, { "business_id": "EagkHaaC-kUozD3MPzbRIw", "business_name": "Stanley", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite place for breakfast in New Orleans. Their Eggs Benedict po'boy is so amazing. The French bread is crusty and light, eggs cooked perfectly, and the hollandaise is so fresh and light tasting. I also can't miss out on the creole potatoes which are spicy and delicious and go so well with anything! I love this place!", "timestamp": "2016-12-06T03:23:25" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "With all the BBQ places in this city, narrowing down which one to visit is a tough call. I went here on the recommendation of a friend and I'm really glad I did! Ribs were smoked perfectly. They aren't fall off the bone ribs, so don't expect it, but they're delicious. The dry rub is pretty amazing and not something we use a lot of in the south on our BBQ, so it was great to experience real St Louis BBQ and dry rub. I also tried the burnt ends and that was BBQ worth raving about! Someone in line said it's the first to sell out so if you can get it, get it. I can see why it goes fast. Flavor was amazing. I had the baked beans which are phenomenal and the coleslaw which was very different from all coleslaw back home. This seemed to be vinegar based which was a big change for this southerner. That I wasn't crazy about, but with all the meat you get, sides aren't really the main concern here. Overall, the BBQ here is delicious and well worth the wait! Because you'll wait a while for it. I was lucky and got in under 30 minutes but when I left, the line was already wrapped around the building. If you want awesome BBQ, you'll want Pappy's Smokehouse.", "timestamp": "2017-03-27T04:00:30" }, { "business_id": "9U2w4rQlIgBQqHuTRgp7Rw", "business_name": "Mauhaus", "rating": 5, "text": "A million stars! I love their mission to rescue and adopt out adult cats. $10 gets you an hour reservation and a latte. Besides spending an hour with adorable cats, the coffee itself is also great. I had a rose latte, a daily special, and it was delicious. My favorite cat I spent my hour with was 17 pound, squishy, cuddly Homer. The manger said Homer had a day left at the kill shelter he was rescued from. Pretty sure they'll have no problem getting this boy adopted. Wish I lived in St Louis; he'd be going home with me. Visit, pet cats, drink coffee, and leave a donation. They're doing a great thing here for these cats.", "timestamp": "2017-03-30T17:55:45" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 5, "text": "The best brisket I have eaten. Ever. And I've lived in Texas where the state bird is, I believe, brisket. I went to salt and smoke twice while I was in town for work. Once, with a client at her suggestion. I was blown away by just how good it was that I came back my last night in town. I also wanted to explore the bourbon list a little which is the most extensive list I've seen. The place is phenomenal all around. The BBQ Is awesome, the sides are as well thought out and executed as the main dish, and if you like whiskey or bourbon, the alcohol list will keep you busy! Also 5 stars for ambience. Really comfortable, nice decor.", "timestamp": "2017-04-01T23:45:49" }, { "business_id": "z7em5co2qckbAXoDGXynsA", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "The staff was friendly and food was ok. I had the DLT. BLT with duck instead of bacon. The house made bread was fantastic. But the food overall was a little too greasy for me. I don't think it was the duck so much as the bread drenched in butter and then grilled. It's unfortunate because the bread was good as is and didn't need all the added grease. I didn't find a lot on the menu I personally found too appealing but I hate mayo and all the sandwiches seem to get their kick from jazzed up aioli. Overall it was just alright for me. They do have wifi though which is nice and people who seem to be regulars came in and out so the vibe is relaxed and casual. Parking is easy. Restaurant is very clean.", "timestamp": "2017-04-02T00:38:02" }, { "business_id": "nYsNsyIppe_DTueBha1x9A", "business_name": "Red Mesa Cantina", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Mexican around. I wish this place was closer to Gainesville. I had the El Gordo steak burrito with jalapeño cream sauce. That jalapeño cream sauce is amazing!! If you haven't had it, you must try it! For $11 the burrito is large enough to be two meals. The ingredients taste fresh and you don't get that gross I-just-ate-Mexican-now-need-to-lay-down blah feeling. The plantains are also delicious. They come with some sort of lime-cream dipping sauce that wasn't bad, but I'm a purist when it comes to plantains so no sauces required in order for me to enjoy them and these plantains are exceptionally well done! I ate outside and the patio area is great. Plenty of shade and the fountain in the courtyard is a really nice touch. Definitely recommend coming here when you're in downtown St Pete and hungry!", "timestamp": "2017-06-15T03:04:37" }, { "business_id": "abzbYCaernXvdmYi1u9y-w", "business_name": "La Fondita de Leo", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious food and friendly service. I had never had mofongo (mashed green plantains that come in a mound; you can get it \"filled\" with different meat if you like) and wasn't sure if I'd like it. My waiter was kind enough to have a mini mofongo made for me to try to see if I wanted to order one. It was amazing; mofongo, where have you been all my life! I had the churrasco steak and a side of mofongo for lunch. Everything tasted so fresh and was so full of flavor. The green sauce is super tasty. I had a coconut creme brulee for dessert that was ok. This is a great little spot.", "timestamp": "2017-07-14T22:33:45" }, { "business_id": "GST3wg-wej15vHeCvaXE6w", "business_name": "Acme Feed & Seed", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like this place. Had the beer belly tacos which were super tasty. Wait can be really long like everything in this town. The best part was the band though. It was a nice break from the typical country music cover bands. The music was straight up bluegrass and it was AWESOME! Wish I remembered the name of the band, but they were they absolute best I've heard while in town. This is a fun stop if you're out on Broadway.", "timestamp": "2017-07-17T02:28:21" }, { "business_id": "HI1zbZuujFH9yPBKP1GH6g", "business_name": "Cork & Cow", "rating": 5, "text": "For about eight years now, if you asked me where the best burger I ever had was, I'd say at chef John Currence's The City Grocery in Oxford, MS. But that may have just changed after eating at the Cork and Cow. Their burger is absolutely phenomenal. Ground filet and bacon make for an absolute taste bud tingling delight! Besides the new best burger I've ever eaten, everything here made for a wonderful experience. The peach salad was delicious and fresh, the burger, obviously, amazing, and the hand crafted cocktails were other worldly good. Service was attentive and friendly. I truly enjoyed everything about my dining experience here. I wish I had been hungrier to try one of their steaks because I'm sure they are amazing as well. As it was, my dinner was one of my best meals since I've been in TN. Definitely worth the trip from Nashville to eat at this gem and if you're already in Franklin, then what are you waiting for? Go! This restaurant is on the pricey side (Plan $100 per person if you're going to have a drink and salad) but well worth every penny and seems to be about the going rate for this area.", "timestamp": "2017-07-18T22:56:32" }, { "business_id": "qb28j-FNX1_6xm7u372TZA", "business_name": "Gumbo Shop", "rating": 3, "text": "Gumbo is like BBQ, there are many opinions on what makes it great or not great. I'm not a fan of okra in my gumbo, they put okra in the gumbo. It doesn't mean it isn't good, it just isn't my preferred way to eat it. That being said, it's still tasty and a lot more authentic than a lot of these restaurants slinging gumbo around here. I accidentally stopped into the wrong place (with a super similar name) and ordered gumbo which came to the table with a red base. I knew this wasn't the gumbo for me and I was right. I paid my bill, left the meal and headed over here to get a better bowl of gumbo for dinner. While it is better than most, it still is not the greatest. I also ordered the blackened chicken po'boy for dinner which was disappointing. I expected the chicken to be a little more blackened versus the grilled for the most part chicken I got. It was pretty bland and I had to add a ton of hot sauce to salvage it. Overall, I'd probably not face long lines to eat here. I personally don't think it's worth the hype.", "timestamp": "2018-01-08T02:46:39" }, { "business_id": "f4DCA9U-TigfarQSagXkLA", "business_name": "Greek City Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is good. Like really, really good. I know Tarpon Springs is the place for Greek food but you just can't beat the food here. The restaurant is super clean and the staff is really friendly. Portions are huge and the prices are amazing. For $4 you can add a Greek salad and drink to your meal. The salad is huge and could be a meal in itself. It's loaded with veggies and even comes with potato salad which I love! Living in North Florida, I hardly ever find traditional Greek salads with potato salad, so I was in heaven when I got the salad here. The food is so fresh and the chicken pita was amazingly good. You can't go wrong eating here. Absolutely delicious, fresh Greek food and affordable prices.", "timestamp": "2018-03-07T21:56:29" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "$350 for three people. The price wouldn't be all that bad except the food was really bland. My prime rib was disturbingly pale and lacked any kind of flavor. I had to ask for horseradish which seems like a travesty. It's like putting ketchup on filet. But when the food has no flavor, what else can you do? Usually I'll eat all of my steak or prime rib but I decided this just wasn't worth the calories, so you know it's serious. The salad I started with was pretty good. The $13 loaded potato I order with my prime rib, was not. Creme brûlée was decent. For the money, I expected a lot more.", "timestamp": "2018-03-21T02:48:37" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 3, "text": "The food was ok. Dinner started out strong with amazing, fresh salads and an order of garlic bread that is absolutely worth the $5. I could have made a meal of bread and salad. We also got the gnocchi to share amongst the whole table so we could all try it. The gnocchi was really good but would have been way too rich to be an entire meal in my opinion. For my entree I got the spaghetti and meatballs. This was a real disappointment. Meatballs were very dry and the sauce was just not good. The flavor was off and it tasted pre-made. Like something from a can with that slightly metallic taste. It wasn't the rustic, homemade dish I was hoping for. I asked one of my friends, who got the same thing, if it was just me or if the spaghetti just wasn't great. She agreed hers wasn't very good either. We ordered dessert. I went with the tiramisu which was just ok. This place started off strong but the main course was a real let down.", "timestamp": "2018-03-22T02:41:31" }, { "business_id": "HTqXI5S2XcSlh_ylx9sE6g", "business_name": "Termini Bros Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I've only had the cannolis here but they are awesome! They're freshly filled when ordered and the filling is phenomenal. Not too sweet, it's perfect. If you like cannoli, if you don't think you like cannoli, you should definitely get one from Termini Bros.", "timestamp": "2018-03-23T14:35:33" }, { "business_id": "oJxsRgj8Un9VAPXpaDuufA", "business_name": "Bank & Bourbon", "rating": 5, "text": "Ate breakfast here and was pleasantly surprised all around with my experience. The ambiance is clean, warm, and welcoming. The food is farm to table and healthy. I have been trying to stick to the ol' resolutions I made this New Year by eating better and eating more veggies. When I'm home, this means it's green smoothies in the morning for me. After being on the road for quite some time, I was desperate for a green smoothie and veggies. Although not on the menu, they were awesome enough to make one for me and even asked what vegetables I wanted and what I wanted to avoid. This was above and beyond and I'm just so appreciative to find a restaurant that will provide foods that are delicious, healthy, and actually good for you. In addition to the green smoothie I also ordered two eggs that were cooked perfectly and mixed fruit that was amazingly good...none of that pre sliced fruit that's been sitting in preservatives. A tasty, healthy option with a menu broad enough to accommodate those who also want meals that feel liked calorie splurges.", "timestamp": "2018-03-24T04:16:05" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I eat here because I always get caught up in the \"best ever sandwich\" hype then remember that it really isn't the best ever sandwich and I should probably really start trying other places in the terminal market. I got the roast pork with provolone, broccoli rabe, and peppers. The pork is tender but also bland. You need the toppings to jazz it up. The provolone is sharp provolone and, for me, it just had a really dirty taste to it. It's almost too strong. That combined with the broccoli rabe makes for a bitter combo. The peppers, well if you make the mistake and don't get the hot peppers and get the sweet peppers, you'll realize they are vile. Get the hot peppers or get none. Seriously, those sweet peppers are really bad. They taste like they come from a can. I'm sure they don't, but they're just not good. I eventually opted to take all the toppings off my sandwich and load it with the banana pepper rings they keep on the counter. The bread though, that's the real star. That bread is delicious. Sandwiches are huge and are enough to split or make two lunches out of. Service is fast and friendly and you're food is out to you freakishly fast. Another mention about this place is the counter seating. Eating lunch with a bunch of friendly strangers is a fun way to pass your lunch break in the city of brotherly love.", "timestamp": "2018-03-25T23:48:56" }, { "business_id": "xQE1fuwKCXJEBcJgSSCNbw", "business_name": "Urban Farmer Philadelphia", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious as always. I've eaten at Urban Farmer in Cleveland and have been a huge fan of this restaurant since. I did show up a few minutes late to dinner and we already had a cheese board on the table. I will say, I don't know if it was the people already at the table who didn't know what to do or the restaurant here does things differently, but we didn't get to pick our own cheeses. At the Urban Farmer in Cleveland, someone came to our table with a cheese cart and let us sample each cheese and gave us a short history on the cheese before we put our board together. The cheese board here was a little on the disappointing side for my personal taste, but everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy it. The steaks were all delicious and perfectly prepared. This is one of the best places you can go to get a truly amazing steak. The sides were also as tasty as we remembered from our Cleveland trip. I did opt for dessert and found mine wasn't as great as I had hoped and the choices were not extensive, but really, if you're there, you're there for the steak anyway. Between two bottles of wine, steaks, cheese boards, sides, and desserts for nine people, we were right around $900. Budget $100 per person and know it will be worth it.", "timestamp": "2018-04-25T15:53:09" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has a large drinks list and large, clean(ish) dining space going for it but that's about it. The menu is pretty limited and is limited to mainly seafood. I had the chicken and jambalaya which from the menu description sounds like chicken IN jambalaya but it's actually a roasted chicken quarter on top of jambalaya. The chicken tasted not quite cooked through although I'm sure it was done. It just wasn't great. The jambalaya portion was very small and more of a side/garnish. Dinner for two was $100 even with tip. I wouldn't recommend it or come back. We only stopped here because we were starving and it was easy enough to get in and get a table. In hindsight, we should have planned better and went elsewhere.", "timestamp": "2018-06-21T03:57:35" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't get the hype. I had the gumbo and it was ok at best. Really salty. I asked for bread to go with it and got severe attitude. Oh, my bad. Just thought you'd serve it like every restaurant in New Orleans. We also ordered the gator appetizer which was cooked really well but covered in a mayo chili sauce that was pretty unappetizing, and the oysters which I did not try so I can't say if they were good or not. Service was pretty terrible. Multiple servers came to our table but were clearing things before we'd actually finished with them. At one point they moved our phones to take our napkins away. There were plenty of empty tables and we weren't exactly taking up prime real estate during peak meal time. Our waiter cashed us out and we had to go up to the bar to buy more drinks. There was just a feeling of being pushed out by the staff that was extremely irritating. I'm assuming it was a manger standing in the back near our table who also kept looking over like he either wanted us out or was expecting us to run out on the bill. All around an underwhelming experience. The high reviews are surprising but maybe I'm missing something or went on an off day. Regardless, I wouldn't go back.", "timestamp": "2018-06-22T16:04:38" }, { "business_id": "DKtAKuOjI6vUAHhW4NR5UA", "business_name": "Mulate's", "rating": 3, "text": "The jambalaya here is great! If I came back, I would just do a jambalaya entree. We decided to do a small jambalaya and the burger. The burger here is $18.99 so I was expecting it to be amazing. The meat is really greasy, fries are ok, coleslaw just looked unappealing so I didn't try it. I ended up leaving the majority of my food. At these prices you could go anywhere and get much better food. I think they bank on their location next to the convention center but the food is not worth the outrageous prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-27T18:00:44" } ]	{ "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this place a lot better than Cochon. Sandwiches are creative but don't contain tons of crazy ingredients. Food is fresh. I had the turkey with sprouts and avocado and it was just what I needed after a week of heavy New Orleans eating. The turkey was smoked perfectly and the sprouts and avocado were so fresh. The bread tasted nutty, fresh, and healthy. We ate at the bar which has a cool eclectic vibe. I ordered a few bloody Mary's which were a little on the watery side but all in all, this is a solid place if you're looking for a higher end, lighter, sandwich option.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T03:25:20" }
Z5j9Xw_G0c7M2b1-iS67wg	[ { "business_id": "3JpJ3b8r5jMdAb1yPmchrQ", "business_name": "Prince's Hot Chicken Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll start by saying I LOVE fried chicken. I also LOVE hot chicken. I did not love Prince's, unfortunately . It's hot and the seasoning is ok. What really made me sad was just how over cooked my chicken was. It was so dry and parts were tough. Like eating really spicy chicken splinters. Maybe it was an off night, but I've had better hot chicken elsewhere. Although judging by how busy it was, they won't miss me.", "timestamp": "2016-05-18T23:41:10" }, { "business_id": "15c8IT8faI1-Qz4V-1lxiQ", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 4, "text": "The flavors here are pretty incredible. I had the bourbon salted pecan which was really tasty and the wildberry lavender which rocked my world. A little on the pricey side; I spent $10 on two small scoops and a bottled seltzer water, but worth trying just for some of the unique flavors on offer.", "timestamp": "2016-05-19T03:12:31" }, { "business_id": "580Yyv_kzAaZSkHCj1LhBw", "business_name": "The Perch", "rating": 4, "text": "I came in for a cafe au lait and a sweet crepe. The guy helping me suggested Nutella and strawberry. The service was fast and friendly. My coffee was perfect and the crepe was really good. The strawberries were sliced perfectly thin and the Nutella was delicious as always, all wrapped up in a warm, light crepe. I'm already planning on going back tomorrow for something a little more creative. You can't go wrong stopping in here for brunch or even a coffee and crepe midday pick me up!", "timestamp": "2016-05-20T02:20:51" }, { "business_id": "16tjKOvMw_nOgNViq2LwOQ", "business_name": "Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville West", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my friends here to introduce them to Nashville hot chicken. They are now in love and often randomly wistfully reference it when I talk to them. The chicken is really good here and really hot. I ordered \"hot\" and it made my eyes water and nose run and mouth catch fire, but I didn't let my friends see me flinch. It's so much better than the other well known hot chicken place in town. For Nashville hot chicken you can't go wrong here. My only gripe is the pimento mac and cheese which tastes worse than sin to me. I'm really not a fan but my friend seemed to like it alright. So evil side dishes aside, the chicken is worth the trip!", "timestamp": "2016-10-08T04:28:32" }, { "business_id": "1LUZupYFJ6CxSKU37qDSXw", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped for a quick lunch and were pleasantly surprised by just how good the food was. Decently priced for what we got too. I got the French dip that was pretty tasty. A good find amidst all the typical chain restaurants around.", "timestamp": "2016-11-04T18:00:42" }, { "business_id": "EagkHaaC-kUozD3MPzbRIw", "business_name": "Stanley", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite place for breakfast in New Orleans. Their Eggs Benedict po'boy is so amazing. The French bread is crusty and light, eggs cooked perfectly, and the hollandaise is so fresh and light tasting. I also can't miss out on the creole potatoes which are spicy and delicious and go so well with anything! I love this place!", "timestamp": "2016-12-06T03:23:25" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "With all the BBQ places in this city, narrowing down which one to visit is a tough call. I went here on the recommendation of a friend and I'm really glad I did! Ribs were smoked perfectly. They aren't fall off the bone ribs, so don't expect it, but they're delicious. The dry rub is pretty amazing and not something we use a lot of in the south on our BBQ, so it was great to experience real St Louis BBQ and dry rub. I also tried the burnt ends and that was BBQ worth raving about! Someone in line said it's the first to sell out so if you can get it, get it. I can see why it goes fast. Flavor was amazing. I had the baked beans which are phenomenal and the coleslaw which was very different from all coleslaw back home. This seemed to be vinegar based which was a big change for this southerner. That I wasn't crazy about, but with all the meat you get, sides aren't really the main concern here. Overall, the BBQ here is delicious and well worth the wait! Because you'll wait a while for it. I was lucky and got in under 30 minutes but when I left, the line was already wrapped around the building. If you want awesome BBQ, you'll want Pappy's Smokehouse.", "timestamp": "2017-03-27T04:00:30" }, { "business_id": "9U2w4rQlIgBQqHuTRgp7Rw", "business_name": "Mauhaus", "rating": 5, "text": "A million stars! I love their mission to rescue and adopt out adult cats. $10 gets you an hour reservation and a latte. Besides spending an hour with adorable cats, the coffee itself is also great. I had a rose latte, a daily special, and it was delicious. My favorite cat I spent my hour with was 17 pound, squishy, cuddly Homer. The manger said Homer had a day left at the kill shelter he was rescued from. Pretty sure they'll have no problem getting this boy adopted. Wish I lived in St Louis; he'd be going home with me. Visit, pet cats, drink coffee, and leave a donation. They're doing a great thing here for these cats.", "timestamp": "2017-03-30T17:55:45" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 5, "text": "The best brisket I have eaten. Ever. And I've lived in Texas where the state bird is, I believe, brisket. I went to salt and smoke twice while I was in town for work. Once, with a client at her suggestion. I was blown away by just how good it was that I came back my last night in town. I also wanted to explore the bourbon list a little which is the most extensive list I've seen. The place is phenomenal all around. The BBQ Is awesome, the sides are as well thought out and executed as the main dish, and if you like whiskey or bourbon, the alcohol list will keep you busy! Also 5 stars for ambience. Really comfortable, nice decor.", "timestamp": "2017-04-01T23:45:49" }, { "business_id": "z7em5co2qckbAXoDGXynsA", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "The staff was friendly and food was ok. I had the DLT. BLT with duck instead of bacon. The house made bread was fantastic. But the food overall was a little too greasy for me. I don't think it was the duck so much as the bread drenched in butter and then grilled. It's unfortunate because the bread was good as is and didn't need all the added grease. I didn't find a lot on the menu I personally found too appealing but I hate mayo and all the sandwiches seem to get their kick from jazzed up aioli. Overall it was just alright for me. They do have wifi though which is nice and people who seem to be regulars came in and out so the vibe is relaxed and casual. Parking is easy. Restaurant is very clean.", "timestamp": "2017-04-02T00:38:02" }, { "business_id": "nYsNsyIppe_DTueBha1x9A", "business_name": "Red Mesa Cantina", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Mexican around. I wish this place was closer to Gainesville. I had the El Gordo steak burrito with jalapeño cream sauce. That jalapeño cream sauce is amazing!! If you haven't had it, you must try it! For $11 the burrito is large enough to be two meals. The ingredients taste fresh and you don't get that gross I-just-ate-Mexican-now-need-to-lay-down blah feeling. The plantains are also delicious. They come with some sort of lime-cream dipping sauce that wasn't bad, but I'm a purist when it comes to plantains so no sauces required in order for me to enjoy them and these plantains are exceptionally well done! I ate outside and the patio area is great. Plenty of shade and the fountain in the courtyard is a really nice touch. Definitely recommend coming here when you're in downtown St Pete and hungry!", "timestamp": "2017-06-15T03:04:37" }, { "business_id": "abzbYCaernXvdmYi1u9y-w", "business_name": "La Fondita de Leo", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious food and friendly service. I had never had mofongo (mashed green plantains that come in a mound; you can get it \"filled\" with different meat if you like) and wasn't sure if I'd like it. My waiter was kind enough to have a mini mofongo made for me to try to see if I wanted to order one. It was amazing; mofongo, where have you been all my life! I had the churrasco steak and a side of mofongo for lunch. Everything tasted so fresh and was so full of flavor. The green sauce is super tasty. I had a coconut creme brulee for dessert that was ok. This is a great little spot.", "timestamp": "2017-07-14T22:33:45" }, { "business_id": "GST3wg-wej15vHeCvaXE6w", "business_name": "Acme Feed & Seed", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like this place. Had the beer belly tacos which were super tasty. Wait can be really long like everything in this town. The best part was the band though. It was a nice break from the typical country music cover bands. The music was straight up bluegrass and it was AWESOME! Wish I remembered the name of the band, but they were they absolute best I've heard while in town. This is a fun stop if you're out on Broadway.", "timestamp": "2017-07-17T02:28:21" }, { "business_id": "HI1zbZuujFH9yPBKP1GH6g", "business_name": "Cork & Cow", "rating": 5, "text": "For about eight years now, if you asked me where the best burger I ever had was, I'd say at chef John Currence's The City Grocery in Oxford, MS. But that may have just changed after eating at the Cork and Cow. Their burger is absolutely phenomenal. Ground filet and bacon make for an absolute taste bud tingling delight! Besides the new best burger I've ever eaten, everything here made for a wonderful experience. The peach salad was delicious and fresh, the burger, obviously, amazing, and the hand crafted cocktails were other worldly good. Service was attentive and friendly. I truly enjoyed everything about my dining experience here. I wish I had been hungrier to try one of their steaks because I'm sure they are amazing as well. As it was, my dinner was one of my best meals since I've been in TN. Definitely worth the trip from Nashville to eat at this gem and if you're already in Franklin, then what are you waiting for? Go! This restaurant is on the pricey side (Plan $100 per person if you're going to have a drink and salad) but well worth every penny and seems to be about the going rate for this area.", "timestamp": "2017-07-18T22:56:32" }, { "business_id": "qb28j-FNX1_6xm7u372TZA", "business_name": "Gumbo Shop", "rating": 3, "text": "Gumbo is like BBQ, there are many opinions on what makes it great or not great. I'm not a fan of okra in my gumbo, they put okra in the gumbo. It doesn't mean it isn't good, it just isn't my preferred way to eat it. That being said, it's still tasty and a lot more authentic than a lot of these restaurants slinging gumbo around here. I accidentally stopped into the wrong place (with a super similar name) and ordered gumbo which came to the table with a red base. I knew this wasn't the gumbo for me and I was right. I paid my bill, left the meal and headed over here to get a better bowl of gumbo for dinner. While it is better than most, it still is not the greatest. I also ordered the blackened chicken po'boy for dinner which was disappointing. I expected the chicken to be a little more blackened versus the grilled for the most part chicken I got. It was pretty bland and I had to add a ton of hot sauce to salvage it. Overall, I'd probably not face long lines to eat here. I personally don't think it's worth the hype.", "timestamp": "2018-01-08T02:46:39" }, { "business_id": "f4DCA9U-TigfarQSagXkLA", "business_name": "Greek City Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is good. Like really, really good. I know Tarpon Springs is the place for Greek food but you just can't beat the food here. The restaurant is super clean and the staff is really friendly. Portions are huge and the prices are amazing. For $4 you can add a Greek salad and drink to your meal. The salad is huge and could be a meal in itself. It's loaded with veggies and even comes with potato salad which I love! Living in North Florida, I hardly ever find traditional Greek salads with potato salad, so I was in heaven when I got the salad here. The food is so fresh and the chicken pita was amazingly good. You can't go wrong eating here. Absolutely delicious, fresh Greek food and affordable prices.", "timestamp": "2018-03-07T21:56:29" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "$350 for three people. The price wouldn't be all that bad except the food was really bland. My prime rib was disturbingly pale and lacked any kind of flavor. I had to ask for horseradish which seems like a travesty. It's like putting ketchup on filet. But when the food has no flavor, what else can you do? Usually I'll eat all of my steak or prime rib but I decided this just wasn't worth the calories, so you know it's serious. The salad I started with was pretty good. The $13 loaded potato I order with my prime rib, was not. Creme brûlée was decent. For the money, I expected a lot more.", "timestamp": "2018-03-21T02:48:37" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 3, "text": "The food was ok. Dinner started out strong with amazing, fresh salads and an order of garlic bread that is absolutely worth the $5. I could have made a meal of bread and salad. We also got the gnocchi to share amongst the whole table so we could all try it. The gnocchi was really good but would have been way too rich to be an entire meal in my opinion. For my entree I got the spaghetti and meatballs. This was a real disappointment. Meatballs were very dry and the sauce was just not good. The flavor was off and it tasted pre-made. Like something from a can with that slightly metallic taste. It wasn't the rustic, homemade dish I was hoping for. I asked one of my friends, who got the same thing, if it was just me or if the spaghetti just wasn't great. She agreed hers wasn't very good either. We ordered dessert. I went with the tiramisu which was just ok. This place started off strong but the main course was a real let down.", "timestamp": "2018-03-22T02:41:31" }, { "business_id": "HTqXI5S2XcSlh_ylx9sE6g", "business_name": "Termini Bros Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I've only had the cannolis here but they are awesome! They're freshly filled when ordered and the filling is phenomenal. Not too sweet, it's perfect. If you like cannoli, if you don't think you like cannoli, you should definitely get one from Termini Bros.", "timestamp": "2018-03-23T14:35:33" }, { "business_id": "oJxsRgj8Un9VAPXpaDuufA", "business_name": "Bank & Bourbon", "rating": 5, "text": "Ate breakfast here and was pleasantly surprised all around with my experience. The ambiance is clean, warm, and welcoming. The food is farm to table and healthy. I have been trying to stick to the ol' resolutions I made this New Year by eating better and eating more veggies. When I'm home, this means it's green smoothies in the morning for me. After being on the road for quite some time, I was desperate for a green smoothie and veggies. Although not on the menu, they were awesome enough to make one for me and even asked what vegetables I wanted and what I wanted to avoid. This was above and beyond and I'm just so appreciative to find a restaurant that will provide foods that are delicious, healthy, and actually good for you. In addition to the green smoothie I also ordered two eggs that were cooked perfectly and mixed fruit that was amazingly good...none of that pre sliced fruit that's been sitting in preservatives. A tasty, healthy option with a menu broad enough to accommodate those who also want meals that feel liked calorie splurges.", "timestamp": "2018-03-24T04:16:05" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I eat here because I always get caught up in the \"best ever sandwich\" hype then remember that it really isn't the best ever sandwich and I should probably really start trying other places in the terminal market. I got the roast pork with provolone, broccoli rabe, and peppers. The pork is tender but also bland. You need the toppings to jazz it up. The provolone is sharp provolone and, for me, it just had a really dirty taste to it. It's almost too strong. That combined with the broccoli rabe makes for a bitter combo. The peppers, well if you make the mistake and don't get the hot peppers and get the sweet peppers, you'll realize they are vile. Get the hot peppers or get none. Seriously, those sweet peppers are really bad. They taste like they come from a can. I'm sure they don't, but they're just not good. I eventually opted to take all the toppings off my sandwich and load it with the banana pepper rings they keep on the counter. The bread though, that's the real star. That bread is delicious. Sandwiches are huge and are enough to split or make two lunches out of. Service is fast and friendly and you're food is out to you freakishly fast. Another mention about this place is the counter seating. Eating lunch with a bunch of friendly strangers is a fun way to pass your lunch break in the city of brotherly love.", "timestamp": "2018-03-25T23:48:56" }, { "business_id": "xQE1fuwKCXJEBcJgSSCNbw", "business_name": "Urban Farmer Philadelphia", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious as always. I've eaten at Urban Farmer in Cleveland and have been a huge fan of this restaurant since. I did show up a few minutes late to dinner and we already had a cheese board on the table. I will say, I don't know if it was the people already at the table who didn't know what to do or the restaurant here does things differently, but we didn't get to pick our own cheeses. At the Urban Farmer in Cleveland, someone came to our table with a cheese cart and let us sample each cheese and gave us a short history on the cheese before we put our board together. The cheese board here was a little on the disappointing side for my personal taste, but everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy it. The steaks were all delicious and perfectly prepared. This is one of the best places you can go to get a truly amazing steak. The sides were also as tasty as we remembered from our Cleveland trip. I did opt for dessert and found mine wasn't as great as I had hoped and the choices were not extensive, but really, if you're there, you're there for the steak anyway. Between two bottles of wine, steaks, cheese boards, sides, and desserts for nine people, we were right around $900. Budget $100 per person and know it will be worth it.", "timestamp": "2018-04-25T15:53:09" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has a large drinks list and large, clean(ish) dining space going for it but that's about it. The menu is pretty limited and is limited to mainly seafood. I had the chicken and jambalaya which from the menu description sounds like chicken IN jambalaya but it's actually a roasted chicken quarter on top of jambalaya. The chicken tasted not quite cooked through although I'm sure it was done. It just wasn't great. The jambalaya portion was very small and more of a side/garnish. Dinner for two was $100 even with tip. I wouldn't recommend it or come back. We only stopped here because we were starving and it was easy enough to get in and get a table. In hindsight, we should have planned better and went elsewhere.", "timestamp": "2018-06-21T03:57:35" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't get the hype. I had the gumbo and it was ok at best. Really salty. I asked for bread to go with it and got severe attitude. Oh, my bad. Just thought you'd serve it like every restaurant in New Orleans. We also ordered the gator appetizer which was cooked really well but covered in a mayo chili sauce that was pretty unappetizing, and the oysters which I did not try so I can't say if they were good or not. Service was pretty terrible. Multiple servers came to our table but were clearing things before we'd actually finished with them. At one point they moved our phones to take our napkins away. There were plenty of empty tables and we weren't exactly taking up prime real estate during peak meal time. Our waiter cashed us out and we had to go up to the bar to buy more drinks. There was just a feeling of being pushed out by the staff that was extremely irritating. I'm assuming it was a manger standing in the back near our table who also kept looking over like he either wanted us out or was expecting us to run out on the bill. All around an underwhelming experience. The high reviews are surprising but maybe I'm missing something or went on an off day. Regardless, I wouldn't go back.", "timestamp": "2018-06-22T16:04:38" }, { "business_id": "DKtAKuOjI6vUAHhW4NR5UA", "business_name": "Mulate's", "rating": 3, "text": "The jambalaya here is great! If I came back, I would just do a jambalaya entree. We decided to do a small jambalaya and the burger. The burger here is $18.99 so I was expecting it to be amazing. The meat is really greasy, fries are ok, coleslaw just looked unappealing so I didn't try it. I ended up leaving the majority of my food. At these prices you could go anywhere and get much better food. I think they bank on their location next to the convention center but the food is not worth the outrageous prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-27T18:00:44" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this place a lot better than Cochon. Sandwiches are creative but don't contain tons of crazy ingredients. Food is fresh. I had the turkey with sprouts and avocado and it was just what I needed after a week of heavy New Orleans eating. The turkey was smoked perfectly and the sprouts and avocado were so fresh. The bread tasted nutty, fresh, and healthy. We ate at the bar which has a cool eclectic vibe. I ordered a few bloody Mary's which were a little on the watery side but all in all, this is a solid place if you're looking for a higher end, lighter, sandwich option.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T03:25:20" } ]	{ "business_id": "I6L0Zxi5Ww0zEWSAVgngeQ", "business_name": "Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street", "rating": 4, "text": "The outdoor seating here is Heaven and feels like classic New Orleans. It seems like there is always a live band. It is one of my favorite spots for chickory coffee, beignets, and music. Even though you need to get the beignets, you can't go wrong having lunch here as well. Their jambalaya is some of the best in the city. Really fun vibe, great food, great music, great prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T22:51:35" }
Z5j9Xw_G0c7M2b1-iS67wg	[ { "business_id": "3JpJ3b8r5jMdAb1yPmchrQ", "business_name": "Prince's Hot Chicken Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll start by saying I LOVE fried chicken. I also LOVE hot chicken. I did not love Prince's, unfortunately . It's hot and the seasoning is ok. What really made me sad was just how over cooked my chicken was. It was so dry and parts were tough. Like eating really spicy chicken splinters. Maybe it was an off night, but I've had better hot chicken elsewhere. Although judging by how busy it was, they won't miss me.", "timestamp": "2016-05-18T23:41:10" }, { "business_id": "15c8IT8faI1-Qz4V-1lxiQ", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 4, "text": "The flavors here are pretty incredible. I had the bourbon salted pecan which was really tasty and the wildberry lavender which rocked my world. A little on the pricey side; I spent $10 on two small scoops and a bottled seltzer water, but worth trying just for some of the unique flavors on offer.", "timestamp": "2016-05-19T03:12:31" }, { "business_id": "580Yyv_kzAaZSkHCj1LhBw", "business_name": "The Perch", "rating": 4, "text": "I came in for a cafe au lait and a sweet crepe. The guy helping me suggested Nutella and strawberry. The service was fast and friendly. My coffee was perfect and the crepe was really good. The strawberries were sliced perfectly thin and the Nutella was delicious as always, all wrapped up in a warm, light crepe. I'm already planning on going back tomorrow for something a little more creative. You can't go wrong stopping in here for brunch or even a coffee and crepe midday pick me up!", "timestamp": "2016-05-20T02:20:51" }, { "business_id": "16tjKOvMw_nOgNViq2LwOQ", "business_name": "Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville West", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my friends here to introduce them to Nashville hot chicken. They are now in love and often randomly wistfully reference it when I talk to them. The chicken is really good here and really hot. I ordered \"hot\" and it made my eyes water and nose run and mouth catch fire, but I didn't let my friends see me flinch. It's so much better than the other well known hot chicken place in town. For Nashville hot chicken you can't go wrong here. My only gripe is the pimento mac and cheese which tastes worse than sin to me. I'm really not a fan but my friend seemed to like it alright. So evil side dishes aside, the chicken is worth the trip!", "timestamp": "2016-10-08T04:28:32" }, { "business_id": "1LUZupYFJ6CxSKU37qDSXw", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped for a quick lunch and were pleasantly surprised by just how good the food was. Decently priced for what we got too. I got the French dip that was pretty tasty. A good find amidst all the typical chain restaurants around.", "timestamp": "2016-11-04T18:00:42" }, { "business_id": "EagkHaaC-kUozD3MPzbRIw", "business_name": "Stanley", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite place for breakfast in New Orleans. Their Eggs Benedict po'boy is so amazing. The French bread is crusty and light, eggs cooked perfectly, and the hollandaise is so fresh and light tasting. I also can't miss out on the creole potatoes which are spicy and delicious and go so well with anything! I love this place!", "timestamp": "2016-12-06T03:23:25" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "With all the BBQ places in this city, narrowing down which one to visit is a tough call. I went here on the recommendation of a friend and I'm really glad I did! Ribs were smoked perfectly. They aren't fall off the bone ribs, so don't expect it, but they're delicious. The dry rub is pretty amazing and not something we use a lot of in the south on our BBQ, so it was great to experience real St Louis BBQ and dry rub. I also tried the burnt ends and that was BBQ worth raving about! Someone in line said it's the first to sell out so if you can get it, get it. I can see why it goes fast. Flavor was amazing. I had the baked beans which are phenomenal and the coleslaw which was very different from all coleslaw back home. This seemed to be vinegar based which was a big change for this southerner. That I wasn't crazy about, but with all the meat you get, sides aren't really the main concern here. Overall, the BBQ here is delicious and well worth the wait! Because you'll wait a while for it. I was lucky and got in under 30 minutes but when I left, the line was already wrapped around the building. If you want awesome BBQ, you'll want Pappy's Smokehouse.", "timestamp": "2017-03-27T04:00:30" }, { "business_id": "9U2w4rQlIgBQqHuTRgp7Rw", "business_name": "Mauhaus", "rating": 5, "text": "A million stars! I love their mission to rescue and adopt out adult cats. $10 gets you an hour reservation and a latte. Besides spending an hour with adorable cats, the coffee itself is also great. I had a rose latte, a daily special, and it was delicious. My favorite cat I spent my hour with was 17 pound, squishy, cuddly Homer. The manger said Homer had a day left at the kill shelter he was rescued from. Pretty sure they'll have no problem getting this boy adopted. Wish I lived in St Louis; he'd be going home with me. Visit, pet cats, drink coffee, and leave a donation. They're doing a great thing here for these cats.", "timestamp": "2017-03-30T17:55:45" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 5, "text": "The best brisket I have eaten. Ever. And I've lived in Texas where the state bird is, I believe, brisket. I went to salt and smoke twice while I was in town for work. Once, with a client at her suggestion. I was blown away by just how good it was that I came back my last night in town. I also wanted to explore the bourbon list a little which is the most extensive list I've seen. The place is phenomenal all around. The BBQ Is awesome, the sides are as well thought out and executed as the main dish, and if you like whiskey or bourbon, the alcohol list will keep you busy! Also 5 stars for ambience. Really comfortable, nice decor.", "timestamp": "2017-04-01T23:45:49" }, { "business_id": "z7em5co2qckbAXoDGXynsA", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "The staff was friendly and food was ok. I had the DLT. BLT with duck instead of bacon. The house made bread was fantastic. But the food overall was a little too greasy for me. I don't think it was the duck so much as the bread drenched in butter and then grilled. It's unfortunate because the bread was good as is and didn't need all the added grease. I didn't find a lot on the menu I personally found too appealing but I hate mayo and all the sandwiches seem to get their kick from jazzed up aioli. Overall it was just alright for me. They do have wifi though which is nice and people who seem to be regulars came in and out so the vibe is relaxed and casual. Parking is easy. Restaurant is very clean.", "timestamp": "2017-04-02T00:38:02" }, { "business_id": "nYsNsyIppe_DTueBha1x9A", "business_name": "Red Mesa Cantina", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Mexican around. I wish this place was closer to Gainesville. I had the El Gordo steak burrito with jalapeño cream sauce. That jalapeño cream sauce is amazing!! If you haven't had it, you must try it! For $11 the burrito is large enough to be two meals. The ingredients taste fresh and you don't get that gross I-just-ate-Mexican-now-need-to-lay-down blah feeling. The plantains are also delicious. They come with some sort of lime-cream dipping sauce that wasn't bad, but I'm a purist when it comes to plantains so no sauces required in order for me to enjoy them and these plantains are exceptionally well done! I ate outside and the patio area is great. Plenty of shade and the fountain in the courtyard is a really nice touch. Definitely recommend coming here when you're in downtown St Pete and hungry!", "timestamp": "2017-06-15T03:04:37" }, { "business_id": "abzbYCaernXvdmYi1u9y-w", "business_name": "La Fondita de Leo", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious food and friendly service. I had never had mofongo (mashed green plantains that come in a mound; you can get it \"filled\" with different meat if you like) and wasn't sure if I'd like it. My waiter was kind enough to have a mini mofongo made for me to try to see if I wanted to order one. It was amazing; mofongo, where have you been all my life! I had the churrasco steak and a side of mofongo for lunch. Everything tasted so fresh and was so full of flavor. The green sauce is super tasty. I had a coconut creme brulee for dessert that was ok. This is a great little spot.", "timestamp": "2017-07-14T22:33:45" }, { "business_id": "GST3wg-wej15vHeCvaXE6w", "business_name": "Acme Feed & Seed", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like this place. Had the beer belly tacos which were super tasty. Wait can be really long like everything in this town. The best part was the band though. It was a nice break from the typical country music cover bands. The music was straight up bluegrass and it was AWESOME! Wish I remembered the name of the band, but they were they absolute best I've heard while in town. This is a fun stop if you're out on Broadway.", "timestamp": "2017-07-17T02:28:21" }, { "business_id": "HI1zbZuujFH9yPBKP1GH6g", "business_name": "Cork & Cow", "rating": 5, "text": "For about eight years now, if you asked me where the best burger I ever had was, I'd say at chef John Currence's The City Grocery in Oxford, MS. But that may have just changed after eating at the Cork and Cow. Their burger is absolutely phenomenal. Ground filet and bacon make for an absolute taste bud tingling delight! Besides the new best burger I've ever eaten, everything here made for a wonderful experience. The peach salad was delicious and fresh, the burger, obviously, amazing, and the hand crafted cocktails were other worldly good. Service was attentive and friendly. I truly enjoyed everything about my dining experience here. I wish I had been hungrier to try one of their steaks because I'm sure they are amazing as well. As it was, my dinner was one of my best meals since I've been in TN. Definitely worth the trip from Nashville to eat at this gem and if you're already in Franklin, then what are you waiting for? Go! This restaurant is on the pricey side (Plan $100 per person if you're going to have a drink and salad) but well worth every penny and seems to be about the going rate for this area.", "timestamp": "2017-07-18T22:56:32" }, { "business_id": "qb28j-FNX1_6xm7u372TZA", "business_name": "Gumbo Shop", "rating": 3, "text": "Gumbo is like BBQ, there are many opinions on what makes it great or not great. I'm not a fan of okra in my gumbo, they put okra in the gumbo. It doesn't mean it isn't good, it just isn't my preferred way to eat it. That being said, it's still tasty and a lot more authentic than a lot of these restaurants slinging gumbo around here. I accidentally stopped into the wrong place (with a super similar name) and ordered gumbo which came to the table with a red base. I knew this wasn't the gumbo for me and I was right. I paid my bill, left the meal and headed over here to get a better bowl of gumbo for dinner. While it is better than most, it still is not the greatest. I also ordered the blackened chicken po'boy for dinner which was disappointing. I expected the chicken to be a little more blackened versus the grilled for the most part chicken I got. It was pretty bland and I had to add a ton of hot sauce to salvage it. Overall, I'd probably not face long lines to eat here. I personally don't think it's worth the hype.", "timestamp": "2018-01-08T02:46:39" }, { "business_id": "f4DCA9U-TigfarQSagXkLA", "business_name": "Greek City Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is good. Like really, really good. I know Tarpon Springs is the place for Greek food but you just can't beat the food here. The restaurant is super clean and the staff is really friendly. Portions are huge and the prices are amazing. For $4 you can add a Greek salad and drink to your meal. The salad is huge and could be a meal in itself. It's loaded with veggies and even comes with potato salad which I love! Living in North Florida, I hardly ever find traditional Greek salads with potato salad, so I was in heaven when I got the salad here. The food is so fresh and the chicken pita was amazingly good. You can't go wrong eating here. Absolutely delicious, fresh Greek food and affordable prices.", "timestamp": "2018-03-07T21:56:29" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "$350 for three people. The price wouldn't be all that bad except the food was really bland. My prime rib was disturbingly pale and lacked any kind of flavor. I had to ask for horseradish which seems like a travesty. It's like putting ketchup on filet. But when the food has no flavor, what else can you do? Usually I'll eat all of my steak or prime rib but I decided this just wasn't worth the calories, so you know it's serious. The salad I started with was pretty good. The $13 loaded potato I order with my prime rib, was not. Creme brûlée was decent. For the money, I expected a lot more.", "timestamp": "2018-03-21T02:48:37" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 3, "text": "The food was ok. Dinner started out strong with amazing, fresh salads and an order of garlic bread that is absolutely worth the $5. I could have made a meal of bread and salad. We also got the gnocchi to share amongst the whole table so we could all try it. The gnocchi was really good but would have been way too rich to be an entire meal in my opinion. For my entree I got the spaghetti and meatballs. This was a real disappointment. Meatballs were very dry and the sauce was just not good. The flavor was off and it tasted pre-made. Like something from a can with that slightly metallic taste. It wasn't the rustic, homemade dish I was hoping for. I asked one of my friends, who got the same thing, if it was just me or if the spaghetti just wasn't great. She agreed hers wasn't very good either. We ordered dessert. I went with the tiramisu which was just ok. This place started off strong but the main course was a real let down.", "timestamp": "2018-03-22T02:41:31" }, { "business_id": "HTqXI5S2XcSlh_ylx9sE6g", "business_name": "Termini Bros Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I've only had the cannolis here but they are awesome! They're freshly filled when ordered and the filling is phenomenal. Not too sweet, it's perfect. If you like cannoli, if you don't think you like cannoli, you should definitely get one from Termini Bros.", "timestamp": "2018-03-23T14:35:33" }, { "business_id": "oJxsRgj8Un9VAPXpaDuufA", "business_name": "Bank & Bourbon", "rating": 5, "text": "Ate breakfast here and was pleasantly surprised all around with my experience. The ambiance is clean, warm, and welcoming. The food is farm to table and healthy. I have been trying to stick to the ol' resolutions I made this New Year by eating better and eating more veggies. When I'm home, this means it's green smoothies in the morning for me. After being on the road for quite some time, I was desperate for a green smoothie and veggies. Although not on the menu, they were awesome enough to make one for me and even asked what vegetables I wanted and what I wanted to avoid. This was above and beyond and I'm just so appreciative to find a restaurant that will provide foods that are delicious, healthy, and actually good for you. In addition to the green smoothie I also ordered two eggs that were cooked perfectly and mixed fruit that was amazingly good...none of that pre sliced fruit that's been sitting in preservatives. A tasty, healthy option with a menu broad enough to accommodate those who also want meals that feel liked calorie splurges.", "timestamp": "2018-03-24T04:16:05" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I eat here because I always get caught up in the \"best ever sandwich\" hype then remember that it really isn't the best ever sandwich and I should probably really start trying other places in the terminal market. I got the roast pork with provolone, broccoli rabe, and peppers. The pork is tender but also bland. You need the toppings to jazz it up. The provolone is sharp provolone and, for me, it just had a really dirty taste to it. It's almost too strong. That combined with the broccoli rabe makes for a bitter combo. The peppers, well if you make the mistake and don't get the hot peppers and get the sweet peppers, you'll realize they are vile. Get the hot peppers or get none. Seriously, those sweet peppers are really bad. They taste like they come from a can. I'm sure they don't, but they're just not good. I eventually opted to take all the toppings off my sandwich and load it with the banana pepper rings they keep on the counter. The bread though, that's the real star. That bread is delicious. Sandwiches are huge and are enough to split or make two lunches out of. Service is fast and friendly and you're food is out to you freakishly fast. Another mention about this place is the counter seating. Eating lunch with a bunch of friendly strangers is a fun way to pass your lunch break in the city of brotherly love.", "timestamp": "2018-03-25T23:48:56" }, { "business_id": "xQE1fuwKCXJEBcJgSSCNbw", "business_name": "Urban Farmer Philadelphia", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious as always. I've eaten at Urban Farmer in Cleveland and have been a huge fan of this restaurant since. I did show up a few minutes late to dinner and we already had a cheese board on the table. I will say, I don't know if it was the people already at the table who didn't know what to do or the restaurant here does things differently, but we didn't get to pick our own cheeses. At the Urban Farmer in Cleveland, someone came to our table with a cheese cart and let us sample each cheese and gave us a short history on the cheese before we put our board together. The cheese board here was a little on the disappointing side for my personal taste, but everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy it. The steaks were all delicious and perfectly prepared. This is one of the best places you can go to get a truly amazing steak. The sides were also as tasty as we remembered from our Cleveland trip. I did opt for dessert and found mine wasn't as great as I had hoped and the choices were not extensive, but really, if you're there, you're there for the steak anyway. Between two bottles of wine, steaks, cheese boards, sides, and desserts for nine people, we were right around $900. Budget $100 per person and know it will be worth it.", "timestamp": "2018-04-25T15:53:09" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has a large drinks list and large, clean(ish) dining space going for it but that's about it. The menu is pretty limited and is limited to mainly seafood. I had the chicken and jambalaya which from the menu description sounds like chicken IN jambalaya but it's actually a roasted chicken quarter on top of jambalaya. The chicken tasted not quite cooked through although I'm sure it was done. It just wasn't great. The jambalaya portion was very small and more of a side/garnish. Dinner for two was $100 even with tip. I wouldn't recommend it or come back. We only stopped here because we were starving and it was easy enough to get in and get a table. In hindsight, we should have planned better and went elsewhere.", "timestamp": "2018-06-21T03:57:35" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't get the hype. I had the gumbo and it was ok at best. Really salty. I asked for bread to go with it and got severe attitude. Oh, my bad. Just thought you'd serve it like every restaurant in New Orleans. We also ordered the gator appetizer which was cooked really well but covered in a mayo chili sauce that was pretty unappetizing, and the oysters which I did not try so I can't say if they were good or not. Service was pretty terrible. Multiple servers came to our table but were clearing things before we'd actually finished with them. At one point they moved our phones to take our napkins away. There were plenty of empty tables and we weren't exactly taking up prime real estate during peak meal time. Our waiter cashed us out and we had to go up to the bar to buy more drinks. There was just a feeling of being pushed out by the staff that was extremely irritating. I'm assuming it was a manger standing in the back near our table who also kept looking over like he either wanted us out or was expecting us to run out on the bill. All around an underwhelming experience. The high reviews are surprising but maybe I'm missing something or went on an off day. Regardless, I wouldn't go back.", "timestamp": "2018-06-22T16:04:38" }, { "business_id": "DKtAKuOjI6vUAHhW4NR5UA", "business_name": "Mulate's", "rating": 3, "text": "The jambalaya here is great! If I came back, I would just do a jambalaya entree. We decided to do a small jambalaya and the burger. The burger here is $18.99 so I was expecting it to be amazing. The meat is really greasy, fries are ok, coleslaw just looked unappealing so I didn't try it. I ended up leaving the majority of my food. At these prices you could go anywhere and get much better food. I think they bank on their location next to the convention center but the food is not worth the outrageous prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-27T18:00:44" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this place a lot better than Cochon. Sandwiches are creative but don't contain tons of crazy ingredients. Food is fresh. I had the turkey with sprouts and avocado and it was just what I needed after a week of heavy New Orleans eating. The turkey was smoked perfectly and the sprouts and avocado were so fresh. The bread tasted nutty, fresh, and healthy. We ate at the bar which has a cool eclectic vibe. I ordered a few bloody Mary's which were a little on the watery side but all in all, this is a solid place if you're looking for a higher end, lighter, sandwich option.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T03:25:20" }, { "business_id": "I6L0Zxi5Ww0zEWSAVgngeQ", "business_name": "Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street", "rating": 4, "text": "The outdoor seating here is Heaven and feels like classic New Orleans. It seems like there is always a live band. It is one of my favorite spots for chickory coffee, beignets, and music. Even though you need to get the beignets, you can't go wrong having lunch here as well. Their jambalaya is some of the best in the city. Really fun vibe, great food, great music, great prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T22:51:35" } ]	{ "business_id": "JvawJ9bSr22xn4R9oLvl_w", "business_name": "Desire Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was attached to our hotel so it made for a great breakfast option. I can't speak towards the other meals but breakfast was fantastic. On our first visit I got the breakfast poboy...egg, bacon, cheese, and tomato on French bread with a side of breakfast potatoes. Breakfast sandwiches are one of my favorite foods and this one is practically perfect. After the first visit, I got the same thing every morning. Service is friendly but can be really slow. I'd highly recommend for breakfast/brunch.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:44" }
Z5j9Xw_G0c7M2b1-iS67wg	[ { "business_id": "3JpJ3b8r5jMdAb1yPmchrQ", "business_name": "Prince's Hot Chicken Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll start by saying I LOVE fried chicken. I also LOVE hot chicken. I did not love Prince's, unfortunately . It's hot and the seasoning is ok. What really made me sad was just how over cooked my chicken was. It was so dry and parts were tough. Like eating really spicy chicken splinters. Maybe it was an off night, but I've had better hot chicken elsewhere. Although judging by how busy it was, they won't miss me.", "timestamp": "2016-05-18T23:41:10" }, { "business_id": "15c8IT8faI1-Qz4V-1lxiQ", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 4, "text": "The flavors here are pretty incredible. I had the bourbon salted pecan which was really tasty and the wildberry lavender which rocked my world. A little on the pricey side; I spent $10 on two small scoops and a bottled seltzer water, but worth trying just for some of the unique flavors on offer.", "timestamp": "2016-05-19T03:12:31" }, { "business_id": "580Yyv_kzAaZSkHCj1LhBw", "business_name": "The Perch", "rating": 4, "text": "I came in for a cafe au lait and a sweet crepe. The guy helping me suggested Nutella and strawberry. The service was fast and friendly. My coffee was perfect and the crepe was really good. The strawberries were sliced perfectly thin and the Nutella was delicious as always, all wrapped up in a warm, light crepe. I'm already planning on going back tomorrow for something a little more creative. You can't go wrong stopping in here for brunch or even a coffee and crepe midday pick me up!", "timestamp": "2016-05-20T02:20:51" }, { "business_id": "16tjKOvMw_nOgNViq2LwOQ", "business_name": "Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville West", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my friends here to introduce them to Nashville hot chicken. They are now in love and often randomly wistfully reference it when I talk to them. The chicken is really good here and really hot. I ordered \"hot\" and it made my eyes water and nose run and mouth catch fire, but I didn't let my friends see me flinch. It's so much better than the other well known hot chicken place in town. For Nashville hot chicken you can't go wrong here. My only gripe is the pimento mac and cheese which tastes worse than sin to me. I'm really not a fan but my friend seemed to like it alright. So evil side dishes aside, the chicken is worth the trip!", "timestamp": "2016-10-08T04:28:32" }, { "business_id": "1LUZupYFJ6CxSKU37qDSXw", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped for a quick lunch and were pleasantly surprised by just how good the food was. Decently priced for what we got too. I got the French dip that was pretty tasty. A good find amidst all the typical chain restaurants around.", "timestamp": "2016-11-04T18:00:42" }, { "business_id": "EagkHaaC-kUozD3MPzbRIw", "business_name": "Stanley", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite place for breakfast in New Orleans. Their Eggs Benedict po'boy is so amazing. The French bread is crusty and light, eggs cooked perfectly, and the hollandaise is so fresh and light tasting. I also can't miss out on the creole potatoes which are spicy and delicious and go so well with anything! I love this place!", "timestamp": "2016-12-06T03:23:25" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "With all the BBQ places in this city, narrowing down which one to visit is a tough call. I went here on the recommendation of a friend and I'm really glad I did! Ribs were smoked perfectly. They aren't fall off the bone ribs, so don't expect it, but they're delicious. The dry rub is pretty amazing and not something we use a lot of in the south on our BBQ, so it was great to experience real St Louis BBQ and dry rub. I also tried the burnt ends and that was BBQ worth raving about! Someone in line said it's the first to sell out so if you can get it, get it. I can see why it goes fast. Flavor was amazing. I had the baked beans which are phenomenal and the coleslaw which was very different from all coleslaw back home. This seemed to be vinegar based which was a big change for this southerner. That I wasn't crazy about, but with all the meat you get, sides aren't really the main concern here. Overall, the BBQ here is delicious and well worth the wait! Because you'll wait a while for it. I was lucky and got in under 30 minutes but when I left, the line was already wrapped around the building. If you want awesome BBQ, you'll want Pappy's Smokehouse.", "timestamp": "2017-03-27T04:00:30" }, { "business_id": "9U2w4rQlIgBQqHuTRgp7Rw", "business_name": "Mauhaus", "rating": 5, "text": "A million stars! I love their mission to rescue and adopt out adult cats. $10 gets you an hour reservation and a latte. Besides spending an hour with adorable cats, the coffee itself is also great. I had a rose latte, a daily special, and it was delicious. My favorite cat I spent my hour with was 17 pound, squishy, cuddly Homer. The manger said Homer had a day left at the kill shelter he was rescued from. Pretty sure they'll have no problem getting this boy adopted. Wish I lived in St Louis; he'd be going home with me. Visit, pet cats, drink coffee, and leave a donation. They're doing a great thing here for these cats.", "timestamp": "2017-03-30T17:55:45" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 5, "text": "The best brisket I have eaten. Ever. And I've lived in Texas where the state bird is, I believe, brisket. I went to salt and smoke twice while I was in town for work. Once, with a client at her suggestion. I was blown away by just how good it was that I came back my last night in town. I also wanted to explore the bourbon list a little which is the most extensive list I've seen. The place is phenomenal all around. The BBQ Is awesome, the sides are as well thought out and executed as the main dish, and if you like whiskey or bourbon, the alcohol list will keep you busy! Also 5 stars for ambience. Really comfortable, nice decor.", "timestamp": "2017-04-01T23:45:49" }, { "business_id": "z7em5co2qckbAXoDGXynsA", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "The staff was friendly and food was ok. I had the DLT. BLT with duck instead of bacon. The house made bread was fantastic. But the food overall was a little too greasy for me. I don't think it was the duck so much as the bread drenched in butter and then grilled. It's unfortunate because the bread was good as is and didn't need all the added grease. I didn't find a lot on the menu I personally found too appealing but I hate mayo and all the sandwiches seem to get their kick from jazzed up aioli. Overall it was just alright for me. They do have wifi though which is nice and people who seem to be regulars came in and out so the vibe is relaxed and casual. Parking is easy. Restaurant is very clean.", "timestamp": "2017-04-02T00:38:02" }, { "business_id": "nYsNsyIppe_DTueBha1x9A", "business_name": "Red Mesa Cantina", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Mexican around. I wish this place was closer to Gainesville. I had the El Gordo steak burrito with jalapeño cream sauce. That jalapeño cream sauce is amazing!! If you haven't had it, you must try it! For $11 the burrito is large enough to be two meals. The ingredients taste fresh and you don't get that gross I-just-ate-Mexican-now-need-to-lay-down blah feeling. The plantains are also delicious. They come with some sort of lime-cream dipping sauce that wasn't bad, but I'm a purist when it comes to plantains so no sauces required in order for me to enjoy them and these plantains are exceptionally well done! I ate outside and the patio area is great. Plenty of shade and the fountain in the courtyard is a really nice touch. Definitely recommend coming here when you're in downtown St Pete and hungry!", "timestamp": "2017-06-15T03:04:37" }, { "business_id": "abzbYCaernXvdmYi1u9y-w", "business_name": "La Fondita de Leo", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious food and friendly service. I had never had mofongo (mashed green plantains that come in a mound; you can get it \"filled\" with different meat if you like) and wasn't sure if I'd like it. My waiter was kind enough to have a mini mofongo made for me to try to see if I wanted to order one. It was amazing; mofongo, where have you been all my life! I had the churrasco steak and a side of mofongo for lunch. Everything tasted so fresh and was so full of flavor. The green sauce is super tasty. I had a coconut creme brulee for dessert that was ok. This is a great little spot.", "timestamp": "2017-07-14T22:33:45" }, { "business_id": "GST3wg-wej15vHeCvaXE6w", "business_name": "Acme Feed & Seed", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like this place. Had the beer belly tacos which were super tasty. Wait can be really long like everything in this town. The best part was the band though. It was a nice break from the typical country music cover bands. The music was straight up bluegrass and it was AWESOME! Wish I remembered the name of the band, but they were they absolute best I've heard while in town. This is a fun stop if you're out on Broadway.", "timestamp": "2017-07-17T02:28:21" }, { "business_id": "HI1zbZuujFH9yPBKP1GH6g", "business_name": "Cork & Cow", "rating": 5, "text": "For about eight years now, if you asked me where the best burger I ever had was, I'd say at chef John Currence's The City Grocery in Oxford, MS. But that may have just changed after eating at the Cork and Cow. Their burger is absolutely phenomenal. Ground filet and bacon make for an absolute taste bud tingling delight! Besides the new best burger I've ever eaten, everything here made for a wonderful experience. The peach salad was delicious and fresh, the burger, obviously, amazing, and the hand crafted cocktails were other worldly good. Service was attentive and friendly. I truly enjoyed everything about my dining experience here. I wish I had been hungrier to try one of their steaks because I'm sure they are amazing as well. As it was, my dinner was one of my best meals since I've been in TN. Definitely worth the trip from Nashville to eat at this gem and if you're already in Franklin, then what are you waiting for? Go! This restaurant is on the pricey side (Plan $100 per person if you're going to have a drink and salad) but well worth every penny and seems to be about the going rate for this area.", "timestamp": "2017-07-18T22:56:32" }, { "business_id": "qb28j-FNX1_6xm7u372TZA", "business_name": "Gumbo Shop", "rating": 3, "text": "Gumbo is like BBQ, there are many opinions on what makes it great or not great. I'm not a fan of okra in my gumbo, they put okra in the gumbo. It doesn't mean it isn't good, it just isn't my preferred way to eat it. That being said, it's still tasty and a lot more authentic than a lot of these restaurants slinging gumbo around here. I accidentally stopped into the wrong place (with a super similar name) and ordered gumbo which came to the table with a red base. I knew this wasn't the gumbo for me and I was right. I paid my bill, left the meal and headed over here to get a better bowl of gumbo for dinner. While it is better than most, it still is not the greatest. I also ordered the blackened chicken po'boy for dinner which was disappointing. I expected the chicken to be a little more blackened versus the grilled for the most part chicken I got. It was pretty bland and I had to add a ton of hot sauce to salvage it. Overall, I'd probably not face long lines to eat here. I personally don't think it's worth the hype.", "timestamp": "2018-01-08T02:46:39" }, { "business_id": "f4DCA9U-TigfarQSagXkLA", "business_name": "Greek City Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is good. Like really, really good. I know Tarpon Springs is the place for Greek food but you just can't beat the food here. The restaurant is super clean and the staff is really friendly. Portions are huge and the prices are amazing. For $4 you can add a Greek salad and drink to your meal. The salad is huge and could be a meal in itself. It's loaded with veggies and even comes with potato salad which I love! Living in North Florida, I hardly ever find traditional Greek salads with potato salad, so I was in heaven when I got the salad here. The food is so fresh and the chicken pita was amazingly good. You can't go wrong eating here. Absolutely delicious, fresh Greek food and affordable prices.", "timestamp": "2018-03-07T21:56:29" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "$350 for three people. The price wouldn't be all that bad except the food was really bland. My prime rib was disturbingly pale and lacked any kind of flavor. I had to ask for horseradish which seems like a travesty. It's like putting ketchup on filet. But when the food has no flavor, what else can you do? Usually I'll eat all of my steak or prime rib but I decided this just wasn't worth the calories, so you know it's serious. The salad I started with was pretty good. The $13 loaded potato I order with my prime rib, was not. Creme brûlée was decent. For the money, I expected a lot more.", "timestamp": "2018-03-21T02:48:37" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 3, "text": "The food was ok. Dinner started out strong with amazing, fresh salads and an order of garlic bread that is absolutely worth the $5. I could have made a meal of bread and salad. We also got the gnocchi to share amongst the whole table so we could all try it. The gnocchi was really good but would have been way too rich to be an entire meal in my opinion. For my entree I got the spaghetti and meatballs. This was a real disappointment. Meatballs were very dry and the sauce was just not good. The flavor was off and it tasted pre-made. Like something from a can with that slightly metallic taste. It wasn't the rustic, homemade dish I was hoping for. I asked one of my friends, who got the same thing, if it was just me or if the spaghetti just wasn't great. She agreed hers wasn't very good either. We ordered dessert. I went with the tiramisu which was just ok. This place started off strong but the main course was a real let down.", "timestamp": "2018-03-22T02:41:31" }, { "business_id": "HTqXI5S2XcSlh_ylx9sE6g", "business_name": "Termini Bros Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I've only had the cannolis here but they are awesome! They're freshly filled when ordered and the filling is phenomenal. Not too sweet, it's perfect. If you like cannoli, if you don't think you like cannoli, you should definitely get one from Termini Bros.", "timestamp": "2018-03-23T14:35:33" }, { "business_id": "oJxsRgj8Un9VAPXpaDuufA", "business_name": "Bank & Bourbon", "rating": 5, "text": "Ate breakfast here and was pleasantly surprised all around with my experience. The ambiance is clean, warm, and welcoming. The food is farm to table and healthy. I have been trying to stick to the ol' resolutions I made this New Year by eating better and eating more veggies. When I'm home, this means it's green smoothies in the morning for me. After being on the road for quite some time, I was desperate for a green smoothie and veggies. Although not on the menu, they were awesome enough to make one for me and even asked what vegetables I wanted and what I wanted to avoid. This was above and beyond and I'm just so appreciative to find a restaurant that will provide foods that are delicious, healthy, and actually good for you. In addition to the green smoothie I also ordered two eggs that were cooked perfectly and mixed fruit that was amazingly good...none of that pre sliced fruit that's been sitting in preservatives. A tasty, healthy option with a menu broad enough to accommodate those who also want meals that feel liked calorie splurges.", "timestamp": "2018-03-24T04:16:05" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I eat here because I always get caught up in the \"best ever sandwich\" hype then remember that it really isn't the best ever sandwich and I should probably really start trying other places in the terminal market. I got the roast pork with provolone, broccoli rabe, and peppers. The pork is tender but also bland. You need the toppings to jazz it up. The provolone is sharp provolone and, for me, it just had a really dirty taste to it. It's almost too strong. That combined with the broccoli rabe makes for a bitter combo. The peppers, well if you make the mistake and don't get the hot peppers and get the sweet peppers, you'll realize they are vile. Get the hot peppers or get none. Seriously, those sweet peppers are really bad. They taste like they come from a can. I'm sure they don't, but they're just not good. I eventually opted to take all the toppings off my sandwich and load it with the banana pepper rings they keep on the counter. The bread though, that's the real star. That bread is delicious. Sandwiches are huge and are enough to split or make two lunches out of. Service is fast and friendly and you're food is out to you freakishly fast. Another mention about this place is the counter seating. Eating lunch with a bunch of friendly strangers is a fun way to pass your lunch break in the city of brotherly love.", "timestamp": "2018-03-25T23:48:56" }, { "business_id": "xQE1fuwKCXJEBcJgSSCNbw", "business_name": "Urban Farmer Philadelphia", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious as always. I've eaten at Urban Farmer in Cleveland and have been a huge fan of this restaurant since. I did show up a few minutes late to dinner and we already had a cheese board on the table. I will say, I don't know if it was the people already at the table who didn't know what to do or the restaurant here does things differently, but we didn't get to pick our own cheeses. At the Urban Farmer in Cleveland, someone came to our table with a cheese cart and let us sample each cheese and gave us a short history on the cheese before we put our board together. The cheese board here was a little on the disappointing side for my personal taste, but everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy it. The steaks were all delicious and perfectly prepared. This is one of the best places you can go to get a truly amazing steak. The sides were also as tasty as we remembered from our Cleveland trip. I did opt for dessert and found mine wasn't as great as I had hoped and the choices were not extensive, but really, if you're there, you're there for the steak anyway. Between two bottles of wine, steaks, cheese boards, sides, and desserts for nine people, we were right around $900. Budget $100 per person and know it will be worth it.", "timestamp": "2018-04-25T15:53:09" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has a large drinks list and large, clean(ish) dining space going for it but that's about it. The menu is pretty limited and is limited to mainly seafood. I had the chicken and jambalaya which from the menu description sounds like chicken IN jambalaya but it's actually a roasted chicken quarter on top of jambalaya. The chicken tasted not quite cooked through although I'm sure it was done. It just wasn't great. The jambalaya portion was very small and more of a side/garnish. Dinner for two was $100 even with tip. I wouldn't recommend it or come back. We only stopped here because we were starving and it was easy enough to get in and get a table. In hindsight, we should have planned better and went elsewhere.", "timestamp": "2018-06-21T03:57:35" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't get the hype. I had the gumbo and it was ok at best. Really salty. I asked for bread to go with it and got severe attitude. Oh, my bad. Just thought you'd serve it like every restaurant in New Orleans. We also ordered the gator appetizer which was cooked really well but covered in a mayo chili sauce that was pretty unappetizing, and the oysters which I did not try so I can't say if they were good or not. Service was pretty terrible. Multiple servers came to our table but were clearing things before we'd actually finished with them. At one point they moved our phones to take our napkins away. There were plenty of empty tables and we weren't exactly taking up prime real estate during peak meal time. Our waiter cashed us out and we had to go up to the bar to buy more drinks. There was just a feeling of being pushed out by the staff that was extremely irritating. I'm assuming it was a manger standing in the back near our table who also kept looking over like he either wanted us out or was expecting us to run out on the bill. All around an underwhelming experience. The high reviews are surprising but maybe I'm missing something or went on an off day. Regardless, I wouldn't go back.", "timestamp": "2018-06-22T16:04:38" }, { "business_id": "DKtAKuOjI6vUAHhW4NR5UA", "business_name": "Mulate's", "rating": 3, "text": "The jambalaya here is great! If I came back, I would just do a jambalaya entree. We decided to do a small jambalaya and the burger. The burger here is $18.99 so I was expecting it to be amazing. The meat is really greasy, fries are ok, coleslaw just looked unappealing so I didn't try it. I ended up leaving the majority of my food. At these prices you could go anywhere and get much better food. I think they bank on their location next to the convention center but the food is not worth the outrageous prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-27T18:00:44" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this place a lot better than Cochon. Sandwiches are creative but don't contain tons of crazy ingredients. Food is fresh. I had the turkey with sprouts and avocado and it was just what I needed after a week of heavy New Orleans eating. The turkey was smoked perfectly and the sprouts and avocado were so fresh. The bread tasted nutty, fresh, and healthy. We ate at the bar which has a cool eclectic vibe. I ordered a few bloody Mary's which were a little on the watery side but all in all, this is a solid place if you're looking for a higher end, lighter, sandwich option.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T03:25:20" }, { "business_id": "I6L0Zxi5Ww0zEWSAVgngeQ", "business_name": "Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street", "rating": 4, "text": "The outdoor seating here is Heaven and feels like classic New Orleans. It seems like there is always a live band. It is one of my favorite spots for chickory coffee, beignets, and music. Even though you need to get the beignets, you can't go wrong having lunch here as well. Their jambalaya is some of the best in the city. Really fun vibe, great food, great music, great prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T22:51:35" }, { "business_id": "JvawJ9bSr22xn4R9oLvl_w", "business_name": "Desire Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was attached to our hotel so it made for a great breakfast option. I can't speak towards the other meals but breakfast was fantastic. On our first visit I got the breakfast poboy...egg, bacon, cheese, and tomato on French bread with a side of breakfast potatoes. Breakfast sandwiches are one of my favorite foods and this one is practically perfect. After the first visit, I got the same thing every morning. Service is friendly but can be really slow. I'd highly recommend for breakfast/brunch.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:44" } ]	{ "business_id": "Q6BQcgabriKd5wPxvzOIWg", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my absolute favorite bakery in all of New Orleans. Macarons are beautiful and delicious, the pastries are a work of art, cupcakes are the best you can get anywhere, and the gelato is amazing. Basically, you can't go wrong with anything you get here.", "timestamp": "2018-07-04T04:33:04" }
Z5j9Xw_G0c7M2b1-iS67wg	[ { "business_id": "3JpJ3b8r5jMdAb1yPmchrQ", "business_name": "Prince's Hot Chicken Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll start by saying I LOVE fried chicken. I also LOVE hot chicken. I did not love Prince's, unfortunately . It's hot and the seasoning is ok. What really made me sad was just how over cooked my chicken was. It was so dry and parts were tough. Like eating really spicy chicken splinters. Maybe it was an off night, but I've had better hot chicken elsewhere. Although judging by how busy it was, they won't miss me.", "timestamp": "2016-05-18T23:41:10" }, { "business_id": "15c8IT8faI1-Qz4V-1lxiQ", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 4, "text": "The flavors here are pretty incredible. I had the bourbon salted pecan which was really tasty and the wildberry lavender which rocked my world. A little on the pricey side; I spent $10 on two small scoops and a bottled seltzer water, but worth trying just for some of the unique flavors on offer.", "timestamp": "2016-05-19T03:12:31" }, { "business_id": "580Yyv_kzAaZSkHCj1LhBw", "business_name": "The Perch", "rating": 4, "text": "I came in for a cafe au lait and a sweet crepe. The guy helping me suggested Nutella and strawberry. The service was fast and friendly. My coffee was perfect and the crepe was really good. The strawberries were sliced perfectly thin and the Nutella was delicious as always, all wrapped up in a warm, light crepe. I'm already planning on going back tomorrow for something a little more creative. You can't go wrong stopping in here for brunch or even a coffee and crepe midday pick me up!", "timestamp": "2016-05-20T02:20:51" }, { "business_id": "16tjKOvMw_nOgNViq2LwOQ", "business_name": "Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville West", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my friends here to introduce them to Nashville hot chicken. They are now in love and often randomly wistfully reference it when I talk to them. The chicken is really good here and really hot. I ordered \"hot\" and it made my eyes water and nose run and mouth catch fire, but I didn't let my friends see me flinch. It's so much better than the other well known hot chicken place in town. For Nashville hot chicken you can't go wrong here. My only gripe is the pimento mac and cheese which tastes worse than sin to me. I'm really not a fan but my friend seemed to like it alright. So evil side dishes aside, the chicken is worth the trip!", "timestamp": "2016-10-08T04:28:32" }, { "business_id": "1LUZupYFJ6CxSKU37qDSXw", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped for a quick lunch and were pleasantly surprised by just how good the food was. Decently priced for what we got too. I got the French dip that was pretty tasty. A good find amidst all the typical chain restaurants around.", "timestamp": "2016-11-04T18:00:42" }, { "business_id": "EagkHaaC-kUozD3MPzbRIw", "business_name": "Stanley", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite place for breakfast in New Orleans. Their Eggs Benedict po'boy is so amazing. The French bread is crusty and light, eggs cooked perfectly, and the hollandaise is so fresh and light tasting. I also can't miss out on the creole potatoes which are spicy and delicious and go so well with anything! I love this place!", "timestamp": "2016-12-06T03:23:25" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "With all the BBQ places in this city, narrowing down which one to visit is a tough call. I went here on the recommendation of a friend and I'm really glad I did! Ribs were smoked perfectly. They aren't fall off the bone ribs, so don't expect it, but they're delicious. The dry rub is pretty amazing and not something we use a lot of in the south on our BBQ, so it was great to experience real St Louis BBQ and dry rub. I also tried the burnt ends and that was BBQ worth raving about! Someone in line said it's the first to sell out so if you can get it, get it. I can see why it goes fast. Flavor was amazing. I had the baked beans which are phenomenal and the coleslaw which was very different from all coleslaw back home. This seemed to be vinegar based which was a big change for this southerner. That I wasn't crazy about, but with all the meat you get, sides aren't really the main concern here. Overall, the BBQ here is delicious and well worth the wait! Because you'll wait a while for it. I was lucky and got in under 30 minutes but when I left, the line was already wrapped around the building. If you want awesome BBQ, you'll want Pappy's Smokehouse.", "timestamp": "2017-03-27T04:00:30" }, { "business_id": "9U2w4rQlIgBQqHuTRgp7Rw", "business_name": "Mauhaus", "rating": 5, "text": "A million stars! I love their mission to rescue and adopt out adult cats. $10 gets you an hour reservation and a latte. Besides spending an hour with adorable cats, the coffee itself is also great. I had a rose latte, a daily special, and it was delicious. My favorite cat I spent my hour with was 17 pound, squishy, cuddly Homer. The manger said Homer had a day left at the kill shelter he was rescued from. Pretty sure they'll have no problem getting this boy adopted. Wish I lived in St Louis; he'd be going home with me. Visit, pet cats, drink coffee, and leave a donation. They're doing a great thing here for these cats.", "timestamp": "2017-03-30T17:55:45" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 5, "text": "The best brisket I have eaten. Ever. And I've lived in Texas where the state bird is, I believe, brisket. I went to salt and smoke twice while I was in town for work. Once, with a client at her suggestion. I was blown away by just how good it was that I came back my last night in town. I also wanted to explore the bourbon list a little which is the most extensive list I've seen. The place is phenomenal all around. The BBQ Is awesome, the sides are as well thought out and executed as the main dish, and if you like whiskey or bourbon, the alcohol list will keep you busy! Also 5 stars for ambience. Really comfortable, nice decor.", "timestamp": "2017-04-01T23:45:49" }, { "business_id": "z7em5co2qckbAXoDGXynsA", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "The staff was friendly and food was ok. I had the DLT. BLT with duck instead of bacon. The house made bread was fantastic. But the food overall was a little too greasy for me. I don't think it was the duck so much as the bread drenched in butter and then grilled. It's unfortunate because the bread was good as is and didn't need all the added grease. I didn't find a lot on the menu I personally found too appealing but I hate mayo and all the sandwiches seem to get their kick from jazzed up aioli. Overall it was just alright for me. They do have wifi though which is nice and people who seem to be regulars came in and out so the vibe is relaxed and casual. Parking is easy. Restaurant is very clean.", "timestamp": "2017-04-02T00:38:02" }, { "business_id": "nYsNsyIppe_DTueBha1x9A", "business_name": "Red Mesa Cantina", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Mexican around. I wish this place was closer to Gainesville. I had the El Gordo steak burrito with jalapeño cream sauce. That jalapeño cream sauce is amazing!! If you haven't had it, you must try it! For $11 the burrito is large enough to be two meals. The ingredients taste fresh and you don't get that gross I-just-ate-Mexican-now-need-to-lay-down blah feeling. The plantains are also delicious. They come with some sort of lime-cream dipping sauce that wasn't bad, but I'm a purist when it comes to plantains so no sauces required in order for me to enjoy them and these plantains are exceptionally well done! I ate outside and the patio area is great. Plenty of shade and the fountain in the courtyard is a really nice touch. Definitely recommend coming here when you're in downtown St Pete and hungry!", "timestamp": "2017-06-15T03:04:37" }, { "business_id": "abzbYCaernXvdmYi1u9y-w", "business_name": "La Fondita de Leo", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious food and friendly service. I had never had mofongo (mashed green plantains that come in a mound; you can get it \"filled\" with different meat if you like) and wasn't sure if I'd like it. My waiter was kind enough to have a mini mofongo made for me to try to see if I wanted to order one. It was amazing; mofongo, where have you been all my life! I had the churrasco steak and a side of mofongo for lunch. Everything tasted so fresh and was so full of flavor. The green sauce is super tasty. I had a coconut creme brulee for dessert that was ok. This is a great little spot.", "timestamp": "2017-07-14T22:33:45" }, { "business_id": "GST3wg-wej15vHeCvaXE6w", "business_name": "Acme Feed & Seed", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like this place. Had the beer belly tacos which were super tasty. Wait can be really long like everything in this town. The best part was the band though. It was a nice break from the typical country music cover bands. The music was straight up bluegrass and it was AWESOME! Wish I remembered the name of the band, but they were they absolute best I've heard while in town. This is a fun stop if you're out on Broadway.", "timestamp": "2017-07-17T02:28:21" }, { "business_id": "HI1zbZuujFH9yPBKP1GH6g", "business_name": "Cork & Cow", "rating": 5, "text": "For about eight years now, if you asked me where the best burger I ever had was, I'd say at chef John Currence's The City Grocery in Oxford, MS. But that may have just changed after eating at the Cork and Cow. Their burger is absolutely phenomenal. Ground filet and bacon make for an absolute taste bud tingling delight! Besides the new best burger I've ever eaten, everything here made for a wonderful experience. The peach salad was delicious and fresh, the burger, obviously, amazing, and the hand crafted cocktails were other worldly good. Service was attentive and friendly. I truly enjoyed everything about my dining experience here. I wish I had been hungrier to try one of their steaks because I'm sure they are amazing as well. As it was, my dinner was one of my best meals since I've been in TN. Definitely worth the trip from Nashville to eat at this gem and if you're already in Franklin, then what are you waiting for? Go! This restaurant is on the pricey side (Plan $100 per person if you're going to have a drink and salad) but well worth every penny and seems to be about the going rate for this area.", "timestamp": "2017-07-18T22:56:32" }, { "business_id": "qb28j-FNX1_6xm7u372TZA", "business_name": "Gumbo Shop", "rating": 3, "text": "Gumbo is like BBQ, there are many opinions on what makes it great or not great. I'm not a fan of okra in my gumbo, they put okra in the gumbo. It doesn't mean it isn't good, it just isn't my preferred way to eat it. That being said, it's still tasty and a lot more authentic than a lot of these restaurants slinging gumbo around here. I accidentally stopped into the wrong place (with a super similar name) and ordered gumbo which came to the table with a red base. I knew this wasn't the gumbo for me and I was right. I paid my bill, left the meal and headed over here to get a better bowl of gumbo for dinner. While it is better than most, it still is not the greatest. I also ordered the blackened chicken po'boy for dinner which was disappointing. I expected the chicken to be a little more blackened versus the grilled for the most part chicken I got. It was pretty bland and I had to add a ton of hot sauce to salvage it. Overall, I'd probably not face long lines to eat here. I personally don't think it's worth the hype.", "timestamp": "2018-01-08T02:46:39" }, { "business_id": "f4DCA9U-TigfarQSagXkLA", "business_name": "Greek City Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is good. Like really, really good. I know Tarpon Springs is the place for Greek food but you just can't beat the food here. The restaurant is super clean and the staff is really friendly. Portions are huge and the prices are amazing. For $4 you can add a Greek salad and drink to your meal. The salad is huge and could be a meal in itself. It's loaded with veggies and even comes with potato salad which I love! Living in North Florida, I hardly ever find traditional Greek salads with potato salad, so I was in heaven when I got the salad here. The food is so fresh and the chicken pita was amazingly good. You can't go wrong eating here. Absolutely delicious, fresh Greek food and affordable prices.", "timestamp": "2018-03-07T21:56:29" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "$350 for three people. The price wouldn't be all that bad except the food was really bland. My prime rib was disturbingly pale and lacked any kind of flavor. I had to ask for horseradish which seems like a travesty. It's like putting ketchup on filet. But when the food has no flavor, what else can you do? Usually I'll eat all of my steak or prime rib but I decided this just wasn't worth the calories, so you know it's serious. The salad I started with was pretty good. The $13 loaded potato I order with my prime rib, was not. Creme brûlée was decent. For the money, I expected a lot more.", "timestamp": "2018-03-21T02:48:37" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 3, "text": "The food was ok. Dinner started out strong with amazing, fresh salads and an order of garlic bread that is absolutely worth the $5. I could have made a meal of bread and salad. We also got the gnocchi to share amongst the whole table so we could all try it. The gnocchi was really good but would have been way too rich to be an entire meal in my opinion. For my entree I got the spaghetti and meatballs. This was a real disappointment. Meatballs were very dry and the sauce was just not good. The flavor was off and it tasted pre-made. Like something from a can with that slightly metallic taste. It wasn't the rustic, homemade dish I was hoping for. I asked one of my friends, who got the same thing, if it was just me or if the spaghetti just wasn't great. She agreed hers wasn't very good either. We ordered dessert. I went with the tiramisu which was just ok. This place started off strong but the main course was a real let down.", "timestamp": "2018-03-22T02:41:31" }, { "business_id": "HTqXI5S2XcSlh_ylx9sE6g", "business_name": "Termini Bros Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I've only had the cannolis here but they are awesome! They're freshly filled when ordered and the filling is phenomenal. Not too sweet, it's perfect. If you like cannoli, if you don't think you like cannoli, you should definitely get one from Termini Bros.", "timestamp": "2018-03-23T14:35:33" }, { "business_id": "oJxsRgj8Un9VAPXpaDuufA", "business_name": "Bank & Bourbon", "rating": 5, "text": "Ate breakfast here and was pleasantly surprised all around with my experience. The ambiance is clean, warm, and welcoming. The food is farm to table and healthy. I have been trying to stick to the ol' resolutions I made this New Year by eating better and eating more veggies. When I'm home, this means it's green smoothies in the morning for me. After being on the road for quite some time, I was desperate for a green smoothie and veggies. Although not on the menu, they were awesome enough to make one for me and even asked what vegetables I wanted and what I wanted to avoid. This was above and beyond and I'm just so appreciative to find a restaurant that will provide foods that are delicious, healthy, and actually good for you. In addition to the green smoothie I also ordered two eggs that were cooked perfectly and mixed fruit that was amazingly good...none of that pre sliced fruit that's been sitting in preservatives. A tasty, healthy option with a menu broad enough to accommodate those who also want meals that feel liked calorie splurges.", "timestamp": "2018-03-24T04:16:05" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I eat here because I always get caught up in the \"best ever sandwich\" hype then remember that it really isn't the best ever sandwich and I should probably really start trying other places in the terminal market. I got the roast pork with provolone, broccoli rabe, and peppers. The pork is tender but also bland. You need the toppings to jazz it up. The provolone is sharp provolone and, for me, it just had a really dirty taste to it. It's almost too strong. That combined with the broccoli rabe makes for a bitter combo. The peppers, well if you make the mistake and don't get the hot peppers and get the sweet peppers, you'll realize they are vile. Get the hot peppers or get none. Seriously, those sweet peppers are really bad. They taste like they come from a can. I'm sure they don't, but they're just not good. I eventually opted to take all the toppings off my sandwich and load it with the banana pepper rings they keep on the counter. The bread though, that's the real star. That bread is delicious. Sandwiches are huge and are enough to split or make two lunches out of. Service is fast and friendly and you're food is out to you freakishly fast. Another mention about this place is the counter seating. Eating lunch with a bunch of friendly strangers is a fun way to pass your lunch break in the city of brotherly love.", "timestamp": "2018-03-25T23:48:56" }, { "business_id": "xQE1fuwKCXJEBcJgSSCNbw", "business_name": "Urban Farmer Philadelphia", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious as always. I've eaten at Urban Farmer in Cleveland and have been a huge fan of this restaurant since. I did show up a few minutes late to dinner and we already had a cheese board on the table. I will say, I don't know if it was the people already at the table who didn't know what to do or the restaurant here does things differently, but we didn't get to pick our own cheeses. At the Urban Farmer in Cleveland, someone came to our table with a cheese cart and let us sample each cheese and gave us a short history on the cheese before we put our board together. The cheese board here was a little on the disappointing side for my personal taste, but everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy it. The steaks were all delicious and perfectly prepared. This is one of the best places you can go to get a truly amazing steak. The sides were also as tasty as we remembered from our Cleveland trip. I did opt for dessert and found mine wasn't as great as I had hoped and the choices were not extensive, but really, if you're there, you're there for the steak anyway. Between two bottles of wine, steaks, cheese boards, sides, and desserts for nine people, we were right around $900. Budget $100 per person and know it will be worth it.", "timestamp": "2018-04-25T15:53:09" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has a large drinks list and large, clean(ish) dining space going for it but that's about it. The menu is pretty limited and is limited to mainly seafood. I had the chicken and jambalaya which from the menu description sounds like chicken IN jambalaya but it's actually a roasted chicken quarter on top of jambalaya. The chicken tasted not quite cooked through although I'm sure it was done. It just wasn't great. The jambalaya portion was very small and more of a side/garnish. Dinner for two was $100 even with tip. I wouldn't recommend it or come back. We only stopped here because we were starving and it was easy enough to get in and get a table. In hindsight, we should have planned better and went elsewhere.", "timestamp": "2018-06-21T03:57:35" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't get the hype. I had the gumbo and it was ok at best. Really salty. I asked for bread to go with it and got severe attitude. Oh, my bad. Just thought you'd serve it like every restaurant in New Orleans. We also ordered the gator appetizer which was cooked really well but covered in a mayo chili sauce that was pretty unappetizing, and the oysters which I did not try so I can't say if they were good or not. Service was pretty terrible. Multiple servers came to our table but were clearing things before we'd actually finished with them. At one point they moved our phones to take our napkins away. There were plenty of empty tables and we weren't exactly taking up prime real estate during peak meal time. Our waiter cashed us out and we had to go up to the bar to buy more drinks. There was just a feeling of being pushed out by the staff that was extremely irritating. I'm assuming it was a manger standing in the back near our table who also kept looking over like he either wanted us out or was expecting us to run out on the bill. All around an underwhelming experience. The high reviews are surprising but maybe I'm missing something or went on an off day. Regardless, I wouldn't go back.", "timestamp": "2018-06-22T16:04:38" }, { "business_id": "DKtAKuOjI6vUAHhW4NR5UA", "business_name": "Mulate's", "rating": 3, "text": "The jambalaya here is great! If I came back, I would just do a jambalaya entree. We decided to do a small jambalaya and the burger. The burger here is $18.99 so I was expecting it to be amazing. The meat is really greasy, fries are ok, coleslaw just looked unappealing so I didn't try it. I ended up leaving the majority of my food. At these prices you could go anywhere and get much better food. I think they bank on their location next to the convention center but the food is not worth the outrageous prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-27T18:00:44" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this place a lot better than Cochon. Sandwiches are creative but don't contain tons of crazy ingredients. Food is fresh. I had the turkey with sprouts and avocado and it was just what I needed after a week of heavy New Orleans eating. The turkey was smoked perfectly and the sprouts and avocado were so fresh. The bread tasted nutty, fresh, and healthy. We ate at the bar which has a cool eclectic vibe. I ordered a few bloody Mary's which were a little on the watery side but all in all, this is a solid place if you're looking for a higher end, lighter, sandwich option.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T03:25:20" }, { "business_id": "I6L0Zxi5Ww0zEWSAVgngeQ", "business_name": "Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street", "rating": 4, "text": "The outdoor seating here is Heaven and feels like classic New Orleans. It seems like there is always a live band. It is one of my favorite spots for chickory coffee, beignets, and music. Even though you need to get the beignets, you can't go wrong having lunch here as well. Their jambalaya is some of the best in the city. Really fun vibe, great food, great music, great prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T22:51:35" }, { "business_id": "JvawJ9bSr22xn4R9oLvl_w", "business_name": "Desire Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was attached to our hotel so it made for a great breakfast option. I can't speak towards the other meals but breakfast was fantastic. On our first visit I got the breakfast poboy...egg, bacon, cheese, and tomato on French bread with a side of breakfast potatoes. Breakfast sandwiches are one of my favorite foods and this one is practically perfect. After the first visit, I got the same thing every morning. Service is friendly but can be really slow. I'd highly recommend for breakfast/brunch.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:44" }, { "business_id": "Q6BQcgabriKd5wPxvzOIWg", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my absolute favorite bakery in all of New Orleans. Macarons are beautiful and delicious, the pastries are a work of art, cupcakes are the best you can get anywhere, and the gelato is amazing. Basically, you can't go wrong with anything you get here.", "timestamp": "2018-07-04T04:33:04" } ]	{ "business_id": "UTg2aZ9zXLK8_0K-UnCVUA", "business_name": "Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm giving this place four stars because of the hours. There is nothing that gets under my skin more than getting into a city that generally is awake pretty late but stops serving food early and Nashville is one of them. It would seem most restaurants stop serving at 10:00 or 11:00 on Sunday nights but Rock Bottom serves from a full menu until midnight. I sat at the bar and the service was fast, friendly, and attentive. I ordered the Texas ribeye. The spice on it was good and flavorful. The ribeye was decent for what it was and cooked perfectly; it was a $22 steak, so set your expectations accordingly. No complaints from me. The side salad was actually quite surprising in how fresh it was and the variety of ingredients in it. That little salad was delicious! I also ordered the green beans as a side and they were very good and a little dressed up with possibly some grated orange peel...whatever it was, I approve! All in all, it was a good meal at a fair price and they were still serving food when I needed them to be!", "timestamp": "2018-07-16T18:53:38" }
Z5j9Xw_G0c7M2b1-iS67wg	[ { "business_id": "3JpJ3b8r5jMdAb1yPmchrQ", "business_name": "Prince's Hot Chicken Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll start by saying I LOVE fried chicken. I also LOVE hot chicken. I did not love Prince's, unfortunately . It's hot and the seasoning is ok. What really made me sad was just how over cooked my chicken was. It was so dry and parts were tough. Like eating really spicy chicken splinters. Maybe it was an off night, but I've had better hot chicken elsewhere. Although judging by how busy it was, they won't miss me.", "timestamp": "2016-05-18T23:41:10" }, { "business_id": "15c8IT8faI1-Qz4V-1lxiQ", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 4, "text": "The flavors here are pretty incredible. I had the bourbon salted pecan which was really tasty and the wildberry lavender which rocked my world. A little on the pricey side; I spent $10 on two small scoops and a bottled seltzer water, but worth trying just for some of the unique flavors on offer.", "timestamp": "2016-05-19T03:12:31" }, { "business_id": "580Yyv_kzAaZSkHCj1LhBw", "business_name": "The Perch", "rating": 4, "text": "I came in for a cafe au lait and a sweet crepe. The guy helping me suggested Nutella and strawberry. The service was fast and friendly. My coffee was perfect and the crepe was really good. The strawberries were sliced perfectly thin and the Nutella was delicious as always, all wrapped up in a warm, light crepe. I'm already planning on going back tomorrow for something a little more creative. You can't go wrong stopping in here for brunch or even a coffee and crepe midday pick me up!", "timestamp": "2016-05-20T02:20:51" }, { "business_id": "16tjKOvMw_nOgNViq2LwOQ", "business_name": "Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville West", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my friends here to introduce them to Nashville hot chicken. They are now in love and often randomly wistfully reference it when I talk to them. The chicken is really good here and really hot. I ordered \"hot\" and it made my eyes water and nose run and mouth catch fire, but I didn't let my friends see me flinch. It's so much better than the other well known hot chicken place in town. For Nashville hot chicken you can't go wrong here. My only gripe is the pimento mac and cheese which tastes worse than sin to me. I'm really not a fan but my friend seemed to like it alright. So evil side dishes aside, the chicken is worth the trip!", "timestamp": "2016-10-08T04:28:32" }, { "business_id": "1LUZupYFJ6CxSKU37qDSXw", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped for a quick lunch and were pleasantly surprised by just how good the food was. Decently priced for what we got too. I got the French dip that was pretty tasty. A good find amidst all the typical chain restaurants around.", "timestamp": "2016-11-04T18:00:42" }, { "business_id": "EagkHaaC-kUozD3MPzbRIw", "business_name": "Stanley", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite place for breakfast in New Orleans. Their Eggs Benedict po'boy is so amazing. The French bread is crusty and light, eggs cooked perfectly, and the hollandaise is so fresh and light tasting. I also can't miss out on the creole potatoes which are spicy and delicious and go so well with anything! I love this place!", "timestamp": "2016-12-06T03:23:25" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "With all the BBQ places in this city, narrowing down which one to visit is a tough call. I went here on the recommendation of a friend and I'm really glad I did! Ribs were smoked perfectly. They aren't fall off the bone ribs, so don't expect it, but they're delicious. The dry rub is pretty amazing and not something we use a lot of in the south on our BBQ, so it was great to experience real St Louis BBQ and dry rub. I also tried the burnt ends and that was BBQ worth raving about! Someone in line said it's the first to sell out so if you can get it, get it. I can see why it goes fast. Flavor was amazing. I had the baked beans which are phenomenal and the coleslaw which was very different from all coleslaw back home. This seemed to be vinegar based which was a big change for this southerner. That I wasn't crazy about, but with all the meat you get, sides aren't really the main concern here. Overall, the BBQ here is delicious and well worth the wait! Because you'll wait a while for it. I was lucky and got in under 30 minutes but when I left, the line was already wrapped around the building. If you want awesome BBQ, you'll want Pappy's Smokehouse.", "timestamp": "2017-03-27T04:00:30" }, { "business_id": "9U2w4rQlIgBQqHuTRgp7Rw", "business_name": "Mauhaus", "rating": 5, "text": "A million stars! I love their mission to rescue and adopt out adult cats. $10 gets you an hour reservation and a latte. Besides spending an hour with adorable cats, the coffee itself is also great. I had a rose latte, a daily special, and it was delicious. My favorite cat I spent my hour with was 17 pound, squishy, cuddly Homer. The manger said Homer had a day left at the kill shelter he was rescued from. Pretty sure they'll have no problem getting this boy adopted. Wish I lived in St Louis; he'd be going home with me. Visit, pet cats, drink coffee, and leave a donation. They're doing a great thing here for these cats.", "timestamp": "2017-03-30T17:55:45" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 5, "text": "The best brisket I have eaten. Ever. And I've lived in Texas where the state bird is, I believe, brisket. I went to salt and smoke twice while I was in town for work. Once, with a client at her suggestion. I was blown away by just how good it was that I came back my last night in town. I also wanted to explore the bourbon list a little which is the most extensive list I've seen. The place is phenomenal all around. The BBQ Is awesome, the sides are as well thought out and executed as the main dish, and if you like whiskey or bourbon, the alcohol list will keep you busy! Also 5 stars for ambience. Really comfortable, nice decor.", "timestamp": "2017-04-01T23:45:49" }, { "business_id": "z7em5co2qckbAXoDGXynsA", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "The staff was friendly and food was ok. I had the DLT. BLT with duck instead of bacon. The house made bread was fantastic. But the food overall was a little too greasy for me. I don't think it was the duck so much as the bread drenched in butter and then grilled. It's unfortunate because the bread was good as is and didn't need all the added grease. I didn't find a lot on the menu I personally found too appealing but I hate mayo and all the sandwiches seem to get their kick from jazzed up aioli. Overall it was just alright for me. They do have wifi though which is nice and people who seem to be regulars came in and out so the vibe is relaxed and casual. Parking is easy. Restaurant is very clean.", "timestamp": "2017-04-02T00:38:02" }, { "business_id": "nYsNsyIppe_DTueBha1x9A", "business_name": "Red Mesa Cantina", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Mexican around. I wish this place was closer to Gainesville. I had the El Gordo steak burrito with jalapeño cream sauce. That jalapeño cream sauce is amazing!! If you haven't had it, you must try it! For $11 the burrito is large enough to be two meals. The ingredients taste fresh and you don't get that gross I-just-ate-Mexican-now-need-to-lay-down blah feeling. The plantains are also delicious. They come with some sort of lime-cream dipping sauce that wasn't bad, but I'm a purist when it comes to plantains so no sauces required in order for me to enjoy them and these plantains are exceptionally well done! I ate outside and the patio area is great. Plenty of shade and the fountain in the courtyard is a really nice touch. Definitely recommend coming here when you're in downtown St Pete and hungry!", "timestamp": "2017-06-15T03:04:37" }, { "business_id": "abzbYCaernXvdmYi1u9y-w", "business_name": "La Fondita de Leo", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious food and friendly service. I had never had mofongo (mashed green plantains that come in a mound; you can get it \"filled\" with different meat if you like) and wasn't sure if I'd like it. My waiter was kind enough to have a mini mofongo made for me to try to see if I wanted to order one. It was amazing; mofongo, where have you been all my life! I had the churrasco steak and a side of mofongo for lunch. Everything tasted so fresh and was so full of flavor. The green sauce is super tasty. I had a coconut creme brulee for dessert that was ok. This is a great little spot.", "timestamp": "2017-07-14T22:33:45" }, { "business_id": "GST3wg-wej15vHeCvaXE6w", "business_name": "Acme Feed & Seed", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like this place. Had the beer belly tacos which were super tasty. Wait can be really long like everything in this town. The best part was the band though. It was a nice break from the typical country music cover bands. The music was straight up bluegrass and it was AWESOME! Wish I remembered the name of the band, but they were they absolute best I've heard while in town. This is a fun stop if you're out on Broadway.", "timestamp": "2017-07-17T02:28:21" }, { "business_id": "HI1zbZuujFH9yPBKP1GH6g", "business_name": "Cork & Cow", "rating": 5, "text": "For about eight years now, if you asked me where the best burger I ever had was, I'd say at chef John Currence's The City Grocery in Oxford, MS. But that may have just changed after eating at the Cork and Cow. Their burger is absolutely phenomenal. Ground filet and bacon make for an absolute taste bud tingling delight! Besides the new best burger I've ever eaten, everything here made for a wonderful experience. The peach salad was delicious and fresh, the burger, obviously, amazing, and the hand crafted cocktails were other worldly good. Service was attentive and friendly. I truly enjoyed everything about my dining experience here. I wish I had been hungrier to try one of their steaks because I'm sure they are amazing as well. As it was, my dinner was one of my best meals since I've been in TN. Definitely worth the trip from Nashville to eat at this gem and if you're already in Franklin, then what are you waiting for? Go! This restaurant is on the pricey side (Plan $100 per person if you're going to have a drink and salad) but well worth every penny and seems to be about the going rate for this area.", "timestamp": "2017-07-18T22:56:32" }, { "business_id": "qb28j-FNX1_6xm7u372TZA", "business_name": "Gumbo Shop", "rating": 3, "text": "Gumbo is like BBQ, there are many opinions on what makes it great or not great. I'm not a fan of okra in my gumbo, they put okra in the gumbo. It doesn't mean it isn't good, it just isn't my preferred way to eat it. That being said, it's still tasty and a lot more authentic than a lot of these restaurants slinging gumbo around here. I accidentally stopped into the wrong place (with a super similar name) and ordered gumbo which came to the table with a red base. I knew this wasn't the gumbo for me and I was right. I paid my bill, left the meal and headed over here to get a better bowl of gumbo for dinner. While it is better than most, it still is not the greatest. I also ordered the blackened chicken po'boy for dinner which was disappointing. I expected the chicken to be a little more blackened versus the grilled for the most part chicken I got. It was pretty bland and I had to add a ton of hot sauce to salvage it. Overall, I'd probably not face long lines to eat here. I personally don't think it's worth the hype.", "timestamp": "2018-01-08T02:46:39" }, { "business_id": "f4DCA9U-TigfarQSagXkLA", "business_name": "Greek City Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is good. Like really, really good. I know Tarpon Springs is the place for Greek food but you just can't beat the food here. The restaurant is super clean and the staff is really friendly. Portions are huge and the prices are amazing. For $4 you can add a Greek salad and drink to your meal. The salad is huge and could be a meal in itself. It's loaded with veggies and even comes with potato salad which I love! Living in North Florida, I hardly ever find traditional Greek salads with potato salad, so I was in heaven when I got the salad here. The food is so fresh and the chicken pita was amazingly good. You can't go wrong eating here. Absolutely delicious, fresh Greek food and affordable prices.", "timestamp": "2018-03-07T21:56:29" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "$350 for three people. The price wouldn't be all that bad except the food was really bland. My prime rib was disturbingly pale and lacked any kind of flavor. I had to ask for horseradish which seems like a travesty. It's like putting ketchup on filet. But when the food has no flavor, what else can you do? Usually I'll eat all of my steak or prime rib but I decided this just wasn't worth the calories, so you know it's serious. The salad I started with was pretty good. The $13 loaded potato I order with my prime rib, was not. Creme brûlée was decent. For the money, I expected a lot more.", "timestamp": "2018-03-21T02:48:37" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 3, "text": "The food was ok. Dinner started out strong with amazing, fresh salads and an order of garlic bread that is absolutely worth the $5. I could have made a meal of bread and salad. We also got the gnocchi to share amongst the whole table so we could all try it. The gnocchi was really good but would have been way too rich to be an entire meal in my opinion. For my entree I got the spaghetti and meatballs. This was a real disappointment. Meatballs were very dry and the sauce was just not good. The flavor was off and it tasted pre-made. Like something from a can with that slightly metallic taste. It wasn't the rustic, homemade dish I was hoping for. I asked one of my friends, who got the same thing, if it was just me or if the spaghetti just wasn't great. She agreed hers wasn't very good either. We ordered dessert. I went with the tiramisu which was just ok. This place started off strong but the main course was a real let down.", "timestamp": "2018-03-22T02:41:31" }, { "business_id": "HTqXI5S2XcSlh_ylx9sE6g", "business_name": "Termini Bros Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I've only had the cannolis here but they are awesome! They're freshly filled when ordered and the filling is phenomenal. Not too sweet, it's perfect. If you like cannoli, if you don't think you like cannoli, you should definitely get one from Termini Bros.", "timestamp": "2018-03-23T14:35:33" }, { "business_id": "oJxsRgj8Un9VAPXpaDuufA", "business_name": "Bank & Bourbon", "rating": 5, "text": "Ate breakfast here and was pleasantly surprised all around with my experience. The ambiance is clean, warm, and welcoming. The food is farm to table and healthy. I have been trying to stick to the ol' resolutions I made this New Year by eating better and eating more veggies. When I'm home, this means it's green smoothies in the morning for me. After being on the road for quite some time, I was desperate for a green smoothie and veggies. Although not on the menu, they were awesome enough to make one for me and even asked what vegetables I wanted and what I wanted to avoid. This was above and beyond and I'm just so appreciative to find a restaurant that will provide foods that are delicious, healthy, and actually good for you. In addition to the green smoothie I also ordered two eggs that were cooked perfectly and mixed fruit that was amazingly good...none of that pre sliced fruit that's been sitting in preservatives. A tasty, healthy option with a menu broad enough to accommodate those who also want meals that feel liked calorie splurges.", "timestamp": "2018-03-24T04:16:05" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I eat here because I always get caught up in the \"best ever sandwich\" hype then remember that it really isn't the best ever sandwich and I should probably really start trying other places in the terminal market. I got the roast pork with provolone, broccoli rabe, and peppers. The pork is tender but also bland. You need the toppings to jazz it up. The provolone is sharp provolone and, for me, it just had a really dirty taste to it. It's almost too strong. That combined with the broccoli rabe makes for a bitter combo. The peppers, well if you make the mistake and don't get the hot peppers and get the sweet peppers, you'll realize they are vile. Get the hot peppers or get none. Seriously, those sweet peppers are really bad. They taste like they come from a can. I'm sure they don't, but they're just not good. I eventually opted to take all the toppings off my sandwich and load it with the banana pepper rings they keep on the counter. The bread though, that's the real star. That bread is delicious. Sandwiches are huge and are enough to split or make two lunches out of. Service is fast and friendly and you're food is out to you freakishly fast. Another mention about this place is the counter seating. Eating lunch with a bunch of friendly strangers is a fun way to pass your lunch break in the city of brotherly love.", "timestamp": "2018-03-25T23:48:56" }, { "business_id": "xQE1fuwKCXJEBcJgSSCNbw", "business_name": "Urban Farmer Philadelphia", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious as always. I've eaten at Urban Farmer in Cleveland and have been a huge fan of this restaurant since. I did show up a few minutes late to dinner and we already had a cheese board on the table. I will say, I don't know if it was the people already at the table who didn't know what to do or the restaurant here does things differently, but we didn't get to pick our own cheeses. At the Urban Farmer in Cleveland, someone came to our table with a cheese cart and let us sample each cheese and gave us a short history on the cheese before we put our board together. The cheese board here was a little on the disappointing side for my personal taste, but everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy it. The steaks were all delicious and perfectly prepared. This is one of the best places you can go to get a truly amazing steak. The sides were also as tasty as we remembered from our Cleveland trip. I did opt for dessert and found mine wasn't as great as I had hoped and the choices were not extensive, but really, if you're there, you're there for the steak anyway. Between two bottles of wine, steaks, cheese boards, sides, and desserts for nine people, we were right around $900. Budget $100 per person and know it will be worth it.", "timestamp": "2018-04-25T15:53:09" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has a large drinks list and large, clean(ish) dining space going for it but that's about it. The menu is pretty limited and is limited to mainly seafood. I had the chicken and jambalaya which from the menu description sounds like chicken IN jambalaya but it's actually a roasted chicken quarter on top of jambalaya. The chicken tasted not quite cooked through although I'm sure it was done. It just wasn't great. The jambalaya portion was very small and more of a side/garnish. Dinner for two was $100 even with tip. I wouldn't recommend it or come back. We only stopped here because we were starving and it was easy enough to get in and get a table. In hindsight, we should have planned better and went elsewhere.", "timestamp": "2018-06-21T03:57:35" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't get the hype. I had the gumbo and it was ok at best. Really salty. I asked for bread to go with it and got severe attitude. Oh, my bad. Just thought you'd serve it like every restaurant in New Orleans. We also ordered the gator appetizer which was cooked really well but covered in a mayo chili sauce that was pretty unappetizing, and the oysters which I did not try so I can't say if they were good or not. Service was pretty terrible. Multiple servers came to our table but were clearing things before we'd actually finished with them. At one point they moved our phones to take our napkins away. There were plenty of empty tables and we weren't exactly taking up prime real estate during peak meal time. Our waiter cashed us out and we had to go up to the bar to buy more drinks. There was just a feeling of being pushed out by the staff that was extremely irritating. I'm assuming it was a manger standing in the back near our table who also kept looking over like he either wanted us out or was expecting us to run out on the bill. All around an underwhelming experience. The high reviews are surprising but maybe I'm missing something or went on an off day. Regardless, I wouldn't go back.", "timestamp": "2018-06-22T16:04:38" }, { "business_id": "DKtAKuOjI6vUAHhW4NR5UA", "business_name": "Mulate's", "rating": 3, "text": "The jambalaya here is great! If I came back, I would just do a jambalaya entree. We decided to do a small jambalaya and the burger. The burger here is $18.99 so I was expecting it to be amazing. The meat is really greasy, fries are ok, coleslaw just looked unappealing so I didn't try it. I ended up leaving the majority of my food. At these prices you could go anywhere and get much better food. I think they bank on their location next to the convention center but the food is not worth the outrageous prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-27T18:00:44" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this place a lot better than Cochon. Sandwiches are creative but don't contain tons of crazy ingredients. Food is fresh. I had the turkey with sprouts and avocado and it was just what I needed after a week of heavy New Orleans eating. The turkey was smoked perfectly and the sprouts and avocado were so fresh. The bread tasted nutty, fresh, and healthy. We ate at the bar which has a cool eclectic vibe. I ordered a few bloody Mary's which were a little on the watery side but all in all, this is a solid place if you're looking for a higher end, lighter, sandwich option.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T03:25:20" }, { "business_id": "I6L0Zxi5Ww0zEWSAVgngeQ", "business_name": "Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street", "rating": 4, "text": "The outdoor seating here is Heaven and feels like classic New Orleans. It seems like there is always a live band. It is one of my favorite spots for chickory coffee, beignets, and music. Even though you need to get the beignets, you can't go wrong having lunch here as well. Their jambalaya is some of the best in the city. Really fun vibe, great food, great music, great prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T22:51:35" }, { "business_id": "JvawJ9bSr22xn4R9oLvl_w", "business_name": "Desire Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was attached to our hotel so it made for a great breakfast option. I can't speak towards the other meals but breakfast was fantastic. On our first visit I got the breakfast poboy...egg, bacon, cheese, and tomato on French bread with a side of breakfast potatoes. Breakfast sandwiches are one of my favorite foods and this one is practically perfect. After the first visit, I got the same thing every morning. Service is friendly but can be really slow. I'd highly recommend for breakfast/brunch.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:44" }, { "business_id": "Q6BQcgabriKd5wPxvzOIWg", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my absolute favorite bakery in all of New Orleans. Macarons are beautiful and delicious, the pastries are a work of art, cupcakes are the best you can get anywhere, and the gelato is amazing. Basically, you can't go wrong with anything you get here.", "timestamp": "2018-07-04T04:33:04" }, { "business_id": "UTg2aZ9zXLK8_0K-UnCVUA", "business_name": "Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm giving this place four stars because of the hours. There is nothing that gets under my skin more than getting into a city that generally is awake pretty late but stops serving food early and Nashville is one of them. It would seem most restaurants stop serving at 10:00 or 11:00 on Sunday nights but Rock Bottom serves from a full menu until midnight. I sat at the bar and the service was fast, friendly, and attentive. I ordered the Texas ribeye. The spice on it was good and flavorful. The ribeye was decent for what it was and cooked perfectly; it was a $22 steak, so set your expectations accordingly. No complaints from me. The side salad was actually quite surprising in how fresh it was and the variety of ingredients in it. That little salad was delicious! I also ordered the green beans as a side and they were very good and a little dressed up with possibly some grated orange peel...whatever it was, I approve! All in all, it was a good meal at a fair price and they were still serving food when I needed them to be!", "timestamp": "2018-07-16T18:53:38" } ]	{ "business_id": "XiDhSghC-9Hz19hBlLpbyg", "business_name": "Red Bicycle Coffee & Crepes", "rating": 4, "text": "I got a savory crepe and a sweet crepe not realizing how massive these crepes are. These are large enough to share. Especially the savory crepes! I got the Highlander...chicken, Gorgonzola, apples, and tarragon aioli. Absolutely amazing and absolutely jammed packed with chicken and the other ingredients. I could have used a little less aioli but I'm just being picky. The flavors were so amazing and worked together so well. I wish I could have eaten the whole thing but it was enormous and I still had a sweet crepe that I had to give some attention to! For my sweet crepe I had the nutella with banana and strawberries. Pretty self explanatory and typical as far as this crepe goes. They do know what they're doing here when it comes to making to crepes though...not too thick, not too thin, and just the right amount of chewy. They are perfect. I had iced coffee and I will say I'm not a fan of the coffee here. The price for lunch, although I did way over order, was $30. A little high, but in hindsight, there is no reason one human should need two crepes for themselves for lunch. This is a great little spot in a cute neighborhood with some fantastic offerings. I'd recommend!", "timestamp": "2018-07-23T16:01:37" }
Z5j9Xw_G0c7M2b1-iS67wg	[ { "business_id": "3JpJ3b8r5jMdAb1yPmchrQ", "business_name": "Prince's Hot Chicken Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "I'll start by saying I LOVE fried chicken. I also LOVE hot chicken. I did not love Prince's, unfortunately . It's hot and the seasoning is ok. What really made me sad was just how over cooked my chicken was. It was so dry and parts were tough. Like eating really spicy chicken splinters. Maybe it was an off night, but I've had better hot chicken elsewhere. Although judging by how busy it was, they won't miss me.", "timestamp": "2016-05-18T23:41:10" }, { "business_id": "15c8IT8faI1-Qz4V-1lxiQ", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 4, "text": "The flavors here are pretty incredible. I had the bourbon salted pecan which was really tasty and the wildberry lavender which rocked my world. A little on the pricey side; I spent $10 on two small scoops and a bottled seltzer water, but worth trying just for some of the unique flavors on offer.", "timestamp": "2016-05-19T03:12:31" }, { "business_id": "580Yyv_kzAaZSkHCj1LhBw", "business_name": "The Perch", "rating": 4, "text": "I came in for a cafe au lait and a sweet crepe. The guy helping me suggested Nutella and strawberry. The service was fast and friendly. My coffee was perfect and the crepe was really good. The strawberries were sliced perfectly thin and the Nutella was delicious as always, all wrapped up in a warm, light crepe. I'm already planning on going back tomorrow for something a little more creative. You can't go wrong stopping in here for brunch or even a coffee and crepe midday pick me up!", "timestamp": "2016-05-20T02:20:51" }, { "business_id": "16tjKOvMw_nOgNViq2LwOQ", "business_name": "Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville West", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my friends here to introduce them to Nashville hot chicken. They are now in love and often randomly wistfully reference it when I talk to them. The chicken is really good here and really hot. I ordered \"hot\" and it made my eyes water and nose run and mouth catch fire, but I didn't let my friends see me flinch. It's so much better than the other well known hot chicken place in town. For Nashville hot chicken you can't go wrong here. My only gripe is the pimento mac and cheese which tastes worse than sin to me. I'm really not a fan but my friend seemed to like it alright. So evil side dishes aside, the chicken is worth the trip!", "timestamp": "2016-10-08T04:28:32" }, { "business_id": "1LUZupYFJ6CxSKU37qDSXw", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "We stopped for a quick lunch and were pleasantly surprised by just how good the food was. Decently priced for what we got too. I got the French dip that was pretty tasty. A good find amidst all the typical chain restaurants around.", "timestamp": "2016-11-04T18:00:42" }, { "business_id": "EagkHaaC-kUozD3MPzbRIw", "business_name": "Stanley", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite place for breakfast in New Orleans. Their Eggs Benedict po'boy is so amazing. The French bread is crusty and light, eggs cooked perfectly, and the hollandaise is so fresh and light tasting. I also can't miss out on the creole potatoes which are spicy and delicious and go so well with anything! I love this place!", "timestamp": "2016-12-06T03:23:25" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "With all the BBQ places in this city, narrowing down which one to visit is a tough call. I went here on the recommendation of a friend and I'm really glad I did! Ribs were smoked perfectly. They aren't fall off the bone ribs, so don't expect it, but they're delicious. The dry rub is pretty amazing and not something we use a lot of in the south on our BBQ, so it was great to experience real St Louis BBQ and dry rub. I also tried the burnt ends and that was BBQ worth raving about! Someone in line said it's the first to sell out so if you can get it, get it. I can see why it goes fast. Flavor was amazing. I had the baked beans which are phenomenal and the coleslaw which was very different from all coleslaw back home. This seemed to be vinegar based which was a big change for this southerner. That I wasn't crazy about, but with all the meat you get, sides aren't really the main concern here. Overall, the BBQ here is delicious and well worth the wait! Because you'll wait a while for it. I was lucky and got in under 30 minutes but when I left, the line was already wrapped around the building. If you want awesome BBQ, you'll want Pappy's Smokehouse.", "timestamp": "2017-03-27T04:00:30" }, { "business_id": "9U2w4rQlIgBQqHuTRgp7Rw", "business_name": "Mauhaus", "rating": 5, "text": "A million stars! I love their mission to rescue and adopt out adult cats. $10 gets you an hour reservation and a latte. Besides spending an hour with adorable cats, the coffee itself is also great. I had a rose latte, a daily special, and it was delicious. My favorite cat I spent my hour with was 17 pound, squishy, cuddly Homer. The manger said Homer had a day left at the kill shelter he was rescued from. Pretty sure they'll have no problem getting this boy adopted. Wish I lived in St Louis; he'd be going home with me. Visit, pet cats, drink coffee, and leave a donation. They're doing a great thing here for these cats.", "timestamp": "2017-03-30T17:55:45" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 5, "text": "The best brisket I have eaten. Ever. And I've lived in Texas where the state bird is, I believe, brisket. I went to salt and smoke twice while I was in town for work. Once, with a client at her suggestion. I was blown away by just how good it was that I came back my last night in town. I also wanted to explore the bourbon list a little which is the most extensive list I've seen. The place is phenomenal all around. The BBQ Is awesome, the sides are as well thought out and executed as the main dish, and if you like whiskey or bourbon, the alcohol list will keep you busy! Also 5 stars for ambience. Really comfortable, nice decor.", "timestamp": "2017-04-01T23:45:49" }, { "business_id": "z7em5co2qckbAXoDGXynsA", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "The staff was friendly and food was ok. I had the DLT. BLT with duck instead of bacon. The house made bread was fantastic. But the food overall was a little too greasy for me. I don't think it was the duck so much as the bread drenched in butter and then grilled. It's unfortunate because the bread was good as is and didn't need all the added grease. I didn't find a lot on the menu I personally found too appealing but I hate mayo and all the sandwiches seem to get their kick from jazzed up aioli. Overall it was just alright for me. They do have wifi though which is nice and people who seem to be regulars came in and out so the vibe is relaxed and casual. Parking is easy. Restaurant is very clean.", "timestamp": "2017-04-02T00:38:02" }, { "business_id": "nYsNsyIppe_DTueBha1x9A", "business_name": "Red Mesa Cantina", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Mexican around. I wish this place was closer to Gainesville. I had the El Gordo steak burrito with jalapeño cream sauce. That jalapeño cream sauce is amazing!! If you haven't had it, you must try it! For $11 the burrito is large enough to be two meals. The ingredients taste fresh and you don't get that gross I-just-ate-Mexican-now-need-to-lay-down blah feeling. The plantains are also delicious. They come with some sort of lime-cream dipping sauce that wasn't bad, but I'm a purist when it comes to plantains so no sauces required in order for me to enjoy them and these plantains are exceptionally well done! I ate outside and the patio area is great. Plenty of shade and the fountain in the courtyard is a really nice touch. Definitely recommend coming here when you're in downtown St Pete and hungry!", "timestamp": "2017-06-15T03:04:37" }, { "business_id": "abzbYCaernXvdmYi1u9y-w", "business_name": "La Fondita de Leo", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious food and friendly service. I had never had mofongo (mashed green plantains that come in a mound; you can get it \"filled\" with different meat if you like) and wasn't sure if I'd like it. My waiter was kind enough to have a mini mofongo made for me to try to see if I wanted to order one. It was amazing; mofongo, where have you been all my life! I had the churrasco steak and a side of mofongo for lunch. Everything tasted so fresh and was so full of flavor. The green sauce is super tasty. I had a coconut creme brulee for dessert that was ok. This is a great little spot.", "timestamp": "2017-07-14T22:33:45" }, { "business_id": "GST3wg-wej15vHeCvaXE6w", "business_name": "Acme Feed & Seed", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like this place. Had the beer belly tacos which were super tasty. Wait can be really long like everything in this town. The best part was the band though. It was a nice break from the typical country music cover bands. The music was straight up bluegrass and it was AWESOME! Wish I remembered the name of the band, but they were they absolute best I've heard while in town. This is a fun stop if you're out on Broadway.", "timestamp": "2017-07-17T02:28:21" }, { "business_id": "HI1zbZuujFH9yPBKP1GH6g", "business_name": "Cork & Cow", "rating": 5, "text": "For about eight years now, if you asked me where the best burger I ever had was, I'd say at chef John Currence's The City Grocery in Oxford, MS. But that may have just changed after eating at the Cork and Cow. Their burger is absolutely phenomenal. Ground filet and bacon make for an absolute taste bud tingling delight! Besides the new best burger I've ever eaten, everything here made for a wonderful experience. The peach salad was delicious and fresh, the burger, obviously, amazing, and the hand crafted cocktails were other worldly good. Service was attentive and friendly. I truly enjoyed everything about my dining experience here. I wish I had been hungrier to try one of their steaks because I'm sure they are amazing as well. As it was, my dinner was one of my best meals since I've been in TN. Definitely worth the trip from Nashville to eat at this gem and if you're already in Franklin, then what are you waiting for? Go! This restaurant is on the pricey side (Plan $100 per person if you're going to have a drink and salad) but well worth every penny and seems to be about the going rate for this area.", "timestamp": "2017-07-18T22:56:32" }, { "business_id": "qb28j-FNX1_6xm7u372TZA", "business_name": "Gumbo Shop", "rating": 3, "text": "Gumbo is like BBQ, there are many opinions on what makes it great or not great. I'm not a fan of okra in my gumbo, they put okra in the gumbo. It doesn't mean it isn't good, it just isn't my preferred way to eat it. That being said, it's still tasty and a lot more authentic than a lot of these restaurants slinging gumbo around here. I accidentally stopped into the wrong place (with a super similar name) and ordered gumbo which came to the table with a red base. I knew this wasn't the gumbo for me and I was right. I paid my bill, left the meal and headed over here to get a better bowl of gumbo for dinner. While it is better than most, it still is not the greatest. I also ordered the blackened chicken po'boy for dinner which was disappointing. I expected the chicken to be a little more blackened versus the grilled for the most part chicken I got. It was pretty bland and I had to add a ton of hot sauce to salvage it. Overall, I'd probably not face long lines to eat here. I personally don't think it's worth the hype.", "timestamp": "2018-01-08T02:46:39" }, { "business_id": "f4DCA9U-TigfarQSagXkLA", "business_name": "Greek City Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is good. Like really, really good. I know Tarpon Springs is the place for Greek food but you just can't beat the food here. The restaurant is super clean and the staff is really friendly. Portions are huge and the prices are amazing. For $4 you can add a Greek salad and drink to your meal. The salad is huge and could be a meal in itself. It's loaded with veggies and even comes with potato salad which I love! Living in North Florida, I hardly ever find traditional Greek salads with potato salad, so I was in heaven when I got the salad here. The food is so fresh and the chicken pita was amazingly good. You can't go wrong eating here. Absolutely delicious, fresh Greek food and affordable prices.", "timestamp": "2018-03-07T21:56:29" }, { "business_id": "YtSqYv1Q_pOltsVPSx54SA", "business_name": "Rittenhouse Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "$350 for three people. The price wouldn't be all that bad except the food was really bland. My prime rib was disturbingly pale and lacked any kind of flavor. I had to ask for horseradish which seems like a travesty. It's like putting ketchup on filet. But when the food has no flavor, what else can you do? Usually I'll eat all of my steak or prime rib but I decided this just wasn't worth the calories, so you know it's serious. The salad I started with was pretty good. The $13 loaded potato I order with my prime rib, was not. Creme brûlée was decent. For the money, I expected a lot more.", "timestamp": "2018-03-21T02:48:37" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 3, "text": "The food was ok. Dinner started out strong with amazing, fresh salads and an order of garlic bread that is absolutely worth the $5. I could have made a meal of bread and salad. We also got the gnocchi to share amongst the whole table so we could all try it. The gnocchi was really good but would have been way too rich to be an entire meal in my opinion. For my entree I got the spaghetti and meatballs. This was a real disappointment. Meatballs were very dry and the sauce was just not good. The flavor was off and it tasted pre-made. Like something from a can with that slightly metallic taste. It wasn't the rustic, homemade dish I was hoping for. I asked one of my friends, who got the same thing, if it was just me or if the spaghetti just wasn't great. She agreed hers wasn't very good either. We ordered dessert. I went with the tiramisu which was just ok. This place started off strong but the main course was a real let down.", "timestamp": "2018-03-22T02:41:31" }, { "business_id": "HTqXI5S2XcSlh_ylx9sE6g", "business_name": "Termini Bros Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I've only had the cannolis here but they are awesome! They're freshly filled when ordered and the filling is phenomenal. Not too sweet, it's perfect. If you like cannoli, if you don't think you like cannoli, you should definitely get one from Termini Bros.", "timestamp": "2018-03-23T14:35:33" }, { "business_id": "oJxsRgj8Un9VAPXpaDuufA", "business_name": "Bank & Bourbon", "rating": 5, "text": "Ate breakfast here and was pleasantly surprised all around with my experience. The ambiance is clean, warm, and welcoming. The food is farm to table and healthy. I have been trying to stick to the ol' resolutions I made this New Year by eating better and eating more veggies. When I'm home, this means it's green smoothies in the morning for me. After being on the road for quite some time, I was desperate for a green smoothie and veggies. Although not on the menu, they were awesome enough to make one for me and even asked what vegetables I wanted and what I wanted to avoid. This was above and beyond and I'm just so appreciative to find a restaurant that will provide foods that are delicious, healthy, and actually good for you. In addition to the green smoothie I also ordered two eggs that were cooked perfectly and mixed fruit that was amazingly good...none of that pre sliced fruit that's been sitting in preservatives. A tasty, healthy option with a menu broad enough to accommodate those who also want meals that feel liked calorie splurges.", "timestamp": "2018-03-24T04:16:05" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I eat here because I always get caught up in the \"best ever sandwich\" hype then remember that it really isn't the best ever sandwich and I should probably really start trying other places in the terminal market. I got the roast pork with provolone, broccoli rabe, and peppers. The pork is tender but also bland. You need the toppings to jazz it up. The provolone is sharp provolone and, for me, it just had a really dirty taste to it. It's almost too strong. That combined with the broccoli rabe makes for a bitter combo. The peppers, well if you make the mistake and don't get the hot peppers and get the sweet peppers, you'll realize they are vile. Get the hot peppers or get none. Seriously, those sweet peppers are really bad. They taste like they come from a can. I'm sure they don't, but they're just not good. I eventually opted to take all the toppings off my sandwich and load it with the banana pepper rings they keep on the counter. The bread though, that's the real star. That bread is delicious. Sandwiches are huge and are enough to split or make two lunches out of. Service is fast and friendly and you're food is out to you freakishly fast. Another mention about this place is the counter seating. Eating lunch with a bunch of friendly strangers is a fun way to pass your lunch break in the city of brotherly love.", "timestamp": "2018-03-25T23:48:56" }, { "business_id": "xQE1fuwKCXJEBcJgSSCNbw", "business_name": "Urban Farmer Philadelphia", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious as always. I've eaten at Urban Farmer in Cleveland and have been a huge fan of this restaurant since. I did show up a few minutes late to dinner and we already had a cheese board on the table. I will say, I don't know if it was the people already at the table who didn't know what to do or the restaurant here does things differently, but we didn't get to pick our own cheeses. At the Urban Farmer in Cleveland, someone came to our table with a cheese cart and let us sample each cheese and gave us a short history on the cheese before we put our board together. The cheese board here was a little on the disappointing side for my personal taste, but everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy it. The steaks were all delicious and perfectly prepared. This is one of the best places you can go to get a truly amazing steak. The sides were also as tasty as we remembered from our Cleveland trip. I did opt for dessert and found mine wasn't as great as I had hoped and the choices were not extensive, but really, if you're there, you're there for the steak anyway. Between two bottles of wine, steaks, cheese boards, sides, and desserts for nine people, we were right around $900. Budget $100 per person and know it will be worth it.", "timestamp": "2018-04-25T15:53:09" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has a large drinks list and large, clean(ish) dining space going for it but that's about it. The menu is pretty limited and is limited to mainly seafood. I had the chicken and jambalaya which from the menu description sounds like chicken IN jambalaya but it's actually a roasted chicken quarter on top of jambalaya. The chicken tasted not quite cooked through although I'm sure it was done. It just wasn't great. The jambalaya portion was very small and more of a side/garnish. Dinner for two was $100 even with tip. I wouldn't recommend it or come back. We only stopped here because we were starving and it was easy enough to get in and get a table. In hindsight, we should have planned better and went elsewhere.", "timestamp": "2018-06-21T03:57:35" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "I don't get the hype. I had the gumbo and it was ok at best. Really salty. I asked for bread to go with it and got severe attitude. Oh, my bad. Just thought you'd serve it like every restaurant in New Orleans. We also ordered the gator appetizer which was cooked really well but covered in a mayo chili sauce that was pretty unappetizing, and the oysters which I did not try so I can't say if they were good or not. Service was pretty terrible. Multiple servers came to our table but were clearing things before we'd actually finished with them. At one point they moved our phones to take our napkins away. There were plenty of empty tables and we weren't exactly taking up prime real estate during peak meal time. Our waiter cashed us out and we had to go up to the bar to buy more drinks. There was just a feeling of being pushed out by the staff that was extremely irritating. I'm assuming it was a manger standing in the back near our table who also kept looking over like he either wanted us out or was expecting us to run out on the bill. All around an underwhelming experience. The high reviews are surprising but maybe I'm missing something or went on an off day. Regardless, I wouldn't go back.", "timestamp": "2018-06-22T16:04:38" }, { "business_id": "DKtAKuOjI6vUAHhW4NR5UA", "business_name": "Mulate's", "rating": 3, "text": "The jambalaya here is great! If I came back, I would just do a jambalaya entree. We decided to do a small jambalaya and the burger. The burger here is $18.99 so I was expecting it to be amazing. The meat is really greasy, fries are ok, coleslaw just looked unappealing so I didn't try it. I ended up leaving the majority of my food. At these prices you could go anywhere and get much better food. I think they bank on their location next to the convention center but the food is not worth the outrageous prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-27T18:00:44" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this place a lot better than Cochon. Sandwiches are creative but don't contain tons of crazy ingredients. Food is fresh. I had the turkey with sprouts and avocado and it was just what I needed after a week of heavy New Orleans eating. The turkey was smoked perfectly and the sprouts and avocado were so fresh. The bread tasted nutty, fresh, and healthy. We ate at the bar which has a cool eclectic vibe. I ordered a few bloody Mary's which were a little on the watery side but all in all, this is a solid place if you're looking for a higher end, lighter, sandwich option.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T03:25:20" }, { "business_id": "I6L0Zxi5Ww0zEWSAVgngeQ", "business_name": "Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street", "rating": 4, "text": "The outdoor seating here is Heaven and feels like classic New Orleans. It seems like there is always a live band. It is one of my favorite spots for chickory coffee, beignets, and music. Even though you need to get the beignets, you can't go wrong having lunch here as well. Their jambalaya is some of the best in the city. Really fun vibe, great food, great music, great prices.", "timestamp": "2018-06-28T22:51:35" }, { "business_id": "JvawJ9bSr22xn4R9oLvl_w", "business_name": "Desire Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was attached to our hotel so it made for a great breakfast option. I can't speak towards the other meals but breakfast was fantastic. On our first visit I got the breakfast poboy...egg, bacon, cheese, and tomato on French bread with a side of breakfast potatoes. Breakfast sandwiches are one of my favorite foods and this one is practically perfect. After the first visit, I got the same thing every morning. Service is friendly but can be really slow. I'd highly recommend for breakfast/brunch.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:44" }, { "business_id": "Q6BQcgabriKd5wPxvzOIWg", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my absolute favorite bakery in all of New Orleans. Macarons are beautiful and delicious, the pastries are a work of art, cupcakes are the best you can get anywhere, and the gelato is amazing. Basically, you can't go wrong with anything you get here.", "timestamp": "2018-07-04T04:33:04" }, { "business_id": "UTg2aZ9zXLK8_0K-UnCVUA", "business_name": "Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm giving this place four stars because of the hours. There is nothing that gets under my skin more than getting into a city that generally is awake pretty late but stops serving food early and Nashville is one of them. It would seem most restaurants stop serving at 10:00 or 11:00 on Sunday nights but Rock Bottom serves from a full menu until midnight. I sat at the bar and the service was fast, friendly, and attentive. I ordered the Texas ribeye. The spice on it was good and flavorful. The ribeye was decent for what it was and cooked perfectly; it was a $22 steak, so set your expectations accordingly. No complaints from me. The side salad was actually quite surprising in how fresh it was and the variety of ingredients in it. That little salad was delicious! I also ordered the green beans as a side and they were very good and a little dressed up with possibly some grated orange peel...whatever it was, I approve! All in all, it was a good meal at a fair price and they were still serving food when I needed them to be!", "timestamp": "2018-07-16T18:53:38" }, { "business_id": "XiDhSghC-9Hz19hBlLpbyg", "business_name": "Red Bicycle Coffee & Crepes", "rating": 4, "text": "I got a savory crepe and a sweet crepe not realizing how massive these crepes are. These are large enough to share. Especially the savory crepes! I got the Highlander...chicken, Gorgonzola, apples, and tarragon aioli. Absolutely amazing and absolutely jammed packed with chicken and the other ingredients. I could have used a little less aioli but I'm just being picky. The flavors were so amazing and worked together so well. I wish I could have eaten the whole thing but it was enormous and I still had a sweet crepe that I had to give some attention to! For my sweet crepe I had the nutella with banana and strawberries. Pretty self explanatory and typical as far as this crepe goes. They do know what they're doing here when it comes to making to crepes though...not too thick, not too thin, and just the right amount of chewy. They are perfect. I had iced coffee and I will say I'm not a fan of the coffee here. The price for lunch, although I did way over order, was $30. A little high, but in hindsight, there is no reason one human should need two crepes for themselves for lunch. This is a great little spot in a cute neighborhood with some fantastic offerings. I'd recommend!", "timestamp": "2018-07-23T16:01:37" } ]	{ "business_id": "IZv79jZv6el1sBHrG7426g", "business_name": "J Gilbert's Wood-Fired Steaks & Seafood St Louis", "rating": 3, "text": "After a week of terrible eating in Springfield this place was a gem on our last night before our flights out of St. Louis. My friend wanted me to mention that the lobster mac and cheese was some of the best she has ever had from here but the dessert, although made in house, did not taste like it and I would have to agree. She had the three ice cream choices and I had a chocolate cake. None of the desserts were particularly amazing. Since I'm starting backwards with dessert, I'll move on to entrees. I had the ribeye. It was huge and cooked perfectly but extremely salty for my tastes. I ended up leaving the majority of it which is a shame since it runs around $50. For appetizers we started off with the house made chips and blue cheese and those babies were the real winners here. They were fantastic. Overall, a nice restaurant with plush, fancy decor, food is average, price is steep.", "timestamp": "2018-10-19T22:12:50" }
xbybLiQockAzC4xAlzFrGg	[ { "business_id": "y-XX_c8EVK4m3oQda42Y3A", "business_name": "McArthur's Bakery Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here quite a few times for breakfast and have had really good experiences. Employees are many and helpful. Food is very reasonably priced (so much we thought we were under charged every time). Many options and everything we had was fresh and yummy. Never went to for cakes or special orders.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:31:32" }, { "business_id": "gKBqK-FFq7EGOUscBqb1iA", "business_name": "The Royale Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a cool, liberal bar that's a hidden gem! I've only been for drinks and plan on going for food. The interior is cozy, clean and aesthetically pleasing. It's going to be my new regular spot :) only complain is that seating is limited - we ran out of chairs for friends.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:39:52" }, { "business_id": "SyAYFxPBjuaHajx9iE7wLQ", "business_name": "Saint Louis Galleria", "rating": 3, "text": "love/hate relationship with Galleria. Unruly kids/teens have been a problem in the past which is why they created a curfew on weekends. Parking is horrible, especially near the Cheescake Factory and even worse now that Nordstrom is open. Great places to shop like Sephora, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, Papyrus, and Nordstrom ! And eat (California Pizza Kitchen & Cheescake Factory). However they got rid of MAC and one end of the mall is dumpy (if you've been, you know what I'm talking about).", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:16:04" }, { "business_id": "GTXSk8QyD7N1Un-tzgPw4g", "business_name": "First Watch", "rating": 4, "text": "My boyfriend & I love to go to First Watch on Sundays. It's delish & provides a great breakfast for about $20. The pancakes are to die! I always get a chocolate chip pancake when I go (as part of the Tri-Fecta). They have many low-fat and alternate options like turkey sausage and egg substitute. They have crepes and unique dishes as well.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:17:50" }, { "business_id": "cdf4eQCZv2lu3xZCKVnlZA", "business_name": "Trendy Nails & Spa", "rating": 5, "text": "I just had a great first experience with Trendy Nails & Spa! After hearing great reviews from friends & seeing the reviews here, this was the first local nail salon on my list to try and I'm glad I did. The staff was very friendly and talkative. My nail tech took her time to make sure she did a good job - she even re-did a few things that weren't perfect. I got the OPI Axxium gel polish (my first gel manicure) and was impressed with the precision and effort she put forth to make this a great manicure. Not to mention it was only $27! Most gel manicures, from my research, range from $30-$40. I will definitely become a regular and recommend this place to friends because of this great, clean space with very friendly and talented staff plus reasonable/cheap prices. What more could a girl ask for?", "timestamp": "2011-07-29T02:59:51" }, { "business_id": "JVI5tY_EcHlIFJkX5SlLVA", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 3, "text": "My boyfriend and I are frequent breakfast eaters and although many hipsters cringe at IHOP, we like it (well, it's no Eggsperience - a wonderful diner in Chicago) but it does beat Denny's. We normally have to truck it to the Sunset Hills location but they just opened this one on Lemay Ferry, just down the road from us, to our delight! IHOPs are all pretty much the same but I was compelled to write a review for this one in particular because this location is TINY. There are seriously probably about 20 tables. We had to wait a half an hour for 2 people. Granted it was Sunday afternoon (church rush), but we normally do not have to wait that long. Additionally, staff was sluggish to clean tables, seat us, and wait on us in general. However, the place was clean. I should also mention union protesters are around and probably will be for a bit. More beef I have with IHOP in general is that they don't take coupons from cell phones. It is not only \"green\" to do that, but it's the 21st century of iPads, iPhones, Kindles, and more...everything is electronic now so refusing to take electronic coupons is a big mistake in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:21:55" }, { "business_id": "paBWJ6VBIy4-eXVH3iGFFA", "business_name": "Courtesy Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "I just love this place. It's a local little diner that reminds me of a Huddle House or Waffle House (size and ambiance). But I love it because it's SUPER cheap (cash only though) and it's local (I'm a big local business supporter). The food is good and the environment is upbeat. Great to hit up after dancing the night away into the wee hours of the morning :)", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:26:13" }, { "business_id": "S26FJcC298XNpN2cZiwOrA", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Central West End", "rating": 5, "text": "There's not much else to say about this amazing pizzeria that hasn't already been said, I'm sure. I think it's popularity peaked after Obama gave it a shout out for being the best deep dish pizza he's ever eaten (and that's coming from a Chicago native!!). However, there's also thin crust pizzas as well as vegan pizzas (talk about going the extra mile!). I had the opportunity to eat here with the head desert chef so we got to try all the deserts which I think are very neglected for the pizza-goers. Both appetizers and deserts are simple yet divine. The most simple, a blood orange push-pop of sorts, is simply amazing. The alcohol menu is extensive and there are tastes for everyone. The environment is trendy and usually buzzing. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. It can get a little pricey but I think it's worth it. I've been here multiple times and plan on going again.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:33:15" }, { "business_id": "GV-e7Op4aU98xkjjoKlRhA", "business_name": "Modesto Tapas Bar & Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore this tapas bar. A few friends turned me on to it and I was a little nervous as I'm, sad to admit, a picky eater. Many of the items on the menu scared me because they are not traditional but when I tried them, they were amazing. That means they can make damn good food and makes me trust them when I want to try other things. Most notably was the ribeye on bread with cheese (I know, a safe one) but there were so many amazing more treats - the names I don't even remember. I would recommend going during happy hour where you can get bites cheap. I have never went at a happy hour so just dining it was pricey and I didn't get to try too much (although I did over time after going multiple times). The plates are small so not very satisfactory as a meal unless you are going to get many each (although that will cost you a pretty penny). The place is trendy and clean. Servers are attentive although I recall feeling slightly rushed a time or two. They have unique cocktails and drinks - lemonade mojito was amazing. I can't wait to go back - this time to make the happy hour so I can try a lot more and pay a lot less! I would consider this a must-go place in STL and recommend it to all my friends.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:57:06" }, { "business_id": "gHf8FdH8uLobt3zi3-dR4g", "business_name": "Hillside Animal Hospital", "rating": 5, "text": "I've brought my doggie here since I adopted her just over a year ago. I've been impressed with the staff and especially the vet (Dr. Marziani) since day one. I've never had any trouble getting an appointment, keeping an appointment, nor waiting too long for an appointment. Additionally, I've gotten in last minute a few times for those more urgent animal situations that are inevitable to occur. Dr. Marziani is very knowledgeable, helpful, and nice. She takes her time with you and your pet and it is evident she not only knows what she is doing, but really cares about your pet. My puppy was my first dog and she helped walk me through the process and has great recommendations for me (in fact, she introduced me to the Greater St. Louis Training Club and I went to them for my dog's obedience training!). The administrative staff & vet assistants are also nice, patient, and knowledgeable. They also send reminder cards for your pets needs and have many specials with heartworm and flea treatments. They keep customers in the know via Facebook with other specials, too. I couldn't say enough good things about Hillside. The only downside, which comes along with any good vet, is that it is a little pricey. When I took Libby once for a cut, it was about $100 which included the exam and medicine. Again, I think this will be the case for any good vet so I didn't ding them for that. We will be customers for life and I would highly recommend!", "timestamp": "2011-11-18T17:25:29" }, { "business_id": "EpREWeEpmR8f1qLHzzF0AA", "business_name": "Schlafly Bottleworks", "rating": 5, "text": "After living in the STL area for way over 10 years now, I am both ashamed and remorseful to admit that I ate here for the FIRST time just a few weeks ago. I am ashamed because it's a St. Louis tradition and remorseful because I missed out on it for so..many...years! This place is amazing. What is not to love! It's a factory where you can get a tour (Friday-Sunday, noon-5pm on the hour), there's a shop, bar, and dining area. They also host many event with live music on the weekends. It's fun to just kind of wander and look around - don't worry, you'll get a chance because there will likely be a wait before you dine. The beer is, of course, amazing. The Hefeweizen is my personal favorite and a great start for anyone who is not a huge beer drinker (like myself). Additionally, the food is homegrown and damn good. I had the pizza (recommendation from my server) and it was really spectacular, though I'm admittedly a pizza connoisseur so I enjoy a good pizza pie more than most probably ;P My date had a bison burger which was also really good. More fun info: the service is great! I think they tend to hire more funky and alternative people (like tattoo parlor staff) which I support. The quality is what makes this place stand out along with the emphasis on local food and brewery. It is a little on the pricier side but for all the experience you get and the quality, it is worth it. I will go again and again and you probably should, too!", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T06:58:36" }, { "business_id": "FryXEasH74MQDnj5Bvz3QA", "business_name": "The Mud House", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself to be a breakfast and brunch connoisseur, always in search of new, delicious places. By chance, I came across this hidden gem and I'm glad I did! I checked out the reviews and based on those saying how super slammed they are, I figured there's no way we'd make it in. But we swung by to check around noon on a Sunday and there were several open tables. So either business has slowed down or we happened to come at a generally slow time. You order at the counter, find a seat, and they bring you your food. To my delight, the interior is eclectic and charming. The menu is small, but the prices are VERY reasonable, especially for the value (more on that later). The down side: Extremely loud in there. Even not filled to capacity, I felt like I had to shout to my dining partner to have conversation. It was noticeably annoying. Another downfall is that we waited about 20 minutes for our food. The good news: The food was AMAZING! I got the classic breakfast meal (bacon, eggs, toast, hashbrowns). My boyfriend got the Apple and Raisin French Toast. We also got a powdered sugar brownie. I would go back solely for another brownie! The toast was so fresh and delicious, it tasted like it was freshly made. And bonus, it was very modestly priced. My dish was only $7, same as what I would get at IHOP or Denny's with a slab of Wonder Bread on the plate. I can't emphasize enough the quality of the food, the taste, and the value. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was Indie/artsy. The staff are also very friendly and helpful.", "timestamp": "2012-07-15T21:42:07" }, { "business_id": "jQBPO3rYkNwIaOdQS5ktgQ", "business_name": "The Fountain On Locust", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review sooner! This is one of my favorite spots in St. Louis since my first visit a couple years ago (after a co-worker suggested it). I feel like I work for them because I am always bragging about how wonderful it is and where better to brag than Yelp? :) This is a locally-owned restaurant that is known especially for their ice cream (including ice cream martinis!). The interior is amazing. It's an old car dealership from the 20th century that is art deco. Even the bathrooms are amazing (seriously, check them out). The food is reasonably priced and wonderful. My favorite is the Royal Grille, which is a grilled cheese sandwich with apple slices (Yum!) with their handmade chips (extra Yum!). Amazing! Their soups and other sandwiches are also delicious. Now to the main act, the ice cream. Probably more than you need to know, but they make all of their ingredients from scratch (excepted the main ingredient, ice cream - that, they fly in aged from Wisconsin!) - see, I told you it sounds like I work from them, but trust me, I'm just a creepy fan. I've had the Chocolate Brownie Cake in a Cup and Standing Banana Split. The Standing Banana Split is one of my favorite deserts EVER. My go-to is Chocolate shake (SO delicious) and pair that with food, I'm usually too full for desert. But it's worth to come solely for desert. Bottom line, check it out. It's a classic in St. Louis and you definitely won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:01:24" }, { "business_id": "8vwdDagJc8bJR0ZojFGZxw", "business_name": "The Cup", "rating": 4, "text": "While there is some debate about who exactly has the best cupcake in STL (Is it Jilly's? SweetArt? Cup?), the Cup is definitely in the running and is at the top of my list. They have a small menu (usually 6-7 staple cupcakes and 5-6 seasonal cupcakes), but the flavors are delish. Some of my favorites are Tuxedo (dark chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream), Double Chocolate (self-explanatory ;)), and Gold Rush (yellow cake, chocolate buttercream). The interior is small-ish, but that's most shops in CWE. This cupcakes are kinda priecy, but not too bad if you buy one just for yourself ;) There is basically no parking, just a few metered spots by the entrance. All in all, this is a must-stop for cupcake connoisseurs!", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:20:52" }, { "business_id": "OZcl2HOUXAHuICrh5d2WjQ", "business_name": "Half & Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Unfortunately, our breakfast was just OK. We waited about 45 minutes to eat on a bustling Saturday morning. Once we were seated, the service was fast and attentive. The decor is fun and eclectic. However, the food wasn't up to par in my opinion. Maybe I had too high expectations after reading the stellar reviews or maybe I was put off that we waited so long (after being quoted at about 20-30 minutes). Or maybe it's because I didn't get anything 'exciting', just the half and half which is toast, eggs, hash browns, and bacon (for an added charge). But, truly I believe the quality was simply lacking (maybe we hit them on a bad day?). The eggs were runny and the bacon was over cooked. However, my fiancé had the eggs benedict and he did like his dish. They have some unique dishes that if you loved you might want to return for, (e.g., blackberry french toast has been cited multiple times as a must-try) but I like a classic. I would rather go to Mud House where the food is cheaper and better.", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:25:09" }, { "business_id": "p_6THXiGLViyxYnOY8BzZQ", "business_name": "Vin de Set", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here for my four-year anniversary with my boyfriend. We had never been, but after perusing Yelp and other review websites, Vin de Set was cited multiple times for being a romantic hot spot in St Louis. So we had to try it for our very special night. We came around 5pm on a Saturday night and there were few people around. We sat outside on the infamous rooftop deck where cozy seats, outdoor warmers, and stringed lights were abound. I tried the beef medallions (delicious!) and my boyfriend had fresh fish. We also split a piece of cheesecake. Everything was wonderful and I really loved my dish - I would order it again! Prices were expensive, but reasonably so. I think we spent about $50 for our two entrees and dessert. Service was good, though not extraordinary. Overall, it was a fun experience made extra special by the fact that afterward, my boyfriend proposed to me :) What a perfect night!", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:33:45" }, { "business_id": "7nDUQkNX0aw9gc_9nlVPwQ", "business_name": "Wolfgang's Pet Stop", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely love this little shop! I began taking my 2 1/2 year old Sheltie here about a year or so ago after finding a Groupon for this shop. I've never been or heard of it, but gave it a try because it's a small business and it was a good deal. I set up an appointment for a groom and was lucky enough to have Kelly as her groomer. We have been seeing her ever since! My little girl is terrified of dryers so Kelly takes the extra time to hand dry her. She is very careful with her, patient with her anxiety, and always trims and grooms to my instructions, plus adds extra cute bows or handkerchief after :) It really shows that she cares about dogs and loves her job. She also always seems to be there because every time I've made an appointment, she's been available. When I get my pup back from Kelly, she's super soft, clean, shed-free, and smelling wonderful. We been there regularly for a year or so now and it's always a superb job! The other staff are wonderful too. They know my pup by name and are always very polite and sweet to her and me. They always manage to get me in for an appointment even when calling last minute. They are very friendly and accommodating. On top of that, prices are VERY reasonable. I usually get my Sheltie (read: lots of hair) a wash, groom, trim (nails and hair), teeth brushed, and shed-x treatment for about $40 -- and it ends up being a 4 hour service. I cannot say enough good things about this place! This will be our groomers for life! There is a retail store upstairs and they also do doggy day care, though I've never tried either. I heard from a staffer that they are expanding and adding a new location on Washington street with a larger doggy day care center. My only complaint is parking can be a pain and not very welcoming to take doggy in and out of my car on a busy and tight street. However, that is to be expected in the CWE so I don't fault them for that, just unfortunate byproduct of the location.", "timestamp": "2012-12-21T23:40:05" }, { "business_id": "UugJ2WQFoV-rNFqZ4QyrHg", "business_name": "Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself an ice-cream junkie and Oberweis is the prime spot to get my fix :-) The product is delicious and addictive! I almost always share a chocolate milkshake with my fiancé when I go (maybe it's the retro interior and feel of a simpler time?) though any dessert is guaranteed to please. They also sell ice-cream to go, milk, orange juice, and a few other 'grocery' items. Their milk is what I would definitely recommend to try. They charge you for the bottle, but you can return to get the $ back. They even do a really neat delivery service of groceries though I personally never used it. Every time we go, the cream and service is top notch. It's one of our favorite stops and I always look forward to going. Oberweis is a must-stop stop for any fellow ice-cream junkies as well as any St. Louis natives. They are family owned and St. Louis based!", "timestamp": "2013-05-17T04:48:24" }, { "business_id": "KChWMIHxMChTE11ZVsIVZw", "business_name": "Sub Zero Vodka Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this place sooner?! I've been going here for years from bachelorette parties to birthday parties and everything in between. It's one of my favorite spots. They are always rated high by RFT for being the best at both burgers and sushi. While the combination is random, do not take it lightly. I have friends who love sushi and will order it every time, while I'm into burgers and will order one every time (make sure you try the Bacon Borsin -- it's my favorite!). Their drink selection is amazing, as you would expect for a Vodka bar. The place is big and they offer free valet for customers on weekends. Sometimes there's a wait, but it's usually not too long. They do take reservations as we've made them plenty of times for big parties. The prices are reasonable. Service is always good and the food is always amazing. We introduced this place to many friends over the years and friends of ours who live in IL come to Sub Zero just for date nights (and you know how hard it is to get IL residents to cross the river ;-)). I just can't say too many great things about this place! Seriously, try it! You will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:16:49" }, { "business_id": "6r9FNW0-4aKqbPCX7UxTZg", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love love Maggiano's! The place is huge with an upstairs yet there always seems to be a wait. I'm usually lucky enough to nab a bar table (which is first come, first served) to avoid the wait and that's fine with me. However, if you have a big party or really want a table, you may be stuck waiting for awhile and may want to consider getting a drink at the bar, taking a stroll down the Boulevard, or browsing in Crate and Barrel as you wait. They offer warm bread and olive oil, my favorite. Plus, I'm always a sucker for restaurants that offer bread before the meal (it's just considerate). They have a classics menu which they offer a free meal to take home (you can choose a different dish than what you order so long as it's on the classics menu). My favorite dish is their Spaghetti and Meatballs and I always seem to end up getting that, though they have plenty of other good dishes. My fiancé loves their Taylor Street Baked Ziti. Their salads and other entrees are good as well. For dessert, the Apple Crostada is to die for! It's a must-try though their other desserts are delicious as well. The service is always good and the food, delicious. The atmosphere is very nice and the prices are reasonable. One of my favorite restaurants to dine at!", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:31:34" }, { "business_id": "MUBk0fgk0ViHwEiNnRitWA", "business_name": "Green Bean", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a recently discovered gem in CWE. I was looking for a healthy place for lunch and found it! I have brought friends here since and they love it, too! How I described it to them: a Fro Yo approach to salad. You pick your lettuce, toppings, and dressing. They also have a few menu items to choose from. The drawbacks are that it's a bit expensive. For just a salad or wrap with no drink or side will put you back about $9-10. The portions are big though so you get plenty! There also is usually a wait. The process to make the salad or wrap always seems laborious and they usually have to go get extra/missing ingredients from the back. The space is small and kinda tight, too, but that's most places in CWE. They have some perks, like through the Perka app which gives you free salads after so many purchases. Also, they partner with Fro Yo and if you bring your receipt to Fro Yo, you get 10% off your frozen yogurt purchase (and vice versa if you bring Fro Yo receipt to Green Bean). My favorite is the Citrus Caesar (caesar salad with oranges :-)) on the whole wheat wrap. Yum!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:27:52" }, { "business_id": "rKO2kZB--kKG94HGzg5ysQ", "business_name": "Treats Unleashed", "rating": 5, "text": "Treats Unleashed is a neat little store with several locations in the STL area. We perused in there about a week or so ago and I realized that these are the treats they use at Four Muddy Paws, our go-to spot for doggie goods. I was so excited, we were right at the source!! They have homemade, all natural doggie treats along with the usual dog food, leashes, treats, and supplies. They offer natural and more hard to find brands that PetSmart doesn't carry. Love this little shop! And I bet your dog will too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:32:57" }, { "business_id": "chUeS0h9C8KGfyJO2Jqgew", "business_name": "Fozzie's Sandwich Emporium", "rating": 5, "text": "I used to live next to this amazing sandwich shop. I no longer do. I seriously go into withdrawals. The sandwiches, the salads, it's all good! The shop is small and sometimes there's a wait. What I would do is call, place an order, and leave to pick up because it was so close. This worked out perfectly! They also deliver, but same with pizza, I can't ever justify paying the delivery charge + tip for a few minutes drive for me! Also, try the Gimme S'more shake. That is what I crave and it is amazing. Kisses, marshmallows, and graham crackers. I love a good s'more so it takes a lot for something s'more flavored to get me. And this does. Seriously, try it!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:43:05" }, { "business_id": "o0uODX3Ot6dkHn3_C49Wjw", "business_name": "Fletcher's Kitchen and Tap", "rating": 3, "text": "For some reason, this place carries sound like no other and is unusually loud. The four of us came in for dinner and we could barely carry on a conversation...and eventually we gave up trying. The temperature in there was also unusually cold. The food was pretty good. I had a chicken caesar salad and the chicken was BBQed which put me off a bit, but it was good. My other dining partners enjoyed their food. Service was amazing...our server was really on it! I was between 3 and 4 stars, but asked myself if I would go back and my answer is no. If I could talk to my dining partners and not freeze, I would definitely go back. So if you like a cold and lively environment (seems like an oxymoron?), you will enjoy this spot!", "timestamp": "2013-07-03T00:04:24" }, { "business_id": "hw0O24rFx1BU5ZLlKBZYNg", "business_name": "Keller Plaza Cinema", "rating": 2, "text": "As a regular movie-goer, I am always on the look-out for new theaters. I was pleasantly surprised to find this little gem tucked away (literally) off of Lemay Ferry Rd. (near the intersection of Lindbergh and Lemay Ferry Rd.). Is it the most dazzling movie experience I've ever had? No. Is it a more affordable, low-frills spot to catch a flick? Yes. (If it's the former I'm looking for, I head over to The Great Escape - for over 3x the price.) I've been multiple times and here are the notes: Admission for matinees (before 6:0pm) are $3, evenings are $4. Every day. Can't beat that! They play older flicks. So expect something you want to see to visit here a month or more after they've come and gone at the chains. This theater is CASH ONLY. I always forget that, but luckily there is a credit union a few doors down so after a pit stop to the ATM we are ready to go. The theaters are in OK condition. Seats randomly have trash bags over them because they are broken. Spoiler Alert: they aren't the most comfortable. The screens are smaller and there are a few scratches/marks on them. If you go in with reasonable expectations based on what you paid for, you will enjoy Keller Plaza Cinema. UPDATE::::::: The last few flicks we saw there had terrible sound and vision. So if you don't mind about not seeing or hearing the movie, then by all means, go! We learned that while admission is cheap, it's work paying the extra few bucks (or only $5 movies on Wednesdays at all STL cinemas) so that you can enjoy the movie (or just hear and see it). I'm sad because I would love to support a small business theater in my neighborhood but we will not return.", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T20:15:17" }, { "business_id": "u4WC_qHGn03jwNdVmW5vaQ", "business_name": "Baileys' Chocolate Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not written a review sooner?! This is my #1 favorite spot for after drinks. They have a huge list of decadent drinks and desserts for your sweet tooth. My go-to drink is the Chocolate Bar Signature Martini. It's one of the ice-cream martinis they offer. It's a dream in a glass. Like complimentary bread at an Italian restaurant, you get a plate of mini chocolate chip cookies when you arrive which is a nice touch. The atmosphere is romantic and trendy. It's often hopping, too. I've been here numerous times for girls night, date night, birthday party, even my own engagement party (ahh my fiancé knows me so well :-))! They are busy and there is often a wait, but it is worth it. Service is good and everything I've tried so far is delicious, food included. Must go spot for city dwellers and visitors alike!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T21:16:14" }, { "business_id": "j3sRTkoqD_obks7IOW876w", "business_name": "Dewey's Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur so be prepared when I announce that this is my #1 favorite pizza in the world. I've tried slice after slice in multiple establishments and this is my favorite, by far. The menu is simple, but sufficient. They offer regular salads and pizzas in delicious combinations. I always get a Caeser salad and X-Pepperoni pizza (Hey, I know what I like!). My fiancé always gets the Greek salad (and he is one to always mix it up, which goes to show how delicious this is!) and usually the Bronx Bomber (a supreme of sorts). They also have a seasonal salad and pizza to offer. The food is ah. maze. ing. Ingredients are fresh, crisp, and delicious. The X-Pep pizza is a touch spicy, but that's what makes it so good. The dough, the sauce, the cheese, the toppings, it's ALL good. Be prepared for a wait, even in the late evening on a week day. Dewey's is delicious and people know it, so don't rush perfection! Service is always good as they seem to have a co-op method of service where you have multiple servers. This is my favorite spot for pizza and can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:09:46" }, { "business_id": "QmkAq8hwSgBZcZ7z5tEFDg", "business_name": "Mosaic Restaurants", "rating": 4, "text": "Knowing my love for brunch, a friend highly recommended Mosaic. Imagine my delight upon finding a Groupon for this spot for brunch for two including mimosas :-) Happy would be an understatement. That said, it took us almost till the end of the year to go! My friend said they require reservations and they only offer brunch on Sundays. We made it eventually and it was a pleasant surprise! I went all out and ordered the Grilled Flatiron and Eggs served with roasted harissa potatoes. It was delicious. The flatiron was SO good! The sides were all unique and delicious as well. My fiancé ordered an omelet and said he enjoyed it. Service was great! I noticed many others were Groupon consumers (as I mentioned earlier, it was near expiration), but service never suffered. I am a fan and would love to come back to try other meals too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:30:22" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "OK. I need to confess something. Before I tell you, let me ask that you please don't hurdle things at me. I do not like BBQ sauce. I'm not a sauce girl of any kind, actually. No ketchup, no mayonnaise, no mustard, no dressing, none of it. So BBQ and me don't really mix. However, I will eat BBQ without sauce on it (or grilled meat as it's probably more appropriately called). I've heard so many good things about Pappy's (which is why I bookmarked it), that I was looking forward to going regardless of my sauce-intolerance. I had a pulled chicken sandwich with fried corn on the cob (what?) and sweet potato fries. My dining partner had a beef brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries and cole slaw. The chicken was smokey and delicious. My friend loved the brisket. He also loved the BBQ sauce ;-) The sides were great. SPF were YUM-O. I'm not a huge fan of SPF (I know, I'm not helping my case), but they were crispy and delicious. The fried corn on the cob was interesting but good. Luckily, we came in on a Monday night and the line was short. Apparently we were lucky and should not expect that to happen again. All in all, it was good and coming from me that means something as BBQ isn't my choice of meal. It's a must try for visitors as it's our top BBQ joint.", "timestamp": "2013-07-09T01:00:20" }, { "business_id": "sImDC2ePC0sIkZsHaX-k3g", "business_name": "MX Movies & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I had never been to MX theaters as it's relatively new, but it was definitely on my radar. A movie theater in the heart of the city? I'm there. Even better, it's above Pi, one of my favorite pizza joints. Hello, perfect date night! We started out in the bar which was spacious and vibing. The bartenders were awesome. They provided top notch service and were super friendly. We had drinks (Pineapple Upside Down Cake in fact which was delish!) and some bites to eat including wraps, chicken wings, and flat bread pizzas. All was very good! Now for the main act! The theater is AWESOME. The seats and rows are spacious. The seats are some form of leather recliners and are oh so comfy. They are organized by fours with some space between the pairs. Each pair has a tablet to order from. We had our popcorn and soda brought right up to us, in less than two minutes! The servers aren't as distracting as I thought they may be. They were in and out quickly and quietly. The tab's screen is bright which can be distracting, but after the previews, everyone's mostly done looking at them. Some details about etab: They advertise to bring drinks up within 5 minutes and food within 15. Note: you can't use cash using the etab. If you only have cash, you must go to the concession stand (the walk of shame!). Parking was kind of tricky with construction and the busy street, but that's everywhere downtown so I don't dock them for that. We did however park in the wrong garage, had to walk over, and couldn't use the ticket validation :( Basically, in sum, once you go MX, you can't go back.", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T22:00:51" }, { "business_id": "lTNknj73Idb-dSlrDJ6qjw", "business_name": "Tom's Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Good ole' Tom's. I've been several times as I work nearby. In fact, this is the preferred spot for a few of us (including me!) who are apart of our regular work lunch group. Their food is greasy but very good. Drink selection is good. Service is usually good. It can get crowded and awkward walking through the set up if crowded. It's a bar atmosphere, but they have outdoor seating which we appreciate on a nice day. They have their own private parking lot which is very well monitored -- this is a huge perk for the area. I've never been for karaoke and after reading these reviews, I'm very inclined to check it out!", "timestamp": "2013-07-11T01:43:05" }, { "business_id": "is9QogkUGhtcEALtHMyLwg", "business_name": "Three Dog Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "My fiancé and I recently visited Three Dog Bakery for the first time to redeem a free \"pupcake\" from a business card we received at a doggie event in the past. We left with arm loads of doggies treats, toys, and stuff :-) The staff were SUPER friendly. They spent a lot of time with us talking us through different items, the sale (in fact, they often recommended items that were on sale to help us save money!), our dogs, etc. The have a lot of gourmet doggie products that you will see at nicer pet boutiques. In fact, they carry Happy Tails, a line of bath products that I frequently order online. The staff had great recommendations for items in this line, too that they were out of stock of, but that I want to try in the future. The baked goodies were fresh, beautifully presented, and creative (i.e., you will see little boxes of pup fries, pup cakes, and the sort)! We got our free cupcake (and she threw in another for our other doggie) and joined the loyalty program where we get a free treat each month - so we toted two of those home too :-) The store is very spacious which is nice for doggies to roam and people room to shop. Items they carry are pricier, but that's at any dog boutique where they carry the good stuff so I didn't dock them for that. We will definitely return. There are several dog boutiques to shop at in STL, but what sets this spot apart is definitely the customer service (including their friendliness, knowledge, and their generosity) and the space!", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:12:17" }, { "business_id": "ahpLj4hNo2-2w_xf2sNE3g", "business_name": "Four Muddy Paws", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the first pet boutique we visited for our pups and it's still one of my favorites. I come here to get my pup her treats, food, and of course some of their homemade treats they order from Treats Unleashed. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. They really helped me through the first year of when I got my puppy and was clueless about taking care of a dog. They lead me in the right direction for nutrition as well as some training tips (the harness has been so helpful and is in the cutest design). They also loaded me with free dog food samples to see what worked for my girl and her sensitive tummy. They have events frequently for dogs and their humans with many giveaways. These are often coordinated with other local businesses which is fun, for people to get food and wine and have their dog with them. They offer professional grooming services, and while I never tried them myself, I have done their $12 DIY pup bath. My little girl was scared of the dryer, but my other dog was fine. They have all the equipment (and it's the good stuff) so it's easy peasy! They have a reward program - if you buy 10 bags of dog food, get one free. If you check in on Foursquare, you will get an offer to get a free bulk treat item which I do every time I visit :-) The shop is small and a little cramped because of the location, but the area for bathing dogs is a bit bigger. When I go to pick up food, I usually try to leave my dog at home for this reason as it can get crowded with humans and their dogs in there! Prices are high because they offer the good stuff, so I don't dock them for that. It costs more to give your dog good quality stuff so that goes with the territory. It's a one stop shop for me as they carry everything from leashes and collars to raw dog food.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:22:39" }, { "business_id": "PUDDBW0MfpSFI2XEMv_g3Q", "business_name": "Bobby's Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm from IL, but have lived in St. Louis for about the past 7 years. I don't know if you're aware, but there is a Ted vs. Bobby's rivalry for best metro STL frozen custard. I'm on Team Bobby's 100% of the way! I mean I like Ted Drewes. I will eat any icy dessert, but Bobby's is my favorite and if I'm nearby a stop is 100% in order. I actually lived RIGHT next to Ted Drewe's and have been there less than I can count on one hand. Bobby's & Ted Drewes is very similar. Both are often packed, busy, and well-liked (oh and frozen custard joints and named after a man). Bobby's, however, offers a Lite custard that is 98% fat free and I add sprinkles for a concrete...it's heaven! Bobby's has grown. They have a concert series and many hardcore, loyal fans. They are quick, reasonably priced, and delicious. They also often offer many freebies if you join their mailing list and like them on Facebook.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:31:05" }, { "business_id": "fiBEzPfn2VOZb-PjLcm7Ng", "business_name": "Kirkwood Station Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times for happy hour with friends after work and enjoy it every time. I love their Caprese pizza and always order one to share with the table. They have outdoor seating I've enjoyed with the warmer weather. This is one of my go-to places for happy hour in Kirkwood! PS If you check in, they have BOGO beer which is a sweet deal.", "timestamp": "2013-11-11T23:58:37" }, { "business_id": "vRj1rgF4ZpwGt97MbcRzqg", "business_name": "Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream", "rating": 4, "text": "Ice cream made with love in the heart of Webster Groves just spells GOOD no matter how you slice it (or scoop it) :-) They have so many delectable flavors, but I can never get past the classic chocolate. They serve the classics and trendier flavors alike all with the wonderful basic ingredients and formula. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-11-12T00:02:48" }, { "business_id": "YV32ObbYe10BXeIydrnuOQ", "business_name": "Canyon Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "If I'm craving Mexican food, Canyon Cafe is my go-to! I've eaten at Canyon Cafe several times since I discovered it a few years ago. Their food quality is amazing every single time. Service is usually very good, though sometimes can be a miss...like if they are crazy busy. I love their chips. They are a combo of sweet potato chips, tortilla chips, and sweet chips that are absolutely delicious. I seriously would come back only for the chips, even if I liked nothing else. Fortunately, that is plenty more to like. For main dishes, I love their chicken avocado salad, salmon, caesar wrap, and fish tacos. Yes, it is a little pricey but I am willing to pay a bit more for quality. My fiancé and I are now fish taco snobs...anywhere else we try them, they are never as good as Canyon's. So I'd rather have something I LOVE and pay a few extra bucks than something that's just OK for a bit cheaper. I love to check out their daily specials and usually end up ordering off of that. It's varied and always delicious, which makes coming back fun for semi-regulars like me :-) I've yet to do their happy hour because it is crazy and busy in that area at that time. I hear it's amazing and I really want to do this someday though...just another excuse for me to go in, right?! If you live in the Lou, this is a must go. I was sad I lived so long without it once I went there.", "timestamp": "2014-01-07T16:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Nn6Vx_Bl48EEgMEskwRQfQ", "business_name": "K Hall Designs", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a must stop place to shop for any soap junkie like myself. How do you know you're a soap junkie? If you go to Bath & Body Works at least once a week, busy yourself by smelling your collection of bath products at home for fun, and/or hoard an obnoxious amount of bath products, then safe to say you are. K. Hall has an abundance of scents to choose from and come in a variety of sized candles, fragrances, soaps, and sprays. The scents are lovely, quality is amazing, and products are packaged beautifully. I love to re-purpose the pretty candle jars for holding makeup brushes or other things. Some of my favorite scents: Washed Cotton, Lavender, Milk, Peony, and Shoreline. The store also sells other random things, like jars, beverage dispensers, decor, etc. I've never purchased those items, but it's just of fun to look around and gives the shop a funky, eclectic, vintage-y feel. It's a little pricey, but to me it's worth it because it's high quality. However, check out their scent of the month sales (30% off anything in that scent) and their annual warehouse sale to enjoy the goods at a lower price.", "timestamp": "2014-01-15T14:49:36" }, { "business_id": "wbLXXbI-T6Av71i9AoiZRQ", "business_name": "Cleveland-Heath", "rating": 5, "text": "This literally may be my new favorite restaurant...EVER! I've heard lots of hype about this place yet never made it over to the IL side to check it out. I was excited to try it! I had dinner last night for the first time and even while eating my meal, I couldn't wait to go back! The place is cozy (read: smallish), the ambience is nice and the menu offerings are interesting. Staff were busy, but attentive and friendly. A friend and I split the family style Braised Beef Brisket. It included a salad to share, two sides, the brisket, and desert for $40. At $20 each it's a bit pricey, but totally and completely worth it. Especially when you consider the quality of the food (worth the price tag alone), but also the portion sizes. We definitely had enough for a 3rd or even 4th person to get in on the family meal. The salad was simple with fresh greens, sliced radishes, and lemon vinaigrette dressing; it was refreshing. We ordered macaroni and cheese and shoestring french fries (mix of sweet potato and potato fries) for our sides. They were delish, especially the macaroni and cheese. Definitely get that! The beef...was oh my god, amazing. It was so tender and flavorful and DELICIOUS. And I'm not a big meat person, but this was SO good. We finished with Beignets (warm brioche beignets, salted caramel filling) that was very delicious as well. The entire meal was decadent and delicious. I could totally get this every time I go there and be so very happy about it. I already can't wait to go back. Go and be glad that you did! Tip: They don't take reservations, but do call ahead seating. This saved us a 30-minute wait and only had to wait a few minutes for a table when we entered!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:31:50" }, { "business_id": "D1lOc4bmegUFyp_eAyJPjw", "business_name": "The Libertine Neighborhood Eatery", "rating": 4, "text": "For date night, my fiancé and I checked out The Libertine for the first time and it did not disappoint. The menu and cocktail offerings are different and interesting. Prices are moderate to high. Staff is very attentive and amazing. Ambiance is nice, albeit a little fancy and dimly lit. We started off with their free appetizer, which is some type of nuts in cheese? I'm not familiar with it and wasn't a huge fan, but it was nice to be offered some food before the meal. We each got their house burger with the two patties (yep TWO), house-made cheese, bacon bun, and caramelized onions (none for me though) with fries. YUM! This burger rivaled our favorite over at SubZero and lost only by a hare. The bun was unique and delicious, probably my favorite part. Be warned, it's a double stacked burger so lots of meat and very filling. Fries were a little overdone for my taste, but otherwise good. We finished off with their famous candy bar with hazelnuts, salted caramel, and ganache. Divine!! Overall, the food was tasty and it was a good experience and I'm glad we went. It's fun to try all the new restaurants and offerings in STL and this was a great stop on the list!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:41:30" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't know how I haven't written a review for this place sooner, it's one of my favs! I'm a semi-regular here and it's one of my favorite places to go! First of all, the ambiance is fantastic. It has an open front with a patio which is nice for Spring and Summer wining and dining, but the inside is really cool. From the wine decor to the ceiling decked out in wine crates, it's wine all the way (and we like wine). Obviously, the wine menu is large and impressive. I LOVE their Moscato (yes I'm one of those). It's so light and refreshing and yummy. I've eaten their brick oven pizzas which are delicious (and much better than you'd expect for a wine bar -- don't let that stop you, get it!) as well as some appetizers. I LOVE their hummus. I consider myself a hummus connoisseur and this is one of my favs. I simply love to come here with friends to enjoy company, a bottle (or two) of wine along with some yummy dishes to nosh on. What else do we want? My time at Sasha's is always superb.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:46:44" }, { "business_id": "_Y96y5CFgJaG4I-HEgylhg", "business_name": "Crushed Red", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been in downtown Kirkwood many a time and always see this place, but only recently went in for the first time. I somehow had the impression it was a fancy restaurant, so when I tried it I was pleasantly surprised at the open concept and more casual restaurant \"make your own\" feel it has. You start off at a cashier where you order any hot food (appetizers, pizza, etc.) and then a cafeteria style line for salads where they make as you request. I had THE best salad there, the farmer's market with raspberry vinaigrette. It is seriously delicious. I went again to get the same salad and split a pizza with a friend (margarita). I honestly wasn't as impressed with the pizza as I expected. It was a little small (it is a flatbread after all) and the cheese kind of kept falling off. Maybe it's that one particular pizza, but it just didn't wow me. I probably wouldn't get it again. For me, I'll definitely be back for the salads. Pizza, not so much.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T19:03:26" }, { "business_id": "GuGlXaVDljVJ9FM-euhJmg", "business_name": "Maven", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a bona fide bath and body aficionado and particularly love local, small businesses where you find unique scents and quality homemade products. Maven fits the bill on all accounts and is in fact, my new favorite shop for bath and body products! I visited the cute shop recently with my sister and I spent a good 20 minutes just on the one side of the store. There offer a large variety of scents and they have basic products that can come in most, if not all, scents. The types of products they offer are candles, body lotion, body scrub, solid lotion, bath bombs, and soap. My fav scents at the moment are Sookie (sweet magnolia blossoms and gardenia) and Salty Sea Air (Fresh saltwater, sea kelp and ozone). I bought a soap and lotion as well as a gift (Don Draper is perfect for the Mad Men fans!). The soap was a whopping $9, so I don't know if that will be my stop for soap, but the rest of the prices are reasonable for what you get (read: good quality). I really wanted a candle, but wanted to pace myself; plus, that will give me another reason to visit again soon :-) They also offer some eclectic products like greeting cards, funny and thoughtful quotes on magnets and stickers, and even repurposed razors. I hope they have seasonal scents or new scents regularly as I'd love to see more of what they come up with. My request: more products and more scents. I'm addicted!", "timestamp": "2014-07-17T02:10:13" }, { "business_id": "QVXfW1c8eOm9SJVb3xdo7w", "business_name": "Cheeburger Cheeburger", "rating": 3, "text": "I wanted to love this joint, I did, but I was underwhelmed. They are going for the old-fashioned diner 50's diner look, I think, without a juke box. The burger was just OK. It was kind of bland and not very impressive. The french fries were the best part...crispy and a little over done, seasoned well, they were yummy. Not the best I've ever had, but good enough for me to keep reaching for more. The milkshake was rich and thick, but it lacked the creaminess and deliciousness I've come to expect (thanks for ruining me, Oberweis!). They've got over a million milkshake combos (or something insane like that) so they get bonus points for variety. If I want a burger and fries, I'd go to 5 Guys over this joint, but in a pinch it will do.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T03:50:47" }, { "business_id": "qkMMO794-59404bUiJ1Odg", "business_name": "Central Table", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to Central Table today for the first time with a friend for lunch. I have never heard of it and didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. When I entered, I felt like I walked into an upscale cafeteria for the cool kids. The layout is very clean, simple, and open. You go to the cashier and order what strikes your fancy. They offer a variety of burgers, pizzas, salads, and soup. I went for a pepperoni pizza (not your everyday pep -- enhanced with spices and finesse) and caesar salad. The pizza was DELICIOUS. Wood-fired and a generous serving, it was amazing. I was full and saved half for dinner (which I was looking forward to all day). The salad was OK. Not enough dressing and not really much flavor. I nabbed a few french fries off my friends plate and those were amazing...crispy, hot, and fresh. I look forward to going back and trying more off their menu! I would recommend you try!", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:00:12" }, { "business_id": "1_ZVtdiZpBNsXaO4ObPtbw", "business_name": "Stellina Pasta Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've heard about this place for months from my sister who swears by it. I came. I ate. I converted. I just had a sandwich and chips, no pasta yet, and already am sold! I had the Talkin' Turkey sandwich (roasted turkey breast, avocado, sunflower sprouts, fontina cheese, roasted garlic mayo on French baguette) along with Billy Goat chips for lunch. The sandwich was generously sized (I could only eat half!), fresh, and delicious. I can't wait to come back for the pasta! It's pricey, but you get what you pay for and I have a feeling the pasta will be worth the hefty price tag.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:04:56" }, { "business_id": "osL7qIVyk-WCdK9qiPTS5A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I bet you don't think of wedding flowers when you think of Whole Foods, but that's exactly where we got ours! As a bride on a budget and mostly DIY, Whole Foods was a great option that offers reasonably priced flowers (MUCH cheaper than a typical florist for weddings) and the flowers are sourced locally from ethical trade, earth friendly farming. Amber M. took care of us from beginning to end, by showing us a variety of flowers, costs, showing us samples, and ordering. Everything turned out exactly like we hoped! One downfall of using them vs. a traditional florist is that you may not be able to get the specific flower you want, but I showed her inspiration pictures and she kept the aesthetic I wanted with what they had available. It turned out beautifully as we wanted for our wedding, but also affordable. Go see Amber M. at Whole Foods Town & Country -- she'll take care of you :-)", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:05:00" }, { "business_id": "tn3_76PZZLCmGBLgBWdTTw", "business_name": "The Cakery", "rating": 5, "text": "We went to the Cakery Bakery for our wedding cake, cupcakes, and groom's cake and couldn't have been happier!! We had a small cake to cut and the rest cupcakes for our wedding guests. We had a variety of flavors (ALL delicious) each with different color frosting/toppings. They offer a variety of flavors and decor choices which was nice (though it made it hard to choose at times). They offer tastings at their shop along with lots of displays of cakes and cupcakes. I also went to the Cakery for a surprise groom's cake at the wedding rehearsal. I showed them some inspiration pictures and gave them a figurine to use -- it turned out exactly like we wanted and the groom loved it. They are flexible with meeting times, always respond to emails/calls, very friendly and nice, and have their stuff together! They worked with us on pickup and work to get what you want. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Our guests continue to tell me how delicious the cupcakes were! They made one of the most important parts of our wedding perfect! Thank you, Cakery!", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:15:15" }, { "business_id": "7dA1OhjJ0ga063_uiiDw3g", "business_name": "The Heavy Anchor", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been wanting to try this spot since I came across an RFT article calling it a nautical noir dive bar. So, when picking a spot for a an after-work happy hour, I was eager to choose this place. We arrived and parking is street so I paid a meter and inside I went. The decor is festive and plentiful. The place is notably dark. You especially notice this when you walk out hours later and shade your eyes! Drinks were cheap and I like the variety of their offerings (Schlafly summer on tap, yes please!). We didn't try the food so I plan on updating once I try it. I also see it's a concert venue and dig the multi-functional space and would love to come by to catch a show. When in search of directions and their menu, their website leaves a lot to be desired. Though I learned you can bring your own food so cool. All in all a cool spot to get a drink and mingle. And I'll be back!", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T02:40:20" }, { "business_id": "puNq5KmQs4HAzGhVajFj8w", "business_name": "Houlihan's", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is kind of an enigma to me. Every time I go in, the menu is completely different. It started as an Applebees kind of fare and gets more and more modern every time I return. Different check in rewards every time, too -- I recall using Foursquare previously and getting a free order of fries upon check in, but this time nothing. They offer up a lot of modern/fancy menu choices now. Lots of things with pretzel buns, sliders, organic greens, antibiotic chicken, etc. Don't get me a wrong, I like it, it just doesn't quite...fit. The restaurant building and decor is dated, dark, and dingy which doesn't fit their modern menu offerings and presentation. Service was OK. It's overpriced in my opinion. The food was tasty, but I feel my money could be better well spent at a spot with a more enjoyable atmosphere.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T03:07:38" }, { "business_id": "G6h-9AZro_Ni_4eRR9CkRw", "business_name": "Penzeys Spices", "rating": 4, "text": "I've received ads from Penzey's with free spice coupons for awhile but never made it there until recently. I was pleasantly surprised to find a cute shop with lots of standard and creative spice offerings. I wandered around the shop for awhile checking out all the spices. They have little jars of each spice to smell along with a variety of offerings of sizes of spices in jars and bags. They have your standard fare (all of which would be worthy enough to go in for) and then some creative and more unusual offerings (variety of sea salts, flavored vanillas, even frozen pizza topping!). They have the cutest little cinnamon shop section with a variety of cinnamon offerings. I also appreciate that they have recipe cards sprinkled around the store. Cute! I agree with some previous comments from reviewers about the staff. They are courteous and will check you out great, but when I wandered around the shop for awhile looking for a particular spice, no one asked me if I needed assistance or offered any help. I will definitely be back! Sign up for their catalogue and you'll get free spice coupons, too.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:19:02" }, { "business_id": "qQSscPMhk3frtSNilF1cGA", "business_name": "VOM FASS", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is fun, albeit a little overwhelming. I'm a cooking novice so I only have two choices for olive oil at grocers -- virgin or extra virgin. So, imagine, me walking into the store with barrel on top of barrel of oils (and more), I felt a little out of my element. I came in on a weekday with a friend and the staff member on duty was very friendly and helpful. He offered tastings, but we didn't partake. Both times I came in we were looking for gifts and found something special and perfect each time. I plan on going in next time for myself as they have some tasty olive oil that sounds great. Also a great stop for libations though we didn't shop for that on that particular trip.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:31:56" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard the hype and since ice cream is it's own food group at my house, I had to try the ice cream made out of liquid nitrogen! So, a group of friends and I moseyed on over last weekend to see what this place was all about. They offer a variety of flavors using liquid nitrogen along with soft serve, but really why would you get soft serve at this place? You order, walk through the line (and witness them what looks like torturing a kitchen aid mixer -- pouring in liquid nitrogen and blow torching it), then pick up your ice cream. Straight forward enough. The line backs up and it takes awhile too because they made each ice cream individually. I'm not sure why they don't make, say, a batch of Rocky Road (which was the flavor of the day by the way) and give out a few servings from that? We waited what seemed like forever and then we got our goods! I tried the Rocky Road and my husband had the Mint Chocolate Chip. Rocky Road was good...they had big bits of chocolate and marshmallow. The ice cream was creamy. I tried my husband's mint chocolate chip and the mint flavor was REALLY faint (I could barely taste it). The place is small and crowded and we barely could find a place to sit and talk amidst the crowd eating and the crowd waiting out the door for ice cream. It's also a bit pricey, but the servings are big. Overall, this place is a solid 4 stars. I think you need to go once for the novelty and I'd come back maybe here and there, but I don't think I'd head back here on the regular. I can get other ice creams just as tasty with a bit more comfortable atmosphere and better price point.", "timestamp": "2014-08-28T02:03:03" }, { "business_id": "UL4K6HwcI542imZo1Glpbw", "business_name": "Peacock Loop Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted to like this place, I did. New place in the loop, yeah! It's funky retro with a modern twist decor was cool. I was feeling it, until we got our food. I went in with a group of four for lunch during a week day. Service was OK. They use those infuriating water glasses that are small so that you need constant refills if you drink water like a normal person (and even more if you're a big water drinker like me!). The server couldn't keep up with my water consumption so I couldn't wash the oddly flavored chili down. Speaking of the chili...my friend also got an order and we decided a better name would be Christmas Chili. It had a distinct flavor of cinnamon or nutmeg and it was off putting. I tried to eat it since I paid for it, but I only made through about half of it. I also ordered a grilled cheese. I mean, if you do a bad grilled cheese, I don't know what hope you have and I hate to say...it was subpar. I could have made a better one at home. My other dining partners ordered sandwiches, burgers, and waffles. They said it was OK. I think the favorite was the waffle, but I didn't try it. All in all, not worth it and I won't return. Maybe if they change the menu and up the creations it will be worthy of St. Louis!", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:22:53" }, { "business_id": "-kHHi8y4kaTI6WUVdJSdvQ", "business_name": "Fitz's", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love LOVE Fitz's. It has everything a hot spot in STL needs...delicious food, unique desserts, and it's very own factory for it's home good quality made items. I've had the pizza before and that was good, but the most recent visit I got a burger. And I was blown away! I didn't expect to love it, but I did. I ate almost every bite and it was a big burger! It had a good smokey flavor and was cooked well done but still tender and scrumptious. So delicious! My husband and I shared a float with orange soda and vanilla ice cream. Oh. My. God. It was so good! It was HUGE for one so I would recommend sharing. It comes topped with 3 or 4 scoops of ice cream that in and of itself was delicious...then combine it with the Fitz's orange soda and it was divine. I always look forward to going here (and interesting note: I don't even like root beer!) and I'll be back many more times. It's a must stop of tourists or regulars who may have never been.", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:28:11" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "When looking for a venue for a holiday dinner, a friend who knows her food picked this place. I had never heard of it but am always on the lookout for delicious new places so I was excited. She made a reservation no problem (a previous reviewer mentioned they couldn't make reservations?). When we arrived we were promptly seated and given menus. Our server was great - it felt like a show as he presented with lots of information and humor and paced us. He was very knowledgeable about specials and the menu. There was only one time my water was empty and I needed more but otherwise he was attentive. I ordered a soda pop fizz cocktail that tasted like an orange cream soda (but warning: it's pink!). Had a kinda weird after taste though. Food wise, we ordered the cheese plate, bacon wrapped dates, cups of chili, and some salads to start. I didn't have any but everyone said it was delicious. They serve warm bread before the meal which is always appreciated. They had a ton of menu specials and many sounded delish! I ordered the Pork Shnitzel while my husband had the burger. Our other party members got many specials too including blackened mahi mahi, breaded mahi mahi, sweet potato tacos, bacon wrapped meatloaf, and chicken pasta dish. Everyone loved their meal! Oh and I need to mention the atmosphere. It was very cozy and chill. We were off in an alcove that was perfect for our party. It was a nice loungey feel which I appreciate. Overall a great dining experience and I would return. My one issue is that I think it's a bit overpriced, particularly my cocktail and main course. For us, it will be a great place to go for a special dinner.", "timestamp": "2014-12-31T17:07:40" }, { "business_id": "hFuRegkL_IFO5792-JegRw", "business_name": "Feraro's Jersey Style Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "How have I not discovered this place sooner?! This location is less than 2 miles from my house but it took a recommendation from a foodie friend who said it's one of her fav places. I checked out the Yelp reviews (as I religiously do before dining anywhere) and off we went to try for a date night. The location is nice. When you walk in, it looks like a bar but turn the corner and there's roomy booths with large wooden tables. We ordered Garlic Knots for an appetizer and a medium pepperoni pizza to share. The good: The food is delicious! The pizza, while my husband noted pretty cheesy (though isn't necessarily a bad thing), was pretty close to perfection. The dough, sauce, chesse, and toppings tasted fresh, hot, and delicious. The garlic knots were also hot and yummy. I love me some garlic and these delivered. Prices were reasonable. The bad: Our food took awhile. It wasn't very busy, but it took about 25 minutes for our appetizer to arrive. Our pizza came about 10-15 minutes later. The sauce for the garlic knots could be better...it was kind of thin and runny. I prefer a thick and jelled sauce. Overall, a delightful find and we will be back. I'd like to try pizza by the slice, take out, and more. Perfect spot for a pizza hankering that is close to home.", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:07:07" }, { "business_id": "BtTVHiY1AH5iHzTlx5HqZw", "business_name": "Fortel's Pizza Den", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I NOT tried this place sooner?! I've lived here too long to not have tried it and I have lots of lost time to make up for! Coworkers brought some Fortel's in to work for someone's birthday and I immediately ate way too much. It was insanely delicious and addictive. I'm not a (as I say this I'm ducking) huge fan of the typical STL style pizza. This is thin crust but the consistency is more like a hand tossed thin - perfect! The toppings are very generous and delicious. I went after this with my husband (to make sure it wasn't a fluke) and we ordered the same delicious pie, just as scrumptious as the previous one. Now if we are going out for pizza, hubby wants to go here! We are fans!", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:37:29" }, { "business_id": "54vEFcAri3Wj6cdM4ljDBA", "business_name": "Moonrise Hotel", "rating": 5, "text": "Hubby planned a staycation/date night at Moonrise since he heard it's a quirky, unique and highly rated hotel in STL. I must say, I was SUPER impressed and LOVED it. All the little touches are fantastic -- a welcome drink (and welcome snacks for pups), fabulous lounge and atmosphere, all the free, thoughtful toiletries, waterfall shower, Wolfgang Puck coffee, super beds, and more. I was blown away. Our room was clean, well lit, spacious, beautifully decorated, and thoughtfully arranged. The decor around the hotel is cool -- warning, they really stick with the moon and space theme. They have a better than concierge service (though we didn't use), thoughtful and dedicated staff, a fantastic rooftop bar, lounge spaces, and delicious 24 hr room service offerings (from the restaurant on site, Eclipse). Not to mention right on the Loop with tons of things to do! We moseyed around the Loop during the day, went to the rooftop bar for a pre-diner drink, went to Eclipse for dinner (that review is forthcoming :)), hung out in the room, and had room service for breakfast. Everything was fabulous. The rooftop bar is a gem in it's own right. The view is amazing, the bar is well stocked with unique offerings, and the vibe is relaxed/chill with some lounge-y spots around. The room service was fab -- the food was plentiful, delicious, and wonderfully presented. The staff is so impressive as well. I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and while it's a bit on the pricey side the boutique hotel experience is worth it and I would return. My ONLY beef is that we got a jacuzzi king room and the tub was a little bit of a let down. It's not actually a jet jacuzzi tub like we were expecting. More like a bit bigger than a regular bath tub with air jets. If we came back, we probably wouldn't spring for that upgrade.", "timestamp": "2015-04-11T19:27:42" }, { "business_id": "NiX_nc8pf8vClgqzjpmLTw", "business_name": "Budweiser Brew House", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband and I stopped by Budweiser Brew House for drinks and apps before a Cards vs. Cubs home game. Needless to say, the place was crazy. However, we only had a 20 minute wait for an outdoor table (while inside was an hour and a half wait!). I love the patio -- the lights, ambience, and come fall post-season baseball that large outdoor fireplace will be lovely. Our server was frazzled with the rush but attentive. We had a few mixed drinks and the Crispy Wings (in Budweiser wing sauce). I was very pleased with everything. The drinks were great and surprisingly a fair price (I think $6 for each a rum and coke and vodka and club soda). The wings were delicious!! The sauce definitely had a kick and was a little spicier than I expected but also very good and addictive. We didn't eat them all and when they made it home, there was a debate about who would get to eat the leftovers :) Obviously, in Ballpark Village and on game days, this place is insane. And it's discombobulated -- it can be hard to find things (we are on an eternal hunt for the Ted Drewes hut) and employees in different places all seem confused on where things are (we were told lots of different things by different people). Comes with the territory and not penalizing this bar for the complex as a whole. I'd like to try entrees in the future and see if they hold up to my experience thus far. All in all, a solid place to go before or after a game for drinks and snacks. We will return!", "timestamp": "2015-07-02T16:12:34" }, { "business_id": "c_xAbBTeiIHqPm1zMOvQcg", "business_name": "Iron Barley's High Hog Ridge", "rating": 4, "text": "The hubs felt like doing something different and surprisingly we haven't been here yet -- we missed their whole TV debut. Alas, reviews and their diverse menu peaked our interests and we found ourselves at the intersection of Bates and Virginia, searching for the hidden gem. It's a little divey, but oddly charming. You feel like you're in a very friendly neighborhood joint where everyone knows each other. Customer service is superb. Our server, Mark, was very friendly and went above and beyond to make our experience great. Live music was nice, too. The menu is diverse with lots of unique offerings. I decided to go with the class naked dog and ranch fries (which have no ranch seasoning or taste by the way). My husband ordered the Schnitzel and Spaetzle along with mushroom au gratin (special that evening) as an appetizer. The mushroom au gratin was AMAZING. Our entrees were delish as well. Hubs was pleasantly surprised by the German dumplings and liked the rest of his meal. He did say he thought it was overpriced for what it was. I enjoyed my hot dog -- it was grilled perfectly though, fair warning, expect a HUGE portion. We will likely be back to try something new from their menu and enjoy this little neighborhood joint.", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T18:27:37" }, { "business_id": "hqF-uosThMtwGn4J_LfNPA", "business_name": "Plaza Frontenac Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my absolute favorite place to catch a flick. Why? One word: POPCORN. It is seriously the best I've ever had. Every time I go it's hot, fresh, perfectly salted, and (I think the secret to the success) REAL butter. So. freaking. good. They also have fun/gourmet snack and drink options like seasonal local beers and salted chocolates. Onto the theater...it's well kept, nice seats, and crowds are always mild. Partly because they do play some movies that aren't in major theaters like documentaries, foreign flicks, etc. They do play some mainstream but not always. I check the movie listings often as they usually have a hidden gem I don't hear about by advertisement that are good nonetheless. Go. Enjoy. But be warned...it will ruin you for other theater experiences!", "timestamp": "2015-10-29T16:12:12" }, { "business_id": "GGLtLL7ShmjOjVZSeZfjVA", "business_name": "Breadsmith", "rating": 4, "text": "I have to come here every Christmas for Dolci Cello (caramel corn puffs, but oh so much more). It is heaven in a bag and I look forward to it every year :) They have lots of bread choices and staff are friendly and helpful. I just picked up a loaf of Brioche for Christmas morning french toast (can you tell, I'm a touch obsessed with the holidays?!). They conveniently put freezing and baking instructions on their items. I also picked up some small flatbreads that looked delish. It IS a little pricey and the shop is a little small. It's also a bit out there for me location-wise, but it is worth the travel. This is a must stop for carb-loving St. Louisans! Check it out next time you are in the Rock Hill area.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:00:03" }, { "business_id": "BtROhQfrGdoWZ_t9zwEVUA", "business_name": "The Container Store", "rating": 4, "text": "This is THE motherland. Repeat. This is the motherland. I feel so at home and at peace here. But also so very giddily excited. Anything containers does it for me and they have aisles and aisles of just that. Pretty things to store your pretty things. And then a pretty thing to store that. I recently re-organized my office with lots of things from container store including colorful bookends, their brick-style accessory organization, cord management, cork board, and more. It's made my work space much more zen and pleasant. After a recent move, I returned to help organize my refridgerator and pantry with many containers. The major downfall: It is pricey. Like I-don't-even-probably-need-this-but-sure-I'll-pay-$25-for-it kinda thing. To cut costs, I often get inspiration here and find similar items elsewhere. But for the few projects I will buy all or most from Container Store and often be about $150 poorer for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:07:45" }, { "business_id": "D4spXIMXev6pFUz3df31fQ", "business_name": "Vivianos Festa Italiano", "rating": 5, "text": "The hubs and I recently moved to the area and wanted to check out good local places. I think we found it! We moseyed on over to Vivianos and were not disappointed. It's a cool restaurant/artisan grocery store (in a strip mall, but don't let that fool you). We were cheerfully welcomed by someone who I believe was the owner. He was patient and helpful as he answered questions about the menu and made recommendations. I got the half caesar salad with Penne Roma and my husband got the ravioli and greek salad. He gave us a free drink for being first timers. The portions are generous, you get delicious homemade bread (always an appreciated touch), and the food was divine. Penne Roma has a kick, but if you like that, you will not be disappointed. Hubby liked the ravioli though the portion was a bit small for him (not to worry I had PLENTY and was able to share). As we were leaving, the owner told us to take a loaf of bread home for free. We noticed there were lots of regulars and the owner was very friendly. I love little small businesses like this as the touch of service and friendliness is unparalleled. Go and enjoy this little gem in Fenton!", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:15:18" }, { "business_id": "0MhxvTys2ADYa3sOO91ldQ", "business_name": "Egg", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh. My. God. Stumbled upon this place when MudHouse was randomly closed (really, a float trip guys?! I need my breakfast!). I never thought I'd say it but I was glad they were closed to give me a chance to check out Egg. I ordered an off-menu item -- carnitas omelette with potatoes. Seriously freaking delicious. The potatoes were seasoned a bit spicy but amazing, crispy, and just so delicious. The omelette was cheesy, with a bit of spinach, and delicious roasted carnitas. The portion was really big and I took down most of it. Decent price, good service. It will now be difficult to choose between Egg and Mudhouse when I get back in the area. I can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2017-08-03T00:46:04" }, { "business_id": "yjP-n5RpuxsDZZwxDg-FUg", "business_name": "Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Great pizza and concept! It's like Chipotle with Mexican, Crushed Red with salad, etc. You build your own pizza live and their schtick is they cook it in 180 (!) seconds. There's lots of great extra touches such as seasoning choice or after bake add ons. Plus they check with you each step of the way - is the sauce amount good or the cheese amount? Which begs the question - is there a point they'll stop asking because it's too much cheese or would they charge you extra for cheese? Due to those damn social norms, I didn't find out (though I did ask for a bit more cheese at the first query). It's great for kids because it's so fast and easy! Pick up your high chair or booster by the drink station. And pick up a beer or wine that they serve (even some draught!) because you are taking kids out in public and dammit you deserve it! Clean and modern interior was spot on. Ironically, our pizza was a little burnt. The salads had some bad leaves and left a bit to be desired but good flavors. Overall, Blaze is a fantastic addition to Kirkwood and we will be back!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:04:18" }, { "business_id": "LmKpHMXSsm36viJOGVodFw", "business_name": "Missouri Botanical Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of my favorite places in St. Louis. We recently became members though have been several times prior. Hot little tip - city and county residents get in free Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The lush and beautiful gardens themselves are worth it but there's much, much more. The climatron is a huge greenhouse with a neat little trail. There's also a small little greenhouse that is sweet (side note - we did family maternity photos in this spot and they came out wonderfully). The children's area is awesome! There's splash pads, huge playground, indoor discovery center, and much more. There's a calm corner for children needing a break and nursing moms which I've used and love. They have amazing events. I go to Best of Missouri market every year. Whitaker music festival is great and free to everyone! I haven't yet been to Garden Glow but will go this year. Sassafras is the on location restaurant and is delicious. Parking is plentiful and free. Check it out - you won't regret it!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:20:25" }, { "business_id": "t-QxJFbbSjC-_X9TWJqITA", "business_name": "Shack Breakfast & Lunch", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious food, unique (and large) menu, fun atmosphere, great service - this place has it all! Luckily - and dangerously - I live and work nearby. So I go quite a bit with coworkers, friends, family and have worked through the menu. Everything is amazing. I particularly like the build your own omelette and potatoes. My dining partners are always happy as well. This is my go-to breakfast spot. Sometimes it's quite busy over the weekend so expect a bit of a wait.", "timestamp": "2018-06-09T14:06:45" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 4, "text": "A cute little restaurant in Webster Groves. I had the Farro salad and Rose Punch. The salad was fresh, delicious, beautifully presented, and did I mention delicious?! The drink was just okay - it didn't wow me and I wouldn't order again. My dining partners ordered warm olives which they loved and a variety of entrees. Everyone seemed to like their entrees but also didn't seem wowed by any of them. The cake with buttercream for dessert was a generous size (definitely for sharing) and very good! The furniture (especially gold chairs!), decor, etc. is so pretty, welcoming, and sets a nice ambiance. The menu is small but a variety of choices of items within that (salads, sounds, entrees, sandwiches). It's pricey but not obnoxiously so. Overall a cute little spot happy to have here! I'd love to come back for another salad!", "timestamp": "2018-07-02T02:34:18" }, { "business_id": "9P6yLs8Yi6WhbmBIiwvWhg", "business_name": "ZZA Pizza + Salad", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty darn good pizzas! A friend and I shared two - the rocket and garden city. They're both pretty unique and delicious! The lemon flavor of the rocket was awesome and the smoked Gouda on garden city was also wonderful. We finished off our meal with do raw cookie dough. That was just okay - not enough chocolate chips and pretty hard. If you're in the area and want a quick, good pizza, check it out!", "timestamp": "2018-09-23T19:54:12" }, { "business_id": "MI3OE-I70B6VFBCn1rw5lg", "business_name": "Stuckmeyer's Farm Market", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm teetering between 2 and 3 star review so I'll err on the side of 3 star. I think it's all about expectations with this spot. I'm used to going to Eckerts in Belleville every year and heard great things about Stuckmeyer so off we went. I was sorely disappointed my first visit. It is not as big nor as well manicured as Eckerts. You will feel very nickel and dimed. Besides the big playground area, everything costs money (the corn maze, the inflatable corn maze, the bounce house area, the wagon ride, etc). The nice thing is the patch is really close and you don't have to ride a wagon to get there. They also have wagons you can use (for free!) to cart your pumpkin and stuff. Its not great but if you just want a pumpkin and not trek to IL, it might fit the bill for your needs.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:08:52" }, { "business_id": "tvc0kLuvktNBrD9Ts_M64Q", "business_name": "Tints Polish", "rating": 5, "text": "Nail salons are enigmas where it's just hard to find the perfect one. This is a hidden gem (almost literally - easy to pass up). The decor is so cute, modern, and cozy. The chairs and seating are comfy (not your usual salon chairs - but that's a good thing). Very reasonably priced and they don't accept tips. This will be my usual nail spot from now on! Make sure you make an appointment - while they do accept walk-ins when possible, they book up fast.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:20:34" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect little unique spot to grab delicious ice cream! What a great addition to this area with a little nearby park and other spots to eat. If you want something more unique and special than chain ice cream store, you will appreciate this charming location. The ice cream is the real deal - super delicious and decadent with unique flavors and tastes.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:30:33" }, { "business_id": "eQlMjyOsirwFCH8CiaKrjw", "business_name": "Fitz's SoCo", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a neat and special addition to the area - we loved going to Fitz's in the city but it's a bit of a ways away. It's nice to get a fun and unique spot in the county :) Same delicious food and drinks! A few gripes: -it's hard to find! They don't have a sign directly on the building (yet, I hope). -While the food and company is special, I was disappointed they didn't do more in this location. I had high hopes to see some of the bottling or arcade, like the city location. Just a pretty open (albeit nice and updated) space. A few enclosed party rooms on the side. Overall, it's not perfect but a great addition to the area and we'll be back :)", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:36:18" }, { "business_id": "NXs4byOiMay3DkMLuvgJxw", "business_name": "Peel Wood Fired Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been to Peel in IL but don't get out there much anymore - So happy to see this new location and finally visit. The space is great - and lots of it. The pizza is delicious, one of my favs. They have lots of apps and salads that I want to try. This will be a great spot for lunch, happy hour, brunch, whatever! Go and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:38:26" }, { "business_id": "VJ-c-Yjj1qv7dKS5YaYoHg", "business_name": "Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious spot for lunch! I picked up to go and shared with a friend. The chicken and rice soup was delicious and the bread was amazing. I definitely want to go back and try more - especially the pizza. No kids menu and kinda pricey which bumped it to 4 stars for me.", "timestamp": "2019-03-03T13:17:10" }, { "business_id": "RcsTutp1103SGiYtam7xRg", "business_name": "The Frisco Barroom", "rating": 4, "text": "Awesome new spot in Webster. Peeked at the rooftop outdoor area and looks fab for warm summer nights. Came with a small group of girls for drinks and appetizers (they shared, I didn't eat), sat the bar and they had live music. It's busy and loud but a good vibe! Want to go back and try food :) Fun fact: owners also own K Hall, another gem in the area!", "timestamp": "2019-04-11T13:20:31" }, { "business_id": "YSgcojsb2kWHXNLWaGCuBA", "business_name": "Pastaria", "rating": 4, "text": "Modern Italian vibe meets casual but classy dining. I've been twice - one for date night and once with the kids, both times were great! They have a great and generous happy hour - M-F 3:30-6 drink specials, some $10 pizzas and half off kids meals making them only $5. The hot fresh bread is amazing and the pasta and pizza are delish. Yum!", "timestamp": "2019-06-27T01:09:25" } ]	{ "business_id": "MuKoTR56s6elHEI2wUkgJA", "business_name": "Grace Meat + Three", "rating": 4, "text": "Great delicious fried chicken spot! I was a sweetie pie fan through and through - so I had high expectations. The chicken was delicious - crisp, flavorful and mildly spicy. Delicious!! The sides were okay. The Mac and cheese was kind of tough and nothing really special. The mashed potatoes were better but so strong by the end of the cup, I couldn't eat the rest. However, the chicken is so good. It's a bit pricey. It's pretty hipstery and I do miss the charm and authenticity of of sweetie pies, but I digress.", "timestamp": "2019-08-31T02:24:14" }
xbybLiQockAzC4xAlzFrGg	[ { "business_id": "y-XX_c8EVK4m3oQda42Y3A", "business_name": "McArthur's Bakery Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here quite a few times for breakfast and have had really good experiences. Employees are many and helpful. Food is very reasonably priced (so much we thought we were under charged every time). Many options and everything we had was fresh and yummy. Never went to for cakes or special orders.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:31:32" }, { "business_id": "gKBqK-FFq7EGOUscBqb1iA", "business_name": "The Royale Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a cool, liberal bar that's a hidden gem! I've only been for drinks and plan on going for food. The interior is cozy, clean and aesthetically pleasing. It's going to be my new regular spot :) only complain is that seating is limited - we ran out of chairs for friends.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:39:52" }, { "business_id": "SyAYFxPBjuaHajx9iE7wLQ", "business_name": "Saint Louis Galleria", "rating": 3, "text": "love/hate relationship with Galleria. Unruly kids/teens have been a problem in the past which is why they created a curfew on weekends. Parking is horrible, especially near the Cheescake Factory and even worse now that Nordstrom is open. Great places to shop like Sephora, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, Papyrus, and Nordstrom ! And eat (California Pizza Kitchen & Cheescake Factory). However they got rid of MAC and one end of the mall is dumpy (if you've been, you know what I'm talking about).", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:16:04" }, { "business_id": "GTXSk8QyD7N1Un-tzgPw4g", "business_name": "First Watch", "rating": 4, "text": "My boyfriend & I love to go to First Watch on Sundays. It's delish & provides a great breakfast for about $20. The pancakes are to die! I always get a chocolate chip pancake when I go (as part of the Tri-Fecta). They have many low-fat and alternate options like turkey sausage and egg substitute. They have crepes and unique dishes as well.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:17:50" }, { "business_id": "cdf4eQCZv2lu3xZCKVnlZA", "business_name": "Trendy Nails & Spa", "rating": 5, "text": "I just had a great first experience with Trendy Nails & Spa! After hearing great reviews from friends & seeing the reviews here, this was the first local nail salon on my list to try and I'm glad I did. The staff was very friendly and talkative. My nail tech took her time to make sure she did a good job - she even re-did a few things that weren't perfect. I got the OPI Axxium gel polish (my first gel manicure) and was impressed with the precision and effort she put forth to make this a great manicure. Not to mention it was only $27! Most gel manicures, from my research, range from $30-$40. I will definitely become a regular and recommend this place to friends because of this great, clean space with very friendly and talented staff plus reasonable/cheap prices. What more could a girl ask for?", "timestamp": "2011-07-29T02:59:51" }, { "business_id": "JVI5tY_EcHlIFJkX5SlLVA", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 3, "text": "My boyfriend and I are frequent breakfast eaters and although many hipsters cringe at IHOP, we like it (well, it's no Eggsperience - a wonderful diner in Chicago) but it does beat Denny's. We normally have to truck it to the Sunset Hills location but they just opened this one on Lemay Ferry, just down the road from us, to our delight! IHOPs are all pretty much the same but I was compelled to write a review for this one in particular because this location is TINY. There are seriously probably about 20 tables. We had to wait a half an hour for 2 people. Granted it was Sunday afternoon (church rush), but we normally do not have to wait that long. Additionally, staff was sluggish to clean tables, seat us, and wait on us in general. However, the place was clean. I should also mention union protesters are around and probably will be for a bit. More beef I have with IHOP in general is that they don't take coupons from cell phones. It is not only \"green\" to do that, but it's the 21st century of iPads, iPhones, Kindles, and more...everything is electronic now so refusing to take electronic coupons is a big mistake in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:21:55" }, { "business_id": "paBWJ6VBIy4-eXVH3iGFFA", "business_name": "Courtesy Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "I just love this place. It's a local little diner that reminds me of a Huddle House or Waffle House (size and ambiance). But I love it because it's SUPER cheap (cash only though) and it's local (I'm a big local business supporter). The food is good and the environment is upbeat. Great to hit up after dancing the night away into the wee hours of the morning :)", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:26:13" }, { "business_id": "S26FJcC298XNpN2cZiwOrA", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Central West End", "rating": 5, "text": "There's not much else to say about this amazing pizzeria that hasn't already been said, I'm sure. I think it's popularity peaked after Obama gave it a shout out for being the best deep dish pizza he's ever eaten (and that's coming from a Chicago native!!). However, there's also thin crust pizzas as well as vegan pizzas (talk about going the extra mile!). I had the opportunity to eat here with the head desert chef so we got to try all the deserts which I think are very neglected for the pizza-goers. Both appetizers and deserts are simple yet divine. The most simple, a blood orange push-pop of sorts, is simply amazing. The alcohol menu is extensive and there are tastes for everyone. The environment is trendy and usually buzzing. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. It can get a little pricey but I think it's worth it. I've been here multiple times and plan on going again.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:33:15" }, { "business_id": "GV-e7Op4aU98xkjjoKlRhA", "business_name": "Modesto Tapas Bar & Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore this tapas bar. A few friends turned me on to it and I was a little nervous as I'm, sad to admit, a picky eater. Many of the items on the menu scared me because they are not traditional but when I tried them, they were amazing. That means they can make damn good food and makes me trust them when I want to try other things. Most notably was the ribeye on bread with cheese (I know, a safe one) but there were so many amazing more treats - the names I don't even remember. I would recommend going during happy hour where you can get bites cheap. I have never went at a happy hour so just dining it was pricey and I didn't get to try too much (although I did over time after going multiple times). The plates are small so not very satisfactory as a meal unless you are going to get many each (although that will cost you a pretty penny). The place is trendy and clean. Servers are attentive although I recall feeling slightly rushed a time or two. They have unique cocktails and drinks - lemonade mojito was amazing. I can't wait to go back - this time to make the happy hour so I can try a lot more and pay a lot less! I would consider this a must-go place in STL and recommend it to all my friends.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:57:06" }, { "business_id": "gHf8FdH8uLobt3zi3-dR4g", "business_name": "Hillside Animal Hospital", "rating": 5, "text": "I've brought my doggie here since I adopted her just over a year ago. I've been impressed with the staff and especially the vet (Dr. Marziani) since day one. I've never had any trouble getting an appointment, keeping an appointment, nor waiting too long for an appointment. Additionally, I've gotten in last minute a few times for those more urgent animal situations that are inevitable to occur. Dr. Marziani is very knowledgeable, helpful, and nice. She takes her time with you and your pet and it is evident she not only knows what she is doing, but really cares about your pet. My puppy was my first dog and she helped walk me through the process and has great recommendations for me (in fact, she introduced me to the Greater St. Louis Training Club and I went to them for my dog's obedience training!). The administrative staff & vet assistants are also nice, patient, and knowledgeable. They also send reminder cards for your pets needs and have many specials with heartworm and flea treatments. They keep customers in the know via Facebook with other specials, too. I couldn't say enough good things about Hillside. The only downside, which comes along with any good vet, is that it is a little pricey. When I took Libby once for a cut, it was about $100 which included the exam and medicine. Again, I think this will be the case for any good vet so I didn't ding them for that. We will be customers for life and I would highly recommend!", "timestamp": "2011-11-18T17:25:29" }, { "business_id": "EpREWeEpmR8f1qLHzzF0AA", "business_name": "Schlafly Bottleworks", "rating": 5, "text": "After living in the STL area for way over 10 years now, I am both ashamed and remorseful to admit that I ate here for the FIRST time just a few weeks ago. I am ashamed because it's a St. Louis tradition and remorseful because I missed out on it for so..many...years! This place is amazing. What is not to love! It's a factory where you can get a tour (Friday-Sunday, noon-5pm on the hour), there's a shop, bar, and dining area. They also host many event with live music on the weekends. It's fun to just kind of wander and look around - don't worry, you'll get a chance because there will likely be a wait before you dine. The beer is, of course, amazing. The Hefeweizen is my personal favorite and a great start for anyone who is not a huge beer drinker (like myself). Additionally, the food is homegrown and damn good. I had the pizza (recommendation from my server) and it was really spectacular, though I'm admittedly a pizza connoisseur so I enjoy a good pizza pie more than most probably ;P My date had a bison burger which was also really good. More fun info: the service is great! I think they tend to hire more funky and alternative people (like tattoo parlor staff) which I support. The quality is what makes this place stand out along with the emphasis on local food and brewery. It is a little on the pricier side but for all the experience you get and the quality, it is worth it. I will go again and again and you probably should, too!", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T06:58:36" }, { "business_id": "FryXEasH74MQDnj5Bvz3QA", "business_name": "The Mud House", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself to be a breakfast and brunch connoisseur, always in search of new, delicious places. By chance, I came across this hidden gem and I'm glad I did! I checked out the reviews and based on those saying how super slammed they are, I figured there's no way we'd make it in. But we swung by to check around noon on a Sunday and there were several open tables. So either business has slowed down or we happened to come at a generally slow time. You order at the counter, find a seat, and they bring you your food. To my delight, the interior is eclectic and charming. The menu is small, but the prices are VERY reasonable, especially for the value (more on that later). The down side: Extremely loud in there. Even not filled to capacity, I felt like I had to shout to my dining partner to have conversation. It was noticeably annoying. Another downfall is that we waited about 20 minutes for our food. The good news: The food was AMAZING! I got the classic breakfast meal (bacon, eggs, toast, hashbrowns). My boyfriend got the Apple and Raisin French Toast. We also got a powdered sugar brownie. I would go back solely for another brownie! The toast was so fresh and delicious, it tasted like it was freshly made. And bonus, it was very modestly priced. My dish was only $7, same as what I would get at IHOP or Denny's with a slab of Wonder Bread on the plate. I can't emphasize enough the quality of the food, the taste, and the value. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was Indie/artsy. The staff are also very friendly and helpful.", "timestamp": "2012-07-15T21:42:07" }, { "business_id": "jQBPO3rYkNwIaOdQS5ktgQ", "business_name": "The Fountain On Locust", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review sooner! This is one of my favorite spots in St. Louis since my first visit a couple years ago (after a co-worker suggested it). I feel like I work for them because I am always bragging about how wonderful it is and where better to brag than Yelp? :) This is a locally-owned restaurant that is known especially for their ice cream (including ice cream martinis!). The interior is amazing. It's an old car dealership from the 20th century that is art deco. Even the bathrooms are amazing (seriously, check them out). The food is reasonably priced and wonderful. My favorite is the Royal Grille, which is a grilled cheese sandwich with apple slices (Yum!) with their handmade chips (extra Yum!). Amazing! Their soups and other sandwiches are also delicious. Now to the main act, the ice cream. Probably more than you need to know, but they make all of their ingredients from scratch (excepted the main ingredient, ice cream - that, they fly in aged from Wisconsin!) - see, I told you it sounds like I work from them, but trust me, I'm just a creepy fan. I've had the Chocolate Brownie Cake in a Cup and Standing Banana Split. The Standing Banana Split is one of my favorite deserts EVER. My go-to is Chocolate shake (SO delicious) and pair that with food, I'm usually too full for desert. But it's worth to come solely for desert. Bottom line, check it out. It's a classic in St. Louis and you definitely won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:01:24" }, { "business_id": "8vwdDagJc8bJR0ZojFGZxw", "business_name": "The Cup", "rating": 4, "text": "While there is some debate about who exactly has the best cupcake in STL (Is it Jilly's? SweetArt? Cup?), the Cup is definitely in the running and is at the top of my list. They have a small menu (usually 6-7 staple cupcakes and 5-6 seasonal cupcakes), but the flavors are delish. Some of my favorites are Tuxedo (dark chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream), Double Chocolate (self-explanatory ;)), and Gold Rush (yellow cake, chocolate buttercream). The interior is small-ish, but that's most shops in CWE. This cupcakes are kinda priecy, but not too bad if you buy one just for yourself ;) There is basically no parking, just a few metered spots by the entrance. All in all, this is a must-stop for cupcake connoisseurs!", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:20:52" }, { "business_id": "OZcl2HOUXAHuICrh5d2WjQ", "business_name": "Half & Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Unfortunately, our breakfast was just OK. We waited about 45 minutes to eat on a bustling Saturday morning. Once we were seated, the service was fast and attentive. The decor is fun and eclectic. However, the food wasn't up to par in my opinion. Maybe I had too high expectations after reading the stellar reviews or maybe I was put off that we waited so long (after being quoted at about 20-30 minutes). Or maybe it's because I didn't get anything 'exciting', just the half and half which is toast, eggs, hash browns, and bacon (for an added charge). But, truly I believe the quality was simply lacking (maybe we hit them on a bad day?). The eggs were runny and the bacon was over cooked. However, my fiancé had the eggs benedict and he did like his dish. They have some unique dishes that if you loved you might want to return for, (e.g., blackberry french toast has been cited multiple times as a must-try) but I like a classic. I would rather go to Mud House where the food is cheaper and better.", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:25:09" }, { "business_id": "p_6THXiGLViyxYnOY8BzZQ", "business_name": "Vin de Set", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here for my four-year anniversary with my boyfriend. We had never been, but after perusing Yelp and other review websites, Vin de Set was cited multiple times for being a romantic hot spot in St Louis. So we had to try it for our very special night. We came around 5pm on a Saturday night and there were few people around. We sat outside on the infamous rooftop deck where cozy seats, outdoor warmers, and stringed lights were abound. I tried the beef medallions (delicious!) and my boyfriend had fresh fish. We also split a piece of cheesecake. Everything was wonderful and I really loved my dish - I would order it again! Prices were expensive, but reasonably so. I think we spent about $50 for our two entrees and dessert. Service was good, though not extraordinary. Overall, it was a fun experience made extra special by the fact that afterward, my boyfriend proposed to me :) What a perfect night!", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:33:45" }, { "business_id": "7nDUQkNX0aw9gc_9nlVPwQ", "business_name": "Wolfgang's Pet Stop", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely love this little shop! I began taking my 2 1/2 year old Sheltie here about a year or so ago after finding a Groupon for this shop. I've never been or heard of it, but gave it a try because it's a small business and it was a good deal. I set up an appointment for a groom and was lucky enough to have Kelly as her groomer. We have been seeing her ever since! My little girl is terrified of dryers so Kelly takes the extra time to hand dry her. She is very careful with her, patient with her anxiety, and always trims and grooms to my instructions, plus adds extra cute bows or handkerchief after :) It really shows that she cares about dogs and loves her job. She also always seems to be there because every time I've made an appointment, she's been available. When I get my pup back from Kelly, she's super soft, clean, shed-free, and smelling wonderful. We been there regularly for a year or so now and it's always a superb job! The other staff are wonderful too. They know my pup by name and are always very polite and sweet to her and me. They always manage to get me in for an appointment even when calling last minute. They are very friendly and accommodating. On top of that, prices are VERY reasonable. I usually get my Sheltie (read: lots of hair) a wash, groom, trim (nails and hair), teeth brushed, and shed-x treatment for about $40 -- and it ends up being a 4 hour service. I cannot say enough good things about this place! This will be our groomers for life! There is a retail store upstairs and they also do doggy day care, though I've never tried either. I heard from a staffer that they are expanding and adding a new location on Washington street with a larger doggy day care center. My only complaint is parking can be a pain and not very welcoming to take doggy in and out of my car on a busy and tight street. However, that is to be expected in the CWE so I don't fault them for that, just unfortunate byproduct of the location.", "timestamp": "2012-12-21T23:40:05" }, { "business_id": "UugJ2WQFoV-rNFqZ4QyrHg", "business_name": "Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself an ice-cream junkie and Oberweis is the prime spot to get my fix :-) The product is delicious and addictive! I almost always share a chocolate milkshake with my fiancé when I go (maybe it's the retro interior and feel of a simpler time?) though any dessert is guaranteed to please. They also sell ice-cream to go, milk, orange juice, and a few other 'grocery' items. Their milk is what I would definitely recommend to try. They charge you for the bottle, but you can return to get the $ back. They even do a really neat delivery service of groceries though I personally never used it. Every time we go, the cream and service is top notch. It's one of our favorite stops and I always look forward to going. Oberweis is a must-stop stop for any fellow ice-cream junkies as well as any St. Louis natives. They are family owned and St. Louis based!", "timestamp": "2013-05-17T04:48:24" }, { "business_id": "KChWMIHxMChTE11ZVsIVZw", "business_name": "Sub Zero Vodka Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this place sooner?! I've been going here for years from bachelorette parties to birthday parties and everything in between. It's one of my favorite spots. They are always rated high by RFT for being the best at both burgers and sushi. While the combination is random, do not take it lightly. I have friends who love sushi and will order it every time, while I'm into burgers and will order one every time (make sure you try the Bacon Borsin -- it's my favorite!). Their drink selection is amazing, as you would expect for a Vodka bar. The place is big and they offer free valet for customers on weekends. Sometimes there's a wait, but it's usually not too long. They do take reservations as we've made them plenty of times for big parties. The prices are reasonable. Service is always good and the food is always amazing. We introduced this place to many friends over the years and friends of ours who live in IL come to Sub Zero just for date nights (and you know how hard it is to get IL residents to cross the river ;-)). I just can't say too many great things about this place! Seriously, try it! You will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:16:49" }, { "business_id": "6r9FNW0-4aKqbPCX7UxTZg", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love love Maggiano's! The place is huge with an upstairs yet there always seems to be a wait. I'm usually lucky enough to nab a bar table (which is first come, first served) to avoid the wait and that's fine with me. However, if you have a big party or really want a table, you may be stuck waiting for awhile and may want to consider getting a drink at the bar, taking a stroll down the Boulevard, or browsing in Crate and Barrel as you wait. They offer warm bread and olive oil, my favorite. Plus, I'm always a sucker for restaurants that offer bread before the meal (it's just considerate). They have a classics menu which they offer a free meal to take home (you can choose a different dish than what you order so long as it's on the classics menu). My favorite dish is their Spaghetti and Meatballs and I always seem to end up getting that, though they have plenty of other good dishes. My fiancé loves their Taylor Street Baked Ziti. Their salads and other entrees are good as well. For dessert, the Apple Crostada is to die for! It's a must-try though their other desserts are delicious as well. The service is always good and the food, delicious. The atmosphere is very nice and the prices are reasonable. One of my favorite restaurants to dine at!", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:31:34" }, { "business_id": "MUBk0fgk0ViHwEiNnRitWA", "business_name": "Green Bean", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a recently discovered gem in CWE. I was looking for a healthy place for lunch and found it! I have brought friends here since and they love it, too! How I described it to them: a Fro Yo approach to salad. You pick your lettuce, toppings, and dressing. They also have a few menu items to choose from. The drawbacks are that it's a bit expensive. For just a salad or wrap with no drink or side will put you back about $9-10. The portions are big though so you get plenty! There also is usually a wait. The process to make the salad or wrap always seems laborious and they usually have to go get extra/missing ingredients from the back. The space is small and kinda tight, too, but that's most places in CWE. They have some perks, like through the Perka app which gives you free salads after so many purchases. Also, they partner with Fro Yo and if you bring your receipt to Fro Yo, you get 10% off your frozen yogurt purchase (and vice versa if you bring Fro Yo receipt to Green Bean). My favorite is the Citrus Caesar (caesar salad with oranges :-)) on the whole wheat wrap. Yum!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:27:52" }, { "business_id": "rKO2kZB--kKG94HGzg5ysQ", "business_name": "Treats Unleashed", "rating": 5, "text": "Treats Unleashed is a neat little store with several locations in the STL area. We perused in there about a week or so ago and I realized that these are the treats they use at Four Muddy Paws, our go-to spot for doggie goods. I was so excited, we were right at the source!! They have homemade, all natural doggie treats along with the usual dog food, leashes, treats, and supplies. They offer natural and more hard to find brands that PetSmart doesn't carry. Love this little shop! And I bet your dog will too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:32:57" }, { "business_id": "chUeS0h9C8KGfyJO2Jqgew", "business_name": "Fozzie's Sandwich Emporium", "rating": 5, "text": "I used to live next to this amazing sandwich shop. I no longer do. I seriously go into withdrawals. The sandwiches, the salads, it's all good! The shop is small and sometimes there's a wait. What I would do is call, place an order, and leave to pick up because it was so close. This worked out perfectly! They also deliver, but same with pizza, I can't ever justify paying the delivery charge + tip for a few minutes drive for me! Also, try the Gimme S'more shake. That is what I crave and it is amazing. Kisses, marshmallows, and graham crackers. I love a good s'more so it takes a lot for something s'more flavored to get me. And this does. Seriously, try it!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:43:05" }, { "business_id": "o0uODX3Ot6dkHn3_C49Wjw", "business_name": "Fletcher's Kitchen and Tap", "rating": 3, "text": "For some reason, this place carries sound like no other and is unusually loud. The four of us came in for dinner and we could barely carry on a conversation...and eventually we gave up trying. The temperature in there was also unusually cold. The food was pretty good. I had a chicken caesar salad and the chicken was BBQed which put me off a bit, but it was good. My other dining partners enjoyed their food. Service was amazing...our server was really on it! I was between 3 and 4 stars, but asked myself if I would go back and my answer is no. If I could talk to my dining partners and not freeze, I would definitely go back. So if you like a cold and lively environment (seems like an oxymoron?), you will enjoy this spot!", "timestamp": "2013-07-03T00:04:24" }, { "business_id": "hw0O24rFx1BU5ZLlKBZYNg", "business_name": "Keller Plaza Cinema", "rating": 2, "text": "As a regular movie-goer, I am always on the look-out for new theaters. I was pleasantly surprised to find this little gem tucked away (literally) off of Lemay Ferry Rd. (near the intersection of Lindbergh and Lemay Ferry Rd.). Is it the most dazzling movie experience I've ever had? No. Is it a more affordable, low-frills spot to catch a flick? Yes. (If it's the former I'm looking for, I head over to The Great Escape - for over 3x the price.) I've been multiple times and here are the notes: Admission for matinees (before 6:0pm) are $3, evenings are $4. Every day. Can't beat that! They play older flicks. So expect something you want to see to visit here a month or more after they've come and gone at the chains. This theater is CASH ONLY. I always forget that, but luckily there is a credit union a few doors down so after a pit stop to the ATM we are ready to go. The theaters are in OK condition. Seats randomly have trash bags over them because they are broken. Spoiler Alert: they aren't the most comfortable. The screens are smaller and there are a few scratches/marks on them. If you go in with reasonable expectations based on what you paid for, you will enjoy Keller Plaza Cinema. UPDATE::::::: The last few flicks we saw there had terrible sound and vision. So if you don't mind about not seeing or hearing the movie, then by all means, go! We learned that while admission is cheap, it's work paying the extra few bucks (or only $5 movies on Wednesdays at all STL cinemas) so that you can enjoy the movie (or just hear and see it). I'm sad because I would love to support a small business theater in my neighborhood but we will not return.", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T20:15:17" }, { "business_id": "u4WC_qHGn03jwNdVmW5vaQ", "business_name": "Baileys' Chocolate Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not written a review sooner?! This is my #1 favorite spot for after drinks. They have a huge list of decadent drinks and desserts for your sweet tooth. My go-to drink is the Chocolate Bar Signature Martini. It's one of the ice-cream martinis they offer. It's a dream in a glass. Like complimentary bread at an Italian restaurant, you get a plate of mini chocolate chip cookies when you arrive which is a nice touch. The atmosphere is romantic and trendy. It's often hopping, too. I've been here numerous times for girls night, date night, birthday party, even my own engagement party (ahh my fiancé knows me so well :-))! They are busy and there is often a wait, but it is worth it. Service is good and everything I've tried so far is delicious, food included. Must go spot for city dwellers and visitors alike!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T21:16:14" }, { "business_id": "j3sRTkoqD_obks7IOW876w", "business_name": "Dewey's Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur so be prepared when I announce that this is my #1 favorite pizza in the world. I've tried slice after slice in multiple establishments and this is my favorite, by far. The menu is simple, but sufficient. They offer regular salads and pizzas in delicious combinations. I always get a Caeser salad and X-Pepperoni pizza (Hey, I know what I like!). My fiancé always gets the Greek salad (and he is one to always mix it up, which goes to show how delicious this is!) and usually the Bronx Bomber (a supreme of sorts). They also have a seasonal salad and pizza to offer. The food is ah. maze. ing. Ingredients are fresh, crisp, and delicious. The X-Pep pizza is a touch spicy, but that's what makes it so good. The dough, the sauce, the cheese, the toppings, it's ALL good. Be prepared for a wait, even in the late evening on a week day. Dewey's is delicious and people know it, so don't rush perfection! Service is always good as they seem to have a co-op method of service where you have multiple servers. This is my favorite spot for pizza and can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:09:46" }, { "business_id": "QmkAq8hwSgBZcZ7z5tEFDg", "business_name": "Mosaic Restaurants", "rating": 4, "text": "Knowing my love for brunch, a friend highly recommended Mosaic. Imagine my delight upon finding a Groupon for this spot for brunch for two including mimosas :-) Happy would be an understatement. That said, it took us almost till the end of the year to go! My friend said they require reservations and they only offer brunch on Sundays. We made it eventually and it was a pleasant surprise! I went all out and ordered the Grilled Flatiron and Eggs served with roasted harissa potatoes. It was delicious. The flatiron was SO good! The sides were all unique and delicious as well. My fiancé ordered an omelet and said he enjoyed it. Service was great! I noticed many others were Groupon consumers (as I mentioned earlier, it was near expiration), but service never suffered. I am a fan and would love to come back to try other meals too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:30:22" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "OK. I need to confess something. Before I tell you, let me ask that you please don't hurdle things at me. I do not like BBQ sauce. I'm not a sauce girl of any kind, actually. No ketchup, no mayonnaise, no mustard, no dressing, none of it. So BBQ and me don't really mix. However, I will eat BBQ without sauce on it (or grilled meat as it's probably more appropriately called). I've heard so many good things about Pappy's (which is why I bookmarked it), that I was looking forward to going regardless of my sauce-intolerance. I had a pulled chicken sandwich with fried corn on the cob (what?) and sweet potato fries. My dining partner had a beef brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries and cole slaw. The chicken was smokey and delicious. My friend loved the brisket. He also loved the BBQ sauce ;-) The sides were great. SPF were YUM-O. I'm not a huge fan of SPF (I know, I'm not helping my case), but they were crispy and delicious. The fried corn on the cob was interesting but good. Luckily, we came in on a Monday night and the line was short. Apparently we were lucky and should not expect that to happen again. All in all, it was good and coming from me that means something as BBQ isn't my choice of meal. It's a must try for visitors as it's our top BBQ joint.", "timestamp": "2013-07-09T01:00:20" }, { "business_id": "sImDC2ePC0sIkZsHaX-k3g", "business_name": "MX Movies & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I had never been to MX theaters as it's relatively new, but it was definitely on my radar. A movie theater in the heart of the city? I'm there. Even better, it's above Pi, one of my favorite pizza joints. Hello, perfect date night! We started out in the bar which was spacious and vibing. The bartenders were awesome. They provided top notch service and were super friendly. We had drinks (Pineapple Upside Down Cake in fact which was delish!) and some bites to eat including wraps, chicken wings, and flat bread pizzas. All was very good! Now for the main act! The theater is AWESOME. The seats and rows are spacious. The seats are some form of leather recliners and are oh so comfy. They are organized by fours with some space between the pairs. Each pair has a tablet to order from. We had our popcorn and soda brought right up to us, in less than two minutes! The servers aren't as distracting as I thought they may be. They were in and out quickly and quietly. The tab's screen is bright which can be distracting, but after the previews, everyone's mostly done looking at them. Some details about etab: They advertise to bring drinks up within 5 minutes and food within 15. Note: you can't use cash using the etab. If you only have cash, you must go to the concession stand (the walk of shame!). Parking was kind of tricky with construction and the busy street, but that's everywhere downtown so I don't dock them for that. We did however park in the wrong garage, had to walk over, and couldn't use the ticket validation :( Basically, in sum, once you go MX, you can't go back.", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T22:00:51" }, { "business_id": "lTNknj73Idb-dSlrDJ6qjw", "business_name": "Tom's Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Good ole' Tom's. I've been several times as I work nearby. In fact, this is the preferred spot for a few of us (including me!) who are apart of our regular work lunch group. Their food is greasy but very good. Drink selection is good. Service is usually good. It can get crowded and awkward walking through the set up if crowded. It's a bar atmosphere, but they have outdoor seating which we appreciate on a nice day. They have their own private parking lot which is very well monitored -- this is a huge perk for the area. I've never been for karaoke and after reading these reviews, I'm very inclined to check it out!", "timestamp": "2013-07-11T01:43:05" }, { "business_id": "is9QogkUGhtcEALtHMyLwg", "business_name": "Three Dog Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "My fiancé and I recently visited Three Dog Bakery for the first time to redeem a free \"pupcake\" from a business card we received at a doggie event in the past. We left with arm loads of doggies treats, toys, and stuff :-) The staff were SUPER friendly. They spent a lot of time with us talking us through different items, the sale (in fact, they often recommended items that were on sale to help us save money!), our dogs, etc. The have a lot of gourmet doggie products that you will see at nicer pet boutiques. In fact, they carry Happy Tails, a line of bath products that I frequently order online. The staff had great recommendations for items in this line, too that they were out of stock of, but that I want to try in the future. The baked goodies were fresh, beautifully presented, and creative (i.e., you will see little boxes of pup fries, pup cakes, and the sort)! We got our free cupcake (and she threw in another for our other doggie) and joined the loyalty program where we get a free treat each month - so we toted two of those home too :-) The store is very spacious which is nice for doggies to roam and people room to shop. Items they carry are pricier, but that's at any dog boutique where they carry the good stuff so I didn't dock them for that. We will definitely return. There are several dog boutiques to shop at in STL, but what sets this spot apart is definitely the customer service (including their friendliness, knowledge, and their generosity) and the space!", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:12:17" }, { "business_id": "ahpLj4hNo2-2w_xf2sNE3g", "business_name": "Four Muddy Paws", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the first pet boutique we visited for our pups and it's still one of my favorites. I come here to get my pup her treats, food, and of course some of their homemade treats they order from Treats Unleashed. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. They really helped me through the first year of when I got my puppy and was clueless about taking care of a dog. They lead me in the right direction for nutrition as well as some training tips (the harness has been so helpful and is in the cutest design). They also loaded me with free dog food samples to see what worked for my girl and her sensitive tummy. They have events frequently for dogs and their humans with many giveaways. These are often coordinated with other local businesses which is fun, for people to get food and wine and have their dog with them. They offer professional grooming services, and while I never tried them myself, I have done their $12 DIY pup bath. My little girl was scared of the dryer, but my other dog was fine. They have all the equipment (and it's the good stuff) so it's easy peasy! They have a reward program - if you buy 10 bags of dog food, get one free. If you check in on Foursquare, you will get an offer to get a free bulk treat item which I do every time I visit :-) The shop is small and a little cramped because of the location, but the area for bathing dogs is a bit bigger. When I go to pick up food, I usually try to leave my dog at home for this reason as it can get crowded with humans and their dogs in there! Prices are high because they offer the good stuff, so I don't dock them for that. It costs more to give your dog good quality stuff so that goes with the territory. It's a one stop shop for me as they carry everything from leashes and collars to raw dog food.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:22:39" }, { "business_id": "PUDDBW0MfpSFI2XEMv_g3Q", "business_name": "Bobby's Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm from IL, but have lived in St. Louis for about the past 7 years. I don't know if you're aware, but there is a Ted vs. Bobby's rivalry for best metro STL frozen custard. I'm on Team Bobby's 100% of the way! I mean I like Ted Drewes. I will eat any icy dessert, but Bobby's is my favorite and if I'm nearby a stop is 100% in order. I actually lived RIGHT next to Ted Drewe's and have been there less than I can count on one hand. Bobby's & Ted Drewes is very similar. Both are often packed, busy, and well-liked (oh and frozen custard joints and named after a man). Bobby's, however, offers a Lite custard that is 98% fat free and I add sprinkles for a concrete...it's heaven! Bobby's has grown. They have a concert series and many hardcore, loyal fans. They are quick, reasonably priced, and delicious. They also often offer many freebies if you join their mailing list and like them on Facebook.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:31:05" }, { "business_id": "fiBEzPfn2VOZb-PjLcm7Ng", "business_name": "Kirkwood Station Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times for happy hour with friends after work and enjoy it every time. I love their Caprese pizza and always order one to share with the table. They have outdoor seating I've enjoyed with the warmer weather. This is one of my go-to places for happy hour in Kirkwood! PS If you check in, they have BOGO beer which is a sweet deal.", "timestamp": "2013-11-11T23:58:37" }, { "business_id": "vRj1rgF4ZpwGt97MbcRzqg", "business_name": "Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream", "rating": 4, "text": "Ice cream made with love in the heart of Webster Groves just spells GOOD no matter how you slice it (or scoop it) :-) They have so many delectable flavors, but I can never get past the classic chocolate. They serve the classics and trendier flavors alike all with the wonderful basic ingredients and formula. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-11-12T00:02:48" }, { "business_id": "YV32ObbYe10BXeIydrnuOQ", "business_name": "Canyon Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "If I'm craving Mexican food, Canyon Cafe is my go-to! I've eaten at Canyon Cafe several times since I discovered it a few years ago. Their food quality is amazing every single time. Service is usually very good, though sometimes can be a miss...like if they are crazy busy. I love their chips. They are a combo of sweet potato chips, tortilla chips, and sweet chips that are absolutely delicious. I seriously would come back only for the chips, even if I liked nothing else. Fortunately, that is plenty more to like. For main dishes, I love their chicken avocado salad, salmon, caesar wrap, and fish tacos. Yes, it is a little pricey but I am willing to pay a bit more for quality. My fiancé and I are now fish taco snobs...anywhere else we try them, they are never as good as Canyon's. So I'd rather have something I LOVE and pay a few extra bucks than something that's just OK for a bit cheaper. I love to check out their daily specials and usually end up ordering off of that. It's varied and always delicious, which makes coming back fun for semi-regulars like me :-) I've yet to do their happy hour because it is crazy and busy in that area at that time. I hear it's amazing and I really want to do this someday though...just another excuse for me to go in, right?! If you live in the Lou, this is a must go. I was sad I lived so long without it once I went there.", "timestamp": "2014-01-07T16:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Nn6Vx_Bl48EEgMEskwRQfQ", "business_name": "K Hall Designs", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a must stop place to shop for any soap junkie like myself. How do you know you're a soap junkie? If you go to Bath & Body Works at least once a week, busy yourself by smelling your collection of bath products at home for fun, and/or hoard an obnoxious amount of bath products, then safe to say you are. K. Hall has an abundance of scents to choose from and come in a variety of sized candles, fragrances, soaps, and sprays. The scents are lovely, quality is amazing, and products are packaged beautifully. I love to re-purpose the pretty candle jars for holding makeup brushes or other things. Some of my favorite scents: Washed Cotton, Lavender, Milk, Peony, and Shoreline. The store also sells other random things, like jars, beverage dispensers, decor, etc. I've never purchased those items, but it's just of fun to look around and gives the shop a funky, eclectic, vintage-y feel. It's a little pricey, but to me it's worth it because it's high quality. However, check out their scent of the month sales (30% off anything in that scent) and their annual warehouse sale to enjoy the goods at a lower price.", "timestamp": "2014-01-15T14:49:36" }, { "business_id": "wbLXXbI-T6Av71i9AoiZRQ", "business_name": "Cleveland-Heath", "rating": 5, "text": "This literally may be my new favorite restaurant...EVER! I've heard lots of hype about this place yet never made it over to the IL side to check it out. I was excited to try it! I had dinner last night for the first time and even while eating my meal, I couldn't wait to go back! The place is cozy (read: smallish), the ambience is nice and the menu offerings are interesting. Staff were busy, but attentive and friendly. A friend and I split the family style Braised Beef Brisket. It included a salad to share, two sides, the brisket, and desert for $40. At $20 each it's a bit pricey, but totally and completely worth it. Especially when you consider the quality of the food (worth the price tag alone), but also the portion sizes. We definitely had enough for a 3rd or even 4th person to get in on the family meal. The salad was simple with fresh greens, sliced radishes, and lemon vinaigrette dressing; it was refreshing. We ordered macaroni and cheese and shoestring french fries (mix of sweet potato and potato fries) for our sides. They were delish, especially the macaroni and cheese. Definitely get that! The beef...was oh my god, amazing. It was so tender and flavorful and DELICIOUS. And I'm not a big meat person, but this was SO good. We finished with Beignets (warm brioche beignets, salted caramel filling) that was very delicious as well. The entire meal was decadent and delicious. I could totally get this every time I go there and be so very happy about it. I already can't wait to go back. Go and be glad that you did! Tip: They don't take reservations, but do call ahead seating. This saved us a 30-minute wait and only had to wait a few minutes for a table when we entered!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:31:50" }, { "business_id": "D1lOc4bmegUFyp_eAyJPjw", "business_name": "The Libertine Neighborhood Eatery", "rating": 4, "text": "For date night, my fiancé and I checked out The Libertine for the first time and it did not disappoint. The menu and cocktail offerings are different and interesting. Prices are moderate to high. Staff is very attentive and amazing. Ambiance is nice, albeit a little fancy and dimly lit. We started off with their free appetizer, which is some type of nuts in cheese? I'm not familiar with it and wasn't a huge fan, but it was nice to be offered some food before the meal. We each got their house burger with the two patties (yep TWO), house-made cheese, bacon bun, and caramelized onions (none for me though) with fries. YUM! This burger rivaled our favorite over at SubZero and lost only by a hare. The bun was unique and delicious, probably my favorite part. Be warned, it's a double stacked burger so lots of meat and very filling. Fries were a little overdone for my taste, but otherwise good. We finished off with their famous candy bar with hazelnuts, salted caramel, and ganache. Divine!! Overall, the food was tasty and it was a good experience and I'm glad we went. It's fun to try all the new restaurants and offerings in STL and this was a great stop on the list!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:41:30" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't know how I haven't written a review for this place sooner, it's one of my favs! I'm a semi-regular here and it's one of my favorite places to go! First of all, the ambiance is fantastic. It has an open front with a patio which is nice for Spring and Summer wining and dining, but the inside is really cool. From the wine decor to the ceiling decked out in wine crates, it's wine all the way (and we like wine). Obviously, the wine menu is large and impressive. I LOVE their Moscato (yes I'm one of those). It's so light and refreshing and yummy. I've eaten their brick oven pizzas which are delicious (and much better than you'd expect for a wine bar -- don't let that stop you, get it!) as well as some appetizers. I LOVE their hummus. I consider myself a hummus connoisseur and this is one of my favs. I simply love to come here with friends to enjoy company, a bottle (or two) of wine along with some yummy dishes to nosh on. What else do we want? My time at Sasha's is always superb.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:46:44" }, { "business_id": "_Y96y5CFgJaG4I-HEgylhg", "business_name": "Crushed Red", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been in downtown Kirkwood many a time and always see this place, but only recently went in for the first time. I somehow had the impression it was a fancy restaurant, so when I tried it I was pleasantly surprised at the open concept and more casual restaurant \"make your own\" feel it has. You start off at a cashier where you order any hot food (appetizers, pizza, etc.) and then a cafeteria style line for salads where they make as you request. I had THE best salad there, the farmer's market with raspberry vinaigrette. It is seriously delicious. I went again to get the same salad and split a pizza with a friend (margarita). I honestly wasn't as impressed with the pizza as I expected. It was a little small (it is a flatbread after all) and the cheese kind of kept falling off. Maybe it's that one particular pizza, but it just didn't wow me. I probably wouldn't get it again. For me, I'll definitely be back for the salads. Pizza, not so much.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T19:03:26" }, { "business_id": "GuGlXaVDljVJ9FM-euhJmg", "business_name": "Maven", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a bona fide bath and body aficionado and particularly love local, small businesses where you find unique scents and quality homemade products. Maven fits the bill on all accounts and is in fact, my new favorite shop for bath and body products! I visited the cute shop recently with my sister and I spent a good 20 minutes just on the one side of the store. There offer a large variety of scents and they have basic products that can come in most, if not all, scents. The types of products they offer are candles, body lotion, body scrub, solid lotion, bath bombs, and soap. My fav scents at the moment are Sookie (sweet magnolia blossoms and gardenia) and Salty Sea Air (Fresh saltwater, sea kelp and ozone). I bought a soap and lotion as well as a gift (Don Draper is perfect for the Mad Men fans!). The soap was a whopping $9, so I don't know if that will be my stop for soap, but the rest of the prices are reasonable for what you get (read: good quality). I really wanted a candle, but wanted to pace myself; plus, that will give me another reason to visit again soon :-) They also offer some eclectic products like greeting cards, funny and thoughtful quotes on magnets and stickers, and even repurposed razors. I hope they have seasonal scents or new scents regularly as I'd love to see more of what they come up with. My request: more products and more scents. I'm addicted!", "timestamp": "2014-07-17T02:10:13" }, { "business_id": "QVXfW1c8eOm9SJVb3xdo7w", "business_name": "Cheeburger Cheeburger", "rating": 3, "text": "I wanted to love this joint, I did, but I was underwhelmed. They are going for the old-fashioned diner 50's diner look, I think, without a juke box. The burger was just OK. It was kind of bland and not very impressive. The french fries were the best part...crispy and a little over done, seasoned well, they were yummy. Not the best I've ever had, but good enough for me to keep reaching for more. The milkshake was rich and thick, but it lacked the creaminess and deliciousness I've come to expect (thanks for ruining me, Oberweis!). They've got over a million milkshake combos (or something insane like that) so they get bonus points for variety. If I want a burger and fries, I'd go to 5 Guys over this joint, but in a pinch it will do.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T03:50:47" }, { "business_id": "qkMMO794-59404bUiJ1Odg", "business_name": "Central Table", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to Central Table today for the first time with a friend for lunch. I have never heard of it and didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. When I entered, I felt like I walked into an upscale cafeteria for the cool kids. The layout is very clean, simple, and open. You go to the cashier and order what strikes your fancy. They offer a variety of burgers, pizzas, salads, and soup. I went for a pepperoni pizza (not your everyday pep -- enhanced with spices and finesse) and caesar salad. The pizza was DELICIOUS. Wood-fired and a generous serving, it was amazing. I was full and saved half for dinner (which I was looking forward to all day). The salad was OK. Not enough dressing and not really much flavor. I nabbed a few french fries off my friends plate and those were amazing...crispy, hot, and fresh. I look forward to going back and trying more off their menu! I would recommend you try!", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:00:12" }, { "business_id": "1_ZVtdiZpBNsXaO4ObPtbw", "business_name": "Stellina Pasta Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've heard about this place for months from my sister who swears by it. I came. I ate. I converted. I just had a sandwich and chips, no pasta yet, and already am sold! I had the Talkin' Turkey sandwich (roasted turkey breast, avocado, sunflower sprouts, fontina cheese, roasted garlic mayo on French baguette) along with Billy Goat chips for lunch. The sandwich was generously sized (I could only eat half!), fresh, and delicious. I can't wait to come back for the pasta! It's pricey, but you get what you pay for and I have a feeling the pasta will be worth the hefty price tag.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:04:56" }, { "business_id": "osL7qIVyk-WCdK9qiPTS5A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I bet you don't think of wedding flowers when you think of Whole Foods, but that's exactly where we got ours! As a bride on a budget and mostly DIY, Whole Foods was a great option that offers reasonably priced flowers (MUCH cheaper than a typical florist for weddings) and the flowers are sourced locally from ethical trade, earth friendly farming. Amber M. took care of us from beginning to end, by showing us a variety of flowers, costs, showing us samples, and ordering. Everything turned out exactly like we hoped! One downfall of using them vs. a traditional florist is that you may not be able to get the specific flower you want, but I showed her inspiration pictures and she kept the aesthetic I wanted with what they had available. It turned out beautifully as we wanted for our wedding, but also affordable. Go see Amber M. at Whole Foods Town & Country -- she'll take care of you :-)", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:05:00" }, { "business_id": "tn3_76PZZLCmGBLgBWdTTw", "business_name": "The Cakery", "rating": 5, "text": "We went to the Cakery Bakery for our wedding cake, cupcakes, and groom's cake and couldn't have been happier!! We had a small cake to cut and the rest cupcakes for our wedding guests. We had a variety of flavors (ALL delicious) each with different color frosting/toppings. They offer a variety of flavors and decor choices which was nice (though it made it hard to choose at times). They offer tastings at their shop along with lots of displays of cakes and cupcakes. I also went to the Cakery for a surprise groom's cake at the wedding rehearsal. I showed them some inspiration pictures and gave them a figurine to use -- it turned out exactly like we wanted and the groom loved it. They are flexible with meeting times, always respond to emails/calls, very friendly and nice, and have their stuff together! They worked with us on pickup and work to get what you want. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Our guests continue to tell me how delicious the cupcakes were! They made one of the most important parts of our wedding perfect! Thank you, Cakery!", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:15:15" }, { "business_id": "7dA1OhjJ0ga063_uiiDw3g", "business_name": "The Heavy Anchor", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been wanting to try this spot since I came across an RFT article calling it a nautical noir dive bar. So, when picking a spot for a an after-work happy hour, I was eager to choose this place. We arrived and parking is street so I paid a meter and inside I went. The decor is festive and plentiful. The place is notably dark. You especially notice this when you walk out hours later and shade your eyes! Drinks were cheap and I like the variety of their offerings (Schlafly summer on tap, yes please!). We didn't try the food so I plan on updating once I try it. I also see it's a concert venue and dig the multi-functional space and would love to come by to catch a show. When in search of directions and their menu, their website leaves a lot to be desired. Though I learned you can bring your own food so cool. All in all a cool spot to get a drink and mingle. And I'll be back!", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T02:40:20" }, { "business_id": "puNq5KmQs4HAzGhVajFj8w", "business_name": "Houlihan's", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is kind of an enigma to me. Every time I go in, the menu is completely different. It started as an Applebees kind of fare and gets more and more modern every time I return. Different check in rewards every time, too -- I recall using Foursquare previously and getting a free order of fries upon check in, but this time nothing. They offer up a lot of modern/fancy menu choices now. Lots of things with pretzel buns, sliders, organic greens, antibiotic chicken, etc. Don't get me a wrong, I like it, it just doesn't quite...fit. The restaurant building and decor is dated, dark, and dingy which doesn't fit their modern menu offerings and presentation. Service was OK. It's overpriced in my opinion. The food was tasty, but I feel my money could be better well spent at a spot with a more enjoyable atmosphere.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T03:07:38" }, { "business_id": "G6h-9AZro_Ni_4eRR9CkRw", "business_name": "Penzeys Spices", "rating": 4, "text": "I've received ads from Penzey's with free spice coupons for awhile but never made it there until recently. I was pleasantly surprised to find a cute shop with lots of standard and creative spice offerings. I wandered around the shop for awhile checking out all the spices. They have little jars of each spice to smell along with a variety of offerings of sizes of spices in jars and bags. They have your standard fare (all of which would be worthy enough to go in for) and then some creative and more unusual offerings (variety of sea salts, flavored vanillas, even frozen pizza topping!). They have the cutest little cinnamon shop section with a variety of cinnamon offerings. I also appreciate that they have recipe cards sprinkled around the store. Cute! I agree with some previous comments from reviewers about the staff. They are courteous and will check you out great, but when I wandered around the shop for awhile looking for a particular spice, no one asked me if I needed assistance or offered any help. I will definitely be back! Sign up for their catalogue and you'll get free spice coupons, too.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:19:02" }, { "business_id": "qQSscPMhk3frtSNilF1cGA", "business_name": "VOM FASS", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is fun, albeit a little overwhelming. I'm a cooking novice so I only have two choices for olive oil at grocers -- virgin or extra virgin. So, imagine, me walking into the store with barrel on top of barrel of oils (and more), I felt a little out of my element. I came in on a weekday with a friend and the staff member on duty was very friendly and helpful. He offered tastings, but we didn't partake. Both times I came in we were looking for gifts and found something special and perfect each time. I plan on going in next time for myself as they have some tasty olive oil that sounds great. Also a great stop for libations though we didn't shop for that on that particular trip.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:31:56" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard the hype and since ice cream is it's own food group at my house, I had to try the ice cream made out of liquid nitrogen! So, a group of friends and I moseyed on over last weekend to see what this place was all about. They offer a variety of flavors using liquid nitrogen along with soft serve, but really why would you get soft serve at this place? You order, walk through the line (and witness them what looks like torturing a kitchen aid mixer -- pouring in liquid nitrogen and blow torching it), then pick up your ice cream. Straight forward enough. The line backs up and it takes awhile too because they made each ice cream individually. I'm not sure why they don't make, say, a batch of Rocky Road (which was the flavor of the day by the way) and give out a few servings from that? We waited what seemed like forever and then we got our goods! I tried the Rocky Road and my husband had the Mint Chocolate Chip. Rocky Road was good...they had big bits of chocolate and marshmallow. The ice cream was creamy. I tried my husband's mint chocolate chip and the mint flavor was REALLY faint (I could barely taste it). The place is small and crowded and we barely could find a place to sit and talk amidst the crowd eating and the crowd waiting out the door for ice cream. It's also a bit pricey, but the servings are big. Overall, this place is a solid 4 stars. I think you need to go once for the novelty and I'd come back maybe here and there, but I don't think I'd head back here on the regular. I can get other ice creams just as tasty with a bit more comfortable atmosphere and better price point.", "timestamp": "2014-08-28T02:03:03" }, { "business_id": "UL4K6HwcI542imZo1Glpbw", "business_name": "Peacock Loop Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted to like this place, I did. New place in the loop, yeah! It's funky retro with a modern twist decor was cool. I was feeling it, until we got our food. I went in with a group of four for lunch during a week day. Service was OK. They use those infuriating water glasses that are small so that you need constant refills if you drink water like a normal person (and even more if you're a big water drinker like me!). The server couldn't keep up with my water consumption so I couldn't wash the oddly flavored chili down. Speaking of the chili...my friend also got an order and we decided a better name would be Christmas Chili. It had a distinct flavor of cinnamon or nutmeg and it was off putting. I tried to eat it since I paid for it, but I only made through about half of it. I also ordered a grilled cheese. I mean, if you do a bad grilled cheese, I don't know what hope you have and I hate to say...it was subpar. I could have made a better one at home. My other dining partners ordered sandwiches, burgers, and waffles. They said it was OK. I think the favorite was the waffle, but I didn't try it. All in all, not worth it and I won't return. Maybe if they change the menu and up the creations it will be worthy of St. Louis!", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:22:53" }, { "business_id": "-kHHi8y4kaTI6WUVdJSdvQ", "business_name": "Fitz's", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love LOVE Fitz's. It has everything a hot spot in STL needs...delicious food, unique desserts, and it's very own factory for it's home good quality made items. I've had the pizza before and that was good, but the most recent visit I got a burger. And I was blown away! I didn't expect to love it, but I did. I ate almost every bite and it was a big burger! It had a good smokey flavor and was cooked well done but still tender and scrumptious. So delicious! My husband and I shared a float with orange soda and vanilla ice cream. Oh. My. God. It was so good! It was HUGE for one so I would recommend sharing. It comes topped with 3 or 4 scoops of ice cream that in and of itself was delicious...then combine it with the Fitz's orange soda and it was divine. I always look forward to going here (and interesting note: I don't even like root beer!) and I'll be back many more times. It's a must stop of tourists or regulars who may have never been.", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:28:11" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "When looking for a venue for a holiday dinner, a friend who knows her food picked this place. I had never heard of it but am always on the lookout for delicious new places so I was excited. She made a reservation no problem (a previous reviewer mentioned they couldn't make reservations?). When we arrived we were promptly seated and given menus. Our server was great - it felt like a show as he presented with lots of information and humor and paced us. He was very knowledgeable about specials and the menu. There was only one time my water was empty and I needed more but otherwise he was attentive. I ordered a soda pop fizz cocktail that tasted like an orange cream soda (but warning: it's pink!). Had a kinda weird after taste though. Food wise, we ordered the cheese plate, bacon wrapped dates, cups of chili, and some salads to start. I didn't have any but everyone said it was delicious. They serve warm bread before the meal which is always appreciated. They had a ton of menu specials and many sounded delish! I ordered the Pork Shnitzel while my husband had the burger. Our other party members got many specials too including blackened mahi mahi, breaded mahi mahi, sweet potato tacos, bacon wrapped meatloaf, and chicken pasta dish. Everyone loved their meal! Oh and I need to mention the atmosphere. It was very cozy and chill. We were off in an alcove that was perfect for our party. It was a nice loungey feel which I appreciate. Overall a great dining experience and I would return. My one issue is that I think it's a bit overpriced, particularly my cocktail and main course. For us, it will be a great place to go for a special dinner.", "timestamp": "2014-12-31T17:07:40" }, { "business_id": "hFuRegkL_IFO5792-JegRw", "business_name": "Feraro's Jersey Style Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "How have I not discovered this place sooner?! This location is less than 2 miles from my house but it took a recommendation from a foodie friend who said it's one of her fav places. I checked out the Yelp reviews (as I religiously do before dining anywhere) and off we went to try for a date night. The location is nice. When you walk in, it looks like a bar but turn the corner and there's roomy booths with large wooden tables. We ordered Garlic Knots for an appetizer and a medium pepperoni pizza to share. The good: The food is delicious! The pizza, while my husband noted pretty cheesy (though isn't necessarily a bad thing), was pretty close to perfection. The dough, sauce, chesse, and toppings tasted fresh, hot, and delicious. The garlic knots were also hot and yummy. I love me some garlic and these delivered. Prices were reasonable. The bad: Our food took awhile. It wasn't very busy, but it took about 25 minutes for our appetizer to arrive. Our pizza came about 10-15 minutes later. The sauce for the garlic knots could be better...it was kind of thin and runny. I prefer a thick and jelled sauce. Overall, a delightful find and we will be back. I'd like to try pizza by the slice, take out, and more. Perfect spot for a pizza hankering that is close to home.", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:07:07" }, { "business_id": "BtTVHiY1AH5iHzTlx5HqZw", "business_name": "Fortel's Pizza Den", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I NOT tried this place sooner?! I've lived here too long to not have tried it and I have lots of lost time to make up for! Coworkers brought some Fortel's in to work for someone's birthday and I immediately ate way too much. It was insanely delicious and addictive. I'm not a (as I say this I'm ducking) huge fan of the typical STL style pizza. This is thin crust but the consistency is more like a hand tossed thin - perfect! The toppings are very generous and delicious. I went after this with my husband (to make sure it wasn't a fluke) and we ordered the same delicious pie, just as scrumptious as the previous one. Now if we are going out for pizza, hubby wants to go here! We are fans!", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:37:29" }, { "business_id": "54vEFcAri3Wj6cdM4ljDBA", "business_name": "Moonrise Hotel", "rating": 5, "text": "Hubby planned a staycation/date night at Moonrise since he heard it's a quirky, unique and highly rated hotel in STL. I must say, I was SUPER impressed and LOVED it. All the little touches are fantastic -- a welcome drink (and welcome snacks for pups), fabulous lounge and atmosphere, all the free, thoughtful toiletries, waterfall shower, Wolfgang Puck coffee, super beds, and more. I was blown away. Our room was clean, well lit, spacious, beautifully decorated, and thoughtfully arranged. The decor around the hotel is cool -- warning, they really stick with the moon and space theme. They have a better than concierge service (though we didn't use), thoughtful and dedicated staff, a fantastic rooftop bar, lounge spaces, and delicious 24 hr room service offerings (from the restaurant on site, Eclipse). Not to mention right on the Loop with tons of things to do! We moseyed around the Loop during the day, went to the rooftop bar for a pre-diner drink, went to Eclipse for dinner (that review is forthcoming :)), hung out in the room, and had room service for breakfast. Everything was fabulous. The rooftop bar is a gem in it's own right. The view is amazing, the bar is well stocked with unique offerings, and the vibe is relaxed/chill with some lounge-y spots around. The room service was fab -- the food was plentiful, delicious, and wonderfully presented. The staff is so impressive as well. I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and while it's a bit on the pricey side the boutique hotel experience is worth it and I would return. My ONLY beef is that we got a jacuzzi king room and the tub was a little bit of a let down. It's not actually a jet jacuzzi tub like we were expecting. More like a bit bigger than a regular bath tub with air jets. If we came back, we probably wouldn't spring for that upgrade.", "timestamp": "2015-04-11T19:27:42" }, { "business_id": "NiX_nc8pf8vClgqzjpmLTw", "business_name": "Budweiser Brew House", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband and I stopped by Budweiser Brew House for drinks and apps before a Cards vs. Cubs home game. Needless to say, the place was crazy. However, we only had a 20 minute wait for an outdoor table (while inside was an hour and a half wait!). I love the patio -- the lights, ambience, and come fall post-season baseball that large outdoor fireplace will be lovely. Our server was frazzled with the rush but attentive. We had a few mixed drinks and the Crispy Wings (in Budweiser wing sauce). I was very pleased with everything. The drinks were great and surprisingly a fair price (I think $6 for each a rum and coke and vodka and club soda). The wings were delicious!! The sauce definitely had a kick and was a little spicier than I expected but also very good and addictive. We didn't eat them all and when they made it home, there was a debate about who would get to eat the leftovers :) Obviously, in Ballpark Village and on game days, this place is insane. And it's discombobulated -- it can be hard to find things (we are on an eternal hunt for the Ted Drewes hut) and employees in different places all seem confused on where things are (we were told lots of different things by different people). Comes with the territory and not penalizing this bar for the complex as a whole. I'd like to try entrees in the future and see if they hold up to my experience thus far. All in all, a solid place to go before or after a game for drinks and snacks. We will return!", "timestamp": "2015-07-02T16:12:34" }, { "business_id": "c_xAbBTeiIHqPm1zMOvQcg", "business_name": "Iron Barley's High Hog Ridge", "rating": 4, "text": "The hubs felt like doing something different and surprisingly we haven't been here yet -- we missed their whole TV debut. Alas, reviews and their diverse menu peaked our interests and we found ourselves at the intersection of Bates and Virginia, searching for the hidden gem. It's a little divey, but oddly charming. You feel like you're in a very friendly neighborhood joint where everyone knows each other. Customer service is superb. Our server, Mark, was very friendly and went above and beyond to make our experience great. Live music was nice, too. The menu is diverse with lots of unique offerings. I decided to go with the class naked dog and ranch fries (which have no ranch seasoning or taste by the way). My husband ordered the Schnitzel and Spaetzle along with mushroom au gratin (special that evening) as an appetizer. The mushroom au gratin was AMAZING. Our entrees were delish as well. Hubs was pleasantly surprised by the German dumplings and liked the rest of his meal. He did say he thought it was overpriced for what it was. I enjoyed my hot dog -- it was grilled perfectly though, fair warning, expect a HUGE portion. We will likely be back to try something new from their menu and enjoy this little neighborhood joint.", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T18:27:37" }, { "business_id": "hqF-uosThMtwGn4J_LfNPA", "business_name": "Plaza Frontenac Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my absolute favorite place to catch a flick. Why? One word: POPCORN. It is seriously the best I've ever had. Every time I go it's hot, fresh, perfectly salted, and (I think the secret to the success) REAL butter. So. freaking. good. They also have fun/gourmet snack and drink options like seasonal local beers and salted chocolates. Onto the theater...it's well kept, nice seats, and crowds are always mild. Partly because they do play some movies that aren't in major theaters like documentaries, foreign flicks, etc. They do play some mainstream but not always. I check the movie listings often as they usually have a hidden gem I don't hear about by advertisement that are good nonetheless. Go. Enjoy. But be warned...it will ruin you for other theater experiences!", "timestamp": "2015-10-29T16:12:12" }, { "business_id": "GGLtLL7ShmjOjVZSeZfjVA", "business_name": "Breadsmith", "rating": 4, "text": "I have to come here every Christmas for Dolci Cello (caramel corn puffs, but oh so much more). It is heaven in a bag and I look forward to it every year :) They have lots of bread choices and staff are friendly and helpful. I just picked up a loaf of Brioche for Christmas morning french toast (can you tell, I'm a touch obsessed with the holidays?!). They conveniently put freezing and baking instructions on their items. I also picked up some small flatbreads that looked delish. It IS a little pricey and the shop is a little small. It's also a bit out there for me location-wise, but it is worth the travel. This is a must stop for carb-loving St. Louisans! Check it out next time you are in the Rock Hill area.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:00:03" }, { "business_id": "BtROhQfrGdoWZ_t9zwEVUA", "business_name": "The Container Store", "rating": 4, "text": "This is THE motherland. Repeat. This is the motherland. I feel so at home and at peace here. But also so very giddily excited. Anything containers does it for me and they have aisles and aisles of just that. Pretty things to store your pretty things. And then a pretty thing to store that. I recently re-organized my office with lots of things from container store including colorful bookends, their brick-style accessory organization, cord management, cork board, and more. It's made my work space much more zen and pleasant. After a recent move, I returned to help organize my refridgerator and pantry with many containers. The major downfall: It is pricey. Like I-don't-even-probably-need-this-but-sure-I'll-pay-$25-for-it kinda thing. To cut costs, I often get inspiration here and find similar items elsewhere. But for the few projects I will buy all or most from Container Store and often be about $150 poorer for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:07:45" }, { "business_id": "D4spXIMXev6pFUz3df31fQ", "business_name": "Vivianos Festa Italiano", "rating": 5, "text": "The hubs and I recently moved to the area and wanted to check out good local places. I think we found it! We moseyed on over to Vivianos and were not disappointed. It's a cool restaurant/artisan grocery store (in a strip mall, but don't let that fool you). We were cheerfully welcomed by someone who I believe was the owner. He was patient and helpful as he answered questions about the menu and made recommendations. I got the half caesar salad with Penne Roma and my husband got the ravioli and greek salad. He gave us a free drink for being first timers. The portions are generous, you get delicious homemade bread (always an appreciated touch), and the food was divine. Penne Roma has a kick, but if you like that, you will not be disappointed. Hubby liked the ravioli though the portion was a bit small for him (not to worry I had PLENTY and was able to share). As we were leaving, the owner told us to take a loaf of bread home for free. We noticed there were lots of regulars and the owner was very friendly. I love little small businesses like this as the touch of service and friendliness is unparalleled. Go and enjoy this little gem in Fenton!", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:15:18" }, { "business_id": "0MhxvTys2ADYa3sOO91ldQ", "business_name": "Egg", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh. My. God. Stumbled upon this place when MudHouse was randomly closed (really, a float trip guys?! I need my breakfast!). I never thought I'd say it but I was glad they were closed to give me a chance to check out Egg. I ordered an off-menu item -- carnitas omelette with potatoes. Seriously freaking delicious. The potatoes were seasoned a bit spicy but amazing, crispy, and just so delicious. The omelette was cheesy, with a bit of spinach, and delicious roasted carnitas. The portion was really big and I took down most of it. Decent price, good service. It will now be difficult to choose between Egg and Mudhouse when I get back in the area. I can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2017-08-03T00:46:04" }, { "business_id": "yjP-n5RpuxsDZZwxDg-FUg", "business_name": "Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Great pizza and concept! It's like Chipotle with Mexican, Crushed Red with salad, etc. You build your own pizza live and their schtick is they cook it in 180 (!) seconds. There's lots of great extra touches such as seasoning choice or after bake add ons. Plus they check with you each step of the way - is the sauce amount good or the cheese amount? Which begs the question - is there a point they'll stop asking because it's too much cheese or would they charge you extra for cheese? Due to those damn social norms, I didn't find out (though I did ask for a bit more cheese at the first query). It's great for kids because it's so fast and easy! Pick up your high chair or booster by the drink station. And pick up a beer or wine that they serve (even some draught!) because you are taking kids out in public and dammit you deserve it! Clean and modern interior was spot on. Ironically, our pizza was a little burnt. The salads had some bad leaves and left a bit to be desired but good flavors. Overall, Blaze is a fantastic addition to Kirkwood and we will be back!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:04:18" }, { "business_id": "LmKpHMXSsm36viJOGVodFw", "business_name": "Missouri Botanical Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of my favorite places in St. Louis. We recently became members though have been several times prior. Hot little tip - city and county residents get in free Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The lush and beautiful gardens themselves are worth it but there's much, much more. The climatron is a huge greenhouse with a neat little trail. There's also a small little greenhouse that is sweet (side note - we did family maternity photos in this spot and they came out wonderfully). The children's area is awesome! There's splash pads, huge playground, indoor discovery center, and much more. There's a calm corner for children needing a break and nursing moms which I've used and love. They have amazing events. I go to Best of Missouri market every year. Whitaker music festival is great and free to everyone! I haven't yet been to Garden Glow but will go this year. Sassafras is the on location restaurant and is delicious. Parking is plentiful and free. Check it out - you won't regret it!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:20:25" }, { "business_id": "t-QxJFbbSjC-_X9TWJqITA", "business_name": "Shack Breakfast & Lunch", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious food, unique (and large) menu, fun atmosphere, great service - this place has it all! Luckily - and dangerously - I live and work nearby. So I go quite a bit with coworkers, friends, family and have worked through the menu. Everything is amazing. I particularly like the build your own omelette and potatoes. My dining partners are always happy as well. This is my go-to breakfast spot. Sometimes it's quite busy over the weekend so expect a bit of a wait.", "timestamp": "2018-06-09T14:06:45" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 4, "text": "A cute little restaurant in Webster Groves. I had the Farro salad and Rose Punch. The salad was fresh, delicious, beautifully presented, and did I mention delicious?! The drink was just okay - it didn't wow me and I wouldn't order again. My dining partners ordered warm olives which they loved and a variety of entrees. Everyone seemed to like their entrees but also didn't seem wowed by any of them. The cake with buttercream for dessert was a generous size (definitely for sharing) and very good! The furniture (especially gold chairs!), decor, etc. is so pretty, welcoming, and sets a nice ambiance. The menu is small but a variety of choices of items within that (salads, sounds, entrees, sandwiches). It's pricey but not obnoxiously so. Overall a cute little spot happy to have here! I'd love to come back for another salad!", "timestamp": "2018-07-02T02:34:18" }, { "business_id": "9P6yLs8Yi6WhbmBIiwvWhg", "business_name": "ZZA Pizza + Salad", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty darn good pizzas! A friend and I shared two - the rocket and garden city. They're both pretty unique and delicious! The lemon flavor of the rocket was awesome and the smoked Gouda on garden city was also wonderful. We finished off our meal with do raw cookie dough. That was just okay - not enough chocolate chips and pretty hard. If you're in the area and want a quick, good pizza, check it out!", "timestamp": "2018-09-23T19:54:12" }, { "business_id": "MI3OE-I70B6VFBCn1rw5lg", "business_name": "Stuckmeyer's Farm Market", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm teetering between 2 and 3 star review so I'll err on the side of 3 star. I think it's all about expectations with this spot. I'm used to going to Eckerts in Belleville every year and heard great things about Stuckmeyer so off we went. I was sorely disappointed my first visit. It is not as big nor as well manicured as Eckerts. You will feel very nickel and dimed. Besides the big playground area, everything costs money (the corn maze, the inflatable corn maze, the bounce house area, the wagon ride, etc). The nice thing is the patch is really close and you don't have to ride a wagon to get there. They also have wagons you can use (for free!) to cart your pumpkin and stuff. Its not great but if you just want a pumpkin and not trek to IL, it might fit the bill for your needs.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:08:52" }, { "business_id": "tvc0kLuvktNBrD9Ts_M64Q", "business_name": "Tints Polish", "rating": 5, "text": "Nail salons are enigmas where it's just hard to find the perfect one. This is a hidden gem (almost literally - easy to pass up). The decor is so cute, modern, and cozy. The chairs and seating are comfy (not your usual salon chairs - but that's a good thing). Very reasonably priced and they don't accept tips. This will be my usual nail spot from now on! Make sure you make an appointment - while they do accept walk-ins when possible, they book up fast.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:20:34" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect little unique spot to grab delicious ice cream! What a great addition to this area with a little nearby park and other spots to eat. If you want something more unique and special than chain ice cream store, you will appreciate this charming location. The ice cream is the real deal - super delicious and decadent with unique flavors and tastes.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:30:33" }, { "business_id": "eQlMjyOsirwFCH8CiaKrjw", "business_name": "Fitz's SoCo", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a neat and special addition to the area - we loved going to Fitz's in the city but it's a bit of a ways away. It's nice to get a fun and unique spot in the county :) Same delicious food and drinks! A few gripes: -it's hard to find! They don't have a sign directly on the building (yet, I hope). -While the food and company is special, I was disappointed they didn't do more in this location. I had high hopes to see some of the bottling or arcade, like the city location. Just a pretty open (albeit nice and updated) space. A few enclosed party rooms on the side. Overall, it's not perfect but a great addition to the area and we'll be back :)", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:36:18" }, { "business_id": "NXs4byOiMay3DkMLuvgJxw", "business_name": "Peel Wood Fired Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been to Peel in IL but don't get out there much anymore - So happy to see this new location and finally visit. The space is great - and lots of it. The pizza is delicious, one of my favs. They have lots of apps and salads that I want to try. This will be a great spot for lunch, happy hour, brunch, whatever! Go and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:38:26" }, { "business_id": "VJ-c-Yjj1qv7dKS5YaYoHg", "business_name": "Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious spot for lunch! I picked up to go and shared with a friend. The chicken and rice soup was delicious and the bread was amazing. I definitely want to go back and try more - especially the pizza. No kids menu and kinda pricey which bumped it to 4 stars for me.", "timestamp": "2019-03-03T13:17:10" }, { "business_id": "RcsTutp1103SGiYtam7xRg", "business_name": "The Frisco Barroom", "rating": 4, "text": "Awesome new spot in Webster. Peeked at the rooftop outdoor area and looks fab for warm summer nights. Came with a small group of girls for drinks and appetizers (they shared, I didn't eat), sat the bar and they had live music. It's busy and loud but a good vibe! Want to go back and try food :) Fun fact: owners also own K Hall, another gem in the area!", "timestamp": "2019-04-11T13:20:31" }, { "business_id": "YSgcojsb2kWHXNLWaGCuBA", "business_name": "Pastaria", "rating": 4, "text": "Modern Italian vibe meets casual but classy dining. I've been twice - one for date night and once with the kids, both times were great! They have a great and generous happy hour - M-F 3:30-6 drink specials, some $10 pizzas and half off kids meals making them only $5. The hot fresh bread is amazing and the pasta and pizza are delish. Yum!", "timestamp": "2019-06-27T01:09:25" }, { "business_id": "MuKoTR56s6elHEI2wUkgJA", "business_name": "Grace Meat + Three", "rating": 4, "text": "Great delicious fried chicken spot! I was a sweetie pie fan through and through - so I had high expectations. The chicken was delicious - crisp, flavorful and mildly spicy. Delicious!! The sides were okay. The Mac and cheese was kind of tough and nothing really special. The mashed potatoes were better but so strong by the end of the cup, I couldn't eat the rest. However, the chicken is so good. It's a bit pricey. It's pretty hipstery and I do miss the charm and authenticity of of sweetie pies, but I digress.", "timestamp": "2019-08-31T02:24:14" } ]	{ "business_id": "peQnrEY1S6sE4ifK2SFUSA", "business_name": "Sugarfire Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this sooner? This is my absolute favorite at Louis bbq. It's dangerously close to me now so I've been able to frequent too frequently lol My faves that I get almost every time: The milkshakes - damn delicious and lots of unique flavors include booze options. The meat - so tender and delicious. I typically get the pork. It's so good and big portions. The French fries - salty, thin, addictive!!!!! Keep an eye out for their specials, they have creative and amazing specials every day. But get there quick before they sell out! Follow on IG to get a heads up on specialties.", "timestamp": "2019-12-18T04:08:27" }
xbybLiQockAzC4xAlzFrGg	[ { "business_id": "y-XX_c8EVK4m3oQda42Y3A", "business_name": "McArthur's Bakery Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here quite a few times for breakfast and have had really good experiences. Employees are many and helpful. Food is very reasonably priced (so much we thought we were under charged every time). Many options and everything we had was fresh and yummy. Never went to for cakes or special orders.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:31:32" }, { "business_id": "gKBqK-FFq7EGOUscBqb1iA", "business_name": "The Royale Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a cool, liberal bar that's a hidden gem! I've only been for drinks and plan on going for food. The interior is cozy, clean and aesthetically pleasing. It's going to be my new regular spot :) only complain is that seating is limited - we ran out of chairs for friends.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:39:52" }, { "business_id": "SyAYFxPBjuaHajx9iE7wLQ", "business_name": "Saint Louis Galleria", "rating": 3, "text": "love/hate relationship with Galleria. Unruly kids/teens have been a problem in the past which is why they created a curfew on weekends. Parking is horrible, especially near the Cheescake Factory and even worse now that Nordstrom is open. Great places to shop like Sephora, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, Papyrus, and Nordstrom ! And eat (California Pizza Kitchen & Cheescake Factory). However they got rid of MAC and one end of the mall is dumpy (if you've been, you know what I'm talking about).", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:16:04" }, { "business_id": "GTXSk8QyD7N1Un-tzgPw4g", "business_name": "First Watch", "rating": 4, "text": "My boyfriend & I love to go to First Watch on Sundays. It's delish & provides a great breakfast for about $20. The pancakes are to die! I always get a chocolate chip pancake when I go (as part of the Tri-Fecta). They have many low-fat and alternate options like turkey sausage and egg substitute. They have crepes and unique dishes as well.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:17:50" }, { "business_id": "cdf4eQCZv2lu3xZCKVnlZA", "business_name": "Trendy Nails & Spa", "rating": 5, "text": "I just had a great first experience with Trendy Nails & Spa! After hearing great reviews from friends & seeing the reviews here, this was the first local nail salon on my list to try and I'm glad I did. The staff was very friendly and talkative. My nail tech took her time to make sure she did a good job - she even re-did a few things that weren't perfect. I got the OPI Axxium gel polish (my first gel manicure) and was impressed with the precision and effort she put forth to make this a great manicure. Not to mention it was only $27! Most gel manicures, from my research, range from $30-$40. I will definitely become a regular and recommend this place to friends because of this great, clean space with very friendly and talented staff plus reasonable/cheap prices. What more could a girl ask for?", "timestamp": "2011-07-29T02:59:51" }, { "business_id": "JVI5tY_EcHlIFJkX5SlLVA", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 3, "text": "My boyfriend and I are frequent breakfast eaters and although many hipsters cringe at IHOP, we like it (well, it's no Eggsperience - a wonderful diner in Chicago) but it does beat Denny's. We normally have to truck it to the Sunset Hills location but they just opened this one on Lemay Ferry, just down the road from us, to our delight! IHOPs are all pretty much the same but I was compelled to write a review for this one in particular because this location is TINY. There are seriously probably about 20 tables. We had to wait a half an hour for 2 people. Granted it was Sunday afternoon (church rush), but we normally do not have to wait that long. Additionally, staff was sluggish to clean tables, seat us, and wait on us in general. However, the place was clean. I should also mention union protesters are around and probably will be for a bit. More beef I have with IHOP in general is that they don't take coupons from cell phones. It is not only \"green\" to do that, but it's the 21st century of iPads, iPhones, Kindles, and more...everything is electronic now so refusing to take electronic coupons is a big mistake in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:21:55" }, { "business_id": "paBWJ6VBIy4-eXVH3iGFFA", "business_name": "Courtesy Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "I just love this place. It's a local little diner that reminds me of a Huddle House or Waffle House (size and ambiance). But I love it because it's SUPER cheap (cash only though) and it's local (I'm a big local business supporter). The food is good and the environment is upbeat. Great to hit up after dancing the night away into the wee hours of the morning :)", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:26:13" }, { "business_id": "S26FJcC298XNpN2cZiwOrA", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Central West End", "rating": 5, "text": "There's not much else to say about this amazing pizzeria that hasn't already been said, I'm sure. I think it's popularity peaked after Obama gave it a shout out for being the best deep dish pizza he's ever eaten (and that's coming from a Chicago native!!). However, there's also thin crust pizzas as well as vegan pizzas (talk about going the extra mile!). I had the opportunity to eat here with the head desert chef so we got to try all the deserts which I think are very neglected for the pizza-goers. Both appetizers and deserts are simple yet divine. The most simple, a blood orange push-pop of sorts, is simply amazing. The alcohol menu is extensive and there are tastes for everyone. The environment is trendy and usually buzzing. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. It can get a little pricey but I think it's worth it. I've been here multiple times and plan on going again.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:33:15" }, { "business_id": "GV-e7Op4aU98xkjjoKlRhA", "business_name": "Modesto Tapas Bar & Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore this tapas bar. A few friends turned me on to it and I was a little nervous as I'm, sad to admit, a picky eater. Many of the items on the menu scared me because they are not traditional but when I tried them, they were amazing. That means they can make damn good food and makes me trust them when I want to try other things. Most notably was the ribeye on bread with cheese (I know, a safe one) but there were so many amazing more treats - the names I don't even remember. I would recommend going during happy hour where you can get bites cheap. I have never went at a happy hour so just dining it was pricey and I didn't get to try too much (although I did over time after going multiple times). The plates are small so not very satisfactory as a meal unless you are going to get many each (although that will cost you a pretty penny). The place is trendy and clean. Servers are attentive although I recall feeling slightly rushed a time or two. They have unique cocktails and drinks - lemonade mojito was amazing. I can't wait to go back - this time to make the happy hour so I can try a lot more and pay a lot less! I would consider this a must-go place in STL and recommend it to all my friends.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:57:06" }, { "business_id": "gHf8FdH8uLobt3zi3-dR4g", "business_name": "Hillside Animal Hospital", "rating": 5, "text": "I've brought my doggie here since I adopted her just over a year ago. I've been impressed with the staff and especially the vet (Dr. Marziani) since day one. I've never had any trouble getting an appointment, keeping an appointment, nor waiting too long for an appointment. Additionally, I've gotten in last minute a few times for those more urgent animal situations that are inevitable to occur. Dr. Marziani is very knowledgeable, helpful, and nice. She takes her time with you and your pet and it is evident she not only knows what she is doing, but really cares about your pet. My puppy was my first dog and she helped walk me through the process and has great recommendations for me (in fact, she introduced me to the Greater St. Louis Training Club and I went to them for my dog's obedience training!). The administrative staff & vet assistants are also nice, patient, and knowledgeable. They also send reminder cards for your pets needs and have many specials with heartworm and flea treatments. They keep customers in the know via Facebook with other specials, too. I couldn't say enough good things about Hillside. The only downside, which comes along with any good vet, is that it is a little pricey. When I took Libby once for a cut, it was about $100 which included the exam and medicine. Again, I think this will be the case for any good vet so I didn't ding them for that. We will be customers for life and I would highly recommend!", "timestamp": "2011-11-18T17:25:29" }, { "business_id": "EpREWeEpmR8f1qLHzzF0AA", "business_name": "Schlafly Bottleworks", "rating": 5, "text": "After living in the STL area for way over 10 years now, I am both ashamed and remorseful to admit that I ate here for the FIRST time just a few weeks ago. I am ashamed because it's a St. Louis tradition and remorseful because I missed out on it for so..many...years! This place is amazing. What is not to love! It's a factory where you can get a tour (Friday-Sunday, noon-5pm on the hour), there's a shop, bar, and dining area. They also host many event with live music on the weekends. It's fun to just kind of wander and look around - don't worry, you'll get a chance because there will likely be a wait before you dine. The beer is, of course, amazing. The Hefeweizen is my personal favorite and a great start for anyone who is not a huge beer drinker (like myself). Additionally, the food is homegrown and damn good. I had the pizza (recommendation from my server) and it was really spectacular, though I'm admittedly a pizza connoisseur so I enjoy a good pizza pie more than most probably ;P My date had a bison burger which was also really good. More fun info: the service is great! I think they tend to hire more funky and alternative people (like tattoo parlor staff) which I support. The quality is what makes this place stand out along with the emphasis on local food and brewery. It is a little on the pricier side but for all the experience you get and the quality, it is worth it. I will go again and again and you probably should, too!", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T06:58:36" }, { "business_id": "FryXEasH74MQDnj5Bvz3QA", "business_name": "The Mud House", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself to be a breakfast and brunch connoisseur, always in search of new, delicious places. By chance, I came across this hidden gem and I'm glad I did! I checked out the reviews and based on those saying how super slammed they are, I figured there's no way we'd make it in. But we swung by to check around noon on a Sunday and there were several open tables. So either business has slowed down or we happened to come at a generally slow time. You order at the counter, find a seat, and they bring you your food. To my delight, the interior is eclectic and charming. The menu is small, but the prices are VERY reasonable, especially for the value (more on that later). The down side: Extremely loud in there. Even not filled to capacity, I felt like I had to shout to my dining partner to have conversation. It was noticeably annoying. Another downfall is that we waited about 20 minutes for our food. The good news: The food was AMAZING! I got the classic breakfast meal (bacon, eggs, toast, hashbrowns). My boyfriend got the Apple and Raisin French Toast. We also got a powdered sugar brownie. I would go back solely for another brownie! The toast was so fresh and delicious, it tasted like it was freshly made. And bonus, it was very modestly priced. My dish was only $7, same as what I would get at IHOP or Denny's with a slab of Wonder Bread on the plate. I can't emphasize enough the quality of the food, the taste, and the value. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was Indie/artsy. The staff are also very friendly and helpful.", "timestamp": "2012-07-15T21:42:07" }, { "business_id": "jQBPO3rYkNwIaOdQS5ktgQ", "business_name": "The Fountain On Locust", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review sooner! This is one of my favorite spots in St. Louis since my first visit a couple years ago (after a co-worker suggested it). I feel like I work for them because I am always bragging about how wonderful it is and where better to brag than Yelp? :) This is a locally-owned restaurant that is known especially for their ice cream (including ice cream martinis!). The interior is amazing. It's an old car dealership from the 20th century that is art deco. Even the bathrooms are amazing (seriously, check them out). The food is reasonably priced and wonderful. My favorite is the Royal Grille, which is a grilled cheese sandwich with apple slices (Yum!) with their handmade chips (extra Yum!). Amazing! Their soups and other sandwiches are also delicious. Now to the main act, the ice cream. Probably more than you need to know, but they make all of their ingredients from scratch (excepted the main ingredient, ice cream - that, they fly in aged from Wisconsin!) - see, I told you it sounds like I work from them, but trust me, I'm just a creepy fan. I've had the Chocolate Brownie Cake in a Cup and Standing Banana Split. The Standing Banana Split is one of my favorite deserts EVER. My go-to is Chocolate shake (SO delicious) and pair that with food, I'm usually too full for desert. But it's worth to come solely for desert. Bottom line, check it out. It's a classic in St. Louis and you definitely won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:01:24" }, { "business_id": "8vwdDagJc8bJR0ZojFGZxw", "business_name": "The Cup", "rating": 4, "text": "While there is some debate about who exactly has the best cupcake in STL (Is it Jilly's? SweetArt? Cup?), the Cup is definitely in the running and is at the top of my list. They have a small menu (usually 6-7 staple cupcakes and 5-6 seasonal cupcakes), but the flavors are delish. Some of my favorites are Tuxedo (dark chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream), Double Chocolate (self-explanatory ;)), and Gold Rush (yellow cake, chocolate buttercream). The interior is small-ish, but that's most shops in CWE. This cupcakes are kinda priecy, but not too bad if you buy one just for yourself ;) There is basically no parking, just a few metered spots by the entrance. All in all, this is a must-stop for cupcake connoisseurs!", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:20:52" }, { "business_id": "OZcl2HOUXAHuICrh5d2WjQ", "business_name": "Half & Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Unfortunately, our breakfast was just OK. We waited about 45 minutes to eat on a bustling Saturday morning. Once we were seated, the service was fast and attentive. The decor is fun and eclectic. However, the food wasn't up to par in my opinion. Maybe I had too high expectations after reading the stellar reviews or maybe I was put off that we waited so long (after being quoted at about 20-30 minutes). Or maybe it's because I didn't get anything 'exciting', just the half and half which is toast, eggs, hash browns, and bacon (for an added charge). But, truly I believe the quality was simply lacking (maybe we hit them on a bad day?). The eggs were runny and the bacon was over cooked. However, my fiancé had the eggs benedict and he did like his dish. They have some unique dishes that if you loved you might want to return for, (e.g., blackberry french toast has been cited multiple times as a must-try) but I like a classic. I would rather go to Mud House where the food is cheaper and better.", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:25:09" }, { "business_id": "p_6THXiGLViyxYnOY8BzZQ", "business_name": "Vin de Set", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here for my four-year anniversary with my boyfriend. We had never been, but after perusing Yelp and other review websites, Vin de Set was cited multiple times for being a romantic hot spot in St Louis. So we had to try it for our very special night. We came around 5pm on a Saturday night and there were few people around. We sat outside on the infamous rooftop deck where cozy seats, outdoor warmers, and stringed lights were abound. I tried the beef medallions (delicious!) and my boyfriend had fresh fish. We also split a piece of cheesecake. Everything was wonderful and I really loved my dish - I would order it again! Prices were expensive, but reasonably so. I think we spent about $50 for our two entrees and dessert. Service was good, though not extraordinary. Overall, it was a fun experience made extra special by the fact that afterward, my boyfriend proposed to me :) What a perfect night!", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:33:45" }, { "business_id": "7nDUQkNX0aw9gc_9nlVPwQ", "business_name": "Wolfgang's Pet Stop", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely love this little shop! I began taking my 2 1/2 year old Sheltie here about a year or so ago after finding a Groupon for this shop. I've never been or heard of it, but gave it a try because it's a small business and it was a good deal. I set up an appointment for a groom and was lucky enough to have Kelly as her groomer. We have been seeing her ever since! My little girl is terrified of dryers so Kelly takes the extra time to hand dry her. She is very careful with her, patient with her anxiety, and always trims and grooms to my instructions, plus adds extra cute bows or handkerchief after :) It really shows that she cares about dogs and loves her job. She also always seems to be there because every time I've made an appointment, she's been available. When I get my pup back from Kelly, she's super soft, clean, shed-free, and smelling wonderful. We been there regularly for a year or so now and it's always a superb job! The other staff are wonderful too. They know my pup by name and are always very polite and sweet to her and me. They always manage to get me in for an appointment even when calling last minute. They are very friendly and accommodating. On top of that, prices are VERY reasonable. I usually get my Sheltie (read: lots of hair) a wash, groom, trim (nails and hair), teeth brushed, and shed-x treatment for about $40 -- and it ends up being a 4 hour service. I cannot say enough good things about this place! This will be our groomers for life! There is a retail store upstairs and they also do doggy day care, though I've never tried either. I heard from a staffer that they are expanding and adding a new location on Washington street with a larger doggy day care center. My only complaint is parking can be a pain and not very welcoming to take doggy in and out of my car on a busy and tight street. However, that is to be expected in the CWE so I don't fault them for that, just unfortunate byproduct of the location.", "timestamp": "2012-12-21T23:40:05" }, { "business_id": "UugJ2WQFoV-rNFqZ4QyrHg", "business_name": "Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself an ice-cream junkie and Oberweis is the prime spot to get my fix :-) The product is delicious and addictive! I almost always share a chocolate milkshake with my fiancé when I go (maybe it's the retro interior and feel of a simpler time?) though any dessert is guaranteed to please. They also sell ice-cream to go, milk, orange juice, and a few other 'grocery' items. Their milk is what I would definitely recommend to try. They charge you for the bottle, but you can return to get the $ back. They even do a really neat delivery service of groceries though I personally never used it. Every time we go, the cream and service is top notch. It's one of our favorite stops and I always look forward to going. Oberweis is a must-stop stop for any fellow ice-cream junkies as well as any St. Louis natives. They are family owned and St. Louis based!", "timestamp": "2013-05-17T04:48:24" }, { "business_id": "KChWMIHxMChTE11ZVsIVZw", "business_name": "Sub Zero Vodka Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this place sooner?! I've been going here for years from bachelorette parties to birthday parties and everything in between. It's one of my favorite spots. They are always rated high by RFT for being the best at both burgers and sushi. While the combination is random, do not take it lightly. I have friends who love sushi and will order it every time, while I'm into burgers and will order one every time (make sure you try the Bacon Borsin -- it's my favorite!). Their drink selection is amazing, as you would expect for a Vodka bar. The place is big and they offer free valet for customers on weekends. Sometimes there's a wait, but it's usually not too long. They do take reservations as we've made them plenty of times for big parties. The prices are reasonable. Service is always good and the food is always amazing. We introduced this place to many friends over the years and friends of ours who live in IL come to Sub Zero just for date nights (and you know how hard it is to get IL residents to cross the river ;-)). I just can't say too many great things about this place! Seriously, try it! You will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:16:49" }, { "business_id": "6r9FNW0-4aKqbPCX7UxTZg", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love love Maggiano's! The place is huge with an upstairs yet there always seems to be a wait. I'm usually lucky enough to nab a bar table (which is first come, first served) to avoid the wait and that's fine with me. However, if you have a big party or really want a table, you may be stuck waiting for awhile and may want to consider getting a drink at the bar, taking a stroll down the Boulevard, or browsing in Crate and Barrel as you wait. They offer warm bread and olive oil, my favorite. Plus, I'm always a sucker for restaurants that offer bread before the meal (it's just considerate). They have a classics menu which they offer a free meal to take home (you can choose a different dish than what you order so long as it's on the classics menu). My favorite dish is their Spaghetti and Meatballs and I always seem to end up getting that, though they have plenty of other good dishes. My fiancé loves their Taylor Street Baked Ziti. Their salads and other entrees are good as well. For dessert, the Apple Crostada is to die for! It's a must-try though their other desserts are delicious as well. The service is always good and the food, delicious. The atmosphere is very nice and the prices are reasonable. One of my favorite restaurants to dine at!", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:31:34" }, { "business_id": "MUBk0fgk0ViHwEiNnRitWA", "business_name": "Green Bean", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a recently discovered gem in CWE. I was looking for a healthy place for lunch and found it! I have brought friends here since and they love it, too! How I described it to them: a Fro Yo approach to salad. You pick your lettuce, toppings, and dressing. They also have a few menu items to choose from. The drawbacks are that it's a bit expensive. For just a salad or wrap with no drink or side will put you back about $9-10. The portions are big though so you get plenty! There also is usually a wait. The process to make the salad or wrap always seems laborious and they usually have to go get extra/missing ingredients from the back. The space is small and kinda tight, too, but that's most places in CWE. They have some perks, like through the Perka app which gives you free salads after so many purchases. Also, they partner with Fro Yo and if you bring your receipt to Fro Yo, you get 10% off your frozen yogurt purchase (and vice versa if you bring Fro Yo receipt to Green Bean). My favorite is the Citrus Caesar (caesar salad with oranges :-)) on the whole wheat wrap. Yum!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:27:52" }, { "business_id": "rKO2kZB--kKG94HGzg5ysQ", "business_name": "Treats Unleashed", "rating": 5, "text": "Treats Unleashed is a neat little store with several locations in the STL area. We perused in there about a week or so ago and I realized that these are the treats they use at Four Muddy Paws, our go-to spot for doggie goods. I was so excited, we were right at the source!! They have homemade, all natural doggie treats along with the usual dog food, leashes, treats, and supplies. They offer natural and more hard to find brands that PetSmart doesn't carry. Love this little shop! And I bet your dog will too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:32:57" }, { "business_id": "chUeS0h9C8KGfyJO2Jqgew", "business_name": "Fozzie's Sandwich Emporium", "rating": 5, "text": "I used to live next to this amazing sandwich shop. I no longer do. I seriously go into withdrawals. The sandwiches, the salads, it's all good! The shop is small and sometimes there's a wait. What I would do is call, place an order, and leave to pick up because it was so close. This worked out perfectly! They also deliver, but same with pizza, I can't ever justify paying the delivery charge + tip for a few minutes drive for me! Also, try the Gimme S'more shake. That is what I crave and it is amazing. Kisses, marshmallows, and graham crackers. I love a good s'more so it takes a lot for something s'more flavored to get me. And this does. Seriously, try it!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:43:05" }, { "business_id": "o0uODX3Ot6dkHn3_C49Wjw", "business_name": "Fletcher's Kitchen and Tap", "rating": 3, "text": "For some reason, this place carries sound like no other and is unusually loud. The four of us came in for dinner and we could barely carry on a conversation...and eventually we gave up trying. The temperature in there was also unusually cold. The food was pretty good. I had a chicken caesar salad and the chicken was BBQed which put me off a bit, but it was good. My other dining partners enjoyed their food. Service was amazing...our server was really on it! I was between 3 and 4 stars, but asked myself if I would go back and my answer is no. If I could talk to my dining partners and not freeze, I would definitely go back. So if you like a cold and lively environment (seems like an oxymoron?), you will enjoy this spot!", "timestamp": "2013-07-03T00:04:24" }, { "business_id": "hw0O24rFx1BU5ZLlKBZYNg", "business_name": "Keller Plaza Cinema", "rating": 2, "text": "As a regular movie-goer, I am always on the look-out for new theaters. I was pleasantly surprised to find this little gem tucked away (literally) off of Lemay Ferry Rd. (near the intersection of Lindbergh and Lemay Ferry Rd.). Is it the most dazzling movie experience I've ever had? No. Is it a more affordable, low-frills spot to catch a flick? Yes. (If it's the former I'm looking for, I head over to The Great Escape - for over 3x the price.) I've been multiple times and here are the notes: Admission for matinees (before 6:0pm) are $3, evenings are $4. Every day. Can't beat that! They play older flicks. So expect something you want to see to visit here a month or more after they've come and gone at the chains. This theater is CASH ONLY. I always forget that, but luckily there is a credit union a few doors down so after a pit stop to the ATM we are ready to go. The theaters are in OK condition. Seats randomly have trash bags over them because they are broken. Spoiler Alert: they aren't the most comfortable. The screens are smaller and there are a few scratches/marks on them. If you go in with reasonable expectations based on what you paid for, you will enjoy Keller Plaza Cinema. UPDATE::::::: The last few flicks we saw there had terrible sound and vision. So if you don't mind about not seeing or hearing the movie, then by all means, go! We learned that while admission is cheap, it's work paying the extra few bucks (or only $5 movies on Wednesdays at all STL cinemas) so that you can enjoy the movie (or just hear and see it). I'm sad because I would love to support a small business theater in my neighborhood but we will not return.", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T20:15:17" }, { "business_id": "u4WC_qHGn03jwNdVmW5vaQ", "business_name": "Baileys' Chocolate Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not written a review sooner?! This is my #1 favorite spot for after drinks. They have a huge list of decadent drinks and desserts for your sweet tooth. My go-to drink is the Chocolate Bar Signature Martini. It's one of the ice-cream martinis they offer. It's a dream in a glass. Like complimentary bread at an Italian restaurant, you get a plate of mini chocolate chip cookies when you arrive which is a nice touch. The atmosphere is romantic and trendy. It's often hopping, too. I've been here numerous times for girls night, date night, birthday party, even my own engagement party (ahh my fiancé knows me so well :-))! They are busy and there is often a wait, but it is worth it. Service is good and everything I've tried so far is delicious, food included. Must go spot for city dwellers and visitors alike!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T21:16:14" }, { "business_id": "j3sRTkoqD_obks7IOW876w", "business_name": "Dewey's Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur so be prepared when I announce that this is my #1 favorite pizza in the world. I've tried slice after slice in multiple establishments and this is my favorite, by far. The menu is simple, but sufficient. They offer regular salads and pizzas in delicious combinations. I always get a Caeser salad and X-Pepperoni pizza (Hey, I know what I like!). My fiancé always gets the Greek salad (and he is one to always mix it up, which goes to show how delicious this is!) and usually the Bronx Bomber (a supreme of sorts). They also have a seasonal salad and pizza to offer. The food is ah. maze. ing. Ingredients are fresh, crisp, and delicious. The X-Pep pizza is a touch spicy, but that's what makes it so good. The dough, the sauce, the cheese, the toppings, it's ALL good. Be prepared for a wait, even in the late evening on a week day. Dewey's is delicious and people know it, so don't rush perfection! Service is always good as they seem to have a co-op method of service where you have multiple servers. This is my favorite spot for pizza and can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:09:46" }, { "business_id": "QmkAq8hwSgBZcZ7z5tEFDg", "business_name": "Mosaic Restaurants", "rating": 4, "text": "Knowing my love for brunch, a friend highly recommended Mosaic. Imagine my delight upon finding a Groupon for this spot for brunch for two including mimosas :-) Happy would be an understatement. That said, it took us almost till the end of the year to go! My friend said they require reservations and they only offer brunch on Sundays. We made it eventually and it was a pleasant surprise! I went all out and ordered the Grilled Flatiron and Eggs served with roasted harissa potatoes. It was delicious. The flatiron was SO good! The sides were all unique and delicious as well. My fiancé ordered an omelet and said he enjoyed it. Service was great! I noticed many others were Groupon consumers (as I mentioned earlier, it was near expiration), but service never suffered. I am a fan and would love to come back to try other meals too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:30:22" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "OK. I need to confess something. Before I tell you, let me ask that you please don't hurdle things at me. I do not like BBQ sauce. I'm not a sauce girl of any kind, actually. No ketchup, no mayonnaise, no mustard, no dressing, none of it. So BBQ and me don't really mix. However, I will eat BBQ without sauce on it (or grilled meat as it's probably more appropriately called). I've heard so many good things about Pappy's (which is why I bookmarked it), that I was looking forward to going regardless of my sauce-intolerance. I had a pulled chicken sandwich with fried corn on the cob (what?) and sweet potato fries. My dining partner had a beef brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries and cole slaw. The chicken was smokey and delicious. My friend loved the brisket. He also loved the BBQ sauce ;-) The sides were great. SPF were YUM-O. I'm not a huge fan of SPF (I know, I'm not helping my case), but they were crispy and delicious. The fried corn on the cob was interesting but good. Luckily, we came in on a Monday night and the line was short. Apparently we were lucky and should not expect that to happen again. All in all, it was good and coming from me that means something as BBQ isn't my choice of meal. It's a must try for visitors as it's our top BBQ joint.", "timestamp": "2013-07-09T01:00:20" }, { "business_id": "sImDC2ePC0sIkZsHaX-k3g", "business_name": "MX Movies & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I had never been to MX theaters as it's relatively new, but it was definitely on my radar. A movie theater in the heart of the city? I'm there. Even better, it's above Pi, one of my favorite pizza joints. Hello, perfect date night! We started out in the bar which was spacious and vibing. The bartenders were awesome. They provided top notch service and were super friendly. We had drinks (Pineapple Upside Down Cake in fact which was delish!) and some bites to eat including wraps, chicken wings, and flat bread pizzas. All was very good! Now for the main act! The theater is AWESOME. The seats and rows are spacious. The seats are some form of leather recliners and are oh so comfy. They are organized by fours with some space between the pairs. Each pair has a tablet to order from. We had our popcorn and soda brought right up to us, in less than two minutes! The servers aren't as distracting as I thought they may be. They were in and out quickly and quietly. The tab's screen is bright which can be distracting, but after the previews, everyone's mostly done looking at them. Some details about etab: They advertise to bring drinks up within 5 minutes and food within 15. Note: you can't use cash using the etab. If you only have cash, you must go to the concession stand (the walk of shame!). Parking was kind of tricky with construction and the busy street, but that's everywhere downtown so I don't dock them for that. We did however park in the wrong garage, had to walk over, and couldn't use the ticket validation :( Basically, in sum, once you go MX, you can't go back.", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T22:00:51" }, { "business_id": "lTNknj73Idb-dSlrDJ6qjw", "business_name": "Tom's Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Good ole' Tom's. I've been several times as I work nearby. In fact, this is the preferred spot for a few of us (including me!) who are apart of our regular work lunch group. Their food is greasy but very good. Drink selection is good. Service is usually good. It can get crowded and awkward walking through the set up if crowded. It's a bar atmosphere, but they have outdoor seating which we appreciate on a nice day. They have their own private parking lot which is very well monitored -- this is a huge perk for the area. I've never been for karaoke and after reading these reviews, I'm very inclined to check it out!", "timestamp": "2013-07-11T01:43:05" }, { "business_id": "is9QogkUGhtcEALtHMyLwg", "business_name": "Three Dog Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "My fiancé and I recently visited Three Dog Bakery for the first time to redeem a free \"pupcake\" from a business card we received at a doggie event in the past. We left with arm loads of doggies treats, toys, and stuff :-) The staff were SUPER friendly. They spent a lot of time with us talking us through different items, the sale (in fact, they often recommended items that were on sale to help us save money!), our dogs, etc. The have a lot of gourmet doggie products that you will see at nicer pet boutiques. In fact, they carry Happy Tails, a line of bath products that I frequently order online. The staff had great recommendations for items in this line, too that they were out of stock of, but that I want to try in the future. The baked goodies were fresh, beautifully presented, and creative (i.e., you will see little boxes of pup fries, pup cakes, and the sort)! We got our free cupcake (and she threw in another for our other doggie) and joined the loyalty program where we get a free treat each month - so we toted two of those home too :-) The store is very spacious which is nice for doggies to roam and people room to shop. Items they carry are pricier, but that's at any dog boutique where they carry the good stuff so I didn't dock them for that. We will definitely return. There are several dog boutiques to shop at in STL, but what sets this spot apart is definitely the customer service (including their friendliness, knowledge, and their generosity) and the space!", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:12:17" }, { "business_id": "ahpLj4hNo2-2w_xf2sNE3g", "business_name": "Four Muddy Paws", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the first pet boutique we visited for our pups and it's still one of my favorites. I come here to get my pup her treats, food, and of course some of their homemade treats they order from Treats Unleashed. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. They really helped me through the first year of when I got my puppy and was clueless about taking care of a dog. They lead me in the right direction for nutrition as well as some training tips (the harness has been so helpful and is in the cutest design). They also loaded me with free dog food samples to see what worked for my girl and her sensitive tummy. They have events frequently for dogs and their humans with many giveaways. These are often coordinated with other local businesses which is fun, for people to get food and wine and have their dog with them. They offer professional grooming services, and while I never tried them myself, I have done their $12 DIY pup bath. My little girl was scared of the dryer, but my other dog was fine. They have all the equipment (and it's the good stuff) so it's easy peasy! They have a reward program - if you buy 10 bags of dog food, get one free. If you check in on Foursquare, you will get an offer to get a free bulk treat item which I do every time I visit :-) The shop is small and a little cramped because of the location, but the area for bathing dogs is a bit bigger. When I go to pick up food, I usually try to leave my dog at home for this reason as it can get crowded with humans and their dogs in there! Prices are high because they offer the good stuff, so I don't dock them for that. It costs more to give your dog good quality stuff so that goes with the territory. It's a one stop shop for me as they carry everything from leashes and collars to raw dog food.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:22:39" }, { "business_id": "PUDDBW0MfpSFI2XEMv_g3Q", "business_name": "Bobby's Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm from IL, but have lived in St. Louis for about the past 7 years. I don't know if you're aware, but there is a Ted vs. Bobby's rivalry for best metro STL frozen custard. I'm on Team Bobby's 100% of the way! I mean I like Ted Drewes. I will eat any icy dessert, but Bobby's is my favorite and if I'm nearby a stop is 100% in order. I actually lived RIGHT next to Ted Drewe's and have been there less than I can count on one hand. Bobby's & Ted Drewes is very similar. Both are often packed, busy, and well-liked (oh and frozen custard joints and named after a man). Bobby's, however, offers a Lite custard that is 98% fat free and I add sprinkles for a concrete...it's heaven! Bobby's has grown. They have a concert series and many hardcore, loyal fans. They are quick, reasonably priced, and delicious. They also often offer many freebies if you join their mailing list and like them on Facebook.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:31:05" }, { "business_id": "fiBEzPfn2VOZb-PjLcm7Ng", "business_name": "Kirkwood Station Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times for happy hour with friends after work and enjoy it every time. I love their Caprese pizza and always order one to share with the table. They have outdoor seating I've enjoyed with the warmer weather. This is one of my go-to places for happy hour in Kirkwood! PS If you check in, they have BOGO beer which is a sweet deal.", "timestamp": "2013-11-11T23:58:37" }, { "business_id": "vRj1rgF4ZpwGt97MbcRzqg", "business_name": "Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream", "rating": 4, "text": "Ice cream made with love in the heart of Webster Groves just spells GOOD no matter how you slice it (or scoop it) :-) They have so many delectable flavors, but I can never get past the classic chocolate. They serve the classics and trendier flavors alike all with the wonderful basic ingredients and formula. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-11-12T00:02:48" }, { "business_id": "YV32ObbYe10BXeIydrnuOQ", "business_name": "Canyon Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "If I'm craving Mexican food, Canyon Cafe is my go-to! I've eaten at Canyon Cafe several times since I discovered it a few years ago. Their food quality is amazing every single time. Service is usually very good, though sometimes can be a miss...like if they are crazy busy. I love their chips. They are a combo of sweet potato chips, tortilla chips, and sweet chips that are absolutely delicious. I seriously would come back only for the chips, even if I liked nothing else. Fortunately, that is plenty more to like. For main dishes, I love their chicken avocado salad, salmon, caesar wrap, and fish tacos. Yes, it is a little pricey but I am willing to pay a bit more for quality. My fiancé and I are now fish taco snobs...anywhere else we try them, they are never as good as Canyon's. So I'd rather have something I LOVE and pay a few extra bucks than something that's just OK for a bit cheaper. I love to check out their daily specials and usually end up ordering off of that. It's varied and always delicious, which makes coming back fun for semi-regulars like me :-) I've yet to do their happy hour because it is crazy and busy in that area at that time. I hear it's amazing and I really want to do this someday though...just another excuse for me to go in, right?! If you live in the Lou, this is a must go. I was sad I lived so long without it once I went there.", "timestamp": "2014-01-07T16:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Nn6Vx_Bl48EEgMEskwRQfQ", "business_name": "K Hall Designs", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a must stop place to shop for any soap junkie like myself. How do you know you're a soap junkie? If you go to Bath & Body Works at least once a week, busy yourself by smelling your collection of bath products at home for fun, and/or hoard an obnoxious amount of bath products, then safe to say you are. K. Hall has an abundance of scents to choose from and come in a variety of sized candles, fragrances, soaps, and sprays. The scents are lovely, quality is amazing, and products are packaged beautifully. I love to re-purpose the pretty candle jars for holding makeup brushes or other things. Some of my favorite scents: Washed Cotton, Lavender, Milk, Peony, and Shoreline. The store also sells other random things, like jars, beverage dispensers, decor, etc. I've never purchased those items, but it's just of fun to look around and gives the shop a funky, eclectic, vintage-y feel. It's a little pricey, but to me it's worth it because it's high quality. However, check out their scent of the month sales (30% off anything in that scent) and their annual warehouse sale to enjoy the goods at a lower price.", "timestamp": "2014-01-15T14:49:36" }, { "business_id": "wbLXXbI-T6Av71i9AoiZRQ", "business_name": "Cleveland-Heath", "rating": 5, "text": "This literally may be my new favorite restaurant...EVER! I've heard lots of hype about this place yet never made it over to the IL side to check it out. I was excited to try it! I had dinner last night for the first time and even while eating my meal, I couldn't wait to go back! The place is cozy (read: smallish), the ambience is nice and the menu offerings are interesting. Staff were busy, but attentive and friendly. A friend and I split the family style Braised Beef Brisket. It included a salad to share, two sides, the brisket, and desert for $40. At $20 each it's a bit pricey, but totally and completely worth it. Especially when you consider the quality of the food (worth the price tag alone), but also the portion sizes. We definitely had enough for a 3rd or even 4th person to get in on the family meal. The salad was simple with fresh greens, sliced radishes, and lemon vinaigrette dressing; it was refreshing. We ordered macaroni and cheese and shoestring french fries (mix of sweet potato and potato fries) for our sides. They were delish, especially the macaroni and cheese. Definitely get that! The beef...was oh my god, amazing. It was so tender and flavorful and DELICIOUS. And I'm not a big meat person, but this was SO good. We finished with Beignets (warm brioche beignets, salted caramel filling) that was very delicious as well. The entire meal was decadent and delicious. I could totally get this every time I go there and be so very happy about it. I already can't wait to go back. Go and be glad that you did! Tip: They don't take reservations, but do call ahead seating. This saved us a 30-minute wait and only had to wait a few minutes for a table when we entered!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:31:50" }, { "business_id": "D1lOc4bmegUFyp_eAyJPjw", "business_name": "The Libertine Neighborhood Eatery", "rating": 4, "text": "For date night, my fiancé and I checked out The Libertine for the first time and it did not disappoint. The menu and cocktail offerings are different and interesting. Prices are moderate to high. Staff is very attentive and amazing. Ambiance is nice, albeit a little fancy and dimly lit. We started off with their free appetizer, which is some type of nuts in cheese? I'm not familiar with it and wasn't a huge fan, but it was nice to be offered some food before the meal. We each got their house burger with the two patties (yep TWO), house-made cheese, bacon bun, and caramelized onions (none for me though) with fries. YUM! This burger rivaled our favorite over at SubZero and lost only by a hare. The bun was unique and delicious, probably my favorite part. Be warned, it's a double stacked burger so lots of meat and very filling. Fries were a little overdone for my taste, but otherwise good. We finished off with their famous candy bar with hazelnuts, salted caramel, and ganache. Divine!! Overall, the food was tasty and it was a good experience and I'm glad we went. It's fun to try all the new restaurants and offerings in STL and this was a great stop on the list!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:41:30" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't know how I haven't written a review for this place sooner, it's one of my favs! I'm a semi-regular here and it's one of my favorite places to go! First of all, the ambiance is fantastic. It has an open front with a patio which is nice for Spring and Summer wining and dining, but the inside is really cool. From the wine decor to the ceiling decked out in wine crates, it's wine all the way (and we like wine). Obviously, the wine menu is large and impressive. I LOVE their Moscato (yes I'm one of those). It's so light and refreshing and yummy. I've eaten their brick oven pizzas which are delicious (and much better than you'd expect for a wine bar -- don't let that stop you, get it!) as well as some appetizers. I LOVE their hummus. I consider myself a hummus connoisseur and this is one of my favs. I simply love to come here with friends to enjoy company, a bottle (or two) of wine along with some yummy dishes to nosh on. What else do we want? My time at Sasha's is always superb.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:46:44" }, { "business_id": "_Y96y5CFgJaG4I-HEgylhg", "business_name": "Crushed Red", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been in downtown Kirkwood many a time and always see this place, but only recently went in for the first time. I somehow had the impression it was a fancy restaurant, so when I tried it I was pleasantly surprised at the open concept and more casual restaurant \"make your own\" feel it has. You start off at a cashier where you order any hot food (appetizers, pizza, etc.) and then a cafeteria style line for salads where they make as you request. I had THE best salad there, the farmer's market with raspberry vinaigrette. It is seriously delicious. I went again to get the same salad and split a pizza with a friend (margarita). I honestly wasn't as impressed with the pizza as I expected. It was a little small (it is a flatbread after all) and the cheese kind of kept falling off. Maybe it's that one particular pizza, but it just didn't wow me. I probably wouldn't get it again. For me, I'll definitely be back for the salads. Pizza, not so much.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T19:03:26" }, { "business_id": "GuGlXaVDljVJ9FM-euhJmg", "business_name": "Maven", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a bona fide bath and body aficionado and particularly love local, small businesses where you find unique scents and quality homemade products. Maven fits the bill on all accounts and is in fact, my new favorite shop for bath and body products! I visited the cute shop recently with my sister and I spent a good 20 minutes just on the one side of the store. There offer a large variety of scents and they have basic products that can come in most, if not all, scents. The types of products they offer are candles, body lotion, body scrub, solid lotion, bath bombs, and soap. My fav scents at the moment are Sookie (sweet magnolia blossoms and gardenia) and Salty Sea Air (Fresh saltwater, sea kelp and ozone). I bought a soap and lotion as well as a gift (Don Draper is perfect for the Mad Men fans!). The soap was a whopping $9, so I don't know if that will be my stop for soap, but the rest of the prices are reasonable for what you get (read: good quality). I really wanted a candle, but wanted to pace myself; plus, that will give me another reason to visit again soon :-) They also offer some eclectic products like greeting cards, funny and thoughtful quotes on magnets and stickers, and even repurposed razors. I hope they have seasonal scents or new scents regularly as I'd love to see more of what they come up with. My request: more products and more scents. I'm addicted!", "timestamp": "2014-07-17T02:10:13" }, { "business_id": "QVXfW1c8eOm9SJVb3xdo7w", "business_name": "Cheeburger Cheeburger", "rating": 3, "text": "I wanted to love this joint, I did, but I was underwhelmed. They are going for the old-fashioned diner 50's diner look, I think, without a juke box. The burger was just OK. It was kind of bland and not very impressive. The french fries were the best part...crispy and a little over done, seasoned well, they were yummy. Not the best I've ever had, but good enough for me to keep reaching for more. The milkshake was rich and thick, but it lacked the creaminess and deliciousness I've come to expect (thanks for ruining me, Oberweis!). They've got over a million milkshake combos (or something insane like that) so they get bonus points for variety. If I want a burger and fries, I'd go to 5 Guys over this joint, but in a pinch it will do.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T03:50:47" }, { "business_id": "qkMMO794-59404bUiJ1Odg", "business_name": "Central Table", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to Central Table today for the first time with a friend for lunch. I have never heard of it and didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. When I entered, I felt like I walked into an upscale cafeteria for the cool kids. The layout is very clean, simple, and open. You go to the cashier and order what strikes your fancy. They offer a variety of burgers, pizzas, salads, and soup. I went for a pepperoni pizza (not your everyday pep -- enhanced with spices and finesse) and caesar salad. The pizza was DELICIOUS. Wood-fired and a generous serving, it was amazing. I was full and saved half for dinner (which I was looking forward to all day). The salad was OK. Not enough dressing and not really much flavor. I nabbed a few french fries off my friends plate and those were amazing...crispy, hot, and fresh. I look forward to going back and trying more off their menu! I would recommend you try!", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:00:12" }, { "business_id": "1_ZVtdiZpBNsXaO4ObPtbw", "business_name": "Stellina Pasta Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've heard about this place for months from my sister who swears by it. I came. I ate. I converted. I just had a sandwich and chips, no pasta yet, and already am sold! I had the Talkin' Turkey sandwich (roasted turkey breast, avocado, sunflower sprouts, fontina cheese, roasted garlic mayo on French baguette) along with Billy Goat chips for lunch. The sandwich was generously sized (I could only eat half!), fresh, and delicious. I can't wait to come back for the pasta! It's pricey, but you get what you pay for and I have a feeling the pasta will be worth the hefty price tag.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:04:56" }, { "business_id": "osL7qIVyk-WCdK9qiPTS5A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I bet you don't think of wedding flowers when you think of Whole Foods, but that's exactly where we got ours! As a bride on a budget and mostly DIY, Whole Foods was a great option that offers reasonably priced flowers (MUCH cheaper than a typical florist for weddings) and the flowers are sourced locally from ethical trade, earth friendly farming. Amber M. took care of us from beginning to end, by showing us a variety of flowers, costs, showing us samples, and ordering. Everything turned out exactly like we hoped! One downfall of using them vs. a traditional florist is that you may not be able to get the specific flower you want, but I showed her inspiration pictures and she kept the aesthetic I wanted with what they had available. It turned out beautifully as we wanted for our wedding, but also affordable. Go see Amber M. at Whole Foods Town & Country -- she'll take care of you :-)", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:05:00" }, { "business_id": "tn3_76PZZLCmGBLgBWdTTw", "business_name": "The Cakery", "rating": 5, "text": "We went to the Cakery Bakery for our wedding cake, cupcakes, and groom's cake and couldn't have been happier!! We had a small cake to cut and the rest cupcakes for our wedding guests. We had a variety of flavors (ALL delicious) each with different color frosting/toppings. They offer a variety of flavors and decor choices which was nice (though it made it hard to choose at times). They offer tastings at their shop along with lots of displays of cakes and cupcakes. I also went to the Cakery for a surprise groom's cake at the wedding rehearsal. I showed them some inspiration pictures and gave them a figurine to use -- it turned out exactly like we wanted and the groom loved it. They are flexible with meeting times, always respond to emails/calls, very friendly and nice, and have their stuff together! They worked with us on pickup and work to get what you want. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Our guests continue to tell me how delicious the cupcakes were! They made one of the most important parts of our wedding perfect! Thank you, Cakery!", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:15:15" }, { "business_id": "7dA1OhjJ0ga063_uiiDw3g", "business_name": "The Heavy Anchor", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been wanting to try this spot since I came across an RFT article calling it a nautical noir dive bar. So, when picking a spot for a an after-work happy hour, I was eager to choose this place. We arrived and parking is street so I paid a meter and inside I went. The decor is festive and plentiful. The place is notably dark. You especially notice this when you walk out hours later and shade your eyes! Drinks were cheap and I like the variety of their offerings (Schlafly summer on tap, yes please!). We didn't try the food so I plan on updating once I try it. I also see it's a concert venue and dig the multi-functional space and would love to come by to catch a show. When in search of directions and their menu, their website leaves a lot to be desired. Though I learned you can bring your own food so cool. All in all a cool spot to get a drink and mingle. And I'll be back!", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T02:40:20" }, { "business_id": "puNq5KmQs4HAzGhVajFj8w", "business_name": "Houlihan's", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is kind of an enigma to me. Every time I go in, the menu is completely different. It started as an Applebees kind of fare and gets more and more modern every time I return. Different check in rewards every time, too -- I recall using Foursquare previously and getting a free order of fries upon check in, but this time nothing. They offer up a lot of modern/fancy menu choices now. Lots of things with pretzel buns, sliders, organic greens, antibiotic chicken, etc. Don't get me a wrong, I like it, it just doesn't quite...fit. The restaurant building and decor is dated, dark, and dingy which doesn't fit their modern menu offerings and presentation. Service was OK. It's overpriced in my opinion. The food was tasty, but I feel my money could be better well spent at a spot with a more enjoyable atmosphere.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T03:07:38" }, { "business_id": "G6h-9AZro_Ni_4eRR9CkRw", "business_name": "Penzeys Spices", "rating": 4, "text": "I've received ads from Penzey's with free spice coupons for awhile but never made it there until recently. I was pleasantly surprised to find a cute shop with lots of standard and creative spice offerings. I wandered around the shop for awhile checking out all the spices. They have little jars of each spice to smell along with a variety of offerings of sizes of spices in jars and bags. They have your standard fare (all of which would be worthy enough to go in for) and then some creative and more unusual offerings (variety of sea salts, flavored vanillas, even frozen pizza topping!). They have the cutest little cinnamon shop section with a variety of cinnamon offerings. I also appreciate that they have recipe cards sprinkled around the store. Cute! I agree with some previous comments from reviewers about the staff. They are courteous and will check you out great, but when I wandered around the shop for awhile looking for a particular spice, no one asked me if I needed assistance or offered any help. I will definitely be back! Sign up for their catalogue and you'll get free spice coupons, too.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:19:02" }, { "business_id": "qQSscPMhk3frtSNilF1cGA", "business_name": "VOM FASS", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is fun, albeit a little overwhelming. I'm a cooking novice so I only have two choices for olive oil at grocers -- virgin or extra virgin. So, imagine, me walking into the store with barrel on top of barrel of oils (and more), I felt a little out of my element. I came in on a weekday with a friend and the staff member on duty was very friendly and helpful. He offered tastings, but we didn't partake. Both times I came in we were looking for gifts and found something special and perfect each time. I plan on going in next time for myself as they have some tasty olive oil that sounds great. Also a great stop for libations though we didn't shop for that on that particular trip.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:31:56" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard the hype and since ice cream is it's own food group at my house, I had to try the ice cream made out of liquid nitrogen! So, a group of friends and I moseyed on over last weekend to see what this place was all about. They offer a variety of flavors using liquid nitrogen along with soft serve, but really why would you get soft serve at this place? You order, walk through the line (and witness them what looks like torturing a kitchen aid mixer -- pouring in liquid nitrogen and blow torching it), then pick up your ice cream. Straight forward enough. The line backs up and it takes awhile too because they made each ice cream individually. I'm not sure why they don't make, say, a batch of Rocky Road (which was the flavor of the day by the way) and give out a few servings from that? We waited what seemed like forever and then we got our goods! I tried the Rocky Road and my husband had the Mint Chocolate Chip. Rocky Road was good...they had big bits of chocolate and marshmallow. The ice cream was creamy. I tried my husband's mint chocolate chip and the mint flavor was REALLY faint (I could barely taste it). The place is small and crowded and we barely could find a place to sit and talk amidst the crowd eating and the crowd waiting out the door for ice cream. It's also a bit pricey, but the servings are big. Overall, this place is a solid 4 stars. I think you need to go once for the novelty and I'd come back maybe here and there, but I don't think I'd head back here on the regular. I can get other ice creams just as tasty with a bit more comfortable atmosphere and better price point.", "timestamp": "2014-08-28T02:03:03" }, { "business_id": "UL4K6HwcI542imZo1Glpbw", "business_name": "Peacock Loop Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted to like this place, I did. New place in the loop, yeah! It's funky retro with a modern twist decor was cool. I was feeling it, until we got our food. I went in with a group of four for lunch during a week day. Service was OK. They use those infuriating water glasses that are small so that you need constant refills if you drink water like a normal person (and even more if you're a big water drinker like me!). The server couldn't keep up with my water consumption so I couldn't wash the oddly flavored chili down. Speaking of the chili...my friend also got an order and we decided a better name would be Christmas Chili. It had a distinct flavor of cinnamon or nutmeg and it was off putting. I tried to eat it since I paid for it, but I only made through about half of it. I also ordered a grilled cheese. I mean, if you do a bad grilled cheese, I don't know what hope you have and I hate to say...it was subpar. I could have made a better one at home. My other dining partners ordered sandwiches, burgers, and waffles. They said it was OK. I think the favorite was the waffle, but I didn't try it. All in all, not worth it and I won't return. Maybe if they change the menu and up the creations it will be worthy of St. Louis!", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:22:53" }, { "business_id": "-kHHi8y4kaTI6WUVdJSdvQ", "business_name": "Fitz's", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love LOVE Fitz's. It has everything a hot spot in STL needs...delicious food, unique desserts, and it's very own factory for it's home good quality made items. I've had the pizza before and that was good, but the most recent visit I got a burger. And I was blown away! I didn't expect to love it, but I did. I ate almost every bite and it was a big burger! It had a good smokey flavor and was cooked well done but still tender and scrumptious. So delicious! My husband and I shared a float with orange soda and vanilla ice cream. Oh. My. God. It was so good! It was HUGE for one so I would recommend sharing. It comes topped with 3 or 4 scoops of ice cream that in and of itself was delicious...then combine it with the Fitz's orange soda and it was divine. I always look forward to going here (and interesting note: I don't even like root beer!) and I'll be back many more times. It's a must stop of tourists or regulars who may have never been.", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:28:11" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "When looking for a venue for a holiday dinner, a friend who knows her food picked this place. I had never heard of it but am always on the lookout for delicious new places so I was excited. She made a reservation no problem (a previous reviewer mentioned they couldn't make reservations?). When we arrived we were promptly seated and given menus. Our server was great - it felt like a show as he presented with lots of information and humor and paced us. He was very knowledgeable about specials and the menu. There was only one time my water was empty and I needed more but otherwise he was attentive. I ordered a soda pop fizz cocktail that tasted like an orange cream soda (but warning: it's pink!). Had a kinda weird after taste though. Food wise, we ordered the cheese plate, bacon wrapped dates, cups of chili, and some salads to start. I didn't have any but everyone said it was delicious. They serve warm bread before the meal which is always appreciated. They had a ton of menu specials and many sounded delish! I ordered the Pork Shnitzel while my husband had the burger. Our other party members got many specials too including blackened mahi mahi, breaded mahi mahi, sweet potato tacos, bacon wrapped meatloaf, and chicken pasta dish. Everyone loved their meal! Oh and I need to mention the atmosphere. It was very cozy and chill. We were off in an alcove that was perfect for our party. It was a nice loungey feel which I appreciate. Overall a great dining experience and I would return. My one issue is that I think it's a bit overpriced, particularly my cocktail and main course. For us, it will be a great place to go for a special dinner.", "timestamp": "2014-12-31T17:07:40" }, { "business_id": "hFuRegkL_IFO5792-JegRw", "business_name": "Feraro's Jersey Style Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "How have I not discovered this place sooner?! This location is less than 2 miles from my house but it took a recommendation from a foodie friend who said it's one of her fav places. I checked out the Yelp reviews (as I religiously do before dining anywhere) and off we went to try for a date night. The location is nice. When you walk in, it looks like a bar but turn the corner and there's roomy booths with large wooden tables. We ordered Garlic Knots for an appetizer and a medium pepperoni pizza to share. The good: The food is delicious! The pizza, while my husband noted pretty cheesy (though isn't necessarily a bad thing), was pretty close to perfection. The dough, sauce, chesse, and toppings tasted fresh, hot, and delicious. The garlic knots were also hot and yummy. I love me some garlic and these delivered. Prices were reasonable. The bad: Our food took awhile. It wasn't very busy, but it took about 25 minutes for our appetizer to arrive. Our pizza came about 10-15 minutes later. The sauce for the garlic knots could be better...it was kind of thin and runny. I prefer a thick and jelled sauce. Overall, a delightful find and we will be back. I'd like to try pizza by the slice, take out, and more. Perfect spot for a pizza hankering that is close to home.", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:07:07" }, { "business_id": "BtTVHiY1AH5iHzTlx5HqZw", "business_name": "Fortel's Pizza Den", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I NOT tried this place sooner?! I've lived here too long to not have tried it and I have lots of lost time to make up for! Coworkers brought some Fortel's in to work for someone's birthday and I immediately ate way too much. It was insanely delicious and addictive. I'm not a (as I say this I'm ducking) huge fan of the typical STL style pizza. This is thin crust but the consistency is more like a hand tossed thin - perfect! The toppings are very generous and delicious. I went after this with my husband (to make sure it wasn't a fluke) and we ordered the same delicious pie, just as scrumptious as the previous one. Now if we are going out for pizza, hubby wants to go here! We are fans!", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:37:29" }, { "business_id": "54vEFcAri3Wj6cdM4ljDBA", "business_name": "Moonrise Hotel", "rating": 5, "text": "Hubby planned a staycation/date night at Moonrise since he heard it's a quirky, unique and highly rated hotel in STL. I must say, I was SUPER impressed and LOVED it. All the little touches are fantastic -- a welcome drink (and welcome snacks for pups), fabulous lounge and atmosphere, all the free, thoughtful toiletries, waterfall shower, Wolfgang Puck coffee, super beds, and more. I was blown away. Our room was clean, well lit, spacious, beautifully decorated, and thoughtfully arranged. The decor around the hotel is cool -- warning, they really stick with the moon and space theme. They have a better than concierge service (though we didn't use), thoughtful and dedicated staff, a fantastic rooftop bar, lounge spaces, and delicious 24 hr room service offerings (from the restaurant on site, Eclipse). Not to mention right on the Loop with tons of things to do! We moseyed around the Loop during the day, went to the rooftop bar for a pre-diner drink, went to Eclipse for dinner (that review is forthcoming :)), hung out in the room, and had room service for breakfast. Everything was fabulous. The rooftop bar is a gem in it's own right. The view is amazing, the bar is well stocked with unique offerings, and the vibe is relaxed/chill with some lounge-y spots around. The room service was fab -- the food was plentiful, delicious, and wonderfully presented. The staff is so impressive as well. I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and while it's a bit on the pricey side the boutique hotel experience is worth it and I would return. My ONLY beef is that we got a jacuzzi king room and the tub was a little bit of a let down. It's not actually a jet jacuzzi tub like we were expecting. More like a bit bigger than a regular bath tub with air jets. If we came back, we probably wouldn't spring for that upgrade.", "timestamp": "2015-04-11T19:27:42" }, { "business_id": "NiX_nc8pf8vClgqzjpmLTw", "business_name": "Budweiser Brew House", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband and I stopped by Budweiser Brew House for drinks and apps before a Cards vs. Cubs home game. Needless to say, the place was crazy. However, we only had a 20 minute wait for an outdoor table (while inside was an hour and a half wait!). I love the patio -- the lights, ambience, and come fall post-season baseball that large outdoor fireplace will be lovely. Our server was frazzled with the rush but attentive. We had a few mixed drinks and the Crispy Wings (in Budweiser wing sauce). I was very pleased with everything. The drinks were great and surprisingly a fair price (I think $6 for each a rum and coke and vodka and club soda). The wings were delicious!! The sauce definitely had a kick and was a little spicier than I expected but also very good and addictive. We didn't eat them all and when they made it home, there was a debate about who would get to eat the leftovers :) Obviously, in Ballpark Village and on game days, this place is insane. And it's discombobulated -- it can be hard to find things (we are on an eternal hunt for the Ted Drewes hut) and employees in different places all seem confused on where things are (we were told lots of different things by different people). Comes with the territory and not penalizing this bar for the complex as a whole. I'd like to try entrees in the future and see if they hold up to my experience thus far. All in all, a solid place to go before or after a game for drinks and snacks. We will return!", "timestamp": "2015-07-02T16:12:34" }, { "business_id": "c_xAbBTeiIHqPm1zMOvQcg", "business_name": "Iron Barley's High Hog Ridge", "rating": 4, "text": "The hubs felt like doing something different and surprisingly we haven't been here yet -- we missed their whole TV debut. Alas, reviews and their diverse menu peaked our interests and we found ourselves at the intersection of Bates and Virginia, searching for the hidden gem. It's a little divey, but oddly charming. You feel like you're in a very friendly neighborhood joint where everyone knows each other. Customer service is superb. Our server, Mark, was very friendly and went above and beyond to make our experience great. Live music was nice, too. The menu is diverse with lots of unique offerings. I decided to go with the class naked dog and ranch fries (which have no ranch seasoning or taste by the way). My husband ordered the Schnitzel and Spaetzle along with mushroom au gratin (special that evening) as an appetizer. The mushroom au gratin was AMAZING. Our entrees were delish as well. Hubs was pleasantly surprised by the German dumplings and liked the rest of his meal. He did say he thought it was overpriced for what it was. I enjoyed my hot dog -- it was grilled perfectly though, fair warning, expect a HUGE portion. We will likely be back to try something new from their menu and enjoy this little neighborhood joint.", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T18:27:37" }, { "business_id": "hqF-uosThMtwGn4J_LfNPA", "business_name": "Plaza Frontenac Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my absolute favorite place to catch a flick. Why? One word: POPCORN. It is seriously the best I've ever had. Every time I go it's hot, fresh, perfectly salted, and (I think the secret to the success) REAL butter. So. freaking. good. They also have fun/gourmet snack and drink options like seasonal local beers and salted chocolates. Onto the theater...it's well kept, nice seats, and crowds are always mild. Partly because they do play some movies that aren't in major theaters like documentaries, foreign flicks, etc. They do play some mainstream but not always. I check the movie listings often as they usually have a hidden gem I don't hear about by advertisement that are good nonetheless. Go. Enjoy. But be warned...it will ruin you for other theater experiences!", "timestamp": "2015-10-29T16:12:12" }, { "business_id": "GGLtLL7ShmjOjVZSeZfjVA", "business_name": "Breadsmith", "rating": 4, "text": "I have to come here every Christmas for Dolci Cello (caramel corn puffs, but oh so much more). It is heaven in a bag and I look forward to it every year :) They have lots of bread choices and staff are friendly and helpful. I just picked up a loaf of Brioche for Christmas morning french toast (can you tell, I'm a touch obsessed with the holidays?!). They conveniently put freezing and baking instructions on their items. I also picked up some small flatbreads that looked delish. It IS a little pricey and the shop is a little small. It's also a bit out there for me location-wise, but it is worth the travel. This is a must stop for carb-loving St. Louisans! Check it out next time you are in the Rock Hill area.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:00:03" }, { "business_id": "BtROhQfrGdoWZ_t9zwEVUA", "business_name": "The Container Store", "rating": 4, "text": "This is THE motherland. Repeat. This is the motherland. I feel so at home and at peace here. But also so very giddily excited. Anything containers does it for me and they have aisles and aisles of just that. Pretty things to store your pretty things. And then a pretty thing to store that. I recently re-organized my office with lots of things from container store including colorful bookends, their brick-style accessory organization, cord management, cork board, and more. It's made my work space much more zen and pleasant. After a recent move, I returned to help organize my refridgerator and pantry with many containers. The major downfall: It is pricey. Like I-don't-even-probably-need-this-but-sure-I'll-pay-$25-for-it kinda thing. To cut costs, I often get inspiration here and find similar items elsewhere. But for the few projects I will buy all or most from Container Store and often be about $150 poorer for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:07:45" }, { "business_id": "D4spXIMXev6pFUz3df31fQ", "business_name": "Vivianos Festa Italiano", "rating": 5, "text": "The hubs and I recently moved to the area and wanted to check out good local places. I think we found it! We moseyed on over to Vivianos and were not disappointed. It's a cool restaurant/artisan grocery store (in a strip mall, but don't let that fool you). We were cheerfully welcomed by someone who I believe was the owner. He was patient and helpful as he answered questions about the menu and made recommendations. I got the half caesar salad with Penne Roma and my husband got the ravioli and greek salad. He gave us a free drink for being first timers. The portions are generous, you get delicious homemade bread (always an appreciated touch), and the food was divine. Penne Roma has a kick, but if you like that, you will not be disappointed. Hubby liked the ravioli though the portion was a bit small for him (not to worry I had PLENTY and was able to share). As we were leaving, the owner told us to take a loaf of bread home for free. We noticed there were lots of regulars and the owner was very friendly. I love little small businesses like this as the touch of service and friendliness is unparalleled. Go and enjoy this little gem in Fenton!", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:15:18" }, { "business_id": "0MhxvTys2ADYa3sOO91ldQ", "business_name": "Egg", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh. My. God. Stumbled upon this place when MudHouse was randomly closed (really, a float trip guys?! I need my breakfast!). I never thought I'd say it but I was glad they were closed to give me a chance to check out Egg. I ordered an off-menu item -- carnitas omelette with potatoes. Seriously freaking delicious. The potatoes were seasoned a bit spicy but amazing, crispy, and just so delicious. The omelette was cheesy, with a bit of spinach, and delicious roasted carnitas. The portion was really big and I took down most of it. Decent price, good service. It will now be difficult to choose between Egg and Mudhouse when I get back in the area. I can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2017-08-03T00:46:04" }, { "business_id": "yjP-n5RpuxsDZZwxDg-FUg", "business_name": "Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Great pizza and concept! It's like Chipotle with Mexican, Crushed Red with salad, etc. You build your own pizza live and their schtick is they cook it in 180 (!) seconds. There's lots of great extra touches such as seasoning choice or after bake add ons. Plus they check with you each step of the way - is the sauce amount good or the cheese amount? Which begs the question - is there a point they'll stop asking because it's too much cheese or would they charge you extra for cheese? Due to those damn social norms, I didn't find out (though I did ask for a bit more cheese at the first query). It's great for kids because it's so fast and easy! Pick up your high chair or booster by the drink station. And pick up a beer or wine that they serve (even some draught!) because you are taking kids out in public and dammit you deserve it! Clean and modern interior was spot on. Ironically, our pizza was a little burnt. The salads had some bad leaves and left a bit to be desired but good flavors. Overall, Blaze is a fantastic addition to Kirkwood and we will be back!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:04:18" }, { "business_id": "LmKpHMXSsm36viJOGVodFw", "business_name": "Missouri Botanical Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of my favorite places in St. Louis. We recently became members though have been several times prior. Hot little tip - city and county residents get in free Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The lush and beautiful gardens themselves are worth it but there's much, much more. The climatron is a huge greenhouse with a neat little trail. There's also a small little greenhouse that is sweet (side note - we did family maternity photos in this spot and they came out wonderfully). The children's area is awesome! There's splash pads, huge playground, indoor discovery center, and much more. There's a calm corner for children needing a break and nursing moms which I've used and love. They have amazing events. I go to Best of Missouri market every year. Whitaker music festival is great and free to everyone! I haven't yet been to Garden Glow but will go this year. Sassafras is the on location restaurant and is delicious. Parking is plentiful and free. Check it out - you won't regret it!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:20:25" }, { "business_id": "t-QxJFbbSjC-_X9TWJqITA", "business_name": "Shack Breakfast & Lunch", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious food, unique (and large) menu, fun atmosphere, great service - this place has it all! Luckily - and dangerously - I live and work nearby. So I go quite a bit with coworkers, friends, family and have worked through the menu. Everything is amazing. I particularly like the build your own omelette and potatoes. My dining partners are always happy as well. This is my go-to breakfast spot. Sometimes it's quite busy over the weekend so expect a bit of a wait.", "timestamp": "2018-06-09T14:06:45" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 4, "text": "A cute little restaurant in Webster Groves. I had the Farro salad and Rose Punch. The salad was fresh, delicious, beautifully presented, and did I mention delicious?! The drink was just okay - it didn't wow me and I wouldn't order again. My dining partners ordered warm olives which they loved and a variety of entrees. Everyone seemed to like their entrees but also didn't seem wowed by any of them. The cake with buttercream for dessert was a generous size (definitely for sharing) and very good! The furniture (especially gold chairs!), decor, etc. is so pretty, welcoming, and sets a nice ambiance. The menu is small but a variety of choices of items within that (salads, sounds, entrees, sandwiches). It's pricey but not obnoxiously so. Overall a cute little spot happy to have here! I'd love to come back for another salad!", "timestamp": "2018-07-02T02:34:18" }, { "business_id": "9P6yLs8Yi6WhbmBIiwvWhg", "business_name": "ZZA Pizza + Salad", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty darn good pizzas! A friend and I shared two - the rocket and garden city. They're both pretty unique and delicious! The lemon flavor of the rocket was awesome and the smoked Gouda on garden city was also wonderful. We finished off our meal with do raw cookie dough. That was just okay - not enough chocolate chips and pretty hard. If you're in the area and want a quick, good pizza, check it out!", "timestamp": "2018-09-23T19:54:12" }, { "business_id": "MI3OE-I70B6VFBCn1rw5lg", "business_name": "Stuckmeyer's Farm Market", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm teetering between 2 and 3 star review so I'll err on the side of 3 star. I think it's all about expectations with this spot. I'm used to going to Eckerts in Belleville every year and heard great things about Stuckmeyer so off we went. I was sorely disappointed my first visit. It is not as big nor as well manicured as Eckerts. You will feel very nickel and dimed. Besides the big playground area, everything costs money (the corn maze, the inflatable corn maze, the bounce house area, the wagon ride, etc). The nice thing is the patch is really close and you don't have to ride a wagon to get there. They also have wagons you can use (for free!) to cart your pumpkin and stuff. Its not great but if you just want a pumpkin and not trek to IL, it might fit the bill for your needs.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:08:52" }, { "business_id": "tvc0kLuvktNBrD9Ts_M64Q", "business_name": "Tints Polish", "rating": 5, "text": "Nail salons are enigmas where it's just hard to find the perfect one. This is a hidden gem (almost literally - easy to pass up). The decor is so cute, modern, and cozy. The chairs and seating are comfy (not your usual salon chairs - but that's a good thing). Very reasonably priced and they don't accept tips. This will be my usual nail spot from now on! Make sure you make an appointment - while they do accept walk-ins when possible, they book up fast.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:20:34" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect little unique spot to grab delicious ice cream! What a great addition to this area with a little nearby park and other spots to eat. If you want something more unique and special than chain ice cream store, you will appreciate this charming location. The ice cream is the real deal - super delicious and decadent with unique flavors and tastes.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:30:33" }, { "business_id": "eQlMjyOsirwFCH8CiaKrjw", "business_name": "Fitz's SoCo", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a neat and special addition to the area - we loved going to Fitz's in the city but it's a bit of a ways away. It's nice to get a fun and unique spot in the county :) Same delicious food and drinks! A few gripes: -it's hard to find! They don't have a sign directly on the building (yet, I hope). -While the food and company is special, I was disappointed they didn't do more in this location. I had high hopes to see some of the bottling or arcade, like the city location. Just a pretty open (albeit nice and updated) space. A few enclosed party rooms on the side. Overall, it's not perfect but a great addition to the area and we'll be back :)", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:36:18" }, { "business_id": "NXs4byOiMay3DkMLuvgJxw", "business_name": "Peel Wood Fired Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been to Peel in IL but don't get out there much anymore - So happy to see this new location and finally visit. The space is great - and lots of it. The pizza is delicious, one of my favs. They have lots of apps and salads that I want to try. This will be a great spot for lunch, happy hour, brunch, whatever! Go and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:38:26" }, { "business_id": "VJ-c-Yjj1qv7dKS5YaYoHg", "business_name": "Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious spot for lunch! I picked up to go and shared with a friend. The chicken and rice soup was delicious and the bread was amazing. I definitely want to go back and try more - especially the pizza. No kids menu and kinda pricey which bumped it to 4 stars for me.", "timestamp": "2019-03-03T13:17:10" }, { "business_id": "RcsTutp1103SGiYtam7xRg", "business_name": "The Frisco Barroom", "rating": 4, "text": "Awesome new spot in Webster. Peeked at the rooftop outdoor area and looks fab for warm summer nights. Came with a small group of girls for drinks and appetizers (they shared, I didn't eat), sat the bar and they had live music. It's busy and loud but a good vibe! Want to go back and try food :) Fun fact: owners also own K Hall, another gem in the area!", "timestamp": "2019-04-11T13:20:31" }, { "business_id": "YSgcojsb2kWHXNLWaGCuBA", "business_name": "Pastaria", "rating": 4, "text": "Modern Italian vibe meets casual but classy dining. I've been twice - one for date night and once with the kids, both times were great! They have a great and generous happy hour - M-F 3:30-6 drink specials, some $10 pizzas and half off kids meals making them only $5. The hot fresh bread is amazing and the pasta and pizza are delish. Yum!", "timestamp": "2019-06-27T01:09:25" }, { "business_id": "MuKoTR56s6elHEI2wUkgJA", "business_name": "Grace Meat + Three", "rating": 4, "text": "Great delicious fried chicken spot! I was a sweetie pie fan through and through - so I had high expectations. The chicken was delicious - crisp, flavorful and mildly spicy. Delicious!! The sides were okay. The Mac and cheese was kind of tough and nothing really special. The mashed potatoes were better but so strong by the end of the cup, I couldn't eat the rest. However, the chicken is so good. It's a bit pricey. It's pretty hipstery and I do miss the charm and authenticity of of sweetie pies, but I digress.", "timestamp": "2019-08-31T02:24:14" }, { "business_id": "peQnrEY1S6sE4ifK2SFUSA", "business_name": "Sugarfire Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this sooner? This is my absolute favorite at Louis bbq. It's dangerously close to me now so I've been able to frequent too frequently lol My faves that I get almost every time: The milkshakes - damn delicious and lots of unique flavors include booze options. The meat - so tender and delicious. I typically get the pork. It's so good and big portions. The French fries - salty, thin, addictive!!!!! Keep an eye out for their specials, they have creative and amazing specials every day. But get there quick before they sell out! Follow on IG to get a heads up on specialties.", "timestamp": "2019-12-18T04:08:27" } ]	{ "business_id": "Jn8bQ86NMVlCG3tY0YVLaw", "business_name": "Russell’s Cafe & Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed sooner? This is a gem in my neighborhood. Delicious, homemade food with healthy options and a plethora of baked goods to choose from. This is a regular stop for our household. The space is small so we tend to avoid the busiest times. All meals, desserts are fantastic. We haven't tried something we didn't like. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T17:26:48" }
xbybLiQockAzC4xAlzFrGg	[ { "business_id": "y-XX_c8EVK4m3oQda42Y3A", "business_name": "McArthur's Bakery Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here quite a few times for breakfast and have had really good experiences. Employees are many and helpful. Food is very reasonably priced (so much we thought we were under charged every time). Many options and everything we had was fresh and yummy. Never went to for cakes or special orders.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:31:32" }, { "business_id": "gKBqK-FFq7EGOUscBqb1iA", "business_name": "The Royale Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a cool, liberal bar that's a hidden gem! I've only been for drinks and plan on going for food. The interior is cozy, clean and aesthetically pleasing. It's going to be my new regular spot :) only complain is that seating is limited - we ran out of chairs for friends.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:39:52" }, { "business_id": "SyAYFxPBjuaHajx9iE7wLQ", "business_name": "Saint Louis Galleria", "rating": 3, "text": "love/hate relationship with Galleria. Unruly kids/teens have been a problem in the past which is why they created a curfew on weekends. Parking is horrible, especially near the Cheescake Factory and even worse now that Nordstrom is open. Great places to shop like Sephora, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, Papyrus, and Nordstrom ! And eat (California Pizza Kitchen & Cheescake Factory). However they got rid of MAC and one end of the mall is dumpy (if you've been, you know what I'm talking about).", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:16:04" }, { "business_id": "GTXSk8QyD7N1Un-tzgPw4g", "business_name": "First Watch", "rating": 4, "text": "My boyfriend & I love to go to First Watch on Sundays. It's delish & provides a great breakfast for about $20. The pancakes are to die! I always get a chocolate chip pancake when I go (as part of the Tri-Fecta). They have many low-fat and alternate options like turkey sausage and egg substitute. They have crepes and unique dishes as well.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:17:50" }, { "business_id": "cdf4eQCZv2lu3xZCKVnlZA", "business_name": "Trendy Nails & Spa", "rating": 5, "text": "I just had a great first experience with Trendy Nails & Spa! After hearing great reviews from friends & seeing the reviews here, this was the first local nail salon on my list to try and I'm glad I did. The staff was very friendly and talkative. My nail tech took her time to make sure she did a good job - she even re-did a few things that weren't perfect. I got the OPI Axxium gel polish (my first gel manicure) and was impressed with the precision and effort she put forth to make this a great manicure. Not to mention it was only $27! Most gel manicures, from my research, range from $30-$40. I will definitely become a regular and recommend this place to friends because of this great, clean space with very friendly and talented staff plus reasonable/cheap prices. What more could a girl ask for?", "timestamp": "2011-07-29T02:59:51" }, { "business_id": "JVI5tY_EcHlIFJkX5SlLVA", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 3, "text": "My boyfriend and I are frequent breakfast eaters and although many hipsters cringe at IHOP, we like it (well, it's no Eggsperience - a wonderful diner in Chicago) but it does beat Denny's. We normally have to truck it to the Sunset Hills location but they just opened this one on Lemay Ferry, just down the road from us, to our delight! IHOPs are all pretty much the same but I was compelled to write a review for this one in particular because this location is TINY. There are seriously probably about 20 tables. We had to wait a half an hour for 2 people. Granted it was Sunday afternoon (church rush), but we normally do not have to wait that long. Additionally, staff was sluggish to clean tables, seat us, and wait on us in general. However, the place was clean. I should also mention union protesters are around and probably will be for a bit. More beef I have with IHOP in general is that they don't take coupons from cell phones. It is not only \"green\" to do that, but it's the 21st century of iPads, iPhones, Kindles, and more...everything is electronic now so refusing to take electronic coupons is a big mistake in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:21:55" }, { "business_id": "paBWJ6VBIy4-eXVH3iGFFA", "business_name": "Courtesy Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "I just love this place. It's a local little diner that reminds me of a Huddle House or Waffle House (size and ambiance). But I love it because it's SUPER cheap (cash only though) and it's local (I'm a big local business supporter). The food is good and the environment is upbeat. Great to hit up after dancing the night away into the wee hours of the morning :)", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:26:13" }, { "business_id": "S26FJcC298XNpN2cZiwOrA", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Central West End", "rating": 5, "text": "There's not much else to say about this amazing pizzeria that hasn't already been said, I'm sure. I think it's popularity peaked after Obama gave it a shout out for being the best deep dish pizza he's ever eaten (and that's coming from a Chicago native!!). However, there's also thin crust pizzas as well as vegan pizzas (talk about going the extra mile!). I had the opportunity to eat here with the head desert chef so we got to try all the deserts which I think are very neglected for the pizza-goers. Both appetizers and deserts are simple yet divine. The most simple, a blood orange push-pop of sorts, is simply amazing. The alcohol menu is extensive and there are tastes for everyone. The environment is trendy and usually buzzing. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. It can get a little pricey but I think it's worth it. I've been here multiple times and plan on going again.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:33:15" }, { "business_id": "GV-e7Op4aU98xkjjoKlRhA", "business_name": "Modesto Tapas Bar & Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore this tapas bar. A few friends turned me on to it and I was a little nervous as I'm, sad to admit, a picky eater. Many of the items on the menu scared me because they are not traditional but when I tried them, they were amazing. That means they can make damn good food and makes me trust them when I want to try other things. Most notably was the ribeye on bread with cheese (I know, a safe one) but there were so many amazing more treats - the names I don't even remember. I would recommend going during happy hour where you can get bites cheap. I have never went at a happy hour so just dining it was pricey and I didn't get to try too much (although I did over time after going multiple times). The plates are small so not very satisfactory as a meal unless you are going to get many each (although that will cost you a pretty penny). The place is trendy and clean. Servers are attentive although I recall feeling slightly rushed a time or two. They have unique cocktails and drinks - lemonade mojito was amazing. I can't wait to go back - this time to make the happy hour so I can try a lot more and pay a lot less! I would consider this a must-go place in STL and recommend it to all my friends.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:57:06" }, { "business_id": "gHf8FdH8uLobt3zi3-dR4g", "business_name": "Hillside Animal Hospital", "rating": 5, "text": "I've brought my doggie here since I adopted her just over a year ago. I've been impressed with the staff and especially the vet (Dr. Marziani) since day one. I've never had any trouble getting an appointment, keeping an appointment, nor waiting too long for an appointment. Additionally, I've gotten in last minute a few times for those more urgent animal situations that are inevitable to occur. Dr. Marziani is very knowledgeable, helpful, and nice. She takes her time with you and your pet and it is evident she not only knows what she is doing, but really cares about your pet. My puppy was my first dog and she helped walk me through the process and has great recommendations for me (in fact, she introduced me to the Greater St. Louis Training Club and I went to them for my dog's obedience training!). The administrative staff & vet assistants are also nice, patient, and knowledgeable. They also send reminder cards for your pets needs and have many specials with heartworm and flea treatments. They keep customers in the know via Facebook with other specials, too. I couldn't say enough good things about Hillside. The only downside, which comes along with any good vet, is that it is a little pricey. When I took Libby once for a cut, it was about $100 which included the exam and medicine. Again, I think this will be the case for any good vet so I didn't ding them for that. We will be customers for life and I would highly recommend!", "timestamp": "2011-11-18T17:25:29" }, { "business_id": "EpREWeEpmR8f1qLHzzF0AA", "business_name": "Schlafly Bottleworks", "rating": 5, "text": "After living in the STL area for way over 10 years now, I am both ashamed and remorseful to admit that I ate here for the FIRST time just a few weeks ago. I am ashamed because it's a St. Louis tradition and remorseful because I missed out on it for so..many...years! This place is amazing. What is not to love! It's a factory where you can get a tour (Friday-Sunday, noon-5pm on the hour), there's a shop, bar, and dining area. They also host many event with live music on the weekends. It's fun to just kind of wander and look around - don't worry, you'll get a chance because there will likely be a wait before you dine. The beer is, of course, amazing. The Hefeweizen is my personal favorite and a great start for anyone who is not a huge beer drinker (like myself). Additionally, the food is homegrown and damn good. I had the pizza (recommendation from my server) and it was really spectacular, though I'm admittedly a pizza connoisseur so I enjoy a good pizza pie more than most probably ;P My date had a bison burger which was also really good. More fun info: the service is great! I think they tend to hire more funky and alternative people (like tattoo parlor staff) which I support. The quality is what makes this place stand out along with the emphasis on local food and brewery. It is a little on the pricier side but for all the experience you get and the quality, it is worth it. I will go again and again and you probably should, too!", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T06:58:36" }, { "business_id": "FryXEasH74MQDnj5Bvz3QA", "business_name": "The Mud House", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself to be a breakfast and brunch connoisseur, always in search of new, delicious places. By chance, I came across this hidden gem and I'm glad I did! I checked out the reviews and based on those saying how super slammed they are, I figured there's no way we'd make it in. But we swung by to check around noon on a Sunday and there were several open tables. So either business has slowed down or we happened to come at a generally slow time. You order at the counter, find a seat, and they bring you your food. To my delight, the interior is eclectic and charming. The menu is small, but the prices are VERY reasonable, especially for the value (more on that later). The down side: Extremely loud in there. Even not filled to capacity, I felt like I had to shout to my dining partner to have conversation. It was noticeably annoying. Another downfall is that we waited about 20 minutes for our food. The good news: The food was AMAZING! I got the classic breakfast meal (bacon, eggs, toast, hashbrowns). My boyfriend got the Apple and Raisin French Toast. We also got a powdered sugar brownie. I would go back solely for another brownie! The toast was so fresh and delicious, it tasted like it was freshly made. And bonus, it was very modestly priced. My dish was only $7, same as what I would get at IHOP or Denny's with a slab of Wonder Bread on the plate. I can't emphasize enough the quality of the food, the taste, and the value. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was Indie/artsy. The staff are also very friendly and helpful.", "timestamp": "2012-07-15T21:42:07" }, { "business_id": "jQBPO3rYkNwIaOdQS5ktgQ", "business_name": "The Fountain On Locust", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review sooner! This is one of my favorite spots in St. Louis since my first visit a couple years ago (after a co-worker suggested it). I feel like I work for them because I am always bragging about how wonderful it is and where better to brag than Yelp? :) This is a locally-owned restaurant that is known especially for their ice cream (including ice cream martinis!). The interior is amazing. It's an old car dealership from the 20th century that is art deco. Even the bathrooms are amazing (seriously, check them out). The food is reasonably priced and wonderful. My favorite is the Royal Grille, which is a grilled cheese sandwich with apple slices (Yum!) with their handmade chips (extra Yum!). Amazing! Their soups and other sandwiches are also delicious. Now to the main act, the ice cream. Probably more than you need to know, but they make all of their ingredients from scratch (excepted the main ingredient, ice cream - that, they fly in aged from Wisconsin!) - see, I told you it sounds like I work from them, but trust me, I'm just a creepy fan. I've had the Chocolate Brownie Cake in a Cup and Standing Banana Split. The Standing Banana Split is one of my favorite deserts EVER. My go-to is Chocolate shake (SO delicious) and pair that with food, I'm usually too full for desert. But it's worth to come solely for desert. Bottom line, check it out. It's a classic in St. Louis and you definitely won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:01:24" }, { "business_id": "8vwdDagJc8bJR0ZojFGZxw", "business_name": "The Cup", "rating": 4, "text": "While there is some debate about who exactly has the best cupcake in STL (Is it Jilly's? SweetArt? Cup?), the Cup is definitely in the running and is at the top of my list. They have a small menu (usually 6-7 staple cupcakes and 5-6 seasonal cupcakes), but the flavors are delish. Some of my favorites are Tuxedo (dark chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream), Double Chocolate (self-explanatory ;)), and Gold Rush (yellow cake, chocolate buttercream). The interior is small-ish, but that's most shops in CWE. This cupcakes are kinda priecy, but not too bad if you buy one just for yourself ;) There is basically no parking, just a few metered spots by the entrance. All in all, this is a must-stop for cupcake connoisseurs!", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:20:52" }, { "business_id": "OZcl2HOUXAHuICrh5d2WjQ", "business_name": "Half & Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Unfortunately, our breakfast was just OK. We waited about 45 minutes to eat on a bustling Saturday morning. Once we were seated, the service was fast and attentive. The decor is fun and eclectic. However, the food wasn't up to par in my opinion. Maybe I had too high expectations after reading the stellar reviews or maybe I was put off that we waited so long (after being quoted at about 20-30 minutes). Or maybe it's because I didn't get anything 'exciting', just the half and half which is toast, eggs, hash browns, and bacon (for an added charge). But, truly I believe the quality was simply lacking (maybe we hit them on a bad day?). The eggs were runny and the bacon was over cooked. However, my fiancé had the eggs benedict and he did like his dish. They have some unique dishes that if you loved you might want to return for, (e.g., blackberry french toast has been cited multiple times as a must-try) but I like a classic. I would rather go to Mud House where the food is cheaper and better.", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:25:09" }, { "business_id": "p_6THXiGLViyxYnOY8BzZQ", "business_name": "Vin de Set", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here for my four-year anniversary with my boyfriend. We had never been, but after perusing Yelp and other review websites, Vin de Set was cited multiple times for being a romantic hot spot in St Louis. So we had to try it for our very special night. We came around 5pm on a Saturday night and there were few people around. We sat outside on the infamous rooftop deck where cozy seats, outdoor warmers, and stringed lights were abound. I tried the beef medallions (delicious!) and my boyfriend had fresh fish. We also split a piece of cheesecake. Everything was wonderful and I really loved my dish - I would order it again! Prices were expensive, but reasonably so. I think we spent about $50 for our two entrees and dessert. Service was good, though not extraordinary. Overall, it was a fun experience made extra special by the fact that afterward, my boyfriend proposed to me :) What a perfect night!", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:33:45" }, { "business_id": "7nDUQkNX0aw9gc_9nlVPwQ", "business_name": "Wolfgang's Pet Stop", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely love this little shop! I began taking my 2 1/2 year old Sheltie here about a year or so ago after finding a Groupon for this shop. I've never been or heard of it, but gave it a try because it's a small business and it was a good deal. I set up an appointment for a groom and was lucky enough to have Kelly as her groomer. We have been seeing her ever since! My little girl is terrified of dryers so Kelly takes the extra time to hand dry her. She is very careful with her, patient with her anxiety, and always trims and grooms to my instructions, plus adds extra cute bows or handkerchief after :) It really shows that she cares about dogs and loves her job. She also always seems to be there because every time I've made an appointment, she's been available. When I get my pup back from Kelly, she's super soft, clean, shed-free, and smelling wonderful. We been there regularly for a year or so now and it's always a superb job! The other staff are wonderful too. They know my pup by name and are always very polite and sweet to her and me. They always manage to get me in for an appointment even when calling last minute. They are very friendly and accommodating. On top of that, prices are VERY reasonable. I usually get my Sheltie (read: lots of hair) a wash, groom, trim (nails and hair), teeth brushed, and shed-x treatment for about $40 -- and it ends up being a 4 hour service. I cannot say enough good things about this place! This will be our groomers for life! There is a retail store upstairs and they also do doggy day care, though I've never tried either. I heard from a staffer that they are expanding and adding a new location on Washington street with a larger doggy day care center. My only complaint is parking can be a pain and not very welcoming to take doggy in and out of my car on a busy and tight street. However, that is to be expected in the CWE so I don't fault them for that, just unfortunate byproduct of the location.", "timestamp": "2012-12-21T23:40:05" }, { "business_id": "UugJ2WQFoV-rNFqZ4QyrHg", "business_name": "Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself an ice-cream junkie and Oberweis is the prime spot to get my fix :-) The product is delicious and addictive! I almost always share a chocolate milkshake with my fiancé when I go (maybe it's the retro interior and feel of a simpler time?) though any dessert is guaranteed to please. They also sell ice-cream to go, milk, orange juice, and a few other 'grocery' items. Their milk is what I would definitely recommend to try. They charge you for the bottle, but you can return to get the $ back. They even do a really neat delivery service of groceries though I personally never used it. Every time we go, the cream and service is top notch. It's one of our favorite stops and I always look forward to going. Oberweis is a must-stop stop for any fellow ice-cream junkies as well as any St. Louis natives. They are family owned and St. Louis based!", "timestamp": "2013-05-17T04:48:24" }, { "business_id": "KChWMIHxMChTE11ZVsIVZw", "business_name": "Sub Zero Vodka Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this place sooner?! I've been going here for years from bachelorette parties to birthday parties and everything in between. It's one of my favorite spots. They are always rated high by RFT for being the best at both burgers and sushi. While the combination is random, do not take it lightly. I have friends who love sushi and will order it every time, while I'm into burgers and will order one every time (make sure you try the Bacon Borsin -- it's my favorite!). Their drink selection is amazing, as you would expect for a Vodka bar. The place is big and they offer free valet for customers on weekends. Sometimes there's a wait, but it's usually not too long. They do take reservations as we've made them plenty of times for big parties. The prices are reasonable. Service is always good and the food is always amazing. We introduced this place to many friends over the years and friends of ours who live in IL come to Sub Zero just for date nights (and you know how hard it is to get IL residents to cross the river ;-)). I just can't say too many great things about this place! Seriously, try it! You will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:16:49" }, { "business_id": "6r9FNW0-4aKqbPCX7UxTZg", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love love Maggiano's! The place is huge with an upstairs yet there always seems to be a wait. I'm usually lucky enough to nab a bar table (which is first come, first served) to avoid the wait and that's fine with me. However, if you have a big party or really want a table, you may be stuck waiting for awhile and may want to consider getting a drink at the bar, taking a stroll down the Boulevard, or browsing in Crate and Barrel as you wait. They offer warm bread and olive oil, my favorite. Plus, I'm always a sucker for restaurants that offer bread before the meal (it's just considerate). They have a classics menu which they offer a free meal to take home (you can choose a different dish than what you order so long as it's on the classics menu). My favorite dish is their Spaghetti and Meatballs and I always seem to end up getting that, though they have plenty of other good dishes. My fiancé loves their Taylor Street Baked Ziti. Their salads and other entrees are good as well. For dessert, the Apple Crostada is to die for! It's a must-try though their other desserts are delicious as well. The service is always good and the food, delicious. The atmosphere is very nice and the prices are reasonable. One of my favorite restaurants to dine at!", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:31:34" }, { "business_id": "MUBk0fgk0ViHwEiNnRitWA", "business_name": "Green Bean", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a recently discovered gem in CWE. I was looking for a healthy place for lunch and found it! I have brought friends here since and they love it, too! How I described it to them: a Fro Yo approach to salad. You pick your lettuce, toppings, and dressing. They also have a few menu items to choose from. The drawbacks are that it's a bit expensive. For just a salad or wrap with no drink or side will put you back about $9-10. The portions are big though so you get plenty! There also is usually a wait. The process to make the salad or wrap always seems laborious and they usually have to go get extra/missing ingredients from the back. The space is small and kinda tight, too, but that's most places in CWE. They have some perks, like through the Perka app which gives you free salads after so many purchases. Also, they partner with Fro Yo and if you bring your receipt to Fro Yo, you get 10% off your frozen yogurt purchase (and vice versa if you bring Fro Yo receipt to Green Bean). My favorite is the Citrus Caesar (caesar salad with oranges :-)) on the whole wheat wrap. Yum!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:27:52" }, { "business_id": "rKO2kZB--kKG94HGzg5ysQ", "business_name": "Treats Unleashed", "rating": 5, "text": "Treats Unleashed is a neat little store with several locations in the STL area. We perused in there about a week or so ago and I realized that these are the treats they use at Four Muddy Paws, our go-to spot for doggie goods. I was so excited, we were right at the source!! They have homemade, all natural doggie treats along with the usual dog food, leashes, treats, and supplies. They offer natural and more hard to find brands that PetSmart doesn't carry. Love this little shop! And I bet your dog will too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:32:57" }, { "business_id": "chUeS0h9C8KGfyJO2Jqgew", "business_name": "Fozzie's Sandwich Emporium", "rating": 5, "text": "I used to live next to this amazing sandwich shop. I no longer do. I seriously go into withdrawals. The sandwiches, the salads, it's all good! The shop is small and sometimes there's a wait. What I would do is call, place an order, and leave to pick up because it was so close. This worked out perfectly! They also deliver, but same with pizza, I can't ever justify paying the delivery charge + tip for a few minutes drive for me! Also, try the Gimme S'more shake. That is what I crave and it is amazing. Kisses, marshmallows, and graham crackers. I love a good s'more so it takes a lot for something s'more flavored to get me. And this does. Seriously, try it!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:43:05" }, { "business_id": "o0uODX3Ot6dkHn3_C49Wjw", "business_name": "Fletcher's Kitchen and Tap", "rating": 3, "text": "For some reason, this place carries sound like no other and is unusually loud. The four of us came in for dinner and we could barely carry on a conversation...and eventually we gave up trying. The temperature in there was also unusually cold. The food was pretty good. I had a chicken caesar salad and the chicken was BBQed which put me off a bit, but it was good. My other dining partners enjoyed their food. Service was amazing...our server was really on it! I was between 3 and 4 stars, but asked myself if I would go back and my answer is no. If I could talk to my dining partners and not freeze, I would definitely go back. So if you like a cold and lively environment (seems like an oxymoron?), you will enjoy this spot!", "timestamp": "2013-07-03T00:04:24" }, { "business_id": "hw0O24rFx1BU5ZLlKBZYNg", "business_name": "Keller Plaza Cinema", "rating": 2, "text": "As a regular movie-goer, I am always on the look-out for new theaters. I was pleasantly surprised to find this little gem tucked away (literally) off of Lemay Ferry Rd. (near the intersection of Lindbergh and Lemay Ferry Rd.). Is it the most dazzling movie experience I've ever had? No. Is it a more affordable, low-frills spot to catch a flick? Yes. (If it's the former I'm looking for, I head over to The Great Escape - for over 3x the price.) I've been multiple times and here are the notes: Admission for matinees (before 6:0pm) are $3, evenings are $4. Every day. Can't beat that! They play older flicks. So expect something you want to see to visit here a month or more after they've come and gone at the chains. This theater is CASH ONLY. I always forget that, but luckily there is a credit union a few doors down so after a pit stop to the ATM we are ready to go. The theaters are in OK condition. Seats randomly have trash bags over them because they are broken. Spoiler Alert: they aren't the most comfortable. The screens are smaller and there are a few scratches/marks on them. If you go in with reasonable expectations based on what you paid for, you will enjoy Keller Plaza Cinema. UPDATE::::::: The last few flicks we saw there had terrible sound and vision. So if you don't mind about not seeing or hearing the movie, then by all means, go! We learned that while admission is cheap, it's work paying the extra few bucks (or only $5 movies on Wednesdays at all STL cinemas) so that you can enjoy the movie (or just hear and see it). I'm sad because I would love to support a small business theater in my neighborhood but we will not return.", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T20:15:17" }, { "business_id": "u4WC_qHGn03jwNdVmW5vaQ", "business_name": "Baileys' Chocolate Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not written a review sooner?! This is my #1 favorite spot for after drinks. They have a huge list of decadent drinks and desserts for your sweet tooth. My go-to drink is the Chocolate Bar Signature Martini. It's one of the ice-cream martinis they offer. It's a dream in a glass. Like complimentary bread at an Italian restaurant, you get a plate of mini chocolate chip cookies when you arrive which is a nice touch. The atmosphere is romantic and trendy. It's often hopping, too. I've been here numerous times for girls night, date night, birthday party, even my own engagement party (ahh my fiancé knows me so well :-))! They are busy and there is often a wait, but it is worth it. Service is good and everything I've tried so far is delicious, food included. Must go spot for city dwellers and visitors alike!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T21:16:14" }, { "business_id": "j3sRTkoqD_obks7IOW876w", "business_name": "Dewey's Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur so be prepared when I announce that this is my #1 favorite pizza in the world. I've tried slice after slice in multiple establishments and this is my favorite, by far. The menu is simple, but sufficient. They offer regular salads and pizzas in delicious combinations. I always get a Caeser salad and X-Pepperoni pizza (Hey, I know what I like!). My fiancé always gets the Greek salad (and he is one to always mix it up, which goes to show how delicious this is!) and usually the Bronx Bomber (a supreme of sorts). They also have a seasonal salad and pizza to offer. The food is ah. maze. ing. Ingredients are fresh, crisp, and delicious. The X-Pep pizza is a touch spicy, but that's what makes it so good. The dough, the sauce, the cheese, the toppings, it's ALL good. Be prepared for a wait, even in the late evening on a week day. Dewey's is delicious and people know it, so don't rush perfection! Service is always good as they seem to have a co-op method of service where you have multiple servers. This is my favorite spot for pizza and can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:09:46" }, { "business_id": "QmkAq8hwSgBZcZ7z5tEFDg", "business_name": "Mosaic Restaurants", "rating": 4, "text": "Knowing my love for brunch, a friend highly recommended Mosaic. Imagine my delight upon finding a Groupon for this spot for brunch for two including mimosas :-) Happy would be an understatement. That said, it took us almost till the end of the year to go! My friend said they require reservations and they only offer brunch on Sundays. We made it eventually and it was a pleasant surprise! I went all out and ordered the Grilled Flatiron and Eggs served with roasted harissa potatoes. It was delicious. The flatiron was SO good! The sides were all unique and delicious as well. My fiancé ordered an omelet and said he enjoyed it. Service was great! I noticed many others were Groupon consumers (as I mentioned earlier, it was near expiration), but service never suffered. I am a fan and would love to come back to try other meals too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:30:22" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "OK. I need to confess something. Before I tell you, let me ask that you please don't hurdle things at me. I do not like BBQ sauce. I'm not a sauce girl of any kind, actually. No ketchup, no mayonnaise, no mustard, no dressing, none of it. So BBQ and me don't really mix. However, I will eat BBQ without sauce on it (or grilled meat as it's probably more appropriately called). I've heard so many good things about Pappy's (which is why I bookmarked it), that I was looking forward to going regardless of my sauce-intolerance. I had a pulled chicken sandwich with fried corn on the cob (what?) and sweet potato fries. My dining partner had a beef brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries and cole slaw. The chicken was smokey and delicious. My friend loved the brisket. He also loved the BBQ sauce ;-) The sides were great. SPF were YUM-O. I'm not a huge fan of SPF (I know, I'm not helping my case), but they were crispy and delicious. The fried corn on the cob was interesting but good. Luckily, we came in on a Monday night and the line was short. Apparently we were lucky and should not expect that to happen again. All in all, it was good and coming from me that means something as BBQ isn't my choice of meal. It's a must try for visitors as it's our top BBQ joint.", "timestamp": "2013-07-09T01:00:20" }, { "business_id": "sImDC2ePC0sIkZsHaX-k3g", "business_name": "MX Movies & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I had never been to MX theaters as it's relatively new, but it was definitely on my radar. A movie theater in the heart of the city? I'm there. Even better, it's above Pi, one of my favorite pizza joints. Hello, perfect date night! We started out in the bar which was spacious and vibing. The bartenders were awesome. They provided top notch service and were super friendly. We had drinks (Pineapple Upside Down Cake in fact which was delish!) and some bites to eat including wraps, chicken wings, and flat bread pizzas. All was very good! Now for the main act! The theater is AWESOME. The seats and rows are spacious. The seats are some form of leather recliners and are oh so comfy. They are organized by fours with some space between the pairs. Each pair has a tablet to order from. We had our popcorn and soda brought right up to us, in less than two minutes! The servers aren't as distracting as I thought they may be. They were in and out quickly and quietly. The tab's screen is bright which can be distracting, but after the previews, everyone's mostly done looking at them. Some details about etab: They advertise to bring drinks up within 5 minutes and food within 15. Note: you can't use cash using the etab. If you only have cash, you must go to the concession stand (the walk of shame!). Parking was kind of tricky with construction and the busy street, but that's everywhere downtown so I don't dock them for that. We did however park in the wrong garage, had to walk over, and couldn't use the ticket validation :( Basically, in sum, once you go MX, you can't go back.", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T22:00:51" }, { "business_id": "lTNknj73Idb-dSlrDJ6qjw", "business_name": "Tom's Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Good ole' Tom's. I've been several times as I work nearby. In fact, this is the preferred spot for a few of us (including me!) who are apart of our regular work lunch group. Their food is greasy but very good. Drink selection is good. Service is usually good. It can get crowded and awkward walking through the set up if crowded. It's a bar atmosphere, but they have outdoor seating which we appreciate on a nice day. They have their own private parking lot which is very well monitored -- this is a huge perk for the area. I've never been for karaoke and after reading these reviews, I'm very inclined to check it out!", "timestamp": "2013-07-11T01:43:05" }, { "business_id": "is9QogkUGhtcEALtHMyLwg", "business_name": "Three Dog Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "My fiancé and I recently visited Three Dog Bakery for the first time to redeem a free \"pupcake\" from a business card we received at a doggie event in the past. We left with arm loads of doggies treats, toys, and stuff :-) The staff were SUPER friendly. They spent a lot of time with us talking us through different items, the sale (in fact, they often recommended items that were on sale to help us save money!), our dogs, etc. The have a lot of gourmet doggie products that you will see at nicer pet boutiques. In fact, they carry Happy Tails, a line of bath products that I frequently order online. The staff had great recommendations for items in this line, too that they were out of stock of, but that I want to try in the future. The baked goodies were fresh, beautifully presented, and creative (i.e., you will see little boxes of pup fries, pup cakes, and the sort)! We got our free cupcake (and she threw in another for our other doggie) and joined the loyalty program where we get a free treat each month - so we toted two of those home too :-) The store is very spacious which is nice for doggies to roam and people room to shop. Items they carry are pricier, but that's at any dog boutique where they carry the good stuff so I didn't dock them for that. We will definitely return. There are several dog boutiques to shop at in STL, but what sets this spot apart is definitely the customer service (including their friendliness, knowledge, and their generosity) and the space!", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:12:17" }, { "business_id": "ahpLj4hNo2-2w_xf2sNE3g", "business_name": "Four Muddy Paws", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the first pet boutique we visited for our pups and it's still one of my favorites. I come here to get my pup her treats, food, and of course some of their homemade treats they order from Treats Unleashed. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. They really helped me through the first year of when I got my puppy and was clueless about taking care of a dog. They lead me in the right direction for nutrition as well as some training tips (the harness has been so helpful and is in the cutest design). They also loaded me with free dog food samples to see what worked for my girl and her sensitive tummy. They have events frequently for dogs and their humans with many giveaways. These are often coordinated with other local businesses which is fun, for people to get food and wine and have their dog with them. They offer professional grooming services, and while I never tried them myself, I have done their $12 DIY pup bath. My little girl was scared of the dryer, but my other dog was fine. They have all the equipment (and it's the good stuff) so it's easy peasy! They have a reward program - if you buy 10 bags of dog food, get one free. If you check in on Foursquare, you will get an offer to get a free bulk treat item which I do every time I visit :-) The shop is small and a little cramped because of the location, but the area for bathing dogs is a bit bigger. When I go to pick up food, I usually try to leave my dog at home for this reason as it can get crowded with humans and their dogs in there! Prices are high because they offer the good stuff, so I don't dock them for that. It costs more to give your dog good quality stuff so that goes with the territory. It's a one stop shop for me as they carry everything from leashes and collars to raw dog food.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:22:39" }, { "business_id": "PUDDBW0MfpSFI2XEMv_g3Q", "business_name": "Bobby's Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm from IL, but have lived in St. Louis for about the past 7 years. I don't know if you're aware, but there is a Ted vs. Bobby's rivalry for best metro STL frozen custard. I'm on Team Bobby's 100% of the way! I mean I like Ted Drewes. I will eat any icy dessert, but Bobby's is my favorite and if I'm nearby a stop is 100% in order. I actually lived RIGHT next to Ted Drewe's and have been there less than I can count on one hand. Bobby's & Ted Drewes is very similar. Both are often packed, busy, and well-liked (oh and frozen custard joints and named after a man). Bobby's, however, offers a Lite custard that is 98% fat free and I add sprinkles for a concrete...it's heaven! Bobby's has grown. They have a concert series and many hardcore, loyal fans. They are quick, reasonably priced, and delicious. They also often offer many freebies if you join their mailing list and like them on Facebook.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:31:05" }, { "business_id": "fiBEzPfn2VOZb-PjLcm7Ng", "business_name": "Kirkwood Station Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times for happy hour with friends after work and enjoy it every time. I love their Caprese pizza and always order one to share with the table. They have outdoor seating I've enjoyed with the warmer weather. This is one of my go-to places for happy hour in Kirkwood! PS If you check in, they have BOGO beer which is a sweet deal.", "timestamp": "2013-11-11T23:58:37" }, { "business_id": "vRj1rgF4ZpwGt97MbcRzqg", "business_name": "Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream", "rating": 4, "text": "Ice cream made with love in the heart of Webster Groves just spells GOOD no matter how you slice it (or scoop it) :-) They have so many delectable flavors, but I can never get past the classic chocolate. They serve the classics and trendier flavors alike all with the wonderful basic ingredients and formula. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-11-12T00:02:48" }, { "business_id": "YV32ObbYe10BXeIydrnuOQ", "business_name": "Canyon Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "If I'm craving Mexican food, Canyon Cafe is my go-to! I've eaten at Canyon Cafe several times since I discovered it a few years ago. Their food quality is amazing every single time. Service is usually very good, though sometimes can be a miss...like if they are crazy busy. I love their chips. They are a combo of sweet potato chips, tortilla chips, and sweet chips that are absolutely delicious. I seriously would come back only for the chips, even if I liked nothing else. Fortunately, that is plenty more to like. For main dishes, I love their chicken avocado salad, salmon, caesar wrap, and fish tacos. Yes, it is a little pricey but I am willing to pay a bit more for quality. My fiancé and I are now fish taco snobs...anywhere else we try them, they are never as good as Canyon's. So I'd rather have something I LOVE and pay a few extra bucks than something that's just OK for a bit cheaper. I love to check out their daily specials and usually end up ordering off of that. It's varied and always delicious, which makes coming back fun for semi-regulars like me :-) I've yet to do their happy hour because it is crazy and busy in that area at that time. I hear it's amazing and I really want to do this someday though...just another excuse for me to go in, right?! If you live in the Lou, this is a must go. I was sad I lived so long without it once I went there.", "timestamp": "2014-01-07T16:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Nn6Vx_Bl48EEgMEskwRQfQ", "business_name": "K Hall Designs", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a must stop place to shop for any soap junkie like myself. How do you know you're a soap junkie? If you go to Bath & Body Works at least once a week, busy yourself by smelling your collection of bath products at home for fun, and/or hoard an obnoxious amount of bath products, then safe to say you are. K. Hall has an abundance of scents to choose from and come in a variety of sized candles, fragrances, soaps, and sprays. The scents are lovely, quality is amazing, and products are packaged beautifully. I love to re-purpose the pretty candle jars for holding makeup brushes or other things. Some of my favorite scents: Washed Cotton, Lavender, Milk, Peony, and Shoreline. The store also sells other random things, like jars, beverage dispensers, decor, etc. I've never purchased those items, but it's just of fun to look around and gives the shop a funky, eclectic, vintage-y feel. It's a little pricey, but to me it's worth it because it's high quality. However, check out their scent of the month sales (30% off anything in that scent) and their annual warehouse sale to enjoy the goods at a lower price.", "timestamp": "2014-01-15T14:49:36" }, { "business_id": "wbLXXbI-T6Av71i9AoiZRQ", "business_name": "Cleveland-Heath", "rating": 5, "text": "This literally may be my new favorite restaurant...EVER! I've heard lots of hype about this place yet never made it over to the IL side to check it out. I was excited to try it! I had dinner last night for the first time and even while eating my meal, I couldn't wait to go back! The place is cozy (read: smallish), the ambience is nice and the menu offerings are interesting. Staff were busy, but attentive and friendly. A friend and I split the family style Braised Beef Brisket. It included a salad to share, two sides, the brisket, and desert for $40. At $20 each it's a bit pricey, but totally and completely worth it. Especially when you consider the quality of the food (worth the price tag alone), but also the portion sizes. We definitely had enough for a 3rd or even 4th person to get in on the family meal. The salad was simple with fresh greens, sliced radishes, and lemon vinaigrette dressing; it was refreshing. We ordered macaroni and cheese and shoestring french fries (mix of sweet potato and potato fries) for our sides. They were delish, especially the macaroni and cheese. Definitely get that! The beef...was oh my god, amazing. It was so tender and flavorful and DELICIOUS. And I'm not a big meat person, but this was SO good. We finished with Beignets (warm brioche beignets, salted caramel filling) that was very delicious as well. The entire meal was decadent and delicious. I could totally get this every time I go there and be so very happy about it. I already can't wait to go back. Go and be glad that you did! Tip: They don't take reservations, but do call ahead seating. This saved us a 30-minute wait and only had to wait a few minutes for a table when we entered!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:31:50" }, { "business_id": "D1lOc4bmegUFyp_eAyJPjw", "business_name": "The Libertine Neighborhood Eatery", "rating": 4, "text": "For date night, my fiancé and I checked out The Libertine for the first time and it did not disappoint. The menu and cocktail offerings are different and interesting. Prices are moderate to high. Staff is very attentive and amazing. Ambiance is nice, albeit a little fancy and dimly lit. We started off with their free appetizer, which is some type of nuts in cheese? I'm not familiar with it and wasn't a huge fan, but it was nice to be offered some food before the meal. We each got their house burger with the two patties (yep TWO), house-made cheese, bacon bun, and caramelized onions (none for me though) with fries. YUM! This burger rivaled our favorite over at SubZero and lost only by a hare. The bun was unique and delicious, probably my favorite part. Be warned, it's a double stacked burger so lots of meat and very filling. Fries were a little overdone for my taste, but otherwise good. We finished off with their famous candy bar with hazelnuts, salted caramel, and ganache. Divine!! Overall, the food was tasty and it was a good experience and I'm glad we went. It's fun to try all the new restaurants and offerings in STL and this was a great stop on the list!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:41:30" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't know how I haven't written a review for this place sooner, it's one of my favs! I'm a semi-regular here and it's one of my favorite places to go! First of all, the ambiance is fantastic. It has an open front with a patio which is nice for Spring and Summer wining and dining, but the inside is really cool. From the wine decor to the ceiling decked out in wine crates, it's wine all the way (and we like wine). Obviously, the wine menu is large and impressive. I LOVE their Moscato (yes I'm one of those). It's so light and refreshing and yummy. I've eaten their brick oven pizzas which are delicious (and much better than you'd expect for a wine bar -- don't let that stop you, get it!) as well as some appetizers. I LOVE their hummus. I consider myself a hummus connoisseur and this is one of my favs. I simply love to come here with friends to enjoy company, a bottle (or two) of wine along with some yummy dishes to nosh on. What else do we want? My time at Sasha's is always superb.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:46:44" }, { "business_id": "_Y96y5CFgJaG4I-HEgylhg", "business_name": "Crushed Red", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been in downtown Kirkwood many a time and always see this place, but only recently went in for the first time. I somehow had the impression it was a fancy restaurant, so when I tried it I was pleasantly surprised at the open concept and more casual restaurant \"make your own\" feel it has. You start off at a cashier where you order any hot food (appetizers, pizza, etc.) and then a cafeteria style line for salads where they make as you request. I had THE best salad there, the farmer's market with raspberry vinaigrette. It is seriously delicious. I went again to get the same salad and split a pizza with a friend (margarita). I honestly wasn't as impressed with the pizza as I expected. It was a little small (it is a flatbread after all) and the cheese kind of kept falling off. Maybe it's that one particular pizza, but it just didn't wow me. I probably wouldn't get it again. For me, I'll definitely be back for the salads. Pizza, not so much.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T19:03:26" }, { "business_id": "GuGlXaVDljVJ9FM-euhJmg", "business_name": "Maven", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a bona fide bath and body aficionado and particularly love local, small businesses where you find unique scents and quality homemade products. Maven fits the bill on all accounts and is in fact, my new favorite shop for bath and body products! I visited the cute shop recently with my sister and I spent a good 20 minutes just on the one side of the store. There offer a large variety of scents and they have basic products that can come in most, if not all, scents. The types of products they offer are candles, body lotion, body scrub, solid lotion, bath bombs, and soap. My fav scents at the moment are Sookie (sweet magnolia blossoms and gardenia) and Salty Sea Air (Fresh saltwater, sea kelp and ozone). I bought a soap and lotion as well as a gift (Don Draper is perfect for the Mad Men fans!). The soap was a whopping $9, so I don't know if that will be my stop for soap, but the rest of the prices are reasonable for what you get (read: good quality). I really wanted a candle, but wanted to pace myself; plus, that will give me another reason to visit again soon :-) They also offer some eclectic products like greeting cards, funny and thoughtful quotes on magnets and stickers, and even repurposed razors. I hope they have seasonal scents or new scents regularly as I'd love to see more of what they come up with. My request: more products and more scents. I'm addicted!", "timestamp": "2014-07-17T02:10:13" }, { "business_id": "QVXfW1c8eOm9SJVb3xdo7w", "business_name": "Cheeburger Cheeburger", "rating": 3, "text": "I wanted to love this joint, I did, but I was underwhelmed. They are going for the old-fashioned diner 50's diner look, I think, without a juke box. The burger was just OK. It was kind of bland and not very impressive. The french fries were the best part...crispy and a little over done, seasoned well, they were yummy. Not the best I've ever had, but good enough for me to keep reaching for more. The milkshake was rich and thick, but it lacked the creaminess and deliciousness I've come to expect (thanks for ruining me, Oberweis!). They've got over a million milkshake combos (or something insane like that) so they get bonus points for variety. If I want a burger and fries, I'd go to 5 Guys over this joint, but in a pinch it will do.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T03:50:47" }, { "business_id": "qkMMO794-59404bUiJ1Odg", "business_name": "Central Table", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to Central Table today for the first time with a friend for lunch. I have never heard of it and didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. When I entered, I felt like I walked into an upscale cafeteria for the cool kids. The layout is very clean, simple, and open. You go to the cashier and order what strikes your fancy. They offer a variety of burgers, pizzas, salads, and soup. I went for a pepperoni pizza (not your everyday pep -- enhanced with spices and finesse) and caesar salad. The pizza was DELICIOUS. Wood-fired and a generous serving, it was amazing. I was full and saved half for dinner (which I was looking forward to all day). The salad was OK. Not enough dressing and not really much flavor. I nabbed a few french fries off my friends plate and those were amazing...crispy, hot, and fresh. I look forward to going back and trying more off their menu! I would recommend you try!", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:00:12" }, { "business_id": "1_ZVtdiZpBNsXaO4ObPtbw", "business_name": "Stellina Pasta Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've heard about this place for months from my sister who swears by it. I came. I ate. I converted. I just had a sandwich and chips, no pasta yet, and already am sold! I had the Talkin' Turkey sandwich (roasted turkey breast, avocado, sunflower sprouts, fontina cheese, roasted garlic mayo on French baguette) along with Billy Goat chips for lunch. The sandwich was generously sized (I could only eat half!), fresh, and delicious. I can't wait to come back for the pasta! It's pricey, but you get what you pay for and I have a feeling the pasta will be worth the hefty price tag.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:04:56" }, { "business_id": "osL7qIVyk-WCdK9qiPTS5A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I bet you don't think of wedding flowers when you think of Whole Foods, but that's exactly where we got ours! As a bride on a budget and mostly DIY, Whole Foods was a great option that offers reasonably priced flowers (MUCH cheaper than a typical florist for weddings) and the flowers are sourced locally from ethical trade, earth friendly farming. Amber M. took care of us from beginning to end, by showing us a variety of flowers, costs, showing us samples, and ordering. Everything turned out exactly like we hoped! One downfall of using them vs. a traditional florist is that you may not be able to get the specific flower you want, but I showed her inspiration pictures and she kept the aesthetic I wanted with what they had available. It turned out beautifully as we wanted for our wedding, but also affordable. Go see Amber M. at Whole Foods Town & Country -- she'll take care of you :-)", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:05:00" }, { "business_id": "tn3_76PZZLCmGBLgBWdTTw", "business_name": "The Cakery", "rating": 5, "text": "We went to the Cakery Bakery for our wedding cake, cupcakes, and groom's cake and couldn't have been happier!! We had a small cake to cut and the rest cupcakes for our wedding guests. We had a variety of flavors (ALL delicious) each with different color frosting/toppings. They offer a variety of flavors and decor choices which was nice (though it made it hard to choose at times). They offer tastings at their shop along with lots of displays of cakes and cupcakes. I also went to the Cakery for a surprise groom's cake at the wedding rehearsal. I showed them some inspiration pictures and gave them a figurine to use -- it turned out exactly like we wanted and the groom loved it. They are flexible with meeting times, always respond to emails/calls, very friendly and nice, and have their stuff together! They worked with us on pickup and work to get what you want. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Our guests continue to tell me how delicious the cupcakes were! They made one of the most important parts of our wedding perfect! Thank you, Cakery!", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:15:15" }, { "business_id": "7dA1OhjJ0ga063_uiiDw3g", "business_name": "The Heavy Anchor", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been wanting to try this spot since I came across an RFT article calling it a nautical noir dive bar. So, when picking a spot for a an after-work happy hour, I was eager to choose this place. We arrived and parking is street so I paid a meter and inside I went. The decor is festive and plentiful. The place is notably dark. You especially notice this when you walk out hours later and shade your eyes! Drinks were cheap and I like the variety of their offerings (Schlafly summer on tap, yes please!). We didn't try the food so I plan on updating once I try it. I also see it's a concert venue and dig the multi-functional space and would love to come by to catch a show. When in search of directions and their menu, their website leaves a lot to be desired. Though I learned you can bring your own food so cool. All in all a cool spot to get a drink and mingle. And I'll be back!", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T02:40:20" }, { "business_id": "puNq5KmQs4HAzGhVajFj8w", "business_name": "Houlihan's", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is kind of an enigma to me. Every time I go in, the menu is completely different. It started as an Applebees kind of fare and gets more and more modern every time I return. Different check in rewards every time, too -- I recall using Foursquare previously and getting a free order of fries upon check in, but this time nothing. They offer up a lot of modern/fancy menu choices now. Lots of things with pretzel buns, sliders, organic greens, antibiotic chicken, etc. Don't get me a wrong, I like it, it just doesn't quite...fit. The restaurant building and decor is dated, dark, and dingy which doesn't fit their modern menu offerings and presentation. Service was OK. It's overpriced in my opinion. The food was tasty, but I feel my money could be better well spent at a spot with a more enjoyable atmosphere.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T03:07:38" }, { "business_id": "G6h-9AZro_Ni_4eRR9CkRw", "business_name": "Penzeys Spices", "rating": 4, "text": "I've received ads from Penzey's with free spice coupons for awhile but never made it there until recently. I was pleasantly surprised to find a cute shop with lots of standard and creative spice offerings. I wandered around the shop for awhile checking out all the spices. They have little jars of each spice to smell along with a variety of offerings of sizes of spices in jars and bags. They have your standard fare (all of which would be worthy enough to go in for) and then some creative and more unusual offerings (variety of sea salts, flavored vanillas, even frozen pizza topping!). They have the cutest little cinnamon shop section with a variety of cinnamon offerings. I also appreciate that they have recipe cards sprinkled around the store. Cute! I agree with some previous comments from reviewers about the staff. They are courteous and will check you out great, but when I wandered around the shop for awhile looking for a particular spice, no one asked me if I needed assistance or offered any help. I will definitely be back! Sign up for their catalogue and you'll get free spice coupons, too.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:19:02" }, { "business_id": "qQSscPMhk3frtSNilF1cGA", "business_name": "VOM FASS", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is fun, albeit a little overwhelming. I'm a cooking novice so I only have two choices for olive oil at grocers -- virgin or extra virgin. So, imagine, me walking into the store with barrel on top of barrel of oils (and more), I felt a little out of my element. I came in on a weekday with a friend and the staff member on duty was very friendly and helpful. He offered tastings, but we didn't partake. Both times I came in we were looking for gifts and found something special and perfect each time. I plan on going in next time for myself as they have some tasty olive oil that sounds great. Also a great stop for libations though we didn't shop for that on that particular trip.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:31:56" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard the hype and since ice cream is it's own food group at my house, I had to try the ice cream made out of liquid nitrogen! So, a group of friends and I moseyed on over last weekend to see what this place was all about. They offer a variety of flavors using liquid nitrogen along with soft serve, but really why would you get soft serve at this place? You order, walk through the line (and witness them what looks like torturing a kitchen aid mixer -- pouring in liquid nitrogen and blow torching it), then pick up your ice cream. Straight forward enough. The line backs up and it takes awhile too because they made each ice cream individually. I'm not sure why they don't make, say, a batch of Rocky Road (which was the flavor of the day by the way) and give out a few servings from that? We waited what seemed like forever and then we got our goods! I tried the Rocky Road and my husband had the Mint Chocolate Chip. Rocky Road was good...they had big bits of chocolate and marshmallow. The ice cream was creamy. I tried my husband's mint chocolate chip and the mint flavor was REALLY faint (I could barely taste it). The place is small and crowded and we barely could find a place to sit and talk amidst the crowd eating and the crowd waiting out the door for ice cream. It's also a bit pricey, but the servings are big. Overall, this place is a solid 4 stars. I think you need to go once for the novelty and I'd come back maybe here and there, but I don't think I'd head back here on the regular. I can get other ice creams just as tasty with a bit more comfortable atmosphere and better price point.", "timestamp": "2014-08-28T02:03:03" }, { "business_id": "UL4K6HwcI542imZo1Glpbw", "business_name": "Peacock Loop Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted to like this place, I did. New place in the loop, yeah! It's funky retro with a modern twist decor was cool. I was feeling it, until we got our food. I went in with a group of four for lunch during a week day. Service was OK. They use those infuriating water glasses that are small so that you need constant refills if you drink water like a normal person (and even more if you're a big water drinker like me!). The server couldn't keep up with my water consumption so I couldn't wash the oddly flavored chili down. Speaking of the chili...my friend also got an order and we decided a better name would be Christmas Chili. It had a distinct flavor of cinnamon or nutmeg and it was off putting. I tried to eat it since I paid for it, but I only made through about half of it. I also ordered a grilled cheese. I mean, if you do a bad grilled cheese, I don't know what hope you have and I hate to say...it was subpar. I could have made a better one at home. My other dining partners ordered sandwiches, burgers, and waffles. They said it was OK. I think the favorite was the waffle, but I didn't try it. All in all, not worth it and I won't return. Maybe if they change the menu and up the creations it will be worthy of St. Louis!", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:22:53" }, { "business_id": "-kHHi8y4kaTI6WUVdJSdvQ", "business_name": "Fitz's", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love LOVE Fitz's. It has everything a hot spot in STL needs...delicious food, unique desserts, and it's very own factory for it's home good quality made items. I've had the pizza before and that was good, but the most recent visit I got a burger. And I was blown away! I didn't expect to love it, but I did. I ate almost every bite and it was a big burger! It had a good smokey flavor and was cooked well done but still tender and scrumptious. So delicious! My husband and I shared a float with orange soda and vanilla ice cream. Oh. My. God. It was so good! It was HUGE for one so I would recommend sharing. It comes topped with 3 or 4 scoops of ice cream that in and of itself was delicious...then combine it with the Fitz's orange soda and it was divine. I always look forward to going here (and interesting note: I don't even like root beer!) and I'll be back many more times. It's a must stop of tourists or regulars who may have never been.", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:28:11" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "When looking for a venue for a holiday dinner, a friend who knows her food picked this place. I had never heard of it but am always on the lookout for delicious new places so I was excited. She made a reservation no problem (a previous reviewer mentioned they couldn't make reservations?). When we arrived we were promptly seated and given menus. Our server was great - it felt like a show as he presented with lots of information and humor and paced us. He was very knowledgeable about specials and the menu. There was only one time my water was empty and I needed more but otherwise he was attentive. I ordered a soda pop fizz cocktail that tasted like an orange cream soda (but warning: it's pink!). Had a kinda weird after taste though. Food wise, we ordered the cheese plate, bacon wrapped dates, cups of chili, and some salads to start. I didn't have any but everyone said it was delicious. They serve warm bread before the meal which is always appreciated. They had a ton of menu specials and many sounded delish! I ordered the Pork Shnitzel while my husband had the burger. Our other party members got many specials too including blackened mahi mahi, breaded mahi mahi, sweet potato tacos, bacon wrapped meatloaf, and chicken pasta dish. Everyone loved their meal! Oh and I need to mention the atmosphere. It was very cozy and chill. We were off in an alcove that was perfect for our party. It was a nice loungey feel which I appreciate. Overall a great dining experience and I would return. My one issue is that I think it's a bit overpriced, particularly my cocktail and main course. For us, it will be a great place to go for a special dinner.", "timestamp": "2014-12-31T17:07:40" }, { "business_id": "hFuRegkL_IFO5792-JegRw", "business_name": "Feraro's Jersey Style Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "How have I not discovered this place sooner?! This location is less than 2 miles from my house but it took a recommendation from a foodie friend who said it's one of her fav places. I checked out the Yelp reviews (as I religiously do before dining anywhere) and off we went to try for a date night. The location is nice. When you walk in, it looks like a bar but turn the corner and there's roomy booths with large wooden tables. We ordered Garlic Knots for an appetizer and a medium pepperoni pizza to share. The good: The food is delicious! The pizza, while my husband noted pretty cheesy (though isn't necessarily a bad thing), was pretty close to perfection. The dough, sauce, chesse, and toppings tasted fresh, hot, and delicious. The garlic knots were also hot and yummy. I love me some garlic and these delivered. Prices were reasonable. The bad: Our food took awhile. It wasn't very busy, but it took about 25 minutes for our appetizer to arrive. Our pizza came about 10-15 minutes later. The sauce for the garlic knots could be better...it was kind of thin and runny. I prefer a thick and jelled sauce. Overall, a delightful find and we will be back. I'd like to try pizza by the slice, take out, and more. Perfect spot for a pizza hankering that is close to home.", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:07:07" }, { "business_id": "BtTVHiY1AH5iHzTlx5HqZw", "business_name": "Fortel's Pizza Den", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I NOT tried this place sooner?! I've lived here too long to not have tried it and I have lots of lost time to make up for! Coworkers brought some Fortel's in to work for someone's birthday and I immediately ate way too much. It was insanely delicious and addictive. I'm not a (as I say this I'm ducking) huge fan of the typical STL style pizza. This is thin crust but the consistency is more like a hand tossed thin - perfect! The toppings are very generous and delicious. I went after this with my husband (to make sure it wasn't a fluke) and we ordered the same delicious pie, just as scrumptious as the previous one. Now if we are going out for pizza, hubby wants to go here! We are fans!", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:37:29" }, { "business_id": "54vEFcAri3Wj6cdM4ljDBA", "business_name": "Moonrise Hotel", "rating": 5, "text": "Hubby planned a staycation/date night at Moonrise since he heard it's a quirky, unique and highly rated hotel in STL. I must say, I was SUPER impressed and LOVED it. All the little touches are fantastic -- a welcome drink (and welcome snacks for pups), fabulous lounge and atmosphere, all the free, thoughtful toiletries, waterfall shower, Wolfgang Puck coffee, super beds, and more. I was blown away. Our room was clean, well lit, spacious, beautifully decorated, and thoughtfully arranged. The decor around the hotel is cool -- warning, they really stick with the moon and space theme. They have a better than concierge service (though we didn't use), thoughtful and dedicated staff, a fantastic rooftop bar, lounge spaces, and delicious 24 hr room service offerings (from the restaurant on site, Eclipse). Not to mention right on the Loop with tons of things to do! We moseyed around the Loop during the day, went to the rooftop bar for a pre-diner drink, went to Eclipse for dinner (that review is forthcoming :)), hung out in the room, and had room service for breakfast. Everything was fabulous. The rooftop bar is a gem in it's own right. The view is amazing, the bar is well stocked with unique offerings, and the vibe is relaxed/chill with some lounge-y spots around. The room service was fab -- the food was plentiful, delicious, and wonderfully presented. The staff is so impressive as well. I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and while it's a bit on the pricey side the boutique hotel experience is worth it and I would return. My ONLY beef is that we got a jacuzzi king room and the tub was a little bit of a let down. It's not actually a jet jacuzzi tub like we were expecting. More like a bit bigger than a regular bath tub with air jets. If we came back, we probably wouldn't spring for that upgrade.", "timestamp": "2015-04-11T19:27:42" }, { "business_id": "NiX_nc8pf8vClgqzjpmLTw", "business_name": "Budweiser Brew House", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband and I stopped by Budweiser Brew House for drinks and apps before a Cards vs. Cubs home game. Needless to say, the place was crazy. However, we only had a 20 minute wait for an outdoor table (while inside was an hour and a half wait!). I love the patio -- the lights, ambience, and come fall post-season baseball that large outdoor fireplace will be lovely. Our server was frazzled with the rush but attentive. We had a few mixed drinks and the Crispy Wings (in Budweiser wing sauce). I was very pleased with everything. The drinks were great and surprisingly a fair price (I think $6 for each a rum and coke and vodka and club soda). The wings were delicious!! The sauce definitely had a kick and was a little spicier than I expected but also very good and addictive. We didn't eat them all and when they made it home, there was a debate about who would get to eat the leftovers :) Obviously, in Ballpark Village and on game days, this place is insane. And it's discombobulated -- it can be hard to find things (we are on an eternal hunt for the Ted Drewes hut) and employees in different places all seem confused on where things are (we were told lots of different things by different people). Comes with the territory and not penalizing this bar for the complex as a whole. I'd like to try entrees in the future and see if they hold up to my experience thus far. All in all, a solid place to go before or after a game for drinks and snacks. We will return!", "timestamp": "2015-07-02T16:12:34" }, { "business_id": "c_xAbBTeiIHqPm1zMOvQcg", "business_name": "Iron Barley's High Hog Ridge", "rating": 4, "text": "The hubs felt like doing something different and surprisingly we haven't been here yet -- we missed their whole TV debut. Alas, reviews and their diverse menu peaked our interests and we found ourselves at the intersection of Bates and Virginia, searching for the hidden gem. It's a little divey, but oddly charming. You feel like you're in a very friendly neighborhood joint where everyone knows each other. Customer service is superb. Our server, Mark, was very friendly and went above and beyond to make our experience great. Live music was nice, too. The menu is diverse with lots of unique offerings. I decided to go with the class naked dog and ranch fries (which have no ranch seasoning or taste by the way). My husband ordered the Schnitzel and Spaetzle along with mushroom au gratin (special that evening) as an appetizer. The mushroom au gratin was AMAZING. Our entrees were delish as well. Hubs was pleasantly surprised by the German dumplings and liked the rest of his meal. He did say he thought it was overpriced for what it was. I enjoyed my hot dog -- it was grilled perfectly though, fair warning, expect a HUGE portion. We will likely be back to try something new from their menu and enjoy this little neighborhood joint.", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T18:27:37" }, { "business_id": "hqF-uosThMtwGn4J_LfNPA", "business_name": "Plaza Frontenac Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my absolute favorite place to catch a flick. Why? One word: POPCORN. It is seriously the best I've ever had. Every time I go it's hot, fresh, perfectly salted, and (I think the secret to the success) REAL butter. So. freaking. good. They also have fun/gourmet snack and drink options like seasonal local beers and salted chocolates. Onto the theater...it's well kept, nice seats, and crowds are always mild. Partly because they do play some movies that aren't in major theaters like documentaries, foreign flicks, etc. They do play some mainstream but not always. I check the movie listings often as they usually have a hidden gem I don't hear about by advertisement that are good nonetheless. Go. Enjoy. But be warned...it will ruin you for other theater experiences!", "timestamp": "2015-10-29T16:12:12" }, { "business_id": "GGLtLL7ShmjOjVZSeZfjVA", "business_name": "Breadsmith", "rating": 4, "text": "I have to come here every Christmas for Dolci Cello (caramel corn puffs, but oh so much more). It is heaven in a bag and I look forward to it every year :) They have lots of bread choices and staff are friendly and helpful. I just picked up a loaf of Brioche for Christmas morning french toast (can you tell, I'm a touch obsessed with the holidays?!). They conveniently put freezing and baking instructions on their items. I also picked up some small flatbreads that looked delish. It IS a little pricey and the shop is a little small. It's also a bit out there for me location-wise, but it is worth the travel. This is a must stop for carb-loving St. Louisans! Check it out next time you are in the Rock Hill area.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:00:03" }, { "business_id": "BtROhQfrGdoWZ_t9zwEVUA", "business_name": "The Container Store", "rating": 4, "text": "This is THE motherland. Repeat. This is the motherland. I feel so at home and at peace here. But also so very giddily excited. Anything containers does it for me and they have aisles and aisles of just that. Pretty things to store your pretty things. And then a pretty thing to store that. I recently re-organized my office with lots of things from container store including colorful bookends, their brick-style accessory organization, cord management, cork board, and more. It's made my work space much more zen and pleasant. After a recent move, I returned to help organize my refridgerator and pantry with many containers. The major downfall: It is pricey. Like I-don't-even-probably-need-this-but-sure-I'll-pay-$25-for-it kinda thing. To cut costs, I often get inspiration here and find similar items elsewhere. But for the few projects I will buy all or most from Container Store and often be about $150 poorer for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:07:45" }, { "business_id": "D4spXIMXev6pFUz3df31fQ", "business_name": "Vivianos Festa Italiano", "rating": 5, "text": "The hubs and I recently moved to the area and wanted to check out good local places. I think we found it! We moseyed on over to Vivianos and were not disappointed. It's a cool restaurant/artisan grocery store (in a strip mall, but don't let that fool you). We were cheerfully welcomed by someone who I believe was the owner. He was patient and helpful as he answered questions about the menu and made recommendations. I got the half caesar salad with Penne Roma and my husband got the ravioli and greek salad. He gave us a free drink for being first timers. The portions are generous, you get delicious homemade bread (always an appreciated touch), and the food was divine. Penne Roma has a kick, but if you like that, you will not be disappointed. Hubby liked the ravioli though the portion was a bit small for him (not to worry I had PLENTY and was able to share). As we were leaving, the owner told us to take a loaf of bread home for free. We noticed there were lots of regulars and the owner was very friendly. I love little small businesses like this as the touch of service and friendliness is unparalleled. Go and enjoy this little gem in Fenton!", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:15:18" }, { "business_id": "0MhxvTys2ADYa3sOO91ldQ", "business_name": "Egg", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh. My. God. Stumbled upon this place when MudHouse was randomly closed (really, a float trip guys?! I need my breakfast!). I never thought I'd say it but I was glad they were closed to give me a chance to check out Egg. I ordered an off-menu item -- carnitas omelette with potatoes. Seriously freaking delicious. The potatoes were seasoned a bit spicy but amazing, crispy, and just so delicious. The omelette was cheesy, with a bit of spinach, and delicious roasted carnitas. The portion was really big and I took down most of it. Decent price, good service. It will now be difficult to choose between Egg and Mudhouse when I get back in the area. I can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2017-08-03T00:46:04" }, { "business_id": "yjP-n5RpuxsDZZwxDg-FUg", "business_name": "Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Great pizza and concept! It's like Chipotle with Mexican, Crushed Red with salad, etc. You build your own pizza live and their schtick is they cook it in 180 (!) seconds. There's lots of great extra touches such as seasoning choice or after bake add ons. Plus they check with you each step of the way - is the sauce amount good or the cheese amount? Which begs the question - is there a point they'll stop asking because it's too much cheese or would they charge you extra for cheese? Due to those damn social norms, I didn't find out (though I did ask for a bit more cheese at the first query). It's great for kids because it's so fast and easy! Pick up your high chair or booster by the drink station. And pick up a beer or wine that they serve (even some draught!) because you are taking kids out in public and dammit you deserve it! Clean and modern interior was spot on. Ironically, our pizza was a little burnt. The salads had some bad leaves and left a bit to be desired but good flavors. Overall, Blaze is a fantastic addition to Kirkwood and we will be back!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:04:18" }, { "business_id": "LmKpHMXSsm36viJOGVodFw", "business_name": "Missouri Botanical Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of my favorite places in St. Louis. We recently became members though have been several times prior. Hot little tip - city and county residents get in free Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The lush and beautiful gardens themselves are worth it but there's much, much more. The climatron is a huge greenhouse with a neat little trail. There's also a small little greenhouse that is sweet (side note - we did family maternity photos in this spot and they came out wonderfully). The children's area is awesome! There's splash pads, huge playground, indoor discovery center, and much more. There's a calm corner for children needing a break and nursing moms which I've used and love. They have amazing events. I go to Best of Missouri market every year. Whitaker music festival is great and free to everyone! I haven't yet been to Garden Glow but will go this year. Sassafras is the on location restaurant and is delicious. Parking is plentiful and free. Check it out - you won't regret it!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:20:25" }, { "business_id": "t-QxJFbbSjC-_X9TWJqITA", "business_name": "Shack Breakfast & Lunch", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious food, unique (and large) menu, fun atmosphere, great service - this place has it all! Luckily - and dangerously - I live and work nearby. So I go quite a bit with coworkers, friends, family and have worked through the menu. Everything is amazing. I particularly like the build your own omelette and potatoes. My dining partners are always happy as well. This is my go-to breakfast spot. Sometimes it's quite busy over the weekend so expect a bit of a wait.", "timestamp": "2018-06-09T14:06:45" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 4, "text": "A cute little restaurant in Webster Groves. I had the Farro salad and Rose Punch. The salad was fresh, delicious, beautifully presented, and did I mention delicious?! The drink was just okay - it didn't wow me and I wouldn't order again. My dining partners ordered warm olives which they loved and a variety of entrees. Everyone seemed to like their entrees but also didn't seem wowed by any of them. The cake with buttercream for dessert was a generous size (definitely for sharing) and very good! The furniture (especially gold chairs!), decor, etc. is so pretty, welcoming, and sets a nice ambiance. The menu is small but a variety of choices of items within that (salads, sounds, entrees, sandwiches). It's pricey but not obnoxiously so. Overall a cute little spot happy to have here! I'd love to come back for another salad!", "timestamp": "2018-07-02T02:34:18" }, { "business_id": "9P6yLs8Yi6WhbmBIiwvWhg", "business_name": "ZZA Pizza + Salad", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty darn good pizzas! A friend and I shared two - the rocket and garden city. They're both pretty unique and delicious! The lemon flavor of the rocket was awesome and the smoked Gouda on garden city was also wonderful. We finished off our meal with do raw cookie dough. That was just okay - not enough chocolate chips and pretty hard. If you're in the area and want a quick, good pizza, check it out!", "timestamp": "2018-09-23T19:54:12" }, { "business_id": "MI3OE-I70B6VFBCn1rw5lg", "business_name": "Stuckmeyer's Farm Market", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm teetering between 2 and 3 star review so I'll err on the side of 3 star. I think it's all about expectations with this spot. I'm used to going to Eckerts in Belleville every year and heard great things about Stuckmeyer so off we went. I was sorely disappointed my first visit. It is not as big nor as well manicured as Eckerts. You will feel very nickel and dimed. Besides the big playground area, everything costs money (the corn maze, the inflatable corn maze, the bounce house area, the wagon ride, etc). The nice thing is the patch is really close and you don't have to ride a wagon to get there. They also have wagons you can use (for free!) to cart your pumpkin and stuff. Its not great but if you just want a pumpkin and not trek to IL, it might fit the bill for your needs.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:08:52" }, { "business_id": "tvc0kLuvktNBrD9Ts_M64Q", "business_name": "Tints Polish", "rating": 5, "text": "Nail salons are enigmas where it's just hard to find the perfect one. This is a hidden gem (almost literally - easy to pass up). The decor is so cute, modern, and cozy. The chairs and seating are comfy (not your usual salon chairs - but that's a good thing). Very reasonably priced and they don't accept tips. This will be my usual nail spot from now on! Make sure you make an appointment - while they do accept walk-ins when possible, they book up fast.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:20:34" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect little unique spot to grab delicious ice cream! What a great addition to this area with a little nearby park and other spots to eat. If you want something more unique and special than chain ice cream store, you will appreciate this charming location. The ice cream is the real deal - super delicious and decadent with unique flavors and tastes.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:30:33" }, { "business_id": "eQlMjyOsirwFCH8CiaKrjw", "business_name": "Fitz's SoCo", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a neat and special addition to the area - we loved going to Fitz's in the city but it's a bit of a ways away. It's nice to get a fun and unique spot in the county :) Same delicious food and drinks! A few gripes: -it's hard to find! They don't have a sign directly on the building (yet, I hope). -While the food and company is special, I was disappointed they didn't do more in this location. I had high hopes to see some of the bottling or arcade, like the city location. Just a pretty open (albeit nice and updated) space. A few enclosed party rooms on the side. Overall, it's not perfect but a great addition to the area and we'll be back :)", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:36:18" }, { "business_id": "NXs4byOiMay3DkMLuvgJxw", "business_name": "Peel Wood Fired Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been to Peel in IL but don't get out there much anymore - So happy to see this new location and finally visit. The space is great - and lots of it. The pizza is delicious, one of my favs. They have lots of apps and salads that I want to try. This will be a great spot for lunch, happy hour, brunch, whatever! Go and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:38:26" }, { "business_id": "VJ-c-Yjj1qv7dKS5YaYoHg", "business_name": "Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious spot for lunch! I picked up to go and shared with a friend. The chicken and rice soup was delicious and the bread was amazing. I definitely want to go back and try more - especially the pizza. No kids menu and kinda pricey which bumped it to 4 stars for me.", "timestamp": "2019-03-03T13:17:10" }, { "business_id": "RcsTutp1103SGiYtam7xRg", "business_name": "The Frisco Barroom", "rating": 4, "text": "Awesome new spot in Webster. Peeked at the rooftop outdoor area and looks fab for warm summer nights. Came with a small group of girls for drinks and appetizers (they shared, I didn't eat), sat the bar and they had live music. It's busy and loud but a good vibe! Want to go back and try food :) Fun fact: owners also own K Hall, another gem in the area!", "timestamp": "2019-04-11T13:20:31" }, { "business_id": "YSgcojsb2kWHXNLWaGCuBA", "business_name": "Pastaria", "rating": 4, "text": "Modern Italian vibe meets casual but classy dining. I've been twice - one for date night and once with the kids, both times were great! They have a great and generous happy hour - M-F 3:30-6 drink specials, some $10 pizzas and half off kids meals making them only $5. The hot fresh bread is amazing and the pasta and pizza are delish. Yum!", "timestamp": "2019-06-27T01:09:25" }, { "business_id": "MuKoTR56s6elHEI2wUkgJA", "business_name": "Grace Meat + Three", "rating": 4, "text": "Great delicious fried chicken spot! I was a sweetie pie fan through and through - so I had high expectations. The chicken was delicious - crisp, flavorful and mildly spicy. Delicious!! The sides were okay. The Mac and cheese was kind of tough and nothing really special. The mashed potatoes were better but so strong by the end of the cup, I couldn't eat the rest. However, the chicken is so good. It's a bit pricey. It's pretty hipstery and I do miss the charm and authenticity of of sweetie pies, but I digress.", "timestamp": "2019-08-31T02:24:14" }, { "business_id": "peQnrEY1S6sE4ifK2SFUSA", "business_name": "Sugarfire Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this sooner? This is my absolute favorite at Louis bbq. It's dangerously close to me now so I've been able to frequent too frequently lol My faves that I get almost every time: The milkshakes - damn delicious and lots of unique flavors include booze options. The meat - so tender and delicious. I typically get the pork. It's so good and big portions. The French fries - salty, thin, addictive!!!!! Keep an eye out for their specials, they have creative and amazing specials every day. But get there quick before they sell out! Follow on IG to get a heads up on specialties.", "timestamp": "2019-12-18T04:08:27" }, { "business_id": "Jn8bQ86NMVlCG3tY0YVLaw", "business_name": "Russell’s Cafe & Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed sooner? This is a gem in my neighborhood. Delicious, homemade food with healthy options and a plethora of baked goods to choose from. This is a regular stop for our household. The space is small so we tend to avoid the busiest times. All meals, desserts are fantastic. We haven't tried something we didn't like. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T17:26:48" } ]	{ "business_id": "YJ-sr_YVhnsZaBl-j9tjCg", "business_name": "Epic Pizza & Subs", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick and easy pizza and apps right next to beer Disney land! We tried wings, garlic knots, and each had a slice of pizza. The apps were phenomenal and the pizza was okay, good flavor on the cheese but also kind of lackluster. Overall a solid spot to hit before heading to pieces game bar - which is just what we did! :)", "timestamp": "2020-01-13T01:19:08" }
xbybLiQockAzC4xAlzFrGg	[ { "business_id": "y-XX_c8EVK4m3oQda42Y3A", "business_name": "McArthur's Bakery Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here quite a few times for breakfast and have had really good experiences. Employees are many and helpful. Food is very reasonably priced (so much we thought we were under charged every time). Many options and everything we had was fresh and yummy. Never went to for cakes or special orders.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:31:32" }, { "business_id": "gKBqK-FFq7EGOUscBqb1iA", "business_name": "The Royale Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a cool, liberal bar that's a hidden gem! I've only been for drinks and plan on going for food. The interior is cozy, clean and aesthetically pleasing. It's going to be my new regular spot :) only complain is that seating is limited - we ran out of chairs for friends.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:39:52" }, { "business_id": "SyAYFxPBjuaHajx9iE7wLQ", "business_name": "Saint Louis Galleria", "rating": 3, "text": "love/hate relationship with Galleria. Unruly kids/teens have been a problem in the past which is why they created a curfew on weekends. Parking is horrible, especially near the Cheescake Factory and even worse now that Nordstrom is open. Great places to shop like Sephora, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, Papyrus, and Nordstrom ! And eat (California Pizza Kitchen & Cheescake Factory). However they got rid of MAC and one end of the mall is dumpy (if you've been, you know what I'm talking about).", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:16:04" }, { "business_id": "GTXSk8QyD7N1Un-tzgPw4g", "business_name": "First Watch", "rating": 4, "text": "My boyfriend & I love to go to First Watch on Sundays. It's delish & provides a great breakfast for about $20. The pancakes are to die! I always get a chocolate chip pancake when I go (as part of the Tri-Fecta). They have many low-fat and alternate options like turkey sausage and egg substitute. They have crepes and unique dishes as well.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:17:50" }, { "business_id": "cdf4eQCZv2lu3xZCKVnlZA", "business_name": "Trendy Nails & Spa", "rating": 5, "text": "I just had a great first experience with Trendy Nails & Spa! After hearing great reviews from friends & seeing the reviews here, this was the first local nail salon on my list to try and I'm glad I did. The staff was very friendly and talkative. My nail tech took her time to make sure she did a good job - she even re-did a few things that weren't perfect. I got the OPI Axxium gel polish (my first gel manicure) and was impressed with the precision and effort she put forth to make this a great manicure. Not to mention it was only $27! Most gel manicures, from my research, range from $30-$40. I will definitely become a regular and recommend this place to friends because of this great, clean space with very friendly and talented staff plus reasonable/cheap prices. What more could a girl ask for?", "timestamp": "2011-07-29T02:59:51" }, { "business_id": "JVI5tY_EcHlIFJkX5SlLVA", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 3, "text": "My boyfriend and I are frequent breakfast eaters and although many hipsters cringe at IHOP, we like it (well, it's no Eggsperience - a wonderful diner in Chicago) but it does beat Denny's. We normally have to truck it to the Sunset Hills location but they just opened this one on Lemay Ferry, just down the road from us, to our delight! IHOPs are all pretty much the same but I was compelled to write a review for this one in particular because this location is TINY. There are seriously probably about 20 tables. We had to wait a half an hour for 2 people. Granted it was Sunday afternoon (church rush), but we normally do not have to wait that long. Additionally, staff was sluggish to clean tables, seat us, and wait on us in general. However, the place was clean. I should also mention union protesters are around and probably will be for a bit. More beef I have with IHOP in general is that they don't take coupons from cell phones. It is not only \"green\" to do that, but it's the 21st century of iPads, iPhones, Kindles, and more...everything is electronic now so refusing to take electronic coupons is a big mistake in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:21:55" }, { "business_id": "paBWJ6VBIy4-eXVH3iGFFA", "business_name": "Courtesy Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "I just love this place. It's a local little diner that reminds me of a Huddle House or Waffle House (size and ambiance). But I love it because it's SUPER cheap (cash only though) and it's local (I'm a big local business supporter). The food is good and the environment is upbeat. Great to hit up after dancing the night away into the wee hours of the morning :)", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:26:13" }, { "business_id": "S26FJcC298XNpN2cZiwOrA", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Central West End", "rating": 5, "text": "There's not much else to say about this amazing pizzeria that hasn't already been said, I'm sure. I think it's popularity peaked after Obama gave it a shout out for being the best deep dish pizza he's ever eaten (and that's coming from a Chicago native!!). However, there's also thin crust pizzas as well as vegan pizzas (talk about going the extra mile!). I had the opportunity to eat here with the head desert chef so we got to try all the deserts which I think are very neglected for the pizza-goers. Both appetizers and deserts are simple yet divine. The most simple, a blood orange push-pop of sorts, is simply amazing. The alcohol menu is extensive and there are tastes for everyone. The environment is trendy and usually buzzing. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. It can get a little pricey but I think it's worth it. I've been here multiple times and plan on going again.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:33:15" }, { "business_id": "GV-e7Op4aU98xkjjoKlRhA", "business_name": "Modesto Tapas Bar & Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore this tapas bar. A few friends turned me on to it and I was a little nervous as I'm, sad to admit, a picky eater. Many of the items on the menu scared me because they are not traditional but when I tried them, they were amazing. That means they can make damn good food and makes me trust them when I want to try other things. Most notably was the ribeye on bread with cheese (I know, a safe one) but there were so many amazing more treats - the names I don't even remember. I would recommend going during happy hour where you can get bites cheap. I have never went at a happy hour so just dining it was pricey and I didn't get to try too much (although I did over time after going multiple times). The plates are small so not very satisfactory as a meal unless you are going to get many each (although that will cost you a pretty penny). The place is trendy and clean. Servers are attentive although I recall feeling slightly rushed a time or two. They have unique cocktails and drinks - lemonade mojito was amazing. I can't wait to go back - this time to make the happy hour so I can try a lot more and pay a lot less! I would consider this a must-go place in STL and recommend it to all my friends.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:57:06" }, { "business_id": "gHf8FdH8uLobt3zi3-dR4g", "business_name": "Hillside Animal Hospital", "rating": 5, "text": "I've brought my doggie here since I adopted her just over a year ago. I've been impressed with the staff and especially the vet (Dr. Marziani) since day one. I've never had any trouble getting an appointment, keeping an appointment, nor waiting too long for an appointment. Additionally, I've gotten in last minute a few times for those more urgent animal situations that are inevitable to occur. Dr. Marziani is very knowledgeable, helpful, and nice. She takes her time with you and your pet and it is evident she not only knows what she is doing, but really cares about your pet. My puppy was my first dog and she helped walk me through the process and has great recommendations for me (in fact, she introduced me to the Greater St. Louis Training Club and I went to them for my dog's obedience training!). The administrative staff & vet assistants are also nice, patient, and knowledgeable. They also send reminder cards for your pets needs and have many specials with heartworm and flea treatments. They keep customers in the know via Facebook with other specials, too. I couldn't say enough good things about Hillside. The only downside, which comes along with any good vet, is that it is a little pricey. When I took Libby once for a cut, it was about $100 which included the exam and medicine. Again, I think this will be the case for any good vet so I didn't ding them for that. We will be customers for life and I would highly recommend!", "timestamp": "2011-11-18T17:25:29" }, { "business_id": "EpREWeEpmR8f1qLHzzF0AA", "business_name": "Schlafly Bottleworks", "rating": 5, "text": "After living in the STL area for way over 10 years now, I am both ashamed and remorseful to admit that I ate here for the FIRST time just a few weeks ago. I am ashamed because it's a St. Louis tradition and remorseful because I missed out on it for so..many...years! This place is amazing. What is not to love! It's a factory where you can get a tour (Friday-Sunday, noon-5pm on the hour), there's a shop, bar, and dining area. They also host many event with live music on the weekends. It's fun to just kind of wander and look around - don't worry, you'll get a chance because there will likely be a wait before you dine. The beer is, of course, amazing. The Hefeweizen is my personal favorite and a great start for anyone who is not a huge beer drinker (like myself). Additionally, the food is homegrown and damn good. I had the pizza (recommendation from my server) and it was really spectacular, though I'm admittedly a pizza connoisseur so I enjoy a good pizza pie more than most probably ;P My date had a bison burger which was also really good. More fun info: the service is great! I think they tend to hire more funky and alternative people (like tattoo parlor staff) which I support. The quality is what makes this place stand out along with the emphasis on local food and brewery. It is a little on the pricier side but for all the experience you get and the quality, it is worth it. I will go again and again and you probably should, too!", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T06:58:36" }, { "business_id": "FryXEasH74MQDnj5Bvz3QA", "business_name": "The Mud House", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself to be a breakfast and brunch connoisseur, always in search of new, delicious places. By chance, I came across this hidden gem and I'm glad I did! I checked out the reviews and based on those saying how super slammed they are, I figured there's no way we'd make it in. But we swung by to check around noon on a Sunday and there were several open tables. So either business has slowed down or we happened to come at a generally slow time. You order at the counter, find a seat, and they bring you your food. To my delight, the interior is eclectic and charming. The menu is small, but the prices are VERY reasonable, especially for the value (more on that later). The down side: Extremely loud in there. Even not filled to capacity, I felt like I had to shout to my dining partner to have conversation. It was noticeably annoying. Another downfall is that we waited about 20 minutes for our food. The good news: The food was AMAZING! I got the classic breakfast meal (bacon, eggs, toast, hashbrowns). My boyfriend got the Apple and Raisin French Toast. We also got a powdered sugar brownie. I would go back solely for another brownie! The toast was so fresh and delicious, it tasted like it was freshly made. And bonus, it was very modestly priced. My dish was only $7, same as what I would get at IHOP or Denny's with a slab of Wonder Bread on the plate. I can't emphasize enough the quality of the food, the taste, and the value. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was Indie/artsy. The staff are also very friendly and helpful.", "timestamp": "2012-07-15T21:42:07" }, { "business_id": "jQBPO3rYkNwIaOdQS5ktgQ", "business_name": "The Fountain On Locust", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review sooner! This is one of my favorite spots in St. Louis since my first visit a couple years ago (after a co-worker suggested it). I feel like I work for them because I am always bragging about how wonderful it is and where better to brag than Yelp? :) This is a locally-owned restaurant that is known especially for their ice cream (including ice cream martinis!). The interior is amazing. It's an old car dealership from the 20th century that is art deco. Even the bathrooms are amazing (seriously, check them out). The food is reasonably priced and wonderful. My favorite is the Royal Grille, which is a grilled cheese sandwich with apple slices (Yum!) with their handmade chips (extra Yum!). Amazing! Their soups and other sandwiches are also delicious. Now to the main act, the ice cream. Probably more than you need to know, but they make all of their ingredients from scratch (excepted the main ingredient, ice cream - that, they fly in aged from Wisconsin!) - see, I told you it sounds like I work from them, but trust me, I'm just a creepy fan. I've had the Chocolate Brownie Cake in a Cup and Standing Banana Split. The Standing Banana Split is one of my favorite deserts EVER. My go-to is Chocolate shake (SO delicious) and pair that with food, I'm usually too full for desert. But it's worth to come solely for desert. Bottom line, check it out. It's a classic in St. Louis and you definitely won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:01:24" }, { "business_id": "8vwdDagJc8bJR0ZojFGZxw", "business_name": "The Cup", "rating": 4, "text": "While there is some debate about who exactly has the best cupcake in STL (Is it Jilly's? SweetArt? Cup?), the Cup is definitely in the running and is at the top of my list. They have a small menu (usually 6-7 staple cupcakes and 5-6 seasonal cupcakes), but the flavors are delish. Some of my favorites are Tuxedo (dark chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream), Double Chocolate (self-explanatory ;)), and Gold Rush (yellow cake, chocolate buttercream). The interior is small-ish, but that's most shops in CWE. This cupcakes are kinda priecy, but not too bad if you buy one just for yourself ;) There is basically no parking, just a few metered spots by the entrance. All in all, this is a must-stop for cupcake connoisseurs!", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:20:52" }, { "business_id": "OZcl2HOUXAHuICrh5d2WjQ", "business_name": "Half & Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Unfortunately, our breakfast was just OK. We waited about 45 minutes to eat on a bustling Saturday morning. Once we were seated, the service was fast and attentive. The decor is fun and eclectic. However, the food wasn't up to par in my opinion. Maybe I had too high expectations after reading the stellar reviews or maybe I was put off that we waited so long (after being quoted at about 20-30 minutes). Or maybe it's because I didn't get anything 'exciting', just the half and half which is toast, eggs, hash browns, and bacon (for an added charge). But, truly I believe the quality was simply lacking (maybe we hit them on a bad day?). The eggs were runny and the bacon was over cooked. However, my fiancé had the eggs benedict and he did like his dish. They have some unique dishes that if you loved you might want to return for, (e.g., blackberry french toast has been cited multiple times as a must-try) but I like a classic. I would rather go to Mud House where the food is cheaper and better.", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:25:09" }, { "business_id": "p_6THXiGLViyxYnOY8BzZQ", "business_name": "Vin de Set", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here for my four-year anniversary with my boyfriend. We had never been, but after perusing Yelp and other review websites, Vin de Set was cited multiple times for being a romantic hot spot in St Louis. So we had to try it for our very special night. We came around 5pm on a Saturday night and there were few people around. We sat outside on the infamous rooftop deck where cozy seats, outdoor warmers, and stringed lights were abound. I tried the beef medallions (delicious!) and my boyfriend had fresh fish. We also split a piece of cheesecake. Everything was wonderful and I really loved my dish - I would order it again! Prices were expensive, but reasonably so. I think we spent about $50 for our two entrees and dessert. Service was good, though not extraordinary. Overall, it was a fun experience made extra special by the fact that afterward, my boyfriend proposed to me :) What a perfect night!", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:33:45" }, { "business_id": "7nDUQkNX0aw9gc_9nlVPwQ", "business_name": "Wolfgang's Pet Stop", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely love this little shop! I began taking my 2 1/2 year old Sheltie here about a year or so ago after finding a Groupon for this shop. I've never been or heard of it, but gave it a try because it's a small business and it was a good deal. I set up an appointment for a groom and was lucky enough to have Kelly as her groomer. We have been seeing her ever since! My little girl is terrified of dryers so Kelly takes the extra time to hand dry her. She is very careful with her, patient with her anxiety, and always trims and grooms to my instructions, plus adds extra cute bows or handkerchief after :) It really shows that she cares about dogs and loves her job. She also always seems to be there because every time I've made an appointment, she's been available. When I get my pup back from Kelly, she's super soft, clean, shed-free, and smelling wonderful. We been there regularly for a year or so now and it's always a superb job! The other staff are wonderful too. They know my pup by name and are always very polite and sweet to her and me. They always manage to get me in for an appointment even when calling last minute. They are very friendly and accommodating. On top of that, prices are VERY reasonable. I usually get my Sheltie (read: lots of hair) a wash, groom, trim (nails and hair), teeth brushed, and shed-x treatment for about $40 -- and it ends up being a 4 hour service. I cannot say enough good things about this place! This will be our groomers for life! There is a retail store upstairs and they also do doggy day care, though I've never tried either. I heard from a staffer that they are expanding and adding a new location on Washington street with a larger doggy day care center. My only complaint is parking can be a pain and not very welcoming to take doggy in and out of my car on a busy and tight street. However, that is to be expected in the CWE so I don't fault them for that, just unfortunate byproduct of the location.", "timestamp": "2012-12-21T23:40:05" }, { "business_id": "UugJ2WQFoV-rNFqZ4QyrHg", "business_name": "Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself an ice-cream junkie and Oberweis is the prime spot to get my fix :-) The product is delicious and addictive! I almost always share a chocolate milkshake with my fiancé when I go (maybe it's the retro interior and feel of a simpler time?) though any dessert is guaranteed to please. They also sell ice-cream to go, milk, orange juice, and a few other 'grocery' items. Their milk is what I would definitely recommend to try. They charge you for the bottle, but you can return to get the $ back. They even do a really neat delivery service of groceries though I personally never used it. Every time we go, the cream and service is top notch. It's one of our favorite stops and I always look forward to going. Oberweis is a must-stop stop for any fellow ice-cream junkies as well as any St. Louis natives. They are family owned and St. Louis based!", "timestamp": "2013-05-17T04:48:24" }, { "business_id": "KChWMIHxMChTE11ZVsIVZw", "business_name": "Sub Zero Vodka Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this place sooner?! I've been going here for years from bachelorette parties to birthday parties and everything in between. It's one of my favorite spots. They are always rated high by RFT for being the best at both burgers and sushi. While the combination is random, do not take it lightly. I have friends who love sushi and will order it every time, while I'm into burgers and will order one every time (make sure you try the Bacon Borsin -- it's my favorite!). Their drink selection is amazing, as you would expect for a Vodka bar. The place is big and they offer free valet for customers on weekends. Sometimes there's a wait, but it's usually not too long. They do take reservations as we've made them plenty of times for big parties. The prices are reasonable. Service is always good and the food is always amazing. We introduced this place to many friends over the years and friends of ours who live in IL come to Sub Zero just for date nights (and you know how hard it is to get IL residents to cross the river ;-)). I just can't say too many great things about this place! Seriously, try it! You will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:16:49" }, { "business_id": "6r9FNW0-4aKqbPCX7UxTZg", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love love Maggiano's! The place is huge with an upstairs yet there always seems to be a wait. I'm usually lucky enough to nab a bar table (which is first come, first served) to avoid the wait and that's fine with me. However, if you have a big party or really want a table, you may be stuck waiting for awhile and may want to consider getting a drink at the bar, taking a stroll down the Boulevard, or browsing in Crate and Barrel as you wait. They offer warm bread and olive oil, my favorite. Plus, I'm always a sucker for restaurants that offer bread before the meal (it's just considerate). They have a classics menu which they offer a free meal to take home (you can choose a different dish than what you order so long as it's on the classics menu). My favorite dish is their Spaghetti and Meatballs and I always seem to end up getting that, though they have plenty of other good dishes. My fiancé loves their Taylor Street Baked Ziti. Their salads and other entrees are good as well. For dessert, the Apple Crostada is to die for! It's a must-try though their other desserts are delicious as well. The service is always good and the food, delicious. The atmosphere is very nice and the prices are reasonable. One of my favorite restaurants to dine at!", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:31:34" }, { "business_id": "MUBk0fgk0ViHwEiNnRitWA", "business_name": "Green Bean", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a recently discovered gem in CWE. I was looking for a healthy place for lunch and found it! I have brought friends here since and they love it, too! How I described it to them: a Fro Yo approach to salad. You pick your lettuce, toppings, and dressing. They also have a few menu items to choose from. The drawbacks are that it's a bit expensive. For just a salad or wrap with no drink or side will put you back about $9-10. The portions are big though so you get plenty! There also is usually a wait. The process to make the salad or wrap always seems laborious and they usually have to go get extra/missing ingredients from the back. The space is small and kinda tight, too, but that's most places in CWE. They have some perks, like through the Perka app which gives you free salads after so many purchases. Also, they partner with Fro Yo and if you bring your receipt to Fro Yo, you get 10% off your frozen yogurt purchase (and vice versa if you bring Fro Yo receipt to Green Bean). My favorite is the Citrus Caesar (caesar salad with oranges :-)) on the whole wheat wrap. Yum!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:27:52" }, { "business_id": "rKO2kZB--kKG94HGzg5ysQ", "business_name": "Treats Unleashed", "rating": 5, "text": "Treats Unleashed is a neat little store with several locations in the STL area. We perused in there about a week or so ago and I realized that these are the treats they use at Four Muddy Paws, our go-to spot for doggie goods. I was so excited, we were right at the source!! They have homemade, all natural doggie treats along with the usual dog food, leashes, treats, and supplies. They offer natural and more hard to find brands that PetSmart doesn't carry. Love this little shop! And I bet your dog will too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:32:57" }, { "business_id": "chUeS0h9C8KGfyJO2Jqgew", "business_name": "Fozzie's Sandwich Emporium", "rating": 5, "text": "I used to live next to this amazing sandwich shop. I no longer do. I seriously go into withdrawals. The sandwiches, the salads, it's all good! The shop is small and sometimes there's a wait. What I would do is call, place an order, and leave to pick up because it was so close. This worked out perfectly! They also deliver, but same with pizza, I can't ever justify paying the delivery charge + tip for a few minutes drive for me! Also, try the Gimme S'more shake. That is what I crave and it is amazing. Kisses, marshmallows, and graham crackers. I love a good s'more so it takes a lot for something s'more flavored to get me. And this does. Seriously, try it!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:43:05" }, { "business_id": "o0uODX3Ot6dkHn3_C49Wjw", "business_name": "Fletcher's Kitchen and Tap", "rating": 3, "text": "For some reason, this place carries sound like no other and is unusually loud. The four of us came in for dinner and we could barely carry on a conversation...and eventually we gave up trying. The temperature in there was also unusually cold. The food was pretty good. I had a chicken caesar salad and the chicken was BBQed which put me off a bit, but it was good. My other dining partners enjoyed their food. Service was amazing...our server was really on it! I was between 3 and 4 stars, but asked myself if I would go back and my answer is no. If I could talk to my dining partners and not freeze, I would definitely go back. So if you like a cold and lively environment (seems like an oxymoron?), you will enjoy this spot!", "timestamp": "2013-07-03T00:04:24" }, { "business_id": "hw0O24rFx1BU5ZLlKBZYNg", "business_name": "Keller Plaza Cinema", "rating": 2, "text": "As a regular movie-goer, I am always on the look-out for new theaters. I was pleasantly surprised to find this little gem tucked away (literally) off of Lemay Ferry Rd. (near the intersection of Lindbergh and Lemay Ferry Rd.). Is it the most dazzling movie experience I've ever had? No. Is it a more affordable, low-frills spot to catch a flick? Yes. (If it's the former I'm looking for, I head over to The Great Escape - for over 3x the price.) I've been multiple times and here are the notes: Admission for matinees (before 6:0pm) are $3, evenings are $4. Every day. Can't beat that! They play older flicks. So expect something you want to see to visit here a month or more after they've come and gone at the chains. This theater is CASH ONLY. I always forget that, but luckily there is a credit union a few doors down so after a pit stop to the ATM we are ready to go. The theaters are in OK condition. Seats randomly have trash bags over them because they are broken. Spoiler Alert: they aren't the most comfortable. The screens are smaller and there are a few scratches/marks on them. If you go in with reasonable expectations based on what you paid for, you will enjoy Keller Plaza Cinema. UPDATE::::::: The last few flicks we saw there had terrible sound and vision. So if you don't mind about not seeing or hearing the movie, then by all means, go! We learned that while admission is cheap, it's work paying the extra few bucks (or only $5 movies on Wednesdays at all STL cinemas) so that you can enjoy the movie (or just hear and see it). I'm sad because I would love to support a small business theater in my neighborhood but we will not return.", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T20:15:17" }, { "business_id": "u4WC_qHGn03jwNdVmW5vaQ", "business_name": "Baileys' Chocolate Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not written a review sooner?! This is my #1 favorite spot for after drinks. They have a huge list of decadent drinks and desserts for your sweet tooth. My go-to drink is the Chocolate Bar Signature Martini. It's one of the ice-cream martinis they offer. It's a dream in a glass. Like complimentary bread at an Italian restaurant, you get a plate of mini chocolate chip cookies when you arrive which is a nice touch. The atmosphere is romantic and trendy. It's often hopping, too. I've been here numerous times for girls night, date night, birthday party, even my own engagement party (ahh my fiancé knows me so well :-))! They are busy and there is often a wait, but it is worth it. Service is good and everything I've tried so far is delicious, food included. Must go spot for city dwellers and visitors alike!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T21:16:14" }, { "business_id": "j3sRTkoqD_obks7IOW876w", "business_name": "Dewey's Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur so be prepared when I announce that this is my #1 favorite pizza in the world. I've tried slice after slice in multiple establishments and this is my favorite, by far. The menu is simple, but sufficient. They offer regular salads and pizzas in delicious combinations. I always get a Caeser salad and X-Pepperoni pizza (Hey, I know what I like!). My fiancé always gets the Greek salad (and he is one to always mix it up, which goes to show how delicious this is!) and usually the Bronx Bomber (a supreme of sorts). They also have a seasonal salad and pizza to offer. The food is ah. maze. ing. Ingredients are fresh, crisp, and delicious. The X-Pep pizza is a touch spicy, but that's what makes it so good. The dough, the sauce, the cheese, the toppings, it's ALL good. Be prepared for a wait, even in the late evening on a week day. Dewey's is delicious and people know it, so don't rush perfection! Service is always good as they seem to have a co-op method of service where you have multiple servers. This is my favorite spot for pizza and can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:09:46" }, { "business_id": "QmkAq8hwSgBZcZ7z5tEFDg", "business_name": "Mosaic Restaurants", "rating": 4, "text": "Knowing my love for brunch, a friend highly recommended Mosaic. Imagine my delight upon finding a Groupon for this spot for brunch for two including mimosas :-) Happy would be an understatement. That said, it took us almost till the end of the year to go! My friend said they require reservations and they only offer brunch on Sundays. We made it eventually and it was a pleasant surprise! I went all out and ordered the Grilled Flatiron and Eggs served with roasted harissa potatoes. It was delicious. The flatiron was SO good! The sides were all unique and delicious as well. My fiancé ordered an omelet and said he enjoyed it. Service was great! I noticed many others were Groupon consumers (as I mentioned earlier, it was near expiration), but service never suffered. I am a fan and would love to come back to try other meals too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:30:22" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "OK. I need to confess something. Before I tell you, let me ask that you please don't hurdle things at me. I do not like BBQ sauce. I'm not a sauce girl of any kind, actually. No ketchup, no mayonnaise, no mustard, no dressing, none of it. So BBQ and me don't really mix. However, I will eat BBQ without sauce on it (or grilled meat as it's probably more appropriately called). I've heard so many good things about Pappy's (which is why I bookmarked it), that I was looking forward to going regardless of my sauce-intolerance. I had a pulled chicken sandwich with fried corn on the cob (what?) and sweet potato fries. My dining partner had a beef brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries and cole slaw. The chicken was smokey and delicious. My friend loved the brisket. He also loved the BBQ sauce ;-) The sides were great. SPF were YUM-O. I'm not a huge fan of SPF (I know, I'm not helping my case), but they were crispy and delicious. The fried corn on the cob was interesting but good. Luckily, we came in on a Monday night and the line was short. Apparently we were lucky and should not expect that to happen again. All in all, it was good and coming from me that means something as BBQ isn't my choice of meal. It's a must try for visitors as it's our top BBQ joint.", "timestamp": "2013-07-09T01:00:20" }, { "business_id": "sImDC2ePC0sIkZsHaX-k3g", "business_name": "MX Movies & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I had never been to MX theaters as it's relatively new, but it was definitely on my radar. A movie theater in the heart of the city? I'm there. Even better, it's above Pi, one of my favorite pizza joints. Hello, perfect date night! We started out in the bar which was spacious and vibing. The bartenders were awesome. They provided top notch service and were super friendly. We had drinks (Pineapple Upside Down Cake in fact which was delish!) and some bites to eat including wraps, chicken wings, and flat bread pizzas. All was very good! Now for the main act! The theater is AWESOME. The seats and rows are spacious. The seats are some form of leather recliners and are oh so comfy. They are organized by fours with some space between the pairs. Each pair has a tablet to order from. We had our popcorn and soda brought right up to us, in less than two minutes! The servers aren't as distracting as I thought they may be. They were in and out quickly and quietly. The tab's screen is bright which can be distracting, but after the previews, everyone's mostly done looking at them. Some details about etab: They advertise to bring drinks up within 5 minutes and food within 15. Note: you can't use cash using the etab. If you only have cash, you must go to the concession stand (the walk of shame!). Parking was kind of tricky with construction and the busy street, but that's everywhere downtown so I don't dock them for that. We did however park in the wrong garage, had to walk over, and couldn't use the ticket validation :( Basically, in sum, once you go MX, you can't go back.", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T22:00:51" }, { "business_id": "lTNknj73Idb-dSlrDJ6qjw", "business_name": "Tom's Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Good ole' Tom's. I've been several times as I work nearby. In fact, this is the preferred spot for a few of us (including me!) who are apart of our regular work lunch group. Their food is greasy but very good. Drink selection is good. Service is usually good. It can get crowded and awkward walking through the set up if crowded. It's a bar atmosphere, but they have outdoor seating which we appreciate on a nice day. They have their own private parking lot which is very well monitored -- this is a huge perk for the area. I've never been for karaoke and after reading these reviews, I'm very inclined to check it out!", "timestamp": "2013-07-11T01:43:05" }, { "business_id": "is9QogkUGhtcEALtHMyLwg", "business_name": "Three Dog Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "My fiancé and I recently visited Three Dog Bakery for the first time to redeem a free \"pupcake\" from a business card we received at a doggie event in the past. We left with arm loads of doggies treats, toys, and stuff :-) The staff were SUPER friendly. They spent a lot of time with us talking us through different items, the sale (in fact, they often recommended items that were on sale to help us save money!), our dogs, etc. The have a lot of gourmet doggie products that you will see at nicer pet boutiques. In fact, they carry Happy Tails, a line of bath products that I frequently order online. The staff had great recommendations for items in this line, too that they were out of stock of, but that I want to try in the future. The baked goodies were fresh, beautifully presented, and creative (i.e., you will see little boxes of pup fries, pup cakes, and the sort)! We got our free cupcake (and she threw in another for our other doggie) and joined the loyalty program where we get a free treat each month - so we toted two of those home too :-) The store is very spacious which is nice for doggies to roam and people room to shop. Items they carry are pricier, but that's at any dog boutique where they carry the good stuff so I didn't dock them for that. We will definitely return. There are several dog boutiques to shop at in STL, but what sets this spot apart is definitely the customer service (including their friendliness, knowledge, and their generosity) and the space!", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:12:17" }, { "business_id": "ahpLj4hNo2-2w_xf2sNE3g", "business_name": "Four Muddy Paws", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the first pet boutique we visited for our pups and it's still one of my favorites. I come here to get my pup her treats, food, and of course some of their homemade treats they order from Treats Unleashed. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. They really helped me through the first year of when I got my puppy and was clueless about taking care of a dog. They lead me in the right direction for nutrition as well as some training tips (the harness has been so helpful and is in the cutest design). They also loaded me with free dog food samples to see what worked for my girl and her sensitive tummy. They have events frequently for dogs and their humans with many giveaways. These are often coordinated with other local businesses which is fun, for people to get food and wine and have their dog with them. They offer professional grooming services, and while I never tried them myself, I have done their $12 DIY pup bath. My little girl was scared of the dryer, but my other dog was fine. They have all the equipment (and it's the good stuff) so it's easy peasy! They have a reward program - if you buy 10 bags of dog food, get one free. If you check in on Foursquare, you will get an offer to get a free bulk treat item which I do every time I visit :-) The shop is small and a little cramped because of the location, but the area for bathing dogs is a bit bigger. When I go to pick up food, I usually try to leave my dog at home for this reason as it can get crowded with humans and their dogs in there! Prices are high because they offer the good stuff, so I don't dock them for that. It costs more to give your dog good quality stuff so that goes with the territory. It's a one stop shop for me as they carry everything from leashes and collars to raw dog food.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:22:39" }, { "business_id": "PUDDBW0MfpSFI2XEMv_g3Q", "business_name": "Bobby's Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm from IL, but have lived in St. Louis for about the past 7 years. I don't know if you're aware, but there is a Ted vs. Bobby's rivalry for best metro STL frozen custard. I'm on Team Bobby's 100% of the way! I mean I like Ted Drewes. I will eat any icy dessert, but Bobby's is my favorite and if I'm nearby a stop is 100% in order. I actually lived RIGHT next to Ted Drewe's and have been there less than I can count on one hand. Bobby's & Ted Drewes is very similar. Both are often packed, busy, and well-liked (oh and frozen custard joints and named after a man). Bobby's, however, offers a Lite custard that is 98% fat free and I add sprinkles for a concrete...it's heaven! Bobby's has grown. They have a concert series and many hardcore, loyal fans. They are quick, reasonably priced, and delicious. They also often offer many freebies if you join their mailing list and like them on Facebook.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:31:05" }, { "business_id": "fiBEzPfn2VOZb-PjLcm7Ng", "business_name": "Kirkwood Station Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times for happy hour with friends after work and enjoy it every time. I love their Caprese pizza and always order one to share with the table. They have outdoor seating I've enjoyed with the warmer weather. This is one of my go-to places for happy hour in Kirkwood! PS If you check in, they have BOGO beer which is a sweet deal.", "timestamp": "2013-11-11T23:58:37" }, { "business_id": "vRj1rgF4ZpwGt97MbcRzqg", "business_name": "Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream", "rating": 4, "text": "Ice cream made with love in the heart of Webster Groves just spells GOOD no matter how you slice it (or scoop it) :-) They have so many delectable flavors, but I can never get past the classic chocolate. They serve the classics and trendier flavors alike all with the wonderful basic ingredients and formula. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-11-12T00:02:48" }, { "business_id": "YV32ObbYe10BXeIydrnuOQ", "business_name": "Canyon Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "If I'm craving Mexican food, Canyon Cafe is my go-to! I've eaten at Canyon Cafe several times since I discovered it a few years ago. Their food quality is amazing every single time. Service is usually very good, though sometimes can be a miss...like if they are crazy busy. I love their chips. They are a combo of sweet potato chips, tortilla chips, and sweet chips that are absolutely delicious. I seriously would come back only for the chips, even if I liked nothing else. Fortunately, that is plenty more to like. For main dishes, I love their chicken avocado salad, salmon, caesar wrap, and fish tacos. Yes, it is a little pricey but I am willing to pay a bit more for quality. My fiancé and I are now fish taco snobs...anywhere else we try them, they are never as good as Canyon's. So I'd rather have something I LOVE and pay a few extra bucks than something that's just OK for a bit cheaper. I love to check out their daily specials and usually end up ordering off of that. It's varied and always delicious, which makes coming back fun for semi-regulars like me :-) I've yet to do their happy hour because it is crazy and busy in that area at that time. I hear it's amazing and I really want to do this someday though...just another excuse for me to go in, right?! If you live in the Lou, this is a must go. I was sad I lived so long without it once I went there.", "timestamp": "2014-01-07T16:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Nn6Vx_Bl48EEgMEskwRQfQ", "business_name": "K Hall Designs", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a must stop place to shop for any soap junkie like myself. How do you know you're a soap junkie? If you go to Bath & Body Works at least once a week, busy yourself by smelling your collection of bath products at home for fun, and/or hoard an obnoxious amount of bath products, then safe to say you are. K. Hall has an abundance of scents to choose from and come in a variety of sized candles, fragrances, soaps, and sprays. The scents are lovely, quality is amazing, and products are packaged beautifully. I love to re-purpose the pretty candle jars for holding makeup brushes or other things. Some of my favorite scents: Washed Cotton, Lavender, Milk, Peony, and Shoreline. The store also sells other random things, like jars, beverage dispensers, decor, etc. I've never purchased those items, but it's just of fun to look around and gives the shop a funky, eclectic, vintage-y feel. It's a little pricey, but to me it's worth it because it's high quality. However, check out their scent of the month sales (30% off anything in that scent) and their annual warehouse sale to enjoy the goods at a lower price.", "timestamp": "2014-01-15T14:49:36" }, { "business_id": "wbLXXbI-T6Av71i9AoiZRQ", "business_name": "Cleveland-Heath", "rating": 5, "text": "This literally may be my new favorite restaurant...EVER! I've heard lots of hype about this place yet never made it over to the IL side to check it out. I was excited to try it! I had dinner last night for the first time and even while eating my meal, I couldn't wait to go back! The place is cozy (read: smallish), the ambience is nice and the menu offerings are interesting. Staff were busy, but attentive and friendly. A friend and I split the family style Braised Beef Brisket. It included a salad to share, two sides, the brisket, and desert for $40. At $20 each it's a bit pricey, but totally and completely worth it. Especially when you consider the quality of the food (worth the price tag alone), but also the portion sizes. We definitely had enough for a 3rd or even 4th person to get in on the family meal. The salad was simple with fresh greens, sliced radishes, and lemon vinaigrette dressing; it was refreshing. We ordered macaroni and cheese and shoestring french fries (mix of sweet potato and potato fries) for our sides. They were delish, especially the macaroni and cheese. Definitely get that! The beef...was oh my god, amazing. It was so tender and flavorful and DELICIOUS. And I'm not a big meat person, but this was SO good. We finished with Beignets (warm brioche beignets, salted caramel filling) that was very delicious as well. The entire meal was decadent and delicious. I could totally get this every time I go there and be so very happy about it. I already can't wait to go back. Go and be glad that you did! Tip: They don't take reservations, but do call ahead seating. This saved us a 30-minute wait and only had to wait a few minutes for a table when we entered!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:31:50" }, { "business_id": "D1lOc4bmegUFyp_eAyJPjw", "business_name": "The Libertine Neighborhood Eatery", "rating": 4, "text": "For date night, my fiancé and I checked out The Libertine for the first time and it did not disappoint. The menu and cocktail offerings are different and interesting. Prices are moderate to high. Staff is very attentive and amazing. Ambiance is nice, albeit a little fancy and dimly lit. We started off with their free appetizer, which is some type of nuts in cheese? I'm not familiar with it and wasn't a huge fan, but it was nice to be offered some food before the meal. We each got their house burger with the two patties (yep TWO), house-made cheese, bacon bun, and caramelized onions (none for me though) with fries. YUM! This burger rivaled our favorite over at SubZero and lost only by a hare. The bun was unique and delicious, probably my favorite part. Be warned, it's a double stacked burger so lots of meat and very filling. Fries were a little overdone for my taste, but otherwise good. We finished off with their famous candy bar with hazelnuts, salted caramel, and ganache. Divine!! Overall, the food was tasty and it was a good experience and I'm glad we went. It's fun to try all the new restaurants and offerings in STL and this was a great stop on the list!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:41:30" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't know how I haven't written a review for this place sooner, it's one of my favs! I'm a semi-regular here and it's one of my favorite places to go! First of all, the ambiance is fantastic. It has an open front with a patio which is nice for Spring and Summer wining and dining, but the inside is really cool. From the wine decor to the ceiling decked out in wine crates, it's wine all the way (and we like wine). Obviously, the wine menu is large and impressive. I LOVE their Moscato (yes I'm one of those). It's so light and refreshing and yummy. I've eaten their brick oven pizzas which are delicious (and much better than you'd expect for a wine bar -- don't let that stop you, get it!) as well as some appetizers. I LOVE their hummus. I consider myself a hummus connoisseur and this is one of my favs. I simply love to come here with friends to enjoy company, a bottle (or two) of wine along with some yummy dishes to nosh on. What else do we want? My time at Sasha's is always superb.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:46:44" }, { "business_id": "_Y96y5CFgJaG4I-HEgylhg", "business_name": "Crushed Red", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been in downtown Kirkwood many a time and always see this place, but only recently went in for the first time. I somehow had the impression it was a fancy restaurant, so when I tried it I was pleasantly surprised at the open concept and more casual restaurant \"make your own\" feel it has. You start off at a cashier where you order any hot food (appetizers, pizza, etc.) and then a cafeteria style line for salads where they make as you request. I had THE best salad there, the farmer's market with raspberry vinaigrette. It is seriously delicious. I went again to get the same salad and split a pizza with a friend (margarita). I honestly wasn't as impressed with the pizza as I expected. It was a little small (it is a flatbread after all) and the cheese kind of kept falling off. Maybe it's that one particular pizza, but it just didn't wow me. I probably wouldn't get it again. For me, I'll definitely be back for the salads. Pizza, not so much.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T19:03:26" }, { "business_id": "GuGlXaVDljVJ9FM-euhJmg", "business_name": "Maven", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a bona fide bath and body aficionado and particularly love local, small businesses where you find unique scents and quality homemade products. Maven fits the bill on all accounts and is in fact, my new favorite shop for bath and body products! I visited the cute shop recently with my sister and I spent a good 20 minutes just on the one side of the store. There offer a large variety of scents and they have basic products that can come in most, if not all, scents. The types of products they offer are candles, body lotion, body scrub, solid lotion, bath bombs, and soap. My fav scents at the moment are Sookie (sweet magnolia blossoms and gardenia) and Salty Sea Air (Fresh saltwater, sea kelp and ozone). I bought a soap and lotion as well as a gift (Don Draper is perfect for the Mad Men fans!). The soap was a whopping $9, so I don't know if that will be my stop for soap, but the rest of the prices are reasonable for what you get (read: good quality). I really wanted a candle, but wanted to pace myself; plus, that will give me another reason to visit again soon :-) They also offer some eclectic products like greeting cards, funny and thoughtful quotes on magnets and stickers, and even repurposed razors. I hope they have seasonal scents or new scents regularly as I'd love to see more of what they come up with. My request: more products and more scents. I'm addicted!", "timestamp": "2014-07-17T02:10:13" }, { "business_id": "QVXfW1c8eOm9SJVb3xdo7w", "business_name": "Cheeburger Cheeburger", "rating": 3, "text": "I wanted to love this joint, I did, but I was underwhelmed. They are going for the old-fashioned diner 50's diner look, I think, without a juke box. The burger was just OK. It was kind of bland and not very impressive. The french fries were the best part...crispy and a little over done, seasoned well, they were yummy. Not the best I've ever had, but good enough for me to keep reaching for more. The milkshake was rich and thick, but it lacked the creaminess and deliciousness I've come to expect (thanks for ruining me, Oberweis!). They've got over a million milkshake combos (or something insane like that) so they get bonus points for variety. If I want a burger and fries, I'd go to 5 Guys over this joint, but in a pinch it will do.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T03:50:47" }, { "business_id": "qkMMO794-59404bUiJ1Odg", "business_name": "Central Table", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to Central Table today for the first time with a friend for lunch. I have never heard of it and didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. When I entered, I felt like I walked into an upscale cafeteria for the cool kids. The layout is very clean, simple, and open. You go to the cashier and order what strikes your fancy. They offer a variety of burgers, pizzas, salads, and soup. I went for a pepperoni pizza (not your everyday pep -- enhanced with spices and finesse) and caesar salad. The pizza was DELICIOUS. Wood-fired and a generous serving, it was amazing. I was full and saved half for dinner (which I was looking forward to all day). The salad was OK. Not enough dressing and not really much flavor. I nabbed a few french fries off my friends plate and those were amazing...crispy, hot, and fresh. I look forward to going back and trying more off their menu! I would recommend you try!", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:00:12" }, { "business_id": "1_ZVtdiZpBNsXaO4ObPtbw", "business_name": "Stellina Pasta Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've heard about this place for months from my sister who swears by it. I came. I ate. I converted. I just had a sandwich and chips, no pasta yet, and already am sold! I had the Talkin' Turkey sandwich (roasted turkey breast, avocado, sunflower sprouts, fontina cheese, roasted garlic mayo on French baguette) along with Billy Goat chips for lunch. The sandwich was generously sized (I could only eat half!), fresh, and delicious. I can't wait to come back for the pasta! It's pricey, but you get what you pay for and I have a feeling the pasta will be worth the hefty price tag.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:04:56" }, { "business_id": "osL7qIVyk-WCdK9qiPTS5A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I bet you don't think of wedding flowers when you think of Whole Foods, but that's exactly where we got ours! As a bride on a budget and mostly DIY, Whole Foods was a great option that offers reasonably priced flowers (MUCH cheaper than a typical florist for weddings) and the flowers are sourced locally from ethical trade, earth friendly farming. Amber M. took care of us from beginning to end, by showing us a variety of flowers, costs, showing us samples, and ordering. Everything turned out exactly like we hoped! One downfall of using them vs. a traditional florist is that you may not be able to get the specific flower you want, but I showed her inspiration pictures and she kept the aesthetic I wanted with what they had available. It turned out beautifully as we wanted for our wedding, but also affordable. Go see Amber M. at Whole Foods Town & Country -- she'll take care of you :-)", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:05:00" }, { "business_id": "tn3_76PZZLCmGBLgBWdTTw", "business_name": "The Cakery", "rating": 5, "text": "We went to the Cakery Bakery for our wedding cake, cupcakes, and groom's cake and couldn't have been happier!! We had a small cake to cut and the rest cupcakes for our wedding guests. We had a variety of flavors (ALL delicious) each with different color frosting/toppings. They offer a variety of flavors and decor choices which was nice (though it made it hard to choose at times). They offer tastings at their shop along with lots of displays of cakes and cupcakes. I also went to the Cakery for a surprise groom's cake at the wedding rehearsal. I showed them some inspiration pictures and gave them a figurine to use -- it turned out exactly like we wanted and the groom loved it. They are flexible with meeting times, always respond to emails/calls, very friendly and nice, and have their stuff together! They worked with us on pickup and work to get what you want. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Our guests continue to tell me how delicious the cupcakes were! They made one of the most important parts of our wedding perfect! Thank you, Cakery!", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:15:15" }, { "business_id": "7dA1OhjJ0ga063_uiiDw3g", "business_name": "The Heavy Anchor", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been wanting to try this spot since I came across an RFT article calling it a nautical noir dive bar. So, when picking a spot for a an after-work happy hour, I was eager to choose this place. We arrived and parking is street so I paid a meter and inside I went. The decor is festive and plentiful. The place is notably dark. You especially notice this when you walk out hours later and shade your eyes! Drinks were cheap and I like the variety of their offerings (Schlafly summer on tap, yes please!). We didn't try the food so I plan on updating once I try it. I also see it's a concert venue and dig the multi-functional space and would love to come by to catch a show. When in search of directions and their menu, their website leaves a lot to be desired. Though I learned you can bring your own food so cool. All in all a cool spot to get a drink and mingle. And I'll be back!", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T02:40:20" }, { "business_id": "puNq5KmQs4HAzGhVajFj8w", "business_name": "Houlihan's", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is kind of an enigma to me. Every time I go in, the menu is completely different. It started as an Applebees kind of fare and gets more and more modern every time I return. Different check in rewards every time, too -- I recall using Foursquare previously and getting a free order of fries upon check in, but this time nothing. They offer up a lot of modern/fancy menu choices now. Lots of things with pretzel buns, sliders, organic greens, antibiotic chicken, etc. Don't get me a wrong, I like it, it just doesn't quite...fit. The restaurant building and decor is dated, dark, and dingy which doesn't fit their modern menu offerings and presentation. Service was OK. It's overpriced in my opinion. The food was tasty, but I feel my money could be better well spent at a spot with a more enjoyable atmosphere.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T03:07:38" }, { "business_id": "G6h-9AZro_Ni_4eRR9CkRw", "business_name": "Penzeys Spices", "rating": 4, "text": "I've received ads from Penzey's with free spice coupons for awhile but never made it there until recently. I was pleasantly surprised to find a cute shop with lots of standard and creative spice offerings. I wandered around the shop for awhile checking out all the spices. They have little jars of each spice to smell along with a variety of offerings of sizes of spices in jars and bags. They have your standard fare (all of which would be worthy enough to go in for) and then some creative and more unusual offerings (variety of sea salts, flavored vanillas, even frozen pizza topping!). They have the cutest little cinnamon shop section with a variety of cinnamon offerings. I also appreciate that they have recipe cards sprinkled around the store. Cute! I agree with some previous comments from reviewers about the staff. They are courteous and will check you out great, but when I wandered around the shop for awhile looking for a particular spice, no one asked me if I needed assistance or offered any help. I will definitely be back! Sign up for their catalogue and you'll get free spice coupons, too.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:19:02" }, { "business_id": "qQSscPMhk3frtSNilF1cGA", "business_name": "VOM FASS", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is fun, albeit a little overwhelming. I'm a cooking novice so I only have two choices for olive oil at grocers -- virgin or extra virgin. So, imagine, me walking into the store with barrel on top of barrel of oils (and more), I felt a little out of my element. I came in on a weekday with a friend and the staff member on duty was very friendly and helpful. He offered tastings, but we didn't partake. Both times I came in we were looking for gifts and found something special and perfect each time. I plan on going in next time for myself as they have some tasty olive oil that sounds great. Also a great stop for libations though we didn't shop for that on that particular trip.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:31:56" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard the hype and since ice cream is it's own food group at my house, I had to try the ice cream made out of liquid nitrogen! So, a group of friends and I moseyed on over last weekend to see what this place was all about. They offer a variety of flavors using liquid nitrogen along with soft serve, but really why would you get soft serve at this place? You order, walk through the line (and witness them what looks like torturing a kitchen aid mixer -- pouring in liquid nitrogen and blow torching it), then pick up your ice cream. Straight forward enough. The line backs up and it takes awhile too because they made each ice cream individually. I'm not sure why they don't make, say, a batch of Rocky Road (which was the flavor of the day by the way) and give out a few servings from that? We waited what seemed like forever and then we got our goods! I tried the Rocky Road and my husband had the Mint Chocolate Chip. Rocky Road was good...they had big bits of chocolate and marshmallow. The ice cream was creamy. I tried my husband's mint chocolate chip and the mint flavor was REALLY faint (I could barely taste it). The place is small and crowded and we barely could find a place to sit and talk amidst the crowd eating and the crowd waiting out the door for ice cream. It's also a bit pricey, but the servings are big. Overall, this place is a solid 4 stars. I think you need to go once for the novelty and I'd come back maybe here and there, but I don't think I'd head back here on the regular. I can get other ice creams just as tasty with a bit more comfortable atmosphere and better price point.", "timestamp": "2014-08-28T02:03:03" }, { "business_id": "UL4K6HwcI542imZo1Glpbw", "business_name": "Peacock Loop Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted to like this place, I did. New place in the loop, yeah! It's funky retro with a modern twist decor was cool. I was feeling it, until we got our food. I went in with a group of four for lunch during a week day. Service was OK. They use those infuriating water glasses that are small so that you need constant refills if you drink water like a normal person (and even more if you're a big water drinker like me!). The server couldn't keep up with my water consumption so I couldn't wash the oddly flavored chili down. Speaking of the chili...my friend also got an order and we decided a better name would be Christmas Chili. It had a distinct flavor of cinnamon or nutmeg and it was off putting. I tried to eat it since I paid for it, but I only made through about half of it. I also ordered a grilled cheese. I mean, if you do a bad grilled cheese, I don't know what hope you have and I hate to say...it was subpar. I could have made a better one at home. My other dining partners ordered sandwiches, burgers, and waffles. They said it was OK. I think the favorite was the waffle, but I didn't try it. All in all, not worth it and I won't return. Maybe if they change the menu and up the creations it will be worthy of St. Louis!", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:22:53" }, { "business_id": "-kHHi8y4kaTI6WUVdJSdvQ", "business_name": "Fitz's", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love LOVE Fitz's. It has everything a hot spot in STL needs...delicious food, unique desserts, and it's very own factory for it's home good quality made items. I've had the pizza before and that was good, but the most recent visit I got a burger. And I was blown away! I didn't expect to love it, but I did. I ate almost every bite and it was a big burger! It had a good smokey flavor and was cooked well done but still tender and scrumptious. So delicious! My husband and I shared a float with orange soda and vanilla ice cream. Oh. My. God. It was so good! It was HUGE for one so I would recommend sharing. It comes topped with 3 or 4 scoops of ice cream that in and of itself was delicious...then combine it with the Fitz's orange soda and it was divine. I always look forward to going here (and interesting note: I don't even like root beer!) and I'll be back many more times. It's a must stop of tourists or regulars who may have never been.", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:28:11" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "When looking for a venue for a holiday dinner, a friend who knows her food picked this place. I had never heard of it but am always on the lookout for delicious new places so I was excited. She made a reservation no problem (a previous reviewer mentioned they couldn't make reservations?). When we arrived we were promptly seated and given menus. Our server was great - it felt like a show as he presented with lots of information and humor and paced us. He was very knowledgeable about specials and the menu. There was only one time my water was empty and I needed more but otherwise he was attentive. I ordered a soda pop fizz cocktail that tasted like an orange cream soda (but warning: it's pink!). Had a kinda weird after taste though. Food wise, we ordered the cheese plate, bacon wrapped dates, cups of chili, and some salads to start. I didn't have any but everyone said it was delicious. They serve warm bread before the meal which is always appreciated. They had a ton of menu specials and many sounded delish! I ordered the Pork Shnitzel while my husband had the burger. Our other party members got many specials too including blackened mahi mahi, breaded mahi mahi, sweet potato tacos, bacon wrapped meatloaf, and chicken pasta dish. Everyone loved their meal! Oh and I need to mention the atmosphere. It was very cozy and chill. We were off in an alcove that was perfect for our party. It was a nice loungey feel which I appreciate. Overall a great dining experience and I would return. My one issue is that I think it's a bit overpriced, particularly my cocktail and main course. For us, it will be a great place to go for a special dinner.", "timestamp": "2014-12-31T17:07:40" }, { "business_id": "hFuRegkL_IFO5792-JegRw", "business_name": "Feraro's Jersey Style Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "How have I not discovered this place sooner?! This location is less than 2 miles from my house but it took a recommendation from a foodie friend who said it's one of her fav places. I checked out the Yelp reviews (as I religiously do before dining anywhere) and off we went to try for a date night. The location is nice. When you walk in, it looks like a bar but turn the corner and there's roomy booths with large wooden tables. We ordered Garlic Knots for an appetizer and a medium pepperoni pizza to share. The good: The food is delicious! The pizza, while my husband noted pretty cheesy (though isn't necessarily a bad thing), was pretty close to perfection. The dough, sauce, chesse, and toppings tasted fresh, hot, and delicious. The garlic knots were also hot and yummy. I love me some garlic and these delivered. Prices were reasonable. The bad: Our food took awhile. It wasn't very busy, but it took about 25 minutes for our appetizer to arrive. Our pizza came about 10-15 minutes later. The sauce for the garlic knots could be better...it was kind of thin and runny. I prefer a thick and jelled sauce. Overall, a delightful find and we will be back. I'd like to try pizza by the slice, take out, and more. Perfect spot for a pizza hankering that is close to home.", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:07:07" }, { "business_id": "BtTVHiY1AH5iHzTlx5HqZw", "business_name": "Fortel's Pizza Den", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I NOT tried this place sooner?! I've lived here too long to not have tried it and I have lots of lost time to make up for! Coworkers brought some Fortel's in to work for someone's birthday and I immediately ate way too much. It was insanely delicious and addictive. I'm not a (as I say this I'm ducking) huge fan of the typical STL style pizza. This is thin crust but the consistency is more like a hand tossed thin - perfect! The toppings are very generous and delicious. I went after this with my husband (to make sure it wasn't a fluke) and we ordered the same delicious pie, just as scrumptious as the previous one. Now if we are going out for pizza, hubby wants to go here! We are fans!", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:37:29" }, { "business_id": "54vEFcAri3Wj6cdM4ljDBA", "business_name": "Moonrise Hotel", "rating": 5, "text": "Hubby planned a staycation/date night at Moonrise since he heard it's a quirky, unique and highly rated hotel in STL. I must say, I was SUPER impressed and LOVED it. All the little touches are fantastic -- a welcome drink (and welcome snacks for pups), fabulous lounge and atmosphere, all the free, thoughtful toiletries, waterfall shower, Wolfgang Puck coffee, super beds, and more. I was blown away. Our room was clean, well lit, spacious, beautifully decorated, and thoughtfully arranged. The decor around the hotel is cool -- warning, they really stick with the moon and space theme. They have a better than concierge service (though we didn't use), thoughtful and dedicated staff, a fantastic rooftop bar, lounge spaces, and delicious 24 hr room service offerings (from the restaurant on site, Eclipse). Not to mention right on the Loop with tons of things to do! We moseyed around the Loop during the day, went to the rooftop bar for a pre-diner drink, went to Eclipse for dinner (that review is forthcoming :)), hung out in the room, and had room service for breakfast. Everything was fabulous. The rooftop bar is a gem in it's own right. The view is amazing, the bar is well stocked with unique offerings, and the vibe is relaxed/chill with some lounge-y spots around. The room service was fab -- the food was plentiful, delicious, and wonderfully presented. The staff is so impressive as well. I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and while it's a bit on the pricey side the boutique hotel experience is worth it and I would return. My ONLY beef is that we got a jacuzzi king room and the tub was a little bit of a let down. It's not actually a jet jacuzzi tub like we were expecting. More like a bit bigger than a regular bath tub with air jets. If we came back, we probably wouldn't spring for that upgrade.", "timestamp": "2015-04-11T19:27:42" }, { "business_id": "NiX_nc8pf8vClgqzjpmLTw", "business_name": "Budweiser Brew House", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband and I stopped by Budweiser Brew House for drinks and apps before a Cards vs. Cubs home game. Needless to say, the place was crazy. However, we only had a 20 minute wait for an outdoor table (while inside was an hour and a half wait!). I love the patio -- the lights, ambience, and come fall post-season baseball that large outdoor fireplace will be lovely. Our server was frazzled with the rush but attentive. We had a few mixed drinks and the Crispy Wings (in Budweiser wing sauce). I was very pleased with everything. The drinks were great and surprisingly a fair price (I think $6 for each a rum and coke and vodka and club soda). The wings were delicious!! The sauce definitely had a kick and was a little spicier than I expected but also very good and addictive. We didn't eat them all and when they made it home, there was a debate about who would get to eat the leftovers :) Obviously, in Ballpark Village and on game days, this place is insane. And it's discombobulated -- it can be hard to find things (we are on an eternal hunt for the Ted Drewes hut) and employees in different places all seem confused on where things are (we were told lots of different things by different people). Comes with the territory and not penalizing this bar for the complex as a whole. I'd like to try entrees in the future and see if they hold up to my experience thus far. All in all, a solid place to go before or after a game for drinks and snacks. We will return!", "timestamp": "2015-07-02T16:12:34" }, { "business_id": "c_xAbBTeiIHqPm1zMOvQcg", "business_name": "Iron Barley's High Hog Ridge", "rating": 4, "text": "The hubs felt like doing something different and surprisingly we haven't been here yet -- we missed their whole TV debut. Alas, reviews and their diverse menu peaked our interests and we found ourselves at the intersection of Bates and Virginia, searching for the hidden gem. It's a little divey, but oddly charming. You feel like you're in a very friendly neighborhood joint where everyone knows each other. Customer service is superb. Our server, Mark, was very friendly and went above and beyond to make our experience great. Live music was nice, too. The menu is diverse with lots of unique offerings. I decided to go with the class naked dog and ranch fries (which have no ranch seasoning or taste by the way). My husband ordered the Schnitzel and Spaetzle along with mushroom au gratin (special that evening) as an appetizer. The mushroom au gratin was AMAZING. Our entrees were delish as well. Hubs was pleasantly surprised by the German dumplings and liked the rest of his meal. He did say he thought it was overpriced for what it was. I enjoyed my hot dog -- it was grilled perfectly though, fair warning, expect a HUGE portion. We will likely be back to try something new from their menu and enjoy this little neighborhood joint.", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T18:27:37" }, { "business_id": "hqF-uosThMtwGn4J_LfNPA", "business_name": "Plaza Frontenac Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my absolute favorite place to catch a flick. Why? One word: POPCORN. It is seriously the best I've ever had. Every time I go it's hot, fresh, perfectly salted, and (I think the secret to the success) REAL butter. So. freaking. good. They also have fun/gourmet snack and drink options like seasonal local beers and salted chocolates. Onto the theater...it's well kept, nice seats, and crowds are always mild. Partly because they do play some movies that aren't in major theaters like documentaries, foreign flicks, etc. They do play some mainstream but not always. I check the movie listings often as they usually have a hidden gem I don't hear about by advertisement that are good nonetheless. Go. Enjoy. But be warned...it will ruin you for other theater experiences!", "timestamp": "2015-10-29T16:12:12" }, { "business_id": "GGLtLL7ShmjOjVZSeZfjVA", "business_name": "Breadsmith", "rating": 4, "text": "I have to come here every Christmas for Dolci Cello (caramel corn puffs, but oh so much more). It is heaven in a bag and I look forward to it every year :) They have lots of bread choices and staff are friendly and helpful. I just picked up a loaf of Brioche for Christmas morning french toast (can you tell, I'm a touch obsessed with the holidays?!). They conveniently put freezing and baking instructions on their items. I also picked up some small flatbreads that looked delish. It IS a little pricey and the shop is a little small. It's also a bit out there for me location-wise, but it is worth the travel. This is a must stop for carb-loving St. Louisans! Check it out next time you are in the Rock Hill area.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:00:03" }, { "business_id": "BtROhQfrGdoWZ_t9zwEVUA", "business_name": "The Container Store", "rating": 4, "text": "This is THE motherland. Repeat. This is the motherland. I feel so at home and at peace here. But also so very giddily excited. Anything containers does it for me and they have aisles and aisles of just that. Pretty things to store your pretty things. And then a pretty thing to store that. I recently re-organized my office with lots of things from container store including colorful bookends, their brick-style accessory organization, cord management, cork board, and more. It's made my work space much more zen and pleasant. After a recent move, I returned to help organize my refridgerator and pantry with many containers. The major downfall: It is pricey. Like I-don't-even-probably-need-this-but-sure-I'll-pay-$25-for-it kinda thing. To cut costs, I often get inspiration here and find similar items elsewhere. But for the few projects I will buy all or most from Container Store and often be about $150 poorer for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:07:45" }, { "business_id": "D4spXIMXev6pFUz3df31fQ", "business_name": "Vivianos Festa Italiano", "rating": 5, "text": "The hubs and I recently moved to the area and wanted to check out good local places. I think we found it! We moseyed on over to Vivianos and were not disappointed. It's a cool restaurant/artisan grocery store (in a strip mall, but don't let that fool you). We were cheerfully welcomed by someone who I believe was the owner. He was patient and helpful as he answered questions about the menu and made recommendations. I got the half caesar salad with Penne Roma and my husband got the ravioli and greek salad. He gave us a free drink for being first timers. The portions are generous, you get delicious homemade bread (always an appreciated touch), and the food was divine. Penne Roma has a kick, but if you like that, you will not be disappointed. Hubby liked the ravioli though the portion was a bit small for him (not to worry I had PLENTY and was able to share). As we were leaving, the owner told us to take a loaf of bread home for free. We noticed there were lots of regulars and the owner was very friendly. I love little small businesses like this as the touch of service and friendliness is unparalleled. Go and enjoy this little gem in Fenton!", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:15:18" }, { "business_id": "0MhxvTys2ADYa3sOO91ldQ", "business_name": "Egg", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh. My. God. Stumbled upon this place when MudHouse was randomly closed (really, a float trip guys?! I need my breakfast!). I never thought I'd say it but I was glad they were closed to give me a chance to check out Egg. I ordered an off-menu item -- carnitas omelette with potatoes. Seriously freaking delicious. The potatoes were seasoned a bit spicy but amazing, crispy, and just so delicious. The omelette was cheesy, with a bit of spinach, and delicious roasted carnitas. The portion was really big and I took down most of it. Decent price, good service. It will now be difficult to choose between Egg and Mudhouse when I get back in the area. I can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2017-08-03T00:46:04" }, { "business_id": "yjP-n5RpuxsDZZwxDg-FUg", "business_name": "Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Great pizza and concept! It's like Chipotle with Mexican, Crushed Red with salad, etc. You build your own pizza live and their schtick is they cook it in 180 (!) seconds. There's lots of great extra touches such as seasoning choice or after bake add ons. Plus they check with you each step of the way - is the sauce amount good or the cheese amount? Which begs the question - is there a point they'll stop asking because it's too much cheese or would they charge you extra for cheese? Due to those damn social norms, I didn't find out (though I did ask for a bit more cheese at the first query). It's great for kids because it's so fast and easy! Pick up your high chair or booster by the drink station. And pick up a beer or wine that they serve (even some draught!) because you are taking kids out in public and dammit you deserve it! Clean and modern interior was spot on. Ironically, our pizza was a little burnt. The salads had some bad leaves and left a bit to be desired but good flavors. Overall, Blaze is a fantastic addition to Kirkwood and we will be back!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:04:18" }, { "business_id": "LmKpHMXSsm36viJOGVodFw", "business_name": "Missouri Botanical Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of my favorite places in St. Louis. We recently became members though have been several times prior. Hot little tip - city and county residents get in free Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The lush and beautiful gardens themselves are worth it but there's much, much more. The climatron is a huge greenhouse with a neat little trail. There's also a small little greenhouse that is sweet (side note - we did family maternity photos in this spot and they came out wonderfully). The children's area is awesome! There's splash pads, huge playground, indoor discovery center, and much more. There's a calm corner for children needing a break and nursing moms which I've used and love. They have amazing events. I go to Best of Missouri market every year. Whitaker music festival is great and free to everyone! I haven't yet been to Garden Glow but will go this year. Sassafras is the on location restaurant and is delicious. Parking is plentiful and free. Check it out - you won't regret it!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:20:25" }, { "business_id": "t-QxJFbbSjC-_X9TWJqITA", "business_name": "Shack Breakfast & Lunch", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious food, unique (and large) menu, fun atmosphere, great service - this place has it all! Luckily - and dangerously - I live and work nearby. So I go quite a bit with coworkers, friends, family and have worked through the menu. Everything is amazing. I particularly like the build your own omelette and potatoes. My dining partners are always happy as well. This is my go-to breakfast spot. Sometimes it's quite busy over the weekend so expect a bit of a wait.", "timestamp": "2018-06-09T14:06:45" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 4, "text": "A cute little restaurant in Webster Groves. I had the Farro salad and Rose Punch. The salad was fresh, delicious, beautifully presented, and did I mention delicious?! The drink was just okay - it didn't wow me and I wouldn't order again. My dining partners ordered warm olives which they loved and a variety of entrees. Everyone seemed to like their entrees but also didn't seem wowed by any of them. The cake with buttercream for dessert was a generous size (definitely for sharing) and very good! The furniture (especially gold chairs!), decor, etc. is so pretty, welcoming, and sets a nice ambiance. The menu is small but a variety of choices of items within that (salads, sounds, entrees, sandwiches). It's pricey but not obnoxiously so. Overall a cute little spot happy to have here! I'd love to come back for another salad!", "timestamp": "2018-07-02T02:34:18" }, { "business_id": "9P6yLs8Yi6WhbmBIiwvWhg", "business_name": "ZZA Pizza + Salad", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty darn good pizzas! A friend and I shared two - the rocket and garden city. They're both pretty unique and delicious! The lemon flavor of the rocket was awesome and the smoked Gouda on garden city was also wonderful. We finished off our meal with do raw cookie dough. That was just okay - not enough chocolate chips and pretty hard. If you're in the area and want a quick, good pizza, check it out!", "timestamp": "2018-09-23T19:54:12" }, { "business_id": "MI3OE-I70B6VFBCn1rw5lg", "business_name": "Stuckmeyer's Farm Market", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm teetering between 2 and 3 star review so I'll err on the side of 3 star. I think it's all about expectations with this spot. I'm used to going to Eckerts in Belleville every year and heard great things about Stuckmeyer so off we went. I was sorely disappointed my first visit. It is not as big nor as well manicured as Eckerts. You will feel very nickel and dimed. Besides the big playground area, everything costs money (the corn maze, the inflatable corn maze, the bounce house area, the wagon ride, etc). The nice thing is the patch is really close and you don't have to ride a wagon to get there. They also have wagons you can use (for free!) to cart your pumpkin and stuff. Its not great but if you just want a pumpkin and not trek to IL, it might fit the bill for your needs.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:08:52" }, { "business_id": "tvc0kLuvktNBrD9Ts_M64Q", "business_name": "Tints Polish", "rating": 5, "text": "Nail salons are enigmas where it's just hard to find the perfect one. This is a hidden gem (almost literally - easy to pass up). The decor is so cute, modern, and cozy. The chairs and seating are comfy (not your usual salon chairs - but that's a good thing). Very reasonably priced and they don't accept tips. This will be my usual nail spot from now on! Make sure you make an appointment - while they do accept walk-ins when possible, they book up fast.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:20:34" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect little unique spot to grab delicious ice cream! What a great addition to this area with a little nearby park and other spots to eat. If you want something more unique and special than chain ice cream store, you will appreciate this charming location. The ice cream is the real deal - super delicious and decadent with unique flavors and tastes.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:30:33" }, { "business_id": "eQlMjyOsirwFCH8CiaKrjw", "business_name": "Fitz's SoCo", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a neat and special addition to the area - we loved going to Fitz's in the city but it's a bit of a ways away. It's nice to get a fun and unique spot in the county :) Same delicious food and drinks! A few gripes: -it's hard to find! They don't have a sign directly on the building (yet, I hope). -While the food and company is special, I was disappointed they didn't do more in this location. I had high hopes to see some of the bottling or arcade, like the city location. Just a pretty open (albeit nice and updated) space. A few enclosed party rooms on the side. Overall, it's not perfect but a great addition to the area and we'll be back :)", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:36:18" }, { "business_id": "NXs4byOiMay3DkMLuvgJxw", "business_name": "Peel Wood Fired Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been to Peel in IL but don't get out there much anymore - So happy to see this new location and finally visit. The space is great - and lots of it. The pizza is delicious, one of my favs. They have lots of apps and salads that I want to try. This will be a great spot for lunch, happy hour, brunch, whatever! Go and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:38:26" }, { "business_id": "VJ-c-Yjj1qv7dKS5YaYoHg", "business_name": "Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious spot for lunch! I picked up to go and shared with a friend. The chicken and rice soup was delicious and the bread was amazing. I definitely want to go back and try more - especially the pizza. No kids menu and kinda pricey which bumped it to 4 stars for me.", "timestamp": "2019-03-03T13:17:10" }, { "business_id": "RcsTutp1103SGiYtam7xRg", "business_name": "The Frisco Barroom", "rating": 4, "text": "Awesome new spot in Webster. Peeked at the rooftop outdoor area and looks fab for warm summer nights. Came with a small group of girls for drinks and appetizers (they shared, I didn't eat), sat the bar and they had live music. It's busy and loud but a good vibe! Want to go back and try food :) Fun fact: owners also own K Hall, another gem in the area!", "timestamp": "2019-04-11T13:20:31" }, { "business_id": "YSgcojsb2kWHXNLWaGCuBA", "business_name": "Pastaria", "rating": 4, "text": "Modern Italian vibe meets casual but classy dining. I've been twice - one for date night and once with the kids, both times were great! They have a great and generous happy hour - M-F 3:30-6 drink specials, some $10 pizzas and half off kids meals making them only $5. The hot fresh bread is amazing and the pasta and pizza are delish. Yum!", "timestamp": "2019-06-27T01:09:25" }, { "business_id": "MuKoTR56s6elHEI2wUkgJA", "business_name": "Grace Meat + Three", "rating": 4, "text": "Great delicious fried chicken spot! I was a sweetie pie fan through and through - so I had high expectations. The chicken was delicious - crisp, flavorful and mildly spicy. Delicious!! The sides were okay. The Mac and cheese was kind of tough and nothing really special. The mashed potatoes were better but so strong by the end of the cup, I couldn't eat the rest. However, the chicken is so good. It's a bit pricey. It's pretty hipstery and I do miss the charm and authenticity of of sweetie pies, but I digress.", "timestamp": "2019-08-31T02:24:14" }, { "business_id": "peQnrEY1S6sE4ifK2SFUSA", "business_name": "Sugarfire Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this sooner? This is my absolute favorite at Louis bbq. It's dangerously close to me now so I've been able to frequent too frequently lol My faves that I get almost every time: The milkshakes - damn delicious and lots of unique flavors include booze options. The meat - so tender and delicious. I typically get the pork. It's so good and big portions. The French fries - salty, thin, addictive!!!!! Keep an eye out for their specials, they have creative and amazing specials every day. But get there quick before they sell out! Follow on IG to get a heads up on specialties.", "timestamp": "2019-12-18T04:08:27" }, { "business_id": "Jn8bQ86NMVlCG3tY0YVLaw", "business_name": "Russell’s Cafe & Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed sooner? This is a gem in my neighborhood. Delicious, homemade food with healthy options and a plethora of baked goods to choose from. This is a regular stop for our household. The space is small so we tend to avoid the busiest times. All meals, desserts are fantastic. We haven't tried something we didn't like. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T17:26:48" }, { "business_id": "YJ-sr_YVhnsZaBl-j9tjCg", "business_name": "Epic Pizza & Subs", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick and easy pizza and apps right next to beer Disney land! We tried wings, garlic knots, and each had a slice of pizza. The apps were phenomenal and the pizza was okay, good flavor on the cheese but also kind of lackluster. Overall a solid spot to hit before heading to pieces game bar - which is just what we did! :)", "timestamp": "2020-01-13T01:19:08" } ]	{ "business_id": "r8DNf74pfvCdy29fGuwAoA", "business_name": "Pieces The St. Louis Board Game Bar & Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "We went for the first time on a Sunday afternoon and it was such a fun afternoon! We played games and got to hang in a fun atmosphere with lots of choices. You pay $5 each to get in and each item you buy, knocks $1 off your game fee. It's pretty good deal for $5 each but if you buy food/drinks just to get \"free\" or reduced entrance fee, it gets pricey! We came just two of us and it would have been better with a bigger group but there's a special area for two player games and we had plenty of time in 2.5 hours - we could have stayed longer. We will be back! I was bummed they did not have the featured picture drink - they don't make anymore (s'more drink). And it just seems like they should be serving milkshakes or at least that pic put me in the mood for one. Game bar and milkshakes = perfection. Please add to menu!! :)", "timestamp": "2020-01-13T01:23:03" }
xbybLiQockAzC4xAlzFrGg	[ { "business_id": "y-XX_c8EVK4m3oQda42Y3A", "business_name": "McArthur's Bakery Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here quite a few times for breakfast and have had really good experiences. Employees are many and helpful. Food is very reasonably priced (so much we thought we were under charged every time). Many options and everything we had was fresh and yummy. Never went to for cakes or special orders.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:31:32" }, { "business_id": "gKBqK-FFq7EGOUscBqb1iA", "business_name": "The Royale Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a cool, liberal bar that's a hidden gem! I've only been for drinks and plan on going for food. The interior is cozy, clean and aesthetically pleasing. It's going to be my new regular spot :) only complain is that seating is limited - we ran out of chairs for friends.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:39:52" }, { "business_id": "SyAYFxPBjuaHajx9iE7wLQ", "business_name": "Saint Louis Galleria", "rating": 3, "text": "love/hate relationship with Galleria. Unruly kids/teens have been a problem in the past which is why they created a curfew on weekends. Parking is horrible, especially near the Cheescake Factory and even worse now that Nordstrom is open. Great places to shop like Sephora, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, Papyrus, and Nordstrom ! And eat (California Pizza Kitchen & Cheescake Factory). However they got rid of MAC and one end of the mall is dumpy (if you've been, you know what I'm talking about).", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:16:04" }, { "business_id": "GTXSk8QyD7N1Un-tzgPw4g", "business_name": "First Watch", "rating": 4, "text": "My boyfriend & I love to go to First Watch on Sundays. It's delish & provides a great breakfast for about $20. The pancakes are to die! I always get a chocolate chip pancake when I go (as part of the Tri-Fecta). They have many low-fat and alternate options like turkey sausage and egg substitute. They have crepes and unique dishes as well.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:17:50" }, { "business_id": "cdf4eQCZv2lu3xZCKVnlZA", "business_name": "Trendy Nails & Spa", "rating": 5, "text": "I just had a great first experience with Trendy Nails & Spa! After hearing great reviews from friends & seeing the reviews here, this was the first local nail salon on my list to try and I'm glad I did. The staff was very friendly and talkative. My nail tech took her time to make sure she did a good job - she even re-did a few things that weren't perfect. I got the OPI Axxium gel polish (my first gel manicure) and was impressed with the precision and effort she put forth to make this a great manicure. Not to mention it was only $27! Most gel manicures, from my research, range from $30-$40. I will definitely become a regular and recommend this place to friends because of this great, clean space with very friendly and talented staff plus reasonable/cheap prices. What more could a girl ask for?", "timestamp": "2011-07-29T02:59:51" }, { "business_id": "JVI5tY_EcHlIFJkX5SlLVA", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 3, "text": "My boyfriend and I are frequent breakfast eaters and although many hipsters cringe at IHOP, we like it (well, it's no Eggsperience - a wonderful diner in Chicago) but it does beat Denny's. We normally have to truck it to the Sunset Hills location but they just opened this one on Lemay Ferry, just down the road from us, to our delight! IHOPs are all pretty much the same but I was compelled to write a review for this one in particular because this location is TINY. There are seriously probably about 20 tables. We had to wait a half an hour for 2 people. Granted it was Sunday afternoon (church rush), but we normally do not have to wait that long. Additionally, staff was sluggish to clean tables, seat us, and wait on us in general. However, the place was clean. I should also mention union protesters are around and probably will be for a bit. More beef I have with IHOP in general is that they don't take coupons from cell phones. It is not only \"green\" to do that, but it's the 21st century of iPads, iPhones, Kindles, and more...everything is electronic now so refusing to take electronic coupons is a big mistake in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:21:55" }, { "business_id": "paBWJ6VBIy4-eXVH3iGFFA", "business_name": "Courtesy Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "I just love this place. It's a local little diner that reminds me of a Huddle House or Waffle House (size and ambiance). But I love it because it's SUPER cheap (cash only though) and it's local (I'm a big local business supporter). The food is good and the environment is upbeat. Great to hit up after dancing the night away into the wee hours of the morning :)", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:26:13" }, { "business_id": "S26FJcC298XNpN2cZiwOrA", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Central West End", "rating": 5, "text": "There's not much else to say about this amazing pizzeria that hasn't already been said, I'm sure. I think it's popularity peaked after Obama gave it a shout out for being the best deep dish pizza he's ever eaten (and that's coming from a Chicago native!!). However, there's also thin crust pizzas as well as vegan pizzas (talk about going the extra mile!). I had the opportunity to eat here with the head desert chef so we got to try all the deserts which I think are very neglected for the pizza-goers. Both appetizers and deserts are simple yet divine. The most simple, a blood orange push-pop of sorts, is simply amazing. The alcohol menu is extensive and there are tastes for everyone. The environment is trendy and usually buzzing. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. It can get a little pricey but I think it's worth it. I've been here multiple times and plan on going again.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:33:15" }, { "business_id": "GV-e7Op4aU98xkjjoKlRhA", "business_name": "Modesto Tapas Bar & Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore this tapas bar. A few friends turned me on to it and I was a little nervous as I'm, sad to admit, a picky eater. Many of the items on the menu scared me because they are not traditional but when I tried them, they were amazing. That means they can make damn good food and makes me trust them when I want to try other things. Most notably was the ribeye on bread with cheese (I know, a safe one) but there were so many amazing more treats - the names I don't even remember. I would recommend going during happy hour where you can get bites cheap. I have never went at a happy hour so just dining it was pricey and I didn't get to try too much (although I did over time after going multiple times). The plates are small so not very satisfactory as a meal unless you are going to get many each (although that will cost you a pretty penny). The place is trendy and clean. Servers are attentive although I recall feeling slightly rushed a time or two. They have unique cocktails and drinks - lemonade mojito was amazing. I can't wait to go back - this time to make the happy hour so I can try a lot more and pay a lot less! I would consider this a must-go place in STL and recommend it to all my friends.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:57:06" }, { "business_id": "gHf8FdH8uLobt3zi3-dR4g", "business_name": "Hillside Animal Hospital", "rating": 5, "text": "I've brought my doggie here since I adopted her just over a year ago. I've been impressed with the staff and especially the vet (Dr. Marziani) since day one. I've never had any trouble getting an appointment, keeping an appointment, nor waiting too long for an appointment. Additionally, I've gotten in last minute a few times for those more urgent animal situations that are inevitable to occur. Dr. Marziani is very knowledgeable, helpful, and nice. She takes her time with you and your pet and it is evident she not only knows what she is doing, but really cares about your pet. My puppy was my first dog and she helped walk me through the process and has great recommendations for me (in fact, she introduced me to the Greater St. Louis Training Club and I went to them for my dog's obedience training!). The administrative staff & vet assistants are also nice, patient, and knowledgeable. They also send reminder cards for your pets needs and have many specials with heartworm and flea treatments. They keep customers in the know via Facebook with other specials, too. I couldn't say enough good things about Hillside. The only downside, which comes along with any good vet, is that it is a little pricey. When I took Libby once for a cut, it was about $100 which included the exam and medicine. Again, I think this will be the case for any good vet so I didn't ding them for that. We will be customers for life and I would highly recommend!", "timestamp": "2011-11-18T17:25:29" }, { "business_id": "EpREWeEpmR8f1qLHzzF0AA", "business_name": "Schlafly Bottleworks", "rating": 5, "text": "After living in the STL area for way over 10 years now, I am both ashamed and remorseful to admit that I ate here for the FIRST time just a few weeks ago. I am ashamed because it's a St. Louis tradition and remorseful because I missed out on it for so..many...years! This place is amazing. What is not to love! It's a factory where you can get a tour (Friday-Sunday, noon-5pm on the hour), there's a shop, bar, and dining area. They also host many event with live music on the weekends. It's fun to just kind of wander and look around - don't worry, you'll get a chance because there will likely be a wait before you dine. The beer is, of course, amazing. The Hefeweizen is my personal favorite and a great start for anyone who is not a huge beer drinker (like myself). Additionally, the food is homegrown and damn good. I had the pizza (recommendation from my server) and it was really spectacular, though I'm admittedly a pizza connoisseur so I enjoy a good pizza pie more than most probably ;P My date had a bison burger which was also really good. More fun info: the service is great! I think they tend to hire more funky and alternative people (like tattoo parlor staff) which I support. The quality is what makes this place stand out along with the emphasis on local food and brewery. It is a little on the pricier side but for all the experience you get and the quality, it is worth it. I will go again and again and you probably should, too!", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T06:58:36" }, { "business_id": "FryXEasH74MQDnj5Bvz3QA", "business_name": "The Mud House", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself to be a breakfast and brunch connoisseur, always in search of new, delicious places. By chance, I came across this hidden gem and I'm glad I did! I checked out the reviews and based on those saying how super slammed they are, I figured there's no way we'd make it in. But we swung by to check around noon on a Sunday and there were several open tables. So either business has slowed down or we happened to come at a generally slow time. You order at the counter, find a seat, and they bring you your food. To my delight, the interior is eclectic and charming. The menu is small, but the prices are VERY reasonable, especially for the value (more on that later). The down side: Extremely loud in there. Even not filled to capacity, I felt like I had to shout to my dining partner to have conversation. It was noticeably annoying. Another downfall is that we waited about 20 minutes for our food. The good news: The food was AMAZING! I got the classic breakfast meal (bacon, eggs, toast, hashbrowns). My boyfriend got the Apple and Raisin French Toast. We also got a powdered sugar brownie. I would go back solely for another brownie! The toast was so fresh and delicious, it tasted like it was freshly made. And bonus, it was very modestly priced. My dish was only $7, same as what I would get at IHOP or Denny's with a slab of Wonder Bread on the plate. I can't emphasize enough the quality of the food, the taste, and the value. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was Indie/artsy. The staff are also very friendly and helpful.", "timestamp": "2012-07-15T21:42:07" }, { "business_id": "jQBPO3rYkNwIaOdQS5ktgQ", "business_name": "The Fountain On Locust", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review sooner! This is one of my favorite spots in St. Louis since my first visit a couple years ago (after a co-worker suggested it). I feel like I work for them because I am always bragging about how wonderful it is and where better to brag than Yelp? :) This is a locally-owned restaurant that is known especially for their ice cream (including ice cream martinis!). The interior is amazing. It's an old car dealership from the 20th century that is art deco. Even the bathrooms are amazing (seriously, check them out). The food is reasonably priced and wonderful. My favorite is the Royal Grille, which is a grilled cheese sandwich with apple slices (Yum!) with their handmade chips (extra Yum!). Amazing! Their soups and other sandwiches are also delicious. Now to the main act, the ice cream. Probably more than you need to know, but they make all of their ingredients from scratch (excepted the main ingredient, ice cream - that, they fly in aged from Wisconsin!) - see, I told you it sounds like I work from them, but trust me, I'm just a creepy fan. I've had the Chocolate Brownie Cake in a Cup and Standing Banana Split. The Standing Banana Split is one of my favorite deserts EVER. My go-to is Chocolate shake (SO delicious) and pair that with food, I'm usually too full for desert. But it's worth to come solely for desert. Bottom line, check it out. It's a classic in St. Louis and you definitely won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:01:24" }, { "business_id": "8vwdDagJc8bJR0ZojFGZxw", "business_name": "The Cup", "rating": 4, "text": "While there is some debate about who exactly has the best cupcake in STL (Is it Jilly's? SweetArt? Cup?), the Cup is definitely in the running and is at the top of my list. They have a small menu (usually 6-7 staple cupcakes and 5-6 seasonal cupcakes), but the flavors are delish. Some of my favorites are Tuxedo (dark chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream), Double Chocolate (self-explanatory ;)), and Gold Rush (yellow cake, chocolate buttercream). The interior is small-ish, but that's most shops in CWE. This cupcakes are kinda priecy, but not too bad if you buy one just for yourself ;) There is basically no parking, just a few metered spots by the entrance. All in all, this is a must-stop for cupcake connoisseurs!", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:20:52" }, { "business_id": "OZcl2HOUXAHuICrh5d2WjQ", "business_name": "Half & Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Unfortunately, our breakfast was just OK. We waited about 45 minutes to eat on a bustling Saturday morning. Once we were seated, the service was fast and attentive. The decor is fun and eclectic. However, the food wasn't up to par in my opinion. Maybe I had too high expectations after reading the stellar reviews or maybe I was put off that we waited so long (after being quoted at about 20-30 minutes). Or maybe it's because I didn't get anything 'exciting', just the half and half which is toast, eggs, hash browns, and bacon (for an added charge). But, truly I believe the quality was simply lacking (maybe we hit them on a bad day?). The eggs were runny and the bacon was over cooked. However, my fiancé had the eggs benedict and he did like his dish. They have some unique dishes that if you loved you might want to return for, (e.g., blackberry french toast has been cited multiple times as a must-try) but I like a classic. I would rather go to Mud House where the food is cheaper and better.", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:25:09" }, { "business_id": "p_6THXiGLViyxYnOY8BzZQ", "business_name": "Vin de Set", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here for my four-year anniversary with my boyfriend. We had never been, but after perusing Yelp and other review websites, Vin de Set was cited multiple times for being a romantic hot spot in St Louis. So we had to try it for our very special night. We came around 5pm on a Saturday night and there were few people around. We sat outside on the infamous rooftop deck where cozy seats, outdoor warmers, and stringed lights were abound. I tried the beef medallions (delicious!) and my boyfriend had fresh fish. We also split a piece of cheesecake. Everything was wonderful and I really loved my dish - I would order it again! Prices were expensive, but reasonably so. I think we spent about $50 for our two entrees and dessert. Service was good, though not extraordinary. Overall, it was a fun experience made extra special by the fact that afterward, my boyfriend proposed to me :) What a perfect night!", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:33:45" }, { "business_id": "7nDUQkNX0aw9gc_9nlVPwQ", "business_name": "Wolfgang's Pet Stop", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely love this little shop! I began taking my 2 1/2 year old Sheltie here about a year or so ago after finding a Groupon for this shop. I've never been or heard of it, but gave it a try because it's a small business and it was a good deal. I set up an appointment for a groom and was lucky enough to have Kelly as her groomer. We have been seeing her ever since! My little girl is terrified of dryers so Kelly takes the extra time to hand dry her. She is very careful with her, patient with her anxiety, and always trims and grooms to my instructions, plus adds extra cute bows or handkerchief after :) It really shows that she cares about dogs and loves her job. She also always seems to be there because every time I've made an appointment, she's been available. When I get my pup back from Kelly, she's super soft, clean, shed-free, and smelling wonderful. We been there regularly for a year or so now and it's always a superb job! The other staff are wonderful too. They know my pup by name and are always very polite and sweet to her and me. They always manage to get me in for an appointment even when calling last minute. They are very friendly and accommodating. On top of that, prices are VERY reasonable. I usually get my Sheltie (read: lots of hair) a wash, groom, trim (nails and hair), teeth brushed, and shed-x treatment for about $40 -- and it ends up being a 4 hour service. I cannot say enough good things about this place! This will be our groomers for life! There is a retail store upstairs and they also do doggy day care, though I've never tried either. I heard from a staffer that they are expanding and adding a new location on Washington street with a larger doggy day care center. My only complaint is parking can be a pain and not very welcoming to take doggy in and out of my car on a busy and tight street. However, that is to be expected in the CWE so I don't fault them for that, just unfortunate byproduct of the location.", "timestamp": "2012-12-21T23:40:05" }, { "business_id": "UugJ2WQFoV-rNFqZ4QyrHg", "business_name": "Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself an ice-cream junkie and Oberweis is the prime spot to get my fix :-) The product is delicious and addictive! I almost always share a chocolate milkshake with my fiancé when I go (maybe it's the retro interior and feel of a simpler time?) though any dessert is guaranteed to please. They also sell ice-cream to go, milk, orange juice, and a few other 'grocery' items. Their milk is what I would definitely recommend to try. They charge you for the bottle, but you can return to get the $ back. They even do a really neat delivery service of groceries though I personally never used it. Every time we go, the cream and service is top notch. It's one of our favorite stops and I always look forward to going. Oberweis is a must-stop stop for any fellow ice-cream junkies as well as any St. Louis natives. They are family owned and St. Louis based!", "timestamp": "2013-05-17T04:48:24" }, { "business_id": "KChWMIHxMChTE11ZVsIVZw", "business_name": "Sub Zero Vodka Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this place sooner?! I've been going here for years from bachelorette parties to birthday parties and everything in between. It's one of my favorite spots. They are always rated high by RFT for being the best at both burgers and sushi. While the combination is random, do not take it lightly. I have friends who love sushi and will order it every time, while I'm into burgers and will order one every time (make sure you try the Bacon Borsin -- it's my favorite!). Their drink selection is amazing, as you would expect for a Vodka bar. The place is big and they offer free valet for customers on weekends. Sometimes there's a wait, but it's usually not too long. They do take reservations as we've made them plenty of times for big parties. The prices are reasonable. Service is always good and the food is always amazing. We introduced this place to many friends over the years and friends of ours who live in IL come to Sub Zero just for date nights (and you know how hard it is to get IL residents to cross the river ;-)). I just can't say too many great things about this place! Seriously, try it! You will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:16:49" }, { "business_id": "6r9FNW0-4aKqbPCX7UxTZg", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love love Maggiano's! The place is huge with an upstairs yet there always seems to be a wait. I'm usually lucky enough to nab a bar table (which is first come, first served) to avoid the wait and that's fine with me. However, if you have a big party or really want a table, you may be stuck waiting for awhile and may want to consider getting a drink at the bar, taking a stroll down the Boulevard, or browsing in Crate and Barrel as you wait. They offer warm bread and olive oil, my favorite. Plus, I'm always a sucker for restaurants that offer bread before the meal (it's just considerate). They have a classics menu which they offer a free meal to take home (you can choose a different dish than what you order so long as it's on the classics menu). My favorite dish is their Spaghetti and Meatballs and I always seem to end up getting that, though they have plenty of other good dishes. My fiancé loves their Taylor Street Baked Ziti. Their salads and other entrees are good as well. For dessert, the Apple Crostada is to die for! It's a must-try though their other desserts are delicious as well. The service is always good and the food, delicious. The atmosphere is very nice and the prices are reasonable. One of my favorite restaurants to dine at!", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:31:34" }, { "business_id": "MUBk0fgk0ViHwEiNnRitWA", "business_name": "Green Bean", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a recently discovered gem in CWE. I was looking for a healthy place for lunch and found it! I have brought friends here since and they love it, too! How I described it to them: a Fro Yo approach to salad. You pick your lettuce, toppings, and dressing. They also have a few menu items to choose from. The drawbacks are that it's a bit expensive. For just a salad or wrap with no drink or side will put you back about $9-10. The portions are big though so you get plenty! There also is usually a wait. The process to make the salad or wrap always seems laborious and they usually have to go get extra/missing ingredients from the back. The space is small and kinda tight, too, but that's most places in CWE. They have some perks, like through the Perka app which gives you free salads after so many purchases. Also, they partner with Fro Yo and if you bring your receipt to Fro Yo, you get 10% off your frozen yogurt purchase (and vice versa if you bring Fro Yo receipt to Green Bean). My favorite is the Citrus Caesar (caesar salad with oranges :-)) on the whole wheat wrap. Yum!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:27:52" }, { "business_id": "rKO2kZB--kKG94HGzg5ysQ", "business_name": "Treats Unleashed", "rating": 5, "text": "Treats Unleashed is a neat little store with several locations in the STL area. We perused in there about a week or so ago and I realized that these are the treats they use at Four Muddy Paws, our go-to spot for doggie goods. I was so excited, we were right at the source!! They have homemade, all natural doggie treats along with the usual dog food, leashes, treats, and supplies. They offer natural and more hard to find brands that PetSmart doesn't carry. Love this little shop! And I bet your dog will too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:32:57" }, { "business_id": "chUeS0h9C8KGfyJO2Jqgew", "business_name": "Fozzie's Sandwich Emporium", "rating": 5, "text": "I used to live next to this amazing sandwich shop. I no longer do. I seriously go into withdrawals. The sandwiches, the salads, it's all good! The shop is small and sometimes there's a wait. What I would do is call, place an order, and leave to pick up because it was so close. This worked out perfectly! They also deliver, but same with pizza, I can't ever justify paying the delivery charge + tip for a few minutes drive for me! Also, try the Gimme S'more shake. That is what I crave and it is amazing. Kisses, marshmallows, and graham crackers. I love a good s'more so it takes a lot for something s'more flavored to get me. And this does. Seriously, try it!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:43:05" }, { "business_id": "o0uODX3Ot6dkHn3_C49Wjw", "business_name": "Fletcher's Kitchen and Tap", "rating": 3, "text": "For some reason, this place carries sound like no other and is unusually loud. The four of us came in for dinner and we could barely carry on a conversation...and eventually we gave up trying. The temperature in there was also unusually cold. The food was pretty good. I had a chicken caesar salad and the chicken was BBQed which put me off a bit, but it was good. My other dining partners enjoyed their food. Service was amazing...our server was really on it! I was between 3 and 4 stars, but asked myself if I would go back and my answer is no. If I could talk to my dining partners and not freeze, I would definitely go back. So if you like a cold and lively environment (seems like an oxymoron?), you will enjoy this spot!", "timestamp": "2013-07-03T00:04:24" }, { "business_id": "hw0O24rFx1BU5ZLlKBZYNg", "business_name": "Keller Plaza Cinema", "rating": 2, "text": "As a regular movie-goer, I am always on the look-out for new theaters. I was pleasantly surprised to find this little gem tucked away (literally) off of Lemay Ferry Rd. (near the intersection of Lindbergh and Lemay Ferry Rd.). Is it the most dazzling movie experience I've ever had? No. Is it a more affordable, low-frills spot to catch a flick? Yes. (If it's the former I'm looking for, I head over to The Great Escape - for over 3x the price.) I've been multiple times and here are the notes: Admission for matinees (before 6:0pm) are $3, evenings are $4. Every day. Can't beat that! They play older flicks. So expect something you want to see to visit here a month or more after they've come and gone at the chains. This theater is CASH ONLY. I always forget that, but luckily there is a credit union a few doors down so after a pit stop to the ATM we are ready to go. The theaters are in OK condition. Seats randomly have trash bags over them because they are broken. Spoiler Alert: they aren't the most comfortable. The screens are smaller and there are a few scratches/marks on them. If you go in with reasonable expectations based on what you paid for, you will enjoy Keller Plaza Cinema. UPDATE::::::: The last few flicks we saw there had terrible sound and vision. So if you don't mind about not seeing or hearing the movie, then by all means, go! We learned that while admission is cheap, it's work paying the extra few bucks (or only $5 movies on Wednesdays at all STL cinemas) so that you can enjoy the movie (or just hear and see it). I'm sad because I would love to support a small business theater in my neighborhood but we will not return.", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T20:15:17" }, { "business_id": "u4WC_qHGn03jwNdVmW5vaQ", "business_name": "Baileys' Chocolate Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not written a review sooner?! This is my #1 favorite spot for after drinks. They have a huge list of decadent drinks and desserts for your sweet tooth. My go-to drink is the Chocolate Bar Signature Martini. It's one of the ice-cream martinis they offer. It's a dream in a glass. Like complimentary bread at an Italian restaurant, you get a plate of mini chocolate chip cookies when you arrive which is a nice touch. The atmosphere is romantic and trendy. It's often hopping, too. I've been here numerous times for girls night, date night, birthday party, even my own engagement party (ahh my fiancé knows me so well :-))! They are busy and there is often a wait, but it is worth it. Service is good and everything I've tried so far is delicious, food included. Must go spot for city dwellers and visitors alike!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T21:16:14" }, { "business_id": "j3sRTkoqD_obks7IOW876w", "business_name": "Dewey's Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur so be prepared when I announce that this is my #1 favorite pizza in the world. I've tried slice after slice in multiple establishments and this is my favorite, by far. The menu is simple, but sufficient. They offer regular salads and pizzas in delicious combinations. I always get a Caeser salad and X-Pepperoni pizza (Hey, I know what I like!). My fiancé always gets the Greek salad (and he is one to always mix it up, which goes to show how delicious this is!) and usually the Bronx Bomber (a supreme of sorts). They also have a seasonal salad and pizza to offer. The food is ah. maze. ing. Ingredients are fresh, crisp, and delicious. The X-Pep pizza is a touch spicy, but that's what makes it so good. The dough, the sauce, the cheese, the toppings, it's ALL good. Be prepared for a wait, even in the late evening on a week day. Dewey's is delicious and people know it, so don't rush perfection! Service is always good as they seem to have a co-op method of service where you have multiple servers. This is my favorite spot for pizza and can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:09:46" }, { "business_id": "QmkAq8hwSgBZcZ7z5tEFDg", "business_name": "Mosaic Restaurants", "rating": 4, "text": "Knowing my love for brunch, a friend highly recommended Mosaic. Imagine my delight upon finding a Groupon for this spot for brunch for two including mimosas :-) Happy would be an understatement. That said, it took us almost till the end of the year to go! My friend said they require reservations and they only offer brunch on Sundays. We made it eventually and it was a pleasant surprise! I went all out and ordered the Grilled Flatiron and Eggs served with roasted harissa potatoes. It was delicious. The flatiron was SO good! The sides were all unique and delicious as well. My fiancé ordered an omelet and said he enjoyed it. Service was great! I noticed many others were Groupon consumers (as I mentioned earlier, it was near expiration), but service never suffered. I am a fan and would love to come back to try other meals too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:30:22" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "OK. I need to confess something. Before I tell you, let me ask that you please don't hurdle things at me. I do not like BBQ sauce. I'm not a sauce girl of any kind, actually. No ketchup, no mayonnaise, no mustard, no dressing, none of it. So BBQ and me don't really mix. However, I will eat BBQ without sauce on it (or grilled meat as it's probably more appropriately called). I've heard so many good things about Pappy's (which is why I bookmarked it), that I was looking forward to going regardless of my sauce-intolerance. I had a pulled chicken sandwich with fried corn on the cob (what?) and sweet potato fries. My dining partner had a beef brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries and cole slaw. The chicken was smokey and delicious. My friend loved the brisket. He also loved the BBQ sauce ;-) The sides were great. SPF were YUM-O. I'm not a huge fan of SPF (I know, I'm not helping my case), but they were crispy and delicious. The fried corn on the cob was interesting but good. Luckily, we came in on a Monday night and the line was short. Apparently we were lucky and should not expect that to happen again. All in all, it was good and coming from me that means something as BBQ isn't my choice of meal. It's a must try for visitors as it's our top BBQ joint.", "timestamp": "2013-07-09T01:00:20" }, { "business_id": "sImDC2ePC0sIkZsHaX-k3g", "business_name": "MX Movies & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I had never been to MX theaters as it's relatively new, but it was definitely on my radar. A movie theater in the heart of the city? I'm there. Even better, it's above Pi, one of my favorite pizza joints. Hello, perfect date night! We started out in the bar which was spacious and vibing. The bartenders were awesome. They provided top notch service and were super friendly. We had drinks (Pineapple Upside Down Cake in fact which was delish!) and some bites to eat including wraps, chicken wings, and flat bread pizzas. All was very good! Now for the main act! The theater is AWESOME. The seats and rows are spacious. The seats are some form of leather recliners and are oh so comfy. They are organized by fours with some space between the pairs. Each pair has a tablet to order from. We had our popcorn and soda brought right up to us, in less than two minutes! The servers aren't as distracting as I thought they may be. They were in and out quickly and quietly. The tab's screen is bright which can be distracting, but after the previews, everyone's mostly done looking at them. Some details about etab: They advertise to bring drinks up within 5 minutes and food within 15. Note: you can't use cash using the etab. If you only have cash, you must go to the concession stand (the walk of shame!). Parking was kind of tricky with construction and the busy street, but that's everywhere downtown so I don't dock them for that. We did however park in the wrong garage, had to walk over, and couldn't use the ticket validation :( Basically, in sum, once you go MX, you can't go back.", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T22:00:51" }, { "business_id": "lTNknj73Idb-dSlrDJ6qjw", "business_name": "Tom's Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Good ole' Tom's. I've been several times as I work nearby. In fact, this is the preferred spot for a few of us (including me!) who are apart of our regular work lunch group. Their food is greasy but very good. Drink selection is good. Service is usually good. It can get crowded and awkward walking through the set up if crowded. It's a bar atmosphere, but they have outdoor seating which we appreciate on a nice day. They have their own private parking lot which is very well monitored -- this is a huge perk for the area. I've never been for karaoke and after reading these reviews, I'm very inclined to check it out!", "timestamp": "2013-07-11T01:43:05" }, { "business_id": "is9QogkUGhtcEALtHMyLwg", "business_name": "Three Dog Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "My fiancé and I recently visited Three Dog Bakery for the first time to redeem a free \"pupcake\" from a business card we received at a doggie event in the past. We left with arm loads of doggies treats, toys, and stuff :-) The staff were SUPER friendly. They spent a lot of time with us talking us through different items, the sale (in fact, they often recommended items that were on sale to help us save money!), our dogs, etc. The have a lot of gourmet doggie products that you will see at nicer pet boutiques. In fact, they carry Happy Tails, a line of bath products that I frequently order online. The staff had great recommendations for items in this line, too that they were out of stock of, but that I want to try in the future. The baked goodies were fresh, beautifully presented, and creative (i.e., you will see little boxes of pup fries, pup cakes, and the sort)! We got our free cupcake (and she threw in another for our other doggie) and joined the loyalty program where we get a free treat each month - so we toted two of those home too :-) The store is very spacious which is nice for doggies to roam and people room to shop. Items they carry are pricier, but that's at any dog boutique where they carry the good stuff so I didn't dock them for that. We will definitely return. There are several dog boutiques to shop at in STL, but what sets this spot apart is definitely the customer service (including their friendliness, knowledge, and their generosity) and the space!", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:12:17" }, { "business_id": "ahpLj4hNo2-2w_xf2sNE3g", "business_name": "Four Muddy Paws", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the first pet boutique we visited for our pups and it's still one of my favorites. I come here to get my pup her treats, food, and of course some of their homemade treats they order from Treats Unleashed. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. They really helped me through the first year of when I got my puppy and was clueless about taking care of a dog. They lead me in the right direction for nutrition as well as some training tips (the harness has been so helpful and is in the cutest design). They also loaded me with free dog food samples to see what worked for my girl and her sensitive tummy. They have events frequently for dogs and their humans with many giveaways. These are often coordinated with other local businesses which is fun, for people to get food and wine and have their dog with them. They offer professional grooming services, and while I never tried them myself, I have done their $12 DIY pup bath. My little girl was scared of the dryer, but my other dog was fine. They have all the equipment (and it's the good stuff) so it's easy peasy! They have a reward program - if you buy 10 bags of dog food, get one free. If you check in on Foursquare, you will get an offer to get a free bulk treat item which I do every time I visit :-) The shop is small and a little cramped because of the location, but the area for bathing dogs is a bit bigger. When I go to pick up food, I usually try to leave my dog at home for this reason as it can get crowded with humans and their dogs in there! Prices are high because they offer the good stuff, so I don't dock them for that. It costs more to give your dog good quality stuff so that goes with the territory. It's a one stop shop for me as they carry everything from leashes and collars to raw dog food.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:22:39" }, { "business_id": "PUDDBW0MfpSFI2XEMv_g3Q", "business_name": "Bobby's Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm from IL, but have lived in St. Louis for about the past 7 years. I don't know if you're aware, but there is a Ted vs. Bobby's rivalry for best metro STL frozen custard. I'm on Team Bobby's 100% of the way! I mean I like Ted Drewes. I will eat any icy dessert, but Bobby's is my favorite and if I'm nearby a stop is 100% in order. I actually lived RIGHT next to Ted Drewe's and have been there less than I can count on one hand. Bobby's & Ted Drewes is very similar. Both are often packed, busy, and well-liked (oh and frozen custard joints and named after a man). Bobby's, however, offers a Lite custard that is 98% fat free and I add sprinkles for a concrete...it's heaven! Bobby's has grown. They have a concert series and many hardcore, loyal fans. They are quick, reasonably priced, and delicious. They also often offer many freebies if you join their mailing list and like them on Facebook.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:31:05" }, { "business_id": "fiBEzPfn2VOZb-PjLcm7Ng", "business_name": "Kirkwood Station Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times for happy hour with friends after work and enjoy it every time. I love their Caprese pizza and always order one to share with the table. They have outdoor seating I've enjoyed with the warmer weather. This is one of my go-to places for happy hour in Kirkwood! PS If you check in, they have BOGO beer which is a sweet deal.", "timestamp": "2013-11-11T23:58:37" }, { "business_id": "vRj1rgF4ZpwGt97MbcRzqg", "business_name": "Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream", "rating": 4, "text": "Ice cream made with love in the heart of Webster Groves just spells GOOD no matter how you slice it (or scoop it) :-) They have so many delectable flavors, but I can never get past the classic chocolate. They serve the classics and trendier flavors alike all with the wonderful basic ingredients and formula. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-11-12T00:02:48" }, { "business_id": "YV32ObbYe10BXeIydrnuOQ", "business_name": "Canyon Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "If I'm craving Mexican food, Canyon Cafe is my go-to! I've eaten at Canyon Cafe several times since I discovered it a few years ago. Their food quality is amazing every single time. Service is usually very good, though sometimes can be a miss...like if they are crazy busy. I love their chips. They are a combo of sweet potato chips, tortilla chips, and sweet chips that are absolutely delicious. I seriously would come back only for the chips, even if I liked nothing else. Fortunately, that is plenty more to like. For main dishes, I love their chicken avocado salad, salmon, caesar wrap, and fish tacos. Yes, it is a little pricey but I am willing to pay a bit more for quality. My fiancé and I are now fish taco snobs...anywhere else we try them, they are never as good as Canyon's. So I'd rather have something I LOVE and pay a few extra bucks than something that's just OK for a bit cheaper. I love to check out their daily specials and usually end up ordering off of that. It's varied and always delicious, which makes coming back fun for semi-regulars like me :-) I've yet to do their happy hour because it is crazy and busy in that area at that time. I hear it's amazing and I really want to do this someday though...just another excuse for me to go in, right?! If you live in the Lou, this is a must go. I was sad I lived so long without it once I went there.", "timestamp": "2014-01-07T16:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Nn6Vx_Bl48EEgMEskwRQfQ", "business_name": "K Hall Designs", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a must stop place to shop for any soap junkie like myself. How do you know you're a soap junkie? If you go to Bath & Body Works at least once a week, busy yourself by smelling your collection of bath products at home for fun, and/or hoard an obnoxious amount of bath products, then safe to say you are. K. Hall has an abundance of scents to choose from and come in a variety of sized candles, fragrances, soaps, and sprays. The scents are lovely, quality is amazing, and products are packaged beautifully. I love to re-purpose the pretty candle jars for holding makeup brushes or other things. Some of my favorite scents: Washed Cotton, Lavender, Milk, Peony, and Shoreline. The store also sells other random things, like jars, beverage dispensers, decor, etc. I've never purchased those items, but it's just of fun to look around and gives the shop a funky, eclectic, vintage-y feel. It's a little pricey, but to me it's worth it because it's high quality. However, check out their scent of the month sales (30% off anything in that scent) and their annual warehouse sale to enjoy the goods at a lower price.", "timestamp": "2014-01-15T14:49:36" }, { "business_id": "wbLXXbI-T6Av71i9AoiZRQ", "business_name": "Cleveland-Heath", "rating": 5, "text": "This literally may be my new favorite restaurant...EVER! I've heard lots of hype about this place yet never made it over to the IL side to check it out. I was excited to try it! I had dinner last night for the first time and even while eating my meal, I couldn't wait to go back! The place is cozy (read: smallish), the ambience is nice and the menu offerings are interesting. Staff were busy, but attentive and friendly. A friend and I split the family style Braised Beef Brisket. It included a salad to share, two sides, the brisket, and desert for $40. At $20 each it's a bit pricey, but totally and completely worth it. Especially when you consider the quality of the food (worth the price tag alone), but also the portion sizes. We definitely had enough for a 3rd or even 4th person to get in on the family meal. The salad was simple with fresh greens, sliced radishes, and lemon vinaigrette dressing; it was refreshing. We ordered macaroni and cheese and shoestring french fries (mix of sweet potato and potato fries) for our sides. They were delish, especially the macaroni and cheese. Definitely get that! The beef...was oh my god, amazing. It was so tender and flavorful and DELICIOUS. And I'm not a big meat person, but this was SO good. We finished with Beignets (warm brioche beignets, salted caramel filling) that was very delicious as well. The entire meal was decadent and delicious. I could totally get this every time I go there and be so very happy about it. I already can't wait to go back. Go and be glad that you did! Tip: They don't take reservations, but do call ahead seating. This saved us a 30-minute wait and only had to wait a few minutes for a table when we entered!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:31:50" }, { "business_id": "D1lOc4bmegUFyp_eAyJPjw", "business_name": "The Libertine Neighborhood Eatery", "rating": 4, "text": "For date night, my fiancé and I checked out The Libertine for the first time and it did not disappoint. The menu and cocktail offerings are different and interesting. Prices are moderate to high. Staff is very attentive and amazing. Ambiance is nice, albeit a little fancy and dimly lit. We started off with their free appetizer, which is some type of nuts in cheese? I'm not familiar with it and wasn't a huge fan, but it was nice to be offered some food before the meal. We each got their house burger with the two patties (yep TWO), house-made cheese, bacon bun, and caramelized onions (none for me though) with fries. YUM! This burger rivaled our favorite over at SubZero and lost only by a hare. The bun was unique and delicious, probably my favorite part. Be warned, it's a double stacked burger so lots of meat and very filling. Fries were a little overdone for my taste, but otherwise good. We finished off with their famous candy bar with hazelnuts, salted caramel, and ganache. Divine!! Overall, the food was tasty and it was a good experience and I'm glad we went. It's fun to try all the new restaurants and offerings in STL and this was a great stop on the list!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:41:30" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't know how I haven't written a review for this place sooner, it's one of my favs! I'm a semi-regular here and it's one of my favorite places to go! First of all, the ambiance is fantastic. It has an open front with a patio which is nice for Spring and Summer wining and dining, but the inside is really cool. From the wine decor to the ceiling decked out in wine crates, it's wine all the way (and we like wine). Obviously, the wine menu is large and impressive. I LOVE their Moscato (yes I'm one of those). It's so light and refreshing and yummy. I've eaten their brick oven pizzas which are delicious (and much better than you'd expect for a wine bar -- don't let that stop you, get it!) as well as some appetizers. I LOVE their hummus. I consider myself a hummus connoisseur and this is one of my favs. I simply love to come here with friends to enjoy company, a bottle (or two) of wine along with some yummy dishes to nosh on. What else do we want? My time at Sasha's is always superb.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:46:44" }, { "business_id": "_Y96y5CFgJaG4I-HEgylhg", "business_name": "Crushed Red", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been in downtown Kirkwood many a time and always see this place, but only recently went in for the first time. I somehow had the impression it was a fancy restaurant, so when I tried it I was pleasantly surprised at the open concept and more casual restaurant \"make your own\" feel it has. You start off at a cashier where you order any hot food (appetizers, pizza, etc.) and then a cafeteria style line for salads where they make as you request. I had THE best salad there, the farmer's market with raspberry vinaigrette. It is seriously delicious. I went again to get the same salad and split a pizza with a friend (margarita). I honestly wasn't as impressed with the pizza as I expected. It was a little small (it is a flatbread after all) and the cheese kind of kept falling off. Maybe it's that one particular pizza, but it just didn't wow me. I probably wouldn't get it again. For me, I'll definitely be back for the salads. Pizza, not so much.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T19:03:26" }, { "business_id": "GuGlXaVDljVJ9FM-euhJmg", "business_name": "Maven", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a bona fide bath and body aficionado and particularly love local, small businesses where you find unique scents and quality homemade products. Maven fits the bill on all accounts and is in fact, my new favorite shop for bath and body products! I visited the cute shop recently with my sister and I spent a good 20 minutes just on the one side of the store. There offer a large variety of scents and they have basic products that can come in most, if not all, scents. The types of products they offer are candles, body lotion, body scrub, solid lotion, bath bombs, and soap. My fav scents at the moment are Sookie (sweet magnolia blossoms and gardenia) and Salty Sea Air (Fresh saltwater, sea kelp and ozone). I bought a soap and lotion as well as a gift (Don Draper is perfect for the Mad Men fans!). The soap was a whopping $9, so I don't know if that will be my stop for soap, but the rest of the prices are reasonable for what you get (read: good quality). I really wanted a candle, but wanted to pace myself; plus, that will give me another reason to visit again soon :-) They also offer some eclectic products like greeting cards, funny and thoughtful quotes on magnets and stickers, and even repurposed razors. I hope they have seasonal scents or new scents regularly as I'd love to see more of what they come up with. My request: more products and more scents. I'm addicted!", "timestamp": "2014-07-17T02:10:13" }, { "business_id": "QVXfW1c8eOm9SJVb3xdo7w", "business_name": "Cheeburger Cheeburger", "rating": 3, "text": "I wanted to love this joint, I did, but I was underwhelmed. They are going for the old-fashioned diner 50's diner look, I think, without a juke box. The burger was just OK. It was kind of bland and not very impressive. The french fries were the best part...crispy and a little over done, seasoned well, they were yummy. Not the best I've ever had, but good enough for me to keep reaching for more. The milkshake was rich and thick, but it lacked the creaminess and deliciousness I've come to expect (thanks for ruining me, Oberweis!). They've got over a million milkshake combos (or something insane like that) so they get bonus points for variety. If I want a burger and fries, I'd go to 5 Guys over this joint, but in a pinch it will do.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T03:50:47" }, { "business_id": "qkMMO794-59404bUiJ1Odg", "business_name": "Central Table", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to Central Table today for the first time with a friend for lunch. I have never heard of it and didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. When I entered, I felt like I walked into an upscale cafeteria for the cool kids. The layout is very clean, simple, and open. You go to the cashier and order what strikes your fancy. They offer a variety of burgers, pizzas, salads, and soup. I went for a pepperoni pizza (not your everyday pep -- enhanced with spices and finesse) and caesar salad. The pizza was DELICIOUS. Wood-fired and a generous serving, it was amazing. I was full and saved half for dinner (which I was looking forward to all day). The salad was OK. Not enough dressing and not really much flavor. I nabbed a few french fries off my friends plate and those were amazing...crispy, hot, and fresh. I look forward to going back and trying more off their menu! I would recommend you try!", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:00:12" }, { "business_id": "1_ZVtdiZpBNsXaO4ObPtbw", "business_name": "Stellina Pasta Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've heard about this place for months from my sister who swears by it. I came. I ate. I converted. I just had a sandwich and chips, no pasta yet, and already am sold! I had the Talkin' Turkey sandwich (roasted turkey breast, avocado, sunflower sprouts, fontina cheese, roasted garlic mayo on French baguette) along with Billy Goat chips for lunch. The sandwich was generously sized (I could only eat half!), fresh, and delicious. I can't wait to come back for the pasta! It's pricey, but you get what you pay for and I have a feeling the pasta will be worth the hefty price tag.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:04:56" }, { "business_id": "osL7qIVyk-WCdK9qiPTS5A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I bet you don't think of wedding flowers when you think of Whole Foods, but that's exactly where we got ours! As a bride on a budget and mostly DIY, Whole Foods was a great option that offers reasonably priced flowers (MUCH cheaper than a typical florist for weddings) and the flowers are sourced locally from ethical trade, earth friendly farming. Amber M. took care of us from beginning to end, by showing us a variety of flowers, costs, showing us samples, and ordering. Everything turned out exactly like we hoped! One downfall of using them vs. a traditional florist is that you may not be able to get the specific flower you want, but I showed her inspiration pictures and she kept the aesthetic I wanted with what they had available. It turned out beautifully as we wanted for our wedding, but also affordable. Go see Amber M. at Whole Foods Town & Country -- she'll take care of you :-)", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:05:00" }, { "business_id": "tn3_76PZZLCmGBLgBWdTTw", "business_name": "The Cakery", "rating": 5, "text": "We went to the Cakery Bakery for our wedding cake, cupcakes, and groom's cake and couldn't have been happier!! We had a small cake to cut and the rest cupcakes for our wedding guests. We had a variety of flavors (ALL delicious) each with different color frosting/toppings. They offer a variety of flavors and decor choices which was nice (though it made it hard to choose at times). They offer tastings at their shop along with lots of displays of cakes and cupcakes. I also went to the Cakery for a surprise groom's cake at the wedding rehearsal. I showed them some inspiration pictures and gave them a figurine to use -- it turned out exactly like we wanted and the groom loved it. They are flexible with meeting times, always respond to emails/calls, very friendly and nice, and have their stuff together! They worked with us on pickup and work to get what you want. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Our guests continue to tell me how delicious the cupcakes were! They made one of the most important parts of our wedding perfect! Thank you, Cakery!", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:15:15" }, { "business_id": "7dA1OhjJ0ga063_uiiDw3g", "business_name": "The Heavy Anchor", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been wanting to try this spot since I came across an RFT article calling it a nautical noir dive bar. So, when picking a spot for a an after-work happy hour, I was eager to choose this place. We arrived and parking is street so I paid a meter and inside I went. The decor is festive and plentiful. The place is notably dark. You especially notice this when you walk out hours later and shade your eyes! Drinks were cheap and I like the variety of their offerings (Schlafly summer on tap, yes please!). We didn't try the food so I plan on updating once I try it. I also see it's a concert venue and dig the multi-functional space and would love to come by to catch a show. When in search of directions and their menu, their website leaves a lot to be desired. Though I learned you can bring your own food so cool. All in all a cool spot to get a drink and mingle. And I'll be back!", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T02:40:20" }, { "business_id": "puNq5KmQs4HAzGhVajFj8w", "business_name": "Houlihan's", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is kind of an enigma to me. Every time I go in, the menu is completely different. It started as an Applebees kind of fare and gets more and more modern every time I return. Different check in rewards every time, too -- I recall using Foursquare previously and getting a free order of fries upon check in, but this time nothing. They offer up a lot of modern/fancy menu choices now. Lots of things with pretzel buns, sliders, organic greens, antibiotic chicken, etc. Don't get me a wrong, I like it, it just doesn't quite...fit. The restaurant building and decor is dated, dark, and dingy which doesn't fit their modern menu offerings and presentation. Service was OK. It's overpriced in my opinion. The food was tasty, but I feel my money could be better well spent at a spot with a more enjoyable atmosphere.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T03:07:38" }, { "business_id": "G6h-9AZro_Ni_4eRR9CkRw", "business_name": "Penzeys Spices", "rating": 4, "text": "I've received ads from Penzey's with free spice coupons for awhile but never made it there until recently. I was pleasantly surprised to find a cute shop with lots of standard and creative spice offerings. I wandered around the shop for awhile checking out all the spices. They have little jars of each spice to smell along with a variety of offerings of sizes of spices in jars and bags. They have your standard fare (all of which would be worthy enough to go in for) and then some creative and more unusual offerings (variety of sea salts, flavored vanillas, even frozen pizza topping!). They have the cutest little cinnamon shop section with a variety of cinnamon offerings. I also appreciate that they have recipe cards sprinkled around the store. Cute! I agree with some previous comments from reviewers about the staff. They are courteous and will check you out great, but when I wandered around the shop for awhile looking for a particular spice, no one asked me if I needed assistance or offered any help. I will definitely be back! Sign up for their catalogue and you'll get free spice coupons, too.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:19:02" }, { "business_id": "qQSscPMhk3frtSNilF1cGA", "business_name": "VOM FASS", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is fun, albeit a little overwhelming. I'm a cooking novice so I only have two choices for olive oil at grocers -- virgin or extra virgin. So, imagine, me walking into the store with barrel on top of barrel of oils (and more), I felt a little out of my element. I came in on a weekday with a friend and the staff member on duty was very friendly and helpful. He offered tastings, but we didn't partake. Both times I came in we were looking for gifts and found something special and perfect each time. I plan on going in next time for myself as they have some tasty olive oil that sounds great. Also a great stop for libations though we didn't shop for that on that particular trip.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:31:56" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard the hype and since ice cream is it's own food group at my house, I had to try the ice cream made out of liquid nitrogen! So, a group of friends and I moseyed on over last weekend to see what this place was all about. They offer a variety of flavors using liquid nitrogen along with soft serve, but really why would you get soft serve at this place? You order, walk through the line (and witness them what looks like torturing a kitchen aid mixer -- pouring in liquid nitrogen and blow torching it), then pick up your ice cream. Straight forward enough. The line backs up and it takes awhile too because they made each ice cream individually. I'm not sure why they don't make, say, a batch of Rocky Road (which was the flavor of the day by the way) and give out a few servings from that? We waited what seemed like forever and then we got our goods! I tried the Rocky Road and my husband had the Mint Chocolate Chip. Rocky Road was good...they had big bits of chocolate and marshmallow. The ice cream was creamy. I tried my husband's mint chocolate chip and the mint flavor was REALLY faint (I could barely taste it). The place is small and crowded and we barely could find a place to sit and talk amidst the crowd eating and the crowd waiting out the door for ice cream. It's also a bit pricey, but the servings are big. Overall, this place is a solid 4 stars. I think you need to go once for the novelty and I'd come back maybe here and there, but I don't think I'd head back here on the regular. I can get other ice creams just as tasty with a bit more comfortable atmosphere and better price point.", "timestamp": "2014-08-28T02:03:03" }, { "business_id": "UL4K6HwcI542imZo1Glpbw", "business_name": "Peacock Loop Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted to like this place, I did. New place in the loop, yeah! It's funky retro with a modern twist decor was cool. I was feeling it, until we got our food. I went in with a group of four for lunch during a week day. Service was OK. They use those infuriating water glasses that are small so that you need constant refills if you drink water like a normal person (and even more if you're a big water drinker like me!). The server couldn't keep up with my water consumption so I couldn't wash the oddly flavored chili down. Speaking of the chili...my friend also got an order and we decided a better name would be Christmas Chili. It had a distinct flavor of cinnamon or nutmeg and it was off putting. I tried to eat it since I paid for it, but I only made through about half of it. I also ordered a grilled cheese. I mean, if you do a bad grilled cheese, I don't know what hope you have and I hate to say...it was subpar. I could have made a better one at home. My other dining partners ordered sandwiches, burgers, and waffles. They said it was OK. I think the favorite was the waffle, but I didn't try it. All in all, not worth it and I won't return. Maybe if they change the menu and up the creations it will be worthy of St. Louis!", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:22:53" }, { "business_id": "-kHHi8y4kaTI6WUVdJSdvQ", "business_name": "Fitz's", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love LOVE Fitz's. It has everything a hot spot in STL needs...delicious food, unique desserts, and it's very own factory for it's home good quality made items. I've had the pizza before and that was good, but the most recent visit I got a burger. And I was blown away! I didn't expect to love it, but I did. I ate almost every bite and it was a big burger! It had a good smokey flavor and was cooked well done but still tender and scrumptious. So delicious! My husband and I shared a float with orange soda and vanilla ice cream. Oh. My. God. It was so good! It was HUGE for one so I would recommend sharing. It comes topped with 3 or 4 scoops of ice cream that in and of itself was delicious...then combine it with the Fitz's orange soda and it was divine. I always look forward to going here (and interesting note: I don't even like root beer!) and I'll be back many more times. It's a must stop of tourists or regulars who may have never been.", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:28:11" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "When looking for a venue for a holiday dinner, a friend who knows her food picked this place. I had never heard of it but am always on the lookout for delicious new places so I was excited. She made a reservation no problem (a previous reviewer mentioned they couldn't make reservations?). When we arrived we were promptly seated and given menus. Our server was great - it felt like a show as he presented with lots of information and humor and paced us. He was very knowledgeable about specials and the menu. There was only one time my water was empty and I needed more but otherwise he was attentive. I ordered a soda pop fizz cocktail that tasted like an orange cream soda (but warning: it's pink!). Had a kinda weird after taste though. Food wise, we ordered the cheese plate, bacon wrapped dates, cups of chili, and some salads to start. I didn't have any but everyone said it was delicious. They serve warm bread before the meal which is always appreciated. They had a ton of menu specials and many sounded delish! I ordered the Pork Shnitzel while my husband had the burger. Our other party members got many specials too including blackened mahi mahi, breaded mahi mahi, sweet potato tacos, bacon wrapped meatloaf, and chicken pasta dish. Everyone loved their meal! Oh and I need to mention the atmosphere. It was very cozy and chill. We were off in an alcove that was perfect for our party. It was a nice loungey feel which I appreciate. Overall a great dining experience and I would return. My one issue is that I think it's a bit overpriced, particularly my cocktail and main course. For us, it will be a great place to go for a special dinner.", "timestamp": "2014-12-31T17:07:40" }, { "business_id": "hFuRegkL_IFO5792-JegRw", "business_name": "Feraro's Jersey Style Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "How have I not discovered this place sooner?! This location is less than 2 miles from my house but it took a recommendation from a foodie friend who said it's one of her fav places. I checked out the Yelp reviews (as I religiously do before dining anywhere) and off we went to try for a date night. The location is nice. When you walk in, it looks like a bar but turn the corner and there's roomy booths with large wooden tables. We ordered Garlic Knots for an appetizer and a medium pepperoni pizza to share. The good: The food is delicious! The pizza, while my husband noted pretty cheesy (though isn't necessarily a bad thing), was pretty close to perfection. The dough, sauce, chesse, and toppings tasted fresh, hot, and delicious. The garlic knots were also hot and yummy. I love me some garlic and these delivered. Prices were reasonable. The bad: Our food took awhile. It wasn't very busy, but it took about 25 minutes for our appetizer to arrive. Our pizza came about 10-15 minutes later. The sauce for the garlic knots could be better...it was kind of thin and runny. I prefer a thick and jelled sauce. Overall, a delightful find and we will be back. I'd like to try pizza by the slice, take out, and more. Perfect spot for a pizza hankering that is close to home.", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:07:07" }, { "business_id": "BtTVHiY1AH5iHzTlx5HqZw", "business_name": "Fortel's Pizza Den", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I NOT tried this place sooner?! I've lived here too long to not have tried it and I have lots of lost time to make up for! Coworkers brought some Fortel's in to work for someone's birthday and I immediately ate way too much. It was insanely delicious and addictive. I'm not a (as I say this I'm ducking) huge fan of the typical STL style pizza. This is thin crust but the consistency is more like a hand tossed thin - perfect! The toppings are very generous and delicious. I went after this with my husband (to make sure it wasn't a fluke) and we ordered the same delicious pie, just as scrumptious as the previous one. Now if we are going out for pizza, hubby wants to go here! We are fans!", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:37:29" }, { "business_id": "54vEFcAri3Wj6cdM4ljDBA", "business_name": "Moonrise Hotel", "rating": 5, "text": "Hubby planned a staycation/date night at Moonrise since he heard it's a quirky, unique and highly rated hotel in STL. I must say, I was SUPER impressed and LOVED it. All the little touches are fantastic -- a welcome drink (and welcome snacks for pups), fabulous lounge and atmosphere, all the free, thoughtful toiletries, waterfall shower, Wolfgang Puck coffee, super beds, and more. I was blown away. Our room was clean, well lit, spacious, beautifully decorated, and thoughtfully arranged. The decor around the hotel is cool -- warning, they really stick with the moon and space theme. They have a better than concierge service (though we didn't use), thoughtful and dedicated staff, a fantastic rooftop bar, lounge spaces, and delicious 24 hr room service offerings (from the restaurant on site, Eclipse). Not to mention right on the Loop with tons of things to do! We moseyed around the Loop during the day, went to the rooftop bar for a pre-diner drink, went to Eclipse for dinner (that review is forthcoming :)), hung out in the room, and had room service for breakfast. Everything was fabulous. The rooftop bar is a gem in it's own right. The view is amazing, the bar is well stocked with unique offerings, and the vibe is relaxed/chill with some lounge-y spots around. The room service was fab -- the food was plentiful, delicious, and wonderfully presented. The staff is so impressive as well. I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and while it's a bit on the pricey side the boutique hotel experience is worth it and I would return. My ONLY beef is that we got a jacuzzi king room and the tub was a little bit of a let down. It's not actually a jet jacuzzi tub like we were expecting. More like a bit bigger than a regular bath tub with air jets. If we came back, we probably wouldn't spring for that upgrade.", "timestamp": "2015-04-11T19:27:42" }, { "business_id": "NiX_nc8pf8vClgqzjpmLTw", "business_name": "Budweiser Brew House", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband and I stopped by Budweiser Brew House for drinks and apps before a Cards vs. Cubs home game. Needless to say, the place was crazy. However, we only had a 20 minute wait for an outdoor table (while inside was an hour and a half wait!). I love the patio -- the lights, ambience, and come fall post-season baseball that large outdoor fireplace will be lovely. Our server was frazzled with the rush but attentive. We had a few mixed drinks and the Crispy Wings (in Budweiser wing sauce). I was very pleased with everything. The drinks were great and surprisingly a fair price (I think $6 for each a rum and coke and vodka and club soda). The wings were delicious!! The sauce definitely had a kick and was a little spicier than I expected but also very good and addictive. We didn't eat them all and when they made it home, there was a debate about who would get to eat the leftovers :) Obviously, in Ballpark Village and on game days, this place is insane. And it's discombobulated -- it can be hard to find things (we are on an eternal hunt for the Ted Drewes hut) and employees in different places all seem confused on where things are (we were told lots of different things by different people). Comes with the territory and not penalizing this bar for the complex as a whole. I'd like to try entrees in the future and see if they hold up to my experience thus far. All in all, a solid place to go before or after a game for drinks and snacks. We will return!", "timestamp": "2015-07-02T16:12:34" }, { "business_id": "c_xAbBTeiIHqPm1zMOvQcg", "business_name": "Iron Barley's High Hog Ridge", "rating": 4, "text": "The hubs felt like doing something different and surprisingly we haven't been here yet -- we missed their whole TV debut. Alas, reviews and their diverse menu peaked our interests and we found ourselves at the intersection of Bates and Virginia, searching for the hidden gem. It's a little divey, but oddly charming. You feel like you're in a very friendly neighborhood joint where everyone knows each other. Customer service is superb. Our server, Mark, was very friendly and went above and beyond to make our experience great. Live music was nice, too. The menu is diverse with lots of unique offerings. I decided to go with the class naked dog and ranch fries (which have no ranch seasoning or taste by the way). My husband ordered the Schnitzel and Spaetzle along with mushroom au gratin (special that evening) as an appetizer. The mushroom au gratin was AMAZING. Our entrees were delish as well. Hubs was pleasantly surprised by the German dumplings and liked the rest of his meal. He did say he thought it was overpriced for what it was. I enjoyed my hot dog -- it was grilled perfectly though, fair warning, expect a HUGE portion. We will likely be back to try something new from their menu and enjoy this little neighborhood joint.", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T18:27:37" }, { "business_id": "hqF-uosThMtwGn4J_LfNPA", "business_name": "Plaza Frontenac Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my absolute favorite place to catch a flick. Why? One word: POPCORN. It is seriously the best I've ever had. Every time I go it's hot, fresh, perfectly salted, and (I think the secret to the success) REAL butter. So. freaking. good. They also have fun/gourmet snack and drink options like seasonal local beers and salted chocolates. Onto the theater...it's well kept, nice seats, and crowds are always mild. Partly because they do play some movies that aren't in major theaters like documentaries, foreign flicks, etc. They do play some mainstream but not always. I check the movie listings often as they usually have a hidden gem I don't hear about by advertisement that are good nonetheless. Go. Enjoy. But be warned...it will ruin you for other theater experiences!", "timestamp": "2015-10-29T16:12:12" }, { "business_id": "GGLtLL7ShmjOjVZSeZfjVA", "business_name": "Breadsmith", "rating": 4, "text": "I have to come here every Christmas for Dolci Cello (caramel corn puffs, but oh so much more). It is heaven in a bag and I look forward to it every year :) They have lots of bread choices and staff are friendly and helpful. I just picked up a loaf of Brioche for Christmas morning french toast (can you tell, I'm a touch obsessed with the holidays?!). They conveniently put freezing and baking instructions on their items. I also picked up some small flatbreads that looked delish. It IS a little pricey and the shop is a little small. It's also a bit out there for me location-wise, but it is worth the travel. This is a must stop for carb-loving St. Louisans! Check it out next time you are in the Rock Hill area.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:00:03" }, { "business_id": "BtROhQfrGdoWZ_t9zwEVUA", "business_name": "The Container Store", "rating": 4, "text": "This is THE motherland. Repeat. This is the motherland. I feel so at home and at peace here. But also so very giddily excited. Anything containers does it for me and they have aisles and aisles of just that. Pretty things to store your pretty things. And then a pretty thing to store that. I recently re-organized my office with lots of things from container store including colorful bookends, their brick-style accessory organization, cord management, cork board, and more. It's made my work space much more zen and pleasant. After a recent move, I returned to help organize my refridgerator and pantry with many containers. The major downfall: It is pricey. Like I-don't-even-probably-need-this-but-sure-I'll-pay-$25-for-it kinda thing. To cut costs, I often get inspiration here and find similar items elsewhere. But for the few projects I will buy all or most from Container Store and often be about $150 poorer for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:07:45" }, { "business_id": "D4spXIMXev6pFUz3df31fQ", "business_name": "Vivianos Festa Italiano", "rating": 5, "text": "The hubs and I recently moved to the area and wanted to check out good local places. I think we found it! We moseyed on over to Vivianos and were not disappointed. It's a cool restaurant/artisan grocery store (in a strip mall, but don't let that fool you). We were cheerfully welcomed by someone who I believe was the owner. He was patient and helpful as he answered questions about the menu and made recommendations. I got the half caesar salad with Penne Roma and my husband got the ravioli and greek salad. He gave us a free drink for being first timers. The portions are generous, you get delicious homemade bread (always an appreciated touch), and the food was divine. Penne Roma has a kick, but if you like that, you will not be disappointed. Hubby liked the ravioli though the portion was a bit small for him (not to worry I had PLENTY and was able to share). As we were leaving, the owner told us to take a loaf of bread home for free. We noticed there were lots of regulars and the owner was very friendly. I love little small businesses like this as the touch of service and friendliness is unparalleled. Go and enjoy this little gem in Fenton!", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:15:18" }, { "business_id": "0MhxvTys2ADYa3sOO91ldQ", "business_name": "Egg", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh. My. God. Stumbled upon this place when MudHouse was randomly closed (really, a float trip guys?! I need my breakfast!). I never thought I'd say it but I was glad they were closed to give me a chance to check out Egg. I ordered an off-menu item -- carnitas omelette with potatoes. Seriously freaking delicious. The potatoes were seasoned a bit spicy but amazing, crispy, and just so delicious. The omelette was cheesy, with a bit of spinach, and delicious roasted carnitas. The portion was really big and I took down most of it. Decent price, good service. It will now be difficult to choose between Egg and Mudhouse when I get back in the area. I can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2017-08-03T00:46:04" }, { "business_id": "yjP-n5RpuxsDZZwxDg-FUg", "business_name": "Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Great pizza and concept! It's like Chipotle with Mexican, Crushed Red with salad, etc. You build your own pizza live and their schtick is they cook it in 180 (!) seconds. There's lots of great extra touches such as seasoning choice or after bake add ons. Plus they check with you each step of the way - is the sauce amount good or the cheese amount? Which begs the question - is there a point they'll stop asking because it's too much cheese or would they charge you extra for cheese? Due to those damn social norms, I didn't find out (though I did ask for a bit more cheese at the first query). It's great for kids because it's so fast and easy! Pick up your high chair or booster by the drink station. And pick up a beer or wine that they serve (even some draught!) because you are taking kids out in public and dammit you deserve it! Clean and modern interior was spot on. Ironically, our pizza was a little burnt. The salads had some bad leaves and left a bit to be desired but good flavors. Overall, Blaze is a fantastic addition to Kirkwood and we will be back!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:04:18" }, { "business_id": "LmKpHMXSsm36viJOGVodFw", "business_name": "Missouri Botanical Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of my favorite places in St. Louis. We recently became members though have been several times prior. Hot little tip - city and county residents get in free Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The lush and beautiful gardens themselves are worth it but there's much, much more. The climatron is a huge greenhouse with a neat little trail. There's also a small little greenhouse that is sweet (side note - we did family maternity photos in this spot and they came out wonderfully). The children's area is awesome! There's splash pads, huge playground, indoor discovery center, and much more. There's a calm corner for children needing a break and nursing moms which I've used and love. They have amazing events. I go to Best of Missouri market every year. Whitaker music festival is great and free to everyone! I haven't yet been to Garden Glow but will go this year. Sassafras is the on location restaurant and is delicious. Parking is plentiful and free. Check it out - you won't regret it!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:20:25" }, { "business_id": "t-QxJFbbSjC-_X9TWJqITA", "business_name": "Shack Breakfast & Lunch", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious food, unique (and large) menu, fun atmosphere, great service - this place has it all! Luckily - and dangerously - I live and work nearby. So I go quite a bit with coworkers, friends, family and have worked through the menu. Everything is amazing. I particularly like the build your own omelette and potatoes. My dining partners are always happy as well. This is my go-to breakfast spot. Sometimes it's quite busy over the weekend so expect a bit of a wait.", "timestamp": "2018-06-09T14:06:45" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 4, "text": "A cute little restaurant in Webster Groves. I had the Farro salad and Rose Punch. The salad was fresh, delicious, beautifully presented, and did I mention delicious?! The drink was just okay - it didn't wow me and I wouldn't order again. My dining partners ordered warm olives which they loved and a variety of entrees. Everyone seemed to like their entrees but also didn't seem wowed by any of them. The cake with buttercream for dessert was a generous size (definitely for sharing) and very good! The furniture (especially gold chairs!), decor, etc. is so pretty, welcoming, and sets a nice ambiance. The menu is small but a variety of choices of items within that (salads, sounds, entrees, sandwiches). It's pricey but not obnoxiously so. Overall a cute little spot happy to have here! I'd love to come back for another salad!", "timestamp": "2018-07-02T02:34:18" }, { "business_id": "9P6yLs8Yi6WhbmBIiwvWhg", "business_name": "ZZA Pizza + Salad", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty darn good pizzas! A friend and I shared two - the rocket and garden city. They're both pretty unique and delicious! The lemon flavor of the rocket was awesome and the smoked Gouda on garden city was also wonderful. We finished off our meal with do raw cookie dough. That was just okay - not enough chocolate chips and pretty hard. If you're in the area and want a quick, good pizza, check it out!", "timestamp": "2018-09-23T19:54:12" }, { "business_id": "MI3OE-I70B6VFBCn1rw5lg", "business_name": "Stuckmeyer's Farm Market", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm teetering between 2 and 3 star review so I'll err on the side of 3 star. I think it's all about expectations with this spot. I'm used to going to Eckerts in Belleville every year and heard great things about Stuckmeyer so off we went. I was sorely disappointed my first visit. It is not as big nor as well manicured as Eckerts. You will feel very nickel and dimed. Besides the big playground area, everything costs money (the corn maze, the inflatable corn maze, the bounce house area, the wagon ride, etc). The nice thing is the patch is really close and you don't have to ride a wagon to get there. They also have wagons you can use (for free!) to cart your pumpkin and stuff. Its not great but if you just want a pumpkin and not trek to IL, it might fit the bill for your needs.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:08:52" }, { "business_id": "tvc0kLuvktNBrD9Ts_M64Q", "business_name": "Tints Polish", "rating": 5, "text": "Nail salons are enigmas where it's just hard to find the perfect one. This is a hidden gem (almost literally - easy to pass up). The decor is so cute, modern, and cozy. The chairs and seating are comfy (not your usual salon chairs - but that's a good thing). Very reasonably priced and they don't accept tips. This will be my usual nail spot from now on! Make sure you make an appointment - while they do accept walk-ins when possible, they book up fast.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:20:34" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect little unique spot to grab delicious ice cream! What a great addition to this area with a little nearby park and other spots to eat. If you want something more unique and special than chain ice cream store, you will appreciate this charming location. The ice cream is the real deal - super delicious and decadent with unique flavors and tastes.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:30:33" }, { "business_id": "eQlMjyOsirwFCH8CiaKrjw", "business_name": "Fitz's SoCo", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a neat and special addition to the area - we loved going to Fitz's in the city but it's a bit of a ways away. It's nice to get a fun and unique spot in the county :) Same delicious food and drinks! A few gripes: -it's hard to find! They don't have a sign directly on the building (yet, I hope). -While the food and company is special, I was disappointed they didn't do more in this location. I had high hopes to see some of the bottling or arcade, like the city location. Just a pretty open (albeit nice and updated) space. A few enclosed party rooms on the side. Overall, it's not perfect but a great addition to the area and we'll be back :)", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:36:18" }, { "business_id": "NXs4byOiMay3DkMLuvgJxw", "business_name": "Peel Wood Fired Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been to Peel in IL but don't get out there much anymore - So happy to see this new location and finally visit. The space is great - and lots of it. The pizza is delicious, one of my favs. They have lots of apps and salads that I want to try. This will be a great spot for lunch, happy hour, brunch, whatever! Go and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:38:26" }, { "business_id": "VJ-c-Yjj1qv7dKS5YaYoHg", "business_name": "Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious spot for lunch! I picked up to go and shared with a friend. The chicken and rice soup was delicious and the bread was amazing. I definitely want to go back and try more - especially the pizza. No kids menu and kinda pricey which bumped it to 4 stars for me.", "timestamp": "2019-03-03T13:17:10" }, { "business_id": "RcsTutp1103SGiYtam7xRg", "business_name": "The Frisco Barroom", "rating": 4, "text": "Awesome new spot in Webster. Peeked at the rooftop outdoor area and looks fab for warm summer nights. Came with a small group of girls for drinks and appetizers (they shared, I didn't eat), sat the bar and they had live music. It's busy and loud but a good vibe! Want to go back and try food :) Fun fact: owners also own K Hall, another gem in the area!", "timestamp": "2019-04-11T13:20:31" }, { "business_id": "YSgcojsb2kWHXNLWaGCuBA", "business_name": "Pastaria", "rating": 4, "text": "Modern Italian vibe meets casual but classy dining. I've been twice - one for date night and once with the kids, both times were great! They have a great and generous happy hour - M-F 3:30-6 drink specials, some $10 pizzas and half off kids meals making them only $5. The hot fresh bread is amazing and the pasta and pizza are delish. Yum!", "timestamp": "2019-06-27T01:09:25" }, { "business_id": "MuKoTR56s6elHEI2wUkgJA", "business_name": "Grace Meat + Three", "rating": 4, "text": "Great delicious fried chicken spot! I was a sweetie pie fan through and through - so I had high expectations. The chicken was delicious - crisp, flavorful and mildly spicy. Delicious!! The sides were okay. The Mac and cheese was kind of tough and nothing really special. The mashed potatoes were better but so strong by the end of the cup, I couldn't eat the rest. However, the chicken is so good. It's a bit pricey. It's pretty hipstery and I do miss the charm and authenticity of of sweetie pies, but I digress.", "timestamp": "2019-08-31T02:24:14" }, { "business_id": "peQnrEY1S6sE4ifK2SFUSA", "business_name": "Sugarfire Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this sooner? This is my absolute favorite at Louis bbq. It's dangerously close to me now so I've been able to frequent too frequently lol My faves that I get almost every time: The milkshakes - damn delicious and lots of unique flavors include booze options. The meat - so tender and delicious. I typically get the pork. It's so good and big portions. The French fries - salty, thin, addictive!!!!! Keep an eye out for their specials, they have creative and amazing specials every day. But get there quick before they sell out! Follow on IG to get a heads up on specialties.", "timestamp": "2019-12-18T04:08:27" }, { "business_id": "Jn8bQ86NMVlCG3tY0YVLaw", "business_name": "Russell’s Cafe & Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed sooner? This is a gem in my neighborhood. Delicious, homemade food with healthy options and a plethora of baked goods to choose from. This is a regular stop for our household. The space is small so we tend to avoid the busiest times. All meals, desserts are fantastic. We haven't tried something we didn't like. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T17:26:48" }, { "business_id": "YJ-sr_YVhnsZaBl-j9tjCg", "business_name": "Epic Pizza & Subs", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick and easy pizza and apps right next to beer Disney land! We tried wings, garlic knots, and each had a slice of pizza. The apps were phenomenal and the pizza was okay, good flavor on the cheese but also kind of lackluster. Overall a solid spot to hit before heading to pieces game bar - which is just what we did! :)", "timestamp": "2020-01-13T01:19:08" }, { "business_id": "r8DNf74pfvCdy29fGuwAoA", "business_name": "Pieces The St. Louis Board Game Bar & Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "We went for the first time on a Sunday afternoon and it was such a fun afternoon! We played games and got to hang in a fun atmosphere with lots of choices. You pay $5 each to get in and each item you buy, knocks $1 off your game fee. It's pretty good deal for $5 each but if you buy food/drinks just to get \"free\" or reduced entrance fee, it gets pricey! We came just two of us and it would have been better with a bigger group but there's a special area for two player games and we had plenty of time in 2.5 hours - we could have stayed longer. We will be back! I was bummed they did not have the featured picture drink - they don't make anymore (s'more drink). And it just seems like they should be serving milkshakes or at least that pic put me in the mood for one. Game bar and milkshakes = perfection. Please add to menu!! :)", "timestamp": "2020-01-13T01:23:03" } ]	{ "business_id": "QFzfm7Xe8i_7M6oS08c9YQ", "business_name": "Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Town & Country", "rating": 5, "text": "I've heard great things about this spot and finally gave it a shot today for lunch. Soo good! We had drinks, entrees and dessert. The menu has a variety of options and price points including a lunch menu, light menu, and more. I appreciated the variety! The ambiance is nice and it feels like a nicer than your average restaurant. The best part of the meal was dessert. We had their signature cake - so amazingly good. And I'm not a cake person. We will be back! Highly recommend a reservation!", "timestamp": "2020-02-14T23:56:05" }
xbybLiQockAzC4xAlzFrGg	[ { "business_id": "y-XX_c8EVK4m3oQda42Y3A", "business_name": "McArthur's Bakery Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here quite a few times for breakfast and have had really good experiences. Employees are many and helpful. Food is very reasonably priced (so much we thought we were under charged every time). Many options and everything we had was fresh and yummy. Never went to for cakes or special orders.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:31:32" }, { "business_id": "gKBqK-FFq7EGOUscBqb1iA", "business_name": "The Royale Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a cool, liberal bar that's a hidden gem! I've only been for drinks and plan on going for food. The interior is cozy, clean and aesthetically pleasing. It's going to be my new regular spot :) only complain is that seating is limited - we ran out of chairs for friends.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:39:52" }, { "business_id": "SyAYFxPBjuaHajx9iE7wLQ", "business_name": "Saint Louis Galleria", "rating": 3, "text": "love/hate relationship with Galleria. Unruly kids/teens have been a problem in the past which is why they created a curfew on weekends. Parking is horrible, especially near the Cheescake Factory and even worse now that Nordstrom is open. Great places to shop like Sephora, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, Papyrus, and Nordstrom ! And eat (California Pizza Kitchen & Cheescake Factory). However they got rid of MAC and one end of the mall is dumpy (if you've been, you know what I'm talking about).", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:16:04" }, { "business_id": "GTXSk8QyD7N1Un-tzgPw4g", "business_name": "First Watch", "rating": 4, "text": "My boyfriend & I love to go to First Watch on Sundays. It's delish & provides a great breakfast for about $20. The pancakes are to die! I always get a chocolate chip pancake when I go (as part of the Tri-Fecta). They have many low-fat and alternate options like turkey sausage and egg substitute. They have crepes and unique dishes as well.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:17:50" }, { "business_id": "cdf4eQCZv2lu3xZCKVnlZA", "business_name": "Trendy Nails & Spa", "rating": 5, "text": "I just had a great first experience with Trendy Nails & Spa! After hearing great reviews from friends & seeing the reviews here, this was the first local nail salon on my list to try and I'm glad I did. The staff was very friendly and talkative. My nail tech took her time to make sure she did a good job - she even re-did a few things that weren't perfect. I got the OPI Axxium gel polish (my first gel manicure) and was impressed with the precision and effort she put forth to make this a great manicure. Not to mention it was only $27! Most gel manicures, from my research, range from $30-$40. I will definitely become a regular and recommend this place to friends because of this great, clean space with very friendly and talented staff plus reasonable/cheap prices. What more could a girl ask for?", "timestamp": "2011-07-29T02:59:51" }, { "business_id": "JVI5tY_EcHlIFJkX5SlLVA", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 3, "text": "My boyfriend and I are frequent breakfast eaters and although many hipsters cringe at IHOP, we like it (well, it's no Eggsperience - a wonderful diner in Chicago) but it does beat Denny's. We normally have to truck it to the Sunset Hills location but they just opened this one on Lemay Ferry, just down the road from us, to our delight! IHOPs are all pretty much the same but I was compelled to write a review for this one in particular because this location is TINY. There are seriously probably about 20 tables. We had to wait a half an hour for 2 people. Granted it was Sunday afternoon (church rush), but we normally do not have to wait that long. Additionally, staff was sluggish to clean tables, seat us, and wait on us in general. However, the place was clean. I should also mention union protesters are around and probably will be for a bit. More beef I have with IHOP in general is that they don't take coupons from cell phones. It is not only \"green\" to do that, but it's the 21st century of iPads, iPhones, Kindles, and more...everything is electronic now so refusing to take electronic coupons is a big mistake in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:21:55" }, { "business_id": "paBWJ6VBIy4-eXVH3iGFFA", "business_name": "Courtesy Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "I just love this place. It's a local little diner that reminds me of a Huddle House or Waffle House (size and ambiance). But I love it because it's SUPER cheap (cash only though) and it's local (I'm a big local business supporter). The food is good and the environment is upbeat. Great to hit up after dancing the night away into the wee hours of the morning :)", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:26:13" }, { "business_id": "S26FJcC298XNpN2cZiwOrA", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Central West End", "rating": 5, "text": "There's not much else to say about this amazing pizzeria that hasn't already been said, I'm sure. I think it's popularity peaked after Obama gave it a shout out for being the best deep dish pizza he's ever eaten (and that's coming from a Chicago native!!). However, there's also thin crust pizzas as well as vegan pizzas (talk about going the extra mile!). I had the opportunity to eat here with the head desert chef so we got to try all the deserts which I think are very neglected for the pizza-goers. Both appetizers and deserts are simple yet divine. The most simple, a blood orange push-pop of sorts, is simply amazing. The alcohol menu is extensive and there are tastes for everyone. The environment is trendy and usually buzzing. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. It can get a little pricey but I think it's worth it. I've been here multiple times and plan on going again.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:33:15" }, { "business_id": "GV-e7Op4aU98xkjjoKlRhA", "business_name": "Modesto Tapas Bar & Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore this tapas bar. A few friends turned me on to it and I was a little nervous as I'm, sad to admit, a picky eater. Many of the items on the menu scared me because they are not traditional but when I tried them, they were amazing. That means they can make damn good food and makes me trust them when I want to try other things. Most notably was the ribeye on bread with cheese (I know, a safe one) but there were so many amazing more treats - the names I don't even remember. I would recommend going during happy hour where you can get bites cheap. I have never went at a happy hour so just dining it was pricey and I didn't get to try too much (although I did over time after going multiple times). The plates are small so not very satisfactory as a meal unless you are going to get many each (although that will cost you a pretty penny). The place is trendy and clean. Servers are attentive although I recall feeling slightly rushed a time or two. They have unique cocktails and drinks - lemonade mojito was amazing. I can't wait to go back - this time to make the happy hour so I can try a lot more and pay a lot less! I would consider this a must-go place in STL and recommend it to all my friends.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:57:06" }, { "business_id": "gHf8FdH8uLobt3zi3-dR4g", "business_name": "Hillside Animal Hospital", "rating": 5, "text": "I've brought my doggie here since I adopted her just over a year ago. I've been impressed with the staff and especially the vet (Dr. Marziani) since day one. I've never had any trouble getting an appointment, keeping an appointment, nor waiting too long for an appointment. Additionally, I've gotten in last minute a few times for those more urgent animal situations that are inevitable to occur. Dr. Marziani is very knowledgeable, helpful, and nice. She takes her time with you and your pet and it is evident she not only knows what she is doing, but really cares about your pet. My puppy was my first dog and she helped walk me through the process and has great recommendations for me (in fact, she introduced me to the Greater St. Louis Training Club and I went to them for my dog's obedience training!). The administrative staff & vet assistants are also nice, patient, and knowledgeable. They also send reminder cards for your pets needs and have many specials with heartworm and flea treatments. They keep customers in the know via Facebook with other specials, too. I couldn't say enough good things about Hillside. The only downside, which comes along with any good vet, is that it is a little pricey. When I took Libby once for a cut, it was about $100 which included the exam and medicine. Again, I think this will be the case for any good vet so I didn't ding them for that. We will be customers for life and I would highly recommend!", "timestamp": "2011-11-18T17:25:29" }, { "business_id": "EpREWeEpmR8f1qLHzzF0AA", "business_name": "Schlafly Bottleworks", "rating": 5, "text": "After living in the STL area for way over 10 years now, I am both ashamed and remorseful to admit that I ate here for the FIRST time just a few weeks ago. I am ashamed because it's a St. Louis tradition and remorseful because I missed out on it for so..many...years! This place is amazing. What is not to love! It's a factory where you can get a tour (Friday-Sunday, noon-5pm on the hour), there's a shop, bar, and dining area. They also host many event with live music on the weekends. It's fun to just kind of wander and look around - don't worry, you'll get a chance because there will likely be a wait before you dine. The beer is, of course, amazing. The Hefeweizen is my personal favorite and a great start for anyone who is not a huge beer drinker (like myself). Additionally, the food is homegrown and damn good. I had the pizza (recommendation from my server) and it was really spectacular, though I'm admittedly a pizza connoisseur so I enjoy a good pizza pie more than most probably ;P My date had a bison burger which was also really good. More fun info: the service is great! I think they tend to hire more funky and alternative people (like tattoo parlor staff) which I support. The quality is what makes this place stand out along with the emphasis on local food and brewery. It is a little on the pricier side but for all the experience you get and the quality, it is worth it. I will go again and again and you probably should, too!", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T06:58:36" }, { "business_id": "FryXEasH74MQDnj5Bvz3QA", "business_name": "The Mud House", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself to be a breakfast and brunch connoisseur, always in search of new, delicious places. By chance, I came across this hidden gem and I'm glad I did! I checked out the reviews and based on those saying how super slammed they are, I figured there's no way we'd make it in. But we swung by to check around noon on a Sunday and there were several open tables. So either business has slowed down or we happened to come at a generally slow time. You order at the counter, find a seat, and they bring you your food. To my delight, the interior is eclectic and charming. The menu is small, but the prices are VERY reasonable, especially for the value (more on that later). The down side: Extremely loud in there. Even not filled to capacity, I felt like I had to shout to my dining partner to have conversation. It was noticeably annoying. Another downfall is that we waited about 20 minutes for our food. The good news: The food was AMAZING! I got the classic breakfast meal (bacon, eggs, toast, hashbrowns). My boyfriend got the Apple and Raisin French Toast. We also got a powdered sugar brownie. I would go back solely for another brownie! The toast was so fresh and delicious, it tasted like it was freshly made. And bonus, it was very modestly priced. My dish was only $7, same as what I would get at IHOP or Denny's with a slab of Wonder Bread on the plate. I can't emphasize enough the quality of the food, the taste, and the value. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was Indie/artsy. The staff are also very friendly and helpful.", "timestamp": "2012-07-15T21:42:07" }, { "business_id": "jQBPO3rYkNwIaOdQS5ktgQ", "business_name": "The Fountain On Locust", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review sooner! This is one of my favorite spots in St. Louis since my first visit a couple years ago (after a co-worker suggested it). I feel like I work for them because I am always bragging about how wonderful it is and where better to brag than Yelp? :) This is a locally-owned restaurant that is known especially for their ice cream (including ice cream martinis!). The interior is amazing. It's an old car dealership from the 20th century that is art deco. Even the bathrooms are amazing (seriously, check them out). The food is reasonably priced and wonderful. My favorite is the Royal Grille, which is a grilled cheese sandwich with apple slices (Yum!) with their handmade chips (extra Yum!). Amazing! Their soups and other sandwiches are also delicious. Now to the main act, the ice cream. Probably more than you need to know, but they make all of their ingredients from scratch (excepted the main ingredient, ice cream - that, they fly in aged from Wisconsin!) - see, I told you it sounds like I work from them, but trust me, I'm just a creepy fan. I've had the Chocolate Brownie Cake in a Cup and Standing Banana Split. The Standing Banana Split is one of my favorite deserts EVER. My go-to is Chocolate shake (SO delicious) and pair that with food, I'm usually too full for desert. But it's worth to come solely for desert. Bottom line, check it out. It's a classic in St. Louis and you definitely won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:01:24" }, { "business_id": "8vwdDagJc8bJR0ZojFGZxw", "business_name": "The Cup", "rating": 4, "text": "While there is some debate about who exactly has the best cupcake in STL (Is it Jilly's? SweetArt? Cup?), the Cup is definitely in the running and is at the top of my list. They have a small menu (usually 6-7 staple cupcakes and 5-6 seasonal cupcakes), but the flavors are delish. Some of my favorites are Tuxedo (dark chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream), Double Chocolate (self-explanatory ;)), and Gold Rush (yellow cake, chocolate buttercream). The interior is small-ish, but that's most shops in CWE. This cupcakes are kinda priecy, but not too bad if you buy one just for yourself ;) There is basically no parking, just a few metered spots by the entrance. All in all, this is a must-stop for cupcake connoisseurs!", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:20:52" }, { "business_id": "OZcl2HOUXAHuICrh5d2WjQ", "business_name": "Half & Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Unfortunately, our breakfast was just OK. We waited about 45 minutes to eat on a bustling Saturday morning. Once we were seated, the service was fast and attentive. The decor is fun and eclectic. However, the food wasn't up to par in my opinion. Maybe I had too high expectations after reading the stellar reviews or maybe I was put off that we waited so long (after being quoted at about 20-30 minutes). Or maybe it's because I didn't get anything 'exciting', just the half and half which is toast, eggs, hash browns, and bacon (for an added charge). But, truly I believe the quality was simply lacking (maybe we hit them on a bad day?). The eggs were runny and the bacon was over cooked. However, my fiancé had the eggs benedict and he did like his dish. They have some unique dishes that if you loved you might want to return for, (e.g., blackberry french toast has been cited multiple times as a must-try) but I like a classic. I would rather go to Mud House where the food is cheaper and better.", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:25:09" }, { "business_id": "p_6THXiGLViyxYnOY8BzZQ", "business_name": "Vin de Set", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here for my four-year anniversary with my boyfriend. We had never been, but after perusing Yelp and other review websites, Vin de Set was cited multiple times for being a romantic hot spot in St Louis. So we had to try it for our very special night. We came around 5pm on a Saturday night and there were few people around. We sat outside on the infamous rooftop deck where cozy seats, outdoor warmers, and stringed lights were abound. I tried the beef medallions (delicious!) and my boyfriend had fresh fish. We also split a piece of cheesecake. Everything was wonderful and I really loved my dish - I would order it again! Prices were expensive, but reasonably so. I think we spent about $50 for our two entrees and dessert. Service was good, though not extraordinary. Overall, it was a fun experience made extra special by the fact that afterward, my boyfriend proposed to me :) What a perfect night!", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:33:45" }, { "business_id": "7nDUQkNX0aw9gc_9nlVPwQ", "business_name": "Wolfgang's Pet Stop", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely love this little shop! I began taking my 2 1/2 year old Sheltie here about a year or so ago after finding a Groupon for this shop. I've never been or heard of it, but gave it a try because it's a small business and it was a good deal. I set up an appointment for a groom and was lucky enough to have Kelly as her groomer. We have been seeing her ever since! My little girl is terrified of dryers so Kelly takes the extra time to hand dry her. She is very careful with her, patient with her anxiety, and always trims and grooms to my instructions, plus adds extra cute bows or handkerchief after :) It really shows that she cares about dogs and loves her job. She also always seems to be there because every time I've made an appointment, she's been available. When I get my pup back from Kelly, she's super soft, clean, shed-free, and smelling wonderful. We been there regularly for a year or so now and it's always a superb job! The other staff are wonderful too. They know my pup by name and are always very polite and sweet to her and me. They always manage to get me in for an appointment even when calling last minute. They are very friendly and accommodating. On top of that, prices are VERY reasonable. I usually get my Sheltie (read: lots of hair) a wash, groom, trim (nails and hair), teeth brushed, and shed-x treatment for about $40 -- and it ends up being a 4 hour service. I cannot say enough good things about this place! This will be our groomers for life! There is a retail store upstairs and they also do doggy day care, though I've never tried either. I heard from a staffer that they are expanding and adding a new location on Washington street with a larger doggy day care center. My only complaint is parking can be a pain and not very welcoming to take doggy in and out of my car on a busy and tight street. However, that is to be expected in the CWE so I don't fault them for that, just unfortunate byproduct of the location.", "timestamp": "2012-12-21T23:40:05" }, { "business_id": "UugJ2WQFoV-rNFqZ4QyrHg", "business_name": "Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself an ice-cream junkie and Oberweis is the prime spot to get my fix :-) The product is delicious and addictive! I almost always share a chocolate milkshake with my fiancé when I go (maybe it's the retro interior and feel of a simpler time?) though any dessert is guaranteed to please. They also sell ice-cream to go, milk, orange juice, and a few other 'grocery' items. Their milk is what I would definitely recommend to try. They charge you for the bottle, but you can return to get the $ back. They even do a really neat delivery service of groceries though I personally never used it. Every time we go, the cream and service is top notch. It's one of our favorite stops and I always look forward to going. Oberweis is a must-stop stop for any fellow ice-cream junkies as well as any St. Louis natives. They are family owned and St. Louis based!", "timestamp": "2013-05-17T04:48:24" }, { "business_id": "KChWMIHxMChTE11ZVsIVZw", "business_name": "Sub Zero Vodka Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this place sooner?! I've been going here for years from bachelorette parties to birthday parties and everything in between. It's one of my favorite spots. They are always rated high by RFT for being the best at both burgers and sushi. While the combination is random, do not take it lightly. I have friends who love sushi and will order it every time, while I'm into burgers and will order one every time (make sure you try the Bacon Borsin -- it's my favorite!). Their drink selection is amazing, as you would expect for a Vodka bar. The place is big and they offer free valet for customers on weekends. Sometimes there's a wait, but it's usually not too long. They do take reservations as we've made them plenty of times for big parties. The prices are reasonable. Service is always good and the food is always amazing. We introduced this place to many friends over the years and friends of ours who live in IL come to Sub Zero just for date nights (and you know how hard it is to get IL residents to cross the river ;-)). I just can't say too many great things about this place! Seriously, try it! You will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:16:49" }, { "business_id": "6r9FNW0-4aKqbPCX7UxTZg", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love love Maggiano's! The place is huge with an upstairs yet there always seems to be a wait. I'm usually lucky enough to nab a bar table (which is first come, first served) to avoid the wait and that's fine with me. However, if you have a big party or really want a table, you may be stuck waiting for awhile and may want to consider getting a drink at the bar, taking a stroll down the Boulevard, or browsing in Crate and Barrel as you wait. They offer warm bread and olive oil, my favorite. Plus, I'm always a sucker for restaurants that offer bread before the meal (it's just considerate). They have a classics menu which they offer a free meal to take home (you can choose a different dish than what you order so long as it's on the classics menu). My favorite dish is their Spaghetti and Meatballs and I always seem to end up getting that, though they have plenty of other good dishes. My fiancé loves their Taylor Street Baked Ziti. Their salads and other entrees are good as well. For dessert, the Apple Crostada is to die for! It's a must-try though their other desserts are delicious as well. The service is always good and the food, delicious. The atmosphere is very nice and the prices are reasonable. One of my favorite restaurants to dine at!", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:31:34" }, { "business_id": "MUBk0fgk0ViHwEiNnRitWA", "business_name": "Green Bean", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a recently discovered gem in CWE. I was looking for a healthy place for lunch and found it! I have brought friends here since and they love it, too! How I described it to them: a Fro Yo approach to salad. You pick your lettuce, toppings, and dressing. They also have a few menu items to choose from. The drawbacks are that it's a bit expensive. For just a salad or wrap with no drink or side will put you back about $9-10. The portions are big though so you get plenty! There also is usually a wait. The process to make the salad or wrap always seems laborious and they usually have to go get extra/missing ingredients from the back. The space is small and kinda tight, too, but that's most places in CWE. They have some perks, like through the Perka app which gives you free salads after so many purchases. Also, they partner with Fro Yo and if you bring your receipt to Fro Yo, you get 10% off your frozen yogurt purchase (and vice versa if you bring Fro Yo receipt to Green Bean). My favorite is the Citrus Caesar (caesar salad with oranges :-)) on the whole wheat wrap. Yum!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:27:52" }, { "business_id": "rKO2kZB--kKG94HGzg5ysQ", "business_name": "Treats Unleashed", "rating": 5, "text": "Treats Unleashed is a neat little store with several locations in the STL area. We perused in there about a week or so ago and I realized that these are the treats they use at Four Muddy Paws, our go-to spot for doggie goods. I was so excited, we were right at the source!! They have homemade, all natural doggie treats along with the usual dog food, leashes, treats, and supplies. They offer natural and more hard to find brands that PetSmart doesn't carry. Love this little shop! And I bet your dog will too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:32:57" }, { "business_id": "chUeS0h9C8KGfyJO2Jqgew", "business_name": "Fozzie's Sandwich Emporium", "rating": 5, "text": "I used to live next to this amazing sandwich shop. I no longer do. I seriously go into withdrawals. The sandwiches, the salads, it's all good! The shop is small and sometimes there's a wait. What I would do is call, place an order, and leave to pick up because it was so close. This worked out perfectly! They also deliver, but same with pizza, I can't ever justify paying the delivery charge + tip for a few minutes drive for me! Also, try the Gimme S'more shake. That is what I crave and it is amazing. Kisses, marshmallows, and graham crackers. I love a good s'more so it takes a lot for something s'more flavored to get me. And this does. Seriously, try it!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:43:05" }, { "business_id": "o0uODX3Ot6dkHn3_C49Wjw", "business_name": "Fletcher's Kitchen and Tap", "rating": 3, "text": "For some reason, this place carries sound like no other and is unusually loud. The four of us came in for dinner and we could barely carry on a conversation...and eventually we gave up trying. The temperature in there was also unusually cold. The food was pretty good. I had a chicken caesar salad and the chicken was BBQed which put me off a bit, but it was good. My other dining partners enjoyed their food. Service was amazing...our server was really on it! I was between 3 and 4 stars, but asked myself if I would go back and my answer is no. If I could talk to my dining partners and not freeze, I would definitely go back. So if you like a cold and lively environment (seems like an oxymoron?), you will enjoy this spot!", "timestamp": "2013-07-03T00:04:24" }, { "business_id": "hw0O24rFx1BU5ZLlKBZYNg", "business_name": "Keller Plaza Cinema", "rating": 2, "text": "As a regular movie-goer, I am always on the look-out for new theaters. I was pleasantly surprised to find this little gem tucked away (literally) off of Lemay Ferry Rd. (near the intersection of Lindbergh and Lemay Ferry Rd.). Is it the most dazzling movie experience I've ever had? No. Is it a more affordable, low-frills spot to catch a flick? Yes. (If it's the former I'm looking for, I head over to The Great Escape - for over 3x the price.) I've been multiple times and here are the notes: Admission for matinees (before 6:0pm) are $3, evenings are $4. Every day. Can't beat that! They play older flicks. So expect something you want to see to visit here a month or more after they've come and gone at the chains. This theater is CASH ONLY. I always forget that, but luckily there is a credit union a few doors down so after a pit stop to the ATM we are ready to go. The theaters are in OK condition. Seats randomly have trash bags over them because they are broken. Spoiler Alert: they aren't the most comfortable. The screens are smaller and there are a few scratches/marks on them. If you go in with reasonable expectations based on what you paid for, you will enjoy Keller Plaza Cinema. UPDATE::::::: The last few flicks we saw there had terrible sound and vision. So if you don't mind about not seeing or hearing the movie, then by all means, go! We learned that while admission is cheap, it's work paying the extra few bucks (or only $5 movies on Wednesdays at all STL cinemas) so that you can enjoy the movie (or just hear and see it). I'm sad because I would love to support a small business theater in my neighborhood but we will not return.", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T20:15:17" }, { "business_id": "u4WC_qHGn03jwNdVmW5vaQ", "business_name": "Baileys' Chocolate Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not written a review sooner?! This is my #1 favorite spot for after drinks. They have a huge list of decadent drinks and desserts for your sweet tooth. My go-to drink is the Chocolate Bar Signature Martini. It's one of the ice-cream martinis they offer. It's a dream in a glass. Like complimentary bread at an Italian restaurant, you get a plate of mini chocolate chip cookies when you arrive which is a nice touch. The atmosphere is romantic and trendy. It's often hopping, too. I've been here numerous times for girls night, date night, birthday party, even my own engagement party (ahh my fiancé knows me so well :-))! They are busy and there is often a wait, but it is worth it. Service is good and everything I've tried so far is delicious, food included. Must go spot for city dwellers and visitors alike!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T21:16:14" }, { "business_id": "j3sRTkoqD_obks7IOW876w", "business_name": "Dewey's Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur so be prepared when I announce that this is my #1 favorite pizza in the world. I've tried slice after slice in multiple establishments and this is my favorite, by far. The menu is simple, but sufficient. They offer regular salads and pizzas in delicious combinations. I always get a Caeser salad and X-Pepperoni pizza (Hey, I know what I like!). My fiancé always gets the Greek salad (and he is one to always mix it up, which goes to show how delicious this is!) and usually the Bronx Bomber (a supreme of sorts). They also have a seasonal salad and pizza to offer. The food is ah. maze. ing. Ingredients are fresh, crisp, and delicious. The X-Pep pizza is a touch spicy, but that's what makes it so good. The dough, the sauce, the cheese, the toppings, it's ALL good. Be prepared for a wait, even in the late evening on a week day. Dewey's is delicious and people know it, so don't rush perfection! Service is always good as they seem to have a co-op method of service where you have multiple servers. This is my favorite spot for pizza and can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:09:46" }, { "business_id": "QmkAq8hwSgBZcZ7z5tEFDg", "business_name": "Mosaic Restaurants", "rating": 4, "text": "Knowing my love for brunch, a friend highly recommended Mosaic. Imagine my delight upon finding a Groupon for this spot for brunch for two including mimosas :-) Happy would be an understatement. That said, it took us almost till the end of the year to go! My friend said they require reservations and they only offer brunch on Sundays. We made it eventually and it was a pleasant surprise! I went all out and ordered the Grilled Flatiron and Eggs served with roasted harissa potatoes. It was delicious. The flatiron was SO good! The sides were all unique and delicious as well. My fiancé ordered an omelet and said he enjoyed it. Service was great! I noticed many others were Groupon consumers (as I mentioned earlier, it was near expiration), but service never suffered. I am a fan and would love to come back to try other meals too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:30:22" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "OK. I need to confess something. Before I tell you, let me ask that you please don't hurdle things at me. I do not like BBQ sauce. I'm not a sauce girl of any kind, actually. No ketchup, no mayonnaise, no mustard, no dressing, none of it. So BBQ and me don't really mix. However, I will eat BBQ without sauce on it (or grilled meat as it's probably more appropriately called). I've heard so many good things about Pappy's (which is why I bookmarked it), that I was looking forward to going regardless of my sauce-intolerance. I had a pulled chicken sandwich with fried corn on the cob (what?) and sweet potato fries. My dining partner had a beef brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries and cole slaw. The chicken was smokey and delicious. My friend loved the brisket. He also loved the BBQ sauce ;-) The sides were great. SPF were YUM-O. I'm not a huge fan of SPF (I know, I'm not helping my case), but they were crispy and delicious. The fried corn on the cob was interesting but good. Luckily, we came in on a Monday night and the line was short. Apparently we were lucky and should not expect that to happen again. All in all, it was good and coming from me that means something as BBQ isn't my choice of meal. It's a must try for visitors as it's our top BBQ joint.", "timestamp": "2013-07-09T01:00:20" }, { "business_id": "sImDC2ePC0sIkZsHaX-k3g", "business_name": "MX Movies & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I had never been to MX theaters as it's relatively new, but it was definitely on my radar. A movie theater in the heart of the city? I'm there. Even better, it's above Pi, one of my favorite pizza joints. Hello, perfect date night! We started out in the bar which was spacious and vibing. The bartenders were awesome. They provided top notch service and were super friendly. We had drinks (Pineapple Upside Down Cake in fact which was delish!) and some bites to eat including wraps, chicken wings, and flat bread pizzas. All was very good! Now for the main act! The theater is AWESOME. The seats and rows are spacious. The seats are some form of leather recliners and are oh so comfy. They are organized by fours with some space between the pairs. Each pair has a tablet to order from. We had our popcorn and soda brought right up to us, in less than two minutes! The servers aren't as distracting as I thought they may be. They were in and out quickly and quietly. The tab's screen is bright which can be distracting, but after the previews, everyone's mostly done looking at them. Some details about etab: They advertise to bring drinks up within 5 minutes and food within 15. Note: you can't use cash using the etab. If you only have cash, you must go to the concession stand (the walk of shame!). Parking was kind of tricky with construction and the busy street, but that's everywhere downtown so I don't dock them for that. We did however park in the wrong garage, had to walk over, and couldn't use the ticket validation :( Basically, in sum, once you go MX, you can't go back.", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T22:00:51" }, { "business_id": "lTNknj73Idb-dSlrDJ6qjw", "business_name": "Tom's Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Good ole' Tom's. I've been several times as I work nearby. In fact, this is the preferred spot for a few of us (including me!) who are apart of our regular work lunch group. Their food is greasy but very good. Drink selection is good. Service is usually good. It can get crowded and awkward walking through the set up if crowded. It's a bar atmosphere, but they have outdoor seating which we appreciate on a nice day. They have their own private parking lot which is very well monitored -- this is a huge perk for the area. I've never been for karaoke and after reading these reviews, I'm very inclined to check it out!", "timestamp": "2013-07-11T01:43:05" }, { "business_id": "is9QogkUGhtcEALtHMyLwg", "business_name": "Three Dog Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "My fiancé and I recently visited Three Dog Bakery for the first time to redeem a free \"pupcake\" from a business card we received at a doggie event in the past. We left with arm loads of doggies treats, toys, and stuff :-) The staff were SUPER friendly. They spent a lot of time with us talking us through different items, the sale (in fact, they often recommended items that were on sale to help us save money!), our dogs, etc. The have a lot of gourmet doggie products that you will see at nicer pet boutiques. In fact, they carry Happy Tails, a line of bath products that I frequently order online. The staff had great recommendations for items in this line, too that they were out of stock of, but that I want to try in the future. The baked goodies were fresh, beautifully presented, and creative (i.e., you will see little boxes of pup fries, pup cakes, and the sort)! We got our free cupcake (and she threw in another for our other doggie) and joined the loyalty program where we get a free treat each month - so we toted two of those home too :-) The store is very spacious which is nice for doggies to roam and people room to shop. Items they carry are pricier, but that's at any dog boutique where they carry the good stuff so I didn't dock them for that. We will definitely return. There are several dog boutiques to shop at in STL, but what sets this spot apart is definitely the customer service (including their friendliness, knowledge, and their generosity) and the space!", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:12:17" }, { "business_id": "ahpLj4hNo2-2w_xf2sNE3g", "business_name": "Four Muddy Paws", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the first pet boutique we visited for our pups and it's still one of my favorites. I come here to get my pup her treats, food, and of course some of their homemade treats they order from Treats Unleashed. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. They really helped me through the first year of when I got my puppy and was clueless about taking care of a dog. They lead me in the right direction for nutrition as well as some training tips (the harness has been so helpful and is in the cutest design). They also loaded me with free dog food samples to see what worked for my girl and her sensitive tummy. They have events frequently for dogs and their humans with many giveaways. These are often coordinated with other local businesses which is fun, for people to get food and wine and have their dog with them. They offer professional grooming services, and while I never tried them myself, I have done their $12 DIY pup bath. My little girl was scared of the dryer, but my other dog was fine. They have all the equipment (and it's the good stuff) so it's easy peasy! They have a reward program - if you buy 10 bags of dog food, get one free. If you check in on Foursquare, you will get an offer to get a free bulk treat item which I do every time I visit :-) The shop is small and a little cramped because of the location, but the area for bathing dogs is a bit bigger. When I go to pick up food, I usually try to leave my dog at home for this reason as it can get crowded with humans and their dogs in there! Prices are high because they offer the good stuff, so I don't dock them for that. It costs more to give your dog good quality stuff so that goes with the territory. It's a one stop shop for me as they carry everything from leashes and collars to raw dog food.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:22:39" }, { "business_id": "PUDDBW0MfpSFI2XEMv_g3Q", "business_name": "Bobby's Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm from IL, but have lived in St. Louis for about the past 7 years. I don't know if you're aware, but there is a Ted vs. Bobby's rivalry for best metro STL frozen custard. I'm on Team Bobby's 100% of the way! I mean I like Ted Drewes. I will eat any icy dessert, but Bobby's is my favorite and if I'm nearby a stop is 100% in order. I actually lived RIGHT next to Ted Drewe's and have been there less than I can count on one hand. Bobby's & Ted Drewes is very similar. Both are often packed, busy, and well-liked (oh and frozen custard joints and named after a man). Bobby's, however, offers a Lite custard that is 98% fat free and I add sprinkles for a concrete...it's heaven! Bobby's has grown. They have a concert series and many hardcore, loyal fans. They are quick, reasonably priced, and delicious. They also often offer many freebies if you join their mailing list and like them on Facebook.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:31:05" }, { "business_id": "fiBEzPfn2VOZb-PjLcm7Ng", "business_name": "Kirkwood Station Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times for happy hour with friends after work and enjoy it every time. I love their Caprese pizza and always order one to share with the table. They have outdoor seating I've enjoyed with the warmer weather. This is one of my go-to places for happy hour in Kirkwood! PS If you check in, they have BOGO beer which is a sweet deal.", "timestamp": "2013-11-11T23:58:37" }, { "business_id": "vRj1rgF4ZpwGt97MbcRzqg", "business_name": "Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream", "rating": 4, "text": "Ice cream made with love in the heart of Webster Groves just spells GOOD no matter how you slice it (or scoop it) :-) They have so many delectable flavors, but I can never get past the classic chocolate. They serve the classics and trendier flavors alike all with the wonderful basic ingredients and formula. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-11-12T00:02:48" }, { "business_id": "YV32ObbYe10BXeIydrnuOQ", "business_name": "Canyon Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "If I'm craving Mexican food, Canyon Cafe is my go-to! I've eaten at Canyon Cafe several times since I discovered it a few years ago. Their food quality is amazing every single time. Service is usually very good, though sometimes can be a miss...like if they are crazy busy. I love their chips. They are a combo of sweet potato chips, tortilla chips, and sweet chips that are absolutely delicious. I seriously would come back only for the chips, even if I liked nothing else. Fortunately, that is plenty more to like. For main dishes, I love their chicken avocado salad, salmon, caesar wrap, and fish tacos. Yes, it is a little pricey but I am willing to pay a bit more for quality. My fiancé and I are now fish taco snobs...anywhere else we try them, they are never as good as Canyon's. So I'd rather have something I LOVE and pay a few extra bucks than something that's just OK for a bit cheaper. I love to check out their daily specials and usually end up ordering off of that. It's varied and always delicious, which makes coming back fun for semi-regulars like me :-) I've yet to do their happy hour because it is crazy and busy in that area at that time. I hear it's amazing and I really want to do this someday though...just another excuse for me to go in, right?! If you live in the Lou, this is a must go. I was sad I lived so long without it once I went there.", "timestamp": "2014-01-07T16:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Nn6Vx_Bl48EEgMEskwRQfQ", "business_name": "K Hall Designs", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a must stop place to shop for any soap junkie like myself. How do you know you're a soap junkie? If you go to Bath & Body Works at least once a week, busy yourself by smelling your collection of bath products at home for fun, and/or hoard an obnoxious amount of bath products, then safe to say you are. K. Hall has an abundance of scents to choose from and come in a variety of sized candles, fragrances, soaps, and sprays. The scents are lovely, quality is amazing, and products are packaged beautifully. I love to re-purpose the pretty candle jars for holding makeup brushes or other things. Some of my favorite scents: Washed Cotton, Lavender, Milk, Peony, and Shoreline. The store also sells other random things, like jars, beverage dispensers, decor, etc. I've never purchased those items, but it's just of fun to look around and gives the shop a funky, eclectic, vintage-y feel. It's a little pricey, but to me it's worth it because it's high quality. However, check out their scent of the month sales (30% off anything in that scent) and their annual warehouse sale to enjoy the goods at a lower price.", "timestamp": "2014-01-15T14:49:36" }, { "business_id": "wbLXXbI-T6Av71i9AoiZRQ", "business_name": "Cleveland-Heath", "rating": 5, "text": "This literally may be my new favorite restaurant...EVER! I've heard lots of hype about this place yet never made it over to the IL side to check it out. I was excited to try it! I had dinner last night for the first time and even while eating my meal, I couldn't wait to go back! The place is cozy (read: smallish), the ambience is nice and the menu offerings are interesting. Staff were busy, but attentive and friendly. A friend and I split the family style Braised Beef Brisket. It included a salad to share, two sides, the brisket, and desert for $40. At $20 each it's a bit pricey, but totally and completely worth it. Especially when you consider the quality of the food (worth the price tag alone), but also the portion sizes. We definitely had enough for a 3rd or even 4th person to get in on the family meal. The salad was simple with fresh greens, sliced radishes, and lemon vinaigrette dressing; it was refreshing. We ordered macaroni and cheese and shoestring french fries (mix of sweet potato and potato fries) for our sides. They were delish, especially the macaroni and cheese. Definitely get that! The beef...was oh my god, amazing. It was so tender and flavorful and DELICIOUS. And I'm not a big meat person, but this was SO good. We finished with Beignets (warm brioche beignets, salted caramel filling) that was very delicious as well. The entire meal was decadent and delicious. I could totally get this every time I go there and be so very happy about it. I already can't wait to go back. Go and be glad that you did! Tip: They don't take reservations, but do call ahead seating. This saved us a 30-minute wait and only had to wait a few minutes for a table when we entered!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:31:50" }, { "business_id": "D1lOc4bmegUFyp_eAyJPjw", "business_name": "The Libertine Neighborhood Eatery", "rating": 4, "text": "For date night, my fiancé and I checked out The Libertine for the first time and it did not disappoint. The menu and cocktail offerings are different and interesting. Prices are moderate to high. Staff is very attentive and amazing. Ambiance is nice, albeit a little fancy and dimly lit. We started off with their free appetizer, which is some type of nuts in cheese? I'm not familiar with it and wasn't a huge fan, but it was nice to be offered some food before the meal. We each got their house burger with the two patties (yep TWO), house-made cheese, bacon bun, and caramelized onions (none for me though) with fries. YUM! This burger rivaled our favorite over at SubZero and lost only by a hare. The bun was unique and delicious, probably my favorite part. Be warned, it's a double stacked burger so lots of meat and very filling. Fries were a little overdone for my taste, but otherwise good. We finished off with their famous candy bar with hazelnuts, salted caramel, and ganache. Divine!! Overall, the food was tasty and it was a good experience and I'm glad we went. It's fun to try all the new restaurants and offerings in STL and this was a great stop on the list!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:41:30" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't know how I haven't written a review for this place sooner, it's one of my favs! I'm a semi-regular here and it's one of my favorite places to go! First of all, the ambiance is fantastic. It has an open front with a patio which is nice for Spring and Summer wining and dining, but the inside is really cool. From the wine decor to the ceiling decked out in wine crates, it's wine all the way (and we like wine). Obviously, the wine menu is large and impressive. I LOVE their Moscato (yes I'm one of those). It's so light and refreshing and yummy. I've eaten their brick oven pizzas which are delicious (and much better than you'd expect for a wine bar -- don't let that stop you, get it!) as well as some appetizers. I LOVE their hummus. I consider myself a hummus connoisseur and this is one of my favs. I simply love to come here with friends to enjoy company, a bottle (or two) of wine along with some yummy dishes to nosh on. What else do we want? My time at Sasha's is always superb.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:46:44" }, { "business_id": "_Y96y5CFgJaG4I-HEgylhg", "business_name": "Crushed Red", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been in downtown Kirkwood many a time and always see this place, but only recently went in for the first time. I somehow had the impression it was a fancy restaurant, so when I tried it I was pleasantly surprised at the open concept and more casual restaurant \"make your own\" feel it has. You start off at a cashier where you order any hot food (appetizers, pizza, etc.) and then a cafeteria style line for salads where they make as you request. I had THE best salad there, the farmer's market with raspberry vinaigrette. It is seriously delicious. I went again to get the same salad and split a pizza with a friend (margarita). I honestly wasn't as impressed with the pizza as I expected. It was a little small (it is a flatbread after all) and the cheese kind of kept falling off. Maybe it's that one particular pizza, but it just didn't wow me. I probably wouldn't get it again. For me, I'll definitely be back for the salads. Pizza, not so much.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T19:03:26" }, { "business_id": "GuGlXaVDljVJ9FM-euhJmg", "business_name": "Maven", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a bona fide bath and body aficionado and particularly love local, small businesses where you find unique scents and quality homemade products. Maven fits the bill on all accounts and is in fact, my new favorite shop for bath and body products! I visited the cute shop recently with my sister and I spent a good 20 minutes just on the one side of the store. There offer a large variety of scents and they have basic products that can come in most, if not all, scents. The types of products they offer are candles, body lotion, body scrub, solid lotion, bath bombs, and soap. My fav scents at the moment are Sookie (sweet magnolia blossoms and gardenia) and Salty Sea Air (Fresh saltwater, sea kelp and ozone). I bought a soap and lotion as well as a gift (Don Draper is perfect for the Mad Men fans!). The soap was a whopping $9, so I don't know if that will be my stop for soap, but the rest of the prices are reasonable for what you get (read: good quality). I really wanted a candle, but wanted to pace myself; plus, that will give me another reason to visit again soon :-) They also offer some eclectic products like greeting cards, funny and thoughtful quotes on magnets and stickers, and even repurposed razors. I hope they have seasonal scents or new scents regularly as I'd love to see more of what they come up with. My request: more products and more scents. I'm addicted!", "timestamp": "2014-07-17T02:10:13" }, { "business_id": "QVXfW1c8eOm9SJVb3xdo7w", "business_name": "Cheeburger Cheeburger", "rating": 3, "text": "I wanted to love this joint, I did, but I was underwhelmed. They are going for the old-fashioned diner 50's diner look, I think, without a juke box. The burger was just OK. It was kind of bland and not very impressive. The french fries were the best part...crispy and a little over done, seasoned well, they were yummy. Not the best I've ever had, but good enough for me to keep reaching for more. The milkshake was rich and thick, but it lacked the creaminess and deliciousness I've come to expect (thanks for ruining me, Oberweis!). They've got over a million milkshake combos (or something insane like that) so they get bonus points for variety. If I want a burger and fries, I'd go to 5 Guys over this joint, but in a pinch it will do.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T03:50:47" }, { "business_id": "qkMMO794-59404bUiJ1Odg", "business_name": "Central Table", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to Central Table today for the first time with a friend for lunch. I have never heard of it and didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. When I entered, I felt like I walked into an upscale cafeteria for the cool kids. The layout is very clean, simple, and open. You go to the cashier and order what strikes your fancy. They offer a variety of burgers, pizzas, salads, and soup. I went for a pepperoni pizza (not your everyday pep -- enhanced with spices and finesse) and caesar salad. The pizza was DELICIOUS. Wood-fired and a generous serving, it was amazing. I was full and saved half for dinner (which I was looking forward to all day). The salad was OK. Not enough dressing and not really much flavor. I nabbed a few french fries off my friends plate and those were amazing...crispy, hot, and fresh. I look forward to going back and trying more off their menu! I would recommend you try!", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:00:12" }, { "business_id": "1_ZVtdiZpBNsXaO4ObPtbw", "business_name": "Stellina Pasta Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've heard about this place for months from my sister who swears by it. I came. I ate. I converted. I just had a sandwich and chips, no pasta yet, and already am sold! I had the Talkin' Turkey sandwich (roasted turkey breast, avocado, sunflower sprouts, fontina cheese, roasted garlic mayo on French baguette) along with Billy Goat chips for lunch. The sandwich was generously sized (I could only eat half!), fresh, and delicious. I can't wait to come back for the pasta! It's pricey, but you get what you pay for and I have a feeling the pasta will be worth the hefty price tag.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:04:56" }, { "business_id": "osL7qIVyk-WCdK9qiPTS5A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I bet you don't think of wedding flowers when you think of Whole Foods, but that's exactly where we got ours! As a bride on a budget and mostly DIY, Whole Foods was a great option that offers reasonably priced flowers (MUCH cheaper than a typical florist for weddings) and the flowers are sourced locally from ethical trade, earth friendly farming. Amber M. took care of us from beginning to end, by showing us a variety of flowers, costs, showing us samples, and ordering. Everything turned out exactly like we hoped! One downfall of using them vs. a traditional florist is that you may not be able to get the specific flower you want, but I showed her inspiration pictures and she kept the aesthetic I wanted with what they had available. It turned out beautifully as we wanted for our wedding, but also affordable. Go see Amber M. at Whole Foods Town & Country -- she'll take care of you :-)", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:05:00" }, { "business_id": "tn3_76PZZLCmGBLgBWdTTw", "business_name": "The Cakery", "rating": 5, "text": "We went to the Cakery Bakery for our wedding cake, cupcakes, and groom's cake and couldn't have been happier!! We had a small cake to cut and the rest cupcakes for our wedding guests. We had a variety of flavors (ALL delicious) each with different color frosting/toppings. They offer a variety of flavors and decor choices which was nice (though it made it hard to choose at times). They offer tastings at their shop along with lots of displays of cakes and cupcakes. I also went to the Cakery for a surprise groom's cake at the wedding rehearsal. I showed them some inspiration pictures and gave them a figurine to use -- it turned out exactly like we wanted and the groom loved it. They are flexible with meeting times, always respond to emails/calls, very friendly and nice, and have their stuff together! They worked with us on pickup and work to get what you want. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Our guests continue to tell me how delicious the cupcakes were! They made one of the most important parts of our wedding perfect! Thank you, Cakery!", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:15:15" }, { "business_id": "7dA1OhjJ0ga063_uiiDw3g", "business_name": "The Heavy Anchor", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been wanting to try this spot since I came across an RFT article calling it a nautical noir dive bar. So, when picking a spot for a an after-work happy hour, I was eager to choose this place. We arrived and parking is street so I paid a meter and inside I went. The decor is festive and plentiful. The place is notably dark. You especially notice this when you walk out hours later and shade your eyes! Drinks were cheap and I like the variety of their offerings (Schlafly summer on tap, yes please!). We didn't try the food so I plan on updating once I try it. I also see it's a concert venue and dig the multi-functional space and would love to come by to catch a show. When in search of directions and their menu, their website leaves a lot to be desired. Though I learned you can bring your own food so cool. All in all a cool spot to get a drink and mingle. And I'll be back!", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T02:40:20" }, { "business_id": "puNq5KmQs4HAzGhVajFj8w", "business_name": "Houlihan's", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is kind of an enigma to me. Every time I go in, the menu is completely different. It started as an Applebees kind of fare and gets more and more modern every time I return. Different check in rewards every time, too -- I recall using Foursquare previously and getting a free order of fries upon check in, but this time nothing. They offer up a lot of modern/fancy menu choices now. Lots of things with pretzel buns, sliders, organic greens, antibiotic chicken, etc. Don't get me a wrong, I like it, it just doesn't quite...fit. The restaurant building and decor is dated, dark, and dingy which doesn't fit their modern menu offerings and presentation. Service was OK. It's overpriced in my opinion. The food was tasty, but I feel my money could be better well spent at a spot with a more enjoyable atmosphere.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T03:07:38" }, { "business_id": "G6h-9AZro_Ni_4eRR9CkRw", "business_name": "Penzeys Spices", "rating": 4, "text": "I've received ads from Penzey's with free spice coupons for awhile but never made it there until recently. I was pleasantly surprised to find a cute shop with lots of standard and creative spice offerings. I wandered around the shop for awhile checking out all the spices. They have little jars of each spice to smell along with a variety of offerings of sizes of spices in jars and bags. They have your standard fare (all of which would be worthy enough to go in for) and then some creative and more unusual offerings (variety of sea salts, flavored vanillas, even frozen pizza topping!). They have the cutest little cinnamon shop section with a variety of cinnamon offerings. I also appreciate that they have recipe cards sprinkled around the store. Cute! I agree with some previous comments from reviewers about the staff. They are courteous and will check you out great, but when I wandered around the shop for awhile looking for a particular spice, no one asked me if I needed assistance or offered any help. I will definitely be back! Sign up for their catalogue and you'll get free spice coupons, too.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:19:02" }, { "business_id": "qQSscPMhk3frtSNilF1cGA", "business_name": "VOM FASS", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is fun, albeit a little overwhelming. I'm a cooking novice so I only have two choices for olive oil at grocers -- virgin or extra virgin. So, imagine, me walking into the store with barrel on top of barrel of oils (and more), I felt a little out of my element. I came in on a weekday with a friend and the staff member on duty was very friendly and helpful. He offered tastings, but we didn't partake. Both times I came in we were looking for gifts and found something special and perfect each time. I plan on going in next time for myself as they have some tasty olive oil that sounds great. Also a great stop for libations though we didn't shop for that on that particular trip.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:31:56" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard the hype and since ice cream is it's own food group at my house, I had to try the ice cream made out of liquid nitrogen! So, a group of friends and I moseyed on over last weekend to see what this place was all about. They offer a variety of flavors using liquid nitrogen along with soft serve, but really why would you get soft serve at this place? You order, walk through the line (and witness them what looks like torturing a kitchen aid mixer -- pouring in liquid nitrogen and blow torching it), then pick up your ice cream. Straight forward enough. The line backs up and it takes awhile too because they made each ice cream individually. I'm not sure why they don't make, say, a batch of Rocky Road (which was the flavor of the day by the way) and give out a few servings from that? We waited what seemed like forever and then we got our goods! I tried the Rocky Road and my husband had the Mint Chocolate Chip. Rocky Road was good...they had big bits of chocolate and marshmallow. The ice cream was creamy. I tried my husband's mint chocolate chip and the mint flavor was REALLY faint (I could barely taste it). The place is small and crowded and we barely could find a place to sit and talk amidst the crowd eating and the crowd waiting out the door for ice cream. It's also a bit pricey, but the servings are big. Overall, this place is a solid 4 stars. I think you need to go once for the novelty and I'd come back maybe here and there, but I don't think I'd head back here on the regular. I can get other ice creams just as tasty with a bit more comfortable atmosphere and better price point.", "timestamp": "2014-08-28T02:03:03" }, { "business_id": "UL4K6HwcI542imZo1Glpbw", "business_name": "Peacock Loop Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted to like this place, I did. New place in the loop, yeah! It's funky retro with a modern twist decor was cool. I was feeling it, until we got our food. I went in with a group of four for lunch during a week day. Service was OK. They use those infuriating water glasses that are small so that you need constant refills if you drink water like a normal person (and even more if you're a big water drinker like me!). The server couldn't keep up with my water consumption so I couldn't wash the oddly flavored chili down. Speaking of the chili...my friend also got an order and we decided a better name would be Christmas Chili. It had a distinct flavor of cinnamon or nutmeg and it was off putting. I tried to eat it since I paid for it, but I only made through about half of it. I also ordered a grilled cheese. I mean, if you do a bad grilled cheese, I don't know what hope you have and I hate to say...it was subpar. I could have made a better one at home. My other dining partners ordered sandwiches, burgers, and waffles. They said it was OK. I think the favorite was the waffle, but I didn't try it. All in all, not worth it and I won't return. Maybe if they change the menu and up the creations it will be worthy of St. Louis!", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:22:53" }, { "business_id": "-kHHi8y4kaTI6WUVdJSdvQ", "business_name": "Fitz's", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love LOVE Fitz's. It has everything a hot spot in STL needs...delicious food, unique desserts, and it's very own factory for it's home good quality made items. I've had the pizza before and that was good, but the most recent visit I got a burger. And I was blown away! I didn't expect to love it, but I did. I ate almost every bite and it was a big burger! It had a good smokey flavor and was cooked well done but still tender and scrumptious. So delicious! My husband and I shared a float with orange soda and vanilla ice cream. Oh. My. God. It was so good! It was HUGE for one so I would recommend sharing. It comes topped with 3 or 4 scoops of ice cream that in and of itself was delicious...then combine it with the Fitz's orange soda and it was divine. I always look forward to going here (and interesting note: I don't even like root beer!) and I'll be back many more times. It's a must stop of tourists or regulars who may have never been.", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:28:11" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "When looking for a venue for a holiday dinner, a friend who knows her food picked this place. I had never heard of it but am always on the lookout for delicious new places so I was excited. She made a reservation no problem (a previous reviewer mentioned they couldn't make reservations?). When we arrived we were promptly seated and given menus. Our server was great - it felt like a show as he presented with lots of information and humor and paced us. He was very knowledgeable about specials and the menu. There was only one time my water was empty and I needed more but otherwise he was attentive. I ordered a soda pop fizz cocktail that tasted like an orange cream soda (but warning: it's pink!). Had a kinda weird after taste though. Food wise, we ordered the cheese plate, bacon wrapped dates, cups of chili, and some salads to start. I didn't have any but everyone said it was delicious. They serve warm bread before the meal which is always appreciated. They had a ton of menu specials and many sounded delish! I ordered the Pork Shnitzel while my husband had the burger. Our other party members got many specials too including blackened mahi mahi, breaded mahi mahi, sweet potato tacos, bacon wrapped meatloaf, and chicken pasta dish. Everyone loved their meal! Oh and I need to mention the atmosphere. It was very cozy and chill. We were off in an alcove that was perfect for our party. It was a nice loungey feel which I appreciate. Overall a great dining experience and I would return. My one issue is that I think it's a bit overpriced, particularly my cocktail and main course. For us, it will be a great place to go for a special dinner.", "timestamp": "2014-12-31T17:07:40" }, { "business_id": "hFuRegkL_IFO5792-JegRw", "business_name": "Feraro's Jersey Style Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "How have I not discovered this place sooner?! This location is less than 2 miles from my house but it took a recommendation from a foodie friend who said it's one of her fav places. I checked out the Yelp reviews (as I religiously do before dining anywhere) and off we went to try for a date night. The location is nice. When you walk in, it looks like a bar but turn the corner and there's roomy booths with large wooden tables. We ordered Garlic Knots for an appetizer and a medium pepperoni pizza to share. The good: The food is delicious! The pizza, while my husband noted pretty cheesy (though isn't necessarily a bad thing), was pretty close to perfection. The dough, sauce, chesse, and toppings tasted fresh, hot, and delicious. The garlic knots were also hot and yummy. I love me some garlic and these delivered. Prices were reasonable. The bad: Our food took awhile. It wasn't very busy, but it took about 25 minutes for our appetizer to arrive. Our pizza came about 10-15 minutes later. The sauce for the garlic knots could be better...it was kind of thin and runny. I prefer a thick and jelled sauce. Overall, a delightful find and we will be back. I'd like to try pizza by the slice, take out, and more. Perfect spot for a pizza hankering that is close to home.", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:07:07" }, { "business_id": "BtTVHiY1AH5iHzTlx5HqZw", "business_name": "Fortel's Pizza Den", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I NOT tried this place sooner?! I've lived here too long to not have tried it and I have lots of lost time to make up for! Coworkers brought some Fortel's in to work for someone's birthday and I immediately ate way too much. It was insanely delicious and addictive. I'm not a (as I say this I'm ducking) huge fan of the typical STL style pizza. This is thin crust but the consistency is more like a hand tossed thin - perfect! The toppings are very generous and delicious. I went after this with my husband (to make sure it wasn't a fluke) and we ordered the same delicious pie, just as scrumptious as the previous one. Now if we are going out for pizza, hubby wants to go here! We are fans!", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:37:29" }, { "business_id": "54vEFcAri3Wj6cdM4ljDBA", "business_name": "Moonrise Hotel", "rating": 5, "text": "Hubby planned a staycation/date night at Moonrise since he heard it's a quirky, unique and highly rated hotel in STL. I must say, I was SUPER impressed and LOVED it. All the little touches are fantastic -- a welcome drink (and welcome snacks for pups), fabulous lounge and atmosphere, all the free, thoughtful toiletries, waterfall shower, Wolfgang Puck coffee, super beds, and more. I was blown away. Our room was clean, well lit, spacious, beautifully decorated, and thoughtfully arranged. The decor around the hotel is cool -- warning, they really stick with the moon and space theme. They have a better than concierge service (though we didn't use), thoughtful and dedicated staff, a fantastic rooftop bar, lounge spaces, and delicious 24 hr room service offerings (from the restaurant on site, Eclipse). Not to mention right on the Loop with tons of things to do! We moseyed around the Loop during the day, went to the rooftop bar for a pre-diner drink, went to Eclipse for dinner (that review is forthcoming :)), hung out in the room, and had room service for breakfast. Everything was fabulous. The rooftop bar is a gem in it's own right. The view is amazing, the bar is well stocked with unique offerings, and the vibe is relaxed/chill with some lounge-y spots around. The room service was fab -- the food was plentiful, delicious, and wonderfully presented. The staff is so impressive as well. I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and while it's a bit on the pricey side the boutique hotel experience is worth it and I would return. My ONLY beef is that we got a jacuzzi king room and the tub was a little bit of a let down. It's not actually a jet jacuzzi tub like we were expecting. More like a bit bigger than a regular bath tub with air jets. If we came back, we probably wouldn't spring for that upgrade.", "timestamp": "2015-04-11T19:27:42" }, { "business_id": "NiX_nc8pf8vClgqzjpmLTw", "business_name": "Budweiser Brew House", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband and I stopped by Budweiser Brew House for drinks and apps before a Cards vs. Cubs home game. Needless to say, the place was crazy. However, we only had a 20 minute wait for an outdoor table (while inside was an hour and a half wait!). I love the patio -- the lights, ambience, and come fall post-season baseball that large outdoor fireplace will be lovely. Our server was frazzled with the rush but attentive. We had a few mixed drinks and the Crispy Wings (in Budweiser wing sauce). I was very pleased with everything. The drinks were great and surprisingly a fair price (I think $6 for each a rum and coke and vodka and club soda). The wings were delicious!! The sauce definitely had a kick and was a little spicier than I expected but also very good and addictive. We didn't eat them all and when they made it home, there was a debate about who would get to eat the leftovers :) Obviously, in Ballpark Village and on game days, this place is insane. And it's discombobulated -- it can be hard to find things (we are on an eternal hunt for the Ted Drewes hut) and employees in different places all seem confused on where things are (we were told lots of different things by different people). Comes with the territory and not penalizing this bar for the complex as a whole. I'd like to try entrees in the future and see if they hold up to my experience thus far. All in all, a solid place to go before or after a game for drinks and snacks. We will return!", "timestamp": "2015-07-02T16:12:34" }, { "business_id": "c_xAbBTeiIHqPm1zMOvQcg", "business_name": "Iron Barley's High Hog Ridge", "rating": 4, "text": "The hubs felt like doing something different and surprisingly we haven't been here yet -- we missed their whole TV debut. Alas, reviews and their diverse menu peaked our interests and we found ourselves at the intersection of Bates and Virginia, searching for the hidden gem. It's a little divey, but oddly charming. You feel like you're in a very friendly neighborhood joint where everyone knows each other. Customer service is superb. Our server, Mark, was very friendly and went above and beyond to make our experience great. Live music was nice, too. The menu is diverse with lots of unique offerings. I decided to go with the class naked dog and ranch fries (which have no ranch seasoning or taste by the way). My husband ordered the Schnitzel and Spaetzle along with mushroom au gratin (special that evening) as an appetizer. The mushroom au gratin was AMAZING. Our entrees were delish as well. Hubs was pleasantly surprised by the German dumplings and liked the rest of his meal. He did say he thought it was overpriced for what it was. I enjoyed my hot dog -- it was grilled perfectly though, fair warning, expect a HUGE portion. We will likely be back to try something new from their menu and enjoy this little neighborhood joint.", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T18:27:37" }, { "business_id": "hqF-uosThMtwGn4J_LfNPA", "business_name": "Plaza Frontenac Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my absolute favorite place to catch a flick. Why? One word: POPCORN. It is seriously the best I've ever had. Every time I go it's hot, fresh, perfectly salted, and (I think the secret to the success) REAL butter. So. freaking. good. They also have fun/gourmet snack and drink options like seasonal local beers and salted chocolates. Onto the theater...it's well kept, nice seats, and crowds are always mild. Partly because they do play some movies that aren't in major theaters like documentaries, foreign flicks, etc. They do play some mainstream but not always. I check the movie listings often as they usually have a hidden gem I don't hear about by advertisement that are good nonetheless. Go. Enjoy. But be warned...it will ruin you for other theater experiences!", "timestamp": "2015-10-29T16:12:12" }, { "business_id": "GGLtLL7ShmjOjVZSeZfjVA", "business_name": "Breadsmith", "rating": 4, "text": "I have to come here every Christmas for Dolci Cello (caramel corn puffs, but oh so much more). It is heaven in a bag and I look forward to it every year :) They have lots of bread choices and staff are friendly and helpful. I just picked up a loaf of Brioche for Christmas morning french toast (can you tell, I'm a touch obsessed with the holidays?!). They conveniently put freezing and baking instructions on their items. I also picked up some small flatbreads that looked delish. It IS a little pricey and the shop is a little small. It's also a bit out there for me location-wise, but it is worth the travel. This is a must stop for carb-loving St. Louisans! Check it out next time you are in the Rock Hill area.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:00:03" }, { "business_id": "BtROhQfrGdoWZ_t9zwEVUA", "business_name": "The Container Store", "rating": 4, "text": "This is THE motherland. Repeat. This is the motherland. I feel so at home and at peace here. But also so very giddily excited. Anything containers does it for me and they have aisles and aisles of just that. Pretty things to store your pretty things. And then a pretty thing to store that. I recently re-organized my office with lots of things from container store including colorful bookends, their brick-style accessory organization, cord management, cork board, and more. It's made my work space much more zen and pleasant. After a recent move, I returned to help organize my refridgerator and pantry with many containers. The major downfall: It is pricey. Like I-don't-even-probably-need-this-but-sure-I'll-pay-$25-for-it kinda thing. To cut costs, I often get inspiration here and find similar items elsewhere. But for the few projects I will buy all or most from Container Store and often be about $150 poorer for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:07:45" }, { "business_id": "D4spXIMXev6pFUz3df31fQ", "business_name": "Vivianos Festa Italiano", "rating": 5, "text": "The hubs and I recently moved to the area and wanted to check out good local places. I think we found it! We moseyed on over to Vivianos and were not disappointed. It's a cool restaurant/artisan grocery store (in a strip mall, but don't let that fool you). We were cheerfully welcomed by someone who I believe was the owner. He was patient and helpful as he answered questions about the menu and made recommendations. I got the half caesar salad with Penne Roma and my husband got the ravioli and greek salad. He gave us a free drink for being first timers. The portions are generous, you get delicious homemade bread (always an appreciated touch), and the food was divine. Penne Roma has a kick, but if you like that, you will not be disappointed. Hubby liked the ravioli though the portion was a bit small for him (not to worry I had PLENTY and was able to share). As we were leaving, the owner told us to take a loaf of bread home for free. We noticed there were lots of regulars and the owner was very friendly. I love little small businesses like this as the touch of service and friendliness is unparalleled. Go and enjoy this little gem in Fenton!", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:15:18" }, { "business_id": "0MhxvTys2ADYa3sOO91ldQ", "business_name": "Egg", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh. My. God. Stumbled upon this place when MudHouse was randomly closed (really, a float trip guys?! I need my breakfast!). I never thought I'd say it but I was glad they were closed to give me a chance to check out Egg. I ordered an off-menu item -- carnitas omelette with potatoes. Seriously freaking delicious. The potatoes were seasoned a bit spicy but amazing, crispy, and just so delicious. The omelette was cheesy, with a bit of spinach, and delicious roasted carnitas. The portion was really big and I took down most of it. Decent price, good service. It will now be difficult to choose between Egg and Mudhouse when I get back in the area. I can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2017-08-03T00:46:04" }, { "business_id": "yjP-n5RpuxsDZZwxDg-FUg", "business_name": "Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Great pizza and concept! It's like Chipotle with Mexican, Crushed Red with salad, etc. You build your own pizza live and their schtick is they cook it in 180 (!) seconds. There's lots of great extra touches such as seasoning choice or after bake add ons. Plus they check with you each step of the way - is the sauce amount good or the cheese amount? Which begs the question - is there a point they'll stop asking because it's too much cheese or would they charge you extra for cheese? Due to those damn social norms, I didn't find out (though I did ask for a bit more cheese at the first query). It's great for kids because it's so fast and easy! Pick up your high chair or booster by the drink station. And pick up a beer or wine that they serve (even some draught!) because you are taking kids out in public and dammit you deserve it! Clean and modern interior was spot on. Ironically, our pizza was a little burnt. The salads had some bad leaves and left a bit to be desired but good flavors. Overall, Blaze is a fantastic addition to Kirkwood and we will be back!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:04:18" }, { "business_id": "LmKpHMXSsm36viJOGVodFw", "business_name": "Missouri Botanical Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of my favorite places in St. Louis. We recently became members though have been several times prior. Hot little tip - city and county residents get in free Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The lush and beautiful gardens themselves are worth it but there's much, much more. The climatron is a huge greenhouse with a neat little trail. There's also a small little greenhouse that is sweet (side note - we did family maternity photos in this spot and they came out wonderfully). The children's area is awesome! There's splash pads, huge playground, indoor discovery center, and much more. There's a calm corner for children needing a break and nursing moms which I've used and love. They have amazing events. I go to Best of Missouri market every year. Whitaker music festival is great and free to everyone! I haven't yet been to Garden Glow but will go this year. Sassafras is the on location restaurant and is delicious. Parking is plentiful and free. Check it out - you won't regret it!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:20:25" }, { "business_id": "t-QxJFbbSjC-_X9TWJqITA", "business_name": "Shack Breakfast & Lunch", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious food, unique (and large) menu, fun atmosphere, great service - this place has it all! Luckily - and dangerously - I live and work nearby. So I go quite a bit with coworkers, friends, family and have worked through the menu. Everything is amazing. I particularly like the build your own omelette and potatoes. My dining partners are always happy as well. This is my go-to breakfast spot. Sometimes it's quite busy over the weekend so expect a bit of a wait.", "timestamp": "2018-06-09T14:06:45" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 4, "text": "A cute little restaurant in Webster Groves. I had the Farro salad and Rose Punch. The salad was fresh, delicious, beautifully presented, and did I mention delicious?! The drink was just okay - it didn't wow me and I wouldn't order again. My dining partners ordered warm olives which they loved and a variety of entrees. Everyone seemed to like their entrees but also didn't seem wowed by any of them. The cake with buttercream for dessert was a generous size (definitely for sharing) and very good! The furniture (especially gold chairs!), decor, etc. is so pretty, welcoming, and sets a nice ambiance. The menu is small but a variety of choices of items within that (salads, sounds, entrees, sandwiches). It's pricey but not obnoxiously so. Overall a cute little spot happy to have here! I'd love to come back for another salad!", "timestamp": "2018-07-02T02:34:18" }, { "business_id": "9P6yLs8Yi6WhbmBIiwvWhg", "business_name": "ZZA Pizza + Salad", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty darn good pizzas! A friend and I shared two - the rocket and garden city. They're both pretty unique and delicious! The lemon flavor of the rocket was awesome and the smoked Gouda on garden city was also wonderful. We finished off our meal with do raw cookie dough. That was just okay - not enough chocolate chips and pretty hard. If you're in the area and want a quick, good pizza, check it out!", "timestamp": "2018-09-23T19:54:12" }, { "business_id": "MI3OE-I70B6VFBCn1rw5lg", "business_name": "Stuckmeyer's Farm Market", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm teetering between 2 and 3 star review so I'll err on the side of 3 star. I think it's all about expectations with this spot. I'm used to going to Eckerts in Belleville every year and heard great things about Stuckmeyer so off we went. I was sorely disappointed my first visit. It is not as big nor as well manicured as Eckerts. You will feel very nickel and dimed. Besides the big playground area, everything costs money (the corn maze, the inflatable corn maze, the bounce house area, the wagon ride, etc). The nice thing is the patch is really close and you don't have to ride a wagon to get there. They also have wagons you can use (for free!) to cart your pumpkin and stuff. Its not great but if you just want a pumpkin and not trek to IL, it might fit the bill for your needs.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:08:52" }, { "business_id": "tvc0kLuvktNBrD9Ts_M64Q", "business_name": "Tints Polish", "rating": 5, "text": "Nail salons are enigmas where it's just hard to find the perfect one. This is a hidden gem (almost literally - easy to pass up). The decor is so cute, modern, and cozy. The chairs and seating are comfy (not your usual salon chairs - but that's a good thing). Very reasonably priced and they don't accept tips. This will be my usual nail spot from now on! Make sure you make an appointment - while they do accept walk-ins when possible, they book up fast.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:20:34" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect little unique spot to grab delicious ice cream! What a great addition to this area with a little nearby park and other spots to eat. If you want something more unique and special than chain ice cream store, you will appreciate this charming location. The ice cream is the real deal - super delicious and decadent with unique flavors and tastes.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:30:33" }, { "business_id": "eQlMjyOsirwFCH8CiaKrjw", "business_name": "Fitz's SoCo", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a neat and special addition to the area - we loved going to Fitz's in the city but it's a bit of a ways away. It's nice to get a fun and unique spot in the county :) Same delicious food and drinks! A few gripes: -it's hard to find! They don't have a sign directly on the building (yet, I hope). -While the food and company is special, I was disappointed they didn't do more in this location. I had high hopes to see some of the bottling or arcade, like the city location. Just a pretty open (albeit nice and updated) space. A few enclosed party rooms on the side. Overall, it's not perfect but a great addition to the area and we'll be back :)", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:36:18" }, { "business_id": "NXs4byOiMay3DkMLuvgJxw", "business_name": "Peel Wood Fired Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been to Peel in IL but don't get out there much anymore - So happy to see this new location and finally visit. The space is great - and lots of it. The pizza is delicious, one of my favs. They have lots of apps and salads that I want to try. This will be a great spot for lunch, happy hour, brunch, whatever! Go and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:38:26" }, { "business_id": "VJ-c-Yjj1qv7dKS5YaYoHg", "business_name": "Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious spot for lunch! I picked up to go and shared with a friend. The chicken and rice soup was delicious and the bread was amazing. I definitely want to go back and try more - especially the pizza. No kids menu and kinda pricey which bumped it to 4 stars for me.", "timestamp": "2019-03-03T13:17:10" }, { "business_id": "RcsTutp1103SGiYtam7xRg", "business_name": "The Frisco Barroom", "rating": 4, "text": "Awesome new spot in Webster. Peeked at the rooftop outdoor area and looks fab for warm summer nights. Came with a small group of girls for drinks and appetizers (they shared, I didn't eat), sat the bar and they had live music. It's busy and loud but a good vibe! Want to go back and try food :) Fun fact: owners also own K Hall, another gem in the area!", "timestamp": "2019-04-11T13:20:31" }, { "business_id": "YSgcojsb2kWHXNLWaGCuBA", "business_name": "Pastaria", "rating": 4, "text": "Modern Italian vibe meets casual but classy dining. I've been twice - one for date night and once with the kids, both times were great! They have a great and generous happy hour - M-F 3:30-6 drink specials, some $10 pizzas and half off kids meals making them only $5. The hot fresh bread is amazing and the pasta and pizza are delish. Yum!", "timestamp": "2019-06-27T01:09:25" }, { "business_id": "MuKoTR56s6elHEI2wUkgJA", "business_name": "Grace Meat + Three", "rating": 4, "text": "Great delicious fried chicken spot! I was a sweetie pie fan through and through - so I had high expectations. The chicken was delicious - crisp, flavorful and mildly spicy. Delicious!! The sides were okay. The Mac and cheese was kind of tough and nothing really special. The mashed potatoes were better but so strong by the end of the cup, I couldn't eat the rest. However, the chicken is so good. It's a bit pricey. It's pretty hipstery and I do miss the charm and authenticity of of sweetie pies, but I digress.", "timestamp": "2019-08-31T02:24:14" }, { "business_id": "peQnrEY1S6sE4ifK2SFUSA", "business_name": "Sugarfire Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this sooner? This is my absolute favorite at Louis bbq. It's dangerously close to me now so I've been able to frequent too frequently lol My faves that I get almost every time: The milkshakes - damn delicious and lots of unique flavors include booze options. The meat - so tender and delicious. I typically get the pork. It's so good and big portions. The French fries - salty, thin, addictive!!!!! Keep an eye out for their specials, they have creative and amazing specials every day. But get there quick before they sell out! Follow on IG to get a heads up on specialties.", "timestamp": "2019-12-18T04:08:27" }, { "business_id": "Jn8bQ86NMVlCG3tY0YVLaw", "business_name": "Russell’s Cafe & Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed sooner? This is a gem in my neighborhood. Delicious, homemade food with healthy options and a plethora of baked goods to choose from. This is a regular stop for our household. The space is small so we tend to avoid the busiest times. All meals, desserts are fantastic. We haven't tried something we didn't like. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T17:26:48" }, { "business_id": "YJ-sr_YVhnsZaBl-j9tjCg", "business_name": "Epic Pizza & Subs", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick and easy pizza and apps right next to beer Disney land! We tried wings, garlic knots, and each had a slice of pizza. The apps were phenomenal and the pizza was okay, good flavor on the cheese but also kind of lackluster. Overall a solid spot to hit before heading to pieces game bar - which is just what we did! :)", "timestamp": "2020-01-13T01:19:08" }, { "business_id": "r8DNf74pfvCdy29fGuwAoA", "business_name": "Pieces The St. Louis Board Game Bar & Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "We went for the first time on a Sunday afternoon and it was such a fun afternoon! We played games and got to hang in a fun atmosphere with lots of choices. You pay $5 each to get in and each item you buy, knocks $1 off your game fee. It's pretty good deal for $5 each but if you buy food/drinks just to get \"free\" or reduced entrance fee, it gets pricey! We came just two of us and it would have been better with a bigger group but there's a special area for two player games and we had plenty of time in 2.5 hours - we could have stayed longer. We will be back! I was bummed they did not have the featured picture drink - they don't make anymore (s'more drink). And it just seems like they should be serving milkshakes or at least that pic put me in the mood for one. Game bar and milkshakes = perfection. Please add to menu!! :)", "timestamp": "2020-01-13T01:23:03" }, { "business_id": "QFzfm7Xe8i_7M6oS08c9YQ", "business_name": "Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Town & Country", "rating": 5, "text": "I've heard great things about this spot and finally gave it a shot today for lunch. Soo good! We had drinks, entrees and dessert. The menu has a variety of options and price points including a lunch menu, light menu, and more. I appreciated the variety! The ambiance is nice and it feels like a nicer than your average restaurant. The best part of the meal was dessert. We had their signature cake - so amazingly good. And I'm not a cake person. We will be back! Highly recommend a reservation!", "timestamp": "2020-02-14T23:56:05" } ]	{ "business_id": "HEIU-6_E_Vr44ADyHZFSoA", "business_name": "Olde Towne Donuts", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not a big donut person, I can usually resist. They're either too dry or too sweet, just not that tempting to me. However - I tried a cake iced with chocolate from olde Towne donuts and it is divine. I take it all back! The outside is mildly crisp in a good way with moist goodness inside and delicious chocolate atop - that my kids can and do lick off alone. The shop is small with no frills. A drawback is they charge you to run a card and I always forget cash - plus right now during pandemic, a non touch method of payment would be helpful.", "timestamp": "2020-05-24T13:58:31" }
xbybLiQockAzC4xAlzFrGg	[ { "business_id": "y-XX_c8EVK4m3oQda42Y3A", "business_name": "McArthur's Bakery Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here quite a few times for breakfast and have had really good experiences. Employees are many and helpful. Food is very reasonably priced (so much we thought we were under charged every time). Many options and everything we had was fresh and yummy. Never went to for cakes or special orders.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:31:32" }, { "business_id": "gKBqK-FFq7EGOUscBqb1iA", "business_name": "The Royale Food & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a cool, liberal bar that's a hidden gem! I've only been for drinks and plan on going for food. The interior is cozy, clean and aesthetically pleasing. It's going to be my new regular spot :) only complain is that seating is limited - we ran out of chairs for friends.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T16:39:52" }, { "business_id": "SyAYFxPBjuaHajx9iE7wLQ", "business_name": "Saint Louis Galleria", "rating": 3, "text": "love/hate relationship with Galleria. Unruly kids/teens have been a problem in the past which is why they created a curfew on weekends. Parking is horrible, especially near the Cheescake Factory and even worse now that Nordstrom is open. Great places to shop like Sephora, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, Papyrus, and Nordstrom ! And eat (California Pizza Kitchen & Cheescake Factory). However they got rid of MAC and one end of the mall is dumpy (if you've been, you know what I'm talking about).", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:16:04" }, { "business_id": "GTXSk8QyD7N1Un-tzgPw4g", "business_name": "First Watch", "rating": 4, "text": "My boyfriend & I love to go to First Watch on Sundays. It's delish & provides a great breakfast for about $20. The pancakes are to die! I always get a chocolate chip pancake when I go (as part of the Tri-Fecta). They have many low-fat and alternate options like turkey sausage and egg substitute. They have crepes and unique dishes as well.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:17:50" }, { "business_id": "cdf4eQCZv2lu3xZCKVnlZA", "business_name": "Trendy Nails & Spa", "rating": 5, "text": "I just had a great first experience with Trendy Nails & Spa! After hearing great reviews from friends & seeing the reviews here, this was the first local nail salon on my list to try and I'm glad I did. The staff was very friendly and talkative. My nail tech took her time to make sure she did a good job - she even re-did a few things that weren't perfect. I got the OPI Axxium gel polish (my first gel manicure) and was impressed with the precision and effort she put forth to make this a great manicure. Not to mention it was only $27! Most gel manicures, from my research, range from $30-$40. I will definitely become a regular and recommend this place to friends because of this great, clean space with very friendly and talented staff plus reasonable/cheap prices. What more could a girl ask for?", "timestamp": "2011-07-29T02:59:51" }, { "business_id": "JVI5tY_EcHlIFJkX5SlLVA", "business_name": "IHOP", "rating": 3, "text": "My boyfriend and I are frequent breakfast eaters and although many hipsters cringe at IHOP, we like it (well, it's no Eggsperience - a wonderful diner in Chicago) but it does beat Denny's. We normally have to truck it to the Sunset Hills location but they just opened this one on Lemay Ferry, just down the road from us, to our delight! IHOPs are all pretty much the same but I was compelled to write a review for this one in particular because this location is TINY. There are seriously probably about 20 tables. We had to wait a half an hour for 2 people. Granted it was Sunday afternoon (church rush), but we normally do not have to wait that long. Additionally, staff was sluggish to clean tables, seat us, and wait on us in general. However, the place was clean. I should also mention union protesters are around and probably will be for a bit. More beef I have with IHOP in general is that they don't take coupons from cell phones. It is not only \"green\" to do that, but it's the 21st century of iPads, iPhones, Kindles, and more...everything is electronic now so refusing to take electronic coupons is a big mistake in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:21:55" }, { "business_id": "paBWJ6VBIy4-eXVH3iGFFA", "business_name": "Courtesy Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "I just love this place. It's a local little diner that reminds me of a Huddle House or Waffle House (size and ambiance). But I love it because it's SUPER cheap (cash only though) and it's local (I'm a big local business supporter). The food is good and the environment is upbeat. Great to hit up after dancing the night away into the wee hours of the morning :)", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:26:13" }, { "business_id": "S26FJcC298XNpN2cZiwOrA", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Central West End", "rating": 5, "text": "There's not much else to say about this amazing pizzeria that hasn't already been said, I'm sure. I think it's popularity peaked after Obama gave it a shout out for being the best deep dish pizza he's ever eaten (and that's coming from a Chicago native!!). However, there's also thin crust pizzas as well as vegan pizzas (talk about going the extra mile!). I had the opportunity to eat here with the head desert chef so we got to try all the deserts which I think are very neglected for the pizza-goers. Both appetizers and deserts are simple yet divine. The most simple, a blood orange push-pop of sorts, is simply amazing. The alcohol menu is extensive and there are tastes for everyone. The environment is trendy and usually buzzing. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. It can get a little pricey but I think it's worth it. I've been here multiple times and plan on going again.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:33:15" }, { "business_id": "GV-e7Op4aU98xkjjoKlRhA", "business_name": "Modesto Tapas Bar & Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore this tapas bar. A few friends turned me on to it and I was a little nervous as I'm, sad to admit, a picky eater. Many of the items on the menu scared me because they are not traditional but when I tried them, they were amazing. That means they can make damn good food and makes me trust them when I want to try other things. Most notably was the ribeye on bread with cheese (I know, a safe one) but there were so many amazing more treats - the names I don't even remember. I would recommend going during happy hour where you can get bites cheap. I have never went at a happy hour so just dining it was pricey and I didn't get to try too much (although I did over time after going multiple times). The plates are small so not very satisfactory as a meal unless you are going to get many each (although that will cost you a pretty penny). The place is trendy and clean. Servers are attentive although I recall feeling slightly rushed a time or two. They have unique cocktails and drinks - lemonade mojito was amazing. I can't wait to go back - this time to make the happy hour so I can try a lot more and pay a lot less! I would consider this a must-go place in STL and recommend it to all my friends.", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T05:57:06" }, { "business_id": "gHf8FdH8uLobt3zi3-dR4g", "business_name": "Hillside Animal Hospital", "rating": 5, "text": "I've brought my doggie here since I adopted her just over a year ago. I've been impressed with the staff and especially the vet (Dr. Marziani) since day one. I've never had any trouble getting an appointment, keeping an appointment, nor waiting too long for an appointment. Additionally, I've gotten in last minute a few times for those more urgent animal situations that are inevitable to occur. Dr. Marziani is very knowledgeable, helpful, and nice. She takes her time with you and your pet and it is evident she not only knows what she is doing, but really cares about your pet. My puppy was my first dog and she helped walk me through the process and has great recommendations for me (in fact, she introduced me to the Greater St. Louis Training Club and I went to them for my dog's obedience training!). The administrative staff & vet assistants are also nice, patient, and knowledgeable. They also send reminder cards for your pets needs and have many specials with heartworm and flea treatments. They keep customers in the know via Facebook with other specials, too. I couldn't say enough good things about Hillside. The only downside, which comes along with any good vet, is that it is a little pricey. When I took Libby once for a cut, it was about $100 which included the exam and medicine. Again, I think this will be the case for any good vet so I didn't ding them for that. We will be customers for life and I would highly recommend!", "timestamp": "2011-11-18T17:25:29" }, { "business_id": "EpREWeEpmR8f1qLHzzF0AA", "business_name": "Schlafly Bottleworks", "rating": 5, "text": "After living in the STL area for way over 10 years now, I am both ashamed and remorseful to admit that I ate here for the FIRST time just a few weeks ago. I am ashamed because it's a St. Louis tradition and remorseful because I missed out on it for so..many...years! This place is amazing. What is not to love! It's a factory where you can get a tour (Friday-Sunday, noon-5pm on the hour), there's a shop, bar, and dining area. They also host many event with live music on the weekends. It's fun to just kind of wander and look around - don't worry, you'll get a chance because there will likely be a wait before you dine. The beer is, of course, amazing. The Hefeweizen is my personal favorite and a great start for anyone who is not a huge beer drinker (like myself). Additionally, the food is homegrown and damn good. I had the pizza (recommendation from my server) and it was really spectacular, though I'm admittedly a pizza connoisseur so I enjoy a good pizza pie more than most probably ;P My date had a bison burger which was also really good. More fun info: the service is great! I think they tend to hire more funky and alternative people (like tattoo parlor staff) which I support. The quality is what makes this place stand out along with the emphasis on local food and brewery. It is a little on the pricier side but for all the experience you get and the quality, it is worth it. I will go again and again and you probably should, too!", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T06:58:36" }, { "business_id": "FryXEasH74MQDnj5Bvz3QA", "business_name": "The Mud House", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself to be a breakfast and brunch connoisseur, always in search of new, delicious places. By chance, I came across this hidden gem and I'm glad I did! I checked out the reviews and based on those saying how super slammed they are, I figured there's no way we'd make it in. But we swung by to check around noon on a Sunday and there were several open tables. So either business has slowed down or we happened to come at a generally slow time. You order at the counter, find a seat, and they bring you your food. To my delight, the interior is eclectic and charming. The menu is small, but the prices are VERY reasonable, especially for the value (more on that later). The down side: Extremely loud in there. Even not filled to capacity, I felt like I had to shout to my dining partner to have conversation. It was noticeably annoying. Another downfall is that we waited about 20 minutes for our food. The good news: The food was AMAZING! I got the classic breakfast meal (bacon, eggs, toast, hashbrowns). My boyfriend got the Apple and Raisin French Toast. We also got a powdered sugar brownie. I would go back solely for another brownie! The toast was so fresh and delicious, it tasted like it was freshly made. And bonus, it was very modestly priced. My dish was only $7, same as what I would get at IHOP or Denny's with a slab of Wonder Bread on the plate. I can't emphasize enough the quality of the food, the taste, and the value. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was Indie/artsy. The staff are also very friendly and helpful.", "timestamp": "2012-07-15T21:42:07" }, { "business_id": "jQBPO3rYkNwIaOdQS5ktgQ", "business_name": "The Fountain On Locust", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review sooner! This is one of my favorite spots in St. Louis since my first visit a couple years ago (after a co-worker suggested it). I feel like I work for them because I am always bragging about how wonderful it is and where better to brag than Yelp? :) This is a locally-owned restaurant that is known especially for their ice cream (including ice cream martinis!). The interior is amazing. It's an old car dealership from the 20th century that is art deco. Even the bathrooms are amazing (seriously, check them out). The food is reasonably priced and wonderful. My favorite is the Royal Grille, which is a grilled cheese sandwich with apple slices (Yum!) with their handmade chips (extra Yum!). Amazing! Their soups and other sandwiches are also delicious. Now to the main act, the ice cream. Probably more than you need to know, but they make all of their ingredients from scratch (excepted the main ingredient, ice cream - that, they fly in aged from Wisconsin!) - see, I told you it sounds like I work from them, but trust me, I'm just a creepy fan. I've had the Chocolate Brownie Cake in a Cup and Standing Banana Split. The Standing Banana Split is one of my favorite deserts EVER. My go-to is Chocolate shake (SO delicious) and pair that with food, I'm usually too full for desert. But it's worth to come solely for desert. Bottom line, check it out. It's a classic in St. Louis and you definitely won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:01:24" }, { "business_id": "8vwdDagJc8bJR0ZojFGZxw", "business_name": "The Cup", "rating": 4, "text": "While there is some debate about who exactly has the best cupcake in STL (Is it Jilly's? SweetArt? Cup?), the Cup is definitely in the running and is at the top of my list. They have a small menu (usually 6-7 staple cupcakes and 5-6 seasonal cupcakes), but the flavors are delish. Some of my favorites are Tuxedo (dark chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream), Double Chocolate (self-explanatory ;)), and Gold Rush (yellow cake, chocolate buttercream). The interior is small-ish, but that's most shops in CWE. This cupcakes are kinda priecy, but not too bad if you buy one just for yourself ;) There is basically no parking, just a few metered spots by the entrance. All in all, this is a must-stop for cupcake connoisseurs!", "timestamp": "2012-07-17T23:20:52" }, { "business_id": "OZcl2HOUXAHuICrh5d2WjQ", "business_name": "Half & Half", "rating": 3, "text": "Unfortunately, our breakfast was just OK. We waited about 45 minutes to eat on a bustling Saturday morning. Once we were seated, the service was fast and attentive. The decor is fun and eclectic. However, the food wasn't up to par in my opinion. Maybe I had too high expectations after reading the stellar reviews or maybe I was put off that we waited so long (after being quoted at about 20-30 minutes). Or maybe it's because I didn't get anything 'exciting', just the half and half which is toast, eggs, hash browns, and bacon (for an added charge). But, truly I believe the quality was simply lacking (maybe we hit them on a bad day?). The eggs were runny and the bacon was over cooked. However, my fiancé had the eggs benedict and he did like his dish. They have some unique dishes that if you loved you might want to return for, (e.g., blackberry french toast has been cited multiple times as a must-try) but I like a classic. I would rather go to Mud House where the food is cheaper and better.", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:25:09" }, { "business_id": "p_6THXiGLViyxYnOY8BzZQ", "business_name": "Vin de Set", "rating": 4, "text": "I went here for my four-year anniversary with my boyfriend. We had never been, but after perusing Yelp and other review websites, Vin de Set was cited multiple times for being a romantic hot spot in St Louis. So we had to try it for our very special night. We came around 5pm on a Saturday night and there were few people around. We sat outside on the infamous rooftop deck where cozy seats, outdoor warmers, and stringed lights were abound. I tried the beef medallions (delicious!) and my boyfriend had fresh fish. We also split a piece of cheesecake. Everything was wonderful and I really loved my dish - I would order it again! Prices were expensive, but reasonably so. I think we spent about $50 for our two entrees and dessert. Service was good, though not extraordinary. Overall, it was a fun experience made extra special by the fact that afterward, my boyfriend proposed to me :) What a perfect night!", "timestamp": "2012-11-11T01:33:45" }, { "business_id": "7nDUQkNX0aw9gc_9nlVPwQ", "business_name": "Wolfgang's Pet Stop", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely love this little shop! I began taking my 2 1/2 year old Sheltie here about a year or so ago after finding a Groupon for this shop. I've never been or heard of it, but gave it a try because it's a small business and it was a good deal. I set up an appointment for a groom and was lucky enough to have Kelly as her groomer. We have been seeing her ever since! My little girl is terrified of dryers so Kelly takes the extra time to hand dry her. She is very careful with her, patient with her anxiety, and always trims and grooms to my instructions, plus adds extra cute bows or handkerchief after :) It really shows that she cares about dogs and loves her job. She also always seems to be there because every time I've made an appointment, she's been available. When I get my pup back from Kelly, she's super soft, clean, shed-free, and smelling wonderful. We been there regularly for a year or so now and it's always a superb job! The other staff are wonderful too. They know my pup by name and are always very polite and sweet to her and me. They always manage to get me in for an appointment even when calling last minute. They are very friendly and accommodating. On top of that, prices are VERY reasonable. I usually get my Sheltie (read: lots of hair) a wash, groom, trim (nails and hair), teeth brushed, and shed-x treatment for about $40 -- and it ends up being a 4 hour service. I cannot say enough good things about this place! This will be our groomers for life! There is a retail store upstairs and they also do doggy day care, though I've never tried either. I heard from a staffer that they are expanding and adding a new location on Washington street with a larger doggy day care center. My only complaint is parking can be a pain and not very welcoming to take doggy in and out of my car on a busy and tight street. However, that is to be expected in the CWE so I don't fault them for that, just unfortunate byproduct of the location.", "timestamp": "2012-12-21T23:40:05" }, { "business_id": "UugJ2WQFoV-rNFqZ4QyrHg", "business_name": "Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store", "rating": 5, "text": "I consider myself an ice-cream junkie and Oberweis is the prime spot to get my fix :-) The product is delicious and addictive! I almost always share a chocolate milkshake with my fiancé when I go (maybe it's the retro interior and feel of a simpler time?) though any dessert is guaranteed to please. They also sell ice-cream to go, milk, orange juice, and a few other 'grocery' items. Their milk is what I would definitely recommend to try. They charge you for the bottle, but you can return to get the $ back. They even do a really neat delivery service of groceries though I personally never used it. Every time we go, the cream and service is top notch. It's one of our favorite stops and I always look forward to going. Oberweis is a must-stop stop for any fellow ice-cream junkies as well as any St. Louis natives. They are family owned and St. Louis based!", "timestamp": "2013-05-17T04:48:24" }, { "business_id": "KChWMIHxMChTE11ZVsIVZw", "business_name": "Sub Zero Vodka Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this place sooner?! I've been going here for years from bachelorette parties to birthday parties and everything in between. It's one of my favorite spots. They are always rated high by RFT for being the best at both burgers and sushi. While the combination is random, do not take it lightly. I have friends who love sushi and will order it every time, while I'm into burgers and will order one every time (make sure you try the Bacon Borsin -- it's my favorite!). Their drink selection is amazing, as you would expect for a Vodka bar. The place is big and they offer free valet for customers on weekends. Sometimes there's a wait, but it's usually not too long. They do take reservations as we've made them plenty of times for big parties. The prices are reasonable. Service is always good and the food is always amazing. We introduced this place to many friends over the years and friends of ours who live in IL come to Sub Zero just for date nights (and you know how hard it is to get IL residents to cross the river ;-)). I just can't say too many great things about this place! Seriously, try it! You will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:16:49" }, { "business_id": "6r9FNW0-4aKqbPCX7UxTZg", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love love Maggiano's! The place is huge with an upstairs yet there always seems to be a wait. I'm usually lucky enough to nab a bar table (which is first come, first served) to avoid the wait and that's fine with me. However, if you have a big party or really want a table, you may be stuck waiting for awhile and may want to consider getting a drink at the bar, taking a stroll down the Boulevard, or browsing in Crate and Barrel as you wait. They offer warm bread and olive oil, my favorite. Plus, I'm always a sucker for restaurants that offer bread before the meal (it's just considerate). They have a classics menu which they offer a free meal to take home (you can choose a different dish than what you order so long as it's on the classics menu). My favorite dish is their Spaghetti and Meatballs and I always seem to end up getting that, though they have plenty of other good dishes. My fiancé loves their Taylor Street Baked Ziti. Their salads and other entrees are good as well. For dessert, the Apple Crostada is to die for! It's a must-try though their other desserts are delicious as well. The service is always good and the food, delicious. The atmosphere is very nice and the prices are reasonable. One of my favorite restaurants to dine at!", "timestamp": "2013-05-20T00:31:34" }, { "business_id": "MUBk0fgk0ViHwEiNnRitWA", "business_name": "Green Bean", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a recently discovered gem in CWE. I was looking for a healthy place for lunch and found it! I have brought friends here since and they love it, too! How I described it to them: a Fro Yo approach to salad. You pick your lettuce, toppings, and dressing. They also have a few menu items to choose from. The drawbacks are that it's a bit expensive. For just a salad or wrap with no drink or side will put you back about $9-10. The portions are big though so you get plenty! There also is usually a wait. The process to make the salad or wrap always seems laborious and they usually have to go get extra/missing ingredients from the back. The space is small and kinda tight, too, but that's most places in CWE. They have some perks, like through the Perka app which gives you free salads after so many purchases. Also, they partner with Fro Yo and if you bring your receipt to Fro Yo, you get 10% off your frozen yogurt purchase (and vice versa if you bring Fro Yo receipt to Green Bean). My favorite is the Citrus Caesar (caesar salad with oranges :-)) on the whole wheat wrap. Yum!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:27:52" }, { "business_id": "rKO2kZB--kKG94HGzg5ysQ", "business_name": "Treats Unleashed", "rating": 5, "text": "Treats Unleashed is a neat little store with several locations in the STL area. We perused in there about a week or so ago and I realized that these are the treats they use at Four Muddy Paws, our go-to spot for doggie goods. I was so excited, we were right at the source!! They have homemade, all natural doggie treats along with the usual dog food, leashes, treats, and supplies. They offer natural and more hard to find brands that PetSmart doesn't carry. Love this little shop! And I bet your dog will too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:32:57" }, { "business_id": "chUeS0h9C8KGfyJO2Jqgew", "business_name": "Fozzie's Sandwich Emporium", "rating": 5, "text": "I used to live next to this amazing sandwich shop. I no longer do. I seriously go into withdrawals. The sandwiches, the salads, it's all good! The shop is small and sometimes there's a wait. What I would do is call, place an order, and leave to pick up because it was so close. This worked out perfectly! They also deliver, but same with pizza, I can't ever justify paying the delivery charge + tip for a few minutes drive for me! Also, try the Gimme S'more shake. That is what I crave and it is amazing. Kisses, marshmallows, and graham crackers. I love a good s'more so it takes a lot for something s'more flavored to get me. And this does. Seriously, try it!", "timestamp": "2013-05-29T23:43:05" }, { "business_id": "o0uODX3Ot6dkHn3_C49Wjw", "business_name": "Fletcher's Kitchen and Tap", "rating": 3, "text": "For some reason, this place carries sound like no other and is unusually loud. The four of us came in for dinner and we could barely carry on a conversation...and eventually we gave up trying. The temperature in there was also unusually cold. The food was pretty good. I had a chicken caesar salad and the chicken was BBQed which put me off a bit, but it was good. My other dining partners enjoyed their food. Service was amazing...our server was really on it! I was between 3 and 4 stars, but asked myself if I would go back and my answer is no. If I could talk to my dining partners and not freeze, I would definitely go back. So if you like a cold and lively environment (seems like an oxymoron?), you will enjoy this spot!", "timestamp": "2013-07-03T00:04:24" }, { "business_id": "hw0O24rFx1BU5ZLlKBZYNg", "business_name": "Keller Plaza Cinema", "rating": 2, "text": "As a regular movie-goer, I am always on the look-out for new theaters. I was pleasantly surprised to find this little gem tucked away (literally) off of Lemay Ferry Rd. (near the intersection of Lindbergh and Lemay Ferry Rd.). Is it the most dazzling movie experience I've ever had? No. Is it a more affordable, low-frills spot to catch a flick? Yes. (If it's the former I'm looking for, I head over to The Great Escape - for over 3x the price.) I've been multiple times and here are the notes: Admission for matinees (before 6:0pm) are $3, evenings are $4. Every day. Can't beat that! They play older flicks. So expect something you want to see to visit here a month or more after they've come and gone at the chains. This theater is CASH ONLY. I always forget that, but luckily there is a credit union a few doors down so after a pit stop to the ATM we are ready to go. The theaters are in OK condition. Seats randomly have trash bags over them because they are broken. Spoiler Alert: they aren't the most comfortable. The screens are smaller and there are a few scratches/marks on them. If you go in with reasonable expectations based on what you paid for, you will enjoy Keller Plaza Cinema. UPDATE::::::: The last few flicks we saw there had terrible sound and vision. So if you don't mind about not seeing or hearing the movie, then by all means, go! We learned that while admission is cheap, it's work paying the extra few bucks (or only $5 movies on Wednesdays at all STL cinemas) so that you can enjoy the movie (or just hear and see it). I'm sad because I would love to support a small business theater in my neighborhood but we will not return.", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T20:15:17" }, { "business_id": "u4WC_qHGn03jwNdVmW5vaQ", "business_name": "Baileys' Chocolate Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not written a review sooner?! This is my #1 favorite spot for after drinks. They have a huge list of decadent drinks and desserts for your sweet tooth. My go-to drink is the Chocolate Bar Signature Martini. It's one of the ice-cream martinis they offer. It's a dream in a glass. Like complimentary bread at an Italian restaurant, you get a plate of mini chocolate chip cookies when you arrive which is a nice touch. The atmosphere is romantic and trendy. It's often hopping, too. I've been here numerous times for girls night, date night, birthday party, even my own engagement party (ahh my fiancé knows me so well :-))! They are busy and there is often a wait, but it is worth it. Service is good and everything I've tried so far is delicious, food included. Must go spot for city dwellers and visitors alike!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T21:16:14" }, { "business_id": "j3sRTkoqD_obks7IOW876w", "business_name": "Dewey's Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur so be prepared when I announce that this is my #1 favorite pizza in the world. I've tried slice after slice in multiple establishments and this is my favorite, by far. The menu is simple, but sufficient. They offer regular salads and pizzas in delicious combinations. I always get a Caeser salad and X-Pepperoni pizza (Hey, I know what I like!). My fiancé always gets the Greek salad (and he is one to always mix it up, which goes to show how delicious this is!) and usually the Bronx Bomber (a supreme of sorts). They also have a seasonal salad and pizza to offer. The food is ah. maze. ing. Ingredients are fresh, crisp, and delicious. The X-Pep pizza is a touch spicy, but that's what makes it so good. The dough, the sauce, the cheese, the toppings, it's ALL good. Be prepared for a wait, even in the late evening on a week day. Dewey's is delicious and people know it, so don't rush perfection! Service is always good as they seem to have a co-op method of service where you have multiple servers. This is my favorite spot for pizza and can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:09:46" }, { "business_id": "QmkAq8hwSgBZcZ7z5tEFDg", "business_name": "Mosaic Restaurants", "rating": 4, "text": "Knowing my love for brunch, a friend highly recommended Mosaic. Imagine my delight upon finding a Groupon for this spot for brunch for two including mimosas :-) Happy would be an understatement. That said, it took us almost till the end of the year to go! My friend said they require reservations and they only offer brunch on Sundays. We made it eventually and it was a pleasant surprise! I went all out and ordered the Grilled Flatiron and Eggs served with roasted harissa potatoes. It was delicious. The flatiron was SO good! The sides were all unique and delicious as well. My fiancé ordered an omelet and said he enjoyed it. Service was great! I noticed many others were Groupon consumers (as I mentioned earlier, it was near expiration), but service never suffered. I am a fan and would love to come back to try other meals too :-)", "timestamp": "2013-07-07T22:30:22" }, { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "OK. I need to confess something. Before I tell you, let me ask that you please don't hurdle things at me. I do not like BBQ sauce. I'm not a sauce girl of any kind, actually. No ketchup, no mayonnaise, no mustard, no dressing, none of it. So BBQ and me don't really mix. However, I will eat BBQ without sauce on it (or grilled meat as it's probably more appropriately called). I've heard so many good things about Pappy's (which is why I bookmarked it), that I was looking forward to going regardless of my sauce-intolerance. I had a pulled chicken sandwich with fried corn on the cob (what?) and sweet potato fries. My dining partner had a beef brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries and cole slaw. The chicken was smokey and delicious. My friend loved the brisket. He also loved the BBQ sauce ;-) The sides were great. SPF were YUM-O. I'm not a huge fan of SPF (I know, I'm not helping my case), but they were crispy and delicious. The fried corn on the cob was interesting but good. Luckily, we came in on a Monday night and the line was short. Apparently we were lucky and should not expect that to happen again. All in all, it was good and coming from me that means something as BBQ isn't my choice of meal. It's a must try for visitors as it's our top BBQ joint.", "timestamp": "2013-07-09T01:00:20" }, { "business_id": "sImDC2ePC0sIkZsHaX-k3g", "business_name": "MX Movies & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I had never been to MX theaters as it's relatively new, but it was definitely on my radar. A movie theater in the heart of the city? I'm there. Even better, it's above Pi, one of my favorite pizza joints. Hello, perfect date night! We started out in the bar which was spacious and vibing. The bartenders were awesome. They provided top notch service and were super friendly. We had drinks (Pineapple Upside Down Cake in fact which was delish!) and some bites to eat including wraps, chicken wings, and flat bread pizzas. All was very good! Now for the main act! The theater is AWESOME. The seats and rows are spacious. The seats are some form of leather recliners and are oh so comfy. They are organized by fours with some space between the pairs. Each pair has a tablet to order from. We had our popcorn and soda brought right up to us, in less than two minutes! The servers aren't as distracting as I thought they may be. They were in and out quickly and quietly. The tab's screen is bright which can be distracting, but after the previews, everyone's mostly done looking at them. Some details about etab: They advertise to bring drinks up within 5 minutes and food within 15. Note: you can't use cash using the etab. If you only have cash, you must go to the concession stand (the walk of shame!). Parking was kind of tricky with construction and the busy street, but that's everywhere downtown so I don't dock them for that. We did however park in the wrong garage, had to walk over, and couldn't use the ticket validation :( Basically, in sum, once you go MX, you can't go back.", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T22:00:51" }, { "business_id": "lTNknj73Idb-dSlrDJ6qjw", "business_name": "Tom's Bar & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Good ole' Tom's. I've been several times as I work nearby. In fact, this is the preferred spot for a few of us (including me!) who are apart of our regular work lunch group. Their food is greasy but very good. Drink selection is good. Service is usually good. It can get crowded and awkward walking through the set up if crowded. It's a bar atmosphere, but they have outdoor seating which we appreciate on a nice day. They have their own private parking lot which is very well monitored -- this is a huge perk for the area. I've never been for karaoke and after reading these reviews, I'm very inclined to check it out!", "timestamp": "2013-07-11T01:43:05" }, { "business_id": "is9QogkUGhtcEALtHMyLwg", "business_name": "Three Dog Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "My fiancé and I recently visited Three Dog Bakery for the first time to redeem a free \"pupcake\" from a business card we received at a doggie event in the past. We left with arm loads of doggies treats, toys, and stuff :-) The staff were SUPER friendly. They spent a lot of time with us talking us through different items, the sale (in fact, they often recommended items that were on sale to help us save money!), our dogs, etc. The have a lot of gourmet doggie products that you will see at nicer pet boutiques. In fact, they carry Happy Tails, a line of bath products that I frequently order online. The staff had great recommendations for items in this line, too that they were out of stock of, but that I want to try in the future. The baked goodies were fresh, beautifully presented, and creative (i.e., you will see little boxes of pup fries, pup cakes, and the sort)! We got our free cupcake (and she threw in another for our other doggie) and joined the loyalty program where we get a free treat each month - so we toted two of those home too :-) The store is very spacious which is nice for doggies to roam and people room to shop. Items they carry are pricier, but that's at any dog boutique where they carry the good stuff so I didn't dock them for that. We will definitely return. There are several dog boutiques to shop at in STL, but what sets this spot apart is definitely the customer service (including their friendliness, knowledge, and their generosity) and the space!", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:12:17" }, { "business_id": "ahpLj4hNo2-2w_xf2sNE3g", "business_name": "Four Muddy Paws", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the first pet boutique we visited for our pups and it's still one of my favorites. I come here to get my pup her treats, food, and of course some of their homemade treats they order from Treats Unleashed. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. They really helped me through the first year of when I got my puppy and was clueless about taking care of a dog. They lead me in the right direction for nutrition as well as some training tips (the harness has been so helpful and is in the cutest design). They also loaded me with free dog food samples to see what worked for my girl and her sensitive tummy. They have events frequently for dogs and their humans with many giveaways. These are often coordinated with other local businesses which is fun, for people to get food and wine and have their dog with them. They offer professional grooming services, and while I never tried them myself, I have done their $12 DIY pup bath. My little girl was scared of the dryer, but my other dog was fine. They have all the equipment (and it's the good stuff) so it's easy peasy! They have a reward program - if you buy 10 bags of dog food, get one free. If you check in on Foursquare, you will get an offer to get a free bulk treat item which I do every time I visit :-) The shop is small and a little cramped because of the location, but the area for bathing dogs is a bit bigger. When I go to pick up food, I usually try to leave my dog at home for this reason as it can get crowded with humans and their dogs in there! Prices are high because they offer the good stuff, so I don't dock them for that. It costs more to give your dog good quality stuff so that goes with the territory. It's a one stop shop for me as they carry everything from leashes and collars to raw dog food.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:22:39" }, { "business_id": "PUDDBW0MfpSFI2XEMv_g3Q", "business_name": "Bobby's Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm from IL, but have lived in St. Louis for about the past 7 years. I don't know if you're aware, but there is a Ted vs. Bobby's rivalry for best metro STL frozen custard. I'm on Team Bobby's 100% of the way! I mean I like Ted Drewes. I will eat any icy dessert, but Bobby's is my favorite and if I'm nearby a stop is 100% in order. I actually lived RIGHT next to Ted Drewe's and have been there less than I can count on one hand. Bobby's & Ted Drewes is very similar. Both are often packed, busy, and well-liked (oh and frozen custard joints and named after a man). Bobby's, however, offers a Lite custard that is 98% fat free and I add sprinkles for a concrete...it's heaven! Bobby's has grown. They have a concert series and many hardcore, loyal fans. They are quick, reasonably priced, and delicious. They also often offer many freebies if you join their mailing list and like them on Facebook.", "timestamp": "2013-07-13T22:31:05" }, { "business_id": "fiBEzPfn2VOZb-PjLcm7Ng", "business_name": "Kirkwood Station Brewing Company", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times for happy hour with friends after work and enjoy it every time. I love their Caprese pizza and always order one to share with the table. They have outdoor seating I've enjoyed with the warmer weather. This is one of my go-to places for happy hour in Kirkwood! PS If you check in, they have BOGO beer which is a sweet deal.", "timestamp": "2013-11-11T23:58:37" }, { "business_id": "vRj1rgF4ZpwGt97MbcRzqg", "business_name": "Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream", "rating": 4, "text": "Ice cream made with love in the heart of Webster Groves just spells GOOD no matter how you slice it (or scoop it) :-) They have so many delectable flavors, but I can never get past the classic chocolate. They serve the classics and trendier flavors alike all with the wonderful basic ingredients and formula. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-11-12T00:02:48" }, { "business_id": "YV32ObbYe10BXeIydrnuOQ", "business_name": "Canyon Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "If I'm craving Mexican food, Canyon Cafe is my go-to! I've eaten at Canyon Cafe several times since I discovered it a few years ago. Their food quality is amazing every single time. Service is usually very good, though sometimes can be a miss...like if they are crazy busy. I love their chips. They are a combo of sweet potato chips, tortilla chips, and sweet chips that are absolutely delicious. I seriously would come back only for the chips, even if I liked nothing else. Fortunately, that is plenty more to like. For main dishes, I love their chicken avocado salad, salmon, caesar wrap, and fish tacos. Yes, it is a little pricey but I am willing to pay a bit more for quality. My fiancé and I are now fish taco snobs...anywhere else we try them, they are never as good as Canyon's. So I'd rather have something I LOVE and pay a few extra bucks than something that's just OK for a bit cheaper. I love to check out their daily specials and usually end up ordering off of that. It's varied and always delicious, which makes coming back fun for semi-regulars like me :-) I've yet to do their happy hour because it is crazy and busy in that area at that time. I hear it's amazing and I really want to do this someday though...just another excuse for me to go in, right?! If you live in the Lou, this is a must go. I was sad I lived so long without it once I went there.", "timestamp": "2014-01-07T16:21:32" }, { "business_id": "Nn6Vx_Bl48EEgMEskwRQfQ", "business_name": "K Hall Designs", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a must stop place to shop for any soap junkie like myself. How do you know you're a soap junkie? If you go to Bath & Body Works at least once a week, busy yourself by smelling your collection of bath products at home for fun, and/or hoard an obnoxious amount of bath products, then safe to say you are. K. Hall has an abundance of scents to choose from and come in a variety of sized candles, fragrances, soaps, and sprays. The scents are lovely, quality is amazing, and products are packaged beautifully. I love to re-purpose the pretty candle jars for holding makeup brushes or other things. Some of my favorite scents: Washed Cotton, Lavender, Milk, Peony, and Shoreline. The store also sells other random things, like jars, beverage dispensers, decor, etc. I've never purchased those items, but it's just of fun to look around and gives the shop a funky, eclectic, vintage-y feel. It's a little pricey, but to me it's worth it because it's high quality. However, check out their scent of the month sales (30% off anything in that scent) and their annual warehouse sale to enjoy the goods at a lower price.", "timestamp": "2014-01-15T14:49:36" }, { "business_id": "wbLXXbI-T6Av71i9AoiZRQ", "business_name": "Cleveland-Heath", "rating": 5, "text": "This literally may be my new favorite restaurant...EVER! I've heard lots of hype about this place yet never made it over to the IL side to check it out. I was excited to try it! I had dinner last night for the first time and even while eating my meal, I couldn't wait to go back! The place is cozy (read: smallish), the ambience is nice and the menu offerings are interesting. Staff were busy, but attentive and friendly. A friend and I split the family style Braised Beef Brisket. It included a salad to share, two sides, the brisket, and desert for $40. At $20 each it's a bit pricey, but totally and completely worth it. Especially when you consider the quality of the food (worth the price tag alone), but also the portion sizes. We definitely had enough for a 3rd or even 4th person to get in on the family meal. The salad was simple with fresh greens, sliced radishes, and lemon vinaigrette dressing; it was refreshing. We ordered macaroni and cheese and shoestring french fries (mix of sweet potato and potato fries) for our sides. They were delish, especially the macaroni and cheese. Definitely get that! The beef...was oh my god, amazing. It was so tender and flavorful and DELICIOUS. And I'm not a big meat person, but this was SO good. We finished with Beignets (warm brioche beignets, salted caramel filling) that was very delicious as well. The entire meal was decadent and delicious. I could totally get this every time I go there and be so very happy about it. I already can't wait to go back. Go and be glad that you did! Tip: They don't take reservations, but do call ahead seating. This saved us a 30-minute wait and only had to wait a few minutes for a table when we entered!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:31:50" }, { "business_id": "D1lOc4bmegUFyp_eAyJPjw", "business_name": "The Libertine Neighborhood Eatery", "rating": 4, "text": "For date night, my fiancé and I checked out The Libertine for the first time and it did not disappoint. The menu and cocktail offerings are different and interesting. Prices are moderate to high. Staff is very attentive and amazing. Ambiance is nice, albeit a little fancy and dimly lit. We started off with their free appetizer, which is some type of nuts in cheese? I'm not familiar with it and wasn't a huge fan, but it was nice to be offered some food before the meal. We each got their house burger with the two patties (yep TWO), house-made cheese, bacon bun, and caramelized onions (none for me though) with fries. YUM! This burger rivaled our favorite over at SubZero and lost only by a hare. The bun was unique and delicious, probably my favorite part. Be warned, it's a double stacked burger so lots of meat and very filling. Fries were a little overdone for my taste, but otherwise good. We finished off with their famous candy bar with hazelnuts, salted caramel, and ganache. Divine!! Overall, the food was tasty and it was a good experience and I'm glad we went. It's fun to try all the new restaurants and offerings in STL and this was a great stop on the list!", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:41:30" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 5, "text": "I don't know how I haven't written a review for this place sooner, it's one of my favs! I'm a semi-regular here and it's one of my favorite places to go! First of all, the ambiance is fantastic. It has an open front with a patio which is nice for Spring and Summer wining and dining, but the inside is really cool. From the wine decor to the ceiling decked out in wine crates, it's wine all the way (and we like wine). Obviously, the wine menu is large and impressive. I LOVE their Moscato (yes I'm one of those). It's so light and refreshing and yummy. I've eaten their brick oven pizzas which are delicious (and much better than you'd expect for a wine bar -- don't let that stop you, get it!) as well as some appetizers. I LOVE their hummus. I consider myself a hummus connoisseur and this is one of my favs. I simply love to come here with friends to enjoy company, a bottle (or two) of wine along with some yummy dishes to nosh on. What else do we want? My time at Sasha's is always superb.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T18:46:44" }, { "business_id": "_Y96y5CFgJaG4I-HEgylhg", "business_name": "Crushed Red", "rating": 4, "text": "I have been in downtown Kirkwood many a time and always see this place, but only recently went in for the first time. I somehow had the impression it was a fancy restaurant, so when I tried it I was pleasantly surprised at the open concept and more casual restaurant \"make your own\" feel it has. You start off at a cashier where you order any hot food (appetizers, pizza, etc.) and then a cafeteria style line for salads where they make as you request. I had THE best salad there, the farmer's market with raspberry vinaigrette. It is seriously delicious. I went again to get the same salad and split a pizza with a friend (margarita). I honestly wasn't as impressed with the pizza as I expected. It was a little small (it is a flatbread after all) and the cheese kind of kept falling off. Maybe it's that one particular pizza, but it just didn't wow me. I probably wouldn't get it again. For me, I'll definitely be back for the salads. Pizza, not so much.", "timestamp": "2014-04-13T19:03:26" }, { "business_id": "GuGlXaVDljVJ9FM-euhJmg", "business_name": "Maven", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a bona fide bath and body aficionado and particularly love local, small businesses where you find unique scents and quality homemade products. Maven fits the bill on all accounts and is in fact, my new favorite shop for bath and body products! I visited the cute shop recently with my sister and I spent a good 20 minutes just on the one side of the store. There offer a large variety of scents and they have basic products that can come in most, if not all, scents. The types of products they offer are candles, body lotion, body scrub, solid lotion, bath bombs, and soap. My fav scents at the moment are Sookie (sweet magnolia blossoms and gardenia) and Salty Sea Air (Fresh saltwater, sea kelp and ozone). I bought a soap and lotion as well as a gift (Don Draper is perfect for the Mad Men fans!). The soap was a whopping $9, so I don't know if that will be my stop for soap, but the rest of the prices are reasonable for what you get (read: good quality). I really wanted a candle, but wanted to pace myself; plus, that will give me another reason to visit again soon :-) They also offer some eclectic products like greeting cards, funny and thoughtful quotes on magnets and stickers, and even repurposed razors. I hope they have seasonal scents or new scents regularly as I'd love to see more of what they come up with. My request: more products and more scents. I'm addicted!", "timestamp": "2014-07-17T02:10:13" }, { "business_id": "QVXfW1c8eOm9SJVb3xdo7w", "business_name": "Cheeburger Cheeburger", "rating": 3, "text": "I wanted to love this joint, I did, but I was underwhelmed. They are going for the old-fashioned diner 50's diner look, I think, without a juke box. The burger was just OK. It was kind of bland and not very impressive. The french fries were the best part...crispy and a little over done, seasoned well, they were yummy. Not the best I've ever had, but good enough for me to keep reaching for more. The milkshake was rich and thick, but it lacked the creaminess and deliciousness I've come to expect (thanks for ruining me, Oberweis!). They've got over a million milkshake combos (or something insane like that) so they get bonus points for variety. If I want a burger and fries, I'd go to 5 Guys over this joint, but in a pinch it will do.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T03:50:47" }, { "business_id": "qkMMO794-59404bUiJ1Odg", "business_name": "Central Table", "rating": 4, "text": "I went to Central Table today for the first time with a friend for lunch. I have never heard of it and didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. When I entered, I felt like I walked into an upscale cafeteria for the cool kids. The layout is very clean, simple, and open. You go to the cashier and order what strikes your fancy. They offer a variety of burgers, pizzas, salads, and soup. I went for a pepperoni pizza (not your everyday pep -- enhanced with spices and finesse) and caesar salad. The pizza was DELICIOUS. Wood-fired and a generous serving, it was amazing. I was full and saved half for dinner (which I was looking forward to all day). The salad was OK. Not enough dressing and not really much flavor. I nabbed a few french fries off my friends plate and those were amazing...crispy, hot, and fresh. I look forward to going back and trying more off their menu! I would recommend you try!", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:00:12" }, { "business_id": "1_ZVtdiZpBNsXaO4ObPtbw", "business_name": "Stellina Pasta Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "I've heard about this place for months from my sister who swears by it. I came. I ate. I converted. I just had a sandwich and chips, no pasta yet, and already am sold! I had the Talkin' Turkey sandwich (roasted turkey breast, avocado, sunflower sprouts, fontina cheese, roasted garlic mayo on French baguette) along with Billy Goat chips for lunch. The sandwich was generously sized (I could only eat half!), fresh, and delicious. I can't wait to come back for the pasta! It's pricey, but you get what you pay for and I have a feeling the pasta will be worth the hefty price tag.", "timestamp": "2014-07-22T04:04:56" }, { "business_id": "osL7qIVyk-WCdK9qiPTS5A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I bet you don't think of wedding flowers when you think of Whole Foods, but that's exactly where we got ours! As a bride on a budget and mostly DIY, Whole Foods was a great option that offers reasonably priced flowers (MUCH cheaper than a typical florist for weddings) and the flowers are sourced locally from ethical trade, earth friendly farming. Amber M. took care of us from beginning to end, by showing us a variety of flowers, costs, showing us samples, and ordering. Everything turned out exactly like we hoped! One downfall of using them vs. a traditional florist is that you may not be able to get the specific flower you want, but I showed her inspiration pictures and she kept the aesthetic I wanted with what they had available. It turned out beautifully as we wanted for our wedding, but also affordable. Go see Amber M. at Whole Foods Town & Country -- she'll take care of you :-)", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:05:00" }, { "business_id": "tn3_76PZZLCmGBLgBWdTTw", "business_name": "The Cakery", "rating": 5, "text": "We went to the Cakery Bakery for our wedding cake, cupcakes, and groom's cake and couldn't have been happier!! We had a small cake to cut and the rest cupcakes for our wedding guests. We had a variety of flavors (ALL delicious) each with different color frosting/toppings. They offer a variety of flavors and decor choices which was nice (though it made it hard to choose at times). They offer tastings at their shop along with lots of displays of cakes and cupcakes. I also went to the Cakery for a surprise groom's cake at the wedding rehearsal. I showed them some inspiration pictures and gave them a figurine to use -- it turned out exactly like we wanted and the groom loved it. They are flexible with meeting times, always respond to emails/calls, very friendly and nice, and have their stuff together! They worked with us on pickup and work to get what you want. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Our guests continue to tell me how delicious the cupcakes were! They made one of the most important parts of our wedding perfect! Thank you, Cakery!", "timestamp": "2014-07-24T21:15:15" }, { "business_id": "7dA1OhjJ0ga063_uiiDw3g", "business_name": "The Heavy Anchor", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been wanting to try this spot since I came across an RFT article calling it a nautical noir dive bar. So, when picking a spot for a an after-work happy hour, I was eager to choose this place. We arrived and parking is street so I paid a meter and inside I went. The decor is festive and plentiful. The place is notably dark. You especially notice this when you walk out hours later and shade your eyes! Drinks were cheap and I like the variety of their offerings (Schlafly summer on tap, yes please!). We didn't try the food so I plan on updating once I try it. I also see it's a concert venue and dig the multi-functional space and would love to come by to catch a show. When in search of directions and their menu, their website leaves a lot to be desired. Though I learned you can bring your own food so cool. All in all a cool spot to get a drink and mingle. And I'll be back!", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T02:40:20" }, { "business_id": "puNq5KmQs4HAzGhVajFj8w", "business_name": "Houlihan's", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is kind of an enigma to me. Every time I go in, the menu is completely different. It started as an Applebees kind of fare and gets more and more modern every time I return. Different check in rewards every time, too -- I recall using Foursquare previously and getting a free order of fries upon check in, but this time nothing. They offer up a lot of modern/fancy menu choices now. Lots of things with pretzel buns, sliders, organic greens, antibiotic chicken, etc. Don't get me a wrong, I like it, it just doesn't quite...fit. The restaurant building and decor is dated, dark, and dingy which doesn't fit their modern menu offerings and presentation. Service was OK. It's overpriced in my opinion. The food was tasty, but I feel my money could be better well spent at a spot with a more enjoyable atmosphere.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T03:07:38" }, { "business_id": "G6h-9AZro_Ni_4eRR9CkRw", "business_name": "Penzeys Spices", "rating": 4, "text": "I've received ads from Penzey's with free spice coupons for awhile but never made it there until recently. I was pleasantly surprised to find a cute shop with lots of standard and creative spice offerings. I wandered around the shop for awhile checking out all the spices. They have little jars of each spice to smell along with a variety of offerings of sizes of spices in jars and bags. They have your standard fare (all of which would be worthy enough to go in for) and then some creative and more unusual offerings (variety of sea salts, flavored vanillas, even frozen pizza topping!). They have the cutest little cinnamon shop section with a variety of cinnamon offerings. I also appreciate that they have recipe cards sprinkled around the store. Cute! I agree with some previous comments from reviewers about the staff. They are courteous and will check you out great, but when I wandered around the shop for awhile looking for a particular spice, no one asked me if I needed assistance or offered any help. I will definitely be back! Sign up for their catalogue and you'll get free spice coupons, too.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:19:02" }, { "business_id": "qQSscPMhk3frtSNilF1cGA", "business_name": "VOM FASS", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is fun, albeit a little overwhelming. I'm a cooking novice so I only have two choices for olive oil at grocers -- virgin or extra virgin. So, imagine, me walking into the store with barrel on top of barrel of oils (and more), I felt a little out of my element. I came in on a weekday with a friend and the staff member on duty was very friendly and helpful. He offered tastings, but we didn't partake. Both times I came in we were looking for gifts and found something special and perfect each time. I plan on going in next time for myself as they have some tasty olive oil that sounds great. Also a great stop for libations though we didn't shop for that on that particular trip.", "timestamp": "2014-08-01T15:31:56" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard the hype and since ice cream is it's own food group at my house, I had to try the ice cream made out of liquid nitrogen! So, a group of friends and I moseyed on over last weekend to see what this place was all about. They offer a variety of flavors using liquid nitrogen along with soft serve, but really why would you get soft serve at this place? You order, walk through the line (and witness them what looks like torturing a kitchen aid mixer -- pouring in liquid nitrogen and blow torching it), then pick up your ice cream. Straight forward enough. The line backs up and it takes awhile too because they made each ice cream individually. I'm not sure why they don't make, say, a batch of Rocky Road (which was the flavor of the day by the way) and give out a few servings from that? We waited what seemed like forever and then we got our goods! I tried the Rocky Road and my husband had the Mint Chocolate Chip. Rocky Road was good...they had big bits of chocolate and marshmallow. The ice cream was creamy. I tried my husband's mint chocolate chip and the mint flavor was REALLY faint (I could barely taste it). The place is small and crowded and we barely could find a place to sit and talk amidst the crowd eating and the crowd waiting out the door for ice cream. It's also a bit pricey, but the servings are big. Overall, this place is a solid 4 stars. I think you need to go once for the novelty and I'd come back maybe here and there, but I don't think I'd head back here on the regular. I can get other ice creams just as tasty with a bit more comfortable atmosphere and better price point.", "timestamp": "2014-08-28T02:03:03" }, { "business_id": "UL4K6HwcI542imZo1Glpbw", "business_name": "Peacock Loop Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted to like this place, I did. New place in the loop, yeah! It's funky retro with a modern twist decor was cool. I was feeling it, until we got our food. I went in with a group of four for lunch during a week day. Service was OK. They use those infuriating water glasses that are small so that you need constant refills if you drink water like a normal person (and even more if you're a big water drinker like me!). The server couldn't keep up with my water consumption so I couldn't wash the oddly flavored chili down. Speaking of the chili...my friend also got an order and we decided a better name would be Christmas Chili. It had a distinct flavor of cinnamon or nutmeg and it was off putting. I tried to eat it since I paid for it, but I only made through about half of it. I also ordered a grilled cheese. I mean, if you do a bad grilled cheese, I don't know what hope you have and I hate to say...it was subpar. I could have made a better one at home. My other dining partners ordered sandwiches, burgers, and waffles. They said it was OK. I think the favorite was the waffle, but I didn't try it. All in all, not worth it and I won't return. Maybe if they change the menu and up the creations it will be worthy of St. Louis!", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:22:53" }, { "business_id": "-kHHi8y4kaTI6WUVdJSdvQ", "business_name": "Fitz's", "rating": 5, "text": "I love love LOVE Fitz's. It has everything a hot spot in STL needs...delicious food, unique desserts, and it's very own factory for it's home good quality made items. I've had the pizza before and that was good, but the most recent visit I got a burger. And I was blown away! I didn't expect to love it, but I did. I ate almost every bite and it was a big burger! It had a good smokey flavor and was cooked well done but still tender and scrumptious. So delicious! My husband and I shared a float with orange soda and vanilla ice cream. Oh. My. God. It was so good! It was HUGE for one so I would recommend sharing. It comes topped with 3 or 4 scoops of ice cream that in and of itself was delicious...then combine it with the Fitz's orange soda and it was divine. I always look forward to going here (and interesting note: I don't even like root beer!) and I'll be back many more times. It's a must stop of tourists or regulars who may have never been.", "timestamp": "2014-10-30T23:28:11" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "When looking for a venue for a holiday dinner, a friend who knows her food picked this place. I had never heard of it but am always on the lookout for delicious new places so I was excited. She made a reservation no problem (a previous reviewer mentioned they couldn't make reservations?). When we arrived we were promptly seated and given menus. Our server was great - it felt like a show as he presented with lots of information and humor and paced us. He was very knowledgeable about specials and the menu. There was only one time my water was empty and I needed more but otherwise he was attentive. I ordered a soda pop fizz cocktail that tasted like an orange cream soda (but warning: it's pink!). Had a kinda weird after taste though. Food wise, we ordered the cheese plate, bacon wrapped dates, cups of chili, and some salads to start. I didn't have any but everyone said it was delicious. They serve warm bread before the meal which is always appreciated. They had a ton of menu specials and many sounded delish! I ordered the Pork Shnitzel while my husband had the burger. Our other party members got many specials too including blackened mahi mahi, breaded mahi mahi, sweet potato tacos, bacon wrapped meatloaf, and chicken pasta dish. Everyone loved their meal! Oh and I need to mention the atmosphere. It was very cozy and chill. We were off in an alcove that was perfect for our party. It was a nice loungey feel which I appreciate. Overall a great dining experience and I would return. My one issue is that I think it's a bit overpriced, particularly my cocktail and main course. For us, it will be a great place to go for a special dinner.", "timestamp": "2014-12-31T17:07:40" }, { "business_id": "hFuRegkL_IFO5792-JegRw", "business_name": "Feraro's Jersey Style Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "How have I not discovered this place sooner?! This location is less than 2 miles from my house but it took a recommendation from a foodie friend who said it's one of her fav places. I checked out the Yelp reviews (as I religiously do before dining anywhere) and off we went to try for a date night. The location is nice. When you walk in, it looks like a bar but turn the corner and there's roomy booths with large wooden tables. We ordered Garlic Knots for an appetizer and a medium pepperoni pizza to share. The good: The food is delicious! The pizza, while my husband noted pretty cheesy (though isn't necessarily a bad thing), was pretty close to perfection. The dough, sauce, chesse, and toppings tasted fresh, hot, and delicious. The garlic knots were also hot and yummy. I love me some garlic and these delivered. Prices were reasonable. The bad: Our food took awhile. It wasn't very busy, but it took about 25 minutes for our appetizer to arrive. Our pizza came about 10-15 minutes later. The sauce for the garlic knots could be better...it was kind of thin and runny. I prefer a thick and jelled sauce. Overall, a delightful find and we will be back. I'd like to try pizza by the slice, take out, and more. Perfect spot for a pizza hankering that is close to home.", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:07:07" }, { "business_id": "BtTVHiY1AH5iHzTlx5HqZw", "business_name": "Fortel's Pizza Den", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I NOT tried this place sooner?! I've lived here too long to not have tried it and I have lots of lost time to make up for! Coworkers brought some Fortel's in to work for someone's birthday and I immediately ate way too much. It was insanely delicious and addictive. I'm not a (as I say this I'm ducking) huge fan of the typical STL style pizza. This is thin crust but the consistency is more like a hand tossed thin - perfect! The toppings are very generous and delicious. I went after this with my husband (to make sure it wasn't a fluke) and we ordered the same delicious pie, just as scrumptious as the previous one. Now if we are going out for pizza, hubby wants to go here! We are fans!", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:37:29" }, { "business_id": "54vEFcAri3Wj6cdM4ljDBA", "business_name": "Moonrise Hotel", "rating": 5, "text": "Hubby planned a staycation/date night at Moonrise since he heard it's a quirky, unique and highly rated hotel in STL. I must say, I was SUPER impressed and LOVED it. All the little touches are fantastic -- a welcome drink (and welcome snacks for pups), fabulous lounge and atmosphere, all the free, thoughtful toiletries, waterfall shower, Wolfgang Puck coffee, super beds, and more. I was blown away. Our room was clean, well lit, spacious, beautifully decorated, and thoughtfully arranged. The decor around the hotel is cool -- warning, they really stick with the moon and space theme. They have a better than concierge service (though we didn't use), thoughtful and dedicated staff, a fantastic rooftop bar, lounge spaces, and delicious 24 hr room service offerings (from the restaurant on site, Eclipse). Not to mention right on the Loop with tons of things to do! We moseyed around the Loop during the day, went to the rooftop bar for a pre-diner drink, went to Eclipse for dinner (that review is forthcoming :)), hung out in the room, and had room service for breakfast. Everything was fabulous. The rooftop bar is a gem in it's own right. The view is amazing, the bar is well stocked with unique offerings, and the vibe is relaxed/chill with some lounge-y spots around. The room service was fab -- the food was plentiful, delicious, and wonderfully presented. The staff is so impressive as well. I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and while it's a bit on the pricey side the boutique hotel experience is worth it and I would return. My ONLY beef is that we got a jacuzzi king room and the tub was a little bit of a let down. It's not actually a jet jacuzzi tub like we were expecting. More like a bit bigger than a regular bath tub with air jets. If we came back, we probably wouldn't spring for that upgrade.", "timestamp": "2015-04-11T19:27:42" }, { "business_id": "NiX_nc8pf8vClgqzjpmLTw", "business_name": "Budweiser Brew House", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband and I stopped by Budweiser Brew House for drinks and apps before a Cards vs. Cubs home game. Needless to say, the place was crazy. However, we only had a 20 minute wait for an outdoor table (while inside was an hour and a half wait!). I love the patio -- the lights, ambience, and come fall post-season baseball that large outdoor fireplace will be lovely. Our server was frazzled with the rush but attentive. We had a few mixed drinks and the Crispy Wings (in Budweiser wing sauce). I was very pleased with everything. The drinks were great and surprisingly a fair price (I think $6 for each a rum and coke and vodka and club soda). The wings were delicious!! The sauce definitely had a kick and was a little spicier than I expected but also very good and addictive. We didn't eat them all and when they made it home, there was a debate about who would get to eat the leftovers :) Obviously, in Ballpark Village and on game days, this place is insane. And it's discombobulated -- it can be hard to find things (we are on an eternal hunt for the Ted Drewes hut) and employees in different places all seem confused on where things are (we were told lots of different things by different people). Comes with the territory and not penalizing this bar for the complex as a whole. I'd like to try entrees in the future and see if they hold up to my experience thus far. All in all, a solid place to go before or after a game for drinks and snacks. We will return!", "timestamp": "2015-07-02T16:12:34" }, { "business_id": "c_xAbBTeiIHqPm1zMOvQcg", "business_name": "Iron Barley's High Hog Ridge", "rating": 4, "text": "The hubs felt like doing something different and surprisingly we haven't been here yet -- we missed their whole TV debut. Alas, reviews and their diverse menu peaked our interests and we found ourselves at the intersection of Bates and Virginia, searching for the hidden gem. It's a little divey, but oddly charming. You feel like you're in a very friendly neighborhood joint where everyone knows each other. Customer service is superb. Our server, Mark, was very friendly and went above and beyond to make our experience great. Live music was nice, too. The menu is diverse with lots of unique offerings. I decided to go with the class naked dog and ranch fries (which have no ranch seasoning or taste by the way). My husband ordered the Schnitzel and Spaetzle along with mushroom au gratin (special that evening) as an appetizer. The mushroom au gratin was AMAZING. Our entrees were delish as well. Hubs was pleasantly surprised by the German dumplings and liked the rest of his meal. He did say he thought it was overpriced for what it was. I enjoyed my hot dog -- it was grilled perfectly though, fair warning, expect a HUGE portion. We will likely be back to try something new from their menu and enjoy this little neighborhood joint.", "timestamp": "2015-08-16T18:27:37" }, { "business_id": "hqF-uosThMtwGn4J_LfNPA", "business_name": "Plaza Frontenac Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my absolute favorite place to catch a flick. Why? One word: POPCORN. It is seriously the best I've ever had. Every time I go it's hot, fresh, perfectly salted, and (I think the secret to the success) REAL butter. So. freaking. good. They also have fun/gourmet snack and drink options like seasonal local beers and salted chocolates. Onto the theater...it's well kept, nice seats, and crowds are always mild. Partly because they do play some movies that aren't in major theaters like documentaries, foreign flicks, etc. They do play some mainstream but not always. I check the movie listings often as they usually have a hidden gem I don't hear about by advertisement that are good nonetheless. Go. Enjoy. But be warned...it will ruin you for other theater experiences!", "timestamp": "2015-10-29T16:12:12" }, { "business_id": "GGLtLL7ShmjOjVZSeZfjVA", "business_name": "Breadsmith", "rating": 4, "text": "I have to come here every Christmas for Dolci Cello (caramel corn puffs, but oh so much more). It is heaven in a bag and I look forward to it every year :) They have lots of bread choices and staff are friendly and helpful. I just picked up a loaf of Brioche for Christmas morning french toast (can you tell, I'm a touch obsessed with the holidays?!). They conveniently put freezing and baking instructions on their items. I also picked up some small flatbreads that looked delish. It IS a little pricey and the shop is a little small. It's also a bit out there for me location-wise, but it is worth the travel. This is a must stop for carb-loving St. Louisans! Check it out next time you are in the Rock Hill area.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:00:03" }, { "business_id": "BtROhQfrGdoWZ_t9zwEVUA", "business_name": "The Container Store", "rating": 4, "text": "This is THE motherland. Repeat. This is the motherland. I feel so at home and at peace here. But also so very giddily excited. Anything containers does it for me and they have aisles and aisles of just that. Pretty things to store your pretty things. And then a pretty thing to store that. I recently re-organized my office with lots of things from container store including colorful bookends, their brick-style accessory organization, cord management, cork board, and more. It's made my work space much more zen and pleasant. After a recent move, I returned to help organize my refridgerator and pantry with many containers. The major downfall: It is pricey. Like I-don't-even-probably-need-this-but-sure-I'll-pay-$25-for-it kinda thing. To cut costs, I often get inspiration here and find similar items elsewhere. But for the few projects I will buy all or most from Container Store and often be about $150 poorer for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:07:45" }, { "business_id": "D4spXIMXev6pFUz3df31fQ", "business_name": "Vivianos Festa Italiano", "rating": 5, "text": "The hubs and I recently moved to the area and wanted to check out good local places. I think we found it! We moseyed on over to Vivianos and were not disappointed. It's a cool restaurant/artisan grocery store (in a strip mall, but don't let that fool you). We were cheerfully welcomed by someone who I believe was the owner. He was patient and helpful as he answered questions about the menu and made recommendations. I got the half caesar salad with Penne Roma and my husband got the ravioli and greek salad. He gave us a free drink for being first timers. The portions are generous, you get delicious homemade bread (always an appreciated touch), and the food was divine. Penne Roma has a kick, but if you like that, you will not be disappointed. Hubby liked the ravioli though the portion was a bit small for him (not to worry I had PLENTY and was able to share). As we were leaving, the owner told us to take a loaf of bread home for free. We noticed there were lots of regulars and the owner was very friendly. I love little small businesses like this as the touch of service and friendliness is unparalleled. Go and enjoy this little gem in Fenton!", "timestamp": "2015-12-22T03:15:18" }, { "business_id": "0MhxvTys2ADYa3sOO91ldQ", "business_name": "Egg", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh. My. God. Stumbled upon this place when MudHouse was randomly closed (really, a float trip guys?! I need my breakfast!). I never thought I'd say it but I was glad they were closed to give me a chance to check out Egg. I ordered an off-menu item -- carnitas omelette with potatoes. Seriously freaking delicious. The potatoes were seasoned a bit spicy but amazing, crispy, and just so delicious. The omelette was cheesy, with a bit of spinach, and delicious roasted carnitas. The portion was really big and I took down most of it. Decent price, good service. It will now be difficult to choose between Egg and Mudhouse when I get back in the area. I can't wait to go back!", "timestamp": "2017-08-03T00:46:04" }, { "business_id": "yjP-n5RpuxsDZZwxDg-FUg", "business_name": "Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Great pizza and concept! It's like Chipotle with Mexican, Crushed Red with salad, etc. You build your own pizza live and their schtick is they cook it in 180 (!) seconds. There's lots of great extra touches such as seasoning choice or after bake add ons. Plus they check with you each step of the way - is the sauce amount good or the cheese amount? Which begs the question - is there a point they'll stop asking because it's too much cheese or would they charge you extra for cheese? Due to those damn social norms, I didn't find out (though I did ask for a bit more cheese at the first query). It's great for kids because it's so fast and easy! Pick up your high chair or booster by the drink station. And pick up a beer or wine that they serve (even some draught!) because you are taking kids out in public and dammit you deserve it! Clean and modern interior was spot on. Ironically, our pizza was a little burnt. The salads had some bad leaves and left a bit to be desired but good flavors. Overall, Blaze is a fantastic addition to Kirkwood and we will be back!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:04:18" }, { "business_id": "LmKpHMXSsm36viJOGVodFw", "business_name": "Missouri Botanical Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of my favorite places in St. Louis. We recently became members though have been several times prior. Hot little tip - city and county residents get in free Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The lush and beautiful gardens themselves are worth it but there's much, much more. The climatron is a huge greenhouse with a neat little trail. There's also a small little greenhouse that is sweet (side note - we did family maternity photos in this spot and they came out wonderfully). The children's area is awesome! There's splash pads, huge playground, indoor discovery center, and much more. There's a calm corner for children needing a break and nursing moms which I've used and love. They have amazing events. I go to Best of Missouri market every year. Whitaker music festival is great and free to everyone! I haven't yet been to Garden Glow but will go this year. Sassafras is the on location restaurant and is delicious. Parking is plentiful and free. Check it out - you won't regret it!", "timestamp": "2018-06-08T23:20:25" }, { "business_id": "t-QxJFbbSjC-_X9TWJqITA", "business_name": "Shack Breakfast & Lunch", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious food, unique (and large) menu, fun atmosphere, great service - this place has it all! Luckily - and dangerously - I live and work nearby. So I go quite a bit with coworkers, friends, family and have worked through the menu. Everything is amazing. I particularly like the build your own omelette and potatoes. My dining partners are always happy as well. This is my go-to breakfast spot. Sometimes it's quite busy over the weekend so expect a bit of a wait.", "timestamp": "2018-06-09T14:06:45" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 4, "text": "A cute little restaurant in Webster Groves. I had the Farro salad and Rose Punch. The salad was fresh, delicious, beautifully presented, and did I mention delicious?! The drink was just okay - it didn't wow me and I wouldn't order again. My dining partners ordered warm olives which they loved and a variety of entrees. Everyone seemed to like their entrees but also didn't seem wowed by any of them. The cake with buttercream for dessert was a generous size (definitely for sharing) and very good! The furniture (especially gold chairs!), decor, etc. is so pretty, welcoming, and sets a nice ambiance. The menu is small but a variety of choices of items within that (salads, sounds, entrees, sandwiches). It's pricey but not obnoxiously so. Overall a cute little spot happy to have here! I'd love to come back for another salad!", "timestamp": "2018-07-02T02:34:18" }, { "business_id": "9P6yLs8Yi6WhbmBIiwvWhg", "business_name": "ZZA Pizza + Salad", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty darn good pizzas! A friend and I shared two - the rocket and garden city. They're both pretty unique and delicious! The lemon flavor of the rocket was awesome and the smoked Gouda on garden city was also wonderful. We finished off our meal with do raw cookie dough. That was just okay - not enough chocolate chips and pretty hard. If you're in the area and want a quick, good pizza, check it out!", "timestamp": "2018-09-23T19:54:12" }, { "business_id": "MI3OE-I70B6VFBCn1rw5lg", "business_name": "Stuckmeyer's Farm Market", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm teetering between 2 and 3 star review so I'll err on the side of 3 star. I think it's all about expectations with this spot. I'm used to going to Eckerts in Belleville every year and heard great things about Stuckmeyer so off we went. I was sorely disappointed my first visit. It is not as big nor as well manicured as Eckerts. You will feel very nickel and dimed. Besides the big playground area, everything costs money (the corn maze, the inflatable corn maze, the bounce house area, the wagon ride, etc). The nice thing is the patch is really close and you don't have to ride a wagon to get there. They also have wagons you can use (for free!) to cart your pumpkin and stuff. Its not great but if you just want a pumpkin and not trek to IL, it might fit the bill for your needs.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:08:52" }, { "business_id": "tvc0kLuvktNBrD9Ts_M64Q", "business_name": "Tints Polish", "rating": 5, "text": "Nail salons are enigmas where it's just hard to find the perfect one. This is a hidden gem (almost literally - easy to pass up). The decor is so cute, modern, and cozy. The chairs and seating are comfy (not your usual salon chairs - but that's a good thing). Very reasonably priced and they don't accept tips. This will be my usual nail spot from now on! Make sure you make an appointment - while they do accept walk-ins when possible, they book up fast.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:20:34" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect little unique spot to grab delicious ice cream! What a great addition to this area with a little nearby park and other spots to eat. If you want something more unique and special than chain ice cream store, you will appreciate this charming location. The ice cream is the real deal - super delicious and decadent with unique flavors and tastes.", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:30:33" }, { "business_id": "eQlMjyOsirwFCH8CiaKrjw", "business_name": "Fitz's SoCo", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a neat and special addition to the area - we loved going to Fitz's in the city but it's a bit of a ways away. It's nice to get a fun and unique spot in the county :) Same delicious food and drinks! A few gripes: -it's hard to find! They don't have a sign directly on the building (yet, I hope). -While the food and company is special, I was disappointed they didn't do more in this location. I had high hopes to see some of the bottling or arcade, like the city location. Just a pretty open (albeit nice and updated) space. A few enclosed party rooms on the side. Overall, it's not perfect but a great addition to the area and we'll be back :)", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:36:18" }, { "business_id": "NXs4byOiMay3DkMLuvgJxw", "business_name": "Peel Wood Fired Pizza", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been to Peel in IL but don't get out there much anymore - So happy to see this new location and finally visit. The space is great - and lots of it. The pizza is delicious, one of my favs. They have lots of apps and salads that I want to try. This will be a great spot for lunch, happy hour, brunch, whatever! Go and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-02-06T21:38:26" }, { "business_id": "VJ-c-Yjj1qv7dKS5YaYoHg", "business_name": "Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious spot for lunch! I picked up to go and shared with a friend. The chicken and rice soup was delicious and the bread was amazing. I definitely want to go back and try more - especially the pizza. No kids menu and kinda pricey which bumped it to 4 stars for me.", "timestamp": "2019-03-03T13:17:10" }, { "business_id": "RcsTutp1103SGiYtam7xRg", "business_name": "The Frisco Barroom", "rating": 4, "text": "Awesome new spot in Webster. Peeked at the rooftop outdoor area and looks fab for warm summer nights. Came with a small group of girls for drinks and appetizers (they shared, I didn't eat), sat the bar and they had live music. It's busy and loud but a good vibe! Want to go back and try food :) Fun fact: owners also own K Hall, another gem in the area!", "timestamp": "2019-04-11T13:20:31" }, { "business_id": "YSgcojsb2kWHXNLWaGCuBA", "business_name": "Pastaria", "rating": 4, "text": "Modern Italian vibe meets casual but classy dining. I've been twice - one for date night and once with the kids, both times were great! They have a great and generous happy hour - M-F 3:30-6 drink specials, some $10 pizzas and half off kids meals making them only $5. The hot fresh bread is amazing and the pasta and pizza are delish. Yum!", "timestamp": "2019-06-27T01:09:25" }, { "business_id": "MuKoTR56s6elHEI2wUkgJA", "business_name": "Grace Meat + Three", "rating": 4, "text": "Great delicious fried chicken spot! I was a sweetie pie fan through and through - so I had high expectations. The chicken was delicious - crisp, flavorful and mildly spicy. Delicious!! The sides were okay. The Mac and cheese was kind of tough and nothing really special. The mashed potatoes were better but so strong by the end of the cup, I couldn't eat the rest. However, the chicken is so good. It's a bit pricey. It's pretty hipstery and I do miss the charm and authenticity of of sweetie pies, but I digress.", "timestamp": "2019-08-31T02:24:14" }, { "business_id": "peQnrEY1S6sE4ifK2SFUSA", "business_name": "Sugarfire Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed this sooner? This is my absolute favorite at Louis bbq. It's dangerously close to me now so I've been able to frequent too frequently lol My faves that I get almost every time: The milkshakes - damn delicious and lots of unique flavors include booze options. The meat - so tender and delicious. I typically get the pork. It's so good and big portions. The French fries - salty, thin, addictive!!!!! Keep an eye out for their specials, they have creative and amazing specials every day. But get there quick before they sell out! Follow on IG to get a heads up on specialties.", "timestamp": "2019-12-18T04:08:27" }, { "business_id": "Jn8bQ86NMVlCG3tY0YVLaw", "business_name": "Russell’s Cafe & Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "How have I not reviewed sooner? This is a gem in my neighborhood. Delicious, homemade food with healthy options and a plethora of baked goods to choose from. This is a regular stop for our household. The space is small so we tend to avoid the busiest times. All meals, desserts are fantastic. We haven't tried something we didn't like. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2019-12-28T17:26:48" }, { "business_id": "YJ-sr_YVhnsZaBl-j9tjCg", "business_name": "Epic Pizza & Subs", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick and easy pizza and apps right next to beer Disney land! We tried wings, garlic knots, and each had a slice of pizza. The apps were phenomenal and the pizza was okay, good flavor on the cheese but also kind of lackluster. Overall a solid spot to hit before heading to pieces game bar - which is just what we did! :)", "timestamp": "2020-01-13T01:19:08" }, { "business_id": "r8DNf74pfvCdy29fGuwAoA", "business_name": "Pieces The St. Louis Board Game Bar & Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "We went for the first time on a Sunday afternoon and it was such a fun afternoon! We played games and got to hang in a fun atmosphere with lots of choices. You pay $5 each to get in and each item you buy, knocks $1 off your game fee. It's pretty good deal for $5 each but if you buy food/drinks just to get \"free\" or reduced entrance fee, it gets pricey! We came just two of us and it would have been better with a bigger group but there's a special area for two player games and we had plenty of time in 2.5 hours - we could have stayed longer. We will be back! I was bummed they did not have the featured picture drink - they don't make anymore (s'more drink). And it just seems like they should be serving milkshakes or at least that pic put me in the mood for one. Game bar and milkshakes = perfection. Please add to menu!! :)", "timestamp": "2020-01-13T01:23:03" }, { "business_id": "QFzfm7Xe8i_7M6oS08c9YQ", "business_name": "Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Town & Country", "rating": 5, "text": "I've heard great things about this spot and finally gave it a shot today for lunch. Soo good! We had drinks, entrees and dessert. The menu has a variety of options and price points including a lunch menu, light menu, and more. I appreciated the variety! The ambiance is nice and it feels like a nicer than your average restaurant. The best part of the meal was dessert. We had their signature cake - so amazingly good. And I'm not a cake person. We will be back! Highly recommend a reservation!", "timestamp": "2020-02-14T23:56:05" }, { "business_id": "HEIU-6_E_Vr44ADyHZFSoA", "business_name": "Olde Towne Donuts", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not a big donut person, I can usually resist. They're either too dry or too sweet, just not that tempting to me. However - I tried a cake iced with chocolate from olde Towne donuts and it is divine. I take it all back! The outside is mildly crisp in a good way with moist goodness inside and delicious chocolate atop - that my kids can and do lick off alone. The shop is small with no frills. A drawback is they charge you to run a card and I always forget cash - plus right now during pandemic, a non touch method of payment would be helpful.", "timestamp": "2020-05-24T13:58:31" } ]	{ "business_id": "oiD4N-h7GotnsiXEa4Er5g", "business_name": "Mellow Mushroom", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious pizza and fun spot! I love the pretzel bites as an appetizer! The pizza and calzones are good. My only drawback is the dough is kind of yeasty so that's not my fave part but it's still really good. The decor and vibe is 100% on point. The patio is also so cool and one of the best parts of the restaurant. Check it out and enjoy being mellow", "timestamp": "2020-08-09T18:08:51" }
UsBxLh14sUpO8SdeqIiGOA	[ { "business_id": "Ss6f5v_t5Vddiaz4ZOxL0g", "business_name": "Andersen's Danish Bakery & Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Very unimpressed. The food was overpriced and very average (I would only categorize one of the four meals at the table as \"good\"), and the service was pathetic. There was a hair in my sandwich, and when I told the waiter, he took the plate away (no apology) and walked away without saying anything. Didn't ask me if I wanted anything else instead, wanted the same thing or nothing at all. By the time he showed up with my food (how long does it take to re-make a sandwich?), everyone else was done eating. Other servers seemed to be much friendlier than the one we got. The dessert was nothing impressive, either. The venue itself is cute, however.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:06:49" }, { "business_id": "nB0dV8yPv29F3-CFMPG8cw", "business_name": "Joe's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "When considering this place for it's drinks, I'd give it an A+++++ (or a 5 on yelp scale). Definitely the stiffest and cheapest drinks downtown, and the atmosphere by the bar is really relaxed. The bartenders are usually really nice, as well. As far as this place goes for food/service, I'd give it a 3. I went in there with a friend for dessert and as soon as our waiter realized that's all we wanted he became rude and inattentive.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:58:40" }, { "business_id": "vDBfhX1XI4uRWBCQQNRsUg", "business_name": "TAP Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Found out about this place from living social, and I'm really glad I did. Went with my partner and parents who were visiting. We ordered 3 main courses and two appetizers and they were all delicious and extremely fresh. We honestly spent the majority of the dinner conversation talking about how good the food was! The service was also really quick and good and it was really well priced. The decor itself isn't too exciting, but with food that good, no one seemed to care. If we weren't in public, I probably would have licked the plate. No joke. Will definitely be going back.", "timestamp": "2011-08-20T05:48:27" }, { "business_id": "Wy8Hswf2cLQGRZN6armkag", "business_name": "Jack in the Box", "rating": 1, "text": "If I could give it a zero, I would. I order a plain hamburger, and realized they put bacon in it (which I am allergic to and unable to eat) after two bites. When I went back to the drive-through window to complain (didn't realize the actual restaurant was open--it was almost 2 after all...), the guy took back the burger, said nothing, and disappeared. After 2 minutes of awkwardly making conversation with the next people in line in their car, he came back and rudely told me I had to go inside to get my food. Which I did. And still did not get an apology. I refuse to go back there after that ordeal, which is a shame, because it's nice to have a variety of places to go to after DT. Guess Freebirds it is!", "timestamp": "2011-08-24T23:07:08" }, { "business_id": "edJoBsse6nsF0BYh6pATAg", "business_name": "The Palace Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Why I wasted 4 years in college without ever having been here, I will never know. Honestly, even if the actual main courses would have sucked, I would go back for the free \"bread\" (i.e. muffins) they serve. They served six different kinds (12 total) of mini muffins and they were ALL (literally, all) delicious! On to the main courses...no complaints! It was all really good--even the leftovers the next day were good. The entire staff was extremely nice and friendly and the service was really good. I asked for our leftover muffins to be put in a to-go bag (why throw it away when I can enjoy it for 4th meal?) and the waitress even added a bunch more in the bag--so nice! The decor of the place was really great, as well. It actually brought me back mentally to my New Orleans visit. We went on a Monday night, but judging on the number of guests they had, you would have thought it was a Friday. No wait, though, which was great. The only thing I would caution about is that this place is a little on the pricey side and it gets a little loud, so you have to really listen to what the people you are with are saying. However, I think it's absolutely worth it. Great atmosphere and food and super friendly staff, all in all. Will definitely be back!", "timestamp": "2011-09-21T06:37:32" }, { "business_id": "-TArOdux8Z4oH-jIM1FJuQ", "business_name": "Bistro 1111", "rating": 4, "text": "Pros: -Our waiter was EXCELLENT. His name was Martin and he did a fantastic job checking up on us, refilling our drinks, letting us know about our food, etc. -The food was delicious. We shared the chicken quesadilla starter ($14), the goat cheese salad ($13), and a specialty salmon pasta ($20), all of which were really good. -The ambiance is very romantic. -Overlooks the ocean (though we couldn't see it as we went for dinner). Cons: -The food was definitely over-priced. Again, it was all very good, but not justifiable. $5 less for each item and I would definitely be a regular. -The cooks took a loooong time to prepare our food. At one point we were the only people in the restaurant, which really left me wondering what took so long?", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T07:18:32" }, { "business_id": "I3yiknZLxXVIjYp4WmLz2w", "business_name": "Petrini's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Generous portion sizes, but the prices were a few dollars more than they should have been for each meal. The food was quick to be served, but the service itself should have been a tad bit faster (taking our order, giving us the check, etc.), considering there were no more than 5 other people there at a time...Also, the dessert menu was lacking :( Overall, good but not great.", "timestamp": "2011-12-13T08:42:08" }, { "business_id": "Ksz_jsyyK3Zjlq_Cz81ZBA", "business_name": "Adama Vegan Comfort Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "The atmosphere is very cute--there are several \"rooms\" and they each seem to have a slightly different feel. Service was good.The food was really good. The BBQ sandwich actually tasted like and had the consistency of meat. However, the pastrami sandwich definitely did not taste or look like pastrami. It was still really good, but it tasted more like falafel than pastrami. The hostess cupcake was also bomb! Only negative is that it is slightly overpriced.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T07:21:51" }, { "business_id": "-3AooxIkg38UyUdlz5oXdw", "business_name": "Chase Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Went here in between engagements, so figured it was perfect as the guy who seated us (owner?) mentioned he had reservations so we would have to be out of there within an hour. Staff was very nice, but prices were outrageous for very average food. What really irritated me was that we were clearly in a hurry, and yet a couple that was seated 10 minutes after us and ordered 15 minutes after us received their food before us (albeit, only 1 minute before us, but come on, clearly our food was sitting under a lamp waiting to be served, so the least the staff could have done was serve us first)! Also, space is VERY crammed!", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T22:41:36" }, { "business_id": "eHRzuUXA2jrR99ecioWU4g", "business_name": "Union Ale", "rating": 3, "text": "Really deserves a 2.5. Went here to grab a quick bite to eat as we had a tight schedule. This place is not the typical sit down restaurant. You basically order at the bar, get a number, pick your table and then they bring the food to you. Before we ordered, we asked the guy how long our nachos would take, and he responded saying it wouldn't be long, maybe 10 minutes, so we decided to eat here. We requested that the sour cream be put on the side. After 15 minutes of waiting, the person I was with walked to the bar and asked someone who came out of the kitchen to see what was going on. The guy apologized and said they messed up our order and that they were making us a new one. Almost 10 minutes later, we received our food, almost 25 minutes after we ordered...Oh, and there was no sour cream with it. Had we been told of the mess-up, rather than having to ask, maybe they would have gotten a better rating. The food itself was decent, held us over for a surprisingly long time, and the staff was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-04-29T20:42:05" }, { "business_id": "0qu0fNTOsSmuREYVIMPuIQ", "business_name": "Cold Spring Tavern", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Went to UCSB for 4 years and have only now tried this place out. Damn, what have I been missing?! The place was packed and had chill music, and the best part was that we literally paid and picked up our delicious tri-tip sandwiches from the BBQ 30 seconds later. Will definitely be back and will definitely bring the camera next time!", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T07:51:04" } ]	{ "business_id": "RDjtVGc0c04ZIR6em1hCbQ", "business_name": "Nicky D's Wood fired Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Deserves a 2.5. Service was decent, but expected much better food considering the reviews. Had the greek pizza and it was pretty bland (had to add lots of parm and spices to get it to taste like anything) and the highly recommended margarita pizza was a little better, though not by much. The caesar chicken salad was good and extremely well portioned. The pizzas were decent sizes as well. The inside of the place is really cold, so if you plan on dinning in, bring a jacket!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T07:47:29" }
UsBxLh14sUpO8SdeqIiGOA	[ { "business_id": "Ss6f5v_t5Vddiaz4ZOxL0g", "business_name": "Andersen's Danish Bakery & Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Very unimpressed. The food was overpriced and very average (I would only categorize one of the four meals at the table as \"good\"), and the service was pathetic. There was a hair in my sandwich, and when I told the waiter, he took the plate away (no apology) and walked away without saying anything. Didn't ask me if I wanted anything else instead, wanted the same thing or nothing at all. By the time he showed up with my food (how long does it take to re-make a sandwich?), everyone else was done eating. Other servers seemed to be much friendlier than the one we got. The dessert was nothing impressive, either. The venue itself is cute, however.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:06:49" }, { "business_id": "nB0dV8yPv29F3-CFMPG8cw", "business_name": "Joe's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "When considering this place for it's drinks, I'd give it an A+++++ (or a 5 on yelp scale). Definitely the stiffest and cheapest drinks downtown, and the atmosphere by the bar is really relaxed. The bartenders are usually really nice, as well. As far as this place goes for food/service, I'd give it a 3. I went in there with a friend for dessert and as soon as our waiter realized that's all we wanted he became rude and inattentive.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:58:40" }, { "business_id": "vDBfhX1XI4uRWBCQQNRsUg", "business_name": "TAP Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Found out about this place from living social, and I'm really glad I did. Went with my partner and parents who were visiting. We ordered 3 main courses and two appetizers and they were all delicious and extremely fresh. We honestly spent the majority of the dinner conversation talking about how good the food was! The service was also really quick and good and it was really well priced. The decor itself isn't too exciting, but with food that good, no one seemed to care. If we weren't in public, I probably would have licked the plate. No joke. Will definitely be going back.", "timestamp": "2011-08-20T05:48:27" }, { "business_id": "Wy8Hswf2cLQGRZN6armkag", "business_name": "Jack in the Box", "rating": 1, "text": "If I could give it a zero, I would. I order a plain hamburger, and realized they put bacon in it (which I am allergic to and unable to eat) after two bites. When I went back to the drive-through window to complain (didn't realize the actual restaurant was open--it was almost 2 after all...), the guy took back the burger, said nothing, and disappeared. After 2 minutes of awkwardly making conversation with the next people in line in their car, he came back and rudely told me I had to go inside to get my food. Which I did. And still did not get an apology. I refuse to go back there after that ordeal, which is a shame, because it's nice to have a variety of places to go to after DT. Guess Freebirds it is!", "timestamp": "2011-08-24T23:07:08" }, { "business_id": "edJoBsse6nsF0BYh6pATAg", "business_name": "The Palace Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Why I wasted 4 years in college without ever having been here, I will never know. Honestly, even if the actual main courses would have sucked, I would go back for the free \"bread\" (i.e. muffins) they serve. They served six different kinds (12 total) of mini muffins and they were ALL (literally, all) delicious! On to the main courses...no complaints! It was all really good--even the leftovers the next day were good. The entire staff was extremely nice and friendly and the service was really good. I asked for our leftover muffins to be put in a to-go bag (why throw it away when I can enjoy it for 4th meal?) and the waitress even added a bunch more in the bag--so nice! The decor of the place was really great, as well. It actually brought me back mentally to my New Orleans visit. We went on a Monday night, but judging on the number of guests they had, you would have thought it was a Friday. No wait, though, which was great. The only thing I would caution about is that this place is a little on the pricey side and it gets a little loud, so you have to really listen to what the people you are with are saying. However, I think it's absolutely worth it. Great atmosphere and food and super friendly staff, all in all. Will definitely be back!", "timestamp": "2011-09-21T06:37:32" }, { "business_id": "-TArOdux8Z4oH-jIM1FJuQ", "business_name": "Bistro 1111", "rating": 4, "text": "Pros: -Our waiter was EXCELLENT. His name was Martin and he did a fantastic job checking up on us, refilling our drinks, letting us know about our food, etc. -The food was delicious. We shared the chicken quesadilla starter ($14), the goat cheese salad ($13), and a specialty salmon pasta ($20), all of which were really good. -The ambiance is very romantic. -Overlooks the ocean (though we couldn't see it as we went for dinner). Cons: -The food was definitely over-priced. Again, it was all very good, but not justifiable. $5 less for each item and I would definitely be a regular. -The cooks took a loooong time to prepare our food. At one point we were the only people in the restaurant, which really left me wondering what took so long?", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T07:18:32" }, { "business_id": "I3yiknZLxXVIjYp4WmLz2w", "business_name": "Petrini's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Generous portion sizes, but the prices were a few dollars more than they should have been for each meal. The food was quick to be served, but the service itself should have been a tad bit faster (taking our order, giving us the check, etc.), considering there were no more than 5 other people there at a time...Also, the dessert menu was lacking :( Overall, good but not great.", "timestamp": "2011-12-13T08:42:08" }, { "business_id": "Ksz_jsyyK3Zjlq_Cz81ZBA", "business_name": "Adama Vegan Comfort Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "The atmosphere is very cute--there are several \"rooms\" and they each seem to have a slightly different feel. Service was good.The food was really good. The BBQ sandwich actually tasted like and had the consistency of meat. However, the pastrami sandwich definitely did not taste or look like pastrami. It was still really good, but it tasted more like falafel than pastrami. The hostess cupcake was also bomb! Only negative is that it is slightly overpriced.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T07:21:51" }, { "business_id": "-3AooxIkg38UyUdlz5oXdw", "business_name": "Chase Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Went here in between engagements, so figured it was perfect as the guy who seated us (owner?) mentioned he had reservations so we would have to be out of there within an hour. Staff was very nice, but prices were outrageous for very average food. What really irritated me was that we were clearly in a hurry, and yet a couple that was seated 10 minutes after us and ordered 15 minutes after us received their food before us (albeit, only 1 minute before us, but come on, clearly our food was sitting under a lamp waiting to be served, so the least the staff could have done was serve us first)! Also, space is VERY crammed!", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T22:41:36" }, { "business_id": "eHRzuUXA2jrR99ecioWU4g", "business_name": "Union Ale", "rating": 3, "text": "Really deserves a 2.5. Went here to grab a quick bite to eat as we had a tight schedule. This place is not the typical sit down restaurant. You basically order at the bar, get a number, pick your table and then they bring the food to you. Before we ordered, we asked the guy how long our nachos would take, and he responded saying it wouldn't be long, maybe 10 minutes, so we decided to eat here. We requested that the sour cream be put on the side. After 15 minutes of waiting, the person I was with walked to the bar and asked someone who came out of the kitchen to see what was going on. The guy apologized and said they messed up our order and that they were making us a new one. Almost 10 minutes later, we received our food, almost 25 minutes after we ordered...Oh, and there was no sour cream with it. Had we been told of the mess-up, rather than having to ask, maybe they would have gotten a better rating. The food itself was decent, held us over for a surprisingly long time, and the staff was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-04-29T20:42:05" }, { "business_id": "0qu0fNTOsSmuREYVIMPuIQ", "business_name": "Cold Spring Tavern", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Went to UCSB for 4 years and have only now tried this place out. Damn, what have I been missing?! The place was packed and had chill music, and the best part was that we literally paid and picked up our delicious tri-tip sandwiches from the BBQ 30 seconds later. Will definitely be back and will definitely bring the camera next time!", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T07:51:04" }, { "business_id": "RDjtVGc0c04ZIR6em1hCbQ", "business_name": "Nicky D's Wood fired Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Deserves a 2.5. Service was decent, but expected much better food considering the reviews. Had the greek pizza and it was pretty bland (had to add lots of parm and spices to get it to taste like anything) and the highly recommended margarita pizza was a little better, though not by much. The caesar chicken salad was good and extremely well portioned. The pizzas were decent sizes as well. The inside of the place is really cold, so if you plan on dinning in, bring a jacket!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T07:47:29" } ]	{ "business_id": "gjCxTVItFxk46rCZ-YaiFA", "business_name": "South Coast Deli- Chapala", "rating": 5, "text": "Yuuuuuuuuuuuuum. So, so, so, so good! Excellent 'sammies,' extremely quick service, and the staff was really nice and helpful. Couldn't have asked for better. Worth the $7-$8 for sure. Will absolutely be back. Also, appreciated the outdoor seating!", "timestamp": "2012-06-08T04:16:47" }
UsBxLh14sUpO8SdeqIiGOA	[ { "business_id": "Ss6f5v_t5Vddiaz4ZOxL0g", "business_name": "Andersen's Danish Bakery & Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Very unimpressed. The food was overpriced and very average (I would only categorize one of the four meals at the table as \"good\"), and the service was pathetic. There was a hair in my sandwich, and when I told the waiter, he took the plate away (no apology) and walked away without saying anything. Didn't ask me if I wanted anything else instead, wanted the same thing or nothing at all. By the time he showed up with my food (how long does it take to re-make a sandwich?), everyone else was done eating. Other servers seemed to be much friendlier than the one we got. The dessert was nothing impressive, either. The venue itself is cute, however.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:06:49" }, { "business_id": "nB0dV8yPv29F3-CFMPG8cw", "business_name": "Joe's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "When considering this place for it's drinks, I'd give it an A+++++ (or a 5 on yelp scale). Definitely the stiffest and cheapest drinks downtown, and the atmosphere by the bar is really relaxed. The bartenders are usually really nice, as well. As far as this place goes for food/service, I'd give it a 3. I went in there with a friend for dessert and as soon as our waiter realized that's all we wanted he became rude and inattentive.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:58:40" }, { "business_id": "vDBfhX1XI4uRWBCQQNRsUg", "business_name": "TAP Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Found out about this place from living social, and I'm really glad I did. Went with my partner and parents who were visiting. We ordered 3 main courses and two appetizers and they were all delicious and extremely fresh. We honestly spent the majority of the dinner conversation talking about how good the food was! The service was also really quick and good and it was really well priced. The decor itself isn't too exciting, but with food that good, no one seemed to care. If we weren't in public, I probably would have licked the plate. No joke. Will definitely be going back.", "timestamp": "2011-08-20T05:48:27" }, { "business_id": "Wy8Hswf2cLQGRZN6armkag", "business_name": "Jack in the Box", "rating": 1, "text": "If I could give it a zero, I would. I order a plain hamburger, and realized they put bacon in it (which I am allergic to and unable to eat) after two bites. When I went back to the drive-through window to complain (didn't realize the actual restaurant was open--it was almost 2 after all...), the guy took back the burger, said nothing, and disappeared. After 2 minutes of awkwardly making conversation with the next people in line in their car, he came back and rudely told me I had to go inside to get my food. Which I did. And still did not get an apology. I refuse to go back there after that ordeal, which is a shame, because it's nice to have a variety of places to go to after DT. Guess Freebirds it is!", "timestamp": "2011-08-24T23:07:08" }, { "business_id": "edJoBsse6nsF0BYh6pATAg", "business_name": "The Palace Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Why I wasted 4 years in college without ever having been here, I will never know. Honestly, even if the actual main courses would have sucked, I would go back for the free \"bread\" (i.e. muffins) they serve. They served six different kinds (12 total) of mini muffins and they were ALL (literally, all) delicious! On to the main courses...no complaints! It was all really good--even the leftovers the next day were good. The entire staff was extremely nice and friendly and the service was really good. I asked for our leftover muffins to be put in a to-go bag (why throw it away when I can enjoy it for 4th meal?) and the waitress even added a bunch more in the bag--so nice! The decor of the place was really great, as well. It actually brought me back mentally to my New Orleans visit. We went on a Monday night, but judging on the number of guests they had, you would have thought it was a Friday. No wait, though, which was great. The only thing I would caution about is that this place is a little on the pricey side and it gets a little loud, so you have to really listen to what the people you are with are saying. However, I think it's absolutely worth it. Great atmosphere and food and super friendly staff, all in all. Will definitely be back!", "timestamp": "2011-09-21T06:37:32" }, { "business_id": "-TArOdux8Z4oH-jIM1FJuQ", "business_name": "Bistro 1111", "rating": 4, "text": "Pros: -Our waiter was EXCELLENT. His name was Martin and he did a fantastic job checking up on us, refilling our drinks, letting us know about our food, etc. -The food was delicious. We shared the chicken quesadilla starter ($14), the goat cheese salad ($13), and a specialty salmon pasta ($20), all of which were really good. -The ambiance is very romantic. -Overlooks the ocean (though we couldn't see it as we went for dinner). Cons: -The food was definitely over-priced. Again, it was all very good, but not justifiable. $5 less for each item and I would definitely be a regular. -The cooks took a loooong time to prepare our food. At one point we were the only people in the restaurant, which really left me wondering what took so long?", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T07:18:32" }, { "business_id": "I3yiknZLxXVIjYp4WmLz2w", "business_name": "Petrini's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Generous portion sizes, but the prices were a few dollars more than they should have been for each meal. The food was quick to be served, but the service itself should have been a tad bit faster (taking our order, giving us the check, etc.), considering there were no more than 5 other people there at a time...Also, the dessert menu was lacking :( Overall, good but not great.", "timestamp": "2011-12-13T08:42:08" }, { "business_id": "Ksz_jsyyK3Zjlq_Cz81ZBA", "business_name": "Adama Vegan Comfort Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "The atmosphere is very cute--there are several \"rooms\" and they each seem to have a slightly different feel. Service was good.The food was really good. The BBQ sandwich actually tasted like and had the consistency of meat. However, the pastrami sandwich definitely did not taste or look like pastrami. It was still really good, but it tasted more like falafel than pastrami. The hostess cupcake was also bomb! Only negative is that it is slightly overpriced.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T07:21:51" }, { "business_id": "-3AooxIkg38UyUdlz5oXdw", "business_name": "Chase Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Went here in between engagements, so figured it was perfect as the guy who seated us (owner?) mentioned he had reservations so we would have to be out of there within an hour. Staff was very nice, but prices were outrageous for very average food. What really irritated me was that we were clearly in a hurry, and yet a couple that was seated 10 minutes after us and ordered 15 minutes after us received their food before us (albeit, only 1 minute before us, but come on, clearly our food was sitting under a lamp waiting to be served, so the least the staff could have done was serve us first)! Also, space is VERY crammed!", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T22:41:36" }, { "business_id": "eHRzuUXA2jrR99ecioWU4g", "business_name": "Union Ale", "rating": 3, "text": "Really deserves a 2.5. Went here to grab a quick bite to eat as we had a tight schedule. This place is not the typical sit down restaurant. You basically order at the bar, get a number, pick your table and then they bring the food to you. Before we ordered, we asked the guy how long our nachos would take, and he responded saying it wouldn't be long, maybe 10 minutes, so we decided to eat here. We requested that the sour cream be put on the side. After 15 minutes of waiting, the person I was with walked to the bar and asked someone who came out of the kitchen to see what was going on. The guy apologized and said they messed up our order and that they were making us a new one. Almost 10 minutes later, we received our food, almost 25 minutes after we ordered...Oh, and there was no sour cream with it. Had we been told of the mess-up, rather than having to ask, maybe they would have gotten a better rating. The food itself was decent, held us over for a surprisingly long time, and the staff was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-04-29T20:42:05" }, { "business_id": "0qu0fNTOsSmuREYVIMPuIQ", "business_name": "Cold Spring Tavern", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Went to UCSB for 4 years and have only now tried this place out. Damn, what have I been missing?! The place was packed and had chill music, and the best part was that we literally paid and picked up our delicious tri-tip sandwiches from the BBQ 30 seconds later. Will definitely be back and will definitely bring the camera next time!", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T07:51:04" }, { "business_id": "RDjtVGc0c04ZIR6em1hCbQ", "business_name": "Nicky D's Wood fired Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Deserves a 2.5. Service was decent, but expected much better food considering the reviews. Had the greek pizza and it was pretty bland (had to add lots of parm and spices to get it to taste like anything) and the highly recommended margarita pizza was a little better, though not by much. The caesar chicken salad was good and extremely well portioned. The pizzas were decent sizes as well. The inside of the place is really cold, so if you plan on dinning in, bring a jacket!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T07:47:29" }, { "business_id": "gjCxTVItFxk46rCZ-YaiFA", "business_name": "South Coast Deli- Chapala", "rating": 5, "text": "Yuuuuuuuuuuuuum. So, so, so, so good! Excellent 'sammies,' extremely quick service, and the staff was really nice and helpful. Couldn't have asked for better. Worth the $7-$8 for sure. Will absolutely be back. Also, appreciated the outdoor seating!", "timestamp": "2012-06-08T04:16:47" } ]	{ "business_id": "JSrab1rTrhBq0X80o6fPrQ", "business_name": "Red Pepper Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "1.5 Disclaimer, we ordered take-out, so can't judge on their in-house service or food. Was expecting a bomb meal after reading the reviews here. However, this has to be the worst Chinese food we've ever eaten. I've had better microwave meals, and should have just gone to panda express. We added soy sauce to the lo mein and it was still flavorless. The orange chicken had peels of orange in it, which I wouldn't mind if they were distinguishable from the chicken and were sparse, but they consisted of about 35% of the meal and were the same size and appearance of the chicken, and I, personally, do not enjoy eating orange peels. The eggrolls were soft and did not have much filling. Was hoping to find a new good Chinese spot, but won't bother coming back here again.", "timestamp": "2012-08-17T07:52:22" }
UsBxLh14sUpO8SdeqIiGOA	[ { "business_id": "Ss6f5v_t5Vddiaz4ZOxL0g", "business_name": "Andersen's Danish Bakery & Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Very unimpressed. The food was overpriced and very average (I would only categorize one of the four meals at the table as \"good\"), and the service was pathetic. There was a hair in my sandwich, and when I told the waiter, he took the plate away (no apology) and walked away without saying anything. Didn't ask me if I wanted anything else instead, wanted the same thing or nothing at all. By the time he showed up with my food (how long does it take to re-make a sandwich?), everyone else was done eating. Other servers seemed to be much friendlier than the one we got. The dessert was nothing impressive, either. The venue itself is cute, however.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:06:49" }, { "business_id": "nB0dV8yPv29F3-CFMPG8cw", "business_name": "Joe's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "When considering this place for it's drinks, I'd give it an A+++++ (or a 5 on yelp scale). Definitely the stiffest and cheapest drinks downtown, and the atmosphere by the bar is really relaxed. The bartenders are usually really nice, as well. As far as this place goes for food/service, I'd give it a 3. I went in there with a friend for dessert and as soon as our waiter realized that's all we wanted he became rude and inattentive.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:58:40" }, { "business_id": "vDBfhX1XI4uRWBCQQNRsUg", "business_name": "TAP Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Found out about this place from living social, and I'm really glad I did. Went with my partner and parents who were visiting. We ordered 3 main courses and two appetizers and they were all delicious and extremely fresh. We honestly spent the majority of the dinner conversation talking about how good the food was! The service was also really quick and good and it was really well priced. The decor itself isn't too exciting, but with food that good, no one seemed to care. If we weren't in public, I probably would have licked the plate. No joke. Will definitely be going back.", "timestamp": "2011-08-20T05:48:27" }, { "business_id": "Wy8Hswf2cLQGRZN6armkag", "business_name": "Jack in the Box", "rating": 1, "text": "If I could give it a zero, I would. I order a plain hamburger, and realized they put bacon in it (which I am allergic to and unable to eat) after two bites. When I went back to the drive-through window to complain (didn't realize the actual restaurant was open--it was almost 2 after all...), the guy took back the burger, said nothing, and disappeared. After 2 minutes of awkwardly making conversation with the next people in line in their car, he came back and rudely told me I had to go inside to get my food. Which I did. And still did not get an apology. I refuse to go back there after that ordeal, which is a shame, because it's nice to have a variety of places to go to after DT. Guess Freebirds it is!", "timestamp": "2011-08-24T23:07:08" }, { "business_id": "edJoBsse6nsF0BYh6pATAg", "business_name": "The Palace Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Why I wasted 4 years in college without ever having been here, I will never know. Honestly, even if the actual main courses would have sucked, I would go back for the free \"bread\" (i.e. muffins) they serve. They served six different kinds (12 total) of mini muffins and they were ALL (literally, all) delicious! On to the main courses...no complaints! It was all really good--even the leftovers the next day were good. The entire staff was extremely nice and friendly and the service was really good. I asked for our leftover muffins to be put in a to-go bag (why throw it away when I can enjoy it for 4th meal?) and the waitress even added a bunch more in the bag--so nice! The decor of the place was really great, as well. It actually brought me back mentally to my New Orleans visit. We went on a Monday night, but judging on the number of guests they had, you would have thought it was a Friday. No wait, though, which was great. The only thing I would caution about is that this place is a little on the pricey side and it gets a little loud, so you have to really listen to what the people you are with are saying. However, I think it's absolutely worth it. Great atmosphere and food and super friendly staff, all in all. Will definitely be back!", "timestamp": "2011-09-21T06:37:32" }, { "business_id": "-TArOdux8Z4oH-jIM1FJuQ", "business_name": "Bistro 1111", "rating": 4, "text": "Pros: -Our waiter was EXCELLENT. His name was Martin and he did a fantastic job checking up on us, refilling our drinks, letting us know about our food, etc. -The food was delicious. We shared the chicken quesadilla starter ($14), the goat cheese salad ($13), and a specialty salmon pasta ($20), all of which were really good. -The ambiance is very romantic. -Overlooks the ocean (though we couldn't see it as we went for dinner). Cons: -The food was definitely over-priced. Again, it was all very good, but not justifiable. $5 less for each item and I would definitely be a regular. -The cooks took a loooong time to prepare our food. At one point we were the only people in the restaurant, which really left me wondering what took so long?", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T07:18:32" }, { "business_id": "I3yiknZLxXVIjYp4WmLz2w", "business_name": "Petrini's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Generous portion sizes, but the prices were a few dollars more than they should have been for each meal. The food was quick to be served, but the service itself should have been a tad bit faster (taking our order, giving us the check, etc.), considering there were no more than 5 other people there at a time...Also, the dessert menu was lacking :( Overall, good but not great.", "timestamp": "2011-12-13T08:42:08" }, { "business_id": "Ksz_jsyyK3Zjlq_Cz81ZBA", "business_name": "Adama Vegan Comfort Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "The atmosphere is very cute--there are several \"rooms\" and they each seem to have a slightly different feel. Service was good.The food was really good. The BBQ sandwich actually tasted like and had the consistency of meat. However, the pastrami sandwich definitely did not taste or look like pastrami. It was still really good, but it tasted more like falafel than pastrami. The hostess cupcake was also bomb! Only negative is that it is slightly overpriced.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T07:21:51" }, { "business_id": "-3AooxIkg38UyUdlz5oXdw", "business_name": "Chase Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Went here in between engagements, so figured it was perfect as the guy who seated us (owner?) mentioned he had reservations so we would have to be out of there within an hour. Staff was very nice, but prices were outrageous for very average food. What really irritated me was that we were clearly in a hurry, and yet a couple that was seated 10 minutes after us and ordered 15 minutes after us received their food before us (albeit, only 1 minute before us, but come on, clearly our food was sitting under a lamp waiting to be served, so the least the staff could have done was serve us first)! Also, space is VERY crammed!", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T22:41:36" }, { "business_id": "eHRzuUXA2jrR99ecioWU4g", "business_name": "Union Ale", "rating": 3, "text": "Really deserves a 2.5. Went here to grab a quick bite to eat as we had a tight schedule. This place is not the typical sit down restaurant. You basically order at the bar, get a number, pick your table and then they bring the food to you. Before we ordered, we asked the guy how long our nachos would take, and he responded saying it wouldn't be long, maybe 10 minutes, so we decided to eat here. We requested that the sour cream be put on the side. After 15 minutes of waiting, the person I was with walked to the bar and asked someone who came out of the kitchen to see what was going on. The guy apologized and said they messed up our order and that they were making us a new one. Almost 10 minutes later, we received our food, almost 25 minutes after we ordered...Oh, and there was no sour cream with it. Had we been told of the mess-up, rather than having to ask, maybe they would have gotten a better rating. The food itself was decent, held us over for a surprisingly long time, and the staff was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-04-29T20:42:05" }, { "business_id": "0qu0fNTOsSmuREYVIMPuIQ", "business_name": "Cold Spring Tavern", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Went to UCSB for 4 years and have only now tried this place out. Damn, what have I been missing?! The place was packed and had chill music, and the best part was that we literally paid and picked up our delicious tri-tip sandwiches from the BBQ 30 seconds later. Will definitely be back and will definitely bring the camera next time!", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T07:51:04" }, { "business_id": "RDjtVGc0c04ZIR6em1hCbQ", "business_name": "Nicky D's Wood fired Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Deserves a 2.5. Service was decent, but expected much better food considering the reviews. Had the greek pizza and it was pretty bland (had to add lots of parm and spices to get it to taste like anything) and the highly recommended margarita pizza was a little better, though not by much. The caesar chicken salad was good and extremely well portioned. The pizzas were decent sizes as well. The inside of the place is really cold, so if you plan on dinning in, bring a jacket!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T07:47:29" }, { "business_id": "gjCxTVItFxk46rCZ-YaiFA", "business_name": "South Coast Deli- Chapala", "rating": 5, "text": "Yuuuuuuuuuuuuum. So, so, so, so good! Excellent 'sammies,' extremely quick service, and the staff was really nice and helpful. Couldn't have asked for better. Worth the $7-$8 for sure. Will absolutely be back. Also, appreciated the outdoor seating!", "timestamp": "2012-06-08T04:16:47" }, { "business_id": "JSrab1rTrhBq0X80o6fPrQ", "business_name": "Red Pepper Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "1.5 Disclaimer, we ordered take-out, so can't judge on their in-house service or food. Was expecting a bomb meal after reading the reviews here. However, this has to be the worst Chinese food we've ever eaten. I've had better microwave meals, and should have just gone to panda express. We added soy sauce to the lo mein and it was still flavorless. The orange chicken had peels of orange in it, which I wouldn't mind if they were distinguishable from the chicken and were sparse, but they consisted of about 35% of the meal and were the same size and appearance of the chicken, and I, personally, do not enjoy eating orange peels. The eggrolls were soft and did not have much filling. Was hoping to find a new good Chinese spot, but won't bother coming back here again.", "timestamp": "2012-08-17T07:52:22" } ]	{ "business_id": "hG1mFuNb0QCb2EBaFKcmmA", "business_name": "Upscale Massage", "rating": 5, "text": "Purchased a massage from Groupon and made an appointment with Jesse based on a previous Yelp reviewer who mentioned that he can apply heavy pressure. I was not disappointed! I like heavy, heavy pressure and he was able to deliver for the entire hour (as opposed to other massage therapists I've gone to who start off great, but slowly wane). He also constantly checked in with me to make sure the pressure was still ok. The facility is nice, inviting and clean, staff is friendly and nice to look at ;-) Would definitely recommend!", "timestamp": "2012-08-20T21:59:07" }
UsBxLh14sUpO8SdeqIiGOA	[ { "business_id": "Ss6f5v_t5Vddiaz4ZOxL0g", "business_name": "Andersen's Danish Bakery & Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Very unimpressed. The food was overpriced and very average (I would only categorize one of the four meals at the table as \"good\"), and the service was pathetic. There was a hair in my sandwich, and when I told the waiter, he took the plate away (no apology) and walked away without saying anything. Didn't ask me if I wanted anything else instead, wanted the same thing or nothing at all. By the time he showed up with my food (how long does it take to re-make a sandwich?), everyone else was done eating. Other servers seemed to be much friendlier than the one we got. The dessert was nothing impressive, either. The venue itself is cute, however.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:06:49" }, { "business_id": "nB0dV8yPv29F3-CFMPG8cw", "business_name": "Joe's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "When considering this place for it's drinks, I'd give it an A+++++ (or a 5 on yelp scale). Definitely the stiffest and cheapest drinks downtown, and the atmosphere by the bar is really relaxed. The bartenders are usually really nice, as well. As far as this place goes for food/service, I'd give it a 3. I went in there with a friend for dessert and as soon as our waiter realized that's all we wanted he became rude and inattentive.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:58:40" }, { "business_id": "vDBfhX1XI4uRWBCQQNRsUg", "business_name": "TAP Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Found out about this place from living social, and I'm really glad I did. Went with my partner and parents who were visiting. We ordered 3 main courses and two appetizers and they were all delicious and extremely fresh. We honestly spent the majority of the dinner conversation talking about how good the food was! The service was also really quick and good and it was really well priced. The decor itself isn't too exciting, but with food that good, no one seemed to care. If we weren't in public, I probably would have licked the plate. No joke. Will definitely be going back.", "timestamp": "2011-08-20T05:48:27" }, { "business_id": "Wy8Hswf2cLQGRZN6armkag", "business_name": "Jack in the Box", "rating": 1, "text": "If I could give it a zero, I would. I order a plain hamburger, and realized they put bacon in it (which I am allergic to and unable to eat) after two bites. When I went back to the drive-through window to complain (didn't realize the actual restaurant was open--it was almost 2 after all...), the guy took back the burger, said nothing, and disappeared. After 2 minutes of awkwardly making conversation with the next people in line in their car, he came back and rudely told me I had to go inside to get my food. Which I did. And still did not get an apology. I refuse to go back there after that ordeal, which is a shame, because it's nice to have a variety of places to go to after DT. Guess Freebirds it is!", "timestamp": "2011-08-24T23:07:08" }, { "business_id": "edJoBsse6nsF0BYh6pATAg", "business_name": "The Palace Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Why I wasted 4 years in college without ever having been here, I will never know. Honestly, even if the actual main courses would have sucked, I would go back for the free \"bread\" (i.e. muffins) they serve. They served six different kinds (12 total) of mini muffins and they were ALL (literally, all) delicious! On to the main courses...no complaints! It was all really good--even the leftovers the next day were good. The entire staff was extremely nice and friendly and the service was really good. I asked for our leftover muffins to be put in a to-go bag (why throw it away when I can enjoy it for 4th meal?) and the waitress even added a bunch more in the bag--so nice! The decor of the place was really great, as well. It actually brought me back mentally to my New Orleans visit. We went on a Monday night, but judging on the number of guests they had, you would have thought it was a Friday. No wait, though, which was great. The only thing I would caution about is that this place is a little on the pricey side and it gets a little loud, so you have to really listen to what the people you are with are saying. However, I think it's absolutely worth it. Great atmosphere and food and super friendly staff, all in all. Will definitely be back!", "timestamp": "2011-09-21T06:37:32" }, { "business_id": "-TArOdux8Z4oH-jIM1FJuQ", "business_name": "Bistro 1111", "rating": 4, "text": "Pros: -Our waiter was EXCELLENT. His name was Martin and he did a fantastic job checking up on us, refilling our drinks, letting us know about our food, etc. -The food was delicious. We shared the chicken quesadilla starter ($14), the goat cheese salad ($13), and a specialty salmon pasta ($20), all of which were really good. -The ambiance is very romantic. -Overlooks the ocean (though we couldn't see it as we went for dinner). Cons: -The food was definitely over-priced. Again, it was all very good, but not justifiable. $5 less for each item and I would definitely be a regular. -The cooks took a loooong time to prepare our food. At one point we were the only people in the restaurant, which really left me wondering what took so long?", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T07:18:32" }, { "business_id": "I3yiknZLxXVIjYp4WmLz2w", "business_name": "Petrini's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Generous portion sizes, but the prices were a few dollars more than they should have been for each meal. The food was quick to be served, but the service itself should have been a tad bit faster (taking our order, giving us the check, etc.), considering there were no more than 5 other people there at a time...Also, the dessert menu was lacking :( Overall, good but not great.", "timestamp": "2011-12-13T08:42:08" }, { "business_id": "Ksz_jsyyK3Zjlq_Cz81ZBA", "business_name": "Adama Vegan Comfort Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "The atmosphere is very cute--there are several \"rooms\" and they each seem to have a slightly different feel. Service was good.The food was really good. The BBQ sandwich actually tasted like and had the consistency of meat. However, the pastrami sandwich definitely did not taste or look like pastrami. It was still really good, but it tasted more like falafel than pastrami. The hostess cupcake was also bomb! Only negative is that it is slightly overpriced.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T07:21:51" }, { "business_id": "-3AooxIkg38UyUdlz5oXdw", "business_name": "Chase Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Went here in between engagements, so figured it was perfect as the guy who seated us (owner?) mentioned he had reservations so we would have to be out of there within an hour. Staff was very nice, but prices were outrageous for very average food. What really irritated me was that we were clearly in a hurry, and yet a couple that was seated 10 minutes after us and ordered 15 minutes after us received their food before us (albeit, only 1 minute before us, but come on, clearly our food was sitting under a lamp waiting to be served, so the least the staff could have done was serve us first)! Also, space is VERY crammed!", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T22:41:36" }, { "business_id": "eHRzuUXA2jrR99ecioWU4g", "business_name": "Union Ale", "rating": 3, "text": "Really deserves a 2.5. Went here to grab a quick bite to eat as we had a tight schedule. This place is not the typical sit down restaurant. You basically order at the bar, get a number, pick your table and then they bring the food to you. Before we ordered, we asked the guy how long our nachos would take, and he responded saying it wouldn't be long, maybe 10 minutes, so we decided to eat here. We requested that the sour cream be put on the side. After 15 minutes of waiting, the person I was with walked to the bar and asked someone who came out of the kitchen to see what was going on. The guy apologized and said they messed up our order and that they were making us a new one. Almost 10 minutes later, we received our food, almost 25 minutes after we ordered...Oh, and there was no sour cream with it. Had we been told of the mess-up, rather than having to ask, maybe they would have gotten a better rating. The food itself was decent, held us over for a surprisingly long time, and the staff was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-04-29T20:42:05" }, { "business_id": "0qu0fNTOsSmuREYVIMPuIQ", "business_name": "Cold Spring Tavern", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Went to UCSB for 4 years and have only now tried this place out. Damn, what have I been missing?! The place was packed and had chill music, and the best part was that we literally paid and picked up our delicious tri-tip sandwiches from the BBQ 30 seconds later. Will definitely be back and will definitely bring the camera next time!", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T07:51:04" }, { "business_id": "RDjtVGc0c04ZIR6em1hCbQ", "business_name": "Nicky D's Wood fired Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Deserves a 2.5. Service was decent, but expected much better food considering the reviews. Had the greek pizza and it was pretty bland (had to add lots of parm and spices to get it to taste like anything) and the highly recommended margarita pizza was a little better, though not by much. The caesar chicken salad was good and extremely well portioned. The pizzas were decent sizes as well. The inside of the place is really cold, so if you plan on dinning in, bring a jacket!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T07:47:29" }, { "business_id": "gjCxTVItFxk46rCZ-YaiFA", "business_name": "South Coast Deli- Chapala", "rating": 5, "text": "Yuuuuuuuuuuuuum. So, so, so, so good! Excellent 'sammies,' extremely quick service, and the staff was really nice and helpful. Couldn't have asked for better. Worth the $7-$8 for sure. Will absolutely be back. Also, appreciated the outdoor seating!", "timestamp": "2012-06-08T04:16:47" }, { "business_id": "JSrab1rTrhBq0X80o6fPrQ", "business_name": "Red Pepper Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "1.5 Disclaimer, we ordered take-out, so can't judge on their in-house service or food. Was expecting a bomb meal after reading the reviews here. However, this has to be the worst Chinese food we've ever eaten. I've had better microwave meals, and should have just gone to panda express. We added soy sauce to the lo mein and it was still flavorless. The orange chicken had peels of orange in it, which I wouldn't mind if they were distinguishable from the chicken and were sparse, but they consisted of about 35% of the meal and were the same size and appearance of the chicken, and I, personally, do not enjoy eating orange peels. The eggrolls were soft and did not have much filling. Was hoping to find a new good Chinese spot, but won't bother coming back here again.", "timestamp": "2012-08-17T07:52:22" }, { "business_id": "hG1mFuNb0QCb2EBaFKcmmA", "business_name": "Upscale Massage", "rating": 5, "text": "Purchased a massage from Groupon and made an appointment with Jesse based on a previous Yelp reviewer who mentioned that he can apply heavy pressure. I was not disappointed! I like heavy, heavy pressure and he was able to deliver for the entire hour (as opposed to other massage therapists I've gone to who start off great, but slowly wane). He also constantly checked in with me to make sure the pressure was still ok. The facility is nice, inviting and clean, staff is friendly and nice to look at ;-) Would definitely recommend!", "timestamp": "2012-08-20T21:59:07" } ]	{ "business_id": "crlk8kaurC4zrPUTt7BevQ", "business_name": "Chubbies Hamburgers", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh, meh, meh. If it were up to my partner, he'd give it 1 star. Pros: -Cheap (cost around $10 for both of us). -Quick. -Parking in the back. -And...yeah, that's about it. Cons: -The person helping us was plain rude. Clearly did not want to be there and it showed in her attitude. When my partner returned his burger because it had a looong hair in it intertwined in all the ingredients, there was attitude and no apology! We went in today, Fri, Sept. 7th around 2pm, and the person was in her mid-twenties, in case the owners want to give their workers a customer service check. -Burgers were ok, though relatively flavorless. The regular hamburger surprisingly tasted better than the chubbies burger. -Something that is a pet-peeve of mine--although the refills were free, the machines were on the servers' side, so you had to have them refill for you. Just plain annoying. Neither yay nor nay: -They have a similar menu style to In N Out--very simple and straightforward, not too many choices.", "timestamp": "2012-09-07T23:52:02" }
UsBxLh14sUpO8SdeqIiGOA	[ { "business_id": "Ss6f5v_t5Vddiaz4ZOxL0g", "business_name": "Andersen's Danish Bakery & Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Very unimpressed. The food was overpriced and very average (I would only categorize one of the four meals at the table as \"good\"), and the service was pathetic. There was a hair in my sandwich, and when I told the waiter, he took the plate away (no apology) and walked away without saying anything. Didn't ask me if I wanted anything else instead, wanted the same thing or nothing at all. By the time he showed up with my food (how long does it take to re-make a sandwich?), everyone else was done eating. Other servers seemed to be much friendlier than the one we got. The dessert was nothing impressive, either. The venue itself is cute, however.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:06:49" }, { "business_id": "nB0dV8yPv29F3-CFMPG8cw", "business_name": "Joe's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "When considering this place for it's drinks, I'd give it an A+++++ (or a 5 on yelp scale). Definitely the stiffest and cheapest drinks downtown, and the atmosphere by the bar is really relaxed. The bartenders are usually really nice, as well. As far as this place goes for food/service, I'd give it a 3. I went in there with a friend for dessert and as soon as our waiter realized that's all we wanted he became rude and inattentive.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:58:40" }, { "business_id": "vDBfhX1XI4uRWBCQQNRsUg", "business_name": "TAP Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Found out about this place from living social, and I'm really glad I did. Went with my partner and parents who were visiting. We ordered 3 main courses and two appetizers and they were all delicious and extremely fresh. We honestly spent the majority of the dinner conversation talking about how good the food was! The service was also really quick and good and it was really well priced. The decor itself isn't too exciting, but with food that good, no one seemed to care. If we weren't in public, I probably would have licked the plate. No joke. Will definitely be going back.", "timestamp": "2011-08-20T05:48:27" }, { "business_id": "Wy8Hswf2cLQGRZN6armkag", "business_name": "Jack in the Box", "rating": 1, "text": "If I could give it a zero, I would. I order a plain hamburger, and realized they put bacon in it (which I am allergic to and unable to eat) after two bites. When I went back to the drive-through window to complain (didn't realize the actual restaurant was open--it was almost 2 after all...), the guy took back the burger, said nothing, and disappeared. After 2 minutes of awkwardly making conversation with the next people in line in their car, he came back and rudely told me I had to go inside to get my food. Which I did. And still did not get an apology. I refuse to go back there after that ordeal, which is a shame, because it's nice to have a variety of places to go to after DT. Guess Freebirds it is!", "timestamp": "2011-08-24T23:07:08" }, { "business_id": "edJoBsse6nsF0BYh6pATAg", "business_name": "The Palace Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Why I wasted 4 years in college without ever having been here, I will never know. Honestly, even if the actual main courses would have sucked, I would go back for the free \"bread\" (i.e. muffins) they serve. They served six different kinds (12 total) of mini muffins and they were ALL (literally, all) delicious! On to the main courses...no complaints! It was all really good--even the leftovers the next day were good. The entire staff was extremely nice and friendly and the service was really good. I asked for our leftover muffins to be put in a to-go bag (why throw it away when I can enjoy it for 4th meal?) and the waitress even added a bunch more in the bag--so nice! The decor of the place was really great, as well. It actually brought me back mentally to my New Orleans visit. We went on a Monday night, but judging on the number of guests they had, you would have thought it was a Friday. No wait, though, which was great. The only thing I would caution about is that this place is a little on the pricey side and it gets a little loud, so you have to really listen to what the people you are with are saying. However, I think it's absolutely worth it. Great atmosphere and food and super friendly staff, all in all. Will definitely be back!", "timestamp": "2011-09-21T06:37:32" }, { "business_id": "-TArOdux8Z4oH-jIM1FJuQ", "business_name": "Bistro 1111", "rating": 4, "text": "Pros: -Our waiter was EXCELLENT. His name was Martin and he did a fantastic job checking up on us, refilling our drinks, letting us know about our food, etc. -The food was delicious. We shared the chicken quesadilla starter ($14), the goat cheese salad ($13), and a specialty salmon pasta ($20), all of which were really good. -The ambiance is very romantic. -Overlooks the ocean (though we couldn't see it as we went for dinner). Cons: -The food was definitely over-priced. Again, it was all very good, but not justifiable. $5 less for each item and I would definitely be a regular. -The cooks took a loooong time to prepare our food. At one point we were the only people in the restaurant, which really left me wondering what took so long?", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T07:18:32" }, { "business_id": "I3yiknZLxXVIjYp4WmLz2w", "business_name": "Petrini's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Generous portion sizes, but the prices were a few dollars more than they should have been for each meal. The food was quick to be served, but the service itself should have been a tad bit faster (taking our order, giving us the check, etc.), considering there were no more than 5 other people there at a time...Also, the dessert menu was lacking :( Overall, good but not great.", "timestamp": "2011-12-13T08:42:08" }, { "business_id": "Ksz_jsyyK3Zjlq_Cz81ZBA", "business_name": "Adama Vegan Comfort Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "The atmosphere is very cute--there are several \"rooms\" and they each seem to have a slightly different feel. Service was good.The food was really good. The BBQ sandwich actually tasted like and had the consistency of meat. However, the pastrami sandwich definitely did not taste or look like pastrami. It was still really good, but it tasted more like falafel than pastrami. The hostess cupcake was also bomb! Only negative is that it is slightly overpriced.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T07:21:51" }, { "business_id": "-3AooxIkg38UyUdlz5oXdw", "business_name": "Chase Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Went here in between engagements, so figured it was perfect as the guy who seated us (owner?) mentioned he had reservations so we would have to be out of there within an hour. Staff was very nice, but prices were outrageous for very average food. What really irritated me was that we were clearly in a hurry, and yet a couple that was seated 10 minutes after us and ordered 15 minutes after us received their food before us (albeit, only 1 minute before us, but come on, clearly our food was sitting under a lamp waiting to be served, so the least the staff could have done was serve us first)! Also, space is VERY crammed!", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T22:41:36" }, { "business_id": "eHRzuUXA2jrR99ecioWU4g", "business_name": "Union Ale", "rating": 3, "text": "Really deserves a 2.5. Went here to grab a quick bite to eat as we had a tight schedule. This place is not the typical sit down restaurant. You basically order at the bar, get a number, pick your table and then they bring the food to you. Before we ordered, we asked the guy how long our nachos would take, and he responded saying it wouldn't be long, maybe 10 minutes, so we decided to eat here. We requested that the sour cream be put on the side. After 15 minutes of waiting, the person I was with walked to the bar and asked someone who came out of the kitchen to see what was going on. The guy apologized and said they messed up our order and that they were making us a new one. Almost 10 minutes later, we received our food, almost 25 minutes after we ordered...Oh, and there was no sour cream with it. Had we been told of the mess-up, rather than having to ask, maybe they would have gotten a better rating. The food itself was decent, held us over for a surprisingly long time, and the staff was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-04-29T20:42:05" }, { "business_id": "0qu0fNTOsSmuREYVIMPuIQ", "business_name": "Cold Spring Tavern", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Went to UCSB for 4 years and have only now tried this place out. Damn, what have I been missing?! The place was packed and had chill music, and the best part was that we literally paid and picked up our delicious tri-tip sandwiches from the BBQ 30 seconds later. Will definitely be back and will definitely bring the camera next time!", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T07:51:04" }, { "business_id": "RDjtVGc0c04ZIR6em1hCbQ", "business_name": "Nicky D's Wood fired Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Deserves a 2.5. Service was decent, but expected much better food considering the reviews. Had the greek pizza and it was pretty bland (had to add lots of parm and spices to get it to taste like anything) and the highly recommended margarita pizza was a little better, though not by much. The caesar chicken salad was good and extremely well portioned. The pizzas were decent sizes as well. The inside of the place is really cold, so if you plan on dinning in, bring a jacket!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T07:47:29" }, { "business_id": "gjCxTVItFxk46rCZ-YaiFA", "business_name": "South Coast Deli- Chapala", "rating": 5, "text": "Yuuuuuuuuuuuuum. So, so, so, so good! Excellent 'sammies,' extremely quick service, and the staff was really nice and helpful. Couldn't have asked for better. Worth the $7-$8 for sure. Will absolutely be back. Also, appreciated the outdoor seating!", "timestamp": "2012-06-08T04:16:47" }, { "business_id": "JSrab1rTrhBq0X80o6fPrQ", "business_name": "Red Pepper Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "1.5 Disclaimer, we ordered take-out, so can't judge on their in-house service or food. Was expecting a bomb meal after reading the reviews here. However, this has to be the worst Chinese food we've ever eaten. I've had better microwave meals, and should have just gone to panda express. We added soy sauce to the lo mein and it was still flavorless. The orange chicken had peels of orange in it, which I wouldn't mind if they were distinguishable from the chicken and were sparse, but they consisted of about 35% of the meal and were the same size and appearance of the chicken, and I, personally, do not enjoy eating orange peels. The eggrolls were soft and did not have much filling. Was hoping to find a new good Chinese spot, but won't bother coming back here again.", "timestamp": "2012-08-17T07:52:22" }, { "business_id": "hG1mFuNb0QCb2EBaFKcmmA", "business_name": "Upscale Massage", "rating": 5, "text": "Purchased a massage from Groupon and made an appointment with Jesse based on a previous Yelp reviewer who mentioned that he can apply heavy pressure. I was not disappointed! I like heavy, heavy pressure and he was able to deliver for the entire hour (as opposed to other massage therapists I've gone to who start off great, but slowly wane). He also constantly checked in with me to make sure the pressure was still ok. The facility is nice, inviting and clean, staff is friendly and nice to look at ;-) Would definitely recommend!", "timestamp": "2012-08-20T21:59:07" }, { "business_id": "crlk8kaurC4zrPUTt7BevQ", "business_name": "Chubbies Hamburgers", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh, meh, meh. If it were up to my partner, he'd give it 1 star. Pros: -Cheap (cost around $10 for both of us). -Quick. -Parking in the back. -And...yeah, that's about it. Cons: -The person helping us was plain rude. Clearly did not want to be there and it showed in her attitude. When my partner returned his burger because it had a looong hair in it intertwined in all the ingredients, there was attitude and no apology! We went in today, Fri, Sept. 7th around 2pm, and the person was in her mid-twenties, in case the owners want to give their workers a customer service check. -Burgers were ok, though relatively flavorless. The regular hamburger surprisingly tasted better than the chubbies burger. -Something that is a pet-peeve of mine--although the refills were free, the machines were on the servers' side, so you had to have them refill for you. Just plain annoying. Neither yay nor nay: -They have a similar menu style to In N Out--very simple and straightforward, not too many choices.", "timestamp": "2012-09-07T23:52:02" } ]	{ "business_id": "KqSSDZzkWOkOG0w1NUQAKQ", "business_name": "Bruce Dog", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh Bruce Dogs...How I miss thee! Haven't had one (more like 3 in one sitting) in about 3 years, and I still have dreams about the tasty-goodness. In fact, my mouth is watering right now...Mmmm the hummus, the salad...oh, man! Some nights (sober or otherwise!) I would give anything to be able to teleport myself to Tucson just for Bruce Dogs. One of the very few good things about Tucson, AZ. Damn. Bruce, move to Cali!", "timestamp": "2012-10-04T08:48:44" }
UsBxLh14sUpO8SdeqIiGOA	[ { "business_id": "Ss6f5v_t5Vddiaz4ZOxL0g", "business_name": "Andersen's Danish Bakery & Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Very unimpressed. The food was overpriced and very average (I would only categorize one of the four meals at the table as \"good\"), and the service was pathetic. There was a hair in my sandwich, and when I told the waiter, he took the plate away (no apology) and walked away without saying anything. Didn't ask me if I wanted anything else instead, wanted the same thing or nothing at all. By the time he showed up with my food (how long does it take to re-make a sandwich?), everyone else was done eating. Other servers seemed to be much friendlier than the one we got. The dessert was nothing impressive, either. The venue itself is cute, however.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:06:49" }, { "business_id": "nB0dV8yPv29F3-CFMPG8cw", "business_name": "Joe's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "When considering this place for it's drinks, I'd give it an A+++++ (or a 5 on yelp scale). Definitely the stiffest and cheapest drinks downtown, and the atmosphere by the bar is really relaxed. The bartenders are usually really nice, as well. As far as this place goes for food/service, I'd give it a 3. I went in there with a friend for dessert and as soon as our waiter realized that's all we wanted he became rude and inattentive.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:58:40" }, { "business_id": "vDBfhX1XI4uRWBCQQNRsUg", "business_name": "TAP Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Found out about this place from living social, and I'm really glad I did. Went with my partner and parents who were visiting. We ordered 3 main courses and two appetizers and they were all delicious and extremely fresh. We honestly spent the majority of the dinner conversation talking about how good the food was! The service was also really quick and good and it was really well priced. The decor itself isn't too exciting, but with food that good, no one seemed to care. If we weren't in public, I probably would have licked the plate. No joke. Will definitely be going back.", "timestamp": "2011-08-20T05:48:27" }, { "business_id": "Wy8Hswf2cLQGRZN6armkag", "business_name": "Jack in the Box", "rating": 1, "text": "If I could give it a zero, I would. I order a plain hamburger, and realized they put bacon in it (which I am allergic to and unable to eat) after two bites. When I went back to the drive-through window to complain (didn't realize the actual restaurant was open--it was almost 2 after all...), the guy took back the burger, said nothing, and disappeared. After 2 minutes of awkwardly making conversation with the next people in line in their car, he came back and rudely told me I had to go inside to get my food. Which I did. And still did not get an apology. I refuse to go back there after that ordeal, which is a shame, because it's nice to have a variety of places to go to after DT. Guess Freebirds it is!", "timestamp": "2011-08-24T23:07:08" }, { "business_id": "edJoBsse6nsF0BYh6pATAg", "business_name": "The Palace Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Why I wasted 4 years in college without ever having been here, I will never know. Honestly, even if the actual main courses would have sucked, I would go back for the free \"bread\" (i.e. muffins) they serve. They served six different kinds (12 total) of mini muffins and they were ALL (literally, all) delicious! On to the main courses...no complaints! It was all really good--even the leftovers the next day were good. The entire staff was extremely nice and friendly and the service was really good. I asked for our leftover muffins to be put in a to-go bag (why throw it away when I can enjoy it for 4th meal?) and the waitress even added a bunch more in the bag--so nice! The decor of the place was really great, as well. It actually brought me back mentally to my New Orleans visit. We went on a Monday night, but judging on the number of guests they had, you would have thought it was a Friday. No wait, though, which was great. The only thing I would caution about is that this place is a little on the pricey side and it gets a little loud, so you have to really listen to what the people you are with are saying. However, I think it's absolutely worth it. Great atmosphere and food and super friendly staff, all in all. Will definitely be back!", "timestamp": "2011-09-21T06:37:32" }, { "business_id": "-TArOdux8Z4oH-jIM1FJuQ", "business_name": "Bistro 1111", "rating": 4, "text": "Pros: -Our waiter was EXCELLENT. His name was Martin and he did a fantastic job checking up on us, refilling our drinks, letting us know about our food, etc. -The food was delicious. We shared the chicken quesadilla starter ($14), the goat cheese salad ($13), and a specialty salmon pasta ($20), all of which were really good. -The ambiance is very romantic. -Overlooks the ocean (though we couldn't see it as we went for dinner). Cons: -The food was definitely over-priced. Again, it was all very good, but not justifiable. $5 less for each item and I would definitely be a regular. -The cooks took a loooong time to prepare our food. At one point we were the only people in the restaurant, which really left me wondering what took so long?", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T07:18:32" }, { "business_id": "I3yiknZLxXVIjYp4WmLz2w", "business_name": "Petrini's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Generous portion sizes, but the prices were a few dollars more than they should have been for each meal. The food was quick to be served, but the service itself should have been a tad bit faster (taking our order, giving us the check, etc.), considering there were no more than 5 other people there at a time...Also, the dessert menu was lacking :( Overall, good but not great.", "timestamp": "2011-12-13T08:42:08" }, { "business_id": "Ksz_jsyyK3Zjlq_Cz81ZBA", "business_name": "Adama Vegan Comfort Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "The atmosphere is very cute--there are several \"rooms\" and they each seem to have a slightly different feel. Service was good.The food was really good. The BBQ sandwich actually tasted like and had the consistency of meat. However, the pastrami sandwich definitely did not taste or look like pastrami. It was still really good, but it tasted more like falafel than pastrami. The hostess cupcake was also bomb! Only negative is that it is slightly overpriced.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T07:21:51" }, { "business_id": "-3AooxIkg38UyUdlz5oXdw", "business_name": "Chase Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Went here in between engagements, so figured it was perfect as the guy who seated us (owner?) mentioned he had reservations so we would have to be out of there within an hour. Staff was very nice, but prices were outrageous for very average food. What really irritated me was that we were clearly in a hurry, and yet a couple that was seated 10 minutes after us and ordered 15 minutes after us received their food before us (albeit, only 1 minute before us, but come on, clearly our food was sitting under a lamp waiting to be served, so the least the staff could have done was serve us first)! Also, space is VERY crammed!", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T22:41:36" }, { "business_id": "eHRzuUXA2jrR99ecioWU4g", "business_name": "Union Ale", "rating": 3, "text": "Really deserves a 2.5. Went here to grab a quick bite to eat as we had a tight schedule. This place is not the typical sit down restaurant. You basically order at the bar, get a number, pick your table and then they bring the food to you. Before we ordered, we asked the guy how long our nachos would take, and he responded saying it wouldn't be long, maybe 10 minutes, so we decided to eat here. We requested that the sour cream be put on the side. After 15 minutes of waiting, the person I was with walked to the bar and asked someone who came out of the kitchen to see what was going on. The guy apologized and said they messed up our order and that they were making us a new one. Almost 10 minutes later, we received our food, almost 25 minutes after we ordered...Oh, and there was no sour cream with it. Had we been told of the mess-up, rather than having to ask, maybe they would have gotten a better rating. The food itself was decent, held us over for a surprisingly long time, and the staff was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-04-29T20:42:05" }, { "business_id": "0qu0fNTOsSmuREYVIMPuIQ", "business_name": "Cold Spring Tavern", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Went to UCSB for 4 years and have only now tried this place out. Damn, what have I been missing?! The place was packed and had chill music, and the best part was that we literally paid and picked up our delicious tri-tip sandwiches from the BBQ 30 seconds later. Will definitely be back and will definitely bring the camera next time!", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T07:51:04" }, { "business_id": "RDjtVGc0c04ZIR6em1hCbQ", "business_name": "Nicky D's Wood fired Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Deserves a 2.5. Service was decent, but expected much better food considering the reviews. Had the greek pizza and it was pretty bland (had to add lots of parm and spices to get it to taste like anything) and the highly recommended margarita pizza was a little better, though not by much. The caesar chicken salad was good and extremely well portioned. The pizzas were decent sizes as well. The inside of the place is really cold, so if you plan on dinning in, bring a jacket!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T07:47:29" }, { "business_id": "gjCxTVItFxk46rCZ-YaiFA", "business_name": "South Coast Deli- Chapala", "rating": 5, "text": "Yuuuuuuuuuuuuum. So, so, so, so good! Excellent 'sammies,' extremely quick service, and the staff was really nice and helpful. Couldn't have asked for better. Worth the $7-$8 for sure. Will absolutely be back. Also, appreciated the outdoor seating!", "timestamp": "2012-06-08T04:16:47" }, { "business_id": "JSrab1rTrhBq0X80o6fPrQ", "business_name": "Red Pepper Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "1.5 Disclaimer, we ordered take-out, so can't judge on their in-house service or food. Was expecting a bomb meal after reading the reviews here. However, this has to be the worst Chinese food we've ever eaten. I've had better microwave meals, and should have just gone to panda express. We added soy sauce to the lo mein and it was still flavorless. The orange chicken had peels of orange in it, which I wouldn't mind if they were distinguishable from the chicken and were sparse, but they consisted of about 35% of the meal and were the same size and appearance of the chicken, and I, personally, do not enjoy eating orange peels. The eggrolls were soft and did not have much filling. Was hoping to find a new good Chinese spot, but won't bother coming back here again.", "timestamp": "2012-08-17T07:52:22" }, { "business_id": "hG1mFuNb0QCb2EBaFKcmmA", "business_name": "Upscale Massage", "rating": 5, "text": "Purchased a massage from Groupon and made an appointment with Jesse based on a previous Yelp reviewer who mentioned that he can apply heavy pressure. I was not disappointed! I like heavy, heavy pressure and he was able to deliver for the entire hour (as opposed to other massage therapists I've gone to who start off great, but slowly wane). He also constantly checked in with me to make sure the pressure was still ok. The facility is nice, inviting and clean, staff is friendly and nice to look at ;-) Would definitely recommend!", "timestamp": "2012-08-20T21:59:07" }, { "business_id": "crlk8kaurC4zrPUTt7BevQ", "business_name": "Chubbies Hamburgers", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh, meh, meh. If it were up to my partner, he'd give it 1 star. Pros: -Cheap (cost around $10 for both of us). -Quick. -Parking in the back. -And...yeah, that's about it. Cons: -The person helping us was plain rude. Clearly did not want to be there and it showed in her attitude. When my partner returned his burger because it had a looong hair in it intertwined in all the ingredients, there was attitude and no apology! We went in today, Fri, Sept. 7th around 2pm, and the person was in her mid-twenties, in case the owners want to give their workers a customer service check. -Burgers were ok, though relatively flavorless. The regular hamburger surprisingly tasted better than the chubbies burger. -Something that is a pet-peeve of mine--although the refills were free, the machines were on the servers' side, so you had to have them refill for you. Just plain annoying. Neither yay nor nay: -They have a similar menu style to In N Out--very simple and straightforward, not too many choices.", "timestamp": "2012-09-07T23:52:02" }, { "business_id": "KqSSDZzkWOkOG0w1NUQAKQ", "business_name": "Bruce Dog", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh Bruce Dogs...How I miss thee! Haven't had one (more like 3 in one sitting) in about 3 years, and I still have dreams about the tasty-goodness. In fact, my mouth is watering right now...Mmmm the hummus, the salad...oh, man! Some nights (sober or otherwise!) I would give anything to be able to teleport myself to Tucson just for Bruce Dogs. One of the very few good things about Tucson, AZ. Damn. Bruce, move to Cali!", "timestamp": "2012-10-04T08:48:44" } ]	{ "business_id": "Ak4vFqHZUWU5KXONRnuieQ", "business_name": "Los Altos Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Really deserves 2.5. When I know I should have stayed home and cooked, instead of going out: 1) I can cook something similar that's going to be less fatty and have less calories, and actually taste better. 2) When I don't take the leftovers home (this is the first time that's ever happened!). We went for lunch, so the pros were that there weren't many people there, the service was decent and there was parking on the street almost right in front. However, the food was so bland I had to add copious amounts of salsa and salt to make the burrito taste like anything. I had purchased a voucher for $30 and the meal, tax included came to $29 and some change. The cherry on top was when the waitress (very nice, but none-the-less) came back after entering the voucher and said our remaining balance was $3-something. Ummmm...last I checked tipping is not a remaining balance, and the customer gets to decide how much (if any) tip to leave. Not sure if she intentionally made it seem as though that was what we owed, in addition to tip, or if she was doing the math for us on how much 15% is, but either way, it left a bad taste in my mouth (no pun intended). With so many other options in SB, particularly for Mexican, definitely won't be going back.", "timestamp": "2012-10-19T08:08:28" }
UsBxLh14sUpO8SdeqIiGOA	[ { "business_id": "Ss6f5v_t5Vddiaz4ZOxL0g", "business_name": "Andersen's Danish Bakery & Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Very unimpressed. The food was overpriced and very average (I would only categorize one of the four meals at the table as \"good\"), and the service was pathetic. There was a hair in my sandwich, and when I told the waiter, he took the plate away (no apology) and walked away without saying anything. Didn't ask me if I wanted anything else instead, wanted the same thing or nothing at all. By the time he showed up with my food (how long does it take to re-make a sandwich?), everyone else was done eating. Other servers seemed to be much friendlier than the one we got. The dessert was nothing impressive, either. The venue itself is cute, however.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:06:49" }, { "business_id": "nB0dV8yPv29F3-CFMPG8cw", "business_name": "Joe's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "When considering this place for it's drinks, I'd give it an A+++++ (or a 5 on yelp scale). Definitely the stiffest and cheapest drinks downtown, and the atmosphere by the bar is really relaxed. The bartenders are usually really nice, as well. As far as this place goes for food/service, I'd give it a 3. I went in there with a friend for dessert and as soon as our waiter realized that's all we wanted he became rude and inattentive.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T21:58:40" }, { "business_id": "vDBfhX1XI4uRWBCQQNRsUg", "business_name": "TAP Thai Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Found out about this place from living social, and I'm really glad I did. Went with my partner and parents who were visiting. We ordered 3 main courses and two appetizers and they were all delicious and extremely fresh. We honestly spent the majority of the dinner conversation talking about how good the food was! The service was also really quick and good and it was really well priced. The decor itself isn't too exciting, but with food that good, no one seemed to care. If we weren't in public, I probably would have licked the plate. No joke. Will definitely be going back.", "timestamp": "2011-08-20T05:48:27" }, { "business_id": "Wy8Hswf2cLQGRZN6armkag", "business_name": "Jack in the Box", "rating": 1, "text": "If I could give it a zero, I would. I order a plain hamburger, and realized they put bacon in it (which I am allergic to and unable to eat) after two bites. When I went back to the drive-through window to complain (didn't realize the actual restaurant was open--it was almost 2 after all...), the guy took back the burger, said nothing, and disappeared. After 2 minutes of awkwardly making conversation with the next people in line in their car, he came back and rudely told me I had to go inside to get my food. Which I did. And still did not get an apology. I refuse to go back there after that ordeal, which is a shame, because it's nice to have a variety of places to go to after DT. Guess Freebirds it is!", "timestamp": "2011-08-24T23:07:08" }, { "business_id": "edJoBsse6nsF0BYh6pATAg", "business_name": "The Palace Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Why I wasted 4 years in college without ever having been here, I will never know. Honestly, even if the actual main courses would have sucked, I would go back for the free \"bread\" (i.e. muffins) they serve. They served six different kinds (12 total) of mini muffins and they were ALL (literally, all) delicious! On to the main courses...no complaints! It was all really good--even the leftovers the next day were good. The entire staff was extremely nice and friendly and the service was really good. I asked for our leftover muffins to be put in a to-go bag (why throw it away when I can enjoy it for 4th meal?) and the waitress even added a bunch more in the bag--so nice! The decor of the place was really great, as well. It actually brought me back mentally to my New Orleans visit. We went on a Monday night, but judging on the number of guests they had, you would have thought it was a Friday. No wait, though, which was great. The only thing I would caution about is that this place is a little on the pricey side and it gets a little loud, so you have to really listen to what the people you are with are saying. However, I think it's absolutely worth it. Great atmosphere and food and super friendly staff, all in all. Will definitely be back!", "timestamp": "2011-09-21T06:37:32" }, { "business_id": "-TArOdux8Z4oH-jIM1FJuQ", "business_name": "Bistro 1111", "rating": 4, "text": "Pros: -Our waiter was EXCELLENT. His name was Martin and he did a fantastic job checking up on us, refilling our drinks, letting us know about our food, etc. -The food was delicious. We shared the chicken quesadilla starter ($14), the goat cheese salad ($13), and a specialty salmon pasta ($20), all of which were really good. -The ambiance is very romantic. -Overlooks the ocean (though we couldn't see it as we went for dinner). Cons: -The food was definitely over-priced. Again, it was all very good, but not justifiable. $5 less for each item and I would definitely be a regular. -The cooks took a loooong time to prepare our food. At one point we were the only people in the restaurant, which really left me wondering what took so long?", "timestamp": "2011-11-14T07:18:32" }, { "business_id": "I3yiknZLxXVIjYp4WmLz2w", "business_name": "Petrini's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Generous portion sizes, but the prices were a few dollars more than they should have been for each meal. The food was quick to be served, but the service itself should have been a tad bit faster (taking our order, giving us the check, etc.), considering there were no more than 5 other people there at a time...Also, the dessert menu was lacking :( Overall, good but not great.", "timestamp": "2011-12-13T08:42:08" }, { "business_id": "Ksz_jsyyK3Zjlq_Cz81ZBA", "business_name": "Adama Vegan Comfort Cuisine", "rating": 4, "text": "The atmosphere is very cute--there are several \"rooms\" and they each seem to have a slightly different feel. Service was good.The food was really good. The BBQ sandwich actually tasted like and had the consistency of meat. However, the pastrami sandwich definitely did not taste or look like pastrami. It was still really good, but it tasted more like falafel than pastrami. The hostess cupcake was also bomb! Only negative is that it is slightly overpriced.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T07:21:51" }, { "business_id": "-3AooxIkg38UyUdlz5oXdw", "business_name": "Chase Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Went here in between engagements, so figured it was perfect as the guy who seated us (owner?) mentioned he had reservations so we would have to be out of there within an hour. Staff was very nice, but prices were outrageous for very average food. What really irritated me was that we were clearly in a hurry, and yet a couple that was seated 10 minutes after us and ordered 15 minutes after us received their food before us (albeit, only 1 minute before us, but come on, clearly our food was sitting under a lamp waiting to be served, so the least the staff could have done was serve us first)! Also, space is VERY crammed!", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T22:41:36" }, { "business_id": "eHRzuUXA2jrR99ecioWU4g", "business_name": "Union Ale", "rating": 3, "text": "Really deserves a 2.5. Went here to grab a quick bite to eat as we had a tight schedule. This place is not the typical sit down restaurant. You basically order at the bar, get a number, pick your table and then they bring the food to you. Before we ordered, we asked the guy how long our nachos would take, and he responded saying it wouldn't be long, maybe 10 minutes, so we decided to eat here. We requested that the sour cream be put on the side. After 15 minutes of waiting, the person I was with walked to the bar and asked someone who came out of the kitchen to see what was going on. The guy apologized and said they messed up our order and that they were making us a new one. Almost 10 minutes later, we received our food, almost 25 minutes after we ordered...Oh, and there was no sour cream with it. Had we been told of the mess-up, rather than having to ask, maybe they would have gotten a better rating. The food itself was decent, held us over for a surprisingly long time, and the staff was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-04-29T20:42:05" }, { "business_id": "0qu0fNTOsSmuREYVIMPuIQ", "business_name": "Cold Spring Tavern", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow. Went to UCSB for 4 years and have only now tried this place out. Damn, what have I been missing?! The place was packed and had chill music, and the best part was that we literally paid and picked up our delicious tri-tip sandwiches from the BBQ 30 seconds later. Will definitely be back and will definitely bring the camera next time!", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T07:51:04" }, { "business_id": "RDjtVGc0c04ZIR6em1hCbQ", "business_name": "Nicky D's Wood fired Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Deserves a 2.5. Service was decent, but expected much better food considering the reviews. Had the greek pizza and it was pretty bland (had to add lots of parm and spices to get it to taste like anything) and the highly recommended margarita pizza was a little better, though not by much. The caesar chicken salad was good and extremely well portioned. The pizzas were decent sizes as well. The inside of the place is really cold, so if you plan on dinning in, bring a jacket!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T07:47:29" }, { "business_id": "gjCxTVItFxk46rCZ-YaiFA", "business_name": "South Coast Deli- Chapala", "rating": 5, "text": "Yuuuuuuuuuuuuum. So, so, so, so good! Excellent 'sammies,' extremely quick service, and the staff was really nice and helpful. Couldn't have asked for better. Worth the $7-$8 for sure. Will absolutely be back. Also, appreciated the outdoor seating!", "timestamp": "2012-06-08T04:16:47" }, { "business_id": "JSrab1rTrhBq0X80o6fPrQ", "business_name": "Red Pepper Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "1.5 Disclaimer, we ordered take-out, so can't judge on their in-house service or food. Was expecting a bomb meal after reading the reviews here. However, this has to be the worst Chinese food we've ever eaten. I've had better microwave meals, and should have just gone to panda express. We added soy sauce to the lo mein and it was still flavorless. The orange chicken had peels of orange in it, which I wouldn't mind if they were distinguishable from the chicken and were sparse, but they consisted of about 35% of the meal and were the same size and appearance of the chicken, and I, personally, do not enjoy eating orange peels. The eggrolls were soft and did not have much filling. Was hoping to find a new good Chinese spot, but won't bother coming back here again.", "timestamp": "2012-08-17T07:52:22" }, { "business_id": "hG1mFuNb0QCb2EBaFKcmmA", "business_name": "Upscale Massage", "rating": 5, "text": "Purchased a massage from Groupon and made an appointment with Jesse based on a previous Yelp reviewer who mentioned that he can apply heavy pressure. I was not disappointed! I like heavy, heavy pressure and he was able to deliver for the entire hour (as opposed to other massage therapists I've gone to who start off great, but slowly wane). He also constantly checked in with me to make sure the pressure was still ok. The facility is nice, inviting and clean, staff is friendly and nice to look at ;-) Would definitely recommend!", "timestamp": "2012-08-20T21:59:07" }, { "business_id": "crlk8kaurC4zrPUTt7BevQ", "business_name": "Chubbies Hamburgers", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh, meh, meh. If it were up to my partner, he'd give it 1 star. Pros: -Cheap (cost around $10 for both of us). -Quick. -Parking in the back. -And...yeah, that's about it. Cons: -The person helping us was plain rude. Clearly did not want to be there and it showed in her attitude. When my partner returned his burger because it had a looong hair in it intertwined in all the ingredients, there was attitude and no apology! We went in today, Fri, Sept. 7th around 2pm, and the person was in her mid-twenties, in case the owners want to give their workers a customer service check. -Burgers were ok, though relatively flavorless. The regular hamburger surprisingly tasted better than the chubbies burger. -Something that is a pet-peeve of mine--although the refills were free, the machines were on the servers' side, so you had to have them refill for you. Just plain annoying. Neither yay nor nay: -They have a similar menu style to In N Out--very simple and straightforward, not too many choices.", "timestamp": "2012-09-07T23:52:02" }, { "business_id": "KqSSDZzkWOkOG0w1NUQAKQ", "business_name": "Bruce Dog", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh Bruce Dogs...How I miss thee! Haven't had one (more like 3 in one sitting) in about 3 years, and I still have dreams about the tasty-goodness. In fact, my mouth is watering right now...Mmmm the hummus, the salad...oh, man! Some nights (sober or otherwise!) I would give anything to be able to teleport myself to Tucson just for Bruce Dogs. One of the very few good things about Tucson, AZ. Damn. Bruce, move to Cali!", "timestamp": "2012-10-04T08:48:44" }, { "business_id": "Ak4vFqHZUWU5KXONRnuieQ", "business_name": "Los Altos Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Really deserves 2.5. When I know I should have stayed home and cooked, instead of going out: 1) I can cook something similar that's going to be less fatty and have less calories, and actually taste better. 2) When I don't take the leftovers home (this is the first time that's ever happened!). We went for lunch, so the pros were that there weren't many people there, the service was decent and there was parking on the street almost right in front. However, the food was so bland I had to add copious amounts of salsa and salt to make the burrito taste like anything. I had purchased a voucher for $30 and the meal, tax included came to $29 and some change. The cherry on top was when the waitress (very nice, but none-the-less) came back after entering the voucher and said our remaining balance was $3-something. Ummmm...last I checked tipping is not a remaining balance, and the customer gets to decide how much (if any) tip to leave. Not sure if she intentionally made it seem as though that was what we owed, in addition to tip, or if she was doing the math for us on how much 15% is, but either way, it left a bad taste in my mouth (no pun intended). With so many other options in SB, particularly for Mexican, definitely won't be going back.", "timestamp": "2012-10-19T08:08:28" } ]	{ "business_id": "-kOUmMiIimNSBIDdFN0x-Q", "business_name": "Beachside Bar-Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "The service was excellent, the view is beautiful (although one definitely pays for it) and the portions are large. It is a very sea-foody place, so if you're not into seafood (like me) or are vegetarian there aren't a lot of options. The person I went with really liked his meal (I can't remember what it was, but it was some sort of rice with all sorts of meats and seafood). The pasta I had (alfredo with portabello mushroom?) was ok...nothing special. I workout on the beach there and it's always packed, so they're definitely doing something right!", "timestamp": "2012-10-19T08:13:48" }
wp-uX1pnNjAIDBNnQxz1ZQ	[ { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me three whole hours to get to a table because the line was so long. The food was fabulous enough for me to have called ahead several times to have it to go because the wait is ridiculously long. However, if you want good barbecue, which is what all these other people want, I suppose the wait is well worth it. There's no fuss with the food, and the sauces are legendary.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:26:45" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "Well seasoned salads, and the calzone choices were with unusual and sometimes (meagerly) filled with somewhat exotic (if you're not used to ricotta and figs in your calzone), but the filling flavor of the calzones work well, allowing for an unexpected harmonious marriage of taste which seem to explode on the tongue. In attempt to be chic á la Claytonian style, the plates on which the food was served have an unusual wave, which would cause cutlery to fall off of them, or even on the floor when one would lay the silverware down on them, which became a source of irritation during the meal. And I was not the only diner who had muttered under her breath about it. Still, not a bad experience that I may or may not revisit some day.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:53:58" }, { "business_id": "A1suinq7EcpyM06JIe7iOA", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 5, "text": "I've eaten off of their food truck three times, and once at their restaurant. Obviously I like their food immensely or I wouldn't be a repeat offender. My daughter had an encore to her servings of the corn dog because she exclaimed that it was the best she had ever had. My young granddaughter enjoyed the mild chicken adobo, while I attacked the flying pig and lumpia on site at their restaurant. Regardless of what anyone would choose off their menus, the food is excellent.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T21:10:22" }, { "business_id": "24_GowpZ79St53rpxsKqsQ", "business_name": "P'sghetti's Pasta & Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "We were hungry, shopping all morning long, and decided to stop by here, for the very first time, and we were not disappointed. The spaghetti was cooked al dente, the meat sauce was tasty, my baby granddaughter demolished two ravioli from a side dish of it ordered for her, the meatballs were of good consistency, not hard or overdone at all. The garlic bread was well toasted, and service was fast and friendly. We even ordered some to take home with us. I know we will return when we are in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-11-07T21:14:35" }, { "business_id": "1elddy31XiqFPVrvvd9QiQ", "business_name": "Which Wich", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm not a fan of sandwiches, but I eat them if I have to. My daughter decided that this was where we were going to have lunch today, and I relented. To my very pleasant surprise, I loved my lunch! The ordering process was so easy and the menu options were huge. I picked crab and artichoke under the heading for seafood and piled my sandwich high with bacon, egg and lots of veges. I picked their house chips and was not disappointed at all. My daughter had the Monte Cristo, which is a sandwich which has neat, cheese and powdered sugar, and she told me that this sandwich is the only reason why she comes here. Move over, all other sandwich joints! I know I'll be back here for more.", "timestamp": "2015-11-08T20:35:26" }, { "business_id": "-q4YqKsWJY6NtkQdnNeL1Q", "business_name": "The Barn", "rating": 3, "text": "The sitting area was cramped, the service was at a pitiful snail's pace as it seemed as if our server was really more interested in doing everything else but serve us. The barn Browns, their version of hashed potatoes, was seriously half raw. Their strata was not bad, chopped salad had great presentation but the salad dressing was lacking in flavor. The biscuits and gravy was very tasty. Not very impressed with this place.", "timestamp": "2015-11-13T00:02:51" }, { "business_id": "3Ym00dQ_oqZ0zunGMLhX3Q", "business_name": "Prasino", "rating": 4, "text": "Very cozy ambience, sophisticatedly warm and chic decor. The wine list is impressive, with very good selections both American and imported. It is obvious that whomever came up with the selection of wine really knows his or her stuff. There's even homemade sangria on offering, and the cocktails found on the menu are not the usual boring, run of the mill choices. If you want to seriously enjoy a few good specialty drinks, this is the place for it. The greens in the beet salad were complimented by the tart beets, sweet oranges and candied nuts, the Mexican soup with meatballs was tasty. The skewers of beef with tsatziki sauce were remarkably tender and perfectly offset by the sauce. The sandwich with the lamb was refreshingly bursting with flavor, the lamb thinly sliced to offer the ultimate experience the mouth could savor. The sauce on the toasted bread was spicy, yet managed to heighten the flavor of the lamb. The salt and pepper chips were simply the best I've ever had in a restaurant. The sandwich with chicken was made with pesto, mozzarella and perfectly seasoned breast of chicken, which was not surprisingly dry at all. The potato side dish chosen to accompany it was extremely flavorful, moist, with just the right bite and tenderness to them, a gastronomic feat in itself. Service was crisp, professional, friendly and prompt. All in all, a more than pleasant experience was had here. I would have awarded this restaurant 4.5 stars if yelp would allow for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-01T22:53:57" }, { "business_id": "xxvgV_6FrRzXPhpT8EWXUg", "business_name": "Tucanos Brazilian Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "My second time here, I distinctly recall the first being better. Lots of meat on skewers paraded from table to table, including tiny grilled chicken hearts (too sinewy for my liking), mango fish (this is heavenly mango flavored battered whitefish), and a vast salad buffet with side dishes. OK for a meal, come hungry.", "timestamp": "2015-12-14T22:13:25" }, { "business_id": "MBlCqWTahlqG6e0re21Mow", "business_name": "Frederick's Steakhouse & Pizzeria", "rating": 1, "text": "Let it be known that families with very little children will have to seat their tots on laps or risk them on adult chairs because they do not have high chairs or kids' menus. We walked out almost immediately, feeling very disappointed since this is not a family friendly restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-12-16T22:18:03" }, { "business_id": "lpfrjbjIWC0BNZThaSDMLw", "business_name": "Simply Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here so many times before and all I can say is the food is really good. A hidden gem in Florissant, it has the best Panang curry around. Haven't been to their sister restaurant yet, but I can't seem to want to move on when I am always so satisfied with their fare here.", "timestamp": "2015-12-21T00:17:29" }, { "business_id": "AZw33EfufAZde7EWH58q2Q", "business_name": "WH Clayton", "rating": 2, "text": "Obnoxiously loud and I couldn't tell who was louder, the televisions or the crowd on a Saturday afternoon. Service was not the greatest, and it's no wonder our server brought us diet cokes when we ordered regular; he obviously cannot hear us correctly over the din. The food was variable, depending on what it was. The dressing for the Caesar salad was actually very good, and I am hard to please. The asparagus and shrimp risotto paled in comparison with the taste of the salad. It was bland. The loaded Mac and cheese was average in flavor. We could not wait to get out of there because of the level of noise. If the food were scrumptious, we would overlook the noise and return, but this will not be the case.", "timestamp": "2016-01-16T22:22:11" }, { "business_id": "xhPOB5sj4qXyMY1mnC646A", "business_name": "MaTaNe Japanese Dining", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my second time coming here, the first time was 1.5 years ago. Salad dressing was tangy and crunchy, sushi rolls, depending on who rolled them, would either fall apart or hold together. The rice bowls and fried rice dishes were very well seasoned, miso soup slightly lacking in explosion of flavor, but overall it was not too bad.", "timestamp": "2016-01-30T23:15:05" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Chinese restaurant in the entire region. I grew up in Southeast Asia and KNOW Asian food. Their food is genuinely Chinese, not the Americanized type of Chinese food many Chinese places tend to \"dumb\" themselves down to. Lots of Chinese people come here, which shows that their food is authentic. Their dim sum is the best and even though I don't like to base my reviews on fried rice, theirs is about the tastiest in St. Louis. The proprietors are friendly as well. I've been coming here for the last 16 years and have never been disappointed.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T19:16:03" }, { "business_id": "4FjJzcc-AzXQIs6W-Hz-kQ", "business_name": "Ramen Tei", "rating": 3, "text": "Not as tasty as I had hoped for everything to be, since I had been looking forward to coming here for weeks. We had the miso ramen which was average. The broth could have been better with seasoning. The khao soi was very spicy and above average in taste. The chap chae was a little on the under seasoned side as well. Service was at first not too good but improved. I don't think I'll fight traffic to come back here again though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-12T00:36:53" }, { "business_id": "yg8OzI6hKoWWkaeDBF3bpg", "business_name": "Steak ’n Shake", "rating": 3, "text": "The typical S&S, with the typical menu offered, this place is sufficient for the little village in Maryland Heights. It gets busy here especially the drive through, but I wouldn't expect any less from this establishment.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T19:16:05" }, { "business_id": "07tT34LEBj1xVgLRk4L8qw", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been to this location multiple times and am finally giving it my review. For this establishment, it is not too bad for its service and quality of food. I do not particularly like reviewing chains but I'll make an exception for Pasta House, since out of all chains I've been to, this one seems to be not too bad after all. One of my usual dishes from this place is the linguine with clam sauce, which is actually surprisingly good for a chain. I like their house salad and always fill up on it with the big plate of it before I start on my entree. If I keep returning, it means I'm ok with this place. I'll keep coming back for the sake of convenience at times.", "timestamp": "2016-02-16T21:29:40" }, { "business_id": "t4Xg0j6xTJLph5Tb1VaMOw", "business_name": "The Butterfly House", "rating": 5, "text": "A wonderful place to be for the family to spend some quality time together. The butterflies today were so active wild because it was warm outside. So much fun to see them flying around, but we have to remember not to touch them or you will hurt their delicate wings or legs. A little pricey, but well worth it for education purposes. We even watched a butterfly hatching from its cocoon. A must for families and children, big or small.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:12:02" }, { "business_id": "-NF_wBObzf5IdLzWyea7XA", "business_name": "St Louis Carousel", "rating": 5, "text": "A perfectly old carousel with music accompaniment by a traditional giant music box. Each ride costs $2 a pop, even for a toddler, but the ride lasts longer than most I've ever been on. A treat for the family, the smiles plastered on everyone's faces are enough to verify how much fun this ride is. Just remember, the horses on the outermost circle of the ride do not move.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:17:17" }, { "business_id": "X8hwEPRoRcLjbKVlVt1b1g", "business_name": "Saint Louis Zoo", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best attractions for a visitor to encounter in St. Louis, the zoo is free except for a few attractions where tickets are warranted. However, since zoo is free, I do not think it is unreasonable for anybody to purchase tickets for stops such as the petting zoo and the insect house. Also a great place for families to spend time at, and for children to enjoy themselves discovering nature. Free attractions are hard to come by, so taking advantage of the Saint Louis zoo is a must. This is one of the gems of St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T21:33:02" }, { "business_id": "gSLWjGwRqXSq5HzsoP183g", "business_name": "Schneithorst Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Chicken schnitzel, Wiener schnitzel, pork schnitzel, all three types available here, were savored by us today. To start off, we had the potato pancakes, pub chips and the toddler had the kids' grilled cheese. I ordered the sausage platter and stroganoff to go fr someone else. The food is, quite simply put in German, herrlich, which means heavenly. This is the second time my family and I are having a meal here, and since we have returned, obviously the food is really good. The potato pancakes were stunning with the preserves, all three schnitzels were cooked to perfection. The steak fries which came with the kids' meal was probably the best I've ever had, and I'm not a fan of steak fries at all. The spaetzle which accompanied the schnitzels was cheesy, soft and very tasty. Red cabbage was a little strong with flavor of red wine but set off the meat so well that I truly wasn't too bothered by it in the end. The pub chips were well fried and did not have any lingering grease on them at all. We shall keep returning. Obviously, since we already have.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T22:35:35" }, { "business_id": "O1qaxqOGOmGThf2Mn_CjgA", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "Typical Pasta House with the food. This is our 4th time here. I usually order the salad and linguine with red clams, and I did again today, to go. To eat in house, I had the seafood pastas and I don't regret it at all. I know I'll be looking for it again. Service was very cheerful, and our server just simply loaded us up with rolls. Our toddler loves her boiled ravioli, and ate to get heart's content. The rest of us loved our meals. The one nice thing was that we had an out-of-towner who had never been to a Pasta House, and she liked her meal. Obviously, I will come back again.", "timestamp": "2016-03-10T19:28:13" }, { "business_id": "7TGY8EXD3nOheCnack7YLQ", "business_name": "Sweet Tomatoes", "rating": 3, "text": "There was a time when my family and I would have dinner at Sweet Tomatoes about once a week, but we had since stopped several years ago as the quality had just down trended drastically. Today was the first time I decided to give it a try again, and I recall once again why we stopped coming here. It's ridiculously expensive to pay for raw veges and limp salad and a tiny array of breads, soups and pastas. It's the end of this rad for me here. The Sweet-ness had long turned almost sour.", "timestamp": "2016-03-24T20:45:33" }, { "business_id": "w8tS6xq3k3lmySn-L3FrEw", "business_name": "St. Louis Bubble Tea", "rating": 5, "text": "I've always been to the location at the Loop and this is my first time at this location. Disappointment on my orders in that the noodle soups that I really wanted were unavailable, namely the beef stew noodle soup, which is usually to die for, and anything vermicelli. However, the beef stir fry noodles are really good too, and they have amongst the best spring rolls around. As for their drinks, you can't go wrong with anything ordered. My favorite will always be the ginger milk tea. Without boba. :)", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:27:38" }, { "business_id": "AtQLrRpQan7UtJcIAo9hsA", "business_name": "Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Café", "rating": 5, "text": "I ordered a custom cake with red velvet and carrot, side by side. I'll keep ordering my custom cakes here. This one was for Ben, one of the charge nurses I work with, who has resigned to concentrate fully on school to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Beautifully made cake.", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:29:48" }, { "business_id": "TGHxU9bjU4vPpAqOdD0Eew", "business_name": "Big Woody's BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The pork steak simply falls off the bone, brisket and pulled chicken almost melts in the mouth. Their home made barbecue and other dipping sauces are as close to heaven as you can get. This jewel tucked away in St Charles is a secret that needs to be let out of the bag! This may be one of the BEST barbecue joints in the entire St Louis region. I know where I'm coming next time I want barbecue. I can't help it. I keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-05-28T23:56:42" }, { "business_id": "YagBnM_WpABtV3Ti3q26mQ", "business_name": "Garden Heights Nursery", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd driven by this nursery so many times but only decided to go today because I am planning to collect succulents, and searches for nurseries which sell succulents always resulted with this one being one of the top choices. They have an ok choice of succulents. Service was pretty ok as well and they were as helpful as they could be when there were several customers in the store. I'll visit again for succulents when I need them.", "timestamp": "2016-06-11T23:23:56" }, { "business_id": "Z8Ogntx3BWTvzxOFJnL5xA", "business_name": "Concetta's Italian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd like to rave about the service first. Our server was just wonderful! She was attentive, so eager to please, and so very kind. My daughter and I had lunch here with my 18 month old granddaughter. We were chatting with our server when we were ordering from our menus and conversation got around to how picky eaters little ones can be. My daughter mentioned how obsessed the toddler is with veges especially tomatoes, which she seems to not get enough of. And to our surprise, out came a plate of little halved cherry tomatoes as an appetizer for the munchkin, and we never ordered it. It was such an unusually thoughtful gesture from our server. The food was average. We both had sides of Caesar salad and the dressing was above average and slightly sweet. The chicken Marsala was tasty with the chicken slightly overdone but not bad. The tortellini was above average but the tuna melt was average. Not bad. The house, which is the restaurant, is old, charming, typical for the region here in St Charles.", "timestamp": "2016-06-17T17:59:46" }, { "business_id": "cKexlyJCUdZ_aKhptHZnTQ", "business_name": "Flowers & Weeds", "rating": 4, "text": "Nice array of air plants, a lot of succulent arrangements. I loved looking at the propagating succulents they have on display. Not a bad array of cacti, and there are a few impressively sized jade plants. I did not go outside to the other plants. Instead, I came here for succulents.", "timestamp": "2016-07-17T15:42:19" }, { "business_id": "q5dSzxE6grwCzu23_PlesA", "business_name": "Nobu's Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best Japanese restaurants, if not the best in St. Louis. This restaurant was featured in an article in the Riverfront times a few years ago as one of the top three sushi places in this town, and I concur. The sushi is very fresh and definitely well rolled, well seasoned, and just a joy to savor. The a la carte menu features extremely tasty katsu, the best donburi in the entire region, and appetizers to satisfy any palette.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T17:45:40" }, { "business_id": "_nqrmx5xKLQyrbmjhwiiuA", "business_name": "The Catbird Seat", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply amazing. This was not dinner. It was an experience, and one to cherish forever. Chef Ryan Poli and his team were astounding, the menu and meal could only have been created by a genius and executed by a team so spectacular in how cohesively they worked to orchestrate such a fabulous meal. The pairings were out of this world.", "timestamp": "2016-07-29T04:58:34" }, { "business_id": "HKS-63JzfR0DMNVLBuokYw", "business_name": "Mission Taco Joint - Delmar Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "\"Give a girl a taco, and she'd love you forever\". These tacos here are not diamonds, as those little rocks are famed as the best friends of us girls, but these tacos really made my eyes sparkle. We tried the shrimp, portobello, duck, carne, mofu tofu and chicken, and we really couldn't decide which was the best, as they all shone. The guacamole was fresh and tasty, the empanadas were splendid with layers of flavor bursting on the tongue as soon as the food hits the mouth. I think it's because they were stuffed with their fabulous corn. The sides of rice (exploding with cilantro flavor and not as simple as one would think), and street corn (probably their best kept secret) did not really accompany the tacos we ate. Instead, they were almost main dishes in their own right. Seriously, the street corn was to die for. The garnishes of the tacos were colorful, and offered superb texture, and layers of flavor, but the true star of the show was the fact that these little tortillas, which held together these little gastronomic wonders they call tacos, are made here at the restaurant, and they look it. None of that commercially made and bought tortillas for this place! The tortilla chips made from the same tortillas were outstanding. The salsa, also made here, bursts with that smoked flavor which just caresses the palate, making each bite a joy. My companion was smart to give this girl a taco.", "timestamp": "2016-08-09T00:08:59" }, { "business_id": "GC_pZfQOAFBtHmqjYr_9HQ", "business_name": "China #1", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to place for Chinese in this area. They're fast, reasonable, polite, and the food is very tasty. Lots of Chinese places serve greasy, usually tasteless food, and the secret of knowing a good Chinese restaurant is the flavor of its fried rice, but this place actually has food that is above average in its flavor. My favorite is the Lo mein and the mei fun, which is a dish of fried thin rice vermicelli fried. I'll keep coming back, that's for sure. Update: I simply keep returning.", "timestamp": "2016-09-01T19:36:35" } ]	{ "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis. I've been here so many times but had never reviewed it, and I'd say that it's about time that I did. Ambience is casual, sometimes it could get loud when crowded, which is mostly what it is. Fast and efficient service, food is fantastic, and I keep returning over and over again. I am taking my time to go through the entire menu of dishes here, but my favorites are the fried rice dishes, the chao dishes (rice soups) and obviously, the pho dishes. Just be warned, those who use artificial sweeteners, they only have the \"yellow\" variety. Highly recommended. The seafood with charred rice special is always the special on the board at the maitre d' stand, and I have to say that I enjoy it every time u come here. Succulent shrimp, scallops, imitation crab, calamari, mushrooms and snow peas are served with a lovely brown sauce, sizzling away in a very hot clay pot, and is a dish I highly recommend.", "timestamp": "2016-09-03T18:08:20" }
wp-uX1pnNjAIDBNnQxz1ZQ	[ { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me three whole hours to get to a table because the line was so long. The food was fabulous enough for me to have called ahead several times to have it to go because the wait is ridiculously long. However, if you want good barbecue, which is what all these other people want, I suppose the wait is well worth it. There's no fuss with the food, and the sauces are legendary.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:26:45" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "Well seasoned salads, and the calzone choices were with unusual and sometimes (meagerly) filled with somewhat exotic (if you're not used to ricotta and figs in your calzone), but the filling flavor of the calzones work well, allowing for an unexpected harmonious marriage of taste which seem to explode on the tongue. In attempt to be chic á la Claytonian style, the plates on which the food was served have an unusual wave, which would cause cutlery to fall off of them, or even on the floor when one would lay the silverware down on them, which became a source of irritation during the meal. And I was not the only diner who had muttered under her breath about it. Still, not a bad experience that I may or may not revisit some day.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:53:58" }, { "business_id": "A1suinq7EcpyM06JIe7iOA", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 5, "text": "I've eaten off of their food truck three times, and once at their restaurant. Obviously I like their food immensely or I wouldn't be a repeat offender. My daughter had an encore to her servings of the corn dog because she exclaimed that it was the best she had ever had. My young granddaughter enjoyed the mild chicken adobo, while I attacked the flying pig and lumpia on site at their restaurant. Regardless of what anyone would choose off their menus, the food is excellent.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T21:10:22" }, { "business_id": "24_GowpZ79St53rpxsKqsQ", "business_name": "P'sghetti's Pasta & Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "We were hungry, shopping all morning long, and decided to stop by here, for the very first time, and we were not disappointed. The spaghetti was cooked al dente, the meat sauce was tasty, my baby granddaughter demolished two ravioli from a side dish of it ordered for her, the meatballs were of good consistency, not hard or overdone at all. The garlic bread was well toasted, and service was fast and friendly. We even ordered some to take home with us. I know we will return when we are in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-11-07T21:14:35" }, { "business_id": "1elddy31XiqFPVrvvd9QiQ", "business_name": "Which Wich", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm not a fan of sandwiches, but I eat them if I have to. My daughter decided that this was where we were going to have lunch today, and I relented. To my very pleasant surprise, I loved my lunch! The ordering process was so easy and the menu options were huge. I picked crab and artichoke under the heading for seafood and piled my sandwich high with bacon, egg and lots of veges. I picked their house chips and was not disappointed at all. My daughter had the Monte Cristo, which is a sandwich which has neat, cheese and powdered sugar, and she told me that this sandwich is the only reason why she comes here. Move over, all other sandwich joints! I know I'll be back here for more.", "timestamp": "2015-11-08T20:35:26" }, { "business_id": "-q4YqKsWJY6NtkQdnNeL1Q", "business_name": "The Barn", "rating": 3, "text": "The sitting area was cramped, the service was at a pitiful snail's pace as it seemed as if our server was really more interested in doing everything else but serve us. The barn Browns, their version of hashed potatoes, was seriously half raw. Their strata was not bad, chopped salad had great presentation but the salad dressing was lacking in flavor. The biscuits and gravy was very tasty. Not very impressed with this place.", "timestamp": "2015-11-13T00:02:51" }, { "business_id": "3Ym00dQ_oqZ0zunGMLhX3Q", "business_name": "Prasino", "rating": 4, "text": "Very cozy ambience, sophisticatedly warm and chic decor. The wine list is impressive, with very good selections both American and imported. It is obvious that whomever came up with the selection of wine really knows his or her stuff. There's even homemade sangria on offering, and the cocktails found on the menu are not the usual boring, run of the mill choices. If you want to seriously enjoy a few good specialty drinks, this is the place for it. The greens in the beet salad were complimented by the tart beets, sweet oranges and candied nuts, the Mexican soup with meatballs was tasty. The skewers of beef with tsatziki sauce were remarkably tender and perfectly offset by the sauce. The sandwich with the lamb was refreshingly bursting with flavor, the lamb thinly sliced to offer the ultimate experience the mouth could savor. The sauce on the toasted bread was spicy, yet managed to heighten the flavor of the lamb. The salt and pepper chips were simply the best I've ever had in a restaurant. The sandwich with chicken was made with pesto, mozzarella and perfectly seasoned breast of chicken, which was not surprisingly dry at all. The potato side dish chosen to accompany it was extremely flavorful, moist, with just the right bite and tenderness to them, a gastronomic feat in itself. Service was crisp, professional, friendly and prompt. All in all, a more than pleasant experience was had here. I would have awarded this restaurant 4.5 stars if yelp would allow for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-01T22:53:57" }, { "business_id": "xxvgV_6FrRzXPhpT8EWXUg", "business_name": "Tucanos Brazilian Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "My second time here, I distinctly recall the first being better. Lots of meat on skewers paraded from table to table, including tiny grilled chicken hearts (too sinewy for my liking), mango fish (this is heavenly mango flavored battered whitefish), and a vast salad buffet with side dishes. OK for a meal, come hungry.", "timestamp": "2015-12-14T22:13:25" }, { "business_id": "MBlCqWTahlqG6e0re21Mow", "business_name": "Frederick's Steakhouse & Pizzeria", "rating": 1, "text": "Let it be known that families with very little children will have to seat their tots on laps or risk them on adult chairs because they do not have high chairs or kids' menus. We walked out almost immediately, feeling very disappointed since this is not a family friendly restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-12-16T22:18:03" }, { "business_id": "lpfrjbjIWC0BNZThaSDMLw", "business_name": "Simply Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here so many times before and all I can say is the food is really good. A hidden gem in Florissant, it has the best Panang curry around. Haven't been to their sister restaurant yet, but I can't seem to want to move on when I am always so satisfied with their fare here.", "timestamp": "2015-12-21T00:17:29" }, { "business_id": "AZw33EfufAZde7EWH58q2Q", "business_name": "WH Clayton", "rating": 2, "text": "Obnoxiously loud and I couldn't tell who was louder, the televisions or the crowd on a Saturday afternoon. Service was not the greatest, and it's no wonder our server brought us diet cokes when we ordered regular; he obviously cannot hear us correctly over the din. The food was variable, depending on what it was. The dressing for the Caesar salad was actually very good, and I am hard to please. The asparagus and shrimp risotto paled in comparison with the taste of the salad. It was bland. The loaded Mac and cheese was average in flavor. We could not wait to get out of there because of the level of noise. If the food were scrumptious, we would overlook the noise and return, but this will not be the case.", "timestamp": "2016-01-16T22:22:11" }, { "business_id": "xhPOB5sj4qXyMY1mnC646A", "business_name": "MaTaNe Japanese Dining", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my second time coming here, the first time was 1.5 years ago. Salad dressing was tangy and crunchy, sushi rolls, depending on who rolled them, would either fall apart or hold together. The rice bowls and fried rice dishes were very well seasoned, miso soup slightly lacking in explosion of flavor, but overall it was not too bad.", "timestamp": "2016-01-30T23:15:05" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Chinese restaurant in the entire region. I grew up in Southeast Asia and KNOW Asian food. Their food is genuinely Chinese, not the Americanized type of Chinese food many Chinese places tend to \"dumb\" themselves down to. Lots of Chinese people come here, which shows that their food is authentic. Their dim sum is the best and even though I don't like to base my reviews on fried rice, theirs is about the tastiest in St. Louis. The proprietors are friendly as well. I've been coming here for the last 16 years and have never been disappointed.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T19:16:03" }, { "business_id": "4FjJzcc-AzXQIs6W-Hz-kQ", "business_name": "Ramen Tei", "rating": 3, "text": "Not as tasty as I had hoped for everything to be, since I had been looking forward to coming here for weeks. We had the miso ramen which was average. The broth could have been better with seasoning. The khao soi was very spicy and above average in taste. The chap chae was a little on the under seasoned side as well. Service was at first not too good but improved. I don't think I'll fight traffic to come back here again though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-12T00:36:53" }, { "business_id": "yg8OzI6hKoWWkaeDBF3bpg", "business_name": "Steak ’n Shake", "rating": 3, "text": "The typical S&S, with the typical menu offered, this place is sufficient for the little village in Maryland Heights. It gets busy here especially the drive through, but I wouldn't expect any less from this establishment.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T19:16:05" }, { "business_id": "07tT34LEBj1xVgLRk4L8qw", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been to this location multiple times and am finally giving it my review. For this establishment, it is not too bad for its service and quality of food. I do not particularly like reviewing chains but I'll make an exception for Pasta House, since out of all chains I've been to, this one seems to be not too bad after all. One of my usual dishes from this place is the linguine with clam sauce, which is actually surprisingly good for a chain. I like their house salad and always fill up on it with the big plate of it before I start on my entree. If I keep returning, it means I'm ok with this place. I'll keep coming back for the sake of convenience at times.", "timestamp": "2016-02-16T21:29:40" }, { "business_id": "t4Xg0j6xTJLph5Tb1VaMOw", "business_name": "The Butterfly House", "rating": 5, "text": "A wonderful place to be for the family to spend some quality time together. The butterflies today were so active wild because it was warm outside. So much fun to see them flying around, but we have to remember not to touch them or you will hurt their delicate wings or legs. A little pricey, but well worth it for education purposes. We even watched a butterfly hatching from its cocoon. A must for families and children, big or small.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:12:02" }, { "business_id": "-NF_wBObzf5IdLzWyea7XA", "business_name": "St Louis Carousel", "rating": 5, "text": "A perfectly old carousel with music accompaniment by a traditional giant music box. Each ride costs $2 a pop, even for a toddler, but the ride lasts longer than most I've ever been on. A treat for the family, the smiles plastered on everyone's faces are enough to verify how much fun this ride is. Just remember, the horses on the outermost circle of the ride do not move.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:17:17" }, { "business_id": "X8hwEPRoRcLjbKVlVt1b1g", "business_name": "Saint Louis Zoo", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best attractions for a visitor to encounter in St. Louis, the zoo is free except for a few attractions where tickets are warranted. However, since zoo is free, I do not think it is unreasonable for anybody to purchase tickets for stops such as the petting zoo and the insect house. Also a great place for families to spend time at, and for children to enjoy themselves discovering nature. Free attractions are hard to come by, so taking advantage of the Saint Louis zoo is a must. This is one of the gems of St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T21:33:02" }, { "business_id": "gSLWjGwRqXSq5HzsoP183g", "business_name": "Schneithorst Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Chicken schnitzel, Wiener schnitzel, pork schnitzel, all three types available here, were savored by us today. To start off, we had the potato pancakes, pub chips and the toddler had the kids' grilled cheese. I ordered the sausage platter and stroganoff to go fr someone else. The food is, quite simply put in German, herrlich, which means heavenly. This is the second time my family and I are having a meal here, and since we have returned, obviously the food is really good. The potato pancakes were stunning with the preserves, all three schnitzels were cooked to perfection. The steak fries which came with the kids' meal was probably the best I've ever had, and I'm not a fan of steak fries at all. The spaetzle which accompanied the schnitzels was cheesy, soft and very tasty. Red cabbage was a little strong with flavor of red wine but set off the meat so well that I truly wasn't too bothered by it in the end. The pub chips were well fried and did not have any lingering grease on them at all. We shall keep returning. Obviously, since we already have.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T22:35:35" }, { "business_id": "O1qaxqOGOmGThf2Mn_CjgA", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "Typical Pasta House with the food. This is our 4th time here. I usually order the salad and linguine with red clams, and I did again today, to go. To eat in house, I had the seafood pastas and I don't regret it at all. I know I'll be looking for it again. Service was very cheerful, and our server just simply loaded us up with rolls. Our toddler loves her boiled ravioli, and ate to get heart's content. The rest of us loved our meals. The one nice thing was that we had an out-of-towner who had never been to a Pasta House, and she liked her meal. Obviously, I will come back again.", "timestamp": "2016-03-10T19:28:13" }, { "business_id": "7TGY8EXD3nOheCnack7YLQ", "business_name": "Sweet Tomatoes", "rating": 3, "text": "There was a time when my family and I would have dinner at Sweet Tomatoes about once a week, but we had since stopped several years ago as the quality had just down trended drastically. Today was the first time I decided to give it a try again, and I recall once again why we stopped coming here. It's ridiculously expensive to pay for raw veges and limp salad and a tiny array of breads, soups and pastas. It's the end of this rad for me here. The Sweet-ness had long turned almost sour.", "timestamp": "2016-03-24T20:45:33" }, { "business_id": "w8tS6xq3k3lmySn-L3FrEw", "business_name": "St. Louis Bubble Tea", "rating": 5, "text": "I've always been to the location at the Loop and this is my first time at this location. Disappointment on my orders in that the noodle soups that I really wanted were unavailable, namely the beef stew noodle soup, which is usually to die for, and anything vermicelli. However, the beef stir fry noodles are really good too, and they have amongst the best spring rolls around. As for their drinks, you can't go wrong with anything ordered. My favorite will always be the ginger milk tea. Without boba. :)", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:27:38" }, { "business_id": "AtQLrRpQan7UtJcIAo9hsA", "business_name": "Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Café", "rating": 5, "text": "I ordered a custom cake with red velvet and carrot, side by side. I'll keep ordering my custom cakes here. This one was for Ben, one of the charge nurses I work with, who has resigned to concentrate fully on school to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Beautifully made cake.", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:29:48" }, { "business_id": "TGHxU9bjU4vPpAqOdD0Eew", "business_name": "Big Woody's BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The pork steak simply falls off the bone, brisket and pulled chicken almost melts in the mouth. Their home made barbecue and other dipping sauces are as close to heaven as you can get. This jewel tucked away in St Charles is a secret that needs to be let out of the bag! This may be one of the BEST barbecue joints in the entire St Louis region. I know where I'm coming next time I want barbecue. I can't help it. I keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-05-28T23:56:42" }, { "business_id": "YagBnM_WpABtV3Ti3q26mQ", "business_name": "Garden Heights Nursery", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd driven by this nursery so many times but only decided to go today because I am planning to collect succulents, and searches for nurseries which sell succulents always resulted with this one being one of the top choices. They have an ok choice of succulents. Service was pretty ok as well and they were as helpful as they could be when there were several customers in the store. I'll visit again for succulents when I need them.", "timestamp": "2016-06-11T23:23:56" }, { "business_id": "Z8Ogntx3BWTvzxOFJnL5xA", "business_name": "Concetta's Italian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd like to rave about the service first. Our server was just wonderful! She was attentive, so eager to please, and so very kind. My daughter and I had lunch here with my 18 month old granddaughter. We were chatting with our server when we were ordering from our menus and conversation got around to how picky eaters little ones can be. My daughter mentioned how obsessed the toddler is with veges especially tomatoes, which she seems to not get enough of. And to our surprise, out came a plate of little halved cherry tomatoes as an appetizer for the munchkin, and we never ordered it. It was such an unusually thoughtful gesture from our server. The food was average. We both had sides of Caesar salad and the dressing was above average and slightly sweet. The chicken Marsala was tasty with the chicken slightly overdone but not bad. The tortellini was above average but the tuna melt was average. Not bad. The house, which is the restaurant, is old, charming, typical for the region here in St Charles.", "timestamp": "2016-06-17T17:59:46" }, { "business_id": "cKexlyJCUdZ_aKhptHZnTQ", "business_name": "Flowers & Weeds", "rating": 4, "text": "Nice array of air plants, a lot of succulent arrangements. I loved looking at the propagating succulents they have on display. Not a bad array of cacti, and there are a few impressively sized jade plants. I did not go outside to the other plants. Instead, I came here for succulents.", "timestamp": "2016-07-17T15:42:19" }, { "business_id": "q5dSzxE6grwCzu23_PlesA", "business_name": "Nobu's Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best Japanese restaurants, if not the best in St. Louis. This restaurant was featured in an article in the Riverfront times a few years ago as one of the top three sushi places in this town, and I concur. The sushi is very fresh and definitely well rolled, well seasoned, and just a joy to savor. The a la carte menu features extremely tasty katsu, the best donburi in the entire region, and appetizers to satisfy any palette.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T17:45:40" }, { "business_id": "_nqrmx5xKLQyrbmjhwiiuA", "business_name": "The Catbird Seat", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply amazing. This was not dinner. It was an experience, and one to cherish forever. Chef Ryan Poli and his team were astounding, the menu and meal could only have been created by a genius and executed by a team so spectacular in how cohesively they worked to orchestrate such a fabulous meal. The pairings were out of this world.", "timestamp": "2016-07-29T04:58:34" }, { "business_id": "HKS-63JzfR0DMNVLBuokYw", "business_name": "Mission Taco Joint - Delmar Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "\"Give a girl a taco, and she'd love you forever\". These tacos here are not diamonds, as those little rocks are famed as the best friends of us girls, but these tacos really made my eyes sparkle. We tried the shrimp, portobello, duck, carne, mofu tofu and chicken, and we really couldn't decide which was the best, as they all shone. The guacamole was fresh and tasty, the empanadas were splendid with layers of flavor bursting on the tongue as soon as the food hits the mouth. I think it's because they were stuffed with their fabulous corn. The sides of rice (exploding with cilantro flavor and not as simple as one would think), and street corn (probably their best kept secret) did not really accompany the tacos we ate. Instead, they were almost main dishes in their own right. Seriously, the street corn was to die for. The garnishes of the tacos were colorful, and offered superb texture, and layers of flavor, but the true star of the show was the fact that these little tortillas, which held together these little gastronomic wonders they call tacos, are made here at the restaurant, and they look it. None of that commercially made and bought tortillas for this place! The tortilla chips made from the same tortillas were outstanding. The salsa, also made here, bursts with that smoked flavor which just caresses the palate, making each bite a joy. My companion was smart to give this girl a taco.", "timestamp": "2016-08-09T00:08:59" }, { "business_id": "GC_pZfQOAFBtHmqjYr_9HQ", "business_name": "China #1", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to place for Chinese in this area. They're fast, reasonable, polite, and the food is very tasty. Lots of Chinese places serve greasy, usually tasteless food, and the secret of knowing a good Chinese restaurant is the flavor of its fried rice, but this place actually has food that is above average in its flavor. My favorite is the Lo mein and the mei fun, which is a dish of fried thin rice vermicelli fried. I'll keep coming back, that's for sure. Update: I simply keep returning.", "timestamp": "2016-09-01T19:36:35" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis. I've been here so many times but had never reviewed it, and I'd say that it's about time that I did. Ambience is casual, sometimes it could get loud when crowded, which is mostly what it is. Fast and efficient service, food is fantastic, and I keep returning over and over again. I am taking my time to go through the entire menu of dishes here, but my favorites are the fried rice dishes, the chao dishes (rice soups) and obviously, the pho dishes. Just be warned, those who use artificial sweeteners, they only have the \"yellow\" variety. Highly recommended. The seafood with charred rice special is always the special on the board at the maitre d' stand, and I have to say that I enjoy it every time u come here. Succulent shrimp, scallops, imitation crab, calamari, mushrooms and snow peas are served with a lovely brown sauce, sizzling away in a very hot clay pot, and is a dish I highly recommend.", "timestamp": "2016-09-03T18:08:20" } ]	{ "business_id": "RZWy7iy0X-AkOiUIXiKhYw", "business_name": "Elephant Bar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Disappointment met us with the overall experience this time around. We have been here many times before but today, much was left to be desired. We ordered fries as an afterthought and ten minutes later, it arrived cold. We did not complain, as it is not our custom to. The mojito was unusual as it had coconut in it. Otherwise, the rest of the food was very average. Our server kept forgetting to bring our orders, and mind you, we have had amongst the best servers in St. Louis here in the past. Let's hope that our future experiences will be better.", "timestamp": "2017-03-21T00:24:10" }
wp-uX1pnNjAIDBNnQxz1ZQ	[ { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me three whole hours to get to a table because the line was so long. The food was fabulous enough for me to have called ahead several times to have it to go because the wait is ridiculously long. However, if you want good barbecue, which is what all these other people want, I suppose the wait is well worth it. There's no fuss with the food, and the sauces are legendary.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:26:45" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "Well seasoned salads, and the calzone choices were with unusual and sometimes (meagerly) filled with somewhat exotic (if you're not used to ricotta and figs in your calzone), but the filling flavor of the calzones work well, allowing for an unexpected harmonious marriage of taste which seem to explode on the tongue. In attempt to be chic á la Claytonian style, the plates on which the food was served have an unusual wave, which would cause cutlery to fall off of them, or even on the floor when one would lay the silverware down on them, which became a source of irritation during the meal. And I was not the only diner who had muttered under her breath about it. Still, not a bad experience that I may or may not revisit some day.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:53:58" }, { "business_id": "A1suinq7EcpyM06JIe7iOA", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 5, "text": "I've eaten off of their food truck three times, and once at their restaurant. Obviously I like their food immensely or I wouldn't be a repeat offender. My daughter had an encore to her servings of the corn dog because she exclaimed that it was the best she had ever had. My young granddaughter enjoyed the mild chicken adobo, while I attacked the flying pig and lumpia on site at their restaurant. Regardless of what anyone would choose off their menus, the food is excellent.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T21:10:22" }, { "business_id": "24_GowpZ79St53rpxsKqsQ", "business_name": "P'sghetti's Pasta & Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "We were hungry, shopping all morning long, and decided to stop by here, for the very first time, and we were not disappointed. The spaghetti was cooked al dente, the meat sauce was tasty, my baby granddaughter demolished two ravioli from a side dish of it ordered for her, the meatballs were of good consistency, not hard or overdone at all. The garlic bread was well toasted, and service was fast and friendly. We even ordered some to take home with us. I know we will return when we are in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-11-07T21:14:35" }, { "business_id": "1elddy31XiqFPVrvvd9QiQ", "business_name": "Which Wich", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm not a fan of sandwiches, but I eat them if I have to. My daughter decided that this was where we were going to have lunch today, and I relented. To my very pleasant surprise, I loved my lunch! The ordering process was so easy and the menu options were huge. I picked crab and artichoke under the heading for seafood and piled my sandwich high with bacon, egg and lots of veges. I picked their house chips and was not disappointed at all. My daughter had the Monte Cristo, which is a sandwich which has neat, cheese and powdered sugar, and she told me that this sandwich is the only reason why she comes here. Move over, all other sandwich joints! I know I'll be back here for more.", "timestamp": "2015-11-08T20:35:26" }, { "business_id": "-q4YqKsWJY6NtkQdnNeL1Q", "business_name": "The Barn", "rating": 3, "text": "The sitting area was cramped, the service was at a pitiful snail's pace as it seemed as if our server was really more interested in doing everything else but serve us. The barn Browns, their version of hashed potatoes, was seriously half raw. Their strata was not bad, chopped salad had great presentation but the salad dressing was lacking in flavor. The biscuits and gravy was very tasty. Not very impressed with this place.", "timestamp": "2015-11-13T00:02:51" }, { "business_id": "3Ym00dQ_oqZ0zunGMLhX3Q", "business_name": "Prasino", "rating": 4, "text": "Very cozy ambience, sophisticatedly warm and chic decor. The wine list is impressive, with very good selections both American and imported. It is obvious that whomever came up with the selection of wine really knows his or her stuff. There's even homemade sangria on offering, and the cocktails found on the menu are not the usual boring, run of the mill choices. If you want to seriously enjoy a few good specialty drinks, this is the place for it. The greens in the beet salad were complimented by the tart beets, sweet oranges and candied nuts, the Mexican soup with meatballs was tasty. The skewers of beef with tsatziki sauce were remarkably tender and perfectly offset by the sauce. The sandwich with the lamb was refreshingly bursting with flavor, the lamb thinly sliced to offer the ultimate experience the mouth could savor. The sauce on the toasted bread was spicy, yet managed to heighten the flavor of the lamb. The salt and pepper chips were simply the best I've ever had in a restaurant. The sandwich with chicken was made with pesto, mozzarella and perfectly seasoned breast of chicken, which was not surprisingly dry at all. The potato side dish chosen to accompany it was extremely flavorful, moist, with just the right bite and tenderness to them, a gastronomic feat in itself. Service was crisp, professional, friendly and prompt. All in all, a more than pleasant experience was had here. I would have awarded this restaurant 4.5 stars if yelp would allow for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-01T22:53:57" }, { "business_id": "xxvgV_6FrRzXPhpT8EWXUg", "business_name": "Tucanos Brazilian Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "My second time here, I distinctly recall the first being better. Lots of meat on skewers paraded from table to table, including tiny grilled chicken hearts (too sinewy for my liking), mango fish (this is heavenly mango flavored battered whitefish), and a vast salad buffet with side dishes. OK for a meal, come hungry.", "timestamp": "2015-12-14T22:13:25" }, { "business_id": "MBlCqWTahlqG6e0re21Mow", "business_name": "Frederick's Steakhouse & Pizzeria", "rating": 1, "text": "Let it be known that families with very little children will have to seat their tots on laps or risk them on adult chairs because they do not have high chairs or kids' menus. We walked out almost immediately, feeling very disappointed since this is not a family friendly restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-12-16T22:18:03" }, { "business_id": "lpfrjbjIWC0BNZThaSDMLw", "business_name": "Simply Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here so many times before and all I can say is the food is really good. A hidden gem in Florissant, it has the best Panang curry around. Haven't been to their sister restaurant yet, but I can't seem to want to move on when I am always so satisfied with their fare here.", "timestamp": "2015-12-21T00:17:29" }, { "business_id": "AZw33EfufAZde7EWH58q2Q", "business_name": "WH Clayton", "rating": 2, "text": "Obnoxiously loud and I couldn't tell who was louder, the televisions or the crowd on a Saturday afternoon. Service was not the greatest, and it's no wonder our server brought us diet cokes when we ordered regular; he obviously cannot hear us correctly over the din. The food was variable, depending on what it was. The dressing for the Caesar salad was actually very good, and I am hard to please. The asparagus and shrimp risotto paled in comparison with the taste of the salad. It was bland. The loaded Mac and cheese was average in flavor. We could not wait to get out of there because of the level of noise. If the food were scrumptious, we would overlook the noise and return, but this will not be the case.", "timestamp": "2016-01-16T22:22:11" }, { "business_id": "xhPOB5sj4qXyMY1mnC646A", "business_name": "MaTaNe Japanese Dining", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my second time coming here, the first time was 1.5 years ago. Salad dressing was tangy and crunchy, sushi rolls, depending on who rolled them, would either fall apart or hold together. The rice bowls and fried rice dishes were very well seasoned, miso soup slightly lacking in explosion of flavor, but overall it was not too bad.", "timestamp": "2016-01-30T23:15:05" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Chinese restaurant in the entire region. I grew up in Southeast Asia and KNOW Asian food. Their food is genuinely Chinese, not the Americanized type of Chinese food many Chinese places tend to \"dumb\" themselves down to. Lots of Chinese people come here, which shows that their food is authentic. Their dim sum is the best and even though I don't like to base my reviews on fried rice, theirs is about the tastiest in St. Louis. The proprietors are friendly as well. I've been coming here for the last 16 years and have never been disappointed.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T19:16:03" }, { "business_id": "4FjJzcc-AzXQIs6W-Hz-kQ", "business_name": "Ramen Tei", "rating": 3, "text": "Not as tasty as I had hoped for everything to be, since I had been looking forward to coming here for weeks. We had the miso ramen which was average. The broth could have been better with seasoning. The khao soi was very spicy and above average in taste. The chap chae was a little on the under seasoned side as well. Service was at first not too good but improved. I don't think I'll fight traffic to come back here again though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-12T00:36:53" }, { "business_id": "yg8OzI6hKoWWkaeDBF3bpg", "business_name": "Steak ’n Shake", "rating": 3, "text": "The typical S&S, with the typical menu offered, this place is sufficient for the little village in Maryland Heights. It gets busy here especially the drive through, but I wouldn't expect any less from this establishment.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T19:16:05" }, { "business_id": "07tT34LEBj1xVgLRk4L8qw", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been to this location multiple times and am finally giving it my review. For this establishment, it is not too bad for its service and quality of food. I do not particularly like reviewing chains but I'll make an exception for Pasta House, since out of all chains I've been to, this one seems to be not too bad after all. One of my usual dishes from this place is the linguine with clam sauce, which is actually surprisingly good for a chain. I like their house salad and always fill up on it with the big plate of it before I start on my entree. If I keep returning, it means I'm ok with this place. I'll keep coming back for the sake of convenience at times.", "timestamp": "2016-02-16T21:29:40" }, { "business_id": "t4Xg0j6xTJLph5Tb1VaMOw", "business_name": "The Butterfly House", "rating": 5, "text": "A wonderful place to be for the family to spend some quality time together. The butterflies today were so active wild because it was warm outside. So much fun to see them flying around, but we have to remember not to touch them or you will hurt their delicate wings or legs. A little pricey, but well worth it for education purposes. We even watched a butterfly hatching from its cocoon. A must for families and children, big or small.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:12:02" }, { "business_id": "-NF_wBObzf5IdLzWyea7XA", "business_name": "St Louis Carousel", "rating": 5, "text": "A perfectly old carousel with music accompaniment by a traditional giant music box. Each ride costs $2 a pop, even for a toddler, but the ride lasts longer than most I've ever been on. A treat for the family, the smiles plastered on everyone's faces are enough to verify how much fun this ride is. Just remember, the horses on the outermost circle of the ride do not move.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:17:17" }, { "business_id": "X8hwEPRoRcLjbKVlVt1b1g", "business_name": "Saint Louis Zoo", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best attractions for a visitor to encounter in St. Louis, the zoo is free except for a few attractions where tickets are warranted. However, since zoo is free, I do not think it is unreasonable for anybody to purchase tickets for stops such as the petting zoo and the insect house. Also a great place for families to spend time at, and for children to enjoy themselves discovering nature. Free attractions are hard to come by, so taking advantage of the Saint Louis zoo is a must. This is one of the gems of St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T21:33:02" }, { "business_id": "gSLWjGwRqXSq5HzsoP183g", "business_name": "Schneithorst Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Chicken schnitzel, Wiener schnitzel, pork schnitzel, all three types available here, were savored by us today. To start off, we had the potato pancakes, pub chips and the toddler had the kids' grilled cheese. I ordered the sausage platter and stroganoff to go fr someone else. The food is, quite simply put in German, herrlich, which means heavenly. This is the second time my family and I are having a meal here, and since we have returned, obviously the food is really good. The potato pancakes were stunning with the preserves, all three schnitzels were cooked to perfection. The steak fries which came with the kids' meal was probably the best I've ever had, and I'm not a fan of steak fries at all. The spaetzle which accompanied the schnitzels was cheesy, soft and very tasty. Red cabbage was a little strong with flavor of red wine but set off the meat so well that I truly wasn't too bothered by it in the end. The pub chips were well fried and did not have any lingering grease on them at all. We shall keep returning. Obviously, since we already have.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T22:35:35" }, { "business_id": "O1qaxqOGOmGThf2Mn_CjgA", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "Typical Pasta House with the food. This is our 4th time here. I usually order the salad and linguine with red clams, and I did again today, to go. To eat in house, I had the seafood pastas and I don't regret it at all. I know I'll be looking for it again. Service was very cheerful, and our server just simply loaded us up with rolls. Our toddler loves her boiled ravioli, and ate to get heart's content. The rest of us loved our meals. The one nice thing was that we had an out-of-towner who had never been to a Pasta House, and she liked her meal. Obviously, I will come back again.", "timestamp": "2016-03-10T19:28:13" }, { "business_id": "7TGY8EXD3nOheCnack7YLQ", "business_name": "Sweet Tomatoes", "rating": 3, "text": "There was a time when my family and I would have dinner at Sweet Tomatoes about once a week, but we had since stopped several years ago as the quality had just down trended drastically. Today was the first time I decided to give it a try again, and I recall once again why we stopped coming here. It's ridiculously expensive to pay for raw veges and limp salad and a tiny array of breads, soups and pastas. It's the end of this rad for me here. The Sweet-ness had long turned almost sour.", "timestamp": "2016-03-24T20:45:33" }, { "business_id": "w8tS6xq3k3lmySn-L3FrEw", "business_name": "St. Louis Bubble Tea", "rating": 5, "text": "I've always been to the location at the Loop and this is my first time at this location. Disappointment on my orders in that the noodle soups that I really wanted were unavailable, namely the beef stew noodle soup, which is usually to die for, and anything vermicelli. However, the beef stir fry noodles are really good too, and they have amongst the best spring rolls around. As for their drinks, you can't go wrong with anything ordered. My favorite will always be the ginger milk tea. Without boba. :)", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:27:38" }, { "business_id": "AtQLrRpQan7UtJcIAo9hsA", "business_name": "Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Café", "rating": 5, "text": "I ordered a custom cake with red velvet and carrot, side by side. I'll keep ordering my custom cakes here. This one was for Ben, one of the charge nurses I work with, who has resigned to concentrate fully on school to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Beautifully made cake.", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:29:48" }, { "business_id": "TGHxU9bjU4vPpAqOdD0Eew", "business_name": "Big Woody's BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The pork steak simply falls off the bone, brisket and pulled chicken almost melts in the mouth. Their home made barbecue and other dipping sauces are as close to heaven as you can get. This jewel tucked away in St Charles is a secret that needs to be let out of the bag! This may be one of the BEST barbecue joints in the entire St Louis region. I know where I'm coming next time I want barbecue. I can't help it. I keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-05-28T23:56:42" }, { "business_id": "YagBnM_WpABtV3Ti3q26mQ", "business_name": "Garden Heights Nursery", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd driven by this nursery so many times but only decided to go today because I am planning to collect succulents, and searches for nurseries which sell succulents always resulted with this one being one of the top choices. They have an ok choice of succulents. Service was pretty ok as well and they were as helpful as they could be when there were several customers in the store. I'll visit again for succulents when I need them.", "timestamp": "2016-06-11T23:23:56" }, { "business_id": "Z8Ogntx3BWTvzxOFJnL5xA", "business_name": "Concetta's Italian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd like to rave about the service first. Our server was just wonderful! She was attentive, so eager to please, and so very kind. My daughter and I had lunch here with my 18 month old granddaughter. We were chatting with our server when we were ordering from our menus and conversation got around to how picky eaters little ones can be. My daughter mentioned how obsessed the toddler is with veges especially tomatoes, which she seems to not get enough of. And to our surprise, out came a plate of little halved cherry tomatoes as an appetizer for the munchkin, and we never ordered it. It was such an unusually thoughtful gesture from our server. The food was average. We both had sides of Caesar salad and the dressing was above average and slightly sweet. The chicken Marsala was tasty with the chicken slightly overdone but not bad. The tortellini was above average but the tuna melt was average. Not bad. The house, which is the restaurant, is old, charming, typical for the region here in St Charles.", "timestamp": "2016-06-17T17:59:46" }, { "business_id": "cKexlyJCUdZ_aKhptHZnTQ", "business_name": "Flowers & Weeds", "rating": 4, "text": "Nice array of air plants, a lot of succulent arrangements. I loved looking at the propagating succulents they have on display. Not a bad array of cacti, and there are a few impressively sized jade plants. I did not go outside to the other plants. Instead, I came here for succulents.", "timestamp": "2016-07-17T15:42:19" }, { "business_id": "q5dSzxE6grwCzu23_PlesA", "business_name": "Nobu's Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best Japanese restaurants, if not the best in St. Louis. This restaurant was featured in an article in the Riverfront times a few years ago as one of the top three sushi places in this town, and I concur. The sushi is very fresh and definitely well rolled, well seasoned, and just a joy to savor. The a la carte menu features extremely tasty katsu, the best donburi in the entire region, and appetizers to satisfy any palette.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T17:45:40" }, { "business_id": "_nqrmx5xKLQyrbmjhwiiuA", "business_name": "The Catbird Seat", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply amazing. This was not dinner. It was an experience, and one to cherish forever. Chef Ryan Poli and his team were astounding, the menu and meal could only have been created by a genius and executed by a team so spectacular in how cohesively they worked to orchestrate such a fabulous meal. The pairings were out of this world.", "timestamp": "2016-07-29T04:58:34" }, { "business_id": "HKS-63JzfR0DMNVLBuokYw", "business_name": "Mission Taco Joint - Delmar Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "\"Give a girl a taco, and she'd love you forever\". These tacos here are not diamonds, as those little rocks are famed as the best friends of us girls, but these tacos really made my eyes sparkle. We tried the shrimp, portobello, duck, carne, mofu tofu and chicken, and we really couldn't decide which was the best, as they all shone. The guacamole was fresh and tasty, the empanadas were splendid with layers of flavor bursting on the tongue as soon as the food hits the mouth. I think it's because they were stuffed with their fabulous corn. The sides of rice (exploding with cilantro flavor and not as simple as one would think), and street corn (probably their best kept secret) did not really accompany the tacos we ate. Instead, they were almost main dishes in their own right. Seriously, the street corn was to die for. The garnishes of the tacos were colorful, and offered superb texture, and layers of flavor, but the true star of the show was the fact that these little tortillas, which held together these little gastronomic wonders they call tacos, are made here at the restaurant, and they look it. None of that commercially made and bought tortillas for this place! The tortilla chips made from the same tortillas were outstanding. The salsa, also made here, bursts with that smoked flavor which just caresses the palate, making each bite a joy. My companion was smart to give this girl a taco.", "timestamp": "2016-08-09T00:08:59" }, { "business_id": "GC_pZfQOAFBtHmqjYr_9HQ", "business_name": "China #1", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to place for Chinese in this area. They're fast, reasonable, polite, and the food is very tasty. Lots of Chinese places serve greasy, usually tasteless food, and the secret of knowing a good Chinese restaurant is the flavor of its fried rice, but this place actually has food that is above average in its flavor. My favorite is the Lo mein and the mei fun, which is a dish of fried thin rice vermicelli fried. I'll keep coming back, that's for sure. Update: I simply keep returning.", "timestamp": "2016-09-01T19:36:35" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis. I've been here so many times but had never reviewed it, and I'd say that it's about time that I did. Ambience is casual, sometimes it could get loud when crowded, which is mostly what it is. Fast and efficient service, food is fantastic, and I keep returning over and over again. I am taking my time to go through the entire menu of dishes here, but my favorites are the fried rice dishes, the chao dishes (rice soups) and obviously, the pho dishes. Just be warned, those who use artificial sweeteners, they only have the \"yellow\" variety. Highly recommended. The seafood with charred rice special is always the special on the board at the maitre d' stand, and I have to say that I enjoy it every time u come here. Succulent shrimp, scallops, imitation crab, calamari, mushrooms and snow peas are served with a lovely brown sauce, sizzling away in a very hot clay pot, and is a dish I highly recommend.", "timestamp": "2016-09-03T18:08:20" }, { "business_id": "RZWy7iy0X-AkOiUIXiKhYw", "business_name": "Elephant Bar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Disappointment met us with the overall experience this time around. We have been here many times before but today, much was left to be desired. We ordered fries as an afterthought and ten minutes later, it arrived cold. We did not complain, as it is not our custom to. The mojito was unusual as it had coconut in it. Otherwise, the rest of the food was very average. Our server kept forgetting to bring our orders, and mind you, we have had amongst the best servers in St. Louis here in the past. Let's hope that our future experiences will be better.", "timestamp": "2017-03-21T00:24:10" } ]	{ "business_id": "-6jVwUuXC1-dyr2YRCEU6Q", "business_name": "Anis Hyderabad Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here three times and I like the food, which is superbly tasty. Savor the best bryani in town. It is very heartening to note that many Indians actually flock here to eat, especially the younger crowd. The only thing I'm a little disappointed in is the fast food aura that this restaurant lends to the ambience, but it should not deter one who is out to grab a much more than decent Hyderabadi meal in a city with many Indian restaurants to choose from. I keep returning here to pick up my to go orders, and even though there are two other Indian restaurants very close to where I live, I drive the 15 minutes to get here for the best Indian cuisine in town. They're fast, very courteous, and serve genuinely delicious food. Interesting that they offer Vietnamese and Chinese on their menu as well, and I'll admit I've never tried those before, but it makes perfect sense that they offer this as halal prep for those who fancy it for religious purpose, since I know of no Vietnamese or Chinese restaurants to be halal.", "timestamp": "2017-03-29T19:42:53" }
wp-uX1pnNjAIDBNnQxz1ZQ	[ { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me three whole hours to get to a table because the line was so long. The food was fabulous enough for me to have called ahead several times to have it to go because the wait is ridiculously long. However, if you want good barbecue, which is what all these other people want, I suppose the wait is well worth it. There's no fuss with the food, and the sauces are legendary.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:26:45" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "Well seasoned salads, and the calzone choices were with unusual and sometimes (meagerly) filled with somewhat exotic (if you're not used to ricotta and figs in your calzone), but the filling flavor of the calzones work well, allowing for an unexpected harmonious marriage of taste which seem to explode on the tongue. In attempt to be chic á la Claytonian style, the plates on which the food was served have an unusual wave, which would cause cutlery to fall off of them, or even on the floor when one would lay the silverware down on them, which became a source of irritation during the meal. And I was not the only diner who had muttered under her breath about it. Still, not a bad experience that I may or may not revisit some day.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:53:58" }, { "business_id": "A1suinq7EcpyM06JIe7iOA", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 5, "text": "I've eaten off of their food truck three times, and once at their restaurant. Obviously I like their food immensely or I wouldn't be a repeat offender. My daughter had an encore to her servings of the corn dog because she exclaimed that it was the best she had ever had. My young granddaughter enjoyed the mild chicken adobo, while I attacked the flying pig and lumpia on site at their restaurant. Regardless of what anyone would choose off their menus, the food is excellent.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T21:10:22" }, { "business_id": "24_GowpZ79St53rpxsKqsQ", "business_name": "P'sghetti's Pasta & Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "We were hungry, shopping all morning long, and decided to stop by here, for the very first time, and we were not disappointed. The spaghetti was cooked al dente, the meat sauce was tasty, my baby granddaughter demolished two ravioli from a side dish of it ordered for her, the meatballs were of good consistency, not hard or overdone at all. The garlic bread was well toasted, and service was fast and friendly. We even ordered some to take home with us. I know we will return when we are in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-11-07T21:14:35" }, { "business_id": "1elddy31XiqFPVrvvd9QiQ", "business_name": "Which Wich", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm not a fan of sandwiches, but I eat them if I have to. My daughter decided that this was where we were going to have lunch today, and I relented. To my very pleasant surprise, I loved my lunch! The ordering process was so easy and the menu options were huge. I picked crab and artichoke under the heading for seafood and piled my sandwich high with bacon, egg and lots of veges. I picked their house chips and was not disappointed at all. My daughter had the Monte Cristo, which is a sandwich which has neat, cheese and powdered sugar, and she told me that this sandwich is the only reason why she comes here. Move over, all other sandwich joints! I know I'll be back here for more.", "timestamp": "2015-11-08T20:35:26" }, { "business_id": "-q4YqKsWJY6NtkQdnNeL1Q", "business_name": "The Barn", "rating": 3, "text": "The sitting area was cramped, the service was at a pitiful snail's pace as it seemed as if our server was really more interested in doing everything else but serve us. The barn Browns, their version of hashed potatoes, was seriously half raw. Their strata was not bad, chopped salad had great presentation but the salad dressing was lacking in flavor. The biscuits and gravy was very tasty. Not very impressed with this place.", "timestamp": "2015-11-13T00:02:51" }, { "business_id": "3Ym00dQ_oqZ0zunGMLhX3Q", "business_name": "Prasino", "rating": 4, "text": "Very cozy ambience, sophisticatedly warm and chic decor. The wine list is impressive, with very good selections both American and imported. It is obvious that whomever came up with the selection of wine really knows his or her stuff. There's even homemade sangria on offering, and the cocktails found on the menu are not the usual boring, run of the mill choices. If you want to seriously enjoy a few good specialty drinks, this is the place for it. The greens in the beet salad were complimented by the tart beets, sweet oranges and candied nuts, the Mexican soup with meatballs was tasty. The skewers of beef with tsatziki sauce were remarkably tender and perfectly offset by the sauce. The sandwich with the lamb was refreshingly bursting with flavor, the lamb thinly sliced to offer the ultimate experience the mouth could savor. The sauce on the toasted bread was spicy, yet managed to heighten the flavor of the lamb. The salt and pepper chips were simply the best I've ever had in a restaurant. The sandwich with chicken was made with pesto, mozzarella and perfectly seasoned breast of chicken, which was not surprisingly dry at all. The potato side dish chosen to accompany it was extremely flavorful, moist, with just the right bite and tenderness to them, a gastronomic feat in itself. Service was crisp, professional, friendly and prompt. All in all, a more than pleasant experience was had here. I would have awarded this restaurant 4.5 stars if yelp would allow for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-01T22:53:57" }, { "business_id": "xxvgV_6FrRzXPhpT8EWXUg", "business_name": "Tucanos Brazilian Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "My second time here, I distinctly recall the first being better. Lots of meat on skewers paraded from table to table, including tiny grilled chicken hearts (too sinewy for my liking), mango fish (this is heavenly mango flavored battered whitefish), and a vast salad buffet with side dishes. OK for a meal, come hungry.", "timestamp": "2015-12-14T22:13:25" }, { "business_id": "MBlCqWTahlqG6e0re21Mow", "business_name": "Frederick's Steakhouse & Pizzeria", "rating": 1, "text": "Let it be known that families with very little children will have to seat their tots on laps or risk them on adult chairs because they do not have high chairs or kids' menus. We walked out almost immediately, feeling very disappointed since this is not a family friendly restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-12-16T22:18:03" }, { "business_id": "lpfrjbjIWC0BNZThaSDMLw", "business_name": "Simply Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here so many times before and all I can say is the food is really good. A hidden gem in Florissant, it has the best Panang curry around. Haven't been to their sister restaurant yet, but I can't seem to want to move on when I am always so satisfied with their fare here.", "timestamp": "2015-12-21T00:17:29" }, { "business_id": "AZw33EfufAZde7EWH58q2Q", "business_name": "WH Clayton", "rating": 2, "text": "Obnoxiously loud and I couldn't tell who was louder, the televisions or the crowd on a Saturday afternoon. Service was not the greatest, and it's no wonder our server brought us diet cokes when we ordered regular; he obviously cannot hear us correctly over the din. The food was variable, depending on what it was. The dressing for the Caesar salad was actually very good, and I am hard to please. The asparagus and shrimp risotto paled in comparison with the taste of the salad. It was bland. The loaded Mac and cheese was average in flavor. We could not wait to get out of there because of the level of noise. If the food were scrumptious, we would overlook the noise and return, but this will not be the case.", "timestamp": "2016-01-16T22:22:11" }, { "business_id": "xhPOB5sj4qXyMY1mnC646A", "business_name": "MaTaNe Japanese Dining", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my second time coming here, the first time was 1.5 years ago. Salad dressing was tangy and crunchy, sushi rolls, depending on who rolled them, would either fall apart or hold together. The rice bowls and fried rice dishes were very well seasoned, miso soup slightly lacking in explosion of flavor, but overall it was not too bad.", "timestamp": "2016-01-30T23:15:05" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Chinese restaurant in the entire region. I grew up in Southeast Asia and KNOW Asian food. Their food is genuinely Chinese, not the Americanized type of Chinese food many Chinese places tend to \"dumb\" themselves down to. Lots of Chinese people come here, which shows that their food is authentic. Their dim sum is the best and even though I don't like to base my reviews on fried rice, theirs is about the tastiest in St. Louis. The proprietors are friendly as well. I've been coming here for the last 16 years and have never been disappointed.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T19:16:03" }, { "business_id": "4FjJzcc-AzXQIs6W-Hz-kQ", "business_name": "Ramen Tei", "rating": 3, "text": "Not as tasty as I had hoped for everything to be, since I had been looking forward to coming here for weeks. We had the miso ramen which was average. The broth could have been better with seasoning. The khao soi was very spicy and above average in taste. The chap chae was a little on the under seasoned side as well. Service was at first not too good but improved. I don't think I'll fight traffic to come back here again though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-12T00:36:53" }, { "business_id": "yg8OzI6hKoWWkaeDBF3bpg", "business_name": "Steak ’n Shake", "rating": 3, "text": "The typical S&S, with the typical menu offered, this place is sufficient for the little village in Maryland Heights. It gets busy here especially the drive through, but I wouldn't expect any less from this establishment.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T19:16:05" }, { "business_id": "07tT34LEBj1xVgLRk4L8qw", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been to this location multiple times and am finally giving it my review. For this establishment, it is not too bad for its service and quality of food. I do not particularly like reviewing chains but I'll make an exception for Pasta House, since out of all chains I've been to, this one seems to be not too bad after all. One of my usual dishes from this place is the linguine with clam sauce, which is actually surprisingly good for a chain. I like their house salad and always fill up on it with the big plate of it before I start on my entree. If I keep returning, it means I'm ok with this place. I'll keep coming back for the sake of convenience at times.", "timestamp": "2016-02-16T21:29:40" }, { "business_id": "t4Xg0j6xTJLph5Tb1VaMOw", "business_name": "The Butterfly House", "rating": 5, "text": "A wonderful place to be for the family to spend some quality time together. The butterflies today were so active wild because it was warm outside. So much fun to see them flying around, but we have to remember not to touch them or you will hurt their delicate wings or legs. A little pricey, but well worth it for education purposes. We even watched a butterfly hatching from its cocoon. A must for families and children, big or small.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:12:02" }, { "business_id": "-NF_wBObzf5IdLzWyea7XA", "business_name": "St Louis Carousel", "rating": 5, "text": "A perfectly old carousel with music accompaniment by a traditional giant music box. Each ride costs $2 a pop, even for a toddler, but the ride lasts longer than most I've ever been on. A treat for the family, the smiles plastered on everyone's faces are enough to verify how much fun this ride is. Just remember, the horses on the outermost circle of the ride do not move.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:17:17" }, { "business_id": "X8hwEPRoRcLjbKVlVt1b1g", "business_name": "Saint Louis Zoo", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best attractions for a visitor to encounter in St. Louis, the zoo is free except for a few attractions where tickets are warranted. However, since zoo is free, I do not think it is unreasonable for anybody to purchase tickets for stops such as the petting zoo and the insect house. Also a great place for families to spend time at, and for children to enjoy themselves discovering nature. Free attractions are hard to come by, so taking advantage of the Saint Louis zoo is a must. This is one of the gems of St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T21:33:02" }, { "business_id": "gSLWjGwRqXSq5HzsoP183g", "business_name": "Schneithorst Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Chicken schnitzel, Wiener schnitzel, pork schnitzel, all three types available here, were savored by us today. To start off, we had the potato pancakes, pub chips and the toddler had the kids' grilled cheese. I ordered the sausage platter and stroganoff to go fr someone else. The food is, quite simply put in German, herrlich, which means heavenly. This is the second time my family and I are having a meal here, and since we have returned, obviously the food is really good. The potato pancakes were stunning with the preserves, all three schnitzels were cooked to perfection. The steak fries which came with the kids' meal was probably the best I've ever had, and I'm not a fan of steak fries at all. The spaetzle which accompanied the schnitzels was cheesy, soft and very tasty. Red cabbage was a little strong with flavor of red wine but set off the meat so well that I truly wasn't too bothered by it in the end. The pub chips were well fried and did not have any lingering grease on them at all. We shall keep returning. Obviously, since we already have.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T22:35:35" }, { "business_id": "O1qaxqOGOmGThf2Mn_CjgA", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "Typical Pasta House with the food. This is our 4th time here. I usually order the salad and linguine with red clams, and I did again today, to go. To eat in house, I had the seafood pastas and I don't regret it at all. I know I'll be looking for it again. Service was very cheerful, and our server just simply loaded us up with rolls. Our toddler loves her boiled ravioli, and ate to get heart's content. The rest of us loved our meals. The one nice thing was that we had an out-of-towner who had never been to a Pasta House, and she liked her meal. Obviously, I will come back again.", "timestamp": "2016-03-10T19:28:13" }, { "business_id": "7TGY8EXD3nOheCnack7YLQ", "business_name": "Sweet Tomatoes", "rating": 3, "text": "There was a time when my family and I would have dinner at Sweet Tomatoes about once a week, but we had since stopped several years ago as the quality had just down trended drastically. Today was the first time I decided to give it a try again, and I recall once again why we stopped coming here. It's ridiculously expensive to pay for raw veges and limp salad and a tiny array of breads, soups and pastas. It's the end of this rad for me here. The Sweet-ness had long turned almost sour.", "timestamp": "2016-03-24T20:45:33" }, { "business_id": "w8tS6xq3k3lmySn-L3FrEw", "business_name": "St. Louis Bubble Tea", "rating": 5, "text": "I've always been to the location at the Loop and this is my first time at this location. Disappointment on my orders in that the noodle soups that I really wanted were unavailable, namely the beef stew noodle soup, which is usually to die for, and anything vermicelli. However, the beef stir fry noodles are really good too, and they have amongst the best spring rolls around. As for their drinks, you can't go wrong with anything ordered. My favorite will always be the ginger milk tea. Without boba. :)", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:27:38" }, { "business_id": "AtQLrRpQan7UtJcIAo9hsA", "business_name": "Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Café", "rating": 5, "text": "I ordered a custom cake with red velvet and carrot, side by side. I'll keep ordering my custom cakes here. This one was for Ben, one of the charge nurses I work with, who has resigned to concentrate fully on school to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Beautifully made cake.", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:29:48" }, { "business_id": "TGHxU9bjU4vPpAqOdD0Eew", "business_name": "Big Woody's BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The pork steak simply falls off the bone, brisket and pulled chicken almost melts in the mouth. Their home made barbecue and other dipping sauces are as close to heaven as you can get. This jewel tucked away in St Charles is a secret that needs to be let out of the bag! This may be one of the BEST barbecue joints in the entire St Louis region. I know where I'm coming next time I want barbecue. I can't help it. I keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-05-28T23:56:42" }, { "business_id": "YagBnM_WpABtV3Ti3q26mQ", "business_name": "Garden Heights Nursery", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd driven by this nursery so many times but only decided to go today because I am planning to collect succulents, and searches for nurseries which sell succulents always resulted with this one being one of the top choices. They have an ok choice of succulents. Service was pretty ok as well and they were as helpful as they could be when there were several customers in the store. I'll visit again for succulents when I need them.", "timestamp": "2016-06-11T23:23:56" }, { "business_id": "Z8Ogntx3BWTvzxOFJnL5xA", "business_name": "Concetta's Italian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd like to rave about the service first. Our server was just wonderful! She was attentive, so eager to please, and so very kind. My daughter and I had lunch here with my 18 month old granddaughter. We were chatting with our server when we were ordering from our menus and conversation got around to how picky eaters little ones can be. My daughter mentioned how obsessed the toddler is with veges especially tomatoes, which she seems to not get enough of. And to our surprise, out came a plate of little halved cherry tomatoes as an appetizer for the munchkin, and we never ordered it. It was such an unusually thoughtful gesture from our server. The food was average. We both had sides of Caesar salad and the dressing was above average and slightly sweet. The chicken Marsala was tasty with the chicken slightly overdone but not bad. The tortellini was above average but the tuna melt was average. Not bad. The house, which is the restaurant, is old, charming, typical for the region here in St Charles.", "timestamp": "2016-06-17T17:59:46" }, { "business_id": "cKexlyJCUdZ_aKhptHZnTQ", "business_name": "Flowers & Weeds", "rating": 4, "text": "Nice array of air plants, a lot of succulent arrangements. I loved looking at the propagating succulents they have on display. Not a bad array of cacti, and there are a few impressively sized jade plants. I did not go outside to the other plants. Instead, I came here for succulents.", "timestamp": "2016-07-17T15:42:19" }, { "business_id": "q5dSzxE6grwCzu23_PlesA", "business_name": "Nobu's Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best Japanese restaurants, if not the best in St. Louis. This restaurant was featured in an article in the Riverfront times a few years ago as one of the top three sushi places in this town, and I concur. The sushi is very fresh and definitely well rolled, well seasoned, and just a joy to savor. The a la carte menu features extremely tasty katsu, the best donburi in the entire region, and appetizers to satisfy any palette.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T17:45:40" }, { "business_id": "_nqrmx5xKLQyrbmjhwiiuA", "business_name": "The Catbird Seat", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply amazing. This was not dinner. It was an experience, and one to cherish forever. Chef Ryan Poli and his team were astounding, the menu and meal could only have been created by a genius and executed by a team so spectacular in how cohesively they worked to orchestrate such a fabulous meal. The pairings were out of this world.", "timestamp": "2016-07-29T04:58:34" }, { "business_id": "HKS-63JzfR0DMNVLBuokYw", "business_name": "Mission Taco Joint - Delmar Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "\"Give a girl a taco, and she'd love you forever\". These tacos here are not diamonds, as those little rocks are famed as the best friends of us girls, but these tacos really made my eyes sparkle. We tried the shrimp, portobello, duck, carne, mofu tofu and chicken, and we really couldn't decide which was the best, as they all shone. The guacamole was fresh and tasty, the empanadas were splendid with layers of flavor bursting on the tongue as soon as the food hits the mouth. I think it's because they were stuffed with their fabulous corn. The sides of rice (exploding with cilantro flavor and not as simple as one would think), and street corn (probably their best kept secret) did not really accompany the tacos we ate. Instead, they were almost main dishes in their own right. Seriously, the street corn was to die for. The garnishes of the tacos were colorful, and offered superb texture, and layers of flavor, but the true star of the show was the fact that these little tortillas, which held together these little gastronomic wonders they call tacos, are made here at the restaurant, and they look it. None of that commercially made and bought tortillas for this place! The tortilla chips made from the same tortillas were outstanding. The salsa, also made here, bursts with that smoked flavor which just caresses the palate, making each bite a joy. My companion was smart to give this girl a taco.", "timestamp": "2016-08-09T00:08:59" }, { "business_id": "GC_pZfQOAFBtHmqjYr_9HQ", "business_name": "China #1", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to place for Chinese in this area. They're fast, reasonable, polite, and the food is very tasty. Lots of Chinese places serve greasy, usually tasteless food, and the secret of knowing a good Chinese restaurant is the flavor of its fried rice, but this place actually has food that is above average in its flavor. My favorite is the Lo mein and the mei fun, which is a dish of fried thin rice vermicelli fried. I'll keep coming back, that's for sure. Update: I simply keep returning.", "timestamp": "2016-09-01T19:36:35" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis. I've been here so many times but had never reviewed it, and I'd say that it's about time that I did. Ambience is casual, sometimes it could get loud when crowded, which is mostly what it is. Fast and efficient service, food is fantastic, and I keep returning over and over again. I am taking my time to go through the entire menu of dishes here, but my favorites are the fried rice dishes, the chao dishes (rice soups) and obviously, the pho dishes. Just be warned, those who use artificial sweeteners, they only have the \"yellow\" variety. Highly recommended. The seafood with charred rice special is always the special on the board at the maitre d' stand, and I have to say that I enjoy it every time u come here. Succulent shrimp, scallops, imitation crab, calamari, mushrooms and snow peas are served with a lovely brown sauce, sizzling away in a very hot clay pot, and is a dish I highly recommend.", "timestamp": "2016-09-03T18:08:20" }, { "business_id": "RZWy7iy0X-AkOiUIXiKhYw", "business_name": "Elephant Bar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Disappointment met us with the overall experience this time around. We have been here many times before but today, much was left to be desired. We ordered fries as an afterthought and ten minutes later, it arrived cold. We did not complain, as it is not our custom to. The mojito was unusual as it had coconut in it. Otherwise, the rest of the food was very average. Our server kept forgetting to bring our orders, and mind you, we have had amongst the best servers in St. Louis here in the past. Let's hope that our future experiences will be better.", "timestamp": "2017-03-21T00:24:10" }, { "business_id": "-6jVwUuXC1-dyr2YRCEU6Q", "business_name": "Anis Hyderabad Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here three times and I like the food, which is superbly tasty. Savor the best bryani in town. It is very heartening to note that many Indians actually flock here to eat, especially the younger crowd. The only thing I'm a little disappointed in is the fast food aura that this restaurant lends to the ambience, but it should not deter one who is out to grab a much more than decent Hyderabadi meal in a city with many Indian restaurants to choose from. I keep returning here to pick up my to go orders, and even though there are two other Indian restaurants very close to where I live, I drive the 15 minutes to get here for the best Indian cuisine in town. They're fast, very courteous, and serve genuinely delicious food. Interesting that they offer Vietnamese and Chinese on their menu as well, and I'll admit I've never tried those before, but it makes perfect sense that they offer this as halal prep for those who fancy it for religious purpose, since I know of no Vietnamese or Chinese restaurants to be halal.", "timestamp": "2017-03-29T19:42:53" } ]	{ "business_id": "EF_9W5s9lFSjv4forNxwng", "business_name": "Tai Ke Shabu Shabu", "rating": 5, "text": "Is the cuisine really genuine? Honestly, yes it really is! Imagine my excitement when I read other Yelpers' reviews about this Taiwanese restaurant, and since I was brought up in Southeast Asia and know authentic Asian food well, my thrill about the food here soared to unbeatable heights when I walked into its modest dining area, sat down and was treated to an unforgettable experience. The decor isn't much to boast about, but the cool thing that I noticed on one of the walls was the display of a few menu items written in Chinese characters, one of which is no longer served here, but once was when the establishment first opened. I spoke with the owner and he said that the famous Taiwanese oyster omelette is not easy to have on the menu because oysters are difficult to keep fresh, and he truly cared about using only the best and finest ingredients for his dishes. Score. My daughter and I enjoyed a meal of stir fried beef and egg noodles, with special seasoned hard boiled eggs (these are dark because they are cooked in a special rich broth which enhances the flavor of the egg, a dish I savored as s child), and calamari stew mung bean soup, which simply exploded with flavor. I also enjoyed a can of soy bean milk drink with my meal, which obviously isn't made by the establishment, but it's the drink of my choice when I eat authentic Chinese food. Definitely one of the best culinary experiences I've ever had in this town. I'm not even a famous chef or food critic. Yet I was treated like one. This second time I was here, we had sizzling beef, clay pot three cup tofu, and basil stir fried clams. We also had the legendary gua bao. The food is just tremendous!! An update to my review: At last I get to come back here again! My third time, and I know it won't be the last, for sure. The food is just to die for, what more can I say?", "timestamp": "2017-04-04T18:21:26" }
wp-uX1pnNjAIDBNnQxz1ZQ	[ { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me three whole hours to get to a table because the line was so long. The food was fabulous enough for me to have called ahead several times to have it to go because the wait is ridiculously long. However, if you want good barbecue, which is what all these other people want, I suppose the wait is well worth it. There's no fuss with the food, and the sauces are legendary.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:26:45" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "Well seasoned salads, and the calzone choices were with unusual and sometimes (meagerly) filled with somewhat exotic (if you're not used to ricotta and figs in your calzone), but the filling flavor of the calzones work well, allowing for an unexpected harmonious marriage of taste which seem to explode on the tongue. In attempt to be chic á la Claytonian style, the plates on which the food was served have an unusual wave, which would cause cutlery to fall off of them, or even on the floor when one would lay the silverware down on them, which became a source of irritation during the meal. And I was not the only diner who had muttered under her breath about it. Still, not a bad experience that I may or may not revisit some day.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:53:58" }, { "business_id": "A1suinq7EcpyM06JIe7iOA", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 5, "text": "I've eaten off of their food truck three times, and once at their restaurant. Obviously I like their food immensely or I wouldn't be a repeat offender. My daughter had an encore to her servings of the corn dog because she exclaimed that it was the best she had ever had. My young granddaughter enjoyed the mild chicken adobo, while I attacked the flying pig and lumpia on site at their restaurant. Regardless of what anyone would choose off their menus, the food is excellent.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T21:10:22" }, { "business_id": "24_GowpZ79St53rpxsKqsQ", "business_name": "P'sghetti's Pasta & Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "We were hungry, shopping all morning long, and decided to stop by here, for the very first time, and we were not disappointed. The spaghetti was cooked al dente, the meat sauce was tasty, my baby granddaughter demolished two ravioli from a side dish of it ordered for her, the meatballs were of good consistency, not hard or overdone at all. The garlic bread was well toasted, and service was fast and friendly. We even ordered some to take home with us. I know we will return when we are in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-11-07T21:14:35" }, { "business_id": "1elddy31XiqFPVrvvd9QiQ", "business_name": "Which Wich", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm not a fan of sandwiches, but I eat them if I have to. My daughter decided that this was where we were going to have lunch today, and I relented. To my very pleasant surprise, I loved my lunch! The ordering process was so easy and the menu options were huge. I picked crab and artichoke under the heading for seafood and piled my sandwich high with bacon, egg and lots of veges. I picked their house chips and was not disappointed at all. My daughter had the Monte Cristo, which is a sandwich which has neat, cheese and powdered sugar, and she told me that this sandwich is the only reason why she comes here. Move over, all other sandwich joints! I know I'll be back here for more.", "timestamp": "2015-11-08T20:35:26" }, { "business_id": "-q4YqKsWJY6NtkQdnNeL1Q", "business_name": "The Barn", "rating": 3, "text": "The sitting area was cramped, the service was at a pitiful snail's pace as it seemed as if our server was really more interested in doing everything else but serve us. The barn Browns, their version of hashed potatoes, was seriously half raw. Their strata was not bad, chopped salad had great presentation but the salad dressing was lacking in flavor. The biscuits and gravy was very tasty. Not very impressed with this place.", "timestamp": "2015-11-13T00:02:51" }, { "business_id": "3Ym00dQ_oqZ0zunGMLhX3Q", "business_name": "Prasino", "rating": 4, "text": "Very cozy ambience, sophisticatedly warm and chic decor. The wine list is impressive, with very good selections both American and imported. It is obvious that whomever came up with the selection of wine really knows his or her stuff. There's even homemade sangria on offering, and the cocktails found on the menu are not the usual boring, run of the mill choices. If you want to seriously enjoy a few good specialty drinks, this is the place for it. The greens in the beet salad were complimented by the tart beets, sweet oranges and candied nuts, the Mexican soup with meatballs was tasty. The skewers of beef with tsatziki sauce were remarkably tender and perfectly offset by the sauce. The sandwich with the lamb was refreshingly bursting with flavor, the lamb thinly sliced to offer the ultimate experience the mouth could savor. The sauce on the toasted bread was spicy, yet managed to heighten the flavor of the lamb. The salt and pepper chips were simply the best I've ever had in a restaurant. The sandwich with chicken was made with pesto, mozzarella and perfectly seasoned breast of chicken, which was not surprisingly dry at all. The potato side dish chosen to accompany it was extremely flavorful, moist, with just the right bite and tenderness to them, a gastronomic feat in itself. Service was crisp, professional, friendly and prompt. All in all, a more than pleasant experience was had here. I would have awarded this restaurant 4.5 stars if yelp would allow for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-01T22:53:57" }, { "business_id": "xxvgV_6FrRzXPhpT8EWXUg", "business_name": "Tucanos Brazilian Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "My second time here, I distinctly recall the first being better. Lots of meat on skewers paraded from table to table, including tiny grilled chicken hearts (too sinewy for my liking), mango fish (this is heavenly mango flavored battered whitefish), and a vast salad buffet with side dishes. OK for a meal, come hungry.", "timestamp": "2015-12-14T22:13:25" }, { "business_id": "MBlCqWTahlqG6e0re21Mow", "business_name": "Frederick's Steakhouse & Pizzeria", "rating": 1, "text": "Let it be known that families with very little children will have to seat their tots on laps or risk them on adult chairs because they do not have high chairs or kids' menus. We walked out almost immediately, feeling very disappointed since this is not a family friendly restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-12-16T22:18:03" }, { "business_id": "lpfrjbjIWC0BNZThaSDMLw", "business_name": "Simply Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here so many times before and all I can say is the food is really good. A hidden gem in Florissant, it has the best Panang curry around. Haven't been to their sister restaurant yet, but I can't seem to want to move on when I am always so satisfied with their fare here.", "timestamp": "2015-12-21T00:17:29" }, { "business_id": "AZw33EfufAZde7EWH58q2Q", "business_name": "WH Clayton", "rating": 2, "text": "Obnoxiously loud and I couldn't tell who was louder, the televisions or the crowd on a Saturday afternoon. Service was not the greatest, and it's no wonder our server brought us diet cokes when we ordered regular; he obviously cannot hear us correctly over the din. The food was variable, depending on what it was. The dressing for the Caesar salad was actually very good, and I am hard to please. The asparagus and shrimp risotto paled in comparison with the taste of the salad. It was bland. The loaded Mac and cheese was average in flavor. We could not wait to get out of there because of the level of noise. If the food were scrumptious, we would overlook the noise and return, but this will not be the case.", "timestamp": "2016-01-16T22:22:11" }, { "business_id": "xhPOB5sj4qXyMY1mnC646A", "business_name": "MaTaNe Japanese Dining", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my second time coming here, the first time was 1.5 years ago. Salad dressing was tangy and crunchy, sushi rolls, depending on who rolled them, would either fall apart or hold together. The rice bowls and fried rice dishes were very well seasoned, miso soup slightly lacking in explosion of flavor, but overall it was not too bad.", "timestamp": "2016-01-30T23:15:05" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Chinese restaurant in the entire region. I grew up in Southeast Asia and KNOW Asian food. Their food is genuinely Chinese, not the Americanized type of Chinese food many Chinese places tend to \"dumb\" themselves down to. Lots of Chinese people come here, which shows that their food is authentic. Their dim sum is the best and even though I don't like to base my reviews on fried rice, theirs is about the tastiest in St. Louis. The proprietors are friendly as well. I've been coming here for the last 16 years and have never been disappointed.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T19:16:03" }, { "business_id": "4FjJzcc-AzXQIs6W-Hz-kQ", "business_name": "Ramen Tei", "rating": 3, "text": "Not as tasty as I had hoped for everything to be, since I had been looking forward to coming here for weeks. We had the miso ramen which was average. The broth could have been better with seasoning. The khao soi was very spicy and above average in taste. The chap chae was a little on the under seasoned side as well. Service was at first not too good but improved. I don't think I'll fight traffic to come back here again though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-12T00:36:53" }, { "business_id": "yg8OzI6hKoWWkaeDBF3bpg", "business_name": "Steak ’n Shake", "rating": 3, "text": "The typical S&S, with the typical menu offered, this place is sufficient for the little village in Maryland Heights. It gets busy here especially the drive through, but I wouldn't expect any less from this establishment.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T19:16:05" }, { "business_id": "07tT34LEBj1xVgLRk4L8qw", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been to this location multiple times and am finally giving it my review. For this establishment, it is not too bad for its service and quality of food. I do not particularly like reviewing chains but I'll make an exception for Pasta House, since out of all chains I've been to, this one seems to be not too bad after all. One of my usual dishes from this place is the linguine with clam sauce, which is actually surprisingly good for a chain. I like their house salad and always fill up on it with the big plate of it before I start on my entree. If I keep returning, it means I'm ok with this place. I'll keep coming back for the sake of convenience at times.", "timestamp": "2016-02-16T21:29:40" }, { "business_id": "t4Xg0j6xTJLph5Tb1VaMOw", "business_name": "The Butterfly House", "rating": 5, "text": "A wonderful place to be for the family to spend some quality time together. The butterflies today were so active wild because it was warm outside. So much fun to see them flying around, but we have to remember not to touch them or you will hurt their delicate wings or legs. A little pricey, but well worth it for education purposes. We even watched a butterfly hatching from its cocoon. A must for families and children, big or small.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:12:02" }, { "business_id": "-NF_wBObzf5IdLzWyea7XA", "business_name": "St Louis Carousel", "rating": 5, "text": "A perfectly old carousel with music accompaniment by a traditional giant music box. Each ride costs $2 a pop, even for a toddler, but the ride lasts longer than most I've ever been on. A treat for the family, the smiles plastered on everyone's faces are enough to verify how much fun this ride is. Just remember, the horses on the outermost circle of the ride do not move.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:17:17" }, { "business_id": "X8hwEPRoRcLjbKVlVt1b1g", "business_name": "Saint Louis Zoo", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best attractions for a visitor to encounter in St. Louis, the zoo is free except for a few attractions where tickets are warranted. However, since zoo is free, I do not think it is unreasonable for anybody to purchase tickets for stops such as the petting zoo and the insect house. Also a great place for families to spend time at, and for children to enjoy themselves discovering nature. Free attractions are hard to come by, so taking advantage of the Saint Louis zoo is a must. This is one of the gems of St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T21:33:02" }, { "business_id": "gSLWjGwRqXSq5HzsoP183g", "business_name": "Schneithorst Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Chicken schnitzel, Wiener schnitzel, pork schnitzel, all three types available here, were savored by us today. To start off, we had the potato pancakes, pub chips and the toddler had the kids' grilled cheese. I ordered the sausage platter and stroganoff to go fr someone else. The food is, quite simply put in German, herrlich, which means heavenly. This is the second time my family and I are having a meal here, and since we have returned, obviously the food is really good. The potato pancakes were stunning with the preserves, all three schnitzels were cooked to perfection. The steak fries which came with the kids' meal was probably the best I've ever had, and I'm not a fan of steak fries at all. The spaetzle which accompanied the schnitzels was cheesy, soft and very tasty. Red cabbage was a little strong with flavor of red wine but set off the meat so well that I truly wasn't too bothered by it in the end. The pub chips were well fried and did not have any lingering grease on them at all. We shall keep returning. Obviously, since we already have.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T22:35:35" }, { "business_id": "O1qaxqOGOmGThf2Mn_CjgA", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "Typical Pasta House with the food. This is our 4th time here. I usually order the salad and linguine with red clams, and I did again today, to go. To eat in house, I had the seafood pastas and I don't regret it at all. I know I'll be looking for it again. Service was very cheerful, and our server just simply loaded us up with rolls. Our toddler loves her boiled ravioli, and ate to get heart's content. The rest of us loved our meals. The one nice thing was that we had an out-of-towner who had never been to a Pasta House, and she liked her meal. Obviously, I will come back again.", "timestamp": "2016-03-10T19:28:13" }, { "business_id": "7TGY8EXD3nOheCnack7YLQ", "business_name": "Sweet Tomatoes", "rating": 3, "text": "There was a time when my family and I would have dinner at Sweet Tomatoes about once a week, but we had since stopped several years ago as the quality had just down trended drastically. Today was the first time I decided to give it a try again, and I recall once again why we stopped coming here. It's ridiculously expensive to pay for raw veges and limp salad and a tiny array of breads, soups and pastas. It's the end of this rad for me here. The Sweet-ness had long turned almost sour.", "timestamp": "2016-03-24T20:45:33" }, { "business_id": "w8tS6xq3k3lmySn-L3FrEw", "business_name": "St. Louis Bubble Tea", "rating": 5, "text": "I've always been to the location at the Loop and this is my first time at this location. Disappointment on my orders in that the noodle soups that I really wanted were unavailable, namely the beef stew noodle soup, which is usually to die for, and anything vermicelli. However, the beef stir fry noodles are really good too, and they have amongst the best spring rolls around. As for their drinks, you can't go wrong with anything ordered. My favorite will always be the ginger milk tea. Without boba. :)", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:27:38" }, { "business_id": "AtQLrRpQan7UtJcIAo9hsA", "business_name": "Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Café", "rating": 5, "text": "I ordered a custom cake with red velvet and carrot, side by side. I'll keep ordering my custom cakes here. This one was for Ben, one of the charge nurses I work with, who has resigned to concentrate fully on school to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Beautifully made cake.", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:29:48" }, { "business_id": "TGHxU9bjU4vPpAqOdD0Eew", "business_name": "Big Woody's BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The pork steak simply falls off the bone, brisket and pulled chicken almost melts in the mouth. Their home made barbecue and other dipping sauces are as close to heaven as you can get. This jewel tucked away in St Charles is a secret that needs to be let out of the bag! This may be one of the BEST barbecue joints in the entire St Louis region. I know where I'm coming next time I want barbecue. I can't help it. I keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-05-28T23:56:42" }, { "business_id": "YagBnM_WpABtV3Ti3q26mQ", "business_name": "Garden Heights Nursery", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd driven by this nursery so many times but only decided to go today because I am planning to collect succulents, and searches for nurseries which sell succulents always resulted with this one being one of the top choices. They have an ok choice of succulents. Service was pretty ok as well and they were as helpful as they could be when there were several customers in the store. I'll visit again for succulents when I need them.", "timestamp": "2016-06-11T23:23:56" }, { "business_id": "Z8Ogntx3BWTvzxOFJnL5xA", "business_name": "Concetta's Italian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd like to rave about the service first. Our server was just wonderful! She was attentive, so eager to please, and so very kind. My daughter and I had lunch here with my 18 month old granddaughter. We were chatting with our server when we were ordering from our menus and conversation got around to how picky eaters little ones can be. My daughter mentioned how obsessed the toddler is with veges especially tomatoes, which she seems to not get enough of. And to our surprise, out came a plate of little halved cherry tomatoes as an appetizer for the munchkin, and we never ordered it. It was such an unusually thoughtful gesture from our server. The food was average. We both had sides of Caesar salad and the dressing was above average and slightly sweet. The chicken Marsala was tasty with the chicken slightly overdone but not bad. The tortellini was above average but the tuna melt was average. Not bad. The house, which is the restaurant, is old, charming, typical for the region here in St Charles.", "timestamp": "2016-06-17T17:59:46" }, { "business_id": "cKexlyJCUdZ_aKhptHZnTQ", "business_name": "Flowers & Weeds", "rating": 4, "text": "Nice array of air plants, a lot of succulent arrangements. I loved looking at the propagating succulents they have on display. Not a bad array of cacti, and there are a few impressively sized jade plants. I did not go outside to the other plants. Instead, I came here for succulents.", "timestamp": "2016-07-17T15:42:19" }, { "business_id": "q5dSzxE6grwCzu23_PlesA", "business_name": "Nobu's Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best Japanese restaurants, if not the best in St. Louis. This restaurant was featured in an article in the Riverfront times a few years ago as one of the top three sushi places in this town, and I concur. The sushi is very fresh and definitely well rolled, well seasoned, and just a joy to savor. The a la carte menu features extremely tasty katsu, the best donburi in the entire region, and appetizers to satisfy any palette.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T17:45:40" }, { "business_id": "_nqrmx5xKLQyrbmjhwiiuA", "business_name": "The Catbird Seat", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply amazing. This was not dinner. It was an experience, and one to cherish forever. Chef Ryan Poli and his team were astounding, the menu and meal could only have been created by a genius and executed by a team so spectacular in how cohesively they worked to orchestrate such a fabulous meal. The pairings were out of this world.", "timestamp": "2016-07-29T04:58:34" }, { "business_id": "HKS-63JzfR0DMNVLBuokYw", "business_name": "Mission Taco Joint - Delmar Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "\"Give a girl a taco, and she'd love you forever\". These tacos here are not diamonds, as those little rocks are famed as the best friends of us girls, but these tacos really made my eyes sparkle. We tried the shrimp, portobello, duck, carne, mofu tofu and chicken, and we really couldn't decide which was the best, as they all shone. The guacamole was fresh and tasty, the empanadas were splendid with layers of flavor bursting on the tongue as soon as the food hits the mouth. I think it's because they were stuffed with their fabulous corn. The sides of rice (exploding with cilantro flavor and not as simple as one would think), and street corn (probably their best kept secret) did not really accompany the tacos we ate. Instead, they were almost main dishes in their own right. Seriously, the street corn was to die for. The garnishes of the tacos were colorful, and offered superb texture, and layers of flavor, but the true star of the show was the fact that these little tortillas, which held together these little gastronomic wonders they call tacos, are made here at the restaurant, and they look it. None of that commercially made and bought tortillas for this place! The tortilla chips made from the same tortillas were outstanding. The salsa, also made here, bursts with that smoked flavor which just caresses the palate, making each bite a joy. My companion was smart to give this girl a taco.", "timestamp": "2016-08-09T00:08:59" }, { "business_id": "GC_pZfQOAFBtHmqjYr_9HQ", "business_name": "China #1", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to place for Chinese in this area. They're fast, reasonable, polite, and the food is very tasty. Lots of Chinese places serve greasy, usually tasteless food, and the secret of knowing a good Chinese restaurant is the flavor of its fried rice, but this place actually has food that is above average in its flavor. My favorite is the Lo mein and the mei fun, which is a dish of fried thin rice vermicelli fried. I'll keep coming back, that's for sure. Update: I simply keep returning.", "timestamp": "2016-09-01T19:36:35" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis. I've been here so many times but had never reviewed it, and I'd say that it's about time that I did. Ambience is casual, sometimes it could get loud when crowded, which is mostly what it is. Fast and efficient service, food is fantastic, and I keep returning over and over again. I am taking my time to go through the entire menu of dishes here, but my favorites are the fried rice dishes, the chao dishes (rice soups) and obviously, the pho dishes. Just be warned, those who use artificial sweeteners, they only have the \"yellow\" variety. Highly recommended. The seafood with charred rice special is always the special on the board at the maitre d' stand, and I have to say that I enjoy it every time u come here. Succulent shrimp, scallops, imitation crab, calamari, mushrooms and snow peas are served with a lovely brown sauce, sizzling away in a very hot clay pot, and is a dish I highly recommend.", "timestamp": "2016-09-03T18:08:20" }, { "business_id": "RZWy7iy0X-AkOiUIXiKhYw", "business_name": "Elephant Bar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Disappointment met us with the overall experience this time around. We have been here many times before but today, much was left to be desired. We ordered fries as an afterthought and ten minutes later, it arrived cold. We did not complain, as it is not our custom to. The mojito was unusual as it had coconut in it. Otherwise, the rest of the food was very average. Our server kept forgetting to bring our orders, and mind you, we have had amongst the best servers in St. Louis here in the past. Let's hope that our future experiences will be better.", "timestamp": "2017-03-21T00:24:10" }, { "business_id": "-6jVwUuXC1-dyr2YRCEU6Q", "business_name": "Anis Hyderabad Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here three times and I like the food, which is superbly tasty. Savor the best bryani in town. It is very heartening to note that many Indians actually flock here to eat, especially the younger crowd. The only thing I'm a little disappointed in is the fast food aura that this restaurant lends to the ambience, but it should not deter one who is out to grab a much more than decent Hyderabadi meal in a city with many Indian restaurants to choose from. I keep returning here to pick up my to go orders, and even though there are two other Indian restaurants very close to where I live, I drive the 15 minutes to get here for the best Indian cuisine in town. They're fast, very courteous, and serve genuinely delicious food. Interesting that they offer Vietnamese and Chinese on their menu as well, and I'll admit I've never tried those before, but it makes perfect sense that they offer this as halal prep for those who fancy it for religious purpose, since I know of no Vietnamese or Chinese restaurants to be halal.", "timestamp": "2017-03-29T19:42:53" }, { "business_id": "EF_9W5s9lFSjv4forNxwng", "business_name": "Tai Ke Shabu Shabu", "rating": 5, "text": "Is the cuisine really genuine? Honestly, yes it really is! Imagine my excitement when I read other Yelpers' reviews about this Taiwanese restaurant, and since I was brought up in Southeast Asia and know authentic Asian food well, my thrill about the food here soared to unbeatable heights when I walked into its modest dining area, sat down and was treated to an unforgettable experience. The decor isn't much to boast about, but the cool thing that I noticed on one of the walls was the display of a few menu items written in Chinese characters, one of which is no longer served here, but once was when the establishment first opened. I spoke with the owner and he said that the famous Taiwanese oyster omelette is not easy to have on the menu because oysters are difficult to keep fresh, and he truly cared about using only the best and finest ingredients for his dishes. Score. My daughter and I enjoyed a meal of stir fried beef and egg noodles, with special seasoned hard boiled eggs (these are dark because they are cooked in a special rich broth which enhances the flavor of the egg, a dish I savored as s child), and calamari stew mung bean soup, which simply exploded with flavor. I also enjoyed a can of soy bean milk drink with my meal, which obviously isn't made by the establishment, but it's the drink of my choice when I eat authentic Chinese food. Definitely one of the best culinary experiences I've ever had in this town. I'm not even a famous chef or food critic. Yet I was treated like one. This second time I was here, we had sizzling beef, clay pot three cup tofu, and basil stir fried clams. We also had the legendary gua bao. The food is just tremendous!! An update to my review: At last I get to come back here again! My third time, and I know it won't be the last, for sure. The food is just to die for, what more can I say?", "timestamp": "2017-04-04T18:21:26" } ]	{ "business_id": "ATO_GTUMSEYBZn0v1cqg0g", "business_name": "Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the eighth time I've been to this establishment, the sixth time since it moved here from its original location from somewhere in St Charles, I believe. I still keep returning and I know it will not be the last time, for sure. My daughter, who is not too fond of seafood, likes coming here for either the tuna or salmon. I love the jambalaya (I never fail to order it to go for my next meal, every single time I'm here), and every time, I order something else off the menu for my in-restaurant meal. This time around, I wanted to simply enjoy the uncomplicated and yet oh-so-satisfying Cajun-styled seafood dump, and was not disappointed. By the way, their corn muffins are about the best that I've had, and I don't normally even like corn muffins.... I know I'll be back again sometime this year.", "timestamp": "2017-05-13T20:20:08" }
wp-uX1pnNjAIDBNnQxz1ZQ	[ { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me three whole hours to get to a table because the line was so long. The food was fabulous enough for me to have called ahead several times to have it to go because the wait is ridiculously long. However, if you want good barbecue, which is what all these other people want, I suppose the wait is well worth it. There's no fuss with the food, and the sauces are legendary.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:26:45" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "Well seasoned salads, and the calzone choices were with unusual and sometimes (meagerly) filled with somewhat exotic (if you're not used to ricotta and figs in your calzone), but the filling flavor of the calzones work well, allowing for an unexpected harmonious marriage of taste which seem to explode on the tongue. In attempt to be chic á la Claytonian style, the plates on which the food was served have an unusual wave, which would cause cutlery to fall off of them, or even on the floor when one would lay the silverware down on them, which became a source of irritation during the meal. And I was not the only diner who had muttered under her breath about it. Still, not a bad experience that I may or may not revisit some day.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:53:58" }, { "business_id": "A1suinq7EcpyM06JIe7iOA", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 5, "text": "I've eaten off of their food truck three times, and once at their restaurant. Obviously I like their food immensely or I wouldn't be a repeat offender. My daughter had an encore to her servings of the corn dog because she exclaimed that it was the best she had ever had. My young granddaughter enjoyed the mild chicken adobo, while I attacked the flying pig and lumpia on site at their restaurant. Regardless of what anyone would choose off their menus, the food is excellent.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T21:10:22" }, { "business_id": "24_GowpZ79St53rpxsKqsQ", "business_name": "P'sghetti's Pasta & Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "We were hungry, shopping all morning long, and decided to stop by here, for the very first time, and we were not disappointed. The spaghetti was cooked al dente, the meat sauce was tasty, my baby granddaughter demolished two ravioli from a side dish of it ordered for her, the meatballs were of good consistency, not hard or overdone at all. The garlic bread was well toasted, and service was fast and friendly. We even ordered some to take home with us. I know we will return when we are in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-11-07T21:14:35" }, { "business_id": "1elddy31XiqFPVrvvd9QiQ", "business_name": "Which Wich", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm not a fan of sandwiches, but I eat them if I have to. My daughter decided that this was where we were going to have lunch today, and I relented. To my very pleasant surprise, I loved my lunch! The ordering process was so easy and the menu options were huge. I picked crab and artichoke under the heading for seafood and piled my sandwich high with bacon, egg and lots of veges. I picked their house chips and was not disappointed at all. My daughter had the Monte Cristo, which is a sandwich which has neat, cheese and powdered sugar, and she told me that this sandwich is the only reason why she comes here. Move over, all other sandwich joints! I know I'll be back here for more.", "timestamp": "2015-11-08T20:35:26" }, { "business_id": "-q4YqKsWJY6NtkQdnNeL1Q", "business_name": "The Barn", "rating": 3, "text": "The sitting area was cramped, the service was at a pitiful snail's pace as it seemed as if our server was really more interested in doing everything else but serve us. The barn Browns, their version of hashed potatoes, was seriously half raw. Their strata was not bad, chopped salad had great presentation but the salad dressing was lacking in flavor. The biscuits and gravy was very tasty. Not very impressed with this place.", "timestamp": "2015-11-13T00:02:51" }, { "business_id": "3Ym00dQ_oqZ0zunGMLhX3Q", "business_name": "Prasino", "rating": 4, "text": "Very cozy ambience, sophisticatedly warm and chic decor. The wine list is impressive, with very good selections both American and imported. It is obvious that whomever came up with the selection of wine really knows his or her stuff. There's even homemade sangria on offering, and the cocktails found on the menu are not the usual boring, run of the mill choices. If you want to seriously enjoy a few good specialty drinks, this is the place for it. The greens in the beet salad were complimented by the tart beets, sweet oranges and candied nuts, the Mexican soup with meatballs was tasty. The skewers of beef with tsatziki sauce were remarkably tender and perfectly offset by the sauce. The sandwich with the lamb was refreshingly bursting with flavor, the lamb thinly sliced to offer the ultimate experience the mouth could savor. The sauce on the toasted bread was spicy, yet managed to heighten the flavor of the lamb. The salt and pepper chips were simply the best I've ever had in a restaurant. The sandwich with chicken was made with pesto, mozzarella and perfectly seasoned breast of chicken, which was not surprisingly dry at all. The potato side dish chosen to accompany it was extremely flavorful, moist, with just the right bite and tenderness to them, a gastronomic feat in itself. Service was crisp, professional, friendly and prompt. All in all, a more than pleasant experience was had here. I would have awarded this restaurant 4.5 stars if yelp would allow for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-01T22:53:57" }, { "business_id": "xxvgV_6FrRzXPhpT8EWXUg", "business_name": "Tucanos Brazilian Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "My second time here, I distinctly recall the first being better. Lots of meat on skewers paraded from table to table, including tiny grilled chicken hearts (too sinewy for my liking), mango fish (this is heavenly mango flavored battered whitefish), and a vast salad buffet with side dishes. OK for a meal, come hungry.", "timestamp": "2015-12-14T22:13:25" }, { "business_id": "MBlCqWTahlqG6e0re21Mow", "business_name": "Frederick's Steakhouse & Pizzeria", "rating": 1, "text": "Let it be known that families with very little children will have to seat their tots on laps or risk them on adult chairs because they do not have high chairs or kids' menus. We walked out almost immediately, feeling very disappointed since this is not a family friendly restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-12-16T22:18:03" }, { "business_id": "lpfrjbjIWC0BNZThaSDMLw", "business_name": "Simply Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here so many times before and all I can say is the food is really good. A hidden gem in Florissant, it has the best Panang curry around. Haven't been to their sister restaurant yet, but I can't seem to want to move on when I am always so satisfied with their fare here.", "timestamp": "2015-12-21T00:17:29" }, { "business_id": "AZw33EfufAZde7EWH58q2Q", "business_name": "WH Clayton", "rating": 2, "text": "Obnoxiously loud and I couldn't tell who was louder, the televisions or the crowd on a Saturday afternoon. Service was not the greatest, and it's no wonder our server brought us diet cokes when we ordered regular; he obviously cannot hear us correctly over the din. The food was variable, depending on what it was. The dressing for the Caesar salad was actually very good, and I am hard to please. The asparagus and shrimp risotto paled in comparison with the taste of the salad. It was bland. The loaded Mac and cheese was average in flavor. We could not wait to get out of there because of the level of noise. If the food were scrumptious, we would overlook the noise and return, but this will not be the case.", "timestamp": "2016-01-16T22:22:11" }, { "business_id": "xhPOB5sj4qXyMY1mnC646A", "business_name": "MaTaNe Japanese Dining", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my second time coming here, the first time was 1.5 years ago. Salad dressing was tangy and crunchy, sushi rolls, depending on who rolled them, would either fall apart or hold together. The rice bowls and fried rice dishes were very well seasoned, miso soup slightly lacking in explosion of flavor, but overall it was not too bad.", "timestamp": "2016-01-30T23:15:05" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Chinese restaurant in the entire region. I grew up in Southeast Asia and KNOW Asian food. Their food is genuinely Chinese, not the Americanized type of Chinese food many Chinese places tend to \"dumb\" themselves down to. Lots of Chinese people come here, which shows that their food is authentic. Their dim sum is the best and even though I don't like to base my reviews on fried rice, theirs is about the tastiest in St. Louis. The proprietors are friendly as well. I've been coming here for the last 16 years and have never been disappointed.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T19:16:03" }, { "business_id": "4FjJzcc-AzXQIs6W-Hz-kQ", "business_name": "Ramen Tei", "rating": 3, "text": "Not as tasty as I had hoped for everything to be, since I had been looking forward to coming here for weeks. We had the miso ramen which was average. The broth could have been better with seasoning. The khao soi was very spicy and above average in taste. The chap chae was a little on the under seasoned side as well. Service was at first not too good but improved. I don't think I'll fight traffic to come back here again though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-12T00:36:53" }, { "business_id": "yg8OzI6hKoWWkaeDBF3bpg", "business_name": "Steak ’n Shake", "rating": 3, "text": "The typical S&S, with the typical menu offered, this place is sufficient for the little village in Maryland Heights. It gets busy here especially the drive through, but I wouldn't expect any less from this establishment.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T19:16:05" }, { "business_id": "07tT34LEBj1xVgLRk4L8qw", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been to this location multiple times and am finally giving it my review. For this establishment, it is not too bad for its service and quality of food. I do not particularly like reviewing chains but I'll make an exception for Pasta House, since out of all chains I've been to, this one seems to be not too bad after all. One of my usual dishes from this place is the linguine with clam sauce, which is actually surprisingly good for a chain. I like their house salad and always fill up on it with the big plate of it before I start on my entree. If I keep returning, it means I'm ok with this place. I'll keep coming back for the sake of convenience at times.", "timestamp": "2016-02-16T21:29:40" }, { "business_id": "t4Xg0j6xTJLph5Tb1VaMOw", "business_name": "The Butterfly House", "rating": 5, "text": "A wonderful place to be for the family to spend some quality time together. The butterflies today were so active wild because it was warm outside. So much fun to see them flying around, but we have to remember not to touch them or you will hurt their delicate wings or legs. A little pricey, but well worth it for education purposes. We even watched a butterfly hatching from its cocoon. A must for families and children, big or small.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:12:02" }, { "business_id": "-NF_wBObzf5IdLzWyea7XA", "business_name": "St Louis Carousel", "rating": 5, "text": "A perfectly old carousel with music accompaniment by a traditional giant music box. Each ride costs $2 a pop, even for a toddler, but the ride lasts longer than most I've ever been on. A treat for the family, the smiles plastered on everyone's faces are enough to verify how much fun this ride is. Just remember, the horses on the outermost circle of the ride do not move.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:17:17" }, { "business_id": "X8hwEPRoRcLjbKVlVt1b1g", "business_name": "Saint Louis Zoo", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best attractions for a visitor to encounter in St. Louis, the zoo is free except for a few attractions where tickets are warranted. However, since zoo is free, I do not think it is unreasonable for anybody to purchase tickets for stops such as the petting zoo and the insect house. Also a great place for families to spend time at, and for children to enjoy themselves discovering nature. Free attractions are hard to come by, so taking advantage of the Saint Louis zoo is a must. This is one of the gems of St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T21:33:02" }, { "business_id": "gSLWjGwRqXSq5HzsoP183g", "business_name": "Schneithorst Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Chicken schnitzel, Wiener schnitzel, pork schnitzel, all three types available here, were savored by us today. To start off, we had the potato pancakes, pub chips and the toddler had the kids' grilled cheese. I ordered the sausage platter and stroganoff to go fr someone else. The food is, quite simply put in German, herrlich, which means heavenly. This is the second time my family and I are having a meal here, and since we have returned, obviously the food is really good. The potato pancakes were stunning with the preserves, all three schnitzels were cooked to perfection. The steak fries which came with the kids' meal was probably the best I've ever had, and I'm not a fan of steak fries at all. The spaetzle which accompanied the schnitzels was cheesy, soft and very tasty. Red cabbage was a little strong with flavor of red wine but set off the meat so well that I truly wasn't too bothered by it in the end. The pub chips were well fried and did not have any lingering grease on them at all. We shall keep returning. Obviously, since we already have.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T22:35:35" }, { "business_id": "O1qaxqOGOmGThf2Mn_CjgA", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "Typical Pasta House with the food. This is our 4th time here. I usually order the salad and linguine with red clams, and I did again today, to go. To eat in house, I had the seafood pastas and I don't regret it at all. I know I'll be looking for it again. Service was very cheerful, and our server just simply loaded us up with rolls. Our toddler loves her boiled ravioli, and ate to get heart's content. The rest of us loved our meals. The one nice thing was that we had an out-of-towner who had never been to a Pasta House, and she liked her meal. Obviously, I will come back again.", "timestamp": "2016-03-10T19:28:13" }, { "business_id": "7TGY8EXD3nOheCnack7YLQ", "business_name": "Sweet Tomatoes", "rating": 3, "text": "There was a time when my family and I would have dinner at Sweet Tomatoes about once a week, but we had since stopped several years ago as the quality had just down trended drastically. Today was the first time I decided to give it a try again, and I recall once again why we stopped coming here. It's ridiculously expensive to pay for raw veges and limp salad and a tiny array of breads, soups and pastas. It's the end of this rad for me here. The Sweet-ness had long turned almost sour.", "timestamp": "2016-03-24T20:45:33" }, { "business_id": "w8tS6xq3k3lmySn-L3FrEw", "business_name": "St. Louis Bubble Tea", "rating": 5, "text": "I've always been to the location at the Loop and this is my first time at this location. Disappointment on my orders in that the noodle soups that I really wanted were unavailable, namely the beef stew noodle soup, which is usually to die for, and anything vermicelli. However, the beef stir fry noodles are really good too, and they have amongst the best spring rolls around. As for their drinks, you can't go wrong with anything ordered. My favorite will always be the ginger milk tea. Without boba. :)", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:27:38" }, { "business_id": "AtQLrRpQan7UtJcIAo9hsA", "business_name": "Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Café", "rating": 5, "text": "I ordered a custom cake with red velvet and carrot, side by side. I'll keep ordering my custom cakes here. This one was for Ben, one of the charge nurses I work with, who has resigned to concentrate fully on school to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Beautifully made cake.", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:29:48" }, { "business_id": "TGHxU9bjU4vPpAqOdD0Eew", "business_name": "Big Woody's BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The pork steak simply falls off the bone, brisket and pulled chicken almost melts in the mouth. Their home made barbecue and other dipping sauces are as close to heaven as you can get. This jewel tucked away in St Charles is a secret that needs to be let out of the bag! This may be one of the BEST barbecue joints in the entire St Louis region. I know where I'm coming next time I want barbecue. I can't help it. I keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-05-28T23:56:42" }, { "business_id": "YagBnM_WpABtV3Ti3q26mQ", "business_name": "Garden Heights Nursery", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd driven by this nursery so many times but only decided to go today because I am planning to collect succulents, and searches for nurseries which sell succulents always resulted with this one being one of the top choices. They have an ok choice of succulents. Service was pretty ok as well and they were as helpful as they could be when there were several customers in the store. I'll visit again for succulents when I need them.", "timestamp": "2016-06-11T23:23:56" }, { "business_id": "Z8Ogntx3BWTvzxOFJnL5xA", "business_name": "Concetta's Italian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd like to rave about the service first. Our server was just wonderful! She was attentive, so eager to please, and so very kind. My daughter and I had lunch here with my 18 month old granddaughter. We were chatting with our server when we were ordering from our menus and conversation got around to how picky eaters little ones can be. My daughter mentioned how obsessed the toddler is with veges especially tomatoes, which she seems to not get enough of. And to our surprise, out came a plate of little halved cherry tomatoes as an appetizer for the munchkin, and we never ordered it. It was such an unusually thoughtful gesture from our server. The food was average. We both had sides of Caesar salad and the dressing was above average and slightly sweet. The chicken Marsala was tasty with the chicken slightly overdone but not bad. The tortellini was above average but the tuna melt was average. Not bad. The house, which is the restaurant, is old, charming, typical for the region here in St Charles.", "timestamp": "2016-06-17T17:59:46" }, { "business_id": "cKexlyJCUdZ_aKhptHZnTQ", "business_name": "Flowers & Weeds", "rating": 4, "text": "Nice array of air plants, a lot of succulent arrangements. I loved looking at the propagating succulents they have on display. Not a bad array of cacti, and there are a few impressively sized jade plants. I did not go outside to the other plants. Instead, I came here for succulents.", "timestamp": "2016-07-17T15:42:19" }, { "business_id": "q5dSzxE6grwCzu23_PlesA", "business_name": "Nobu's Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best Japanese restaurants, if not the best in St. Louis. This restaurant was featured in an article in the Riverfront times a few years ago as one of the top three sushi places in this town, and I concur. The sushi is very fresh and definitely well rolled, well seasoned, and just a joy to savor. The a la carte menu features extremely tasty katsu, the best donburi in the entire region, and appetizers to satisfy any palette.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T17:45:40" }, { "business_id": "_nqrmx5xKLQyrbmjhwiiuA", "business_name": "The Catbird Seat", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply amazing. This was not dinner. It was an experience, and one to cherish forever. Chef Ryan Poli and his team were astounding, the menu and meal could only have been created by a genius and executed by a team so spectacular in how cohesively they worked to orchestrate such a fabulous meal. The pairings were out of this world.", "timestamp": "2016-07-29T04:58:34" }, { "business_id": "HKS-63JzfR0DMNVLBuokYw", "business_name": "Mission Taco Joint - Delmar Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "\"Give a girl a taco, and she'd love you forever\". These tacos here are not diamonds, as those little rocks are famed as the best friends of us girls, but these tacos really made my eyes sparkle. We tried the shrimp, portobello, duck, carne, mofu tofu and chicken, and we really couldn't decide which was the best, as they all shone. The guacamole was fresh and tasty, the empanadas were splendid with layers of flavor bursting on the tongue as soon as the food hits the mouth. I think it's because they were stuffed with their fabulous corn. The sides of rice (exploding with cilantro flavor and not as simple as one would think), and street corn (probably their best kept secret) did not really accompany the tacos we ate. Instead, they were almost main dishes in their own right. Seriously, the street corn was to die for. The garnishes of the tacos were colorful, and offered superb texture, and layers of flavor, but the true star of the show was the fact that these little tortillas, which held together these little gastronomic wonders they call tacos, are made here at the restaurant, and they look it. None of that commercially made and bought tortillas for this place! The tortilla chips made from the same tortillas were outstanding. The salsa, also made here, bursts with that smoked flavor which just caresses the palate, making each bite a joy. My companion was smart to give this girl a taco.", "timestamp": "2016-08-09T00:08:59" }, { "business_id": "GC_pZfQOAFBtHmqjYr_9HQ", "business_name": "China #1", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to place for Chinese in this area. They're fast, reasonable, polite, and the food is very tasty. Lots of Chinese places serve greasy, usually tasteless food, and the secret of knowing a good Chinese restaurant is the flavor of its fried rice, but this place actually has food that is above average in its flavor. My favorite is the Lo mein and the mei fun, which is a dish of fried thin rice vermicelli fried. I'll keep coming back, that's for sure. Update: I simply keep returning.", "timestamp": "2016-09-01T19:36:35" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis. I've been here so many times but had never reviewed it, and I'd say that it's about time that I did. Ambience is casual, sometimes it could get loud when crowded, which is mostly what it is. Fast and efficient service, food is fantastic, and I keep returning over and over again. I am taking my time to go through the entire menu of dishes here, but my favorites are the fried rice dishes, the chao dishes (rice soups) and obviously, the pho dishes. Just be warned, those who use artificial sweeteners, they only have the \"yellow\" variety. Highly recommended. The seafood with charred rice special is always the special on the board at the maitre d' stand, and I have to say that I enjoy it every time u come here. Succulent shrimp, scallops, imitation crab, calamari, mushrooms and snow peas are served with a lovely brown sauce, sizzling away in a very hot clay pot, and is a dish I highly recommend.", "timestamp": "2016-09-03T18:08:20" }, { "business_id": "RZWy7iy0X-AkOiUIXiKhYw", "business_name": "Elephant Bar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Disappointment met us with the overall experience this time around. We have been here many times before but today, much was left to be desired. We ordered fries as an afterthought and ten minutes later, it arrived cold. We did not complain, as it is not our custom to. The mojito was unusual as it had coconut in it. Otherwise, the rest of the food was very average. Our server kept forgetting to bring our orders, and mind you, we have had amongst the best servers in St. Louis here in the past. Let's hope that our future experiences will be better.", "timestamp": "2017-03-21T00:24:10" }, { "business_id": "-6jVwUuXC1-dyr2YRCEU6Q", "business_name": "Anis Hyderabad Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here three times and I like the food, which is superbly tasty. Savor the best bryani in town. It is very heartening to note that many Indians actually flock here to eat, especially the younger crowd. The only thing I'm a little disappointed in is the fast food aura that this restaurant lends to the ambience, but it should not deter one who is out to grab a much more than decent Hyderabadi meal in a city with many Indian restaurants to choose from. I keep returning here to pick up my to go orders, and even though there are two other Indian restaurants very close to where I live, I drive the 15 minutes to get here for the best Indian cuisine in town. They're fast, very courteous, and serve genuinely delicious food. Interesting that they offer Vietnamese and Chinese on their menu as well, and I'll admit I've never tried those before, but it makes perfect sense that they offer this as halal prep for those who fancy it for religious purpose, since I know of no Vietnamese or Chinese restaurants to be halal.", "timestamp": "2017-03-29T19:42:53" }, { "business_id": "EF_9W5s9lFSjv4forNxwng", "business_name": "Tai Ke Shabu Shabu", "rating": 5, "text": "Is the cuisine really genuine? Honestly, yes it really is! Imagine my excitement when I read other Yelpers' reviews about this Taiwanese restaurant, and since I was brought up in Southeast Asia and know authentic Asian food well, my thrill about the food here soared to unbeatable heights when I walked into its modest dining area, sat down and was treated to an unforgettable experience. The decor isn't much to boast about, but the cool thing that I noticed on one of the walls was the display of a few menu items written in Chinese characters, one of which is no longer served here, but once was when the establishment first opened. I spoke with the owner and he said that the famous Taiwanese oyster omelette is not easy to have on the menu because oysters are difficult to keep fresh, and he truly cared about using only the best and finest ingredients for his dishes. Score. My daughter and I enjoyed a meal of stir fried beef and egg noodles, with special seasoned hard boiled eggs (these are dark because they are cooked in a special rich broth which enhances the flavor of the egg, a dish I savored as s child), and calamari stew mung bean soup, which simply exploded with flavor. I also enjoyed a can of soy bean milk drink with my meal, which obviously isn't made by the establishment, but it's the drink of my choice when I eat authentic Chinese food. Definitely one of the best culinary experiences I've ever had in this town. I'm not even a famous chef or food critic. Yet I was treated like one. This second time I was here, we had sizzling beef, clay pot three cup tofu, and basil stir fried clams. We also had the legendary gua bao. The food is just tremendous!! An update to my review: At last I get to come back here again! My third time, and I know it won't be the last, for sure. The food is just to die for, what more can I say?", "timestamp": "2017-04-04T18:21:26" }, { "business_id": "ATO_GTUMSEYBZn0v1cqg0g", "business_name": "Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the eighth time I've been to this establishment, the sixth time since it moved here from its original location from somewhere in St Charles, I believe. I still keep returning and I know it will not be the last time, for sure. My daughter, who is not too fond of seafood, likes coming here for either the tuna or salmon. I love the jambalaya (I never fail to order it to go for my next meal, every single time I'm here), and every time, I order something else off the menu for my in-restaurant meal. This time around, I wanted to simply enjoy the uncomplicated and yet oh-so-satisfying Cajun-styled seafood dump, and was not disappointed. By the way, their corn muffins are about the best that I've had, and I don't normally even like corn muffins.... I know I'll be back again sometime this year.", "timestamp": "2017-05-13T20:20:08" } ]	{ "business_id": "Aew5uJRpT8Bhr_VT46S1WQ", "business_name": "The Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here many times before, however, this time I had the pleasure of trying this place out with a child in tow. It's a good place to feed the family. They are kid friendly. We had the Tuesday specials of meatloaf and chicken fried steak. The portions of the main course are large but the accompanying salads were on saucers, so pretty small. Try the house dressing. It's a sweet and sour, probably with a berry in it. Their idea of two scoops of ice cream is to fill a large chalice with two giants scoops of their creamy rich ice cream. Be prepared to struggle to finish your meal if you're a shall eater. The food is good home cooking renowned in the Midwest.", "timestamp": "2017-05-30T17:58:58" }
wp-uX1pnNjAIDBNnQxz1ZQ	[ { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me three whole hours to get to a table because the line was so long. The food was fabulous enough for me to have called ahead several times to have it to go because the wait is ridiculously long. However, if you want good barbecue, which is what all these other people want, I suppose the wait is well worth it. There's no fuss with the food, and the sauces are legendary.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:26:45" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "Well seasoned salads, and the calzone choices were with unusual and sometimes (meagerly) filled with somewhat exotic (if you're not used to ricotta and figs in your calzone), but the filling flavor of the calzones work well, allowing for an unexpected harmonious marriage of taste which seem to explode on the tongue. In attempt to be chic á la Claytonian style, the plates on which the food was served have an unusual wave, which would cause cutlery to fall off of them, or even on the floor when one would lay the silverware down on them, which became a source of irritation during the meal. And I was not the only diner who had muttered under her breath about it. Still, not a bad experience that I may or may not revisit some day.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:53:58" }, { "business_id": "A1suinq7EcpyM06JIe7iOA", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 5, "text": "I've eaten off of their food truck three times, and once at their restaurant. Obviously I like their food immensely or I wouldn't be a repeat offender. My daughter had an encore to her servings of the corn dog because she exclaimed that it was the best she had ever had. My young granddaughter enjoyed the mild chicken adobo, while I attacked the flying pig and lumpia on site at their restaurant. Regardless of what anyone would choose off their menus, the food is excellent.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T21:10:22" }, { "business_id": "24_GowpZ79St53rpxsKqsQ", "business_name": "P'sghetti's Pasta & Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "We were hungry, shopping all morning long, and decided to stop by here, for the very first time, and we were not disappointed. The spaghetti was cooked al dente, the meat sauce was tasty, my baby granddaughter demolished two ravioli from a side dish of it ordered for her, the meatballs were of good consistency, not hard or overdone at all. The garlic bread was well toasted, and service was fast and friendly. We even ordered some to take home with us. I know we will return when we are in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-11-07T21:14:35" }, { "business_id": "1elddy31XiqFPVrvvd9QiQ", "business_name": "Which Wich", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm not a fan of sandwiches, but I eat them if I have to. My daughter decided that this was where we were going to have lunch today, and I relented. To my very pleasant surprise, I loved my lunch! The ordering process was so easy and the menu options were huge. I picked crab and artichoke under the heading for seafood and piled my sandwich high with bacon, egg and lots of veges. I picked their house chips and was not disappointed at all. My daughter had the Monte Cristo, which is a sandwich which has neat, cheese and powdered sugar, and she told me that this sandwich is the only reason why she comes here. Move over, all other sandwich joints! I know I'll be back here for more.", "timestamp": "2015-11-08T20:35:26" }, { "business_id": "-q4YqKsWJY6NtkQdnNeL1Q", "business_name": "The Barn", "rating": 3, "text": "The sitting area was cramped, the service was at a pitiful snail's pace as it seemed as if our server was really more interested in doing everything else but serve us. The barn Browns, their version of hashed potatoes, was seriously half raw. Their strata was not bad, chopped salad had great presentation but the salad dressing was lacking in flavor. The biscuits and gravy was very tasty. Not very impressed with this place.", "timestamp": "2015-11-13T00:02:51" }, { "business_id": "3Ym00dQ_oqZ0zunGMLhX3Q", "business_name": "Prasino", "rating": 4, "text": "Very cozy ambience, sophisticatedly warm and chic decor. The wine list is impressive, with very good selections both American and imported. It is obvious that whomever came up with the selection of wine really knows his or her stuff. There's even homemade sangria on offering, and the cocktails found on the menu are not the usual boring, run of the mill choices. If you want to seriously enjoy a few good specialty drinks, this is the place for it. The greens in the beet salad were complimented by the tart beets, sweet oranges and candied nuts, the Mexican soup with meatballs was tasty. The skewers of beef with tsatziki sauce were remarkably tender and perfectly offset by the sauce. The sandwich with the lamb was refreshingly bursting with flavor, the lamb thinly sliced to offer the ultimate experience the mouth could savor. The sauce on the toasted bread was spicy, yet managed to heighten the flavor of the lamb. The salt and pepper chips were simply the best I've ever had in a restaurant. The sandwich with chicken was made with pesto, mozzarella and perfectly seasoned breast of chicken, which was not surprisingly dry at all. The potato side dish chosen to accompany it was extremely flavorful, moist, with just the right bite and tenderness to them, a gastronomic feat in itself. Service was crisp, professional, friendly and prompt. All in all, a more than pleasant experience was had here. I would have awarded this restaurant 4.5 stars if yelp would allow for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-01T22:53:57" }, { "business_id": "xxvgV_6FrRzXPhpT8EWXUg", "business_name": "Tucanos Brazilian Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "My second time here, I distinctly recall the first being better. Lots of meat on skewers paraded from table to table, including tiny grilled chicken hearts (too sinewy for my liking), mango fish (this is heavenly mango flavored battered whitefish), and a vast salad buffet with side dishes. OK for a meal, come hungry.", "timestamp": "2015-12-14T22:13:25" }, { "business_id": "MBlCqWTahlqG6e0re21Mow", "business_name": "Frederick's Steakhouse & Pizzeria", "rating": 1, "text": "Let it be known that families with very little children will have to seat their tots on laps or risk them on adult chairs because they do not have high chairs or kids' menus. We walked out almost immediately, feeling very disappointed since this is not a family friendly restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-12-16T22:18:03" }, { "business_id": "lpfrjbjIWC0BNZThaSDMLw", "business_name": "Simply Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here so many times before and all I can say is the food is really good. A hidden gem in Florissant, it has the best Panang curry around. Haven't been to their sister restaurant yet, but I can't seem to want to move on when I am always so satisfied with their fare here.", "timestamp": "2015-12-21T00:17:29" }, { "business_id": "AZw33EfufAZde7EWH58q2Q", "business_name": "WH Clayton", "rating": 2, "text": "Obnoxiously loud and I couldn't tell who was louder, the televisions or the crowd on a Saturday afternoon. Service was not the greatest, and it's no wonder our server brought us diet cokes when we ordered regular; he obviously cannot hear us correctly over the din. The food was variable, depending on what it was. The dressing for the Caesar salad was actually very good, and I am hard to please. The asparagus and shrimp risotto paled in comparison with the taste of the salad. It was bland. The loaded Mac and cheese was average in flavor. We could not wait to get out of there because of the level of noise. If the food were scrumptious, we would overlook the noise and return, but this will not be the case.", "timestamp": "2016-01-16T22:22:11" }, { "business_id": "xhPOB5sj4qXyMY1mnC646A", "business_name": "MaTaNe Japanese Dining", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my second time coming here, the first time was 1.5 years ago. Salad dressing was tangy and crunchy, sushi rolls, depending on who rolled them, would either fall apart or hold together. The rice bowls and fried rice dishes were very well seasoned, miso soup slightly lacking in explosion of flavor, but overall it was not too bad.", "timestamp": "2016-01-30T23:15:05" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Chinese restaurant in the entire region. I grew up in Southeast Asia and KNOW Asian food. Their food is genuinely Chinese, not the Americanized type of Chinese food many Chinese places tend to \"dumb\" themselves down to. Lots of Chinese people come here, which shows that their food is authentic. Their dim sum is the best and even though I don't like to base my reviews on fried rice, theirs is about the tastiest in St. Louis. The proprietors are friendly as well. I've been coming here for the last 16 years and have never been disappointed.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T19:16:03" }, { "business_id": "4FjJzcc-AzXQIs6W-Hz-kQ", "business_name": "Ramen Tei", "rating": 3, "text": "Not as tasty as I had hoped for everything to be, since I had been looking forward to coming here for weeks. We had the miso ramen which was average. The broth could have been better with seasoning. The khao soi was very spicy and above average in taste. The chap chae was a little on the under seasoned side as well. Service was at first not too good but improved. I don't think I'll fight traffic to come back here again though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-12T00:36:53" }, { "business_id": "yg8OzI6hKoWWkaeDBF3bpg", "business_name": "Steak ’n Shake", "rating": 3, "text": "The typical S&S, with the typical menu offered, this place is sufficient for the little village in Maryland Heights. It gets busy here especially the drive through, but I wouldn't expect any less from this establishment.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T19:16:05" }, { "business_id": "07tT34LEBj1xVgLRk4L8qw", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been to this location multiple times and am finally giving it my review. For this establishment, it is not too bad for its service and quality of food. I do not particularly like reviewing chains but I'll make an exception for Pasta House, since out of all chains I've been to, this one seems to be not too bad after all. One of my usual dishes from this place is the linguine with clam sauce, which is actually surprisingly good for a chain. I like their house salad and always fill up on it with the big plate of it before I start on my entree. If I keep returning, it means I'm ok with this place. I'll keep coming back for the sake of convenience at times.", "timestamp": "2016-02-16T21:29:40" }, { "business_id": "t4Xg0j6xTJLph5Tb1VaMOw", "business_name": "The Butterfly House", "rating": 5, "text": "A wonderful place to be for the family to spend some quality time together. The butterflies today were so active wild because it was warm outside. So much fun to see them flying around, but we have to remember not to touch them or you will hurt their delicate wings or legs. A little pricey, but well worth it for education purposes. We even watched a butterfly hatching from its cocoon. A must for families and children, big or small.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:12:02" }, { "business_id": "-NF_wBObzf5IdLzWyea7XA", "business_name": "St Louis Carousel", "rating": 5, "text": "A perfectly old carousel with music accompaniment by a traditional giant music box. Each ride costs $2 a pop, even for a toddler, but the ride lasts longer than most I've ever been on. A treat for the family, the smiles plastered on everyone's faces are enough to verify how much fun this ride is. Just remember, the horses on the outermost circle of the ride do not move.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:17:17" }, { "business_id": "X8hwEPRoRcLjbKVlVt1b1g", "business_name": "Saint Louis Zoo", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best attractions for a visitor to encounter in St. Louis, the zoo is free except for a few attractions where tickets are warranted. However, since zoo is free, I do not think it is unreasonable for anybody to purchase tickets for stops such as the petting zoo and the insect house. Also a great place for families to spend time at, and for children to enjoy themselves discovering nature. Free attractions are hard to come by, so taking advantage of the Saint Louis zoo is a must. This is one of the gems of St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T21:33:02" }, { "business_id": "gSLWjGwRqXSq5HzsoP183g", "business_name": "Schneithorst Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Chicken schnitzel, Wiener schnitzel, pork schnitzel, all three types available here, were savored by us today. To start off, we had the potato pancakes, pub chips and the toddler had the kids' grilled cheese. I ordered the sausage platter and stroganoff to go fr someone else. The food is, quite simply put in German, herrlich, which means heavenly. This is the second time my family and I are having a meal here, and since we have returned, obviously the food is really good. The potato pancakes were stunning with the preserves, all three schnitzels were cooked to perfection. The steak fries which came with the kids' meal was probably the best I've ever had, and I'm not a fan of steak fries at all. The spaetzle which accompanied the schnitzels was cheesy, soft and very tasty. Red cabbage was a little strong with flavor of red wine but set off the meat so well that I truly wasn't too bothered by it in the end. The pub chips were well fried and did not have any lingering grease on them at all. We shall keep returning. Obviously, since we already have.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T22:35:35" }, { "business_id": "O1qaxqOGOmGThf2Mn_CjgA", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "Typical Pasta House with the food. This is our 4th time here. I usually order the salad and linguine with red clams, and I did again today, to go. To eat in house, I had the seafood pastas and I don't regret it at all. I know I'll be looking for it again. Service was very cheerful, and our server just simply loaded us up with rolls. Our toddler loves her boiled ravioli, and ate to get heart's content. The rest of us loved our meals. The one nice thing was that we had an out-of-towner who had never been to a Pasta House, and she liked her meal. Obviously, I will come back again.", "timestamp": "2016-03-10T19:28:13" }, { "business_id": "7TGY8EXD3nOheCnack7YLQ", "business_name": "Sweet Tomatoes", "rating": 3, "text": "There was a time when my family and I would have dinner at Sweet Tomatoes about once a week, but we had since stopped several years ago as the quality had just down trended drastically. Today was the first time I decided to give it a try again, and I recall once again why we stopped coming here. It's ridiculously expensive to pay for raw veges and limp salad and a tiny array of breads, soups and pastas. It's the end of this rad for me here. The Sweet-ness had long turned almost sour.", "timestamp": "2016-03-24T20:45:33" }, { "business_id": "w8tS6xq3k3lmySn-L3FrEw", "business_name": "St. Louis Bubble Tea", "rating": 5, "text": "I've always been to the location at the Loop and this is my first time at this location. Disappointment on my orders in that the noodle soups that I really wanted were unavailable, namely the beef stew noodle soup, which is usually to die for, and anything vermicelli. However, the beef stir fry noodles are really good too, and they have amongst the best spring rolls around. As for their drinks, you can't go wrong with anything ordered. My favorite will always be the ginger milk tea. Without boba. :)", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:27:38" }, { "business_id": "AtQLrRpQan7UtJcIAo9hsA", "business_name": "Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Café", "rating": 5, "text": "I ordered a custom cake with red velvet and carrot, side by side. I'll keep ordering my custom cakes here. This one was for Ben, one of the charge nurses I work with, who has resigned to concentrate fully on school to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Beautifully made cake.", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:29:48" }, { "business_id": "TGHxU9bjU4vPpAqOdD0Eew", "business_name": "Big Woody's BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The pork steak simply falls off the bone, brisket and pulled chicken almost melts in the mouth. Their home made barbecue and other dipping sauces are as close to heaven as you can get. This jewel tucked away in St Charles is a secret that needs to be let out of the bag! This may be one of the BEST barbecue joints in the entire St Louis region. I know where I'm coming next time I want barbecue. I can't help it. I keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-05-28T23:56:42" }, { "business_id": "YagBnM_WpABtV3Ti3q26mQ", "business_name": "Garden Heights Nursery", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd driven by this nursery so many times but only decided to go today because I am planning to collect succulents, and searches for nurseries which sell succulents always resulted with this one being one of the top choices. They have an ok choice of succulents. Service was pretty ok as well and they were as helpful as they could be when there were several customers in the store. I'll visit again for succulents when I need them.", "timestamp": "2016-06-11T23:23:56" }, { "business_id": "Z8Ogntx3BWTvzxOFJnL5xA", "business_name": "Concetta's Italian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd like to rave about the service first. Our server was just wonderful! She was attentive, so eager to please, and so very kind. My daughter and I had lunch here with my 18 month old granddaughter. We were chatting with our server when we were ordering from our menus and conversation got around to how picky eaters little ones can be. My daughter mentioned how obsessed the toddler is with veges especially tomatoes, which she seems to not get enough of. And to our surprise, out came a plate of little halved cherry tomatoes as an appetizer for the munchkin, and we never ordered it. It was such an unusually thoughtful gesture from our server. The food was average. We both had sides of Caesar salad and the dressing was above average and slightly sweet. The chicken Marsala was tasty with the chicken slightly overdone but not bad. The tortellini was above average but the tuna melt was average. Not bad. The house, which is the restaurant, is old, charming, typical for the region here in St Charles.", "timestamp": "2016-06-17T17:59:46" }, { "business_id": "cKexlyJCUdZ_aKhptHZnTQ", "business_name": "Flowers & Weeds", "rating": 4, "text": "Nice array of air plants, a lot of succulent arrangements. I loved looking at the propagating succulents they have on display. Not a bad array of cacti, and there are a few impressively sized jade plants. I did not go outside to the other plants. Instead, I came here for succulents.", "timestamp": "2016-07-17T15:42:19" }, { "business_id": "q5dSzxE6grwCzu23_PlesA", "business_name": "Nobu's Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best Japanese restaurants, if not the best in St. Louis. This restaurant was featured in an article in the Riverfront times a few years ago as one of the top three sushi places in this town, and I concur. The sushi is very fresh and definitely well rolled, well seasoned, and just a joy to savor. The a la carte menu features extremely tasty katsu, the best donburi in the entire region, and appetizers to satisfy any palette.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T17:45:40" }, { "business_id": "_nqrmx5xKLQyrbmjhwiiuA", "business_name": "The Catbird Seat", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply amazing. This was not dinner. It was an experience, and one to cherish forever. Chef Ryan Poli and his team were astounding, the menu and meal could only have been created by a genius and executed by a team so spectacular in how cohesively they worked to orchestrate such a fabulous meal. The pairings were out of this world.", "timestamp": "2016-07-29T04:58:34" }, { "business_id": "HKS-63JzfR0DMNVLBuokYw", "business_name": "Mission Taco Joint - Delmar Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "\"Give a girl a taco, and she'd love you forever\". These tacos here are not diamonds, as those little rocks are famed as the best friends of us girls, but these tacos really made my eyes sparkle. We tried the shrimp, portobello, duck, carne, mofu tofu and chicken, and we really couldn't decide which was the best, as they all shone. The guacamole was fresh and tasty, the empanadas were splendid with layers of flavor bursting on the tongue as soon as the food hits the mouth. I think it's because they were stuffed with their fabulous corn. The sides of rice (exploding with cilantro flavor and not as simple as one would think), and street corn (probably their best kept secret) did not really accompany the tacos we ate. Instead, they were almost main dishes in their own right. Seriously, the street corn was to die for. The garnishes of the tacos were colorful, and offered superb texture, and layers of flavor, but the true star of the show was the fact that these little tortillas, which held together these little gastronomic wonders they call tacos, are made here at the restaurant, and they look it. None of that commercially made and bought tortillas for this place! The tortilla chips made from the same tortillas were outstanding. The salsa, also made here, bursts with that smoked flavor which just caresses the palate, making each bite a joy. My companion was smart to give this girl a taco.", "timestamp": "2016-08-09T00:08:59" }, { "business_id": "GC_pZfQOAFBtHmqjYr_9HQ", "business_name": "China #1", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to place for Chinese in this area. They're fast, reasonable, polite, and the food is very tasty. Lots of Chinese places serve greasy, usually tasteless food, and the secret of knowing a good Chinese restaurant is the flavor of its fried rice, but this place actually has food that is above average in its flavor. My favorite is the Lo mein and the mei fun, which is a dish of fried thin rice vermicelli fried. I'll keep coming back, that's for sure. Update: I simply keep returning.", "timestamp": "2016-09-01T19:36:35" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis. I've been here so many times but had never reviewed it, and I'd say that it's about time that I did. Ambience is casual, sometimes it could get loud when crowded, which is mostly what it is. Fast and efficient service, food is fantastic, and I keep returning over and over again. I am taking my time to go through the entire menu of dishes here, but my favorites are the fried rice dishes, the chao dishes (rice soups) and obviously, the pho dishes. Just be warned, those who use artificial sweeteners, they only have the \"yellow\" variety. Highly recommended. The seafood with charred rice special is always the special on the board at the maitre d' stand, and I have to say that I enjoy it every time u come here. Succulent shrimp, scallops, imitation crab, calamari, mushrooms and snow peas are served with a lovely brown sauce, sizzling away in a very hot clay pot, and is a dish I highly recommend.", "timestamp": "2016-09-03T18:08:20" }, { "business_id": "RZWy7iy0X-AkOiUIXiKhYw", "business_name": "Elephant Bar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Disappointment met us with the overall experience this time around. We have been here many times before but today, much was left to be desired. We ordered fries as an afterthought and ten minutes later, it arrived cold. We did not complain, as it is not our custom to. The mojito was unusual as it had coconut in it. Otherwise, the rest of the food was very average. Our server kept forgetting to bring our orders, and mind you, we have had amongst the best servers in St. Louis here in the past. Let's hope that our future experiences will be better.", "timestamp": "2017-03-21T00:24:10" }, { "business_id": "-6jVwUuXC1-dyr2YRCEU6Q", "business_name": "Anis Hyderabad Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here three times and I like the food, which is superbly tasty. Savor the best bryani in town. It is very heartening to note that many Indians actually flock here to eat, especially the younger crowd. The only thing I'm a little disappointed in is the fast food aura that this restaurant lends to the ambience, but it should not deter one who is out to grab a much more than decent Hyderabadi meal in a city with many Indian restaurants to choose from. I keep returning here to pick up my to go orders, and even though there are two other Indian restaurants very close to where I live, I drive the 15 minutes to get here for the best Indian cuisine in town. They're fast, very courteous, and serve genuinely delicious food. Interesting that they offer Vietnamese and Chinese on their menu as well, and I'll admit I've never tried those before, but it makes perfect sense that they offer this as halal prep for those who fancy it for religious purpose, since I know of no Vietnamese or Chinese restaurants to be halal.", "timestamp": "2017-03-29T19:42:53" }, { "business_id": "EF_9W5s9lFSjv4forNxwng", "business_name": "Tai Ke Shabu Shabu", "rating": 5, "text": "Is the cuisine really genuine? Honestly, yes it really is! Imagine my excitement when I read other Yelpers' reviews about this Taiwanese restaurant, and since I was brought up in Southeast Asia and know authentic Asian food well, my thrill about the food here soared to unbeatable heights when I walked into its modest dining area, sat down and was treated to an unforgettable experience. The decor isn't much to boast about, but the cool thing that I noticed on one of the walls was the display of a few menu items written in Chinese characters, one of which is no longer served here, but once was when the establishment first opened. I spoke with the owner and he said that the famous Taiwanese oyster omelette is not easy to have on the menu because oysters are difficult to keep fresh, and he truly cared about using only the best and finest ingredients for his dishes. Score. My daughter and I enjoyed a meal of stir fried beef and egg noodles, with special seasoned hard boiled eggs (these are dark because they are cooked in a special rich broth which enhances the flavor of the egg, a dish I savored as s child), and calamari stew mung bean soup, which simply exploded with flavor. I also enjoyed a can of soy bean milk drink with my meal, which obviously isn't made by the establishment, but it's the drink of my choice when I eat authentic Chinese food. Definitely one of the best culinary experiences I've ever had in this town. I'm not even a famous chef or food critic. Yet I was treated like one. This second time I was here, we had sizzling beef, clay pot three cup tofu, and basil stir fried clams. We also had the legendary gua bao. The food is just tremendous!! An update to my review: At last I get to come back here again! My third time, and I know it won't be the last, for sure. The food is just to die for, what more can I say?", "timestamp": "2017-04-04T18:21:26" }, { "business_id": "ATO_GTUMSEYBZn0v1cqg0g", "business_name": "Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the eighth time I've been to this establishment, the sixth time since it moved here from its original location from somewhere in St Charles, I believe. I still keep returning and I know it will not be the last time, for sure. My daughter, who is not too fond of seafood, likes coming here for either the tuna or salmon. I love the jambalaya (I never fail to order it to go for my next meal, every single time I'm here), and every time, I order something else off the menu for my in-restaurant meal. This time around, I wanted to simply enjoy the uncomplicated and yet oh-so-satisfying Cajun-styled seafood dump, and was not disappointed. By the way, their corn muffins are about the best that I've had, and I don't normally even like corn muffins.... I know I'll be back again sometime this year.", "timestamp": "2017-05-13T20:20:08" }, { "business_id": "Aew5uJRpT8Bhr_VT46S1WQ", "business_name": "The Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here many times before, however, this time I had the pleasure of trying this place out with a child in tow. It's a good place to feed the family. They are kid friendly. We had the Tuesday specials of meatloaf and chicken fried steak. The portions of the main course are large but the accompanying salads were on saucers, so pretty small. Try the house dressing. It's a sweet and sour, probably with a berry in it. Their idea of two scoops of ice cream is to fill a large chalice with two giants scoops of their creamy rich ice cream. Be prepared to struggle to finish your meal if you're a shall eater. The food is good home cooking renowned in the Midwest.", "timestamp": "2017-05-30T17:58:58" } ]	{ "business_id": "15S2mbJO4X-yyLtx-zyesA", "business_name": "World Bird Sanctuary", "rating": 5, "text": "I would absolutely recommend anybody coming here to visit this park. It is free, but any amount of money donated to them goes to feeding the magnificent birds. They're very aided species of birds is astounding, and they try to have us many rare birds as possible, in order to help with the survival of their species. The information that they provide on each individual species of bird is wonderful for learning. No dogs are allowed here, and I cannot blame them for refusing entries two dogs, since they do not want the birds to be frightened. There is a trail to walk along after the bird sanctuary, which takes about 1 1/2 hours to traverse.", "timestamp": "2019-05-05T19:19:56" }
wp-uX1pnNjAIDBNnQxz1ZQ	[ { "business_id": "I_3LMZ_1m2mzR0oLIOePIg", "business_name": "Pappy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me three whole hours to get to a table because the line was so long. The food was fabulous enough for me to have called ahead several times to have it to go because the wait is ridiculously long. However, if you want good barbecue, which is what all these other people want, I suppose the wait is well worth it. There's no fuss with the food, and the sauces are legendary.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:26:45" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "Well seasoned salads, and the calzone choices were with unusual and sometimes (meagerly) filled with somewhat exotic (if you're not used to ricotta and figs in your calzone), but the filling flavor of the calzones work well, allowing for an unexpected harmonious marriage of taste which seem to explode on the tongue. In attempt to be chic á la Claytonian style, the plates on which the food was served have an unusual wave, which would cause cutlery to fall off of them, or even on the floor when one would lay the silverware down on them, which became a source of irritation during the meal. And I was not the only diner who had muttered under her breath about it. Still, not a bad experience that I may or may not revisit some day.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T20:53:58" }, { "business_id": "A1suinq7EcpyM06JIe7iOA", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 5, "text": "I've eaten off of their food truck three times, and once at their restaurant. Obviously I like their food immensely or I wouldn't be a repeat offender. My daughter had an encore to her servings of the corn dog because she exclaimed that it was the best she had ever had. My young granddaughter enjoyed the mild chicken adobo, while I attacked the flying pig and lumpia on site at their restaurant. Regardless of what anyone would choose off their menus, the food is excellent.", "timestamp": "2015-10-03T21:10:22" }, { "business_id": "24_GowpZ79St53rpxsKqsQ", "business_name": "P'sghetti's Pasta & Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "We were hungry, shopping all morning long, and decided to stop by here, for the very first time, and we were not disappointed. The spaghetti was cooked al dente, the meat sauce was tasty, my baby granddaughter demolished two ravioli from a side dish of it ordered for her, the meatballs were of good consistency, not hard or overdone at all. The garlic bread was well toasted, and service was fast and friendly. We even ordered some to take home with us. I know we will return when we are in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2015-11-07T21:14:35" }, { "business_id": "1elddy31XiqFPVrvvd9QiQ", "business_name": "Which Wich", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm not a fan of sandwiches, but I eat them if I have to. My daughter decided that this was where we were going to have lunch today, and I relented. To my very pleasant surprise, I loved my lunch! The ordering process was so easy and the menu options were huge. I picked crab and artichoke under the heading for seafood and piled my sandwich high with bacon, egg and lots of veges. I picked their house chips and was not disappointed at all. My daughter had the Monte Cristo, which is a sandwich which has neat, cheese and powdered sugar, and she told me that this sandwich is the only reason why she comes here. Move over, all other sandwich joints! I know I'll be back here for more.", "timestamp": "2015-11-08T20:35:26" }, { "business_id": "-q4YqKsWJY6NtkQdnNeL1Q", "business_name": "The Barn", "rating": 3, "text": "The sitting area was cramped, the service was at a pitiful snail's pace as it seemed as if our server was really more interested in doing everything else but serve us. The barn Browns, their version of hashed potatoes, was seriously half raw. Their strata was not bad, chopped salad had great presentation but the salad dressing was lacking in flavor. The biscuits and gravy was very tasty. Not very impressed with this place.", "timestamp": "2015-11-13T00:02:51" }, { "business_id": "3Ym00dQ_oqZ0zunGMLhX3Q", "business_name": "Prasino", "rating": 4, "text": "Very cozy ambience, sophisticatedly warm and chic decor. The wine list is impressive, with very good selections both American and imported. It is obvious that whomever came up with the selection of wine really knows his or her stuff. There's even homemade sangria on offering, and the cocktails found on the menu are not the usual boring, run of the mill choices. If you want to seriously enjoy a few good specialty drinks, this is the place for it. The greens in the beet salad were complimented by the tart beets, sweet oranges and candied nuts, the Mexican soup with meatballs was tasty. The skewers of beef with tsatziki sauce were remarkably tender and perfectly offset by the sauce. The sandwich with the lamb was refreshingly bursting with flavor, the lamb thinly sliced to offer the ultimate experience the mouth could savor. The sauce on the toasted bread was spicy, yet managed to heighten the flavor of the lamb. The salt and pepper chips were simply the best I've ever had in a restaurant. The sandwich with chicken was made with pesto, mozzarella and perfectly seasoned breast of chicken, which was not surprisingly dry at all. The potato side dish chosen to accompany it was extremely flavorful, moist, with just the right bite and tenderness to them, a gastronomic feat in itself. Service was crisp, professional, friendly and prompt. All in all, a more than pleasant experience was had here. I would have awarded this restaurant 4.5 stars if yelp would allow for it.", "timestamp": "2015-12-01T22:53:57" }, { "business_id": "xxvgV_6FrRzXPhpT8EWXUg", "business_name": "Tucanos Brazilian Grill", "rating": 3, "text": "My second time here, I distinctly recall the first being better. Lots of meat on skewers paraded from table to table, including tiny grilled chicken hearts (too sinewy for my liking), mango fish (this is heavenly mango flavored battered whitefish), and a vast salad buffet with side dishes. OK for a meal, come hungry.", "timestamp": "2015-12-14T22:13:25" }, { "business_id": "MBlCqWTahlqG6e0re21Mow", "business_name": "Frederick's Steakhouse & Pizzeria", "rating": 1, "text": "Let it be known that families with very little children will have to seat their tots on laps or risk them on adult chairs because they do not have high chairs or kids' menus. We walked out almost immediately, feeling very disappointed since this is not a family friendly restaurant.", "timestamp": "2015-12-16T22:18:03" }, { "business_id": "lpfrjbjIWC0BNZThaSDMLw", "business_name": "Simply Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here so many times before and all I can say is the food is really good. A hidden gem in Florissant, it has the best Panang curry around. Haven't been to their sister restaurant yet, but I can't seem to want to move on when I am always so satisfied with their fare here.", "timestamp": "2015-12-21T00:17:29" }, { "business_id": "AZw33EfufAZde7EWH58q2Q", "business_name": "WH Clayton", "rating": 2, "text": "Obnoxiously loud and I couldn't tell who was louder, the televisions or the crowd on a Saturday afternoon. Service was not the greatest, and it's no wonder our server brought us diet cokes when we ordered regular; he obviously cannot hear us correctly over the din. The food was variable, depending on what it was. The dressing for the Caesar salad was actually very good, and I am hard to please. The asparagus and shrimp risotto paled in comparison with the taste of the salad. It was bland. The loaded Mac and cheese was average in flavor. We could not wait to get out of there because of the level of noise. If the food were scrumptious, we would overlook the noise and return, but this will not be the case.", "timestamp": "2016-01-16T22:22:11" }, { "business_id": "xhPOB5sj4qXyMY1mnC646A", "business_name": "MaTaNe Japanese Dining", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my second time coming here, the first time was 1.5 years ago. Salad dressing was tangy and crunchy, sushi rolls, depending on who rolled them, would either fall apart or hold together. The rice bowls and fried rice dishes were very well seasoned, miso soup slightly lacking in explosion of flavor, but overall it was not too bad.", "timestamp": "2016-01-30T23:15:05" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Chinese restaurant in the entire region. I grew up in Southeast Asia and KNOW Asian food. Their food is genuinely Chinese, not the Americanized type of Chinese food many Chinese places tend to \"dumb\" themselves down to. Lots of Chinese people come here, which shows that their food is authentic. Their dim sum is the best and even though I don't like to base my reviews on fried rice, theirs is about the tastiest in St. Louis. The proprietors are friendly as well. I've been coming here for the last 16 years and have never been disappointed.", "timestamp": "2016-02-01T19:16:03" }, { "business_id": "4FjJzcc-AzXQIs6W-Hz-kQ", "business_name": "Ramen Tei", "rating": 3, "text": "Not as tasty as I had hoped for everything to be, since I had been looking forward to coming here for weeks. We had the miso ramen which was average. The broth could have been better with seasoning. The khao soi was very spicy and above average in taste. The chap chae was a little on the under seasoned side as well. Service was at first not too good but improved. I don't think I'll fight traffic to come back here again though.", "timestamp": "2016-02-12T00:36:53" }, { "business_id": "yg8OzI6hKoWWkaeDBF3bpg", "business_name": "Steak ’n Shake", "rating": 3, "text": "The typical S&S, with the typical menu offered, this place is sufficient for the little village in Maryland Heights. It gets busy here especially the drive through, but I wouldn't expect any less from this establishment.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T19:16:05" }, { "business_id": "07tT34LEBj1xVgLRk4L8qw", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been to this location multiple times and am finally giving it my review. For this establishment, it is not too bad for its service and quality of food. I do not particularly like reviewing chains but I'll make an exception for Pasta House, since out of all chains I've been to, this one seems to be not too bad after all. One of my usual dishes from this place is the linguine with clam sauce, which is actually surprisingly good for a chain. I like their house salad and always fill up on it with the big plate of it before I start on my entree. If I keep returning, it means I'm ok with this place. I'll keep coming back for the sake of convenience at times.", "timestamp": "2016-02-16T21:29:40" }, { "business_id": "t4Xg0j6xTJLph5Tb1VaMOw", "business_name": "The Butterfly House", "rating": 5, "text": "A wonderful place to be for the family to spend some quality time together. The butterflies today were so active wild because it was warm outside. So much fun to see them flying around, but we have to remember not to touch them or you will hurt their delicate wings or legs. A little pricey, but well worth it for education purposes. We even watched a butterfly hatching from its cocoon. A must for families and children, big or small.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:12:02" }, { "business_id": "-NF_wBObzf5IdLzWyea7XA", "business_name": "St Louis Carousel", "rating": 5, "text": "A perfectly old carousel with music accompaniment by a traditional giant music box. Each ride costs $2 a pop, even for a toddler, but the ride lasts longer than most I've ever been on. A treat for the family, the smiles plastered on everyone's faces are enough to verify how much fun this ride is. Just remember, the horses on the outermost circle of the ride do not move.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T20:17:17" }, { "business_id": "X8hwEPRoRcLjbKVlVt1b1g", "business_name": "Saint Louis Zoo", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best attractions for a visitor to encounter in St. Louis, the zoo is free except for a few attractions where tickets are warranted. However, since zoo is free, I do not think it is unreasonable for anybody to purchase tickets for stops such as the petting zoo and the insect house. Also a great place for families to spend time at, and for children to enjoy themselves discovering nature. Free attractions are hard to come by, so taking advantage of the Saint Louis zoo is a must. This is one of the gems of St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T21:33:02" }, { "business_id": "gSLWjGwRqXSq5HzsoP183g", "business_name": "Schneithorst Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Chicken schnitzel, Wiener schnitzel, pork schnitzel, all three types available here, were savored by us today. To start off, we had the potato pancakes, pub chips and the toddler had the kids' grilled cheese. I ordered the sausage platter and stroganoff to go fr someone else. The food is, quite simply put in German, herrlich, which means heavenly. This is the second time my family and I are having a meal here, and since we have returned, obviously the food is really good. The potato pancakes were stunning with the preserves, all three schnitzels were cooked to perfection. The steak fries which came with the kids' meal was probably the best I've ever had, and I'm not a fan of steak fries at all. The spaetzle which accompanied the schnitzels was cheesy, soft and very tasty. Red cabbage was a little strong with flavor of red wine but set off the meat so well that I truly wasn't too bothered by it in the end. The pub chips were well fried and did not have any lingering grease on them at all. We shall keep returning. Obviously, since we already have.", "timestamp": "2016-03-06T22:35:35" }, { "business_id": "O1qaxqOGOmGThf2Mn_CjgA", "business_name": "The Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "Typical Pasta House with the food. This is our 4th time here. I usually order the salad and linguine with red clams, and I did again today, to go. To eat in house, I had the seafood pastas and I don't regret it at all. I know I'll be looking for it again. Service was very cheerful, and our server just simply loaded us up with rolls. Our toddler loves her boiled ravioli, and ate to get heart's content. The rest of us loved our meals. The one nice thing was that we had an out-of-towner who had never been to a Pasta House, and she liked her meal. Obviously, I will come back again.", "timestamp": "2016-03-10T19:28:13" }, { "business_id": "7TGY8EXD3nOheCnack7YLQ", "business_name": "Sweet Tomatoes", "rating": 3, "text": "There was a time when my family and I would have dinner at Sweet Tomatoes about once a week, but we had since stopped several years ago as the quality had just down trended drastically. Today was the first time I decided to give it a try again, and I recall once again why we stopped coming here. It's ridiculously expensive to pay for raw veges and limp salad and a tiny array of breads, soups and pastas. It's the end of this rad for me here. The Sweet-ness had long turned almost sour.", "timestamp": "2016-03-24T20:45:33" }, { "business_id": "w8tS6xq3k3lmySn-L3FrEw", "business_name": "St. Louis Bubble Tea", "rating": 5, "text": "I've always been to the location at the Loop and this is my first time at this location. Disappointment on my orders in that the noodle soups that I really wanted were unavailable, namely the beef stew noodle soup, which is usually to die for, and anything vermicelli. However, the beef stir fry noodles are really good too, and they have amongst the best spring rolls around. As for their drinks, you can't go wrong with anything ordered. My favorite will always be the ginger milk tea. Without boba. :)", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:27:38" }, { "business_id": "AtQLrRpQan7UtJcIAo9hsA", "business_name": "Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Café", "rating": 5, "text": "I ordered a custom cake with red velvet and carrot, side by side. I'll keep ordering my custom cakes here. This one was for Ben, one of the charge nurses I work with, who has resigned to concentrate fully on school to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Beautifully made cake.", "timestamp": "2016-05-01T23:29:48" }, { "business_id": "TGHxU9bjU4vPpAqOdD0Eew", "business_name": "Big Woody's BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The pork steak simply falls off the bone, brisket and pulled chicken almost melts in the mouth. Their home made barbecue and other dipping sauces are as close to heaven as you can get. This jewel tucked away in St Charles is a secret that needs to be let out of the bag! This may be one of the BEST barbecue joints in the entire St Louis region. I know where I'm coming next time I want barbecue. I can't help it. I keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-05-28T23:56:42" }, { "business_id": "YagBnM_WpABtV3Ti3q26mQ", "business_name": "Garden Heights Nursery", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd driven by this nursery so many times but only decided to go today because I am planning to collect succulents, and searches for nurseries which sell succulents always resulted with this one being one of the top choices. They have an ok choice of succulents. Service was pretty ok as well and they were as helpful as they could be when there were several customers in the store. I'll visit again for succulents when I need them.", "timestamp": "2016-06-11T23:23:56" }, { "business_id": "Z8Ogntx3BWTvzxOFJnL5xA", "business_name": "Concetta's Italian Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I'd like to rave about the service first. Our server was just wonderful! She was attentive, so eager to please, and so very kind. My daughter and I had lunch here with my 18 month old granddaughter. We were chatting with our server when we were ordering from our menus and conversation got around to how picky eaters little ones can be. My daughter mentioned how obsessed the toddler is with veges especially tomatoes, which she seems to not get enough of. And to our surprise, out came a plate of little halved cherry tomatoes as an appetizer for the munchkin, and we never ordered it. It was such an unusually thoughtful gesture from our server. The food was average. We both had sides of Caesar salad and the dressing was above average and slightly sweet. The chicken Marsala was tasty with the chicken slightly overdone but not bad. The tortellini was above average but the tuna melt was average. Not bad. The house, which is the restaurant, is old, charming, typical for the region here in St Charles.", "timestamp": "2016-06-17T17:59:46" }, { "business_id": "cKexlyJCUdZ_aKhptHZnTQ", "business_name": "Flowers & Weeds", "rating": 4, "text": "Nice array of air plants, a lot of succulent arrangements. I loved looking at the propagating succulents they have on display. Not a bad array of cacti, and there are a few impressively sized jade plants. I did not go outside to the other plants. Instead, I came here for succulents.", "timestamp": "2016-07-17T15:42:19" }, { "business_id": "q5dSzxE6grwCzu23_PlesA", "business_name": "Nobu's Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best Japanese restaurants, if not the best in St. Louis. This restaurant was featured in an article in the Riverfront times a few years ago as one of the top three sushi places in this town, and I concur. The sushi is very fresh and definitely well rolled, well seasoned, and just a joy to savor. The a la carte menu features extremely tasty katsu, the best donburi in the entire region, and appetizers to satisfy any palette.", "timestamp": "2016-07-19T17:45:40" }, { "business_id": "_nqrmx5xKLQyrbmjhwiiuA", "business_name": "The Catbird Seat", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply amazing. This was not dinner. It was an experience, and one to cherish forever. Chef Ryan Poli and his team were astounding, the menu and meal could only have been created by a genius and executed by a team so spectacular in how cohesively they worked to orchestrate such a fabulous meal. The pairings were out of this world.", "timestamp": "2016-07-29T04:58:34" }, { "business_id": "HKS-63JzfR0DMNVLBuokYw", "business_name": "Mission Taco Joint - Delmar Loop", "rating": 5, "text": "\"Give a girl a taco, and she'd love you forever\". These tacos here are not diamonds, as those little rocks are famed as the best friends of us girls, but these tacos really made my eyes sparkle. We tried the shrimp, portobello, duck, carne, mofu tofu and chicken, and we really couldn't decide which was the best, as they all shone. The guacamole was fresh and tasty, the empanadas were splendid with layers of flavor bursting on the tongue as soon as the food hits the mouth. I think it's because they were stuffed with their fabulous corn. The sides of rice (exploding with cilantro flavor and not as simple as one would think), and street corn (probably their best kept secret) did not really accompany the tacos we ate. Instead, they were almost main dishes in their own right. Seriously, the street corn was to die for. The garnishes of the tacos were colorful, and offered superb texture, and layers of flavor, but the true star of the show was the fact that these little tortillas, which held together these little gastronomic wonders they call tacos, are made here at the restaurant, and they look it. None of that commercially made and bought tortillas for this place! The tortilla chips made from the same tortillas were outstanding. The salsa, also made here, bursts with that smoked flavor which just caresses the palate, making each bite a joy. My companion was smart to give this girl a taco.", "timestamp": "2016-08-09T00:08:59" }, { "business_id": "GC_pZfQOAFBtHmqjYr_9HQ", "business_name": "China #1", "rating": 4, "text": "My go to place for Chinese in this area. They're fast, reasonable, polite, and the food is very tasty. Lots of Chinese places serve greasy, usually tasteless food, and the secret of knowing a good Chinese restaurant is the flavor of its fried rice, but this place actually has food that is above average in its flavor. My favorite is the Lo mein and the mei fun, which is a dish of fried thin rice vermicelli fried. I'll keep coming back, that's for sure. Update: I simply keep returning.", "timestamp": "2016-09-01T19:36:35" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis. I've been here so many times but had never reviewed it, and I'd say that it's about time that I did. Ambience is casual, sometimes it could get loud when crowded, which is mostly what it is. Fast and efficient service, food is fantastic, and I keep returning over and over again. I am taking my time to go through the entire menu of dishes here, but my favorites are the fried rice dishes, the chao dishes (rice soups) and obviously, the pho dishes. Just be warned, those who use artificial sweeteners, they only have the \"yellow\" variety. Highly recommended. The seafood with charred rice special is always the special on the board at the maitre d' stand, and I have to say that I enjoy it every time u come here. Succulent shrimp, scallops, imitation crab, calamari, mushrooms and snow peas are served with a lovely brown sauce, sizzling away in a very hot clay pot, and is a dish I highly recommend.", "timestamp": "2016-09-03T18:08:20" }, { "business_id": "RZWy7iy0X-AkOiUIXiKhYw", "business_name": "Elephant Bar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Disappointment met us with the overall experience this time around. We have been here many times before but today, much was left to be desired. We ordered fries as an afterthought and ten minutes later, it arrived cold. We did not complain, as it is not our custom to. The mojito was unusual as it had coconut in it. Otherwise, the rest of the food was very average. Our server kept forgetting to bring our orders, and mind you, we have had amongst the best servers in St. Louis here in the past. Let's hope that our future experiences will be better.", "timestamp": "2017-03-21T00:24:10" }, { "business_id": "-6jVwUuXC1-dyr2YRCEU6Q", "business_name": "Anis Hyderabad Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Been here three times and I like the food, which is superbly tasty. Savor the best bryani in town. It is very heartening to note that many Indians actually flock here to eat, especially the younger crowd. The only thing I'm a little disappointed in is the fast food aura that this restaurant lends to the ambience, but it should not deter one who is out to grab a much more than decent Hyderabadi meal in a city with many Indian restaurants to choose from. I keep returning here to pick up my to go orders, and even though there are two other Indian restaurants very close to where I live, I drive the 15 minutes to get here for the best Indian cuisine in town. They're fast, very courteous, and serve genuinely delicious food. Interesting that they offer Vietnamese and Chinese on their menu as well, and I'll admit I've never tried those before, but it makes perfect sense that they offer this as halal prep for those who fancy it for religious purpose, since I know of no Vietnamese or Chinese restaurants to be halal.", "timestamp": "2017-03-29T19:42:53" }, { "business_id": "EF_9W5s9lFSjv4forNxwng", "business_name": "Tai Ke Shabu Shabu", "rating": 5, "text": "Is the cuisine really genuine? Honestly, yes it really is! Imagine my excitement when I read other Yelpers' reviews about this Taiwanese restaurant, and since I was brought up in Southeast Asia and know authentic Asian food well, my thrill about the food here soared to unbeatable heights when I walked into its modest dining area, sat down and was treated to an unforgettable experience. The decor isn't much to boast about, but the cool thing that I noticed on one of the walls was the display of a few menu items written in Chinese characters, one of which is no longer served here, but once was when the establishment first opened. I spoke with the owner and he said that the famous Taiwanese oyster omelette is not easy to have on the menu because oysters are difficult to keep fresh, and he truly cared about using only the best and finest ingredients for his dishes. Score. My daughter and I enjoyed a meal of stir fried beef and egg noodles, with special seasoned hard boiled eggs (these are dark because they are cooked in a special rich broth which enhances the flavor of the egg, a dish I savored as s child), and calamari stew mung bean soup, which simply exploded with flavor. I also enjoyed a can of soy bean milk drink with my meal, which obviously isn't made by the establishment, but it's the drink of my choice when I eat authentic Chinese food. Definitely one of the best culinary experiences I've ever had in this town. I'm not even a famous chef or food critic. Yet I was treated like one. This second time I was here, we had sizzling beef, clay pot three cup tofu, and basil stir fried clams. We also had the legendary gua bao. The food is just tremendous!! An update to my review: At last I get to come back here again! My third time, and I know it won't be the last, for sure. The food is just to die for, what more can I say?", "timestamp": "2017-04-04T18:21:26" }, { "business_id": "ATO_GTUMSEYBZn0v1cqg0g", "business_name": "Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the eighth time I've been to this establishment, the sixth time since it moved here from its original location from somewhere in St Charles, I believe. I still keep returning and I know it will not be the last time, for sure. My daughter, who is not too fond of seafood, likes coming here for either the tuna or salmon. I love the jambalaya (I never fail to order it to go for my next meal, every single time I'm here), and every time, I order something else off the menu for my in-restaurant meal. This time around, I wanted to simply enjoy the uncomplicated and yet oh-so-satisfying Cajun-styled seafood dump, and was not disappointed. By the way, their corn muffins are about the best that I've had, and I don't normally even like corn muffins.... I know I'll be back again sometime this year.", "timestamp": "2017-05-13T20:20:08" }, { "business_id": "Aew5uJRpT8Bhr_VT46S1WQ", "business_name": "The Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here many times before, however, this time I had the pleasure of trying this place out with a child in tow. It's a good place to feed the family. They are kid friendly. We had the Tuesday specials of meatloaf and chicken fried steak. The portions of the main course are large but the accompanying salads were on saucers, so pretty small. Try the house dressing. It's a sweet and sour, probably with a berry in it. Their idea of two scoops of ice cream is to fill a large chalice with two giants scoops of their creamy rich ice cream. Be prepared to struggle to finish your meal if you're a shall eater. The food is good home cooking renowned in the Midwest.", "timestamp": "2017-05-30T17:58:58" }, { "business_id": "15S2mbJO4X-yyLtx-zyesA", "business_name": "World Bird Sanctuary", "rating": 5, "text": "I would absolutely recommend anybody coming here to visit this park. It is free, but any amount of money donated to them goes to feeding the magnificent birds. They're very aided species of birds is astounding, and they try to have us many rare birds as possible, in order to help with the survival of their species. The information that they provide on each individual species of bird is wonderful for learning. No dogs are allowed here, and I cannot blame them for refusing entries two dogs, since they do not want the birds to be frightened. There is a trail to walk along after the bird sanctuary, which takes about 1 1/2 hours to traverse.", "timestamp": "2019-05-05T19:19:56" } ]	{ "business_id": "efM9aa7I7rqlalixLevDmg", "business_name": "Lone Elk Park", "rating": 5, "text": "\"Oh give me a home where the buffalos roam, and the deer and the antelope play.\" Bison, deer, elk can be seen freely wandering and feeding around this gem of a park. One can get out of the car to sit at picnic tables scattered around the park, and I even caught sight of someone hiking around it, even though I wouldn't do it myself, as these are wild animals, and there is a warning that cars have been damaged by these animals as well, although I do wonder what was done to provoke these creatures. All that has to be kept in mind, is for people to use common sense when visiting this place. I was enthralled by the elk sitting by the side of the road, and I'm sure they were looking at us as much as we were enjoying our view of them, although I won't doubt that they were bored with us. A large male elk also crossed the path in front of our stopped car, and we were so excited, while I'm sure that magnificent creature was inwardly rolling its eyes at us. Entrance is free but I strongly recommend a donation towards the park's care and maintenance. There is a lake where one can fish at, but appointments and permission need to be made and obtained prior to the event of fishing. I know I'll be back there again, with or without my family, as it was such a peaceful experience driving slowly under the massive cover of trees and quietly looking around and spotting lovely animals that just simply want to serenely feed and live in this beautiful fenced in park. Please honor the rules of the park for safety of the visitors, and more than just that, the safety and respect for the animals that inhabit this lovely place.", "timestamp": "2019-05-10T21:06:49" }
07aVWNhBhpwqW3MdqoKDKQ	[ { "business_id": "yD3vJQYB8lX8Se97oCVb2w", "business_name": "Rio Mar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here several times over the course of many years and there are some gems for sure, although I was turned off last night. We sat for dinner and asked to start with some appetizers so that we could look over the menu leisurely. We were told that the kitchen doesn't accept appetizer orders without the entrees, you have to order everything at once. I don't remember this ever being the case there. My group and I are all restaurant workers and found this attitude not worthy of the good but not spectacular meal. The ceviche. Good but the lime juice didn't taste fresh, more like what you buy in the green, plastic lime-shaped container. Pata negra (jamon iberico). Very tasty, I liked that it was served with almond-stuffed dates, they were delicious. Oysters Riomar. Very good, a little rich but I love manchego and chorizo, maybe a little too much chorizo in this particular dish, it kind of overwhelmed the other flavors. Gulf fish escabeche. Outstanding, very fresh. Serrano-wrapped tuna. Meh. Sounds amazing but the tuna flavor was not there. The tres leches with coco had a different texture than I usually associate with the dessert but it was very tasty, especially with the nuts on top. Flan was a bit too dense, in a sort of gelatinous way but still good flavor. Chocolate cake was unremarkable. The desserts were on the house to apologize for the appetizer/entree thing but I don't see why they wouldn't just allow a more relaxed style of ordering, it's not as if we walked in five minutes before closing.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T14:50:13" }, { "business_id": "yf8a1DOlqoqlKHuLSKEfxg", "business_name": "Dante's Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful outdoor seating area, friendly but not overbearing service. My absolute favorite thing was the escargot served in a sauce of basil, vermouth and goat cheese. I would go back again and again for that dish. We also got the Heads and Tails, very cute name and very tasty dish (hogshead cheese and braised oxtails). Beets and greens we ordered as sides were wonderful, simple but somehow unique. Braised pork belly not as great as I had anticipated but the pork steak confit was even better. Redfish served with soft herbs and crabmeat was delicate and lovely. At first I thought the very pretty profusion of herbs would be over the top flavor-wise but it wasn't. Too full for dessert although nothing really jumped out at me either. One of my more memorable meals this year.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T15:13:32" }, { "business_id": "je-bSjTTn8qKjT094MzjDw", "business_name": "Laurel Street Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "I want to like this place because it is sweet and neighborhoody but the croissants were really disappointing. The chocolate croissants had chocolate syrup on them but for some reason I ordered them anyway, at which point they put MORE syrup on. Ick. They also tasted pretty stale. Almond was better but still pretty lweak as far as croissants go. I would go back to try their coffee and bagels, which I hear are really good but then again I heard the croissants were great too.", "timestamp": "2010-07-25T18:01:33" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 3, "text": "The fried chicken was good. The shrimp creole that my friends had looked not so great but they liked it. Then again, they're visiting from out of town and I've never liked shrimp creole anyway. However, the Sazerac there is awful, it's watery and served over ICE! I've never had a Sazerac on the rocks and I hope to never again. Still, would come back to try the duck quesadilla", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:03:01" }, { "business_id": "FEXhWNCMkv22qG04E83Qjg", "business_name": "Café Du Monde", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Cafe du Monde, always have. But I have never gotten their frozen cafe au lait, always stuck with regular cafe au lait and beignets. So I met some friends downtown and on the way back to the office, I was HOT and stopped for the aforementioned frozen drink. Slightly too sweet but really, who cares, it is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:04:21" }, { "business_id": "qFqYnVhKKdDPYoTFwqHDrg", "business_name": "Martinique Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing. Martinique has been on my list for years and I can't believe I never made it until last night. i was with a group of six, which was fantastic because we ordered a ton of food and got to taste much of the menu. Escargot, lobster gnocchi, basil crepe, tomato gazpacho and mussels were excellent. The scallop appetizer special was kind of bland. Cobb salad was outstanding, peppery arugula and salty cheese with sweet crab meat. I thought it was kind of strange that no bread was served, which I generally don't care about but was needed for the escargot sauce. Instead, we slurped it up with the mussel shells! Lamb with pistachio-mint tapenade and pork with onion marmalade were both outstanding. The flat iron steak was good but not as flavorful as it should have been, the flavor mostly came from the compound butter it was topped with. My entree was an ahi with a caper-five herb beurre blanc that was heavy on the tarragon and topped with crabmeat. The sauce was amazing, the crabmeat really set it off, I wish the tuna was cooked slightly less but still great. Desserts were a super Meyer-lemon goat cheese tart, a housemade Guinness ice cream and a fairly boring bread pudding. Lovely service, beautiful setting, stellar meal.", "timestamp": "2010-07-28T19:45:21" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the little tables inside and the pictures of the family and all that jazz. I love strolling there on a cool September evening. But I think their gelato is just fine, not great, but fine. If I want gelato, or any other frozen dessert, I prefer Sucre or La Divina or Creole Creamery, I think they just use better products.", "timestamp": "2010-09-29T15:39:24" }, { "business_id": "TzkVUJab9Sh0CqDk2sCF-w", "business_name": "Bayona", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still full from last night. Yes, it was very good but I wasn't blown away. Maybe my expectations were too high. I had a Stormy Morning to start, which was elderberry and violette liquers, bubbly and lime, almost too sweet but the lime saved it. Then we got some bread which was nice although I noticed other tables got amuses bouches and we did not. Sad. I got the crispy quail salad for an appetizer, it was indeed crispy and the greens weren't overdressed! Finally! My boyfriend got the sweetbreads in sherry-mustard and although he said they were a bit too salty, they were cooked perfectly. The man got the Bayona salad as a second and I thought it was really lame. I like salads not to be drowning in dressing but I couldn't really taste any dressing at all, there was a bit on the bottom of the bowl but...really? And it was just lettuce and Parm. I'm bored just thinking about it. Entrees, I got a grouper special, which had a beautiful sear on it and a wonderful lemony-capery-buttery sauce. Also chanterelles, cipolloni and tomatoes. My boyfriend got a rabbit roulade with a green onion-brioche stuffing. The stuffing was great but the rabbit was kind of overcooked and had LOTS of little bones in it. There shouldn't be bones in a roulade. The mashed potatoes were as exciting as the Bayona salad and the sauteed kale was tasty but also very salty. I think dessert was the best. We got perfectly pulled espressos, served with a chocolate almond and we ordered a Lemon-Lavendar Semifreddo with Almond Shortbread. I capitalized all that because that's how good it was. It tasted like a fairy tale. Overall, I enjoyed the meal but I think this is one of those NOLA restaurants that saw their heyday a while back and isn't moving forward.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T14:29:36" }, { "business_id": "mfTyBrvx9uCTSPjmrl8PjA", "business_name": "Maison Dupuy Hotel", "rating": 3, "text": "We went here for pre-dinner drinks, which were okay but not great and pricey. To be fair though, our bartender said it was her first day so I'll cut her some slack. A ton of stars for their piano player Paul, he is awesome.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T16:34:24" }, { "business_id": "95d60_mjUg2kLy-bhDLC6w", "business_name": "Theo's Neighborhood Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Meh. I was hungry and Parkway closed early because they ran out of bread so I ended up at Theo's. The toppings were good but the crust was flavorless and I am not a fan of its crackerlike crispness. I like all kinds of pizza, NY style and Chicago style and so on but I have yet to find pizza in New Orleans that I love.", "timestamp": "2010-10-04T00:02:49" }, { "business_id": "E_HZHSOrXy621e9jeI8R7w", "business_name": "Parkview Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "I like Parkview. I like the outside tables and the semi-stale but free popcorn and the very, very cheap Abita on tap with tokens so you can drink your pitcher in moderate, pint-sized portions and then save some for next time. I like Bunchie and Chris and their free food at Saints games, especially the hogshead cheese shaped like a fleur-de-lis made by the inimitable Vaughn of Creole Country Meats. The downside to the whole place is that it's just so smoky:(", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:17:31" }, { "business_id": "4FDOh7BAb0pgLuD8rjl3bg", "business_name": "Dee's Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "Now that the weather is nice, I can leave my crypt-like office and take a mid-afternoon stroll to wake myself up. Dee's is perfect, not crowded, unassuming and just good coffee. I've only had espresso there but I'd like to try some of their frozen drinks, I think they had something called English Garden with lavender and violet? With coffee? I'm intrigued.", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:23:45" }, { "business_id": "FknpD7tLt59-6ozV3Pk2Vg", "business_name": "Caesars Superdome", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm a hater. I got all excited because the boyfriend's boss gave us his tickets last week but really, I think I like to watch the game where there are fewer obnoxious people and the food doesn't give me the runs. Within minutes of getting through security, several shrill women who looked like they were coming from a meth lab damn near started a riot by pushing and loudly kvetching near the escalators. Okay. Moving along. We got to our seats and were lucky to sit in front of a man who heckled EVERYONE in sight for the whole game, from five year olds to peanut vendors. As for the food, well, all nachos are not created equal and these weren't so good. The one bite I had of the hot dogs actually tasted pretty decent but sadly the boyfriend spent the rest of the day in the bathroom. I'll stick to the neighborhood bar or better yet, make some gumbo at home and invite the neighborhood over.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T19:37:13" }, { "business_id": "GWLWFcxaWJuWFZYeQSMMTg", "business_name": "Garden District Book Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. They pack a lot of good reads into a small place, plus I have been going to their book club meeting the past few months, which is super. The books are always thoughtfully picked and even if I don't enjoy that month's selection, I really like hearing what these smart, articulate women (men are certainly allowed although I've never seen one!) have to say about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:09:11" }, { "business_id": "nLxzI1lBOFNTKEnoip66wA", "business_name": "Mondo", "rating": 4, "text": "Highlights were the shrimp and pork meatballs on the lemongrass skewers and creamy crab toast. The breaded artichoke was pretty boring and awfully stringy but the lemon aioli was a bright spot. The steak tartare was fine but there was so much caper and pepper and so on that it detracted from the beef. If there was actually even any beef at all, I'm not sure. I'm kicking myself for not trying to soup of the day, a hot and sour soup with duck dumplings. My dinner was perfectly passable, fish \"Muddy Waters\" (which is a meuniere with jalapeno and anchovy) with roasted potatoes, except I didn't care for the fish of the day...tripletail. I usually hate five-spice powder but T's Chinese duck was very tasty, if a little small, as was the accompanying turnip cake. C. got a steak with bearnaise and OOOOH, I cannot get enough of tarragon lately. I don't even know how the steak was because I focused on those lovely, licorice-like, grassy bits of tarragon in the sauce. E.got a lovely lamb with ricotta agnolloti that might be what I order next time I'm in. For dessert, lemon tart, coconut sorbet and sweet potato-pecan pie with almond-sherry ice cream. Sorbet (good) lemon tart (uh, lemony?) sweet-potato pecan pie with ice cream was STELLAR. I really liked the ice cream, the sherry complemented the almond so well and the almonds tasted deep and toasty. All in all, a very nice meal, although we wanted a perhaps finer dining experience than they offer. We were looking for some port or sherry after dinner, no such luck. Anyway, next time I'll forgo the high-brow meal experience and sit at the bar with a glass of wine and a pizza from the wood-burning oven. Oh, and those meatballs!d", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:21:02" }, { "business_id": "R7ZqfB-4Z7jyl73iQ58nEQ", "business_name": "GG's Dine-O-Rama", "rating": 2, "text": "Crowded. Smells strange. The corned beef sandwich had WAY too much creole mustard (that stuff is strong!) and the beef tasted slightly sweet and cinnamony, just the thought of which makes me feel queasy. Very small for $11. My friend got mozzarella sliders which were made using crappy rolls, plus they were burnt. Underwhelming.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:02:45" }, { "business_id": "jMZ56S8Y1t7cA1Ob-d-qeA", "business_name": "Three Muses", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfection. Eggplant bruschetta was the hit of the night. The goat cheese gratin (not really a gratin at all but it was delicious so screw semantics) and pork belly were also amazing! Not too impressed with an ahi tuna special but maybe that's because everything else was so good! I didn't think I'd like the tomato chutney on the lamb sliders but it went very well together, lamb seasoned perfectly, just a bit on the dry side though. We had several cocktails, the Muse was hands down my favorite; strawberry, cucumber, gin and St. Germain. Also good mojitos and sangria. The blueberry bellini was okay but if I didn't know it was supposed to be blueberry, I wouldn't have been able to taste it, although it was a very pretty color.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:07:34" }, { "business_id": "me3mlZsR26fV89fMw2uR6Q", "business_name": "Rib Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Between three and four stars but since the setting is so over the top and cinematic, I'll go with four stars. It was eerily empty when we arrived at 7:30 on a Friday night. Our server looked like he was 12 and he seemed excited to be waiting on three ladies who weren't senior citizens. We got served cheese and crackers as soon as we sat down and I thought that was really odd. Bread soon followed. I had a frisee salad with a poached egg and lardons. It came looking very pretty and garnished with a purple orchid. But there were no lardons and the egg was cooked all the way through. It had a nice dressing though and that orchid really went a long way for me so overall, good. My friend got the house salad, which was not very fresh looking iceberg with Hidden Valley ranch. At a place like this, I'd expect better greens and maybe housemade dressings. For my entree, I had a really wonderful filet cooked with peppercorn sauce. My friend did also but we ordered them at different temps. They gave us the wrong ones which isn't so horrible but again, at that kind of restaurant, you need to have a lot of attention devoted to those details. The other friend had a prime rib, she said it tasted very good but not as tender as it should be and overall didn't seem very impressed. Chocolate mousse for dessert, fine not great or memorable in any way. I enjoyed it for the wonderful company that I had and the plush surroundings. The food was fine but for the money, I'll take my business somewhere else.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:30:03" }, { "business_id": "E5YB7NywtfmQ2_rpxtjmKQ", "business_name": "Betsys Pancake House", "rating": 3, "text": "This is nothing remarkable here food-wise but it's worth it to go on a Sunday morning before a Saints game when all the patrons, staff and even the interior of the place are decked out in their black and gold finest. The other great thing that I love about Betsy's is the gruff but sweet waitress who cannot complete any sentence without calling you baby, darling or sweetheart, even if she is yelling at you. The food was fine, not stellar, but it's a diner, what more could you expect? Corned beef hash is out of a can, forgot my friend's english muffin but loved that the waitress said \"Your muffin is on it's way. Really, I just forgot to put it in. At least I'm honest.\" I love her.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T16:47:13" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Props for being open on Monday. We sat at the sushi bar and were given two salads, I guess they were complimentary because we didn't order them. This turned out to be my favorite thing. Greens topped with some seaweed salad, squid and fried onions? I don't know but it was delightful and way better than the weird and heavily-mayonnaised salad they give you at Mikimoto. We ordered yellowtail, tuna and escolar by the piece. Yellowtail is usually my favorite but this did not have a good taste. BBQ yellowtail had no sauce and tuna-avocado was very skimpy on the avocado. We also had the seafood salad and it was very generous and tasty by the end but initially not so good because the sauce was all at the bottom and it wasn't tossed. They have a ton of specialty rolls, which is cool but I found it overwhelming, we ordered the Burning Man, which never came and I didn't mind at all because I was so full. Overall, it was ok, not awful, but can't hold a candle to my NOLA favorite, Horinoya. Also, they use the nasty, dyed Pepto-Bismol pink ginger, why does ginger need to be dyed? My final gripe, they don't seem to season their rice and it's very plain. But hey, they're open Mondays and do karaoke so I'll probably be back. Next time I will try the ramen, which I have heard is really good.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:23:52" }, { "business_id": "7pKzyzCFC7LpX82sM-0aMg", "business_name": "Balcony Music Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't been here since about 2001 when I think it was called the Matador? And I think all those pretty windows used to be blacked out or otherwise covered? Anyway, Friday night we saw TWO great bands for FREE, had a cute table in the window that fit several of us. I didn't have a drink so I don't know if they were good or cheap etc but I am still so thrilled about not paying a cover and not feeling crowded or cramped by hordes of people.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:35:34" }, { "business_id": "9TDyIOrSrncpsAUxVqx3aA", "business_name": "Capdeville", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't eaten here yet but I watched the game there on Sunday. I had the Persephone's Fall, which is St. Germain, gin, egg white, lemon juice and something else to make it pink, maybe pomegranate? Outstanding. They also passed out free shots of whiskey every time the Saints scored and while whiskey isn't really my thing, I thought it was a nice gesture.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:38:25" }, { "business_id": "rHYqc5YTAkFGYxcoYg7R8w", "business_name": "Trashy Diva", "rating": 4, "text": "Love Trashy Diva! I must have shied away because the name totally turns me off but now that I know how wonderful it is, I am a loyal follower. There are tons of stores here that sell pretty dresses but I had no idea that the owner designs the clothing herself! I love the sort of vintage/retro feel of the clothes. I'm the kind of person who could go through the rest of life wearing a Betty Draper style shirtdress and be totally happy so if that's your style, you will love this store. Sizes run from 2-18 but go often because once they are out, that dress is done! I saw a dress that I ADORED but they only had a size two left and I am still moping about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T21:14:34" }, { "business_id": "UeYZgcORV2Veo_BZzdiaTg", "business_name": "Napoleon House", "rating": 4, "text": "I moved away from New Orleans for a few years and on one visit back, I was craving a Pimm's Cup from Napoleon House. Maybe my taste buds changed or maybe they make them differently but it tasted like a whole bunch of cheap, pre-mixed ingredients like that powdered base used to make sour mix. If you want a real Pimm's Cup, go see Chris at Bar Uncommon at the Pere Marquette. This man is no bartender, he is a mixologist, I think he has done demos at the Smithsonian on drink mixing! You will die and go to heaven when he makes a drink for you. Anyway, love the atmosphere at Napoleon House, inside or outside in the courtyard. The food is good enough, I liked the muffaletta and the shrimp remoulade in avocado cups. I don't ever really go here except when I have people visiting from out of town and everyone enjoys it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-21T16:18:40" }, { "business_id": "pym7c6ZFEtmoH16xN2ApBg", "business_name": "Katie's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Katie. I really, really want to like you. You're a neighborhood anchor, you've got that cute little outdoor seating area and you even have bottomless mimosas for Sunday brunch! I hope you don't read this because I hate to hurt your feelings but then again, I hope you do so perhaps you can make some adjustments and we can be better friends. We were lured in by $10 pizza night, which is every Thursday. Also, the website said creamy tomato-basil soup (one of my favorites!), stuffed mirlitons and white beans for daily specials, yes please! Weirdly, only one of the specials posted was actually a special. Beef vegetable, no thanks. We had more than ample time to wait for our food and this is what I noticed. Our server was really sweet. The place seemed full of neighbors and regulars, always a good sign. The staff/service didn't seem to have a real sense of urgency but it was all so friendly that I didn't mind. The food. I had the gumbo since they had no tomato-basil soup. Very good, spicy, full of sausage. The rice was of the long-ago cooked, rather hard variety but that's usually my gripe with gumbo everywhere and so it's probably my fault for not asking them to leave it out. The boyfriend's BLT salad was huge, had plenty of blue cheese and bacon but no tomato. Isn't that what the \"T\" stands for? Then we had the Boudreaux pizza, which was AWFUL. I had to pick all through it to find any meat and when I did, it was a couple tiny scraps. The pizza was burned and I don't mind some char but this was burned in a very unpleasant way. Very dry. Weirdly tasteless toppings. Disappointing. We'll be back to try other things but I will never order pizza here again.", "timestamp": "2010-10-22T11:37:05" }, { "business_id": "I3Uy20BKx7G-Fzz6hLIeWg", "business_name": "Restaurant August", "rating": 4, "text": "I keep going to these super-hyped up places and feeling a little disappointed. Maybe after I hear all the raves, I expect perfection and that is too high an order. I felt this way at Bayona and Le Foret as well. Anyway, I did enjoy my lunch. We served the ubiquitous amuse bouche of truffled sabayon in an egg. I liked this a lot although I understand my boyfriend's gripe about it having an odd texture. It was sort of like scooping extra-fancy mayonnaise out of the egg and eating it. It was good spread on the bread they served, which was good because the butter tasted not quite right to me. I got the duck salad which was okay, not great, very sparse but to be expected for a pre-fixe meal deal. The duck tasted kind of off, actually the best part was the roasted pears. My boyfriend's pate plate was super, it was HUGE and it came with all kinds of pickled and aspic-ed vegetables. My ravioli were tasty but the pasta was pretty tough. I loved the knobs of crabmeat on top. The boyfriend's shrimp and grits were good, not remarkable, and if I had more than two bites, I suspect I would have gotten sick of the flavor, very rich and salty. Desserts were wonderful. I got a brioche grilled cheese with goat cheese and figs and a spicy honey. The BF got a butterscotch pot-de-creme that was also outstanding. Espresso served with lemon peel without having to ask for it! For what we paid, it was worth it but I was just a little let down since I foolishly went in thinking I was entering food heaven. Very good, not earth-shattering.", "timestamp": "2010-11-03T16:41:19" }, { "business_id": "j8JOZvfeHEfUWq3gEz6ABQ", "business_name": "Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "I've always loved Bacchanal and every visit there, from the wine to the food to the beautiful, enchanted garden/patio/courtyard area. Always a five star experience. A couple of weeks ago however, a not so good experience. Everything started well, we got some great wine recommendations from the friendly guy working the register and put in an order for food OUTSIDE. We also wanted to get a cheese plate (INSIDE) to nibble on. I guess when you select your cheese, you are purchasing the WHOLE piece, which seems kind of excessive and absurd, even for a cheese lover. So for a couple of people, we spent nearly $40 on a cheese plate. A wine bar should have a cheese plate that you can choose a few selections of meat/cheese for a set price, depending on the number of items. Well, I think they should anyway. When we did get the cheese plate, there was very little bread and considering the fact that we had a couple pounds of meat and cheese, I think more than 4 pieces were warranted. The surly woman who was making the cheese plates was outside delivering some food when we asked if we could have more bread. She rolled her eyes, told us we just got bread and if we wanted more, we would have to go to the front and fill out a bread request form. Really? Will I also have to pay a charge for an inter-bakery loan? Then she sat down at a table with friends and chatted and had a glass of wine. I thought that was silly and rude. But I still love Bacchanal, just that now I will avoid the inside food and stick with the delicious outside food, no attitude there.", "timestamp": "2010-11-04T20:53:57" }, { "business_id": "BrospeMqVM_tF9HH0RHuog", "business_name": "Gene's PO-Boys", "rating": 5, "text": "Mmm. After the parade on Saturday and our foray at Bar Tonique, I realized it had been way too long since I was in that part of town that late at night after having had some cocktails. Which of course is the best time to hit Gene's. I got my usual, the hot sausage, and the boyfriend got the roast beef. Super messy and oh-so-fantastic. I woke up wanting another for breakfast. One time I was driving from Baton Rouge to Miami with a friend who had never been to New Orleans. We were tight on time so we couldn't stop and hang out but I made sure we had an extra 20 minutes to jump off the interstate and get some Gene's to sustain us for the rest of the car ride. It's that good.", "timestamp": "2010-11-05T16:12:58" }, { "business_id": "H5KRna9A6mDQEJ2ZN0zL6g", "business_name": "La Petite Grocery", "rating": 3, "text": "I expected more. It's a beautiful place, the inside is so much bigger than I had imagined from the outside! It really is a lovely setting for a date. To start off, I had a French 75 that was BAD. It was supposedly with pear brandy, I didn't taste any pear and it way overpowered the champagne. I love a French 75 and this was not good. I got the gnocchi, which was pretty tasty although weirdly unsalted and no salt and pepper on the table. My boyfriend's sweetbreads tasted like old oil. The menu online is definitely not up-to-date incidentally. I ordered the rabbit, which sadly was like a big chicken finger. It came with an uninspired side of sauteed spinach, the spaetzle being the only redeeming factor. My boyfriend's hangar steak was fine. I was really surprised by the limited entree offerings and not really impressed by anything but the ambiance. I should give it another try before I write it off forever but I'm not dying to get back any time soon.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:23:59" }, { "business_id": "o5UrUOKcmj5GFXmB6Osb6w", "business_name": "Bouligny Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "We just came in for drinks before dinner. The space is very nice, especially welcoming on a cold night. Liquor selection and cocktail list were both more than ample. I will have to go back for the famous beignets and they have MARROW! Mmm! The crowd wasn't really my thing but I'm fine with that, it's good for people watching. The only thing that was slightly off for me was that our bartender gave us menus, took our drink order, made our drinks, checked for second round, delivered our bill and so on without saying one word. I thought that was strange but also weirdly admirable that she could convey so much with gestures and facial expressions.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:29:00" }, { "business_id": "ILUd8DXxX21FOgUmE4bTLA", "business_name": "Yuki Izakaya", "rating": 3, "text": "I loved the atmosphere of this quirky little spot. The old wooden bar and exposed brick are lovely in their own right but the way it is decorated with Japanese cartoons and knickknackery is really cute. We went in last Thursday when there was no one else in the bar but the bartender, no patrons or music. I got a green tea martini that I didn't like at all but maybe I should have tried something else. Foodwise, nothing very good. The french fries were of the Ore Ida variety although the wasabi mayonnaise was good. Marinated octopus in wasabi was interesting for a few bites but then it was just kind of murky-tasting. Rice wrapped in seaweed with salted plum was waaaaaay to salty (and I love salty) and off-puttingly mushy. The beef tongue was super tough, i actually felt like I was eating someone's tongue instead of having it fall apart like I'm used to. The sauce was awesome though, lemony and peppery, if they'd just learn how to cook the tongue right! I would definitely come back for a beer and maybe a nibble but not to eat extensively. A band started playing just as we were finishing up, which was nice. My final issue though is that they don't charge a cover for music, just an upcharge of 50 cents on every item during a show. We had our drinks and food long before the band even showed up or started playing but we got the surcharge for each item. It was just a matter of a few dollars but since we really didn't partake in the entertainment, I thought it was worth noting.", "timestamp": "2010-12-08T15:56:15" }, { "business_id": "75FY8ZQx5nOWP0VFmNvWfw", "business_name": "Atchafalaya Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for a while and am so glad I finally did. Now I can't wait to get back for dinner! I had brunch here the other day, I was impressed with the interior, it's light and airy and full of artwork. The coffee was great. My friend and I split entrees, we tried the eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes and crab on top. We also got a special, duck hash with blackberries and mango in a bacon vinaigrette with poached eggs and hollandaise! I think I was full for at least eight hours after that. The special was really outstanding, the hollandaise was perfect. I liked the eggs benny too, I just wish the fried green tomato had a little more flavor, maybe more seasoning in the batter? It wasn't a standout. I went to the ladies room and there were a pair of black lace underwear in the stall. I didn't think this was really that kind of place but it gave me a good laugh. Then it got me a little grossed out about the bathroom.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:28:05" }, { "business_id": "Nhci37qY0HPCNWc5UQul9w", "business_name": "9 Roses", "rating": 4, "text": "Banh Xeo-mmmm, so delicate and crisp. This is my new love. We also got steamed, pork dumplings that I thought tasted watery but the BF liked them so I happily ate the banh xeo and relinquished the rest of the dumplings to him. I wanted pho but I also wanted to try something new so I got the quail. It was fine but just plain roasted quail, which had me wanting the more complex riot of flavors in pho. But then if had ordered the pho, I would have still been wondering about the quail! I'm so difficult sometimes. We also got the ribs in fish sauce (Dorothy's recommendation), really tasty, the sauce is kind of on the sweet side but mix it up with greens and it is oh so good. Lemon grass beef vermicelli was fabulous. Our server was really sweet and attentive. It was REALLY cold in there, everyone was wearing winter jackets. But still very worth the drive to the West Bank and if you're still hungry, which I doubt, stop at Taqueria Sanchez right across the way!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:44:05" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Saturday was a beautiful day, it punctuated the much colder weather and I was happy to get out and about. There was lots of what seemed to be good food but I couldn't eat, having just come from a huge meal at Atchafalaya. Besides food, there were vintage and second-hand items, puppies, music and lots of crafts. An abundance of NOLA-based stuff that is great for gifts but am I the only one getting sick of seeing fleur-de-lis everything? I did pick up some Christmas ornaments that were oyster shells with the Virgin Mary on them. Who wouldn't love Mary on the half-shell dangling from their tree? I'm really excited to see this part of Freret picking up momentum. It's always had such a cool, sort of small town Main Street feel to it but has been woefully neglected. Glad to see it on the upswing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:53:09" }, { "business_id": "wQNkpi9RvpuoiDB-CiHxog", "business_name": "Bar Tonique", "rating": 5, "text": "So, I have returned and I have tried SEVERAL more cocktails. I went on a Thursday, caiparinha night, and I have to say it was lackluster. Nowhere near as good as the ones at Rio Mar. Now here's the thing, I think they excel at drinks of the martini variety, as in ingredients that are shaken and then strained. Their drinks over ice are less impressive and I think it's party becasue of the large ice cubes they use. Now bear with me. I read this article a few weeks ago about this fancy new ice lots of bars are using. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/dining/01shake.html?pagewanted=all) Apparently the cubes are prized because they are large, thereby chilling the drinks more quickly with less dilution. I think this is great for aforementioned shaken and strained drinks but not so good for drinks on the rocks. It makes the drink too icy and cold and you can't taste anything but the big ice block in your drink. So do yourself a favor and get the Faucheaux, which is tequila, basil and St Germain. Revelatory. Also fantastic was the Tru Kick, with Tru Gin, ginger syrup and peach bitters. Some of the best cocktails I've tasted on any fancy, signature cocktails list in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T19:04:45" }, { "business_id": "aeIWVa6G54UUo6yloJkyJg", "business_name": "Lebanon's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "My go-to is usually Mona's when I'm in the mood for Middle Eastern but I thought I'd give Lebanon's a go this time. I like Mona's hummus better, it's creamier. Labne and baba ganoush were equally good though. Lebanon's has better grape leaves and I like that the falafel is green inside from all the parsley. Beef shawarma was perfectly decent but nothing special. I really liked my eggplant sandwich, kind of like a sub or a po-boy, and topped with lots of feta. Lebanese tea has pine nuts, which I like but really, how do you eat them? They won't come up the straw and fishing around for them is kinda tedious. It's a little too sweet as well, probably wouldn't order that again. Overall, fine if I'm in the neighborhood but I'm usually closer to Mona's and besides, Mona's has that delicious fried cheese thing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:16:51" }, { "business_id": "NHL1c_30iYXvJZcqEo6fwQ", "business_name": "Pal's Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I love Pal's, that's a given. However, this review was spurred entirely by the fantastic Gingerita I had there on Friday. Cutesy names can be a bad sign for cocktails, often involving overly sweet ingredients. Not so with Gingerita, it has ginger vodka, ginger beer and this amazing organic ginger juice that they special order from California called Elixir G. Go get a Gingerita before the season is over!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:50:38" }, { "business_id": "b92dSNftvCSPWLC4ZgNXCg", "business_name": "Sammy's Food Service & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The food is five stars, the service is two but the shrimp and mirliton soup cannot make me Sammy's less than 4 stars. I went with two coworkers and we all ordered a large soup, one also ordered a salad. One got a bowl of soup after 30 minutes, the second got her salad and had to ask if the soup sitting on the shelf was hers, they finally gave it to her and it was ice cold. After they were finished eating, I told the woman at the counter to please just make my order to go. Also, no spoons or forks out, which make salad and soup eating very difficult. I realize they are super busy but their system kind of sucks. My advice would be to call your order in, pick it up and go eat somewhere else. Because the eating is oh-so-good! I've also had their hot sausage po-boy, they make their own sausage and it is AWESOME in it's own garlicky right.", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T18:25:27" }, { "business_id": "t9LiapsQABwMQeiF1Czl6w", "business_name": "Port Of Call", "rating": 3, "text": "I haven't been to Port of Call in a few years and the boyfriend and I often talk about it but think about the line and then I wonder if the burger is even all that because for some reason, my memories of eating there are all fuzzy. Yup, that's all one sentence. Anyway, we went on a Monday night at 6:45, no line, ordered and served our food in under 10 minutes. It is fine, actually it's good, it's a nice, solid burger but nothing revelatory or worth standing in a line for. I wish they would season the meat a little and I think they are too thick. I don't think they should be puny, just a little more petite so you can get burger, patty and the rest all in one mouthful. I get the appeal, it's cute and kitschy but I could do better myself.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:42:54" }, { "business_id": "Jy1ivHnSRtNNA6snZSAKBw", "business_name": "Twelve Mile Limit", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the cocktails, especially the Good Idea. It was like a cross between a Pimm's Cup and a Moscow Mule. The bartender was very sweet. The cook offered tastes of brisket all around when he was done cooking it. Unfortunately, the bar has a very sterile feel to it. Too brightly lit, nothing on the walls and then the Real Housewives of Old Metairie showed up, commandeered the jukebox and started loudly serenading us and awkwardly gyrating. We also ordered some cream cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped jalapenos, which were good but a little overcooked and pretty expensive for how many you get. I'm hoping they can do something to remedy the atmosphere/decor of the place and then I think it will be a solid 4 stars. They are off to a good start though.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:47:47" }, { "business_id": "jE7PpEUmWgcBc0DeelPAOA", "business_name": "Bistro Daisy", "rating": 5, "text": "Love, love, love it! I had an oyster appetizer that may be one of my favorite dishes of 2010. It was poached oysters (and I usually only like them fried or raw) with Herbsaint, fennel, bacon and a hint of cream (and I usually don't care for fennel). But this dish was so luscious and aromatic and I could have ordered three more. Very nice with my Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc. I liked my duck but wasn't wowed. However, the BF's lamb shank made me swoon. It was so meltingly tender and the tomato sauce it was cooked in had a bit of mint in it, just like my grandmother would have done. This might be what I want to eat for my last meal on earth. They brought us a baked Alaska for dessert even though we didn't order it. I have never tasted a meringue so creamy! So much so that I was sliding it on the roof of my mouth to savor the texture longer. Go to Bistro Daisy. Take your beloved. Order the oysters and the lamb. (FYI: The online menu is not up-to-date)", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T15:44:25" }, { "business_id": "3wo9jODQnuvBm8Gkem6qXg", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "BBQ shrimp and grits was pretty terrible. This surprised me because their BBQ shrimp blackstone I had a few months ago was soooo good. This was a completely different sauce, it seemed to be all Worcestershire and not much else. The shrimp were tiny, the grits were unremarkable. Presentation did not make it look appealing. Also, I really hate those wide-mouth coffee cups. They look nice, I agree, but the coffee gets cold almost immediately because so much surface area is exposed.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T16:20:48" }, { "business_id": "voWjA6zfmXLIbKAoqwBnug", "business_name": "Green Goddess", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to go here forever and was so excited on Saturday to finally do just that! We had an hour or so wait, which was fine so we went to the Orleans Grapevine for a cocktail and they called us when they were ready. The wine and drink list is amazing, if not a little overwhelming, I got a Pear 75, which was good but not the best I've ever had, it lacked the lemon juice that ties it all together. Food was really just three stars, except for the Oysters Delacroix and the bacon sundae, so good! The corn crepes with huitlacoche were really bland, the lentil pancake was just...not good, it wasn't inedible but you'd think with tamarind chutney and spiced chickpeas, it would have been a lot more appealing. The green goddess wedge was good but I wish the dressing was evenly applied instead of dumped on top so some bites were just lettuce and some were drowned in the dressing. I also tried their daily cocktail special, the Daily Truth, which had Drambuie and rum and lime juice and some fertility liquor that I don't remember the name of, it was spicy and warm and fantastic. I think I will have to go back and try some more dishes, I love the ideas behind their menu and the space is quirky and eccentric and so NOLA. I met a new transplant and her mom, a hope-to-be teacher interviewing for TeachNola and also pinned money to the birthday boy-chef who was wearing a tie-dye tuxedo shirt from his wedding that was all Mardi Gras colors and finished with fleur-de-lis cuffs. I want to love the food, I already love everything else. Next time will be better!", "timestamp": "2011-01-24T16:35:38" }, { "business_id": "iJiNZw2TEwB579dr6LyVZQ", "business_name": "Cooter Brown's", "rating": 4, "text": "I remember eons ago having late, late nights at Snake and Jake's that led to late mornings and even later \"breakfasts\" at Cooter Brown's of a few dozen raw oysters. I love oysters, I will eat them for breakfast but lately when I eat them, it is between the civilized hours of 3-6pm and I eat them at Luke, washed down with a French 75. But Friday night at 7pm rolled around and so I went to Cooter's for several dozen raw, an oyster po-boy and of course, some cheese fries. The raw oysters are pretty reasonable, about $10 for a dozen I think. The po-boy came on toasted and buttered bread, which I do so appreciate. Unfortunately, they don't use Leidenheimer's bread, it's good but not what I want a po-boy on. The BF wanted gravy on the cheese fries and it wasn't debris gravy like I thought it would be, but just a packet-style, powdered gravy. But I still tore it up and it was all delicious.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:07:58" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like the decor this place, I love community seating, they have awesome light fixtures and vintage vases and all kinds of cute stuff to keep your eyes occupied. I'll have to go back to sample more but I wasn't really blown away by anything except the apple pie. The burger, which everyone raves about, had a really delicious potato bun. But they didn't ask for a temp and I thought it was way overcooked and also woefully underseasoned. None of the agogo sauce with which it was advertised made an appearance. Although the zinfandel compote is not to be missed, it was stellar! Service was friendly but not very efficient. They're working out kinks, I'm sure, but I will reserve higher praise for now.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:30:26" }, { "business_id": "N3bjowmk_Yi9rUxPpM2k6Q", "business_name": "The Store", "rating": 3, "text": "It's okay. Definitely overpriced for what you get, both in quantity and quality. I ordered the BLT and the potato soup. BLT was alright but dry and the potato soup tasted like instant mashed potatoes. My friend's shrimp nicoise did look stupendous though, I will admit that. My workplace also orders from here for staff meetings a fair amount and again, not really impressed. The sandwiches are fine if they're the kind you pay $4 for at the gas station but not with the prices they charge. AND, they use pre-shedded cheese, that is just nasty. I don't want ashy cheese that is coated in cellulose. I don't mind paying the prices, I just would like the quality to match.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T19:59:22" }, { "business_id": "AW2xE3-nxDe30JBqwNuUdw", "business_name": "Star Nails", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been going here for pedicures for a long time, because they are quick to get you in, clean and efficient, but mostly because I am a creature of habit. They have a pretty wide selection of OPI nail colors. I also like being offered something to drink (non-alcoholic but still nice). Prices are pretty much the same as anywhere else you'd go but on Tuesdays they are a little cheaper. I am speaking only about pedicures as I've never gotten anything else done there.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T20:52:34" }, { "business_id": "OAjof8dhS2zScmZh2Xuo1A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Whole Foods really doesn't need another review, we all know that it's a nice grocery store with great although expensive products. I just would like to point out that their Chantilly Berry king cake is awesome, especially if you warm it up just a little bit. They also have un-shucked Louisiana oysters available again for about 50 cents each so now I can get my fix of charbroiled oysters in the comfort of my own home once more!", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T21:10:15" }, { "business_id": "B9Cv-DjHb1fZJ1drcsCREA", "business_name": "Mid-City Smiles", "rating": 4, "text": "Everyone was very friendly and did an excellent job without pushing products or services on me. I called about three dentists to get in before the end of 2010 and this was the only place that could give me an appointment that quickly. Plus I can walk there and they have Saturday hours.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:00:26" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars for the king cake! Filling (chocolate) was delicious, I thought it would be more like chocolate pudding or nutella but it was a cocoa powder base. The cake was moist and soft and frosting was good but not overwhelming. All three components were in perfect proportion to each other. My favorite king cake so far this season!", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:03:20" }, { "business_id": "yL9j5ASNic_DaDKf9lwMhw", "business_name": "Stein's Market and Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The corned beef with coleslaw is incredible. Wow. I can't stop thinking about it. The Italian hoagie is also really good and even their veggie sandwich is great. Chocolate rugelach are okay but the raspberry are addictive!!! Toffee chocolate ship cookies and blondies are also really tasty. The only flop for me was the potato salad but everything else was so good that I just skipped over it. I'm sad that I somehow missed Beer Day last week. Next year.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:08:52" }, { "business_id": "WjkMZNlIUtQ59iHvG-aRMA", "business_name": "Balance Yoga & Wellness", "rating": 5, "text": "Balance Yoga just opened in this Mid-City location and it is beautiful. They did a wonderful job with a lovely old house, complete with large windows, fireplaces and pocket doors. Because of the huge windows, there is a lot of natural light. While I really like that, I kind of wish they'd put something over them so people waiting outside at Mandina's or Ruby Slipper can't see in. They offer several different types of yoga, even Kundalini, which I haven't seen in New Orleans since Katrina! The instructors are friendly and help you with your poses. Early morning classes, evening classes, Sunday classes, community (by donation) classes, they've got it all.", "timestamp": "2011-02-03T18:23:17" }, { "business_id": "F7etLf6od7CUnCPknsQ-6Q", "business_name": "Rue 127", "rating": 4, "text": "The inside is beautiful and I can't wait for warm weather to enjoy the outside. Initially, I was a little disappointed that they didn't have a specialty cocktail list but I can get over that. We only had appetizers and desserts and I will certainly be back for more. We enjoyed the mussels, pork belly and scallop tortellini. The mussels were good but I didn't want to drink the broth like I usually do, there was maybe too much acidity? Also, their homemade bread is very nice but very SWEET and not such a great match for the savory food. The pork belly was served with these potatoes that I think were scored and then fried so they had a really unique texture. Deep-fried cupcakes, I'm sorry to be a dissenter but not for me. I liked that they were warm and oozy but they were way too sweet and the greasy exterior was overwhelming. We had a date cake that was served with honey ice cream, very good but also a bit on the sweet side. I look forward to coming back and trying more of the menu.", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T18:38:58" }, { "business_id": "0DdmKihJ90qKP5TAM3c2yQ", "business_name": "Tartine", "rating": 3, "text": "I feel like there are a lot of places popping up lately that are getting a lot of hype and I'm just not buying it quite yet. Tartine, case in point, has some good things going for it but it's also got some issues. What worked: The house-baked bread is fantastic, it's got a really nice chewiness-crunchiness to it. A+. I love, love, love the salad with pecans and goat cheese and big, fat dried blueberries. I wish I knew where they got those blueberries because the ones at Rouse's are shriveled and tiny. The rillete was huge portion, it looked like six ounces of rillete, which for such a rich spread is a LOT. What didn't: The outside is really cute but the inside felt like a cafeteria. The specials board was posted below the counter (which made it invisible) yet the drinks were posted high up for all to see. Please consider switching this around. The rillete, although generous, was just okay. It's light years better at Luke, although their service has gotten so bad of late I hate to recommend it. The ham and triple cream cheese with fig mustard had no fig mustard and the triple cream was a thin, pre-sliced piece of mystery cheese. The accompanying couscous (fregula?) salads had little flavor. In addition to all that, we waited in line for several minutes and then over 35 minutes for our sandwiches and we didn't even go until 1:30. I can't fault them for that, they were really busy and super nice but if you go, you might just want to call in your order ahead of time and take it to the Fly for a picnic", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T19:03:12" }, { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has been on my list for a while because I heard a rumor that they are just like Port of Call's burgers. Since I'm giving up meat for Lent, I thought it would be an ideal afternoon for a burger. The interior kind of put me off from the start, all the tables were huge parties of 8-10 people with vacant-looking teenagers glued to their cell phone screens and children playing on arcade-like games in the corner. Food was not inedible but just a step above that. House salad was chopped iceberg, which the boyfriend loves so that's fine but it was small and pricey for what it was. Harbor wings, I guess anything fried and dipped in bleu cheese is good but they really had no discernible flavor. My burger was burnt, the bacon tasted like it was cooked at the breakfast shift and the mushrooms were waterlogged. The french fries weren't even good. My boyfriend's shrimp po-boy was small with shrimp the size of my thumbnail and it was $14. Service was friendly. The only thing good about going is that now I can cross it off my list of places to try.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T14:52:30" }, { "business_id": "x4TJJ0t19yBxkL5WX6n4Kg", "business_name": "Touché Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, I've had four star visits here before but my last visit was a one or two star. Generally I like the place because it's kind of tucked away and they have that recessed room down below in the back, which I really like in the winter, it's very snug and comfortable. However, the last time I was there, I walked in and was immediately assaulted with the smell of a backed up sewer and a bunch of older, bead-clad tourists dancing to Night Fever. I'm not making that up, in fact, the song has been seared in my head since then. I'll be back for another go but I will wait until the weather is cool and I feel like being somewhere cozy.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:32:00" }, { "business_id": "8KkuHRDLPVdqh99CHuKdHg", "business_name": "Kanno California Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I absolutely loved the spinach salad with tuna and avocado and that delicious dressing (even if it was dressed too generously). I also fell in love with the Tuna 911 roll that has spicy, pickled vegetables inside that were an outstanding addition. The other stuff we got was fine but unmemorable. I agree with other reviewers that they seem to put A LOT of sauce on things but fortunately, they mostly put it on the side. They only have Yellowtail for wine though, which made me sad. The complimentary chocolate truffle-like things they serve at the end are phenomenal.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:45:14" }, { "business_id": "f9H3wpzWG_apxoumWB-Dvg", "business_name": "Cafe Equator", "rating": 3, "text": "After craving Churros and braving the wilds of Metairie, I found Churros closed early on a Wednesday night! So we decided to go to Korea House, also closed! My stomach dangerously rumbling, we decided for a quick bite at Cafe Equator. Pad Thai and Masaman curry were fine but nothing I can see having a craving for in the future. The Thai iced tea I thought was not very good, it tasted...smoky? Service was fine, parking was easy.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T16:56:49" }, { "business_id": "OfExqBpAJNmxG2oLvn0Q3w", "business_name": "New Orleans Public Library - Mid-City Branch", "rating": 5, "text": "Even though it took four months to re-open (and not two weeks like they promised!), it was worth the wait. The new location is larger and has an entire front wall full of windows so it gets great light. It's convenient to all the other businesses in the Can Company and the farmers' market on Thursday evening as well. My only gripe is that there is no drop box! I rely very heavily on my local drop-box, I hope this is something they just haven't gotten around to yet and that it is soon remedied.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T17:32:50" }, { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Lola's has such a great atmosphere that even if the food sucked, I'd be hard pressed to give it a low rating. While not all of the dishes sing, some are actually kind of boring, there are many that are really solid. My favorite is the calamari, it's not those deep-fried things you get everywhere else. Nope, it is a perfectly seared calamari steak with the most wildly addictive sauce. Hint; If for some crazy reason you don't use all the sauce on your calamari app, keep it for entrees because you will likely elevate the deliciousness of everything else you have ordered with some of that. Their garlic-almond soup garnished with grapes is also AHmazing and oddly refreshing but I made the mistake of eating it once when I was trying to be gluten-free and it failed. Because the base of the soup is day old bread and I didn't know that. Oops. I just went this past weekend and they had WHITE sangria in addition to their usual red. Did they always have this or is it new? Anyway, it's good and it's cheap and there is nothing like sitting outside on a perfect New Orleans evening, under the canopy of trees that is Esplanade, sipping on some of that juice. And their almond ice cream is excellent.", "timestamp": "2011-03-03T18:53:25" }, { "business_id": "OjXIRs2Gm4H6hWo4bC7Qvg", "business_name": "The Jazz Playhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "It's pretty nice but for the price and the location, I wish they valeted. I got a Chopin martini and it was per-FECT. The second one didn't taste like Chopin, which is fine but it's what I ordered so I felt a wee bit swindled. We got seated right behind a big support column so our view of the stage was obstructed. We were there for the burlesque show but caught the end of Kid Chocolate's set, which made me happy because I had a big, school-girl crush on him many moons ago. The show wasn't what I thought it would be. It was less a show with all of the performers on stage and more one woman singing and a bunch of other girls flitting around the room in their pasties. I was expecting more of a choreographed show but I am admittedly not someone who knows much about burlesque. The girls were very sweet though and some of their outfits would make great Halloween or Mardi Gras costumes. Glad I went but not anxious to go back.", "timestamp": "2011-03-04T21:08:36" }, { "business_id": "tcyN7Rmy55JW5uQY_R5f0w", "business_name": "Krewe of Endymion", "rating": 4, "text": "When I moved into a new place last summer right on the Endymion route, is it crazy that thoughts of future Endymion parties to come danced in my head? I was a sad, sad, sad lady last Friday night when we got the news. We had picked up our crawfish for the boil and I even made a chocolate bananas foster king cake. I kind of felt like I imagine brides who get their weddings rained out must feel. But when you have crawfish and booze, you have a party anyway, right? So we did and it was great. And even though I felt spiteful, I went to see it the next night Uptown. It was as good as ever, albeit a bit short because so many riders are from out of town and had to go home. It would have looked a lot better from my porch though.", "timestamp": "2011-03-11T18:57:12" }, { "business_id": "DkVFvHGyNBGuPMzI9Zdt1A", "business_name": "Dat Dog", "rating": 4, "text": "Excellent chili cheese fries (although I wish the cheese was melted!). I had the bratwurst, which was fantastic, as was the bun. At first I thought it was too much bread but the lightly toasted, slightly sweet bread won me over. I got a little carried away with toppings though and I think the guacamole was a)overkill and b)not really a great iteration of guacamole anyway. Next time I will practice some restraint.", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:38:25" }, { "business_id": "jLerIZFpe25jOUf722qzBA", "business_name": "Il Posto Italian Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "My food only merited maybe two stars but I will give an extra star because I like the menu (and will try more of it) and their design and concept. Sadly though, my tomato-basil soup tasted kind of like a weak marinara and my tuna melt type sandwich had a very sharp, off-putting flavor. It was citrusy, for sure, and I love lemon in a tuna melt but perhaps this was lemon zest or something just way too overpowering? I think next time I will focus on the dishes with cured Italian meats, mortadella and prosciutto. And also the baked goods, those sounded pretty good, especially the Nutella bruschetta!", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:44:20" }, { "business_id": "AperXbtpt4FH6fvJFOirUA", "business_name": "Horinoya", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a fan of simple, fresh sushi. Not too crazy about rolls with heavy sauces, multiple ingredients and fanciful names. Horinoya delivers. I always start with the seafood salad, it's huge and I could probably just make that dinner if I were eating there on my own. How are their avocados always the perfect degree of ripeness? This week it included fresh crawfish tails and they were succulent and sweet and a very welcome addition to their standard. The vegetable roll (I was so enamored with the pickled vegetables in the Tuna 911 roll at Kanno) was okay but I wouldn't order it again, kinda bland. Everything else was fresh and wonderful. I like to end with the black sesame ice cream, which makes me swoon, as does the little crumbly cookie they perch on top that my BF generously lets me eat every time. As a sidebar, I saw some black sesame ice cream bars at Hong Kong Market and I got really excited but they were no good at all. I can only get my fix at Horinoya.", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:11:00" }, { "business_id": "HSHEwDpzYdeL3aT1zB41YA", "business_name": "Restaurant Depot", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm torn, so torn. So this place opened within the past few months. It's like Sam's Club for restaurants (and unfortunately, you have to show proof of restaurant or non-profit affiliation when getting a membership). My first visit, I was completely in awe. 50 pounds of onions for $8.95? Whole goats? Edible flowers, micro-greens, ten kinds of mushrooms? Some things you can buy by the unit (like one head of cauliflower) and others you are stuck with a huge portion, I mean, I love tarragon, but I can't see using 5 pounds of it before it starts to droop. The second trip, I started to see some flaws. They don't carry veggie burgers but they do have a huge freezer case of nasty-looking frozen appetizers that you can probably buy at Applebee's for three times the price. They have huge jars of kalamata olive SPREAD but no plain old kalamata olives. They had some fish that looked so not right, cloudy eyes and all. Then the most egregious error occurred when, on a Saturday, I asked if I could pick up live crawfish on Sunday. The man at the fish counter said yes, but to be sure to be there at 9am when the order comes in and then it's first come, first serve. The next morning, we headed over to the Depot, only to be met with a blank stare and told they weren't getting any crawfish that day. Sad. They are pretty new, I expect they are having some ordering and stocking kinks to work out. In the meantime, if anyone needs onions, I've got them aplenty!", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:24:15" }, { "business_id": "LCijSRG2kzBgbdwPdi02Nw", "business_name": "Yang's Po-Boys", "rating": 3, "text": "The first time we went, we didn't realize they closed at 8 and we walked in at about 7:58. They were very gracious and welcoming so I thought that was really nice. The owner was really chatty, describing how they did everything and I guess that's good but unless they are doing something out of the ordinary, (they're not) I'd rather just peruse the menu on my own. Oysters on my poboy were stone cold and the onion rings that we asked about (Are they made fresh? Yes!) were clearly Sysco. But it was decent and quick and friendly so we were okay with the meal. Last night I really wanted a catfish poboy but Parkway was closed. It was generous with the catfish and liberal with the pickles, love that. But the cheese fries were soggy fries with unmelted cheese. The cheese, which looked like shredded cheddar, I actually tasted it on its own and it had not one iota of flavor. I'll go to Yang's on Tuesday if Parkway is closed but there is really no comparison for me.", "timestamp": "2011-03-30T15:06:19" }, { "business_id": "sroYm8E9BbnnLO3nhKjomg", "business_name": "French Quarter Festival", "rating": 4, "text": "FQF has long been my favorite festival and sadly, it seems to be everyone else's too! I'm very happy that it has been so successful but of course, this makes it more crowded and difficult to navigate. So, yes, I prefer it a little smaller but I still had a great time and somehow always managed to find a little corner of shade to relax in. In addition to soaking up the sun, hearing good music and eating, I got to stop in at a few open houses for places I could never afford but I loved getting to glimpse into some of the Quarter's elusive courtyards. Also, I love wandering around the Quarter all day because I never fail to discover some little hole in the wall bar/shop/whatever.", "timestamp": "2011-04-11T16:08:11" }, { "business_id": "VHAfSIxcdmpQOTD0_ofbfw", "business_name": "Velvet", "rating": 4, "text": "Like Christine, I have only been here once and could change my rating once I have sampled more of what they've got. I was immediately won over by the sparkling water that was served upon arrival, it reminded me of coffee shops in other countries where they usually do that without question. I also loved the napkins, it's just those very nice quality paper napkin but little details like that are important. I got the extraction (?). I asked some questions and I wished I had gotten a bit more information. Like, what is IN the $15 extraction because I can't believe it's just a really large coffee. I'm not a trained barista so I don't know these things. My coffee was really very nice, I like that you can choose your beans. Tamara, the owner, has great customer service and we chatted about her awesome kids (her daughter's wonderful artwork graces the place, her son played piano at FQF) and she also offered me a teacake on the house. So, while I like Tamara and I like a lot of the little things, my coffee was $5.45 and I don't think I would ever spend it again. An expertly pulled espresso, okay, but not for a cup of coffee. Also, the teacake (the Kevin Bacon) was perfectly acceptable but I don't think I'd purchase one. They're just cupcakes and really tiny ones at that. But she is starting to make scones baked to order (awesome!) and I look forward to trying the espresso.", "timestamp": "2011-04-12T20:54:38" }, { "business_id": "NjmJ2sbcj3v9K98sNj2OAA", "business_name": "Sainte Marie", "rating": 3, "text": "I went last night to use the complimentary appetizer card we got as a lovely gift at the last Yelp party, thank you! I was initially excited to try the cocktails but as I inspected the long list closely, not too much actually appealed to me. I got the one with prosecco and a sort of fig compote that didn't really mix well and just sat at the bottom. Nice idea, not so great execution. The boyfriend's drink tasted watered down, like the bartender made several drinks and let the leftover sit in the shaker melting until someone else ordered the same drink. I also thought it very strange that they had bread and butter plates on the table but no bread was actually served and the plates were removed once we ordered. Weird. The escargot was good but it couldn't hold a candle to Dante's escargot, nor could I detect marrow in the sauce. Apparently the tartare was tasty but the BF ate it all without me. Crab cannelloni, man, I hate to sound like a downer but this was little, backfin pieces of crab, doused with a ton of brie and encased in a sort of tough pasta. I ate it, but then I would eat anything that is doused in brie. I'm so glad we decided to get dessert because it was outstanding. We ordered a lemongrass-ginger creme brulee and it was perfect, the flavor, the texture, everything. I will probably come back for a fancypants happy hour although it's not exactly my scene. The guy who was sitting next to me had an awesome looking hangar steak so I will order that next time, skip the cocktails and get champagne and of course, order dessert.", "timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:34:01" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "The space is large and breezy and we easily snagged an outside table. If they weren't doing construction on Magazine, I bet this would be a great spot for people-watching. We got a shrimp po-boy, an oyster po-boy and fries with cheese and gravy. It was perfectly edible but I probably won't be back. The shrimp were small, the po-poys were pricier than most of my usual haunts and the gravy I think was just \"meat-flavored.: There was no actual meat or debris in it. I agree with Lindsay, no problem throwing out my own trash but the tables were pretty nasty and sticky.", "timestamp": "2011-04-29T17:01:59" }, { "business_id": "UGefDZNmnBztS0eoXWtHyQ", "business_name": "The Joint", "rating": 4, "text": "I must first disclose that my favorite person in the whole world works here so maybe I am biased. But take it from me, their brisket is the best brisket ever! It has that delightful fatty layer running along the top and it is perfectly moist and delicious! I also love the pulled pork with a squeeze of the vinegary sauce. The sides are pretty good, nothing stands out, but I'm really just there for the meat. Oh, and the peanut butter pie which is SWOONWORTHY!", "timestamp": "2011-05-03T18:25:46" }, { "business_id": "wznT60WMQ-9Qg2MVvzCxtw", "business_name": "The Lucky Ladle", "rating": 3, "text": "We put our names on the list at Surrey's and took a stroll through my old neighborhood while we waited. But I'm a breakfast girl and when I'm hungry, I need to eat. Immediately. Or bad things happen. At dinner, you can waste some time, have a cocktail but at breakfast, I'm not about waiting. Anyway, we walked past the Ladle and decided to give it a go. Nothing was really standout except how much food we got and our bill for two was still under $20. We split the grilled cheese with tomato soup as well as the bananas foster waffles because it's always a conundrum at 11am on Saturday to figure out what you are in the mood for. Breakfast? Lunch? We got them both. We also got a little side spinach salad with one of our meals and it was nice except for the weird, cellulose-dusted mozzarella shreds on top. The hash browns sucked, no flavor and tasted like they were made hours before. The space is pleasant and if you don't feel like waiting in line (Surrey's) or spending $30 just on breakfast for yourself (Dante's), this is a good option.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:14:50" }, { "business_id": "Fs4T7lKpXVtD5Pz7jWSJeg", "business_name": "Coquette", "rating": 4, "text": "I am only giving stars based on the bar because sadly, I have not eaten here but I love the bar! I love the old tin ceilings! I love the tables out on Washington under the oaks! And I love $5 wine Wednesdays and cocktail Thursdays. In fact, since today is my last final, I may have to take advantage of that. I have had a French 75 with apricot brandy, one of my absolute favorites drinks and they do it justice here. I've also had a lychee martini, which was wonderful and balanced, tough to pull off because lychees are so sweet, as well as a pretty solid mojito. I'm not sure if they change their wines by the glass frequently but from what I've seen, they offer a much better glass selection than most places around the city.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:20:27" }, { "business_id": "A0RSdFWqs-keuOogaMjZ4w", "business_name": "Bayou Beer Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Pros: Incredible patio outside, wide selection of good beer and every time I've been, the bartenders are knowledgeable and willing to make good cocktails. Fresh squeezed lime juice for my gimlet? Thank you! I was just expecting the kryptonite-colored, lime-flavored sugar syrup everyone else uses. Cons: Inside layout kind of weird. Only one toilet for ladies and by the way, what takes them so long in the bathroom? I never understand this. Going to bathroom usually is a twenty minute trip here. The band playing outside was so loud we chose to sit at the tables in the front. And finally, the most egregious thing, in my mind, was their horrible, pathetic excuse for sangria. It was less wine flavored with fruit and juice and more watered down juice that I still question if it had any alcohol in it, with the addition of antiseptic-flavored, extremely flat lime soda. Sadly, that now colors my whole opinion of the place.", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T15:09:27" }, { "business_id": "7CRox7xpb3vNCEe7FZ6zgA", "business_name": "High Hat Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I fully expect High Hat to be 4 stars soon enough but they are still working some things out. Like everyone else, I am so glad to see Freret doing what it's doing and I love that this building used to be Antoine's Bakery. To start, I had a glass of wine, which I thought was actually a pretty stingy pour. I wish they had a cocktail menu but that's just my preference. We ordered the pimento cheese and it was delicious but the dry bread they served it with was lame. Our server told us it was great on fries so we ordered some and they were fantastic on their own, made even better with the pimento cheese. I think I'll make fried potatoes with pimento cheese on them for the Saints season opener. For my entree, I had the crab and tomato salad. The crab didn't really have too much taste but LORD were those tomatoes good!!!! My BF was happy with his Cuban but I thought it was very small and for the love of God, you can't throw some fries on a plate when a sandwich is ordered? At least some chips? I think that's kinda cheap. To finish, we had the banana chocolate bread pudding, which I was excited about because I thought it might be like the chocolate-bananas foster king cake I made for my rained out Endymion party. It was not. Very dense and flavorless. The owners were super receptive about feedback, which I usually feel weird about giving but I think they really need it in this early phase of their venture. I'll be back for the pimento cheese burger.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:11:36" }, { "business_id": "QQ5HvRq_9U2Ch-9ijPeIFA", "business_name": "Bullet's Sports Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "So. Good. I love the Bullets and have never had a bad time here. Last night, I got a text that they were having crabs, crawfish AND turkey necks. I thought this was a sign from God because I was just telling the BF we needed to have some crawfish before they are all gone. We walked in and there was a table set up at the front where the band usually plays and a man was scooping out the goods. I asked how much and they told me it was free. FREE? Why, thank you. I got a big plate with shrimp, crawfish, a blue crab, a few turkey necks and some corn and potatoes. I would have gladly paid $15 for the plate, it was well-seasoned and perfectly delicious. The only complaint was that the shrimp were really tiny but A) they were free and B) I really just came to thrown down on the crab and crawfish. I haven't had turkey necks in years and they may have been my favorite part. The corn was sweet and so were the crabs. Really, it was perfect, especially when the dancing got started. Oooh Lord. I have to dock a star for cash only and the cigarette smoke that was blowing lustily in my face while I was eating. I can deal with smoke to a degree but I don't want the butt in my face.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:23:10" }, { "business_id": "SA10MB4CEw0YikMuhOxyYw", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 4, "text": "I did not eat any food here but I did sample pretty much every flavor of margaritas they have to offer, including carrot-lime, pineapple-cilantro, mango-mint, watermelon and raspberry. No, I didn't have all those to myself, I was with others who generously let me taste their concoctions. Otherwise I would have been seriously drunk and woken up with an awful sugar hangover because the margaritas are pretty big and just a touch too sweet for me. I liked the mango mint and carrot-lime varieties best. Looking forward to trying them again with some food next time.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:31:16" }, { "business_id": "xZileQFJ7h-0QKjtGc9xgg", "business_name": "Arnaud's French 75 Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I finally got myself to this gorgeous spot after meaning to for a very long time. Chris Hannah was indeed at the bar and he was personable and welcoming. I instantly felt badly that I was dressed like a gypsy and wearing flip flops, the place just screams evening gown and pearls, not that I own either one of those things but whatever. The point is that they still made me feel comfortable. I had a French 75, of course, and then I tried the Pisco Daisy, another one of their specialty cocktails. Truthfully, I didn't find either one of the drinks transcendent but I was just so enamored with the whole vibe of the place that it didn't matter. I would absolutely come back, great place for a aperitif before a fancy dinner.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:37:36" }, { "business_id": "ORVWMFwF5qTWy9Cbahf0Pg", "business_name": "Café Adelaide", "rating": 2, "text": "Wow. Abominable last night. Cafe Adelaide, you lost me. Probably the worst service I have ever had and being a service industry vet, I can be pretty forgiving. I actually felt bad for server X last night, who was utterly incompetent but very nice but wow, worthless. Coupled with the amateur service we had last time, I'm thinking it is not a one time fluke. Host told us to sit in the bar area. Sat there for 15 minutes ignored. Went to ask host if we should go to the bar and order, he said no, that our server would be right with us. We waited another 15 minutes before receiving 1 menu for 4 people. Placed drink order and waters for all. Cocktails came 20 minutes later, no water. Appetizers took close to an hour and were ice cold when we got them. Had to ask for bread. Never took entree order, although we expressed wanting to, so we decided to cut our losses and go to La Boca for dinner, which was STELLAR. Two rounds of drinks and appetizers took us two hours at Cafe Adelaide! And the food nor the drinks were as good as I remember. This time the sauce on the crab pound cake tasted like Campbell's cream of mushroom and there was hardly a speck of crab to be seen. Flatbread was burnt. You get the point. Not worth the time or money.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:33:01" }, { "business_id": "guwb1zuNEMtJVproo0ntFw", "business_name": "La Boca", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible. It may not be fair to give them such lavish praise but after our failed dinner attempt at Cafe Adelaide, the comparison between the two for service, food and drinks was night and day. We were immediately acknowledged, sweet! Given four menus for all four people and told about specials, thank you! Thursday is service industry night at La Boca, even better! We just looked at that menu, which did not include the pastas and salads but had all the cuts of meat, empanadas etc. We got our cocktails immediately, God, I'm really loving this place! Fresh watermelon and vodka, which was really tasty and not watery like I feared. For starters, we ordered the morcilla, provoleta and bruschetta. I didn't really dig the bruschetta but it wasn't bad. The provoleta, I maybe expected more, it was just cheese to me. A really good cheese appetizer is the fried cheese with lemon at Mona's. Also, it had oregano sprinkled liberally all over it. I used to think I wasn't crazy about oregano until I went to Sicily and tasted their oregano and had an epiphany that what we have here in the US is just stuff they sweep off the oregano factory floor. This was definitely factory floor oregano but not everyone is an oregano elitist like me. The morcilla though, oh, well, the morcilla. Fan-flipping-tastic. Just order it and get over the fact that it's blood sausage. It's pretty much just like boudin so if you like that, you should really try it. The steaks were out of this world, some of the best steak I've ever had and I have eaten bife de chorizo in Buenos Aires. Fried brussel sprouts are the most genius thing ever. Asparagus and fries are also not to be missed. The brussel sprouts even taste good cold for breakfast. I can't wait to go back and try the empanadas and the gnocchi and of course, dessert! Love, love, love La Boca!", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:45:45" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 3, "text": "I wouldn't go out of my way to go here but it does the trick when you are in the area. I used to love their oyster po-boy because they buttered the toasted bread, along with dressing it fully and there just aren't enough places that do that anymore. But then they started buttering the bread with Whirl or some other butteresque product that tastes like spun chemicals. So that made me sad. I had lunch here recently and had the BLT salad, which was pretty tasty except I really hate when a thick dressing is dumped in the middle of the salad so no matter how hard you try to spread it around, some pieces of lettuce are drenched and others are naked. My friend had the alligator burger on brioche and my one bite made me envious of her order.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T15:01:50" }, { "business_id": "NOKp3L3smiKdFNFUswvIUg", "business_name": "Dominique's on Magazine", "rating": 3, "text": "I've put off writing this review because I wanted ti to be great but it wasn't. Well, let me be more specific. The drinks were really good, I especially liked my lemongrass pisco sour. When our server, who by the way had great menu knowledge, heard that we came in for dinner mostly because we heard the bar was so great, the bartender came over to our table. She seemed really excited that we were there and wanted our feedback, which was all very good. My appetizer of lobster was perfectly cooked but the sauce it came with was kind of lackluster. It was fine but forgettable. My boyfriend's pork belly appetizer was downright bad, texturally and taste-wise. That was the first time I ever ate pork belly that wasn't delicious. My duck was also completely forgettable although the BF's steak with creole cream cheese was really tasty. I was tempted to order that because thought it might be too rich but it really wasn't. Nothing for dessert really piqued my interest so we didn't order anything. They did send out some plantain-flavored cotton candy but it tasted like artificially flavored banana Laffy Taffy. It's a really pretty space, the cocktail list is wonderful and the staff seems on point. However, only one out of four dishes impressed me and another one out of those four left me puzzled as to how one could make pork belly so unappetizing. I probably need to come back to try more dishes and I might if could sit in the bar and order a few plates. Too bad their bar area is more like three bar stools that fight with the hallway to the bathroom for space.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T17:29:14" }, { "business_id": "SDhiF9UG0gsuaXgCnJR-sQ", "business_name": "Liberty's Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "I arranged a work field trip today for Dining Out for Life and I've been wanting to try this place soo...off we went! Parking is ample, although we later found a whole hidden line of parking along the side of the building closer to Canal and the entrance to the cafe. There was no special today, I think they might be in the midst of changing those daily specials. I had a hot sausage poboy with the cowboy caviar and they were both stupendous. Round of applause and a standing ovation. My friends' turkey and veggie sandwiches also looked very good. Minor quibble is that the red velvet cupcake was kind of dry, although very pretty. Good thing we got bread pudding too or I might have been disappointed on the dessert. I wanted to try one of those cookies that are the size of my head but after a cupcake and bread pudding, I decided perhaps a little moderation was in order. Besides, I still want to hit Sucre while it's Dining out for Life Day. The staff was super friendly and awesome. I like the space although a little music would not hurt the ambiance.", "timestamp": "2011-07-14T18:46:10" }, { "business_id": "WPjeA9CWv-q7utSdnXmdIw", "business_name": "Juicy Lucy's", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the Yelp reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was very pleased. We ordered a special of fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade to start and got boudin balls instead. No less than three people came over to apologize for the mistake, told us to enjoy the boudin and our shrimp was out momentarily. Both were very good. It always makes me so happy when boiled shrimp are not overcooked, it's the little things that count! The boudin came out with a huge piles of grilled onions and tomatoes that were a nice addition to my burger. I had the Kenner (pepper jack and jalapenos) with sweet potato fries, the BF has 9th Ward Blues (mushrooms, blue cheese and?) with onion rings. The BF started doing that butt-waggling thing he does when he likes what he is eating and I may or may not have joined him. We both enjoyed everything, the service was very pleasant and I thought it was really reasonably priced.", "timestamp": "2011-07-18T00:19:26" }, { "business_id": "ujyjBLOzSXKO3RrbpJ4N4g", "business_name": "McHardy's Chicken & Fixin'", "rating": 3, "text": "Very fast, very cheap and I really liked the peppery crust. I wished the batter was a little thicker because let's face it, I eat fried chicken just for the crispy exterior and I don't care too much about the meat inside. I ordered a side of red beans that was terrible. Not only was there grease in massive puddles around the edges but it tasted like it had been singed when reheated in its styrofoam container. It hadn't, I checked, but it's not something you want to ponder while you're eating. Way better chicken than Popeye's but I sure did miss the biscuit.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:11:12" }, { "business_id": "OSi2ColCxhS9oCoAUNbPig", "business_name": "Mandina's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, nothing extraordinary. I think they get a lot of mileage out of their admittedly charming New Orleans neighborhood joint kind of feel. Our sever was kind of off but I found her entertaining. My turtle soup was fine but it wasn't the best I've had. My BF's calamari was fried, just like calamari often is. There's not much more to say about that. Our salads were mostly iceberg with a few shreds of romaine and cabbage and nice, thick slices of tomato. I got the crab meuniere even though I ordered almondine but I didn't really care since I was on the fence anyway about which one I wanted. The crab and fries drenched in the rich but also acidic meuniere was delicious. The BF's seafood platter was, you guessed, fried. Crab ball was pretty good. Bread pudding, meh. It had lots of nutmeg, which I liked a lot but it was sort of bland and the white sauce on top had the flavor of glue. I still ate it all though so I guess it wasn't too terrible. Not cheap but considering my dinner came with salad and dessert, not completely over the top either.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_rO-5jxOEH94TUcorPnSEg", "business_name": "Delta World Tire", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been putting air in my tires once a month for about four years so I know I've been past due for some time. Last week, I had a flat that I tried to rectify, as usual, by putting some air in it. I swear my tire actually laughed at me and said \"Woman, please.\" So I brought my car in to Delta Tire World and was out with four new tires for under $400. I hate spending money on cars but I thought that was pretty reasonable, plus I appreciate quick service. Also, their coffee in the waiting area was surprisingly good, which I needed since I was out of the house without my morning cup.", "timestamp": "2011-07-26T16:43:32" }, { "business_id": "dzFbGUUV5eh-ZR81RCnv7g", "business_name": "French Riviera Fitness", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is based solely on the spinning class on Saturday morning since this is the only time of day or day of the week I can muster up the courage to brave Metairie. The class is usually pretty challenging so that's a plus. But I have never seen a spinning room that had a flashing, multicolored disco ball and I'm not sure how I feel about that. What I am sure about though, is the instructors' collective inability to select music to motivate me. I shouldn't carp about it I guess, some people like trance out music or Carrie Underwood, it's just not what does it for me. Why does music at spinning classes always have to be so bad? Why doesn't anyone do classes to like, \"Let the Music Play\" or \"Diamond Girl?\" I would love that and even though I just dated myself by revealing my childhood music obsessions, I think there are others who would enjoy it too. But seriously last week, some song played that I am guessing was titled \"She was from Ala-freakin'bama,\" because those were the lyrics that played over and over again. I don't want to hear that song ever again and if that's your song, then I apologize if I offended you.", "timestamp": "2011-08-01T19:54:23" }, { "business_id": "GBTPC53ZrG1ZBY3DT8Mbcw", "business_name": "Luke", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped going here earlier this year because the service had reached new lows in abominable. Not to mention the oysters we had were shucked so poorly and shredded beyond belief. The BF swore them off for good. But I love their French 75 and bargain oysters so I wasn't ready to write them off forever. It's taken me a while to get back on my own and I am so glad that I did! They have a shucker named Anthony who is AWESOME! I told him about our previous experience and he said, very seriously, \"That's terrible. Oysters are too precious to mess up.\" My oysters (from Plaquemines Parish) were big and salty and perfect. And shucked the right way. IMPORTANT NOTE: Bring cash to tip the shucker. I usually spend more on oysters than I do on booze and I don't think it's fair that the shucker doesn't get a little something. Otherwise all my credit card tip goes to the bar.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:49:16" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still a fan. But I had a stale and not very tasty pastry the other day. Alongside it, I ordered an espresso that arrived lemon peel-less. Not everyone does that but I really like the lemon peel with my espresso so I asked for it. None to be had. Oh well. To make up for the crappy pastry, I got a couple chocolates. Yes, a couple as in 2. And it was $4. They were the same size as that three-pack of Ferraro-Rocher hazelnut chocolates you can get in the checkout line at Rouse's. Except those taste just as good and three will set you back a mere 99 cents. From now on, gelato or sorbellinis only but no more pastries or chocolate. Overpriced and not very good.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:55:55" }, { "business_id": "ej2kU6KU2TEL7uY_EB_zVQ", "business_name": "Phil's Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is definitely not the best burger I have ever had but it's pretty good and the dizzying array of choices elevates it from 3 to 4 stars. Grilled pineapple ketchup? Yes please! Brie or Havarti, oh decisions, decisions! I was so overwhelmed by the choices that I closed my menu and just ordered the burger of the month, a turkey burger with arugula, blackberry coulis, blue and goat cheese and topped with fried almonds. The turkey meat was kinda crumbly, it reminded me of that meat you buy in a big roll but it was okay. The combination of the cheese with the almonds was unexpected and delicious. The coulis kind of got lost, I wouldn't have known it was there. Sweet potato fries would have been better if they were hot. The BF got some crazy, gut-busting combination of burger and hot sausage, a fried egg, bacon AND onion strings on top. Ouch, that hurts my belly just to type! But I enjoyed one, small bite of it. We also got an order a fried pickles to start, very tasty but HUGE so will probably order a side order size, not the appetizer size next time. Also, I didn't know about their pretty great happy hour from 4-7 every day. I don't know the details but I do know my pint of Nola 7th Street Wheat was really good and only $1.50! Some bloody Mary specials on Sundays and margaritas (2 for 1 I think?) on Mondays.", "timestamp": "2011-08-23T16:15:09" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 2, "text": "I had a friend visiting from out of town and he wanted to make a stop here. It was hot and so we decided to opt out of sitting in their pretty courtyard. I had also heard their dueling piano show was good and friend wanted to hear music soooo...in we went. Friend ordered a hurricane and the bartendress lifted a prefilled plastic cup out of a dish rack, added some ice and voila! Gross but I am biased because I think hurricanes are nasty. Now, on to the music. For real? Do people come to New Orleans to hear someone play Grease Lightning on piano? How sad. Please, I implore you to go somewhere that has local musicians playing local music.", "timestamp": "2011-09-01T14:15:56" }, { "business_id": "u9-j3bwMcaMq9CWwuucqsA", "business_name": "Eco Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I am mad at myself for living around the corner for a year and never coming here! And now I've moved out of walking distance. Anyway, I finally made it and I'm glad I did. I was very pleased to see how many fresh juices they offered. I had the Ginger Hopper, which I didn't find gingery at all, plus it was too watery for me. But my friend's True Blood with beet juice was quite tasty. I was pleasantly surprised with how good everyone's food was. My chicken salad was perfect and it came on a toasted croissant with a lovely side salad. Their champagne dressing is fantastic. I also sampled the chili con carne, the rice looked boring but the meat was flavorful and falling apart. I didn't get a chance to have a bite of my other friend's crab and brie panino but since she finished it in 4.2 seconds flat, it's safe to assume that she really enjoyed it. I was worried that service would be poor but it was on point and our server was very informative about menu items and how they do things to be \"eco.\" Nothing for dessert really grabbed us, although they did list Clif bars as an offering, which I thought was pretty amusing.", "timestamp": "2011-09-02T19:40:18" }, { "business_id": "JcP1z6eZBgTIcxWlyxSw0g", "business_name": "Iris", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant's rating probably suffers a bit more than it should because I was expecting to be wowed and I wasn't. Anyway, the interior is gorgeous, I love the fresh flowers and the walls of pickled vegetables. The have a fantastic cocktail list, in fact, if i ever come back, it will be to sit at the bar and have a drink, albeit a very expensive one. My appetizer, pork belly with a shaved vegetable salad, was very good and dressed with an incredible vinaigrette. My BF had something else that I forgot as it wasn't very memorable. As far as entrees, they all sounded fine but nothing really grabbed me. I ordered the pork, which was okay. The only standout was a fried sweet potato patty it was served with. Besides what I thought to be a not very inspired menu, the plate presentation was weak. Everything was the same color. I know that's nitpicky but it's an expensive place and I want the food to look and taste beautiful. Our desserts (creme bruleee and a chocolate cake) were very rich, too rich for my boyfriend so I was forced to finish them for us. No espresso, I really hate that at nice restaurants. French press is good but it's not espresso, plus it was so weak I could practically see through it. I wasn't displeased with our dinner but I would much rather go somewhere else for the amount of money we paid.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T14:53:38" }, { "business_id": "Vz2RN55rTJBGn43K1v84nA", "business_name": "Domenica", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh sad day. I won't alter my rating but my last trip to Domenica revealed a change to their happy hour. Apparently someone on Yelp complained about the drink prices so now the specialty cocktails are not half off. But the wine, beer and well drinks still are. Which seems like their loss, I mean, I'm sure they are losing more on half priced wines and bottled beers than they are on liquor. Our server then went on to tell us he was glad for the change because it's a lot of work for them anyway. What? As someone who has worked in the service industry for a long time, I am not sure why it's bad to bring in extra customers during a typically slow (dead) time of the day. Plus, they are still coming in for half price pizzas and other drinks. His comments didn't really make sense to me and they kind of turned me off. However, the pizzas were still very good and really, I find their wines by the glass more appealing than a lot of things on their ever-changing cocktail list. And the stracci with oxtails is amazing!!!!!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:01:51" }, { "business_id": "mhrW9O0O5hXGXGnEYBVoag", "business_name": "Jacques-Imo's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Good, not great and pricey for what you get. I totally understand why people love it here, the vibe is great and it feels very New Orleans, whatever that means. Some of the food I really enjoyed and some I thought was totally mediocre. The watermelon mojito, while huge, was thin and insipid, not bad but not worth repeating. The cornbread muffins were, as always, fantastic. I remember at one time really loving the spinach salad with a lone oyster perched on top but this was soggy and limp. Our table of 8 shared a bunch of appetizers, including the cheesecake (very good) and the fried roast beef poboy (good but expected better). The BF and I shared the carpetbagger steak, which is awesome, I mean it's covered in blue cheese! But our sides were downright terrible, I'd be embarrassed to serve the red beans we got and the greens weren't much better. Our table split one creme brulee, which didn't really get bruleed so it was mostly plain sugar on top. Jacques kindly sent over tastes of Grand Marnier for after dinner drinks and chatted with us. That kind of charm goes a long way but honestly, 8 people split 4 entrees, one dessert, a few apps and a pretty cheap bottle of wine and it was $37 per person. I could think of better ways I'd like to spend my money.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:16:23" }, { "business_id": "dG94-818jQr0Vi3ajRwDCQ", "business_name": "a Mano", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend of mine alerted me to a series of dinners A Mano was doing, each week featuring a different region of Italy. Since my family is from Sicily, of course I wanted to see what they had to offer that week. I had a delicious Aperol spritzer to start and my friend had the Bellini. We sipped as we perused the menu and decided to do one Sicilian special menu and then order some things from the main menu. This particular friend of mine and I share a love for funky food; sardines, anchovies, tripe, whatever. And they had tripe on the menu so we had to order it. It was served in a savory but not at all heavy red sauce. Even if you don't like tripe, I bet you'd love the sauce sopped up with some bread. It tasted just like my grandmother's, actually, I'll admit it, it was better than hers. I liked the gnudi everyone raves about but the texture was more like smooth cream cheese or goat cheese, I'm more used to it being like ricotta, slightly grainy and less dense. But still very good. The only dud was a pasta dish with zucchini, no flavor at all. Our final dish was a seared tuna with onion mostarda that was excellent. To finish, we had cassata. It wasn't bad but it wasn't anything like the cassata I make and I prefer mine. This was a sponge cake soaked in some sort of liquor (too strong for me) and with candied fruit, not something I like much. The way I make it is un-liquor soaked angel food cake with a chocolate-cherry stuffed ricotta filling and topped with whipped cream. Very nice meal, pleasant staff, will return to sit at the bar with an Aperol spritzer and an order of trippa!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:30:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm so thrilled that Rouse's decided to invest in downtown! This is a pretty awesome Rouse's, everyone was so perky and pleasant! I almost got full on all the samples they were giving away; sushi, fresh-baked ciabatta, assorted cheeses, etc. They seem to have anticipated that they will draw a large lunch crowd and have lots of excellent-looking prepared foods. Would you like dragon fruit? Buddha's hand fruit? Kobe beef for $89.99/lb? Rouse's has it! I'll be interested to see how much of this stuff they will really keep in stock as time goes on. Layout is a little counterintuitive but they did a good job considering it used to be a car dealership. I was wondering about parking and indeed, there is a lot in the back and then upper level parking, accessible via Girod. The place was MOBBED but I went at lunchtime when I am guessing 90% of the CBD was also there. They open at 6, which is an hour earlier than my friendly neighborhood Rouse's and close at midnight! Whoa, is this pre-2005 New Orleans? I miss going midnight shopping at Sav-a-Center:( Other notes: I predict right now that they undershot how many checkout lanes they would need. Long-ish waits to be expected, especially at lunch. Prices on some staples that I get at Rouse's in Mid-City were exactly the same. Good to know we're not paying a few cents extra on soy milk to pay for rent in the CBD. Overall, great job, although I have to disagree with Danny Rouse's proclamation that this is the best grocery store in the country. Try Wegman's in the Northeast, they have an oyster bar! If you put in an oyster bar Danny, then I will unequivocally agree with you and retract any criticism immediately.", "timestamp": "2011-11-16T19:03:15" }, { "business_id": "JwS1qdmkA9S6muZBsdemBQ", "business_name": "Korea House", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never had Korean food before so I have nothing to compare it to but I loved my dinner the other night. Specifically the bibimbap with raw beef and a raw egg. I like ordering things that aren't necessarily a safe bet, sometimes that doesn't work but this time it did. The beautifully arranged, colorful vegetables were mixed with some sort of sesame oil dressing and went magnificently with the beef and egg. There was some coarse granulated sugar on top, I thought it was a tad bit too sweet and my fiance didn't like the crunch but otherwise, the dish sort of blew me onto a higher culinary plateau. I've been in a bit of a food rut and this was a revelatory way to lift myself out. The steamed dumplings were pretty good and so were the ribs but everything paled in comparison to the bibimbap. I also liked the bowls of various pickled things, my favorites were the cucumbers and the black beans. I'll be back to try more of the menu and I've already been scouring the internets for bibimbap recipes!", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:48:25" }, { "business_id": "Ra9zH1CBYtAC6vMfKYsHew", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 2, "text": "What a waste of $75. I could have just gone to Felipe's and probably been more satisfied. I've only had drinks at the FQ location so I don't know if their food really varies or not. But I have sampled many of the margaritas in the FQ and never had one I didn't like. I did not like the orange-lime one that I ordered, nor did I like the mezcal one my fiance ordered, it didn't taste smoky like most mezcal I've had but more like candle wax. It's a sad, sad day when I don't want to finish my margarita. It's even sadder when I realize there is nothing on the menu I'm interested in ordering. My sweetie ordered the house salad, which had a pretty good dressing and he would have liked to finish it before it was unceremoniously whisked away and replaced with our entrees. Our entrees were way overpriced but not inedible. The waitress was annoying and up in our faces every two minutes for the first half of the meal and absent for the second half. It took forever to get out of there and I felt bad for the hordes of people waiting in line. I may visit the FQ one again but never again at this location.", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:56:24" }, { "business_id": "RPEMUwN_CDRRToQ_7hxsvA", "business_name": "Borgne", "rating": 3, "text": "Like many other Besh experiences I've had, this was a mixed bag. First, they have done some cool stuff with the design, I like the columns made up of oyster shells encased in wire mesh. But it still has this institutional, chain sort of feel to me. My sweetie said it felt like a cafeteria that had a makeover. My French 75 was solid, they must use the same recipe as Luke, served in a snifter with a brandied cherry. Perfect. They also have NOLA 7th Street Wheat and big fishbowls glasses for the beer. I started with a bowl of oyster stew. It was delicious and very rich, so rich that I didn't really enjoy the last few bites because my taste buds were overwhelmed. I think they offer cups at lunchtime. The BF got broiled oysters, which were fine but nothing to set them apart from the many other restaurants that do them better. He also got the duck poppers, which were great because duck+bacon=delicious. But the bacon could have been crisper and what the hell was in the sauce? I have no idea because this is the kind of place that lists menus items as such, \"Duck poppers, jalapeno, bacon.\" That's it. My fish in a bag with caramelized fennel was great, really, the fennel stole the show and that's generally not my favorite. The hot pot was a bust, dressed up ramen noodles with tough pork belly. For dessert we got the oatmeal cookie with turron ice cream. Again, it was fine but I feel like I could buy something just like it out of the freezer section at the grocery store. Espresso was good, served without lemon peel but delivered promptly once we asked for it. Service was very good. I wouldn't go again for the price we paid for dinner because it just wasn't all that. I'd definitely go back and try the $10 lunch specials though.", "timestamp": "2012-02-15T17:16:17" }, { "business_id": "D8l8tVYE5EJeHOMlJs1Eng", "business_name": "Aristocat Salon + Nail Spa", "rating": 2, "text": "Worst eyebrow wax I've ever had. I'm not sure what I paid for because I walked out looking exactly like I did when I walked in. Pedicure chipped after a week, I don't expect that until at least two, usually three weeks.", "timestamp": "2012-03-12T13:37:57" }, { "business_id": "rrNF0siUBVQOOgsFVfGpKA", "business_name": "Columns", "rating": 1, "text": "It pains me to say this but I have to give up on the Columns. I am generally confounded by the frat boy presence there but was usually able to overlook it because ti's just so lovely and the drinks were always pretty good. Last night, I brought some out of town guests in and on one side of the parlor, there was a dapper gentleman playing the piano. Then we walked into the bar area and they were playing R. Kelly. Don't get me wrong, the R. can be good for a time and place but at the Columns? Weird. After waiting for several polo-clad young men to get their Miller Lites, I ordered French 75s for my friends and a Ramos Gin Fizz for myself. Note to bartender; putting a lemon twist in a glass of cheap sparkling wine does not a French 75 make. Terrible. My Ramos Gin Fizz was composed of a good 3/4 c. of heavy cream and had no discernible fizz. Luckily, I did taste a bit of booze hiding behind all that cream but really gin and whipping cream was not what I was hoping for. It was really disappointing because the gin fizz I had there last summer was dangerously delicious. My friends sipped their cheap and slightly sour sparkle and finally implored me to take them home when the song \"Ain't that America\" came on. I'm glad I was able to experience their downfall myself before I unwittingly sent people there with raves about the atmosphere and the classic cocktails. Get it together Columns, you've got so much to work with.", "timestamp": "2012-04-27T19:36:54" }, { "business_id": "kb1Tf4xwb7CQW5OXf9zwqw", "business_name": "Toups Meatery", "rating": 3, "text": "I hate being the jerk who writes the first non-five star review but I am sure this will bump up to four and possibly even five. I'll just have to keep going back to make sure my ratings are accurate. Anyway, the space is really nice and I like that there is outside seating. The staff is very friendly, although it is my preference that everyone working doesn't come by to ask how the food is. It's kind of overwhelming, especially if you don't like something. I don't remember being very interested in their cocktail menu and I thought the wine by the glass selection was very small and a bit overpriced. On to the food. We started with the meatery plate,of course! This was really good. I liked the cracklins a lot, crunchy but not dried out. The housemade garlic sausage was delicious as was the delicate, subtle rabbit pate. My husband really liked the hogshead cheese, it was not as congealed as it usually is, more of a spread. Weirdly, I didn't love the rillons and I thought they would knock me out. Those are candied pieces of pork belly, if you didn't know and I certainly did not. Cooked too long maybe, they lost their lusciousness. My husband got the chicken confit and I didn't taste that. But I did sample the mustard greens and white beans underneath and they were fantastic. My sliders, however, sucked. All three of them. I like fat but the lamb belly was a huge chunk of fat with really off-putting St. Patrick's Day green, overly sweet mint jelly. The crab cake was everything you hate about crappy crab cakes; mostly breading, cheap, stringy crab meat, fried-too-hard exterior. I think the last one was just the rabbit pate on a bun but by that point, I was over it. The brioche buns they were served on looked promising but they were stale. We didn't try the desserts but they had some appealing options. We'll be back but I can definitely cross the sliders off my list.", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T17:20:46" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "It hurts a bit to downgrade Parkway but every time I deviate from the shrimp poboy, I am disappointed. In this unfortunate case, I was not only disappointed but put out with indigestion for two whole days. The Reuben was DISGUSTING. I was hungry, so I ate most of my half but the sauce on it was sickeningly sweet, the sauerkraut almost nonexistent and something about the meat really turned my stomach. I still love their fries with debris and I tried the sweet potato fries, also very good. But I'll never try anything new again. I'm not sure when they added a happy hour from 3-7pm but good to know!", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T12:54:42" }, { "business_id": "9xErhLpjFcoA39AFeN3lUA", "business_name": "Liuzza's By The Track", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm going to be nice and give three stars since we only tried a few things on the menu so maybe I'd be more impressed if I tried the gumbo or the etouffee. However, I had the much-lauded BBQ shrimp poboy, which I thought was an epic fail. It wasn't offensive or anything, it just tasted like absolutely nothing; no lemon, no pepper, no garlic, nothing. Perhaps I am spoiled because my husband is a chef and he makes a damn fine rendition of BBQ shrimp but I thought this was an utter waste of $15. I had a bite of the husband's oyster poboy, which was fine, but didn't distinguish itself from other oyster poboys around the city that do not cost $14.95. Regular and sweet potato fries were good and served in generous portions. Chocolate torte was dry and forgettable. Service was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T13:04:45" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "Aztec chocolate. So good. It's hard to try new things when I love the spicy, dark chocolate blend so much. Yesterday I did deviate though and got the blueberry-basil. While the flavor of the blueberry was super intense and fantastic, it was way too sweet. I would have liked more basil too. Another favorite was a Christmas special, chesnut ice cream with pine nuts and rosemary. Amazing. Good coffee, inventive flavors you won't see at Sucre. Someday I'm going to actually eat their real food because the menu looks tempting.", "timestamp": "2012-06-26T14:52:31" }, { "business_id": "X-ZgevJi7i3wf0RjsBLG1w", "business_name": "Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I still like it for its unapologetic quirkiness but don't come here expecting anything great. Fried pickles were probably the best I've had and my husband's fried shrimp were good. My oyster remoulade was so drenched in sauce that I could only guess that they were once crispy when they emerged from the fryer. A friend's lasagna looked mediocre, as did an alfredo. The Bushwacker, which I've long wanted to try, is now crossed off my bucket list. If you want a huge, semi-frozen dessert, go for it. If you're looking for an adult beverage, skip it. I'd stick with fried seafood and large beers here.", "timestamp": "2012-06-27T17:59:44" }, { "business_id": "M8ONtZM80_LYC2Q3iqU5SA", "business_name": "Mila", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped in today for the $20 lunch special, which I think is one of the best deals in town. I love their bread assortment, especially the cornbread with some of the lima bean puree. The sweet potato rolls are pretty good too but they just aren't as good as the sweet potato biscuits at Green Goddess. I was a little sad that their featured soup was a zucchini-crab bisque since the online menu said corn-crab (!!!). Last time I was there, it was a rutabaga (or turnip maybe) with crab. I really liked that one; the zucchini was good but needed salt. I also think starchy things like corn and root vegetables lend themselves better to that kind of soup than zucchini. But the crab was plentiful and delicious. For my entree, I had beef cheeks that were wildly tender and flavorful. The beans that came with them were slightly uninspired. The fish entree with quinoa and currants was great. For dessert, I had the banana ice cream with almond streusel. There was nothing resembling a streusel, more like little crispy crumbs sprinkled on the bottom. But tasty crumbs they were and nice, textural contrast to the creamy and lush banana ice cream. Pleasant and efficient service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-29T20:33:52" }, { "business_id": "QD48BhLk7lDTgOL_NiVCCw", "business_name": "Taqueria Corona", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I've never reviewed this place, I've only been here a million times. I've been here to celebrate new jobs and buying of houses. Anyway, as we were driving up the eerily darkened Magazine Street last week, looking for refuge from Isaac, I was thrilled to see they were open! They had no AC but they still were working their asses off and running around madly to serve all the stir crazy people needing to get out of the house. For that alone, they get extra stars. Now, onto the regular things you can expect. The guy at the front register (owner?) is always there and always makes you feel like he is genuinely glad to see you. I love him. The margaritas aren't the best but they're fine and they make it to your table QUICKLY. I would skip the chips and guac and instead order the cebollitas. Actually, make that two orders because you won't want to share. This place is one of the few, or maybe only, place around that serves tongue tacos. Delicious. If you like pot roast or other similar flavorful, tender cuts of meat, this is for you. I also like the fish tacos and the carne asada tacos. Since I hate burritos, I can't really say anything on that point. Shrimp flautas are just average in general but excellent for a hangover cure.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T17:58:13" }, { "business_id": "W9SliuSyX7N0XoiG9UFNdQ", "business_name": "Pho Noi Viet", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, not remarkable though. Service was very friendly but food came out ever so slowly. The menu is pretty small, just pho, bahn mi, bun and rice plates. Only three appetizers. I wish they had a salad selection. We got the shrimp spring rolls to start with, which were much better than some I had at Pho Bang a few weeks ago. The peanut sauce is excellent! I had the curried tofu bun, the spice must have only stained the tofu a pale shade of yellow without imparting any flavor. It was fine and everything was fresh but I probably wouldn't order it again. That's not really their fault though because while I love the flavors of Vietnamese cooking (mint, cilantro, sour-sweet), I just am not a fan of gobs of white noodles or white rice. Since I wanted more than soup or a sandwich for dinner, eliminating pho and bahn mi, that left me with choosing from a pile of white noodles or a pile of white rice. My husband had shrimp pad thai and it was more flavorful than my dish but still missing some key elements. I'll go back to try their pho one of these days.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T18:05:52" }, { "business_id": "XxSIrbHqVMdEzP30-DN20g", "business_name": "Louisiana SPCA", "rating": 4, "text": "The food and drink were top notch, I mean, as soon as we checked in, there was a table full of French 75s to greet us. Thank you! some of my favorites included shrimp remoulade from Galatoire's, this smoked redfish with red onion jam from (?) and mahi with curried couscous and golden raisins from Vega Tapas. I enjoyed seeing the various costumes but I thought that the music was pretty terrible. Thanks very much Joi, it was much appreciated!", "timestamp": "2012-10-25T14:12:38" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I walked right in with 4 people and got a table immediately on a Sunday night around 7. Service was friendly and quick. I had raw oysters and gumbo for dinner. The oysters were great and actually shucked to order. I can't believe how often I get pre-shucked oysters these days, gross. Anyway, fresh oysters and very tasty gumbo. I was pleased. I tasted some of my husband's boiled seafood platter, the crabs seemed old and the mushrooms tasted canned. I would have been unhappy if that was my dinner but he said it was ok. Another friend had the swamp platter and I tried the alligator sausage, mm! He raved about the frog legs and turtle soup but I didn't try them. Bread pudding was pretty good too. I'll have to figure more time into my ride out to the airport next time so I can hit this place up for oysters.", "timestamp": "2012-11-28T16:50:31" }, { "business_id": "mCRa6o1eEVQr1bqV4Wy6KQ", "business_name": "The Blind Pelican", "rating": 3, "text": "I was lured in by their awesome happy hour special from 4-7 daily. 25 cent oysters! How can you go wrong? Also surprised by the dozen chargrilled oysters for $7.50. The oysters were shucked to order, unlike Luke which serves pre-shucked (and dry!) oysters. They were a little messy and gritty but hey, for 25 cents, I was still happy. I'd skip the chargrilled but for the price, it was a decent experiment. Beer selection was very good, I had the Mechahopzilla and my husband had some Voodoo something or other. Service was a little spotty but it was happy hour during the holidays so that's understandable. I doubt I'd come back for more than oysters but that's a good enough incentive for me", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T02:35:04" }, { "business_id": "ZTctPm8-lBy0iJ9dFhYhyQ", "business_name": "Herbsaint", "rating": 3, "text": "Based on food and drinks, I'd like to give 3.5 stars but since Herbsaint has the reputation it has, their weak points really stand out. I didn't really love the interior, plus we were there on a cold and windy night, making me wish they had a vestibule. Even seated three tables from the door, we were greeted with an Arctic chill every time the door opened. Service ranged from disjointed to friendly to cool. I understand the concept of team service but was asked for drink orders, then food orders and then second round of drink orders by two servers every time. Coordinate! My cocktail and wine flight were both forgettable. Beer list is meh. My husband and I both really liked our appetizers; I had a kale salad with smoked drum and satsumas and he had some sort of warm chicken rillete. The bread they served was also fantastic. I had a special appetizer for my entree; mortadella-stuffed ravioli with black trumpet mushroom jus. Husband's entree was downright gross. I hate complaining at restaurants but if it was my meal, I would have sent it back. The risotto was not creamy or flavorful, it just tasted like hard, wet rice. The pork belly on top had no discernible taste except...old. I really liked some of the food we ate but was so disappointed in others that I won't be back soon. I do still need to get there for that famous fried egg guanciale dish but I've got a lot of other important eating to do before I return! On the plus side, they are open on Mondays and have a very extensive wine list.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T03:35:26" }, { "business_id": "qKscu5qiEanq7XAduAhHmA", "business_name": "Banana Blossom", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for some time and, finding myself on the Wank last week, I stopped in for lunch. It was full and I waited for a table for a few minutes but things move quickly there. I was surprised that they didn't have lunch specials but decided to go with BBQ oysters and the Pad Thai. A little side salad came out first, pretty nondescript lettuce shards and unripe tomato, but I really liked the peanut-coconut dressing. The BBQ oysters were plentiful and tasty, almost too salty but I like salt. The roti they came with sopped up the sauce and by the time my Pad Thai came, I was full. Good thing too because I took a few bites of the sloppy-looking mess and didn't like it at all. The tofu tasted old, the vegetables were not fresh and it was very bland. There were a few other things on the menu that appealed to me and I might be persuaded to go back to try them but I would stay far, far away from the Pad Thai.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:17:52" }, { "business_id": "ta5Oi3sezvn4H299MbtE8Q", "business_name": "The Carousel Bar & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn about this one. I actually hate the carousel part of the bar and really dislike the spinning. Note: Don't go there after you've had a couple drinks. The spinning won't do you any favors. However, I love the lounge-y area behind the main bar, especially the cozy nooks with high-backed armchairs that look right out into the action on Royal. They make a very tasty Vieux Carre and one of my favorite Sazeracs in the city. So it's definitely worth a visit,I'd just avoid the main bar area.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:23:42" }, { "business_id": "dXREfNidBVaPbF8g5Xf54A", "business_name": "Department of Motor Vehicles", "rating": 3, "text": "Not too terrible as far as any visit to the OMV is concerned. There is plenty of parking in the lot in front and there were only 10 or so other people in line when I got there at 7:58am. One important thing to note about this location is that it is in some state office building so you have to go through security. That means leave your pistols and mace in the car, please. I was in and out within 20 minutes with my new license and although I thought the clerk I dealt with was unnecessarily snappy, I'd probably hate myself too if I worked there.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:35:32" }, { "business_id": "g8asTfC0kY9uzt1AHdm35A", "business_name": "Reily Student Recreation Center", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a fantastic facility, as it should be for Tulane tuition. As an employee, I get a discounted rate, which I don't take advantage of because first, I hate driving Uptown and second, the parking on campus sucks. However, every year during Winter Break, all employees use the facility for free and it's quiet, relatively student-free, easier to park and has a great schedule of really good classes. Once the students come back though, it can get pretty crowded so I probably won't ever buy a year-round membership. Except maybe when I have kids; they do have child care available.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:56:57" }, { "business_id": "P09fwcXyvf2GdvFnTMQWuA", "business_name": "Bellocq", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a beautiful bar and so I understand that fancy places can command high drink prices. I expected this but I thought my drink was just ok and for $14, I expect delicious. I also hate those silver cups they come in, I dislike not being able to see the level of my drink. Is there one sip left? 15? I can't tell. The presentation was lovely but there are too many places I can spend $4-6 less for a drink that is just as fancy but not as pricey. Don't get me wrong, I'd have a drink here again but it's not on my short list.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T01:56:09" }, { "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is exactly what I was thinking during my dinner. Look, for the most part, this food isn't bad, I actually enjoyed most of it. But it's damn expensive and what was good were things I could make any old night of the week. Plain old spaghetti with a garlic-scented butter? Yum! I loved that as a kid! And it takes 10 minutes to make. No need to drive to Avondale for that. Baked chicken with lots of garlic? Also, tasty and easily made at home. The baked oysters Mosca I thought was terrible and outrageously overpriced. $38 for about 12 oysters baked to death in a thick layer of breadcrumbs, which negated any oyster flavor. I can see how this place can be fun but it's unlikely I'd go back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:05:13" }, { "business_id": "iFgoIM21C_P68N8Dk-HHEA", "business_name": "Stella!", "rating": 3, "text": "It's always so hard for me to rate really nice restaurants because I expect so much before I even walk in the door. So maybe this is too harsh. Anyway... We were ushered into a somber and hushed front dining room. I felt like I had to whisper, which was sort of weird. We ordered cocktails to start because that's how I do fancy meals but I wasn't too excited about their specialty cocktails. When the ordered Blackberry Bramble or whatever it was called arrived, I was similarly nonplussed. I won't go into details about each dish but I will say that I certainly liked every course but I wasn't really wow-ed. Also, my wine tasted like anchovies, which I love but not in my wine. Highlights included all the sauces on each plate, the beef tenderloin, veal cheek and poached rhubarb for dessert. I've spent a lot less money on meals I enjoyed just as much or more so...glad I knocked that off the bucket list but won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:15:37" }, { "business_id": "2oJV-vS0Cu8cYt7_TbzOww", "business_name": "Cleaver & Co", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, 3 or 4 stars? This is tough because I'm glad that they're there but I did not at ALL like the head cheese I bought there and am unlikely to ever buy another $20 chicken. I love independent butchers though so I would like to support them but probably only for buying cuts for special occasions.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T18:44:30" }, { "business_id": "O7adYE4pVfqY02Lh6ywEpA", "business_name": "Swirl Wine Bar & Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I love this place. It would be hard NOT to like just based on their delightful location. Well-curated selection of wines and small cheese case run by very informative and helpful staff. Unfortunately, I avoid their Friday tastings because they have become so popular that they are too packed for me. I prefer the Wednesday night flights.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:21:07" }, { "business_id": "eKgtzwzbLR44fqevm6yUSQ", "business_name": "Faubourg Wines", "rating": 4, "text": "I was in the neighborhood quite a bit leading up to Krewe du Vieux, making floats, working on costumes and...drinking, of course. There were many days that I stopped in here (sometimes twice!) to fuel up on well-priced sparkling wine. Favorite find; an intoxicatingly perfumed grapefruit liquor.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:49:08" }, { "business_id": "g-IXI3v3fOudMsyLPKb-eQ", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location better than the one in Mid-City, such a cool re-use of a bank building! Very good coffee and now I'm wondering why I didn't have a Bellini? Anyway, I stupidly ordered eggs with a biscuit and corned beef when I could have ordered the special; a twist on the Benedict with fried green tomatoes as the English muffin, a bed of arugula and bacon. Everyone else at my table ordered it so I thought I should try the corned beef and MAYBE my husband would let me have some of his benny. He gave me one small and very delicious bite. Hash was pretty good, as was the biscuit but goddamnit, my over-easy eggs were inedible. Do restaurants cook eggs in a pool of water? I've had this happen before, it's pretty gross and left my eggs mostly untouched. Oh well, everything else was very nice.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T20:21:43" }, { "business_id": "ZgmEBmGQbSHj8YZgN2pPLQ", "business_name": "Satsuma Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Since my husband is not a breakfast eater, I am delighted when I have visitors so we can go out and sample early morning bites. A few months ago, my mother and her husband were here and this was the first place I thought of. Initially, I was kind of disappointed that there was no table service but that's a minor quibble. The staff, although very busy, was cheerful and helpful with recommendations for my juice-neophyte parents. Juice was delicious. My mother and I split a One-Eyed Jack and a special sweet-potato ginger pancake. I had a similar pancake a few weeks before at Suis Generis and that one was WAY better. This pancake was flavorless and oddly textured, plus it would have been nice to have a little side of fruit or something to go with it. The One-Eyed Jack was good but we were both still hungry after our breakfast. My SF ordered wisely and got a much heartier meal with eggs, very good black beans and a tasty biscuit. I'd probably be more inclined to come back here for lunch than breakfast but it is a very sweet little spot. After breakfast, make your way over to the Bargain Center next door for an interesting shopping experience.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T13:29:36" }, { "business_id": "1788xIG9VRrs3DZ_RhqA6A", "business_name": "Pearl Wine Co", "rating": 4, "text": "I wasn't sure what to expect when the ownership changed recently. for the most part, I'm pretty happy with the changes. The owner seems to be extremely knowledgeable and passionate about wine. She has also opened later hours and was even open on the 4th! I'm also glad she kept the staff; Jodi and Jose and great and have been fixtures for some time. The wine shop is worthy of 5 stars but the adjoining bar is not. The atmosphere always did and still does kind of suck. Which is partially not their fault, it is a former industrial building after all. But still, nothing about the place makes me want to hang out there. And they got rid of the former cocktail menu which I liked. But still, overall pleased with the changes. Welcome to the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T18:46:53" }, { "business_id": "bkxtuHXCL7GR51FiNdextA", "business_name": "City Greens", "rating": 3, "text": "Tasty. Friendly staff. But damn, it's really expensive. Just a salad with no drink and no added protein set me back almost $11. I'd only go again if someone suggested it since I can make my own delicious salads for a fraction of the price.", "timestamp": "2013-07-28T13:57:33" }, { "business_id": "WNhcS2zi4zAqA2TbduVINQ", "business_name": "Cleo's", "rating": 4, "text": "I had the vegetarian plate and it was very good. I loved the baba ganoush (so much better than mine) and the hummus with spicy roasted peppers on top. Falafel also really good. I actually like my tabbouleh better but theirs was still fresh and tasty. Tasted friend's lamb kebobs, small-ish but delicious and whatever they use as a salad dressing is awesome. Set-up inside the convenience store with loud club-like music was a little weird but not off-putting.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T18:48:28" }, { "business_id": "KGfw-g_JtizLJb4YmRB2Ig", "business_name": "Mariza", "rating": 4, "text": "I visited Mariza a few weeks ago but didn't eat since my trendy friends wanted to eat dinner at 9:30. I ate dinner at 6 like an old lady and met them for drinks. Anyway, I had one of their specialty cocktails (the Bywater something or other), which was too sweet, and one bite of my friend's hanger steak, which was incredible. I thought so much about that one bite that I jumped when my husband suggested Mariza for our Saturday night dinner date. We were lucky enough to get seated without a wait so that was a plus. To start, we shared an appetizer special; herbed ricotta-stuffed ravioli with chanterelles . OK, the sauce was divine and so was the filling, the one extremely small dab of it anyway. As someone who used to make fresh pasta at a restaurant, I wasn't impressed with the pasta either. It tasted like it was held in water perhaps? We also shared the yellowfin tuna carpaccio with arugula and parm. No complaints! I had that oh-so-delectable steak and it was everything I remembered and more. Served draped over grilled bread with olive tapenade and drizzled with pesto. Perfect. Husband's duck confit was also a hit. Their beer menu is kind of limited but I had a very nice and inexpensive pinot noir, which I find can so often be hit or miss. Our entrees were good-sized and very reasonably priced, both $15 or $16. So I can't really complain about price except when I compare my $16 steak with a $12 ravioli appetizer (2 ravioli, extremely meagerly filled). Oh well, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 2 drinks per person for ~$80 is still really reasonable. Next time I'm getting the burrata crostini and lamb belly. Or the goat ricotta with kale and the short ribs rigatoni. And MUST leave room for the chocolate terrine with olive oil and sea salt. I have to have that.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T19:01:31" }, { "business_id": "7ZcA6w0UCRmeEjN2nyeYuA", "business_name": "Root", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband I I were lucky enough to be invited to dinner here, which was great because I'm quite sure our hosts spent a pretty penny. We started off with cocktails and charcuterie. A+ on the cocktails! Inventive but accessible list and tasty to boot. I liked all the pickled things on the charcuterie plate and DEFINITELY the lardo; everything else was fine but no wow factor. Then we moved on to appetizers; of those I tasted, I'd say the deviled eggs were my favorite. My smoked scallops were as delicious as I'd hoped. Husband predictably ordered pork belly. It was good but what I really remember was this smoked vegetable ash smear it was served on. WOW. I thought the desserts were more about presentation (and at that, they excelled) than taste. We had the peach crumble and the blueberry clafoutis. Neither impressed my palate. I was really looking forward to the peach buttermilk ice cream with my dessert but it was icy and bland. Ice cream, or gelato, whatever they call it, is pretty easy and they didn't get it right at ALL. However, if I were to go back for anything, which is unlikely since they charge $16 for deviled eggs, I would go back for the Indian falooda. Oh! It was a terrarium of beautiful, edible flowers and accouterments swimming in a pool of geranium milk. I thought this sounded a little crazy but I loved it. Appetizers and desserts were overpriced and fell a little flat. Drinks and entrees, while pricey, were worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-20T20:25:53" }, { "business_id": "FxeakFEI6gObK0CxcOft-A", "business_name": "Manhattan Jack", "rating": 3, "text": "My cuban was ok. This sandwich, and the others my friends ordered, is a perfect example was why I hate going out for breakfast and lunch. It's expensive and just not that great. I'd rather save my dollars for dinner and make my own sandwich for lunch. I didn't try any of the sweets and while they looked and smelled lovely, I probably won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T12:03:25" }, { "business_id": "gC8i-lxwvGhVpOXM5eYdtA", "business_name": "Taqueria Guerrero", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the staff here and that it never seems to be super busy. They don't have my beloved fish tacos though and i like the lengua better at Taqueris Corona/ Was very disappointed in my taco al pastor, it's probably the worst I've ever tried. To be daring, we ordered the huarache and the baleado. Huarache, good choice, baleado, bland. Horchata is tasty! It's cheap and close to home but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T14:45:20" }, { "business_id": "5rScKeYVjFk8VahsvJv9QA", "business_name": "Mikimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never used to be a fan but my husband is and it's gradually grown on me. Every time we'd go out, he'd suggest Mikimoto and I'd roll my eyes and ignore him. But he's got a pretty strong sushi addiction and orders once a week, in addition to going out. And of course, he always orders from Mikimoto. It's still not my favorite but it's reliable, quick, plentiful and priced right.", "timestamp": "2013-09-14T15:44:45" }, { "business_id": "FCCnOgjjvwQJBAy3u2fcLA", "business_name": "Criollo Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful place in the Monteleone. I have been wanting to try Criollo for a while and finally did for their Coolinary offering. My friend and I were seated in a window overlooking Iberville. I felt like I was in a little bistro in Paris, which is amazing since I knew if I had two more feet of a view on either side, I'd see Walgreen's and the crowd of guys hanging out in front of the old penny arcade. Service was charming and attentive, from the server to the runner to the hostess. We started with their delicious bread basket and assorted butters. I chose the gumbo, friend had the salad. The gumbo was good, not outstanding but it did distinguish itself with a garnish of fried okra. Very nice. Salad looked uninspired. For entrees, I had the soft-shell crab with brown butter. Yes! Excellent. My friend had the cobia and the bite I had was the blood line so it wasn't a good first impression. I did have another bite (no blood line) and it was good but at nice restaurants, please remove the blood line from the fish! Her dish was topped with a sort of okra popper (cheese-stuffed and fried), which I really liked. I ordered the chocolate-pecan parfait, which sounded way better than white chocolate creme brulee tart to me. What a letdown. It was served nearly frozen solid and it was several inches high so to cut through it was nearly impossible. The flavor was also boring and the cake bit on the bottom was dry. It was terrible. The creme brulee tart however, was stupendous. Loved it. Also, extra kudos for having espresso and not french press. I like french press too but I have one at home. What I don't have at home is a $4,000 espresso machine so I appreciate them when I go out!", "timestamp": "2013-09-18T14:37:54" }, { "business_id": "rVRh3PnjYwSaVvGs0joh5w", "business_name": "Five Guys", "rating": 3, "text": "First of all, it was so bright in here that I felt overwhelmed just walking in. We ordered the regular burgers and large fries, which were both so much bigger than I had anticipated. I went in after spending the afternoon drinking beer at NOLA on Tap so I was beer-hungry and I still couldn't finish the fries. The burger was pretty good and I like all the toppings but the fries were so unsatisfying. They had no taste and making a fried potato taste good is fairly easy. My husband liked them though so maybe I'm just off. I was also shocked at how long it took everything to come out. They were busy but only putting out one order every 4-5 minutes. I think we finally got our food after 20 minutes. It's ok and I might go back but it's not high on my list.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T11:55:25" }, { "business_id": "YSyZipJDgS3D_R0wqPqPhQ", "business_name": "Longue Vue House and Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "I took advantage of Free Museum Day this year with a long overdue trip to Longue Vue. This place has been on my list for years and I can't believe I just now took advantage of a quiet morning spent in the lovely gardens of this estate. Turning down Bamboo Rd. from Metairie Rd, I knew I was in a for a treat. I spent about 45 minutes going through the Discovery Garden (so cute, can't wait to bring my nieces!), to the wild garden (reminder to self to go back when the irises bloom) and the impressive Spanish Court. Luckily, I was just finishing my garden foray when a tour of the house was starting. Wow. The history of the family who lived here was impressive. Not only do you get to peek into what their life was like, but the lady of the house was a collector of modern art and so it was like a gallery visit on top of the house tour. Our guide was also super knowledgable and I feel like I got a history lesson on politics, New Orleans oddities, river commerce and more. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T12:04:13" }, { "business_id": "hPd6uMCjNglnOwwHpkY5Tg", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - French Quarter", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sure this will be unpopular but Felipe's did not hit my spot. I like the one Uptown and I thought I would like this one too but the food, not so much. Husband's cheese sauce on chimichanga tasted rancid, flautas tasted like freezer-burned cardboard and everything else was room temperature and blah. I still love their condiments bar and the drinks are always nice, especially on Wednesdays.", "timestamp": "2013-10-21T16:01:09" }, { "business_id": "dBOVfp8Ub8uO9qUPtw92_w", "business_name": "Lilette", "rating": 4, "text": "My dashing husband brought me here for a birthday lunch after I'd been yearning to go forever. It turns out he knew one of the chefs and so we were sent some delicious short rib lagniappe. I decided to go with two appetizers so that I wouldn't pass out after lunch, unlike my husband, who had a duck appetizer and a steak for an entree. I had some marvelous gnocchi in a tomato sauce and then the famed crab claws and passionfruit butter. That butter was so sublime, I would lick it right off of Bourbon Street. Honestly, the crab wasn't all that, kind of stringy. It's okay though because that butter...oh my. I was sorely disappointed in dessert. We had a Nutella custard and it was GRAY in color and about as flavorful as gray sounds. How do you muck up Nutella? Confusing. Anyway, it is a beautiful space and I'd love to go back for dinner one day.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:17:11" }, { "business_id": "V9VLhHdSFpFi4yXFqVcVEA", "business_name": "Pêche", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn a bit as I write this. It was good, don't get me wrong, I guess I just expected a little more wow. And that's totally because a) it's Donald Link and b) I eat fresh seafood at home all the time and I can admit I'm spoiled. Just last week my husband brought home a 28-inch redfish that he caught and he grilled it on the half-shell with chermoula and tzatziki. But I'm not reviewing my kitchen, just demonstrating that I have a high bar. We started with some expertly fried crab and artichoke fritters. No fillers to bind these beauties together. We also had some olive-oil poached tuna that didn't taste super fresh to me so I let husband eat it all up. There was a third appetizer that I don't remember so I'm sure it was fine although obviously not memorable. Whole grilled flounder to share. I love flounder so it was good but that's all I have to say about it. We also got a side of stewed okra (one of my favorite things all night, go figure!) and very tasty field peas. Dessert was an amazing-sounding but disappointing-tasting chocolate peanut butter banana pie. They have an interesting cocktail menu but after tasting mine and my husband's, I switched to their equally interesting but more reasonably priced wine list. Service was friendly (except for the hostess at the door who was hating life!). It's very loud. If you're visiting from out of town and want to eat some really good Louisiana seafood, this is your place. If you're married to a local fisherman like me, you can probably eat just as well at home.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:34:18" }, { "business_id": "riGIP57_SRRnhx91c_4sBQ", "business_name": "Cafe Granada", "rating": 4, "text": "Over the past weekend, with its lovely weather, I wanted to go somewhere where we could sit outside. Husband suggested this place, which neither of us have ever visited. I love tapas and they have outdoor seating. Sold. We started off with a carafe of red sangria, which was quite watery. I'll go to Lola's if I want sangria. We had several things, some that I loved and some that were just ok. But the ones I loved were so good, I can't wait to go back! The delicious: Brie with fig preserves: Hard to go wrong with this, except to do it like we did. One order for four people. Boo. Get your own. Duck confit: The duck was on point and the salad it came with was fantastic! The hangar steak: Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Served with very good french fries and what I think was a garlic aioli (menu said chimichurri but that it wasn't). The good: Goat cheese croquetas: Served with some sort of mango sauce. Shrimp croquetas: Not as good as the goat cheese ones. Served with a tomato sauce. Carpaccio de res: This might have made the delicious category if there was some balance between oil and acid on the plate. It was drizzled with oil, fine, but needed some vinegar or something else. The just ok: Zucchini pockets with salmon and brie: The zucchini was good, I didn't taste the brie and the salmon just didn't work with the zucchini, to my taste anyway. Manchego with tequila: I though booze, flame and cheese was a no brainer but it just tasted like soggy cheese with cheap tequila taste on top. Yuck. The bread: Not good and with these kind of tapas, the bread is kind of important. The aforementioned sangria. $100 bucks for four people with drinks. Not bad at all.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:50:59" }, { "business_id": "3JOWaLAwQkYTZsgSe5HzVA", "business_name": "Hermes Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why Yelp has this come up as Lower Garden, this is the heart of the FQ. Weird. Anyway, I like coming here with visitors for some old school New Orleans vibes. One of the few place in town you can order a Ramos Gin Fizz and check out old Mardi Gras memorabilia. I usually just get drinks but have been wanting to try the Oyster Foch poboy (fried oysters, colbert sauce, foie gras) for the longest. I finally got my wish! The presentation was kind of sloppy and it was stuffed somewhat sparsely but the taste was OH MY GOD. I might have to hit happy hour again this week for another.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:56:35" }, { "business_id": "UjFLIhKTOiFcQiziOA9rgA", "business_name": "Mizado Latin Kitchen", "rating": 3, "text": "A-ok for now, with some strong pluses and minuses. I was very excited for this place to open and we checked it out the night before Thanksgiving. Business was booming and the welcoming host staff seemed genuinely glad to see us. However, I wasn't crazy about the whole valet setup outside, it seemed unnecessary and I felt more like I was going to a club in LA than dinner under the interstate in New Orleans. That same feeling goes for the decor. But that's just my personal taste talking and I'm sure some people love the ultra-modern, lounge-like feel. I LOVED the pickled vegetables and fried chickpeas that were put on the table to munch on. Our server warned us they'd be really hot but I thought they were perfect. On the other hand, she did not warn us about the salsas and 2 of the 3 (arbol, borracha, aguacate) we got were verrrry spicy. I like spice but it was a lot for me and husband couldn't eat them. Plus, they were more like pastes or dips to me. OK but not worth repeating. Fish tacos (unremarkable), pork belly (some pieces were great and some were undercooked=flabby) and peruvian atun (delicious!) completed the meal. My drink (Cava Lamp) had no discernible taste of St. Germain that it included as an ingredient. It was also priced wrong on the menu. Husband's margarita was fine but they don't do salted rims, instead a salted foam sits on top of the drink. Meh. I will probably go back to try more of the menu but I'm not running back anytime soon. It might get back into my rotation in the next 6 months. Might not.", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:24:23" }, { "business_id": "now2TRoUla_5u_tmH4HGig", "business_name": "Namese", "rating": 4, "text": "I never thought I'd be dining al fresco on a beautiful patio located...at the corner of Carrollton and Tulane? I saw how nice the exterior was as we pulled up but it really is even nicer than you can imagine once you are seated on the patio. We didn't go inside so I can't speak to that. I wanted to order one of everything but I restrained myself. We started with the banh mi sample, I liked the shrimp the best but husband liked the other two. I recommend just getting a banh mi instead though, just to get the bang for your buck. We also got the pork roll and pate banh mi and the serving size was much more than the appetizer. They were out of pork belly, so sad, so we didn't sample any of that. Grilled shrimp spring rolls were good, caramel catfish was very good and the green papaya salad was my favorite! Staff was great and welcoming. We will definitely be back often. So glad this is on the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:32:28" }, { "business_id": "fmWgbWRcbJw-yRCK3USnvA", "business_name": "Fountain Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "We had kind of a perfect New Orleans night here, the Saturday before Christmas was very festive and the famed Roosevelt decorations were dazzling. We ran into old friends and made new ones. But none of that really had to do with the food, which did not live up to the rest of our evening. We started with raw oysters, which were cold, salty and shucked right. We both had the Reveillon menu but there were choices for each of us, I love choices! I had an asparagus dish with poached egg and Parmesan foam that was delicate and rich-tasting at the same time. The smoked tuna was good too but asparagus trumped it. The soup and salad course was next, nice but not remarkable. The soup was so rich, I think it was mostly heavy cream with a dash of cauliflower in there. I had swordfish that tasted frozen and my husband had a deconstructed duck wellington that was a better choice. Both desserts (banana-chocolate creme brulee and a lemon tart) tasted like Sysco made them a decade ago. I love dessert and I'll even eat most bad desserts but I didn't finish either one of these. Also, our cocktails cost $16 each. Things started off okay but took a nose-dive. I won't be back.", "timestamp": "2014-02-11T14:33:59" }, { "business_id": "zWfzgYe2nT9mHYm_vl1Ukw", "business_name": "Mopho", "rating": 3, "text": "Sigh. I've been twice and both times I was not overly impressed. The first time we went, we ordered the crispy wings. They were not crisp at all, although the flavor was really good. I also had the worst pho I've ever had. The broth (beef, with oxtail and tendon) was murky and tasteless, like they used no star anise or other aromatics. The second time we went was better. I had the much hyped pepper jelly clams. The clams were really fresh-tasting and the broth was delicious. But I would have loved to sop it up with some bread, instead I got some stick-shaped beignets that were awfully sweet and not a good vessel at all to absorb that beautiful broth. My companions had poboys, which they enjoyed. I'll likely keep trying but so far, it hasn't lived up to my expectations. Staff is really nice, the space is beautiful. I'm looking forward to checking out their happy hour and the patio in nice weather.", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:35:36" }, { "business_id": "EbLbT1sR9myTqzjF4mHrTw", "business_name": "The Civic Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "We went to see Christian Scott and Esperanza Spalding here a couple months ago. What a beautiful job they've done! It's fairly small and the seating felt very...vertical. But I like that it was on the small side, it felt very intimate. The bar is stocked with better than your average. They had a fancy cocktail menu and my husband was happy with his Hopitoulas. Look forward to seeing more shows here!", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:39:55" }, { "business_id": "FLtru6J7y9d-Rqb32jyPIg", "business_name": "The Fat Falafel", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only tried the falafel sandwich (add hummus) but those fries with garlic aioli were very tempting! I liked the pita, loved the root slaw and enjoyed the sauce. But...was there a hint of cinnamon in the falafel? If not, there was something I couldn't identify and if there was, I didn't like it. But it was my only quibble, well, that and also that it was messy and had so much garlic that I wanted to run home to my toothbrush immediately. In fact, after brushing my teeth and using industrial strength mouthwash, I could still taste it. So if you're planning on being out the rest of the day/evening, proceed with caution!", "timestamp": "2014-05-06T20:35:52" }, { "business_id": "9xdXS7jtWjCVzL4_oPGv9A", "business_name": "GW Fins", "rating": 3, "text": "It was good, don't get me wrong. I'll have to go back to try more of the menu and hope to upgrade to 4 stars then. AMBIANCE: Looks really dated inside, like it was designed in the early 90s. No big deal, decor is not what I came for but I noticed it. SERVICE: I appreciate attentive service, which it was, but even better, our server was knowledgeable about the menu. Kudos. THOSE BISCUITS: Everybody seems to love these. They were good, kind of on the sweet side for me. And not great for sopping up some of the excellent sauces from our meal. APPETIZERS: These were fantastic. We got the lobster dumplings, fried snapper cheeks and salmon tartar. The sauce on those dumplings, WHOA! So good. The fried fish contrasted with a spicy-sweet slaw, delicious. ENTREES: Bored silly. We both basically got a variation of fish paired with a starch and some vegetables. Nothing bad but after the appetizers, very uninspired. DESSERT: Cherry panna cotta (good) and passionfruit \"souffle.\" They had souffle in quotes so I was curious to see what that meant. You want to know? It means passionfruit ice cream served in a souffle cup. Lame. They have a great wine list (although a crappy beer list) so I'd go back to sit at the bar for some wine and apps.", "timestamp": "2014-08-13T14:30:02" }, { "business_id": "cTSczU-9-cYUEM2DlNJcQw", "business_name": "1000 Figs", "rating": 5, "text": "I found out Tuesday morning that this place had opened the day before. Since I love checking out new places within walking distance, we decided to try it for dinner. OH, SO good! I had their falafel before (which I had previously found to be dry but I liked that beet-carrot slaw). But I'm glad I gave it another shot because these here perfect. Wait, let me back up. The space is really beautiful, it feels like being in someone's home and obviously a lot of careful thought went into the decor (love the silverware in drawers at each table!). It's BYOB right now but since it's next to Swirl, they're really nice about setting you up with wine and all the accouterments. It is rather quiet though so maybe not the best place for a boisterous group. We shared barley-roasted vegetable salad, kale salad with squid and the hummus platter. The barley salad was awesome, that was probably my favorite. The kale salad I actually didn't like, I think it was chard and not kale? And not crazy about the squid, which I usually love. But I plopped some hummus on it and it was fine. The falafel were tender and perfect. Everything was served with an avalanche of fresh greens, dill, mint etc and that was a really nice touch. The hand-stretched bread that came with the hummus platter also blew me away. But when we asked for more, we got cold, factory pita from Restaurant Depot:( Maybe they ran out, highly likely since it was so delicious! No desserts, very reasonably priced. Will be back again and again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:26:21" } ]	{ "business_id": "PDpEFp0lCsXtGsUO1WPllA", "business_name": "The Franklin", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is beautiful, no doubt. Did this used to be an old praline shop? I can't remember. I liked our dinner here but I just can't shake that I spent $72 on myself for 2 drinks and 3 apps and a dessert split 3 ways. My favorite thing was actually a salad with root vegetables. I had oysters with white remoulade; I'd drink that sauce straight but the oysters weren't fried very well, sort of soggy. I also had beef tartar with strawberries, which I decided was not a good combination. The best thing there was this cocktail I had, the Kentucky Rifleman, which was worth every penny of the $12 it cost. Rye and black walnut bitters, OMG. We shared the quince-almond-goat cheese tart and while I'd eat anything with goat cheese, the crust of this tasted like dirt and the ice cream was icy, which really ruined the texture.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:33:59" }
07aVWNhBhpwqW3MdqoKDKQ	[ { "business_id": "yD3vJQYB8lX8Se97oCVb2w", "business_name": "Rio Mar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here several times over the course of many years and there are some gems for sure, although I was turned off last night. We sat for dinner and asked to start with some appetizers so that we could look over the menu leisurely. We were told that the kitchen doesn't accept appetizer orders without the entrees, you have to order everything at once. I don't remember this ever being the case there. My group and I are all restaurant workers and found this attitude not worthy of the good but not spectacular meal. The ceviche. Good but the lime juice didn't taste fresh, more like what you buy in the green, plastic lime-shaped container. Pata negra (jamon iberico). Very tasty, I liked that it was served with almond-stuffed dates, they were delicious. Oysters Riomar. Very good, a little rich but I love manchego and chorizo, maybe a little too much chorizo in this particular dish, it kind of overwhelmed the other flavors. Gulf fish escabeche. Outstanding, very fresh. Serrano-wrapped tuna. Meh. Sounds amazing but the tuna flavor was not there. The tres leches with coco had a different texture than I usually associate with the dessert but it was very tasty, especially with the nuts on top. Flan was a bit too dense, in a sort of gelatinous way but still good flavor. Chocolate cake was unremarkable. The desserts were on the house to apologize for the appetizer/entree thing but I don't see why they wouldn't just allow a more relaxed style of ordering, it's not as if we walked in five minutes before closing.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T14:50:13" }, { "business_id": "yf8a1DOlqoqlKHuLSKEfxg", "business_name": "Dante's Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful outdoor seating area, friendly but not overbearing service. My absolute favorite thing was the escargot served in a sauce of basil, vermouth and goat cheese. I would go back again and again for that dish. We also got the Heads and Tails, very cute name and very tasty dish (hogshead cheese and braised oxtails). Beets and greens we ordered as sides were wonderful, simple but somehow unique. Braised pork belly not as great as I had anticipated but the pork steak confit was even better. Redfish served with soft herbs and crabmeat was delicate and lovely. At first I thought the very pretty profusion of herbs would be over the top flavor-wise but it wasn't. Too full for dessert although nothing really jumped out at me either. One of my more memorable meals this year.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T15:13:32" }, { "business_id": "je-bSjTTn8qKjT094MzjDw", "business_name": "Laurel Street Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "I want to like this place because it is sweet and neighborhoody but the croissants were really disappointing. The chocolate croissants had chocolate syrup on them but for some reason I ordered them anyway, at which point they put MORE syrup on. Ick. They also tasted pretty stale. Almond was better but still pretty lweak as far as croissants go. I would go back to try their coffee and bagels, which I hear are really good but then again I heard the croissants were great too.", "timestamp": "2010-07-25T18:01:33" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 3, "text": "The fried chicken was good. The shrimp creole that my friends had looked not so great but they liked it. Then again, they're visiting from out of town and I've never liked shrimp creole anyway. However, the Sazerac there is awful, it's watery and served over ICE! I've never had a Sazerac on the rocks and I hope to never again. Still, would come back to try the duck quesadilla", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:03:01" }, { "business_id": "FEXhWNCMkv22qG04E83Qjg", "business_name": "Café Du Monde", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Cafe du Monde, always have. But I have never gotten their frozen cafe au lait, always stuck with regular cafe au lait and beignets. So I met some friends downtown and on the way back to the office, I was HOT and stopped for the aforementioned frozen drink. Slightly too sweet but really, who cares, it is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:04:21" }, { "business_id": "qFqYnVhKKdDPYoTFwqHDrg", "business_name": "Martinique Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing. Martinique has been on my list for years and I can't believe I never made it until last night. i was with a group of six, which was fantastic because we ordered a ton of food and got to taste much of the menu. Escargot, lobster gnocchi, basil crepe, tomato gazpacho and mussels were excellent. The scallop appetizer special was kind of bland. Cobb salad was outstanding, peppery arugula and salty cheese with sweet crab meat. I thought it was kind of strange that no bread was served, which I generally don't care about but was needed for the escargot sauce. Instead, we slurped it up with the mussel shells! Lamb with pistachio-mint tapenade and pork with onion marmalade were both outstanding. The flat iron steak was good but not as flavorful as it should have been, the flavor mostly came from the compound butter it was topped with. My entree was an ahi with a caper-five herb beurre blanc that was heavy on the tarragon and topped with crabmeat. The sauce was amazing, the crabmeat really set it off, I wish the tuna was cooked slightly less but still great. Desserts were a super Meyer-lemon goat cheese tart, a housemade Guinness ice cream and a fairly boring bread pudding. Lovely service, beautiful setting, stellar meal.", "timestamp": "2010-07-28T19:45:21" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the little tables inside and the pictures of the family and all that jazz. I love strolling there on a cool September evening. But I think their gelato is just fine, not great, but fine. If I want gelato, or any other frozen dessert, I prefer Sucre or La Divina or Creole Creamery, I think they just use better products.", "timestamp": "2010-09-29T15:39:24" }, { "business_id": "TzkVUJab9Sh0CqDk2sCF-w", "business_name": "Bayona", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still full from last night. Yes, it was very good but I wasn't blown away. Maybe my expectations were too high. I had a Stormy Morning to start, which was elderberry and violette liquers, bubbly and lime, almost too sweet but the lime saved it. Then we got some bread which was nice although I noticed other tables got amuses bouches and we did not. Sad. I got the crispy quail salad for an appetizer, it was indeed crispy and the greens weren't overdressed! Finally! My boyfriend got the sweetbreads in sherry-mustard and although he said they were a bit too salty, they were cooked perfectly. The man got the Bayona salad as a second and I thought it was really lame. I like salads not to be drowning in dressing but I couldn't really taste any dressing at all, there was a bit on the bottom of the bowl but...really? And it was just lettuce and Parm. I'm bored just thinking about it. Entrees, I got a grouper special, which had a beautiful sear on it and a wonderful lemony-capery-buttery sauce. Also chanterelles, cipolloni and tomatoes. My boyfriend got a rabbit roulade with a green onion-brioche stuffing. The stuffing was great but the rabbit was kind of overcooked and had LOTS of little bones in it. There shouldn't be bones in a roulade. The mashed potatoes were as exciting as the Bayona salad and the sauteed kale was tasty but also very salty. I think dessert was the best. We got perfectly pulled espressos, served with a chocolate almond and we ordered a Lemon-Lavendar Semifreddo with Almond Shortbread. I capitalized all that because that's how good it was. It tasted like a fairy tale. Overall, I enjoyed the meal but I think this is one of those NOLA restaurants that saw their heyday a while back and isn't moving forward.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T14:29:36" }, { "business_id": "mfTyBrvx9uCTSPjmrl8PjA", "business_name": "Maison Dupuy Hotel", "rating": 3, "text": "We went here for pre-dinner drinks, which were okay but not great and pricey. To be fair though, our bartender said it was her first day so I'll cut her some slack. A ton of stars for their piano player Paul, he is awesome.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T16:34:24" }, { "business_id": "95d60_mjUg2kLy-bhDLC6w", "business_name": "Theo's Neighborhood Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Meh. I was hungry and Parkway closed early because they ran out of bread so I ended up at Theo's. The toppings were good but the crust was flavorless and I am not a fan of its crackerlike crispness. I like all kinds of pizza, NY style and Chicago style and so on but I have yet to find pizza in New Orleans that I love.", "timestamp": "2010-10-04T00:02:49" }, { "business_id": "E_HZHSOrXy621e9jeI8R7w", "business_name": "Parkview Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "I like Parkview. I like the outside tables and the semi-stale but free popcorn and the very, very cheap Abita on tap with tokens so you can drink your pitcher in moderate, pint-sized portions and then save some for next time. I like Bunchie and Chris and their free food at Saints games, especially the hogshead cheese shaped like a fleur-de-lis made by the inimitable Vaughn of Creole Country Meats. The downside to the whole place is that it's just so smoky:(", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:17:31" }, { "business_id": "4FDOh7BAb0pgLuD8rjl3bg", "business_name": "Dee's Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "Now that the weather is nice, I can leave my crypt-like office and take a mid-afternoon stroll to wake myself up. Dee's is perfect, not crowded, unassuming and just good coffee. I've only had espresso there but I'd like to try some of their frozen drinks, I think they had something called English Garden with lavender and violet? With coffee? I'm intrigued.", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:23:45" }, { "business_id": "FknpD7tLt59-6ozV3Pk2Vg", "business_name": "Caesars Superdome", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm a hater. I got all excited because the boyfriend's boss gave us his tickets last week but really, I think I like to watch the game where there are fewer obnoxious people and the food doesn't give me the runs. Within minutes of getting through security, several shrill women who looked like they were coming from a meth lab damn near started a riot by pushing and loudly kvetching near the escalators. Okay. Moving along. We got to our seats and were lucky to sit in front of a man who heckled EVERYONE in sight for the whole game, from five year olds to peanut vendors. As for the food, well, all nachos are not created equal and these weren't so good. The one bite I had of the hot dogs actually tasted pretty decent but sadly the boyfriend spent the rest of the day in the bathroom. I'll stick to the neighborhood bar or better yet, make some gumbo at home and invite the neighborhood over.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T19:37:13" }, { "business_id": "GWLWFcxaWJuWFZYeQSMMTg", "business_name": "Garden District Book Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. They pack a lot of good reads into a small place, plus I have been going to their book club meeting the past few months, which is super. The books are always thoughtfully picked and even if I don't enjoy that month's selection, I really like hearing what these smart, articulate women (men are certainly allowed although I've never seen one!) have to say about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:09:11" }, { "business_id": "nLxzI1lBOFNTKEnoip66wA", "business_name": "Mondo", "rating": 4, "text": "Highlights were the shrimp and pork meatballs on the lemongrass skewers and creamy crab toast. The breaded artichoke was pretty boring and awfully stringy but the lemon aioli was a bright spot. The steak tartare was fine but there was so much caper and pepper and so on that it detracted from the beef. If there was actually even any beef at all, I'm not sure. I'm kicking myself for not trying to soup of the day, a hot and sour soup with duck dumplings. My dinner was perfectly passable, fish \"Muddy Waters\" (which is a meuniere with jalapeno and anchovy) with roasted potatoes, except I didn't care for the fish of the day...tripletail. I usually hate five-spice powder but T's Chinese duck was very tasty, if a little small, as was the accompanying turnip cake. C. got a steak with bearnaise and OOOOH, I cannot get enough of tarragon lately. I don't even know how the steak was because I focused on those lovely, licorice-like, grassy bits of tarragon in the sauce. E.got a lovely lamb with ricotta agnolloti that might be what I order next time I'm in. For dessert, lemon tart, coconut sorbet and sweet potato-pecan pie with almond-sherry ice cream. Sorbet (good) lemon tart (uh, lemony?) sweet-potato pecan pie with ice cream was STELLAR. I really liked the ice cream, the sherry complemented the almond so well and the almonds tasted deep and toasty. All in all, a very nice meal, although we wanted a perhaps finer dining experience than they offer. We were looking for some port or sherry after dinner, no such luck. Anyway, next time I'll forgo the high-brow meal experience and sit at the bar with a glass of wine and a pizza from the wood-burning oven. Oh, and those meatballs!d", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:21:02" }, { "business_id": "R7ZqfB-4Z7jyl73iQ58nEQ", "business_name": "GG's Dine-O-Rama", "rating": 2, "text": "Crowded. Smells strange. The corned beef sandwich had WAY too much creole mustard (that stuff is strong!) and the beef tasted slightly sweet and cinnamony, just the thought of which makes me feel queasy. Very small for $11. My friend got mozzarella sliders which were made using crappy rolls, plus they were burnt. Underwhelming.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:02:45" }, { "business_id": "jMZ56S8Y1t7cA1Ob-d-qeA", "business_name": "Three Muses", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfection. Eggplant bruschetta was the hit of the night. The goat cheese gratin (not really a gratin at all but it was delicious so screw semantics) and pork belly were also amazing! Not too impressed with an ahi tuna special but maybe that's because everything else was so good! I didn't think I'd like the tomato chutney on the lamb sliders but it went very well together, lamb seasoned perfectly, just a bit on the dry side though. We had several cocktails, the Muse was hands down my favorite; strawberry, cucumber, gin and St. Germain. Also good mojitos and sangria. The blueberry bellini was okay but if I didn't know it was supposed to be blueberry, I wouldn't have been able to taste it, although it was a very pretty color.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:07:34" }, { "business_id": "me3mlZsR26fV89fMw2uR6Q", "business_name": "Rib Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Between three and four stars but since the setting is so over the top and cinematic, I'll go with four stars. It was eerily empty when we arrived at 7:30 on a Friday night. Our server looked like he was 12 and he seemed excited to be waiting on three ladies who weren't senior citizens. We got served cheese and crackers as soon as we sat down and I thought that was really odd. Bread soon followed. I had a frisee salad with a poached egg and lardons. It came looking very pretty and garnished with a purple orchid. But there were no lardons and the egg was cooked all the way through. It had a nice dressing though and that orchid really went a long way for me so overall, good. My friend got the house salad, which was not very fresh looking iceberg with Hidden Valley ranch. At a place like this, I'd expect better greens and maybe housemade dressings. For my entree, I had a really wonderful filet cooked with peppercorn sauce. My friend did also but we ordered them at different temps. They gave us the wrong ones which isn't so horrible but again, at that kind of restaurant, you need to have a lot of attention devoted to those details. The other friend had a prime rib, she said it tasted very good but not as tender as it should be and overall didn't seem very impressed. Chocolate mousse for dessert, fine not great or memorable in any way. I enjoyed it for the wonderful company that I had and the plush surroundings. The food was fine but for the money, I'll take my business somewhere else.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:30:03" }, { "business_id": "E5YB7NywtfmQ2_rpxtjmKQ", "business_name": "Betsys Pancake House", "rating": 3, "text": "This is nothing remarkable here food-wise but it's worth it to go on a Sunday morning before a Saints game when all the patrons, staff and even the interior of the place are decked out in their black and gold finest. The other great thing that I love about Betsy's is the gruff but sweet waitress who cannot complete any sentence without calling you baby, darling or sweetheart, even if she is yelling at you. The food was fine, not stellar, but it's a diner, what more could you expect? Corned beef hash is out of a can, forgot my friend's english muffin but loved that the waitress said \"Your muffin is on it's way. Really, I just forgot to put it in. At least I'm honest.\" I love her.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T16:47:13" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Props for being open on Monday. We sat at the sushi bar and were given two salads, I guess they were complimentary because we didn't order them. This turned out to be my favorite thing. Greens topped with some seaweed salad, squid and fried onions? I don't know but it was delightful and way better than the weird and heavily-mayonnaised salad they give you at Mikimoto. We ordered yellowtail, tuna and escolar by the piece. Yellowtail is usually my favorite but this did not have a good taste. BBQ yellowtail had no sauce and tuna-avocado was very skimpy on the avocado. We also had the seafood salad and it was very generous and tasty by the end but initially not so good because the sauce was all at the bottom and it wasn't tossed. They have a ton of specialty rolls, which is cool but I found it overwhelming, we ordered the Burning Man, which never came and I didn't mind at all because I was so full. Overall, it was ok, not awful, but can't hold a candle to my NOLA favorite, Horinoya. Also, they use the nasty, dyed Pepto-Bismol pink ginger, why does ginger need to be dyed? My final gripe, they don't seem to season their rice and it's very plain. But hey, they're open Mondays and do karaoke so I'll probably be back. Next time I will try the ramen, which I have heard is really good.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:23:52" }, { "business_id": "7pKzyzCFC7LpX82sM-0aMg", "business_name": "Balcony Music Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't been here since about 2001 when I think it was called the Matador? And I think all those pretty windows used to be blacked out or otherwise covered? Anyway, Friday night we saw TWO great bands for FREE, had a cute table in the window that fit several of us. I didn't have a drink so I don't know if they were good or cheap etc but I am still so thrilled about not paying a cover and not feeling crowded or cramped by hordes of people.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:35:34" }, { "business_id": "9TDyIOrSrncpsAUxVqx3aA", "business_name": "Capdeville", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't eaten here yet but I watched the game there on Sunday. I had the Persephone's Fall, which is St. Germain, gin, egg white, lemon juice and something else to make it pink, maybe pomegranate? Outstanding. They also passed out free shots of whiskey every time the Saints scored and while whiskey isn't really my thing, I thought it was a nice gesture.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:38:25" }, { "business_id": "rHYqc5YTAkFGYxcoYg7R8w", "business_name": "Trashy Diva", "rating": 4, "text": "Love Trashy Diva! I must have shied away because the name totally turns me off but now that I know how wonderful it is, I am a loyal follower. There are tons of stores here that sell pretty dresses but I had no idea that the owner designs the clothing herself! I love the sort of vintage/retro feel of the clothes. I'm the kind of person who could go through the rest of life wearing a Betty Draper style shirtdress and be totally happy so if that's your style, you will love this store. Sizes run from 2-18 but go often because once they are out, that dress is done! I saw a dress that I ADORED but they only had a size two left and I am still moping about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T21:14:34" }, { "business_id": "UeYZgcORV2Veo_BZzdiaTg", "business_name": "Napoleon House", "rating": 4, "text": "I moved away from New Orleans for a few years and on one visit back, I was craving a Pimm's Cup from Napoleon House. Maybe my taste buds changed or maybe they make them differently but it tasted like a whole bunch of cheap, pre-mixed ingredients like that powdered base used to make sour mix. If you want a real Pimm's Cup, go see Chris at Bar Uncommon at the Pere Marquette. This man is no bartender, he is a mixologist, I think he has done demos at the Smithsonian on drink mixing! You will die and go to heaven when he makes a drink for you. Anyway, love the atmosphere at Napoleon House, inside or outside in the courtyard. The food is good enough, I liked the muffaletta and the shrimp remoulade in avocado cups. I don't ever really go here except when I have people visiting from out of town and everyone enjoys it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-21T16:18:40" }, { "business_id": "pym7c6ZFEtmoH16xN2ApBg", "business_name": "Katie's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Katie. I really, really want to like you. You're a neighborhood anchor, you've got that cute little outdoor seating area and you even have bottomless mimosas for Sunday brunch! I hope you don't read this because I hate to hurt your feelings but then again, I hope you do so perhaps you can make some adjustments and we can be better friends. We were lured in by $10 pizza night, which is every Thursday. Also, the website said creamy tomato-basil soup (one of my favorites!), stuffed mirlitons and white beans for daily specials, yes please! Weirdly, only one of the specials posted was actually a special. Beef vegetable, no thanks. We had more than ample time to wait for our food and this is what I noticed. Our server was really sweet. The place seemed full of neighbors and regulars, always a good sign. The staff/service didn't seem to have a real sense of urgency but it was all so friendly that I didn't mind. The food. I had the gumbo since they had no tomato-basil soup. Very good, spicy, full of sausage. The rice was of the long-ago cooked, rather hard variety but that's usually my gripe with gumbo everywhere and so it's probably my fault for not asking them to leave it out. The boyfriend's BLT salad was huge, had plenty of blue cheese and bacon but no tomato. Isn't that what the \"T\" stands for? Then we had the Boudreaux pizza, which was AWFUL. I had to pick all through it to find any meat and when I did, it was a couple tiny scraps. The pizza was burned and I don't mind some char but this was burned in a very unpleasant way. Very dry. Weirdly tasteless toppings. Disappointing. We'll be back to try other things but I will never order pizza here again.", "timestamp": "2010-10-22T11:37:05" }, { "business_id": "I3Uy20BKx7G-Fzz6hLIeWg", "business_name": "Restaurant August", "rating": 4, "text": "I keep going to these super-hyped up places and feeling a little disappointed. Maybe after I hear all the raves, I expect perfection and that is too high an order. I felt this way at Bayona and Le Foret as well. Anyway, I did enjoy my lunch. We served the ubiquitous amuse bouche of truffled sabayon in an egg. I liked this a lot although I understand my boyfriend's gripe about it having an odd texture. It was sort of like scooping extra-fancy mayonnaise out of the egg and eating it. It was good spread on the bread they served, which was good because the butter tasted not quite right to me. I got the duck salad which was okay, not great, very sparse but to be expected for a pre-fixe meal deal. The duck tasted kind of off, actually the best part was the roasted pears. My boyfriend's pate plate was super, it was HUGE and it came with all kinds of pickled and aspic-ed vegetables. My ravioli were tasty but the pasta was pretty tough. I loved the knobs of crabmeat on top. The boyfriend's shrimp and grits were good, not remarkable, and if I had more than two bites, I suspect I would have gotten sick of the flavor, very rich and salty. Desserts were wonderful. I got a brioche grilled cheese with goat cheese and figs and a spicy honey. The BF got a butterscotch pot-de-creme that was also outstanding. Espresso served with lemon peel without having to ask for it! For what we paid, it was worth it but I was just a little let down since I foolishly went in thinking I was entering food heaven. Very good, not earth-shattering.", "timestamp": "2010-11-03T16:41:19" }, { "business_id": "j8JOZvfeHEfUWq3gEz6ABQ", "business_name": "Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "I've always loved Bacchanal and every visit there, from the wine to the food to the beautiful, enchanted garden/patio/courtyard area. Always a five star experience. A couple of weeks ago however, a not so good experience. Everything started well, we got some great wine recommendations from the friendly guy working the register and put in an order for food OUTSIDE. We also wanted to get a cheese plate (INSIDE) to nibble on. I guess when you select your cheese, you are purchasing the WHOLE piece, which seems kind of excessive and absurd, even for a cheese lover. So for a couple of people, we spent nearly $40 on a cheese plate. A wine bar should have a cheese plate that you can choose a few selections of meat/cheese for a set price, depending on the number of items. Well, I think they should anyway. When we did get the cheese plate, there was very little bread and considering the fact that we had a couple pounds of meat and cheese, I think more than 4 pieces were warranted. The surly woman who was making the cheese plates was outside delivering some food when we asked if we could have more bread. She rolled her eyes, told us we just got bread and if we wanted more, we would have to go to the front and fill out a bread request form. Really? Will I also have to pay a charge for an inter-bakery loan? Then she sat down at a table with friends and chatted and had a glass of wine. I thought that was silly and rude. But I still love Bacchanal, just that now I will avoid the inside food and stick with the delicious outside food, no attitude there.", "timestamp": "2010-11-04T20:53:57" }, { "business_id": "BrospeMqVM_tF9HH0RHuog", "business_name": "Gene's PO-Boys", "rating": 5, "text": "Mmm. After the parade on Saturday and our foray at Bar Tonique, I realized it had been way too long since I was in that part of town that late at night after having had some cocktails. Which of course is the best time to hit Gene's. I got my usual, the hot sausage, and the boyfriend got the roast beef. Super messy and oh-so-fantastic. I woke up wanting another for breakfast. One time I was driving from Baton Rouge to Miami with a friend who had never been to New Orleans. We were tight on time so we couldn't stop and hang out but I made sure we had an extra 20 minutes to jump off the interstate and get some Gene's to sustain us for the rest of the car ride. It's that good.", "timestamp": "2010-11-05T16:12:58" }, { "business_id": "H5KRna9A6mDQEJ2ZN0zL6g", "business_name": "La Petite Grocery", "rating": 3, "text": "I expected more. It's a beautiful place, the inside is so much bigger than I had imagined from the outside! It really is a lovely setting for a date. To start off, I had a French 75 that was BAD. It was supposedly with pear brandy, I didn't taste any pear and it way overpowered the champagne. I love a French 75 and this was not good. I got the gnocchi, which was pretty tasty although weirdly unsalted and no salt and pepper on the table. My boyfriend's sweetbreads tasted like old oil. The menu online is definitely not up-to-date incidentally. I ordered the rabbit, which sadly was like a big chicken finger. It came with an uninspired side of sauteed spinach, the spaetzle being the only redeeming factor. My boyfriend's hangar steak was fine. I was really surprised by the limited entree offerings and not really impressed by anything but the ambiance. I should give it another try before I write it off forever but I'm not dying to get back any time soon.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:23:59" }, { "business_id": "o5UrUOKcmj5GFXmB6Osb6w", "business_name": "Bouligny Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "We just came in for drinks before dinner. The space is very nice, especially welcoming on a cold night. Liquor selection and cocktail list were both more than ample. I will have to go back for the famous beignets and they have MARROW! Mmm! The crowd wasn't really my thing but I'm fine with that, it's good for people watching. The only thing that was slightly off for me was that our bartender gave us menus, took our drink order, made our drinks, checked for second round, delivered our bill and so on without saying one word. I thought that was strange but also weirdly admirable that she could convey so much with gestures and facial expressions.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:29:00" }, { "business_id": "ILUd8DXxX21FOgUmE4bTLA", "business_name": "Yuki Izakaya", "rating": 3, "text": "I loved the atmosphere of this quirky little spot. The old wooden bar and exposed brick are lovely in their own right but the way it is decorated with Japanese cartoons and knickknackery is really cute. We went in last Thursday when there was no one else in the bar but the bartender, no patrons or music. I got a green tea martini that I didn't like at all but maybe I should have tried something else. Foodwise, nothing very good. The french fries were of the Ore Ida variety although the wasabi mayonnaise was good. Marinated octopus in wasabi was interesting for a few bites but then it was just kind of murky-tasting. Rice wrapped in seaweed with salted plum was waaaaaay to salty (and I love salty) and off-puttingly mushy. The beef tongue was super tough, i actually felt like I was eating someone's tongue instead of having it fall apart like I'm used to. The sauce was awesome though, lemony and peppery, if they'd just learn how to cook the tongue right! I would definitely come back for a beer and maybe a nibble but not to eat extensively. A band started playing just as we were finishing up, which was nice. My final issue though is that they don't charge a cover for music, just an upcharge of 50 cents on every item during a show. We had our drinks and food long before the band even showed up or started playing but we got the surcharge for each item. It was just a matter of a few dollars but since we really didn't partake in the entertainment, I thought it was worth noting.", "timestamp": "2010-12-08T15:56:15" }, { "business_id": "75FY8ZQx5nOWP0VFmNvWfw", "business_name": "Atchafalaya Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for a while and am so glad I finally did. Now I can't wait to get back for dinner! I had brunch here the other day, I was impressed with the interior, it's light and airy and full of artwork. The coffee was great. My friend and I split entrees, we tried the eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes and crab on top. We also got a special, duck hash with blackberries and mango in a bacon vinaigrette with poached eggs and hollandaise! I think I was full for at least eight hours after that. The special was really outstanding, the hollandaise was perfect. I liked the eggs benny too, I just wish the fried green tomato had a little more flavor, maybe more seasoning in the batter? It wasn't a standout. I went to the ladies room and there were a pair of black lace underwear in the stall. I didn't think this was really that kind of place but it gave me a good laugh. Then it got me a little grossed out about the bathroom.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:28:05" }, { "business_id": "Nhci37qY0HPCNWc5UQul9w", "business_name": "9 Roses", "rating": 4, "text": "Banh Xeo-mmmm, so delicate and crisp. This is my new love. We also got steamed, pork dumplings that I thought tasted watery but the BF liked them so I happily ate the banh xeo and relinquished the rest of the dumplings to him. I wanted pho but I also wanted to try something new so I got the quail. It was fine but just plain roasted quail, which had me wanting the more complex riot of flavors in pho. But then if had ordered the pho, I would have still been wondering about the quail! I'm so difficult sometimes. We also got the ribs in fish sauce (Dorothy's recommendation), really tasty, the sauce is kind of on the sweet side but mix it up with greens and it is oh so good. Lemon grass beef vermicelli was fabulous. Our server was really sweet and attentive. It was REALLY cold in there, everyone was wearing winter jackets. But still very worth the drive to the West Bank and if you're still hungry, which I doubt, stop at Taqueria Sanchez right across the way!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:44:05" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Saturday was a beautiful day, it punctuated the much colder weather and I was happy to get out and about. There was lots of what seemed to be good food but I couldn't eat, having just come from a huge meal at Atchafalaya. Besides food, there were vintage and second-hand items, puppies, music and lots of crafts. An abundance of NOLA-based stuff that is great for gifts but am I the only one getting sick of seeing fleur-de-lis everything? I did pick up some Christmas ornaments that were oyster shells with the Virgin Mary on them. Who wouldn't love Mary on the half-shell dangling from their tree? I'm really excited to see this part of Freret picking up momentum. It's always had such a cool, sort of small town Main Street feel to it but has been woefully neglected. Glad to see it on the upswing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:53:09" }, { "business_id": "wQNkpi9RvpuoiDB-CiHxog", "business_name": "Bar Tonique", "rating": 5, "text": "So, I have returned and I have tried SEVERAL more cocktails. I went on a Thursday, caiparinha night, and I have to say it was lackluster. Nowhere near as good as the ones at Rio Mar. Now here's the thing, I think they excel at drinks of the martini variety, as in ingredients that are shaken and then strained. Their drinks over ice are less impressive and I think it's party becasue of the large ice cubes they use. Now bear with me. I read this article a few weeks ago about this fancy new ice lots of bars are using. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/dining/01shake.html?pagewanted=all) Apparently the cubes are prized because they are large, thereby chilling the drinks more quickly with less dilution. I think this is great for aforementioned shaken and strained drinks but not so good for drinks on the rocks. It makes the drink too icy and cold and you can't taste anything but the big ice block in your drink. So do yourself a favor and get the Faucheaux, which is tequila, basil and St Germain. Revelatory. Also fantastic was the Tru Kick, with Tru Gin, ginger syrup and peach bitters. Some of the best cocktails I've tasted on any fancy, signature cocktails list in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T19:04:45" }, { "business_id": "aeIWVa6G54UUo6yloJkyJg", "business_name": "Lebanon's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "My go-to is usually Mona's when I'm in the mood for Middle Eastern but I thought I'd give Lebanon's a go this time. I like Mona's hummus better, it's creamier. Labne and baba ganoush were equally good though. Lebanon's has better grape leaves and I like that the falafel is green inside from all the parsley. Beef shawarma was perfectly decent but nothing special. I really liked my eggplant sandwich, kind of like a sub or a po-boy, and topped with lots of feta. Lebanese tea has pine nuts, which I like but really, how do you eat them? They won't come up the straw and fishing around for them is kinda tedious. It's a little too sweet as well, probably wouldn't order that again. Overall, fine if I'm in the neighborhood but I'm usually closer to Mona's and besides, Mona's has that delicious fried cheese thing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:16:51" }, { "business_id": "NHL1c_30iYXvJZcqEo6fwQ", "business_name": "Pal's Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I love Pal's, that's a given. However, this review was spurred entirely by the fantastic Gingerita I had there on Friday. Cutesy names can be a bad sign for cocktails, often involving overly sweet ingredients. Not so with Gingerita, it has ginger vodka, ginger beer and this amazing organic ginger juice that they special order from California called Elixir G. Go get a Gingerita before the season is over!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:50:38" }, { "business_id": "b92dSNftvCSPWLC4ZgNXCg", "business_name": "Sammy's Food Service & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The food is five stars, the service is two but the shrimp and mirliton soup cannot make me Sammy's less than 4 stars. I went with two coworkers and we all ordered a large soup, one also ordered a salad. One got a bowl of soup after 30 minutes, the second got her salad and had to ask if the soup sitting on the shelf was hers, they finally gave it to her and it was ice cold. After they were finished eating, I told the woman at the counter to please just make my order to go. Also, no spoons or forks out, which make salad and soup eating very difficult. I realize they are super busy but their system kind of sucks. My advice would be to call your order in, pick it up and go eat somewhere else. Because the eating is oh-so-good! I've also had their hot sausage po-boy, they make their own sausage and it is AWESOME in it's own garlicky right.", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T18:25:27" }, { "business_id": "t9LiapsQABwMQeiF1Czl6w", "business_name": "Port Of Call", "rating": 3, "text": "I haven't been to Port of Call in a few years and the boyfriend and I often talk about it but think about the line and then I wonder if the burger is even all that because for some reason, my memories of eating there are all fuzzy. Yup, that's all one sentence. Anyway, we went on a Monday night at 6:45, no line, ordered and served our food in under 10 minutes. It is fine, actually it's good, it's a nice, solid burger but nothing revelatory or worth standing in a line for. I wish they would season the meat a little and I think they are too thick. I don't think they should be puny, just a little more petite so you can get burger, patty and the rest all in one mouthful. I get the appeal, it's cute and kitschy but I could do better myself.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:42:54" }, { "business_id": "Jy1ivHnSRtNNA6snZSAKBw", "business_name": "Twelve Mile Limit", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the cocktails, especially the Good Idea. It was like a cross between a Pimm's Cup and a Moscow Mule. The bartender was very sweet. The cook offered tastes of brisket all around when he was done cooking it. Unfortunately, the bar has a very sterile feel to it. Too brightly lit, nothing on the walls and then the Real Housewives of Old Metairie showed up, commandeered the jukebox and started loudly serenading us and awkwardly gyrating. We also ordered some cream cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped jalapenos, which were good but a little overcooked and pretty expensive for how many you get. I'm hoping they can do something to remedy the atmosphere/decor of the place and then I think it will be a solid 4 stars. They are off to a good start though.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:47:47" }, { "business_id": "jE7PpEUmWgcBc0DeelPAOA", "business_name": "Bistro Daisy", "rating": 5, "text": "Love, love, love it! I had an oyster appetizer that may be one of my favorite dishes of 2010. It was poached oysters (and I usually only like them fried or raw) with Herbsaint, fennel, bacon and a hint of cream (and I usually don't care for fennel). But this dish was so luscious and aromatic and I could have ordered three more. Very nice with my Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc. I liked my duck but wasn't wowed. However, the BF's lamb shank made me swoon. It was so meltingly tender and the tomato sauce it was cooked in had a bit of mint in it, just like my grandmother would have done. This might be what I want to eat for my last meal on earth. They brought us a baked Alaska for dessert even though we didn't order it. I have never tasted a meringue so creamy! So much so that I was sliding it on the roof of my mouth to savor the texture longer. Go to Bistro Daisy. Take your beloved. Order the oysters and the lamb. (FYI: The online menu is not up-to-date)", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T15:44:25" }, { "business_id": "3wo9jODQnuvBm8Gkem6qXg", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "BBQ shrimp and grits was pretty terrible. This surprised me because their BBQ shrimp blackstone I had a few months ago was soooo good. This was a completely different sauce, it seemed to be all Worcestershire and not much else. The shrimp were tiny, the grits were unremarkable. Presentation did not make it look appealing. Also, I really hate those wide-mouth coffee cups. They look nice, I agree, but the coffee gets cold almost immediately because so much surface area is exposed.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T16:20:48" }, { "business_id": "voWjA6zfmXLIbKAoqwBnug", "business_name": "Green Goddess", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to go here forever and was so excited on Saturday to finally do just that! We had an hour or so wait, which was fine so we went to the Orleans Grapevine for a cocktail and they called us when they were ready. The wine and drink list is amazing, if not a little overwhelming, I got a Pear 75, which was good but not the best I've ever had, it lacked the lemon juice that ties it all together. Food was really just three stars, except for the Oysters Delacroix and the bacon sundae, so good! The corn crepes with huitlacoche were really bland, the lentil pancake was just...not good, it wasn't inedible but you'd think with tamarind chutney and spiced chickpeas, it would have been a lot more appealing. The green goddess wedge was good but I wish the dressing was evenly applied instead of dumped on top so some bites were just lettuce and some were drowned in the dressing. I also tried their daily cocktail special, the Daily Truth, which had Drambuie and rum and lime juice and some fertility liquor that I don't remember the name of, it was spicy and warm and fantastic. I think I will have to go back and try some more dishes, I love the ideas behind their menu and the space is quirky and eccentric and so NOLA. I met a new transplant and her mom, a hope-to-be teacher interviewing for TeachNola and also pinned money to the birthday boy-chef who was wearing a tie-dye tuxedo shirt from his wedding that was all Mardi Gras colors and finished with fleur-de-lis cuffs. I want to love the food, I already love everything else. Next time will be better!", "timestamp": "2011-01-24T16:35:38" }, { "business_id": "iJiNZw2TEwB579dr6LyVZQ", "business_name": "Cooter Brown's", "rating": 4, "text": "I remember eons ago having late, late nights at Snake and Jake's that led to late mornings and even later \"breakfasts\" at Cooter Brown's of a few dozen raw oysters. I love oysters, I will eat them for breakfast but lately when I eat them, it is between the civilized hours of 3-6pm and I eat them at Luke, washed down with a French 75. But Friday night at 7pm rolled around and so I went to Cooter's for several dozen raw, an oyster po-boy and of course, some cheese fries. The raw oysters are pretty reasonable, about $10 for a dozen I think. The po-boy came on toasted and buttered bread, which I do so appreciate. Unfortunately, they don't use Leidenheimer's bread, it's good but not what I want a po-boy on. The BF wanted gravy on the cheese fries and it wasn't debris gravy like I thought it would be, but just a packet-style, powdered gravy. But I still tore it up and it was all delicious.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:07:58" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like the decor this place, I love community seating, they have awesome light fixtures and vintage vases and all kinds of cute stuff to keep your eyes occupied. I'll have to go back to sample more but I wasn't really blown away by anything except the apple pie. The burger, which everyone raves about, had a really delicious potato bun. But they didn't ask for a temp and I thought it was way overcooked and also woefully underseasoned. None of the agogo sauce with which it was advertised made an appearance. Although the zinfandel compote is not to be missed, it was stellar! Service was friendly but not very efficient. They're working out kinks, I'm sure, but I will reserve higher praise for now.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:30:26" }, { "business_id": "N3bjowmk_Yi9rUxPpM2k6Q", "business_name": "The Store", "rating": 3, "text": "It's okay. Definitely overpriced for what you get, both in quantity and quality. I ordered the BLT and the potato soup. BLT was alright but dry and the potato soup tasted like instant mashed potatoes. My friend's shrimp nicoise did look stupendous though, I will admit that. My workplace also orders from here for staff meetings a fair amount and again, not really impressed. The sandwiches are fine if they're the kind you pay $4 for at the gas station but not with the prices they charge. AND, they use pre-shedded cheese, that is just nasty. I don't want ashy cheese that is coated in cellulose. I don't mind paying the prices, I just would like the quality to match.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T19:59:22" }, { "business_id": "AW2xE3-nxDe30JBqwNuUdw", "business_name": "Star Nails", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been going here for pedicures for a long time, because they are quick to get you in, clean and efficient, but mostly because I am a creature of habit. They have a pretty wide selection of OPI nail colors. I also like being offered something to drink (non-alcoholic but still nice). Prices are pretty much the same as anywhere else you'd go but on Tuesdays they are a little cheaper. I am speaking only about pedicures as I've never gotten anything else done there.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T20:52:34" }, { "business_id": "OAjof8dhS2zScmZh2Xuo1A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Whole Foods really doesn't need another review, we all know that it's a nice grocery store with great although expensive products. I just would like to point out that their Chantilly Berry king cake is awesome, especially if you warm it up just a little bit. They also have un-shucked Louisiana oysters available again for about 50 cents each so now I can get my fix of charbroiled oysters in the comfort of my own home once more!", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T21:10:15" }, { "business_id": "B9Cv-DjHb1fZJ1drcsCREA", "business_name": "Mid-City Smiles", "rating": 4, "text": "Everyone was very friendly and did an excellent job without pushing products or services on me. I called about three dentists to get in before the end of 2010 and this was the only place that could give me an appointment that quickly. Plus I can walk there and they have Saturday hours.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:00:26" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars for the king cake! Filling (chocolate) was delicious, I thought it would be more like chocolate pudding or nutella but it was a cocoa powder base. The cake was moist and soft and frosting was good but not overwhelming. All three components were in perfect proportion to each other. My favorite king cake so far this season!", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:03:20" }, { "business_id": "yL9j5ASNic_DaDKf9lwMhw", "business_name": "Stein's Market and Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The corned beef with coleslaw is incredible. Wow. I can't stop thinking about it. The Italian hoagie is also really good and even their veggie sandwich is great. Chocolate rugelach are okay but the raspberry are addictive!!! Toffee chocolate ship cookies and blondies are also really tasty. The only flop for me was the potato salad but everything else was so good that I just skipped over it. I'm sad that I somehow missed Beer Day last week. Next year.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:08:52" }, { "business_id": "WjkMZNlIUtQ59iHvG-aRMA", "business_name": "Balance Yoga & Wellness", "rating": 5, "text": "Balance Yoga just opened in this Mid-City location and it is beautiful. They did a wonderful job with a lovely old house, complete with large windows, fireplaces and pocket doors. Because of the huge windows, there is a lot of natural light. While I really like that, I kind of wish they'd put something over them so people waiting outside at Mandina's or Ruby Slipper can't see in. They offer several different types of yoga, even Kundalini, which I haven't seen in New Orleans since Katrina! The instructors are friendly and help you with your poses. Early morning classes, evening classes, Sunday classes, community (by donation) classes, they've got it all.", "timestamp": "2011-02-03T18:23:17" }, { "business_id": "F7etLf6od7CUnCPknsQ-6Q", "business_name": "Rue 127", "rating": 4, "text": "The inside is beautiful and I can't wait for warm weather to enjoy the outside. Initially, I was a little disappointed that they didn't have a specialty cocktail list but I can get over that. We only had appetizers and desserts and I will certainly be back for more. We enjoyed the mussels, pork belly and scallop tortellini. The mussels were good but I didn't want to drink the broth like I usually do, there was maybe too much acidity? Also, their homemade bread is very nice but very SWEET and not such a great match for the savory food. The pork belly was served with these potatoes that I think were scored and then fried so they had a really unique texture. Deep-fried cupcakes, I'm sorry to be a dissenter but not for me. I liked that they were warm and oozy but they were way too sweet and the greasy exterior was overwhelming. We had a date cake that was served with honey ice cream, very good but also a bit on the sweet side. I look forward to coming back and trying more of the menu.", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T18:38:58" }, { "business_id": "0DdmKihJ90qKP5TAM3c2yQ", "business_name": "Tartine", "rating": 3, "text": "I feel like there are a lot of places popping up lately that are getting a lot of hype and I'm just not buying it quite yet. Tartine, case in point, has some good things going for it but it's also got some issues. What worked: The house-baked bread is fantastic, it's got a really nice chewiness-crunchiness to it. A+. I love, love, love the salad with pecans and goat cheese and big, fat dried blueberries. I wish I knew where they got those blueberries because the ones at Rouse's are shriveled and tiny. The rillete was huge portion, it looked like six ounces of rillete, which for such a rich spread is a LOT. What didn't: The outside is really cute but the inside felt like a cafeteria. The specials board was posted below the counter (which made it invisible) yet the drinks were posted high up for all to see. Please consider switching this around. The rillete, although generous, was just okay. It's light years better at Luke, although their service has gotten so bad of late I hate to recommend it. The ham and triple cream cheese with fig mustard had no fig mustard and the triple cream was a thin, pre-sliced piece of mystery cheese. The accompanying couscous (fregula?) salads had little flavor. In addition to all that, we waited in line for several minutes and then over 35 minutes for our sandwiches and we didn't even go until 1:30. I can't fault them for that, they were really busy and super nice but if you go, you might just want to call in your order ahead of time and take it to the Fly for a picnic", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T19:03:12" }, { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has been on my list for a while because I heard a rumor that they are just like Port of Call's burgers. Since I'm giving up meat for Lent, I thought it would be an ideal afternoon for a burger. The interior kind of put me off from the start, all the tables were huge parties of 8-10 people with vacant-looking teenagers glued to their cell phone screens and children playing on arcade-like games in the corner. Food was not inedible but just a step above that. House salad was chopped iceberg, which the boyfriend loves so that's fine but it was small and pricey for what it was. Harbor wings, I guess anything fried and dipped in bleu cheese is good but they really had no discernible flavor. My burger was burnt, the bacon tasted like it was cooked at the breakfast shift and the mushrooms were waterlogged. The french fries weren't even good. My boyfriend's shrimp po-boy was small with shrimp the size of my thumbnail and it was $14. Service was friendly. The only thing good about going is that now I can cross it off my list of places to try.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T14:52:30" }, { "business_id": "x4TJJ0t19yBxkL5WX6n4Kg", "business_name": "Touché Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, I've had four star visits here before but my last visit was a one or two star. Generally I like the place because it's kind of tucked away and they have that recessed room down below in the back, which I really like in the winter, it's very snug and comfortable. However, the last time I was there, I walked in and was immediately assaulted with the smell of a backed up sewer and a bunch of older, bead-clad tourists dancing to Night Fever. I'm not making that up, in fact, the song has been seared in my head since then. I'll be back for another go but I will wait until the weather is cool and I feel like being somewhere cozy.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:32:00" }, { "business_id": "8KkuHRDLPVdqh99CHuKdHg", "business_name": "Kanno California Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I absolutely loved the spinach salad with tuna and avocado and that delicious dressing (even if it was dressed too generously). I also fell in love with the Tuna 911 roll that has spicy, pickled vegetables inside that were an outstanding addition. The other stuff we got was fine but unmemorable. I agree with other reviewers that they seem to put A LOT of sauce on things but fortunately, they mostly put it on the side. They only have Yellowtail for wine though, which made me sad. The complimentary chocolate truffle-like things they serve at the end are phenomenal.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:45:14" }, { "business_id": "f9H3wpzWG_apxoumWB-Dvg", "business_name": "Cafe Equator", "rating": 3, "text": "After craving Churros and braving the wilds of Metairie, I found Churros closed early on a Wednesday night! So we decided to go to Korea House, also closed! My stomach dangerously rumbling, we decided for a quick bite at Cafe Equator. Pad Thai and Masaman curry were fine but nothing I can see having a craving for in the future. The Thai iced tea I thought was not very good, it tasted...smoky? Service was fine, parking was easy.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T16:56:49" }, { "business_id": "OfExqBpAJNmxG2oLvn0Q3w", "business_name": "New Orleans Public Library - Mid-City Branch", "rating": 5, "text": "Even though it took four months to re-open (and not two weeks like they promised!), it was worth the wait. The new location is larger and has an entire front wall full of windows so it gets great light. It's convenient to all the other businesses in the Can Company and the farmers' market on Thursday evening as well. My only gripe is that there is no drop box! I rely very heavily on my local drop-box, I hope this is something they just haven't gotten around to yet and that it is soon remedied.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T17:32:50" }, { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Lola's has such a great atmosphere that even if the food sucked, I'd be hard pressed to give it a low rating. While not all of the dishes sing, some are actually kind of boring, there are many that are really solid. My favorite is the calamari, it's not those deep-fried things you get everywhere else. Nope, it is a perfectly seared calamari steak with the most wildly addictive sauce. Hint; If for some crazy reason you don't use all the sauce on your calamari app, keep it for entrees because you will likely elevate the deliciousness of everything else you have ordered with some of that. Their garlic-almond soup garnished with grapes is also AHmazing and oddly refreshing but I made the mistake of eating it once when I was trying to be gluten-free and it failed. Because the base of the soup is day old bread and I didn't know that. Oops. I just went this past weekend and they had WHITE sangria in addition to their usual red. Did they always have this or is it new? Anyway, it's good and it's cheap and there is nothing like sitting outside on a perfect New Orleans evening, under the canopy of trees that is Esplanade, sipping on some of that juice. And their almond ice cream is excellent.", "timestamp": "2011-03-03T18:53:25" }, { "business_id": "OjXIRs2Gm4H6hWo4bC7Qvg", "business_name": "The Jazz Playhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "It's pretty nice but for the price and the location, I wish they valeted. I got a Chopin martini and it was per-FECT. The second one didn't taste like Chopin, which is fine but it's what I ordered so I felt a wee bit swindled. We got seated right behind a big support column so our view of the stage was obstructed. We were there for the burlesque show but caught the end of Kid Chocolate's set, which made me happy because I had a big, school-girl crush on him many moons ago. The show wasn't what I thought it would be. It was less a show with all of the performers on stage and more one woman singing and a bunch of other girls flitting around the room in their pasties. I was expecting more of a choreographed show but I am admittedly not someone who knows much about burlesque. The girls were very sweet though and some of their outfits would make great Halloween or Mardi Gras costumes. Glad I went but not anxious to go back.", "timestamp": "2011-03-04T21:08:36" }, { "business_id": "tcyN7Rmy55JW5uQY_R5f0w", "business_name": "Krewe of Endymion", "rating": 4, "text": "When I moved into a new place last summer right on the Endymion route, is it crazy that thoughts of future Endymion parties to come danced in my head? I was a sad, sad, sad lady last Friday night when we got the news. We had picked up our crawfish for the boil and I even made a chocolate bananas foster king cake. I kind of felt like I imagine brides who get their weddings rained out must feel. But when you have crawfish and booze, you have a party anyway, right? So we did and it was great. And even though I felt spiteful, I went to see it the next night Uptown. It was as good as ever, albeit a bit short because so many riders are from out of town and had to go home. It would have looked a lot better from my porch though.", "timestamp": "2011-03-11T18:57:12" }, { "business_id": "DkVFvHGyNBGuPMzI9Zdt1A", "business_name": "Dat Dog", "rating": 4, "text": "Excellent chili cheese fries (although I wish the cheese was melted!). I had the bratwurst, which was fantastic, as was the bun. At first I thought it was too much bread but the lightly toasted, slightly sweet bread won me over. I got a little carried away with toppings though and I think the guacamole was a)overkill and b)not really a great iteration of guacamole anyway. Next time I will practice some restraint.", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:38:25" }, { "business_id": "jLerIZFpe25jOUf722qzBA", "business_name": "Il Posto Italian Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "My food only merited maybe two stars but I will give an extra star because I like the menu (and will try more of it) and their design and concept. Sadly though, my tomato-basil soup tasted kind of like a weak marinara and my tuna melt type sandwich had a very sharp, off-putting flavor. It was citrusy, for sure, and I love lemon in a tuna melt but perhaps this was lemon zest or something just way too overpowering? I think next time I will focus on the dishes with cured Italian meats, mortadella and prosciutto. And also the baked goods, those sounded pretty good, especially the Nutella bruschetta!", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:44:20" }, { "business_id": "AperXbtpt4FH6fvJFOirUA", "business_name": "Horinoya", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a fan of simple, fresh sushi. Not too crazy about rolls with heavy sauces, multiple ingredients and fanciful names. Horinoya delivers. I always start with the seafood salad, it's huge and I could probably just make that dinner if I were eating there on my own. How are their avocados always the perfect degree of ripeness? This week it included fresh crawfish tails and they were succulent and sweet and a very welcome addition to their standard. The vegetable roll (I was so enamored with the pickled vegetables in the Tuna 911 roll at Kanno) was okay but I wouldn't order it again, kinda bland. Everything else was fresh and wonderful. I like to end with the black sesame ice cream, which makes me swoon, as does the little crumbly cookie they perch on top that my BF generously lets me eat every time. As a sidebar, I saw some black sesame ice cream bars at Hong Kong Market and I got really excited but they were no good at all. I can only get my fix at Horinoya.", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:11:00" }, { "business_id": "HSHEwDpzYdeL3aT1zB41YA", "business_name": "Restaurant Depot", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm torn, so torn. So this place opened within the past few months. It's like Sam's Club for restaurants (and unfortunately, you have to show proof of restaurant or non-profit affiliation when getting a membership). My first visit, I was completely in awe. 50 pounds of onions for $8.95? Whole goats? Edible flowers, micro-greens, ten kinds of mushrooms? Some things you can buy by the unit (like one head of cauliflower) and others you are stuck with a huge portion, I mean, I love tarragon, but I can't see using 5 pounds of it before it starts to droop. The second trip, I started to see some flaws. They don't carry veggie burgers but they do have a huge freezer case of nasty-looking frozen appetizers that you can probably buy at Applebee's for three times the price. They have huge jars of kalamata olive SPREAD but no plain old kalamata olives. They had some fish that looked so not right, cloudy eyes and all. Then the most egregious error occurred when, on a Saturday, I asked if I could pick up live crawfish on Sunday. The man at the fish counter said yes, but to be sure to be there at 9am when the order comes in and then it's first come, first serve. The next morning, we headed over to the Depot, only to be met with a blank stare and told they weren't getting any crawfish that day. Sad. They are pretty new, I expect they are having some ordering and stocking kinks to work out. In the meantime, if anyone needs onions, I've got them aplenty!", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:24:15" }, { "business_id": "LCijSRG2kzBgbdwPdi02Nw", "business_name": "Yang's Po-Boys", "rating": 3, "text": "The first time we went, we didn't realize they closed at 8 and we walked in at about 7:58. They were very gracious and welcoming so I thought that was really nice. The owner was really chatty, describing how they did everything and I guess that's good but unless they are doing something out of the ordinary, (they're not) I'd rather just peruse the menu on my own. Oysters on my poboy were stone cold and the onion rings that we asked about (Are they made fresh? Yes!) were clearly Sysco. But it was decent and quick and friendly so we were okay with the meal. Last night I really wanted a catfish poboy but Parkway was closed. It was generous with the catfish and liberal with the pickles, love that. But the cheese fries were soggy fries with unmelted cheese. The cheese, which looked like shredded cheddar, I actually tasted it on its own and it had not one iota of flavor. I'll go to Yang's on Tuesday if Parkway is closed but there is really no comparison for me.", "timestamp": "2011-03-30T15:06:19" }, { "business_id": "sroYm8E9BbnnLO3nhKjomg", "business_name": "French Quarter Festival", "rating": 4, "text": "FQF has long been my favorite festival and sadly, it seems to be everyone else's too! I'm very happy that it has been so successful but of course, this makes it more crowded and difficult to navigate. So, yes, I prefer it a little smaller but I still had a great time and somehow always managed to find a little corner of shade to relax in. In addition to soaking up the sun, hearing good music and eating, I got to stop in at a few open houses for places I could never afford but I loved getting to glimpse into some of the Quarter's elusive courtyards. Also, I love wandering around the Quarter all day because I never fail to discover some little hole in the wall bar/shop/whatever.", "timestamp": "2011-04-11T16:08:11" }, { "business_id": "VHAfSIxcdmpQOTD0_ofbfw", "business_name": "Velvet", "rating": 4, "text": "Like Christine, I have only been here once and could change my rating once I have sampled more of what they've got. I was immediately won over by the sparkling water that was served upon arrival, it reminded me of coffee shops in other countries where they usually do that without question. I also loved the napkins, it's just those very nice quality paper napkin but little details like that are important. I got the extraction (?). I asked some questions and I wished I had gotten a bit more information. Like, what is IN the $15 extraction because I can't believe it's just a really large coffee. I'm not a trained barista so I don't know these things. My coffee was really very nice, I like that you can choose your beans. Tamara, the owner, has great customer service and we chatted about her awesome kids (her daughter's wonderful artwork graces the place, her son played piano at FQF) and she also offered me a teacake on the house. So, while I like Tamara and I like a lot of the little things, my coffee was $5.45 and I don't think I would ever spend it again. An expertly pulled espresso, okay, but not for a cup of coffee. Also, the teacake (the Kevin Bacon) was perfectly acceptable but I don't think I'd purchase one. They're just cupcakes and really tiny ones at that. But she is starting to make scones baked to order (awesome!) and I look forward to trying the espresso.", "timestamp": "2011-04-12T20:54:38" }, { "business_id": "NjmJ2sbcj3v9K98sNj2OAA", "business_name": "Sainte Marie", "rating": 3, "text": "I went last night to use the complimentary appetizer card we got as a lovely gift at the last Yelp party, thank you! I was initially excited to try the cocktails but as I inspected the long list closely, not too much actually appealed to me. I got the one with prosecco and a sort of fig compote that didn't really mix well and just sat at the bottom. Nice idea, not so great execution. The boyfriend's drink tasted watered down, like the bartender made several drinks and let the leftover sit in the shaker melting until someone else ordered the same drink. I also thought it very strange that they had bread and butter plates on the table but no bread was actually served and the plates were removed once we ordered. Weird. The escargot was good but it couldn't hold a candle to Dante's escargot, nor could I detect marrow in the sauce. Apparently the tartare was tasty but the BF ate it all without me. Crab cannelloni, man, I hate to sound like a downer but this was little, backfin pieces of crab, doused with a ton of brie and encased in a sort of tough pasta. I ate it, but then I would eat anything that is doused in brie. I'm so glad we decided to get dessert because it was outstanding. We ordered a lemongrass-ginger creme brulee and it was perfect, the flavor, the texture, everything. I will probably come back for a fancypants happy hour although it's not exactly my scene. The guy who was sitting next to me had an awesome looking hangar steak so I will order that next time, skip the cocktails and get champagne and of course, order dessert.", "timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:34:01" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "The space is large and breezy and we easily snagged an outside table. If they weren't doing construction on Magazine, I bet this would be a great spot for people-watching. We got a shrimp po-boy, an oyster po-boy and fries with cheese and gravy. It was perfectly edible but I probably won't be back. The shrimp were small, the po-poys were pricier than most of my usual haunts and the gravy I think was just \"meat-flavored.: There was no actual meat or debris in it. I agree with Lindsay, no problem throwing out my own trash but the tables were pretty nasty and sticky.", "timestamp": "2011-04-29T17:01:59" }, { "business_id": "UGefDZNmnBztS0eoXWtHyQ", "business_name": "The Joint", "rating": 4, "text": "I must first disclose that my favorite person in the whole world works here so maybe I am biased. But take it from me, their brisket is the best brisket ever! It has that delightful fatty layer running along the top and it is perfectly moist and delicious! I also love the pulled pork with a squeeze of the vinegary sauce. The sides are pretty good, nothing stands out, but I'm really just there for the meat. Oh, and the peanut butter pie which is SWOONWORTHY!", "timestamp": "2011-05-03T18:25:46" }, { "business_id": "wznT60WMQ-9Qg2MVvzCxtw", "business_name": "The Lucky Ladle", "rating": 3, "text": "We put our names on the list at Surrey's and took a stroll through my old neighborhood while we waited. But I'm a breakfast girl and when I'm hungry, I need to eat. Immediately. Or bad things happen. At dinner, you can waste some time, have a cocktail but at breakfast, I'm not about waiting. Anyway, we walked past the Ladle and decided to give it a go. Nothing was really standout except how much food we got and our bill for two was still under $20. We split the grilled cheese with tomato soup as well as the bananas foster waffles because it's always a conundrum at 11am on Saturday to figure out what you are in the mood for. Breakfast? Lunch? We got them both. We also got a little side spinach salad with one of our meals and it was nice except for the weird, cellulose-dusted mozzarella shreds on top. The hash browns sucked, no flavor and tasted like they were made hours before. The space is pleasant and if you don't feel like waiting in line (Surrey's) or spending $30 just on breakfast for yourself (Dante's), this is a good option.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:14:50" }, { "business_id": "Fs4T7lKpXVtD5Pz7jWSJeg", "business_name": "Coquette", "rating": 4, "text": "I am only giving stars based on the bar because sadly, I have not eaten here but I love the bar! I love the old tin ceilings! I love the tables out on Washington under the oaks! And I love $5 wine Wednesdays and cocktail Thursdays. In fact, since today is my last final, I may have to take advantage of that. I have had a French 75 with apricot brandy, one of my absolute favorites drinks and they do it justice here. I've also had a lychee martini, which was wonderful and balanced, tough to pull off because lychees are so sweet, as well as a pretty solid mojito. I'm not sure if they change their wines by the glass frequently but from what I've seen, they offer a much better glass selection than most places around the city.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:20:27" }, { "business_id": "A0RSdFWqs-keuOogaMjZ4w", "business_name": "Bayou Beer Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Pros: Incredible patio outside, wide selection of good beer and every time I've been, the bartenders are knowledgeable and willing to make good cocktails. Fresh squeezed lime juice for my gimlet? Thank you! I was just expecting the kryptonite-colored, lime-flavored sugar syrup everyone else uses. Cons: Inside layout kind of weird. Only one toilet for ladies and by the way, what takes them so long in the bathroom? I never understand this. Going to bathroom usually is a twenty minute trip here. The band playing outside was so loud we chose to sit at the tables in the front. And finally, the most egregious thing, in my mind, was their horrible, pathetic excuse for sangria. It was less wine flavored with fruit and juice and more watered down juice that I still question if it had any alcohol in it, with the addition of antiseptic-flavored, extremely flat lime soda. Sadly, that now colors my whole opinion of the place.", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T15:09:27" }, { "business_id": "7CRox7xpb3vNCEe7FZ6zgA", "business_name": "High Hat Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I fully expect High Hat to be 4 stars soon enough but they are still working some things out. Like everyone else, I am so glad to see Freret doing what it's doing and I love that this building used to be Antoine's Bakery. To start, I had a glass of wine, which I thought was actually a pretty stingy pour. I wish they had a cocktail menu but that's just my preference. We ordered the pimento cheese and it was delicious but the dry bread they served it with was lame. Our server told us it was great on fries so we ordered some and they were fantastic on their own, made even better with the pimento cheese. I think I'll make fried potatoes with pimento cheese on them for the Saints season opener. For my entree, I had the crab and tomato salad. The crab didn't really have too much taste but LORD were those tomatoes good!!!! My BF was happy with his Cuban but I thought it was very small and for the love of God, you can't throw some fries on a plate when a sandwich is ordered? At least some chips? I think that's kinda cheap. To finish, we had the banana chocolate bread pudding, which I was excited about because I thought it might be like the chocolate-bananas foster king cake I made for my rained out Endymion party. It was not. Very dense and flavorless. The owners were super receptive about feedback, which I usually feel weird about giving but I think they really need it in this early phase of their venture. I'll be back for the pimento cheese burger.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:11:36" }, { "business_id": "QQ5HvRq_9U2Ch-9ijPeIFA", "business_name": "Bullet's Sports Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "So. Good. I love the Bullets and have never had a bad time here. Last night, I got a text that they were having crabs, crawfish AND turkey necks. I thought this was a sign from God because I was just telling the BF we needed to have some crawfish before they are all gone. We walked in and there was a table set up at the front where the band usually plays and a man was scooping out the goods. I asked how much and they told me it was free. FREE? Why, thank you. I got a big plate with shrimp, crawfish, a blue crab, a few turkey necks and some corn and potatoes. I would have gladly paid $15 for the plate, it was well-seasoned and perfectly delicious. The only complaint was that the shrimp were really tiny but A) they were free and B) I really just came to thrown down on the crab and crawfish. I haven't had turkey necks in years and they may have been my favorite part. The corn was sweet and so were the crabs. Really, it was perfect, especially when the dancing got started. Oooh Lord. I have to dock a star for cash only and the cigarette smoke that was blowing lustily in my face while I was eating. I can deal with smoke to a degree but I don't want the butt in my face.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:23:10" }, { "business_id": "SA10MB4CEw0YikMuhOxyYw", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 4, "text": "I did not eat any food here but I did sample pretty much every flavor of margaritas they have to offer, including carrot-lime, pineapple-cilantro, mango-mint, watermelon and raspberry. No, I didn't have all those to myself, I was with others who generously let me taste their concoctions. Otherwise I would have been seriously drunk and woken up with an awful sugar hangover because the margaritas are pretty big and just a touch too sweet for me. I liked the mango mint and carrot-lime varieties best. Looking forward to trying them again with some food next time.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:31:16" }, { "business_id": "xZileQFJ7h-0QKjtGc9xgg", "business_name": "Arnaud's French 75 Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I finally got myself to this gorgeous spot after meaning to for a very long time. Chris Hannah was indeed at the bar and he was personable and welcoming. I instantly felt badly that I was dressed like a gypsy and wearing flip flops, the place just screams evening gown and pearls, not that I own either one of those things but whatever. The point is that they still made me feel comfortable. I had a French 75, of course, and then I tried the Pisco Daisy, another one of their specialty cocktails. Truthfully, I didn't find either one of the drinks transcendent but I was just so enamored with the whole vibe of the place that it didn't matter. I would absolutely come back, great place for a aperitif before a fancy dinner.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:37:36" }, { "business_id": "ORVWMFwF5qTWy9Cbahf0Pg", "business_name": "Café Adelaide", "rating": 2, "text": "Wow. Abominable last night. Cafe Adelaide, you lost me. Probably the worst service I have ever had and being a service industry vet, I can be pretty forgiving. I actually felt bad for server X last night, who was utterly incompetent but very nice but wow, worthless. Coupled with the amateur service we had last time, I'm thinking it is not a one time fluke. Host told us to sit in the bar area. Sat there for 15 minutes ignored. Went to ask host if we should go to the bar and order, he said no, that our server would be right with us. We waited another 15 minutes before receiving 1 menu for 4 people. Placed drink order and waters for all. Cocktails came 20 minutes later, no water. Appetizers took close to an hour and were ice cold when we got them. Had to ask for bread. Never took entree order, although we expressed wanting to, so we decided to cut our losses and go to La Boca for dinner, which was STELLAR. Two rounds of drinks and appetizers took us two hours at Cafe Adelaide! And the food nor the drinks were as good as I remember. This time the sauce on the crab pound cake tasted like Campbell's cream of mushroom and there was hardly a speck of crab to be seen. Flatbread was burnt. You get the point. Not worth the time or money.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:33:01" }, { "business_id": "guwb1zuNEMtJVproo0ntFw", "business_name": "La Boca", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible. It may not be fair to give them such lavish praise but after our failed dinner attempt at Cafe Adelaide, the comparison between the two for service, food and drinks was night and day. We were immediately acknowledged, sweet! Given four menus for all four people and told about specials, thank you! Thursday is service industry night at La Boca, even better! We just looked at that menu, which did not include the pastas and salads but had all the cuts of meat, empanadas etc. We got our cocktails immediately, God, I'm really loving this place! Fresh watermelon and vodka, which was really tasty and not watery like I feared. For starters, we ordered the morcilla, provoleta and bruschetta. I didn't really dig the bruschetta but it wasn't bad. The provoleta, I maybe expected more, it was just cheese to me. A really good cheese appetizer is the fried cheese with lemon at Mona's. Also, it had oregano sprinkled liberally all over it. I used to think I wasn't crazy about oregano until I went to Sicily and tasted their oregano and had an epiphany that what we have here in the US is just stuff they sweep off the oregano factory floor. This was definitely factory floor oregano but not everyone is an oregano elitist like me. The morcilla though, oh, well, the morcilla. Fan-flipping-tastic. Just order it and get over the fact that it's blood sausage. It's pretty much just like boudin so if you like that, you should really try it. The steaks were out of this world, some of the best steak I've ever had and I have eaten bife de chorizo in Buenos Aires. Fried brussel sprouts are the most genius thing ever. Asparagus and fries are also not to be missed. The brussel sprouts even taste good cold for breakfast. I can't wait to go back and try the empanadas and the gnocchi and of course, dessert! Love, love, love La Boca!", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:45:45" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 3, "text": "I wouldn't go out of my way to go here but it does the trick when you are in the area. I used to love their oyster po-boy because they buttered the toasted bread, along with dressing it fully and there just aren't enough places that do that anymore. But then they started buttering the bread with Whirl or some other butteresque product that tastes like spun chemicals. So that made me sad. I had lunch here recently and had the BLT salad, which was pretty tasty except I really hate when a thick dressing is dumped in the middle of the salad so no matter how hard you try to spread it around, some pieces of lettuce are drenched and others are naked. My friend had the alligator burger on brioche and my one bite made me envious of her order.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T15:01:50" }, { "business_id": "NOKp3L3smiKdFNFUswvIUg", "business_name": "Dominique's on Magazine", "rating": 3, "text": "I've put off writing this review because I wanted ti to be great but it wasn't. Well, let me be more specific. The drinks were really good, I especially liked my lemongrass pisco sour. When our server, who by the way had great menu knowledge, heard that we came in for dinner mostly because we heard the bar was so great, the bartender came over to our table. She seemed really excited that we were there and wanted our feedback, which was all very good. My appetizer of lobster was perfectly cooked but the sauce it came with was kind of lackluster. It was fine but forgettable. My boyfriend's pork belly appetizer was downright bad, texturally and taste-wise. That was the first time I ever ate pork belly that wasn't delicious. My duck was also completely forgettable although the BF's steak with creole cream cheese was really tasty. I was tempted to order that because thought it might be too rich but it really wasn't. Nothing for dessert really piqued my interest so we didn't order anything. They did send out some plantain-flavored cotton candy but it tasted like artificially flavored banana Laffy Taffy. It's a really pretty space, the cocktail list is wonderful and the staff seems on point. However, only one out of four dishes impressed me and another one out of those four left me puzzled as to how one could make pork belly so unappetizing. I probably need to come back to try more dishes and I might if could sit in the bar and order a few plates. Too bad their bar area is more like three bar stools that fight with the hallway to the bathroom for space.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T17:29:14" }, { "business_id": "SDhiF9UG0gsuaXgCnJR-sQ", "business_name": "Liberty's Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "I arranged a work field trip today for Dining Out for Life and I've been wanting to try this place soo...off we went! Parking is ample, although we later found a whole hidden line of parking along the side of the building closer to Canal and the entrance to the cafe. There was no special today, I think they might be in the midst of changing those daily specials. I had a hot sausage poboy with the cowboy caviar and they were both stupendous. Round of applause and a standing ovation. My friends' turkey and veggie sandwiches also looked very good. Minor quibble is that the red velvet cupcake was kind of dry, although very pretty. Good thing we got bread pudding too or I might have been disappointed on the dessert. I wanted to try one of those cookies that are the size of my head but after a cupcake and bread pudding, I decided perhaps a little moderation was in order. Besides, I still want to hit Sucre while it's Dining out for Life Day. The staff was super friendly and awesome. I like the space although a little music would not hurt the ambiance.", "timestamp": "2011-07-14T18:46:10" }, { "business_id": "WPjeA9CWv-q7utSdnXmdIw", "business_name": "Juicy Lucy's", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the Yelp reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was very pleased. We ordered a special of fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade to start and got boudin balls instead. No less than three people came over to apologize for the mistake, told us to enjoy the boudin and our shrimp was out momentarily. Both were very good. It always makes me so happy when boiled shrimp are not overcooked, it's the little things that count! The boudin came out with a huge piles of grilled onions and tomatoes that were a nice addition to my burger. I had the Kenner (pepper jack and jalapenos) with sweet potato fries, the BF has 9th Ward Blues (mushrooms, blue cheese and?) with onion rings. The BF started doing that butt-waggling thing he does when he likes what he is eating and I may or may not have joined him. We both enjoyed everything, the service was very pleasant and I thought it was really reasonably priced.", "timestamp": "2011-07-18T00:19:26" }, { "business_id": "ujyjBLOzSXKO3RrbpJ4N4g", "business_name": "McHardy's Chicken & Fixin'", "rating": 3, "text": "Very fast, very cheap and I really liked the peppery crust. I wished the batter was a little thicker because let's face it, I eat fried chicken just for the crispy exterior and I don't care too much about the meat inside. I ordered a side of red beans that was terrible. Not only was there grease in massive puddles around the edges but it tasted like it had been singed when reheated in its styrofoam container. It hadn't, I checked, but it's not something you want to ponder while you're eating. Way better chicken than Popeye's but I sure did miss the biscuit.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:11:12" }, { "business_id": "OSi2ColCxhS9oCoAUNbPig", "business_name": "Mandina's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, nothing extraordinary. I think they get a lot of mileage out of their admittedly charming New Orleans neighborhood joint kind of feel. Our sever was kind of off but I found her entertaining. My turtle soup was fine but it wasn't the best I've had. My BF's calamari was fried, just like calamari often is. There's not much more to say about that. Our salads were mostly iceberg with a few shreds of romaine and cabbage and nice, thick slices of tomato. I got the crab meuniere even though I ordered almondine but I didn't really care since I was on the fence anyway about which one I wanted. The crab and fries drenched in the rich but also acidic meuniere was delicious. The BF's seafood platter was, you guessed, fried. Crab ball was pretty good. Bread pudding, meh. It had lots of nutmeg, which I liked a lot but it was sort of bland and the white sauce on top had the flavor of glue. I still ate it all though so I guess it wasn't too terrible. Not cheap but considering my dinner came with salad and dessert, not completely over the top either.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_rO-5jxOEH94TUcorPnSEg", "business_name": "Delta World Tire", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been putting air in my tires once a month for about four years so I know I've been past due for some time. Last week, I had a flat that I tried to rectify, as usual, by putting some air in it. I swear my tire actually laughed at me and said \"Woman, please.\" So I brought my car in to Delta Tire World and was out with four new tires for under $400. I hate spending money on cars but I thought that was pretty reasonable, plus I appreciate quick service. Also, their coffee in the waiting area was surprisingly good, which I needed since I was out of the house without my morning cup.", "timestamp": "2011-07-26T16:43:32" }, { "business_id": "dzFbGUUV5eh-ZR81RCnv7g", "business_name": "French Riviera Fitness", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is based solely on the spinning class on Saturday morning since this is the only time of day or day of the week I can muster up the courage to brave Metairie. The class is usually pretty challenging so that's a plus. But I have never seen a spinning room that had a flashing, multicolored disco ball and I'm not sure how I feel about that. What I am sure about though, is the instructors' collective inability to select music to motivate me. I shouldn't carp about it I guess, some people like trance out music or Carrie Underwood, it's just not what does it for me. Why does music at spinning classes always have to be so bad? Why doesn't anyone do classes to like, \"Let the Music Play\" or \"Diamond Girl?\" I would love that and even though I just dated myself by revealing my childhood music obsessions, I think there are others who would enjoy it too. But seriously last week, some song played that I am guessing was titled \"She was from Ala-freakin'bama,\" because those were the lyrics that played over and over again. I don't want to hear that song ever again and if that's your song, then I apologize if I offended you.", "timestamp": "2011-08-01T19:54:23" }, { "business_id": "GBTPC53ZrG1ZBY3DT8Mbcw", "business_name": "Luke", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped going here earlier this year because the service had reached new lows in abominable. Not to mention the oysters we had were shucked so poorly and shredded beyond belief. The BF swore them off for good. But I love their French 75 and bargain oysters so I wasn't ready to write them off forever. It's taken me a while to get back on my own and I am so glad that I did! They have a shucker named Anthony who is AWESOME! I told him about our previous experience and he said, very seriously, \"That's terrible. Oysters are too precious to mess up.\" My oysters (from Plaquemines Parish) were big and salty and perfect. And shucked the right way. IMPORTANT NOTE: Bring cash to tip the shucker. I usually spend more on oysters than I do on booze and I don't think it's fair that the shucker doesn't get a little something. Otherwise all my credit card tip goes to the bar.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:49:16" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still a fan. But I had a stale and not very tasty pastry the other day. Alongside it, I ordered an espresso that arrived lemon peel-less. Not everyone does that but I really like the lemon peel with my espresso so I asked for it. None to be had. Oh well. To make up for the crappy pastry, I got a couple chocolates. Yes, a couple as in 2. And it was $4. They were the same size as that three-pack of Ferraro-Rocher hazelnut chocolates you can get in the checkout line at Rouse's. Except those taste just as good and three will set you back a mere 99 cents. From now on, gelato or sorbellinis only but no more pastries or chocolate. Overpriced and not very good.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:55:55" }, { "business_id": "ej2kU6KU2TEL7uY_EB_zVQ", "business_name": "Phil's Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is definitely not the best burger I have ever had but it's pretty good and the dizzying array of choices elevates it from 3 to 4 stars. Grilled pineapple ketchup? Yes please! Brie or Havarti, oh decisions, decisions! I was so overwhelmed by the choices that I closed my menu and just ordered the burger of the month, a turkey burger with arugula, blackberry coulis, blue and goat cheese and topped with fried almonds. The turkey meat was kinda crumbly, it reminded me of that meat you buy in a big roll but it was okay. The combination of the cheese with the almonds was unexpected and delicious. The coulis kind of got lost, I wouldn't have known it was there. Sweet potato fries would have been better if they were hot. The BF got some crazy, gut-busting combination of burger and hot sausage, a fried egg, bacon AND onion strings on top. Ouch, that hurts my belly just to type! But I enjoyed one, small bite of it. We also got an order a fried pickles to start, very tasty but HUGE so will probably order a side order size, not the appetizer size next time. Also, I didn't know about their pretty great happy hour from 4-7 every day. I don't know the details but I do know my pint of Nola 7th Street Wheat was really good and only $1.50! Some bloody Mary specials on Sundays and margaritas (2 for 1 I think?) on Mondays.", "timestamp": "2011-08-23T16:15:09" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 2, "text": "I had a friend visiting from out of town and he wanted to make a stop here. It was hot and so we decided to opt out of sitting in their pretty courtyard. I had also heard their dueling piano show was good and friend wanted to hear music soooo...in we went. Friend ordered a hurricane and the bartendress lifted a prefilled plastic cup out of a dish rack, added some ice and voila! Gross but I am biased because I think hurricanes are nasty. Now, on to the music. For real? Do people come to New Orleans to hear someone play Grease Lightning on piano? How sad. Please, I implore you to go somewhere that has local musicians playing local music.", "timestamp": "2011-09-01T14:15:56" }, { "business_id": "u9-j3bwMcaMq9CWwuucqsA", "business_name": "Eco Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I am mad at myself for living around the corner for a year and never coming here! And now I've moved out of walking distance. Anyway, I finally made it and I'm glad I did. I was very pleased to see how many fresh juices they offered. I had the Ginger Hopper, which I didn't find gingery at all, plus it was too watery for me. But my friend's True Blood with beet juice was quite tasty. I was pleasantly surprised with how good everyone's food was. My chicken salad was perfect and it came on a toasted croissant with a lovely side salad. Their champagne dressing is fantastic. I also sampled the chili con carne, the rice looked boring but the meat was flavorful and falling apart. I didn't get a chance to have a bite of my other friend's crab and brie panino but since she finished it in 4.2 seconds flat, it's safe to assume that she really enjoyed it. I was worried that service would be poor but it was on point and our server was very informative about menu items and how they do things to be \"eco.\" Nothing for dessert really grabbed us, although they did list Clif bars as an offering, which I thought was pretty amusing.", "timestamp": "2011-09-02T19:40:18" }, { "business_id": "JcP1z6eZBgTIcxWlyxSw0g", "business_name": "Iris", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant's rating probably suffers a bit more than it should because I was expecting to be wowed and I wasn't. Anyway, the interior is gorgeous, I love the fresh flowers and the walls of pickled vegetables. The have a fantastic cocktail list, in fact, if i ever come back, it will be to sit at the bar and have a drink, albeit a very expensive one. My appetizer, pork belly with a shaved vegetable salad, was very good and dressed with an incredible vinaigrette. My BF had something else that I forgot as it wasn't very memorable. As far as entrees, they all sounded fine but nothing really grabbed me. I ordered the pork, which was okay. The only standout was a fried sweet potato patty it was served with. Besides what I thought to be a not very inspired menu, the plate presentation was weak. Everything was the same color. I know that's nitpicky but it's an expensive place and I want the food to look and taste beautiful. Our desserts (creme bruleee and a chocolate cake) were very rich, too rich for my boyfriend so I was forced to finish them for us. No espresso, I really hate that at nice restaurants. French press is good but it's not espresso, plus it was so weak I could practically see through it. I wasn't displeased with our dinner but I would much rather go somewhere else for the amount of money we paid.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T14:53:38" }, { "business_id": "Vz2RN55rTJBGn43K1v84nA", "business_name": "Domenica", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh sad day. I won't alter my rating but my last trip to Domenica revealed a change to their happy hour. Apparently someone on Yelp complained about the drink prices so now the specialty cocktails are not half off. But the wine, beer and well drinks still are. Which seems like their loss, I mean, I'm sure they are losing more on half priced wines and bottled beers than they are on liquor. Our server then went on to tell us he was glad for the change because it's a lot of work for them anyway. What? As someone who has worked in the service industry for a long time, I am not sure why it's bad to bring in extra customers during a typically slow (dead) time of the day. Plus, they are still coming in for half price pizzas and other drinks. His comments didn't really make sense to me and they kind of turned me off. However, the pizzas were still very good and really, I find their wines by the glass more appealing than a lot of things on their ever-changing cocktail list. And the stracci with oxtails is amazing!!!!!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:01:51" }, { "business_id": "mhrW9O0O5hXGXGnEYBVoag", "business_name": "Jacques-Imo's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Good, not great and pricey for what you get. I totally understand why people love it here, the vibe is great and it feels very New Orleans, whatever that means. Some of the food I really enjoyed and some I thought was totally mediocre. The watermelon mojito, while huge, was thin and insipid, not bad but not worth repeating. The cornbread muffins were, as always, fantastic. I remember at one time really loving the spinach salad with a lone oyster perched on top but this was soggy and limp. Our table of 8 shared a bunch of appetizers, including the cheesecake (very good) and the fried roast beef poboy (good but expected better). The BF and I shared the carpetbagger steak, which is awesome, I mean it's covered in blue cheese! But our sides were downright terrible, I'd be embarrassed to serve the red beans we got and the greens weren't much better. Our table split one creme brulee, which didn't really get bruleed so it was mostly plain sugar on top. Jacques kindly sent over tastes of Grand Marnier for after dinner drinks and chatted with us. That kind of charm goes a long way but honestly, 8 people split 4 entrees, one dessert, a few apps and a pretty cheap bottle of wine and it was $37 per person. I could think of better ways I'd like to spend my money.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:16:23" }, { "business_id": "dG94-818jQr0Vi3ajRwDCQ", "business_name": "a Mano", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend of mine alerted me to a series of dinners A Mano was doing, each week featuring a different region of Italy. Since my family is from Sicily, of course I wanted to see what they had to offer that week. I had a delicious Aperol spritzer to start and my friend had the Bellini. We sipped as we perused the menu and decided to do one Sicilian special menu and then order some things from the main menu. This particular friend of mine and I share a love for funky food; sardines, anchovies, tripe, whatever. And they had tripe on the menu so we had to order it. It was served in a savory but not at all heavy red sauce. Even if you don't like tripe, I bet you'd love the sauce sopped up with some bread. It tasted just like my grandmother's, actually, I'll admit it, it was better than hers. I liked the gnudi everyone raves about but the texture was more like smooth cream cheese or goat cheese, I'm more used to it being like ricotta, slightly grainy and less dense. But still very good. The only dud was a pasta dish with zucchini, no flavor at all. Our final dish was a seared tuna with onion mostarda that was excellent. To finish, we had cassata. It wasn't bad but it wasn't anything like the cassata I make and I prefer mine. This was a sponge cake soaked in some sort of liquor (too strong for me) and with candied fruit, not something I like much. The way I make it is un-liquor soaked angel food cake with a chocolate-cherry stuffed ricotta filling and topped with whipped cream. Very nice meal, pleasant staff, will return to sit at the bar with an Aperol spritzer and an order of trippa!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:30:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm so thrilled that Rouse's decided to invest in downtown! This is a pretty awesome Rouse's, everyone was so perky and pleasant! I almost got full on all the samples they were giving away; sushi, fresh-baked ciabatta, assorted cheeses, etc. They seem to have anticipated that they will draw a large lunch crowd and have lots of excellent-looking prepared foods. Would you like dragon fruit? Buddha's hand fruit? Kobe beef for $89.99/lb? Rouse's has it! I'll be interested to see how much of this stuff they will really keep in stock as time goes on. Layout is a little counterintuitive but they did a good job considering it used to be a car dealership. I was wondering about parking and indeed, there is a lot in the back and then upper level parking, accessible via Girod. The place was MOBBED but I went at lunchtime when I am guessing 90% of the CBD was also there. They open at 6, which is an hour earlier than my friendly neighborhood Rouse's and close at midnight! Whoa, is this pre-2005 New Orleans? I miss going midnight shopping at Sav-a-Center:( Other notes: I predict right now that they undershot how many checkout lanes they would need. Long-ish waits to be expected, especially at lunch. Prices on some staples that I get at Rouse's in Mid-City were exactly the same. Good to know we're not paying a few cents extra on soy milk to pay for rent in the CBD. Overall, great job, although I have to disagree with Danny Rouse's proclamation that this is the best grocery store in the country. Try Wegman's in the Northeast, they have an oyster bar! If you put in an oyster bar Danny, then I will unequivocally agree with you and retract any criticism immediately.", "timestamp": "2011-11-16T19:03:15" }, { "business_id": "JwS1qdmkA9S6muZBsdemBQ", "business_name": "Korea House", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never had Korean food before so I have nothing to compare it to but I loved my dinner the other night. Specifically the bibimbap with raw beef and a raw egg. I like ordering things that aren't necessarily a safe bet, sometimes that doesn't work but this time it did. The beautifully arranged, colorful vegetables were mixed with some sort of sesame oil dressing and went magnificently with the beef and egg. There was some coarse granulated sugar on top, I thought it was a tad bit too sweet and my fiance didn't like the crunch but otherwise, the dish sort of blew me onto a higher culinary plateau. I've been in a bit of a food rut and this was a revelatory way to lift myself out. The steamed dumplings were pretty good and so were the ribs but everything paled in comparison to the bibimbap. I also liked the bowls of various pickled things, my favorites were the cucumbers and the black beans. I'll be back to try more of the menu and I've already been scouring the internets for bibimbap recipes!", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:48:25" }, { "business_id": "Ra9zH1CBYtAC6vMfKYsHew", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 2, "text": "What a waste of $75. I could have just gone to Felipe's and probably been more satisfied. I've only had drinks at the FQ location so I don't know if their food really varies or not. But I have sampled many of the margaritas in the FQ and never had one I didn't like. I did not like the orange-lime one that I ordered, nor did I like the mezcal one my fiance ordered, it didn't taste smoky like most mezcal I've had but more like candle wax. It's a sad, sad day when I don't want to finish my margarita. It's even sadder when I realize there is nothing on the menu I'm interested in ordering. My sweetie ordered the house salad, which had a pretty good dressing and he would have liked to finish it before it was unceremoniously whisked away and replaced with our entrees. Our entrees were way overpriced but not inedible. The waitress was annoying and up in our faces every two minutes for the first half of the meal and absent for the second half. It took forever to get out of there and I felt bad for the hordes of people waiting in line. I may visit the FQ one again but never again at this location.", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:56:24" }, { "business_id": "RPEMUwN_CDRRToQ_7hxsvA", "business_name": "Borgne", "rating": 3, "text": "Like many other Besh experiences I've had, this was a mixed bag. First, they have done some cool stuff with the design, I like the columns made up of oyster shells encased in wire mesh. But it still has this institutional, chain sort of feel to me. My sweetie said it felt like a cafeteria that had a makeover. My French 75 was solid, they must use the same recipe as Luke, served in a snifter with a brandied cherry. Perfect. They also have NOLA 7th Street Wheat and big fishbowls glasses for the beer. I started with a bowl of oyster stew. It was delicious and very rich, so rich that I didn't really enjoy the last few bites because my taste buds were overwhelmed. I think they offer cups at lunchtime. The BF got broiled oysters, which were fine but nothing to set them apart from the many other restaurants that do them better. He also got the duck poppers, which were great because duck+bacon=delicious. But the bacon could have been crisper and what the hell was in the sauce? I have no idea because this is the kind of place that lists menus items as such, \"Duck poppers, jalapeno, bacon.\" That's it. My fish in a bag with caramelized fennel was great, really, the fennel stole the show and that's generally not my favorite. The hot pot was a bust, dressed up ramen noodles with tough pork belly. For dessert we got the oatmeal cookie with turron ice cream. Again, it was fine but I feel like I could buy something just like it out of the freezer section at the grocery store. Espresso was good, served without lemon peel but delivered promptly once we asked for it. Service was very good. I wouldn't go again for the price we paid for dinner because it just wasn't all that. I'd definitely go back and try the $10 lunch specials though.", "timestamp": "2012-02-15T17:16:17" }, { "business_id": "D8l8tVYE5EJeHOMlJs1Eng", "business_name": "Aristocat Salon + Nail Spa", "rating": 2, "text": "Worst eyebrow wax I've ever had. I'm not sure what I paid for because I walked out looking exactly like I did when I walked in. Pedicure chipped after a week, I don't expect that until at least two, usually three weeks.", "timestamp": "2012-03-12T13:37:57" }, { "business_id": "rrNF0siUBVQOOgsFVfGpKA", "business_name": "Columns", "rating": 1, "text": "It pains me to say this but I have to give up on the Columns. I am generally confounded by the frat boy presence there but was usually able to overlook it because ti's just so lovely and the drinks were always pretty good. Last night, I brought some out of town guests in and on one side of the parlor, there was a dapper gentleman playing the piano. Then we walked into the bar area and they were playing R. Kelly. Don't get me wrong, the R. can be good for a time and place but at the Columns? Weird. After waiting for several polo-clad young men to get their Miller Lites, I ordered French 75s for my friends and a Ramos Gin Fizz for myself. Note to bartender; putting a lemon twist in a glass of cheap sparkling wine does not a French 75 make. Terrible. My Ramos Gin Fizz was composed of a good 3/4 c. of heavy cream and had no discernible fizz. Luckily, I did taste a bit of booze hiding behind all that cream but really gin and whipping cream was not what I was hoping for. It was really disappointing because the gin fizz I had there last summer was dangerously delicious. My friends sipped their cheap and slightly sour sparkle and finally implored me to take them home when the song \"Ain't that America\" came on. I'm glad I was able to experience their downfall myself before I unwittingly sent people there with raves about the atmosphere and the classic cocktails. Get it together Columns, you've got so much to work with.", "timestamp": "2012-04-27T19:36:54" }, { "business_id": "kb1Tf4xwb7CQW5OXf9zwqw", "business_name": "Toups Meatery", "rating": 3, "text": "I hate being the jerk who writes the first non-five star review but I am sure this will bump up to four and possibly even five. I'll just have to keep going back to make sure my ratings are accurate. Anyway, the space is really nice and I like that there is outside seating. The staff is very friendly, although it is my preference that everyone working doesn't come by to ask how the food is. It's kind of overwhelming, especially if you don't like something. I don't remember being very interested in their cocktail menu and I thought the wine by the glass selection was very small and a bit overpriced. On to the food. We started with the meatery plate,of course! This was really good. I liked the cracklins a lot, crunchy but not dried out. The housemade garlic sausage was delicious as was the delicate, subtle rabbit pate. My husband really liked the hogshead cheese, it was not as congealed as it usually is, more of a spread. Weirdly, I didn't love the rillons and I thought they would knock me out. Those are candied pieces of pork belly, if you didn't know and I certainly did not. Cooked too long maybe, they lost their lusciousness. My husband got the chicken confit and I didn't taste that. But I did sample the mustard greens and white beans underneath and they were fantastic. My sliders, however, sucked. All three of them. I like fat but the lamb belly was a huge chunk of fat with really off-putting St. Patrick's Day green, overly sweet mint jelly. The crab cake was everything you hate about crappy crab cakes; mostly breading, cheap, stringy crab meat, fried-too-hard exterior. I think the last one was just the rabbit pate on a bun but by that point, I was over it. The brioche buns they were served on looked promising but they were stale. We didn't try the desserts but they had some appealing options. We'll be back but I can definitely cross the sliders off my list.", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T17:20:46" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "It hurts a bit to downgrade Parkway but every time I deviate from the shrimp poboy, I am disappointed. In this unfortunate case, I was not only disappointed but put out with indigestion for two whole days. The Reuben was DISGUSTING. I was hungry, so I ate most of my half but the sauce on it was sickeningly sweet, the sauerkraut almost nonexistent and something about the meat really turned my stomach. I still love their fries with debris and I tried the sweet potato fries, also very good. But I'll never try anything new again. I'm not sure when they added a happy hour from 3-7pm but good to know!", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T12:54:42" }, { "business_id": "9xErhLpjFcoA39AFeN3lUA", "business_name": "Liuzza's By The Track", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm going to be nice and give three stars since we only tried a few things on the menu so maybe I'd be more impressed if I tried the gumbo or the etouffee. However, I had the much-lauded BBQ shrimp poboy, which I thought was an epic fail. It wasn't offensive or anything, it just tasted like absolutely nothing; no lemon, no pepper, no garlic, nothing. Perhaps I am spoiled because my husband is a chef and he makes a damn fine rendition of BBQ shrimp but I thought this was an utter waste of $15. I had a bite of the husband's oyster poboy, which was fine, but didn't distinguish itself from other oyster poboys around the city that do not cost $14.95. Regular and sweet potato fries were good and served in generous portions. Chocolate torte was dry and forgettable. Service was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T13:04:45" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "Aztec chocolate. So good. It's hard to try new things when I love the spicy, dark chocolate blend so much. Yesterday I did deviate though and got the blueberry-basil. While the flavor of the blueberry was super intense and fantastic, it was way too sweet. I would have liked more basil too. Another favorite was a Christmas special, chesnut ice cream with pine nuts and rosemary. Amazing. Good coffee, inventive flavors you won't see at Sucre. Someday I'm going to actually eat their real food because the menu looks tempting.", "timestamp": "2012-06-26T14:52:31" }, { "business_id": "X-ZgevJi7i3wf0RjsBLG1w", "business_name": "Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I still like it for its unapologetic quirkiness but don't come here expecting anything great. Fried pickles were probably the best I've had and my husband's fried shrimp were good. My oyster remoulade was so drenched in sauce that I could only guess that they were once crispy when they emerged from the fryer. A friend's lasagna looked mediocre, as did an alfredo. The Bushwacker, which I've long wanted to try, is now crossed off my bucket list. If you want a huge, semi-frozen dessert, go for it. If you're looking for an adult beverage, skip it. I'd stick with fried seafood and large beers here.", "timestamp": "2012-06-27T17:59:44" }, { "business_id": "M8ONtZM80_LYC2Q3iqU5SA", "business_name": "Mila", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped in today for the $20 lunch special, which I think is one of the best deals in town. I love their bread assortment, especially the cornbread with some of the lima bean puree. The sweet potato rolls are pretty good too but they just aren't as good as the sweet potato biscuits at Green Goddess. I was a little sad that their featured soup was a zucchini-crab bisque since the online menu said corn-crab (!!!). Last time I was there, it was a rutabaga (or turnip maybe) with crab. I really liked that one; the zucchini was good but needed salt. I also think starchy things like corn and root vegetables lend themselves better to that kind of soup than zucchini. But the crab was plentiful and delicious. For my entree, I had beef cheeks that were wildly tender and flavorful. The beans that came with them were slightly uninspired. The fish entree with quinoa and currants was great. For dessert, I had the banana ice cream with almond streusel. There was nothing resembling a streusel, more like little crispy crumbs sprinkled on the bottom. But tasty crumbs they were and nice, textural contrast to the creamy and lush banana ice cream. Pleasant and efficient service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-29T20:33:52" }, { "business_id": "QD48BhLk7lDTgOL_NiVCCw", "business_name": "Taqueria Corona", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I've never reviewed this place, I've only been here a million times. I've been here to celebrate new jobs and buying of houses. Anyway, as we were driving up the eerily darkened Magazine Street last week, looking for refuge from Isaac, I was thrilled to see they were open! They had no AC but they still were working their asses off and running around madly to serve all the stir crazy people needing to get out of the house. For that alone, they get extra stars. Now, onto the regular things you can expect. The guy at the front register (owner?) is always there and always makes you feel like he is genuinely glad to see you. I love him. The margaritas aren't the best but they're fine and they make it to your table QUICKLY. I would skip the chips and guac and instead order the cebollitas. Actually, make that two orders because you won't want to share. This place is one of the few, or maybe only, place around that serves tongue tacos. Delicious. If you like pot roast or other similar flavorful, tender cuts of meat, this is for you. I also like the fish tacos and the carne asada tacos. Since I hate burritos, I can't really say anything on that point. Shrimp flautas are just average in general but excellent for a hangover cure.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T17:58:13" }, { "business_id": "W9SliuSyX7N0XoiG9UFNdQ", "business_name": "Pho Noi Viet", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, not remarkable though. Service was very friendly but food came out ever so slowly. The menu is pretty small, just pho, bahn mi, bun and rice plates. Only three appetizers. I wish they had a salad selection. We got the shrimp spring rolls to start with, which were much better than some I had at Pho Bang a few weeks ago. The peanut sauce is excellent! I had the curried tofu bun, the spice must have only stained the tofu a pale shade of yellow without imparting any flavor. It was fine and everything was fresh but I probably wouldn't order it again. That's not really their fault though because while I love the flavors of Vietnamese cooking (mint, cilantro, sour-sweet), I just am not a fan of gobs of white noodles or white rice. Since I wanted more than soup or a sandwich for dinner, eliminating pho and bahn mi, that left me with choosing from a pile of white noodles or a pile of white rice. My husband had shrimp pad thai and it was more flavorful than my dish but still missing some key elements. I'll go back to try their pho one of these days.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T18:05:52" }, { "business_id": "XxSIrbHqVMdEzP30-DN20g", "business_name": "Louisiana SPCA", "rating": 4, "text": "The food and drink were top notch, I mean, as soon as we checked in, there was a table full of French 75s to greet us. Thank you! some of my favorites included shrimp remoulade from Galatoire's, this smoked redfish with red onion jam from (?) and mahi with curried couscous and golden raisins from Vega Tapas. I enjoyed seeing the various costumes but I thought that the music was pretty terrible. Thanks very much Joi, it was much appreciated!", "timestamp": "2012-10-25T14:12:38" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I walked right in with 4 people and got a table immediately on a Sunday night around 7. Service was friendly and quick. I had raw oysters and gumbo for dinner. The oysters were great and actually shucked to order. I can't believe how often I get pre-shucked oysters these days, gross. Anyway, fresh oysters and very tasty gumbo. I was pleased. I tasted some of my husband's boiled seafood platter, the crabs seemed old and the mushrooms tasted canned. I would have been unhappy if that was my dinner but he said it was ok. Another friend had the swamp platter and I tried the alligator sausage, mm! He raved about the frog legs and turtle soup but I didn't try them. Bread pudding was pretty good too. I'll have to figure more time into my ride out to the airport next time so I can hit this place up for oysters.", "timestamp": "2012-11-28T16:50:31" }, { "business_id": "mCRa6o1eEVQr1bqV4Wy6KQ", "business_name": "The Blind Pelican", "rating": 3, "text": "I was lured in by their awesome happy hour special from 4-7 daily. 25 cent oysters! How can you go wrong? Also surprised by the dozen chargrilled oysters for $7.50. The oysters were shucked to order, unlike Luke which serves pre-shucked (and dry!) oysters. They were a little messy and gritty but hey, for 25 cents, I was still happy. I'd skip the chargrilled but for the price, it was a decent experiment. Beer selection was very good, I had the Mechahopzilla and my husband had some Voodoo something or other. Service was a little spotty but it was happy hour during the holidays so that's understandable. I doubt I'd come back for more than oysters but that's a good enough incentive for me", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T02:35:04" }, { "business_id": "ZTctPm8-lBy0iJ9dFhYhyQ", "business_name": "Herbsaint", "rating": 3, "text": "Based on food and drinks, I'd like to give 3.5 stars but since Herbsaint has the reputation it has, their weak points really stand out. I didn't really love the interior, plus we were there on a cold and windy night, making me wish they had a vestibule. Even seated three tables from the door, we were greeted with an Arctic chill every time the door opened. Service ranged from disjointed to friendly to cool. I understand the concept of team service but was asked for drink orders, then food orders and then second round of drink orders by two servers every time. Coordinate! My cocktail and wine flight were both forgettable. Beer list is meh. My husband and I both really liked our appetizers; I had a kale salad with smoked drum and satsumas and he had some sort of warm chicken rillete. The bread they served was also fantastic. I had a special appetizer for my entree; mortadella-stuffed ravioli with black trumpet mushroom jus. Husband's entree was downright gross. I hate complaining at restaurants but if it was my meal, I would have sent it back. The risotto was not creamy or flavorful, it just tasted like hard, wet rice. The pork belly on top had no discernible taste except...old. I really liked some of the food we ate but was so disappointed in others that I won't be back soon. I do still need to get there for that famous fried egg guanciale dish but I've got a lot of other important eating to do before I return! On the plus side, they are open on Mondays and have a very extensive wine list.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T03:35:26" }, { "business_id": "qKscu5qiEanq7XAduAhHmA", "business_name": "Banana Blossom", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for some time and, finding myself on the Wank last week, I stopped in for lunch. It was full and I waited for a table for a few minutes but things move quickly there. I was surprised that they didn't have lunch specials but decided to go with BBQ oysters and the Pad Thai. A little side salad came out first, pretty nondescript lettuce shards and unripe tomato, but I really liked the peanut-coconut dressing. The BBQ oysters were plentiful and tasty, almost too salty but I like salt. The roti they came with sopped up the sauce and by the time my Pad Thai came, I was full. Good thing too because I took a few bites of the sloppy-looking mess and didn't like it at all. The tofu tasted old, the vegetables were not fresh and it was very bland. There were a few other things on the menu that appealed to me and I might be persuaded to go back to try them but I would stay far, far away from the Pad Thai.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:17:52" }, { "business_id": "ta5Oi3sezvn4H299MbtE8Q", "business_name": "The Carousel Bar & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn about this one. I actually hate the carousel part of the bar and really dislike the spinning. Note: Don't go there after you've had a couple drinks. The spinning won't do you any favors. However, I love the lounge-y area behind the main bar, especially the cozy nooks with high-backed armchairs that look right out into the action on Royal. They make a very tasty Vieux Carre and one of my favorite Sazeracs in the city. So it's definitely worth a visit,I'd just avoid the main bar area.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:23:42" }, { "business_id": "dXREfNidBVaPbF8g5Xf54A", "business_name": "Department of Motor Vehicles", "rating": 3, "text": "Not too terrible as far as any visit to the OMV is concerned. There is plenty of parking in the lot in front and there were only 10 or so other people in line when I got there at 7:58am. One important thing to note about this location is that it is in some state office building so you have to go through security. That means leave your pistols and mace in the car, please. I was in and out within 20 minutes with my new license and although I thought the clerk I dealt with was unnecessarily snappy, I'd probably hate myself too if I worked there.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:35:32" }, { "business_id": "g8asTfC0kY9uzt1AHdm35A", "business_name": "Reily Student Recreation Center", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a fantastic facility, as it should be for Tulane tuition. As an employee, I get a discounted rate, which I don't take advantage of because first, I hate driving Uptown and second, the parking on campus sucks. However, every year during Winter Break, all employees use the facility for free and it's quiet, relatively student-free, easier to park and has a great schedule of really good classes. Once the students come back though, it can get pretty crowded so I probably won't ever buy a year-round membership. Except maybe when I have kids; they do have child care available.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:56:57" }, { "business_id": "P09fwcXyvf2GdvFnTMQWuA", "business_name": "Bellocq", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a beautiful bar and so I understand that fancy places can command high drink prices. I expected this but I thought my drink was just ok and for $14, I expect delicious. I also hate those silver cups they come in, I dislike not being able to see the level of my drink. Is there one sip left? 15? I can't tell. The presentation was lovely but there are too many places I can spend $4-6 less for a drink that is just as fancy but not as pricey. Don't get me wrong, I'd have a drink here again but it's not on my short list.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T01:56:09" }, { "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is exactly what I was thinking during my dinner. Look, for the most part, this food isn't bad, I actually enjoyed most of it. But it's damn expensive and what was good were things I could make any old night of the week. Plain old spaghetti with a garlic-scented butter? Yum! I loved that as a kid! And it takes 10 minutes to make. No need to drive to Avondale for that. Baked chicken with lots of garlic? Also, tasty and easily made at home. The baked oysters Mosca I thought was terrible and outrageously overpriced. $38 for about 12 oysters baked to death in a thick layer of breadcrumbs, which negated any oyster flavor. I can see how this place can be fun but it's unlikely I'd go back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:05:13" }, { "business_id": "iFgoIM21C_P68N8Dk-HHEA", "business_name": "Stella!", "rating": 3, "text": "It's always so hard for me to rate really nice restaurants because I expect so much before I even walk in the door. So maybe this is too harsh. Anyway... We were ushered into a somber and hushed front dining room. I felt like I had to whisper, which was sort of weird. We ordered cocktails to start because that's how I do fancy meals but I wasn't too excited about their specialty cocktails. When the ordered Blackberry Bramble or whatever it was called arrived, I was similarly nonplussed. I won't go into details about each dish but I will say that I certainly liked every course but I wasn't really wow-ed. Also, my wine tasted like anchovies, which I love but not in my wine. Highlights included all the sauces on each plate, the beef tenderloin, veal cheek and poached rhubarb for dessert. I've spent a lot less money on meals I enjoyed just as much or more so...glad I knocked that off the bucket list but won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:15:37" }, { "business_id": "2oJV-vS0Cu8cYt7_TbzOww", "business_name": "Cleaver & Co", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, 3 or 4 stars? This is tough because I'm glad that they're there but I did not at ALL like the head cheese I bought there and am unlikely to ever buy another $20 chicken. I love independent butchers though so I would like to support them but probably only for buying cuts for special occasions.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T18:44:30" }, { "business_id": "O7adYE4pVfqY02Lh6ywEpA", "business_name": "Swirl Wine Bar & Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I love this place. It would be hard NOT to like just based on their delightful location. Well-curated selection of wines and small cheese case run by very informative and helpful staff. Unfortunately, I avoid their Friday tastings because they have become so popular that they are too packed for me. I prefer the Wednesday night flights.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:21:07" }, { "business_id": "eKgtzwzbLR44fqevm6yUSQ", "business_name": "Faubourg Wines", "rating": 4, "text": "I was in the neighborhood quite a bit leading up to Krewe du Vieux, making floats, working on costumes and...drinking, of course. There were many days that I stopped in here (sometimes twice!) to fuel up on well-priced sparkling wine. Favorite find; an intoxicatingly perfumed grapefruit liquor.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:49:08" }, { "business_id": "g-IXI3v3fOudMsyLPKb-eQ", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location better than the one in Mid-City, such a cool re-use of a bank building! Very good coffee and now I'm wondering why I didn't have a Bellini? Anyway, I stupidly ordered eggs with a biscuit and corned beef when I could have ordered the special; a twist on the Benedict with fried green tomatoes as the English muffin, a bed of arugula and bacon. Everyone else at my table ordered it so I thought I should try the corned beef and MAYBE my husband would let me have some of his benny. He gave me one small and very delicious bite. Hash was pretty good, as was the biscuit but goddamnit, my over-easy eggs were inedible. Do restaurants cook eggs in a pool of water? I've had this happen before, it's pretty gross and left my eggs mostly untouched. Oh well, everything else was very nice.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T20:21:43" }, { "business_id": "ZgmEBmGQbSHj8YZgN2pPLQ", "business_name": "Satsuma Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Since my husband is not a breakfast eater, I am delighted when I have visitors so we can go out and sample early morning bites. A few months ago, my mother and her husband were here and this was the first place I thought of. Initially, I was kind of disappointed that there was no table service but that's a minor quibble. The staff, although very busy, was cheerful and helpful with recommendations for my juice-neophyte parents. Juice was delicious. My mother and I split a One-Eyed Jack and a special sweet-potato ginger pancake. I had a similar pancake a few weeks before at Suis Generis and that one was WAY better. This pancake was flavorless and oddly textured, plus it would have been nice to have a little side of fruit or something to go with it. The One-Eyed Jack was good but we were both still hungry after our breakfast. My SF ordered wisely and got a much heartier meal with eggs, very good black beans and a tasty biscuit. I'd probably be more inclined to come back here for lunch than breakfast but it is a very sweet little spot. After breakfast, make your way over to the Bargain Center next door for an interesting shopping experience.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T13:29:36" }, { "business_id": "1788xIG9VRrs3DZ_RhqA6A", "business_name": "Pearl Wine Co", "rating": 4, "text": "I wasn't sure what to expect when the ownership changed recently. for the most part, I'm pretty happy with the changes. The owner seems to be extremely knowledgeable and passionate about wine. She has also opened later hours and was even open on the 4th! I'm also glad she kept the staff; Jodi and Jose and great and have been fixtures for some time. The wine shop is worthy of 5 stars but the adjoining bar is not. The atmosphere always did and still does kind of suck. Which is partially not their fault, it is a former industrial building after all. But still, nothing about the place makes me want to hang out there. And they got rid of the former cocktail menu which I liked. But still, overall pleased with the changes. Welcome to the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T18:46:53" }, { "business_id": "bkxtuHXCL7GR51FiNdextA", "business_name": "City Greens", "rating": 3, "text": "Tasty. Friendly staff. But damn, it's really expensive. Just a salad with no drink and no added protein set me back almost $11. I'd only go again if someone suggested it since I can make my own delicious salads for a fraction of the price.", "timestamp": "2013-07-28T13:57:33" }, { "business_id": "WNhcS2zi4zAqA2TbduVINQ", "business_name": "Cleo's", "rating": 4, "text": "I had the vegetarian plate and it was very good. I loved the baba ganoush (so much better than mine) and the hummus with spicy roasted peppers on top. Falafel also really good. I actually like my tabbouleh better but theirs was still fresh and tasty. Tasted friend's lamb kebobs, small-ish but delicious and whatever they use as a salad dressing is awesome. Set-up inside the convenience store with loud club-like music was a little weird but not off-putting.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T18:48:28" }, { "business_id": "KGfw-g_JtizLJb4YmRB2Ig", "business_name": "Mariza", "rating": 4, "text": "I visited Mariza a few weeks ago but didn't eat since my trendy friends wanted to eat dinner at 9:30. I ate dinner at 6 like an old lady and met them for drinks. Anyway, I had one of their specialty cocktails (the Bywater something or other), which was too sweet, and one bite of my friend's hanger steak, which was incredible. I thought so much about that one bite that I jumped when my husband suggested Mariza for our Saturday night dinner date. We were lucky enough to get seated without a wait so that was a plus. To start, we shared an appetizer special; herbed ricotta-stuffed ravioli with chanterelles . OK, the sauce was divine and so was the filling, the one extremely small dab of it anyway. As someone who used to make fresh pasta at a restaurant, I wasn't impressed with the pasta either. It tasted like it was held in water perhaps? We also shared the yellowfin tuna carpaccio with arugula and parm. No complaints! I had that oh-so-delectable steak and it was everything I remembered and more. Served draped over grilled bread with olive tapenade and drizzled with pesto. Perfect. Husband's duck confit was also a hit. Their beer menu is kind of limited but I had a very nice and inexpensive pinot noir, which I find can so often be hit or miss. Our entrees were good-sized and very reasonably priced, both $15 or $16. So I can't really complain about price except when I compare my $16 steak with a $12 ravioli appetizer (2 ravioli, extremely meagerly filled). Oh well, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 2 drinks per person for ~$80 is still really reasonable. Next time I'm getting the burrata crostini and lamb belly. Or the goat ricotta with kale and the short ribs rigatoni. And MUST leave room for the chocolate terrine with olive oil and sea salt. I have to have that.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T19:01:31" }, { "business_id": "7ZcA6w0UCRmeEjN2nyeYuA", "business_name": "Root", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband I I were lucky enough to be invited to dinner here, which was great because I'm quite sure our hosts spent a pretty penny. We started off with cocktails and charcuterie. A+ on the cocktails! Inventive but accessible list and tasty to boot. I liked all the pickled things on the charcuterie plate and DEFINITELY the lardo; everything else was fine but no wow factor. Then we moved on to appetizers; of those I tasted, I'd say the deviled eggs were my favorite. My smoked scallops were as delicious as I'd hoped. Husband predictably ordered pork belly. It was good but what I really remember was this smoked vegetable ash smear it was served on. WOW. I thought the desserts were more about presentation (and at that, they excelled) than taste. We had the peach crumble and the blueberry clafoutis. Neither impressed my palate. I was really looking forward to the peach buttermilk ice cream with my dessert but it was icy and bland. Ice cream, or gelato, whatever they call it, is pretty easy and they didn't get it right at ALL. However, if I were to go back for anything, which is unlikely since they charge $16 for deviled eggs, I would go back for the Indian falooda. Oh! It was a terrarium of beautiful, edible flowers and accouterments swimming in a pool of geranium milk. I thought this sounded a little crazy but I loved it. Appetizers and desserts were overpriced and fell a little flat. Drinks and entrees, while pricey, were worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-20T20:25:53" }, { "business_id": "FxeakFEI6gObK0CxcOft-A", "business_name": "Manhattan Jack", "rating": 3, "text": "My cuban was ok. This sandwich, and the others my friends ordered, is a perfect example was why I hate going out for breakfast and lunch. It's expensive and just not that great. I'd rather save my dollars for dinner and make my own sandwich for lunch. I didn't try any of the sweets and while they looked and smelled lovely, I probably won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T12:03:25" }, { "business_id": "gC8i-lxwvGhVpOXM5eYdtA", "business_name": "Taqueria Guerrero", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the staff here and that it never seems to be super busy. They don't have my beloved fish tacos though and i like the lengua better at Taqueris Corona/ Was very disappointed in my taco al pastor, it's probably the worst I've ever tried. To be daring, we ordered the huarache and the baleado. Huarache, good choice, baleado, bland. Horchata is tasty! It's cheap and close to home but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T14:45:20" }, { "business_id": "5rScKeYVjFk8VahsvJv9QA", "business_name": "Mikimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never used to be a fan but my husband is and it's gradually grown on me. Every time we'd go out, he'd suggest Mikimoto and I'd roll my eyes and ignore him. But he's got a pretty strong sushi addiction and orders once a week, in addition to going out. And of course, he always orders from Mikimoto. It's still not my favorite but it's reliable, quick, plentiful and priced right.", "timestamp": "2013-09-14T15:44:45" }, { "business_id": "FCCnOgjjvwQJBAy3u2fcLA", "business_name": "Criollo Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful place in the Monteleone. I have been wanting to try Criollo for a while and finally did for their Coolinary offering. My friend and I were seated in a window overlooking Iberville. I felt like I was in a little bistro in Paris, which is amazing since I knew if I had two more feet of a view on either side, I'd see Walgreen's and the crowd of guys hanging out in front of the old penny arcade. Service was charming and attentive, from the server to the runner to the hostess. We started with their delicious bread basket and assorted butters. I chose the gumbo, friend had the salad. The gumbo was good, not outstanding but it did distinguish itself with a garnish of fried okra. Very nice. Salad looked uninspired. For entrees, I had the soft-shell crab with brown butter. Yes! Excellent. My friend had the cobia and the bite I had was the blood line so it wasn't a good first impression. I did have another bite (no blood line) and it was good but at nice restaurants, please remove the blood line from the fish! Her dish was topped with a sort of okra popper (cheese-stuffed and fried), which I really liked. I ordered the chocolate-pecan parfait, which sounded way better than white chocolate creme brulee tart to me. What a letdown. It was served nearly frozen solid and it was several inches high so to cut through it was nearly impossible. The flavor was also boring and the cake bit on the bottom was dry. It was terrible. The creme brulee tart however, was stupendous. Loved it. Also, extra kudos for having espresso and not french press. I like french press too but I have one at home. What I don't have at home is a $4,000 espresso machine so I appreciate them when I go out!", "timestamp": "2013-09-18T14:37:54" }, { "business_id": "rVRh3PnjYwSaVvGs0joh5w", "business_name": "Five Guys", "rating": 3, "text": "First of all, it was so bright in here that I felt overwhelmed just walking in. We ordered the regular burgers and large fries, which were both so much bigger than I had anticipated. I went in after spending the afternoon drinking beer at NOLA on Tap so I was beer-hungry and I still couldn't finish the fries. The burger was pretty good and I like all the toppings but the fries were so unsatisfying. They had no taste and making a fried potato taste good is fairly easy. My husband liked them though so maybe I'm just off. I was also shocked at how long it took everything to come out. They were busy but only putting out one order every 4-5 minutes. I think we finally got our food after 20 minutes. It's ok and I might go back but it's not high on my list.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T11:55:25" }, { "business_id": "YSyZipJDgS3D_R0wqPqPhQ", "business_name": "Longue Vue House and Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "I took advantage of Free Museum Day this year with a long overdue trip to Longue Vue. This place has been on my list for years and I can't believe I just now took advantage of a quiet morning spent in the lovely gardens of this estate. Turning down Bamboo Rd. from Metairie Rd, I knew I was in a for a treat. I spent about 45 minutes going through the Discovery Garden (so cute, can't wait to bring my nieces!), to the wild garden (reminder to self to go back when the irises bloom) and the impressive Spanish Court. Luckily, I was just finishing my garden foray when a tour of the house was starting. Wow. The history of the family who lived here was impressive. Not only do you get to peek into what their life was like, but the lady of the house was a collector of modern art and so it was like a gallery visit on top of the house tour. Our guide was also super knowledgable and I feel like I got a history lesson on politics, New Orleans oddities, river commerce and more. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T12:04:13" }, { "business_id": "hPd6uMCjNglnOwwHpkY5Tg", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - French Quarter", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sure this will be unpopular but Felipe's did not hit my spot. I like the one Uptown and I thought I would like this one too but the food, not so much. Husband's cheese sauce on chimichanga tasted rancid, flautas tasted like freezer-burned cardboard and everything else was room temperature and blah. I still love their condiments bar and the drinks are always nice, especially on Wednesdays.", "timestamp": "2013-10-21T16:01:09" }, { "business_id": "dBOVfp8Ub8uO9qUPtw92_w", "business_name": "Lilette", "rating": 4, "text": "My dashing husband brought me here for a birthday lunch after I'd been yearning to go forever. It turns out he knew one of the chefs and so we were sent some delicious short rib lagniappe. I decided to go with two appetizers so that I wouldn't pass out after lunch, unlike my husband, who had a duck appetizer and a steak for an entree. I had some marvelous gnocchi in a tomato sauce and then the famed crab claws and passionfruit butter. That butter was so sublime, I would lick it right off of Bourbon Street. Honestly, the crab wasn't all that, kind of stringy. It's okay though because that butter...oh my. I was sorely disappointed in dessert. We had a Nutella custard and it was GRAY in color and about as flavorful as gray sounds. How do you muck up Nutella? Confusing. Anyway, it is a beautiful space and I'd love to go back for dinner one day.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:17:11" }, { "business_id": "V9VLhHdSFpFi4yXFqVcVEA", "business_name": "Pêche", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn a bit as I write this. It was good, don't get me wrong, I guess I just expected a little more wow. And that's totally because a) it's Donald Link and b) I eat fresh seafood at home all the time and I can admit I'm spoiled. Just last week my husband brought home a 28-inch redfish that he caught and he grilled it on the half-shell with chermoula and tzatziki. But I'm not reviewing my kitchen, just demonstrating that I have a high bar. We started with some expertly fried crab and artichoke fritters. No fillers to bind these beauties together. We also had some olive-oil poached tuna that didn't taste super fresh to me so I let husband eat it all up. There was a third appetizer that I don't remember so I'm sure it was fine although obviously not memorable. Whole grilled flounder to share. I love flounder so it was good but that's all I have to say about it. We also got a side of stewed okra (one of my favorite things all night, go figure!) and very tasty field peas. Dessert was an amazing-sounding but disappointing-tasting chocolate peanut butter banana pie. They have an interesting cocktail menu but after tasting mine and my husband's, I switched to their equally interesting but more reasonably priced wine list. Service was friendly (except for the hostess at the door who was hating life!). It's very loud. If you're visiting from out of town and want to eat some really good Louisiana seafood, this is your place. If you're married to a local fisherman like me, you can probably eat just as well at home.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:34:18" }, { "business_id": "riGIP57_SRRnhx91c_4sBQ", "business_name": "Cafe Granada", "rating": 4, "text": "Over the past weekend, with its lovely weather, I wanted to go somewhere where we could sit outside. Husband suggested this place, which neither of us have ever visited. I love tapas and they have outdoor seating. Sold. We started off with a carafe of red sangria, which was quite watery. I'll go to Lola's if I want sangria. We had several things, some that I loved and some that were just ok. But the ones I loved were so good, I can't wait to go back! The delicious: Brie with fig preserves: Hard to go wrong with this, except to do it like we did. One order for four people. Boo. Get your own. Duck confit: The duck was on point and the salad it came with was fantastic! The hangar steak: Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Served with very good french fries and what I think was a garlic aioli (menu said chimichurri but that it wasn't). The good: Goat cheese croquetas: Served with some sort of mango sauce. Shrimp croquetas: Not as good as the goat cheese ones. Served with a tomato sauce. Carpaccio de res: This might have made the delicious category if there was some balance between oil and acid on the plate. It was drizzled with oil, fine, but needed some vinegar or something else. The just ok: Zucchini pockets with salmon and brie: The zucchini was good, I didn't taste the brie and the salmon just didn't work with the zucchini, to my taste anyway. Manchego with tequila: I though booze, flame and cheese was a no brainer but it just tasted like soggy cheese with cheap tequila taste on top. Yuck. The bread: Not good and with these kind of tapas, the bread is kind of important. The aforementioned sangria. $100 bucks for four people with drinks. Not bad at all.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:50:59" }, { "business_id": "3JOWaLAwQkYTZsgSe5HzVA", "business_name": "Hermes Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why Yelp has this come up as Lower Garden, this is the heart of the FQ. Weird. Anyway, I like coming here with visitors for some old school New Orleans vibes. One of the few place in town you can order a Ramos Gin Fizz and check out old Mardi Gras memorabilia. I usually just get drinks but have been wanting to try the Oyster Foch poboy (fried oysters, colbert sauce, foie gras) for the longest. I finally got my wish! The presentation was kind of sloppy and it was stuffed somewhat sparsely but the taste was OH MY GOD. I might have to hit happy hour again this week for another.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:56:35" }, { "business_id": "UjFLIhKTOiFcQiziOA9rgA", "business_name": "Mizado Latin Kitchen", "rating": 3, "text": "A-ok for now, with some strong pluses and minuses. I was very excited for this place to open and we checked it out the night before Thanksgiving. Business was booming and the welcoming host staff seemed genuinely glad to see us. However, I wasn't crazy about the whole valet setup outside, it seemed unnecessary and I felt more like I was going to a club in LA than dinner under the interstate in New Orleans. That same feeling goes for the decor. But that's just my personal taste talking and I'm sure some people love the ultra-modern, lounge-like feel. I LOVED the pickled vegetables and fried chickpeas that were put on the table to munch on. Our server warned us they'd be really hot but I thought they were perfect. On the other hand, she did not warn us about the salsas and 2 of the 3 (arbol, borracha, aguacate) we got were verrrry spicy. I like spice but it was a lot for me and husband couldn't eat them. Plus, they were more like pastes or dips to me. OK but not worth repeating. Fish tacos (unremarkable), pork belly (some pieces were great and some were undercooked=flabby) and peruvian atun (delicious!) completed the meal. My drink (Cava Lamp) had no discernible taste of St. Germain that it included as an ingredient. It was also priced wrong on the menu. Husband's margarita was fine but they don't do salted rims, instead a salted foam sits on top of the drink. Meh. I will probably go back to try more of the menu but I'm not running back anytime soon. It might get back into my rotation in the next 6 months. Might not.", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:24:23" }, { "business_id": "now2TRoUla_5u_tmH4HGig", "business_name": "Namese", "rating": 4, "text": "I never thought I'd be dining al fresco on a beautiful patio located...at the corner of Carrollton and Tulane? I saw how nice the exterior was as we pulled up but it really is even nicer than you can imagine once you are seated on the patio. We didn't go inside so I can't speak to that. I wanted to order one of everything but I restrained myself. We started with the banh mi sample, I liked the shrimp the best but husband liked the other two. I recommend just getting a banh mi instead though, just to get the bang for your buck. We also got the pork roll and pate banh mi and the serving size was much more than the appetizer. They were out of pork belly, so sad, so we didn't sample any of that. Grilled shrimp spring rolls were good, caramel catfish was very good and the green papaya salad was my favorite! Staff was great and welcoming. We will definitely be back often. So glad this is on the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:32:28" }, { "business_id": "fmWgbWRcbJw-yRCK3USnvA", "business_name": "Fountain Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "We had kind of a perfect New Orleans night here, the Saturday before Christmas was very festive and the famed Roosevelt decorations were dazzling. We ran into old friends and made new ones. But none of that really had to do with the food, which did not live up to the rest of our evening. We started with raw oysters, which were cold, salty and shucked right. We both had the Reveillon menu but there were choices for each of us, I love choices! I had an asparagus dish with poached egg and Parmesan foam that was delicate and rich-tasting at the same time. The smoked tuna was good too but asparagus trumped it. The soup and salad course was next, nice but not remarkable. The soup was so rich, I think it was mostly heavy cream with a dash of cauliflower in there. I had swordfish that tasted frozen and my husband had a deconstructed duck wellington that was a better choice. Both desserts (banana-chocolate creme brulee and a lemon tart) tasted like Sysco made them a decade ago. I love dessert and I'll even eat most bad desserts but I didn't finish either one of these. Also, our cocktails cost $16 each. Things started off okay but took a nose-dive. I won't be back.", "timestamp": "2014-02-11T14:33:59" }, { "business_id": "zWfzgYe2nT9mHYm_vl1Ukw", "business_name": "Mopho", "rating": 3, "text": "Sigh. I've been twice and both times I was not overly impressed. The first time we went, we ordered the crispy wings. They were not crisp at all, although the flavor was really good. I also had the worst pho I've ever had. The broth (beef, with oxtail and tendon) was murky and tasteless, like they used no star anise or other aromatics. The second time we went was better. I had the much hyped pepper jelly clams. The clams were really fresh-tasting and the broth was delicious. But I would have loved to sop it up with some bread, instead I got some stick-shaped beignets that were awfully sweet and not a good vessel at all to absorb that beautiful broth. My companions had poboys, which they enjoyed. I'll likely keep trying but so far, it hasn't lived up to my expectations. Staff is really nice, the space is beautiful. I'm looking forward to checking out their happy hour and the patio in nice weather.", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:35:36" }, { "business_id": "EbLbT1sR9myTqzjF4mHrTw", "business_name": "The Civic Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "We went to see Christian Scott and Esperanza Spalding here a couple months ago. What a beautiful job they've done! It's fairly small and the seating felt very...vertical. But I like that it was on the small side, it felt very intimate. The bar is stocked with better than your average. They had a fancy cocktail menu and my husband was happy with his Hopitoulas. Look forward to seeing more shows here!", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:39:55" }, { "business_id": "FLtru6J7y9d-Rqb32jyPIg", "business_name": "The Fat Falafel", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only tried the falafel sandwich (add hummus) but those fries with garlic aioli were very tempting! I liked the pita, loved the root slaw and enjoyed the sauce. But...was there a hint of cinnamon in the falafel? If not, there was something I couldn't identify and if there was, I didn't like it. But it was my only quibble, well, that and also that it was messy and had so much garlic that I wanted to run home to my toothbrush immediately. In fact, after brushing my teeth and using industrial strength mouthwash, I could still taste it. So if you're planning on being out the rest of the day/evening, proceed with caution!", "timestamp": "2014-05-06T20:35:52" }, { "business_id": "9xdXS7jtWjCVzL4_oPGv9A", "business_name": "GW Fins", "rating": 3, "text": "It was good, don't get me wrong. I'll have to go back to try more of the menu and hope to upgrade to 4 stars then. AMBIANCE: Looks really dated inside, like it was designed in the early 90s. No big deal, decor is not what I came for but I noticed it. SERVICE: I appreciate attentive service, which it was, but even better, our server was knowledgeable about the menu. Kudos. THOSE BISCUITS: Everybody seems to love these. They were good, kind of on the sweet side for me. And not great for sopping up some of the excellent sauces from our meal. APPETIZERS: These were fantastic. We got the lobster dumplings, fried snapper cheeks and salmon tartar. The sauce on those dumplings, WHOA! So good. The fried fish contrasted with a spicy-sweet slaw, delicious. ENTREES: Bored silly. We both basically got a variation of fish paired with a starch and some vegetables. Nothing bad but after the appetizers, very uninspired. DESSERT: Cherry panna cotta (good) and passionfruit \"souffle.\" They had souffle in quotes so I was curious to see what that meant. You want to know? It means passionfruit ice cream served in a souffle cup. Lame. They have a great wine list (although a crappy beer list) so I'd go back to sit at the bar for some wine and apps.", "timestamp": "2014-08-13T14:30:02" }, { "business_id": "cTSczU-9-cYUEM2DlNJcQw", "business_name": "1000 Figs", "rating": 5, "text": "I found out Tuesday morning that this place had opened the day before. Since I love checking out new places within walking distance, we decided to try it for dinner. OH, SO good! I had their falafel before (which I had previously found to be dry but I liked that beet-carrot slaw). But I'm glad I gave it another shot because these here perfect. Wait, let me back up. The space is really beautiful, it feels like being in someone's home and obviously a lot of careful thought went into the decor (love the silverware in drawers at each table!). It's BYOB right now but since it's next to Swirl, they're really nice about setting you up with wine and all the accouterments. It is rather quiet though so maybe not the best place for a boisterous group. We shared barley-roasted vegetable salad, kale salad with squid and the hummus platter. The barley salad was awesome, that was probably my favorite. The kale salad I actually didn't like, I think it was chard and not kale? And not crazy about the squid, which I usually love. But I plopped some hummus on it and it was fine. The falafel were tender and perfect. Everything was served with an avalanche of fresh greens, dill, mint etc and that was a really nice touch. The hand-stretched bread that came with the hummus platter also blew me away. But when we asked for more, we got cold, factory pita from Restaurant Depot:( Maybe they ran out, highly likely since it was so delicious! No desserts, very reasonably priced. Will be back again and again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:26:21" }, { "business_id": "PDpEFp0lCsXtGsUO1WPllA", "business_name": "The Franklin", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is beautiful, no doubt. Did this used to be an old praline shop? I can't remember. I liked our dinner here but I just can't shake that I spent $72 on myself for 2 drinks and 3 apps and a dessert split 3 ways. My favorite thing was actually a salad with root vegetables. I had oysters with white remoulade; I'd drink that sauce straight but the oysters weren't fried very well, sort of soggy. I also had beef tartar with strawberries, which I decided was not a good combination. The best thing there was this cocktail I had, the Kentucky Rifleman, which was worth every penny of the $12 it cost. Rye and black walnut bitters, OMG. We shared the quince-almond-goat cheese tart and while I'd eat anything with goat cheese, the crust of this tasted like dirt and the ice cream was icy, which really ruined the texture.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:33:59" } ]	{ "business_id": "XCDXN4xJh3-DauaO88CZHQ", "business_name": "Courtyard Brewery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so happy to see this love child finally come to fruition! I've known Scott and Lindsay for a few years now and they are such awesome people, but beyond that, they know their beer! The design and decor are well done and every time I go, I look forward to seeing something new and quirky. I like the family and dog friendly vibe. They have a great lineup of offerings, which have all been guest pours on my visit. However, I know they just released their own brews next week so I'll have to get there again soon!", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:10:02" }
07aVWNhBhpwqW3MdqoKDKQ	[ { "business_id": "yD3vJQYB8lX8Se97oCVb2w", "business_name": "Rio Mar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here several times over the course of many years and there are some gems for sure, although I was turned off last night. We sat for dinner and asked to start with some appetizers so that we could look over the menu leisurely. We were told that the kitchen doesn't accept appetizer orders without the entrees, you have to order everything at once. I don't remember this ever being the case there. My group and I are all restaurant workers and found this attitude not worthy of the good but not spectacular meal. The ceviche. Good but the lime juice didn't taste fresh, more like what you buy in the green, plastic lime-shaped container. Pata negra (jamon iberico). Very tasty, I liked that it was served with almond-stuffed dates, they were delicious. Oysters Riomar. Very good, a little rich but I love manchego and chorizo, maybe a little too much chorizo in this particular dish, it kind of overwhelmed the other flavors. Gulf fish escabeche. Outstanding, very fresh. Serrano-wrapped tuna. Meh. Sounds amazing but the tuna flavor was not there. The tres leches with coco had a different texture than I usually associate with the dessert but it was very tasty, especially with the nuts on top. Flan was a bit too dense, in a sort of gelatinous way but still good flavor. Chocolate cake was unremarkable. The desserts were on the house to apologize for the appetizer/entree thing but I don't see why they wouldn't just allow a more relaxed style of ordering, it's not as if we walked in five minutes before closing.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T14:50:13" }, { "business_id": "yf8a1DOlqoqlKHuLSKEfxg", "business_name": "Dante's Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful outdoor seating area, friendly but not overbearing service. My absolute favorite thing was the escargot served in a sauce of basil, vermouth and goat cheese. I would go back again and again for that dish. We also got the Heads and Tails, very cute name and very tasty dish (hogshead cheese and braised oxtails). Beets and greens we ordered as sides were wonderful, simple but somehow unique. Braised pork belly not as great as I had anticipated but the pork steak confit was even better. Redfish served with soft herbs and crabmeat was delicate and lovely. At first I thought the very pretty profusion of herbs would be over the top flavor-wise but it wasn't. Too full for dessert although nothing really jumped out at me either. One of my more memorable meals this year.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T15:13:32" }, { "business_id": "je-bSjTTn8qKjT094MzjDw", "business_name": "Laurel Street Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "I want to like this place because it is sweet and neighborhoody but the croissants were really disappointing. The chocolate croissants had chocolate syrup on them but for some reason I ordered them anyway, at which point they put MORE syrup on. Ick. They also tasted pretty stale. Almond was better but still pretty lweak as far as croissants go. I would go back to try their coffee and bagels, which I hear are really good but then again I heard the croissants were great too.", "timestamp": "2010-07-25T18:01:33" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 3, "text": "The fried chicken was good. The shrimp creole that my friends had looked not so great but they liked it. Then again, they're visiting from out of town and I've never liked shrimp creole anyway. However, the Sazerac there is awful, it's watery and served over ICE! I've never had a Sazerac on the rocks and I hope to never again. Still, would come back to try the duck quesadilla", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:03:01" }, { "business_id": "FEXhWNCMkv22qG04E83Qjg", "business_name": "Café Du Monde", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Cafe du Monde, always have. But I have never gotten their frozen cafe au lait, always stuck with regular cafe au lait and beignets. So I met some friends downtown and on the way back to the office, I was HOT and stopped for the aforementioned frozen drink. Slightly too sweet but really, who cares, it is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:04:21" }, { "business_id": "qFqYnVhKKdDPYoTFwqHDrg", "business_name": "Martinique Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing. Martinique has been on my list for years and I can't believe I never made it until last night. i was with a group of six, which was fantastic because we ordered a ton of food and got to taste much of the menu. Escargot, lobster gnocchi, basil crepe, tomato gazpacho and mussels were excellent. The scallop appetizer special was kind of bland. Cobb salad was outstanding, peppery arugula and salty cheese with sweet crab meat. I thought it was kind of strange that no bread was served, which I generally don't care about but was needed for the escargot sauce. Instead, we slurped it up with the mussel shells! Lamb with pistachio-mint tapenade and pork with onion marmalade were both outstanding. The flat iron steak was good but not as flavorful as it should have been, the flavor mostly came from the compound butter it was topped with. My entree was an ahi with a caper-five herb beurre blanc that was heavy on the tarragon and topped with crabmeat. The sauce was amazing, the crabmeat really set it off, I wish the tuna was cooked slightly less but still great. Desserts were a super Meyer-lemon goat cheese tart, a housemade Guinness ice cream and a fairly boring bread pudding. Lovely service, beautiful setting, stellar meal.", "timestamp": "2010-07-28T19:45:21" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the little tables inside and the pictures of the family and all that jazz. I love strolling there on a cool September evening. But I think their gelato is just fine, not great, but fine. If I want gelato, or any other frozen dessert, I prefer Sucre or La Divina or Creole Creamery, I think they just use better products.", "timestamp": "2010-09-29T15:39:24" }, { "business_id": "TzkVUJab9Sh0CqDk2sCF-w", "business_name": "Bayona", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still full from last night. Yes, it was very good but I wasn't blown away. Maybe my expectations were too high. I had a Stormy Morning to start, which was elderberry and violette liquers, bubbly and lime, almost too sweet but the lime saved it. Then we got some bread which was nice although I noticed other tables got amuses bouches and we did not. Sad. I got the crispy quail salad for an appetizer, it was indeed crispy and the greens weren't overdressed! Finally! My boyfriend got the sweetbreads in sherry-mustard and although he said they were a bit too salty, they were cooked perfectly. The man got the Bayona salad as a second and I thought it was really lame. I like salads not to be drowning in dressing but I couldn't really taste any dressing at all, there was a bit on the bottom of the bowl but...really? And it was just lettuce and Parm. I'm bored just thinking about it. Entrees, I got a grouper special, which had a beautiful sear on it and a wonderful lemony-capery-buttery sauce. Also chanterelles, cipolloni and tomatoes. My boyfriend got a rabbit roulade with a green onion-brioche stuffing. The stuffing was great but the rabbit was kind of overcooked and had LOTS of little bones in it. There shouldn't be bones in a roulade. The mashed potatoes were as exciting as the Bayona salad and the sauteed kale was tasty but also very salty. I think dessert was the best. We got perfectly pulled espressos, served with a chocolate almond and we ordered a Lemon-Lavendar Semifreddo with Almond Shortbread. I capitalized all that because that's how good it was. It tasted like a fairy tale. Overall, I enjoyed the meal but I think this is one of those NOLA restaurants that saw their heyday a while back and isn't moving forward.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T14:29:36" }, { "business_id": "mfTyBrvx9uCTSPjmrl8PjA", "business_name": "Maison Dupuy Hotel", "rating": 3, "text": "We went here for pre-dinner drinks, which were okay but not great and pricey. To be fair though, our bartender said it was her first day so I'll cut her some slack. A ton of stars for their piano player Paul, he is awesome.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T16:34:24" }, { "business_id": "95d60_mjUg2kLy-bhDLC6w", "business_name": "Theo's Neighborhood Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Meh. I was hungry and Parkway closed early because they ran out of bread so I ended up at Theo's. The toppings were good but the crust was flavorless and I am not a fan of its crackerlike crispness. I like all kinds of pizza, NY style and Chicago style and so on but I have yet to find pizza in New Orleans that I love.", "timestamp": "2010-10-04T00:02:49" }, { "business_id": "E_HZHSOrXy621e9jeI8R7w", "business_name": "Parkview Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "I like Parkview. I like the outside tables and the semi-stale but free popcorn and the very, very cheap Abita on tap with tokens so you can drink your pitcher in moderate, pint-sized portions and then save some for next time. I like Bunchie and Chris and their free food at Saints games, especially the hogshead cheese shaped like a fleur-de-lis made by the inimitable Vaughn of Creole Country Meats. The downside to the whole place is that it's just so smoky:(", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:17:31" }, { "business_id": "4FDOh7BAb0pgLuD8rjl3bg", "business_name": "Dee's Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "Now that the weather is nice, I can leave my crypt-like office and take a mid-afternoon stroll to wake myself up. Dee's is perfect, not crowded, unassuming and just good coffee. I've only had espresso there but I'd like to try some of their frozen drinks, I think they had something called English Garden with lavender and violet? With coffee? I'm intrigued.", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:23:45" }, { "business_id": "FknpD7tLt59-6ozV3Pk2Vg", "business_name": "Caesars Superdome", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm a hater. I got all excited because the boyfriend's boss gave us his tickets last week but really, I think I like to watch the game where there are fewer obnoxious people and the food doesn't give me the runs. Within minutes of getting through security, several shrill women who looked like they were coming from a meth lab damn near started a riot by pushing and loudly kvetching near the escalators. Okay. Moving along. We got to our seats and were lucky to sit in front of a man who heckled EVERYONE in sight for the whole game, from five year olds to peanut vendors. As for the food, well, all nachos are not created equal and these weren't so good. The one bite I had of the hot dogs actually tasted pretty decent but sadly the boyfriend spent the rest of the day in the bathroom. I'll stick to the neighborhood bar or better yet, make some gumbo at home and invite the neighborhood over.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T19:37:13" }, { "business_id": "GWLWFcxaWJuWFZYeQSMMTg", "business_name": "Garden District Book Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. They pack a lot of good reads into a small place, plus I have been going to their book club meeting the past few months, which is super. The books are always thoughtfully picked and even if I don't enjoy that month's selection, I really like hearing what these smart, articulate women (men are certainly allowed although I've never seen one!) have to say about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:09:11" }, { "business_id": "nLxzI1lBOFNTKEnoip66wA", "business_name": "Mondo", "rating": 4, "text": "Highlights were the shrimp and pork meatballs on the lemongrass skewers and creamy crab toast. The breaded artichoke was pretty boring and awfully stringy but the lemon aioli was a bright spot. The steak tartare was fine but there was so much caper and pepper and so on that it detracted from the beef. If there was actually even any beef at all, I'm not sure. I'm kicking myself for not trying to soup of the day, a hot and sour soup with duck dumplings. My dinner was perfectly passable, fish \"Muddy Waters\" (which is a meuniere with jalapeno and anchovy) with roasted potatoes, except I didn't care for the fish of the day...tripletail. I usually hate five-spice powder but T's Chinese duck was very tasty, if a little small, as was the accompanying turnip cake. C. got a steak with bearnaise and OOOOH, I cannot get enough of tarragon lately. I don't even know how the steak was because I focused on those lovely, licorice-like, grassy bits of tarragon in the sauce. E.got a lovely lamb with ricotta agnolloti that might be what I order next time I'm in. For dessert, lemon tart, coconut sorbet and sweet potato-pecan pie with almond-sherry ice cream. Sorbet (good) lemon tart (uh, lemony?) sweet-potato pecan pie with ice cream was STELLAR. I really liked the ice cream, the sherry complemented the almond so well and the almonds tasted deep and toasty. All in all, a very nice meal, although we wanted a perhaps finer dining experience than they offer. We were looking for some port or sherry after dinner, no such luck. Anyway, next time I'll forgo the high-brow meal experience and sit at the bar with a glass of wine and a pizza from the wood-burning oven. Oh, and those meatballs!d", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:21:02" }, { "business_id": "R7ZqfB-4Z7jyl73iQ58nEQ", "business_name": "GG's Dine-O-Rama", "rating": 2, "text": "Crowded. Smells strange. The corned beef sandwich had WAY too much creole mustard (that stuff is strong!) and the beef tasted slightly sweet and cinnamony, just the thought of which makes me feel queasy. Very small for $11. My friend got mozzarella sliders which were made using crappy rolls, plus they were burnt. Underwhelming.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:02:45" }, { "business_id": "jMZ56S8Y1t7cA1Ob-d-qeA", "business_name": "Three Muses", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfection. Eggplant bruschetta was the hit of the night. The goat cheese gratin (not really a gratin at all but it was delicious so screw semantics) and pork belly were also amazing! Not too impressed with an ahi tuna special but maybe that's because everything else was so good! I didn't think I'd like the tomato chutney on the lamb sliders but it went very well together, lamb seasoned perfectly, just a bit on the dry side though. We had several cocktails, the Muse was hands down my favorite; strawberry, cucumber, gin and St. Germain. Also good mojitos and sangria. The blueberry bellini was okay but if I didn't know it was supposed to be blueberry, I wouldn't have been able to taste it, although it was a very pretty color.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:07:34" }, { "business_id": "me3mlZsR26fV89fMw2uR6Q", "business_name": "Rib Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Between three and four stars but since the setting is so over the top and cinematic, I'll go with four stars. It was eerily empty when we arrived at 7:30 on a Friday night. Our server looked like he was 12 and he seemed excited to be waiting on three ladies who weren't senior citizens. We got served cheese and crackers as soon as we sat down and I thought that was really odd. Bread soon followed. I had a frisee salad with a poached egg and lardons. It came looking very pretty and garnished with a purple orchid. But there were no lardons and the egg was cooked all the way through. It had a nice dressing though and that orchid really went a long way for me so overall, good. My friend got the house salad, which was not very fresh looking iceberg with Hidden Valley ranch. At a place like this, I'd expect better greens and maybe housemade dressings. For my entree, I had a really wonderful filet cooked with peppercorn sauce. My friend did also but we ordered them at different temps. They gave us the wrong ones which isn't so horrible but again, at that kind of restaurant, you need to have a lot of attention devoted to those details. The other friend had a prime rib, she said it tasted very good but not as tender as it should be and overall didn't seem very impressed. Chocolate mousse for dessert, fine not great or memorable in any way. I enjoyed it for the wonderful company that I had and the plush surroundings. The food was fine but for the money, I'll take my business somewhere else.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:30:03" }, { "business_id": "E5YB7NywtfmQ2_rpxtjmKQ", "business_name": "Betsys Pancake House", "rating": 3, "text": "This is nothing remarkable here food-wise but it's worth it to go on a Sunday morning before a Saints game when all the patrons, staff and even the interior of the place are decked out in their black and gold finest. The other great thing that I love about Betsy's is the gruff but sweet waitress who cannot complete any sentence without calling you baby, darling or sweetheart, even if she is yelling at you. The food was fine, not stellar, but it's a diner, what more could you expect? Corned beef hash is out of a can, forgot my friend's english muffin but loved that the waitress said \"Your muffin is on it's way. Really, I just forgot to put it in. At least I'm honest.\" I love her.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T16:47:13" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Props for being open on Monday. We sat at the sushi bar and were given two salads, I guess they were complimentary because we didn't order them. This turned out to be my favorite thing. Greens topped with some seaweed salad, squid and fried onions? I don't know but it was delightful and way better than the weird and heavily-mayonnaised salad they give you at Mikimoto. We ordered yellowtail, tuna and escolar by the piece. Yellowtail is usually my favorite but this did not have a good taste. BBQ yellowtail had no sauce and tuna-avocado was very skimpy on the avocado. We also had the seafood salad and it was very generous and tasty by the end but initially not so good because the sauce was all at the bottom and it wasn't tossed. They have a ton of specialty rolls, which is cool but I found it overwhelming, we ordered the Burning Man, which never came and I didn't mind at all because I was so full. Overall, it was ok, not awful, but can't hold a candle to my NOLA favorite, Horinoya. Also, they use the nasty, dyed Pepto-Bismol pink ginger, why does ginger need to be dyed? My final gripe, they don't seem to season their rice and it's very plain. But hey, they're open Mondays and do karaoke so I'll probably be back. Next time I will try the ramen, which I have heard is really good.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:23:52" }, { "business_id": "7pKzyzCFC7LpX82sM-0aMg", "business_name": "Balcony Music Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't been here since about 2001 when I think it was called the Matador? And I think all those pretty windows used to be blacked out or otherwise covered? Anyway, Friday night we saw TWO great bands for FREE, had a cute table in the window that fit several of us. I didn't have a drink so I don't know if they were good or cheap etc but I am still so thrilled about not paying a cover and not feeling crowded or cramped by hordes of people.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:35:34" }, { "business_id": "9TDyIOrSrncpsAUxVqx3aA", "business_name": "Capdeville", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't eaten here yet but I watched the game there on Sunday. I had the Persephone's Fall, which is St. Germain, gin, egg white, lemon juice and something else to make it pink, maybe pomegranate? Outstanding. They also passed out free shots of whiskey every time the Saints scored and while whiskey isn't really my thing, I thought it was a nice gesture.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:38:25" }, { "business_id": "rHYqc5YTAkFGYxcoYg7R8w", "business_name": "Trashy Diva", "rating": 4, "text": "Love Trashy Diva! I must have shied away because the name totally turns me off but now that I know how wonderful it is, I am a loyal follower. There are tons of stores here that sell pretty dresses but I had no idea that the owner designs the clothing herself! I love the sort of vintage/retro feel of the clothes. I'm the kind of person who could go through the rest of life wearing a Betty Draper style shirtdress and be totally happy so if that's your style, you will love this store. Sizes run from 2-18 but go often because once they are out, that dress is done! I saw a dress that I ADORED but they only had a size two left and I am still moping about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T21:14:34" }, { "business_id": "UeYZgcORV2Veo_BZzdiaTg", "business_name": "Napoleon House", "rating": 4, "text": "I moved away from New Orleans for a few years and on one visit back, I was craving a Pimm's Cup from Napoleon House. Maybe my taste buds changed or maybe they make them differently but it tasted like a whole bunch of cheap, pre-mixed ingredients like that powdered base used to make sour mix. If you want a real Pimm's Cup, go see Chris at Bar Uncommon at the Pere Marquette. This man is no bartender, he is a mixologist, I think he has done demos at the Smithsonian on drink mixing! You will die and go to heaven when he makes a drink for you. Anyway, love the atmosphere at Napoleon House, inside or outside in the courtyard. The food is good enough, I liked the muffaletta and the shrimp remoulade in avocado cups. I don't ever really go here except when I have people visiting from out of town and everyone enjoys it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-21T16:18:40" }, { "business_id": "pym7c6ZFEtmoH16xN2ApBg", "business_name": "Katie's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Katie. I really, really want to like you. You're a neighborhood anchor, you've got that cute little outdoor seating area and you even have bottomless mimosas for Sunday brunch! I hope you don't read this because I hate to hurt your feelings but then again, I hope you do so perhaps you can make some adjustments and we can be better friends. We were lured in by $10 pizza night, which is every Thursday. Also, the website said creamy tomato-basil soup (one of my favorites!), stuffed mirlitons and white beans for daily specials, yes please! Weirdly, only one of the specials posted was actually a special. Beef vegetable, no thanks. We had more than ample time to wait for our food and this is what I noticed. Our server was really sweet. The place seemed full of neighbors and regulars, always a good sign. The staff/service didn't seem to have a real sense of urgency but it was all so friendly that I didn't mind. The food. I had the gumbo since they had no tomato-basil soup. Very good, spicy, full of sausage. The rice was of the long-ago cooked, rather hard variety but that's usually my gripe with gumbo everywhere and so it's probably my fault for not asking them to leave it out. The boyfriend's BLT salad was huge, had plenty of blue cheese and bacon but no tomato. Isn't that what the \"T\" stands for? Then we had the Boudreaux pizza, which was AWFUL. I had to pick all through it to find any meat and when I did, it was a couple tiny scraps. The pizza was burned and I don't mind some char but this was burned in a very unpleasant way. Very dry. Weirdly tasteless toppings. Disappointing. We'll be back to try other things but I will never order pizza here again.", "timestamp": "2010-10-22T11:37:05" }, { "business_id": "I3Uy20BKx7G-Fzz6hLIeWg", "business_name": "Restaurant August", "rating": 4, "text": "I keep going to these super-hyped up places and feeling a little disappointed. Maybe after I hear all the raves, I expect perfection and that is too high an order. I felt this way at Bayona and Le Foret as well. Anyway, I did enjoy my lunch. We served the ubiquitous amuse bouche of truffled sabayon in an egg. I liked this a lot although I understand my boyfriend's gripe about it having an odd texture. It was sort of like scooping extra-fancy mayonnaise out of the egg and eating it. It was good spread on the bread they served, which was good because the butter tasted not quite right to me. I got the duck salad which was okay, not great, very sparse but to be expected for a pre-fixe meal deal. The duck tasted kind of off, actually the best part was the roasted pears. My boyfriend's pate plate was super, it was HUGE and it came with all kinds of pickled and aspic-ed vegetables. My ravioli were tasty but the pasta was pretty tough. I loved the knobs of crabmeat on top. The boyfriend's shrimp and grits were good, not remarkable, and if I had more than two bites, I suspect I would have gotten sick of the flavor, very rich and salty. Desserts were wonderful. I got a brioche grilled cheese with goat cheese and figs and a spicy honey. The BF got a butterscotch pot-de-creme that was also outstanding. Espresso served with lemon peel without having to ask for it! For what we paid, it was worth it but I was just a little let down since I foolishly went in thinking I was entering food heaven. Very good, not earth-shattering.", "timestamp": "2010-11-03T16:41:19" }, { "business_id": "j8JOZvfeHEfUWq3gEz6ABQ", "business_name": "Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "I've always loved Bacchanal and every visit there, from the wine to the food to the beautiful, enchanted garden/patio/courtyard area. Always a five star experience. A couple of weeks ago however, a not so good experience. Everything started well, we got some great wine recommendations from the friendly guy working the register and put in an order for food OUTSIDE. We also wanted to get a cheese plate (INSIDE) to nibble on. I guess when you select your cheese, you are purchasing the WHOLE piece, which seems kind of excessive and absurd, even for a cheese lover. So for a couple of people, we spent nearly $40 on a cheese plate. A wine bar should have a cheese plate that you can choose a few selections of meat/cheese for a set price, depending on the number of items. Well, I think they should anyway. When we did get the cheese plate, there was very little bread and considering the fact that we had a couple pounds of meat and cheese, I think more than 4 pieces were warranted. The surly woman who was making the cheese plates was outside delivering some food when we asked if we could have more bread. She rolled her eyes, told us we just got bread and if we wanted more, we would have to go to the front and fill out a bread request form. Really? Will I also have to pay a charge for an inter-bakery loan? Then she sat down at a table with friends and chatted and had a glass of wine. I thought that was silly and rude. But I still love Bacchanal, just that now I will avoid the inside food and stick with the delicious outside food, no attitude there.", "timestamp": "2010-11-04T20:53:57" }, { "business_id": "BrospeMqVM_tF9HH0RHuog", "business_name": "Gene's PO-Boys", "rating": 5, "text": "Mmm. After the parade on Saturday and our foray at Bar Tonique, I realized it had been way too long since I was in that part of town that late at night after having had some cocktails. Which of course is the best time to hit Gene's. I got my usual, the hot sausage, and the boyfriend got the roast beef. Super messy and oh-so-fantastic. I woke up wanting another for breakfast. One time I was driving from Baton Rouge to Miami with a friend who had never been to New Orleans. We were tight on time so we couldn't stop and hang out but I made sure we had an extra 20 minutes to jump off the interstate and get some Gene's to sustain us for the rest of the car ride. It's that good.", "timestamp": "2010-11-05T16:12:58" }, { "business_id": "H5KRna9A6mDQEJ2ZN0zL6g", "business_name": "La Petite Grocery", "rating": 3, "text": "I expected more. It's a beautiful place, the inside is so much bigger than I had imagined from the outside! It really is a lovely setting for a date. To start off, I had a French 75 that was BAD. It was supposedly with pear brandy, I didn't taste any pear and it way overpowered the champagne. I love a French 75 and this was not good. I got the gnocchi, which was pretty tasty although weirdly unsalted and no salt and pepper on the table. My boyfriend's sweetbreads tasted like old oil. The menu online is definitely not up-to-date incidentally. I ordered the rabbit, which sadly was like a big chicken finger. It came with an uninspired side of sauteed spinach, the spaetzle being the only redeeming factor. My boyfriend's hangar steak was fine. I was really surprised by the limited entree offerings and not really impressed by anything but the ambiance. I should give it another try before I write it off forever but I'm not dying to get back any time soon.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:23:59" }, { "business_id": "o5UrUOKcmj5GFXmB6Osb6w", "business_name": "Bouligny Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "We just came in for drinks before dinner. The space is very nice, especially welcoming on a cold night. Liquor selection and cocktail list were both more than ample. I will have to go back for the famous beignets and they have MARROW! Mmm! The crowd wasn't really my thing but I'm fine with that, it's good for people watching. The only thing that was slightly off for me was that our bartender gave us menus, took our drink order, made our drinks, checked for second round, delivered our bill and so on without saying one word. I thought that was strange but also weirdly admirable that she could convey so much with gestures and facial expressions.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:29:00" }, { "business_id": "ILUd8DXxX21FOgUmE4bTLA", "business_name": "Yuki Izakaya", "rating": 3, "text": "I loved the atmosphere of this quirky little spot. The old wooden bar and exposed brick are lovely in their own right but the way it is decorated with Japanese cartoons and knickknackery is really cute. We went in last Thursday when there was no one else in the bar but the bartender, no patrons or music. I got a green tea martini that I didn't like at all but maybe I should have tried something else. Foodwise, nothing very good. The french fries were of the Ore Ida variety although the wasabi mayonnaise was good. Marinated octopus in wasabi was interesting for a few bites but then it was just kind of murky-tasting. Rice wrapped in seaweed with salted plum was waaaaaay to salty (and I love salty) and off-puttingly mushy. The beef tongue was super tough, i actually felt like I was eating someone's tongue instead of having it fall apart like I'm used to. The sauce was awesome though, lemony and peppery, if they'd just learn how to cook the tongue right! I would definitely come back for a beer and maybe a nibble but not to eat extensively. A band started playing just as we were finishing up, which was nice. My final issue though is that they don't charge a cover for music, just an upcharge of 50 cents on every item during a show. We had our drinks and food long before the band even showed up or started playing but we got the surcharge for each item. It was just a matter of a few dollars but since we really didn't partake in the entertainment, I thought it was worth noting.", "timestamp": "2010-12-08T15:56:15" }, { "business_id": "75FY8ZQx5nOWP0VFmNvWfw", "business_name": "Atchafalaya Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for a while and am so glad I finally did. Now I can't wait to get back for dinner! I had brunch here the other day, I was impressed with the interior, it's light and airy and full of artwork. The coffee was great. My friend and I split entrees, we tried the eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes and crab on top. We also got a special, duck hash with blackberries and mango in a bacon vinaigrette with poached eggs and hollandaise! I think I was full for at least eight hours after that. The special was really outstanding, the hollandaise was perfect. I liked the eggs benny too, I just wish the fried green tomato had a little more flavor, maybe more seasoning in the batter? It wasn't a standout. I went to the ladies room and there were a pair of black lace underwear in the stall. I didn't think this was really that kind of place but it gave me a good laugh. Then it got me a little grossed out about the bathroom.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:28:05" }, { "business_id": "Nhci37qY0HPCNWc5UQul9w", "business_name": "9 Roses", "rating": 4, "text": "Banh Xeo-mmmm, so delicate and crisp. This is my new love. We also got steamed, pork dumplings that I thought tasted watery but the BF liked them so I happily ate the banh xeo and relinquished the rest of the dumplings to him. I wanted pho but I also wanted to try something new so I got the quail. It was fine but just plain roasted quail, which had me wanting the more complex riot of flavors in pho. But then if had ordered the pho, I would have still been wondering about the quail! I'm so difficult sometimes. We also got the ribs in fish sauce (Dorothy's recommendation), really tasty, the sauce is kind of on the sweet side but mix it up with greens and it is oh so good. Lemon grass beef vermicelli was fabulous. Our server was really sweet and attentive. It was REALLY cold in there, everyone was wearing winter jackets. But still very worth the drive to the West Bank and if you're still hungry, which I doubt, stop at Taqueria Sanchez right across the way!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:44:05" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Saturday was a beautiful day, it punctuated the much colder weather and I was happy to get out and about. There was lots of what seemed to be good food but I couldn't eat, having just come from a huge meal at Atchafalaya. Besides food, there were vintage and second-hand items, puppies, music and lots of crafts. An abundance of NOLA-based stuff that is great for gifts but am I the only one getting sick of seeing fleur-de-lis everything? I did pick up some Christmas ornaments that were oyster shells with the Virgin Mary on them. Who wouldn't love Mary on the half-shell dangling from their tree? I'm really excited to see this part of Freret picking up momentum. It's always had such a cool, sort of small town Main Street feel to it but has been woefully neglected. Glad to see it on the upswing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:53:09" }, { "business_id": "wQNkpi9RvpuoiDB-CiHxog", "business_name": "Bar Tonique", "rating": 5, "text": "So, I have returned and I have tried SEVERAL more cocktails. I went on a Thursday, caiparinha night, and I have to say it was lackluster. Nowhere near as good as the ones at Rio Mar. Now here's the thing, I think they excel at drinks of the martini variety, as in ingredients that are shaken and then strained. Their drinks over ice are less impressive and I think it's party becasue of the large ice cubes they use. Now bear with me. I read this article a few weeks ago about this fancy new ice lots of bars are using. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/dining/01shake.html?pagewanted=all) Apparently the cubes are prized because they are large, thereby chilling the drinks more quickly with less dilution. I think this is great for aforementioned shaken and strained drinks but not so good for drinks on the rocks. It makes the drink too icy and cold and you can't taste anything but the big ice block in your drink. So do yourself a favor and get the Faucheaux, which is tequila, basil and St Germain. Revelatory. Also fantastic was the Tru Kick, with Tru Gin, ginger syrup and peach bitters. Some of the best cocktails I've tasted on any fancy, signature cocktails list in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T19:04:45" }, { "business_id": "aeIWVa6G54UUo6yloJkyJg", "business_name": "Lebanon's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "My go-to is usually Mona's when I'm in the mood for Middle Eastern but I thought I'd give Lebanon's a go this time. I like Mona's hummus better, it's creamier. Labne and baba ganoush were equally good though. Lebanon's has better grape leaves and I like that the falafel is green inside from all the parsley. Beef shawarma was perfectly decent but nothing special. I really liked my eggplant sandwich, kind of like a sub or a po-boy, and topped with lots of feta. Lebanese tea has pine nuts, which I like but really, how do you eat them? They won't come up the straw and fishing around for them is kinda tedious. It's a little too sweet as well, probably wouldn't order that again. Overall, fine if I'm in the neighborhood but I'm usually closer to Mona's and besides, Mona's has that delicious fried cheese thing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:16:51" }, { "business_id": "NHL1c_30iYXvJZcqEo6fwQ", "business_name": "Pal's Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I love Pal's, that's a given. However, this review was spurred entirely by the fantastic Gingerita I had there on Friday. Cutesy names can be a bad sign for cocktails, often involving overly sweet ingredients. Not so with Gingerita, it has ginger vodka, ginger beer and this amazing organic ginger juice that they special order from California called Elixir G. Go get a Gingerita before the season is over!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:50:38" }, { "business_id": "b92dSNftvCSPWLC4ZgNXCg", "business_name": "Sammy's Food Service & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The food is five stars, the service is two but the shrimp and mirliton soup cannot make me Sammy's less than 4 stars. I went with two coworkers and we all ordered a large soup, one also ordered a salad. One got a bowl of soup after 30 minutes, the second got her salad and had to ask if the soup sitting on the shelf was hers, they finally gave it to her and it was ice cold. After they were finished eating, I told the woman at the counter to please just make my order to go. Also, no spoons or forks out, which make salad and soup eating very difficult. I realize they are super busy but their system kind of sucks. My advice would be to call your order in, pick it up and go eat somewhere else. Because the eating is oh-so-good! I've also had their hot sausage po-boy, they make their own sausage and it is AWESOME in it's own garlicky right.", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T18:25:27" }, { "business_id": "t9LiapsQABwMQeiF1Czl6w", "business_name": "Port Of Call", "rating": 3, "text": "I haven't been to Port of Call in a few years and the boyfriend and I often talk about it but think about the line and then I wonder if the burger is even all that because for some reason, my memories of eating there are all fuzzy. Yup, that's all one sentence. Anyway, we went on a Monday night at 6:45, no line, ordered and served our food in under 10 minutes. It is fine, actually it's good, it's a nice, solid burger but nothing revelatory or worth standing in a line for. I wish they would season the meat a little and I think they are too thick. I don't think they should be puny, just a little more petite so you can get burger, patty and the rest all in one mouthful. I get the appeal, it's cute and kitschy but I could do better myself.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:42:54" }, { "business_id": "Jy1ivHnSRtNNA6snZSAKBw", "business_name": "Twelve Mile Limit", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the cocktails, especially the Good Idea. It was like a cross between a Pimm's Cup and a Moscow Mule. The bartender was very sweet. The cook offered tastes of brisket all around when he was done cooking it. Unfortunately, the bar has a very sterile feel to it. Too brightly lit, nothing on the walls and then the Real Housewives of Old Metairie showed up, commandeered the jukebox and started loudly serenading us and awkwardly gyrating. We also ordered some cream cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped jalapenos, which were good but a little overcooked and pretty expensive for how many you get. I'm hoping they can do something to remedy the atmosphere/decor of the place and then I think it will be a solid 4 stars. They are off to a good start though.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:47:47" }, { "business_id": "jE7PpEUmWgcBc0DeelPAOA", "business_name": "Bistro Daisy", "rating": 5, "text": "Love, love, love it! I had an oyster appetizer that may be one of my favorite dishes of 2010. It was poached oysters (and I usually only like them fried or raw) with Herbsaint, fennel, bacon and a hint of cream (and I usually don't care for fennel). But this dish was so luscious and aromatic and I could have ordered three more. Very nice with my Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc. I liked my duck but wasn't wowed. However, the BF's lamb shank made me swoon. It was so meltingly tender and the tomato sauce it was cooked in had a bit of mint in it, just like my grandmother would have done. This might be what I want to eat for my last meal on earth. They brought us a baked Alaska for dessert even though we didn't order it. I have never tasted a meringue so creamy! So much so that I was sliding it on the roof of my mouth to savor the texture longer. Go to Bistro Daisy. Take your beloved. Order the oysters and the lamb. (FYI: The online menu is not up-to-date)", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T15:44:25" }, { "business_id": "3wo9jODQnuvBm8Gkem6qXg", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "BBQ shrimp and grits was pretty terrible. This surprised me because their BBQ shrimp blackstone I had a few months ago was soooo good. This was a completely different sauce, it seemed to be all Worcestershire and not much else. The shrimp were tiny, the grits were unremarkable. Presentation did not make it look appealing. Also, I really hate those wide-mouth coffee cups. They look nice, I agree, but the coffee gets cold almost immediately because so much surface area is exposed.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T16:20:48" }, { "business_id": "voWjA6zfmXLIbKAoqwBnug", "business_name": "Green Goddess", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to go here forever and was so excited on Saturday to finally do just that! We had an hour or so wait, which was fine so we went to the Orleans Grapevine for a cocktail and they called us when they were ready. The wine and drink list is amazing, if not a little overwhelming, I got a Pear 75, which was good but not the best I've ever had, it lacked the lemon juice that ties it all together. Food was really just three stars, except for the Oysters Delacroix and the bacon sundae, so good! The corn crepes with huitlacoche were really bland, the lentil pancake was just...not good, it wasn't inedible but you'd think with tamarind chutney and spiced chickpeas, it would have been a lot more appealing. The green goddess wedge was good but I wish the dressing was evenly applied instead of dumped on top so some bites were just lettuce and some were drowned in the dressing. I also tried their daily cocktail special, the Daily Truth, which had Drambuie and rum and lime juice and some fertility liquor that I don't remember the name of, it was spicy and warm and fantastic. I think I will have to go back and try some more dishes, I love the ideas behind their menu and the space is quirky and eccentric and so NOLA. I met a new transplant and her mom, a hope-to-be teacher interviewing for TeachNola and also pinned money to the birthday boy-chef who was wearing a tie-dye tuxedo shirt from his wedding that was all Mardi Gras colors and finished with fleur-de-lis cuffs. I want to love the food, I already love everything else. Next time will be better!", "timestamp": "2011-01-24T16:35:38" }, { "business_id": "iJiNZw2TEwB579dr6LyVZQ", "business_name": "Cooter Brown's", "rating": 4, "text": "I remember eons ago having late, late nights at Snake and Jake's that led to late mornings and even later \"breakfasts\" at Cooter Brown's of a few dozen raw oysters. I love oysters, I will eat them for breakfast but lately when I eat them, it is between the civilized hours of 3-6pm and I eat them at Luke, washed down with a French 75. But Friday night at 7pm rolled around and so I went to Cooter's for several dozen raw, an oyster po-boy and of course, some cheese fries. The raw oysters are pretty reasonable, about $10 for a dozen I think. The po-boy came on toasted and buttered bread, which I do so appreciate. Unfortunately, they don't use Leidenheimer's bread, it's good but not what I want a po-boy on. The BF wanted gravy on the cheese fries and it wasn't debris gravy like I thought it would be, but just a packet-style, powdered gravy. But I still tore it up and it was all delicious.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:07:58" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like the decor this place, I love community seating, they have awesome light fixtures and vintage vases and all kinds of cute stuff to keep your eyes occupied. I'll have to go back to sample more but I wasn't really blown away by anything except the apple pie. The burger, which everyone raves about, had a really delicious potato bun. But they didn't ask for a temp and I thought it was way overcooked and also woefully underseasoned. None of the agogo sauce with which it was advertised made an appearance. Although the zinfandel compote is not to be missed, it was stellar! Service was friendly but not very efficient. They're working out kinks, I'm sure, but I will reserve higher praise for now.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:30:26" }, { "business_id": "N3bjowmk_Yi9rUxPpM2k6Q", "business_name": "The Store", "rating": 3, "text": "It's okay. Definitely overpriced for what you get, both in quantity and quality. I ordered the BLT and the potato soup. BLT was alright but dry and the potato soup tasted like instant mashed potatoes. My friend's shrimp nicoise did look stupendous though, I will admit that. My workplace also orders from here for staff meetings a fair amount and again, not really impressed. The sandwiches are fine if they're the kind you pay $4 for at the gas station but not with the prices they charge. AND, they use pre-shedded cheese, that is just nasty. I don't want ashy cheese that is coated in cellulose. I don't mind paying the prices, I just would like the quality to match.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T19:59:22" }, { "business_id": "AW2xE3-nxDe30JBqwNuUdw", "business_name": "Star Nails", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been going here for pedicures for a long time, because they are quick to get you in, clean and efficient, but mostly because I am a creature of habit. They have a pretty wide selection of OPI nail colors. I also like being offered something to drink (non-alcoholic but still nice). Prices are pretty much the same as anywhere else you'd go but on Tuesdays they are a little cheaper. I am speaking only about pedicures as I've never gotten anything else done there.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T20:52:34" }, { "business_id": "OAjof8dhS2zScmZh2Xuo1A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Whole Foods really doesn't need another review, we all know that it's a nice grocery store with great although expensive products. I just would like to point out that their Chantilly Berry king cake is awesome, especially if you warm it up just a little bit. They also have un-shucked Louisiana oysters available again for about 50 cents each so now I can get my fix of charbroiled oysters in the comfort of my own home once more!", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T21:10:15" }, { "business_id": "B9Cv-DjHb1fZJ1drcsCREA", "business_name": "Mid-City Smiles", "rating": 4, "text": "Everyone was very friendly and did an excellent job without pushing products or services on me. I called about three dentists to get in before the end of 2010 and this was the only place that could give me an appointment that quickly. Plus I can walk there and they have Saturday hours.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:00:26" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars for the king cake! Filling (chocolate) was delicious, I thought it would be more like chocolate pudding or nutella but it was a cocoa powder base. The cake was moist and soft and frosting was good but not overwhelming. All three components were in perfect proportion to each other. My favorite king cake so far this season!", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:03:20" }, { "business_id": "yL9j5ASNic_DaDKf9lwMhw", "business_name": "Stein's Market and Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The corned beef with coleslaw is incredible. Wow. I can't stop thinking about it. The Italian hoagie is also really good and even their veggie sandwich is great. Chocolate rugelach are okay but the raspberry are addictive!!! Toffee chocolate ship cookies and blondies are also really tasty. The only flop for me was the potato salad but everything else was so good that I just skipped over it. I'm sad that I somehow missed Beer Day last week. Next year.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:08:52" }, { "business_id": "WjkMZNlIUtQ59iHvG-aRMA", "business_name": "Balance Yoga & Wellness", "rating": 5, "text": "Balance Yoga just opened in this Mid-City location and it is beautiful. They did a wonderful job with a lovely old house, complete with large windows, fireplaces and pocket doors. Because of the huge windows, there is a lot of natural light. While I really like that, I kind of wish they'd put something over them so people waiting outside at Mandina's or Ruby Slipper can't see in. They offer several different types of yoga, even Kundalini, which I haven't seen in New Orleans since Katrina! The instructors are friendly and help you with your poses. Early morning classes, evening classes, Sunday classes, community (by donation) classes, they've got it all.", "timestamp": "2011-02-03T18:23:17" }, { "business_id": "F7etLf6od7CUnCPknsQ-6Q", "business_name": "Rue 127", "rating": 4, "text": "The inside is beautiful and I can't wait for warm weather to enjoy the outside. Initially, I was a little disappointed that they didn't have a specialty cocktail list but I can get over that. We only had appetizers and desserts and I will certainly be back for more. We enjoyed the mussels, pork belly and scallop tortellini. The mussels were good but I didn't want to drink the broth like I usually do, there was maybe too much acidity? Also, their homemade bread is very nice but very SWEET and not such a great match for the savory food. The pork belly was served with these potatoes that I think were scored and then fried so they had a really unique texture. Deep-fried cupcakes, I'm sorry to be a dissenter but not for me. I liked that they were warm and oozy but they were way too sweet and the greasy exterior was overwhelming. We had a date cake that was served with honey ice cream, very good but also a bit on the sweet side. I look forward to coming back and trying more of the menu.", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T18:38:58" }, { "business_id": "0DdmKihJ90qKP5TAM3c2yQ", "business_name": "Tartine", "rating": 3, "text": "I feel like there are a lot of places popping up lately that are getting a lot of hype and I'm just not buying it quite yet. Tartine, case in point, has some good things going for it but it's also got some issues. What worked: The house-baked bread is fantastic, it's got a really nice chewiness-crunchiness to it. A+. I love, love, love the salad with pecans and goat cheese and big, fat dried blueberries. I wish I knew where they got those blueberries because the ones at Rouse's are shriveled and tiny. The rillete was huge portion, it looked like six ounces of rillete, which for such a rich spread is a LOT. What didn't: The outside is really cute but the inside felt like a cafeteria. The specials board was posted below the counter (which made it invisible) yet the drinks were posted high up for all to see. Please consider switching this around. The rillete, although generous, was just okay. It's light years better at Luke, although their service has gotten so bad of late I hate to recommend it. The ham and triple cream cheese with fig mustard had no fig mustard and the triple cream was a thin, pre-sliced piece of mystery cheese. The accompanying couscous (fregula?) salads had little flavor. In addition to all that, we waited in line for several minutes and then over 35 minutes for our sandwiches and we didn't even go until 1:30. I can't fault them for that, they were really busy and super nice but if you go, you might just want to call in your order ahead of time and take it to the Fly for a picnic", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T19:03:12" }, { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has been on my list for a while because I heard a rumor that they are just like Port of Call's burgers. Since I'm giving up meat for Lent, I thought it would be an ideal afternoon for a burger. The interior kind of put me off from the start, all the tables were huge parties of 8-10 people with vacant-looking teenagers glued to their cell phone screens and children playing on arcade-like games in the corner. Food was not inedible but just a step above that. House salad was chopped iceberg, which the boyfriend loves so that's fine but it was small and pricey for what it was. Harbor wings, I guess anything fried and dipped in bleu cheese is good but they really had no discernible flavor. My burger was burnt, the bacon tasted like it was cooked at the breakfast shift and the mushrooms were waterlogged. The french fries weren't even good. My boyfriend's shrimp po-boy was small with shrimp the size of my thumbnail and it was $14. Service was friendly. The only thing good about going is that now I can cross it off my list of places to try.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T14:52:30" }, { "business_id": "x4TJJ0t19yBxkL5WX6n4Kg", "business_name": "Touché Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, I've had four star visits here before but my last visit was a one or two star. Generally I like the place because it's kind of tucked away and they have that recessed room down below in the back, which I really like in the winter, it's very snug and comfortable. However, the last time I was there, I walked in and was immediately assaulted with the smell of a backed up sewer and a bunch of older, bead-clad tourists dancing to Night Fever. I'm not making that up, in fact, the song has been seared in my head since then. I'll be back for another go but I will wait until the weather is cool and I feel like being somewhere cozy.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:32:00" }, { "business_id": "8KkuHRDLPVdqh99CHuKdHg", "business_name": "Kanno California Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I absolutely loved the spinach salad with tuna and avocado and that delicious dressing (even if it was dressed too generously). I also fell in love with the Tuna 911 roll that has spicy, pickled vegetables inside that were an outstanding addition. The other stuff we got was fine but unmemorable. I agree with other reviewers that they seem to put A LOT of sauce on things but fortunately, they mostly put it on the side. They only have Yellowtail for wine though, which made me sad. The complimentary chocolate truffle-like things they serve at the end are phenomenal.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:45:14" }, { "business_id": "f9H3wpzWG_apxoumWB-Dvg", "business_name": "Cafe Equator", "rating": 3, "text": "After craving Churros and braving the wilds of Metairie, I found Churros closed early on a Wednesday night! So we decided to go to Korea House, also closed! My stomach dangerously rumbling, we decided for a quick bite at Cafe Equator. Pad Thai and Masaman curry were fine but nothing I can see having a craving for in the future. The Thai iced tea I thought was not very good, it tasted...smoky? Service was fine, parking was easy.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T16:56:49" }, { "business_id": "OfExqBpAJNmxG2oLvn0Q3w", "business_name": "New Orleans Public Library - Mid-City Branch", "rating": 5, "text": "Even though it took four months to re-open (and not two weeks like they promised!), it was worth the wait. The new location is larger and has an entire front wall full of windows so it gets great light. It's convenient to all the other businesses in the Can Company and the farmers' market on Thursday evening as well. My only gripe is that there is no drop box! I rely very heavily on my local drop-box, I hope this is something they just haven't gotten around to yet and that it is soon remedied.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T17:32:50" }, { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Lola's has such a great atmosphere that even if the food sucked, I'd be hard pressed to give it a low rating. While not all of the dishes sing, some are actually kind of boring, there are many that are really solid. My favorite is the calamari, it's not those deep-fried things you get everywhere else. Nope, it is a perfectly seared calamari steak with the most wildly addictive sauce. Hint; If for some crazy reason you don't use all the sauce on your calamari app, keep it for entrees because you will likely elevate the deliciousness of everything else you have ordered with some of that. Their garlic-almond soup garnished with grapes is also AHmazing and oddly refreshing but I made the mistake of eating it once when I was trying to be gluten-free and it failed. Because the base of the soup is day old bread and I didn't know that. Oops. I just went this past weekend and they had WHITE sangria in addition to their usual red. Did they always have this or is it new? Anyway, it's good and it's cheap and there is nothing like sitting outside on a perfect New Orleans evening, under the canopy of trees that is Esplanade, sipping on some of that juice. And their almond ice cream is excellent.", "timestamp": "2011-03-03T18:53:25" }, { "business_id": "OjXIRs2Gm4H6hWo4bC7Qvg", "business_name": "The Jazz Playhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "It's pretty nice but for the price and the location, I wish they valeted. I got a Chopin martini and it was per-FECT. The second one didn't taste like Chopin, which is fine but it's what I ordered so I felt a wee bit swindled. We got seated right behind a big support column so our view of the stage was obstructed. We were there for the burlesque show but caught the end of Kid Chocolate's set, which made me happy because I had a big, school-girl crush on him many moons ago. The show wasn't what I thought it would be. It was less a show with all of the performers on stage and more one woman singing and a bunch of other girls flitting around the room in their pasties. I was expecting more of a choreographed show but I am admittedly not someone who knows much about burlesque. The girls were very sweet though and some of their outfits would make great Halloween or Mardi Gras costumes. Glad I went but not anxious to go back.", "timestamp": "2011-03-04T21:08:36" }, { "business_id": "tcyN7Rmy55JW5uQY_R5f0w", "business_name": "Krewe of Endymion", "rating": 4, "text": "When I moved into a new place last summer right on the Endymion route, is it crazy that thoughts of future Endymion parties to come danced in my head? I was a sad, sad, sad lady last Friday night when we got the news. We had picked up our crawfish for the boil and I even made a chocolate bananas foster king cake. I kind of felt like I imagine brides who get their weddings rained out must feel. But when you have crawfish and booze, you have a party anyway, right? So we did and it was great. And even though I felt spiteful, I went to see it the next night Uptown. It was as good as ever, albeit a bit short because so many riders are from out of town and had to go home. It would have looked a lot better from my porch though.", "timestamp": "2011-03-11T18:57:12" }, { "business_id": "DkVFvHGyNBGuPMzI9Zdt1A", "business_name": "Dat Dog", "rating": 4, "text": "Excellent chili cheese fries (although I wish the cheese was melted!). I had the bratwurst, which was fantastic, as was the bun. At first I thought it was too much bread but the lightly toasted, slightly sweet bread won me over. I got a little carried away with toppings though and I think the guacamole was a)overkill and b)not really a great iteration of guacamole anyway. Next time I will practice some restraint.", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:38:25" }, { "business_id": "jLerIZFpe25jOUf722qzBA", "business_name": "Il Posto Italian Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "My food only merited maybe two stars but I will give an extra star because I like the menu (and will try more of it) and their design and concept. Sadly though, my tomato-basil soup tasted kind of like a weak marinara and my tuna melt type sandwich had a very sharp, off-putting flavor. It was citrusy, for sure, and I love lemon in a tuna melt but perhaps this was lemon zest or something just way too overpowering? I think next time I will focus on the dishes with cured Italian meats, mortadella and prosciutto. And also the baked goods, those sounded pretty good, especially the Nutella bruschetta!", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:44:20" }, { "business_id": "AperXbtpt4FH6fvJFOirUA", "business_name": "Horinoya", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a fan of simple, fresh sushi. Not too crazy about rolls with heavy sauces, multiple ingredients and fanciful names. Horinoya delivers. I always start with the seafood salad, it's huge and I could probably just make that dinner if I were eating there on my own. How are their avocados always the perfect degree of ripeness? This week it included fresh crawfish tails and they were succulent and sweet and a very welcome addition to their standard. The vegetable roll (I was so enamored with the pickled vegetables in the Tuna 911 roll at Kanno) was okay but I wouldn't order it again, kinda bland. Everything else was fresh and wonderful. I like to end with the black sesame ice cream, which makes me swoon, as does the little crumbly cookie they perch on top that my BF generously lets me eat every time. As a sidebar, I saw some black sesame ice cream bars at Hong Kong Market and I got really excited but they were no good at all. I can only get my fix at Horinoya.", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:11:00" }, { "business_id": "HSHEwDpzYdeL3aT1zB41YA", "business_name": "Restaurant Depot", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm torn, so torn. So this place opened within the past few months. It's like Sam's Club for restaurants (and unfortunately, you have to show proof of restaurant or non-profit affiliation when getting a membership). My first visit, I was completely in awe. 50 pounds of onions for $8.95? Whole goats? Edible flowers, micro-greens, ten kinds of mushrooms? Some things you can buy by the unit (like one head of cauliflower) and others you are stuck with a huge portion, I mean, I love tarragon, but I can't see using 5 pounds of it before it starts to droop. The second trip, I started to see some flaws. They don't carry veggie burgers but they do have a huge freezer case of nasty-looking frozen appetizers that you can probably buy at Applebee's for three times the price. They have huge jars of kalamata olive SPREAD but no plain old kalamata olives. They had some fish that looked so not right, cloudy eyes and all. Then the most egregious error occurred when, on a Saturday, I asked if I could pick up live crawfish on Sunday. The man at the fish counter said yes, but to be sure to be there at 9am when the order comes in and then it's first come, first serve. The next morning, we headed over to the Depot, only to be met with a blank stare and told they weren't getting any crawfish that day. Sad. They are pretty new, I expect they are having some ordering and stocking kinks to work out. In the meantime, if anyone needs onions, I've got them aplenty!", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:24:15" }, { "business_id": "LCijSRG2kzBgbdwPdi02Nw", "business_name": "Yang's Po-Boys", "rating": 3, "text": "The first time we went, we didn't realize they closed at 8 and we walked in at about 7:58. They were very gracious and welcoming so I thought that was really nice. The owner was really chatty, describing how they did everything and I guess that's good but unless they are doing something out of the ordinary, (they're not) I'd rather just peruse the menu on my own. Oysters on my poboy were stone cold and the onion rings that we asked about (Are they made fresh? Yes!) were clearly Sysco. But it was decent and quick and friendly so we were okay with the meal. Last night I really wanted a catfish poboy but Parkway was closed. It was generous with the catfish and liberal with the pickles, love that. But the cheese fries were soggy fries with unmelted cheese. The cheese, which looked like shredded cheddar, I actually tasted it on its own and it had not one iota of flavor. I'll go to Yang's on Tuesday if Parkway is closed but there is really no comparison for me.", "timestamp": "2011-03-30T15:06:19" }, { "business_id": "sroYm8E9BbnnLO3nhKjomg", "business_name": "French Quarter Festival", "rating": 4, "text": "FQF has long been my favorite festival and sadly, it seems to be everyone else's too! I'm very happy that it has been so successful but of course, this makes it more crowded and difficult to navigate. So, yes, I prefer it a little smaller but I still had a great time and somehow always managed to find a little corner of shade to relax in. In addition to soaking up the sun, hearing good music and eating, I got to stop in at a few open houses for places I could never afford but I loved getting to glimpse into some of the Quarter's elusive courtyards. Also, I love wandering around the Quarter all day because I never fail to discover some little hole in the wall bar/shop/whatever.", "timestamp": "2011-04-11T16:08:11" }, { "business_id": "VHAfSIxcdmpQOTD0_ofbfw", "business_name": "Velvet", "rating": 4, "text": "Like Christine, I have only been here once and could change my rating once I have sampled more of what they've got. I was immediately won over by the sparkling water that was served upon arrival, it reminded me of coffee shops in other countries where they usually do that without question. I also loved the napkins, it's just those very nice quality paper napkin but little details like that are important. I got the extraction (?). I asked some questions and I wished I had gotten a bit more information. Like, what is IN the $15 extraction because I can't believe it's just a really large coffee. I'm not a trained barista so I don't know these things. My coffee was really very nice, I like that you can choose your beans. Tamara, the owner, has great customer service and we chatted about her awesome kids (her daughter's wonderful artwork graces the place, her son played piano at FQF) and she also offered me a teacake on the house. So, while I like Tamara and I like a lot of the little things, my coffee was $5.45 and I don't think I would ever spend it again. An expertly pulled espresso, okay, but not for a cup of coffee. Also, the teacake (the Kevin Bacon) was perfectly acceptable but I don't think I'd purchase one. They're just cupcakes and really tiny ones at that. But she is starting to make scones baked to order (awesome!) and I look forward to trying the espresso.", "timestamp": "2011-04-12T20:54:38" }, { "business_id": "NjmJ2sbcj3v9K98sNj2OAA", "business_name": "Sainte Marie", "rating": 3, "text": "I went last night to use the complimentary appetizer card we got as a lovely gift at the last Yelp party, thank you! I was initially excited to try the cocktails but as I inspected the long list closely, not too much actually appealed to me. I got the one with prosecco and a sort of fig compote that didn't really mix well and just sat at the bottom. Nice idea, not so great execution. The boyfriend's drink tasted watered down, like the bartender made several drinks and let the leftover sit in the shaker melting until someone else ordered the same drink. I also thought it very strange that they had bread and butter plates on the table but no bread was actually served and the plates were removed once we ordered. Weird. The escargot was good but it couldn't hold a candle to Dante's escargot, nor could I detect marrow in the sauce. Apparently the tartare was tasty but the BF ate it all without me. Crab cannelloni, man, I hate to sound like a downer but this was little, backfin pieces of crab, doused with a ton of brie and encased in a sort of tough pasta. I ate it, but then I would eat anything that is doused in brie. I'm so glad we decided to get dessert because it was outstanding. We ordered a lemongrass-ginger creme brulee and it was perfect, the flavor, the texture, everything. I will probably come back for a fancypants happy hour although it's not exactly my scene. The guy who was sitting next to me had an awesome looking hangar steak so I will order that next time, skip the cocktails and get champagne and of course, order dessert.", "timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:34:01" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "The space is large and breezy and we easily snagged an outside table. If they weren't doing construction on Magazine, I bet this would be a great spot for people-watching. We got a shrimp po-boy, an oyster po-boy and fries with cheese and gravy. It was perfectly edible but I probably won't be back. The shrimp were small, the po-poys were pricier than most of my usual haunts and the gravy I think was just \"meat-flavored.: There was no actual meat or debris in it. I agree with Lindsay, no problem throwing out my own trash but the tables were pretty nasty and sticky.", "timestamp": "2011-04-29T17:01:59" }, { "business_id": "UGefDZNmnBztS0eoXWtHyQ", "business_name": "The Joint", "rating": 4, "text": "I must first disclose that my favorite person in the whole world works here so maybe I am biased. But take it from me, their brisket is the best brisket ever! It has that delightful fatty layer running along the top and it is perfectly moist and delicious! I also love the pulled pork with a squeeze of the vinegary sauce. The sides are pretty good, nothing stands out, but I'm really just there for the meat. Oh, and the peanut butter pie which is SWOONWORTHY!", "timestamp": "2011-05-03T18:25:46" }, { "business_id": "wznT60WMQ-9Qg2MVvzCxtw", "business_name": "The Lucky Ladle", "rating": 3, "text": "We put our names on the list at Surrey's and took a stroll through my old neighborhood while we waited. But I'm a breakfast girl and when I'm hungry, I need to eat. Immediately. Or bad things happen. At dinner, you can waste some time, have a cocktail but at breakfast, I'm not about waiting. Anyway, we walked past the Ladle and decided to give it a go. Nothing was really standout except how much food we got and our bill for two was still under $20. We split the grilled cheese with tomato soup as well as the bananas foster waffles because it's always a conundrum at 11am on Saturday to figure out what you are in the mood for. Breakfast? Lunch? We got them both. We also got a little side spinach salad with one of our meals and it was nice except for the weird, cellulose-dusted mozzarella shreds on top. The hash browns sucked, no flavor and tasted like they were made hours before. The space is pleasant and if you don't feel like waiting in line (Surrey's) or spending $30 just on breakfast for yourself (Dante's), this is a good option.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:14:50" }, { "business_id": "Fs4T7lKpXVtD5Pz7jWSJeg", "business_name": "Coquette", "rating": 4, "text": "I am only giving stars based on the bar because sadly, I have not eaten here but I love the bar! I love the old tin ceilings! I love the tables out on Washington under the oaks! And I love $5 wine Wednesdays and cocktail Thursdays. In fact, since today is my last final, I may have to take advantage of that. I have had a French 75 with apricot brandy, one of my absolute favorites drinks and they do it justice here. I've also had a lychee martini, which was wonderful and balanced, tough to pull off because lychees are so sweet, as well as a pretty solid mojito. I'm not sure if they change their wines by the glass frequently but from what I've seen, they offer a much better glass selection than most places around the city.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:20:27" }, { "business_id": "A0RSdFWqs-keuOogaMjZ4w", "business_name": "Bayou Beer Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Pros: Incredible patio outside, wide selection of good beer and every time I've been, the bartenders are knowledgeable and willing to make good cocktails. Fresh squeezed lime juice for my gimlet? Thank you! I was just expecting the kryptonite-colored, lime-flavored sugar syrup everyone else uses. Cons: Inside layout kind of weird. Only one toilet for ladies and by the way, what takes them so long in the bathroom? I never understand this. Going to bathroom usually is a twenty minute trip here. The band playing outside was so loud we chose to sit at the tables in the front. And finally, the most egregious thing, in my mind, was their horrible, pathetic excuse for sangria. It was less wine flavored with fruit and juice and more watered down juice that I still question if it had any alcohol in it, with the addition of antiseptic-flavored, extremely flat lime soda. Sadly, that now colors my whole opinion of the place.", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T15:09:27" }, { "business_id": "7CRox7xpb3vNCEe7FZ6zgA", "business_name": "High Hat Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I fully expect High Hat to be 4 stars soon enough but they are still working some things out. Like everyone else, I am so glad to see Freret doing what it's doing and I love that this building used to be Antoine's Bakery. To start, I had a glass of wine, which I thought was actually a pretty stingy pour. I wish they had a cocktail menu but that's just my preference. We ordered the pimento cheese and it was delicious but the dry bread they served it with was lame. Our server told us it was great on fries so we ordered some and they were fantastic on their own, made even better with the pimento cheese. I think I'll make fried potatoes with pimento cheese on them for the Saints season opener. For my entree, I had the crab and tomato salad. The crab didn't really have too much taste but LORD were those tomatoes good!!!! My BF was happy with his Cuban but I thought it was very small and for the love of God, you can't throw some fries on a plate when a sandwich is ordered? At least some chips? I think that's kinda cheap. To finish, we had the banana chocolate bread pudding, which I was excited about because I thought it might be like the chocolate-bananas foster king cake I made for my rained out Endymion party. It was not. Very dense and flavorless. The owners were super receptive about feedback, which I usually feel weird about giving but I think they really need it in this early phase of their venture. I'll be back for the pimento cheese burger.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:11:36" }, { "business_id": "QQ5HvRq_9U2Ch-9ijPeIFA", "business_name": "Bullet's Sports Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "So. Good. I love the Bullets and have never had a bad time here. Last night, I got a text that they were having crabs, crawfish AND turkey necks. I thought this was a sign from God because I was just telling the BF we needed to have some crawfish before they are all gone. We walked in and there was a table set up at the front where the band usually plays and a man was scooping out the goods. I asked how much and they told me it was free. FREE? Why, thank you. I got a big plate with shrimp, crawfish, a blue crab, a few turkey necks and some corn and potatoes. I would have gladly paid $15 for the plate, it was well-seasoned and perfectly delicious. The only complaint was that the shrimp were really tiny but A) they were free and B) I really just came to thrown down on the crab and crawfish. I haven't had turkey necks in years and they may have been my favorite part. The corn was sweet and so were the crabs. Really, it was perfect, especially when the dancing got started. Oooh Lord. I have to dock a star for cash only and the cigarette smoke that was blowing lustily in my face while I was eating. I can deal with smoke to a degree but I don't want the butt in my face.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:23:10" }, { "business_id": "SA10MB4CEw0YikMuhOxyYw", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 4, "text": "I did not eat any food here but I did sample pretty much every flavor of margaritas they have to offer, including carrot-lime, pineapple-cilantro, mango-mint, watermelon and raspberry. No, I didn't have all those to myself, I was with others who generously let me taste their concoctions. Otherwise I would have been seriously drunk and woken up with an awful sugar hangover because the margaritas are pretty big and just a touch too sweet for me. I liked the mango mint and carrot-lime varieties best. Looking forward to trying them again with some food next time.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:31:16" }, { "business_id": "xZileQFJ7h-0QKjtGc9xgg", "business_name": "Arnaud's French 75 Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I finally got myself to this gorgeous spot after meaning to for a very long time. Chris Hannah was indeed at the bar and he was personable and welcoming. I instantly felt badly that I was dressed like a gypsy and wearing flip flops, the place just screams evening gown and pearls, not that I own either one of those things but whatever. The point is that they still made me feel comfortable. I had a French 75, of course, and then I tried the Pisco Daisy, another one of their specialty cocktails. Truthfully, I didn't find either one of the drinks transcendent but I was just so enamored with the whole vibe of the place that it didn't matter. I would absolutely come back, great place for a aperitif before a fancy dinner.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:37:36" }, { "business_id": "ORVWMFwF5qTWy9Cbahf0Pg", "business_name": "Café Adelaide", "rating": 2, "text": "Wow. Abominable last night. Cafe Adelaide, you lost me. Probably the worst service I have ever had and being a service industry vet, I can be pretty forgiving. I actually felt bad for server X last night, who was utterly incompetent but very nice but wow, worthless. Coupled with the amateur service we had last time, I'm thinking it is not a one time fluke. Host told us to sit in the bar area. Sat there for 15 minutes ignored. Went to ask host if we should go to the bar and order, he said no, that our server would be right with us. We waited another 15 minutes before receiving 1 menu for 4 people. Placed drink order and waters for all. Cocktails came 20 minutes later, no water. Appetizers took close to an hour and were ice cold when we got them. Had to ask for bread. Never took entree order, although we expressed wanting to, so we decided to cut our losses and go to La Boca for dinner, which was STELLAR. Two rounds of drinks and appetizers took us two hours at Cafe Adelaide! And the food nor the drinks were as good as I remember. This time the sauce on the crab pound cake tasted like Campbell's cream of mushroom and there was hardly a speck of crab to be seen. Flatbread was burnt. You get the point. Not worth the time or money.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:33:01" }, { "business_id": "guwb1zuNEMtJVproo0ntFw", "business_name": "La Boca", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible. It may not be fair to give them such lavish praise but after our failed dinner attempt at Cafe Adelaide, the comparison between the two for service, food and drinks was night and day. We were immediately acknowledged, sweet! Given four menus for all four people and told about specials, thank you! Thursday is service industry night at La Boca, even better! We just looked at that menu, which did not include the pastas and salads but had all the cuts of meat, empanadas etc. We got our cocktails immediately, God, I'm really loving this place! Fresh watermelon and vodka, which was really tasty and not watery like I feared. For starters, we ordered the morcilla, provoleta and bruschetta. I didn't really dig the bruschetta but it wasn't bad. The provoleta, I maybe expected more, it was just cheese to me. A really good cheese appetizer is the fried cheese with lemon at Mona's. Also, it had oregano sprinkled liberally all over it. I used to think I wasn't crazy about oregano until I went to Sicily and tasted their oregano and had an epiphany that what we have here in the US is just stuff they sweep off the oregano factory floor. This was definitely factory floor oregano but not everyone is an oregano elitist like me. The morcilla though, oh, well, the morcilla. Fan-flipping-tastic. Just order it and get over the fact that it's blood sausage. It's pretty much just like boudin so if you like that, you should really try it. The steaks were out of this world, some of the best steak I've ever had and I have eaten bife de chorizo in Buenos Aires. Fried brussel sprouts are the most genius thing ever. Asparagus and fries are also not to be missed. The brussel sprouts even taste good cold for breakfast. I can't wait to go back and try the empanadas and the gnocchi and of course, dessert! Love, love, love La Boca!", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:45:45" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 3, "text": "I wouldn't go out of my way to go here but it does the trick when you are in the area. I used to love their oyster po-boy because they buttered the toasted bread, along with dressing it fully and there just aren't enough places that do that anymore. But then they started buttering the bread with Whirl or some other butteresque product that tastes like spun chemicals. So that made me sad. I had lunch here recently and had the BLT salad, which was pretty tasty except I really hate when a thick dressing is dumped in the middle of the salad so no matter how hard you try to spread it around, some pieces of lettuce are drenched and others are naked. My friend had the alligator burger on brioche and my one bite made me envious of her order.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T15:01:50" }, { "business_id": "NOKp3L3smiKdFNFUswvIUg", "business_name": "Dominique's on Magazine", "rating": 3, "text": "I've put off writing this review because I wanted ti to be great but it wasn't. Well, let me be more specific. The drinks were really good, I especially liked my lemongrass pisco sour. When our server, who by the way had great menu knowledge, heard that we came in for dinner mostly because we heard the bar was so great, the bartender came over to our table. She seemed really excited that we were there and wanted our feedback, which was all very good. My appetizer of lobster was perfectly cooked but the sauce it came with was kind of lackluster. It was fine but forgettable. My boyfriend's pork belly appetizer was downright bad, texturally and taste-wise. That was the first time I ever ate pork belly that wasn't delicious. My duck was also completely forgettable although the BF's steak with creole cream cheese was really tasty. I was tempted to order that because thought it might be too rich but it really wasn't. Nothing for dessert really piqued my interest so we didn't order anything. They did send out some plantain-flavored cotton candy but it tasted like artificially flavored banana Laffy Taffy. It's a really pretty space, the cocktail list is wonderful and the staff seems on point. However, only one out of four dishes impressed me and another one out of those four left me puzzled as to how one could make pork belly so unappetizing. I probably need to come back to try more dishes and I might if could sit in the bar and order a few plates. Too bad their bar area is more like three bar stools that fight with the hallway to the bathroom for space.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T17:29:14" }, { "business_id": "SDhiF9UG0gsuaXgCnJR-sQ", "business_name": "Liberty's Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "I arranged a work field trip today for Dining Out for Life and I've been wanting to try this place soo...off we went! Parking is ample, although we later found a whole hidden line of parking along the side of the building closer to Canal and the entrance to the cafe. There was no special today, I think they might be in the midst of changing those daily specials. I had a hot sausage poboy with the cowboy caviar and they were both stupendous. Round of applause and a standing ovation. My friends' turkey and veggie sandwiches also looked very good. Minor quibble is that the red velvet cupcake was kind of dry, although very pretty. Good thing we got bread pudding too or I might have been disappointed on the dessert. I wanted to try one of those cookies that are the size of my head but after a cupcake and bread pudding, I decided perhaps a little moderation was in order. Besides, I still want to hit Sucre while it's Dining out for Life Day. The staff was super friendly and awesome. I like the space although a little music would not hurt the ambiance.", "timestamp": "2011-07-14T18:46:10" }, { "business_id": "WPjeA9CWv-q7utSdnXmdIw", "business_name": "Juicy Lucy's", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the Yelp reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was very pleased. We ordered a special of fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade to start and got boudin balls instead. No less than three people came over to apologize for the mistake, told us to enjoy the boudin and our shrimp was out momentarily. Both were very good. It always makes me so happy when boiled shrimp are not overcooked, it's the little things that count! The boudin came out with a huge piles of grilled onions and tomatoes that were a nice addition to my burger. I had the Kenner (pepper jack and jalapenos) with sweet potato fries, the BF has 9th Ward Blues (mushrooms, blue cheese and?) with onion rings. The BF started doing that butt-waggling thing he does when he likes what he is eating and I may or may not have joined him. We both enjoyed everything, the service was very pleasant and I thought it was really reasonably priced.", "timestamp": "2011-07-18T00:19:26" }, { "business_id": "ujyjBLOzSXKO3RrbpJ4N4g", "business_name": "McHardy's Chicken & Fixin'", "rating": 3, "text": "Very fast, very cheap and I really liked the peppery crust. I wished the batter was a little thicker because let's face it, I eat fried chicken just for the crispy exterior and I don't care too much about the meat inside. I ordered a side of red beans that was terrible. Not only was there grease in massive puddles around the edges but it tasted like it had been singed when reheated in its styrofoam container. It hadn't, I checked, but it's not something you want to ponder while you're eating. Way better chicken than Popeye's but I sure did miss the biscuit.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:11:12" }, { "business_id": "OSi2ColCxhS9oCoAUNbPig", "business_name": "Mandina's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, nothing extraordinary. I think they get a lot of mileage out of their admittedly charming New Orleans neighborhood joint kind of feel. Our sever was kind of off but I found her entertaining. My turtle soup was fine but it wasn't the best I've had. My BF's calamari was fried, just like calamari often is. There's not much more to say about that. Our salads were mostly iceberg with a few shreds of romaine and cabbage and nice, thick slices of tomato. I got the crab meuniere even though I ordered almondine but I didn't really care since I was on the fence anyway about which one I wanted. The crab and fries drenched in the rich but also acidic meuniere was delicious. The BF's seafood platter was, you guessed, fried. Crab ball was pretty good. Bread pudding, meh. It had lots of nutmeg, which I liked a lot but it was sort of bland and the white sauce on top had the flavor of glue. I still ate it all though so I guess it wasn't too terrible. Not cheap but considering my dinner came with salad and dessert, not completely over the top either.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_rO-5jxOEH94TUcorPnSEg", "business_name": "Delta World Tire", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been putting air in my tires once a month for about four years so I know I've been past due for some time. Last week, I had a flat that I tried to rectify, as usual, by putting some air in it. I swear my tire actually laughed at me and said \"Woman, please.\" So I brought my car in to Delta Tire World and was out with four new tires for under $400. I hate spending money on cars but I thought that was pretty reasonable, plus I appreciate quick service. Also, their coffee in the waiting area was surprisingly good, which I needed since I was out of the house without my morning cup.", "timestamp": "2011-07-26T16:43:32" }, { "business_id": "dzFbGUUV5eh-ZR81RCnv7g", "business_name": "French Riviera Fitness", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is based solely on the spinning class on Saturday morning since this is the only time of day or day of the week I can muster up the courage to brave Metairie. The class is usually pretty challenging so that's a plus. But I have never seen a spinning room that had a flashing, multicolored disco ball and I'm not sure how I feel about that. What I am sure about though, is the instructors' collective inability to select music to motivate me. I shouldn't carp about it I guess, some people like trance out music or Carrie Underwood, it's just not what does it for me. Why does music at spinning classes always have to be so bad? Why doesn't anyone do classes to like, \"Let the Music Play\" or \"Diamond Girl?\" I would love that and even though I just dated myself by revealing my childhood music obsessions, I think there are others who would enjoy it too. But seriously last week, some song played that I am guessing was titled \"She was from Ala-freakin'bama,\" because those were the lyrics that played over and over again. I don't want to hear that song ever again and if that's your song, then I apologize if I offended you.", "timestamp": "2011-08-01T19:54:23" }, { "business_id": "GBTPC53ZrG1ZBY3DT8Mbcw", "business_name": "Luke", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped going here earlier this year because the service had reached new lows in abominable. Not to mention the oysters we had were shucked so poorly and shredded beyond belief. The BF swore them off for good. But I love their French 75 and bargain oysters so I wasn't ready to write them off forever. It's taken me a while to get back on my own and I am so glad that I did! They have a shucker named Anthony who is AWESOME! I told him about our previous experience and he said, very seriously, \"That's terrible. Oysters are too precious to mess up.\" My oysters (from Plaquemines Parish) were big and salty and perfect. And shucked the right way. IMPORTANT NOTE: Bring cash to tip the shucker. I usually spend more on oysters than I do on booze and I don't think it's fair that the shucker doesn't get a little something. Otherwise all my credit card tip goes to the bar.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:49:16" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still a fan. But I had a stale and not very tasty pastry the other day. Alongside it, I ordered an espresso that arrived lemon peel-less. Not everyone does that but I really like the lemon peel with my espresso so I asked for it. None to be had. Oh well. To make up for the crappy pastry, I got a couple chocolates. Yes, a couple as in 2. And it was $4. They were the same size as that three-pack of Ferraro-Rocher hazelnut chocolates you can get in the checkout line at Rouse's. Except those taste just as good and three will set you back a mere 99 cents. From now on, gelato or sorbellinis only but no more pastries or chocolate. Overpriced and not very good.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:55:55" }, { "business_id": "ej2kU6KU2TEL7uY_EB_zVQ", "business_name": "Phil's Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is definitely not the best burger I have ever had but it's pretty good and the dizzying array of choices elevates it from 3 to 4 stars. Grilled pineapple ketchup? Yes please! Brie or Havarti, oh decisions, decisions! I was so overwhelmed by the choices that I closed my menu and just ordered the burger of the month, a turkey burger with arugula, blackberry coulis, blue and goat cheese and topped with fried almonds. The turkey meat was kinda crumbly, it reminded me of that meat you buy in a big roll but it was okay. The combination of the cheese with the almonds was unexpected and delicious. The coulis kind of got lost, I wouldn't have known it was there. Sweet potato fries would have been better if they were hot. The BF got some crazy, gut-busting combination of burger and hot sausage, a fried egg, bacon AND onion strings on top. Ouch, that hurts my belly just to type! But I enjoyed one, small bite of it. We also got an order a fried pickles to start, very tasty but HUGE so will probably order a side order size, not the appetizer size next time. Also, I didn't know about their pretty great happy hour from 4-7 every day. I don't know the details but I do know my pint of Nola 7th Street Wheat was really good and only $1.50! Some bloody Mary specials on Sundays and margaritas (2 for 1 I think?) on Mondays.", "timestamp": "2011-08-23T16:15:09" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 2, "text": "I had a friend visiting from out of town and he wanted to make a stop here. It was hot and so we decided to opt out of sitting in their pretty courtyard. I had also heard their dueling piano show was good and friend wanted to hear music soooo...in we went. Friend ordered a hurricane and the bartendress lifted a prefilled plastic cup out of a dish rack, added some ice and voila! Gross but I am biased because I think hurricanes are nasty. Now, on to the music. For real? Do people come to New Orleans to hear someone play Grease Lightning on piano? How sad. Please, I implore you to go somewhere that has local musicians playing local music.", "timestamp": "2011-09-01T14:15:56" }, { "business_id": "u9-j3bwMcaMq9CWwuucqsA", "business_name": "Eco Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I am mad at myself for living around the corner for a year and never coming here! And now I've moved out of walking distance. Anyway, I finally made it and I'm glad I did. I was very pleased to see how many fresh juices they offered. I had the Ginger Hopper, which I didn't find gingery at all, plus it was too watery for me. But my friend's True Blood with beet juice was quite tasty. I was pleasantly surprised with how good everyone's food was. My chicken salad was perfect and it came on a toasted croissant with a lovely side salad. Their champagne dressing is fantastic. I also sampled the chili con carne, the rice looked boring but the meat was flavorful and falling apart. I didn't get a chance to have a bite of my other friend's crab and brie panino but since she finished it in 4.2 seconds flat, it's safe to assume that she really enjoyed it. I was worried that service would be poor but it was on point and our server was very informative about menu items and how they do things to be \"eco.\" Nothing for dessert really grabbed us, although they did list Clif bars as an offering, which I thought was pretty amusing.", "timestamp": "2011-09-02T19:40:18" }, { "business_id": "JcP1z6eZBgTIcxWlyxSw0g", "business_name": "Iris", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant's rating probably suffers a bit more than it should because I was expecting to be wowed and I wasn't. Anyway, the interior is gorgeous, I love the fresh flowers and the walls of pickled vegetables. The have a fantastic cocktail list, in fact, if i ever come back, it will be to sit at the bar and have a drink, albeit a very expensive one. My appetizer, pork belly with a shaved vegetable salad, was very good and dressed with an incredible vinaigrette. My BF had something else that I forgot as it wasn't very memorable. As far as entrees, they all sounded fine but nothing really grabbed me. I ordered the pork, which was okay. The only standout was a fried sweet potato patty it was served with. Besides what I thought to be a not very inspired menu, the plate presentation was weak. Everything was the same color. I know that's nitpicky but it's an expensive place and I want the food to look and taste beautiful. Our desserts (creme bruleee and a chocolate cake) were very rich, too rich for my boyfriend so I was forced to finish them for us. No espresso, I really hate that at nice restaurants. French press is good but it's not espresso, plus it was so weak I could practically see through it. I wasn't displeased with our dinner but I would much rather go somewhere else for the amount of money we paid.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T14:53:38" }, { "business_id": "Vz2RN55rTJBGn43K1v84nA", "business_name": "Domenica", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh sad day. I won't alter my rating but my last trip to Domenica revealed a change to their happy hour. Apparently someone on Yelp complained about the drink prices so now the specialty cocktails are not half off. But the wine, beer and well drinks still are. Which seems like their loss, I mean, I'm sure they are losing more on half priced wines and bottled beers than they are on liquor. Our server then went on to tell us he was glad for the change because it's a lot of work for them anyway. What? As someone who has worked in the service industry for a long time, I am not sure why it's bad to bring in extra customers during a typically slow (dead) time of the day. Plus, they are still coming in for half price pizzas and other drinks. His comments didn't really make sense to me and they kind of turned me off. However, the pizzas were still very good and really, I find their wines by the glass more appealing than a lot of things on their ever-changing cocktail list. And the stracci with oxtails is amazing!!!!!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:01:51" }, { "business_id": "mhrW9O0O5hXGXGnEYBVoag", "business_name": "Jacques-Imo's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Good, not great and pricey for what you get. I totally understand why people love it here, the vibe is great and it feels very New Orleans, whatever that means. Some of the food I really enjoyed and some I thought was totally mediocre. The watermelon mojito, while huge, was thin and insipid, not bad but not worth repeating. The cornbread muffins were, as always, fantastic. I remember at one time really loving the spinach salad with a lone oyster perched on top but this was soggy and limp. Our table of 8 shared a bunch of appetizers, including the cheesecake (very good) and the fried roast beef poboy (good but expected better). The BF and I shared the carpetbagger steak, which is awesome, I mean it's covered in blue cheese! But our sides were downright terrible, I'd be embarrassed to serve the red beans we got and the greens weren't much better. Our table split one creme brulee, which didn't really get bruleed so it was mostly plain sugar on top. Jacques kindly sent over tastes of Grand Marnier for after dinner drinks and chatted with us. That kind of charm goes a long way but honestly, 8 people split 4 entrees, one dessert, a few apps and a pretty cheap bottle of wine and it was $37 per person. I could think of better ways I'd like to spend my money.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:16:23" }, { "business_id": "dG94-818jQr0Vi3ajRwDCQ", "business_name": "a Mano", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend of mine alerted me to a series of dinners A Mano was doing, each week featuring a different region of Italy. Since my family is from Sicily, of course I wanted to see what they had to offer that week. I had a delicious Aperol spritzer to start and my friend had the Bellini. We sipped as we perused the menu and decided to do one Sicilian special menu and then order some things from the main menu. This particular friend of mine and I share a love for funky food; sardines, anchovies, tripe, whatever. And they had tripe on the menu so we had to order it. It was served in a savory but not at all heavy red sauce. Even if you don't like tripe, I bet you'd love the sauce sopped up with some bread. It tasted just like my grandmother's, actually, I'll admit it, it was better than hers. I liked the gnudi everyone raves about but the texture was more like smooth cream cheese or goat cheese, I'm more used to it being like ricotta, slightly grainy and less dense. But still very good. The only dud was a pasta dish with zucchini, no flavor at all. Our final dish was a seared tuna with onion mostarda that was excellent. To finish, we had cassata. It wasn't bad but it wasn't anything like the cassata I make and I prefer mine. This was a sponge cake soaked in some sort of liquor (too strong for me) and with candied fruit, not something I like much. The way I make it is un-liquor soaked angel food cake with a chocolate-cherry stuffed ricotta filling and topped with whipped cream. Very nice meal, pleasant staff, will return to sit at the bar with an Aperol spritzer and an order of trippa!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:30:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm so thrilled that Rouse's decided to invest in downtown! This is a pretty awesome Rouse's, everyone was so perky and pleasant! I almost got full on all the samples they were giving away; sushi, fresh-baked ciabatta, assorted cheeses, etc. They seem to have anticipated that they will draw a large lunch crowd and have lots of excellent-looking prepared foods. Would you like dragon fruit? Buddha's hand fruit? Kobe beef for $89.99/lb? Rouse's has it! I'll be interested to see how much of this stuff they will really keep in stock as time goes on. Layout is a little counterintuitive but they did a good job considering it used to be a car dealership. I was wondering about parking and indeed, there is a lot in the back and then upper level parking, accessible via Girod. The place was MOBBED but I went at lunchtime when I am guessing 90% of the CBD was also there. They open at 6, which is an hour earlier than my friendly neighborhood Rouse's and close at midnight! Whoa, is this pre-2005 New Orleans? I miss going midnight shopping at Sav-a-Center:( Other notes: I predict right now that they undershot how many checkout lanes they would need. Long-ish waits to be expected, especially at lunch. Prices on some staples that I get at Rouse's in Mid-City were exactly the same. Good to know we're not paying a few cents extra on soy milk to pay for rent in the CBD. Overall, great job, although I have to disagree with Danny Rouse's proclamation that this is the best grocery store in the country. Try Wegman's in the Northeast, they have an oyster bar! If you put in an oyster bar Danny, then I will unequivocally agree with you and retract any criticism immediately.", "timestamp": "2011-11-16T19:03:15" }, { "business_id": "JwS1qdmkA9S6muZBsdemBQ", "business_name": "Korea House", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never had Korean food before so I have nothing to compare it to but I loved my dinner the other night. Specifically the bibimbap with raw beef and a raw egg. I like ordering things that aren't necessarily a safe bet, sometimes that doesn't work but this time it did. The beautifully arranged, colorful vegetables were mixed with some sort of sesame oil dressing and went magnificently with the beef and egg. There was some coarse granulated sugar on top, I thought it was a tad bit too sweet and my fiance didn't like the crunch but otherwise, the dish sort of blew me onto a higher culinary plateau. I've been in a bit of a food rut and this was a revelatory way to lift myself out. The steamed dumplings were pretty good and so were the ribs but everything paled in comparison to the bibimbap. I also liked the bowls of various pickled things, my favorites were the cucumbers and the black beans. I'll be back to try more of the menu and I've already been scouring the internets for bibimbap recipes!", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:48:25" }, { "business_id": "Ra9zH1CBYtAC6vMfKYsHew", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 2, "text": "What a waste of $75. I could have just gone to Felipe's and probably been more satisfied. I've only had drinks at the FQ location so I don't know if their food really varies or not. But I have sampled many of the margaritas in the FQ and never had one I didn't like. I did not like the orange-lime one that I ordered, nor did I like the mezcal one my fiance ordered, it didn't taste smoky like most mezcal I've had but more like candle wax. It's a sad, sad day when I don't want to finish my margarita. It's even sadder when I realize there is nothing on the menu I'm interested in ordering. My sweetie ordered the house salad, which had a pretty good dressing and he would have liked to finish it before it was unceremoniously whisked away and replaced with our entrees. Our entrees were way overpriced but not inedible. The waitress was annoying and up in our faces every two minutes for the first half of the meal and absent for the second half. It took forever to get out of there and I felt bad for the hordes of people waiting in line. I may visit the FQ one again but never again at this location.", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:56:24" }, { "business_id": "RPEMUwN_CDRRToQ_7hxsvA", "business_name": "Borgne", "rating": 3, "text": "Like many other Besh experiences I've had, this was a mixed bag. First, they have done some cool stuff with the design, I like the columns made up of oyster shells encased in wire mesh. But it still has this institutional, chain sort of feel to me. My sweetie said it felt like a cafeteria that had a makeover. My French 75 was solid, they must use the same recipe as Luke, served in a snifter with a brandied cherry. Perfect. They also have NOLA 7th Street Wheat and big fishbowls glasses for the beer. I started with a bowl of oyster stew. It was delicious and very rich, so rich that I didn't really enjoy the last few bites because my taste buds were overwhelmed. I think they offer cups at lunchtime. The BF got broiled oysters, which were fine but nothing to set them apart from the many other restaurants that do them better. He also got the duck poppers, which were great because duck+bacon=delicious. But the bacon could have been crisper and what the hell was in the sauce? I have no idea because this is the kind of place that lists menus items as such, \"Duck poppers, jalapeno, bacon.\" That's it. My fish in a bag with caramelized fennel was great, really, the fennel stole the show and that's generally not my favorite. The hot pot was a bust, dressed up ramen noodles with tough pork belly. For dessert we got the oatmeal cookie with turron ice cream. Again, it was fine but I feel like I could buy something just like it out of the freezer section at the grocery store. Espresso was good, served without lemon peel but delivered promptly once we asked for it. Service was very good. I wouldn't go again for the price we paid for dinner because it just wasn't all that. I'd definitely go back and try the $10 lunch specials though.", "timestamp": "2012-02-15T17:16:17" }, { "business_id": "D8l8tVYE5EJeHOMlJs1Eng", "business_name": "Aristocat Salon + Nail Spa", "rating": 2, "text": "Worst eyebrow wax I've ever had. I'm not sure what I paid for because I walked out looking exactly like I did when I walked in. Pedicure chipped after a week, I don't expect that until at least two, usually three weeks.", "timestamp": "2012-03-12T13:37:57" }, { "business_id": "rrNF0siUBVQOOgsFVfGpKA", "business_name": "Columns", "rating": 1, "text": "It pains me to say this but I have to give up on the Columns. I am generally confounded by the frat boy presence there but was usually able to overlook it because ti's just so lovely and the drinks were always pretty good. Last night, I brought some out of town guests in and on one side of the parlor, there was a dapper gentleman playing the piano. Then we walked into the bar area and they were playing R. Kelly. Don't get me wrong, the R. can be good for a time and place but at the Columns? Weird. After waiting for several polo-clad young men to get their Miller Lites, I ordered French 75s for my friends and a Ramos Gin Fizz for myself. Note to bartender; putting a lemon twist in a glass of cheap sparkling wine does not a French 75 make. Terrible. My Ramos Gin Fizz was composed of a good 3/4 c. of heavy cream and had no discernible fizz. Luckily, I did taste a bit of booze hiding behind all that cream but really gin and whipping cream was not what I was hoping for. It was really disappointing because the gin fizz I had there last summer was dangerously delicious. My friends sipped their cheap and slightly sour sparkle and finally implored me to take them home when the song \"Ain't that America\" came on. I'm glad I was able to experience their downfall myself before I unwittingly sent people there with raves about the atmosphere and the classic cocktails. Get it together Columns, you've got so much to work with.", "timestamp": "2012-04-27T19:36:54" }, { "business_id": "kb1Tf4xwb7CQW5OXf9zwqw", "business_name": "Toups Meatery", "rating": 3, "text": "I hate being the jerk who writes the first non-five star review but I am sure this will bump up to four and possibly even five. I'll just have to keep going back to make sure my ratings are accurate. Anyway, the space is really nice and I like that there is outside seating. The staff is very friendly, although it is my preference that everyone working doesn't come by to ask how the food is. It's kind of overwhelming, especially if you don't like something. I don't remember being very interested in their cocktail menu and I thought the wine by the glass selection was very small and a bit overpriced. On to the food. We started with the meatery plate,of course! This was really good. I liked the cracklins a lot, crunchy but not dried out. The housemade garlic sausage was delicious as was the delicate, subtle rabbit pate. My husband really liked the hogshead cheese, it was not as congealed as it usually is, more of a spread. Weirdly, I didn't love the rillons and I thought they would knock me out. Those are candied pieces of pork belly, if you didn't know and I certainly did not. Cooked too long maybe, they lost their lusciousness. My husband got the chicken confit and I didn't taste that. But I did sample the mustard greens and white beans underneath and they were fantastic. My sliders, however, sucked. All three of them. I like fat but the lamb belly was a huge chunk of fat with really off-putting St. Patrick's Day green, overly sweet mint jelly. The crab cake was everything you hate about crappy crab cakes; mostly breading, cheap, stringy crab meat, fried-too-hard exterior. I think the last one was just the rabbit pate on a bun but by that point, I was over it. The brioche buns they were served on looked promising but they were stale. We didn't try the desserts but they had some appealing options. We'll be back but I can definitely cross the sliders off my list.", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T17:20:46" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "It hurts a bit to downgrade Parkway but every time I deviate from the shrimp poboy, I am disappointed. In this unfortunate case, I was not only disappointed but put out with indigestion for two whole days. The Reuben was DISGUSTING. I was hungry, so I ate most of my half but the sauce on it was sickeningly sweet, the sauerkraut almost nonexistent and something about the meat really turned my stomach. I still love their fries with debris and I tried the sweet potato fries, also very good. But I'll never try anything new again. I'm not sure when they added a happy hour from 3-7pm but good to know!", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T12:54:42" }, { "business_id": "9xErhLpjFcoA39AFeN3lUA", "business_name": "Liuzza's By The Track", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm going to be nice and give three stars since we only tried a few things on the menu so maybe I'd be more impressed if I tried the gumbo or the etouffee. However, I had the much-lauded BBQ shrimp poboy, which I thought was an epic fail. It wasn't offensive or anything, it just tasted like absolutely nothing; no lemon, no pepper, no garlic, nothing. Perhaps I am spoiled because my husband is a chef and he makes a damn fine rendition of BBQ shrimp but I thought this was an utter waste of $15. I had a bite of the husband's oyster poboy, which was fine, but didn't distinguish itself from other oyster poboys around the city that do not cost $14.95. Regular and sweet potato fries were good and served in generous portions. Chocolate torte was dry and forgettable. Service was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T13:04:45" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "Aztec chocolate. So good. It's hard to try new things when I love the spicy, dark chocolate blend so much. Yesterday I did deviate though and got the blueberry-basil. While the flavor of the blueberry was super intense and fantastic, it was way too sweet. I would have liked more basil too. Another favorite was a Christmas special, chesnut ice cream with pine nuts and rosemary. Amazing. Good coffee, inventive flavors you won't see at Sucre. Someday I'm going to actually eat their real food because the menu looks tempting.", "timestamp": "2012-06-26T14:52:31" }, { "business_id": "X-ZgevJi7i3wf0RjsBLG1w", "business_name": "Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I still like it for its unapologetic quirkiness but don't come here expecting anything great. Fried pickles were probably the best I've had and my husband's fried shrimp were good. My oyster remoulade was so drenched in sauce that I could only guess that they were once crispy when they emerged from the fryer. A friend's lasagna looked mediocre, as did an alfredo. The Bushwacker, which I've long wanted to try, is now crossed off my bucket list. If you want a huge, semi-frozen dessert, go for it. If you're looking for an adult beverage, skip it. I'd stick with fried seafood and large beers here.", "timestamp": "2012-06-27T17:59:44" }, { "business_id": "M8ONtZM80_LYC2Q3iqU5SA", "business_name": "Mila", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped in today for the $20 lunch special, which I think is one of the best deals in town. I love their bread assortment, especially the cornbread with some of the lima bean puree. The sweet potato rolls are pretty good too but they just aren't as good as the sweet potato biscuits at Green Goddess. I was a little sad that their featured soup was a zucchini-crab bisque since the online menu said corn-crab (!!!). Last time I was there, it was a rutabaga (or turnip maybe) with crab. I really liked that one; the zucchini was good but needed salt. I also think starchy things like corn and root vegetables lend themselves better to that kind of soup than zucchini. But the crab was plentiful and delicious. For my entree, I had beef cheeks that were wildly tender and flavorful. The beans that came with them were slightly uninspired. The fish entree with quinoa and currants was great. For dessert, I had the banana ice cream with almond streusel. There was nothing resembling a streusel, more like little crispy crumbs sprinkled on the bottom. But tasty crumbs they were and nice, textural contrast to the creamy and lush banana ice cream. Pleasant and efficient service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-29T20:33:52" }, { "business_id": "QD48BhLk7lDTgOL_NiVCCw", "business_name": "Taqueria Corona", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I've never reviewed this place, I've only been here a million times. I've been here to celebrate new jobs and buying of houses. Anyway, as we were driving up the eerily darkened Magazine Street last week, looking for refuge from Isaac, I was thrilled to see they were open! They had no AC but they still were working their asses off and running around madly to serve all the stir crazy people needing to get out of the house. For that alone, they get extra stars. Now, onto the regular things you can expect. The guy at the front register (owner?) is always there and always makes you feel like he is genuinely glad to see you. I love him. The margaritas aren't the best but they're fine and they make it to your table QUICKLY. I would skip the chips and guac and instead order the cebollitas. Actually, make that two orders because you won't want to share. This place is one of the few, or maybe only, place around that serves tongue tacos. Delicious. If you like pot roast or other similar flavorful, tender cuts of meat, this is for you. I also like the fish tacos and the carne asada tacos. Since I hate burritos, I can't really say anything on that point. Shrimp flautas are just average in general but excellent for a hangover cure.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T17:58:13" }, { "business_id": "W9SliuSyX7N0XoiG9UFNdQ", "business_name": "Pho Noi Viet", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, not remarkable though. Service was very friendly but food came out ever so slowly. The menu is pretty small, just pho, bahn mi, bun and rice plates. Only three appetizers. I wish they had a salad selection. We got the shrimp spring rolls to start with, which were much better than some I had at Pho Bang a few weeks ago. The peanut sauce is excellent! I had the curried tofu bun, the spice must have only stained the tofu a pale shade of yellow without imparting any flavor. It was fine and everything was fresh but I probably wouldn't order it again. That's not really their fault though because while I love the flavors of Vietnamese cooking (mint, cilantro, sour-sweet), I just am not a fan of gobs of white noodles or white rice. Since I wanted more than soup or a sandwich for dinner, eliminating pho and bahn mi, that left me with choosing from a pile of white noodles or a pile of white rice. My husband had shrimp pad thai and it was more flavorful than my dish but still missing some key elements. I'll go back to try their pho one of these days.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T18:05:52" }, { "business_id": "XxSIrbHqVMdEzP30-DN20g", "business_name": "Louisiana SPCA", "rating": 4, "text": "The food and drink were top notch, I mean, as soon as we checked in, there was a table full of French 75s to greet us. Thank you! some of my favorites included shrimp remoulade from Galatoire's, this smoked redfish with red onion jam from (?) and mahi with curried couscous and golden raisins from Vega Tapas. I enjoyed seeing the various costumes but I thought that the music was pretty terrible. Thanks very much Joi, it was much appreciated!", "timestamp": "2012-10-25T14:12:38" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I walked right in with 4 people and got a table immediately on a Sunday night around 7. Service was friendly and quick. I had raw oysters and gumbo for dinner. The oysters were great and actually shucked to order. I can't believe how often I get pre-shucked oysters these days, gross. Anyway, fresh oysters and very tasty gumbo. I was pleased. I tasted some of my husband's boiled seafood platter, the crabs seemed old and the mushrooms tasted canned. I would have been unhappy if that was my dinner but he said it was ok. Another friend had the swamp platter and I tried the alligator sausage, mm! He raved about the frog legs and turtle soup but I didn't try them. Bread pudding was pretty good too. I'll have to figure more time into my ride out to the airport next time so I can hit this place up for oysters.", "timestamp": "2012-11-28T16:50:31" }, { "business_id": "mCRa6o1eEVQr1bqV4Wy6KQ", "business_name": "The Blind Pelican", "rating": 3, "text": "I was lured in by their awesome happy hour special from 4-7 daily. 25 cent oysters! How can you go wrong? Also surprised by the dozen chargrilled oysters for $7.50. The oysters were shucked to order, unlike Luke which serves pre-shucked (and dry!) oysters. They were a little messy and gritty but hey, for 25 cents, I was still happy. I'd skip the chargrilled but for the price, it was a decent experiment. Beer selection was very good, I had the Mechahopzilla and my husband had some Voodoo something or other. Service was a little spotty but it was happy hour during the holidays so that's understandable. I doubt I'd come back for more than oysters but that's a good enough incentive for me", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T02:35:04" }, { "business_id": "ZTctPm8-lBy0iJ9dFhYhyQ", "business_name": "Herbsaint", "rating": 3, "text": "Based on food and drinks, I'd like to give 3.5 stars but since Herbsaint has the reputation it has, their weak points really stand out. I didn't really love the interior, plus we were there on a cold and windy night, making me wish they had a vestibule. Even seated three tables from the door, we were greeted with an Arctic chill every time the door opened. Service ranged from disjointed to friendly to cool. I understand the concept of team service but was asked for drink orders, then food orders and then second round of drink orders by two servers every time. Coordinate! My cocktail and wine flight were both forgettable. Beer list is meh. My husband and I both really liked our appetizers; I had a kale salad with smoked drum and satsumas and he had some sort of warm chicken rillete. The bread they served was also fantastic. I had a special appetizer for my entree; mortadella-stuffed ravioli with black trumpet mushroom jus. Husband's entree was downright gross. I hate complaining at restaurants but if it was my meal, I would have sent it back. The risotto was not creamy or flavorful, it just tasted like hard, wet rice. The pork belly on top had no discernible taste except...old. I really liked some of the food we ate but was so disappointed in others that I won't be back soon. I do still need to get there for that famous fried egg guanciale dish but I've got a lot of other important eating to do before I return! On the plus side, they are open on Mondays and have a very extensive wine list.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T03:35:26" }, { "business_id": "qKscu5qiEanq7XAduAhHmA", "business_name": "Banana Blossom", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for some time and, finding myself on the Wank last week, I stopped in for lunch. It was full and I waited for a table for a few minutes but things move quickly there. I was surprised that they didn't have lunch specials but decided to go with BBQ oysters and the Pad Thai. A little side salad came out first, pretty nondescript lettuce shards and unripe tomato, but I really liked the peanut-coconut dressing. The BBQ oysters were plentiful and tasty, almost too salty but I like salt. The roti they came with sopped up the sauce and by the time my Pad Thai came, I was full. Good thing too because I took a few bites of the sloppy-looking mess and didn't like it at all. The tofu tasted old, the vegetables were not fresh and it was very bland. There were a few other things on the menu that appealed to me and I might be persuaded to go back to try them but I would stay far, far away from the Pad Thai.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:17:52" }, { "business_id": "ta5Oi3sezvn4H299MbtE8Q", "business_name": "The Carousel Bar & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn about this one. I actually hate the carousel part of the bar and really dislike the spinning. Note: Don't go there after you've had a couple drinks. The spinning won't do you any favors. However, I love the lounge-y area behind the main bar, especially the cozy nooks with high-backed armchairs that look right out into the action on Royal. They make a very tasty Vieux Carre and one of my favorite Sazeracs in the city. So it's definitely worth a visit,I'd just avoid the main bar area.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:23:42" }, { "business_id": "dXREfNidBVaPbF8g5Xf54A", "business_name": "Department of Motor Vehicles", "rating": 3, "text": "Not too terrible as far as any visit to the OMV is concerned. There is plenty of parking in the lot in front and there were only 10 or so other people in line when I got there at 7:58am. One important thing to note about this location is that it is in some state office building so you have to go through security. That means leave your pistols and mace in the car, please. I was in and out within 20 minutes with my new license and although I thought the clerk I dealt with was unnecessarily snappy, I'd probably hate myself too if I worked there.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:35:32" }, { "business_id": "g8asTfC0kY9uzt1AHdm35A", "business_name": "Reily Student Recreation Center", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a fantastic facility, as it should be for Tulane tuition. As an employee, I get a discounted rate, which I don't take advantage of because first, I hate driving Uptown and second, the parking on campus sucks. However, every year during Winter Break, all employees use the facility for free and it's quiet, relatively student-free, easier to park and has a great schedule of really good classes. Once the students come back though, it can get pretty crowded so I probably won't ever buy a year-round membership. Except maybe when I have kids; they do have child care available.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:56:57" }, { "business_id": "P09fwcXyvf2GdvFnTMQWuA", "business_name": "Bellocq", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a beautiful bar and so I understand that fancy places can command high drink prices. I expected this but I thought my drink was just ok and for $14, I expect delicious. I also hate those silver cups they come in, I dislike not being able to see the level of my drink. Is there one sip left? 15? I can't tell. The presentation was lovely but there are too many places I can spend $4-6 less for a drink that is just as fancy but not as pricey. Don't get me wrong, I'd have a drink here again but it's not on my short list.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T01:56:09" }, { "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is exactly what I was thinking during my dinner. Look, for the most part, this food isn't bad, I actually enjoyed most of it. But it's damn expensive and what was good were things I could make any old night of the week. Plain old spaghetti with a garlic-scented butter? Yum! I loved that as a kid! And it takes 10 minutes to make. No need to drive to Avondale for that. Baked chicken with lots of garlic? Also, tasty and easily made at home. The baked oysters Mosca I thought was terrible and outrageously overpriced. $38 for about 12 oysters baked to death in a thick layer of breadcrumbs, which negated any oyster flavor. I can see how this place can be fun but it's unlikely I'd go back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:05:13" }, { "business_id": "iFgoIM21C_P68N8Dk-HHEA", "business_name": "Stella!", "rating": 3, "text": "It's always so hard for me to rate really nice restaurants because I expect so much before I even walk in the door. So maybe this is too harsh. Anyway... We were ushered into a somber and hushed front dining room. I felt like I had to whisper, which was sort of weird. We ordered cocktails to start because that's how I do fancy meals but I wasn't too excited about their specialty cocktails. When the ordered Blackberry Bramble or whatever it was called arrived, I was similarly nonplussed. I won't go into details about each dish but I will say that I certainly liked every course but I wasn't really wow-ed. Also, my wine tasted like anchovies, which I love but not in my wine. Highlights included all the sauces on each plate, the beef tenderloin, veal cheek and poached rhubarb for dessert. I've spent a lot less money on meals I enjoyed just as much or more so...glad I knocked that off the bucket list but won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:15:37" }, { "business_id": "2oJV-vS0Cu8cYt7_TbzOww", "business_name": "Cleaver & Co", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, 3 or 4 stars? This is tough because I'm glad that they're there but I did not at ALL like the head cheese I bought there and am unlikely to ever buy another $20 chicken. I love independent butchers though so I would like to support them but probably only for buying cuts for special occasions.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T18:44:30" }, { "business_id": "O7adYE4pVfqY02Lh6ywEpA", "business_name": "Swirl Wine Bar & Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I love this place. It would be hard NOT to like just based on their delightful location. Well-curated selection of wines and small cheese case run by very informative and helpful staff. Unfortunately, I avoid their Friday tastings because they have become so popular that they are too packed for me. I prefer the Wednesday night flights.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:21:07" }, { "business_id": "eKgtzwzbLR44fqevm6yUSQ", "business_name": "Faubourg Wines", "rating": 4, "text": "I was in the neighborhood quite a bit leading up to Krewe du Vieux, making floats, working on costumes and...drinking, of course. There were many days that I stopped in here (sometimes twice!) to fuel up on well-priced sparkling wine. Favorite find; an intoxicatingly perfumed grapefruit liquor.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:49:08" }, { "business_id": "g-IXI3v3fOudMsyLPKb-eQ", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location better than the one in Mid-City, such a cool re-use of a bank building! Very good coffee and now I'm wondering why I didn't have a Bellini? Anyway, I stupidly ordered eggs with a biscuit and corned beef when I could have ordered the special; a twist on the Benedict with fried green tomatoes as the English muffin, a bed of arugula and bacon. Everyone else at my table ordered it so I thought I should try the corned beef and MAYBE my husband would let me have some of his benny. He gave me one small and very delicious bite. Hash was pretty good, as was the biscuit but goddamnit, my over-easy eggs were inedible. Do restaurants cook eggs in a pool of water? I've had this happen before, it's pretty gross and left my eggs mostly untouched. Oh well, everything else was very nice.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T20:21:43" }, { "business_id": "ZgmEBmGQbSHj8YZgN2pPLQ", "business_name": "Satsuma Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Since my husband is not a breakfast eater, I am delighted when I have visitors so we can go out and sample early morning bites. A few months ago, my mother and her husband were here and this was the first place I thought of. Initially, I was kind of disappointed that there was no table service but that's a minor quibble. The staff, although very busy, was cheerful and helpful with recommendations for my juice-neophyte parents. Juice was delicious. My mother and I split a One-Eyed Jack and a special sweet-potato ginger pancake. I had a similar pancake a few weeks before at Suis Generis and that one was WAY better. This pancake was flavorless and oddly textured, plus it would have been nice to have a little side of fruit or something to go with it. The One-Eyed Jack was good but we were both still hungry after our breakfast. My SF ordered wisely and got a much heartier meal with eggs, very good black beans and a tasty biscuit. I'd probably be more inclined to come back here for lunch than breakfast but it is a very sweet little spot. After breakfast, make your way over to the Bargain Center next door for an interesting shopping experience.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T13:29:36" }, { "business_id": "1788xIG9VRrs3DZ_RhqA6A", "business_name": "Pearl Wine Co", "rating": 4, "text": "I wasn't sure what to expect when the ownership changed recently. for the most part, I'm pretty happy with the changes. The owner seems to be extremely knowledgeable and passionate about wine. She has also opened later hours and was even open on the 4th! I'm also glad she kept the staff; Jodi and Jose and great and have been fixtures for some time. The wine shop is worthy of 5 stars but the adjoining bar is not. The atmosphere always did and still does kind of suck. Which is partially not their fault, it is a former industrial building after all. But still, nothing about the place makes me want to hang out there. And they got rid of the former cocktail menu which I liked. But still, overall pleased with the changes. Welcome to the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T18:46:53" }, { "business_id": "bkxtuHXCL7GR51FiNdextA", "business_name": "City Greens", "rating": 3, "text": "Tasty. Friendly staff. But damn, it's really expensive. Just a salad with no drink and no added protein set me back almost $11. I'd only go again if someone suggested it since I can make my own delicious salads for a fraction of the price.", "timestamp": "2013-07-28T13:57:33" }, { "business_id": "WNhcS2zi4zAqA2TbduVINQ", "business_name": "Cleo's", "rating": 4, "text": "I had the vegetarian plate and it was very good. I loved the baba ganoush (so much better than mine) and the hummus with spicy roasted peppers on top. Falafel also really good. I actually like my tabbouleh better but theirs was still fresh and tasty. Tasted friend's lamb kebobs, small-ish but delicious and whatever they use as a salad dressing is awesome. Set-up inside the convenience store with loud club-like music was a little weird but not off-putting.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T18:48:28" }, { "business_id": "KGfw-g_JtizLJb4YmRB2Ig", "business_name": "Mariza", "rating": 4, "text": "I visited Mariza a few weeks ago but didn't eat since my trendy friends wanted to eat dinner at 9:30. I ate dinner at 6 like an old lady and met them for drinks. Anyway, I had one of their specialty cocktails (the Bywater something or other), which was too sweet, and one bite of my friend's hanger steak, which was incredible. I thought so much about that one bite that I jumped when my husband suggested Mariza for our Saturday night dinner date. We were lucky enough to get seated without a wait so that was a plus. To start, we shared an appetizer special; herbed ricotta-stuffed ravioli with chanterelles . OK, the sauce was divine and so was the filling, the one extremely small dab of it anyway. As someone who used to make fresh pasta at a restaurant, I wasn't impressed with the pasta either. It tasted like it was held in water perhaps? We also shared the yellowfin tuna carpaccio with arugula and parm. No complaints! I had that oh-so-delectable steak and it was everything I remembered and more. Served draped over grilled bread with olive tapenade and drizzled with pesto. Perfect. Husband's duck confit was also a hit. Their beer menu is kind of limited but I had a very nice and inexpensive pinot noir, which I find can so often be hit or miss. Our entrees were good-sized and very reasonably priced, both $15 or $16. So I can't really complain about price except when I compare my $16 steak with a $12 ravioli appetizer (2 ravioli, extremely meagerly filled). Oh well, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 2 drinks per person for ~$80 is still really reasonable. Next time I'm getting the burrata crostini and lamb belly. Or the goat ricotta with kale and the short ribs rigatoni. And MUST leave room for the chocolate terrine with olive oil and sea salt. I have to have that.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T19:01:31" }, { "business_id": "7ZcA6w0UCRmeEjN2nyeYuA", "business_name": "Root", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband I I were lucky enough to be invited to dinner here, which was great because I'm quite sure our hosts spent a pretty penny. We started off with cocktails and charcuterie. A+ on the cocktails! Inventive but accessible list and tasty to boot. I liked all the pickled things on the charcuterie plate and DEFINITELY the lardo; everything else was fine but no wow factor. Then we moved on to appetizers; of those I tasted, I'd say the deviled eggs were my favorite. My smoked scallops were as delicious as I'd hoped. Husband predictably ordered pork belly. It was good but what I really remember was this smoked vegetable ash smear it was served on. WOW. I thought the desserts were more about presentation (and at that, they excelled) than taste. We had the peach crumble and the blueberry clafoutis. Neither impressed my palate. I was really looking forward to the peach buttermilk ice cream with my dessert but it was icy and bland. Ice cream, or gelato, whatever they call it, is pretty easy and they didn't get it right at ALL. However, if I were to go back for anything, which is unlikely since they charge $16 for deviled eggs, I would go back for the Indian falooda. Oh! It was a terrarium of beautiful, edible flowers and accouterments swimming in a pool of geranium milk. I thought this sounded a little crazy but I loved it. Appetizers and desserts were overpriced and fell a little flat. Drinks and entrees, while pricey, were worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-20T20:25:53" }, { "business_id": "FxeakFEI6gObK0CxcOft-A", "business_name": "Manhattan Jack", "rating": 3, "text": "My cuban was ok. This sandwich, and the others my friends ordered, is a perfect example was why I hate going out for breakfast and lunch. It's expensive and just not that great. I'd rather save my dollars for dinner and make my own sandwich for lunch. I didn't try any of the sweets and while they looked and smelled lovely, I probably won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T12:03:25" }, { "business_id": "gC8i-lxwvGhVpOXM5eYdtA", "business_name": "Taqueria Guerrero", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the staff here and that it never seems to be super busy. They don't have my beloved fish tacos though and i like the lengua better at Taqueris Corona/ Was very disappointed in my taco al pastor, it's probably the worst I've ever tried. To be daring, we ordered the huarache and the baleado. Huarache, good choice, baleado, bland. Horchata is tasty! It's cheap and close to home but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T14:45:20" }, { "business_id": "5rScKeYVjFk8VahsvJv9QA", "business_name": "Mikimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never used to be a fan but my husband is and it's gradually grown on me. Every time we'd go out, he'd suggest Mikimoto and I'd roll my eyes and ignore him. But he's got a pretty strong sushi addiction and orders once a week, in addition to going out. And of course, he always orders from Mikimoto. It's still not my favorite but it's reliable, quick, plentiful and priced right.", "timestamp": "2013-09-14T15:44:45" }, { "business_id": "FCCnOgjjvwQJBAy3u2fcLA", "business_name": "Criollo Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful place in the Monteleone. I have been wanting to try Criollo for a while and finally did for their Coolinary offering. My friend and I were seated in a window overlooking Iberville. I felt like I was in a little bistro in Paris, which is amazing since I knew if I had two more feet of a view on either side, I'd see Walgreen's and the crowd of guys hanging out in front of the old penny arcade. Service was charming and attentive, from the server to the runner to the hostess. We started with their delicious bread basket and assorted butters. I chose the gumbo, friend had the salad. The gumbo was good, not outstanding but it did distinguish itself with a garnish of fried okra. Very nice. Salad looked uninspired. For entrees, I had the soft-shell crab with brown butter. Yes! Excellent. My friend had the cobia and the bite I had was the blood line so it wasn't a good first impression. I did have another bite (no blood line) and it was good but at nice restaurants, please remove the blood line from the fish! Her dish was topped with a sort of okra popper (cheese-stuffed and fried), which I really liked. I ordered the chocolate-pecan parfait, which sounded way better than white chocolate creme brulee tart to me. What a letdown. It was served nearly frozen solid and it was several inches high so to cut through it was nearly impossible. The flavor was also boring and the cake bit on the bottom was dry. It was terrible. The creme brulee tart however, was stupendous. Loved it. Also, extra kudos for having espresso and not french press. I like french press too but I have one at home. What I don't have at home is a $4,000 espresso machine so I appreciate them when I go out!", "timestamp": "2013-09-18T14:37:54" }, { "business_id": "rVRh3PnjYwSaVvGs0joh5w", "business_name": "Five Guys", "rating": 3, "text": "First of all, it was so bright in here that I felt overwhelmed just walking in. We ordered the regular burgers and large fries, which were both so much bigger than I had anticipated. I went in after spending the afternoon drinking beer at NOLA on Tap so I was beer-hungry and I still couldn't finish the fries. The burger was pretty good and I like all the toppings but the fries were so unsatisfying. They had no taste and making a fried potato taste good is fairly easy. My husband liked them though so maybe I'm just off. I was also shocked at how long it took everything to come out. They were busy but only putting out one order every 4-5 minutes. I think we finally got our food after 20 minutes. It's ok and I might go back but it's not high on my list.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T11:55:25" }, { "business_id": "YSyZipJDgS3D_R0wqPqPhQ", "business_name": "Longue Vue House and Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "I took advantage of Free Museum Day this year with a long overdue trip to Longue Vue. This place has been on my list for years and I can't believe I just now took advantage of a quiet morning spent in the lovely gardens of this estate. Turning down Bamboo Rd. from Metairie Rd, I knew I was in a for a treat. I spent about 45 minutes going through the Discovery Garden (so cute, can't wait to bring my nieces!), to the wild garden (reminder to self to go back when the irises bloom) and the impressive Spanish Court. Luckily, I was just finishing my garden foray when a tour of the house was starting. Wow. The history of the family who lived here was impressive. Not only do you get to peek into what their life was like, but the lady of the house was a collector of modern art and so it was like a gallery visit on top of the house tour. Our guide was also super knowledgable and I feel like I got a history lesson on politics, New Orleans oddities, river commerce and more. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T12:04:13" }, { "business_id": "hPd6uMCjNglnOwwHpkY5Tg", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - French Quarter", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sure this will be unpopular but Felipe's did not hit my spot. I like the one Uptown and I thought I would like this one too but the food, not so much. Husband's cheese sauce on chimichanga tasted rancid, flautas tasted like freezer-burned cardboard and everything else was room temperature and blah. I still love their condiments bar and the drinks are always nice, especially on Wednesdays.", "timestamp": "2013-10-21T16:01:09" }, { "business_id": "dBOVfp8Ub8uO9qUPtw92_w", "business_name": "Lilette", "rating": 4, "text": "My dashing husband brought me here for a birthday lunch after I'd been yearning to go forever. It turns out he knew one of the chefs and so we were sent some delicious short rib lagniappe. I decided to go with two appetizers so that I wouldn't pass out after lunch, unlike my husband, who had a duck appetizer and a steak for an entree. I had some marvelous gnocchi in a tomato sauce and then the famed crab claws and passionfruit butter. That butter was so sublime, I would lick it right off of Bourbon Street. Honestly, the crab wasn't all that, kind of stringy. It's okay though because that butter...oh my. I was sorely disappointed in dessert. We had a Nutella custard and it was GRAY in color and about as flavorful as gray sounds. How do you muck up Nutella? Confusing. Anyway, it is a beautiful space and I'd love to go back for dinner one day.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:17:11" }, { "business_id": "V9VLhHdSFpFi4yXFqVcVEA", "business_name": "Pêche", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn a bit as I write this. It was good, don't get me wrong, I guess I just expected a little more wow. And that's totally because a) it's Donald Link and b) I eat fresh seafood at home all the time and I can admit I'm spoiled. Just last week my husband brought home a 28-inch redfish that he caught and he grilled it on the half-shell with chermoula and tzatziki. But I'm not reviewing my kitchen, just demonstrating that I have a high bar. We started with some expertly fried crab and artichoke fritters. No fillers to bind these beauties together. We also had some olive-oil poached tuna that didn't taste super fresh to me so I let husband eat it all up. There was a third appetizer that I don't remember so I'm sure it was fine although obviously not memorable. Whole grilled flounder to share. I love flounder so it was good but that's all I have to say about it. We also got a side of stewed okra (one of my favorite things all night, go figure!) and very tasty field peas. Dessert was an amazing-sounding but disappointing-tasting chocolate peanut butter banana pie. They have an interesting cocktail menu but after tasting mine and my husband's, I switched to their equally interesting but more reasonably priced wine list. Service was friendly (except for the hostess at the door who was hating life!). It's very loud. If you're visiting from out of town and want to eat some really good Louisiana seafood, this is your place. If you're married to a local fisherman like me, you can probably eat just as well at home.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:34:18" }, { "business_id": "riGIP57_SRRnhx91c_4sBQ", "business_name": "Cafe Granada", "rating": 4, "text": "Over the past weekend, with its lovely weather, I wanted to go somewhere where we could sit outside. Husband suggested this place, which neither of us have ever visited. I love tapas and they have outdoor seating. Sold. We started off with a carafe of red sangria, which was quite watery. I'll go to Lola's if I want sangria. We had several things, some that I loved and some that were just ok. But the ones I loved were so good, I can't wait to go back! The delicious: Brie with fig preserves: Hard to go wrong with this, except to do it like we did. One order for four people. Boo. Get your own. Duck confit: The duck was on point and the salad it came with was fantastic! The hangar steak: Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Served with very good french fries and what I think was a garlic aioli (menu said chimichurri but that it wasn't). The good: Goat cheese croquetas: Served with some sort of mango sauce. Shrimp croquetas: Not as good as the goat cheese ones. Served with a tomato sauce. Carpaccio de res: This might have made the delicious category if there was some balance between oil and acid on the plate. It was drizzled with oil, fine, but needed some vinegar or something else. The just ok: Zucchini pockets with salmon and brie: The zucchini was good, I didn't taste the brie and the salmon just didn't work with the zucchini, to my taste anyway. Manchego with tequila: I though booze, flame and cheese was a no brainer but it just tasted like soggy cheese with cheap tequila taste on top. Yuck. The bread: Not good and with these kind of tapas, the bread is kind of important. The aforementioned sangria. $100 bucks for four people with drinks. Not bad at all.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:50:59" }, { "business_id": "3JOWaLAwQkYTZsgSe5HzVA", "business_name": "Hermes Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why Yelp has this come up as Lower Garden, this is the heart of the FQ. Weird. Anyway, I like coming here with visitors for some old school New Orleans vibes. One of the few place in town you can order a Ramos Gin Fizz and check out old Mardi Gras memorabilia. I usually just get drinks but have been wanting to try the Oyster Foch poboy (fried oysters, colbert sauce, foie gras) for the longest. I finally got my wish! The presentation was kind of sloppy and it was stuffed somewhat sparsely but the taste was OH MY GOD. I might have to hit happy hour again this week for another.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:56:35" }, { "business_id": "UjFLIhKTOiFcQiziOA9rgA", "business_name": "Mizado Latin Kitchen", "rating": 3, "text": "A-ok for now, with some strong pluses and minuses. I was very excited for this place to open and we checked it out the night before Thanksgiving. Business was booming and the welcoming host staff seemed genuinely glad to see us. However, I wasn't crazy about the whole valet setup outside, it seemed unnecessary and I felt more like I was going to a club in LA than dinner under the interstate in New Orleans. That same feeling goes for the decor. But that's just my personal taste talking and I'm sure some people love the ultra-modern, lounge-like feel. I LOVED the pickled vegetables and fried chickpeas that were put on the table to munch on. Our server warned us they'd be really hot but I thought they were perfect. On the other hand, she did not warn us about the salsas and 2 of the 3 (arbol, borracha, aguacate) we got were verrrry spicy. I like spice but it was a lot for me and husband couldn't eat them. Plus, they were more like pastes or dips to me. OK but not worth repeating. Fish tacos (unremarkable), pork belly (some pieces were great and some were undercooked=flabby) and peruvian atun (delicious!) completed the meal. My drink (Cava Lamp) had no discernible taste of St. Germain that it included as an ingredient. It was also priced wrong on the menu. Husband's margarita was fine but they don't do salted rims, instead a salted foam sits on top of the drink. Meh. I will probably go back to try more of the menu but I'm not running back anytime soon. It might get back into my rotation in the next 6 months. Might not.", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:24:23" }, { "business_id": "now2TRoUla_5u_tmH4HGig", "business_name": "Namese", "rating": 4, "text": "I never thought I'd be dining al fresco on a beautiful patio located...at the corner of Carrollton and Tulane? I saw how nice the exterior was as we pulled up but it really is even nicer than you can imagine once you are seated on the patio. We didn't go inside so I can't speak to that. I wanted to order one of everything but I restrained myself. We started with the banh mi sample, I liked the shrimp the best but husband liked the other two. I recommend just getting a banh mi instead though, just to get the bang for your buck. We also got the pork roll and pate banh mi and the serving size was much more than the appetizer. They were out of pork belly, so sad, so we didn't sample any of that. Grilled shrimp spring rolls were good, caramel catfish was very good and the green papaya salad was my favorite! Staff was great and welcoming. We will definitely be back often. So glad this is on the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:32:28" }, { "business_id": "fmWgbWRcbJw-yRCK3USnvA", "business_name": "Fountain Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "We had kind of a perfect New Orleans night here, the Saturday before Christmas was very festive and the famed Roosevelt decorations were dazzling. We ran into old friends and made new ones. But none of that really had to do with the food, which did not live up to the rest of our evening. We started with raw oysters, which were cold, salty and shucked right. We both had the Reveillon menu but there were choices for each of us, I love choices! I had an asparagus dish with poached egg and Parmesan foam that was delicate and rich-tasting at the same time. The smoked tuna was good too but asparagus trumped it. The soup and salad course was next, nice but not remarkable. The soup was so rich, I think it was mostly heavy cream with a dash of cauliflower in there. I had swordfish that tasted frozen and my husband had a deconstructed duck wellington that was a better choice. Both desserts (banana-chocolate creme brulee and a lemon tart) tasted like Sysco made them a decade ago. I love dessert and I'll even eat most bad desserts but I didn't finish either one of these. Also, our cocktails cost $16 each. Things started off okay but took a nose-dive. I won't be back.", "timestamp": "2014-02-11T14:33:59" }, { "business_id": "zWfzgYe2nT9mHYm_vl1Ukw", "business_name": "Mopho", "rating": 3, "text": "Sigh. I've been twice and both times I was not overly impressed. The first time we went, we ordered the crispy wings. They were not crisp at all, although the flavor was really good. I also had the worst pho I've ever had. The broth (beef, with oxtail and tendon) was murky and tasteless, like they used no star anise or other aromatics. The second time we went was better. I had the much hyped pepper jelly clams. The clams were really fresh-tasting and the broth was delicious. But I would have loved to sop it up with some bread, instead I got some stick-shaped beignets that were awfully sweet and not a good vessel at all to absorb that beautiful broth. My companions had poboys, which they enjoyed. I'll likely keep trying but so far, it hasn't lived up to my expectations. Staff is really nice, the space is beautiful. I'm looking forward to checking out their happy hour and the patio in nice weather.", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:35:36" }, { "business_id": "EbLbT1sR9myTqzjF4mHrTw", "business_name": "The Civic Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "We went to see Christian Scott and Esperanza Spalding here a couple months ago. What a beautiful job they've done! It's fairly small and the seating felt very...vertical. But I like that it was on the small side, it felt very intimate. The bar is stocked with better than your average. They had a fancy cocktail menu and my husband was happy with his Hopitoulas. Look forward to seeing more shows here!", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:39:55" }, { "business_id": "FLtru6J7y9d-Rqb32jyPIg", "business_name": "The Fat Falafel", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only tried the falafel sandwich (add hummus) but those fries with garlic aioli were very tempting! I liked the pita, loved the root slaw and enjoyed the sauce. But...was there a hint of cinnamon in the falafel? If not, there was something I couldn't identify and if there was, I didn't like it. But it was my only quibble, well, that and also that it was messy and had so much garlic that I wanted to run home to my toothbrush immediately. In fact, after brushing my teeth and using industrial strength mouthwash, I could still taste it. So if you're planning on being out the rest of the day/evening, proceed with caution!", "timestamp": "2014-05-06T20:35:52" }, { "business_id": "9xdXS7jtWjCVzL4_oPGv9A", "business_name": "GW Fins", "rating": 3, "text": "It was good, don't get me wrong. I'll have to go back to try more of the menu and hope to upgrade to 4 stars then. AMBIANCE: Looks really dated inside, like it was designed in the early 90s. No big deal, decor is not what I came for but I noticed it. SERVICE: I appreciate attentive service, which it was, but even better, our server was knowledgeable about the menu. Kudos. THOSE BISCUITS: Everybody seems to love these. They were good, kind of on the sweet side for me. And not great for sopping up some of the excellent sauces from our meal. APPETIZERS: These were fantastic. We got the lobster dumplings, fried snapper cheeks and salmon tartar. The sauce on those dumplings, WHOA! So good. The fried fish contrasted with a spicy-sweet slaw, delicious. ENTREES: Bored silly. We both basically got a variation of fish paired with a starch and some vegetables. Nothing bad but after the appetizers, very uninspired. DESSERT: Cherry panna cotta (good) and passionfruit \"souffle.\" They had souffle in quotes so I was curious to see what that meant. You want to know? It means passionfruit ice cream served in a souffle cup. Lame. They have a great wine list (although a crappy beer list) so I'd go back to sit at the bar for some wine and apps.", "timestamp": "2014-08-13T14:30:02" }, { "business_id": "cTSczU-9-cYUEM2DlNJcQw", "business_name": "1000 Figs", "rating": 5, "text": "I found out Tuesday morning that this place had opened the day before. Since I love checking out new places within walking distance, we decided to try it for dinner. OH, SO good! I had their falafel before (which I had previously found to be dry but I liked that beet-carrot slaw). But I'm glad I gave it another shot because these here perfect. Wait, let me back up. The space is really beautiful, it feels like being in someone's home and obviously a lot of careful thought went into the decor (love the silverware in drawers at each table!). It's BYOB right now but since it's next to Swirl, they're really nice about setting you up with wine and all the accouterments. It is rather quiet though so maybe not the best place for a boisterous group. We shared barley-roasted vegetable salad, kale salad with squid and the hummus platter. The barley salad was awesome, that was probably my favorite. The kale salad I actually didn't like, I think it was chard and not kale? And not crazy about the squid, which I usually love. But I plopped some hummus on it and it was fine. The falafel were tender and perfect. Everything was served with an avalanche of fresh greens, dill, mint etc and that was a really nice touch. The hand-stretched bread that came with the hummus platter also blew me away. But when we asked for more, we got cold, factory pita from Restaurant Depot:( Maybe they ran out, highly likely since it was so delicious! No desserts, very reasonably priced. Will be back again and again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:26:21" }, { "business_id": "PDpEFp0lCsXtGsUO1WPllA", "business_name": "The Franklin", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is beautiful, no doubt. Did this used to be an old praline shop? I can't remember. I liked our dinner here but I just can't shake that I spent $72 on myself for 2 drinks and 3 apps and a dessert split 3 ways. My favorite thing was actually a salad with root vegetables. I had oysters with white remoulade; I'd drink that sauce straight but the oysters weren't fried very well, sort of soggy. I also had beef tartar with strawberries, which I decided was not a good combination. The best thing there was this cocktail I had, the Kentucky Rifleman, which was worth every penny of the $12 it cost. Rye and black walnut bitters, OMG. We shared the quince-almond-goat cheese tart and while I'd eat anything with goat cheese, the crust of this tasted like dirt and the ice cream was icy, which really ruined the texture.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:33:59" }, { "business_id": "XCDXN4xJh3-DauaO88CZHQ", "business_name": "Courtyard Brewery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so happy to see this love child finally come to fruition! I've known Scott and Lindsay for a few years now and they are such awesome people, but beyond that, they know their beer! The design and decor are well done and every time I go, I look forward to seeing something new and quirky. I like the family and dog friendly vibe. They have a great lineup of offerings, which have all been guest pours on my visit. However, I know they just released their own brews next week so I'll have to get there again soon!", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:10:02" } ]	{ "business_id": "e-fXMT8R3j7BKMTh8xn8aw", "business_name": "Red's Chinese", "rating": 3, "text": "We had a nice dinner here last nice but I think we may have ordered the wrong things! We ordered the smashed cucumbers (fine, forgettable), the sliders (decent) and the chicken feet (gross) to start. Except that's not the way the food came out. We got the cucumbers and Kung Pao Pastrami first (delicious). We also never got the ribs we ordered and since the servings were so large, we were probably better off not getting them. I really enjoyed my cocktail (Dragon's Breath) and I'd go back to order other things. Service was fast and friendly, minus the snafu with food arrival. A note about chicken feet: having never tried them, I was curious. I thought they'd be crunchy. The flaccid skin (though soaked in a tasty buffalo wing style sauce), revealed nothing underneath but gristly bone. Now I know.", "timestamp": "2015-01-25T14:23:03" }
07aVWNhBhpwqW3MdqoKDKQ	[ { "business_id": "yD3vJQYB8lX8Se97oCVb2w", "business_name": "Rio Mar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here several times over the course of many years and there are some gems for sure, although I was turned off last night. We sat for dinner and asked to start with some appetizers so that we could look over the menu leisurely. We were told that the kitchen doesn't accept appetizer orders without the entrees, you have to order everything at once. I don't remember this ever being the case there. My group and I are all restaurant workers and found this attitude not worthy of the good but not spectacular meal. The ceviche. Good but the lime juice didn't taste fresh, more like what you buy in the green, plastic lime-shaped container. Pata negra (jamon iberico). Very tasty, I liked that it was served with almond-stuffed dates, they were delicious. Oysters Riomar. Very good, a little rich but I love manchego and chorizo, maybe a little too much chorizo in this particular dish, it kind of overwhelmed the other flavors. Gulf fish escabeche. Outstanding, very fresh. Serrano-wrapped tuna. Meh. Sounds amazing but the tuna flavor was not there. The tres leches with coco had a different texture than I usually associate with the dessert but it was very tasty, especially with the nuts on top. Flan was a bit too dense, in a sort of gelatinous way but still good flavor. Chocolate cake was unremarkable. The desserts were on the house to apologize for the appetizer/entree thing but I don't see why they wouldn't just allow a more relaxed style of ordering, it's not as if we walked in five minutes before closing.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T14:50:13" }, { "business_id": "yf8a1DOlqoqlKHuLSKEfxg", "business_name": "Dante's Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful outdoor seating area, friendly but not overbearing service. My absolute favorite thing was the escargot served in a sauce of basil, vermouth and goat cheese. I would go back again and again for that dish. We also got the Heads and Tails, very cute name and very tasty dish (hogshead cheese and braised oxtails). Beets and greens we ordered as sides were wonderful, simple but somehow unique. Braised pork belly not as great as I had anticipated but the pork steak confit was even better. Redfish served with soft herbs and crabmeat was delicate and lovely. At first I thought the very pretty profusion of herbs would be over the top flavor-wise but it wasn't. Too full for dessert although nothing really jumped out at me either. One of my more memorable meals this year.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T15:13:32" }, { "business_id": "je-bSjTTn8qKjT094MzjDw", "business_name": "Laurel Street Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "I want to like this place because it is sweet and neighborhoody but the croissants were really disappointing. The chocolate croissants had chocolate syrup on them but for some reason I ordered them anyway, at which point they put MORE syrup on. Ick. They also tasted pretty stale. Almond was better but still pretty lweak as far as croissants go. I would go back to try their coffee and bagels, which I hear are really good but then again I heard the croissants were great too.", "timestamp": "2010-07-25T18:01:33" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 3, "text": "The fried chicken was good. The shrimp creole that my friends had looked not so great but they liked it. Then again, they're visiting from out of town and I've never liked shrimp creole anyway. However, the Sazerac there is awful, it's watery and served over ICE! I've never had a Sazerac on the rocks and I hope to never again. Still, would come back to try the duck quesadilla", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:03:01" }, { "business_id": "FEXhWNCMkv22qG04E83Qjg", "business_name": "Café Du Monde", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Cafe du Monde, always have. But I have never gotten their frozen cafe au lait, always stuck with regular cafe au lait and beignets. So I met some friends downtown and on the way back to the office, I was HOT and stopped for the aforementioned frozen drink. Slightly too sweet but really, who cares, it is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:04:21" }, { "business_id": "qFqYnVhKKdDPYoTFwqHDrg", "business_name": "Martinique Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing. Martinique has been on my list for years and I can't believe I never made it until last night. i was with a group of six, which was fantastic because we ordered a ton of food and got to taste much of the menu. Escargot, lobster gnocchi, basil crepe, tomato gazpacho and mussels were excellent. The scallop appetizer special was kind of bland. Cobb salad was outstanding, peppery arugula and salty cheese with sweet crab meat. I thought it was kind of strange that no bread was served, which I generally don't care about but was needed for the escargot sauce. Instead, we slurped it up with the mussel shells! Lamb with pistachio-mint tapenade and pork with onion marmalade were both outstanding. The flat iron steak was good but not as flavorful as it should have been, the flavor mostly came from the compound butter it was topped with. My entree was an ahi with a caper-five herb beurre blanc that was heavy on the tarragon and topped with crabmeat. The sauce was amazing, the crabmeat really set it off, I wish the tuna was cooked slightly less but still great. Desserts were a super Meyer-lemon goat cheese tart, a housemade Guinness ice cream and a fairly boring bread pudding. Lovely service, beautiful setting, stellar meal.", "timestamp": "2010-07-28T19:45:21" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the little tables inside and the pictures of the family and all that jazz. I love strolling there on a cool September evening. But I think their gelato is just fine, not great, but fine. If I want gelato, or any other frozen dessert, I prefer Sucre or La Divina or Creole Creamery, I think they just use better products.", "timestamp": "2010-09-29T15:39:24" }, { "business_id": "TzkVUJab9Sh0CqDk2sCF-w", "business_name": "Bayona", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still full from last night. Yes, it was very good but I wasn't blown away. Maybe my expectations were too high. I had a Stormy Morning to start, which was elderberry and violette liquers, bubbly and lime, almost too sweet but the lime saved it. Then we got some bread which was nice although I noticed other tables got amuses bouches and we did not. Sad. I got the crispy quail salad for an appetizer, it was indeed crispy and the greens weren't overdressed! Finally! My boyfriend got the sweetbreads in sherry-mustard and although he said they were a bit too salty, they were cooked perfectly. The man got the Bayona salad as a second and I thought it was really lame. I like salads not to be drowning in dressing but I couldn't really taste any dressing at all, there was a bit on the bottom of the bowl but...really? And it was just lettuce and Parm. I'm bored just thinking about it. Entrees, I got a grouper special, which had a beautiful sear on it and a wonderful lemony-capery-buttery sauce. Also chanterelles, cipolloni and tomatoes. My boyfriend got a rabbit roulade with a green onion-brioche stuffing. The stuffing was great but the rabbit was kind of overcooked and had LOTS of little bones in it. There shouldn't be bones in a roulade. The mashed potatoes were as exciting as the Bayona salad and the sauteed kale was tasty but also very salty. I think dessert was the best. We got perfectly pulled espressos, served with a chocolate almond and we ordered a Lemon-Lavendar Semifreddo with Almond Shortbread. I capitalized all that because that's how good it was. It tasted like a fairy tale. Overall, I enjoyed the meal but I think this is one of those NOLA restaurants that saw their heyday a while back and isn't moving forward.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T14:29:36" }, { "business_id": "mfTyBrvx9uCTSPjmrl8PjA", "business_name": "Maison Dupuy Hotel", "rating": 3, "text": "We went here for pre-dinner drinks, which were okay but not great and pricey. To be fair though, our bartender said it was her first day so I'll cut her some slack. A ton of stars for their piano player Paul, he is awesome.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T16:34:24" }, { "business_id": "95d60_mjUg2kLy-bhDLC6w", "business_name": "Theo's Neighborhood Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Meh. I was hungry and Parkway closed early because they ran out of bread so I ended up at Theo's. The toppings were good but the crust was flavorless and I am not a fan of its crackerlike crispness. I like all kinds of pizza, NY style and Chicago style and so on but I have yet to find pizza in New Orleans that I love.", "timestamp": "2010-10-04T00:02:49" }, { "business_id": "E_HZHSOrXy621e9jeI8R7w", "business_name": "Parkview Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "I like Parkview. I like the outside tables and the semi-stale but free popcorn and the very, very cheap Abita on tap with tokens so you can drink your pitcher in moderate, pint-sized portions and then save some for next time. I like Bunchie and Chris and their free food at Saints games, especially the hogshead cheese shaped like a fleur-de-lis made by the inimitable Vaughn of Creole Country Meats. The downside to the whole place is that it's just so smoky:(", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:17:31" }, { "business_id": "4FDOh7BAb0pgLuD8rjl3bg", "business_name": "Dee's Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "Now that the weather is nice, I can leave my crypt-like office and take a mid-afternoon stroll to wake myself up. Dee's is perfect, not crowded, unassuming and just good coffee. I've only had espresso there but I'd like to try some of their frozen drinks, I think they had something called English Garden with lavender and violet? With coffee? I'm intrigued.", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:23:45" }, { "business_id": "FknpD7tLt59-6ozV3Pk2Vg", "business_name": "Caesars Superdome", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm a hater. I got all excited because the boyfriend's boss gave us his tickets last week but really, I think I like to watch the game where there are fewer obnoxious people and the food doesn't give me the runs. Within minutes of getting through security, several shrill women who looked like they were coming from a meth lab damn near started a riot by pushing and loudly kvetching near the escalators. Okay. Moving along. We got to our seats and were lucky to sit in front of a man who heckled EVERYONE in sight for the whole game, from five year olds to peanut vendors. As for the food, well, all nachos are not created equal and these weren't so good. The one bite I had of the hot dogs actually tasted pretty decent but sadly the boyfriend spent the rest of the day in the bathroom. I'll stick to the neighborhood bar or better yet, make some gumbo at home and invite the neighborhood over.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T19:37:13" }, { "business_id": "GWLWFcxaWJuWFZYeQSMMTg", "business_name": "Garden District Book Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. They pack a lot of good reads into a small place, plus I have been going to their book club meeting the past few months, which is super. The books are always thoughtfully picked and even if I don't enjoy that month's selection, I really like hearing what these smart, articulate women (men are certainly allowed although I've never seen one!) have to say about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:09:11" }, { "business_id": "nLxzI1lBOFNTKEnoip66wA", "business_name": "Mondo", "rating": 4, "text": "Highlights were the shrimp and pork meatballs on the lemongrass skewers and creamy crab toast. The breaded artichoke was pretty boring and awfully stringy but the lemon aioli was a bright spot. The steak tartare was fine but there was so much caper and pepper and so on that it detracted from the beef. If there was actually even any beef at all, I'm not sure. I'm kicking myself for not trying to soup of the day, a hot and sour soup with duck dumplings. My dinner was perfectly passable, fish \"Muddy Waters\" (which is a meuniere with jalapeno and anchovy) with roasted potatoes, except I didn't care for the fish of the day...tripletail. I usually hate five-spice powder but T's Chinese duck was very tasty, if a little small, as was the accompanying turnip cake. C. got a steak with bearnaise and OOOOH, I cannot get enough of tarragon lately. I don't even know how the steak was because I focused on those lovely, licorice-like, grassy bits of tarragon in the sauce. E.got a lovely lamb with ricotta agnolloti that might be what I order next time I'm in. For dessert, lemon tart, coconut sorbet and sweet potato-pecan pie with almond-sherry ice cream. Sorbet (good) lemon tart (uh, lemony?) sweet-potato pecan pie with ice cream was STELLAR. I really liked the ice cream, the sherry complemented the almond so well and the almonds tasted deep and toasty. All in all, a very nice meal, although we wanted a perhaps finer dining experience than they offer. We were looking for some port or sherry after dinner, no such luck. Anyway, next time I'll forgo the high-brow meal experience and sit at the bar with a glass of wine and a pizza from the wood-burning oven. Oh, and those meatballs!d", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:21:02" }, { "business_id": "R7ZqfB-4Z7jyl73iQ58nEQ", "business_name": "GG's Dine-O-Rama", "rating": 2, "text": "Crowded. Smells strange. The corned beef sandwich had WAY too much creole mustard (that stuff is strong!) and the beef tasted slightly sweet and cinnamony, just the thought of which makes me feel queasy. Very small for $11. My friend got mozzarella sliders which were made using crappy rolls, plus they were burnt. Underwhelming.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:02:45" }, { "business_id": "jMZ56S8Y1t7cA1Ob-d-qeA", "business_name": "Three Muses", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfection. Eggplant bruschetta was the hit of the night. The goat cheese gratin (not really a gratin at all but it was delicious so screw semantics) and pork belly were also amazing! Not too impressed with an ahi tuna special but maybe that's because everything else was so good! I didn't think I'd like the tomato chutney on the lamb sliders but it went very well together, lamb seasoned perfectly, just a bit on the dry side though. We had several cocktails, the Muse was hands down my favorite; strawberry, cucumber, gin and St. Germain. Also good mojitos and sangria. The blueberry bellini was okay but if I didn't know it was supposed to be blueberry, I wouldn't have been able to taste it, although it was a very pretty color.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:07:34" }, { "business_id": "me3mlZsR26fV89fMw2uR6Q", "business_name": "Rib Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Between three and four stars but since the setting is so over the top and cinematic, I'll go with four stars. It was eerily empty when we arrived at 7:30 on a Friday night. Our server looked like he was 12 and he seemed excited to be waiting on three ladies who weren't senior citizens. We got served cheese and crackers as soon as we sat down and I thought that was really odd. Bread soon followed. I had a frisee salad with a poached egg and lardons. It came looking very pretty and garnished with a purple orchid. But there were no lardons and the egg was cooked all the way through. It had a nice dressing though and that orchid really went a long way for me so overall, good. My friend got the house salad, which was not very fresh looking iceberg with Hidden Valley ranch. At a place like this, I'd expect better greens and maybe housemade dressings. For my entree, I had a really wonderful filet cooked with peppercorn sauce. My friend did also but we ordered them at different temps. They gave us the wrong ones which isn't so horrible but again, at that kind of restaurant, you need to have a lot of attention devoted to those details. The other friend had a prime rib, she said it tasted very good but not as tender as it should be and overall didn't seem very impressed. Chocolate mousse for dessert, fine not great or memorable in any way. I enjoyed it for the wonderful company that I had and the plush surroundings. The food was fine but for the money, I'll take my business somewhere else.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:30:03" }, { "business_id": "E5YB7NywtfmQ2_rpxtjmKQ", "business_name": "Betsys Pancake House", "rating": 3, "text": "This is nothing remarkable here food-wise but it's worth it to go on a Sunday morning before a Saints game when all the patrons, staff and even the interior of the place are decked out in their black and gold finest. The other great thing that I love about Betsy's is the gruff but sweet waitress who cannot complete any sentence without calling you baby, darling or sweetheart, even if she is yelling at you. The food was fine, not stellar, but it's a diner, what more could you expect? Corned beef hash is out of a can, forgot my friend's english muffin but loved that the waitress said \"Your muffin is on it's way. Really, I just forgot to put it in. At least I'm honest.\" I love her.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T16:47:13" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Props for being open on Monday. We sat at the sushi bar and were given two salads, I guess they were complimentary because we didn't order them. This turned out to be my favorite thing. Greens topped with some seaweed salad, squid and fried onions? I don't know but it was delightful and way better than the weird and heavily-mayonnaised salad they give you at Mikimoto. We ordered yellowtail, tuna and escolar by the piece. Yellowtail is usually my favorite but this did not have a good taste. BBQ yellowtail had no sauce and tuna-avocado was very skimpy on the avocado. We also had the seafood salad and it was very generous and tasty by the end but initially not so good because the sauce was all at the bottom and it wasn't tossed. They have a ton of specialty rolls, which is cool but I found it overwhelming, we ordered the Burning Man, which never came and I didn't mind at all because I was so full. Overall, it was ok, not awful, but can't hold a candle to my NOLA favorite, Horinoya. Also, they use the nasty, dyed Pepto-Bismol pink ginger, why does ginger need to be dyed? My final gripe, they don't seem to season their rice and it's very plain. But hey, they're open Mondays and do karaoke so I'll probably be back. Next time I will try the ramen, which I have heard is really good.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:23:52" }, { "business_id": "7pKzyzCFC7LpX82sM-0aMg", "business_name": "Balcony Music Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't been here since about 2001 when I think it was called the Matador? And I think all those pretty windows used to be blacked out or otherwise covered? Anyway, Friday night we saw TWO great bands for FREE, had a cute table in the window that fit several of us. I didn't have a drink so I don't know if they were good or cheap etc but I am still so thrilled about not paying a cover and not feeling crowded or cramped by hordes of people.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:35:34" }, { "business_id": "9TDyIOrSrncpsAUxVqx3aA", "business_name": "Capdeville", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't eaten here yet but I watched the game there on Sunday. I had the Persephone's Fall, which is St. Germain, gin, egg white, lemon juice and something else to make it pink, maybe pomegranate? Outstanding. They also passed out free shots of whiskey every time the Saints scored and while whiskey isn't really my thing, I thought it was a nice gesture.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:38:25" }, { "business_id": "rHYqc5YTAkFGYxcoYg7R8w", "business_name": "Trashy Diva", "rating": 4, "text": "Love Trashy Diva! I must have shied away because the name totally turns me off but now that I know how wonderful it is, I am a loyal follower. There are tons of stores here that sell pretty dresses but I had no idea that the owner designs the clothing herself! I love the sort of vintage/retro feel of the clothes. I'm the kind of person who could go through the rest of life wearing a Betty Draper style shirtdress and be totally happy so if that's your style, you will love this store. Sizes run from 2-18 but go often because once they are out, that dress is done! I saw a dress that I ADORED but they only had a size two left and I am still moping about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T21:14:34" }, { "business_id": "UeYZgcORV2Veo_BZzdiaTg", "business_name": "Napoleon House", "rating": 4, "text": "I moved away from New Orleans for a few years and on one visit back, I was craving a Pimm's Cup from Napoleon House. Maybe my taste buds changed or maybe they make them differently but it tasted like a whole bunch of cheap, pre-mixed ingredients like that powdered base used to make sour mix. If you want a real Pimm's Cup, go see Chris at Bar Uncommon at the Pere Marquette. This man is no bartender, he is a mixologist, I think he has done demos at the Smithsonian on drink mixing! You will die and go to heaven when he makes a drink for you. Anyway, love the atmosphere at Napoleon House, inside or outside in the courtyard. The food is good enough, I liked the muffaletta and the shrimp remoulade in avocado cups. I don't ever really go here except when I have people visiting from out of town and everyone enjoys it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-21T16:18:40" }, { "business_id": "pym7c6ZFEtmoH16xN2ApBg", "business_name": "Katie's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Katie. I really, really want to like you. You're a neighborhood anchor, you've got that cute little outdoor seating area and you even have bottomless mimosas for Sunday brunch! I hope you don't read this because I hate to hurt your feelings but then again, I hope you do so perhaps you can make some adjustments and we can be better friends. We were lured in by $10 pizza night, which is every Thursday. Also, the website said creamy tomato-basil soup (one of my favorites!), stuffed mirlitons and white beans for daily specials, yes please! Weirdly, only one of the specials posted was actually a special. Beef vegetable, no thanks. We had more than ample time to wait for our food and this is what I noticed. Our server was really sweet. The place seemed full of neighbors and regulars, always a good sign. The staff/service didn't seem to have a real sense of urgency but it was all so friendly that I didn't mind. The food. I had the gumbo since they had no tomato-basil soup. Very good, spicy, full of sausage. The rice was of the long-ago cooked, rather hard variety but that's usually my gripe with gumbo everywhere and so it's probably my fault for not asking them to leave it out. The boyfriend's BLT salad was huge, had plenty of blue cheese and bacon but no tomato. Isn't that what the \"T\" stands for? Then we had the Boudreaux pizza, which was AWFUL. I had to pick all through it to find any meat and when I did, it was a couple tiny scraps. The pizza was burned and I don't mind some char but this was burned in a very unpleasant way. Very dry. Weirdly tasteless toppings. Disappointing. We'll be back to try other things but I will never order pizza here again.", "timestamp": "2010-10-22T11:37:05" }, { "business_id": "I3Uy20BKx7G-Fzz6hLIeWg", "business_name": "Restaurant August", "rating": 4, "text": "I keep going to these super-hyped up places and feeling a little disappointed. Maybe after I hear all the raves, I expect perfection and that is too high an order. I felt this way at Bayona and Le Foret as well. Anyway, I did enjoy my lunch. We served the ubiquitous amuse bouche of truffled sabayon in an egg. I liked this a lot although I understand my boyfriend's gripe about it having an odd texture. It was sort of like scooping extra-fancy mayonnaise out of the egg and eating it. It was good spread on the bread they served, which was good because the butter tasted not quite right to me. I got the duck salad which was okay, not great, very sparse but to be expected for a pre-fixe meal deal. The duck tasted kind of off, actually the best part was the roasted pears. My boyfriend's pate plate was super, it was HUGE and it came with all kinds of pickled and aspic-ed vegetables. My ravioli were tasty but the pasta was pretty tough. I loved the knobs of crabmeat on top. The boyfriend's shrimp and grits were good, not remarkable, and if I had more than two bites, I suspect I would have gotten sick of the flavor, very rich and salty. Desserts were wonderful. I got a brioche grilled cheese with goat cheese and figs and a spicy honey. The BF got a butterscotch pot-de-creme that was also outstanding. Espresso served with lemon peel without having to ask for it! For what we paid, it was worth it but I was just a little let down since I foolishly went in thinking I was entering food heaven. Very good, not earth-shattering.", "timestamp": "2010-11-03T16:41:19" }, { "business_id": "j8JOZvfeHEfUWq3gEz6ABQ", "business_name": "Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "I've always loved Bacchanal and every visit there, from the wine to the food to the beautiful, enchanted garden/patio/courtyard area. Always a five star experience. A couple of weeks ago however, a not so good experience. Everything started well, we got some great wine recommendations from the friendly guy working the register and put in an order for food OUTSIDE. We also wanted to get a cheese plate (INSIDE) to nibble on. I guess when you select your cheese, you are purchasing the WHOLE piece, which seems kind of excessive and absurd, even for a cheese lover. So for a couple of people, we spent nearly $40 on a cheese plate. A wine bar should have a cheese plate that you can choose a few selections of meat/cheese for a set price, depending on the number of items. Well, I think they should anyway. When we did get the cheese plate, there was very little bread and considering the fact that we had a couple pounds of meat and cheese, I think more than 4 pieces were warranted. The surly woman who was making the cheese plates was outside delivering some food when we asked if we could have more bread. She rolled her eyes, told us we just got bread and if we wanted more, we would have to go to the front and fill out a bread request form. Really? Will I also have to pay a charge for an inter-bakery loan? Then she sat down at a table with friends and chatted and had a glass of wine. I thought that was silly and rude. But I still love Bacchanal, just that now I will avoid the inside food and stick with the delicious outside food, no attitude there.", "timestamp": "2010-11-04T20:53:57" }, { "business_id": "BrospeMqVM_tF9HH0RHuog", "business_name": "Gene's PO-Boys", "rating": 5, "text": "Mmm. After the parade on Saturday and our foray at Bar Tonique, I realized it had been way too long since I was in that part of town that late at night after having had some cocktails. Which of course is the best time to hit Gene's. I got my usual, the hot sausage, and the boyfriend got the roast beef. Super messy and oh-so-fantastic. I woke up wanting another for breakfast. One time I was driving from Baton Rouge to Miami with a friend who had never been to New Orleans. We were tight on time so we couldn't stop and hang out but I made sure we had an extra 20 minutes to jump off the interstate and get some Gene's to sustain us for the rest of the car ride. It's that good.", "timestamp": "2010-11-05T16:12:58" }, { "business_id": "H5KRna9A6mDQEJ2ZN0zL6g", "business_name": "La Petite Grocery", "rating": 3, "text": "I expected more. It's a beautiful place, the inside is so much bigger than I had imagined from the outside! It really is a lovely setting for a date. To start off, I had a French 75 that was BAD. It was supposedly with pear brandy, I didn't taste any pear and it way overpowered the champagne. I love a French 75 and this was not good. I got the gnocchi, which was pretty tasty although weirdly unsalted and no salt and pepper on the table. My boyfriend's sweetbreads tasted like old oil. The menu online is definitely not up-to-date incidentally. I ordered the rabbit, which sadly was like a big chicken finger. It came with an uninspired side of sauteed spinach, the spaetzle being the only redeeming factor. My boyfriend's hangar steak was fine. I was really surprised by the limited entree offerings and not really impressed by anything but the ambiance. I should give it another try before I write it off forever but I'm not dying to get back any time soon.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:23:59" }, { "business_id": "o5UrUOKcmj5GFXmB6Osb6w", "business_name": "Bouligny Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "We just came in for drinks before dinner. The space is very nice, especially welcoming on a cold night. Liquor selection and cocktail list were both more than ample. I will have to go back for the famous beignets and they have MARROW! Mmm! The crowd wasn't really my thing but I'm fine with that, it's good for people watching. The only thing that was slightly off for me was that our bartender gave us menus, took our drink order, made our drinks, checked for second round, delivered our bill and so on without saying one word. I thought that was strange but also weirdly admirable that she could convey so much with gestures and facial expressions.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:29:00" }, { "business_id": "ILUd8DXxX21FOgUmE4bTLA", "business_name": "Yuki Izakaya", "rating": 3, "text": "I loved the atmosphere of this quirky little spot. The old wooden bar and exposed brick are lovely in their own right but the way it is decorated with Japanese cartoons and knickknackery is really cute. We went in last Thursday when there was no one else in the bar but the bartender, no patrons or music. I got a green tea martini that I didn't like at all but maybe I should have tried something else. Foodwise, nothing very good. The french fries were of the Ore Ida variety although the wasabi mayonnaise was good. Marinated octopus in wasabi was interesting for a few bites but then it was just kind of murky-tasting. Rice wrapped in seaweed with salted plum was waaaaaay to salty (and I love salty) and off-puttingly mushy. The beef tongue was super tough, i actually felt like I was eating someone's tongue instead of having it fall apart like I'm used to. The sauce was awesome though, lemony and peppery, if they'd just learn how to cook the tongue right! I would definitely come back for a beer and maybe a nibble but not to eat extensively. A band started playing just as we were finishing up, which was nice. My final issue though is that they don't charge a cover for music, just an upcharge of 50 cents on every item during a show. We had our drinks and food long before the band even showed up or started playing but we got the surcharge for each item. It was just a matter of a few dollars but since we really didn't partake in the entertainment, I thought it was worth noting.", "timestamp": "2010-12-08T15:56:15" }, { "business_id": "75FY8ZQx5nOWP0VFmNvWfw", "business_name": "Atchafalaya Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for a while and am so glad I finally did. Now I can't wait to get back for dinner! I had brunch here the other day, I was impressed with the interior, it's light and airy and full of artwork. The coffee was great. My friend and I split entrees, we tried the eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes and crab on top. We also got a special, duck hash with blackberries and mango in a bacon vinaigrette with poached eggs and hollandaise! I think I was full for at least eight hours after that. The special was really outstanding, the hollandaise was perfect. I liked the eggs benny too, I just wish the fried green tomato had a little more flavor, maybe more seasoning in the batter? It wasn't a standout. I went to the ladies room and there were a pair of black lace underwear in the stall. I didn't think this was really that kind of place but it gave me a good laugh. Then it got me a little grossed out about the bathroom.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:28:05" }, { "business_id": "Nhci37qY0HPCNWc5UQul9w", "business_name": "9 Roses", "rating": 4, "text": "Banh Xeo-mmmm, so delicate and crisp. This is my new love. We also got steamed, pork dumplings that I thought tasted watery but the BF liked them so I happily ate the banh xeo and relinquished the rest of the dumplings to him. I wanted pho but I also wanted to try something new so I got the quail. It was fine but just plain roasted quail, which had me wanting the more complex riot of flavors in pho. But then if had ordered the pho, I would have still been wondering about the quail! I'm so difficult sometimes. We also got the ribs in fish sauce (Dorothy's recommendation), really tasty, the sauce is kind of on the sweet side but mix it up with greens and it is oh so good. Lemon grass beef vermicelli was fabulous. Our server was really sweet and attentive. It was REALLY cold in there, everyone was wearing winter jackets. But still very worth the drive to the West Bank and if you're still hungry, which I doubt, stop at Taqueria Sanchez right across the way!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:44:05" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Saturday was a beautiful day, it punctuated the much colder weather and I was happy to get out and about. There was lots of what seemed to be good food but I couldn't eat, having just come from a huge meal at Atchafalaya. Besides food, there were vintage and second-hand items, puppies, music and lots of crafts. An abundance of NOLA-based stuff that is great for gifts but am I the only one getting sick of seeing fleur-de-lis everything? I did pick up some Christmas ornaments that were oyster shells with the Virgin Mary on them. Who wouldn't love Mary on the half-shell dangling from their tree? I'm really excited to see this part of Freret picking up momentum. It's always had such a cool, sort of small town Main Street feel to it but has been woefully neglected. Glad to see it on the upswing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:53:09" }, { "business_id": "wQNkpi9RvpuoiDB-CiHxog", "business_name": "Bar Tonique", "rating": 5, "text": "So, I have returned and I have tried SEVERAL more cocktails. I went on a Thursday, caiparinha night, and I have to say it was lackluster. Nowhere near as good as the ones at Rio Mar. Now here's the thing, I think they excel at drinks of the martini variety, as in ingredients that are shaken and then strained. Their drinks over ice are less impressive and I think it's party becasue of the large ice cubes they use. Now bear with me. I read this article a few weeks ago about this fancy new ice lots of bars are using. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/dining/01shake.html?pagewanted=all) Apparently the cubes are prized because they are large, thereby chilling the drinks more quickly with less dilution. I think this is great for aforementioned shaken and strained drinks but not so good for drinks on the rocks. It makes the drink too icy and cold and you can't taste anything but the big ice block in your drink. So do yourself a favor and get the Faucheaux, which is tequila, basil and St Germain. Revelatory. Also fantastic was the Tru Kick, with Tru Gin, ginger syrup and peach bitters. Some of the best cocktails I've tasted on any fancy, signature cocktails list in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T19:04:45" }, { "business_id": "aeIWVa6G54UUo6yloJkyJg", "business_name": "Lebanon's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "My go-to is usually Mona's when I'm in the mood for Middle Eastern but I thought I'd give Lebanon's a go this time. I like Mona's hummus better, it's creamier. Labne and baba ganoush were equally good though. Lebanon's has better grape leaves and I like that the falafel is green inside from all the parsley. Beef shawarma was perfectly decent but nothing special. I really liked my eggplant sandwich, kind of like a sub or a po-boy, and topped with lots of feta. Lebanese tea has pine nuts, which I like but really, how do you eat them? They won't come up the straw and fishing around for them is kinda tedious. It's a little too sweet as well, probably wouldn't order that again. Overall, fine if I'm in the neighborhood but I'm usually closer to Mona's and besides, Mona's has that delicious fried cheese thing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:16:51" }, { "business_id": "NHL1c_30iYXvJZcqEo6fwQ", "business_name": "Pal's Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I love Pal's, that's a given. However, this review was spurred entirely by the fantastic Gingerita I had there on Friday. Cutesy names can be a bad sign for cocktails, often involving overly sweet ingredients. Not so with Gingerita, it has ginger vodka, ginger beer and this amazing organic ginger juice that they special order from California called Elixir G. Go get a Gingerita before the season is over!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:50:38" }, { "business_id": "b92dSNftvCSPWLC4ZgNXCg", "business_name": "Sammy's Food Service & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The food is five stars, the service is two but the shrimp and mirliton soup cannot make me Sammy's less than 4 stars. I went with two coworkers and we all ordered a large soup, one also ordered a salad. One got a bowl of soup after 30 minutes, the second got her salad and had to ask if the soup sitting on the shelf was hers, they finally gave it to her and it was ice cold. After they were finished eating, I told the woman at the counter to please just make my order to go. Also, no spoons or forks out, which make salad and soup eating very difficult. I realize they are super busy but their system kind of sucks. My advice would be to call your order in, pick it up and go eat somewhere else. Because the eating is oh-so-good! I've also had their hot sausage po-boy, they make their own sausage and it is AWESOME in it's own garlicky right.", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T18:25:27" }, { "business_id": "t9LiapsQABwMQeiF1Czl6w", "business_name": "Port Of Call", "rating": 3, "text": "I haven't been to Port of Call in a few years and the boyfriend and I often talk about it but think about the line and then I wonder if the burger is even all that because for some reason, my memories of eating there are all fuzzy. Yup, that's all one sentence. Anyway, we went on a Monday night at 6:45, no line, ordered and served our food in under 10 minutes. It is fine, actually it's good, it's a nice, solid burger but nothing revelatory or worth standing in a line for. I wish they would season the meat a little and I think they are too thick. I don't think they should be puny, just a little more petite so you can get burger, patty and the rest all in one mouthful. I get the appeal, it's cute and kitschy but I could do better myself.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:42:54" }, { "business_id": "Jy1ivHnSRtNNA6snZSAKBw", "business_name": "Twelve Mile Limit", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the cocktails, especially the Good Idea. It was like a cross between a Pimm's Cup and a Moscow Mule. The bartender was very sweet. The cook offered tastes of brisket all around when he was done cooking it. Unfortunately, the bar has a very sterile feel to it. Too brightly lit, nothing on the walls and then the Real Housewives of Old Metairie showed up, commandeered the jukebox and started loudly serenading us and awkwardly gyrating. We also ordered some cream cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped jalapenos, which were good but a little overcooked and pretty expensive for how many you get. I'm hoping they can do something to remedy the atmosphere/decor of the place and then I think it will be a solid 4 stars. They are off to a good start though.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:47:47" }, { "business_id": "jE7PpEUmWgcBc0DeelPAOA", "business_name": "Bistro Daisy", "rating": 5, "text": "Love, love, love it! I had an oyster appetizer that may be one of my favorite dishes of 2010. It was poached oysters (and I usually only like them fried or raw) with Herbsaint, fennel, bacon and a hint of cream (and I usually don't care for fennel). But this dish was so luscious and aromatic and I could have ordered three more. Very nice with my Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc. I liked my duck but wasn't wowed. However, the BF's lamb shank made me swoon. It was so meltingly tender and the tomato sauce it was cooked in had a bit of mint in it, just like my grandmother would have done. This might be what I want to eat for my last meal on earth. They brought us a baked Alaska for dessert even though we didn't order it. I have never tasted a meringue so creamy! So much so that I was sliding it on the roof of my mouth to savor the texture longer. Go to Bistro Daisy. Take your beloved. Order the oysters and the lamb. (FYI: The online menu is not up-to-date)", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T15:44:25" }, { "business_id": "3wo9jODQnuvBm8Gkem6qXg", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "BBQ shrimp and grits was pretty terrible. This surprised me because their BBQ shrimp blackstone I had a few months ago was soooo good. This was a completely different sauce, it seemed to be all Worcestershire and not much else. The shrimp were tiny, the grits were unremarkable. Presentation did not make it look appealing. Also, I really hate those wide-mouth coffee cups. They look nice, I agree, but the coffee gets cold almost immediately because so much surface area is exposed.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T16:20:48" }, { "business_id": "voWjA6zfmXLIbKAoqwBnug", "business_name": "Green Goddess", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to go here forever and was so excited on Saturday to finally do just that! We had an hour or so wait, which was fine so we went to the Orleans Grapevine for a cocktail and they called us when they were ready. The wine and drink list is amazing, if not a little overwhelming, I got a Pear 75, which was good but not the best I've ever had, it lacked the lemon juice that ties it all together. Food was really just three stars, except for the Oysters Delacroix and the bacon sundae, so good! The corn crepes with huitlacoche were really bland, the lentil pancake was just...not good, it wasn't inedible but you'd think with tamarind chutney and spiced chickpeas, it would have been a lot more appealing. The green goddess wedge was good but I wish the dressing was evenly applied instead of dumped on top so some bites were just lettuce and some were drowned in the dressing. I also tried their daily cocktail special, the Daily Truth, which had Drambuie and rum and lime juice and some fertility liquor that I don't remember the name of, it was spicy and warm and fantastic. I think I will have to go back and try some more dishes, I love the ideas behind their menu and the space is quirky and eccentric and so NOLA. I met a new transplant and her mom, a hope-to-be teacher interviewing for TeachNola and also pinned money to the birthday boy-chef who was wearing a tie-dye tuxedo shirt from his wedding that was all Mardi Gras colors and finished with fleur-de-lis cuffs. I want to love the food, I already love everything else. Next time will be better!", "timestamp": "2011-01-24T16:35:38" }, { "business_id": "iJiNZw2TEwB579dr6LyVZQ", "business_name": "Cooter Brown's", "rating": 4, "text": "I remember eons ago having late, late nights at Snake and Jake's that led to late mornings and even later \"breakfasts\" at Cooter Brown's of a few dozen raw oysters. I love oysters, I will eat them for breakfast but lately when I eat them, it is between the civilized hours of 3-6pm and I eat them at Luke, washed down with a French 75. But Friday night at 7pm rolled around and so I went to Cooter's for several dozen raw, an oyster po-boy and of course, some cheese fries. The raw oysters are pretty reasonable, about $10 for a dozen I think. The po-boy came on toasted and buttered bread, which I do so appreciate. Unfortunately, they don't use Leidenheimer's bread, it's good but not what I want a po-boy on. The BF wanted gravy on the cheese fries and it wasn't debris gravy like I thought it would be, but just a packet-style, powdered gravy. But I still tore it up and it was all delicious.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:07:58" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like the decor this place, I love community seating, they have awesome light fixtures and vintage vases and all kinds of cute stuff to keep your eyes occupied. I'll have to go back to sample more but I wasn't really blown away by anything except the apple pie. The burger, which everyone raves about, had a really delicious potato bun. But they didn't ask for a temp and I thought it was way overcooked and also woefully underseasoned. None of the agogo sauce with which it was advertised made an appearance. Although the zinfandel compote is not to be missed, it was stellar! Service was friendly but not very efficient. They're working out kinks, I'm sure, but I will reserve higher praise for now.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:30:26" }, { "business_id": "N3bjowmk_Yi9rUxPpM2k6Q", "business_name": "The Store", "rating": 3, "text": "It's okay. Definitely overpriced for what you get, both in quantity and quality. I ordered the BLT and the potato soup. BLT was alright but dry and the potato soup tasted like instant mashed potatoes. My friend's shrimp nicoise did look stupendous though, I will admit that. My workplace also orders from here for staff meetings a fair amount and again, not really impressed. The sandwiches are fine if they're the kind you pay $4 for at the gas station but not with the prices they charge. AND, they use pre-shedded cheese, that is just nasty. I don't want ashy cheese that is coated in cellulose. I don't mind paying the prices, I just would like the quality to match.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T19:59:22" }, { "business_id": "AW2xE3-nxDe30JBqwNuUdw", "business_name": "Star Nails", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been going here for pedicures for a long time, because they are quick to get you in, clean and efficient, but mostly because I am a creature of habit. They have a pretty wide selection of OPI nail colors. I also like being offered something to drink (non-alcoholic but still nice). Prices are pretty much the same as anywhere else you'd go but on Tuesdays they are a little cheaper. I am speaking only about pedicures as I've never gotten anything else done there.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T20:52:34" }, { "business_id": "OAjof8dhS2zScmZh2Xuo1A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Whole Foods really doesn't need another review, we all know that it's a nice grocery store with great although expensive products. I just would like to point out that their Chantilly Berry king cake is awesome, especially if you warm it up just a little bit. They also have un-shucked Louisiana oysters available again for about 50 cents each so now I can get my fix of charbroiled oysters in the comfort of my own home once more!", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T21:10:15" }, { "business_id": "B9Cv-DjHb1fZJ1drcsCREA", "business_name": "Mid-City Smiles", "rating": 4, "text": "Everyone was very friendly and did an excellent job without pushing products or services on me. I called about three dentists to get in before the end of 2010 and this was the only place that could give me an appointment that quickly. Plus I can walk there and they have Saturday hours.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:00:26" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars for the king cake! Filling (chocolate) was delicious, I thought it would be more like chocolate pudding or nutella but it was a cocoa powder base. The cake was moist and soft and frosting was good but not overwhelming. All three components were in perfect proportion to each other. My favorite king cake so far this season!", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:03:20" }, { "business_id": "yL9j5ASNic_DaDKf9lwMhw", "business_name": "Stein's Market and Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The corned beef with coleslaw is incredible. Wow. I can't stop thinking about it. The Italian hoagie is also really good and even their veggie sandwich is great. Chocolate rugelach are okay but the raspberry are addictive!!! Toffee chocolate ship cookies and blondies are also really tasty. The only flop for me was the potato salad but everything else was so good that I just skipped over it. I'm sad that I somehow missed Beer Day last week. Next year.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:08:52" }, { "business_id": "WjkMZNlIUtQ59iHvG-aRMA", "business_name": "Balance Yoga & Wellness", "rating": 5, "text": "Balance Yoga just opened in this Mid-City location and it is beautiful. They did a wonderful job with a lovely old house, complete with large windows, fireplaces and pocket doors. Because of the huge windows, there is a lot of natural light. While I really like that, I kind of wish they'd put something over them so people waiting outside at Mandina's or Ruby Slipper can't see in. They offer several different types of yoga, even Kundalini, which I haven't seen in New Orleans since Katrina! The instructors are friendly and help you with your poses. Early morning classes, evening classes, Sunday classes, community (by donation) classes, they've got it all.", "timestamp": "2011-02-03T18:23:17" }, { "business_id": "F7etLf6od7CUnCPknsQ-6Q", "business_name": "Rue 127", "rating": 4, "text": "The inside is beautiful and I can't wait for warm weather to enjoy the outside. Initially, I was a little disappointed that they didn't have a specialty cocktail list but I can get over that. We only had appetizers and desserts and I will certainly be back for more. We enjoyed the mussels, pork belly and scallop tortellini. The mussels were good but I didn't want to drink the broth like I usually do, there was maybe too much acidity? Also, their homemade bread is very nice but very SWEET and not such a great match for the savory food. The pork belly was served with these potatoes that I think were scored and then fried so they had a really unique texture. Deep-fried cupcakes, I'm sorry to be a dissenter but not for me. I liked that they were warm and oozy but they were way too sweet and the greasy exterior was overwhelming. We had a date cake that was served with honey ice cream, very good but also a bit on the sweet side. I look forward to coming back and trying more of the menu.", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T18:38:58" }, { "business_id": "0DdmKihJ90qKP5TAM3c2yQ", "business_name": "Tartine", "rating": 3, "text": "I feel like there are a lot of places popping up lately that are getting a lot of hype and I'm just not buying it quite yet. Tartine, case in point, has some good things going for it but it's also got some issues. What worked: The house-baked bread is fantastic, it's got a really nice chewiness-crunchiness to it. A+. I love, love, love the salad with pecans and goat cheese and big, fat dried blueberries. I wish I knew where they got those blueberries because the ones at Rouse's are shriveled and tiny. The rillete was huge portion, it looked like six ounces of rillete, which for such a rich spread is a LOT. What didn't: The outside is really cute but the inside felt like a cafeteria. The specials board was posted below the counter (which made it invisible) yet the drinks were posted high up for all to see. Please consider switching this around. The rillete, although generous, was just okay. It's light years better at Luke, although their service has gotten so bad of late I hate to recommend it. The ham and triple cream cheese with fig mustard had no fig mustard and the triple cream was a thin, pre-sliced piece of mystery cheese. The accompanying couscous (fregula?) salads had little flavor. In addition to all that, we waited in line for several minutes and then over 35 minutes for our sandwiches and we didn't even go until 1:30. I can't fault them for that, they were really busy and super nice but if you go, you might just want to call in your order ahead of time and take it to the Fly for a picnic", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T19:03:12" }, { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has been on my list for a while because I heard a rumor that they are just like Port of Call's burgers. Since I'm giving up meat for Lent, I thought it would be an ideal afternoon for a burger. The interior kind of put me off from the start, all the tables were huge parties of 8-10 people with vacant-looking teenagers glued to their cell phone screens and children playing on arcade-like games in the corner. Food was not inedible but just a step above that. House salad was chopped iceberg, which the boyfriend loves so that's fine but it was small and pricey for what it was. Harbor wings, I guess anything fried and dipped in bleu cheese is good but they really had no discernible flavor. My burger was burnt, the bacon tasted like it was cooked at the breakfast shift and the mushrooms were waterlogged. The french fries weren't even good. My boyfriend's shrimp po-boy was small with shrimp the size of my thumbnail and it was $14. Service was friendly. The only thing good about going is that now I can cross it off my list of places to try.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T14:52:30" }, { "business_id": "x4TJJ0t19yBxkL5WX6n4Kg", "business_name": "Touché Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, I've had four star visits here before but my last visit was a one or two star. Generally I like the place because it's kind of tucked away and they have that recessed room down below in the back, which I really like in the winter, it's very snug and comfortable. However, the last time I was there, I walked in and was immediately assaulted with the smell of a backed up sewer and a bunch of older, bead-clad tourists dancing to Night Fever. I'm not making that up, in fact, the song has been seared in my head since then. I'll be back for another go but I will wait until the weather is cool and I feel like being somewhere cozy.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:32:00" }, { "business_id": "8KkuHRDLPVdqh99CHuKdHg", "business_name": "Kanno California Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I absolutely loved the spinach salad with tuna and avocado and that delicious dressing (even if it was dressed too generously). I also fell in love with the Tuna 911 roll that has spicy, pickled vegetables inside that were an outstanding addition. The other stuff we got was fine but unmemorable. I agree with other reviewers that they seem to put A LOT of sauce on things but fortunately, they mostly put it on the side. They only have Yellowtail for wine though, which made me sad. The complimentary chocolate truffle-like things they serve at the end are phenomenal.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:45:14" }, { "business_id": "f9H3wpzWG_apxoumWB-Dvg", "business_name": "Cafe Equator", "rating": 3, "text": "After craving Churros and braving the wilds of Metairie, I found Churros closed early on a Wednesday night! So we decided to go to Korea House, also closed! My stomach dangerously rumbling, we decided for a quick bite at Cafe Equator. Pad Thai and Masaman curry were fine but nothing I can see having a craving for in the future. The Thai iced tea I thought was not very good, it tasted...smoky? Service was fine, parking was easy.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T16:56:49" }, { "business_id": "OfExqBpAJNmxG2oLvn0Q3w", "business_name": "New Orleans Public Library - Mid-City Branch", "rating": 5, "text": "Even though it took four months to re-open (and not two weeks like they promised!), it was worth the wait. The new location is larger and has an entire front wall full of windows so it gets great light. It's convenient to all the other businesses in the Can Company and the farmers' market on Thursday evening as well. My only gripe is that there is no drop box! I rely very heavily on my local drop-box, I hope this is something they just haven't gotten around to yet and that it is soon remedied.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T17:32:50" }, { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Lola's has such a great atmosphere that even if the food sucked, I'd be hard pressed to give it a low rating. While not all of the dishes sing, some are actually kind of boring, there are many that are really solid. My favorite is the calamari, it's not those deep-fried things you get everywhere else. Nope, it is a perfectly seared calamari steak with the most wildly addictive sauce. Hint; If for some crazy reason you don't use all the sauce on your calamari app, keep it for entrees because you will likely elevate the deliciousness of everything else you have ordered with some of that. Their garlic-almond soup garnished with grapes is also AHmazing and oddly refreshing but I made the mistake of eating it once when I was trying to be gluten-free and it failed. Because the base of the soup is day old bread and I didn't know that. Oops. I just went this past weekend and they had WHITE sangria in addition to their usual red. Did they always have this or is it new? Anyway, it's good and it's cheap and there is nothing like sitting outside on a perfect New Orleans evening, under the canopy of trees that is Esplanade, sipping on some of that juice. And their almond ice cream is excellent.", "timestamp": "2011-03-03T18:53:25" }, { "business_id": "OjXIRs2Gm4H6hWo4bC7Qvg", "business_name": "The Jazz Playhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "It's pretty nice but for the price and the location, I wish they valeted. I got a Chopin martini and it was per-FECT. The second one didn't taste like Chopin, which is fine but it's what I ordered so I felt a wee bit swindled. We got seated right behind a big support column so our view of the stage was obstructed. We were there for the burlesque show but caught the end of Kid Chocolate's set, which made me happy because I had a big, school-girl crush on him many moons ago. The show wasn't what I thought it would be. It was less a show with all of the performers on stage and more one woman singing and a bunch of other girls flitting around the room in their pasties. I was expecting more of a choreographed show but I am admittedly not someone who knows much about burlesque. The girls were very sweet though and some of their outfits would make great Halloween or Mardi Gras costumes. Glad I went but not anxious to go back.", "timestamp": "2011-03-04T21:08:36" }, { "business_id": "tcyN7Rmy55JW5uQY_R5f0w", "business_name": "Krewe of Endymion", "rating": 4, "text": "When I moved into a new place last summer right on the Endymion route, is it crazy that thoughts of future Endymion parties to come danced in my head? I was a sad, sad, sad lady last Friday night when we got the news. We had picked up our crawfish for the boil and I even made a chocolate bananas foster king cake. I kind of felt like I imagine brides who get their weddings rained out must feel. But when you have crawfish and booze, you have a party anyway, right? So we did and it was great. And even though I felt spiteful, I went to see it the next night Uptown. It was as good as ever, albeit a bit short because so many riders are from out of town and had to go home. It would have looked a lot better from my porch though.", "timestamp": "2011-03-11T18:57:12" }, { "business_id": "DkVFvHGyNBGuPMzI9Zdt1A", "business_name": "Dat Dog", "rating": 4, "text": "Excellent chili cheese fries (although I wish the cheese was melted!). I had the bratwurst, which was fantastic, as was the bun. At first I thought it was too much bread but the lightly toasted, slightly sweet bread won me over. I got a little carried away with toppings though and I think the guacamole was a)overkill and b)not really a great iteration of guacamole anyway. Next time I will practice some restraint.", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:38:25" }, { "business_id": "jLerIZFpe25jOUf722qzBA", "business_name": "Il Posto Italian Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "My food only merited maybe two stars but I will give an extra star because I like the menu (and will try more of it) and their design and concept. Sadly though, my tomato-basil soup tasted kind of like a weak marinara and my tuna melt type sandwich had a very sharp, off-putting flavor. It was citrusy, for sure, and I love lemon in a tuna melt but perhaps this was lemon zest or something just way too overpowering? I think next time I will focus on the dishes with cured Italian meats, mortadella and prosciutto. And also the baked goods, those sounded pretty good, especially the Nutella bruschetta!", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:44:20" }, { "business_id": "AperXbtpt4FH6fvJFOirUA", "business_name": "Horinoya", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a fan of simple, fresh sushi. Not too crazy about rolls with heavy sauces, multiple ingredients and fanciful names. Horinoya delivers. I always start with the seafood salad, it's huge and I could probably just make that dinner if I were eating there on my own. How are their avocados always the perfect degree of ripeness? This week it included fresh crawfish tails and they were succulent and sweet and a very welcome addition to their standard. The vegetable roll (I was so enamored with the pickled vegetables in the Tuna 911 roll at Kanno) was okay but I wouldn't order it again, kinda bland. Everything else was fresh and wonderful. I like to end with the black sesame ice cream, which makes me swoon, as does the little crumbly cookie they perch on top that my BF generously lets me eat every time. As a sidebar, I saw some black sesame ice cream bars at Hong Kong Market and I got really excited but they were no good at all. I can only get my fix at Horinoya.", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:11:00" }, { "business_id": "HSHEwDpzYdeL3aT1zB41YA", "business_name": "Restaurant Depot", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm torn, so torn. So this place opened within the past few months. It's like Sam's Club for restaurants (and unfortunately, you have to show proof of restaurant or non-profit affiliation when getting a membership). My first visit, I was completely in awe. 50 pounds of onions for $8.95? Whole goats? Edible flowers, micro-greens, ten kinds of mushrooms? Some things you can buy by the unit (like one head of cauliflower) and others you are stuck with a huge portion, I mean, I love tarragon, but I can't see using 5 pounds of it before it starts to droop. The second trip, I started to see some flaws. They don't carry veggie burgers but they do have a huge freezer case of nasty-looking frozen appetizers that you can probably buy at Applebee's for three times the price. They have huge jars of kalamata olive SPREAD but no plain old kalamata olives. They had some fish that looked so not right, cloudy eyes and all. Then the most egregious error occurred when, on a Saturday, I asked if I could pick up live crawfish on Sunday. The man at the fish counter said yes, but to be sure to be there at 9am when the order comes in and then it's first come, first serve. The next morning, we headed over to the Depot, only to be met with a blank stare and told they weren't getting any crawfish that day. Sad. They are pretty new, I expect they are having some ordering and stocking kinks to work out. In the meantime, if anyone needs onions, I've got them aplenty!", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:24:15" }, { "business_id": "LCijSRG2kzBgbdwPdi02Nw", "business_name": "Yang's Po-Boys", "rating": 3, "text": "The first time we went, we didn't realize they closed at 8 and we walked in at about 7:58. They were very gracious and welcoming so I thought that was really nice. The owner was really chatty, describing how they did everything and I guess that's good but unless they are doing something out of the ordinary, (they're not) I'd rather just peruse the menu on my own. Oysters on my poboy were stone cold and the onion rings that we asked about (Are they made fresh? Yes!) were clearly Sysco. But it was decent and quick and friendly so we were okay with the meal. Last night I really wanted a catfish poboy but Parkway was closed. It was generous with the catfish and liberal with the pickles, love that. But the cheese fries were soggy fries with unmelted cheese. The cheese, which looked like shredded cheddar, I actually tasted it on its own and it had not one iota of flavor. I'll go to Yang's on Tuesday if Parkway is closed but there is really no comparison for me.", "timestamp": "2011-03-30T15:06:19" }, { "business_id": "sroYm8E9BbnnLO3nhKjomg", "business_name": "French Quarter Festival", "rating": 4, "text": "FQF has long been my favorite festival and sadly, it seems to be everyone else's too! I'm very happy that it has been so successful but of course, this makes it more crowded and difficult to navigate. So, yes, I prefer it a little smaller but I still had a great time and somehow always managed to find a little corner of shade to relax in. In addition to soaking up the sun, hearing good music and eating, I got to stop in at a few open houses for places I could never afford but I loved getting to glimpse into some of the Quarter's elusive courtyards. Also, I love wandering around the Quarter all day because I never fail to discover some little hole in the wall bar/shop/whatever.", "timestamp": "2011-04-11T16:08:11" }, { "business_id": "VHAfSIxcdmpQOTD0_ofbfw", "business_name": "Velvet", "rating": 4, "text": "Like Christine, I have only been here once and could change my rating once I have sampled more of what they've got. I was immediately won over by the sparkling water that was served upon arrival, it reminded me of coffee shops in other countries where they usually do that without question. I also loved the napkins, it's just those very nice quality paper napkin but little details like that are important. I got the extraction (?). I asked some questions and I wished I had gotten a bit more information. Like, what is IN the $15 extraction because I can't believe it's just a really large coffee. I'm not a trained barista so I don't know these things. My coffee was really very nice, I like that you can choose your beans. Tamara, the owner, has great customer service and we chatted about her awesome kids (her daughter's wonderful artwork graces the place, her son played piano at FQF) and she also offered me a teacake on the house. So, while I like Tamara and I like a lot of the little things, my coffee was $5.45 and I don't think I would ever spend it again. An expertly pulled espresso, okay, but not for a cup of coffee. Also, the teacake (the Kevin Bacon) was perfectly acceptable but I don't think I'd purchase one. They're just cupcakes and really tiny ones at that. But she is starting to make scones baked to order (awesome!) and I look forward to trying the espresso.", "timestamp": "2011-04-12T20:54:38" }, { "business_id": "NjmJ2sbcj3v9K98sNj2OAA", "business_name": "Sainte Marie", "rating": 3, "text": "I went last night to use the complimentary appetizer card we got as a lovely gift at the last Yelp party, thank you! I was initially excited to try the cocktails but as I inspected the long list closely, not too much actually appealed to me. I got the one with prosecco and a sort of fig compote that didn't really mix well and just sat at the bottom. Nice idea, not so great execution. The boyfriend's drink tasted watered down, like the bartender made several drinks and let the leftover sit in the shaker melting until someone else ordered the same drink. I also thought it very strange that they had bread and butter plates on the table but no bread was actually served and the plates were removed once we ordered. Weird. The escargot was good but it couldn't hold a candle to Dante's escargot, nor could I detect marrow in the sauce. Apparently the tartare was tasty but the BF ate it all without me. Crab cannelloni, man, I hate to sound like a downer but this was little, backfin pieces of crab, doused with a ton of brie and encased in a sort of tough pasta. I ate it, but then I would eat anything that is doused in brie. I'm so glad we decided to get dessert because it was outstanding. We ordered a lemongrass-ginger creme brulee and it was perfect, the flavor, the texture, everything. I will probably come back for a fancypants happy hour although it's not exactly my scene. The guy who was sitting next to me had an awesome looking hangar steak so I will order that next time, skip the cocktails and get champagne and of course, order dessert.", "timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:34:01" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "The space is large and breezy and we easily snagged an outside table. If they weren't doing construction on Magazine, I bet this would be a great spot for people-watching. We got a shrimp po-boy, an oyster po-boy and fries with cheese and gravy. It was perfectly edible but I probably won't be back. The shrimp were small, the po-poys were pricier than most of my usual haunts and the gravy I think was just \"meat-flavored.: There was no actual meat or debris in it. I agree with Lindsay, no problem throwing out my own trash but the tables were pretty nasty and sticky.", "timestamp": "2011-04-29T17:01:59" }, { "business_id": "UGefDZNmnBztS0eoXWtHyQ", "business_name": "The Joint", "rating": 4, "text": "I must first disclose that my favorite person in the whole world works here so maybe I am biased. But take it from me, their brisket is the best brisket ever! It has that delightful fatty layer running along the top and it is perfectly moist and delicious! I also love the pulled pork with a squeeze of the vinegary sauce. The sides are pretty good, nothing stands out, but I'm really just there for the meat. Oh, and the peanut butter pie which is SWOONWORTHY!", "timestamp": "2011-05-03T18:25:46" }, { "business_id": "wznT60WMQ-9Qg2MVvzCxtw", "business_name": "The Lucky Ladle", "rating": 3, "text": "We put our names on the list at Surrey's and took a stroll through my old neighborhood while we waited. But I'm a breakfast girl and when I'm hungry, I need to eat. Immediately. Or bad things happen. At dinner, you can waste some time, have a cocktail but at breakfast, I'm not about waiting. Anyway, we walked past the Ladle and decided to give it a go. Nothing was really standout except how much food we got and our bill for two was still under $20. We split the grilled cheese with tomato soup as well as the bananas foster waffles because it's always a conundrum at 11am on Saturday to figure out what you are in the mood for. Breakfast? Lunch? We got them both. We also got a little side spinach salad with one of our meals and it was nice except for the weird, cellulose-dusted mozzarella shreds on top. The hash browns sucked, no flavor and tasted like they were made hours before. The space is pleasant and if you don't feel like waiting in line (Surrey's) or spending $30 just on breakfast for yourself (Dante's), this is a good option.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:14:50" }, { "business_id": "Fs4T7lKpXVtD5Pz7jWSJeg", "business_name": "Coquette", "rating": 4, "text": "I am only giving stars based on the bar because sadly, I have not eaten here but I love the bar! I love the old tin ceilings! I love the tables out on Washington under the oaks! And I love $5 wine Wednesdays and cocktail Thursdays. In fact, since today is my last final, I may have to take advantage of that. I have had a French 75 with apricot brandy, one of my absolute favorites drinks and they do it justice here. I've also had a lychee martini, which was wonderful and balanced, tough to pull off because lychees are so sweet, as well as a pretty solid mojito. I'm not sure if they change their wines by the glass frequently but from what I've seen, they offer a much better glass selection than most places around the city.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:20:27" }, { "business_id": "A0RSdFWqs-keuOogaMjZ4w", "business_name": "Bayou Beer Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Pros: Incredible patio outside, wide selection of good beer and every time I've been, the bartenders are knowledgeable and willing to make good cocktails. Fresh squeezed lime juice for my gimlet? Thank you! I was just expecting the kryptonite-colored, lime-flavored sugar syrup everyone else uses. Cons: Inside layout kind of weird. Only one toilet for ladies and by the way, what takes them so long in the bathroom? I never understand this. Going to bathroom usually is a twenty minute trip here. The band playing outside was so loud we chose to sit at the tables in the front. And finally, the most egregious thing, in my mind, was their horrible, pathetic excuse for sangria. It was less wine flavored with fruit and juice and more watered down juice that I still question if it had any alcohol in it, with the addition of antiseptic-flavored, extremely flat lime soda. Sadly, that now colors my whole opinion of the place.", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T15:09:27" }, { "business_id": "7CRox7xpb3vNCEe7FZ6zgA", "business_name": "High Hat Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I fully expect High Hat to be 4 stars soon enough but they are still working some things out. Like everyone else, I am so glad to see Freret doing what it's doing and I love that this building used to be Antoine's Bakery. To start, I had a glass of wine, which I thought was actually a pretty stingy pour. I wish they had a cocktail menu but that's just my preference. We ordered the pimento cheese and it was delicious but the dry bread they served it with was lame. Our server told us it was great on fries so we ordered some and they were fantastic on their own, made even better with the pimento cheese. I think I'll make fried potatoes with pimento cheese on them for the Saints season opener. For my entree, I had the crab and tomato salad. The crab didn't really have too much taste but LORD were those tomatoes good!!!! My BF was happy with his Cuban but I thought it was very small and for the love of God, you can't throw some fries on a plate when a sandwich is ordered? At least some chips? I think that's kinda cheap. To finish, we had the banana chocolate bread pudding, which I was excited about because I thought it might be like the chocolate-bananas foster king cake I made for my rained out Endymion party. It was not. Very dense and flavorless. The owners were super receptive about feedback, which I usually feel weird about giving but I think they really need it in this early phase of their venture. I'll be back for the pimento cheese burger.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:11:36" }, { "business_id": "QQ5HvRq_9U2Ch-9ijPeIFA", "business_name": "Bullet's Sports Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "So. Good. I love the Bullets and have never had a bad time here. Last night, I got a text that they were having crabs, crawfish AND turkey necks. I thought this was a sign from God because I was just telling the BF we needed to have some crawfish before they are all gone. We walked in and there was a table set up at the front where the band usually plays and a man was scooping out the goods. I asked how much and they told me it was free. FREE? Why, thank you. I got a big plate with shrimp, crawfish, a blue crab, a few turkey necks and some corn and potatoes. I would have gladly paid $15 for the plate, it was well-seasoned and perfectly delicious. The only complaint was that the shrimp were really tiny but A) they were free and B) I really just came to thrown down on the crab and crawfish. I haven't had turkey necks in years and they may have been my favorite part. The corn was sweet and so were the crabs. Really, it was perfect, especially when the dancing got started. Oooh Lord. I have to dock a star for cash only and the cigarette smoke that was blowing lustily in my face while I was eating. I can deal with smoke to a degree but I don't want the butt in my face.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:23:10" }, { "business_id": "SA10MB4CEw0YikMuhOxyYw", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 4, "text": "I did not eat any food here but I did sample pretty much every flavor of margaritas they have to offer, including carrot-lime, pineapple-cilantro, mango-mint, watermelon and raspberry. No, I didn't have all those to myself, I was with others who generously let me taste their concoctions. Otherwise I would have been seriously drunk and woken up with an awful sugar hangover because the margaritas are pretty big and just a touch too sweet for me. I liked the mango mint and carrot-lime varieties best. Looking forward to trying them again with some food next time.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:31:16" }, { "business_id": "xZileQFJ7h-0QKjtGc9xgg", "business_name": "Arnaud's French 75 Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I finally got myself to this gorgeous spot after meaning to for a very long time. Chris Hannah was indeed at the bar and he was personable and welcoming. I instantly felt badly that I was dressed like a gypsy and wearing flip flops, the place just screams evening gown and pearls, not that I own either one of those things but whatever. The point is that they still made me feel comfortable. I had a French 75, of course, and then I tried the Pisco Daisy, another one of their specialty cocktails. Truthfully, I didn't find either one of the drinks transcendent but I was just so enamored with the whole vibe of the place that it didn't matter. I would absolutely come back, great place for a aperitif before a fancy dinner.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:37:36" }, { "business_id": "ORVWMFwF5qTWy9Cbahf0Pg", "business_name": "Café Adelaide", "rating": 2, "text": "Wow. Abominable last night. Cafe Adelaide, you lost me. Probably the worst service I have ever had and being a service industry vet, I can be pretty forgiving. I actually felt bad for server X last night, who was utterly incompetent but very nice but wow, worthless. Coupled with the amateur service we had last time, I'm thinking it is not a one time fluke. Host told us to sit in the bar area. Sat there for 15 minutes ignored. Went to ask host if we should go to the bar and order, he said no, that our server would be right with us. We waited another 15 minutes before receiving 1 menu for 4 people. Placed drink order and waters for all. Cocktails came 20 minutes later, no water. Appetizers took close to an hour and were ice cold when we got them. Had to ask for bread. Never took entree order, although we expressed wanting to, so we decided to cut our losses and go to La Boca for dinner, which was STELLAR. Two rounds of drinks and appetizers took us two hours at Cafe Adelaide! And the food nor the drinks were as good as I remember. This time the sauce on the crab pound cake tasted like Campbell's cream of mushroom and there was hardly a speck of crab to be seen. Flatbread was burnt. You get the point. Not worth the time or money.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:33:01" }, { "business_id": "guwb1zuNEMtJVproo0ntFw", "business_name": "La Boca", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible. It may not be fair to give them such lavish praise but after our failed dinner attempt at Cafe Adelaide, the comparison between the two for service, food and drinks was night and day. We were immediately acknowledged, sweet! Given four menus for all four people and told about specials, thank you! Thursday is service industry night at La Boca, even better! We just looked at that menu, which did not include the pastas and salads but had all the cuts of meat, empanadas etc. We got our cocktails immediately, God, I'm really loving this place! Fresh watermelon and vodka, which was really tasty and not watery like I feared. For starters, we ordered the morcilla, provoleta and bruschetta. I didn't really dig the bruschetta but it wasn't bad. The provoleta, I maybe expected more, it was just cheese to me. A really good cheese appetizer is the fried cheese with lemon at Mona's. Also, it had oregano sprinkled liberally all over it. I used to think I wasn't crazy about oregano until I went to Sicily and tasted their oregano and had an epiphany that what we have here in the US is just stuff they sweep off the oregano factory floor. This was definitely factory floor oregano but not everyone is an oregano elitist like me. The morcilla though, oh, well, the morcilla. Fan-flipping-tastic. Just order it and get over the fact that it's blood sausage. It's pretty much just like boudin so if you like that, you should really try it. The steaks were out of this world, some of the best steak I've ever had and I have eaten bife de chorizo in Buenos Aires. Fried brussel sprouts are the most genius thing ever. Asparagus and fries are also not to be missed. The brussel sprouts even taste good cold for breakfast. I can't wait to go back and try the empanadas and the gnocchi and of course, dessert! Love, love, love La Boca!", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:45:45" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 3, "text": "I wouldn't go out of my way to go here but it does the trick when you are in the area. I used to love their oyster po-boy because they buttered the toasted bread, along with dressing it fully and there just aren't enough places that do that anymore. But then they started buttering the bread with Whirl or some other butteresque product that tastes like spun chemicals. So that made me sad. I had lunch here recently and had the BLT salad, which was pretty tasty except I really hate when a thick dressing is dumped in the middle of the salad so no matter how hard you try to spread it around, some pieces of lettuce are drenched and others are naked. My friend had the alligator burger on brioche and my one bite made me envious of her order.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T15:01:50" }, { "business_id": "NOKp3L3smiKdFNFUswvIUg", "business_name": "Dominique's on Magazine", "rating": 3, "text": "I've put off writing this review because I wanted ti to be great but it wasn't. Well, let me be more specific. The drinks were really good, I especially liked my lemongrass pisco sour. When our server, who by the way had great menu knowledge, heard that we came in for dinner mostly because we heard the bar was so great, the bartender came over to our table. She seemed really excited that we were there and wanted our feedback, which was all very good. My appetizer of lobster was perfectly cooked but the sauce it came with was kind of lackluster. It was fine but forgettable. My boyfriend's pork belly appetizer was downright bad, texturally and taste-wise. That was the first time I ever ate pork belly that wasn't delicious. My duck was also completely forgettable although the BF's steak with creole cream cheese was really tasty. I was tempted to order that because thought it might be too rich but it really wasn't. Nothing for dessert really piqued my interest so we didn't order anything. They did send out some plantain-flavored cotton candy but it tasted like artificially flavored banana Laffy Taffy. It's a really pretty space, the cocktail list is wonderful and the staff seems on point. However, only one out of four dishes impressed me and another one out of those four left me puzzled as to how one could make pork belly so unappetizing. I probably need to come back to try more dishes and I might if could sit in the bar and order a few plates. Too bad their bar area is more like three bar stools that fight with the hallway to the bathroom for space.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T17:29:14" }, { "business_id": "SDhiF9UG0gsuaXgCnJR-sQ", "business_name": "Liberty's Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "I arranged a work field trip today for Dining Out for Life and I've been wanting to try this place soo...off we went! Parking is ample, although we later found a whole hidden line of parking along the side of the building closer to Canal and the entrance to the cafe. There was no special today, I think they might be in the midst of changing those daily specials. I had a hot sausage poboy with the cowboy caviar and they were both stupendous. Round of applause and a standing ovation. My friends' turkey and veggie sandwiches also looked very good. Minor quibble is that the red velvet cupcake was kind of dry, although very pretty. Good thing we got bread pudding too or I might have been disappointed on the dessert. I wanted to try one of those cookies that are the size of my head but after a cupcake and bread pudding, I decided perhaps a little moderation was in order. Besides, I still want to hit Sucre while it's Dining out for Life Day. The staff was super friendly and awesome. I like the space although a little music would not hurt the ambiance.", "timestamp": "2011-07-14T18:46:10" }, { "business_id": "WPjeA9CWv-q7utSdnXmdIw", "business_name": "Juicy Lucy's", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the Yelp reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was very pleased. We ordered a special of fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade to start and got boudin balls instead. No less than three people came over to apologize for the mistake, told us to enjoy the boudin and our shrimp was out momentarily. Both were very good. It always makes me so happy when boiled shrimp are not overcooked, it's the little things that count! The boudin came out with a huge piles of grilled onions and tomatoes that were a nice addition to my burger. I had the Kenner (pepper jack and jalapenos) with sweet potato fries, the BF has 9th Ward Blues (mushrooms, blue cheese and?) with onion rings. The BF started doing that butt-waggling thing he does when he likes what he is eating and I may or may not have joined him. We both enjoyed everything, the service was very pleasant and I thought it was really reasonably priced.", "timestamp": "2011-07-18T00:19:26" }, { "business_id": "ujyjBLOzSXKO3RrbpJ4N4g", "business_name": "McHardy's Chicken & Fixin'", "rating": 3, "text": "Very fast, very cheap and I really liked the peppery crust. I wished the batter was a little thicker because let's face it, I eat fried chicken just for the crispy exterior and I don't care too much about the meat inside. I ordered a side of red beans that was terrible. Not only was there grease in massive puddles around the edges but it tasted like it had been singed when reheated in its styrofoam container. It hadn't, I checked, but it's not something you want to ponder while you're eating. Way better chicken than Popeye's but I sure did miss the biscuit.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:11:12" }, { "business_id": "OSi2ColCxhS9oCoAUNbPig", "business_name": "Mandina's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, nothing extraordinary. I think they get a lot of mileage out of their admittedly charming New Orleans neighborhood joint kind of feel. Our sever was kind of off but I found her entertaining. My turtle soup was fine but it wasn't the best I've had. My BF's calamari was fried, just like calamari often is. There's not much more to say about that. Our salads were mostly iceberg with a few shreds of romaine and cabbage and nice, thick slices of tomato. I got the crab meuniere even though I ordered almondine but I didn't really care since I was on the fence anyway about which one I wanted. The crab and fries drenched in the rich but also acidic meuniere was delicious. The BF's seafood platter was, you guessed, fried. Crab ball was pretty good. Bread pudding, meh. It had lots of nutmeg, which I liked a lot but it was sort of bland and the white sauce on top had the flavor of glue. I still ate it all though so I guess it wasn't too terrible. Not cheap but considering my dinner came with salad and dessert, not completely over the top either.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_rO-5jxOEH94TUcorPnSEg", "business_name": "Delta World Tire", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been putting air in my tires once a month for about four years so I know I've been past due for some time. Last week, I had a flat that I tried to rectify, as usual, by putting some air in it. I swear my tire actually laughed at me and said \"Woman, please.\" So I brought my car in to Delta Tire World and was out with four new tires for under $400. I hate spending money on cars but I thought that was pretty reasonable, plus I appreciate quick service. Also, their coffee in the waiting area was surprisingly good, which I needed since I was out of the house without my morning cup.", "timestamp": "2011-07-26T16:43:32" }, { "business_id": "dzFbGUUV5eh-ZR81RCnv7g", "business_name": "French Riviera Fitness", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is based solely on the spinning class on Saturday morning since this is the only time of day or day of the week I can muster up the courage to brave Metairie. The class is usually pretty challenging so that's a plus. But I have never seen a spinning room that had a flashing, multicolored disco ball and I'm not sure how I feel about that. What I am sure about though, is the instructors' collective inability to select music to motivate me. I shouldn't carp about it I guess, some people like trance out music or Carrie Underwood, it's just not what does it for me. Why does music at spinning classes always have to be so bad? Why doesn't anyone do classes to like, \"Let the Music Play\" or \"Diamond Girl?\" I would love that and even though I just dated myself by revealing my childhood music obsessions, I think there are others who would enjoy it too. But seriously last week, some song played that I am guessing was titled \"She was from Ala-freakin'bama,\" because those were the lyrics that played over and over again. I don't want to hear that song ever again and if that's your song, then I apologize if I offended you.", "timestamp": "2011-08-01T19:54:23" }, { "business_id": "GBTPC53ZrG1ZBY3DT8Mbcw", "business_name": "Luke", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped going here earlier this year because the service had reached new lows in abominable. Not to mention the oysters we had were shucked so poorly and shredded beyond belief. The BF swore them off for good. But I love their French 75 and bargain oysters so I wasn't ready to write them off forever. It's taken me a while to get back on my own and I am so glad that I did! They have a shucker named Anthony who is AWESOME! I told him about our previous experience and he said, very seriously, \"That's terrible. Oysters are too precious to mess up.\" My oysters (from Plaquemines Parish) were big and salty and perfect. And shucked the right way. IMPORTANT NOTE: Bring cash to tip the shucker. I usually spend more on oysters than I do on booze and I don't think it's fair that the shucker doesn't get a little something. Otherwise all my credit card tip goes to the bar.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:49:16" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still a fan. But I had a stale and not very tasty pastry the other day. Alongside it, I ordered an espresso that arrived lemon peel-less. Not everyone does that but I really like the lemon peel with my espresso so I asked for it. None to be had. Oh well. To make up for the crappy pastry, I got a couple chocolates. Yes, a couple as in 2. And it was $4. They were the same size as that three-pack of Ferraro-Rocher hazelnut chocolates you can get in the checkout line at Rouse's. Except those taste just as good and three will set you back a mere 99 cents. From now on, gelato or sorbellinis only but no more pastries or chocolate. Overpriced and not very good.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:55:55" }, { "business_id": "ej2kU6KU2TEL7uY_EB_zVQ", "business_name": "Phil's Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is definitely not the best burger I have ever had but it's pretty good and the dizzying array of choices elevates it from 3 to 4 stars. Grilled pineapple ketchup? Yes please! Brie or Havarti, oh decisions, decisions! I was so overwhelmed by the choices that I closed my menu and just ordered the burger of the month, a turkey burger with arugula, blackberry coulis, blue and goat cheese and topped with fried almonds. The turkey meat was kinda crumbly, it reminded me of that meat you buy in a big roll but it was okay. The combination of the cheese with the almonds was unexpected and delicious. The coulis kind of got lost, I wouldn't have known it was there. Sweet potato fries would have been better if they were hot. The BF got some crazy, gut-busting combination of burger and hot sausage, a fried egg, bacon AND onion strings on top. Ouch, that hurts my belly just to type! But I enjoyed one, small bite of it. We also got an order a fried pickles to start, very tasty but HUGE so will probably order a side order size, not the appetizer size next time. Also, I didn't know about their pretty great happy hour from 4-7 every day. I don't know the details but I do know my pint of Nola 7th Street Wheat was really good and only $1.50! Some bloody Mary specials on Sundays and margaritas (2 for 1 I think?) on Mondays.", "timestamp": "2011-08-23T16:15:09" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 2, "text": "I had a friend visiting from out of town and he wanted to make a stop here. It was hot and so we decided to opt out of sitting in their pretty courtyard. I had also heard their dueling piano show was good and friend wanted to hear music soooo...in we went. Friend ordered a hurricane and the bartendress lifted a prefilled plastic cup out of a dish rack, added some ice and voila! Gross but I am biased because I think hurricanes are nasty. Now, on to the music. For real? Do people come to New Orleans to hear someone play Grease Lightning on piano? How sad. Please, I implore you to go somewhere that has local musicians playing local music.", "timestamp": "2011-09-01T14:15:56" }, { "business_id": "u9-j3bwMcaMq9CWwuucqsA", "business_name": "Eco Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I am mad at myself for living around the corner for a year and never coming here! And now I've moved out of walking distance. Anyway, I finally made it and I'm glad I did. I was very pleased to see how many fresh juices they offered. I had the Ginger Hopper, which I didn't find gingery at all, plus it was too watery for me. But my friend's True Blood with beet juice was quite tasty. I was pleasantly surprised with how good everyone's food was. My chicken salad was perfect and it came on a toasted croissant with a lovely side salad. Their champagne dressing is fantastic. I also sampled the chili con carne, the rice looked boring but the meat was flavorful and falling apart. I didn't get a chance to have a bite of my other friend's crab and brie panino but since she finished it in 4.2 seconds flat, it's safe to assume that she really enjoyed it. I was worried that service would be poor but it was on point and our server was very informative about menu items and how they do things to be \"eco.\" Nothing for dessert really grabbed us, although they did list Clif bars as an offering, which I thought was pretty amusing.", "timestamp": "2011-09-02T19:40:18" }, { "business_id": "JcP1z6eZBgTIcxWlyxSw0g", "business_name": "Iris", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant's rating probably suffers a bit more than it should because I was expecting to be wowed and I wasn't. Anyway, the interior is gorgeous, I love the fresh flowers and the walls of pickled vegetables. The have a fantastic cocktail list, in fact, if i ever come back, it will be to sit at the bar and have a drink, albeit a very expensive one. My appetizer, pork belly with a shaved vegetable salad, was very good and dressed with an incredible vinaigrette. My BF had something else that I forgot as it wasn't very memorable. As far as entrees, they all sounded fine but nothing really grabbed me. I ordered the pork, which was okay. The only standout was a fried sweet potato patty it was served with. Besides what I thought to be a not very inspired menu, the plate presentation was weak. Everything was the same color. I know that's nitpicky but it's an expensive place and I want the food to look and taste beautiful. Our desserts (creme bruleee and a chocolate cake) were very rich, too rich for my boyfriend so I was forced to finish them for us. No espresso, I really hate that at nice restaurants. French press is good but it's not espresso, plus it was so weak I could practically see through it. I wasn't displeased with our dinner but I would much rather go somewhere else for the amount of money we paid.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T14:53:38" }, { "business_id": "Vz2RN55rTJBGn43K1v84nA", "business_name": "Domenica", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh sad day. I won't alter my rating but my last trip to Domenica revealed a change to their happy hour. Apparently someone on Yelp complained about the drink prices so now the specialty cocktails are not half off. But the wine, beer and well drinks still are. Which seems like their loss, I mean, I'm sure they are losing more on half priced wines and bottled beers than they are on liquor. Our server then went on to tell us he was glad for the change because it's a lot of work for them anyway. What? As someone who has worked in the service industry for a long time, I am not sure why it's bad to bring in extra customers during a typically slow (dead) time of the day. Plus, they are still coming in for half price pizzas and other drinks. His comments didn't really make sense to me and they kind of turned me off. However, the pizzas were still very good and really, I find their wines by the glass more appealing than a lot of things on their ever-changing cocktail list. And the stracci with oxtails is amazing!!!!!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:01:51" }, { "business_id": "mhrW9O0O5hXGXGnEYBVoag", "business_name": "Jacques-Imo's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Good, not great and pricey for what you get. I totally understand why people love it here, the vibe is great and it feels very New Orleans, whatever that means. Some of the food I really enjoyed and some I thought was totally mediocre. The watermelon mojito, while huge, was thin and insipid, not bad but not worth repeating. The cornbread muffins were, as always, fantastic. I remember at one time really loving the spinach salad with a lone oyster perched on top but this was soggy and limp. Our table of 8 shared a bunch of appetizers, including the cheesecake (very good) and the fried roast beef poboy (good but expected better). The BF and I shared the carpetbagger steak, which is awesome, I mean it's covered in blue cheese! But our sides were downright terrible, I'd be embarrassed to serve the red beans we got and the greens weren't much better. Our table split one creme brulee, which didn't really get bruleed so it was mostly plain sugar on top. Jacques kindly sent over tastes of Grand Marnier for after dinner drinks and chatted with us. That kind of charm goes a long way but honestly, 8 people split 4 entrees, one dessert, a few apps and a pretty cheap bottle of wine and it was $37 per person. I could think of better ways I'd like to spend my money.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:16:23" }, { "business_id": "dG94-818jQr0Vi3ajRwDCQ", "business_name": "a Mano", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend of mine alerted me to a series of dinners A Mano was doing, each week featuring a different region of Italy. Since my family is from Sicily, of course I wanted to see what they had to offer that week. I had a delicious Aperol spritzer to start and my friend had the Bellini. We sipped as we perused the menu and decided to do one Sicilian special menu and then order some things from the main menu. This particular friend of mine and I share a love for funky food; sardines, anchovies, tripe, whatever. And they had tripe on the menu so we had to order it. It was served in a savory but not at all heavy red sauce. Even if you don't like tripe, I bet you'd love the sauce sopped up with some bread. It tasted just like my grandmother's, actually, I'll admit it, it was better than hers. I liked the gnudi everyone raves about but the texture was more like smooth cream cheese or goat cheese, I'm more used to it being like ricotta, slightly grainy and less dense. But still very good. The only dud was a pasta dish with zucchini, no flavor at all. Our final dish was a seared tuna with onion mostarda that was excellent. To finish, we had cassata. It wasn't bad but it wasn't anything like the cassata I make and I prefer mine. This was a sponge cake soaked in some sort of liquor (too strong for me) and with candied fruit, not something I like much. The way I make it is un-liquor soaked angel food cake with a chocolate-cherry stuffed ricotta filling and topped with whipped cream. Very nice meal, pleasant staff, will return to sit at the bar with an Aperol spritzer and an order of trippa!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:30:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm so thrilled that Rouse's decided to invest in downtown! This is a pretty awesome Rouse's, everyone was so perky and pleasant! I almost got full on all the samples they were giving away; sushi, fresh-baked ciabatta, assorted cheeses, etc. They seem to have anticipated that they will draw a large lunch crowd and have lots of excellent-looking prepared foods. Would you like dragon fruit? Buddha's hand fruit? Kobe beef for $89.99/lb? Rouse's has it! I'll be interested to see how much of this stuff they will really keep in stock as time goes on. Layout is a little counterintuitive but they did a good job considering it used to be a car dealership. I was wondering about parking and indeed, there is a lot in the back and then upper level parking, accessible via Girod. The place was MOBBED but I went at lunchtime when I am guessing 90% of the CBD was also there. They open at 6, which is an hour earlier than my friendly neighborhood Rouse's and close at midnight! Whoa, is this pre-2005 New Orleans? I miss going midnight shopping at Sav-a-Center:( Other notes: I predict right now that they undershot how many checkout lanes they would need. Long-ish waits to be expected, especially at lunch. Prices on some staples that I get at Rouse's in Mid-City were exactly the same. Good to know we're not paying a few cents extra on soy milk to pay for rent in the CBD. Overall, great job, although I have to disagree with Danny Rouse's proclamation that this is the best grocery store in the country. Try Wegman's in the Northeast, they have an oyster bar! If you put in an oyster bar Danny, then I will unequivocally agree with you and retract any criticism immediately.", "timestamp": "2011-11-16T19:03:15" }, { "business_id": "JwS1qdmkA9S6muZBsdemBQ", "business_name": "Korea House", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never had Korean food before so I have nothing to compare it to but I loved my dinner the other night. Specifically the bibimbap with raw beef and a raw egg. I like ordering things that aren't necessarily a safe bet, sometimes that doesn't work but this time it did. The beautifully arranged, colorful vegetables were mixed with some sort of sesame oil dressing and went magnificently with the beef and egg. There was some coarse granulated sugar on top, I thought it was a tad bit too sweet and my fiance didn't like the crunch but otherwise, the dish sort of blew me onto a higher culinary plateau. I've been in a bit of a food rut and this was a revelatory way to lift myself out. The steamed dumplings were pretty good and so were the ribs but everything paled in comparison to the bibimbap. I also liked the bowls of various pickled things, my favorites were the cucumbers and the black beans. I'll be back to try more of the menu and I've already been scouring the internets for bibimbap recipes!", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:48:25" }, { "business_id": "Ra9zH1CBYtAC6vMfKYsHew", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 2, "text": "What a waste of $75. I could have just gone to Felipe's and probably been more satisfied. I've only had drinks at the FQ location so I don't know if their food really varies or not. But I have sampled many of the margaritas in the FQ and never had one I didn't like. I did not like the orange-lime one that I ordered, nor did I like the mezcal one my fiance ordered, it didn't taste smoky like most mezcal I've had but more like candle wax. It's a sad, sad day when I don't want to finish my margarita. It's even sadder when I realize there is nothing on the menu I'm interested in ordering. My sweetie ordered the house salad, which had a pretty good dressing and he would have liked to finish it before it was unceremoniously whisked away and replaced with our entrees. Our entrees were way overpriced but not inedible. The waitress was annoying and up in our faces every two minutes for the first half of the meal and absent for the second half. It took forever to get out of there and I felt bad for the hordes of people waiting in line. I may visit the FQ one again but never again at this location.", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:56:24" }, { "business_id": "RPEMUwN_CDRRToQ_7hxsvA", "business_name": "Borgne", "rating": 3, "text": "Like many other Besh experiences I've had, this was a mixed bag. First, they have done some cool stuff with the design, I like the columns made up of oyster shells encased in wire mesh. But it still has this institutional, chain sort of feel to me. My sweetie said it felt like a cafeteria that had a makeover. My French 75 was solid, they must use the same recipe as Luke, served in a snifter with a brandied cherry. Perfect. They also have NOLA 7th Street Wheat and big fishbowls glasses for the beer. I started with a bowl of oyster stew. It was delicious and very rich, so rich that I didn't really enjoy the last few bites because my taste buds were overwhelmed. I think they offer cups at lunchtime. The BF got broiled oysters, which were fine but nothing to set them apart from the many other restaurants that do them better. He also got the duck poppers, which were great because duck+bacon=delicious. But the bacon could have been crisper and what the hell was in the sauce? I have no idea because this is the kind of place that lists menus items as such, \"Duck poppers, jalapeno, bacon.\" That's it. My fish in a bag with caramelized fennel was great, really, the fennel stole the show and that's generally not my favorite. The hot pot was a bust, dressed up ramen noodles with tough pork belly. For dessert we got the oatmeal cookie with turron ice cream. Again, it was fine but I feel like I could buy something just like it out of the freezer section at the grocery store. Espresso was good, served without lemon peel but delivered promptly once we asked for it. Service was very good. I wouldn't go again for the price we paid for dinner because it just wasn't all that. I'd definitely go back and try the $10 lunch specials though.", "timestamp": "2012-02-15T17:16:17" }, { "business_id": "D8l8tVYE5EJeHOMlJs1Eng", "business_name": "Aristocat Salon + Nail Spa", "rating": 2, "text": "Worst eyebrow wax I've ever had. I'm not sure what I paid for because I walked out looking exactly like I did when I walked in. Pedicure chipped after a week, I don't expect that until at least two, usually three weeks.", "timestamp": "2012-03-12T13:37:57" }, { "business_id": "rrNF0siUBVQOOgsFVfGpKA", "business_name": "Columns", "rating": 1, "text": "It pains me to say this but I have to give up on the Columns. I am generally confounded by the frat boy presence there but was usually able to overlook it because ti's just so lovely and the drinks were always pretty good. Last night, I brought some out of town guests in and on one side of the parlor, there was a dapper gentleman playing the piano. Then we walked into the bar area and they were playing R. Kelly. Don't get me wrong, the R. can be good for a time and place but at the Columns? Weird. After waiting for several polo-clad young men to get their Miller Lites, I ordered French 75s for my friends and a Ramos Gin Fizz for myself. Note to bartender; putting a lemon twist in a glass of cheap sparkling wine does not a French 75 make. Terrible. My Ramos Gin Fizz was composed of a good 3/4 c. of heavy cream and had no discernible fizz. Luckily, I did taste a bit of booze hiding behind all that cream but really gin and whipping cream was not what I was hoping for. It was really disappointing because the gin fizz I had there last summer was dangerously delicious. My friends sipped their cheap and slightly sour sparkle and finally implored me to take them home when the song \"Ain't that America\" came on. I'm glad I was able to experience their downfall myself before I unwittingly sent people there with raves about the atmosphere and the classic cocktails. Get it together Columns, you've got so much to work with.", "timestamp": "2012-04-27T19:36:54" }, { "business_id": "kb1Tf4xwb7CQW5OXf9zwqw", "business_name": "Toups Meatery", "rating": 3, "text": "I hate being the jerk who writes the first non-five star review but I am sure this will bump up to four and possibly even five. I'll just have to keep going back to make sure my ratings are accurate. Anyway, the space is really nice and I like that there is outside seating. The staff is very friendly, although it is my preference that everyone working doesn't come by to ask how the food is. It's kind of overwhelming, especially if you don't like something. I don't remember being very interested in their cocktail menu and I thought the wine by the glass selection was very small and a bit overpriced. On to the food. We started with the meatery plate,of course! This was really good. I liked the cracklins a lot, crunchy but not dried out. The housemade garlic sausage was delicious as was the delicate, subtle rabbit pate. My husband really liked the hogshead cheese, it was not as congealed as it usually is, more of a spread. Weirdly, I didn't love the rillons and I thought they would knock me out. Those are candied pieces of pork belly, if you didn't know and I certainly did not. Cooked too long maybe, they lost their lusciousness. My husband got the chicken confit and I didn't taste that. But I did sample the mustard greens and white beans underneath and they were fantastic. My sliders, however, sucked. All three of them. I like fat but the lamb belly was a huge chunk of fat with really off-putting St. Patrick's Day green, overly sweet mint jelly. The crab cake was everything you hate about crappy crab cakes; mostly breading, cheap, stringy crab meat, fried-too-hard exterior. I think the last one was just the rabbit pate on a bun but by that point, I was over it. The brioche buns they were served on looked promising but they were stale. We didn't try the desserts but they had some appealing options. We'll be back but I can definitely cross the sliders off my list.", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T17:20:46" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "It hurts a bit to downgrade Parkway but every time I deviate from the shrimp poboy, I am disappointed. In this unfortunate case, I was not only disappointed but put out with indigestion for two whole days. The Reuben was DISGUSTING. I was hungry, so I ate most of my half but the sauce on it was sickeningly sweet, the sauerkraut almost nonexistent and something about the meat really turned my stomach. I still love their fries with debris and I tried the sweet potato fries, also very good. But I'll never try anything new again. I'm not sure when they added a happy hour from 3-7pm but good to know!", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T12:54:42" }, { "business_id": "9xErhLpjFcoA39AFeN3lUA", "business_name": "Liuzza's By The Track", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm going to be nice and give three stars since we only tried a few things on the menu so maybe I'd be more impressed if I tried the gumbo or the etouffee. However, I had the much-lauded BBQ shrimp poboy, which I thought was an epic fail. It wasn't offensive or anything, it just tasted like absolutely nothing; no lemon, no pepper, no garlic, nothing. Perhaps I am spoiled because my husband is a chef and he makes a damn fine rendition of BBQ shrimp but I thought this was an utter waste of $15. I had a bite of the husband's oyster poboy, which was fine, but didn't distinguish itself from other oyster poboys around the city that do not cost $14.95. Regular and sweet potato fries were good and served in generous portions. Chocolate torte was dry and forgettable. Service was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T13:04:45" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "Aztec chocolate. So good. It's hard to try new things when I love the spicy, dark chocolate blend so much. Yesterday I did deviate though and got the blueberry-basil. While the flavor of the blueberry was super intense and fantastic, it was way too sweet. I would have liked more basil too. Another favorite was a Christmas special, chesnut ice cream with pine nuts and rosemary. Amazing. Good coffee, inventive flavors you won't see at Sucre. Someday I'm going to actually eat their real food because the menu looks tempting.", "timestamp": "2012-06-26T14:52:31" }, { "business_id": "X-ZgevJi7i3wf0RjsBLG1w", "business_name": "Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I still like it for its unapologetic quirkiness but don't come here expecting anything great. Fried pickles were probably the best I've had and my husband's fried shrimp were good. My oyster remoulade was so drenched in sauce that I could only guess that they were once crispy when they emerged from the fryer. A friend's lasagna looked mediocre, as did an alfredo. The Bushwacker, which I've long wanted to try, is now crossed off my bucket list. If you want a huge, semi-frozen dessert, go for it. If you're looking for an adult beverage, skip it. I'd stick with fried seafood and large beers here.", "timestamp": "2012-06-27T17:59:44" }, { "business_id": "M8ONtZM80_LYC2Q3iqU5SA", "business_name": "Mila", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped in today for the $20 lunch special, which I think is one of the best deals in town. I love their bread assortment, especially the cornbread with some of the lima bean puree. The sweet potato rolls are pretty good too but they just aren't as good as the sweet potato biscuits at Green Goddess. I was a little sad that their featured soup was a zucchini-crab bisque since the online menu said corn-crab (!!!). Last time I was there, it was a rutabaga (or turnip maybe) with crab. I really liked that one; the zucchini was good but needed salt. I also think starchy things like corn and root vegetables lend themselves better to that kind of soup than zucchini. But the crab was plentiful and delicious. For my entree, I had beef cheeks that were wildly tender and flavorful. The beans that came with them were slightly uninspired. The fish entree with quinoa and currants was great. For dessert, I had the banana ice cream with almond streusel. There was nothing resembling a streusel, more like little crispy crumbs sprinkled on the bottom. But tasty crumbs they were and nice, textural contrast to the creamy and lush banana ice cream. Pleasant and efficient service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-29T20:33:52" }, { "business_id": "QD48BhLk7lDTgOL_NiVCCw", "business_name": "Taqueria Corona", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I've never reviewed this place, I've only been here a million times. I've been here to celebrate new jobs and buying of houses. Anyway, as we were driving up the eerily darkened Magazine Street last week, looking for refuge from Isaac, I was thrilled to see they were open! They had no AC but they still were working their asses off and running around madly to serve all the stir crazy people needing to get out of the house. For that alone, they get extra stars. Now, onto the regular things you can expect. The guy at the front register (owner?) is always there and always makes you feel like he is genuinely glad to see you. I love him. The margaritas aren't the best but they're fine and they make it to your table QUICKLY. I would skip the chips and guac and instead order the cebollitas. Actually, make that two orders because you won't want to share. This place is one of the few, or maybe only, place around that serves tongue tacos. Delicious. If you like pot roast or other similar flavorful, tender cuts of meat, this is for you. I also like the fish tacos and the carne asada tacos. Since I hate burritos, I can't really say anything on that point. Shrimp flautas are just average in general but excellent for a hangover cure.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T17:58:13" }, { "business_id": "W9SliuSyX7N0XoiG9UFNdQ", "business_name": "Pho Noi Viet", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, not remarkable though. Service was very friendly but food came out ever so slowly. The menu is pretty small, just pho, bahn mi, bun and rice plates. Only three appetizers. I wish they had a salad selection. We got the shrimp spring rolls to start with, which were much better than some I had at Pho Bang a few weeks ago. The peanut sauce is excellent! I had the curried tofu bun, the spice must have only stained the tofu a pale shade of yellow without imparting any flavor. It was fine and everything was fresh but I probably wouldn't order it again. That's not really their fault though because while I love the flavors of Vietnamese cooking (mint, cilantro, sour-sweet), I just am not a fan of gobs of white noodles or white rice. Since I wanted more than soup or a sandwich for dinner, eliminating pho and bahn mi, that left me with choosing from a pile of white noodles or a pile of white rice. My husband had shrimp pad thai and it was more flavorful than my dish but still missing some key elements. I'll go back to try their pho one of these days.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T18:05:52" }, { "business_id": "XxSIrbHqVMdEzP30-DN20g", "business_name": "Louisiana SPCA", "rating": 4, "text": "The food and drink were top notch, I mean, as soon as we checked in, there was a table full of French 75s to greet us. Thank you! some of my favorites included shrimp remoulade from Galatoire's, this smoked redfish with red onion jam from (?) and mahi with curried couscous and golden raisins from Vega Tapas. I enjoyed seeing the various costumes but I thought that the music was pretty terrible. Thanks very much Joi, it was much appreciated!", "timestamp": "2012-10-25T14:12:38" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I walked right in with 4 people and got a table immediately on a Sunday night around 7. Service was friendly and quick. I had raw oysters and gumbo for dinner. The oysters were great and actually shucked to order. I can't believe how often I get pre-shucked oysters these days, gross. Anyway, fresh oysters and very tasty gumbo. I was pleased. I tasted some of my husband's boiled seafood platter, the crabs seemed old and the mushrooms tasted canned. I would have been unhappy if that was my dinner but he said it was ok. Another friend had the swamp platter and I tried the alligator sausage, mm! He raved about the frog legs and turtle soup but I didn't try them. Bread pudding was pretty good too. I'll have to figure more time into my ride out to the airport next time so I can hit this place up for oysters.", "timestamp": "2012-11-28T16:50:31" }, { "business_id": "mCRa6o1eEVQr1bqV4Wy6KQ", "business_name": "The Blind Pelican", "rating": 3, "text": "I was lured in by their awesome happy hour special from 4-7 daily. 25 cent oysters! How can you go wrong? Also surprised by the dozen chargrilled oysters for $7.50. The oysters were shucked to order, unlike Luke which serves pre-shucked (and dry!) oysters. They were a little messy and gritty but hey, for 25 cents, I was still happy. I'd skip the chargrilled but for the price, it was a decent experiment. Beer selection was very good, I had the Mechahopzilla and my husband had some Voodoo something or other. Service was a little spotty but it was happy hour during the holidays so that's understandable. I doubt I'd come back for more than oysters but that's a good enough incentive for me", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T02:35:04" }, { "business_id": "ZTctPm8-lBy0iJ9dFhYhyQ", "business_name": "Herbsaint", "rating": 3, "text": "Based on food and drinks, I'd like to give 3.5 stars but since Herbsaint has the reputation it has, their weak points really stand out. I didn't really love the interior, plus we were there on a cold and windy night, making me wish they had a vestibule. Even seated three tables from the door, we were greeted with an Arctic chill every time the door opened. Service ranged from disjointed to friendly to cool. I understand the concept of team service but was asked for drink orders, then food orders and then second round of drink orders by two servers every time. Coordinate! My cocktail and wine flight were both forgettable. Beer list is meh. My husband and I both really liked our appetizers; I had a kale salad with smoked drum and satsumas and he had some sort of warm chicken rillete. The bread they served was also fantastic. I had a special appetizer for my entree; mortadella-stuffed ravioli with black trumpet mushroom jus. Husband's entree was downright gross. I hate complaining at restaurants but if it was my meal, I would have sent it back. The risotto was not creamy or flavorful, it just tasted like hard, wet rice. The pork belly on top had no discernible taste except...old. I really liked some of the food we ate but was so disappointed in others that I won't be back soon. I do still need to get there for that famous fried egg guanciale dish but I've got a lot of other important eating to do before I return! On the plus side, they are open on Mondays and have a very extensive wine list.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T03:35:26" }, { "business_id": "qKscu5qiEanq7XAduAhHmA", "business_name": "Banana Blossom", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for some time and, finding myself on the Wank last week, I stopped in for lunch. It was full and I waited for a table for a few minutes but things move quickly there. I was surprised that they didn't have lunch specials but decided to go with BBQ oysters and the Pad Thai. A little side salad came out first, pretty nondescript lettuce shards and unripe tomato, but I really liked the peanut-coconut dressing. The BBQ oysters were plentiful and tasty, almost too salty but I like salt. The roti they came with sopped up the sauce and by the time my Pad Thai came, I was full. Good thing too because I took a few bites of the sloppy-looking mess and didn't like it at all. The tofu tasted old, the vegetables were not fresh and it was very bland. There were a few other things on the menu that appealed to me and I might be persuaded to go back to try them but I would stay far, far away from the Pad Thai.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:17:52" }, { "business_id": "ta5Oi3sezvn4H299MbtE8Q", "business_name": "The Carousel Bar & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn about this one. I actually hate the carousel part of the bar and really dislike the spinning. Note: Don't go there after you've had a couple drinks. The spinning won't do you any favors. However, I love the lounge-y area behind the main bar, especially the cozy nooks with high-backed armchairs that look right out into the action on Royal. They make a very tasty Vieux Carre and one of my favorite Sazeracs in the city. So it's definitely worth a visit,I'd just avoid the main bar area.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:23:42" }, { "business_id": "dXREfNidBVaPbF8g5Xf54A", "business_name": "Department of Motor Vehicles", "rating": 3, "text": "Not too terrible as far as any visit to the OMV is concerned. There is plenty of parking in the lot in front and there were only 10 or so other people in line when I got there at 7:58am. One important thing to note about this location is that it is in some state office building so you have to go through security. That means leave your pistols and mace in the car, please. I was in and out within 20 minutes with my new license and although I thought the clerk I dealt with was unnecessarily snappy, I'd probably hate myself too if I worked there.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:35:32" }, { "business_id": "g8asTfC0kY9uzt1AHdm35A", "business_name": "Reily Student Recreation Center", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a fantastic facility, as it should be for Tulane tuition. As an employee, I get a discounted rate, which I don't take advantage of because first, I hate driving Uptown and second, the parking on campus sucks. However, every year during Winter Break, all employees use the facility for free and it's quiet, relatively student-free, easier to park and has a great schedule of really good classes. Once the students come back though, it can get pretty crowded so I probably won't ever buy a year-round membership. Except maybe when I have kids; they do have child care available.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:56:57" }, { "business_id": "P09fwcXyvf2GdvFnTMQWuA", "business_name": "Bellocq", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a beautiful bar and so I understand that fancy places can command high drink prices. I expected this but I thought my drink was just ok and for $14, I expect delicious. I also hate those silver cups they come in, I dislike not being able to see the level of my drink. Is there one sip left? 15? I can't tell. The presentation was lovely but there are too many places I can spend $4-6 less for a drink that is just as fancy but not as pricey. Don't get me wrong, I'd have a drink here again but it's not on my short list.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T01:56:09" }, { "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is exactly what I was thinking during my dinner. Look, for the most part, this food isn't bad, I actually enjoyed most of it. But it's damn expensive and what was good were things I could make any old night of the week. Plain old spaghetti with a garlic-scented butter? Yum! I loved that as a kid! And it takes 10 minutes to make. No need to drive to Avondale for that. Baked chicken with lots of garlic? Also, tasty and easily made at home. The baked oysters Mosca I thought was terrible and outrageously overpriced. $38 for about 12 oysters baked to death in a thick layer of breadcrumbs, which negated any oyster flavor. I can see how this place can be fun but it's unlikely I'd go back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:05:13" }, { "business_id": "iFgoIM21C_P68N8Dk-HHEA", "business_name": "Stella!", "rating": 3, "text": "It's always so hard for me to rate really nice restaurants because I expect so much before I even walk in the door. So maybe this is too harsh. Anyway... We were ushered into a somber and hushed front dining room. I felt like I had to whisper, which was sort of weird. We ordered cocktails to start because that's how I do fancy meals but I wasn't too excited about their specialty cocktails. When the ordered Blackberry Bramble or whatever it was called arrived, I was similarly nonplussed. I won't go into details about each dish but I will say that I certainly liked every course but I wasn't really wow-ed. Also, my wine tasted like anchovies, which I love but not in my wine. Highlights included all the sauces on each plate, the beef tenderloin, veal cheek and poached rhubarb for dessert. I've spent a lot less money on meals I enjoyed just as much or more so...glad I knocked that off the bucket list but won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:15:37" }, { "business_id": "2oJV-vS0Cu8cYt7_TbzOww", "business_name": "Cleaver & Co", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, 3 or 4 stars? This is tough because I'm glad that they're there but I did not at ALL like the head cheese I bought there and am unlikely to ever buy another $20 chicken. I love independent butchers though so I would like to support them but probably only for buying cuts for special occasions.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T18:44:30" }, { "business_id": "O7adYE4pVfqY02Lh6ywEpA", "business_name": "Swirl Wine Bar & Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I love this place. It would be hard NOT to like just based on their delightful location. Well-curated selection of wines and small cheese case run by very informative and helpful staff. Unfortunately, I avoid their Friday tastings because they have become so popular that they are too packed for me. I prefer the Wednesday night flights.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:21:07" }, { "business_id": "eKgtzwzbLR44fqevm6yUSQ", "business_name": "Faubourg Wines", "rating": 4, "text": "I was in the neighborhood quite a bit leading up to Krewe du Vieux, making floats, working on costumes and...drinking, of course. There were many days that I stopped in here (sometimes twice!) to fuel up on well-priced sparkling wine. Favorite find; an intoxicatingly perfumed grapefruit liquor.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:49:08" }, { "business_id": "g-IXI3v3fOudMsyLPKb-eQ", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location better than the one in Mid-City, such a cool re-use of a bank building! Very good coffee and now I'm wondering why I didn't have a Bellini? Anyway, I stupidly ordered eggs with a biscuit and corned beef when I could have ordered the special; a twist on the Benedict with fried green tomatoes as the English muffin, a bed of arugula and bacon. Everyone else at my table ordered it so I thought I should try the corned beef and MAYBE my husband would let me have some of his benny. He gave me one small and very delicious bite. Hash was pretty good, as was the biscuit but goddamnit, my over-easy eggs were inedible. Do restaurants cook eggs in a pool of water? I've had this happen before, it's pretty gross and left my eggs mostly untouched. Oh well, everything else was very nice.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T20:21:43" }, { "business_id": "ZgmEBmGQbSHj8YZgN2pPLQ", "business_name": "Satsuma Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Since my husband is not a breakfast eater, I am delighted when I have visitors so we can go out and sample early morning bites. A few months ago, my mother and her husband were here and this was the first place I thought of. Initially, I was kind of disappointed that there was no table service but that's a minor quibble. The staff, although very busy, was cheerful and helpful with recommendations for my juice-neophyte parents. Juice was delicious. My mother and I split a One-Eyed Jack and a special sweet-potato ginger pancake. I had a similar pancake a few weeks before at Suis Generis and that one was WAY better. This pancake was flavorless and oddly textured, plus it would have been nice to have a little side of fruit or something to go with it. The One-Eyed Jack was good but we were both still hungry after our breakfast. My SF ordered wisely and got a much heartier meal with eggs, very good black beans and a tasty biscuit. I'd probably be more inclined to come back here for lunch than breakfast but it is a very sweet little spot. After breakfast, make your way over to the Bargain Center next door for an interesting shopping experience.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T13:29:36" }, { "business_id": "1788xIG9VRrs3DZ_RhqA6A", "business_name": "Pearl Wine Co", "rating": 4, "text": "I wasn't sure what to expect when the ownership changed recently. for the most part, I'm pretty happy with the changes. The owner seems to be extremely knowledgeable and passionate about wine. She has also opened later hours and was even open on the 4th! I'm also glad she kept the staff; Jodi and Jose and great and have been fixtures for some time. The wine shop is worthy of 5 stars but the adjoining bar is not. The atmosphere always did and still does kind of suck. Which is partially not their fault, it is a former industrial building after all. But still, nothing about the place makes me want to hang out there. And they got rid of the former cocktail menu which I liked. But still, overall pleased with the changes. Welcome to the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T18:46:53" }, { "business_id": "bkxtuHXCL7GR51FiNdextA", "business_name": "City Greens", "rating": 3, "text": "Tasty. Friendly staff. But damn, it's really expensive. Just a salad with no drink and no added protein set me back almost $11. I'd only go again if someone suggested it since I can make my own delicious salads for a fraction of the price.", "timestamp": "2013-07-28T13:57:33" }, { "business_id": "WNhcS2zi4zAqA2TbduVINQ", "business_name": "Cleo's", "rating": 4, "text": "I had the vegetarian plate and it was very good. I loved the baba ganoush (so much better than mine) and the hummus with spicy roasted peppers on top. Falafel also really good. I actually like my tabbouleh better but theirs was still fresh and tasty. Tasted friend's lamb kebobs, small-ish but delicious and whatever they use as a salad dressing is awesome. Set-up inside the convenience store with loud club-like music was a little weird but not off-putting.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T18:48:28" }, { "business_id": "KGfw-g_JtizLJb4YmRB2Ig", "business_name": "Mariza", "rating": 4, "text": "I visited Mariza a few weeks ago but didn't eat since my trendy friends wanted to eat dinner at 9:30. I ate dinner at 6 like an old lady and met them for drinks. Anyway, I had one of their specialty cocktails (the Bywater something or other), which was too sweet, and one bite of my friend's hanger steak, which was incredible. I thought so much about that one bite that I jumped when my husband suggested Mariza for our Saturday night dinner date. We were lucky enough to get seated without a wait so that was a plus. To start, we shared an appetizer special; herbed ricotta-stuffed ravioli with chanterelles . OK, the sauce was divine and so was the filling, the one extremely small dab of it anyway. As someone who used to make fresh pasta at a restaurant, I wasn't impressed with the pasta either. It tasted like it was held in water perhaps? We also shared the yellowfin tuna carpaccio with arugula and parm. No complaints! I had that oh-so-delectable steak and it was everything I remembered and more. Served draped over grilled bread with olive tapenade and drizzled with pesto. Perfect. Husband's duck confit was also a hit. Their beer menu is kind of limited but I had a very nice and inexpensive pinot noir, which I find can so often be hit or miss. Our entrees were good-sized and very reasonably priced, both $15 or $16. So I can't really complain about price except when I compare my $16 steak with a $12 ravioli appetizer (2 ravioli, extremely meagerly filled). Oh well, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 2 drinks per person for ~$80 is still really reasonable. Next time I'm getting the burrata crostini and lamb belly. Or the goat ricotta with kale and the short ribs rigatoni. And MUST leave room for the chocolate terrine with olive oil and sea salt. I have to have that.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T19:01:31" }, { "business_id": "7ZcA6w0UCRmeEjN2nyeYuA", "business_name": "Root", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband I I were lucky enough to be invited to dinner here, which was great because I'm quite sure our hosts spent a pretty penny. We started off with cocktails and charcuterie. A+ on the cocktails! Inventive but accessible list and tasty to boot. I liked all the pickled things on the charcuterie plate and DEFINITELY the lardo; everything else was fine but no wow factor. Then we moved on to appetizers; of those I tasted, I'd say the deviled eggs were my favorite. My smoked scallops were as delicious as I'd hoped. Husband predictably ordered pork belly. It was good but what I really remember was this smoked vegetable ash smear it was served on. WOW. I thought the desserts were more about presentation (and at that, they excelled) than taste. We had the peach crumble and the blueberry clafoutis. Neither impressed my palate. I was really looking forward to the peach buttermilk ice cream with my dessert but it was icy and bland. Ice cream, or gelato, whatever they call it, is pretty easy and they didn't get it right at ALL. However, if I were to go back for anything, which is unlikely since they charge $16 for deviled eggs, I would go back for the Indian falooda. Oh! It was a terrarium of beautiful, edible flowers and accouterments swimming in a pool of geranium milk. I thought this sounded a little crazy but I loved it. Appetizers and desserts were overpriced and fell a little flat. Drinks and entrees, while pricey, were worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-20T20:25:53" }, { "business_id": "FxeakFEI6gObK0CxcOft-A", "business_name": "Manhattan Jack", "rating": 3, "text": "My cuban was ok. This sandwich, and the others my friends ordered, is a perfect example was why I hate going out for breakfast and lunch. It's expensive and just not that great. I'd rather save my dollars for dinner and make my own sandwich for lunch. I didn't try any of the sweets and while they looked and smelled lovely, I probably won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T12:03:25" }, { "business_id": "gC8i-lxwvGhVpOXM5eYdtA", "business_name": "Taqueria Guerrero", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the staff here and that it never seems to be super busy. They don't have my beloved fish tacos though and i like the lengua better at Taqueris Corona/ Was very disappointed in my taco al pastor, it's probably the worst I've ever tried. To be daring, we ordered the huarache and the baleado. Huarache, good choice, baleado, bland. Horchata is tasty! It's cheap and close to home but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T14:45:20" }, { "business_id": "5rScKeYVjFk8VahsvJv9QA", "business_name": "Mikimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never used to be a fan but my husband is and it's gradually grown on me. Every time we'd go out, he'd suggest Mikimoto and I'd roll my eyes and ignore him. But he's got a pretty strong sushi addiction and orders once a week, in addition to going out. And of course, he always orders from Mikimoto. It's still not my favorite but it's reliable, quick, plentiful and priced right.", "timestamp": "2013-09-14T15:44:45" }, { "business_id": "FCCnOgjjvwQJBAy3u2fcLA", "business_name": "Criollo Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful place in the Monteleone. I have been wanting to try Criollo for a while and finally did for their Coolinary offering. My friend and I were seated in a window overlooking Iberville. I felt like I was in a little bistro in Paris, which is amazing since I knew if I had two more feet of a view on either side, I'd see Walgreen's and the crowd of guys hanging out in front of the old penny arcade. Service was charming and attentive, from the server to the runner to the hostess. We started with their delicious bread basket and assorted butters. I chose the gumbo, friend had the salad. The gumbo was good, not outstanding but it did distinguish itself with a garnish of fried okra. Very nice. Salad looked uninspired. For entrees, I had the soft-shell crab with brown butter. Yes! Excellent. My friend had the cobia and the bite I had was the blood line so it wasn't a good first impression. I did have another bite (no blood line) and it was good but at nice restaurants, please remove the blood line from the fish! Her dish was topped with a sort of okra popper (cheese-stuffed and fried), which I really liked. I ordered the chocolate-pecan parfait, which sounded way better than white chocolate creme brulee tart to me. What a letdown. It was served nearly frozen solid and it was several inches high so to cut through it was nearly impossible. The flavor was also boring and the cake bit on the bottom was dry. It was terrible. The creme brulee tart however, was stupendous. Loved it. Also, extra kudos for having espresso and not french press. I like french press too but I have one at home. What I don't have at home is a $4,000 espresso machine so I appreciate them when I go out!", "timestamp": "2013-09-18T14:37:54" }, { "business_id": "rVRh3PnjYwSaVvGs0joh5w", "business_name": "Five Guys", "rating": 3, "text": "First of all, it was so bright in here that I felt overwhelmed just walking in. We ordered the regular burgers and large fries, which were both so much bigger than I had anticipated. I went in after spending the afternoon drinking beer at NOLA on Tap so I was beer-hungry and I still couldn't finish the fries. The burger was pretty good and I like all the toppings but the fries were so unsatisfying. They had no taste and making a fried potato taste good is fairly easy. My husband liked them though so maybe I'm just off. I was also shocked at how long it took everything to come out. They were busy but only putting out one order every 4-5 minutes. I think we finally got our food after 20 minutes. It's ok and I might go back but it's not high on my list.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T11:55:25" }, { "business_id": "YSyZipJDgS3D_R0wqPqPhQ", "business_name": "Longue Vue House and Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "I took advantage of Free Museum Day this year with a long overdue trip to Longue Vue. This place has been on my list for years and I can't believe I just now took advantage of a quiet morning spent in the lovely gardens of this estate. Turning down Bamboo Rd. from Metairie Rd, I knew I was in a for a treat. I spent about 45 minutes going through the Discovery Garden (so cute, can't wait to bring my nieces!), to the wild garden (reminder to self to go back when the irises bloom) and the impressive Spanish Court. Luckily, I was just finishing my garden foray when a tour of the house was starting. Wow. The history of the family who lived here was impressive. Not only do you get to peek into what their life was like, but the lady of the house was a collector of modern art and so it was like a gallery visit on top of the house tour. Our guide was also super knowledgable and I feel like I got a history lesson on politics, New Orleans oddities, river commerce and more. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T12:04:13" }, { "business_id": "hPd6uMCjNglnOwwHpkY5Tg", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - French Quarter", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sure this will be unpopular but Felipe's did not hit my spot. I like the one Uptown and I thought I would like this one too but the food, not so much. Husband's cheese sauce on chimichanga tasted rancid, flautas tasted like freezer-burned cardboard and everything else was room temperature and blah. I still love their condiments bar and the drinks are always nice, especially on Wednesdays.", "timestamp": "2013-10-21T16:01:09" }, { "business_id": "dBOVfp8Ub8uO9qUPtw92_w", "business_name": "Lilette", "rating": 4, "text": "My dashing husband brought me here for a birthday lunch after I'd been yearning to go forever. It turns out he knew one of the chefs and so we were sent some delicious short rib lagniappe. I decided to go with two appetizers so that I wouldn't pass out after lunch, unlike my husband, who had a duck appetizer and a steak for an entree. I had some marvelous gnocchi in a tomato sauce and then the famed crab claws and passionfruit butter. That butter was so sublime, I would lick it right off of Bourbon Street. Honestly, the crab wasn't all that, kind of stringy. It's okay though because that butter...oh my. I was sorely disappointed in dessert. We had a Nutella custard and it was GRAY in color and about as flavorful as gray sounds. How do you muck up Nutella? Confusing. Anyway, it is a beautiful space and I'd love to go back for dinner one day.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:17:11" }, { "business_id": "V9VLhHdSFpFi4yXFqVcVEA", "business_name": "Pêche", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn a bit as I write this. It was good, don't get me wrong, I guess I just expected a little more wow. And that's totally because a) it's Donald Link and b) I eat fresh seafood at home all the time and I can admit I'm spoiled. Just last week my husband brought home a 28-inch redfish that he caught and he grilled it on the half-shell with chermoula and tzatziki. But I'm not reviewing my kitchen, just demonstrating that I have a high bar. We started with some expertly fried crab and artichoke fritters. No fillers to bind these beauties together. We also had some olive-oil poached tuna that didn't taste super fresh to me so I let husband eat it all up. There was a third appetizer that I don't remember so I'm sure it was fine although obviously not memorable. Whole grilled flounder to share. I love flounder so it was good but that's all I have to say about it. We also got a side of stewed okra (one of my favorite things all night, go figure!) and very tasty field peas. Dessert was an amazing-sounding but disappointing-tasting chocolate peanut butter banana pie. They have an interesting cocktail menu but after tasting mine and my husband's, I switched to their equally interesting but more reasonably priced wine list. Service was friendly (except for the hostess at the door who was hating life!). It's very loud. If you're visiting from out of town and want to eat some really good Louisiana seafood, this is your place. If you're married to a local fisherman like me, you can probably eat just as well at home.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:34:18" }, { "business_id": "riGIP57_SRRnhx91c_4sBQ", "business_name": "Cafe Granada", "rating": 4, "text": "Over the past weekend, with its lovely weather, I wanted to go somewhere where we could sit outside. Husband suggested this place, which neither of us have ever visited. I love tapas and they have outdoor seating. Sold. We started off with a carafe of red sangria, which was quite watery. I'll go to Lola's if I want sangria. We had several things, some that I loved and some that were just ok. But the ones I loved were so good, I can't wait to go back! The delicious: Brie with fig preserves: Hard to go wrong with this, except to do it like we did. One order for four people. Boo. Get your own. Duck confit: The duck was on point and the salad it came with was fantastic! The hangar steak: Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Served with very good french fries and what I think was a garlic aioli (menu said chimichurri but that it wasn't). The good: Goat cheese croquetas: Served with some sort of mango sauce. Shrimp croquetas: Not as good as the goat cheese ones. Served with a tomato sauce. Carpaccio de res: This might have made the delicious category if there was some balance between oil and acid on the plate. It was drizzled with oil, fine, but needed some vinegar or something else. The just ok: Zucchini pockets with salmon and brie: The zucchini was good, I didn't taste the brie and the salmon just didn't work with the zucchini, to my taste anyway. Manchego with tequila: I though booze, flame and cheese was a no brainer but it just tasted like soggy cheese with cheap tequila taste on top. Yuck. The bread: Not good and with these kind of tapas, the bread is kind of important. The aforementioned sangria. $100 bucks for four people with drinks. Not bad at all.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:50:59" }, { "business_id": "3JOWaLAwQkYTZsgSe5HzVA", "business_name": "Hermes Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why Yelp has this come up as Lower Garden, this is the heart of the FQ. Weird. Anyway, I like coming here with visitors for some old school New Orleans vibes. One of the few place in town you can order a Ramos Gin Fizz and check out old Mardi Gras memorabilia. I usually just get drinks but have been wanting to try the Oyster Foch poboy (fried oysters, colbert sauce, foie gras) for the longest. I finally got my wish! The presentation was kind of sloppy and it was stuffed somewhat sparsely but the taste was OH MY GOD. I might have to hit happy hour again this week for another.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:56:35" }, { "business_id": "UjFLIhKTOiFcQiziOA9rgA", "business_name": "Mizado Latin Kitchen", "rating": 3, "text": "A-ok for now, with some strong pluses and minuses. I was very excited for this place to open and we checked it out the night before Thanksgiving. Business was booming and the welcoming host staff seemed genuinely glad to see us. However, I wasn't crazy about the whole valet setup outside, it seemed unnecessary and I felt more like I was going to a club in LA than dinner under the interstate in New Orleans. That same feeling goes for the decor. But that's just my personal taste talking and I'm sure some people love the ultra-modern, lounge-like feel. I LOVED the pickled vegetables and fried chickpeas that were put on the table to munch on. Our server warned us they'd be really hot but I thought they were perfect. On the other hand, she did not warn us about the salsas and 2 of the 3 (arbol, borracha, aguacate) we got were verrrry spicy. I like spice but it was a lot for me and husband couldn't eat them. Plus, they were more like pastes or dips to me. OK but not worth repeating. Fish tacos (unremarkable), pork belly (some pieces were great and some were undercooked=flabby) and peruvian atun (delicious!) completed the meal. My drink (Cava Lamp) had no discernible taste of St. Germain that it included as an ingredient. It was also priced wrong on the menu. Husband's margarita was fine but they don't do salted rims, instead a salted foam sits on top of the drink. Meh. I will probably go back to try more of the menu but I'm not running back anytime soon. It might get back into my rotation in the next 6 months. Might not.", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:24:23" }, { "business_id": "now2TRoUla_5u_tmH4HGig", "business_name": "Namese", "rating": 4, "text": "I never thought I'd be dining al fresco on a beautiful patio located...at the corner of Carrollton and Tulane? I saw how nice the exterior was as we pulled up but it really is even nicer than you can imagine once you are seated on the patio. We didn't go inside so I can't speak to that. I wanted to order one of everything but I restrained myself. We started with the banh mi sample, I liked the shrimp the best but husband liked the other two. I recommend just getting a banh mi instead though, just to get the bang for your buck. We also got the pork roll and pate banh mi and the serving size was much more than the appetizer. They were out of pork belly, so sad, so we didn't sample any of that. Grilled shrimp spring rolls were good, caramel catfish was very good and the green papaya salad was my favorite! Staff was great and welcoming. We will definitely be back often. So glad this is on the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:32:28" }, { "business_id": "fmWgbWRcbJw-yRCK3USnvA", "business_name": "Fountain Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "We had kind of a perfect New Orleans night here, the Saturday before Christmas was very festive and the famed Roosevelt decorations were dazzling. We ran into old friends and made new ones. But none of that really had to do with the food, which did not live up to the rest of our evening. We started with raw oysters, which were cold, salty and shucked right. We both had the Reveillon menu but there were choices for each of us, I love choices! I had an asparagus dish with poached egg and Parmesan foam that was delicate and rich-tasting at the same time. The smoked tuna was good too but asparagus trumped it. The soup and salad course was next, nice but not remarkable. The soup was so rich, I think it was mostly heavy cream with a dash of cauliflower in there. I had swordfish that tasted frozen and my husband had a deconstructed duck wellington that was a better choice. Both desserts (banana-chocolate creme brulee and a lemon tart) tasted like Sysco made them a decade ago. I love dessert and I'll even eat most bad desserts but I didn't finish either one of these. Also, our cocktails cost $16 each. Things started off okay but took a nose-dive. I won't be back.", "timestamp": "2014-02-11T14:33:59" }, { "business_id": "zWfzgYe2nT9mHYm_vl1Ukw", "business_name": "Mopho", "rating": 3, "text": "Sigh. I've been twice and both times I was not overly impressed. The first time we went, we ordered the crispy wings. They were not crisp at all, although the flavor was really good. I also had the worst pho I've ever had. The broth (beef, with oxtail and tendon) was murky and tasteless, like they used no star anise or other aromatics. The second time we went was better. I had the much hyped pepper jelly clams. The clams were really fresh-tasting and the broth was delicious. But I would have loved to sop it up with some bread, instead I got some stick-shaped beignets that were awfully sweet and not a good vessel at all to absorb that beautiful broth. My companions had poboys, which they enjoyed. I'll likely keep trying but so far, it hasn't lived up to my expectations. Staff is really nice, the space is beautiful. I'm looking forward to checking out their happy hour and the patio in nice weather.", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:35:36" }, { "business_id": "EbLbT1sR9myTqzjF4mHrTw", "business_name": "The Civic Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "We went to see Christian Scott and Esperanza Spalding here a couple months ago. What a beautiful job they've done! It's fairly small and the seating felt very...vertical. But I like that it was on the small side, it felt very intimate. The bar is stocked with better than your average. They had a fancy cocktail menu and my husband was happy with his Hopitoulas. Look forward to seeing more shows here!", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:39:55" }, { "business_id": "FLtru6J7y9d-Rqb32jyPIg", "business_name": "The Fat Falafel", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only tried the falafel sandwich (add hummus) but those fries with garlic aioli were very tempting! I liked the pita, loved the root slaw and enjoyed the sauce. But...was there a hint of cinnamon in the falafel? If not, there was something I couldn't identify and if there was, I didn't like it. But it was my only quibble, well, that and also that it was messy and had so much garlic that I wanted to run home to my toothbrush immediately. In fact, after brushing my teeth and using industrial strength mouthwash, I could still taste it. So if you're planning on being out the rest of the day/evening, proceed with caution!", "timestamp": "2014-05-06T20:35:52" }, { "business_id": "9xdXS7jtWjCVzL4_oPGv9A", "business_name": "GW Fins", "rating": 3, "text": "It was good, don't get me wrong. I'll have to go back to try more of the menu and hope to upgrade to 4 stars then. AMBIANCE: Looks really dated inside, like it was designed in the early 90s. No big deal, decor is not what I came for but I noticed it. SERVICE: I appreciate attentive service, which it was, but even better, our server was knowledgeable about the menu. Kudos. THOSE BISCUITS: Everybody seems to love these. They were good, kind of on the sweet side for me. And not great for sopping up some of the excellent sauces from our meal. APPETIZERS: These were fantastic. We got the lobster dumplings, fried snapper cheeks and salmon tartar. The sauce on those dumplings, WHOA! So good. The fried fish contrasted with a spicy-sweet slaw, delicious. ENTREES: Bored silly. We both basically got a variation of fish paired with a starch and some vegetables. Nothing bad but after the appetizers, very uninspired. DESSERT: Cherry panna cotta (good) and passionfruit \"souffle.\" They had souffle in quotes so I was curious to see what that meant. You want to know? It means passionfruit ice cream served in a souffle cup. Lame. They have a great wine list (although a crappy beer list) so I'd go back to sit at the bar for some wine and apps.", "timestamp": "2014-08-13T14:30:02" }, { "business_id": "cTSczU-9-cYUEM2DlNJcQw", "business_name": "1000 Figs", "rating": 5, "text": "I found out Tuesday morning that this place had opened the day before. Since I love checking out new places within walking distance, we decided to try it for dinner. OH, SO good! I had their falafel before (which I had previously found to be dry but I liked that beet-carrot slaw). But I'm glad I gave it another shot because these here perfect. Wait, let me back up. The space is really beautiful, it feels like being in someone's home and obviously a lot of careful thought went into the decor (love the silverware in drawers at each table!). It's BYOB right now but since it's next to Swirl, they're really nice about setting you up with wine and all the accouterments. It is rather quiet though so maybe not the best place for a boisterous group. We shared barley-roasted vegetable salad, kale salad with squid and the hummus platter. The barley salad was awesome, that was probably my favorite. The kale salad I actually didn't like, I think it was chard and not kale? And not crazy about the squid, which I usually love. But I plopped some hummus on it and it was fine. The falafel were tender and perfect. Everything was served with an avalanche of fresh greens, dill, mint etc and that was a really nice touch. The hand-stretched bread that came with the hummus platter also blew me away. But when we asked for more, we got cold, factory pita from Restaurant Depot:( Maybe they ran out, highly likely since it was so delicious! No desserts, very reasonably priced. Will be back again and again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:26:21" }, { "business_id": "PDpEFp0lCsXtGsUO1WPllA", "business_name": "The Franklin", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is beautiful, no doubt. Did this used to be an old praline shop? I can't remember. I liked our dinner here but I just can't shake that I spent $72 on myself for 2 drinks and 3 apps and a dessert split 3 ways. My favorite thing was actually a salad with root vegetables. I had oysters with white remoulade; I'd drink that sauce straight but the oysters weren't fried very well, sort of soggy. I also had beef tartar with strawberries, which I decided was not a good combination. The best thing there was this cocktail I had, the Kentucky Rifleman, which was worth every penny of the $12 it cost. Rye and black walnut bitters, OMG. We shared the quince-almond-goat cheese tart and while I'd eat anything with goat cheese, the crust of this tasted like dirt and the ice cream was icy, which really ruined the texture.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:33:59" }, { "business_id": "XCDXN4xJh3-DauaO88CZHQ", "business_name": "Courtyard Brewery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so happy to see this love child finally come to fruition! I've known Scott and Lindsay for a few years now and they are such awesome people, but beyond that, they know their beer! The design and decor are well done and every time I go, I look forward to seeing something new and quirky. I like the family and dog friendly vibe. They have a great lineup of offerings, which have all been guest pours on my visit. However, I know they just released their own brews next week so I'll have to get there again soon!", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:10:02" }, { "business_id": "e-fXMT8R3j7BKMTh8xn8aw", "business_name": "Red's Chinese", "rating": 3, "text": "We had a nice dinner here last nice but I think we may have ordered the wrong things! We ordered the smashed cucumbers (fine, forgettable), the sliders (decent) and the chicken feet (gross) to start. Except that's not the way the food came out. We got the cucumbers and Kung Pao Pastrami first (delicious). We also never got the ribs we ordered and since the servings were so large, we were probably better off not getting them. I really enjoyed my cocktail (Dragon's Breath) and I'd go back to order other things. Service was fast and friendly, minus the snafu with food arrival. A note about chicken feet: having never tried them, I was curious. I thought they'd be crunchy. The flaccid skin (though soaked in a tasty buffalo wing style sauce), revealed nothing underneath but gristly bone. Now I know.", "timestamp": "2015-01-25T14:23:03" } ]	{ "business_id": "srPwdMyFdHxvRkG9P_sRDA", "business_name": "Booty's Street Food", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here a couple of times for drinks or a snack but nothing memorable. Although, of the three times I've been, we've tried one of their fancy cocktails and I'm always let down. This past weekend, we had a large party and were grateful they could take us on such short notice. They have some interesting ground rules; if you have a party of five or more, the table has to do the tasting menu. But only five people are required to do it? Weird. Whatever, we all did the 7 course tasting to make things easy. Some of the things I really liked (the tamal, the St. Martinique fritter) and somethings were not good at all (the dry ass taco and flavorless fish sandwich on soggy bread). When we got the check, we were told that we could pay with no more than 3 credit cards or just do split checks, but that meant our four bottles of wine had to be claimed by various people since that couldn't be split. Messy. As a former server, the latter option is a lot more work but again, whatever. I'm not anxious to go back. We had fun and the food was fine. But those backless chairs were really uncomfortable for dinner and their rules seem kind of arbitrary. So many other places I'd rather eat though.", "timestamp": "2015-04-13T15:19:11" }
07aVWNhBhpwqW3MdqoKDKQ	[ { "business_id": "yD3vJQYB8lX8Se97oCVb2w", "business_name": "Rio Mar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here several times over the course of many years and there are some gems for sure, although I was turned off last night. We sat for dinner and asked to start with some appetizers so that we could look over the menu leisurely. We were told that the kitchen doesn't accept appetizer orders without the entrees, you have to order everything at once. I don't remember this ever being the case there. My group and I are all restaurant workers and found this attitude not worthy of the good but not spectacular meal. The ceviche. Good but the lime juice didn't taste fresh, more like what you buy in the green, plastic lime-shaped container. Pata negra (jamon iberico). Very tasty, I liked that it was served with almond-stuffed dates, they were delicious. Oysters Riomar. Very good, a little rich but I love manchego and chorizo, maybe a little too much chorizo in this particular dish, it kind of overwhelmed the other flavors. Gulf fish escabeche. Outstanding, very fresh. Serrano-wrapped tuna. Meh. Sounds amazing but the tuna flavor was not there. The tres leches with coco had a different texture than I usually associate with the dessert but it was very tasty, especially with the nuts on top. Flan was a bit too dense, in a sort of gelatinous way but still good flavor. Chocolate cake was unremarkable. The desserts were on the house to apologize for the appetizer/entree thing but I don't see why they wouldn't just allow a more relaxed style of ordering, it's not as if we walked in five minutes before closing.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T14:50:13" }, { "business_id": "yf8a1DOlqoqlKHuLSKEfxg", "business_name": "Dante's Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful outdoor seating area, friendly but not overbearing service. My absolute favorite thing was the escargot served in a sauce of basil, vermouth and goat cheese. I would go back again and again for that dish. We also got the Heads and Tails, very cute name and very tasty dish (hogshead cheese and braised oxtails). Beets and greens we ordered as sides were wonderful, simple but somehow unique. Braised pork belly not as great as I had anticipated but the pork steak confit was even better. Redfish served with soft herbs and crabmeat was delicate and lovely. At first I thought the very pretty profusion of herbs would be over the top flavor-wise but it wasn't. Too full for dessert although nothing really jumped out at me either. One of my more memorable meals this year.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T15:13:32" }, { "business_id": "je-bSjTTn8qKjT094MzjDw", "business_name": "Laurel Street Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "I want to like this place because it is sweet and neighborhoody but the croissants were really disappointing. The chocolate croissants had chocolate syrup on them but for some reason I ordered them anyway, at which point they put MORE syrup on. Ick. They also tasted pretty stale. Almond was better but still pretty lweak as far as croissants go. I would go back to try their coffee and bagels, which I hear are really good but then again I heard the croissants were great too.", "timestamp": "2010-07-25T18:01:33" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 3, "text": "The fried chicken was good. The shrimp creole that my friends had looked not so great but they liked it. Then again, they're visiting from out of town and I've never liked shrimp creole anyway. However, the Sazerac there is awful, it's watery and served over ICE! I've never had a Sazerac on the rocks and I hope to never again. Still, would come back to try the duck quesadilla", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:03:01" }, { "business_id": "FEXhWNCMkv22qG04E83Qjg", "business_name": "Café Du Monde", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Cafe du Monde, always have. But I have never gotten their frozen cafe au lait, always stuck with regular cafe au lait and beignets. So I met some friends downtown and on the way back to the office, I was HOT and stopped for the aforementioned frozen drink. Slightly too sweet but really, who cares, it is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:04:21" }, { "business_id": "qFqYnVhKKdDPYoTFwqHDrg", "business_name": "Martinique Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing. Martinique has been on my list for years and I can't believe I never made it until last night. i was with a group of six, which was fantastic because we ordered a ton of food and got to taste much of the menu. Escargot, lobster gnocchi, basil crepe, tomato gazpacho and mussels were excellent. The scallop appetizer special was kind of bland. Cobb salad was outstanding, peppery arugula and salty cheese with sweet crab meat. I thought it was kind of strange that no bread was served, which I generally don't care about but was needed for the escargot sauce. Instead, we slurped it up with the mussel shells! Lamb with pistachio-mint tapenade and pork with onion marmalade were both outstanding. The flat iron steak was good but not as flavorful as it should have been, the flavor mostly came from the compound butter it was topped with. My entree was an ahi with a caper-five herb beurre blanc that was heavy on the tarragon and topped with crabmeat. The sauce was amazing, the crabmeat really set it off, I wish the tuna was cooked slightly less but still great. Desserts were a super Meyer-lemon goat cheese tart, a housemade Guinness ice cream and a fairly boring bread pudding. Lovely service, beautiful setting, stellar meal.", "timestamp": "2010-07-28T19:45:21" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the little tables inside and the pictures of the family and all that jazz. I love strolling there on a cool September evening. But I think their gelato is just fine, not great, but fine. If I want gelato, or any other frozen dessert, I prefer Sucre or La Divina or Creole Creamery, I think they just use better products.", "timestamp": "2010-09-29T15:39:24" }, { "business_id": "TzkVUJab9Sh0CqDk2sCF-w", "business_name": "Bayona", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still full from last night. Yes, it was very good but I wasn't blown away. Maybe my expectations were too high. I had a Stormy Morning to start, which was elderberry and violette liquers, bubbly and lime, almost too sweet but the lime saved it. Then we got some bread which was nice although I noticed other tables got amuses bouches and we did not. Sad. I got the crispy quail salad for an appetizer, it was indeed crispy and the greens weren't overdressed! Finally! My boyfriend got the sweetbreads in sherry-mustard and although he said they were a bit too salty, they were cooked perfectly. The man got the Bayona salad as a second and I thought it was really lame. I like salads not to be drowning in dressing but I couldn't really taste any dressing at all, there was a bit on the bottom of the bowl but...really? And it was just lettuce and Parm. I'm bored just thinking about it. Entrees, I got a grouper special, which had a beautiful sear on it and a wonderful lemony-capery-buttery sauce. Also chanterelles, cipolloni and tomatoes. My boyfriend got a rabbit roulade with a green onion-brioche stuffing. The stuffing was great but the rabbit was kind of overcooked and had LOTS of little bones in it. There shouldn't be bones in a roulade. The mashed potatoes were as exciting as the Bayona salad and the sauteed kale was tasty but also very salty. I think dessert was the best. We got perfectly pulled espressos, served with a chocolate almond and we ordered a Lemon-Lavendar Semifreddo with Almond Shortbread. I capitalized all that because that's how good it was. It tasted like a fairy tale. Overall, I enjoyed the meal but I think this is one of those NOLA restaurants that saw their heyday a while back and isn't moving forward.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T14:29:36" }, { "business_id": "mfTyBrvx9uCTSPjmrl8PjA", "business_name": "Maison Dupuy Hotel", "rating": 3, "text": "We went here for pre-dinner drinks, which were okay but not great and pricey. To be fair though, our bartender said it was her first day so I'll cut her some slack. A ton of stars for their piano player Paul, he is awesome.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T16:34:24" }, { "business_id": "95d60_mjUg2kLy-bhDLC6w", "business_name": "Theo's Neighborhood Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Meh. I was hungry and Parkway closed early because they ran out of bread so I ended up at Theo's. The toppings were good but the crust was flavorless and I am not a fan of its crackerlike crispness. I like all kinds of pizza, NY style and Chicago style and so on but I have yet to find pizza in New Orleans that I love.", "timestamp": "2010-10-04T00:02:49" }, { "business_id": "E_HZHSOrXy621e9jeI8R7w", "business_name": "Parkview Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "I like Parkview. I like the outside tables and the semi-stale but free popcorn and the very, very cheap Abita on tap with tokens so you can drink your pitcher in moderate, pint-sized portions and then save some for next time. I like Bunchie and Chris and their free food at Saints games, especially the hogshead cheese shaped like a fleur-de-lis made by the inimitable Vaughn of Creole Country Meats. The downside to the whole place is that it's just so smoky:(", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:17:31" }, { "business_id": "4FDOh7BAb0pgLuD8rjl3bg", "business_name": "Dee's Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "Now that the weather is nice, I can leave my crypt-like office and take a mid-afternoon stroll to wake myself up. Dee's is perfect, not crowded, unassuming and just good coffee. I've only had espresso there but I'd like to try some of their frozen drinks, I think they had something called English Garden with lavender and violet? With coffee? I'm intrigued.", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:23:45" }, { "business_id": "FknpD7tLt59-6ozV3Pk2Vg", "business_name": "Caesars Superdome", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm a hater. I got all excited because the boyfriend's boss gave us his tickets last week but really, I think I like to watch the game where there are fewer obnoxious people and the food doesn't give me the runs. Within minutes of getting through security, several shrill women who looked like they were coming from a meth lab damn near started a riot by pushing and loudly kvetching near the escalators. Okay. Moving along. We got to our seats and were lucky to sit in front of a man who heckled EVERYONE in sight for the whole game, from five year olds to peanut vendors. As for the food, well, all nachos are not created equal and these weren't so good. The one bite I had of the hot dogs actually tasted pretty decent but sadly the boyfriend spent the rest of the day in the bathroom. I'll stick to the neighborhood bar or better yet, make some gumbo at home and invite the neighborhood over.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T19:37:13" }, { "business_id": "GWLWFcxaWJuWFZYeQSMMTg", "business_name": "Garden District Book Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. They pack a lot of good reads into a small place, plus I have been going to their book club meeting the past few months, which is super. The books are always thoughtfully picked and even if I don't enjoy that month's selection, I really like hearing what these smart, articulate women (men are certainly allowed although I've never seen one!) have to say about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:09:11" }, { "business_id": "nLxzI1lBOFNTKEnoip66wA", "business_name": "Mondo", "rating": 4, "text": "Highlights were the shrimp and pork meatballs on the lemongrass skewers and creamy crab toast. The breaded artichoke was pretty boring and awfully stringy but the lemon aioli was a bright spot. The steak tartare was fine but there was so much caper and pepper and so on that it detracted from the beef. If there was actually even any beef at all, I'm not sure. I'm kicking myself for not trying to soup of the day, a hot and sour soup with duck dumplings. My dinner was perfectly passable, fish \"Muddy Waters\" (which is a meuniere with jalapeno and anchovy) with roasted potatoes, except I didn't care for the fish of the day...tripletail. I usually hate five-spice powder but T's Chinese duck was very tasty, if a little small, as was the accompanying turnip cake. C. got a steak with bearnaise and OOOOH, I cannot get enough of tarragon lately. I don't even know how the steak was because I focused on those lovely, licorice-like, grassy bits of tarragon in the sauce. E.got a lovely lamb with ricotta agnolloti that might be what I order next time I'm in. For dessert, lemon tart, coconut sorbet and sweet potato-pecan pie with almond-sherry ice cream. Sorbet (good) lemon tart (uh, lemony?) sweet-potato pecan pie with ice cream was STELLAR. I really liked the ice cream, the sherry complemented the almond so well and the almonds tasted deep and toasty. All in all, a very nice meal, although we wanted a perhaps finer dining experience than they offer. We were looking for some port or sherry after dinner, no such luck. Anyway, next time I'll forgo the high-brow meal experience and sit at the bar with a glass of wine and a pizza from the wood-burning oven. Oh, and those meatballs!d", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:21:02" }, { "business_id": "R7ZqfB-4Z7jyl73iQ58nEQ", "business_name": "GG's Dine-O-Rama", "rating": 2, "text": "Crowded. Smells strange. The corned beef sandwich had WAY too much creole mustard (that stuff is strong!) and the beef tasted slightly sweet and cinnamony, just the thought of which makes me feel queasy. Very small for $11. My friend got mozzarella sliders which were made using crappy rolls, plus they were burnt. Underwhelming.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:02:45" }, { "business_id": "jMZ56S8Y1t7cA1Ob-d-qeA", "business_name": "Three Muses", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfection. Eggplant bruschetta was the hit of the night. The goat cheese gratin (not really a gratin at all but it was delicious so screw semantics) and pork belly were also amazing! Not too impressed with an ahi tuna special but maybe that's because everything else was so good! I didn't think I'd like the tomato chutney on the lamb sliders but it went very well together, lamb seasoned perfectly, just a bit on the dry side though. We had several cocktails, the Muse was hands down my favorite; strawberry, cucumber, gin and St. Germain. Also good mojitos and sangria. The blueberry bellini was okay but if I didn't know it was supposed to be blueberry, I wouldn't have been able to taste it, although it was a very pretty color.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:07:34" }, { "business_id": "me3mlZsR26fV89fMw2uR6Q", "business_name": "Rib Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Between three and four stars but since the setting is so over the top and cinematic, I'll go with four stars. It was eerily empty when we arrived at 7:30 on a Friday night. Our server looked like he was 12 and he seemed excited to be waiting on three ladies who weren't senior citizens. We got served cheese and crackers as soon as we sat down and I thought that was really odd. Bread soon followed. I had a frisee salad with a poached egg and lardons. It came looking very pretty and garnished with a purple orchid. But there were no lardons and the egg was cooked all the way through. It had a nice dressing though and that orchid really went a long way for me so overall, good. My friend got the house salad, which was not very fresh looking iceberg with Hidden Valley ranch. At a place like this, I'd expect better greens and maybe housemade dressings. For my entree, I had a really wonderful filet cooked with peppercorn sauce. My friend did also but we ordered them at different temps. They gave us the wrong ones which isn't so horrible but again, at that kind of restaurant, you need to have a lot of attention devoted to those details. The other friend had a prime rib, she said it tasted very good but not as tender as it should be and overall didn't seem very impressed. Chocolate mousse for dessert, fine not great or memorable in any way. I enjoyed it for the wonderful company that I had and the plush surroundings. The food was fine but for the money, I'll take my business somewhere else.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:30:03" }, { "business_id": "E5YB7NywtfmQ2_rpxtjmKQ", "business_name": "Betsys Pancake House", "rating": 3, "text": "This is nothing remarkable here food-wise but it's worth it to go on a Sunday morning before a Saints game when all the patrons, staff and even the interior of the place are decked out in their black and gold finest. The other great thing that I love about Betsy's is the gruff but sweet waitress who cannot complete any sentence without calling you baby, darling or sweetheart, even if she is yelling at you. The food was fine, not stellar, but it's a diner, what more could you expect? Corned beef hash is out of a can, forgot my friend's english muffin but loved that the waitress said \"Your muffin is on it's way. Really, I just forgot to put it in. At least I'm honest.\" I love her.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T16:47:13" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Props for being open on Monday. We sat at the sushi bar and were given two salads, I guess they were complimentary because we didn't order them. This turned out to be my favorite thing. Greens topped with some seaweed salad, squid and fried onions? I don't know but it was delightful and way better than the weird and heavily-mayonnaised salad they give you at Mikimoto. We ordered yellowtail, tuna and escolar by the piece. Yellowtail is usually my favorite but this did not have a good taste. BBQ yellowtail had no sauce and tuna-avocado was very skimpy on the avocado. We also had the seafood salad and it was very generous and tasty by the end but initially not so good because the sauce was all at the bottom and it wasn't tossed. They have a ton of specialty rolls, which is cool but I found it overwhelming, we ordered the Burning Man, which never came and I didn't mind at all because I was so full. Overall, it was ok, not awful, but can't hold a candle to my NOLA favorite, Horinoya. Also, they use the nasty, dyed Pepto-Bismol pink ginger, why does ginger need to be dyed? My final gripe, they don't seem to season their rice and it's very plain. But hey, they're open Mondays and do karaoke so I'll probably be back. Next time I will try the ramen, which I have heard is really good.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:23:52" }, { "business_id": "7pKzyzCFC7LpX82sM-0aMg", "business_name": "Balcony Music Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't been here since about 2001 when I think it was called the Matador? And I think all those pretty windows used to be blacked out or otherwise covered? Anyway, Friday night we saw TWO great bands for FREE, had a cute table in the window that fit several of us. I didn't have a drink so I don't know if they were good or cheap etc but I am still so thrilled about not paying a cover and not feeling crowded or cramped by hordes of people.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:35:34" }, { "business_id": "9TDyIOrSrncpsAUxVqx3aA", "business_name": "Capdeville", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't eaten here yet but I watched the game there on Sunday. I had the Persephone's Fall, which is St. Germain, gin, egg white, lemon juice and something else to make it pink, maybe pomegranate? Outstanding. They also passed out free shots of whiskey every time the Saints scored and while whiskey isn't really my thing, I thought it was a nice gesture.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:38:25" }, { "business_id": "rHYqc5YTAkFGYxcoYg7R8w", "business_name": "Trashy Diva", "rating": 4, "text": "Love Trashy Diva! I must have shied away because the name totally turns me off but now that I know how wonderful it is, I am a loyal follower. There are tons of stores here that sell pretty dresses but I had no idea that the owner designs the clothing herself! I love the sort of vintage/retro feel of the clothes. I'm the kind of person who could go through the rest of life wearing a Betty Draper style shirtdress and be totally happy so if that's your style, you will love this store. Sizes run from 2-18 but go often because once they are out, that dress is done! I saw a dress that I ADORED but they only had a size two left and I am still moping about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T21:14:34" }, { "business_id": "UeYZgcORV2Veo_BZzdiaTg", "business_name": "Napoleon House", "rating": 4, "text": "I moved away from New Orleans for a few years and on one visit back, I was craving a Pimm's Cup from Napoleon House. Maybe my taste buds changed or maybe they make them differently but it tasted like a whole bunch of cheap, pre-mixed ingredients like that powdered base used to make sour mix. If you want a real Pimm's Cup, go see Chris at Bar Uncommon at the Pere Marquette. This man is no bartender, he is a mixologist, I think he has done demos at the Smithsonian on drink mixing! You will die and go to heaven when he makes a drink for you. Anyway, love the atmosphere at Napoleon House, inside or outside in the courtyard. The food is good enough, I liked the muffaletta and the shrimp remoulade in avocado cups. I don't ever really go here except when I have people visiting from out of town and everyone enjoys it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-21T16:18:40" }, { "business_id": "pym7c6ZFEtmoH16xN2ApBg", "business_name": "Katie's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Katie. I really, really want to like you. You're a neighborhood anchor, you've got that cute little outdoor seating area and you even have bottomless mimosas for Sunday brunch! I hope you don't read this because I hate to hurt your feelings but then again, I hope you do so perhaps you can make some adjustments and we can be better friends. We were lured in by $10 pizza night, which is every Thursday. Also, the website said creamy tomato-basil soup (one of my favorites!), stuffed mirlitons and white beans for daily specials, yes please! Weirdly, only one of the specials posted was actually a special. Beef vegetable, no thanks. We had more than ample time to wait for our food and this is what I noticed. Our server was really sweet. The place seemed full of neighbors and regulars, always a good sign. The staff/service didn't seem to have a real sense of urgency but it was all so friendly that I didn't mind. The food. I had the gumbo since they had no tomato-basil soup. Very good, spicy, full of sausage. The rice was of the long-ago cooked, rather hard variety but that's usually my gripe with gumbo everywhere and so it's probably my fault for not asking them to leave it out. The boyfriend's BLT salad was huge, had plenty of blue cheese and bacon but no tomato. Isn't that what the \"T\" stands for? Then we had the Boudreaux pizza, which was AWFUL. I had to pick all through it to find any meat and when I did, it was a couple tiny scraps. The pizza was burned and I don't mind some char but this was burned in a very unpleasant way. Very dry. Weirdly tasteless toppings. Disappointing. We'll be back to try other things but I will never order pizza here again.", "timestamp": "2010-10-22T11:37:05" }, { "business_id": "I3Uy20BKx7G-Fzz6hLIeWg", "business_name": "Restaurant August", "rating": 4, "text": "I keep going to these super-hyped up places and feeling a little disappointed. Maybe after I hear all the raves, I expect perfection and that is too high an order. I felt this way at Bayona and Le Foret as well. Anyway, I did enjoy my lunch. We served the ubiquitous amuse bouche of truffled sabayon in an egg. I liked this a lot although I understand my boyfriend's gripe about it having an odd texture. It was sort of like scooping extra-fancy mayonnaise out of the egg and eating it. It was good spread on the bread they served, which was good because the butter tasted not quite right to me. I got the duck salad which was okay, not great, very sparse but to be expected for a pre-fixe meal deal. The duck tasted kind of off, actually the best part was the roasted pears. My boyfriend's pate plate was super, it was HUGE and it came with all kinds of pickled and aspic-ed vegetables. My ravioli were tasty but the pasta was pretty tough. I loved the knobs of crabmeat on top. The boyfriend's shrimp and grits were good, not remarkable, and if I had more than two bites, I suspect I would have gotten sick of the flavor, very rich and salty. Desserts were wonderful. I got a brioche grilled cheese with goat cheese and figs and a spicy honey. The BF got a butterscotch pot-de-creme that was also outstanding. Espresso served with lemon peel without having to ask for it! For what we paid, it was worth it but I was just a little let down since I foolishly went in thinking I was entering food heaven. Very good, not earth-shattering.", "timestamp": "2010-11-03T16:41:19" }, { "business_id": "j8JOZvfeHEfUWq3gEz6ABQ", "business_name": "Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "I've always loved Bacchanal and every visit there, from the wine to the food to the beautiful, enchanted garden/patio/courtyard area. Always a five star experience. A couple of weeks ago however, a not so good experience. Everything started well, we got some great wine recommendations from the friendly guy working the register and put in an order for food OUTSIDE. We also wanted to get a cheese plate (INSIDE) to nibble on. I guess when you select your cheese, you are purchasing the WHOLE piece, which seems kind of excessive and absurd, even for a cheese lover. So for a couple of people, we spent nearly $40 on a cheese plate. A wine bar should have a cheese plate that you can choose a few selections of meat/cheese for a set price, depending on the number of items. Well, I think they should anyway. When we did get the cheese plate, there was very little bread and considering the fact that we had a couple pounds of meat and cheese, I think more than 4 pieces were warranted. The surly woman who was making the cheese plates was outside delivering some food when we asked if we could have more bread. She rolled her eyes, told us we just got bread and if we wanted more, we would have to go to the front and fill out a bread request form. Really? Will I also have to pay a charge for an inter-bakery loan? Then she sat down at a table with friends and chatted and had a glass of wine. I thought that was silly and rude. But I still love Bacchanal, just that now I will avoid the inside food and stick with the delicious outside food, no attitude there.", "timestamp": "2010-11-04T20:53:57" }, { "business_id": "BrospeMqVM_tF9HH0RHuog", "business_name": "Gene's PO-Boys", "rating": 5, "text": "Mmm. After the parade on Saturday and our foray at Bar Tonique, I realized it had been way too long since I was in that part of town that late at night after having had some cocktails. Which of course is the best time to hit Gene's. I got my usual, the hot sausage, and the boyfriend got the roast beef. Super messy and oh-so-fantastic. I woke up wanting another for breakfast. One time I was driving from Baton Rouge to Miami with a friend who had never been to New Orleans. We were tight on time so we couldn't stop and hang out but I made sure we had an extra 20 minutes to jump off the interstate and get some Gene's to sustain us for the rest of the car ride. It's that good.", "timestamp": "2010-11-05T16:12:58" }, { "business_id": "H5KRna9A6mDQEJ2ZN0zL6g", "business_name": "La Petite Grocery", "rating": 3, "text": "I expected more. It's a beautiful place, the inside is so much bigger than I had imagined from the outside! It really is a lovely setting for a date. To start off, I had a French 75 that was BAD. It was supposedly with pear brandy, I didn't taste any pear and it way overpowered the champagne. I love a French 75 and this was not good. I got the gnocchi, which was pretty tasty although weirdly unsalted and no salt and pepper on the table. My boyfriend's sweetbreads tasted like old oil. The menu online is definitely not up-to-date incidentally. I ordered the rabbit, which sadly was like a big chicken finger. It came with an uninspired side of sauteed spinach, the spaetzle being the only redeeming factor. My boyfriend's hangar steak was fine. I was really surprised by the limited entree offerings and not really impressed by anything but the ambiance. I should give it another try before I write it off forever but I'm not dying to get back any time soon.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:23:59" }, { "business_id": "o5UrUOKcmj5GFXmB6Osb6w", "business_name": "Bouligny Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "We just came in for drinks before dinner. The space is very nice, especially welcoming on a cold night. Liquor selection and cocktail list were both more than ample. I will have to go back for the famous beignets and they have MARROW! Mmm! The crowd wasn't really my thing but I'm fine with that, it's good for people watching. The only thing that was slightly off for me was that our bartender gave us menus, took our drink order, made our drinks, checked for second round, delivered our bill and so on without saying one word. I thought that was strange but also weirdly admirable that she could convey so much with gestures and facial expressions.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:29:00" }, { "business_id": "ILUd8DXxX21FOgUmE4bTLA", "business_name": "Yuki Izakaya", "rating": 3, "text": "I loved the atmosphere of this quirky little spot. The old wooden bar and exposed brick are lovely in their own right but the way it is decorated with Japanese cartoons and knickknackery is really cute. We went in last Thursday when there was no one else in the bar but the bartender, no patrons or music. I got a green tea martini that I didn't like at all but maybe I should have tried something else. Foodwise, nothing very good. The french fries were of the Ore Ida variety although the wasabi mayonnaise was good. Marinated octopus in wasabi was interesting for a few bites but then it was just kind of murky-tasting. Rice wrapped in seaweed with salted plum was waaaaaay to salty (and I love salty) and off-puttingly mushy. The beef tongue was super tough, i actually felt like I was eating someone's tongue instead of having it fall apart like I'm used to. The sauce was awesome though, lemony and peppery, if they'd just learn how to cook the tongue right! I would definitely come back for a beer and maybe a nibble but not to eat extensively. A band started playing just as we were finishing up, which was nice. My final issue though is that they don't charge a cover for music, just an upcharge of 50 cents on every item during a show. We had our drinks and food long before the band even showed up or started playing but we got the surcharge for each item. It was just a matter of a few dollars but since we really didn't partake in the entertainment, I thought it was worth noting.", "timestamp": "2010-12-08T15:56:15" }, { "business_id": "75FY8ZQx5nOWP0VFmNvWfw", "business_name": "Atchafalaya Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for a while and am so glad I finally did. Now I can't wait to get back for dinner! I had brunch here the other day, I was impressed with the interior, it's light and airy and full of artwork. The coffee was great. My friend and I split entrees, we tried the eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes and crab on top. We also got a special, duck hash with blackberries and mango in a bacon vinaigrette with poached eggs and hollandaise! I think I was full for at least eight hours after that. The special was really outstanding, the hollandaise was perfect. I liked the eggs benny too, I just wish the fried green tomato had a little more flavor, maybe more seasoning in the batter? It wasn't a standout. I went to the ladies room and there were a pair of black lace underwear in the stall. I didn't think this was really that kind of place but it gave me a good laugh. Then it got me a little grossed out about the bathroom.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:28:05" }, { "business_id": "Nhci37qY0HPCNWc5UQul9w", "business_name": "9 Roses", "rating": 4, "text": "Banh Xeo-mmmm, so delicate and crisp. This is my new love. We also got steamed, pork dumplings that I thought tasted watery but the BF liked them so I happily ate the banh xeo and relinquished the rest of the dumplings to him. I wanted pho but I also wanted to try something new so I got the quail. It was fine but just plain roasted quail, which had me wanting the more complex riot of flavors in pho. But then if had ordered the pho, I would have still been wondering about the quail! I'm so difficult sometimes. We also got the ribs in fish sauce (Dorothy's recommendation), really tasty, the sauce is kind of on the sweet side but mix it up with greens and it is oh so good. Lemon grass beef vermicelli was fabulous. Our server was really sweet and attentive. It was REALLY cold in there, everyone was wearing winter jackets. But still very worth the drive to the West Bank and if you're still hungry, which I doubt, stop at Taqueria Sanchez right across the way!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:44:05" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Saturday was a beautiful day, it punctuated the much colder weather and I was happy to get out and about. There was lots of what seemed to be good food but I couldn't eat, having just come from a huge meal at Atchafalaya. Besides food, there were vintage and second-hand items, puppies, music and lots of crafts. An abundance of NOLA-based stuff that is great for gifts but am I the only one getting sick of seeing fleur-de-lis everything? I did pick up some Christmas ornaments that were oyster shells with the Virgin Mary on them. Who wouldn't love Mary on the half-shell dangling from their tree? I'm really excited to see this part of Freret picking up momentum. It's always had such a cool, sort of small town Main Street feel to it but has been woefully neglected. Glad to see it on the upswing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:53:09" }, { "business_id": "wQNkpi9RvpuoiDB-CiHxog", "business_name": "Bar Tonique", "rating": 5, "text": "So, I have returned and I have tried SEVERAL more cocktails. I went on a Thursday, caiparinha night, and I have to say it was lackluster. Nowhere near as good as the ones at Rio Mar. Now here's the thing, I think they excel at drinks of the martini variety, as in ingredients that are shaken and then strained. Their drinks over ice are less impressive and I think it's party becasue of the large ice cubes they use. Now bear with me. I read this article a few weeks ago about this fancy new ice lots of bars are using. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/dining/01shake.html?pagewanted=all) Apparently the cubes are prized because they are large, thereby chilling the drinks more quickly with less dilution. I think this is great for aforementioned shaken and strained drinks but not so good for drinks on the rocks. It makes the drink too icy and cold and you can't taste anything but the big ice block in your drink. So do yourself a favor and get the Faucheaux, which is tequila, basil and St Germain. Revelatory. Also fantastic was the Tru Kick, with Tru Gin, ginger syrup and peach bitters. Some of the best cocktails I've tasted on any fancy, signature cocktails list in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T19:04:45" }, { "business_id": "aeIWVa6G54UUo6yloJkyJg", "business_name": "Lebanon's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "My go-to is usually Mona's when I'm in the mood for Middle Eastern but I thought I'd give Lebanon's a go this time. I like Mona's hummus better, it's creamier. Labne and baba ganoush were equally good though. Lebanon's has better grape leaves and I like that the falafel is green inside from all the parsley. Beef shawarma was perfectly decent but nothing special. I really liked my eggplant sandwich, kind of like a sub or a po-boy, and topped with lots of feta. Lebanese tea has pine nuts, which I like but really, how do you eat them? They won't come up the straw and fishing around for them is kinda tedious. It's a little too sweet as well, probably wouldn't order that again. Overall, fine if I'm in the neighborhood but I'm usually closer to Mona's and besides, Mona's has that delicious fried cheese thing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:16:51" }, { "business_id": "NHL1c_30iYXvJZcqEo6fwQ", "business_name": "Pal's Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I love Pal's, that's a given. However, this review was spurred entirely by the fantastic Gingerita I had there on Friday. Cutesy names can be a bad sign for cocktails, often involving overly sweet ingredients. Not so with Gingerita, it has ginger vodka, ginger beer and this amazing organic ginger juice that they special order from California called Elixir G. Go get a Gingerita before the season is over!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:50:38" }, { "business_id": "b92dSNftvCSPWLC4ZgNXCg", "business_name": "Sammy's Food Service & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The food is five stars, the service is two but the shrimp and mirliton soup cannot make me Sammy's less than 4 stars. I went with two coworkers and we all ordered a large soup, one also ordered a salad. One got a bowl of soup after 30 minutes, the second got her salad and had to ask if the soup sitting on the shelf was hers, they finally gave it to her and it was ice cold. After they were finished eating, I told the woman at the counter to please just make my order to go. Also, no spoons or forks out, which make salad and soup eating very difficult. I realize they are super busy but their system kind of sucks. My advice would be to call your order in, pick it up and go eat somewhere else. Because the eating is oh-so-good! I've also had their hot sausage po-boy, they make their own sausage and it is AWESOME in it's own garlicky right.", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T18:25:27" }, { "business_id": "t9LiapsQABwMQeiF1Czl6w", "business_name": "Port Of Call", "rating": 3, "text": "I haven't been to Port of Call in a few years and the boyfriend and I often talk about it but think about the line and then I wonder if the burger is even all that because for some reason, my memories of eating there are all fuzzy. Yup, that's all one sentence. Anyway, we went on a Monday night at 6:45, no line, ordered and served our food in under 10 minutes. It is fine, actually it's good, it's a nice, solid burger but nothing revelatory or worth standing in a line for. I wish they would season the meat a little and I think they are too thick. I don't think they should be puny, just a little more petite so you can get burger, patty and the rest all in one mouthful. I get the appeal, it's cute and kitschy but I could do better myself.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:42:54" }, { "business_id": "Jy1ivHnSRtNNA6snZSAKBw", "business_name": "Twelve Mile Limit", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the cocktails, especially the Good Idea. It was like a cross between a Pimm's Cup and a Moscow Mule. The bartender was very sweet. The cook offered tastes of brisket all around when he was done cooking it. Unfortunately, the bar has a very sterile feel to it. Too brightly lit, nothing on the walls and then the Real Housewives of Old Metairie showed up, commandeered the jukebox and started loudly serenading us and awkwardly gyrating. We also ordered some cream cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped jalapenos, which were good but a little overcooked and pretty expensive for how many you get. I'm hoping they can do something to remedy the atmosphere/decor of the place and then I think it will be a solid 4 stars. They are off to a good start though.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:47:47" }, { "business_id": "jE7PpEUmWgcBc0DeelPAOA", "business_name": "Bistro Daisy", "rating": 5, "text": "Love, love, love it! I had an oyster appetizer that may be one of my favorite dishes of 2010. It was poached oysters (and I usually only like them fried or raw) with Herbsaint, fennel, bacon and a hint of cream (and I usually don't care for fennel). But this dish was so luscious and aromatic and I could have ordered three more. Very nice with my Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc. I liked my duck but wasn't wowed. However, the BF's lamb shank made me swoon. It was so meltingly tender and the tomato sauce it was cooked in had a bit of mint in it, just like my grandmother would have done. This might be what I want to eat for my last meal on earth. They brought us a baked Alaska for dessert even though we didn't order it. I have never tasted a meringue so creamy! So much so that I was sliding it on the roof of my mouth to savor the texture longer. Go to Bistro Daisy. Take your beloved. Order the oysters and the lamb. (FYI: The online menu is not up-to-date)", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T15:44:25" }, { "business_id": "3wo9jODQnuvBm8Gkem6qXg", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "BBQ shrimp and grits was pretty terrible. This surprised me because their BBQ shrimp blackstone I had a few months ago was soooo good. This was a completely different sauce, it seemed to be all Worcestershire and not much else. The shrimp were tiny, the grits were unremarkable. Presentation did not make it look appealing. Also, I really hate those wide-mouth coffee cups. They look nice, I agree, but the coffee gets cold almost immediately because so much surface area is exposed.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T16:20:48" }, { "business_id": "voWjA6zfmXLIbKAoqwBnug", "business_name": "Green Goddess", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to go here forever and was so excited on Saturday to finally do just that! We had an hour or so wait, which was fine so we went to the Orleans Grapevine for a cocktail and they called us when they were ready. The wine and drink list is amazing, if not a little overwhelming, I got a Pear 75, which was good but not the best I've ever had, it lacked the lemon juice that ties it all together. Food was really just three stars, except for the Oysters Delacroix and the bacon sundae, so good! The corn crepes with huitlacoche were really bland, the lentil pancake was just...not good, it wasn't inedible but you'd think with tamarind chutney and spiced chickpeas, it would have been a lot more appealing. The green goddess wedge was good but I wish the dressing was evenly applied instead of dumped on top so some bites were just lettuce and some were drowned in the dressing. I also tried their daily cocktail special, the Daily Truth, which had Drambuie and rum and lime juice and some fertility liquor that I don't remember the name of, it was spicy and warm and fantastic. I think I will have to go back and try some more dishes, I love the ideas behind their menu and the space is quirky and eccentric and so NOLA. I met a new transplant and her mom, a hope-to-be teacher interviewing for TeachNola and also pinned money to the birthday boy-chef who was wearing a tie-dye tuxedo shirt from his wedding that was all Mardi Gras colors and finished with fleur-de-lis cuffs. I want to love the food, I already love everything else. Next time will be better!", "timestamp": "2011-01-24T16:35:38" }, { "business_id": "iJiNZw2TEwB579dr6LyVZQ", "business_name": "Cooter Brown's", "rating": 4, "text": "I remember eons ago having late, late nights at Snake and Jake's that led to late mornings and even later \"breakfasts\" at Cooter Brown's of a few dozen raw oysters. I love oysters, I will eat them for breakfast but lately when I eat them, it is between the civilized hours of 3-6pm and I eat them at Luke, washed down with a French 75. But Friday night at 7pm rolled around and so I went to Cooter's for several dozen raw, an oyster po-boy and of course, some cheese fries. The raw oysters are pretty reasonable, about $10 for a dozen I think. The po-boy came on toasted and buttered bread, which I do so appreciate. Unfortunately, they don't use Leidenheimer's bread, it's good but not what I want a po-boy on. The BF wanted gravy on the cheese fries and it wasn't debris gravy like I thought it would be, but just a packet-style, powdered gravy. But I still tore it up and it was all delicious.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:07:58" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like the decor this place, I love community seating, they have awesome light fixtures and vintage vases and all kinds of cute stuff to keep your eyes occupied. I'll have to go back to sample more but I wasn't really blown away by anything except the apple pie. The burger, which everyone raves about, had a really delicious potato bun. But they didn't ask for a temp and I thought it was way overcooked and also woefully underseasoned. None of the agogo sauce with which it was advertised made an appearance. Although the zinfandel compote is not to be missed, it was stellar! Service was friendly but not very efficient. They're working out kinks, I'm sure, but I will reserve higher praise for now.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:30:26" }, { "business_id": "N3bjowmk_Yi9rUxPpM2k6Q", "business_name": "The Store", "rating": 3, "text": "It's okay. Definitely overpriced for what you get, both in quantity and quality. I ordered the BLT and the potato soup. BLT was alright but dry and the potato soup tasted like instant mashed potatoes. My friend's shrimp nicoise did look stupendous though, I will admit that. My workplace also orders from here for staff meetings a fair amount and again, not really impressed. The sandwiches are fine if they're the kind you pay $4 for at the gas station but not with the prices they charge. AND, they use pre-shedded cheese, that is just nasty. I don't want ashy cheese that is coated in cellulose. I don't mind paying the prices, I just would like the quality to match.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T19:59:22" }, { "business_id": "AW2xE3-nxDe30JBqwNuUdw", "business_name": "Star Nails", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been going here for pedicures for a long time, because they are quick to get you in, clean and efficient, but mostly because I am a creature of habit. They have a pretty wide selection of OPI nail colors. I also like being offered something to drink (non-alcoholic but still nice). Prices are pretty much the same as anywhere else you'd go but on Tuesdays they are a little cheaper. I am speaking only about pedicures as I've never gotten anything else done there.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T20:52:34" }, { "business_id": "OAjof8dhS2zScmZh2Xuo1A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Whole Foods really doesn't need another review, we all know that it's a nice grocery store with great although expensive products. I just would like to point out that their Chantilly Berry king cake is awesome, especially if you warm it up just a little bit. They also have un-shucked Louisiana oysters available again for about 50 cents each so now I can get my fix of charbroiled oysters in the comfort of my own home once more!", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T21:10:15" }, { "business_id": "B9Cv-DjHb1fZJ1drcsCREA", "business_name": "Mid-City Smiles", "rating": 4, "text": "Everyone was very friendly and did an excellent job without pushing products or services on me. I called about three dentists to get in before the end of 2010 and this was the only place that could give me an appointment that quickly. Plus I can walk there and they have Saturday hours.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:00:26" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars for the king cake! Filling (chocolate) was delicious, I thought it would be more like chocolate pudding or nutella but it was a cocoa powder base. The cake was moist and soft and frosting was good but not overwhelming. All three components were in perfect proportion to each other. My favorite king cake so far this season!", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:03:20" }, { "business_id": "yL9j5ASNic_DaDKf9lwMhw", "business_name": "Stein's Market and Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The corned beef with coleslaw is incredible. Wow. I can't stop thinking about it. The Italian hoagie is also really good and even their veggie sandwich is great. Chocolate rugelach are okay but the raspberry are addictive!!! Toffee chocolate ship cookies and blondies are also really tasty. The only flop for me was the potato salad but everything else was so good that I just skipped over it. I'm sad that I somehow missed Beer Day last week. Next year.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:08:52" }, { "business_id": "WjkMZNlIUtQ59iHvG-aRMA", "business_name": "Balance Yoga & Wellness", "rating": 5, "text": "Balance Yoga just opened in this Mid-City location and it is beautiful. They did a wonderful job with a lovely old house, complete with large windows, fireplaces and pocket doors. Because of the huge windows, there is a lot of natural light. While I really like that, I kind of wish they'd put something over them so people waiting outside at Mandina's or Ruby Slipper can't see in. They offer several different types of yoga, even Kundalini, which I haven't seen in New Orleans since Katrina! The instructors are friendly and help you with your poses. Early morning classes, evening classes, Sunday classes, community (by donation) classes, they've got it all.", "timestamp": "2011-02-03T18:23:17" }, { "business_id": "F7etLf6od7CUnCPknsQ-6Q", "business_name": "Rue 127", "rating": 4, "text": "The inside is beautiful and I can't wait for warm weather to enjoy the outside. Initially, I was a little disappointed that they didn't have a specialty cocktail list but I can get over that. We only had appetizers and desserts and I will certainly be back for more. We enjoyed the mussels, pork belly and scallop tortellini. The mussels were good but I didn't want to drink the broth like I usually do, there was maybe too much acidity? Also, their homemade bread is very nice but very SWEET and not such a great match for the savory food. The pork belly was served with these potatoes that I think were scored and then fried so they had a really unique texture. Deep-fried cupcakes, I'm sorry to be a dissenter but not for me. I liked that they were warm and oozy but they were way too sweet and the greasy exterior was overwhelming. We had a date cake that was served with honey ice cream, very good but also a bit on the sweet side. I look forward to coming back and trying more of the menu.", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T18:38:58" }, { "business_id": "0DdmKihJ90qKP5TAM3c2yQ", "business_name": "Tartine", "rating": 3, "text": "I feel like there are a lot of places popping up lately that are getting a lot of hype and I'm just not buying it quite yet. Tartine, case in point, has some good things going for it but it's also got some issues. What worked: The house-baked bread is fantastic, it's got a really nice chewiness-crunchiness to it. A+. I love, love, love the salad with pecans and goat cheese and big, fat dried blueberries. I wish I knew where they got those blueberries because the ones at Rouse's are shriveled and tiny. The rillete was huge portion, it looked like six ounces of rillete, which for such a rich spread is a LOT. What didn't: The outside is really cute but the inside felt like a cafeteria. The specials board was posted below the counter (which made it invisible) yet the drinks were posted high up for all to see. Please consider switching this around. The rillete, although generous, was just okay. It's light years better at Luke, although their service has gotten so bad of late I hate to recommend it. The ham and triple cream cheese with fig mustard had no fig mustard and the triple cream was a thin, pre-sliced piece of mystery cheese. The accompanying couscous (fregula?) salads had little flavor. In addition to all that, we waited in line for several minutes and then over 35 minutes for our sandwiches and we didn't even go until 1:30. I can't fault them for that, they were really busy and super nice but if you go, you might just want to call in your order ahead of time and take it to the Fly for a picnic", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T19:03:12" }, { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has been on my list for a while because I heard a rumor that they are just like Port of Call's burgers. Since I'm giving up meat for Lent, I thought it would be an ideal afternoon for a burger. The interior kind of put me off from the start, all the tables were huge parties of 8-10 people with vacant-looking teenagers glued to their cell phone screens and children playing on arcade-like games in the corner. Food was not inedible but just a step above that. House salad was chopped iceberg, which the boyfriend loves so that's fine but it was small and pricey for what it was. Harbor wings, I guess anything fried and dipped in bleu cheese is good but they really had no discernible flavor. My burger was burnt, the bacon tasted like it was cooked at the breakfast shift and the mushrooms were waterlogged. The french fries weren't even good. My boyfriend's shrimp po-boy was small with shrimp the size of my thumbnail and it was $14. Service was friendly. The only thing good about going is that now I can cross it off my list of places to try.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T14:52:30" }, { "business_id": "x4TJJ0t19yBxkL5WX6n4Kg", "business_name": "Touché Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, I've had four star visits here before but my last visit was a one or two star. Generally I like the place because it's kind of tucked away and they have that recessed room down below in the back, which I really like in the winter, it's very snug and comfortable. However, the last time I was there, I walked in and was immediately assaulted with the smell of a backed up sewer and a bunch of older, bead-clad tourists dancing to Night Fever. I'm not making that up, in fact, the song has been seared in my head since then. I'll be back for another go but I will wait until the weather is cool and I feel like being somewhere cozy.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:32:00" }, { "business_id": "8KkuHRDLPVdqh99CHuKdHg", "business_name": "Kanno California Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I absolutely loved the spinach salad with tuna and avocado and that delicious dressing (even if it was dressed too generously). I also fell in love with the Tuna 911 roll that has spicy, pickled vegetables inside that were an outstanding addition. The other stuff we got was fine but unmemorable. I agree with other reviewers that they seem to put A LOT of sauce on things but fortunately, they mostly put it on the side. They only have Yellowtail for wine though, which made me sad. The complimentary chocolate truffle-like things they serve at the end are phenomenal.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:45:14" }, { "business_id": "f9H3wpzWG_apxoumWB-Dvg", "business_name": "Cafe Equator", "rating": 3, "text": "After craving Churros and braving the wilds of Metairie, I found Churros closed early on a Wednesday night! So we decided to go to Korea House, also closed! My stomach dangerously rumbling, we decided for a quick bite at Cafe Equator. Pad Thai and Masaman curry were fine but nothing I can see having a craving for in the future. The Thai iced tea I thought was not very good, it tasted...smoky? Service was fine, parking was easy.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T16:56:49" }, { "business_id": "OfExqBpAJNmxG2oLvn0Q3w", "business_name": "New Orleans Public Library - Mid-City Branch", "rating": 5, "text": "Even though it took four months to re-open (and not two weeks like they promised!), it was worth the wait. The new location is larger and has an entire front wall full of windows so it gets great light. It's convenient to all the other businesses in the Can Company and the farmers' market on Thursday evening as well. My only gripe is that there is no drop box! I rely very heavily on my local drop-box, I hope this is something they just haven't gotten around to yet and that it is soon remedied.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T17:32:50" }, { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Lola's has such a great atmosphere that even if the food sucked, I'd be hard pressed to give it a low rating. While not all of the dishes sing, some are actually kind of boring, there are many that are really solid. My favorite is the calamari, it's not those deep-fried things you get everywhere else. Nope, it is a perfectly seared calamari steak with the most wildly addictive sauce. Hint; If for some crazy reason you don't use all the sauce on your calamari app, keep it for entrees because you will likely elevate the deliciousness of everything else you have ordered with some of that. Their garlic-almond soup garnished with grapes is also AHmazing and oddly refreshing but I made the mistake of eating it once when I was trying to be gluten-free and it failed. Because the base of the soup is day old bread and I didn't know that. Oops. I just went this past weekend and they had WHITE sangria in addition to their usual red. Did they always have this or is it new? Anyway, it's good and it's cheap and there is nothing like sitting outside on a perfect New Orleans evening, under the canopy of trees that is Esplanade, sipping on some of that juice. And their almond ice cream is excellent.", "timestamp": "2011-03-03T18:53:25" }, { "business_id": "OjXIRs2Gm4H6hWo4bC7Qvg", "business_name": "The Jazz Playhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "It's pretty nice but for the price and the location, I wish they valeted. I got a Chopin martini and it was per-FECT. The second one didn't taste like Chopin, which is fine but it's what I ordered so I felt a wee bit swindled. We got seated right behind a big support column so our view of the stage was obstructed. We were there for the burlesque show but caught the end of Kid Chocolate's set, which made me happy because I had a big, school-girl crush on him many moons ago. The show wasn't what I thought it would be. It was less a show with all of the performers on stage and more one woman singing and a bunch of other girls flitting around the room in their pasties. I was expecting more of a choreographed show but I am admittedly not someone who knows much about burlesque. The girls were very sweet though and some of their outfits would make great Halloween or Mardi Gras costumes. Glad I went but not anxious to go back.", "timestamp": "2011-03-04T21:08:36" }, { "business_id": "tcyN7Rmy55JW5uQY_R5f0w", "business_name": "Krewe of Endymion", "rating": 4, "text": "When I moved into a new place last summer right on the Endymion route, is it crazy that thoughts of future Endymion parties to come danced in my head? I was a sad, sad, sad lady last Friday night when we got the news. We had picked up our crawfish for the boil and I even made a chocolate bananas foster king cake. I kind of felt like I imagine brides who get their weddings rained out must feel. But when you have crawfish and booze, you have a party anyway, right? So we did and it was great. And even though I felt spiteful, I went to see it the next night Uptown. It was as good as ever, albeit a bit short because so many riders are from out of town and had to go home. It would have looked a lot better from my porch though.", "timestamp": "2011-03-11T18:57:12" }, { "business_id": "DkVFvHGyNBGuPMzI9Zdt1A", "business_name": "Dat Dog", "rating": 4, "text": "Excellent chili cheese fries (although I wish the cheese was melted!). I had the bratwurst, which was fantastic, as was the bun. At first I thought it was too much bread but the lightly toasted, slightly sweet bread won me over. I got a little carried away with toppings though and I think the guacamole was a)overkill and b)not really a great iteration of guacamole anyway. Next time I will practice some restraint.", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:38:25" }, { "business_id": "jLerIZFpe25jOUf722qzBA", "business_name": "Il Posto Italian Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "My food only merited maybe two stars but I will give an extra star because I like the menu (and will try more of it) and their design and concept. Sadly though, my tomato-basil soup tasted kind of like a weak marinara and my tuna melt type sandwich had a very sharp, off-putting flavor. It was citrusy, for sure, and I love lemon in a tuna melt but perhaps this was lemon zest or something just way too overpowering? I think next time I will focus on the dishes with cured Italian meats, mortadella and prosciutto. And also the baked goods, those sounded pretty good, especially the Nutella bruschetta!", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:44:20" }, { "business_id": "AperXbtpt4FH6fvJFOirUA", "business_name": "Horinoya", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a fan of simple, fresh sushi. Not too crazy about rolls with heavy sauces, multiple ingredients and fanciful names. Horinoya delivers. I always start with the seafood salad, it's huge and I could probably just make that dinner if I were eating there on my own. How are their avocados always the perfect degree of ripeness? This week it included fresh crawfish tails and they were succulent and sweet and a very welcome addition to their standard. The vegetable roll (I was so enamored with the pickled vegetables in the Tuna 911 roll at Kanno) was okay but I wouldn't order it again, kinda bland. Everything else was fresh and wonderful. I like to end with the black sesame ice cream, which makes me swoon, as does the little crumbly cookie they perch on top that my BF generously lets me eat every time. As a sidebar, I saw some black sesame ice cream bars at Hong Kong Market and I got really excited but they were no good at all. I can only get my fix at Horinoya.", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:11:00" }, { "business_id": "HSHEwDpzYdeL3aT1zB41YA", "business_name": "Restaurant Depot", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm torn, so torn. So this place opened within the past few months. It's like Sam's Club for restaurants (and unfortunately, you have to show proof of restaurant or non-profit affiliation when getting a membership). My first visit, I was completely in awe. 50 pounds of onions for $8.95? Whole goats? Edible flowers, micro-greens, ten kinds of mushrooms? Some things you can buy by the unit (like one head of cauliflower) and others you are stuck with a huge portion, I mean, I love tarragon, but I can't see using 5 pounds of it before it starts to droop. The second trip, I started to see some flaws. They don't carry veggie burgers but they do have a huge freezer case of nasty-looking frozen appetizers that you can probably buy at Applebee's for three times the price. They have huge jars of kalamata olive SPREAD but no plain old kalamata olives. They had some fish that looked so not right, cloudy eyes and all. Then the most egregious error occurred when, on a Saturday, I asked if I could pick up live crawfish on Sunday. The man at the fish counter said yes, but to be sure to be there at 9am when the order comes in and then it's first come, first serve. The next morning, we headed over to the Depot, only to be met with a blank stare and told they weren't getting any crawfish that day. Sad. They are pretty new, I expect they are having some ordering and stocking kinks to work out. In the meantime, if anyone needs onions, I've got them aplenty!", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:24:15" }, { "business_id": "LCijSRG2kzBgbdwPdi02Nw", "business_name": "Yang's Po-Boys", "rating": 3, "text": "The first time we went, we didn't realize they closed at 8 and we walked in at about 7:58. They were very gracious and welcoming so I thought that was really nice. The owner was really chatty, describing how they did everything and I guess that's good but unless they are doing something out of the ordinary, (they're not) I'd rather just peruse the menu on my own. Oysters on my poboy were stone cold and the onion rings that we asked about (Are they made fresh? Yes!) were clearly Sysco. But it was decent and quick and friendly so we were okay with the meal. Last night I really wanted a catfish poboy but Parkway was closed. It was generous with the catfish and liberal with the pickles, love that. But the cheese fries were soggy fries with unmelted cheese. The cheese, which looked like shredded cheddar, I actually tasted it on its own and it had not one iota of flavor. I'll go to Yang's on Tuesday if Parkway is closed but there is really no comparison for me.", "timestamp": "2011-03-30T15:06:19" }, { "business_id": "sroYm8E9BbnnLO3nhKjomg", "business_name": "French Quarter Festival", "rating": 4, "text": "FQF has long been my favorite festival and sadly, it seems to be everyone else's too! I'm very happy that it has been so successful but of course, this makes it more crowded and difficult to navigate. So, yes, I prefer it a little smaller but I still had a great time and somehow always managed to find a little corner of shade to relax in. In addition to soaking up the sun, hearing good music and eating, I got to stop in at a few open houses for places I could never afford but I loved getting to glimpse into some of the Quarter's elusive courtyards. Also, I love wandering around the Quarter all day because I never fail to discover some little hole in the wall bar/shop/whatever.", "timestamp": "2011-04-11T16:08:11" }, { "business_id": "VHAfSIxcdmpQOTD0_ofbfw", "business_name": "Velvet", "rating": 4, "text": "Like Christine, I have only been here once and could change my rating once I have sampled more of what they've got. I was immediately won over by the sparkling water that was served upon arrival, it reminded me of coffee shops in other countries where they usually do that without question. I also loved the napkins, it's just those very nice quality paper napkin but little details like that are important. I got the extraction (?). I asked some questions and I wished I had gotten a bit more information. Like, what is IN the $15 extraction because I can't believe it's just a really large coffee. I'm not a trained barista so I don't know these things. My coffee was really very nice, I like that you can choose your beans. Tamara, the owner, has great customer service and we chatted about her awesome kids (her daughter's wonderful artwork graces the place, her son played piano at FQF) and she also offered me a teacake on the house. So, while I like Tamara and I like a lot of the little things, my coffee was $5.45 and I don't think I would ever spend it again. An expertly pulled espresso, okay, but not for a cup of coffee. Also, the teacake (the Kevin Bacon) was perfectly acceptable but I don't think I'd purchase one. They're just cupcakes and really tiny ones at that. But she is starting to make scones baked to order (awesome!) and I look forward to trying the espresso.", "timestamp": "2011-04-12T20:54:38" }, { "business_id": "NjmJ2sbcj3v9K98sNj2OAA", "business_name": "Sainte Marie", "rating": 3, "text": "I went last night to use the complimentary appetizer card we got as a lovely gift at the last Yelp party, thank you! I was initially excited to try the cocktails but as I inspected the long list closely, not too much actually appealed to me. I got the one with prosecco and a sort of fig compote that didn't really mix well and just sat at the bottom. Nice idea, not so great execution. The boyfriend's drink tasted watered down, like the bartender made several drinks and let the leftover sit in the shaker melting until someone else ordered the same drink. I also thought it very strange that they had bread and butter plates on the table but no bread was actually served and the plates were removed once we ordered. Weird. The escargot was good but it couldn't hold a candle to Dante's escargot, nor could I detect marrow in the sauce. Apparently the tartare was tasty but the BF ate it all without me. Crab cannelloni, man, I hate to sound like a downer but this was little, backfin pieces of crab, doused with a ton of brie and encased in a sort of tough pasta. I ate it, but then I would eat anything that is doused in brie. I'm so glad we decided to get dessert because it was outstanding. We ordered a lemongrass-ginger creme brulee and it was perfect, the flavor, the texture, everything. I will probably come back for a fancypants happy hour although it's not exactly my scene. The guy who was sitting next to me had an awesome looking hangar steak so I will order that next time, skip the cocktails and get champagne and of course, order dessert.", "timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:34:01" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "The space is large and breezy and we easily snagged an outside table. If they weren't doing construction on Magazine, I bet this would be a great spot for people-watching. We got a shrimp po-boy, an oyster po-boy and fries with cheese and gravy. It was perfectly edible but I probably won't be back. The shrimp were small, the po-poys were pricier than most of my usual haunts and the gravy I think was just \"meat-flavored.: There was no actual meat or debris in it. I agree with Lindsay, no problem throwing out my own trash but the tables were pretty nasty and sticky.", "timestamp": "2011-04-29T17:01:59" }, { "business_id": "UGefDZNmnBztS0eoXWtHyQ", "business_name": "The Joint", "rating": 4, "text": "I must first disclose that my favorite person in the whole world works here so maybe I am biased. But take it from me, their brisket is the best brisket ever! It has that delightful fatty layer running along the top and it is perfectly moist and delicious! I also love the pulled pork with a squeeze of the vinegary sauce. The sides are pretty good, nothing stands out, but I'm really just there for the meat. Oh, and the peanut butter pie which is SWOONWORTHY!", "timestamp": "2011-05-03T18:25:46" }, { "business_id": "wznT60WMQ-9Qg2MVvzCxtw", "business_name": "The Lucky Ladle", "rating": 3, "text": "We put our names on the list at Surrey's and took a stroll through my old neighborhood while we waited. But I'm a breakfast girl and when I'm hungry, I need to eat. Immediately. Or bad things happen. At dinner, you can waste some time, have a cocktail but at breakfast, I'm not about waiting. Anyway, we walked past the Ladle and decided to give it a go. Nothing was really standout except how much food we got and our bill for two was still under $20. We split the grilled cheese with tomato soup as well as the bananas foster waffles because it's always a conundrum at 11am on Saturday to figure out what you are in the mood for. Breakfast? Lunch? We got them both. We also got a little side spinach salad with one of our meals and it was nice except for the weird, cellulose-dusted mozzarella shreds on top. The hash browns sucked, no flavor and tasted like they were made hours before. The space is pleasant and if you don't feel like waiting in line (Surrey's) or spending $30 just on breakfast for yourself (Dante's), this is a good option.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:14:50" }, { "business_id": "Fs4T7lKpXVtD5Pz7jWSJeg", "business_name": "Coquette", "rating": 4, "text": "I am only giving stars based on the bar because sadly, I have not eaten here but I love the bar! I love the old tin ceilings! I love the tables out on Washington under the oaks! And I love $5 wine Wednesdays and cocktail Thursdays. In fact, since today is my last final, I may have to take advantage of that. I have had a French 75 with apricot brandy, one of my absolute favorites drinks and they do it justice here. I've also had a lychee martini, which was wonderful and balanced, tough to pull off because lychees are so sweet, as well as a pretty solid mojito. I'm not sure if they change their wines by the glass frequently but from what I've seen, they offer a much better glass selection than most places around the city.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:20:27" }, { "business_id": "A0RSdFWqs-keuOogaMjZ4w", "business_name": "Bayou Beer Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Pros: Incredible patio outside, wide selection of good beer and every time I've been, the bartenders are knowledgeable and willing to make good cocktails. Fresh squeezed lime juice for my gimlet? Thank you! I was just expecting the kryptonite-colored, lime-flavored sugar syrup everyone else uses. Cons: Inside layout kind of weird. Only one toilet for ladies and by the way, what takes them so long in the bathroom? I never understand this. Going to bathroom usually is a twenty minute trip here. The band playing outside was so loud we chose to sit at the tables in the front. And finally, the most egregious thing, in my mind, was their horrible, pathetic excuse for sangria. It was less wine flavored with fruit and juice and more watered down juice that I still question if it had any alcohol in it, with the addition of antiseptic-flavored, extremely flat lime soda. Sadly, that now colors my whole opinion of the place.", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T15:09:27" }, { "business_id": "7CRox7xpb3vNCEe7FZ6zgA", "business_name": "High Hat Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I fully expect High Hat to be 4 stars soon enough but they are still working some things out. Like everyone else, I am so glad to see Freret doing what it's doing and I love that this building used to be Antoine's Bakery. To start, I had a glass of wine, which I thought was actually a pretty stingy pour. I wish they had a cocktail menu but that's just my preference. We ordered the pimento cheese and it was delicious but the dry bread they served it with was lame. Our server told us it was great on fries so we ordered some and they were fantastic on their own, made even better with the pimento cheese. I think I'll make fried potatoes with pimento cheese on them for the Saints season opener. For my entree, I had the crab and tomato salad. The crab didn't really have too much taste but LORD were those tomatoes good!!!! My BF was happy with his Cuban but I thought it was very small and for the love of God, you can't throw some fries on a plate when a sandwich is ordered? At least some chips? I think that's kinda cheap. To finish, we had the banana chocolate bread pudding, which I was excited about because I thought it might be like the chocolate-bananas foster king cake I made for my rained out Endymion party. It was not. Very dense and flavorless. The owners were super receptive about feedback, which I usually feel weird about giving but I think they really need it in this early phase of their venture. I'll be back for the pimento cheese burger.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:11:36" }, { "business_id": "QQ5HvRq_9U2Ch-9ijPeIFA", "business_name": "Bullet's Sports Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "So. Good. I love the Bullets and have never had a bad time here. Last night, I got a text that they were having crabs, crawfish AND turkey necks. I thought this was a sign from God because I was just telling the BF we needed to have some crawfish before they are all gone. We walked in and there was a table set up at the front where the band usually plays and a man was scooping out the goods. I asked how much and they told me it was free. FREE? Why, thank you. I got a big plate with shrimp, crawfish, a blue crab, a few turkey necks and some corn and potatoes. I would have gladly paid $15 for the plate, it was well-seasoned and perfectly delicious. The only complaint was that the shrimp were really tiny but A) they were free and B) I really just came to thrown down on the crab and crawfish. I haven't had turkey necks in years and they may have been my favorite part. The corn was sweet and so were the crabs. Really, it was perfect, especially when the dancing got started. Oooh Lord. I have to dock a star for cash only and the cigarette smoke that was blowing lustily in my face while I was eating. I can deal with smoke to a degree but I don't want the butt in my face.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:23:10" }, { "business_id": "SA10MB4CEw0YikMuhOxyYw", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 4, "text": "I did not eat any food here but I did sample pretty much every flavor of margaritas they have to offer, including carrot-lime, pineapple-cilantro, mango-mint, watermelon and raspberry. No, I didn't have all those to myself, I was with others who generously let me taste their concoctions. Otherwise I would have been seriously drunk and woken up with an awful sugar hangover because the margaritas are pretty big and just a touch too sweet for me. I liked the mango mint and carrot-lime varieties best. Looking forward to trying them again with some food next time.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:31:16" }, { "business_id": "xZileQFJ7h-0QKjtGc9xgg", "business_name": "Arnaud's French 75 Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I finally got myself to this gorgeous spot after meaning to for a very long time. Chris Hannah was indeed at the bar and he was personable and welcoming. I instantly felt badly that I was dressed like a gypsy and wearing flip flops, the place just screams evening gown and pearls, not that I own either one of those things but whatever. The point is that they still made me feel comfortable. I had a French 75, of course, and then I tried the Pisco Daisy, another one of their specialty cocktails. Truthfully, I didn't find either one of the drinks transcendent but I was just so enamored with the whole vibe of the place that it didn't matter. I would absolutely come back, great place for a aperitif before a fancy dinner.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:37:36" }, { "business_id": "ORVWMFwF5qTWy9Cbahf0Pg", "business_name": "Café Adelaide", "rating": 2, "text": "Wow. Abominable last night. Cafe Adelaide, you lost me. Probably the worst service I have ever had and being a service industry vet, I can be pretty forgiving. I actually felt bad for server X last night, who was utterly incompetent but very nice but wow, worthless. Coupled with the amateur service we had last time, I'm thinking it is not a one time fluke. Host told us to sit in the bar area. Sat there for 15 minutes ignored. Went to ask host if we should go to the bar and order, he said no, that our server would be right with us. We waited another 15 minutes before receiving 1 menu for 4 people. Placed drink order and waters for all. Cocktails came 20 minutes later, no water. Appetizers took close to an hour and were ice cold when we got them. Had to ask for bread. Never took entree order, although we expressed wanting to, so we decided to cut our losses and go to La Boca for dinner, which was STELLAR. Two rounds of drinks and appetizers took us two hours at Cafe Adelaide! And the food nor the drinks were as good as I remember. This time the sauce on the crab pound cake tasted like Campbell's cream of mushroom and there was hardly a speck of crab to be seen. Flatbread was burnt. You get the point. Not worth the time or money.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:33:01" }, { "business_id": "guwb1zuNEMtJVproo0ntFw", "business_name": "La Boca", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible. It may not be fair to give them such lavish praise but after our failed dinner attempt at Cafe Adelaide, the comparison between the two for service, food and drinks was night and day. We were immediately acknowledged, sweet! Given four menus for all four people and told about specials, thank you! Thursday is service industry night at La Boca, even better! We just looked at that menu, which did not include the pastas and salads but had all the cuts of meat, empanadas etc. We got our cocktails immediately, God, I'm really loving this place! Fresh watermelon and vodka, which was really tasty and not watery like I feared. For starters, we ordered the morcilla, provoleta and bruschetta. I didn't really dig the bruschetta but it wasn't bad. The provoleta, I maybe expected more, it was just cheese to me. A really good cheese appetizer is the fried cheese with lemon at Mona's. Also, it had oregano sprinkled liberally all over it. I used to think I wasn't crazy about oregano until I went to Sicily and tasted their oregano and had an epiphany that what we have here in the US is just stuff they sweep off the oregano factory floor. This was definitely factory floor oregano but not everyone is an oregano elitist like me. The morcilla though, oh, well, the morcilla. Fan-flipping-tastic. Just order it and get over the fact that it's blood sausage. It's pretty much just like boudin so if you like that, you should really try it. The steaks were out of this world, some of the best steak I've ever had and I have eaten bife de chorizo in Buenos Aires. Fried brussel sprouts are the most genius thing ever. Asparagus and fries are also not to be missed. The brussel sprouts even taste good cold for breakfast. I can't wait to go back and try the empanadas and the gnocchi and of course, dessert! Love, love, love La Boca!", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:45:45" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 3, "text": "I wouldn't go out of my way to go here but it does the trick when you are in the area. I used to love their oyster po-boy because they buttered the toasted bread, along with dressing it fully and there just aren't enough places that do that anymore. But then they started buttering the bread with Whirl or some other butteresque product that tastes like spun chemicals. So that made me sad. I had lunch here recently and had the BLT salad, which was pretty tasty except I really hate when a thick dressing is dumped in the middle of the salad so no matter how hard you try to spread it around, some pieces of lettuce are drenched and others are naked. My friend had the alligator burger on brioche and my one bite made me envious of her order.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T15:01:50" }, { "business_id": "NOKp3L3smiKdFNFUswvIUg", "business_name": "Dominique's on Magazine", "rating": 3, "text": "I've put off writing this review because I wanted ti to be great but it wasn't. Well, let me be more specific. The drinks were really good, I especially liked my lemongrass pisco sour. When our server, who by the way had great menu knowledge, heard that we came in for dinner mostly because we heard the bar was so great, the bartender came over to our table. She seemed really excited that we were there and wanted our feedback, which was all very good. My appetizer of lobster was perfectly cooked but the sauce it came with was kind of lackluster. It was fine but forgettable. My boyfriend's pork belly appetizer was downright bad, texturally and taste-wise. That was the first time I ever ate pork belly that wasn't delicious. My duck was also completely forgettable although the BF's steak with creole cream cheese was really tasty. I was tempted to order that because thought it might be too rich but it really wasn't. Nothing for dessert really piqued my interest so we didn't order anything. They did send out some plantain-flavored cotton candy but it tasted like artificially flavored banana Laffy Taffy. It's a really pretty space, the cocktail list is wonderful and the staff seems on point. However, only one out of four dishes impressed me and another one out of those four left me puzzled as to how one could make pork belly so unappetizing. I probably need to come back to try more dishes and I might if could sit in the bar and order a few plates. Too bad their bar area is more like three bar stools that fight with the hallway to the bathroom for space.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T17:29:14" }, { "business_id": "SDhiF9UG0gsuaXgCnJR-sQ", "business_name": "Liberty's Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "I arranged a work field trip today for Dining Out for Life and I've been wanting to try this place soo...off we went! Parking is ample, although we later found a whole hidden line of parking along the side of the building closer to Canal and the entrance to the cafe. There was no special today, I think they might be in the midst of changing those daily specials. I had a hot sausage poboy with the cowboy caviar and they were both stupendous. Round of applause and a standing ovation. My friends' turkey and veggie sandwiches also looked very good. Minor quibble is that the red velvet cupcake was kind of dry, although very pretty. Good thing we got bread pudding too or I might have been disappointed on the dessert. I wanted to try one of those cookies that are the size of my head but after a cupcake and bread pudding, I decided perhaps a little moderation was in order. Besides, I still want to hit Sucre while it's Dining out for Life Day. The staff was super friendly and awesome. I like the space although a little music would not hurt the ambiance.", "timestamp": "2011-07-14T18:46:10" }, { "business_id": "WPjeA9CWv-q7utSdnXmdIw", "business_name": "Juicy Lucy's", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the Yelp reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was very pleased. We ordered a special of fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade to start and got boudin balls instead. No less than three people came over to apologize for the mistake, told us to enjoy the boudin and our shrimp was out momentarily. Both were very good. It always makes me so happy when boiled shrimp are not overcooked, it's the little things that count! The boudin came out with a huge piles of grilled onions and tomatoes that were a nice addition to my burger. I had the Kenner (pepper jack and jalapenos) with sweet potato fries, the BF has 9th Ward Blues (mushrooms, blue cheese and?) with onion rings. The BF started doing that butt-waggling thing he does when he likes what he is eating and I may or may not have joined him. We both enjoyed everything, the service was very pleasant and I thought it was really reasonably priced.", "timestamp": "2011-07-18T00:19:26" }, { "business_id": "ujyjBLOzSXKO3RrbpJ4N4g", "business_name": "McHardy's Chicken & Fixin'", "rating": 3, "text": "Very fast, very cheap and I really liked the peppery crust. I wished the batter was a little thicker because let's face it, I eat fried chicken just for the crispy exterior and I don't care too much about the meat inside. I ordered a side of red beans that was terrible. Not only was there grease in massive puddles around the edges but it tasted like it had been singed when reheated in its styrofoam container. It hadn't, I checked, but it's not something you want to ponder while you're eating. Way better chicken than Popeye's but I sure did miss the biscuit.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:11:12" }, { "business_id": "OSi2ColCxhS9oCoAUNbPig", "business_name": "Mandina's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, nothing extraordinary. I think they get a lot of mileage out of their admittedly charming New Orleans neighborhood joint kind of feel. Our sever was kind of off but I found her entertaining. My turtle soup was fine but it wasn't the best I've had. My BF's calamari was fried, just like calamari often is. There's not much more to say about that. Our salads were mostly iceberg with a few shreds of romaine and cabbage and nice, thick slices of tomato. I got the crab meuniere even though I ordered almondine but I didn't really care since I was on the fence anyway about which one I wanted. The crab and fries drenched in the rich but also acidic meuniere was delicious. The BF's seafood platter was, you guessed, fried. Crab ball was pretty good. Bread pudding, meh. It had lots of nutmeg, which I liked a lot but it was sort of bland and the white sauce on top had the flavor of glue. I still ate it all though so I guess it wasn't too terrible. Not cheap but considering my dinner came with salad and dessert, not completely over the top either.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_rO-5jxOEH94TUcorPnSEg", "business_name": "Delta World Tire", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been putting air in my tires once a month for about four years so I know I've been past due for some time. Last week, I had a flat that I tried to rectify, as usual, by putting some air in it. I swear my tire actually laughed at me and said \"Woman, please.\" So I brought my car in to Delta Tire World and was out with four new tires for under $400. I hate spending money on cars but I thought that was pretty reasonable, plus I appreciate quick service. Also, their coffee in the waiting area was surprisingly good, which I needed since I was out of the house without my morning cup.", "timestamp": "2011-07-26T16:43:32" }, { "business_id": "dzFbGUUV5eh-ZR81RCnv7g", "business_name": "French Riviera Fitness", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is based solely on the spinning class on Saturday morning since this is the only time of day or day of the week I can muster up the courage to brave Metairie. The class is usually pretty challenging so that's a plus. But I have never seen a spinning room that had a flashing, multicolored disco ball and I'm not sure how I feel about that. What I am sure about though, is the instructors' collective inability to select music to motivate me. I shouldn't carp about it I guess, some people like trance out music or Carrie Underwood, it's just not what does it for me. Why does music at spinning classes always have to be so bad? Why doesn't anyone do classes to like, \"Let the Music Play\" or \"Diamond Girl?\" I would love that and even though I just dated myself by revealing my childhood music obsessions, I think there are others who would enjoy it too. But seriously last week, some song played that I am guessing was titled \"She was from Ala-freakin'bama,\" because those were the lyrics that played over and over again. I don't want to hear that song ever again and if that's your song, then I apologize if I offended you.", "timestamp": "2011-08-01T19:54:23" }, { "business_id": "GBTPC53ZrG1ZBY3DT8Mbcw", "business_name": "Luke", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped going here earlier this year because the service had reached new lows in abominable. Not to mention the oysters we had were shucked so poorly and shredded beyond belief. The BF swore them off for good. But I love their French 75 and bargain oysters so I wasn't ready to write them off forever. It's taken me a while to get back on my own and I am so glad that I did! They have a shucker named Anthony who is AWESOME! I told him about our previous experience and he said, very seriously, \"That's terrible. Oysters are too precious to mess up.\" My oysters (from Plaquemines Parish) were big and salty and perfect. And shucked the right way. IMPORTANT NOTE: Bring cash to tip the shucker. I usually spend more on oysters than I do on booze and I don't think it's fair that the shucker doesn't get a little something. Otherwise all my credit card tip goes to the bar.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:49:16" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still a fan. But I had a stale and not very tasty pastry the other day. Alongside it, I ordered an espresso that arrived lemon peel-less. Not everyone does that but I really like the lemon peel with my espresso so I asked for it. None to be had. Oh well. To make up for the crappy pastry, I got a couple chocolates. Yes, a couple as in 2. And it was $4. They were the same size as that three-pack of Ferraro-Rocher hazelnut chocolates you can get in the checkout line at Rouse's. Except those taste just as good and three will set you back a mere 99 cents. From now on, gelato or sorbellinis only but no more pastries or chocolate. Overpriced and not very good.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:55:55" }, { "business_id": "ej2kU6KU2TEL7uY_EB_zVQ", "business_name": "Phil's Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is definitely not the best burger I have ever had but it's pretty good and the dizzying array of choices elevates it from 3 to 4 stars. Grilled pineapple ketchup? Yes please! Brie or Havarti, oh decisions, decisions! I was so overwhelmed by the choices that I closed my menu and just ordered the burger of the month, a turkey burger with arugula, blackberry coulis, blue and goat cheese and topped with fried almonds. The turkey meat was kinda crumbly, it reminded me of that meat you buy in a big roll but it was okay. The combination of the cheese with the almonds was unexpected and delicious. The coulis kind of got lost, I wouldn't have known it was there. Sweet potato fries would have been better if they were hot. The BF got some crazy, gut-busting combination of burger and hot sausage, a fried egg, bacon AND onion strings on top. Ouch, that hurts my belly just to type! But I enjoyed one, small bite of it. We also got an order a fried pickles to start, very tasty but HUGE so will probably order a side order size, not the appetizer size next time. Also, I didn't know about their pretty great happy hour from 4-7 every day. I don't know the details but I do know my pint of Nola 7th Street Wheat was really good and only $1.50! Some bloody Mary specials on Sundays and margaritas (2 for 1 I think?) on Mondays.", "timestamp": "2011-08-23T16:15:09" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 2, "text": "I had a friend visiting from out of town and he wanted to make a stop here. It was hot and so we decided to opt out of sitting in their pretty courtyard. I had also heard their dueling piano show was good and friend wanted to hear music soooo...in we went. Friend ordered a hurricane and the bartendress lifted a prefilled plastic cup out of a dish rack, added some ice and voila! Gross but I am biased because I think hurricanes are nasty. Now, on to the music. For real? Do people come to New Orleans to hear someone play Grease Lightning on piano? How sad. Please, I implore you to go somewhere that has local musicians playing local music.", "timestamp": "2011-09-01T14:15:56" }, { "business_id": "u9-j3bwMcaMq9CWwuucqsA", "business_name": "Eco Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I am mad at myself for living around the corner for a year and never coming here! And now I've moved out of walking distance. Anyway, I finally made it and I'm glad I did. I was very pleased to see how many fresh juices they offered. I had the Ginger Hopper, which I didn't find gingery at all, plus it was too watery for me. But my friend's True Blood with beet juice was quite tasty. I was pleasantly surprised with how good everyone's food was. My chicken salad was perfect and it came on a toasted croissant with a lovely side salad. Their champagne dressing is fantastic. I also sampled the chili con carne, the rice looked boring but the meat was flavorful and falling apart. I didn't get a chance to have a bite of my other friend's crab and brie panino but since she finished it in 4.2 seconds flat, it's safe to assume that she really enjoyed it. I was worried that service would be poor but it was on point and our server was very informative about menu items and how they do things to be \"eco.\" Nothing for dessert really grabbed us, although they did list Clif bars as an offering, which I thought was pretty amusing.", "timestamp": "2011-09-02T19:40:18" }, { "business_id": "JcP1z6eZBgTIcxWlyxSw0g", "business_name": "Iris", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant's rating probably suffers a bit more than it should because I was expecting to be wowed and I wasn't. Anyway, the interior is gorgeous, I love the fresh flowers and the walls of pickled vegetables. The have a fantastic cocktail list, in fact, if i ever come back, it will be to sit at the bar and have a drink, albeit a very expensive one. My appetizer, pork belly with a shaved vegetable salad, was very good and dressed with an incredible vinaigrette. My BF had something else that I forgot as it wasn't very memorable. As far as entrees, they all sounded fine but nothing really grabbed me. I ordered the pork, which was okay. The only standout was a fried sweet potato patty it was served with. Besides what I thought to be a not very inspired menu, the plate presentation was weak. Everything was the same color. I know that's nitpicky but it's an expensive place and I want the food to look and taste beautiful. Our desserts (creme bruleee and a chocolate cake) were very rich, too rich for my boyfriend so I was forced to finish them for us. No espresso, I really hate that at nice restaurants. French press is good but it's not espresso, plus it was so weak I could practically see through it. I wasn't displeased with our dinner but I would much rather go somewhere else for the amount of money we paid.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T14:53:38" }, { "business_id": "Vz2RN55rTJBGn43K1v84nA", "business_name": "Domenica", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh sad day. I won't alter my rating but my last trip to Domenica revealed a change to their happy hour. Apparently someone on Yelp complained about the drink prices so now the specialty cocktails are not half off. But the wine, beer and well drinks still are. Which seems like their loss, I mean, I'm sure they are losing more on half priced wines and bottled beers than they are on liquor. Our server then went on to tell us he was glad for the change because it's a lot of work for them anyway. What? As someone who has worked in the service industry for a long time, I am not sure why it's bad to bring in extra customers during a typically slow (dead) time of the day. Plus, they are still coming in for half price pizzas and other drinks. His comments didn't really make sense to me and they kind of turned me off. However, the pizzas were still very good and really, I find their wines by the glass more appealing than a lot of things on their ever-changing cocktail list. And the stracci with oxtails is amazing!!!!!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:01:51" }, { "business_id": "mhrW9O0O5hXGXGnEYBVoag", "business_name": "Jacques-Imo's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Good, not great and pricey for what you get. I totally understand why people love it here, the vibe is great and it feels very New Orleans, whatever that means. Some of the food I really enjoyed and some I thought was totally mediocre. The watermelon mojito, while huge, was thin and insipid, not bad but not worth repeating. The cornbread muffins were, as always, fantastic. I remember at one time really loving the spinach salad with a lone oyster perched on top but this was soggy and limp. Our table of 8 shared a bunch of appetizers, including the cheesecake (very good) and the fried roast beef poboy (good but expected better). The BF and I shared the carpetbagger steak, which is awesome, I mean it's covered in blue cheese! But our sides were downright terrible, I'd be embarrassed to serve the red beans we got and the greens weren't much better. Our table split one creme brulee, which didn't really get bruleed so it was mostly plain sugar on top. Jacques kindly sent over tastes of Grand Marnier for after dinner drinks and chatted with us. That kind of charm goes a long way but honestly, 8 people split 4 entrees, one dessert, a few apps and a pretty cheap bottle of wine and it was $37 per person. I could think of better ways I'd like to spend my money.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:16:23" }, { "business_id": "dG94-818jQr0Vi3ajRwDCQ", "business_name": "a Mano", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend of mine alerted me to a series of dinners A Mano was doing, each week featuring a different region of Italy. Since my family is from Sicily, of course I wanted to see what they had to offer that week. I had a delicious Aperol spritzer to start and my friend had the Bellini. We sipped as we perused the menu and decided to do one Sicilian special menu and then order some things from the main menu. This particular friend of mine and I share a love for funky food; sardines, anchovies, tripe, whatever. And they had tripe on the menu so we had to order it. It was served in a savory but not at all heavy red sauce. Even if you don't like tripe, I bet you'd love the sauce sopped up with some bread. It tasted just like my grandmother's, actually, I'll admit it, it was better than hers. I liked the gnudi everyone raves about but the texture was more like smooth cream cheese or goat cheese, I'm more used to it being like ricotta, slightly grainy and less dense. But still very good. The only dud was a pasta dish with zucchini, no flavor at all. Our final dish was a seared tuna with onion mostarda that was excellent. To finish, we had cassata. It wasn't bad but it wasn't anything like the cassata I make and I prefer mine. This was a sponge cake soaked in some sort of liquor (too strong for me) and with candied fruit, not something I like much. The way I make it is un-liquor soaked angel food cake with a chocolate-cherry stuffed ricotta filling and topped with whipped cream. Very nice meal, pleasant staff, will return to sit at the bar with an Aperol spritzer and an order of trippa!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:30:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm so thrilled that Rouse's decided to invest in downtown! This is a pretty awesome Rouse's, everyone was so perky and pleasant! I almost got full on all the samples they were giving away; sushi, fresh-baked ciabatta, assorted cheeses, etc. They seem to have anticipated that they will draw a large lunch crowd and have lots of excellent-looking prepared foods. Would you like dragon fruit? Buddha's hand fruit? Kobe beef for $89.99/lb? Rouse's has it! I'll be interested to see how much of this stuff they will really keep in stock as time goes on. Layout is a little counterintuitive but they did a good job considering it used to be a car dealership. I was wondering about parking and indeed, there is a lot in the back and then upper level parking, accessible via Girod. The place was MOBBED but I went at lunchtime when I am guessing 90% of the CBD was also there. They open at 6, which is an hour earlier than my friendly neighborhood Rouse's and close at midnight! Whoa, is this pre-2005 New Orleans? I miss going midnight shopping at Sav-a-Center:( Other notes: I predict right now that they undershot how many checkout lanes they would need. Long-ish waits to be expected, especially at lunch. Prices on some staples that I get at Rouse's in Mid-City were exactly the same. Good to know we're not paying a few cents extra on soy milk to pay for rent in the CBD. Overall, great job, although I have to disagree with Danny Rouse's proclamation that this is the best grocery store in the country. Try Wegman's in the Northeast, they have an oyster bar! If you put in an oyster bar Danny, then I will unequivocally agree with you and retract any criticism immediately.", "timestamp": "2011-11-16T19:03:15" }, { "business_id": "JwS1qdmkA9S6muZBsdemBQ", "business_name": "Korea House", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never had Korean food before so I have nothing to compare it to but I loved my dinner the other night. Specifically the bibimbap with raw beef and a raw egg. I like ordering things that aren't necessarily a safe bet, sometimes that doesn't work but this time it did. The beautifully arranged, colorful vegetables were mixed with some sort of sesame oil dressing and went magnificently with the beef and egg. There was some coarse granulated sugar on top, I thought it was a tad bit too sweet and my fiance didn't like the crunch but otherwise, the dish sort of blew me onto a higher culinary plateau. I've been in a bit of a food rut and this was a revelatory way to lift myself out. The steamed dumplings were pretty good and so were the ribs but everything paled in comparison to the bibimbap. I also liked the bowls of various pickled things, my favorites were the cucumbers and the black beans. I'll be back to try more of the menu and I've already been scouring the internets for bibimbap recipes!", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:48:25" }, { "business_id": "Ra9zH1CBYtAC6vMfKYsHew", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 2, "text": "What a waste of $75. I could have just gone to Felipe's and probably been more satisfied. I've only had drinks at the FQ location so I don't know if their food really varies or not. But I have sampled many of the margaritas in the FQ and never had one I didn't like. I did not like the orange-lime one that I ordered, nor did I like the mezcal one my fiance ordered, it didn't taste smoky like most mezcal I've had but more like candle wax. It's a sad, sad day when I don't want to finish my margarita. It's even sadder when I realize there is nothing on the menu I'm interested in ordering. My sweetie ordered the house salad, which had a pretty good dressing and he would have liked to finish it before it was unceremoniously whisked away and replaced with our entrees. Our entrees were way overpriced but not inedible. The waitress was annoying and up in our faces every two minutes for the first half of the meal and absent for the second half. It took forever to get out of there and I felt bad for the hordes of people waiting in line. I may visit the FQ one again but never again at this location.", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:56:24" }, { "business_id": "RPEMUwN_CDRRToQ_7hxsvA", "business_name": "Borgne", "rating": 3, "text": "Like many other Besh experiences I've had, this was a mixed bag. First, they have done some cool stuff with the design, I like the columns made up of oyster shells encased in wire mesh. But it still has this institutional, chain sort of feel to me. My sweetie said it felt like a cafeteria that had a makeover. My French 75 was solid, they must use the same recipe as Luke, served in a snifter with a brandied cherry. Perfect. They also have NOLA 7th Street Wheat and big fishbowls glasses for the beer. I started with a bowl of oyster stew. It was delicious and very rich, so rich that I didn't really enjoy the last few bites because my taste buds were overwhelmed. I think they offer cups at lunchtime. The BF got broiled oysters, which were fine but nothing to set them apart from the many other restaurants that do them better. He also got the duck poppers, which were great because duck+bacon=delicious. But the bacon could have been crisper and what the hell was in the sauce? I have no idea because this is the kind of place that lists menus items as such, \"Duck poppers, jalapeno, bacon.\" That's it. My fish in a bag with caramelized fennel was great, really, the fennel stole the show and that's generally not my favorite. The hot pot was a bust, dressed up ramen noodles with tough pork belly. For dessert we got the oatmeal cookie with turron ice cream. Again, it was fine but I feel like I could buy something just like it out of the freezer section at the grocery store. Espresso was good, served without lemon peel but delivered promptly once we asked for it. Service was very good. I wouldn't go again for the price we paid for dinner because it just wasn't all that. I'd definitely go back and try the $10 lunch specials though.", "timestamp": "2012-02-15T17:16:17" }, { "business_id": "D8l8tVYE5EJeHOMlJs1Eng", "business_name": "Aristocat Salon + Nail Spa", "rating": 2, "text": "Worst eyebrow wax I've ever had. I'm not sure what I paid for because I walked out looking exactly like I did when I walked in. Pedicure chipped after a week, I don't expect that until at least two, usually three weeks.", "timestamp": "2012-03-12T13:37:57" }, { "business_id": "rrNF0siUBVQOOgsFVfGpKA", "business_name": "Columns", "rating": 1, "text": "It pains me to say this but I have to give up on the Columns. I am generally confounded by the frat boy presence there but was usually able to overlook it because ti's just so lovely and the drinks were always pretty good. Last night, I brought some out of town guests in and on one side of the parlor, there was a dapper gentleman playing the piano. Then we walked into the bar area and they were playing R. Kelly. Don't get me wrong, the R. can be good for a time and place but at the Columns? Weird. After waiting for several polo-clad young men to get their Miller Lites, I ordered French 75s for my friends and a Ramos Gin Fizz for myself. Note to bartender; putting a lemon twist in a glass of cheap sparkling wine does not a French 75 make. Terrible. My Ramos Gin Fizz was composed of a good 3/4 c. of heavy cream and had no discernible fizz. Luckily, I did taste a bit of booze hiding behind all that cream but really gin and whipping cream was not what I was hoping for. It was really disappointing because the gin fizz I had there last summer was dangerously delicious. My friends sipped their cheap and slightly sour sparkle and finally implored me to take them home when the song \"Ain't that America\" came on. I'm glad I was able to experience their downfall myself before I unwittingly sent people there with raves about the atmosphere and the classic cocktails. Get it together Columns, you've got so much to work with.", "timestamp": "2012-04-27T19:36:54" }, { "business_id": "kb1Tf4xwb7CQW5OXf9zwqw", "business_name": "Toups Meatery", "rating": 3, "text": "I hate being the jerk who writes the first non-five star review but I am sure this will bump up to four and possibly even five. I'll just have to keep going back to make sure my ratings are accurate. Anyway, the space is really nice and I like that there is outside seating. The staff is very friendly, although it is my preference that everyone working doesn't come by to ask how the food is. It's kind of overwhelming, especially if you don't like something. I don't remember being very interested in their cocktail menu and I thought the wine by the glass selection was very small and a bit overpriced. On to the food. We started with the meatery plate,of course! This was really good. I liked the cracklins a lot, crunchy but not dried out. The housemade garlic sausage was delicious as was the delicate, subtle rabbit pate. My husband really liked the hogshead cheese, it was not as congealed as it usually is, more of a spread. Weirdly, I didn't love the rillons and I thought they would knock me out. Those are candied pieces of pork belly, if you didn't know and I certainly did not. Cooked too long maybe, they lost their lusciousness. My husband got the chicken confit and I didn't taste that. But I did sample the mustard greens and white beans underneath and they were fantastic. My sliders, however, sucked. All three of them. I like fat but the lamb belly was a huge chunk of fat with really off-putting St. Patrick's Day green, overly sweet mint jelly. The crab cake was everything you hate about crappy crab cakes; mostly breading, cheap, stringy crab meat, fried-too-hard exterior. I think the last one was just the rabbit pate on a bun but by that point, I was over it. The brioche buns they were served on looked promising but they were stale. We didn't try the desserts but they had some appealing options. We'll be back but I can definitely cross the sliders off my list.", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T17:20:46" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "It hurts a bit to downgrade Parkway but every time I deviate from the shrimp poboy, I am disappointed. In this unfortunate case, I was not only disappointed but put out with indigestion for two whole days. The Reuben was DISGUSTING. I was hungry, so I ate most of my half but the sauce on it was sickeningly sweet, the sauerkraut almost nonexistent and something about the meat really turned my stomach. I still love their fries with debris and I tried the sweet potato fries, also very good. But I'll never try anything new again. I'm not sure when they added a happy hour from 3-7pm but good to know!", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T12:54:42" }, { "business_id": "9xErhLpjFcoA39AFeN3lUA", "business_name": "Liuzza's By The Track", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm going to be nice and give three stars since we only tried a few things on the menu so maybe I'd be more impressed if I tried the gumbo or the etouffee. However, I had the much-lauded BBQ shrimp poboy, which I thought was an epic fail. It wasn't offensive or anything, it just tasted like absolutely nothing; no lemon, no pepper, no garlic, nothing. Perhaps I am spoiled because my husband is a chef and he makes a damn fine rendition of BBQ shrimp but I thought this was an utter waste of $15. I had a bite of the husband's oyster poboy, which was fine, but didn't distinguish itself from other oyster poboys around the city that do not cost $14.95. Regular and sweet potato fries were good and served in generous portions. Chocolate torte was dry and forgettable. Service was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T13:04:45" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "Aztec chocolate. So good. It's hard to try new things when I love the spicy, dark chocolate blend so much. Yesterday I did deviate though and got the blueberry-basil. While the flavor of the blueberry was super intense and fantastic, it was way too sweet. I would have liked more basil too. Another favorite was a Christmas special, chesnut ice cream with pine nuts and rosemary. Amazing. Good coffee, inventive flavors you won't see at Sucre. Someday I'm going to actually eat their real food because the menu looks tempting.", "timestamp": "2012-06-26T14:52:31" }, { "business_id": "X-ZgevJi7i3wf0RjsBLG1w", "business_name": "Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I still like it for its unapologetic quirkiness but don't come here expecting anything great. Fried pickles were probably the best I've had and my husband's fried shrimp were good. My oyster remoulade was so drenched in sauce that I could only guess that they were once crispy when they emerged from the fryer. A friend's lasagna looked mediocre, as did an alfredo. The Bushwacker, which I've long wanted to try, is now crossed off my bucket list. If you want a huge, semi-frozen dessert, go for it. If you're looking for an adult beverage, skip it. I'd stick with fried seafood and large beers here.", "timestamp": "2012-06-27T17:59:44" }, { "business_id": "M8ONtZM80_LYC2Q3iqU5SA", "business_name": "Mila", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped in today for the $20 lunch special, which I think is one of the best deals in town. I love their bread assortment, especially the cornbread with some of the lima bean puree. The sweet potato rolls are pretty good too but they just aren't as good as the sweet potato biscuits at Green Goddess. I was a little sad that their featured soup was a zucchini-crab bisque since the online menu said corn-crab (!!!). Last time I was there, it was a rutabaga (or turnip maybe) with crab. I really liked that one; the zucchini was good but needed salt. I also think starchy things like corn and root vegetables lend themselves better to that kind of soup than zucchini. But the crab was plentiful and delicious. For my entree, I had beef cheeks that were wildly tender and flavorful. The beans that came with them were slightly uninspired. The fish entree with quinoa and currants was great. For dessert, I had the banana ice cream with almond streusel. There was nothing resembling a streusel, more like little crispy crumbs sprinkled on the bottom. But tasty crumbs they were and nice, textural contrast to the creamy and lush banana ice cream. Pleasant and efficient service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-29T20:33:52" }, { "business_id": "QD48BhLk7lDTgOL_NiVCCw", "business_name": "Taqueria Corona", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I've never reviewed this place, I've only been here a million times. I've been here to celebrate new jobs and buying of houses. Anyway, as we were driving up the eerily darkened Magazine Street last week, looking for refuge from Isaac, I was thrilled to see they were open! They had no AC but they still were working their asses off and running around madly to serve all the stir crazy people needing to get out of the house. For that alone, they get extra stars. Now, onto the regular things you can expect. The guy at the front register (owner?) is always there and always makes you feel like he is genuinely glad to see you. I love him. The margaritas aren't the best but they're fine and they make it to your table QUICKLY. I would skip the chips and guac and instead order the cebollitas. Actually, make that two orders because you won't want to share. This place is one of the few, or maybe only, place around that serves tongue tacos. Delicious. If you like pot roast or other similar flavorful, tender cuts of meat, this is for you. I also like the fish tacos and the carne asada tacos. Since I hate burritos, I can't really say anything on that point. Shrimp flautas are just average in general but excellent for a hangover cure.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T17:58:13" }, { "business_id": "W9SliuSyX7N0XoiG9UFNdQ", "business_name": "Pho Noi Viet", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, not remarkable though. Service was very friendly but food came out ever so slowly. The menu is pretty small, just pho, bahn mi, bun and rice plates. Only three appetizers. I wish they had a salad selection. We got the shrimp spring rolls to start with, which were much better than some I had at Pho Bang a few weeks ago. The peanut sauce is excellent! I had the curried tofu bun, the spice must have only stained the tofu a pale shade of yellow without imparting any flavor. It was fine and everything was fresh but I probably wouldn't order it again. That's not really their fault though because while I love the flavors of Vietnamese cooking (mint, cilantro, sour-sweet), I just am not a fan of gobs of white noodles or white rice. Since I wanted more than soup or a sandwich for dinner, eliminating pho and bahn mi, that left me with choosing from a pile of white noodles or a pile of white rice. My husband had shrimp pad thai and it was more flavorful than my dish but still missing some key elements. I'll go back to try their pho one of these days.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T18:05:52" }, { "business_id": "XxSIrbHqVMdEzP30-DN20g", "business_name": "Louisiana SPCA", "rating": 4, "text": "The food and drink were top notch, I mean, as soon as we checked in, there was a table full of French 75s to greet us. Thank you! some of my favorites included shrimp remoulade from Galatoire's, this smoked redfish with red onion jam from (?) and mahi with curried couscous and golden raisins from Vega Tapas. I enjoyed seeing the various costumes but I thought that the music was pretty terrible. Thanks very much Joi, it was much appreciated!", "timestamp": "2012-10-25T14:12:38" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I walked right in with 4 people and got a table immediately on a Sunday night around 7. Service was friendly and quick. I had raw oysters and gumbo for dinner. The oysters were great and actually shucked to order. I can't believe how often I get pre-shucked oysters these days, gross. Anyway, fresh oysters and very tasty gumbo. I was pleased. I tasted some of my husband's boiled seafood platter, the crabs seemed old and the mushrooms tasted canned. I would have been unhappy if that was my dinner but he said it was ok. Another friend had the swamp platter and I tried the alligator sausage, mm! He raved about the frog legs and turtle soup but I didn't try them. Bread pudding was pretty good too. I'll have to figure more time into my ride out to the airport next time so I can hit this place up for oysters.", "timestamp": "2012-11-28T16:50:31" }, { "business_id": "mCRa6o1eEVQr1bqV4Wy6KQ", "business_name": "The Blind Pelican", "rating": 3, "text": "I was lured in by their awesome happy hour special from 4-7 daily. 25 cent oysters! How can you go wrong? Also surprised by the dozen chargrilled oysters for $7.50. The oysters were shucked to order, unlike Luke which serves pre-shucked (and dry!) oysters. They were a little messy and gritty but hey, for 25 cents, I was still happy. I'd skip the chargrilled but for the price, it was a decent experiment. Beer selection was very good, I had the Mechahopzilla and my husband had some Voodoo something or other. Service was a little spotty but it was happy hour during the holidays so that's understandable. I doubt I'd come back for more than oysters but that's a good enough incentive for me", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T02:35:04" }, { "business_id": "ZTctPm8-lBy0iJ9dFhYhyQ", "business_name": "Herbsaint", "rating": 3, "text": "Based on food and drinks, I'd like to give 3.5 stars but since Herbsaint has the reputation it has, their weak points really stand out. I didn't really love the interior, plus we were there on a cold and windy night, making me wish they had a vestibule. Even seated three tables from the door, we were greeted with an Arctic chill every time the door opened. Service ranged from disjointed to friendly to cool. I understand the concept of team service but was asked for drink orders, then food orders and then second round of drink orders by two servers every time. Coordinate! My cocktail and wine flight were both forgettable. Beer list is meh. My husband and I both really liked our appetizers; I had a kale salad with smoked drum and satsumas and he had some sort of warm chicken rillete. The bread they served was also fantastic. I had a special appetizer for my entree; mortadella-stuffed ravioli with black trumpet mushroom jus. Husband's entree was downright gross. I hate complaining at restaurants but if it was my meal, I would have sent it back. The risotto was not creamy or flavorful, it just tasted like hard, wet rice. The pork belly on top had no discernible taste except...old. I really liked some of the food we ate but was so disappointed in others that I won't be back soon. I do still need to get there for that famous fried egg guanciale dish but I've got a lot of other important eating to do before I return! On the plus side, they are open on Mondays and have a very extensive wine list.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T03:35:26" }, { "business_id": "qKscu5qiEanq7XAduAhHmA", "business_name": "Banana Blossom", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for some time and, finding myself on the Wank last week, I stopped in for lunch. It was full and I waited for a table for a few minutes but things move quickly there. I was surprised that they didn't have lunch specials but decided to go with BBQ oysters and the Pad Thai. A little side salad came out first, pretty nondescript lettuce shards and unripe tomato, but I really liked the peanut-coconut dressing. The BBQ oysters were plentiful and tasty, almost too salty but I like salt. The roti they came with sopped up the sauce and by the time my Pad Thai came, I was full. Good thing too because I took a few bites of the sloppy-looking mess and didn't like it at all. The tofu tasted old, the vegetables were not fresh and it was very bland. There were a few other things on the menu that appealed to me and I might be persuaded to go back to try them but I would stay far, far away from the Pad Thai.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:17:52" }, { "business_id": "ta5Oi3sezvn4H299MbtE8Q", "business_name": "The Carousel Bar & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn about this one. I actually hate the carousel part of the bar and really dislike the spinning. Note: Don't go there after you've had a couple drinks. The spinning won't do you any favors. However, I love the lounge-y area behind the main bar, especially the cozy nooks with high-backed armchairs that look right out into the action on Royal. They make a very tasty Vieux Carre and one of my favorite Sazeracs in the city. So it's definitely worth a visit,I'd just avoid the main bar area.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:23:42" }, { "business_id": "dXREfNidBVaPbF8g5Xf54A", "business_name": "Department of Motor Vehicles", "rating": 3, "text": "Not too terrible as far as any visit to the OMV is concerned. There is plenty of parking in the lot in front and there were only 10 or so other people in line when I got there at 7:58am. One important thing to note about this location is that it is in some state office building so you have to go through security. That means leave your pistols and mace in the car, please. I was in and out within 20 minutes with my new license and although I thought the clerk I dealt with was unnecessarily snappy, I'd probably hate myself too if I worked there.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:35:32" }, { "business_id": "g8asTfC0kY9uzt1AHdm35A", "business_name": "Reily Student Recreation Center", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a fantastic facility, as it should be for Tulane tuition. As an employee, I get a discounted rate, which I don't take advantage of because first, I hate driving Uptown and second, the parking on campus sucks. However, every year during Winter Break, all employees use the facility for free and it's quiet, relatively student-free, easier to park and has a great schedule of really good classes. Once the students come back though, it can get pretty crowded so I probably won't ever buy a year-round membership. Except maybe when I have kids; they do have child care available.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:56:57" }, { "business_id": "P09fwcXyvf2GdvFnTMQWuA", "business_name": "Bellocq", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a beautiful bar and so I understand that fancy places can command high drink prices. I expected this but I thought my drink was just ok and for $14, I expect delicious. I also hate those silver cups they come in, I dislike not being able to see the level of my drink. Is there one sip left? 15? I can't tell. The presentation was lovely but there are too many places I can spend $4-6 less for a drink that is just as fancy but not as pricey. Don't get me wrong, I'd have a drink here again but it's not on my short list.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T01:56:09" }, { "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is exactly what I was thinking during my dinner. Look, for the most part, this food isn't bad, I actually enjoyed most of it. But it's damn expensive and what was good were things I could make any old night of the week. Plain old spaghetti with a garlic-scented butter? Yum! I loved that as a kid! And it takes 10 minutes to make. No need to drive to Avondale for that. Baked chicken with lots of garlic? Also, tasty and easily made at home. The baked oysters Mosca I thought was terrible and outrageously overpriced. $38 for about 12 oysters baked to death in a thick layer of breadcrumbs, which negated any oyster flavor. I can see how this place can be fun but it's unlikely I'd go back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:05:13" }, { "business_id": "iFgoIM21C_P68N8Dk-HHEA", "business_name": "Stella!", "rating": 3, "text": "It's always so hard for me to rate really nice restaurants because I expect so much before I even walk in the door. So maybe this is too harsh. Anyway... We were ushered into a somber and hushed front dining room. I felt like I had to whisper, which was sort of weird. We ordered cocktails to start because that's how I do fancy meals but I wasn't too excited about their specialty cocktails. When the ordered Blackberry Bramble or whatever it was called arrived, I was similarly nonplussed. I won't go into details about each dish but I will say that I certainly liked every course but I wasn't really wow-ed. Also, my wine tasted like anchovies, which I love but not in my wine. Highlights included all the sauces on each plate, the beef tenderloin, veal cheek and poached rhubarb for dessert. I've spent a lot less money on meals I enjoyed just as much or more so...glad I knocked that off the bucket list but won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:15:37" }, { "business_id": "2oJV-vS0Cu8cYt7_TbzOww", "business_name": "Cleaver & Co", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, 3 or 4 stars? This is tough because I'm glad that they're there but I did not at ALL like the head cheese I bought there and am unlikely to ever buy another $20 chicken. I love independent butchers though so I would like to support them but probably only for buying cuts for special occasions.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T18:44:30" }, { "business_id": "O7adYE4pVfqY02Lh6ywEpA", "business_name": "Swirl Wine Bar & Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I love this place. It would be hard NOT to like just based on their delightful location. Well-curated selection of wines and small cheese case run by very informative and helpful staff. Unfortunately, I avoid their Friday tastings because they have become so popular that they are too packed for me. I prefer the Wednesday night flights.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:21:07" }, { "business_id": "eKgtzwzbLR44fqevm6yUSQ", "business_name": "Faubourg Wines", "rating": 4, "text": "I was in the neighborhood quite a bit leading up to Krewe du Vieux, making floats, working on costumes and...drinking, of course. There were many days that I stopped in here (sometimes twice!) to fuel up on well-priced sparkling wine. Favorite find; an intoxicatingly perfumed grapefruit liquor.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:49:08" }, { "business_id": "g-IXI3v3fOudMsyLPKb-eQ", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location better than the one in Mid-City, such a cool re-use of a bank building! Very good coffee and now I'm wondering why I didn't have a Bellini? Anyway, I stupidly ordered eggs with a biscuit and corned beef when I could have ordered the special; a twist on the Benedict with fried green tomatoes as the English muffin, a bed of arugula and bacon. Everyone else at my table ordered it so I thought I should try the corned beef and MAYBE my husband would let me have some of his benny. He gave me one small and very delicious bite. Hash was pretty good, as was the biscuit but goddamnit, my over-easy eggs were inedible. Do restaurants cook eggs in a pool of water? I've had this happen before, it's pretty gross and left my eggs mostly untouched. Oh well, everything else was very nice.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T20:21:43" }, { "business_id": "ZgmEBmGQbSHj8YZgN2pPLQ", "business_name": "Satsuma Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Since my husband is not a breakfast eater, I am delighted when I have visitors so we can go out and sample early morning bites. A few months ago, my mother and her husband were here and this was the first place I thought of. Initially, I was kind of disappointed that there was no table service but that's a minor quibble. The staff, although very busy, was cheerful and helpful with recommendations for my juice-neophyte parents. Juice was delicious. My mother and I split a One-Eyed Jack and a special sweet-potato ginger pancake. I had a similar pancake a few weeks before at Suis Generis and that one was WAY better. This pancake was flavorless and oddly textured, plus it would have been nice to have a little side of fruit or something to go with it. The One-Eyed Jack was good but we were both still hungry after our breakfast. My SF ordered wisely and got a much heartier meal with eggs, very good black beans and a tasty biscuit. I'd probably be more inclined to come back here for lunch than breakfast but it is a very sweet little spot. After breakfast, make your way over to the Bargain Center next door for an interesting shopping experience.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T13:29:36" }, { "business_id": "1788xIG9VRrs3DZ_RhqA6A", "business_name": "Pearl Wine Co", "rating": 4, "text": "I wasn't sure what to expect when the ownership changed recently. for the most part, I'm pretty happy with the changes. The owner seems to be extremely knowledgeable and passionate about wine. She has also opened later hours and was even open on the 4th! I'm also glad she kept the staff; Jodi and Jose and great and have been fixtures for some time. The wine shop is worthy of 5 stars but the adjoining bar is not. The atmosphere always did and still does kind of suck. Which is partially not their fault, it is a former industrial building after all. But still, nothing about the place makes me want to hang out there. And they got rid of the former cocktail menu which I liked. But still, overall pleased with the changes. Welcome to the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T18:46:53" }, { "business_id": "bkxtuHXCL7GR51FiNdextA", "business_name": "City Greens", "rating": 3, "text": "Tasty. Friendly staff. But damn, it's really expensive. Just a salad with no drink and no added protein set me back almost $11. I'd only go again if someone suggested it since I can make my own delicious salads for a fraction of the price.", "timestamp": "2013-07-28T13:57:33" }, { "business_id": "WNhcS2zi4zAqA2TbduVINQ", "business_name": "Cleo's", "rating": 4, "text": "I had the vegetarian plate and it was very good. I loved the baba ganoush (so much better than mine) and the hummus with spicy roasted peppers on top. Falafel also really good. I actually like my tabbouleh better but theirs was still fresh and tasty. Tasted friend's lamb kebobs, small-ish but delicious and whatever they use as a salad dressing is awesome. Set-up inside the convenience store with loud club-like music was a little weird but not off-putting.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T18:48:28" }, { "business_id": "KGfw-g_JtizLJb4YmRB2Ig", "business_name": "Mariza", "rating": 4, "text": "I visited Mariza a few weeks ago but didn't eat since my trendy friends wanted to eat dinner at 9:30. I ate dinner at 6 like an old lady and met them for drinks. Anyway, I had one of their specialty cocktails (the Bywater something or other), which was too sweet, and one bite of my friend's hanger steak, which was incredible. I thought so much about that one bite that I jumped when my husband suggested Mariza for our Saturday night dinner date. We were lucky enough to get seated without a wait so that was a plus. To start, we shared an appetizer special; herbed ricotta-stuffed ravioli with chanterelles . OK, the sauce was divine and so was the filling, the one extremely small dab of it anyway. As someone who used to make fresh pasta at a restaurant, I wasn't impressed with the pasta either. It tasted like it was held in water perhaps? We also shared the yellowfin tuna carpaccio with arugula and parm. No complaints! I had that oh-so-delectable steak and it was everything I remembered and more. Served draped over grilled bread with olive tapenade and drizzled with pesto. Perfect. Husband's duck confit was also a hit. Their beer menu is kind of limited but I had a very nice and inexpensive pinot noir, which I find can so often be hit or miss. Our entrees were good-sized and very reasonably priced, both $15 or $16. So I can't really complain about price except when I compare my $16 steak with a $12 ravioli appetizer (2 ravioli, extremely meagerly filled). Oh well, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 2 drinks per person for ~$80 is still really reasonable. Next time I'm getting the burrata crostini and lamb belly. Or the goat ricotta with kale and the short ribs rigatoni. And MUST leave room for the chocolate terrine with olive oil and sea salt. I have to have that.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T19:01:31" }, { "business_id": "7ZcA6w0UCRmeEjN2nyeYuA", "business_name": "Root", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband I I were lucky enough to be invited to dinner here, which was great because I'm quite sure our hosts spent a pretty penny. We started off with cocktails and charcuterie. A+ on the cocktails! Inventive but accessible list and tasty to boot. I liked all the pickled things on the charcuterie plate and DEFINITELY the lardo; everything else was fine but no wow factor. Then we moved on to appetizers; of those I tasted, I'd say the deviled eggs were my favorite. My smoked scallops were as delicious as I'd hoped. Husband predictably ordered pork belly. It was good but what I really remember was this smoked vegetable ash smear it was served on. WOW. I thought the desserts were more about presentation (and at that, they excelled) than taste. We had the peach crumble and the blueberry clafoutis. Neither impressed my palate. I was really looking forward to the peach buttermilk ice cream with my dessert but it was icy and bland. Ice cream, or gelato, whatever they call it, is pretty easy and they didn't get it right at ALL. However, if I were to go back for anything, which is unlikely since they charge $16 for deviled eggs, I would go back for the Indian falooda. Oh! It was a terrarium of beautiful, edible flowers and accouterments swimming in a pool of geranium milk. I thought this sounded a little crazy but I loved it. Appetizers and desserts were overpriced and fell a little flat. Drinks and entrees, while pricey, were worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-20T20:25:53" }, { "business_id": "FxeakFEI6gObK0CxcOft-A", "business_name": "Manhattan Jack", "rating": 3, "text": "My cuban was ok. This sandwich, and the others my friends ordered, is a perfect example was why I hate going out for breakfast and lunch. It's expensive and just not that great. I'd rather save my dollars for dinner and make my own sandwich for lunch. I didn't try any of the sweets and while they looked and smelled lovely, I probably won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T12:03:25" }, { "business_id": "gC8i-lxwvGhVpOXM5eYdtA", "business_name": "Taqueria Guerrero", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the staff here and that it never seems to be super busy. They don't have my beloved fish tacos though and i like the lengua better at Taqueris Corona/ Was very disappointed in my taco al pastor, it's probably the worst I've ever tried. To be daring, we ordered the huarache and the baleado. Huarache, good choice, baleado, bland. Horchata is tasty! It's cheap and close to home but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T14:45:20" }, { "business_id": "5rScKeYVjFk8VahsvJv9QA", "business_name": "Mikimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never used to be a fan but my husband is and it's gradually grown on me. Every time we'd go out, he'd suggest Mikimoto and I'd roll my eyes and ignore him. But he's got a pretty strong sushi addiction and orders once a week, in addition to going out. And of course, he always orders from Mikimoto. It's still not my favorite but it's reliable, quick, plentiful and priced right.", "timestamp": "2013-09-14T15:44:45" }, { "business_id": "FCCnOgjjvwQJBAy3u2fcLA", "business_name": "Criollo Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful place in the Monteleone. I have been wanting to try Criollo for a while and finally did for their Coolinary offering. My friend and I were seated in a window overlooking Iberville. I felt like I was in a little bistro in Paris, which is amazing since I knew if I had two more feet of a view on either side, I'd see Walgreen's and the crowd of guys hanging out in front of the old penny arcade. Service was charming and attentive, from the server to the runner to the hostess. We started with their delicious bread basket and assorted butters. I chose the gumbo, friend had the salad. The gumbo was good, not outstanding but it did distinguish itself with a garnish of fried okra. Very nice. Salad looked uninspired. For entrees, I had the soft-shell crab with brown butter. Yes! Excellent. My friend had the cobia and the bite I had was the blood line so it wasn't a good first impression. I did have another bite (no blood line) and it was good but at nice restaurants, please remove the blood line from the fish! Her dish was topped with a sort of okra popper (cheese-stuffed and fried), which I really liked. I ordered the chocolate-pecan parfait, which sounded way better than white chocolate creme brulee tart to me. What a letdown. It was served nearly frozen solid and it was several inches high so to cut through it was nearly impossible. The flavor was also boring and the cake bit on the bottom was dry. It was terrible. The creme brulee tart however, was stupendous. Loved it. Also, extra kudos for having espresso and not french press. I like french press too but I have one at home. What I don't have at home is a $4,000 espresso machine so I appreciate them when I go out!", "timestamp": "2013-09-18T14:37:54" }, { "business_id": "rVRh3PnjYwSaVvGs0joh5w", "business_name": "Five Guys", "rating": 3, "text": "First of all, it was so bright in here that I felt overwhelmed just walking in. We ordered the regular burgers and large fries, which were both so much bigger than I had anticipated. I went in after spending the afternoon drinking beer at NOLA on Tap so I was beer-hungry and I still couldn't finish the fries. The burger was pretty good and I like all the toppings but the fries were so unsatisfying. They had no taste and making a fried potato taste good is fairly easy. My husband liked them though so maybe I'm just off. I was also shocked at how long it took everything to come out. They were busy but only putting out one order every 4-5 minutes. I think we finally got our food after 20 minutes. It's ok and I might go back but it's not high on my list.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T11:55:25" }, { "business_id": "YSyZipJDgS3D_R0wqPqPhQ", "business_name": "Longue Vue House and Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "I took advantage of Free Museum Day this year with a long overdue trip to Longue Vue. This place has been on my list for years and I can't believe I just now took advantage of a quiet morning spent in the lovely gardens of this estate. Turning down Bamboo Rd. from Metairie Rd, I knew I was in a for a treat. I spent about 45 minutes going through the Discovery Garden (so cute, can't wait to bring my nieces!), to the wild garden (reminder to self to go back when the irises bloom) and the impressive Spanish Court. Luckily, I was just finishing my garden foray when a tour of the house was starting. Wow. The history of the family who lived here was impressive. Not only do you get to peek into what their life was like, but the lady of the house was a collector of modern art and so it was like a gallery visit on top of the house tour. Our guide was also super knowledgable and I feel like I got a history lesson on politics, New Orleans oddities, river commerce and more. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T12:04:13" }, { "business_id": "hPd6uMCjNglnOwwHpkY5Tg", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - French Quarter", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sure this will be unpopular but Felipe's did not hit my spot. I like the one Uptown and I thought I would like this one too but the food, not so much. Husband's cheese sauce on chimichanga tasted rancid, flautas tasted like freezer-burned cardboard and everything else was room temperature and blah. I still love their condiments bar and the drinks are always nice, especially on Wednesdays.", "timestamp": "2013-10-21T16:01:09" }, { "business_id": "dBOVfp8Ub8uO9qUPtw92_w", "business_name": "Lilette", "rating": 4, "text": "My dashing husband brought me here for a birthday lunch after I'd been yearning to go forever. It turns out he knew one of the chefs and so we were sent some delicious short rib lagniappe. I decided to go with two appetizers so that I wouldn't pass out after lunch, unlike my husband, who had a duck appetizer and a steak for an entree. I had some marvelous gnocchi in a tomato sauce and then the famed crab claws and passionfruit butter. That butter was so sublime, I would lick it right off of Bourbon Street. Honestly, the crab wasn't all that, kind of stringy. It's okay though because that butter...oh my. I was sorely disappointed in dessert. We had a Nutella custard and it was GRAY in color and about as flavorful as gray sounds. How do you muck up Nutella? Confusing. Anyway, it is a beautiful space and I'd love to go back for dinner one day.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:17:11" }, { "business_id": "V9VLhHdSFpFi4yXFqVcVEA", "business_name": "Pêche", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn a bit as I write this. It was good, don't get me wrong, I guess I just expected a little more wow. And that's totally because a) it's Donald Link and b) I eat fresh seafood at home all the time and I can admit I'm spoiled. Just last week my husband brought home a 28-inch redfish that he caught and he grilled it on the half-shell with chermoula and tzatziki. But I'm not reviewing my kitchen, just demonstrating that I have a high bar. We started with some expertly fried crab and artichoke fritters. No fillers to bind these beauties together. We also had some olive-oil poached tuna that didn't taste super fresh to me so I let husband eat it all up. There was a third appetizer that I don't remember so I'm sure it was fine although obviously not memorable. Whole grilled flounder to share. I love flounder so it was good but that's all I have to say about it. We also got a side of stewed okra (one of my favorite things all night, go figure!) and very tasty field peas. Dessert was an amazing-sounding but disappointing-tasting chocolate peanut butter banana pie. They have an interesting cocktail menu but after tasting mine and my husband's, I switched to their equally interesting but more reasonably priced wine list. Service was friendly (except for the hostess at the door who was hating life!). It's very loud. If you're visiting from out of town and want to eat some really good Louisiana seafood, this is your place. If you're married to a local fisherman like me, you can probably eat just as well at home.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:34:18" }, { "business_id": "riGIP57_SRRnhx91c_4sBQ", "business_name": "Cafe Granada", "rating": 4, "text": "Over the past weekend, with its lovely weather, I wanted to go somewhere where we could sit outside. Husband suggested this place, which neither of us have ever visited. I love tapas and they have outdoor seating. Sold. We started off with a carafe of red sangria, which was quite watery. I'll go to Lola's if I want sangria. We had several things, some that I loved and some that were just ok. But the ones I loved were so good, I can't wait to go back! The delicious: Brie with fig preserves: Hard to go wrong with this, except to do it like we did. One order for four people. Boo. Get your own. Duck confit: The duck was on point and the salad it came with was fantastic! The hangar steak: Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Served with very good french fries and what I think was a garlic aioli (menu said chimichurri but that it wasn't). The good: Goat cheese croquetas: Served with some sort of mango sauce. Shrimp croquetas: Not as good as the goat cheese ones. Served with a tomato sauce. Carpaccio de res: This might have made the delicious category if there was some balance between oil and acid on the plate. It was drizzled with oil, fine, but needed some vinegar or something else. The just ok: Zucchini pockets with salmon and brie: The zucchini was good, I didn't taste the brie and the salmon just didn't work with the zucchini, to my taste anyway. Manchego with tequila: I though booze, flame and cheese was a no brainer but it just tasted like soggy cheese with cheap tequila taste on top. Yuck. The bread: Not good and with these kind of tapas, the bread is kind of important. The aforementioned sangria. $100 bucks for four people with drinks. Not bad at all.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:50:59" }, { "business_id": "3JOWaLAwQkYTZsgSe5HzVA", "business_name": "Hermes Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why Yelp has this come up as Lower Garden, this is the heart of the FQ. Weird. Anyway, I like coming here with visitors for some old school New Orleans vibes. One of the few place in town you can order a Ramos Gin Fizz and check out old Mardi Gras memorabilia. I usually just get drinks but have been wanting to try the Oyster Foch poboy (fried oysters, colbert sauce, foie gras) for the longest. I finally got my wish! The presentation was kind of sloppy and it was stuffed somewhat sparsely but the taste was OH MY GOD. I might have to hit happy hour again this week for another.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:56:35" }, { "business_id": "UjFLIhKTOiFcQiziOA9rgA", "business_name": "Mizado Latin Kitchen", "rating": 3, "text": "A-ok for now, with some strong pluses and minuses. I was very excited for this place to open and we checked it out the night before Thanksgiving. Business was booming and the welcoming host staff seemed genuinely glad to see us. However, I wasn't crazy about the whole valet setup outside, it seemed unnecessary and I felt more like I was going to a club in LA than dinner under the interstate in New Orleans. That same feeling goes for the decor. But that's just my personal taste talking and I'm sure some people love the ultra-modern, lounge-like feel. I LOVED the pickled vegetables and fried chickpeas that were put on the table to munch on. Our server warned us they'd be really hot but I thought they were perfect. On the other hand, she did not warn us about the salsas and 2 of the 3 (arbol, borracha, aguacate) we got were verrrry spicy. I like spice but it was a lot for me and husband couldn't eat them. Plus, they were more like pastes or dips to me. OK but not worth repeating. Fish tacos (unremarkable), pork belly (some pieces were great and some were undercooked=flabby) and peruvian atun (delicious!) completed the meal. My drink (Cava Lamp) had no discernible taste of St. Germain that it included as an ingredient. It was also priced wrong on the menu. Husband's margarita was fine but they don't do salted rims, instead a salted foam sits on top of the drink. Meh. I will probably go back to try more of the menu but I'm not running back anytime soon. It might get back into my rotation in the next 6 months. Might not.", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:24:23" }, { "business_id": "now2TRoUla_5u_tmH4HGig", "business_name": "Namese", "rating": 4, "text": "I never thought I'd be dining al fresco on a beautiful patio located...at the corner of Carrollton and Tulane? I saw how nice the exterior was as we pulled up but it really is even nicer than you can imagine once you are seated on the patio. We didn't go inside so I can't speak to that. I wanted to order one of everything but I restrained myself. We started with the banh mi sample, I liked the shrimp the best but husband liked the other two. I recommend just getting a banh mi instead though, just to get the bang for your buck. We also got the pork roll and pate banh mi and the serving size was much more than the appetizer. They were out of pork belly, so sad, so we didn't sample any of that. Grilled shrimp spring rolls were good, caramel catfish was very good and the green papaya salad was my favorite! Staff was great and welcoming. We will definitely be back often. So glad this is on the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:32:28" }, { "business_id": "fmWgbWRcbJw-yRCK3USnvA", "business_name": "Fountain Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "We had kind of a perfect New Orleans night here, the Saturday before Christmas was very festive and the famed Roosevelt decorations were dazzling. We ran into old friends and made new ones. But none of that really had to do with the food, which did not live up to the rest of our evening. We started with raw oysters, which were cold, salty and shucked right. We both had the Reveillon menu but there were choices for each of us, I love choices! I had an asparagus dish with poached egg and Parmesan foam that was delicate and rich-tasting at the same time. The smoked tuna was good too but asparagus trumped it. The soup and salad course was next, nice but not remarkable. The soup was so rich, I think it was mostly heavy cream with a dash of cauliflower in there. I had swordfish that tasted frozen and my husband had a deconstructed duck wellington that was a better choice. Both desserts (banana-chocolate creme brulee and a lemon tart) tasted like Sysco made them a decade ago. I love dessert and I'll even eat most bad desserts but I didn't finish either one of these. Also, our cocktails cost $16 each. Things started off okay but took a nose-dive. I won't be back.", "timestamp": "2014-02-11T14:33:59" }, { "business_id": "zWfzgYe2nT9mHYm_vl1Ukw", "business_name": "Mopho", "rating": 3, "text": "Sigh. I've been twice and both times I was not overly impressed. The first time we went, we ordered the crispy wings. They were not crisp at all, although the flavor was really good. I also had the worst pho I've ever had. The broth (beef, with oxtail and tendon) was murky and tasteless, like they used no star anise or other aromatics. The second time we went was better. I had the much hyped pepper jelly clams. The clams were really fresh-tasting and the broth was delicious. But I would have loved to sop it up with some bread, instead I got some stick-shaped beignets that were awfully sweet and not a good vessel at all to absorb that beautiful broth. My companions had poboys, which they enjoyed. I'll likely keep trying but so far, it hasn't lived up to my expectations. Staff is really nice, the space is beautiful. I'm looking forward to checking out their happy hour and the patio in nice weather.", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:35:36" }, { "business_id": "EbLbT1sR9myTqzjF4mHrTw", "business_name": "The Civic Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "We went to see Christian Scott and Esperanza Spalding here a couple months ago. What a beautiful job they've done! It's fairly small and the seating felt very...vertical. But I like that it was on the small side, it felt very intimate. The bar is stocked with better than your average. They had a fancy cocktail menu and my husband was happy with his Hopitoulas. Look forward to seeing more shows here!", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:39:55" }, { "business_id": "FLtru6J7y9d-Rqb32jyPIg", "business_name": "The Fat Falafel", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only tried the falafel sandwich (add hummus) but those fries with garlic aioli were very tempting! I liked the pita, loved the root slaw and enjoyed the sauce. But...was there a hint of cinnamon in the falafel? If not, there was something I couldn't identify and if there was, I didn't like it. But it was my only quibble, well, that and also that it was messy and had so much garlic that I wanted to run home to my toothbrush immediately. In fact, after brushing my teeth and using industrial strength mouthwash, I could still taste it. So if you're planning on being out the rest of the day/evening, proceed with caution!", "timestamp": "2014-05-06T20:35:52" }, { "business_id": "9xdXS7jtWjCVzL4_oPGv9A", "business_name": "GW Fins", "rating": 3, "text": "It was good, don't get me wrong. I'll have to go back to try more of the menu and hope to upgrade to 4 stars then. AMBIANCE: Looks really dated inside, like it was designed in the early 90s. No big deal, decor is not what I came for but I noticed it. SERVICE: I appreciate attentive service, which it was, but even better, our server was knowledgeable about the menu. Kudos. THOSE BISCUITS: Everybody seems to love these. They were good, kind of on the sweet side for me. And not great for sopping up some of the excellent sauces from our meal. APPETIZERS: These were fantastic. We got the lobster dumplings, fried snapper cheeks and salmon tartar. The sauce on those dumplings, WHOA! So good. The fried fish contrasted with a spicy-sweet slaw, delicious. ENTREES: Bored silly. We both basically got a variation of fish paired with a starch and some vegetables. Nothing bad but after the appetizers, very uninspired. DESSERT: Cherry panna cotta (good) and passionfruit \"souffle.\" They had souffle in quotes so I was curious to see what that meant. You want to know? It means passionfruit ice cream served in a souffle cup. Lame. They have a great wine list (although a crappy beer list) so I'd go back to sit at the bar for some wine and apps.", "timestamp": "2014-08-13T14:30:02" }, { "business_id": "cTSczU-9-cYUEM2DlNJcQw", "business_name": "1000 Figs", "rating": 5, "text": "I found out Tuesday morning that this place had opened the day before. Since I love checking out new places within walking distance, we decided to try it for dinner. OH, SO good! I had their falafel before (which I had previously found to be dry but I liked that beet-carrot slaw). But I'm glad I gave it another shot because these here perfect. Wait, let me back up. The space is really beautiful, it feels like being in someone's home and obviously a lot of careful thought went into the decor (love the silverware in drawers at each table!). It's BYOB right now but since it's next to Swirl, they're really nice about setting you up with wine and all the accouterments. It is rather quiet though so maybe not the best place for a boisterous group. We shared barley-roasted vegetable salad, kale salad with squid and the hummus platter. The barley salad was awesome, that was probably my favorite. The kale salad I actually didn't like, I think it was chard and not kale? And not crazy about the squid, which I usually love. But I plopped some hummus on it and it was fine. The falafel were tender and perfect. Everything was served with an avalanche of fresh greens, dill, mint etc and that was a really nice touch. The hand-stretched bread that came with the hummus platter also blew me away. But when we asked for more, we got cold, factory pita from Restaurant Depot:( Maybe they ran out, highly likely since it was so delicious! No desserts, very reasonably priced. Will be back again and again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:26:21" }, { "business_id": "PDpEFp0lCsXtGsUO1WPllA", "business_name": "The Franklin", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is beautiful, no doubt. Did this used to be an old praline shop? I can't remember. I liked our dinner here but I just can't shake that I spent $72 on myself for 2 drinks and 3 apps and a dessert split 3 ways. My favorite thing was actually a salad with root vegetables. I had oysters with white remoulade; I'd drink that sauce straight but the oysters weren't fried very well, sort of soggy. I also had beef tartar with strawberries, which I decided was not a good combination. The best thing there was this cocktail I had, the Kentucky Rifleman, which was worth every penny of the $12 it cost. Rye and black walnut bitters, OMG. We shared the quince-almond-goat cheese tart and while I'd eat anything with goat cheese, the crust of this tasted like dirt and the ice cream was icy, which really ruined the texture.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:33:59" }, { "business_id": "XCDXN4xJh3-DauaO88CZHQ", "business_name": "Courtyard Brewery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so happy to see this love child finally come to fruition! I've known Scott and Lindsay for a few years now and they are such awesome people, but beyond that, they know their beer! The design and decor are well done and every time I go, I look forward to seeing something new and quirky. I like the family and dog friendly vibe. They have a great lineup of offerings, which have all been guest pours on my visit. However, I know they just released their own brews next week so I'll have to get there again soon!", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:10:02" }, { "business_id": "e-fXMT8R3j7BKMTh8xn8aw", "business_name": "Red's Chinese", "rating": 3, "text": "We had a nice dinner here last nice but I think we may have ordered the wrong things! We ordered the smashed cucumbers (fine, forgettable), the sliders (decent) and the chicken feet (gross) to start. Except that's not the way the food came out. We got the cucumbers and Kung Pao Pastrami first (delicious). We also never got the ribs we ordered and since the servings were so large, we were probably better off not getting them. I really enjoyed my cocktail (Dragon's Breath) and I'd go back to order other things. Service was fast and friendly, minus the snafu with food arrival. A note about chicken feet: having never tried them, I was curious. I thought they'd be crunchy. The flaccid skin (though soaked in a tasty buffalo wing style sauce), revealed nothing underneath but gristly bone. Now I know.", "timestamp": "2015-01-25T14:23:03" }, { "business_id": "srPwdMyFdHxvRkG9P_sRDA", "business_name": "Booty's Street Food", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here a couple of times for drinks or a snack but nothing memorable. Although, of the three times I've been, we've tried one of their fancy cocktails and I'm always let down. This past weekend, we had a large party and were grateful they could take us on such short notice. They have some interesting ground rules; if you have a party of five or more, the table has to do the tasting menu. But only five people are required to do it? Weird. Whatever, we all did the 7 course tasting to make things easy. Some of the things I really liked (the tamal, the St. Martinique fritter) and somethings were not good at all (the dry ass taco and flavorless fish sandwich on soggy bread). When we got the check, we were told that we could pay with no more than 3 credit cards or just do split checks, but that meant our four bottles of wine had to be claimed by various people since that couldn't be split. Messy. As a former server, the latter option is a lot more work but again, whatever. I'm not anxious to go back. We had fun and the food was fine. But those backless chairs were really uncomfortable for dinner and their rules seem kind of arbitrary. So many other places I'd rather eat though.", "timestamp": "2015-04-13T15:19:11" } ]	{ "business_id": "wqGkMLZVXc0pYVjr3zDrpA", "business_name": "Vacherie", "rating": 4, "text": "***My review is only for happy hour. They have a wide variety of drinks available for $5 at happy hour, including a Pimm's cup and a Sazerac. Yum! All of the five dollar plates of food we tried were good too; deviled eggs with pimento cheese, wings and the alligator sausage. I'm not really interested in coming here for dinner because the atmosphere was kinda lacking but I'll stop in for happy hour any day of the week.", "timestamp": "2015-04-13T15:21:28" }
07aVWNhBhpwqW3MdqoKDKQ	[ { "business_id": "yD3vJQYB8lX8Se97oCVb2w", "business_name": "Rio Mar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here several times over the course of many years and there are some gems for sure, although I was turned off last night. We sat for dinner and asked to start with some appetizers so that we could look over the menu leisurely. We were told that the kitchen doesn't accept appetizer orders without the entrees, you have to order everything at once. I don't remember this ever being the case there. My group and I are all restaurant workers and found this attitude not worthy of the good but not spectacular meal. The ceviche. Good but the lime juice didn't taste fresh, more like what you buy in the green, plastic lime-shaped container. Pata negra (jamon iberico). Very tasty, I liked that it was served with almond-stuffed dates, they were delicious. Oysters Riomar. Very good, a little rich but I love manchego and chorizo, maybe a little too much chorizo in this particular dish, it kind of overwhelmed the other flavors. Gulf fish escabeche. Outstanding, very fresh. Serrano-wrapped tuna. Meh. Sounds amazing but the tuna flavor was not there. The tres leches with coco had a different texture than I usually associate with the dessert but it was very tasty, especially with the nuts on top. Flan was a bit too dense, in a sort of gelatinous way but still good flavor. Chocolate cake was unremarkable. The desserts were on the house to apologize for the appetizer/entree thing but I don't see why they wouldn't just allow a more relaxed style of ordering, it's not as if we walked in five minutes before closing.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T14:50:13" }, { "business_id": "yf8a1DOlqoqlKHuLSKEfxg", "business_name": "Dante's Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful outdoor seating area, friendly but not overbearing service. My absolute favorite thing was the escargot served in a sauce of basil, vermouth and goat cheese. I would go back again and again for that dish. We also got the Heads and Tails, very cute name and very tasty dish (hogshead cheese and braised oxtails). Beets and greens we ordered as sides were wonderful, simple but somehow unique. Braised pork belly not as great as I had anticipated but the pork steak confit was even better. Redfish served with soft herbs and crabmeat was delicate and lovely. At first I thought the very pretty profusion of herbs would be over the top flavor-wise but it wasn't. Too full for dessert although nothing really jumped out at me either. One of my more memorable meals this year.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T15:13:32" }, { "business_id": "je-bSjTTn8qKjT094MzjDw", "business_name": "Laurel Street Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "I want to like this place because it is sweet and neighborhoody but the croissants were really disappointing. The chocolate croissants had chocolate syrup on them but for some reason I ordered them anyway, at which point they put MORE syrup on. Ick. They also tasted pretty stale. Almond was better but still pretty lweak as far as croissants go. I would go back to try their coffee and bagels, which I hear are really good but then again I heard the croissants were great too.", "timestamp": "2010-07-25T18:01:33" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 3, "text": "The fried chicken was good. The shrimp creole that my friends had looked not so great but they liked it. Then again, they're visiting from out of town and I've never liked shrimp creole anyway. However, the Sazerac there is awful, it's watery and served over ICE! I've never had a Sazerac on the rocks and I hope to never again. Still, would come back to try the duck quesadilla", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:03:01" }, { "business_id": "FEXhWNCMkv22qG04E83Qjg", "business_name": "Café Du Monde", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Cafe du Monde, always have. But I have never gotten their frozen cafe au lait, always stuck with regular cafe au lait and beignets. So I met some friends downtown and on the way back to the office, I was HOT and stopped for the aforementioned frozen drink. Slightly too sweet but really, who cares, it is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:04:21" }, { "business_id": "qFqYnVhKKdDPYoTFwqHDrg", "business_name": "Martinique Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing. Martinique has been on my list for years and I can't believe I never made it until last night. i was with a group of six, which was fantastic because we ordered a ton of food and got to taste much of the menu. Escargot, lobster gnocchi, basil crepe, tomato gazpacho and mussels were excellent. The scallop appetizer special was kind of bland. Cobb salad was outstanding, peppery arugula and salty cheese with sweet crab meat. I thought it was kind of strange that no bread was served, which I generally don't care about but was needed for the escargot sauce. Instead, we slurped it up with the mussel shells! Lamb with pistachio-mint tapenade and pork with onion marmalade were both outstanding. The flat iron steak was good but not as flavorful as it should have been, the flavor mostly came from the compound butter it was topped with. My entree was an ahi with a caper-five herb beurre blanc that was heavy on the tarragon and topped with crabmeat. The sauce was amazing, the crabmeat really set it off, I wish the tuna was cooked slightly less but still great. Desserts were a super Meyer-lemon goat cheese tart, a housemade Guinness ice cream and a fairly boring bread pudding. Lovely service, beautiful setting, stellar meal.", "timestamp": "2010-07-28T19:45:21" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the little tables inside and the pictures of the family and all that jazz. I love strolling there on a cool September evening. But I think their gelato is just fine, not great, but fine. If I want gelato, or any other frozen dessert, I prefer Sucre or La Divina or Creole Creamery, I think they just use better products.", "timestamp": "2010-09-29T15:39:24" }, { "business_id": "TzkVUJab9Sh0CqDk2sCF-w", "business_name": "Bayona", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still full from last night. Yes, it was very good but I wasn't blown away. Maybe my expectations were too high. I had a Stormy Morning to start, which was elderberry and violette liquers, bubbly and lime, almost too sweet but the lime saved it. Then we got some bread which was nice although I noticed other tables got amuses bouches and we did not. Sad. I got the crispy quail salad for an appetizer, it was indeed crispy and the greens weren't overdressed! Finally! My boyfriend got the sweetbreads in sherry-mustard and although he said they were a bit too salty, they were cooked perfectly. The man got the Bayona salad as a second and I thought it was really lame. I like salads not to be drowning in dressing but I couldn't really taste any dressing at all, there was a bit on the bottom of the bowl but...really? And it was just lettuce and Parm. I'm bored just thinking about it. Entrees, I got a grouper special, which had a beautiful sear on it and a wonderful lemony-capery-buttery sauce. Also chanterelles, cipolloni and tomatoes. My boyfriend got a rabbit roulade with a green onion-brioche stuffing. The stuffing was great but the rabbit was kind of overcooked and had LOTS of little bones in it. There shouldn't be bones in a roulade. The mashed potatoes were as exciting as the Bayona salad and the sauteed kale was tasty but also very salty. I think dessert was the best. We got perfectly pulled espressos, served with a chocolate almond and we ordered a Lemon-Lavendar Semifreddo with Almond Shortbread. I capitalized all that because that's how good it was. It tasted like a fairy tale. Overall, I enjoyed the meal but I think this is one of those NOLA restaurants that saw their heyday a while back and isn't moving forward.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T14:29:36" }, { "business_id": "mfTyBrvx9uCTSPjmrl8PjA", "business_name": "Maison Dupuy Hotel", "rating": 3, "text": "We went here for pre-dinner drinks, which were okay but not great and pricey. To be fair though, our bartender said it was her first day so I'll cut her some slack. A ton of stars for their piano player Paul, he is awesome.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T16:34:24" }, { "business_id": "95d60_mjUg2kLy-bhDLC6w", "business_name": "Theo's Neighborhood Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Meh. I was hungry and Parkway closed early because they ran out of bread so I ended up at Theo's. The toppings were good but the crust was flavorless and I am not a fan of its crackerlike crispness. I like all kinds of pizza, NY style and Chicago style and so on but I have yet to find pizza in New Orleans that I love.", "timestamp": "2010-10-04T00:02:49" }, { "business_id": "E_HZHSOrXy621e9jeI8R7w", "business_name": "Parkview Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "I like Parkview. I like the outside tables and the semi-stale but free popcorn and the very, very cheap Abita on tap with tokens so you can drink your pitcher in moderate, pint-sized portions and then save some for next time. I like Bunchie and Chris and their free food at Saints games, especially the hogshead cheese shaped like a fleur-de-lis made by the inimitable Vaughn of Creole Country Meats. The downside to the whole place is that it's just so smoky:(", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:17:31" }, { "business_id": "4FDOh7BAb0pgLuD8rjl3bg", "business_name": "Dee's Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "Now that the weather is nice, I can leave my crypt-like office and take a mid-afternoon stroll to wake myself up. Dee's is perfect, not crowded, unassuming and just good coffee. I've only had espresso there but I'd like to try some of their frozen drinks, I think they had something called English Garden with lavender and violet? With coffee? I'm intrigued.", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:23:45" }, { "business_id": "FknpD7tLt59-6ozV3Pk2Vg", "business_name": "Caesars Superdome", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm a hater. I got all excited because the boyfriend's boss gave us his tickets last week but really, I think I like to watch the game where there are fewer obnoxious people and the food doesn't give me the runs. Within minutes of getting through security, several shrill women who looked like they were coming from a meth lab damn near started a riot by pushing and loudly kvetching near the escalators. Okay. Moving along. We got to our seats and were lucky to sit in front of a man who heckled EVERYONE in sight for the whole game, from five year olds to peanut vendors. As for the food, well, all nachos are not created equal and these weren't so good. The one bite I had of the hot dogs actually tasted pretty decent but sadly the boyfriend spent the rest of the day in the bathroom. I'll stick to the neighborhood bar or better yet, make some gumbo at home and invite the neighborhood over.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T19:37:13" }, { "business_id": "GWLWFcxaWJuWFZYeQSMMTg", "business_name": "Garden District Book Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. They pack a lot of good reads into a small place, plus I have been going to their book club meeting the past few months, which is super. The books are always thoughtfully picked and even if I don't enjoy that month's selection, I really like hearing what these smart, articulate women (men are certainly allowed although I've never seen one!) have to say about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:09:11" }, { "business_id": "nLxzI1lBOFNTKEnoip66wA", "business_name": "Mondo", "rating": 4, "text": "Highlights were the shrimp and pork meatballs on the lemongrass skewers and creamy crab toast. The breaded artichoke was pretty boring and awfully stringy but the lemon aioli was a bright spot. The steak tartare was fine but there was so much caper and pepper and so on that it detracted from the beef. If there was actually even any beef at all, I'm not sure. I'm kicking myself for not trying to soup of the day, a hot and sour soup with duck dumplings. My dinner was perfectly passable, fish \"Muddy Waters\" (which is a meuniere with jalapeno and anchovy) with roasted potatoes, except I didn't care for the fish of the day...tripletail. I usually hate five-spice powder but T's Chinese duck was very tasty, if a little small, as was the accompanying turnip cake. C. got a steak with bearnaise and OOOOH, I cannot get enough of tarragon lately. I don't even know how the steak was because I focused on those lovely, licorice-like, grassy bits of tarragon in the sauce. E.got a lovely lamb with ricotta agnolloti that might be what I order next time I'm in. For dessert, lemon tart, coconut sorbet and sweet potato-pecan pie with almond-sherry ice cream. Sorbet (good) lemon tart (uh, lemony?) sweet-potato pecan pie with ice cream was STELLAR. I really liked the ice cream, the sherry complemented the almond so well and the almonds tasted deep and toasty. All in all, a very nice meal, although we wanted a perhaps finer dining experience than they offer. We were looking for some port or sherry after dinner, no such luck. Anyway, next time I'll forgo the high-brow meal experience and sit at the bar with a glass of wine and a pizza from the wood-burning oven. Oh, and those meatballs!d", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:21:02" }, { "business_id": "R7ZqfB-4Z7jyl73iQ58nEQ", "business_name": "GG's Dine-O-Rama", "rating": 2, "text": "Crowded. Smells strange. The corned beef sandwich had WAY too much creole mustard (that stuff is strong!) and the beef tasted slightly sweet and cinnamony, just the thought of which makes me feel queasy. Very small for $11. My friend got mozzarella sliders which were made using crappy rolls, plus they were burnt. Underwhelming.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:02:45" }, { "business_id": "jMZ56S8Y1t7cA1Ob-d-qeA", "business_name": "Three Muses", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfection. Eggplant bruschetta was the hit of the night. The goat cheese gratin (not really a gratin at all but it was delicious so screw semantics) and pork belly were also amazing! Not too impressed with an ahi tuna special but maybe that's because everything else was so good! I didn't think I'd like the tomato chutney on the lamb sliders but it went very well together, lamb seasoned perfectly, just a bit on the dry side though. We had several cocktails, the Muse was hands down my favorite; strawberry, cucumber, gin and St. Germain. Also good mojitos and sangria. The blueberry bellini was okay but if I didn't know it was supposed to be blueberry, I wouldn't have been able to taste it, although it was a very pretty color.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:07:34" }, { "business_id": "me3mlZsR26fV89fMw2uR6Q", "business_name": "Rib Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Between three and four stars but since the setting is so over the top and cinematic, I'll go with four stars. It was eerily empty when we arrived at 7:30 on a Friday night. Our server looked like he was 12 and he seemed excited to be waiting on three ladies who weren't senior citizens. We got served cheese and crackers as soon as we sat down and I thought that was really odd. Bread soon followed. I had a frisee salad with a poached egg and lardons. It came looking very pretty and garnished with a purple orchid. But there were no lardons and the egg was cooked all the way through. It had a nice dressing though and that orchid really went a long way for me so overall, good. My friend got the house salad, which was not very fresh looking iceberg with Hidden Valley ranch. At a place like this, I'd expect better greens and maybe housemade dressings. For my entree, I had a really wonderful filet cooked with peppercorn sauce. My friend did also but we ordered them at different temps. They gave us the wrong ones which isn't so horrible but again, at that kind of restaurant, you need to have a lot of attention devoted to those details. The other friend had a prime rib, she said it tasted very good but not as tender as it should be and overall didn't seem very impressed. Chocolate mousse for dessert, fine not great or memorable in any way. I enjoyed it for the wonderful company that I had and the plush surroundings. The food was fine but for the money, I'll take my business somewhere else.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:30:03" }, { "business_id": "E5YB7NywtfmQ2_rpxtjmKQ", "business_name": "Betsys Pancake House", "rating": 3, "text": "This is nothing remarkable here food-wise but it's worth it to go on a Sunday morning before a Saints game when all the patrons, staff and even the interior of the place are decked out in their black and gold finest. The other great thing that I love about Betsy's is the gruff but sweet waitress who cannot complete any sentence without calling you baby, darling or sweetheart, even if she is yelling at you. The food was fine, not stellar, but it's a diner, what more could you expect? Corned beef hash is out of a can, forgot my friend's english muffin but loved that the waitress said \"Your muffin is on it's way. Really, I just forgot to put it in. At least I'm honest.\" I love her.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T16:47:13" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Props for being open on Monday. We sat at the sushi bar and were given two salads, I guess they were complimentary because we didn't order them. This turned out to be my favorite thing. Greens topped with some seaweed salad, squid and fried onions? I don't know but it was delightful and way better than the weird and heavily-mayonnaised salad they give you at Mikimoto. We ordered yellowtail, tuna and escolar by the piece. Yellowtail is usually my favorite but this did not have a good taste. BBQ yellowtail had no sauce and tuna-avocado was very skimpy on the avocado. We also had the seafood salad and it was very generous and tasty by the end but initially not so good because the sauce was all at the bottom and it wasn't tossed. They have a ton of specialty rolls, which is cool but I found it overwhelming, we ordered the Burning Man, which never came and I didn't mind at all because I was so full. Overall, it was ok, not awful, but can't hold a candle to my NOLA favorite, Horinoya. Also, they use the nasty, dyed Pepto-Bismol pink ginger, why does ginger need to be dyed? My final gripe, they don't seem to season their rice and it's very plain. But hey, they're open Mondays and do karaoke so I'll probably be back. Next time I will try the ramen, which I have heard is really good.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:23:52" }, { "business_id": "7pKzyzCFC7LpX82sM-0aMg", "business_name": "Balcony Music Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't been here since about 2001 when I think it was called the Matador? And I think all those pretty windows used to be blacked out or otherwise covered? Anyway, Friday night we saw TWO great bands for FREE, had a cute table in the window that fit several of us. I didn't have a drink so I don't know if they were good or cheap etc but I am still so thrilled about not paying a cover and not feeling crowded or cramped by hordes of people.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:35:34" }, { "business_id": "9TDyIOrSrncpsAUxVqx3aA", "business_name": "Capdeville", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't eaten here yet but I watched the game there on Sunday. I had the Persephone's Fall, which is St. Germain, gin, egg white, lemon juice and something else to make it pink, maybe pomegranate? Outstanding. They also passed out free shots of whiskey every time the Saints scored and while whiskey isn't really my thing, I thought it was a nice gesture.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:38:25" }, { "business_id": "rHYqc5YTAkFGYxcoYg7R8w", "business_name": "Trashy Diva", "rating": 4, "text": "Love Trashy Diva! I must have shied away because the name totally turns me off but now that I know how wonderful it is, I am a loyal follower. There are tons of stores here that sell pretty dresses but I had no idea that the owner designs the clothing herself! I love the sort of vintage/retro feel of the clothes. I'm the kind of person who could go through the rest of life wearing a Betty Draper style shirtdress and be totally happy so if that's your style, you will love this store. Sizes run from 2-18 but go often because once they are out, that dress is done! I saw a dress that I ADORED but they only had a size two left and I am still moping about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T21:14:34" }, { "business_id": "UeYZgcORV2Veo_BZzdiaTg", "business_name": "Napoleon House", "rating": 4, "text": "I moved away from New Orleans for a few years and on one visit back, I was craving a Pimm's Cup from Napoleon House. Maybe my taste buds changed or maybe they make them differently but it tasted like a whole bunch of cheap, pre-mixed ingredients like that powdered base used to make sour mix. If you want a real Pimm's Cup, go see Chris at Bar Uncommon at the Pere Marquette. This man is no bartender, he is a mixologist, I think he has done demos at the Smithsonian on drink mixing! You will die and go to heaven when he makes a drink for you. Anyway, love the atmosphere at Napoleon House, inside or outside in the courtyard. The food is good enough, I liked the muffaletta and the shrimp remoulade in avocado cups. I don't ever really go here except when I have people visiting from out of town and everyone enjoys it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-21T16:18:40" }, { "business_id": "pym7c6ZFEtmoH16xN2ApBg", "business_name": "Katie's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Katie. I really, really want to like you. You're a neighborhood anchor, you've got that cute little outdoor seating area and you even have bottomless mimosas for Sunday brunch! I hope you don't read this because I hate to hurt your feelings but then again, I hope you do so perhaps you can make some adjustments and we can be better friends. We were lured in by $10 pizza night, which is every Thursday. Also, the website said creamy tomato-basil soup (one of my favorites!), stuffed mirlitons and white beans for daily specials, yes please! Weirdly, only one of the specials posted was actually a special. Beef vegetable, no thanks. We had more than ample time to wait for our food and this is what I noticed. Our server was really sweet. The place seemed full of neighbors and regulars, always a good sign. The staff/service didn't seem to have a real sense of urgency but it was all so friendly that I didn't mind. The food. I had the gumbo since they had no tomato-basil soup. Very good, spicy, full of sausage. The rice was of the long-ago cooked, rather hard variety but that's usually my gripe with gumbo everywhere and so it's probably my fault for not asking them to leave it out. The boyfriend's BLT salad was huge, had plenty of blue cheese and bacon but no tomato. Isn't that what the \"T\" stands for? Then we had the Boudreaux pizza, which was AWFUL. I had to pick all through it to find any meat and when I did, it was a couple tiny scraps. The pizza was burned and I don't mind some char but this was burned in a very unpleasant way. Very dry. Weirdly tasteless toppings. Disappointing. We'll be back to try other things but I will never order pizza here again.", "timestamp": "2010-10-22T11:37:05" }, { "business_id": "I3Uy20BKx7G-Fzz6hLIeWg", "business_name": "Restaurant August", "rating": 4, "text": "I keep going to these super-hyped up places and feeling a little disappointed. Maybe after I hear all the raves, I expect perfection and that is too high an order. I felt this way at Bayona and Le Foret as well. Anyway, I did enjoy my lunch. We served the ubiquitous amuse bouche of truffled sabayon in an egg. I liked this a lot although I understand my boyfriend's gripe about it having an odd texture. It was sort of like scooping extra-fancy mayonnaise out of the egg and eating it. It was good spread on the bread they served, which was good because the butter tasted not quite right to me. I got the duck salad which was okay, not great, very sparse but to be expected for a pre-fixe meal deal. The duck tasted kind of off, actually the best part was the roasted pears. My boyfriend's pate plate was super, it was HUGE and it came with all kinds of pickled and aspic-ed vegetables. My ravioli were tasty but the pasta was pretty tough. I loved the knobs of crabmeat on top. The boyfriend's shrimp and grits were good, not remarkable, and if I had more than two bites, I suspect I would have gotten sick of the flavor, very rich and salty. Desserts were wonderful. I got a brioche grilled cheese with goat cheese and figs and a spicy honey. The BF got a butterscotch pot-de-creme that was also outstanding. Espresso served with lemon peel without having to ask for it! For what we paid, it was worth it but I was just a little let down since I foolishly went in thinking I was entering food heaven. Very good, not earth-shattering.", "timestamp": "2010-11-03T16:41:19" }, { "business_id": "j8JOZvfeHEfUWq3gEz6ABQ", "business_name": "Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "I've always loved Bacchanal and every visit there, from the wine to the food to the beautiful, enchanted garden/patio/courtyard area. Always a five star experience. A couple of weeks ago however, a not so good experience. Everything started well, we got some great wine recommendations from the friendly guy working the register and put in an order for food OUTSIDE. We also wanted to get a cheese plate (INSIDE) to nibble on. I guess when you select your cheese, you are purchasing the WHOLE piece, which seems kind of excessive and absurd, even for a cheese lover. So for a couple of people, we spent nearly $40 on a cheese plate. A wine bar should have a cheese plate that you can choose a few selections of meat/cheese for a set price, depending on the number of items. Well, I think they should anyway. When we did get the cheese plate, there was very little bread and considering the fact that we had a couple pounds of meat and cheese, I think more than 4 pieces were warranted. The surly woman who was making the cheese plates was outside delivering some food when we asked if we could have more bread. She rolled her eyes, told us we just got bread and if we wanted more, we would have to go to the front and fill out a bread request form. Really? Will I also have to pay a charge for an inter-bakery loan? Then she sat down at a table with friends and chatted and had a glass of wine. I thought that was silly and rude. But I still love Bacchanal, just that now I will avoid the inside food and stick with the delicious outside food, no attitude there.", "timestamp": "2010-11-04T20:53:57" }, { "business_id": "BrospeMqVM_tF9HH0RHuog", "business_name": "Gene's PO-Boys", "rating": 5, "text": "Mmm. After the parade on Saturday and our foray at Bar Tonique, I realized it had been way too long since I was in that part of town that late at night after having had some cocktails. Which of course is the best time to hit Gene's. I got my usual, the hot sausage, and the boyfriend got the roast beef. Super messy and oh-so-fantastic. I woke up wanting another for breakfast. One time I was driving from Baton Rouge to Miami with a friend who had never been to New Orleans. We were tight on time so we couldn't stop and hang out but I made sure we had an extra 20 minutes to jump off the interstate and get some Gene's to sustain us for the rest of the car ride. It's that good.", "timestamp": "2010-11-05T16:12:58" }, { "business_id": "H5KRna9A6mDQEJ2ZN0zL6g", "business_name": "La Petite Grocery", "rating": 3, "text": "I expected more. It's a beautiful place, the inside is so much bigger than I had imagined from the outside! It really is a lovely setting for a date. To start off, I had a French 75 that was BAD. It was supposedly with pear brandy, I didn't taste any pear and it way overpowered the champagne. I love a French 75 and this was not good. I got the gnocchi, which was pretty tasty although weirdly unsalted and no salt and pepper on the table. My boyfriend's sweetbreads tasted like old oil. The menu online is definitely not up-to-date incidentally. I ordered the rabbit, which sadly was like a big chicken finger. It came with an uninspired side of sauteed spinach, the spaetzle being the only redeeming factor. My boyfriend's hangar steak was fine. I was really surprised by the limited entree offerings and not really impressed by anything but the ambiance. I should give it another try before I write it off forever but I'm not dying to get back any time soon.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:23:59" }, { "business_id": "o5UrUOKcmj5GFXmB6Osb6w", "business_name": "Bouligny Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "We just came in for drinks before dinner. The space is very nice, especially welcoming on a cold night. Liquor selection and cocktail list were both more than ample. I will have to go back for the famous beignets and they have MARROW! Mmm! The crowd wasn't really my thing but I'm fine with that, it's good for people watching. The only thing that was slightly off for me was that our bartender gave us menus, took our drink order, made our drinks, checked for second round, delivered our bill and so on without saying one word. I thought that was strange but also weirdly admirable that she could convey so much with gestures and facial expressions.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:29:00" }, { "business_id": "ILUd8DXxX21FOgUmE4bTLA", "business_name": "Yuki Izakaya", "rating": 3, "text": "I loved the atmosphere of this quirky little spot. The old wooden bar and exposed brick are lovely in their own right but the way it is decorated with Japanese cartoons and knickknackery is really cute. We went in last Thursday when there was no one else in the bar but the bartender, no patrons or music. I got a green tea martini that I didn't like at all but maybe I should have tried something else. Foodwise, nothing very good. The french fries were of the Ore Ida variety although the wasabi mayonnaise was good. Marinated octopus in wasabi was interesting for a few bites but then it was just kind of murky-tasting. Rice wrapped in seaweed with salted plum was waaaaaay to salty (and I love salty) and off-puttingly mushy. The beef tongue was super tough, i actually felt like I was eating someone's tongue instead of having it fall apart like I'm used to. The sauce was awesome though, lemony and peppery, if they'd just learn how to cook the tongue right! I would definitely come back for a beer and maybe a nibble but not to eat extensively. A band started playing just as we were finishing up, which was nice. My final issue though is that they don't charge a cover for music, just an upcharge of 50 cents on every item during a show. We had our drinks and food long before the band even showed up or started playing but we got the surcharge for each item. It was just a matter of a few dollars but since we really didn't partake in the entertainment, I thought it was worth noting.", "timestamp": "2010-12-08T15:56:15" }, { "business_id": "75FY8ZQx5nOWP0VFmNvWfw", "business_name": "Atchafalaya Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for a while and am so glad I finally did. Now I can't wait to get back for dinner! I had brunch here the other day, I was impressed with the interior, it's light and airy and full of artwork. The coffee was great. My friend and I split entrees, we tried the eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes and crab on top. We also got a special, duck hash with blackberries and mango in a bacon vinaigrette with poached eggs and hollandaise! I think I was full for at least eight hours after that. The special was really outstanding, the hollandaise was perfect. I liked the eggs benny too, I just wish the fried green tomato had a little more flavor, maybe more seasoning in the batter? It wasn't a standout. I went to the ladies room and there were a pair of black lace underwear in the stall. I didn't think this was really that kind of place but it gave me a good laugh. Then it got me a little grossed out about the bathroom.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:28:05" }, { "business_id": "Nhci37qY0HPCNWc5UQul9w", "business_name": "9 Roses", "rating": 4, "text": "Banh Xeo-mmmm, so delicate and crisp. This is my new love. We also got steamed, pork dumplings that I thought tasted watery but the BF liked them so I happily ate the banh xeo and relinquished the rest of the dumplings to him. I wanted pho but I also wanted to try something new so I got the quail. It was fine but just plain roasted quail, which had me wanting the more complex riot of flavors in pho. But then if had ordered the pho, I would have still been wondering about the quail! I'm so difficult sometimes. We also got the ribs in fish sauce (Dorothy's recommendation), really tasty, the sauce is kind of on the sweet side but mix it up with greens and it is oh so good. Lemon grass beef vermicelli was fabulous. Our server was really sweet and attentive. It was REALLY cold in there, everyone was wearing winter jackets. But still very worth the drive to the West Bank and if you're still hungry, which I doubt, stop at Taqueria Sanchez right across the way!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:44:05" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Saturday was a beautiful day, it punctuated the much colder weather and I was happy to get out and about. There was lots of what seemed to be good food but I couldn't eat, having just come from a huge meal at Atchafalaya. Besides food, there were vintage and second-hand items, puppies, music and lots of crafts. An abundance of NOLA-based stuff that is great for gifts but am I the only one getting sick of seeing fleur-de-lis everything? I did pick up some Christmas ornaments that were oyster shells with the Virgin Mary on them. Who wouldn't love Mary on the half-shell dangling from their tree? I'm really excited to see this part of Freret picking up momentum. It's always had such a cool, sort of small town Main Street feel to it but has been woefully neglected. Glad to see it on the upswing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:53:09" }, { "business_id": "wQNkpi9RvpuoiDB-CiHxog", "business_name": "Bar Tonique", "rating": 5, "text": "So, I have returned and I have tried SEVERAL more cocktails. I went on a Thursday, caiparinha night, and I have to say it was lackluster. Nowhere near as good as the ones at Rio Mar. Now here's the thing, I think they excel at drinks of the martini variety, as in ingredients that are shaken and then strained. Their drinks over ice are less impressive and I think it's party becasue of the large ice cubes they use. Now bear with me. I read this article a few weeks ago about this fancy new ice lots of bars are using. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/dining/01shake.html?pagewanted=all) Apparently the cubes are prized because they are large, thereby chilling the drinks more quickly with less dilution. I think this is great for aforementioned shaken and strained drinks but not so good for drinks on the rocks. It makes the drink too icy and cold and you can't taste anything but the big ice block in your drink. So do yourself a favor and get the Faucheaux, which is tequila, basil and St Germain. Revelatory. Also fantastic was the Tru Kick, with Tru Gin, ginger syrup and peach bitters. Some of the best cocktails I've tasted on any fancy, signature cocktails list in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T19:04:45" }, { "business_id": "aeIWVa6G54UUo6yloJkyJg", "business_name": "Lebanon's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "My go-to is usually Mona's when I'm in the mood for Middle Eastern but I thought I'd give Lebanon's a go this time. I like Mona's hummus better, it's creamier. Labne and baba ganoush were equally good though. Lebanon's has better grape leaves and I like that the falafel is green inside from all the parsley. Beef shawarma was perfectly decent but nothing special. I really liked my eggplant sandwich, kind of like a sub or a po-boy, and topped with lots of feta. Lebanese tea has pine nuts, which I like but really, how do you eat them? They won't come up the straw and fishing around for them is kinda tedious. It's a little too sweet as well, probably wouldn't order that again. Overall, fine if I'm in the neighborhood but I'm usually closer to Mona's and besides, Mona's has that delicious fried cheese thing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:16:51" }, { "business_id": "NHL1c_30iYXvJZcqEo6fwQ", "business_name": "Pal's Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I love Pal's, that's a given. However, this review was spurred entirely by the fantastic Gingerita I had there on Friday. Cutesy names can be a bad sign for cocktails, often involving overly sweet ingredients. Not so with Gingerita, it has ginger vodka, ginger beer and this amazing organic ginger juice that they special order from California called Elixir G. Go get a Gingerita before the season is over!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:50:38" }, { "business_id": "b92dSNftvCSPWLC4ZgNXCg", "business_name": "Sammy's Food Service & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The food is five stars, the service is two but the shrimp and mirliton soup cannot make me Sammy's less than 4 stars. I went with two coworkers and we all ordered a large soup, one also ordered a salad. One got a bowl of soup after 30 minutes, the second got her salad and had to ask if the soup sitting on the shelf was hers, they finally gave it to her and it was ice cold. After they were finished eating, I told the woman at the counter to please just make my order to go. Also, no spoons or forks out, which make salad and soup eating very difficult. I realize they are super busy but their system kind of sucks. My advice would be to call your order in, pick it up and go eat somewhere else. Because the eating is oh-so-good! I've also had their hot sausage po-boy, they make their own sausage and it is AWESOME in it's own garlicky right.", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T18:25:27" }, { "business_id": "t9LiapsQABwMQeiF1Czl6w", "business_name": "Port Of Call", "rating": 3, "text": "I haven't been to Port of Call in a few years and the boyfriend and I often talk about it but think about the line and then I wonder if the burger is even all that because for some reason, my memories of eating there are all fuzzy. Yup, that's all one sentence. Anyway, we went on a Monday night at 6:45, no line, ordered and served our food in under 10 minutes. It is fine, actually it's good, it's a nice, solid burger but nothing revelatory or worth standing in a line for. I wish they would season the meat a little and I think they are too thick. I don't think they should be puny, just a little more petite so you can get burger, patty and the rest all in one mouthful. I get the appeal, it's cute and kitschy but I could do better myself.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:42:54" }, { "business_id": "Jy1ivHnSRtNNA6snZSAKBw", "business_name": "Twelve Mile Limit", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the cocktails, especially the Good Idea. It was like a cross between a Pimm's Cup and a Moscow Mule. The bartender was very sweet. The cook offered tastes of brisket all around when he was done cooking it. Unfortunately, the bar has a very sterile feel to it. Too brightly lit, nothing on the walls and then the Real Housewives of Old Metairie showed up, commandeered the jukebox and started loudly serenading us and awkwardly gyrating. We also ordered some cream cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped jalapenos, which were good but a little overcooked and pretty expensive for how many you get. I'm hoping they can do something to remedy the atmosphere/decor of the place and then I think it will be a solid 4 stars. They are off to a good start though.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:47:47" }, { "business_id": "jE7PpEUmWgcBc0DeelPAOA", "business_name": "Bistro Daisy", "rating": 5, "text": "Love, love, love it! I had an oyster appetizer that may be one of my favorite dishes of 2010. It was poached oysters (and I usually only like them fried or raw) with Herbsaint, fennel, bacon and a hint of cream (and I usually don't care for fennel). But this dish was so luscious and aromatic and I could have ordered three more. Very nice with my Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc. I liked my duck but wasn't wowed. However, the BF's lamb shank made me swoon. It was so meltingly tender and the tomato sauce it was cooked in had a bit of mint in it, just like my grandmother would have done. This might be what I want to eat for my last meal on earth. They brought us a baked Alaska for dessert even though we didn't order it. I have never tasted a meringue so creamy! So much so that I was sliding it on the roof of my mouth to savor the texture longer. Go to Bistro Daisy. Take your beloved. Order the oysters and the lamb. (FYI: The online menu is not up-to-date)", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T15:44:25" }, { "business_id": "3wo9jODQnuvBm8Gkem6qXg", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "BBQ shrimp and grits was pretty terrible. This surprised me because their BBQ shrimp blackstone I had a few months ago was soooo good. This was a completely different sauce, it seemed to be all Worcestershire and not much else. The shrimp were tiny, the grits were unremarkable. Presentation did not make it look appealing. Also, I really hate those wide-mouth coffee cups. They look nice, I agree, but the coffee gets cold almost immediately because so much surface area is exposed.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T16:20:48" }, { "business_id": "voWjA6zfmXLIbKAoqwBnug", "business_name": "Green Goddess", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to go here forever and was so excited on Saturday to finally do just that! We had an hour or so wait, which was fine so we went to the Orleans Grapevine for a cocktail and they called us when they were ready. The wine and drink list is amazing, if not a little overwhelming, I got a Pear 75, which was good but not the best I've ever had, it lacked the lemon juice that ties it all together. Food was really just three stars, except for the Oysters Delacroix and the bacon sundae, so good! The corn crepes with huitlacoche were really bland, the lentil pancake was just...not good, it wasn't inedible but you'd think with tamarind chutney and spiced chickpeas, it would have been a lot more appealing. The green goddess wedge was good but I wish the dressing was evenly applied instead of dumped on top so some bites were just lettuce and some were drowned in the dressing. I also tried their daily cocktail special, the Daily Truth, which had Drambuie and rum and lime juice and some fertility liquor that I don't remember the name of, it was spicy and warm and fantastic. I think I will have to go back and try some more dishes, I love the ideas behind their menu and the space is quirky and eccentric and so NOLA. I met a new transplant and her mom, a hope-to-be teacher interviewing for TeachNola and also pinned money to the birthday boy-chef who was wearing a tie-dye tuxedo shirt from his wedding that was all Mardi Gras colors and finished with fleur-de-lis cuffs. I want to love the food, I already love everything else. Next time will be better!", "timestamp": "2011-01-24T16:35:38" }, { "business_id": "iJiNZw2TEwB579dr6LyVZQ", "business_name": "Cooter Brown's", "rating": 4, "text": "I remember eons ago having late, late nights at Snake and Jake's that led to late mornings and even later \"breakfasts\" at Cooter Brown's of a few dozen raw oysters. I love oysters, I will eat them for breakfast but lately when I eat them, it is between the civilized hours of 3-6pm and I eat them at Luke, washed down with a French 75. But Friday night at 7pm rolled around and so I went to Cooter's for several dozen raw, an oyster po-boy and of course, some cheese fries. The raw oysters are pretty reasonable, about $10 for a dozen I think. The po-boy came on toasted and buttered bread, which I do so appreciate. Unfortunately, they don't use Leidenheimer's bread, it's good but not what I want a po-boy on. The BF wanted gravy on the cheese fries and it wasn't debris gravy like I thought it would be, but just a packet-style, powdered gravy. But I still tore it up and it was all delicious.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:07:58" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like the decor this place, I love community seating, they have awesome light fixtures and vintage vases and all kinds of cute stuff to keep your eyes occupied. I'll have to go back to sample more but I wasn't really blown away by anything except the apple pie. The burger, which everyone raves about, had a really delicious potato bun. But they didn't ask for a temp and I thought it was way overcooked and also woefully underseasoned. None of the agogo sauce with which it was advertised made an appearance. Although the zinfandel compote is not to be missed, it was stellar! Service was friendly but not very efficient. They're working out kinks, I'm sure, but I will reserve higher praise for now.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:30:26" }, { "business_id": "N3bjowmk_Yi9rUxPpM2k6Q", "business_name": "The Store", "rating": 3, "text": "It's okay. Definitely overpriced for what you get, both in quantity and quality. I ordered the BLT and the potato soup. BLT was alright but dry and the potato soup tasted like instant mashed potatoes. My friend's shrimp nicoise did look stupendous though, I will admit that. My workplace also orders from here for staff meetings a fair amount and again, not really impressed. The sandwiches are fine if they're the kind you pay $4 for at the gas station but not with the prices they charge. AND, they use pre-shedded cheese, that is just nasty. I don't want ashy cheese that is coated in cellulose. I don't mind paying the prices, I just would like the quality to match.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T19:59:22" }, { "business_id": "AW2xE3-nxDe30JBqwNuUdw", "business_name": "Star Nails", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been going here for pedicures for a long time, because they are quick to get you in, clean and efficient, but mostly because I am a creature of habit. They have a pretty wide selection of OPI nail colors. I also like being offered something to drink (non-alcoholic but still nice). Prices are pretty much the same as anywhere else you'd go but on Tuesdays they are a little cheaper. I am speaking only about pedicures as I've never gotten anything else done there.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T20:52:34" }, { "business_id": "OAjof8dhS2zScmZh2Xuo1A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Whole Foods really doesn't need another review, we all know that it's a nice grocery store with great although expensive products. I just would like to point out that their Chantilly Berry king cake is awesome, especially if you warm it up just a little bit. They also have un-shucked Louisiana oysters available again for about 50 cents each so now I can get my fix of charbroiled oysters in the comfort of my own home once more!", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T21:10:15" }, { "business_id": "B9Cv-DjHb1fZJ1drcsCREA", "business_name": "Mid-City Smiles", "rating": 4, "text": "Everyone was very friendly and did an excellent job without pushing products or services on me. I called about three dentists to get in before the end of 2010 and this was the only place that could give me an appointment that quickly. Plus I can walk there and they have Saturday hours.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:00:26" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars for the king cake! Filling (chocolate) was delicious, I thought it would be more like chocolate pudding or nutella but it was a cocoa powder base. The cake was moist and soft and frosting was good but not overwhelming. All three components were in perfect proportion to each other. My favorite king cake so far this season!", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:03:20" }, { "business_id": "yL9j5ASNic_DaDKf9lwMhw", "business_name": "Stein's Market and Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The corned beef with coleslaw is incredible. Wow. I can't stop thinking about it. The Italian hoagie is also really good and even their veggie sandwich is great. Chocolate rugelach are okay but the raspberry are addictive!!! Toffee chocolate ship cookies and blondies are also really tasty. The only flop for me was the potato salad but everything else was so good that I just skipped over it. I'm sad that I somehow missed Beer Day last week. Next year.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:08:52" }, { "business_id": "WjkMZNlIUtQ59iHvG-aRMA", "business_name": "Balance Yoga & Wellness", "rating": 5, "text": "Balance Yoga just opened in this Mid-City location and it is beautiful. They did a wonderful job with a lovely old house, complete with large windows, fireplaces and pocket doors. Because of the huge windows, there is a lot of natural light. While I really like that, I kind of wish they'd put something over them so people waiting outside at Mandina's or Ruby Slipper can't see in. They offer several different types of yoga, even Kundalini, which I haven't seen in New Orleans since Katrina! The instructors are friendly and help you with your poses. Early morning classes, evening classes, Sunday classes, community (by donation) classes, they've got it all.", "timestamp": "2011-02-03T18:23:17" }, { "business_id": "F7etLf6od7CUnCPknsQ-6Q", "business_name": "Rue 127", "rating": 4, "text": "The inside is beautiful and I can't wait for warm weather to enjoy the outside. Initially, I was a little disappointed that they didn't have a specialty cocktail list but I can get over that. We only had appetizers and desserts and I will certainly be back for more. We enjoyed the mussels, pork belly and scallop tortellini. The mussels were good but I didn't want to drink the broth like I usually do, there was maybe too much acidity? Also, their homemade bread is very nice but very SWEET and not such a great match for the savory food. The pork belly was served with these potatoes that I think were scored and then fried so they had a really unique texture. Deep-fried cupcakes, I'm sorry to be a dissenter but not for me. I liked that they were warm and oozy but they were way too sweet and the greasy exterior was overwhelming. We had a date cake that was served with honey ice cream, very good but also a bit on the sweet side. I look forward to coming back and trying more of the menu.", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T18:38:58" }, { "business_id": "0DdmKihJ90qKP5TAM3c2yQ", "business_name": "Tartine", "rating": 3, "text": "I feel like there are a lot of places popping up lately that are getting a lot of hype and I'm just not buying it quite yet. Tartine, case in point, has some good things going for it but it's also got some issues. What worked: The house-baked bread is fantastic, it's got a really nice chewiness-crunchiness to it. A+. I love, love, love the salad with pecans and goat cheese and big, fat dried blueberries. I wish I knew where they got those blueberries because the ones at Rouse's are shriveled and tiny. The rillete was huge portion, it looked like six ounces of rillete, which for such a rich spread is a LOT. What didn't: The outside is really cute but the inside felt like a cafeteria. The specials board was posted below the counter (which made it invisible) yet the drinks were posted high up for all to see. Please consider switching this around. The rillete, although generous, was just okay. It's light years better at Luke, although their service has gotten so bad of late I hate to recommend it. The ham and triple cream cheese with fig mustard had no fig mustard and the triple cream was a thin, pre-sliced piece of mystery cheese. The accompanying couscous (fregula?) salads had little flavor. In addition to all that, we waited in line for several minutes and then over 35 minutes for our sandwiches and we didn't even go until 1:30. I can't fault them for that, they were really busy and super nice but if you go, you might just want to call in your order ahead of time and take it to the Fly for a picnic", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T19:03:12" }, { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has been on my list for a while because I heard a rumor that they are just like Port of Call's burgers. Since I'm giving up meat for Lent, I thought it would be an ideal afternoon for a burger. The interior kind of put me off from the start, all the tables were huge parties of 8-10 people with vacant-looking teenagers glued to their cell phone screens and children playing on arcade-like games in the corner. Food was not inedible but just a step above that. House salad was chopped iceberg, which the boyfriend loves so that's fine but it was small and pricey for what it was. Harbor wings, I guess anything fried and dipped in bleu cheese is good but they really had no discernible flavor. My burger was burnt, the bacon tasted like it was cooked at the breakfast shift and the mushrooms were waterlogged. The french fries weren't even good. My boyfriend's shrimp po-boy was small with shrimp the size of my thumbnail and it was $14. Service was friendly. The only thing good about going is that now I can cross it off my list of places to try.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T14:52:30" }, { "business_id": "x4TJJ0t19yBxkL5WX6n4Kg", "business_name": "Touché Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, I've had four star visits here before but my last visit was a one or two star. Generally I like the place because it's kind of tucked away and they have that recessed room down below in the back, which I really like in the winter, it's very snug and comfortable. However, the last time I was there, I walked in and was immediately assaulted with the smell of a backed up sewer and a bunch of older, bead-clad tourists dancing to Night Fever. I'm not making that up, in fact, the song has been seared in my head since then. I'll be back for another go but I will wait until the weather is cool and I feel like being somewhere cozy.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:32:00" }, { "business_id": "8KkuHRDLPVdqh99CHuKdHg", "business_name": "Kanno California Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I absolutely loved the spinach salad with tuna and avocado and that delicious dressing (even if it was dressed too generously). I also fell in love with the Tuna 911 roll that has spicy, pickled vegetables inside that were an outstanding addition. The other stuff we got was fine but unmemorable. I agree with other reviewers that they seem to put A LOT of sauce on things but fortunately, they mostly put it on the side. They only have Yellowtail for wine though, which made me sad. The complimentary chocolate truffle-like things they serve at the end are phenomenal.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:45:14" }, { "business_id": "f9H3wpzWG_apxoumWB-Dvg", "business_name": "Cafe Equator", "rating": 3, "text": "After craving Churros and braving the wilds of Metairie, I found Churros closed early on a Wednesday night! So we decided to go to Korea House, also closed! My stomach dangerously rumbling, we decided for a quick bite at Cafe Equator. Pad Thai and Masaman curry were fine but nothing I can see having a craving for in the future. The Thai iced tea I thought was not very good, it tasted...smoky? Service was fine, parking was easy.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T16:56:49" }, { "business_id": "OfExqBpAJNmxG2oLvn0Q3w", "business_name": "New Orleans Public Library - Mid-City Branch", "rating": 5, "text": "Even though it took four months to re-open (and not two weeks like they promised!), it was worth the wait. The new location is larger and has an entire front wall full of windows so it gets great light. It's convenient to all the other businesses in the Can Company and the farmers' market on Thursday evening as well. My only gripe is that there is no drop box! I rely very heavily on my local drop-box, I hope this is something they just haven't gotten around to yet and that it is soon remedied.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T17:32:50" }, { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Lola's has such a great atmosphere that even if the food sucked, I'd be hard pressed to give it a low rating. While not all of the dishes sing, some are actually kind of boring, there are many that are really solid. My favorite is the calamari, it's not those deep-fried things you get everywhere else. Nope, it is a perfectly seared calamari steak with the most wildly addictive sauce. Hint; If for some crazy reason you don't use all the sauce on your calamari app, keep it for entrees because you will likely elevate the deliciousness of everything else you have ordered with some of that. Their garlic-almond soup garnished with grapes is also AHmazing and oddly refreshing but I made the mistake of eating it once when I was trying to be gluten-free and it failed. Because the base of the soup is day old bread and I didn't know that. Oops. I just went this past weekend and they had WHITE sangria in addition to their usual red. Did they always have this or is it new? Anyway, it's good and it's cheap and there is nothing like sitting outside on a perfect New Orleans evening, under the canopy of trees that is Esplanade, sipping on some of that juice. And their almond ice cream is excellent.", "timestamp": "2011-03-03T18:53:25" }, { "business_id": "OjXIRs2Gm4H6hWo4bC7Qvg", "business_name": "The Jazz Playhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "It's pretty nice but for the price and the location, I wish they valeted. I got a Chopin martini and it was per-FECT. The second one didn't taste like Chopin, which is fine but it's what I ordered so I felt a wee bit swindled. We got seated right behind a big support column so our view of the stage was obstructed. We were there for the burlesque show but caught the end of Kid Chocolate's set, which made me happy because I had a big, school-girl crush on him many moons ago. The show wasn't what I thought it would be. It was less a show with all of the performers on stage and more one woman singing and a bunch of other girls flitting around the room in their pasties. I was expecting more of a choreographed show but I am admittedly not someone who knows much about burlesque. The girls were very sweet though and some of their outfits would make great Halloween or Mardi Gras costumes. Glad I went but not anxious to go back.", "timestamp": "2011-03-04T21:08:36" }, { "business_id": "tcyN7Rmy55JW5uQY_R5f0w", "business_name": "Krewe of Endymion", "rating": 4, "text": "When I moved into a new place last summer right on the Endymion route, is it crazy that thoughts of future Endymion parties to come danced in my head? I was a sad, sad, sad lady last Friday night when we got the news. We had picked up our crawfish for the boil and I even made a chocolate bananas foster king cake. I kind of felt like I imagine brides who get their weddings rained out must feel. But when you have crawfish and booze, you have a party anyway, right? So we did and it was great. And even though I felt spiteful, I went to see it the next night Uptown. It was as good as ever, albeit a bit short because so many riders are from out of town and had to go home. It would have looked a lot better from my porch though.", "timestamp": "2011-03-11T18:57:12" }, { "business_id": "DkVFvHGyNBGuPMzI9Zdt1A", "business_name": "Dat Dog", "rating": 4, "text": "Excellent chili cheese fries (although I wish the cheese was melted!). I had the bratwurst, which was fantastic, as was the bun. At first I thought it was too much bread but the lightly toasted, slightly sweet bread won me over. I got a little carried away with toppings though and I think the guacamole was a)overkill and b)not really a great iteration of guacamole anyway. Next time I will practice some restraint.", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:38:25" }, { "business_id": "jLerIZFpe25jOUf722qzBA", "business_name": "Il Posto Italian Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "My food only merited maybe two stars but I will give an extra star because I like the menu (and will try more of it) and their design and concept. Sadly though, my tomato-basil soup tasted kind of like a weak marinara and my tuna melt type sandwich had a very sharp, off-putting flavor. It was citrusy, for sure, and I love lemon in a tuna melt but perhaps this was lemon zest or something just way too overpowering? I think next time I will focus on the dishes with cured Italian meats, mortadella and prosciutto. And also the baked goods, those sounded pretty good, especially the Nutella bruschetta!", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:44:20" }, { "business_id": "AperXbtpt4FH6fvJFOirUA", "business_name": "Horinoya", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a fan of simple, fresh sushi. Not too crazy about rolls with heavy sauces, multiple ingredients and fanciful names. Horinoya delivers. I always start with the seafood salad, it's huge and I could probably just make that dinner if I were eating there on my own. How are their avocados always the perfect degree of ripeness? This week it included fresh crawfish tails and they were succulent and sweet and a very welcome addition to their standard. The vegetable roll (I was so enamored with the pickled vegetables in the Tuna 911 roll at Kanno) was okay but I wouldn't order it again, kinda bland. Everything else was fresh and wonderful. I like to end with the black sesame ice cream, which makes me swoon, as does the little crumbly cookie they perch on top that my BF generously lets me eat every time. As a sidebar, I saw some black sesame ice cream bars at Hong Kong Market and I got really excited but they were no good at all. I can only get my fix at Horinoya.", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:11:00" }, { "business_id": "HSHEwDpzYdeL3aT1zB41YA", "business_name": "Restaurant Depot", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm torn, so torn. So this place opened within the past few months. It's like Sam's Club for restaurants (and unfortunately, you have to show proof of restaurant or non-profit affiliation when getting a membership). My first visit, I was completely in awe. 50 pounds of onions for $8.95? Whole goats? Edible flowers, micro-greens, ten kinds of mushrooms? Some things you can buy by the unit (like one head of cauliflower) and others you are stuck with a huge portion, I mean, I love tarragon, but I can't see using 5 pounds of it before it starts to droop. The second trip, I started to see some flaws. They don't carry veggie burgers but they do have a huge freezer case of nasty-looking frozen appetizers that you can probably buy at Applebee's for three times the price. They have huge jars of kalamata olive SPREAD but no plain old kalamata olives. They had some fish that looked so not right, cloudy eyes and all. Then the most egregious error occurred when, on a Saturday, I asked if I could pick up live crawfish on Sunday. The man at the fish counter said yes, but to be sure to be there at 9am when the order comes in and then it's first come, first serve. The next morning, we headed over to the Depot, only to be met with a blank stare and told they weren't getting any crawfish that day. Sad. They are pretty new, I expect they are having some ordering and stocking kinks to work out. In the meantime, if anyone needs onions, I've got them aplenty!", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:24:15" }, { "business_id": "LCijSRG2kzBgbdwPdi02Nw", "business_name": "Yang's Po-Boys", "rating": 3, "text": "The first time we went, we didn't realize they closed at 8 and we walked in at about 7:58. They were very gracious and welcoming so I thought that was really nice. The owner was really chatty, describing how they did everything and I guess that's good but unless they are doing something out of the ordinary, (they're not) I'd rather just peruse the menu on my own. Oysters on my poboy were stone cold and the onion rings that we asked about (Are they made fresh? Yes!) were clearly Sysco. But it was decent and quick and friendly so we were okay with the meal. Last night I really wanted a catfish poboy but Parkway was closed. It was generous with the catfish and liberal with the pickles, love that. But the cheese fries were soggy fries with unmelted cheese. The cheese, which looked like shredded cheddar, I actually tasted it on its own and it had not one iota of flavor. I'll go to Yang's on Tuesday if Parkway is closed but there is really no comparison for me.", "timestamp": "2011-03-30T15:06:19" }, { "business_id": "sroYm8E9BbnnLO3nhKjomg", "business_name": "French Quarter Festival", "rating": 4, "text": "FQF has long been my favorite festival and sadly, it seems to be everyone else's too! I'm very happy that it has been so successful but of course, this makes it more crowded and difficult to navigate. So, yes, I prefer it a little smaller but I still had a great time and somehow always managed to find a little corner of shade to relax in. In addition to soaking up the sun, hearing good music and eating, I got to stop in at a few open houses for places I could never afford but I loved getting to glimpse into some of the Quarter's elusive courtyards. Also, I love wandering around the Quarter all day because I never fail to discover some little hole in the wall bar/shop/whatever.", "timestamp": "2011-04-11T16:08:11" }, { "business_id": "VHAfSIxcdmpQOTD0_ofbfw", "business_name": "Velvet", "rating": 4, "text": "Like Christine, I have only been here once and could change my rating once I have sampled more of what they've got. I was immediately won over by the sparkling water that was served upon arrival, it reminded me of coffee shops in other countries where they usually do that without question. I also loved the napkins, it's just those very nice quality paper napkin but little details like that are important. I got the extraction (?). I asked some questions and I wished I had gotten a bit more information. Like, what is IN the $15 extraction because I can't believe it's just a really large coffee. I'm not a trained barista so I don't know these things. My coffee was really very nice, I like that you can choose your beans. Tamara, the owner, has great customer service and we chatted about her awesome kids (her daughter's wonderful artwork graces the place, her son played piano at FQF) and she also offered me a teacake on the house. So, while I like Tamara and I like a lot of the little things, my coffee was $5.45 and I don't think I would ever spend it again. An expertly pulled espresso, okay, but not for a cup of coffee. Also, the teacake (the Kevin Bacon) was perfectly acceptable but I don't think I'd purchase one. They're just cupcakes and really tiny ones at that. But she is starting to make scones baked to order (awesome!) and I look forward to trying the espresso.", "timestamp": "2011-04-12T20:54:38" }, { "business_id": "NjmJ2sbcj3v9K98sNj2OAA", "business_name": "Sainte Marie", "rating": 3, "text": "I went last night to use the complimentary appetizer card we got as a lovely gift at the last Yelp party, thank you! I was initially excited to try the cocktails but as I inspected the long list closely, not too much actually appealed to me. I got the one with prosecco and a sort of fig compote that didn't really mix well and just sat at the bottom. Nice idea, not so great execution. The boyfriend's drink tasted watered down, like the bartender made several drinks and let the leftover sit in the shaker melting until someone else ordered the same drink. I also thought it very strange that they had bread and butter plates on the table but no bread was actually served and the plates were removed once we ordered. Weird. The escargot was good but it couldn't hold a candle to Dante's escargot, nor could I detect marrow in the sauce. Apparently the tartare was tasty but the BF ate it all without me. Crab cannelloni, man, I hate to sound like a downer but this was little, backfin pieces of crab, doused with a ton of brie and encased in a sort of tough pasta. I ate it, but then I would eat anything that is doused in brie. I'm so glad we decided to get dessert because it was outstanding. We ordered a lemongrass-ginger creme brulee and it was perfect, the flavor, the texture, everything. I will probably come back for a fancypants happy hour although it's not exactly my scene. The guy who was sitting next to me had an awesome looking hangar steak so I will order that next time, skip the cocktails and get champagne and of course, order dessert.", "timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:34:01" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "The space is large and breezy and we easily snagged an outside table. If they weren't doing construction on Magazine, I bet this would be a great spot for people-watching. We got a shrimp po-boy, an oyster po-boy and fries with cheese and gravy. It was perfectly edible but I probably won't be back. The shrimp were small, the po-poys were pricier than most of my usual haunts and the gravy I think was just \"meat-flavored.: There was no actual meat or debris in it. I agree with Lindsay, no problem throwing out my own trash but the tables were pretty nasty and sticky.", "timestamp": "2011-04-29T17:01:59" }, { "business_id": "UGefDZNmnBztS0eoXWtHyQ", "business_name": "The Joint", "rating": 4, "text": "I must first disclose that my favorite person in the whole world works here so maybe I am biased. But take it from me, their brisket is the best brisket ever! It has that delightful fatty layer running along the top and it is perfectly moist and delicious! I also love the pulled pork with a squeeze of the vinegary sauce. The sides are pretty good, nothing stands out, but I'm really just there for the meat. Oh, and the peanut butter pie which is SWOONWORTHY!", "timestamp": "2011-05-03T18:25:46" }, { "business_id": "wznT60WMQ-9Qg2MVvzCxtw", "business_name": "The Lucky Ladle", "rating": 3, "text": "We put our names on the list at Surrey's and took a stroll through my old neighborhood while we waited. But I'm a breakfast girl and when I'm hungry, I need to eat. Immediately. Or bad things happen. At dinner, you can waste some time, have a cocktail but at breakfast, I'm not about waiting. Anyway, we walked past the Ladle and decided to give it a go. Nothing was really standout except how much food we got and our bill for two was still under $20. We split the grilled cheese with tomato soup as well as the bananas foster waffles because it's always a conundrum at 11am on Saturday to figure out what you are in the mood for. Breakfast? Lunch? We got them both. We also got a little side spinach salad with one of our meals and it was nice except for the weird, cellulose-dusted mozzarella shreds on top. The hash browns sucked, no flavor and tasted like they were made hours before. The space is pleasant and if you don't feel like waiting in line (Surrey's) or spending $30 just on breakfast for yourself (Dante's), this is a good option.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:14:50" }, { "business_id": "Fs4T7lKpXVtD5Pz7jWSJeg", "business_name": "Coquette", "rating": 4, "text": "I am only giving stars based on the bar because sadly, I have not eaten here but I love the bar! I love the old tin ceilings! I love the tables out on Washington under the oaks! And I love $5 wine Wednesdays and cocktail Thursdays. In fact, since today is my last final, I may have to take advantage of that. I have had a French 75 with apricot brandy, one of my absolute favorites drinks and they do it justice here. I've also had a lychee martini, which was wonderful and balanced, tough to pull off because lychees are so sweet, as well as a pretty solid mojito. I'm not sure if they change their wines by the glass frequently but from what I've seen, they offer a much better glass selection than most places around the city.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:20:27" }, { "business_id": "A0RSdFWqs-keuOogaMjZ4w", "business_name": "Bayou Beer Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Pros: Incredible patio outside, wide selection of good beer and every time I've been, the bartenders are knowledgeable and willing to make good cocktails. Fresh squeezed lime juice for my gimlet? Thank you! I was just expecting the kryptonite-colored, lime-flavored sugar syrup everyone else uses. Cons: Inside layout kind of weird. Only one toilet for ladies and by the way, what takes them so long in the bathroom? I never understand this. Going to bathroom usually is a twenty minute trip here. The band playing outside was so loud we chose to sit at the tables in the front. And finally, the most egregious thing, in my mind, was their horrible, pathetic excuse for sangria. It was less wine flavored with fruit and juice and more watered down juice that I still question if it had any alcohol in it, with the addition of antiseptic-flavored, extremely flat lime soda. Sadly, that now colors my whole opinion of the place.", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T15:09:27" }, { "business_id": "7CRox7xpb3vNCEe7FZ6zgA", "business_name": "High Hat Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I fully expect High Hat to be 4 stars soon enough but they are still working some things out. Like everyone else, I am so glad to see Freret doing what it's doing and I love that this building used to be Antoine's Bakery. To start, I had a glass of wine, which I thought was actually a pretty stingy pour. I wish they had a cocktail menu but that's just my preference. We ordered the pimento cheese and it was delicious but the dry bread they served it with was lame. Our server told us it was great on fries so we ordered some and they were fantastic on their own, made even better with the pimento cheese. I think I'll make fried potatoes with pimento cheese on them for the Saints season opener. For my entree, I had the crab and tomato salad. The crab didn't really have too much taste but LORD were those tomatoes good!!!! My BF was happy with his Cuban but I thought it was very small and for the love of God, you can't throw some fries on a plate when a sandwich is ordered? At least some chips? I think that's kinda cheap. To finish, we had the banana chocolate bread pudding, which I was excited about because I thought it might be like the chocolate-bananas foster king cake I made for my rained out Endymion party. It was not. Very dense and flavorless. The owners were super receptive about feedback, which I usually feel weird about giving but I think they really need it in this early phase of their venture. I'll be back for the pimento cheese burger.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:11:36" }, { "business_id": "QQ5HvRq_9U2Ch-9ijPeIFA", "business_name": "Bullet's Sports Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "So. Good. I love the Bullets and have never had a bad time here. Last night, I got a text that they were having crabs, crawfish AND turkey necks. I thought this was a sign from God because I was just telling the BF we needed to have some crawfish before they are all gone. We walked in and there was a table set up at the front where the band usually plays and a man was scooping out the goods. I asked how much and they told me it was free. FREE? Why, thank you. I got a big plate with shrimp, crawfish, a blue crab, a few turkey necks and some corn and potatoes. I would have gladly paid $15 for the plate, it was well-seasoned and perfectly delicious. The only complaint was that the shrimp were really tiny but A) they were free and B) I really just came to thrown down on the crab and crawfish. I haven't had turkey necks in years and they may have been my favorite part. The corn was sweet and so were the crabs. Really, it was perfect, especially when the dancing got started. Oooh Lord. I have to dock a star for cash only and the cigarette smoke that was blowing lustily in my face while I was eating. I can deal with smoke to a degree but I don't want the butt in my face.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:23:10" }, { "business_id": "SA10MB4CEw0YikMuhOxyYw", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 4, "text": "I did not eat any food here but I did sample pretty much every flavor of margaritas they have to offer, including carrot-lime, pineapple-cilantro, mango-mint, watermelon and raspberry. No, I didn't have all those to myself, I was with others who generously let me taste their concoctions. Otherwise I would have been seriously drunk and woken up with an awful sugar hangover because the margaritas are pretty big and just a touch too sweet for me. I liked the mango mint and carrot-lime varieties best. Looking forward to trying them again with some food next time.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:31:16" }, { "business_id": "xZileQFJ7h-0QKjtGc9xgg", "business_name": "Arnaud's French 75 Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I finally got myself to this gorgeous spot after meaning to for a very long time. Chris Hannah was indeed at the bar and he was personable and welcoming. I instantly felt badly that I was dressed like a gypsy and wearing flip flops, the place just screams evening gown and pearls, not that I own either one of those things but whatever. The point is that they still made me feel comfortable. I had a French 75, of course, and then I tried the Pisco Daisy, another one of their specialty cocktails. Truthfully, I didn't find either one of the drinks transcendent but I was just so enamored with the whole vibe of the place that it didn't matter. I would absolutely come back, great place for a aperitif before a fancy dinner.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:37:36" }, { "business_id": "ORVWMFwF5qTWy9Cbahf0Pg", "business_name": "Café Adelaide", "rating": 2, "text": "Wow. Abominable last night. Cafe Adelaide, you lost me. Probably the worst service I have ever had and being a service industry vet, I can be pretty forgiving. I actually felt bad for server X last night, who was utterly incompetent but very nice but wow, worthless. Coupled with the amateur service we had last time, I'm thinking it is not a one time fluke. Host told us to sit in the bar area. Sat there for 15 minutes ignored. Went to ask host if we should go to the bar and order, he said no, that our server would be right with us. We waited another 15 minutes before receiving 1 menu for 4 people. Placed drink order and waters for all. Cocktails came 20 minutes later, no water. Appetizers took close to an hour and were ice cold when we got them. Had to ask for bread. Never took entree order, although we expressed wanting to, so we decided to cut our losses and go to La Boca for dinner, which was STELLAR. Two rounds of drinks and appetizers took us two hours at Cafe Adelaide! And the food nor the drinks were as good as I remember. This time the sauce on the crab pound cake tasted like Campbell's cream of mushroom and there was hardly a speck of crab to be seen. Flatbread was burnt. You get the point. Not worth the time or money.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:33:01" }, { "business_id": "guwb1zuNEMtJVproo0ntFw", "business_name": "La Boca", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible. It may not be fair to give them such lavish praise but after our failed dinner attempt at Cafe Adelaide, the comparison between the two for service, food and drinks was night and day. We were immediately acknowledged, sweet! Given four menus for all four people and told about specials, thank you! Thursday is service industry night at La Boca, even better! We just looked at that menu, which did not include the pastas and salads but had all the cuts of meat, empanadas etc. We got our cocktails immediately, God, I'm really loving this place! Fresh watermelon and vodka, which was really tasty and not watery like I feared. For starters, we ordered the morcilla, provoleta and bruschetta. I didn't really dig the bruschetta but it wasn't bad. The provoleta, I maybe expected more, it was just cheese to me. A really good cheese appetizer is the fried cheese with lemon at Mona's. Also, it had oregano sprinkled liberally all over it. I used to think I wasn't crazy about oregano until I went to Sicily and tasted their oregano and had an epiphany that what we have here in the US is just stuff they sweep off the oregano factory floor. This was definitely factory floor oregano but not everyone is an oregano elitist like me. The morcilla though, oh, well, the morcilla. Fan-flipping-tastic. Just order it and get over the fact that it's blood sausage. It's pretty much just like boudin so if you like that, you should really try it. The steaks were out of this world, some of the best steak I've ever had and I have eaten bife de chorizo in Buenos Aires. Fried brussel sprouts are the most genius thing ever. Asparagus and fries are also not to be missed. The brussel sprouts even taste good cold for breakfast. I can't wait to go back and try the empanadas and the gnocchi and of course, dessert! Love, love, love La Boca!", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:45:45" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 3, "text": "I wouldn't go out of my way to go here but it does the trick when you are in the area. I used to love their oyster po-boy because they buttered the toasted bread, along with dressing it fully and there just aren't enough places that do that anymore. But then they started buttering the bread with Whirl or some other butteresque product that tastes like spun chemicals. So that made me sad. I had lunch here recently and had the BLT salad, which was pretty tasty except I really hate when a thick dressing is dumped in the middle of the salad so no matter how hard you try to spread it around, some pieces of lettuce are drenched and others are naked. My friend had the alligator burger on brioche and my one bite made me envious of her order.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T15:01:50" }, { "business_id": "NOKp3L3smiKdFNFUswvIUg", "business_name": "Dominique's on Magazine", "rating": 3, "text": "I've put off writing this review because I wanted ti to be great but it wasn't. Well, let me be more specific. The drinks were really good, I especially liked my lemongrass pisco sour. When our server, who by the way had great menu knowledge, heard that we came in for dinner mostly because we heard the bar was so great, the bartender came over to our table. She seemed really excited that we were there and wanted our feedback, which was all very good. My appetizer of lobster was perfectly cooked but the sauce it came with was kind of lackluster. It was fine but forgettable. My boyfriend's pork belly appetizer was downright bad, texturally and taste-wise. That was the first time I ever ate pork belly that wasn't delicious. My duck was also completely forgettable although the BF's steak with creole cream cheese was really tasty. I was tempted to order that because thought it might be too rich but it really wasn't. Nothing for dessert really piqued my interest so we didn't order anything. They did send out some plantain-flavored cotton candy but it tasted like artificially flavored banana Laffy Taffy. It's a really pretty space, the cocktail list is wonderful and the staff seems on point. However, only one out of four dishes impressed me and another one out of those four left me puzzled as to how one could make pork belly so unappetizing. I probably need to come back to try more dishes and I might if could sit in the bar and order a few plates. Too bad their bar area is more like three bar stools that fight with the hallway to the bathroom for space.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T17:29:14" }, { "business_id": "SDhiF9UG0gsuaXgCnJR-sQ", "business_name": "Liberty's Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "I arranged a work field trip today for Dining Out for Life and I've been wanting to try this place soo...off we went! Parking is ample, although we later found a whole hidden line of parking along the side of the building closer to Canal and the entrance to the cafe. There was no special today, I think they might be in the midst of changing those daily specials. I had a hot sausage poboy with the cowboy caviar and they were both stupendous. Round of applause and a standing ovation. My friends' turkey and veggie sandwiches also looked very good. Minor quibble is that the red velvet cupcake was kind of dry, although very pretty. Good thing we got bread pudding too or I might have been disappointed on the dessert. I wanted to try one of those cookies that are the size of my head but after a cupcake and bread pudding, I decided perhaps a little moderation was in order. Besides, I still want to hit Sucre while it's Dining out for Life Day. The staff was super friendly and awesome. I like the space although a little music would not hurt the ambiance.", "timestamp": "2011-07-14T18:46:10" }, { "business_id": "WPjeA9CWv-q7utSdnXmdIw", "business_name": "Juicy Lucy's", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the Yelp reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was very pleased. We ordered a special of fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade to start and got boudin balls instead. No less than three people came over to apologize for the mistake, told us to enjoy the boudin and our shrimp was out momentarily. Both were very good. It always makes me so happy when boiled shrimp are not overcooked, it's the little things that count! The boudin came out with a huge piles of grilled onions and tomatoes that were a nice addition to my burger. I had the Kenner (pepper jack and jalapenos) with sweet potato fries, the BF has 9th Ward Blues (mushrooms, blue cheese and?) with onion rings. The BF started doing that butt-waggling thing he does when he likes what he is eating and I may or may not have joined him. We both enjoyed everything, the service was very pleasant and I thought it was really reasonably priced.", "timestamp": "2011-07-18T00:19:26" }, { "business_id": "ujyjBLOzSXKO3RrbpJ4N4g", "business_name": "McHardy's Chicken & Fixin'", "rating": 3, "text": "Very fast, very cheap and I really liked the peppery crust. I wished the batter was a little thicker because let's face it, I eat fried chicken just for the crispy exterior and I don't care too much about the meat inside. I ordered a side of red beans that was terrible. Not only was there grease in massive puddles around the edges but it tasted like it had been singed when reheated in its styrofoam container. It hadn't, I checked, but it's not something you want to ponder while you're eating. Way better chicken than Popeye's but I sure did miss the biscuit.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:11:12" }, { "business_id": "OSi2ColCxhS9oCoAUNbPig", "business_name": "Mandina's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, nothing extraordinary. I think they get a lot of mileage out of their admittedly charming New Orleans neighborhood joint kind of feel. Our sever was kind of off but I found her entertaining. My turtle soup was fine but it wasn't the best I've had. My BF's calamari was fried, just like calamari often is. There's not much more to say about that. Our salads were mostly iceberg with a few shreds of romaine and cabbage and nice, thick slices of tomato. I got the crab meuniere even though I ordered almondine but I didn't really care since I was on the fence anyway about which one I wanted. The crab and fries drenched in the rich but also acidic meuniere was delicious. The BF's seafood platter was, you guessed, fried. Crab ball was pretty good. Bread pudding, meh. It had lots of nutmeg, which I liked a lot but it was sort of bland and the white sauce on top had the flavor of glue. I still ate it all though so I guess it wasn't too terrible. Not cheap but considering my dinner came with salad and dessert, not completely over the top either.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_rO-5jxOEH94TUcorPnSEg", "business_name": "Delta World Tire", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been putting air in my tires once a month for about four years so I know I've been past due for some time. Last week, I had a flat that I tried to rectify, as usual, by putting some air in it. I swear my tire actually laughed at me and said \"Woman, please.\" So I brought my car in to Delta Tire World and was out with four new tires for under $400. I hate spending money on cars but I thought that was pretty reasonable, plus I appreciate quick service. Also, their coffee in the waiting area was surprisingly good, which I needed since I was out of the house without my morning cup.", "timestamp": "2011-07-26T16:43:32" }, { "business_id": "dzFbGUUV5eh-ZR81RCnv7g", "business_name": "French Riviera Fitness", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is based solely on the spinning class on Saturday morning since this is the only time of day or day of the week I can muster up the courage to brave Metairie. The class is usually pretty challenging so that's a plus. But I have never seen a spinning room that had a flashing, multicolored disco ball and I'm not sure how I feel about that. What I am sure about though, is the instructors' collective inability to select music to motivate me. I shouldn't carp about it I guess, some people like trance out music or Carrie Underwood, it's just not what does it for me. Why does music at spinning classes always have to be so bad? Why doesn't anyone do classes to like, \"Let the Music Play\" or \"Diamond Girl?\" I would love that and even though I just dated myself by revealing my childhood music obsessions, I think there are others who would enjoy it too. But seriously last week, some song played that I am guessing was titled \"She was from Ala-freakin'bama,\" because those were the lyrics that played over and over again. I don't want to hear that song ever again and if that's your song, then I apologize if I offended you.", "timestamp": "2011-08-01T19:54:23" }, { "business_id": "GBTPC53ZrG1ZBY3DT8Mbcw", "business_name": "Luke", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped going here earlier this year because the service had reached new lows in abominable. Not to mention the oysters we had were shucked so poorly and shredded beyond belief. The BF swore them off for good. But I love their French 75 and bargain oysters so I wasn't ready to write them off forever. It's taken me a while to get back on my own and I am so glad that I did! They have a shucker named Anthony who is AWESOME! I told him about our previous experience and he said, very seriously, \"That's terrible. Oysters are too precious to mess up.\" My oysters (from Plaquemines Parish) were big and salty and perfect. And shucked the right way. IMPORTANT NOTE: Bring cash to tip the shucker. I usually spend more on oysters than I do on booze and I don't think it's fair that the shucker doesn't get a little something. Otherwise all my credit card tip goes to the bar.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:49:16" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still a fan. But I had a stale and not very tasty pastry the other day. Alongside it, I ordered an espresso that arrived lemon peel-less. Not everyone does that but I really like the lemon peel with my espresso so I asked for it. None to be had. Oh well. To make up for the crappy pastry, I got a couple chocolates. Yes, a couple as in 2. And it was $4. They were the same size as that three-pack of Ferraro-Rocher hazelnut chocolates you can get in the checkout line at Rouse's. Except those taste just as good and three will set you back a mere 99 cents. From now on, gelato or sorbellinis only but no more pastries or chocolate. Overpriced and not very good.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:55:55" }, { "business_id": "ej2kU6KU2TEL7uY_EB_zVQ", "business_name": "Phil's Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is definitely not the best burger I have ever had but it's pretty good and the dizzying array of choices elevates it from 3 to 4 stars. Grilled pineapple ketchup? Yes please! Brie or Havarti, oh decisions, decisions! I was so overwhelmed by the choices that I closed my menu and just ordered the burger of the month, a turkey burger with arugula, blackberry coulis, blue and goat cheese and topped with fried almonds. The turkey meat was kinda crumbly, it reminded me of that meat you buy in a big roll but it was okay. The combination of the cheese with the almonds was unexpected and delicious. The coulis kind of got lost, I wouldn't have known it was there. Sweet potato fries would have been better if they were hot. The BF got some crazy, gut-busting combination of burger and hot sausage, a fried egg, bacon AND onion strings on top. Ouch, that hurts my belly just to type! But I enjoyed one, small bite of it. We also got an order a fried pickles to start, very tasty but HUGE so will probably order a side order size, not the appetizer size next time. Also, I didn't know about their pretty great happy hour from 4-7 every day. I don't know the details but I do know my pint of Nola 7th Street Wheat was really good and only $1.50! Some bloody Mary specials on Sundays and margaritas (2 for 1 I think?) on Mondays.", "timestamp": "2011-08-23T16:15:09" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 2, "text": "I had a friend visiting from out of town and he wanted to make a stop here. It was hot and so we decided to opt out of sitting in their pretty courtyard. I had also heard their dueling piano show was good and friend wanted to hear music soooo...in we went. Friend ordered a hurricane and the bartendress lifted a prefilled plastic cup out of a dish rack, added some ice and voila! Gross but I am biased because I think hurricanes are nasty. Now, on to the music. For real? Do people come to New Orleans to hear someone play Grease Lightning on piano? How sad. Please, I implore you to go somewhere that has local musicians playing local music.", "timestamp": "2011-09-01T14:15:56" }, { "business_id": "u9-j3bwMcaMq9CWwuucqsA", "business_name": "Eco Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I am mad at myself for living around the corner for a year and never coming here! And now I've moved out of walking distance. Anyway, I finally made it and I'm glad I did. I was very pleased to see how many fresh juices they offered. I had the Ginger Hopper, which I didn't find gingery at all, plus it was too watery for me. But my friend's True Blood with beet juice was quite tasty. I was pleasantly surprised with how good everyone's food was. My chicken salad was perfect and it came on a toasted croissant with a lovely side salad. Their champagne dressing is fantastic. I also sampled the chili con carne, the rice looked boring but the meat was flavorful and falling apart. I didn't get a chance to have a bite of my other friend's crab and brie panino but since she finished it in 4.2 seconds flat, it's safe to assume that she really enjoyed it. I was worried that service would be poor but it was on point and our server was very informative about menu items and how they do things to be \"eco.\" Nothing for dessert really grabbed us, although they did list Clif bars as an offering, which I thought was pretty amusing.", "timestamp": "2011-09-02T19:40:18" }, { "business_id": "JcP1z6eZBgTIcxWlyxSw0g", "business_name": "Iris", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant's rating probably suffers a bit more than it should because I was expecting to be wowed and I wasn't. Anyway, the interior is gorgeous, I love the fresh flowers and the walls of pickled vegetables. The have a fantastic cocktail list, in fact, if i ever come back, it will be to sit at the bar and have a drink, albeit a very expensive one. My appetizer, pork belly with a shaved vegetable salad, was very good and dressed with an incredible vinaigrette. My BF had something else that I forgot as it wasn't very memorable. As far as entrees, they all sounded fine but nothing really grabbed me. I ordered the pork, which was okay. The only standout was a fried sweet potato patty it was served with. Besides what I thought to be a not very inspired menu, the plate presentation was weak. Everything was the same color. I know that's nitpicky but it's an expensive place and I want the food to look and taste beautiful. Our desserts (creme bruleee and a chocolate cake) were very rich, too rich for my boyfriend so I was forced to finish them for us. No espresso, I really hate that at nice restaurants. French press is good but it's not espresso, plus it was so weak I could practically see through it. I wasn't displeased with our dinner but I would much rather go somewhere else for the amount of money we paid.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T14:53:38" }, { "business_id": "Vz2RN55rTJBGn43K1v84nA", "business_name": "Domenica", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh sad day. I won't alter my rating but my last trip to Domenica revealed a change to their happy hour. Apparently someone on Yelp complained about the drink prices so now the specialty cocktails are not half off. But the wine, beer and well drinks still are. Which seems like their loss, I mean, I'm sure they are losing more on half priced wines and bottled beers than they are on liquor. Our server then went on to tell us he was glad for the change because it's a lot of work for them anyway. What? As someone who has worked in the service industry for a long time, I am not sure why it's bad to bring in extra customers during a typically slow (dead) time of the day. Plus, they are still coming in for half price pizzas and other drinks. His comments didn't really make sense to me and they kind of turned me off. However, the pizzas were still very good and really, I find their wines by the glass more appealing than a lot of things on their ever-changing cocktail list. And the stracci with oxtails is amazing!!!!!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:01:51" }, { "business_id": "mhrW9O0O5hXGXGnEYBVoag", "business_name": "Jacques-Imo's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Good, not great and pricey for what you get. I totally understand why people love it here, the vibe is great and it feels very New Orleans, whatever that means. Some of the food I really enjoyed and some I thought was totally mediocre. The watermelon mojito, while huge, was thin and insipid, not bad but not worth repeating. The cornbread muffins were, as always, fantastic. I remember at one time really loving the spinach salad with a lone oyster perched on top but this was soggy and limp. Our table of 8 shared a bunch of appetizers, including the cheesecake (very good) and the fried roast beef poboy (good but expected better). The BF and I shared the carpetbagger steak, which is awesome, I mean it's covered in blue cheese! But our sides were downright terrible, I'd be embarrassed to serve the red beans we got and the greens weren't much better. Our table split one creme brulee, which didn't really get bruleed so it was mostly plain sugar on top. Jacques kindly sent over tastes of Grand Marnier for after dinner drinks and chatted with us. That kind of charm goes a long way but honestly, 8 people split 4 entrees, one dessert, a few apps and a pretty cheap bottle of wine and it was $37 per person. I could think of better ways I'd like to spend my money.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:16:23" }, { "business_id": "dG94-818jQr0Vi3ajRwDCQ", "business_name": "a Mano", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend of mine alerted me to a series of dinners A Mano was doing, each week featuring a different region of Italy. Since my family is from Sicily, of course I wanted to see what they had to offer that week. I had a delicious Aperol spritzer to start and my friend had the Bellini. We sipped as we perused the menu and decided to do one Sicilian special menu and then order some things from the main menu. This particular friend of mine and I share a love for funky food; sardines, anchovies, tripe, whatever. And they had tripe on the menu so we had to order it. It was served in a savory but not at all heavy red sauce. Even if you don't like tripe, I bet you'd love the sauce sopped up with some bread. It tasted just like my grandmother's, actually, I'll admit it, it was better than hers. I liked the gnudi everyone raves about but the texture was more like smooth cream cheese or goat cheese, I'm more used to it being like ricotta, slightly grainy and less dense. But still very good. The only dud was a pasta dish with zucchini, no flavor at all. Our final dish was a seared tuna with onion mostarda that was excellent. To finish, we had cassata. It wasn't bad but it wasn't anything like the cassata I make and I prefer mine. This was a sponge cake soaked in some sort of liquor (too strong for me) and with candied fruit, not something I like much. The way I make it is un-liquor soaked angel food cake with a chocolate-cherry stuffed ricotta filling and topped with whipped cream. Very nice meal, pleasant staff, will return to sit at the bar with an Aperol spritzer and an order of trippa!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:30:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm so thrilled that Rouse's decided to invest in downtown! This is a pretty awesome Rouse's, everyone was so perky and pleasant! I almost got full on all the samples they were giving away; sushi, fresh-baked ciabatta, assorted cheeses, etc. They seem to have anticipated that they will draw a large lunch crowd and have lots of excellent-looking prepared foods. Would you like dragon fruit? Buddha's hand fruit? Kobe beef for $89.99/lb? Rouse's has it! I'll be interested to see how much of this stuff they will really keep in stock as time goes on. Layout is a little counterintuitive but they did a good job considering it used to be a car dealership. I was wondering about parking and indeed, there is a lot in the back and then upper level parking, accessible via Girod. The place was MOBBED but I went at lunchtime when I am guessing 90% of the CBD was also there. They open at 6, which is an hour earlier than my friendly neighborhood Rouse's and close at midnight! Whoa, is this pre-2005 New Orleans? I miss going midnight shopping at Sav-a-Center:( Other notes: I predict right now that they undershot how many checkout lanes they would need. Long-ish waits to be expected, especially at lunch. Prices on some staples that I get at Rouse's in Mid-City were exactly the same. Good to know we're not paying a few cents extra on soy milk to pay for rent in the CBD. Overall, great job, although I have to disagree with Danny Rouse's proclamation that this is the best grocery store in the country. Try Wegman's in the Northeast, they have an oyster bar! If you put in an oyster bar Danny, then I will unequivocally agree with you and retract any criticism immediately.", "timestamp": "2011-11-16T19:03:15" }, { "business_id": "JwS1qdmkA9S6muZBsdemBQ", "business_name": "Korea House", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never had Korean food before so I have nothing to compare it to but I loved my dinner the other night. Specifically the bibimbap with raw beef and a raw egg. I like ordering things that aren't necessarily a safe bet, sometimes that doesn't work but this time it did. The beautifully arranged, colorful vegetables were mixed with some sort of sesame oil dressing and went magnificently with the beef and egg. There was some coarse granulated sugar on top, I thought it was a tad bit too sweet and my fiance didn't like the crunch but otherwise, the dish sort of blew me onto a higher culinary plateau. I've been in a bit of a food rut and this was a revelatory way to lift myself out. The steamed dumplings were pretty good and so were the ribs but everything paled in comparison to the bibimbap. I also liked the bowls of various pickled things, my favorites were the cucumbers and the black beans. I'll be back to try more of the menu and I've already been scouring the internets for bibimbap recipes!", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:48:25" }, { "business_id": "Ra9zH1CBYtAC6vMfKYsHew", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 2, "text": "What a waste of $75. I could have just gone to Felipe's and probably been more satisfied. I've only had drinks at the FQ location so I don't know if their food really varies or not. But I have sampled many of the margaritas in the FQ and never had one I didn't like. I did not like the orange-lime one that I ordered, nor did I like the mezcal one my fiance ordered, it didn't taste smoky like most mezcal I've had but more like candle wax. It's a sad, sad day when I don't want to finish my margarita. It's even sadder when I realize there is nothing on the menu I'm interested in ordering. My sweetie ordered the house salad, which had a pretty good dressing and he would have liked to finish it before it was unceremoniously whisked away and replaced with our entrees. Our entrees were way overpriced but not inedible. The waitress was annoying and up in our faces every two minutes for the first half of the meal and absent for the second half. It took forever to get out of there and I felt bad for the hordes of people waiting in line. I may visit the FQ one again but never again at this location.", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:56:24" }, { "business_id": "RPEMUwN_CDRRToQ_7hxsvA", "business_name": "Borgne", "rating": 3, "text": "Like many other Besh experiences I've had, this was a mixed bag. First, they have done some cool stuff with the design, I like the columns made up of oyster shells encased in wire mesh. But it still has this institutional, chain sort of feel to me. My sweetie said it felt like a cafeteria that had a makeover. My French 75 was solid, they must use the same recipe as Luke, served in a snifter with a brandied cherry. Perfect. They also have NOLA 7th Street Wheat and big fishbowls glasses for the beer. I started with a bowl of oyster stew. It was delicious and very rich, so rich that I didn't really enjoy the last few bites because my taste buds were overwhelmed. I think they offer cups at lunchtime. The BF got broiled oysters, which were fine but nothing to set them apart from the many other restaurants that do them better. He also got the duck poppers, which were great because duck+bacon=delicious. But the bacon could have been crisper and what the hell was in the sauce? I have no idea because this is the kind of place that lists menus items as such, \"Duck poppers, jalapeno, bacon.\" That's it. My fish in a bag with caramelized fennel was great, really, the fennel stole the show and that's generally not my favorite. The hot pot was a bust, dressed up ramen noodles with tough pork belly. For dessert we got the oatmeal cookie with turron ice cream. Again, it was fine but I feel like I could buy something just like it out of the freezer section at the grocery store. Espresso was good, served without lemon peel but delivered promptly once we asked for it. Service was very good. I wouldn't go again for the price we paid for dinner because it just wasn't all that. I'd definitely go back and try the $10 lunch specials though.", "timestamp": "2012-02-15T17:16:17" }, { "business_id": "D8l8tVYE5EJeHOMlJs1Eng", "business_name": "Aristocat Salon + Nail Spa", "rating": 2, "text": "Worst eyebrow wax I've ever had. I'm not sure what I paid for because I walked out looking exactly like I did when I walked in. Pedicure chipped after a week, I don't expect that until at least two, usually three weeks.", "timestamp": "2012-03-12T13:37:57" }, { "business_id": "rrNF0siUBVQOOgsFVfGpKA", "business_name": "Columns", "rating": 1, "text": "It pains me to say this but I have to give up on the Columns. I am generally confounded by the frat boy presence there but was usually able to overlook it because ti's just so lovely and the drinks were always pretty good. Last night, I brought some out of town guests in and on one side of the parlor, there was a dapper gentleman playing the piano. Then we walked into the bar area and they were playing R. Kelly. Don't get me wrong, the R. can be good for a time and place but at the Columns? Weird. After waiting for several polo-clad young men to get their Miller Lites, I ordered French 75s for my friends and a Ramos Gin Fizz for myself. Note to bartender; putting a lemon twist in a glass of cheap sparkling wine does not a French 75 make. Terrible. My Ramos Gin Fizz was composed of a good 3/4 c. of heavy cream and had no discernible fizz. Luckily, I did taste a bit of booze hiding behind all that cream but really gin and whipping cream was not what I was hoping for. It was really disappointing because the gin fizz I had there last summer was dangerously delicious. My friends sipped their cheap and slightly sour sparkle and finally implored me to take them home when the song \"Ain't that America\" came on. I'm glad I was able to experience their downfall myself before I unwittingly sent people there with raves about the atmosphere and the classic cocktails. Get it together Columns, you've got so much to work with.", "timestamp": "2012-04-27T19:36:54" }, { "business_id": "kb1Tf4xwb7CQW5OXf9zwqw", "business_name": "Toups Meatery", "rating": 3, "text": "I hate being the jerk who writes the first non-five star review but I am sure this will bump up to four and possibly even five. I'll just have to keep going back to make sure my ratings are accurate. Anyway, the space is really nice and I like that there is outside seating. The staff is very friendly, although it is my preference that everyone working doesn't come by to ask how the food is. It's kind of overwhelming, especially if you don't like something. I don't remember being very interested in their cocktail menu and I thought the wine by the glass selection was very small and a bit overpriced. On to the food. We started with the meatery plate,of course! This was really good. I liked the cracklins a lot, crunchy but not dried out. The housemade garlic sausage was delicious as was the delicate, subtle rabbit pate. My husband really liked the hogshead cheese, it was not as congealed as it usually is, more of a spread. Weirdly, I didn't love the rillons and I thought they would knock me out. Those are candied pieces of pork belly, if you didn't know and I certainly did not. Cooked too long maybe, they lost their lusciousness. My husband got the chicken confit and I didn't taste that. But I did sample the mustard greens and white beans underneath and they were fantastic. My sliders, however, sucked. All three of them. I like fat but the lamb belly was a huge chunk of fat with really off-putting St. Patrick's Day green, overly sweet mint jelly. The crab cake was everything you hate about crappy crab cakes; mostly breading, cheap, stringy crab meat, fried-too-hard exterior. I think the last one was just the rabbit pate on a bun but by that point, I was over it. The brioche buns they were served on looked promising but they were stale. We didn't try the desserts but they had some appealing options. We'll be back but I can definitely cross the sliders off my list.", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T17:20:46" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "It hurts a bit to downgrade Parkway but every time I deviate from the shrimp poboy, I am disappointed. In this unfortunate case, I was not only disappointed but put out with indigestion for two whole days. The Reuben was DISGUSTING. I was hungry, so I ate most of my half but the sauce on it was sickeningly sweet, the sauerkraut almost nonexistent and something about the meat really turned my stomach. I still love their fries with debris and I tried the sweet potato fries, also very good. But I'll never try anything new again. I'm not sure when they added a happy hour from 3-7pm but good to know!", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T12:54:42" }, { "business_id": "9xErhLpjFcoA39AFeN3lUA", "business_name": "Liuzza's By The Track", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm going to be nice and give three stars since we only tried a few things on the menu so maybe I'd be more impressed if I tried the gumbo or the etouffee. However, I had the much-lauded BBQ shrimp poboy, which I thought was an epic fail. It wasn't offensive or anything, it just tasted like absolutely nothing; no lemon, no pepper, no garlic, nothing. Perhaps I am spoiled because my husband is a chef and he makes a damn fine rendition of BBQ shrimp but I thought this was an utter waste of $15. I had a bite of the husband's oyster poboy, which was fine, but didn't distinguish itself from other oyster poboys around the city that do not cost $14.95. Regular and sweet potato fries were good and served in generous portions. Chocolate torte was dry and forgettable. Service was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T13:04:45" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "Aztec chocolate. So good. It's hard to try new things when I love the spicy, dark chocolate blend so much. Yesterday I did deviate though and got the blueberry-basil. While the flavor of the blueberry was super intense and fantastic, it was way too sweet. I would have liked more basil too. Another favorite was a Christmas special, chesnut ice cream with pine nuts and rosemary. Amazing. Good coffee, inventive flavors you won't see at Sucre. Someday I'm going to actually eat their real food because the menu looks tempting.", "timestamp": "2012-06-26T14:52:31" }, { "business_id": "X-ZgevJi7i3wf0RjsBLG1w", "business_name": "Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I still like it for its unapologetic quirkiness but don't come here expecting anything great. Fried pickles were probably the best I've had and my husband's fried shrimp were good. My oyster remoulade was so drenched in sauce that I could only guess that they were once crispy when they emerged from the fryer. A friend's lasagna looked mediocre, as did an alfredo. The Bushwacker, which I've long wanted to try, is now crossed off my bucket list. If you want a huge, semi-frozen dessert, go for it. If you're looking for an adult beverage, skip it. I'd stick with fried seafood and large beers here.", "timestamp": "2012-06-27T17:59:44" }, { "business_id": "M8ONtZM80_LYC2Q3iqU5SA", "business_name": "Mila", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped in today for the $20 lunch special, which I think is one of the best deals in town. I love their bread assortment, especially the cornbread with some of the lima bean puree. The sweet potato rolls are pretty good too but they just aren't as good as the sweet potato biscuits at Green Goddess. I was a little sad that their featured soup was a zucchini-crab bisque since the online menu said corn-crab (!!!). Last time I was there, it was a rutabaga (or turnip maybe) with crab. I really liked that one; the zucchini was good but needed salt. I also think starchy things like corn and root vegetables lend themselves better to that kind of soup than zucchini. But the crab was plentiful and delicious. For my entree, I had beef cheeks that were wildly tender and flavorful. The beans that came with them were slightly uninspired. The fish entree with quinoa and currants was great. For dessert, I had the banana ice cream with almond streusel. There was nothing resembling a streusel, more like little crispy crumbs sprinkled on the bottom. But tasty crumbs they were and nice, textural contrast to the creamy and lush banana ice cream. Pleasant and efficient service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-29T20:33:52" }, { "business_id": "QD48BhLk7lDTgOL_NiVCCw", "business_name": "Taqueria Corona", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I've never reviewed this place, I've only been here a million times. I've been here to celebrate new jobs and buying of houses. Anyway, as we were driving up the eerily darkened Magazine Street last week, looking for refuge from Isaac, I was thrilled to see they were open! They had no AC but they still were working their asses off and running around madly to serve all the stir crazy people needing to get out of the house. For that alone, they get extra stars. Now, onto the regular things you can expect. The guy at the front register (owner?) is always there and always makes you feel like he is genuinely glad to see you. I love him. The margaritas aren't the best but they're fine and they make it to your table QUICKLY. I would skip the chips and guac and instead order the cebollitas. Actually, make that two orders because you won't want to share. This place is one of the few, or maybe only, place around that serves tongue tacos. Delicious. If you like pot roast or other similar flavorful, tender cuts of meat, this is for you. I also like the fish tacos and the carne asada tacos. Since I hate burritos, I can't really say anything on that point. Shrimp flautas are just average in general but excellent for a hangover cure.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T17:58:13" }, { "business_id": "W9SliuSyX7N0XoiG9UFNdQ", "business_name": "Pho Noi Viet", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, not remarkable though. Service was very friendly but food came out ever so slowly. The menu is pretty small, just pho, bahn mi, bun and rice plates. Only three appetizers. I wish they had a salad selection. We got the shrimp spring rolls to start with, which were much better than some I had at Pho Bang a few weeks ago. The peanut sauce is excellent! I had the curried tofu bun, the spice must have only stained the tofu a pale shade of yellow without imparting any flavor. It was fine and everything was fresh but I probably wouldn't order it again. That's not really their fault though because while I love the flavors of Vietnamese cooking (mint, cilantro, sour-sweet), I just am not a fan of gobs of white noodles or white rice. Since I wanted more than soup or a sandwich for dinner, eliminating pho and bahn mi, that left me with choosing from a pile of white noodles or a pile of white rice. My husband had shrimp pad thai and it was more flavorful than my dish but still missing some key elements. I'll go back to try their pho one of these days.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T18:05:52" }, { "business_id": "XxSIrbHqVMdEzP30-DN20g", "business_name": "Louisiana SPCA", "rating": 4, "text": "The food and drink were top notch, I mean, as soon as we checked in, there was a table full of French 75s to greet us. Thank you! some of my favorites included shrimp remoulade from Galatoire's, this smoked redfish with red onion jam from (?) and mahi with curried couscous and golden raisins from Vega Tapas. I enjoyed seeing the various costumes but I thought that the music was pretty terrible. Thanks very much Joi, it was much appreciated!", "timestamp": "2012-10-25T14:12:38" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I walked right in with 4 people and got a table immediately on a Sunday night around 7. Service was friendly and quick. I had raw oysters and gumbo for dinner. The oysters were great and actually shucked to order. I can't believe how often I get pre-shucked oysters these days, gross. Anyway, fresh oysters and very tasty gumbo. I was pleased. I tasted some of my husband's boiled seafood platter, the crabs seemed old and the mushrooms tasted canned. I would have been unhappy if that was my dinner but he said it was ok. Another friend had the swamp platter and I tried the alligator sausage, mm! He raved about the frog legs and turtle soup but I didn't try them. Bread pudding was pretty good too. I'll have to figure more time into my ride out to the airport next time so I can hit this place up for oysters.", "timestamp": "2012-11-28T16:50:31" }, { "business_id": "mCRa6o1eEVQr1bqV4Wy6KQ", "business_name": "The Blind Pelican", "rating": 3, "text": "I was lured in by their awesome happy hour special from 4-7 daily. 25 cent oysters! How can you go wrong? Also surprised by the dozen chargrilled oysters for $7.50. The oysters were shucked to order, unlike Luke which serves pre-shucked (and dry!) oysters. They were a little messy and gritty but hey, for 25 cents, I was still happy. I'd skip the chargrilled but for the price, it was a decent experiment. Beer selection was very good, I had the Mechahopzilla and my husband had some Voodoo something or other. Service was a little spotty but it was happy hour during the holidays so that's understandable. I doubt I'd come back for more than oysters but that's a good enough incentive for me", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T02:35:04" }, { "business_id": "ZTctPm8-lBy0iJ9dFhYhyQ", "business_name": "Herbsaint", "rating": 3, "text": "Based on food and drinks, I'd like to give 3.5 stars but since Herbsaint has the reputation it has, their weak points really stand out. I didn't really love the interior, plus we were there on a cold and windy night, making me wish they had a vestibule. Even seated three tables from the door, we were greeted with an Arctic chill every time the door opened. Service ranged from disjointed to friendly to cool. I understand the concept of team service but was asked for drink orders, then food orders and then second round of drink orders by two servers every time. Coordinate! My cocktail and wine flight were both forgettable. Beer list is meh. My husband and I both really liked our appetizers; I had a kale salad with smoked drum and satsumas and he had some sort of warm chicken rillete. The bread they served was also fantastic. I had a special appetizer for my entree; mortadella-stuffed ravioli with black trumpet mushroom jus. Husband's entree was downright gross. I hate complaining at restaurants but if it was my meal, I would have sent it back. The risotto was not creamy or flavorful, it just tasted like hard, wet rice. The pork belly on top had no discernible taste except...old. I really liked some of the food we ate but was so disappointed in others that I won't be back soon. I do still need to get there for that famous fried egg guanciale dish but I've got a lot of other important eating to do before I return! On the plus side, they are open on Mondays and have a very extensive wine list.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T03:35:26" }, { "business_id": "qKscu5qiEanq7XAduAhHmA", "business_name": "Banana Blossom", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for some time and, finding myself on the Wank last week, I stopped in for lunch. It was full and I waited for a table for a few minutes but things move quickly there. I was surprised that they didn't have lunch specials but decided to go with BBQ oysters and the Pad Thai. A little side salad came out first, pretty nondescript lettuce shards and unripe tomato, but I really liked the peanut-coconut dressing. The BBQ oysters were plentiful and tasty, almost too salty but I like salt. The roti they came with sopped up the sauce and by the time my Pad Thai came, I was full. Good thing too because I took a few bites of the sloppy-looking mess and didn't like it at all. The tofu tasted old, the vegetables were not fresh and it was very bland. There were a few other things on the menu that appealed to me and I might be persuaded to go back to try them but I would stay far, far away from the Pad Thai.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:17:52" }, { "business_id": "ta5Oi3sezvn4H299MbtE8Q", "business_name": "The Carousel Bar & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn about this one. I actually hate the carousel part of the bar and really dislike the spinning. Note: Don't go there after you've had a couple drinks. The spinning won't do you any favors. However, I love the lounge-y area behind the main bar, especially the cozy nooks with high-backed armchairs that look right out into the action on Royal. They make a very tasty Vieux Carre and one of my favorite Sazeracs in the city. So it's definitely worth a visit,I'd just avoid the main bar area.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:23:42" }, { "business_id": "dXREfNidBVaPbF8g5Xf54A", "business_name": "Department of Motor Vehicles", "rating": 3, "text": "Not too terrible as far as any visit to the OMV is concerned. There is plenty of parking in the lot in front and there were only 10 or so other people in line when I got there at 7:58am. One important thing to note about this location is that it is in some state office building so you have to go through security. That means leave your pistols and mace in the car, please. I was in and out within 20 minutes with my new license and although I thought the clerk I dealt with was unnecessarily snappy, I'd probably hate myself too if I worked there.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:35:32" }, { "business_id": "g8asTfC0kY9uzt1AHdm35A", "business_name": "Reily Student Recreation Center", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a fantastic facility, as it should be for Tulane tuition. As an employee, I get a discounted rate, which I don't take advantage of because first, I hate driving Uptown and second, the parking on campus sucks. However, every year during Winter Break, all employees use the facility for free and it's quiet, relatively student-free, easier to park and has a great schedule of really good classes. Once the students come back though, it can get pretty crowded so I probably won't ever buy a year-round membership. Except maybe when I have kids; they do have child care available.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:56:57" }, { "business_id": "P09fwcXyvf2GdvFnTMQWuA", "business_name": "Bellocq", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a beautiful bar and so I understand that fancy places can command high drink prices. I expected this but I thought my drink was just ok and for $14, I expect delicious. I also hate those silver cups they come in, I dislike not being able to see the level of my drink. Is there one sip left? 15? I can't tell. The presentation was lovely but there are too many places I can spend $4-6 less for a drink that is just as fancy but not as pricey. Don't get me wrong, I'd have a drink here again but it's not on my short list.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T01:56:09" }, { "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is exactly what I was thinking during my dinner. Look, for the most part, this food isn't bad, I actually enjoyed most of it. But it's damn expensive and what was good were things I could make any old night of the week. Plain old spaghetti with a garlic-scented butter? Yum! I loved that as a kid! And it takes 10 minutes to make. No need to drive to Avondale for that. Baked chicken with lots of garlic? Also, tasty and easily made at home. The baked oysters Mosca I thought was terrible and outrageously overpriced. $38 for about 12 oysters baked to death in a thick layer of breadcrumbs, which negated any oyster flavor. I can see how this place can be fun but it's unlikely I'd go back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:05:13" }, { "business_id": "iFgoIM21C_P68N8Dk-HHEA", "business_name": "Stella!", "rating": 3, "text": "It's always so hard for me to rate really nice restaurants because I expect so much before I even walk in the door. So maybe this is too harsh. Anyway... We were ushered into a somber and hushed front dining room. I felt like I had to whisper, which was sort of weird. We ordered cocktails to start because that's how I do fancy meals but I wasn't too excited about their specialty cocktails. When the ordered Blackberry Bramble or whatever it was called arrived, I was similarly nonplussed. I won't go into details about each dish but I will say that I certainly liked every course but I wasn't really wow-ed. Also, my wine tasted like anchovies, which I love but not in my wine. Highlights included all the sauces on each plate, the beef tenderloin, veal cheek and poached rhubarb for dessert. I've spent a lot less money on meals I enjoyed just as much or more so...glad I knocked that off the bucket list but won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:15:37" }, { "business_id": "2oJV-vS0Cu8cYt7_TbzOww", "business_name": "Cleaver & Co", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, 3 or 4 stars? This is tough because I'm glad that they're there but I did not at ALL like the head cheese I bought there and am unlikely to ever buy another $20 chicken. I love independent butchers though so I would like to support them but probably only for buying cuts for special occasions.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T18:44:30" }, { "business_id": "O7adYE4pVfqY02Lh6ywEpA", "business_name": "Swirl Wine Bar & Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I love this place. It would be hard NOT to like just based on their delightful location. Well-curated selection of wines and small cheese case run by very informative and helpful staff. Unfortunately, I avoid their Friday tastings because they have become so popular that they are too packed for me. I prefer the Wednesday night flights.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:21:07" }, { "business_id": "eKgtzwzbLR44fqevm6yUSQ", "business_name": "Faubourg Wines", "rating": 4, "text": "I was in the neighborhood quite a bit leading up to Krewe du Vieux, making floats, working on costumes and...drinking, of course. There were many days that I stopped in here (sometimes twice!) to fuel up on well-priced sparkling wine. Favorite find; an intoxicatingly perfumed grapefruit liquor.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:49:08" }, { "business_id": "g-IXI3v3fOudMsyLPKb-eQ", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location better than the one in Mid-City, such a cool re-use of a bank building! Very good coffee and now I'm wondering why I didn't have a Bellini? Anyway, I stupidly ordered eggs with a biscuit and corned beef when I could have ordered the special; a twist on the Benedict with fried green tomatoes as the English muffin, a bed of arugula and bacon. Everyone else at my table ordered it so I thought I should try the corned beef and MAYBE my husband would let me have some of his benny. He gave me one small and very delicious bite. Hash was pretty good, as was the biscuit but goddamnit, my over-easy eggs were inedible. Do restaurants cook eggs in a pool of water? I've had this happen before, it's pretty gross and left my eggs mostly untouched. Oh well, everything else was very nice.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T20:21:43" }, { "business_id": "ZgmEBmGQbSHj8YZgN2pPLQ", "business_name": "Satsuma Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Since my husband is not a breakfast eater, I am delighted when I have visitors so we can go out and sample early morning bites. A few months ago, my mother and her husband were here and this was the first place I thought of. Initially, I was kind of disappointed that there was no table service but that's a minor quibble. The staff, although very busy, was cheerful and helpful with recommendations for my juice-neophyte parents. Juice was delicious. My mother and I split a One-Eyed Jack and a special sweet-potato ginger pancake. I had a similar pancake a few weeks before at Suis Generis and that one was WAY better. This pancake was flavorless and oddly textured, plus it would have been nice to have a little side of fruit or something to go with it. The One-Eyed Jack was good but we were both still hungry after our breakfast. My SF ordered wisely and got a much heartier meal with eggs, very good black beans and a tasty biscuit. I'd probably be more inclined to come back here for lunch than breakfast but it is a very sweet little spot. After breakfast, make your way over to the Bargain Center next door for an interesting shopping experience.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T13:29:36" }, { "business_id": "1788xIG9VRrs3DZ_RhqA6A", "business_name": "Pearl Wine Co", "rating": 4, "text": "I wasn't sure what to expect when the ownership changed recently. for the most part, I'm pretty happy with the changes. The owner seems to be extremely knowledgeable and passionate about wine. She has also opened later hours and was even open on the 4th! I'm also glad she kept the staff; Jodi and Jose and great and have been fixtures for some time. The wine shop is worthy of 5 stars but the adjoining bar is not. The atmosphere always did and still does kind of suck. Which is partially not their fault, it is a former industrial building after all. But still, nothing about the place makes me want to hang out there. And they got rid of the former cocktail menu which I liked. But still, overall pleased with the changes. Welcome to the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T18:46:53" }, { "business_id": "bkxtuHXCL7GR51FiNdextA", "business_name": "City Greens", "rating": 3, "text": "Tasty. Friendly staff. But damn, it's really expensive. Just a salad with no drink and no added protein set me back almost $11. I'd only go again if someone suggested it since I can make my own delicious salads for a fraction of the price.", "timestamp": "2013-07-28T13:57:33" }, { "business_id": "WNhcS2zi4zAqA2TbduVINQ", "business_name": "Cleo's", "rating": 4, "text": "I had the vegetarian plate and it was very good. I loved the baba ganoush (so much better than mine) and the hummus with spicy roasted peppers on top. Falafel also really good. I actually like my tabbouleh better but theirs was still fresh and tasty. Tasted friend's lamb kebobs, small-ish but delicious and whatever they use as a salad dressing is awesome. Set-up inside the convenience store with loud club-like music was a little weird but not off-putting.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T18:48:28" }, { "business_id": "KGfw-g_JtizLJb4YmRB2Ig", "business_name": "Mariza", "rating": 4, "text": "I visited Mariza a few weeks ago but didn't eat since my trendy friends wanted to eat dinner at 9:30. I ate dinner at 6 like an old lady and met them for drinks. Anyway, I had one of their specialty cocktails (the Bywater something or other), which was too sweet, and one bite of my friend's hanger steak, which was incredible. I thought so much about that one bite that I jumped when my husband suggested Mariza for our Saturday night dinner date. We were lucky enough to get seated without a wait so that was a plus. To start, we shared an appetizer special; herbed ricotta-stuffed ravioli with chanterelles . OK, the sauce was divine and so was the filling, the one extremely small dab of it anyway. As someone who used to make fresh pasta at a restaurant, I wasn't impressed with the pasta either. It tasted like it was held in water perhaps? We also shared the yellowfin tuna carpaccio with arugula and parm. No complaints! I had that oh-so-delectable steak and it was everything I remembered and more. Served draped over grilled bread with olive tapenade and drizzled with pesto. Perfect. Husband's duck confit was also a hit. Their beer menu is kind of limited but I had a very nice and inexpensive pinot noir, which I find can so often be hit or miss. Our entrees were good-sized and very reasonably priced, both $15 or $16. So I can't really complain about price except when I compare my $16 steak with a $12 ravioli appetizer (2 ravioli, extremely meagerly filled). Oh well, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 2 drinks per person for ~$80 is still really reasonable. Next time I'm getting the burrata crostini and lamb belly. Or the goat ricotta with kale and the short ribs rigatoni. And MUST leave room for the chocolate terrine with olive oil and sea salt. I have to have that.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T19:01:31" }, { "business_id": "7ZcA6w0UCRmeEjN2nyeYuA", "business_name": "Root", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband I I were lucky enough to be invited to dinner here, which was great because I'm quite sure our hosts spent a pretty penny. We started off with cocktails and charcuterie. A+ on the cocktails! Inventive but accessible list and tasty to boot. I liked all the pickled things on the charcuterie plate and DEFINITELY the lardo; everything else was fine but no wow factor. Then we moved on to appetizers; of those I tasted, I'd say the deviled eggs were my favorite. My smoked scallops were as delicious as I'd hoped. Husband predictably ordered pork belly. It was good but what I really remember was this smoked vegetable ash smear it was served on. WOW. I thought the desserts were more about presentation (and at that, they excelled) than taste. We had the peach crumble and the blueberry clafoutis. Neither impressed my palate. I was really looking forward to the peach buttermilk ice cream with my dessert but it was icy and bland. Ice cream, or gelato, whatever they call it, is pretty easy and they didn't get it right at ALL. However, if I were to go back for anything, which is unlikely since they charge $16 for deviled eggs, I would go back for the Indian falooda. Oh! It was a terrarium of beautiful, edible flowers and accouterments swimming in a pool of geranium milk. I thought this sounded a little crazy but I loved it. Appetizers and desserts were overpriced and fell a little flat. Drinks and entrees, while pricey, were worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-20T20:25:53" }, { "business_id": "FxeakFEI6gObK0CxcOft-A", "business_name": "Manhattan Jack", "rating": 3, "text": "My cuban was ok. This sandwich, and the others my friends ordered, is a perfect example was why I hate going out for breakfast and lunch. It's expensive and just not that great. I'd rather save my dollars for dinner and make my own sandwich for lunch. I didn't try any of the sweets and while they looked and smelled lovely, I probably won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T12:03:25" }, { "business_id": "gC8i-lxwvGhVpOXM5eYdtA", "business_name": "Taqueria Guerrero", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the staff here and that it never seems to be super busy. They don't have my beloved fish tacos though and i like the lengua better at Taqueris Corona/ Was very disappointed in my taco al pastor, it's probably the worst I've ever tried. To be daring, we ordered the huarache and the baleado. Huarache, good choice, baleado, bland. Horchata is tasty! It's cheap and close to home but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T14:45:20" }, { "business_id": "5rScKeYVjFk8VahsvJv9QA", "business_name": "Mikimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never used to be a fan but my husband is and it's gradually grown on me. Every time we'd go out, he'd suggest Mikimoto and I'd roll my eyes and ignore him. But he's got a pretty strong sushi addiction and orders once a week, in addition to going out. And of course, he always orders from Mikimoto. It's still not my favorite but it's reliable, quick, plentiful and priced right.", "timestamp": "2013-09-14T15:44:45" }, { "business_id": "FCCnOgjjvwQJBAy3u2fcLA", "business_name": "Criollo Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful place in the Monteleone. I have been wanting to try Criollo for a while and finally did for their Coolinary offering. My friend and I were seated in a window overlooking Iberville. I felt like I was in a little bistro in Paris, which is amazing since I knew if I had two more feet of a view on either side, I'd see Walgreen's and the crowd of guys hanging out in front of the old penny arcade. Service was charming and attentive, from the server to the runner to the hostess. We started with their delicious bread basket and assorted butters. I chose the gumbo, friend had the salad. The gumbo was good, not outstanding but it did distinguish itself with a garnish of fried okra. Very nice. Salad looked uninspired. For entrees, I had the soft-shell crab with brown butter. Yes! Excellent. My friend had the cobia and the bite I had was the blood line so it wasn't a good first impression. I did have another bite (no blood line) and it was good but at nice restaurants, please remove the blood line from the fish! Her dish was topped with a sort of okra popper (cheese-stuffed and fried), which I really liked. I ordered the chocolate-pecan parfait, which sounded way better than white chocolate creme brulee tart to me. What a letdown. It was served nearly frozen solid and it was several inches high so to cut through it was nearly impossible. The flavor was also boring and the cake bit on the bottom was dry. It was terrible. The creme brulee tart however, was stupendous. Loved it. Also, extra kudos for having espresso and not french press. I like french press too but I have one at home. What I don't have at home is a $4,000 espresso machine so I appreciate them when I go out!", "timestamp": "2013-09-18T14:37:54" }, { "business_id": "rVRh3PnjYwSaVvGs0joh5w", "business_name": "Five Guys", "rating": 3, "text": "First of all, it was so bright in here that I felt overwhelmed just walking in. We ordered the regular burgers and large fries, which were both so much bigger than I had anticipated. I went in after spending the afternoon drinking beer at NOLA on Tap so I was beer-hungry and I still couldn't finish the fries. The burger was pretty good and I like all the toppings but the fries were so unsatisfying. They had no taste and making a fried potato taste good is fairly easy. My husband liked them though so maybe I'm just off. I was also shocked at how long it took everything to come out. They were busy but only putting out one order every 4-5 minutes. I think we finally got our food after 20 minutes. It's ok and I might go back but it's not high on my list.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T11:55:25" }, { "business_id": "YSyZipJDgS3D_R0wqPqPhQ", "business_name": "Longue Vue House and Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "I took advantage of Free Museum Day this year with a long overdue trip to Longue Vue. This place has been on my list for years and I can't believe I just now took advantage of a quiet morning spent in the lovely gardens of this estate. Turning down Bamboo Rd. from Metairie Rd, I knew I was in a for a treat. I spent about 45 minutes going through the Discovery Garden (so cute, can't wait to bring my nieces!), to the wild garden (reminder to self to go back when the irises bloom) and the impressive Spanish Court. Luckily, I was just finishing my garden foray when a tour of the house was starting. Wow. The history of the family who lived here was impressive. Not only do you get to peek into what their life was like, but the lady of the house was a collector of modern art and so it was like a gallery visit on top of the house tour. Our guide was also super knowledgable and I feel like I got a history lesson on politics, New Orleans oddities, river commerce and more. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T12:04:13" }, { "business_id": "hPd6uMCjNglnOwwHpkY5Tg", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - French Quarter", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sure this will be unpopular but Felipe's did not hit my spot. I like the one Uptown and I thought I would like this one too but the food, not so much. Husband's cheese sauce on chimichanga tasted rancid, flautas tasted like freezer-burned cardboard and everything else was room temperature and blah. I still love their condiments bar and the drinks are always nice, especially on Wednesdays.", "timestamp": "2013-10-21T16:01:09" }, { "business_id": "dBOVfp8Ub8uO9qUPtw92_w", "business_name": "Lilette", "rating": 4, "text": "My dashing husband brought me here for a birthday lunch after I'd been yearning to go forever. It turns out he knew one of the chefs and so we were sent some delicious short rib lagniappe. I decided to go with two appetizers so that I wouldn't pass out after lunch, unlike my husband, who had a duck appetizer and a steak for an entree. I had some marvelous gnocchi in a tomato sauce and then the famed crab claws and passionfruit butter. That butter was so sublime, I would lick it right off of Bourbon Street. Honestly, the crab wasn't all that, kind of stringy. It's okay though because that butter...oh my. I was sorely disappointed in dessert. We had a Nutella custard and it was GRAY in color and about as flavorful as gray sounds. How do you muck up Nutella? Confusing. Anyway, it is a beautiful space and I'd love to go back for dinner one day.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:17:11" }, { "business_id": "V9VLhHdSFpFi4yXFqVcVEA", "business_name": "Pêche", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn a bit as I write this. It was good, don't get me wrong, I guess I just expected a little more wow. And that's totally because a) it's Donald Link and b) I eat fresh seafood at home all the time and I can admit I'm spoiled. Just last week my husband brought home a 28-inch redfish that he caught and he grilled it on the half-shell with chermoula and tzatziki. But I'm not reviewing my kitchen, just demonstrating that I have a high bar. We started with some expertly fried crab and artichoke fritters. No fillers to bind these beauties together. We also had some olive-oil poached tuna that didn't taste super fresh to me so I let husband eat it all up. There was a third appetizer that I don't remember so I'm sure it was fine although obviously not memorable. Whole grilled flounder to share. I love flounder so it was good but that's all I have to say about it. We also got a side of stewed okra (one of my favorite things all night, go figure!) and very tasty field peas. Dessert was an amazing-sounding but disappointing-tasting chocolate peanut butter banana pie. They have an interesting cocktail menu but after tasting mine and my husband's, I switched to their equally interesting but more reasonably priced wine list. Service was friendly (except for the hostess at the door who was hating life!). It's very loud. If you're visiting from out of town and want to eat some really good Louisiana seafood, this is your place. If you're married to a local fisherman like me, you can probably eat just as well at home.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:34:18" }, { "business_id": "riGIP57_SRRnhx91c_4sBQ", "business_name": "Cafe Granada", "rating": 4, "text": "Over the past weekend, with its lovely weather, I wanted to go somewhere where we could sit outside. Husband suggested this place, which neither of us have ever visited. I love tapas and they have outdoor seating. Sold. We started off with a carafe of red sangria, which was quite watery. I'll go to Lola's if I want sangria. We had several things, some that I loved and some that were just ok. But the ones I loved were so good, I can't wait to go back! The delicious: Brie with fig preserves: Hard to go wrong with this, except to do it like we did. One order for four people. Boo. Get your own. Duck confit: The duck was on point and the salad it came with was fantastic! The hangar steak: Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Served with very good french fries and what I think was a garlic aioli (menu said chimichurri but that it wasn't). The good: Goat cheese croquetas: Served with some sort of mango sauce. Shrimp croquetas: Not as good as the goat cheese ones. Served with a tomato sauce. Carpaccio de res: This might have made the delicious category if there was some balance between oil and acid on the plate. It was drizzled with oil, fine, but needed some vinegar or something else. The just ok: Zucchini pockets with salmon and brie: The zucchini was good, I didn't taste the brie and the salmon just didn't work with the zucchini, to my taste anyway. Manchego with tequila: I though booze, flame and cheese was a no brainer but it just tasted like soggy cheese with cheap tequila taste on top. Yuck. The bread: Not good and with these kind of tapas, the bread is kind of important. The aforementioned sangria. $100 bucks for four people with drinks. Not bad at all.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:50:59" }, { "business_id": "3JOWaLAwQkYTZsgSe5HzVA", "business_name": "Hermes Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why Yelp has this come up as Lower Garden, this is the heart of the FQ. Weird. Anyway, I like coming here with visitors for some old school New Orleans vibes. One of the few place in town you can order a Ramos Gin Fizz and check out old Mardi Gras memorabilia. I usually just get drinks but have been wanting to try the Oyster Foch poboy (fried oysters, colbert sauce, foie gras) for the longest. I finally got my wish! The presentation was kind of sloppy and it was stuffed somewhat sparsely but the taste was OH MY GOD. I might have to hit happy hour again this week for another.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:56:35" }, { "business_id": "UjFLIhKTOiFcQiziOA9rgA", "business_name": "Mizado Latin Kitchen", "rating": 3, "text": "A-ok for now, with some strong pluses and minuses. I was very excited for this place to open and we checked it out the night before Thanksgiving. Business was booming and the welcoming host staff seemed genuinely glad to see us. However, I wasn't crazy about the whole valet setup outside, it seemed unnecessary and I felt more like I was going to a club in LA than dinner under the interstate in New Orleans. That same feeling goes for the decor. But that's just my personal taste talking and I'm sure some people love the ultra-modern, lounge-like feel. I LOVED the pickled vegetables and fried chickpeas that were put on the table to munch on. Our server warned us they'd be really hot but I thought they were perfect. On the other hand, she did not warn us about the salsas and 2 of the 3 (arbol, borracha, aguacate) we got were verrrry spicy. I like spice but it was a lot for me and husband couldn't eat them. Plus, they were more like pastes or dips to me. OK but not worth repeating. Fish tacos (unremarkable), pork belly (some pieces were great and some were undercooked=flabby) and peruvian atun (delicious!) completed the meal. My drink (Cava Lamp) had no discernible taste of St. Germain that it included as an ingredient. It was also priced wrong on the menu. Husband's margarita was fine but they don't do salted rims, instead a salted foam sits on top of the drink. Meh. I will probably go back to try more of the menu but I'm not running back anytime soon. It might get back into my rotation in the next 6 months. Might not.", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:24:23" }, { "business_id": "now2TRoUla_5u_tmH4HGig", "business_name": "Namese", "rating": 4, "text": "I never thought I'd be dining al fresco on a beautiful patio located...at the corner of Carrollton and Tulane? I saw how nice the exterior was as we pulled up but it really is even nicer than you can imagine once you are seated on the patio. We didn't go inside so I can't speak to that. I wanted to order one of everything but I restrained myself. We started with the banh mi sample, I liked the shrimp the best but husband liked the other two. I recommend just getting a banh mi instead though, just to get the bang for your buck. We also got the pork roll and pate banh mi and the serving size was much more than the appetizer. They were out of pork belly, so sad, so we didn't sample any of that. Grilled shrimp spring rolls were good, caramel catfish was very good and the green papaya salad was my favorite! Staff was great and welcoming. We will definitely be back often. So glad this is on the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:32:28" }, { "business_id": "fmWgbWRcbJw-yRCK3USnvA", "business_name": "Fountain Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "We had kind of a perfect New Orleans night here, the Saturday before Christmas was very festive and the famed Roosevelt decorations were dazzling. We ran into old friends and made new ones. But none of that really had to do with the food, which did not live up to the rest of our evening. We started with raw oysters, which were cold, salty and shucked right. We both had the Reveillon menu but there were choices for each of us, I love choices! I had an asparagus dish with poached egg and Parmesan foam that was delicate and rich-tasting at the same time. The smoked tuna was good too but asparagus trumped it. The soup and salad course was next, nice but not remarkable. The soup was so rich, I think it was mostly heavy cream with a dash of cauliflower in there. I had swordfish that tasted frozen and my husband had a deconstructed duck wellington that was a better choice. Both desserts (banana-chocolate creme brulee and a lemon tart) tasted like Sysco made them a decade ago. I love dessert and I'll even eat most bad desserts but I didn't finish either one of these. Also, our cocktails cost $16 each. Things started off okay but took a nose-dive. I won't be back.", "timestamp": "2014-02-11T14:33:59" }, { "business_id": "zWfzgYe2nT9mHYm_vl1Ukw", "business_name": "Mopho", "rating": 3, "text": "Sigh. I've been twice and both times I was not overly impressed. The first time we went, we ordered the crispy wings. They were not crisp at all, although the flavor was really good. I also had the worst pho I've ever had. The broth (beef, with oxtail and tendon) was murky and tasteless, like they used no star anise or other aromatics. The second time we went was better. I had the much hyped pepper jelly clams. The clams were really fresh-tasting and the broth was delicious. But I would have loved to sop it up with some bread, instead I got some stick-shaped beignets that were awfully sweet and not a good vessel at all to absorb that beautiful broth. My companions had poboys, which they enjoyed. I'll likely keep trying but so far, it hasn't lived up to my expectations. Staff is really nice, the space is beautiful. I'm looking forward to checking out their happy hour and the patio in nice weather.", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:35:36" }, { "business_id": "EbLbT1sR9myTqzjF4mHrTw", "business_name": "The Civic Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "We went to see Christian Scott and Esperanza Spalding here a couple months ago. What a beautiful job they've done! It's fairly small and the seating felt very...vertical. But I like that it was on the small side, it felt very intimate. The bar is stocked with better than your average. They had a fancy cocktail menu and my husband was happy with his Hopitoulas. Look forward to seeing more shows here!", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:39:55" }, { "business_id": "FLtru6J7y9d-Rqb32jyPIg", "business_name": "The Fat Falafel", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only tried the falafel sandwich (add hummus) but those fries with garlic aioli were very tempting! I liked the pita, loved the root slaw and enjoyed the sauce. But...was there a hint of cinnamon in the falafel? If not, there was something I couldn't identify and if there was, I didn't like it. But it was my only quibble, well, that and also that it was messy and had so much garlic that I wanted to run home to my toothbrush immediately. In fact, after brushing my teeth and using industrial strength mouthwash, I could still taste it. So if you're planning on being out the rest of the day/evening, proceed with caution!", "timestamp": "2014-05-06T20:35:52" }, { "business_id": "9xdXS7jtWjCVzL4_oPGv9A", "business_name": "GW Fins", "rating": 3, "text": "It was good, don't get me wrong. I'll have to go back to try more of the menu and hope to upgrade to 4 stars then. AMBIANCE: Looks really dated inside, like it was designed in the early 90s. No big deal, decor is not what I came for but I noticed it. SERVICE: I appreciate attentive service, which it was, but even better, our server was knowledgeable about the menu. Kudos. THOSE BISCUITS: Everybody seems to love these. They were good, kind of on the sweet side for me. And not great for sopping up some of the excellent sauces from our meal. APPETIZERS: These were fantastic. We got the lobster dumplings, fried snapper cheeks and salmon tartar. The sauce on those dumplings, WHOA! So good. The fried fish contrasted with a spicy-sweet slaw, delicious. ENTREES: Bored silly. We both basically got a variation of fish paired with a starch and some vegetables. Nothing bad but after the appetizers, very uninspired. DESSERT: Cherry panna cotta (good) and passionfruit \"souffle.\" They had souffle in quotes so I was curious to see what that meant. You want to know? It means passionfruit ice cream served in a souffle cup. Lame. They have a great wine list (although a crappy beer list) so I'd go back to sit at the bar for some wine and apps.", "timestamp": "2014-08-13T14:30:02" }, { "business_id": "cTSczU-9-cYUEM2DlNJcQw", "business_name": "1000 Figs", "rating": 5, "text": "I found out Tuesday morning that this place had opened the day before. Since I love checking out new places within walking distance, we decided to try it for dinner. OH, SO good! I had their falafel before (which I had previously found to be dry but I liked that beet-carrot slaw). But I'm glad I gave it another shot because these here perfect. Wait, let me back up. The space is really beautiful, it feels like being in someone's home and obviously a lot of careful thought went into the decor (love the silverware in drawers at each table!). It's BYOB right now but since it's next to Swirl, they're really nice about setting you up with wine and all the accouterments. It is rather quiet though so maybe not the best place for a boisterous group. We shared barley-roasted vegetable salad, kale salad with squid and the hummus platter. The barley salad was awesome, that was probably my favorite. The kale salad I actually didn't like, I think it was chard and not kale? And not crazy about the squid, which I usually love. But I plopped some hummus on it and it was fine. The falafel were tender and perfect. Everything was served with an avalanche of fresh greens, dill, mint etc and that was a really nice touch. The hand-stretched bread that came with the hummus platter also blew me away. But when we asked for more, we got cold, factory pita from Restaurant Depot:( Maybe they ran out, highly likely since it was so delicious! No desserts, very reasonably priced. Will be back again and again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:26:21" }, { "business_id": "PDpEFp0lCsXtGsUO1WPllA", "business_name": "The Franklin", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is beautiful, no doubt. Did this used to be an old praline shop? I can't remember. I liked our dinner here but I just can't shake that I spent $72 on myself for 2 drinks and 3 apps and a dessert split 3 ways. My favorite thing was actually a salad with root vegetables. I had oysters with white remoulade; I'd drink that sauce straight but the oysters weren't fried very well, sort of soggy. I also had beef tartar with strawberries, which I decided was not a good combination. The best thing there was this cocktail I had, the Kentucky Rifleman, which was worth every penny of the $12 it cost. Rye and black walnut bitters, OMG. We shared the quince-almond-goat cheese tart and while I'd eat anything with goat cheese, the crust of this tasted like dirt and the ice cream was icy, which really ruined the texture.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:33:59" }, { "business_id": "XCDXN4xJh3-DauaO88CZHQ", "business_name": "Courtyard Brewery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so happy to see this love child finally come to fruition! I've known Scott and Lindsay for a few years now and they are such awesome people, but beyond that, they know their beer! The design and decor are well done and every time I go, I look forward to seeing something new and quirky. I like the family and dog friendly vibe. They have a great lineup of offerings, which have all been guest pours on my visit. However, I know they just released their own brews next week so I'll have to get there again soon!", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:10:02" }, { "business_id": "e-fXMT8R3j7BKMTh8xn8aw", "business_name": "Red's Chinese", "rating": 3, "text": "We had a nice dinner here last nice but I think we may have ordered the wrong things! We ordered the smashed cucumbers (fine, forgettable), the sliders (decent) and the chicken feet (gross) to start. Except that's not the way the food came out. We got the cucumbers and Kung Pao Pastrami first (delicious). We also never got the ribs we ordered and since the servings were so large, we were probably better off not getting them. I really enjoyed my cocktail (Dragon's Breath) and I'd go back to order other things. Service was fast and friendly, minus the snafu with food arrival. A note about chicken feet: having never tried them, I was curious. I thought they'd be crunchy. The flaccid skin (though soaked in a tasty buffalo wing style sauce), revealed nothing underneath but gristly bone. Now I know.", "timestamp": "2015-01-25T14:23:03" }, { "business_id": "srPwdMyFdHxvRkG9P_sRDA", "business_name": "Booty's Street Food", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here a couple of times for drinks or a snack but nothing memorable. Although, of the three times I've been, we've tried one of their fancy cocktails and I'm always let down. This past weekend, we had a large party and were grateful they could take us on such short notice. They have some interesting ground rules; if you have a party of five or more, the table has to do the tasting menu. But only five people are required to do it? Weird. Whatever, we all did the 7 course tasting to make things easy. Some of the things I really liked (the tamal, the St. Martinique fritter) and somethings were not good at all (the dry ass taco and flavorless fish sandwich on soggy bread). When we got the check, we were told that we could pay with no more than 3 credit cards or just do split checks, but that meant our four bottles of wine had to be claimed by various people since that couldn't be split. Messy. As a former server, the latter option is a lot more work but again, whatever. I'm not anxious to go back. We had fun and the food was fine. But those backless chairs were really uncomfortable for dinner and their rules seem kind of arbitrary. So many other places I'd rather eat though.", "timestamp": "2015-04-13T15:19:11" }, { "business_id": "wqGkMLZVXc0pYVjr3zDrpA", "business_name": "Vacherie", "rating": 4, "text": "***My review is only for happy hour. They have a wide variety of drinks available for $5 at happy hour, including a Pimm's cup and a Sazerac. Yum! All of the five dollar plates of food we tried were good too; deviled eggs with pimento cheese, wings and the alligator sausage. I'm not really interested in coming here for dinner because the atmosphere was kinda lacking but I'll stop in for happy hour any day of the week.", "timestamp": "2015-04-13T15:21:28" } ]	{ "business_id": "_393npnr0Dw1aGKy83x_0A", "business_name": "Paladar 511", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh my LORD! Best dinner I've had this year. First of all, this space is gorgeous. All the staff seem very happy to be there, which is a good sign. I started off with a cocktail, Overly Aggressive Old Man. If you like bitter things, this drink is for you! I loved it. We shared the following: Red snapper crudo: Delicious. Very fresh. It was served with peanuts and thinly sliced jalapenos but nothing overwhelmed the fish. Clams with chorizo. This was pretty good but impressed me the least out of all the other awesome things we ate. It was served with grilled bread, which we gobbled up and they grilled us a fresh basket to soak up the rest of the juices. Excellent move. Cobia: WHAT??? I wanted to jump right onto the plate and roll around in that sunchoke puree. Artichokes and white beans were also lovely, the fish had a perfect sear with some bright green sauce atop it, capped off with some sort of crunchy, salty bread crumb/shards. I don't even know. So good. Lamb sausage: While i think paying $16 for a sausage is a bit much, it was quite tasty. I liked the romesco and yogurt sauces it was served with. Blueberrry pie with lavender ice cream: Just get this. I'm a pie snob and it didn't even appeal to me but I am so glad my dining companions ordered it. I didn't get much lavender from the ice cream but it was beautiful anyway. Toasted ricotta pie: I liked the blueberry better but this was also a standout. I have dinner plans at Coquette tonight, which I'm tempted to cancel so I can go back to Paladar.", "timestamp": "2015-05-08T16:47:55" }
07aVWNhBhpwqW3MdqoKDKQ	[ { "business_id": "yD3vJQYB8lX8Se97oCVb2w", "business_name": "Rio Mar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here several times over the course of many years and there are some gems for sure, although I was turned off last night. We sat for dinner and asked to start with some appetizers so that we could look over the menu leisurely. We were told that the kitchen doesn't accept appetizer orders without the entrees, you have to order everything at once. I don't remember this ever being the case there. My group and I are all restaurant workers and found this attitude not worthy of the good but not spectacular meal. The ceviche. Good but the lime juice didn't taste fresh, more like what you buy in the green, plastic lime-shaped container. Pata negra (jamon iberico). Very tasty, I liked that it was served with almond-stuffed dates, they were delicious. Oysters Riomar. Very good, a little rich but I love manchego and chorizo, maybe a little too much chorizo in this particular dish, it kind of overwhelmed the other flavors. Gulf fish escabeche. Outstanding, very fresh. Serrano-wrapped tuna. Meh. Sounds amazing but the tuna flavor was not there. The tres leches with coco had a different texture than I usually associate with the dessert but it was very tasty, especially with the nuts on top. Flan was a bit too dense, in a sort of gelatinous way but still good flavor. Chocolate cake was unremarkable. The desserts were on the house to apologize for the appetizer/entree thing but I don't see why they wouldn't just allow a more relaxed style of ordering, it's not as if we walked in five minutes before closing.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T14:50:13" }, { "business_id": "yf8a1DOlqoqlKHuLSKEfxg", "business_name": "Dante's Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful outdoor seating area, friendly but not overbearing service. My absolute favorite thing was the escargot served in a sauce of basil, vermouth and goat cheese. I would go back again and again for that dish. We also got the Heads and Tails, very cute name and very tasty dish (hogshead cheese and braised oxtails). Beets and greens we ordered as sides were wonderful, simple but somehow unique. Braised pork belly not as great as I had anticipated but the pork steak confit was even better. Redfish served with soft herbs and crabmeat was delicate and lovely. At first I thought the very pretty profusion of herbs would be over the top flavor-wise but it wasn't. Too full for dessert although nothing really jumped out at me either. One of my more memorable meals this year.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T15:13:32" }, { "business_id": "je-bSjTTn8qKjT094MzjDw", "business_name": "Laurel Street Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "I want to like this place because it is sweet and neighborhoody but the croissants were really disappointing. The chocolate croissants had chocolate syrup on them but for some reason I ordered them anyway, at which point they put MORE syrup on. Ick. They also tasted pretty stale. Almond was better but still pretty lweak as far as croissants go. I would go back to try their coffee and bagels, which I hear are really good but then again I heard the croissants were great too.", "timestamp": "2010-07-25T18:01:33" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 3, "text": "The fried chicken was good. The shrimp creole that my friends had looked not so great but they liked it. Then again, they're visiting from out of town and I've never liked shrimp creole anyway. However, the Sazerac there is awful, it's watery and served over ICE! I've never had a Sazerac on the rocks and I hope to never again. Still, would come back to try the duck quesadilla", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:03:01" }, { "business_id": "FEXhWNCMkv22qG04E83Qjg", "business_name": "Café Du Monde", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Cafe du Monde, always have. But I have never gotten their frozen cafe au lait, always stuck with regular cafe au lait and beignets. So I met some friends downtown and on the way back to the office, I was HOT and stopped for the aforementioned frozen drink. Slightly too sweet but really, who cares, it is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:04:21" }, { "business_id": "qFqYnVhKKdDPYoTFwqHDrg", "business_name": "Martinique Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing. Martinique has been on my list for years and I can't believe I never made it until last night. i was with a group of six, which was fantastic because we ordered a ton of food and got to taste much of the menu. Escargot, lobster gnocchi, basil crepe, tomato gazpacho and mussels were excellent. The scallop appetizer special was kind of bland. Cobb salad was outstanding, peppery arugula and salty cheese with sweet crab meat. I thought it was kind of strange that no bread was served, which I generally don't care about but was needed for the escargot sauce. Instead, we slurped it up with the mussel shells! Lamb with pistachio-mint tapenade and pork with onion marmalade were both outstanding. The flat iron steak was good but not as flavorful as it should have been, the flavor mostly came from the compound butter it was topped with. My entree was an ahi with a caper-five herb beurre blanc that was heavy on the tarragon and topped with crabmeat. The sauce was amazing, the crabmeat really set it off, I wish the tuna was cooked slightly less but still great. Desserts were a super Meyer-lemon goat cheese tart, a housemade Guinness ice cream and a fairly boring bread pudding. Lovely service, beautiful setting, stellar meal.", "timestamp": "2010-07-28T19:45:21" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the little tables inside and the pictures of the family and all that jazz. I love strolling there on a cool September evening. But I think their gelato is just fine, not great, but fine. If I want gelato, or any other frozen dessert, I prefer Sucre or La Divina or Creole Creamery, I think they just use better products.", "timestamp": "2010-09-29T15:39:24" }, { "business_id": "TzkVUJab9Sh0CqDk2sCF-w", "business_name": "Bayona", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still full from last night. Yes, it was very good but I wasn't blown away. Maybe my expectations were too high. I had a Stormy Morning to start, which was elderberry and violette liquers, bubbly and lime, almost too sweet but the lime saved it. Then we got some bread which was nice although I noticed other tables got amuses bouches and we did not. Sad. I got the crispy quail salad for an appetizer, it was indeed crispy and the greens weren't overdressed! Finally! My boyfriend got the sweetbreads in sherry-mustard and although he said they were a bit too salty, they were cooked perfectly. The man got the Bayona salad as a second and I thought it was really lame. I like salads not to be drowning in dressing but I couldn't really taste any dressing at all, there was a bit on the bottom of the bowl but...really? And it was just lettuce and Parm. I'm bored just thinking about it. Entrees, I got a grouper special, which had a beautiful sear on it and a wonderful lemony-capery-buttery sauce. Also chanterelles, cipolloni and tomatoes. My boyfriend got a rabbit roulade with a green onion-brioche stuffing. The stuffing was great but the rabbit was kind of overcooked and had LOTS of little bones in it. There shouldn't be bones in a roulade. The mashed potatoes were as exciting as the Bayona salad and the sauteed kale was tasty but also very salty. I think dessert was the best. We got perfectly pulled espressos, served with a chocolate almond and we ordered a Lemon-Lavendar Semifreddo with Almond Shortbread. I capitalized all that because that's how good it was. It tasted like a fairy tale. Overall, I enjoyed the meal but I think this is one of those NOLA restaurants that saw their heyday a while back and isn't moving forward.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T14:29:36" }, { "business_id": "mfTyBrvx9uCTSPjmrl8PjA", "business_name": "Maison Dupuy Hotel", "rating": 3, "text": "We went here for pre-dinner drinks, which were okay but not great and pricey. To be fair though, our bartender said it was her first day so I'll cut her some slack. A ton of stars for their piano player Paul, he is awesome.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T16:34:24" }, { "business_id": "95d60_mjUg2kLy-bhDLC6w", "business_name": "Theo's Neighborhood Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Meh. I was hungry and Parkway closed early because they ran out of bread so I ended up at Theo's. The toppings were good but the crust was flavorless and I am not a fan of its crackerlike crispness. I like all kinds of pizza, NY style and Chicago style and so on but I have yet to find pizza in New Orleans that I love.", "timestamp": "2010-10-04T00:02:49" }, { "business_id": "E_HZHSOrXy621e9jeI8R7w", "business_name": "Parkview Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "I like Parkview. I like the outside tables and the semi-stale but free popcorn and the very, very cheap Abita on tap with tokens so you can drink your pitcher in moderate, pint-sized portions and then save some for next time. I like Bunchie and Chris and their free food at Saints games, especially the hogshead cheese shaped like a fleur-de-lis made by the inimitable Vaughn of Creole Country Meats. The downside to the whole place is that it's just so smoky:(", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:17:31" }, { "business_id": "4FDOh7BAb0pgLuD8rjl3bg", "business_name": "Dee's Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "Now that the weather is nice, I can leave my crypt-like office and take a mid-afternoon stroll to wake myself up. Dee's is perfect, not crowded, unassuming and just good coffee. I've only had espresso there but I'd like to try some of their frozen drinks, I think they had something called English Garden with lavender and violet? With coffee? I'm intrigued.", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:23:45" }, { "business_id": "FknpD7tLt59-6ozV3Pk2Vg", "business_name": "Caesars Superdome", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm a hater. I got all excited because the boyfriend's boss gave us his tickets last week but really, I think I like to watch the game where there are fewer obnoxious people and the food doesn't give me the runs. Within minutes of getting through security, several shrill women who looked like they were coming from a meth lab damn near started a riot by pushing and loudly kvetching near the escalators. Okay. Moving along. We got to our seats and were lucky to sit in front of a man who heckled EVERYONE in sight for the whole game, from five year olds to peanut vendors. As for the food, well, all nachos are not created equal and these weren't so good. The one bite I had of the hot dogs actually tasted pretty decent but sadly the boyfriend spent the rest of the day in the bathroom. I'll stick to the neighborhood bar or better yet, make some gumbo at home and invite the neighborhood over.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T19:37:13" }, { "business_id": "GWLWFcxaWJuWFZYeQSMMTg", "business_name": "Garden District Book Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. They pack a lot of good reads into a small place, plus I have been going to their book club meeting the past few months, which is super. The books are always thoughtfully picked and even if I don't enjoy that month's selection, I really like hearing what these smart, articulate women (men are certainly allowed although I've never seen one!) have to say about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:09:11" }, { "business_id": "nLxzI1lBOFNTKEnoip66wA", "business_name": "Mondo", "rating": 4, "text": "Highlights were the shrimp and pork meatballs on the lemongrass skewers and creamy crab toast. The breaded artichoke was pretty boring and awfully stringy but the lemon aioli was a bright spot. The steak tartare was fine but there was so much caper and pepper and so on that it detracted from the beef. If there was actually even any beef at all, I'm not sure. I'm kicking myself for not trying to soup of the day, a hot and sour soup with duck dumplings. My dinner was perfectly passable, fish \"Muddy Waters\" (which is a meuniere with jalapeno and anchovy) with roasted potatoes, except I didn't care for the fish of the day...tripletail. I usually hate five-spice powder but T's Chinese duck was very tasty, if a little small, as was the accompanying turnip cake. C. got a steak with bearnaise and OOOOH, I cannot get enough of tarragon lately. I don't even know how the steak was because I focused on those lovely, licorice-like, grassy bits of tarragon in the sauce. E.got a lovely lamb with ricotta agnolloti that might be what I order next time I'm in. For dessert, lemon tart, coconut sorbet and sweet potato-pecan pie with almond-sherry ice cream. Sorbet (good) lemon tart (uh, lemony?) sweet-potato pecan pie with ice cream was STELLAR. I really liked the ice cream, the sherry complemented the almond so well and the almonds tasted deep and toasty. All in all, a very nice meal, although we wanted a perhaps finer dining experience than they offer. We were looking for some port or sherry after dinner, no such luck. Anyway, next time I'll forgo the high-brow meal experience and sit at the bar with a glass of wine and a pizza from the wood-burning oven. Oh, and those meatballs!d", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:21:02" }, { "business_id": "R7ZqfB-4Z7jyl73iQ58nEQ", "business_name": "GG's Dine-O-Rama", "rating": 2, "text": "Crowded. Smells strange. The corned beef sandwich had WAY too much creole mustard (that stuff is strong!) and the beef tasted slightly sweet and cinnamony, just the thought of which makes me feel queasy. Very small for $11. My friend got mozzarella sliders which were made using crappy rolls, plus they were burnt. Underwhelming.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:02:45" }, { "business_id": "jMZ56S8Y1t7cA1Ob-d-qeA", "business_name": "Three Muses", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfection. Eggplant bruschetta was the hit of the night. The goat cheese gratin (not really a gratin at all but it was delicious so screw semantics) and pork belly were also amazing! Not too impressed with an ahi tuna special but maybe that's because everything else was so good! I didn't think I'd like the tomato chutney on the lamb sliders but it went very well together, lamb seasoned perfectly, just a bit on the dry side though. We had several cocktails, the Muse was hands down my favorite; strawberry, cucumber, gin and St. Germain. Also good mojitos and sangria. The blueberry bellini was okay but if I didn't know it was supposed to be blueberry, I wouldn't have been able to taste it, although it was a very pretty color.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:07:34" }, { "business_id": "me3mlZsR26fV89fMw2uR6Q", "business_name": "Rib Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Between three and four stars but since the setting is so over the top and cinematic, I'll go with four stars. It was eerily empty when we arrived at 7:30 on a Friday night. Our server looked like he was 12 and he seemed excited to be waiting on three ladies who weren't senior citizens. We got served cheese and crackers as soon as we sat down and I thought that was really odd. Bread soon followed. I had a frisee salad with a poached egg and lardons. It came looking very pretty and garnished with a purple orchid. But there were no lardons and the egg was cooked all the way through. It had a nice dressing though and that orchid really went a long way for me so overall, good. My friend got the house salad, which was not very fresh looking iceberg with Hidden Valley ranch. At a place like this, I'd expect better greens and maybe housemade dressings. For my entree, I had a really wonderful filet cooked with peppercorn sauce. My friend did also but we ordered them at different temps. They gave us the wrong ones which isn't so horrible but again, at that kind of restaurant, you need to have a lot of attention devoted to those details. The other friend had a prime rib, she said it tasted very good but not as tender as it should be and overall didn't seem very impressed. Chocolate mousse for dessert, fine not great or memorable in any way. I enjoyed it for the wonderful company that I had and the plush surroundings. The food was fine but for the money, I'll take my business somewhere else.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:30:03" }, { "business_id": "E5YB7NywtfmQ2_rpxtjmKQ", "business_name": "Betsys Pancake House", "rating": 3, "text": "This is nothing remarkable here food-wise but it's worth it to go on a Sunday morning before a Saints game when all the patrons, staff and even the interior of the place are decked out in their black and gold finest. The other great thing that I love about Betsy's is the gruff but sweet waitress who cannot complete any sentence without calling you baby, darling or sweetheart, even if she is yelling at you. The food was fine, not stellar, but it's a diner, what more could you expect? Corned beef hash is out of a can, forgot my friend's english muffin but loved that the waitress said \"Your muffin is on it's way. Really, I just forgot to put it in. At least I'm honest.\" I love her.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T16:47:13" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Props for being open on Monday. We sat at the sushi bar and were given two salads, I guess they were complimentary because we didn't order them. This turned out to be my favorite thing. Greens topped with some seaweed salad, squid and fried onions? I don't know but it was delightful and way better than the weird and heavily-mayonnaised salad they give you at Mikimoto. We ordered yellowtail, tuna and escolar by the piece. Yellowtail is usually my favorite but this did not have a good taste. BBQ yellowtail had no sauce and tuna-avocado was very skimpy on the avocado. We also had the seafood salad and it was very generous and tasty by the end but initially not so good because the sauce was all at the bottom and it wasn't tossed. They have a ton of specialty rolls, which is cool but I found it overwhelming, we ordered the Burning Man, which never came and I didn't mind at all because I was so full. Overall, it was ok, not awful, but can't hold a candle to my NOLA favorite, Horinoya. Also, they use the nasty, dyed Pepto-Bismol pink ginger, why does ginger need to be dyed? My final gripe, they don't seem to season their rice and it's very plain. But hey, they're open Mondays and do karaoke so I'll probably be back. Next time I will try the ramen, which I have heard is really good.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:23:52" }, { "business_id": "7pKzyzCFC7LpX82sM-0aMg", "business_name": "Balcony Music Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't been here since about 2001 when I think it was called the Matador? And I think all those pretty windows used to be blacked out or otherwise covered? Anyway, Friday night we saw TWO great bands for FREE, had a cute table in the window that fit several of us. I didn't have a drink so I don't know if they were good or cheap etc but I am still so thrilled about not paying a cover and not feeling crowded or cramped by hordes of people.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:35:34" }, { "business_id": "9TDyIOrSrncpsAUxVqx3aA", "business_name": "Capdeville", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't eaten here yet but I watched the game there on Sunday. I had the Persephone's Fall, which is St. Germain, gin, egg white, lemon juice and something else to make it pink, maybe pomegranate? Outstanding. They also passed out free shots of whiskey every time the Saints scored and while whiskey isn't really my thing, I thought it was a nice gesture.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:38:25" }, { "business_id": "rHYqc5YTAkFGYxcoYg7R8w", "business_name": "Trashy Diva", "rating": 4, "text": "Love Trashy Diva! I must have shied away because the name totally turns me off but now that I know how wonderful it is, I am a loyal follower. There are tons of stores here that sell pretty dresses but I had no idea that the owner designs the clothing herself! I love the sort of vintage/retro feel of the clothes. I'm the kind of person who could go through the rest of life wearing a Betty Draper style shirtdress and be totally happy so if that's your style, you will love this store. Sizes run from 2-18 but go often because once they are out, that dress is done! I saw a dress that I ADORED but they only had a size two left and I am still moping about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T21:14:34" }, { "business_id": "UeYZgcORV2Veo_BZzdiaTg", "business_name": "Napoleon House", "rating": 4, "text": "I moved away from New Orleans for a few years and on one visit back, I was craving a Pimm's Cup from Napoleon House. Maybe my taste buds changed or maybe they make them differently but it tasted like a whole bunch of cheap, pre-mixed ingredients like that powdered base used to make sour mix. If you want a real Pimm's Cup, go see Chris at Bar Uncommon at the Pere Marquette. This man is no bartender, he is a mixologist, I think he has done demos at the Smithsonian on drink mixing! You will die and go to heaven when he makes a drink for you. Anyway, love the atmosphere at Napoleon House, inside or outside in the courtyard. The food is good enough, I liked the muffaletta and the shrimp remoulade in avocado cups. I don't ever really go here except when I have people visiting from out of town and everyone enjoys it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-21T16:18:40" }, { "business_id": "pym7c6ZFEtmoH16xN2ApBg", "business_name": "Katie's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Katie. I really, really want to like you. You're a neighborhood anchor, you've got that cute little outdoor seating area and you even have bottomless mimosas for Sunday brunch! I hope you don't read this because I hate to hurt your feelings but then again, I hope you do so perhaps you can make some adjustments and we can be better friends. We were lured in by $10 pizza night, which is every Thursday. Also, the website said creamy tomato-basil soup (one of my favorites!), stuffed mirlitons and white beans for daily specials, yes please! Weirdly, only one of the specials posted was actually a special. Beef vegetable, no thanks. We had more than ample time to wait for our food and this is what I noticed. Our server was really sweet. The place seemed full of neighbors and regulars, always a good sign. The staff/service didn't seem to have a real sense of urgency but it was all so friendly that I didn't mind. The food. I had the gumbo since they had no tomato-basil soup. Very good, spicy, full of sausage. The rice was of the long-ago cooked, rather hard variety but that's usually my gripe with gumbo everywhere and so it's probably my fault for not asking them to leave it out. The boyfriend's BLT salad was huge, had plenty of blue cheese and bacon but no tomato. Isn't that what the \"T\" stands for? Then we had the Boudreaux pizza, which was AWFUL. I had to pick all through it to find any meat and when I did, it was a couple tiny scraps. The pizza was burned and I don't mind some char but this was burned in a very unpleasant way. Very dry. Weirdly tasteless toppings. Disappointing. We'll be back to try other things but I will never order pizza here again.", "timestamp": "2010-10-22T11:37:05" }, { "business_id": "I3Uy20BKx7G-Fzz6hLIeWg", "business_name": "Restaurant August", "rating": 4, "text": "I keep going to these super-hyped up places and feeling a little disappointed. Maybe after I hear all the raves, I expect perfection and that is too high an order. I felt this way at Bayona and Le Foret as well. Anyway, I did enjoy my lunch. We served the ubiquitous amuse bouche of truffled sabayon in an egg. I liked this a lot although I understand my boyfriend's gripe about it having an odd texture. It was sort of like scooping extra-fancy mayonnaise out of the egg and eating it. It was good spread on the bread they served, which was good because the butter tasted not quite right to me. I got the duck salad which was okay, not great, very sparse but to be expected for a pre-fixe meal deal. The duck tasted kind of off, actually the best part was the roasted pears. My boyfriend's pate plate was super, it was HUGE and it came with all kinds of pickled and aspic-ed vegetables. My ravioli were tasty but the pasta was pretty tough. I loved the knobs of crabmeat on top. The boyfriend's shrimp and grits were good, not remarkable, and if I had more than two bites, I suspect I would have gotten sick of the flavor, very rich and salty. Desserts were wonderful. I got a brioche grilled cheese with goat cheese and figs and a spicy honey. The BF got a butterscotch pot-de-creme that was also outstanding. Espresso served with lemon peel without having to ask for it! For what we paid, it was worth it but I was just a little let down since I foolishly went in thinking I was entering food heaven. Very good, not earth-shattering.", "timestamp": "2010-11-03T16:41:19" }, { "business_id": "j8JOZvfeHEfUWq3gEz6ABQ", "business_name": "Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "I've always loved Bacchanal and every visit there, from the wine to the food to the beautiful, enchanted garden/patio/courtyard area. Always a five star experience. A couple of weeks ago however, a not so good experience. Everything started well, we got some great wine recommendations from the friendly guy working the register and put in an order for food OUTSIDE. We also wanted to get a cheese plate (INSIDE) to nibble on. I guess when you select your cheese, you are purchasing the WHOLE piece, which seems kind of excessive and absurd, even for a cheese lover. So for a couple of people, we spent nearly $40 on a cheese plate. A wine bar should have a cheese plate that you can choose a few selections of meat/cheese for a set price, depending on the number of items. Well, I think they should anyway. When we did get the cheese plate, there was very little bread and considering the fact that we had a couple pounds of meat and cheese, I think more than 4 pieces were warranted. The surly woman who was making the cheese plates was outside delivering some food when we asked if we could have more bread. She rolled her eyes, told us we just got bread and if we wanted more, we would have to go to the front and fill out a bread request form. Really? Will I also have to pay a charge for an inter-bakery loan? Then she sat down at a table with friends and chatted and had a glass of wine. I thought that was silly and rude. But I still love Bacchanal, just that now I will avoid the inside food and stick with the delicious outside food, no attitude there.", "timestamp": "2010-11-04T20:53:57" }, { "business_id": "BrospeMqVM_tF9HH0RHuog", "business_name": "Gene's PO-Boys", "rating": 5, "text": "Mmm. After the parade on Saturday and our foray at Bar Tonique, I realized it had been way too long since I was in that part of town that late at night after having had some cocktails. Which of course is the best time to hit Gene's. I got my usual, the hot sausage, and the boyfriend got the roast beef. Super messy and oh-so-fantastic. I woke up wanting another for breakfast. One time I was driving from Baton Rouge to Miami with a friend who had never been to New Orleans. We were tight on time so we couldn't stop and hang out but I made sure we had an extra 20 minutes to jump off the interstate and get some Gene's to sustain us for the rest of the car ride. It's that good.", "timestamp": "2010-11-05T16:12:58" }, { "business_id": "H5KRna9A6mDQEJ2ZN0zL6g", "business_name": "La Petite Grocery", "rating": 3, "text": "I expected more. It's a beautiful place, the inside is so much bigger than I had imagined from the outside! It really is a lovely setting for a date. To start off, I had a French 75 that was BAD. It was supposedly with pear brandy, I didn't taste any pear and it way overpowered the champagne. I love a French 75 and this was not good. I got the gnocchi, which was pretty tasty although weirdly unsalted and no salt and pepper on the table. My boyfriend's sweetbreads tasted like old oil. The menu online is definitely not up-to-date incidentally. I ordered the rabbit, which sadly was like a big chicken finger. It came with an uninspired side of sauteed spinach, the spaetzle being the only redeeming factor. My boyfriend's hangar steak was fine. I was really surprised by the limited entree offerings and not really impressed by anything but the ambiance. I should give it another try before I write it off forever but I'm not dying to get back any time soon.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:23:59" }, { "business_id": "o5UrUOKcmj5GFXmB6Osb6w", "business_name": "Bouligny Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "We just came in for drinks before dinner. The space is very nice, especially welcoming on a cold night. Liquor selection and cocktail list were both more than ample. I will have to go back for the famous beignets and they have MARROW! Mmm! The crowd wasn't really my thing but I'm fine with that, it's good for people watching. The only thing that was slightly off for me was that our bartender gave us menus, took our drink order, made our drinks, checked for second round, delivered our bill and so on without saying one word. I thought that was strange but also weirdly admirable that she could convey so much with gestures and facial expressions.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:29:00" }, { "business_id": "ILUd8DXxX21FOgUmE4bTLA", "business_name": "Yuki Izakaya", "rating": 3, "text": "I loved the atmosphere of this quirky little spot. The old wooden bar and exposed brick are lovely in their own right but the way it is decorated with Japanese cartoons and knickknackery is really cute. We went in last Thursday when there was no one else in the bar but the bartender, no patrons or music. I got a green tea martini that I didn't like at all but maybe I should have tried something else. Foodwise, nothing very good. The french fries were of the Ore Ida variety although the wasabi mayonnaise was good. Marinated octopus in wasabi was interesting for a few bites but then it was just kind of murky-tasting. Rice wrapped in seaweed with salted plum was waaaaaay to salty (and I love salty) and off-puttingly mushy. The beef tongue was super tough, i actually felt like I was eating someone's tongue instead of having it fall apart like I'm used to. The sauce was awesome though, lemony and peppery, if they'd just learn how to cook the tongue right! I would definitely come back for a beer and maybe a nibble but not to eat extensively. A band started playing just as we were finishing up, which was nice. My final issue though is that they don't charge a cover for music, just an upcharge of 50 cents on every item during a show. We had our drinks and food long before the band even showed up or started playing but we got the surcharge for each item. It was just a matter of a few dollars but since we really didn't partake in the entertainment, I thought it was worth noting.", "timestamp": "2010-12-08T15:56:15" }, { "business_id": "75FY8ZQx5nOWP0VFmNvWfw", "business_name": "Atchafalaya Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for a while and am so glad I finally did. Now I can't wait to get back for dinner! I had brunch here the other day, I was impressed with the interior, it's light and airy and full of artwork. The coffee was great. My friend and I split entrees, we tried the eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes and crab on top. We also got a special, duck hash with blackberries and mango in a bacon vinaigrette with poached eggs and hollandaise! I think I was full for at least eight hours after that. The special was really outstanding, the hollandaise was perfect. I liked the eggs benny too, I just wish the fried green tomato had a little more flavor, maybe more seasoning in the batter? It wasn't a standout. I went to the ladies room and there were a pair of black lace underwear in the stall. I didn't think this was really that kind of place but it gave me a good laugh. Then it got me a little grossed out about the bathroom.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:28:05" }, { "business_id": "Nhci37qY0HPCNWc5UQul9w", "business_name": "9 Roses", "rating": 4, "text": "Banh Xeo-mmmm, so delicate and crisp. This is my new love. We also got steamed, pork dumplings that I thought tasted watery but the BF liked them so I happily ate the banh xeo and relinquished the rest of the dumplings to him. I wanted pho but I also wanted to try something new so I got the quail. It was fine but just plain roasted quail, which had me wanting the more complex riot of flavors in pho. But then if had ordered the pho, I would have still been wondering about the quail! I'm so difficult sometimes. We also got the ribs in fish sauce (Dorothy's recommendation), really tasty, the sauce is kind of on the sweet side but mix it up with greens and it is oh so good. Lemon grass beef vermicelli was fabulous. Our server was really sweet and attentive. It was REALLY cold in there, everyone was wearing winter jackets. But still very worth the drive to the West Bank and if you're still hungry, which I doubt, stop at Taqueria Sanchez right across the way!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:44:05" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Saturday was a beautiful day, it punctuated the much colder weather and I was happy to get out and about. There was lots of what seemed to be good food but I couldn't eat, having just come from a huge meal at Atchafalaya. Besides food, there were vintage and second-hand items, puppies, music and lots of crafts. An abundance of NOLA-based stuff that is great for gifts but am I the only one getting sick of seeing fleur-de-lis everything? I did pick up some Christmas ornaments that were oyster shells with the Virgin Mary on them. Who wouldn't love Mary on the half-shell dangling from their tree? I'm really excited to see this part of Freret picking up momentum. It's always had such a cool, sort of small town Main Street feel to it but has been woefully neglected. Glad to see it on the upswing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:53:09" }, { "business_id": "wQNkpi9RvpuoiDB-CiHxog", "business_name": "Bar Tonique", "rating": 5, "text": "So, I have returned and I have tried SEVERAL more cocktails. I went on a Thursday, caiparinha night, and I have to say it was lackluster. Nowhere near as good as the ones at Rio Mar. Now here's the thing, I think they excel at drinks of the martini variety, as in ingredients that are shaken and then strained. Their drinks over ice are less impressive and I think it's party becasue of the large ice cubes they use. Now bear with me. I read this article a few weeks ago about this fancy new ice lots of bars are using. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/dining/01shake.html?pagewanted=all) Apparently the cubes are prized because they are large, thereby chilling the drinks more quickly with less dilution. I think this is great for aforementioned shaken and strained drinks but not so good for drinks on the rocks. It makes the drink too icy and cold and you can't taste anything but the big ice block in your drink. So do yourself a favor and get the Faucheaux, which is tequila, basil and St Germain. Revelatory. Also fantastic was the Tru Kick, with Tru Gin, ginger syrup and peach bitters. Some of the best cocktails I've tasted on any fancy, signature cocktails list in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T19:04:45" }, { "business_id": "aeIWVa6G54UUo6yloJkyJg", "business_name": "Lebanon's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "My go-to is usually Mona's when I'm in the mood for Middle Eastern but I thought I'd give Lebanon's a go this time. I like Mona's hummus better, it's creamier. Labne and baba ganoush were equally good though. Lebanon's has better grape leaves and I like that the falafel is green inside from all the parsley. Beef shawarma was perfectly decent but nothing special. I really liked my eggplant sandwich, kind of like a sub or a po-boy, and topped with lots of feta. Lebanese tea has pine nuts, which I like but really, how do you eat them? They won't come up the straw and fishing around for them is kinda tedious. It's a little too sweet as well, probably wouldn't order that again. Overall, fine if I'm in the neighborhood but I'm usually closer to Mona's and besides, Mona's has that delicious fried cheese thing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:16:51" }, { "business_id": "NHL1c_30iYXvJZcqEo6fwQ", "business_name": "Pal's Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I love Pal's, that's a given. However, this review was spurred entirely by the fantastic Gingerita I had there on Friday. Cutesy names can be a bad sign for cocktails, often involving overly sweet ingredients. Not so with Gingerita, it has ginger vodka, ginger beer and this amazing organic ginger juice that they special order from California called Elixir G. Go get a Gingerita before the season is over!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:50:38" }, { "business_id": "b92dSNftvCSPWLC4ZgNXCg", "business_name": "Sammy's Food Service & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The food is five stars, the service is two but the shrimp and mirliton soup cannot make me Sammy's less than 4 stars. I went with two coworkers and we all ordered a large soup, one also ordered a salad. One got a bowl of soup after 30 minutes, the second got her salad and had to ask if the soup sitting on the shelf was hers, they finally gave it to her and it was ice cold. After they were finished eating, I told the woman at the counter to please just make my order to go. Also, no spoons or forks out, which make salad and soup eating very difficult. I realize they are super busy but their system kind of sucks. My advice would be to call your order in, pick it up and go eat somewhere else. Because the eating is oh-so-good! I've also had their hot sausage po-boy, they make their own sausage and it is AWESOME in it's own garlicky right.", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T18:25:27" }, { "business_id": "t9LiapsQABwMQeiF1Czl6w", "business_name": "Port Of Call", "rating": 3, "text": "I haven't been to Port of Call in a few years and the boyfriend and I often talk about it but think about the line and then I wonder if the burger is even all that because for some reason, my memories of eating there are all fuzzy. Yup, that's all one sentence. Anyway, we went on a Monday night at 6:45, no line, ordered and served our food in under 10 minutes. It is fine, actually it's good, it's a nice, solid burger but nothing revelatory or worth standing in a line for. I wish they would season the meat a little and I think they are too thick. I don't think they should be puny, just a little more petite so you can get burger, patty and the rest all in one mouthful. I get the appeal, it's cute and kitschy but I could do better myself.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:42:54" }, { "business_id": "Jy1ivHnSRtNNA6snZSAKBw", "business_name": "Twelve Mile Limit", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the cocktails, especially the Good Idea. It was like a cross between a Pimm's Cup and a Moscow Mule. The bartender was very sweet. The cook offered tastes of brisket all around when he was done cooking it. Unfortunately, the bar has a very sterile feel to it. Too brightly lit, nothing on the walls and then the Real Housewives of Old Metairie showed up, commandeered the jukebox and started loudly serenading us and awkwardly gyrating. We also ordered some cream cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped jalapenos, which were good but a little overcooked and pretty expensive for how many you get. I'm hoping they can do something to remedy the atmosphere/decor of the place and then I think it will be a solid 4 stars. They are off to a good start though.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:47:47" }, { "business_id": "jE7PpEUmWgcBc0DeelPAOA", "business_name": "Bistro Daisy", "rating": 5, "text": "Love, love, love it! I had an oyster appetizer that may be one of my favorite dishes of 2010. It was poached oysters (and I usually only like them fried or raw) with Herbsaint, fennel, bacon and a hint of cream (and I usually don't care for fennel). But this dish was so luscious and aromatic and I could have ordered three more. Very nice with my Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc. I liked my duck but wasn't wowed. However, the BF's lamb shank made me swoon. It was so meltingly tender and the tomato sauce it was cooked in had a bit of mint in it, just like my grandmother would have done. This might be what I want to eat for my last meal on earth. They brought us a baked Alaska for dessert even though we didn't order it. I have never tasted a meringue so creamy! So much so that I was sliding it on the roof of my mouth to savor the texture longer. Go to Bistro Daisy. Take your beloved. Order the oysters and the lamb. (FYI: The online menu is not up-to-date)", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T15:44:25" }, { "business_id": "3wo9jODQnuvBm8Gkem6qXg", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "BBQ shrimp and grits was pretty terrible. This surprised me because their BBQ shrimp blackstone I had a few months ago was soooo good. This was a completely different sauce, it seemed to be all Worcestershire and not much else. The shrimp were tiny, the grits were unremarkable. Presentation did not make it look appealing. Also, I really hate those wide-mouth coffee cups. They look nice, I agree, but the coffee gets cold almost immediately because so much surface area is exposed.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T16:20:48" }, { "business_id": "voWjA6zfmXLIbKAoqwBnug", "business_name": "Green Goddess", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to go here forever and was so excited on Saturday to finally do just that! We had an hour or so wait, which was fine so we went to the Orleans Grapevine for a cocktail and they called us when they were ready. The wine and drink list is amazing, if not a little overwhelming, I got a Pear 75, which was good but not the best I've ever had, it lacked the lemon juice that ties it all together. Food was really just three stars, except for the Oysters Delacroix and the bacon sundae, so good! The corn crepes with huitlacoche were really bland, the lentil pancake was just...not good, it wasn't inedible but you'd think with tamarind chutney and spiced chickpeas, it would have been a lot more appealing. The green goddess wedge was good but I wish the dressing was evenly applied instead of dumped on top so some bites were just lettuce and some were drowned in the dressing. I also tried their daily cocktail special, the Daily Truth, which had Drambuie and rum and lime juice and some fertility liquor that I don't remember the name of, it was spicy and warm and fantastic. I think I will have to go back and try some more dishes, I love the ideas behind their menu and the space is quirky and eccentric and so NOLA. I met a new transplant and her mom, a hope-to-be teacher interviewing for TeachNola and also pinned money to the birthday boy-chef who was wearing a tie-dye tuxedo shirt from his wedding that was all Mardi Gras colors and finished with fleur-de-lis cuffs. I want to love the food, I already love everything else. Next time will be better!", "timestamp": "2011-01-24T16:35:38" }, { "business_id": "iJiNZw2TEwB579dr6LyVZQ", "business_name": "Cooter Brown's", "rating": 4, "text": "I remember eons ago having late, late nights at Snake and Jake's that led to late mornings and even later \"breakfasts\" at Cooter Brown's of a few dozen raw oysters. I love oysters, I will eat them for breakfast but lately when I eat them, it is between the civilized hours of 3-6pm and I eat them at Luke, washed down with a French 75. But Friday night at 7pm rolled around and so I went to Cooter's for several dozen raw, an oyster po-boy and of course, some cheese fries. The raw oysters are pretty reasonable, about $10 for a dozen I think. The po-boy came on toasted and buttered bread, which I do so appreciate. Unfortunately, they don't use Leidenheimer's bread, it's good but not what I want a po-boy on. The BF wanted gravy on the cheese fries and it wasn't debris gravy like I thought it would be, but just a packet-style, powdered gravy. But I still tore it up and it was all delicious.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:07:58" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like the decor this place, I love community seating, they have awesome light fixtures and vintage vases and all kinds of cute stuff to keep your eyes occupied. I'll have to go back to sample more but I wasn't really blown away by anything except the apple pie. The burger, which everyone raves about, had a really delicious potato bun. But they didn't ask for a temp and I thought it was way overcooked and also woefully underseasoned. None of the agogo sauce with which it was advertised made an appearance. Although the zinfandel compote is not to be missed, it was stellar! Service was friendly but not very efficient. They're working out kinks, I'm sure, but I will reserve higher praise for now.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:30:26" }, { "business_id": "N3bjowmk_Yi9rUxPpM2k6Q", "business_name": "The Store", "rating": 3, "text": "It's okay. Definitely overpriced for what you get, both in quantity and quality. I ordered the BLT and the potato soup. BLT was alright but dry and the potato soup tasted like instant mashed potatoes. My friend's shrimp nicoise did look stupendous though, I will admit that. My workplace also orders from here for staff meetings a fair amount and again, not really impressed. The sandwiches are fine if they're the kind you pay $4 for at the gas station but not with the prices they charge. AND, they use pre-shedded cheese, that is just nasty. I don't want ashy cheese that is coated in cellulose. I don't mind paying the prices, I just would like the quality to match.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T19:59:22" }, { "business_id": "AW2xE3-nxDe30JBqwNuUdw", "business_name": "Star Nails", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been going here for pedicures for a long time, because they are quick to get you in, clean and efficient, but mostly because I am a creature of habit. They have a pretty wide selection of OPI nail colors. I also like being offered something to drink (non-alcoholic but still nice). Prices are pretty much the same as anywhere else you'd go but on Tuesdays they are a little cheaper. I am speaking only about pedicures as I've never gotten anything else done there.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T20:52:34" }, { "business_id": "OAjof8dhS2zScmZh2Xuo1A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Whole Foods really doesn't need another review, we all know that it's a nice grocery store with great although expensive products. I just would like to point out that their Chantilly Berry king cake is awesome, especially if you warm it up just a little bit. They also have un-shucked Louisiana oysters available again for about 50 cents each so now I can get my fix of charbroiled oysters in the comfort of my own home once more!", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T21:10:15" }, { "business_id": "B9Cv-DjHb1fZJ1drcsCREA", "business_name": "Mid-City Smiles", "rating": 4, "text": "Everyone was very friendly and did an excellent job without pushing products or services on me. I called about three dentists to get in before the end of 2010 and this was the only place that could give me an appointment that quickly. Plus I can walk there and they have Saturday hours.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:00:26" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars for the king cake! Filling (chocolate) was delicious, I thought it would be more like chocolate pudding or nutella but it was a cocoa powder base. The cake was moist and soft and frosting was good but not overwhelming. All three components were in perfect proportion to each other. My favorite king cake so far this season!", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:03:20" }, { "business_id": "yL9j5ASNic_DaDKf9lwMhw", "business_name": "Stein's Market and Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The corned beef with coleslaw is incredible. Wow. I can't stop thinking about it. The Italian hoagie is also really good and even their veggie sandwich is great. Chocolate rugelach are okay but the raspberry are addictive!!! Toffee chocolate ship cookies and blondies are also really tasty. The only flop for me was the potato salad but everything else was so good that I just skipped over it. I'm sad that I somehow missed Beer Day last week. Next year.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:08:52" }, { "business_id": "WjkMZNlIUtQ59iHvG-aRMA", "business_name": "Balance Yoga & Wellness", "rating": 5, "text": "Balance Yoga just opened in this Mid-City location and it is beautiful. They did a wonderful job with a lovely old house, complete with large windows, fireplaces and pocket doors. Because of the huge windows, there is a lot of natural light. While I really like that, I kind of wish they'd put something over them so people waiting outside at Mandina's or Ruby Slipper can't see in. They offer several different types of yoga, even Kundalini, which I haven't seen in New Orleans since Katrina! The instructors are friendly and help you with your poses. Early morning classes, evening classes, Sunday classes, community (by donation) classes, they've got it all.", "timestamp": "2011-02-03T18:23:17" }, { "business_id": "F7etLf6od7CUnCPknsQ-6Q", "business_name": "Rue 127", "rating": 4, "text": "The inside is beautiful and I can't wait for warm weather to enjoy the outside. Initially, I was a little disappointed that they didn't have a specialty cocktail list but I can get over that. We only had appetizers and desserts and I will certainly be back for more. We enjoyed the mussels, pork belly and scallop tortellini. The mussels were good but I didn't want to drink the broth like I usually do, there was maybe too much acidity? Also, their homemade bread is very nice but very SWEET and not such a great match for the savory food. The pork belly was served with these potatoes that I think were scored and then fried so they had a really unique texture. Deep-fried cupcakes, I'm sorry to be a dissenter but not for me. I liked that they were warm and oozy but they were way too sweet and the greasy exterior was overwhelming. We had a date cake that was served with honey ice cream, very good but also a bit on the sweet side. I look forward to coming back and trying more of the menu.", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T18:38:58" }, { "business_id": "0DdmKihJ90qKP5TAM3c2yQ", "business_name": "Tartine", "rating": 3, "text": "I feel like there are a lot of places popping up lately that are getting a lot of hype and I'm just not buying it quite yet. Tartine, case in point, has some good things going for it but it's also got some issues. What worked: The house-baked bread is fantastic, it's got a really nice chewiness-crunchiness to it. A+. I love, love, love the salad with pecans and goat cheese and big, fat dried blueberries. I wish I knew where they got those blueberries because the ones at Rouse's are shriveled and tiny. The rillete was huge portion, it looked like six ounces of rillete, which for such a rich spread is a LOT. What didn't: The outside is really cute but the inside felt like a cafeteria. The specials board was posted below the counter (which made it invisible) yet the drinks were posted high up for all to see. Please consider switching this around. The rillete, although generous, was just okay. It's light years better at Luke, although their service has gotten so bad of late I hate to recommend it. The ham and triple cream cheese with fig mustard had no fig mustard and the triple cream was a thin, pre-sliced piece of mystery cheese. The accompanying couscous (fregula?) salads had little flavor. In addition to all that, we waited in line for several minutes and then over 35 minutes for our sandwiches and we didn't even go until 1:30. I can't fault them for that, they were really busy and super nice but if you go, you might just want to call in your order ahead of time and take it to the Fly for a picnic", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T19:03:12" }, { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has been on my list for a while because I heard a rumor that they are just like Port of Call's burgers. Since I'm giving up meat for Lent, I thought it would be an ideal afternoon for a burger. The interior kind of put me off from the start, all the tables were huge parties of 8-10 people with vacant-looking teenagers glued to their cell phone screens and children playing on arcade-like games in the corner. Food was not inedible but just a step above that. House salad was chopped iceberg, which the boyfriend loves so that's fine but it was small and pricey for what it was. Harbor wings, I guess anything fried and dipped in bleu cheese is good but they really had no discernible flavor. My burger was burnt, the bacon tasted like it was cooked at the breakfast shift and the mushrooms were waterlogged. The french fries weren't even good. My boyfriend's shrimp po-boy was small with shrimp the size of my thumbnail and it was $14. Service was friendly. The only thing good about going is that now I can cross it off my list of places to try.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T14:52:30" }, { "business_id": "x4TJJ0t19yBxkL5WX6n4Kg", "business_name": "Touché Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, I've had four star visits here before but my last visit was a one or two star. Generally I like the place because it's kind of tucked away and they have that recessed room down below in the back, which I really like in the winter, it's very snug and comfortable. However, the last time I was there, I walked in and was immediately assaulted with the smell of a backed up sewer and a bunch of older, bead-clad tourists dancing to Night Fever. I'm not making that up, in fact, the song has been seared in my head since then. I'll be back for another go but I will wait until the weather is cool and I feel like being somewhere cozy.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:32:00" }, { "business_id": "8KkuHRDLPVdqh99CHuKdHg", "business_name": "Kanno California Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I absolutely loved the spinach salad with tuna and avocado and that delicious dressing (even if it was dressed too generously). I also fell in love with the Tuna 911 roll that has spicy, pickled vegetables inside that were an outstanding addition. The other stuff we got was fine but unmemorable. I agree with other reviewers that they seem to put A LOT of sauce on things but fortunately, they mostly put it on the side. They only have Yellowtail for wine though, which made me sad. The complimentary chocolate truffle-like things they serve at the end are phenomenal.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:45:14" }, { "business_id": "f9H3wpzWG_apxoumWB-Dvg", "business_name": "Cafe Equator", "rating": 3, "text": "After craving Churros and braving the wilds of Metairie, I found Churros closed early on a Wednesday night! So we decided to go to Korea House, also closed! My stomach dangerously rumbling, we decided for a quick bite at Cafe Equator. Pad Thai and Masaman curry were fine but nothing I can see having a craving for in the future. The Thai iced tea I thought was not very good, it tasted...smoky? Service was fine, parking was easy.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T16:56:49" }, { "business_id": "OfExqBpAJNmxG2oLvn0Q3w", "business_name": "New Orleans Public Library - Mid-City Branch", "rating": 5, "text": "Even though it took four months to re-open (and not two weeks like they promised!), it was worth the wait. The new location is larger and has an entire front wall full of windows so it gets great light. It's convenient to all the other businesses in the Can Company and the farmers' market on Thursday evening as well. My only gripe is that there is no drop box! I rely very heavily on my local drop-box, I hope this is something they just haven't gotten around to yet and that it is soon remedied.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T17:32:50" }, { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Lola's has such a great atmosphere that even if the food sucked, I'd be hard pressed to give it a low rating. While not all of the dishes sing, some are actually kind of boring, there are many that are really solid. My favorite is the calamari, it's not those deep-fried things you get everywhere else. Nope, it is a perfectly seared calamari steak with the most wildly addictive sauce. Hint; If for some crazy reason you don't use all the sauce on your calamari app, keep it for entrees because you will likely elevate the deliciousness of everything else you have ordered with some of that. Their garlic-almond soup garnished with grapes is also AHmazing and oddly refreshing but I made the mistake of eating it once when I was trying to be gluten-free and it failed. Because the base of the soup is day old bread and I didn't know that. Oops. I just went this past weekend and they had WHITE sangria in addition to their usual red. Did they always have this or is it new? Anyway, it's good and it's cheap and there is nothing like sitting outside on a perfect New Orleans evening, under the canopy of trees that is Esplanade, sipping on some of that juice. And their almond ice cream is excellent.", "timestamp": "2011-03-03T18:53:25" }, { "business_id": "OjXIRs2Gm4H6hWo4bC7Qvg", "business_name": "The Jazz Playhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "It's pretty nice but for the price and the location, I wish they valeted. I got a Chopin martini and it was per-FECT. The second one didn't taste like Chopin, which is fine but it's what I ordered so I felt a wee bit swindled. We got seated right behind a big support column so our view of the stage was obstructed. We were there for the burlesque show but caught the end of Kid Chocolate's set, which made me happy because I had a big, school-girl crush on him many moons ago. The show wasn't what I thought it would be. It was less a show with all of the performers on stage and more one woman singing and a bunch of other girls flitting around the room in their pasties. I was expecting more of a choreographed show but I am admittedly not someone who knows much about burlesque. The girls were very sweet though and some of their outfits would make great Halloween or Mardi Gras costumes. Glad I went but not anxious to go back.", "timestamp": "2011-03-04T21:08:36" }, { "business_id": "tcyN7Rmy55JW5uQY_R5f0w", "business_name": "Krewe of Endymion", "rating": 4, "text": "When I moved into a new place last summer right on the Endymion route, is it crazy that thoughts of future Endymion parties to come danced in my head? I was a sad, sad, sad lady last Friday night when we got the news. We had picked up our crawfish for the boil and I even made a chocolate bananas foster king cake. I kind of felt like I imagine brides who get their weddings rained out must feel. But when you have crawfish and booze, you have a party anyway, right? So we did and it was great. And even though I felt spiteful, I went to see it the next night Uptown. It was as good as ever, albeit a bit short because so many riders are from out of town and had to go home. It would have looked a lot better from my porch though.", "timestamp": "2011-03-11T18:57:12" }, { "business_id": "DkVFvHGyNBGuPMzI9Zdt1A", "business_name": "Dat Dog", "rating": 4, "text": "Excellent chili cheese fries (although I wish the cheese was melted!). I had the bratwurst, which was fantastic, as was the bun. At first I thought it was too much bread but the lightly toasted, slightly sweet bread won me over. I got a little carried away with toppings though and I think the guacamole was a)overkill and b)not really a great iteration of guacamole anyway. Next time I will practice some restraint.", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:38:25" }, { "business_id": "jLerIZFpe25jOUf722qzBA", "business_name": "Il Posto Italian Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "My food only merited maybe two stars but I will give an extra star because I like the menu (and will try more of it) and their design and concept. Sadly though, my tomato-basil soup tasted kind of like a weak marinara and my tuna melt type sandwich had a very sharp, off-putting flavor. It was citrusy, for sure, and I love lemon in a tuna melt but perhaps this was lemon zest or something just way too overpowering? I think next time I will focus on the dishes with cured Italian meats, mortadella and prosciutto. And also the baked goods, those sounded pretty good, especially the Nutella bruschetta!", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:44:20" }, { "business_id": "AperXbtpt4FH6fvJFOirUA", "business_name": "Horinoya", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a fan of simple, fresh sushi. Not too crazy about rolls with heavy sauces, multiple ingredients and fanciful names. Horinoya delivers. I always start with the seafood salad, it's huge and I could probably just make that dinner if I were eating there on my own. How are their avocados always the perfect degree of ripeness? This week it included fresh crawfish tails and they were succulent and sweet and a very welcome addition to their standard. The vegetable roll (I was so enamored with the pickled vegetables in the Tuna 911 roll at Kanno) was okay but I wouldn't order it again, kinda bland. Everything else was fresh and wonderful. I like to end with the black sesame ice cream, which makes me swoon, as does the little crumbly cookie they perch on top that my BF generously lets me eat every time. As a sidebar, I saw some black sesame ice cream bars at Hong Kong Market and I got really excited but they were no good at all. I can only get my fix at Horinoya.", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:11:00" }, { "business_id": "HSHEwDpzYdeL3aT1zB41YA", "business_name": "Restaurant Depot", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm torn, so torn. So this place opened within the past few months. It's like Sam's Club for restaurants (and unfortunately, you have to show proof of restaurant or non-profit affiliation when getting a membership). My first visit, I was completely in awe. 50 pounds of onions for $8.95? Whole goats? Edible flowers, micro-greens, ten kinds of mushrooms? Some things you can buy by the unit (like one head of cauliflower) and others you are stuck with a huge portion, I mean, I love tarragon, but I can't see using 5 pounds of it before it starts to droop. The second trip, I started to see some flaws. They don't carry veggie burgers but they do have a huge freezer case of nasty-looking frozen appetizers that you can probably buy at Applebee's for three times the price. They have huge jars of kalamata olive SPREAD but no plain old kalamata olives. They had some fish that looked so not right, cloudy eyes and all. Then the most egregious error occurred when, on a Saturday, I asked if I could pick up live crawfish on Sunday. The man at the fish counter said yes, but to be sure to be there at 9am when the order comes in and then it's first come, first serve. The next morning, we headed over to the Depot, only to be met with a blank stare and told they weren't getting any crawfish that day. Sad. They are pretty new, I expect they are having some ordering and stocking kinks to work out. In the meantime, if anyone needs onions, I've got them aplenty!", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:24:15" }, { "business_id": "LCijSRG2kzBgbdwPdi02Nw", "business_name": "Yang's Po-Boys", "rating": 3, "text": "The first time we went, we didn't realize they closed at 8 and we walked in at about 7:58. They were very gracious and welcoming so I thought that was really nice. The owner was really chatty, describing how they did everything and I guess that's good but unless they are doing something out of the ordinary, (they're not) I'd rather just peruse the menu on my own. Oysters on my poboy were stone cold and the onion rings that we asked about (Are they made fresh? Yes!) were clearly Sysco. But it was decent and quick and friendly so we were okay with the meal. Last night I really wanted a catfish poboy but Parkway was closed. It was generous with the catfish and liberal with the pickles, love that. But the cheese fries were soggy fries with unmelted cheese. The cheese, which looked like shredded cheddar, I actually tasted it on its own and it had not one iota of flavor. I'll go to Yang's on Tuesday if Parkway is closed but there is really no comparison for me.", "timestamp": "2011-03-30T15:06:19" }, { "business_id": "sroYm8E9BbnnLO3nhKjomg", "business_name": "French Quarter Festival", "rating": 4, "text": "FQF has long been my favorite festival and sadly, it seems to be everyone else's too! I'm very happy that it has been so successful but of course, this makes it more crowded and difficult to navigate. So, yes, I prefer it a little smaller but I still had a great time and somehow always managed to find a little corner of shade to relax in. In addition to soaking up the sun, hearing good music and eating, I got to stop in at a few open houses for places I could never afford but I loved getting to glimpse into some of the Quarter's elusive courtyards. Also, I love wandering around the Quarter all day because I never fail to discover some little hole in the wall bar/shop/whatever.", "timestamp": "2011-04-11T16:08:11" }, { "business_id": "VHAfSIxcdmpQOTD0_ofbfw", "business_name": "Velvet", "rating": 4, "text": "Like Christine, I have only been here once and could change my rating once I have sampled more of what they've got. I was immediately won over by the sparkling water that was served upon arrival, it reminded me of coffee shops in other countries where they usually do that without question. I also loved the napkins, it's just those very nice quality paper napkin but little details like that are important. I got the extraction (?). I asked some questions and I wished I had gotten a bit more information. Like, what is IN the $15 extraction because I can't believe it's just a really large coffee. I'm not a trained barista so I don't know these things. My coffee was really very nice, I like that you can choose your beans. Tamara, the owner, has great customer service and we chatted about her awesome kids (her daughter's wonderful artwork graces the place, her son played piano at FQF) and she also offered me a teacake on the house. So, while I like Tamara and I like a lot of the little things, my coffee was $5.45 and I don't think I would ever spend it again. An expertly pulled espresso, okay, but not for a cup of coffee. Also, the teacake (the Kevin Bacon) was perfectly acceptable but I don't think I'd purchase one. They're just cupcakes and really tiny ones at that. But she is starting to make scones baked to order (awesome!) and I look forward to trying the espresso.", "timestamp": "2011-04-12T20:54:38" }, { "business_id": "NjmJ2sbcj3v9K98sNj2OAA", "business_name": "Sainte Marie", "rating": 3, "text": "I went last night to use the complimentary appetizer card we got as a lovely gift at the last Yelp party, thank you! I was initially excited to try the cocktails but as I inspected the long list closely, not too much actually appealed to me. I got the one with prosecco and a sort of fig compote that didn't really mix well and just sat at the bottom. Nice idea, not so great execution. The boyfriend's drink tasted watered down, like the bartender made several drinks and let the leftover sit in the shaker melting until someone else ordered the same drink. I also thought it very strange that they had bread and butter plates on the table but no bread was actually served and the plates were removed once we ordered. Weird. The escargot was good but it couldn't hold a candle to Dante's escargot, nor could I detect marrow in the sauce. Apparently the tartare was tasty but the BF ate it all without me. Crab cannelloni, man, I hate to sound like a downer but this was little, backfin pieces of crab, doused with a ton of brie and encased in a sort of tough pasta. I ate it, but then I would eat anything that is doused in brie. I'm so glad we decided to get dessert because it was outstanding. We ordered a lemongrass-ginger creme brulee and it was perfect, the flavor, the texture, everything. I will probably come back for a fancypants happy hour although it's not exactly my scene. The guy who was sitting next to me had an awesome looking hangar steak so I will order that next time, skip the cocktails and get champagne and of course, order dessert.", "timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:34:01" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "The space is large and breezy and we easily snagged an outside table. If they weren't doing construction on Magazine, I bet this would be a great spot for people-watching. We got a shrimp po-boy, an oyster po-boy and fries with cheese and gravy. It was perfectly edible but I probably won't be back. The shrimp were small, the po-poys were pricier than most of my usual haunts and the gravy I think was just \"meat-flavored.: There was no actual meat or debris in it. I agree with Lindsay, no problem throwing out my own trash but the tables were pretty nasty and sticky.", "timestamp": "2011-04-29T17:01:59" }, { "business_id": "UGefDZNmnBztS0eoXWtHyQ", "business_name": "The Joint", "rating": 4, "text": "I must first disclose that my favorite person in the whole world works here so maybe I am biased. But take it from me, their brisket is the best brisket ever! It has that delightful fatty layer running along the top and it is perfectly moist and delicious! I also love the pulled pork with a squeeze of the vinegary sauce. The sides are pretty good, nothing stands out, but I'm really just there for the meat. Oh, and the peanut butter pie which is SWOONWORTHY!", "timestamp": "2011-05-03T18:25:46" }, { "business_id": "wznT60WMQ-9Qg2MVvzCxtw", "business_name": "The Lucky Ladle", "rating": 3, "text": "We put our names on the list at Surrey's and took a stroll through my old neighborhood while we waited. But I'm a breakfast girl and when I'm hungry, I need to eat. Immediately. Or bad things happen. At dinner, you can waste some time, have a cocktail but at breakfast, I'm not about waiting. Anyway, we walked past the Ladle and decided to give it a go. Nothing was really standout except how much food we got and our bill for two was still under $20. We split the grilled cheese with tomato soup as well as the bananas foster waffles because it's always a conundrum at 11am on Saturday to figure out what you are in the mood for. Breakfast? Lunch? We got them both. We also got a little side spinach salad with one of our meals and it was nice except for the weird, cellulose-dusted mozzarella shreds on top. The hash browns sucked, no flavor and tasted like they were made hours before. The space is pleasant and if you don't feel like waiting in line (Surrey's) or spending $30 just on breakfast for yourself (Dante's), this is a good option.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:14:50" }, { "business_id": "Fs4T7lKpXVtD5Pz7jWSJeg", "business_name": "Coquette", "rating": 4, "text": "I am only giving stars based on the bar because sadly, I have not eaten here but I love the bar! I love the old tin ceilings! I love the tables out on Washington under the oaks! And I love $5 wine Wednesdays and cocktail Thursdays. In fact, since today is my last final, I may have to take advantage of that. I have had a French 75 with apricot brandy, one of my absolute favorites drinks and they do it justice here. I've also had a lychee martini, which was wonderful and balanced, tough to pull off because lychees are so sweet, as well as a pretty solid mojito. I'm not sure if they change their wines by the glass frequently but from what I've seen, they offer a much better glass selection than most places around the city.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:20:27" }, { "business_id": "A0RSdFWqs-keuOogaMjZ4w", "business_name": "Bayou Beer Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Pros: Incredible patio outside, wide selection of good beer and every time I've been, the bartenders are knowledgeable and willing to make good cocktails. Fresh squeezed lime juice for my gimlet? Thank you! I was just expecting the kryptonite-colored, lime-flavored sugar syrup everyone else uses. Cons: Inside layout kind of weird. Only one toilet for ladies and by the way, what takes them so long in the bathroom? I never understand this. Going to bathroom usually is a twenty minute trip here. The band playing outside was so loud we chose to sit at the tables in the front. And finally, the most egregious thing, in my mind, was their horrible, pathetic excuse for sangria. It was less wine flavored with fruit and juice and more watered down juice that I still question if it had any alcohol in it, with the addition of antiseptic-flavored, extremely flat lime soda. Sadly, that now colors my whole opinion of the place.", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T15:09:27" }, { "business_id": "7CRox7xpb3vNCEe7FZ6zgA", "business_name": "High Hat Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I fully expect High Hat to be 4 stars soon enough but they are still working some things out. Like everyone else, I am so glad to see Freret doing what it's doing and I love that this building used to be Antoine's Bakery. To start, I had a glass of wine, which I thought was actually a pretty stingy pour. I wish they had a cocktail menu but that's just my preference. We ordered the pimento cheese and it was delicious but the dry bread they served it with was lame. Our server told us it was great on fries so we ordered some and they were fantastic on their own, made even better with the pimento cheese. I think I'll make fried potatoes with pimento cheese on them for the Saints season opener. For my entree, I had the crab and tomato salad. The crab didn't really have too much taste but LORD were those tomatoes good!!!! My BF was happy with his Cuban but I thought it was very small and for the love of God, you can't throw some fries on a plate when a sandwich is ordered? At least some chips? I think that's kinda cheap. To finish, we had the banana chocolate bread pudding, which I was excited about because I thought it might be like the chocolate-bananas foster king cake I made for my rained out Endymion party. It was not. Very dense and flavorless. The owners were super receptive about feedback, which I usually feel weird about giving but I think they really need it in this early phase of their venture. I'll be back for the pimento cheese burger.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:11:36" }, { "business_id": "QQ5HvRq_9U2Ch-9ijPeIFA", "business_name": "Bullet's Sports Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "So. Good. I love the Bullets and have never had a bad time here. Last night, I got a text that they were having crabs, crawfish AND turkey necks. I thought this was a sign from God because I was just telling the BF we needed to have some crawfish before they are all gone. We walked in and there was a table set up at the front where the band usually plays and a man was scooping out the goods. I asked how much and they told me it was free. FREE? Why, thank you. I got a big plate with shrimp, crawfish, a blue crab, a few turkey necks and some corn and potatoes. I would have gladly paid $15 for the plate, it was well-seasoned and perfectly delicious. The only complaint was that the shrimp were really tiny but A) they were free and B) I really just came to thrown down on the crab and crawfish. I haven't had turkey necks in years and they may have been my favorite part. The corn was sweet and so were the crabs. Really, it was perfect, especially when the dancing got started. Oooh Lord. I have to dock a star for cash only and the cigarette smoke that was blowing lustily in my face while I was eating. I can deal with smoke to a degree but I don't want the butt in my face.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:23:10" }, { "business_id": "SA10MB4CEw0YikMuhOxyYw", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 4, "text": "I did not eat any food here but I did sample pretty much every flavor of margaritas they have to offer, including carrot-lime, pineapple-cilantro, mango-mint, watermelon and raspberry. No, I didn't have all those to myself, I was with others who generously let me taste their concoctions. Otherwise I would have been seriously drunk and woken up with an awful sugar hangover because the margaritas are pretty big and just a touch too sweet for me. I liked the mango mint and carrot-lime varieties best. Looking forward to trying them again with some food next time.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:31:16" }, { "business_id": "xZileQFJ7h-0QKjtGc9xgg", "business_name": "Arnaud's French 75 Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I finally got myself to this gorgeous spot after meaning to for a very long time. Chris Hannah was indeed at the bar and he was personable and welcoming. I instantly felt badly that I was dressed like a gypsy and wearing flip flops, the place just screams evening gown and pearls, not that I own either one of those things but whatever. The point is that they still made me feel comfortable. I had a French 75, of course, and then I tried the Pisco Daisy, another one of their specialty cocktails. Truthfully, I didn't find either one of the drinks transcendent but I was just so enamored with the whole vibe of the place that it didn't matter. I would absolutely come back, great place for a aperitif before a fancy dinner.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:37:36" }, { "business_id": "ORVWMFwF5qTWy9Cbahf0Pg", "business_name": "Café Adelaide", "rating": 2, "text": "Wow. Abominable last night. Cafe Adelaide, you lost me. Probably the worst service I have ever had and being a service industry vet, I can be pretty forgiving. I actually felt bad for server X last night, who was utterly incompetent but very nice but wow, worthless. Coupled with the amateur service we had last time, I'm thinking it is not a one time fluke. Host told us to sit in the bar area. Sat there for 15 minutes ignored. Went to ask host if we should go to the bar and order, he said no, that our server would be right with us. We waited another 15 minutes before receiving 1 menu for 4 people. Placed drink order and waters for all. Cocktails came 20 minutes later, no water. Appetizers took close to an hour and were ice cold when we got them. Had to ask for bread. Never took entree order, although we expressed wanting to, so we decided to cut our losses and go to La Boca for dinner, which was STELLAR. Two rounds of drinks and appetizers took us two hours at Cafe Adelaide! And the food nor the drinks were as good as I remember. This time the sauce on the crab pound cake tasted like Campbell's cream of mushroom and there was hardly a speck of crab to be seen. Flatbread was burnt. You get the point. Not worth the time or money.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:33:01" }, { "business_id": "guwb1zuNEMtJVproo0ntFw", "business_name": "La Boca", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible. It may not be fair to give them such lavish praise but after our failed dinner attempt at Cafe Adelaide, the comparison between the two for service, food and drinks was night and day. We were immediately acknowledged, sweet! Given four menus for all four people and told about specials, thank you! Thursday is service industry night at La Boca, even better! We just looked at that menu, which did not include the pastas and salads but had all the cuts of meat, empanadas etc. We got our cocktails immediately, God, I'm really loving this place! Fresh watermelon and vodka, which was really tasty and not watery like I feared. For starters, we ordered the morcilla, provoleta and bruschetta. I didn't really dig the bruschetta but it wasn't bad. The provoleta, I maybe expected more, it was just cheese to me. A really good cheese appetizer is the fried cheese with lemon at Mona's. Also, it had oregano sprinkled liberally all over it. I used to think I wasn't crazy about oregano until I went to Sicily and tasted their oregano and had an epiphany that what we have here in the US is just stuff they sweep off the oregano factory floor. This was definitely factory floor oregano but not everyone is an oregano elitist like me. The morcilla though, oh, well, the morcilla. Fan-flipping-tastic. Just order it and get over the fact that it's blood sausage. It's pretty much just like boudin so if you like that, you should really try it. The steaks were out of this world, some of the best steak I've ever had and I have eaten bife de chorizo in Buenos Aires. Fried brussel sprouts are the most genius thing ever. Asparagus and fries are also not to be missed. The brussel sprouts even taste good cold for breakfast. I can't wait to go back and try the empanadas and the gnocchi and of course, dessert! Love, love, love La Boca!", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:45:45" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 3, "text": "I wouldn't go out of my way to go here but it does the trick when you are in the area. I used to love their oyster po-boy because they buttered the toasted bread, along with dressing it fully and there just aren't enough places that do that anymore. But then they started buttering the bread with Whirl or some other butteresque product that tastes like spun chemicals. So that made me sad. I had lunch here recently and had the BLT salad, which was pretty tasty except I really hate when a thick dressing is dumped in the middle of the salad so no matter how hard you try to spread it around, some pieces of lettuce are drenched and others are naked. My friend had the alligator burger on brioche and my one bite made me envious of her order.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T15:01:50" }, { "business_id": "NOKp3L3smiKdFNFUswvIUg", "business_name": "Dominique's on Magazine", "rating": 3, "text": "I've put off writing this review because I wanted ti to be great but it wasn't. Well, let me be more specific. The drinks were really good, I especially liked my lemongrass pisco sour. When our server, who by the way had great menu knowledge, heard that we came in for dinner mostly because we heard the bar was so great, the bartender came over to our table. She seemed really excited that we were there and wanted our feedback, which was all very good. My appetizer of lobster was perfectly cooked but the sauce it came with was kind of lackluster. It was fine but forgettable. My boyfriend's pork belly appetizer was downright bad, texturally and taste-wise. That was the first time I ever ate pork belly that wasn't delicious. My duck was also completely forgettable although the BF's steak with creole cream cheese was really tasty. I was tempted to order that because thought it might be too rich but it really wasn't. Nothing for dessert really piqued my interest so we didn't order anything. They did send out some plantain-flavored cotton candy but it tasted like artificially flavored banana Laffy Taffy. It's a really pretty space, the cocktail list is wonderful and the staff seems on point. However, only one out of four dishes impressed me and another one out of those four left me puzzled as to how one could make pork belly so unappetizing. I probably need to come back to try more dishes and I might if could sit in the bar and order a few plates. Too bad their bar area is more like three bar stools that fight with the hallway to the bathroom for space.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T17:29:14" }, { "business_id": "SDhiF9UG0gsuaXgCnJR-sQ", "business_name": "Liberty's Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "I arranged a work field trip today for Dining Out for Life and I've been wanting to try this place soo...off we went! Parking is ample, although we later found a whole hidden line of parking along the side of the building closer to Canal and the entrance to the cafe. There was no special today, I think they might be in the midst of changing those daily specials. I had a hot sausage poboy with the cowboy caviar and they were both stupendous. Round of applause and a standing ovation. My friends' turkey and veggie sandwiches also looked very good. Minor quibble is that the red velvet cupcake was kind of dry, although very pretty. Good thing we got bread pudding too or I might have been disappointed on the dessert. I wanted to try one of those cookies that are the size of my head but after a cupcake and bread pudding, I decided perhaps a little moderation was in order. Besides, I still want to hit Sucre while it's Dining out for Life Day. The staff was super friendly and awesome. I like the space although a little music would not hurt the ambiance.", "timestamp": "2011-07-14T18:46:10" }, { "business_id": "WPjeA9CWv-q7utSdnXmdIw", "business_name": "Juicy Lucy's", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the Yelp reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was very pleased. We ordered a special of fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade to start and got boudin balls instead. No less than three people came over to apologize for the mistake, told us to enjoy the boudin and our shrimp was out momentarily. Both were very good. It always makes me so happy when boiled shrimp are not overcooked, it's the little things that count! The boudin came out with a huge piles of grilled onions and tomatoes that were a nice addition to my burger. I had the Kenner (pepper jack and jalapenos) with sweet potato fries, the BF has 9th Ward Blues (mushrooms, blue cheese and?) with onion rings. The BF started doing that butt-waggling thing he does when he likes what he is eating and I may or may not have joined him. We both enjoyed everything, the service was very pleasant and I thought it was really reasonably priced.", "timestamp": "2011-07-18T00:19:26" }, { "business_id": "ujyjBLOzSXKO3RrbpJ4N4g", "business_name": "McHardy's Chicken & Fixin'", "rating": 3, "text": "Very fast, very cheap and I really liked the peppery crust. I wished the batter was a little thicker because let's face it, I eat fried chicken just for the crispy exterior and I don't care too much about the meat inside. I ordered a side of red beans that was terrible. Not only was there grease in massive puddles around the edges but it tasted like it had been singed when reheated in its styrofoam container. It hadn't, I checked, but it's not something you want to ponder while you're eating. Way better chicken than Popeye's but I sure did miss the biscuit.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:11:12" }, { "business_id": "OSi2ColCxhS9oCoAUNbPig", "business_name": "Mandina's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, nothing extraordinary. I think they get a lot of mileage out of their admittedly charming New Orleans neighborhood joint kind of feel. Our sever was kind of off but I found her entertaining. My turtle soup was fine but it wasn't the best I've had. My BF's calamari was fried, just like calamari often is. There's not much more to say about that. Our salads were mostly iceberg with a few shreds of romaine and cabbage and nice, thick slices of tomato. I got the crab meuniere even though I ordered almondine but I didn't really care since I was on the fence anyway about which one I wanted. The crab and fries drenched in the rich but also acidic meuniere was delicious. The BF's seafood platter was, you guessed, fried. Crab ball was pretty good. Bread pudding, meh. It had lots of nutmeg, which I liked a lot but it was sort of bland and the white sauce on top had the flavor of glue. I still ate it all though so I guess it wasn't too terrible. Not cheap but considering my dinner came with salad and dessert, not completely over the top either.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_rO-5jxOEH94TUcorPnSEg", "business_name": "Delta World Tire", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been putting air in my tires once a month for about four years so I know I've been past due for some time. Last week, I had a flat that I tried to rectify, as usual, by putting some air in it. I swear my tire actually laughed at me and said \"Woman, please.\" So I brought my car in to Delta Tire World and was out with four new tires for under $400. I hate spending money on cars but I thought that was pretty reasonable, plus I appreciate quick service. Also, their coffee in the waiting area was surprisingly good, which I needed since I was out of the house without my morning cup.", "timestamp": "2011-07-26T16:43:32" }, { "business_id": "dzFbGUUV5eh-ZR81RCnv7g", "business_name": "French Riviera Fitness", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is based solely on the spinning class on Saturday morning since this is the only time of day or day of the week I can muster up the courage to brave Metairie. The class is usually pretty challenging so that's a plus. But I have never seen a spinning room that had a flashing, multicolored disco ball and I'm not sure how I feel about that. What I am sure about though, is the instructors' collective inability to select music to motivate me. I shouldn't carp about it I guess, some people like trance out music or Carrie Underwood, it's just not what does it for me. Why does music at spinning classes always have to be so bad? Why doesn't anyone do classes to like, \"Let the Music Play\" or \"Diamond Girl?\" I would love that and even though I just dated myself by revealing my childhood music obsessions, I think there are others who would enjoy it too. But seriously last week, some song played that I am guessing was titled \"She was from Ala-freakin'bama,\" because those were the lyrics that played over and over again. I don't want to hear that song ever again and if that's your song, then I apologize if I offended you.", "timestamp": "2011-08-01T19:54:23" }, { "business_id": "GBTPC53ZrG1ZBY3DT8Mbcw", "business_name": "Luke", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped going here earlier this year because the service had reached new lows in abominable. Not to mention the oysters we had were shucked so poorly and shredded beyond belief. The BF swore them off for good. But I love their French 75 and bargain oysters so I wasn't ready to write them off forever. It's taken me a while to get back on my own and I am so glad that I did! They have a shucker named Anthony who is AWESOME! I told him about our previous experience and he said, very seriously, \"That's terrible. Oysters are too precious to mess up.\" My oysters (from Plaquemines Parish) were big and salty and perfect. And shucked the right way. IMPORTANT NOTE: Bring cash to tip the shucker. I usually spend more on oysters than I do on booze and I don't think it's fair that the shucker doesn't get a little something. Otherwise all my credit card tip goes to the bar.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:49:16" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still a fan. But I had a stale and not very tasty pastry the other day. Alongside it, I ordered an espresso that arrived lemon peel-less. Not everyone does that but I really like the lemon peel with my espresso so I asked for it. None to be had. Oh well. To make up for the crappy pastry, I got a couple chocolates. Yes, a couple as in 2. And it was $4. They were the same size as that three-pack of Ferraro-Rocher hazelnut chocolates you can get in the checkout line at Rouse's. Except those taste just as good and three will set you back a mere 99 cents. From now on, gelato or sorbellinis only but no more pastries or chocolate. Overpriced and not very good.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:55:55" }, { "business_id": "ej2kU6KU2TEL7uY_EB_zVQ", "business_name": "Phil's Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is definitely not the best burger I have ever had but it's pretty good and the dizzying array of choices elevates it from 3 to 4 stars. Grilled pineapple ketchup? Yes please! Brie or Havarti, oh decisions, decisions! I was so overwhelmed by the choices that I closed my menu and just ordered the burger of the month, a turkey burger with arugula, blackberry coulis, blue and goat cheese and topped with fried almonds. The turkey meat was kinda crumbly, it reminded me of that meat you buy in a big roll but it was okay. The combination of the cheese with the almonds was unexpected and delicious. The coulis kind of got lost, I wouldn't have known it was there. Sweet potato fries would have been better if they were hot. The BF got some crazy, gut-busting combination of burger and hot sausage, a fried egg, bacon AND onion strings on top. Ouch, that hurts my belly just to type! But I enjoyed one, small bite of it. We also got an order a fried pickles to start, very tasty but HUGE so will probably order a side order size, not the appetizer size next time. Also, I didn't know about their pretty great happy hour from 4-7 every day. I don't know the details but I do know my pint of Nola 7th Street Wheat was really good and only $1.50! Some bloody Mary specials on Sundays and margaritas (2 for 1 I think?) on Mondays.", "timestamp": "2011-08-23T16:15:09" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 2, "text": "I had a friend visiting from out of town and he wanted to make a stop here. It was hot and so we decided to opt out of sitting in their pretty courtyard. I had also heard their dueling piano show was good and friend wanted to hear music soooo...in we went. Friend ordered a hurricane and the bartendress lifted a prefilled plastic cup out of a dish rack, added some ice and voila! Gross but I am biased because I think hurricanes are nasty. Now, on to the music. For real? Do people come to New Orleans to hear someone play Grease Lightning on piano? How sad. Please, I implore you to go somewhere that has local musicians playing local music.", "timestamp": "2011-09-01T14:15:56" }, { "business_id": "u9-j3bwMcaMq9CWwuucqsA", "business_name": "Eco Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I am mad at myself for living around the corner for a year and never coming here! And now I've moved out of walking distance. Anyway, I finally made it and I'm glad I did. I was very pleased to see how many fresh juices they offered. I had the Ginger Hopper, which I didn't find gingery at all, plus it was too watery for me. But my friend's True Blood with beet juice was quite tasty. I was pleasantly surprised with how good everyone's food was. My chicken salad was perfect and it came on a toasted croissant with a lovely side salad. Their champagne dressing is fantastic. I also sampled the chili con carne, the rice looked boring but the meat was flavorful and falling apart. I didn't get a chance to have a bite of my other friend's crab and brie panino but since she finished it in 4.2 seconds flat, it's safe to assume that she really enjoyed it. I was worried that service would be poor but it was on point and our server was very informative about menu items and how they do things to be \"eco.\" Nothing for dessert really grabbed us, although they did list Clif bars as an offering, which I thought was pretty amusing.", "timestamp": "2011-09-02T19:40:18" }, { "business_id": "JcP1z6eZBgTIcxWlyxSw0g", "business_name": "Iris", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant's rating probably suffers a bit more than it should because I was expecting to be wowed and I wasn't. Anyway, the interior is gorgeous, I love the fresh flowers and the walls of pickled vegetables. The have a fantastic cocktail list, in fact, if i ever come back, it will be to sit at the bar and have a drink, albeit a very expensive one. My appetizer, pork belly with a shaved vegetable salad, was very good and dressed with an incredible vinaigrette. My BF had something else that I forgot as it wasn't very memorable. As far as entrees, they all sounded fine but nothing really grabbed me. I ordered the pork, which was okay. The only standout was a fried sweet potato patty it was served with. Besides what I thought to be a not very inspired menu, the plate presentation was weak. Everything was the same color. I know that's nitpicky but it's an expensive place and I want the food to look and taste beautiful. Our desserts (creme bruleee and a chocolate cake) were very rich, too rich for my boyfriend so I was forced to finish them for us. No espresso, I really hate that at nice restaurants. French press is good but it's not espresso, plus it was so weak I could practically see through it. I wasn't displeased with our dinner but I would much rather go somewhere else for the amount of money we paid.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T14:53:38" }, { "business_id": "Vz2RN55rTJBGn43K1v84nA", "business_name": "Domenica", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh sad day. I won't alter my rating but my last trip to Domenica revealed a change to their happy hour. Apparently someone on Yelp complained about the drink prices so now the specialty cocktails are not half off. But the wine, beer and well drinks still are. Which seems like their loss, I mean, I'm sure they are losing more on half priced wines and bottled beers than they are on liquor. Our server then went on to tell us he was glad for the change because it's a lot of work for them anyway. What? As someone who has worked in the service industry for a long time, I am not sure why it's bad to bring in extra customers during a typically slow (dead) time of the day. Plus, they are still coming in for half price pizzas and other drinks. His comments didn't really make sense to me and they kind of turned me off. However, the pizzas were still very good and really, I find their wines by the glass more appealing than a lot of things on their ever-changing cocktail list. And the stracci with oxtails is amazing!!!!!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:01:51" }, { "business_id": "mhrW9O0O5hXGXGnEYBVoag", "business_name": "Jacques-Imo's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Good, not great and pricey for what you get. I totally understand why people love it here, the vibe is great and it feels very New Orleans, whatever that means. Some of the food I really enjoyed and some I thought was totally mediocre. The watermelon mojito, while huge, was thin and insipid, not bad but not worth repeating. The cornbread muffins were, as always, fantastic. I remember at one time really loving the spinach salad with a lone oyster perched on top but this was soggy and limp. Our table of 8 shared a bunch of appetizers, including the cheesecake (very good) and the fried roast beef poboy (good but expected better). The BF and I shared the carpetbagger steak, which is awesome, I mean it's covered in blue cheese! But our sides were downright terrible, I'd be embarrassed to serve the red beans we got and the greens weren't much better. Our table split one creme brulee, which didn't really get bruleed so it was mostly plain sugar on top. Jacques kindly sent over tastes of Grand Marnier for after dinner drinks and chatted with us. That kind of charm goes a long way but honestly, 8 people split 4 entrees, one dessert, a few apps and a pretty cheap bottle of wine and it was $37 per person. I could think of better ways I'd like to spend my money.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:16:23" }, { "business_id": "dG94-818jQr0Vi3ajRwDCQ", "business_name": "a Mano", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend of mine alerted me to a series of dinners A Mano was doing, each week featuring a different region of Italy. Since my family is from Sicily, of course I wanted to see what they had to offer that week. I had a delicious Aperol spritzer to start and my friend had the Bellini. We sipped as we perused the menu and decided to do one Sicilian special menu and then order some things from the main menu. This particular friend of mine and I share a love for funky food; sardines, anchovies, tripe, whatever. And they had tripe on the menu so we had to order it. It was served in a savory but not at all heavy red sauce. Even if you don't like tripe, I bet you'd love the sauce sopped up with some bread. It tasted just like my grandmother's, actually, I'll admit it, it was better than hers. I liked the gnudi everyone raves about but the texture was more like smooth cream cheese or goat cheese, I'm more used to it being like ricotta, slightly grainy and less dense. But still very good. The only dud was a pasta dish with zucchini, no flavor at all. Our final dish was a seared tuna with onion mostarda that was excellent. To finish, we had cassata. It wasn't bad but it wasn't anything like the cassata I make and I prefer mine. This was a sponge cake soaked in some sort of liquor (too strong for me) and with candied fruit, not something I like much. The way I make it is un-liquor soaked angel food cake with a chocolate-cherry stuffed ricotta filling and topped with whipped cream. Very nice meal, pleasant staff, will return to sit at the bar with an Aperol spritzer and an order of trippa!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:30:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm so thrilled that Rouse's decided to invest in downtown! This is a pretty awesome Rouse's, everyone was so perky and pleasant! I almost got full on all the samples they were giving away; sushi, fresh-baked ciabatta, assorted cheeses, etc. They seem to have anticipated that they will draw a large lunch crowd and have lots of excellent-looking prepared foods. Would you like dragon fruit? Buddha's hand fruit? Kobe beef for $89.99/lb? Rouse's has it! I'll be interested to see how much of this stuff they will really keep in stock as time goes on. Layout is a little counterintuitive but they did a good job considering it used to be a car dealership. I was wondering about parking and indeed, there is a lot in the back and then upper level parking, accessible via Girod. The place was MOBBED but I went at lunchtime when I am guessing 90% of the CBD was also there. They open at 6, which is an hour earlier than my friendly neighborhood Rouse's and close at midnight! Whoa, is this pre-2005 New Orleans? I miss going midnight shopping at Sav-a-Center:( Other notes: I predict right now that they undershot how many checkout lanes they would need. Long-ish waits to be expected, especially at lunch. Prices on some staples that I get at Rouse's in Mid-City were exactly the same. Good to know we're not paying a few cents extra on soy milk to pay for rent in the CBD. Overall, great job, although I have to disagree with Danny Rouse's proclamation that this is the best grocery store in the country. Try Wegman's in the Northeast, they have an oyster bar! If you put in an oyster bar Danny, then I will unequivocally agree with you and retract any criticism immediately.", "timestamp": "2011-11-16T19:03:15" }, { "business_id": "JwS1qdmkA9S6muZBsdemBQ", "business_name": "Korea House", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never had Korean food before so I have nothing to compare it to but I loved my dinner the other night. Specifically the bibimbap with raw beef and a raw egg. I like ordering things that aren't necessarily a safe bet, sometimes that doesn't work but this time it did. The beautifully arranged, colorful vegetables were mixed with some sort of sesame oil dressing and went magnificently with the beef and egg. There was some coarse granulated sugar on top, I thought it was a tad bit too sweet and my fiance didn't like the crunch but otherwise, the dish sort of blew me onto a higher culinary plateau. I've been in a bit of a food rut and this was a revelatory way to lift myself out. The steamed dumplings were pretty good and so were the ribs but everything paled in comparison to the bibimbap. I also liked the bowls of various pickled things, my favorites were the cucumbers and the black beans. I'll be back to try more of the menu and I've already been scouring the internets for bibimbap recipes!", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:48:25" }, { "business_id": "Ra9zH1CBYtAC6vMfKYsHew", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 2, "text": "What a waste of $75. I could have just gone to Felipe's and probably been more satisfied. I've only had drinks at the FQ location so I don't know if their food really varies or not. But I have sampled many of the margaritas in the FQ and never had one I didn't like. I did not like the orange-lime one that I ordered, nor did I like the mezcal one my fiance ordered, it didn't taste smoky like most mezcal I've had but more like candle wax. It's a sad, sad day when I don't want to finish my margarita. It's even sadder when I realize there is nothing on the menu I'm interested in ordering. My sweetie ordered the house salad, which had a pretty good dressing and he would have liked to finish it before it was unceremoniously whisked away and replaced with our entrees. Our entrees were way overpriced but not inedible. The waitress was annoying and up in our faces every two minutes for the first half of the meal and absent for the second half. It took forever to get out of there and I felt bad for the hordes of people waiting in line. I may visit the FQ one again but never again at this location.", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:56:24" }, { "business_id": "RPEMUwN_CDRRToQ_7hxsvA", "business_name": "Borgne", "rating": 3, "text": "Like many other Besh experiences I've had, this was a mixed bag. First, they have done some cool stuff with the design, I like the columns made up of oyster shells encased in wire mesh. But it still has this institutional, chain sort of feel to me. My sweetie said it felt like a cafeteria that had a makeover. My French 75 was solid, they must use the same recipe as Luke, served in a snifter with a brandied cherry. Perfect. They also have NOLA 7th Street Wheat and big fishbowls glasses for the beer. I started with a bowl of oyster stew. It was delicious and very rich, so rich that I didn't really enjoy the last few bites because my taste buds were overwhelmed. I think they offer cups at lunchtime. The BF got broiled oysters, which were fine but nothing to set them apart from the many other restaurants that do them better. He also got the duck poppers, which were great because duck+bacon=delicious. But the bacon could have been crisper and what the hell was in the sauce? I have no idea because this is the kind of place that lists menus items as such, \"Duck poppers, jalapeno, bacon.\" That's it. My fish in a bag with caramelized fennel was great, really, the fennel stole the show and that's generally not my favorite. The hot pot was a bust, dressed up ramen noodles with tough pork belly. For dessert we got the oatmeal cookie with turron ice cream. Again, it was fine but I feel like I could buy something just like it out of the freezer section at the grocery store. Espresso was good, served without lemon peel but delivered promptly once we asked for it. Service was very good. I wouldn't go again for the price we paid for dinner because it just wasn't all that. I'd definitely go back and try the $10 lunch specials though.", "timestamp": "2012-02-15T17:16:17" }, { "business_id": "D8l8tVYE5EJeHOMlJs1Eng", "business_name": "Aristocat Salon + Nail Spa", "rating": 2, "text": "Worst eyebrow wax I've ever had. I'm not sure what I paid for because I walked out looking exactly like I did when I walked in. Pedicure chipped after a week, I don't expect that until at least two, usually three weeks.", "timestamp": "2012-03-12T13:37:57" }, { "business_id": "rrNF0siUBVQOOgsFVfGpKA", "business_name": "Columns", "rating": 1, "text": "It pains me to say this but I have to give up on the Columns. I am generally confounded by the frat boy presence there but was usually able to overlook it because ti's just so lovely and the drinks were always pretty good. Last night, I brought some out of town guests in and on one side of the parlor, there was a dapper gentleman playing the piano. Then we walked into the bar area and they were playing R. Kelly. Don't get me wrong, the R. can be good for a time and place but at the Columns? Weird. After waiting for several polo-clad young men to get their Miller Lites, I ordered French 75s for my friends and a Ramos Gin Fizz for myself. Note to bartender; putting a lemon twist in a glass of cheap sparkling wine does not a French 75 make. Terrible. My Ramos Gin Fizz was composed of a good 3/4 c. of heavy cream and had no discernible fizz. Luckily, I did taste a bit of booze hiding behind all that cream but really gin and whipping cream was not what I was hoping for. It was really disappointing because the gin fizz I had there last summer was dangerously delicious. My friends sipped their cheap and slightly sour sparkle and finally implored me to take them home when the song \"Ain't that America\" came on. I'm glad I was able to experience their downfall myself before I unwittingly sent people there with raves about the atmosphere and the classic cocktails. Get it together Columns, you've got so much to work with.", "timestamp": "2012-04-27T19:36:54" }, { "business_id": "kb1Tf4xwb7CQW5OXf9zwqw", "business_name": "Toups Meatery", "rating": 3, "text": "I hate being the jerk who writes the first non-five star review but I am sure this will bump up to four and possibly even five. I'll just have to keep going back to make sure my ratings are accurate. Anyway, the space is really nice and I like that there is outside seating. The staff is very friendly, although it is my preference that everyone working doesn't come by to ask how the food is. It's kind of overwhelming, especially if you don't like something. I don't remember being very interested in their cocktail menu and I thought the wine by the glass selection was very small and a bit overpriced. On to the food. We started with the meatery plate,of course! This was really good. I liked the cracklins a lot, crunchy but not dried out. The housemade garlic sausage was delicious as was the delicate, subtle rabbit pate. My husband really liked the hogshead cheese, it was not as congealed as it usually is, more of a spread. Weirdly, I didn't love the rillons and I thought they would knock me out. Those are candied pieces of pork belly, if you didn't know and I certainly did not. Cooked too long maybe, they lost their lusciousness. My husband got the chicken confit and I didn't taste that. But I did sample the mustard greens and white beans underneath and they were fantastic. My sliders, however, sucked. All three of them. I like fat but the lamb belly was a huge chunk of fat with really off-putting St. Patrick's Day green, overly sweet mint jelly. The crab cake was everything you hate about crappy crab cakes; mostly breading, cheap, stringy crab meat, fried-too-hard exterior. I think the last one was just the rabbit pate on a bun but by that point, I was over it. The brioche buns they were served on looked promising but they were stale. We didn't try the desserts but they had some appealing options. We'll be back but I can definitely cross the sliders off my list.", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T17:20:46" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "It hurts a bit to downgrade Parkway but every time I deviate from the shrimp poboy, I am disappointed. In this unfortunate case, I was not only disappointed but put out with indigestion for two whole days. The Reuben was DISGUSTING. I was hungry, so I ate most of my half but the sauce on it was sickeningly sweet, the sauerkraut almost nonexistent and something about the meat really turned my stomach. I still love their fries with debris and I tried the sweet potato fries, also very good. But I'll never try anything new again. I'm not sure when they added a happy hour from 3-7pm but good to know!", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T12:54:42" }, { "business_id": "9xErhLpjFcoA39AFeN3lUA", "business_name": "Liuzza's By The Track", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm going to be nice and give three stars since we only tried a few things on the menu so maybe I'd be more impressed if I tried the gumbo or the etouffee. However, I had the much-lauded BBQ shrimp poboy, which I thought was an epic fail. It wasn't offensive or anything, it just tasted like absolutely nothing; no lemon, no pepper, no garlic, nothing. Perhaps I am spoiled because my husband is a chef and he makes a damn fine rendition of BBQ shrimp but I thought this was an utter waste of $15. I had a bite of the husband's oyster poboy, which was fine, but didn't distinguish itself from other oyster poboys around the city that do not cost $14.95. Regular and sweet potato fries were good and served in generous portions. Chocolate torte was dry and forgettable. Service was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T13:04:45" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "Aztec chocolate. So good. It's hard to try new things when I love the spicy, dark chocolate blend so much. Yesterday I did deviate though and got the blueberry-basil. While the flavor of the blueberry was super intense and fantastic, it was way too sweet. I would have liked more basil too. Another favorite was a Christmas special, chesnut ice cream with pine nuts and rosemary. Amazing. Good coffee, inventive flavors you won't see at Sucre. Someday I'm going to actually eat their real food because the menu looks tempting.", "timestamp": "2012-06-26T14:52:31" }, { "business_id": "X-ZgevJi7i3wf0RjsBLG1w", "business_name": "Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I still like it for its unapologetic quirkiness but don't come here expecting anything great. Fried pickles were probably the best I've had and my husband's fried shrimp were good. My oyster remoulade was so drenched in sauce that I could only guess that they were once crispy when they emerged from the fryer. A friend's lasagna looked mediocre, as did an alfredo. The Bushwacker, which I've long wanted to try, is now crossed off my bucket list. If you want a huge, semi-frozen dessert, go for it. If you're looking for an adult beverage, skip it. I'd stick with fried seafood and large beers here.", "timestamp": "2012-06-27T17:59:44" }, { "business_id": "M8ONtZM80_LYC2Q3iqU5SA", "business_name": "Mila", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped in today for the $20 lunch special, which I think is one of the best deals in town. I love their bread assortment, especially the cornbread with some of the lima bean puree. The sweet potato rolls are pretty good too but they just aren't as good as the sweet potato biscuits at Green Goddess. I was a little sad that their featured soup was a zucchini-crab bisque since the online menu said corn-crab (!!!). Last time I was there, it was a rutabaga (or turnip maybe) with crab. I really liked that one; the zucchini was good but needed salt. I also think starchy things like corn and root vegetables lend themselves better to that kind of soup than zucchini. But the crab was plentiful and delicious. For my entree, I had beef cheeks that were wildly tender and flavorful. The beans that came with them were slightly uninspired. The fish entree with quinoa and currants was great. For dessert, I had the banana ice cream with almond streusel. There was nothing resembling a streusel, more like little crispy crumbs sprinkled on the bottom. But tasty crumbs they were and nice, textural contrast to the creamy and lush banana ice cream. Pleasant and efficient service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-29T20:33:52" }, { "business_id": "QD48BhLk7lDTgOL_NiVCCw", "business_name": "Taqueria Corona", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I've never reviewed this place, I've only been here a million times. I've been here to celebrate new jobs and buying of houses. Anyway, as we were driving up the eerily darkened Magazine Street last week, looking for refuge from Isaac, I was thrilled to see they were open! They had no AC but they still were working their asses off and running around madly to serve all the stir crazy people needing to get out of the house. For that alone, they get extra stars. Now, onto the regular things you can expect. The guy at the front register (owner?) is always there and always makes you feel like he is genuinely glad to see you. I love him. The margaritas aren't the best but they're fine and they make it to your table QUICKLY. I would skip the chips and guac and instead order the cebollitas. Actually, make that two orders because you won't want to share. This place is one of the few, or maybe only, place around that serves tongue tacos. Delicious. If you like pot roast or other similar flavorful, tender cuts of meat, this is for you. I also like the fish tacos and the carne asada tacos. Since I hate burritos, I can't really say anything on that point. Shrimp flautas are just average in general but excellent for a hangover cure.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T17:58:13" }, { "business_id": "W9SliuSyX7N0XoiG9UFNdQ", "business_name": "Pho Noi Viet", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, not remarkable though. Service was very friendly but food came out ever so slowly. The menu is pretty small, just pho, bahn mi, bun and rice plates. Only three appetizers. I wish they had a salad selection. We got the shrimp spring rolls to start with, which were much better than some I had at Pho Bang a few weeks ago. The peanut sauce is excellent! I had the curried tofu bun, the spice must have only stained the tofu a pale shade of yellow without imparting any flavor. It was fine and everything was fresh but I probably wouldn't order it again. That's not really their fault though because while I love the flavors of Vietnamese cooking (mint, cilantro, sour-sweet), I just am not a fan of gobs of white noodles or white rice. Since I wanted more than soup or a sandwich for dinner, eliminating pho and bahn mi, that left me with choosing from a pile of white noodles or a pile of white rice. My husband had shrimp pad thai and it was more flavorful than my dish but still missing some key elements. I'll go back to try their pho one of these days.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T18:05:52" }, { "business_id": "XxSIrbHqVMdEzP30-DN20g", "business_name": "Louisiana SPCA", "rating": 4, "text": "The food and drink were top notch, I mean, as soon as we checked in, there was a table full of French 75s to greet us. Thank you! some of my favorites included shrimp remoulade from Galatoire's, this smoked redfish with red onion jam from (?) and mahi with curried couscous and golden raisins from Vega Tapas. I enjoyed seeing the various costumes but I thought that the music was pretty terrible. Thanks very much Joi, it was much appreciated!", "timestamp": "2012-10-25T14:12:38" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I walked right in with 4 people and got a table immediately on a Sunday night around 7. Service was friendly and quick. I had raw oysters and gumbo for dinner. The oysters were great and actually shucked to order. I can't believe how often I get pre-shucked oysters these days, gross. Anyway, fresh oysters and very tasty gumbo. I was pleased. I tasted some of my husband's boiled seafood platter, the crabs seemed old and the mushrooms tasted canned. I would have been unhappy if that was my dinner but he said it was ok. Another friend had the swamp platter and I tried the alligator sausage, mm! He raved about the frog legs and turtle soup but I didn't try them. Bread pudding was pretty good too. I'll have to figure more time into my ride out to the airport next time so I can hit this place up for oysters.", "timestamp": "2012-11-28T16:50:31" }, { "business_id": "mCRa6o1eEVQr1bqV4Wy6KQ", "business_name": "The Blind Pelican", "rating": 3, "text": "I was lured in by their awesome happy hour special from 4-7 daily. 25 cent oysters! How can you go wrong? Also surprised by the dozen chargrilled oysters for $7.50. The oysters were shucked to order, unlike Luke which serves pre-shucked (and dry!) oysters. They were a little messy and gritty but hey, for 25 cents, I was still happy. I'd skip the chargrilled but for the price, it was a decent experiment. Beer selection was very good, I had the Mechahopzilla and my husband had some Voodoo something or other. Service was a little spotty but it was happy hour during the holidays so that's understandable. I doubt I'd come back for more than oysters but that's a good enough incentive for me", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T02:35:04" }, { "business_id": "ZTctPm8-lBy0iJ9dFhYhyQ", "business_name": "Herbsaint", "rating": 3, "text": "Based on food and drinks, I'd like to give 3.5 stars but since Herbsaint has the reputation it has, their weak points really stand out. I didn't really love the interior, plus we were there on a cold and windy night, making me wish they had a vestibule. Even seated three tables from the door, we were greeted with an Arctic chill every time the door opened. Service ranged from disjointed to friendly to cool. I understand the concept of team service but was asked for drink orders, then food orders and then second round of drink orders by two servers every time. Coordinate! My cocktail and wine flight were both forgettable. Beer list is meh. My husband and I both really liked our appetizers; I had a kale salad with smoked drum and satsumas and he had some sort of warm chicken rillete. The bread they served was also fantastic. I had a special appetizer for my entree; mortadella-stuffed ravioli with black trumpet mushroom jus. Husband's entree was downright gross. I hate complaining at restaurants but if it was my meal, I would have sent it back. The risotto was not creamy or flavorful, it just tasted like hard, wet rice. The pork belly on top had no discernible taste except...old. I really liked some of the food we ate but was so disappointed in others that I won't be back soon. I do still need to get there for that famous fried egg guanciale dish but I've got a lot of other important eating to do before I return! On the plus side, they are open on Mondays and have a very extensive wine list.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T03:35:26" }, { "business_id": "qKscu5qiEanq7XAduAhHmA", "business_name": "Banana Blossom", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for some time and, finding myself on the Wank last week, I stopped in for lunch. It was full and I waited for a table for a few minutes but things move quickly there. I was surprised that they didn't have lunch specials but decided to go with BBQ oysters and the Pad Thai. A little side salad came out first, pretty nondescript lettuce shards and unripe tomato, but I really liked the peanut-coconut dressing. The BBQ oysters were plentiful and tasty, almost too salty but I like salt. The roti they came with sopped up the sauce and by the time my Pad Thai came, I was full. Good thing too because I took a few bites of the sloppy-looking mess and didn't like it at all. The tofu tasted old, the vegetables were not fresh and it was very bland. There were a few other things on the menu that appealed to me and I might be persuaded to go back to try them but I would stay far, far away from the Pad Thai.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:17:52" }, { "business_id": "ta5Oi3sezvn4H299MbtE8Q", "business_name": "The Carousel Bar & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn about this one. I actually hate the carousel part of the bar and really dislike the spinning. Note: Don't go there after you've had a couple drinks. The spinning won't do you any favors. However, I love the lounge-y area behind the main bar, especially the cozy nooks with high-backed armchairs that look right out into the action on Royal. They make a very tasty Vieux Carre and one of my favorite Sazeracs in the city. So it's definitely worth a visit,I'd just avoid the main bar area.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:23:42" }, { "business_id": "dXREfNidBVaPbF8g5Xf54A", "business_name": "Department of Motor Vehicles", "rating": 3, "text": "Not too terrible as far as any visit to the OMV is concerned. There is plenty of parking in the lot in front and there were only 10 or so other people in line when I got there at 7:58am. One important thing to note about this location is that it is in some state office building so you have to go through security. That means leave your pistols and mace in the car, please. I was in and out within 20 minutes with my new license and although I thought the clerk I dealt with was unnecessarily snappy, I'd probably hate myself too if I worked there.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:35:32" }, { "business_id": "g8asTfC0kY9uzt1AHdm35A", "business_name": "Reily Student Recreation Center", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a fantastic facility, as it should be for Tulane tuition. As an employee, I get a discounted rate, which I don't take advantage of because first, I hate driving Uptown and second, the parking on campus sucks. However, every year during Winter Break, all employees use the facility for free and it's quiet, relatively student-free, easier to park and has a great schedule of really good classes. Once the students come back though, it can get pretty crowded so I probably won't ever buy a year-round membership. Except maybe when I have kids; they do have child care available.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:56:57" }, { "business_id": "P09fwcXyvf2GdvFnTMQWuA", "business_name": "Bellocq", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a beautiful bar and so I understand that fancy places can command high drink prices. I expected this but I thought my drink was just ok and for $14, I expect delicious. I also hate those silver cups they come in, I dislike not being able to see the level of my drink. Is there one sip left? 15? I can't tell. The presentation was lovely but there are too many places I can spend $4-6 less for a drink that is just as fancy but not as pricey. Don't get me wrong, I'd have a drink here again but it's not on my short list.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T01:56:09" }, { "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is exactly what I was thinking during my dinner. Look, for the most part, this food isn't bad, I actually enjoyed most of it. But it's damn expensive and what was good were things I could make any old night of the week. Plain old spaghetti with a garlic-scented butter? Yum! I loved that as a kid! And it takes 10 minutes to make. No need to drive to Avondale for that. Baked chicken with lots of garlic? Also, tasty and easily made at home. The baked oysters Mosca I thought was terrible and outrageously overpriced. $38 for about 12 oysters baked to death in a thick layer of breadcrumbs, which negated any oyster flavor. I can see how this place can be fun but it's unlikely I'd go back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:05:13" }, { "business_id": "iFgoIM21C_P68N8Dk-HHEA", "business_name": "Stella!", "rating": 3, "text": "It's always so hard for me to rate really nice restaurants because I expect so much before I even walk in the door. So maybe this is too harsh. Anyway... We were ushered into a somber and hushed front dining room. I felt like I had to whisper, which was sort of weird. We ordered cocktails to start because that's how I do fancy meals but I wasn't too excited about their specialty cocktails. When the ordered Blackberry Bramble or whatever it was called arrived, I was similarly nonplussed. I won't go into details about each dish but I will say that I certainly liked every course but I wasn't really wow-ed. Also, my wine tasted like anchovies, which I love but not in my wine. Highlights included all the sauces on each plate, the beef tenderloin, veal cheek and poached rhubarb for dessert. I've spent a lot less money on meals I enjoyed just as much or more so...glad I knocked that off the bucket list but won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:15:37" }, { "business_id": "2oJV-vS0Cu8cYt7_TbzOww", "business_name": "Cleaver & Co", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, 3 or 4 stars? This is tough because I'm glad that they're there but I did not at ALL like the head cheese I bought there and am unlikely to ever buy another $20 chicken. I love independent butchers though so I would like to support them but probably only for buying cuts for special occasions.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T18:44:30" }, { "business_id": "O7adYE4pVfqY02Lh6ywEpA", "business_name": "Swirl Wine Bar & Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I love this place. It would be hard NOT to like just based on their delightful location. Well-curated selection of wines and small cheese case run by very informative and helpful staff. Unfortunately, I avoid their Friday tastings because they have become so popular that they are too packed for me. I prefer the Wednesday night flights.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:21:07" }, { "business_id": "eKgtzwzbLR44fqevm6yUSQ", "business_name": "Faubourg Wines", "rating": 4, "text": "I was in the neighborhood quite a bit leading up to Krewe du Vieux, making floats, working on costumes and...drinking, of course. There were many days that I stopped in here (sometimes twice!) to fuel up on well-priced sparkling wine. Favorite find; an intoxicatingly perfumed grapefruit liquor.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:49:08" }, { "business_id": "g-IXI3v3fOudMsyLPKb-eQ", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location better than the one in Mid-City, such a cool re-use of a bank building! Very good coffee and now I'm wondering why I didn't have a Bellini? Anyway, I stupidly ordered eggs with a biscuit and corned beef when I could have ordered the special; a twist on the Benedict with fried green tomatoes as the English muffin, a bed of arugula and bacon. Everyone else at my table ordered it so I thought I should try the corned beef and MAYBE my husband would let me have some of his benny. He gave me one small and very delicious bite. Hash was pretty good, as was the biscuit but goddamnit, my over-easy eggs were inedible. Do restaurants cook eggs in a pool of water? I've had this happen before, it's pretty gross and left my eggs mostly untouched. Oh well, everything else was very nice.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T20:21:43" }, { "business_id": "ZgmEBmGQbSHj8YZgN2pPLQ", "business_name": "Satsuma Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Since my husband is not a breakfast eater, I am delighted when I have visitors so we can go out and sample early morning bites. A few months ago, my mother and her husband were here and this was the first place I thought of. Initially, I was kind of disappointed that there was no table service but that's a minor quibble. The staff, although very busy, was cheerful and helpful with recommendations for my juice-neophyte parents. Juice was delicious. My mother and I split a One-Eyed Jack and a special sweet-potato ginger pancake. I had a similar pancake a few weeks before at Suis Generis and that one was WAY better. This pancake was flavorless and oddly textured, plus it would have been nice to have a little side of fruit or something to go with it. The One-Eyed Jack was good but we were both still hungry after our breakfast. My SF ordered wisely and got a much heartier meal with eggs, very good black beans and a tasty biscuit. I'd probably be more inclined to come back here for lunch than breakfast but it is a very sweet little spot. After breakfast, make your way over to the Bargain Center next door for an interesting shopping experience.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T13:29:36" }, { "business_id": "1788xIG9VRrs3DZ_RhqA6A", "business_name": "Pearl Wine Co", "rating": 4, "text": "I wasn't sure what to expect when the ownership changed recently. for the most part, I'm pretty happy with the changes. The owner seems to be extremely knowledgeable and passionate about wine. She has also opened later hours and was even open on the 4th! I'm also glad she kept the staff; Jodi and Jose and great and have been fixtures for some time. The wine shop is worthy of 5 stars but the adjoining bar is not. The atmosphere always did and still does kind of suck. Which is partially not their fault, it is a former industrial building after all. But still, nothing about the place makes me want to hang out there. And they got rid of the former cocktail menu which I liked. But still, overall pleased with the changes. Welcome to the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T18:46:53" }, { "business_id": "bkxtuHXCL7GR51FiNdextA", "business_name": "City Greens", "rating": 3, "text": "Tasty. Friendly staff. But damn, it's really expensive. Just a salad with no drink and no added protein set me back almost $11. I'd only go again if someone suggested it since I can make my own delicious salads for a fraction of the price.", "timestamp": "2013-07-28T13:57:33" }, { "business_id": "WNhcS2zi4zAqA2TbduVINQ", "business_name": "Cleo's", "rating": 4, "text": "I had the vegetarian plate and it was very good. I loved the baba ganoush (so much better than mine) and the hummus with spicy roasted peppers on top. Falafel also really good. I actually like my tabbouleh better but theirs was still fresh and tasty. Tasted friend's lamb kebobs, small-ish but delicious and whatever they use as a salad dressing is awesome. Set-up inside the convenience store with loud club-like music was a little weird but not off-putting.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T18:48:28" }, { "business_id": "KGfw-g_JtizLJb4YmRB2Ig", "business_name": "Mariza", "rating": 4, "text": "I visited Mariza a few weeks ago but didn't eat since my trendy friends wanted to eat dinner at 9:30. I ate dinner at 6 like an old lady and met them for drinks. Anyway, I had one of their specialty cocktails (the Bywater something or other), which was too sweet, and one bite of my friend's hanger steak, which was incredible. I thought so much about that one bite that I jumped when my husband suggested Mariza for our Saturday night dinner date. We were lucky enough to get seated without a wait so that was a plus. To start, we shared an appetizer special; herbed ricotta-stuffed ravioli with chanterelles . OK, the sauce was divine and so was the filling, the one extremely small dab of it anyway. As someone who used to make fresh pasta at a restaurant, I wasn't impressed with the pasta either. It tasted like it was held in water perhaps? We also shared the yellowfin tuna carpaccio with arugula and parm. No complaints! I had that oh-so-delectable steak and it was everything I remembered and more. Served draped over grilled bread with olive tapenade and drizzled with pesto. Perfect. Husband's duck confit was also a hit. Their beer menu is kind of limited but I had a very nice and inexpensive pinot noir, which I find can so often be hit or miss. Our entrees were good-sized and very reasonably priced, both $15 or $16. So I can't really complain about price except when I compare my $16 steak with a $12 ravioli appetizer (2 ravioli, extremely meagerly filled). Oh well, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 2 drinks per person for ~$80 is still really reasonable. Next time I'm getting the burrata crostini and lamb belly. Or the goat ricotta with kale and the short ribs rigatoni. And MUST leave room for the chocolate terrine with olive oil and sea salt. I have to have that.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T19:01:31" }, { "business_id": "7ZcA6w0UCRmeEjN2nyeYuA", "business_name": "Root", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband I I were lucky enough to be invited to dinner here, which was great because I'm quite sure our hosts spent a pretty penny. We started off with cocktails and charcuterie. A+ on the cocktails! Inventive but accessible list and tasty to boot. I liked all the pickled things on the charcuterie plate and DEFINITELY the lardo; everything else was fine but no wow factor. Then we moved on to appetizers; of those I tasted, I'd say the deviled eggs were my favorite. My smoked scallops were as delicious as I'd hoped. Husband predictably ordered pork belly. It was good but what I really remember was this smoked vegetable ash smear it was served on. WOW. I thought the desserts were more about presentation (and at that, they excelled) than taste. We had the peach crumble and the blueberry clafoutis. Neither impressed my palate. I was really looking forward to the peach buttermilk ice cream with my dessert but it was icy and bland. Ice cream, or gelato, whatever they call it, is pretty easy and they didn't get it right at ALL. However, if I were to go back for anything, which is unlikely since they charge $16 for deviled eggs, I would go back for the Indian falooda. Oh! It was a terrarium of beautiful, edible flowers and accouterments swimming in a pool of geranium milk. I thought this sounded a little crazy but I loved it. Appetizers and desserts were overpriced and fell a little flat. Drinks and entrees, while pricey, were worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-20T20:25:53" }, { "business_id": "FxeakFEI6gObK0CxcOft-A", "business_name": "Manhattan Jack", "rating": 3, "text": "My cuban was ok. This sandwich, and the others my friends ordered, is a perfect example was why I hate going out for breakfast and lunch. It's expensive and just not that great. I'd rather save my dollars for dinner and make my own sandwich for lunch. I didn't try any of the sweets and while they looked and smelled lovely, I probably won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T12:03:25" }, { "business_id": "gC8i-lxwvGhVpOXM5eYdtA", "business_name": "Taqueria Guerrero", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the staff here and that it never seems to be super busy. They don't have my beloved fish tacos though and i like the lengua better at Taqueris Corona/ Was very disappointed in my taco al pastor, it's probably the worst I've ever tried. To be daring, we ordered the huarache and the baleado. Huarache, good choice, baleado, bland. Horchata is tasty! It's cheap and close to home but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T14:45:20" }, { "business_id": "5rScKeYVjFk8VahsvJv9QA", "business_name": "Mikimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never used to be a fan but my husband is and it's gradually grown on me. Every time we'd go out, he'd suggest Mikimoto and I'd roll my eyes and ignore him. But he's got a pretty strong sushi addiction and orders once a week, in addition to going out. And of course, he always orders from Mikimoto. It's still not my favorite but it's reliable, quick, plentiful and priced right.", "timestamp": "2013-09-14T15:44:45" }, { "business_id": "FCCnOgjjvwQJBAy3u2fcLA", "business_name": "Criollo Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful place in the Monteleone. I have been wanting to try Criollo for a while and finally did for their Coolinary offering. My friend and I were seated in a window overlooking Iberville. I felt like I was in a little bistro in Paris, which is amazing since I knew if I had two more feet of a view on either side, I'd see Walgreen's and the crowd of guys hanging out in front of the old penny arcade. Service was charming and attentive, from the server to the runner to the hostess. We started with their delicious bread basket and assorted butters. I chose the gumbo, friend had the salad. The gumbo was good, not outstanding but it did distinguish itself with a garnish of fried okra. Very nice. Salad looked uninspired. For entrees, I had the soft-shell crab with brown butter. Yes! Excellent. My friend had the cobia and the bite I had was the blood line so it wasn't a good first impression. I did have another bite (no blood line) and it was good but at nice restaurants, please remove the blood line from the fish! Her dish was topped with a sort of okra popper (cheese-stuffed and fried), which I really liked. I ordered the chocolate-pecan parfait, which sounded way better than white chocolate creme brulee tart to me. What a letdown. It was served nearly frozen solid and it was several inches high so to cut through it was nearly impossible. The flavor was also boring and the cake bit on the bottom was dry. It was terrible. The creme brulee tart however, was stupendous. Loved it. Also, extra kudos for having espresso and not french press. I like french press too but I have one at home. What I don't have at home is a $4,000 espresso machine so I appreciate them when I go out!", "timestamp": "2013-09-18T14:37:54" }, { "business_id": "rVRh3PnjYwSaVvGs0joh5w", "business_name": "Five Guys", "rating": 3, "text": "First of all, it was so bright in here that I felt overwhelmed just walking in. We ordered the regular burgers and large fries, which were both so much bigger than I had anticipated. I went in after spending the afternoon drinking beer at NOLA on Tap so I was beer-hungry and I still couldn't finish the fries. The burger was pretty good and I like all the toppings but the fries were so unsatisfying. They had no taste and making a fried potato taste good is fairly easy. My husband liked them though so maybe I'm just off. I was also shocked at how long it took everything to come out. They were busy but only putting out one order every 4-5 minutes. I think we finally got our food after 20 minutes. It's ok and I might go back but it's not high on my list.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T11:55:25" }, { "business_id": "YSyZipJDgS3D_R0wqPqPhQ", "business_name": "Longue Vue House and Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "I took advantage of Free Museum Day this year with a long overdue trip to Longue Vue. This place has been on my list for years and I can't believe I just now took advantage of a quiet morning spent in the lovely gardens of this estate. Turning down Bamboo Rd. from Metairie Rd, I knew I was in a for a treat. I spent about 45 minutes going through the Discovery Garden (so cute, can't wait to bring my nieces!), to the wild garden (reminder to self to go back when the irises bloom) and the impressive Spanish Court. Luckily, I was just finishing my garden foray when a tour of the house was starting. Wow. The history of the family who lived here was impressive. Not only do you get to peek into what their life was like, but the lady of the house was a collector of modern art and so it was like a gallery visit on top of the house tour. Our guide was also super knowledgable and I feel like I got a history lesson on politics, New Orleans oddities, river commerce and more. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T12:04:13" }, { "business_id": "hPd6uMCjNglnOwwHpkY5Tg", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - French Quarter", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sure this will be unpopular but Felipe's did not hit my spot. I like the one Uptown and I thought I would like this one too but the food, not so much. Husband's cheese sauce on chimichanga tasted rancid, flautas tasted like freezer-burned cardboard and everything else was room temperature and blah. I still love their condiments bar and the drinks are always nice, especially on Wednesdays.", "timestamp": "2013-10-21T16:01:09" }, { "business_id": "dBOVfp8Ub8uO9qUPtw92_w", "business_name": "Lilette", "rating": 4, "text": "My dashing husband brought me here for a birthday lunch after I'd been yearning to go forever. It turns out he knew one of the chefs and so we were sent some delicious short rib lagniappe. I decided to go with two appetizers so that I wouldn't pass out after lunch, unlike my husband, who had a duck appetizer and a steak for an entree. I had some marvelous gnocchi in a tomato sauce and then the famed crab claws and passionfruit butter. That butter was so sublime, I would lick it right off of Bourbon Street. Honestly, the crab wasn't all that, kind of stringy. It's okay though because that butter...oh my. I was sorely disappointed in dessert. We had a Nutella custard and it was GRAY in color and about as flavorful as gray sounds. How do you muck up Nutella? Confusing. Anyway, it is a beautiful space and I'd love to go back for dinner one day.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:17:11" }, { "business_id": "V9VLhHdSFpFi4yXFqVcVEA", "business_name": "Pêche", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn a bit as I write this. It was good, don't get me wrong, I guess I just expected a little more wow. And that's totally because a) it's Donald Link and b) I eat fresh seafood at home all the time and I can admit I'm spoiled. Just last week my husband brought home a 28-inch redfish that he caught and he grilled it on the half-shell with chermoula and tzatziki. But I'm not reviewing my kitchen, just demonstrating that I have a high bar. We started with some expertly fried crab and artichoke fritters. No fillers to bind these beauties together. We also had some olive-oil poached tuna that didn't taste super fresh to me so I let husband eat it all up. There was a third appetizer that I don't remember so I'm sure it was fine although obviously not memorable. Whole grilled flounder to share. I love flounder so it was good but that's all I have to say about it. We also got a side of stewed okra (one of my favorite things all night, go figure!) and very tasty field peas. Dessert was an amazing-sounding but disappointing-tasting chocolate peanut butter banana pie. They have an interesting cocktail menu but after tasting mine and my husband's, I switched to their equally interesting but more reasonably priced wine list. Service was friendly (except for the hostess at the door who was hating life!). It's very loud. If you're visiting from out of town and want to eat some really good Louisiana seafood, this is your place. If you're married to a local fisherman like me, you can probably eat just as well at home.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:34:18" }, { "business_id": "riGIP57_SRRnhx91c_4sBQ", "business_name": "Cafe Granada", "rating": 4, "text": "Over the past weekend, with its lovely weather, I wanted to go somewhere where we could sit outside. Husband suggested this place, which neither of us have ever visited. I love tapas and they have outdoor seating. Sold. We started off with a carafe of red sangria, which was quite watery. I'll go to Lola's if I want sangria. We had several things, some that I loved and some that were just ok. But the ones I loved were so good, I can't wait to go back! The delicious: Brie with fig preserves: Hard to go wrong with this, except to do it like we did. One order for four people. Boo. Get your own. Duck confit: The duck was on point and the salad it came with was fantastic! The hangar steak: Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Served with very good french fries and what I think was a garlic aioli (menu said chimichurri but that it wasn't). The good: Goat cheese croquetas: Served with some sort of mango sauce. Shrimp croquetas: Not as good as the goat cheese ones. Served with a tomato sauce. Carpaccio de res: This might have made the delicious category if there was some balance between oil and acid on the plate. It was drizzled with oil, fine, but needed some vinegar or something else. The just ok: Zucchini pockets with salmon and brie: The zucchini was good, I didn't taste the brie and the salmon just didn't work with the zucchini, to my taste anyway. Manchego with tequila: I though booze, flame and cheese was a no brainer but it just tasted like soggy cheese with cheap tequila taste on top. Yuck. The bread: Not good and with these kind of tapas, the bread is kind of important. The aforementioned sangria. $100 bucks for four people with drinks. Not bad at all.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:50:59" }, { "business_id": "3JOWaLAwQkYTZsgSe5HzVA", "business_name": "Hermes Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why Yelp has this come up as Lower Garden, this is the heart of the FQ. Weird. Anyway, I like coming here with visitors for some old school New Orleans vibes. One of the few place in town you can order a Ramos Gin Fizz and check out old Mardi Gras memorabilia. I usually just get drinks but have been wanting to try the Oyster Foch poboy (fried oysters, colbert sauce, foie gras) for the longest. I finally got my wish! The presentation was kind of sloppy and it was stuffed somewhat sparsely but the taste was OH MY GOD. I might have to hit happy hour again this week for another.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:56:35" }, { "business_id": "UjFLIhKTOiFcQiziOA9rgA", "business_name": "Mizado Latin Kitchen", "rating": 3, "text": "A-ok for now, with some strong pluses and minuses. I was very excited for this place to open and we checked it out the night before Thanksgiving. Business was booming and the welcoming host staff seemed genuinely glad to see us. However, I wasn't crazy about the whole valet setup outside, it seemed unnecessary and I felt more like I was going to a club in LA than dinner under the interstate in New Orleans. That same feeling goes for the decor. But that's just my personal taste talking and I'm sure some people love the ultra-modern, lounge-like feel. I LOVED the pickled vegetables and fried chickpeas that were put on the table to munch on. Our server warned us they'd be really hot but I thought they were perfect. On the other hand, she did not warn us about the salsas and 2 of the 3 (arbol, borracha, aguacate) we got were verrrry spicy. I like spice but it was a lot for me and husband couldn't eat them. Plus, they were more like pastes or dips to me. OK but not worth repeating. Fish tacos (unremarkable), pork belly (some pieces were great and some were undercooked=flabby) and peruvian atun (delicious!) completed the meal. My drink (Cava Lamp) had no discernible taste of St. Germain that it included as an ingredient. It was also priced wrong on the menu. Husband's margarita was fine but they don't do salted rims, instead a salted foam sits on top of the drink. Meh. I will probably go back to try more of the menu but I'm not running back anytime soon. It might get back into my rotation in the next 6 months. Might not.", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:24:23" }, { "business_id": "now2TRoUla_5u_tmH4HGig", "business_name": "Namese", "rating": 4, "text": "I never thought I'd be dining al fresco on a beautiful patio located...at the corner of Carrollton and Tulane? I saw how nice the exterior was as we pulled up but it really is even nicer than you can imagine once you are seated on the patio. We didn't go inside so I can't speak to that. I wanted to order one of everything but I restrained myself. We started with the banh mi sample, I liked the shrimp the best but husband liked the other two. I recommend just getting a banh mi instead though, just to get the bang for your buck. We also got the pork roll and pate banh mi and the serving size was much more than the appetizer. They were out of pork belly, so sad, so we didn't sample any of that. Grilled shrimp spring rolls were good, caramel catfish was very good and the green papaya salad was my favorite! Staff was great and welcoming. We will definitely be back often. So glad this is on the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:32:28" }, { "business_id": "fmWgbWRcbJw-yRCK3USnvA", "business_name": "Fountain Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "We had kind of a perfect New Orleans night here, the Saturday before Christmas was very festive and the famed Roosevelt decorations were dazzling. We ran into old friends and made new ones. But none of that really had to do with the food, which did not live up to the rest of our evening. We started with raw oysters, which were cold, salty and shucked right. We both had the Reveillon menu but there were choices for each of us, I love choices! I had an asparagus dish with poached egg and Parmesan foam that was delicate and rich-tasting at the same time. The smoked tuna was good too but asparagus trumped it. The soup and salad course was next, nice but not remarkable. The soup was so rich, I think it was mostly heavy cream with a dash of cauliflower in there. I had swordfish that tasted frozen and my husband had a deconstructed duck wellington that was a better choice. Both desserts (banana-chocolate creme brulee and a lemon tart) tasted like Sysco made them a decade ago. I love dessert and I'll even eat most bad desserts but I didn't finish either one of these. Also, our cocktails cost $16 each. Things started off okay but took a nose-dive. I won't be back.", "timestamp": "2014-02-11T14:33:59" }, { "business_id": "zWfzgYe2nT9mHYm_vl1Ukw", "business_name": "Mopho", "rating": 3, "text": "Sigh. I've been twice and both times I was not overly impressed. The first time we went, we ordered the crispy wings. They were not crisp at all, although the flavor was really good. I also had the worst pho I've ever had. The broth (beef, with oxtail and tendon) was murky and tasteless, like they used no star anise or other aromatics. The second time we went was better. I had the much hyped pepper jelly clams. The clams were really fresh-tasting and the broth was delicious. But I would have loved to sop it up with some bread, instead I got some stick-shaped beignets that were awfully sweet and not a good vessel at all to absorb that beautiful broth. My companions had poboys, which they enjoyed. I'll likely keep trying but so far, it hasn't lived up to my expectations. Staff is really nice, the space is beautiful. I'm looking forward to checking out their happy hour and the patio in nice weather.", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:35:36" }, { "business_id": "EbLbT1sR9myTqzjF4mHrTw", "business_name": "The Civic Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "We went to see Christian Scott and Esperanza Spalding here a couple months ago. What a beautiful job they've done! It's fairly small and the seating felt very...vertical. But I like that it was on the small side, it felt very intimate. The bar is stocked with better than your average. They had a fancy cocktail menu and my husband was happy with his Hopitoulas. Look forward to seeing more shows here!", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:39:55" }, { "business_id": "FLtru6J7y9d-Rqb32jyPIg", "business_name": "The Fat Falafel", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only tried the falafel sandwich (add hummus) but those fries with garlic aioli were very tempting! I liked the pita, loved the root slaw and enjoyed the sauce. But...was there a hint of cinnamon in the falafel? If not, there was something I couldn't identify and if there was, I didn't like it. But it was my only quibble, well, that and also that it was messy and had so much garlic that I wanted to run home to my toothbrush immediately. In fact, after brushing my teeth and using industrial strength mouthwash, I could still taste it. So if you're planning on being out the rest of the day/evening, proceed with caution!", "timestamp": "2014-05-06T20:35:52" }, { "business_id": "9xdXS7jtWjCVzL4_oPGv9A", "business_name": "GW Fins", "rating": 3, "text": "It was good, don't get me wrong. I'll have to go back to try more of the menu and hope to upgrade to 4 stars then. AMBIANCE: Looks really dated inside, like it was designed in the early 90s. No big deal, decor is not what I came for but I noticed it. SERVICE: I appreciate attentive service, which it was, but even better, our server was knowledgeable about the menu. Kudos. THOSE BISCUITS: Everybody seems to love these. They were good, kind of on the sweet side for me. And not great for sopping up some of the excellent sauces from our meal. APPETIZERS: These were fantastic. We got the lobster dumplings, fried snapper cheeks and salmon tartar. The sauce on those dumplings, WHOA! So good. The fried fish contrasted with a spicy-sweet slaw, delicious. ENTREES: Bored silly. We both basically got a variation of fish paired with a starch and some vegetables. Nothing bad but after the appetizers, very uninspired. DESSERT: Cherry panna cotta (good) and passionfruit \"souffle.\" They had souffle in quotes so I was curious to see what that meant. You want to know? It means passionfruit ice cream served in a souffle cup. Lame. They have a great wine list (although a crappy beer list) so I'd go back to sit at the bar for some wine and apps.", "timestamp": "2014-08-13T14:30:02" }, { "business_id": "cTSczU-9-cYUEM2DlNJcQw", "business_name": "1000 Figs", "rating": 5, "text": "I found out Tuesday morning that this place had opened the day before. Since I love checking out new places within walking distance, we decided to try it for dinner. OH, SO good! I had their falafel before (which I had previously found to be dry but I liked that beet-carrot slaw). But I'm glad I gave it another shot because these here perfect. Wait, let me back up. The space is really beautiful, it feels like being in someone's home and obviously a lot of careful thought went into the decor (love the silverware in drawers at each table!). It's BYOB right now but since it's next to Swirl, they're really nice about setting you up with wine and all the accouterments. It is rather quiet though so maybe not the best place for a boisterous group. We shared barley-roasted vegetable salad, kale salad with squid and the hummus platter. The barley salad was awesome, that was probably my favorite. The kale salad I actually didn't like, I think it was chard and not kale? And not crazy about the squid, which I usually love. But I plopped some hummus on it and it was fine. The falafel were tender and perfect. Everything was served with an avalanche of fresh greens, dill, mint etc and that was a really nice touch. The hand-stretched bread that came with the hummus platter also blew me away. But when we asked for more, we got cold, factory pita from Restaurant Depot:( Maybe they ran out, highly likely since it was so delicious! No desserts, very reasonably priced. Will be back again and again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:26:21" }, { "business_id": "PDpEFp0lCsXtGsUO1WPllA", "business_name": "The Franklin", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is beautiful, no doubt. Did this used to be an old praline shop? I can't remember. I liked our dinner here but I just can't shake that I spent $72 on myself for 2 drinks and 3 apps and a dessert split 3 ways. My favorite thing was actually a salad with root vegetables. I had oysters with white remoulade; I'd drink that sauce straight but the oysters weren't fried very well, sort of soggy. I also had beef tartar with strawberries, which I decided was not a good combination. The best thing there was this cocktail I had, the Kentucky Rifleman, which was worth every penny of the $12 it cost. Rye and black walnut bitters, OMG. We shared the quince-almond-goat cheese tart and while I'd eat anything with goat cheese, the crust of this tasted like dirt and the ice cream was icy, which really ruined the texture.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:33:59" }, { "business_id": "XCDXN4xJh3-DauaO88CZHQ", "business_name": "Courtyard Brewery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so happy to see this love child finally come to fruition! I've known Scott and Lindsay for a few years now and they are such awesome people, but beyond that, they know their beer! The design and decor are well done and every time I go, I look forward to seeing something new and quirky. I like the family and dog friendly vibe. They have a great lineup of offerings, which have all been guest pours on my visit. However, I know they just released their own brews next week so I'll have to get there again soon!", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:10:02" }, { "business_id": "e-fXMT8R3j7BKMTh8xn8aw", "business_name": "Red's Chinese", "rating": 3, "text": "We had a nice dinner here last nice but I think we may have ordered the wrong things! We ordered the smashed cucumbers (fine, forgettable), the sliders (decent) and the chicken feet (gross) to start. Except that's not the way the food came out. We got the cucumbers and Kung Pao Pastrami first (delicious). We also never got the ribs we ordered and since the servings were so large, we were probably better off not getting them. I really enjoyed my cocktail (Dragon's Breath) and I'd go back to order other things. Service was fast and friendly, minus the snafu with food arrival. A note about chicken feet: having never tried them, I was curious. I thought they'd be crunchy. The flaccid skin (though soaked in a tasty buffalo wing style sauce), revealed nothing underneath but gristly bone. Now I know.", "timestamp": "2015-01-25T14:23:03" }, { "business_id": "srPwdMyFdHxvRkG9P_sRDA", "business_name": "Booty's Street Food", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here a couple of times for drinks or a snack but nothing memorable. Although, of the three times I've been, we've tried one of their fancy cocktails and I'm always let down. This past weekend, we had a large party and were grateful they could take us on such short notice. They have some interesting ground rules; if you have a party of five or more, the table has to do the tasting menu. But only five people are required to do it? Weird. Whatever, we all did the 7 course tasting to make things easy. Some of the things I really liked (the tamal, the St. Martinique fritter) and somethings were not good at all (the dry ass taco and flavorless fish sandwich on soggy bread). When we got the check, we were told that we could pay with no more than 3 credit cards or just do split checks, but that meant our four bottles of wine had to be claimed by various people since that couldn't be split. Messy. As a former server, the latter option is a lot more work but again, whatever. I'm not anxious to go back. We had fun and the food was fine. But those backless chairs were really uncomfortable for dinner and their rules seem kind of arbitrary. So many other places I'd rather eat though.", "timestamp": "2015-04-13T15:19:11" }, { "business_id": "wqGkMLZVXc0pYVjr3zDrpA", "business_name": "Vacherie", "rating": 4, "text": "***My review is only for happy hour. They have a wide variety of drinks available for $5 at happy hour, including a Pimm's cup and a Sazerac. Yum! All of the five dollar plates of food we tried were good too; deviled eggs with pimento cheese, wings and the alligator sausage. I'm not really interested in coming here for dinner because the atmosphere was kinda lacking but I'll stop in for happy hour any day of the week.", "timestamp": "2015-04-13T15:21:28" }, { "business_id": "_393npnr0Dw1aGKy83x_0A", "business_name": "Paladar 511", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh my LORD! Best dinner I've had this year. First of all, this space is gorgeous. All the staff seem very happy to be there, which is a good sign. I started off with a cocktail, Overly Aggressive Old Man. If you like bitter things, this drink is for you! I loved it. We shared the following: Red snapper crudo: Delicious. Very fresh. It was served with peanuts and thinly sliced jalapenos but nothing overwhelmed the fish. Clams with chorizo. This was pretty good but impressed me the least out of all the other awesome things we ate. It was served with grilled bread, which we gobbled up and they grilled us a fresh basket to soak up the rest of the juices. Excellent move. Cobia: WHAT??? I wanted to jump right onto the plate and roll around in that sunchoke puree. Artichokes and white beans were also lovely, the fish had a perfect sear with some bright green sauce atop it, capped off with some sort of crunchy, salty bread crumb/shards. I don't even know. So good. Lamb sausage: While i think paying $16 for a sausage is a bit much, it was quite tasty. I liked the romesco and yogurt sauces it was served with. Blueberrry pie with lavender ice cream: Just get this. I'm a pie snob and it didn't even appeal to me but I am so glad my dining companions ordered it. I didn't get much lavender from the ice cream but it was beautiful anyway. Toasted ricotta pie: I liked the blueberry better but this was also a standout. I have dinner plans at Coquette tonight, which I'm tempted to cancel so I can go back to Paladar.", "timestamp": "2015-05-08T16:47:55" } ]	{ "business_id": "Qlmusk0BBY0kMOd8Y96H4A", "business_name": "Kingfish", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here several times for drinks but never for dinner because the menu just doesn't really appeal to me. We finally decided to give it a try and while it was ok, I won't be going back any time soon. We started at the bar, which I love. It was a quiet Sunday evening, the jazz playing in the background while overlooking Chartres set the mood. My Vieux Carre was meh, I should stick to getting it at the Monteleone. We moved to a table for dinner. Our server was very attentive, much appreciated. We started with the offal of the day, a play on rabbit \"scrapple,\" which was fine but the apple slaw it came with was what really made the dish. I got the duck with field peas that was the blandest dish ever. My husband got the chicken fried alligator, it had a lovely crisp exterior but tasted like the swamp. It was served with a grillades gravy that I would have gladly ordered on its own. We had a very rich and creamy peanut butter pot de creme for dessert and it was quite good. Overall, our meal was expensive and had some hits but lots of misses.", "timestamp": "2015-10-05T15:45:28" }
07aVWNhBhpwqW3MdqoKDKQ	[ { "business_id": "yD3vJQYB8lX8Se97oCVb2w", "business_name": "Rio Mar Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here several times over the course of many years and there are some gems for sure, although I was turned off last night. We sat for dinner and asked to start with some appetizers so that we could look over the menu leisurely. We were told that the kitchen doesn't accept appetizer orders without the entrees, you have to order everything at once. I don't remember this ever being the case there. My group and I are all restaurant workers and found this attitude not worthy of the good but not spectacular meal. The ceviche. Good but the lime juice didn't taste fresh, more like what you buy in the green, plastic lime-shaped container. Pata negra (jamon iberico). Very tasty, I liked that it was served with almond-stuffed dates, they were delicious. Oysters Riomar. Very good, a little rich but I love manchego and chorizo, maybe a little too much chorizo in this particular dish, it kind of overwhelmed the other flavors. Gulf fish escabeche. Outstanding, very fresh. Serrano-wrapped tuna. Meh. Sounds amazing but the tuna flavor was not there. The tres leches with coco had a different texture than I usually associate with the dessert but it was very tasty, especially with the nuts on top. Flan was a bit too dense, in a sort of gelatinous way but still good flavor. Chocolate cake was unremarkable. The desserts were on the house to apologize for the appetizer/entree thing but I don't see why they wouldn't just allow a more relaxed style of ordering, it's not as if we walked in five minutes before closing.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T14:50:13" }, { "business_id": "yf8a1DOlqoqlKHuLSKEfxg", "business_name": "Dante's Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful outdoor seating area, friendly but not overbearing service. My absolute favorite thing was the escargot served in a sauce of basil, vermouth and goat cheese. I would go back again and again for that dish. We also got the Heads and Tails, very cute name and very tasty dish (hogshead cheese and braised oxtails). Beets and greens we ordered as sides were wonderful, simple but somehow unique. Braised pork belly not as great as I had anticipated but the pork steak confit was even better. Redfish served with soft herbs and crabmeat was delicate and lovely. At first I thought the very pretty profusion of herbs would be over the top flavor-wise but it wasn't. Too full for dessert although nothing really jumped out at me either. One of my more memorable meals this year.", "timestamp": "2010-05-18T15:13:32" }, { "business_id": "je-bSjTTn8qKjT094MzjDw", "business_name": "Laurel Street Bakery", "rating": 3, "text": "I want to like this place because it is sweet and neighborhoody but the croissants were really disappointing. The chocolate croissants had chocolate syrup on them but for some reason I ordered them anyway, at which point they put MORE syrup on. Ick. They also tasted pretty stale. Almond was better but still pretty lweak as far as croissants go. I would go back to try their coffee and bagels, which I hear are really good but then again I heard the croissants were great too.", "timestamp": "2010-07-25T18:01:33" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 3, "text": "The fried chicken was good. The shrimp creole that my friends had looked not so great but they liked it. Then again, they're visiting from out of town and I've never liked shrimp creole anyway. However, the Sazerac there is awful, it's watery and served over ICE! I've never had a Sazerac on the rocks and I hope to never again. Still, would come back to try the duck quesadilla", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:03:01" }, { "business_id": "FEXhWNCMkv22qG04E83Qjg", "business_name": "Café Du Monde", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Cafe du Monde, always have. But I have never gotten their frozen cafe au lait, always stuck with regular cafe au lait and beignets. So I met some friends downtown and on the way back to the office, I was HOT and stopped for the aforementioned frozen drink. Slightly too sweet but really, who cares, it is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!", "timestamp": "2010-07-27T21:04:21" }, { "business_id": "qFqYnVhKKdDPYoTFwqHDrg", "business_name": "Martinique Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "Amazing. Martinique has been on my list for years and I can't believe I never made it until last night. i was with a group of six, which was fantastic because we ordered a ton of food and got to taste much of the menu. Escargot, lobster gnocchi, basil crepe, tomato gazpacho and mussels were excellent. The scallop appetizer special was kind of bland. Cobb salad was outstanding, peppery arugula and salty cheese with sweet crab meat. I thought it was kind of strange that no bread was served, which I generally don't care about but was needed for the escargot sauce. Instead, we slurped it up with the mussel shells! Lamb with pistachio-mint tapenade and pork with onion marmalade were both outstanding. The flat iron steak was good but not as flavorful as it should have been, the flavor mostly came from the compound butter it was topped with. My entree was an ahi with a caper-five herb beurre blanc that was heavy on the tarragon and topped with crabmeat. The sauce was amazing, the crabmeat really set it off, I wish the tuna was cooked slightly less but still great. Desserts were a super Meyer-lemon goat cheese tart, a housemade Guinness ice cream and a fairly boring bread pudding. Lovely service, beautiful setting, stellar meal.", "timestamp": "2010-07-28T19:45:21" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the little tables inside and the pictures of the family and all that jazz. I love strolling there on a cool September evening. But I think their gelato is just fine, not great, but fine. If I want gelato, or any other frozen dessert, I prefer Sucre or La Divina or Creole Creamery, I think they just use better products.", "timestamp": "2010-09-29T15:39:24" }, { "business_id": "TzkVUJab9Sh0CqDk2sCF-w", "business_name": "Bayona", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still full from last night. Yes, it was very good but I wasn't blown away. Maybe my expectations were too high. I had a Stormy Morning to start, which was elderberry and violette liquers, bubbly and lime, almost too sweet but the lime saved it. Then we got some bread which was nice although I noticed other tables got amuses bouches and we did not. Sad. I got the crispy quail salad for an appetizer, it was indeed crispy and the greens weren't overdressed! Finally! My boyfriend got the sweetbreads in sherry-mustard and although he said they were a bit too salty, they were cooked perfectly. The man got the Bayona salad as a second and I thought it was really lame. I like salads not to be drowning in dressing but I couldn't really taste any dressing at all, there was a bit on the bottom of the bowl but...really? And it was just lettuce and Parm. I'm bored just thinking about it. Entrees, I got a grouper special, which had a beautiful sear on it and a wonderful lemony-capery-buttery sauce. Also chanterelles, cipolloni and tomatoes. My boyfriend got a rabbit roulade with a green onion-brioche stuffing. The stuffing was great but the rabbit was kind of overcooked and had LOTS of little bones in it. There shouldn't be bones in a roulade. The mashed potatoes were as exciting as the Bayona salad and the sauteed kale was tasty but also very salty. I think dessert was the best. We got perfectly pulled espressos, served with a chocolate almond and we ordered a Lemon-Lavendar Semifreddo with Almond Shortbread. I capitalized all that because that's how good it was. It tasted like a fairy tale. Overall, I enjoyed the meal but I think this is one of those NOLA restaurants that saw their heyday a while back and isn't moving forward.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T14:29:36" }, { "business_id": "mfTyBrvx9uCTSPjmrl8PjA", "business_name": "Maison Dupuy Hotel", "rating": 3, "text": "We went here for pre-dinner drinks, which were okay but not great and pricey. To be fair though, our bartender said it was her first day so I'll cut her some slack. A ton of stars for their piano player Paul, he is awesome.", "timestamp": "2010-09-30T16:34:24" }, { "business_id": "95d60_mjUg2kLy-bhDLC6w", "business_name": "Theo's Neighborhood Pizza", "rating": 3, "text": "Meh. I was hungry and Parkway closed early because they ran out of bread so I ended up at Theo's. The toppings were good but the crust was flavorless and I am not a fan of its crackerlike crispness. I like all kinds of pizza, NY style and Chicago style and so on but I have yet to find pizza in New Orleans that I love.", "timestamp": "2010-10-04T00:02:49" }, { "business_id": "E_HZHSOrXy621e9jeI8R7w", "business_name": "Parkview Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "I like Parkview. I like the outside tables and the semi-stale but free popcorn and the very, very cheap Abita on tap with tokens so you can drink your pitcher in moderate, pint-sized portions and then save some for next time. I like Bunchie and Chris and their free food at Saints games, especially the hogshead cheese shaped like a fleur-de-lis made by the inimitable Vaughn of Creole Country Meats. The downside to the whole place is that it's just so smoky:(", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:17:31" }, { "business_id": "4FDOh7BAb0pgLuD8rjl3bg", "business_name": "Dee's Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "Now that the weather is nice, I can leave my crypt-like office and take a mid-afternoon stroll to wake myself up. Dee's is perfect, not crowded, unassuming and just good coffee. I've only had espresso there but I'd like to try some of their frozen drinks, I think they had something called English Garden with lavender and violet? With coffee? I'm intrigued.", "timestamp": "2010-10-07T17:23:45" }, { "business_id": "FknpD7tLt59-6ozV3Pk2Vg", "business_name": "Caesars Superdome", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm a hater. I got all excited because the boyfriend's boss gave us his tickets last week but really, I think I like to watch the game where there are fewer obnoxious people and the food doesn't give me the runs. Within minutes of getting through security, several shrill women who looked like they were coming from a meth lab damn near started a riot by pushing and loudly kvetching near the escalators. Okay. Moving along. We got to our seats and were lucky to sit in front of a man who heckled EVERYONE in sight for the whole game, from five year olds to peanut vendors. As for the food, well, all nachos are not created equal and these weren't so good. The one bite I had of the hot dogs actually tasted pretty decent but sadly the boyfriend spent the rest of the day in the bathroom. I'll stick to the neighborhood bar or better yet, make some gumbo at home and invite the neighborhood over.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T19:37:13" }, { "business_id": "GWLWFcxaWJuWFZYeQSMMTg", "business_name": "Garden District Book Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place. They pack a lot of good reads into a small place, plus I have been going to their book club meeting the past few months, which is super. The books are always thoughtfully picked and even if I don't enjoy that month's selection, I really like hearing what these smart, articulate women (men are certainly allowed although I've never seen one!) have to say about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:09:11" }, { "business_id": "nLxzI1lBOFNTKEnoip66wA", "business_name": "Mondo", "rating": 4, "text": "Highlights were the shrimp and pork meatballs on the lemongrass skewers and creamy crab toast. The breaded artichoke was pretty boring and awfully stringy but the lemon aioli was a bright spot. The steak tartare was fine but there was so much caper and pepper and so on that it detracted from the beef. If there was actually even any beef at all, I'm not sure. I'm kicking myself for not trying to soup of the day, a hot and sour soup with duck dumplings. My dinner was perfectly passable, fish \"Muddy Waters\" (which is a meuniere with jalapeno and anchovy) with roasted potatoes, except I didn't care for the fish of the day...tripletail. I usually hate five-spice powder but T's Chinese duck was very tasty, if a little small, as was the accompanying turnip cake. C. got a steak with bearnaise and OOOOH, I cannot get enough of tarragon lately. I don't even know how the steak was because I focused on those lovely, licorice-like, grassy bits of tarragon in the sauce. E.got a lovely lamb with ricotta agnolloti that might be what I order next time I'm in. For dessert, lemon tart, coconut sorbet and sweet potato-pecan pie with almond-sherry ice cream. Sorbet (good) lemon tart (uh, lemony?) sweet-potato pecan pie with ice cream was STELLAR. I really liked the ice cream, the sherry complemented the almond so well and the almonds tasted deep and toasty. All in all, a very nice meal, although we wanted a perhaps finer dining experience than they offer. We were looking for some port or sherry after dinner, no such luck. Anyway, next time I'll forgo the high-brow meal experience and sit at the bar with a glass of wine and a pizza from the wood-burning oven. Oh, and those meatballs!d", "timestamp": "2010-10-13T20:21:02" }, { "business_id": "R7ZqfB-4Z7jyl73iQ58nEQ", "business_name": "GG's Dine-O-Rama", "rating": 2, "text": "Crowded. Smells strange. The corned beef sandwich had WAY too much creole mustard (that stuff is strong!) and the beef tasted slightly sweet and cinnamony, just the thought of which makes me feel queasy. Very small for $11. My friend got mozzarella sliders which were made using crappy rolls, plus they were burnt. Underwhelming.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:02:45" }, { "business_id": "jMZ56S8Y1t7cA1Ob-d-qeA", "business_name": "Three Muses", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfection. Eggplant bruschetta was the hit of the night. The goat cheese gratin (not really a gratin at all but it was delicious so screw semantics) and pork belly were also amazing! Not too impressed with an ahi tuna special but maybe that's because everything else was so good! I didn't think I'd like the tomato chutney on the lamb sliders but it went very well together, lamb seasoned perfectly, just a bit on the dry side though. We had several cocktails, the Muse was hands down my favorite; strawberry, cucumber, gin and St. Germain. Also good mojitos and sangria. The blueberry bellini was okay but if I didn't know it was supposed to be blueberry, I wouldn't have been able to taste it, although it was a very pretty color.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:07:34" }, { "business_id": "me3mlZsR26fV89fMw2uR6Q", "business_name": "Rib Room", "rating": 4, "text": "Between three and four stars but since the setting is so over the top and cinematic, I'll go with four stars. It was eerily empty when we arrived at 7:30 on a Friday night. Our server looked like he was 12 and he seemed excited to be waiting on three ladies who weren't senior citizens. We got served cheese and crackers as soon as we sat down and I thought that was really odd. Bread soon followed. I had a frisee salad with a poached egg and lardons. It came looking very pretty and garnished with a purple orchid. But there were no lardons and the egg was cooked all the way through. It had a nice dressing though and that orchid really went a long way for me so overall, good. My friend got the house salad, which was not very fresh looking iceberg with Hidden Valley ranch. At a place like this, I'd expect better greens and maybe housemade dressings. For my entree, I had a really wonderful filet cooked with peppercorn sauce. My friend did also but we ordered them at different temps. They gave us the wrong ones which isn't so horrible but again, at that kind of restaurant, you need to have a lot of attention devoted to those details. The other friend had a prime rib, she said it tasted very good but not as tender as it should be and overall didn't seem very impressed. Chocolate mousse for dessert, fine not great or memorable in any way. I enjoyed it for the wonderful company that I had and the plush surroundings. The food was fine but for the money, I'll take my business somewhere else.", "timestamp": "2010-10-18T14:30:03" }, { "business_id": "E5YB7NywtfmQ2_rpxtjmKQ", "business_name": "Betsys Pancake House", "rating": 3, "text": "This is nothing remarkable here food-wise but it's worth it to go on a Sunday morning before a Saints game when all the patrons, staff and even the interior of the place are decked out in their black and gold finest. The other great thing that I love about Betsy's is the gruff but sweet waitress who cannot complete any sentence without calling you baby, darling or sweetheart, even if she is yelling at you. The food was fine, not stellar, but it's a diner, what more could you expect? Corned beef hash is out of a can, forgot my friend's english muffin but loved that the waitress said \"Your muffin is on it's way. Really, I just forgot to put it in. At least I'm honest.\" I love her.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T16:47:13" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Props for being open on Monday. We sat at the sushi bar and were given two salads, I guess they were complimentary because we didn't order them. This turned out to be my favorite thing. Greens topped with some seaweed salad, squid and fried onions? I don't know but it was delightful and way better than the weird and heavily-mayonnaised salad they give you at Mikimoto. We ordered yellowtail, tuna and escolar by the piece. Yellowtail is usually my favorite but this did not have a good taste. BBQ yellowtail had no sauce and tuna-avocado was very skimpy on the avocado. We also had the seafood salad and it was very generous and tasty by the end but initially not so good because the sauce was all at the bottom and it wasn't tossed. They have a ton of specialty rolls, which is cool but I found it overwhelming, we ordered the Burning Man, which never came and I didn't mind at all because I was so full. Overall, it was ok, not awful, but can't hold a candle to my NOLA favorite, Horinoya. Also, they use the nasty, dyed Pepto-Bismol pink ginger, why does ginger need to be dyed? My final gripe, they don't seem to season their rice and it's very plain. But hey, they're open Mondays and do karaoke so I'll probably be back. Next time I will try the ramen, which I have heard is really good.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:23:52" }, { "business_id": "7pKzyzCFC7LpX82sM-0aMg", "business_name": "Balcony Music Club", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't been here since about 2001 when I think it was called the Matador? And I think all those pretty windows used to be blacked out or otherwise covered? Anyway, Friday night we saw TWO great bands for FREE, had a cute table in the window that fit several of us. I didn't have a drink so I don't know if they were good or cheap etc but I am still so thrilled about not paying a cover and not feeling crowded or cramped by hordes of people.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:35:34" }, { "business_id": "9TDyIOrSrncpsAUxVqx3aA", "business_name": "Capdeville", "rating": 4, "text": "I haven't eaten here yet but I watched the game there on Sunday. I had the Persephone's Fall, which is St. Germain, gin, egg white, lemon juice and something else to make it pink, maybe pomegranate? Outstanding. They also passed out free shots of whiskey every time the Saints scored and while whiskey isn't really my thing, I thought it was a nice gesture.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T18:38:25" }, { "business_id": "rHYqc5YTAkFGYxcoYg7R8w", "business_name": "Trashy Diva", "rating": 4, "text": "Love Trashy Diva! I must have shied away because the name totally turns me off but now that I know how wonderful it is, I am a loyal follower. There are tons of stores here that sell pretty dresses but I had no idea that the owner designs the clothing herself! I love the sort of vintage/retro feel of the clothes. I'm the kind of person who could go through the rest of life wearing a Betty Draper style shirtdress and be totally happy so if that's your style, you will love this store. Sizes run from 2-18 but go often because once they are out, that dress is done! I saw a dress that I ADORED but they only had a size two left and I am still moping about it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-20T21:14:34" }, { "business_id": "UeYZgcORV2Veo_BZzdiaTg", "business_name": "Napoleon House", "rating": 4, "text": "I moved away from New Orleans for a few years and on one visit back, I was craving a Pimm's Cup from Napoleon House. Maybe my taste buds changed or maybe they make them differently but it tasted like a whole bunch of cheap, pre-mixed ingredients like that powdered base used to make sour mix. If you want a real Pimm's Cup, go see Chris at Bar Uncommon at the Pere Marquette. This man is no bartender, he is a mixologist, I think he has done demos at the Smithsonian on drink mixing! You will die and go to heaven when he makes a drink for you. Anyway, love the atmosphere at Napoleon House, inside or outside in the courtyard. The food is good enough, I liked the muffaletta and the shrimp remoulade in avocado cups. I don't ever really go here except when I have people visiting from out of town and everyone enjoys it.", "timestamp": "2010-10-21T16:18:40" }, { "business_id": "pym7c6ZFEtmoH16xN2ApBg", "business_name": "Katie's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Katie. I really, really want to like you. You're a neighborhood anchor, you've got that cute little outdoor seating area and you even have bottomless mimosas for Sunday brunch! I hope you don't read this because I hate to hurt your feelings but then again, I hope you do so perhaps you can make some adjustments and we can be better friends. We were lured in by $10 pizza night, which is every Thursday. Also, the website said creamy tomato-basil soup (one of my favorites!), stuffed mirlitons and white beans for daily specials, yes please! Weirdly, only one of the specials posted was actually a special. Beef vegetable, no thanks. We had more than ample time to wait for our food and this is what I noticed. Our server was really sweet. The place seemed full of neighbors and regulars, always a good sign. The staff/service didn't seem to have a real sense of urgency but it was all so friendly that I didn't mind. The food. I had the gumbo since they had no tomato-basil soup. Very good, spicy, full of sausage. The rice was of the long-ago cooked, rather hard variety but that's usually my gripe with gumbo everywhere and so it's probably my fault for not asking them to leave it out. The boyfriend's BLT salad was huge, had plenty of blue cheese and bacon but no tomato. Isn't that what the \"T\" stands for? Then we had the Boudreaux pizza, which was AWFUL. I had to pick all through it to find any meat and when I did, it was a couple tiny scraps. The pizza was burned and I don't mind some char but this was burned in a very unpleasant way. Very dry. Weirdly tasteless toppings. Disappointing. We'll be back to try other things but I will never order pizza here again.", "timestamp": "2010-10-22T11:37:05" }, { "business_id": "I3Uy20BKx7G-Fzz6hLIeWg", "business_name": "Restaurant August", "rating": 4, "text": "I keep going to these super-hyped up places and feeling a little disappointed. Maybe after I hear all the raves, I expect perfection and that is too high an order. I felt this way at Bayona and Le Foret as well. Anyway, I did enjoy my lunch. We served the ubiquitous amuse bouche of truffled sabayon in an egg. I liked this a lot although I understand my boyfriend's gripe about it having an odd texture. It was sort of like scooping extra-fancy mayonnaise out of the egg and eating it. It was good spread on the bread they served, which was good because the butter tasted not quite right to me. I got the duck salad which was okay, not great, very sparse but to be expected for a pre-fixe meal deal. The duck tasted kind of off, actually the best part was the roasted pears. My boyfriend's pate plate was super, it was HUGE and it came with all kinds of pickled and aspic-ed vegetables. My ravioli were tasty but the pasta was pretty tough. I loved the knobs of crabmeat on top. The boyfriend's shrimp and grits were good, not remarkable, and if I had more than two bites, I suspect I would have gotten sick of the flavor, very rich and salty. Desserts were wonderful. I got a brioche grilled cheese with goat cheese and figs and a spicy honey. The BF got a butterscotch pot-de-creme that was also outstanding. Espresso served with lemon peel without having to ask for it! For what we paid, it was worth it but I was just a little let down since I foolishly went in thinking I was entering food heaven. Very good, not earth-shattering.", "timestamp": "2010-11-03T16:41:19" }, { "business_id": "j8JOZvfeHEfUWq3gEz6ABQ", "business_name": "Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits", "rating": 4, "text": "I've always loved Bacchanal and every visit there, from the wine to the food to the beautiful, enchanted garden/patio/courtyard area. Always a five star experience. A couple of weeks ago however, a not so good experience. Everything started well, we got some great wine recommendations from the friendly guy working the register and put in an order for food OUTSIDE. We also wanted to get a cheese plate (INSIDE) to nibble on. I guess when you select your cheese, you are purchasing the WHOLE piece, which seems kind of excessive and absurd, even for a cheese lover. So for a couple of people, we spent nearly $40 on a cheese plate. A wine bar should have a cheese plate that you can choose a few selections of meat/cheese for a set price, depending on the number of items. Well, I think they should anyway. When we did get the cheese plate, there was very little bread and considering the fact that we had a couple pounds of meat and cheese, I think more than 4 pieces were warranted. The surly woman who was making the cheese plates was outside delivering some food when we asked if we could have more bread. She rolled her eyes, told us we just got bread and if we wanted more, we would have to go to the front and fill out a bread request form. Really? Will I also have to pay a charge for an inter-bakery loan? Then she sat down at a table with friends and chatted and had a glass of wine. I thought that was silly and rude. But I still love Bacchanal, just that now I will avoid the inside food and stick with the delicious outside food, no attitude there.", "timestamp": "2010-11-04T20:53:57" }, { "business_id": "BrospeMqVM_tF9HH0RHuog", "business_name": "Gene's PO-Boys", "rating": 5, "text": "Mmm. After the parade on Saturday and our foray at Bar Tonique, I realized it had been way too long since I was in that part of town that late at night after having had some cocktails. Which of course is the best time to hit Gene's. I got my usual, the hot sausage, and the boyfriend got the roast beef. Super messy and oh-so-fantastic. I woke up wanting another for breakfast. One time I was driving from Baton Rouge to Miami with a friend who had never been to New Orleans. We were tight on time so we couldn't stop and hang out but I made sure we had an extra 20 minutes to jump off the interstate and get some Gene's to sustain us for the rest of the car ride. It's that good.", "timestamp": "2010-11-05T16:12:58" }, { "business_id": "H5KRna9A6mDQEJ2ZN0zL6g", "business_name": "La Petite Grocery", "rating": 3, "text": "I expected more. It's a beautiful place, the inside is so much bigger than I had imagined from the outside! It really is a lovely setting for a date. To start off, I had a French 75 that was BAD. It was supposedly with pear brandy, I didn't taste any pear and it way overpowered the champagne. I love a French 75 and this was not good. I got the gnocchi, which was pretty tasty although weirdly unsalted and no salt and pepper on the table. My boyfriend's sweetbreads tasted like old oil. The menu online is definitely not up-to-date incidentally. I ordered the rabbit, which sadly was like a big chicken finger. It came with an uninspired side of sauteed spinach, the spaetzle being the only redeeming factor. My boyfriend's hangar steak was fine. I was really surprised by the limited entree offerings and not really impressed by anything but the ambiance. I should give it another try before I write it off forever but I'm not dying to get back any time soon.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:23:59" }, { "business_id": "o5UrUOKcmj5GFXmB6Osb6w", "business_name": "Bouligny Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "We just came in for drinks before dinner. The space is very nice, especially welcoming on a cold night. Liquor selection and cocktail list were both more than ample. I will have to go back for the famous beignets and they have MARROW! Mmm! The crowd wasn't really my thing but I'm fine with that, it's good for people watching. The only thing that was slightly off for me was that our bartender gave us menus, took our drink order, made our drinks, checked for second round, delivered our bill and so on without saying one word. I thought that was strange but also weirdly admirable that she could convey so much with gestures and facial expressions.", "timestamp": "2010-12-01T16:29:00" }, { "business_id": "ILUd8DXxX21FOgUmE4bTLA", "business_name": "Yuki Izakaya", "rating": 3, "text": "I loved the atmosphere of this quirky little spot. The old wooden bar and exposed brick are lovely in their own right but the way it is decorated with Japanese cartoons and knickknackery is really cute. We went in last Thursday when there was no one else in the bar but the bartender, no patrons or music. I got a green tea martini that I didn't like at all but maybe I should have tried something else. Foodwise, nothing very good. The french fries were of the Ore Ida variety although the wasabi mayonnaise was good. Marinated octopus in wasabi was interesting for a few bites but then it was just kind of murky-tasting. Rice wrapped in seaweed with salted plum was waaaaaay to salty (and I love salty) and off-puttingly mushy. The beef tongue was super tough, i actually felt like I was eating someone's tongue instead of having it fall apart like I'm used to. The sauce was awesome though, lemony and peppery, if they'd just learn how to cook the tongue right! I would definitely come back for a beer and maybe a nibble but not to eat extensively. A band started playing just as we were finishing up, which was nice. My final issue though is that they don't charge a cover for music, just an upcharge of 50 cents on every item during a show. We had our drinks and food long before the band even showed up or started playing but we got the surcharge for each item. It was just a matter of a few dollars but since we really didn't partake in the entertainment, I thought it was worth noting.", "timestamp": "2010-12-08T15:56:15" }, { "business_id": "75FY8ZQx5nOWP0VFmNvWfw", "business_name": "Atchafalaya Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for a while and am so glad I finally did. Now I can't wait to get back for dinner! I had brunch here the other day, I was impressed with the interior, it's light and airy and full of artwork. The coffee was great. My friend and I split entrees, we tried the eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes and crab on top. We also got a special, duck hash with blackberries and mango in a bacon vinaigrette with poached eggs and hollandaise! I think I was full for at least eight hours after that. The special was really outstanding, the hollandaise was perfect. I liked the eggs benny too, I just wish the fried green tomato had a little more flavor, maybe more seasoning in the batter? It wasn't a standout. I went to the ladies room and there were a pair of black lace underwear in the stall. I didn't think this was really that kind of place but it gave me a good laugh. Then it got me a little grossed out about the bathroom.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:28:05" }, { "business_id": "Nhci37qY0HPCNWc5UQul9w", "business_name": "9 Roses", "rating": 4, "text": "Banh Xeo-mmmm, so delicate and crisp. This is my new love. We also got steamed, pork dumplings that I thought tasted watery but the BF liked them so I happily ate the banh xeo and relinquished the rest of the dumplings to him. I wanted pho but I also wanted to try something new so I got the quail. It was fine but just plain roasted quail, which had me wanting the more complex riot of flavors in pho. But then if had ordered the pho, I would have still been wondering about the quail! I'm so difficult sometimes. We also got the ribs in fish sauce (Dorothy's recommendation), really tasty, the sauce is kind of on the sweet side but mix it up with greens and it is oh so good. Lemon grass beef vermicelli was fabulous. Our server was really sweet and attentive. It was REALLY cold in there, everyone was wearing winter jackets. But still very worth the drive to the West Bank and if you're still hungry, which I doubt, stop at Taqueria Sanchez right across the way!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:44:05" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Saturday was a beautiful day, it punctuated the much colder weather and I was happy to get out and about. There was lots of what seemed to be good food but I couldn't eat, having just come from a huge meal at Atchafalaya. Besides food, there were vintage and second-hand items, puppies, music and lots of crafts. An abundance of NOLA-based stuff that is great for gifts but am I the only one getting sick of seeing fleur-de-lis everything? I did pick up some Christmas ornaments that were oyster shells with the Virgin Mary on them. Who wouldn't love Mary on the half-shell dangling from their tree? I'm really excited to see this part of Freret picking up momentum. It's always had such a cool, sort of small town Main Street feel to it but has been woefully neglected. Glad to see it on the upswing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T17:53:09" }, { "business_id": "wQNkpi9RvpuoiDB-CiHxog", "business_name": "Bar Tonique", "rating": 5, "text": "So, I have returned and I have tried SEVERAL more cocktails. I went on a Thursday, caiparinha night, and I have to say it was lackluster. Nowhere near as good as the ones at Rio Mar. Now here's the thing, I think they excel at drinks of the martini variety, as in ingredients that are shaken and then strained. Their drinks over ice are less impressive and I think it's party becasue of the large ice cubes they use. Now bear with me. I read this article a few weeks ago about this fancy new ice lots of bars are using. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/dining/01shake.html?pagewanted=all) Apparently the cubes are prized because they are large, thereby chilling the drinks more quickly with less dilution. I think this is great for aforementioned shaken and strained drinks but not so good for drinks on the rocks. It makes the drink too icy and cold and you can't taste anything but the big ice block in your drink. So do yourself a favor and get the Faucheaux, which is tequila, basil and St Germain. Revelatory. Also fantastic was the Tru Kick, with Tru Gin, ginger syrup and peach bitters. Some of the best cocktails I've tasted on any fancy, signature cocktails list in the city.", "timestamp": "2010-12-13T19:04:45" }, { "business_id": "aeIWVa6G54UUo6yloJkyJg", "business_name": "Lebanon's Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "My go-to is usually Mona's when I'm in the mood for Middle Eastern but I thought I'd give Lebanon's a go this time. I like Mona's hummus better, it's creamier. Labne and baba ganoush were equally good though. Lebanon's has better grape leaves and I like that the falafel is green inside from all the parsley. Beef shawarma was perfectly decent but nothing special. I really liked my eggplant sandwich, kind of like a sub or a po-boy, and topped with lots of feta. Lebanese tea has pine nuts, which I like but really, how do you eat them? They won't come up the straw and fishing around for them is kinda tedious. It's a little too sweet as well, probably wouldn't order that again. Overall, fine if I'm in the neighborhood but I'm usually closer to Mona's and besides, Mona's has that delicious fried cheese thing!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:16:51" }, { "business_id": "NHL1c_30iYXvJZcqEo6fwQ", "business_name": "Pal's Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I love Pal's, that's a given. However, this review was spurred entirely by the fantastic Gingerita I had there on Friday. Cutesy names can be a bad sign for cocktails, often involving overly sweet ingredients. Not so with Gingerita, it has ginger vodka, ginger beer and this amazing organic ginger juice that they special order from California called Elixir G. Go get a Gingerita before the season is over!", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T15:50:38" }, { "business_id": "b92dSNftvCSPWLC4ZgNXCg", "business_name": "Sammy's Food Service & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The food is five stars, the service is two but the shrimp and mirliton soup cannot make me Sammy's less than 4 stars. I went with two coworkers and we all ordered a large soup, one also ordered a salad. One got a bowl of soup after 30 minutes, the second got her salad and had to ask if the soup sitting on the shelf was hers, they finally gave it to her and it was ice cold. After they were finished eating, I told the woman at the counter to please just make my order to go. Also, no spoons or forks out, which make salad and soup eating very difficult. I realize they are super busy but their system kind of sucks. My advice would be to call your order in, pick it up and go eat somewhere else. Because the eating is oh-so-good! I've also had their hot sausage po-boy, they make their own sausage and it is AWESOME in it's own garlicky right.", "timestamp": "2010-12-20T18:25:27" }, { "business_id": "t9LiapsQABwMQeiF1Czl6w", "business_name": "Port Of Call", "rating": 3, "text": "I haven't been to Port of Call in a few years and the boyfriend and I often talk about it but think about the line and then I wonder if the burger is even all that because for some reason, my memories of eating there are all fuzzy. Yup, that's all one sentence. Anyway, we went on a Monday night at 6:45, no line, ordered and served our food in under 10 minutes. It is fine, actually it's good, it's a nice, solid burger but nothing revelatory or worth standing in a line for. I wish they would season the meat a little and I think they are too thick. I don't think they should be puny, just a little more petite so you can get burger, patty and the rest all in one mouthful. I get the appeal, it's cute and kitschy but I could do better myself.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:42:54" }, { "business_id": "Jy1ivHnSRtNNA6snZSAKBw", "business_name": "Twelve Mile Limit", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the cocktails, especially the Good Idea. It was like a cross between a Pimm's Cup and a Moscow Mule. The bartender was very sweet. The cook offered tastes of brisket all around when he was done cooking it. Unfortunately, the bar has a very sterile feel to it. Too brightly lit, nothing on the walls and then the Real Housewives of Old Metairie showed up, commandeered the jukebox and started loudly serenading us and awkwardly gyrating. We also ordered some cream cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped jalapenos, which were good but a little overcooked and pretty expensive for how many you get. I'm hoping they can do something to remedy the atmosphere/decor of the place and then I think it will be a solid 4 stars. They are off to a good start though.", "timestamp": "2010-12-21T14:47:47" }, { "business_id": "jE7PpEUmWgcBc0DeelPAOA", "business_name": "Bistro Daisy", "rating": 5, "text": "Love, love, love it! I had an oyster appetizer that may be one of my favorite dishes of 2010. It was poached oysters (and I usually only like them fried or raw) with Herbsaint, fennel, bacon and a hint of cream (and I usually don't care for fennel). But this dish was so luscious and aromatic and I could have ordered three more. Very nice with my Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc. I liked my duck but wasn't wowed. However, the BF's lamb shank made me swoon. It was so meltingly tender and the tomato sauce it was cooked in had a bit of mint in it, just like my grandmother would have done. This might be what I want to eat for my last meal on earth. They brought us a baked Alaska for dessert even though we didn't order it. I have never tasted a meringue so creamy! So much so that I was sliding it on the roof of my mouth to savor the texture longer. Go to Bistro Daisy. Take your beloved. Order the oysters and the lamb. (FYI: The online menu is not up-to-date)", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T15:44:25" }, { "business_id": "3wo9jODQnuvBm8Gkem6qXg", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "BBQ shrimp and grits was pretty terrible. This surprised me because their BBQ shrimp blackstone I had a few months ago was soooo good. This was a completely different sauce, it seemed to be all Worcestershire and not much else. The shrimp were tiny, the grits were unremarkable. Presentation did not make it look appealing. Also, I really hate those wide-mouth coffee cups. They look nice, I agree, but the coffee gets cold almost immediately because so much surface area is exposed.", "timestamp": "2011-01-06T16:20:48" }, { "business_id": "voWjA6zfmXLIbKAoqwBnug", "business_name": "Green Goddess", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been meaning to go here forever and was so excited on Saturday to finally do just that! We had an hour or so wait, which was fine so we went to the Orleans Grapevine for a cocktail and they called us when they were ready. The wine and drink list is amazing, if not a little overwhelming, I got a Pear 75, which was good but not the best I've ever had, it lacked the lemon juice that ties it all together. Food was really just three stars, except for the Oysters Delacroix and the bacon sundae, so good! The corn crepes with huitlacoche were really bland, the lentil pancake was just...not good, it wasn't inedible but you'd think with tamarind chutney and spiced chickpeas, it would have been a lot more appealing. The green goddess wedge was good but I wish the dressing was evenly applied instead of dumped on top so some bites were just lettuce and some were drowned in the dressing. I also tried their daily cocktail special, the Daily Truth, which had Drambuie and rum and lime juice and some fertility liquor that I don't remember the name of, it was spicy and warm and fantastic. I think I will have to go back and try some more dishes, I love the ideas behind their menu and the space is quirky and eccentric and so NOLA. I met a new transplant and her mom, a hope-to-be teacher interviewing for TeachNola and also pinned money to the birthday boy-chef who was wearing a tie-dye tuxedo shirt from his wedding that was all Mardi Gras colors and finished with fleur-de-lis cuffs. I want to love the food, I already love everything else. Next time will be better!", "timestamp": "2011-01-24T16:35:38" }, { "business_id": "iJiNZw2TEwB579dr6LyVZQ", "business_name": "Cooter Brown's", "rating": 4, "text": "I remember eons ago having late, late nights at Snake and Jake's that led to late mornings and even later \"breakfasts\" at Cooter Brown's of a few dozen raw oysters. I love oysters, I will eat them for breakfast but lately when I eat them, it is between the civilized hours of 3-6pm and I eat them at Luke, washed down with a French 75. But Friday night at 7pm rolled around and so I went to Cooter's for several dozen raw, an oyster po-boy and of course, some cheese fries. The raw oysters are pretty reasonable, about $10 for a dozen I think. The po-boy came on toasted and buttered bread, which I do so appreciate. Unfortunately, they don't use Leidenheimer's bread, it's good but not what I want a po-boy on. The BF wanted gravy on the cheese fries and it wasn't debris gravy like I thought it would be, but just a packet-style, powdered gravy. But I still tore it up and it was all delicious.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:07:58" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "I really like the decor this place, I love community seating, they have awesome light fixtures and vintage vases and all kinds of cute stuff to keep your eyes occupied. I'll have to go back to sample more but I wasn't really blown away by anything except the apple pie. The burger, which everyone raves about, had a really delicious potato bun. But they didn't ask for a temp and I thought it was way overcooked and also woefully underseasoned. None of the agogo sauce with which it was advertised made an appearance. Although the zinfandel compote is not to be missed, it was stellar! Service was friendly but not very efficient. They're working out kinks, I'm sure, but I will reserve higher praise for now.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T17:30:26" }, { "business_id": "N3bjowmk_Yi9rUxPpM2k6Q", "business_name": "The Store", "rating": 3, "text": "It's okay. Definitely overpriced for what you get, both in quantity and quality. I ordered the BLT and the potato soup. BLT was alright but dry and the potato soup tasted like instant mashed potatoes. My friend's shrimp nicoise did look stupendous though, I will admit that. My workplace also orders from here for staff meetings a fair amount and again, not really impressed. The sandwiches are fine if they're the kind you pay $4 for at the gas station but not with the prices they charge. AND, they use pre-shedded cheese, that is just nasty. I don't want ashy cheese that is coated in cellulose. I don't mind paying the prices, I just would like the quality to match.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T19:59:22" }, { "business_id": "AW2xE3-nxDe30JBqwNuUdw", "business_name": "Star Nails", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been going here for pedicures for a long time, because they are quick to get you in, clean and efficient, but mostly because I am a creature of habit. They have a pretty wide selection of OPI nail colors. I also like being offered something to drink (non-alcoholic but still nice). Prices are pretty much the same as anywhere else you'd go but on Tuesdays they are a little cheaper. I am speaking only about pedicures as I've never gotten anything else done there.", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T20:52:34" }, { "business_id": "OAjof8dhS2zScmZh2Xuo1A", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Whole Foods really doesn't need another review, we all know that it's a nice grocery store with great although expensive products. I just would like to point out that their Chantilly Berry king cake is awesome, especially if you warm it up just a little bit. They also have un-shucked Louisiana oysters available again for about 50 cents each so now I can get my fix of charbroiled oysters in the comfort of my own home once more!", "timestamp": "2011-01-25T21:10:15" }, { "business_id": "B9Cv-DjHb1fZJ1drcsCREA", "business_name": "Mid-City Smiles", "rating": 4, "text": "Everyone was very friendly and did an excellent job without pushing products or services on me. I called about three dentists to get in before the end of 2010 and this was the only place that could give me an appointment that quickly. Plus I can walk there and they have Saturday hours.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:00:26" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars for the king cake! Filling (chocolate) was delicious, I thought it would be more like chocolate pudding or nutella but it was a cocoa powder base. The cake was moist and soft and frosting was good but not overwhelming. All three components were in perfect proportion to each other. My favorite king cake so far this season!", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:03:20" }, { "business_id": "yL9j5ASNic_DaDKf9lwMhw", "business_name": "Stein's Market and Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "The corned beef with coleslaw is incredible. Wow. I can't stop thinking about it. The Italian hoagie is also really good and even their veggie sandwich is great. Chocolate rugelach are okay but the raspberry are addictive!!! Toffee chocolate ship cookies and blondies are also really tasty. The only flop for me was the potato salad but everything else was so good that I just skipped over it. I'm sad that I somehow missed Beer Day last week. Next year.", "timestamp": "2011-02-02T17:08:52" }, { "business_id": "WjkMZNlIUtQ59iHvG-aRMA", "business_name": "Balance Yoga & Wellness", "rating": 5, "text": "Balance Yoga just opened in this Mid-City location and it is beautiful. They did a wonderful job with a lovely old house, complete with large windows, fireplaces and pocket doors. Because of the huge windows, there is a lot of natural light. While I really like that, I kind of wish they'd put something over them so people waiting outside at Mandina's or Ruby Slipper can't see in. They offer several different types of yoga, even Kundalini, which I haven't seen in New Orleans since Katrina! The instructors are friendly and help you with your poses. Early morning classes, evening classes, Sunday classes, community (by donation) classes, they've got it all.", "timestamp": "2011-02-03T18:23:17" }, { "business_id": "F7etLf6od7CUnCPknsQ-6Q", "business_name": "Rue 127", "rating": 4, "text": "The inside is beautiful and I can't wait for warm weather to enjoy the outside. Initially, I was a little disappointed that they didn't have a specialty cocktail list but I can get over that. We only had appetizers and desserts and I will certainly be back for more. We enjoyed the mussels, pork belly and scallop tortellini. The mussels were good but I didn't want to drink the broth like I usually do, there was maybe too much acidity? Also, their homemade bread is very nice but very SWEET and not such a great match for the savory food. The pork belly was served with these potatoes that I think were scored and then fried so they had a really unique texture. Deep-fried cupcakes, I'm sorry to be a dissenter but not for me. I liked that they were warm and oozy but they were way too sweet and the greasy exterior was overwhelming. We had a date cake that was served with honey ice cream, very good but also a bit on the sweet side. I look forward to coming back and trying more of the menu.", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T18:38:58" }, { "business_id": "0DdmKihJ90qKP5TAM3c2yQ", "business_name": "Tartine", "rating": 3, "text": "I feel like there are a lot of places popping up lately that are getting a lot of hype and I'm just not buying it quite yet. Tartine, case in point, has some good things going for it but it's also got some issues. What worked: The house-baked bread is fantastic, it's got a really nice chewiness-crunchiness to it. A+. I love, love, love the salad with pecans and goat cheese and big, fat dried blueberries. I wish I knew where they got those blueberries because the ones at Rouse's are shriveled and tiny. The rillete was huge portion, it looked like six ounces of rillete, which for such a rich spread is a LOT. What didn't: The outside is really cute but the inside felt like a cafeteria. The specials board was posted below the counter (which made it invisible) yet the drinks were posted high up for all to see. Please consider switching this around. The rillete, although generous, was just okay. It's light years better at Luke, although their service has gotten so bad of late I hate to recommend it. The ham and triple cream cheese with fig mustard had no fig mustard and the triple cream was a thin, pre-sliced piece of mystery cheese. The accompanying couscous (fregula?) salads had little flavor. In addition to all that, we waited in line for several minutes and then over 35 minutes for our sandwiches and we didn't even go until 1:30. I can't fault them for that, they were really busy and super nice but if you go, you might just want to call in your order ahead of time and take it to the Fly for a picnic", "timestamp": "2011-02-15T19:03:12" }, { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "This place has been on my list for a while because I heard a rumor that they are just like Port of Call's burgers. Since I'm giving up meat for Lent, I thought it would be an ideal afternoon for a burger. The interior kind of put me off from the start, all the tables were huge parties of 8-10 people with vacant-looking teenagers glued to their cell phone screens and children playing on arcade-like games in the corner. Food was not inedible but just a step above that. House salad was chopped iceberg, which the boyfriend loves so that's fine but it was small and pricey for what it was. Harbor wings, I guess anything fried and dipped in bleu cheese is good but they really had no discernible flavor. My burger was burnt, the bacon tasted like it was cooked at the breakfast shift and the mushrooms were waterlogged. The french fries weren't even good. My boyfriend's shrimp po-boy was small with shrimp the size of my thumbnail and it was $14. Service was friendly. The only thing good about going is that now I can cross it off my list of places to try.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T14:52:30" }, { "business_id": "x4TJJ0t19yBxkL5WX6n4Kg", "business_name": "Touché Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, I've had four star visits here before but my last visit was a one or two star. Generally I like the place because it's kind of tucked away and they have that recessed room down below in the back, which I really like in the winter, it's very snug and comfortable. However, the last time I was there, I walked in and was immediately assaulted with the smell of a backed up sewer and a bunch of older, bead-clad tourists dancing to Night Fever. I'm not making that up, in fact, the song has been seared in my head since then. I'll be back for another go but I will wait until the weather is cool and I feel like being somewhere cozy.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:32:00" }, { "business_id": "8KkuHRDLPVdqh99CHuKdHg", "business_name": "Kanno California Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I absolutely loved the spinach salad with tuna and avocado and that delicious dressing (even if it was dressed too generously). I also fell in love with the Tuna 911 roll that has spicy, pickled vegetables inside that were an outstanding addition. The other stuff we got was fine but unmemorable. I agree with other reviewers that they seem to put A LOT of sauce on things but fortunately, they mostly put it on the side. They only have Yellowtail for wine though, which made me sad. The complimentary chocolate truffle-like things they serve at the end are phenomenal.", "timestamp": "2011-02-28T16:45:14" }, { "business_id": "f9H3wpzWG_apxoumWB-Dvg", "business_name": "Cafe Equator", "rating": 3, "text": "After craving Churros and braving the wilds of Metairie, I found Churros closed early on a Wednesday night! So we decided to go to Korea House, also closed! My stomach dangerously rumbling, we decided for a quick bite at Cafe Equator. Pad Thai and Masaman curry were fine but nothing I can see having a craving for in the future. The Thai iced tea I thought was not very good, it tasted...smoky? Service was fine, parking was easy.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T16:56:49" }, { "business_id": "OfExqBpAJNmxG2oLvn0Q3w", "business_name": "New Orleans Public Library - Mid-City Branch", "rating": 5, "text": "Even though it took four months to re-open (and not two weeks like they promised!), it was worth the wait. The new location is larger and has an entire front wall full of windows so it gets great light. It's convenient to all the other businesses in the Can Company and the farmers' market on Thursday evening as well. My only gripe is that there is no drop box! I rely very heavily on my local drop-box, I hope this is something they just haven't gotten around to yet and that it is soon remedied.", "timestamp": "2011-03-01T17:32:50" }, { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Lola's has such a great atmosphere that even if the food sucked, I'd be hard pressed to give it a low rating. While not all of the dishes sing, some are actually kind of boring, there are many that are really solid. My favorite is the calamari, it's not those deep-fried things you get everywhere else. Nope, it is a perfectly seared calamari steak with the most wildly addictive sauce. Hint; If for some crazy reason you don't use all the sauce on your calamari app, keep it for entrees because you will likely elevate the deliciousness of everything else you have ordered with some of that. Their garlic-almond soup garnished with grapes is also AHmazing and oddly refreshing but I made the mistake of eating it once when I was trying to be gluten-free and it failed. Because the base of the soup is day old bread and I didn't know that. Oops. I just went this past weekend and they had WHITE sangria in addition to their usual red. Did they always have this or is it new? Anyway, it's good and it's cheap and there is nothing like sitting outside on a perfect New Orleans evening, under the canopy of trees that is Esplanade, sipping on some of that juice. And their almond ice cream is excellent.", "timestamp": "2011-03-03T18:53:25" }, { "business_id": "OjXIRs2Gm4H6hWo4bC7Qvg", "business_name": "The Jazz Playhouse", "rating": 3, "text": "It's pretty nice but for the price and the location, I wish they valeted. I got a Chopin martini and it was per-FECT. The second one didn't taste like Chopin, which is fine but it's what I ordered so I felt a wee bit swindled. We got seated right behind a big support column so our view of the stage was obstructed. We were there for the burlesque show but caught the end of Kid Chocolate's set, which made me happy because I had a big, school-girl crush on him many moons ago. The show wasn't what I thought it would be. It was less a show with all of the performers on stage and more one woman singing and a bunch of other girls flitting around the room in their pasties. I was expecting more of a choreographed show but I am admittedly not someone who knows much about burlesque. The girls were very sweet though and some of their outfits would make great Halloween or Mardi Gras costumes. Glad I went but not anxious to go back.", "timestamp": "2011-03-04T21:08:36" }, { "business_id": "tcyN7Rmy55JW5uQY_R5f0w", "business_name": "Krewe of Endymion", "rating": 4, "text": "When I moved into a new place last summer right on the Endymion route, is it crazy that thoughts of future Endymion parties to come danced in my head? I was a sad, sad, sad lady last Friday night when we got the news. We had picked up our crawfish for the boil and I even made a chocolate bananas foster king cake. I kind of felt like I imagine brides who get their weddings rained out must feel. But when you have crawfish and booze, you have a party anyway, right? So we did and it was great. And even though I felt spiteful, I went to see it the next night Uptown. It was as good as ever, albeit a bit short because so many riders are from out of town and had to go home. It would have looked a lot better from my porch though.", "timestamp": "2011-03-11T18:57:12" }, { "business_id": "DkVFvHGyNBGuPMzI9Zdt1A", "business_name": "Dat Dog", "rating": 4, "text": "Excellent chili cheese fries (although I wish the cheese was melted!). I had the bratwurst, which was fantastic, as was the bun. At first I thought it was too much bread but the lightly toasted, slightly sweet bread won me over. I got a little carried away with toppings though and I think the guacamole was a)overkill and b)not really a great iteration of guacamole anyway. Next time I will practice some restraint.", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:38:25" }, { "business_id": "jLerIZFpe25jOUf722qzBA", "business_name": "Il Posto Italian Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "My food only merited maybe two stars but I will give an extra star because I like the menu (and will try more of it) and their design and concept. Sadly though, my tomato-basil soup tasted kind of like a weak marinara and my tuna melt type sandwich had a very sharp, off-putting flavor. It was citrusy, for sure, and I love lemon in a tuna melt but perhaps this was lemon zest or something just way too overpowering? I think next time I will focus on the dishes with cured Italian meats, mortadella and prosciutto. And also the baked goods, those sounded pretty good, especially the Nutella bruschetta!", "timestamp": "2011-03-20T12:44:20" }, { "business_id": "AperXbtpt4FH6fvJFOirUA", "business_name": "Horinoya", "rating": 4, "text": "I am a fan of simple, fresh sushi. Not too crazy about rolls with heavy sauces, multiple ingredients and fanciful names. Horinoya delivers. I always start with the seafood salad, it's huge and I could probably just make that dinner if I were eating there on my own. How are their avocados always the perfect degree of ripeness? This week it included fresh crawfish tails and they were succulent and sweet and a very welcome addition to their standard. The vegetable roll (I was so enamored with the pickled vegetables in the Tuna 911 roll at Kanno) was okay but I wouldn't order it again, kinda bland. Everything else was fresh and wonderful. I like to end with the black sesame ice cream, which makes me swoon, as does the little crumbly cookie they perch on top that my BF generously lets me eat every time. As a sidebar, I saw some black sesame ice cream bars at Hong Kong Market and I got really excited but they were no good at all. I can only get my fix at Horinoya.", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:11:00" }, { "business_id": "HSHEwDpzYdeL3aT1zB41YA", "business_name": "Restaurant Depot", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm torn, so torn. So this place opened within the past few months. It's like Sam's Club for restaurants (and unfortunately, you have to show proof of restaurant or non-profit affiliation when getting a membership). My first visit, I was completely in awe. 50 pounds of onions for $8.95? Whole goats? Edible flowers, micro-greens, ten kinds of mushrooms? Some things you can buy by the unit (like one head of cauliflower) and others you are stuck with a huge portion, I mean, I love tarragon, but I can't see using 5 pounds of it before it starts to droop. The second trip, I started to see some flaws. They don't carry veggie burgers but they do have a huge freezer case of nasty-looking frozen appetizers that you can probably buy at Applebee's for three times the price. They have huge jars of kalamata olive SPREAD but no plain old kalamata olives. They had some fish that looked so not right, cloudy eyes and all. Then the most egregious error occurred when, on a Saturday, I asked if I could pick up live crawfish on Sunday. The man at the fish counter said yes, but to be sure to be there at 9am when the order comes in and then it's first come, first serve. The next morning, we headed over to the Depot, only to be met with a blank stare and told they weren't getting any crawfish that day. Sad. They are pretty new, I expect they are having some ordering and stocking kinks to work out. In the meantime, if anyone needs onions, I've got them aplenty!", "timestamp": "2011-03-25T18:24:15" }, { "business_id": "LCijSRG2kzBgbdwPdi02Nw", "business_name": "Yang's Po-Boys", "rating": 3, "text": "The first time we went, we didn't realize they closed at 8 and we walked in at about 7:58. They were very gracious and welcoming so I thought that was really nice. The owner was really chatty, describing how they did everything and I guess that's good but unless they are doing something out of the ordinary, (they're not) I'd rather just peruse the menu on my own. Oysters on my poboy were stone cold and the onion rings that we asked about (Are they made fresh? Yes!) were clearly Sysco. But it was decent and quick and friendly so we were okay with the meal. Last night I really wanted a catfish poboy but Parkway was closed. It was generous with the catfish and liberal with the pickles, love that. But the cheese fries were soggy fries with unmelted cheese. The cheese, which looked like shredded cheddar, I actually tasted it on its own and it had not one iota of flavor. I'll go to Yang's on Tuesday if Parkway is closed but there is really no comparison for me.", "timestamp": "2011-03-30T15:06:19" }, { "business_id": "sroYm8E9BbnnLO3nhKjomg", "business_name": "French Quarter Festival", "rating": 4, "text": "FQF has long been my favorite festival and sadly, it seems to be everyone else's too! I'm very happy that it has been so successful but of course, this makes it more crowded and difficult to navigate. So, yes, I prefer it a little smaller but I still had a great time and somehow always managed to find a little corner of shade to relax in. In addition to soaking up the sun, hearing good music and eating, I got to stop in at a few open houses for places I could never afford but I loved getting to glimpse into some of the Quarter's elusive courtyards. Also, I love wandering around the Quarter all day because I never fail to discover some little hole in the wall bar/shop/whatever.", "timestamp": "2011-04-11T16:08:11" }, { "business_id": "VHAfSIxcdmpQOTD0_ofbfw", "business_name": "Velvet", "rating": 4, "text": "Like Christine, I have only been here once and could change my rating once I have sampled more of what they've got. I was immediately won over by the sparkling water that was served upon arrival, it reminded me of coffee shops in other countries where they usually do that without question. I also loved the napkins, it's just those very nice quality paper napkin but little details like that are important. I got the extraction (?). I asked some questions and I wished I had gotten a bit more information. Like, what is IN the $15 extraction because I can't believe it's just a really large coffee. I'm not a trained barista so I don't know these things. My coffee was really very nice, I like that you can choose your beans. Tamara, the owner, has great customer service and we chatted about her awesome kids (her daughter's wonderful artwork graces the place, her son played piano at FQF) and she also offered me a teacake on the house. So, while I like Tamara and I like a lot of the little things, my coffee was $5.45 and I don't think I would ever spend it again. An expertly pulled espresso, okay, but not for a cup of coffee. Also, the teacake (the Kevin Bacon) was perfectly acceptable but I don't think I'd purchase one. They're just cupcakes and really tiny ones at that. But she is starting to make scones baked to order (awesome!) and I look forward to trying the espresso.", "timestamp": "2011-04-12T20:54:38" }, { "business_id": "NjmJ2sbcj3v9K98sNj2OAA", "business_name": "Sainte Marie", "rating": 3, "text": "I went last night to use the complimentary appetizer card we got as a lovely gift at the last Yelp party, thank you! I was initially excited to try the cocktails but as I inspected the long list closely, not too much actually appealed to me. I got the one with prosecco and a sort of fig compote that didn't really mix well and just sat at the bottom. Nice idea, not so great execution. The boyfriend's drink tasted watered down, like the bartender made several drinks and let the leftover sit in the shaker melting until someone else ordered the same drink. I also thought it very strange that they had bread and butter plates on the table but no bread was actually served and the plates were removed once we ordered. Weird. The escargot was good but it couldn't hold a candle to Dante's escargot, nor could I detect marrow in the sauce. Apparently the tartare was tasty but the BF ate it all without me. Crab cannelloni, man, I hate to sound like a downer but this was little, backfin pieces of crab, doused with a ton of brie and encased in a sort of tough pasta. I ate it, but then I would eat anything that is doused in brie. I'm so glad we decided to get dessert because it was outstanding. We ordered a lemongrass-ginger creme brulee and it was perfect, the flavor, the texture, everything. I will probably come back for a fancypants happy hour although it's not exactly my scene. The guy who was sitting next to me had an awesome looking hangar steak so I will order that next time, skip the cocktails and get champagne and of course, order dessert.", "timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:34:01" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "The space is large and breezy and we easily snagged an outside table. If they weren't doing construction on Magazine, I bet this would be a great spot for people-watching. We got a shrimp po-boy, an oyster po-boy and fries with cheese and gravy. It was perfectly edible but I probably won't be back. The shrimp were small, the po-poys were pricier than most of my usual haunts and the gravy I think was just \"meat-flavored.: There was no actual meat or debris in it. I agree with Lindsay, no problem throwing out my own trash but the tables were pretty nasty and sticky.", "timestamp": "2011-04-29T17:01:59" }, { "business_id": "UGefDZNmnBztS0eoXWtHyQ", "business_name": "The Joint", "rating": 4, "text": "I must first disclose that my favorite person in the whole world works here so maybe I am biased. But take it from me, their brisket is the best brisket ever! It has that delightful fatty layer running along the top and it is perfectly moist and delicious! I also love the pulled pork with a squeeze of the vinegary sauce. The sides are pretty good, nothing stands out, but I'm really just there for the meat. Oh, and the peanut butter pie which is SWOONWORTHY!", "timestamp": "2011-05-03T18:25:46" }, { "business_id": "wznT60WMQ-9Qg2MVvzCxtw", "business_name": "The Lucky Ladle", "rating": 3, "text": "We put our names on the list at Surrey's and took a stroll through my old neighborhood while we waited. But I'm a breakfast girl and when I'm hungry, I need to eat. Immediately. Or bad things happen. At dinner, you can waste some time, have a cocktail but at breakfast, I'm not about waiting. Anyway, we walked past the Ladle and decided to give it a go. Nothing was really standout except how much food we got and our bill for two was still under $20. We split the grilled cheese with tomato soup as well as the bananas foster waffles because it's always a conundrum at 11am on Saturday to figure out what you are in the mood for. Breakfast? Lunch? We got them both. We also got a little side spinach salad with one of our meals and it was nice except for the weird, cellulose-dusted mozzarella shreds on top. The hash browns sucked, no flavor and tasted like they were made hours before. The space is pleasant and if you don't feel like waiting in line (Surrey's) or spending $30 just on breakfast for yourself (Dante's), this is a good option.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:14:50" }, { "business_id": "Fs4T7lKpXVtD5Pz7jWSJeg", "business_name": "Coquette", "rating": 4, "text": "I am only giving stars based on the bar because sadly, I have not eaten here but I love the bar! I love the old tin ceilings! I love the tables out on Washington under the oaks! And I love $5 wine Wednesdays and cocktail Thursdays. In fact, since today is my last final, I may have to take advantage of that. I have had a French 75 with apricot brandy, one of my absolute favorites drinks and they do it justice here. I've also had a lychee martini, which was wonderful and balanced, tough to pull off because lychees are so sweet, as well as a pretty solid mojito. I'm not sure if they change their wines by the glass frequently but from what I've seen, they offer a much better glass selection than most places around the city.", "timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:20:27" }, { "business_id": "A0RSdFWqs-keuOogaMjZ4w", "business_name": "Bayou Beer Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Pros: Incredible patio outside, wide selection of good beer and every time I've been, the bartenders are knowledgeable and willing to make good cocktails. Fresh squeezed lime juice for my gimlet? Thank you! I was just expecting the kryptonite-colored, lime-flavored sugar syrup everyone else uses. Cons: Inside layout kind of weird. Only one toilet for ladies and by the way, what takes them so long in the bathroom? I never understand this. Going to bathroom usually is a twenty minute trip here. The band playing outside was so loud we chose to sit at the tables in the front. And finally, the most egregious thing, in my mind, was their horrible, pathetic excuse for sangria. It was less wine flavored with fruit and juice and more watered down juice that I still question if it had any alcohol in it, with the addition of antiseptic-flavored, extremely flat lime soda. Sadly, that now colors my whole opinion of the place.", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T15:09:27" }, { "business_id": "7CRox7xpb3vNCEe7FZ6zgA", "business_name": "High Hat Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "I fully expect High Hat to be 4 stars soon enough but they are still working some things out. Like everyone else, I am so glad to see Freret doing what it's doing and I love that this building used to be Antoine's Bakery. To start, I had a glass of wine, which I thought was actually a pretty stingy pour. I wish they had a cocktail menu but that's just my preference. We ordered the pimento cheese and it was delicious but the dry bread they served it with was lame. Our server told us it was great on fries so we ordered some and they were fantastic on their own, made even better with the pimento cheese. I think I'll make fried potatoes with pimento cheese on them for the Saints season opener. For my entree, I had the crab and tomato salad. The crab didn't really have too much taste but LORD were those tomatoes good!!!! My BF was happy with his Cuban but I thought it was very small and for the love of God, you can't throw some fries on a plate when a sandwich is ordered? At least some chips? I think that's kinda cheap. To finish, we had the banana chocolate bread pudding, which I was excited about because I thought it might be like the chocolate-bananas foster king cake I made for my rained out Endymion party. It was not. Very dense and flavorless. The owners were super receptive about feedback, which I usually feel weird about giving but I think they really need it in this early phase of their venture. I'll be back for the pimento cheese burger.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:11:36" }, { "business_id": "QQ5HvRq_9U2Ch-9ijPeIFA", "business_name": "Bullet's Sports Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "So. Good. I love the Bullets and have never had a bad time here. Last night, I got a text that they were having crabs, crawfish AND turkey necks. I thought this was a sign from God because I was just telling the BF we needed to have some crawfish before they are all gone. We walked in and there was a table set up at the front where the band usually plays and a man was scooping out the goods. I asked how much and they told me it was free. FREE? Why, thank you. I got a big plate with shrimp, crawfish, a blue crab, a few turkey necks and some corn and potatoes. I would have gladly paid $15 for the plate, it was well-seasoned and perfectly delicious. The only complaint was that the shrimp were really tiny but A) they were free and B) I really just came to thrown down on the crab and crawfish. I haven't had turkey necks in years and they may have been my favorite part. The corn was sweet and so were the crabs. Really, it was perfect, especially when the dancing got started. Oooh Lord. I have to dock a star for cash only and the cigarette smoke that was blowing lustily in my face while I was eating. I can deal with smoke to a degree but I don't want the butt in my face.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:23:10" }, { "business_id": "SA10MB4CEw0YikMuhOxyYw", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 4, "text": "I did not eat any food here but I did sample pretty much every flavor of margaritas they have to offer, including carrot-lime, pineapple-cilantro, mango-mint, watermelon and raspberry. No, I didn't have all those to myself, I was with others who generously let me taste their concoctions. Otherwise I would have been seriously drunk and woken up with an awful sugar hangover because the margaritas are pretty big and just a touch too sweet for me. I liked the mango mint and carrot-lime varieties best. Looking forward to trying them again with some food next time.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:31:16" }, { "business_id": "xZileQFJ7h-0QKjtGc9xgg", "business_name": "Arnaud's French 75 Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I finally got myself to this gorgeous spot after meaning to for a very long time. Chris Hannah was indeed at the bar and he was personable and welcoming. I instantly felt badly that I was dressed like a gypsy and wearing flip flops, the place just screams evening gown and pearls, not that I own either one of those things but whatever. The point is that they still made me feel comfortable. I had a French 75, of course, and then I tried the Pisco Daisy, another one of their specialty cocktails. Truthfully, I didn't find either one of the drinks transcendent but I was just so enamored with the whole vibe of the place that it didn't matter. I would absolutely come back, great place for a aperitif before a fancy dinner.", "timestamp": "2011-06-17T14:37:36" }, { "business_id": "ORVWMFwF5qTWy9Cbahf0Pg", "business_name": "Café Adelaide", "rating": 2, "text": "Wow. Abominable last night. Cafe Adelaide, you lost me. Probably the worst service I have ever had and being a service industry vet, I can be pretty forgiving. I actually felt bad for server X last night, who was utterly incompetent but very nice but wow, worthless. Coupled with the amateur service we had last time, I'm thinking it is not a one time fluke. Host told us to sit in the bar area. Sat there for 15 minutes ignored. Went to ask host if we should go to the bar and order, he said no, that our server would be right with us. We waited another 15 minutes before receiving 1 menu for 4 people. Placed drink order and waters for all. Cocktails came 20 minutes later, no water. Appetizers took close to an hour and were ice cold when we got them. Had to ask for bread. Never took entree order, although we expressed wanting to, so we decided to cut our losses and go to La Boca for dinner, which was STELLAR. Two rounds of drinks and appetizers took us two hours at Cafe Adelaide! And the food nor the drinks were as good as I remember. This time the sauce on the crab pound cake tasted like Campbell's cream of mushroom and there was hardly a speck of crab to be seen. Flatbread was burnt. You get the point. Not worth the time or money.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:33:01" }, { "business_id": "guwb1zuNEMtJVproo0ntFw", "business_name": "La Boca", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible. It may not be fair to give them such lavish praise but after our failed dinner attempt at Cafe Adelaide, the comparison between the two for service, food and drinks was night and day. We were immediately acknowledged, sweet! Given four menus for all four people and told about specials, thank you! Thursday is service industry night at La Boca, even better! We just looked at that menu, which did not include the pastas and salads but had all the cuts of meat, empanadas etc. We got our cocktails immediately, God, I'm really loving this place! Fresh watermelon and vodka, which was really tasty and not watery like I feared. For starters, we ordered the morcilla, provoleta and bruschetta. I didn't really dig the bruschetta but it wasn't bad. The provoleta, I maybe expected more, it was just cheese to me. A really good cheese appetizer is the fried cheese with lemon at Mona's. Also, it had oregano sprinkled liberally all over it. I used to think I wasn't crazy about oregano until I went to Sicily and tasted their oregano and had an epiphany that what we have here in the US is just stuff they sweep off the oregano factory floor. This was definitely factory floor oregano but not everyone is an oregano elitist like me. The morcilla though, oh, well, the morcilla. Fan-flipping-tastic. Just order it and get over the fact that it's blood sausage. It's pretty much just like boudin so if you like that, you should really try it. The steaks were out of this world, some of the best steak I've ever had and I have eaten bife de chorizo in Buenos Aires. Fried brussel sprouts are the most genius thing ever. Asparagus and fries are also not to be missed. The brussel sprouts even taste good cold for breakfast. I can't wait to go back and try the empanadas and the gnocchi and of course, dessert! Love, love, love La Boca!", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T13:45:45" }, { "business_id": "iwmW2mgcn2YdirXUHCsgXQ", "business_name": "Bourbon House", "rating": 3, "text": "I wouldn't go out of my way to go here but it does the trick when you are in the area. I used to love their oyster po-boy because they buttered the toasted bread, along with dressing it fully and there just aren't enough places that do that anymore. But then they started buttering the bread with Whirl or some other butteresque product that tastes like spun chemicals. So that made me sad. I had lunch here recently and had the BLT salad, which was pretty tasty except I really hate when a thick dressing is dumped in the middle of the salad so no matter how hard you try to spread it around, some pieces of lettuce are drenched and others are naked. My friend had the alligator burger on brioche and my one bite made me envious of her order.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T15:01:50" }, { "business_id": "NOKp3L3smiKdFNFUswvIUg", "business_name": "Dominique's on Magazine", "rating": 3, "text": "I've put off writing this review because I wanted ti to be great but it wasn't. Well, let me be more specific. The drinks were really good, I especially liked my lemongrass pisco sour. When our server, who by the way had great menu knowledge, heard that we came in for dinner mostly because we heard the bar was so great, the bartender came over to our table. She seemed really excited that we were there and wanted our feedback, which was all very good. My appetizer of lobster was perfectly cooked but the sauce it came with was kind of lackluster. It was fine but forgettable. My boyfriend's pork belly appetizer was downright bad, texturally and taste-wise. That was the first time I ever ate pork belly that wasn't delicious. My duck was also completely forgettable although the BF's steak with creole cream cheese was really tasty. I was tempted to order that because thought it might be too rich but it really wasn't. Nothing for dessert really piqued my interest so we didn't order anything. They did send out some plantain-flavored cotton candy but it tasted like artificially flavored banana Laffy Taffy. It's a really pretty space, the cocktail list is wonderful and the staff seems on point. However, only one out of four dishes impressed me and another one out of those four left me puzzled as to how one could make pork belly so unappetizing. I probably need to come back to try more dishes and I might if could sit in the bar and order a few plates. Too bad their bar area is more like three bar stools that fight with the hallway to the bathroom for space.", "timestamp": "2011-06-24T17:29:14" }, { "business_id": "SDhiF9UG0gsuaXgCnJR-sQ", "business_name": "Liberty's Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "I arranged a work field trip today for Dining Out for Life and I've been wanting to try this place soo...off we went! Parking is ample, although we later found a whole hidden line of parking along the side of the building closer to Canal and the entrance to the cafe. There was no special today, I think they might be in the midst of changing those daily specials. I had a hot sausage poboy with the cowboy caviar and they were both stupendous. Round of applause and a standing ovation. My friends' turkey and veggie sandwiches also looked very good. Minor quibble is that the red velvet cupcake was kind of dry, although very pretty. Good thing we got bread pudding too or I might have been disappointed on the dessert. I wanted to try one of those cookies that are the size of my head but after a cupcake and bread pudding, I decided perhaps a little moderation was in order. Besides, I still want to hit Sucre while it's Dining out for Life Day. The staff was super friendly and awesome. I like the space although a little music would not hurt the ambiance.", "timestamp": "2011-07-14T18:46:10" }, { "business_id": "WPjeA9CWv-q7utSdnXmdIw", "business_name": "Juicy Lucy's", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the Yelp reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was very pleased. We ordered a special of fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade to start and got boudin balls instead. No less than three people came over to apologize for the mistake, told us to enjoy the boudin and our shrimp was out momentarily. Both were very good. It always makes me so happy when boiled shrimp are not overcooked, it's the little things that count! The boudin came out with a huge piles of grilled onions and tomatoes that were a nice addition to my burger. I had the Kenner (pepper jack and jalapenos) with sweet potato fries, the BF has 9th Ward Blues (mushrooms, blue cheese and?) with onion rings. The BF started doing that butt-waggling thing he does when he likes what he is eating and I may or may not have joined him. We both enjoyed everything, the service was very pleasant and I thought it was really reasonably priced.", "timestamp": "2011-07-18T00:19:26" }, { "business_id": "ujyjBLOzSXKO3RrbpJ4N4g", "business_name": "McHardy's Chicken & Fixin'", "rating": 3, "text": "Very fast, very cheap and I really liked the peppery crust. I wished the batter was a little thicker because let's face it, I eat fried chicken just for the crispy exterior and I don't care too much about the meat inside. I ordered a side of red beans that was terrible. Not only was there grease in massive puddles around the edges but it tasted like it had been singed when reheated in its styrofoam container. It hadn't, I checked, but it's not something you want to ponder while you're eating. Way better chicken than Popeye's but I sure did miss the biscuit.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:11:12" }, { "business_id": "OSi2ColCxhS9oCoAUNbPig", "business_name": "Mandina's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, nothing extraordinary. I think they get a lot of mileage out of their admittedly charming New Orleans neighborhood joint kind of feel. Our sever was kind of off but I found her entertaining. My turtle soup was fine but it wasn't the best I've had. My BF's calamari was fried, just like calamari often is. There's not much more to say about that. Our salads were mostly iceberg with a few shreds of romaine and cabbage and nice, thick slices of tomato. I got the crab meuniere even though I ordered almondine but I didn't really care since I was on the fence anyway about which one I wanted. The crab and fries drenched in the rich but also acidic meuniere was delicious. The BF's seafood platter was, you guessed, fried. Crab ball was pretty good. Bread pudding, meh. It had lots of nutmeg, which I liked a lot but it was sort of bland and the white sauce on top had the flavor of glue. I still ate it all though so I guess it wasn't too terrible. Not cheap but considering my dinner came with salad and dessert, not completely over the top either.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T15:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_rO-5jxOEH94TUcorPnSEg", "business_name": "Delta World Tire", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been putting air in my tires once a month for about four years so I know I've been past due for some time. Last week, I had a flat that I tried to rectify, as usual, by putting some air in it. I swear my tire actually laughed at me and said \"Woman, please.\" So I brought my car in to Delta Tire World and was out with four new tires for under $400. I hate spending money on cars but I thought that was pretty reasonable, plus I appreciate quick service. Also, their coffee in the waiting area was surprisingly good, which I needed since I was out of the house without my morning cup.", "timestamp": "2011-07-26T16:43:32" }, { "business_id": "dzFbGUUV5eh-ZR81RCnv7g", "business_name": "French Riviera Fitness", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is based solely on the spinning class on Saturday morning since this is the only time of day or day of the week I can muster up the courage to brave Metairie. The class is usually pretty challenging so that's a plus. But I have never seen a spinning room that had a flashing, multicolored disco ball and I'm not sure how I feel about that. What I am sure about though, is the instructors' collective inability to select music to motivate me. I shouldn't carp about it I guess, some people like trance out music or Carrie Underwood, it's just not what does it for me. Why does music at spinning classes always have to be so bad? Why doesn't anyone do classes to like, \"Let the Music Play\" or \"Diamond Girl?\" I would love that and even though I just dated myself by revealing my childhood music obsessions, I think there are others who would enjoy it too. But seriously last week, some song played that I am guessing was titled \"She was from Ala-freakin'bama,\" because those were the lyrics that played over and over again. I don't want to hear that song ever again and if that's your song, then I apologize if I offended you.", "timestamp": "2011-08-01T19:54:23" }, { "business_id": "GBTPC53ZrG1ZBY3DT8Mbcw", "business_name": "Luke", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped going here earlier this year because the service had reached new lows in abominable. Not to mention the oysters we had were shucked so poorly and shredded beyond belief. The BF swore them off for good. But I love their French 75 and bargain oysters so I wasn't ready to write them off forever. It's taken me a while to get back on my own and I am so glad that I did! They have a shucker named Anthony who is AWESOME! I told him about our previous experience and he said, very seriously, \"That's terrible. Oysters are too precious to mess up.\" My oysters (from Plaquemines Parish) were big and salty and perfect. And shucked the right way. IMPORTANT NOTE: Bring cash to tip the shucker. I usually spend more on oysters than I do on booze and I don't think it's fair that the shucker doesn't get a little something. Otherwise all my credit card tip goes to the bar.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:49:16" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm still a fan. But I had a stale and not very tasty pastry the other day. Alongside it, I ordered an espresso that arrived lemon peel-less. Not everyone does that but I really like the lemon peel with my espresso so I asked for it. None to be had. Oh well. To make up for the crappy pastry, I got a couple chocolates. Yes, a couple as in 2. And it was $4. They were the same size as that three-pack of Ferraro-Rocher hazelnut chocolates you can get in the checkout line at Rouse's. Except those taste just as good and three will set you back a mere 99 cents. From now on, gelato or sorbellinis only but no more pastries or chocolate. Overpriced and not very good.", "timestamp": "2011-08-17T22:55:55" }, { "business_id": "ej2kU6KU2TEL7uY_EB_zVQ", "business_name": "Phil's Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is definitely not the best burger I have ever had but it's pretty good and the dizzying array of choices elevates it from 3 to 4 stars. Grilled pineapple ketchup? Yes please! Brie or Havarti, oh decisions, decisions! I was so overwhelmed by the choices that I closed my menu and just ordered the burger of the month, a turkey burger with arugula, blackberry coulis, blue and goat cheese and topped with fried almonds. The turkey meat was kinda crumbly, it reminded me of that meat you buy in a big roll but it was okay. The combination of the cheese with the almonds was unexpected and delicious. The coulis kind of got lost, I wouldn't have known it was there. Sweet potato fries would have been better if they were hot. The BF got some crazy, gut-busting combination of burger and hot sausage, a fried egg, bacon AND onion strings on top. Ouch, that hurts my belly just to type! But I enjoyed one, small bite of it. We also got an order a fried pickles to start, very tasty but HUGE so will probably order a side order size, not the appetizer size next time. Also, I didn't know about their pretty great happy hour from 4-7 every day. I don't know the details but I do know my pint of Nola 7th Street Wheat was really good and only $1.50! Some bloody Mary specials on Sundays and margaritas (2 for 1 I think?) on Mondays.", "timestamp": "2011-08-23T16:15:09" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 2, "text": "I had a friend visiting from out of town and he wanted to make a stop here. It was hot and so we decided to opt out of sitting in their pretty courtyard. I had also heard their dueling piano show was good and friend wanted to hear music soooo...in we went. Friend ordered a hurricane and the bartendress lifted a prefilled plastic cup out of a dish rack, added some ice and voila! Gross but I am biased because I think hurricanes are nasty. Now, on to the music. For real? Do people come to New Orleans to hear someone play Grease Lightning on piano? How sad. Please, I implore you to go somewhere that has local musicians playing local music.", "timestamp": "2011-09-01T14:15:56" }, { "business_id": "u9-j3bwMcaMq9CWwuucqsA", "business_name": "Eco Café", "rating": 4, "text": "I am mad at myself for living around the corner for a year and never coming here! And now I've moved out of walking distance. Anyway, I finally made it and I'm glad I did. I was very pleased to see how many fresh juices they offered. I had the Ginger Hopper, which I didn't find gingery at all, plus it was too watery for me. But my friend's True Blood with beet juice was quite tasty. I was pleasantly surprised with how good everyone's food was. My chicken salad was perfect and it came on a toasted croissant with a lovely side salad. Their champagne dressing is fantastic. I also sampled the chili con carne, the rice looked boring but the meat was flavorful and falling apart. I didn't get a chance to have a bite of my other friend's crab and brie panino but since she finished it in 4.2 seconds flat, it's safe to assume that she really enjoyed it. I was worried that service would be poor but it was on point and our server was very informative about menu items and how they do things to be \"eco.\" Nothing for dessert really grabbed us, although they did list Clif bars as an offering, which I thought was pretty amusing.", "timestamp": "2011-09-02T19:40:18" }, { "business_id": "JcP1z6eZBgTIcxWlyxSw0g", "business_name": "Iris", "rating": 3, "text": "This restaurant's rating probably suffers a bit more than it should because I was expecting to be wowed and I wasn't. Anyway, the interior is gorgeous, I love the fresh flowers and the walls of pickled vegetables. The have a fantastic cocktail list, in fact, if i ever come back, it will be to sit at the bar and have a drink, albeit a very expensive one. My appetizer, pork belly with a shaved vegetable salad, was very good and dressed with an incredible vinaigrette. My BF had something else that I forgot as it wasn't very memorable. As far as entrees, they all sounded fine but nothing really grabbed me. I ordered the pork, which was okay. The only standout was a fried sweet potato patty it was served with. Besides what I thought to be a not very inspired menu, the plate presentation was weak. Everything was the same color. I know that's nitpicky but it's an expensive place and I want the food to look and taste beautiful. Our desserts (creme bruleee and a chocolate cake) were very rich, too rich for my boyfriend so I was forced to finish them for us. No espresso, I really hate that at nice restaurants. French press is good but it's not espresso, plus it was so weak I could practically see through it. I wasn't displeased with our dinner but I would much rather go somewhere else for the amount of money we paid.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T14:53:38" }, { "business_id": "Vz2RN55rTJBGn43K1v84nA", "business_name": "Domenica", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh sad day. I won't alter my rating but my last trip to Domenica revealed a change to their happy hour. Apparently someone on Yelp complained about the drink prices so now the specialty cocktails are not half off. But the wine, beer and well drinks still are. Which seems like their loss, I mean, I'm sure they are losing more on half priced wines and bottled beers than they are on liquor. Our server then went on to tell us he was glad for the change because it's a lot of work for them anyway. What? As someone who has worked in the service industry for a long time, I am not sure why it's bad to bring in extra customers during a typically slow (dead) time of the day. Plus, they are still coming in for half price pizzas and other drinks. His comments didn't really make sense to me and they kind of turned me off. However, the pizzas were still very good and really, I find their wines by the glass more appealing than a lot of things on their ever-changing cocktail list. And the stracci with oxtails is amazing!!!!!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:01:51" }, { "business_id": "mhrW9O0O5hXGXGnEYBVoag", "business_name": "Jacques-Imo's Cafe", "rating": 3, "text": "Good, not great and pricey for what you get. I totally understand why people love it here, the vibe is great and it feels very New Orleans, whatever that means. Some of the food I really enjoyed and some I thought was totally mediocre. The watermelon mojito, while huge, was thin and insipid, not bad but not worth repeating. The cornbread muffins were, as always, fantastic. I remember at one time really loving the spinach salad with a lone oyster perched on top but this was soggy and limp. Our table of 8 shared a bunch of appetizers, including the cheesecake (very good) and the fried roast beef poboy (good but expected better). The BF and I shared the carpetbagger steak, which is awesome, I mean it's covered in blue cheese! But our sides were downright terrible, I'd be embarrassed to serve the red beans we got and the greens weren't much better. Our table split one creme brulee, which didn't really get bruleed so it was mostly plain sugar on top. Jacques kindly sent over tastes of Grand Marnier for after dinner drinks and chatted with us. That kind of charm goes a long way but honestly, 8 people split 4 entrees, one dessert, a few apps and a pretty cheap bottle of wine and it was $37 per person. I could think of better ways I'd like to spend my money.", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:16:23" }, { "business_id": "dG94-818jQr0Vi3ajRwDCQ", "business_name": "a Mano", "rating": 4, "text": "A friend of mine alerted me to a series of dinners A Mano was doing, each week featuring a different region of Italy. Since my family is from Sicily, of course I wanted to see what they had to offer that week. I had a delicious Aperol spritzer to start and my friend had the Bellini. We sipped as we perused the menu and decided to do one Sicilian special menu and then order some things from the main menu. This particular friend of mine and I share a love for funky food; sardines, anchovies, tripe, whatever. And they had tripe on the menu so we had to order it. It was served in a savory but not at all heavy red sauce. Even if you don't like tripe, I bet you'd love the sauce sopped up with some bread. It tasted just like my grandmother's, actually, I'll admit it, it was better than hers. I liked the gnudi everyone raves about but the texture was more like smooth cream cheese or goat cheese, I'm more used to it being like ricotta, slightly grainy and less dense. But still very good. The only dud was a pasta dish with zucchini, no flavor at all. Our final dish was a seared tuna with onion mostarda that was excellent. To finish, we had cassata. It wasn't bad but it wasn't anything like the cassata I make and I prefer mine. This was a sponge cake soaked in some sort of liquor (too strong for me) and with candied fruit, not something I like much. The way I make it is un-liquor soaked angel food cake with a chocolate-cherry stuffed ricotta filling and topped with whipped cream. Very nice meal, pleasant staff, will return to sit at the bar with an Aperol spritzer and an order of trippa!", "timestamp": "2011-10-06T15:30:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm so thrilled that Rouse's decided to invest in downtown! This is a pretty awesome Rouse's, everyone was so perky and pleasant! I almost got full on all the samples they were giving away; sushi, fresh-baked ciabatta, assorted cheeses, etc. They seem to have anticipated that they will draw a large lunch crowd and have lots of excellent-looking prepared foods. Would you like dragon fruit? Buddha's hand fruit? Kobe beef for $89.99/lb? Rouse's has it! I'll be interested to see how much of this stuff they will really keep in stock as time goes on. Layout is a little counterintuitive but they did a good job considering it used to be a car dealership. I was wondering about parking and indeed, there is a lot in the back and then upper level parking, accessible via Girod. The place was MOBBED but I went at lunchtime when I am guessing 90% of the CBD was also there. They open at 6, which is an hour earlier than my friendly neighborhood Rouse's and close at midnight! Whoa, is this pre-2005 New Orleans? I miss going midnight shopping at Sav-a-Center:( Other notes: I predict right now that they undershot how many checkout lanes they would need. Long-ish waits to be expected, especially at lunch. Prices on some staples that I get at Rouse's in Mid-City were exactly the same. Good to know we're not paying a few cents extra on soy milk to pay for rent in the CBD. Overall, great job, although I have to disagree with Danny Rouse's proclamation that this is the best grocery store in the country. Try Wegman's in the Northeast, they have an oyster bar! If you put in an oyster bar Danny, then I will unequivocally agree with you and retract any criticism immediately.", "timestamp": "2011-11-16T19:03:15" }, { "business_id": "JwS1qdmkA9S6muZBsdemBQ", "business_name": "Korea House", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never had Korean food before so I have nothing to compare it to but I loved my dinner the other night. Specifically the bibimbap with raw beef and a raw egg. I like ordering things that aren't necessarily a safe bet, sometimes that doesn't work but this time it did. The beautifully arranged, colorful vegetables were mixed with some sort of sesame oil dressing and went magnificently with the beef and egg. There was some coarse granulated sugar on top, I thought it was a tad bit too sweet and my fiance didn't like the crunch but otherwise, the dish sort of blew me onto a higher culinary plateau. I've been in a bit of a food rut and this was a revelatory way to lift myself out. The steamed dumplings were pretty good and so were the ribs but everything paled in comparison to the bibimbap. I also liked the bowls of various pickled things, my favorites were the cucumbers and the black beans. I'll be back to try more of the menu and I've already been scouring the internets for bibimbap recipes!", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:48:25" }, { "business_id": "Ra9zH1CBYtAC6vMfKYsHew", "business_name": "El Gato Negro", "rating": 2, "text": "What a waste of $75. I could have just gone to Felipe's and probably been more satisfied. I've only had drinks at the FQ location so I don't know if their food really varies or not. But I have sampled many of the margaritas in the FQ and never had one I didn't like. I did not like the orange-lime one that I ordered, nor did I like the mezcal one my fiance ordered, it didn't taste smoky like most mezcal I've had but more like candle wax. It's a sad, sad day when I don't want to finish my margarita. It's even sadder when I realize there is nothing on the menu I'm interested in ordering. My sweetie ordered the house salad, which had a pretty good dressing and he would have liked to finish it before it was unceremoniously whisked away and replaced with our entrees. Our entrees were way overpriced but not inedible. The waitress was annoying and up in our faces every two minutes for the first half of the meal and absent for the second half. It took forever to get out of there and I felt bad for the hordes of people waiting in line. I may visit the FQ one again but never again at this location.", "timestamp": "2012-01-19T14:56:24" }, { "business_id": "RPEMUwN_CDRRToQ_7hxsvA", "business_name": "Borgne", "rating": 3, "text": "Like many other Besh experiences I've had, this was a mixed bag. First, they have done some cool stuff with the design, I like the columns made up of oyster shells encased in wire mesh. But it still has this institutional, chain sort of feel to me. My sweetie said it felt like a cafeteria that had a makeover. My French 75 was solid, they must use the same recipe as Luke, served in a snifter with a brandied cherry. Perfect. They also have NOLA 7th Street Wheat and big fishbowls glasses for the beer. I started with a bowl of oyster stew. It was delicious and very rich, so rich that I didn't really enjoy the last few bites because my taste buds were overwhelmed. I think they offer cups at lunchtime. The BF got broiled oysters, which were fine but nothing to set them apart from the many other restaurants that do them better. He also got the duck poppers, which were great because duck+bacon=delicious. But the bacon could have been crisper and what the hell was in the sauce? I have no idea because this is the kind of place that lists menus items as such, \"Duck poppers, jalapeno, bacon.\" That's it. My fish in a bag with caramelized fennel was great, really, the fennel stole the show and that's generally not my favorite. The hot pot was a bust, dressed up ramen noodles with tough pork belly. For dessert we got the oatmeal cookie with turron ice cream. Again, it was fine but I feel like I could buy something just like it out of the freezer section at the grocery store. Espresso was good, served without lemon peel but delivered promptly once we asked for it. Service was very good. I wouldn't go again for the price we paid for dinner because it just wasn't all that. I'd definitely go back and try the $10 lunch specials though.", "timestamp": "2012-02-15T17:16:17" }, { "business_id": "D8l8tVYE5EJeHOMlJs1Eng", "business_name": "Aristocat Salon + Nail Spa", "rating": 2, "text": "Worst eyebrow wax I've ever had. I'm not sure what I paid for because I walked out looking exactly like I did when I walked in. Pedicure chipped after a week, I don't expect that until at least two, usually three weeks.", "timestamp": "2012-03-12T13:37:57" }, { "business_id": "rrNF0siUBVQOOgsFVfGpKA", "business_name": "Columns", "rating": 1, "text": "It pains me to say this but I have to give up on the Columns. I am generally confounded by the frat boy presence there but was usually able to overlook it because ti's just so lovely and the drinks were always pretty good. Last night, I brought some out of town guests in and on one side of the parlor, there was a dapper gentleman playing the piano. Then we walked into the bar area and they were playing R. Kelly. Don't get me wrong, the R. can be good for a time and place but at the Columns? Weird. After waiting for several polo-clad young men to get their Miller Lites, I ordered French 75s for my friends and a Ramos Gin Fizz for myself. Note to bartender; putting a lemon twist in a glass of cheap sparkling wine does not a French 75 make. Terrible. My Ramos Gin Fizz was composed of a good 3/4 c. of heavy cream and had no discernible fizz. Luckily, I did taste a bit of booze hiding behind all that cream but really gin and whipping cream was not what I was hoping for. It was really disappointing because the gin fizz I had there last summer was dangerously delicious. My friends sipped their cheap and slightly sour sparkle and finally implored me to take them home when the song \"Ain't that America\" came on. I'm glad I was able to experience their downfall myself before I unwittingly sent people there with raves about the atmosphere and the classic cocktails. Get it together Columns, you've got so much to work with.", "timestamp": "2012-04-27T19:36:54" }, { "business_id": "kb1Tf4xwb7CQW5OXf9zwqw", "business_name": "Toups Meatery", "rating": 3, "text": "I hate being the jerk who writes the first non-five star review but I am sure this will bump up to four and possibly even five. I'll just have to keep going back to make sure my ratings are accurate. Anyway, the space is really nice and I like that there is outside seating. The staff is very friendly, although it is my preference that everyone working doesn't come by to ask how the food is. It's kind of overwhelming, especially if you don't like something. I don't remember being very interested in their cocktail menu and I thought the wine by the glass selection was very small and a bit overpriced. On to the food. We started with the meatery plate,of course! This was really good. I liked the cracklins a lot, crunchy but not dried out. The housemade garlic sausage was delicious as was the delicate, subtle rabbit pate. My husband really liked the hogshead cheese, it was not as congealed as it usually is, more of a spread. Weirdly, I didn't love the rillons and I thought they would knock me out. Those are candied pieces of pork belly, if you didn't know and I certainly did not. Cooked too long maybe, they lost their lusciousness. My husband got the chicken confit and I didn't taste that. But I did sample the mustard greens and white beans underneath and they were fantastic. My sliders, however, sucked. All three of them. I like fat but the lamb belly was a huge chunk of fat with really off-putting St. Patrick's Day green, overly sweet mint jelly. The crab cake was everything you hate about crappy crab cakes; mostly breading, cheap, stringy crab meat, fried-too-hard exterior. I think the last one was just the rabbit pate on a bun but by that point, I was over it. The brioche buns they were served on looked promising but they were stale. We didn't try the desserts but they had some appealing options. We'll be back but I can definitely cross the sliders off my list.", "timestamp": "2012-05-08T17:20:46" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 3, "text": "It hurts a bit to downgrade Parkway but every time I deviate from the shrimp poboy, I am disappointed. In this unfortunate case, I was not only disappointed but put out with indigestion for two whole days. The Reuben was DISGUSTING. I was hungry, so I ate most of my half but the sauce on it was sickeningly sweet, the sauerkraut almost nonexistent and something about the meat really turned my stomach. I still love their fries with debris and I tried the sweet potato fries, also very good. But I'll never try anything new again. I'm not sure when they added a happy hour from 3-7pm but good to know!", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T12:54:42" }, { "business_id": "9xErhLpjFcoA39AFeN3lUA", "business_name": "Liuzza's By The Track", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm going to be nice and give three stars since we only tried a few things on the menu so maybe I'd be more impressed if I tried the gumbo or the etouffee. However, I had the much-lauded BBQ shrimp poboy, which I thought was an epic fail. It wasn't offensive or anything, it just tasted like absolutely nothing; no lemon, no pepper, no garlic, nothing. Perhaps I am spoiled because my husband is a chef and he makes a damn fine rendition of BBQ shrimp but I thought this was an utter waste of $15. I had a bite of the husband's oyster poboy, which was fine, but didn't distinguish itself from other oyster poboys around the city that do not cost $14.95. Regular and sweet potato fries were good and served in generous portions. Chocolate torte was dry and forgettable. Service was friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-06-06T13:04:45" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "Aztec chocolate. So good. It's hard to try new things when I love the spicy, dark chocolate blend so much. Yesterday I did deviate though and got the blueberry-basil. While the flavor of the blueberry was super intense and fantastic, it was way too sweet. I would have liked more basil too. Another favorite was a Christmas special, chesnut ice cream with pine nuts and rosemary. Amazing. Good coffee, inventive flavors you won't see at Sucre. Someday I'm going to actually eat their real food because the menu looks tempting.", "timestamp": "2012-06-26T14:52:31" }, { "business_id": "X-ZgevJi7i3wf0RjsBLG1w", "business_name": "Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I still like it for its unapologetic quirkiness but don't come here expecting anything great. Fried pickles were probably the best I've had and my husband's fried shrimp were good. My oyster remoulade was so drenched in sauce that I could only guess that they were once crispy when they emerged from the fryer. A friend's lasagna looked mediocre, as did an alfredo. The Bushwacker, which I've long wanted to try, is now crossed off my bucket list. If you want a huge, semi-frozen dessert, go for it. If you're looking for an adult beverage, skip it. I'd stick with fried seafood and large beers here.", "timestamp": "2012-06-27T17:59:44" }, { "business_id": "M8ONtZM80_LYC2Q3iqU5SA", "business_name": "Mila", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped in today for the $20 lunch special, which I think is one of the best deals in town. I love their bread assortment, especially the cornbread with some of the lima bean puree. The sweet potato rolls are pretty good too but they just aren't as good as the sweet potato biscuits at Green Goddess. I was a little sad that their featured soup was a zucchini-crab bisque since the online menu said corn-crab (!!!). Last time I was there, it was a rutabaga (or turnip maybe) with crab. I really liked that one; the zucchini was good but needed salt. I also think starchy things like corn and root vegetables lend themselves better to that kind of soup than zucchini. But the crab was plentiful and delicious. For my entree, I had beef cheeks that were wildly tender and flavorful. The beans that came with them were slightly uninspired. The fish entree with quinoa and currants was great. For dessert, I had the banana ice cream with almond streusel. There was nothing resembling a streusel, more like little crispy crumbs sprinkled on the bottom. But tasty crumbs they were and nice, textural contrast to the creamy and lush banana ice cream. Pleasant and efficient service.", "timestamp": "2012-06-29T20:33:52" }, { "business_id": "QD48BhLk7lDTgOL_NiVCCw", "business_name": "Taqueria Corona", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I've never reviewed this place, I've only been here a million times. I've been here to celebrate new jobs and buying of houses. Anyway, as we were driving up the eerily darkened Magazine Street last week, looking for refuge from Isaac, I was thrilled to see they were open! They had no AC but they still were working their asses off and running around madly to serve all the stir crazy people needing to get out of the house. For that alone, they get extra stars. Now, onto the regular things you can expect. The guy at the front register (owner?) is always there and always makes you feel like he is genuinely glad to see you. I love him. The margaritas aren't the best but they're fine and they make it to your table QUICKLY. I would skip the chips and guac and instead order the cebollitas. Actually, make that two orders because you won't want to share. This place is one of the few, or maybe only, place around that serves tongue tacos. Delicious. If you like pot roast or other similar flavorful, tender cuts of meat, this is for you. I also like the fish tacos and the carne asada tacos. Since I hate burritos, I can't really say anything on that point. Shrimp flautas are just average in general but excellent for a hangover cure.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T17:58:13" }, { "business_id": "W9SliuSyX7N0XoiG9UFNdQ", "business_name": "Pho Noi Viet", "rating": 3, "text": "Pretty solid, not remarkable though. Service was very friendly but food came out ever so slowly. The menu is pretty small, just pho, bahn mi, bun and rice plates. Only three appetizers. I wish they had a salad selection. We got the shrimp spring rolls to start with, which were much better than some I had at Pho Bang a few weeks ago. The peanut sauce is excellent! I had the curried tofu bun, the spice must have only stained the tofu a pale shade of yellow without imparting any flavor. It was fine and everything was fresh but I probably wouldn't order it again. That's not really their fault though because while I love the flavors of Vietnamese cooking (mint, cilantro, sour-sweet), I just am not a fan of gobs of white noodles or white rice. Since I wanted more than soup or a sandwich for dinner, eliminating pho and bahn mi, that left me with choosing from a pile of white noodles or a pile of white rice. My husband had shrimp pad thai and it was more flavorful than my dish but still missing some key elements. I'll go back to try their pho one of these days.", "timestamp": "2012-09-06T18:05:52" }, { "business_id": "XxSIrbHqVMdEzP30-DN20g", "business_name": "Louisiana SPCA", "rating": 4, "text": "The food and drink were top notch, I mean, as soon as we checked in, there was a table full of French 75s to greet us. Thank you! some of my favorites included shrimp remoulade from Galatoire's, this smoked redfish with red onion jam from (?) and mahi with curried couscous and golden raisins from Vega Tapas. I enjoyed seeing the various costumes but I thought that the music was pretty terrible. Thanks very much Joi, it was much appreciated!", "timestamp": "2012-10-25T14:12:38" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I walked right in with 4 people and got a table immediately on a Sunday night around 7. Service was friendly and quick. I had raw oysters and gumbo for dinner. The oysters were great and actually shucked to order. I can't believe how often I get pre-shucked oysters these days, gross. Anyway, fresh oysters and very tasty gumbo. I was pleased. I tasted some of my husband's boiled seafood platter, the crabs seemed old and the mushrooms tasted canned. I would have been unhappy if that was my dinner but he said it was ok. Another friend had the swamp platter and I tried the alligator sausage, mm! He raved about the frog legs and turtle soup but I didn't try them. Bread pudding was pretty good too. I'll have to figure more time into my ride out to the airport next time so I can hit this place up for oysters.", "timestamp": "2012-11-28T16:50:31" }, { "business_id": "mCRa6o1eEVQr1bqV4Wy6KQ", "business_name": "The Blind Pelican", "rating": 3, "text": "I was lured in by their awesome happy hour special from 4-7 daily. 25 cent oysters! How can you go wrong? Also surprised by the dozen chargrilled oysters for $7.50. The oysters were shucked to order, unlike Luke which serves pre-shucked (and dry!) oysters. They were a little messy and gritty but hey, for 25 cents, I was still happy. I'd skip the chargrilled but for the price, it was a decent experiment. Beer selection was very good, I had the Mechahopzilla and my husband had some Voodoo something or other. Service was a little spotty but it was happy hour during the holidays so that's understandable. I doubt I'd come back for more than oysters but that's a good enough incentive for me", "timestamp": "2013-01-05T02:35:04" }, { "business_id": "ZTctPm8-lBy0iJ9dFhYhyQ", "business_name": "Herbsaint", "rating": 3, "text": "Based on food and drinks, I'd like to give 3.5 stars but since Herbsaint has the reputation it has, their weak points really stand out. I didn't really love the interior, plus we were there on a cold and windy night, making me wish they had a vestibule. Even seated three tables from the door, we were greeted with an Arctic chill every time the door opened. Service ranged from disjointed to friendly to cool. I understand the concept of team service but was asked for drink orders, then food orders and then second round of drink orders by two servers every time. Coordinate! My cocktail and wine flight were both forgettable. Beer list is meh. My husband and I both really liked our appetizers; I had a kale salad with smoked drum and satsumas and he had some sort of warm chicken rillete. The bread they served was also fantastic. I had a special appetizer for my entree; mortadella-stuffed ravioli with black trumpet mushroom jus. Husband's entree was downright gross. I hate complaining at restaurants but if it was my meal, I would have sent it back. The risotto was not creamy or flavorful, it just tasted like hard, wet rice. The pork belly on top had no discernible taste except...old. I really liked some of the food we ate but was so disappointed in others that I won't be back soon. I do still need to get there for that famous fried egg guanciale dish but I've got a lot of other important eating to do before I return! On the plus side, they are open on Mondays and have a very extensive wine list.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T03:35:26" }, { "business_id": "qKscu5qiEanq7XAduAhHmA", "business_name": "Banana Blossom", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been meaning to try this place for some time and, finding myself on the Wank last week, I stopped in for lunch. It was full and I waited for a table for a few minutes but things move quickly there. I was surprised that they didn't have lunch specials but decided to go with BBQ oysters and the Pad Thai. A little side salad came out first, pretty nondescript lettuce shards and unripe tomato, but I really liked the peanut-coconut dressing. The BBQ oysters were plentiful and tasty, almost too salty but I like salt. The roti they came with sopped up the sauce and by the time my Pad Thai came, I was full. Good thing too because I took a few bites of the sloppy-looking mess and didn't like it at all. The tofu tasted old, the vegetables were not fresh and it was very bland. There were a few other things on the menu that appealed to me and I might be persuaded to go back to try them but I would stay far, far away from the Pad Thai.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:17:52" }, { "business_id": "ta5Oi3sezvn4H299MbtE8Q", "business_name": "The Carousel Bar & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn about this one. I actually hate the carousel part of the bar and really dislike the spinning. Note: Don't go there after you've had a couple drinks. The spinning won't do you any favors. However, I love the lounge-y area behind the main bar, especially the cozy nooks with high-backed armchairs that look right out into the action on Royal. They make a very tasty Vieux Carre and one of my favorite Sazeracs in the city. So it's definitely worth a visit,I'd just avoid the main bar area.", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:23:42" }, { "business_id": "dXREfNidBVaPbF8g5Xf54A", "business_name": "Department of Motor Vehicles", "rating": 3, "text": "Not too terrible as far as any visit to the OMV is concerned. There is plenty of parking in the lot in front and there were only 10 or so other people in line when I got there at 7:58am. One important thing to note about this location is that it is in some state office building so you have to go through security. That means leave your pistols and mace in the car, please. I was in and out within 20 minutes with my new license and although I thought the clerk I dealt with was unnecessarily snappy, I'd probably hate myself too if I worked there.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:35:32" }, { "business_id": "g8asTfC0kY9uzt1AHdm35A", "business_name": "Reily Student Recreation Center", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a fantastic facility, as it should be for Tulane tuition. As an employee, I get a discounted rate, which I don't take advantage of because first, I hate driving Uptown and second, the parking on campus sucks. However, every year during Winter Break, all employees use the facility for free and it's quiet, relatively student-free, easier to park and has a great schedule of really good classes. Once the students come back though, it can get pretty crowded so I probably won't ever buy a year-round membership. Except maybe when I have kids; they do have child care available.", "timestamp": "2013-01-26T13:56:57" }, { "business_id": "P09fwcXyvf2GdvFnTMQWuA", "business_name": "Bellocq", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a beautiful bar and so I understand that fancy places can command high drink prices. I expected this but I thought my drink was just ok and for $14, I expect delicious. I also hate those silver cups they come in, I dislike not being able to see the level of my drink. Is there one sip left? 15? I can't tell. The presentation was lovely but there are too many places I can spend $4-6 less for a drink that is just as fancy but not as pricey. Don't get me wrong, I'd have a drink here again but it's not on my short list.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T01:56:09" }, { "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is exactly what I was thinking during my dinner. Look, for the most part, this food isn't bad, I actually enjoyed most of it. But it's damn expensive and what was good were things I could make any old night of the week. Plain old spaghetti with a garlic-scented butter? Yum! I loved that as a kid! And it takes 10 minutes to make. No need to drive to Avondale for that. Baked chicken with lots of garlic? Also, tasty and easily made at home. The baked oysters Mosca I thought was terrible and outrageously overpriced. $38 for about 12 oysters baked to death in a thick layer of breadcrumbs, which negated any oyster flavor. I can see how this place can be fun but it's unlikely I'd go back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:05:13" }, { "business_id": "iFgoIM21C_P68N8Dk-HHEA", "business_name": "Stella!", "rating": 3, "text": "It's always so hard for me to rate really nice restaurants because I expect so much before I even walk in the door. So maybe this is too harsh. Anyway... We were ushered into a somber and hushed front dining room. I felt like I had to whisper, which was sort of weird. We ordered cocktails to start because that's how I do fancy meals but I wasn't too excited about their specialty cocktails. When the ordered Blackberry Bramble or whatever it was called arrived, I was similarly nonplussed. I won't go into details about each dish but I will say that I certainly liked every course but I wasn't really wow-ed. Also, my wine tasted like anchovies, which I love but not in my wine. Highlights included all the sauces on each plate, the beef tenderloin, veal cheek and poached rhubarb for dessert. I've spent a lot less money on meals I enjoyed just as much or more so...glad I knocked that off the bucket list but won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T15:15:37" }, { "business_id": "2oJV-vS0Cu8cYt7_TbzOww", "business_name": "Cleaver & Co", "rating": 3, "text": "Hmm, 3 or 4 stars? This is tough because I'm glad that they're there but I did not at ALL like the head cheese I bought there and am unlikely to ever buy another $20 chicken. I love independent butchers though so I would like to support them but probably only for buying cuts for special occasions.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T18:44:30" }, { "business_id": "O7adYE4pVfqY02Lh6ywEpA", "business_name": "Swirl Wine Bar & Market", "rating": 4, "text": "I love this place. It would be hard NOT to like just based on their delightful location. Well-curated selection of wines and small cheese case run by very informative and helpful staff. Unfortunately, I avoid their Friday tastings because they have become so popular that they are too packed for me. I prefer the Wednesday night flights.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:21:07" }, { "business_id": "eKgtzwzbLR44fqevm6yUSQ", "business_name": "Faubourg Wines", "rating": 4, "text": "I was in the neighborhood quite a bit leading up to Krewe du Vieux, making floats, working on costumes and...drinking, of course. There were many days that I stopped in here (sometimes twice!) to fuel up on well-priced sparkling wine. Favorite find; an intoxicatingly perfumed grapefruit liquor.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T19:49:08" }, { "business_id": "g-IXI3v3fOudMsyLPKb-eQ", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location better than the one in Mid-City, such a cool re-use of a bank building! Very good coffee and now I'm wondering why I didn't have a Bellini? Anyway, I stupidly ordered eggs with a biscuit and corned beef when I could have ordered the special; a twist on the Benedict with fried green tomatoes as the English muffin, a bed of arugula and bacon. Everyone else at my table ordered it so I thought I should try the corned beef and MAYBE my husband would let me have some of his benny. He gave me one small and very delicious bite. Hash was pretty good, as was the biscuit but goddamnit, my over-easy eggs were inedible. Do restaurants cook eggs in a pool of water? I've had this happen before, it's pretty gross and left my eggs mostly untouched. Oh well, everything else was very nice.", "timestamp": "2013-06-17T20:21:43" }, { "business_id": "ZgmEBmGQbSHj8YZgN2pPLQ", "business_name": "Satsuma Café", "rating": 4, "text": "Since my husband is not a breakfast eater, I am delighted when I have visitors so we can go out and sample early morning bites. A few months ago, my mother and her husband were here and this was the first place I thought of. Initially, I was kind of disappointed that there was no table service but that's a minor quibble. The staff, although very busy, was cheerful and helpful with recommendations for my juice-neophyte parents. Juice was delicious. My mother and I split a One-Eyed Jack and a special sweet-potato ginger pancake. I had a similar pancake a few weeks before at Suis Generis and that one was WAY better. This pancake was flavorless and oddly textured, plus it would have been nice to have a little side of fruit or something to go with it. The One-Eyed Jack was good but we were both still hungry after our breakfast. My SF ordered wisely and got a much heartier meal with eggs, very good black beans and a tasty biscuit. I'd probably be more inclined to come back here for lunch than breakfast but it is a very sweet little spot. After breakfast, make your way over to the Bargain Center next door for an interesting shopping experience.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T13:29:36" }, { "business_id": "1788xIG9VRrs3DZ_RhqA6A", "business_name": "Pearl Wine Co", "rating": 4, "text": "I wasn't sure what to expect when the ownership changed recently. for the most part, I'm pretty happy with the changes. The owner seems to be extremely knowledgeable and passionate about wine. She has also opened later hours and was even open on the 4th! I'm also glad she kept the staff; Jodi and Jose and great and have been fixtures for some time. The wine shop is worthy of 5 stars but the adjoining bar is not. The atmosphere always did and still does kind of suck. Which is partially not their fault, it is a former industrial building after all. But still, nothing about the place makes me want to hang out there. And they got rid of the former cocktail menu which I liked. But still, overall pleased with the changes. Welcome to the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T18:46:53" }, { "business_id": "bkxtuHXCL7GR51FiNdextA", "business_name": "City Greens", "rating": 3, "text": "Tasty. Friendly staff. But damn, it's really expensive. Just a salad with no drink and no added protein set me back almost $11. I'd only go again if someone suggested it since I can make my own delicious salads for a fraction of the price.", "timestamp": "2013-07-28T13:57:33" }, { "business_id": "WNhcS2zi4zAqA2TbduVINQ", "business_name": "Cleo's", "rating": 4, "text": "I had the vegetarian plate and it was very good. I loved the baba ganoush (so much better than mine) and the hummus with spicy roasted peppers on top. Falafel also really good. I actually like my tabbouleh better but theirs was still fresh and tasty. Tasted friend's lamb kebobs, small-ish but delicious and whatever they use as a salad dressing is awesome. Set-up inside the convenience store with loud club-like music was a little weird but not off-putting.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T18:48:28" }, { "business_id": "KGfw-g_JtizLJb4YmRB2Ig", "business_name": "Mariza", "rating": 4, "text": "I visited Mariza a few weeks ago but didn't eat since my trendy friends wanted to eat dinner at 9:30. I ate dinner at 6 like an old lady and met them for drinks. Anyway, I had one of their specialty cocktails (the Bywater something or other), which was too sweet, and one bite of my friend's hanger steak, which was incredible. I thought so much about that one bite that I jumped when my husband suggested Mariza for our Saturday night dinner date. We were lucky enough to get seated without a wait so that was a plus. To start, we shared an appetizer special; herbed ricotta-stuffed ravioli with chanterelles . OK, the sauce was divine and so was the filling, the one extremely small dab of it anyway. As someone who used to make fresh pasta at a restaurant, I wasn't impressed with the pasta either. It tasted like it was held in water perhaps? We also shared the yellowfin tuna carpaccio with arugula and parm. No complaints! I had that oh-so-delectable steak and it was everything I remembered and more. Served draped over grilled bread with olive tapenade and drizzled with pesto. Perfect. Husband's duck confit was also a hit. Their beer menu is kind of limited but I had a very nice and inexpensive pinot noir, which I find can so often be hit or miss. Our entrees were good-sized and very reasonably priced, both $15 or $16. So I can't really complain about price except when I compare my $16 steak with a $12 ravioli appetizer (2 ravioli, extremely meagerly filled). Oh well, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 2 drinks per person for ~$80 is still really reasonable. Next time I'm getting the burrata crostini and lamb belly. Or the goat ricotta with kale and the short ribs rigatoni. And MUST leave room for the chocolate terrine with olive oil and sea salt. I have to have that.", "timestamp": "2013-07-30T19:01:31" }, { "business_id": "7ZcA6w0UCRmeEjN2nyeYuA", "business_name": "Root", "rating": 4, "text": "My husband I I were lucky enough to be invited to dinner here, which was great because I'm quite sure our hosts spent a pretty penny. We started off with cocktails and charcuterie. A+ on the cocktails! Inventive but accessible list and tasty to boot. I liked all the pickled things on the charcuterie plate and DEFINITELY the lardo; everything else was fine but no wow factor. Then we moved on to appetizers; of those I tasted, I'd say the deviled eggs were my favorite. My smoked scallops were as delicious as I'd hoped. Husband predictably ordered pork belly. It was good but what I really remember was this smoked vegetable ash smear it was served on. WOW. I thought the desserts were more about presentation (and at that, they excelled) than taste. We had the peach crumble and the blueberry clafoutis. Neither impressed my palate. I was really looking forward to the peach buttermilk ice cream with my dessert but it was icy and bland. Ice cream, or gelato, whatever they call it, is pretty easy and they didn't get it right at ALL. However, if I were to go back for anything, which is unlikely since they charge $16 for deviled eggs, I would go back for the Indian falooda. Oh! It was a terrarium of beautiful, edible flowers and accouterments swimming in a pool of geranium milk. I thought this sounded a little crazy but I loved it. Appetizers and desserts were overpriced and fell a little flat. Drinks and entrees, while pricey, were worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-08-20T20:25:53" }, { "business_id": "FxeakFEI6gObK0CxcOft-A", "business_name": "Manhattan Jack", "rating": 3, "text": "My cuban was ok. This sandwich, and the others my friends ordered, is a perfect example was why I hate going out for breakfast and lunch. It's expensive and just not that great. I'd rather save my dollars for dinner and make my own sandwich for lunch. I didn't try any of the sweets and while they looked and smelled lovely, I probably won't be back.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T12:03:25" }, { "business_id": "gC8i-lxwvGhVpOXM5eYdtA", "business_name": "Taqueria Guerrero", "rating": 3, "text": "I like the staff here and that it never seems to be super busy. They don't have my beloved fish tacos though and i like the lengua better at Taqueris Corona/ Was very disappointed in my taco al pastor, it's probably the worst I've ever tried. To be daring, we ordered the huarache and the baleado. Huarache, good choice, baleado, bland. Horchata is tasty! It's cheap and close to home but not my favorite.", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T14:45:20" }, { "business_id": "5rScKeYVjFk8VahsvJv9QA", "business_name": "Mikimoto", "rating": 4, "text": "I've never used to be a fan but my husband is and it's gradually grown on me. Every time we'd go out, he'd suggest Mikimoto and I'd roll my eyes and ignore him. But he's got a pretty strong sushi addiction and orders once a week, in addition to going out. And of course, he always orders from Mikimoto. It's still not my favorite but it's reliable, quick, plentiful and priced right.", "timestamp": "2013-09-14T15:44:45" }, { "business_id": "FCCnOgjjvwQJBAy3u2fcLA", "business_name": "Criollo Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Beautiful place in the Monteleone. I have been wanting to try Criollo for a while and finally did for their Coolinary offering. My friend and I were seated in a window overlooking Iberville. I felt like I was in a little bistro in Paris, which is amazing since I knew if I had two more feet of a view on either side, I'd see Walgreen's and the crowd of guys hanging out in front of the old penny arcade. Service was charming and attentive, from the server to the runner to the hostess. We started with their delicious bread basket and assorted butters. I chose the gumbo, friend had the salad. The gumbo was good, not outstanding but it did distinguish itself with a garnish of fried okra. Very nice. Salad looked uninspired. For entrees, I had the soft-shell crab with brown butter. Yes! Excellent. My friend had the cobia and the bite I had was the blood line so it wasn't a good first impression. I did have another bite (no blood line) and it was good but at nice restaurants, please remove the blood line from the fish! Her dish was topped with a sort of okra popper (cheese-stuffed and fried), which I really liked. I ordered the chocolate-pecan parfait, which sounded way better than white chocolate creme brulee tart to me. What a letdown. It was served nearly frozen solid and it was several inches high so to cut through it was nearly impossible. The flavor was also boring and the cake bit on the bottom was dry. It was terrible. The creme brulee tart however, was stupendous. Loved it. Also, extra kudos for having espresso and not french press. I like french press too but I have one at home. What I don't have at home is a $4,000 espresso machine so I appreciate them when I go out!", "timestamp": "2013-09-18T14:37:54" }, { "business_id": "rVRh3PnjYwSaVvGs0joh5w", "business_name": "Five Guys", "rating": 3, "text": "First of all, it was so bright in here that I felt overwhelmed just walking in. We ordered the regular burgers and large fries, which were both so much bigger than I had anticipated. I went in after spending the afternoon drinking beer at NOLA on Tap so I was beer-hungry and I still couldn't finish the fries. The burger was pretty good and I like all the toppings but the fries were so unsatisfying. They had no taste and making a fried potato taste good is fairly easy. My husband liked them though so maybe I'm just off. I was also shocked at how long it took everything to come out. They were busy but only putting out one order every 4-5 minutes. I think we finally got our food after 20 minutes. It's ok and I might go back but it's not high on my list.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T11:55:25" }, { "business_id": "YSyZipJDgS3D_R0wqPqPhQ", "business_name": "Longue Vue House and Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "I took advantage of Free Museum Day this year with a long overdue trip to Longue Vue. This place has been on my list for years and I can't believe I just now took advantage of a quiet morning spent in the lovely gardens of this estate. Turning down Bamboo Rd. from Metairie Rd, I knew I was in a for a treat. I spent about 45 minutes going through the Discovery Garden (so cute, can't wait to bring my nieces!), to the wild garden (reminder to self to go back when the irises bloom) and the impressive Spanish Court. Luckily, I was just finishing my garden foray when a tour of the house was starting. Wow. The history of the family who lived here was impressive. Not only do you get to peek into what their life was like, but the lady of the house was a collector of modern art and so it was like a gallery visit on top of the house tour. Our guide was also super knowledgable and I feel like I got a history lesson on politics, New Orleans oddities, river commerce and more. Highly recommended.", "timestamp": "2013-09-29T12:04:13" }, { "business_id": "hPd6uMCjNglnOwwHpkY5Tg", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - French Quarter", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sure this will be unpopular but Felipe's did not hit my spot. I like the one Uptown and I thought I would like this one too but the food, not so much. Husband's cheese sauce on chimichanga tasted rancid, flautas tasted like freezer-burned cardboard and everything else was room temperature and blah. I still love their condiments bar and the drinks are always nice, especially on Wednesdays.", "timestamp": "2013-10-21T16:01:09" }, { "business_id": "dBOVfp8Ub8uO9qUPtw92_w", "business_name": "Lilette", "rating": 4, "text": "My dashing husband brought me here for a birthday lunch after I'd been yearning to go forever. It turns out he knew one of the chefs and so we were sent some delicious short rib lagniappe. I decided to go with two appetizers so that I wouldn't pass out after lunch, unlike my husband, who had a duck appetizer and a steak for an entree. I had some marvelous gnocchi in a tomato sauce and then the famed crab claws and passionfruit butter. That butter was so sublime, I would lick it right off of Bourbon Street. Honestly, the crab wasn't all that, kind of stringy. It's okay though because that butter...oh my. I was sorely disappointed in dessert. We had a Nutella custard and it was GRAY in color and about as flavorful as gray sounds. How do you muck up Nutella? Confusing. Anyway, it is a beautiful space and I'd love to go back for dinner one day.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:17:11" }, { "business_id": "V9VLhHdSFpFi4yXFqVcVEA", "business_name": "Pêche", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm torn a bit as I write this. It was good, don't get me wrong, I guess I just expected a little more wow. And that's totally because a) it's Donald Link and b) I eat fresh seafood at home all the time and I can admit I'm spoiled. Just last week my husband brought home a 28-inch redfish that he caught and he grilled it on the half-shell with chermoula and tzatziki. But I'm not reviewing my kitchen, just demonstrating that I have a high bar. We started with some expertly fried crab and artichoke fritters. No fillers to bind these beauties together. We also had some olive-oil poached tuna that didn't taste super fresh to me so I let husband eat it all up. There was a third appetizer that I don't remember so I'm sure it was fine although obviously not memorable. Whole grilled flounder to share. I love flounder so it was good but that's all I have to say about it. We also got a side of stewed okra (one of my favorite things all night, go figure!) and very tasty field peas. Dessert was an amazing-sounding but disappointing-tasting chocolate peanut butter banana pie. They have an interesting cocktail menu but after tasting mine and my husband's, I switched to their equally interesting but more reasonably priced wine list. Service was friendly (except for the hostess at the door who was hating life!). It's very loud. If you're visiting from out of town and want to eat some really good Louisiana seafood, this is your place. If you're married to a local fisherman like me, you can probably eat just as well at home.", "timestamp": "2013-10-25T16:34:18" }, { "business_id": "riGIP57_SRRnhx91c_4sBQ", "business_name": "Cafe Granada", "rating": 4, "text": "Over the past weekend, with its lovely weather, I wanted to go somewhere where we could sit outside. Husband suggested this place, which neither of us have ever visited. I love tapas and they have outdoor seating. Sold. We started off with a carafe of red sangria, which was quite watery. I'll go to Lola's if I want sangria. We had several things, some that I loved and some that were just ok. But the ones I loved were so good, I can't wait to go back! The delicious: Brie with fig preserves: Hard to go wrong with this, except to do it like we did. One order for four people. Boo. Get your own. Duck confit: The duck was on point and the salad it came with was fantastic! The hangar steak: Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Served with very good french fries and what I think was a garlic aioli (menu said chimichurri but that it wasn't). The good: Goat cheese croquetas: Served with some sort of mango sauce. Shrimp croquetas: Not as good as the goat cheese ones. Served with a tomato sauce. Carpaccio de res: This might have made the delicious category if there was some balance between oil and acid on the plate. It was drizzled with oil, fine, but needed some vinegar or something else. The just ok: Zucchini pockets with salmon and brie: The zucchini was good, I didn't taste the brie and the salmon just didn't work with the zucchini, to my taste anyway. Manchego with tequila: I though booze, flame and cheese was a no brainer but it just tasted like soggy cheese with cheap tequila taste on top. Yuck. The bread: Not good and with these kind of tapas, the bread is kind of important. The aforementioned sangria. $100 bucks for four people with drinks. Not bad at all.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:50:59" }, { "business_id": "3JOWaLAwQkYTZsgSe5HzVA", "business_name": "Hermes Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why Yelp has this come up as Lower Garden, this is the heart of the FQ. Weird. Anyway, I like coming here with visitors for some old school New Orleans vibes. One of the few place in town you can order a Ramos Gin Fizz and check out old Mardi Gras memorabilia. I usually just get drinks but have been wanting to try the Oyster Foch poboy (fried oysters, colbert sauce, foie gras) for the longest. I finally got my wish! The presentation was kind of sloppy and it was stuffed somewhat sparsely but the taste was OH MY GOD. I might have to hit happy hour again this week for another.", "timestamp": "2013-10-28T14:56:35" }, { "business_id": "UjFLIhKTOiFcQiziOA9rgA", "business_name": "Mizado Latin Kitchen", "rating": 3, "text": "A-ok for now, with some strong pluses and minuses. I was very excited for this place to open and we checked it out the night before Thanksgiving. Business was booming and the welcoming host staff seemed genuinely glad to see us. However, I wasn't crazy about the whole valet setup outside, it seemed unnecessary and I felt more like I was going to a club in LA than dinner under the interstate in New Orleans. That same feeling goes for the decor. But that's just my personal taste talking and I'm sure some people love the ultra-modern, lounge-like feel. I LOVED the pickled vegetables and fried chickpeas that were put on the table to munch on. Our server warned us they'd be really hot but I thought they were perfect. On the other hand, she did not warn us about the salsas and 2 of the 3 (arbol, borracha, aguacate) we got were verrrry spicy. I like spice but it was a lot for me and husband couldn't eat them. Plus, they were more like pastes or dips to me. OK but not worth repeating. Fish tacos (unremarkable), pork belly (some pieces were great and some were undercooked=flabby) and peruvian atun (delicious!) completed the meal. My drink (Cava Lamp) had no discernible taste of St. Germain that it included as an ingredient. It was also priced wrong on the menu. Husband's margarita was fine but they don't do salted rims, instead a salted foam sits on top of the drink. Meh. I will probably go back to try more of the menu but I'm not running back anytime soon. It might get back into my rotation in the next 6 months. Might not.", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:24:23" }, { "business_id": "now2TRoUla_5u_tmH4HGig", "business_name": "Namese", "rating": 4, "text": "I never thought I'd be dining al fresco on a beautiful patio located...at the corner of Carrollton and Tulane? I saw how nice the exterior was as we pulled up but it really is even nicer than you can imagine once you are seated on the patio. We didn't go inside so I can't speak to that. I wanted to order one of everything but I restrained myself. We started with the banh mi sample, I liked the shrimp the best but husband liked the other two. I recommend just getting a banh mi instead though, just to get the bang for your buck. We also got the pork roll and pate banh mi and the serving size was much more than the appetizer. They were out of pork belly, so sad, so we didn't sample any of that. Grilled shrimp spring rolls were good, caramel catfish was very good and the green papaya salad was my favorite! Staff was great and welcoming. We will definitely be back often. So glad this is on the neighborhood!", "timestamp": "2013-12-19T15:32:28" }, { "business_id": "fmWgbWRcbJw-yRCK3USnvA", "business_name": "Fountain Lounge", "rating": 3, "text": "We had kind of a perfect New Orleans night here, the Saturday before Christmas was very festive and the famed Roosevelt decorations were dazzling. We ran into old friends and made new ones. But none of that really had to do with the food, which did not live up to the rest of our evening. We started with raw oysters, which were cold, salty and shucked right. We both had the Reveillon menu but there were choices for each of us, I love choices! I had an asparagus dish with poached egg and Parmesan foam that was delicate and rich-tasting at the same time. The smoked tuna was good too but asparagus trumped it. The soup and salad course was next, nice but not remarkable. The soup was so rich, I think it was mostly heavy cream with a dash of cauliflower in there. I had swordfish that tasted frozen and my husband had a deconstructed duck wellington that was a better choice. Both desserts (banana-chocolate creme brulee and a lemon tart) tasted like Sysco made them a decade ago. I love dessert and I'll even eat most bad desserts but I didn't finish either one of these. Also, our cocktails cost $16 each. Things started off okay but took a nose-dive. I won't be back.", "timestamp": "2014-02-11T14:33:59" }, { "business_id": "zWfzgYe2nT9mHYm_vl1Ukw", "business_name": "Mopho", "rating": 3, "text": "Sigh. I've been twice and both times I was not overly impressed. The first time we went, we ordered the crispy wings. They were not crisp at all, although the flavor was really good. I also had the worst pho I've ever had. The broth (beef, with oxtail and tendon) was murky and tasteless, like they used no star anise or other aromatics. The second time we went was better. I had the much hyped pepper jelly clams. The clams were really fresh-tasting and the broth was delicious. But I would have loved to sop it up with some bread, instead I got some stick-shaped beignets that were awfully sweet and not a good vessel at all to absorb that beautiful broth. My companions had poboys, which they enjoyed. I'll likely keep trying but so far, it hasn't lived up to my expectations. Staff is really nice, the space is beautiful. I'm looking forward to checking out their happy hour and the patio in nice weather.", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:35:36" }, { "business_id": "EbLbT1sR9myTqzjF4mHrTw", "business_name": "The Civic Theatre", "rating": 4, "text": "We went to see Christian Scott and Esperanza Spalding here a couple months ago. What a beautiful job they've done! It's fairly small and the seating felt very...vertical. But I like that it was on the small side, it felt very intimate. The bar is stocked with better than your average. They had a fancy cocktail menu and my husband was happy with his Hopitoulas. Look forward to seeing more shows here!", "timestamp": "2014-03-21T20:39:55" }, { "business_id": "FLtru6J7y9d-Rqb32jyPIg", "business_name": "The Fat Falafel", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only tried the falafel sandwich (add hummus) but those fries with garlic aioli were very tempting! I liked the pita, loved the root slaw and enjoyed the sauce. But...was there a hint of cinnamon in the falafel? If not, there was something I couldn't identify and if there was, I didn't like it. But it was my only quibble, well, that and also that it was messy and had so much garlic that I wanted to run home to my toothbrush immediately. In fact, after brushing my teeth and using industrial strength mouthwash, I could still taste it. So if you're planning on being out the rest of the day/evening, proceed with caution!", "timestamp": "2014-05-06T20:35:52" }, { "business_id": "9xdXS7jtWjCVzL4_oPGv9A", "business_name": "GW Fins", "rating": 3, "text": "It was good, don't get me wrong. I'll have to go back to try more of the menu and hope to upgrade to 4 stars then. AMBIANCE: Looks really dated inside, like it was designed in the early 90s. No big deal, decor is not what I came for but I noticed it. SERVICE: I appreciate attentive service, which it was, but even better, our server was knowledgeable about the menu. Kudos. THOSE BISCUITS: Everybody seems to love these. They were good, kind of on the sweet side for me. And not great for sopping up some of the excellent sauces from our meal. APPETIZERS: These were fantastic. We got the lobster dumplings, fried snapper cheeks and salmon tartar. The sauce on those dumplings, WHOA! So good. The fried fish contrasted with a spicy-sweet slaw, delicious. ENTREES: Bored silly. We both basically got a variation of fish paired with a starch and some vegetables. Nothing bad but after the appetizers, very uninspired. DESSERT: Cherry panna cotta (good) and passionfruit \"souffle.\" They had souffle in quotes so I was curious to see what that meant. You want to know? It means passionfruit ice cream served in a souffle cup. Lame. They have a great wine list (although a crappy beer list) so I'd go back to sit at the bar for some wine and apps.", "timestamp": "2014-08-13T14:30:02" }, { "business_id": "cTSczU-9-cYUEM2DlNJcQw", "business_name": "1000 Figs", "rating": 5, "text": "I found out Tuesday morning that this place had opened the day before. Since I love checking out new places within walking distance, we decided to try it for dinner. OH, SO good! I had their falafel before (which I had previously found to be dry but I liked that beet-carrot slaw). But I'm glad I gave it another shot because these here perfect. Wait, let me back up. The space is really beautiful, it feels like being in someone's home and obviously a lot of careful thought went into the decor (love the silverware in drawers at each table!). It's BYOB right now but since it's next to Swirl, they're really nice about setting you up with wine and all the accouterments. It is rather quiet though so maybe not the best place for a boisterous group. We shared barley-roasted vegetable salad, kale salad with squid and the hummus platter. The barley salad was awesome, that was probably my favorite. The kale salad I actually didn't like, I think it was chard and not kale? And not crazy about the squid, which I usually love. But I plopped some hummus on it and it was fine. The falafel were tender and perfect. Everything was served with an avalanche of fresh greens, dill, mint etc and that was a really nice touch. The hand-stretched bread that came with the hummus platter also blew me away. But when we asked for more, we got cold, factory pita from Restaurant Depot:( Maybe they ran out, highly likely since it was so delicious! No desserts, very reasonably priced. Will be back again and again and again.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:26:21" }, { "business_id": "PDpEFp0lCsXtGsUO1WPllA", "business_name": "The Franklin", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is beautiful, no doubt. Did this used to be an old praline shop? I can't remember. I liked our dinner here but I just can't shake that I spent $72 on myself for 2 drinks and 3 apps and a dessert split 3 ways. My favorite thing was actually a salad with root vegetables. I had oysters with white remoulade; I'd drink that sauce straight but the oysters weren't fried very well, sort of soggy. I also had beef tartar with strawberries, which I decided was not a good combination. The best thing there was this cocktail I had, the Kentucky Rifleman, which was worth every penny of the $12 it cost. Rye and black walnut bitters, OMG. We shared the quince-almond-goat cheese tart and while I'd eat anything with goat cheese, the crust of this tasted like dirt and the ice cream was icy, which really ruined the texture.", "timestamp": "2014-11-21T19:33:59" }, { "business_id": "XCDXN4xJh3-DauaO88CZHQ", "business_name": "Courtyard Brewery", "rating": 5, "text": "I am so happy to see this love child finally come to fruition! I've known Scott and Lindsay for a few years now and they are such awesome people, but beyond that, they know their beer! The design and decor are well done and every time I go, I look forward to seeing something new and quirky. I like the family and dog friendly vibe. They have a great lineup of offerings, which have all been guest pours on my visit. However, I know they just released their own brews next week so I'll have to get there again soon!", "timestamp": "2015-01-06T02:10:02" }, { "business_id": "e-fXMT8R3j7BKMTh8xn8aw", "business_name": "Red's Chinese", "rating": 3, "text": "We had a nice dinner here last nice but I think we may have ordered the wrong things! We ordered the smashed cucumbers (fine, forgettable), the sliders (decent) and the chicken feet (gross) to start. Except that's not the way the food came out. We got the cucumbers and Kung Pao Pastrami first (delicious). We also never got the ribs we ordered and since the servings were so large, we were probably better off not getting them. I really enjoyed my cocktail (Dragon's Breath) and I'd go back to order other things. Service was fast and friendly, minus the snafu with food arrival. A note about chicken feet: having never tried them, I was curious. I thought they'd be crunchy. The flaccid skin (though soaked in a tasty buffalo wing style sauce), revealed nothing underneath but gristly bone. Now I know.", "timestamp": "2015-01-25T14:23:03" }, { "business_id": "srPwdMyFdHxvRkG9P_sRDA", "business_name": "Booty's Street Food", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here a couple of times for drinks or a snack but nothing memorable. Although, of the three times I've been, we've tried one of their fancy cocktails and I'm always let down. This past weekend, we had a large party and were grateful they could take us on such short notice. They have some interesting ground rules; if you have a party of five or more, the table has to do the tasting menu. But only five people are required to do it? Weird. Whatever, we all did the 7 course tasting to make things easy. Some of the things I really liked (the tamal, the St. Martinique fritter) and somethings were not good at all (the dry ass taco and flavorless fish sandwich on soggy bread). When we got the check, we were told that we could pay with no more than 3 credit cards or just do split checks, but that meant our four bottles of wine had to be claimed by various people since that couldn't be split. Messy. As a former server, the latter option is a lot more work but again, whatever. I'm not anxious to go back. We had fun and the food was fine. But those backless chairs were really uncomfortable for dinner and their rules seem kind of arbitrary. So many other places I'd rather eat though.", "timestamp": "2015-04-13T15:19:11" }, { "business_id": "wqGkMLZVXc0pYVjr3zDrpA", "business_name": "Vacherie", "rating": 4, "text": "***My review is only for happy hour. They have a wide variety of drinks available for $5 at happy hour, including a Pimm's cup and a Sazerac. Yum! All of the five dollar plates of food we tried were good too; deviled eggs with pimento cheese, wings and the alligator sausage. I'm not really interested in coming here for dinner because the atmosphere was kinda lacking but I'll stop in for happy hour any day of the week.", "timestamp": "2015-04-13T15:21:28" }, { "business_id": "_393npnr0Dw1aGKy83x_0A", "business_name": "Paladar 511", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh my LORD! Best dinner I've had this year. First of all, this space is gorgeous. All the staff seem very happy to be there, which is a good sign. I started off with a cocktail, Overly Aggressive Old Man. If you like bitter things, this drink is for you! I loved it. We shared the following: Red snapper crudo: Delicious. Very fresh. It was served with peanuts and thinly sliced jalapenos but nothing overwhelmed the fish. Clams with chorizo. This was pretty good but impressed me the least out of all the other awesome things we ate. It was served with grilled bread, which we gobbled up and they grilled us a fresh basket to soak up the rest of the juices. Excellent move. Cobia: WHAT??? I wanted to jump right onto the plate and roll around in that sunchoke puree. Artichokes and white beans were also lovely, the fish had a perfect sear with some bright green sauce atop it, capped off with some sort of crunchy, salty bread crumb/shards. I don't even know. So good. Lamb sausage: While i think paying $16 for a sausage is a bit much, it was quite tasty. I liked the romesco and yogurt sauces it was served with. Blueberrry pie with lavender ice cream: Just get this. I'm a pie snob and it didn't even appeal to me but I am so glad my dining companions ordered it. I didn't get much lavender from the ice cream but it was beautiful anyway. Toasted ricotta pie: I liked the blueberry better but this was also a standout. I have dinner plans at Coquette tonight, which I'm tempted to cancel so I can go back to Paladar.", "timestamp": "2015-05-08T16:47:55" }, { "business_id": "Qlmusk0BBY0kMOd8Y96H4A", "business_name": "Kingfish", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here several times for drinks but never for dinner because the menu just doesn't really appeal to me. We finally decided to give it a try and while it was ok, I won't be going back any time soon. We started at the bar, which I love. It was a quiet Sunday evening, the jazz playing in the background while overlooking Chartres set the mood. My Vieux Carre was meh, I should stick to getting it at the Monteleone. We moved to a table for dinner. Our server was very attentive, much appreciated. We started with the offal of the day, a play on rabbit \"scrapple,\" which was fine but the apple slaw it came with was what really made the dish. I got the duck with field peas that was the blandest dish ever. My husband got the chicken fried alligator, it had a lovely crisp exterior but tasted like the swamp. It was served with a grillades gravy that I would have gladly ordered on its own. We had a very rich and creamy peanut butter pot de creme for dessert and it was quite good. Overall, our meal was expensive and had some hits but lots of misses.", "timestamp": "2015-10-05T15:45:28" } ]	{ "business_id": "s6Sp7FLtuUmErh9DwrdpMA", "business_name": "Milkfish", "rating": 3, "text": "This is tough because I've been here three times now and had some things here that I've loved but too many dishes that were not good at all. I've tried pretty much all the appetizers. The regular eggrolls tasted watery to me, kinda gross. But the Shanghai eggrolls, long and skinny, are very good. Pork belly is always delicious but this version paled in comparison to the awesome pig tails. Crispy skin, fatty meat, dipped in a vinegar sauce, OMG. The ceviche is also great. Don't knock Spam til you try it, I scoffed when my friend ordered it but it was fantastic. I thought I'd love the Kare Kare because 1)oxtail and 2)peanut butter. Sounds great, right? So underwhelming. The blood stew, although super tasty, had really tough meat. Those little puto muffins served with it are everything though. The dish billed as a Filipino breakfast was good, nice to see the vinegar salad on the side because this food is HEAVY y'all. Tamarind soup with bok choy and okra was delightfully sour. I was really excited about my entree, milkfish in coconut milk with fermented shrimp paste and spicy cabbage. The first bite made me actually angry, that's how bad it was. Tasted more like coconut cream than milk, it was sweet and had zero seasoning. If you like sweet, creamy, bland as hell food, you might like this. I had to order another pig tail to make up for that travesty. For dessert, we had an ultra creamy and dense flan, which I loved. We also got the Halo Halo. There's a lot going on in that and some was good (the ube ice cream!!) and some did not speak to me (the icy coconut milk, which had the consistency of freezer-burned ice cream) but it's an interesting dessert and worth trying. If you're not a dessert person, you should order their condensed milk iced coffee with Kahlua and coffee gummies for a real treat. I'll definitely be back, but I'll be very careful about what I order. Love the staff!", "timestamp": "2015-10-07T18:54:29" }
Zs8Zk3sgh5JxRmoZW4PJcg	[ { "business_id": "pm1bStJuol5XmxE_atZhCQ", "business_name": "Nom Nom Ramen", "rating": 5, "text": "Nom Nom Ramen may be my favorite place for Ramen in Philly. Not to mention it also won Best of Philly 2012 for ramen. The service is fast and friendly. I love walking in starving and knowing that I will be eating delicious soup in 5 mins. I have gotten all of the different varities that they offer: shio, shoyu, miso, and karai. I highly recommend the karai if you can handle spicy food! Otherwise I would go with the shio and add a little bit of sriracha hot sauce. I always add the extra soft-boiled egg and bean sprouts! Totally worth it! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:44:51" }, { "business_id": "688sqo63oc2y535vI2UbhQ", "business_name": "Pho Cali Vietnamese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely love Pho Cali! I go here once a week for a quick lunch break from work and am never disappointed. The service is very quick. I always order the Rare Steak Pho and a coconut drink. The broth is extremely flavorful- i personally load up on sriracha sauce, brown sauce (hoisin sauce i believe), and a good squeeze of one lime. They give a good amount of meat. If you are extra hungry ask for more noodles because sometimes the one portion that they give out is not enough. If you like coconut get the drink as well! Refreshingly sweet and comes with chunks of coconut at the bottom. Very good.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:50:52" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 5, "text": "DELICIOUS! If you are craving a healthy meal that actually has tons of flavor this is the place to go. I recommend all of the salad on the menu, but in particular the Taco Arugula Salad that got rated Best of Philly 2012. The peppery arugula pairs so well with the creamy cilantro dressing not to mention the salsa, corn, and black beans as well! Its a a taste bud adventure! If you are in the mood for a sandwich get the Hip City Ranch but ON A WRAP. It makes for one of the best wrap sandwiches I have ever had. You won't believe that the chicken is actually tofu! And the pickles spread out throughout the sandwich are a delicious surprise. Always look for the soup/chili winter specials at the front counter. They can be easy to miss! Also, be sure to order the Groothie! Pricey but worth it. One of the best smoothies I've ever had and its loaded up with green veggies", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:05:14" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Pho in Philly!!! Super fast service and the most delicious broth. Out of the way from china town but a must go to. Don't be confused by the 3+ other pho restaurants located in the same strip mall. Pho Ha all the way!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:50:01" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "There isn't a better place in the area for sushi. The service is unbelievably fast and the quality of fish is pretty great. However, the most amazing part about Vic's is that they have a $10 special...3 rolls of sushi of your pick for only 10 DOLLARS. I honestly couldn't believe it! The place is BYOB and great if there are less than 4 people because it is cramped. Really its the best for take out/delivery. Along with the $10 special I order a miso soup and seaweed salad. Enjoy :) On a side note, if you stray away from the special I highly recommend the Fantastic roll!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T21:51:28" }, { "business_id": "ipRXCy-0ChYK_569rPqzJQ", "business_name": "Square Peg", "rating": 3, "text": "The menu can be a little hit or miss here. The only reason I come to Square Peg is when I am craving their Mac&Cheese grilled cheese sandwich with a side of tomato soup. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like! Extra cheesy mac and cheese layered thick and surrounded by buttery, toasted bread. The tomato soup is thicker than most, but I enjoyed the extra spice that was in it...perhaps a little chipotle chili pepper. I was VERY disappointed in their wings. I had read a couple of great reviews about them but I found them pretty disgusting and actually sent them back. I found the flavor of the honey,chipotle,basil, and lime sauce to be very unflattering even though it sounds delicious. The meat was dry and a bit gristly. It seemed like they had been cooked too long or left under a warming lamp. Earlier in the summer they had white chocolate chicken wings which I much preferred to the current ones.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:01:11" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Absolutely amazing! The only reason why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is due to how crowded and therefore loud it can get. This is in no way a good spot for a romantic date or family dinner but instead great for happy hour or a dinner with a small group of friends or a first date! The food: Served in sort of a tapas manner and I like to get a bunch of plates and split with a friend. You really can't go wrong with what you decide on. My personal favorites are: the housemade lamb sausage, the pistachio herbed ricotta and lavender honey, truffled egg toast with fontina, and the grilled asparagus salad. My favorite is the asparagus salad...absolutely amazing and I've never had anything like it. It consists of Also order a cheese sampler! The menu is always changing just tell your server what you like and they will help out! As for the beer and wine list....one of the best in the city. Always changing and great descriptions listed on the menu so you can pick out what's the very best for you", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:11:51" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing food and great ambiance, what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, DRINKS! Those are great as well! My favorite time to go to alma de cuba is for Happy Hour. The downstairs bar area is the perfect escape to go to after work. Until 6:30 they have drink specials and 1/2 off of all of their appetizers. Great to go with a few friends and split some food! It also works as a great spot for a romantic date and has additional seating for dining upstairs. Must haves: Smoked albacore tacos, tuna tartar tacos, truffle guacamole, ceviche SAMPLER (pick a few of the ones that sound best), dorado. For drinks I love their black cherry caiprinha and white sangria. For dessert I highly recommend the coconut tapioca pudding. I often order this for take out as well because it is so good. It comes in a young coconut and you can scrape the sides of it off with your fork/spoon as you eat the pudding. Delish!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:20:24" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co is one of my favorite places in the city for happy hour or to start off a Saturday night! I was greeted at the top of the outer staircase by a bouncer in a sleek hat and automatically felt mischievous! He led my friends and I down the stairs and through the heavy front door into a room filled with a relaxed ambiance. The drinks are expensive but well worth your money...aka they make them STRONG. Especially under the category \"I asked for water she brought me gasoline.\" My personal favorite is actually not on the menu but every waiter will know what you are talking about. It's called the Mexican Firing Squad. I am partial to tequila and summer drinks and this absolutely did not disappoint. Served in a small glass with one large ice cube! Be careful about what time you go here. The later in the night it gets, especially on a friday or saturday, expect to wait in a 30 min to 45 min line. They also often have private parties during the week so have a back up bar in mind!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:05:24" }, { "business_id": "cOXc8c85Ms6dMEAJazLXHQ", "business_name": "McGillin's Olde Ale House", "rating": 4, "text": "Went for my first time this past Saturday night and had an absolute blast! Walked in at 12 am to \"I want it that way,\" by the Backstreet boys. Needless to say I was belting out the words with people I had met only seconds before. A very fun and friendly place! Plus, cheap drinks like a $6 dollar pitcher of PBR!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:42:20" }, { "business_id": "ELY0HI8GDEx0jkmREVna0A", "business_name": "Frankford Hall", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't get enough of this place! A little out of the way if you live in the center city area but worth the commute. I prefer the outdoor seating during all times of the year. Even during the winter the backyard beer garden has multiple heat lamps and fire pits that make it so you don't have to wear a jacket. The atmosphere is very friendly! Great for both going out with families and with friends. Make sure to grab a jenga set at the front if there isn't already one on your table! Order a few appetizers and sausages to share and a couple liters of beer on draft for yourself! My favorites for appz: Pretzel w/ cheese dip, cucumber salad (maybe my favorite), potato pancakes Sausage: Get the weisswurst! However, you really can't go wrong with what you order because all are great. All of the meat is from Illgs Butcher Shop where my family and I have been buying products for over 8 years now and have never been disappointed. Beer: Spaten Oktoberfest or Franziskaner Hefeweizen. You'll feel super cool with a liter mug but be sure to drink it fast otherwise it'll be a warm beer catastrophe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:16:29" }, { "business_id": "tBQcVd9c0EHKAXLZn_v54g", "business_name": "Bibou", "rating": 5, "text": "Outstanding! The best BYOB dining experience you can have in the city located in the italian market area. Be prepared and in the mood for an adventurous and savory meal! Bibou is petite and has a very homey feel to it. There is room for about 30 customers at a time. Charlotte is the hostess and manager of the restaurant, as well as the wife of the Chef Pierre. A very gracious host and makes you feel instantly welcome. The menu changes quite often since it's ingredients primarily come fresh from the neighboring market. This is also allows the chef to pick out a number of specials each night that are absolutely spectacular. Must Haves: - The Bone Marrow. It comes in a hollowed out bone and can be best described as the best thanksgiving stuffing you will ever it. I order a couple to share for the dinner party after appetizers and before entree. -Seasonal soup. I have never had a bad soup! The last was a cream of wild mushroom with chunks of crab meat. -Foie gras: Again seasonal but always inventive and delicious. Make sure to bring your own bottle of sauterne dessert wine which pairs beautifully with this appetizer! And last but not least...and don't say ew.. The foie gras stuffed, braised pigs feet over french lentils. Absolutely to die for! So much flavor makes this savory dish very unique to Bibou. I haven't come close to having anything like this in the rest of Philly, let alone in the US.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:41:36" }, { "business_id": "RleiW2_QLyxgNjFfqDoZpw", "business_name": "Modo Mio", "rating": 5, "text": "An off the charts amazing small, BYOB in Northern Liberties. Great service and even better food! My mind has been completely blown multiple times on how lovely of a place this is to eat. Great for a romantic date or small family dinner. Must Haves Appetizers: Cozze (muscles) with red/hot sauce Chicken liver bruschetta Carpaccio di Manzo (beef) Must Have Pasta: Agnolotti del Plin (rabbit stuffed ravioli in sage brown butter): SUPER YUM Lasagne: The over-easy egg on top is such a brilliant idea. The flavor and textures really work well together Bring white & red bottles!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:18:38" }, { "business_id": "vtSisxaozZ7HWpBl_W7VaQ", "business_name": "Time", "rating": 4, "text": "A great place for late night dancing on friday and saturday nights! The upstairs area is always packed and the DJs always produce a mixture of old and new music that get your feet moving if they weren't already! The downstairs live jazz area is also a great area for weekend nights depending on what mood you are in! I have not yet had a chance to eat dinner here but will do so and repost in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:24:40" }, { "business_id": "BxfvdHqETU8jWYUjx5OL2A", "business_name": "Shake Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "Disappointed. In part its due to the large hype surrounding the opening of Shake Shack's first Philly location. I wanted it to be great but it's just not what it is in NYC. Tasty burgers but a little too greasy and honestly gave me a stomachache the last time I ate one. I got the SmokeShack burger which has bacon, peppers, and \"ShackSauce\" on it. The fries are pretty delicious and I always order a side of cheese. The real reason to go to the Shack is for the concrete milkshakes. They have multiple mix ins and you design your own. The best I had was a fall special of pumpkin pie mixed with vanilla!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:32:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious and fast! Came in for a brief work lunch and was highly satisfied with how quickly our food came. I ordered exactly what the server recommended to me: indian pancakes, penang satay chicken and beef skewers, curry me with you tau foo, and the mango chicken. In particular i LOVED LOVED the chicken and beef skewers. The meat was so flavorful but the dipping sauce was to die for! I have never had a peanut sauce so great! The mango chicken was also outrageously good and is served in a carved out mango. Very pretty", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T17:02:02" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "DELICIOUS cupcakes. Very moist and flavorful. The icing is absolutely perfect. The only reason why I don't want to rate Philly Cupcake higher than I did is that it is a little expensive. $4 dollars for a cupcake seems silly when down the street I can get a $4 gyro and soda combo! However if you are craving a cupcake itll hit the spot! Favorite: The Black Velvet: For all you chocolate lovers this is the one to get. Dark chocolate cupcake with vanilla cream cheese frosting. I think they must use some cayenne pepper in it as well because it was surprisingly spicy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T20:02:03" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "An amazing experience every time I've gone (6-8 times since 2008). I highly recommend coming with a group of 4 or more so you each can really get a feel for the menu. Every plate is unique and delicious and a great opportunity to share and talk about food! Otherwise be sure to do the Chef's tasting menu where you will enjoy a wide selection of the tapas personally ($55/$65 per person). I personally have gone with the $65 but be prepared to eat!! Tons of food. Must Haves: Get a chacuterie board to start! Octopus, patatas bravas, HAM CROQUETTES, CRAB STUFFED PEPPERS, chorizo clams, truffles and asparagus, lamb chops Brunch: One of the best experiences I've had at Amada was for brunch. Two of the plates that really stood out for me were the chorizo con papas and the lemon ricotta pancakes. In particular the chorizo con papas was the perfect way to start my day. I do wish however that the egg has been done over easy as opposed to fried to give a little bit of moisture to the dish...but easy fix! Just ask the waiter when you order and they'll have to done for you.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T17:43:52" }, { "business_id": "kVTHnhgYUw-Pmr7wgDB4_g", "business_name": "Distrito", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Garces restaurant. Such a fun place to get food. Always super busy since it's located on Penns campus. Not to mention it's also great for delivery! One of the best dining experiences I've ever had was a family dinner and we got the Frida Kahlo's tasting menu. Its the same as the Diego Rivera one however they mention that for a few courses you will get entrees that aren't on the menu....and oh boy! They DO NOT disappoint. By the time we all thought the meal was over...our waiter and two other servers show up with platters of steamed lobsters with a spicy seasoning, the diver scallops, and the carne asada. Absolutely amazing! A must have experience! Must Haves: Crab guacamole, tuna & hiramasa ceviches, TORTILLA SOUP (the best in the city), hongos huarache, pretty much all of the tacos but the MAHI MAHI & CARNE KOBE tacos are my favorites, the CARNE ASADA, and a side of sweet plantains. Order the seasonal frozen margarita although drink prices are a little steep there. Now to go into more detail about why I said Distrito has my favorite tortilla soup in the city. The tomato/chili broth is savory and has a great spice to it. A little more creamy than traditional tortilla soup but I don't mind, actually enjoy it more! The chicken is so soft it falls apart in your mouth. Micro cilantro is a great touch. I do wish they would put a little more cheese in it...but thats my only complaint! ***For tortilla soup fans....the best tortilla soup I've had in PA is from a small place on germantown avenue in mt. airy called Mi Puebla. Worth the adventure!", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T20:56:04" }, { "business_id": "fYSaoJMOj7-r4XWEuYjRxw", "business_name": "Bleu Martini", "rating": 2, "text": "I have only been here on Saturday nights before things get really busy to grab A quick drink with my friends. Why just one drink? The prices are pretty expensive and the drinks not very strong. It is a nice to listen to music and get ready to go out dancing...but leave before it gets crowded (~1130pm) PS. BOOOBIES. Seriously all the bartenders have their boobies out. If you're into that. Go. I couldn't even stop staring and I'm stick straight. ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:07:55" }, { "business_id": "XU3Fe8I8dD3FaOmzAQXLnQ", "business_name": "Spread Bagelry", "rating": 4, "text": "YUM YUM YUM! These bagels are unlike any I've ever had. The brick oven makes them a little more doughy then regular bagels and I absolutely love it. My favorite is getting \"the classic\" sandwich with whitefish instead of salmon on a plain bagel. Their white fish spread is absolutely amazing. Another plus is that you can order bagels/white fish/salmon/cream cheese the day before and have the order ready for pick up the next day if you are hosting a party and want Spread Bagelry featured at your house! Do be prepared to wait in a line if you are showing up on a weekend during prime brunch hours but FEAR NOT...there is usually live music playing outside and everyone is very friendly.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:14:37" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 3, "text": "Don't get me wrong...the food here is out of this world....like really really great quality food. The atmosphere is wonderful and the upstairs is absolutely gorgeous with a sun room porch feeling to it. However, the food is very very expensive and I have had some of these same dishes before for almost half the price. I am not even close to being stingy about spending money on food...but this place did set me back a little since each entree is at least 30 bucks. So just be prepared for that! Must Haves: Appetizers: potato crocchetta Pastas: fusilli w/ blue crab and uni crema, tortellini w/ lobster chives and black truffle, and the PAPPAREDELLE with boar (my favorite) Entree: Braised veal cheeks & suckling pig", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:29:49" }, { "business_id": "sDi3UPW6imj4wGHUg7CgXg", "business_name": "Teresa's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply the best. If you are really into great beer and food (as you all should be) this is the place to go. Completely worth the commute out of the city. If you are familiar with Monk's in the Rittenhouse Square Area....Teresa's Next Door puts it to shame! Honestly all of the food is amazing here. I get a little overwhelmed trying to figure out how to right a concise and informative review of this amazing spot but I will do my best. The atmosphere is amazing. Small space that has the bar span most the length of it. The background of the bar is filled with 100s of varieties of pint glasses specific to each beer you will order from the 15 pg or so Beer List. Unforgettable. Great for dates and small get togethers. MONDAYS: BUCK A SHUCK. Usually small variety west coast oysters...don't miss it! Must Haves: Crispy Artichokes Check out the cheese list. Always great selections! THE MUSSELS. Any of them. Best mussels I've ever had just do it! If I had to pick I would go with the Drunken: dark beer, chorizo, red pepper, shallot, and garlic. ugh YUM Chicken apple sausage sandwich Game Burger: make sure to try the caramelized leeks/beer battered onions as one of your toppings. HOBBIT RIBS. Order right when you get there they take 30-40 mins! LOBSTER ROLL: Originally labeled as the DOWN EASTAH. Dear god...one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had. A must!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T14:50:28" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "Looks like hiro is on the up&up. They have new lamenated menus w/ a choice of 4 different ramens: chicken soy, miso, pork, and vegetarian. Had the chicken soy for the first time! Very tasty. However, I still prefer the pork and the vegetarian. Since ramen traditional comes with pork belly (a fatty meat), the fattiness of the chicken was a little weird. I don't know. I guess I would just rather be eating pork fat than chicken fat :) PS. Jefferson Hospital Employees get $1 off! Woohoo", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:02:24" }, { "business_id": "7Klk8UuK1sdJt5_44eUtDg", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 4, "text": "Never thought I would rate a Starbucks...but I had to because this one is the best Starbucks in the city! Located on Jefferson Hospital's campus. Great place to study and relax (separate room). Very busy starbucks but the service is quick and SUPER friendly. Love it here.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:04:34" }, { "business_id": "-AanHawaDlzWHQjrqRRWig", "business_name": "Au Bon Pain", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Its a good spot to stop if you need to grab something quick and are in a hurry...but there is a Wawa 2 blocks away and you should probably just go there. The sandwiches are usually dry. Do not recommend. However, I work nearby and often grab the broccoli cheddar soup and a piece of bread for a snack. Not as good as Panera's broccoli cheddar...but pretty decent.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T20:18:58" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 4, "text": "Had a great lunch experience here yesterday! I ordered the Cavatappi which was absolutely delicious. The smokey pulled pork throughout the pasta was amazing. What really made the dish was the sauce. I really wish I knew how to make a tomato sauce like that! My friend got the burger and enjoyed it! Fries were extra tasty and came with some sort of aioli dip. Can't wait to come back for dinner in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T21:25:49" }, { "business_id": "OLkS4jfozQpUIUq0K6t_IQ", "business_name": "Underdogs", "rating": 4, "text": "What's better than getting a chili cheese dog @ 1 am on a Saturday night? Well...not much! Great experience at Underdogs this weekend. Service was quick. Fries were amazing! Got the chipotle mayo and utah fry sauce (kinda like a sriracha mayo) for dipping. Signed up for the Underdogs challenge. Time to get my name up on that wall! Will post my favorite sausage & hotdog at the end", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:14:15" }, { "business_id": "YO9Ycz_chfmoW4WI9Ou0ag", "business_name": "Drinker's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Had a fun time at Drinker's upstairs area on a Saturday night. Gets pretty crowded but if you are able to snag a table it makes the experience ten times better! Danced to old 90s hip hop and some oldies! Woo! Typical bar/drinks. I always snag a yuengling or yards ipa before lemon drops ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:19:33" }, { "business_id": "tzVLTQNUtiCAxUZmEuF0vQ", "business_name": "1 Tippling Place", "rating": 4, "text": "Love 1 tippling place for small group chats at happy hour or starting off your Saturday night. The inside is very charming! Small interior with an antique feel. The front of the place has a couple separated sitting areas with couches and lounge chairs. The back of the room runs along the bar and has more sitting options around high bar tables. I recommend the front if its open! The drinks are exceptionally good and you'll get your money's worth (10-12 dollars). Similar to Franklin and Mortgage Investment Company (if you have not been you should go there as well :) ) Must Have: Tequila Honey Suckle! Yum yum yum! Strong tequila at first but completely softened by the honey after each sip. Delicious", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:27:46" }, { "business_id": "2WGnykxiM-Mp-qIm2u7iAw", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 4, "text": "Review intended for a PRIVATE PARTY: I organized our office holiday party for 30 people at Maggiano's this past weekend and had a fantastic experience. Party planning was made easy by choosing the Milano package ($35 food and $40 open bar per person). We were in the Napoleon room which was very pleasant with a nice classy touch. The service was absolutely phenomenal and definitely added to why the party was such a success. Food Line Up: Started with the bruschetta & sausage peppers and onions served on a buffet. The bruschetta was great! I was pleasantly surprised to find cannellini beans in it! Turned out to be very tasty. Got the Maggiano's house salad & caesar salad served to the tables family style. I recommend both but to request less dressing as it was a little drenched and I had some guests complain. For pastas we got spaghetti with meat sauce and the four cheese tortellini with pesto. Both good! Entrees were chicken parmesan and an eggplant parm for the veggie eaters. Great overall experience! :) Definitely would recommend for large parties", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:39:32" }, { "business_id": "c6hhh1Kpr7iau8qMH74w2Q", "business_name": "Pub On Passyunk East", "rating": 4, "text": "Can you say, Hipster City?! This is where the hipsters are...and hey, they might be on to something because this place is great! A very casual, laid back atmosphere. Dark setting. The perfect place to grab some beers with your friends. Always pretty crowded on friday and saturday nights so if you want a table try and grab one early. The beer list is written on a long-stretching chalk board above the bar. If you have trouble reading it they have a printed list that you can ask for. They have a pretty phenomenal beer selection including some of my favorite West coast breweries such as 21st Amendment. Tasty food as well! The pierogies rocked my socks off!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:17:21" }, { "business_id": "4J06--ty2Ydj1---IsArLw", "business_name": "Cantina Los Caballitos", "rating": 3, "text": "Come here for MARGARITAS. Absolutely phenomenal margaritas and over 10 flavors. You can also get them served however you'd like or in a pitcher for the table. My favorite was the blood orange! Yum, yum ,yum! The atmosphere is fun and typical decor of a mexican restaurant/bar. My group and I had great service and you are served complimentary chips and salsas. The salsas are delicious and spicy! Maybe too spicy for some so make sure you have your margarita in hand! I ordered the chicken tortilla soup and have to say I was very disappointed. In no way is this a traditional tortilla soup. It was more like a chicken and green chili stew...which tasted fine but it isn't what you ordered.", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:25:47" }, { "business_id": "mf0OyZ6DX2iKUFIV9TqFRQ", "business_name": "Moriarty's Restaurant and Irish Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Great Happy Hour spot for after work with a decent beer list that is half off during this time! Dark lighting and tons and tons of wall decorations. Such a fun place to sit with friends and relax after a long day! In particular I loved coming here during the Holiday's when they have all of their X-mas decorations up. Very charming. Good for grabbing a quick bite or for bar food nibbles. Try the wings!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T22:07:47" }, { "business_id": "nFiobSfZqWmoA8LyuVK3vw", "business_name": "The Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is intended for Afternoon Tea! What a great experience. Perfect for...and I know it sounds cheesy...getting together for a girl date, putting on cute dresses, and talking over tea. You have the choice of ordering two samplers...the only difference between the two is that one comes with a cocktail and the other does not. You order your own pot (i typically go with earl grey) and are presented with a tower of tea sandwiches, seasonal scones, and desserts. So much fun! Also ask your waiter for more sandwiches because it usually goes free of charge if you tell them which one is your favorite and how much you loved it ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:13:05" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Currently battling sleep at my office desk...that's right I am in an official food coma! I stopped by Jake's to pick up lunch today. Got the turbacon and a side of fried pickles. Do you miss thanksgiving? Well today I did but my craving was fully satisfied. The turbacon has turkey, stuffing, gravey, hashbrowns, and cranberry sauce all on a roll. It's a dream come true. The fried pickles were also delicious! They came in slices the size of silver dollars with a sriracha mayo dipping sauce. Yum yum!", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:18:39" }, { "business_id": "6GePX4W6Cl8LD68zUq_MAA", "business_name": "Rachael's Nosheri", "rating": 4, "text": "Rachael's Nosheri = Your hangover cure! I don't think a week has passed since I moved to center city (July 2012) that my apartment hasn't ordered delivery from Rachael's. Typical deli menu. My favorites are the turkey special & italian with everything on it (oil not mayo!). I also order the chicken soup which is simple and has a classic homey taste. One of the best things about Rachael's is it's hours. When most places are closed at 8 to 9 am....Rachael's is open for delivery! That's what makes it my hangover cure and Sunday morning knight in shinning armor. I order a breakfast egg, sausage, and cheese on a hoagie roll with a side of chicken noodle soup. PS. GET THE PICKLES. Honestly they are the best ever. I sometimes just order Rachael's to eat the pickles. They are so perfect. Not too vinegary and they are still super crispy.", "timestamp": "2013-01-23T19:38:17" }, { "business_id": "1cncsHKApeW1ubd5d9HoJw", "business_name": "Hop Sing Laundromat", "rating": 4, "text": "This isn't just a bar, it's an experience! I felt giddy when we finally found the door between 10th and 11th st on Race. We were let in by a bouncer who instructed us to sit down in a small room where he explained to us the rules. It was like being at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida where you wait and listen to someone prepare you for the ride ahead. Nice touch! Beautiful interior. Close attention to details so don't be afraid to get up and look around if you're into that. Drinks are totally worth the price. Reminded me of Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. Recommend: East Side is my favorite drink. I also enjoy one of the new specials called Crazy Horse but only if you like vodka...because it is HEAVY on the vodka. ;) Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:06:09" }, { "business_id": "rN3tOWABU_hSBvLdADSb4Q", "business_name": "Tazia Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here for happy hour with a few co-workers after reading about some great experiences from fellow yelpers. Unfortunately I wasn't blown away by this place. The happy hour specials are great...for example $3.50 for a fruit (pineapple, lychee, etc) martini. But I pretty much got exactly what I paid for and maybe even less...the martini was watered down and I felt like I was drinking lightly flavored juice. The service was slow... Not sure I will be going back anytime soon but I could be persuaded to give it another try. Maybe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:10:09" }, { "business_id": "fcpHrRopilvsBwUajFB5rw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Good food at a great price! I came by for a quick dinner after going out for happy hour with some friends. We ordered tons of dumplings....seriously TONS. My favorite were the Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns ( pork and scallion ) and the soup dumplings. My favorite entree we got blew my mind! We ordered it as a recommendation that we took from our server: pork with sauce noodle. Literally that is what it's called. We got it with mei fun noodles. The best way to describe it is like having an asian spaghetti with meat sauce that instead of tomato has a soy/hoison base. Cilantro was sprinkled all over the top. So. Good. Some negatives...I didnt like the fried rice (how can you mess up fried rice?). Some of the dumplings weren't super special to me. So with the pros and cons...this place is A-OK to me", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:20:29" }, { "business_id": "gQCKrqkalAc--4cuW_C_Ow", "business_name": "Tacconelli's Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "There is no where else in Philadelphia and the surrounding area where you can get pizza as good as Tacconelli's. Seriously, this pizza is the best. I normally go here with a large group of people 8+. This is the best way to do it so you can order tons of different pizza combos. You are limited to only 2 toppings per pizza (to keep the oven operating efficiently). The crust is super thin and the pizza sauce is absolutely delicious. Be prepared to have garlic breath for hours...but hopefully whoever you're smooching later will be at dinner with you anyways and will have the same problem! My favorite combos: plain cheese & sauce, sausage & onion, tomato & spinach. If you can handle spicy, and I mean really spicy, order a side of their homemade hot peppers. Remember to call in and reserve the amount of pizza doughs you want before you get here! BYOB & Cash Only !", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T14:54:39" }, { "business_id": "oU-vzdE38Nk6gAr4yDy6ew", "business_name": "Crumbs Bake Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "Not the best but certainly worth a try. I got a dozen of the small cupcakes to try the different flavors with my roomies. I found them to be pretty good...in particular the red velvet and the coconut cream. Dense and moist to make for an overall yummy experience. Ill be going back again soon", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:04:27" }, { "business_id": "QuU-a6FEcC_aZTgZkYFeLA", "business_name": "The Bards", "rating": 4, "text": "The Bards has great brunch! Went there this past Saturday with a group of friends after a big night out and it was just what we needed. I ordered the eggs benedict and added Irish ham to it which was a great decision. The home fry potatoes that came on the side with onions and peppers were absolutely perfect. If you're in to bloody marys they have a great mix here! Yum! Bards is also a great spot to grab some beers for a sports game or for Thursday night Quizzo. All around great Irish Pub that puts its next door neighbor THE Irish Pub to shame.", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:28:07" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "I love dropping in to Capogiro every few weeks to try the new flavors...and this past weekend did not disappoint! I was really craving some sorbetto and got a combo of kiwi and pineapple mint. The pineapple mint was probably one of the best flavors I've ever had! So let me make it clear...if they have it, you must get the:PINEAPPLE MINT SORBETTO. I also love the cucumber sorbetto which they did not have this past weekend. Any of the gelatos are a must. In particular I crave the Thai coconut. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:35:35" }, { "business_id": "ueAkLzWFFTzQkq3jzyBlnA", "business_name": "Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "The clouds have parted... and there at the center, is a huge bowl of Pho. Absolutely delicious and enlightening (thus the first sentence) lunch experience at Pho Xe Lua today! I felt almost treacherous ditching my normal spot, Pho Cali, and wandered a little further away from work to this spot. What a good idea and I will absolutely be coming here again in the near future. I got regular rare steak pho. The meat and noodle portions were large just with a regular bowl portion. What really made this pho exceptional was the broth. So savory and had the right amount of scallions and cilantro. My PIC (partner in crime) got the beef stir fry noodles. Also amazing! But really I'm a Pho girl and this will be my new go to spot for it.", "timestamp": "2013-01-29T21:29:27" }, { "business_id": "mlrYh-m3Zlqp9CTeSvdOsQ", "business_name": "Chix & Wings", "rating": 4, "text": "MMMmmmmmm what a pleasant surprise! I needed a quick lunch break from work and was craving some serious chicken nuggets. I was heading to Wendy's on the corner of 11th and walnut but bumped into Chick-a-licious before I could make it. Hurrah! I ordered the 7 piece boneless chicken, mashed potatoes & gravey, and corn. I got honey mustard and the sweet chili dipping sauces (my fav). The chicken was so fresh! I watched them batter and fry it right in front of me. The meat was delish and had 0 fat. Very pleased with this discovery and will go back ASAP.", "timestamp": "2013-01-31T16:50:42" }, { "business_id": "8j3blTZChklt3j89jxx0fw", "business_name": "Brauhaus Schmitz", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is for restaurant week. What's better than a liter of beer and huge portions of goulash, potato pancakes, and sausage? Not much! Had a fun experience here for restaurant week. The menu was a bit limited since their regular menu is so so large, so I felt a bit limited but was not completely disappointed. I ordered the hungarian goulash. Not like goulash you can get abroad. It resembled more of a what I called, \"a european chili.\" I also got the kale salad which was a huge like! I don't think I've ever had just plain kale in a salad before but it was so good. It had a roasted garlic dressing, thin red onions, and shaved smoked gouda. I was disappointed with the sausage selections my table got (weisswurst, bratwurst, and baurenwurst) . Overall I felt they were relatively flavorless and demanded some serious mustard attention. This is in comparison to the sausages you can get at Frankford Hall which comes from Ilg's Butcher shop where the sausages are unbelievable. I am looking forward to going back again and getting the house sausage and others that were not available on the restaurant week menu. The Braushaus Housbrau was very good. Easy to drink and great to wash down the food :)", "timestamp": "2013-02-05T23:23:47" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 4, "text": "Mmmm what's for Supper? Well for me it was the sweet potato soup with the smear of homemade marshmallow around the rim of the bowl and the scallops. The soup was spicy but sweet and had a thickness to it that was perfect. The scallops were cooked to perfection and the truffle on them is a great touch. The sauteed greens that came with the scallops were a little tough but not bad! For the table we shared the Tamale fries and the Chicken wings. CHICKEN WINGS ARE A MUST. I cant get over how delicious they are. Sugar, salt, pepper and falls right off the bone. Tasty appetizer for the table. Love the atmosphere here. Plan on coming back soon!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:34:37" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "Yum. Thank you Honest Tom's for renewing my hope for Philadelphia's burrito scene. Best chicken burrito I've had outside of New Mexico. Honestly (ha) this place is as good as it gets. From the chicken to the beans...everything is well flavored and fresh making a great, cheap, & quick meal. They also make their own salsas which are delish and worth a try. If you like it hot, you'll be in love!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:45:59" }, { "business_id": "2YyIIdwnYv5cApn1gZo_gw", "business_name": "Field House", "rating": 4, "text": "Very pleased with going to The Field House for Mardi Gras last night! The specials were great: $3 dollar Abita drafts, $5 hurricanes, $5 soco lime shots Abita's Purple Haze may be one of my favorite beers for all time (you can find in specialty craft beer stores by the can) and I couldn't believe I was drinking pints of it for 3 dollars each. In general the beer list is pretty good and during happy hour it's $2 dollars off all local brews. I came with a big group of people (10) and we took over the benches up in front by the stage. Great drinks, fast service, and a couple orders of the Kettle Chips (braised beef, jalapenos, gouda, salsa...uhhh yum) made for a great after work party", "timestamp": "2013-02-13T19:46:32" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 4, "text": "Yum! I've been meaning to try this spot for some time now and decided that going on a little V-Day Lunch Adventure was just what I needed today. Turns out it was a great choice! Love the space. Very casual and fun. Feels like being in a market/kitchen area. I didn't get a chance to browse the initial cheese, charcuterie, and dessert counter but I will be coming back in the near future to do so! From what I saw there was a chocolate cake with bacon peanut butter icing...MMMM yes please I ordered the half sandwich and soup combo. The pasta fagioli was very fresh and perfectly cooked. Now, the cuban sandwich was amazing. I'm pretty picky about these and I loved mine. The bread was crispy & thin. The portion of meat was generous. Homemade pickles and mustard....plus untraditional gruyere cheese. Delish and absolutely recommend!", "timestamp": "2013-02-14T19:13:42" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 3, "text": "El vez is a good spot to stop by for happy hour. The margaritas are delicious and they normally have a decent beer selection. The guacamole is good (but pricey depending on what you get). My two favorites are the Morales (truffle) and the Indian Red Lopez (crab, cilantro, and salsa) guacamoles. I love the tortilla soup here. Much MUCH MUCH better than at Starr's other mexican spot, El Rey. Can't go wrong with the tacos. This place is good but not the best. I think its a nice spot for getting together with a larger group of friends for dinner or just for a casual happy hour.", "timestamp": "2013-02-18T16:05:11" }, { "business_id": "jHeT7dodT4fN1SD3QEFoAA", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 4, "text": "Oink oink oink! This place is appropriately named and deservedly so. The pork selections on the menu are each to die for. Really, the chef knows how to cook meat. Everything came out in a timely fashion and was cooked to perfection. Great family dinner experience. A dish that really stood out to me in particular was actually a dessert. We were so full we almost didn't ask for dessert menus...but alas my curiosity often overrides any smart decision to stop eating and thank goodness it did. I ordered the shortcake with maple syrup and bacon ice cream. YUP, BACON ICE CREAM. It was the best breakfast/dessert/smorgasbord I've ever had. Highly recommend saving room for this one! Look forward to coming again & also for brunch (gasp! didn't know they had one until recently)", "timestamp": "2013-02-20T16:08:37" }, { "business_id": "5Fm6khB-De-OdqATep9J9Q", "business_name": "NYPD Pizza", "rating": 2, "text": "Not a bad spot to stop in for a quick lunch. I came a little after the initial lunch rush and I think it limited my options. There wasn't much variety to the leftover pizza. I ended up getting a slice of the cheesesteak pizza and a slice of mushroom and cheese. The cheesesteak pizza was pretty good. White pizza with tons of american cheese and steak meat. There were also dollops of cheez whiz. I did wish it had red sauce but I asked the counter for a side which they were more than willing to provide! The mushroom pizza was super eh. I should have just gone with a slice of plain cheese that seemed to be the freshest. It was like heating up an old piece of pizza. I showered the entire thing with hot peppers which made it better. Good price & quick service tho.", "timestamp": "2013-02-21T21:32:49" }, { "business_id": "qCpdeQYPf9i1EZhTnQgjtg", "business_name": "The Foodery at Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a great addition to the Rittenhouse Square Area. I had an absolutely wonderful time stopping by the new Foodery after happy hour to check it out. Not only did they have some of my all time favorite beers that are hard to come by (ex. Prism Red Zone!) they also were stocked with an interesting and diverse selection of bottled beers that the employees were more than willing to walk you through them. We got our beer selections and sat down at the large picnic table. Right now they only do sandwiches and some sides..but I wanted just charcuterie so the server happily sliced me a little of everything free of charge so I could try it out. We also got a side of potato chips and the marinated artichokes which were super yum. Great experience! Nice place to stop with friends and try out some funky beers!", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:10:40" }, { "business_id": "HS5CfzQ_gOJHgqwtv9rvNQ", "business_name": "Ladder 15", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to a fundraiser for happy hour yesterday. It was pretty decent. There were $5 dollar mixed drink specials that were surprisingly boozy. The food was OK. All fried appetizers. The winner was the fried mac and cheese squares. I could eat dozens of those. I really like the ambiance of Ladder 15. They had a fire going and the lighting is pretty dim. Makes for a cozy happy hour with your friends.", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:13:03" }, { "business_id": "AfassS1QI0DHsqwuof9-lA", "business_name": "Dirty Franks", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple of my friends and I had a great time finding this Dive Bar on the corner of 13th & Pine. The best part about it was...BYOF...Bring Your Own Food! We brought in a ton of wings (from moriarty's) and sat down with a couple of beers to hang out for Happy Hour before going out for the rest of the night. People of all ages but apparently similar music tastes because I could not get enough of how great the juke box selections were for the evening! Anything from Bob Marley to some 90s Pop. I was lovin' it They had Purple Haze (Abita) on tap. Obviously adds a whole star to my review. I can't get enough of this beer. My one big problem with this place is that there wasn't a good spot for all of my friends and I to sit together (6 of us). The tables can only accommodate up to 4 so we had to play musical chairs for a little while.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T20:35:40" }, { "business_id": "ZDdNEwBENLXBT3jjQD5STQ", "business_name": "Giwa Korean Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "Gimme korean chicken tacos all day every day! Love this tiny spot for grabbing a quick lunch. I have to say that I have not yet ordered anything else from the menu because the tacos are all I need. Both the pork and the chicken are delicious but I prefer the chicken. Tiny tortillas stuffed with spicy chicken, cheese, sour ccream, lettuce, onion, cilantro, and sticky rice. The spicyness of the chicken seeps into the rice it's absolutely fantastic. They put a heaping amount of cilantro on each taco which really makes it! Be sure to grab some of the hot sauce for dipping! I dip my side cucumbers in as well :) Some day I will be back to try something else off the menu...but not today", "timestamp": "2013-03-04T16:08:52" }, { "business_id": "7mpYTDb24SywNMRn3yeakQ", "business_name": "The Twisted Tail", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great place to stumble upon! We wanted to grab a bite to eat before a 7pm concert at the TLA and thankfully found The Twisted Tail. The cocktails were delicious. I had the black cherry gimlet and the kool kat. The gimlet was sweet but the lime juice added a tartness that made it perfect. The kool kat was refreshing and a tasty way to start off the night. As we were having our cocktails and waiting to order, the waiter brought out fresh house popcorn with bacon and rosemary butter. YUM What we ordered: Soup of the day: Pumpkin Chipotle glazed wings Cesar salad with cornbread croutons Blackened catfish BBQ spare ribs I would strongly recommend the pumpkin soup if they have it. It was the best I have ever had! It had a strong pumpkin flavor but was sweetened with what almost felt like a marshmallowy taste. The soup was thickened adding to the marshmallow aspect of the dish. The BBQ ribs were also very tasty! Even better is on the side were deep fried cornichons. I've fallen in love with these. This should be the only way to fry pickles.", "timestamp": "2013-03-07T15:14:48" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 4, "text": "Happy to stop in to Vernick to catch up with an old friend. She had never been and was very pleased overall with the experience (as she should be!) The food was spectacular as always. The service was quick and helpful. We split a mixture of toast/ raw bar/ and small plates over wine. The tuna poke is still my favorite! So delicious Vernick is not getting my usual 5 star rating because their desserts are not what they use to be. I think this is on account of the dreaded change in pastry chef. This makes me the saddest.... Goodbye delicious pies. The date cake wasn't what it was last time I went (~1month ago). It wasn't as moist and a little too dense. With a change of pastry chef should come a change in menu! I'm ready for it, Vernick!", "timestamp": "2013-03-08T19:23:31" }, { "business_id": "YBak8o0xCiNN4sXr3izLbg", "business_name": "Barcade", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok...I was so excited to finally spend a night at Barcade with a handful of friends for a birthday party and was pretty disappointed. We picked out this place specifically to come to after a day at Frankford hall (da best obvi) because of the amazing beer list and full intention to get rowdy with some throw back video games. When we got there around 9pm the place was so full it was hard to even move around. Any dream of playing a video game was shattered by the lines in front of each machine. Instead we settled at a table after a bit of a wait until the music got turned up. For some reason the music got even louder than it already was with some sort of tortured rock that really hurt my ears. Needless to say we made a hasty retreat back to the center city area. With all this negativity....I am not completely turned off by this joint. I think timing is key and I need to come back at a less rowdy time to really enjoy what this place is...a place where you can be goofy and enjoy old games over a pint or two rather than get lost in a loud, claustrophobia-inducing crowd.", "timestamp": "2013-03-11T15:46:00" }, { "business_id": "Z5rqRyZ4-iEBRVXCRbysfA", "business_name": "Rogue's Gallery", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a hidden gem Rogue's Gallery is! I met up with a couple of friends for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised. Rogue's is off the beaten path of mainstream Rittenhouse Square Area and is a refreshing change of scenery from my normal go to places. The bar is the perfect combination of up-scale, divey-ness that is hard to explain until you see it. Our immediate reaction to the place was, \"Wow. We need to be regulars here,\" and I completely plan on making that happen! Great specials for happy hour. Can't wait to come back here to try the food or come dancing on a friday night!", "timestamp": "2013-03-20T18:34:00" }, { "business_id": "Tkx1AiQarmw0zc50GibtTA", "business_name": "Marathon On the Square", "rating": 3, "text": "Marathon does free deliveries on grub hub now!!! Fast service. Same old food...but if you're in a pinch for a burger/sandwich/salad it's nice. The smoothies are great! Love the mixed berry with honey!", "timestamp": "2013-03-22T16:29:07" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 4, "text": "I love to see Drury street becoming a serious destination for Saturday nights. Not that McGillins wasn't holding down the fort on it's own, but now the spill into the street from both packed establishments makes it a really exciting place to be. I can't wait for the summer! Anyways, Bru has the right stuff to become a great spot to grab drinks with friends for a night out. The pour your own pint in the front is amazing. Basically you load up a card with money, swipe, and ta dahhhh... you dispense your own beer like a soda fountain. I'm excited to see what selections they will have in the upcoming future. I think to start the choices were a little unoriginal...but I have high hopes! Haven't tried the food yet. Maybe next time :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T18:56:43" }, { "business_id": "OHzX-ZD9qyoeoxR8Z0dlIA", "business_name": "Khyber Pass Pub", "rating": 5, "text": "I. love. this. place. I can't put a finger on the exact reason why...but maybe that's why it's so great. There isn't just one thing that makes Khyber Pass a great place to go to. Saturday was gorgeous and we set out to try new places and get our day drink on. We landed at Khyber's and were immediately greeted with a surprisingly crowded but friendly atmosphere. The beer list is extensive and exciting if you are in to the beer scene. Lots of new things for me to try and the sudden surprise that...OH MY DEAR LORD THEY HAVE PO BOYS, and lots of them! I got the cat fish po boy with a side of collard greens and the mac and cheese. Heaven. Seriously. What is better than an afternoon of funky beers over fried fish and mac with your friends. Nothing. :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T19:03:37" }, { "business_id": "waafKhA-LtJSZXlECyfEXw", "business_name": "New York Gyro Halal Food Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been here 20+ times in the past couple of months and my feelings have not changed for how amazing this place is for lunch. Quick, cheap, & delicious. Best $4 dollars I've ever spent (Except really I give them $5 :) )", "timestamp": "2013-03-26T18:48:13" }, { "business_id": "RFYlmTjgwhOsm7qJwW1G9w", "business_name": "Alfa American Tavern", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Perhaps it's because we came here on the later side of a Saturday night but I found it over crowded and stuffy. To be far, I was in a larger group so we ourselves were kind of crowding up the place but even so I couldn't really talk to everyone and we had to break up a bit. I had a hard time getting to the bar, which can be frustrating for a little redhead. However, once I did I was pleased with my drink choice: Kate Middleton. I'll try it again, but not on a Saturday night", "timestamp": "2013-03-28T14:16:45" }, { "business_id": "ePs4Z_Nqsm5-kQk_hAp2Dg", "business_name": "Irish Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh the Irish Pub...I was too harsh on you. For a place to go out for drinks with a group of friends, no matter what night of the week it is, I find myself at the Irish Pub at least once a week. Whether it's a weekday night and I try to monopolize the jukebox with DJ Saraah's Greatest Hits or a Friday/Saturday night with a rotation of visiting DJs, the music is loud and sets a booty wigglin, drink guzzling atmosphere to forget the rest of the world outside of the pub. A good spot for celebrating but get there before the night rush if you want to have good standing room. It can get crowded pretty fast but hey, with cheap drinks and fast service what else would you expect?", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:15:49" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "AHOY Seafood Connoisseurs! The Dump Dinner does not disappoint! Did the Dump Dinner again with a group of 10. Still my #1 dining experience in Philly. Delicious, messy, finger lickin' food in a classy establishment with a 2hr open bar. Count me in always.", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:21:29" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "My Boyfriend has a problem...and its Tea Do. He discovered this place a couple weeks ago and I lost him every day, and then multiple times a day to a mysterious bubble house that I hadn't been to in China Town. He started coming up with excuses for his addiction: I just worked out (bubbles help that?), my stomach hurts (ok...), and I'm sleepy (...). Needless to say my curiosity peeked and I was ready to make the trek to China Town to, \"grab some bub teas.\" I tend to like traditional milk with tapioca bubble teas, the coconut milk one being my favorite. My boyfriend on the other hand is obsessed with both the Grasshopper and the Tropical Twister but with tapioca bubbles not lychee. I've also ventured and explored the bursting bubbles such as strawberry. These are good but like I've already said, I'm a traditionalist. So now he has a Bub Tea PIC (partner in crime)....and it's getting a little embarrassing how often we go. :)", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T15:41:19" }, { "business_id": "OhSaEeJes7JLtk3MGMXXmg", "business_name": "Maoz Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "My healthy lunch go to during the work week. The falafel is fresh and really delicious, but what makes the place is all of the options from the buffet you can stock up on for your sandwich or salad. I prefer getting the falafel in a salad bowl because I can fit everything I want into the container. As you can imagine jamming additional snackie poos into the pita and falafel, which is already full to begin with, is pretty difficult. If you like spicy and fresh, I recommend getting the green chili and the cilantro sauces all over your falafel.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:24:36" }, { "business_id": "qh7T0rql3chxxuORLMse2Q", "business_name": "Yellow Juice Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Yellow Juice Bar loves Yelpers. First off I checked in and got $1 off a salad. Boom. I got a Mango Madness fruit blend with almond milk and the free banana twirl special featured on Yelp this week. That banana twirl is magic. I didn't know that being healthy could be so delicious. I'm a big big fan of banana gelato..and as far as I'm concerned, that is exactly what I ate.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:32:04" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm really torn up about Village Whiskey. Don't get me wrong, this a great place but for some reason I can't give it 4 stars. It's really hard to get a table here pretty much all the time. I've been a number of times and always end up standing in the back with a friend or two. Not terrible but also not ideal. I also had an annoying situation with the hostess when 5 of my friends and I were trying to squish and eat at a 2 person table while the entire middle booth (seats 6) was empty. We kept asking if we could move there since we were in the way of everything and had ordered food which was definitely not going to fit on the table. After about 20 minutes when our food arrived in heaping loads she let us move. Sorry I'm not Ryan Howard but this girl wants to eat her burger just as bad. On the up side the food and drinks are good. The beecharmer is my cocktail of choice and they always have good beers on tap. The truffled cauliflower on the pickle selections is amazing and a must have. I also am a big fan of the veggie burger. Best I've ever had. Heads up- They deliver. And this is normally the route I take if I just want food from here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:44:14" }, { "business_id": "0-7N3z_cb3Z1xMGDrbez6w", "business_name": "Le Virtu", "rating": 4, "text": "Looking for the perfect date night spot? You found it. Le Virtu is such a gem. It's classy but not too much so...the overall feel is very comfortable and homey. It set me up to chow down on some pasta and drink italian wine. Not much can beat that! The service was also amazingly friendly and warm. We spoke with the manager for a lengthy period of time about food traditions across Italy and, in particular, the food from Abruzzo where his grandfather is from (one of Le Virtu's main drawing pools). Appetizers: Fried rice balls Hearty chick pea soup is a must have. I feel like this can be easily overlooked but they use duck and rabbit stock....yum city. House-made Abruzzese-style sausage Charred octopus salad was also very good. Surprisingly refreshing. The octopus was very tiny and packed with flavor which is exactly how I like 'em Primi: We all got entree sized pasta dishes and skipped secondi because they looked amazing Shepard Style gnocchi was absolutely amazing. Probably my favorite dish. The gnocchi was miniature and not too soft. The smokiness of the lamb sausage paired with the sheep ricotta gave these dish such warm and comforty feel to it. I could eat this all the time. Taccozzelle was recommend by the server and rightfully so. The noodles were so fresh. The porcini mushroom was the predominant flavor, can't complain there. Desserts: Pecorino Panna cotta. Yes, get this. It is a must have. The pecorino really makes this panna cotta unique. It is extra thick and creamy, served with poached pears. I loved it. Also it is a smaller portion size which I welcomed warmly after all of the pasta I destroyed Chocolate semifreddo was like eating the best frozen chocolate milk I've ever had. Assorted biscotti.........I know it's a crime but I don't like biscotti. Never have. But for the members of the dinner party who do like it they raved about them. Enjoy! I'll be back soon to try the Maccheroni alla mugnaia: the 6 ft single strand noodle pasta!", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T18:11:23" }, { "business_id": "f2RHDdXezLHILvM7v1xOVA", "business_name": "Taqueria La Veracruzana", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars and a round of applause for the Tacos at Veracruzana! You can't go wrong with any of the tacos all of which are sprinkled with freshly chopped onions and cilantro..... HOWEVER! The must haves are the Al Pastor (roasted, pulled pork & pineapple) and the chorizo tacos. The Al Pastor from here is pretty much the best I've come across in the Philly area. The pork is melt in your mouth good and the pineapple with the cilantro is super refreshing. For a more intense savory flavor the chorizo is the way to go. You get 3 to an order so I usually go 1 chorizo & 2 al pastor with the occasional bistec guisado taco to mix it up. The house green and red accompanying salsas are both killer. I loud up all my tacos with a squish of lime and both salsas. Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-04-24T15:59:47" }, { "business_id": "SDL247FlOnScJfuNjZESxg", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty Manning Grill is a bright and refreshing place. Between both the ambiance and the food, it makes me feel like summer is already here! I went on a Mommy-Daughter date here last night (awwwww) and was extremely pleased with the whole experience. We split the Lancaster Baby Romaine and the cheese plate to start. The cheese plate was absolutely gorgeous. They pile on different slices of fruit and berries on a thick wooden board. Very pretty. For entrees she got the Berkshire Pork Chop which was delicious. Very tender, perfectly cooked pork and the brussel sprouts were a hearty, leafy side. I got the Duck Confit...now this is a MUST HAVE alert... MUST HAVE: (Lightly) Crispy Duck Confit. The meat was practically falling off the bone and was so delicious. The whole leg rests on a thick bed of spinach salad with slices of tangerine. I got my meat fix and my green fix in one plate. It was really an impressive dish that kept to overall mood of the evening: light, refreshing, summery dining experience. Bottle of wine: Fritz, Riesling (Germany) to keep to the light nature of our meal. Very sweet but not syrupy. Great riesling!", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:32:57" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok...Yogorino is growing on me...BIG time. Maybe its the weather...maybe it's my new work out schedule...but I get Yogorino cravings like crazy lately. I love how creamy but not overly sweet the frozen yogurt is here. Very different from the other froyo places popping up all over the place that try and make their yogurt more like an ice cream. Here, the yogurtyness is embraced. Everything is kept simple. My go to toppings: a litttttle dulce de leche sauce, meringue crumble, and strawberries. And dare I say it... FROYO because...YOLO?", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:39:13" }, { "business_id": "fivoAD6x6jXJRiEZwhpcEQ", "business_name": "Amis Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh me, oh my, Amis! I really want to go with a 4.5 here because a 4 doesn't do it justice...but I also can't just give it a full 5 stars since it was my first time there. #yelperproblems This was an absolutely great dining experience. I went with a group of 5 for a Sunday night Birthday Dinner. I actually would recommend going with a group of 4+ so you can try everything you want to on the menu...and trust me there are going to be a lot of dishes that grab your attention. MUST HAVES: I can't go into detail about every dish we got...but I will highlight my favorites Bufala ricotta and black pepper paired with the Veal Terrine (as recommended by our server): Super creamy and savory. The two dishes were made for each other Marinated Octopus over chickpeas: Yes, yes, yes. This is the way octopus should be cooked. Lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside as opposed to overly chewy. The chickpeas were also delicious. All around great dish Fried Lamb Ribs: If you like lamb then this is a must. I loved nomming tender lamb morsels off the bone. The yogurt was a nice touch Cacio e pepe: one of my favorite dishes in general...but Amis does it great. This is my ultimate comfort food. Simple but great. Spinach fazzoletti with lamb ragu: YUM. The fazzoletti was made perfectly. The lamb ragu was tender and meaty which went great with the spinach pasta. OVERALL everything was amazing from ambiance to drinks to food. However, I have 1 complaint. The rice pudding was off putting. They top what is on it's own an absolutely delicious rice pudding (perfect taste & texture) with a berry puree (not terrible) and SALTED pistachios. I capped salted because this is what I think ruined the dish. The salt was too overpowering for the light, milky pudding and was the only thing I could taste. I ended up scoping the top layer off and eating the pudding on its own. I would suggest non-salted pistachios if they are going for the texture....but salted is just too much.", "timestamp": "2013-04-29T15:45:08" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "Winter has come to Pub & Kitchen (Game of Thrones anyone?). The days of plenty are over. The change in chef/menu has really put a damper on this once awesome place to grab a drink and some food with your friends. It really, reaaally is a shame since the location is so great and summer is right around the corner. First off, I wasn't blown away by the menu. Nothing grabbed my attention. Everything was extremely fancy. I'm a pretty intense foodie, but there were things that made me go, \"Huh? What the ... is that?\" Except for the burger...which is listed as \"Cheeseburger: pickle, onion, lettuce, american cheese.\" Fancy, fancy, fancy, and a side of Cheeseburger. It's almost as if they felt obligated to have a cheeseburger since the last Pub & Kitchen burger was out of this world. What we tried: Suckling pig bouchons: These were OK. Imagine eating a croquette without the potato. The lemony sauce that was served with them was awesome. Probably the best thing I had there... Pabbit Campagne: Again...just OK. It was described as a pate but really its more of a meaty terrine. It didn't taste bad, but I did not finish it. Pickled Beets: I don't like beets...but these were actually pretty good. The puffs add a great texture to the dish Cheeseburger: Sad, sad, sad. The meat was flavorful but overcooked due to the fact that they now use two thin patties (why?!). When I go out to eat and order a cheeseburger, it better be delicious and unique.....and this one was just not. Overall: The changes at Pub & Kitchen have made me pretty sad. The cocktail that I had was tasty (Lie to Me), but until there's a turn around in the food department I don't see myself coming back here anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2013-05-01T13:56:01" }, { "business_id": "yQ7sxpoKXcTWzuELVdpR6w", "business_name": "Drury Beer Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "The Drury Beer Garden really is a hidden gem. It's a great place to just chill out with a larger group of friends without having to worry about squeezing everyone around a bar. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and I think because of this everyone freely intermingles with other groups. Just your regular backyard party coupled with an awesome beer list and the chance to meet some people. What is there not to like? I went this past weekend and scored a picnic table under a heat lamp. I had my favorite beer: Hell or High Watermelon for $5 a can and couldn't have been more content!", "timestamp": "2013-05-06T15:48:56" }, { "business_id": "7z16CBc74GhbyqalwZrJUQ", "business_name": "Ting Wong Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick, delicious, & fresh business lunch @ Ting Wong for 4 people. We went family style and ordered: Boneless soy chicken & pork appetizers Chicken & Anchovy fried rice Chicken Lo Mein The portions are huge! So definetely plan on ordering a couple of dishes and sharing! I would absolutely recommend the chicken & anchovy fried rice as well as the soy chicken. The fried rice was very fresh and not greasy as fried rice has a tendency to be. The anchovy gave it a nice salty flavor and it wasn't fishy at all which I was initially afraid of. The soy chicken is so flavorful and the crushed ginger sauce on top (and ask for more on the side) makes it a delicious dish. Great spot to check out in Chinatown! :)", "timestamp": "2013-05-14T15:34:45" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 5, "text": "Grabbed the Enfrijoladas and a slice of carrot cake Take-Out style last night for a lazy couch dinner after the gym. Heaven. The Enfrijoladas are really, really good. Now, this is coming from a New Mexican who is pretty picky about these things. The refried beans are to die for. The only thing lacking was heat, but that was nothing a healthy squeeze of Sriracha couldn't fix.", "timestamp": "2013-05-15T14:15:39" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by for an iced latte and salad for lunch. Yummy yummy! The iced caramel latte is divine. Creamy & unburned coffee that will make you smack yourself on the wrist for ever going in to a Starbucks. Spiced orange salad was amazing! Lightly spiced vinaigrette. The chicken was seasoned and warm off to the side. Filling but not overly so. Perfect for a hot afternoon lunch outside.", "timestamp": "2013-05-16T17:40:47" }, { "business_id": "MKsCFQuzmgH2We9hwTQ8gw", "business_name": "South Street Souvlaki", "rating": 4, "text": "Opa! Amazing family dinner experience! I love the atmosphere here. Very friendly service with an eagerness to please. All of our food came out quickly and there was plenty, PLENTY of it. We ate everything family style, which I would recommend if you are having a sit down dinner, and got to try a large variety of things. So many in fact, that I will only list my favorites: I could eat the baba ganoush with warm pita for days. Seriously, it is perfection. The marinated grilled octupus was cooked supremely well and served over a fresh salad. We went with the special fish of the day: Porgy. Lightly fried with fresh squeezed lemon. So good! Another special was the pork & leek stew. The meat was deliciously tender and the leeks came in huge, caramelized chunks. Served over rice. Save room for dessert because the rice pudding is some of the best I've ever had! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T15:48:17" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 3, "text": "I am so torn up about Continental Mid-Town and have been waiting to write a review for a couple months now. There are most certainly reasons why I would give them 4 stars...but there are also plenty of times I would have gone with just 2. So I'll settle at an indecisive 3 stars. Here are the pros and cons: Pros: The atmosphere of the rooftop bar is really fun during any season. As long as you are in a smaller group of people it can be a lot of fun. Just make sure to get there and snag a table/bar seat before major crowds roll in. I like their tuna tar tar Their drinks are tasty, modern, fun. They deliver through grubhub if you're feeling lazy Cons: Expensive. You can get better tasting food for half the price. It really is a shame. Crowded night light. You have to plan to get there and find space to hang out ahead of major crowds...otherwise it can be a bit overwhelming. Overall I like this place as a launching pad for a great night out with my friends. Maybe an appetizer or two...but nothing more than that.", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T16:00:07" }, { "business_id": "XTNu6IrYn_xn05wuqjrxiA", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review for Jimmy John's yet! It is just blowing my mind! I get Jimmy John's at least once a week for my lunch at work. They must be sandwich magicians over there because I will literally pick up the phone, order, and POOF! Within 5 minutes the food is here, every time. Seriously...I have never waited more than 5 mins for my food. I am in love with them. Go to: #9 Italian hoagie with added hot pepper and a side of bbq chips. Their bread is out of this world and the chips are extra crispy. Feeling healthy? No problem! Get your favorite sandwich on a lettuce wrap instead of a hoagie roll. Go Jimmy John's! I am a fan!", "timestamp": "2013-05-23T17:05:01" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 4, "text": "I crave the chicken banh mi from Rotisseur on a biweekly basis. The feeling slowly creeps up on me until suddenly it has a hold on my stomach and the thought of eating anything thing else is food torture...until...at last, I reach my delicious sandwich. The chicken is moist and they add a layer of crispy skin from the long, slow cook. Pickled cabbage and fresh cilantro really tie the whole thing together. Make sure to add a healthy squirt of sriracha if you are a spice freak. The sides are made on a daily basis. The best side I've come across are the curry garbanzo beans. So. Good. Love rotisseur but don't let your cravings take a hold of your life, body, and mind on a Sunday. They are not open as I was shocked to find out. I withered and died for a day until Monday came.", "timestamp": "2013-06-03T14:17:30" }, { "business_id": "x7gEX6dthpJvoOafV1XHaA", "business_name": "Cook", "rating": 5, "text": "Cook is a brilliant establishment. Cozy, intimate atmosphere so you can get your one on one time with the chefs of your choice. A great gift for foodies. I went with my P.I.C.'s family last night to hang out and try polish food with Chef Maciej Ciezki from Lacroix. I won't go into detail about the food here, but I did add a photo of some of the courses we had. The food was plentiful, the drinks were flowing, and the room was chatty. I will most definetely be coming back for more in the near future.", "timestamp": "2013-06-04T13:22:46" }, { "business_id": "AQIi4IRvUxkurxNvlUD9hQ", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, I LOVE Smoothie King. I want to be it's Smoothie Queen, but I do have one big, big problem with it: the hours. Why smoothie king did you not open until 9:30 am this morning?! You miss the whole morning crowd who needs to be in to work by 9 am. I don't understand! You're open until 7pm...and lets be honest, who gets a smoothie for dinner? Please shift your hours and I think it'll be good for you. I was very sad having to wait until 930 for your juicy goodness. My boss is also mad at you.", "timestamp": "2013-06-06T14:13:12" }, { "business_id": "M77MQ0Gge2ZbSz0FM0oGgg", "business_name": "Krispy Kreme", "rating": 5, "text": "I love you so much Krispy Kreme. I can't believe you are no longer in downtown Philly (WHYYYYYYYYYYY), but I am willing to commute. 1 dozen plain glazed & 1/2 a dozen glazed creme filled later...I am a happy camper and my craving has been fulfilled. :)", "timestamp": "2013-06-10T16:52:03" }, { "business_id": "RZtGWDLCAtuipwaZ-UfjmQ", "business_name": "LaScala's", "rating": 3, "text": "LaScala's is a place to grub down on Italian food, but only when it is convenient to do so. The only times I have gotten LaScala's is through delivery or for yesterday's lunch with my coworkers. I got the rigatoni vodka because I was craving pasta. My craving was fulfilled with cheesy/vodka sauce pasta that was served in such a large portion I took leftovers home. The food is tasty but not mind blowing....I really think the 3 star, \"A-Ok,\" rating is appropriate.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:18:40" }, { "business_id": "78kUZU8GPfHgoYO_2CNbuQ", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 3, "text": "The ice cream that Ben & Jerry's provides is an obvi 5 STARS. Getting it at an actual store and not in pints from a corner shop really makes a difference. It feels creamier...probably due to freshness and lack of the freezer burn that my fridge brutally attaches to any inhabitants. The service here is iffy. There were three people working and for whatever reason it probably took a full 20 minutes of waiting in line/paying. The line wasn't even that long..... Maybe they do it on purpose because after waiting I probably ordered double what I would have to begin with. Serious ice cream coma.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:25:11" }, { "business_id": "EKSmnS-fup3HNFLR9J17mQ", "business_name": "Midtown II Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Beeeewaaareeee of the bathroooomssss (spooky voice). I can get down a dirty when need be, but these are worse than port-a-potty status. I may be scared for life. So you're better off holding it. On a brighter note. This place is OK if you have a craving for diner food. I get breakfast for lunch & a coffee milkshake. Service is pleasant and food comes out fast.", "timestamp": "2013-06-24T14:02:18" }, { "business_id": "TwnzM8mJn_nT2PJf1x-9kQ", "business_name": "Cafe Lift", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't remember the last time I was completely blown away by a brunch experience...until now. Cafe Lift is a dream come true. It really may be one of the best brunch spots I've ever been to. To start, the interior is amazing. Very casual, comfortable feel to the entire place. Exposed brick and piping all along the walls with hardware store style tables. What got me the most excited was the special board. SO. MANY. SPECIALS. Really it is a dream come true (yes I said dream come true TWICE) to walk into a place for brunch and have a plethora of creative specials to pick from...which my party of 3 wasted no time doing. What we got: (note that most were specials) Breakfast tacos: chorizo, egg, cheese, and homemade salsa which rocked my world. Baked Egg: stewed kale, white beans, roast pork in tomato sauce topped with eggs and fontina then baked. Obsessed with this. Imagine a breakfast pasta fagioli situation Cuban Sandwich Bagel w/ veggie cream cheese and salmon Banna nutella crepe with whipped cream and strawberries The ice coffee was really, really good and I am truly very picky when it comes to coffee. Service was friendly and fast. I will be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T14:56:33" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 5, "text": "Matyson still rocks my socks off. Highlight of the meal was once again, the foie gras served on top of homemade banana bread. Close runner up was the soup of the day: vichyssoise (chilled potato leek soup). This BYOB is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the city", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T13:40:43" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 5, "text": "I just finished my first Chirashi Sushi Lunch Special...and let me tell you, it is one of the best things that has ever happened during my work day. I was fully intending on splurging a little by going out to a lunch at Morimotos...but it turns out that for once I got way, way more than my money's worth. For $21 ($22 with tax) I got the best miso soup, a salad, and my entire weight + plus some in super fresh sashimi served over rice. The sushi chef asked my preference on what fish I would like in my bowl and went to work. The dish itself was a work of art (see photo) and came with an assortment of pickled vegetables. So in love. Thank you, Morimoto!", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "V6Om7YZhlRQRU7WfuxHq8Q", "business_name": "Beck's Cajun Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Thank goodness for Beck's. Really I am so shocked that there are hardly any Cajun restaurants in the Philly area. But maybe that's for the best, because Beck's is pretty darn good. Located in the thick of the Reading Terminal Market, the stand is always busy but the service is fast. The staff is more than happy to let you try whatever you want (which you should). I've had all varieties of the gumbo and don't have a preference which is better. Go for alligator if you are feeling wild. My favorite thing from here are the red beans over rice. They are thick and have chunks of andouille sausage. Great with a piece of corn bread and scallions on top! The po'boys are decent. I find them a little too bready/fried for my liking but the overall flavor is good. I did not like the catfish po'boy....it was too fishy for me.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:25:33" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I was very excited to try a roast pork sandwich from DiNic's. However, I found myself wanting more. DiNic's gets a lot of hype on yelp...and other places as well. It was featured on Man Vs. Food ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYiR-dSbOs ) and I was shocked that I hadn't tried it yet. So I went for it. Spinach and sharp provolone on a long roll with long hots... It doesn't beat out a cheese steak. The sandwich was good but not great. I actually found myself craving more flavor, secretly hoping I had brought a bottle of sriracha sauce with me. Really they should maybe have a bottle of that on the counter because it would be insanely good. I'll be back to try it again, but unfortunately I have to say I was not blown away by my first time at DiNic's.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:38:39" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I died and went to Beiler Heaven. Seriously the BLUEBERRY FRITTERS are out of this world good. I've never felt so strongly about a baked good before. Not too sweet, but sweet enough to be the perfect companion with a cup of coffee in the morning....or a mid afternoon snack. I also found the plain glazed doughnuts to be earth shattering. Try both of these. I promise the line is worth it!", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:41:37" }, { "business_id": "XgxPLbAJtHoyR2tBN9yCXw", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "I am just so in love with Yogorino. Classic, tangy frozen yogurt is the only kind of froyo that should exist in my opinion. This location is a little bit bigger than the Rittenhouse location...but that's really the only difference. All of the fruit was super fresh & ripe. I couldn't decide between the mango and the nectarines paired with my always go-to crushed up meringue bits...so I got both. Happy eating :)", "timestamp": "2013-07-22T15:59:03" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "I am not impressed with Max Brenner's. Had a friend visiting from out of town so we decided to go out to have dessert. Whispers of fondue seemed super promising and the alluring smell of chocolate that extends down the block made it pretty much impossible not to stop in for a bite. Overall impression: overpriced We got the Italian hot chocolate, the waffle special, and fondue for two (5 of us total). To be fair, there was a lot that came with the fondue. However, I could have easily dished up the same dessert for 1/3 the price. Tasted good but I wasn't wowed. I am not stingy when it comes to spending money on food....but it needs to be worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-07-24T13:29:29" }, { "business_id": "gOrJeoLDOiW7muWuoE-sMg", "business_name": "Morgan's Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Morgan's Pier is a solid 4 star place to hang out with your friends for drinks and dancing. The atmosphere is really unique to Philly, mostly because of the beautiful location. Located right on the docks to the left of the Ben Franklin, it is such an awesome place to sit as the sunsets. Once its dark things kick in to party mode and you'll be either shaking your booty or sitting on a picnic table over the water chatting with your friends. It's awesome. However, there is one problem with it....the food. Seriously 1-2 stars on food. Good ideas and fails on taste. Everything I've had has been meh (wings, fries, bean salad, other munchies nothing major). They should really split up the yelp pages for food vs nightlife because i don't want to downgrade my 4 stars to accommodate for food failure.", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T13:43:54" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, wow, wow! I feel so lucky that this is right around the corner from my house. I stopped in to this small kitchen last night around 9pm and ordered a monster load of Thai food for my friends and I after City Sips. Needless to say, we were starving and needed some serious chow down time. The service was friendly and super fast! The quality amazing and the price so cheap. How is this place real life? Favorites: Crab Dumplings for days Drunken Noodles w/ Shrimp Pineapple fried rice w/ Chicken Crispy Duck Curry: but really any of the curry the sauce is so, so good. Happy eatings! I will be back again and again and again!", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T15:01:29" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a great dinner for 2 seated outside to take in the one day break in humidity! I think I had the best heirloom tomato salad of my life. Honestly. I sat there and tried to figure out why it was so good...and still can't quite put a finger on it. It comes topped with basil (duh) as well as a watercress salad with lightly pickled shallots. Large portion (1 whole tomato) 5 slices total. I love it. This is the definition of summer! My skate was also very tasty! Cooked perfectly and...butter, butter, butter. So not much can be wrong with that...unless you don't like butter...which might be a whole other set of problems for you and I'm so sorry.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T14:50:53" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect lunch at 12th & Spruce Tria! Obviously. A glass of Dr. H riesling, asparagus salad, and a gooey cheese has taken me to foodie heaven. Unfortunately I am now back at work until 5pm but will have happy memories to get me through.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T17:50:56" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Sampan is the place to go for Sips in Center City, Philadelphia! They have both food and drink specials, which in my opinion is essential for a good happy hour. The best part is that it's not just a few things, you get a whole menu of food specials rated from $3, $4, and $5. Bomb diggity. Favorites: White Sangria was unbelievably refreshing. Big fan! Duck Egg Rolls Kimchi Fried Rice Edamame Dumplings Kobe Beef Sliders Both Pork & Chicken Bao Buns Enjoy it while you still can! However, if you do miss it, fear not. Dinner here is a must go to as well.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T00:36:46" }, { "business_id": "kxKai8GE5oDMPevV7oxvbA", "business_name": "Tequilas Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I really, really wanted to love this place. Being from the Southwest, I am almost always on a quest for some quality Mexican food, and this spot was the next target. However & unfortunately, I was not so impressed. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup to start. The soup had all of the right components: tortilla strips, moist chicken, avocado, cheese, and bits of dried chili (chipotle maybe). The problem with the soup was the broth. It tasted almost equivalent to Campbell's tomato soup. No spice whatsoever. It was too tomatoey and not enough chicken broth. For my entree I got the Enchiladas Playa. I sort of had the same problem with these in that they were fairly bland without any spice. The crab & shrimp interior was good but the sauce needs a little bit more. To be fair the chips and salsa, as well as the queso fundido, were all very good. Perhaps next time I will come for a drink and some nibbles rather than a whole meal.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T01:18:28" }, { "business_id": "iWV1MgLsI9ma5zrzNUy_NQ", "business_name": "Olympia Gyro", "rating": 4, "text": "Three words: Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich When I am craving a gyro, this is one of the places I tend to lean towards. Olympic gyro makes what I would describe as the, \"freshest,\" gyro. The meat isn't overly seasoned and the tzaztiki sauce is amazing. I love sitting down here in the middle of Reading Terminal Market and housing down one of these bad boys. Needles to say, the portion sizes are large and you most definitely will not be walking away hungry. Be sure to grab a side of fries but careful, those tempting slices come off HOT HOT HOT! I think I burn my mouth every single, delicious time.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T16:03:40" }, { "business_id": "1CTNhKEqGbmG5r-sBbDoLg", "business_name": "Tampopo", "rating": 4, "text": "It's pretty freaky that I live within half a block of Tampopo and had managed to never go before today. Shame on me. I grabbed lunch to go from this hole in the wall and couldn't have been happier. I got the fresh tuna bibimbap. I was given tons of sushi grade tuna over veggies, avocado, and rice. The spicy sauce was great! I forgot to ask for a side of kimchi...but I won't forget next time! Fast service makes for a happy Sarah.v I'll be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:38:33" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm a fan of the new place on the block Spice End! When I'm out and about and need to grab something on the go or right before I head home after a late night, this is the place to stop. Needless to say their hours are clutch and the 3am friday/saturday night closing time is a clutch move in this area of the city. In a rush I grab the paneer roll. If I have time to sit down and eat I grab the chicken biryani platter and have them add paneer to that as well! PS. They are on grub hub and deliver :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:47:40" }, { "business_id": "bq0n3CQy1CkE_WUe76zQvg", "business_name": "Shiao Lan Kung", "rating": 5, "text": "Wooow wow! I am continuously impressed with getting dinner at this hole in the wall spot in China Town. Last night I took my parents for their first time and we were all blown away with the quality of the food and how quickly it came out, nothing new here. We got our usual order: pan fried pork dumplings, fried wontons, garlic green beans, salt bake jumpo shrimp (ask for no shells), walknut shrimp, chicken ho-fun with bean sauce.... AND something new! Which blew my mind. I asked our waitress for her opinion on the best fish dish to which she goes, \"OH! Ok, ok, I know.\" Within ten minutes out came a whole, steamed sea bass that was sitting in the most delicious ginger, soy sauce. I have never been so happy and I am already craving it again. I could come for just this once a week....and probably will! Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-09-07T22:24:47" }, { "business_id": "xdferXKwbgXAxbtmAShhAQ", "business_name": "Saxbys Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "My new study spot. There's always a large group of other students working hard whenever you need to look up and around for motivation. My go to is a cinnamon latte....iced or hot depending on the weather. Please note that I am not a huge fan of the food here. I pretty much avoid it all together...really this review is just to say it's a great place for getting work done and having a cup of coffee to help you along the way :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:23:45" }, { "business_id": "GrRrxHK9dWgibvUpcotxtw", "business_name": "Joe's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Pizza on the go? Grab some Joe's! I was doing some heavy duty shopping on saturday and needed to restock on calories half way through. I stopped by Joe's to grab a slice of plan mushroom pizza and was in heaven. The crust is thin and crispy...perfect amt of cheese and sauce. Snack city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:29:01" }, { "business_id": "wbDRmtxaKRpBOjutvV6TEA", "business_name": "Barclay Prime", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm a huge fan of Barclay Prime...in fact, I think this is the best steakhouse in the city. The atmosphere is very relaxed since the entire place feels like you are lounging in a study. The staff is super friendly (BIG shout out to Jason my waiter last night, you da best) and made my birthday dinner a perfect one! To start...everyone gets a hot, out of the oven popover they are simply to die for. These are unbelievably dangerous and the staff will keep offering them to you. Just say no. You are going to want to be hungry for the food to come. Our party of 6 ordered appz and entrees that all came out perfectly cooked (steaks were amazing, duh) and in a timely fashion. I had the heirloom tomato salad. Love how they do it here. Everything is chopped up and piled in a bowl. Super tasty. MUST HAVE: the full bronzino if you are in a fish mood....which you should be at least once if you come here. I can dream about this dish it's so good. Desserts: Warm banana cake Devils food cake Complimentary birthday cake (amazing...come for your birthday...seriously) Put your eating clothes on and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T19:21:18" }, { "business_id": "QMNheeGTdKujLnYgEyFuWw", "business_name": "Old Nelson Food Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Old Nelson's makes some clutch sandwiches for lunch. You can have whatever you sandwich loving heart desires because everything is made to order. Their italian hoagie is delicious. I always ask for hot peppers as well. Yesterday I wanted to go back to my elementary school, packed lunch days and ordered a plain turkey, american cheese, mayo sandwich on white bread. I got a side of pickles and a bag of bbq chips to smush between the bread slices. Neeedless to say, it was crunchalicious.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:05:51" }, { "business_id": "JE6rfQ9marM2YYCuFK8GqA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location of Sweetgreen. It seems to be getting a bad rep. from other yelpers...but I don't see where the problem is. The food is good, the service is fast and friendly, and you can eat outside when it's nice out. It's not the most amazing experience I've ever had...but when you are craving a fresh salad with fresh ingredients it is the place to go in the area. Overall I'm a fan. Sweetgreen's current seasonal salad is a must have: Maryland crab Kale Green and red peppers Corn Sunflower seeds Avocado (that has been surprisingly ripe & perfect every time I've gotten it from here) Carrot chili vinaigrette.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:12:45" }, { "business_id": "30cpm1uq6xcQCmN6JTrB8w", "business_name": "Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sad to say Luke's has definitely down graded in my opinion. I thought that this was a one time occurrence (a couple weeks ago) but its happened again for lunch today. The to die for lobster bisque was bland and not lobstery at all today. The past two times I have gotten my once favorite crab roll, the bun has been a little soggy and the crab overly lemony. I'm adverse to overuse of lemon in the first place...and when it overrides the flavor of crab in my roll I am a super sad Sarah. I hope Luke's can bounce back...but for now I'm going to have to change up my lunch venues.", "timestamp": "2013-09-27T16:18:51" }, { "business_id": "PJjkH_VZeQwxEJvlQ-v7wA", "business_name": "Pho 75", "rating": 5, "text": "What can I say....I am a total sucker for a good bowl of Pho. I've been meaning to come to Pho 75 for such a long time and finally have accomplished that goal! Extra inspiration was given to me to venture from my usual stomping spots when Anthony Bourdain (#lovehim #friendcrush #hangoutwithme) visited here on his most recent trip to Philly. The broth here is amazing. I'm not sure if it on the same playing field as the broth from Pho Ha....but I will keep you all posted as I continue to figure it out. The service here was awesome. We walked in, sat down, placed our order and within 5 minutes all of us had our food and drinks. It was so good that we got one to go.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:07:45" }, { "business_id": "8us8cJ-oBnLFerWcaftavQ", "business_name": "The Beer Shoppe", "rating": 4, "text": "Go to the Beer Shoppe on a Tuesday. They have a 10% discount on everything on Tuesdays....thus I have created a new weekly holiday called, Two Beer Tuesday. My friend and I plan to come in and work our way through the selection over the next couple of months. Very ambitious...but also very exciting! The bar in the back is an open and friendly place to try new things before you buy a 6 pack of something you love. The service is super friendly and all the staff has an amazing knowledge of what they have in stock. It really is a great spot for beer geeks to congregate.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:13:55" }, { "business_id": "3ZynJ94VpIdDlaArmEp2Rg", "business_name": "More Than Just Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple friends and I stopped by for some late night milkshakes and found ourselves at More Than Just Ice Cream. Well, we just got ice cream...not fully taking advantage of what the name implies, but maybe next time. 3 milkshakes: 1 coffee, 1 chocolate, and 1 black&white malt. All were pretty good. Definitely satisfied the ice cream craving. I thought my coffee milkshake could have been thicker, same goes for the chocolate. The black&white was plenty thick and was probably the best of the three. Unfortunately, I did not order that one so I settled for my not so creamy coffee. I did sample some ice cream flavors before setting on a milkshake. I tried the pumpkin pie which was AMAZING. I don't know why I didn't just get this. Maybe a milkshake isn't the way to go here.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:24:30" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 2, "text": "Eeehhhh. I loved, loved, LOVED Scoop DeVille when it was at it's old location on Chestnut & 18th. Now I'm not quite so sure. I miss the charm of the old store. It was packed and loaded with candy/chocolate/ice cream/ and random paraphernalia that this huge space is lacking. Hopefully at some point it'll be able to capture that once again as it settles in to its new location. The real problem was my vanilla ice cream blended with sugar cookie dough (all time favie) tasted like freezer burn. The freezer must have been set to high because I was eating vanilla flavored ice chunks with just a tiny bit of cookie dough. I never had this problem once at the old location...where the ice cream was always almost the consistency of soft serve it was so creamy good.", "timestamp": "2013-10-14T17:11:16" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 5, "text": "Bistrot La Minette is a must go to in the Philly area. I am truly surprised that it's taken me so long to finally go here. If you are familiar with the restaurant scene around here: think Parc but small scale and more romantical We had a quiet dinner for a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The service was so friendly and knowledgeable when I asked for suggested wine pairings. Even though we came in for a later dinner on a weeknight, at no point did I feel rushed which was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this place for birthdays and date nights when you want to have a relaxed, delicious dinner out. The eats: Butternut squash soup was one of the best I've had Foie Gras terrine was delicious but VERY savory. It was a little much just for one person on their own to get through for an appetizer. Can't complain for too much food though right? Onion tart is out of this world if you're in to caramelized onions. Miller style trout is a YES. I have never had a trout prepared better then this one was. I am such of fan of this dish it's ridiculous. The veggies were great too. Get it. Beef bourguignon was also a great dish and probably my second favorite thing we got. All of the desserts were amazing but the BEST was the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. Heaven in your mouth. It's basically a layered deliciousness of puff pastry, cream, and fresh raspberries.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:55:04" }, { "business_id": "NZ1lZIb10-6AbftpygLwMQ", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 4, "text": "Clutch pizza in a pinch! I love all of the different combos you can get there. Really it can be a bit overwhelming there are so many delicious ideas. The great thing is though, is that the thin crust situation allows you to get multiple slices without getting too full so you can try a bunch of them. My favorite slice so far is the Veggie #2: fresh chopped organic tomatoes, basil, arugula, garlic, cubes of fresh mozzarella, and organic tomato sauce...noms Try and get there right as the pizzas are coming out so you have the most choices! Right around 5pm for the dinner round.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:58:47" }, { "business_id": "sTPueJEwcRDj7ZJmG7okYA", "business_name": "Jim's South St", "rating": 4, "text": "There's something about Jim's that is legendary. The whole experience is what I think keeps Philadelphians going to this famous cheesesteak house on south street. It's a little grimy, the service a little rough, the seating a little like you're back in a crappy college dining center...but all of that is ok. It's ok because you have the intoxicating smell of meat and fried onions clinging to you (actually it will cling to your jacket for weeks) and delicious greasy food to munch down on. I'm a fan of Jim's. I'm the biggest fan at 1 am when I'm leaving a bar and need a sloppy mess for a pre-hangover cure. Extra whiz with please! (Extra cheese whiz and onions)", "timestamp": "2013-11-06T20:22:37" }, { "business_id": "qsm7SkX60JsajT7Yz248FA", "business_name": "Café Soho", "rating": 4, "text": "Cafe Soho is the highlight to the Sunday football scene at our house. Someone goes and grabs a couple large orders of wings and brings them back downtown in time for 1pm kick-off. The meat is crazy good. This is a whole level of chicken wings. The meat is moist and flavorful while the outside is lightly fried and crispy. Great sauces, never over/under dressed. Our favorites: Ginger soy Spicy chili Sweet & Spicy boneless Beware, you will probably eat your weight in this bad boys", "timestamp": "2013-11-22T20:42:45" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been having some seriously good brunch dates to The Dandelion over the past month. I wanted to check back on my last review and was ashamed of my previous 3 star review. Right now the Dandelion is kicking 5 star butt for brunch in my opinion. Today I sat down and immediately ordered tea and scones. The scones came out warm and absolutely amazing. They switched up the jam from raspberry to more seasonal cranberry (thanksgiving....so soon!!!) which I found to be extremely good! I got my typical brunch order of poached eggs over bubble and squeak. My new trick is that I order a side of smoked salmon to add to it so It becomes some sort of eggs Benedict eggstravagenza. I also got the chicken and horse radish dumpling soup to go after hearing a raving review about it. Now, while sitting in bed...I am enjoying the most amazing bowl of soup. Ive never had anything quite like it! The dumplings are sort of a noodley texture with a horse radish aftertaste. I love how the veggies are roughly chopped, in particular the halves of pearl onions. Tasty tasty.", "timestamp": "2013-11-24T21:48:28" }, { "business_id": "u4YM2N8-9Q2tr7kEU-ubGQ", "business_name": "Melodies Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok, so the coffee is good. However, it takes forever (understaffed) and call me a loser but I miss Milk Boy. I came in yesterday for a vanilla latte on my way to class and had the unfortunate experience of waiting about 10 minutes for it and was late. It was super tasty....but I can't rely on this place for a grab a coffee on the go experience.", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:46:14" }, { "business_id": "_V6hl1oGkTV2KbGeax_HPA", "business_name": "Sang Kee Peking Duck House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the place to order peking duck. So rightfully named! We grabbed takeout from here after realizing that our normal go to Shiao's was closed for the evening. We were thankfully not disappointed! The fried pork dumplings were super tasty. I was popping them like popcorn! Other dishes were also super tasty but in particular the peking duck was the stand out. It just fell right off the bone practically begging me to eat it. I was eating a drumstick just on it's own. I'll be back to taste more. Sang Kee I got my eye on you!", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:49:23" }, { "business_id": "-lVEVi3vtQ8_L9kKT0bBwQ", "business_name": "Le Chéri", "rating": 5, "text": "Yes, yes, and yes! I am so excited to call Le Cheri my new neighbor. Chef Pierre and Charlotte have jumped right in to the Rittenhouse Restaurant scene with a distinct splash! Le Cheri has all the same charm as their first restaurant, Bibou, but with the room to accommodate a much larger crowd. Currently BYOB but they will begin serving their selection of French wines and open bar next week. I am truly excited to see where this place goes in the next couple of months. The menu is already mouth watering with the funkiness of Bibou mixed with a couple more traditional french dishes. Modestly priced, I was pretty surprised to notice. Around $22-28 dollars and the appetizers not over $10. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) for Charlotte and Pierre, I think I am going to be hanging around this spot A LOT. What we got: French onion soup Breaded pork terrine with side cornichons Beef bourguignon with house made tagliatelle Roasted bronzino with wine soaked salsify as well as a salsify puree Warm apple tartine with cinnamon ice cream Obviously everything was out of this world. I highly recommend everything we got...but also encourage you to order anything there because you just can't go wrong. I'll be back ASAP to try more! PS. They are booking up FAST FAST! Get your reservations now", "timestamp": "2013-12-06T01:42:15" }, { "business_id": "sy7ADvpBA7SfHwbY-Y_5gw", "business_name": "Valanni", "rating": 4, "text": "Valanni! How have I overlooked you for this long? I took my family out for my sisters bday dinner and wanted to try something new. So glad we stumbled upon this modern and fun spot. My only complaint was that our table for a party of 5 was small! However, we worked together and could come up with the right amount of room for each wave of tapas. What we got: Lamb lollipops Figs in blankets Chorizo flatbread Grilled octopus Firey potatoes (basically patatas bravas) Buffalo chicken croquettes Brussel sprouts Meat and seafood paella Oreo beignet Rum bananas Cheesecake We split everything and found ourselves the right amount of full at the end! The stand out favorites were the grilled octopus, brussel sprouts (believe it or not!), and the paella. With that said....everything else was also amazing. I am pretty impressed with Valanni and plan on coming here in the near future with a group of friends. It's a good place to order a lot of interesting dishes and grab a drink before going out on a Saturday. Speaking of drinks...the mojitos are bomb! Some of the best I've had in a while! In summary, I'm digging Valanni. I think it stands out on its own from the current Philly restaurant scene in that it taps into a wide variety of cultural dishes but with its own unique twist. The menu was fun with lots left on it that I would like to try out!", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:03:34" }, { "business_id": "h5jnFlvF55kDWC_GGlKMAQ", "business_name": "Llama Tooth", "rating": 4, "text": "Truffle, mushroom mac & cheese..... Seriously I dare some one to try and make something more delicious and comforting than that. I could not stop shoveling the cheesy mess in to my mouth...just typing this is taking me back to how good it was. Yea, I ordered other things (cuban, gyro, burger) but the mac & cheese took the cake. I'll be back for more (This was a take out order)", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:06:03" } ]	{ "business_id": "xWfm4AwLZr-B97fYVsIgCA", "business_name": "Tria Taproom", "rating": 4, "text": "I am such a huge fan for anything Tria....and it holds true for this new location. I stopped in to grab a drink and catch up with a friend. Had a great time sitting at the bar! I love the space and it is a serious upgrade from the previous Rum Bar. The taps behind the bar are exciting and unlabeled (at least to the customer's eye ;) ). It gives the place a casual sort of elegance. Lots of table space in the back which I am sure I will be using in the near future. I couldn't help myself and ordered two appz before going home to eat dinner. We got the mussels and the grilled asparagus with truffle vinaigrette. Both were delicious. What I thought was most impressive about Tria Taproom was the amount of attention we were given by the bartenders. GREAT service. I'll be back soon to try more!", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:21:04" }
Zs8Zk3sgh5JxRmoZW4PJcg	[ { "business_id": "pm1bStJuol5XmxE_atZhCQ", "business_name": "Nom Nom Ramen", "rating": 5, "text": "Nom Nom Ramen may be my favorite place for Ramen in Philly. Not to mention it also won Best of Philly 2012 for ramen. The service is fast and friendly. I love walking in starving and knowing that I will be eating delicious soup in 5 mins. I have gotten all of the different varities that they offer: shio, shoyu, miso, and karai. I highly recommend the karai if you can handle spicy food! Otherwise I would go with the shio and add a little bit of sriracha hot sauce. I always add the extra soft-boiled egg and bean sprouts! Totally worth it! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:44:51" }, { "business_id": "688sqo63oc2y535vI2UbhQ", "business_name": "Pho Cali Vietnamese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely love Pho Cali! I go here once a week for a quick lunch break from work and am never disappointed. The service is very quick. I always order the Rare Steak Pho and a coconut drink. The broth is extremely flavorful- i personally load up on sriracha sauce, brown sauce (hoisin sauce i believe), and a good squeeze of one lime. They give a good amount of meat. If you are extra hungry ask for more noodles because sometimes the one portion that they give out is not enough. If you like coconut get the drink as well! Refreshingly sweet and comes with chunks of coconut at the bottom. Very good.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:50:52" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 5, "text": "DELICIOUS! If you are craving a healthy meal that actually has tons of flavor this is the place to go. I recommend all of the salad on the menu, but in particular the Taco Arugula Salad that got rated Best of Philly 2012. The peppery arugula pairs so well with the creamy cilantro dressing not to mention the salsa, corn, and black beans as well! Its a a taste bud adventure! If you are in the mood for a sandwich get the Hip City Ranch but ON A WRAP. It makes for one of the best wrap sandwiches I have ever had. You won't believe that the chicken is actually tofu! And the pickles spread out throughout the sandwich are a delicious surprise. Always look for the soup/chili winter specials at the front counter. They can be easy to miss! Also, be sure to order the Groothie! Pricey but worth it. One of the best smoothies I've ever had and its loaded up with green veggies", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:05:14" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Pho in Philly!!! Super fast service and the most delicious broth. Out of the way from china town but a must go to. Don't be confused by the 3+ other pho restaurants located in the same strip mall. Pho Ha all the way!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:50:01" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "There isn't a better place in the area for sushi. The service is unbelievably fast and the quality of fish is pretty great. However, the most amazing part about Vic's is that they have a $10 special...3 rolls of sushi of your pick for only 10 DOLLARS. I honestly couldn't believe it! The place is BYOB and great if there are less than 4 people because it is cramped. Really its the best for take out/delivery. Along with the $10 special I order a miso soup and seaweed salad. Enjoy :) On a side note, if you stray away from the special I highly recommend the Fantastic roll!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T21:51:28" }, { "business_id": "ipRXCy-0ChYK_569rPqzJQ", "business_name": "Square Peg", "rating": 3, "text": "The menu can be a little hit or miss here. The only reason I come to Square Peg is when I am craving their Mac&Cheese grilled cheese sandwich with a side of tomato soup. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like! Extra cheesy mac and cheese layered thick and surrounded by buttery, toasted bread. The tomato soup is thicker than most, but I enjoyed the extra spice that was in it...perhaps a little chipotle chili pepper. I was VERY disappointed in their wings. I had read a couple of great reviews about them but I found them pretty disgusting and actually sent them back. I found the flavor of the honey,chipotle,basil, and lime sauce to be very unflattering even though it sounds delicious. The meat was dry and a bit gristly. It seemed like they had been cooked too long or left under a warming lamp. Earlier in the summer they had white chocolate chicken wings which I much preferred to the current ones.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:01:11" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Absolutely amazing! The only reason why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is due to how crowded and therefore loud it can get. This is in no way a good spot for a romantic date or family dinner but instead great for happy hour or a dinner with a small group of friends or a first date! The food: Served in sort of a tapas manner and I like to get a bunch of plates and split with a friend. You really can't go wrong with what you decide on. My personal favorites are: the housemade lamb sausage, the pistachio herbed ricotta and lavender honey, truffled egg toast with fontina, and the grilled asparagus salad. My favorite is the asparagus salad...absolutely amazing and I've never had anything like it. It consists of Also order a cheese sampler! The menu is always changing just tell your server what you like and they will help out! As for the beer and wine list....one of the best in the city. Always changing and great descriptions listed on the menu so you can pick out what's the very best for you", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:11:51" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing food and great ambiance, what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, DRINKS! Those are great as well! My favorite time to go to alma de cuba is for Happy Hour. The downstairs bar area is the perfect escape to go to after work. Until 6:30 they have drink specials and 1/2 off of all of their appetizers. Great to go with a few friends and split some food! It also works as a great spot for a romantic date and has additional seating for dining upstairs. Must haves: Smoked albacore tacos, tuna tartar tacos, truffle guacamole, ceviche SAMPLER (pick a few of the ones that sound best), dorado. For drinks I love their black cherry caiprinha and white sangria. For dessert I highly recommend the coconut tapioca pudding. I often order this for take out as well because it is so good. It comes in a young coconut and you can scrape the sides of it off with your fork/spoon as you eat the pudding. Delish!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:20:24" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co is one of my favorite places in the city for happy hour or to start off a Saturday night! I was greeted at the top of the outer staircase by a bouncer in a sleek hat and automatically felt mischievous! He led my friends and I down the stairs and through the heavy front door into a room filled with a relaxed ambiance. The drinks are expensive but well worth your money...aka they make them STRONG. Especially under the category \"I asked for water she brought me gasoline.\" My personal favorite is actually not on the menu but every waiter will know what you are talking about. It's called the Mexican Firing Squad. I am partial to tequila and summer drinks and this absolutely did not disappoint. Served in a small glass with one large ice cube! Be careful about what time you go here. The later in the night it gets, especially on a friday or saturday, expect to wait in a 30 min to 45 min line. They also often have private parties during the week so have a back up bar in mind!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:05:24" }, { "business_id": "cOXc8c85Ms6dMEAJazLXHQ", "business_name": "McGillin's Olde Ale House", "rating": 4, "text": "Went for my first time this past Saturday night and had an absolute blast! Walked in at 12 am to \"I want it that way,\" by the Backstreet boys. Needless to say I was belting out the words with people I had met only seconds before. A very fun and friendly place! Plus, cheap drinks like a $6 dollar pitcher of PBR!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:42:20" }, { "business_id": "ELY0HI8GDEx0jkmREVna0A", "business_name": "Frankford Hall", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't get enough of this place! A little out of the way if you live in the center city area but worth the commute. I prefer the outdoor seating during all times of the year. Even during the winter the backyard beer garden has multiple heat lamps and fire pits that make it so you don't have to wear a jacket. The atmosphere is very friendly! Great for both going out with families and with friends. Make sure to grab a jenga set at the front if there isn't already one on your table! Order a few appetizers and sausages to share and a couple liters of beer on draft for yourself! My favorites for appz: Pretzel w/ cheese dip, cucumber salad (maybe my favorite), potato pancakes Sausage: Get the weisswurst! However, you really can't go wrong with what you order because all are great. All of the meat is from Illgs Butcher Shop where my family and I have been buying products for over 8 years now and have never been disappointed. Beer: Spaten Oktoberfest or Franziskaner Hefeweizen. You'll feel super cool with a liter mug but be sure to drink it fast otherwise it'll be a warm beer catastrophe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:16:29" }, { "business_id": "tBQcVd9c0EHKAXLZn_v54g", "business_name": "Bibou", "rating": 5, "text": "Outstanding! The best BYOB dining experience you can have in the city located in the italian market area. Be prepared and in the mood for an adventurous and savory meal! Bibou is petite and has a very homey feel to it. There is room for about 30 customers at a time. Charlotte is the hostess and manager of the restaurant, as well as the wife of the Chef Pierre. A very gracious host and makes you feel instantly welcome. The menu changes quite often since it's ingredients primarily come fresh from the neighboring market. This is also allows the chef to pick out a number of specials each night that are absolutely spectacular. Must Haves: - The Bone Marrow. It comes in a hollowed out bone and can be best described as the best thanksgiving stuffing you will ever it. I order a couple to share for the dinner party after appetizers and before entree. -Seasonal soup. I have never had a bad soup! The last was a cream of wild mushroom with chunks of crab meat. -Foie gras: Again seasonal but always inventive and delicious. Make sure to bring your own bottle of sauterne dessert wine which pairs beautifully with this appetizer! And last but not least...and don't say ew.. The foie gras stuffed, braised pigs feet over french lentils. Absolutely to die for! So much flavor makes this savory dish very unique to Bibou. I haven't come close to having anything like this in the rest of Philly, let alone in the US.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:41:36" }, { "business_id": "RleiW2_QLyxgNjFfqDoZpw", "business_name": "Modo Mio", "rating": 5, "text": "An off the charts amazing small, BYOB in Northern Liberties. Great service and even better food! My mind has been completely blown multiple times on how lovely of a place this is to eat. Great for a romantic date or small family dinner. Must Haves Appetizers: Cozze (muscles) with red/hot sauce Chicken liver bruschetta Carpaccio di Manzo (beef) Must Have Pasta: Agnolotti del Plin (rabbit stuffed ravioli in sage brown butter): SUPER YUM Lasagne: The over-easy egg on top is such a brilliant idea. The flavor and textures really work well together Bring white & red bottles!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:18:38" }, { "business_id": "vtSisxaozZ7HWpBl_W7VaQ", "business_name": "Time", "rating": 4, "text": "A great place for late night dancing on friday and saturday nights! The upstairs area is always packed and the DJs always produce a mixture of old and new music that get your feet moving if they weren't already! The downstairs live jazz area is also a great area for weekend nights depending on what mood you are in! I have not yet had a chance to eat dinner here but will do so and repost in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:24:40" }, { "business_id": "BxfvdHqETU8jWYUjx5OL2A", "business_name": "Shake Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "Disappointed. In part its due to the large hype surrounding the opening of Shake Shack's first Philly location. I wanted it to be great but it's just not what it is in NYC. Tasty burgers but a little too greasy and honestly gave me a stomachache the last time I ate one. I got the SmokeShack burger which has bacon, peppers, and \"ShackSauce\" on it. The fries are pretty delicious and I always order a side of cheese. The real reason to go to the Shack is for the concrete milkshakes. They have multiple mix ins and you design your own. The best I had was a fall special of pumpkin pie mixed with vanilla!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:32:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious and fast! Came in for a brief work lunch and was highly satisfied with how quickly our food came. I ordered exactly what the server recommended to me: indian pancakes, penang satay chicken and beef skewers, curry me with you tau foo, and the mango chicken. In particular i LOVED LOVED the chicken and beef skewers. The meat was so flavorful but the dipping sauce was to die for! I have never had a peanut sauce so great! The mango chicken was also outrageously good and is served in a carved out mango. Very pretty", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T17:02:02" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "DELICIOUS cupcakes. Very moist and flavorful. The icing is absolutely perfect. The only reason why I don't want to rate Philly Cupcake higher than I did is that it is a little expensive. $4 dollars for a cupcake seems silly when down the street I can get a $4 gyro and soda combo! However if you are craving a cupcake itll hit the spot! Favorite: The Black Velvet: For all you chocolate lovers this is the one to get. Dark chocolate cupcake with vanilla cream cheese frosting. I think they must use some cayenne pepper in it as well because it was surprisingly spicy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T20:02:03" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "An amazing experience every time I've gone (6-8 times since 2008). I highly recommend coming with a group of 4 or more so you each can really get a feel for the menu. Every plate is unique and delicious and a great opportunity to share and talk about food! Otherwise be sure to do the Chef's tasting menu where you will enjoy a wide selection of the tapas personally ($55/$65 per person). I personally have gone with the $65 but be prepared to eat!! Tons of food. Must Haves: Get a chacuterie board to start! Octopus, patatas bravas, HAM CROQUETTES, CRAB STUFFED PEPPERS, chorizo clams, truffles and asparagus, lamb chops Brunch: One of the best experiences I've had at Amada was for brunch. Two of the plates that really stood out for me were the chorizo con papas and the lemon ricotta pancakes. In particular the chorizo con papas was the perfect way to start my day. I do wish however that the egg has been done over easy as opposed to fried to give a little bit of moisture to the dish...but easy fix! Just ask the waiter when you order and they'll have to done for you.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T17:43:52" }, { "business_id": "kVTHnhgYUw-Pmr7wgDB4_g", "business_name": "Distrito", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Garces restaurant. Such a fun place to get food. Always super busy since it's located on Penns campus. Not to mention it's also great for delivery! One of the best dining experiences I've ever had was a family dinner and we got the Frida Kahlo's tasting menu. Its the same as the Diego Rivera one however they mention that for a few courses you will get entrees that aren't on the menu....and oh boy! They DO NOT disappoint. By the time we all thought the meal was over...our waiter and two other servers show up with platters of steamed lobsters with a spicy seasoning, the diver scallops, and the carne asada. Absolutely amazing! A must have experience! Must Haves: Crab guacamole, tuna & hiramasa ceviches, TORTILLA SOUP (the best in the city), hongos huarache, pretty much all of the tacos but the MAHI MAHI & CARNE KOBE tacos are my favorites, the CARNE ASADA, and a side of sweet plantains. Order the seasonal frozen margarita although drink prices are a little steep there. Now to go into more detail about why I said Distrito has my favorite tortilla soup in the city. The tomato/chili broth is savory and has a great spice to it. A little more creamy than traditional tortilla soup but I don't mind, actually enjoy it more! The chicken is so soft it falls apart in your mouth. Micro cilantro is a great touch. I do wish they would put a little more cheese in it...but thats my only complaint! ***For tortilla soup fans....the best tortilla soup I've had in PA is from a small place on germantown avenue in mt. airy called Mi Puebla. Worth the adventure!", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T20:56:04" }, { "business_id": "fYSaoJMOj7-r4XWEuYjRxw", "business_name": "Bleu Martini", "rating": 2, "text": "I have only been here on Saturday nights before things get really busy to grab A quick drink with my friends. Why just one drink? The prices are pretty expensive and the drinks not very strong. It is a nice to listen to music and get ready to go out dancing...but leave before it gets crowded (~1130pm) PS. BOOOBIES. Seriously all the bartenders have their boobies out. If you're into that. Go. I couldn't even stop staring and I'm stick straight. ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:07:55" }, { "business_id": "XU3Fe8I8dD3FaOmzAQXLnQ", "business_name": "Spread Bagelry", "rating": 4, "text": "YUM YUM YUM! These bagels are unlike any I've ever had. The brick oven makes them a little more doughy then regular bagels and I absolutely love it. My favorite is getting \"the classic\" sandwich with whitefish instead of salmon on a plain bagel. Their white fish spread is absolutely amazing. Another plus is that you can order bagels/white fish/salmon/cream cheese the day before and have the order ready for pick up the next day if you are hosting a party and want Spread Bagelry featured at your house! Do be prepared to wait in a line if you are showing up on a weekend during prime brunch hours but FEAR NOT...there is usually live music playing outside and everyone is very friendly.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:14:37" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 3, "text": "Don't get me wrong...the food here is out of this world....like really really great quality food. The atmosphere is wonderful and the upstairs is absolutely gorgeous with a sun room porch feeling to it. However, the food is very very expensive and I have had some of these same dishes before for almost half the price. I am not even close to being stingy about spending money on food...but this place did set me back a little since each entree is at least 30 bucks. So just be prepared for that! Must Haves: Appetizers: potato crocchetta Pastas: fusilli w/ blue crab and uni crema, tortellini w/ lobster chives and black truffle, and the PAPPAREDELLE with boar (my favorite) Entree: Braised veal cheeks & suckling pig", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:29:49" }, { "business_id": "sDi3UPW6imj4wGHUg7CgXg", "business_name": "Teresa's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply the best. If you are really into great beer and food (as you all should be) this is the place to go. Completely worth the commute out of the city. If you are familiar with Monk's in the Rittenhouse Square Area....Teresa's Next Door puts it to shame! Honestly all of the food is amazing here. I get a little overwhelmed trying to figure out how to right a concise and informative review of this amazing spot but I will do my best. The atmosphere is amazing. Small space that has the bar span most the length of it. The background of the bar is filled with 100s of varieties of pint glasses specific to each beer you will order from the 15 pg or so Beer List. Unforgettable. Great for dates and small get togethers. MONDAYS: BUCK A SHUCK. Usually small variety west coast oysters...don't miss it! Must Haves: Crispy Artichokes Check out the cheese list. Always great selections! THE MUSSELS. Any of them. Best mussels I've ever had just do it! If I had to pick I would go with the Drunken: dark beer, chorizo, red pepper, shallot, and garlic. ugh YUM Chicken apple sausage sandwich Game Burger: make sure to try the caramelized leeks/beer battered onions as one of your toppings. HOBBIT RIBS. Order right when you get there they take 30-40 mins! LOBSTER ROLL: Originally labeled as the DOWN EASTAH. Dear god...one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had. A must!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T14:50:28" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "Looks like hiro is on the up&up. They have new lamenated menus w/ a choice of 4 different ramens: chicken soy, miso, pork, and vegetarian. Had the chicken soy for the first time! Very tasty. However, I still prefer the pork and the vegetarian. Since ramen traditional comes with pork belly (a fatty meat), the fattiness of the chicken was a little weird. I don't know. I guess I would just rather be eating pork fat than chicken fat :) PS. Jefferson Hospital Employees get $1 off! Woohoo", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:02:24" }, { "business_id": "7Klk8UuK1sdJt5_44eUtDg", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 4, "text": "Never thought I would rate a Starbucks...but I had to because this one is the best Starbucks in the city! Located on Jefferson Hospital's campus. Great place to study and relax (separate room). Very busy starbucks but the service is quick and SUPER friendly. Love it here.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:04:34" }, { "business_id": "-AanHawaDlzWHQjrqRRWig", "business_name": "Au Bon Pain", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Its a good spot to stop if you need to grab something quick and are in a hurry...but there is a Wawa 2 blocks away and you should probably just go there. The sandwiches are usually dry. Do not recommend. However, I work nearby and often grab the broccoli cheddar soup and a piece of bread for a snack. Not as good as Panera's broccoli cheddar...but pretty decent.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T20:18:58" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 4, "text": "Had a great lunch experience here yesterday! I ordered the Cavatappi which was absolutely delicious. The smokey pulled pork throughout the pasta was amazing. What really made the dish was the sauce. I really wish I knew how to make a tomato sauce like that! My friend got the burger and enjoyed it! Fries were extra tasty and came with some sort of aioli dip. Can't wait to come back for dinner in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T21:25:49" }, { "business_id": "OLkS4jfozQpUIUq0K6t_IQ", "business_name": "Underdogs", "rating": 4, "text": "What's better than getting a chili cheese dog @ 1 am on a Saturday night? Well...not much! Great experience at Underdogs this weekend. Service was quick. Fries were amazing! Got the chipotle mayo and utah fry sauce (kinda like a sriracha mayo) for dipping. Signed up for the Underdogs challenge. Time to get my name up on that wall! Will post my favorite sausage & hotdog at the end", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:14:15" }, { "business_id": "YO9Ycz_chfmoW4WI9Ou0ag", "business_name": "Drinker's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Had a fun time at Drinker's upstairs area on a Saturday night. Gets pretty crowded but if you are able to snag a table it makes the experience ten times better! Danced to old 90s hip hop and some oldies! Woo! Typical bar/drinks. I always snag a yuengling or yards ipa before lemon drops ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:19:33" }, { "business_id": "tzVLTQNUtiCAxUZmEuF0vQ", "business_name": "1 Tippling Place", "rating": 4, "text": "Love 1 tippling place for small group chats at happy hour or starting off your Saturday night. The inside is very charming! Small interior with an antique feel. The front of the place has a couple separated sitting areas with couches and lounge chairs. The back of the room runs along the bar and has more sitting options around high bar tables. I recommend the front if its open! The drinks are exceptionally good and you'll get your money's worth (10-12 dollars). Similar to Franklin and Mortgage Investment Company (if you have not been you should go there as well :) ) Must Have: Tequila Honey Suckle! Yum yum yum! Strong tequila at first but completely softened by the honey after each sip. Delicious", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:27:46" }, { "business_id": "2WGnykxiM-Mp-qIm2u7iAw", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 4, "text": "Review intended for a PRIVATE PARTY: I organized our office holiday party for 30 people at Maggiano's this past weekend and had a fantastic experience. Party planning was made easy by choosing the Milano package ($35 food and $40 open bar per person). We were in the Napoleon room which was very pleasant with a nice classy touch. The service was absolutely phenomenal and definitely added to why the party was such a success. Food Line Up: Started with the bruschetta & sausage peppers and onions served on a buffet. The bruschetta was great! I was pleasantly surprised to find cannellini beans in it! Turned out to be very tasty. Got the Maggiano's house salad & caesar salad served to the tables family style. I recommend both but to request less dressing as it was a little drenched and I had some guests complain. For pastas we got spaghetti with meat sauce and the four cheese tortellini with pesto. Both good! Entrees were chicken parmesan and an eggplant parm for the veggie eaters. Great overall experience! :) Definitely would recommend for large parties", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:39:32" }, { "business_id": "c6hhh1Kpr7iau8qMH74w2Q", "business_name": "Pub On Passyunk East", "rating": 4, "text": "Can you say, Hipster City?! This is where the hipsters are...and hey, they might be on to something because this place is great! A very casual, laid back atmosphere. Dark setting. The perfect place to grab some beers with your friends. Always pretty crowded on friday and saturday nights so if you want a table try and grab one early. The beer list is written on a long-stretching chalk board above the bar. If you have trouble reading it they have a printed list that you can ask for. They have a pretty phenomenal beer selection including some of my favorite West coast breweries such as 21st Amendment. Tasty food as well! The pierogies rocked my socks off!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:17:21" }, { "business_id": "4J06--ty2Ydj1---IsArLw", "business_name": "Cantina Los Caballitos", "rating": 3, "text": "Come here for MARGARITAS. Absolutely phenomenal margaritas and over 10 flavors. You can also get them served however you'd like or in a pitcher for the table. My favorite was the blood orange! Yum, yum ,yum! The atmosphere is fun and typical decor of a mexican restaurant/bar. My group and I had great service and you are served complimentary chips and salsas. The salsas are delicious and spicy! Maybe too spicy for some so make sure you have your margarita in hand! I ordered the chicken tortilla soup and have to say I was very disappointed. In no way is this a traditional tortilla soup. It was more like a chicken and green chili stew...which tasted fine but it isn't what you ordered.", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:25:47" }, { "business_id": "mf0OyZ6DX2iKUFIV9TqFRQ", "business_name": "Moriarty's Restaurant and Irish Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Great Happy Hour spot for after work with a decent beer list that is half off during this time! Dark lighting and tons and tons of wall decorations. Such a fun place to sit with friends and relax after a long day! In particular I loved coming here during the Holiday's when they have all of their X-mas decorations up. Very charming. Good for grabbing a quick bite or for bar food nibbles. Try the wings!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T22:07:47" }, { "business_id": "nFiobSfZqWmoA8LyuVK3vw", "business_name": "The Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is intended for Afternoon Tea! What a great experience. Perfect for...and I know it sounds cheesy...getting together for a girl date, putting on cute dresses, and talking over tea. You have the choice of ordering two samplers...the only difference between the two is that one comes with a cocktail and the other does not. You order your own pot (i typically go with earl grey) and are presented with a tower of tea sandwiches, seasonal scones, and desserts. So much fun! Also ask your waiter for more sandwiches because it usually goes free of charge if you tell them which one is your favorite and how much you loved it ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:13:05" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Currently battling sleep at my office desk...that's right I am in an official food coma! I stopped by Jake's to pick up lunch today. Got the turbacon and a side of fried pickles. Do you miss thanksgiving? Well today I did but my craving was fully satisfied. The turbacon has turkey, stuffing, gravey, hashbrowns, and cranberry sauce all on a roll. It's a dream come true. The fried pickles were also delicious! They came in slices the size of silver dollars with a sriracha mayo dipping sauce. Yum yum!", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:18:39" }, { "business_id": "6GePX4W6Cl8LD68zUq_MAA", "business_name": "Rachael's Nosheri", "rating": 4, "text": "Rachael's Nosheri = Your hangover cure! I don't think a week has passed since I moved to center city (July 2012) that my apartment hasn't ordered delivery from Rachael's. Typical deli menu. My favorites are the turkey special & italian with everything on it (oil not mayo!). I also order the chicken soup which is simple and has a classic homey taste. One of the best things about Rachael's is it's hours. When most places are closed at 8 to 9 am....Rachael's is open for delivery! That's what makes it my hangover cure and Sunday morning knight in shinning armor. I order a breakfast egg, sausage, and cheese on a hoagie roll with a side of chicken noodle soup. PS. GET THE PICKLES. Honestly they are the best ever. I sometimes just order Rachael's to eat the pickles. They are so perfect. Not too vinegary and they are still super crispy.", "timestamp": "2013-01-23T19:38:17" }, { "business_id": "1cncsHKApeW1ubd5d9HoJw", "business_name": "Hop Sing Laundromat", "rating": 4, "text": "This isn't just a bar, it's an experience! I felt giddy when we finally found the door between 10th and 11th st on Race. We were let in by a bouncer who instructed us to sit down in a small room where he explained to us the rules. It was like being at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida where you wait and listen to someone prepare you for the ride ahead. Nice touch! Beautiful interior. Close attention to details so don't be afraid to get up and look around if you're into that. Drinks are totally worth the price. Reminded me of Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. Recommend: East Side is my favorite drink. I also enjoy one of the new specials called Crazy Horse but only if you like vodka...because it is HEAVY on the vodka. ;) Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:06:09" }, { "business_id": "rN3tOWABU_hSBvLdADSb4Q", "business_name": "Tazia Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here for happy hour with a few co-workers after reading about some great experiences from fellow yelpers. Unfortunately I wasn't blown away by this place. The happy hour specials are great...for example $3.50 for a fruit (pineapple, lychee, etc) martini. But I pretty much got exactly what I paid for and maybe even less...the martini was watered down and I felt like I was drinking lightly flavored juice. The service was slow... Not sure I will be going back anytime soon but I could be persuaded to give it another try. Maybe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:10:09" }, { "business_id": "fcpHrRopilvsBwUajFB5rw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Good food at a great price! I came by for a quick dinner after going out for happy hour with some friends. We ordered tons of dumplings....seriously TONS. My favorite were the Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns ( pork and scallion ) and the soup dumplings. My favorite entree we got blew my mind! We ordered it as a recommendation that we took from our server: pork with sauce noodle. Literally that is what it's called. We got it with mei fun noodles. The best way to describe it is like having an asian spaghetti with meat sauce that instead of tomato has a soy/hoison base. Cilantro was sprinkled all over the top. So. Good. Some negatives...I didnt like the fried rice (how can you mess up fried rice?). Some of the dumplings weren't super special to me. So with the pros and cons...this place is A-OK to me", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:20:29" }, { "business_id": "gQCKrqkalAc--4cuW_C_Ow", "business_name": "Tacconelli's Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "There is no where else in Philadelphia and the surrounding area where you can get pizza as good as Tacconelli's. Seriously, this pizza is the best. I normally go here with a large group of people 8+. This is the best way to do it so you can order tons of different pizza combos. You are limited to only 2 toppings per pizza (to keep the oven operating efficiently). The crust is super thin and the pizza sauce is absolutely delicious. Be prepared to have garlic breath for hours...but hopefully whoever you're smooching later will be at dinner with you anyways and will have the same problem! My favorite combos: plain cheese & sauce, sausage & onion, tomato & spinach. If you can handle spicy, and I mean really spicy, order a side of their homemade hot peppers. Remember to call in and reserve the amount of pizza doughs you want before you get here! BYOB & Cash Only !", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T14:54:39" }, { "business_id": "oU-vzdE38Nk6gAr4yDy6ew", "business_name": "Crumbs Bake Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "Not the best but certainly worth a try. I got a dozen of the small cupcakes to try the different flavors with my roomies. I found them to be pretty good...in particular the red velvet and the coconut cream. Dense and moist to make for an overall yummy experience. Ill be going back again soon", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:04:27" }, { "business_id": "QuU-a6FEcC_aZTgZkYFeLA", "business_name": "The Bards", "rating": 4, "text": "The Bards has great brunch! Went there this past Saturday with a group of friends after a big night out and it was just what we needed. I ordered the eggs benedict and added Irish ham to it which was a great decision. The home fry potatoes that came on the side with onions and peppers were absolutely perfect. If you're in to bloody marys they have a great mix here! Yum! Bards is also a great spot to grab some beers for a sports game or for Thursday night Quizzo. All around great Irish Pub that puts its next door neighbor THE Irish Pub to shame.", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:28:07" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "I love dropping in to Capogiro every few weeks to try the new flavors...and this past weekend did not disappoint! I was really craving some sorbetto and got a combo of kiwi and pineapple mint. The pineapple mint was probably one of the best flavors I've ever had! So let me make it clear...if they have it, you must get the:PINEAPPLE MINT SORBETTO. I also love the cucumber sorbetto which they did not have this past weekend. Any of the gelatos are a must. In particular I crave the Thai coconut. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:35:35" }, { "business_id": "ueAkLzWFFTzQkq3jzyBlnA", "business_name": "Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "The clouds have parted... and there at the center, is a huge bowl of Pho. Absolutely delicious and enlightening (thus the first sentence) lunch experience at Pho Xe Lua today! I felt almost treacherous ditching my normal spot, Pho Cali, and wandered a little further away from work to this spot. What a good idea and I will absolutely be coming here again in the near future. I got regular rare steak pho. The meat and noodle portions were large just with a regular bowl portion. What really made this pho exceptional was the broth. So savory and had the right amount of scallions and cilantro. My PIC (partner in crime) got the beef stir fry noodles. Also amazing! But really I'm a Pho girl and this will be my new go to spot for it.", "timestamp": "2013-01-29T21:29:27" }, { "business_id": "mlrYh-m3Zlqp9CTeSvdOsQ", "business_name": "Chix & Wings", "rating": 4, "text": "MMMmmmmmm what a pleasant surprise! I needed a quick lunch break from work and was craving some serious chicken nuggets. I was heading to Wendy's on the corner of 11th and walnut but bumped into Chick-a-licious before I could make it. Hurrah! I ordered the 7 piece boneless chicken, mashed potatoes & gravey, and corn. I got honey mustard and the sweet chili dipping sauces (my fav). The chicken was so fresh! I watched them batter and fry it right in front of me. The meat was delish and had 0 fat. Very pleased with this discovery and will go back ASAP.", "timestamp": "2013-01-31T16:50:42" }, { "business_id": "8j3blTZChklt3j89jxx0fw", "business_name": "Brauhaus Schmitz", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is for restaurant week. What's better than a liter of beer and huge portions of goulash, potato pancakes, and sausage? Not much! Had a fun experience here for restaurant week. The menu was a bit limited since their regular menu is so so large, so I felt a bit limited but was not completely disappointed. I ordered the hungarian goulash. Not like goulash you can get abroad. It resembled more of a what I called, \"a european chili.\" I also got the kale salad which was a huge like! I don't think I've ever had just plain kale in a salad before but it was so good. It had a roasted garlic dressing, thin red onions, and shaved smoked gouda. I was disappointed with the sausage selections my table got (weisswurst, bratwurst, and baurenwurst) . Overall I felt they were relatively flavorless and demanded some serious mustard attention. This is in comparison to the sausages you can get at Frankford Hall which comes from Ilg's Butcher shop where the sausages are unbelievable. I am looking forward to going back again and getting the house sausage and others that were not available on the restaurant week menu. The Braushaus Housbrau was very good. Easy to drink and great to wash down the food :)", "timestamp": "2013-02-05T23:23:47" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 4, "text": "Mmmm what's for Supper? Well for me it was the sweet potato soup with the smear of homemade marshmallow around the rim of the bowl and the scallops. The soup was spicy but sweet and had a thickness to it that was perfect. The scallops were cooked to perfection and the truffle on them is a great touch. The sauteed greens that came with the scallops were a little tough but not bad! For the table we shared the Tamale fries and the Chicken wings. CHICKEN WINGS ARE A MUST. I cant get over how delicious they are. Sugar, salt, pepper and falls right off the bone. Tasty appetizer for the table. Love the atmosphere here. Plan on coming back soon!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:34:37" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "Yum. Thank you Honest Tom's for renewing my hope for Philadelphia's burrito scene. Best chicken burrito I've had outside of New Mexico. Honestly (ha) this place is as good as it gets. From the chicken to the beans...everything is well flavored and fresh making a great, cheap, & quick meal. They also make their own salsas which are delish and worth a try. If you like it hot, you'll be in love!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:45:59" }, { "business_id": "2YyIIdwnYv5cApn1gZo_gw", "business_name": "Field House", "rating": 4, "text": "Very pleased with going to The Field House for Mardi Gras last night! The specials were great: $3 dollar Abita drafts, $5 hurricanes, $5 soco lime shots Abita's Purple Haze may be one of my favorite beers for all time (you can find in specialty craft beer stores by the can) and I couldn't believe I was drinking pints of it for 3 dollars each. In general the beer list is pretty good and during happy hour it's $2 dollars off all local brews. I came with a big group of people (10) and we took over the benches up in front by the stage. Great drinks, fast service, and a couple orders of the Kettle Chips (braised beef, jalapenos, gouda, salsa...uhhh yum) made for a great after work party", "timestamp": "2013-02-13T19:46:32" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 4, "text": "Yum! I've been meaning to try this spot for some time now and decided that going on a little V-Day Lunch Adventure was just what I needed today. Turns out it was a great choice! Love the space. Very casual and fun. Feels like being in a market/kitchen area. I didn't get a chance to browse the initial cheese, charcuterie, and dessert counter but I will be coming back in the near future to do so! From what I saw there was a chocolate cake with bacon peanut butter icing...MMMM yes please I ordered the half sandwich and soup combo. The pasta fagioli was very fresh and perfectly cooked. Now, the cuban sandwich was amazing. I'm pretty picky about these and I loved mine. The bread was crispy & thin. The portion of meat was generous. Homemade pickles and mustard....plus untraditional gruyere cheese. Delish and absolutely recommend!", "timestamp": "2013-02-14T19:13:42" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 3, "text": "El vez is a good spot to stop by for happy hour. The margaritas are delicious and they normally have a decent beer selection. The guacamole is good (but pricey depending on what you get). My two favorites are the Morales (truffle) and the Indian Red Lopez (crab, cilantro, and salsa) guacamoles. I love the tortilla soup here. Much MUCH MUCH better than at Starr's other mexican spot, El Rey. Can't go wrong with the tacos. This place is good but not the best. I think its a nice spot for getting together with a larger group of friends for dinner or just for a casual happy hour.", "timestamp": "2013-02-18T16:05:11" }, { "business_id": "jHeT7dodT4fN1SD3QEFoAA", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 4, "text": "Oink oink oink! This place is appropriately named and deservedly so. The pork selections on the menu are each to die for. Really, the chef knows how to cook meat. Everything came out in a timely fashion and was cooked to perfection. Great family dinner experience. A dish that really stood out to me in particular was actually a dessert. We were so full we almost didn't ask for dessert menus...but alas my curiosity often overrides any smart decision to stop eating and thank goodness it did. I ordered the shortcake with maple syrup and bacon ice cream. YUP, BACON ICE CREAM. It was the best breakfast/dessert/smorgasbord I've ever had. Highly recommend saving room for this one! Look forward to coming again & also for brunch (gasp! didn't know they had one until recently)", "timestamp": "2013-02-20T16:08:37" }, { "business_id": "5Fm6khB-De-OdqATep9J9Q", "business_name": "NYPD Pizza", "rating": 2, "text": "Not a bad spot to stop in for a quick lunch. I came a little after the initial lunch rush and I think it limited my options. There wasn't much variety to the leftover pizza. I ended up getting a slice of the cheesesteak pizza and a slice of mushroom and cheese. The cheesesteak pizza was pretty good. White pizza with tons of american cheese and steak meat. There were also dollops of cheez whiz. I did wish it had red sauce but I asked the counter for a side which they were more than willing to provide! The mushroom pizza was super eh. I should have just gone with a slice of plain cheese that seemed to be the freshest. It was like heating up an old piece of pizza. I showered the entire thing with hot peppers which made it better. Good price & quick service tho.", "timestamp": "2013-02-21T21:32:49" }, { "business_id": "qCpdeQYPf9i1EZhTnQgjtg", "business_name": "The Foodery at Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a great addition to the Rittenhouse Square Area. I had an absolutely wonderful time stopping by the new Foodery after happy hour to check it out. Not only did they have some of my all time favorite beers that are hard to come by (ex. Prism Red Zone!) they also were stocked with an interesting and diverse selection of bottled beers that the employees were more than willing to walk you through them. We got our beer selections and sat down at the large picnic table. Right now they only do sandwiches and some sides..but I wanted just charcuterie so the server happily sliced me a little of everything free of charge so I could try it out. We also got a side of potato chips and the marinated artichokes which were super yum. Great experience! Nice place to stop with friends and try out some funky beers!", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:10:40" }, { "business_id": "HS5CfzQ_gOJHgqwtv9rvNQ", "business_name": "Ladder 15", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to a fundraiser for happy hour yesterday. It was pretty decent. There were $5 dollar mixed drink specials that were surprisingly boozy. The food was OK. All fried appetizers. The winner was the fried mac and cheese squares. I could eat dozens of those. I really like the ambiance of Ladder 15. They had a fire going and the lighting is pretty dim. Makes for a cozy happy hour with your friends.", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:13:03" }, { "business_id": "AfassS1QI0DHsqwuof9-lA", "business_name": "Dirty Franks", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple of my friends and I had a great time finding this Dive Bar on the corner of 13th & Pine. The best part about it was...BYOF...Bring Your Own Food! We brought in a ton of wings (from moriarty's) and sat down with a couple of beers to hang out for Happy Hour before going out for the rest of the night. People of all ages but apparently similar music tastes because I could not get enough of how great the juke box selections were for the evening! Anything from Bob Marley to some 90s Pop. I was lovin' it They had Purple Haze (Abita) on tap. Obviously adds a whole star to my review. I can't get enough of this beer. My one big problem with this place is that there wasn't a good spot for all of my friends and I to sit together (6 of us). The tables can only accommodate up to 4 so we had to play musical chairs for a little while.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T20:35:40" }, { "business_id": "ZDdNEwBENLXBT3jjQD5STQ", "business_name": "Giwa Korean Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "Gimme korean chicken tacos all day every day! Love this tiny spot for grabbing a quick lunch. I have to say that I have not yet ordered anything else from the menu because the tacos are all I need. Both the pork and the chicken are delicious but I prefer the chicken. Tiny tortillas stuffed with spicy chicken, cheese, sour ccream, lettuce, onion, cilantro, and sticky rice. The spicyness of the chicken seeps into the rice it's absolutely fantastic. They put a heaping amount of cilantro on each taco which really makes it! Be sure to grab some of the hot sauce for dipping! I dip my side cucumbers in as well :) Some day I will be back to try something else off the menu...but not today", "timestamp": "2013-03-04T16:08:52" }, { "business_id": "7mpYTDb24SywNMRn3yeakQ", "business_name": "The Twisted Tail", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great place to stumble upon! We wanted to grab a bite to eat before a 7pm concert at the TLA and thankfully found The Twisted Tail. The cocktails were delicious. I had the black cherry gimlet and the kool kat. The gimlet was sweet but the lime juice added a tartness that made it perfect. The kool kat was refreshing and a tasty way to start off the night. As we were having our cocktails and waiting to order, the waiter brought out fresh house popcorn with bacon and rosemary butter. YUM What we ordered: Soup of the day: Pumpkin Chipotle glazed wings Cesar salad with cornbread croutons Blackened catfish BBQ spare ribs I would strongly recommend the pumpkin soup if they have it. It was the best I have ever had! It had a strong pumpkin flavor but was sweetened with what almost felt like a marshmallowy taste. The soup was thickened adding to the marshmallow aspect of the dish. The BBQ ribs were also very tasty! Even better is on the side were deep fried cornichons. I've fallen in love with these. This should be the only way to fry pickles.", "timestamp": "2013-03-07T15:14:48" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 4, "text": "Happy to stop in to Vernick to catch up with an old friend. She had never been and was very pleased overall with the experience (as she should be!) The food was spectacular as always. The service was quick and helpful. We split a mixture of toast/ raw bar/ and small plates over wine. The tuna poke is still my favorite! So delicious Vernick is not getting my usual 5 star rating because their desserts are not what they use to be. I think this is on account of the dreaded change in pastry chef. This makes me the saddest.... Goodbye delicious pies. The date cake wasn't what it was last time I went (~1month ago). It wasn't as moist and a little too dense. With a change of pastry chef should come a change in menu! I'm ready for it, Vernick!", "timestamp": "2013-03-08T19:23:31" }, { "business_id": "YBak8o0xCiNN4sXr3izLbg", "business_name": "Barcade", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok...I was so excited to finally spend a night at Barcade with a handful of friends for a birthday party and was pretty disappointed. We picked out this place specifically to come to after a day at Frankford hall (da best obvi) because of the amazing beer list and full intention to get rowdy with some throw back video games. When we got there around 9pm the place was so full it was hard to even move around. Any dream of playing a video game was shattered by the lines in front of each machine. Instead we settled at a table after a bit of a wait until the music got turned up. For some reason the music got even louder than it already was with some sort of tortured rock that really hurt my ears. Needless to say we made a hasty retreat back to the center city area. With all this negativity....I am not completely turned off by this joint. I think timing is key and I need to come back at a less rowdy time to really enjoy what this place is...a place where you can be goofy and enjoy old games over a pint or two rather than get lost in a loud, claustrophobia-inducing crowd.", "timestamp": "2013-03-11T15:46:00" }, { "business_id": "Z5rqRyZ4-iEBRVXCRbysfA", "business_name": "Rogue's Gallery", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a hidden gem Rogue's Gallery is! I met up with a couple of friends for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised. Rogue's is off the beaten path of mainstream Rittenhouse Square Area and is a refreshing change of scenery from my normal go to places. The bar is the perfect combination of up-scale, divey-ness that is hard to explain until you see it. Our immediate reaction to the place was, \"Wow. We need to be regulars here,\" and I completely plan on making that happen! Great specials for happy hour. Can't wait to come back here to try the food or come dancing on a friday night!", "timestamp": "2013-03-20T18:34:00" }, { "business_id": "Tkx1AiQarmw0zc50GibtTA", "business_name": "Marathon On the Square", "rating": 3, "text": "Marathon does free deliveries on grub hub now!!! Fast service. Same old food...but if you're in a pinch for a burger/sandwich/salad it's nice. The smoothies are great! Love the mixed berry with honey!", "timestamp": "2013-03-22T16:29:07" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 4, "text": "I love to see Drury street becoming a serious destination for Saturday nights. Not that McGillins wasn't holding down the fort on it's own, but now the spill into the street from both packed establishments makes it a really exciting place to be. I can't wait for the summer! Anyways, Bru has the right stuff to become a great spot to grab drinks with friends for a night out. The pour your own pint in the front is amazing. Basically you load up a card with money, swipe, and ta dahhhh... you dispense your own beer like a soda fountain. I'm excited to see what selections they will have in the upcoming future. I think to start the choices were a little unoriginal...but I have high hopes! Haven't tried the food yet. Maybe next time :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T18:56:43" }, { "business_id": "OHzX-ZD9qyoeoxR8Z0dlIA", "business_name": "Khyber Pass Pub", "rating": 5, "text": "I. love. this. place. I can't put a finger on the exact reason why...but maybe that's why it's so great. There isn't just one thing that makes Khyber Pass a great place to go to. Saturday was gorgeous and we set out to try new places and get our day drink on. We landed at Khyber's and were immediately greeted with a surprisingly crowded but friendly atmosphere. The beer list is extensive and exciting if you are in to the beer scene. Lots of new things for me to try and the sudden surprise that...OH MY DEAR LORD THEY HAVE PO BOYS, and lots of them! I got the cat fish po boy with a side of collard greens and the mac and cheese. Heaven. Seriously. What is better than an afternoon of funky beers over fried fish and mac with your friends. Nothing. :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T19:03:37" }, { "business_id": "waafKhA-LtJSZXlECyfEXw", "business_name": "New York Gyro Halal Food Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been here 20+ times in the past couple of months and my feelings have not changed for how amazing this place is for lunch. Quick, cheap, & delicious. Best $4 dollars I've ever spent (Except really I give them $5 :) )", "timestamp": "2013-03-26T18:48:13" }, { "business_id": "RFYlmTjgwhOsm7qJwW1G9w", "business_name": "Alfa American Tavern", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Perhaps it's because we came here on the later side of a Saturday night but I found it over crowded and stuffy. To be far, I was in a larger group so we ourselves were kind of crowding up the place but even so I couldn't really talk to everyone and we had to break up a bit. I had a hard time getting to the bar, which can be frustrating for a little redhead. However, once I did I was pleased with my drink choice: Kate Middleton. I'll try it again, but not on a Saturday night", "timestamp": "2013-03-28T14:16:45" }, { "business_id": "ePs4Z_Nqsm5-kQk_hAp2Dg", "business_name": "Irish Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh the Irish Pub...I was too harsh on you. For a place to go out for drinks with a group of friends, no matter what night of the week it is, I find myself at the Irish Pub at least once a week. Whether it's a weekday night and I try to monopolize the jukebox with DJ Saraah's Greatest Hits or a Friday/Saturday night with a rotation of visiting DJs, the music is loud and sets a booty wigglin, drink guzzling atmosphere to forget the rest of the world outside of the pub. A good spot for celebrating but get there before the night rush if you want to have good standing room. It can get crowded pretty fast but hey, with cheap drinks and fast service what else would you expect?", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:15:49" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "AHOY Seafood Connoisseurs! The Dump Dinner does not disappoint! Did the Dump Dinner again with a group of 10. Still my #1 dining experience in Philly. Delicious, messy, finger lickin' food in a classy establishment with a 2hr open bar. Count me in always.", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:21:29" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "My Boyfriend has a problem...and its Tea Do. He discovered this place a couple weeks ago and I lost him every day, and then multiple times a day to a mysterious bubble house that I hadn't been to in China Town. He started coming up with excuses for his addiction: I just worked out (bubbles help that?), my stomach hurts (ok...), and I'm sleepy (...). Needless to say my curiosity peeked and I was ready to make the trek to China Town to, \"grab some bub teas.\" I tend to like traditional milk with tapioca bubble teas, the coconut milk one being my favorite. My boyfriend on the other hand is obsessed with both the Grasshopper and the Tropical Twister but with tapioca bubbles not lychee. I've also ventured and explored the bursting bubbles such as strawberry. These are good but like I've already said, I'm a traditionalist. So now he has a Bub Tea PIC (partner in crime)....and it's getting a little embarrassing how often we go. :)", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T15:41:19" }, { "business_id": "OhSaEeJes7JLtk3MGMXXmg", "business_name": "Maoz Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "My healthy lunch go to during the work week. The falafel is fresh and really delicious, but what makes the place is all of the options from the buffet you can stock up on for your sandwich or salad. I prefer getting the falafel in a salad bowl because I can fit everything I want into the container. As you can imagine jamming additional snackie poos into the pita and falafel, which is already full to begin with, is pretty difficult. If you like spicy and fresh, I recommend getting the green chili and the cilantro sauces all over your falafel.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:24:36" }, { "business_id": "qh7T0rql3chxxuORLMse2Q", "business_name": "Yellow Juice Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Yellow Juice Bar loves Yelpers. First off I checked in and got $1 off a salad. Boom. I got a Mango Madness fruit blend with almond milk and the free banana twirl special featured on Yelp this week. That banana twirl is magic. I didn't know that being healthy could be so delicious. I'm a big big fan of banana gelato..and as far as I'm concerned, that is exactly what I ate.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:32:04" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm really torn up about Village Whiskey. Don't get me wrong, this a great place but for some reason I can't give it 4 stars. It's really hard to get a table here pretty much all the time. I've been a number of times and always end up standing in the back with a friend or two. Not terrible but also not ideal. I also had an annoying situation with the hostess when 5 of my friends and I were trying to squish and eat at a 2 person table while the entire middle booth (seats 6) was empty. We kept asking if we could move there since we were in the way of everything and had ordered food which was definitely not going to fit on the table. After about 20 minutes when our food arrived in heaping loads she let us move. Sorry I'm not Ryan Howard but this girl wants to eat her burger just as bad. On the up side the food and drinks are good. The beecharmer is my cocktail of choice and they always have good beers on tap. The truffled cauliflower on the pickle selections is amazing and a must have. I also am a big fan of the veggie burger. Best I've ever had. Heads up- They deliver. And this is normally the route I take if I just want food from here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:44:14" }, { "business_id": "0-7N3z_cb3Z1xMGDrbez6w", "business_name": "Le Virtu", "rating": 4, "text": "Looking for the perfect date night spot? You found it. Le Virtu is such a gem. It's classy but not too much so...the overall feel is very comfortable and homey. It set me up to chow down on some pasta and drink italian wine. Not much can beat that! The service was also amazingly friendly and warm. We spoke with the manager for a lengthy period of time about food traditions across Italy and, in particular, the food from Abruzzo where his grandfather is from (one of Le Virtu's main drawing pools). Appetizers: Fried rice balls Hearty chick pea soup is a must have. I feel like this can be easily overlooked but they use duck and rabbit stock....yum city. House-made Abruzzese-style sausage Charred octopus salad was also very good. Surprisingly refreshing. The octopus was very tiny and packed with flavor which is exactly how I like 'em Primi: We all got entree sized pasta dishes and skipped secondi because they looked amazing Shepard Style gnocchi was absolutely amazing. Probably my favorite dish. The gnocchi was miniature and not too soft. The smokiness of the lamb sausage paired with the sheep ricotta gave these dish such warm and comforty feel to it. I could eat this all the time. Taccozzelle was recommend by the server and rightfully so. The noodles were so fresh. The porcini mushroom was the predominant flavor, can't complain there. Desserts: Pecorino Panna cotta. Yes, get this. It is a must have. The pecorino really makes this panna cotta unique. It is extra thick and creamy, served with poached pears. I loved it. Also it is a smaller portion size which I welcomed warmly after all of the pasta I destroyed Chocolate semifreddo was like eating the best frozen chocolate milk I've ever had. Assorted biscotti.........I know it's a crime but I don't like biscotti. Never have. But for the members of the dinner party who do like it they raved about them. Enjoy! I'll be back soon to try the Maccheroni alla mugnaia: the 6 ft single strand noodle pasta!", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T18:11:23" }, { "business_id": "f2RHDdXezLHILvM7v1xOVA", "business_name": "Taqueria La Veracruzana", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars and a round of applause for the Tacos at Veracruzana! You can't go wrong with any of the tacos all of which are sprinkled with freshly chopped onions and cilantro..... HOWEVER! The must haves are the Al Pastor (roasted, pulled pork & pineapple) and the chorizo tacos. The Al Pastor from here is pretty much the best I've come across in the Philly area. The pork is melt in your mouth good and the pineapple with the cilantro is super refreshing. For a more intense savory flavor the chorizo is the way to go. You get 3 to an order so I usually go 1 chorizo & 2 al pastor with the occasional bistec guisado taco to mix it up. The house green and red accompanying salsas are both killer. I loud up all my tacos with a squish of lime and both salsas. Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-04-24T15:59:47" }, { "business_id": "SDL247FlOnScJfuNjZESxg", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty Manning Grill is a bright and refreshing place. Between both the ambiance and the food, it makes me feel like summer is already here! I went on a Mommy-Daughter date here last night (awwwww) and was extremely pleased with the whole experience. We split the Lancaster Baby Romaine and the cheese plate to start. The cheese plate was absolutely gorgeous. They pile on different slices of fruit and berries on a thick wooden board. Very pretty. For entrees she got the Berkshire Pork Chop which was delicious. Very tender, perfectly cooked pork and the brussel sprouts were a hearty, leafy side. I got the Duck Confit...now this is a MUST HAVE alert... MUST HAVE: (Lightly) Crispy Duck Confit. The meat was practically falling off the bone and was so delicious. The whole leg rests on a thick bed of spinach salad with slices of tangerine. I got my meat fix and my green fix in one plate. It was really an impressive dish that kept to overall mood of the evening: light, refreshing, summery dining experience. Bottle of wine: Fritz, Riesling (Germany) to keep to the light nature of our meal. Very sweet but not syrupy. Great riesling!", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:32:57" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok...Yogorino is growing on me...BIG time. Maybe its the weather...maybe it's my new work out schedule...but I get Yogorino cravings like crazy lately. I love how creamy but not overly sweet the frozen yogurt is here. Very different from the other froyo places popping up all over the place that try and make their yogurt more like an ice cream. Here, the yogurtyness is embraced. Everything is kept simple. My go to toppings: a litttttle dulce de leche sauce, meringue crumble, and strawberries. And dare I say it... FROYO because...YOLO?", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:39:13" }, { "business_id": "fivoAD6x6jXJRiEZwhpcEQ", "business_name": "Amis Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh me, oh my, Amis! I really want to go with a 4.5 here because a 4 doesn't do it justice...but I also can't just give it a full 5 stars since it was my first time there. #yelperproblems This was an absolutely great dining experience. I went with a group of 5 for a Sunday night Birthday Dinner. I actually would recommend going with a group of 4+ so you can try everything you want to on the menu...and trust me there are going to be a lot of dishes that grab your attention. MUST HAVES: I can't go into detail about every dish we got...but I will highlight my favorites Bufala ricotta and black pepper paired with the Veal Terrine (as recommended by our server): Super creamy and savory. The two dishes were made for each other Marinated Octopus over chickpeas: Yes, yes, yes. This is the way octopus should be cooked. Lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside as opposed to overly chewy. The chickpeas were also delicious. All around great dish Fried Lamb Ribs: If you like lamb then this is a must. I loved nomming tender lamb morsels off the bone. The yogurt was a nice touch Cacio e pepe: one of my favorite dishes in general...but Amis does it great. This is my ultimate comfort food. Simple but great. Spinach fazzoletti with lamb ragu: YUM. The fazzoletti was made perfectly. The lamb ragu was tender and meaty which went great with the spinach pasta. OVERALL everything was amazing from ambiance to drinks to food. However, I have 1 complaint. The rice pudding was off putting. They top what is on it's own an absolutely delicious rice pudding (perfect taste & texture) with a berry puree (not terrible) and SALTED pistachios. I capped salted because this is what I think ruined the dish. The salt was too overpowering for the light, milky pudding and was the only thing I could taste. I ended up scoping the top layer off and eating the pudding on its own. I would suggest non-salted pistachios if they are going for the texture....but salted is just too much.", "timestamp": "2013-04-29T15:45:08" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "Winter has come to Pub & Kitchen (Game of Thrones anyone?). The days of plenty are over. The change in chef/menu has really put a damper on this once awesome place to grab a drink and some food with your friends. It really, reaaally is a shame since the location is so great and summer is right around the corner. First off, I wasn't blown away by the menu. Nothing grabbed my attention. Everything was extremely fancy. I'm a pretty intense foodie, but there were things that made me go, \"Huh? What the ... is that?\" Except for the burger...which is listed as \"Cheeseburger: pickle, onion, lettuce, american cheese.\" Fancy, fancy, fancy, and a side of Cheeseburger. It's almost as if they felt obligated to have a cheeseburger since the last Pub & Kitchen burger was out of this world. What we tried: Suckling pig bouchons: These were OK. Imagine eating a croquette without the potato. The lemony sauce that was served with them was awesome. Probably the best thing I had there... Pabbit Campagne: Again...just OK. It was described as a pate but really its more of a meaty terrine. It didn't taste bad, but I did not finish it. Pickled Beets: I don't like beets...but these were actually pretty good. The puffs add a great texture to the dish Cheeseburger: Sad, sad, sad. The meat was flavorful but overcooked due to the fact that they now use two thin patties (why?!). When I go out to eat and order a cheeseburger, it better be delicious and unique.....and this one was just not. Overall: The changes at Pub & Kitchen have made me pretty sad. The cocktail that I had was tasty (Lie to Me), but until there's a turn around in the food department I don't see myself coming back here anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2013-05-01T13:56:01" }, { "business_id": "yQ7sxpoKXcTWzuELVdpR6w", "business_name": "Drury Beer Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "The Drury Beer Garden really is a hidden gem. It's a great place to just chill out with a larger group of friends without having to worry about squeezing everyone around a bar. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and I think because of this everyone freely intermingles with other groups. Just your regular backyard party coupled with an awesome beer list and the chance to meet some people. What is there not to like? I went this past weekend and scored a picnic table under a heat lamp. I had my favorite beer: Hell or High Watermelon for $5 a can and couldn't have been more content!", "timestamp": "2013-05-06T15:48:56" }, { "business_id": "7z16CBc74GhbyqalwZrJUQ", "business_name": "Ting Wong Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick, delicious, & fresh business lunch @ Ting Wong for 4 people. We went family style and ordered: Boneless soy chicken & pork appetizers Chicken & Anchovy fried rice Chicken Lo Mein The portions are huge! So definetely plan on ordering a couple of dishes and sharing! I would absolutely recommend the chicken & anchovy fried rice as well as the soy chicken. The fried rice was very fresh and not greasy as fried rice has a tendency to be. The anchovy gave it a nice salty flavor and it wasn't fishy at all which I was initially afraid of. The soy chicken is so flavorful and the crushed ginger sauce on top (and ask for more on the side) makes it a delicious dish. Great spot to check out in Chinatown! :)", "timestamp": "2013-05-14T15:34:45" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 5, "text": "Grabbed the Enfrijoladas and a slice of carrot cake Take-Out style last night for a lazy couch dinner after the gym. Heaven. The Enfrijoladas are really, really good. Now, this is coming from a New Mexican who is pretty picky about these things. The refried beans are to die for. The only thing lacking was heat, but that was nothing a healthy squeeze of Sriracha couldn't fix.", "timestamp": "2013-05-15T14:15:39" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by for an iced latte and salad for lunch. Yummy yummy! The iced caramel latte is divine. Creamy & unburned coffee that will make you smack yourself on the wrist for ever going in to a Starbucks. Spiced orange salad was amazing! Lightly spiced vinaigrette. The chicken was seasoned and warm off to the side. Filling but not overly so. Perfect for a hot afternoon lunch outside.", "timestamp": "2013-05-16T17:40:47" }, { "business_id": "MKsCFQuzmgH2We9hwTQ8gw", "business_name": "South Street Souvlaki", "rating": 4, "text": "Opa! Amazing family dinner experience! I love the atmosphere here. Very friendly service with an eagerness to please. All of our food came out quickly and there was plenty, PLENTY of it. We ate everything family style, which I would recommend if you are having a sit down dinner, and got to try a large variety of things. So many in fact, that I will only list my favorites: I could eat the baba ganoush with warm pita for days. Seriously, it is perfection. The marinated grilled octupus was cooked supremely well and served over a fresh salad. We went with the special fish of the day: Porgy. Lightly fried with fresh squeezed lemon. So good! Another special was the pork & leek stew. The meat was deliciously tender and the leeks came in huge, caramelized chunks. Served over rice. Save room for dessert because the rice pudding is some of the best I've ever had! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T15:48:17" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 3, "text": "I am so torn up about Continental Mid-Town and have been waiting to write a review for a couple months now. There are most certainly reasons why I would give them 4 stars...but there are also plenty of times I would have gone with just 2. So I'll settle at an indecisive 3 stars. Here are the pros and cons: Pros: The atmosphere of the rooftop bar is really fun during any season. As long as you are in a smaller group of people it can be a lot of fun. Just make sure to get there and snag a table/bar seat before major crowds roll in. I like their tuna tar tar Their drinks are tasty, modern, fun. They deliver through grubhub if you're feeling lazy Cons: Expensive. You can get better tasting food for half the price. It really is a shame. Crowded night light. You have to plan to get there and find space to hang out ahead of major crowds...otherwise it can be a bit overwhelming. Overall I like this place as a launching pad for a great night out with my friends. Maybe an appetizer or two...but nothing more than that.", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T16:00:07" }, { "business_id": "XTNu6IrYn_xn05wuqjrxiA", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review for Jimmy John's yet! It is just blowing my mind! I get Jimmy John's at least once a week for my lunch at work. They must be sandwich magicians over there because I will literally pick up the phone, order, and POOF! Within 5 minutes the food is here, every time. Seriously...I have never waited more than 5 mins for my food. I am in love with them. Go to: #9 Italian hoagie with added hot pepper and a side of bbq chips. Their bread is out of this world and the chips are extra crispy. Feeling healthy? No problem! Get your favorite sandwich on a lettuce wrap instead of a hoagie roll. Go Jimmy John's! I am a fan!", "timestamp": "2013-05-23T17:05:01" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 4, "text": "I crave the chicken banh mi from Rotisseur on a biweekly basis. The feeling slowly creeps up on me until suddenly it has a hold on my stomach and the thought of eating anything thing else is food torture...until...at last, I reach my delicious sandwich. The chicken is moist and they add a layer of crispy skin from the long, slow cook. Pickled cabbage and fresh cilantro really tie the whole thing together. Make sure to add a healthy squirt of sriracha if you are a spice freak. The sides are made on a daily basis. The best side I've come across are the curry garbanzo beans. So. Good. Love rotisseur but don't let your cravings take a hold of your life, body, and mind on a Sunday. They are not open as I was shocked to find out. I withered and died for a day until Monday came.", "timestamp": "2013-06-03T14:17:30" }, { "business_id": "x7gEX6dthpJvoOafV1XHaA", "business_name": "Cook", "rating": 5, "text": "Cook is a brilliant establishment. Cozy, intimate atmosphere so you can get your one on one time with the chefs of your choice. A great gift for foodies. I went with my P.I.C.'s family last night to hang out and try polish food with Chef Maciej Ciezki from Lacroix. I won't go into detail about the food here, but I did add a photo of some of the courses we had. The food was plentiful, the drinks were flowing, and the room was chatty. I will most definetely be coming back for more in the near future.", "timestamp": "2013-06-04T13:22:46" }, { "business_id": "AQIi4IRvUxkurxNvlUD9hQ", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, I LOVE Smoothie King. I want to be it's Smoothie Queen, but I do have one big, big problem with it: the hours. Why smoothie king did you not open until 9:30 am this morning?! You miss the whole morning crowd who needs to be in to work by 9 am. I don't understand! You're open until 7pm...and lets be honest, who gets a smoothie for dinner? Please shift your hours and I think it'll be good for you. I was very sad having to wait until 930 for your juicy goodness. My boss is also mad at you.", "timestamp": "2013-06-06T14:13:12" }, { "business_id": "M77MQ0Gge2ZbSz0FM0oGgg", "business_name": "Krispy Kreme", "rating": 5, "text": "I love you so much Krispy Kreme. I can't believe you are no longer in downtown Philly (WHYYYYYYYYYYY), but I am willing to commute. 1 dozen plain glazed & 1/2 a dozen glazed creme filled later...I am a happy camper and my craving has been fulfilled. :)", "timestamp": "2013-06-10T16:52:03" }, { "business_id": "RZtGWDLCAtuipwaZ-UfjmQ", "business_name": "LaScala's", "rating": 3, "text": "LaScala's is a place to grub down on Italian food, but only when it is convenient to do so. The only times I have gotten LaScala's is through delivery or for yesterday's lunch with my coworkers. I got the rigatoni vodka because I was craving pasta. My craving was fulfilled with cheesy/vodka sauce pasta that was served in such a large portion I took leftovers home. The food is tasty but not mind blowing....I really think the 3 star, \"A-Ok,\" rating is appropriate.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:18:40" }, { "business_id": "78kUZU8GPfHgoYO_2CNbuQ", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 3, "text": "The ice cream that Ben & Jerry's provides is an obvi 5 STARS. Getting it at an actual store and not in pints from a corner shop really makes a difference. It feels creamier...probably due to freshness and lack of the freezer burn that my fridge brutally attaches to any inhabitants. The service here is iffy. There were three people working and for whatever reason it probably took a full 20 minutes of waiting in line/paying. The line wasn't even that long..... Maybe they do it on purpose because after waiting I probably ordered double what I would have to begin with. Serious ice cream coma.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:25:11" }, { "business_id": "EKSmnS-fup3HNFLR9J17mQ", "business_name": "Midtown II Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Beeeewaaareeee of the bathroooomssss (spooky voice). I can get down a dirty when need be, but these are worse than port-a-potty status. I may be scared for life. So you're better off holding it. On a brighter note. This place is OK if you have a craving for diner food. I get breakfast for lunch & a coffee milkshake. Service is pleasant and food comes out fast.", "timestamp": "2013-06-24T14:02:18" }, { "business_id": "TwnzM8mJn_nT2PJf1x-9kQ", "business_name": "Cafe Lift", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't remember the last time I was completely blown away by a brunch experience...until now. Cafe Lift is a dream come true. It really may be one of the best brunch spots I've ever been to. To start, the interior is amazing. Very casual, comfortable feel to the entire place. Exposed brick and piping all along the walls with hardware store style tables. What got me the most excited was the special board. SO. MANY. SPECIALS. Really it is a dream come true (yes I said dream come true TWICE) to walk into a place for brunch and have a plethora of creative specials to pick from...which my party of 3 wasted no time doing. What we got: (note that most were specials) Breakfast tacos: chorizo, egg, cheese, and homemade salsa which rocked my world. Baked Egg: stewed kale, white beans, roast pork in tomato sauce topped with eggs and fontina then baked. Obsessed with this. Imagine a breakfast pasta fagioli situation Cuban Sandwich Bagel w/ veggie cream cheese and salmon Banna nutella crepe with whipped cream and strawberries The ice coffee was really, really good and I am truly very picky when it comes to coffee. Service was friendly and fast. I will be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T14:56:33" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 5, "text": "Matyson still rocks my socks off. Highlight of the meal was once again, the foie gras served on top of homemade banana bread. Close runner up was the soup of the day: vichyssoise (chilled potato leek soup). This BYOB is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the city", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T13:40:43" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 5, "text": "I just finished my first Chirashi Sushi Lunch Special...and let me tell you, it is one of the best things that has ever happened during my work day. I was fully intending on splurging a little by going out to a lunch at Morimotos...but it turns out that for once I got way, way more than my money's worth. For $21 ($22 with tax) I got the best miso soup, a salad, and my entire weight + plus some in super fresh sashimi served over rice. The sushi chef asked my preference on what fish I would like in my bowl and went to work. The dish itself was a work of art (see photo) and came with an assortment of pickled vegetables. So in love. Thank you, Morimoto!", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "V6Om7YZhlRQRU7WfuxHq8Q", "business_name": "Beck's Cajun Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Thank goodness for Beck's. Really I am so shocked that there are hardly any Cajun restaurants in the Philly area. But maybe that's for the best, because Beck's is pretty darn good. Located in the thick of the Reading Terminal Market, the stand is always busy but the service is fast. The staff is more than happy to let you try whatever you want (which you should). I've had all varieties of the gumbo and don't have a preference which is better. Go for alligator if you are feeling wild. My favorite thing from here are the red beans over rice. They are thick and have chunks of andouille sausage. Great with a piece of corn bread and scallions on top! The po'boys are decent. I find them a little too bready/fried for my liking but the overall flavor is good. I did not like the catfish po'boy....it was too fishy for me.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:25:33" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I was very excited to try a roast pork sandwich from DiNic's. However, I found myself wanting more. DiNic's gets a lot of hype on yelp...and other places as well. It was featured on Man Vs. Food ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYiR-dSbOs ) and I was shocked that I hadn't tried it yet. So I went for it. Spinach and sharp provolone on a long roll with long hots... It doesn't beat out a cheese steak. The sandwich was good but not great. I actually found myself craving more flavor, secretly hoping I had brought a bottle of sriracha sauce with me. Really they should maybe have a bottle of that on the counter because it would be insanely good. I'll be back to try it again, but unfortunately I have to say I was not blown away by my first time at DiNic's.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:38:39" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I died and went to Beiler Heaven. Seriously the BLUEBERRY FRITTERS are out of this world good. I've never felt so strongly about a baked good before. Not too sweet, but sweet enough to be the perfect companion with a cup of coffee in the morning....or a mid afternoon snack. I also found the plain glazed doughnuts to be earth shattering. Try both of these. I promise the line is worth it!", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:41:37" }, { "business_id": "XgxPLbAJtHoyR2tBN9yCXw", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "I am just so in love with Yogorino. Classic, tangy frozen yogurt is the only kind of froyo that should exist in my opinion. This location is a little bit bigger than the Rittenhouse location...but that's really the only difference. All of the fruit was super fresh & ripe. I couldn't decide between the mango and the nectarines paired with my always go-to crushed up meringue bits...so I got both. Happy eating :)", "timestamp": "2013-07-22T15:59:03" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "I am not impressed with Max Brenner's. Had a friend visiting from out of town so we decided to go out to have dessert. Whispers of fondue seemed super promising and the alluring smell of chocolate that extends down the block made it pretty much impossible not to stop in for a bite. Overall impression: overpriced We got the Italian hot chocolate, the waffle special, and fondue for two (5 of us total). To be fair, there was a lot that came with the fondue. However, I could have easily dished up the same dessert for 1/3 the price. Tasted good but I wasn't wowed. I am not stingy when it comes to spending money on food....but it needs to be worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-07-24T13:29:29" }, { "business_id": "gOrJeoLDOiW7muWuoE-sMg", "business_name": "Morgan's Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Morgan's Pier is a solid 4 star place to hang out with your friends for drinks and dancing. The atmosphere is really unique to Philly, mostly because of the beautiful location. Located right on the docks to the left of the Ben Franklin, it is such an awesome place to sit as the sunsets. Once its dark things kick in to party mode and you'll be either shaking your booty or sitting on a picnic table over the water chatting with your friends. It's awesome. However, there is one problem with it....the food. Seriously 1-2 stars on food. Good ideas and fails on taste. Everything I've had has been meh (wings, fries, bean salad, other munchies nothing major). They should really split up the yelp pages for food vs nightlife because i don't want to downgrade my 4 stars to accommodate for food failure.", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T13:43:54" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, wow, wow! I feel so lucky that this is right around the corner from my house. I stopped in to this small kitchen last night around 9pm and ordered a monster load of Thai food for my friends and I after City Sips. Needless to say, we were starving and needed some serious chow down time. The service was friendly and super fast! The quality amazing and the price so cheap. How is this place real life? Favorites: Crab Dumplings for days Drunken Noodles w/ Shrimp Pineapple fried rice w/ Chicken Crispy Duck Curry: but really any of the curry the sauce is so, so good. Happy eatings! I will be back again and again and again!", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T15:01:29" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a great dinner for 2 seated outside to take in the one day break in humidity! I think I had the best heirloom tomato salad of my life. Honestly. I sat there and tried to figure out why it was so good...and still can't quite put a finger on it. It comes topped with basil (duh) as well as a watercress salad with lightly pickled shallots. Large portion (1 whole tomato) 5 slices total. I love it. This is the definition of summer! My skate was also very tasty! Cooked perfectly and...butter, butter, butter. So not much can be wrong with that...unless you don't like butter...which might be a whole other set of problems for you and I'm so sorry.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T14:50:53" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect lunch at 12th & Spruce Tria! Obviously. A glass of Dr. H riesling, asparagus salad, and a gooey cheese has taken me to foodie heaven. Unfortunately I am now back at work until 5pm but will have happy memories to get me through.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T17:50:56" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Sampan is the place to go for Sips in Center City, Philadelphia! They have both food and drink specials, which in my opinion is essential for a good happy hour. The best part is that it's not just a few things, you get a whole menu of food specials rated from $3, $4, and $5. Bomb diggity. Favorites: White Sangria was unbelievably refreshing. Big fan! Duck Egg Rolls Kimchi Fried Rice Edamame Dumplings Kobe Beef Sliders Both Pork & Chicken Bao Buns Enjoy it while you still can! However, if you do miss it, fear not. Dinner here is a must go to as well.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T00:36:46" }, { "business_id": "kxKai8GE5oDMPevV7oxvbA", "business_name": "Tequilas Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I really, really wanted to love this place. Being from the Southwest, I am almost always on a quest for some quality Mexican food, and this spot was the next target. However & unfortunately, I was not so impressed. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup to start. The soup had all of the right components: tortilla strips, moist chicken, avocado, cheese, and bits of dried chili (chipotle maybe). The problem with the soup was the broth. It tasted almost equivalent to Campbell's tomato soup. No spice whatsoever. It was too tomatoey and not enough chicken broth. For my entree I got the Enchiladas Playa. I sort of had the same problem with these in that they were fairly bland without any spice. The crab & shrimp interior was good but the sauce needs a little bit more. To be fair the chips and salsa, as well as the queso fundido, were all very good. Perhaps next time I will come for a drink and some nibbles rather than a whole meal.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T01:18:28" }, { "business_id": "iWV1MgLsI9ma5zrzNUy_NQ", "business_name": "Olympia Gyro", "rating": 4, "text": "Three words: Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich When I am craving a gyro, this is one of the places I tend to lean towards. Olympic gyro makes what I would describe as the, \"freshest,\" gyro. The meat isn't overly seasoned and the tzaztiki sauce is amazing. I love sitting down here in the middle of Reading Terminal Market and housing down one of these bad boys. Needles to say, the portion sizes are large and you most definitely will not be walking away hungry. Be sure to grab a side of fries but careful, those tempting slices come off HOT HOT HOT! I think I burn my mouth every single, delicious time.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T16:03:40" }, { "business_id": "1CTNhKEqGbmG5r-sBbDoLg", "business_name": "Tampopo", "rating": 4, "text": "It's pretty freaky that I live within half a block of Tampopo and had managed to never go before today. Shame on me. I grabbed lunch to go from this hole in the wall and couldn't have been happier. I got the fresh tuna bibimbap. I was given tons of sushi grade tuna over veggies, avocado, and rice. The spicy sauce was great! I forgot to ask for a side of kimchi...but I won't forget next time! Fast service makes for a happy Sarah.v I'll be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:38:33" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm a fan of the new place on the block Spice End! When I'm out and about and need to grab something on the go or right before I head home after a late night, this is the place to stop. Needless to say their hours are clutch and the 3am friday/saturday night closing time is a clutch move in this area of the city. In a rush I grab the paneer roll. If I have time to sit down and eat I grab the chicken biryani platter and have them add paneer to that as well! PS. They are on grub hub and deliver :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:47:40" }, { "business_id": "bq0n3CQy1CkE_WUe76zQvg", "business_name": "Shiao Lan Kung", "rating": 5, "text": "Wooow wow! I am continuously impressed with getting dinner at this hole in the wall spot in China Town. Last night I took my parents for their first time and we were all blown away with the quality of the food and how quickly it came out, nothing new here. We got our usual order: pan fried pork dumplings, fried wontons, garlic green beans, salt bake jumpo shrimp (ask for no shells), walknut shrimp, chicken ho-fun with bean sauce.... AND something new! Which blew my mind. I asked our waitress for her opinion on the best fish dish to which she goes, \"OH! Ok, ok, I know.\" Within ten minutes out came a whole, steamed sea bass that was sitting in the most delicious ginger, soy sauce. I have never been so happy and I am already craving it again. I could come for just this once a week....and probably will! Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-09-07T22:24:47" }, { "business_id": "xdferXKwbgXAxbtmAShhAQ", "business_name": "Saxbys Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "My new study spot. There's always a large group of other students working hard whenever you need to look up and around for motivation. My go to is a cinnamon latte....iced or hot depending on the weather. Please note that I am not a huge fan of the food here. I pretty much avoid it all together...really this review is just to say it's a great place for getting work done and having a cup of coffee to help you along the way :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:23:45" }, { "business_id": "GrRrxHK9dWgibvUpcotxtw", "business_name": "Joe's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Pizza on the go? Grab some Joe's! I was doing some heavy duty shopping on saturday and needed to restock on calories half way through. I stopped by Joe's to grab a slice of plan mushroom pizza and was in heaven. The crust is thin and crispy...perfect amt of cheese and sauce. Snack city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:29:01" }, { "business_id": "wbDRmtxaKRpBOjutvV6TEA", "business_name": "Barclay Prime", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm a huge fan of Barclay Prime...in fact, I think this is the best steakhouse in the city. The atmosphere is very relaxed since the entire place feels like you are lounging in a study. The staff is super friendly (BIG shout out to Jason my waiter last night, you da best) and made my birthday dinner a perfect one! To start...everyone gets a hot, out of the oven popover they are simply to die for. These are unbelievably dangerous and the staff will keep offering them to you. Just say no. You are going to want to be hungry for the food to come. Our party of 6 ordered appz and entrees that all came out perfectly cooked (steaks were amazing, duh) and in a timely fashion. I had the heirloom tomato salad. Love how they do it here. Everything is chopped up and piled in a bowl. Super tasty. MUST HAVE: the full bronzino if you are in a fish mood....which you should be at least once if you come here. I can dream about this dish it's so good. Desserts: Warm banana cake Devils food cake Complimentary birthday cake (amazing...come for your birthday...seriously) Put your eating clothes on and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T19:21:18" }, { "business_id": "QMNheeGTdKujLnYgEyFuWw", "business_name": "Old Nelson Food Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Old Nelson's makes some clutch sandwiches for lunch. You can have whatever you sandwich loving heart desires because everything is made to order. Their italian hoagie is delicious. I always ask for hot peppers as well. Yesterday I wanted to go back to my elementary school, packed lunch days and ordered a plain turkey, american cheese, mayo sandwich on white bread. I got a side of pickles and a bag of bbq chips to smush between the bread slices. Neeedless to say, it was crunchalicious.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:05:51" }, { "business_id": "JE6rfQ9marM2YYCuFK8GqA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location of Sweetgreen. It seems to be getting a bad rep. from other yelpers...but I don't see where the problem is. The food is good, the service is fast and friendly, and you can eat outside when it's nice out. It's not the most amazing experience I've ever had...but when you are craving a fresh salad with fresh ingredients it is the place to go in the area. Overall I'm a fan. Sweetgreen's current seasonal salad is a must have: Maryland crab Kale Green and red peppers Corn Sunflower seeds Avocado (that has been surprisingly ripe & perfect every time I've gotten it from here) Carrot chili vinaigrette.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:12:45" }, { "business_id": "30cpm1uq6xcQCmN6JTrB8w", "business_name": "Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sad to say Luke's has definitely down graded in my opinion. I thought that this was a one time occurrence (a couple weeks ago) but its happened again for lunch today. The to die for lobster bisque was bland and not lobstery at all today. The past two times I have gotten my once favorite crab roll, the bun has been a little soggy and the crab overly lemony. I'm adverse to overuse of lemon in the first place...and when it overrides the flavor of crab in my roll I am a super sad Sarah. I hope Luke's can bounce back...but for now I'm going to have to change up my lunch venues.", "timestamp": "2013-09-27T16:18:51" }, { "business_id": "PJjkH_VZeQwxEJvlQ-v7wA", "business_name": "Pho 75", "rating": 5, "text": "What can I say....I am a total sucker for a good bowl of Pho. I've been meaning to come to Pho 75 for such a long time and finally have accomplished that goal! Extra inspiration was given to me to venture from my usual stomping spots when Anthony Bourdain (#lovehim #friendcrush #hangoutwithme) visited here on his most recent trip to Philly. The broth here is amazing. I'm not sure if it on the same playing field as the broth from Pho Ha....but I will keep you all posted as I continue to figure it out. The service here was awesome. We walked in, sat down, placed our order and within 5 minutes all of us had our food and drinks. It was so good that we got one to go.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:07:45" }, { "business_id": "8us8cJ-oBnLFerWcaftavQ", "business_name": "The Beer Shoppe", "rating": 4, "text": "Go to the Beer Shoppe on a Tuesday. They have a 10% discount on everything on Tuesdays....thus I have created a new weekly holiday called, Two Beer Tuesday. My friend and I plan to come in and work our way through the selection over the next couple of months. Very ambitious...but also very exciting! The bar in the back is an open and friendly place to try new things before you buy a 6 pack of something you love. The service is super friendly and all the staff has an amazing knowledge of what they have in stock. It really is a great spot for beer geeks to congregate.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:13:55" }, { "business_id": "3ZynJ94VpIdDlaArmEp2Rg", "business_name": "More Than Just Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple friends and I stopped by for some late night milkshakes and found ourselves at More Than Just Ice Cream. Well, we just got ice cream...not fully taking advantage of what the name implies, but maybe next time. 3 milkshakes: 1 coffee, 1 chocolate, and 1 black&white malt. All were pretty good. Definitely satisfied the ice cream craving. I thought my coffee milkshake could have been thicker, same goes for the chocolate. The black&white was plenty thick and was probably the best of the three. Unfortunately, I did not order that one so I settled for my not so creamy coffee. I did sample some ice cream flavors before setting on a milkshake. I tried the pumpkin pie which was AMAZING. I don't know why I didn't just get this. Maybe a milkshake isn't the way to go here.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:24:30" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 2, "text": "Eeehhhh. I loved, loved, LOVED Scoop DeVille when it was at it's old location on Chestnut & 18th. Now I'm not quite so sure. I miss the charm of the old store. It was packed and loaded with candy/chocolate/ice cream/ and random paraphernalia that this huge space is lacking. Hopefully at some point it'll be able to capture that once again as it settles in to its new location. The real problem was my vanilla ice cream blended with sugar cookie dough (all time favie) tasted like freezer burn. The freezer must have been set to high because I was eating vanilla flavored ice chunks with just a tiny bit of cookie dough. I never had this problem once at the old location...where the ice cream was always almost the consistency of soft serve it was so creamy good.", "timestamp": "2013-10-14T17:11:16" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 5, "text": "Bistrot La Minette is a must go to in the Philly area. I am truly surprised that it's taken me so long to finally go here. If you are familiar with the restaurant scene around here: think Parc but small scale and more romantical We had a quiet dinner for a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The service was so friendly and knowledgeable when I asked for suggested wine pairings. Even though we came in for a later dinner on a weeknight, at no point did I feel rushed which was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this place for birthdays and date nights when you want to have a relaxed, delicious dinner out. The eats: Butternut squash soup was one of the best I've had Foie Gras terrine was delicious but VERY savory. It was a little much just for one person on their own to get through for an appetizer. Can't complain for too much food though right? Onion tart is out of this world if you're in to caramelized onions. Miller style trout is a YES. I have never had a trout prepared better then this one was. I am such of fan of this dish it's ridiculous. The veggies were great too. Get it. Beef bourguignon was also a great dish and probably my second favorite thing we got. All of the desserts were amazing but the BEST was the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. Heaven in your mouth. It's basically a layered deliciousness of puff pastry, cream, and fresh raspberries.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:55:04" }, { "business_id": "NZ1lZIb10-6AbftpygLwMQ", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 4, "text": "Clutch pizza in a pinch! I love all of the different combos you can get there. Really it can be a bit overwhelming there are so many delicious ideas. The great thing is though, is that the thin crust situation allows you to get multiple slices without getting too full so you can try a bunch of them. My favorite slice so far is the Veggie #2: fresh chopped organic tomatoes, basil, arugula, garlic, cubes of fresh mozzarella, and organic tomato sauce...noms Try and get there right as the pizzas are coming out so you have the most choices! Right around 5pm for the dinner round.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:58:47" }, { "business_id": "sTPueJEwcRDj7ZJmG7okYA", "business_name": "Jim's South St", "rating": 4, "text": "There's something about Jim's that is legendary. The whole experience is what I think keeps Philadelphians going to this famous cheesesteak house on south street. It's a little grimy, the service a little rough, the seating a little like you're back in a crappy college dining center...but all of that is ok. It's ok because you have the intoxicating smell of meat and fried onions clinging to you (actually it will cling to your jacket for weeks) and delicious greasy food to munch down on. I'm a fan of Jim's. I'm the biggest fan at 1 am when I'm leaving a bar and need a sloppy mess for a pre-hangover cure. Extra whiz with please! (Extra cheese whiz and onions)", "timestamp": "2013-11-06T20:22:37" }, { "business_id": "qsm7SkX60JsajT7Yz248FA", "business_name": "Café Soho", "rating": 4, "text": "Cafe Soho is the highlight to the Sunday football scene at our house. Someone goes and grabs a couple large orders of wings and brings them back downtown in time for 1pm kick-off. The meat is crazy good. This is a whole level of chicken wings. The meat is moist and flavorful while the outside is lightly fried and crispy. Great sauces, never over/under dressed. Our favorites: Ginger soy Spicy chili Sweet & Spicy boneless Beware, you will probably eat your weight in this bad boys", "timestamp": "2013-11-22T20:42:45" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been having some seriously good brunch dates to The Dandelion over the past month. I wanted to check back on my last review and was ashamed of my previous 3 star review. Right now the Dandelion is kicking 5 star butt for brunch in my opinion. Today I sat down and immediately ordered tea and scones. The scones came out warm and absolutely amazing. They switched up the jam from raspberry to more seasonal cranberry (thanksgiving....so soon!!!) which I found to be extremely good! I got my typical brunch order of poached eggs over bubble and squeak. My new trick is that I order a side of smoked salmon to add to it so It becomes some sort of eggs Benedict eggstravagenza. I also got the chicken and horse radish dumpling soup to go after hearing a raving review about it. Now, while sitting in bed...I am enjoying the most amazing bowl of soup. Ive never had anything quite like it! The dumplings are sort of a noodley texture with a horse radish aftertaste. I love how the veggies are roughly chopped, in particular the halves of pearl onions. Tasty tasty.", "timestamp": "2013-11-24T21:48:28" }, { "business_id": "u4YM2N8-9Q2tr7kEU-ubGQ", "business_name": "Melodies Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok, so the coffee is good. However, it takes forever (understaffed) and call me a loser but I miss Milk Boy. I came in yesterday for a vanilla latte on my way to class and had the unfortunate experience of waiting about 10 minutes for it and was late. It was super tasty....but I can't rely on this place for a grab a coffee on the go experience.", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:46:14" }, { "business_id": "_V6hl1oGkTV2KbGeax_HPA", "business_name": "Sang Kee Peking Duck House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the place to order peking duck. So rightfully named! We grabbed takeout from here after realizing that our normal go to Shiao's was closed for the evening. We were thankfully not disappointed! The fried pork dumplings were super tasty. I was popping them like popcorn! Other dishes were also super tasty but in particular the peking duck was the stand out. It just fell right off the bone practically begging me to eat it. I was eating a drumstick just on it's own. I'll be back to taste more. Sang Kee I got my eye on you!", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:49:23" }, { "business_id": "-lVEVi3vtQ8_L9kKT0bBwQ", "business_name": "Le Chéri", "rating": 5, "text": "Yes, yes, and yes! I am so excited to call Le Cheri my new neighbor. Chef Pierre and Charlotte have jumped right in to the Rittenhouse Restaurant scene with a distinct splash! Le Cheri has all the same charm as their first restaurant, Bibou, but with the room to accommodate a much larger crowd. Currently BYOB but they will begin serving their selection of French wines and open bar next week. I am truly excited to see where this place goes in the next couple of months. The menu is already mouth watering with the funkiness of Bibou mixed with a couple more traditional french dishes. Modestly priced, I was pretty surprised to notice. Around $22-28 dollars and the appetizers not over $10. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) for Charlotte and Pierre, I think I am going to be hanging around this spot A LOT. What we got: French onion soup Breaded pork terrine with side cornichons Beef bourguignon with house made tagliatelle Roasted bronzino with wine soaked salsify as well as a salsify puree Warm apple tartine with cinnamon ice cream Obviously everything was out of this world. I highly recommend everything we got...but also encourage you to order anything there because you just can't go wrong. I'll be back ASAP to try more! PS. They are booking up FAST FAST! Get your reservations now", "timestamp": "2013-12-06T01:42:15" }, { "business_id": "sy7ADvpBA7SfHwbY-Y_5gw", "business_name": "Valanni", "rating": 4, "text": "Valanni! How have I overlooked you for this long? I took my family out for my sisters bday dinner and wanted to try something new. So glad we stumbled upon this modern and fun spot. My only complaint was that our table for a party of 5 was small! However, we worked together and could come up with the right amount of room for each wave of tapas. What we got: Lamb lollipops Figs in blankets Chorizo flatbread Grilled octopus Firey potatoes (basically patatas bravas) Buffalo chicken croquettes Brussel sprouts Meat and seafood paella Oreo beignet Rum bananas Cheesecake We split everything and found ourselves the right amount of full at the end! The stand out favorites were the grilled octopus, brussel sprouts (believe it or not!), and the paella. With that said....everything else was also amazing. I am pretty impressed with Valanni and plan on coming here in the near future with a group of friends. It's a good place to order a lot of interesting dishes and grab a drink before going out on a Saturday. Speaking of drinks...the mojitos are bomb! Some of the best I've had in a while! In summary, I'm digging Valanni. I think it stands out on its own from the current Philly restaurant scene in that it taps into a wide variety of cultural dishes but with its own unique twist. The menu was fun with lots left on it that I would like to try out!", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:03:34" }, { "business_id": "h5jnFlvF55kDWC_GGlKMAQ", "business_name": "Llama Tooth", "rating": 4, "text": "Truffle, mushroom mac & cheese..... Seriously I dare some one to try and make something more delicious and comforting than that. I could not stop shoveling the cheesy mess in to my mouth...just typing this is taking me back to how good it was. Yea, I ordered other things (cuban, gyro, burger) but the mac & cheese took the cake. I'll be back for more (This was a take out order)", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:06:03" }, { "business_id": "xWfm4AwLZr-B97fYVsIgCA", "business_name": "Tria Taproom", "rating": 4, "text": "I am such a huge fan for anything Tria....and it holds true for this new location. I stopped in to grab a drink and catch up with a friend. Had a great time sitting at the bar! I love the space and it is a serious upgrade from the previous Rum Bar. The taps behind the bar are exciting and unlabeled (at least to the customer's eye ;) ). It gives the place a casual sort of elegance. Lots of table space in the back which I am sure I will be using in the near future. I couldn't help myself and ordered two appz before going home to eat dinner. We got the mussels and the grilled asparagus with truffle vinaigrette. Both were delicious. What I thought was most impressive about Tria Taproom was the amount of attention we were given by the bartenders. GREAT service. I'll be back soon to try more!", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:21:04" } ]	{ "business_id": "d_tRshM-w6S4QxE4VVi8tQ", "business_name": "Jones", "rating": 2, "text": "I've refrained from writing a review for Jones for the longest time....close to 6 months now. I'm finally caving and acknowledging the fact that it hasn't happened just because this place is Meh. It's not bad...but it's not good. Most of the time I order Jones on grubhub so I can stuff my face with their thanksgiving dinner like I did recently while in mourning over thanksgiving being over. It is what it is...comfort food. Not a place that I go out of my way to eat at.", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:28:23" }
Zs8Zk3sgh5JxRmoZW4PJcg	[ { "business_id": "pm1bStJuol5XmxE_atZhCQ", "business_name": "Nom Nom Ramen", "rating": 5, "text": "Nom Nom Ramen may be my favorite place for Ramen in Philly. Not to mention it also won Best of Philly 2012 for ramen. The service is fast and friendly. I love walking in starving and knowing that I will be eating delicious soup in 5 mins. I have gotten all of the different varities that they offer: shio, shoyu, miso, and karai. I highly recommend the karai if you can handle spicy food! Otherwise I would go with the shio and add a little bit of sriracha hot sauce. I always add the extra soft-boiled egg and bean sprouts! Totally worth it! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:44:51" }, { "business_id": "688sqo63oc2y535vI2UbhQ", "business_name": "Pho Cali Vietnamese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely love Pho Cali! I go here once a week for a quick lunch break from work and am never disappointed. The service is very quick. I always order the Rare Steak Pho and a coconut drink. The broth is extremely flavorful- i personally load up on sriracha sauce, brown sauce (hoisin sauce i believe), and a good squeeze of one lime. They give a good amount of meat. If you are extra hungry ask for more noodles because sometimes the one portion that they give out is not enough. If you like coconut get the drink as well! Refreshingly sweet and comes with chunks of coconut at the bottom. Very good.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:50:52" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 5, "text": "DELICIOUS! If you are craving a healthy meal that actually has tons of flavor this is the place to go. I recommend all of the salad on the menu, but in particular the Taco Arugula Salad that got rated Best of Philly 2012. The peppery arugula pairs so well with the creamy cilantro dressing not to mention the salsa, corn, and black beans as well! Its a a taste bud adventure! If you are in the mood for a sandwich get the Hip City Ranch but ON A WRAP. It makes for one of the best wrap sandwiches I have ever had. You won't believe that the chicken is actually tofu! And the pickles spread out throughout the sandwich are a delicious surprise. Always look for the soup/chili winter specials at the front counter. They can be easy to miss! Also, be sure to order the Groothie! Pricey but worth it. One of the best smoothies I've ever had and its loaded up with green veggies", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:05:14" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Pho in Philly!!! Super fast service and the most delicious broth. Out of the way from china town but a must go to. Don't be confused by the 3+ other pho restaurants located in the same strip mall. Pho Ha all the way!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:50:01" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "There isn't a better place in the area for sushi. The service is unbelievably fast and the quality of fish is pretty great. However, the most amazing part about Vic's is that they have a $10 special...3 rolls of sushi of your pick for only 10 DOLLARS. I honestly couldn't believe it! The place is BYOB and great if there are less than 4 people because it is cramped. Really its the best for take out/delivery. Along with the $10 special I order a miso soup and seaweed salad. Enjoy :) On a side note, if you stray away from the special I highly recommend the Fantastic roll!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T21:51:28" }, { "business_id": "ipRXCy-0ChYK_569rPqzJQ", "business_name": "Square Peg", "rating": 3, "text": "The menu can be a little hit or miss here. The only reason I come to Square Peg is when I am craving their Mac&Cheese grilled cheese sandwich with a side of tomato soup. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like! Extra cheesy mac and cheese layered thick and surrounded by buttery, toasted bread. The tomato soup is thicker than most, but I enjoyed the extra spice that was in it...perhaps a little chipotle chili pepper. I was VERY disappointed in their wings. I had read a couple of great reviews about them but I found them pretty disgusting and actually sent them back. I found the flavor of the honey,chipotle,basil, and lime sauce to be very unflattering even though it sounds delicious. The meat was dry and a bit gristly. It seemed like they had been cooked too long or left under a warming lamp. Earlier in the summer they had white chocolate chicken wings which I much preferred to the current ones.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:01:11" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Absolutely amazing! The only reason why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is due to how crowded and therefore loud it can get. This is in no way a good spot for a romantic date or family dinner but instead great for happy hour or a dinner with a small group of friends or a first date! The food: Served in sort of a tapas manner and I like to get a bunch of plates and split with a friend. You really can't go wrong with what you decide on. My personal favorites are: the housemade lamb sausage, the pistachio herbed ricotta and lavender honey, truffled egg toast with fontina, and the grilled asparagus salad. My favorite is the asparagus salad...absolutely amazing and I've never had anything like it. It consists of Also order a cheese sampler! The menu is always changing just tell your server what you like and they will help out! As for the beer and wine list....one of the best in the city. Always changing and great descriptions listed on the menu so you can pick out what's the very best for you", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:11:51" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing food and great ambiance, what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, DRINKS! Those are great as well! My favorite time to go to alma de cuba is for Happy Hour. The downstairs bar area is the perfect escape to go to after work. Until 6:30 they have drink specials and 1/2 off of all of their appetizers. Great to go with a few friends and split some food! It also works as a great spot for a romantic date and has additional seating for dining upstairs. Must haves: Smoked albacore tacos, tuna tartar tacos, truffle guacamole, ceviche SAMPLER (pick a few of the ones that sound best), dorado. For drinks I love their black cherry caiprinha and white sangria. For dessert I highly recommend the coconut tapioca pudding. I often order this for take out as well because it is so good. It comes in a young coconut and you can scrape the sides of it off with your fork/spoon as you eat the pudding. Delish!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:20:24" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co is one of my favorite places in the city for happy hour or to start off a Saturday night! I was greeted at the top of the outer staircase by a bouncer in a sleek hat and automatically felt mischievous! He led my friends and I down the stairs and through the heavy front door into a room filled with a relaxed ambiance. The drinks are expensive but well worth your money...aka they make them STRONG. Especially under the category \"I asked for water she brought me gasoline.\" My personal favorite is actually not on the menu but every waiter will know what you are talking about. It's called the Mexican Firing Squad. I am partial to tequila and summer drinks and this absolutely did not disappoint. Served in a small glass with one large ice cube! Be careful about what time you go here. The later in the night it gets, especially on a friday or saturday, expect to wait in a 30 min to 45 min line. They also often have private parties during the week so have a back up bar in mind!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:05:24" }, { "business_id": "cOXc8c85Ms6dMEAJazLXHQ", "business_name": "McGillin's Olde Ale House", "rating": 4, "text": "Went for my first time this past Saturday night and had an absolute blast! Walked in at 12 am to \"I want it that way,\" by the Backstreet boys. Needless to say I was belting out the words with people I had met only seconds before. A very fun and friendly place! Plus, cheap drinks like a $6 dollar pitcher of PBR!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:42:20" }, { "business_id": "ELY0HI8GDEx0jkmREVna0A", "business_name": "Frankford Hall", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't get enough of this place! A little out of the way if you live in the center city area but worth the commute. I prefer the outdoor seating during all times of the year. Even during the winter the backyard beer garden has multiple heat lamps and fire pits that make it so you don't have to wear a jacket. The atmosphere is very friendly! Great for both going out with families and with friends. Make sure to grab a jenga set at the front if there isn't already one on your table! Order a few appetizers and sausages to share and a couple liters of beer on draft for yourself! My favorites for appz: Pretzel w/ cheese dip, cucumber salad (maybe my favorite), potato pancakes Sausage: Get the weisswurst! However, you really can't go wrong with what you order because all are great. All of the meat is from Illgs Butcher Shop where my family and I have been buying products for over 8 years now and have never been disappointed. Beer: Spaten Oktoberfest or Franziskaner Hefeweizen. You'll feel super cool with a liter mug but be sure to drink it fast otherwise it'll be a warm beer catastrophe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:16:29" }, { "business_id": "tBQcVd9c0EHKAXLZn_v54g", "business_name": "Bibou", "rating": 5, "text": "Outstanding! The best BYOB dining experience you can have in the city located in the italian market area. Be prepared and in the mood for an adventurous and savory meal! Bibou is petite and has a very homey feel to it. There is room for about 30 customers at a time. Charlotte is the hostess and manager of the restaurant, as well as the wife of the Chef Pierre. A very gracious host and makes you feel instantly welcome. The menu changes quite often since it's ingredients primarily come fresh from the neighboring market. This is also allows the chef to pick out a number of specials each night that are absolutely spectacular. Must Haves: - The Bone Marrow. It comes in a hollowed out bone and can be best described as the best thanksgiving stuffing you will ever it. I order a couple to share for the dinner party after appetizers and before entree. -Seasonal soup. I have never had a bad soup! The last was a cream of wild mushroom with chunks of crab meat. -Foie gras: Again seasonal but always inventive and delicious. Make sure to bring your own bottle of sauterne dessert wine which pairs beautifully with this appetizer! And last but not least...and don't say ew.. The foie gras stuffed, braised pigs feet over french lentils. Absolutely to die for! So much flavor makes this savory dish very unique to Bibou. I haven't come close to having anything like this in the rest of Philly, let alone in the US.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:41:36" }, { "business_id": "RleiW2_QLyxgNjFfqDoZpw", "business_name": "Modo Mio", "rating": 5, "text": "An off the charts amazing small, BYOB in Northern Liberties. Great service and even better food! My mind has been completely blown multiple times on how lovely of a place this is to eat. Great for a romantic date or small family dinner. Must Haves Appetizers: Cozze (muscles) with red/hot sauce Chicken liver bruschetta Carpaccio di Manzo (beef) Must Have Pasta: Agnolotti del Plin (rabbit stuffed ravioli in sage brown butter): SUPER YUM Lasagne: The over-easy egg on top is such a brilliant idea. The flavor and textures really work well together Bring white & red bottles!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:18:38" }, { "business_id": "vtSisxaozZ7HWpBl_W7VaQ", "business_name": "Time", "rating": 4, "text": "A great place for late night dancing on friday and saturday nights! The upstairs area is always packed and the DJs always produce a mixture of old and new music that get your feet moving if they weren't already! The downstairs live jazz area is also a great area for weekend nights depending on what mood you are in! I have not yet had a chance to eat dinner here but will do so and repost in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:24:40" }, { "business_id": "BxfvdHqETU8jWYUjx5OL2A", "business_name": "Shake Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "Disappointed. In part its due to the large hype surrounding the opening of Shake Shack's first Philly location. I wanted it to be great but it's just not what it is in NYC. Tasty burgers but a little too greasy and honestly gave me a stomachache the last time I ate one. I got the SmokeShack burger which has bacon, peppers, and \"ShackSauce\" on it. The fries are pretty delicious and I always order a side of cheese. The real reason to go to the Shack is for the concrete milkshakes. They have multiple mix ins and you design your own. The best I had was a fall special of pumpkin pie mixed with vanilla!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:32:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious and fast! Came in for a brief work lunch and was highly satisfied with how quickly our food came. I ordered exactly what the server recommended to me: indian pancakes, penang satay chicken and beef skewers, curry me with you tau foo, and the mango chicken. In particular i LOVED LOVED the chicken and beef skewers. The meat was so flavorful but the dipping sauce was to die for! I have never had a peanut sauce so great! The mango chicken was also outrageously good and is served in a carved out mango. Very pretty", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T17:02:02" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "DELICIOUS cupcakes. Very moist and flavorful. The icing is absolutely perfect. The only reason why I don't want to rate Philly Cupcake higher than I did is that it is a little expensive. $4 dollars for a cupcake seems silly when down the street I can get a $4 gyro and soda combo! However if you are craving a cupcake itll hit the spot! Favorite: The Black Velvet: For all you chocolate lovers this is the one to get. Dark chocolate cupcake with vanilla cream cheese frosting. I think they must use some cayenne pepper in it as well because it was surprisingly spicy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T20:02:03" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "An amazing experience every time I've gone (6-8 times since 2008). I highly recommend coming with a group of 4 or more so you each can really get a feel for the menu. Every plate is unique and delicious and a great opportunity to share and talk about food! Otherwise be sure to do the Chef's tasting menu where you will enjoy a wide selection of the tapas personally ($55/$65 per person). I personally have gone with the $65 but be prepared to eat!! Tons of food. Must Haves: Get a chacuterie board to start! Octopus, patatas bravas, HAM CROQUETTES, CRAB STUFFED PEPPERS, chorizo clams, truffles and asparagus, lamb chops Brunch: One of the best experiences I've had at Amada was for brunch. Two of the plates that really stood out for me were the chorizo con papas and the lemon ricotta pancakes. In particular the chorizo con papas was the perfect way to start my day. I do wish however that the egg has been done over easy as opposed to fried to give a little bit of moisture to the dish...but easy fix! Just ask the waiter when you order and they'll have to done for you.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T17:43:52" }, { "business_id": "kVTHnhgYUw-Pmr7wgDB4_g", "business_name": "Distrito", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Garces restaurant. Such a fun place to get food. Always super busy since it's located on Penns campus. Not to mention it's also great for delivery! One of the best dining experiences I've ever had was a family dinner and we got the Frida Kahlo's tasting menu. Its the same as the Diego Rivera one however they mention that for a few courses you will get entrees that aren't on the menu....and oh boy! They DO NOT disappoint. By the time we all thought the meal was over...our waiter and two other servers show up with platters of steamed lobsters with a spicy seasoning, the diver scallops, and the carne asada. Absolutely amazing! A must have experience! Must Haves: Crab guacamole, tuna & hiramasa ceviches, TORTILLA SOUP (the best in the city), hongos huarache, pretty much all of the tacos but the MAHI MAHI & CARNE KOBE tacos are my favorites, the CARNE ASADA, and a side of sweet plantains. Order the seasonal frozen margarita although drink prices are a little steep there. Now to go into more detail about why I said Distrito has my favorite tortilla soup in the city. The tomato/chili broth is savory and has a great spice to it. A little more creamy than traditional tortilla soup but I don't mind, actually enjoy it more! The chicken is so soft it falls apart in your mouth. Micro cilantro is a great touch. I do wish they would put a little more cheese in it...but thats my only complaint! ***For tortilla soup fans....the best tortilla soup I've had in PA is from a small place on germantown avenue in mt. airy called Mi Puebla. Worth the adventure!", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T20:56:04" }, { "business_id": "fYSaoJMOj7-r4XWEuYjRxw", "business_name": "Bleu Martini", "rating": 2, "text": "I have only been here on Saturday nights before things get really busy to grab A quick drink with my friends. Why just one drink? The prices are pretty expensive and the drinks not very strong. It is a nice to listen to music and get ready to go out dancing...but leave before it gets crowded (~1130pm) PS. BOOOBIES. Seriously all the bartenders have their boobies out. If you're into that. Go. I couldn't even stop staring and I'm stick straight. ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:07:55" }, { "business_id": "XU3Fe8I8dD3FaOmzAQXLnQ", "business_name": "Spread Bagelry", "rating": 4, "text": "YUM YUM YUM! These bagels are unlike any I've ever had. The brick oven makes them a little more doughy then regular bagels and I absolutely love it. My favorite is getting \"the classic\" sandwich with whitefish instead of salmon on a plain bagel. Their white fish spread is absolutely amazing. Another plus is that you can order bagels/white fish/salmon/cream cheese the day before and have the order ready for pick up the next day if you are hosting a party and want Spread Bagelry featured at your house! Do be prepared to wait in a line if you are showing up on a weekend during prime brunch hours but FEAR NOT...there is usually live music playing outside and everyone is very friendly.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:14:37" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 3, "text": "Don't get me wrong...the food here is out of this world....like really really great quality food. The atmosphere is wonderful and the upstairs is absolutely gorgeous with a sun room porch feeling to it. However, the food is very very expensive and I have had some of these same dishes before for almost half the price. I am not even close to being stingy about spending money on food...but this place did set me back a little since each entree is at least 30 bucks. So just be prepared for that! Must Haves: Appetizers: potato crocchetta Pastas: fusilli w/ blue crab and uni crema, tortellini w/ lobster chives and black truffle, and the PAPPAREDELLE with boar (my favorite) Entree: Braised veal cheeks & suckling pig", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:29:49" }, { "business_id": "sDi3UPW6imj4wGHUg7CgXg", "business_name": "Teresa's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply the best. If you are really into great beer and food (as you all should be) this is the place to go. Completely worth the commute out of the city. If you are familiar with Monk's in the Rittenhouse Square Area....Teresa's Next Door puts it to shame! Honestly all of the food is amazing here. I get a little overwhelmed trying to figure out how to right a concise and informative review of this amazing spot but I will do my best. The atmosphere is amazing. Small space that has the bar span most the length of it. The background of the bar is filled with 100s of varieties of pint glasses specific to each beer you will order from the 15 pg or so Beer List. Unforgettable. Great for dates and small get togethers. MONDAYS: BUCK A SHUCK. Usually small variety west coast oysters...don't miss it! Must Haves: Crispy Artichokes Check out the cheese list. Always great selections! THE MUSSELS. Any of them. Best mussels I've ever had just do it! If I had to pick I would go with the Drunken: dark beer, chorizo, red pepper, shallot, and garlic. ugh YUM Chicken apple sausage sandwich Game Burger: make sure to try the caramelized leeks/beer battered onions as one of your toppings. HOBBIT RIBS. Order right when you get there they take 30-40 mins! LOBSTER ROLL: Originally labeled as the DOWN EASTAH. Dear god...one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had. A must!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T14:50:28" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "Looks like hiro is on the up&up. They have new lamenated menus w/ a choice of 4 different ramens: chicken soy, miso, pork, and vegetarian. Had the chicken soy for the first time! Very tasty. However, I still prefer the pork and the vegetarian. Since ramen traditional comes with pork belly (a fatty meat), the fattiness of the chicken was a little weird. I don't know. I guess I would just rather be eating pork fat than chicken fat :) PS. Jefferson Hospital Employees get $1 off! Woohoo", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:02:24" }, { "business_id": "7Klk8UuK1sdJt5_44eUtDg", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 4, "text": "Never thought I would rate a Starbucks...but I had to because this one is the best Starbucks in the city! Located on Jefferson Hospital's campus. Great place to study and relax (separate room). Very busy starbucks but the service is quick and SUPER friendly. Love it here.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:04:34" }, { "business_id": "-AanHawaDlzWHQjrqRRWig", "business_name": "Au Bon Pain", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Its a good spot to stop if you need to grab something quick and are in a hurry...but there is a Wawa 2 blocks away and you should probably just go there. The sandwiches are usually dry. Do not recommend. However, I work nearby and often grab the broccoli cheddar soup and a piece of bread for a snack. Not as good as Panera's broccoli cheddar...but pretty decent.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T20:18:58" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 4, "text": "Had a great lunch experience here yesterday! I ordered the Cavatappi which was absolutely delicious. The smokey pulled pork throughout the pasta was amazing. What really made the dish was the sauce. I really wish I knew how to make a tomato sauce like that! My friend got the burger and enjoyed it! Fries were extra tasty and came with some sort of aioli dip. Can't wait to come back for dinner in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T21:25:49" }, { "business_id": "OLkS4jfozQpUIUq0K6t_IQ", "business_name": "Underdogs", "rating": 4, "text": "What's better than getting a chili cheese dog @ 1 am on a Saturday night? Well...not much! Great experience at Underdogs this weekend. Service was quick. Fries were amazing! Got the chipotle mayo and utah fry sauce (kinda like a sriracha mayo) for dipping. Signed up for the Underdogs challenge. Time to get my name up on that wall! Will post my favorite sausage & hotdog at the end", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:14:15" }, { "business_id": "YO9Ycz_chfmoW4WI9Ou0ag", "business_name": "Drinker's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Had a fun time at Drinker's upstairs area on a Saturday night. Gets pretty crowded but if you are able to snag a table it makes the experience ten times better! Danced to old 90s hip hop and some oldies! Woo! Typical bar/drinks. I always snag a yuengling or yards ipa before lemon drops ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:19:33" }, { "business_id": "tzVLTQNUtiCAxUZmEuF0vQ", "business_name": "1 Tippling Place", "rating": 4, "text": "Love 1 tippling place for small group chats at happy hour or starting off your Saturday night. The inside is very charming! Small interior with an antique feel. The front of the place has a couple separated sitting areas with couches and lounge chairs. The back of the room runs along the bar and has more sitting options around high bar tables. I recommend the front if its open! The drinks are exceptionally good and you'll get your money's worth (10-12 dollars). Similar to Franklin and Mortgage Investment Company (if you have not been you should go there as well :) ) Must Have: Tequila Honey Suckle! Yum yum yum! Strong tequila at first but completely softened by the honey after each sip. Delicious", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:27:46" }, { "business_id": "2WGnykxiM-Mp-qIm2u7iAw", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 4, "text": "Review intended for a PRIVATE PARTY: I organized our office holiday party for 30 people at Maggiano's this past weekend and had a fantastic experience. Party planning was made easy by choosing the Milano package ($35 food and $40 open bar per person). We were in the Napoleon room which was very pleasant with a nice classy touch. The service was absolutely phenomenal and definitely added to why the party was such a success. Food Line Up: Started with the bruschetta & sausage peppers and onions served on a buffet. The bruschetta was great! I was pleasantly surprised to find cannellini beans in it! Turned out to be very tasty. Got the Maggiano's house salad & caesar salad served to the tables family style. I recommend both but to request less dressing as it was a little drenched and I had some guests complain. For pastas we got spaghetti with meat sauce and the four cheese tortellini with pesto. Both good! Entrees were chicken parmesan and an eggplant parm for the veggie eaters. Great overall experience! :) Definitely would recommend for large parties", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:39:32" }, { "business_id": "c6hhh1Kpr7iau8qMH74w2Q", "business_name": "Pub On Passyunk East", "rating": 4, "text": "Can you say, Hipster City?! This is where the hipsters are...and hey, they might be on to something because this place is great! A very casual, laid back atmosphere. Dark setting. The perfect place to grab some beers with your friends. Always pretty crowded on friday and saturday nights so if you want a table try and grab one early. The beer list is written on a long-stretching chalk board above the bar. If you have trouble reading it they have a printed list that you can ask for. They have a pretty phenomenal beer selection including some of my favorite West coast breweries such as 21st Amendment. Tasty food as well! The pierogies rocked my socks off!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:17:21" }, { "business_id": "4J06--ty2Ydj1---IsArLw", "business_name": "Cantina Los Caballitos", "rating": 3, "text": "Come here for MARGARITAS. Absolutely phenomenal margaritas and over 10 flavors. You can also get them served however you'd like or in a pitcher for the table. My favorite was the blood orange! Yum, yum ,yum! The atmosphere is fun and typical decor of a mexican restaurant/bar. My group and I had great service and you are served complimentary chips and salsas. The salsas are delicious and spicy! Maybe too spicy for some so make sure you have your margarita in hand! I ordered the chicken tortilla soup and have to say I was very disappointed. In no way is this a traditional tortilla soup. It was more like a chicken and green chili stew...which tasted fine but it isn't what you ordered.", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:25:47" }, { "business_id": "mf0OyZ6DX2iKUFIV9TqFRQ", "business_name": "Moriarty's Restaurant and Irish Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Great Happy Hour spot for after work with a decent beer list that is half off during this time! Dark lighting and tons and tons of wall decorations. Such a fun place to sit with friends and relax after a long day! In particular I loved coming here during the Holiday's when they have all of their X-mas decorations up. Very charming. Good for grabbing a quick bite or for bar food nibbles. Try the wings!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T22:07:47" }, { "business_id": "nFiobSfZqWmoA8LyuVK3vw", "business_name": "The Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is intended for Afternoon Tea! What a great experience. Perfect for...and I know it sounds cheesy...getting together for a girl date, putting on cute dresses, and talking over tea. You have the choice of ordering two samplers...the only difference between the two is that one comes with a cocktail and the other does not. You order your own pot (i typically go with earl grey) and are presented with a tower of tea sandwiches, seasonal scones, and desserts. So much fun! Also ask your waiter for more sandwiches because it usually goes free of charge if you tell them which one is your favorite and how much you loved it ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:13:05" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Currently battling sleep at my office desk...that's right I am in an official food coma! I stopped by Jake's to pick up lunch today. Got the turbacon and a side of fried pickles. Do you miss thanksgiving? Well today I did but my craving was fully satisfied. The turbacon has turkey, stuffing, gravey, hashbrowns, and cranberry sauce all on a roll. It's a dream come true. The fried pickles were also delicious! They came in slices the size of silver dollars with a sriracha mayo dipping sauce. Yum yum!", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:18:39" }, { "business_id": "6GePX4W6Cl8LD68zUq_MAA", "business_name": "Rachael's Nosheri", "rating": 4, "text": "Rachael's Nosheri = Your hangover cure! I don't think a week has passed since I moved to center city (July 2012) that my apartment hasn't ordered delivery from Rachael's. Typical deli menu. My favorites are the turkey special & italian with everything on it (oil not mayo!). I also order the chicken soup which is simple and has a classic homey taste. One of the best things about Rachael's is it's hours. When most places are closed at 8 to 9 am....Rachael's is open for delivery! That's what makes it my hangover cure and Sunday morning knight in shinning armor. I order a breakfast egg, sausage, and cheese on a hoagie roll with a side of chicken noodle soup. PS. GET THE PICKLES. Honestly they are the best ever. I sometimes just order Rachael's to eat the pickles. They are so perfect. Not too vinegary and they are still super crispy.", "timestamp": "2013-01-23T19:38:17" }, { "business_id": "1cncsHKApeW1ubd5d9HoJw", "business_name": "Hop Sing Laundromat", "rating": 4, "text": "This isn't just a bar, it's an experience! I felt giddy when we finally found the door between 10th and 11th st on Race. We were let in by a bouncer who instructed us to sit down in a small room where he explained to us the rules. It was like being at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida where you wait and listen to someone prepare you for the ride ahead. Nice touch! Beautiful interior. Close attention to details so don't be afraid to get up and look around if you're into that. Drinks are totally worth the price. Reminded me of Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. Recommend: East Side is my favorite drink. I also enjoy one of the new specials called Crazy Horse but only if you like vodka...because it is HEAVY on the vodka. ;) Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:06:09" }, { "business_id": "rN3tOWABU_hSBvLdADSb4Q", "business_name": "Tazia Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here for happy hour with a few co-workers after reading about some great experiences from fellow yelpers. Unfortunately I wasn't blown away by this place. The happy hour specials are great...for example $3.50 for a fruit (pineapple, lychee, etc) martini. But I pretty much got exactly what I paid for and maybe even less...the martini was watered down and I felt like I was drinking lightly flavored juice. The service was slow... Not sure I will be going back anytime soon but I could be persuaded to give it another try. Maybe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:10:09" }, { "business_id": "fcpHrRopilvsBwUajFB5rw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Good food at a great price! I came by for a quick dinner after going out for happy hour with some friends. We ordered tons of dumplings....seriously TONS. My favorite were the Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns ( pork and scallion ) and the soup dumplings. My favorite entree we got blew my mind! We ordered it as a recommendation that we took from our server: pork with sauce noodle. Literally that is what it's called. We got it with mei fun noodles. The best way to describe it is like having an asian spaghetti with meat sauce that instead of tomato has a soy/hoison base. Cilantro was sprinkled all over the top. So. Good. Some negatives...I didnt like the fried rice (how can you mess up fried rice?). Some of the dumplings weren't super special to me. So with the pros and cons...this place is A-OK to me", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:20:29" }, { "business_id": "gQCKrqkalAc--4cuW_C_Ow", "business_name": "Tacconelli's Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "There is no where else in Philadelphia and the surrounding area where you can get pizza as good as Tacconelli's. Seriously, this pizza is the best. I normally go here with a large group of people 8+. This is the best way to do it so you can order tons of different pizza combos. You are limited to only 2 toppings per pizza (to keep the oven operating efficiently). The crust is super thin and the pizza sauce is absolutely delicious. Be prepared to have garlic breath for hours...but hopefully whoever you're smooching later will be at dinner with you anyways and will have the same problem! My favorite combos: plain cheese & sauce, sausage & onion, tomato & spinach. If you can handle spicy, and I mean really spicy, order a side of their homemade hot peppers. Remember to call in and reserve the amount of pizza doughs you want before you get here! BYOB & Cash Only !", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T14:54:39" }, { "business_id": "oU-vzdE38Nk6gAr4yDy6ew", "business_name": "Crumbs Bake Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "Not the best but certainly worth a try. I got a dozen of the small cupcakes to try the different flavors with my roomies. I found them to be pretty good...in particular the red velvet and the coconut cream. Dense and moist to make for an overall yummy experience. Ill be going back again soon", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:04:27" }, { "business_id": "QuU-a6FEcC_aZTgZkYFeLA", "business_name": "The Bards", "rating": 4, "text": "The Bards has great brunch! Went there this past Saturday with a group of friends after a big night out and it was just what we needed. I ordered the eggs benedict and added Irish ham to it which was a great decision. The home fry potatoes that came on the side with onions and peppers were absolutely perfect. If you're in to bloody marys they have a great mix here! Yum! Bards is also a great spot to grab some beers for a sports game or for Thursday night Quizzo. All around great Irish Pub that puts its next door neighbor THE Irish Pub to shame.", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:28:07" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "I love dropping in to Capogiro every few weeks to try the new flavors...and this past weekend did not disappoint! I was really craving some sorbetto and got a combo of kiwi and pineapple mint. The pineapple mint was probably one of the best flavors I've ever had! So let me make it clear...if they have it, you must get the:PINEAPPLE MINT SORBETTO. I also love the cucumber sorbetto which they did not have this past weekend. Any of the gelatos are a must. In particular I crave the Thai coconut. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:35:35" }, { "business_id": "ueAkLzWFFTzQkq3jzyBlnA", "business_name": "Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "The clouds have parted... and there at the center, is a huge bowl of Pho. Absolutely delicious and enlightening (thus the first sentence) lunch experience at Pho Xe Lua today! I felt almost treacherous ditching my normal spot, Pho Cali, and wandered a little further away from work to this spot. What a good idea and I will absolutely be coming here again in the near future. I got regular rare steak pho. The meat and noodle portions were large just with a regular bowl portion. What really made this pho exceptional was the broth. So savory and had the right amount of scallions and cilantro. My PIC (partner in crime) got the beef stir fry noodles. Also amazing! But really I'm a Pho girl and this will be my new go to spot for it.", "timestamp": "2013-01-29T21:29:27" }, { "business_id": "mlrYh-m3Zlqp9CTeSvdOsQ", "business_name": "Chix & Wings", "rating": 4, "text": "MMMmmmmmm what a pleasant surprise! I needed a quick lunch break from work and was craving some serious chicken nuggets. I was heading to Wendy's on the corner of 11th and walnut but bumped into Chick-a-licious before I could make it. Hurrah! I ordered the 7 piece boneless chicken, mashed potatoes & gravey, and corn. I got honey mustard and the sweet chili dipping sauces (my fav). The chicken was so fresh! I watched them batter and fry it right in front of me. The meat was delish and had 0 fat. Very pleased with this discovery and will go back ASAP.", "timestamp": "2013-01-31T16:50:42" }, { "business_id": "8j3blTZChklt3j89jxx0fw", "business_name": "Brauhaus Schmitz", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is for restaurant week. What's better than a liter of beer and huge portions of goulash, potato pancakes, and sausage? Not much! Had a fun experience here for restaurant week. The menu was a bit limited since their regular menu is so so large, so I felt a bit limited but was not completely disappointed. I ordered the hungarian goulash. Not like goulash you can get abroad. It resembled more of a what I called, \"a european chili.\" I also got the kale salad which was a huge like! I don't think I've ever had just plain kale in a salad before but it was so good. It had a roasted garlic dressing, thin red onions, and shaved smoked gouda. I was disappointed with the sausage selections my table got (weisswurst, bratwurst, and baurenwurst) . Overall I felt they were relatively flavorless and demanded some serious mustard attention. This is in comparison to the sausages you can get at Frankford Hall which comes from Ilg's Butcher shop where the sausages are unbelievable. I am looking forward to going back again and getting the house sausage and others that were not available on the restaurant week menu. The Braushaus Housbrau was very good. Easy to drink and great to wash down the food :)", "timestamp": "2013-02-05T23:23:47" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 4, "text": "Mmmm what's for Supper? Well for me it was the sweet potato soup with the smear of homemade marshmallow around the rim of the bowl and the scallops. The soup was spicy but sweet and had a thickness to it that was perfect. The scallops were cooked to perfection and the truffle on them is a great touch. The sauteed greens that came with the scallops were a little tough but not bad! For the table we shared the Tamale fries and the Chicken wings. CHICKEN WINGS ARE A MUST. I cant get over how delicious they are. Sugar, salt, pepper and falls right off the bone. Tasty appetizer for the table. Love the atmosphere here. Plan on coming back soon!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:34:37" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "Yum. Thank you Honest Tom's for renewing my hope for Philadelphia's burrito scene. Best chicken burrito I've had outside of New Mexico. Honestly (ha) this place is as good as it gets. From the chicken to the beans...everything is well flavored and fresh making a great, cheap, & quick meal. They also make their own salsas which are delish and worth a try. If you like it hot, you'll be in love!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:45:59" }, { "business_id": "2YyIIdwnYv5cApn1gZo_gw", "business_name": "Field House", "rating": 4, "text": "Very pleased with going to The Field House for Mardi Gras last night! The specials were great: $3 dollar Abita drafts, $5 hurricanes, $5 soco lime shots Abita's Purple Haze may be one of my favorite beers for all time (you can find in specialty craft beer stores by the can) and I couldn't believe I was drinking pints of it for 3 dollars each. In general the beer list is pretty good and during happy hour it's $2 dollars off all local brews. I came with a big group of people (10) and we took over the benches up in front by the stage. Great drinks, fast service, and a couple orders of the Kettle Chips (braised beef, jalapenos, gouda, salsa...uhhh yum) made for a great after work party", "timestamp": "2013-02-13T19:46:32" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 4, "text": "Yum! I've been meaning to try this spot for some time now and decided that going on a little V-Day Lunch Adventure was just what I needed today. Turns out it was a great choice! Love the space. Very casual and fun. Feels like being in a market/kitchen area. I didn't get a chance to browse the initial cheese, charcuterie, and dessert counter but I will be coming back in the near future to do so! From what I saw there was a chocolate cake with bacon peanut butter icing...MMMM yes please I ordered the half sandwich and soup combo. The pasta fagioli was very fresh and perfectly cooked. Now, the cuban sandwich was amazing. I'm pretty picky about these and I loved mine. The bread was crispy & thin. The portion of meat was generous. Homemade pickles and mustard....plus untraditional gruyere cheese. Delish and absolutely recommend!", "timestamp": "2013-02-14T19:13:42" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 3, "text": "El vez is a good spot to stop by for happy hour. The margaritas are delicious and they normally have a decent beer selection. The guacamole is good (but pricey depending on what you get). My two favorites are the Morales (truffle) and the Indian Red Lopez (crab, cilantro, and salsa) guacamoles. I love the tortilla soup here. Much MUCH MUCH better than at Starr's other mexican spot, El Rey. Can't go wrong with the tacos. This place is good but not the best. I think its a nice spot for getting together with a larger group of friends for dinner or just for a casual happy hour.", "timestamp": "2013-02-18T16:05:11" }, { "business_id": "jHeT7dodT4fN1SD3QEFoAA", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 4, "text": "Oink oink oink! This place is appropriately named and deservedly so. The pork selections on the menu are each to die for. Really, the chef knows how to cook meat. Everything came out in a timely fashion and was cooked to perfection. Great family dinner experience. A dish that really stood out to me in particular was actually a dessert. We were so full we almost didn't ask for dessert menus...but alas my curiosity often overrides any smart decision to stop eating and thank goodness it did. I ordered the shortcake with maple syrup and bacon ice cream. YUP, BACON ICE CREAM. It was the best breakfast/dessert/smorgasbord I've ever had. Highly recommend saving room for this one! Look forward to coming again & also for brunch (gasp! didn't know they had one until recently)", "timestamp": "2013-02-20T16:08:37" }, { "business_id": "5Fm6khB-De-OdqATep9J9Q", "business_name": "NYPD Pizza", "rating": 2, "text": "Not a bad spot to stop in for a quick lunch. I came a little after the initial lunch rush and I think it limited my options. There wasn't much variety to the leftover pizza. I ended up getting a slice of the cheesesteak pizza and a slice of mushroom and cheese. The cheesesteak pizza was pretty good. White pizza with tons of american cheese and steak meat. There were also dollops of cheez whiz. I did wish it had red sauce but I asked the counter for a side which they were more than willing to provide! The mushroom pizza was super eh. I should have just gone with a slice of plain cheese that seemed to be the freshest. It was like heating up an old piece of pizza. I showered the entire thing with hot peppers which made it better. Good price & quick service tho.", "timestamp": "2013-02-21T21:32:49" }, { "business_id": "qCpdeQYPf9i1EZhTnQgjtg", "business_name": "The Foodery at Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a great addition to the Rittenhouse Square Area. I had an absolutely wonderful time stopping by the new Foodery after happy hour to check it out. Not only did they have some of my all time favorite beers that are hard to come by (ex. Prism Red Zone!) they also were stocked with an interesting and diverse selection of bottled beers that the employees were more than willing to walk you through them. We got our beer selections and sat down at the large picnic table. Right now they only do sandwiches and some sides..but I wanted just charcuterie so the server happily sliced me a little of everything free of charge so I could try it out. We also got a side of potato chips and the marinated artichokes which were super yum. Great experience! Nice place to stop with friends and try out some funky beers!", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:10:40" }, { "business_id": "HS5CfzQ_gOJHgqwtv9rvNQ", "business_name": "Ladder 15", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to a fundraiser for happy hour yesterday. It was pretty decent. There were $5 dollar mixed drink specials that were surprisingly boozy. The food was OK. All fried appetizers. The winner was the fried mac and cheese squares. I could eat dozens of those. I really like the ambiance of Ladder 15. They had a fire going and the lighting is pretty dim. Makes for a cozy happy hour with your friends.", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:13:03" }, { "business_id": "AfassS1QI0DHsqwuof9-lA", "business_name": "Dirty Franks", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple of my friends and I had a great time finding this Dive Bar on the corner of 13th & Pine. The best part about it was...BYOF...Bring Your Own Food! We brought in a ton of wings (from moriarty's) and sat down with a couple of beers to hang out for Happy Hour before going out for the rest of the night. People of all ages but apparently similar music tastes because I could not get enough of how great the juke box selections were for the evening! Anything from Bob Marley to some 90s Pop. I was lovin' it They had Purple Haze (Abita) on tap. Obviously adds a whole star to my review. I can't get enough of this beer. My one big problem with this place is that there wasn't a good spot for all of my friends and I to sit together (6 of us). The tables can only accommodate up to 4 so we had to play musical chairs for a little while.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T20:35:40" }, { "business_id": "ZDdNEwBENLXBT3jjQD5STQ", "business_name": "Giwa Korean Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "Gimme korean chicken tacos all day every day! Love this tiny spot for grabbing a quick lunch. I have to say that I have not yet ordered anything else from the menu because the tacos are all I need. Both the pork and the chicken are delicious but I prefer the chicken. Tiny tortillas stuffed with spicy chicken, cheese, sour ccream, lettuce, onion, cilantro, and sticky rice. The spicyness of the chicken seeps into the rice it's absolutely fantastic. They put a heaping amount of cilantro on each taco which really makes it! Be sure to grab some of the hot sauce for dipping! I dip my side cucumbers in as well :) Some day I will be back to try something else off the menu...but not today", "timestamp": "2013-03-04T16:08:52" }, { "business_id": "7mpYTDb24SywNMRn3yeakQ", "business_name": "The Twisted Tail", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great place to stumble upon! We wanted to grab a bite to eat before a 7pm concert at the TLA and thankfully found The Twisted Tail. The cocktails were delicious. I had the black cherry gimlet and the kool kat. The gimlet was sweet but the lime juice added a tartness that made it perfect. The kool kat was refreshing and a tasty way to start off the night. As we were having our cocktails and waiting to order, the waiter brought out fresh house popcorn with bacon and rosemary butter. YUM What we ordered: Soup of the day: Pumpkin Chipotle glazed wings Cesar salad with cornbread croutons Blackened catfish BBQ spare ribs I would strongly recommend the pumpkin soup if they have it. It was the best I have ever had! It had a strong pumpkin flavor but was sweetened with what almost felt like a marshmallowy taste. The soup was thickened adding to the marshmallow aspect of the dish. The BBQ ribs were also very tasty! Even better is on the side were deep fried cornichons. I've fallen in love with these. This should be the only way to fry pickles.", "timestamp": "2013-03-07T15:14:48" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 4, "text": "Happy to stop in to Vernick to catch up with an old friend. She had never been and was very pleased overall with the experience (as she should be!) The food was spectacular as always. The service was quick and helpful. We split a mixture of toast/ raw bar/ and small plates over wine. The tuna poke is still my favorite! So delicious Vernick is not getting my usual 5 star rating because their desserts are not what they use to be. I think this is on account of the dreaded change in pastry chef. This makes me the saddest.... Goodbye delicious pies. The date cake wasn't what it was last time I went (~1month ago). It wasn't as moist and a little too dense. With a change of pastry chef should come a change in menu! I'm ready for it, Vernick!", "timestamp": "2013-03-08T19:23:31" }, { "business_id": "YBak8o0xCiNN4sXr3izLbg", "business_name": "Barcade", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok...I was so excited to finally spend a night at Barcade with a handful of friends for a birthday party and was pretty disappointed. We picked out this place specifically to come to after a day at Frankford hall (da best obvi) because of the amazing beer list and full intention to get rowdy with some throw back video games. When we got there around 9pm the place was so full it was hard to even move around. Any dream of playing a video game was shattered by the lines in front of each machine. Instead we settled at a table after a bit of a wait until the music got turned up. For some reason the music got even louder than it already was with some sort of tortured rock that really hurt my ears. Needless to say we made a hasty retreat back to the center city area. With all this negativity....I am not completely turned off by this joint. I think timing is key and I need to come back at a less rowdy time to really enjoy what this place is...a place where you can be goofy and enjoy old games over a pint or two rather than get lost in a loud, claustrophobia-inducing crowd.", "timestamp": "2013-03-11T15:46:00" }, { "business_id": "Z5rqRyZ4-iEBRVXCRbysfA", "business_name": "Rogue's Gallery", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a hidden gem Rogue's Gallery is! I met up with a couple of friends for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised. Rogue's is off the beaten path of mainstream Rittenhouse Square Area and is a refreshing change of scenery from my normal go to places. The bar is the perfect combination of up-scale, divey-ness that is hard to explain until you see it. Our immediate reaction to the place was, \"Wow. We need to be regulars here,\" and I completely plan on making that happen! Great specials for happy hour. Can't wait to come back here to try the food or come dancing on a friday night!", "timestamp": "2013-03-20T18:34:00" }, { "business_id": "Tkx1AiQarmw0zc50GibtTA", "business_name": "Marathon On the Square", "rating": 3, "text": "Marathon does free deliveries on grub hub now!!! Fast service. Same old food...but if you're in a pinch for a burger/sandwich/salad it's nice. The smoothies are great! Love the mixed berry with honey!", "timestamp": "2013-03-22T16:29:07" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 4, "text": "I love to see Drury street becoming a serious destination for Saturday nights. Not that McGillins wasn't holding down the fort on it's own, but now the spill into the street from both packed establishments makes it a really exciting place to be. I can't wait for the summer! Anyways, Bru has the right stuff to become a great spot to grab drinks with friends for a night out. The pour your own pint in the front is amazing. Basically you load up a card with money, swipe, and ta dahhhh... you dispense your own beer like a soda fountain. I'm excited to see what selections they will have in the upcoming future. I think to start the choices were a little unoriginal...but I have high hopes! Haven't tried the food yet. Maybe next time :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T18:56:43" }, { "business_id": "OHzX-ZD9qyoeoxR8Z0dlIA", "business_name": "Khyber Pass Pub", "rating": 5, "text": "I. love. this. place. I can't put a finger on the exact reason why...but maybe that's why it's so great. There isn't just one thing that makes Khyber Pass a great place to go to. Saturday was gorgeous and we set out to try new places and get our day drink on. We landed at Khyber's and were immediately greeted with a surprisingly crowded but friendly atmosphere. The beer list is extensive and exciting if you are in to the beer scene. Lots of new things for me to try and the sudden surprise that...OH MY DEAR LORD THEY HAVE PO BOYS, and lots of them! I got the cat fish po boy with a side of collard greens and the mac and cheese. Heaven. Seriously. What is better than an afternoon of funky beers over fried fish and mac with your friends. Nothing. :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T19:03:37" }, { "business_id": "waafKhA-LtJSZXlECyfEXw", "business_name": "New York Gyro Halal Food Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been here 20+ times in the past couple of months and my feelings have not changed for how amazing this place is for lunch. Quick, cheap, & delicious. Best $4 dollars I've ever spent (Except really I give them $5 :) )", "timestamp": "2013-03-26T18:48:13" }, { "business_id": "RFYlmTjgwhOsm7qJwW1G9w", "business_name": "Alfa American Tavern", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Perhaps it's because we came here on the later side of a Saturday night but I found it over crowded and stuffy. To be far, I was in a larger group so we ourselves were kind of crowding up the place but even so I couldn't really talk to everyone and we had to break up a bit. I had a hard time getting to the bar, which can be frustrating for a little redhead. However, once I did I was pleased with my drink choice: Kate Middleton. I'll try it again, but not on a Saturday night", "timestamp": "2013-03-28T14:16:45" }, { "business_id": "ePs4Z_Nqsm5-kQk_hAp2Dg", "business_name": "Irish Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh the Irish Pub...I was too harsh on you. For a place to go out for drinks with a group of friends, no matter what night of the week it is, I find myself at the Irish Pub at least once a week. Whether it's a weekday night and I try to monopolize the jukebox with DJ Saraah's Greatest Hits or a Friday/Saturday night with a rotation of visiting DJs, the music is loud and sets a booty wigglin, drink guzzling atmosphere to forget the rest of the world outside of the pub. A good spot for celebrating but get there before the night rush if you want to have good standing room. It can get crowded pretty fast but hey, with cheap drinks and fast service what else would you expect?", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:15:49" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "AHOY Seafood Connoisseurs! The Dump Dinner does not disappoint! Did the Dump Dinner again with a group of 10. Still my #1 dining experience in Philly. Delicious, messy, finger lickin' food in a classy establishment with a 2hr open bar. Count me in always.", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:21:29" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "My Boyfriend has a problem...and its Tea Do. He discovered this place a couple weeks ago and I lost him every day, and then multiple times a day to a mysterious bubble house that I hadn't been to in China Town. He started coming up with excuses for his addiction: I just worked out (bubbles help that?), my stomach hurts (ok...), and I'm sleepy (...). Needless to say my curiosity peeked and I was ready to make the trek to China Town to, \"grab some bub teas.\" I tend to like traditional milk with tapioca bubble teas, the coconut milk one being my favorite. My boyfriend on the other hand is obsessed with both the Grasshopper and the Tropical Twister but with tapioca bubbles not lychee. I've also ventured and explored the bursting bubbles such as strawberry. These are good but like I've already said, I'm a traditionalist. So now he has a Bub Tea PIC (partner in crime)....and it's getting a little embarrassing how often we go. :)", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T15:41:19" }, { "business_id": "OhSaEeJes7JLtk3MGMXXmg", "business_name": "Maoz Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "My healthy lunch go to during the work week. The falafel is fresh and really delicious, but what makes the place is all of the options from the buffet you can stock up on for your sandwich or salad. I prefer getting the falafel in a salad bowl because I can fit everything I want into the container. As you can imagine jamming additional snackie poos into the pita and falafel, which is already full to begin with, is pretty difficult. If you like spicy and fresh, I recommend getting the green chili and the cilantro sauces all over your falafel.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:24:36" }, { "business_id": "qh7T0rql3chxxuORLMse2Q", "business_name": "Yellow Juice Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Yellow Juice Bar loves Yelpers. First off I checked in and got $1 off a salad. Boom. I got a Mango Madness fruit blend with almond milk and the free banana twirl special featured on Yelp this week. That banana twirl is magic. I didn't know that being healthy could be so delicious. I'm a big big fan of banana gelato..and as far as I'm concerned, that is exactly what I ate.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:32:04" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm really torn up about Village Whiskey. Don't get me wrong, this a great place but for some reason I can't give it 4 stars. It's really hard to get a table here pretty much all the time. I've been a number of times and always end up standing in the back with a friend or two. Not terrible but also not ideal. I also had an annoying situation with the hostess when 5 of my friends and I were trying to squish and eat at a 2 person table while the entire middle booth (seats 6) was empty. We kept asking if we could move there since we were in the way of everything and had ordered food which was definitely not going to fit on the table. After about 20 minutes when our food arrived in heaping loads she let us move. Sorry I'm not Ryan Howard but this girl wants to eat her burger just as bad. On the up side the food and drinks are good. The beecharmer is my cocktail of choice and they always have good beers on tap. The truffled cauliflower on the pickle selections is amazing and a must have. I also am a big fan of the veggie burger. Best I've ever had. Heads up- They deliver. And this is normally the route I take if I just want food from here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:44:14" }, { "business_id": "0-7N3z_cb3Z1xMGDrbez6w", "business_name": "Le Virtu", "rating": 4, "text": "Looking for the perfect date night spot? You found it. Le Virtu is such a gem. It's classy but not too much so...the overall feel is very comfortable and homey. It set me up to chow down on some pasta and drink italian wine. Not much can beat that! The service was also amazingly friendly and warm. We spoke with the manager for a lengthy period of time about food traditions across Italy and, in particular, the food from Abruzzo where his grandfather is from (one of Le Virtu's main drawing pools). Appetizers: Fried rice balls Hearty chick pea soup is a must have. I feel like this can be easily overlooked but they use duck and rabbit stock....yum city. House-made Abruzzese-style sausage Charred octopus salad was also very good. Surprisingly refreshing. The octopus was very tiny and packed with flavor which is exactly how I like 'em Primi: We all got entree sized pasta dishes and skipped secondi because they looked amazing Shepard Style gnocchi was absolutely amazing. Probably my favorite dish. The gnocchi was miniature and not too soft. The smokiness of the lamb sausage paired with the sheep ricotta gave these dish such warm and comforty feel to it. I could eat this all the time. Taccozzelle was recommend by the server and rightfully so. The noodles were so fresh. The porcini mushroom was the predominant flavor, can't complain there. Desserts: Pecorino Panna cotta. Yes, get this. It is a must have. The pecorino really makes this panna cotta unique. It is extra thick and creamy, served with poached pears. I loved it. Also it is a smaller portion size which I welcomed warmly after all of the pasta I destroyed Chocolate semifreddo was like eating the best frozen chocolate milk I've ever had. Assorted biscotti.........I know it's a crime but I don't like biscotti. Never have. But for the members of the dinner party who do like it they raved about them. Enjoy! I'll be back soon to try the Maccheroni alla mugnaia: the 6 ft single strand noodle pasta!", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T18:11:23" }, { "business_id": "f2RHDdXezLHILvM7v1xOVA", "business_name": "Taqueria La Veracruzana", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars and a round of applause for the Tacos at Veracruzana! You can't go wrong with any of the tacos all of which are sprinkled with freshly chopped onions and cilantro..... HOWEVER! The must haves are the Al Pastor (roasted, pulled pork & pineapple) and the chorizo tacos. The Al Pastor from here is pretty much the best I've come across in the Philly area. The pork is melt in your mouth good and the pineapple with the cilantro is super refreshing. For a more intense savory flavor the chorizo is the way to go. You get 3 to an order so I usually go 1 chorizo & 2 al pastor with the occasional bistec guisado taco to mix it up. The house green and red accompanying salsas are both killer. I loud up all my tacos with a squish of lime and both salsas. Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-04-24T15:59:47" }, { "business_id": "SDL247FlOnScJfuNjZESxg", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty Manning Grill is a bright and refreshing place. Between both the ambiance and the food, it makes me feel like summer is already here! I went on a Mommy-Daughter date here last night (awwwww) and was extremely pleased with the whole experience. We split the Lancaster Baby Romaine and the cheese plate to start. The cheese plate was absolutely gorgeous. They pile on different slices of fruit and berries on a thick wooden board. Very pretty. For entrees she got the Berkshire Pork Chop which was delicious. Very tender, perfectly cooked pork and the brussel sprouts were a hearty, leafy side. I got the Duck Confit...now this is a MUST HAVE alert... MUST HAVE: (Lightly) Crispy Duck Confit. The meat was practically falling off the bone and was so delicious. The whole leg rests on a thick bed of spinach salad with slices of tangerine. I got my meat fix and my green fix in one plate. It was really an impressive dish that kept to overall mood of the evening: light, refreshing, summery dining experience. Bottle of wine: Fritz, Riesling (Germany) to keep to the light nature of our meal. Very sweet but not syrupy. Great riesling!", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:32:57" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok...Yogorino is growing on me...BIG time. Maybe its the weather...maybe it's my new work out schedule...but I get Yogorino cravings like crazy lately. I love how creamy but not overly sweet the frozen yogurt is here. Very different from the other froyo places popping up all over the place that try and make their yogurt more like an ice cream. Here, the yogurtyness is embraced. Everything is kept simple. My go to toppings: a litttttle dulce de leche sauce, meringue crumble, and strawberries. And dare I say it... FROYO because...YOLO?", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:39:13" }, { "business_id": "fivoAD6x6jXJRiEZwhpcEQ", "business_name": "Amis Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh me, oh my, Amis! I really want to go with a 4.5 here because a 4 doesn't do it justice...but I also can't just give it a full 5 stars since it was my first time there. #yelperproblems This was an absolutely great dining experience. I went with a group of 5 for a Sunday night Birthday Dinner. I actually would recommend going with a group of 4+ so you can try everything you want to on the menu...and trust me there are going to be a lot of dishes that grab your attention. MUST HAVES: I can't go into detail about every dish we got...but I will highlight my favorites Bufala ricotta and black pepper paired with the Veal Terrine (as recommended by our server): Super creamy and savory. The two dishes were made for each other Marinated Octopus over chickpeas: Yes, yes, yes. This is the way octopus should be cooked. Lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside as opposed to overly chewy. The chickpeas were also delicious. All around great dish Fried Lamb Ribs: If you like lamb then this is a must. I loved nomming tender lamb morsels off the bone. The yogurt was a nice touch Cacio e pepe: one of my favorite dishes in general...but Amis does it great. This is my ultimate comfort food. Simple but great. Spinach fazzoletti with lamb ragu: YUM. The fazzoletti was made perfectly. The lamb ragu was tender and meaty which went great with the spinach pasta. OVERALL everything was amazing from ambiance to drinks to food. However, I have 1 complaint. The rice pudding was off putting. They top what is on it's own an absolutely delicious rice pudding (perfect taste & texture) with a berry puree (not terrible) and SALTED pistachios. I capped salted because this is what I think ruined the dish. The salt was too overpowering for the light, milky pudding and was the only thing I could taste. I ended up scoping the top layer off and eating the pudding on its own. I would suggest non-salted pistachios if they are going for the texture....but salted is just too much.", "timestamp": "2013-04-29T15:45:08" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "Winter has come to Pub & Kitchen (Game of Thrones anyone?). The days of plenty are over. The change in chef/menu has really put a damper on this once awesome place to grab a drink and some food with your friends. It really, reaaally is a shame since the location is so great and summer is right around the corner. First off, I wasn't blown away by the menu. Nothing grabbed my attention. Everything was extremely fancy. I'm a pretty intense foodie, but there were things that made me go, \"Huh? What the ... is that?\" Except for the burger...which is listed as \"Cheeseburger: pickle, onion, lettuce, american cheese.\" Fancy, fancy, fancy, and a side of Cheeseburger. It's almost as if they felt obligated to have a cheeseburger since the last Pub & Kitchen burger was out of this world. What we tried: Suckling pig bouchons: These were OK. Imagine eating a croquette without the potato. The lemony sauce that was served with them was awesome. Probably the best thing I had there... Pabbit Campagne: Again...just OK. It was described as a pate but really its more of a meaty terrine. It didn't taste bad, but I did not finish it. Pickled Beets: I don't like beets...but these were actually pretty good. The puffs add a great texture to the dish Cheeseburger: Sad, sad, sad. The meat was flavorful but overcooked due to the fact that they now use two thin patties (why?!). When I go out to eat and order a cheeseburger, it better be delicious and unique.....and this one was just not. Overall: The changes at Pub & Kitchen have made me pretty sad. The cocktail that I had was tasty (Lie to Me), but until there's a turn around in the food department I don't see myself coming back here anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2013-05-01T13:56:01" }, { "business_id": "yQ7sxpoKXcTWzuELVdpR6w", "business_name": "Drury Beer Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "The Drury Beer Garden really is a hidden gem. It's a great place to just chill out with a larger group of friends without having to worry about squeezing everyone around a bar. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and I think because of this everyone freely intermingles with other groups. Just your regular backyard party coupled with an awesome beer list and the chance to meet some people. What is there not to like? I went this past weekend and scored a picnic table under a heat lamp. I had my favorite beer: Hell or High Watermelon for $5 a can and couldn't have been more content!", "timestamp": "2013-05-06T15:48:56" }, { "business_id": "7z16CBc74GhbyqalwZrJUQ", "business_name": "Ting Wong Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick, delicious, & fresh business lunch @ Ting Wong for 4 people. We went family style and ordered: Boneless soy chicken & pork appetizers Chicken & Anchovy fried rice Chicken Lo Mein The portions are huge! So definetely plan on ordering a couple of dishes and sharing! I would absolutely recommend the chicken & anchovy fried rice as well as the soy chicken. The fried rice was very fresh and not greasy as fried rice has a tendency to be. The anchovy gave it a nice salty flavor and it wasn't fishy at all which I was initially afraid of. The soy chicken is so flavorful and the crushed ginger sauce on top (and ask for more on the side) makes it a delicious dish. Great spot to check out in Chinatown! :)", "timestamp": "2013-05-14T15:34:45" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 5, "text": "Grabbed the Enfrijoladas and a slice of carrot cake Take-Out style last night for a lazy couch dinner after the gym. Heaven. The Enfrijoladas are really, really good. Now, this is coming from a New Mexican who is pretty picky about these things. The refried beans are to die for. The only thing lacking was heat, but that was nothing a healthy squeeze of Sriracha couldn't fix.", "timestamp": "2013-05-15T14:15:39" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by for an iced latte and salad for lunch. Yummy yummy! The iced caramel latte is divine. Creamy & unburned coffee that will make you smack yourself on the wrist for ever going in to a Starbucks. Spiced orange salad was amazing! Lightly spiced vinaigrette. The chicken was seasoned and warm off to the side. Filling but not overly so. Perfect for a hot afternoon lunch outside.", "timestamp": "2013-05-16T17:40:47" }, { "business_id": "MKsCFQuzmgH2We9hwTQ8gw", "business_name": "South Street Souvlaki", "rating": 4, "text": "Opa! Amazing family dinner experience! I love the atmosphere here. Very friendly service with an eagerness to please. All of our food came out quickly and there was plenty, PLENTY of it. We ate everything family style, which I would recommend if you are having a sit down dinner, and got to try a large variety of things. So many in fact, that I will only list my favorites: I could eat the baba ganoush with warm pita for days. Seriously, it is perfection. The marinated grilled octupus was cooked supremely well and served over a fresh salad. We went with the special fish of the day: Porgy. Lightly fried with fresh squeezed lemon. So good! Another special was the pork & leek stew. The meat was deliciously tender and the leeks came in huge, caramelized chunks. Served over rice. Save room for dessert because the rice pudding is some of the best I've ever had! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T15:48:17" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 3, "text": "I am so torn up about Continental Mid-Town and have been waiting to write a review for a couple months now. There are most certainly reasons why I would give them 4 stars...but there are also plenty of times I would have gone with just 2. So I'll settle at an indecisive 3 stars. Here are the pros and cons: Pros: The atmosphere of the rooftop bar is really fun during any season. As long as you are in a smaller group of people it can be a lot of fun. Just make sure to get there and snag a table/bar seat before major crowds roll in. I like their tuna tar tar Their drinks are tasty, modern, fun. They deliver through grubhub if you're feeling lazy Cons: Expensive. You can get better tasting food for half the price. It really is a shame. Crowded night light. You have to plan to get there and find space to hang out ahead of major crowds...otherwise it can be a bit overwhelming. Overall I like this place as a launching pad for a great night out with my friends. Maybe an appetizer or two...but nothing more than that.", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T16:00:07" }, { "business_id": "XTNu6IrYn_xn05wuqjrxiA", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review for Jimmy John's yet! It is just blowing my mind! I get Jimmy John's at least once a week for my lunch at work. They must be sandwich magicians over there because I will literally pick up the phone, order, and POOF! Within 5 minutes the food is here, every time. Seriously...I have never waited more than 5 mins for my food. I am in love with them. Go to: #9 Italian hoagie with added hot pepper and a side of bbq chips. Their bread is out of this world and the chips are extra crispy. Feeling healthy? No problem! Get your favorite sandwich on a lettuce wrap instead of a hoagie roll. Go Jimmy John's! I am a fan!", "timestamp": "2013-05-23T17:05:01" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 4, "text": "I crave the chicken banh mi from Rotisseur on a biweekly basis. The feeling slowly creeps up on me until suddenly it has a hold on my stomach and the thought of eating anything thing else is food torture...until...at last, I reach my delicious sandwich. The chicken is moist and they add a layer of crispy skin from the long, slow cook. Pickled cabbage and fresh cilantro really tie the whole thing together. Make sure to add a healthy squirt of sriracha if you are a spice freak. The sides are made on a daily basis. The best side I've come across are the curry garbanzo beans. So. Good. Love rotisseur but don't let your cravings take a hold of your life, body, and mind on a Sunday. They are not open as I was shocked to find out. I withered and died for a day until Monday came.", "timestamp": "2013-06-03T14:17:30" }, { "business_id": "x7gEX6dthpJvoOafV1XHaA", "business_name": "Cook", "rating": 5, "text": "Cook is a brilliant establishment. Cozy, intimate atmosphere so you can get your one on one time with the chefs of your choice. A great gift for foodies. I went with my P.I.C.'s family last night to hang out and try polish food with Chef Maciej Ciezki from Lacroix. I won't go into detail about the food here, but I did add a photo of some of the courses we had. The food was plentiful, the drinks were flowing, and the room was chatty. I will most definetely be coming back for more in the near future.", "timestamp": "2013-06-04T13:22:46" }, { "business_id": "AQIi4IRvUxkurxNvlUD9hQ", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, I LOVE Smoothie King. I want to be it's Smoothie Queen, but I do have one big, big problem with it: the hours. Why smoothie king did you not open until 9:30 am this morning?! You miss the whole morning crowd who needs to be in to work by 9 am. I don't understand! You're open until 7pm...and lets be honest, who gets a smoothie for dinner? Please shift your hours and I think it'll be good for you. I was very sad having to wait until 930 for your juicy goodness. My boss is also mad at you.", "timestamp": "2013-06-06T14:13:12" }, { "business_id": "M77MQ0Gge2ZbSz0FM0oGgg", "business_name": "Krispy Kreme", "rating": 5, "text": "I love you so much Krispy Kreme. I can't believe you are no longer in downtown Philly (WHYYYYYYYYYYY), but I am willing to commute. 1 dozen plain glazed & 1/2 a dozen glazed creme filled later...I am a happy camper and my craving has been fulfilled. :)", "timestamp": "2013-06-10T16:52:03" }, { "business_id": "RZtGWDLCAtuipwaZ-UfjmQ", "business_name": "LaScala's", "rating": 3, "text": "LaScala's is a place to grub down on Italian food, but only when it is convenient to do so. The only times I have gotten LaScala's is through delivery or for yesterday's lunch with my coworkers. I got the rigatoni vodka because I was craving pasta. My craving was fulfilled with cheesy/vodka sauce pasta that was served in such a large portion I took leftovers home. The food is tasty but not mind blowing....I really think the 3 star, \"A-Ok,\" rating is appropriate.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:18:40" }, { "business_id": "78kUZU8GPfHgoYO_2CNbuQ", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 3, "text": "The ice cream that Ben & Jerry's provides is an obvi 5 STARS. Getting it at an actual store and not in pints from a corner shop really makes a difference. It feels creamier...probably due to freshness and lack of the freezer burn that my fridge brutally attaches to any inhabitants. The service here is iffy. There were three people working and for whatever reason it probably took a full 20 minutes of waiting in line/paying. The line wasn't even that long..... Maybe they do it on purpose because after waiting I probably ordered double what I would have to begin with. Serious ice cream coma.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:25:11" }, { "business_id": "EKSmnS-fup3HNFLR9J17mQ", "business_name": "Midtown II Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Beeeewaaareeee of the bathroooomssss (spooky voice). I can get down a dirty when need be, but these are worse than port-a-potty status. I may be scared for life. So you're better off holding it. On a brighter note. This place is OK if you have a craving for diner food. I get breakfast for lunch & a coffee milkshake. Service is pleasant and food comes out fast.", "timestamp": "2013-06-24T14:02:18" }, { "business_id": "TwnzM8mJn_nT2PJf1x-9kQ", "business_name": "Cafe Lift", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't remember the last time I was completely blown away by a brunch experience...until now. Cafe Lift is a dream come true. It really may be one of the best brunch spots I've ever been to. To start, the interior is amazing. Very casual, comfortable feel to the entire place. Exposed brick and piping all along the walls with hardware store style tables. What got me the most excited was the special board. SO. MANY. SPECIALS. Really it is a dream come true (yes I said dream come true TWICE) to walk into a place for brunch and have a plethora of creative specials to pick from...which my party of 3 wasted no time doing. What we got: (note that most were specials) Breakfast tacos: chorizo, egg, cheese, and homemade salsa which rocked my world. Baked Egg: stewed kale, white beans, roast pork in tomato sauce topped with eggs and fontina then baked. Obsessed with this. Imagine a breakfast pasta fagioli situation Cuban Sandwich Bagel w/ veggie cream cheese and salmon Banna nutella crepe with whipped cream and strawberries The ice coffee was really, really good and I am truly very picky when it comes to coffee. Service was friendly and fast. I will be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T14:56:33" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 5, "text": "Matyson still rocks my socks off. Highlight of the meal was once again, the foie gras served on top of homemade banana bread. Close runner up was the soup of the day: vichyssoise (chilled potato leek soup). This BYOB is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the city", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T13:40:43" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 5, "text": "I just finished my first Chirashi Sushi Lunch Special...and let me tell you, it is one of the best things that has ever happened during my work day. I was fully intending on splurging a little by going out to a lunch at Morimotos...but it turns out that for once I got way, way more than my money's worth. For $21 ($22 with tax) I got the best miso soup, a salad, and my entire weight + plus some in super fresh sashimi served over rice. The sushi chef asked my preference on what fish I would like in my bowl and went to work. The dish itself was a work of art (see photo) and came with an assortment of pickled vegetables. So in love. Thank you, Morimoto!", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "V6Om7YZhlRQRU7WfuxHq8Q", "business_name": "Beck's Cajun Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Thank goodness for Beck's. Really I am so shocked that there are hardly any Cajun restaurants in the Philly area. But maybe that's for the best, because Beck's is pretty darn good. Located in the thick of the Reading Terminal Market, the stand is always busy but the service is fast. The staff is more than happy to let you try whatever you want (which you should). I've had all varieties of the gumbo and don't have a preference which is better. Go for alligator if you are feeling wild. My favorite thing from here are the red beans over rice. They are thick and have chunks of andouille sausage. Great with a piece of corn bread and scallions on top! The po'boys are decent. I find them a little too bready/fried for my liking but the overall flavor is good. I did not like the catfish po'boy....it was too fishy for me.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:25:33" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I was very excited to try a roast pork sandwich from DiNic's. However, I found myself wanting more. DiNic's gets a lot of hype on yelp...and other places as well. It was featured on Man Vs. Food ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYiR-dSbOs ) and I was shocked that I hadn't tried it yet. So I went for it. Spinach and sharp provolone on a long roll with long hots... It doesn't beat out a cheese steak. The sandwich was good but not great. I actually found myself craving more flavor, secretly hoping I had brought a bottle of sriracha sauce with me. Really they should maybe have a bottle of that on the counter because it would be insanely good. I'll be back to try it again, but unfortunately I have to say I was not blown away by my first time at DiNic's.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:38:39" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I died and went to Beiler Heaven. Seriously the BLUEBERRY FRITTERS are out of this world good. I've never felt so strongly about a baked good before. Not too sweet, but sweet enough to be the perfect companion with a cup of coffee in the morning....or a mid afternoon snack. I also found the plain glazed doughnuts to be earth shattering. Try both of these. I promise the line is worth it!", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:41:37" }, { "business_id": "XgxPLbAJtHoyR2tBN9yCXw", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "I am just so in love with Yogorino. Classic, tangy frozen yogurt is the only kind of froyo that should exist in my opinion. This location is a little bit bigger than the Rittenhouse location...but that's really the only difference. All of the fruit was super fresh & ripe. I couldn't decide between the mango and the nectarines paired with my always go-to crushed up meringue bits...so I got both. Happy eating :)", "timestamp": "2013-07-22T15:59:03" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "I am not impressed with Max Brenner's. Had a friend visiting from out of town so we decided to go out to have dessert. Whispers of fondue seemed super promising and the alluring smell of chocolate that extends down the block made it pretty much impossible not to stop in for a bite. Overall impression: overpriced We got the Italian hot chocolate, the waffle special, and fondue for two (5 of us total). To be fair, there was a lot that came with the fondue. However, I could have easily dished up the same dessert for 1/3 the price. Tasted good but I wasn't wowed. I am not stingy when it comes to spending money on food....but it needs to be worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-07-24T13:29:29" }, { "business_id": "gOrJeoLDOiW7muWuoE-sMg", "business_name": "Morgan's Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Morgan's Pier is a solid 4 star place to hang out with your friends for drinks and dancing. The atmosphere is really unique to Philly, mostly because of the beautiful location. Located right on the docks to the left of the Ben Franklin, it is such an awesome place to sit as the sunsets. Once its dark things kick in to party mode and you'll be either shaking your booty or sitting on a picnic table over the water chatting with your friends. It's awesome. However, there is one problem with it....the food. Seriously 1-2 stars on food. Good ideas and fails on taste. Everything I've had has been meh (wings, fries, bean salad, other munchies nothing major). They should really split up the yelp pages for food vs nightlife because i don't want to downgrade my 4 stars to accommodate for food failure.", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T13:43:54" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, wow, wow! I feel so lucky that this is right around the corner from my house. I stopped in to this small kitchen last night around 9pm and ordered a monster load of Thai food for my friends and I after City Sips. Needless to say, we were starving and needed some serious chow down time. The service was friendly and super fast! The quality amazing and the price so cheap. How is this place real life? Favorites: Crab Dumplings for days Drunken Noodles w/ Shrimp Pineapple fried rice w/ Chicken Crispy Duck Curry: but really any of the curry the sauce is so, so good. Happy eatings! I will be back again and again and again!", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T15:01:29" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a great dinner for 2 seated outside to take in the one day break in humidity! I think I had the best heirloom tomato salad of my life. Honestly. I sat there and tried to figure out why it was so good...and still can't quite put a finger on it. It comes topped with basil (duh) as well as a watercress salad with lightly pickled shallots. Large portion (1 whole tomato) 5 slices total. I love it. This is the definition of summer! My skate was also very tasty! Cooked perfectly and...butter, butter, butter. So not much can be wrong with that...unless you don't like butter...which might be a whole other set of problems for you and I'm so sorry.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T14:50:53" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect lunch at 12th & Spruce Tria! Obviously. A glass of Dr. H riesling, asparagus salad, and a gooey cheese has taken me to foodie heaven. Unfortunately I am now back at work until 5pm but will have happy memories to get me through.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T17:50:56" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Sampan is the place to go for Sips in Center City, Philadelphia! They have both food and drink specials, which in my opinion is essential for a good happy hour. The best part is that it's not just a few things, you get a whole menu of food specials rated from $3, $4, and $5. Bomb diggity. Favorites: White Sangria was unbelievably refreshing. Big fan! Duck Egg Rolls Kimchi Fried Rice Edamame Dumplings Kobe Beef Sliders Both Pork & Chicken Bao Buns Enjoy it while you still can! However, if you do miss it, fear not. Dinner here is a must go to as well.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T00:36:46" }, { "business_id": "kxKai8GE5oDMPevV7oxvbA", "business_name": "Tequilas Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I really, really wanted to love this place. Being from the Southwest, I am almost always on a quest for some quality Mexican food, and this spot was the next target. However & unfortunately, I was not so impressed. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup to start. The soup had all of the right components: tortilla strips, moist chicken, avocado, cheese, and bits of dried chili (chipotle maybe). The problem with the soup was the broth. It tasted almost equivalent to Campbell's tomato soup. No spice whatsoever. It was too tomatoey and not enough chicken broth. For my entree I got the Enchiladas Playa. I sort of had the same problem with these in that they were fairly bland without any spice. The crab & shrimp interior was good but the sauce needs a little bit more. To be fair the chips and salsa, as well as the queso fundido, were all very good. Perhaps next time I will come for a drink and some nibbles rather than a whole meal.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T01:18:28" }, { "business_id": "iWV1MgLsI9ma5zrzNUy_NQ", "business_name": "Olympia Gyro", "rating": 4, "text": "Three words: Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich When I am craving a gyro, this is one of the places I tend to lean towards. Olympic gyro makes what I would describe as the, \"freshest,\" gyro. The meat isn't overly seasoned and the tzaztiki sauce is amazing. I love sitting down here in the middle of Reading Terminal Market and housing down one of these bad boys. Needles to say, the portion sizes are large and you most definitely will not be walking away hungry. Be sure to grab a side of fries but careful, those tempting slices come off HOT HOT HOT! I think I burn my mouth every single, delicious time.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T16:03:40" }, { "business_id": "1CTNhKEqGbmG5r-sBbDoLg", "business_name": "Tampopo", "rating": 4, "text": "It's pretty freaky that I live within half a block of Tampopo and had managed to never go before today. Shame on me. I grabbed lunch to go from this hole in the wall and couldn't have been happier. I got the fresh tuna bibimbap. I was given tons of sushi grade tuna over veggies, avocado, and rice. The spicy sauce was great! I forgot to ask for a side of kimchi...but I won't forget next time! Fast service makes for a happy Sarah.v I'll be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:38:33" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm a fan of the new place on the block Spice End! When I'm out and about and need to grab something on the go or right before I head home after a late night, this is the place to stop. Needless to say their hours are clutch and the 3am friday/saturday night closing time is a clutch move in this area of the city. In a rush I grab the paneer roll. If I have time to sit down and eat I grab the chicken biryani platter and have them add paneer to that as well! PS. They are on grub hub and deliver :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:47:40" }, { "business_id": "bq0n3CQy1CkE_WUe76zQvg", "business_name": "Shiao Lan Kung", "rating": 5, "text": "Wooow wow! I am continuously impressed with getting dinner at this hole in the wall spot in China Town. Last night I took my parents for their first time and we were all blown away with the quality of the food and how quickly it came out, nothing new here. We got our usual order: pan fried pork dumplings, fried wontons, garlic green beans, salt bake jumpo shrimp (ask for no shells), walknut shrimp, chicken ho-fun with bean sauce.... AND something new! Which blew my mind. I asked our waitress for her opinion on the best fish dish to which she goes, \"OH! Ok, ok, I know.\" Within ten minutes out came a whole, steamed sea bass that was sitting in the most delicious ginger, soy sauce. I have never been so happy and I am already craving it again. I could come for just this once a week....and probably will! Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-09-07T22:24:47" }, { "business_id": "xdferXKwbgXAxbtmAShhAQ", "business_name": "Saxbys Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "My new study spot. There's always a large group of other students working hard whenever you need to look up and around for motivation. My go to is a cinnamon latte....iced or hot depending on the weather. Please note that I am not a huge fan of the food here. I pretty much avoid it all together...really this review is just to say it's a great place for getting work done and having a cup of coffee to help you along the way :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:23:45" }, { "business_id": "GrRrxHK9dWgibvUpcotxtw", "business_name": "Joe's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Pizza on the go? Grab some Joe's! I was doing some heavy duty shopping on saturday and needed to restock on calories half way through. I stopped by Joe's to grab a slice of plan mushroom pizza and was in heaven. The crust is thin and crispy...perfect amt of cheese and sauce. Snack city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:29:01" }, { "business_id": "wbDRmtxaKRpBOjutvV6TEA", "business_name": "Barclay Prime", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm a huge fan of Barclay Prime...in fact, I think this is the best steakhouse in the city. The atmosphere is very relaxed since the entire place feels like you are lounging in a study. The staff is super friendly (BIG shout out to Jason my waiter last night, you da best) and made my birthday dinner a perfect one! To start...everyone gets a hot, out of the oven popover they are simply to die for. These are unbelievably dangerous and the staff will keep offering them to you. Just say no. You are going to want to be hungry for the food to come. Our party of 6 ordered appz and entrees that all came out perfectly cooked (steaks were amazing, duh) and in a timely fashion. I had the heirloom tomato salad. Love how they do it here. Everything is chopped up and piled in a bowl. Super tasty. MUST HAVE: the full bronzino if you are in a fish mood....which you should be at least once if you come here. I can dream about this dish it's so good. Desserts: Warm banana cake Devils food cake Complimentary birthday cake (amazing...come for your birthday...seriously) Put your eating clothes on and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T19:21:18" }, { "business_id": "QMNheeGTdKujLnYgEyFuWw", "business_name": "Old Nelson Food Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Old Nelson's makes some clutch sandwiches for lunch. You can have whatever you sandwich loving heart desires because everything is made to order. Their italian hoagie is delicious. I always ask for hot peppers as well. Yesterday I wanted to go back to my elementary school, packed lunch days and ordered a plain turkey, american cheese, mayo sandwich on white bread. I got a side of pickles and a bag of bbq chips to smush between the bread slices. Neeedless to say, it was crunchalicious.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:05:51" }, { "business_id": "JE6rfQ9marM2YYCuFK8GqA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location of Sweetgreen. It seems to be getting a bad rep. from other yelpers...but I don't see where the problem is. The food is good, the service is fast and friendly, and you can eat outside when it's nice out. It's not the most amazing experience I've ever had...but when you are craving a fresh salad with fresh ingredients it is the place to go in the area. Overall I'm a fan. Sweetgreen's current seasonal salad is a must have: Maryland crab Kale Green and red peppers Corn Sunflower seeds Avocado (that has been surprisingly ripe & perfect every time I've gotten it from here) Carrot chili vinaigrette.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:12:45" }, { "business_id": "30cpm1uq6xcQCmN6JTrB8w", "business_name": "Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sad to say Luke's has definitely down graded in my opinion. I thought that this was a one time occurrence (a couple weeks ago) but its happened again for lunch today. The to die for lobster bisque was bland and not lobstery at all today. The past two times I have gotten my once favorite crab roll, the bun has been a little soggy and the crab overly lemony. I'm adverse to overuse of lemon in the first place...and when it overrides the flavor of crab in my roll I am a super sad Sarah. I hope Luke's can bounce back...but for now I'm going to have to change up my lunch venues.", "timestamp": "2013-09-27T16:18:51" }, { "business_id": "PJjkH_VZeQwxEJvlQ-v7wA", "business_name": "Pho 75", "rating": 5, "text": "What can I say....I am a total sucker for a good bowl of Pho. I've been meaning to come to Pho 75 for such a long time and finally have accomplished that goal! Extra inspiration was given to me to venture from my usual stomping spots when Anthony Bourdain (#lovehim #friendcrush #hangoutwithme) visited here on his most recent trip to Philly. The broth here is amazing. I'm not sure if it on the same playing field as the broth from Pho Ha....but I will keep you all posted as I continue to figure it out. The service here was awesome. We walked in, sat down, placed our order and within 5 minutes all of us had our food and drinks. It was so good that we got one to go.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:07:45" }, { "business_id": "8us8cJ-oBnLFerWcaftavQ", "business_name": "The Beer Shoppe", "rating": 4, "text": "Go to the Beer Shoppe on a Tuesday. They have a 10% discount on everything on Tuesdays....thus I have created a new weekly holiday called, Two Beer Tuesday. My friend and I plan to come in and work our way through the selection over the next couple of months. Very ambitious...but also very exciting! The bar in the back is an open and friendly place to try new things before you buy a 6 pack of something you love. The service is super friendly and all the staff has an amazing knowledge of what they have in stock. It really is a great spot for beer geeks to congregate.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:13:55" }, { "business_id": "3ZynJ94VpIdDlaArmEp2Rg", "business_name": "More Than Just Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple friends and I stopped by for some late night milkshakes and found ourselves at More Than Just Ice Cream. Well, we just got ice cream...not fully taking advantage of what the name implies, but maybe next time. 3 milkshakes: 1 coffee, 1 chocolate, and 1 black&white malt. All were pretty good. Definitely satisfied the ice cream craving. I thought my coffee milkshake could have been thicker, same goes for the chocolate. The black&white was plenty thick and was probably the best of the three. Unfortunately, I did not order that one so I settled for my not so creamy coffee. I did sample some ice cream flavors before setting on a milkshake. I tried the pumpkin pie which was AMAZING. I don't know why I didn't just get this. Maybe a milkshake isn't the way to go here.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:24:30" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 2, "text": "Eeehhhh. I loved, loved, LOVED Scoop DeVille when it was at it's old location on Chestnut & 18th. Now I'm not quite so sure. I miss the charm of the old store. It was packed and loaded with candy/chocolate/ice cream/ and random paraphernalia that this huge space is lacking. Hopefully at some point it'll be able to capture that once again as it settles in to its new location. The real problem was my vanilla ice cream blended with sugar cookie dough (all time favie) tasted like freezer burn. The freezer must have been set to high because I was eating vanilla flavored ice chunks with just a tiny bit of cookie dough. I never had this problem once at the old location...where the ice cream was always almost the consistency of soft serve it was so creamy good.", "timestamp": "2013-10-14T17:11:16" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 5, "text": "Bistrot La Minette is a must go to in the Philly area. I am truly surprised that it's taken me so long to finally go here. If you are familiar with the restaurant scene around here: think Parc but small scale and more romantical We had a quiet dinner for a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The service was so friendly and knowledgeable when I asked for suggested wine pairings. Even though we came in for a later dinner on a weeknight, at no point did I feel rushed which was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this place for birthdays and date nights when you want to have a relaxed, delicious dinner out. The eats: Butternut squash soup was one of the best I've had Foie Gras terrine was delicious but VERY savory. It was a little much just for one person on their own to get through for an appetizer. Can't complain for too much food though right? Onion tart is out of this world if you're in to caramelized onions. Miller style trout is a YES. I have never had a trout prepared better then this one was. I am such of fan of this dish it's ridiculous. The veggies were great too. Get it. Beef bourguignon was also a great dish and probably my second favorite thing we got. All of the desserts were amazing but the BEST was the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. Heaven in your mouth. It's basically a layered deliciousness of puff pastry, cream, and fresh raspberries.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:55:04" }, { "business_id": "NZ1lZIb10-6AbftpygLwMQ", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 4, "text": "Clutch pizza in a pinch! I love all of the different combos you can get there. Really it can be a bit overwhelming there are so many delicious ideas. The great thing is though, is that the thin crust situation allows you to get multiple slices without getting too full so you can try a bunch of them. My favorite slice so far is the Veggie #2: fresh chopped organic tomatoes, basil, arugula, garlic, cubes of fresh mozzarella, and organic tomato sauce...noms Try and get there right as the pizzas are coming out so you have the most choices! Right around 5pm for the dinner round.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:58:47" }, { "business_id": "sTPueJEwcRDj7ZJmG7okYA", "business_name": "Jim's South St", "rating": 4, "text": "There's something about Jim's that is legendary. The whole experience is what I think keeps Philadelphians going to this famous cheesesteak house on south street. It's a little grimy, the service a little rough, the seating a little like you're back in a crappy college dining center...but all of that is ok. It's ok because you have the intoxicating smell of meat and fried onions clinging to you (actually it will cling to your jacket for weeks) and delicious greasy food to munch down on. I'm a fan of Jim's. I'm the biggest fan at 1 am when I'm leaving a bar and need a sloppy mess for a pre-hangover cure. Extra whiz with please! (Extra cheese whiz and onions)", "timestamp": "2013-11-06T20:22:37" }, { "business_id": "qsm7SkX60JsajT7Yz248FA", "business_name": "Café Soho", "rating": 4, "text": "Cafe Soho is the highlight to the Sunday football scene at our house. Someone goes and grabs a couple large orders of wings and brings them back downtown in time for 1pm kick-off. The meat is crazy good. This is a whole level of chicken wings. The meat is moist and flavorful while the outside is lightly fried and crispy. Great sauces, never over/under dressed. Our favorites: Ginger soy Spicy chili Sweet & Spicy boneless Beware, you will probably eat your weight in this bad boys", "timestamp": "2013-11-22T20:42:45" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been having some seriously good brunch dates to The Dandelion over the past month. I wanted to check back on my last review and was ashamed of my previous 3 star review. Right now the Dandelion is kicking 5 star butt for brunch in my opinion. Today I sat down and immediately ordered tea and scones. The scones came out warm and absolutely amazing. They switched up the jam from raspberry to more seasonal cranberry (thanksgiving....so soon!!!) which I found to be extremely good! I got my typical brunch order of poached eggs over bubble and squeak. My new trick is that I order a side of smoked salmon to add to it so It becomes some sort of eggs Benedict eggstravagenza. I also got the chicken and horse radish dumpling soup to go after hearing a raving review about it. Now, while sitting in bed...I am enjoying the most amazing bowl of soup. Ive never had anything quite like it! The dumplings are sort of a noodley texture with a horse radish aftertaste. I love how the veggies are roughly chopped, in particular the halves of pearl onions. Tasty tasty.", "timestamp": "2013-11-24T21:48:28" }, { "business_id": "u4YM2N8-9Q2tr7kEU-ubGQ", "business_name": "Melodies Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok, so the coffee is good. However, it takes forever (understaffed) and call me a loser but I miss Milk Boy. I came in yesterday for a vanilla latte on my way to class and had the unfortunate experience of waiting about 10 minutes for it and was late. It was super tasty....but I can't rely on this place for a grab a coffee on the go experience.", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:46:14" }, { "business_id": "_V6hl1oGkTV2KbGeax_HPA", "business_name": "Sang Kee Peking Duck House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the place to order peking duck. So rightfully named! We grabbed takeout from here after realizing that our normal go to Shiao's was closed for the evening. We were thankfully not disappointed! The fried pork dumplings were super tasty. I was popping them like popcorn! Other dishes were also super tasty but in particular the peking duck was the stand out. It just fell right off the bone practically begging me to eat it. I was eating a drumstick just on it's own. I'll be back to taste more. Sang Kee I got my eye on you!", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:49:23" }, { "business_id": "-lVEVi3vtQ8_L9kKT0bBwQ", "business_name": "Le Chéri", "rating": 5, "text": "Yes, yes, and yes! I am so excited to call Le Cheri my new neighbor. Chef Pierre and Charlotte have jumped right in to the Rittenhouse Restaurant scene with a distinct splash! Le Cheri has all the same charm as their first restaurant, Bibou, but with the room to accommodate a much larger crowd. Currently BYOB but they will begin serving their selection of French wines and open bar next week. I am truly excited to see where this place goes in the next couple of months. The menu is already mouth watering with the funkiness of Bibou mixed with a couple more traditional french dishes. Modestly priced, I was pretty surprised to notice. Around $22-28 dollars and the appetizers not over $10. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) for Charlotte and Pierre, I think I am going to be hanging around this spot A LOT. What we got: French onion soup Breaded pork terrine with side cornichons Beef bourguignon with house made tagliatelle Roasted bronzino with wine soaked salsify as well as a salsify puree Warm apple tartine with cinnamon ice cream Obviously everything was out of this world. I highly recommend everything we got...but also encourage you to order anything there because you just can't go wrong. I'll be back ASAP to try more! PS. They are booking up FAST FAST! Get your reservations now", "timestamp": "2013-12-06T01:42:15" }, { "business_id": "sy7ADvpBA7SfHwbY-Y_5gw", "business_name": "Valanni", "rating": 4, "text": "Valanni! How have I overlooked you for this long? I took my family out for my sisters bday dinner and wanted to try something new. So glad we stumbled upon this modern and fun spot. My only complaint was that our table for a party of 5 was small! However, we worked together and could come up with the right amount of room for each wave of tapas. What we got: Lamb lollipops Figs in blankets Chorizo flatbread Grilled octopus Firey potatoes (basically patatas bravas) Buffalo chicken croquettes Brussel sprouts Meat and seafood paella Oreo beignet Rum bananas Cheesecake We split everything and found ourselves the right amount of full at the end! The stand out favorites were the grilled octopus, brussel sprouts (believe it or not!), and the paella. With that said....everything else was also amazing. I am pretty impressed with Valanni and plan on coming here in the near future with a group of friends. It's a good place to order a lot of interesting dishes and grab a drink before going out on a Saturday. Speaking of drinks...the mojitos are bomb! Some of the best I've had in a while! In summary, I'm digging Valanni. I think it stands out on its own from the current Philly restaurant scene in that it taps into a wide variety of cultural dishes but with its own unique twist. The menu was fun with lots left on it that I would like to try out!", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:03:34" }, { "business_id": "h5jnFlvF55kDWC_GGlKMAQ", "business_name": "Llama Tooth", "rating": 4, "text": "Truffle, mushroom mac & cheese..... Seriously I dare some one to try and make something more delicious and comforting than that. I could not stop shoveling the cheesy mess in to my mouth...just typing this is taking me back to how good it was. Yea, I ordered other things (cuban, gyro, burger) but the mac & cheese took the cake. I'll be back for more (This was a take out order)", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:06:03" }, { "business_id": "xWfm4AwLZr-B97fYVsIgCA", "business_name": "Tria Taproom", "rating": 4, "text": "I am such a huge fan for anything Tria....and it holds true for this new location. I stopped in to grab a drink and catch up with a friend. Had a great time sitting at the bar! I love the space and it is a serious upgrade from the previous Rum Bar. The taps behind the bar are exciting and unlabeled (at least to the customer's eye ;) ). It gives the place a casual sort of elegance. Lots of table space in the back which I am sure I will be using in the near future. I couldn't help myself and ordered two appz before going home to eat dinner. We got the mussels and the grilled asparagus with truffle vinaigrette. Both were delicious. What I thought was most impressive about Tria Taproom was the amount of attention we were given by the bartenders. GREAT service. I'll be back soon to try more!", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:21:04" }, { "business_id": "d_tRshM-w6S4QxE4VVi8tQ", "business_name": "Jones", "rating": 2, "text": "I've refrained from writing a review for Jones for the longest time....close to 6 months now. I'm finally caving and acknowledging the fact that it hasn't happened just because this place is Meh. It's not bad...but it's not good. Most of the time I order Jones on grubhub so I can stuff my face with their thanksgiving dinner like I did recently while in mourning over thanksgiving being over. It is what it is...comfort food. Not a place that I go out of my way to eat at.", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:28:23" } ]	{ "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing quite like brunch at Lacroix. It's one of the best eating experiences I've ever had time and time again. My favorite is to go with my boyfriend and seriously dive in to our inner foodies for 2 hours. The atmosphere is beautiful, especially on a nice day with a window seat overlooking all of Rittenhouse square. Lacroix is one of a kind in that aspect. The experience is something you need to see for yourself...but I can do my best to describe it here as simply as I can. Buffet style like you've never quite seen before. It spans multiple rooms where the first is a table filled with cold appetizer items as well as a raw bar filled with oysters, cocktail shrimp, sushi, and caviar. Oh yeah, and everything is mini served on their own mini dishes or in mini glasses (see photo). To dive in to some bigger entree items you have to walk back in to the kitchen and get it yourself. The staff is so friendly and helpful. In particular the person who is manning the meat selections asks you what cut you would like and suggests an accompanying sauce. You can miss the dessert table because it stares at you right before you walk into the kitchen and then reminds you again to save room for dessert because one of the first things waiting in the kitchen is a huge chocolate fountain. There are some staples that brunch at Lacroix sticks too: duck confit, gnocchi, sauteed wild mushrooms (YUUUMM)...but for the most part the selections rotate with the seasons. Seriously enjoy yourself! Take the time to explore and let your inner foodie run wild. You won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-12-15T21:19:52" }
Zs8Zk3sgh5JxRmoZW4PJcg	[ { "business_id": "pm1bStJuol5XmxE_atZhCQ", "business_name": "Nom Nom Ramen", "rating": 5, "text": "Nom Nom Ramen may be my favorite place for Ramen in Philly. Not to mention it also won Best of Philly 2012 for ramen. The service is fast and friendly. I love walking in starving and knowing that I will be eating delicious soup in 5 mins. I have gotten all of the different varities that they offer: shio, shoyu, miso, and karai. I highly recommend the karai if you can handle spicy food! Otherwise I would go with the shio and add a little bit of sriracha hot sauce. I always add the extra soft-boiled egg and bean sprouts! Totally worth it! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:44:51" }, { "business_id": "688sqo63oc2y535vI2UbhQ", "business_name": "Pho Cali Vietnamese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely love Pho Cali! I go here once a week for a quick lunch break from work and am never disappointed. The service is very quick. I always order the Rare Steak Pho and a coconut drink. The broth is extremely flavorful- i personally load up on sriracha sauce, brown sauce (hoisin sauce i believe), and a good squeeze of one lime. They give a good amount of meat. If you are extra hungry ask for more noodles because sometimes the one portion that they give out is not enough. If you like coconut get the drink as well! Refreshingly sweet and comes with chunks of coconut at the bottom. Very good.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:50:52" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 5, "text": "DELICIOUS! If you are craving a healthy meal that actually has tons of flavor this is the place to go. I recommend all of the salad on the menu, but in particular the Taco Arugula Salad that got rated Best of Philly 2012. The peppery arugula pairs so well with the creamy cilantro dressing not to mention the salsa, corn, and black beans as well! Its a a taste bud adventure! If you are in the mood for a sandwich get the Hip City Ranch but ON A WRAP. It makes for one of the best wrap sandwiches I have ever had. You won't believe that the chicken is actually tofu! And the pickles spread out throughout the sandwich are a delicious surprise. Always look for the soup/chili winter specials at the front counter. They can be easy to miss! Also, be sure to order the Groothie! Pricey but worth it. One of the best smoothies I've ever had and its loaded up with green veggies", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:05:14" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Pho in Philly!!! Super fast service and the most delicious broth. Out of the way from china town but a must go to. Don't be confused by the 3+ other pho restaurants located in the same strip mall. Pho Ha all the way!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:50:01" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "There isn't a better place in the area for sushi. The service is unbelievably fast and the quality of fish is pretty great. However, the most amazing part about Vic's is that they have a $10 special...3 rolls of sushi of your pick for only 10 DOLLARS. I honestly couldn't believe it! The place is BYOB and great if there are less than 4 people because it is cramped. Really its the best for take out/delivery. Along with the $10 special I order a miso soup and seaweed salad. Enjoy :) On a side note, if you stray away from the special I highly recommend the Fantastic roll!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T21:51:28" }, { "business_id": "ipRXCy-0ChYK_569rPqzJQ", "business_name": "Square Peg", "rating": 3, "text": "The menu can be a little hit or miss here. The only reason I come to Square Peg is when I am craving their Mac&Cheese grilled cheese sandwich with a side of tomato soup. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like! Extra cheesy mac and cheese layered thick and surrounded by buttery, toasted bread. The tomato soup is thicker than most, but I enjoyed the extra spice that was in it...perhaps a little chipotle chili pepper. I was VERY disappointed in their wings. I had read a couple of great reviews about them but I found them pretty disgusting and actually sent them back. I found the flavor of the honey,chipotle,basil, and lime sauce to be very unflattering even though it sounds delicious. The meat was dry and a bit gristly. It seemed like they had been cooked too long or left under a warming lamp. Earlier in the summer they had white chocolate chicken wings which I much preferred to the current ones.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:01:11" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Absolutely amazing! The only reason why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is due to how crowded and therefore loud it can get. This is in no way a good spot for a romantic date or family dinner but instead great for happy hour or a dinner with a small group of friends or a first date! The food: Served in sort of a tapas manner and I like to get a bunch of plates and split with a friend. You really can't go wrong with what you decide on. My personal favorites are: the housemade lamb sausage, the pistachio herbed ricotta and lavender honey, truffled egg toast with fontina, and the grilled asparagus salad. My favorite is the asparagus salad...absolutely amazing and I've never had anything like it. It consists of Also order a cheese sampler! The menu is always changing just tell your server what you like and they will help out! As for the beer and wine list....one of the best in the city. Always changing and great descriptions listed on the menu so you can pick out what's the very best for you", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:11:51" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing food and great ambiance, what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, DRINKS! Those are great as well! My favorite time to go to alma de cuba is for Happy Hour. The downstairs bar area is the perfect escape to go to after work. Until 6:30 they have drink specials and 1/2 off of all of their appetizers. Great to go with a few friends and split some food! It also works as a great spot for a romantic date and has additional seating for dining upstairs. Must haves: Smoked albacore tacos, tuna tartar tacos, truffle guacamole, ceviche SAMPLER (pick a few of the ones that sound best), dorado. For drinks I love their black cherry caiprinha and white sangria. For dessert I highly recommend the coconut tapioca pudding. I often order this for take out as well because it is so good. It comes in a young coconut and you can scrape the sides of it off with your fork/spoon as you eat the pudding. Delish!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:20:24" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co is one of my favorite places in the city for happy hour or to start off a Saturday night! I was greeted at the top of the outer staircase by a bouncer in a sleek hat and automatically felt mischievous! He led my friends and I down the stairs and through the heavy front door into a room filled with a relaxed ambiance. The drinks are expensive but well worth your money...aka they make them STRONG. Especially under the category \"I asked for water she brought me gasoline.\" My personal favorite is actually not on the menu but every waiter will know what you are talking about. It's called the Mexican Firing Squad. I am partial to tequila and summer drinks and this absolutely did not disappoint. Served in a small glass with one large ice cube! Be careful about what time you go here. The later in the night it gets, especially on a friday or saturday, expect to wait in a 30 min to 45 min line. They also often have private parties during the week so have a back up bar in mind!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:05:24" }, { "business_id": "cOXc8c85Ms6dMEAJazLXHQ", "business_name": "McGillin's Olde Ale House", "rating": 4, "text": "Went for my first time this past Saturday night and had an absolute blast! Walked in at 12 am to \"I want it that way,\" by the Backstreet boys. Needless to say I was belting out the words with people I had met only seconds before. A very fun and friendly place! Plus, cheap drinks like a $6 dollar pitcher of PBR!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:42:20" }, { "business_id": "ELY0HI8GDEx0jkmREVna0A", "business_name": "Frankford Hall", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't get enough of this place! A little out of the way if you live in the center city area but worth the commute. I prefer the outdoor seating during all times of the year. Even during the winter the backyard beer garden has multiple heat lamps and fire pits that make it so you don't have to wear a jacket. The atmosphere is very friendly! Great for both going out with families and with friends. Make sure to grab a jenga set at the front if there isn't already one on your table! Order a few appetizers and sausages to share and a couple liters of beer on draft for yourself! My favorites for appz: Pretzel w/ cheese dip, cucumber salad (maybe my favorite), potato pancakes Sausage: Get the weisswurst! However, you really can't go wrong with what you order because all are great. All of the meat is from Illgs Butcher Shop where my family and I have been buying products for over 8 years now and have never been disappointed. Beer: Spaten Oktoberfest or Franziskaner Hefeweizen. You'll feel super cool with a liter mug but be sure to drink it fast otherwise it'll be a warm beer catastrophe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:16:29" }, { "business_id": "tBQcVd9c0EHKAXLZn_v54g", "business_name": "Bibou", "rating": 5, "text": "Outstanding! The best BYOB dining experience you can have in the city located in the italian market area. Be prepared and in the mood for an adventurous and savory meal! Bibou is petite and has a very homey feel to it. There is room for about 30 customers at a time. Charlotte is the hostess and manager of the restaurant, as well as the wife of the Chef Pierre. A very gracious host and makes you feel instantly welcome. The menu changes quite often since it's ingredients primarily come fresh from the neighboring market. This is also allows the chef to pick out a number of specials each night that are absolutely spectacular. Must Haves: - The Bone Marrow. It comes in a hollowed out bone and can be best described as the best thanksgiving stuffing you will ever it. I order a couple to share for the dinner party after appetizers and before entree. -Seasonal soup. I have never had a bad soup! The last was a cream of wild mushroom with chunks of crab meat. -Foie gras: Again seasonal but always inventive and delicious. Make sure to bring your own bottle of sauterne dessert wine which pairs beautifully with this appetizer! And last but not least...and don't say ew.. The foie gras stuffed, braised pigs feet over french lentils. Absolutely to die for! So much flavor makes this savory dish very unique to Bibou. I haven't come close to having anything like this in the rest of Philly, let alone in the US.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:41:36" }, { "business_id": "RleiW2_QLyxgNjFfqDoZpw", "business_name": "Modo Mio", "rating": 5, "text": "An off the charts amazing small, BYOB in Northern Liberties. Great service and even better food! My mind has been completely blown multiple times on how lovely of a place this is to eat. Great for a romantic date or small family dinner. Must Haves Appetizers: Cozze (muscles) with red/hot sauce Chicken liver bruschetta Carpaccio di Manzo (beef) Must Have Pasta: Agnolotti del Plin (rabbit stuffed ravioli in sage brown butter): SUPER YUM Lasagne: The over-easy egg on top is such a brilliant idea. The flavor and textures really work well together Bring white & red bottles!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:18:38" }, { "business_id": "vtSisxaozZ7HWpBl_W7VaQ", "business_name": "Time", "rating": 4, "text": "A great place for late night dancing on friday and saturday nights! The upstairs area is always packed and the DJs always produce a mixture of old and new music that get your feet moving if they weren't already! The downstairs live jazz area is also a great area for weekend nights depending on what mood you are in! I have not yet had a chance to eat dinner here but will do so and repost in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:24:40" }, { "business_id": "BxfvdHqETU8jWYUjx5OL2A", "business_name": "Shake Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "Disappointed. In part its due to the large hype surrounding the opening of Shake Shack's first Philly location. I wanted it to be great but it's just not what it is in NYC. Tasty burgers but a little too greasy and honestly gave me a stomachache the last time I ate one. I got the SmokeShack burger which has bacon, peppers, and \"ShackSauce\" on it. The fries are pretty delicious and I always order a side of cheese. The real reason to go to the Shack is for the concrete milkshakes. They have multiple mix ins and you design your own. The best I had was a fall special of pumpkin pie mixed with vanilla!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:32:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious and fast! Came in for a brief work lunch and was highly satisfied with how quickly our food came. I ordered exactly what the server recommended to me: indian pancakes, penang satay chicken and beef skewers, curry me with you tau foo, and the mango chicken. In particular i LOVED LOVED the chicken and beef skewers. The meat was so flavorful but the dipping sauce was to die for! I have never had a peanut sauce so great! The mango chicken was also outrageously good and is served in a carved out mango. Very pretty", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T17:02:02" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "DELICIOUS cupcakes. Very moist and flavorful. The icing is absolutely perfect. The only reason why I don't want to rate Philly Cupcake higher than I did is that it is a little expensive. $4 dollars for a cupcake seems silly when down the street I can get a $4 gyro and soda combo! However if you are craving a cupcake itll hit the spot! Favorite: The Black Velvet: For all you chocolate lovers this is the one to get. Dark chocolate cupcake with vanilla cream cheese frosting. I think they must use some cayenne pepper in it as well because it was surprisingly spicy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T20:02:03" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "An amazing experience every time I've gone (6-8 times since 2008). I highly recommend coming with a group of 4 or more so you each can really get a feel for the menu. Every plate is unique and delicious and a great opportunity to share and talk about food! Otherwise be sure to do the Chef's tasting menu where you will enjoy a wide selection of the tapas personally ($55/$65 per person). I personally have gone with the $65 but be prepared to eat!! Tons of food. Must Haves: Get a chacuterie board to start! Octopus, patatas bravas, HAM CROQUETTES, CRAB STUFFED PEPPERS, chorizo clams, truffles and asparagus, lamb chops Brunch: One of the best experiences I've had at Amada was for brunch. Two of the plates that really stood out for me were the chorizo con papas and the lemon ricotta pancakes. In particular the chorizo con papas was the perfect way to start my day. I do wish however that the egg has been done over easy as opposed to fried to give a little bit of moisture to the dish...but easy fix! Just ask the waiter when you order and they'll have to done for you.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T17:43:52" }, { "business_id": "kVTHnhgYUw-Pmr7wgDB4_g", "business_name": "Distrito", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Garces restaurant. Such a fun place to get food. Always super busy since it's located on Penns campus. Not to mention it's also great for delivery! One of the best dining experiences I've ever had was a family dinner and we got the Frida Kahlo's tasting menu. Its the same as the Diego Rivera one however they mention that for a few courses you will get entrees that aren't on the menu....and oh boy! They DO NOT disappoint. By the time we all thought the meal was over...our waiter and two other servers show up with platters of steamed lobsters with a spicy seasoning, the diver scallops, and the carne asada. Absolutely amazing! A must have experience! Must Haves: Crab guacamole, tuna & hiramasa ceviches, TORTILLA SOUP (the best in the city), hongos huarache, pretty much all of the tacos but the MAHI MAHI & CARNE KOBE tacos are my favorites, the CARNE ASADA, and a side of sweet plantains. Order the seasonal frozen margarita although drink prices are a little steep there. Now to go into more detail about why I said Distrito has my favorite tortilla soup in the city. The tomato/chili broth is savory and has a great spice to it. A little more creamy than traditional tortilla soup but I don't mind, actually enjoy it more! The chicken is so soft it falls apart in your mouth. Micro cilantro is a great touch. I do wish they would put a little more cheese in it...but thats my only complaint! ***For tortilla soup fans....the best tortilla soup I've had in PA is from a small place on germantown avenue in mt. airy called Mi Puebla. Worth the adventure!", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T20:56:04" }, { "business_id": "fYSaoJMOj7-r4XWEuYjRxw", "business_name": "Bleu Martini", "rating": 2, "text": "I have only been here on Saturday nights before things get really busy to grab A quick drink with my friends. Why just one drink? The prices are pretty expensive and the drinks not very strong. It is a nice to listen to music and get ready to go out dancing...but leave before it gets crowded (~1130pm) PS. BOOOBIES. Seriously all the bartenders have their boobies out. If you're into that. Go. I couldn't even stop staring and I'm stick straight. ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:07:55" }, { "business_id": "XU3Fe8I8dD3FaOmzAQXLnQ", "business_name": "Spread Bagelry", "rating": 4, "text": "YUM YUM YUM! These bagels are unlike any I've ever had. The brick oven makes them a little more doughy then regular bagels and I absolutely love it. My favorite is getting \"the classic\" sandwich with whitefish instead of salmon on a plain bagel. Their white fish spread is absolutely amazing. Another plus is that you can order bagels/white fish/salmon/cream cheese the day before and have the order ready for pick up the next day if you are hosting a party and want Spread Bagelry featured at your house! Do be prepared to wait in a line if you are showing up on a weekend during prime brunch hours but FEAR NOT...there is usually live music playing outside and everyone is very friendly.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:14:37" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 3, "text": "Don't get me wrong...the food here is out of this world....like really really great quality food. The atmosphere is wonderful and the upstairs is absolutely gorgeous with a sun room porch feeling to it. However, the food is very very expensive and I have had some of these same dishes before for almost half the price. I am not even close to being stingy about spending money on food...but this place did set me back a little since each entree is at least 30 bucks. So just be prepared for that! Must Haves: Appetizers: potato crocchetta Pastas: fusilli w/ blue crab and uni crema, tortellini w/ lobster chives and black truffle, and the PAPPAREDELLE with boar (my favorite) Entree: Braised veal cheeks & suckling pig", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:29:49" }, { "business_id": "sDi3UPW6imj4wGHUg7CgXg", "business_name": "Teresa's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply the best. If you are really into great beer and food (as you all should be) this is the place to go. Completely worth the commute out of the city. If you are familiar with Monk's in the Rittenhouse Square Area....Teresa's Next Door puts it to shame! Honestly all of the food is amazing here. I get a little overwhelmed trying to figure out how to right a concise and informative review of this amazing spot but I will do my best. The atmosphere is amazing. Small space that has the bar span most the length of it. The background of the bar is filled with 100s of varieties of pint glasses specific to each beer you will order from the 15 pg or so Beer List. Unforgettable. Great for dates and small get togethers. MONDAYS: BUCK A SHUCK. Usually small variety west coast oysters...don't miss it! Must Haves: Crispy Artichokes Check out the cheese list. Always great selections! THE MUSSELS. Any of them. Best mussels I've ever had just do it! If I had to pick I would go with the Drunken: dark beer, chorizo, red pepper, shallot, and garlic. ugh YUM Chicken apple sausage sandwich Game Burger: make sure to try the caramelized leeks/beer battered onions as one of your toppings. HOBBIT RIBS. Order right when you get there they take 30-40 mins! LOBSTER ROLL: Originally labeled as the DOWN EASTAH. Dear god...one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had. A must!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T14:50:28" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "Looks like hiro is on the up&up. They have new lamenated menus w/ a choice of 4 different ramens: chicken soy, miso, pork, and vegetarian. Had the chicken soy for the first time! Very tasty. However, I still prefer the pork and the vegetarian. Since ramen traditional comes with pork belly (a fatty meat), the fattiness of the chicken was a little weird. I don't know. I guess I would just rather be eating pork fat than chicken fat :) PS. Jefferson Hospital Employees get $1 off! Woohoo", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:02:24" }, { "business_id": "7Klk8UuK1sdJt5_44eUtDg", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 4, "text": "Never thought I would rate a Starbucks...but I had to because this one is the best Starbucks in the city! Located on Jefferson Hospital's campus. Great place to study and relax (separate room). Very busy starbucks but the service is quick and SUPER friendly. Love it here.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:04:34" }, { "business_id": "-AanHawaDlzWHQjrqRRWig", "business_name": "Au Bon Pain", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Its a good spot to stop if you need to grab something quick and are in a hurry...but there is a Wawa 2 blocks away and you should probably just go there. The sandwiches are usually dry. Do not recommend. However, I work nearby and often grab the broccoli cheddar soup and a piece of bread for a snack. Not as good as Panera's broccoli cheddar...but pretty decent.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T20:18:58" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 4, "text": "Had a great lunch experience here yesterday! I ordered the Cavatappi which was absolutely delicious. The smokey pulled pork throughout the pasta was amazing. What really made the dish was the sauce. I really wish I knew how to make a tomato sauce like that! My friend got the burger and enjoyed it! Fries were extra tasty and came with some sort of aioli dip. Can't wait to come back for dinner in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T21:25:49" }, { "business_id": "OLkS4jfozQpUIUq0K6t_IQ", "business_name": "Underdogs", "rating": 4, "text": "What's better than getting a chili cheese dog @ 1 am on a Saturday night? Well...not much! Great experience at Underdogs this weekend. Service was quick. Fries were amazing! Got the chipotle mayo and utah fry sauce (kinda like a sriracha mayo) for dipping. Signed up for the Underdogs challenge. Time to get my name up on that wall! Will post my favorite sausage & hotdog at the end", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:14:15" }, { "business_id": "YO9Ycz_chfmoW4WI9Ou0ag", "business_name": "Drinker's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Had a fun time at Drinker's upstairs area on a Saturday night. Gets pretty crowded but if you are able to snag a table it makes the experience ten times better! Danced to old 90s hip hop and some oldies! Woo! Typical bar/drinks. I always snag a yuengling or yards ipa before lemon drops ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:19:33" }, { "business_id": "tzVLTQNUtiCAxUZmEuF0vQ", "business_name": "1 Tippling Place", "rating": 4, "text": "Love 1 tippling place for small group chats at happy hour or starting off your Saturday night. The inside is very charming! Small interior with an antique feel. The front of the place has a couple separated sitting areas with couches and lounge chairs. The back of the room runs along the bar and has more sitting options around high bar tables. I recommend the front if its open! The drinks are exceptionally good and you'll get your money's worth (10-12 dollars). Similar to Franklin and Mortgage Investment Company (if you have not been you should go there as well :) ) Must Have: Tequila Honey Suckle! Yum yum yum! Strong tequila at first but completely softened by the honey after each sip. Delicious", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:27:46" }, { "business_id": "2WGnykxiM-Mp-qIm2u7iAw", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 4, "text": "Review intended for a PRIVATE PARTY: I organized our office holiday party for 30 people at Maggiano's this past weekend and had a fantastic experience. Party planning was made easy by choosing the Milano package ($35 food and $40 open bar per person). We were in the Napoleon room which was very pleasant with a nice classy touch. The service was absolutely phenomenal and definitely added to why the party was such a success. Food Line Up: Started with the bruschetta & sausage peppers and onions served on a buffet. The bruschetta was great! I was pleasantly surprised to find cannellini beans in it! Turned out to be very tasty. Got the Maggiano's house salad & caesar salad served to the tables family style. I recommend both but to request less dressing as it was a little drenched and I had some guests complain. For pastas we got spaghetti with meat sauce and the four cheese tortellini with pesto. Both good! Entrees were chicken parmesan and an eggplant parm for the veggie eaters. Great overall experience! :) Definitely would recommend for large parties", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:39:32" }, { "business_id": "c6hhh1Kpr7iau8qMH74w2Q", "business_name": "Pub On Passyunk East", "rating": 4, "text": "Can you say, Hipster City?! This is where the hipsters are...and hey, they might be on to something because this place is great! A very casual, laid back atmosphere. Dark setting. The perfect place to grab some beers with your friends. Always pretty crowded on friday and saturday nights so if you want a table try and grab one early. The beer list is written on a long-stretching chalk board above the bar. If you have trouble reading it they have a printed list that you can ask for. They have a pretty phenomenal beer selection including some of my favorite West coast breweries such as 21st Amendment. Tasty food as well! The pierogies rocked my socks off!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:17:21" }, { "business_id": "4J06--ty2Ydj1---IsArLw", "business_name": "Cantina Los Caballitos", "rating": 3, "text": "Come here for MARGARITAS. Absolutely phenomenal margaritas and over 10 flavors. You can also get them served however you'd like or in a pitcher for the table. My favorite was the blood orange! Yum, yum ,yum! The atmosphere is fun and typical decor of a mexican restaurant/bar. My group and I had great service and you are served complimentary chips and salsas. The salsas are delicious and spicy! Maybe too spicy for some so make sure you have your margarita in hand! I ordered the chicken tortilla soup and have to say I was very disappointed. In no way is this a traditional tortilla soup. It was more like a chicken and green chili stew...which tasted fine but it isn't what you ordered.", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:25:47" }, { "business_id": "mf0OyZ6DX2iKUFIV9TqFRQ", "business_name": "Moriarty's Restaurant and Irish Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Great Happy Hour spot for after work with a decent beer list that is half off during this time! Dark lighting and tons and tons of wall decorations. Such a fun place to sit with friends and relax after a long day! In particular I loved coming here during the Holiday's when they have all of their X-mas decorations up. Very charming. Good for grabbing a quick bite or for bar food nibbles. Try the wings!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T22:07:47" }, { "business_id": "nFiobSfZqWmoA8LyuVK3vw", "business_name": "The Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is intended for Afternoon Tea! What a great experience. Perfect for...and I know it sounds cheesy...getting together for a girl date, putting on cute dresses, and talking over tea. You have the choice of ordering two samplers...the only difference between the two is that one comes with a cocktail and the other does not. You order your own pot (i typically go with earl grey) and are presented with a tower of tea sandwiches, seasonal scones, and desserts. So much fun! Also ask your waiter for more sandwiches because it usually goes free of charge if you tell them which one is your favorite and how much you loved it ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:13:05" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Currently battling sleep at my office desk...that's right I am in an official food coma! I stopped by Jake's to pick up lunch today. Got the turbacon and a side of fried pickles. Do you miss thanksgiving? Well today I did but my craving was fully satisfied. The turbacon has turkey, stuffing, gravey, hashbrowns, and cranberry sauce all on a roll. It's a dream come true. The fried pickles were also delicious! They came in slices the size of silver dollars with a sriracha mayo dipping sauce. Yum yum!", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:18:39" }, { "business_id": "6GePX4W6Cl8LD68zUq_MAA", "business_name": "Rachael's Nosheri", "rating": 4, "text": "Rachael's Nosheri = Your hangover cure! I don't think a week has passed since I moved to center city (July 2012) that my apartment hasn't ordered delivery from Rachael's. Typical deli menu. My favorites are the turkey special & italian with everything on it (oil not mayo!). I also order the chicken soup which is simple and has a classic homey taste. One of the best things about Rachael's is it's hours. When most places are closed at 8 to 9 am....Rachael's is open for delivery! That's what makes it my hangover cure and Sunday morning knight in shinning armor. I order a breakfast egg, sausage, and cheese on a hoagie roll with a side of chicken noodle soup. PS. GET THE PICKLES. Honestly they are the best ever. I sometimes just order Rachael's to eat the pickles. They are so perfect. Not too vinegary and they are still super crispy.", "timestamp": "2013-01-23T19:38:17" }, { "business_id": "1cncsHKApeW1ubd5d9HoJw", "business_name": "Hop Sing Laundromat", "rating": 4, "text": "This isn't just a bar, it's an experience! I felt giddy when we finally found the door between 10th and 11th st on Race. We were let in by a bouncer who instructed us to sit down in a small room where he explained to us the rules. It was like being at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida where you wait and listen to someone prepare you for the ride ahead. Nice touch! Beautiful interior. Close attention to details so don't be afraid to get up and look around if you're into that. Drinks are totally worth the price. Reminded me of Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. Recommend: East Side is my favorite drink. I also enjoy one of the new specials called Crazy Horse but only if you like vodka...because it is HEAVY on the vodka. ;) Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:06:09" }, { "business_id": "rN3tOWABU_hSBvLdADSb4Q", "business_name": "Tazia Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here for happy hour with a few co-workers after reading about some great experiences from fellow yelpers. Unfortunately I wasn't blown away by this place. The happy hour specials are great...for example $3.50 for a fruit (pineapple, lychee, etc) martini. But I pretty much got exactly what I paid for and maybe even less...the martini was watered down and I felt like I was drinking lightly flavored juice. The service was slow... Not sure I will be going back anytime soon but I could be persuaded to give it another try. Maybe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:10:09" }, { "business_id": "fcpHrRopilvsBwUajFB5rw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Good food at a great price! I came by for a quick dinner after going out for happy hour with some friends. We ordered tons of dumplings....seriously TONS. My favorite were the Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns ( pork and scallion ) and the soup dumplings. My favorite entree we got blew my mind! We ordered it as a recommendation that we took from our server: pork with sauce noodle. Literally that is what it's called. We got it with mei fun noodles. The best way to describe it is like having an asian spaghetti with meat sauce that instead of tomato has a soy/hoison base. Cilantro was sprinkled all over the top. So. Good. Some negatives...I didnt like the fried rice (how can you mess up fried rice?). Some of the dumplings weren't super special to me. So with the pros and cons...this place is A-OK to me", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:20:29" }, { "business_id": "gQCKrqkalAc--4cuW_C_Ow", "business_name": "Tacconelli's Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "There is no where else in Philadelphia and the surrounding area where you can get pizza as good as Tacconelli's. Seriously, this pizza is the best. I normally go here with a large group of people 8+. This is the best way to do it so you can order tons of different pizza combos. You are limited to only 2 toppings per pizza (to keep the oven operating efficiently). The crust is super thin and the pizza sauce is absolutely delicious. Be prepared to have garlic breath for hours...but hopefully whoever you're smooching later will be at dinner with you anyways and will have the same problem! My favorite combos: plain cheese & sauce, sausage & onion, tomato & spinach. If you can handle spicy, and I mean really spicy, order a side of their homemade hot peppers. Remember to call in and reserve the amount of pizza doughs you want before you get here! BYOB & Cash Only !", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T14:54:39" }, { "business_id": "oU-vzdE38Nk6gAr4yDy6ew", "business_name": "Crumbs Bake Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "Not the best but certainly worth a try. I got a dozen of the small cupcakes to try the different flavors with my roomies. I found them to be pretty good...in particular the red velvet and the coconut cream. Dense and moist to make for an overall yummy experience. Ill be going back again soon", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:04:27" }, { "business_id": "QuU-a6FEcC_aZTgZkYFeLA", "business_name": "The Bards", "rating": 4, "text": "The Bards has great brunch! Went there this past Saturday with a group of friends after a big night out and it was just what we needed. I ordered the eggs benedict and added Irish ham to it which was a great decision. The home fry potatoes that came on the side with onions and peppers were absolutely perfect. If you're in to bloody marys they have a great mix here! Yum! Bards is also a great spot to grab some beers for a sports game or for Thursday night Quizzo. All around great Irish Pub that puts its next door neighbor THE Irish Pub to shame.", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:28:07" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "I love dropping in to Capogiro every few weeks to try the new flavors...and this past weekend did not disappoint! I was really craving some sorbetto and got a combo of kiwi and pineapple mint. The pineapple mint was probably one of the best flavors I've ever had! So let me make it clear...if they have it, you must get the:PINEAPPLE MINT SORBETTO. I also love the cucumber sorbetto which they did not have this past weekend. Any of the gelatos are a must. In particular I crave the Thai coconut. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:35:35" }, { "business_id": "ueAkLzWFFTzQkq3jzyBlnA", "business_name": "Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "The clouds have parted... and there at the center, is a huge bowl of Pho. Absolutely delicious and enlightening (thus the first sentence) lunch experience at Pho Xe Lua today! I felt almost treacherous ditching my normal spot, Pho Cali, and wandered a little further away from work to this spot. What a good idea and I will absolutely be coming here again in the near future. I got regular rare steak pho. The meat and noodle portions were large just with a regular bowl portion. What really made this pho exceptional was the broth. So savory and had the right amount of scallions and cilantro. My PIC (partner in crime) got the beef stir fry noodles. Also amazing! But really I'm a Pho girl and this will be my new go to spot for it.", "timestamp": "2013-01-29T21:29:27" }, { "business_id": "mlrYh-m3Zlqp9CTeSvdOsQ", "business_name": "Chix & Wings", "rating": 4, "text": "MMMmmmmmm what a pleasant surprise! I needed a quick lunch break from work and was craving some serious chicken nuggets. I was heading to Wendy's on the corner of 11th and walnut but bumped into Chick-a-licious before I could make it. Hurrah! I ordered the 7 piece boneless chicken, mashed potatoes & gravey, and corn. I got honey mustard and the sweet chili dipping sauces (my fav). The chicken was so fresh! I watched them batter and fry it right in front of me. The meat was delish and had 0 fat. Very pleased with this discovery and will go back ASAP.", "timestamp": "2013-01-31T16:50:42" }, { "business_id": "8j3blTZChklt3j89jxx0fw", "business_name": "Brauhaus Schmitz", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is for restaurant week. What's better than a liter of beer and huge portions of goulash, potato pancakes, and sausage? Not much! Had a fun experience here for restaurant week. The menu was a bit limited since their regular menu is so so large, so I felt a bit limited but was not completely disappointed. I ordered the hungarian goulash. Not like goulash you can get abroad. It resembled more of a what I called, \"a european chili.\" I also got the kale salad which was a huge like! I don't think I've ever had just plain kale in a salad before but it was so good. It had a roasted garlic dressing, thin red onions, and shaved smoked gouda. I was disappointed with the sausage selections my table got (weisswurst, bratwurst, and baurenwurst) . Overall I felt they were relatively flavorless and demanded some serious mustard attention. This is in comparison to the sausages you can get at Frankford Hall which comes from Ilg's Butcher shop where the sausages are unbelievable. I am looking forward to going back again and getting the house sausage and others that were not available on the restaurant week menu. The Braushaus Housbrau was very good. Easy to drink and great to wash down the food :)", "timestamp": "2013-02-05T23:23:47" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 4, "text": "Mmmm what's for Supper? Well for me it was the sweet potato soup with the smear of homemade marshmallow around the rim of the bowl and the scallops. The soup was spicy but sweet and had a thickness to it that was perfect. The scallops were cooked to perfection and the truffle on them is a great touch. The sauteed greens that came with the scallops were a little tough but not bad! For the table we shared the Tamale fries and the Chicken wings. CHICKEN WINGS ARE A MUST. I cant get over how delicious they are. Sugar, salt, pepper and falls right off the bone. Tasty appetizer for the table. Love the atmosphere here. Plan on coming back soon!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:34:37" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "Yum. Thank you Honest Tom's for renewing my hope for Philadelphia's burrito scene. Best chicken burrito I've had outside of New Mexico. Honestly (ha) this place is as good as it gets. From the chicken to the beans...everything is well flavored and fresh making a great, cheap, & quick meal. They also make their own salsas which are delish and worth a try. If you like it hot, you'll be in love!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:45:59" }, { "business_id": "2YyIIdwnYv5cApn1gZo_gw", "business_name": "Field House", "rating": 4, "text": "Very pleased with going to The Field House for Mardi Gras last night! The specials were great: $3 dollar Abita drafts, $5 hurricanes, $5 soco lime shots Abita's Purple Haze may be one of my favorite beers for all time (you can find in specialty craft beer stores by the can) and I couldn't believe I was drinking pints of it for 3 dollars each. In general the beer list is pretty good and during happy hour it's $2 dollars off all local brews. I came with a big group of people (10) and we took over the benches up in front by the stage. Great drinks, fast service, and a couple orders of the Kettle Chips (braised beef, jalapenos, gouda, salsa...uhhh yum) made for a great after work party", "timestamp": "2013-02-13T19:46:32" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 4, "text": "Yum! I've been meaning to try this spot for some time now and decided that going on a little V-Day Lunch Adventure was just what I needed today. Turns out it was a great choice! Love the space. Very casual and fun. Feels like being in a market/kitchen area. I didn't get a chance to browse the initial cheese, charcuterie, and dessert counter but I will be coming back in the near future to do so! From what I saw there was a chocolate cake with bacon peanut butter icing...MMMM yes please I ordered the half sandwich and soup combo. The pasta fagioli was very fresh and perfectly cooked. Now, the cuban sandwich was amazing. I'm pretty picky about these and I loved mine. The bread was crispy & thin. The portion of meat was generous. Homemade pickles and mustard....plus untraditional gruyere cheese. Delish and absolutely recommend!", "timestamp": "2013-02-14T19:13:42" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 3, "text": "El vez is a good spot to stop by for happy hour. The margaritas are delicious and they normally have a decent beer selection. The guacamole is good (but pricey depending on what you get). My two favorites are the Morales (truffle) and the Indian Red Lopez (crab, cilantro, and salsa) guacamoles. I love the tortilla soup here. Much MUCH MUCH better than at Starr's other mexican spot, El Rey. Can't go wrong with the tacos. This place is good but not the best. I think its a nice spot for getting together with a larger group of friends for dinner or just for a casual happy hour.", "timestamp": "2013-02-18T16:05:11" }, { "business_id": "jHeT7dodT4fN1SD3QEFoAA", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 4, "text": "Oink oink oink! This place is appropriately named and deservedly so. The pork selections on the menu are each to die for. Really, the chef knows how to cook meat. Everything came out in a timely fashion and was cooked to perfection. Great family dinner experience. A dish that really stood out to me in particular was actually a dessert. We were so full we almost didn't ask for dessert menus...but alas my curiosity often overrides any smart decision to stop eating and thank goodness it did. I ordered the shortcake with maple syrup and bacon ice cream. YUP, BACON ICE CREAM. It was the best breakfast/dessert/smorgasbord I've ever had. Highly recommend saving room for this one! Look forward to coming again & also for brunch (gasp! didn't know they had one until recently)", "timestamp": "2013-02-20T16:08:37" }, { "business_id": "5Fm6khB-De-OdqATep9J9Q", "business_name": "NYPD Pizza", "rating": 2, "text": "Not a bad spot to stop in for a quick lunch. I came a little after the initial lunch rush and I think it limited my options. There wasn't much variety to the leftover pizza. I ended up getting a slice of the cheesesteak pizza and a slice of mushroom and cheese. The cheesesteak pizza was pretty good. White pizza with tons of american cheese and steak meat. There were also dollops of cheez whiz. I did wish it had red sauce but I asked the counter for a side which they were more than willing to provide! The mushroom pizza was super eh. I should have just gone with a slice of plain cheese that seemed to be the freshest. It was like heating up an old piece of pizza. I showered the entire thing with hot peppers which made it better. Good price & quick service tho.", "timestamp": "2013-02-21T21:32:49" }, { "business_id": "qCpdeQYPf9i1EZhTnQgjtg", "business_name": "The Foodery at Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a great addition to the Rittenhouse Square Area. I had an absolutely wonderful time stopping by the new Foodery after happy hour to check it out. Not only did they have some of my all time favorite beers that are hard to come by (ex. Prism Red Zone!) they also were stocked with an interesting and diverse selection of bottled beers that the employees were more than willing to walk you through them. We got our beer selections and sat down at the large picnic table. Right now they only do sandwiches and some sides..but I wanted just charcuterie so the server happily sliced me a little of everything free of charge so I could try it out. We also got a side of potato chips and the marinated artichokes which were super yum. Great experience! Nice place to stop with friends and try out some funky beers!", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:10:40" }, { "business_id": "HS5CfzQ_gOJHgqwtv9rvNQ", "business_name": "Ladder 15", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to a fundraiser for happy hour yesterday. It was pretty decent. There were $5 dollar mixed drink specials that were surprisingly boozy. The food was OK. All fried appetizers. The winner was the fried mac and cheese squares. I could eat dozens of those. I really like the ambiance of Ladder 15. They had a fire going and the lighting is pretty dim. Makes for a cozy happy hour with your friends.", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:13:03" }, { "business_id": "AfassS1QI0DHsqwuof9-lA", "business_name": "Dirty Franks", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple of my friends and I had a great time finding this Dive Bar on the corner of 13th & Pine. The best part about it was...BYOF...Bring Your Own Food! We brought in a ton of wings (from moriarty's) and sat down with a couple of beers to hang out for Happy Hour before going out for the rest of the night. People of all ages but apparently similar music tastes because I could not get enough of how great the juke box selections were for the evening! Anything from Bob Marley to some 90s Pop. I was lovin' it They had Purple Haze (Abita) on tap. Obviously adds a whole star to my review. I can't get enough of this beer. My one big problem with this place is that there wasn't a good spot for all of my friends and I to sit together (6 of us). The tables can only accommodate up to 4 so we had to play musical chairs for a little while.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T20:35:40" }, { "business_id": "ZDdNEwBENLXBT3jjQD5STQ", "business_name": "Giwa Korean Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "Gimme korean chicken tacos all day every day! Love this tiny spot for grabbing a quick lunch. I have to say that I have not yet ordered anything else from the menu because the tacos are all I need. Both the pork and the chicken are delicious but I prefer the chicken. Tiny tortillas stuffed with spicy chicken, cheese, sour ccream, lettuce, onion, cilantro, and sticky rice. The spicyness of the chicken seeps into the rice it's absolutely fantastic. They put a heaping amount of cilantro on each taco which really makes it! Be sure to grab some of the hot sauce for dipping! I dip my side cucumbers in as well :) Some day I will be back to try something else off the menu...but not today", "timestamp": "2013-03-04T16:08:52" }, { "business_id": "7mpYTDb24SywNMRn3yeakQ", "business_name": "The Twisted Tail", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great place to stumble upon! We wanted to grab a bite to eat before a 7pm concert at the TLA and thankfully found The Twisted Tail. The cocktails were delicious. I had the black cherry gimlet and the kool kat. The gimlet was sweet but the lime juice added a tartness that made it perfect. The kool kat was refreshing and a tasty way to start off the night. As we were having our cocktails and waiting to order, the waiter brought out fresh house popcorn with bacon and rosemary butter. YUM What we ordered: Soup of the day: Pumpkin Chipotle glazed wings Cesar salad with cornbread croutons Blackened catfish BBQ spare ribs I would strongly recommend the pumpkin soup if they have it. It was the best I have ever had! It had a strong pumpkin flavor but was sweetened with what almost felt like a marshmallowy taste. The soup was thickened adding to the marshmallow aspect of the dish. The BBQ ribs were also very tasty! Even better is on the side were deep fried cornichons. I've fallen in love with these. This should be the only way to fry pickles.", "timestamp": "2013-03-07T15:14:48" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 4, "text": "Happy to stop in to Vernick to catch up with an old friend. She had never been and was very pleased overall with the experience (as she should be!) The food was spectacular as always. The service was quick and helpful. We split a mixture of toast/ raw bar/ and small plates over wine. The tuna poke is still my favorite! So delicious Vernick is not getting my usual 5 star rating because their desserts are not what they use to be. I think this is on account of the dreaded change in pastry chef. This makes me the saddest.... Goodbye delicious pies. The date cake wasn't what it was last time I went (~1month ago). It wasn't as moist and a little too dense. With a change of pastry chef should come a change in menu! I'm ready for it, Vernick!", "timestamp": "2013-03-08T19:23:31" }, { "business_id": "YBak8o0xCiNN4sXr3izLbg", "business_name": "Barcade", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok...I was so excited to finally spend a night at Barcade with a handful of friends for a birthday party and was pretty disappointed. We picked out this place specifically to come to after a day at Frankford hall (da best obvi) because of the amazing beer list and full intention to get rowdy with some throw back video games. When we got there around 9pm the place was so full it was hard to even move around. Any dream of playing a video game was shattered by the lines in front of each machine. Instead we settled at a table after a bit of a wait until the music got turned up. For some reason the music got even louder than it already was with some sort of tortured rock that really hurt my ears. Needless to say we made a hasty retreat back to the center city area. With all this negativity....I am not completely turned off by this joint. I think timing is key and I need to come back at a less rowdy time to really enjoy what this place is...a place where you can be goofy and enjoy old games over a pint or two rather than get lost in a loud, claustrophobia-inducing crowd.", "timestamp": "2013-03-11T15:46:00" }, { "business_id": "Z5rqRyZ4-iEBRVXCRbysfA", "business_name": "Rogue's Gallery", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a hidden gem Rogue's Gallery is! I met up with a couple of friends for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised. Rogue's is off the beaten path of mainstream Rittenhouse Square Area and is a refreshing change of scenery from my normal go to places. The bar is the perfect combination of up-scale, divey-ness that is hard to explain until you see it. Our immediate reaction to the place was, \"Wow. We need to be regulars here,\" and I completely plan on making that happen! Great specials for happy hour. Can't wait to come back here to try the food or come dancing on a friday night!", "timestamp": "2013-03-20T18:34:00" }, { "business_id": "Tkx1AiQarmw0zc50GibtTA", "business_name": "Marathon On the Square", "rating": 3, "text": "Marathon does free deliveries on grub hub now!!! Fast service. Same old food...but if you're in a pinch for a burger/sandwich/salad it's nice. The smoothies are great! Love the mixed berry with honey!", "timestamp": "2013-03-22T16:29:07" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 4, "text": "I love to see Drury street becoming a serious destination for Saturday nights. Not that McGillins wasn't holding down the fort on it's own, but now the spill into the street from both packed establishments makes it a really exciting place to be. I can't wait for the summer! Anyways, Bru has the right stuff to become a great spot to grab drinks with friends for a night out. The pour your own pint in the front is amazing. Basically you load up a card with money, swipe, and ta dahhhh... you dispense your own beer like a soda fountain. I'm excited to see what selections they will have in the upcoming future. I think to start the choices were a little unoriginal...but I have high hopes! Haven't tried the food yet. Maybe next time :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T18:56:43" }, { "business_id": "OHzX-ZD9qyoeoxR8Z0dlIA", "business_name": "Khyber Pass Pub", "rating": 5, "text": "I. love. this. place. I can't put a finger on the exact reason why...but maybe that's why it's so great. There isn't just one thing that makes Khyber Pass a great place to go to. Saturday was gorgeous and we set out to try new places and get our day drink on. We landed at Khyber's and were immediately greeted with a surprisingly crowded but friendly atmosphere. The beer list is extensive and exciting if you are in to the beer scene. Lots of new things for me to try and the sudden surprise that...OH MY DEAR LORD THEY HAVE PO BOYS, and lots of them! I got the cat fish po boy with a side of collard greens and the mac and cheese. Heaven. Seriously. What is better than an afternoon of funky beers over fried fish and mac with your friends. Nothing. :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T19:03:37" }, { "business_id": "waafKhA-LtJSZXlECyfEXw", "business_name": "New York Gyro Halal Food Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been here 20+ times in the past couple of months and my feelings have not changed for how amazing this place is for lunch. Quick, cheap, & delicious. Best $4 dollars I've ever spent (Except really I give them $5 :) )", "timestamp": "2013-03-26T18:48:13" }, { "business_id": "RFYlmTjgwhOsm7qJwW1G9w", "business_name": "Alfa American Tavern", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Perhaps it's because we came here on the later side of a Saturday night but I found it over crowded and stuffy. To be far, I was in a larger group so we ourselves were kind of crowding up the place but even so I couldn't really talk to everyone and we had to break up a bit. I had a hard time getting to the bar, which can be frustrating for a little redhead. However, once I did I was pleased with my drink choice: Kate Middleton. I'll try it again, but not on a Saturday night", "timestamp": "2013-03-28T14:16:45" }, { "business_id": "ePs4Z_Nqsm5-kQk_hAp2Dg", "business_name": "Irish Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh the Irish Pub...I was too harsh on you. For a place to go out for drinks with a group of friends, no matter what night of the week it is, I find myself at the Irish Pub at least once a week. Whether it's a weekday night and I try to monopolize the jukebox with DJ Saraah's Greatest Hits or a Friday/Saturday night with a rotation of visiting DJs, the music is loud and sets a booty wigglin, drink guzzling atmosphere to forget the rest of the world outside of the pub. A good spot for celebrating but get there before the night rush if you want to have good standing room. It can get crowded pretty fast but hey, with cheap drinks and fast service what else would you expect?", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:15:49" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "AHOY Seafood Connoisseurs! The Dump Dinner does not disappoint! Did the Dump Dinner again with a group of 10. Still my #1 dining experience in Philly. Delicious, messy, finger lickin' food in a classy establishment with a 2hr open bar. Count me in always.", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:21:29" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "My Boyfriend has a problem...and its Tea Do. He discovered this place a couple weeks ago and I lost him every day, and then multiple times a day to a mysterious bubble house that I hadn't been to in China Town. He started coming up with excuses for his addiction: I just worked out (bubbles help that?), my stomach hurts (ok...), and I'm sleepy (...). Needless to say my curiosity peeked and I was ready to make the trek to China Town to, \"grab some bub teas.\" I tend to like traditional milk with tapioca bubble teas, the coconut milk one being my favorite. My boyfriend on the other hand is obsessed with both the Grasshopper and the Tropical Twister but with tapioca bubbles not lychee. I've also ventured and explored the bursting bubbles such as strawberry. These are good but like I've already said, I'm a traditionalist. So now he has a Bub Tea PIC (partner in crime)....and it's getting a little embarrassing how often we go. :)", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T15:41:19" }, { "business_id": "OhSaEeJes7JLtk3MGMXXmg", "business_name": "Maoz Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "My healthy lunch go to during the work week. The falafel is fresh and really delicious, but what makes the place is all of the options from the buffet you can stock up on for your sandwich or salad. I prefer getting the falafel in a salad bowl because I can fit everything I want into the container. As you can imagine jamming additional snackie poos into the pita and falafel, which is already full to begin with, is pretty difficult. If you like spicy and fresh, I recommend getting the green chili and the cilantro sauces all over your falafel.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:24:36" }, { "business_id": "qh7T0rql3chxxuORLMse2Q", "business_name": "Yellow Juice Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Yellow Juice Bar loves Yelpers. First off I checked in and got $1 off a salad. Boom. I got a Mango Madness fruit blend with almond milk and the free banana twirl special featured on Yelp this week. That banana twirl is magic. I didn't know that being healthy could be so delicious. I'm a big big fan of banana gelato..and as far as I'm concerned, that is exactly what I ate.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:32:04" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm really torn up about Village Whiskey. Don't get me wrong, this a great place but for some reason I can't give it 4 stars. It's really hard to get a table here pretty much all the time. I've been a number of times and always end up standing in the back with a friend or two. Not terrible but also not ideal. I also had an annoying situation with the hostess when 5 of my friends and I were trying to squish and eat at a 2 person table while the entire middle booth (seats 6) was empty. We kept asking if we could move there since we were in the way of everything and had ordered food which was definitely not going to fit on the table. After about 20 minutes when our food arrived in heaping loads she let us move. Sorry I'm not Ryan Howard but this girl wants to eat her burger just as bad. On the up side the food and drinks are good. The beecharmer is my cocktail of choice and they always have good beers on tap. The truffled cauliflower on the pickle selections is amazing and a must have. I also am a big fan of the veggie burger. Best I've ever had. Heads up- They deliver. And this is normally the route I take if I just want food from here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:44:14" }, { "business_id": "0-7N3z_cb3Z1xMGDrbez6w", "business_name": "Le Virtu", "rating": 4, "text": "Looking for the perfect date night spot? You found it. Le Virtu is such a gem. It's classy but not too much so...the overall feel is very comfortable and homey. It set me up to chow down on some pasta and drink italian wine. Not much can beat that! The service was also amazingly friendly and warm. We spoke with the manager for a lengthy period of time about food traditions across Italy and, in particular, the food from Abruzzo where his grandfather is from (one of Le Virtu's main drawing pools). Appetizers: Fried rice balls Hearty chick pea soup is a must have. I feel like this can be easily overlooked but they use duck and rabbit stock....yum city. House-made Abruzzese-style sausage Charred octopus salad was also very good. Surprisingly refreshing. The octopus was very tiny and packed with flavor which is exactly how I like 'em Primi: We all got entree sized pasta dishes and skipped secondi because they looked amazing Shepard Style gnocchi was absolutely amazing. Probably my favorite dish. The gnocchi was miniature and not too soft. The smokiness of the lamb sausage paired with the sheep ricotta gave these dish such warm and comforty feel to it. I could eat this all the time. Taccozzelle was recommend by the server and rightfully so. The noodles were so fresh. The porcini mushroom was the predominant flavor, can't complain there. Desserts: Pecorino Panna cotta. Yes, get this. It is a must have. The pecorino really makes this panna cotta unique. It is extra thick and creamy, served with poached pears. I loved it. Also it is a smaller portion size which I welcomed warmly after all of the pasta I destroyed Chocolate semifreddo was like eating the best frozen chocolate milk I've ever had. Assorted biscotti.........I know it's a crime but I don't like biscotti. Never have. But for the members of the dinner party who do like it they raved about them. Enjoy! I'll be back soon to try the Maccheroni alla mugnaia: the 6 ft single strand noodle pasta!", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T18:11:23" }, { "business_id": "f2RHDdXezLHILvM7v1xOVA", "business_name": "Taqueria La Veracruzana", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars and a round of applause for the Tacos at Veracruzana! You can't go wrong with any of the tacos all of which are sprinkled with freshly chopped onions and cilantro..... HOWEVER! The must haves are the Al Pastor (roasted, pulled pork & pineapple) and the chorizo tacos. The Al Pastor from here is pretty much the best I've come across in the Philly area. The pork is melt in your mouth good and the pineapple with the cilantro is super refreshing. For a more intense savory flavor the chorizo is the way to go. You get 3 to an order so I usually go 1 chorizo & 2 al pastor with the occasional bistec guisado taco to mix it up. The house green and red accompanying salsas are both killer. I loud up all my tacos with a squish of lime and both salsas. Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-04-24T15:59:47" }, { "business_id": "SDL247FlOnScJfuNjZESxg", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty Manning Grill is a bright and refreshing place. Between both the ambiance and the food, it makes me feel like summer is already here! I went on a Mommy-Daughter date here last night (awwwww) and was extremely pleased with the whole experience. We split the Lancaster Baby Romaine and the cheese plate to start. The cheese plate was absolutely gorgeous. They pile on different slices of fruit and berries on a thick wooden board. Very pretty. For entrees she got the Berkshire Pork Chop which was delicious. Very tender, perfectly cooked pork and the brussel sprouts were a hearty, leafy side. I got the Duck Confit...now this is a MUST HAVE alert... MUST HAVE: (Lightly) Crispy Duck Confit. The meat was practically falling off the bone and was so delicious. The whole leg rests on a thick bed of spinach salad with slices of tangerine. I got my meat fix and my green fix in one plate. It was really an impressive dish that kept to overall mood of the evening: light, refreshing, summery dining experience. Bottle of wine: Fritz, Riesling (Germany) to keep to the light nature of our meal. Very sweet but not syrupy. Great riesling!", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:32:57" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok...Yogorino is growing on me...BIG time. Maybe its the weather...maybe it's my new work out schedule...but I get Yogorino cravings like crazy lately. I love how creamy but not overly sweet the frozen yogurt is here. Very different from the other froyo places popping up all over the place that try and make their yogurt more like an ice cream. Here, the yogurtyness is embraced. Everything is kept simple. My go to toppings: a litttttle dulce de leche sauce, meringue crumble, and strawberries. And dare I say it... FROYO because...YOLO?", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:39:13" }, { "business_id": "fivoAD6x6jXJRiEZwhpcEQ", "business_name": "Amis Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh me, oh my, Amis! I really want to go with a 4.5 here because a 4 doesn't do it justice...but I also can't just give it a full 5 stars since it was my first time there. #yelperproblems This was an absolutely great dining experience. I went with a group of 5 for a Sunday night Birthday Dinner. I actually would recommend going with a group of 4+ so you can try everything you want to on the menu...and trust me there are going to be a lot of dishes that grab your attention. MUST HAVES: I can't go into detail about every dish we got...but I will highlight my favorites Bufala ricotta and black pepper paired with the Veal Terrine (as recommended by our server): Super creamy and savory. The two dishes were made for each other Marinated Octopus over chickpeas: Yes, yes, yes. This is the way octopus should be cooked. Lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside as opposed to overly chewy. The chickpeas were also delicious. All around great dish Fried Lamb Ribs: If you like lamb then this is a must. I loved nomming tender lamb morsels off the bone. The yogurt was a nice touch Cacio e pepe: one of my favorite dishes in general...but Amis does it great. This is my ultimate comfort food. Simple but great. Spinach fazzoletti with lamb ragu: YUM. The fazzoletti was made perfectly. The lamb ragu was tender and meaty which went great with the spinach pasta. OVERALL everything was amazing from ambiance to drinks to food. However, I have 1 complaint. The rice pudding was off putting. They top what is on it's own an absolutely delicious rice pudding (perfect taste & texture) with a berry puree (not terrible) and SALTED pistachios. I capped salted because this is what I think ruined the dish. The salt was too overpowering for the light, milky pudding and was the only thing I could taste. I ended up scoping the top layer off and eating the pudding on its own. I would suggest non-salted pistachios if they are going for the texture....but salted is just too much.", "timestamp": "2013-04-29T15:45:08" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "Winter has come to Pub & Kitchen (Game of Thrones anyone?). The days of plenty are over. The change in chef/menu has really put a damper on this once awesome place to grab a drink and some food with your friends. It really, reaaally is a shame since the location is so great and summer is right around the corner. First off, I wasn't blown away by the menu. Nothing grabbed my attention. Everything was extremely fancy. I'm a pretty intense foodie, but there were things that made me go, \"Huh? What the ... is that?\" Except for the burger...which is listed as \"Cheeseburger: pickle, onion, lettuce, american cheese.\" Fancy, fancy, fancy, and a side of Cheeseburger. It's almost as if they felt obligated to have a cheeseburger since the last Pub & Kitchen burger was out of this world. What we tried: Suckling pig bouchons: These were OK. Imagine eating a croquette without the potato. The lemony sauce that was served with them was awesome. Probably the best thing I had there... Pabbit Campagne: Again...just OK. It was described as a pate but really its more of a meaty terrine. It didn't taste bad, but I did not finish it. Pickled Beets: I don't like beets...but these were actually pretty good. The puffs add a great texture to the dish Cheeseburger: Sad, sad, sad. The meat was flavorful but overcooked due to the fact that they now use two thin patties (why?!). When I go out to eat and order a cheeseburger, it better be delicious and unique.....and this one was just not. Overall: The changes at Pub & Kitchen have made me pretty sad. The cocktail that I had was tasty (Lie to Me), but until there's a turn around in the food department I don't see myself coming back here anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2013-05-01T13:56:01" }, { "business_id": "yQ7sxpoKXcTWzuELVdpR6w", "business_name": "Drury Beer Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "The Drury Beer Garden really is a hidden gem. It's a great place to just chill out with a larger group of friends without having to worry about squeezing everyone around a bar. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and I think because of this everyone freely intermingles with other groups. Just your regular backyard party coupled with an awesome beer list and the chance to meet some people. What is there not to like? I went this past weekend and scored a picnic table under a heat lamp. I had my favorite beer: Hell or High Watermelon for $5 a can and couldn't have been more content!", "timestamp": "2013-05-06T15:48:56" }, { "business_id": "7z16CBc74GhbyqalwZrJUQ", "business_name": "Ting Wong Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick, delicious, & fresh business lunch @ Ting Wong for 4 people. We went family style and ordered: Boneless soy chicken & pork appetizers Chicken & Anchovy fried rice Chicken Lo Mein The portions are huge! So definetely plan on ordering a couple of dishes and sharing! I would absolutely recommend the chicken & anchovy fried rice as well as the soy chicken. The fried rice was very fresh and not greasy as fried rice has a tendency to be. The anchovy gave it a nice salty flavor and it wasn't fishy at all which I was initially afraid of. The soy chicken is so flavorful and the crushed ginger sauce on top (and ask for more on the side) makes it a delicious dish. Great spot to check out in Chinatown! :)", "timestamp": "2013-05-14T15:34:45" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 5, "text": "Grabbed the Enfrijoladas and a slice of carrot cake Take-Out style last night for a lazy couch dinner after the gym. Heaven. The Enfrijoladas are really, really good. Now, this is coming from a New Mexican who is pretty picky about these things. The refried beans are to die for. The only thing lacking was heat, but that was nothing a healthy squeeze of Sriracha couldn't fix.", "timestamp": "2013-05-15T14:15:39" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by for an iced latte and salad for lunch. Yummy yummy! The iced caramel latte is divine. Creamy & unburned coffee that will make you smack yourself on the wrist for ever going in to a Starbucks. Spiced orange salad was amazing! Lightly spiced vinaigrette. The chicken was seasoned and warm off to the side. Filling but not overly so. Perfect for a hot afternoon lunch outside.", "timestamp": "2013-05-16T17:40:47" }, { "business_id": "MKsCFQuzmgH2We9hwTQ8gw", "business_name": "South Street Souvlaki", "rating": 4, "text": "Opa! Amazing family dinner experience! I love the atmosphere here. Very friendly service with an eagerness to please. All of our food came out quickly and there was plenty, PLENTY of it. We ate everything family style, which I would recommend if you are having a sit down dinner, and got to try a large variety of things. So many in fact, that I will only list my favorites: I could eat the baba ganoush with warm pita for days. Seriously, it is perfection. The marinated grilled octupus was cooked supremely well and served over a fresh salad. We went with the special fish of the day: Porgy. Lightly fried with fresh squeezed lemon. So good! Another special was the pork & leek stew. The meat was deliciously tender and the leeks came in huge, caramelized chunks. Served over rice. Save room for dessert because the rice pudding is some of the best I've ever had! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T15:48:17" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 3, "text": "I am so torn up about Continental Mid-Town and have been waiting to write a review for a couple months now. There are most certainly reasons why I would give them 4 stars...but there are also plenty of times I would have gone with just 2. So I'll settle at an indecisive 3 stars. Here are the pros and cons: Pros: The atmosphere of the rooftop bar is really fun during any season. As long as you are in a smaller group of people it can be a lot of fun. Just make sure to get there and snag a table/bar seat before major crowds roll in. I like their tuna tar tar Their drinks are tasty, modern, fun. They deliver through grubhub if you're feeling lazy Cons: Expensive. You can get better tasting food for half the price. It really is a shame. Crowded night light. You have to plan to get there and find space to hang out ahead of major crowds...otherwise it can be a bit overwhelming. Overall I like this place as a launching pad for a great night out with my friends. Maybe an appetizer or two...but nothing more than that.", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T16:00:07" }, { "business_id": "XTNu6IrYn_xn05wuqjrxiA", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review for Jimmy John's yet! It is just blowing my mind! I get Jimmy John's at least once a week for my lunch at work. They must be sandwich magicians over there because I will literally pick up the phone, order, and POOF! Within 5 minutes the food is here, every time. Seriously...I have never waited more than 5 mins for my food. I am in love with them. Go to: #9 Italian hoagie with added hot pepper and a side of bbq chips. Their bread is out of this world and the chips are extra crispy. Feeling healthy? No problem! Get your favorite sandwich on a lettuce wrap instead of a hoagie roll. Go Jimmy John's! I am a fan!", "timestamp": "2013-05-23T17:05:01" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 4, "text": "I crave the chicken banh mi from Rotisseur on a biweekly basis. The feeling slowly creeps up on me until suddenly it has a hold on my stomach and the thought of eating anything thing else is food torture...until...at last, I reach my delicious sandwich. The chicken is moist and they add a layer of crispy skin from the long, slow cook. Pickled cabbage and fresh cilantro really tie the whole thing together. Make sure to add a healthy squirt of sriracha if you are a spice freak. The sides are made on a daily basis. The best side I've come across are the curry garbanzo beans. So. Good. Love rotisseur but don't let your cravings take a hold of your life, body, and mind on a Sunday. They are not open as I was shocked to find out. I withered and died for a day until Monday came.", "timestamp": "2013-06-03T14:17:30" }, { "business_id": "x7gEX6dthpJvoOafV1XHaA", "business_name": "Cook", "rating": 5, "text": "Cook is a brilliant establishment. Cozy, intimate atmosphere so you can get your one on one time with the chefs of your choice. A great gift for foodies. I went with my P.I.C.'s family last night to hang out and try polish food with Chef Maciej Ciezki from Lacroix. I won't go into detail about the food here, but I did add a photo of some of the courses we had. The food was plentiful, the drinks were flowing, and the room was chatty. I will most definetely be coming back for more in the near future.", "timestamp": "2013-06-04T13:22:46" }, { "business_id": "AQIi4IRvUxkurxNvlUD9hQ", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, I LOVE Smoothie King. I want to be it's Smoothie Queen, but I do have one big, big problem with it: the hours. Why smoothie king did you not open until 9:30 am this morning?! You miss the whole morning crowd who needs to be in to work by 9 am. I don't understand! You're open until 7pm...and lets be honest, who gets a smoothie for dinner? Please shift your hours and I think it'll be good for you. I was very sad having to wait until 930 for your juicy goodness. My boss is also mad at you.", "timestamp": "2013-06-06T14:13:12" }, { "business_id": "M77MQ0Gge2ZbSz0FM0oGgg", "business_name": "Krispy Kreme", "rating": 5, "text": "I love you so much Krispy Kreme. I can't believe you are no longer in downtown Philly (WHYYYYYYYYYYY), but I am willing to commute. 1 dozen plain glazed & 1/2 a dozen glazed creme filled later...I am a happy camper and my craving has been fulfilled. :)", "timestamp": "2013-06-10T16:52:03" }, { "business_id": "RZtGWDLCAtuipwaZ-UfjmQ", "business_name": "LaScala's", "rating": 3, "text": "LaScala's is a place to grub down on Italian food, but only when it is convenient to do so. The only times I have gotten LaScala's is through delivery or for yesterday's lunch with my coworkers. I got the rigatoni vodka because I was craving pasta. My craving was fulfilled with cheesy/vodka sauce pasta that was served in such a large portion I took leftovers home. The food is tasty but not mind blowing....I really think the 3 star, \"A-Ok,\" rating is appropriate.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:18:40" }, { "business_id": "78kUZU8GPfHgoYO_2CNbuQ", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 3, "text": "The ice cream that Ben & Jerry's provides is an obvi 5 STARS. Getting it at an actual store and not in pints from a corner shop really makes a difference. It feels creamier...probably due to freshness and lack of the freezer burn that my fridge brutally attaches to any inhabitants. The service here is iffy. There were three people working and for whatever reason it probably took a full 20 minutes of waiting in line/paying. The line wasn't even that long..... Maybe they do it on purpose because after waiting I probably ordered double what I would have to begin with. Serious ice cream coma.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:25:11" }, { "business_id": "EKSmnS-fup3HNFLR9J17mQ", "business_name": "Midtown II Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Beeeewaaareeee of the bathroooomssss (spooky voice). I can get down a dirty when need be, but these are worse than port-a-potty status. I may be scared for life. So you're better off holding it. On a brighter note. This place is OK if you have a craving for diner food. I get breakfast for lunch & a coffee milkshake. Service is pleasant and food comes out fast.", "timestamp": "2013-06-24T14:02:18" }, { "business_id": "TwnzM8mJn_nT2PJf1x-9kQ", "business_name": "Cafe Lift", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't remember the last time I was completely blown away by a brunch experience...until now. Cafe Lift is a dream come true. It really may be one of the best brunch spots I've ever been to. To start, the interior is amazing. Very casual, comfortable feel to the entire place. Exposed brick and piping all along the walls with hardware store style tables. What got me the most excited was the special board. SO. MANY. SPECIALS. Really it is a dream come true (yes I said dream come true TWICE) to walk into a place for brunch and have a plethora of creative specials to pick from...which my party of 3 wasted no time doing. What we got: (note that most were specials) Breakfast tacos: chorizo, egg, cheese, and homemade salsa which rocked my world. Baked Egg: stewed kale, white beans, roast pork in tomato sauce topped with eggs and fontina then baked. Obsessed with this. Imagine a breakfast pasta fagioli situation Cuban Sandwich Bagel w/ veggie cream cheese and salmon Banna nutella crepe with whipped cream and strawberries The ice coffee was really, really good and I am truly very picky when it comes to coffee. Service was friendly and fast. I will be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T14:56:33" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 5, "text": "Matyson still rocks my socks off. Highlight of the meal was once again, the foie gras served on top of homemade banana bread. Close runner up was the soup of the day: vichyssoise (chilled potato leek soup). This BYOB is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the city", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T13:40:43" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 5, "text": "I just finished my first Chirashi Sushi Lunch Special...and let me tell you, it is one of the best things that has ever happened during my work day. I was fully intending on splurging a little by going out to a lunch at Morimotos...but it turns out that for once I got way, way more than my money's worth. For $21 ($22 with tax) I got the best miso soup, a salad, and my entire weight + plus some in super fresh sashimi served over rice. The sushi chef asked my preference on what fish I would like in my bowl and went to work. The dish itself was a work of art (see photo) and came with an assortment of pickled vegetables. So in love. Thank you, Morimoto!", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "V6Om7YZhlRQRU7WfuxHq8Q", "business_name": "Beck's Cajun Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Thank goodness for Beck's. Really I am so shocked that there are hardly any Cajun restaurants in the Philly area. But maybe that's for the best, because Beck's is pretty darn good. Located in the thick of the Reading Terminal Market, the stand is always busy but the service is fast. The staff is more than happy to let you try whatever you want (which you should). I've had all varieties of the gumbo and don't have a preference which is better. Go for alligator if you are feeling wild. My favorite thing from here are the red beans over rice. They are thick and have chunks of andouille sausage. Great with a piece of corn bread and scallions on top! The po'boys are decent. I find them a little too bready/fried for my liking but the overall flavor is good. I did not like the catfish po'boy....it was too fishy for me.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:25:33" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I was very excited to try a roast pork sandwich from DiNic's. However, I found myself wanting more. DiNic's gets a lot of hype on yelp...and other places as well. It was featured on Man Vs. Food ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYiR-dSbOs ) and I was shocked that I hadn't tried it yet. So I went for it. Spinach and sharp provolone on a long roll with long hots... It doesn't beat out a cheese steak. The sandwich was good but not great. I actually found myself craving more flavor, secretly hoping I had brought a bottle of sriracha sauce with me. Really they should maybe have a bottle of that on the counter because it would be insanely good. I'll be back to try it again, but unfortunately I have to say I was not blown away by my first time at DiNic's.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:38:39" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I died and went to Beiler Heaven. Seriously the BLUEBERRY FRITTERS are out of this world good. I've never felt so strongly about a baked good before. Not too sweet, but sweet enough to be the perfect companion with a cup of coffee in the morning....or a mid afternoon snack. I also found the plain glazed doughnuts to be earth shattering. Try both of these. I promise the line is worth it!", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:41:37" }, { "business_id": "XgxPLbAJtHoyR2tBN9yCXw", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "I am just so in love with Yogorino. Classic, tangy frozen yogurt is the only kind of froyo that should exist in my opinion. This location is a little bit bigger than the Rittenhouse location...but that's really the only difference. All of the fruit was super fresh & ripe. I couldn't decide between the mango and the nectarines paired with my always go-to crushed up meringue bits...so I got both. Happy eating :)", "timestamp": "2013-07-22T15:59:03" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "I am not impressed with Max Brenner's. Had a friend visiting from out of town so we decided to go out to have dessert. Whispers of fondue seemed super promising and the alluring smell of chocolate that extends down the block made it pretty much impossible not to stop in for a bite. Overall impression: overpriced We got the Italian hot chocolate, the waffle special, and fondue for two (5 of us total). To be fair, there was a lot that came with the fondue. However, I could have easily dished up the same dessert for 1/3 the price. Tasted good but I wasn't wowed. I am not stingy when it comes to spending money on food....but it needs to be worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-07-24T13:29:29" }, { "business_id": "gOrJeoLDOiW7muWuoE-sMg", "business_name": "Morgan's Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Morgan's Pier is a solid 4 star place to hang out with your friends for drinks and dancing. The atmosphere is really unique to Philly, mostly because of the beautiful location. Located right on the docks to the left of the Ben Franklin, it is such an awesome place to sit as the sunsets. Once its dark things kick in to party mode and you'll be either shaking your booty or sitting on a picnic table over the water chatting with your friends. It's awesome. However, there is one problem with it....the food. Seriously 1-2 stars on food. Good ideas and fails on taste. Everything I've had has been meh (wings, fries, bean salad, other munchies nothing major). They should really split up the yelp pages for food vs nightlife because i don't want to downgrade my 4 stars to accommodate for food failure.", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T13:43:54" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, wow, wow! I feel so lucky that this is right around the corner from my house. I stopped in to this small kitchen last night around 9pm and ordered a monster load of Thai food for my friends and I after City Sips. Needless to say, we were starving and needed some serious chow down time. The service was friendly and super fast! The quality amazing and the price so cheap. How is this place real life? Favorites: Crab Dumplings for days Drunken Noodles w/ Shrimp Pineapple fried rice w/ Chicken Crispy Duck Curry: but really any of the curry the sauce is so, so good. Happy eatings! I will be back again and again and again!", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T15:01:29" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a great dinner for 2 seated outside to take in the one day break in humidity! I think I had the best heirloom tomato salad of my life. Honestly. I sat there and tried to figure out why it was so good...and still can't quite put a finger on it. It comes topped with basil (duh) as well as a watercress salad with lightly pickled shallots. Large portion (1 whole tomato) 5 slices total. I love it. This is the definition of summer! My skate was also very tasty! Cooked perfectly and...butter, butter, butter. So not much can be wrong with that...unless you don't like butter...which might be a whole other set of problems for you and I'm so sorry.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T14:50:53" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect lunch at 12th & Spruce Tria! Obviously. A glass of Dr. H riesling, asparagus salad, and a gooey cheese has taken me to foodie heaven. Unfortunately I am now back at work until 5pm but will have happy memories to get me through.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T17:50:56" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Sampan is the place to go for Sips in Center City, Philadelphia! They have both food and drink specials, which in my opinion is essential for a good happy hour. The best part is that it's not just a few things, you get a whole menu of food specials rated from $3, $4, and $5. Bomb diggity. Favorites: White Sangria was unbelievably refreshing. Big fan! Duck Egg Rolls Kimchi Fried Rice Edamame Dumplings Kobe Beef Sliders Both Pork & Chicken Bao Buns Enjoy it while you still can! However, if you do miss it, fear not. Dinner here is a must go to as well.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T00:36:46" }, { "business_id": "kxKai8GE5oDMPevV7oxvbA", "business_name": "Tequilas Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I really, really wanted to love this place. Being from the Southwest, I am almost always on a quest for some quality Mexican food, and this spot was the next target. However & unfortunately, I was not so impressed. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup to start. The soup had all of the right components: tortilla strips, moist chicken, avocado, cheese, and bits of dried chili (chipotle maybe). The problem with the soup was the broth. It tasted almost equivalent to Campbell's tomato soup. No spice whatsoever. It was too tomatoey and not enough chicken broth. For my entree I got the Enchiladas Playa. I sort of had the same problem with these in that they were fairly bland without any spice. The crab & shrimp interior was good but the sauce needs a little bit more. To be fair the chips and salsa, as well as the queso fundido, were all very good. Perhaps next time I will come for a drink and some nibbles rather than a whole meal.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T01:18:28" }, { "business_id": "iWV1MgLsI9ma5zrzNUy_NQ", "business_name": "Olympia Gyro", "rating": 4, "text": "Three words: Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich When I am craving a gyro, this is one of the places I tend to lean towards. Olympic gyro makes what I would describe as the, \"freshest,\" gyro. The meat isn't overly seasoned and the tzaztiki sauce is amazing. I love sitting down here in the middle of Reading Terminal Market and housing down one of these bad boys. Needles to say, the portion sizes are large and you most definitely will not be walking away hungry. Be sure to grab a side of fries but careful, those tempting slices come off HOT HOT HOT! I think I burn my mouth every single, delicious time.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T16:03:40" }, { "business_id": "1CTNhKEqGbmG5r-sBbDoLg", "business_name": "Tampopo", "rating": 4, "text": "It's pretty freaky that I live within half a block of Tampopo and had managed to never go before today. Shame on me. I grabbed lunch to go from this hole in the wall and couldn't have been happier. I got the fresh tuna bibimbap. I was given tons of sushi grade tuna over veggies, avocado, and rice. The spicy sauce was great! I forgot to ask for a side of kimchi...but I won't forget next time! Fast service makes for a happy Sarah.v I'll be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:38:33" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm a fan of the new place on the block Spice End! When I'm out and about and need to grab something on the go or right before I head home after a late night, this is the place to stop. Needless to say their hours are clutch and the 3am friday/saturday night closing time is a clutch move in this area of the city. In a rush I grab the paneer roll. If I have time to sit down and eat I grab the chicken biryani platter and have them add paneer to that as well! PS. They are on grub hub and deliver :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:47:40" }, { "business_id": "bq0n3CQy1CkE_WUe76zQvg", "business_name": "Shiao Lan Kung", "rating": 5, "text": "Wooow wow! I am continuously impressed with getting dinner at this hole in the wall spot in China Town. Last night I took my parents for their first time and we were all blown away with the quality of the food and how quickly it came out, nothing new here. We got our usual order: pan fried pork dumplings, fried wontons, garlic green beans, salt bake jumpo shrimp (ask for no shells), walknut shrimp, chicken ho-fun with bean sauce.... AND something new! Which blew my mind. I asked our waitress for her opinion on the best fish dish to which she goes, \"OH! Ok, ok, I know.\" Within ten minutes out came a whole, steamed sea bass that was sitting in the most delicious ginger, soy sauce. I have never been so happy and I am already craving it again. I could come for just this once a week....and probably will! Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-09-07T22:24:47" }, { "business_id": "xdferXKwbgXAxbtmAShhAQ", "business_name": "Saxbys Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "My new study spot. There's always a large group of other students working hard whenever you need to look up and around for motivation. My go to is a cinnamon latte....iced or hot depending on the weather. Please note that I am not a huge fan of the food here. I pretty much avoid it all together...really this review is just to say it's a great place for getting work done and having a cup of coffee to help you along the way :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:23:45" }, { "business_id": "GrRrxHK9dWgibvUpcotxtw", "business_name": "Joe's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Pizza on the go? Grab some Joe's! I was doing some heavy duty shopping on saturday and needed to restock on calories half way through. I stopped by Joe's to grab a slice of plan mushroom pizza and was in heaven. The crust is thin and crispy...perfect amt of cheese and sauce. Snack city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:29:01" }, { "business_id": "wbDRmtxaKRpBOjutvV6TEA", "business_name": "Barclay Prime", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm a huge fan of Barclay Prime...in fact, I think this is the best steakhouse in the city. The atmosphere is very relaxed since the entire place feels like you are lounging in a study. The staff is super friendly (BIG shout out to Jason my waiter last night, you da best) and made my birthday dinner a perfect one! To start...everyone gets a hot, out of the oven popover they are simply to die for. These are unbelievably dangerous and the staff will keep offering them to you. Just say no. You are going to want to be hungry for the food to come. Our party of 6 ordered appz and entrees that all came out perfectly cooked (steaks were amazing, duh) and in a timely fashion. I had the heirloom tomato salad. Love how they do it here. Everything is chopped up and piled in a bowl. Super tasty. MUST HAVE: the full bronzino if you are in a fish mood....which you should be at least once if you come here. I can dream about this dish it's so good. Desserts: Warm banana cake Devils food cake Complimentary birthday cake (amazing...come for your birthday...seriously) Put your eating clothes on and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T19:21:18" }, { "business_id": "QMNheeGTdKujLnYgEyFuWw", "business_name": "Old Nelson Food Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Old Nelson's makes some clutch sandwiches for lunch. You can have whatever you sandwich loving heart desires because everything is made to order. Their italian hoagie is delicious. I always ask for hot peppers as well. Yesterday I wanted to go back to my elementary school, packed lunch days and ordered a plain turkey, american cheese, mayo sandwich on white bread. I got a side of pickles and a bag of bbq chips to smush between the bread slices. Neeedless to say, it was crunchalicious.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:05:51" }, { "business_id": "JE6rfQ9marM2YYCuFK8GqA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location of Sweetgreen. It seems to be getting a bad rep. from other yelpers...but I don't see where the problem is. The food is good, the service is fast and friendly, and you can eat outside when it's nice out. It's not the most amazing experience I've ever had...but when you are craving a fresh salad with fresh ingredients it is the place to go in the area. Overall I'm a fan. Sweetgreen's current seasonal salad is a must have: Maryland crab Kale Green and red peppers Corn Sunflower seeds Avocado (that has been surprisingly ripe & perfect every time I've gotten it from here) Carrot chili vinaigrette.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:12:45" }, { "business_id": "30cpm1uq6xcQCmN6JTrB8w", "business_name": "Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sad to say Luke's has definitely down graded in my opinion. I thought that this was a one time occurrence (a couple weeks ago) but its happened again for lunch today. The to die for lobster bisque was bland and not lobstery at all today. The past two times I have gotten my once favorite crab roll, the bun has been a little soggy and the crab overly lemony. I'm adverse to overuse of lemon in the first place...and when it overrides the flavor of crab in my roll I am a super sad Sarah. I hope Luke's can bounce back...but for now I'm going to have to change up my lunch venues.", "timestamp": "2013-09-27T16:18:51" }, { "business_id": "PJjkH_VZeQwxEJvlQ-v7wA", "business_name": "Pho 75", "rating": 5, "text": "What can I say....I am a total sucker for a good bowl of Pho. I've been meaning to come to Pho 75 for such a long time and finally have accomplished that goal! Extra inspiration was given to me to venture from my usual stomping spots when Anthony Bourdain (#lovehim #friendcrush #hangoutwithme) visited here on his most recent trip to Philly. The broth here is amazing. I'm not sure if it on the same playing field as the broth from Pho Ha....but I will keep you all posted as I continue to figure it out. The service here was awesome. We walked in, sat down, placed our order and within 5 minutes all of us had our food and drinks. It was so good that we got one to go.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:07:45" }, { "business_id": "8us8cJ-oBnLFerWcaftavQ", "business_name": "The Beer Shoppe", "rating": 4, "text": "Go to the Beer Shoppe on a Tuesday. They have a 10% discount on everything on Tuesdays....thus I have created a new weekly holiday called, Two Beer Tuesday. My friend and I plan to come in and work our way through the selection over the next couple of months. Very ambitious...but also very exciting! The bar in the back is an open and friendly place to try new things before you buy a 6 pack of something you love. The service is super friendly and all the staff has an amazing knowledge of what they have in stock. It really is a great spot for beer geeks to congregate.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:13:55" }, { "business_id": "3ZynJ94VpIdDlaArmEp2Rg", "business_name": "More Than Just Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple friends and I stopped by for some late night milkshakes and found ourselves at More Than Just Ice Cream. Well, we just got ice cream...not fully taking advantage of what the name implies, but maybe next time. 3 milkshakes: 1 coffee, 1 chocolate, and 1 black&white malt. All were pretty good. Definitely satisfied the ice cream craving. I thought my coffee milkshake could have been thicker, same goes for the chocolate. The black&white was plenty thick and was probably the best of the three. Unfortunately, I did not order that one so I settled for my not so creamy coffee. I did sample some ice cream flavors before setting on a milkshake. I tried the pumpkin pie which was AMAZING. I don't know why I didn't just get this. Maybe a milkshake isn't the way to go here.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:24:30" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 2, "text": "Eeehhhh. I loved, loved, LOVED Scoop DeVille when it was at it's old location on Chestnut & 18th. Now I'm not quite so sure. I miss the charm of the old store. It was packed and loaded with candy/chocolate/ice cream/ and random paraphernalia that this huge space is lacking. Hopefully at some point it'll be able to capture that once again as it settles in to its new location. The real problem was my vanilla ice cream blended with sugar cookie dough (all time favie) tasted like freezer burn. The freezer must have been set to high because I was eating vanilla flavored ice chunks with just a tiny bit of cookie dough. I never had this problem once at the old location...where the ice cream was always almost the consistency of soft serve it was so creamy good.", "timestamp": "2013-10-14T17:11:16" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 5, "text": "Bistrot La Minette is a must go to in the Philly area. I am truly surprised that it's taken me so long to finally go here. If you are familiar with the restaurant scene around here: think Parc but small scale and more romantical We had a quiet dinner for a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The service was so friendly and knowledgeable when I asked for suggested wine pairings. Even though we came in for a later dinner on a weeknight, at no point did I feel rushed which was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this place for birthdays and date nights when you want to have a relaxed, delicious dinner out. The eats: Butternut squash soup was one of the best I've had Foie Gras terrine was delicious but VERY savory. It was a little much just for one person on their own to get through for an appetizer. Can't complain for too much food though right? Onion tart is out of this world if you're in to caramelized onions. Miller style trout is a YES. I have never had a trout prepared better then this one was. I am such of fan of this dish it's ridiculous. The veggies were great too. Get it. Beef bourguignon was also a great dish and probably my second favorite thing we got. All of the desserts were amazing but the BEST was the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. Heaven in your mouth. It's basically a layered deliciousness of puff pastry, cream, and fresh raspberries.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:55:04" }, { "business_id": "NZ1lZIb10-6AbftpygLwMQ", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 4, "text": "Clutch pizza in a pinch! I love all of the different combos you can get there. Really it can be a bit overwhelming there are so many delicious ideas. The great thing is though, is that the thin crust situation allows you to get multiple slices without getting too full so you can try a bunch of them. My favorite slice so far is the Veggie #2: fresh chopped organic tomatoes, basil, arugula, garlic, cubes of fresh mozzarella, and organic tomato sauce...noms Try and get there right as the pizzas are coming out so you have the most choices! Right around 5pm for the dinner round.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:58:47" }, { "business_id": "sTPueJEwcRDj7ZJmG7okYA", "business_name": "Jim's South St", "rating": 4, "text": "There's something about Jim's that is legendary. The whole experience is what I think keeps Philadelphians going to this famous cheesesteak house on south street. It's a little grimy, the service a little rough, the seating a little like you're back in a crappy college dining center...but all of that is ok. It's ok because you have the intoxicating smell of meat and fried onions clinging to you (actually it will cling to your jacket for weeks) and delicious greasy food to munch down on. I'm a fan of Jim's. I'm the biggest fan at 1 am when I'm leaving a bar and need a sloppy mess for a pre-hangover cure. Extra whiz with please! (Extra cheese whiz and onions)", "timestamp": "2013-11-06T20:22:37" }, { "business_id": "qsm7SkX60JsajT7Yz248FA", "business_name": "Café Soho", "rating": 4, "text": "Cafe Soho is the highlight to the Sunday football scene at our house. Someone goes and grabs a couple large orders of wings and brings them back downtown in time for 1pm kick-off. The meat is crazy good. This is a whole level of chicken wings. The meat is moist and flavorful while the outside is lightly fried and crispy. Great sauces, never over/under dressed. Our favorites: Ginger soy Spicy chili Sweet & Spicy boneless Beware, you will probably eat your weight in this bad boys", "timestamp": "2013-11-22T20:42:45" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been having some seriously good brunch dates to The Dandelion over the past month. I wanted to check back on my last review and was ashamed of my previous 3 star review. Right now the Dandelion is kicking 5 star butt for brunch in my opinion. Today I sat down and immediately ordered tea and scones. The scones came out warm and absolutely amazing. They switched up the jam from raspberry to more seasonal cranberry (thanksgiving....so soon!!!) which I found to be extremely good! I got my typical brunch order of poached eggs over bubble and squeak. My new trick is that I order a side of smoked salmon to add to it so It becomes some sort of eggs Benedict eggstravagenza. I also got the chicken and horse radish dumpling soup to go after hearing a raving review about it. Now, while sitting in bed...I am enjoying the most amazing bowl of soup. Ive never had anything quite like it! The dumplings are sort of a noodley texture with a horse radish aftertaste. I love how the veggies are roughly chopped, in particular the halves of pearl onions. Tasty tasty.", "timestamp": "2013-11-24T21:48:28" }, { "business_id": "u4YM2N8-9Q2tr7kEU-ubGQ", "business_name": "Melodies Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok, so the coffee is good. However, it takes forever (understaffed) and call me a loser but I miss Milk Boy. I came in yesterday for a vanilla latte on my way to class and had the unfortunate experience of waiting about 10 minutes for it and was late. It was super tasty....but I can't rely on this place for a grab a coffee on the go experience.", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:46:14" }, { "business_id": "_V6hl1oGkTV2KbGeax_HPA", "business_name": "Sang Kee Peking Duck House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the place to order peking duck. So rightfully named! We grabbed takeout from here after realizing that our normal go to Shiao's was closed for the evening. We were thankfully not disappointed! The fried pork dumplings were super tasty. I was popping them like popcorn! Other dishes were also super tasty but in particular the peking duck was the stand out. It just fell right off the bone practically begging me to eat it. I was eating a drumstick just on it's own. I'll be back to taste more. Sang Kee I got my eye on you!", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:49:23" }, { "business_id": "-lVEVi3vtQ8_L9kKT0bBwQ", "business_name": "Le Chéri", "rating": 5, "text": "Yes, yes, and yes! I am so excited to call Le Cheri my new neighbor. Chef Pierre and Charlotte have jumped right in to the Rittenhouse Restaurant scene with a distinct splash! Le Cheri has all the same charm as their first restaurant, Bibou, but with the room to accommodate a much larger crowd. Currently BYOB but they will begin serving their selection of French wines and open bar next week. I am truly excited to see where this place goes in the next couple of months. The menu is already mouth watering with the funkiness of Bibou mixed with a couple more traditional french dishes. Modestly priced, I was pretty surprised to notice. Around $22-28 dollars and the appetizers not over $10. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) for Charlotte and Pierre, I think I am going to be hanging around this spot A LOT. What we got: French onion soup Breaded pork terrine with side cornichons Beef bourguignon with house made tagliatelle Roasted bronzino with wine soaked salsify as well as a salsify puree Warm apple tartine with cinnamon ice cream Obviously everything was out of this world. I highly recommend everything we got...but also encourage you to order anything there because you just can't go wrong. I'll be back ASAP to try more! PS. They are booking up FAST FAST! Get your reservations now", "timestamp": "2013-12-06T01:42:15" }, { "business_id": "sy7ADvpBA7SfHwbY-Y_5gw", "business_name": "Valanni", "rating": 4, "text": "Valanni! How have I overlooked you for this long? I took my family out for my sisters bday dinner and wanted to try something new. So glad we stumbled upon this modern and fun spot. My only complaint was that our table for a party of 5 was small! However, we worked together and could come up with the right amount of room for each wave of tapas. What we got: Lamb lollipops Figs in blankets Chorizo flatbread Grilled octopus Firey potatoes (basically patatas bravas) Buffalo chicken croquettes Brussel sprouts Meat and seafood paella Oreo beignet Rum bananas Cheesecake We split everything and found ourselves the right amount of full at the end! The stand out favorites were the grilled octopus, brussel sprouts (believe it or not!), and the paella. With that said....everything else was also amazing. I am pretty impressed with Valanni and plan on coming here in the near future with a group of friends. It's a good place to order a lot of interesting dishes and grab a drink before going out on a Saturday. Speaking of drinks...the mojitos are bomb! Some of the best I've had in a while! In summary, I'm digging Valanni. I think it stands out on its own from the current Philly restaurant scene in that it taps into a wide variety of cultural dishes but with its own unique twist. The menu was fun with lots left on it that I would like to try out!", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:03:34" }, { "business_id": "h5jnFlvF55kDWC_GGlKMAQ", "business_name": "Llama Tooth", "rating": 4, "text": "Truffle, mushroom mac & cheese..... Seriously I dare some one to try and make something more delicious and comforting than that. I could not stop shoveling the cheesy mess in to my mouth...just typing this is taking me back to how good it was. Yea, I ordered other things (cuban, gyro, burger) but the mac & cheese took the cake. I'll be back for more (This was a take out order)", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:06:03" }, { "business_id": "xWfm4AwLZr-B97fYVsIgCA", "business_name": "Tria Taproom", "rating": 4, "text": "I am such a huge fan for anything Tria....and it holds true for this new location. I stopped in to grab a drink and catch up with a friend. Had a great time sitting at the bar! I love the space and it is a serious upgrade from the previous Rum Bar. The taps behind the bar are exciting and unlabeled (at least to the customer's eye ;) ). It gives the place a casual sort of elegance. Lots of table space in the back which I am sure I will be using in the near future. I couldn't help myself and ordered two appz before going home to eat dinner. We got the mussels and the grilled asparagus with truffle vinaigrette. Both were delicious. What I thought was most impressive about Tria Taproom was the amount of attention we were given by the bartenders. GREAT service. I'll be back soon to try more!", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:21:04" }, { "business_id": "d_tRshM-w6S4QxE4VVi8tQ", "business_name": "Jones", "rating": 2, "text": "I've refrained from writing a review for Jones for the longest time....close to 6 months now. I'm finally caving and acknowledging the fact that it hasn't happened just because this place is Meh. It's not bad...but it's not good. Most of the time I order Jones on grubhub so I can stuff my face with their thanksgiving dinner like I did recently while in mourning over thanksgiving being over. It is what it is...comfort food. Not a place that I go out of my way to eat at.", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:28:23" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing quite like brunch at Lacroix. It's one of the best eating experiences I've ever had time and time again. My favorite is to go with my boyfriend and seriously dive in to our inner foodies for 2 hours. The atmosphere is beautiful, especially on a nice day with a window seat overlooking all of Rittenhouse square. Lacroix is one of a kind in that aspect. The experience is something you need to see for yourself...but I can do my best to describe it here as simply as I can. Buffet style like you've never quite seen before. It spans multiple rooms where the first is a table filled with cold appetizer items as well as a raw bar filled with oysters, cocktail shrimp, sushi, and caviar. Oh yeah, and everything is mini served on their own mini dishes or in mini glasses (see photo). To dive in to some bigger entree items you have to walk back in to the kitchen and get it yourself. The staff is so friendly and helpful. In particular the person who is manning the meat selections asks you what cut you would like and suggests an accompanying sauce. You can miss the dessert table because it stares at you right before you walk into the kitchen and then reminds you again to save room for dessert because one of the first things waiting in the kitchen is a huge chocolate fountain. There are some staples that brunch at Lacroix sticks too: duck confit, gnocchi, sauteed wild mushrooms (YUUUMM)...but for the most part the selections rotate with the seasons. Seriously enjoy yourself! Take the time to explore and let your inner foodie run wild. You won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-12-15T21:19:52" } ]	{ "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my bestie to Farm and Fisherman for her Bday dinner. Overall great meal and service. Such a nice little BYO to add to my list. Neither of us ordered an entree, instead we each got a First Course and two Second Courses of appz which gave us a lot of variety to share. My favorite dish was the grilled octopus. It was cooked absolutely perfect....very tender and not chewy at all. One thing that did disappoint me was the lack of fish on the menu. There was an artic char entree but that was it. I guess I was just surprised/mislead by the name of restaurant and was expecting a little more seafood in my meal. I'm going with a solid 3.5 stars but bumped up to 4 since they let us stay past close and finish our bottle of wine. Will be back to try again", "timestamp": "2013-12-21T20:09:23" }
Zs8Zk3sgh5JxRmoZW4PJcg	[ { "business_id": "pm1bStJuol5XmxE_atZhCQ", "business_name": "Nom Nom Ramen", "rating": 5, "text": "Nom Nom Ramen may be my favorite place for Ramen in Philly. Not to mention it also won Best of Philly 2012 for ramen. The service is fast and friendly. I love walking in starving and knowing that I will be eating delicious soup in 5 mins. I have gotten all of the different varities that they offer: shio, shoyu, miso, and karai. I highly recommend the karai if you can handle spicy food! Otherwise I would go with the shio and add a little bit of sriracha hot sauce. I always add the extra soft-boiled egg and bean sprouts! Totally worth it! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:44:51" }, { "business_id": "688sqo63oc2y535vI2UbhQ", "business_name": "Pho Cali Vietnamese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely love Pho Cali! I go here once a week for a quick lunch break from work and am never disappointed. The service is very quick. I always order the Rare Steak Pho and a coconut drink. The broth is extremely flavorful- i personally load up on sriracha sauce, brown sauce (hoisin sauce i believe), and a good squeeze of one lime. They give a good amount of meat. If you are extra hungry ask for more noodles because sometimes the one portion that they give out is not enough. If you like coconut get the drink as well! Refreshingly sweet and comes with chunks of coconut at the bottom. Very good.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:50:52" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 5, "text": "DELICIOUS! If you are craving a healthy meal that actually has tons of flavor this is the place to go. I recommend all of the salad on the menu, but in particular the Taco Arugula Salad that got rated Best of Philly 2012. The peppery arugula pairs so well with the creamy cilantro dressing not to mention the salsa, corn, and black beans as well! Its a a taste bud adventure! If you are in the mood for a sandwich get the Hip City Ranch but ON A WRAP. It makes for one of the best wrap sandwiches I have ever had. You won't believe that the chicken is actually tofu! And the pickles spread out throughout the sandwich are a delicious surprise. Always look for the soup/chili winter specials at the front counter. They can be easy to miss! Also, be sure to order the Groothie! Pricey but worth it. One of the best smoothies I've ever had and its loaded up with green veggies", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:05:14" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Pho in Philly!!! Super fast service and the most delicious broth. Out of the way from china town but a must go to. Don't be confused by the 3+ other pho restaurants located in the same strip mall. Pho Ha all the way!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:50:01" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "There isn't a better place in the area for sushi. The service is unbelievably fast and the quality of fish is pretty great. However, the most amazing part about Vic's is that they have a $10 special...3 rolls of sushi of your pick for only 10 DOLLARS. I honestly couldn't believe it! The place is BYOB and great if there are less than 4 people because it is cramped. Really its the best for take out/delivery. Along with the $10 special I order a miso soup and seaweed salad. Enjoy :) On a side note, if you stray away from the special I highly recommend the Fantastic roll!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T21:51:28" }, { "business_id": "ipRXCy-0ChYK_569rPqzJQ", "business_name": "Square Peg", "rating": 3, "text": "The menu can be a little hit or miss here. The only reason I come to Square Peg is when I am craving their Mac&Cheese grilled cheese sandwich with a side of tomato soup. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like! Extra cheesy mac and cheese layered thick and surrounded by buttery, toasted bread. The tomato soup is thicker than most, but I enjoyed the extra spice that was in it...perhaps a little chipotle chili pepper. I was VERY disappointed in their wings. I had read a couple of great reviews about them but I found them pretty disgusting and actually sent them back. I found the flavor of the honey,chipotle,basil, and lime sauce to be very unflattering even though it sounds delicious. The meat was dry and a bit gristly. It seemed like they had been cooked too long or left under a warming lamp. Earlier in the summer they had white chocolate chicken wings which I much preferred to the current ones.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:01:11" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Absolutely amazing! The only reason why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is due to how crowded and therefore loud it can get. This is in no way a good spot for a romantic date or family dinner but instead great for happy hour or a dinner with a small group of friends or a first date! The food: Served in sort of a tapas manner and I like to get a bunch of plates and split with a friend. You really can't go wrong with what you decide on. My personal favorites are: the housemade lamb sausage, the pistachio herbed ricotta and lavender honey, truffled egg toast with fontina, and the grilled asparagus salad. My favorite is the asparagus salad...absolutely amazing and I've never had anything like it. It consists of Also order a cheese sampler! The menu is always changing just tell your server what you like and they will help out! As for the beer and wine list....one of the best in the city. Always changing and great descriptions listed on the menu so you can pick out what's the very best for you", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:11:51" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing food and great ambiance, what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, DRINKS! Those are great as well! My favorite time to go to alma de cuba is for Happy Hour. The downstairs bar area is the perfect escape to go to after work. Until 6:30 they have drink specials and 1/2 off of all of their appetizers. Great to go with a few friends and split some food! It also works as a great spot for a romantic date and has additional seating for dining upstairs. Must haves: Smoked albacore tacos, tuna tartar tacos, truffle guacamole, ceviche SAMPLER (pick a few of the ones that sound best), dorado. For drinks I love their black cherry caiprinha and white sangria. For dessert I highly recommend the coconut tapioca pudding. I often order this for take out as well because it is so good. It comes in a young coconut and you can scrape the sides of it off with your fork/spoon as you eat the pudding. Delish!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:20:24" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co is one of my favorite places in the city for happy hour or to start off a Saturday night! I was greeted at the top of the outer staircase by a bouncer in a sleek hat and automatically felt mischievous! He led my friends and I down the stairs and through the heavy front door into a room filled with a relaxed ambiance. The drinks are expensive but well worth your money...aka they make them STRONG. Especially under the category \"I asked for water she brought me gasoline.\" My personal favorite is actually not on the menu but every waiter will know what you are talking about. It's called the Mexican Firing Squad. I am partial to tequila and summer drinks and this absolutely did not disappoint. Served in a small glass with one large ice cube! Be careful about what time you go here. The later in the night it gets, especially on a friday or saturday, expect to wait in a 30 min to 45 min line. They also often have private parties during the week so have a back up bar in mind!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:05:24" }, { "business_id": "cOXc8c85Ms6dMEAJazLXHQ", "business_name": "McGillin's Olde Ale House", "rating": 4, "text": "Went for my first time this past Saturday night and had an absolute blast! Walked in at 12 am to \"I want it that way,\" by the Backstreet boys. Needless to say I was belting out the words with people I had met only seconds before. A very fun and friendly place! Plus, cheap drinks like a $6 dollar pitcher of PBR!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:42:20" }, { "business_id": "ELY0HI8GDEx0jkmREVna0A", "business_name": "Frankford Hall", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't get enough of this place! A little out of the way if you live in the center city area but worth the commute. I prefer the outdoor seating during all times of the year. Even during the winter the backyard beer garden has multiple heat lamps and fire pits that make it so you don't have to wear a jacket. The atmosphere is very friendly! Great for both going out with families and with friends. Make sure to grab a jenga set at the front if there isn't already one on your table! Order a few appetizers and sausages to share and a couple liters of beer on draft for yourself! My favorites for appz: Pretzel w/ cheese dip, cucumber salad (maybe my favorite), potato pancakes Sausage: Get the weisswurst! However, you really can't go wrong with what you order because all are great. All of the meat is from Illgs Butcher Shop where my family and I have been buying products for over 8 years now and have never been disappointed. Beer: Spaten Oktoberfest or Franziskaner Hefeweizen. You'll feel super cool with a liter mug but be sure to drink it fast otherwise it'll be a warm beer catastrophe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:16:29" }, { "business_id": "tBQcVd9c0EHKAXLZn_v54g", "business_name": "Bibou", "rating": 5, "text": "Outstanding! The best BYOB dining experience you can have in the city located in the italian market area. Be prepared and in the mood for an adventurous and savory meal! Bibou is petite and has a very homey feel to it. There is room for about 30 customers at a time. Charlotte is the hostess and manager of the restaurant, as well as the wife of the Chef Pierre. A very gracious host and makes you feel instantly welcome. The menu changes quite often since it's ingredients primarily come fresh from the neighboring market. This is also allows the chef to pick out a number of specials each night that are absolutely spectacular. Must Haves: - The Bone Marrow. It comes in a hollowed out bone and can be best described as the best thanksgiving stuffing you will ever it. I order a couple to share for the dinner party after appetizers and before entree. -Seasonal soup. I have never had a bad soup! The last was a cream of wild mushroom with chunks of crab meat. -Foie gras: Again seasonal but always inventive and delicious. Make sure to bring your own bottle of sauterne dessert wine which pairs beautifully with this appetizer! And last but not least...and don't say ew.. The foie gras stuffed, braised pigs feet over french lentils. Absolutely to die for! So much flavor makes this savory dish very unique to Bibou. I haven't come close to having anything like this in the rest of Philly, let alone in the US.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:41:36" }, { "business_id": "RleiW2_QLyxgNjFfqDoZpw", "business_name": "Modo Mio", "rating": 5, "text": "An off the charts amazing small, BYOB in Northern Liberties. Great service and even better food! My mind has been completely blown multiple times on how lovely of a place this is to eat. Great for a romantic date or small family dinner. Must Haves Appetizers: Cozze (muscles) with red/hot sauce Chicken liver bruschetta Carpaccio di Manzo (beef) Must Have Pasta: Agnolotti del Plin (rabbit stuffed ravioli in sage brown butter): SUPER YUM Lasagne: The over-easy egg on top is such a brilliant idea. The flavor and textures really work well together Bring white & red bottles!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:18:38" }, { "business_id": "vtSisxaozZ7HWpBl_W7VaQ", "business_name": "Time", "rating": 4, "text": "A great place for late night dancing on friday and saturday nights! The upstairs area is always packed and the DJs always produce a mixture of old and new music that get your feet moving if they weren't already! The downstairs live jazz area is also a great area for weekend nights depending on what mood you are in! I have not yet had a chance to eat dinner here but will do so and repost in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:24:40" }, { "business_id": "BxfvdHqETU8jWYUjx5OL2A", "business_name": "Shake Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "Disappointed. In part its due to the large hype surrounding the opening of Shake Shack's first Philly location. I wanted it to be great but it's just not what it is in NYC. Tasty burgers but a little too greasy and honestly gave me a stomachache the last time I ate one. I got the SmokeShack burger which has bacon, peppers, and \"ShackSauce\" on it. The fries are pretty delicious and I always order a side of cheese. The real reason to go to the Shack is for the concrete milkshakes. They have multiple mix ins and you design your own. The best I had was a fall special of pumpkin pie mixed with vanilla!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:32:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious and fast! Came in for a brief work lunch and was highly satisfied with how quickly our food came. I ordered exactly what the server recommended to me: indian pancakes, penang satay chicken and beef skewers, curry me with you tau foo, and the mango chicken. In particular i LOVED LOVED the chicken and beef skewers. The meat was so flavorful but the dipping sauce was to die for! I have never had a peanut sauce so great! The mango chicken was also outrageously good and is served in a carved out mango. Very pretty", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T17:02:02" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "DELICIOUS cupcakes. Very moist and flavorful. The icing is absolutely perfect. The only reason why I don't want to rate Philly Cupcake higher than I did is that it is a little expensive. $4 dollars for a cupcake seems silly when down the street I can get a $4 gyro and soda combo! However if you are craving a cupcake itll hit the spot! Favorite: The Black Velvet: For all you chocolate lovers this is the one to get. Dark chocolate cupcake with vanilla cream cheese frosting. I think they must use some cayenne pepper in it as well because it was surprisingly spicy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T20:02:03" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "An amazing experience every time I've gone (6-8 times since 2008). I highly recommend coming with a group of 4 or more so you each can really get a feel for the menu. Every plate is unique and delicious and a great opportunity to share and talk about food! Otherwise be sure to do the Chef's tasting menu where you will enjoy a wide selection of the tapas personally ($55/$65 per person). I personally have gone with the $65 but be prepared to eat!! Tons of food. Must Haves: Get a chacuterie board to start! Octopus, patatas bravas, HAM CROQUETTES, CRAB STUFFED PEPPERS, chorizo clams, truffles and asparagus, lamb chops Brunch: One of the best experiences I've had at Amada was for brunch. Two of the plates that really stood out for me were the chorizo con papas and the lemon ricotta pancakes. In particular the chorizo con papas was the perfect way to start my day. I do wish however that the egg has been done over easy as opposed to fried to give a little bit of moisture to the dish...but easy fix! Just ask the waiter when you order and they'll have to done for you.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T17:43:52" }, { "business_id": "kVTHnhgYUw-Pmr7wgDB4_g", "business_name": "Distrito", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Garces restaurant. Such a fun place to get food. Always super busy since it's located on Penns campus. Not to mention it's also great for delivery! One of the best dining experiences I've ever had was a family dinner and we got the Frida Kahlo's tasting menu. Its the same as the Diego Rivera one however they mention that for a few courses you will get entrees that aren't on the menu....and oh boy! They DO NOT disappoint. By the time we all thought the meal was over...our waiter and two other servers show up with platters of steamed lobsters with a spicy seasoning, the diver scallops, and the carne asada. Absolutely amazing! A must have experience! Must Haves: Crab guacamole, tuna & hiramasa ceviches, TORTILLA SOUP (the best in the city), hongos huarache, pretty much all of the tacos but the MAHI MAHI & CARNE KOBE tacos are my favorites, the CARNE ASADA, and a side of sweet plantains. Order the seasonal frozen margarita although drink prices are a little steep there. Now to go into more detail about why I said Distrito has my favorite tortilla soup in the city. The tomato/chili broth is savory and has a great spice to it. A little more creamy than traditional tortilla soup but I don't mind, actually enjoy it more! The chicken is so soft it falls apart in your mouth. Micro cilantro is a great touch. I do wish they would put a little more cheese in it...but thats my only complaint! ***For tortilla soup fans....the best tortilla soup I've had in PA is from a small place on germantown avenue in mt. airy called Mi Puebla. Worth the adventure!", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T20:56:04" }, { "business_id": "fYSaoJMOj7-r4XWEuYjRxw", "business_name": "Bleu Martini", "rating": 2, "text": "I have only been here on Saturday nights before things get really busy to grab A quick drink with my friends. Why just one drink? The prices are pretty expensive and the drinks not very strong. It is a nice to listen to music and get ready to go out dancing...but leave before it gets crowded (~1130pm) PS. BOOOBIES. Seriously all the bartenders have their boobies out. If you're into that. Go. I couldn't even stop staring and I'm stick straight. ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:07:55" }, { "business_id": "XU3Fe8I8dD3FaOmzAQXLnQ", "business_name": "Spread Bagelry", "rating": 4, "text": "YUM YUM YUM! These bagels are unlike any I've ever had. The brick oven makes them a little more doughy then regular bagels and I absolutely love it. My favorite is getting \"the classic\" sandwich with whitefish instead of salmon on a plain bagel. Their white fish spread is absolutely amazing. Another plus is that you can order bagels/white fish/salmon/cream cheese the day before and have the order ready for pick up the next day if you are hosting a party and want Spread Bagelry featured at your house! Do be prepared to wait in a line if you are showing up on a weekend during prime brunch hours but FEAR NOT...there is usually live music playing outside and everyone is very friendly.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:14:37" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 3, "text": "Don't get me wrong...the food here is out of this world....like really really great quality food. The atmosphere is wonderful and the upstairs is absolutely gorgeous with a sun room porch feeling to it. However, the food is very very expensive and I have had some of these same dishes before for almost half the price. I am not even close to being stingy about spending money on food...but this place did set me back a little since each entree is at least 30 bucks. So just be prepared for that! Must Haves: Appetizers: potato crocchetta Pastas: fusilli w/ blue crab and uni crema, tortellini w/ lobster chives and black truffle, and the PAPPAREDELLE with boar (my favorite) Entree: Braised veal cheeks & suckling pig", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:29:49" }, { "business_id": "sDi3UPW6imj4wGHUg7CgXg", "business_name": "Teresa's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply the best. If you are really into great beer and food (as you all should be) this is the place to go. Completely worth the commute out of the city. If you are familiar with Monk's in the Rittenhouse Square Area....Teresa's Next Door puts it to shame! Honestly all of the food is amazing here. I get a little overwhelmed trying to figure out how to right a concise and informative review of this amazing spot but I will do my best. The atmosphere is amazing. Small space that has the bar span most the length of it. The background of the bar is filled with 100s of varieties of pint glasses specific to each beer you will order from the 15 pg or so Beer List. Unforgettable. Great for dates and small get togethers. MONDAYS: BUCK A SHUCK. Usually small variety west coast oysters...don't miss it! Must Haves: Crispy Artichokes Check out the cheese list. Always great selections! THE MUSSELS. Any of them. Best mussels I've ever had just do it! If I had to pick I would go with the Drunken: dark beer, chorizo, red pepper, shallot, and garlic. ugh YUM Chicken apple sausage sandwich Game Burger: make sure to try the caramelized leeks/beer battered onions as one of your toppings. HOBBIT RIBS. Order right when you get there they take 30-40 mins! LOBSTER ROLL: Originally labeled as the DOWN EASTAH. Dear god...one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had. A must!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T14:50:28" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "Looks like hiro is on the up&up. They have new lamenated menus w/ a choice of 4 different ramens: chicken soy, miso, pork, and vegetarian. Had the chicken soy for the first time! Very tasty. However, I still prefer the pork and the vegetarian. Since ramen traditional comes with pork belly (a fatty meat), the fattiness of the chicken was a little weird. I don't know. I guess I would just rather be eating pork fat than chicken fat :) PS. Jefferson Hospital Employees get $1 off! Woohoo", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:02:24" }, { "business_id": "7Klk8UuK1sdJt5_44eUtDg", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 4, "text": "Never thought I would rate a Starbucks...but I had to because this one is the best Starbucks in the city! Located on Jefferson Hospital's campus. Great place to study and relax (separate room). Very busy starbucks but the service is quick and SUPER friendly. Love it here.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:04:34" }, { "business_id": "-AanHawaDlzWHQjrqRRWig", "business_name": "Au Bon Pain", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Its a good spot to stop if you need to grab something quick and are in a hurry...but there is a Wawa 2 blocks away and you should probably just go there. The sandwiches are usually dry. Do not recommend. However, I work nearby and often grab the broccoli cheddar soup and a piece of bread for a snack. Not as good as Panera's broccoli cheddar...but pretty decent.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T20:18:58" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 4, "text": "Had a great lunch experience here yesterday! I ordered the Cavatappi which was absolutely delicious. The smokey pulled pork throughout the pasta was amazing. What really made the dish was the sauce. I really wish I knew how to make a tomato sauce like that! My friend got the burger and enjoyed it! Fries were extra tasty and came with some sort of aioli dip. Can't wait to come back for dinner in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T21:25:49" }, { "business_id": "OLkS4jfozQpUIUq0K6t_IQ", "business_name": "Underdogs", "rating": 4, "text": "What's better than getting a chili cheese dog @ 1 am on a Saturday night? Well...not much! Great experience at Underdogs this weekend. Service was quick. Fries were amazing! Got the chipotle mayo and utah fry sauce (kinda like a sriracha mayo) for dipping. Signed up for the Underdogs challenge. Time to get my name up on that wall! Will post my favorite sausage & hotdog at the end", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:14:15" }, { "business_id": "YO9Ycz_chfmoW4WI9Ou0ag", "business_name": "Drinker's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Had a fun time at Drinker's upstairs area on a Saturday night. Gets pretty crowded but if you are able to snag a table it makes the experience ten times better! Danced to old 90s hip hop and some oldies! Woo! Typical bar/drinks. I always snag a yuengling or yards ipa before lemon drops ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:19:33" }, { "business_id": "tzVLTQNUtiCAxUZmEuF0vQ", "business_name": "1 Tippling Place", "rating": 4, "text": "Love 1 tippling place for small group chats at happy hour or starting off your Saturday night. The inside is very charming! Small interior with an antique feel. The front of the place has a couple separated sitting areas with couches and lounge chairs. The back of the room runs along the bar and has more sitting options around high bar tables. I recommend the front if its open! The drinks are exceptionally good and you'll get your money's worth (10-12 dollars). Similar to Franklin and Mortgage Investment Company (if you have not been you should go there as well :) ) Must Have: Tequila Honey Suckle! Yum yum yum! Strong tequila at first but completely softened by the honey after each sip. Delicious", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:27:46" }, { "business_id": "2WGnykxiM-Mp-qIm2u7iAw", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 4, "text": "Review intended for a PRIVATE PARTY: I organized our office holiday party for 30 people at Maggiano's this past weekend and had a fantastic experience. Party planning was made easy by choosing the Milano package ($35 food and $40 open bar per person). We were in the Napoleon room which was very pleasant with a nice classy touch. The service was absolutely phenomenal and definitely added to why the party was such a success. Food Line Up: Started with the bruschetta & sausage peppers and onions served on a buffet. The bruschetta was great! I was pleasantly surprised to find cannellini beans in it! Turned out to be very tasty. Got the Maggiano's house salad & caesar salad served to the tables family style. I recommend both but to request less dressing as it was a little drenched and I had some guests complain. For pastas we got spaghetti with meat sauce and the four cheese tortellini with pesto. Both good! Entrees were chicken parmesan and an eggplant parm for the veggie eaters. Great overall experience! :) Definitely would recommend for large parties", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:39:32" }, { "business_id": "c6hhh1Kpr7iau8qMH74w2Q", "business_name": "Pub On Passyunk East", "rating": 4, "text": "Can you say, Hipster City?! This is where the hipsters are...and hey, they might be on to something because this place is great! A very casual, laid back atmosphere. Dark setting. The perfect place to grab some beers with your friends. Always pretty crowded on friday and saturday nights so if you want a table try and grab one early. The beer list is written on a long-stretching chalk board above the bar. If you have trouble reading it they have a printed list that you can ask for. They have a pretty phenomenal beer selection including some of my favorite West coast breweries such as 21st Amendment. Tasty food as well! The pierogies rocked my socks off!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:17:21" }, { "business_id": "4J06--ty2Ydj1---IsArLw", "business_name": "Cantina Los Caballitos", "rating": 3, "text": "Come here for MARGARITAS. Absolutely phenomenal margaritas and over 10 flavors. You can also get them served however you'd like or in a pitcher for the table. My favorite was the blood orange! Yum, yum ,yum! The atmosphere is fun and typical decor of a mexican restaurant/bar. My group and I had great service and you are served complimentary chips and salsas. The salsas are delicious and spicy! Maybe too spicy for some so make sure you have your margarita in hand! I ordered the chicken tortilla soup and have to say I was very disappointed. In no way is this a traditional tortilla soup. It was more like a chicken and green chili stew...which tasted fine but it isn't what you ordered.", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:25:47" }, { "business_id": "mf0OyZ6DX2iKUFIV9TqFRQ", "business_name": "Moriarty's Restaurant and Irish Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Great Happy Hour spot for after work with a decent beer list that is half off during this time! Dark lighting and tons and tons of wall decorations. Such a fun place to sit with friends and relax after a long day! In particular I loved coming here during the Holiday's when they have all of their X-mas decorations up. Very charming. Good for grabbing a quick bite or for bar food nibbles. Try the wings!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T22:07:47" }, { "business_id": "nFiobSfZqWmoA8LyuVK3vw", "business_name": "The Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is intended for Afternoon Tea! What a great experience. Perfect for...and I know it sounds cheesy...getting together for a girl date, putting on cute dresses, and talking over tea. You have the choice of ordering two samplers...the only difference between the two is that one comes with a cocktail and the other does not. You order your own pot (i typically go with earl grey) and are presented with a tower of tea sandwiches, seasonal scones, and desserts. So much fun! Also ask your waiter for more sandwiches because it usually goes free of charge if you tell them which one is your favorite and how much you loved it ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:13:05" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Currently battling sleep at my office desk...that's right I am in an official food coma! I stopped by Jake's to pick up lunch today. Got the turbacon and a side of fried pickles. Do you miss thanksgiving? Well today I did but my craving was fully satisfied. The turbacon has turkey, stuffing, gravey, hashbrowns, and cranberry sauce all on a roll. It's a dream come true. The fried pickles were also delicious! They came in slices the size of silver dollars with a sriracha mayo dipping sauce. Yum yum!", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:18:39" }, { "business_id": "6GePX4W6Cl8LD68zUq_MAA", "business_name": "Rachael's Nosheri", "rating": 4, "text": "Rachael's Nosheri = Your hangover cure! I don't think a week has passed since I moved to center city (July 2012) that my apartment hasn't ordered delivery from Rachael's. Typical deli menu. My favorites are the turkey special & italian with everything on it (oil not mayo!). I also order the chicken soup which is simple and has a classic homey taste. One of the best things about Rachael's is it's hours. When most places are closed at 8 to 9 am....Rachael's is open for delivery! That's what makes it my hangover cure and Sunday morning knight in shinning armor. I order a breakfast egg, sausage, and cheese on a hoagie roll with a side of chicken noodle soup. PS. GET THE PICKLES. Honestly they are the best ever. I sometimes just order Rachael's to eat the pickles. They are so perfect. Not too vinegary and they are still super crispy.", "timestamp": "2013-01-23T19:38:17" }, { "business_id": "1cncsHKApeW1ubd5d9HoJw", "business_name": "Hop Sing Laundromat", "rating": 4, "text": "This isn't just a bar, it's an experience! I felt giddy when we finally found the door between 10th and 11th st on Race. We were let in by a bouncer who instructed us to sit down in a small room where he explained to us the rules. It was like being at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida where you wait and listen to someone prepare you for the ride ahead. Nice touch! Beautiful interior. Close attention to details so don't be afraid to get up and look around if you're into that. Drinks are totally worth the price. Reminded me of Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. Recommend: East Side is my favorite drink. I also enjoy one of the new specials called Crazy Horse but only if you like vodka...because it is HEAVY on the vodka. ;) Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:06:09" }, { "business_id": "rN3tOWABU_hSBvLdADSb4Q", "business_name": "Tazia Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here for happy hour with a few co-workers after reading about some great experiences from fellow yelpers. Unfortunately I wasn't blown away by this place. The happy hour specials are great...for example $3.50 for a fruit (pineapple, lychee, etc) martini. But I pretty much got exactly what I paid for and maybe even less...the martini was watered down and I felt like I was drinking lightly flavored juice. The service was slow... Not sure I will be going back anytime soon but I could be persuaded to give it another try. Maybe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:10:09" }, { "business_id": "fcpHrRopilvsBwUajFB5rw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Good food at a great price! I came by for a quick dinner after going out for happy hour with some friends. We ordered tons of dumplings....seriously TONS. My favorite were the Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns ( pork and scallion ) and the soup dumplings. My favorite entree we got blew my mind! We ordered it as a recommendation that we took from our server: pork with sauce noodle. Literally that is what it's called. We got it with mei fun noodles. The best way to describe it is like having an asian spaghetti with meat sauce that instead of tomato has a soy/hoison base. Cilantro was sprinkled all over the top. So. Good. Some negatives...I didnt like the fried rice (how can you mess up fried rice?). Some of the dumplings weren't super special to me. So with the pros and cons...this place is A-OK to me", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:20:29" }, { "business_id": "gQCKrqkalAc--4cuW_C_Ow", "business_name": "Tacconelli's Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "There is no where else in Philadelphia and the surrounding area where you can get pizza as good as Tacconelli's. Seriously, this pizza is the best. I normally go here with a large group of people 8+. This is the best way to do it so you can order tons of different pizza combos. You are limited to only 2 toppings per pizza (to keep the oven operating efficiently). The crust is super thin and the pizza sauce is absolutely delicious. Be prepared to have garlic breath for hours...but hopefully whoever you're smooching later will be at dinner with you anyways and will have the same problem! My favorite combos: plain cheese & sauce, sausage & onion, tomato & spinach. If you can handle spicy, and I mean really spicy, order a side of their homemade hot peppers. Remember to call in and reserve the amount of pizza doughs you want before you get here! BYOB & Cash Only !", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T14:54:39" }, { "business_id": "oU-vzdE38Nk6gAr4yDy6ew", "business_name": "Crumbs Bake Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "Not the best but certainly worth a try. I got a dozen of the small cupcakes to try the different flavors with my roomies. I found them to be pretty good...in particular the red velvet and the coconut cream. Dense and moist to make for an overall yummy experience. Ill be going back again soon", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:04:27" }, { "business_id": "QuU-a6FEcC_aZTgZkYFeLA", "business_name": "The Bards", "rating": 4, "text": "The Bards has great brunch! Went there this past Saturday with a group of friends after a big night out and it was just what we needed. I ordered the eggs benedict and added Irish ham to it which was a great decision. The home fry potatoes that came on the side with onions and peppers were absolutely perfect. If you're in to bloody marys they have a great mix here! Yum! Bards is also a great spot to grab some beers for a sports game or for Thursday night Quizzo. All around great Irish Pub that puts its next door neighbor THE Irish Pub to shame.", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:28:07" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "I love dropping in to Capogiro every few weeks to try the new flavors...and this past weekend did not disappoint! I was really craving some sorbetto and got a combo of kiwi and pineapple mint. The pineapple mint was probably one of the best flavors I've ever had! So let me make it clear...if they have it, you must get the:PINEAPPLE MINT SORBETTO. I also love the cucumber sorbetto which they did not have this past weekend. Any of the gelatos are a must. In particular I crave the Thai coconut. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:35:35" }, { "business_id": "ueAkLzWFFTzQkq3jzyBlnA", "business_name": "Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "The clouds have parted... and there at the center, is a huge bowl of Pho. Absolutely delicious and enlightening (thus the first sentence) lunch experience at Pho Xe Lua today! I felt almost treacherous ditching my normal spot, Pho Cali, and wandered a little further away from work to this spot. What a good idea and I will absolutely be coming here again in the near future. I got regular rare steak pho. The meat and noodle portions were large just with a regular bowl portion. What really made this pho exceptional was the broth. So savory and had the right amount of scallions and cilantro. My PIC (partner in crime) got the beef stir fry noodles. Also amazing! But really I'm a Pho girl and this will be my new go to spot for it.", "timestamp": "2013-01-29T21:29:27" }, { "business_id": "mlrYh-m3Zlqp9CTeSvdOsQ", "business_name": "Chix & Wings", "rating": 4, "text": "MMMmmmmmm what a pleasant surprise! I needed a quick lunch break from work and was craving some serious chicken nuggets. I was heading to Wendy's on the corner of 11th and walnut but bumped into Chick-a-licious before I could make it. Hurrah! I ordered the 7 piece boneless chicken, mashed potatoes & gravey, and corn. I got honey mustard and the sweet chili dipping sauces (my fav). The chicken was so fresh! I watched them batter and fry it right in front of me. The meat was delish and had 0 fat. Very pleased with this discovery and will go back ASAP.", "timestamp": "2013-01-31T16:50:42" }, { "business_id": "8j3blTZChklt3j89jxx0fw", "business_name": "Brauhaus Schmitz", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is for restaurant week. What's better than a liter of beer and huge portions of goulash, potato pancakes, and sausage? Not much! Had a fun experience here for restaurant week. The menu was a bit limited since their regular menu is so so large, so I felt a bit limited but was not completely disappointed. I ordered the hungarian goulash. Not like goulash you can get abroad. It resembled more of a what I called, \"a european chili.\" I also got the kale salad which was a huge like! I don't think I've ever had just plain kale in a salad before but it was so good. It had a roasted garlic dressing, thin red onions, and shaved smoked gouda. I was disappointed with the sausage selections my table got (weisswurst, bratwurst, and baurenwurst) . Overall I felt they were relatively flavorless and demanded some serious mustard attention. This is in comparison to the sausages you can get at Frankford Hall which comes from Ilg's Butcher shop where the sausages are unbelievable. I am looking forward to going back again and getting the house sausage and others that were not available on the restaurant week menu. The Braushaus Housbrau was very good. Easy to drink and great to wash down the food :)", "timestamp": "2013-02-05T23:23:47" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 4, "text": "Mmmm what's for Supper? Well for me it was the sweet potato soup with the smear of homemade marshmallow around the rim of the bowl and the scallops. The soup was spicy but sweet and had a thickness to it that was perfect. The scallops were cooked to perfection and the truffle on them is a great touch. The sauteed greens that came with the scallops were a little tough but not bad! For the table we shared the Tamale fries and the Chicken wings. CHICKEN WINGS ARE A MUST. I cant get over how delicious they are. Sugar, salt, pepper and falls right off the bone. Tasty appetizer for the table. Love the atmosphere here. Plan on coming back soon!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:34:37" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "Yum. Thank you Honest Tom's for renewing my hope for Philadelphia's burrito scene. Best chicken burrito I've had outside of New Mexico. Honestly (ha) this place is as good as it gets. From the chicken to the beans...everything is well flavored and fresh making a great, cheap, & quick meal. They also make their own salsas which are delish and worth a try. If you like it hot, you'll be in love!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:45:59" }, { "business_id": "2YyIIdwnYv5cApn1gZo_gw", "business_name": "Field House", "rating": 4, "text": "Very pleased with going to The Field House for Mardi Gras last night! The specials were great: $3 dollar Abita drafts, $5 hurricanes, $5 soco lime shots Abita's Purple Haze may be one of my favorite beers for all time (you can find in specialty craft beer stores by the can) and I couldn't believe I was drinking pints of it for 3 dollars each. In general the beer list is pretty good and during happy hour it's $2 dollars off all local brews. I came with a big group of people (10) and we took over the benches up in front by the stage. Great drinks, fast service, and a couple orders of the Kettle Chips (braised beef, jalapenos, gouda, salsa...uhhh yum) made for a great after work party", "timestamp": "2013-02-13T19:46:32" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 4, "text": "Yum! I've been meaning to try this spot for some time now and decided that going on a little V-Day Lunch Adventure was just what I needed today. Turns out it was a great choice! Love the space. Very casual and fun. Feels like being in a market/kitchen area. I didn't get a chance to browse the initial cheese, charcuterie, and dessert counter but I will be coming back in the near future to do so! From what I saw there was a chocolate cake with bacon peanut butter icing...MMMM yes please I ordered the half sandwich and soup combo. The pasta fagioli was very fresh and perfectly cooked. Now, the cuban sandwich was amazing. I'm pretty picky about these and I loved mine. The bread was crispy & thin. The portion of meat was generous. Homemade pickles and mustard....plus untraditional gruyere cheese. Delish and absolutely recommend!", "timestamp": "2013-02-14T19:13:42" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 3, "text": "El vez is a good spot to stop by for happy hour. The margaritas are delicious and they normally have a decent beer selection. The guacamole is good (but pricey depending on what you get). My two favorites are the Morales (truffle) and the Indian Red Lopez (crab, cilantro, and salsa) guacamoles. I love the tortilla soup here. Much MUCH MUCH better than at Starr's other mexican spot, El Rey. Can't go wrong with the tacos. This place is good but not the best. I think its a nice spot for getting together with a larger group of friends for dinner or just for a casual happy hour.", "timestamp": "2013-02-18T16:05:11" }, { "business_id": "jHeT7dodT4fN1SD3QEFoAA", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 4, "text": "Oink oink oink! This place is appropriately named and deservedly so. The pork selections on the menu are each to die for. Really, the chef knows how to cook meat. Everything came out in a timely fashion and was cooked to perfection. Great family dinner experience. A dish that really stood out to me in particular was actually a dessert. We were so full we almost didn't ask for dessert menus...but alas my curiosity often overrides any smart decision to stop eating and thank goodness it did. I ordered the shortcake with maple syrup and bacon ice cream. YUP, BACON ICE CREAM. It was the best breakfast/dessert/smorgasbord I've ever had. Highly recommend saving room for this one! Look forward to coming again & also for brunch (gasp! didn't know they had one until recently)", "timestamp": "2013-02-20T16:08:37" }, { "business_id": "5Fm6khB-De-OdqATep9J9Q", "business_name": "NYPD Pizza", "rating": 2, "text": "Not a bad spot to stop in for a quick lunch. I came a little after the initial lunch rush and I think it limited my options. There wasn't much variety to the leftover pizza. I ended up getting a slice of the cheesesteak pizza and a slice of mushroom and cheese. The cheesesteak pizza was pretty good. White pizza with tons of american cheese and steak meat. There were also dollops of cheez whiz. I did wish it had red sauce but I asked the counter for a side which they were more than willing to provide! The mushroom pizza was super eh. I should have just gone with a slice of plain cheese that seemed to be the freshest. It was like heating up an old piece of pizza. I showered the entire thing with hot peppers which made it better. Good price & quick service tho.", "timestamp": "2013-02-21T21:32:49" }, { "business_id": "qCpdeQYPf9i1EZhTnQgjtg", "business_name": "The Foodery at Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a great addition to the Rittenhouse Square Area. I had an absolutely wonderful time stopping by the new Foodery after happy hour to check it out. Not only did they have some of my all time favorite beers that are hard to come by (ex. Prism Red Zone!) they also were stocked with an interesting and diverse selection of bottled beers that the employees were more than willing to walk you through them. We got our beer selections and sat down at the large picnic table. Right now they only do sandwiches and some sides..but I wanted just charcuterie so the server happily sliced me a little of everything free of charge so I could try it out. We also got a side of potato chips and the marinated artichokes which were super yum. Great experience! Nice place to stop with friends and try out some funky beers!", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:10:40" }, { "business_id": "HS5CfzQ_gOJHgqwtv9rvNQ", "business_name": "Ladder 15", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to a fundraiser for happy hour yesterday. It was pretty decent. There were $5 dollar mixed drink specials that were surprisingly boozy. The food was OK. All fried appetizers. The winner was the fried mac and cheese squares. I could eat dozens of those. I really like the ambiance of Ladder 15. They had a fire going and the lighting is pretty dim. Makes for a cozy happy hour with your friends.", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:13:03" }, { "business_id": "AfassS1QI0DHsqwuof9-lA", "business_name": "Dirty Franks", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple of my friends and I had a great time finding this Dive Bar on the corner of 13th & Pine. The best part about it was...BYOF...Bring Your Own Food! We brought in a ton of wings (from moriarty's) and sat down with a couple of beers to hang out for Happy Hour before going out for the rest of the night. People of all ages but apparently similar music tastes because I could not get enough of how great the juke box selections were for the evening! Anything from Bob Marley to some 90s Pop. I was lovin' it They had Purple Haze (Abita) on tap. Obviously adds a whole star to my review. I can't get enough of this beer. My one big problem with this place is that there wasn't a good spot for all of my friends and I to sit together (6 of us). The tables can only accommodate up to 4 so we had to play musical chairs for a little while.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T20:35:40" }, { "business_id": "ZDdNEwBENLXBT3jjQD5STQ", "business_name": "Giwa Korean Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "Gimme korean chicken tacos all day every day! Love this tiny spot for grabbing a quick lunch. I have to say that I have not yet ordered anything else from the menu because the tacos are all I need. Both the pork and the chicken are delicious but I prefer the chicken. Tiny tortillas stuffed with spicy chicken, cheese, sour ccream, lettuce, onion, cilantro, and sticky rice. The spicyness of the chicken seeps into the rice it's absolutely fantastic. They put a heaping amount of cilantro on each taco which really makes it! Be sure to grab some of the hot sauce for dipping! I dip my side cucumbers in as well :) Some day I will be back to try something else off the menu...but not today", "timestamp": "2013-03-04T16:08:52" }, { "business_id": "7mpYTDb24SywNMRn3yeakQ", "business_name": "The Twisted Tail", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great place to stumble upon! We wanted to grab a bite to eat before a 7pm concert at the TLA and thankfully found The Twisted Tail. The cocktails were delicious. I had the black cherry gimlet and the kool kat. The gimlet was sweet but the lime juice added a tartness that made it perfect. The kool kat was refreshing and a tasty way to start off the night. As we were having our cocktails and waiting to order, the waiter brought out fresh house popcorn with bacon and rosemary butter. YUM What we ordered: Soup of the day: Pumpkin Chipotle glazed wings Cesar salad with cornbread croutons Blackened catfish BBQ spare ribs I would strongly recommend the pumpkin soup if they have it. It was the best I have ever had! It had a strong pumpkin flavor but was sweetened with what almost felt like a marshmallowy taste. The soup was thickened adding to the marshmallow aspect of the dish. The BBQ ribs were also very tasty! Even better is on the side were deep fried cornichons. I've fallen in love with these. This should be the only way to fry pickles.", "timestamp": "2013-03-07T15:14:48" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 4, "text": "Happy to stop in to Vernick to catch up with an old friend. She had never been and was very pleased overall with the experience (as she should be!) The food was spectacular as always. The service was quick and helpful. We split a mixture of toast/ raw bar/ and small plates over wine. The tuna poke is still my favorite! So delicious Vernick is not getting my usual 5 star rating because their desserts are not what they use to be. I think this is on account of the dreaded change in pastry chef. This makes me the saddest.... Goodbye delicious pies. The date cake wasn't what it was last time I went (~1month ago). It wasn't as moist and a little too dense. With a change of pastry chef should come a change in menu! I'm ready for it, Vernick!", "timestamp": "2013-03-08T19:23:31" }, { "business_id": "YBak8o0xCiNN4sXr3izLbg", "business_name": "Barcade", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok...I was so excited to finally spend a night at Barcade with a handful of friends for a birthday party and was pretty disappointed. We picked out this place specifically to come to after a day at Frankford hall (da best obvi) because of the amazing beer list and full intention to get rowdy with some throw back video games. When we got there around 9pm the place was so full it was hard to even move around. Any dream of playing a video game was shattered by the lines in front of each machine. Instead we settled at a table after a bit of a wait until the music got turned up. For some reason the music got even louder than it already was with some sort of tortured rock that really hurt my ears. Needless to say we made a hasty retreat back to the center city area. With all this negativity....I am not completely turned off by this joint. I think timing is key and I need to come back at a less rowdy time to really enjoy what this place is...a place where you can be goofy and enjoy old games over a pint or two rather than get lost in a loud, claustrophobia-inducing crowd.", "timestamp": "2013-03-11T15:46:00" }, { "business_id": "Z5rqRyZ4-iEBRVXCRbysfA", "business_name": "Rogue's Gallery", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a hidden gem Rogue's Gallery is! I met up with a couple of friends for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised. Rogue's is off the beaten path of mainstream Rittenhouse Square Area and is a refreshing change of scenery from my normal go to places. The bar is the perfect combination of up-scale, divey-ness that is hard to explain until you see it. Our immediate reaction to the place was, \"Wow. We need to be regulars here,\" and I completely plan on making that happen! Great specials for happy hour. Can't wait to come back here to try the food or come dancing on a friday night!", "timestamp": "2013-03-20T18:34:00" }, { "business_id": "Tkx1AiQarmw0zc50GibtTA", "business_name": "Marathon On the Square", "rating": 3, "text": "Marathon does free deliveries on grub hub now!!! Fast service. Same old food...but if you're in a pinch for a burger/sandwich/salad it's nice. The smoothies are great! Love the mixed berry with honey!", "timestamp": "2013-03-22T16:29:07" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 4, "text": "I love to see Drury street becoming a serious destination for Saturday nights. Not that McGillins wasn't holding down the fort on it's own, but now the spill into the street from both packed establishments makes it a really exciting place to be. I can't wait for the summer! Anyways, Bru has the right stuff to become a great spot to grab drinks with friends for a night out. The pour your own pint in the front is amazing. Basically you load up a card with money, swipe, and ta dahhhh... you dispense your own beer like a soda fountain. I'm excited to see what selections they will have in the upcoming future. I think to start the choices were a little unoriginal...but I have high hopes! Haven't tried the food yet. Maybe next time :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T18:56:43" }, { "business_id": "OHzX-ZD9qyoeoxR8Z0dlIA", "business_name": "Khyber Pass Pub", "rating": 5, "text": "I. love. this. place. I can't put a finger on the exact reason why...but maybe that's why it's so great. There isn't just one thing that makes Khyber Pass a great place to go to. Saturday was gorgeous and we set out to try new places and get our day drink on. We landed at Khyber's and were immediately greeted with a surprisingly crowded but friendly atmosphere. The beer list is extensive and exciting if you are in to the beer scene. Lots of new things for me to try and the sudden surprise that...OH MY DEAR LORD THEY HAVE PO BOYS, and lots of them! I got the cat fish po boy with a side of collard greens and the mac and cheese. Heaven. Seriously. What is better than an afternoon of funky beers over fried fish and mac with your friends. Nothing. :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T19:03:37" }, { "business_id": "waafKhA-LtJSZXlECyfEXw", "business_name": "New York Gyro Halal Food Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been here 20+ times in the past couple of months and my feelings have not changed for how amazing this place is for lunch. Quick, cheap, & delicious. Best $4 dollars I've ever spent (Except really I give them $5 :) )", "timestamp": "2013-03-26T18:48:13" }, { "business_id": "RFYlmTjgwhOsm7qJwW1G9w", "business_name": "Alfa American Tavern", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Perhaps it's because we came here on the later side of a Saturday night but I found it over crowded and stuffy. To be far, I was in a larger group so we ourselves were kind of crowding up the place but even so I couldn't really talk to everyone and we had to break up a bit. I had a hard time getting to the bar, which can be frustrating for a little redhead. However, once I did I was pleased with my drink choice: Kate Middleton. I'll try it again, but not on a Saturday night", "timestamp": "2013-03-28T14:16:45" }, { "business_id": "ePs4Z_Nqsm5-kQk_hAp2Dg", "business_name": "Irish Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh the Irish Pub...I was too harsh on you. For a place to go out for drinks with a group of friends, no matter what night of the week it is, I find myself at the Irish Pub at least once a week. Whether it's a weekday night and I try to monopolize the jukebox with DJ Saraah's Greatest Hits or a Friday/Saturday night with a rotation of visiting DJs, the music is loud and sets a booty wigglin, drink guzzling atmosphere to forget the rest of the world outside of the pub. A good spot for celebrating but get there before the night rush if you want to have good standing room. It can get crowded pretty fast but hey, with cheap drinks and fast service what else would you expect?", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:15:49" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "AHOY Seafood Connoisseurs! The Dump Dinner does not disappoint! Did the Dump Dinner again with a group of 10. Still my #1 dining experience in Philly. Delicious, messy, finger lickin' food in a classy establishment with a 2hr open bar. Count me in always.", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:21:29" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "My Boyfriend has a problem...and its Tea Do. He discovered this place a couple weeks ago and I lost him every day, and then multiple times a day to a mysterious bubble house that I hadn't been to in China Town. He started coming up with excuses for his addiction: I just worked out (bubbles help that?), my stomach hurts (ok...), and I'm sleepy (...). Needless to say my curiosity peeked and I was ready to make the trek to China Town to, \"grab some bub teas.\" I tend to like traditional milk with tapioca bubble teas, the coconut milk one being my favorite. My boyfriend on the other hand is obsessed with both the Grasshopper and the Tropical Twister but with tapioca bubbles not lychee. I've also ventured and explored the bursting bubbles such as strawberry. These are good but like I've already said, I'm a traditionalist. So now he has a Bub Tea PIC (partner in crime)....and it's getting a little embarrassing how often we go. :)", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T15:41:19" }, { "business_id": "OhSaEeJes7JLtk3MGMXXmg", "business_name": "Maoz Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "My healthy lunch go to during the work week. The falafel is fresh and really delicious, but what makes the place is all of the options from the buffet you can stock up on for your sandwich or salad. I prefer getting the falafel in a salad bowl because I can fit everything I want into the container. As you can imagine jamming additional snackie poos into the pita and falafel, which is already full to begin with, is pretty difficult. If you like spicy and fresh, I recommend getting the green chili and the cilantro sauces all over your falafel.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:24:36" }, { "business_id": "qh7T0rql3chxxuORLMse2Q", "business_name": "Yellow Juice Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Yellow Juice Bar loves Yelpers. First off I checked in and got $1 off a salad. Boom. I got a Mango Madness fruit blend with almond milk and the free banana twirl special featured on Yelp this week. That banana twirl is magic. I didn't know that being healthy could be so delicious. I'm a big big fan of banana gelato..and as far as I'm concerned, that is exactly what I ate.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:32:04" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm really torn up about Village Whiskey. Don't get me wrong, this a great place but for some reason I can't give it 4 stars. It's really hard to get a table here pretty much all the time. I've been a number of times and always end up standing in the back with a friend or two. Not terrible but also not ideal. I also had an annoying situation with the hostess when 5 of my friends and I were trying to squish and eat at a 2 person table while the entire middle booth (seats 6) was empty. We kept asking if we could move there since we were in the way of everything and had ordered food which was definitely not going to fit on the table. After about 20 minutes when our food arrived in heaping loads she let us move. Sorry I'm not Ryan Howard but this girl wants to eat her burger just as bad. On the up side the food and drinks are good. The beecharmer is my cocktail of choice and they always have good beers on tap. The truffled cauliflower on the pickle selections is amazing and a must have. I also am a big fan of the veggie burger. Best I've ever had. Heads up- They deliver. And this is normally the route I take if I just want food from here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:44:14" }, { "business_id": "0-7N3z_cb3Z1xMGDrbez6w", "business_name": "Le Virtu", "rating": 4, "text": "Looking for the perfect date night spot? You found it. Le Virtu is such a gem. It's classy but not too much so...the overall feel is very comfortable and homey. It set me up to chow down on some pasta and drink italian wine. Not much can beat that! The service was also amazingly friendly and warm. We spoke with the manager for a lengthy period of time about food traditions across Italy and, in particular, the food from Abruzzo where his grandfather is from (one of Le Virtu's main drawing pools). Appetizers: Fried rice balls Hearty chick pea soup is a must have. I feel like this can be easily overlooked but they use duck and rabbit stock....yum city. House-made Abruzzese-style sausage Charred octopus salad was also very good. Surprisingly refreshing. The octopus was very tiny and packed with flavor which is exactly how I like 'em Primi: We all got entree sized pasta dishes and skipped secondi because they looked amazing Shepard Style gnocchi was absolutely amazing. Probably my favorite dish. The gnocchi was miniature and not too soft. The smokiness of the lamb sausage paired with the sheep ricotta gave these dish such warm and comforty feel to it. I could eat this all the time. Taccozzelle was recommend by the server and rightfully so. The noodles were so fresh. The porcini mushroom was the predominant flavor, can't complain there. Desserts: Pecorino Panna cotta. Yes, get this. It is a must have. The pecorino really makes this panna cotta unique. It is extra thick and creamy, served with poached pears. I loved it. Also it is a smaller portion size which I welcomed warmly after all of the pasta I destroyed Chocolate semifreddo was like eating the best frozen chocolate milk I've ever had. Assorted biscotti.........I know it's a crime but I don't like biscotti. Never have. But for the members of the dinner party who do like it they raved about them. Enjoy! I'll be back soon to try the Maccheroni alla mugnaia: the 6 ft single strand noodle pasta!", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T18:11:23" }, { "business_id": "f2RHDdXezLHILvM7v1xOVA", "business_name": "Taqueria La Veracruzana", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars and a round of applause for the Tacos at Veracruzana! You can't go wrong with any of the tacos all of which are sprinkled with freshly chopped onions and cilantro..... HOWEVER! The must haves are the Al Pastor (roasted, pulled pork & pineapple) and the chorizo tacos. The Al Pastor from here is pretty much the best I've come across in the Philly area. The pork is melt in your mouth good and the pineapple with the cilantro is super refreshing. For a more intense savory flavor the chorizo is the way to go. You get 3 to an order so I usually go 1 chorizo & 2 al pastor with the occasional bistec guisado taco to mix it up. The house green and red accompanying salsas are both killer. I loud up all my tacos with a squish of lime and both salsas. Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-04-24T15:59:47" }, { "business_id": "SDL247FlOnScJfuNjZESxg", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty Manning Grill is a bright and refreshing place. Between both the ambiance and the food, it makes me feel like summer is already here! I went on a Mommy-Daughter date here last night (awwwww) and was extremely pleased with the whole experience. We split the Lancaster Baby Romaine and the cheese plate to start. The cheese plate was absolutely gorgeous. They pile on different slices of fruit and berries on a thick wooden board. Very pretty. For entrees she got the Berkshire Pork Chop which was delicious. Very tender, perfectly cooked pork and the brussel sprouts were a hearty, leafy side. I got the Duck Confit...now this is a MUST HAVE alert... MUST HAVE: (Lightly) Crispy Duck Confit. The meat was practically falling off the bone and was so delicious. The whole leg rests on a thick bed of spinach salad with slices of tangerine. I got my meat fix and my green fix in one plate. It was really an impressive dish that kept to overall mood of the evening: light, refreshing, summery dining experience. Bottle of wine: Fritz, Riesling (Germany) to keep to the light nature of our meal. Very sweet but not syrupy. Great riesling!", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:32:57" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok...Yogorino is growing on me...BIG time. Maybe its the weather...maybe it's my new work out schedule...but I get Yogorino cravings like crazy lately. I love how creamy but not overly sweet the frozen yogurt is here. Very different from the other froyo places popping up all over the place that try and make their yogurt more like an ice cream. Here, the yogurtyness is embraced. Everything is kept simple. My go to toppings: a litttttle dulce de leche sauce, meringue crumble, and strawberries. And dare I say it... FROYO because...YOLO?", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:39:13" }, { "business_id": "fivoAD6x6jXJRiEZwhpcEQ", "business_name": "Amis Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh me, oh my, Amis! I really want to go with a 4.5 here because a 4 doesn't do it justice...but I also can't just give it a full 5 stars since it was my first time there. #yelperproblems This was an absolutely great dining experience. I went with a group of 5 for a Sunday night Birthday Dinner. I actually would recommend going with a group of 4+ so you can try everything you want to on the menu...and trust me there are going to be a lot of dishes that grab your attention. MUST HAVES: I can't go into detail about every dish we got...but I will highlight my favorites Bufala ricotta and black pepper paired with the Veal Terrine (as recommended by our server): Super creamy and savory. The two dishes were made for each other Marinated Octopus over chickpeas: Yes, yes, yes. This is the way octopus should be cooked. Lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside as opposed to overly chewy. The chickpeas were also delicious. All around great dish Fried Lamb Ribs: If you like lamb then this is a must. I loved nomming tender lamb morsels off the bone. The yogurt was a nice touch Cacio e pepe: one of my favorite dishes in general...but Amis does it great. This is my ultimate comfort food. Simple but great. Spinach fazzoletti with lamb ragu: YUM. The fazzoletti was made perfectly. The lamb ragu was tender and meaty which went great with the spinach pasta. OVERALL everything was amazing from ambiance to drinks to food. However, I have 1 complaint. The rice pudding was off putting. They top what is on it's own an absolutely delicious rice pudding (perfect taste & texture) with a berry puree (not terrible) and SALTED pistachios. I capped salted because this is what I think ruined the dish. The salt was too overpowering for the light, milky pudding and was the only thing I could taste. I ended up scoping the top layer off and eating the pudding on its own. I would suggest non-salted pistachios if they are going for the texture....but salted is just too much.", "timestamp": "2013-04-29T15:45:08" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "Winter has come to Pub & Kitchen (Game of Thrones anyone?). The days of plenty are over. The change in chef/menu has really put a damper on this once awesome place to grab a drink and some food with your friends. It really, reaaally is a shame since the location is so great and summer is right around the corner. First off, I wasn't blown away by the menu. Nothing grabbed my attention. Everything was extremely fancy. I'm a pretty intense foodie, but there were things that made me go, \"Huh? What the ... is that?\" Except for the burger...which is listed as \"Cheeseburger: pickle, onion, lettuce, american cheese.\" Fancy, fancy, fancy, and a side of Cheeseburger. It's almost as if they felt obligated to have a cheeseburger since the last Pub & Kitchen burger was out of this world. What we tried: Suckling pig bouchons: These were OK. Imagine eating a croquette without the potato. The lemony sauce that was served with them was awesome. Probably the best thing I had there... Pabbit Campagne: Again...just OK. It was described as a pate but really its more of a meaty terrine. It didn't taste bad, but I did not finish it. Pickled Beets: I don't like beets...but these were actually pretty good. The puffs add a great texture to the dish Cheeseburger: Sad, sad, sad. The meat was flavorful but overcooked due to the fact that they now use two thin patties (why?!). When I go out to eat and order a cheeseburger, it better be delicious and unique.....and this one was just not. Overall: The changes at Pub & Kitchen have made me pretty sad. The cocktail that I had was tasty (Lie to Me), but until there's a turn around in the food department I don't see myself coming back here anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2013-05-01T13:56:01" }, { "business_id": "yQ7sxpoKXcTWzuELVdpR6w", "business_name": "Drury Beer Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "The Drury Beer Garden really is a hidden gem. It's a great place to just chill out with a larger group of friends without having to worry about squeezing everyone around a bar. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and I think because of this everyone freely intermingles with other groups. Just your regular backyard party coupled with an awesome beer list and the chance to meet some people. What is there not to like? I went this past weekend and scored a picnic table under a heat lamp. I had my favorite beer: Hell or High Watermelon for $5 a can and couldn't have been more content!", "timestamp": "2013-05-06T15:48:56" }, { "business_id": "7z16CBc74GhbyqalwZrJUQ", "business_name": "Ting Wong Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick, delicious, & fresh business lunch @ Ting Wong for 4 people. We went family style and ordered: Boneless soy chicken & pork appetizers Chicken & Anchovy fried rice Chicken Lo Mein The portions are huge! So definetely plan on ordering a couple of dishes and sharing! I would absolutely recommend the chicken & anchovy fried rice as well as the soy chicken. The fried rice was very fresh and not greasy as fried rice has a tendency to be. The anchovy gave it a nice salty flavor and it wasn't fishy at all which I was initially afraid of. The soy chicken is so flavorful and the crushed ginger sauce on top (and ask for more on the side) makes it a delicious dish. Great spot to check out in Chinatown! :)", "timestamp": "2013-05-14T15:34:45" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 5, "text": "Grabbed the Enfrijoladas and a slice of carrot cake Take-Out style last night for a lazy couch dinner after the gym. Heaven. The Enfrijoladas are really, really good. Now, this is coming from a New Mexican who is pretty picky about these things. The refried beans are to die for. The only thing lacking was heat, but that was nothing a healthy squeeze of Sriracha couldn't fix.", "timestamp": "2013-05-15T14:15:39" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by for an iced latte and salad for lunch. Yummy yummy! The iced caramel latte is divine. Creamy & unburned coffee that will make you smack yourself on the wrist for ever going in to a Starbucks. Spiced orange salad was amazing! Lightly spiced vinaigrette. The chicken was seasoned and warm off to the side. Filling but not overly so. Perfect for a hot afternoon lunch outside.", "timestamp": "2013-05-16T17:40:47" }, { "business_id": "MKsCFQuzmgH2We9hwTQ8gw", "business_name": "South Street Souvlaki", "rating": 4, "text": "Opa! Amazing family dinner experience! I love the atmosphere here. Very friendly service with an eagerness to please. All of our food came out quickly and there was plenty, PLENTY of it. We ate everything family style, which I would recommend if you are having a sit down dinner, and got to try a large variety of things. So many in fact, that I will only list my favorites: I could eat the baba ganoush with warm pita for days. Seriously, it is perfection. The marinated grilled octupus was cooked supremely well and served over a fresh salad. We went with the special fish of the day: Porgy. Lightly fried with fresh squeezed lemon. So good! Another special was the pork & leek stew. The meat was deliciously tender and the leeks came in huge, caramelized chunks. Served over rice. Save room for dessert because the rice pudding is some of the best I've ever had! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T15:48:17" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 3, "text": "I am so torn up about Continental Mid-Town and have been waiting to write a review for a couple months now. There are most certainly reasons why I would give them 4 stars...but there are also plenty of times I would have gone with just 2. So I'll settle at an indecisive 3 stars. Here are the pros and cons: Pros: The atmosphere of the rooftop bar is really fun during any season. As long as you are in a smaller group of people it can be a lot of fun. Just make sure to get there and snag a table/bar seat before major crowds roll in. I like their tuna tar tar Their drinks are tasty, modern, fun. They deliver through grubhub if you're feeling lazy Cons: Expensive. You can get better tasting food for half the price. It really is a shame. Crowded night light. You have to plan to get there and find space to hang out ahead of major crowds...otherwise it can be a bit overwhelming. Overall I like this place as a launching pad for a great night out with my friends. Maybe an appetizer or two...but nothing more than that.", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T16:00:07" }, { "business_id": "XTNu6IrYn_xn05wuqjrxiA", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review for Jimmy John's yet! It is just blowing my mind! I get Jimmy John's at least once a week for my lunch at work. They must be sandwich magicians over there because I will literally pick up the phone, order, and POOF! Within 5 minutes the food is here, every time. Seriously...I have never waited more than 5 mins for my food. I am in love with them. Go to: #9 Italian hoagie with added hot pepper and a side of bbq chips. Their bread is out of this world and the chips are extra crispy. Feeling healthy? No problem! Get your favorite sandwich on a lettuce wrap instead of a hoagie roll. Go Jimmy John's! I am a fan!", "timestamp": "2013-05-23T17:05:01" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 4, "text": "I crave the chicken banh mi from Rotisseur on a biweekly basis. The feeling slowly creeps up on me until suddenly it has a hold on my stomach and the thought of eating anything thing else is food torture...until...at last, I reach my delicious sandwich. The chicken is moist and they add a layer of crispy skin from the long, slow cook. Pickled cabbage and fresh cilantro really tie the whole thing together. Make sure to add a healthy squirt of sriracha if you are a spice freak. The sides are made on a daily basis. The best side I've come across are the curry garbanzo beans. So. Good. Love rotisseur but don't let your cravings take a hold of your life, body, and mind on a Sunday. They are not open as I was shocked to find out. I withered and died for a day until Monday came.", "timestamp": "2013-06-03T14:17:30" }, { "business_id": "x7gEX6dthpJvoOafV1XHaA", "business_name": "Cook", "rating": 5, "text": "Cook is a brilliant establishment. Cozy, intimate atmosphere so you can get your one on one time with the chefs of your choice. A great gift for foodies. I went with my P.I.C.'s family last night to hang out and try polish food with Chef Maciej Ciezki from Lacroix. I won't go into detail about the food here, but I did add a photo of some of the courses we had. The food was plentiful, the drinks were flowing, and the room was chatty. I will most definetely be coming back for more in the near future.", "timestamp": "2013-06-04T13:22:46" }, { "business_id": "AQIi4IRvUxkurxNvlUD9hQ", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, I LOVE Smoothie King. I want to be it's Smoothie Queen, but I do have one big, big problem with it: the hours. Why smoothie king did you not open until 9:30 am this morning?! You miss the whole morning crowd who needs to be in to work by 9 am. I don't understand! You're open until 7pm...and lets be honest, who gets a smoothie for dinner? Please shift your hours and I think it'll be good for you. I was very sad having to wait until 930 for your juicy goodness. My boss is also mad at you.", "timestamp": "2013-06-06T14:13:12" }, { "business_id": "M77MQ0Gge2ZbSz0FM0oGgg", "business_name": "Krispy Kreme", "rating": 5, "text": "I love you so much Krispy Kreme. I can't believe you are no longer in downtown Philly (WHYYYYYYYYYYY), but I am willing to commute. 1 dozen plain glazed & 1/2 a dozen glazed creme filled later...I am a happy camper and my craving has been fulfilled. :)", "timestamp": "2013-06-10T16:52:03" }, { "business_id": "RZtGWDLCAtuipwaZ-UfjmQ", "business_name": "LaScala's", "rating": 3, "text": "LaScala's is a place to grub down on Italian food, but only when it is convenient to do so. The only times I have gotten LaScala's is through delivery or for yesterday's lunch with my coworkers. I got the rigatoni vodka because I was craving pasta. My craving was fulfilled with cheesy/vodka sauce pasta that was served in such a large portion I took leftovers home. The food is tasty but not mind blowing....I really think the 3 star, \"A-Ok,\" rating is appropriate.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:18:40" }, { "business_id": "78kUZU8GPfHgoYO_2CNbuQ", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 3, "text": "The ice cream that Ben & Jerry's provides is an obvi 5 STARS. Getting it at an actual store and not in pints from a corner shop really makes a difference. It feels creamier...probably due to freshness and lack of the freezer burn that my fridge brutally attaches to any inhabitants. The service here is iffy. There were three people working and for whatever reason it probably took a full 20 minutes of waiting in line/paying. The line wasn't even that long..... Maybe they do it on purpose because after waiting I probably ordered double what I would have to begin with. Serious ice cream coma.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:25:11" }, { "business_id": "EKSmnS-fup3HNFLR9J17mQ", "business_name": "Midtown II Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Beeeewaaareeee of the bathroooomssss (spooky voice). I can get down a dirty when need be, but these are worse than port-a-potty status. I may be scared for life. So you're better off holding it. On a brighter note. This place is OK if you have a craving for diner food. I get breakfast for lunch & a coffee milkshake. Service is pleasant and food comes out fast.", "timestamp": "2013-06-24T14:02:18" }, { "business_id": "TwnzM8mJn_nT2PJf1x-9kQ", "business_name": "Cafe Lift", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't remember the last time I was completely blown away by a brunch experience...until now. Cafe Lift is a dream come true. It really may be one of the best brunch spots I've ever been to. To start, the interior is amazing. Very casual, comfortable feel to the entire place. Exposed brick and piping all along the walls with hardware store style tables. What got me the most excited was the special board. SO. MANY. SPECIALS. Really it is a dream come true (yes I said dream come true TWICE) to walk into a place for brunch and have a plethora of creative specials to pick from...which my party of 3 wasted no time doing. What we got: (note that most were specials) Breakfast tacos: chorizo, egg, cheese, and homemade salsa which rocked my world. Baked Egg: stewed kale, white beans, roast pork in tomato sauce topped with eggs and fontina then baked. Obsessed with this. Imagine a breakfast pasta fagioli situation Cuban Sandwich Bagel w/ veggie cream cheese and salmon Banna nutella crepe with whipped cream and strawberries The ice coffee was really, really good and I am truly very picky when it comes to coffee. Service was friendly and fast. I will be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T14:56:33" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 5, "text": "Matyson still rocks my socks off. Highlight of the meal was once again, the foie gras served on top of homemade banana bread. Close runner up was the soup of the day: vichyssoise (chilled potato leek soup). This BYOB is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the city", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T13:40:43" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 5, "text": "I just finished my first Chirashi Sushi Lunch Special...and let me tell you, it is one of the best things that has ever happened during my work day. I was fully intending on splurging a little by going out to a lunch at Morimotos...but it turns out that for once I got way, way more than my money's worth. For $21 ($22 with tax) I got the best miso soup, a salad, and my entire weight + plus some in super fresh sashimi served over rice. The sushi chef asked my preference on what fish I would like in my bowl and went to work. The dish itself was a work of art (see photo) and came with an assortment of pickled vegetables. So in love. Thank you, Morimoto!", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "V6Om7YZhlRQRU7WfuxHq8Q", "business_name": "Beck's Cajun Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Thank goodness for Beck's. Really I am so shocked that there are hardly any Cajun restaurants in the Philly area. But maybe that's for the best, because Beck's is pretty darn good. Located in the thick of the Reading Terminal Market, the stand is always busy but the service is fast. The staff is more than happy to let you try whatever you want (which you should). I've had all varieties of the gumbo and don't have a preference which is better. Go for alligator if you are feeling wild. My favorite thing from here are the red beans over rice. They are thick and have chunks of andouille sausage. Great with a piece of corn bread and scallions on top! The po'boys are decent. I find them a little too bready/fried for my liking but the overall flavor is good. I did not like the catfish po'boy....it was too fishy for me.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:25:33" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I was very excited to try a roast pork sandwich from DiNic's. However, I found myself wanting more. DiNic's gets a lot of hype on yelp...and other places as well. It was featured on Man Vs. Food ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYiR-dSbOs ) and I was shocked that I hadn't tried it yet. So I went for it. Spinach and sharp provolone on a long roll with long hots... It doesn't beat out a cheese steak. The sandwich was good but not great. I actually found myself craving more flavor, secretly hoping I had brought a bottle of sriracha sauce with me. Really they should maybe have a bottle of that on the counter because it would be insanely good. I'll be back to try it again, but unfortunately I have to say I was not blown away by my first time at DiNic's.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:38:39" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I died and went to Beiler Heaven. Seriously the BLUEBERRY FRITTERS are out of this world good. I've never felt so strongly about a baked good before. Not too sweet, but sweet enough to be the perfect companion with a cup of coffee in the morning....or a mid afternoon snack. I also found the plain glazed doughnuts to be earth shattering. Try both of these. I promise the line is worth it!", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:41:37" }, { "business_id": "XgxPLbAJtHoyR2tBN9yCXw", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "I am just so in love with Yogorino. Classic, tangy frozen yogurt is the only kind of froyo that should exist in my opinion. This location is a little bit bigger than the Rittenhouse location...but that's really the only difference. All of the fruit was super fresh & ripe. I couldn't decide between the mango and the nectarines paired with my always go-to crushed up meringue bits...so I got both. Happy eating :)", "timestamp": "2013-07-22T15:59:03" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "I am not impressed with Max Brenner's. Had a friend visiting from out of town so we decided to go out to have dessert. Whispers of fondue seemed super promising and the alluring smell of chocolate that extends down the block made it pretty much impossible not to stop in for a bite. Overall impression: overpriced We got the Italian hot chocolate, the waffle special, and fondue for two (5 of us total). To be fair, there was a lot that came with the fondue. However, I could have easily dished up the same dessert for 1/3 the price. Tasted good but I wasn't wowed. I am not stingy when it comes to spending money on food....but it needs to be worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-07-24T13:29:29" }, { "business_id": "gOrJeoLDOiW7muWuoE-sMg", "business_name": "Morgan's Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Morgan's Pier is a solid 4 star place to hang out with your friends for drinks and dancing. The atmosphere is really unique to Philly, mostly because of the beautiful location. Located right on the docks to the left of the Ben Franklin, it is such an awesome place to sit as the sunsets. Once its dark things kick in to party mode and you'll be either shaking your booty or sitting on a picnic table over the water chatting with your friends. It's awesome. However, there is one problem with it....the food. Seriously 1-2 stars on food. Good ideas and fails on taste. Everything I've had has been meh (wings, fries, bean salad, other munchies nothing major). They should really split up the yelp pages for food vs nightlife because i don't want to downgrade my 4 stars to accommodate for food failure.", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T13:43:54" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, wow, wow! I feel so lucky that this is right around the corner from my house. I stopped in to this small kitchen last night around 9pm and ordered a monster load of Thai food for my friends and I after City Sips. Needless to say, we were starving and needed some serious chow down time. The service was friendly and super fast! The quality amazing and the price so cheap. How is this place real life? Favorites: Crab Dumplings for days Drunken Noodles w/ Shrimp Pineapple fried rice w/ Chicken Crispy Duck Curry: but really any of the curry the sauce is so, so good. Happy eatings! I will be back again and again and again!", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T15:01:29" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a great dinner for 2 seated outside to take in the one day break in humidity! I think I had the best heirloom tomato salad of my life. Honestly. I sat there and tried to figure out why it was so good...and still can't quite put a finger on it. It comes topped with basil (duh) as well as a watercress salad with lightly pickled shallots. Large portion (1 whole tomato) 5 slices total. I love it. This is the definition of summer! My skate was also very tasty! Cooked perfectly and...butter, butter, butter. So not much can be wrong with that...unless you don't like butter...which might be a whole other set of problems for you and I'm so sorry.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T14:50:53" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect lunch at 12th & Spruce Tria! Obviously. A glass of Dr. H riesling, asparagus salad, and a gooey cheese has taken me to foodie heaven. Unfortunately I am now back at work until 5pm but will have happy memories to get me through.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T17:50:56" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Sampan is the place to go for Sips in Center City, Philadelphia! They have both food and drink specials, which in my opinion is essential for a good happy hour. The best part is that it's not just a few things, you get a whole menu of food specials rated from $3, $4, and $5. Bomb diggity. Favorites: White Sangria was unbelievably refreshing. Big fan! Duck Egg Rolls Kimchi Fried Rice Edamame Dumplings Kobe Beef Sliders Both Pork & Chicken Bao Buns Enjoy it while you still can! However, if you do miss it, fear not. Dinner here is a must go to as well.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T00:36:46" }, { "business_id": "kxKai8GE5oDMPevV7oxvbA", "business_name": "Tequilas Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I really, really wanted to love this place. Being from the Southwest, I am almost always on a quest for some quality Mexican food, and this spot was the next target. However & unfortunately, I was not so impressed. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup to start. The soup had all of the right components: tortilla strips, moist chicken, avocado, cheese, and bits of dried chili (chipotle maybe). The problem with the soup was the broth. It tasted almost equivalent to Campbell's tomato soup. No spice whatsoever. It was too tomatoey and not enough chicken broth. For my entree I got the Enchiladas Playa. I sort of had the same problem with these in that they were fairly bland without any spice. The crab & shrimp interior was good but the sauce needs a little bit more. To be fair the chips and salsa, as well as the queso fundido, were all very good. Perhaps next time I will come for a drink and some nibbles rather than a whole meal.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T01:18:28" }, { "business_id": "iWV1MgLsI9ma5zrzNUy_NQ", "business_name": "Olympia Gyro", "rating": 4, "text": "Three words: Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich When I am craving a gyro, this is one of the places I tend to lean towards. Olympic gyro makes what I would describe as the, \"freshest,\" gyro. The meat isn't overly seasoned and the tzaztiki sauce is amazing. I love sitting down here in the middle of Reading Terminal Market and housing down one of these bad boys. Needles to say, the portion sizes are large and you most definitely will not be walking away hungry. Be sure to grab a side of fries but careful, those tempting slices come off HOT HOT HOT! I think I burn my mouth every single, delicious time.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T16:03:40" }, { "business_id": "1CTNhKEqGbmG5r-sBbDoLg", "business_name": "Tampopo", "rating": 4, "text": "It's pretty freaky that I live within half a block of Tampopo and had managed to never go before today. Shame on me. I grabbed lunch to go from this hole in the wall and couldn't have been happier. I got the fresh tuna bibimbap. I was given tons of sushi grade tuna over veggies, avocado, and rice. The spicy sauce was great! I forgot to ask for a side of kimchi...but I won't forget next time! Fast service makes for a happy Sarah.v I'll be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:38:33" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm a fan of the new place on the block Spice End! When I'm out and about and need to grab something on the go or right before I head home after a late night, this is the place to stop. Needless to say their hours are clutch and the 3am friday/saturday night closing time is a clutch move in this area of the city. In a rush I grab the paneer roll. If I have time to sit down and eat I grab the chicken biryani platter and have them add paneer to that as well! PS. They are on grub hub and deliver :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:47:40" }, { "business_id": "bq0n3CQy1CkE_WUe76zQvg", "business_name": "Shiao Lan Kung", "rating": 5, "text": "Wooow wow! I am continuously impressed with getting dinner at this hole in the wall spot in China Town. Last night I took my parents for their first time and we were all blown away with the quality of the food and how quickly it came out, nothing new here. We got our usual order: pan fried pork dumplings, fried wontons, garlic green beans, salt bake jumpo shrimp (ask for no shells), walknut shrimp, chicken ho-fun with bean sauce.... AND something new! Which blew my mind. I asked our waitress for her opinion on the best fish dish to which she goes, \"OH! Ok, ok, I know.\" Within ten minutes out came a whole, steamed sea bass that was sitting in the most delicious ginger, soy sauce. I have never been so happy and I am already craving it again. I could come for just this once a week....and probably will! Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-09-07T22:24:47" }, { "business_id": "xdferXKwbgXAxbtmAShhAQ", "business_name": "Saxbys Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "My new study spot. There's always a large group of other students working hard whenever you need to look up and around for motivation. My go to is a cinnamon latte....iced or hot depending on the weather. Please note that I am not a huge fan of the food here. I pretty much avoid it all together...really this review is just to say it's a great place for getting work done and having a cup of coffee to help you along the way :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:23:45" }, { "business_id": "GrRrxHK9dWgibvUpcotxtw", "business_name": "Joe's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Pizza on the go? Grab some Joe's! I was doing some heavy duty shopping on saturday and needed to restock on calories half way through. I stopped by Joe's to grab a slice of plan mushroom pizza and was in heaven. The crust is thin and crispy...perfect amt of cheese and sauce. Snack city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:29:01" }, { "business_id": "wbDRmtxaKRpBOjutvV6TEA", "business_name": "Barclay Prime", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm a huge fan of Barclay Prime...in fact, I think this is the best steakhouse in the city. The atmosphere is very relaxed since the entire place feels like you are lounging in a study. The staff is super friendly (BIG shout out to Jason my waiter last night, you da best) and made my birthday dinner a perfect one! To start...everyone gets a hot, out of the oven popover they are simply to die for. These are unbelievably dangerous and the staff will keep offering them to you. Just say no. You are going to want to be hungry for the food to come. Our party of 6 ordered appz and entrees that all came out perfectly cooked (steaks were amazing, duh) and in a timely fashion. I had the heirloom tomato salad. Love how they do it here. Everything is chopped up and piled in a bowl. Super tasty. MUST HAVE: the full bronzino if you are in a fish mood....which you should be at least once if you come here. I can dream about this dish it's so good. Desserts: Warm banana cake Devils food cake Complimentary birthday cake (amazing...come for your birthday...seriously) Put your eating clothes on and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T19:21:18" }, { "business_id": "QMNheeGTdKujLnYgEyFuWw", "business_name": "Old Nelson Food Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Old Nelson's makes some clutch sandwiches for lunch. You can have whatever you sandwich loving heart desires because everything is made to order. Their italian hoagie is delicious. I always ask for hot peppers as well. Yesterday I wanted to go back to my elementary school, packed lunch days and ordered a plain turkey, american cheese, mayo sandwich on white bread. I got a side of pickles and a bag of bbq chips to smush between the bread slices. Neeedless to say, it was crunchalicious.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:05:51" }, { "business_id": "JE6rfQ9marM2YYCuFK8GqA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location of Sweetgreen. It seems to be getting a bad rep. from other yelpers...but I don't see where the problem is. The food is good, the service is fast and friendly, and you can eat outside when it's nice out. It's not the most amazing experience I've ever had...but when you are craving a fresh salad with fresh ingredients it is the place to go in the area. Overall I'm a fan. Sweetgreen's current seasonal salad is a must have: Maryland crab Kale Green and red peppers Corn Sunflower seeds Avocado (that has been surprisingly ripe & perfect every time I've gotten it from here) Carrot chili vinaigrette.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:12:45" }, { "business_id": "30cpm1uq6xcQCmN6JTrB8w", "business_name": "Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sad to say Luke's has definitely down graded in my opinion. I thought that this was a one time occurrence (a couple weeks ago) but its happened again for lunch today. The to die for lobster bisque was bland and not lobstery at all today. The past two times I have gotten my once favorite crab roll, the bun has been a little soggy and the crab overly lemony. I'm adverse to overuse of lemon in the first place...and when it overrides the flavor of crab in my roll I am a super sad Sarah. I hope Luke's can bounce back...but for now I'm going to have to change up my lunch venues.", "timestamp": "2013-09-27T16:18:51" }, { "business_id": "PJjkH_VZeQwxEJvlQ-v7wA", "business_name": "Pho 75", "rating": 5, "text": "What can I say....I am a total sucker for a good bowl of Pho. I've been meaning to come to Pho 75 for such a long time and finally have accomplished that goal! Extra inspiration was given to me to venture from my usual stomping spots when Anthony Bourdain (#lovehim #friendcrush #hangoutwithme) visited here on his most recent trip to Philly. The broth here is amazing. I'm not sure if it on the same playing field as the broth from Pho Ha....but I will keep you all posted as I continue to figure it out. The service here was awesome. We walked in, sat down, placed our order and within 5 minutes all of us had our food and drinks. It was so good that we got one to go.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:07:45" }, { "business_id": "8us8cJ-oBnLFerWcaftavQ", "business_name": "The Beer Shoppe", "rating": 4, "text": "Go to the Beer Shoppe on a Tuesday. They have a 10% discount on everything on Tuesdays....thus I have created a new weekly holiday called, Two Beer Tuesday. My friend and I plan to come in and work our way through the selection over the next couple of months. Very ambitious...but also very exciting! The bar in the back is an open and friendly place to try new things before you buy a 6 pack of something you love. The service is super friendly and all the staff has an amazing knowledge of what they have in stock. It really is a great spot for beer geeks to congregate.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:13:55" }, { "business_id": "3ZynJ94VpIdDlaArmEp2Rg", "business_name": "More Than Just Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple friends and I stopped by for some late night milkshakes and found ourselves at More Than Just Ice Cream. Well, we just got ice cream...not fully taking advantage of what the name implies, but maybe next time. 3 milkshakes: 1 coffee, 1 chocolate, and 1 black&white malt. All were pretty good. Definitely satisfied the ice cream craving. I thought my coffee milkshake could have been thicker, same goes for the chocolate. The black&white was plenty thick and was probably the best of the three. Unfortunately, I did not order that one so I settled for my not so creamy coffee. I did sample some ice cream flavors before setting on a milkshake. I tried the pumpkin pie which was AMAZING. I don't know why I didn't just get this. Maybe a milkshake isn't the way to go here.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:24:30" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 2, "text": "Eeehhhh. I loved, loved, LOVED Scoop DeVille when it was at it's old location on Chestnut & 18th. Now I'm not quite so sure. I miss the charm of the old store. It was packed and loaded with candy/chocolate/ice cream/ and random paraphernalia that this huge space is lacking. Hopefully at some point it'll be able to capture that once again as it settles in to its new location. The real problem was my vanilla ice cream blended with sugar cookie dough (all time favie) tasted like freezer burn. The freezer must have been set to high because I was eating vanilla flavored ice chunks with just a tiny bit of cookie dough. I never had this problem once at the old location...where the ice cream was always almost the consistency of soft serve it was so creamy good.", "timestamp": "2013-10-14T17:11:16" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 5, "text": "Bistrot La Minette is a must go to in the Philly area. I am truly surprised that it's taken me so long to finally go here. If you are familiar with the restaurant scene around here: think Parc but small scale and more romantical We had a quiet dinner for a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The service was so friendly and knowledgeable when I asked for suggested wine pairings. Even though we came in for a later dinner on a weeknight, at no point did I feel rushed which was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this place for birthdays and date nights when you want to have a relaxed, delicious dinner out. The eats: Butternut squash soup was one of the best I've had Foie Gras terrine was delicious but VERY savory. It was a little much just for one person on their own to get through for an appetizer. Can't complain for too much food though right? Onion tart is out of this world if you're in to caramelized onions. Miller style trout is a YES. I have never had a trout prepared better then this one was. I am such of fan of this dish it's ridiculous. The veggies were great too. Get it. Beef bourguignon was also a great dish and probably my second favorite thing we got. All of the desserts were amazing but the BEST was the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. Heaven in your mouth. It's basically a layered deliciousness of puff pastry, cream, and fresh raspberries.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:55:04" }, { "business_id": "NZ1lZIb10-6AbftpygLwMQ", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 4, "text": "Clutch pizza in a pinch! I love all of the different combos you can get there. Really it can be a bit overwhelming there are so many delicious ideas. The great thing is though, is that the thin crust situation allows you to get multiple slices without getting too full so you can try a bunch of them. My favorite slice so far is the Veggie #2: fresh chopped organic tomatoes, basil, arugula, garlic, cubes of fresh mozzarella, and organic tomato sauce...noms Try and get there right as the pizzas are coming out so you have the most choices! Right around 5pm for the dinner round.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:58:47" }, { "business_id": "sTPueJEwcRDj7ZJmG7okYA", "business_name": "Jim's South St", "rating": 4, "text": "There's something about Jim's that is legendary. The whole experience is what I think keeps Philadelphians going to this famous cheesesteak house on south street. It's a little grimy, the service a little rough, the seating a little like you're back in a crappy college dining center...but all of that is ok. It's ok because you have the intoxicating smell of meat and fried onions clinging to you (actually it will cling to your jacket for weeks) and delicious greasy food to munch down on. I'm a fan of Jim's. I'm the biggest fan at 1 am when I'm leaving a bar and need a sloppy mess for a pre-hangover cure. Extra whiz with please! (Extra cheese whiz and onions)", "timestamp": "2013-11-06T20:22:37" }, { "business_id": "qsm7SkX60JsajT7Yz248FA", "business_name": "Café Soho", "rating": 4, "text": "Cafe Soho is the highlight to the Sunday football scene at our house. Someone goes and grabs a couple large orders of wings and brings them back downtown in time for 1pm kick-off. The meat is crazy good. This is a whole level of chicken wings. The meat is moist and flavorful while the outside is lightly fried and crispy. Great sauces, never over/under dressed. Our favorites: Ginger soy Spicy chili Sweet & Spicy boneless Beware, you will probably eat your weight in this bad boys", "timestamp": "2013-11-22T20:42:45" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been having some seriously good brunch dates to The Dandelion over the past month. I wanted to check back on my last review and was ashamed of my previous 3 star review. Right now the Dandelion is kicking 5 star butt for brunch in my opinion. Today I sat down and immediately ordered tea and scones. The scones came out warm and absolutely amazing. They switched up the jam from raspberry to more seasonal cranberry (thanksgiving....so soon!!!) which I found to be extremely good! I got my typical brunch order of poached eggs over bubble and squeak. My new trick is that I order a side of smoked salmon to add to it so It becomes some sort of eggs Benedict eggstravagenza. I also got the chicken and horse radish dumpling soup to go after hearing a raving review about it. Now, while sitting in bed...I am enjoying the most amazing bowl of soup. Ive never had anything quite like it! The dumplings are sort of a noodley texture with a horse radish aftertaste. I love how the veggies are roughly chopped, in particular the halves of pearl onions. Tasty tasty.", "timestamp": "2013-11-24T21:48:28" }, { "business_id": "u4YM2N8-9Q2tr7kEU-ubGQ", "business_name": "Melodies Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok, so the coffee is good. However, it takes forever (understaffed) and call me a loser but I miss Milk Boy. I came in yesterday for a vanilla latte on my way to class and had the unfortunate experience of waiting about 10 minutes for it and was late. It was super tasty....but I can't rely on this place for a grab a coffee on the go experience.", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:46:14" }, { "business_id": "_V6hl1oGkTV2KbGeax_HPA", "business_name": "Sang Kee Peking Duck House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the place to order peking duck. So rightfully named! We grabbed takeout from here after realizing that our normal go to Shiao's was closed for the evening. We were thankfully not disappointed! The fried pork dumplings were super tasty. I was popping them like popcorn! Other dishes were also super tasty but in particular the peking duck was the stand out. It just fell right off the bone practically begging me to eat it. I was eating a drumstick just on it's own. I'll be back to taste more. Sang Kee I got my eye on you!", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:49:23" }, { "business_id": "-lVEVi3vtQ8_L9kKT0bBwQ", "business_name": "Le Chéri", "rating": 5, "text": "Yes, yes, and yes! I am so excited to call Le Cheri my new neighbor. Chef Pierre and Charlotte have jumped right in to the Rittenhouse Restaurant scene with a distinct splash! Le Cheri has all the same charm as their first restaurant, Bibou, but with the room to accommodate a much larger crowd. Currently BYOB but they will begin serving their selection of French wines and open bar next week. I am truly excited to see where this place goes in the next couple of months. The menu is already mouth watering with the funkiness of Bibou mixed with a couple more traditional french dishes. Modestly priced, I was pretty surprised to notice. Around $22-28 dollars and the appetizers not over $10. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) for Charlotte and Pierre, I think I am going to be hanging around this spot A LOT. What we got: French onion soup Breaded pork terrine with side cornichons Beef bourguignon with house made tagliatelle Roasted bronzino with wine soaked salsify as well as a salsify puree Warm apple tartine with cinnamon ice cream Obviously everything was out of this world. I highly recommend everything we got...but also encourage you to order anything there because you just can't go wrong. I'll be back ASAP to try more! PS. They are booking up FAST FAST! Get your reservations now", "timestamp": "2013-12-06T01:42:15" }, { "business_id": "sy7ADvpBA7SfHwbY-Y_5gw", "business_name": "Valanni", "rating": 4, "text": "Valanni! How have I overlooked you for this long? I took my family out for my sisters bday dinner and wanted to try something new. So glad we stumbled upon this modern and fun spot. My only complaint was that our table for a party of 5 was small! However, we worked together and could come up with the right amount of room for each wave of tapas. What we got: Lamb lollipops Figs in blankets Chorizo flatbread Grilled octopus Firey potatoes (basically patatas bravas) Buffalo chicken croquettes Brussel sprouts Meat and seafood paella Oreo beignet Rum bananas Cheesecake We split everything and found ourselves the right amount of full at the end! The stand out favorites were the grilled octopus, brussel sprouts (believe it or not!), and the paella. With that said....everything else was also amazing. I am pretty impressed with Valanni and plan on coming here in the near future with a group of friends. It's a good place to order a lot of interesting dishes and grab a drink before going out on a Saturday. Speaking of drinks...the mojitos are bomb! Some of the best I've had in a while! In summary, I'm digging Valanni. I think it stands out on its own from the current Philly restaurant scene in that it taps into a wide variety of cultural dishes but with its own unique twist. The menu was fun with lots left on it that I would like to try out!", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:03:34" }, { "business_id": "h5jnFlvF55kDWC_GGlKMAQ", "business_name": "Llama Tooth", "rating": 4, "text": "Truffle, mushroom mac & cheese..... Seriously I dare some one to try and make something more delicious and comforting than that. I could not stop shoveling the cheesy mess in to my mouth...just typing this is taking me back to how good it was. Yea, I ordered other things (cuban, gyro, burger) but the mac & cheese took the cake. I'll be back for more (This was a take out order)", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:06:03" }, { "business_id": "xWfm4AwLZr-B97fYVsIgCA", "business_name": "Tria Taproom", "rating": 4, "text": "I am such a huge fan for anything Tria....and it holds true for this new location. I stopped in to grab a drink and catch up with a friend. Had a great time sitting at the bar! I love the space and it is a serious upgrade from the previous Rum Bar. The taps behind the bar are exciting and unlabeled (at least to the customer's eye ;) ). It gives the place a casual sort of elegance. Lots of table space in the back which I am sure I will be using in the near future. I couldn't help myself and ordered two appz before going home to eat dinner. We got the mussels and the grilled asparagus with truffle vinaigrette. Both were delicious. What I thought was most impressive about Tria Taproom was the amount of attention we were given by the bartenders. GREAT service. I'll be back soon to try more!", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:21:04" }, { "business_id": "d_tRshM-w6S4QxE4VVi8tQ", "business_name": "Jones", "rating": 2, "text": "I've refrained from writing a review for Jones for the longest time....close to 6 months now. I'm finally caving and acknowledging the fact that it hasn't happened just because this place is Meh. It's not bad...but it's not good. Most of the time I order Jones on grubhub so I can stuff my face with their thanksgiving dinner like I did recently while in mourning over thanksgiving being over. It is what it is...comfort food. Not a place that I go out of my way to eat at.", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:28:23" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing quite like brunch at Lacroix. It's one of the best eating experiences I've ever had time and time again. My favorite is to go with my boyfriend and seriously dive in to our inner foodies for 2 hours. The atmosphere is beautiful, especially on a nice day with a window seat overlooking all of Rittenhouse square. Lacroix is one of a kind in that aspect. The experience is something you need to see for yourself...but I can do my best to describe it here as simply as I can. Buffet style like you've never quite seen before. It spans multiple rooms where the first is a table filled with cold appetizer items as well as a raw bar filled with oysters, cocktail shrimp, sushi, and caviar. Oh yeah, and everything is mini served on their own mini dishes or in mini glasses (see photo). To dive in to some bigger entree items you have to walk back in to the kitchen and get it yourself. The staff is so friendly and helpful. In particular the person who is manning the meat selections asks you what cut you would like and suggests an accompanying sauce. You can miss the dessert table because it stares at you right before you walk into the kitchen and then reminds you again to save room for dessert because one of the first things waiting in the kitchen is a huge chocolate fountain. There are some staples that brunch at Lacroix sticks too: duck confit, gnocchi, sauteed wild mushrooms (YUUUMM)...but for the most part the selections rotate with the seasons. Seriously enjoy yourself! Take the time to explore and let your inner foodie run wild. You won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-12-15T21:19:52" }, { "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my bestie to Farm and Fisherman for her Bday dinner. Overall great meal and service. Such a nice little BYO to add to my list. Neither of us ordered an entree, instead we each got a First Course and two Second Courses of appz which gave us a lot of variety to share. My favorite dish was the grilled octopus. It was cooked absolutely perfect....very tender and not chewy at all. One thing that did disappoint me was the lack of fish on the menu. There was an artic char entree but that was it. I guess I was just surprised/mislead by the name of restaurant and was expecting a little more seafood in my meal. I'm going with a solid 3.5 stars but bumped up to 4 since they let us stay past close and finish our bottle of wine. Will be back to try again", "timestamp": "2013-12-21T20:09:23" } ]	{ "business_id": "O1XwKgUYNI_YBXnOqgaTaw", "business_name": "Talula's Table", "rating": 5, "text": "Sooooo it happened....I got to eat at the famous Talula's Table for a 3 hr sit down dinner that was one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life. I happened to get lucky and was offered a spot as my Dad's date (uhhh SCORE) a couple days beforehand. With that being said, I did not have to wait the traditional 1 year for my reservation as will most of you if you ever want to get in on something special. As it still goes...reservations open at 7am on the day you want to eat 1 year from that day. Crazy. Town. I won't go in to ever detail of the courses we had, since they are subject to change on the regular, but will instead highlight the experience and the relaxed, casual but attentive service we enjoyed. We dined right in the middle of the local shop. At first, we stood for about half an hour as our party rolled in. Bubbly was poured as we were offered 3 standing hors d'oeuvres. One of the all time favorites of the meal happened to be one of these which was simply some smoke salmon on top of a tiny hashbrown. Simply...but so tasty. Next we sat down and had a cauliflower custard (I've attached a menu for complete food dets) before being served some of the best Gruyere cheesy bread ever. A couple courses followed (including a butternut squash soup over a lobster terrine...drool) and more amazing, out of this world brioche bread was served. More courses and then a round of different aged cheddar cheeses and dessert...and then truffles....and then cream puffs with the check. The courses are in smart porportions. Some a little larger than others but all carefully thought out so that they don't have to roll you out of the room half way through. The service was very attentive...so nice. This in my opinion is absolutely a must go to for all our true yelpy foodies. Go ahead and book it....then try and forget about it as best you can until it surprises you a year later. I thought the meal and experience was worth a go.", "timestamp": "2013-12-21T20:24:40" }
Zs8Zk3sgh5JxRmoZW4PJcg	[ { "business_id": "pm1bStJuol5XmxE_atZhCQ", "business_name": "Nom Nom Ramen", "rating": 5, "text": "Nom Nom Ramen may be my favorite place for Ramen in Philly. Not to mention it also won Best of Philly 2012 for ramen. The service is fast and friendly. I love walking in starving and knowing that I will be eating delicious soup in 5 mins. I have gotten all of the different varities that they offer: shio, shoyu, miso, and karai. I highly recommend the karai if you can handle spicy food! Otherwise I would go with the shio and add a little bit of sriracha hot sauce. I always add the extra soft-boiled egg and bean sprouts! Totally worth it! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:44:51" }, { "business_id": "688sqo63oc2y535vI2UbhQ", "business_name": "Pho Cali Vietnamese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely love Pho Cali! I go here once a week for a quick lunch break from work and am never disappointed. The service is very quick. I always order the Rare Steak Pho and a coconut drink. The broth is extremely flavorful- i personally load up on sriracha sauce, brown sauce (hoisin sauce i believe), and a good squeeze of one lime. They give a good amount of meat. If you are extra hungry ask for more noodles because sometimes the one portion that they give out is not enough. If you like coconut get the drink as well! Refreshingly sweet and comes with chunks of coconut at the bottom. Very good.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:50:52" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 5, "text": "DELICIOUS! If you are craving a healthy meal that actually has tons of flavor this is the place to go. I recommend all of the salad on the menu, but in particular the Taco Arugula Salad that got rated Best of Philly 2012. The peppery arugula pairs so well with the creamy cilantro dressing not to mention the salsa, corn, and black beans as well! Its a a taste bud adventure! If you are in the mood for a sandwich get the Hip City Ranch but ON A WRAP. It makes for one of the best wrap sandwiches I have ever had. You won't believe that the chicken is actually tofu! And the pickles spread out throughout the sandwich are a delicious surprise. Always look for the soup/chili winter specials at the front counter. They can be easy to miss! Also, be sure to order the Groothie! Pricey but worth it. One of the best smoothies I've ever had and its loaded up with green veggies", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:05:14" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Pho in Philly!!! Super fast service and the most delicious broth. Out of the way from china town but a must go to. Don't be confused by the 3+ other pho restaurants located in the same strip mall. Pho Ha all the way!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:50:01" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "There isn't a better place in the area for sushi. The service is unbelievably fast and the quality of fish is pretty great. However, the most amazing part about Vic's is that they have a $10 special...3 rolls of sushi of your pick for only 10 DOLLARS. I honestly couldn't believe it! The place is BYOB and great if there are less than 4 people because it is cramped. Really its the best for take out/delivery. Along with the $10 special I order a miso soup and seaweed salad. Enjoy :) On a side note, if you stray away from the special I highly recommend the Fantastic roll!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T21:51:28" }, { "business_id": "ipRXCy-0ChYK_569rPqzJQ", "business_name": "Square Peg", "rating": 3, "text": "The menu can be a little hit or miss here. The only reason I come to Square Peg is when I am craving their Mac&Cheese grilled cheese sandwich with a side of tomato soup. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like! Extra cheesy mac and cheese layered thick and surrounded by buttery, toasted bread. The tomato soup is thicker than most, but I enjoyed the extra spice that was in it...perhaps a little chipotle chili pepper. I was VERY disappointed in their wings. I had read a couple of great reviews about them but I found them pretty disgusting and actually sent them back. I found the flavor of the honey,chipotle,basil, and lime sauce to be very unflattering even though it sounds delicious. The meat was dry and a bit gristly. It seemed like they had been cooked too long or left under a warming lamp. Earlier in the summer they had white chocolate chicken wings which I much preferred to the current ones.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:01:11" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Absolutely amazing! The only reason why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is due to how crowded and therefore loud it can get. This is in no way a good spot for a romantic date or family dinner but instead great for happy hour or a dinner with a small group of friends or a first date! The food: Served in sort of a tapas manner and I like to get a bunch of plates and split with a friend. You really can't go wrong with what you decide on. My personal favorites are: the housemade lamb sausage, the pistachio herbed ricotta and lavender honey, truffled egg toast with fontina, and the grilled asparagus salad. My favorite is the asparagus salad...absolutely amazing and I've never had anything like it. It consists of Also order a cheese sampler! The menu is always changing just tell your server what you like and they will help out! As for the beer and wine list....one of the best in the city. Always changing and great descriptions listed on the menu so you can pick out what's the very best for you", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:11:51" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing food and great ambiance, what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, DRINKS! Those are great as well! My favorite time to go to alma de cuba is for Happy Hour. The downstairs bar area is the perfect escape to go to after work. Until 6:30 they have drink specials and 1/2 off of all of their appetizers. Great to go with a few friends and split some food! It also works as a great spot for a romantic date and has additional seating for dining upstairs. Must haves: Smoked albacore tacos, tuna tartar tacos, truffle guacamole, ceviche SAMPLER (pick a few of the ones that sound best), dorado. For drinks I love their black cherry caiprinha and white sangria. For dessert I highly recommend the coconut tapioca pudding. I often order this for take out as well because it is so good. It comes in a young coconut and you can scrape the sides of it off with your fork/spoon as you eat the pudding. Delish!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:20:24" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co is one of my favorite places in the city for happy hour or to start off a Saturday night! I was greeted at the top of the outer staircase by a bouncer in a sleek hat and automatically felt mischievous! He led my friends and I down the stairs and through the heavy front door into a room filled with a relaxed ambiance. The drinks are expensive but well worth your money...aka they make them STRONG. Especially under the category \"I asked for water she brought me gasoline.\" My personal favorite is actually not on the menu but every waiter will know what you are talking about. It's called the Mexican Firing Squad. I am partial to tequila and summer drinks and this absolutely did not disappoint. Served in a small glass with one large ice cube! Be careful about what time you go here. The later in the night it gets, especially on a friday or saturday, expect to wait in a 30 min to 45 min line. They also often have private parties during the week so have a back up bar in mind!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:05:24" }, { "business_id": "cOXc8c85Ms6dMEAJazLXHQ", "business_name": "McGillin's Olde Ale House", "rating": 4, "text": "Went for my first time this past Saturday night and had an absolute blast! Walked in at 12 am to \"I want it that way,\" by the Backstreet boys. Needless to say I was belting out the words with people I had met only seconds before. A very fun and friendly place! Plus, cheap drinks like a $6 dollar pitcher of PBR!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:42:20" }, { "business_id": "ELY0HI8GDEx0jkmREVna0A", "business_name": "Frankford Hall", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't get enough of this place! A little out of the way if you live in the center city area but worth the commute. I prefer the outdoor seating during all times of the year. Even during the winter the backyard beer garden has multiple heat lamps and fire pits that make it so you don't have to wear a jacket. The atmosphere is very friendly! Great for both going out with families and with friends. Make sure to grab a jenga set at the front if there isn't already one on your table! Order a few appetizers and sausages to share and a couple liters of beer on draft for yourself! My favorites for appz: Pretzel w/ cheese dip, cucumber salad (maybe my favorite), potato pancakes Sausage: Get the weisswurst! However, you really can't go wrong with what you order because all are great. All of the meat is from Illgs Butcher Shop where my family and I have been buying products for over 8 years now and have never been disappointed. Beer: Spaten Oktoberfest or Franziskaner Hefeweizen. You'll feel super cool with a liter mug but be sure to drink it fast otherwise it'll be a warm beer catastrophe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:16:29" }, { "business_id": "tBQcVd9c0EHKAXLZn_v54g", "business_name": "Bibou", "rating": 5, "text": "Outstanding! The best BYOB dining experience you can have in the city located in the italian market area. Be prepared and in the mood for an adventurous and savory meal! Bibou is petite and has a very homey feel to it. There is room for about 30 customers at a time. Charlotte is the hostess and manager of the restaurant, as well as the wife of the Chef Pierre. A very gracious host and makes you feel instantly welcome. The menu changes quite often since it's ingredients primarily come fresh from the neighboring market. This is also allows the chef to pick out a number of specials each night that are absolutely spectacular. Must Haves: - The Bone Marrow. It comes in a hollowed out bone and can be best described as the best thanksgiving stuffing you will ever it. I order a couple to share for the dinner party after appetizers and before entree. -Seasonal soup. I have never had a bad soup! The last was a cream of wild mushroom with chunks of crab meat. -Foie gras: Again seasonal but always inventive and delicious. Make sure to bring your own bottle of sauterne dessert wine which pairs beautifully with this appetizer! And last but not least...and don't say ew.. The foie gras stuffed, braised pigs feet over french lentils. Absolutely to die for! So much flavor makes this savory dish very unique to Bibou. I haven't come close to having anything like this in the rest of Philly, let alone in the US.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:41:36" }, { "business_id": "RleiW2_QLyxgNjFfqDoZpw", "business_name": "Modo Mio", "rating": 5, "text": "An off the charts amazing small, BYOB in Northern Liberties. Great service and even better food! My mind has been completely blown multiple times on how lovely of a place this is to eat. Great for a romantic date or small family dinner. Must Haves Appetizers: Cozze (muscles) with red/hot sauce Chicken liver bruschetta Carpaccio di Manzo (beef) Must Have Pasta: Agnolotti del Plin (rabbit stuffed ravioli in sage brown butter): SUPER YUM Lasagne: The over-easy egg on top is such a brilliant idea. The flavor and textures really work well together Bring white & red bottles!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:18:38" }, { "business_id": "vtSisxaozZ7HWpBl_W7VaQ", "business_name": "Time", "rating": 4, "text": "A great place for late night dancing on friday and saturday nights! The upstairs area is always packed and the DJs always produce a mixture of old and new music that get your feet moving if they weren't already! The downstairs live jazz area is also a great area for weekend nights depending on what mood you are in! I have not yet had a chance to eat dinner here but will do so and repost in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:24:40" }, { "business_id": "BxfvdHqETU8jWYUjx5OL2A", "business_name": "Shake Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "Disappointed. In part its due to the large hype surrounding the opening of Shake Shack's first Philly location. I wanted it to be great but it's just not what it is in NYC. Tasty burgers but a little too greasy and honestly gave me a stomachache the last time I ate one. I got the SmokeShack burger which has bacon, peppers, and \"ShackSauce\" on it. The fries are pretty delicious and I always order a side of cheese. The real reason to go to the Shack is for the concrete milkshakes. They have multiple mix ins and you design your own. The best I had was a fall special of pumpkin pie mixed with vanilla!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:32:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious and fast! Came in for a brief work lunch and was highly satisfied with how quickly our food came. I ordered exactly what the server recommended to me: indian pancakes, penang satay chicken and beef skewers, curry me with you tau foo, and the mango chicken. In particular i LOVED LOVED the chicken and beef skewers. The meat was so flavorful but the dipping sauce was to die for! I have never had a peanut sauce so great! The mango chicken was also outrageously good and is served in a carved out mango. Very pretty", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T17:02:02" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "DELICIOUS cupcakes. Very moist and flavorful. The icing is absolutely perfect. The only reason why I don't want to rate Philly Cupcake higher than I did is that it is a little expensive. $4 dollars for a cupcake seems silly when down the street I can get a $4 gyro and soda combo! However if you are craving a cupcake itll hit the spot! Favorite: The Black Velvet: For all you chocolate lovers this is the one to get. Dark chocolate cupcake with vanilla cream cheese frosting. I think they must use some cayenne pepper in it as well because it was surprisingly spicy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T20:02:03" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "An amazing experience every time I've gone (6-8 times since 2008). I highly recommend coming with a group of 4 or more so you each can really get a feel for the menu. Every plate is unique and delicious and a great opportunity to share and talk about food! Otherwise be sure to do the Chef's tasting menu where you will enjoy a wide selection of the tapas personally ($55/$65 per person). I personally have gone with the $65 but be prepared to eat!! Tons of food. Must Haves: Get a chacuterie board to start! Octopus, patatas bravas, HAM CROQUETTES, CRAB STUFFED PEPPERS, chorizo clams, truffles and asparagus, lamb chops Brunch: One of the best experiences I've had at Amada was for brunch. Two of the plates that really stood out for me were the chorizo con papas and the lemon ricotta pancakes. In particular the chorizo con papas was the perfect way to start my day. I do wish however that the egg has been done over easy as opposed to fried to give a little bit of moisture to the dish...but easy fix! Just ask the waiter when you order and they'll have to done for you.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T17:43:52" }, { "business_id": "kVTHnhgYUw-Pmr7wgDB4_g", "business_name": "Distrito", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Garces restaurant. Such a fun place to get food. Always super busy since it's located on Penns campus. Not to mention it's also great for delivery! One of the best dining experiences I've ever had was a family dinner and we got the Frida Kahlo's tasting menu. Its the same as the Diego Rivera one however they mention that for a few courses you will get entrees that aren't on the menu....and oh boy! They DO NOT disappoint. By the time we all thought the meal was over...our waiter and two other servers show up with platters of steamed lobsters with a spicy seasoning, the diver scallops, and the carne asada. Absolutely amazing! A must have experience! Must Haves: Crab guacamole, tuna & hiramasa ceviches, TORTILLA SOUP (the best in the city), hongos huarache, pretty much all of the tacos but the MAHI MAHI & CARNE KOBE tacos are my favorites, the CARNE ASADA, and a side of sweet plantains. Order the seasonal frozen margarita although drink prices are a little steep there. Now to go into more detail about why I said Distrito has my favorite tortilla soup in the city. The tomato/chili broth is savory and has a great spice to it. A little more creamy than traditional tortilla soup but I don't mind, actually enjoy it more! The chicken is so soft it falls apart in your mouth. Micro cilantro is a great touch. I do wish they would put a little more cheese in it...but thats my only complaint! ***For tortilla soup fans....the best tortilla soup I've had in PA is from a small place on germantown avenue in mt. airy called Mi Puebla. Worth the adventure!", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T20:56:04" }, { "business_id": "fYSaoJMOj7-r4XWEuYjRxw", "business_name": "Bleu Martini", "rating": 2, "text": "I have only been here on Saturday nights before things get really busy to grab A quick drink with my friends. Why just one drink? The prices are pretty expensive and the drinks not very strong. It is a nice to listen to music and get ready to go out dancing...but leave before it gets crowded (~1130pm) PS. BOOOBIES. Seriously all the bartenders have their boobies out. If you're into that. Go. I couldn't even stop staring and I'm stick straight. ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:07:55" }, { "business_id": "XU3Fe8I8dD3FaOmzAQXLnQ", "business_name": "Spread Bagelry", "rating": 4, "text": "YUM YUM YUM! These bagels are unlike any I've ever had. The brick oven makes them a little more doughy then regular bagels and I absolutely love it. My favorite is getting \"the classic\" sandwich with whitefish instead of salmon on a plain bagel. Their white fish spread is absolutely amazing. Another plus is that you can order bagels/white fish/salmon/cream cheese the day before and have the order ready for pick up the next day if you are hosting a party and want Spread Bagelry featured at your house! Do be prepared to wait in a line if you are showing up on a weekend during prime brunch hours but FEAR NOT...there is usually live music playing outside and everyone is very friendly.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:14:37" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 3, "text": "Don't get me wrong...the food here is out of this world....like really really great quality food. The atmosphere is wonderful and the upstairs is absolutely gorgeous with a sun room porch feeling to it. However, the food is very very expensive and I have had some of these same dishes before for almost half the price. I am not even close to being stingy about spending money on food...but this place did set me back a little since each entree is at least 30 bucks. So just be prepared for that! Must Haves: Appetizers: potato crocchetta Pastas: fusilli w/ blue crab and uni crema, tortellini w/ lobster chives and black truffle, and the PAPPAREDELLE with boar (my favorite) Entree: Braised veal cheeks & suckling pig", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:29:49" }, { "business_id": "sDi3UPW6imj4wGHUg7CgXg", "business_name": "Teresa's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply the best. If you are really into great beer and food (as you all should be) this is the place to go. Completely worth the commute out of the city. If you are familiar with Monk's in the Rittenhouse Square Area....Teresa's Next Door puts it to shame! Honestly all of the food is amazing here. I get a little overwhelmed trying to figure out how to right a concise and informative review of this amazing spot but I will do my best. The atmosphere is amazing. Small space that has the bar span most the length of it. The background of the bar is filled with 100s of varieties of pint glasses specific to each beer you will order from the 15 pg or so Beer List. Unforgettable. Great for dates and small get togethers. MONDAYS: BUCK A SHUCK. Usually small variety west coast oysters...don't miss it! Must Haves: Crispy Artichokes Check out the cheese list. Always great selections! THE MUSSELS. Any of them. Best mussels I've ever had just do it! If I had to pick I would go with the Drunken: dark beer, chorizo, red pepper, shallot, and garlic. ugh YUM Chicken apple sausage sandwich Game Burger: make sure to try the caramelized leeks/beer battered onions as one of your toppings. HOBBIT RIBS. Order right when you get there they take 30-40 mins! LOBSTER ROLL: Originally labeled as the DOWN EASTAH. Dear god...one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had. A must!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T14:50:28" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "Looks like hiro is on the up&up. They have new lamenated menus w/ a choice of 4 different ramens: chicken soy, miso, pork, and vegetarian. Had the chicken soy for the first time! Very tasty. However, I still prefer the pork and the vegetarian. Since ramen traditional comes with pork belly (a fatty meat), the fattiness of the chicken was a little weird. I don't know. I guess I would just rather be eating pork fat than chicken fat :) PS. Jefferson Hospital Employees get $1 off! Woohoo", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:02:24" }, { "business_id": "7Klk8UuK1sdJt5_44eUtDg", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 4, "text": "Never thought I would rate a Starbucks...but I had to because this one is the best Starbucks in the city! Located on Jefferson Hospital's campus. Great place to study and relax (separate room). Very busy starbucks but the service is quick and SUPER friendly. Love it here.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:04:34" }, { "business_id": "-AanHawaDlzWHQjrqRRWig", "business_name": "Au Bon Pain", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Its a good spot to stop if you need to grab something quick and are in a hurry...but there is a Wawa 2 blocks away and you should probably just go there. The sandwiches are usually dry. Do not recommend. However, I work nearby and often grab the broccoli cheddar soup and a piece of bread for a snack. Not as good as Panera's broccoli cheddar...but pretty decent.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T20:18:58" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 4, "text": "Had a great lunch experience here yesterday! I ordered the Cavatappi which was absolutely delicious. The smokey pulled pork throughout the pasta was amazing. What really made the dish was the sauce. I really wish I knew how to make a tomato sauce like that! My friend got the burger and enjoyed it! Fries were extra tasty and came with some sort of aioli dip. Can't wait to come back for dinner in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T21:25:49" }, { "business_id": "OLkS4jfozQpUIUq0K6t_IQ", "business_name": "Underdogs", "rating": 4, "text": "What's better than getting a chili cheese dog @ 1 am on a Saturday night? Well...not much! Great experience at Underdogs this weekend. Service was quick. Fries were amazing! Got the chipotle mayo and utah fry sauce (kinda like a sriracha mayo) for dipping. Signed up for the Underdogs challenge. Time to get my name up on that wall! Will post my favorite sausage & hotdog at the end", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:14:15" }, { "business_id": "YO9Ycz_chfmoW4WI9Ou0ag", "business_name": "Drinker's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Had a fun time at Drinker's upstairs area on a Saturday night. Gets pretty crowded but if you are able to snag a table it makes the experience ten times better! Danced to old 90s hip hop and some oldies! Woo! Typical bar/drinks. I always snag a yuengling or yards ipa before lemon drops ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:19:33" }, { "business_id": "tzVLTQNUtiCAxUZmEuF0vQ", "business_name": "1 Tippling Place", "rating": 4, "text": "Love 1 tippling place for small group chats at happy hour or starting off your Saturday night. The inside is very charming! Small interior with an antique feel. The front of the place has a couple separated sitting areas with couches and lounge chairs. The back of the room runs along the bar and has more sitting options around high bar tables. I recommend the front if its open! The drinks are exceptionally good and you'll get your money's worth (10-12 dollars). Similar to Franklin and Mortgage Investment Company (if you have not been you should go there as well :) ) Must Have: Tequila Honey Suckle! Yum yum yum! Strong tequila at first but completely softened by the honey after each sip. Delicious", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:27:46" }, { "business_id": "2WGnykxiM-Mp-qIm2u7iAw", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 4, "text": "Review intended for a PRIVATE PARTY: I organized our office holiday party for 30 people at Maggiano's this past weekend and had a fantastic experience. Party planning was made easy by choosing the Milano package ($35 food and $40 open bar per person). We were in the Napoleon room which was very pleasant with a nice classy touch. The service was absolutely phenomenal and definitely added to why the party was such a success. Food Line Up: Started with the bruschetta & sausage peppers and onions served on a buffet. The bruschetta was great! I was pleasantly surprised to find cannellini beans in it! Turned out to be very tasty. Got the Maggiano's house salad & caesar salad served to the tables family style. I recommend both but to request less dressing as it was a little drenched and I had some guests complain. For pastas we got spaghetti with meat sauce and the four cheese tortellini with pesto. Both good! Entrees were chicken parmesan and an eggplant parm for the veggie eaters. Great overall experience! :) Definitely would recommend for large parties", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:39:32" }, { "business_id": "c6hhh1Kpr7iau8qMH74w2Q", "business_name": "Pub On Passyunk East", "rating": 4, "text": "Can you say, Hipster City?! This is where the hipsters are...and hey, they might be on to something because this place is great! A very casual, laid back atmosphere. Dark setting. The perfect place to grab some beers with your friends. Always pretty crowded on friday and saturday nights so if you want a table try and grab one early. The beer list is written on a long-stretching chalk board above the bar. If you have trouble reading it they have a printed list that you can ask for. They have a pretty phenomenal beer selection including some of my favorite West coast breweries such as 21st Amendment. Tasty food as well! The pierogies rocked my socks off!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:17:21" }, { "business_id": "4J06--ty2Ydj1---IsArLw", "business_name": "Cantina Los Caballitos", "rating": 3, "text": "Come here for MARGARITAS. Absolutely phenomenal margaritas and over 10 flavors. You can also get them served however you'd like or in a pitcher for the table. My favorite was the blood orange! Yum, yum ,yum! The atmosphere is fun and typical decor of a mexican restaurant/bar. My group and I had great service and you are served complimentary chips and salsas. The salsas are delicious and spicy! Maybe too spicy for some so make sure you have your margarita in hand! I ordered the chicken tortilla soup and have to say I was very disappointed. In no way is this a traditional tortilla soup. It was more like a chicken and green chili stew...which tasted fine but it isn't what you ordered.", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:25:47" }, { "business_id": "mf0OyZ6DX2iKUFIV9TqFRQ", "business_name": "Moriarty's Restaurant and Irish Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Great Happy Hour spot for after work with a decent beer list that is half off during this time! Dark lighting and tons and tons of wall decorations. Such a fun place to sit with friends and relax after a long day! In particular I loved coming here during the Holiday's when they have all of their X-mas decorations up. Very charming. Good for grabbing a quick bite or for bar food nibbles. Try the wings!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T22:07:47" }, { "business_id": "nFiobSfZqWmoA8LyuVK3vw", "business_name": "The Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is intended for Afternoon Tea! What a great experience. Perfect for...and I know it sounds cheesy...getting together for a girl date, putting on cute dresses, and talking over tea. You have the choice of ordering two samplers...the only difference between the two is that one comes with a cocktail and the other does not. You order your own pot (i typically go with earl grey) and are presented with a tower of tea sandwiches, seasonal scones, and desserts. So much fun! Also ask your waiter for more sandwiches because it usually goes free of charge if you tell them which one is your favorite and how much you loved it ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:13:05" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Currently battling sleep at my office desk...that's right I am in an official food coma! I stopped by Jake's to pick up lunch today. Got the turbacon and a side of fried pickles. Do you miss thanksgiving? Well today I did but my craving was fully satisfied. The turbacon has turkey, stuffing, gravey, hashbrowns, and cranberry sauce all on a roll. It's a dream come true. The fried pickles were also delicious! They came in slices the size of silver dollars with a sriracha mayo dipping sauce. Yum yum!", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:18:39" }, { "business_id": "6GePX4W6Cl8LD68zUq_MAA", "business_name": "Rachael's Nosheri", "rating": 4, "text": "Rachael's Nosheri = Your hangover cure! I don't think a week has passed since I moved to center city (July 2012) that my apartment hasn't ordered delivery from Rachael's. Typical deli menu. My favorites are the turkey special & italian with everything on it (oil not mayo!). I also order the chicken soup which is simple and has a classic homey taste. One of the best things about Rachael's is it's hours. When most places are closed at 8 to 9 am....Rachael's is open for delivery! That's what makes it my hangover cure and Sunday morning knight in shinning armor. I order a breakfast egg, sausage, and cheese on a hoagie roll with a side of chicken noodle soup. PS. GET THE PICKLES. Honestly they are the best ever. I sometimes just order Rachael's to eat the pickles. They are so perfect. Not too vinegary and they are still super crispy.", "timestamp": "2013-01-23T19:38:17" }, { "business_id": "1cncsHKApeW1ubd5d9HoJw", "business_name": "Hop Sing Laundromat", "rating": 4, "text": "This isn't just a bar, it's an experience! I felt giddy when we finally found the door between 10th and 11th st on Race. We were let in by a bouncer who instructed us to sit down in a small room where he explained to us the rules. It was like being at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida where you wait and listen to someone prepare you for the ride ahead. Nice touch! Beautiful interior. Close attention to details so don't be afraid to get up and look around if you're into that. Drinks are totally worth the price. Reminded me of Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. Recommend: East Side is my favorite drink. I also enjoy one of the new specials called Crazy Horse but only if you like vodka...because it is HEAVY on the vodka. ;) Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:06:09" }, { "business_id": "rN3tOWABU_hSBvLdADSb4Q", "business_name": "Tazia Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here for happy hour with a few co-workers after reading about some great experiences from fellow yelpers. Unfortunately I wasn't blown away by this place. The happy hour specials are great...for example $3.50 for a fruit (pineapple, lychee, etc) martini. But I pretty much got exactly what I paid for and maybe even less...the martini was watered down and I felt like I was drinking lightly flavored juice. The service was slow... Not sure I will be going back anytime soon but I could be persuaded to give it another try. Maybe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:10:09" }, { "business_id": "fcpHrRopilvsBwUajFB5rw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Good food at a great price! I came by for a quick dinner after going out for happy hour with some friends. We ordered tons of dumplings....seriously TONS. My favorite were the Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns ( pork and scallion ) and the soup dumplings. My favorite entree we got blew my mind! We ordered it as a recommendation that we took from our server: pork with sauce noodle. Literally that is what it's called. We got it with mei fun noodles. The best way to describe it is like having an asian spaghetti with meat sauce that instead of tomato has a soy/hoison base. Cilantro was sprinkled all over the top. So. Good. Some negatives...I didnt like the fried rice (how can you mess up fried rice?). Some of the dumplings weren't super special to me. So with the pros and cons...this place is A-OK to me", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:20:29" }, { "business_id": "gQCKrqkalAc--4cuW_C_Ow", "business_name": "Tacconelli's Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "There is no where else in Philadelphia and the surrounding area where you can get pizza as good as Tacconelli's. Seriously, this pizza is the best. I normally go here with a large group of people 8+. This is the best way to do it so you can order tons of different pizza combos. You are limited to only 2 toppings per pizza (to keep the oven operating efficiently). The crust is super thin and the pizza sauce is absolutely delicious. Be prepared to have garlic breath for hours...but hopefully whoever you're smooching later will be at dinner with you anyways and will have the same problem! My favorite combos: plain cheese & sauce, sausage & onion, tomato & spinach. If you can handle spicy, and I mean really spicy, order a side of their homemade hot peppers. Remember to call in and reserve the amount of pizza doughs you want before you get here! BYOB & Cash Only !", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T14:54:39" }, { "business_id": "oU-vzdE38Nk6gAr4yDy6ew", "business_name": "Crumbs Bake Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "Not the best but certainly worth a try. I got a dozen of the small cupcakes to try the different flavors with my roomies. I found them to be pretty good...in particular the red velvet and the coconut cream. Dense and moist to make for an overall yummy experience. Ill be going back again soon", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:04:27" }, { "business_id": "QuU-a6FEcC_aZTgZkYFeLA", "business_name": "The Bards", "rating": 4, "text": "The Bards has great brunch! Went there this past Saturday with a group of friends after a big night out and it was just what we needed. I ordered the eggs benedict and added Irish ham to it which was a great decision. The home fry potatoes that came on the side with onions and peppers were absolutely perfect. If you're in to bloody marys they have a great mix here! Yum! Bards is also a great spot to grab some beers for a sports game or for Thursday night Quizzo. All around great Irish Pub that puts its next door neighbor THE Irish Pub to shame.", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:28:07" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "I love dropping in to Capogiro every few weeks to try the new flavors...and this past weekend did not disappoint! I was really craving some sorbetto and got a combo of kiwi and pineapple mint. The pineapple mint was probably one of the best flavors I've ever had! So let me make it clear...if they have it, you must get the:PINEAPPLE MINT SORBETTO. I also love the cucumber sorbetto which they did not have this past weekend. Any of the gelatos are a must. In particular I crave the Thai coconut. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:35:35" }, { "business_id": "ueAkLzWFFTzQkq3jzyBlnA", "business_name": "Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "The clouds have parted... and there at the center, is a huge bowl of Pho. Absolutely delicious and enlightening (thus the first sentence) lunch experience at Pho Xe Lua today! I felt almost treacherous ditching my normal spot, Pho Cali, and wandered a little further away from work to this spot. What a good idea and I will absolutely be coming here again in the near future. I got regular rare steak pho. The meat and noodle portions were large just with a regular bowl portion. What really made this pho exceptional was the broth. So savory and had the right amount of scallions and cilantro. My PIC (partner in crime) got the beef stir fry noodles. Also amazing! But really I'm a Pho girl and this will be my new go to spot for it.", "timestamp": "2013-01-29T21:29:27" }, { "business_id": "mlrYh-m3Zlqp9CTeSvdOsQ", "business_name": "Chix & Wings", "rating": 4, "text": "MMMmmmmmm what a pleasant surprise! I needed a quick lunch break from work and was craving some serious chicken nuggets. I was heading to Wendy's on the corner of 11th and walnut but bumped into Chick-a-licious before I could make it. Hurrah! I ordered the 7 piece boneless chicken, mashed potatoes & gravey, and corn. I got honey mustard and the sweet chili dipping sauces (my fav). The chicken was so fresh! I watched them batter and fry it right in front of me. The meat was delish and had 0 fat. Very pleased with this discovery and will go back ASAP.", "timestamp": "2013-01-31T16:50:42" }, { "business_id": "8j3blTZChklt3j89jxx0fw", "business_name": "Brauhaus Schmitz", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is for restaurant week. What's better than a liter of beer and huge portions of goulash, potato pancakes, and sausage? Not much! Had a fun experience here for restaurant week. The menu was a bit limited since their regular menu is so so large, so I felt a bit limited but was not completely disappointed. I ordered the hungarian goulash. Not like goulash you can get abroad. It resembled more of a what I called, \"a european chili.\" I also got the kale salad which was a huge like! I don't think I've ever had just plain kale in a salad before but it was so good. It had a roasted garlic dressing, thin red onions, and shaved smoked gouda. I was disappointed with the sausage selections my table got (weisswurst, bratwurst, and baurenwurst) . Overall I felt they were relatively flavorless and demanded some serious mustard attention. This is in comparison to the sausages you can get at Frankford Hall which comes from Ilg's Butcher shop where the sausages are unbelievable. I am looking forward to going back again and getting the house sausage and others that were not available on the restaurant week menu. The Braushaus Housbrau was very good. Easy to drink and great to wash down the food :)", "timestamp": "2013-02-05T23:23:47" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 4, "text": "Mmmm what's for Supper? Well for me it was the sweet potato soup with the smear of homemade marshmallow around the rim of the bowl and the scallops. The soup was spicy but sweet and had a thickness to it that was perfect. The scallops were cooked to perfection and the truffle on them is a great touch. The sauteed greens that came with the scallops were a little tough but not bad! For the table we shared the Tamale fries and the Chicken wings. CHICKEN WINGS ARE A MUST. I cant get over how delicious they are. Sugar, salt, pepper and falls right off the bone. Tasty appetizer for the table. Love the atmosphere here. Plan on coming back soon!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:34:37" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "Yum. Thank you Honest Tom's for renewing my hope for Philadelphia's burrito scene. Best chicken burrito I've had outside of New Mexico. Honestly (ha) this place is as good as it gets. From the chicken to the beans...everything is well flavored and fresh making a great, cheap, & quick meal. They also make their own salsas which are delish and worth a try. If you like it hot, you'll be in love!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:45:59" }, { "business_id": "2YyIIdwnYv5cApn1gZo_gw", "business_name": "Field House", "rating": 4, "text": "Very pleased with going to The Field House for Mardi Gras last night! The specials were great: $3 dollar Abita drafts, $5 hurricanes, $5 soco lime shots Abita's Purple Haze may be one of my favorite beers for all time (you can find in specialty craft beer stores by the can) and I couldn't believe I was drinking pints of it for 3 dollars each. In general the beer list is pretty good and during happy hour it's $2 dollars off all local brews. I came with a big group of people (10) and we took over the benches up in front by the stage. Great drinks, fast service, and a couple orders of the Kettle Chips (braised beef, jalapenos, gouda, salsa...uhhh yum) made for a great after work party", "timestamp": "2013-02-13T19:46:32" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 4, "text": "Yum! I've been meaning to try this spot for some time now and decided that going on a little V-Day Lunch Adventure was just what I needed today. Turns out it was a great choice! Love the space. Very casual and fun. Feels like being in a market/kitchen area. I didn't get a chance to browse the initial cheese, charcuterie, and dessert counter but I will be coming back in the near future to do so! From what I saw there was a chocolate cake with bacon peanut butter icing...MMMM yes please I ordered the half sandwich and soup combo. The pasta fagioli was very fresh and perfectly cooked. Now, the cuban sandwich was amazing. I'm pretty picky about these and I loved mine. The bread was crispy & thin. The portion of meat was generous. Homemade pickles and mustard....plus untraditional gruyere cheese. Delish and absolutely recommend!", "timestamp": "2013-02-14T19:13:42" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 3, "text": "El vez is a good spot to stop by for happy hour. The margaritas are delicious and they normally have a decent beer selection. The guacamole is good (but pricey depending on what you get). My two favorites are the Morales (truffle) and the Indian Red Lopez (crab, cilantro, and salsa) guacamoles. I love the tortilla soup here. Much MUCH MUCH better than at Starr's other mexican spot, El Rey. Can't go wrong with the tacos. This place is good but not the best. I think its a nice spot for getting together with a larger group of friends for dinner or just for a casual happy hour.", "timestamp": "2013-02-18T16:05:11" }, { "business_id": "jHeT7dodT4fN1SD3QEFoAA", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 4, "text": "Oink oink oink! This place is appropriately named and deservedly so. The pork selections on the menu are each to die for. Really, the chef knows how to cook meat. Everything came out in a timely fashion and was cooked to perfection. Great family dinner experience. A dish that really stood out to me in particular was actually a dessert. We were so full we almost didn't ask for dessert menus...but alas my curiosity often overrides any smart decision to stop eating and thank goodness it did. I ordered the shortcake with maple syrup and bacon ice cream. YUP, BACON ICE CREAM. It was the best breakfast/dessert/smorgasbord I've ever had. Highly recommend saving room for this one! Look forward to coming again & also for brunch (gasp! didn't know they had one until recently)", "timestamp": "2013-02-20T16:08:37" }, { "business_id": "5Fm6khB-De-OdqATep9J9Q", "business_name": "NYPD Pizza", "rating": 2, "text": "Not a bad spot to stop in for a quick lunch. I came a little after the initial lunch rush and I think it limited my options. There wasn't much variety to the leftover pizza. I ended up getting a slice of the cheesesteak pizza and a slice of mushroom and cheese. The cheesesteak pizza was pretty good. White pizza with tons of american cheese and steak meat. There were also dollops of cheez whiz. I did wish it had red sauce but I asked the counter for a side which they were more than willing to provide! The mushroom pizza was super eh. I should have just gone with a slice of plain cheese that seemed to be the freshest. It was like heating up an old piece of pizza. I showered the entire thing with hot peppers which made it better. Good price & quick service tho.", "timestamp": "2013-02-21T21:32:49" }, { "business_id": "qCpdeQYPf9i1EZhTnQgjtg", "business_name": "The Foodery at Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a great addition to the Rittenhouse Square Area. I had an absolutely wonderful time stopping by the new Foodery after happy hour to check it out. Not only did they have some of my all time favorite beers that are hard to come by (ex. Prism Red Zone!) they also were stocked with an interesting and diverse selection of bottled beers that the employees were more than willing to walk you through them. We got our beer selections and sat down at the large picnic table. Right now they only do sandwiches and some sides..but I wanted just charcuterie so the server happily sliced me a little of everything free of charge so I could try it out. We also got a side of potato chips and the marinated artichokes which were super yum. Great experience! Nice place to stop with friends and try out some funky beers!", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:10:40" }, { "business_id": "HS5CfzQ_gOJHgqwtv9rvNQ", "business_name": "Ladder 15", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to a fundraiser for happy hour yesterday. It was pretty decent. There were $5 dollar mixed drink specials that were surprisingly boozy. The food was OK. All fried appetizers. The winner was the fried mac and cheese squares. I could eat dozens of those. I really like the ambiance of Ladder 15. They had a fire going and the lighting is pretty dim. Makes for a cozy happy hour with your friends.", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:13:03" }, { "business_id": "AfassS1QI0DHsqwuof9-lA", "business_name": "Dirty Franks", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple of my friends and I had a great time finding this Dive Bar on the corner of 13th & Pine. The best part about it was...BYOF...Bring Your Own Food! We brought in a ton of wings (from moriarty's) and sat down with a couple of beers to hang out for Happy Hour before going out for the rest of the night. People of all ages but apparently similar music tastes because I could not get enough of how great the juke box selections were for the evening! Anything from Bob Marley to some 90s Pop. I was lovin' it They had Purple Haze (Abita) on tap. Obviously adds a whole star to my review. I can't get enough of this beer. My one big problem with this place is that there wasn't a good spot for all of my friends and I to sit together (6 of us). The tables can only accommodate up to 4 so we had to play musical chairs for a little while.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T20:35:40" }, { "business_id": "ZDdNEwBENLXBT3jjQD5STQ", "business_name": "Giwa Korean Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "Gimme korean chicken tacos all day every day! Love this tiny spot for grabbing a quick lunch. I have to say that I have not yet ordered anything else from the menu because the tacos are all I need. Both the pork and the chicken are delicious but I prefer the chicken. Tiny tortillas stuffed with spicy chicken, cheese, sour ccream, lettuce, onion, cilantro, and sticky rice. The spicyness of the chicken seeps into the rice it's absolutely fantastic. They put a heaping amount of cilantro on each taco which really makes it! Be sure to grab some of the hot sauce for dipping! I dip my side cucumbers in as well :) Some day I will be back to try something else off the menu...but not today", "timestamp": "2013-03-04T16:08:52" }, { "business_id": "7mpYTDb24SywNMRn3yeakQ", "business_name": "The Twisted Tail", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great place to stumble upon! We wanted to grab a bite to eat before a 7pm concert at the TLA and thankfully found The Twisted Tail. The cocktails were delicious. I had the black cherry gimlet and the kool kat. The gimlet was sweet but the lime juice added a tartness that made it perfect. The kool kat was refreshing and a tasty way to start off the night. As we were having our cocktails and waiting to order, the waiter brought out fresh house popcorn with bacon and rosemary butter. YUM What we ordered: Soup of the day: Pumpkin Chipotle glazed wings Cesar salad with cornbread croutons Blackened catfish BBQ spare ribs I would strongly recommend the pumpkin soup if they have it. It was the best I have ever had! It had a strong pumpkin flavor but was sweetened with what almost felt like a marshmallowy taste. The soup was thickened adding to the marshmallow aspect of the dish. The BBQ ribs were also very tasty! Even better is on the side were deep fried cornichons. I've fallen in love with these. This should be the only way to fry pickles.", "timestamp": "2013-03-07T15:14:48" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 4, "text": "Happy to stop in to Vernick to catch up with an old friend. She had never been and was very pleased overall with the experience (as she should be!) The food was spectacular as always. The service was quick and helpful. We split a mixture of toast/ raw bar/ and small plates over wine. The tuna poke is still my favorite! So delicious Vernick is not getting my usual 5 star rating because their desserts are not what they use to be. I think this is on account of the dreaded change in pastry chef. This makes me the saddest.... Goodbye delicious pies. The date cake wasn't what it was last time I went (~1month ago). It wasn't as moist and a little too dense. With a change of pastry chef should come a change in menu! I'm ready for it, Vernick!", "timestamp": "2013-03-08T19:23:31" }, { "business_id": "YBak8o0xCiNN4sXr3izLbg", "business_name": "Barcade", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok...I was so excited to finally spend a night at Barcade with a handful of friends for a birthday party and was pretty disappointed. We picked out this place specifically to come to after a day at Frankford hall (da best obvi) because of the amazing beer list and full intention to get rowdy with some throw back video games. When we got there around 9pm the place was so full it was hard to even move around. Any dream of playing a video game was shattered by the lines in front of each machine. Instead we settled at a table after a bit of a wait until the music got turned up. For some reason the music got even louder than it already was with some sort of tortured rock that really hurt my ears. Needless to say we made a hasty retreat back to the center city area. With all this negativity....I am not completely turned off by this joint. I think timing is key and I need to come back at a less rowdy time to really enjoy what this place is...a place where you can be goofy and enjoy old games over a pint or two rather than get lost in a loud, claustrophobia-inducing crowd.", "timestamp": "2013-03-11T15:46:00" }, { "business_id": "Z5rqRyZ4-iEBRVXCRbysfA", "business_name": "Rogue's Gallery", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a hidden gem Rogue's Gallery is! I met up with a couple of friends for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised. Rogue's is off the beaten path of mainstream Rittenhouse Square Area and is a refreshing change of scenery from my normal go to places. The bar is the perfect combination of up-scale, divey-ness that is hard to explain until you see it. Our immediate reaction to the place was, \"Wow. We need to be regulars here,\" and I completely plan on making that happen! Great specials for happy hour. Can't wait to come back here to try the food or come dancing on a friday night!", "timestamp": "2013-03-20T18:34:00" }, { "business_id": "Tkx1AiQarmw0zc50GibtTA", "business_name": "Marathon On the Square", "rating": 3, "text": "Marathon does free deliveries on grub hub now!!! Fast service. Same old food...but if you're in a pinch for a burger/sandwich/salad it's nice. The smoothies are great! Love the mixed berry with honey!", "timestamp": "2013-03-22T16:29:07" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 4, "text": "I love to see Drury street becoming a serious destination for Saturday nights. Not that McGillins wasn't holding down the fort on it's own, but now the spill into the street from both packed establishments makes it a really exciting place to be. I can't wait for the summer! Anyways, Bru has the right stuff to become a great spot to grab drinks with friends for a night out. The pour your own pint in the front is amazing. Basically you load up a card with money, swipe, and ta dahhhh... you dispense your own beer like a soda fountain. I'm excited to see what selections they will have in the upcoming future. I think to start the choices were a little unoriginal...but I have high hopes! Haven't tried the food yet. Maybe next time :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T18:56:43" }, { "business_id": "OHzX-ZD9qyoeoxR8Z0dlIA", "business_name": "Khyber Pass Pub", "rating": 5, "text": "I. love. this. place. I can't put a finger on the exact reason why...but maybe that's why it's so great. There isn't just one thing that makes Khyber Pass a great place to go to. Saturday was gorgeous and we set out to try new places and get our day drink on. We landed at Khyber's and were immediately greeted with a surprisingly crowded but friendly atmosphere. The beer list is extensive and exciting if you are in to the beer scene. Lots of new things for me to try and the sudden surprise that...OH MY DEAR LORD THEY HAVE PO BOYS, and lots of them! I got the cat fish po boy with a side of collard greens and the mac and cheese. Heaven. Seriously. What is better than an afternoon of funky beers over fried fish and mac with your friends. Nothing. :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T19:03:37" }, { "business_id": "waafKhA-LtJSZXlECyfEXw", "business_name": "New York Gyro Halal Food Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been here 20+ times in the past couple of months and my feelings have not changed for how amazing this place is for lunch. Quick, cheap, & delicious. Best $4 dollars I've ever spent (Except really I give them $5 :) )", "timestamp": "2013-03-26T18:48:13" }, { "business_id": "RFYlmTjgwhOsm7qJwW1G9w", "business_name": "Alfa American Tavern", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Perhaps it's because we came here on the later side of a Saturday night but I found it over crowded and stuffy. To be far, I was in a larger group so we ourselves were kind of crowding up the place but even so I couldn't really talk to everyone and we had to break up a bit. I had a hard time getting to the bar, which can be frustrating for a little redhead. However, once I did I was pleased with my drink choice: Kate Middleton. I'll try it again, but not on a Saturday night", "timestamp": "2013-03-28T14:16:45" }, { "business_id": "ePs4Z_Nqsm5-kQk_hAp2Dg", "business_name": "Irish Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh the Irish Pub...I was too harsh on you. For a place to go out for drinks with a group of friends, no matter what night of the week it is, I find myself at the Irish Pub at least once a week. Whether it's a weekday night and I try to monopolize the jukebox with DJ Saraah's Greatest Hits or a Friday/Saturday night with a rotation of visiting DJs, the music is loud and sets a booty wigglin, drink guzzling atmosphere to forget the rest of the world outside of the pub. A good spot for celebrating but get there before the night rush if you want to have good standing room. It can get crowded pretty fast but hey, with cheap drinks and fast service what else would you expect?", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:15:49" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "AHOY Seafood Connoisseurs! The Dump Dinner does not disappoint! Did the Dump Dinner again with a group of 10. Still my #1 dining experience in Philly. Delicious, messy, finger lickin' food in a classy establishment with a 2hr open bar. Count me in always.", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:21:29" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "My Boyfriend has a problem...and its Tea Do. He discovered this place a couple weeks ago and I lost him every day, and then multiple times a day to a mysterious bubble house that I hadn't been to in China Town. He started coming up with excuses for his addiction: I just worked out (bubbles help that?), my stomach hurts (ok...), and I'm sleepy (...). Needless to say my curiosity peeked and I was ready to make the trek to China Town to, \"grab some bub teas.\" I tend to like traditional milk with tapioca bubble teas, the coconut milk one being my favorite. My boyfriend on the other hand is obsessed with both the Grasshopper and the Tropical Twister but with tapioca bubbles not lychee. I've also ventured and explored the bursting bubbles such as strawberry. These are good but like I've already said, I'm a traditionalist. So now he has a Bub Tea PIC (partner in crime)....and it's getting a little embarrassing how often we go. :)", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T15:41:19" }, { "business_id": "OhSaEeJes7JLtk3MGMXXmg", "business_name": "Maoz Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "My healthy lunch go to during the work week. The falafel is fresh and really delicious, but what makes the place is all of the options from the buffet you can stock up on for your sandwich or salad. I prefer getting the falafel in a salad bowl because I can fit everything I want into the container. As you can imagine jamming additional snackie poos into the pita and falafel, which is already full to begin with, is pretty difficult. If you like spicy and fresh, I recommend getting the green chili and the cilantro sauces all over your falafel.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:24:36" }, { "business_id": "qh7T0rql3chxxuORLMse2Q", "business_name": "Yellow Juice Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Yellow Juice Bar loves Yelpers. First off I checked in and got $1 off a salad. Boom. I got a Mango Madness fruit blend with almond milk and the free banana twirl special featured on Yelp this week. That banana twirl is magic. I didn't know that being healthy could be so delicious. I'm a big big fan of banana gelato..and as far as I'm concerned, that is exactly what I ate.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:32:04" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm really torn up about Village Whiskey. Don't get me wrong, this a great place but for some reason I can't give it 4 stars. It's really hard to get a table here pretty much all the time. I've been a number of times and always end up standing in the back with a friend or two. Not terrible but also not ideal. I also had an annoying situation with the hostess when 5 of my friends and I were trying to squish and eat at a 2 person table while the entire middle booth (seats 6) was empty. We kept asking if we could move there since we were in the way of everything and had ordered food which was definitely not going to fit on the table. After about 20 minutes when our food arrived in heaping loads she let us move. Sorry I'm not Ryan Howard but this girl wants to eat her burger just as bad. On the up side the food and drinks are good. The beecharmer is my cocktail of choice and they always have good beers on tap. The truffled cauliflower on the pickle selections is amazing and a must have. I also am a big fan of the veggie burger. Best I've ever had. Heads up- They deliver. And this is normally the route I take if I just want food from here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:44:14" }, { "business_id": "0-7N3z_cb3Z1xMGDrbez6w", "business_name": "Le Virtu", "rating": 4, "text": "Looking for the perfect date night spot? You found it. Le Virtu is such a gem. It's classy but not too much so...the overall feel is very comfortable and homey. It set me up to chow down on some pasta and drink italian wine. Not much can beat that! The service was also amazingly friendly and warm. We spoke with the manager for a lengthy period of time about food traditions across Italy and, in particular, the food from Abruzzo where his grandfather is from (one of Le Virtu's main drawing pools). Appetizers: Fried rice balls Hearty chick pea soup is a must have. I feel like this can be easily overlooked but they use duck and rabbit stock....yum city. House-made Abruzzese-style sausage Charred octopus salad was also very good. Surprisingly refreshing. The octopus was very tiny and packed with flavor which is exactly how I like 'em Primi: We all got entree sized pasta dishes and skipped secondi because they looked amazing Shepard Style gnocchi was absolutely amazing. Probably my favorite dish. The gnocchi was miniature and not too soft. The smokiness of the lamb sausage paired with the sheep ricotta gave these dish such warm and comforty feel to it. I could eat this all the time. Taccozzelle was recommend by the server and rightfully so. The noodles were so fresh. The porcini mushroom was the predominant flavor, can't complain there. Desserts: Pecorino Panna cotta. Yes, get this. It is a must have. The pecorino really makes this panna cotta unique. It is extra thick and creamy, served with poached pears. I loved it. Also it is a smaller portion size which I welcomed warmly after all of the pasta I destroyed Chocolate semifreddo was like eating the best frozen chocolate milk I've ever had. Assorted biscotti.........I know it's a crime but I don't like biscotti. Never have. But for the members of the dinner party who do like it they raved about them. Enjoy! I'll be back soon to try the Maccheroni alla mugnaia: the 6 ft single strand noodle pasta!", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T18:11:23" }, { "business_id": "f2RHDdXezLHILvM7v1xOVA", "business_name": "Taqueria La Veracruzana", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars and a round of applause for the Tacos at Veracruzana! You can't go wrong with any of the tacos all of which are sprinkled with freshly chopped onions and cilantro..... HOWEVER! The must haves are the Al Pastor (roasted, pulled pork & pineapple) and the chorizo tacos. The Al Pastor from here is pretty much the best I've come across in the Philly area. The pork is melt in your mouth good and the pineapple with the cilantro is super refreshing. For a more intense savory flavor the chorizo is the way to go. You get 3 to an order so I usually go 1 chorizo & 2 al pastor with the occasional bistec guisado taco to mix it up. The house green and red accompanying salsas are both killer. I loud up all my tacos with a squish of lime and both salsas. Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-04-24T15:59:47" }, { "business_id": "SDL247FlOnScJfuNjZESxg", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty Manning Grill is a bright and refreshing place. Between both the ambiance and the food, it makes me feel like summer is already here! I went on a Mommy-Daughter date here last night (awwwww) and was extremely pleased with the whole experience. We split the Lancaster Baby Romaine and the cheese plate to start. The cheese plate was absolutely gorgeous. They pile on different slices of fruit and berries on a thick wooden board. Very pretty. For entrees she got the Berkshire Pork Chop which was delicious. Very tender, perfectly cooked pork and the brussel sprouts were a hearty, leafy side. I got the Duck Confit...now this is a MUST HAVE alert... MUST HAVE: (Lightly) Crispy Duck Confit. The meat was practically falling off the bone and was so delicious. The whole leg rests on a thick bed of spinach salad with slices of tangerine. I got my meat fix and my green fix in one plate. It was really an impressive dish that kept to overall mood of the evening: light, refreshing, summery dining experience. Bottle of wine: Fritz, Riesling (Germany) to keep to the light nature of our meal. Very sweet but not syrupy. Great riesling!", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:32:57" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok...Yogorino is growing on me...BIG time. Maybe its the weather...maybe it's my new work out schedule...but I get Yogorino cravings like crazy lately. I love how creamy but not overly sweet the frozen yogurt is here. Very different from the other froyo places popping up all over the place that try and make their yogurt more like an ice cream. Here, the yogurtyness is embraced. Everything is kept simple. My go to toppings: a litttttle dulce de leche sauce, meringue crumble, and strawberries. And dare I say it... FROYO because...YOLO?", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:39:13" }, { "business_id": "fivoAD6x6jXJRiEZwhpcEQ", "business_name": "Amis Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh me, oh my, Amis! I really want to go with a 4.5 here because a 4 doesn't do it justice...but I also can't just give it a full 5 stars since it was my first time there. #yelperproblems This was an absolutely great dining experience. I went with a group of 5 for a Sunday night Birthday Dinner. I actually would recommend going with a group of 4+ so you can try everything you want to on the menu...and trust me there are going to be a lot of dishes that grab your attention. MUST HAVES: I can't go into detail about every dish we got...but I will highlight my favorites Bufala ricotta and black pepper paired with the Veal Terrine (as recommended by our server): Super creamy and savory. The two dishes were made for each other Marinated Octopus over chickpeas: Yes, yes, yes. This is the way octopus should be cooked. Lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside as opposed to overly chewy. The chickpeas were also delicious. All around great dish Fried Lamb Ribs: If you like lamb then this is a must. I loved nomming tender lamb morsels off the bone. The yogurt was a nice touch Cacio e pepe: one of my favorite dishes in general...but Amis does it great. This is my ultimate comfort food. Simple but great. Spinach fazzoletti with lamb ragu: YUM. The fazzoletti was made perfectly. The lamb ragu was tender and meaty which went great with the spinach pasta. OVERALL everything was amazing from ambiance to drinks to food. However, I have 1 complaint. The rice pudding was off putting. They top what is on it's own an absolutely delicious rice pudding (perfect taste & texture) with a berry puree (not terrible) and SALTED pistachios. I capped salted because this is what I think ruined the dish. The salt was too overpowering for the light, milky pudding and was the only thing I could taste. I ended up scoping the top layer off and eating the pudding on its own. I would suggest non-salted pistachios if they are going for the texture....but salted is just too much.", "timestamp": "2013-04-29T15:45:08" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "Winter has come to Pub & Kitchen (Game of Thrones anyone?). The days of plenty are over. The change in chef/menu has really put a damper on this once awesome place to grab a drink and some food with your friends. It really, reaaally is a shame since the location is so great and summer is right around the corner. First off, I wasn't blown away by the menu. Nothing grabbed my attention. Everything was extremely fancy. I'm a pretty intense foodie, but there were things that made me go, \"Huh? What the ... is that?\" Except for the burger...which is listed as \"Cheeseburger: pickle, onion, lettuce, american cheese.\" Fancy, fancy, fancy, and a side of Cheeseburger. It's almost as if they felt obligated to have a cheeseburger since the last Pub & Kitchen burger was out of this world. What we tried: Suckling pig bouchons: These were OK. Imagine eating a croquette without the potato. The lemony sauce that was served with them was awesome. Probably the best thing I had there... Pabbit Campagne: Again...just OK. It was described as a pate but really its more of a meaty terrine. It didn't taste bad, but I did not finish it. Pickled Beets: I don't like beets...but these were actually pretty good. The puffs add a great texture to the dish Cheeseburger: Sad, sad, sad. The meat was flavorful but overcooked due to the fact that they now use two thin patties (why?!). When I go out to eat and order a cheeseburger, it better be delicious and unique.....and this one was just not. Overall: The changes at Pub & Kitchen have made me pretty sad. The cocktail that I had was tasty (Lie to Me), but until there's a turn around in the food department I don't see myself coming back here anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2013-05-01T13:56:01" }, { "business_id": "yQ7sxpoKXcTWzuELVdpR6w", "business_name": "Drury Beer Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "The Drury Beer Garden really is a hidden gem. It's a great place to just chill out with a larger group of friends without having to worry about squeezing everyone around a bar. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and I think because of this everyone freely intermingles with other groups. Just your regular backyard party coupled with an awesome beer list and the chance to meet some people. What is there not to like? I went this past weekend and scored a picnic table under a heat lamp. I had my favorite beer: Hell or High Watermelon for $5 a can and couldn't have been more content!", "timestamp": "2013-05-06T15:48:56" }, { "business_id": "7z16CBc74GhbyqalwZrJUQ", "business_name": "Ting Wong Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick, delicious, & fresh business lunch @ Ting Wong for 4 people. We went family style and ordered: Boneless soy chicken & pork appetizers Chicken & Anchovy fried rice Chicken Lo Mein The portions are huge! So definetely plan on ordering a couple of dishes and sharing! I would absolutely recommend the chicken & anchovy fried rice as well as the soy chicken. The fried rice was very fresh and not greasy as fried rice has a tendency to be. The anchovy gave it a nice salty flavor and it wasn't fishy at all which I was initially afraid of. The soy chicken is so flavorful and the crushed ginger sauce on top (and ask for more on the side) makes it a delicious dish. Great spot to check out in Chinatown! :)", "timestamp": "2013-05-14T15:34:45" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 5, "text": "Grabbed the Enfrijoladas and a slice of carrot cake Take-Out style last night for a lazy couch dinner after the gym. Heaven. The Enfrijoladas are really, really good. Now, this is coming from a New Mexican who is pretty picky about these things. The refried beans are to die for. The only thing lacking was heat, but that was nothing a healthy squeeze of Sriracha couldn't fix.", "timestamp": "2013-05-15T14:15:39" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by for an iced latte and salad for lunch. Yummy yummy! The iced caramel latte is divine. Creamy & unburned coffee that will make you smack yourself on the wrist for ever going in to a Starbucks. Spiced orange salad was amazing! Lightly spiced vinaigrette. The chicken was seasoned and warm off to the side. Filling but not overly so. Perfect for a hot afternoon lunch outside.", "timestamp": "2013-05-16T17:40:47" }, { "business_id": "MKsCFQuzmgH2We9hwTQ8gw", "business_name": "South Street Souvlaki", "rating": 4, "text": "Opa! Amazing family dinner experience! I love the atmosphere here. Very friendly service with an eagerness to please. All of our food came out quickly and there was plenty, PLENTY of it. We ate everything family style, which I would recommend if you are having a sit down dinner, and got to try a large variety of things. So many in fact, that I will only list my favorites: I could eat the baba ganoush with warm pita for days. Seriously, it is perfection. The marinated grilled octupus was cooked supremely well and served over a fresh salad. We went with the special fish of the day: Porgy. Lightly fried with fresh squeezed lemon. So good! Another special was the pork & leek stew. The meat was deliciously tender and the leeks came in huge, caramelized chunks. Served over rice. Save room for dessert because the rice pudding is some of the best I've ever had! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T15:48:17" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 3, "text": "I am so torn up about Continental Mid-Town and have been waiting to write a review for a couple months now. There are most certainly reasons why I would give them 4 stars...but there are also plenty of times I would have gone with just 2. So I'll settle at an indecisive 3 stars. Here are the pros and cons: Pros: The atmosphere of the rooftop bar is really fun during any season. As long as you are in a smaller group of people it can be a lot of fun. Just make sure to get there and snag a table/bar seat before major crowds roll in. I like their tuna tar tar Their drinks are tasty, modern, fun. They deliver through grubhub if you're feeling lazy Cons: Expensive. You can get better tasting food for half the price. It really is a shame. Crowded night light. You have to plan to get there and find space to hang out ahead of major crowds...otherwise it can be a bit overwhelming. Overall I like this place as a launching pad for a great night out with my friends. Maybe an appetizer or two...but nothing more than that.", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T16:00:07" }, { "business_id": "XTNu6IrYn_xn05wuqjrxiA", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review for Jimmy John's yet! It is just blowing my mind! I get Jimmy John's at least once a week for my lunch at work. They must be sandwich magicians over there because I will literally pick up the phone, order, and POOF! Within 5 minutes the food is here, every time. Seriously...I have never waited more than 5 mins for my food. I am in love with them. Go to: #9 Italian hoagie with added hot pepper and a side of bbq chips. Their bread is out of this world and the chips are extra crispy. Feeling healthy? No problem! Get your favorite sandwich on a lettuce wrap instead of a hoagie roll. Go Jimmy John's! I am a fan!", "timestamp": "2013-05-23T17:05:01" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 4, "text": "I crave the chicken banh mi from Rotisseur on a biweekly basis. The feeling slowly creeps up on me until suddenly it has a hold on my stomach and the thought of eating anything thing else is food torture...until...at last, I reach my delicious sandwich. The chicken is moist and they add a layer of crispy skin from the long, slow cook. Pickled cabbage and fresh cilantro really tie the whole thing together. Make sure to add a healthy squirt of sriracha if you are a spice freak. The sides are made on a daily basis. The best side I've come across are the curry garbanzo beans. So. Good. Love rotisseur but don't let your cravings take a hold of your life, body, and mind on a Sunday. They are not open as I was shocked to find out. I withered and died for a day until Monday came.", "timestamp": "2013-06-03T14:17:30" }, { "business_id": "x7gEX6dthpJvoOafV1XHaA", "business_name": "Cook", "rating": 5, "text": "Cook is a brilliant establishment. Cozy, intimate atmosphere so you can get your one on one time with the chefs of your choice. A great gift for foodies. I went with my P.I.C.'s family last night to hang out and try polish food with Chef Maciej Ciezki from Lacroix. I won't go into detail about the food here, but I did add a photo of some of the courses we had. The food was plentiful, the drinks were flowing, and the room was chatty. I will most definetely be coming back for more in the near future.", "timestamp": "2013-06-04T13:22:46" }, { "business_id": "AQIi4IRvUxkurxNvlUD9hQ", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, I LOVE Smoothie King. I want to be it's Smoothie Queen, but I do have one big, big problem with it: the hours. Why smoothie king did you not open until 9:30 am this morning?! You miss the whole morning crowd who needs to be in to work by 9 am. I don't understand! You're open until 7pm...and lets be honest, who gets a smoothie for dinner? Please shift your hours and I think it'll be good for you. I was very sad having to wait until 930 for your juicy goodness. My boss is also mad at you.", "timestamp": "2013-06-06T14:13:12" }, { "business_id": "M77MQ0Gge2ZbSz0FM0oGgg", "business_name": "Krispy Kreme", "rating": 5, "text": "I love you so much Krispy Kreme. I can't believe you are no longer in downtown Philly (WHYYYYYYYYYYY), but I am willing to commute. 1 dozen plain glazed & 1/2 a dozen glazed creme filled later...I am a happy camper and my craving has been fulfilled. :)", "timestamp": "2013-06-10T16:52:03" }, { "business_id": "RZtGWDLCAtuipwaZ-UfjmQ", "business_name": "LaScala's", "rating": 3, "text": "LaScala's is a place to grub down on Italian food, but only when it is convenient to do so. The only times I have gotten LaScala's is through delivery or for yesterday's lunch with my coworkers. I got the rigatoni vodka because I was craving pasta. My craving was fulfilled with cheesy/vodka sauce pasta that was served in such a large portion I took leftovers home. The food is tasty but not mind blowing....I really think the 3 star, \"A-Ok,\" rating is appropriate.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:18:40" }, { "business_id": "78kUZU8GPfHgoYO_2CNbuQ", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 3, "text": "The ice cream that Ben & Jerry's provides is an obvi 5 STARS. Getting it at an actual store and not in pints from a corner shop really makes a difference. It feels creamier...probably due to freshness and lack of the freezer burn that my fridge brutally attaches to any inhabitants. The service here is iffy. There were three people working and for whatever reason it probably took a full 20 minutes of waiting in line/paying. The line wasn't even that long..... Maybe they do it on purpose because after waiting I probably ordered double what I would have to begin with. Serious ice cream coma.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:25:11" }, { "business_id": "EKSmnS-fup3HNFLR9J17mQ", "business_name": "Midtown II Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Beeeewaaareeee of the bathroooomssss (spooky voice). I can get down a dirty when need be, but these are worse than port-a-potty status. I may be scared for life. So you're better off holding it. On a brighter note. This place is OK if you have a craving for diner food. I get breakfast for lunch & a coffee milkshake. Service is pleasant and food comes out fast.", "timestamp": "2013-06-24T14:02:18" }, { "business_id": "TwnzM8mJn_nT2PJf1x-9kQ", "business_name": "Cafe Lift", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't remember the last time I was completely blown away by a brunch experience...until now. Cafe Lift is a dream come true. It really may be one of the best brunch spots I've ever been to. To start, the interior is amazing. Very casual, comfortable feel to the entire place. Exposed brick and piping all along the walls with hardware store style tables. What got me the most excited was the special board. SO. MANY. SPECIALS. Really it is a dream come true (yes I said dream come true TWICE) to walk into a place for brunch and have a plethora of creative specials to pick from...which my party of 3 wasted no time doing. What we got: (note that most were specials) Breakfast tacos: chorizo, egg, cheese, and homemade salsa which rocked my world. Baked Egg: stewed kale, white beans, roast pork in tomato sauce topped with eggs and fontina then baked. Obsessed with this. Imagine a breakfast pasta fagioli situation Cuban Sandwich Bagel w/ veggie cream cheese and salmon Banna nutella crepe with whipped cream and strawberries The ice coffee was really, really good and I am truly very picky when it comes to coffee. Service was friendly and fast. I will be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T14:56:33" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 5, "text": "Matyson still rocks my socks off. Highlight of the meal was once again, the foie gras served on top of homemade banana bread. Close runner up was the soup of the day: vichyssoise (chilled potato leek soup). This BYOB is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the city", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T13:40:43" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 5, "text": "I just finished my first Chirashi Sushi Lunch Special...and let me tell you, it is one of the best things that has ever happened during my work day. I was fully intending on splurging a little by going out to a lunch at Morimotos...but it turns out that for once I got way, way more than my money's worth. For $21 ($22 with tax) I got the best miso soup, a salad, and my entire weight + plus some in super fresh sashimi served over rice. The sushi chef asked my preference on what fish I would like in my bowl and went to work. The dish itself was a work of art (see photo) and came with an assortment of pickled vegetables. So in love. Thank you, Morimoto!", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "V6Om7YZhlRQRU7WfuxHq8Q", "business_name": "Beck's Cajun Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Thank goodness for Beck's. Really I am so shocked that there are hardly any Cajun restaurants in the Philly area. But maybe that's for the best, because Beck's is pretty darn good. Located in the thick of the Reading Terminal Market, the stand is always busy but the service is fast. The staff is more than happy to let you try whatever you want (which you should). I've had all varieties of the gumbo and don't have a preference which is better. Go for alligator if you are feeling wild. My favorite thing from here are the red beans over rice. They are thick and have chunks of andouille sausage. Great with a piece of corn bread and scallions on top! The po'boys are decent. I find them a little too bready/fried for my liking but the overall flavor is good. I did not like the catfish po'boy....it was too fishy for me.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:25:33" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I was very excited to try a roast pork sandwich from DiNic's. However, I found myself wanting more. DiNic's gets a lot of hype on yelp...and other places as well. It was featured on Man Vs. Food ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYiR-dSbOs ) and I was shocked that I hadn't tried it yet. So I went for it. Spinach and sharp provolone on a long roll with long hots... It doesn't beat out a cheese steak. The sandwich was good but not great. I actually found myself craving more flavor, secretly hoping I had brought a bottle of sriracha sauce with me. Really they should maybe have a bottle of that on the counter because it would be insanely good. I'll be back to try it again, but unfortunately I have to say I was not blown away by my first time at DiNic's.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:38:39" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I died and went to Beiler Heaven. Seriously the BLUEBERRY FRITTERS are out of this world good. I've never felt so strongly about a baked good before. Not too sweet, but sweet enough to be the perfect companion with a cup of coffee in the morning....or a mid afternoon snack. I also found the plain glazed doughnuts to be earth shattering. Try both of these. I promise the line is worth it!", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:41:37" }, { "business_id": "XgxPLbAJtHoyR2tBN9yCXw", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "I am just so in love with Yogorino. Classic, tangy frozen yogurt is the only kind of froyo that should exist in my opinion. This location is a little bit bigger than the Rittenhouse location...but that's really the only difference. All of the fruit was super fresh & ripe. I couldn't decide between the mango and the nectarines paired with my always go-to crushed up meringue bits...so I got both. Happy eating :)", "timestamp": "2013-07-22T15:59:03" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "I am not impressed with Max Brenner's. Had a friend visiting from out of town so we decided to go out to have dessert. Whispers of fondue seemed super promising and the alluring smell of chocolate that extends down the block made it pretty much impossible not to stop in for a bite. Overall impression: overpriced We got the Italian hot chocolate, the waffle special, and fondue for two (5 of us total). To be fair, there was a lot that came with the fondue. However, I could have easily dished up the same dessert for 1/3 the price. Tasted good but I wasn't wowed. I am not stingy when it comes to spending money on food....but it needs to be worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-07-24T13:29:29" }, { "business_id": "gOrJeoLDOiW7muWuoE-sMg", "business_name": "Morgan's Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Morgan's Pier is a solid 4 star place to hang out with your friends for drinks and dancing. The atmosphere is really unique to Philly, mostly because of the beautiful location. Located right on the docks to the left of the Ben Franklin, it is such an awesome place to sit as the sunsets. Once its dark things kick in to party mode and you'll be either shaking your booty or sitting on a picnic table over the water chatting with your friends. It's awesome. However, there is one problem with it....the food. Seriously 1-2 stars on food. Good ideas and fails on taste. Everything I've had has been meh (wings, fries, bean salad, other munchies nothing major). They should really split up the yelp pages for food vs nightlife because i don't want to downgrade my 4 stars to accommodate for food failure.", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T13:43:54" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, wow, wow! I feel so lucky that this is right around the corner from my house. I stopped in to this small kitchen last night around 9pm and ordered a monster load of Thai food for my friends and I after City Sips. Needless to say, we were starving and needed some serious chow down time. The service was friendly and super fast! The quality amazing and the price so cheap. How is this place real life? Favorites: Crab Dumplings for days Drunken Noodles w/ Shrimp Pineapple fried rice w/ Chicken Crispy Duck Curry: but really any of the curry the sauce is so, so good. Happy eatings! I will be back again and again and again!", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T15:01:29" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a great dinner for 2 seated outside to take in the one day break in humidity! I think I had the best heirloom tomato salad of my life. Honestly. I sat there and tried to figure out why it was so good...and still can't quite put a finger on it. It comes topped with basil (duh) as well as a watercress salad with lightly pickled shallots. Large portion (1 whole tomato) 5 slices total. I love it. This is the definition of summer! My skate was also very tasty! Cooked perfectly and...butter, butter, butter. So not much can be wrong with that...unless you don't like butter...which might be a whole other set of problems for you and I'm so sorry.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T14:50:53" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect lunch at 12th & Spruce Tria! Obviously. A glass of Dr. H riesling, asparagus salad, and a gooey cheese has taken me to foodie heaven. Unfortunately I am now back at work until 5pm but will have happy memories to get me through.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T17:50:56" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Sampan is the place to go for Sips in Center City, Philadelphia! They have both food and drink specials, which in my opinion is essential for a good happy hour. The best part is that it's not just a few things, you get a whole menu of food specials rated from $3, $4, and $5. Bomb diggity. Favorites: White Sangria was unbelievably refreshing. Big fan! Duck Egg Rolls Kimchi Fried Rice Edamame Dumplings Kobe Beef Sliders Both Pork & Chicken Bao Buns Enjoy it while you still can! However, if you do miss it, fear not. Dinner here is a must go to as well.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T00:36:46" }, { "business_id": "kxKai8GE5oDMPevV7oxvbA", "business_name": "Tequilas Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I really, really wanted to love this place. Being from the Southwest, I am almost always on a quest for some quality Mexican food, and this spot was the next target. However & unfortunately, I was not so impressed. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup to start. The soup had all of the right components: tortilla strips, moist chicken, avocado, cheese, and bits of dried chili (chipotle maybe). The problem with the soup was the broth. It tasted almost equivalent to Campbell's tomato soup. No spice whatsoever. It was too tomatoey and not enough chicken broth. For my entree I got the Enchiladas Playa. I sort of had the same problem with these in that they were fairly bland without any spice. The crab & shrimp interior was good but the sauce needs a little bit more. To be fair the chips and salsa, as well as the queso fundido, were all very good. Perhaps next time I will come for a drink and some nibbles rather than a whole meal.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T01:18:28" }, { "business_id": "iWV1MgLsI9ma5zrzNUy_NQ", "business_name": "Olympia Gyro", "rating": 4, "text": "Three words: Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich When I am craving a gyro, this is one of the places I tend to lean towards. Olympic gyro makes what I would describe as the, \"freshest,\" gyro. The meat isn't overly seasoned and the tzaztiki sauce is amazing. I love sitting down here in the middle of Reading Terminal Market and housing down one of these bad boys. Needles to say, the portion sizes are large and you most definitely will not be walking away hungry. Be sure to grab a side of fries but careful, those tempting slices come off HOT HOT HOT! I think I burn my mouth every single, delicious time.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T16:03:40" }, { "business_id": "1CTNhKEqGbmG5r-sBbDoLg", "business_name": "Tampopo", "rating": 4, "text": "It's pretty freaky that I live within half a block of Tampopo and had managed to never go before today. Shame on me. I grabbed lunch to go from this hole in the wall and couldn't have been happier. I got the fresh tuna bibimbap. I was given tons of sushi grade tuna over veggies, avocado, and rice. The spicy sauce was great! I forgot to ask for a side of kimchi...but I won't forget next time! Fast service makes for a happy Sarah.v I'll be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:38:33" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm a fan of the new place on the block Spice End! When I'm out and about and need to grab something on the go or right before I head home after a late night, this is the place to stop. Needless to say their hours are clutch and the 3am friday/saturday night closing time is a clutch move in this area of the city. In a rush I grab the paneer roll. If I have time to sit down and eat I grab the chicken biryani platter and have them add paneer to that as well! PS. They are on grub hub and deliver :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:47:40" }, { "business_id": "bq0n3CQy1CkE_WUe76zQvg", "business_name": "Shiao Lan Kung", "rating": 5, "text": "Wooow wow! I am continuously impressed with getting dinner at this hole in the wall spot in China Town. Last night I took my parents for their first time and we were all blown away with the quality of the food and how quickly it came out, nothing new here. We got our usual order: pan fried pork dumplings, fried wontons, garlic green beans, salt bake jumpo shrimp (ask for no shells), walknut shrimp, chicken ho-fun with bean sauce.... AND something new! Which blew my mind. I asked our waitress for her opinion on the best fish dish to which she goes, \"OH! Ok, ok, I know.\" Within ten minutes out came a whole, steamed sea bass that was sitting in the most delicious ginger, soy sauce. I have never been so happy and I am already craving it again. I could come for just this once a week....and probably will! Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-09-07T22:24:47" }, { "business_id": "xdferXKwbgXAxbtmAShhAQ", "business_name": "Saxbys Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "My new study spot. There's always a large group of other students working hard whenever you need to look up and around for motivation. My go to is a cinnamon latte....iced or hot depending on the weather. Please note that I am not a huge fan of the food here. I pretty much avoid it all together...really this review is just to say it's a great place for getting work done and having a cup of coffee to help you along the way :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:23:45" }, { "business_id": "GrRrxHK9dWgibvUpcotxtw", "business_name": "Joe's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Pizza on the go? Grab some Joe's! I was doing some heavy duty shopping on saturday and needed to restock on calories half way through. I stopped by Joe's to grab a slice of plan mushroom pizza and was in heaven. The crust is thin and crispy...perfect amt of cheese and sauce. Snack city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:29:01" }, { "business_id": "wbDRmtxaKRpBOjutvV6TEA", "business_name": "Barclay Prime", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm a huge fan of Barclay Prime...in fact, I think this is the best steakhouse in the city. The atmosphere is very relaxed since the entire place feels like you are lounging in a study. The staff is super friendly (BIG shout out to Jason my waiter last night, you da best) and made my birthday dinner a perfect one! To start...everyone gets a hot, out of the oven popover they are simply to die for. These are unbelievably dangerous and the staff will keep offering them to you. Just say no. You are going to want to be hungry for the food to come. Our party of 6 ordered appz and entrees that all came out perfectly cooked (steaks were amazing, duh) and in a timely fashion. I had the heirloom tomato salad. Love how they do it here. Everything is chopped up and piled in a bowl. Super tasty. MUST HAVE: the full bronzino if you are in a fish mood....which you should be at least once if you come here. I can dream about this dish it's so good. Desserts: Warm banana cake Devils food cake Complimentary birthday cake (amazing...come for your birthday...seriously) Put your eating clothes on and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T19:21:18" }, { "business_id": "QMNheeGTdKujLnYgEyFuWw", "business_name": "Old Nelson Food Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Old Nelson's makes some clutch sandwiches for lunch. You can have whatever you sandwich loving heart desires because everything is made to order. Their italian hoagie is delicious. I always ask for hot peppers as well. Yesterday I wanted to go back to my elementary school, packed lunch days and ordered a plain turkey, american cheese, mayo sandwich on white bread. I got a side of pickles and a bag of bbq chips to smush between the bread slices. Neeedless to say, it was crunchalicious.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:05:51" }, { "business_id": "JE6rfQ9marM2YYCuFK8GqA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location of Sweetgreen. It seems to be getting a bad rep. from other yelpers...but I don't see where the problem is. The food is good, the service is fast and friendly, and you can eat outside when it's nice out. It's not the most amazing experience I've ever had...but when you are craving a fresh salad with fresh ingredients it is the place to go in the area. Overall I'm a fan. Sweetgreen's current seasonal salad is a must have: Maryland crab Kale Green and red peppers Corn Sunflower seeds Avocado (that has been surprisingly ripe & perfect every time I've gotten it from here) Carrot chili vinaigrette.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:12:45" }, { "business_id": "30cpm1uq6xcQCmN6JTrB8w", "business_name": "Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sad to say Luke's has definitely down graded in my opinion. I thought that this was a one time occurrence (a couple weeks ago) but its happened again for lunch today. The to die for lobster bisque was bland and not lobstery at all today. The past two times I have gotten my once favorite crab roll, the bun has been a little soggy and the crab overly lemony. I'm adverse to overuse of lemon in the first place...and when it overrides the flavor of crab in my roll I am a super sad Sarah. I hope Luke's can bounce back...but for now I'm going to have to change up my lunch venues.", "timestamp": "2013-09-27T16:18:51" }, { "business_id": "PJjkH_VZeQwxEJvlQ-v7wA", "business_name": "Pho 75", "rating": 5, "text": "What can I say....I am a total sucker for a good bowl of Pho. I've been meaning to come to Pho 75 for such a long time and finally have accomplished that goal! Extra inspiration was given to me to venture from my usual stomping spots when Anthony Bourdain (#lovehim #friendcrush #hangoutwithme) visited here on his most recent trip to Philly. The broth here is amazing. I'm not sure if it on the same playing field as the broth from Pho Ha....but I will keep you all posted as I continue to figure it out. The service here was awesome. We walked in, sat down, placed our order and within 5 minutes all of us had our food and drinks. It was so good that we got one to go.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:07:45" }, { "business_id": "8us8cJ-oBnLFerWcaftavQ", "business_name": "The Beer Shoppe", "rating": 4, "text": "Go to the Beer Shoppe on a Tuesday. They have a 10% discount on everything on Tuesdays....thus I have created a new weekly holiday called, Two Beer Tuesday. My friend and I plan to come in and work our way through the selection over the next couple of months. Very ambitious...but also very exciting! The bar in the back is an open and friendly place to try new things before you buy a 6 pack of something you love. The service is super friendly and all the staff has an amazing knowledge of what they have in stock. It really is a great spot for beer geeks to congregate.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:13:55" }, { "business_id": "3ZynJ94VpIdDlaArmEp2Rg", "business_name": "More Than Just Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple friends and I stopped by for some late night milkshakes and found ourselves at More Than Just Ice Cream. Well, we just got ice cream...not fully taking advantage of what the name implies, but maybe next time. 3 milkshakes: 1 coffee, 1 chocolate, and 1 black&white malt. All were pretty good. Definitely satisfied the ice cream craving. I thought my coffee milkshake could have been thicker, same goes for the chocolate. The black&white was plenty thick and was probably the best of the three. Unfortunately, I did not order that one so I settled for my not so creamy coffee. I did sample some ice cream flavors before setting on a milkshake. I tried the pumpkin pie which was AMAZING. I don't know why I didn't just get this. Maybe a milkshake isn't the way to go here.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:24:30" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 2, "text": "Eeehhhh. I loved, loved, LOVED Scoop DeVille when it was at it's old location on Chestnut & 18th. Now I'm not quite so sure. I miss the charm of the old store. It was packed and loaded with candy/chocolate/ice cream/ and random paraphernalia that this huge space is lacking. Hopefully at some point it'll be able to capture that once again as it settles in to its new location. The real problem was my vanilla ice cream blended with sugar cookie dough (all time favie) tasted like freezer burn. The freezer must have been set to high because I was eating vanilla flavored ice chunks with just a tiny bit of cookie dough. I never had this problem once at the old location...where the ice cream was always almost the consistency of soft serve it was so creamy good.", "timestamp": "2013-10-14T17:11:16" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 5, "text": "Bistrot La Minette is a must go to in the Philly area. I am truly surprised that it's taken me so long to finally go here. If you are familiar with the restaurant scene around here: think Parc but small scale and more romantical We had a quiet dinner for a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The service was so friendly and knowledgeable when I asked for suggested wine pairings. Even though we came in for a later dinner on a weeknight, at no point did I feel rushed which was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this place for birthdays and date nights when you want to have a relaxed, delicious dinner out. The eats: Butternut squash soup was one of the best I've had Foie Gras terrine was delicious but VERY savory. It was a little much just for one person on their own to get through for an appetizer. Can't complain for too much food though right? Onion tart is out of this world if you're in to caramelized onions. Miller style trout is a YES. I have never had a trout prepared better then this one was. I am such of fan of this dish it's ridiculous. The veggies were great too. Get it. Beef bourguignon was also a great dish and probably my second favorite thing we got. All of the desserts were amazing but the BEST was the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. Heaven in your mouth. It's basically a layered deliciousness of puff pastry, cream, and fresh raspberries.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:55:04" }, { "business_id": "NZ1lZIb10-6AbftpygLwMQ", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 4, "text": "Clutch pizza in a pinch! I love all of the different combos you can get there. Really it can be a bit overwhelming there are so many delicious ideas. The great thing is though, is that the thin crust situation allows you to get multiple slices without getting too full so you can try a bunch of them. My favorite slice so far is the Veggie #2: fresh chopped organic tomatoes, basil, arugula, garlic, cubes of fresh mozzarella, and organic tomato sauce...noms Try and get there right as the pizzas are coming out so you have the most choices! Right around 5pm for the dinner round.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:58:47" }, { "business_id": "sTPueJEwcRDj7ZJmG7okYA", "business_name": "Jim's South St", "rating": 4, "text": "There's something about Jim's that is legendary. The whole experience is what I think keeps Philadelphians going to this famous cheesesteak house on south street. It's a little grimy, the service a little rough, the seating a little like you're back in a crappy college dining center...but all of that is ok. It's ok because you have the intoxicating smell of meat and fried onions clinging to you (actually it will cling to your jacket for weeks) and delicious greasy food to munch down on. I'm a fan of Jim's. I'm the biggest fan at 1 am when I'm leaving a bar and need a sloppy mess for a pre-hangover cure. Extra whiz with please! (Extra cheese whiz and onions)", "timestamp": "2013-11-06T20:22:37" }, { "business_id": "qsm7SkX60JsajT7Yz248FA", "business_name": "Café Soho", "rating": 4, "text": "Cafe Soho is the highlight to the Sunday football scene at our house. Someone goes and grabs a couple large orders of wings and brings them back downtown in time for 1pm kick-off. The meat is crazy good. This is a whole level of chicken wings. The meat is moist and flavorful while the outside is lightly fried and crispy. Great sauces, never over/under dressed. Our favorites: Ginger soy Spicy chili Sweet & Spicy boneless Beware, you will probably eat your weight in this bad boys", "timestamp": "2013-11-22T20:42:45" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been having some seriously good brunch dates to The Dandelion over the past month. I wanted to check back on my last review and was ashamed of my previous 3 star review. Right now the Dandelion is kicking 5 star butt for brunch in my opinion. Today I sat down and immediately ordered tea and scones. The scones came out warm and absolutely amazing. They switched up the jam from raspberry to more seasonal cranberry (thanksgiving....so soon!!!) which I found to be extremely good! I got my typical brunch order of poached eggs over bubble and squeak. My new trick is that I order a side of smoked salmon to add to it so It becomes some sort of eggs Benedict eggstravagenza. I also got the chicken and horse radish dumpling soup to go after hearing a raving review about it. Now, while sitting in bed...I am enjoying the most amazing bowl of soup. Ive never had anything quite like it! The dumplings are sort of a noodley texture with a horse radish aftertaste. I love how the veggies are roughly chopped, in particular the halves of pearl onions. Tasty tasty.", "timestamp": "2013-11-24T21:48:28" }, { "business_id": "u4YM2N8-9Q2tr7kEU-ubGQ", "business_name": "Melodies Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok, so the coffee is good. However, it takes forever (understaffed) and call me a loser but I miss Milk Boy. I came in yesterday for a vanilla latte on my way to class and had the unfortunate experience of waiting about 10 minutes for it and was late. It was super tasty....but I can't rely on this place for a grab a coffee on the go experience.", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:46:14" }, { "business_id": "_V6hl1oGkTV2KbGeax_HPA", "business_name": "Sang Kee Peking Duck House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the place to order peking duck. So rightfully named! We grabbed takeout from here after realizing that our normal go to Shiao's was closed for the evening. We were thankfully not disappointed! The fried pork dumplings were super tasty. I was popping them like popcorn! Other dishes were also super tasty but in particular the peking duck was the stand out. It just fell right off the bone practically begging me to eat it. I was eating a drumstick just on it's own. I'll be back to taste more. Sang Kee I got my eye on you!", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:49:23" }, { "business_id": "-lVEVi3vtQ8_L9kKT0bBwQ", "business_name": "Le Chéri", "rating": 5, "text": "Yes, yes, and yes! I am so excited to call Le Cheri my new neighbor. Chef Pierre and Charlotte have jumped right in to the Rittenhouse Restaurant scene with a distinct splash! Le Cheri has all the same charm as their first restaurant, Bibou, but with the room to accommodate a much larger crowd. Currently BYOB but they will begin serving their selection of French wines and open bar next week. I am truly excited to see where this place goes in the next couple of months. The menu is already mouth watering with the funkiness of Bibou mixed with a couple more traditional french dishes. Modestly priced, I was pretty surprised to notice. Around $22-28 dollars and the appetizers not over $10. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) for Charlotte and Pierre, I think I am going to be hanging around this spot A LOT. What we got: French onion soup Breaded pork terrine with side cornichons Beef bourguignon with house made tagliatelle Roasted bronzino with wine soaked salsify as well as a salsify puree Warm apple tartine with cinnamon ice cream Obviously everything was out of this world. I highly recommend everything we got...but also encourage you to order anything there because you just can't go wrong. I'll be back ASAP to try more! PS. They are booking up FAST FAST! Get your reservations now", "timestamp": "2013-12-06T01:42:15" }, { "business_id": "sy7ADvpBA7SfHwbY-Y_5gw", "business_name": "Valanni", "rating": 4, "text": "Valanni! How have I overlooked you for this long? I took my family out for my sisters bday dinner and wanted to try something new. So glad we stumbled upon this modern and fun spot. My only complaint was that our table for a party of 5 was small! However, we worked together and could come up with the right amount of room for each wave of tapas. What we got: Lamb lollipops Figs in blankets Chorizo flatbread Grilled octopus Firey potatoes (basically patatas bravas) Buffalo chicken croquettes Brussel sprouts Meat and seafood paella Oreo beignet Rum bananas Cheesecake We split everything and found ourselves the right amount of full at the end! The stand out favorites were the grilled octopus, brussel sprouts (believe it or not!), and the paella. With that said....everything else was also amazing. I am pretty impressed with Valanni and plan on coming here in the near future with a group of friends. It's a good place to order a lot of interesting dishes and grab a drink before going out on a Saturday. Speaking of drinks...the mojitos are bomb! Some of the best I've had in a while! In summary, I'm digging Valanni. I think it stands out on its own from the current Philly restaurant scene in that it taps into a wide variety of cultural dishes but with its own unique twist. The menu was fun with lots left on it that I would like to try out!", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:03:34" }, { "business_id": "h5jnFlvF55kDWC_GGlKMAQ", "business_name": "Llama Tooth", "rating": 4, "text": "Truffle, mushroom mac & cheese..... Seriously I dare some one to try and make something more delicious and comforting than that. I could not stop shoveling the cheesy mess in to my mouth...just typing this is taking me back to how good it was. Yea, I ordered other things (cuban, gyro, burger) but the mac & cheese took the cake. I'll be back for more (This was a take out order)", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:06:03" }, { "business_id": "xWfm4AwLZr-B97fYVsIgCA", "business_name": "Tria Taproom", "rating": 4, "text": "I am such a huge fan for anything Tria....and it holds true for this new location. I stopped in to grab a drink and catch up with a friend. Had a great time sitting at the bar! I love the space and it is a serious upgrade from the previous Rum Bar. The taps behind the bar are exciting and unlabeled (at least to the customer's eye ;) ). It gives the place a casual sort of elegance. Lots of table space in the back which I am sure I will be using in the near future. I couldn't help myself and ordered two appz before going home to eat dinner. We got the mussels and the grilled asparagus with truffle vinaigrette. Both were delicious. What I thought was most impressive about Tria Taproom was the amount of attention we were given by the bartenders. GREAT service. I'll be back soon to try more!", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:21:04" }, { "business_id": "d_tRshM-w6S4QxE4VVi8tQ", "business_name": "Jones", "rating": 2, "text": "I've refrained from writing a review for Jones for the longest time....close to 6 months now. I'm finally caving and acknowledging the fact that it hasn't happened just because this place is Meh. It's not bad...but it's not good. Most of the time I order Jones on grubhub so I can stuff my face with their thanksgiving dinner like I did recently while in mourning over thanksgiving being over. It is what it is...comfort food. Not a place that I go out of my way to eat at.", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:28:23" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing quite like brunch at Lacroix. It's one of the best eating experiences I've ever had time and time again. My favorite is to go with my boyfriend and seriously dive in to our inner foodies for 2 hours. The atmosphere is beautiful, especially on a nice day with a window seat overlooking all of Rittenhouse square. Lacroix is one of a kind in that aspect. The experience is something you need to see for yourself...but I can do my best to describe it here as simply as I can. Buffet style like you've never quite seen before. It spans multiple rooms where the first is a table filled with cold appetizer items as well as a raw bar filled with oysters, cocktail shrimp, sushi, and caviar. Oh yeah, and everything is mini served on their own mini dishes or in mini glasses (see photo). To dive in to some bigger entree items you have to walk back in to the kitchen and get it yourself. The staff is so friendly and helpful. In particular the person who is manning the meat selections asks you what cut you would like and suggests an accompanying sauce. You can miss the dessert table because it stares at you right before you walk into the kitchen and then reminds you again to save room for dessert because one of the first things waiting in the kitchen is a huge chocolate fountain. There are some staples that brunch at Lacroix sticks too: duck confit, gnocchi, sauteed wild mushrooms (YUUUMM)...but for the most part the selections rotate with the seasons. Seriously enjoy yourself! Take the time to explore and let your inner foodie run wild. You won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-12-15T21:19:52" }, { "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my bestie to Farm and Fisherman for her Bday dinner. Overall great meal and service. Such a nice little BYO to add to my list. Neither of us ordered an entree, instead we each got a First Course and two Second Courses of appz which gave us a lot of variety to share. My favorite dish was the grilled octopus. It was cooked absolutely perfect....very tender and not chewy at all. One thing that did disappoint me was the lack of fish on the menu. There was an artic char entree but that was it. I guess I was just surprised/mislead by the name of restaurant and was expecting a little more seafood in my meal. I'm going with a solid 3.5 stars but bumped up to 4 since they let us stay past close and finish our bottle of wine. Will be back to try again", "timestamp": "2013-12-21T20:09:23" }, { "business_id": "O1XwKgUYNI_YBXnOqgaTaw", "business_name": "Talula's Table", "rating": 5, "text": "Sooooo it happened....I got to eat at the famous Talula's Table for a 3 hr sit down dinner that was one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life. I happened to get lucky and was offered a spot as my Dad's date (uhhh SCORE) a couple days beforehand. With that being said, I did not have to wait the traditional 1 year for my reservation as will most of you if you ever want to get in on something special. As it still goes...reservations open at 7am on the day you want to eat 1 year from that day. Crazy. Town. I won't go in to ever detail of the courses we had, since they are subject to change on the regular, but will instead highlight the experience and the relaxed, casual but attentive service we enjoyed. We dined right in the middle of the local shop. At first, we stood for about half an hour as our party rolled in. Bubbly was poured as we were offered 3 standing hors d'oeuvres. One of the all time favorites of the meal happened to be one of these which was simply some smoke salmon on top of a tiny hashbrown. Simply...but so tasty. Next we sat down and had a cauliflower custard (I've attached a menu for complete food dets) before being served some of the best Gruyere cheesy bread ever. A couple courses followed (including a butternut squash soup over a lobster terrine...drool) and more amazing, out of this world brioche bread was served. More courses and then a round of different aged cheddar cheeses and dessert...and then truffles....and then cream puffs with the check. The courses are in smart porportions. Some a little larger than others but all carefully thought out so that they don't have to roll you out of the room half way through. The service was very attentive...so nice. This in my opinion is absolutely a must go to for all our true yelpy foodies. Go ahead and book it....then try and forget about it as best you can until it surprises you a year later. I thought the meal and experience was worth a go.", "timestamp": "2013-12-21T20:24:40" } ]	{ "business_id": "SCjUeZfjafJ88fWWQjRh2w", "business_name": "El Rey", "rating": 1, "text": "I revoke my previous praise for happy hour at El Rey. Yes, I did have a really tasty berry margarita...but my tacos were TERRIBLE. They really took the 1 dollar taco quite literally...such a lack of quality. I expect more from a Stephen Starr restaurant. I ordered the fish, chicken, and veggie. The most edible was the veggie... I'm bummed! This was one of my go to summer spots but winter definitely has taken a frosty bite out of El Rey.", "timestamp": "2014-01-09T19:45:57" }
Zs8Zk3sgh5JxRmoZW4PJcg	[ { "business_id": "pm1bStJuol5XmxE_atZhCQ", "business_name": "Nom Nom Ramen", "rating": 5, "text": "Nom Nom Ramen may be my favorite place for Ramen in Philly. Not to mention it also won Best of Philly 2012 for ramen. The service is fast and friendly. I love walking in starving and knowing that I will be eating delicious soup in 5 mins. I have gotten all of the different varities that they offer: shio, shoyu, miso, and karai. I highly recommend the karai if you can handle spicy food! Otherwise I would go with the shio and add a little bit of sriracha hot sauce. I always add the extra soft-boiled egg and bean sprouts! Totally worth it! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:44:51" }, { "business_id": "688sqo63oc2y535vI2UbhQ", "business_name": "Pho Cali Vietnamese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely love Pho Cali! I go here once a week for a quick lunch break from work and am never disappointed. The service is very quick. I always order the Rare Steak Pho and a coconut drink. The broth is extremely flavorful- i personally load up on sriracha sauce, brown sauce (hoisin sauce i believe), and a good squeeze of one lime. They give a good amount of meat. If you are extra hungry ask for more noodles because sometimes the one portion that they give out is not enough. If you like coconut get the drink as well! Refreshingly sweet and comes with chunks of coconut at the bottom. Very good.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:50:52" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 5, "text": "DELICIOUS! If you are craving a healthy meal that actually has tons of flavor this is the place to go. I recommend all of the salad on the menu, but in particular the Taco Arugula Salad that got rated Best of Philly 2012. The peppery arugula pairs so well with the creamy cilantro dressing not to mention the salsa, corn, and black beans as well! Its a a taste bud adventure! If you are in the mood for a sandwich get the Hip City Ranch but ON A WRAP. It makes for one of the best wrap sandwiches I have ever had. You won't believe that the chicken is actually tofu! And the pickles spread out throughout the sandwich are a delicious surprise. Always look for the soup/chili winter specials at the front counter. They can be easy to miss! Also, be sure to order the Groothie! Pricey but worth it. One of the best smoothies I've ever had and its loaded up with green veggies", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:05:14" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Pho in Philly!!! Super fast service and the most delicious broth. Out of the way from china town but a must go to. Don't be confused by the 3+ other pho restaurants located in the same strip mall. Pho Ha all the way!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:50:01" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "There isn't a better place in the area for sushi. The service is unbelievably fast and the quality of fish is pretty great. However, the most amazing part about Vic's is that they have a $10 special...3 rolls of sushi of your pick for only 10 DOLLARS. I honestly couldn't believe it! The place is BYOB and great if there are less than 4 people because it is cramped. Really its the best for take out/delivery. Along with the $10 special I order a miso soup and seaweed salad. Enjoy :) On a side note, if you stray away from the special I highly recommend the Fantastic roll!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T21:51:28" }, { "business_id": "ipRXCy-0ChYK_569rPqzJQ", "business_name": "Square Peg", "rating": 3, "text": "The menu can be a little hit or miss here. The only reason I come to Square Peg is when I am craving their Mac&Cheese grilled cheese sandwich with a side of tomato soup. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like! Extra cheesy mac and cheese layered thick and surrounded by buttery, toasted bread. The tomato soup is thicker than most, but I enjoyed the extra spice that was in it...perhaps a little chipotle chili pepper. I was VERY disappointed in their wings. I had read a couple of great reviews about them but I found them pretty disgusting and actually sent them back. I found the flavor of the honey,chipotle,basil, and lime sauce to be very unflattering even though it sounds delicious. The meat was dry and a bit gristly. It seemed like they had been cooked too long or left under a warming lamp. Earlier in the summer they had white chocolate chicken wings which I much preferred to the current ones.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:01:11" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Absolutely amazing! The only reason why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is due to how crowded and therefore loud it can get. This is in no way a good spot for a romantic date or family dinner but instead great for happy hour or a dinner with a small group of friends or a first date! The food: Served in sort of a tapas manner and I like to get a bunch of plates and split with a friend. You really can't go wrong with what you decide on. My personal favorites are: the housemade lamb sausage, the pistachio herbed ricotta and lavender honey, truffled egg toast with fontina, and the grilled asparagus salad. My favorite is the asparagus salad...absolutely amazing and I've never had anything like it. It consists of Also order a cheese sampler! The menu is always changing just tell your server what you like and they will help out! As for the beer and wine list....one of the best in the city. Always changing and great descriptions listed on the menu so you can pick out what's the very best for you", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:11:51" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing food and great ambiance, what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, DRINKS! Those are great as well! My favorite time to go to alma de cuba is for Happy Hour. The downstairs bar area is the perfect escape to go to after work. Until 6:30 they have drink specials and 1/2 off of all of their appetizers. Great to go with a few friends and split some food! It also works as a great spot for a romantic date and has additional seating for dining upstairs. Must haves: Smoked albacore tacos, tuna tartar tacos, truffle guacamole, ceviche SAMPLER (pick a few of the ones that sound best), dorado. For drinks I love their black cherry caiprinha and white sangria. For dessert I highly recommend the coconut tapioca pudding. I often order this for take out as well because it is so good. It comes in a young coconut and you can scrape the sides of it off with your fork/spoon as you eat the pudding. Delish!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:20:24" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co is one of my favorite places in the city for happy hour or to start off a Saturday night! I was greeted at the top of the outer staircase by a bouncer in a sleek hat and automatically felt mischievous! He led my friends and I down the stairs and through the heavy front door into a room filled with a relaxed ambiance. The drinks are expensive but well worth your money...aka they make them STRONG. Especially under the category \"I asked for water she brought me gasoline.\" My personal favorite is actually not on the menu but every waiter will know what you are talking about. It's called the Mexican Firing Squad. I am partial to tequila and summer drinks and this absolutely did not disappoint. Served in a small glass with one large ice cube! Be careful about what time you go here. The later in the night it gets, especially on a friday or saturday, expect to wait in a 30 min to 45 min line. They also often have private parties during the week so have a back up bar in mind!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:05:24" }, { "business_id": "cOXc8c85Ms6dMEAJazLXHQ", "business_name": "McGillin's Olde Ale House", "rating": 4, "text": "Went for my first time this past Saturday night and had an absolute blast! Walked in at 12 am to \"I want it that way,\" by the Backstreet boys. Needless to say I was belting out the words with people I had met only seconds before. A very fun and friendly place! Plus, cheap drinks like a $6 dollar pitcher of PBR!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:42:20" }, { "business_id": "ELY0HI8GDEx0jkmREVna0A", "business_name": "Frankford Hall", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't get enough of this place! A little out of the way if you live in the center city area but worth the commute. I prefer the outdoor seating during all times of the year. Even during the winter the backyard beer garden has multiple heat lamps and fire pits that make it so you don't have to wear a jacket. The atmosphere is very friendly! Great for both going out with families and with friends. Make sure to grab a jenga set at the front if there isn't already one on your table! Order a few appetizers and sausages to share and a couple liters of beer on draft for yourself! My favorites for appz: Pretzel w/ cheese dip, cucumber salad (maybe my favorite), potato pancakes Sausage: Get the weisswurst! However, you really can't go wrong with what you order because all are great. All of the meat is from Illgs Butcher Shop where my family and I have been buying products for over 8 years now and have never been disappointed. Beer: Spaten Oktoberfest or Franziskaner Hefeweizen. You'll feel super cool with a liter mug but be sure to drink it fast otherwise it'll be a warm beer catastrophe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:16:29" }, { "business_id": "tBQcVd9c0EHKAXLZn_v54g", "business_name": "Bibou", "rating": 5, "text": "Outstanding! The best BYOB dining experience you can have in the city located in the italian market area. Be prepared and in the mood for an adventurous and savory meal! Bibou is petite and has a very homey feel to it. There is room for about 30 customers at a time. Charlotte is the hostess and manager of the restaurant, as well as the wife of the Chef Pierre. A very gracious host and makes you feel instantly welcome. The menu changes quite often since it's ingredients primarily come fresh from the neighboring market. This is also allows the chef to pick out a number of specials each night that are absolutely spectacular. Must Haves: - The Bone Marrow. It comes in a hollowed out bone and can be best described as the best thanksgiving stuffing you will ever it. I order a couple to share for the dinner party after appetizers and before entree. -Seasonal soup. I have never had a bad soup! The last was a cream of wild mushroom with chunks of crab meat. -Foie gras: Again seasonal but always inventive and delicious. Make sure to bring your own bottle of sauterne dessert wine which pairs beautifully with this appetizer! And last but not least...and don't say ew.. The foie gras stuffed, braised pigs feet over french lentils. Absolutely to die for! So much flavor makes this savory dish very unique to Bibou. I haven't come close to having anything like this in the rest of Philly, let alone in the US.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:41:36" }, { "business_id": "RleiW2_QLyxgNjFfqDoZpw", "business_name": "Modo Mio", "rating": 5, "text": "An off the charts amazing small, BYOB in Northern Liberties. Great service and even better food! My mind has been completely blown multiple times on how lovely of a place this is to eat. Great for a romantic date or small family dinner. Must Haves Appetizers: Cozze (muscles) with red/hot sauce Chicken liver bruschetta Carpaccio di Manzo (beef) Must Have Pasta: Agnolotti del Plin (rabbit stuffed ravioli in sage brown butter): SUPER YUM Lasagne: The over-easy egg on top is such a brilliant idea. The flavor and textures really work well together Bring white & red bottles!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:18:38" }, { "business_id": "vtSisxaozZ7HWpBl_W7VaQ", "business_name": "Time", "rating": 4, "text": "A great place for late night dancing on friday and saturday nights! The upstairs area is always packed and the DJs always produce a mixture of old and new music that get your feet moving if they weren't already! The downstairs live jazz area is also a great area for weekend nights depending on what mood you are in! I have not yet had a chance to eat dinner here but will do so and repost in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:24:40" }, { "business_id": "BxfvdHqETU8jWYUjx5OL2A", "business_name": "Shake Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "Disappointed. In part its due to the large hype surrounding the opening of Shake Shack's first Philly location. I wanted it to be great but it's just not what it is in NYC. Tasty burgers but a little too greasy and honestly gave me a stomachache the last time I ate one. I got the SmokeShack burger which has bacon, peppers, and \"ShackSauce\" on it. The fries are pretty delicious and I always order a side of cheese. The real reason to go to the Shack is for the concrete milkshakes. They have multiple mix ins and you design your own. The best I had was a fall special of pumpkin pie mixed with vanilla!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:32:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious and fast! Came in for a brief work lunch and was highly satisfied with how quickly our food came. I ordered exactly what the server recommended to me: indian pancakes, penang satay chicken and beef skewers, curry me with you tau foo, and the mango chicken. In particular i LOVED LOVED the chicken and beef skewers. The meat was so flavorful but the dipping sauce was to die for! I have never had a peanut sauce so great! The mango chicken was also outrageously good and is served in a carved out mango. Very pretty", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T17:02:02" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "DELICIOUS cupcakes. Very moist and flavorful. The icing is absolutely perfect. The only reason why I don't want to rate Philly Cupcake higher than I did is that it is a little expensive. $4 dollars for a cupcake seems silly when down the street I can get a $4 gyro and soda combo! However if you are craving a cupcake itll hit the spot! Favorite: The Black Velvet: For all you chocolate lovers this is the one to get. Dark chocolate cupcake with vanilla cream cheese frosting. I think they must use some cayenne pepper in it as well because it was surprisingly spicy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T20:02:03" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "An amazing experience every time I've gone (6-8 times since 2008). I highly recommend coming with a group of 4 or more so you each can really get a feel for the menu. Every plate is unique and delicious and a great opportunity to share and talk about food! Otherwise be sure to do the Chef's tasting menu where you will enjoy a wide selection of the tapas personally ($55/$65 per person). I personally have gone with the $65 but be prepared to eat!! Tons of food. Must Haves: Get a chacuterie board to start! Octopus, patatas bravas, HAM CROQUETTES, CRAB STUFFED PEPPERS, chorizo clams, truffles and asparagus, lamb chops Brunch: One of the best experiences I've had at Amada was for brunch. Two of the plates that really stood out for me were the chorizo con papas and the lemon ricotta pancakes. In particular the chorizo con papas was the perfect way to start my day. I do wish however that the egg has been done over easy as opposed to fried to give a little bit of moisture to the dish...but easy fix! Just ask the waiter when you order and they'll have to done for you.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T17:43:52" }, { "business_id": "kVTHnhgYUw-Pmr7wgDB4_g", "business_name": "Distrito", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Garces restaurant. Such a fun place to get food. Always super busy since it's located on Penns campus. Not to mention it's also great for delivery! One of the best dining experiences I've ever had was a family dinner and we got the Frida Kahlo's tasting menu. Its the same as the Diego Rivera one however they mention that for a few courses you will get entrees that aren't on the menu....and oh boy! They DO NOT disappoint. By the time we all thought the meal was over...our waiter and two other servers show up with platters of steamed lobsters with a spicy seasoning, the diver scallops, and the carne asada. Absolutely amazing! A must have experience! Must Haves: Crab guacamole, tuna & hiramasa ceviches, TORTILLA SOUP (the best in the city), hongos huarache, pretty much all of the tacos but the MAHI MAHI & CARNE KOBE tacos are my favorites, the CARNE ASADA, and a side of sweet plantains. Order the seasonal frozen margarita although drink prices are a little steep there. Now to go into more detail about why I said Distrito has my favorite tortilla soup in the city. The tomato/chili broth is savory and has a great spice to it. A little more creamy than traditional tortilla soup but I don't mind, actually enjoy it more! The chicken is so soft it falls apart in your mouth. Micro cilantro is a great touch. I do wish they would put a little more cheese in it...but thats my only complaint! ***For tortilla soup fans....the best tortilla soup I've had in PA is from a small place on germantown avenue in mt. airy called Mi Puebla. Worth the adventure!", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T20:56:04" }, { "business_id": "fYSaoJMOj7-r4XWEuYjRxw", "business_name": "Bleu Martini", "rating": 2, "text": "I have only been here on Saturday nights before things get really busy to grab A quick drink with my friends. Why just one drink? The prices are pretty expensive and the drinks not very strong. It is a nice to listen to music and get ready to go out dancing...but leave before it gets crowded (~1130pm) PS. BOOOBIES. Seriously all the bartenders have their boobies out. If you're into that. Go. I couldn't even stop staring and I'm stick straight. ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:07:55" }, { "business_id": "XU3Fe8I8dD3FaOmzAQXLnQ", "business_name": "Spread Bagelry", "rating": 4, "text": "YUM YUM YUM! These bagels are unlike any I've ever had. The brick oven makes them a little more doughy then regular bagels and I absolutely love it. My favorite is getting \"the classic\" sandwich with whitefish instead of salmon on a plain bagel. Their white fish spread is absolutely amazing. Another plus is that you can order bagels/white fish/salmon/cream cheese the day before and have the order ready for pick up the next day if you are hosting a party and want Spread Bagelry featured at your house! Do be prepared to wait in a line if you are showing up on a weekend during prime brunch hours but FEAR NOT...there is usually live music playing outside and everyone is very friendly.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:14:37" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 3, "text": "Don't get me wrong...the food here is out of this world....like really really great quality food. The atmosphere is wonderful and the upstairs is absolutely gorgeous with a sun room porch feeling to it. However, the food is very very expensive and I have had some of these same dishes before for almost half the price. I am not even close to being stingy about spending money on food...but this place did set me back a little since each entree is at least 30 bucks. So just be prepared for that! Must Haves: Appetizers: potato crocchetta Pastas: fusilli w/ blue crab and uni crema, tortellini w/ lobster chives and black truffle, and the PAPPAREDELLE with boar (my favorite) Entree: Braised veal cheeks & suckling pig", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:29:49" }, { "business_id": "sDi3UPW6imj4wGHUg7CgXg", "business_name": "Teresa's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply the best. If you are really into great beer and food (as you all should be) this is the place to go. Completely worth the commute out of the city. If you are familiar with Monk's in the Rittenhouse Square Area....Teresa's Next Door puts it to shame! Honestly all of the food is amazing here. I get a little overwhelmed trying to figure out how to right a concise and informative review of this amazing spot but I will do my best. The atmosphere is amazing. Small space that has the bar span most the length of it. The background of the bar is filled with 100s of varieties of pint glasses specific to each beer you will order from the 15 pg or so Beer List. Unforgettable. Great for dates and small get togethers. MONDAYS: BUCK A SHUCK. Usually small variety west coast oysters...don't miss it! Must Haves: Crispy Artichokes Check out the cheese list. Always great selections! THE MUSSELS. Any of them. Best mussels I've ever had just do it! If I had to pick I would go with the Drunken: dark beer, chorizo, red pepper, shallot, and garlic. ugh YUM Chicken apple sausage sandwich Game Burger: make sure to try the caramelized leeks/beer battered onions as one of your toppings. HOBBIT RIBS. Order right when you get there they take 30-40 mins! LOBSTER ROLL: Originally labeled as the DOWN EASTAH. Dear god...one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had. A must!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T14:50:28" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "Looks like hiro is on the up&up. They have new lamenated menus w/ a choice of 4 different ramens: chicken soy, miso, pork, and vegetarian. Had the chicken soy for the first time! Very tasty. However, I still prefer the pork and the vegetarian. Since ramen traditional comes with pork belly (a fatty meat), the fattiness of the chicken was a little weird. I don't know. I guess I would just rather be eating pork fat than chicken fat :) PS. Jefferson Hospital Employees get $1 off! Woohoo", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:02:24" }, { "business_id": "7Klk8UuK1sdJt5_44eUtDg", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 4, "text": "Never thought I would rate a Starbucks...but I had to because this one is the best Starbucks in the city! Located on Jefferson Hospital's campus. Great place to study and relax (separate room). Very busy starbucks but the service is quick and SUPER friendly. Love it here.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:04:34" }, { "business_id": "-AanHawaDlzWHQjrqRRWig", "business_name": "Au Bon Pain", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Its a good spot to stop if you need to grab something quick and are in a hurry...but there is a Wawa 2 blocks away and you should probably just go there. The sandwiches are usually dry. Do not recommend. However, I work nearby and often grab the broccoli cheddar soup and a piece of bread for a snack. Not as good as Panera's broccoli cheddar...but pretty decent.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T20:18:58" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 4, "text": "Had a great lunch experience here yesterday! I ordered the Cavatappi which was absolutely delicious. The smokey pulled pork throughout the pasta was amazing. What really made the dish was the sauce. I really wish I knew how to make a tomato sauce like that! My friend got the burger and enjoyed it! Fries were extra tasty and came with some sort of aioli dip. Can't wait to come back for dinner in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T21:25:49" }, { "business_id": "OLkS4jfozQpUIUq0K6t_IQ", "business_name": "Underdogs", "rating": 4, "text": "What's better than getting a chili cheese dog @ 1 am on a Saturday night? Well...not much! Great experience at Underdogs this weekend. Service was quick. Fries were amazing! Got the chipotle mayo and utah fry sauce (kinda like a sriracha mayo) for dipping. Signed up for the Underdogs challenge. Time to get my name up on that wall! Will post my favorite sausage & hotdog at the end", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:14:15" }, { "business_id": "YO9Ycz_chfmoW4WI9Ou0ag", "business_name": "Drinker's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Had a fun time at Drinker's upstairs area on a Saturday night. Gets pretty crowded but if you are able to snag a table it makes the experience ten times better! Danced to old 90s hip hop and some oldies! Woo! Typical bar/drinks. I always snag a yuengling or yards ipa before lemon drops ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:19:33" }, { "business_id": "tzVLTQNUtiCAxUZmEuF0vQ", "business_name": "1 Tippling Place", "rating": 4, "text": "Love 1 tippling place for small group chats at happy hour or starting off your Saturday night. The inside is very charming! Small interior with an antique feel. The front of the place has a couple separated sitting areas with couches and lounge chairs. The back of the room runs along the bar and has more sitting options around high bar tables. I recommend the front if its open! The drinks are exceptionally good and you'll get your money's worth (10-12 dollars). Similar to Franklin and Mortgage Investment Company (if you have not been you should go there as well :) ) Must Have: Tequila Honey Suckle! Yum yum yum! Strong tequila at first but completely softened by the honey after each sip. Delicious", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:27:46" }, { "business_id": "2WGnykxiM-Mp-qIm2u7iAw", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 4, "text": "Review intended for a PRIVATE PARTY: I organized our office holiday party for 30 people at Maggiano's this past weekend and had a fantastic experience. Party planning was made easy by choosing the Milano package ($35 food and $40 open bar per person). We were in the Napoleon room which was very pleasant with a nice classy touch. The service was absolutely phenomenal and definitely added to why the party was such a success. Food Line Up: Started with the bruschetta & sausage peppers and onions served on a buffet. The bruschetta was great! I was pleasantly surprised to find cannellini beans in it! Turned out to be very tasty. Got the Maggiano's house salad & caesar salad served to the tables family style. I recommend both but to request less dressing as it was a little drenched and I had some guests complain. For pastas we got spaghetti with meat sauce and the four cheese tortellini with pesto. Both good! Entrees were chicken parmesan and an eggplant parm for the veggie eaters. Great overall experience! :) Definitely would recommend for large parties", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:39:32" }, { "business_id": "c6hhh1Kpr7iau8qMH74w2Q", "business_name": "Pub On Passyunk East", "rating": 4, "text": "Can you say, Hipster City?! This is where the hipsters are...and hey, they might be on to something because this place is great! A very casual, laid back atmosphere. Dark setting. The perfect place to grab some beers with your friends. Always pretty crowded on friday and saturday nights so if you want a table try and grab one early. The beer list is written on a long-stretching chalk board above the bar. If you have trouble reading it they have a printed list that you can ask for. They have a pretty phenomenal beer selection including some of my favorite West coast breweries such as 21st Amendment. Tasty food as well! The pierogies rocked my socks off!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:17:21" }, { "business_id": "4J06--ty2Ydj1---IsArLw", "business_name": "Cantina Los Caballitos", "rating": 3, "text": "Come here for MARGARITAS. Absolutely phenomenal margaritas and over 10 flavors. You can also get them served however you'd like or in a pitcher for the table. My favorite was the blood orange! Yum, yum ,yum! The atmosphere is fun and typical decor of a mexican restaurant/bar. My group and I had great service and you are served complimentary chips and salsas. The salsas are delicious and spicy! Maybe too spicy for some so make sure you have your margarita in hand! I ordered the chicken tortilla soup and have to say I was very disappointed. In no way is this a traditional tortilla soup. It was more like a chicken and green chili stew...which tasted fine but it isn't what you ordered.", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:25:47" }, { "business_id": "mf0OyZ6DX2iKUFIV9TqFRQ", "business_name": "Moriarty's Restaurant and Irish Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Great Happy Hour spot for after work with a decent beer list that is half off during this time! Dark lighting and tons and tons of wall decorations. Such a fun place to sit with friends and relax after a long day! In particular I loved coming here during the Holiday's when they have all of their X-mas decorations up. Very charming. Good for grabbing a quick bite or for bar food nibbles. Try the wings!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T22:07:47" }, { "business_id": "nFiobSfZqWmoA8LyuVK3vw", "business_name": "The Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is intended for Afternoon Tea! What a great experience. Perfect for...and I know it sounds cheesy...getting together for a girl date, putting on cute dresses, and talking over tea. You have the choice of ordering two samplers...the only difference between the two is that one comes with a cocktail and the other does not. You order your own pot (i typically go with earl grey) and are presented with a tower of tea sandwiches, seasonal scones, and desserts. So much fun! Also ask your waiter for more sandwiches because it usually goes free of charge if you tell them which one is your favorite and how much you loved it ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:13:05" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Currently battling sleep at my office desk...that's right I am in an official food coma! I stopped by Jake's to pick up lunch today. Got the turbacon and a side of fried pickles. Do you miss thanksgiving? Well today I did but my craving was fully satisfied. The turbacon has turkey, stuffing, gravey, hashbrowns, and cranberry sauce all on a roll. It's a dream come true. The fried pickles were also delicious! They came in slices the size of silver dollars with a sriracha mayo dipping sauce. Yum yum!", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:18:39" }, { "business_id": "6GePX4W6Cl8LD68zUq_MAA", "business_name": "Rachael's Nosheri", "rating": 4, "text": "Rachael's Nosheri = Your hangover cure! I don't think a week has passed since I moved to center city (July 2012) that my apartment hasn't ordered delivery from Rachael's. Typical deli menu. My favorites are the turkey special & italian with everything on it (oil not mayo!). I also order the chicken soup which is simple and has a classic homey taste. One of the best things about Rachael's is it's hours. When most places are closed at 8 to 9 am....Rachael's is open for delivery! That's what makes it my hangover cure and Sunday morning knight in shinning armor. I order a breakfast egg, sausage, and cheese on a hoagie roll with a side of chicken noodle soup. PS. GET THE PICKLES. Honestly they are the best ever. I sometimes just order Rachael's to eat the pickles. They are so perfect. Not too vinegary and they are still super crispy.", "timestamp": "2013-01-23T19:38:17" }, { "business_id": "1cncsHKApeW1ubd5d9HoJw", "business_name": "Hop Sing Laundromat", "rating": 4, "text": "This isn't just a bar, it's an experience! I felt giddy when we finally found the door between 10th and 11th st on Race. We were let in by a bouncer who instructed us to sit down in a small room where he explained to us the rules. It was like being at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida where you wait and listen to someone prepare you for the ride ahead. Nice touch! Beautiful interior. Close attention to details so don't be afraid to get up and look around if you're into that. Drinks are totally worth the price. Reminded me of Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. Recommend: East Side is my favorite drink. I also enjoy one of the new specials called Crazy Horse but only if you like vodka...because it is HEAVY on the vodka. ;) Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:06:09" }, { "business_id": "rN3tOWABU_hSBvLdADSb4Q", "business_name": "Tazia Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here for happy hour with a few co-workers after reading about some great experiences from fellow yelpers. Unfortunately I wasn't blown away by this place. The happy hour specials are great...for example $3.50 for a fruit (pineapple, lychee, etc) martini. But I pretty much got exactly what I paid for and maybe even less...the martini was watered down and I felt like I was drinking lightly flavored juice. The service was slow... Not sure I will be going back anytime soon but I could be persuaded to give it another try. Maybe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:10:09" }, { "business_id": "fcpHrRopilvsBwUajFB5rw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Good food at a great price! I came by for a quick dinner after going out for happy hour with some friends. We ordered tons of dumplings....seriously TONS. My favorite were the Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns ( pork and scallion ) and the soup dumplings. My favorite entree we got blew my mind! We ordered it as a recommendation that we took from our server: pork with sauce noodle. Literally that is what it's called. We got it with mei fun noodles. The best way to describe it is like having an asian spaghetti with meat sauce that instead of tomato has a soy/hoison base. Cilantro was sprinkled all over the top. So. Good. Some negatives...I didnt like the fried rice (how can you mess up fried rice?). Some of the dumplings weren't super special to me. So with the pros and cons...this place is A-OK to me", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:20:29" }, { "business_id": "gQCKrqkalAc--4cuW_C_Ow", "business_name": "Tacconelli's Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "There is no where else in Philadelphia and the surrounding area where you can get pizza as good as Tacconelli's. Seriously, this pizza is the best. I normally go here with a large group of people 8+. This is the best way to do it so you can order tons of different pizza combos. You are limited to only 2 toppings per pizza (to keep the oven operating efficiently). The crust is super thin and the pizza sauce is absolutely delicious. Be prepared to have garlic breath for hours...but hopefully whoever you're smooching later will be at dinner with you anyways and will have the same problem! My favorite combos: plain cheese & sauce, sausage & onion, tomato & spinach. If you can handle spicy, and I mean really spicy, order a side of their homemade hot peppers. Remember to call in and reserve the amount of pizza doughs you want before you get here! BYOB & Cash Only !", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T14:54:39" }, { "business_id": "oU-vzdE38Nk6gAr4yDy6ew", "business_name": "Crumbs Bake Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "Not the best but certainly worth a try. I got a dozen of the small cupcakes to try the different flavors with my roomies. I found them to be pretty good...in particular the red velvet and the coconut cream. Dense and moist to make for an overall yummy experience. Ill be going back again soon", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:04:27" }, { "business_id": "QuU-a6FEcC_aZTgZkYFeLA", "business_name": "The Bards", "rating": 4, "text": "The Bards has great brunch! Went there this past Saturday with a group of friends after a big night out and it was just what we needed. I ordered the eggs benedict and added Irish ham to it which was a great decision. The home fry potatoes that came on the side with onions and peppers were absolutely perfect. If you're in to bloody marys they have a great mix here! Yum! Bards is also a great spot to grab some beers for a sports game or for Thursday night Quizzo. All around great Irish Pub that puts its next door neighbor THE Irish Pub to shame.", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:28:07" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "I love dropping in to Capogiro every few weeks to try the new flavors...and this past weekend did not disappoint! I was really craving some sorbetto and got a combo of kiwi and pineapple mint. The pineapple mint was probably one of the best flavors I've ever had! So let me make it clear...if they have it, you must get the:PINEAPPLE MINT SORBETTO. I also love the cucumber sorbetto which they did not have this past weekend. Any of the gelatos are a must. In particular I crave the Thai coconut. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:35:35" }, { "business_id": "ueAkLzWFFTzQkq3jzyBlnA", "business_name": "Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "The clouds have parted... and there at the center, is a huge bowl of Pho. Absolutely delicious and enlightening (thus the first sentence) lunch experience at Pho Xe Lua today! I felt almost treacherous ditching my normal spot, Pho Cali, and wandered a little further away from work to this spot. What a good idea and I will absolutely be coming here again in the near future. I got regular rare steak pho. The meat and noodle portions were large just with a regular bowl portion. What really made this pho exceptional was the broth. So savory and had the right amount of scallions and cilantro. My PIC (partner in crime) got the beef stir fry noodles. Also amazing! But really I'm a Pho girl and this will be my new go to spot for it.", "timestamp": "2013-01-29T21:29:27" }, { "business_id": "mlrYh-m3Zlqp9CTeSvdOsQ", "business_name": "Chix & Wings", "rating": 4, "text": "MMMmmmmmm what a pleasant surprise! I needed a quick lunch break from work and was craving some serious chicken nuggets. I was heading to Wendy's on the corner of 11th and walnut but bumped into Chick-a-licious before I could make it. Hurrah! I ordered the 7 piece boneless chicken, mashed potatoes & gravey, and corn. I got honey mustard and the sweet chili dipping sauces (my fav). The chicken was so fresh! I watched them batter and fry it right in front of me. The meat was delish and had 0 fat. Very pleased with this discovery and will go back ASAP.", "timestamp": "2013-01-31T16:50:42" }, { "business_id": "8j3blTZChklt3j89jxx0fw", "business_name": "Brauhaus Schmitz", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is for restaurant week. What's better than a liter of beer and huge portions of goulash, potato pancakes, and sausage? Not much! Had a fun experience here for restaurant week. The menu was a bit limited since their regular menu is so so large, so I felt a bit limited but was not completely disappointed. I ordered the hungarian goulash. Not like goulash you can get abroad. It resembled more of a what I called, \"a european chili.\" I also got the kale salad which was a huge like! I don't think I've ever had just plain kale in a salad before but it was so good. It had a roasted garlic dressing, thin red onions, and shaved smoked gouda. I was disappointed with the sausage selections my table got (weisswurst, bratwurst, and baurenwurst) . Overall I felt they were relatively flavorless and demanded some serious mustard attention. This is in comparison to the sausages you can get at Frankford Hall which comes from Ilg's Butcher shop where the sausages are unbelievable. I am looking forward to going back again and getting the house sausage and others that were not available on the restaurant week menu. The Braushaus Housbrau was very good. Easy to drink and great to wash down the food :)", "timestamp": "2013-02-05T23:23:47" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 4, "text": "Mmmm what's for Supper? Well for me it was the sweet potato soup with the smear of homemade marshmallow around the rim of the bowl and the scallops. The soup was spicy but sweet and had a thickness to it that was perfect. The scallops were cooked to perfection and the truffle on them is a great touch. The sauteed greens that came with the scallops were a little tough but not bad! For the table we shared the Tamale fries and the Chicken wings. CHICKEN WINGS ARE A MUST. I cant get over how delicious they are. Sugar, salt, pepper and falls right off the bone. Tasty appetizer for the table. Love the atmosphere here. Plan on coming back soon!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:34:37" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "Yum. Thank you Honest Tom's for renewing my hope for Philadelphia's burrito scene. Best chicken burrito I've had outside of New Mexico. Honestly (ha) this place is as good as it gets. From the chicken to the beans...everything is well flavored and fresh making a great, cheap, & quick meal. They also make their own salsas which are delish and worth a try. If you like it hot, you'll be in love!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:45:59" }, { "business_id": "2YyIIdwnYv5cApn1gZo_gw", "business_name": "Field House", "rating": 4, "text": "Very pleased with going to The Field House for Mardi Gras last night! The specials were great: $3 dollar Abita drafts, $5 hurricanes, $5 soco lime shots Abita's Purple Haze may be one of my favorite beers for all time (you can find in specialty craft beer stores by the can) and I couldn't believe I was drinking pints of it for 3 dollars each. In general the beer list is pretty good and during happy hour it's $2 dollars off all local brews. I came with a big group of people (10) and we took over the benches up in front by the stage. Great drinks, fast service, and a couple orders of the Kettle Chips (braised beef, jalapenos, gouda, salsa...uhhh yum) made for a great after work party", "timestamp": "2013-02-13T19:46:32" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 4, "text": "Yum! I've been meaning to try this spot for some time now and decided that going on a little V-Day Lunch Adventure was just what I needed today. Turns out it was a great choice! Love the space. Very casual and fun. Feels like being in a market/kitchen area. I didn't get a chance to browse the initial cheese, charcuterie, and dessert counter but I will be coming back in the near future to do so! From what I saw there was a chocolate cake with bacon peanut butter icing...MMMM yes please I ordered the half sandwich and soup combo. The pasta fagioli was very fresh and perfectly cooked. Now, the cuban sandwich was amazing. I'm pretty picky about these and I loved mine. The bread was crispy & thin. The portion of meat was generous. Homemade pickles and mustard....plus untraditional gruyere cheese. Delish and absolutely recommend!", "timestamp": "2013-02-14T19:13:42" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 3, "text": "El vez is a good spot to stop by for happy hour. The margaritas are delicious and they normally have a decent beer selection. The guacamole is good (but pricey depending on what you get). My two favorites are the Morales (truffle) and the Indian Red Lopez (crab, cilantro, and salsa) guacamoles. I love the tortilla soup here. Much MUCH MUCH better than at Starr's other mexican spot, El Rey. Can't go wrong with the tacos. This place is good but not the best. I think its a nice spot for getting together with a larger group of friends for dinner or just for a casual happy hour.", "timestamp": "2013-02-18T16:05:11" }, { "business_id": "jHeT7dodT4fN1SD3QEFoAA", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 4, "text": "Oink oink oink! This place is appropriately named and deservedly so. The pork selections on the menu are each to die for. Really, the chef knows how to cook meat. Everything came out in a timely fashion and was cooked to perfection. Great family dinner experience. A dish that really stood out to me in particular was actually a dessert. We were so full we almost didn't ask for dessert menus...but alas my curiosity often overrides any smart decision to stop eating and thank goodness it did. I ordered the shortcake with maple syrup and bacon ice cream. YUP, BACON ICE CREAM. It was the best breakfast/dessert/smorgasbord I've ever had. Highly recommend saving room for this one! Look forward to coming again & also for brunch (gasp! didn't know they had one until recently)", "timestamp": "2013-02-20T16:08:37" }, { "business_id": "5Fm6khB-De-OdqATep9J9Q", "business_name": "NYPD Pizza", "rating": 2, "text": "Not a bad spot to stop in for a quick lunch. I came a little after the initial lunch rush and I think it limited my options. There wasn't much variety to the leftover pizza. I ended up getting a slice of the cheesesteak pizza and a slice of mushroom and cheese. The cheesesteak pizza was pretty good. White pizza with tons of american cheese and steak meat. There were also dollops of cheez whiz. I did wish it had red sauce but I asked the counter for a side which they were more than willing to provide! The mushroom pizza was super eh. I should have just gone with a slice of plain cheese that seemed to be the freshest. It was like heating up an old piece of pizza. I showered the entire thing with hot peppers which made it better. Good price & quick service tho.", "timestamp": "2013-02-21T21:32:49" }, { "business_id": "qCpdeQYPf9i1EZhTnQgjtg", "business_name": "The Foodery at Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a great addition to the Rittenhouse Square Area. I had an absolutely wonderful time stopping by the new Foodery after happy hour to check it out. Not only did they have some of my all time favorite beers that are hard to come by (ex. Prism Red Zone!) they also were stocked with an interesting and diverse selection of bottled beers that the employees were more than willing to walk you through them. We got our beer selections and sat down at the large picnic table. Right now they only do sandwiches and some sides..but I wanted just charcuterie so the server happily sliced me a little of everything free of charge so I could try it out. We also got a side of potato chips and the marinated artichokes which were super yum. Great experience! Nice place to stop with friends and try out some funky beers!", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:10:40" }, { "business_id": "HS5CfzQ_gOJHgqwtv9rvNQ", "business_name": "Ladder 15", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to a fundraiser for happy hour yesterday. It was pretty decent. There were $5 dollar mixed drink specials that were surprisingly boozy. The food was OK. All fried appetizers. The winner was the fried mac and cheese squares. I could eat dozens of those. I really like the ambiance of Ladder 15. They had a fire going and the lighting is pretty dim. Makes for a cozy happy hour with your friends.", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:13:03" }, { "business_id": "AfassS1QI0DHsqwuof9-lA", "business_name": "Dirty Franks", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple of my friends and I had a great time finding this Dive Bar on the corner of 13th & Pine. The best part about it was...BYOF...Bring Your Own Food! We brought in a ton of wings (from moriarty's) and sat down with a couple of beers to hang out for Happy Hour before going out for the rest of the night. People of all ages but apparently similar music tastes because I could not get enough of how great the juke box selections were for the evening! Anything from Bob Marley to some 90s Pop. I was lovin' it They had Purple Haze (Abita) on tap. Obviously adds a whole star to my review. I can't get enough of this beer. My one big problem with this place is that there wasn't a good spot for all of my friends and I to sit together (6 of us). The tables can only accommodate up to 4 so we had to play musical chairs for a little while.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T20:35:40" }, { "business_id": "ZDdNEwBENLXBT3jjQD5STQ", "business_name": "Giwa Korean Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "Gimme korean chicken tacos all day every day! Love this tiny spot for grabbing a quick lunch. I have to say that I have not yet ordered anything else from the menu because the tacos are all I need. Both the pork and the chicken are delicious but I prefer the chicken. Tiny tortillas stuffed with spicy chicken, cheese, sour ccream, lettuce, onion, cilantro, and sticky rice. The spicyness of the chicken seeps into the rice it's absolutely fantastic. They put a heaping amount of cilantro on each taco which really makes it! Be sure to grab some of the hot sauce for dipping! I dip my side cucumbers in as well :) Some day I will be back to try something else off the menu...but not today", "timestamp": "2013-03-04T16:08:52" }, { "business_id": "7mpYTDb24SywNMRn3yeakQ", "business_name": "The Twisted Tail", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great place to stumble upon! We wanted to grab a bite to eat before a 7pm concert at the TLA and thankfully found The Twisted Tail. The cocktails were delicious. I had the black cherry gimlet and the kool kat. The gimlet was sweet but the lime juice added a tartness that made it perfect. The kool kat was refreshing and a tasty way to start off the night. As we were having our cocktails and waiting to order, the waiter brought out fresh house popcorn with bacon and rosemary butter. YUM What we ordered: Soup of the day: Pumpkin Chipotle glazed wings Cesar salad with cornbread croutons Blackened catfish BBQ spare ribs I would strongly recommend the pumpkin soup if they have it. It was the best I have ever had! It had a strong pumpkin flavor but was sweetened with what almost felt like a marshmallowy taste. The soup was thickened adding to the marshmallow aspect of the dish. The BBQ ribs were also very tasty! Even better is on the side were deep fried cornichons. I've fallen in love with these. This should be the only way to fry pickles.", "timestamp": "2013-03-07T15:14:48" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 4, "text": "Happy to stop in to Vernick to catch up with an old friend. She had never been and was very pleased overall with the experience (as she should be!) The food was spectacular as always. The service was quick and helpful. We split a mixture of toast/ raw bar/ and small plates over wine. The tuna poke is still my favorite! So delicious Vernick is not getting my usual 5 star rating because their desserts are not what they use to be. I think this is on account of the dreaded change in pastry chef. This makes me the saddest.... Goodbye delicious pies. The date cake wasn't what it was last time I went (~1month ago). It wasn't as moist and a little too dense. With a change of pastry chef should come a change in menu! I'm ready for it, Vernick!", "timestamp": "2013-03-08T19:23:31" }, { "business_id": "YBak8o0xCiNN4sXr3izLbg", "business_name": "Barcade", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok...I was so excited to finally spend a night at Barcade with a handful of friends for a birthday party and was pretty disappointed. We picked out this place specifically to come to after a day at Frankford hall (da best obvi) because of the amazing beer list and full intention to get rowdy with some throw back video games. When we got there around 9pm the place was so full it was hard to even move around. Any dream of playing a video game was shattered by the lines in front of each machine. Instead we settled at a table after a bit of a wait until the music got turned up. For some reason the music got even louder than it already was with some sort of tortured rock that really hurt my ears. Needless to say we made a hasty retreat back to the center city area. With all this negativity....I am not completely turned off by this joint. I think timing is key and I need to come back at a less rowdy time to really enjoy what this place is...a place where you can be goofy and enjoy old games over a pint or two rather than get lost in a loud, claustrophobia-inducing crowd.", "timestamp": "2013-03-11T15:46:00" }, { "business_id": "Z5rqRyZ4-iEBRVXCRbysfA", "business_name": "Rogue's Gallery", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a hidden gem Rogue's Gallery is! I met up with a couple of friends for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised. Rogue's is off the beaten path of mainstream Rittenhouse Square Area and is a refreshing change of scenery from my normal go to places. The bar is the perfect combination of up-scale, divey-ness that is hard to explain until you see it. Our immediate reaction to the place was, \"Wow. We need to be regulars here,\" and I completely plan on making that happen! Great specials for happy hour. Can't wait to come back here to try the food or come dancing on a friday night!", "timestamp": "2013-03-20T18:34:00" }, { "business_id": "Tkx1AiQarmw0zc50GibtTA", "business_name": "Marathon On the Square", "rating": 3, "text": "Marathon does free deliveries on grub hub now!!! Fast service. Same old food...but if you're in a pinch for a burger/sandwich/salad it's nice. The smoothies are great! Love the mixed berry with honey!", "timestamp": "2013-03-22T16:29:07" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 4, "text": "I love to see Drury street becoming a serious destination for Saturday nights. Not that McGillins wasn't holding down the fort on it's own, but now the spill into the street from both packed establishments makes it a really exciting place to be. I can't wait for the summer! Anyways, Bru has the right stuff to become a great spot to grab drinks with friends for a night out. The pour your own pint in the front is amazing. Basically you load up a card with money, swipe, and ta dahhhh... you dispense your own beer like a soda fountain. I'm excited to see what selections they will have in the upcoming future. I think to start the choices were a little unoriginal...but I have high hopes! Haven't tried the food yet. Maybe next time :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T18:56:43" }, { "business_id": "OHzX-ZD9qyoeoxR8Z0dlIA", "business_name": "Khyber Pass Pub", "rating": 5, "text": "I. love. this. place. I can't put a finger on the exact reason why...but maybe that's why it's so great. There isn't just one thing that makes Khyber Pass a great place to go to. Saturday was gorgeous and we set out to try new places and get our day drink on. We landed at Khyber's and were immediately greeted with a surprisingly crowded but friendly atmosphere. The beer list is extensive and exciting if you are in to the beer scene. Lots of new things for me to try and the sudden surprise that...OH MY DEAR LORD THEY HAVE PO BOYS, and lots of them! I got the cat fish po boy with a side of collard greens and the mac and cheese. Heaven. Seriously. What is better than an afternoon of funky beers over fried fish and mac with your friends. Nothing. :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T19:03:37" }, { "business_id": "waafKhA-LtJSZXlECyfEXw", "business_name": "New York Gyro Halal Food Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been here 20+ times in the past couple of months and my feelings have not changed for how amazing this place is for lunch. Quick, cheap, & delicious. Best $4 dollars I've ever spent (Except really I give them $5 :) )", "timestamp": "2013-03-26T18:48:13" }, { "business_id": "RFYlmTjgwhOsm7qJwW1G9w", "business_name": "Alfa American Tavern", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Perhaps it's because we came here on the later side of a Saturday night but I found it over crowded and stuffy. To be far, I was in a larger group so we ourselves were kind of crowding up the place but even so I couldn't really talk to everyone and we had to break up a bit. I had a hard time getting to the bar, which can be frustrating for a little redhead. However, once I did I was pleased with my drink choice: Kate Middleton. I'll try it again, but not on a Saturday night", "timestamp": "2013-03-28T14:16:45" }, { "business_id": "ePs4Z_Nqsm5-kQk_hAp2Dg", "business_name": "Irish Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh the Irish Pub...I was too harsh on you. For a place to go out for drinks with a group of friends, no matter what night of the week it is, I find myself at the Irish Pub at least once a week. Whether it's a weekday night and I try to monopolize the jukebox with DJ Saraah's Greatest Hits or a Friday/Saturday night with a rotation of visiting DJs, the music is loud and sets a booty wigglin, drink guzzling atmosphere to forget the rest of the world outside of the pub. A good spot for celebrating but get there before the night rush if you want to have good standing room. It can get crowded pretty fast but hey, with cheap drinks and fast service what else would you expect?", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:15:49" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "AHOY Seafood Connoisseurs! The Dump Dinner does not disappoint! Did the Dump Dinner again with a group of 10. Still my #1 dining experience in Philly. Delicious, messy, finger lickin' food in a classy establishment with a 2hr open bar. Count me in always.", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:21:29" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "My Boyfriend has a problem...and its Tea Do. He discovered this place a couple weeks ago and I lost him every day, and then multiple times a day to a mysterious bubble house that I hadn't been to in China Town. He started coming up with excuses for his addiction: I just worked out (bubbles help that?), my stomach hurts (ok...), and I'm sleepy (...). Needless to say my curiosity peeked and I was ready to make the trek to China Town to, \"grab some bub teas.\" I tend to like traditional milk with tapioca bubble teas, the coconut milk one being my favorite. My boyfriend on the other hand is obsessed with both the Grasshopper and the Tropical Twister but with tapioca bubbles not lychee. I've also ventured and explored the bursting bubbles such as strawberry. These are good but like I've already said, I'm a traditionalist. So now he has a Bub Tea PIC (partner in crime)....and it's getting a little embarrassing how often we go. :)", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T15:41:19" }, { "business_id": "OhSaEeJes7JLtk3MGMXXmg", "business_name": "Maoz Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "My healthy lunch go to during the work week. The falafel is fresh and really delicious, but what makes the place is all of the options from the buffet you can stock up on for your sandwich or salad. I prefer getting the falafel in a salad bowl because I can fit everything I want into the container. As you can imagine jamming additional snackie poos into the pita and falafel, which is already full to begin with, is pretty difficult. If you like spicy and fresh, I recommend getting the green chili and the cilantro sauces all over your falafel.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:24:36" }, { "business_id": "qh7T0rql3chxxuORLMse2Q", "business_name": "Yellow Juice Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Yellow Juice Bar loves Yelpers. First off I checked in and got $1 off a salad. Boom. I got a Mango Madness fruit blend with almond milk and the free banana twirl special featured on Yelp this week. That banana twirl is magic. I didn't know that being healthy could be so delicious. I'm a big big fan of banana gelato..and as far as I'm concerned, that is exactly what I ate.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:32:04" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm really torn up about Village Whiskey. Don't get me wrong, this a great place but for some reason I can't give it 4 stars. It's really hard to get a table here pretty much all the time. I've been a number of times and always end up standing in the back with a friend or two. Not terrible but also not ideal. I also had an annoying situation with the hostess when 5 of my friends and I were trying to squish and eat at a 2 person table while the entire middle booth (seats 6) was empty. We kept asking if we could move there since we were in the way of everything and had ordered food which was definitely not going to fit on the table. After about 20 minutes when our food arrived in heaping loads she let us move. Sorry I'm not Ryan Howard but this girl wants to eat her burger just as bad. On the up side the food and drinks are good. The beecharmer is my cocktail of choice and they always have good beers on tap. The truffled cauliflower on the pickle selections is amazing and a must have. I also am a big fan of the veggie burger. Best I've ever had. Heads up- They deliver. And this is normally the route I take if I just want food from here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:44:14" }, { "business_id": "0-7N3z_cb3Z1xMGDrbez6w", "business_name": "Le Virtu", "rating": 4, "text": "Looking for the perfect date night spot? You found it. Le Virtu is such a gem. It's classy but not too much so...the overall feel is very comfortable and homey. It set me up to chow down on some pasta and drink italian wine. Not much can beat that! The service was also amazingly friendly and warm. We spoke with the manager for a lengthy period of time about food traditions across Italy and, in particular, the food from Abruzzo where his grandfather is from (one of Le Virtu's main drawing pools). Appetizers: Fried rice balls Hearty chick pea soup is a must have. I feel like this can be easily overlooked but they use duck and rabbit stock....yum city. House-made Abruzzese-style sausage Charred octopus salad was also very good. Surprisingly refreshing. The octopus was very tiny and packed with flavor which is exactly how I like 'em Primi: We all got entree sized pasta dishes and skipped secondi because they looked amazing Shepard Style gnocchi was absolutely amazing. Probably my favorite dish. The gnocchi was miniature and not too soft. The smokiness of the lamb sausage paired with the sheep ricotta gave these dish such warm and comforty feel to it. I could eat this all the time. Taccozzelle was recommend by the server and rightfully so. The noodles were so fresh. The porcini mushroom was the predominant flavor, can't complain there. Desserts: Pecorino Panna cotta. Yes, get this. It is a must have. The pecorino really makes this panna cotta unique. It is extra thick and creamy, served with poached pears. I loved it. Also it is a smaller portion size which I welcomed warmly after all of the pasta I destroyed Chocolate semifreddo was like eating the best frozen chocolate milk I've ever had. Assorted biscotti.........I know it's a crime but I don't like biscotti. Never have. But for the members of the dinner party who do like it they raved about them. Enjoy! I'll be back soon to try the Maccheroni alla mugnaia: the 6 ft single strand noodle pasta!", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T18:11:23" }, { "business_id": "f2RHDdXezLHILvM7v1xOVA", "business_name": "Taqueria La Veracruzana", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars and a round of applause for the Tacos at Veracruzana! You can't go wrong with any of the tacos all of which are sprinkled with freshly chopped onions and cilantro..... HOWEVER! The must haves are the Al Pastor (roasted, pulled pork & pineapple) and the chorizo tacos. The Al Pastor from here is pretty much the best I've come across in the Philly area. The pork is melt in your mouth good and the pineapple with the cilantro is super refreshing. For a more intense savory flavor the chorizo is the way to go. You get 3 to an order so I usually go 1 chorizo & 2 al pastor with the occasional bistec guisado taco to mix it up. The house green and red accompanying salsas are both killer. I loud up all my tacos with a squish of lime and both salsas. Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-04-24T15:59:47" }, { "business_id": "SDL247FlOnScJfuNjZESxg", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty Manning Grill is a bright and refreshing place. Between both the ambiance and the food, it makes me feel like summer is already here! I went on a Mommy-Daughter date here last night (awwwww) and was extremely pleased with the whole experience. We split the Lancaster Baby Romaine and the cheese plate to start. The cheese plate was absolutely gorgeous. They pile on different slices of fruit and berries on a thick wooden board. Very pretty. For entrees she got the Berkshire Pork Chop which was delicious. Very tender, perfectly cooked pork and the brussel sprouts were a hearty, leafy side. I got the Duck Confit...now this is a MUST HAVE alert... MUST HAVE: (Lightly) Crispy Duck Confit. The meat was practically falling off the bone and was so delicious. The whole leg rests on a thick bed of spinach salad with slices of tangerine. I got my meat fix and my green fix in one plate. It was really an impressive dish that kept to overall mood of the evening: light, refreshing, summery dining experience. Bottle of wine: Fritz, Riesling (Germany) to keep to the light nature of our meal. Very sweet but not syrupy. Great riesling!", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:32:57" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok...Yogorino is growing on me...BIG time. Maybe its the weather...maybe it's my new work out schedule...but I get Yogorino cravings like crazy lately. I love how creamy but not overly sweet the frozen yogurt is here. Very different from the other froyo places popping up all over the place that try and make their yogurt more like an ice cream. Here, the yogurtyness is embraced. Everything is kept simple. My go to toppings: a litttttle dulce de leche sauce, meringue crumble, and strawberries. And dare I say it... FROYO because...YOLO?", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:39:13" }, { "business_id": "fivoAD6x6jXJRiEZwhpcEQ", "business_name": "Amis Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh me, oh my, Amis! I really want to go with a 4.5 here because a 4 doesn't do it justice...but I also can't just give it a full 5 stars since it was my first time there. #yelperproblems This was an absolutely great dining experience. I went with a group of 5 for a Sunday night Birthday Dinner. I actually would recommend going with a group of 4+ so you can try everything you want to on the menu...and trust me there are going to be a lot of dishes that grab your attention. MUST HAVES: I can't go into detail about every dish we got...but I will highlight my favorites Bufala ricotta and black pepper paired with the Veal Terrine (as recommended by our server): Super creamy and savory. The two dishes were made for each other Marinated Octopus over chickpeas: Yes, yes, yes. This is the way octopus should be cooked. Lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside as opposed to overly chewy. The chickpeas were also delicious. All around great dish Fried Lamb Ribs: If you like lamb then this is a must. I loved nomming tender lamb morsels off the bone. The yogurt was a nice touch Cacio e pepe: one of my favorite dishes in general...but Amis does it great. This is my ultimate comfort food. Simple but great. Spinach fazzoletti with lamb ragu: YUM. The fazzoletti was made perfectly. The lamb ragu was tender and meaty which went great with the spinach pasta. OVERALL everything was amazing from ambiance to drinks to food. However, I have 1 complaint. The rice pudding was off putting. They top what is on it's own an absolutely delicious rice pudding (perfect taste & texture) with a berry puree (not terrible) and SALTED pistachios. I capped salted because this is what I think ruined the dish. The salt was too overpowering for the light, milky pudding and was the only thing I could taste. I ended up scoping the top layer off and eating the pudding on its own. I would suggest non-salted pistachios if they are going for the texture....but salted is just too much.", "timestamp": "2013-04-29T15:45:08" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "Winter has come to Pub & Kitchen (Game of Thrones anyone?). The days of plenty are over. The change in chef/menu has really put a damper on this once awesome place to grab a drink and some food with your friends. It really, reaaally is a shame since the location is so great and summer is right around the corner. First off, I wasn't blown away by the menu. Nothing grabbed my attention. Everything was extremely fancy. I'm a pretty intense foodie, but there were things that made me go, \"Huh? What the ... is that?\" Except for the burger...which is listed as \"Cheeseburger: pickle, onion, lettuce, american cheese.\" Fancy, fancy, fancy, and a side of Cheeseburger. It's almost as if they felt obligated to have a cheeseburger since the last Pub & Kitchen burger was out of this world. What we tried: Suckling pig bouchons: These were OK. Imagine eating a croquette without the potato. The lemony sauce that was served with them was awesome. Probably the best thing I had there... Pabbit Campagne: Again...just OK. It was described as a pate but really its more of a meaty terrine. It didn't taste bad, but I did not finish it. Pickled Beets: I don't like beets...but these were actually pretty good. The puffs add a great texture to the dish Cheeseburger: Sad, sad, sad. The meat was flavorful but overcooked due to the fact that they now use two thin patties (why?!). When I go out to eat and order a cheeseburger, it better be delicious and unique.....and this one was just not. Overall: The changes at Pub & Kitchen have made me pretty sad. The cocktail that I had was tasty (Lie to Me), but until there's a turn around in the food department I don't see myself coming back here anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2013-05-01T13:56:01" }, { "business_id": "yQ7sxpoKXcTWzuELVdpR6w", "business_name": "Drury Beer Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "The Drury Beer Garden really is a hidden gem. It's a great place to just chill out with a larger group of friends without having to worry about squeezing everyone around a bar. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and I think because of this everyone freely intermingles with other groups. Just your regular backyard party coupled with an awesome beer list and the chance to meet some people. What is there not to like? I went this past weekend and scored a picnic table under a heat lamp. I had my favorite beer: Hell or High Watermelon for $5 a can and couldn't have been more content!", "timestamp": "2013-05-06T15:48:56" }, { "business_id": "7z16CBc74GhbyqalwZrJUQ", "business_name": "Ting Wong Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick, delicious, & fresh business lunch @ Ting Wong for 4 people. We went family style and ordered: Boneless soy chicken & pork appetizers Chicken & Anchovy fried rice Chicken Lo Mein The portions are huge! So definetely plan on ordering a couple of dishes and sharing! I would absolutely recommend the chicken & anchovy fried rice as well as the soy chicken. The fried rice was very fresh and not greasy as fried rice has a tendency to be. The anchovy gave it a nice salty flavor and it wasn't fishy at all which I was initially afraid of. The soy chicken is so flavorful and the crushed ginger sauce on top (and ask for more on the side) makes it a delicious dish. Great spot to check out in Chinatown! :)", "timestamp": "2013-05-14T15:34:45" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 5, "text": "Grabbed the Enfrijoladas and a slice of carrot cake Take-Out style last night for a lazy couch dinner after the gym. Heaven. The Enfrijoladas are really, really good. Now, this is coming from a New Mexican who is pretty picky about these things. The refried beans are to die for. The only thing lacking was heat, but that was nothing a healthy squeeze of Sriracha couldn't fix.", "timestamp": "2013-05-15T14:15:39" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by for an iced latte and salad for lunch. Yummy yummy! The iced caramel latte is divine. Creamy & unburned coffee that will make you smack yourself on the wrist for ever going in to a Starbucks. Spiced orange salad was amazing! Lightly spiced vinaigrette. The chicken was seasoned and warm off to the side. Filling but not overly so. Perfect for a hot afternoon lunch outside.", "timestamp": "2013-05-16T17:40:47" }, { "business_id": "MKsCFQuzmgH2We9hwTQ8gw", "business_name": "South Street Souvlaki", "rating": 4, "text": "Opa! Amazing family dinner experience! I love the atmosphere here. Very friendly service with an eagerness to please. All of our food came out quickly and there was plenty, PLENTY of it. We ate everything family style, which I would recommend if you are having a sit down dinner, and got to try a large variety of things. So many in fact, that I will only list my favorites: I could eat the baba ganoush with warm pita for days. Seriously, it is perfection. The marinated grilled octupus was cooked supremely well and served over a fresh salad. We went with the special fish of the day: Porgy. Lightly fried with fresh squeezed lemon. So good! Another special was the pork & leek stew. The meat was deliciously tender and the leeks came in huge, caramelized chunks. Served over rice. Save room for dessert because the rice pudding is some of the best I've ever had! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T15:48:17" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 3, "text": "I am so torn up about Continental Mid-Town and have been waiting to write a review for a couple months now. There are most certainly reasons why I would give them 4 stars...but there are also plenty of times I would have gone with just 2. So I'll settle at an indecisive 3 stars. Here are the pros and cons: Pros: The atmosphere of the rooftop bar is really fun during any season. As long as you are in a smaller group of people it can be a lot of fun. Just make sure to get there and snag a table/bar seat before major crowds roll in. I like their tuna tar tar Their drinks are tasty, modern, fun. They deliver through grubhub if you're feeling lazy Cons: Expensive. You can get better tasting food for half the price. It really is a shame. Crowded night light. You have to plan to get there and find space to hang out ahead of major crowds...otherwise it can be a bit overwhelming. Overall I like this place as a launching pad for a great night out with my friends. Maybe an appetizer or two...but nothing more than that.", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T16:00:07" }, { "business_id": "XTNu6IrYn_xn05wuqjrxiA", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review for Jimmy John's yet! It is just blowing my mind! I get Jimmy John's at least once a week for my lunch at work. They must be sandwich magicians over there because I will literally pick up the phone, order, and POOF! Within 5 minutes the food is here, every time. Seriously...I have never waited more than 5 mins for my food. I am in love with them. Go to: #9 Italian hoagie with added hot pepper and a side of bbq chips. Their bread is out of this world and the chips are extra crispy. Feeling healthy? No problem! Get your favorite sandwich on a lettuce wrap instead of a hoagie roll. Go Jimmy John's! I am a fan!", "timestamp": "2013-05-23T17:05:01" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 4, "text": "I crave the chicken banh mi from Rotisseur on a biweekly basis. The feeling slowly creeps up on me until suddenly it has a hold on my stomach and the thought of eating anything thing else is food torture...until...at last, I reach my delicious sandwich. The chicken is moist and they add a layer of crispy skin from the long, slow cook. Pickled cabbage and fresh cilantro really tie the whole thing together. Make sure to add a healthy squirt of sriracha if you are a spice freak. The sides are made on a daily basis. The best side I've come across are the curry garbanzo beans. So. Good. Love rotisseur but don't let your cravings take a hold of your life, body, and mind on a Sunday. They are not open as I was shocked to find out. I withered and died for a day until Monday came.", "timestamp": "2013-06-03T14:17:30" }, { "business_id": "x7gEX6dthpJvoOafV1XHaA", "business_name": "Cook", "rating": 5, "text": "Cook is a brilliant establishment. Cozy, intimate atmosphere so you can get your one on one time with the chefs of your choice. A great gift for foodies. I went with my P.I.C.'s family last night to hang out and try polish food with Chef Maciej Ciezki from Lacroix. I won't go into detail about the food here, but I did add a photo of some of the courses we had. The food was plentiful, the drinks were flowing, and the room was chatty. I will most definetely be coming back for more in the near future.", "timestamp": "2013-06-04T13:22:46" }, { "business_id": "AQIi4IRvUxkurxNvlUD9hQ", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, I LOVE Smoothie King. I want to be it's Smoothie Queen, but I do have one big, big problem with it: the hours. Why smoothie king did you not open until 9:30 am this morning?! You miss the whole morning crowd who needs to be in to work by 9 am. I don't understand! You're open until 7pm...and lets be honest, who gets a smoothie for dinner? Please shift your hours and I think it'll be good for you. I was very sad having to wait until 930 for your juicy goodness. My boss is also mad at you.", "timestamp": "2013-06-06T14:13:12" }, { "business_id": "M77MQ0Gge2ZbSz0FM0oGgg", "business_name": "Krispy Kreme", "rating": 5, "text": "I love you so much Krispy Kreme. I can't believe you are no longer in downtown Philly (WHYYYYYYYYYYY), but I am willing to commute. 1 dozen plain glazed & 1/2 a dozen glazed creme filled later...I am a happy camper and my craving has been fulfilled. :)", "timestamp": "2013-06-10T16:52:03" }, { "business_id": "RZtGWDLCAtuipwaZ-UfjmQ", "business_name": "LaScala's", "rating": 3, "text": "LaScala's is a place to grub down on Italian food, but only when it is convenient to do so. The only times I have gotten LaScala's is through delivery or for yesterday's lunch with my coworkers. I got the rigatoni vodka because I was craving pasta. My craving was fulfilled with cheesy/vodka sauce pasta that was served in such a large portion I took leftovers home. The food is tasty but not mind blowing....I really think the 3 star, \"A-Ok,\" rating is appropriate.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:18:40" }, { "business_id": "78kUZU8GPfHgoYO_2CNbuQ", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 3, "text": "The ice cream that Ben & Jerry's provides is an obvi 5 STARS. Getting it at an actual store and not in pints from a corner shop really makes a difference. It feels creamier...probably due to freshness and lack of the freezer burn that my fridge brutally attaches to any inhabitants. The service here is iffy. There were three people working and for whatever reason it probably took a full 20 minutes of waiting in line/paying. The line wasn't even that long..... Maybe they do it on purpose because after waiting I probably ordered double what I would have to begin with. Serious ice cream coma.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:25:11" }, { "business_id": "EKSmnS-fup3HNFLR9J17mQ", "business_name": "Midtown II Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Beeeewaaareeee of the bathroooomssss (spooky voice). I can get down a dirty when need be, but these are worse than port-a-potty status. I may be scared for life. So you're better off holding it. On a brighter note. This place is OK if you have a craving for diner food. I get breakfast for lunch & a coffee milkshake. Service is pleasant and food comes out fast.", "timestamp": "2013-06-24T14:02:18" }, { "business_id": "TwnzM8mJn_nT2PJf1x-9kQ", "business_name": "Cafe Lift", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't remember the last time I was completely blown away by a brunch experience...until now. Cafe Lift is a dream come true. It really may be one of the best brunch spots I've ever been to. To start, the interior is amazing. Very casual, comfortable feel to the entire place. Exposed brick and piping all along the walls with hardware store style tables. What got me the most excited was the special board. SO. MANY. SPECIALS. Really it is a dream come true (yes I said dream come true TWICE) to walk into a place for brunch and have a plethora of creative specials to pick from...which my party of 3 wasted no time doing. What we got: (note that most were specials) Breakfast tacos: chorizo, egg, cheese, and homemade salsa which rocked my world. Baked Egg: stewed kale, white beans, roast pork in tomato sauce topped with eggs and fontina then baked. Obsessed with this. Imagine a breakfast pasta fagioli situation Cuban Sandwich Bagel w/ veggie cream cheese and salmon Banna nutella crepe with whipped cream and strawberries The ice coffee was really, really good and I am truly very picky when it comes to coffee. Service was friendly and fast. I will be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T14:56:33" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 5, "text": "Matyson still rocks my socks off. Highlight of the meal was once again, the foie gras served on top of homemade banana bread. Close runner up was the soup of the day: vichyssoise (chilled potato leek soup). This BYOB is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the city", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T13:40:43" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 5, "text": "I just finished my first Chirashi Sushi Lunch Special...and let me tell you, it is one of the best things that has ever happened during my work day. I was fully intending on splurging a little by going out to a lunch at Morimotos...but it turns out that for once I got way, way more than my money's worth. For $21 ($22 with tax) I got the best miso soup, a salad, and my entire weight + plus some in super fresh sashimi served over rice. The sushi chef asked my preference on what fish I would like in my bowl and went to work. The dish itself was a work of art (see photo) and came with an assortment of pickled vegetables. So in love. Thank you, Morimoto!", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "V6Om7YZhlRQRU7WfuxHq8Q", "business_name": "Beck's Cajun Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Thank goodness for Beck's. Really I am so shocked that there are hardly any Cajun restaurants in the Philly area. But maybe that's for the best, because Beck's is pretty darn good. Located in the thick of the Reading Terminal Market, the stand is always busy but the service is fast. The staff is more than happy to let you try whatever you want (which you should). I've had all varieties of the gumbo and don't have a preference which is better. Go for alligator if you are feeling wild. My favorite thing from here are the red beans over rice. They are thick and have chunks of andouille sausage. Great with a piece of corn bread and scallions on top! The po'boys are decent. I find them a little too bready/fried for my liking but the overall flavor is good. I did not like the catfish po'boy....it was too fishy for me.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:25:33" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I was very excited to try a roast pork sandwich from DiNic's. However, I found myself wanting more. DiNic's gets a lot of hype on yelp...and other places as well. It was featured on Man Vs. Food ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYiR-dSbOs ) and I was shocked that I hadn't tried it yet. So I went for it. Spinach and sharp provolone on a long roll with long hots... It doesn't beat out a cheese steak. The sandwich was good but not great. I actually found myself craving more flavor, secretly hoping I had brought a bottle of sriracha sauce with me. Really they should maybe have a bottle of that on the counter because it would be insanely good. I'll be back to try it again, but unfortunately I have to say I was not blown away by my first time at DiNic's.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:38:39" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I died and went to Beiler Heaven. Seriously the BLUEBERRY FRITTERS are out of this world good. I've never felt so strongly about a baked good before. Not too sweet, but sweet enough to be the perfect companion with a cup of coffee in the morning....or a mid afternoon snack. I also found the plain glazed doughnuts to be earth shattering. Try both of these. I promise the line is worth it!", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:41:37" }, { "business_id": "XgxPLbAJtHoyR2tBN9yCXw", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "I am just so in love with Yogorino. Classic, tangy frozen yogurt is the only kind of froyo that should exist in my opinion. This location is a little bit bigger than the Rittenhouse location...but that's really the only difference. All of the fruit was super fresh & ripe. I couldn't decide between the mango and the nectarines paired with my always go-to crushed up meringue bits...so I got both. Happy eating :)", "timestamp": "2013-07-22T15:59:03" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "I am not impressed with Max Brenner's. Had a friend visiting from out of town so we decided to go out to have dessert. Whispers of fondue seemed super promising and the alluring smell of chocolate that extends down the block made it pretty much impossible not to stop in for a bite. Overall impression: overpriced We got the Italian hot chocolate, the waffle special, and fondue for two (5 of us total). To be fair, there was a lot that came with the fondue. However, I could have easily dished up the same dessert for 1/3 the price. Tasted good but I wasn't wowed. I am not stingy when it comes to spending money on food....but it needs to be worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-07-24T13:29:29" }, { "business_id": "gOrJeoLDOiW7muWuoE-sMg", "business_name": "Morgan's Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Morgan's Pier is a solid 4 star place to hang out with your friends for drinks and dancing. The atmosphere is really unique to Philly, mostly because of the beautiful location. Located right on the docks to the left of the Ben Franklin, it is such an awesome place to sit as the sunsets. Once its dark things kick in to party mode and you'll be either shaking your booty or sitting on a picnic table over the water chatting with your friends. It's awesome. However, there is one problem with it....the food. Seriously 1-2 stars on food. Good ideas and fails on taste. Everything I've had has been meh (wings, fries, bean salad, other munchies nothing major). They should really split up the yelp pages for food vs nightlife because i don't want to downgrade my 4 stars to accommodate for food failure.", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T13:43:54" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, wow, wow! I feel so lucky that this is right around the corner from my house. I stopped in to this small kitchen last night around 9pm and ordered a monster load of Thai food for my friends and I after City Sips. Needless to say, we were starving and needed some serious chow down time. The service was friendly and super fast! The quality amazing and the price so cheap. How is this place real life? Favorites: Crab Dumplings for days Drunken Noodles w/ Shrimp Pineapple fried rice w/ Chicken Crispy Duck Curry: but really any of the curry the sauce is so, so good. Happy eatings! I will be back again and again and again!", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T15:01:29" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a great dinner for 2 seated outside to take in the one day break in humidity! I think I had the best heirloom tomato salad of my life. Honestly. I sat there and tried to figure out why it was so good...and still can't quite put a finger on it. It comes topped with basil (duh) as well as a watercress salad with lightly pickled shallots. Large portion (1 whole tomato) 5 slices total. I love it. This is the definition of summer! My skate was also very tasty! Cooked perfectly and...butter, butter, butter. So not much can be wrong with that...unless you don't like butter...which might be a whole other set of problems for you and I'm so sorry.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T14:50:53" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect lunch at 12th & Spruce Tria! Obviously. A glass of Dr. H riesling, asparagus salad, and a gooey cheese has taken me to foodie heaven. Unfortunately I am now back at work until 5pm but will have happy memories to get me through.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T17:50:56" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Sampan is the place to go for Sips in Center City, Philadelphia! They have both food and drink specials, which in my opinion is essential for a good happy hour. The best part is that it's not just a few things, you get a whole menu of food specials rated from $3, $4, and $5. Bomb diggity. Favorites: White Sangria was unbelievably refreshing. Big fan! Duck Egg Rolls Kimchi Fried Rice Edamame Dumplings Kobe Beef Sliders Both Pork & Chicken Bao Buns Enjoy it while you still can! However, if you do miss it, fear not. Dinner here is a must go to as well.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T00:36:46" }, { "business_id": "kxKai8GE5oDMPevV7oxvbA", "business_name": "Tequilas Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I really, really wanted to love this place. Being from the Southwest, I am almost always on a quest for some quality Mexican food, and this spot was the next target. However & unfortunately, I was not so impressed. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup to start. The soup had all of the right components: tortilla strips, moist chicken, avocado, cheese, and bits of dried chili (chipotle maybe). The problem with the soup was the broth. It tasted almost equivalent to Campbell's tomato soup. No spice whatsoever. It was too tomatoey and not enough chicken broth. For my entree I got the Enchiladas Playa. I sort of had the same problem with these in that they were fairly bland without any spice. The crab & shrimp interior was good but the sauce needs a little bit more. To be fair the chips and salsa, as well as the queso fundido, were all very good. Perhaps next time I will come for a drink and some nibbles rather than a whole meal.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T01:18:28" }, { "business_id": "iWV1MgLsI9ma5zrzNUy_NQ", "business_name": "Olympia Gyro", "rating": 4, "text": "Three words: Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich When I am craving a gyro, this is one of the places I tend to lean towards. Olympic gyro makes what I would describe as the, \"freshest,\" gyro. The meat isn't overly seasoned and the tzaztiki sauce is amazing. I love sitting down here in the middle of Reading Terminal Market and housing down one of these bad boys. Needles to say, the portion sizes are large and you most definitely will not be walking away hungry. Be sure to grab a side of fries but careful, those tempting slices come off HOT HOT HOT! I think I burn my mouth every single, delicious time.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T16:03:40" }, { "business_id": "1CTNhKEqGbmG5r-sBbDoLg", "business_name": "Tampopo", "rating": 4, "text": "It's pretty freaky that I live within half a block of Tampopo and had managed to never go before today. Shame on me. I grabbed lunch to go from this hole in the wall and couldn't have been happier. I got the fresh tuna bibimbap. I was given tons of sushi grade tuna over veggies, avocado, and rice. The spicy sauce was great! I forgot to ask for a side of kimchi...but I won't forget next time! Fast service makes for a happy Sarah.v I'll be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:38:33" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm a fan of the new place on the block Spice End! When I'm out and about and need to grab something on the go or right before I head home after a late night, this is the place to stop. Needless to say their hours are clutch and the 3am friday/saturday night closing time is a clutch move in this area of the city. In a rush I grab the paneer roll. If I have time to sit down and eat I grab the chicken biryani platter and have them add paneer to that as well! PS. They are on grub hub and deliver :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:47:40" }, { "business_id": "bq0n3CQy1CkE_WUe76zQvg", "business_name": "Shiao Lan Kung", "rating": 5, "text": "Wooow wow! I am continuously impressed with getting dinner at this hole in the wall spot in China Town. Last night I took my parents for their first time and we were all blown away with the quality of the food and how quickly it came out, nothing new here. We got our usual order: pan fried pork dumplings, fried wontons, garlic green beans, salt bake jumpo shrimp (ask for no shells), walknut shrimp, chicken ho-fun with bean sauce.... AND something new! Which blew my mind. I asked our waitress for her opinion on the best fish dish to which she goes, \"OH! Ok, ok, I know.\" Within ten minutes out came a whole, steamed sea bass that was sitting in the most delicious ginger, soy sauce. I have never been so happy and I am already craving it again. I could come for just this once a week....and probably will! Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-09-07T22:24:47" }, { "business_id": "xdferXKwbgXAxbtmAShhAQ", "business_name": "Saxbys Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "My new study spot. There's always a large group of other students working hard whenever you need to look up and around for motivation. My go to is a cinnamon latte....iced or hot depending on the weather. Please note that I am not a huge fan of the food here. I pretty much avoid it all together...really this review is just to say it's a great place for getting work done and having a cup of coffee to help you along the way :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:23:45" }, { "business_id": "GrRrxHK9dWgibvUpcotxtw", "business_name": "Joe's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Pizza on the go? Grab some Joe's! I was doing some heavy duty shopping on saturday and needed to restock on calories half way through. I stopped by Joe's to grab a slice of plan mushroom pizza and was in heaven. The crust is thin and crispy...perfect amt of cheese and sauce. Snack city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:29:01" }, { "business_id": "wbDRmtxaKRpBOjutvV6TEA", "business_name": "Barclay Prime", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm a huge fan of Barclay Prime...in fact, I think this is the best steakhouse in the city. The atmosphere is very relaxed since the entire place feels like you are lounging in a study. The staff is super friendly (BIG shout out to Jason my waiter last night, you da best) and made my birthday dinner a perfect one! To start...everyone gets a hot, out of the oven popover they are simply to die for. These are unbelievably dangerous and the staff will keep offering them to you. Just say no. You are going to want to be hungry for the food to come. Our party of 6 ordered appz and entrees that all came out perfectly cooked (steaks were amazing, duh) and in a timely fashion. I had the heirloom tomato salad. Love how they do it here. Everything is chopped up and piled in a bowl. Super tasty. MUST HAVE: the full bronzino if you are in a fish mood....which you should be at least once if you come here. I can dream about this dish it's so good. Desserts: Warm banana cake Devils food cake Complimentary birthday cake (amazing...come for your birthday...seriously) Put your eating clothes on and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T19:21:18" }, { "business_id": "QMNheeGTdKujLnYgEyFuWw", "business_name": "Old Nelson Food Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Old Nelson's makes some clutch sandwiches for lunch. You can have whatever you sandwich loving heart desires because everything is made to order. Their italian hoagie is delicious. I always ask for hot peppers as well. Yesterday I wanted to go back to my elementary school, packed lunch days and ordered a plain turkey, american cheese, mayo sandwich on white bread. I got a side of pickles and a bag of bbq chips to smush between the bread slices. Neeedless to say, it was crunchalicious.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:05:51" }, { "business_id": "JE6rfQ9marM2YYCuFK8GqA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location of Sweetgreen. It seems to be getting a bad rep. from other yelpers...but I don't see where the problem is. The food is good, the service is fast and friendly, and you can eat outside when it's nice out. It's not the most amazing experience I've ever had...but when you are craving a fresh salad with fresh ingredients it is the place to go in the area. Overall I'm a fan. Sweetgreen's current seasonal salad is a must have: Maryland crab Kale Green and red peppers Corn Sunflower seeds Avocado (that has been surprisingly ripe & perfect every time I've gotten it from here) Carrot chili vinaigrette.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:12:45" }, { "business_id": "30cpm1uq6xcQCmN6JTrB8w", "business_name": "Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sad to say Luke's has definitely down graded in my opinion. I thought that this was a one time occurrence (a couple weeks ago) but its happened again for lunch today. The to die for lobster bisque was bland and not lobstery at all today. The past two times I have gotten my once favorite crab roll, the bun has been a little soggy and the crab overly lemony. I'm adverse to overuse of lemon in the first place...and when it overrides the flavor of crab in my roll I am a super sad Sarah. I hope Luke's can bounce back...but for now I'm going to have to change up my lunch venues.", "timestamp": "2013-09-27T16:18:51" }, { "business_id": "PJjkH_VZeQwxEJvlQ-v7wA", "business_name": "Pho 75", "rating": 5, "text": "What can I say....I am a total sucker for a good bowl of Pho. I've been meaning to come to Pho 75 for such a long time and finally have accomplished that goal! Extra inspiration was given to me to venture from my usual stomping spots when Anthony Bourdain (#lovehim #friendcrush #hangoutwithme) visited here on his most recent trip to Philly. The broth here is amazing. I'm not sure if it on the same playing field as the broth from Pho Ha....but I will keep you all posted as I continue to figure it out. The service here was awesome. We walked in, sat down, placed our order and within 5 minutes all of us had our food and drinks. It was so good that we got one to go.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:07:45" }, { "business_id": "8us8cJ-oBnLFerWcaftavQ", "business_name": "The Beer Shoppe", "rating": 4, "text": "Go to the Beer Shoppe on a Tuesday. They have a 10% discount on everything on Tuesdays....thus I have created a new weekly holiday called, Two Beer Tuesday. My friend and I plan to come in and work our way through the selection over the next couple of months. Very ambitious...but also very exciting! The bar in the back is an open and friendly place to try new things before you buy a 6 pack of something you love. The service is super friendly and all the staff has an amazing knowledge of what they have in stock. It really is a great spot for beer geeks to congregate.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:13:55" }, { "business_id": "3ZynJ94VpIdDlaArmEp2Rg", "business_name": "More Than Just Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple friends and I stopped by for some late night milkshakes and found ourselves at More Than Just Ice Cream. Well, we just got ice cream...not fully taking advantage of what the name implies, but maybe next time. 3 milkshakes: 1 coffee, 1 chocolate, and 1 black&white malt. All were pretty good. Definitely satisfied the ice cream craving. I thought my coffee milkshake could have been thicker, same goes for the chocolate. The black&white was plenty thick and was probably the best of the three. Unfortunately, I did not order that one so I settled for my not so creamy coffee. I did sample some ice cream flavors before setting on a milkshake. I tried the pumpkin pie which was AMAZING. I don't know why I didn't just get this. Maybe a milkshake isn't the way to go here.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:24:30" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 2, "text": "Eeehhhh. I loved, loved, LOVED Scoop DeVille when it was at it's old location on Chestnut & 18th. Now I'm not quite so sure. I miss the charm of the old store. It was packed and loaded with candy/chocolate/ice cream/ and random paraphernalia that this huge space is lacking. Hopefully at some point it'll be able to capture that once again as it settles in to its new location. The real problem was my vanilla ice cream blended with sugar cookie dough (all time favie) tasted like freezer burn. The freezer must have been set to high because I was eating vanilla flavored ice chunks with just a tiny bit of cookie dough. I never had this problem once at the old location...where the ice cream was always almost the consistency of soft serve it was so creamy good.", "timestamp": "2013-10-14T17:11:16" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 5, "text": "Bistrot La Minette is a must go to in the Philly area. I am truly surprised that it's taken me so long to finally go here. If you are familiar with the restaurant scene around here: think Parc but small scale and more romantical We had a quiet dinner for a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The service was so friendly and knowledgeable when I asked for suggested wine pairings. Even though we came in for a later dinner on a weeknight, at no point did I feel rushed which was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this place for birthdays and date nights when you want to have a relaxed, delicious dinner out. The eats: Butternut squash soup was one of the best I've had Foie Gras terrine was delicious but VERY savory. It was a little much just for one person on their own to get through for an appetizer. Can't complain for too much food though right? Onion tart is out of this world if you're in to caramelized onions. Miller style trout is a YES. I have never had a trout prepared better then this one was. I am such of fan of this dish it's ridiculous. The veggies were great too. Get it. Beef bourguignon was also a great dish and probably my second favorite thing we got. All of the desserts were amazing but the BEST was the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. Heaven in your mouth. It's basically a layered deliciousness of puff pastry, cream, and fresh raspberries.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:55:04" }, { "business_id": "NZ1lZIb10-6AbftpygLwMQ", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 4, "text": "Clutch pizza in a pinch! I love all of the different combos you can get there. Really it can be a bit overwhelming there are so many delicious ideas. The great thing is though, is that the thin crust situation allows you to get multiple slices without getting too full so you can try a bunch of them. My favorite slice so far is the Veggie #2: fresh chopped organic tomatoes, basil, arugula, garlic, cubes of fresh mozzarella, and organic tomato sauce...noms Try and get there right as the pizzas are coming out so you have the most choices! Right around 5pm for the dinner round.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:58:47" }, { "business_id": "sTPueJEwcRDj7ZJmG7okYA", "business_name": "Jim's South St", "rating": 4, "text": "There's something about Jim's that is legendary. The whole experience is what I think keeps Philadelphians going to this famous cheesesteak house on south street. It's a little grimy, the service a little rough, the seating a little like you're back in a crappy college dining center...but all of that is ok. It's ok because you have the intoxicating smell of meat and fried onions clinging to you (actually it will cling to your jacket for weeks) and delicious greasy food to munch down on. I'm a fan of Jim's. I'm the biggest fan at 1 am when I'm leaving a bar and need a sloppy mess for a pre-hangover cure. Extra whiz with please! (Extra cheese whiz and onions)", "timestamp": "2013-11-06T20:22:37" }, { "business_id": "qsm7SkX60JsajT7Yz248FA", "business_name": "Café Soho", "rating": 4, "text": "Cafe Soho is the highlight to the Sunday football scene at our house. Someone goes and grabs a couple large orders of wings and brings them back downtown in time for 1pm kick-off. The meat is crazy good. This is a whole level of chicken wings. The meat is moist and flavorful while the outside is lightly fried and crispy. Great sauces, never over/under dressed. Our favorites: Ginger soy Spicy chili Sweet & Spicy boneless Beware, you will probably eat your weight in this bad boys", "timestamp": "2013-11-22T20:42:45" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been having some seriously good brunch dates to The Dandelion over the past month. I wanted to check back on my last review and was ashamed of my previous 3 star review. Right now the Dandelion is kicking 5 star butt for brunch in my opinion. Today I sat down and immediately ordered tea and scones. The scones came out warm and absolutely amazing. They switched up the jam from raspberry to more seasonal cranberry (thanksgiving....so soon!!!) which I found to be extremely good! I got my typical brunch order of poached eggs over bubble and squeak. My new trick is that I order a side of smoked salmon to add to it so It becomes some sort of eggs Benedict eggstravagenza. I also got the chicken and horse radish dumpling soup to go after hearing a raving review about it. Now, while sitting in bed...I am enjoying the most amazing bowl of soup. Ive never had anything quite like it! The dumplings are sort of a noodley texture with a horse radish aftertaste. I love how the veggies are roughly chopped, in particular the halves of pearl onions. Tasty tasty.", "timestamp": "2013-11-24T21:48:28" }, { "business_id": "u4YM2N8-9Q2tr7kEU-ubGQ", "business_name": "Melodies Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok, so the coffee is good. However, it takes forever (understaffed) and call me a loser but I miss Milk Boy. I came in yesterday for a vanilla latte on my way to class and had the unfortunate experience of waiting about 10 minutes for it and was late. It was super tasty....but I can't rely on this place for a grab a coffee on the go experience.", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:46:14" }, { "business_id": "_V6hl1oGkTV2KbGeax_HPA", "business_name": "Sang Kee Peking Duck House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the place to order peking duck. So rightfully named! We grabbed takeout from here after realizing that our normal go to Shiao's was closed for the evening. We were thankfully not disappointed! The fried pork dumplings were super tasty. I was popping them like popcorn! Other dishes were also super tasty but in particular the peking duck was the stand out. It just fell right off the bone practically begging me to eat it. I was eating a drumstick just on it's own. I'll be back to taste more. Sang Kee I got my eye on you!", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:49:23" }, { "business_id": "-lVEVi3vtQ8_L9kKT0bBwQ", "business_name": "Le Chéri", "rating": 5, "text": "Yes, yes, and yes! I am so excited to call Le Cheri my new neighbor. Chef Pierre and Charlotte have jumped right in to the Rittenhouse Restaurant scene with a distinct splash! Le Cheri has all the same charm as their first restaurant, Bibou, but with the room to accommodate a much larger crowd. Currently BYOB but they will begin serving their selection of French wines and open bar next week. I am truly excited to see where this place goes in the next couple of months. The menu is already mouth watering with the funkiness of Bibou mixed with a couple more traditional french dishes. Modestly priced, I was pretty surprised to notice. Around $22-28 dollars and the appetizers not over $10. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) for Charlotte and Pierre, I think I am going to be hanging around this spot A LOT. What we got: French onion soup Breaded pork terrine with side cornichons Beef bourguignon with house made tagliatelle Roasted bronzino with wine soaked salsify as well as a salsify puree Warm apple tartine with cinnamon ice cream Obviously everything was out of this world. I highly recommend everything we got...but also encourage you to order anything there because you just can't go wrong. I'll be back ASAP to try more! PS. They are booking up FAST FAST! Get your reservations now", "timestamp": "2013-12-06T01:42:15" }, { "business_id": "sy7ADvpBA7SfHwbY-Y_5gw", "business_name": "Valanni", "rating": 4, "text": "Valanni! How have I overlooked you for this long? I took my family out for my sisters bday dinner and wanted to try something new. So glad we stumbled upon this modern and fun spot. My only complaint was that our table for a party of 5 was small! However, we worked together and could come up with the right amount of room for each wave of tapas. What we got: Lamb lollipops Figs in blankets Chorizo flatbread Grilled octopus Firey potatoes (basically patatas bravas) Buffalo chicken croquettes Brussel sprouts Meat and seafood paella Oreo beignet Rum bananas Cheesecake We split everything and found ourselves the right amount of full at the end! The stand out favorites were the grilled octopus, brussel sprouts (believe it or not!), and the paella. With that said....everything else was also amazing. I am pretty impressed with Valanni and plan on coming here in the near future with a group of friends. It's a good place to order a lot of interesting dishes and grab a drink before going out on a Saturday. Speaking of drinks...the mojitos are bomb! Some of the best I've had in a while! In summary, I'm digging Valanni. I think it stands out on its own from the current Philly restaurant scene in that it taps into a wide variety of cultural dishes but with its own unique twist. The menu was fun with lots left on it that I would like to try out!", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:03:34" }, { "business_id": "h5jnFlvF55kDWC_GGlKMAQ", "business_name": "Llama Tooth", "rating": 4, "text": "Truffle, mushroom mac & cheese..... Seriously I dare some one to try and make something more delicious and comforting than that. I could not stop shoveling the cheesy mess in to my mouth...just typing this is taking me back to how good it was. Yea, I ordered other things (cuban, gyro, burger) but the mac & cheese took the cake. I'll be back for more (This was a take out order)", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:06:03" }, { "business_id": "xWfm4AwLZr-B97fYVsIgCA", "business_name": "Tria Taproom", "rating": 4, "text": "I am such a huge fan for anything Tria....and it holds true for this new location. I stopped in to grab a drink and catch up with a friend. Had a great time sitting at the bar! I love the space and it is a serious upgrade from the previous Rum Bar. The taps behind the bar are exciting and unlabeled (at least to the customer's eye ;) ). It gives the place a casual sort of elegance. Lots of table space in the back which I am sure I will be using in the near future. I couldn't help myself and ordered two appz before going home to eat dinner. We got the mussels and the grilled asparagus with truffle vinaigrette. Both were delicious. What I thought was most impressive about Tria Taproom was the amount of attention we were given by the bartenders. GREAT service. I'll be back soon to try more!", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:21:04" }, { "business_id": "d_tRshM-w6S4QxE4VVi8tQ", "business_name": "Jones", "rating": 2, "text": "I've refrained from writing a review for Jones for the longest time....close to 6 months now. I'm finally caving and acknowledging the fact that it hasn't happened just because this place is Meh. It's not bad...but it's not good. Most of the time I order Jones on grubhub so I can stuff my face with their thanksgiving dinner like I did recently while in mourning over thanksgiving being over. It is what it is...comfort food. Not a place that I go out of my way to eat at.", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:28:23" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing quite like brunch at Lacroix. It's one of the best eating experiences I've ever had time and time again. My favorite is to go with my boyfriend and seriously dive in to our inner foodies for 2 hours. The atmosphere is beautiful, especially on a nice day with a window seat overlooking all of Rittenhouse square. Lacroix is one of a kind in that aspect. The experience is something you need to see for yourself...but I can do my best to describe it here as simply as I can. Buffet style like you've never quite seen before. It spans multiple rooms where the first is a table filled with cold appetizer items as well as a raw bar filled with oysters, cocktail shrimp, sushi, and caviar. Oh yeah, and everything is mini served on their own mini dishes or in mini glasses (see photo). To dive in to some bigger entree items you have to walk back in to the kitchen and get it yourself. The staff is so friendly and helpful. In particular the person who is manning the meat selections asks you what cut you would like and suggests an accompanying sauce. You can miss the dessert table because it stares at you right before you walk into the kitchen and then reminds you again to save room for dessert because one of the first things waiting in the kitchen is a huge chocolate fountain. There are some staples that brunch at Lacroix sticks too: duck confit, gnocchi, sauteed wild mushrooms (YUUUMM)...but for the most part the selections rotate with the seasons. Seriously enjoy yourself! Take the time to explore and let your inner foodie run wild. You won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-12-15T21:19:52" }, { "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my bestie to Farm and Fisherman for her Bday dinner. Overall great meal and service. Such a nice little BYO to add to my list. Neither of us ordered an entree, instead we each got a First Course and two Second Courses of appz which gave us a lot of variety to share. My favorite dish was the grilled octopus. It was cooked absolutely perfect....very tender and not chewy at all. One thing that did disappoint me was the lack of fish on the menu. There was an artic char entree but that was it. I guess I was just surprised/mislead by the name of restaurant and was expecting a little more seafood in my meal. I'm going with a solid 3.5 stars but bumped up to 4 since they let us stay past close and finish our bottle of wine. Will be back to try again", "timestamp": "2013-12-21T20:09:23" }, { "business_id": "O1XwKgUYNI_YBXnOqgaTaw", "business_name": "Talula's Table", "rating": 5, "text": "Sooooo it happened....I got to eat at the famous Talula's Table for a 3 hr sit down dinner that was one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life. I happened to get lucky and was offered a spot as my Dad's date (uhhh SCORE) a couple days beforehand. With that being said, I did not have to wait the traditional 1 year for my reservation as will most of you if you ever want to get in on something special. As it still goes...reservations open at 7am on the day you want to eat 1 year from that day. Crazy. Town. I won't go in to ever detail of the courses we had, since they are subject to change on the regular, but will instead highlight the experience and the relaxed, casual but attentive service we enjoyed. We dined right in the middle of the local shop. At first, we stood for about half an hour as our party rolled in. Bubbly was poured as we were offered 3 standing hors d'oeuvres. One of the all time favorites of the meal happened to be one of these which was simply some smoke salmon on top of a tiny hashbrown. Simply...but so tasty. Next we sat down and had a cauliflower custard (I've attached a menu for complete food dets) before being served some of the best Gruyere cheesy bread ever. A couple courses followed (including a butternut squash soup over a lobster terrine...drool) and more amazing, out of this world brioche bread was served. More courses and then a round of different aged cheddar cheeses and dessert...and then truffles....and then cream puffs with the check. The courses are in smart porportions. Some a little larger than others but all carefully thought out so that they don't have to roll you out of the room half way through. The service was very attentive...so nice. This in my opinion is absolutely a must go to for all our true yelpy foodies. Go ahead and book it....then try and forget about it as best you can until it surprises you a year later. I thought the meal and experience was worth a go.", "timestamp": "2013-12-21T20:24:40" }, { "business_id": "SCjUeZfjafJ88fWWQjRh2w", "business_name": "El Rey", "rating": 1, "text": "I revoke my previous praise for happy hour at El Rey. Yes, I did have a really tasty berry margarita...but my tacos were TERRIBLE. They really took the 1 dollar taco quite literally...such a lack of quality. I expect more from a Stephen Starr restaurant. I ordered the fish, chicken, and veggie. The most edible was the veggie... I'm bummed! This was one of my go to summer spots but winter definitely has taken a frosty bite out of El Rey.", "timestamp": "2014-01-09T19:45:57" } ]	{ "business_id": "Uky0DD3LU4C7eyNDhpmOXg", "business_name": "Day By Day", "rating": 5, "text": "Day By Day is a magical place for brunch! Yes the wait is ridiculous....and you you need to be smart about your timing. However, once you're in it's well worth the wait. Not to mention that it is so affordable! You really are getting your money's worth and beyond. I love the simple but creative menu. For example: the chorizo, sweet potato hash with eggs on top. The flavor combos are perfect. This time around I went with the potato pancakes benedict (poached eggs and smoked salmon over the potato and topped with hollandaise). My P.I.C. got the ham steak and eggs special* which was also amazing. The service was great....coffee and OJ never went dry. I also was sure to grab several baked goods on the way out. The cinnamon buns are outrageously good. The glaze is super thick. Definitely some of the best I've ever had. *Be sure to check out the special board!", "timestamp": "2014-01-30T23:39:58" }
Zs8Zk3sgh5JxRmoZW4PJcg	[ { "business_id": "pm1bStJuol5XmxE_atZhCQ", "business_name": "Nom Nom Ramen", "rating": 5, "text": "Nom Nom Ramen may be my favorite place for Ramen in Philly. Not to mention it also won Best of Philly 2012 for ramen. The service is fast and friendly. I love walking in starving and knowing that I will be eating delicious soup in 5 mins. I have gotten all of the different varities that they offer: shio, shoyu, miso, and karai. I highly recommend the karai if you can handle spicy food! Otherwise I would go with the shio and add a little bit of sriracha hot sauce. I always add the extra soft-boiled egg and bean sprouts! Totally worth it! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:44:51" }, { "business_id": "688sqo63oc2y535vI2UbhQ", "business_name": "Pho Cali Vietnamese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely love Pho Cali! I go here once a week for a quick lunch break from work and am never disappointed. The service is very quick. I always order the Rare Steak Pho and a coconut drink. The broth is extremely flavorful- i personally load up on sriracha sauce, brown sauce (hoisin sauce i believe), and a good squeeze of one lime. They give a good amount of meat. If you are extra hungry ask for more noodles because sometimes the one portion that they give out is not enough. If you like coconut get the drink as well! Refreshingly sweet and comes with chunks of coconut at the bottom. Very good.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T15:50:52" }, { "business_id": "Dv6RfXLYe1atjgz3Xf4GGw", "business_name": "HipCityVeg", "rating": 5, "text": "DELICIOUS! If you are craving a healthy meal that actually has tons of flavor this is the place to go. I recommend all of the salad on the menu, but in particular the Taco Arugula Salad that got rated Best of Philly 2012. The peppery arugula pairs so well with the creamy cilantro dressing not to mention the salsa, corn, and black beans as well! Its a a taste bud adventure! If you are in the mood for a sandwich get the Hip City Ranch but ON A WRAP. It makes for one of the best wrap sandwiches I have ever had. You won't believe that the chicken is actually tofu! And the pickles spread out throughout the sandwich are a delicious surprise. Always look for the soup/chili winter specials at the front counter. They can be easy to miss! Also, be sure to order the Groothie! Pricey but worth it. One of the best smoothies I've ever had and its loaded up with green veggies", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:05:14" }, { "business_id": "2fJ-WxJlUN6azp3bzrJ0zA", "business_name": "Pho Ha", "rating": 5, "text": "Best Pho in Philly!!! Super fast service and the most delicious broth. Out of the way from china town but a must go to. Don't be confused by the 3+ other pho restaurants located in the same strip mall. Pho Ha all the way!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T16:50:01" }, { "business_id": "FqOCC8Y9xryaX7sIBJcrxA", "business_name": "Vic Sushi Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "There isn't a better place in the area for sushi. The service is unbelievably fast and the quality of fish is pretty great. However, the most amazing part about Vic's is that they have a $10 special...3 rolls of sushi of your pick for only 10 DOLLARS. I honestly couldn't believe it! The place is BYOB and great if there are less than 4 people because it is cramped. Really its the best for take out/delivery. Along with the $10 special I order a miso soup and seaweed salad. Enjoy :) On a side note, if you stray away from the special I highly recommend the Fantastic roll!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T21:51:28" }, { "business_id": "ipRXCy-0ChYK_569rPqzJQ", "business_name": "Square Peg", "rating": 3, "text": "The menu can be a little hit or miss here. The only reason I come to Square Peg is when I am craving their Mac&Cheese grilled cheese sandwich with a side of tomato soup. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like! Extra cheesy mac and cheese layered thick and surrounded by buttery, toasted bread. The tomato soup is thicker than most, but I enjoyed the extra spice that was in it...perhaps a little chipotle chili pepper. I was VERY disappointed in their wings. I had read a couple of great reviews about them but I found them pretty disgusting and actually sent them back. I found the flavor of the honey,chipotle,basil, and lime sauce to be very unflattering even though it sounds delicious. The meat was dry and a bit gristly. It seemed like they had been cooked too long or left under a warming lamp. Earlier in the summer they had white chocolate chicken wings which I much preferred to the current ones.", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:01:11" }, { "business_id": "eJaeTZlIdM3HWCq__Ve4Wg", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Absolutely amazing! The only reason why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is due to how crowded and therefore loud it can get. This is in no way a good spot for a romantic date or family dinner but instead great for happy hour or a dinner with a small group of friends or a first date! The food: Served in sort of a tapas manner and I like to get a bunch of plates and split with a friend. You really can't go wrong with what you decide on. My personal favorites are: the housemade lamb sausage, the pistachio herbed ricotta and lavender honey, truffled egg toast with fontina, and the grilled asparagus salad. My favorite is the asparagus salad...absolutely amazing and I've never had anything like it. It consists of Also order a cheese sampler! The menu is always changing just tell your server what you like and they will help out! As for the beer and wine list....one of the best in the city. Always changing and great descriptions listed on the menu so you can pick out what's the very best for you", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:11:51" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing food and great ambiance, what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, DRINKS! Those are great as well! My favorite time to go to alma de cuba is for Happy Hour. The downstairs bar area is the perfect escape to go to after work. Until 6:30 they have drink specials and 1/2 off of all of their appetizers. Great to go with a few friends and split some food! It also works as a great spot for a romantic date and has additional seating for dining upstairs. Must haves: Smoked albacore tacos, tuna tartar tacos, truffle guacamole, ceviche SAMPLER (pick a few of the ones that sound best), dorado. For drinks I love their black cherry caiprinha and white sangria. For dessert I highly recommend the coconut tapioca pudding. I often order this for take out as well because it is so good. It comes in a young coconut and you can scrape the sides of it off with your fork/spoon as you eat the pudding. Delish!", "timestamp": "2013-01-14T22:20:24" }, { "business_id": "iH9fT2RCB0u4cVl2HLDtqg", "business_name": "The Franklin Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co is one of my favorite places in the city for happy hour or to start off a Saturday night! I was greeted at the top of the outer staircase by a bouncer in a sleek hat and automatically felt mischievous! He led my friends and I down the stairs and through the heavy front door into a room filled with a relaxed ambiance. The drinks are expensive but well worth your money...aka they make them STRONG. Especially under the category \"I asked for water she brought me gasoline.\" My personal favorite is actually not on the menu but every waiter will know what you are talking about. It's called the Mexican Firing Squad. I am partial to tequila and summer drinks and this absolutely did not disappoint. Served in a small glass with one large ice cube! Be careful about what time you go here. The later in the night it gets, especially on a friday or saturday, expect to wait in a 30 min to 45 min line. They also often have private parties during the week so have a back up bar in mind!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:05:24" }, { "business_id": "cOXc8c85Ms6dMEAJazLXHQ", "business_name": "McGillin's Olde Ale House", "rating": 4, "text": "Went for my first time this past Saturday night and had an absolute blast! Walked in at 12 am to \"I want it that way,\" by the Backstreet boys. Needless to say I was belting out the words with people I had met only seconds before. A very fun and friendly place! Plus, cheap drinks like a $6 dollar pitcher of PBR!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T17:42:20" }, { "business_id": "ELY0HI8GDEx0jkmREVna0A", "business_name": "Frankford Hall", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't get enough of this place! A little out of the way if you live in the center city area but worth the commute. I prefer the outdoor seating during all times of the year. Even during the winter the backyard beer garden has multiple heat lamps and fire pits that make it so you don't have to wear a jacket. The atmosphere is very friendly! Great for both going out with families and with friends. Make sure to grab a jenga set at the front if there isn't already one on your table! Order a few appetizers and sausages to share and a couple liters of beer on draft for yourself! My favorites for appz: Pretzel w/ cheese dip, cucumber salad (maybe my favorite), potato pancakes Sausage: Get the weisswurst! However, you really can't go wrong with what you order because all are great. All of the meat is from Illgs Butcher Shop where my family and I have been buying products for over 8 years now and have never been disappointed. Beer: Spaten Oktoberfest or Franziskaner Hefeweizen. You'll feel super cool with a liter mug but be sure to drink it fast otherwise it'll be a warm beer catastrophe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:16:29" }, { "business_id": "tBQcVd9c0EHKAXLZn_v54g", "business_name": "Bibou", "rating": 5, "text": "Outstanding! The best BYOB dining experience you can have in the city located in the italian market area. Be prepared and in the mood for an adventurous and savory meal! Bibou is petite and has a very homey feel to it. There is room for about 30 customers at a time. Charlotte is the hostess and manager of the restaurant, as well as the wife of the Chef Pierre. A very gracious host and makes you feel instantly welcome. The menu changes quite often since it's ingredients primarily come fresh from the neighboring market. This is also allows the chef to pick out a number of specials each night that are absolutely spectacular. Must Haves: - The Bone Marrow. It comes in a hollowed out bone and can be best described as the best thanksgiving stuffing you will ever it. I order a couple to share for the dinner party after appetizers and before entree. -Seasonal soup. I have never had a bad soup! The last was a cream of wild mushroom with chunks of crab meat. -Foie gras: Again seasonal but always inventive and delicious. Make sure to bring your own bottle of sauterne dessert wine which pairs beautifully with this appetizer! And last but not least...and don't say ew.. The foie gras stuffed, braised pigs feet over french lentils. Absolutely to die for! So much flavor makes this savory dish very unique to Bibou. I haven't come close to having anything like this in the rest of Philly, let alone in the US.", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T18:41:36" }, { "business_id": "RleiW2_QLyxgNjFfqDoZpw", "business_name": "Modo Mio", "rating": 5, "text": "An off the charts amazing small, BYOB in Northern Liberties. Great service and even better food! My mind has been completely blown multiple times on how lovely of a place this is to eat. Great for a romantic date or small family dinner. Must Haves Appetizers: Cozze (muscles) with red/hot sauce Chicken liver bruschetta Carpaccio di Manzo (beef) Must Have Pasta: Agnolotti del Plin (rabbit stuffed ravioli in sage brown butter): SUPER YUM Lasagne: The over-easy egg on top is such a brilliant idea. The flavor and textures really work well together Bring white & red bottles!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:18:38" }, { "business_id": "vtSisxaozZ7HWpBl_W7VaQ", "business_name": "Time", "rating": 4, "text": "A great place for late night dancing on friday and saturday nights! The upstairs area is always packed and the DJs always produce a mixture of old and new music that get your feet moving if they weren't already! The downstairs live jazz area is also a great area for weekend nights depending on what mood you are in! I have not yet had a chance to eat dinner here but will do so and repost in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:24:40" }, { "business_id": "BxfvdHqETU8jWYUjx5OL2A", "business_name": "Shake Shack", "rating": 2, "text": "Disappointed. In part its due to the large hype surrounding the opening of Shake Shack's first Philly location. I wanted it to be great but it's just not what it is in NYC. Tasty burgers but a little too greasy and honestly gave me a stomachache the last time I ate one. I got the SmokeShack burger which has bacon, peppers, and \"ShackSauce\" on it. The fries are pretty delicious and I always order a side of cheese. The real reason to go to the Shack is for the concrete milkshakes. They have multiple mix ins and you design your own. The best I had was a fall special of pumpkin pie mixed with vanilla!", "timestamp": "2013-01-15T19:32:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious and fast! Came in for a brief work lunch and was highly satisfied with how quickly our food came. I ordered exactly what the server recommended to me: indian pancakes, penang satay chicken and beef skewers, curry me with you tau foo, and the mango chicken. In particular i LOVED LOVED the chicken and beef skewers. The meat was so flavorful but the dipping sauce was to die for! I have never had a peanut sauce so great! The mango chicken was also outrageously good and is served in a carved out mango. Very pretty", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T17:02:02" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 3, "text": "DELICIOUS cupcakes. Very moist and flavorful. The icing is absolutely perfect. The only reason why I don't want to rate Philly Cupcake higher than I did is that it is a little expensive. $4 dollars for a cupcake seems silly when down the street I can get a $4 gyro and soda combo! However if you are craving a cupcake itll hit the spot! Favorite: The Black Velvet: For all you chocolate lovers this is the one to get. Dark chocolate cupcake with vanilla cream cheese frosting. I think they must use some cayenne pepper in it as well because it was surprisingly spicy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-16T20:02:03" }, { "business_id": "S8ZFYEgMejpChID8tzKo9A", "business_name": "Amada", "rating": 4, "text": "An amazing experience every time I've gone (6-8 times since 2008). I highly recommend coming with a group of 4 or more so you each can really get a feel for the menu. Every plate is unique and delicious and a great opportunity to share and talk about food! Otherwise be sure to do the Chef's tasting menu where you will enjoy a wide selection of the tapas personally ($55/$65 per person). I personally have gone with the $65 but be prepared to eat!! Tons of food. Must Haves: Get a chacuterie board to start! Octopus, patatas bravas, HAM CROQUETTES, CRAB STUFFED PEPPERS, chorizo clams, truffles and asparagus, lamb chops Brunch: One of the best experiences I've had at Amada was for brunch. Two of the plates that really stood out for me were the chorizo con papas and the lemon ricotta pancakes. In particular the chorizo con papas was the perfect way to start my day. I do wish however that the egg has been done over easy as opposed to fried to give a little bit of moisture to the dish...but easy fix! Just ask the waiter when you order and they'll have to done for you.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T17:43:52" }, { "business_id": "kVTHnhgYUw-Pmr7wgDB4_g", "business_name": "Distrito", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite Garces restaurant. Such a fun place to get food. Always super busy since it's located on Penns campus. Not to mention it's also great for delivery! One of the best dining experiences I've ever had was a family dinner and we got the Frida Kahlo's tasting menu. Its the same as the Diego Rivera one however they mention that for a few courses you will get entrees that aren't on the menu....and oh boy! They DO NOT disappoint. By the time we all thought the meal was over...our waiter and two other servers show up with platters of steamed lobsters with a spicy seasoning, the diver scallops, and the carne asada. Absolutely amazing! A must have experience! Must Haves: Crab guacamole, tuna & hiramasa ceviches, TORTILLA SOUP (the best in the city), hongos huarache, pretty much all of the tacos but the MAHI MAHI & CARNE KOBE tacos are my favorites, the CARNE ASADA, and a side of sweet plantains. Order the seasonal frozen margarita although drink prices are a little steep there. Now to go into more detail about why I said Distrito has my favorite tortilla soup in the city. The tomato/chili broth is savory and has a great spice to it. A little more creamy than traditional tortilla soup but I don't mind, actually enjoy it more! The chicken is so soft it falls apart in your mouth. Micro cilantro is a great touch. I do wish they would put a little more cheese in it...but thats my only complaint! **For tortilla soup fans....the best tortilla soup I've had in PA is from a small place on germantown avenue in mt. airy called Mi Puebla. Worth the adventure!", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T20:56:04" }, { "business_id": "fYSaoJMOj7-r4XWEuYjRxw", "business_name": "Bleu Martini", "rating": 2, "text": "I have only been here on Saturday nights before things get really busy to grab A quick drink with my friends. Why just one drink? The prices are pretty expensive and the drinks not very strong. It is a nice to listen to music and get ready to go out dancing...but leave before it gets crowded (~1130pm) PS. BOOOBIES. Seriously all the bartenders have their boobies out. If you're into that. Go. I couldn't even stop staring and I'm stick straight. ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:07:55" }, { "business_id": "XU3Fe8I8dD3FaOmzAQXLnQ", "business_name": "Spread Bagelry", "rating": 4, "text": "YUM YUM YUM! These bagels are unlike any I've ever had. The brick oven makes them a little more doughy then regular bagels and I absolutely love it. My favorite is getting \"the classic\" sandwich with whitefish instead of salmon on a plain bagel. Their white fish spread is absolutely amazing. Another plus is that you can order bagels/white fish/salmon/cream cheese the day before and have the order ready for pick up the next day if you are hosting a party and want Spread Bagelry featured at your house! Do be prepared to wait in a line if you are showing up on a weekend during prime brunch hours but FEAR NOT...there is usually live music playing outside and everyone is very friendly.", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:14:37" }, { "business_id": "0pnIIgi4sm96CllW0DhXug", "business_name": "Il Pittore", "rating": 3, "text": "Don't get me wrong...the food here is out of this world....like really really great quality food. The atmosphere is wonderful and the upstairs is absolutely gorgeous with a sun room porch feeling to it. However, the food is very very expensive and I have had some of these same dishes before for almost half the price. I am not even close to being stingy about spending money on food...but this place did set me back a little since each entree is at least 30 bucks. So just be prepared for that! Must Haves: Appetizers: potato crocchetta Pastas: fusilli w/ blue crab and uni crema, tortellini w/ lobster chives and black truffle, and the PAPPAREDELLE with boar (my favorite) Entree: Braised veal cheeks & suckling pig", "timestamp": "2013-01-17T21:29:49" }, { "business_id": "sDi3UPW6imj4wGHUg7CgXg", "business_name": "Teresa's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Simply the best. If you are really into great beer and food (as you all should be) this is the place to go. Completely worth the commute out of the city. If you are familiar with Monk's in the Rittenhouse Square Area....Teresa's Next Door puts it to shame! Honestly all of the food is amazing here. I get a little overwhelmed trying to figure out how to right a concise and informative review of this amazing spot but I will do my best. The atmosphere is amazing. Small space that has the bar span most the length of it. The background of the bar is filled with 100s of varieties of pint glasses specific to each beer you will order from the 15 pg or so Beer List. Unforgettable. Great for dates and small get togethers. MONDAYS: BUCK A SHUCK. Usually small variety west coast oysters...don't miss it! Must Haves: Crispy Artichokes Check out the cheese list. Always great selections! THE MUSSELS. Any of them. Best mussels I've ever had just do it! If I had to pick I would go with the Drunken: dark beer, chorizo, red pepper, shallot, and garlic. ugh YUM Chicken apple sausage sandwich Game Burger: make sure to try the caramelized leeks/beer battered onions as one of your toppings. HOBBIT RIBS. Order right when you get there they take 30-40 mins! LOBSTER ROLL: Originally labeled as the DOWN EASTAH. Dear god...one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had. A must!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T14:50:28" }, { "business_id": "_34KJPR-T0HP9USJw1nCfw", "business_name": "Hiro Ramen House", "rating": 4, "text": "Looks like hiro is on the up&up. They have new lamenated menus w/ a choice of 4 different ramens: chicken soy, miso, pork, and vegetarian. Had the chicken soy for the first time! Very tasty. However, I still prefer the pork and the vegetarian. Since ramen traditional comes with pork belly (a fatty meat), the fattiness of the chicken was a little weird. I don't know. I guess I would just rather be eating pork fat than chicken fat :) PS. Jefferson Hospital Employees get $1 off! Woohoo", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:02:24" }, { "business_id": "7Klk8UuK1sdJt5_44eUtDg", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 4, "text": "Never thought I would rate a Starbucks...but I had to because this one is the best Starbucks in the city! Located on Jefferson Hospital's campus. Great place to study and relax (separate room). Very busy starbucks but the service is quick and SUPER friendly. Love it here.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T19:04:34" }, { "business_id": "-AanHawaDlzWHQjrqRRWig", "business_name": "Au Bon Pain", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Its a good spot to stop if you need to grab something quick and are in a hurry...but there is a Wawa 2 blocks away and you should probably just go there. The sandwiches are usually dry. Do not recommend. However, I work nearby and often grab the broccoli cheddar soup and a piece of bread for a snack. Not as good as Panera's broccoli cheddar...but pretty decent.", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T20:18:58" }, { "business_id": "6ajnOk0GcY9xbb5Ocaw8Gw", "business_name": "Barbuzzo", "rating": 4, "text": "Had a great lunch experience here yesterday! I ordered the Cavatappi which was absolutely delicious. The smokey pulled pork throughout the pasta was amazing. What really made the dish was the sauce. I really wish I knew how to make a tomato sauce like that! My friend got the burger and enjoyed it! Fries were extra tasty and came with some sort of aioli dip. Can't wait to come back for dinner in the near future!", "timestamp": "2013-01-18T21:25:49" }, { "business_id": "OLkS4jfozQpUIUq0K6t_IQ", "business_name": "Underdogs", "rating": 4, "text": "What's better than getting a chili cheese dog @ 1 am on a Saturday night? Well...not much! Great experience at Underdogs this weekend. Service was quick. Fries were amazing! Got the chipotle mayo and utah fry sauce (kinda like a sriracha mayo) for dipping. Signed up for the Underdogs challenge. Time to get my name up on that wall! Will post my favorite sausage & hotdog at the end", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:14:15" }, { "business_id": "YO9Ycz_chfmoW4WI9Ou0ag", "business_name": "Drinker's Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Had a fun time at Drinker's upstairs area on a Saturday night. Gets pretty crowded but if you are able to snag a table it makes the experience ten times better! Danced to old 90s hip hop and some oldies! Woo! Typical bar/drinks. I always snag a yuengling or yards ipa before lemon drops ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:19:33" }, { "business_id": "tzVLTQNUtiCAxUZmEuF0vQ", "business_name": "1 Tippling Place", "rating": 4, "text": "Love 1 tippling place for small group chats at happy hour or starting off your Saturday night. The inside is very charming! Small interior with an antique feel. The front of the place has a couple separated sitting areas with couches and lounge chairs. The back of the room runs along the bar and has more sitting options around high bar tables. I recommend the front if its open! The drinks are exceptionally good and you'll get your money's worth (10-12 dollars). Similar to Franklin and Mortgage Investment Company (if you have not been you should go there as well :) ) Must Have: Tequila Honey Suckle! Yum yum yum! Strong tequila at first but completely softened by the honey after each sip. Delicious", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:27:46" }, { "business_id": "2WGnykxiM-Mp-qIm2u7iAw", "business_name": "Maggiano's Little Italy", "rating": 4, "text": "Review intended for a PRIVATE PARTY: I organized our office holiday party for 30 people at Maggiano's this past weekend and had a fantastic experience. Party planning was made easy by choosing the Milano package ($35 food and $40 open bar per person). We were in the Napoleon room which was very pleasant with a nice classy touch. The service was absolutely phenomenal and definitely added to why the party was such a success. Food Line Up: Started with the bruschetta & sausage peppers and onions served on a buffet. The bruschetta was great! I was pleasantly surprised to find cannellini beans in it! Turned out to be very tasty. Got the Maggiano's house salad & caesar salad served to the tables family style. I recommend both but to request less dressing as it was a little drenched and I had some guests complain. For pastas we got spaghetti with meat sauce and the four cheese tortellini with pesto. Both good! Entrees were chicken parmesan and an eggplant parm for the veggie eaters. Great overall experience! :) Definitely would recommend for large parties", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T02:39:32" }, { "business_id": "c6hhh1Kpr7iau8qMH74w2Q", "business_name": "Pub On Passyunk East", "rating": 4, "text": "Can you say, Hipster City?! This is where the hipsters are...and hey, they might be on to something because this place is great! A very casual, laid back atmosphere. Dark setting. The perfect place to grab some beers with your friends. Always pretty crowded on friday and saturday nights so if you want a table try and grab one early. The beer list is written on a long-stretching chalk board above the bar. If you have trouble reading it they have a printed list that you can ask for. They have a pretty phenomenal beer selection including some of my favorite West coast breweries such as 21st Amendment. Tasty food as well! The pierogies rocked my socks off!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:17:21" }, { "business_id": "4J06--ty2Ydj1---IsArLw", "business_name": "Cantina Los Caballitos", "rating": 3, "text": "Come here for MARGARITAS. Absolutely phenomenal margaritas and over 10 flavors. You can also get them served however you'd like or in a pitcher for the table. My favorite was the blood orange! Yum, yum ,yum! The atmosphere is fun and typical decor of a mexican restaurant/bar. My group and I had great service and you are served complimentary chips and salsas. The salsas are delicious and spicy! Maybe too spicy for some so make sure you have your margarita in hand! I ordered the chicken tortilla soup and have to say I was very disappointed. In no way is this a traditional tortilla soup. It was more like a chicken and green chili stew...which tasted fine but it isn't what you ordered.", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T21:25:47" }, { "business_id": "mf0OyZ6DX2iKUFIV9TqFRQ", "business_name": "Moriarty's Restaurant and Irish Pub", "rating": 3, "text": "Great Happy Hour spot for after work with a decent beer list that is half off during this time! Dark lighting and tons and tons of wall decorations. Such a fun place to sit with friends and relax after a long day! In particular I loved coming here during the Holiday's when they have all of their X-mas decorations up. Very charming. Good for grabbing a quick bite or for bar food nibbles. Try the wings!", "timestamp": "2013-01-21T22:07:47" }, { "business_id": "nFiobSfZqWmoA8LyuVK3vw", "business_name": "The Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "This review is intended for Afternoon Tea! What a great experience. Perfect for...and I know it sounds cheesy...getting together for a girl date, putting on cute dresses, and talking over tea. You have the choice of ordering two samplers...the only difference between the two is that one comes with a cocktail and the other does not. You order your own pot (i typically go with earl grey) and are presented with a tower of tea sandwiches, seasonal scones, and desserts. So much fun! Also ask your waiter for more sandwiches because it usually goes free of charge if you tell them which one is your favorite and how much you loved it ;)", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:13:05" }, { "business_id": "HrIEc9gVWWnjqn9OiglrVQ", "business_name": "Jakes Sandwich Board - 12th St", "rating": 4, "text": "Currently battling sleep at my office desk...that's right I am in an official food coma! I stopped by Jake's to pick up lunch today. Got the turbacon and a side of fried pickles. Do you miss thanksgiving? Well today I did but my craving was fully satisfied. The turbacon has turkey, stuffing, gravey, hashbrowns, and cranberry sauce all on a roll. It's a dream come true. The fried pickles were also delicious! They came in slices the size of silver dollars with a sriracha mayo dipping sauce. Yum yum!", "timestamp": "2013-01-22T18:18:39" }, { "business_id": "6GePX4W6Cl8LD68zUq_MAA", "business_name": "Rachael's Nosheri", "rating": 4, "text": "Rachael's Nosheri = Your hangover cure! I don't think a week has passed since I moved to center city (July 2012) that my apartment hasn't ordered delivery from Rachael's. Typical deli menu. My favorites are the turkey special & italian with everything on it (oil not mayo!). I also order the chicken soup which is simple and has a classic homey taste. One of the best things about Rachael's is it's hours. When most places are closed at 8 to 9 am....Rachael's is open for delivery! That's what makes it my hangover cure and Sunday morning knight in shinning armor. I order a breakfast egg, sausage, and cheese on a hoagie roll with a side of chicken noodle soup. PS. GET THE PICKLES. Honestly they are the best ever. I sometimes just order Rachael's to eat the pickles. They are so perfect. Not too vinegary and they are still super crispy.", "timestamp": "2013-01-23T19:38:17" }, { "business_id": "1cncsHKApeW1ubd5d9HoJw", "business_name": "Hop Sing Laundromat", "rating": 4, "text": "This isn't just a bar, it's an experience! I felt giddy when we finally found the door between 10th and 11th st on Race. We were let in by a bouncer who instructed us to sit down in a small room where he explained to us the rules. It was like being at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida where you wait and listen to someone prepare you for the ride ahead. Nice touch! Beautiful interior. Close attention to details so don't be afraid to get up and look around if you're into that. Drinks are totally worth the price. Reminded me of Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. Recommend: East Side is my favorite drink. I also enjoy one of the new specials called Crazy Horse but only if you like vodka...because it is HEAVY on the vodka. ;) Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:06:09" }, { "business_id": "rN3tOWABU_hSBvLdADSb4Q", "business_name": "Tazia Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here for happy hour with a few co-workers after reading about some great experiences from fellow yelpers. Unfortunately I wasn't blown away by this place. The happy hour specials are great...for example $3.50 for a fruit (pineapple, lychee, etc) martini. But I pretty much got exactly what I paid for and maybe even less...the martini was watered down and I felt like I was drinking lightly flavored juice. The service was slow... Not sure I will be going back anytime soon but I could be persuaded to give it another try. Maybe.", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:10:09" }, { "business_id": "fcpHrRopilvsBwUajFB5rw", "business_name": "Dim Sum Garden", "rating": 3, "text": "Good food at a great price! I came by for a quick dinner after going out for happy hour with some friends. We ordered tons of dumplings....seriously TONS. My favorite were the Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns ( pork and scallion ) and the soup dumplings. My favorite entree we got blew my mind! We ordered it as a recommendation that we took from our server: pork with sauce noodle. Literally that is what it's called. We got it with mei fun noodles. The best way to describe it is like having an asian spaghetti with meat sauce that instead of tomato has a soy/hoison base. Cilantro was sprinkled all over the top. So. Good. Some negatives...I didnt like the fried rice (how can you mess up fried rice?). Some of the dumplings weren't super special to me. So with the pros and cons...this place is A-OK to me", "timestamp": "2013-01-24T16:20:29" }, { "business_id": "gQCKrqkalAc--4cuW_C_Ow", "business_name": "Tacconelli's Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "There is no where else in Philadelphia and the surrounding area where you can get pizza as good as Tacconelli's. Seriously, this pizza is the best. I normally go here with a large group of people 8+. This is the best way to do it so you can order tons of different pizza combos. You are limited to only 2 toppings per pizza (to keep the oven operating efficiently). The crust is super thin and the pizza sauce is absolutely delicious. Be prepared to have garlic breath for hours...but hopefully whoever you're smooching later will be at dinner with you anyways and will have the same problem! My favorite combos: plain cheese & sauce, sausage & onion, tomato & spinach. If you can handle spicy, and I mean really spicy, order a side of their homemade hot peppers. Remember to call in and reserve the amount of pizza doughs you want before you get here! BYOB & Cash Only !", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T14:54:39" }, { "business_id": "oU-vzdE38Nk6gAr4yDy6ew", "business_name": "Crumbs Bake Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "Not the best but certainly worth a try. I got a dozen of the small cupcakes to try the different flavors with my roomies. I found them to be pretty good...in particular the red velvet and the coconut cream. Dense and moist to make for an overall yummy experience. Ill be going back again soon", "timestamp": "2013-01-25T15:04:27" }, { "business_id": "QuU-a6FEcC_aZTgZkYFeLA", "business_name": "The Bards", "rating": 4, "text": "The Bards has great brunch! Went there this past Saturday with a group of friends after a big night out and it was just what we needed. I ordered the eggs benedict and added Irish ham to it which was a great decision. The home fry potatoes that came on the side with onions and peppers were absolutely perfect. If you're in to bloody marys they have a great mix here! Yum! Bards is also a great spot to grab some beers for a sports game or for Thursday night Quizzo. All around great Irish Pub that puts its next door neighbor THE Irish Pub to shame.", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:28:07" }, { "business_id": "Z8qGOmU8YxDjLPBbrz84Yw", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "I love dropping in to Capogiro every few weeks to try the new flavors...and this past weekend did not disappoint! I was really craving some sorbetto and got a combo of kiwi and pineapple mint. The pineapple mint was probably one of the best flavors I've ever had! So let me make it clear...if they have it, you must get the:PINEAPPLE MINT SORBETTO. I also love the cucumber sorbetto which they did not have this past weekend. Any of the gelatos are a must. In particular I crave the Thai coconut. Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-01-28T17:35:35" }, { "business_id": "ueAkLzWFFTzQkq3jzyBlnA", "business_name": "Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "The clouds have parted... and there at the center, is a huge bowl of Pho. Absolutely delicious and enlightening (thus the first sentence) lunch experience at Pho Xe Lua today! I felt almost treacherous ditching my normal spot, Pho Cali, and wandered a little further away from work to this spot. What a good idea and I will absolutely be coming here again in the near future. I got regular rare steak pho. The meat and noodle portions were large just with a regular bowl portion. What really made this pho exceptional was the broth. So savory and had the right amount of scallions and cilantro. My PIC (partner in crime) got the beef stir fry noodles. Also amazing! But really I'm a Pho girl and this will be my new go to spot for it.", "timestamp": "2013-01-29T21:29:27" }, { "business_id": "mlrYh-m3Zlqp9CTeSvdOsQ", "business_name": "Chix & Wings", "rating": 4, "text": "MMMmmmmmm what a pleasant surprise! I needed a quick lunch break from work and was craving some serious chicken nuggets. I was heading to Wendy's on the corner of 11th and walnut but bumped into Chick-a-licious before I could make it. Hurrah! I ordered the 7 piece boneless chicken, mashed potatoes & gravey, and corn. I got honey mustard and the sweet chili dipping sauces (my fav). The chicken was so fresh! I watched them batter and fry it right in front of me. The meat was delish and had 0 fat. Very pleased with this discovery and will go back ASAP.", "timestamp": "2013-01-31T16:50:42" }, { "business_id": "8j3blTZChklt3j89jxx0fw", "business_name": "Brauhaus Schmitz", "rating": 3, "text": "This review is for restaurant week. What's better than a liter of beer and huge portions of goulash, potato pancakes, and sausage? Not much! Had a fun experience here for restaurant week. The menu was a bit limited since their regular menu is so so large, so I felt a bit limited but was not completely disappointed. I ordered the hungarian goulash. Not like goulash you can get abroad. It resembled more of a what I called, \"a european chili.\" I also got the kale salad which was a huge like! I don't think I've ever had just plain kale in a salad before but it was so good. It had a roasted garlic dressing, thin red onions, and shaved smoked gouda. I was disappointed with the sausage selections my table got (weisswurst, bratwurst, and baurenwurst) . Overall I felt they were relatively flavorless and demanded some serious mustard attention. This is in comparison to the sausages you can get at Frankford Hall which comes from Ilg's Butcher shop where the sausages are unbelievable. I am looking forward to going back again and getting the house sausage and others that were not available on the restaurant week menu. The Braushaus Housbrau was very good. Easy to drink and great to wash down the food :)", "timestamp": "2013-02-05T23:23:47" }, { "business_id": "hcxea89M_U__LADtu3C0kA", "business_name": "Supper", "rating": 4, "text": "Mmmm what's for Supper? Well for me it was the sweet potato soup with the smear of homemade marshmallow around the rim of the bowl and the scallops. The soup was spicy but sweet and had a thickness to it that was perfect. The scallops were cooked to perfection and the truffle on them is a great touch. The sauteed greens that came with the scallops were a little tough but not bad! For the table we shared the Tamale fries and the Chicken wings. CHICKEN WINGS ARE A MUST. I cant get over how delicious they are. Sugar, salt, pepper and falls right off the bone. Tasty appetizer for the table. Love the atmosphere here. Plan on coming back soon!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:34:37" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "Yum. Thank you Honest Tom's for renewing my hope for Philadelphia's burrito scene. Best chicken burrito I've had outside of New Mexico. Honestly (ha) this place is as good as it gets. From the chicken to the beans...everything is well flavored and fresh making a great, cheap, & quick meal. They also make their own salsas which are delish and worth a try. If you like it hot, you'll be in love!", "timestamp": "2013-02-08T20:45:59" }, { "business_id": "2YyIIdwnYv5cApn1gZo_gw", "business_name": "Field House", "rating": 4, "text": "Very pleased with going to The Field House for Mardi Gras last night! The specials were great: $3 dollar Abita drafts, $5 hurricanes, $5 soco lime shots Abita's Purple Haze may be one of my favorite beers for all time (you can find in specialty craft beer stores by the can) and I couldn't believe I was drinking pints of it for 3 dollars each. In general the beer list is pretty good and during happy hour it's $2 dollars off all local brews. I came with a big group of people (10) and we took over the benches up in front by the stage. Great drinks, fast service, and a couple orders of the Kettle Chips (braised beef, jalapenos, gouda, salsa...uhhh yum) made for a great after work party", "timestamp": "2013-02-13T19:46:32" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 4, "text": "Yum! I've been meaning to try this spot for some time now and decided that going on a little V-Day Lunch Adventure was just what I needed today. Turns out it was a great choice! Love the space. Very casual and fun. Feels like being in a market/kitchen area. I didn't get a chance to browse the initial cheese, charcuterie, and dessert counter but I will be coming back in the near future to do so! From what I saw there was a chocolate cake with bacon peanut butter icing...MMMM yes please I ordered the half sandwich and soup combo. The pasta fagioli was very fresh and perfectly cooked. Now, the cuban sandwich was amazing. I'm pretty picky about these and I loved mine. The bread was crispy & thin. The portion of meat was generous. Homemade pickles and mustard....plus untraditional gruyere cheese. Delish and absolutely recommend!", "timestamp": "2013-02-14T19:13:42" }, { "business_id": "9PZxjhTIU7OgPIzuGi89Ew", "business_name": "El Vez", "rating": 3, "text": "El vez is a good spot to stop by for happy hour. The margaritas are delicious and they normally have a decent beer selection. The guacamole is good (but pricey depending on what you get). My two favorites are the Morales (truffle) and the Indian Red Lopez (crab, cilantro, and salsa) guacamoles. I love the tortilla soup here. Much MUCH MUCH better than at Starr's other mexican spot, El Rey. Can't go wrong with the tacos. This place is good but not the best. I think its a nice spot for getting together with a larger group of friends for dinner or just for a casual happy hour.", "timestamp": "2013-02-18T16:05:11" }, { "business_id": "jHeT7dodT4fN1SD3QEFoAA", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 4, "text": "Oink oink oink! This place is appropriately named and deservedly so. The pork selections on the menu are each to die for. Really, the chef knows how to cook meat. Everything came out in a timely fashion and was cooked to perfection. Great family dinner experience. A dish that really stood out to me in particular was actually a dessert. We were so full we almost didn't ask for dessert menus...but alas my curiosity often overrides any smart decision to stop eating and thank goodness it did. I ordered the shortcake with maple syrup and bacon ice cream. YUP, BACON ICE CREAM. It was the best breakfast/dessert/smorgasbord I've ever had. Highly recommend saving room for this one! Look forward to coming again & also for brunch (gasp! didn't know they had one until recently)", "timestamp": "2013-02-20T16:08:37" }, { "business_id": "5Fm6khB-De-OdqATep9J9Q", "business_name": "NYPD Pizza", "rating": 2, "text": "Not a bad spot to stop in for a quick lunch. I came a little after the initial lunch rush and I think it limited my options. There wasn't much variety to the leftover pizza. I ended up getting a slice of the cheesesteak pizza and a slice of mushroom and cheese. The cheesesteak pizza was pretty good. White pizza with tons of american cheese and steak meat. There were also dollops of cheez whiz. I did wish it had red sauce but I asked the counter for a side which they were more than willing to provide! The mushroom pizza was super eh. I should have just gone with a slice of plain cheese that seemed to be the freshest. It was like heating up an old piece of pizza. I showered the entire thing with hot peppers which made it better. Good price & quick service tho.", "timestamp": "2013-02-21T21:32:49" }, { "business_id": "qCpdeQYPf9i1EZhTnQgjtg", "business_name": "The Foodery at Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a great addition to the Rittenhouse Square Area. I had an absolutely wonderful time stopping by the new Foodery after happy hour to check it out. Not only did they have some of my all time favorite beers that are hard to come by (ex. Prism Red Zone!) they also were stocked with an interesting and diverse selection of bottled beers that the employees were more than willing to walk you through them. We got our beer selections and sat down at the large picnic table. Right now they only do sandwiches and some sides..but I wanted just charcuterie so the server happily sliced me a little of everything free of charge so I could try it out. We also got a side of potato chips and the marinated artichokes which were super yum. Great experience! Nice place to stop with friends and try out some funky beers!", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:10:40" }, { "business_id": "HS5CfzQ_gOJHgqwtv9rvNQ", "business_name": "Ladder 15", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to a fundraiser for happy hour yesterday. It was pretty decent. There were $5 dollar mixed drink specials that were surprisingly boozy. The food was OK. All fried appetizers. The winner was the fried mac and cheese squares. I could eat dozens of those. I really like the ambiance of Ladder 15. They had a fire going and the lighting is pretty dim. Makes for a cozy happy hour with your friends.", "timestamp": "2013-02-22T15:13:03" }, { "business_id": "AfassS1QI0DHsqwuof9-lA", "business_name": "Dirty Franks", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple of my friends and I had a great time finding this Dive Bar on the corner of 13th & Pine. The best part about it was...BYOF...Bring Your Own Food! We brought in a ton of wings (from moriarty's) and sat down with a couple of beers to hang out for Happy Hour before going out for the rest of the night. People of all ages but apparently similar music tastes because I could not get enough of how great the juke box selections were for the evening! Anything from Bob Marley to some 90s Pop. I was lovin' it They had Purple Haze (Abita) on tap. Obviously adds a whole star to my review. I can't get enough of this beer. My one big problem with this place is that there wasn't a good spot for all of my friends and I to sit together (6 of us). The tables can only accommodate up to 4 so we had to play musical chairs for a little while.", "timestamp": "2013-02-25T20:35:40" }, { "business_id": "ZDdNEwBENLXBT3jjQD5STQ", "business_name": "Giwa Korean Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "Gimme korean chicken tacos all day every day! Love this tiny spot for grabbing a quick lunch. I have to say that I have not yet ordered anything else from the menu because the tacos are all I need. Both the pork and the chicken are delicious but I prefer the chicken. Tiny tortillas stuffed with spicy chicken, cheese, sour ccream, lettuce, onion, cilantro, and sticky rice. The spicyness of the chicken seeps into the rice it's absolutely fantastic. They put a heaping amount of cilantro on each taco which really makes it! Be sure to grab some of the hot sauce for dipping! I dip my side cucumbers in as well :) Some day I will be back to try something else off the menu...but not today", "timestamp": "2013-03-04T16:08:52" }, { "business_id": "7mpYTDb24SywNMRn3yeakQ", "business_name": "The Twisted Tail", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great place to stumble upon! We wanted to grab a bite to eat before a 7pm concert at the TLA and thankfully found The Twisted Tail. The cocktails were delicious. I had the black cherry gimlet and the kool kat. The gimlet was sweet but the lime juice added a tartness that made it perfect. The kool kat was refreshing and a tasty way to start off the night. As we were having our cocktails and waiting to order, the waiter brought out fresh house popcorn with bacon and rosemary butter. YUM What we ordered: Soup of the day: Pumpkin Chipotle glazed wings Cesar salad with cornbread croutons Blackened catfish BBQ spare ribs I would strongly recommend the pumpkin soup if they have it. It was the best I have ever had! It had a strong pumpkin flavor but was sweetened with what almost felt like a marshmallowy taste. The soup was thickened adding to the marshmallow aspect of the dish. The BBQ ribs were also very tasty! Even better is on the side were deep fried cornichons. I've fallen in love with these. This should be the only way to fry pickles.", "timestamp": "2013-03-07T15:14:48" }, { "business_id": "mtvT7uRey3F395STFRM1Tg", "business_name": "Vernick Food & Drink", "rating": 4, "text": "Happy to stop in to Vernick to catch up with an old friend. She had never been and was very pleased overall with the experience (as she should be!) The food was spectacular as always. The service was quick and helpful. We split a mixture of toast/ raw bar/ and small plates over wine. The tuna poke is still my favorite! So delicious Vernick is not getting my usual 5 star rating because their desserts are not what they use to be. I think this is on account of the dreaded change in pastry chef. This makes me the saddest.... Goodbye delicious pies. The date cake wasn't what it was last time I went (~1month ago). It wasn't as moist and a little too dense. With a change of pastry chef should come a change in menu! I'm ready for it, Vernick!", "timestamp": "2013-03-08T19:23:31" }, { "business_id": "YBak8o0xCiNN4sXr3izLbg", "business_name": "Barcade", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok...I was so excited to finally spend a night at Barcade with a handful of friends for a birthday party and was pretty disappointed. We picked out this place specifically to come to after a day at Frankford hall (da best obvi) because of the amazing beer list and full intention to get rowdy with some throw back video games. When we got there around 9pm the place was so full it was hard to even move around. Any dream of playing a video game was shattered by the lines in front of each machine. Instead we settled at a table after a bit of a wait until the music got turned up. For some reason the music got even louder than it already was with some sort of tortured rock that really hurt my ears. Needless to say we made a hasty retreat back to the center city area. With all this negativity....I am not completely turned off by this joint. I think timing is key and I need to come back at a less rowdy time to really enjoy what this place is...a place where you can be goofy and enjoy old games over a pint or two rather than get lost in a loud, claustrophobia-inducing crowd.", "timestamp": "2013-03-11T15:46:00" }, { "business_id": "Z5rqRyZ4-iEBRVXCRbysfA", "business_name": "Rogue's Gallery", "rating": 4, "text": "Yes please! What a hidden gem Rogue's Gallery is! I met up with a couple of friends for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised. Rogue's is off the beaten path of mainstream Rittenhouse Square Area and is a refreshing change of scenery from my normal go to places. The bar is the perfect combination of up-scale, divey-ness that is hard to explain until you see it. Our immediate reaction to the place was, \"Wow. We need to be regulars here,\" and I completely plan on making that happen! Great specials for happy hour. Can't wait to come back here to try the food or come dancing on a friday night!", "timestamp": "2013-03-20T18:34:00" }, { "business_id": "Tkx1AiQarmw0zc50GibtTA", "business_name": "Marathon On the Square", "rating": 3, "text": "Marathon does free deliveries on grub hub now!!! Fast service. Same old food...but if you're in a pinch for a burger/sandwich/salad it's nice. The smoothies are great! Love the mixed berry with honey!", "timestamp": "2013-03-22T16:29:07" }, { "business_id": "_f3JQU6IXpGmTLaSqGy79g", "business_name": "BRÜ Craft & Wurst", "rating": 4, "text": "I love to see Drury street becoming a serious destination for Saturday nights. Not that McGillins wasn't holding down the fort on it's own, but now the spill into the street from both packed establishments makes it a really exciting place to be. I can't wait for the summer! Anyways, Bru has the right stuff to become a great spot to grab drinks with friends for a night out. The pour your own pint in the front is amazing. Basically you load up a card with money, swipe, and ta dahhhh... you dispense your own beer like a soda fountain. I'm excited to see what selections they will have in the upcoming future. I think to start the choices were a little unoriginal...but I have high hopes! Haven't tried the food yet. Maybe next time :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T18:56:43" }, { "business_id": "OHzX-ZD9qyoeoxR8Z0dlIA", "business_name": "Khyber Pass Pub", "rating": 5, "text": "I. love. this. place. I can't put a finger on the exact reason why...but maybe that's why it's so great. There isn't just one thing that makes Khyber Pass a great place to go to. Saturday was gorgeous and we set out to try new places and get our day drink on. We landed at Khyber's and were immediately greeted with a surprisingly crowded but friendly atmosphere. The beer list is extensive and exciting if you are in to the beer scene. Lots of new things for me to try and the sudden surprise that...OH MY DEAR LORD THEY HAVE PO BOYS, and lots of them! I got the cat fish po boy with a side of collard greens and the mac and cheese. Heaven. Seriously. What is better than an afternoon of funky beers over fried fish and mac with your friends. Nothing. :)", "timestamp": "2013-03-25T19:03:37" }, { "business_id": "waafKhA-LtJSZXlECyfEXw", "business_name": "New York Gyro Halal Food Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been here 20+ times in the past couple of months and my feelings have not changed for how amazing this place is for lunch. Quick, cheap, & delicious. Best $4 dollars I've ever spent (Except really I give them $5 :) )", "timestamp": "2013-03-26T18:48:13" }, { "business_id": "RFYlmTjgwhOsm7qJwW1G9w", "business_name": "Alfa American Tavern", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. Perhaps it's because we came here on the later side of a Saturday night but I found it over crowded and stuffy. To be far, I was in a larger group so we ourselves were kind of crowding up the place but even so I couldn't really talk to everyone and we had to break up a bit. I had a hard time getting to the bar, which can be frustrating for a little redhead. However, once I did I was pleased with my drink choice: Kate Middleton. I'll try it again, but not on a Saturday night", "timestamp": "2013-03-28T14:16:45" }, { "business_id": "ePs4Z_Nqsm5-kQk_hAp2Dg", "business_name": "Irish Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh the Irish Pub...I was too harsh on you. For a place to go out for drinks with a group of friends, no matter what night of the week it is, I find myself at the Irish Pub at least once a week. Whether it's a weekday night and I try to monopolize the jukebox with DJ Saraah's Greatest Hits or a Friday/Saturday night with a rotation of visiting DJs, the music is loud and sets a booty wigglin, drink guzzling atmosphere to forget the rest of the world outside of the pub. A good spot for celebrating but get there before the night rush if you want to have good standing room. It can get crowded pretty fast but hey, with cheap drinks and fast service what else would you expect?", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:15:49" }, { "business_id": "poviu-6n3iaRE4gdQz6OYw", "business_name": "Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "AHOY Seafood Connoisseurs! The Dump Dinner does not disappoint! Did the Dump Dinner again with a group of 10. Still my #1 dining experience in Philly. Delicious, messy, finger lickin' food in a classy establishment with a 2hr open bar. Count me in always.", "timestamp": "2013-04-01T14:21:29" }, { "business_id": "tMtI6ECD6hwM-nFp2kXLKQ", "business_name": "Tea Do", "rating": 4, "text": "My Boyfriend has a problem...and its Tea Do. He discovered this place a couple weeks ago and I lost him every day, and then multiple times a day to a mysterious bubble house that I hadn't been to in China Town. He started coming up with excuses for his addiction: I just worked out (bubbles help that?), my stomach hurts (ok...), and I'm sleepy (...). Needless to say my curiosity peeked and I was ready to make the trek to China Town to, \"grab some bub teas.\" I tend to like traditional milk with tapioca bubble teas, the coconut milk one being my favorite. My boyfriend on the other hand is obsessed with both the Grasshopper and the Tropical Twister but with tapioca bubbles not lychee. I've also ventured and explored the bursting bubbles such as strawberry. These are good but like I've already said, I'm a traditionalist. So now he has a Bub Tea PIC (partner in crime)....and it's getting a little embarrassing how often we go. :)", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T15:41:19" }, { "business_id": "OhSaEeJes7JLtk3MGMXXmg", "business_name": "Maoz Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "My healthy lunch go to during the work week. The falafel is fresh and really delicious, but what makes the place is all of the options from the buffet you can stock up on for your sandwich or salad. I prefer getting the falafel in a salad bowl because I can fit everything I want into the container. As you can imagine jamming additional snackie poos into the pita and falafel, which is already full to begin with, is pretty difficult. If you like spicy and fresh, I recommend getting the green chili and the cilantro sauces all over your falafel.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:24:36" }, { "business_id": "qh7T0rql3chxxuORLMse2Q", "business_name": "Yellow Juice Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Yellow Juice Bar loves Yelpers. First off I checked in and got $1 off a salad. Boom. I got a Mango Madness fruit blend with almond milk and the free banana twirl special featured on Yelp this week. That banana twirl is magic. I didn't know that being healthy could be so delicious. I'm a big big fan of banana gelato..and as far as I'm concerned, that is exactly what I ate.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:32:04" }, { "business_id": "EtKSTHV5Qx_Q7Aur9o4kQQ", "business_name": "Village Whiskey", "rating": 3, "text": "I'm really torn up about Village Whiskey. Don't get me wrong, this a great place but for some reason I can't give it 4 stars. It's really hard to get a table here pretty much all the time. I've been a number of times and always end up standing in the back with a friend or two. Not terrible but also not ideal. I also had an annoying situation with the hostess when 5 of my friends and I were trying to squish and eat at a 2 person table while the entire middle booth (seats 6) was empty. We kept asking if we could move there since we were in the way of everything and had ordered food which was definitely not going to fit on the table. After about 20 minutes when our food arrived in heaping loads she let us move. Sorry I'm not Ryan Howard but this girl wants to eat her burger just as bad. On the up side the food and drinks are good. The beecharmer is my cocktail of choice and they always have good beers on tap. The truffled cauliflower on the pickle selections is amazing and a must have. I also am a big fan of the veggie burger. Best I've ever had. Heads up- They deliver. And this is normally the route I take if I just want food from here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-08T13:44:14" }, { "business_id": "0-7N3z_cb3Z1xMGDrbez6w", "business_name": "Le Virtu", "rating": 4, "text": "Looking for the perfect date night spot? You found it. Le Virtu is such a gem. It's classy but not too much so...the overall feel is very comfortable and homey. It set me up to chow down on some pasta and drink italian wine. Not much can beat that! The service was also amazingly friendly and warm. We spoke with the manager for a lengthy period of time about food traditions across Italy and, in particular, the food from Abruzzo where his grandfather is from (one of Le Virtu's main drawing pools). Appetizers: Fried rice balls Hearty chick pea soup is a must have. I feel like this can be easily overlooked but they use duck and rabbit stock....yum city. House-made Abruzzese-style sausage Charred octopus salad was also very good. Surprisingly refreshing. The octopus was very tiny and packed with flavor which is exactly how I like 'em Primi: We all got entree sized pasta dishes and skipped secondi because they looked amazing Shepard Style gnocchi was absolutely amazing. Probably my favorite dish. The gnocchi was miniature and not too soft. The smokiness of the lamb sausage paired with the sheep ricotta gave these dish such warm and comforty feel to it. I could eat this all the time. Taccozzelle was recommend by the server and rightfully so. The noodles were so fresh. The porcini mushroom was the predominant flavor, can't complain there. Desserts: Pecorino Panna cotta. Yes, get this. It is a must have. The pecorino really makes this panna cotta unique. It is extra thick and creamy, served with poached pears. I loved it. Also it is a smaller portion size which I welcomed warmly after all of the pasta I destroyed Chocolate semifreddo was like eating the best frozen chocolate milk I've ever had. Assorted biscotti.........I know it's a crime but I don't like biscotti. Never have. But for the members of the dinner party who do like it they raved about them. Enjoy! I'll be back soon to try the Maccheroni alla mugnaia: the 6 ft single strand noodle pasta!", "timestamp": "2013-04-12T18:11:23" }, { "business_id": "f2RHDdXezLHILvM7v1xOVA", "business_name": "Taqueria La Veracruzana", "rating": 5, "text": "Five stars and a round of applause for the Tacos at Veracruzana! You can't go wrong with any of the tacos all of which are sprinkled with freshly chopped onions and cilantro..... HOWEVER! The must haves are the Al Pastor (roasted, pulled pork & pineapple) and the chorizo tacos. The Al Pastor from here is pretty much the best I've come across in the Philly area. The pork is melt in your mouth good and the pineapple with the cilantro is super refreshing. For a more intense savory flavor the chorizo is the way to go. You get 3 to an order so I usually go 1 chorizo & 2 al pastor with the occasional bistec guisado taco to mix it up. The house green and red accompanying salsas are both killer. I loud up all my tacos with a squish of lime and both salsas. Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-04-24T15:59:47" }, { "business_id": "SDL247FlOnScJfuNjZESxg", "business_name": "Twenty Manning", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty Manning Grill is a bright and refreshing place. Between both the ambiance and the food, it makes me feel like summer is already here! I went on a Mommy-Daughter date here last night (awwwww) and was extremely pleased with the whole experience. We split the Lancaster Baby Romaine and the cheese plate to start. The cheese plate was absolutely gorgeous. They pile on different slices of fruit and berries on a thick wooden board. Very pretty. For entrees she got the Berkshire Pork Chop which was delicious. Very tender, perfectly cooked pork and the brussel sprouts were a hearty, leafy side. I got the Duck Confit...now this is a MUST HAVE alert... MUST HAVE: (Lightly) Crispy Duck Confit. The meat was practically falling off the bone and was so delicious. The whole leg rests on a thick bed of spinach salad with slices of tangerine. I got my meat fix and my green fix in one plate. It was really an impressive dish that kept to overall mood of the evening: light, refreshing, summery dining experience. Bottle of wine: Fritz, Riesling (Germany) to keep to the light nature of our meal. Very sweet but not syrupy. Great riesling!", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:32:57" }, { "business_id": "mK5gu18whrKEG8aojSzpbA", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok...Yogorino is growing on me...BIG time. Maybe its the weather...maybe it's my new work out schedule...but I get Yogorino cravings like crazy lately. I love how creamy but not overly sweet the frozen yogurt is here. Very different from the other froyo places popping up all over the place that try and make their yogurt more like an ice cream. Here, the yogurtyness is embraced. Everything is kept simple. My go to toppings: a litttttle dulce de leche sauce, meringue crumble, and strawberries. And dare I say it... FROYO because...YOLO?", "timestamp": "2013-04-26T14:39:13" }, { "business_id": "fivoAD6x6jXJRiEZwhpcEQ", "business_name": "Amis Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "Oh me, oh my, Amis! I really want to go with a 4.5 here because a 4 doesn't do it justice...but I also can't just give it a full 5 stars since it was my first time there. #yelperproblems This was an absolutely great dining experience. I went with a group of 5 for a Sunday night Birthday Dinner. I actually would recommend going with a group of 4+ so you can try everything you want to on the menu...and trust me there are going to be a lot of dishes that grab your attention. MUST HAVES: I can't go into detail about every dish we got...but I will highlight my favorites Bufala ricotta and black pepper paired with the Veal Terrine (as recommended by our server): Super creamy and savory. The two dishes were made for each other Marinated Octopus over chickpeas: Yes, yes, yes. This is the way octopus should be cooked. Lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside as opposed to overly chewy. The chickpeas were also delicious. All around great dish Fried Lamb Ribs: If you like lamb then this is a must. I loved nomming tender lamb morsels off the bone. The yogurt was a nice touch Cacio e pepe: one of my favorite dishes in general...but Amis does it great. This is my ultimate comfort food. Simple but great. Spinach fazzoletti with lamb ragu: YUM. The fazzoletti was made perfectly. The lamb ragu was tender and meaty which went great with the spinach pasta. OVERALL everything was amazing from ambiance to drinks to food. However, I have 1 complaint. The rice pudding was off putting. They top what is on it's own an absolutely delicious rice pudding (perfect taste & texture) with a berry puree (not terrible) and SALTED pistachios. I capped salted because this is what I think ruined the dish. The salt was too overpowering for the light, milky pudding and was the only thing I could taste. I ended up scoping the top layer off and eating the pudding on its own. I would suggest non-salted pistachios if they are going for the texture....but salted is just too much.", "timestamp": "2013-04-29T15:45:08" }, { "business_id": "7lwe7n-Yc-V9E_HfLAeylg", "business_name": "Pub & Kitchen", "rating": 2, "text": "Winter has come to Pub & Kitchen (Game of Thrones anyone?). The days of plenty are over. The change in chef/menu has really put a damper on this once awesome place to grab a drink and some food with your friends. It really, reaaally is a shame since the location is so great and summer is right around the corner. First off, I wasn't blown away by the menu. Nothing grabbed my attention. Everything was extremely fancy. I'm a pretty intense foodie, but there were things that made me go, \"Huh? What the ... is that?\" Except for the burger...which is listed as \"Cheeseburger: pickle, onion, lettuce, american cheese.\" Fancy, fancy, fancy, and a side of Cheeseburger. It's almost as if they felt obligated to have a cheeseburger since the last Pub & Kitchen burger was out of this world. What we tried: Suckling pig bouchons: These were OK. Imagine eating a croquette without the potato. The lemony sauce that was served with them was awesome. Probably the best thing I had there... Pabbit Campagne: Again...just OK. It was described as a pate but really its more of a meaty terrine. It didn't taste bad, but I did not finish it. Pickled Beets: I don't like beets...but these were actually pretty good. The puffs add a great texture to the dish Cheeseburger: Sad, sad, sad. The meat was flavorful but overcooked due to the fact that they now use two thin patties (why?!). When I go out to eat and order a cheeseburger, it better be delicious and unique.....and this one was just not. Overall: The changes at Pub & Kitchen have made me pretty sad. The cocktail that I had was tasty (Lie to Me), but until there's a turn around in the food department I don't see myself coming back here anytime soon.", "timestamp": "2013-05-01T13:56:01" }, { "business_id": "yQ7sxpoKXcTWzuELVdpR6w", "business_name": "Drury Beer Garden", "rating": 4, "text": "The Drury Beer Garden really is a hidden gem. It's a great place to just chill out with a larger group of friends without having to worry about squeezing everyone around a bar. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and I think because of this everyone freely intermingles with other groups. Just your regular backyard party coupled with an awesome beer list and the chance to meet some people. What is there not to like? I went this past weekend and scored a picnic table under a heat lamp. I had my favorite beer: Hell or High Watermelon for $5 a can and couldn't have been more content!", "timestamp": "2013-05-06T15:48:56" }, { "business_id": "7z16CBc74GhbyqalwZrJUQ", "business_name": "Ting Wong Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Quick, delicious, & fresh business lunch @ Ting Wong for 4 people. We went family style and ordered: Boneless soy chicken & pork appetizers Chicken & Anchovy fried rice Chicken Lo Mein The portions are huge! So definetely plan on ordering a couple of dishes and sharing! I would absolutely recommend the chicken & anchovy fried rice as well as the soy chicken. The fried rice was very fresh and not greasy as fried rice has a tendency to be. The anchovy gave it a nice salty flavor and it wasn't fishy at all which I was initially afraid of. The soy chicken is so flavorful and the crushed ginger sauce on top (and ask for more on the side) makes it a delicious dish. Great spot to check out in Chinatown! :)", "timestamp": "2013-05-14T15:34:45" }, { "business_id": "bN_9QgxdOIk4oK-6fBDJtQ", "business_name": "Honey's Sit N Eat", "rating": 5, "text": "Grabbed the Enfrijoladas and a slice of carrot cake Take-Out style last night for a lazy couch dinner after the gym. Heaven. The Enfrijoladas are really, really good. Now, this is coming from a New Mexican who is pretty picky about these things. The refried beans are to die for. The only thing lacking was heat, but that was nothing a healthy squeeze of Sriracha couldn't fix.", "timestamp": "2013-05-15T14:15:39" }, { "business_id": "V_jy9Aemc3kjznqhbsu_Dg", "business_name": "MilkBoy", "rating": 4, "text": "Stopped by for an iced latte and salad for lunch. Yummy yummy! The iced caramel latte is divine. Creamy & unburned coffee that will make you smack yourself on the wrist for ever going in to a Starbucks. Spiced orange salad was amazing! Lightly spiced vinaigrette. The chicken was seasoned and warm off to the side. Filling but not overly so. Perfect for a hot afternoon lunch outside.", "timestamp": "2013-05-16T17:40:47" }, { "business_id": "MKsCFQuzmgH2We9hwTQ8gw", "business_name": "South Street Souvlaki", "rating": 4, "text": "Opa! Amazing family dinner experience! I love the atmosphere here. Very friendly service with an eagerness to please. All of our food came out quickly and there was plenty, PLENTY of it. We ate everything family style, which I would recommend if you are having a sit down dinner, and got to try a large variety of things. So many in fact, that I will only list my favorites: I could eat the baba ganoush with warm pita for days. Seriously, it is perfection. The marinated grilled octupus was cooked supremely well and served over a fresh salad. We went with the special fish of the day: Porgy. Lightly fried with fresh squeezed lemon. So good! Another special was the pork & leek stew. The meat was deliciously tender and the leeks came in huge, caramelized chunks. Served over rice. Save room for dessert because the rice pudding is some of the best I've ever had! Enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T15:48:17" }, { "business_id": "WxB8498ejPtHE7wFa89_fA", "business_name": "The Continental Mid-town", "rating": 3, "text": "I am so torn up about Continental Mid-Town and have been waiting to write a review for a couple months now. There are most certainly reasons why I would give them 4 stars...but there are also plenty of times I would have gone with just 2. So I'll settle at an indecisive 3 stars. Here are the pros and cons: Pros: The atmosphere of the rooftop bar is really fun during any season. As long as you are in a smaller group of people it can be a lot of fun. Just make sure to get there and snag a table/bar seat before major crowds roll in. I like their tuna tar tar Their drinks are tasty, modern, fun. They deliver through grubhub if you're feeling lazy Cons: Expensive. You can get better tasting food for half the price. It really is a shame. Crowded night light. You have to plan to get there and find space to hang out ahead of major crowds...otherwise it can be a bit overwhelming. Overall I like this place as a launching pad for a great night out with my friends. Maybe an appetizer or two...but nothing more than that.", "timestamp": "2013-05-22T16:00:07" }, { "business_id": "XTNu6IrYn_xn05wuqjrxiA", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 4, "text": "I can't believe I haven't written a review for Jimmy John's yet! It is just blowing my mind! I get Jimmy John's at least once a week for my lunch at work. They must be sandwich magicians over there because I will literally pick up the phone, order, and POOF! Within 5 minutes the food is here, every time. Seriously...I have never waited more than 5 mins for my food. I am in love with them. Go to: #9 Italian hoagie with added hot pepper and a side of bbq chips. Their bread is out of this world and the chips are extra crispy. Feeling healthy? No problem! Get your favorite sandwich on a lettuce wrap instead of a hoagie roll. Go Jimmy John's! I am a fan!", "timestamp": "2013-05-23T17:05:01" }, { "business_id": "A9bqf3aoiQXX9WBswewivg", "business_name": "Rotisseur", "rating": 4, "text": "I crave the chicken banh mi from Rotisseur on a biweekly basis. The feeling slowly creeps up on me until suddenly it has a hold on my stomach and the thought of eating anything thing else is food torture...until...at last, I reach my delicious sandwich. The chicken is moist and they add a layer of crispy skin from the long, slow cook. Pickled cabbage and fresh cilantro really tie the whole thing together. Make sure to add a healthy squirt of sriracha if you are a spice freak. The sides are made on a daily basis. The best side I've come across are the curry garbanzo beans. So. Good. Love rotisseur but don't let your cravings take a hold of your life, body, and mind on a Sunday. They are not open as I was shocked to find out. I withered and died for a day until Monday came.", "timestamp": "2013-06-03T14:17:30" }, { "business_id": "x7gEX6dthpJvoOafV1XHaA", "business_name": "Cook", "rating": 5, "text": "Cook is a brilliant establishment. Cozy, intimate atmosphere so you can get your one on one time with the chefs of your choice. A great gift for foodies. I went with my P.I.C.'s family last night to hang out and try polish food with Chef Maciej Ciezki from Lacroix. I won't go into detail about the food here, but I did add a photo of some of the courses we had. The food was plentiful, the drinks were flowing, and the room was chatty. I will most definetely be coming back for more in the near future.", "timestamp": "2013-06-04T13:22:46" }, { "business_id": "AQIi4IRvUxkurxNvlUD9hQ", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, I LOVE Smoothie King. I want to be it's Smoothie Queen, but I do have one big, big problem with it: the hours. Why smoothie king did you not open until 9:30 am this morning?! You miss the whole morning crowd who needs to be in to work by 9 am. I don't understand! You're open until 7pm...and lets be honest, who gets a smoothie for dinner? Please shift your hours and I think it'll be good for you. I was very sad having to wait until 930 for your juicy goodness. My boss is also mad at you.", "timestamp": "2013-06-06T14:13:12" }, { "business_id": "M77MQ0Gge2ZbSz0FM0oGgg", "business_name": "Krispy Kreme", "rating": 5, "text": "I love you so much Krispy Kreme. I can't believe you are no longer in downtown Philly (WHYYYYYYYYYYY), but I am willing to commute. 1 dozen plain glazed & 1/2 a dozen glazed creme filled later...I am a happy camper and my craving has been fulfilled. :)", "timestamp": "2013-06-10T16:52:03" }, { "business_id": "RZtGWDLCAtuipwaZ-UfjmQ", "business_name": "LaScala's", "rating": 3, "text": "LaScala's is a place to grub down on Italian food, but only when it is convenient to do so. The only times I have gotten LaScala's is through delivery or for yesterday's lunch with my coworkers. I got the rigatoni vodka because I was craving pasta. My craving was fulfilled with cheesy/vodka sauce pasta that was served in such a large portion I took leftovers home. The food is tasty but not mind blowing....I really think the 3 star, \"A-Ok,\" rating is appropriate.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:18:40" }, { "business_id": "78kUZU8GPfHgoYO_2CNbuQ", "business_name": "Ben & Jerry’s", "rating": 3, "text": "The ice cream that Ben & Jerry's provides is an obvi 5 STARS. Getting it at an actual store and not in pints from a corner shop really makes a difference. It feels creamier...probably due to freshness and lack of the freezer burn that my fridge brutally attaches to any inhabitants. The service here is iffy. There were three people working and for whatever reason it probably took a full 20 minutes of waiting in line/paying. The line wasn't even that long..... Maybe they do it on purpose because after waiting I probably ordered double what I would have to begin with. Serious ice cream coma.", "timestamp": "2013-06-18T14:25:11" }, { "business_id": "EKSmnS-fup3HNFLR9J17mQ", "business_name": "Midtown II Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "Beeeewaaareeee of the bathroooomssss (spooky voice). I can get down a dirty when need be, but these are worse than port-a-potty status. I may be scared for life. So you're better off holding it. On a brighter note. This place is OK if you have a craving for diner food. I get breakfast for lunch & a coffee milkshake. Service is pleasant and food comes out fast.", "timestamp": "2013-06-24T14:02:18" }, { "business_id": "TwnzM8mJn_nT2PJf1x-9kQ", "business_name": "Cafe Lift", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't remember the last time I was completely blown away by a brunch experience...until now. Cafe Lift is a dream come true. It really may be one of the best brunch spots I've ever been to. To start, the interior is amazing. Very casual, comfortable feel to the entire place. Exposed brick and piping all along the walls with hardware store style tables. What got me the most excited was the special board. SO. MANY. SPECIALS. Really it is a dream come true (yes I said dream come true TWICE) to walk into a place for brunch and have a plethora of creative specials to pick from...which my party of 3 wasted no time doing. What we got: (note that most were specials) Breakfast tacos: chorizo, egg, cheese, and homemade salsa which rocked my world. Baked Egg: stewed kale, white beans, roast pork in tomato sauce topped with eggs and fontina then baked. Obsessed with this. Imagine a breakfast pasta fagioli situation Cuban Sandwich Bagel w/ veggie cream cheese and salmon Banna nutella crepe with whipped cream and strawberries The ice coffee was really, really good and I am truly very picky when it comes to coffee. Service was friendly and fast. I will be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-07-08T14:56:33" }, { "business_id": "vpNJJNVgVmf2u1lfdFh81w", "business_name": "Matyson", "rating": 5, "text": "Matyson still rocks my socks off. Highlight of the meal was once again, the foie gras served on top of homemade banana bread. Close runner up was the soup of the day: vichyssoise (chilled potato leek soup). This BYOB is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the city", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T13:40:43" }, { "business_id": "6_T2xzR74JqGCTPefAD8Tw", "business_name": "Morimoto", "rating": 5, "text": "I just finished my first Chirashi Sushi Lunch Special...and let me tell you, it is one of the best things that has ever happened during my work day. I was fully intending on splurging a little by going out to a lunch at Morimotos...but it turns out that for once I got way, way more than my money's worth. For $21 ($22 with tax) I got the best miso soup, a salad, and my entire weight + plus some in super fresh sashimi served over rice. The sushi chef asked my preference on what fish I would like in my bowl and went to work. The dish itself was a work of art (see photo) and came with an assortment of pickled vegetables. So in love. Thank you, Morimoto!", "timestamp": "2013-07-10T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "V6Om7YZhlRQRU7WfuxHq8Q", "business_name": "Beck's Cajun Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Thank goodness for Beck's. Really I am so shocked that there are hardly any Cajun restaurants in the Philly area. But maybe that's for the best, because Beck's is pretty darn good. Located in the thick of the Reading Terminal Market, the stand is always busy but the service is fast. The staff is more than happy to let you try whatever you want (which you should). I've had all varieties of the gumbo and don't have a preference which is better. Go for alligator if you are feeling wild. My favorite thing from here are the red beans over rice. They are thick and have chunks of andouille sausage. Great with a piece of corn bread and scallions on top! The po'boys are decent. I find them a little too bready/fried for my liking but the overall flavor is good. I did not like the catfish po'boy....it was too fishy for me.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:25:33" }, { "business_id": "IWHdx0NhDKADkGOgXgOFKQ", "business_name": "Tommy DiNic's", "rating": 3, "text": "I was very excited to try a roast pork sandwich from DiNic's. However, I found myself wanting more. DiNic's gets a lot of hype on yelp...and other places as well. It was featured on Man Vs. Food ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYiR-dSbOs ) and I was shocked that I hadn't tried it yet. So I went for it. Spinach and sharp provolone on a long roll with long hots... It doesn't beat out a cheese steak. The sandwich was good but not great. I actually found myself craving more flavor, secretly hoping I had brought a bottle of sriracha sauce with me. Really they should maybe have a bottle of that on the counter because it would be insanely good. I'll be back to try it again, but unfortunately I have to say I was not blown away by my first time at DiNic's.", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:38:39" }, { "business_id": "atZ_olNKXOG4rEr6mccN8g", "business_name": "Beiler's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "I died and went to Beiler Heaven. Seriously the BLUEBERRY FRITTERS are out of this world good. I've never felt so strongly about a baked good before. Not too sweet, but sweet enough to be the perfect companion with a cup of coffee in the morning....or a mid afternoon snack. I also found the plain glazed doughnuts to be earth shattering. Try both of these. I promise the line is worth it!", "timestamp": "2013-07-19T14:41:37" }, { "business_id": "XgxPLbAJtHoyR2tBN9yCXw", "business_name": "Yogorino", "rating": 5, "text": "I am just so in love with Yogorino. Classic, tangy frozen yogurt is the only kind of froyo that should exist in my opinion. This location is a little bit bigger than the Rittenhouse location...but that's really the only difference. All of the fruit was super fresh & ripe. I couldn't decide between the mango and the nectarines paired with my always go-to crushed up meringue bits...so I got both. Happy eating :)", "timestamp": "2013-07-22T15:59:03" }, { "business_id": "jkGQQ4_LgJx3hwPtCFkzbQ", "business_name": "Max Brenner - Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "I am not impressed with Max Brenner's. Had a friend visiting from out of town so we decided to go out to have dessert. Whispers of fondue seemed super promising and the alluring smell of chocolate that extends down the block made it pretty much impossible not to stop in for a bite. Overall impression: overpriced We got the Italian hot chocolate, the waffle special, and fondue for two (5 of us total). To be fair, there was a lot that came with the fondue. However, I could have easily dished up the same dessert for 1/3 the price. Tasted good but I wasn't wowed. I am not stingy when it comes to spending money on food....but it needs to be worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-07-24T13:29:29" }, { "business_id": "gOrJeoLDOiW7muWuoE-sMg", "business_name": "Morgan's Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Morgan's Pier is a solid 4 star place to hang out with your friends for drinks and dancing. The atmosphere is really unique to Philly, mostly because of the beautiful location. Located right on the docks to the left of the Ben Franklin, it is such an awesome place to sit as the sunsets. Once its dark things kick in to party mode and you'll be either shaking your booty or sitting on a picnic table over the water chatting with your friends. It's awesome. However, there is one problem with it....the food. Seriously 1-2 stars on food. Good ideas and fails on taste. Everything I've had has been meh (wings, fries, bean salad, other munchies nothing major). They should really split up the yelp pages for food vs nightlife because i don't want to downgrade my 4 stars to accommodate for food failure.", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T13:43:54" }, { "business_id": "U3Bqo_gZ0sIHMqil2fUlUw", "business_name": "Thai Singha House Express", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, wow, wow! I feel so lucky that this is right around the corner from my house. I stopped in to this small kitchen last night around 9pm and ordered a monster load of Thai food for my friends and I after City Sips. Needless to say, we were starving and needed some serious chow down time. The service was friendly and super fast! The quality amazing and the price so cheap. How is this place real life? Favorites: Crab Dumplings for days Drunken Noodles w/ Shrimp Pineapple fried rice w/ Chicken Crispy Duck Curry: but really any of the curry the sauce is so, so good. Happy eatings! I will be back again and again and again!", "timestamp": "2013-07-25T15:01:29" }, { "business_id": "j-qtdD55OLfSqfsWuQTDJg", "business_name": "Parc", "rating": 4, "text": "Such a great dinner for 2 seated outside to take in the one day break in humidity! I think I had the best heirloom tomato salad of my life. Honestly. I sat there and tried to figure out why it was so good...and still can't quite put a finger on it. It comes topped with basil (duh) as well as a watercress salad with lightly pickled shallots. Large portion (1 whole tomato) 5 slices total. I love it. This is the definition of summer! My skate was also very tasty! Cooked perfectly and...butter, butter, butter. So not much can be wrong with that...unless you don't like butter...which might be a whole other set of problems for you and I'm so sorry.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T14:50:53" }, { "business_id": "Q-prSTdggNlxAEFV88BZOw", "business_name": "Tria Cafe Wash West", "rating": 5, "text": "Perfect lunch at 12th & Spruce Tria! Obviously. A glass of Dr. H riesling, asparagus salad, and a gooey cheese has taken me to foodie heaven. Unfortunately I am now back at work until 5pm but will have happy memories to get me through.", "timestamp": "2013-07-26T17:50:56" }, { "business_id": "kZ1q0K13tFYG_ZJrVvsJHA", "business_name": "Sampan", "rating": 5, "text": "Sampan is the place to go for Sips in Center City, Philadelphia! They have both food and drink specials, which in my opinion is essential for a good happy hour. The best part is that it's not just a few things, you get a whole menu of food specials rated from $3, $4, and $5. Bomb diggity. Favorites: White Sangria was unbelievably refreshing. Big fan! Duck Egg Rolls Kimchi Fried Rice Edamame Dumplings Kobe Beef Sliders Both Pork & Chicken Bao Buns Enjoy it while you still can! However, if you do miss it, fear not. Dinner here is a must go to as well.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T00:36:46" }, { "business_id": "kxKai8GE5oDMPevV7oxvbA", "business_name": "Tequilas Restaurant", "rating": 2, "text": "I really, really wanted to love this place. Being from the Southwest, I am almost always on a quest for some quality Mexican food, and this spot was the next target. However & unfortunately, I was not so impressed. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup to start. The soup had all of the right components: tortilla strips, moist chicken, avocado, cheese, and bits of dried chili (chipotle maybe). The problem with the soup was the broth. It tasted almost equivalent to Campbell's tomato soup. No spice whatsoever. It was too tomatoey and not enough chicken broth. For my entree I got the Enchiladas Playa. I sort of had the same problem with these in that they were fairly bland without any spice. The crab & shrimp interior was good but the sauce needs a little bit more. To be fair the chips and salsa, as well as the queso fundido, were all very good. Perhaps next time I will come for a drink and some nibbles rather than a whole meal.", "timestamp": "2013-08-16T01:18:28" }, { "business_id": "iWV1MgLsI9ma5zrzNUy_NQ", "business_name": "Olympia Gyro", "rating": 4, "text": "Three words: Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich When I am craving a gyro, this is one of the places I tend to lean towards. Olympic gyro makes what I would describe as the, \"freshest,\" gyro. The meat isn't overly seasoned and the tzaztiki sauce is amazing. I love sitting down here in the middle of Reading Terminal Market and housing down one of these bad boys. Needles to say, the portion sizes are large and you most definitely will not be walking away hungry. Be sure to grab a side of fries but careful, those tempting slices come off HOT HOT HOT! I think I burn my mouth every single, delicious time.", "timestamp": "2013-08-23T16:03:40" }, { "business_id": "1CTNhKEqGbmG5r-sBbDoLg", "business_name": "Tampopo", "rating": 4, "text": "It's pretty freaky that I live within half a block of Tampopo and had managed to never go before today. Shame on me. I grabbed lunch to go from this hole in the wall and couldn't have been happier. I got the fresh tuna bibimbap. I was given tons of sushi grade tuna over veggies, avocado, and rice. The spicy sauce was great! I forgot to ask for a side of kimchi...but I won't forget next time! Fast service makes for a happy Sarah.v I'll be back ASAP", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:38:33" }, { "business_id": "c3a5La0D2L51qXVE7DIJLg", "business_name": "Spice End", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm a fan of the new place on the block Spice End! When I'm out and about and need to grab something on the go or right before I head home after a late night, this is the place to stop. Needless to say their hours are clutch and the 3am friday/saturday night closing time is a clutch move in this area of the city. In a rush I grab the paneer roll. If I have time to sit down and eat I grab the chicken biryani platter and have them add paneer to that as well! PS. They are on grub hub and deliver :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-06T19:47:40" }, { "business_id": "bq0n3CQy1CkE_WUe76zQvg", "business_name": "Shiao Lan Kung", "rating": 5, "text": "Wooow wow! I am continuously impressed with getting dinner at this hole in the wall spot in China Town. Last night I took my parents for their first time and we were all blown away with the quality of the food and how quickly it came out, nothing new here. We got our usual order: pan fried pork dumplings, fried wontons, garlic green beans, salt bake jumpo shrimp (ask for no shells), walknut shrimp, chicken ho-fun with bean sauce.... AND something new! Which blew my mind. I asked our waitress for her opinion on the best fish dish to which she goes, \"OH! Ok, ok, I know.\" Within ten minutes out came a whole, steamed sea bass that was sitting in the most delicious ginger, soy sauce. I have never been so happy and I am already craving it again. I could come for just this once a week....and probably will! Happy eating!", "timestamp": "2013-09-07T22:24:47" }, { "business_id": "xdferXKwbgXAxbtmAShhAQ", "business_name": "Saxbys Rittenhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "My new study spot. There's always a large group of other students working hard whenever you need to look up and around for motivation. My go to is a cinnamon latte....iced or hot depending on the weather. Please note that I am not a huge fan of the food here. I pretty much avoid it all together...really this review is just to say it's a great place for getting work done and having a cup of coffee to help you along the way :)", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:23:45" }, { "business_id": "GrRrxHK9dWgibvUpcotxtw", "business_name": "Joe's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Pizza on the go? Grab some Joe's! I was doing some heavy duty shopping on saturday and needed to restock on calories half way through. I stopped by Joe's to grab a slice of plan mushroom pizza and was in heaven. The crust is thin and crispy...perfect amt of cheese and sauce. Snack city.", "timestamp": "2013-09-09T20:29:01" }, { "business_id": "wbDRmtxaKRpBOjutvV6TEA", "business_name": "Barclay Prime", "rating": 5, "text": "I'm a huge fan of Barclay Prime...in fact, I think this is the best steakhouse in the city. The atmosphere is very relaxed since the entire place feels like you are lounging in a study. The staff is super friendly (BIG shout out to Jason my waiter last night, you da best) and made my birthday dinner a perfect one! To start...everyone gets a hot, out of the oven popover they are simply to die for. These are unbelievably dangerous and the staff will keep offering them to you. Just say no. You are going to want to be hungry for the food to come. Our party of 6 ordered appz and entrees that all came out perfectly cooked (steaks were amazing, duh) and in a timely fashion. I had the heirloom tomato salad. Love how they do it here. Everything is chopped up and piled in a bowl. Super tasty. MUST HAVE: the full bronzino if you are in a fish mood....which you should be at least once if you come here. I can dream about this dish it's so good. Desserts: Warm banana cake Devils food cake Complimentary birthday cake (amazing...come for your birthday...seriously) Put your eating clothes on and enjoy!", "timestamp": "2013-09-13T19:21:18" }, { "business_id": "QMNheeGTdKujLnYgEyFuWw", "business_name": "Old Nelson Food Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Old Nelson's makes some clutch sandwiches for lunch. You can have whatever you sandwich loving heart desires because everything is made to order. Their italian hoagie is delicious. I always ask for hot peppers as well. Yesterday I wanted to go back to my elementary school, packed lunch days and ordered a plain turkey, american cheese, mayo sandwich on white bread. I got a side of pickles and a bag of bbq chips to smush between the bread slices. Neeedless to say, it was crunchalicious.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:05:51" }, { "business_id": "JE6rfQ9marM2YYCuFK8GqA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 4, "text": "I like this location of Sweetgreen. It seems to be getting a bad rep. from other yelpers...but I don't see where the problem is. The food is good, the service is fast and friendly, and you can eat outside when it's nice out. It's not the most amazing experience I've ever had...but when you are craving a fresh salad with fresh ingredients it is the place to go in the area. Overall I'm a fan. Sweetgreen's current seasonal salad is a must have: Maryland crab Kale Green and red peppers Corn Sunflower seeds Avocado (that has been surprisingly ripe & perfect every time I've gotten it from here) Carrot chili vinaigrette.", "timestamp": "2013-09-24T15:12:45" }, { "business_id": "30cpm1uq6xcQCmN6JTrB8w", "business_name": "Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm sad to say Luke's has definitely down graded in my opinion. I thought that this was a one time occurrence (a couple weeks ago) but its happened again for lunch today. The to die for lobster bisque was bland and not lobstery at all today. The past two times I have gotten my once favorite crab roll, the bun has been a little soggy and the crab overly lemony. I'm adverse to overuse of lemon in the first place...and when it overrides the flavor of crab in my roll I am a super sad Sarah. I hope Luke's can bounce back...but for now I'm going to have to change up my lunch venues.", "timestamp": "2013-09-27T16:18:51" }, { "business_id": "PJjkH_VZeQwxEJvlQ-v7wA", "business_name": "Pho 75", "rating": 5, "text": "What can I say....I am a total sucker for a good bowl of Pho. I've been meaning to come to Pho 75 for such a long time and finally have accomplished that goal! Extra inspiration was given to me to venture from my usual stomping spots when Anthony Bourdain (#lovehim #friendcrush #hangoutwithme) visited here on his most recent trip to Philly. The broth here is amazing. I'm not sure if it on the same playing field as the broth from Pho Ha....but I will keep you all posted as I continue to figure it out. The service here was awesome. We walked in, sat down, placed our order and within 5 minutes all of us had our food and drinks. It was so good that we got one to go.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:07:45" }, { "business_id": "8us8cJ-oBnLFerWcaftavQ", "business_name": "The Beer Shoppe", "rating": 4, "text": "Go to the Beer Shoppe on a Tuesday. They have a 10% discount on everything on Tuesdays....thus I have created a new weekly holiday called, Two Beer Tuesday. My friend and I plan to come in and work our way through the selection over the next couple of months. Very ambitious...but also very exciting! The bar in the back is an open and friendly place to try new things before you buy a 6 pack of something you love. The service is super friendly and all the staff has an amazing knowledge of what they have in stock. It really is a great spot for beer geeks to congregate.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:13:55" }, { "business_id": "3ZynJ94VpIdDlaArmEp2Rg", "business_name": "More Than Just Ice Cream", "rating": 3, "text": "A couple friends and I stopped by for some late night milkshakes and found ourselves at More Than Just Ice Cream. Well, we just got ice cream...not fully taking advantage of what the name implies, but maybe next time. 3 milkshakes: 1 coffee, 1 chocolate, and 1 black&white malt. All were pretty good. Definitely satisfied the ice cream craving. I thought my coffee milkshake could have been thicker, same goes for the chocolate. The black&white was plenty thick and was probably the best of the three. Unfortunately, I did not order that one so I settled for my not so creamy coffee. I did sample some ice cream flavors before setting on a milkshake. I tried the pumpkin pie which was AMAZING. I don't know why I didn't just get this. Maybe a milkshake isn't the way to go here.", "timestamp": "2013-10-03T16:24:30" }, { "business_id": "jySVipAqMqczPzOPLMnJpw", "business_name": "Scoop Deville", "rating": 2, "text": "Eeehhhh. I loved, loved, LOVED Scoop DeVille when it was at it's old location on Chestnut & 18th. Now I'm not quite so sure. I miss the charm of the old store. It was packed and loaded with candy/chocolate/ice cream/ and random paraphernalia that this huge space is lacking. Hopefully at some point it'll be able to capture that once again as it settles in to its new location. The real problem was my vanilla ice cream blended with sugar cookie dough (all time favie) tasted like freezer burn. The freezer must have been set to high because I was eating vanilla flavored ice chunks with just a tiny bit of cookie dough. I never had this problem once at the old location...where the ice cream was always almost the consistency of soft serve it was so creamy good.", "timestamp": "2013-10-14T17:11:16" }, { "business_id": "4_-IcMpkF_sBRHomWZHNzA", "business_name": "Bistrot La Minette", "rating": 5, "text": "Bistrot La Minette is a must go to in the Philly area. I am truly surprised that it's taken me so long to finally go here. If you are familiar with the restaurant scene around here: think Parc but small scale and more romantical We had a quiet dinner for a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The service was so friendly and knowledgeable when I asked for suggested wine pairings. Even though we came in for a later dinner on a weeknight, at no point did I feel rushed which was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this place for birthdays and date nights when you want to have a relaxed, delicious dinner out. The eats: Butternut squash soup was one of the best I've had Foie Gras terrine was delicious but VERY savory. It was a little much just for one person on their own to get through for an appetizer. Can't complain for too much food though right? Onion tart is out of this world if you're in to caramelized onions. Miller style trout is a YES. I have never had a trout prepared better then this one was. I am such of fan of this dish it's ridiculous. The veggies were great too. Get it. Beef bourguignon was also a great dish and probably my second favorite thing we got. All of the desserts were amazing but the BEST was the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. Heaven in your mouth. It's basically a layered deliciousness of puff pastry, cream, and fresh raspberries.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:55:04" }, { "business_id": "NZ1lZIb10-6AbftpygLwMQ", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 4, "text": "Clutch pizza in a pinch! I love all of the different combos you can get there. Really it can be a bit overwhelming there are so many delicious ideas. The great thing is though, is that the thin crust situation allows you to get multiple slices without getting too full so you can try a bunch of them. My favorite slice so far is the Veggie #2: fresh chopped organic tomatoes, basil, arugula, garlic, cubes of fresh mozzarella, and organic tomato sauce...noms Try and get there right as the pizzas are coming out so you have the most choices! Right around 5pm for the dinner round.", "timestamp": "2013-11-01T22:58:47" }, { "business_id": "sTPueJEwcRDj7ZJmG7okYA", "business_name": "Jim's South St", "rating": 4, "text": "There's something about Jim's that is legendary. The whole experience is what I think keeps Philadelphians going to this famous cheesesteak house on south street. It's a little grimy, the service a little rough, the seating a little like you're back in a crappy college dining center...but all of that is ok. It's ok because you have the intoxicating smell of meat and fried onions clinging to you (actually it will cling to your jacket for weeks) and delicious greasy food to munch down on. I'm a fan of Jim's. I'm the biggest fan at 1 am when I'm leaving a bar and need a sloppy mess for a pre-hangover cure. Extra whiz with please! (Extra cheese whiz and onions)", "timestamp": "2013-11-06T20:22:37" }, { "business_id": "qsm7SkX60JsajT7Yz248FA", "business_name": "Café Soho", "rating": 4, "text": "Cafe Soho is the highlight to the Sunday football scene at our house. Someone goes and grabs a couple large orders of wings and brings them back downtown in time for 1pm kick-off. The meat is crazy good. This is a whole level of chicken wings. The meat is moist and flavorful while the outside is lightly fried and crispy. Great sauces, never over/under dressed. Our favorites: Ginger soy Spicy chili Sweet & Spicy boneless Beware, you will probably eat your weight in this bad boys", "timestamp": "2013-11-22T20:42:45" }, { "business_id": "8pqdJjefYq-a9IBSJJmKwA", "business_name": "The Dandelion", "rating": 5, "text": "I have been having some seriously good brunch dates to The Dandelion over the past month. I wanted to check back on my last review and was ashamed of my previous 3 star review. Right now the Dandelion is kicking 5 star butt for brunch in my opinion. Today I sat down and immediately ordered tea and scones. The scones came out warm and absolutely amazing. They switched up the jam from raspberry to more seasonal cranberry (thanksgiving....so soon!!!) which I found to be extremely good! I got my typical brunch order of poached eggs over bubble and squeak. My new trick is that I order a side of smoked salmon to add to it so It becomes some sort of eggs Benedict eggstravagenza. I also got the chicken and horse radish dumpling soup to go after hearing a raving review about it. Now, while sitting in bed...I am enjoying the most amazing bowl of soup. Ive never had anything quite like it! The dumplings are sort of a noodley texture with a horse radish aftertaste. I love how the veggies are roughly chopped, in particular the halves of pearl onions. Tasty tasty.", "timestamp": "2013-11-24T21:48:28" }, { "business_id": "u4YM2N8-9Q2tr7kEU-ubGQ", "business_name": "Melodies Cafe", "rating": 2, "text": "Ok, so the coffee is good. However, it takes forever (understaffed) and call me a loser but I miss Milk Boy. I came in yesterday for a vanilla latte on my way to class and had the unfortunate experience of waiting about 10 minutes for it and was late. It was super tasty....but I can't rely on this place for a grab a coffee on the go experience.", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:46:14" }, { "business_id": "_V6hl1oGkTV2KbGeax_HPA", "business_name": "Sang Kee Peking Duck House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the place to order peking duck. So rightfully named! We grabbed takeout from here after realizing that our normal go to Shiao's was closed for the evening. We were thankfully not disappointed! The fried pork dumplings were super tasty. I was popping them like popcorn! Other dishes were also super tasty but in particular the peking duck was the stand out. It just fell right off the bone practically begging me to eat it. I was eating a drumstick just on it's own. I'll be back to taste more. Sang Kee I got my eye on you!", "timestamp": "2013-12-03T21:49:23" }, { "business_id": "-lVEVi3vtQ8_L9kKT0bBwQ", "business_name": "Le Chéri", "rating": 5, "text": "Yes, yes, and yes! I am so excited to call Le Cheri my new neighbor. Chef Pierre and Charlotte have jumped right in to the Rittenhouse Restaurant scene with a distinct splash! Le Cheri has all the same charm as their first restaurant, Bibou, but with the room to accommodate a much larger crowd. Currently BYOB but they will begin serving their selection of French wines and open bar next week. I am truly excited to see where this place goes in the next couple of months. The menu is already mouth watering with the funkiness of Bibou mixed with a couple more traditional french dishes. Modestly priced, I was pretty surprised to notice. Around $22-28 dollars and the appetizers not over $10. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) for Charlotte and Pierre, I think I am going to be hanging around this spot A LOT. What we got: French onion soup Breaded pork terrine with side cornichons Beef bourguignon with house made tagliatelle Roasted bronzino with wine soaked salsify as well as a salsify puree Warm apple tartine with cinnamon ice cream Obviously everything was out of this world. I highly recommend everything we got...but also encourage you to order anything there because you just can't go wrong. I'll be back ASAP to try more! PS. They are booking up FAST FAST! Get your reservations now", "timestamp": "2013-12-06T01:42:15" }, { "business_id": "sy7ADvpBA7SfHwbY-Y_5gw", "business_name": "Valanni", "rating": 4, "text": "Valanni! How have I overlooked you for this long? I took my family out for my sisters bday dinner and wanted to try something new. So glad we stumbled upon this modern and fun spot. My only complaint was that our table for a party of 5 was small! However, we worked together and could come up with the right amount of room for each wave of tapas. What we got: Lamb lollipops Figs in blankets Chorizo flatbread Grilled octopus Firey potatoes (basically patatas bravas) Buffalo chicken croquettes Brussel sprouts Meat and seafood paella Oreo beignet Rum bananas Cheesecake We split everything and found ourselves the right amount of full at the end! The stand out favorites were the grilled octopus, brussel sprouts (believe it or not!), and the paella. With that said....everything else was also amazing. I am pretty impressed with Valanni and plan on coming here in the near future with a group of friends. It's a good place to order a lot of interesting dishes and grab a drink before going out on a Saturday. Speaking of drinks...the mojitos are bomb! Some of the best I've had in a while! In summary, I'm digging Valanni. I think it stands out on its own from the current Philly restaurant scene in that it taps into a wide variety of cultural dishes but with its own unique twist. The menu was fun with lots left on it that I would like to try out!", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:03:34" }, { "business_id": "h5jnFlvF55kDWC_GGlKMAQ", "business_name": "Llama Tooth", "rating": 4, "text": "Truffle, mushroom mac & cheese..... Seriously I dare some one to try and make something more delicious and comforting than that. I could not stop shoveling the cheesy mess in to my mouth...just typing this is taking me back to how good it was. Yea, I ordered other things (cuban, gyro, burger) but the mac & cheese took the cake. I'll be back for more (This was a take out order)", "timestamp": "2013-12-08T17:06:03" }, { "business_id": "xWfm4AwLZr-B97fYVsIgCA", "business_name": "Tria Taproom", "rating": 4, "text": "I am such a huge fan for anything Tria....and it holds true for this new location. I stopped in to grab a drink and catch up with a friend. Had a great time sitting at the bar! I love the space and it is a serious upgrade from the previous Rum Bar. The taps behind the bar are exciting and unlabeled (at least to the customer's eye ;) ). It gives the place a casual sort of elegance. Lots of table space in the back which I am sure I will be using in the near future. I couldn't help myself and ordered two appz before going home to eat dinner. We got the mussels and the grilled asparagus with truffle vinaigrette. Both were delicious. What I thought was most impressive about Tria Taproom was the amount of attention we were given by the bartenders. GREAT service. I'll be back soon to try more!", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:21:04" }, { "business_id": "d_tRshM-w6S4QxE4VVi8tQ", "business_name": "Jones", "rating": 2, "text": "I've refrained from writing a review for Jones for the longest time....close to 6 months now. I'm finally caving and acknowledging the fact that it hasn't happened just because this place is Meh. It's not bad...but it's not good. Most of the time I order Jones on grubhub so I can stuff my face with their thanksgiving dinner like I did recently while in mourning over thanksgiving being over. It is what it is...comfort food. Not a place that I go out of my way to eat at.", "timestamp": "2013-12-13T04:28:23" }, { "business_id": "e3Y3hDpwHc9RmQlJtIgHuw", "business_name": "Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing quite like brunch at Lacroix. It's one of the best eating experiences I've ever had time and time again. My favorite is to go with my boyfriend and seriously dive in to our inner foodies for 2 hours. The atmosphere is beautiful, especially on a nice day with a window seat overlooking all of Rittenhouse square. Lacroix is one of a kind in that aspect. The experience is something you need to see for yourself...but I can do my best to describe it here as simply as I can. Buffet style like you've never quite seen before. It spans multiple rooms where the first is a table filled with cold appetizer items as well as a raw bar filled with oysters, cocktail shrimp, sushi, and caviar. Oh yeah, and everything is mini served on their own mini dishes or in mini glasses (see photo). To dive in to some bigger entree items you have to walk back in to the kitchen and get it yourself. The staff is so friendly and helpful. In particular the person who is manning the meat selections asks you what cut you would like and suggests an accompanying sauce. You can miss the dessert table because it stares at you right before you walk into the kitchen and then reminds you again to save room for dessert because one of the first things waiting in the kitchen is a huge chocolate fountain. There are some staples that brunch at Lacroix sticks too: duck confit, gnocchi, sauteed wild mushrooms (YUUUMM)...but for the most part the selections rotate with the seasons. Seriously enjoy yourself! Take the time to explore and let your inner foodie run wild. You won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": "2013-12-15T21:19:52" }, { "business_id": "K8b2MQ5Az59-nzvqUfjJEQ", "business_name": "The Farm and Fisherman", "rating": 4, "text": "I took my bestie to Farm and Fisherman for her Bday dinner. Overall great meal and service. Such a nice little BYO to add to my list. Neither of us ordered an entree, instead we each got a First Course and two Second Courses of appz which gave us a lot of variety to share. My favorite dish was the grilled octopus. It was cooked absolutely perfect....very tender and not chewy at all. One thing that did disappoint me was the lack of fish on the menu. There was an artic char entree but that was it. I guess I was just surprised/mislead by the name of restaurant and was expecting a little more seafood in my meal. I'm going with a solid 3.5 stars but bumped up to 4 since they let us stay past close and finish our bottle of wine. Will be back to try again", "timestamp": "2013-12-21T20:09:23" }, { "business_id": "O1XwKgUYNI_YBXnOqgaTaw", "business_name": "Talula's Table", "rating": 5, "text": "Sooooo it happened....I got to eat at the famous Talula's Table for a 3 hr sit down dinner that was one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life. I happened to get lucky and was offered a spot as my Dad's date (uhhh SCORE) a couple days beforehand. With that being said, I did not have to wait the traditional 1 year for my reservation as will most of you if you ever want to get in on something special. As it still goes...reservations open at 7am on the day you want to eat 1 year from that day. Crazy. Town. I won't go in to ever detail of the courses we had, since they are subject to change on the regular, but will instead highlight the experience and the relaxed, casual but attentive service we enjoyed. We dined right in the middle of the local shop. At first, we stood for about half an hour as our party rolled in. Bubbly was poured as we were offered 3 standing hors d'oeuvres. One of the all time favorites of the meal happened to be one of these which was simply some smoke salmon on top of a tiny hashbrown. Simply...but so tasty. Next we sat down and had a cauliflower custard (I've attached a menu for complete food dets) before being served some of the best Gruyere cheesy bread ever. A couple courses followed (including a butternut squash soup over a lobster terrine...drool) and more amazing, out of this world brioche bread was served. More courses and then a round of different aged cheddar cheeses and dessert...and then truffles....and then cream puffs with the check. The courses are in smart porportions. Some a little larger than others but all carefully thought out so that they don't have to roll you out of the room half way through. The service was very attentive...so nice. This in my opinion is absolutely a must go to for all our true yelpy foodies. Go ahead and book it....then try and forget about it as best you can until it surprises you a year later. I thought the meal and experience was worth a go.", "timestamp": "2013-12-21T20:24:40" }, { "business_id": "SCjUeZfjafJ88fWWQjRh2w", "business_name": "El Rey", "rating": 1, "text": "I revoke my previous praise for happy hour at El Rey. Yes, I did have a really tasty berry margarita...but my tacos were TERRIBLE. They really took the 1 dollar taco quite literally...such a lack of quality. I expect more from a Stephen Starr restaurant. I ordered the fish, chicken, and veggie. The most edible was the veggie... I'm bummed! This was one of my go to summer spots but winter definitely has taken a frosty bite out of El Rey.", "timestamp": "2014-01-09T19:45:57" }, { "business_id": "Uky0DD3LU4C7eyNDhpmOXg", "business_name": "Day By Day", "rating": 5, "text": "Day By Day is a magical place for brunch! Yes the wait is ridiculous....and you you need to be smart about your timing. However, once you're in it's well worth the wait. Not to mention that it is so affordable! You really are getting your money's worth and beyond. I love the simple but creative menu. For example: the chorizo, sweet potato hash with eggs on top. The flavor combos are perfect. This time around I went with the potato pancakes benedict (poached eggs and smoked salmon over the potato and topped with hollandaise). My P.I.C. got the ham steak and eggs special which was also amazing. The service was great....coffee and OJ never went dry. I also was sure to grab several baked goods on the way out. The cinnamon buns are outrageously good. The glaze is super thick. Definitely some of the best I've ever had. *Be sure to check out the special board!", "timestamp": "2014-01-30T23:39:58" } ]	{ "business_id": "a_fp9I18WcbP86rQ4c_QZQ", "business_name": "Uzbekistan Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing family dinner at Chaikhana Uzbekistan. Well worth the drive out of the city for a little foodie adventure. I can't even begin to list the amount of food that we got...but I will give you my absolute favorites! The red borsch is some of the best I've ever had. Great home cooked taste. I could eat gallons of it. The beef was perfectly tender as well. Vareniki potato dumplings were tasty. Basically like perogies. As an entree I got the Chahohbili.... a delicious chicken/stewy concoction that rocked my world. Go with a big group and order a lot! It was great to try a bunch of everything.", "timestamp": "2014-01-30T23:47:16" }
Pbry-b9xBgHlWlbGlYbTZg	[ { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Very interesting place. We waited for about an hour. But the food is worth waiting. We had lamb stew and meet is tander and flavorful. We also ordered paella which is also fresh and tasty. The price of this place has gone up quite a bit though...", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:50:57" }, { "business_id": "VaO-VW3e1kARkU9bP1E7Fw", "business_name": "Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Underrated restaurant. Much better than amac from across the street! Food is fresh and tasty. Service is quick. Staffs are friendly and caring. We visited twice during our 3 day visit. Worth going again.", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:52:47" }, { "business_id": "wMWRpzjKgwIef2yJ41RCGw", "business_name": "La Bonne Bouchee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite restaurant in St Louis! Price is reasonable, actually really cheap! My favourite entrees (come with complimentary soup and bread) are crepe and crevettes which are always consistently freshly made. They are never stingy on shrimps, crabs and cheese. My favourite dessert is four flavour cake which is really creamy but not so sweet. The service is usually quick and good. I'm a regular and definitely will keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:25:03" }, { "business_id": "JGsG-_hYhD8nHtsgXZt_5A", "business_name": "Franco", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there with friends on new year's eve expecting decent meals based on its reviews. I ordered duck belly which had a very strong and awkward taste...the seafood stew I ordered was decent but not worth the money($24?). I saw an apricot flavor sparkling wine and told our waiter that I wanted something more sour and less strong and he came back with the same drink...other ppl in my group ordered steak, mussels and halibut and they liked their dishes. The biggest disappointment of the night was actually the desert. We shared a petite fours. Everything is dry and very sweet and tastes like it's been sitting in the fridge for too long. Overall, I wanted to give the restaurant a good review given the good ambient and service. But the food is disappointing and way too pricy for what it's worth ($108 for two ppl).", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:41:55" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 3, "text": "Not my favorite dim sum place but it's probably the best in St louis...like most of Chinese restaurants here, the service is kinda sketchy...there's no menu with prices I can refer to so somehow we end up spending $30 on 4 plates which is definitely on the pricy side for dim sum. The food is okay. My favorite is a taro dish with stuffing. The egg tart is try and tasteless.", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:51:15" }, { "business_id": "IrUhsjQZtSB-TjxqtXaKkg", "business_name": "The Kitchen Sink", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located in a hidden corner that I almost missed...based on its interior design, it looks more like a sports bar than a Cajun food restaurant. I ordered the kitchen sink which is very thick and creamy. Other people ordered different entries which they think are just okay. The chicken wings are pretty good tho according to a friend.", "timestamp": "2016-02-03T03:42:20" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "We ordered meet me in St Louis and strawberry salad which are both very good. The only thing I can complain about is the restaurateur is packed and we had to squeeze into our seats at the bar table. Will try to visit again during weekdays.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T02:20:13" }, { "business_id": "eVUP_iOwvsLk6daEmyhESA", "business_name": "Yemanja Brasil", "rating": 3, "text": "Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about either food or the service. The reason I give it 3 star is because I think the meals are way overpriced given the quality...We had appetizer platter. The yuca is not very crispy and the empanada has no shrimp in it...We also ordered seafood stew which is basically a soup and taste kinda boring...The xin xim taste fine but after a few bites it becomes boring...and the complimentary bread is cold. I really hope they can add some varieties into their dishes. Also their half price appetizer during happy hours is no longer available which is kinda a bummer.", "timestamp": "2016-04-09T00:19:36" }, { "business_id": "RfLSeu3dhXQjm72R_xEq1w", "business_name": "Sister Cities", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is located in a questionable neighborhood just a bit pass tower grove. We were sketched out about the place when we first stepped in. One door was missing and the other was covered by a piece of wood...Also it was really dark inside the restaurant...But as soon as we tried the food, we changed our mind about the place. The shrimp tacos are in pretty big porportion and tastes fresh. The cubsn sandwich was so flavorful and interesting. Seafood gumbo was so so. Still definitely try other dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2016-04-19T23:45:50" }, { "business_id": "HCYs4zgL7kCLdEqKRqaPbg", "business_name": "Lona's Lil Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "I really want to love this place because it's really a lovely place located in a nice neighbourhood in midtown. I came here with high expectations because of all those good reviews. But I have to say I wasn't impressed by the food...The concept of Asian burrito is interesting but the way they are made is too simple (I can easily make it at home at pretty low cost). I guess what I'm trying to say is there is nothing special about the food, not even the sauce...Sorry... I ordered chicken rice wrap with sesame sauce. The sauce is so salty that I could barely taste the rest of ingredients. My fiance had turkey wrap which was kinda plain. The bamboo stew tastes like bamboo sauce I normally get from the Chinese market. Eggplant dish was ok but salty...", "timestamp": "2016-06-19T01:34:42" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited this restaurant 4 times during my 5 days stay. Crazy, right? Here are a list of reasons/pros: - We were staying a nearby hotel. - The restaurant opens 11 - 10:30 pretty much every day including new year's day so it fits into our schedule. - If you are a party of two, chances are you get seated right away. - $9 per dozen of oysters which is a really great deal by any standard! - They have a seafood shop next door that sells boiled and fresh seafood to- go. - Our server (same) is very friendly and recognized us every single time. Now I want to talk about the reasons why I only give it 3 stars. - We tried a bunch of stuff which are all pretty mediocre. Raw oysters are not cleaned well. So if your schedule is flexible, go to Superior Seafood during their happy hours for their 50 cents/oyster - better quality and cheaper. Turtle soup has a strange taste so I definitely prefer Felix's. A portion of my boiled shrimps are always mushy somhow, maybe boiled for too long?... - The ambient is inviting but not comfortable so we basically just finished our food and go. - Clean the bathroom!! Will probably visit again if we stay in the area next time or simply just pick up some seafood quickly.", "timestamp": "2017-01-02T04:12:17" }, { "business_id": "cQIh4YJlVtZI9TLF5_smOg", "business_name": "The Shaved Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to say local Yelp rereviews have been inaccurate most of the time and this one is no exception...There is absolutely nothing special about this restaurant - food is medicore but pricey (comes in small portions) and service is slow. For people who claim this to be the best BBQ restaurant, I absolutely want to hear your reasons!", "timestamp": "2017-05-06T03:44:35" }, { "business_id": "2EWsaJdeedx_-my5fYEg9A", "business_name": "Vista", "rating": 2, "text": "I read about this place before we went so we were somewhat aware of what we should expect about the ramen. We ordered Vista ramen and fried chicken. Fried chicken is fine but a bittle expensive for the size. Ramen is just a HUGE disappointment...The broth taste like they try to make it taste like shoyu but the flavor is just not there...The pork belly is wayyy too fatty. We end up returning it and get ribs instead which seems deep fried and is very sweet... The service is decent and our server didn't charge us for the ramen. Probably won't go back...", "timestamp": "2017-07-23T00:24:08" }, { "business_id": "3VYxaeo6BJNHbVIIfmWN_w", "business_name": "Vicia", "rating": 3, "text": "I really like their Patio, they have a nicefire place and the seatings are adjacent to outside. The service is pretty good even though they didn't have our table ready when we got there...We ordered a cheese platter and two meat dishes. The only one that stands out is the pork dish which is very tender. The food is definitely on the pricy side. Expect to spend $100+ for two people.", "timestamp": "2017-07-28T01:18:51" }, { "business_id": "rVzbBAG3BDlx2-OFUOq4MQ", "business_name": "El Toluco Taqueria & Grocery", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is adjacent to a Mexican grocery store so it can be easily missed. We ordered tacos of almost every flavour and my conclusion is that they are definitely closer to authentic style than Mission Taco. Not the best I've had but one of the best taco spots I've tried in St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:17:05" }, { "business_id": "hv-rci0u6KR75ALB_70dHw", "business_name": "Blueprint Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "I've tried their latte and cortado which are both good (better than Starbucks for sure). The bristas there are knowledgable and patient with me. The only thing to complain about is the noise level and it's almost always packed. So I wouldn't suggest studying there...", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "mwClJ3GToMV17Guo-KLCRw", "business_name": "United Provisions", "rating": 4, "text": "Come here for their Happy hours! I like their Nigiris, my favourites are smoky salmon and yellow tail. I love their Takoyaki! It's always come hot and fresh. Their sushi rolls are kind of boring but not bad. Not a big fan of ramen - the flavor is kinda off...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T22:58:41" }, { "business_id": "xmO9u_t1LspxV5iuF594Tg", "business_name": "Wudon Korean BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "There are not many Korean BBQ restaurants in St.Louis and Wudon is certainly one of them worth mentioning. I like their marinated beef combo. The large one comes with 4 types of beef, 2 soups, a bunch of side dishes and a pancke which all taste pretty good. The only thing I'm not 100% happy with is the quality of beef don't seem very consistent - it's fattier some time than other times...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T23:06:59" }, { "business_id": "O_0H42Bw8hBduWSADPG8ng", "business_name": "Three Kings Public House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place on Delmar loop when I don't feel adventurous with dining. I like to sit on the patio outside which is cozy and quiet. My favorite dishes here are mussels, chicken wings and tuna sliders. Their burgers are decent just not my fav. They have happy hour from 3-6 Monday through Thursday. They also have a late night menu from 10pm to midnight Sunday through Thursday.", "timestamp": "2017-10-16T00:16:05" }, { "business_id": "55GmNphU0DhtkvG5lSZ49w", "business_name": "Westport Social", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place for bar games in STL. They are 10 times better than Pink Galleon in terms of ambience and decor. Most importantly, it doesn't smell like smoke. The drinks are pretty strong and semi tasty. I'm not a big fan of their food tho. Also, Friday and Saturday night are typically packed so you may have to line up outside...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:16:55" }, { "business_id": "NV6zZPb5OGVpyX4JrSzUPg", "business_name": "The Block", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there for happy hours with colleagues. Ww ordered pig rinds, sliders, ribs and a pork moose dish - all overwhelmingly salty...I ended up boxing all of the food and gave it to my dog... The service was nice and quick. Our server came to check on us every 5 minutes and filled up our water (the bar was also very empty that night). Overall, it was a nice place to hang for happy hour drinks but def not food...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:23:23" }, { "business_id": "gsyyVQmvT9A2nAgUi7VUag", "business_name": "Nudo House STL", "rating": 3, "text": "This is an update of my previous review. So far, I've tried almost all of their Ramen and I'm sad to say that they deserve a maximum of 3 star...Their broth in general is rich but very salty and always makes me and my colleagues sick and tired afterwards...I never ordered their pork ramen again since their porkbelly are not well cooked - I suggested them using pressure cooker to make it tender. I recently tried their curry ramen which made me really nauseous all afternoon...My only edible option here is their chicken ramen but again, I have to drink a ton of water afterwards to get through my day...", "timestamp": "2018-02-23T01:28:22" }, { "business_id": "7AjM-d3gsgpvKDQSX6QCuA", "business_name": "Bristol Seafood Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my new go-to happy hour place in STL(4-7pm Mon - Fri). They have $1 oyster which are consistently good. Their $7 appetizers are also tasty. My favs so far are shrimp scampi and tuna poke. Their cocktails are pretty strong (in a good way). Pacific punch is so fruity and delicious! Don't forget to check in to get one free calamari! They have lobster special ($16/lb) on Wednesday and Thursday which I think well worth it. Also, this place gets packed quickly during happy hour so try to get here before 5 to beat the traffic.", "timestamp": "2018-02-24T00:09:31" }, { "business_id": "zun6IVJa7wYe3wAPqWnPGw", "business_name": "PokeDoke", "rating": 1, "text": "We were there on Sunday around dinner time and everything was out except tofu. I later on read someone else's review about the same issue - if you don't go there 1st thing in the morning, sorry, we only have tofu. I understand this is due to the concern of food refreshness, but this is the only place that does so among sooo many poke restaurants in the US I've been to! I know this is STL but this is just ridiculous. Since I don't work in the area, guess I will NEVER have chance to try their food.", "timestamp": "2018-02-26T21:52:09" }, { "business_id": "LKLm4SgIHz48rQYlBRuaHw", "business_name": "Handcrafted by Bissinger's", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go-to place in CWE if I wanna catch up with friends at a quiet place. They have a big and nice couch setup where I can rest my feet. Their decor is simple but elegant. My faves here are hot chocolate and sea salt cookies - they are cheap, delicious and never disappoint (even tho I'm not a cookie person). I've tried their chocolates, various desserts and chocolate cocktails - sadly they are just mediocre...But hey I still come here often for their hot chocolate and cookies!", "timestamp": "2018-02-28T14:58:21" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 3, "text": "I've tried pretty much all types of meat they have so far and I have to say that I'm not that impressed...Their ribs are on the dry side and I def prefer pappy's. I'm also not a big fan of their briskets - the fatty ones are way too fatty and burnt ends are too chewy...I like the seasonings used on their wings but the meat lacks a bit of flavor...My fav here is pulled chicken - moist and tender. I also love their green bean salad and most of their sides expect their fries which are too salty for me. Will stick with my faves.", "timestamp": "2018-03-04T18:58:58" }, { "business_id": "T-xYMAkdNlMPCGqWAH3mwg", "business_name": "Kalbi Taco Shack", "rating": 3, "text": "I really wanted to love this place since the lady was sooo nice! She was very patient answering all my questions. But I have to say that I was disappointed with their food... We ordered short rib burrito, sweet and spicy pork bahn mi and taro milk tea. Starting with the bahn mi, the pork was marinated in some sorta sweet sauce which didn't have a memorable flavor and the meat was not that tender. Usually, when the meat is sweat, it needs to be balanced off with other not-so-sweet ingredients. Unfortunately, both their veggies and sauce (aoili?) were also sweet which made the bahn mi overly sweet... I only had a couple bites of my burrito because there wasn't much meat in there... However, there was way too much rice and creamy sauce (aoili again?) in it which just wasn't a desirable combination... There was nothing special about the bubble tea although they did let me choose the sugar level.", "timestamp": "2018-03-10T19:20:34" }, { "business_id": "4xsJN2FuB94w9rMoMo6XFQ", "business_name": "Spare No Rib", "rating": 3, "text": "I came here because of the amazing reviews I read about this place. We ordered almost all kinds of tacos on the menu and of course the beef cheek is out... We started with their tortilla chips with salsa. The chips came in a light yellow color which didn't seem very appetizing. The spice in the sauce was a nice touch but wasn't impressive. Overall, I didn't think it's worth $4. The tacos were filling and seemed to be on the authentic side but didn't really wow me somehow...The sauce they used in their tacos seemed to be just the salsa sauce... The staffs were all friendly and the service was quick. Might stop by to try their ribs next time when we are in the area.", "timestamp": "2018-03-17T23:31:03" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't believe I've been here 100 times but never checked in or wrote a review...So here it is... The 4 star is purely for their pork banh mi($4.5) and beef combination pho($11). What's so special about their pork banh mi is that they use differently cooked pork meat that comes with tendon - very common in Asia but doesn't seem popular in America or Midwest. The meats have so much flavor and without sauce at all allows me to savor it. I really appreciate the way they handle their sandwiches, unlike most of sandwich shops that cover everything with a river of sauce... Their beef pho usually taste good with rare/medium beef at your choice. My only complaint is the soup is not hot enough sometime. I've tried some of their \"special\" dishes - not impressed.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T22:51:37" }, { "business_id": "oRe0iraGEsVSNKxcp_hjbw", "business_name": "Blk Mkt Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "There was limited parking outside the restaurant so be prepared for it. There was a line when we got there around dinner time but the line moved fast and the staffs were friendly. I ordered OG fire burrito with tuna but I was pretty sure the they got my order wrong cuz the fish both looked and tasted like salmon...The flavor was not bad but the ingrediants were somewhat placed unevenly. A weird thing was I wanted to watch my burrito while it was being made because I wanted to customize my order.However, I was called over by the cashier to pay first... Another complaint was their packaging. Their burritos were packaged in paper boxes that cannot be sealed easily. So once you open it, you kinda have to finish it if you lose the tape...I ended up having to toss my leftover next day...Also, whatever way they rolled it, my burrito fell apart as soon I had a bite so you can imagin the mess I made....", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:43:24" }, { "business_id": "Nq1Kn7ud84upBHz9chFW0A", "business_name": "The Gramophone", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is specific for the smoked salmon sandwich I ordered. They let you order half size which was a plus. Here were the reason why I didn't like the sandwich: 1. They used the type of bread usually used for Philly cheese sandwich which didn not go well with Salmon. Had they used bagel, I would def have enjoyed it more. 2. The cream cheese was not evenly spreaded. 3. I wish they offered capers to balance off my mouthful of cream cheese...", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:59:44" }, { "business_id": "HzUJO2v5lUEIeYoOYsdWbw", "business_name": "Russell's on Macklind", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my new favourite restaurant in STL and I have plenty of reasons. Their burger was cooked to perfection. Plenty of restaurants overcook their steaks but not here! Their burger also came with their house made ketcup which was made with fresh tamatos. The cheese spread was so buttery which was a nice replacement of cheese slice. The burger also came with sides at your choice. We got brussel sprouts which was cooked well with a hint of vineger. I also loved their cakes. Their chocolate cakes were my favorite. Lemon cake was a bit sweet for my taste. They don't have a coffee menu but they can pretty much make anything I ordered and free refill for drip coffee. They have plenty of seatings if you arrive before 6:30 even on Saturday nights. They also have a 2nd floor, a patio and outside seatings. The ambient is classy but not dressy so you can feel comfortable to just grab a coffee and eat desserts at their bar/coffee table. I've def studied here during dinner time lol. Their staffs are always friendly and attentive. The only complaint I have is their shrimp and grits were too saucy which overwhelmed the taste of the dish. But I also loved that they used entire prawns (my came with roes which was a nice surprise). Can't wait to try more on the menu!", "timestamp": "2018-04-15T00:56:49" }, { "business_id": "LGYIhGqbYakMMdsn_GCzJg", "business_name": "Anthonino's Taverna", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Hill restaurant week and ordered a 3 course meal that came with roasted ravioli, beef tenderloin and tiramisu. I also ordered anchovy pasta on the side. We both liked the beef tenderloin a lot. The meat was very tender and not overcooked. It came with mashed potato and grilled onion which were both well cooked. The portion was big enough for us to share. Tiramisu was nice surprise - it was very moist and came with a strong coffee flavored bottom layer. I wasn't a fan of their ravioli - it was a little dry and not enough filling. The pasta, by my standard, was overcooked since I prefer it al dente. The flavor was ok, not memorable. The free bread with olive oil was a plus. Our server was welcoming and attentive. She came to check on us multiple times even though we came in at busy dinner time.", "timestamp": "2018-04-28T00:53:35" }, { "business_id": "KdAWjL9MKjpJzEeI902qBA", "business_name": "Corner 17", "rating": 3, "text": "The reason I've been here like a hundred times but just decided to write a review is because there are too few authentic Chinese restaurants in STL hence no references to compare with. I really hope to have a go to Chinese food place here but sadly I don't. The only reason I come here often is because it's near home... With everything said, I think the food here is pretty mediocre. Nothing specifically worth mentioning. They do serve some authentic Chinese dishes such as boiled chili fish, dry spicy hot pot (ma la xiang guo) and spicy hot pot with souo (ma la tang) which taste ok. I've also tried most of their stir fried dishes. For the meat dishes, I wish they use pressure cooker for beef/tendon and ribs because that's how they should be cooked in Chinese cuisin. Their hand made noodles are fun to watch making but not that tasty - the texture of dao xiao mian is not right... Their bubble tea is made of real tea and they let you pick sugar and ice level which I appreciate. The quality is a lot better than other bubble tea shops in STL but the tea honestly is quite watered dowm... Recently I havd noticed their portion has gotten significantly smaller but the lines have gotten longer...Someone pleass come to STL to come up another Chinese restaurant!", "timestamp": "2018-05-05T23:51:17" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located next to the east side of Forest Park so it's always pleasant to stop by when walking dog in the neighborhood. The service is quick and staffs are friendly. They let you try their ice cream before ordering. They serve ice cream of boozy flavors which is nice. The regular ice cream is def too sweet for my taste.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:18" }, { "business_id": "x8AQIEjSqsW0z4vRyBetbw", "business_name": "The BAO", "rating": 3, "text": "I didn't have high expectation of this place because I've lost faith in so-called Asian fusion food in STL...Unfortunately, this place was in line with my expectation. I ordered char sui bao. The meat was ok except it was kinda fatty and lacked a bit of flavor. The buns were too soft and sticky so they kept being stuck on my teeths. The part that threw me off the most was that they put mayo inside the bao so that's a NO. I did enjoy the frozen cocktail that was made with sake and passion fruit. It was strong but refreshing. Our server was polite and checked on us multiple times. Oh, I also liked the ambient and interior decor - it's chic but not pretencious. Will probably stop by for a drink next time if i'm in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2018-07-04T00:24:48" }, { "business_id": "S87d-VjLFY8ZMoj6MUo_tg", "business_name": "Cate Zone Chinese Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate Zone is so far my favorite Chinese restaurant in STL. They def try to be as authentic as they can. They serve a mixture of regular dishes, street foods and Sichuan dishes. My favorite dishes include lamb skewers and mao xue wang (boiled spicy intestines). Their lamb meat is fatty but flavorful. For their spicy dishes, the flavor is there but not spicy enough, in my opinion. The portion of their food is overwhelmingly big but the price is reasonable.", "timestamp": "2018-07-17T17:30:38" }, { "business_id": "ToH4z1F5Tyuo3p7VhXCpTA", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Clayton restaurant week ($35 for 3 courses). The meal was definitely well worth it. It started with freshly baked bread which we really liked. I enjoyed my clam chowder which was creamy but not heavy. My filet mignon came medium rare which was cooked to perfection. The aged strip was flavorful but the part attached to the bone was kinda chewy in my opinion. Both entries came with sides (green beans and mashed potatos) The highlight of our meals were the desserts. The flavor of the espresso cake was so intense and addicting that we couldn't stop eating it! The cheese cake was alright but the berry sauce was a nice touch. The parts we didn't enjoy as much was our green salad which didn't taste very fresh. I also wasn't a fan of my tequila drink. But overall, we really enjoyed our experience here and certainly will return.", "timestamp": "2018-07-23T03:42:03" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've dined/drank here for quite a few times. The service is a bit inconsistent. The staffs at the bar tend to be more attentive than some of the regular servers. I've tried their bruschettas and crepes which were okay. The salmon and trout crepe can definitely use more ingredients... Also the menu on a tablet is kinda a weird concept - you can only look but can't order?...", "timestamp": "2018-08-03T18:25:21" }, { "business_id": "UM6XgOtTX4DWWcGDTWtjEg", "business_name": "HandleBar", "rating": 4, "text": "Someone told me about the cocktails of this place so decided to give it a try. I ordered their Master & Margarita. Honestly, I didn't quite enjoy the taste (a bit tasteless) but the drink was very strong which I couldn't complain! We also ordered beet fries which I was neutral about. We were there on a Wednesday night which was their Bingo night. The host dressed like a drag queen and he/she was hilarious. Not lots of ppl showed up that night but that didn't stop him/her from putting on spontaneous performances. Overall, it was an entertaining experience. Perfect spot to grab a drink if you are by yourself as well.", "timestamp": "2018-08-04T15:11:23" }, { "business_id": "4HMXL85u_wX0WEHucVkI6A", "business_name": "Dave & Tony's", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why people are so harsh about this place. Sure, this place is not a \"premium\" burger restaurant per se, but their burgers are definitely more premium than McDonald's or Five Guys. For only $7.2, you get to customize your own burger and they are decent burgers. For $2, you get freshly made fries which are actually very good! Their ingredients are always fresh even though they get my orders wrong sometime. But I don't care. Because people who work here are friendly and willing to fix their mistakes. Also, you can collect a stamp for each burger ordered and you get a free burger once your brunch card is full.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T00:19:17" }, { "business_id": "56TulnfOZy0JI96zwVv27w", "business_name": "Gioia's Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard about this place from James Beard Awarded restaurant list. We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon so you can imagine the line... Fortunately, the line moved pretty quick so we got to order within 10 minutes. We ordered one of the most popular sandwiches - hot salami and roasted beef with garlic bread and pepper jack cheese. The beef and salami tasted good separately but kinda overshadowed the flavors of each other when put together...The garlic bread was barely noticeable so not really worth the additional buck. The sandwich was 9?10? inch long so probably big enough to share between 2 ppl. In general, solid sandwich but not addicting in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T19:49:44" }, { "business_id": "1ulD4HL2G8qbpEuuWFDSqQ", "business_name": "Himalayan Yeti", "rating": 4, "text": "Generally speaking, I can't taste the differences between good vs great Indian food and I've never been to India. I personally think the food here is pretty good. I've tried their chicken tikka masala(tamato base), lamb saag (spinach base), fish currency, garlic cheese naan and some other dishes. My favorite one is probably lamb saag - it has so much flavors in one dish and very dense and savory. They let you choose spice level, 5 being the hottest. I ordered 4 once which turned out to be a huge mistake. When they say very spicy, they mean it... Oh, their lassie is also pretty good or standard should I say? They also bring you free papadum (northern indian chips?)with 2 types of sauce before your dishes are served. Good service as well. Will come back to try their lunch buffet sometime (11pm -2:30pm everyday).", "timestamp": "2018-08-10T23:58:01" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped by this place whenever I'm near Tower Grove. The concept odd nitrogen ice cream is still new in St.louis so this def is niche. Nitrogen ice cream, in general, is smoother than regular ice cream because it freezes faster during manufacturing process. This place offers boozy flavor and vegan ice cream which is even nicer. The boozy ones tend to give me a buzz so that's a plus :)", "timestamp": "2018-08-11T00:41:47" }, { "business_id": "Q3S_VyJ4ob-FeKZARiP4Fg", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 2, "text": "First of all, I'd like to make a comment on the composition of their menu. Reading through the menu, all of the dishes were made with pork except chicken adobo. There was also no veggie dish that could go with my meat dish... We ordered their rib and a taco as starters. The rib was fried which I wasn't a fan of. The taco was soooo greasy that a lot of oil started dripping off...We ordered a new school dish (forgot the name) that came with shredded pork in shrimp paste, bitter melon and some green beans. The portion was so small that we had to order another entree. We ordered flying pig and chicken odobo combo. Flying pig was way too sweet for my taste and covered with a big load of sauce. Also, they raised the price of the combo without marking it on their menu which I thought was shady. We both felt pretty nauseous after the dinner probably due to the grease...", "timestamp": "2018-09-22T21:17:19" }, { "business_id": "JrYWF3BWf1GYk8hnF2Cz4w", "business_name": "Chaparritos", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is a hidden jem. First of all, everything is so cheap! You get a delicious taco for $2.25 ( some are $2.5). We ordered a bunch of tacos which were all delicious and authentic. Besides, your order comes with complimentary tortilla chips along with 2 different types of sauce. I loved their salsa sauce - fresh with a hint of spice. Not a fan of their margarita, too sweet for my taste. The staff was very friendly too. Can't wait to come back to try other dishes!", "timestamp": "2018-10-06T02:38:39" }, { "business_id": "kqt8O-XxMkE6ga42IPa7sA", "business_name": "SUSHI KOI", "rating": 4, "text": "Sushi Koi has happy hour every day between 4:30-6:30 PM Monday-Friday. I've been there several times and tried a bunch of things on their happy hour menu. Overall, the quality of their sushi has been consistent and decent but nothing exceptional. My go-to dishes are sashimi sampler ($9) and scallop hand roll ($3) Not a fan of their tuna hand roll as I can barely taste any tuna in it...Their takoyaki are pretty tasty as well. I also enjoyed their lychee sake ($4, hot or cold) and martinis ($5).", "timestamp": "2018-10-20T22:56:58" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 2, "text": "I had high expectations for this place due to other yelpers' recommendations and I was deeply disappointed... We came here for their happy hours (4-6pm Wednesday- Sunday). We opted to sit at the bar where there were 3 waitresses just hanging out there. They were not particularly welcoming or friendly. One of them was kinda of aloof when I asked her questions about their menu. We ordered pastrami sliders and meatball off the happy hour menu ($5 per dish). The meatball was luke warm and tasted like microwaved frozen meat ball covered with spaghetti sauce. The pastrami came with chunks of fat that actually made me nauseous...We ended up changing our plan and went to eat dinner somewhere else... I really wanted to like this place since the decor is so cute. But I'll unlikely return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:33:35" }, { "business_id": "4ZNCc1GzJZkS7XI1c9rCMA", "business_name": "Layla", "rating": 4, "text": "Been here a couple times. First time late at night and had a nice conversation with the bartender. 2nd time around dinner time when the bar was semi-packed. The have a pretty comprehensive menu r ranging from traditional Lebanese dishes to regular bar food with plenty of vegan options and desserts as well. They are somewhat well known for their shawarmas which you can choose your protein, wrap and sauce. I've only tried their spicy lamb with black wrap. I like the spicy sauce and the wrap but the meat was a bit fatty for my taste and not too tender. I did really like their sweet potato fries that came with curry aioli sauce. It had such unique taste and was truly addicting. For hummus, they have regular and seasonal. I've tried their olive hummus and pita bread which I enjoyed. They also have a large selection of boozy float with vanilla ice cream and many flavors of shakes. Will definitely give it a try next time!", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:55:03" }, { "business_id": "VVHfqUeYyAA9FEsH-6PI2A", "business_name": "Foundation Grounds Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "What I like about this place: - open till 6pm which is a bit unusual for coffee shops in st. Louis - bottomless coffe for $3.75 - 5% off on all items if you check in on yelp - friendly staffs - seats facing windows What I'm not a fan of this place: - it could get crowded and noisy if you are here on the weekend - the quality of their coffee is mediocre and latte is overrated", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:25:18" }, { "business_id": "MaYb7qMN6BomP1zQGj3Wjg", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Delmar Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been to all of their locations in town and the quality of their food and services have been pretty consistent. I came in this location for happy hour. They had all starters and snacks for half price, selected beer and sangaria for special price. We ordered blazed chicken wings that came with grilled carrots. The wings were kinda fatty and the skins were not crispy which was a bit disappointing. We ordered Delmar and Kirkwood both deep dish style. Again, the quality was consistently good. The crust was perfect, not burnt and the amount of sauce was perfect. Btw, you can decide the type of crust used for your pizza. You can also choose half n half if you want to try 2 different flavours.Will try their oilive oil based pizza next time.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:42:51" }, { "business_id": "A5b9nVDi1DPVvPOD24-p6w", "business_name": "Sump Coffee", "rating": 2, "text": "To be fair, their coffee isn't bad. The reason I think it doesn't deserve more is because the price they charge for a tiny cup of latte. Today, I paid $8 for a 10 oz latte! Most expensive latte I've ever had in my entire life! Even compared to the best in San Francisco! They charge $1 if you replace regular milk with oatmilk or soymilk which is very steep. 10oz...I honestly barely tasted my coffee before it was gone...I thought it was a rip-off. Sorry won't return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:57:52" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "We were here on a Saturday night and got seated always right away. The service here was top notch. Our server was attentive and surprised my friends with 2 amazing whiskey cocktails (per his request). They have an extensive handcrafted cocktails which are certainly not short of creativity. I was pleased to see mecal and pisco on the drink list so I had to order one of those. The pisco drink I ordered came with a bag a Lay's! Right?! Who goes there (a whiskey drink) smoked in a lantern enclosure and our waitress was dressed like a witch when she delivered the drink! How fun! With all the good things, I wasn't impressed with their food... the pork schnitzel we ordered tasted bland and not very crispy. Chorizo wrapped in dates tasted okay but a bit sweet for my taste. The chocolate torte was served with espresso cream which I enjoyed. However, there were too much other ingredients on the plate as well which was unnecessary. Overall, it was a good spot for drinks and maybe desserts.", "timestamp": "2018-12-24T16:58:22" }, { "business_id": "mUrkyChBfFC679O80poJAQ", "business_name": "The Chocolate Pig", "rating": 3, "text": "We made a reservation and our table was ready when we arrived. The service was good. The food was above average but could cook the duck confit a bit tender. Brussel sprouts were fried well but didn't go particularly well with the buttermilk (just a bit heavy for my taste, but the pickled onion was a nice touch to offset the heaviness. The cocktails were okay, nothing to rave about. Affogato caviar was the highlight of the meal. It was pleasantly light and got an espresso aroma to it. Overall, didn't think the meal was worth $100 for two ppl.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T02:21:43" } ]	{ "business_id": "jKHlvwq40sghrR89pF_3Tw", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my go-to place for ice cream in st.louis. They have plenty of interesting flavors such as lavender, eggnog, sweet cream, etc. My favorites are dark chocolate truffle and almond brittle. The truffle is rich but not too sweet. The almond is nutty and savory. Most importantly, they go very well together along with the waffle. Mmm, who doesn't love its ice cream!", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T03:57:39" }
Pbry-b9xBgHlWlbGlYbTZg	[ { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Very interesting place. We waited for about an hour. But the food is worth waiting. We had lamb stew and meet is tander and flavorful. We also ordered paella which is also fresh and tasty. The price of this place has gone up quite a bit though...", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:50:57" }, { "business_id": "VaO-VW3e1kARkU9bP1E7Fw", "business_name": "Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Underrated restaurant. Much better than amac from across the street! Food is fresh and tasty. Service is quick. Staffs are friendly and caring. We visited twice during our 3 day visit. Worth going again.", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:52:47" }, { "business_id": "wMWRpzjKgwIef2yJ41RCGw", "business_name": "La Bonne Bouchee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite restaurant in St Louis! Price is reasonable, actually really cheap! My favourite entrees (come with complimentary soup and bread) are crepe and crevettes which are always consistently freshly made. They are never stingy on shrimps, crabs and cheese. My favourite dessert is four flavour cake which is really creamy but not so sweet. The service is usually quick and good. I'm a regular and definitely will keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:25:03" }, { "business_id": "JGsG-_hYhD8nHtsgXZt_5A", "business_name": "Franco", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there with friends on new year's eve expecting decent meals based on its reviews. I ordered duck belly which had a very strong and awkward taste...the seafood stew I ordered was decent but not worth the money($24?). I saw an apricot flavor sparkling wine and told our waiter that I wanted something more sour and less strong and he came back with the same drink...other ppl in my group ordered steak, mussels and halibut and they liked their dishes. The biggest disappointment of the night was actually the desert. We shared a petite fours. Everything is dry and very sweet and tastes like it's been sitting in the fridge for too long. Overall, I wanted to give the restaurant a good review given the good ambient and service. But the food is disappointing and way too pricy for what it's worth ($108 for two ppl).", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:41:55" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 3, "text": "Not my favorite dim sum place but it's probably the best in St louis...like most of Chinese restaurants here, the service is kinda sketchy...there's no menu with prices I can refer to so somehow we end up spending $30 on 4 plates which is definitely on the pricy side for dim sum. The food is okay. My favorite is a taro dish with stuffing. The egg tart is try and tasteless.", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:51:15" }, { "business_id": "IrUhsjQZtSB-TjxqtXaKkg", "business_name": "The Kitchen Sink", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located in a hidden corner that I almost missed...based on its interior design, it looks more like a sports bar than a Cajun food restaurant. I ordered the kitchen sink which is very thick and creamy. Other people ordered different entries which they think are just okay. The chicken wings are pretty good tho according to a friend.", "timestamp": "2016-02-03T03:42:20" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "We ordered meet me in St Louis and strawberry salad which are both very good. The only thing I can complain about is the restaurateur is packed and we had to squeeze into our seats at the bar table. Will try to visit again during weekdays.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T02:20:13" }, { "business_id": "eVUP_iOwvsLk6daEmyhESA", "business_name": "Yemanja Brasil", "rating": 3, "text": "Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about either food or the service. The reason I give it 3 star is because I think the meals are way overpriced given the quality...We had appetizer platter. The yuca is not very crispy and the empanada has no shrimp in it...We also ordered seafood stew which is basically a soup and taste kinda boring...The xin xim taste fine but after a few bites it becomes boring...and the complimentary bread is cold. I really hope they can add some varieties into their dishes. Also their half price appetizer during happy hours is no longer available which is kinda a bummer.", "timestamp": "2016-04-09T00:19:36" }, { "business_id": "RfLSeu3dhXQjm72R_xEq1w", "business_name": "Sister Cities", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is located in a questionable neighborhood just a bit pass tower grove. We were sketched out about the place when we first stepped in. One door was missing and the other was covered by a piece of wood...Also it was really dark inside the restaurant...But as soon as we tried the food, we changed our mind about the place. The shrimp tacos are in pretty big porportion and tastes fresh. The cubsn sandwich was so flavorful and interesting. Seafood gumbo was so so. Still definitely try other dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2016-04-19T23:45:50" }, { "business_id": "HCYs4zgL7kCLdEqKRqaPbg", "business_name": "Lona's Lil Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "I really want to love this place because it's really a lovely place located in a nice neighbourhood in midtown. I came here with high expectations because of all those good reviews. But I have to say I wasn't impressed by the food...The concept of Asian burrito is interesting but the way they are made is too simple (I can easily make it at home at pretty low cost). I guess what I'm trying to say is there is nothing special about the food, not even the sauce...Sorry... I ordered chicken rice wrap with sesame sauce. The sauce is so salty that I could barely taste the rest of ingredients. My fiance had turkey wrap which was kinda plain. The bamboo stew tastes like bamboo sauce I normally get from the Chinese market. Eggplant dish was ok but salty...", "timestamp": "2016-06-19T01:34:42" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited this restaurant 4 times during my 5 days stay. Crazy, right? Here are a list of reasons/pros: - We were staying a nearby hotel. - The restaurant opens 11 - 10:30 pretty much every day including new year's day so it fits into our schedule. - If you are a party of two, chances are you get seated right away. - $9 per dozen of oysters which is a really great deal by any standard! - They have a seafood shop next door that sells boiled and fresh seafood to- go. - Our server (same) is very friendly and recognized us every single time. Now I want to talk about the reasons why I only give it 3 stars. - We tried a bunch of stuff which are all pretty mediocre. Raw oysters are not cleaned well. So if your schedule is flexible, go to Superior Seafood during their happy hours for their 50 cents/oyster - better quality and cheaper. Turtle soup has a strange taste so I definitely prefer Felix's. A portion of my boiled shrimps are always mushy somhow, maybe boiled for too long?... - The ambient is inviting but not comfortable so we basically just finished our food and go. - Clean the bathroom!! Will probably visit again if we stay in the area next time or simply just pick up some seafood quickly.", "timestamp": "2017-01-02T04:12:17" }, { "business_id": "cQIh4YJlVtZI9TLF5_smOg", "business_name": "The Shaved Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to say local Yelp rereviews have been inaccurate most of the time and this one is no exception...There is absolutely nothing special about this restaurant - food is medicore but pricey (comes in small portions) and service is slow. For people who claim this to be the best BBQ restaurant, I absolutely want to hear your reasons!", "timestamp": "2017-05-06T03:44:35" }, { "business_id": "2EWsaJdeedx_-my5fYEg9A", "business_name": "Vista", "rating": 2, "text": "I read about this place before we went so we were somewhat aware of what we should expect about the ramen. We ordered Vista ramen and fried chicken. Fried chicken is fine but a bittle expensive for the size. Ramen is just a HUGE disappointment...The broth taste like they try to make it taste like shoyu but the flavor is just not there...The pork belly is wayyy too fatty. We end up returning it and get ribs instead which seems deep fried and is very sweet... The service is decent and our server didn't charge us for the ramen. Probably won't go back...", "timestamp": "2017-07-23T00:24:08" }, { "business_id": "3VYxaeo6BJNHbVIIfmWN_w", "business_name": "Vicia", "rating": 3, "text": "I really like their Patio, they have a nicefire place and the seatings are adjacent to outside. The service is pretty good even though they didn't have our table ready when we got there...We ordered a cheese platter and two meat dishes. The only one that stands out is the pork dish which is very tender. The food is definitely on the pricy side. Expect to spend $100+ for two people.", "timestamp": "2017-07-28T01:18:51" }, { "business_id": "rVzbBAG3BDlx2-OFUOq4MQ", "business_name": "El Toluco Taqueria & Grocery", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is adjacent to a Mexican grocery store so it can be easily missed. We ordered tacos of almost every flavour and my conclusion is that they are definitely closer to authentic style than Mission Taco. Not the best I've had but one of the best taco spots I've tried in St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:17:05" }, { "business_id": "hv-rci0u6KR75ALB_70dHw", "business_name": "Blueprint Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "I've tried their latte and cortado which are both good (better than Starbucks for sure). The bristas there are knowledgable and patient with me. The only thing to complain about is the noise level and it's almost always packed. So I wouldn't suggest studying there...", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "mwClJ3GToMV17Guo-KLCRw", "business_name": "United Provisions", "rating": 4, "text": "Come here for their Happy hours! I like their Nigiris, my favourites are smoky salmon and yellow tail. I love their Takoyaki! It's always come hot and fresh. Their sushi rolls are kind of boring but not bad. Not a big fan of ramen - the flavor is kinda off...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T22:58:41" }, { "business_id": "xmO9u_t1LspxV5iuF594Tg", "business_name": "Wudon Korean BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "There are not many Korean BBQ restaurants in St.Louis and Wudon is certainly one of them worth mentioning. I like their marinated beef combo. The large one comes with 4 types of beef, 2 soups, a bunch of side dishes and a pancke which all taste pretty good. The only thing I'm not 100% happy with is the quality of beef don't seem very consistent - it's fattier some time than other times...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T23:06:59" }, { "business_id": "O_0H42Bw8hBduWSADPG8ng", "business_name": "Three Kings Public House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place on Delmar loop when I don't feel adventurous with dining. I like to sit on the patio outside which is cozy and quiet. My favorite dishes here are mussels, chicken wings and tuna sliders. Their burgers are decent just not my fav. They have happy hour from 3-6 Monday through Thursday. They also have a late night menu from 10pm to midnight Sunday through Thursday.", "timestamp": "2017-10-16T00:16:05" }, { "business_id": "55GmNphU0DhtkvG5lSZ49w", "business_name": "Westport Social", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place for bar games in STL. They are 10 times better than Pink Galleon in terms of ambience and decor. Most importantly, it doesn't smell like smoke. The drinks are pretty strong and semi tasty. I'm not a big fan of their food tho. Also, Friday and Saturday night are typically packed so you may have to line up outside...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:16:55" }, { "business_id": "NV6zZPb5OGVpyX4JrSzUPg", "business_name": "The Block", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there for happy hours with colleagues. Ww ordered pig rinds, sliders, ribs and a pork moose dish - all overwhelmingly salty...I ended up boxing all of the food and gave it to my dog... The service was nice and quick. Our server came to check on us every 5 minutes and filled up our water (the bar was also very empty that night). Overall, it was a nice place to hang for happy hour drinks but def not food...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:23:23" }, { "business_id": "gsyyVQmvT9A2nAgUi7VUag", "business_name": "Nudo House STL", "rating": 3, "text": "This is an update of my previous review. So far, I've tried almost all of their Ramen and I'm sad to say that they deserve a maximum of 3 star...Their broth in general is rich but very salty and always makes me and my colleagues sick and tired afterwards...I never ordered their pork ramen again since their porkbelly are not well cooked - I suggested them using pressure cooker to make it tender. I recently tried their curry ramen which made me really nauseous all afternoon...My only edible option here is their chicken ramen but again, I have to drink a ton of water afterwards to get through my day...", "timestamp": "2018-02-23T01:28:22" }, { "business_id": "7AjM-d3gsgpvKDQSX6QCuA", "business_name": "Bristol Seafood Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my new go-to happy hour place in STL(4-7pm Mon - Fri). They have $1 oyster which are consistently good. Their $7 appetizers are also tasty. My favs so far are shrimp scampi and tuna poke. Their cocktails are pretty strong (in a good way). Pacific punch is so fruity and delicious! Don't forget to check in to get one free calamari! They have lobster special ($16/lb) on Wednesday and Thursday which I think well worth it. Also, this place gets packed quickly during happy hour so try to get here before 5 to beat the traffic.", "timestamp": "2018-02-24T00:09:31" }, { "business_id": "zun6IVJa7wYe3wAPqWnPGw", "business_name": "PokeDoke", "rating": 1, "text": "We were there on Sunday around dinner time and everything was out except tofu. I later on read someone else's review about the same issue - if you don't go there 1st thing in the morning, sorry, we only have tofu. I understand this is due to the concern of food refreshness, but this is the only place that does so among sooo many poke restaurants in the US I've been to! I know this is STL but this is just ridiculous. Since I don't work in the area, guess I will NEVER have chance to try their food.", "timestamp": "2018-02-26T21:52:09" }, { "business_id": "LKLm4SgIHz48rQYlBRuaHw", "business_name": "Handcrafted by Bissinger's", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go-to place in CWE if I wanna catch up with friends at a quiet place. They have a big and nice couch setup where I can rest my feet. Their decor is simple but elegant. My faves here are hot chocolate and sea salt cookies - they are cheap, delicious and never disappoint (even tho I'm not a cookie person). I've tried their chocolates, various desserts and chocolate cocktails - sadly they are just mediocre...But hey I still come here often for their hot chocolate and cookies!", "timestamp": "2018-02-28T14:58:21" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 3, "text": "I've tried pretty much all types of meat they have so far and I have to say that I'm not that impressed...Their ribs are on the dry side and I def prefer pappy's. I'm also not a big fan of their briskets - the fatty ones are way too fatty and burnt ends are too chewy...I like the seasonings used on their wings but the meat lacks a bit of flavor...My fav here is pulled chicken - moist and tender. I also love their green bean salad and most of their sides expect their fries which are too salty for me. Will stick with my faves.", "timestamp": "2018-03-04T18:58:58" }, { "business_id": "T-xYMAkdNlMPCGqWAH3mwg", "business_name": "Kalbi Taco Shack", "rating": 3, "text": "I really wanted to love this place since the lady was sooo nice! She was very patient answering all my questions. But I have to say that I was disappointed with their food... We ordered short rib burrito, sweet and spicy pork bahn mi and taro milk tea. Starting with the bahn mi, the pork was marinated in some sorta sweet sauce which didn't have a memorable flavor and the meat was not that tender. Usually, when the meat is sweat, it needs to be balanced off with other not-so-sweet ingredients. Unfortunately, both their veggies and sauce (aoili?) were also sweet which made the bahn mi overly sweet... I only had a couple bites of my burrito because there wasn't much meat in there... However, there was way too much rice and creamy sauce (aoili again?) in it which just wasn't a desirable combination... There was nothing special about the bubble tea although they did let me choose the sugar level.", "timestamp": "2018-03-10T19:20:34" }, { "business_id": "4xsJN2FuB94w9rMoMo6XFQ", "business_name": "Spare No Rib", "rating": 3, "text": "I came here because of the amazing reviews I read about this place. We ordered almost all kinds of tacos on the menu and of course the beef cheek is out... We started with their tortilla chips with salsa. The chips came in a light yellow color which didn't seem very appetizing. The spice in the sauce was a nice touch but wasn't impressive. Overall, I didn't think it's worth $4. The tacos were filling and seemed to be on the authentic side but didn't really wow me somehow...The sauce they used in their tacos seemed to be just the salsa sauce... The staffs were all friendly and the service was quick. Might stop by to try their ribs next time when we are in the area.", "timestamp": "2018-03-17T23:31:03" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't believe I've been here 100 times but never checked in or wrote a review...So here it is... The 4 star is purely for their pork banh mi($4.5) and beef combination pho($11). What's so special about their pork banh mi is that they use differently cooked pork meat that comes with tendon - very common in Asia but doesn't seem popular in America or Midwest. The meats have so much flavor and without sauce at all allows me to savor it. I really appreciate the way they handle their sandwiches, unlike most of sandwich shops that cover everything with a river of sauce... Their beef pho usually taste good with rare/medium beef at your choice. My only complaint is the soup is not hot enough sometime. I've tried some of their \"special\" dishes - not impressed.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T22:51:37" }, { "business_id": "oRe0iraGEsVSNKxcp_hjbw", "business_name": "Blk Mkt Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "There was limited parking outside the restaurant so be prepared for it. There was a line when we got there around dinner time but the line moved fast and the staffs were friendly. I ordered OG fire burrito with tuna but I was pretty sure the they got my order wrong cuz the fish both looked and tasted like salmon...The flavor was not bad but the ingrediants were somewhat placed unevenly. A weird thing was I wanted to watch my burrito while it was being made because I wanted to customize my order.However, I was called over by the cashier to pay first... Another complaint was their packaging. Their burritos were packaged in paper boxes that cannot be sealed easily. So once you open it, you kinda have to finish it if you lose the tape...I ended up having to toss my leftover next day...Also, whatever way they rolled it, my burrito fell apart as soon I had a bite so you can imagin the mess I made....", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:43:24" }, { "business_id": "Nq1Kn7ud84upBHz9chFW0A", "business_name": "The Gramophone", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is specific for the smoked salmon sandwich I ordered. They let you order half size which was a plus. Here were the reason why I didn't like the sandwich: 1. They used the type of bread usually used for Philly cheese sandwich which didn not go well with Salmon. Had they used bagel, I would def have enjoyed it more. 2. The cream cheese was not evenly spreaded. 3. I wish they offered capers to balance off my mouthful of cream cheese...", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:59:44" }, { "business_id": "HzUJO2v5lUEIeYoOYsdWbw", "business_name": "Russell's on Macklind", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my new favourite restaurant in STL and I have plenty of reasons. Their burger was cooked to perfection. Plenty of restaurants overcook their steaks but not here! Their burger also came with their house made ketcup which was made with fresh tamatos. The cheese spread was so buttery which was a nice replacement of cheese slice. The burger also came with sides at your choice. We got brussel sprouts which was cooked well with a hint of vineger. I also loved their cakes. Their chocolate cakes were my favorite. Lemon cake was a bit sweet for my taste. They don't have a coffee menu but they can pretty much make anything I ordered and free refill for drip coffee. They have plenty of seatings if you arrive before 6:30 even on Saturday nights. They also have a 2nd floor, a patio and outside seatings. The ambient is classy but not dressy so you can feel comfortable to just grab a coffee and eat desserts at their bar/coffee table. I've def studied here during dinner time lol. Their staffs are always friendly and attentive. The only complaint I have is their shrimp and grits were too saucy which overwhelmed the taste of the dish. But I also loved that they used entire prawns (my came with roes which was a nice surprise). Can't wait to try more on the menu!", "timestamp": "2018-04-15T00:56:49" }, { "business_id": "LGYIhGqbYakMMdsn_GCzJg", "business_name": "Anthonino's Taverna", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Hill restaurant week and ordered a 3 course meal that came with roasted ravioli, beef tenderloin and tiramisu. I also ordered anchovy pasta on the side. We both liked the beef tenderloin a lot. The meat was very tender and not overcooked. It came with mashed potato and grilled onion which were both well cooked. The portion was big enough for us to share. Tiramisu was nice surprise - it was very moist and came with a strong coffee flavored bottom layer. I wasn't a fan of their ravioli - it was a little dry and not enough filling. The pasta, by my standard, was overcooked since I prefer it al dente. The flavor was ok, not memorable. The free bread with olive oil was a plus. Our server was welcoming and attentive. She came to check on us multiple times even though we came in at busy dinner time.", "timestamp": "2018-04-28T00:53:35" }, { "business_id": "KdAWjL9MKjpJzEeI902qBA", "business_name": "Corner 17", "rating": 3, "text": "The reason I've been here like a hundred times but just decided to write a review is because there are too few authentic Chinese restaurants in STL hence no references to compare with. I really hope to have a go to Chinese food place here but sadly I don't. The only reason I come here often is because it's near home... With everything said, I think the food here is pretty mediocre. Nothing specifically worth mentioning. They do serve some authentic Chinese dishes such as boiled chili fish, dry spicy hot pot (ma la xiang guo) and spicy hot pot with souo (ma la tang) which taste ok. I've also tried most of their stir fried dishes. For the meat dishes, I wish they use pressure cooker for beef/tendon and ribs because that's how they should be cooked in Chinese cuisin. Their hand made noodles are fun to watch making but not that tasty - the texture of dao xiao mian is not right... Their bubble tea is made of real tea and they let you pick sugar and ice level which I appreciate. The quality is a lot better than other bubble tea shops in STL but the tea honestly is quite watered dowm... Recently I havd noticed their portion has gotten significantly smaller but the lines have gotten longer...Someone pleass come to STL to come up another Chinese restaurant!", "timestamp": "2018-05-05T23:51:17" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located next to the east side of Forest Park so it's always pleasant to stop by when walking dog in the neighborhood. The service is quick and staffs are friendly. They let you try their ice cream before ordering. They serve ice cream of boozy flavors which is nice. The regular ice cream is def too sweet for my taste.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:18" }, { "business_id": "x8AQIEjSqsW0z4vRyBetbw", "business_name": "The BAO", "rating": 3, "text": "I didn't have high expectation of this place because I've lost faith in so-called Asian fusion food in STL...Unfortunately, this place was in line with my expectation. I ordered char sui bao. The meat was ok except it was kinda fatty and lacked a bit of flavor. The buns were too soft and sticky so they kept being stuck on my teeths. The part that threw me off the most was that they put mayo inside the bao so that's a NO. I did enjoy the frozen cocktail that was made with sake and passion fruit. It was strong but refreshing. Our server was polite and checked on us multiple times. Oh, I also liked the ambient and interior decor - it's chic but not pretencious. Will probably stop by for a drink next time if i'm in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2018-07-04T00:24:48" }, { "business_id": "S87d-VjLFY8ZMoj6MUo_tg", "business_name": "Cate Zone Chinese Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate Zone is so far my favorite Chinese restaurant in STL. They def try to be as authentic as they can. They serve a mixture of regular dishes, street foods and Sichuan dishes. My favorite dishes include lamb skewers and mao xue wang (boiled spicy intestines). Their lamb meat is fatty but flavorful. For their spicy dishes, the flavor is there but not spicy enough, in my opinion. The portion of their food is overwhelmingly big but the price is reasonable.", "timestamp": "2018-07-17T17:30:38" }, { "business_id": "ToH4z1F5Tyuo3p7VhXCpTA", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Clayton restaurant week ($35 for 3 courses). The meal was definitely well worth it. It started with freshly baked bread which we really liked. I enjoyed my clam chowder which was creamy but not heavy. My filet mignon came medium rare which was cooked to perfection. The aged strip was flavorful but the part attached to the bone was kinda chewy in my opinion. Both entries came with sides (green beans and mashed potatos) The highlight of our meals were the desserts. The flavor of the espresso cake was so intense and addicting that we couldn't stop eating it! The cheese cake was alright but the berry sauce was a nice touch. The parts we didn't enjoy as much was our green salad which didn't taste very fresh. I also wasn't a fan of my tequila drink. But overall, we really enjoyed our experience here and certainly will return.", "timestamp": "2018-07-23T03:42:03" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've dined/drank here for quite a few times. The service is a bit inconsistent. The staffs at the bar tend to be more attentive than some of the regular servers. I've tried their bruschettas and crepes which were okay. The salmon and trout crepe can definitely use more ingredients... Also the menu on a tablet is kinda a weird concept - you can only look but can't order?...", "timestamp": "2018-08-03T18:25:21" }, { "business_id": "UM6XgOtTX4DWWcGDTWtjEg", "business_name": "HandleBar", "rating": 4, "text": "Someone told me about the cocktails of this place so decided to give it a try. I ordered their Master & Margarita. Honestly, I didn't quite enjoy the taste (a bit tasteless) but the drink was very strong which I couldn't complain! We also ordered beet fries which I was neutral about. We were there on a Wednesday night which was their Bingo night. The host dressed like a drag queen and he/she was hilarious. Not lots of ppl showed up that night but that didn't stop him/her from putting on spontaneous performances. Overall, it was an entertaining experience. Perfect spot to grab a drink if you are by yourself as well.", "timestamp": "2018-08-04T15:11:23" }, { "business_id": "4HMXL85u_wX0WEHucVkI6A", "business_name": "Dave & Tony's", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why people are so harsh about this place. Sure, this place is not a \"premium\" burger restaurant per se, but their burgers are definitely more premium than McDonald's or Five Guys. For only $7.2, you get to customize your own burger and they are decent burgers. For $2, you get freshly made fries which are actually very good! Their ingredients are always fresh even though they get my orders wrong sometime. But I don't care. Because people who work here are friendly and willing to fix their mistakes. Also, you can collect a stamp for each burger ordered and you get a free burger once your brunch card is full.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T00:19:17" }, { "business_id": "56TulnfOZy0JI96zwVv27w", "business_name": "Gioia's Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard about this place from James Beard Awarded restaurant list. We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon so you can imagine the line... Fortunately, the line moved pretty quick so we got to order within 10 minutes. We ordered one of the most popular sandwiches - hot salami and roasted beef with garlic bread and pepper jack cheese. The beef and salami tasted good separately but kinda overshadowed the flavors of each other when put together...The garlic bread was barely noticeable so not really worth the additional buck. The sandwich was 9?10? inch long so probably big enough to share between 2 ppl. In general, solid sandwich but not addicting in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T19:49:44" }, { "business_id": "1ulD4HL2G8qbpEuuWFDSqQ", "business_name": "Himalayan Yeti", "rating": 4, "text": "Generally speaking, I can't taste the differences between good vs great Indian food and I've never been to India. I personally think the food here is pretty good. I've tried their chicken tikka masala(tamato base), lamb saag (spinach base), fish currency, garlic cheese naan and some other dishes. My favorite one is probably lamb saag - it has so much flavors in one dish and very dense and savory. They let you choose spice level, 5 being the hottest. I ordered 4 once which turned out to be a huge mistake. When they say very spicy, they mean it... Oh, their lassie is also pretty good or standard should I say? They also bring you free papadum (northern indian chips?)with 2 types of sauce before your dishes are served. Good service as well. Will come back to try their lunch buffet sometime (11pm -2:30pm everyday).", "timestamp": "2018-08-10T23:58:01" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped by this place whenever I'm near Tower Grove. The concept odd nitrogen ice cream is still new in St.louis so this def is niche. Nitrogen ice cream, in general, is smoother than regular ice cream because it freezes faster during manufacturing process. This place offers boozy flavor and vegan ice cream which is even nicer. The boozy ones tend to give me a buzz so that's a plus :)", "timestamp": "2018-08-11T00:41:47" }, { "business_id": "Q3S_VyJ4ob-FeKZARiP4Fg", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 2, "text": "First of all, I'd like to make a comment on the composition of their menu. Reading through the menu, all of the dishes were made with pork except chicken adobo. There was also no veggie dish that could go with my meat dish... We ordered their rib and a taco as starters. The rib was fried which I wasn't a fan of. The taco was soooo greasy that a lot of oil started dripping off...We ordered a new school dish (forgot the name) that came with shredded pork in shrimp paste, bitter melon and some green beans. The portion was so small that we had to order another entree. We ordered flying pig and chicken odobo combo. Flying pig was way too sweet for my taste and covered with a big load of sauce. Also, they raised the price of the combo without marking it on their menu which I thought was shady. We both felt pretty nauseous after the dinner probably due to the grease...", "timestamp": "2018-09-22T21:17:19" }, { "business_id": "JrYWF3BWf1GYk8hnF2Cz4w", "business_name": "Chaparritos", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is a hidden jem. First of all, everything is so cheap! You get a delicious taco for $2.25 ( some are $2.5). We ordered a bunch of tacos which were all delicious and authentic. Besides, your order comes with complimentary tortilla chips along with 2 different types of sauce. I loved their salsa sauce - fresh with a hint of spice. Not a fan of their margarita, too sweet for my taste. The staff was very friendly too. Can't wait to come back to try other dishes!", "timestamp": "2018-10-06T02:38:39" }, { "business_id": "kqt8O-XxMkE6ga42IPa7sA", "business_name": "SUSHI KOI", "rating": 4, "text": "Sushi Koi has happy hour every day between 4:30-6:30 PM Monday-Friday. I've been there several times and tried a bunch of things on their happy hour menu. Overall, the quality of their sushi has been consistent and decent but nothing exceptional. My go-to dishes are sashimi sampler ($9) and scallop hand roll ($3) Not a fan of their tuna hand roll as I can barely taste any tuna in it...Their takoyaki are pretty tasty as well. I also enjoyed their lychee sake ($4, hot or cold) and martinis ($5).", "timestamp": "2018-10-20T22:56:58" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 2, "text": "I had high expectations for this place due to other yelpers' recommendations and I was deeply disappointed... We came here for their happy hours (4-6pm Wednesday- Sunday). We opted to sit at the bar where there were 3 waitresses just hanging out there. They were not particularly welcoming or friendly. One of them was kinda of aloof when I asked her questions about their menu. We ordered pastrami sliders and meatball off the happy hour menu ($5 per dish). The meatball was luke warm and tasted like microwaved frozen meat ball covered with spaghetti sauce. The pastrami came with chunks of fat that actually made me nauseous...We ended up changing our plan and went to eat dinner somewhere else... I really wanted to like this place since the decor is so cute. But I'll unlikely return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:33:35" }, { "business_id": "4ZNCc1GzJZkS7XI1c9rCMA", "business_name": "Layla", "rating": 4, "text": "Been here a couple times. First time late at night and had a nice conversation with the bartender. 2nd time around dinner time when the bar was semi-packed. The have a pretty comprehensive menu r ranging from traditional Lebanese dishes to regular bar food with plenty of vegan options and desserts as well. They are somewhat well known for their shawarmas which you can choose your protein, wrap and sauce. I've only tried their spicy lamb with black wrap. I like the spicy sauce and the wrap but the meat was a bit fatty for my taste and not too tender. I did really like their sweet potato fries that came with curry aioli sauce. It had such unique taste and was truly addicting. For hummus, they have regular and seasonal. I've tried their olive hummus and pita bread which I enjoyed. They also have a large selection of boozy float with vanilla ice cream and many flavors of shakes. Will definitely give it a try next time!", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:55:03" }, { "business_id": "VVHfqUeYyAA9FEsH-6PI2A", "business_name": "Foundation Grounds Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "What I like about this place: - open till 6pm which is a bit unusual for coffee shops in st. Louis - bottomless coffe for $3.75 - 5% off on all items if you check in on yelp - friendly staffs - seats facing windows What I'm not a fan of this place: - it could get crowded and noisy if you are here on the weekend - the quality of their coffee is mediocre and latte is overrated", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:25:18" }, { "business_id": "MaYb7qMN6BomP1zQGj3Wjg", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Delmar Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been to all of their locations in town and the quality of their food and services have been pretty consistent. I came in this location for happy hour. They had all starters and snacks for half price, selected beer and sangaria for special price. We ordered blazed chicken wings that came with grilled carrots. The wings were kinda fatty and the skins were not crispy which was a bit disappointing. We ordered Delmar and Kirkwood both deep dish style. Again, the quality was consistently good. The crust was perfect, not burnt and the amount of sauce was perfect. Btw, you can decide the type of crust used for your pizza. You can also choose half n half if you want to try 2 different flavours.Will try their oilive oil based pizza next time.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:42:51" }, { "business_id": "A5b9nVDi1DPVvPOD24-p6w", "business_name": "Sump Coffee", "rating": 2, "text": "To be fair, their coffee isn't bad. The reason I think it doesn't deserve more is because the price they charge for a tiny cup of latte. Today, I paid $8 for a 10 oz latte! Most expensive latte I've ever had in my entire life! Even compared to the best in San Francisco! They charge $1 if you replace regular milk with oatmilk or soymilk which is very steep. 10oz...I honestly barely tasted my coffee before it was gone...I thought it was a rip-off. Sorry won't return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:57:52" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "We were here on a Saturday night and got seated always right away. The service here was top notch. Our server was attentive and surprised my friends with 2 amazing whiskey cocktails (per his request). They have an extensive handcrafted cocktails which are certainly not short of creativity. I was pleased to see mecal and pisco on the drink list so I had to order one of those. The pisco drink I ordered came with a bag a Lay's! Right?! Who goes there (a whiskey drink) smoked in a lantern enclosure and our waitress was dressed like a witch when she delivered the drink! How fun! With all the good things, I wasn't impressed with their food... the pork schnitzel we ordered tasted bland and not very crispy. Chorizo wrapped in dates tasted okay but a bit sweet for my taste. The chocolate torte was served with espresso cream which I enjoyed. However, there were too much other ingredients on the plate as well which was unnecessary. Overall, it was a good spot for drinks and maybe desserts.", "timestamp": "2018-12-24T16:58:22" }, { "business_id": "mUrkyChBfFC679O80poJAQ", "business_name": "The Chocolate Pig", "rating": 3, "text": "We made a reservation and our table was ready when we arrived. The service was good. The food was above average but could cook the duck confit a bit tender. Brussel sprouts were fried well but didn't go particularly well with the buttermilk (just a bit heavy for my taste, but the pickled onion was a nice touch to offset the heaviness. The cocktails were okay, nothing to rave about. Affogato caviar was the highlight of the meal. It was pleasantly light and got an espresso aroma to it. Overall, didn't think the meal was worth $100 for two ppl.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T02:21:43" }, { "business_id": "jKHlvwq40sghrR89pF_3Tw", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my go-to place for ice cream in st.louis. They have plenty of interesting flavors such as lavender, eggnog, sweet cream, etc. My favorites are dark chocolate truffle and almond brittle. The truffle is rich but not too sweet. The almond is nutty and savory. Most importantly, they go very well together along with the waffle. Mmm, who doesn't love its ice cream!", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T03:57:39" } ]	{ "business_id": "LsHyDO0k4O0mxgxcsQ5A8g", "business_name": "Shivers Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "Their concrete are the best I've had in Il/MO. They are dense, rich and light flavored. I had a chocolate and a light vanilla cone with yellow cake toppings, they are everything I wished for and not overly sweet like most of ice cream places in the midwest. They even gave my dog a puppy cone! Their service was also very good - the girl was patient with my questions and gave useful recommendations. Will def return when I'm in the area.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T23:28:50" }
Pbry-b9xBgHlWlbGlYbTZg	[ { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Very interesting place. We waited for about an hour. But the food is worth waiting. We had lamb stew and meet is tander and flavorful. We also ordered paella which is also fresh and tasty. The price of this place has gone up quite a bit though...", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:50:57" }, { "business_id": "VaO-VW3e1kARkU9bP1E7Fw", "business_name": "Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Underrated restaurant. Much better than amac from across the street! Food is fresh and tasty. Service is quick. Staffs are friendly and caring. We visited twice during our 3 day visit. Worth going again.", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:52:47" }, { "business_id": "wMWRpzjKgwIef2yJ41RCGw", "business_name": "La Bonne Bouchee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite restaurant in St Louis! Price is reasonable, actually really cheap! My favourite entrees (come with complimentary soup and bread) are crepe and crevettes which are always consistently freshly made. They are never stingy on shrimps, crabs and cheese. My favourite dessert is four flavour cake which is really creamy but not so sweet. The service is usually quick and good. I'm a regular and definitely will keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:25:03" }, { "business_id": "JGsG-_hYhD8nHtsgXZt_5A", "business_name": "Franco", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there with friends on new year's eve expecting decent meals based on its reviews. I ordered duck belly which had a very strong and awkward taste...the seafood stew I ordered was decent but not worth the money($24?). I saw an apricot flavor sparkling wine and told our waiter that I wanted something more sour and less strong and he came back with the same drink...other ppl in my group ordered steak, mussels and halibut and they liked their dishes. The biggest disappointment of the night was actually the desert. We shared a petite fours. Everything is dry and very sweet and tastes like it's been sitting in the fridge for too long. Overall, I wanted to give the restaurant a good review given the good ambient and service. But the food is disappointing and way too pricy for what it's worth ($108 for two ppl).", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:41:55" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 3, "text": "Not my favorite dim sum place but it's probably the best in St louis...like most of Chinese restaurants here, the service is kinda sketchy...there's no menu with prices I can refer to so somehow we end up spending $30 on 4 plates which is definitely on the pricy side for dim sum. The food is okay. My favorite is a taro dish with stuffing. The egg tart is try and tasteless.", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:51:15" }, { "business_id": "IrUhsjQZtSB-TjxqtXaKkg", "business_name": "The Kitchen Sink", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located in a hidden corner that I almost missed...based on its interior design, it looks more like a sports bar than a Cajun food restaurant. I ordered the kitchen sink which is very thick and creamy. Other people ordered different entries which they think are just okay. The chicken wings are pretty good tho according to a friend.", "timestamp": "2016-02-03T03:42:20" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "We ordered meet me in St Louis and strawberry salad which are both very good. The only thing I can complain about is the restaurateur is packed and we had to squeeze into our seats at the bar table. Will try to visit again during weekdays.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T02:20:13" }, { "business_id": "eVUP_iOwvsLk6daEmyhESA", "business_name": "Yemanja Brasil", "rating": 3, "text": "Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about either food or the service. The reason I give it 3 star is because I think the meals are way overpriced given the quality...We had appetizer platter. The yuca is not very crispy and the empanada has no shrimp in it...We also ordered seafood stew which is basically a soup and taste kinda boring...The xin xim taste fine but after a few bites it becomes boring...and the complimentary bread is cold. I really hope they can add some varieties into their dishes. Also their half price appetizer during happy hours is no longer available which is kinda a bummer.", "timestamp": "2016-04-09T00:19:36" }, { "business_id": "RfLSeu3dhXQjm72R_xEq1w", "business_name": "Sister Cities", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is located in a questionable neighborhood just a bit pass tower grove. We were sketched out about the place when we first stepped in. One door was missing and the other was covered by a piece of wood...Also it was really dark inside the restaurant...But as soon as we tried the food, we changed our mind about the place. The shrimp tacos are in pretty big porportion and tastes fresh. The cubsn sandwich was so flavorful and interesting. Seafood gumbo was so so. Still definitely try other dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2016-04-19T23:45:50" }, { "business_id": "HCYs4zgL7kCLdEqKRqaPbg", "business_name": "Lona's Lil Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "I really want to love this place because it's really a lovely place located in a nice neighbourhood in midtown. I came here with high expectations because of all those good reviews. But I have to say I wasn't impressed by the food...The concept of Asian burrito is interesting but the way they are made is too simple (I can easily make it at home at pretty low cost). I guess what I'm trying to say is there is nothing special about the food, not even the sauce...Sorry... I ordered chicken rice wrap with sesame sauce. The sauce is so salty that I could barely taste the rest of ingredients. My fiance had turkey wrap which was kinda plain. The bamboo stew tastes like bamboo sauce I normally get from the Chinese market. Eggplant dish was ok but salty...", "timestamp": "2016-06-19T01:34:42" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited this restaurant 4 times during my 5 days stay. Crazy, right? Here are a list of reasons/pros: - We were staying a nearby hotel. - The restaurant opens 11 - 10:30 pretty much every day including new year's day so it fits into our schedule. - If you are a party of two, chances are you get seated right away. - $9 per dozen of oysters which is a really great deal by any standard! - They have a seafood shop next door that sells boiled and fresh seafood to- go. - Our server (same) is very friendly and recognized us every single time. Now I want to talk about the reasons why I only give it 3 stars. - We tried a bunch of stuff which are all pretty mediocre. Raw oysters are not cleaned well. So if your schedule is flexible, go to Superior Seafood during their happy hours for their 50 cents/oyster - better quality and cheaper. Turtle soup has a strange taste so I definitely prefer Felix's. A portion of my boiled shrimps are always mushy somhow, maybe boiled for too long?... - The ambient is inviting but not comfortable so we basically just finished our food and go. - Clean the bathroom!! Will probably visit again if we stay in the area next time or simply just pick up some seafood quickly.", "timestamp": "2017-01-02T04:12:17" }, { "business_id": "cQIh4YJlVtZI9TLF5_smOg", "business_name": "The Shaved Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to say local Yelp rereviews have been inaccurate most of the time and this one is no exception...There is absolutely nothing special about this restaurant - food is medicore but pricey (comes in small portions) and service is slow. For people who claim this to be the best BBQ restaurant, I absolutely want to hear your reasons!", "timestamp": "2017-05-06T03:44:35" }, { "business_id": "2EWsaJdeedx_-my5fYEg9A", "business_name": "Vista", "rating": 2, "text": "I read about this place before we went so we were somewhat aware of what we should expect about the ramen. We ordered Vista ramen and fried chicken. Fried chicken is fine but a bittle expensive for the size. Ramen is just a HUGE disappointment...The broth taste like they try to make it taste like shoyu but the flavor is just not there...The pork belly is wayyy too fatty. We end up returning it and get ribs instead which seems deep fried and is very sweet... The service is decent and our server didn't charge us for the ramen. Probably won't go back...", "timestamp": "2017-07-23T00:24:08" }, { "business_id": "3VYxaeo6BJNHbVIIfmWN_w", "business_name": "Vicia", "rating": 3, "text": "I really like their Patio, they have a nicefire place and the seatings are adjacent to outside. The service is pretty good even though they didn't have our table ready when we got there...We ordered a cheese platter and two meat dishes. The only one that stands out is the pork dish which is very tender. The food is definitely on the pricy side. Expect to spend $100+ for two people.", "timestamp": "2017-07-28T01:18:51" }, { "business_id": "rVzbBAG3BDlx2-OFUOq4MQ", "business_name": "El Toluco Taqueria & Grocery", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is adjacent to a Mexican grocery store so it can be easily missed. We ordered tacos of almost every flavour and my conclusion is that they are definitely closer to authentic style than Mission Taco. Not the best I've had but one of the best taco spots I've tried in St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:17:05" }, { "business_id": "hv-rci0u6KR75ALB_70dHw", "business_name": "Blueprint Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "I've tried their latte and cortado which are both good (better than Starbucks for sure). The bristas there are knowledgable and patient with me. The only thing to complain about is the noise level and it's almost always packed. So I wouldn't suggest studying there...", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "mwClJ3GToMV17Guo-KLCRw", "business_name": "United Provisions", "rating": 4, "text": "Come here for their Happy hours! I like their Nigiris, my favourites are smoky salmon and yellow tail. I love their Takoyaki! It's always come hot and fresh. Their sushi rolls are kind of boring but not bad. Not a big fan of ramen - the flavor is kinda off...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T22:58:41" }, { "business_id": "xmO9u_t1LspxV5iuF594Tg", "business_name": "Wudon Korean BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "There are not many Korean BBQ restaurants in St.Louis and Wudon is certainly one of them worth mentioning. I like their marinated beef combo. The large one comes with 4 types of beef, 2 soups, a bunch of side dishes and a pancke which all taste pretty good. The only thing I'm not 100% happy with is the quality of beef don't seem very consistent - it's fattier some time than other times...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T23:06:59" }, { "business_id": "O_0H42Bw8hBduWSADPG8ng", "business_name": "Three Kings Public House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place on Delmar loop when I don't feel adventurous with dining. I like to sit on the patio outside which is cozy and quiet. My favorite dishes here are mussels, chicken wings and tuna sliders. Their burgers are decent just not my fav. They have happy hour from 3-6 Monday through Thursday. They also have a late night menu from 10pm to midnight Sunday through Thursday.", "timestamp": "2017-10-16T00:16:05" }, { "business_id": "55GmNphU0DhtkvG5lSZ49w", "business_name": "Westport Social", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place for bar games in STL. They are 10 times better than Pink Galleon in terms of ambience and decor. Most importantly, it doesn't smell like smoke. The drinks are pretty strong and semi tasty. I'm not a big fan of their food tho. Also, Friday and Saturday night are typically packed so you may have to line up outside...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:16:55" }, { "business_id": "NV6zZPb5OGVpyX4JrSzUPg", "business_name": "The Block", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there for happy hours with colleagues. Ww ordered pig rinds, sliders, ribs and a pork moose dish - all overwhelmingly salty...I ended up boxing all of the food and gave it to my dog... The service was nice and quick. Our server came to check on us every 5 minutes and filled up our water (the bar was also very empty that night). Overall, it was a nice place to hang for happy hour drinks but def not food...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:23:23" }, { "business_id": "gsyyVQmvT9A2nAgUi7VUag", "business_name": "Nudo House STL", "rating": 3, "text": "This is an update of my previous review. So far, I've tried almost all of their Ramen and I'm sad to say that they deserve a maximum of 3 star...Their broth in general is rich but very salty and always makes me and my colleagues sick and tired afterwards...I never ordered their pork ramen again since their porkbelly are not well cooked - I suggested them using pressure cooker to make it tender. I recently tried their curry ramen which made me really nauseous all afternoon...My only edible option here is their chicken ramen but again, I have to drink a ton of water afterwards to get through my day...", "timestamp": "2018-02-23T01:28:22" }, { "business_id": "7AjM-d3gsgpvKDQSX6QCuA", "business_name": "Bristol Seafood Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my new go-to happy hour place in STL(4-7pm Mon - Fri). They have $1 oyster which are consistently good. Their $7 appetizers are also tasty. My favs so far are shrimp scampi and tuna poke. Their cocktails are pretty strong (in a good way). Pacific punch is so fruity and delicious! Don't forget to check in to get one free calamari! They have lobster special ($16/lb) on Wednesday and Thursday which I think well worth it. Also, this place gets packed quickly during happy hour so try to get here before 5 to beat the traffic.", "timestamp": "2018-02-24T00:09:31" }, { "business_id": "zun6IVJa7wYe3wAPqWnPGw", "business_name": "PokeDoke", "rating": 1, "text": "We were there on Sunday around dinner time and everything was out except tofu. I later on read someone else's review about the same issue - if you don't go there 1st thing in the morning, sorry, we only have tofu. I understand this is due to the concern of food refreshness, but this is the only place that does so among sooo many poke restaurants in the US I've been to! I know this is STL but this is just ridiculous. Since I don't work in the area, guess I will NEVER have chance to try their food.", "timestamp": "2018-02-26T21:52:09" }, { "business_id": "LKLm4SgIHz48rQYlBRuaHw", "business_name": "Handcrafted by Bissinger's", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go-to place in CWE if I wanna catch up with friends at a quiet place. They have a big and nice couch setup where I can rest my feet. Their decor is simple but elegant. My faves here are hot chocolate and sea salt cookies - they are cheap, delicious and never disappoint (even tho I'm not a cookie person). I've tried their chocolates, various desserts and chocolate cocktails - sadly they are just mediocre...But hey I still come here often for their hot chocolate and cookies!", "timestamp": "2018-02-28T14:58:21" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 3, "text": "I've tried pretty much all types of meat they have so far and I have to say that I'm not that impressed...Their ribs are on the dry side and I def prefer pappy's. I'm also not a big fan of their briskets - the fatty ones are way too fatty and burnt ends are too chewy...I like the seasonings used on their wings but the meat lacks a bit of flavor...My fav here is pulled chicken - moist and tender. I also love their green bean salad and most of their sides expect their fries which are too salty for me. Will stick with my faves.", "timestamp": "2018-03-04T18:58:58" }, { "business_id": "T-xYMAkdNlMPCGqWAH3mwg", "business_name": "Kalbi Taco Shack", "rating": 3, "text": "I really wanted to love this place since the lady was sooo nice! She was very patient answering all my questions. But I have to say that I was disappointed with their food... We ordered short rib burrito, sweet and spicy pork bahn mi and taro milk tea. Starting with the bahn mi, the pork was marinated in some sorta sweet sauce which didn't have a memorable flavor and the meat was not that tender. Usually, when the meat is sweat, it needs to be balanced off with other not-so-sweet ingredients. Unfortunately, both their veggies and sauce (aoili?) were also sweet which made the bahn mi overly sweet... I only had a couple bites of my burrito because there wasn't much meat in there... However, there was way too much rice and creamy sauce (aoili again?) in it which just wasn't a desirable combination... There was nothing special about the bubble tea although they did let me choose the sugar level.", "timestamp": "2018-03-10T19:20:34" }, { "business_id": "4xsJN2FuB94w9rMoMo6XFQ", "business_name": "Spare No Rib", "rating": 3, "text": "I came here because of the amazing reviews I read about this place. We ordered almost all kinds of tacos on the menu and of course the beef cheek is out... We started with their tortilla chips with salsa. The chips came in a light yellow color which didn't seem very appetizing. The spice in the sauce was a nice touch but wasn't impressive. Overall, I didn't think it's worth $4. The tacos were filling and seemed to be on the authentic side but didn't really wow me somehow...The sauce they used in their tacos seemed to be just the salsa sauce... The staffs were all friendly and the service was quick. Might stop by to try their ribs next time when we are in the area.", "timestamp": "2018-03-17T23:31:03" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't believe I've been here 100 times but never checked in or wrote a review...So here it is... The 4 star is purely for their pork banh mi($4.5) and beef combination pho($11). What's so special about their pork banh mi is that they use differently cooked pork meat that comes with tendon - very common in Asia but doesn't seem popular in America or Midwest. The meats have so much flavor and without sauce at all allows me to savor it. I really appreciate the way they handle their sandwiches, unlike most of sandwich shops that cover everything with a river of sauce... Their beef pho usually taste good with rare/medium beef at your choice. My only complaint is the soup is not hot enough sometime. I've tried some of their \"special\" dishes - not impressed.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T22:51:37" }, { "business_id": "oRe0iraGEsVSNKxcp_hjbw", "business_name": "Blk Mkt Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "There was limited parking outside the restaurant so be prepared for it. There was a line when we got there around dinner time but the line moved fast and the staffs were friendly. I ordered OG fire burrito with tuna but I was pretty sure the they got my order wrong cuz the fish both looked and tasted like salmon...The flavor was not bad but the ingrediants were somewhat placed unevenly. A weird thing was I wanted to watch my burrito while it was being made because I wanted to customize my order.However, I was called over by the cashier to pay first... Another complaint was their packaging. Their burritos were packaged in paper boxes that cannot be sealed easily. So once you open it, you kinda have to finish it if you lose the tape...I ended up having to toss my leftover next day...Also, whatever way they rolled it, my burrito fell apart as soon I had a bite so you can imagin the mess I made....", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:43:24" }, { "business_id": "Nq1Kn7ud84upBHz9chFW0A", "business_name": "The Gramophone", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is specific for the smoked salmon sandwich I ordered. They let you order half size which was a plus. Here were the reason why I didn't like the sandwich: 1. They used the type of bread usually used for Philly cheese sandwich which didn not go well with Salmon. Had they used bagel, I would def have enjoyed it more. 2. The cream cheese was not evenly spreaded. 3. I wish they offered capers to balance off my mouthful of cream cheese...", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:59:44" }, { "business_id": "HzUJO2v5lUEIeYoOYsdWbw", "business_name": "Russell's on Macklind", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my new favourite restaurant in STL and I have plenty of reasons. Their burger was cooked to perfection. Plenty of restaurants overcook their steaks but not here! Their burger also came with their house made ketcup which was made with fresh tamatos. The cheese spread was so buttery which was a nice replacement of cheese slice. The burger also came with sides at your choice. We got brussel sprouts which was cooked well with a hint of vineger. I also loved their cakes. Their chocolate cakes were my favorite. Lemon cake was a bit sweet for my taste. They don't have a coffee menu but they can pretty much make anything I ordered and free refill for drip coffee. They have plenty of seatings if you arrive before 6:30 even on Saturday nights. They also have a 2nd floor, a patio and outside seatings. The ambient is classy but not dressy so you can feel comfortable to just grab a coffee and eat desserts at their bar/coffee table. I've def studied here during dinner time lol. Their staffs are always friendly and attentive. The only complaint I have is their shrimp and grits were too saucy which overwhelmed the taste of the dish. But I also loved that they used entire prawns (my came with roes which was a nice surprise). Can't wait to try more on the menu!", "timestamp": "2018-04-15T00:56:49" }, { "business_id": "LGYIhGqbYakMMdsn_GCzJg", "business_name": "Anthonino's Taverna", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Hill restaurant week and ordered a 3 course meal that came with roasted ravioli, beef tenderloin and tiramisu. I also ordered anchovy pasta on the side. We both liked the beef tenderloin a lot. The meat was very tender and not overcooked. It came with mashed potato and grilled onion which were both well cooked. The portion was big enough for us to share. Tiramisu was nice surprise - it was very moist and came with a strong coffee flavored bottom layer. I wasn't a fan of their ravioli - it was a little dry and not enough filling. The pasta, by my standard, was overcooked since I prefer it al dente. The flavor was ok, not memorable. The free bread with olive oil was a plus. Our server was welcoming and attentive. She came to check on us multiple times even though we came in at busy dinner time.", "timestamp": "2018-04-28T00:53:35" }, { "business_id": "KdAWjL9MKjpJzEeI902qBA", "business_name": "Corner 17", "rating": 3, "text": "The reason I've been here like a hundred times but just decided to write a review is because there are too few authentic Chinese restaurants in STL hence no references to compare with. I really hope to have a go to Chinese food place here but sadly I don't. The only reason I come here often is because it's near home... With everything said, I think the food here is pretty mediocre. Nothing specifically worth mentioning. They do serve some authentic Chinese dishes such as boiled chili fish, dry spicy hot pot (ma la xiang guo) and spicy hot pot with souo (ma la tang) which taste ok. I've also tried most of their stir fried dishes. For the meat dishes, I wish they use pressure cooker for beef/tendon and ribs because that's how they should be cooked in Chinese cuisin. Their hand made noodles are fun to watch making but not that tasty - the texture of dao xiao mian is not right... Their bubble tea is made of real tea and they let you pick sugar and ice level which I appreciate. The quality is a lot better than other bubble tea shops in STL but the tea honestly is quite watered dowm... Recently I havd noticed their portion has gotten significantly smaller but the lines have gotten longer...Someone pleass come to STL to come up another Chinese restaurant!", "timestamp": "2018-05-05T23:51:17" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located next to the east side of Forest Park so it's always pleasant to stop by when walking dog in the neighborhood. The service is quick and staffs are friendly. They let you try their ice cream before ordering. They serve ice cream of boozy flavors which is nice. The regular ice cream is def too sweet for my taste.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:18" }, { "business_id": "x8AQIEjSqsW0z4vRyBetbw", "business_name": "The BAO", "rating": 3, "text": "I didn't have high expectation of this place because I've lost faith in so-called Asian fusion food in STL...Unfortunately, this place was in line with my expectation. I ordered char sui bao. The meat was ok except it was kinda fatty and lacked a bit of flavor. The buns were too soft and sticky so they kept being stuck on my teeths. The part that threw me off the most was that they put mayo inside the bao so that's a NO. I did enjoy the frozen cocktail that was made with sake and passion fruit. It was strong but refreshing. Our server was polite and checked on us multiple times. Oh, I also liked the ambient and interior decor - it's chic but not pretencious. Will probably stop by for a drink next time if i'm in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2018-07-04T00:24:48" }, { "business_id": "S87d-VjLFY8ZMoj6MUo_tg", "business_name": "Cate Zone Chinese Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate Zone is so far my favorite Chinese restaurant in STL. They def try to be as authentic as they can. They serve a mixture of regular dishes, street foods and Sichuan dishes. My favorite dishes include lamb skewers and mao xue wang (boiled spicy intestines). Their lamb meat is fatty but flavorful. For their spicy dishes, the flavor is there but not spicy enough, in my opinion. The portion of their food is overwhelmingly big but the price is reasonable.", "timestamp": "2018-07-17T17:30:38" }, { "business_id": "ToH4z1F5Tyuo3p7VhXCpTA", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Clayton restaurant week ($35 for 3 courses). The meal was definitely well worth it. It started with freshly baked bread which we really liked. I enjoyed my clam chowder which was creamy but not heavy. My filet mignon came medium rare which was cooked to perfection. The aged strip was flavorful but the part attached to the bone was kinda chewy in my opinion. Both entries came with sides (green beans and mashed potatos) The highlight of our meals were the desserts. The flavor of the espresso cake was so intense and addicting that we couldn't stop eating it! The cheese cake was alright but the berry sauce was a nice touch. The parts we didn't enjoy as much was our green salad which didn't taste very fresh. I also wasn't a fan of my tequila drink. But overall, we really enjoyed our experience here and certainly will return.", "timestamp": "2018-07-23T03:42:03" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've dined/drank here for quite a few times. The service is a bit inconsistent. The staffs at the bar tend to be more attentive than some of the regular servers. I've tried their bruschettas and crepes which were okay. The salmon and trout crepe can definitely use more ingredients... Also the menu on a tablet is kinda a weird concept - you can only look but can't order?...", "timestamp": "2018-08-03T18:25:21" }, { "business_id": "UM6XgOtTX4DWWcGDTWtjEg", "business_name": "HandleBar", "rating": 4, "text": "Someone told me about the cocktails of this place so decided to give it a try. I ordered their Master & Margarita. Honestly, I didn't quite enjoy the taste (a bit tasteless) but the drink was very strong which I couldn't complain! We also ordered beet fries which I was neutral about. We were there on a Wednesday night which was their Bingo night. The host dressed like a drag queen and he/she was hilarious. Not lots of ppl showed up that night but that didn't stop him/her from putting on spontaneous performances. Overall, it was an entertaining experience. Perfect spot to grab a drink if you are by yourself as well.", "timestamp": "2018-08-04T15:11:23" }, { "business_id": "4HMXL85u_wX0WEHucVkI6A", "business_name": "Dave & Tony's", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why people are so harsh about this place. Sure, this place is not a \"premium\" burger restaurant per se, but their burgers are definitely more premium than McDonald's or Five Guys. For only $7.2, you get to customize your own burger and they are decent burgers. For $2, you get freshly made fries which are actually very good! Their ingredients are always fresh even though they get my orders wrong sometime. But I don't care. Because people who work here are friendly and willing to fix their mistakes. Also, you can collect a stamp for each burger ordered and you get a free burger once your brunch card is full.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T00:19:17" }, { "business_id": "56TulnfOZy0JI96zwVv27w", "business_name": "Gioia's Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard about this place from James Beard Awarded restaurant list. We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon so you can imagine the line... Fortunately, the line moved pretty quick so we got to order within 10 minutes. We ordered one of the most popular sandwiches - hot salami and roasted beef with garlic bread and pepper jack cheese. The beef and salami tasted good separately but kinda overshadowed the flavors of each other when put together...The garlic bread was barely noticeable so not really worth the additional buck. The sandwich was 9?10? inch long so probably big enough to share between 2 ppl. In general, solid sandwich but not addicting in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T19:49:44" }, { "business_id": "1ulD4HL2G8qbpEuuWFDSqQ", "business_name": "Himalayan Yeti", "rating": 4, "text": "Generally speaking, I can't taste the differences between good vs great Indian food and I've never been to India. I personally think the food here is pretty good. I've tried their chicken tikka masala(tamato base), lamb saag (spinach base), fish currency, garlic cheese naan and some other dishes. My favorite one is probably lamb saag - it has so much flavors in one dish and very dense and savory. They let you choose spice level, 5 being the hottest. I ordered 4 once which turned out to be a huge mistake. When they say very spicy, they mean it... Oh, their lassie is also pretty good or standard should I say? They also bring you free papadum (northern indian chips?)with 2 types of sauce before your dishes are served. Good service as well. Will come back to try their lunch buffet sometime (11pm -2:30pm everyday).", "timestamp": "2018-08-10T23:58:01" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped by this place whenever I'm near Tower Grove. The concept odd nitrogen ice cream is still new in St.louis so this def is niche. Nitrogen ice cream, in general, is smoother than regular ice cream because it freezes faster during manufacturing process. This place offers boozy flavor and vegan ice cream which is even nicer. The boozy ones tend to give me a buzz so that's a plus :)", "timestamp": "2018-08-11T00:41:47" }, { "business_id": "Q3S_VyJ4ob-FeKZARiP4Fg", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 2, "text": "First of all, I'd like to make a comment on the composition of their menu. Reading through the menu, all of the dishes were made with pork except chicken adobo. There was also no veggie dish that could go with my meat dish... We ordered their rib and a taco as starters. The rib was fried which I wasn't a fan of. The taco was soooo greasy that a lot of oil started dripping off...We ordered a new school dish (forgot the name) that came with shredded pork in shrimp paste, bitter melon and some green beans. The portion was so small that we had to order another entree. We ordered flying pig and chicken odobo combo. Flying pig was way too sweet for my taste and covered with a big load of sauce. Also, they raised the price of the combo without marking it on their menu which I thought was shady. We both felt pretty nauseous after the dinner probably due to the grease...", "timestamp": "2018-09-22T21:17:19" }, { "business_id": "JrYWF3BWf1GYk8hnF2Cz4w", "business_name": "Chaparritos", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is a hidden jem. First of all, everything is so cheap! You get a delicious taco for $2.25 ( some are $2.5). We ordered a bunch of tacos which were all delicious and authentic. Besides, your order comes with complimentary tortilla chips along with 2 different types of sauce. I loved their salsa sauce - fresh with a hint of spice. Not a fan of their margarita, too sweet for my taste. The staff was very friendly too. Can't wait to come back to try other dishes!", "timestamp": "2018-10-06T02:38:39" }, { "business_id": "kqt8O-XxMkE6ga42IPa7sA", "business_name": "SUSHI KOI", "rating": 4, "text": "Sushi Koi has happy hour every day between 4:30-6:30 PM Monday-Friday. I've been there several times and tried a bunch of things on their happy hour menu. Overall, the quality of their sushi has been consistent and decent but nothing exceptional. My go-to dishes are sashimi sampler ($9) and scallop hand roll ($3) Not a fan of their tuna hand roll as I can barely taste any tuna in it...Their takoyaki are pretty tasty as well. I also enjoyed their lychee sake ($4, hot or cold) and martinis ($5).", "timestamp": "2018-10-20T22:56:58" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 2, "text": "I had high expectations for this place due to other yelpers' recommendations and I was deeply disappointed... We came here for their happy hours (4-6pm Wednesday- Sunday). We opted to sit at the bar where there were 3 waitresses just hanging out there. They were not particularly welcoming or friendly. One of them was kinda of aloof when I asked her questions about their menu. We ordered pastrami sliders and meatball off the happy hour menu ($5 per dish). The meatball was luke warm and tasted like microwaved frozen meat ball covered with spaghetti sauce. The pastrami came with chunks of fat that actually made me nauseous...We ended up changing our plan and went to eat dinner somewhere else... I really wanted to like this place since the decor is so cute. But I'll unlikely return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:33:35" }, { "business_id": "4ZNCc1GzJZkS7XI1c9rCMA", "business_name": "Layla", "rating": 4, "text": "Been here a couple times. First time late at night and had a nice conversation with the bartender. 2nd time around dinner time when the bar was semi-packed. The have a pretty comprehensive menu r ranging from traditional Lebanese dishes to regular bar food with plenty of vegan options and desserts as well. They are somewhat well known for their shawarmas which you can choose your protein, wrap and sauce. I've only tried their spicy lamb with black wrap. I like the spicy sauce and the wrap but the meat was a bit fatty for my taste and not too tender. I did really like their sweet potato fries that came with curry aioli sauce. It had such unique taste and was truly addicting. For hummus, they have regular and seasonal. I've tried their olive hummus and pita bread which I enjoyed. They also have a large selection of boozy float with vanilla ice cream and many flavors of shakes. Will definitely give it a try next time!", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:55:03" }, { "business_id": "VVHfqUeYyAA9FEsH-6PI2A", "business_name": "Foundation Grounds Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "What I like about this place: - open till 6pm which is a bit unusual for coffee shops in st. Louis - bottomless coffe for $3.75 - 5% off on all items if you check in on yelp - friendly staffs - seats facing windows What I'm not a fan of this place: - it could get crowded and noisy if you are here on the weekend - the quality of their coffee is mediocre and latte is overrated", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:25:18" }, { "business_id": "MaYb7qMN6BomP1zQGj3Wjg", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Delmar Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been to all of their locations in town and the quality of their food and services have been pretty consistent. I came in this location for happy hour. They had all starters and snacks for half price, selected beer and sangaria for special price. We ordered blazed chicken wings that came with grilled carrots. The wings were kinda fatty and the skins were not crispy which was a bit disappointing. We ordered Delmar and Kirkwood both deep dish style. Again, the quality was consistently good. The crust was perfect, not burnt and the amount of sauce was perfect. Btw, you can decide the type of crust used for your pizza. You can also choose half n half if you want to try 2 different flavours.Will try their oilive oil based pizza next time.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:42:51" }, { "business_id": "A5b9nVDi1DPVvPOD24-p6w", "business_name": "Sump Coffee", "rating": 2, "text": "To be fair, their coffee isn't bad. The reason I think it doesn't deserve more is because the price they charge for a tiny cup of latte. Today, I paid $8 for a 10 oz latte! Most expensive latte I've ever had in my entire life! Even compared to the best in San Francisco! They charge $1 if you replace regular milk with oatmilk or soymilk which is very steep. 10oz...I honestly barely tasted my coffee before it was gone...I thought it was a rip-off. Sorry won't return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:57:52" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "We were here on a Saturday night and got seated always right away. The service here was top notch. Our server was attentive and surprised my friends with 2 amazing whiskey cocktails (per his request). They have an extensive handcrafted cocktails which are certainly not short of creativity. I was pleased to see mecal and pisco on the drink list so I had to order one of those. The pisco drink I ordered came with a bag a Lay's! Right?! Who goes there (a whiskey drink) smoked in a lantern enclosure and our waitress was dressed like a witch when she delivered the drink! How fun! With all the good things, I wasn't impressed with their food... the pork schnitzel we ordered tasted bland and not very crispy. Chorizo wrapped in dates tasted okay but a bit sweet for my taste. The chocolate torte was served with espresso cream which I enjoyed. However, there were too much other ingredients on the plate as well which was unnecessary. Overall, it was a good spot for drinks and maybe desserts.", "timestamp": "2018-12-24T16:58:22" }, { "business_id": "mUrkyChBfFC679O80poJAQ", "business_name": "The Chocolate Pig", "rating": 3, "text": "We made a reservation and our table was ready when we arrived. The service was good. The food was above average but could cook the duck confit a bit tender. Brussel sprouts were fried well but didn't go particularly well with the buttermilk (just a bit heavy for my taste, but the pickled onion was a nice touch to offset the heaviness. The cocktails were okay, nothing to rave about. Affogato caviar was the highlight of the meal. It was pleasantly light and got an espresso aroma to it. Overall, didn't think the meal was worth $100 for two ppl.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T02:21:43" }, { "business_id": "jKHlvwq40sghrR89pF_3Tw", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my go-to place for ice cream in st.louis. They have plenty of interesting flavors such as lavender, eggnog, sweet cream, etc. My favorites are dark chocolate truffle and almond brittle. The truffle is rich but not too sweet. The almond is nutty and savory. Most importantly, they go very well together along with the waffle. Mmm, who doesn't love its ice cream!", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "LsHyDO0k4O0mxgxcsQ5A8g", "business_name": "Shivers Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "Their concrete are the best I've had in Il/MO. They are dense, rich and light flavored. I had a chocolate and a light vanilla cone with yellow cake toppings, they are everything I wished for and not overly sweet like most of ice cream places in the midwest. They even gave my dog a puppy cone! Their service was also very good - the girl was patient with my questions and gave useful recommendations. Will def return when I'm in the area.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T23:28:50" } ]	{ "business_id": "YpGPZ-Zg89BsFUWwCXoaBw", "business_name": "Yellowbelly", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times. 4 stars goes to their drinks, service and the ambience. Solid cocktails with creative twists. The light and the music are just in my league. I'm not a fan their food unfortunately... I've tried their shrimps, a bit burned and overcooked. Salmon wasn't memorable. Fries were thinly cut, tiny and way too greasy. The only item I enjoyed was their biscuits. They were buttery with perfect amount of sea salt. The uni butter was rich flavor and made the biscuits double savory. Overall, I would come back to try more cocktails and their biscuits!", "timestamp": "2019-01-07T03:09:29" }
Pbry-b9xBgHlWlbGlYbTZg	[ { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Very interesting place. We waited for about an hour. But the food is worth waiting. We had lamb stew and meet is tander and flavorful. We also ordered paella which is also fresh and tasty. The price of this place has gone up quite a bit though...", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:50:57" }, { "business_id": "VaO-VW3e1kARkU9bP1E7Fw", "business_name": "Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Underrated restaurant. Much better than amac from across the street! Food is fresh and tasty. Service is quick. Staffs are friendly and caring. We visited twice during our 3 day visit. Worth going again.", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:52:47" }, { "business_id": "wMWRpzjKgwIef2yJ41RCGw", "business_name": "La Bonne Bouchee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite restaurant in St Louis! Price is reasonable, actually really cheap! My favourite entrees (come with complimentary soup and bread) are crepe and crevettes which are always consistently freshly made. They are never stingy on shrimps, crabs and cheese. My favourite dessert is four flavour cake which is really creamy but not so sweet. The service is usually quick and good. I'm a regular and definitely will keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:25:03" }, { "business_id": "JGsG-_hYhD8nHtsgXZt_5A", "business_name": "Franco", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there with friends on new year's eve expecting decent meals based on its reviews. I ordered duck belly which had a very strong and awkward taste...the seafood stew I ordered was decent but not worth the money($24?). I saw an apricot flavor sparkling wine and told our waiter that I wanted something more sour and less strong and he came back with the same drink...other ppl in my group ordered steak, mussels and halibut and they liked their dishes. The biggest disappointment of the night was actually the desert. We shared a petite fours. Everything is dry and very sweet and tastes like it's been sitting in the fridge for too long. Overall, I wanted to give the restaurant a good review given the good ambient and service. But the food is disappointing and way too pricy for what it's worth ($108 for two ppl).", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:41:55" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 3, "text": "Not my favorite dim sum place but it's probably the best in St louis...like most of Chinese restaurants here, the service is kinda sketchy...there's no menu with prices I can refer to so somehow we end up spending $30 on 4 plates which is definitely on the pricy side for dim sum. The food is okay. My favorite is a taro dish with stuffing. The egg tart is try and tasteless.", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:51:15" }, { "business_id": "IrUhsjQZtSB-TjxqtXaKkg", "business_name": "The Kitchen Sink", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located in a hidden corner that I almost missed...based on its interior design, it looks more like a sports bar than a Cajun food restaurant. I ordered the kitchen sink which is very thick and creamy. Other people ordered different entries which they think are just okay. The chicken wings are pretty good tho according to a friend.", "timestamp": "2016-02-03T03:42:20" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "We ordered meet me in St Louis and strawberry salad which are both very good. The only thing I can complain about is the restaurateur is packed and we had to squeeze into our seats at the bar table. Will try to visit again during weekdays.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T02:20:13" }, { "business_id": "eVUP_iOwvsLk6daEmyhESA", "business_name": "Yemanja Brasil", "rating": 3, "text": "Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about either food or the service. The reason I give it 3 star is because I think the meals are way overpriced given the quality...We had appetizer platter. The yuca is not very crispy and the empanada has no shrimp in it...We also ordered seafood stew which is basically a soup and taste kinda boring...The xin xim taste fine but after a few bites it becomes boring...and the complimentary bread is cold. I really hope they can add some varieties into their dishes. Also their half price appetizer during happy hours is no longer available which is kinda a bummer.", "timestamp": "2016-04-09T00:19:36" }, { "business_id": "RfLSeu3dhXQjm72R_xEq1w", "business_name": "Sister Cities", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is located in a questionable neighborhood just a bit pass tower grove. We were sketched out about the place when we first stepped in. One door was missing and the other was covered by a piece of wood...Also it was really dark inside the restaurant...But as soon as we tried the food, we changed our mind about the place. The shrimp tacos are in pretty big porportion and tastes fresh. The cubsn sandwich was so flavorful and interesting. Seafood gumbo was so so. Still definitely try other dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2016-04-19T23:45:50" }, { "business_id": "HCYs4zgL7kCLdEqKRqaPbg", "business_name": "Lona's Lil Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "I really want to love this place because it's really a lovely place located in a nice neighbourhood in midtown. I came here with high expectations because of all those good reviews. But I have to say I wasn't impressed by the food...The concept of Asian burrito is interesting but the way they are made is too simple (I can easily make it at home at pretty low cost). I guess what I'm trying to say is there is nothing special about the food, not even the sauce...Sorry... I ordered chicken rice wrap with sesame sauce. The sauce is so salty that I could barely taste the rest of ingredients. My fiance had turkey wrap which was kinda plain. The bamboo stew tastes like bamboo sauce I normally get from the Chinese market. Eggplant dish was ok but salty...", "timestamp": "2016-06-19T01:34:42" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited this restaurant 4 times during my 5 days stay. Crazy, right? Here are a list of reasons/pros: - We were staying a nearby hotel. - The restaurant opens 11 - 10:30 pretty much every day including new year's day so it fits into our schedule. - If you are a party of two, chances are you get seated right away. - $9 per dozen of oysters which is a really great deal by any standard! - They have a seafood shop next door that sells boiled and fresh seafood to- go. - Our server (same) is very friendly and recognized us every single time. Now I want to talk about the reasons why I only give it 3 stars. - We tried a bunch of stuff which are all pretty mediocre. Raw oysters are not cleaned well. So if your schedule is flexible, go to Superior Seafood during their happy hours for their 50 cents/oyster - better quality and cheaper. Turtle soup has a strange taste so I definitely prefer Felix's. A portion of my boiled shrimps are always mushy somhow, maybe boiled for too long?... - The ambient is inviting but not comfortable so we basically just finished our food and go. - Clean the bathroom!! Will probably visit again if we stay in the area next time or simply just pick up some seafood quickly.", "timestamp": "2017-01-02T04:12:17" }, { "business_id": "cQIh4YJlVtZI9TLF5_smOg", "business_name": "The Shaved Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to say local Yelp rereviews have been inaccurate most of the time and this one is no exception...There is absolutely nothing special about this restaurant - food is medicore but pricey (comes in small portions) and service is slow. For people who claim this to be the best BBQ restaurant, I absolutely want to hear your reasons!", "timestamp": "2017-05-06T03:44:35" }, { "business_id": "2EWsaJdeedx_-my5fYEg9A", "business_name": "Vista", "rating": 2, "text": "I read about this place before we went so we were somewhat aware of what we should expect about the ramen. We ordered Vista ramen and fried chicken. Fried chicken is fine but a bittle expensive for the size. Ramen is just a HUGE disappointment...The broth taste like they try to make it taste like shoyu but the flavor is just not there...The pork belly is wayyy too fatty. We end up returning it and get ribs instead which seems deep fried and is very sweet... The service is decent and our server didn't charge us for the ramen. Probably won't go back...", "timestamp": "2017-07-23T00:24:08" }, { "business_id": "3VYxaeo6BJNHbVIIfmWN_w", "business_name": "Vicia", "rating": 3, "text": "I really like their Patio, they have a nicefire place and the seatings are adjacent to outside. The service is pretty good even though they didn't have our table ready when we got there...We ordered a cheese platter and two meat dishes. The only one that stands out is the pork dish which is very tender. The food is definitely on the pricy side. Expect to spend $100+ for two people.", "timestamp": "2017-07-28T01:18:51" }, { "business_id": "rVzbBAG3BDlx2-OFUOq4MQ", "business_name": "El Toluco Taqueria & Grocery", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is adjacent to a Mexican grocery store so it can be easily missed. We ordered tacos of almost every flavour and my conclusion is that they are definitely closer to authentic style than Mission Taco. Not the best I've had but one of the best taco spots I've tried in St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:17:05" }, { "business_id": "hv-rci0u6KR75ALB_70dHw", "business_name": "Blueprint Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "I've tried their latte and cortado which are both good (better than Starbucks for sure). The bristas there are knowledgable and patient with me. The only thing to complain about is the noise level and it's almost always packed. So I wouldn't suggest studying there...", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "mwClJ3GToMV17Guo-KLCRw", "business_name": "United Provisions", "rating": 4, "text": "Come here for their Happy hours! I like their Nigiris, my favourites are smoky salmon and yellow tail. I love their Takoyaki! It's always come hot and fresh. Their sushi rolls are kind of boring but not bad. Not a big fan of ramen - the flavor is kinda off...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T22:58:41" }, { "business_id": "xmO9u_t1LspxV5iuF594Tg", "business_name": "Wudon Korean BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "There are not many Korean BBQ restaurants in St.Louis and Wudon is certainly one of them worth mentioning. I like their marinated beef combo. The large one comes with 4 types of beef, 2 soups, a bunch of side dishes and a pancke which all taste pretty good. The only thing I'm not 100% happy with is the quality of beef don't seem very consistent - it's fattier some time than other times...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T23:06:59" }, { "business_id": "O_0H42Bw8hBduWSADPG8ng", "business_name": "Three Kings Public House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place on Delmar loop when I don't feel adventurous with dining. I like to sit on the patio outside which is cozy and quiet. My favorite dishes here are mussels, chicken wings and tuna sliders. Their burgers are decent just not my fav. They have happy hour from 3-6 Monday through Thursday. They also have a late night menu from 10pm to midnight Sunday through Thursday.", "timestamp": "2017-10-16T00:16:05" }, { "business_id": "55GmNphU0DhtkvG5lSZ49w", "business_name": "Westport Social", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place for bar games in STL. They are 10 times better than Pink Galleon in terms of ambience and decor. Most importantly, it doesn't smell like smoke. The drinks are pretty strong and semi tasty. I'm not a big fan of their food tho. Also, Friday and Saturday night are typically packed so you may have to line up outside...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:16:55" }, { "business_id": "NV6zZPb5OGVpyX4JrSzUPg", "business_name": "The Block", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there for happy hours with colleagues. Ww ordered pig rinds, sliders, ribs and a pork moose dish - all overwhelmingly salty...I ended up boxing all of the food and gave it to my dog... The service was nice and quick. Our server came to check on us every 5 minutes and filled up our water (the bar was also very empty that night). Overall, it was a nice place to hang for happy hour drinks but def not food...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:23:23" }, { "business_id": "gsyyVQmvT9A2nAgUi7VUag", "business_name": "Nudo House STL", "rating": 3, "text": "This is an update of my previous review. So far, I've tried almost all of their Ramen and I'm sad to say that they deserve a maximum of 3 star...Their broth in general is rich but very salty and always makes me and my colleagues sick and tired afterwards...I never ordered their pork ramen again since their porkbelly are not well cooked - I suggested them using pressure cooker to make it tender. I recently tried their curry ramen which made me really nauseous all afternoon...My only edible option here is their chicken ramen but again, I have to drink a ton of water afterwards to get through my day...", "timestamp": "2018-02-23T01:28:22" }, { "business_id": "7AjM-d3gsgpvKDQSX6QCuA", "business_name": "Bristol Seafood Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my new go-to happy hour place in STL(4-7pm Mon - Fri). They have $1 oyster which are consistently good. Their $7 appetizers are also tasty. My favs so far are shrimp scampi and tuna poke. Their cocktails are pretty strong (in a good way). Pacific punch is so fruity and delicious! Don't forget to check in to get one free calamari! They have lobster special ($16/lb) on Wednesday and Thursday which I think well worth it. Also, this place gets packed quickly during happy hour so try to get here before 5 to beat the traffic.", "timestamp": "2018-02-24T00:09:31" }, { "business_id": "zun6IVJa7wYe3wAPqWnPGw", "business_name": "PokeDoke", "rating": 1, "text": "We were there on Sunday around dinner time and everything was out except tofu. I later on read someone else's review about the same issue - if you don't go there 1st thing in the morning, sorry, we only have tofu. I understand this is due to the concern of food refreshness, but this is the only place that does so among sooo many poke restaurants in the US I've been to! I know this is STL but this is just ridiculous. Since I don't work in the area, guess I will NEVER have chance to try their food.", "timestamp": "2018-02-26T21:52:09" }, { "business_id": "LKLm4SgIHz48rQYlBRuaHw", "business_name": "Handcrafted by Bissinger's", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go-to place in CWE if I wanna catch up with friends at a quiet place. They have a big and nice couch setup where I can rest my feet. Their decor is simple but elegant. My faves here are hot chocolate and sea salt cookies - they are cheap, delicious and never disappoint (even tho I'm not a cookie person). I've tried their chocolates, various desserts and chocolate cocktails - sadly they are just mediocre...But hey I still come here often for their hot chocolate and cookies!", "timestamp": "2018-02-28T14:58:21" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 3, "text": "I've tried pretty much all types of meat they have so far and I have to say that I'm not that impressed...Their ribs are on the dry side and I def prefer pappy's. I'm also not a big fan of their briskets - the fatty ones are way too fatty and burnt ends are too chewy...I like the seasonings used on their wings but the meat lacks a bit of flavor...My fav here is pulled chicken - moist and tender. I also love their green bean salad and most of their sides expect their fries which are too salty for me. Will stick with my faves.", "timestamp": "2018-03-04T18:58:58" }, { "business_id": "T-xYMAkdNlMPCGqWAH3mwg", "business_name": "Kalbi Taco Shack", "rating": 3, "text": "I really wanted to love this place since the lady was sooo nice! She was very patient answering all my questions. But I have to say that I was disappointed with their food... We ordered short rib burrito, sweet and spicy pork bahn mi and taro milk tea. Starting with the bahn mi, the pork was marinated in some sorta sweet sauce which didn't have a memorable flavor and the meat was not that tender. Usually, when the meat is sweat, it needs to be balanced off with other not-so-sweet ingredients. Unfortunately, both their veggies and sauce (aoili?) were also sweet which made the bahn mi overly sweet... I only had a couple bites of my burrito because there wasn't much meat in there... However, there was way too much rice and creamy sauce (aoili again?) in it which just wasn't a desirable combination... There was nothing special about the bubble tea although they did let me choose the sugar level.", "timestamp": "2018-03-10T19:20:34" }, { "business_id": "4xsJN2FuB94w9rMoMo6XFQ", "business_name": "Spare No Rib", "rating": 3, "text": "I came here because of the amazing reviews I read about this place. We ordered almost all kinds of tacos on the menu and of course the beef cheek is out... We started with their tortilla chips with salsa. The chips came in a light yellow color which didn't seem very appetizing. The spice in the sauce was a nice touch but wasn't impressive. Overall, I didn't think it's worth $4. The tacos were filling and seemed to be on the authentic side but didn't really wow me somehow...The sauce they used in their tacos seemed to be just the salsa sauce... The staffs were all friendly and the service was quick. Might stop by to try their ribs next time when we are in the area.", "timestamp": "2018-03-17T23:31:03" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't believe I've been here 100 times but never checked in or wrote a review...So here it is... The 4 star is purely for their pork banh mi($4.5) and beef combination pho($11). What's so special about their pork banh mi is that they use differently cooked pork meat that comes with tendon - very common in Asia but doesn't seem popular in America or Midwest. The meats have so much flavor and without sauce at all allows me to savor it. I really appreciate the way they handle their sandwiches, unlike most of sandwich shops that cover everything with a river of sauce... Their beef pho usually taste good with rare/medium beef at your choice. My only complaint is the soup is not hot enough sometime. I've tried some of their \"special\" dishes - not impressed.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T22:51:37" }, { "business_id": "oRe0iraGEsVSNKxcp_hjbw", "business_name": "Blk Mkt Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "There was limited parking outside the restaurant so be prepared for it. There was a line when we got there around dinner time but the line moved fast and the staffs were friendly. I ordered OG fire burrito with tuna but I was pretty sure the they got my order wrong cuz the fish both looked and tasted like salmon...The flavor was not bad but the ingrediants were somewhat placed unevenly. A weird thing was I wanted to watch my burrito while it was being made because I wanted to customize my order.However, I was called over by the cashier to pay first... Another complaint was their packaging. Their burritos were packaged in paper boxes that cannot be sealed easily. So once you open it, you kinda have to finish it if you lose the tape...I ended up having to toss my leftover next day...Also, whatever way they rolled it, my burrito fell apart as soon I had a bite so you can imagin the mess I made....", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:43:24" }, { "business_id": "Nq1Kn7ud84upBHz9chFW0A", "business_name": "The Gramophone", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is specific for the smoked salmon sandwich I ordered. They let you order half size which was a plus. Here were the reason why I didn't like the sandwich: 1. They used the type of bread usually used for Philly cheese sandwich which didn not go well with Salmon. Had they used bagel, I would def have enjoyed it more. 2. The cream cheese was not evenly spreaded. 3. I wish they offered capers to balance off my mouthful of cream cheese...", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:59:44" }, { "business_id": "HzUJO2v5lUEIeYoOYsdWbw", "business_name": "Russell's on Macklind", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my new favourite restaurant in STL and I have plenty of reasons. Their burger was cooked to perfection. Plenty of restaurants overcook their steaks but not here! Their burger also came with their house made ketcup which was made with fresh tamatos. The cheese spread was so buttery which was a nice replacement of cheese slice. The burger also came with sides at your choice. We got brussel sprouts which was cooked well with a hint of vineger. I also loved their cakes. Their chocolate cakes were my favorite. Lemon cake was a bit sweet for my taste. They don't have a coffee menu but they can pretty much make anything I ordered and free refill for drip coffee. They have plenty of seatings if you arrive before 6:30 even on Saturday nights. They also have a 2nd floor, a patio and outside seatings. The ambient is classy but not dressy so you can feel comfortable to just grab a coffee and eat desserts at their bar/coffee table. I've def studied here during dinner time lol. Their staffs are always friendly and attentive. The only complaint I have is their shrimp and grits were too saucy which overwhelmed the taste of the dish. But I also loved that they used entire prawns (my came with roes which was a nice surprise). Can't wait to try more on the menu!", "timestamp": "2018-04-15T00:56:49" }, { "business_id": "LGYIhGqbYakMMdsn_GCzJg", "business_name": "Anthonino's Taverna", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Hill restaurant week and ordered a 3 course meal that came with roasted ravioli, beef tenderloin and tiramisu. I also ordered anchovy pasta on the side. We both liked the beef tenderloin a lot. The meat was very tender and not overcooked. It came with mashed potato and grilled onion which were both well cooked. The portion was big enough for us to share. Tiramisu was nice surprise - it was very moist and came with a strong coffee flavored bottom layer. I wasn't a fan of their ravioli - it was a little dry and not enough filling. The pasta, by my standard, was overcooked since I prefer it al dente. The flavor was ok, not memorable. The free bread with olive oil was a plus. Our server was welcoming and attentive. She came to check on us multiple times even though we came in at busy dinner time.", "timestamp": "2018-04-28T00:53:35" }, { "business_id": "KdAWjL9MKjpJzEeI902qBA", "business_name": "Corner 17", "rating": 3, "text": "The reason I've been here like a hundred times but just decided to write a review is because there are too few authentic Chinese restaurants in STL hence no references to compare with. I really hope to have a go to Chinese food place here but sadly I don't. The only reason I come here often is because it's near home... With everything said, I think the food here is pretty mediocre. Nothing specifically worth mentioning. They do serve some authentic Chinese dishes such as boiled chili fish, dry spicy hot pot (ma la xiang guo) and spicy hot pot with souo (ma la tang) which taste ok. I've also tried most of their stir fried dishes. For the meat dishes, I wish they use pressure cooker for beef/tendon and ribs because that's how they should be cooked in Chinese cuisin. Their hand made noodles are fun to watch making but not that tasty - the texture of dao xiao mian is not right... Their bubble tea is made of real tea and they let you pick sugar and ice level which I appreciate. The quality is a lot better than other bubble tea shops in STL but the tea honestly is quite watered dowm... Recently I havd noticed their portion has gotten significantly smaller but the lines have gotten longer...Someone pleass come to STL to come up another Chinese restaurant!", "timestamp": "2018-05-05T23:51:17" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located next to the east side of Forest Park so it's always pleasant to stop by when walking dog in the neighborhood. The service is quick and staffs are friendly. They let you try their ice cream before ordering. They serve ice cream of boozy flavors which is nice. The regular ice cream is def too sweet for my taste.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:18" }, { "business_id": "x8AQIEjSqsW0z4vRyBetbw", "business_name": "The BAO", "rating": 3, "text": "I didn't have high expectation of this place because I've lost faith in so-called Asian fusion food in STL...Unfortunately, this place was in line with my expectation. I ordered char sui bao. The meat was ok except it was kinda fatty and lacked a bit of flavor. The buns were too soft and sticky so they kept being stuck on my teeths. The part that threw me off the most was that they put mayo inside the bao so that's a NO. I did enjoy the frozen cocktail that was made with sake and passion fruit. It was strong but refreshing. Our server was polite and checked on us multiple times. Oh, I also liked the ambient and interior decor - it's chic but not pretencious. Will probably stop by for a drink next time if i'm in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2018-07-04T00:24:48" }, { "business_id": "S87d-VjLFY8ZMoj6MUo_tg", "business_name": "Cate Zone Chinese Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate Zone is so far my favorite Chinese restaurant in STL. They def try to be as authentic as they can. They serve a mixture of regular dishes, street foods and Sichuan dishes. My favorite dishes include lamb skewers and mao xue wang (boiled spicy intestines). Their lamb meat is fatty but flavorful. For their spicy dishes, the flavor is there but not spicy enough, in my opinion. The portion of their food is overwhelmingly big but the price is reasonable.", "timestamp": "2018-07-17T17:30:38" }, { "business_id": "ToH4z1F5Tyuo3p7VhXCpTA", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Clayton restaurant week ($35 for 3 courses). The meal was definitely well worth it. It started with freshly baked bread which we really liked. I enjoyed my clam chowder which was creamy but not heavy. My filet mignon came medium rare which was cooked to perfection. The aged strip was flavorful but the part attached to the bone was kinda chewy in my opinion. Both entries came with sides (green beans and mashed potatos) The highlight of our meals were the desserts. The flavor of the espresso cake was so intense and addicting that we couldn't stop eating it! The cheese cake was alright but the berry sauce was a nice touch. The parts we didn't enjoy as much was our green salad which didn't taste very fresh. I also wasn't a fan of my tequila drink. But overall, we really enjoyed our experience here and certainly will return.", "timestamp": "2018-07-23T03:42:03" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've dined/drank here for quite a few times. The service is a bit inconsistent. The staffs at the bar tend to be more attentive than some of the regular servers. I've tried their bruschettas and crepes which were okay. The salmon and trout crepe can definitely use more ingredients... Also the menu on a tablet is kinda a weird concept - you can only look but can't order?...", "timestamp": "2018-08-03T18:25:21" }, { "business_id": "UM6XgOtTX4DWWcGDTWtjEg", "business_name": "HandleBar", "rating": 4, "text": "Someone told me about the cocktails of this place so decided to give it a try. I ordered their Master & Margarita. Honestly, I didn't quite enjoy the taste (a bit tasteless) but the drink was very strong which I couldn't complain! We also ordered beet fries which I was neutral about. We were there on a Wednesday night which was their Bingo night. The host dressed like a drag queen and he/she was hilarious. Not lots of ppl showed up that night but that didn't stop him/her from putting on spontaneous performances. Overall, it was an entertaining experience. Perfect spot to grab a drink if you are by yourself as well.", "timestamp": "2018-08-04T15:11:23" }, { "business_id": "4HMXL85u_wX0WEHucVkI6A", "business_name": "Dave & Tony's", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why people are so harsh about this place. Sure, this place is not a \"premium\" burger restaurant per se, but their burgers are definitely more premium than McDonald's or Five Guys. For only $7.2, you get to customize your own burger and they are decent burgers. For $2, you get freshly made fries which are actually very good! Their ingredients are always fresh even though they get my orders wrong sometime. But I don't care. Because people who work here are friendly and willing to fix their mistakes. Also, you can collect a stamp for each burger ordered and you get a free burger once your brunch card is full.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T00:19:17" }, { "business_id": "56TulnfOZy0JI96zwVv27w", "business_name": "Gioia's Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard about this place from James Beard Awarded restaurant list. We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon so you can imagine the line... Fortunately, the line moved pretty quick so we got to order within 10 minutes. We ordered one of the most popular sandwiches - hot salami and roasted beef with garlic bread and pepper jack cheese. The beef and salami tasted good separately but kinda overshadowed the flavors of each other when put together...The garlic bread was barely noticeable so not really worth the additional buck. The sandwich was 9?10? inch long so probably big enough to share between 2 ppl. In general, solid sandwich but not addicting in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T19:49:44" }, { "business_id": "1ulD4HL2G8qbpEuuWFDSqQ", "business_name": "Himalayan Yeti", "rating": 4, "text": "Generally speaking, I can't taste the differences between good vs great Indian food and I've never been to India. I personally think the food here is pretty good. I've tried their chicken tikka masala(tamato base), lamb saag (spinach base), fish currency, garlic cheese naan and some other dishes. My favorite one is probably lamb saag - it has so much flavors in one dish and very dense and savory. They let you choose spice level, 5 being the hottest. I ordered 4 once which turned out to be a huge mistake. When they say very spicy, they mean it... Oh, their lassie is also pretty good or standard should I say? They also bring you free papadum (northern indian chips?)with 2 types of sauce before your dishes are served. Good service as well. Will come back to try their lunch buffet sometime (11pm -2:30pm everyday).", "timestamp": "2018-08-10T23:58:01" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped by this place whenever I'm near Tower Grove. The concept odd nitrogen ice cream is still new in St.louis so this def is niche. Nitrogen ice cream, in general, is smoother than regular ice cream because it freezes faster during manufacturing process. This place offers boozy flavor and vegan ice cream which is even nicer. The boozy ones tend to give me a buzz so that's a plus :)", "timestamp": "2018-08-11T00:41:47" }, { "business_id": "Q3S_VyJ4ob-FeKZARiP4Fg", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 2, "text": "First of all, I'd like to make a comment on the composition of their menu. Reading through the menu, all of the dishes were made with pork except chicken adobo. There was also no veggie dish that could go with my meat dish... We ordered their rib and a taco as starters. The rib was fried which I wasn't a fan of. The taco was soooo greasy that a lot of oil started dripping off...We ordered a new school dish (forgot the name) that came with shredded pork in shrimp paste, bitter melon and some green beans. The portion was so small that we had to order another entree. We ordered flying pig and chicken odobo combo. Flying pig was way too sweet for my taste and covered with a big load of sauce. Also, they raised the price of the combo without marking it on their menu which I thought was shady. We both felt pretty nauseous after the dinner probably due to the grease...", "timestamp": "2018-09-22T21:17:19" }, { "business_id": "JrYWF3BWf1GYk8hnF2Cz4w", "business_name": "Chaparritos", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is a hidden jem. First of all, everything is so cheap! You get a delicious taco for $2.25 ( some are $2.5). We ordered a bunch of tacos which were all delicious and authentic. Besides, your order comes with complimentary tortilla chips along with 2 different types of sauce. I loved their salsa sauce - fresh with a hint of spice. Not a fan of their margarita, too sweet for my taste. The staff was very friendly too. Can't wait to come back to try other dishes!", "timestamp": "2018-10-06T02:38:39" }, { "business_id": "kqt8O-XxMkE6ga42IPa7sA", "business_name": "SUSHI KOI", "rating": 4, "text": "Sushi Koi has happy hour every day between 4:30-6:30 PM Monday-Friday. I've been there several times and tried a bunch of things on their happy hour menu. Overall, the quality of their sushi has been consistent and decent but nothing exceptional. My go-to dishes are sashimi sampler ($9) and scallop hand roll ($3) Not a fan of their tuna hand roll as I can barely taste any tuna in it...Their takoyaki are pretty tasty as well. I also enjoyed their lychee sake ($4, hot or cold) and martinis ($5).", "timestamp": "2018-10-20T22:56:58" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 2, "text": "I had high expectations for this place due to other yelpers' recommendations and I was deeply disappointed... We came here for their happy hours (4-6pm Wednesday- Sunday). We opted to sit at the bar where there were 3 waitresses just hanging out there. They were not particularly welcoming or friendly. One of them was kinda of aloof when I asked her questions about their menu. We ordered pastrami sliders and meatball off the happy hour menu ($5 per dish). The meatball was luke warm and tasted like microwaved frozen meat ball covered with spaghetti sauce. The pastrami came with chunks of fat that actually made me nauseous...We ended up changing our plan and went to eat dinner somewhere else... I really wanted to like this place since the decor is so cute. But I'll unlikely return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:33:35" }, { "business_id": "4ZNCc1GzJZkS7XI1c9rCMA", "business_name": "Layla", "rating": 4, "text": "Been here a couple times. First time late at night and had a nice conversation with the bartender. 2nd time around dinner time when the bar was semi-packed. The have a pretty comprehensive menu r ranging from traditional Lebanese dishes to regular bar food with plenty of vegan options and desserts as well. They are somewhat well known for their shawarmas which you can choose your protein, wrap and sauce. I've only tried their spicy lamb with black wrap. I like the spicy sauce and the wrap but the meat was a bit fatty for my taste and not too tender. I did really like their sweet potato fries that came with curry aioli sauce. It had such unique taste and was truly addicting. For hummus, they have regular and seasonal. I've tried their olive hummus and pita bread which I enjoyed. They also have a large selection of boozy float with vanilla ice cream and many flavors of shakes. Will definitely give it a try next time!", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:55:03" }, { "business_id": "VVHfqUeYyAA9FEsH-6PI2A", "business_name": "Foundation Grounds Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "What I like about this place: - open till 6pm which is a bit unusual for coffee shops in st. Louis - bottomless coffe for $3.75 - 5% off on all items if you check in on yelp - friendly staffs - seats facing windows What I'm not a fan of this place: - it could get crowded and noisy if you are here on the weekend - the quality of their coffee is mediocre and latte is overrated", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:25:18" }, { "business_id": "MaYb7qMN6BomP1zQGj3Wjg", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Delmar Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been to all of their locations in town and the quality of their food and services have been pretty consistent. I came in this location for happy hour. They had all starters and snacks for half price, selected beer and sangaria for special price. We ordered blazed chicken wings that came with grilled carrots. The wings were kinda fatty and the skins were not crispy which was a bit disappointing. We ordered Delmar and Kirkwood both deep dish style. Again, the quality was consistently good. The crust was perfect, not burnt and the amount of sauce was perfect. Btw, you can decide the type of crust used for your pizza. You can also choose half n half if you want to try 2 different flavours.Will try their oilive oil based pizza next time.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:42:51" }, { "business_id": "A5b9nVDi1DPVvPOD24-p6w", "business_name": "Sump Coffee", "rating": 2, "text": "To be fair, their coffee isn't bad. The reason I think it doesn't deserve more is because the price they charge for a tiny cup of latte. Today, I paid $8 for a 10 oz latte! Most expensive latte I've ever had in my entire life! Even compared to the best in San Francisco! They charge $1 if you replace regular milk with oatmilk or soymilk which is very steep. 10oz...I honestly barely tasted my coffee before it was gone...I thought it was a rip-off. Sorry won't return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:57:52" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "We were here on a Saturday night and got seated always right away. The service here was top notch. Our server was attentive and surprised my friends with 2 amazing whiskey cocktails (per his request). They have an extensive handcrafted cocktails which are certainly not short of creativity. I was pleased to see mecal and pisco on the drink list so I had to order one of those. The pisco drink I ordered came with a bag a Lay's! Right?! Who goes there (a whiskey drink) smoked in a lantern enclosure and our waitress was dressed like a witch when she delivered the drink! How fun! With all the good things, I wasn't impressed with their food... the pork schnitzel we ordered tasted bland and not very crispy. Chorizo wrapped in dates tasted okay but a bit sweet for my taste. The chocolate torte was served with espresso cream which I enjoyed. However, there were too much other ingredients on the plate as well which was unnecessary. Overall, it was a good spot for drinks and maybe desserts.", "timestamp": "2018-12-24T16:58:22" }, { "business_id": "mUrkyChBfFC679O80poJAQ", "business_name": "The Chocolate Pig", "rating": 3, "text": "We made a reservation and our table was ready when we arrived. The service was good. The food was above average but could cook the duck confit a bit tender. Brussel sprouts were fried well but didn't go particularly well with the buttermilk (just a bit heavy for my taste, but the pickled onion was a nice touch to offset the heaviness. The cocktails were okay, nothing to rave about. Affogato caviar was the highlight of the meal. It was pleasantly light and got an espresso aroma to it. Overall, didn't think the meal was worth $100 for two ppl.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T02:21:43" }, { "business_id": "jKHlvwq40sghrR89pF_3Tw", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my go-to place for ice cream in st.louis. They have plenty of interesting flavors such as lavender, eggnog, sweet cream, etc. My favorites are dark chocolate truffle and almond brittle. The truffle is rich but not too sweet. The almond is nutty and savory. Most importantly, they go very well together along with the waffle. Mmm, who doesn't love its ice cream!", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "LsHyDO0k4O0mxgxcsQ5A8g", "business_name": "Shivers Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "Their concrete are the best I've had in Il/MO. They are dense, rich and light flavored. I had a chocolate and a light vanilla cone with yellow cake toppings, they are everything I wished for and not overly sweet like most of ice cream places in the midwest. They even gave my dog a puppy cone! Their service was also very good - the girl was patient with my questions and gave useful recommendations. Will def return when I'm in the area.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T23:28:50" }, { "business_id": "YpGPZ-Zg89BsFUWwCXoaBw", "business_name": "Yellowbelly", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times. 4 stars goes to their drinks, service and the ambience. Solid cocktails with creative twists. The light and the music are just in my league. I'm not a fan their food unfortunately... I've tried their shrimps, a bit burned and overcooked. Salmon wasn't memorable. Fries were thinly cut, tiny and way too greasy. The only item I enjoyed was their biscuits. They were buttery with perfect amount of sea salt. The uni butter was rich flavor and made the biscuits double savory. Overall, I would come back to try more cocktails and their biscuits!", "timestamp": "2019-01-07T03:09:29" } ]	{ "business_id": "oHvEgLH6pAkcrPmeR1l3UQ", "business_name": "Retreat Gastropub", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here a couple times for dinner and lunch. I've tried their classic burgers, chicken sandwich, mac & cheese, risotto balls and trout .Unfortunately, none of the dishes wowed me...In general, their dishes lack a bit of flavor and texture. The ingredients of some of the dishes simply don't go well together (ex: trout and beans with aioli sauce...) They were also on the heavier side for me taste... I liked the decor and the ambience. Service was also pretty good. They have happy hour all day on Monday ($6 appetizers).", "timestamp": "2019-03-18T16:54:33" }
Pbry-b9xBgHlWlbGlYbTZg	[ { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Very interesting place. We waited for about an hour. But the food is worth waiting. We had lamb stew and meet is tander and flavorful. We also ordered paella which is also fresh and tasty. The price of this place has gone up quite a bit though...", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:50:57" }, { "business_id": "VaO-VW3e1kARkU9bP1E7Fw", "business_name": "Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Underrated restaurant. Much better than amac from across the street! Food is fresh and tasty. Service is quick. Staffs are friendly and caring. We visited twice during our 3 day visit. Worth going again.", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:52:47" }, { "business_id": "wMWRpzjKgwIef2yJ41RCGw", "business_name": "La Bonne Bouchee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite restaurant in St Louis! Price is reasonable, actually really cheap! My favourite entrees (come with complimentary soup and bread) are crepe and crevettes which are always consistently freshly made. They are never stingy on shrimps, crabs and cheese. My favourite dessert is four flavour cake which is really creamy but not so sweet. The service is usually quick and good. I'm a regular and definitely will keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:25:03" }, { "business_id": "JGsG-_hYhD8nHtsgXZt_5A", "business_name": "Franco", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there with friends on new year's eve expecting decent meals based on its reviews. I ordered duck belly which had a very strong and awkward taste...the seafood stew I ordered was decent but not worth the money($24?). I saw an apricot flavor sparkling wine and told our waiter that I wanted something more sour and less strong and he came back with the same drink...other ppl in my group ordered steak, mussels and halibut and they liked their dishes. The biggest disappointment of the night was actually the desert. We shared a petite fours. Everything is dry and very sweet and tastes like it's been sitting in the fridge for too long. Overall, I wanted to give the restaurant a good review given the good ambient and service. But the food is disappointing and way too pricy for what it's worth ($108 for two ppl).", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:41:55" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 3, "text": "Not my favorite dim sum place but it's probably the best in St louis...like most of Chinese restaurants here, the service is kinda sketchy...there's no menu with prices I can refer to so somehow we end up spending $30 on 4 plates which is definitely on the pricy side for dim sum. The food is okay. My favorite is a taro dish with stuffing. The egg tart is try and tasteless.", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:51:15" }, { "business_id": "IrUhsjQZtSB-TjxqtXaKkg", "business_name": "The Kitchen Sink", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located in a hidden corner that I almost missed...based on its interior design, it looks more like a sports bar than a Cajun food restaurant. I ordered the kitchen sink which is very thick and creamy. Other people ordered different entries which they think are just okay. The chicken wings are pretty good tho according to a friend.", "timestamp": "2016-02-03T03:42:20" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "We ordered meet me in St Louis and strawberry salad which are both very good. The only thing I can complain about is the restaurateur is packed and we had to squeeze into our seats at the bar table. Will try to visit again during weekdays.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T02:20:13" }, { "business_id": "eVUP_iOwvsLk6daEmyhESA", "business_name": "Yemanja Brasil", "rating": 3, "text": "Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about either food or the service. The reason I give it 3 star is because I think the meals are way overpriced given the quality...We had appetizer platter. The yuca is not very crispy and the empanada has no shrimp in it...We also ordered seafood stew which is basically a soup and taste kinda boring...The xin xim taste fine but after a few bites it becomes boring...and the complimentary bread is cold. I really hope they can add some varieties into their dishes. Also their half price appetizer during happy hours is no longer available which is kinda a bummer.", "timestamp": "2016-04-09T00:19:36" }, { "business_id": "RfLSeu3dhXQjm72R_xEq1w", "business_name": "Sister Cities", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is located in a questionable neighborhood just a bit pass tower grove. We were sketched out about the place when we first stepped in. One door was missing and the other was covered by a piece of wood...Also it was really dark inside the restaurant...But as soon as we tried the food, we changed our mind about the place. The shrimp tacos are in pretty big porportion and tastes fresh. The cubsn sandwich was so flavorful and interesting. Seafood gumbo was so so. Still definitely try other dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2016-04-19T23:45:50" }, { "business_id": "HCYs4zgL7kCLdEqKRqaPbg", "business_name": "Lona's Lil Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "I really want to love this place because it's really a lovely place located in a nice neighbourhood in midtown. I came here with high expectations because of all those good reviews. But I have to say I wasn't impressed by the food...The concept of Asian burrito is interesting but the way they are made is too simple (I can easily make it at home at pretty low cost). I guess what I'm trying to say is there is nothing special about the food, not even the sauce...Sorry... I ordered chicken rice wrap with sesame sauce. The sauce is so salty that I could barely taste the rest of ingredients. My fiance had turkey wrap which was kinda plain. The bamboo stew tastes like bamboo sauce I normally get from the Chinese market. Eggplant dish was ok but salty...", "timestamp": "2016-06-19T01:34:42" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited this restaurant 4 times during my 5 days stay. Crazy, right? Here are a list of reasons/pros: - We were staying a nearby hotel. - The restaurant opens 11 - 10:30 pretty much every day including new year's day so it fits into our schedule. - If you are a party of two, chances are you get seated right away. - $9 per dozen of oysters which is a really great deal by any standard! - They have a seafood shop next door that sells boiled and fresh seafood to- go. - Our server (same) is very friendly and recognized us every single time. Now I want to talk about the reasons why I only give it 3 stars. - We tried a bunch of stuff which are all pretty mediocre. Raw oysters are not cleaned well. So if your schedule is flexible, go to Superior Seafood during their happy hours for their 50 cents/oyster - better quality and cheaper. Turtle soup has a strange taste so I definitely prefer Felix's. A portion of my boiled shrimps are always mushy somhow, maybe boiled for too long?... - The ambient is inviting but not comfortable so we basically just finished our food and go. - Clean the bathroom!! Will probably visit again if we stay in the area next time or simply just pick up some seafood quickly.", "timestamp": "2017-01-02T04:12:17" }, { "business_id": "cQIh4YJlVtZI9TLF5_smOg", "business_name": "The Shaved Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to say local Yelp rereviews have been inaccurate most of the time and this one is no exception...There is absolutely nothing special about this restaurant - food is medicore but pricey (comes in small portions) and service is slow. For people who claim this to be the best BBQ restaurant, I absolutely want to hear your reasons!", "timestamp": "2017-05-06T03:44:35" }, { "business_id": "2EWsaJdeedx_-my5fYEg9A", "business_name": "Vista", "rating": 2, "text": "I read about this place before we went so we were somewhat aware of what we should expect about the ramen. We ordered Vista ramen and fried chicken. Fried chicken is fine but a bittle expensive for the size. Ramen is just a HUGE disappointment...The broth taste like they try to make it taste like shoyu but the flavor is just not there...The pork belly is wayyy too fatty. We end up returning it and get ribs instead which seems deep fried and is very sweet... The service is decent and our server didn't charge us for the ramen. Probably won't go back...", "timestamp": "2017-07-23T00:24:08" }, { "business_id": "3VYxaeo6BJNHbVIIfmWN_w", "business_name": "Vicia", "rating": 3, "text": "I really like their Patio, they have a nicefire place and the seatings are adjacent to outside. The service is pretty good even though they didn't have our table ready when we got there...We ordered a cheese platter and two meat dishes. The only one that stands out is the pork dish which is very tender. The food is definitely on the pricy side. Expect to spend $100+ for two people.", "timestamp": "2017-07-28T01:18:51" }, { "business_id": "rVzbBAG3BDlx2-OFUOq4MQ", "business_name": "El Toluco Taqueria & Grocery", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is adjacent to a Mexican grocery store so it can be easily missed. We ordered tacos of almost every flavour and my conclusion is that they are definitely closer to authentic style than Mission Taco. Not the best I've had but one of the best taco spots I've tried in St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:17:05" }, { "business_id": "hv-rci0u6KR75ALB_70dHw", "business_name": "Blueprint Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "I've tried their latte and cortado which are both good (better than Starbucks for sure). The bristas there are knowledgable and patient with me. The only thing to complain about is the noise level and it's almost always packed. So I wouldn't suggest studying there...", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "mwClJ3GToMV17Guo-KLCRw", "business_name": "United Provisions", "rating": 4, "text": "Come here for their Happy hours! I like their Nigiris, my favourites are smoky salmon and yellow tail. I love their Takoyaki! It's always come hot and fresh. Their sushi rolls are kind of boring but not bad. Not a big fan of ramen - the flavor is kinda off...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T22:58:41" }, { "business_id": "xmO9u_t1LspxV5iuF594Tg", "business_name": "Wudon Korean BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "There are not many Korean BBQ restaurants in St.Louis and Wudon is certainly one of them worth mentioning. I like their marinated beef combo. The large one comes with 4 types of beef, 2 soups, a bunch of side dishes and a pancke which all taste pretty good. The only thing I'm not 100% happy with is the quality of beef don't seem very consistent - it's fattier some time than other times...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T23:06:59" }, { "business_id": "O_0H42Bw8hBduWSADPG8ng", "business_name": "Three Kings Public House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place on Delmar loop when I don't feel adventurous with dining. I like to sit on the patio outside which is cozy and quiet. My favorite dishes here are mussels, chicken wings and tuna sliders. Their burgers are decent just not my fav. They have happy hour from 3-6 Monday through Thursday. They also have a late night menu from 10pm to midnight Sunday through Thursday.", "timestamp": "2017-10-16T00:16:05" }, { "business_id": "55GmNphU0DhtkvG5lSZ49w", "business_name": "Westport Social", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place for bar games in STL. They are 10 times better than Pink Galleon in terms of ambience and decor. Most importantly, it doesn't smell like smoke. The drinks are pretty strong and semi tasty. I'm not a big fan of their food tho. Also, Friday and Saturday night are typically packed so you may have to line up outside...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:16:55" }, { "business_id": "NV6zZPb5OGVpyX4JrSzUPg", "business_name": "The Block", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there for happy hours with colleagues. Ww ordered pig rinds, sliders, ribs and a pork moose dish - all overwhelmingly salty...I ended up boxing all of the food and gave it to my dog... The service was nice and quick. Our server came to check on us every 5 minutes and filled up our water (the bar was also very empty that night). Overall, it was a nice place to hang for happy hour drinks but def not food...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:23:23" }, { "business_id": "gsyyVQmvT9A2nAgUi7VUag", "business_name": "Nudo House STL", "rating": 3, "text": "This is an update of my previous review. So far, I've tried almost all of their Ramen and I'm sad to say that they deserve a maximum of 3 star...Their broth in general is rich but very salty and always makes me and my colleagues sick and tired afterwards...I never ordered their pork ramen again since their porkbelly are not well cooked - I suggested them using pressure cooker to make it tender. I recently tried their curry ramen which made me really nauseous all afternoon...My only edible option here is their chicken ramen but again, I have to drink a ton of water afterwards to get through my day...", "timestamp": "2018-02-23T01:28:22" }, { "business_id": "7AjM-d3gsgpvKDQSX6QCuA", "business_name": "Bristol Seafood Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my new go-to happy hour place in STL(4-7pm Mon - Fri). They have $1 oyster which are consistently good. Their $7 appetizers are also tasty. My favs so far are shrimp scampi and tuna poke. Their cocktails are pretty strong (in a good way). Pacific punch is so fruity and delicious! Don't forget to check in to get one free calamari! They have lobster special ($16/lb) on Wednesday and Thursday which I think well worth it. Also, this place gets packed quickly during happy hour so try to get here before 5 to beat the traffic.", "timestamp": "2018-02-24T00:09:31" }, { "business_id": "zun6IVJa7wYe3wAPqWnPGw", "business_name": "PokeDoke", "rating": 1, "text": "We were there on Sunday around dinner time and everything was out except tofu. I later on read someone else's review about the same issue - if you don't go there 1st thing in the morning, sorry, we only have tofu. I understand this is due to the concern of food refreshness, but this is the only place that does so among sooo many poke restaurants in the US I've been to! I know this is STL but this is just ridiculous. Since I don't work in the area, guess I will NEVER have chance to try their food.", "timestamp": "2018-02-26T21:52:09" }, { "business_id": "LKLm4SgIHz48rQYlBRuaHw", "business_name": "Handcrafted by Bissinger's", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go-to place in CWE if I wanna catch up with friends at a quiet place. They have a big and nice couch setup where I can rest my feet. Their decor is simple but elegant. My faves here are hot chocolate and sea salt cookies - they are cheap, delicious and never disappoint (even tho I'm not a cookie person). I've tried their chocolates, various desserts and chocolate cocktails - sadly they are just mediocre...But hey I still come here often for their hot chocolate and cookies!", "timestamp": "2018-02-28T14:58:21" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 3, "text": "I've tried pretty much all types of meat they have so far and I have to say that I'm not that impressed...Their ribs are on the dry side and I def prefer pappy's. I'm also not a big fan of their briskets - the fatty ones are way too fatty and burnt ends are too chewy...I like the seasonings used on their wings but the meat lacks a bit of flavor...My fav here is pulled chicken - moist and tender. I also love their green bean salad and most of their sides expect their fries which are too salty for me. Will stick with my faves.", "timestamp": "2018-03-04T18:58:58" }, { "business_id": "T-xYMAkdNlMPCGqWAH3mwg", "business_name": "Kalbi Taco Shack", "rating": 3, "text": "I really wanted to love this place since the lady was sooo nice! She was very patient answering all my questions. But I have to say that I was disappointed with their food... We ordered short rib burrito, sweet and spicy pork bahn mi and taro milk tea. Starting with the bahn mi, the pork was marinated in some sorta sweet sauce which didn't have a memorable flavor and the meat was not that tender. Usually, when the meat is sweat, it needs to be balanced off with other not-so-sweet ingredients. Unfortunately, both their veggies and sauce (aoili?) were also sweet which made the bahn mi overly sweet... I only had a couple bites of my burrito because there wasn't much meat in there... However, there was way too much rice and creamy sauce (aoili again?) in it which just wasn't a desirable combination... There was nothing special about the bubble tea although they did let me choose the sugar level.", "timestamp": "2018-03-10T19:20:34" }, { "business_id": "4xsJN2FuB94w9rMoMo6XFQ", "business_name": "Spare No Rib", "rating": 3, "text": "I came here because of the amazing reviews I read about this place. We ordered almost all kinds of tacos on the menu and of course the beef cheek is out... We started with their tortilla chips with salsa. The chips came in a light yellow color which didn't seem very appetizing. The spice in the sauce was a nice touch but wasn't impressive. Overall, I didn't think it's worth $4. The tacos were filling and seemed to be on the authentic side but didn't really wow me somehow...The sauce they used in their tacos seemed to be just the salsa sauce... The staffs were all friendly and the service was quick. Might stop by to try their ribs next time when we are in the area.", "timestamp": "2018-03-17T23:31:03" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't believe I've been here 100 times but never checked in or wrote a review...So here it is... The 4 star is purely for their pork banh mi($4.5) and beef combination pho($11). What's so special about their pork banh mi is that they use differently cooked pork meat that comes with tendon - very common in Asia but doesn't seem popular in America or Midwest. The meats have so much flavor and without sauce at all allows me to savor it. I really appreciate the way they handle their sandwiches, unlike most of sandwich shops that cover everything with a river of sauce... Their beef pho usually taste good with rare/medium beef at your choice. My only complaint is the soup is not hot enough sometime. I've tried some of their \"special\" dishes - not impressed.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T22:51:37" }, { "business_id": "oRe0iraGEsVSNKxcp_hjbw", "business_name": "Blk Mkt Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "There was limited parking outside the restaurant so be prepared for it. There was a line when we got there around dinner time but the line moved fast and the staffs were friendly. I ordered OG fire burrito with tuna but I was pretty sure the they got my order wrong cuz the fish both looked and tasted like salmon...The flavor was not bad but the ingrediants were somewhat placed unevenly. A weird thing was I wanted to watch my burrito while it was being made because I wanted to customize my order.However, I was called over by the cashier to pay first... Another complaint was their packaging. Their burritos were packaged in paper boxes that cannot be sealed easily. So once you open it, you kinda have to finish it if you lose the tape...I ended up having to toss my leftover next day...Also, whatever way they rolled it, my burrito fell apart as soon I had a bite so you can imagin the mess I made....", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:43:24" }, { "business_id": "Nq1Kn7ud84upBHz9chFW0A", "business_name": "The Gramophone", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is specific for the smoked salmon sandwich I ordered. They let you order half size which was a plus. Here were the reason why I didn't like the sandwich: 1. They used the type of bread usually used for Philly cheese sandwich which didn not go well with Salmon. Had they used bagel, I would def have enjoyed it more. 2. The cream cheese was not evenly spreaded. 3. I wish they offered capers to balance off my mouthful of cream cheese...", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:59:44" }, { "business_id": "HzUJO2v5lUEIeYoOYsdWbw", "business_name": "Russell's on Macklind", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my new favourite restaurant in STL and I have plenty of reasons. Their burger was cooked to perfection. Plenty of restaurants overcook their steaks but not here! Their burger also came with their house made ketcup which was made with fresh tamatos. The cheese spread was so buttery which was a nice replacement of cheese slice. The burger also came with sides at your choice. We got brussel sprouts which was cooked well with a hint of vineger. I also loved their cakes. Their chocolate cakes were my favorite. Lemon cake was a bit sweet for my taste. They don't have a coffee menu but they can pretty much make anything I ordered and free refill for drip coffee. They have plenty of seatings if you arrive before 6:30 even on Saturday nights. They also have a 2nd floor, a patio and outside seatings. The ambient is classy but not dressy so you can feel comfortable to just grab a coffee and eat desserts at their bar/coffee table. I've def studied here during dinner time lol. Their staffs are always friendly and attentive. The only complaint I have is their shrimp and grits were too saucy which overwhelmed the taste of the dish. But I also loved that they used entire prawns (my came with roes which was a nice surprise). Can't wait to try more on the menu!", "timestamp": "2018-04-15T00:56:49" }, { "business_id": "LGYIhGqbYakMMdsn_GCzJg", "business_name": "Anthonino's Taverna", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Hill restaurant week and ordered a 3 course meal that came with roasted ravioli, beef tenderloin and tiramisu. I also ordered anchovy pasta on the side. We both liked the beef tenderloin a lot. The meat was very tender and not overcooked. It came with mashed potato and grilled onion which were both well cooked. The portion was big enough for us to share. Tiramisu was nice surprise - it was very moist and came with a strong coffee flavored bottom layer. I wasn't a fan of their ravioli - it was a little dry and not enough filling. The pasta, by my standard, was overcooked since I prefer it al dente. The flavor was ok, not memorable. The free bread with olive oil was a plus. Our server was welcoming and attentive. She came to check on us multiple times even though we came in at busy dinner time.", "timestamp": "2018-04-28T00:53:35" }, { "business_id": "KdAWjL9MKjpJzEeI902qBA", "business_name": "Corner 17", "rating": 3, "text": "The reason I've been here like a hundred times but just decided to write a review is because there are too few authentic Chinese restaurants in STL hence no references to compare with. I really hope to have a go to Chinese food place here but sadly I don't. The only reason I come here often is because it's near home... With everything said, I think the food here is pretty mediocre. Nothing specifically worth mentioning. They do serve some authentic Chinese dishes such as boiled chili fish, dry spicy hot pot (ma la xiang guo) and spicy hot pot with souo (ma la tang) which taste ok. I've also tried most of their stir fried dishes. For the meat dishes, I wish they use pressure cooker for beef/tendon and ribs because that's how they should be cooked in Chinese cuisin. Their hand made noodles are fun to watch making but not that tasty - the texture of dao xiao mian is not right... Their bubble tea is made of real tea and they let you pick sugar and ice level which I appreciate. The quality is a lot better than other bubble tea shops in STL but the tea honestly is quite watered dowm... Recently I havd noticed their portion has gotten significantly smaller but the lines have gotten longer...Someone pleass come to STL to come up another Chinese restaurant!", "timestamp": "2018-05-05T23:51:17" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located next to the east side of Forest Park so it's always pleasant to stop by when walking dog in the neighborhood. The service is quick and staffs are friendly. They let you try their ice cream before ordering. They serve ice cream of boozy flavors which is nice. The regular ice cream is def too sweet for my taste.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:18" }, { "business_id": "x8AQIEjSqsW0z4vRyBetbw", "business_name": "The BAO", "rating": 3, "text": "I didn't have high expectation of this place because I've lost faith in so-called Asian fusion food in STL...Unfortunately, this place was in line with my expectation. I ordered char sui bao. The meat was ok except it was kinda fatty and lacked a bit of flavor. The buns were too soft and sticky so they kept being stuck on my teeths. The part that threw me off the most was that they put mayo inside the bao so that's a NO. I did enjoy the frozen cocktail that was made with sake and passion fruit. It was strong but refreshing. Our server was polite and checked on us multiple times. Oh, I also liked the ambient and interior decor - it's chic but not pretencious. Will probably stop by for a drink next time if i'm in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2018-07-04T00:24:48" }, { "business_id": "S87d-VjLFY8ZMoj6MUo_tg", "business_name": "Cate Zone Chinese Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate Zone is so far my favorite Chinese restaurant in STL. They def try to be as authentic as they can. They serve a mixture of regular dishes, street foods and Sichuan dishes. My favorite dishes include lamb skewers and mao xue wang (boiled spicy intestines). Their lamb meat is fatty but flavorful. For their spicy dishes, the flavor is there but not spicy enough, in my opinion. The portion of their food is overwhelmingly big but the price is reasonable.", "timestamp": "2018-07-17T17:30:38" }, { "business_id": "ToH4z1F5Tyuo3p7VhXCpTA", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Clayton restaurant week ($35 for 3 courses). The meal was definitely well worth it. It started with freshly baked bread which we really liked. I enjoyed my clam chowder which was creamy but not heavy. My filet mignon came medium rare which was cooked to perfection. The aged strip was flavorful but the part attached to the bone was kinda chewy in my opinion. Both entries came with sides (green beans and mashed potatos) The highlight of our meals were the desserts. The flavor of the espresso cake was so intense and addicting that we couldn't stop eating it! The cheese cake was alright but the berry sauce was a nice touch. The parts we didn't enjoy as much was our green salad which didn't taste very fresh. I also wasn't a fan of my tequila drink. But overall, we really enjoyed our experience here and certainly will return.", "timestamp": "2018-07-23T03:42:03" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've dined/drank here for quite a few times. The service is a bit inconsistent. The staffs at the bar tend to be more attentive than some of the regular servers. I've tried their bruschettas and crepes which were okay. The salmon and trout crepe can definitely use more ingredients... Also the menu on a tablet is kinda a weird concept - you can only look but can't order?...", "timestamp": "2018-08-03T18:25:21" }, { "business_id": "UM6XgOtTX4DWWcGDTWtjEg", "business_name": "HandleBar", "rating": 4, "text": "Someone told me about the cocktails of this place so decided to give it a try. I ordered their Master & Margarita. Honestly, I didn't quite enjoy the taste (a bit tasteless) but the drink was very strong which I couldn't complain! We also ordered beet fries which I was neutral about. We were there on a Wednesday night which was their Bingo night. The host dressed like a drag queen and he/she was hilarious. Not lots of ppl showed up that night but that didn't stop him/her from putting on spontaneous performances. Overall, it was an entertaining experience. Perfect spot to grab a drink if you are by yourself as well.", "timestamp": "2018-08-04T15:11:23" }, { "business_id": "4HMXL85u_wX0WEHucVkI6A", "business_name": "Dave & Tony's", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why people are so harsh about this place. Sure, this place is not a \"premium\" burger restaurant per se, but their burgers are definitely more premium than McDonald's or Five Guys. For only $7.2, you get to customize your own burger and they are decent burgers. For $2, you get freshly made fries which are actually very good! Their ingredients are always fresh even though they get my orders wrong sometime. But I don't care. Because people who work here are friendly and willing to fix their mistakes. Also, you can collect a stamp for each burger ordered and you get a free burger once your brunch card is full.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T00:19:17" }, { "business_id": "56TulnfOZy0JI96zwVv27w", "business_name": "Gioia's Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard about this place from James Beard Awarded restaurant list. We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon so you can imagine the line... Fortunately, the line moved pretty quick so we got to order within 10 minutes. We ordered one of the most popular sandwiches - hot salami and roasted beef with garlic bread and pepper jack cheese. The beef and salami tasted good separately but kinda overshadowed the flavors of each other when put together...The garlic bread was barely noticeable so not really worth the additional buck. The sandwich was 9?10? inch long so probably big enough to share between 2 ppl. In general, solid sandwich but not addicting in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T19:49:44" }, { "business_id": "1ulD4HL2G8qbpEuuWFDSqQ", "business_name": "Himalayan Yeti", "rating": 4, "text": "Generally speaking, I can't taste the differences between good vs great Indian food and I've never been to India. I personally think the food here is pretty good. I've tried their chicken tikka masala(tamato base), lamb saag (spinach base), fish currency, garlic cheese naan and some other dishes. My favorite one is probably lamb saag - it has so much flavors in one dish and very dense and savory. They let you choose spice level, 5 being the hottest. I ordered 4 once which turned out to be a huge mistake. When they say very spicy, they mean it... Oh, their lassie is also pretty good or standard should I say? They also bring you free papadum (northern indian chips?)with 2 types of sauce before your dishes are served. Good service as well. Will come back to try their lunch buffet sometime (11pm -2:30pm everyday).", "timestamp": "2018-08-10T23:58:01" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped by this place whenever I'm near Tower Grove. The concept odd nitrogen ice cream is still new in St.louis so this def is niche. Nitrogen ice cream, in general, is smoother than regular ice cream because it freezes faster during manufacturing process. This place offers boozy flavor and vegan ice cream which is even nicer. The boozy ones tend to give me a buzz so that's a plus :)", "timestamp": "2018-08-11T00:41:47" }, { "business_id": "Q3S_VyJ4ob-FeKZARiP4Fg", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 2, "text": "First of all, I'd like to make a comment on the composition of their menu. Reading through the menu, all of the dishes were made with pork except chicken adobo. There was also no veggie dish that could go with my meat dish... We ordered their rib and a taco as starters. The rib was fried which I wasn't a fan of. The taco was soooo greasy that a lot of oil started dripping off...We ordered a new school dish (forgot the name) that came with shredded pork in shrimp paste, bitter melon and some green beans. The portion was so small that we had to order another entree. We ordered flying pig and chicken odobo combo. Flying pig was way too sweet for my taste and covered with a big load of sauce. Also, they raised the price of the combo without marking it on their menu which I thought was shady. We both felt pretty nauseous after the dinner probably due to the grease...", "timestamp": "2018-09-22T21:17:19" }, { "business_id": "JrYWF3BWf1GYk8hnF2Cz4w", "business_name": "Chaparritos", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is a hidden jem. First of all, everything is so cheap! You get a delicious taco for $2.25 ( some are $2.5). We ordered a bunch of tacos which were all delicious and authentic. Besides, your order comes with complimentary tortilla chips along with 2 different types of sauce. I loved their salsa sauce - fresh with a hint of spice. Not a fan of their margarita, too sweet for my taste. The staff was very friendly too. Can't wait to come back to try other dishes!", "timestamp": "2018-10-06T02:38:39" }, { "business_id": "kqt8O-XxMkE6ga42IPa7sA", "business_name": "SUSHI KOI", "rating": 4, "text": "Sushi Koi has happy hour every day between 4:30-6:30 PM Monday-Friday. I've been there several times and tried a bunch of things on their happy hour menu. Overall, the quality of their sushi has been consistent and decent but nothing exceptional. My go-to dishes are sashimi sampler ($9) and scallop hand roll ($3) Not a fan of their tuna hand roll as I can barely taste any tuna in it...Their takoyaki are pretty tasty as well. I also enjoyed their lychee sake ($4, hot or cold) and martinis ($5).", "timestamp": "2018-10-20T22:56:58" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 2, "text": "I had high expectations for this place due to other yelpers' recommendations and I was deeply disappointed... We came here for their happy hours (4-6pm Wednesday- Sunday). We opted to sit at the bar where there were 3 waitresses just hanging out there. They were not particularly welcoming or friendly. One of them was kinda of aloof when I asked her questions about their menu. We ordered pastrami sliders and meatball off the happy hour menu ($5 per dish). The meatball was luke warm and tasted like microwaved frozen meat ball covered with spaghetti sauce. The pastrami came with chunks of fat that actually made me nauseous...We ended up changing our plan and went to eat dinner somewhere else... I really wanted to like this place since the decor is so cute. But I'll unlikely return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:33:35" }, { "business_id": "4ZNCc1GzJZkS7XI1c9rCMA", "business_name": "Layla", "rating": 4, "text": "Been here a couple times. First time late at night and had a nice conversation with the bartender. 2nd time around dinner time when the bar was semi-packed. The have a pretty comprehensive menu r ranging from traditional Lebanese dishes to regular bar food with plenty of vegan options and desserts as well. They are somewhat well known for their shawarmas which you can choose your protein, wrap and sauce. I've only tried their spicy lamb with black wrap. I like the spicy sauce and the wrap but the meat was a bit fatty for my taste and not too tender. I did really like their sweet potato fries that came with curry aioli sauce. It had such unique taste and was truly addicting. For hummus, they have regular and seasonal. I've tried their olive hummus and pita bread which I enjoyed. They also have a large selection of boozy float with vanilla ice cream and many flavors of shakes. Will definitely give it a try next time!", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:55:03" }, { "business_id": "VVHfqUeYyAA9FEsH-6PI2A", "business_name": "Foundation Grounds Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "What I like about this place: - open till 6pm which is a bit unusual for coffee shops in st. Louis - bottomless coffe for $3.75 - 5% off on all items if you check in on yelp - friendly staffs - seats facing windows What I'm not a fan of this place: - it could get crowded and noisy if you are here on the weekend - the quality of their coffee is mediocre and latte is overrated", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:25:18" }, { "business_id": "MaYb7qMN6BomP1zQGj3Wjg", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Delmar Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been to all of their locations in town and the quality of their food and services have been pretty consistent. I came in this location for happy hour. They had all starters and snacks for half price, selected beer and sangaria for special price. We ordered blazed chicken wings that came with grilled carrots. The wings were kinda fatty and the skins were not crispy which was a bit disappointing. We ordered Delmar and Kirkwood both deep dish style. Again, the quality was consistently good. The crust was perfect, not burnt and the amount of sauce was perfect. Btw, you can decide the type of crust used for your pizza. You can also choose half n half if you want to try 2 different flavours.Will try their oilive oil based pizza next time.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:42:51" }, { "business_id": "A5b9nVDi1DPVvPOD24-p6w", "business_name": "Sump Coffee", "rating": 2, "text": "To be fair, their coffee isn't bad. The reason I think it doesn't deserve more is because the price they charge for a tiny cup of latte. Today, I paid $8 for a 10 oz latte! Most expensive latte I've ever had in my entire life! Even compared to the best in San Francisco! They charge $1 if you replace regular milk with oatmilk or soymilk which is very steep. 10oz...I honestly barely tasted my coffee before it was gone...I thought it was a rip-off. Sorry won't return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:57:52" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "We were here on a Saturday night and got seated always right away. The service here was top notch. Our server was attentive and surprised my friends with 2 amazing whiskey cocktails (per his request). They have an extensive handcrafted cocktails which are certainly not short of creativity. I was pleased to see mecal and pisco on the drink list so I had to order one of those. The pisco drink I ordered came with a bag a Lay's! Right?! Who goes there (a whiskey drink) smoked in a lantern enclosure and our waitress was dressed like a witch when she delivered the drink! How fun! With all the good things, I wasn't impressed with their food... the pork schnitzel we ordered tasted bland and not very crispy. Chorizo wrapped in dates tasted okay but a bit sweet for my taste. The chocolate torte was served with espresso cream which I enjoyed. However, there were too much other ingredients on the plate as well which was unnecessary. Overall, it was a good spot for drinks and maybe desserts.", "timestamp": "2018-12-24T16:58:22" }, { "business_id": "mUrkyChBfFC679O80poJAQ", "business_name": "The Chocolate Pig", "rating": 3, "text": "We made a reservation and our table was ready when we arrived. The service was good. The food was above average but could cook the duck confit a bit tender. Brussel sprouts were fried well but didn't go particularly well with the buttermilk (just a bit heavy for my taste, but the pickled onion was a nice touch to offset the heaviness. The cocktails were okay, nothing to rave about. Affogato caviar was the highlight of the meal. It was pleasantly light and got an espresso aroma to it. Overall, didn't think the meal was worth $100 for two ppl.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T02:21:43" }, { "business_id": "jKHlvwq40sghrR89pF_3Tw", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my go-to place for ice cream in st.louis. They have plenty of interesting flavors such as lavender, eggnog, sweet cream, etc. My favorites are dark chocolate truffle and almond brittle. The truffle is rich but not too sweet. The almond is nutty and savory. Most importantly, they go very well together along with the waffle. Mmm, who doesn't love its ice cream!", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "LsHyDO0k4O0mxgxcsQ5A8g", "business_name": "Shivers Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "Their concrete are the best I've had in Il/MO. They are dense, rich and light flavored. I had a chocolate and a light vanilla cone with yellow cake toppings, they are everything I wished for and not overly sweet like most of ice cream places in the midwest. They even gave my dog a puppy cone! Their service was also very good - the girl was patient with my questions and gave useful recommendations. Will def return when I'm in the area.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T23:28:50" }, { "business_id": "YpGPZ-Zg89BsFUWwCXoaBw", "business_name": "Yellowbelly", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times. 4 stars goes to their drinks, service and the ambience. Solid cocktails with creative twists. The light and the music are just in my league. I'm not a fan their food unfortunately... I've tried their shrimps, a bit burned and overcooked. Salmon wasn't memorable. Fries were thinly cut, tiny and way too greasy. The only item I enjoyed was their biscuits. They were buttery with perfect amount of sea salt. The uni butter was rich flavor and made the biscuits double savory. Overall, I would come back to try more cocktails and their biscuits!", "timestamp": "2019-01-07T03:09:29" }, { "business_id": "oHvEgLH6pAkcrPmeR1l3UQ", "business_name": "Retreat Gastropub", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here a couple times for dinner and lunch. I've tried their classic burgers, chicken sandwich, mac & cheese, risotto balls and trout .Unfortunately, none of the dishes wowed me...In general, their dishes lack a bit of flavor and texture. The ingredients of some of the dishes simply don't go well together (ex: trout and beans with aioli sauce...) They were also on the heavier side for me taste... I liked the decor and the ambience. Service was also pretty good. They have happy hour all day on Monday ($6 appetizers).", "timestamp": "2019-03-18T16:54:33" } ]	{ "business_id": "x2F34anSA7cH64owjdK13g", "business_name": "Baida Moroccan Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "We ordered chicken tagine and lamb shoulder and they were both cooked to perfection. I was particularly delighted that the lamb dish came with variety of steamed veggies and I got to choose from couscous and saffron rice. The chicken dish came in a clay pot which seemed exotic. The chicken meat was so tender that it fell right off the bones. The olives that came with the dish was a nice addition. The dish also came with flatbreads which were addicting to dip into the sauce. Ask for harissa sauce if you like spicy. The dishes took some time to come up but our server was very attentive - added water twice. The owner also came out to say hi. Can't wait to go back to try many more dishes!", "timestamp": "2019-05-13T00:00:30" }
Pbry-b9xBgHlWlbGlYbTZg	[ { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Very interesting place. We waited for about an hour. But the food is worth waiting. We had lamb stew and meet is tander and flavorful. We also ordered paella which is also fresh and tasty. The price of this place has gone up quite a bit though...", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:50:57" }, { "business_id": "VaO-VW3e1kARkU9bP1E7Fw", "business_name": "Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Underrated restaurant. Much better than amac from across the street! Food is fresh and tasty. Service is quick. Staffs are friendly and caring. We visited twice during our 3 day visit. Worth going again.", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:52:47" }, { "business_id": "wMWRpzjKgwIef2yJ41RCGw", "business_name": "La Bonne Bouchee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite restaurant in St Louis! Price is reasonable, actually really cheap! My favourite entrees (come with complimentary soup and bread) are crepe and crevettes which are always consistently freshly made. They are never stingy on shrimps, crabs and cheese. My favourite dessert is four flavour cake which is really creamy but not so sweet. The service is usually quick and good. I'm a regular and definitely will keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:25:03" }, { "business_id": "JGsG-_hYhD8nHtsgXZt_5A", "business_name": "Franco", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there with friends on new year's eve expecting decent meals based on its reviews. I ordered duck belly which had a very strong and awkward taste...the seafood stew I ordered was decent but not worth the money($24?). I saw an apricot flavor sparkling wine and told our waiter that I wanted something more sour and less strong and he came back with the same drink...other ppl in my group ordered steak, mussels and halibut and they liked their dishes. The biggest disappointment of the night was actually the desert. We shared a petite fours. Everything is dry and very sweet and tastes like it's been sitting in the fridge for too long. Overall, I wanted to give the restaurant a good review given the good ambient and service. But the food is disappointing and way too pricy for what it's worth ($108 for two ppl).", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:41:55" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 3, "text": "Not my favorite dim sum place but it's probably the best in St louis...like most of Chinese restaurants here, the service is kinda sketchy...there's no menu with prices I can refer to so somehow we end up spending $30 on 4 plates which is definitely on the pricy side for dim sum. The food is okay. My favorite is a taro dish with stuffing. The egg tart is try and tasteless.", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:51:15" }, { "business_id": "IrUhsjQZtSB-TjxqtXaKkg", "business_name": "The Kitchen Sink", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located in a hidden corner that I almost missed...based on its interior design, it looks more like a sports bar than a Cajun food restaurant. I ordered the kitchen sink which is very thick and creamy. Other people ordered different entries which they think are just okay. The chicken wings are pretty good tho according to a friend.", "timestamp": "2016-02-03T03:42:20" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "We ordered meet me in St Louis and strawberry salad which are both very good. The only thing I can complain about is the restaurateur is packed and we had to squeeze into our seats at the bar table. Will try to visit again during weekdays.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T02:20:13" }, { "business_id": "eVUP_iOwvsLk6daEmyhESA", "business_name": "Yemanja Brasil", "rating": 3, "text": "Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about either food or the service. The reason I give it 3 star is because I think the meals are way overpriced given the quality...We had appetizer platter. The yuca is not very crispy and the empanada has no shrimp in it...We also ordered seafood stew which is basically a soup and taste kinda boring...The xin xim taste fine but after a few bites it becomes boring...and the complimentary bread is cold. I really hope they can add some varieties into their dishes. Also their half price appetizer during happy hours is no longer available which is kinda a bummer.", "timestamp": "2016-04-09T00:19:36" }, { "business_id": "RfLSeu3dhXQjm72R_xEq1w", "business_name": "Sister Cities", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is located in a questionable neighborhood just a bit pass tower grove. We were sketched out about the place when we first stepped in. One door was missing and the other was covered by a piece of wood...Also it was really dark inside the restaurant...But as soon as we tried the food, we changed our mind about the place. The shrimp tacos are in pretty big porportion and tastes fresh. The cubsn sandwich was so flavorful and interesting. Seafood gumbo was so so. Still definitely try other dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2016-04-19T23:45:50" }, { "business_id": "HCYs4zgL7kCLdEqKRqaPbg", "business_name": "Lona's Lil Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "I really want to love this place because it's really a lovely place located in a nice neighbourhood in midtown. I came here with high expectations because of all those good reviews. But I have to say I wasn't impressed by the food...The concept of Asian burrito is interesting but the way they are made is too simple (I can easily make it at home at pretty low cost). I guess what I'm trying to say is there is nothing special about the food, not even the sauce...Sorry... I ordered chicken rice wrap with sesame sauce. The sauce is so salty that I could barely taste the rest of ingredients. My fiance had turkey wrap which was kinda plain. The bamboo stew tastes like bamboo sauce I normally get from the Chinese market. Eggplant dish was ok but salty...", "timestamp": "2016-06-19T01:34:42" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited this restaurant 4 times during my 5 days stay. Crazy, right? Here are a list of reasons/pros: - We were staying a nearby hotel. - The restaurant opens 11 - 10:30 pretty much every day including new year's day so it fits into our schedule. - If you are a party of two, chances are you get seated right away. - $9 per dozen of oysters which is a really great deal by any standard! - They have a seafood shop next door that sells boiled and fresh seafood to- go. - Our server (same) is very friendly and recognized us every single time. Now I want to talk about the reasons why I only give it 3 stars. - We tried a bunch of stuff which are all pretty mediocre. Raw oysters are not cleaned well. So if your schedule is flexible, go to Superior Seafood during their happy hours for their 50 cents/oyster - better quality and cheaper. Turtle soup has a strange taste so I definitely prefer Felix's. A portion of my boiled shrimps are always mushy somhow, maybe boiled for too long?... - The ambient is inviting but not comfortable so we basically just finished our food and go. - Clean the bathroom!! Will probably visit again if we stay in the area next time or simply just pick up some seafood quickly.", "timestamp": "2017-01-02T04:12:17" }, { "business_id": "cQIh4YJlVtZI9TLF5_smOg", "business_name": "The Shaved Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to say local Yelp rereviews have been inaccurate most of the time and this one is no exception...There is absolutely nothing special about this restaurant - food is medicore but pricey (comes in small portions) and service is slow. For people who claim this to be the best BBQ restaurant, I absolutely want to hear your reasons!", "timestamp": "2017-05-06T03:44:35" }, { "business_id": "2EWsaJdeedx_-my5fYEg9A", "business_name": "Vista", "rating": 2, "text": "I read about this place before we went so we were somewhat aware of what we should expect about the ramen. We ordered Vista ramen and fried chicken. Fried chicken is fine but a bittle expensive for the size. Ramen is just a HUGE disappointment...The broth taste like they try to make it taste like shoyu but the flavor is just not there...The pork belly is wayyy too fatty. We end up returning it and get ribs instead which seems deep fried and is very sweet... The service is decent and our server didn't charge us for the ramen. Probably won't go back...", "timestamp": "2017-07-23T00:24:08" }, { "business_id": "3VYxaeo6BJNHbVIIfmWN_w", "business_name": "Vicia", "rating": 3, "text": "I really like their Patio, they have a nicefire place and the seatings are adjacent to outside. The service is pretty good even though they didn't have our table ready when we got there...We ordered a cheese platter and two meat dishes. The only one that stands out is the pork dish which is very tender. The food is definitely on the pricy side. Expect to spend $100+ for two people.", "timestamp": "2017-07-28T01:18:51" }, { "business_id": "rVzbBAG3BDlx2-OFUOq4MQ", "business_name": "El Toluco Taqueria & Grocery", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is adjacent to a Mexican grocery store so it can be easily missed. We ordered tacos of almost every flavour and my conclusion is that they are definitely closer to authentic style than Mission Taco. Not the best I've had but one of the best taco spots I've tried in St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:17:05" }, { "business_id": "hv-rci0u6KR75ALB_70dHw", "business_name": "Blueprint Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "I've tried their latte and cortado which are both good (better than Starbucks for sure). The bristas there are knowledgable and patient with me. The only thing to complain about is the noise level and it's almost always packed. So I wouldn't suggest studying there...", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "mwClJ3GToMV17Guo-KLCRw", "business_name": "United Provisions", "rating": 4, "text": "Come here for their Happy hours! I like their Nigiris, my favourites are smoky salmon and yellow tail. I love their Takoyaki! It's always come hot and fresh. Their sushi rolls are kind of boring but not bad. Not a big fan of ramen - the flavor is kinda off...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T22:58:41" }, { "business_id": "xmO9u_t1LspxV5iuF594Tg", "business_name": "Wudon Korean BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "There are not many Korean BBQ restaurants in St.Louis and Wudon is certainly one of them worth mentioning. I like their marinated beef combo. The large one comes with 4 types of beef, 2 soups, a bunch of side dishes and a pancke which all taste pretty good. The only thing I'm not 100% happy with is the quality of beef don't seem very consistent - it's fattier some time than other times...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T23:06:59" }, { "business_id": "O_0H42Bw8hBduWSADPG8ng", "business_name": "Three Kings Public House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place on Delmar loop when I don't feel adventurous with dining. I like to sit on the patio outside which is cozy and quiet. My favorite dishes here are mussels, chicken wings and tuna sliders. Their burgers are decent just not my fav. They have happy hour from 3-6 Monday through Thursday. They also have a late night menu from 10pm to midnight Sunday through Thursday.", "timestamp": "2017-10-16T00:16:05" }, { "business_id": "55GmNphU0DhtkvG5lSZ49w", "business_name": "Westport Social", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place for bar games in STL. They are 10 times better than Pink Galleon in terms of ambience and decor. Most importantly, it doesn't smell like smoke. The drinks are pretty strong and semi tasty. I'm not a big fan of their food tho. Also, Friday and Saturday night are typically packed so you may have to line up outside...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:16:55" }, { "business_id": "NV6zZPb5OGVpyX4JrSzUPg", "business_name": "The Block", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there for happy hours with colleagues. Ww ordered pig rinds, sliders, ribs and a pork moose dish - all overwhelmingly salty...I ended up boxing all of the food and gave it to my dog... The service was nice and quick. Our server came to check on us every 5 minutes and filled up our water (the bar was also very empty that night). Overall, it was a nice place to hang for happy hour drinks but def not food...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:23:23" }, { "business_id": "gsyyVQmvT9A2nAgUi7VUag", "business_name": "Nudo House STL", "rating": 3, "text": "This is an update of my previous review. So far, I've tried almost all of their Ramen and I'm sad to say that they deserve a maximum of 3 star...Their broth in general is rich but very salty and always makes me and my colleagues sick and tired afterwards...I never ordered their pork ramen again since their porkbelly are not well cooked - I suggested them using pressure cooker to make it tender. I recently tried their curry ramen which made me really nauseous all afternoon...My only edible option here is their chicken ramen but again, I have to drink a ton of water afterwards to get through my day...", "timestamp": "2018-02-23T01:28:22" }, { "business_id": "7AjM-d3gsgpvKDQSX6QCuA", "business_name": "Bristol Seafood Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my new go-to happy hour place in STL(4-7pm Mon - Fri). They have $1 oyster which are consistently good. Their $7 appetizers are also tasty. My favs so far are shrimp scampi and tuna poke. Their cocktails are pretty strong (in a good way). Pacific punch is so fruity and delicious! Don't forget to check in to get one free calamari! They have lobster special ($16/lb) on Wednesday and Thursday which I think well worth it. Also, this place gets packed quickly during happy hour so try to get here before 5 to beat the traffic.", "timestamp": "2018-02-24T00:09:31" }, { "business_id": "zun6IVJa7wYe3wAPqWnPGw", "business_name": "PokeDoke", "rating": 1, "text": "We were there on Sunday around dinner time and everything was out except tofu. I later on read someone else's review about the same issue - if you don't go there 1st thing in the morning, sorry, we only have tofu. I understand this is due to the concern of food refreshness, but this is the only place that does so among sooo many poke restaurants in the US I've been to! I know this is STL but this is just ridiculous. Since I don't work in the area, guess I will NEVER have chance to try their food.", "timestamp": "2018-02-26T21:52:09" }, { "business_id": "LKLm4SgIHz48rQYlBRuaHw", "business_name": "Handcrafted by Bissinger's", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go-to place in CWE if I wanna catch up with friends at a quiet place. They have a big and nice couch setup where I can rest my feet. Their decor is simple but elegant. My faves here are hot chocolate and sea salt cookies - they are cheap, delicious and never disappoint (even tho I'm not a cookie person). I've tried their chocolates, various desserts and chocolate cocktails - sadly they are just mediocre...But hey I still come here often for their hot chocolate and cookies!", "timestamp": "2018-02-28T14:58:21" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 3, "text": "I've tried pretty much all types of meat they have so far and I have to say that I'm not that impressed...Their ribs are on the dry side and I def prefer pappy's. I'm also not a big fan of their briskets - the fatty ones are way too fatty and burnt ends are too chewy...I like the seasonings used on their wings but the meat lacks a bit of flavor...My fav here is pulled chicken - moist and tender. I also love their green bean salad and most of their sides expect their fries which are too salty for me. Will stick with my faves.", "timestamp": "2018-03-04T18:58:58" }, { "business_id": "T-xYMAkdNlMPCGqWAH3mwg", "business_name": "Kalbi Taco Shack", "rating": 3, "text": "I really wanted to love this place since the lady was sooo nice! She was very patient answering all my questions. But I have to say that I was disappointed with their food... We ordered short rib burrito, sweet and spicy pork bahn mi and taro milk tea. Starting with the bahn mi, the pork was marinated in some sorta sweet sauce which didn't have a memorable flavor and the meat was not that tender. Usually, when the meat is sweat, it needs to be balanced off with other not-so-sweet ingredients. Unfortunately, both their veggies and sauce (aoili?) were also sweet which made the bahn mi overly sweet... I only had a couple bites of my burrito because there wasn't much meat in there... However, there was way too much rice and creamy sauce (aoili again?) in it which just wasn't a desirable combination... There was nothing special about the bubble tea although they did let me choose the sugar level.", "timestamp": "2018-03-10T19:20:34" }, { "business_id": "4xsJN2FuB94w9rMoMo6XFQ", "business_name": "Spare No Rib", "rating": 3, "text": "I came here because of the amazing reviews I read about this place. We ordered almost all kinds of tacos on the menu and of course the beef cheek is out... We started with their tortilla chips with salsa. The chips came in a light yellow color which didn't seem very appetizing. The spice in the sauce was a nice touch but wasn't impressive. Overall, I didn't think it's worth $4. The tacos were filling and seemed to be on the authentic side but didn't really wow me somehow...The sauce they used in their tacos seemed to be just the salsa sauce... The staffs were all friendly and the service was quick. Might stop by to try their ribs next time when we are in the area.", "timestamp": "2018-03-17T23:31:03" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't believe I've been here 100 times but never checked in or wrote a review...So here it is... The 4 star is purely for their pork banh mi($4.5) and beef combination pho($11). What's so special about their pork banh mi is that they use differently cooked pork meat that comes with tendon - very common in Asia but doesn't seem popular in America or Midwest. The meats have so much flavor and without sauce at all allows me to savor it. I really appreciate the way they handle their sandwiches, unlike most of sandwich shops that cover everything with a river of sauce... Their beef pho usually taste good with rare/medium beef at your choice. My only complaint is the soup is not hot enough sometime. I've tried some of their \"special\" dishes - not impressed.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T22:51:37" }, { "business_id": "oRe0iraGEsVSNKxcp_hjbw", "business_name": "Blk Mkt Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "There was limited parking outside the restaurant so be prepared for it. There was a line when we got there around dinner time but the line moved fast and the staffs were friendly. I ordered OG fire burrito with tuna but I was pretty sure the they got my order wrong cuz the fish both looked and tasted like salmon...The flavor was not bad but the ingrediants were somewhat placed unevenly. A weird thing was I wanted to watch my burrito while it was being made because I wanted to customize my order.However, I was called over by the cashier to pay first... Another complaint was their packaging. Their burritos were packaged in paper boxes that cannot be sealed easily. So once you open it, you kinda have to finish it if you lose the tape...I ended up having to toss my leftover next day...Also, whatever way they rolled it, my burrito fell apart as soon I had a bite so you can imagin the mess I made....", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:43:24" }, { "business_id": "Nq1Kn7ud84upBHz9chFW0A", "business_name": "The Gramophone", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is specific for the smoked salmon sandwich I ordered. They let you order half size which was a plus. Here were the reason why I didn't like the sandwich: 1. They used the type of bread usually used for Philly cheese sandwich which didn not go well with Salmon. Had they used bagel, I would def have enjoyed it more. 2. The cream cheese was not evenly spreaded. 3. I wish they offered capers to balance off my mouthful of cream cheese...", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:59:44" }, { "business_id": "HzUJO2v5lUEIeYoOYsdWbw", "business_name": "Russell's on Macklind", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my new favourite restaurant in STL and I have plenty of reasons. Their burger was cooked to perfection. Plenty of restaurants overcook their steaks but not here! Their burger also came with their house made ketcup which was made with fresh tamatos. The cheese spread was so buttery which was a nice replacement of cheese slice. The burger also came with sides at your choice. We got brussel sprouts which was cooked well with a hint of vineger. I also loved their cakes. Their chocolate cakes were my favorite. Lemon cake was a bit sweet for my taste. They don't have a coffee menu but they can pretty much make anything I ordered and free refill for drip coffee. They have plenty of seatings if you arrive before 6:30 even on Saturday nights. They also have a 2nd floor, a patio and outside seatings. The ambient is classy but not dressy so you can feel comfortable to just grab a coffee and eat desserts at their bar/coffee table. I've def studied here during dinner time lol. Their staffs are always friendly and attentive. The only complaint I have is their shrimp and grits were too saucy which overwhelmed the taste of the dish. But I also loved that they used entire prawns (my came with roes which was a nice surprise). Can't wait to try more on the menu!", "timestamp": "2018-04-15T00:56:49" }, { "business_id": "LGYIhGqbYakMMdsn_GCzJg", "business_name": "Anthonino's Taverna", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Hill restaurant week and ordered a 3 course meal that came with roasted ravioli, beef tenderloin and tiramisu. I also ordered anchovy pasta on the side. We both liked the beef tenderloin a lot. The meat was very tender and not overcooked. It came with mashed potato and grilled onion which were both well cooked. The portion was big enough for us to share. Tiramisu was nice surprise - it was very moist and came with a strong coffee flavored bottom layer. I wasn't a fan of their ravioli - it was a little dry and not enough filling. The pasta, by my standard, was overcooked since I prefer it al dente. The flavor was ok, not memorable. The free bread with olive oil was a plus. Our server was welcoming and attentive. She came to check on us multiple times even though we came in at busy dinner time.", "timestamp": "2018-04-28T00:53:35" }, { "business_id": "KdAWjL9MKjpJzEeI902qBA", "business_name": "Corner 17", "rating": 3, "text": "The reason I've been here like a hundred times but just decided to write a review is because there are too few authentic Chinese restaurants in STL hence no references to compare with. I really hope to have a go to Chinese food place here but sadly I don't. The only reason I come here often is because it's near home... With everything said, I think the food here is pretty mediocre. Nothing specifically worth mentioning. They do serve some authentic Chinese dishes such as boiled chili fish, dry spicy hot pot (ma la xiang guo) and spicy hot pot with souo (ma la tang) which taste ok. I've also tried most of their stir fried dishes. For the meat dishes, I wish they use pressure cooker for beef/tendon and ribs because that's how they should be cooked in Chinese cuisin. Their hand made noodles are fun to watch making but not that tasty - the texture of dao xiao mian is not right... Their bubble tea is made of real tea and they let you pick sugar and ice level which I appreciate. The quality is a lot better than other bubble tea shops in STL but the tea honestly is quite watered dowm... Recently I havd noticed their portion has gotten significantly smaller but the lines have gotten longer...Someone pleass come to STL to come up another Chinese restaurant!", "timestamp": "2018-05-05T23:51:17" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located next to the east side of Forest Park so it's always pleasant to stop by when walking dog in the neighborhood. The service is quick and staffs are friendly. They let you try their ice cream before ordering. They serve ice cream of boozy flavors which is nice. The regular ice cream is def too sweet for my taste.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:18" }, { "business_id": "x8AQIEjSqsW0z4vRyBetbw", "business_name": "The BAO", "rating": 3, "text": "I didn't have high expectation of this place because I've lost faith in so-called Asian fusion food in STL...Unfortunately, this place was in line with my expectation. I ordered char sui bao. The meat was ok except it was kinda fatty and lacked a bit of flavor. The buns were too soft and sticky so they kept being stuck on my teeths. The part that threw me off the most was that they put mayo inside the bao so that's a NO. I did enjoy the frozen cocktail that was made with sake and passion fruit. It was strong but refreshing. Our server was polite and checked on us multiple times. Oh, I also liked the ambient and interior decor - it's chic but not pretencious. Will probably stop by for a drink next time if i'm in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2018-07-04T00:24:48" }, { "business_id": "S87d-VjLFY8ZMoj6MUo_tg", "business_name": "Cate Zone Chinese Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate Zone is so far my favorite Chinese restaurant in STL. They def try to be as authentic as they can. They serve a mixture of regular dishes, street foods and Sichuan dishes. My favorite dishes include lamb skewers and mao xue wang (boiled spicy intestines). Their lamb meat is fatty but flavorful. For their spicy dishes, the flavor is there but not spicy enough, in my opinion. The portion of their food is overwhelmingly big but the price is reasonable.", "timestamp": "2018-07-17T17:30:38" }, { "business_id": "ToH4z1F5Tyuo3p7VhXCpTA", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Clayton restaurant week ($35 for 3 courses). The meal was definitely well worth it. It started with freshly baked bread which we really liked. I enjoyed my clam chowder which was creamy but not heavy. My filet mignon came medium rare which was cooked to perfection. The aged strip was flavorful but the part attached to the bone was kinda chewy in my opinion. Both entries came with sides (green beans and mashed potatos) The highlight of our meals were the desserts. The flavor of the espresso cake was so intense and addicting that we couldn't stop eating it! The cheese cake was alright but the berry sauce was a nice touch. The parts we didn't enjoy as much was our green salad which didn't taste very fresh. I also wasn't a fan of my tequila drink. But overall, we really enjoyed our experience here and certainly will return.", "timestamp": "2018-07-23T03:42:03" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've dined/drank here for quite a few times. The service is a bit inconsistent. The staffs at the bar tend to be more attentive than some of the regular servers. I've tried their bruschettas and crepes which were okay. The salmon and trout crepe can definitely use more ingredients... Also the menu on a tablet is kinda a weird concept - you can only look but can't order?...", "timestamp": "2018-08-03T18:25:21" }, { "business_id": "UM6XgOtTX4DWWcGDTWtjEg", "business_name": "HandleBar", "rating": 4, "text": "Someone told me about the cocktails of this place so decided to give it a try. I ordered their Master & Margarita. Honestly, I didn't quite enjoy the taste (a bit tasteless) but the drink was very strong which I couldn't complain! We also ordered beet fries which I was neutral about. We were there on a Wednesday night which was their Bingo night. The host dressed like a drag queen and he/she was hilarious. Not lots of ppl showed up that night but that didn't stop him/her from putting on spontaneous performances. Overall, it was an entertaining experience. Perfect spot to grab a drink if you are by yourself as well.", "timestamp": "2018-08-04T15:11:23" }, { "business_id": "4HMXL85u_wX0WEHucVkI6A", "business_name": "Dave & Tony's", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why people are so harsh about this place. Sure, this place is not a \"premium\" burger restaurant per se, but their burgers are definitely more premium than McDonald's or Five Guys. For only $7.2, you get to customize your own burger and they are decent burgers. For $2, you get freshly made fries which are actually very good! Their ingredients are always fresh even though they get my orders wrong sometime. But I don't care. Because people who work here are friendly and willing to fix their mistakes. Also, you can collect a stamp for each burger ordered and you get a free burger once your brunch card is full.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T00:19:17" }, { "business_id": "56TulnfOZy0JI96zwVv27w", "business_name": "Gioia's Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard about this place from James Beard Awarded restaurant list. We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon so you can imagine the line... Fortunately, the line moved pretty quick so we got to order within 10 minutes. We ordered one of the most popular sandwiches - hot salami and roasted beef with garlic bread and pepper jack cheese. The beef and salami tasted good separately but kinda overshadowed the flavors of each other when put together...The garlic bread was barely noticeable so not really worth the additional buck. The sandwich was 9?10? inch long so probably big enough to share between 2 ppl. In general, solid sandwich but not addicting in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T19:49:44" }, { "business_id": "1ulD4HL2G8qbpEuuWFDSqQ", "business_name": "Himalayan Yeti", "rating": 4, "text": "Generally speaking, I can't taste the differences between good vs great Indian food and I've never been to India. I personally think the food here is pretty good. I've tried their chicken tikka masala(tamato base), lamb saag (spinach base), fish currency, garlic cheese naan and some other dishes. My favorite one is probably lamb saag - it has so much flavors in one dish and very dense and savory. They let you choose spice level, 5 being the hottest. I ordered 4 once which turned out to be a huge mistake. When they say very spicy, they mean it... Oh, their lassie is also pretty good or standard should I say? They also bring you free papadum (northern indian chips?)with 2 types of sauce before your dishes are served. Good service as well. Will come back to try their lunch buffet sometime (11pm -2:30pm everyday).", "timestamp": "2018-08-10T23:58:01" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped by this place whenever I'm near Tower Grove. The concept odd nitrogen ice cream is still new in St.louis so this def is niche. Nitrogen ice cream, in general, is smoother than regular ice cream because it freezes faster during manufacturing process. This place offers boozy flavor and vegan ice cream which is even nicer. The boozy ones tend to give me a buzz so that's a plus :)", "timestamp": "2018-08-11T00:41:47" }, { "business_id": "Q3S_VyJ4ob-FeKZARiP4Fg", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 2, "text": "First of all, I'd like to make a comment on the composition of their menu. Reading through the menu, all of the dishes were made with pork except chicken adobo. There was also no veggie dish that could go with my meat dish... We ordered their rib and a taco as starters. The rib was fried which I wasn't a fan of. The taco was soooo greasy that a lot of oil started dripping off...We ordered a new school dish (forgot the name) that came with shredded pork in shrimp paste, bitter melon and some green beans. The portion was so small that we had to order another entree. We ordered flying pig and chicken odobo combo. Flying pig was way too sweet for my taste and covered with a big load of sauce. Also, they raised the price of the combo without marking it on their menu which I thought was shady. We both felt pretty nauseous after the dinner probably due to the grease...", "timestamp": "2018-09-22T21:17:19" }, { "business_id": "JrYWF3BWf1GYk8hnF2Cz4w", "business_name": "Chaparritos", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is a hidden jem. First of all, everything is so cheap! You get a delicious taco for $2.25 ( some are $2.5). We ordered a bunch of tacos which were all delicious and authentic. Besides, your order comes with complimentary tortilla chips along with 2 different types of sauce. I loved their salsa sauce - fresh with a hint of spice. Not a fan of their margarita, too sweet for my taste. The staff was very friendly too. Can't wait to come back to try other dishes!", "timestamp": "2018-10-06T02:38:39" }, { "business_id": "kqt8O-XxMkE6ga42IPa7sA", "business_name": "SUSHI KOI", "rating": 4, "text": "Sushi Koi has happy hour every day between 4:30-6:30 PM Monday-Friday. I've been there several times and tried a bunch of things on their happy hour menu. Overall, the quality of their sushi has been consistent and decent but nothing exceptional. My go-to dishes are sashimi sampler ($9) and scallop hand roll ($3) Not a fan of their tuna hand roll as I can barely taste any tuna in it...Their takoyaki are pretty tasty as well. I also enjoyed their lychee sake ($4, hot or cold) and martinis ($5).", "timestamp": "2018-10-20T22:56:58" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 2, "text": "I had high expectations for this place due to other yelpers' recommendations and I was deeply disappointed... We came here for their happy hours (4-6pm Wednesday- Sunday). We opted to sit at the bar where there were 3 waitresses just hanging out there. They were not particularly welcoming or friendly. One of them was kinda of aloof when I asked her questions about their menu. We ordered pastrami sliders and meatball off the happy hour menu ($5 per dish). The meatball was luke warm and tasted like microwaved frozen meat ball covered with spaghetti sauce. The pastrami came with chunks of fat that actually made me nauseous...We ended up changing our plan and went to eat dinner somewhere else... I really wanted to like this place since the decor is so cute. But I'll unlikely return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:33:35" }, { "business_id": "4ZNCc1GzJZkS7XI1c9rCMA", "business_name": "Layla", "rating": 4, "text": "Been here a couple times. First time late at night and had a nice conversation with the bartender. 2nd time around dinner time when the bar was semi-packed. The have a pretty comprehensive menu r ranging from traditional Lebanese dishes to regular bar food with plenty of vegan options and desserts as well. They are somewhat well known for their shawarmas which you can choose your protein, wrap and sauce. I've only tried their spicy lamb with black wrap. I like the spicy sauce and the wrap but the meat was a bit fatty for my taste and not too tender. I did really like their sweet potato fries that came with curry aioli sauce. It had such unique taste and was truly addicting. For hummus, they have regular and seasonal. I've tried their olive hummus and pita bread which I enjoyed. They also have a large selection of boozy float with vanilla ice cream and many flavors of shakes. Will definitely give it a try next time!", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:55:03" }, { "business_id": "VVHfqUeYyAA9FEsH-6PI2A", "business_name": "Foundation Grounds Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "What I like about this place: - open till 6pm which is a bit unusual for coffee shops in st. Louis - bottomless coffe for $3.75 - 5% off on all items if you check in on yelp - friendly staffs - seats facing windows What I'm not a fan of this place: - it could get crowded and noisy if you are here on the weekend - the quality of their coffee is mediocre and latte is overrated", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:25:18" }, { "business_id": "MaYb7qMN6BomP1zQGj3Wjg", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Delmar Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been to all of their locations in town and the quality of their food and services have been pretty consistent. I came in this location for happy hour. They had all starters and snacks for half price, selected beer and sangaria for special price. We ordered blazed chicken wings that came with grilled carrots. The wings were kinda fatty and the skins were not crispy which was a bit disappointing. We ordered Delmar and Kirkwood both deep dish style. Again, the quality was consistently good. The crust was perfect, not burnt and the amount of sauce was perfect. Btw, you can decide the type of crust used for your pizza. You can also choose half n half if you want to try 2 different flavours.Will try their oilive oil based pizza next time.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:42:51" }, { "business_id": "A5b9nVDi1DPVvPOD24-p6w", "business_name": "Sump Coffee", "rating": 2, "text": "To be fair, their coffee isn't bad. The reason I think it doesn't deserve more is because the price they charge for a tiny cup of latte. Today, I paid $8 for a 10 oz latte! Most expensive latte I've ever had in my entire life! Even compared to the best in San Francisco! They charge $1 if you replace regular milk with oatmilk or soymilk which is very steep. 10oz...I honestly barely tasted my coffee before it was gone...I thought it was a rip-off. Sorry won't return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:57:52" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "We were here on a Saturday night and got seated always right away. The service here was top notch. Our server was attentive and surprised my friends with 2 amazing whiskey cocktails (per his request). They have an extensive handcrafted cocktails which are certainly not short of creativity. I was pleased to see mecal and pisco on the drink list so I had to order one of those. The pisco drink I ordered came with a bag a Lay's! Right?! Who goes there (a whiskey drink) smoked in a lantern enclosure and our waitress was dressed like a witch when she delivered the drink! How fun! With all the good things, I wasn't impressed with their food... the pork schnitzel we ordered tasted bland and not very crispy. Chorizo wrapped in dates tasted okay but a bit sweet for my taste. The chocolate torte was served with espresso cream which I enjoyed. However, there were too much other ingredients on the plate as well which was unnecessary. Overall, it was a good spot for drinks and maybe desserts.", "timestamp": "2018-12-24T16:58:22" }, { "business_id": "mUrkyChBfFC679O80poJAQ", "business_name": "The Chocolate Pig", "rating": 3, "text": "We made a reservation and our table was ready when we arrived. The service was good. The food was above average but could cook the duck confit a bit tender. Brussel sprouts were fried well but didn't go particularly well with the buttermilk (just a bit heavy for my taste, but the pickled onion was a nice touch to offset the heaviness. The cocktails were okay, nothing to rave about. Affogato caviar was the highlight of the meal. It was pleasantly light and got an espresso aroma to it. Overall, didn't think the meal was worth $100 for two ppl.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T02:21:43" }, { "business_id": "jKHlvwq40sghrR89pF_3Tw", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my go-to place for ice cream in st.louis. They have plenty of interesting flavors such as lavender, eggnog, sweet cream, etc. My favorites are dark chocolate truffle and almond brittle. The truffle is rich but not too sweet. The almond is nutty and savory. Most importantly, they go very well together along with the waffle. Mmm, who doesn't love its ice cream!", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "LsHyDO0k4O0mxgxcsQ5A8g", "business_name": "Shivers Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "Their concrete are the best I've had in Il/MO. They are dense, rich and light flavored. I had a chocolate and a light vanilla cone with yellow cake toppings, they are everything I wished for and not overly sweet like most of ice cream places in the midwest. They even gave my dog a puppy cone! Their service was also very good - the girl was patient with my questions and gave useful recommendations. Will def return when I'm in the area.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T23:28:50" }, { "business_id": "YpGPZ-Zg89BsFUWwCXoaBw", "business_name": "Yellowbelly", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times. 4 stars goes to their drinks, service and the ambience. Solid cocktails with creative twists. The light and the music are just in my league. I'm not a fan their food unfortunately... I've tried their shrimps, a bit burned and overcooked. Salmon wasn't memorable. Fries were thinly cut, tiny and way too greasy. The only item I enjoyed was their biscuits. They were buttery with perfect amount of sea salt. The uni butter was rich flavor and made the biscuits double savory. Overall, I would come back to try more cocktails and their biscuits!", "timestamp": "2019-01-07T03:09:29" }, { "business_id": "oHvEgLH6pAkcrPmeR1l3UQ", "business_name": "Retreat Gastropub", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here a couple times for dinner and lunch. I've tried their classic burgers, chicken sandwich, mac & cheese, risotto balls and trout .Unfortunately, none of the dishes wowed me...In general, their dishes lack a bit of flavor and texture. The ingredients of some of the dishes simply don't go well together (ex: trout and beans with aioli sauce...) They were also on the heavier side for me taste... I liked the decor and the ambience. Service was also pretty good. They have happy hour all day on Monday ($6 appetizers).", "timestamp": "2019-03-18T16:54:33" }, { "business_id": "x2F34anSA7cH64owjdK13g", "business_name": "Baida Moroccan Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "We ordered chicken tagine and lamb shoulder and they were both cooked to perfection. I was particularly delighted that the lamb dish came with variety of steamed veggies and I got to choose from couscous and saffron rice. The chicken dish came in a clay pot which seemed exotic. The chicken meat was so tender that it fell right off the bones. The olives that came with the dish was a nice addition. The dish also came with flatbreads which were addicting to dip into the sauce. Ask for harissa sauce if you like spicy. The dishes took some time to come up but our server was very attentive - added water twice. The owner also came out to say hi. Can't wait to go back to try many more dishes!", "timestamp": "2019-05-13T00:00:30" } ]	{ "business_id": "hXENwSCtd8pdBrnN8XkXyA", "business_name": "Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel", "rating": 4, "text": "Conveniently located next to STL airport, the hotel offers free shuttle every 30 minutes. Although breakfast is not included, there's a restaurant at the lobby that serves breakfast (off the menu and continental). Thy also have a bar that offers variety of drinks (cocktaild, beer, wine). Until most of the Marriot brands in the Midwest, this hotel seems updated and modern. They also has a sizable gym and a pool. The service was fabulous as well - they brougt free tooth brush and tooth paste to my room per my request. Only downside is no extra beddings to be found in the room and it was chilly at the bar. Also, parking was $15 overnight.", "timestamp": "2020-02-01T17:24:30" }
Pbry-b9xBgHlWlbGlYbTZg	[ { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Very interesting place. We waited for about an hour. But the food is worth waiting. We had lamb stew and meet is tander and flavorful. We also ordered paella which is also fresh and tasty. The price of this place has gone up quite a bit though...", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:50:57" }, { "business_id": "VaO-VW3e1kARkU9bP1E7Fw", "business_name": "Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Underrated restaurant. Much better than amac from across the street! Food is fresh and tasty. Service is quick. Staffs are friendly and caring. We visited twice during our 3 day visit. Worth going again.", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:52:47" }, { "business_id": "wMWRpzjKgwIef2yJ41RCGw", "business_name": "La Bonne Bouchee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite restaurant in St Louis! Price is reasonable, actually really cheap! My favourite entrees (come with complimentary soup and bread) are crepe and crevettes which are always consistently freshly made. They are never stingy on shrimps, crabs and cheese. My favourite dessert is four flavour cake which is really creamy but not so sweet. The service is usually quick and good. I'm a regular and definitely will keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:25:03" }, { "business_id": "JGsG-_hYhD8nHtsgXZt_5A", "business_name": "Franco", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there with friends on new year's eve expecting decent meals based on its reviews. I ordered duck belly which had a very strong and awkward taste...the seafood stew I ordered was decent but not worth the money($24?). I saw an apricot flavor sparkling wine and told our waiter that I wanted something more sour and less strong and he came back with the same drink...other ppl in my group ordered steak, mussels and halibut and they liked their dishes. The biggest disappointment of the night was actually the desert. We shared a petite fours. Everything is dry and very sweet and tastes like it's been sitting in the fridge for too long. Overall, I wanted to give the restaurant a good review given the good ambient and service. But the food is disappointing and way too pricy for what it's worth ($108 for two ppl).", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:41:55" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 3, "text": "Not my favorite dim sum place but it's probably the best in St louis...like most of Chinese restaurants here, the service is kinda sketchy...there's no menu with prices I can refer to so somehow we end up spending $30 on 4 plates which is definitely on the pricy side for dim sum. The food is okay. My favorite is a taro dish with stuffing. The egg tart is try and tasteless.", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:51:15" }, { "business_id": "IrUhsjQZtSB-TjxqtXaKkg", "business_name": "The Kitchen Sink", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located in a hidden corner that I almost missed...based on its interior design, it looks more like a sports bar than a Cajun food restaurant. I ordered the kitchen sink which is very thick and creamy. Other people ordered different entries which they think are just okay. The chicken wings are pretty good tho according to a friend.", "timestamp": "2016-02-03T03:42:20" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "We ordered meet me in St Louis and strawberry salad which are both very good. The only thing I can complain about is the restaurateur is packed and we had to squeeze into our seats at the bar table. Will try to visit again during weekdays.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T02:20:13" }, { "business_id": "eVUP_iOwvsLk6daEmyhESA", "business_name": "Yemanja Brasil", "rating": 3, "text": "Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about either food or the service. The reason I give it 3 star is because I think the meals are way overpriced given the quality...We had appetizer platter. The yuca is not very crispy and the empanada has no shrimp in it...We also ordered seafood stew which is basically a soup and taste kinda boring...The xin xim taste fine but after a few bites it becomes boring...and the complimentary bread is cold. I really hope they can add some varieties into their dishes. Also their half price appetizer during happy hours is no longer available which is kinda a bummer.", "timestamp": "2016-04-09T00:19:36" }, { "business_id": "RfLSeu3dhXQjm72R_xEq1w", "business_name": "Sister Cities", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is located in a questionable neighborhood just a bit pass tower grove. We were sketched out about the place when we first stepped in. One door was missing and the other was covered by a piece of wood...Also it was really dark inside the restaurant...But as soon as we tried the food, we changed our mind about the place. The shrimp tacos are in pretty big porportion and tastes fresh. The cubsn sandwich was so flavorful and interesting. Seafood gumbo was so so. Still definitely try other dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2016-04-19T23:45:50" }, { "business_id": "HCYs4zgL7kCLdEqKRqaPbg", "business_name": "Lona's Lil Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "I really want to love this place because it's really a lovely place located in a nice neighbourhood in midtown. I came here with high expectations because of all those good reviews. But I have to say I wasn't impressed by the food...The concept of Asian burrito is interesting but the way they are made is too simple (I can easily make it at home at pretty low cost). I guess what I'm trying to say is there is nothing special about the food, not even the sauce...Sorry... I ordered chicken rice wrap with sesame sauce. The sauce is so salty that I could barely taste the rest of ingredients. My fiance had turkey wrap which was kinda plain. The bamboo stew tastes like bamboo sauce I normally get from the Chinese market. Eggplant dish was ok but salty...", "timestamp": "2016-06-19T01:34:42" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited this restaurant 4 times during my 5 days stay. Crazy, right? Here are a list of reasons/pros: - We were staying a nearby hotel. - The restaurant opens 11 - 10:30 pretty much every day including new year's day so it fits into our schedule. - If you are a party of two, chances are you get seated right away. - $9 per dozen of oysters which is a really great deal by any standard! - They have a seafood shop next door that sells boiled and fresh seafood to- go. - Our server (same) is very friendly and recognized us every single time. Now I want to talk about the reasons why I only give it 3 stars. - We tried a bunch of stuff which are all pretty mediocre. Raw oysters are not cleaned well. So if your schedule is flexible, go to Superior Seafood during their happy hours for their 50 cents/oyster - better quality and cheaper. Turtle soup has a strange taste so I definitely prefer Felix's. A portion of my boiled shrimps are always mushy somhow, maybe boiled for too long?... - The ambient is inviting but not comfortable so we basically just finished our food and go. - Clean the bathroom!! Will probably visit again if we stay in the area next time or simply just pick up some seafood quickly.", "timestamp": "2017-01-02T04:12:17" }, { "business_id": "cQIh4YJlVtZI9TLF5_smOg", "business_name": "The Shaved Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to say local Yelp rereviews have been inaccurate most of the time and this one is no exception...There is absolutely nothing special about this restaurant - food is medicore but pricey (comes in small portions) and service is slow. For people who claim this to be the best BBQ restaurant, I absolutely want to hear your reasons!", "timestamp": "2017-05-06T03:44:35" }, { "business_id": "2EWsaJdeedx_-my5fYEg9A", "business_name": "Vista", "rating": 2, "text": "I read about this place before we went so we were somewhat aware of what we should expect about the ramen. We ordered Vista ramen and fried chicken. Fried chicken is fine but a bittle expensive for the size. Ramen is just a HUGE disappointment...The broth taste like they try to make it taste like shoyu but the flavor is just not there...The pork belly is wayyy too fatty. We end up returning it and get ribs instead which seems deep fried and is very sweet... The service is decent and our server didn't charge us for the ramen. Probably won't go back...", "timestamp": "2017-07-23T00:24:08" }, { "business_id": "3VYxaeo6BJNHbVIIfmWN_w", "business_name": "Vicia", "rating": 3, "text": "I really like their Patio, they have a nicefire place and the seatings are adjacent to outside. The service is pretty good even though they didn't have our table ready when we got there...We ordered a cheese platter and two meat dishes. The only one that stands out is the pork dish which is very tender. The food is definitely on the pricy side. Expect to spend $100+ for two people.", "timestamp": "2017-07-28T01:18:51" }, { "business_id": "rVzbBAG3BDlx2-OFUOq4MQ", "business_name": "El Toluco Taqueria & Grocery", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is adjacent to a Mexican grocery store so it can be easily missed. We ordered tacos of almost every flavour and my conclusion is that they are definitely closer to authentic style than Mission Taco. Not the best I've had but one of the best taco spots I've tried in St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:17:05" }, { "business_id": "hv-rci0u6KR75ALB_70dHw", "business_name": "Blueprint Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "I've tried their latte and cortado which are both good (better than Starbucks for sure). The bristas there are knowledgable and patient with me. The only thing to complain about is the noise level and it's almost always packed. So I wouldn't suggest studying there...", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "mwClJ3GToMV17Guo-KLCRw", "business_name": "United Provisions", "rating": 4, "text": "Come here for their Happy hours! I like their Nigiris, my favourites are smoky salmon and yellow tail. I love their Takoyaki! It's always come hot and fresh. Their sushi rolls are kind of boring but not bad. Not a big fan of ramen - the flavor is kinda off...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T22:58:41" }, { "business_id": "xmO9u_t1LspxV5iuF594Tg", "business_name": "Wudon Korean BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "There are not many Korean BBQ restaurants in St.Louis and Wudon is certainly one of them worth mentioning. I like their marinated beef combo. The large one comes with 4 types of beef, 2 soups, a bunch of side dishes and a pancke which all taste pretty good. The only thing I'm not 100% happy with is the quality of beef don't seem very consistent - it's fattier some time than other times...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T23:06:59" }, { "business_id": "O_0H42Bw8hBduWSADPG8ng", "business_name": "Three Kings Public House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place on Delmar loop when I don't feel adventurous with dining. I like to sit on the patio outside which is cozy and quiet. My favorite dishes here are mussels, chicken wings and tuna sliders. Their burgers are decent just not my fav. They have happy hour from 3-6 Monday through Thursday. They also have a late night menu from 10pm to midnight Sunday through Thursday.", "timestamp": "2017-10-16T00:16:05" }, { "business_id": "55GmNphU0DhtkvG5lSZ49w", "business_name": "Westport Social", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place for bar games in STL. They are 10 times better than Pink Galleon in terms of ambience and decor. Most importantly, it doesn't smell like smoke. The drinks are pretty strong and semi tasty. I'm not a big fan of their food tho. Also, Friday and Saturday night are typically packed so you may have to line up outside...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:16:55" }, { "business_id": "NV6zZPb5OGVpyX4JrSzUPg", "business_name": "The Block", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there for happy hours with colleagues. Ww ordered pig rinds, sliders, ribs and a pork moose dish - all overwhelmingly salty...I ended up boxing all of the food and gave it to my dog... The service was nice and quick. Our server came to check on us every 5 minutes and filled up our water (the bar was also very empty that night). Overall, it was a nice place to hang for happy hour drinks but def not food...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:23:23" }, { "business_id": "gsyyVQmvT9A2nAgUi7VUag", "business_name": "Nudo House STL", "rating": 3, "text": "This is an update of my previous review. So far, I've tried almost all of their Ramen and I'm sad to say that they deserve a maximum of 3 star...Their broth in general is rich but very salty and always makes me and my colleagues sick and tired afterwards...I never ordered their pork ramen again since their porkbelly are not well cooked - I suggested them using pressure cooker to make it tender. I recently tried their curry ramen which made me really nauseous all afternoon...My only edible option here is their chicken ramen but again, I have to drink a ton of water afterwards to get through my day...", "timestamp": "2018-02-23T01:28:22" }, { "business_id": "7AjM-d3gsgpvKDQSX6QCuA", "business_name": "Bristol Seafood Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my new go-to happy hour place in STL(4-7pm Mon - Fri). They have $1 oyster which are consistently good. Their $7 appetizers are also tasty. My favs so far are shrimp scampi and tuna poke. Their cocktails are pretty strong (in a good way). Pacific punch is so fruity and delicious! Don't forget to check in to get one free calamari! They have lobster special ($16/lb) on Wednesday and Thursday which I think well worth it. Also, this place gets packed quickly during happy hour so try to get here before 5 to beat the traffic.", "timestamp": "2018-02-24T00:09:31" }, { "business_id": "zun6IVJa7wYe3wAPqWnPGw", "business_name": "PokeDoke", "rating": 1, "text": "We were there on Sunday around dinner time and everything was out except tofu. I later on read someone else's review about the same issue - if you don't go there 1st thing in the morning, sorry, we only have tofu. I understand this is due to the concern of food refreshness, but this is the only place that does so among sooo many poke restaurants in the US I've been to! I know this is STL but this is just ridiculous. Since I don't work in the area, guess I will NEVER have chance to try their food.", "timestamp": "2018-02-26T21:52:09" }, { "business_id": "LKLm4SgIHz48rQYlBRuaHw", "business_name": "Handcrafted by Bissinger's", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go-to place in CWE if I wanna catch up with friends at a quiet place. They have a big and nice couch setup where I can rest my feet. Their decor is simple but elegant. My faves here are hot chocolate and sea salt cookies - they are cheap, delicious and never disappoint (even tho I'm not a cookie person). I've tried their chocolates, various desserts and chocolate cocktails - sadly they are just mediocre...But hey I still come here often for their hot chocolate and cookies!", "timestamp": "2018-02-28T14:58:21" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 3, "text": "I've tried pretty much all types of meat they have so far and I have to say that I'm not that impressed...Their ribs are on the dry side and I def prefer pappy's. I'm also not a big fan of their briskets - the fatty ones are way too fatty and burnt ends are too chewy...I like the seasonings used on their wings but the meat lacks a bit of flavor...My fav here is pulled chicken - moist and tender. I also love their green bean salad and most of their sides expect their fries which are too salty for me. Will stick with my faves.", "timestamp": "2018-03-04T18:58:58" }, { "business_id": "T-xYMAkdNlMPCGqWAH3mwg", "business_name": "Kalbi Taco Shack", "rating": 3, "text": "I really wanted to love this place since the lady was sooo nice! She was very patient answering all my questions. But I have to say that I was disappointed with their food... We ordered short rib burrito, sweet and spicy pork bahn mi and taro milk tea. Starting with the bahn mi, the pork was marinated in some sorta sweet sauce which didn't have a memorable flavor and the meat was not that tender. Usually, when the meat is sweat, it needs to be balanced off with other not-so-sweet ingredients. Unfortunately, both their veggies and sauce (aoili?) were also sweet which made the bahn mi overly sweet... I only had a couple bites of my burrito because there wasn't much meat in there... However, there was way too much rice and creamy sauce (aoili again?) in it which just wasn't a desirable combination... There was nothing special about the bubble tea although they did let me choose the sugar level.", "timestamp": "2018-03-10T19:20:34" }, { "business_id": "4xsJN2FuB94w9rMoMo6XFQ", "business_name": "Spare No Rib", "rating": 3, "text": "I came here because of the amazing reviews I read about this place. We ordered almost all kinds of tacos on the menu and of course the beef cheek is out... We started with their tortilla chips with salsa. The chips came in a light yellow color which didn't seem very appetizing. The spice in the sauce was a nice touch but wasn't impressive. Overall, I didn't think it's worth $4. The tacos were filling and seemed to be on the authentic side but didn't really wow me somehow...The sauce they used in their tacos seemed to be just the salsa sauce... The staffs were all friendly and the service was quick. Might stop by to try their ribs next time when we are in the area.", "timestamp": "2018-03-17T23:31:03" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't believe I've been here 100 times but never checked in or wrote a review...So here it is... The 4 star is purely for their pork banh mi($4.5) and beef combination pho($11). What's so special about their pork banh mi is that they use differently cooked pork meat that comes with tendon - very common in Asia but doesn't seem popular in America or Midwest. The meats have so much flavor and without sauce at all allows me to savor it. I really appreciate the way they handle their sandwiches, unlike most of sandwich shops that cover everything with a river of sauce... Their beef pho usually taste good with rare/medium beef at your choice. My only complaint is the soup is not hot enough sometime. I've tried some of their \"special\" dishes - not impressed.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T22:51:37" }, { "business_id": "oRe0iraGEsVSNKxcp_hjbw", "business_name": "Blk Mkt Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "There was limited parking outside the restaurant so be prepared for it. There was a line when we got there around dinner time but the line moved fast and the staffs were friendly. I ordered OG fire burrito with tuna but I was pretty sure the they got my order wrong cuz the fish both looked and tasted like salmon...The flavor was not bad but the ingrediants were somewhat placed unevenly. A weird thing was I wanted to watch my burrito while it was being made because I wanted to customize my order.However, I was called over by the cashier to pay first... Another complaint was their packaging. Their burritos were packaged in paper boxes that cannot be sealed easily. So once you open it, you kinda have to finish it if you lose the tape...I ended up having to toss my leftover next day...Also, whatever way they rolled it, my burrito fell apart as soon I had a bite so you can imagin the mess I made....", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:43:24" }, { "business_id": "Nq1Kn7ud84upBHz9chFW0A", "business_name": "The Gramophone", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is specific for the smoked salmon sandwich I ordered. They let you order half size which was a plus. Here were the reason why I didn't like the sandwich: 1. They used the type of bread usually used for Philly cheese sandwich which didn not go well with Salmon. Had they used bagel, I would def have enjoyed it more. 2. The cream cheese was not evenly spreaded. 3. I wish they offered capers to balance off my mouthful of cream cheese...", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:59:44" }, { "business_id": "HzUJO2v5lUEIeYoOYsdWbw", "business_name": "Russell's on Macklind", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my new favourite restaurant in STL and I have plenty of reasons. Their burger was cooked to perfection. Plenty of restaurants overcook their steaks but not here! Their burger also came with their house made ketcup which was made with fresh tamatos. The cheese spread was so buttery which was a nice replacement of cheese slice. The burger also came with sides at your choice. We got brussel sprouts which was cooked well with a hint of vineger. I also loved their cakes. Their chocolate cakes were my favorite. Lemon cake was a bit sweet for my taste. They don't have a coffee menu but they can pretty much make anything I ordered and free refill for drip coffee. They have plenty of seatings if you arrive before 6:30 even on Saturday nights. They also have a 2nd floor, a patio and outside seatings. The ambient is classy but not dressy so you can feel comfortable to just grab a coffee and eat desserts at their bar/coffee table. I've def studied here during dinner time lol. Their staffs are always friendly and attentive. The only complaint I have is their shrimp and grits were too saucy which overwhelmed the taste of the dish. But I also loved that they used entire prawns (my came with roes which was a nice surprise). Can't wait to try more on the menu!", "timestamp": "2018-04-15T00:56:49" }, { "business_id": "LGYIhGqbYakMMdsn_GCzJg", "business_name": "Anthonino's Taverna", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Hill restaurant week and ordered a 3 course meal that came with roasted ravioli, beef tenderloin and tiramisu. I also ordered anchovy pasta on the side. We both liked the beef tenderloin a lot. The meat was very tender and not overcooked. It came with mashed potato and grilled onion which were both well cooked. The portion was big enough for us to share. Tiramisu was nice surprise - it was very moist and came with a strong coffee flavored bottom layer. I wasn't a fan of their ravioli - it was a little dry and not enough filling. The pasta, by my standard, was overcooked since I prefer it al dente. The flavor was ok, not memorable. The free bread with olive oil was a plus. Our server was welcoming and attentive. She came to check on us multiple times even though we came in at busy dinner time.", "timestamp": "2018-04-28T00:53:35" }, { "business_id": "KdAWjL9MKjpJzEeI902qBA", "business_name": "Corner 17", "rating": 3, "text": "The reason I've been here like a hundred times but just decided to write a review is because there are too few authentic Chinese restaurants in STL hence no references to compare with. I really hope to have a go to Chinese food place here but sadly I don't. The only reason I come here often is because it's near home... With everything said, I think the food here is pretty mediocre. Nothing specifically worth mentioning. They do serve some authentic Chinese dishes such as boiled chili fish, dry spicy hot pot (ma la xiang guo) and spicy hot pot with souo (ma la tang) which taste ok. I've also tried most of their stir fried dishes. For the meat dishes, I wish they use pressure cooker for beef/tendon and ribs because that's how they should be cooked in Chinese cuisin. Their hand made noodles are fun to watch making but not that tasty - the texture of dao xiao mian is not right... Their bubble tea is made of real tea and they let you pick sugar and ice level which I appreciate. The quality is a lot better than other bubble tea shops in STL but the tea honestly is quite watered dowm... Recently I havd noticed their portion has gotten significantly smaller but the lines have gotten longer...Someone pleass come to STL to come up another Chinese restaurant!", "timestamp": "2018-05-05T23:51:17" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located next to the east side of Forest Park so it's always pleasant to stop by when walking dog in the neighborhood. The service is quick and staffs are friendly. They let you try their ice cream before ordering. They serve ice cream of boozy flavors which is nice. The regular ice cream is def too sweet for my taste.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:18" }, { "business_id": "x8AQIEjSqsW0z4vRyBetbw", "business_name": "The BAO", "rating": 3, "text": "I didn't have high expectation of this place because I've lost faith in so-called Asian fusion food in STL...Unfortunately, this place was in line with my expectation. I ordered char sui bao. The meat was ok except it was kinda fatty and lacked a bit of flavor. The buns were too soft and sticky so they kept being stuck on my teeths. The part that threw me off the most was that they put mayo inside the bao so that's a NO. I did enjoy the frozen cocktail that was made with sake and passion fruit. It was strong but refreshing. Our server was polite and checked on us multiple times. Oh, I also liked the ambient and interior decor - it's chic but not pretencious. Will probably stop by for a drink next time if i'm in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2018-07-04T00:24:48" }, { "business_id": "S87d-VjLFY8ZMoj6MUo_tg", "business_name": "Cate Zone Chinese Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate Zone is so far my favorite Chinese restaurant in STL. They def try to be as authentic as they can. They serve a mixture of regular dishes, street foods and Sichuan dishes. My favorite dishes include lamb skewers and mao xue wang (boiled spicy intestines). Their lamb meat is fatty but flavorful. For their spicy dishes, the flavor is there but not spicy enough, in my opinion. The portion of their food is overwhelmingly big but the price is reasonable.", "timestamp": "2018-07-17T17:30:38" }, { "business_id": "ToH4z1F5Tyuo3p7VhXCpTA", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Clayton restaurant week ($35 for 3 courses). The meal was definitely well worth it. It started with freshly baked bread which we really liked. I enjoyed my clam chowder which was creamy but not heavy. My filet mignon came medium rare which was cooked to perfection. The aged strip was flavorful but the part attached to the bone was kinda chewy in my opinion. Both entries came with sides (green beans and mashed potatos) The highlight of our meals were the desserts. The flavor of the espresso cake was so intense and addicting that we couldn't stop eating it! The cheese cake was alright but the berry sauce was a nice touch. The parts we didn't enjoy as much was our green salad which didn't taste very fresh. I also wasn't a fan of my tequila drink. But overall, we really enjoyed our experience here and certainly will return.", "timestamp": "2018-07-23T03:42:03" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've dined/drank here for quite a few times. The service is a bit inconsistent. The staffs at the bar tend to be more attentive than some of the regular servers. I've tried their bruschettas and crepes which were okay. The salmon and trout crepe can definitely use more ingredients... Also the menu on a tablet is kinda a weird concept - you can only look but can't order?...", "timestamp": "2018-08-03T18:25:21" }, { "business_id": "UM6XgOtTX4DWWcGDTWtjEg", "business_name": "HandleBar", "rating": 4, "text": "Someone told me about the cocktails of this place so decided to give it a try. I ordered their Master & Margarita. Honestly, I didn't quite enjoy the taste (a bit tasteless) but the drink was very strong which I couldn't complain! We also ordered beet fries which I was neutral about. We were there on a Wednesday night which was their Bingo night. The host dressed like a drag queen and he/she was hilarious. Not lots of ppl showed up that night but that didn't stop him/her from putting on spontaneous performances. Overall, it was an entertaining experience. Perfect spot to grab a drink if you are by yourself as well.", "timestamp": "2018-08-04T15:11:23" }, { "business_id": "4HMXL85u_wX0WEHucVkI6A", "business_name": "Dave & Tony's", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why people are so harsh about this place. Sure, this place is not a \"premium\" burger restaurant per se, but their burgers are definitely more premium than McDonald's or Five Guys. For only $7.2, you get to customize your own burger and they are decent burgers. For $2, you get freshly made fries which are actually very good! Their ingredients are always fresh even though they get my orders wrong sometime. But I don't care. Because people who work here are friendly and willing to fix their mistakes. Also, you can collect a stamp for each burger ordered and you get a free burger once your brunch card is full.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T00:19:17" }, { "business_id": "56TulnfOZy0JI96zwVv27w", "business_name": "Gioia's Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard about this place from James Beard Awarded restaurant list. We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon so you can imagine the line... Fortunately, the line moved pretty quick so we got to order within 10 minutes. We ordered one of the most popular sandwiches - hot salami and roasted beef with garlic bread and pepper jack cheese. The beef and salami tasted good separately but kinda overshadowed the flavors of each other when put together...The garlic bread was barely noticeable so not really worth the additional buck. The sandwich was 9?10? inch long so probably big enough to share between 2 ppl. In general, solid sandwich but not addicting in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T19:49:44" }, { "business_id": "1ulD4HL2G8qbpEuuWFDSqQ", "business_name": "Himalayan Yeti", "rating": 4, "text": "Generally speaking, I can't taste the differences between good vs great Indian food and I've never been to India. I personally think the food here is pretty good. I've tried their chicken tikka masala(tamato base), lamb saag (spinach base), fish currency, garlic cheese naan and some other dishes. My favorite one is probably lamb saag - it has so much flavors in one dish and very dense and savory. They let you choose spice level, 5 being the hottest. I ordered 4 once which turned out to be a huge mistake. When they say very spicy, they mean it... Oh, their lassie is also pretty good or standard should I say? They also bring you free papadum (northern indian chips?)with 2 types of sauce before your dishes are served. Good service as well. Will come back to try their lunch buffet sometime (11pm -2:30pm everyday).", "timestamp": "2018-08-10T23:58:01" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped by this place whenever I'm near Tower Grove. The concept odd nitrogen ice cream is still new in St.louis so this def is niche. Nitrogen ice cream, in general, is smoother than regular ice cream because it freezes faster during manufacturing process. This place offers boozy flavor and vegan ice cream which is even nicer. The boozy ones tend to give me a buzz so that's a plus :)", "timestamp": "2018-08-11T00:41:47" }, { "business_id": "Q3S_VyJ4ob-FeKZARiP4Fg", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 2, "text": "First of all, I'd like to make a comment on the composition of their menu. Reading through the menu, all of the dishes were made with pork except chicken adobo. There was also no veggie dish that could go with my meat dish... We ordered their rib and a taco as starters. The rib was fried which I wasn't a fan of. The taco was soooo greasy that a lot of oil started dripping off...We ordered a new school dish (forgot the name) that came with shredded pork in shrimp paste, bitter melon and some green beans. The portion was so small that we had to order another entree. We ordered flying pig and chicken odobo combo. Flying pig was way too sweet for my taste and covered with a big load of sauce. Also, they raised the price of the combo without marking it on their menu which I thought was shady. We both felt pretty nauseous after the dinner probably due to the grease...", "timestamp": "2018-09-22T21:17:19" }, { "business_id": "JrYWF3BWf1GYk8hnF2Cz4w", "business_name": "Chaparritos", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is a hidden jem. First of all, everything is so cheap! You get a delicious taco for $2.25 ( some are $2.5). We ordered a bunch of tacos which were all delicious and authentic. Besides, your order comes with complimentary tortilla chips along with 2 different types of sauce. I loved their salsa sauce - fresh with a hint of spice. Not a fan of their margarita, too sweet for my taste. The staff was very friendly too. Can't wait to come back to try other dishes!", "timestamp": "2018-10-06T02:38:39" }, { "business_id": "kqt8O-XxMkE6ga42IPa7sA", "business_name": "SUSHI KOI", "rating": 4, "text": "Sushi Koi has happy hour every day between 4:30-6:30 PM Monday-Friday. I've been there several times and tried a bunch of things on their happy hour menu. Overall, the quality of their sushi has been consistent and decent but nothing exceptional. My go-to dishes are sashimi sampler ($9) and scallop hand roll ($3) Not a fan of their tuna hand roll as I can barely taste any tuna in it...Their takoyaki are pretty tasty as well. I also enjoyed their lychee sake ($4, hot or cold) and martinis ($5).", "timestamp": "2018-10-20T22:56:58" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 2, "text": "I had high expectations for this place due to other yelpers' recommendations and I was deeply disappointed... We came here for their happy hours (4-6pm Wednesday- Sunday). We opted to sit at the bar where there were 3 waitresses just hanging out there. They were not particularly welcoming or friendly. One of them was kinda of aloof when I asked her questions about their menu. We ordered pastrami sliders and meatball off the happy hour menu ($5 per dish). The meatball was luke warm and tasted like microwaved frozen meat ball covered with spaghetti sauce. The pastrami came with chunks of fat that actually made me nauseous...We ended up changing our plan and went to eat dinner somewhere else... I really wanted to like this place since the decor is so cute. But I'll unlikely return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:33:35" }, { "business_id": "4ZNCc1GzJZkS7XI1c9rCMA", "business_name": "Layla", "rating": 4, "text": "Been here a couple times. First time late at night and had a nice conversation with the bartender. 2nd time around dinner time when the bar was semi-packed. The have a pretty comprehensive menu r ranging from traditional Lebanese dishes to regular bar food with plenty of vegan options and desserts as well. They are somewhat well known for their shawarmas which you can choose your protein, wrap and sauce. I've only tried their spicy lamb with black wrap. I like the spicy sauce and the wrap but the meat was a bit fatty for my taste and not too tender. I did really like their sweet potato fries that came with curry aioli sauce. It had such unique taste and was truly addicting. For hummus, they have regular and seasonal. I've tried their olive hummus and pita bread which I enjoyed. They also have a large selection of boozy float with vanilla ice cream and many flavors of shakes. Will definitely give it a try next time!", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:55:03" }, { "business_id": "VVHfqUeYyAA9FEsH-6PI2A", "business_name": "Foundation Grounds Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "What I like about this place: - open till 6pm which is a bit unusual for coffee shops in st. Louis - bottomless coffe for $3.75 - 5% off on all items if you check in on yelp - friendly staffs - seats facing windows What I'm not a fan of this place: - it could get crowded and noisy if you are here on the weekend - the quality of their coffee is mediocre and latte is overrated", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:25:18" }, { "business_id": "MaYb7qMN6BomP1zQGj3Wjg", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Delmar Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been to all of their locations in town and the quality of their food and services have been pretty consistent. I came in this location for happy hour. They had all starters and snacks for half price, selected beer and sangaria for special price. We ordered blazed chicken wings that came with grilled carrots. The wings were kinda fatty and the skins were not crispy which was a bit disappointing. We ordered Delmar and Kirkwood both deep dish style. Again, the quality was consistently good. The crust was perfect, not burnt and the amount of sauce was perfect. Btw, you can decide the type of crust used for your pizza. You can also choose half n half if you want to try 2 different flavours.Will try their oilive oil based pizza next time.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:42:51" }, { "business_id": "A5b9nVDi1DPVvPOD24-p6w", "business_name": "Sump Coffee", "rating": 2, "text": "To be fair, their coffee isn't bad. The reason I think it doesn't deserve more is because the price they charge for a tiny cup of latte. Today, I paid $8 for a 10 oz latte! Most expensive latte I've ever had in my entire life! Even compared to the best in San Francisco! They charge $1 if you replace regular milk with oatmilk or soymilk which is very steep. 10oz...I honestly barely tasted my coffee before it was gone...I thought it was a rip-off. Sorry won't return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:57:52" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "We were here on a Saturday night and got seated always right away. The service here was top notch. Our server was attentive and surprised my friends with 2 amazing whiskey cocktails (per his request). They have an extensive handcrafted cocktails which are certainly not short of creativity. I was pleased to see mecal and pisco on the drink list so I had to order one of those. The pisco drink I ordered came with a bag a Lay's! Right?! Who goes there (a whiskey drink) smoked in a lantern enclosure and our waitress was dressed like a witch when she delivered the drink! How fun! With all the good things, I wasn't impressed with their food... the pork schnitzel we ordered tasted bland and not very crispy. Chorizo wrapped in dates tasted okay but a bit sweet for my taste. The chocolate torte was served with espresso cream which I enjoyed. However, there were too much other ingredients on the plate as well which was unnecessary. Overall, it was a good spot for drinks and maybe desserts.", "timestamp": "2018-12-24T16:58:22" }, { "business_id": "mUrkyChBfFC679O80poJAQ", "business_name": "The Chocolate Pig", "rating": 3, "text": "We made a reservation and our table was ready when we arrived. The service was good. The food was above average but could cook the duck confit a bit tender. Brussel sprouts were fried well but didn't go particularly well with the buttermilk (just a bit heavy for my taste, but the pickled onion was a nice touch to offset the heaviness. The cocktails were okay, nothing to rave about. Affogato caviar was the highlight of the meal. It was pleasantly light and got an espresso aroma to it. Overall, didn't think the meal was worth $100 for two ppl.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T02:21:43" }, { "business_id": "jKHlvwq40sghrR89pF_3Tw", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my go-to place for ice cream in st.louis. They have plenty of interesting flavors such as lavender, eggnog, sweet cream, etc. My favorites are dark chocolate truffle and almond brittle. The truffle is rich but not too sweet. The almond is nutty and savory. Most importantly, they go very well together along with the waffle. Mmm, who doesn't love its ice cream!", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "LsHyDO0k4O0mxgxcsQ5A8g", "business_name": "Shivers Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "Their concrete are the best I've had in Il/MO. They are dense, rich and light flavored. I had a chocolate and a light vanilla cone with yellow cake toppings, they are everything I wished for and not overly sweet like most of ice cream places in the midwest. They even gave my dog a puppy cone! Their service was also very good - the girl was patient with my questions and gave useful recommendations. Will def return when I'm in the area.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T23:28:50" }, { "business_id": "YpGPZ-Zg89BsFUWwCXoaBw", "business_name": "Yellowbelly", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times. 4 stars goes to their drinks, service and the ambience. Solid cocktails with creative twists. The light and the music are just in my league. I'm not a fan their food unfortunately... I've tried their shrimps, a bit burned and overcooked. Salmon wasn't memorable. Fries were thinly cut, tiny and way too greasy. The only item I enjoyed was their biscuits. They were buttery with perfect amount of sea salt. The uni butter was rich flavor and made the biscuits double savory. Overall, I would come back to try more cocktails and their biscuits!", "timestamp": "2019-01-07T03:09:29" }, { "business_id": "oHvEgLH6pAkcrPmeR1l3UQ", "business_name": "Retreat Gastropub", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here a couple times for dinner and lunch. I've tried their classic burgers, chicken sandwich, mac & cheese, risotto balls and trout .Unfortunately, none of the dishes wowed me...In general, their dishes lack a bit of flavor and texture. The ingredients of some of the dishes simply don't go well together (ex: trout and beans with aioli sauce...) They were also on the heavier side for me taste... I liked the decor and the ambience. Service was also pretty good. They have happy hour all day on Monday ($6 appetizers).", "timestamp": "2019-03-18T16:54:33" }, { "business_id": "x2F34anSA7cH64owjdK13g", "business_name": "Baida Moroccan Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "We ordered chicken tagine and lamb shoulder and they were both cooked to perfection. I was particularly delighted that the lamb dish came with variety of steamed veggies and I got to choose from couscous and saffron rice. The chicken dish came in a clay pot which seemed exotic. The chicken meat was so tender that it fell right off the bones. The olives that came with the dish was a nice addition. The dish also came with flatbreads which were addicting to dip into the sauce. Ask for harissa sauce if you like spicy. The dishes took some time to come up but our server was very attentive - added water twice. The owner also came out to say hi. Can't wait to go back to try many more dishes!", "timestamp": "2019-05-13T00:00:30" }, { "business_id": "hXENwSCtd8pdBrnN8XkXyA", "business_name": "Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel", "rating": 4, "text": "Conveniently located next to STL airport, the hotel offers free shuttle every 30 minutes. Although breakfast is not included, there's a restaurant at the lobby that serves breakfast (off the menu and continental). Thy also have a bar that offers variety of drinks (cocktaild, beer, wine). Until most of the Marriot brands in the Midwest, this hotel seems updated and modern. They also has a sizable gym and a pool. The service was fabulous as well - they brougt free tooth brush and tooth paste to my room per my request. Only downside is no extra beddings to be found in the room and it was chilly at the bar. Also, parking was $15 overnight.", "timestamp": "2020-02-01T17:24:30" } ]	{ "business_id": "zljfjg_zTL3ceGi_Vr4OFw", "business_name": "Sheraton New Orleans Hotel", "rating": 2, "text": "Very dated hotel- paint came off the wall, bed frame was super old. Dirty elevator. Breakfast was pretty bad as well - pastries seemed to be seating there for days, fruits were rotten, coffee was highly diluted. Hotel service wasn't bad except a staff walked into my room without knocking...", "timestamp": "2020-02-06T14:54:11" }
Pbry-b9xBgHlWlbGlYbTZg	[ { "business_id": "wYdlP6g2y6gK_RmLrPhsGA", "business_name": "Lola's", "rating": 4, "text": "Very interesting place. We waited for about an hour. But the food is worth waiting. We had lamb stew and meet is tander and flavorful. We also ordered paella which is also fresh and tasty. The price of this place has gone up quite a bit though...", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:50:57" }, { "business_id": "VaO-VW3e1kARkU9bP1E7Fw", "business_name": "Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "Underrated restaurant. Much better than amac from across the street! Food is fresh and tasty. Service is quick. Staffs are friendly and caring. We visited twice during our 3 day visit. Worth going again.", "timestamp": "2015-06-29T23:52:47" }, { "business_id": "wMWRpzjKgwIef2yJ41RCGw", "business_name": "La Bonne Bouchee", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite restaurant in St Louis! Price is reasonable, actually really cheap! My favourite entrees (come with complimentary soup and bread) are crepe and crevettes which are always consistently freshly made. They are never stingy on shrimps, crabs and cheese. My favourite dessert is four flavour cake which is really creamy but not so sweet. The service is usually quick and good. I'm a regular and definitely will keep coming back!", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:25:03" }, { "business_id": "JGsG-_hYhD8nHtsgXZt_5A", "business_name": "Franco", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there with friends on new year's eve expecting decent meals based on its reviews. I ordered duck belly which had a very strong and awkward taste...the seafood stew I ordered was decent but not worth the money($24?). I saw an apricot flavor sparkling wine and told our waiter that I wanted something more sour and less strong and he came back with the same drink...other ppl in my group ordered steak, mussels and halibut and they liked their dishes. The biggest disappointment of the night was actually the desert. We shared a petite fours. Everything is dry and very sweet and tastes like it's been sitting in the fridge for too long. Overall, I wanted to give the restaurant a good review given the good ambient and service. But the food is disappointing and way too pricy for what it's worth ($108 for two ppl).", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:41:55" }, { "business_id": "DT_ZjeS2ZvBuzZvt9h48fg", "business_name": "Wonton King", "rating": 3, "text": "Not my favorite dim sum place but it's probably the best in St louis...like most of Chinese restaurants here, the service is kinda sketchy...there's no menu with prices I can refer to so somehow we end up spending $30 on 4 plates which is definitely on the pricy side for dim sum. The food is okay. My favorite is a taro dish with stuffing. The egg tart is try and tasteless.", "timestamp": "2016-01-02T21:51:15" }, { "business_id": "IrUhsjQZtSB-TjxqtXaKkg", "business_name": "The Kitchen Sink", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located in a hidden corner that I almost missed...based on its interior design, it looks more like a sports bar than a Cajun food restaurant. I ordered the kitchen sink which is very thick and creamy. Other people ordered different entries which they think are just okay. The chicken wings are pretty good tho according to a friend.", "timestamp": "2016-02-03T03:42:20" }, { "business_id": "Fok0BLJP0OMxbbl3l6QmZA", "business_name": "Sauce on the Side", "rating": 4, "text": "We ordered meet me in St Louis and strawberry salad which are both very good. The only thing I can complain about is the restaurateur is packed and we had to squeeze into our seats at the bar table. Will try to visit again during weekdays.", "timestamp": "2016-02-14T02:20:13" }, { "business_id": "eVUP_iOwvsLk6daEmyhESA", "business_name": "Yemanja Brasil", "rating": 3, "text": "Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about either food or the service. The reason I give it 3 star is because I think the meals are way overpriced given the quality...We had appetizer platter. The yuca is not very crispy and the empanada has no shrimp in it...We also ordered seafood stew which is basically a soup and taste kinda boring...The xin xim taste fine but after a few bites it becomes boring...and the complimentary bread is cold. I really hope they can add some varieties into their dishes. Also their half price appetizer during happy hours is no longer available which is kinda a bummer.", "timestamp": "2016-04-09T00:19:36" }, { "business_id": "RfLSeu3dhXQjm72R_xEq1w", "business_name": "Sister Cities", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is located in a questionable neighborhood just a bit pass tower grove. We were sketched out about the place when we first stepped in. One door was missing and the other was covered by a piece of wood...Also it was really dark inside the restaurant...But as soon as we tried the food, we changed our mind about the place. The shrimp tacos are in pretty big porportion and tastes fresh. The cubsn sandwich was so flavorful and interesting. Seafood gumbo was so so. Still definitely try other dishes next time.", "timestamp": "2016-04-19T23:45:50" }, { "business_id": "HCYs4zgL7kCLdEqKRqaPbg", "business_name": "Lona's Lil Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "I really want to love this place because it's really a lovely place located in a nice neighbourhood in midtown. I came here with high expectations because of all those good reviews. But I have to say I wasn't impressed by the food...The concept of Asian burrito is interesting but the way they are made is too simple (I can easily make it at home at pretty low cost). I guess what I'm trying to say is there is nothing special about the food, not even the sauce...Sorry... I ordered chicken rice wrap with sesame sauce. The sauce is so salty that I could barely taste the rest of ingredients. My fiance had turkey wrap which was kinda plain. The bamboo stew tastes like bamboo sauce I normally get from the Chinese market. Eggplant dish was ok but salty...", "timestamp": "2016-06-19T01:34:42" }, { "business_id": "b7V_5q22_eTeHlYzq1bpFw", "business_name": "Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I visited this restaurant 4 times during my 5 days stay. Crazy, right? Here are a list of reasons/pros: - We were staying a nearby hotel. - The restaurant opens 11 - 10:30 pretty much every day including new year's day so it fits into our schedule. - If you are a party of two, chances are you get seated right away. - $9 per dozen of oysters which is a really great deal by any standard! - They have a seafood shop next door that sells boiled and fresh seafood to- go. - Our server (same) is very friendly and recognized us every single time. Now I want to talk about the reasons why I only give it 3 stars. - We tried a bunch of stuff which are all pretty mediocre. Raw oysters are not cleaned well. So if your schedule is flexible, go to Superior Seafood during their happy hours for their 50 cents/oyster - better quality and cheaper. Turtle soup has a strange taste so I definitely prefer Felix's. A portion of my boiled shrimps are always mushy somhow, maybe boiled for too long?... - The ambient is inviting but not comfortable so we basically just finished our food and go. - Clean the bathroom!! Will probably visit again if we stay in the area next time or simply just pick up some seafood quickly.", "timestamp": "2017-01-02T04:12:17" }, { "business_id": "cQIh4YJlVtZI9TLF5_smOg", "business_name": "The Shaved Duck", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to say local Yelp rereviews have been inaccurate most of the time and this one is no exception...There is absolutely nothing special about this restaurant - food is medicore but pricey (comes in small portions) and service is slow. For people who claim this to be the best BBQ restaurant, I absolutely want to hear your reasons!", "timestamp": "2017-05-06T03:44:35" }, { "business_id": "2EWsaJdeedx_-my5fYEg9A", "business_name": "Vista", "rating": 2, "text": "I read about this place before we went so we were somewhat aware of what we should expect about the ramen. We ordered Vista ramen and fried chicken. Fried chicken is fine but a bittle expensive for the size. Ramen is just a HUGE disappointment...The broth taste like they try to make it taste like shoyu but the flavor is just not there...The pork belly is wayyy too fatty. We end up returning it and get ribs instead which seems deep fried and is very sweet... The service is decent and our server didn't charge us for the ramen. Probably won't go back...", "timestamp": "2017-07-23T00:24:08" }, { "business_id": "3VYxaeo6BJNHbVIIfmWN_w", "business_name": "Vicia", "rating": 3, "text": "I really like their Patio, they have a nicefire place and the seatings are adjacent to outside. The service is pretty good even though they didn't have our table ready when we got there...We ordered a cheese platter and two meat dishes. The only one that stands out is the pork dish which is very tender. The food is definitely on the pricy side. Expect to spend $100+ for two people.", "timestamp": "2017-07-28T01:18:51" }, { "business_id": "rVzbBAG3BDlx2-OFUOq4MQ", "business_name": "El Toluco Taqueria & Grocery", "rating": 4, "text": "The restaurant is adjacent to a Mexican grocery store so it can be easily missed. We ordered tacos of almost every flavour and my conclusion is that they are definitely closer to authentic style than Mission Taco. Not the best I've had but one of the best taco spots I've tried in St. Louis.", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:17:05" }, { "business_id": "hv-rci0u6KR75ALB_70dHw", "business_name": "Blueprint Coffee", "rating": 4, "text": "I've tried their latte and cortado which are both good (better than Starbucks for sure). The bristas there are knowledgable and patient with me. The only thing to complain about is the noise level and it's almost always packed. So I wouldn't suggest studying there...", "timestamp": "2017-08-11T23:22:22" }, { "business_id": "mwClJ3GToMV17Guo-KLCRw", "business_name": "United Provisions", "rating": 4, "text": "Come here for their Happy hours! I like their Nigiris, my favourites are smoky salmon and yellow tail. I love their Takoyaki! It's always come hot and fresh. Their sushi rolls are kind of boring but not bad. Not a big fan of ramen - the flavor is kinda off...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T22:58:41" }, { "business_id": "xmO9u_t1LspxV5iuF594Tg", "business_name": "Wudon Korean BBQ", "rating": 4, "text": "There are not many Korean BBQ restaurants in St.Louis and Wudon is certainly one of them worth mentioning. I like their marinated beef combo. The large one comes with 4 types of beef, 2 soups, a bunch of side dishes and a pancke which all taste pretty good. The only thing I'm not 100% happy with is the quality of beef don't seem very consistent - it's fattier some time than other times...", "timestamp": "2017-08-12T23:06:59" }, { "business_id": "O_0H42Bw8hBduWSADPG8ng", "business_name": "Three Kings Public House", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place on Delmar loop when I don't feel adventurous with dining. I like to sit on the patio outside which is cozy and quiet. My favorite dishes here are mussels, chicken wings and tuna sliders. Their burgers are decent just not my fav. They have happy hour from 3-6 Monday through Thursday. They also have a late night menu from 10pm to midnight Sunday through Thursday.", "timestamp": "2017-10-16T00:16:05" }, { "business_id": "55GmNphU0DhtkvG5lSZ49w", "business_name": "Westport Social", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go to place for bar games in STL. They are 10 times better than Pink Galleon in terms of ambience and decor. Most importantly, it doesn't smell like smoke. The drinks are pretty strong and semi tasty. I'm not a big fan of their food tho. Also, Friday and Saturday night are typically packed so you may have to line up outside...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:16:55" }, { "business_id": "NV6zZPb5OGVpyX4JrSzUPg", "business_name": "The Block", "rating": 3, "text": "I went there for happy hours with colleagues. Ww ordered pig rinds, sliders, ribs and a pork moose dish - all overwhelmingly salty...I ended up boxing all of the food and gave it to my dog... The service was nice and quick. Our server came to check on us every 5 minutes and filled up our water (the bar was also very empty that night). Overall, it was a nice place to hang for happy hour drinks but def not food...", "timestamp": "2018-01-21T22:23:23" }, { "business_id": "gsyyVQmvT9A2nAgUi7VUag", "business_name": "Nudo House STL", "rating": 3, "text": "This is an update of my previous review. So far, I've tried almost all of their Ramen and I'm sad to say that they deserve a maximum of 3 star...Their broth in general is rich but very salty and always makes me and my colleagues sick and tired afterwards...I never ordered their pork ramen again since their porkbelly are not well cooked - I suggested them using pressure cooker to make it tender. I recently tried their curry ramen which made me really nauseous all afternoon...My only edible option here is their chicken ramen but again, I have to drink a ton of water afterwards to get through my day...", "timestamp": "2018-02-23T01:28:22" }, { "business_id": "7AjM-d3gsgpvKDQSX6QCuA", "business_name": "Bristol Seafood Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my new go-to happy hour place in STL(4-7pm Mon - Fri). They have $1 oyster which are consistently good. Their $7 appetizers are also tasty. My favs so far are shrimp scampi and tuna poke. Their cocktails are pretty strong (in a good way). Pacific punch is so fruity and delicious! Don't forget to check in to get one free calamari! They have lobster special ($16/lb) on Wednesday and Thursday which I think well worth it. Also, this place gets packed quickly during happy hour so try to get here before 5 to beat the traffic.", "timestamp": "2018-02-24T00:09:31" }, { "business_id": "zun6IVJa7wYe3wAPqWnPGw", "business_name": "PokeDoke", "rating": 1, "text": "We were there on Sunday around dinner time and everything was out except tofu. I later on read someone else's review about the same issue - if you don't go there 1st thing in the morning, sorry, we only have tofu. I understand this is due to the concern of food refreshness, but this is the only place that does so among sooo many poke restaurants in the US I've been to! I know this is STL but this is just ridiculous. Since I don't work in the area, guess I will NEVER have chance to try their food.", "timestamp": "2018-02-26T21:52:09" }, { "business_id": "LKLm4SgIHz48rQYlBRuaHw", "business_name": "Handcrafted by Bissinger's", "rating": 4, "text": "This is my go-to place in CWE if I wanna catch up with friends at a quiet place. They have a big and nice couch setup where I can rest my feet. Their decor is simple but elegant. My faves here are hot chocolate and sea salt cookies - they are cheap, delicious and never disappoint (even tho I'm not a cookie person). I've tried their chocolates, various desserts and chocolate cocktails - sadly they are just mediocre...But hey I still come here often for their hot chocolate and cookies!", "timestamp": "2018-02-28T14:58:21" }, { "business_id": "R8t9g5nvi7VFyS8zsgmj8Q", "business_name": "Salt + Smoke", "rating": 3, "text": "I've tried pretty much all types of meat they have so far and I have to say that I'm not that impressed...Their ribs are on the dry side and I def prefer pappy's. I'm also not a big fan of their briskets - the fatty ones are way too fatty and burnt ends are too chewy...I like the seasonings used on their wings but the meat lacks a bit of flavor...My fav here is pulled chicken - moist and tender. I also love their green bean salad and most of their sides expect their fries which are too salty for me. Will stick with my faves.", "timestamp": "2018-03-04T18:58:58" }, { "business_id": "T-xYMAkdNlMPCGqWAH3mwg", "business_name": "Kalbi Taco Shack", "rating": 3, "text": "I really wanted to love this place since the lady was sooo nice! She was very patient answering all my questions. But I have to say that I was disappointed with their food... We ordered short rib burrito, sweet and spicy pork bahn mi and taro milk tea. Starting with the bahn mi, the pork was marinated in some sorta sweet sauce which didn't have a memorable flavor and the meat was not that tender. Usually, when the meat is sweat, it needs to be balanced off with other not-so-sweet ingredients. Unfortunately, both their veggies and sauce (aoili?) were also sweet which made the bahn mi overly sweet... I only had a couple bites of my burrito because there wasn't much meat in there... However, there was way too much rice and creamy sauce (aoili again?) in it which just wasn't a desirable combination... There was nothing special about the bubble tea although they did let me choose the sugar level.", "timestamp": "2018-03-10T19:20:34" }, { "business_id": "4xsJN2FuB94w9rMoMo6XFQ", "business_name": "Spare No Rib", "rating": 3, "text": "I came here because of the amazing reviews I read about this place. We ordered almost all kinds of tacos on the menu and of course the beef cheek is out... We started with their tortilla chips with salsa. The chips came in a light yellow color which didn't seem very appetizing. The spice in the sauce was a nice touch but wasn't impressive. Overall, I didn't think it's worth $4. The tacos were filling and seemed to be on the authentic side but didn't really wow me somehow...The sauce they used in their tacos seemed to be just the salsa sauce... The staffs were all friendly and the service was quick. Might stop by to try their ribs next time when we are in the area.", "timestamp": "2018-03-17T23:31:03" }, { "business_id": "YPTYOQO8Lg9BtHsRwYBY7g", "business_name": "Mai Lee", "rating": 4, "text": "Can't believe I've been here 100 times but never checked in or wrote a review...So here it is... The 4 star is purely for their pork banh mi($4.5) and beef combination pho($11). What's so special about their pork banh mi is that they use differently cooked pork meat that comes with tendon - very common in Asia but doesn't seem popular in America or Midwest. The meats have so much flavor and without sauce at all allows me to savor it. I really appreciate the way they handle their sandwiches, unlike most of sandwich shops that cover everything with a river of sauce... Their beef pho usually taste good with rare/medium beef at your choice. My only complaint is the soup is not hot enough sometime. I've tried some of their \"special\" dishes - not impressed.", "timestamp": "2018-03-31T22:51:37" }, { "business_id": "oRe0iraGEsVSNKxcp_hjbw", "business_name": "Blk Mkt Eats", "rating": 3, "text": "There was limited parking outside the restaurant so be prepared for it. There was a line when we got there around dinner time but the line moved fast and the staffs were friendly. I ordered OG fire burrito with tuna but I was pretty sure the they got my order wrong cuz the fish both looked and tasted like salmon...The flavor was not bad but the ingrediants were somewhat placed unevenly. A weird thing was I wanted to watch my burrito while it was being made because I wanted to customize my order.However, I was called over by the cashier to pay first... Another complaint was their packaging. Their burritos were packaged in paper boxes that cannot be sealed easily. So once you open it, you kinda have to finish it if you lose the tape...I ended up having to toss my leftover next day...Also, whatever way they rolled it, my burrito fell apart as soon I had a bite so you can imagin the mess I made....", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:43:24" }, { "business_id": "Nq1Kn7ud84upBHz9chFW0A", "business_name": "The Gramophone", "rating": 2, "text": "This review is specific for the smoked salmon sandwich I ordered. They let you order half size which was a plus. Here were the reason why I didn't like the sandwich: 1. They used the type of bread usually used for Philly cheese sandwich which didn not go well with Salmon. Had they used bagel, I would def have enjoyed it more. 2. The cream cheese was not evenly spreaded. 3. I wish they offered capers to balance off my mouthful of cream cheese...", "timestamp": "2018-04-14T23:59:44" }, { "business_id": "HzUJO2v5lUEIeYoOYsdWbw", "business_name": "Russell's on Macklind", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my new favourite restaurant in STL and I have plenty of reasons. Their burger was cooked to perfection. Plenty of restaurants overcook their steaks but not here! Their burger also came with their house made ketcup which was made with fresh tamatos. The cheese spread was so buttery which was a nice replacement of cheese slice. The burger also came with sides at your choice. We got brussel sprouts which was cooked well with a hint of vineger. I also loved their cakes. Their chocolate cakes were my favorite. Lemon cake was a bit sweet for my taste. They don't have a coffee menu but they can pretty much make anything I ordered and free refill for drip coffee. They have plenty of seatings if you arrive before 6:30 even on Saturday nights. They also have a 2nd floor, a patio and outside seatings. The ambient is classy but not dressy so you can feel comfortable to just grab a coffee and eat desserts at their bar/coffee table. I've def studied here during dinner time lol. Their staffs are always friendly and attentive. The only complaint I have is their shrimp and grits were too saucy which overwhelmed the taste of the dish. But I also loved that they used entire prawns (my came with roes which was a nice surprise). Can't wait to try more on the menu!", "timestamp": "2018-04-15T00:56:49" }, { "business_id": "LGYIhGqbYakMMdsn_GCzJg", "business_name": "Anthonino's Taverna", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Hill restaurant week and ordered a 3 course meal that came with roasted ravioli, beef tenderloin and tiramisu. I also ordered anchovy pasta on the side. We both liked the beef tenderloin a lot. The meat was very tender and not overcooked. It came with mashed potato and grilled onion which were both well cooked. The portion was big enough for us to share. Tiramisu was nice surprise - it was very moist and came with a strong coffee flavored bottom layer. I wasn't a fan of their ravioli - it was a little dry and not enough filling. The pasta, by my standard, was overcooked since I prefer it al dente. The flavor was ok, not memorable. The free bread with olive oil was a plus. Our server was welcoming and attentive. She came to check on us multiple times even though we came in at busy dinner time.", "timestamp": "2018-04-28T00:53:35" }, { "business_id": "KdAWjL9MKjpJzEeI902qBA", "business_name": "Corner 17", "rating": 3, "text": "The reason I've been here like a hundred times but just decided to write a review is because there are too few authentic Chinese restaurants in STL hence no references to compare with. I really hope to have a go to Chinese food place here but sadly I don't. The only reason I come here often is because it's near home... With everything said, I think the food here is pretty mediocre. Nothing specifically worth mentioning. They do serve some authentic Chinese dishes such as boiled chili fish, dry spicy hot pot (ma la xiang guo) and spicy hot pot with souo (ma la tang) which taste ok. I've also tried most of their stir fried dishes. For the meat dishes, I wish they use pressure cooker for beef/tendon and ribs because that's how they should be cooked in Chinese cuisin. Their hand made noodles are fun to watch making but not that tasty - the texture of dao xiao mian is not right... Their bubble tea is made of real tea and they let you pick sugar and ice level which I appreciate. The quality is a lot better than other bubble tea shops in STL but the tea honestly is quite watered dowm... Recently I havd noticed their portion has gotten significantly smaller but the lines have gotten longer...Someone pleass come to STL to come up another Chinese restaurant!", "timestamp": "2018-05-05T23:51:17" }, { "business_id": "2aZNVfzU-3672SjRHnPoOA", "business_name": "Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery", "rating": 3, "text": "This place is located next to the east side of Forest Park so it's always pleasant to stop by when walking dog in the neighborhood. The service is quick and staffs are friendly. They let you try their ice cream before ordering. They serve ice cream of boozy flavors which is nice. The regular ice cream is def too sweet for my taste.", "timestamp": "2018-06-30T18:23:18" }, { "business_id": "x8AQIEjSqsW0z4vRyBetbw", "business_name": "The BAO", "rating": 3, "text": "I didn't have high expectation of this place because I've lost faith in so-called Asian fusion food in STL...Unfortunately, this place was in line with my expectation. I ordered char sui bao. The meat was ok except it was kinda fatty and lacked a bit of flavor. The buns were too soft and sticky so they kept being stuck on my teeths. The part that threw me off the most was that they put mayo inside the bao so that's a NO. I did enjoy the frozen cocktail that was made with sake and passion fruit. It was strong but refreshing. Our server was polite and checked on us multiple times. Oh, I also liked the ambient and interior decor - it's chic but not pretencious. Will probably stop by for a drink next time if i'm in the neighborhood.", "timestamp": "2018-07-04T00:24:48" }, { "business_id": "S87d-VjLFY8ZMoj6MUo_tg", "business_name": "Cate Zone Chinese Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate Zone is so far my favorite Chinese restaurant in STL. They def try to be as authentic as they can. They serve a mixture of regular dishes, street foods and Sichuan dishes. My favorite dishes include lamb skewers and mao xue wang (boiled spicy intestines). Their lamb meat is fatty but flavorful. For their spicy dishes, the flavor is there but not spicy enough, in my opinion. The portion of their food is overwhelmingly big but the price is reasonable.", "timestamp": "2018-07-17T17:30:38" }, { "business_id": "ToH4z1F5Tyuo3p7VhXCpTA", "business_name": "The Capital Grille", "rating": 4, "text": "We came here for the Clayton restaurant week ($35 for 3 courses). The meal was definitely well worth it. It started with freshly baked bread which we really liked. I enjoyed my clam chowder which was creamy but not heavy. My filet mignon came medium rare which was cooked to perfection. The aged strip was flavorful but the part attached to the bone was kinda chewy in my opinion. Both entries came with sides (green beans and mashed potatos) The highlight of our meals were the desserts. The flavor of the espresso cake was so intense and addicting that we couldn't stop eating it! The cheese cake was alright but the berry sauce was a nice touch. The parts we didn't enjoy as much was our green salad which didn't taste very fresh. I also wasn't a fan of my tequila drink. But overall, we really enjoyed our experience here and certainly will return.", "timestamp": "2018-07-23T03:42:03" }, { "business_id": "utJRw1T1_zjBuCIFFIbe-w", "business_name": "Sasha's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've dined/drank here for quite a few times. The service is a bit inconsistent. The staffs at the bar tend to be more attentive than some of the regular servers. I've tried their bruschettas and crepes which were okay. The salmon and trout crepe can definitely use more ingredients... Also the menu on a tablet is kinda a weird concept - you can only look but can't order?...", "timestamp": "2018-08-03T18:25:21" }, { "business_id": "UM6XgOtTX4DWWcGDTWtjEg", "business_name": "HandleBar", "rating": 4, "text": "Someone told me about the cocktails of this place so decided to give it a try. I ordered their Master & Margarita. Honestly, I didn't quite enjoy the taste (a bit tasteless) but the drink was very strong which I couldn't complain! We also ordered beet fries which I was neutral about. We were there on a Wednesday night which was their Bingo night. The host dressed like a drag queen and he/she was hilarious. Not lots of ppl showed up that night but that didn't stop him/her from putting on spontaneous performances. Overall, it was an entertaining experience. Perfect spot to grab a drink if you are by yourself as well.", "timestamp": "2018-08-04T15:11:23" }, { "business_id": "4HMXL85u_wX0WEHucVkI6A", "business_name": "Dave & Tony's", "rating": 4, "text": "I'm not sure why people are so harsh about this place. Sure, this place is not a \"premium\" burger restaurant per se, but their burgers are definitely more premium than McDonald's or Five Guys. For only $7.2, you get to customize your own burger and they are decent burgers. For $2, you get freshly made fries which are actually very good! Their ingredients are always fresh even though they get my orders wrong sometime. But I don't care. Because people who work here are friendly and willing to fix their mistakes. Also, you can collect a stamp for each burger ordered and you get a free burger once your brunch card is full.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T00:19:17" }, { "business_id": "56TulnfOZy0JI96zwVv27w", "business_name": "Gioia's Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "I've heard about this place from James Beard Awarded restaurant list. We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon so you can imagine the line... Fortunately, the line moved pretty quick so we got to order within 10 minutes. We ordered one of the most popular sandwiches - hot salami and roasted beef with garlic bread and pepper jack cheese. The beef and salami tasted good separately but kinda overshadowed the flavors of each other when put together...The garlic bread was barely noticeable so not really worth the additional buck. The sandwich was 9?10? inch long so probably big enough to share between 2 ppl. In general, solid sandwich but not addicting in my opinion.", "timestamp": "2018-08-06T19:49:44" }, { "business_id": "1ulD4HL2G8qbpEuuWFDSqQ", "business_name": "Himalayan Yeti", "rating": 4, "text": "Generally speaking, I can't taste the differences between good vs great Indian food and I've never been to India. I personally think the food here is pretty good. I've tried their chicken tikka masala(tamato base), lamb saag (spinach base), fish currency, garlic cheese naan and some other dishes. My favorite one is probably lamb saag - it has so much flavors in one dish and very dense and savory. They let you choose spice level, 5 being the hottest. I ordered 4 once which turned out to be a huge mistake. When they say very spicy, they mean it... Oh, their lassie is also pretty good or standard should I say? They also bring you free papadum (northern indian chips?)with 2 types of sauce before your dishes are served. Good service as well. Will come back to try their lunch buffet sometime (11pm -2:30pm everyday).", "timestamp": "2018-08-10T23:58:01" }, { "business_id": "wJuWId7lvoTElFX3rN7smQ", "business_name": "Ices Plain & Fancy", "rating": 4, "text": "I stopped by this place whenever I'm near Tower Grove. The concept odd nitrogen ice cream is still new in St.louis so this def is niche. Nitrogen ice cream, in general, is smoother than regular ice cream because it freezes faster during manufacturing process. This place offers boozy flavor and vegan ice cream which is even nicer. The boozy ones tend to give me a buzz so that's a plus :)", "timestamp": "2018-08-11T00:41:47" }, { "business_id": "Q3S_VyJ4ob-FeKZARiP4Fg", "business_name": "Guerrilla Street Food", "rating": 2, "text": "First of all, I'd like to make a comment on the composition of their menu. Reading through the menu, all of the dishes were made with pork except chicken adobo. There was also no veggie dish that could go with my meat dish... We ordered their rib and a taco as starters. The rib was fried which I wasn't a fan of. The taco was soooo greasy that a lot of oil started dripping off...We ordered a new school dish (forgot the name) that came with shredded pork in shrimp paste, bitter melon and some green beans. The portion was so small that we had to order another entree. We ordered flying pig and chicken odobo combo. Flying pig was way too sweet for my taste and covered with a big load of sauce. Also, they raised the price of the combo without marking it on their menu which I thought was shady. We both felt pretty nauseous after the dinner probably due to the grease...", "timestamp": "2018-09-22T21:17:19" }, { "business_id": "JrYWF3BWf1GYk8hnF2Cz4w", "business_name": "Chaparritos", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is a hidden jem. First of all, everything is so cheap! You get a delicious taco for $2.25 ( some are $2.5). We ordered a bunch of tacos which were all delicious and authentic. Besides, your order comes with complimentary tortilla chips along with 2 different types of sauce. I loved their salsa sauce - fresh with a hint of spice. Not a fan of their margarita, too sweet for my taste. The staff was very friendly too. Can't wait to come back to try other dishes!", "timestamp": "2018-10-06T02:38:39" }, { "business_id": "kqt8O-XxMkE6ga42IPa7sA", "business_name": "SUSHI KOI", "rating": 4, "text": "Sushi Koi has happy hour every day between 4:30-6:30 PM Monday-Friday. I've been there several times and tried a bunch of things on their happy hour menu. Overall, the quality of their sushi has been consistent and decent but nothing exceptional. My go-to dishes are sashimi sampler ($9) and scallop hand roll ($3) Not a fan of their tuna hand roll as I can barely taste any tuna in it...Their takoyaki are pretty tasty as well. I also enjoyed their lychee sake ($4, hot or cold) and martinis ($5).", "timestamp": "2018-10-20T22:56:58" }, { "business_id": "Nxa362GcR1WWK2og8uJ_sQ", "business_name": "The Clover & the Bee", "rating": 2, "text": "I had high expectations for this place due to other yelpers' recommendations and I was deeply disappointed... We came here for their happy hours (4-6pm Wednesday- Sunday). We opted to sit at the bar where there were 3 waitresses just hanging out there. They were not particularly welcoming or friendly. One of them was kinda of aloof when I asked her questions about their menu. We ordered pastrami sliders and meatball off the happy hour menu ($5 per dish). The meatball was luke warm and tasted like microwaved frozen meat ball covered with spaghetti sauce. The pastrami came with chunks of fat that actually made me nauseous...We ended up changing our plan and went to eat dinner somewhere else... I really wanted to like this place since the decor is so cute. But I'll unlikely return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:33:35" }, { "business_id": "4ZNCc1GzJZkS7XI1c9rCMA", "business_name": "Layla", "rating": 4, "text": "Been here a couple times. First time late at night and had a nice conversation with the bartender. 2nd time around dinner time when the bar was semi-packed. The have a pretty comprehensive menu r ranging from traditional Lebanese dishes to regular bar food with plenty of vegan options and desserts as well. They are somewhat well known for their shawarmas which you can choose your protein, wrap and sauce. I've only tried their spicy lamb with black wrap. I like the spicy sauce and the wrap but the meat was a bit fatty for my taste and not too tender. I did really like their sweet potato fries that came with curry aioli sauce. It had such unique taste and was truly addicting. For hummus, they have regular and seasonal. I've tried their olive hummus and pita bread which I enjoyed. They also have a large selection of boozy float with vanilla ice cream and many flavors of shakes. Will definitely give it a try next time!", "timestamp": "2018-11-05T01:55:03" }, { "business_id": "VVHfqUeYyAA9FEsH-6PI2A", "business_name": "Foundation Grounds Coffeehouse & Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "What I like about this place: - open till 6pm which is a bit unusual for coffee shops in st. Louis - bottomless coffe for $3.75 - 5% off on all items if you check in on yelp - friendly staffs - seats facing windows What I'm not a fan of this place: - it could get crowded and noisy if you are here on the weekend - the quality of their coffee is mediocre and latte is overrated", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:25:18" }, { "business_id": "MaYb7qMN6BomP1zQGj3Wjg", "business_name": "Pi Pizzeria - Delmar Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been to all of their locations in town and the quality of their food and services have been pretty consistent. I came in this location for happy hour. They had all starters and snacks for half price, selected beer and sangaria for special price. We ordered blazed chicken wings that came with grilled carrots. The wings were kinda fatty and the skins were not crispy which was a bit disappointing. We ordered Delmar and Kirkwood both deep dish style. Again, the quality was consistently good. The crust was perfect, not burnt and the amount of sauce was perfect. Btw, you can decide the type of crust used for your pizza. You can also choose half n half if you want to try 2 different flavours.Will try their oilive oil based pizza next time.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:42:51" }, { "business_id": "A5b9nVDi1DPVvPOD24-p6w", "business_name": "Sump Coffee", "rating": 2, "text": "To be fair, their coffee isn't bad. The reason I think it doesn't deserve more is because the price they charge for a tiny cup of latte. Today, I paid $8 for a 10 oz latte! Most expensive latte I've ever had in my entire life! Even compared to the best in San Francisco! They charge $1 if you replace regular milk with oatmilk or soymilk which is very steep. 10oz...I honestly barely tasted my coffee before it was gone...I thought it was a rip-off. Sorry won't return.", "timestamp": "2018-11-10T20:57:52" }, { "business_id": "SJEtfe8kL60bh3D40KTRMw", "business_name": "Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge", "rating": 4, "text": "We were here on a Saturday night and got seated always right away. The service here was top notch. Our server was attentive and surprised my friends with 2 amazing whiskey cocktails (per his request). They have an extensive handcrafted cocktails which are certainly not short of creativity. I was pleased to see mecal and pisco on the drink list so I had to order one of those. The pisco drink I ordered came with a bag a Lay's! Right?! Who goes there (a whiskey drink) smoked in a lantern enclosure and our waitress was dressed like a witch when she delivered the drink! How fun! With all the good things, I wasn't impressed with their food... the pork schnitzel we ordered tasted bland and not very crispy. Chorizo wrapped in dates tasted okay but a bit sweet for my taste. The chocolate torte was served with espresso cream which I enjoyed. However, there were too much other ingredients on the plate as well which was unnecessary. Overall, it was a good spot for drinks and maybe desserts.", "timestamp": "2018-12-24T16:58:22" }, { "business_id": "mUrkyChBfFC679O80poJAQ", "business_name": "The Chocolate Pig", "rating": 3, "text": "We made a reservation and our table was ready when we arrived. The service was good. The food was above average but could cook the duck confit a bit tender. Brussel sprouts were fried well but didn't go particularly well with the buttermilk (just a bit heavy for my taste, but the pickled onion was a nice touch to offset the heaviness. The cocktails were okay, nothing to rave about. Affogato caviar was the highlight of the meal. It was pleasantly light and got an espresso aroma to it. Overall, didn't think the meal was worth $100 for two ppl.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T02:21:43" }, { "business_id": "jKHlvwq40sghrR89pF_3Tw", "business_name": "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my go-to place for ice cream in st.louis. They have plenty of interesting flavors such as lavender, eggnog, sweet cream, etc. My favorites are dark chocolate truffle and almond brittle. The truffle is rich but not too sweet. The almond is nutty and savory. Most importantly, they go very well together along with the waffle. Mmm, who doesn't love its ice cream!", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T03:57:39" }, { "business_id": "LsHyDO0k4O0mxgxcsQ5A8g", "business_name": "Shivers Frozen Custard", "rating": 5, "text": "Their concrete are the best I've had in Il/MO. They are dense, rich and light flavored. I had a chocolate and a light vanilla cone with yellow cake toppings, they are everything I wished for and not overly sweet like most of ice cream places in the midwest. They even gave my dog a puppy cone! Their service was also very good - the girl was patient with my questions and gave useful recommendations. Will def return when I'm in the area.", "timestamp": "2019-01-01T23:28:50" }, { "business_id": "YpGPZ-Zg89BsFUWwCXoaBw", "business_name": "Yellowbelly", "rating": 4, "text": "I've been here a couple times. 4 stars goes to their drinks, service and the ambience. Solid cocktails with creative twists. The light and the music are just in my league. I'm not a fan their food unfortunately... I've tried their shrimps, a bit burned and overcooked. Salmon wasn't memorable. Fries were thinly cut, tiny and way too greasy. The only item I enjoyed was their biscuits. They were buttery with perfect amount of sea salt. The uni butter was rich flavor and made the biscuits double savory. Overall, I would come back to try more cocktails and their biscuits!", "timestamp": "2019-01-07T03:09:29" }, { "business_id": "oHvEgLH6pAkcrPmeR1l3UQ", "business_name": "Retreat Gastropub", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been here a couple times for dinner and lunch. I've tried their classic burgers, chicken sandwich, mac & cheese, risotto balls and trout .Unfortunately, none of the dishes wowed me...In general, their dishes lack a bit of flavor and texture. The ingredients of some of the dishes simply don't go well together (ex: trout and beans with aioli sauce...) They were also on the heavier side for me taste... I liked the decor and the ambience. Service was also pretty good. They have happy hour all day on Monday ($6 appetizers).", "timestamp": "2019-03-18T16:54:33" }, { "business_id": "x2F34anSA7cH64owjdK13g", "business_name": "Baida Moroccan Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "We ordered chicken tagine and lamb shoulder and they were both cooked to perfection. I was particularly delighted that the lamb dish came with variety of steamed veggies and I got to choose from couscous and saffron rice. The chicken dish came in a clay pot which seemed exotic. The chicken meat was so tender that it fell right off the bones. The olives that came with the dish was a nice addition. The dish also came with flatbreads which were addicting to dip into the sauce. Ask for harissa sauce if you like spicy. The dishes took some time to come up but our server was very attentive - added water twice. The owner also came out to say hi. Can't wait to go back to try many more dishes!", "timestamp": "2019-05-13T00:00:30" }, { "business_id": "hXENwSCtd8pdBrnN8XkXyA", "business_name": "Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel", "rating": 4, "text": "Conveniently located next to STL airport, the hotel offers free shuttle every 30 minutes. Although breakfast is not included, there's a restaurant at the lobby that serves breakfast (off the menu and continental). Thy also have a bar that offers variety of drinks (cocktaild, beer, wine). Until most of the Marriot brands in the Midwest, this hotel seems updated and modern. They also has a sizable gym and a pool. The service was fabulous as well - they brougt free tooth brush and tooth paste to my room per my request. Only downside is no extra beddings to be found in the room and it was chilly at the bar. Also, parking was $15 overnight.", "timestamp": "2020-02-01T17:24:30" }, { "business_id": "zljfjg_zTL3ceGi_Vr4OFw", "business_name": "Sheraton New Orleans Hotel", "rating": 2, "text": "Very dated hotel- paint came off the wall, bed frame was super old. Dirty elevator. Breakfast was pretty bad as well - pastries seemed to be seating there for days, fruits were rotten, coffee was highly diluted. Hotel service wasn't bad except a staff walked into my room without knocking...", "timestamp": "2020-02-06T14:54:11" } ]	{ "business_id": "w2-bb8yWX2e7nlvHzArCtQ", "business_name": "Backwaters on Sand Key", "rating": 3, "text": "Great location- right on the water next to our hotel. The staffs were friendly. I got here close to 8pm. Not sure if it's kinda late, everything i ordered came out luke warm. The lobster bisque seemed to have been sitting there for a while, although it was creamy, there didn't seem to be much lobster in it. The crab cake tasted good and actually had decent amount of crap meat in it. The food came with bread (not sure which dish) which was kinda nice.", "timestamp": "2020-02-10T01:11:15" }
kHmXUEOAsIbguUrPoX6Tkg	[ { "business_id": "jXDr7IkNlkJGuQYzth9CMg", "business_name": "The New Il Mi Jung", "rating": 1, "text": "While the food is really great and delicious, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. The staff there neglected giving us the sides, did not offer us drink refills, and did not allow me to order BBQ since my husband ordered BBQ special (even though we've done it many times) (my husband gets special and I would get BBQ chicken). They know what we get, and would not allow us to order what we wanted. They were actually very rude to us tonight, and we were regulars, going 2-3x/month. After tonight, we will not be returning. They lost two regular customers due to rudeness and lack of acceptable service tonight. We'll be going to Myung Ga from now on.", "timestamp": "2009-10-10T02:54:00" }, { "business_id": "FJl6LCHbqiM9mvSwDjFAjw", "business_name": "Kim's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing!!! It's different than other Korean restaurants as they don't use gas for the grills, just hot coals. The banchan are AMAZING, and the meat portions are huge!!! They even have steamed egg!!! Highly recommended!!!! Korean food can be pretty pricey for the meat dishes, which is the case here, but it's worth it. Since it;s in Olney, I'll only go during daylight hours.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:06:32" }, { "business_id": "6sWAn5N1h5d4pd1hEu497A", "business_name": "Young Bin Kwan", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing! It's a full buffet of raw meat that you take yourself and grill at your table in the charcoal Korean grills. I highly recommend this place for Korean food newbies as you can really experience various meats without being committed to something you may not like. The banchan are amazing! So many choices!!!!!!! The whole place is amazing, and it's only $23/pp!!!! The little Korean ladies will help you out if you're a Korean BBQ newbie. Just keep in mind that it's at the bottom of an apartment complex, so it's relatively easy to miss. You WILL smell like you doused yourself in charcoal cologne though afterwards. It's not owned by the same people anymore, and the food has suffered since then.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:15:43" }, { "business_id": "-pyobEWdpZ6jUp42f3I2xw", "business_name": "Dolsot House", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is AMAZING!!! Although you can't cook your own meats here, it's well worth it! The portions are huge, and the prices are very reasonable! They'll refill your bancha if you like something a lot, and the owners are extremely helpful in helping decipher the menu. An absolute hit!!!! The soon tofu is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-09T17:49:23" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "Incredible food, incredible location (Capogiro right down the street for dessert!). The falaffel is so delicious, and their hummus is so smooth and creamy. I had my first falaffel here, and it was incredible. The ONLY complaint I have is that their hours are really funky. They're dirt cheap and always really busy. A real winner!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:06:20" }, { "business_id": "6JVHcQBnyA1DzK4z65cJSw", "business_name": "Falafel Factory", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was great!!! I love how they offer baked falafel. However, their pitas were definitely not homemade like they claimed to be. It's a good alternative if you can't make it to Mama's (hell, the cashier even said the owner goes to Mama's!!). All in all, good falafel.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:10:08" }, { "business_id": "ki0qSHmHNgUjKPRzYDTPow", "business_name": "The Pub 2900", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:24:39" }, { "business_id": "z5GlwQqwr4H8ruCjpnE_BA", "business_name": "Club House Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15. They're owned by the same company as Great American Diner Pub.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:25:22" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Alma de Cuba was delicious!!!! The ceviche is out of this world!!! My only two complaints were that my salmon was undercooked (still transparent in the middle) which really pissed me off because for $30 for a 4 oz portion of salmon, I really believe it should've been cooked to perfection the first time and they forgot one of the entrees in our order. However, the waitstaff was great in correcting the problems, and even offered us a complimentary meal the next time we came in. A great Cuban experience with yummy food!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:29:26" }, { "business_id": "gim0CxngZb6WKPu6BtfzWA", "business_name": "Food Castle Express", "rating": 5, "text": "Great food, and the staff is very helpful. The naan and roti are so delicious!!! The atmosphere is really nice, and the staff are really helpful in deciphering the menu. A hidden gem out of the ton of Indian restaurants in Bensalem.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:32:27" }, { "business_id": "7pwZZVVlYCxQvVdd8Q03wg", "business_name": "La Rosa Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best pizza places in Philadelphia. I've been coming here with my family since I was 5, and always stop by when I'm in South Philly. Prices are still really good!!! Get 1/2 red and 1/2 white for two amazingly delicious different pizza experiences! They don't take credit cards, and they have no seating inside.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:34:36" }, { "business_id": "GFbo0kqqDybKTPkRaJgGMQ", "business_name": "Tijuana Flats", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!! Some of the best take our mexican food I've ever had!!! They offer a power lite option (which is fat free sour cream and light cheese) so you can still get the gooey and creamy flavors of a delicious Mexican meal with reduced calories. Their sauce \"bar\" is phenomenal!! Literally 20 different hot sauces to choose from. Do not pass this place up!!! The atmosphere is really cool, too, with lots of autographed celebrity photos on the walls as well as funky Mexican/Spanish style decor. (They frequently have certificates on restaurant.com too!)", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:37:54" }, { "business_id": "jziliEq8Zum-EynD5v-Hvg", "business_name": "Chifa", "rating": 4, "text": "Service was great. The waitress was extremely helpful with explaining the menu and helping us choose our dinners. The food was good but the portions were small for the price, which is typical of tapas style. The rolls with the guava butter that they bring pre meal were amazing. The pork belly buns were so delicious that our party actually ordered two more orders!! The red curry was fab, but was too rich for me. The Peruvian ceviche with a side of crunchy corn thingies and crispy plantains was simply amazing!!!! Clean, citrusy, refreshing, just like good ceviche should be!! All in all, a great experience!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:42:53" }, { "business_id": "_wcOVX6PPvhXGMpUa2Ij8A", "business_name": "Melrose Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is not very deserving of 5 stars (think typical drab diner food), but the buttercream cake deserves 50 stars!!! The cake is SO moist and delicious, and the icing, oh my, has got to be the best buttercream icing I've ever eaten. Nothing beats stopping here after a night of boozing in the city to grab two slices of cake!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:37:08" }, { "business_id": "goI3MrJIPJxknQdKtFkkGw", "business_name": "Stoltzfus Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "The Amish market is awesome!!!! Their pretzels are out of this world, and they have a ton of really cool and interesting foods/products. The only downside is that they're only open Thurs-Sat, and their hours are weird. Their prices are very reasonable, and they have everything you could want: spices, meats, fruits, veggies, baked goods and even a restaurant!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:41:28" }, { "business_id": "wb_z1h7XR5IQhVRZHlMuLQ", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore Redstone! Their food is relatively simple in comparison to other restaurants in the price range, but boy oh boy it's yummy. Their mac and cheese is simply divine, and is made with 5 different cheeses. Their french fries are awesome, and they even handmake their ketchup!! A MUST HAVE while here is the StoliDoli, which is Stoli vodka that sits in a cored pineapple for ~1 week, then is served in a martini glass. Amazing!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:44:34" }, { "business_id": "0aflm9H-XNg8eUAoeWmh9Q", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about all I can say about here. WAY overpriced for underperforming food. Everything is SO high in calories and fat here that it's scary! Granted, they make the place look nice, but it's to compensate for their awful food.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:47:56" }, { "business_id": "-qk__vjJxfJrCWn3UaMv_Q", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory - Cherry Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing restaurant!!!! The menu is the longest one I've ever seen, so you'll definitely find something you like. The portions are mammoth, and will easily feed you for two days. The wait tends to be pretty long (gotta love the American desire for gluttony!), so get there early. All in all, a great place for date night or to take the family. The only downfall is that they do not accept reservations.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:50:38" }, { "business_id": "NDXH8dHdC8k2PrEEZPQBIg", "business_name": "Shogun Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Shogun!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. The decor is really nice inside, and it has a great atmosphere. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. The roll is that is wrapped with the yellow soy paper and topped with baked scallops is amazing!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:53:37" }, { "business_id": "9_V0SWbQPnZ0mR3kljXqBQ", "business_name": "Sakura Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Sakura!!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. THe $7.95 chicken hibachi special is SO large!! I'd definitely reccommend it!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:55:28" }, { "business_id": "MWel8zS7L7dzWC0_IY_Pzg", "business_name": "Mini Of The Main Line", "rating": 1, "text": "ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RUDE EMPLOYEES. They're only out to RIP PEOPLE OFF, and are extremely disrespectful and nasty. They NEVER return calls, and if they do, it's only to tell you that you need to put more money into a car that has more problems than a math book. Aviod this place like the plague, and head to Otto's in West Chester or Princeton Mini in NJ.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible is the only way to describe this place. I've taken many trips into the city just to get their gelato. The dark dark chocolate is my favorite!!! Tip: If you're interested in knowing their flavors, check their site. Be forewarned though, the gelato is rather pricey (~$6 for ~5 ounces) but it's definitely worth it as a treat!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:01:57" }, { "business_id": "JPfe9B-RLrE5Nz75kcKImQ", "business_name": "Govinda's Vegetarian", "rating": 5, "text": "Delish vegan/vegetarian food here!!! The 'chicken' cheesesteak is SO good!!!! You would have no idea it wasn't chicken if you didn't look at the cubes of textured soy protein. They do a beautiful job of seasoning their soy protein so it actually tastes better than the real thing! A winner!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:04:23" }, { "business_id": "EekwCjDqa9VT6Kq_aVE_0Q", "business_name": "Pho Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious pho and vietnamese cuisine!!! Their prices are extremely reasonable and their food is out of this world!!! The grilled pork banh mi (which is basically a grilled pork hoagie with cilantro, pickled dikon & carrots, cucumber, and some sauce. I also get hosin on the side)is delicious, and the cold Grilled Pork Spring rolls are divine!!! A must try in Bucks county!", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:38:03" }, { "business_id": "ytynqOUb3hjKeJfRj5Tshw", "business_name": "Reading Terminal Market", "rating": 5, "text": "An incredible place that is a must hit in Philly. Tons of food selections, most of which are very reasonably priced. DiNic's is a MUST try. Going on the weekends is a surefire way to ensure all vendors are open, but be prepared for it to be very crowded and hard to walk around.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:42:48" }, { "business_id": "RuuGJoMm2Y3wbLbPPHTvqw", "business_name": "Phily Diner & Sports Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about it for the place. The food is sub par, and they have terrible service, even when they're not busy. Their prices are reasonable, however, the food leaves a lot to be desired, and it's gotten worse since they changed to \"bar\" format. Skip this one.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T14:10:43" }, { "business_id": "T9n_LqUUhC2b1ALhg57Y5Q", "business_name": "Texas Roadhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Food is really good here, but they're very inconsistent. We typically order from here every week, and the food can be in a monstrous portion one week, then not enough to feed one person the next week. I love how they offer the veg place option, which allows you to choose 4 sides.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:08:47" }, { "business_id": "8CG5nPzDkMkQEsH1k_hdVA", "business_name": "Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious pizza here!!! The pizza was crispy and definitely coal fired. They're rather pricey for a pizza which is why I don't come here more often. If you want to try them out, go during lunch when you can get a personal pizza for ~$8.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:34:01" }, { "business_id": "8_n64z4tzSJXMK4fYPzxvw", "business_name": "Jay West", "rating": 5, "text": "I got my wedding dress here and never had any issues. They have gowns in all price ranges, and they carry all different designers. Their alterations are rather pricey, so be prepared to spend around an extra $250 for those. All in all, a great experience for purchasing my wedding gown.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:04:53" }, { "business_id": "aTpaOvF1FFGj8t_5U2_kHA", "business_name": "Produce Junction", "rating": 1, "text": "Fruit and veggies are cheap, however, I'll gladly pay an extra $1.00/lb for my apples to be treated like a human being. The staff are insanely rude and talk about you in Spanish while you're waiting in line. Avoid at all costs.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:10:43" }, { "business_id": "fQixVK0uar3ArJtNeug8nQ", "business_name": "Giant Food Stores", "rating": 4, "text": "Great market here. Tons and tons of selections, as well as cafe inside the store. Their natural/organic section is great! I only shop there for sale items because their regular priced items are quite expensive. All in all a good market with a big selection.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_UOg5_pk9IhKee91eWrT4A", "business_name": "Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty decent BBQ here, although it does not compare to a local joint that is no longer around. I really like it here coz it's very hard to find BBQ turkey breast and they have it here. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here but if I was nearby, I'd hit it up.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:33:02" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "Yeah, a big fat no to Banana Leaf. After much persusasion by a close friend, we decided to check it out on Friday night. The place seemed very busy, which we took as a good sign, however, looks can decieve. To start off, our waiter had multiple long, thick hairs so big they could've been braided) growing out of a mole the size of a quarter on the side of his face. I should've known that things were going to go downhill from there. The service was very slow, and the food was just terrible. Their menu is almost the same as Penang, which is why I thought it'd be great (minus the gross growth on our waiter). I had the mango chicken, which is phenomenal at Penang, but was dry and crispy here. The noodle dishes were too crunchy and greasy. Roti was actually raw and undercooked as well. I definitely would not return here, even if the waiter cut the hair from his facial growth.", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:10:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!!!!!! The mango chicken is out of this world!!! It's so flavorful and comes in a very hearty portion size! Their roti is crispy, and always perfectly cooked. Mee Siam is hearty and filling, yet not overly greasy and heavy. There really is nothing else to say about Penang other than to go and eat there!", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:12:54" }, { "business_id": "KNDMUyeW8bSsLXGSNyQS-Q", "business_name": "Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is ok, nothing special. On a typical night, there are hoards of obese people stuffing their faces with cheaply made desserts and greasy, breaded and fried foods. The only plus here is the all you can eat snow crab legs.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:51:02" }, { "business_id": "EdopUxxfxqEA79Vcy_dT3g", "business_name": "Fuel", "rating": 3, "text": "Eh. I was not very impressed with here. I came on a Friday night around 9:30pm and there were a few people here. It smelled good in here so I was excited to try it out. Food was ready quick and smelled yummy in the car. However my olfactory sense was tricked because the food did not remotely taste as good as it smelled. The Thai chicken sandwich was rather dry and had WAY too much basil on it. I took the basil off and it still had a very strong basil taste. The South Philly panini was surprisingly greasy and the panini bread was very chewy. The banana whip was yummy as well as the raspberry NSA tea. I definitely would not go out of my way to eat here again, and would travel out of my way across the Ben to Washington Twp NJ to Musclemaker grill before coming back here.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:11" }, { "business_id": "2Q1R2OhBbAQ581vK_r7NhA", "business_name": "Ooka Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "A hidden gem in Willow Grove!! The sushi here is incredible , and has to be some of the freshest sushi I've ever had. The food off of the non-sushi menu is delicious as well. They have great lunch specials too!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:53" }, { "business_id": "-wlmZ-b35UJ-GY-59NDxyw", "business_name": "H Mart - Elkins Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Hmart is amazing!!!! Although I'm not Korean, my family and I adore Korean food. They have amazing bulgogi and kalbi, as well as a slew of other prepared foods. Their prices on veggies and fruit are great, and they have everything you could ever want for cooking Asian/Korean style. They have an awesome food court upstairs with many many Asian food options. This is the best Hmart around!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:53:20" }, { "business_id": "Og1HekJMHKqsvtWaUp9V8g", "business_name": "Flying Monkey Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, this place was a disappointment. 2.25-2.50 for hard as a rock, weirdly flavored cupcakes. I bought the lavender, meyer lemon, guinness, peanut butter, and creme brulee. The lavender was absolutely disgusting and tasted like they threw body lotion on top of a cupcake, and sold it . The meyer lemon was extremely sugary and did not have much of a lemon taste to it. The guinness was very oddly flavored and did not taste like guinness at all. The peanut butter was very very rich and way too peanut buttery. All you tasted was the frosting. The creme brulee tasted a little bit like french toast, and was the only cupcake that I would even consider eating if it was the last cupcake available on earth. The icing on all of the cupcakes was hard as a rock, and the presentation of the cupcakes made them look like they were iced by my 5 year old cousin. Nasty all around.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:28:25" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly wow!!! What an amazing cupcake find!! The outside looks like a clothing store, and the inside is very unique.The store is set up really cool with the cupcakes in cabinets, so it gives this real boutiquey feel . The sweet potato cupcake with pecans and cream cheese frosting was to die for!!! The plain buttercream was divine as well. I really wanted to try the red velvet, but they were sold out. It's very cramped in here spacewise, and they don't accept credit/debit cards either. They're pricey, too, so I would definitely only go here for a special, special occasion. A dozen cupcakes would run over $30.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:32:24" }, { "business_id": "TsPb4qM79Nue6sDKANEdgQ", "business_name": "Planet Fitness", "rating": 5, "text": "Great gym, very cheap, and they're open 24hrs (except Sat and Sun). Be forewarned that it's no frills (no classes, no pool, no sauna). They have tanning beds but they are free for the black card members only.", "timestamp": "2010-08-29T01:32:31" }, { "business_id": "7Or2xPBkTNYRxD9SiMQVOQ", "business_name": "Felix's Caketeria", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, 1,000 times over!!!! Felix's makes Philly Cupcake look like the bakery at Walmart! We just moved to Newtown, and upon exploring town, we discovered this gem. Thankfully, parking is easy here as the bakery is an independent building. When you first walk in, you're greeted by the pleasant and friendly owners/baker, which is a rarity these days. The aroma here is insanely intoxicating, and transports you to a world of delectable baked goods. The display case is rather small, but the flavors are HUGE. I bought 5 cupcakes: original vanilla with buttercream, the Elvis (banana spice cake with peanut butter buttercream), red velvet, peanut butter and jelly (raspberry jelly), and sea salt caramel. The buttercream original was ok; the buttercream was too fluffy for my tastes, but it was yummy. The red velvet had to be the BEST red velvet cupcake I've ever had. I could eat the cream cheese frosting by the bucketful!!!! The Elvis was sinfully delicious; Felix must be a madman for creating this flavor!!! The PBandJ was amazing; it was not a fake, sugary, kid-friendly taste, but a very sophisticated adult tasting PBandJ with seeded red raspberry preserves. The sea salt caramel was indescribable; the mix of flavors was so perfect, with the most magical ratio of salty to sweet. The ONLY thing I don't like about Felix's is that it's so close to where I live. That's dangerous for a cupcake fiend like me!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-10-08T00:36:15" }, { "business_id": "Z4ERIzhdyduAew1O5KUvXw", "business_name": "Meglio Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "The pizza here is really yummy. I love a good, saucy, thin crust pizza, and they hit the nail on the head. The margharita pizza is really good, and their ingerdients are very fresh. Just make sure you ask them to make the pizza well done as the dough tends to be chewy and slightly underdone if you don't ask them to cook it longer.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T16:56:58" }, { "business_id": "IbndcMURguByburM72o3SA", "business_name": "State Street Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, this place is surprisingly delicious!! I stopped by for lunch on a busy Sunday afternoon, and was very impressed with the amount of people who were inside eating and waiting for takeout. I ordered the tofu veggie balls (tofu 'meatbally' topped with roasted veggies, marinara and parmesean cheese) and was very surprised with the flavor. The sandwich was large, and the tofu balls were very well flavored. The roasted veggies atop the sandwich were perfectly roasted. The only gripe (and reason for 4 instead of 5 stars) about here is that it took 40 minutes to get my sandwich, so next time, I'd definitely call in an order and pick it up later.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:08:13" }, { "business_id": "wAwcCuzwyOdny_BteT9Vew", "business_name": "La Pergola", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely adore the hummus and pita bread here. I'm a big fan of hummus, and love a very creamy, unprocessed hummus. The decor is rather flamboyant as other reviewers have noted, however, the flavors make up for it. I've never eaten anything else here (I typically only have a few minutes to get something, and the hummus is easy and quick to package, which is why I haven't tried anything else), but if the rest of the food is as yummy as the hummus, then this place is a hidden gem. Parking can be a nightmare on West Ave, so be forewarned.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:14:47" }, { "business_id": "3AjwyeF8oiTiHij9vFgyMw", "business_name": "Sam's Italian Market & Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Stay away from this place. They increase their prices, and don't post the price changes to notify customers. Then when you say the price is wrong they tell your not getting it for the prices listed on their menu. Rip off", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T14:59:37" }, { "business_id": "ntiIq1FNqduOyyowMFGh5A", "business_name": "Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly, talk about a hole in the wall, but looks deceive. It has one the most minimal menus I've ever seen, but boy oh boy, the food is delicious. I felt like I was sitting in a noodle cafe in China the food as the experience was so authentic. The prices are amazing, and the portions are huge to top it all off. This food would probably be a tough eat in the summer months as it's a super hot soup, but it should definitely be on the list for cooler months.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:07:31" }, { "business_id": "J8S7cPPlTgsQnXKVfTyN8g", "business_name": "PYT", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is about it for PYT. I was excited to finally use my groupon, as everything seemed to be yummy from the reviews and smells inside. I ordered two burgers to go, so maybe the experience would be different had I eaten in, but I didn't. There were no other patrons in the restaurant at this time, so I was a little peeved that it took 30 minutes to get my burgers. The Calibunga burger was ok, but as many reviews mentioned, it was rather soggy and not very firm. The bun should've been toasted as I'm sure it would have made the bun less soggy too. The chips also were not very crunchy, which surprised me. I got a Korean shortrib burger for my husband and ordered it medium, and guess what? It was so rare, it mooed. That was an immediate turn off for him, and really ruined the experience. He had to cook it to meduim himself on the grill. Overall, I wouldn't try this place again, even with another groupon offer. The prices are too outrageous and the food isn't all it's hyped out to be.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:01:15" }, { "business_id": "cjGcc6E32U5DAMG_bScclg", "business_name": "Tre Fratelli", "rating": 5, "text": "Tre Fratelli REALLY surprised me. My husband and I went for dinner one weekday night with a restaurant.com gift certificate as we wanted to try it out, and we were very glad we did. The restaurant is very unassuming (the pizza \"parlor\" in the front is actually a bit dirty looking), but the restaurant itself is large and welcoming. The salads were delicious, and the dressing was very very good. My husband ordered the manicotti and I ordered a chicken dish with balsalmic vinegar and bruchetta on top. The food was brought out, and we were blown away with the immense portion sizes. The chicken in my dish was cooked to perfection and the bruchetta was so fresh and delicious! The ricotta in the manicotti was some of the best velvety smooth and creamy ricotta I've ever had. We both walked out with large portions of leftovers. I was very impressed and would come back again in a second the next time the craving for Italian hits me.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:09:43" }, { "business_id": "V2uSS4OumRDvuVM_2ZSc1Q", "business_name": "Cancun Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Cancun had some of the best mexican food hands down outside of Mexico itself. The menu is mind blowingly huge, prices are extremely reasonable (you can get two of their combo dinner platters for under $20) and their portions are just as big. Everything is so fresh and delicious. The food is so authentic as well. Be sure to get the refried beans as they are some of the best I've ever eaten.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:18:49" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 5, "text": "I was so excited to try Han, and I finally got to, and it was AMAZING!!! Han has the best Chinese food I've ever eaten, and has got to be in the top 3 restaurants I've tried in my life. And to top it all off, you'll leave with tons of leftover food. The spicy cucumbers were phenomenal; crunchy, sweet and slathered in this delicious spicy chili oil mixture. Deceptively delicious!!! The spice hits you at the end. The dan dan noodles were perfection. Tender, spicy and superb. There really are no words. The wontons in chili oil were ok; I like more meat and less dough with my wontons which is why I wasn't a big fan, but the flavors were delicious. My husband had the garlic sauce pork, and it was amazing! The pork was tender and cooked perfectly, and wasn't too spicy (he can't eat foods that are extremely spicy due to GI issues, but we went here to celebrate my birthday). I had the dry pepper chicken and was blown away. It was simply the best chinese chicken dish I had ever eaten. The chicken was so crispy, yet juicy, and wasn't greasy at all like you'd expect it to be. The flavors just exploded in my mouth, but unfortunately, I was too stuffed from the monstrous appetizer servings to eat most of it. Han Dynasty is simply amazing; stellar food, stellar service and huge portions. Just make sure to bring some tissues to blow your runny nose. I can't wait to come back here!", "timestamp": "2011-04-26T00:01:31" }, { "business_id": "J4QD1PKOkaM0WWsheYFY7Q", "business_name": "New Life Thrift", "rating": 2, "text": "While a lot of people I know like this thrift shop, I'm not one of them. Although it's very roomy and there are a lot of things, most items are pretty old and outdated in comparison to other thrift stores I've frequented in MontCo and Bucks. The clothing tends to be very outdated, too. Their prices also seem rather high for a thrift store (although I understand the money is for charity, but $150 for a used sofa is a little bit outrageous). Impact in Horsham is much better, in my opinion. Parking here is also very annoying and difficult with the one way street to exit and goofy sloped lot.", "timestamp": "2011-05-19T00:45:04" }, { "business_id": "LNHq9WxfhN2UBNOR2tnRQQ", "business_name": "Corropolese Bakery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy crap, this place has amazing tomato pie!!! It seems to be a common occurrance in the area that no one knows what an authenric tomato pie is (SQUARE pie with just tomato sauce and sprinkled parmesean cheese), but this place nailed it!! The sauce is perfect; a little bit of sweet with a little bit of the good acidity needed in a good tomato sause. Eight slices only cost $3.85!!! Yes, EIGHT! An entire pie of 30 slices runs something like $13 bucks. Insane deal, insane pizza. The best tomato pie I've ever had.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:51:18" }, { "business_id": "NNZ4Zjir0S101ltpfgaI1w", "business_name": "Golden Dawn", "rating": 3, "text": "This diner was ok. I wasn't too impressed as I used to live in NJ, the land of diners. The service was very good, however, the food was subpar although they gave you a lot of it. I'd probably give them another chance if I was in the area, but wouldn't drive out of my way to come and eat here. There are much better diners throughout Levittown/Bristol/Falls Twp.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:56:18" }, { "business_id": "HIAJ2mnlm_pP38_8GbgQ5g", "business_name": "Hmart", "rating": 4, "text": "H-Mart is an amazing grocery store!!!! They have rock bottom prices on excellent produce, plus they have a slew of incredibly hard to find Asian ingredients. This H-mart is relatively small compared to the others I've been too, however, they do have a ton of stuff. Be forewarned, though, as their meat (excluding fish) tends to be rather pricey, even for the special cuts that are used in Asian cooking.", "timestamp": "2011-06-19T00:52:15" }, { "business_id": "UB8sxbUN7kPZum22U2O9kg", "business_name": "Julio's Famous Pizzeria", "rating": 2, "text": "Pizza here is subpar. Very greasy, extremely cheesy and very sloppy. The box was soaked with grease. The crust was chewy and had no crisp or crunch to it at all. We also ordered one pizza which took AN HOUR to make. Really?? Better pizza places are not hard to find in the area, and we definitely will not be returning here in the future.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T18:10:45" }, { "business_id": "xUAPlkR2KD81spJzt96TBw", "business_name": "Cafe Bombay Indian Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Cafe Bombay has some of the best Indian food I've ever had. They're located in downtown Bristol, secluded from the main highway, so it can be hard to find it. The food is so fresh, authentic and simply delicious. The daal is superb, and is seasoned perfectly. I am in love with their chicken tikka masala. The sauce is an amazing compliment to incredibly tender chicken. The samosas are phenomenal too. They have an incredibly naan seasoned with cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins that is a great compliment to the salty and savory food. Make sure you end your meal with a mango lassi, too; they have the best I've ever drank. They tend to be rather slow in cooking the food, so I definitely recommend calling your order in and picking it up. A true hidden gem in Bucks county.", "timestamp": "2011-09-23T01:47:19" }, { "business_id": "zJoT9gFvGtZAhbdcIF4Xmw", "business_name": "Buffalo Wild Wings", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, the food here was horrible!!!! The fries were rubbery and chewy, they shorted me some chicken strips in my almost $10 meal of thinly sliced tough and chewy grilled chicken strips, and the sauces were incredibly salty and gross. I also had a side salad which was wilted and brown. I will never patronize here again; what a terrible food experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-18T16:54:29" }, { "business_id": "aunmz06iWvo3bd6MMHEbqg", "business_name": "Rivers Casino Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh Sugarhouse is definitely not sweet. The casino is rather small and the lack of a variety of food choices is a turn off. There's a fast food type eatery and a bar with typical bar food. Every single slot machine is electronic which takes away from the Vegas styling in my opinion. I'd much rather go to Parx if I want to gamble in the Philly area. The lovely view of the green Delaware River doesn't score it any points either.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:47:52" }, { "business_id": "zKOFqb0RyrnY9t02f0QFTQ", "business_name": "Fritz's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing to say about Fritz's other than everything is out of this world. The sticky buns are delectable, the cinnamon rolls are incredible (and not to mention the size of a small baby) and the peanut butter brownies are perfection. I can't come in here anymore because I always walk out with at least 3 or 4 sweets. It's one of the best bakeries I've ever been to that serves quality old fashioned sweets without resorting to the modern day ' boutique' styling of a lot of bakeries around.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:49:51" }, { "business_id": "LR4aKXyxN-a8WTgQ1o9hBA", "business_name": "Bistro at Cherry Hill", "rating": 1, "text": "The food here is terrible!!! I ordered a salad and it was wilted, brown and believe it or not, some of the lettuce was frozen. The staff were really rude, and when I complained to the manager named John, he told me the food was \"fine\" and refused to swap my salad out for another entree or credit the meal. What a horrible experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:50:23" }, { "business_id": "8mwV72Ro56pN6nbqAojaKg", "business_name": "Chef Chun Chinese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Chef Chun has some of the most amazing Chinese food in south Jersey. The shrimp wonton soup is spectacular; the wontons are so fresh and the broth is perfect! Keep in mind that they're closed on Monday.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:53:33" }, { "business_id": "whmn0dUpEb2NbmpVF2Xxcw", "business_name": "Shady Brook Farm", "rating": 4, "text": "Shady Brook is a great little farm, market, pick your own and winery in Yardley. The ice cream shop inside has some of the most amazing home made ice cream I've ever had, but I haven't eaten any of their prepared foods so I can't speak to the quality of those products. As with most places in the Yardley/Newtown area, they tend to be rather overpriced, but it's a great places to take the family on a Saturday afternoon in the fall for pumpkin picking and hot cocoa.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:00:53" }, { "business_id": "HkL-EWa39zm93SEAx4xXXA", "business_name": "Styer Orchard", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Syter Orchard!!!! They have the most extensive selection of pick your own fruits and veggies that I've ever seen. Something about harvesting your own crop really makes cooking/eating them worthwhile. In the fall, they have pick your own pumpkins and apples, which I love! The prices are incredibly cheap for pick your own too (obviously there are no labor costs for the farm staff for picking), and it's just plain fun! I can't wait until next fall when our son is old enough to go on the hayride to pick his own pumpkin! They can get pretty crowded on a weekend afternoon with families and children, so be prepared!", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:06:04" }, { "business_id": "cTra1xx8NBSp_x7IFi7qXw", "business_name": "Muscle Maker Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Muscle Maker is amazing!! It's such a shame that this one isn't closer, but I stop here every time I visit my mom in Turnersville. The concept is great, seeing as how I try to watch my calorie/fat intake, so it's right up my alley. One would think that the food would be drab and bland as most low fat/fat free foods are, but it's not. The southwest wrap is a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures, from spicy to creamy to crunchy to a hint of sweetness. Rumor has it that they're putting one in Langhorne in the Redner's shopping center which is both a wonderful and dangerous thing (dangerous for me as now it'll only be 5 minutes away instead of 50!)", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T15:22:55" }, { "business_id": "w4_14pVOLW2Tdm9LTczORg", "business_name": "Corner Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is delicious! I have only eaten breakfast and salads (for lunch) here, so I can't comment on the pastas/sandwiches. However, the salads are delicious and the swiss chilled oatmeal is AMAZING!!!!! The baked goods look divine, too, but I've never indulged in them. During breakfast and lunchtime, they tend to be very crowded, but they are really speedy in delivering food to you. The only reason I gave it four stars is because the prices are slightly high for the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:17:34" }, { "business_id": "Rw2Aw3vyj09BLyKfz-V8fw", "business_name": "Tony Roni's", "rating": 2, "text": "The pizza here is subpar; it's nothing to write home about. Pizza here is always excessively greasy, regardless of what kind you get. The slices are rather large, which I'm sure is an attempt to make up for the subpar food. This place is definitely not on the top of my list of pizza places in Willow Grove.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:20:50" }, { "business_id": "nt5wkQvL3UGT1LDTSAHMDA", "business_name": "The Fresh Market", "rating": 3, "text": "Think a more expensive version of Whole Foods when shopping at Fresh Market ($8.00 for a pound of cut up fruit is insanity) Now, I realize they're all about organic/vegan/gluten free, but boy oh boy, are their prices outrageous. They do have an extremely unique and varied selection of products, but I would never do my weekly grocery shopping here. Their sushi is very delicious, and is extremely reasonably priced, though. They also have really good prepared foods in the deli case.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:02:49" }, { "business_id": "ZSJhSNJrZGDRS5Ef7ivnzA", "business_name": "Koba", "rating": 2, "text": "The quality of this restaurant has gone way downhill since ownership changed hands. We used to travel from lower Bucks county to come here when it was Young Bin Kwan, but have not been back here (nor will we be) since our first try under new ownership. We took a friend from out of town here, raving about this delicious Korean buffet in Jenkintown, thinking it was still YBK; yet we were extremely embarrassed with our dinner reccommendation once we left. The banchan was horrible, and there wasn't very much of it (YBK had at least 8 different banchan on the buffet). The meat was of poor quality, and the staff let some pans sit without meat in them for our entire meal (which is a shame for me because I don't eat beef, and they never refilled the chicken). It's such a shame that this place is under new ownership because it was one of the only Korean buffets around in the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:08:50" }, { "business_id": "At6iwGTy6bDxc7PUEOTvQw", "business_name": "Jake's Wayback Burgers", "rating": 2, "text": "I went here for lunch one day but was really disappointed that the own manager didn't know about the meat there. I wanted a turkey burger as I don't eat beef and asked the fat percentage of the ground turkey (I have a sensitive stomach and can only eat 90/10 or higher and the manager was clueless. He even brought the box of frozen meat out which didn't have the percentage of fat on it either. With that I walked out. They know the fat percentage of all the beef they serve, so why should the turkey be any different?", "timestamp": "2011-12-18T00:16:09" }, { "business_id": "eMiN8nm70jjKg8izikVWDA", "business_name": "Chickie's & Pete's", "rating": 3, "text": "Chickie's and Pete's is ok; there's really nothing remarkable about the place. The mussels in red sauce are really good, though; the red sauce is a nice combo of garlicky and sweet at the same time, so it has kind of a unique flavor. The tomato pie is really good as well. Meh to the fries; they're really nothing special. If you've had them once, you don't need to have them again; they're fries. The service has got to be the slowest and most jumbled restaurant service I've ever seen, though; our table had food coming out at various times (non apps), and each item was expedited by a different person. The atmosphere in the dining section (separate from the bar) is so loud that you can't hear yourself think. If you want decent food, slow service and a mediocre sports bar, then Chickie's is for you.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:25:47" }, { "business_id": "HpLIHgoz3XPTyol5tKKb_w", "business_name": "Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Update to my original: I really wanted to like this place, but I just can't! The sushi was still subpar and way overpriced; it didn't have much in the way of flavor and was really just blah. The service is obnoxiously slow (think 15 minutes for drinks), the place is the loudest restaurant I've ever been in, and perhaps the most bothersome part of the entire meal was being sat next to the birthday gong which rang at least 10 times during our meal. A hibachi meal for three took almost two hours from start to finish, which is ridiculous. We gave it a shot a second time and were sorely disappointed again. Arirang, you fail yet again.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:35:46" }, { "business_id": "1Lr4sdFV9c1-W3R2D_zV4w", "business_name": "Mirch Masasla", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm giving MM two stars because their hours are downright AWFUL. Twice, I've gone here after 12:00pm for their lunch buffet (which is incredible) yet they weren't open when their hours clearly state 12 is the opening time. It really irks me when a restaurant can't even keep up on their hours.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:22:15" }, { "business_id": "WWO34S7RwBWlsjJEYuTAaw", "business_name": "Indian Hut-Bensalem", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is downright awful. Think greasy, overpriced, and underportioned. They claim to be known for their cakes and curry, but their curry is incredibly spicy (Even when asking for it relatively mild) and their cakes remind me of the cheap, generic Chinese buffet cakes. The service was also very slow; it took over 1/2 hour to get a curry chicken and a cake, and there was one other person in the store. Avoid this place.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:24:56" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 5, "text": "The donuts here are one thing, but holy moly, the chicken is out of this world. We got the honey ginger, coconut curry and za'atar and each flavor was incredible. You could easily distinguish the various seasonings in each flavor, too. The chicken is double fried which made it so crispy but still allows it to maintain its juiciness. My only complaint is that I wish there was more seasoning on the chicken, but other than that, it was pure perfection.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:46:52" }, { "business_id": "qETpOF88MbmtSyOWEDaD_A", "business_name": "Duross & Langel", "rating": 5, "text": "The soap here is incredible!!! The staff was very kind and friendly, and helped us pick out the best scents. The black pepper doesn't smell like black pepper in the least, but the scent is one of the most perfect scents I have ever smelled. I was so overwhelmed with soap that I didn't even have a chance to check out the other items such as lotions, oils, deodorants, and even baby products! They're rather expensive, though (think $5 for a 1/2 bar) but the scents are so amazing that they're worth the splurge.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:50:37" }, { "business_id": "6DFobber72AV0mnBV5KeQQ", "business_name": "Anne's Kitchen Table", "rating": 1, "text": "I was SORELY disappointed with Anne's. I take reviews on yelp very seriously, and usually get what's recommended in 5 star reviews, so here was no different. I ordered an asian wrap with noodles for takeout, and was really excited to try it as it smelled delicious! Well, I opened the paper to discover both covers SOAKED in sauce, which normally wouldn't be an issue, except the sauce was mostly oil. The entire outside of the wrap was soaked with oily sauce as well. I took one bite and couldn't eat anymore of the wrap because it was so oily. It was such a shame because the veggies seemed incredibly fresh and delectable, but again, the sauce was so oily I couldn't eat my lunch.", "timestamp": "2012-04-10T23:10:49" }, { "business_id": "0R2yKDNMUztQwgo8pG4z-Q", "business_name": "Triumph Brewing Company", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't speak for the food here, but the beer is delicious! I love how they offer a sampler of their beers (a full mini glass of each, 9 total) for $12! I was pleasantly surprised by the belgian somethin else and the black lager, both of which were incredible! What a great way to get a good buzz off of some really delicious beers.", "timestamp": "2012-04-24T00:03:43" }, { "business_id": "oBNrLz4EDhiscSlbOl8uAw", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper - New Orleans", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't too impressed with the food here. I was really excited to try their breakfast, but honestly, it was nothing special. I had the carrot cake pancakes (A special), brother had the bananas foster pain and hubby the original french toast. The pancakes were ok, nice and fluffy, however, they overloaded them with cream cheese icing, so that was the predominant taste. The bananas foster pain wasn't that good either; the foster sauce was overcooked so it tasted burnt and the french toast was too hard. The really disappointing part was that they had the same specials all week so there was never an opportunity to try any of their other famed specials.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:25:45" }, { "business_id": "9DEHXZfOO1kY_be0nRK-ng", "business_name": "Philly Steak & Gyro", "rating": 1, "text": "This place is gross. I was going to get breakfast here the other day before a long flight until I saw that the fryer hadn't been cleaned since what seemed like 1970 and the employees were handling food without gloves on. Ick ick ick!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:26:02" }, { "business_id": "D3QVe8AXcEJOFg5GItUPtg", "business_name": "Pelham Hotel", "rating": 2, "text": "The location was phenomenal, however, the hotel was rather dire. Our room was on the 4th floor and it had no windows, so it was always dark. Every time we got on the left elevator to go from the first to the fourth floor, I thought we were going to drop down the shaft as it jolted at the floor before the door opened. I thought I was riding the Tower of Terror at Disney! The beds were incredibly uncomfortable, the wallpaper was peeling, and the shower was AWFUL. Free wifi for guests was great, though! Most of the staff were incredibly knowledgeable about directions/food/attractions, however, the one young lady working during the day had no clue where anything was or how to get anywhere. Really!? I wasn't expecting the Waldorf but you get what you pay for, so I didn't expect much. If they remodeled and modernized, it'd be a fab hotel!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:33:03" }, { "business_id": "agK5cXwnBQozM2M-5kLvzw", "business_name": "Red Gravy", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVED this place, and am really sad that I'll never get to eat here again! What an amazing find, away from all of the hustle and bustle of the busiest places in NOLA. The food was so incredible that we ate here for breakfast three days in a row. They do, however, serve lunch too but not dinner. I had the oatmeal each day, which was a huge bowl of homemade oatmeal with fresh fruit and freshly made granola. It was incredible! My husband got the french toast each day because it was simply that good. I tasted a little bit of my brother's entrees each day and everything was phenomenal (the cannoli pancakes, the Debra sandwich and their specialty omelet (with gravy, meatballs and ricotta). The best part of this place is that the owner is from Jersey, so her Italian cooking is spot on. I'm sure their lunches are just as amazing as their breakfasts.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:37:49" }, { "business_id": "n_fUROdhfmLwd_mpBi55ew", "business_name": "Central Grocery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Muffuletta oh muffuletta, THANKFULLY you are not a staple sandwich of my home city. Being an Italian from Philadelphia, my expectations of an Italian sandwich are incredibly high, so I was really excited to see if the muffuletta lived up to my high Italian sandwich standards, Well, we have a winner!!! The grocery part of the store has some really funky old Italian groceries, but the sandwich shoppe is where it's at. Don't expect much from here other than ordering your slice of heaven, sitting at the dingy tables and experiencing pure sandwich perfection. You can feed an entire family of four with a whole, too. The bread was so soft and delicious, and was the perfect ratio for the innards of the sandwich. The Italian meats and extra sharp provolone rivaled any of the best in Philly, and the olive salad, well, holy crap, it was amazing!!!! It was a little salty, but I was willing to overlook that because it was so delicious (and I HATE olives, so I was shocked when I actually went and purchased an entire 16oz jar to take home with me). I was blown away by the muffuletta!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:15:00" }, { "business_id": "QdER5KjucCVtOXdU1g7kpA", "business_name": "Pepper Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "This place was incredibly cool!! I have never seen so many hot sauces, salsas and seasonings in one location ever. They have their own line of sauces/seasonings/salsas they make and sell, so everything is homemade and genuine. The employees are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and will go out of their way to help. The best part is that you can sample an incredible number of their products so you can know what everything tastes like. Winners are: sweet potato butter, ALL of their rubs and the pineapple salsa. I wish there was a place like this in Philly.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:18:27" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Dingy, dark and off the map bars always have the best food, and here was no exception. We waited about 1/2 hour and I'd gladly wait another hour to eat this food. The jambalaya and red beans and rice were phenomenal; what an amazing explosion of flavor! The fried chicken was ok, nothing too spectacular. They have a sampler platter so you can get a little bit of everything that they have to offer. What a great way to experience true New Orleans food!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:21:22" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 4, "text": "All we did here was drink, and we did that A LOT! The mint juleps were great! The hurricane was a little too sweet for my liking, but it did the job in getting me buzzed. I only drank one because it was the raved about drink in NOLA. The courtyard was a really cool and relaxing way to enjoy some drinks and do some people watching.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:54:26" }, { "business_id": "EMfJpVozzk238AM51H18Dw", "business_name": "Meltdown", "rating": 5, "text": "Sheer, sheer perfection. We were walking around the French Quarter and saw three people with these scrumptious looking popsicles and we knew instantaneously we had to fine the place that sold them. We yelped them and it turned out that they were closed, but we were so determined to get these yummy popsicles that we came back the next day. One bite and we realized that we had made the right decision. The pineapple cilantro pop was so flavorful and refreshing that we went and got another for the walk back to the hotel. The salted caramel was an out of this world flavor experience. It was creamy, refreshing, sweet, salty and hands down the best ice cream treat I've ever had. Whoever makes these pops needs to go into business nationally IMMEDIATELY and sell these babies!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:05:08" }, { "business_id": "u7uFQCoHFtBKCtbWUm6yZw", "business_name": "Emeril's ", "rating": 4, "text": "Emeril's is the #3 dining experience I've had in my life. The atmosphere is incredible, but the food is even more incredible. I had the BBQ shrimp and a salad as my entree (I was too full from lunch), my brother had the double cut pork chop and my hubby had the chicken. Everything was spot on, flavorful and perfect, except the time it took to get our meals (think an hour after ordering, which is unacceptable in a place like this; I've eaten at places like Emeril's all over the country and have never had entrees take this long to come out). The servers never let our water get down to 3/4 full and were always attentive to what we wanted or needed. The desserts were incredible too. The banana cream pie was incredible (but wasn't life changing) and the chocolate peanut butter pie was superb. All in all, the best dining experience we had in NOLA.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:12:42" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Cochon how I wanted to LOVE you but I just can't. We went all out and got a few small plates and some entrees so we could experience it all, so I'll break down each one. Wood fried oyster roast- INCREDIBLE!!!! That's all. I wanted to eat 5 more of these plates. Fried boudin- Ok; flavors were really good but they were fried too long so they were slightly too oily. Smoked pork ribs- Ick, these were terrible. They were swimming in their own grease and were chewy and not at all tender (and my family owns BBQ joints) Pork cheeks-These were delish!! The meat was so tender and the flavors were incredible! Mushroom salad- Yummy, but the dried lemon slices were extremely bitter, so I had to pick them out of the salad before I finished. This is where the yumminess stopped, in my opinion. The cochon was the best entree, but it wasn't nearly as good as I had expected it to be. It seemed like glorified pulled pork to me. The brisket was not very good; the meat was really tough and chewy, but the horseradish potato salad was pretty good. I had a chicken dish which was extremely overcooked, oily and dry, and the accompaniments (minted peas and other veggies) were cold. The staff were great, though, and were really thorough, but my expectations were definitely not met here. I was pretty disappointed with my meal with the exceptions of a few gems explained above.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:29:00" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 5, "text": "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, oh boy!!!!!!! I am a sweets fanatic so I was really excited to stop by here and get a few things. The macaroons were wonderful; perfect filling to cookie ratio and the flavors were great. The gelato was incredible, too; creamy, well flavored and delicious. They're more than willing to give samples out (each of us got a whole macaroon!) and a bunch of gelato samples which is great for people as indecisive as my family. We took home some marshmallows which are divine and a great memory of the deliciousness of Sucre. I just wish I could've had one of everything!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:32:49" }, { "business_id": "vN6v8m4DO45Z4pp8yxxF_w", "business_name": "Surrey's Café & Juice Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "We didn't eat here, so I can't speak to the food, but the juice was great. We got a mango-carrot-pineapple juice to go, which was really pricey (5.25!!!) which is why I knocked a star off, but the juice was really yummy and refreshing for a hot New Orleans day. The atmosphere and location of this place is really cool, too.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:35:06" }, { "business_id": "_ab50qdWOk0DdB6XOrBitw", "business_name": "Acme Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "What a great way to experience NOLA cuisine on our first day in town. We stopped by after a long day of traveling and were seated immediately (it was a Monday at 3:00pm), but it was still rather crowded. We got our food very quickly, and I'm glad we did because everything was incredible! Three of us devoured our boo fries in about 5 minutes (DELISH!), and my brother and I were fortunate enough to have ordered the chargrilled oysters (over the raw) to split. They were INCREDIBLE!! The garlic and cheese were an excellent combo and made for some incredibly happy foodies! We were so blown away that we ordered another dozen. I was really happy we decided to go here over Felix's as everything was so good!!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:31:47" }, { "business_id": "UH87t9fT_oTLMZfr5iCbQg", "business_name": "Tropical Isle", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh hand grenade, you were my go to drink in NOLA!!! I must've drank at least 6 during our 4 day stay here. They were cold, refreshing and full of alcohol, so what's not to love??!!! I'm sure the TSA loved seeing the multitude of hand grenade cups stuffed in our suitcases!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:34:12" }, { "business_id": "0eP5RJNSsSYdPvUY3ZbTvw", "business_name": "Cat's Meow", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, so the place is a little divey (think dirty old men and drunk college guys tossing beads to girls cruising Bourbon St), but it was always happening. I did quite a few karaoke songs here, and each time I sang, it was just a blast. It's a great place to watch the liquor overtake people's inhibitions. Drinks are expensive, though ($6 for a domestic bottle) so drink a lot beforehand.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:26:17" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "We stopped in here after a not so great experience at Cochon but we were blown away by the butcher. The atmosphere is incredible; great ambient lighting, awesome decor, and the best part: the curing meat display! We didn't get anything to eat here because we just had dinner, but everything smelled incredible. We got some bacon chocolate covered almonds and they were such a new and different flavor experience, but they were phenomenal! We also got a sweet potato habenero sauce to take home because it was so delicious! I'm really disappointed that we didn't get to eat here, but the sights and smells were enough to please me!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:51:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 5, "text": "When I travel, I really enjoy going to the local supermarket (call me strange, but I find it a really cool way to experience local food finds). I'm really glad we walked over here because this was one of the coolest markets I've ever been to! Unlike the northeast, there was liquor here (hey, gotta grab a bottle of vino with your lunch!), and their cafe section was immense! They have every type of prepared food imaginable, and their meat/deli/bakery was great! They are pricey, but it was worth the trip to check out a really cool local market.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:56:51" }, { "business_id": "krCwF4raTYvBcCEwcbA88Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Mills", "rating": 2, "text": "The only stores worth shopping in here are the Off 5th and Last Call Neiman Marcus. Most of the stores are not name brand, and the mall itself it just filthy. Thankfully, Saks and Neiman both have entrances that don't require entrance into the mall.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T12:36:27" }, { "business_id": "11qwVOxX-Z0bWAnfpVLnlw", "business_name": "Mike Serio's Poboys", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted a true, genuine po'boy but didn't want to go too far, so I took the hotel concierge's advice and went here. I wanted a 1/2 shrimp and 1/2 oyster, which wasn't on the menu, so it cost $13! When the sandwich came out, it was rather small, and the shrimp were wayyyyy too little (think shrimp salad sized shrimp). The fried oysters were pretty good, as was the bread, but overall, I was generally disappointed. I don't mind paying that much for a delish po'boy (Johnny's!), but was really upset that the subpar one I had here costs that much. Just walk the extra 1/2 mile to Johnny's.", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:51:11" }, { "business_id": "Eb1XmmLWyt_way5NNZ7-Pw", "business_name": "Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport MSY", "rating": 3, "text": "Ick, this is one of the most aestetically unpleasing airports I've ever been to. Granted, things ran rather smoothly, but when I'm sitting in a gate for a few hours, I don't want to see stained carpet, torn seats and spiders crawling on the walls. There also was an overabundance of unused space here (think gates with no chairs, no ticket booths, etc) which was rather strange. I was also disappointed with the food choices (or lack thereof) in my terminal, too. The secutiry line ran pretty quickly, too, although anything is a significant improvement over the 90 minute long like I had to wait in at Philly to get here. The one positive was that in the 5 minute walk to the baggage terminal, our bags were already out on the roundabout!!! I was amazed! Staff here are really great, too!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:54:06" }, { "business_id": "FDx_EgHcBvIRGH4UlyuNCA", "business_name": "Pinkberry", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really excited to see Pinkberry within very close proximity to my hoteI, but wasn't sure if I wanted to try them due to their hype and trendiness. However, my brother swore it was some of the best froyo he's ever had in his life, so I was convinced to try them. The store is really chic and modern, and had a really cool vibe for such a small place. We got mango and pom together (reccommended by the staff) and it was such a refreshing treat on such a hot day. The yogurt was very creamy and just the right consistency, too. Although we didn't get toppings, I really liked the idea of paying one price for a yogurt with \"as many toppings as will fit\" rather than paying per ounce. I just wish they would open a store in the Philly area!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:59:52" }, { "business_id": "GJI1ITRdwr6Ov3GVKOTZcQ", "business_name": "Hong Luck Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is interesting to say the least. The outside looks like an old 70's diner, so it's slightly off putting when you pull up to the restaurant. Upon walking into here my brain immediately breaks into the Spongebob Squarepants theme song (think tiki huts, blowfish light fixtures, bamboo everywhere)! I have never, ever, EVER in my life been in a restaurant as tacky looking as this, and they really do deserve a decor makeover by Robert Irvine. However, despite their gaudy decor, they have incredible food! The curry chicken was incredible; the flavors were incredible, although it was a little too salty. The garlic boneless spareribs are out of this world; they're the perfect combination of sweet and salty. The portions are huge and the prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. This restaurant serves the best Chinese food in Levittown, so it's definitely worth overlooking the horrible decor for some delicious food.", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T01:46:30" }, { "business_id": "vFifkrt8fU4k31NrQF-KnA", "business_name": "Giant Food Store", "rating": 5, "text": "This market is one of the best I've ever been too! They have an incredible assortment of freshly prepared foods of all varieties (Chinese, paninis, sandwiches, coffee shop, pizzas, etc) but the clear prepared food winner here is the fresh made salad section. The salad is always huge, and the best part is that you can have your salad made by one of the employees rather than settling for one in the cold case that was made at 8am. You can also customize what you want in your salad, so you're not limited if you have an allergy or just don't like something. The other sections of the store are great; they have a wonderful organic section and some great bulk products. This a great option that is much better than Saladworks, and every week, they offer a different salad on sale for around $5.99. One of the coolest parts of this market is that they have a cooking school inside, with some free classes (others you may have to pay $15-20 for) but they have a full kitchen inside the \"Cooking school\" where you not only learn to prepare a meal, but you can actually prepare it yourself. They also have a nutritionist on staff that teaches specialty cooking classes, such as low sodium or low fat cooking. They even go so far as to offer classes for seniors and kids! Everything here makes this one truly unique and even exciting shopping opportunity!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T16:23:58" }, { "business_id": "1e1qCk-tKAkFn-or-o-h0A", "business_name": "Sammy Chon's KTown BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is just as good as the store in Cherry Hill, so each time we decide to hit up Sam for Korean, we're coming here (no more trips over the Walt for yummy Korean food!) ! Sam was the first person to introduce my family and I to Korean food, so we're faithful to him 'till the end. The soy and honey sesame wings are incredible; they're so crispy and flavorful, yet not greasy at all. They're highly addictive, so I recommend only getting 4 because you will have no room left for your dinner if you get 10. I absolutely LOVE the banchan; each time you go, there is an array of about 8 banchan, each different at every trip to the restaurant. I always get the same thing when we eat at Sammy's, which is the soon dubu stew, spicy 3.5 stars with spicy pork. It's a soft tofu cooked in a spicy (as spicy as you want, but be warned, anything above a 4 will make your eyes tear up!) broth with meat of your choice. It's probably unlike any other food you've ever eaten, so make sure you try it because there is no comparison to anything if you haven't had Korean food before. It comes out in a hot pot so it's always EXTREMELY hot. I always ask for a glass of ice to put in the stew to cool it down because I've made the mistake of burning my mouth on soon dubu one time too many. This location serves alcohol, and we were recommended a mango flavored Korean drink. I thought we each were getting a glass, but boy was I wrong; we got a carafe!!! The drink was delicious! It was cool and refreshing, and ended up being the perfect compliment to our hot (both in temperature and spice) meals. My husband always gets the LA kalbi (marinated short ribs) which he swears by and wishes he could eat on a daily basis. Everything Sam makes is incredible! If you're a newbie to Korean food, definitely come here with an open mind and be willing to try something new and possible off the cusp than what you'd normally eat. Trust me, you'll be pleasantly surprised!", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:19:19" }, { "business_id": "ssr49VxAlvrBo7F7izQvXA", "business_name": "The Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "I love love love The Pub. Eating here will make you feel like you're dining at the Renaissance faire (just hand me a turkey leg and a velvet dress and you're good to go!) but the food is great. They have some delicious selections on their salad bar, with my favorite being the zucchini bread. They have some of the best crab cakes I've ever eaten, too. Whether you're a seafood lover like I am, or a pure carnivore like my husband (who highly recommends the 26oz porterhouse), you'll find something delicious and quite large to eat. The portions are enough to feed you for two days, so be prepared to take home some of your meal. The only thing I don't like about the place is you dine extremely close to your neighbors, but I guess it's all part of the experience.", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:20:40" }, { "business_id": "t-QoyFuiNKPOioysQx2qHA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "This location is probably one of the smallest Whole Foods I've ever been in, but they have an immense selection of products that are unique and hard to find. They have a mind blowing selection of natural, organic, and vegan makeup/lotions/etc., which is great. Their bakery is rather small, but they have some of the most delicious desserts and baked goods ever!!! DEFINITELY make sure you get some seeduction ROLLS (the loaf is amazing, but the rolls are much better) to take home with you. The awesome part of the bread bakery is that you can get a 1/2 loaf of bread (which is great for my family because I'm the only one that eats the unique breads they have, so nothing goes to waste. I also love their bulk section because you can get just what you need weight-wise of some really different and unique grains. They have an amazing selection of cold prepared foods in the deli case, with some great vegan and vegetarian choices. They also have a wonderful salad bar with some deliciously healthy selections. The even package some of their best products in ready to go containers so you can take them home with you. They also have a wonderful meat selection, with a significant amount of \"green\" meat (grass fed, no antibiotcs, etc). The produce selection is vast and truly unique; I've seen some really weird fruits and veggies that I've never seen before here. Be prepared as their prices are high, but you're getting good quality, healthy food, so it's well worth it.", "timestamp": "2012-06-02T01:04:03" }, { "business_id": "VVH6k9-ycttH3TV_lk5WfQ", "business_name": "Willie Mae's Scotch House", "rating": 4, "text": "Off in the land of the 7th ward in what is a pretty rough looking neighborhood, stands Willie Mae's. We took our awesome scooters here (thankfully, as it's not within walking distance from the French Quarter) and were prepared for some fried chicken goodness. I'm NOT a big fried foods person, so I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it here, but I was wrong. The restaurant is pretty much off the beaten path, but I've learned in my travels that some of the most amazing places are. The place is nothing spectacular inside, but it was really cool to read the various articles from magazines the restaurant was featured in. We reviewed our short menu and decided on nothing other than the fried chicken platter and some cornbread. Out sides were brought out along with our chicken after a relatively short wait, and we dug in. The chicken was placed on a big platter in the middle of the table, so it was like a chicken free for all at the table. The sides were HUGE, and looked delicious. I was really thrilled when the red beans and rice tasted as good as they looked, but I was slightly disappointed in the green beans. The red beans were incredible; they were slightly smoky and somewhat spicy, and were perfect! After I downed the whole bowl, it was time to tackle the chicken mountain. I broke off a piece of the breading to taste just that, and holy crap, it was delicious!!!! It was greasy (of course!), but was so delicious that I found myself scouring the crunchy pieces of the batter off of the bottom of the plate!! Once I finally got to the chicken, I was very impressed. The chicken was so moist and tender, and was some of the best chicken I had ever eaten. The combination of the deliciously crunchy, spicy batter and the moist, tender chicken made for a wonderful chicken experience. I felt like an authentic NOLA citizen while eating here. Like I said earlier, I'm not a fan of fried foods, but I was definitely a fan of Willie Mae's.", "timestamp": "2012-06-03T00:27:17" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "Jules is delicious!!! They have some amazingly creative pizza creations, and it's extra yummy because the thin crust allows you to really taste the flavors of the pizzas. They use organic and local veggies, hormone free meats and they combine flavors really well. The winners are (I can't remember the names) the greek pizza, the chicken with cilantro pizza, and the potato topped pizza. Be sure to check in on foursquare for a free slice with check in.", "timestamp": "2012-10-18T21:19:58" }, { "business_id": "iD25g7vUG3asELjXtMGF9w", "business_name": "Taqueria del Sol", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is all I can say for TDS. The restaurant itself is just cold.... not literally, but figuratively. There was no decor, no menu boards, stainless steel prep tables as dining tables, no soda machines, staff EVERYWHERE with no identification (shirts, nametags, etc). The food is reasonably priced and most of it was quite good, but what really irked my party was the fact that they charge for extra salsa!!! We ordered a salsa trio (which included 3 samples of the various salsas, in 2oz glass prep bowls), and when my brother asked for more salsa for his tacos (mind you, we ordered one of ever taco, three burritos and guacamole), he was told he'd have to buy the trio again! Really!!??? We spent over $40 on food, drinks and apps, too. Even though the food was decent, I wouldn't return as the atmosphere is just blah and you can't get extra salsa for your damn tacos!", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:14:36" }, { "business_id": "tpDJ0vOYiBLxMqtGvhBSmw", "business_name": "Top It Frozen Yogurt Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Top It is wonderful! They're your typical froyo place, but they have delicious and authentic flavors that vary daily and based on the season. They have nutritional info displayed for all to see, so you can know exactly what you're eating. They also have a ton of different and unique toppings. If you check in via yelp on your smartphone, you get 20% off which is a great incentive to come here (in addition to the yummy yogurt!!!). Don't forget to join their email list; they frequently send coupons out via email.", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:17:26" }, { "business_id": "knp4GbMlIQZAppyEVnUkQg", "business_name": "Koja Grille", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow this place is NOT it. I should've known the experience was gonna be bad when the brought my take out order, which the waitress clearly marked to go, to me out on a plate. I'm someone who adores Korean food and was excited to try Koja out, but I should've just stuck to my regular Korean spots. The food was overpriced, completely non authentic (non grilled bulgogi with broccoli and carrots????), and subpar. The wings were soggy and although I ordered them mild, they were made spicy. The food here is equivalent to overpriced icky Chinese. I haven't been this disappointed with food in Philly for a very long time. To make matters worse, the staff was incredibly rude and snippy with me. With all of the amazing Korean places in Philly, I'm surprised they stay in business here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T02:02:04" }, { "business_id": "LcURr5CJT0Uo0H18l31qpg", "business_name": "The Lite Choice", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great yogurt place! I'm a big fan of froyo in general, so I was excited to try out a place that offered such decadence in yogurt. I had a fluffernutter yogurt and was so impressed that this yogurt was light! It had such great flavor and didn't have that weird aftertaste that some froyo has. The only downside was that the yogurt is pricey.", "timestamp": "2013-04-30T01:34:20" }, { "business_id": "by3Pd_qk6R9ik3C2Ng_-rg", "business_name": "Margaritas Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Eh, this place is not it. The service is incredibly slow, chaotic and messy. Apps came out literally 30 seconds before food which is a big no no. The portion of guacamole we had was laughably small; think the size of a single scoop of ice cream EVERYTHING was slathered in cheese, to the point where all you could taste was cheese. The margaritas were good, though, but that was after my server brought me the wrong flavor twice. The food here is definitely not worth the price; save a few bucks (hell, more than a few!) and get a much better and way more authentic meal at Cancun down the street.", "timestamp": "2013-06-23T03:16:59" }, { "business_id": "lakMZT5PYQltSOjGXWnJ0g", "business_name": "Lil' Pop Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "My gosh, the Popsicles here are amazing!!!!! I go once a week on my lunch break and get two Popsicles. The best flavors are the milk based ones...last week, I had a lemon blueberry buttermilk and it tasted like a frozen cheesecake! I also had a watermelon rhubarb which was ok. The coconut hibiscus is divine as well! What a gem in West Philly!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:42:55" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "omgee, this place is phenomenal! I came here on the recommendation of some coworkers and I'm glad I did! Their burritos are big enough to feed a small army,and their flavors are amazing. Both times I went, I had a chicken and sweet potato burrito and it was divine! The sweet potatoes are such a unique and flavorful addition to the burritos. I also loved how they put guac on all of their burritos. Honest Toms is quickly becoming a favorite lunch spotlight of mine in West!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:46:34" }, { "business_id": "U30ggGzFpXvc2NZYwOW3qg", "business_name": "Mood Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Jeez, where to begin with Mood???? I came here for lunch a few weeks ago with a coworker, and while he wasn't a fan (he's not as adventurous with food a I am), I loved it! If you're looking for your typical Indian food, skip here; if you want a flavor adventure that is unique and different, then this is your place. I had no clue what a chaat was until I came here, so the owner explained everything to me. The chaats here anew amazing; there are so many flavors, textures, colors, and unique ingredients that every bite is something different. They also have the best lassis I've ever had, and what makes them even better is the flavors! Skip the traditional mango (even though its awesome) and give fig a try. It was creamy, sweet perfection. I'm sure the food here isn't diet friendly, which is not good for me because its so close to work!!!!!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:53:14" }, { "business_id": "oGAnlXgorzsRqeA4S0UhlQ", "business_name": "Scappa Brick Oven Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "This place has some of the best Italian and pizza in Levittown. Everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. I really enjoyed their tomato pie; the sauce was a perfect combo of sweet and salty. All in all, a great place to grab a flavorful and well priced Italian meal.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:55:19" }, { "business_id": "hG1CdQIZGnHcYDdpNnVbSQ", "business_name": "My Little Kupkake", "rating": 1, "text": "Ick, I had a cupcake from here which I picked up from DIbrunos in the city, and I was not impressed. Im a cupcake fanatic, so I take cupcakes seriously!The cake itself was dry and dense, the icing was too sweet and there was entirely too much of it. If you're going to market and sell your cupcakes in another location, at least ensure they're good.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:57:54" }, { "business_id": "9OhPfV0C3Q49l5tSre2MuQ", "business_name": "Kabobeesh", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh lawd, Kabobeesh is incredible!!! I am so happy that this place is so close to where I work that I go here every Tuesday for lunch. For $10, you get an incredible amount of food that can feed you for days. I always am enticed by the kebobs in the case, which are always so fresh and flavorful. My favorite is the tandoori chicken, which is so moist, tender and flavorful that I'm drooling as I write this. They always have delicious sides and dishes besides the kebobs. I'm a huge fan of the yellow daal which is so perfectly seasoned and so flavorful. The homemade naan is to die for as well. The only downfall is that the service tends to be rather slow, but for food this awesome, it's worth the wait!!!", "timestamp": "2013-10-01T00:02:52" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. I was overhyped to try here, and was slightly disappointed. The place is incredibly small, and I knew it wasn't going to be the best dining experience when we were sat by the draft of the open door which rushed in the cold January air. Cocktail: the sgroppino was fabulous! The sorbet was so fresh and flavorful. Very string too! Apps: the garlic bread was yummy! Nothing phenomenal but good. The fig bruschetta was great too, but I wasn't a fan of how overwhelming the Gorgonzola was. It took away from the other flavors of the dish. The arancini were meh; rather bland and flavorless. It almost tasted frozen to me; it was definitely the loser of the night. The fresh mozzarella was the star of the night: creamy, salty, briney goodness. It literally melted in my mouth. We each had a pasta dish. The gnocchi were yummy; I loved the crunchiness that came from the pan sear. The fusili were ok; I'm just not a big fan of oily sauces. The spaghetti and meatballs were great, though. The portion was gigantic; however, I was a bit surprised that the meatball tasted more like hot Italian sausage than a classic meatball. The service was great, though. Our server was knowledgable, personable and friendly. I usually never leave a restaurant like this stuffed, but I felt like I was going to explode when we were done eating. $100 for three people including drinks is a great price, too. You really get a lot of food for a fair price. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I felt like the food here was oversold and under delivered. I guess I expected more from this empire (I could eat at Barbuzzo daily!) Would I return? Highly unlikely. There are just too many other choices in Philly which are equivalent in price that have much more to offer.", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:04:04" }, { "business_id": "UyTx6ci7ATsWco_mE4J8Jw", "business_name": "Pamcakes, a Philly Cupcakery", "rating": 2, "text": "I expected more from Pamcakes... I am a cupcake fiend. I make it a point to try as many cupcake places as I can in the city, and while I have tried many, I'm nowhere near trying them all. I also bake my own, so I'm always pumped to try new (to me) shops I went in on a Thursday around 1115 and no one was in the shop. The display was pretty meager; a few of this flavor, two of that one, etc, . I ordered a red velvet, lemon raspberry, triple chocolate and vanilla with buttercream. The red velvet was one of the best red velvet cupcakes I've ever had. The cream Cheese frosting was divine; light, fluffy and not overtly sweet. The lemon raspberry was fair; not good, not bad, just average. The triple chocolate was awful. The cake was dry and crumbly and the icing was way too sweet. The vanilla was bad too. Dry cake, bland frosting and extremely dense. The worst part of the experience was on three of the four cupcakes, the icing was hard and crunchy. I honestly thought they were yesterday's leftovers. They certainly didn't taste fresh. I was very disappointed with the cupcakes here. I expected so much more and was highly let down. Such a shame, too", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:17:37" }, { "business_id": "OxkdxarPVk_BNGDpllqiBA", "business_name": "Under the Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Under the Pier is a rather unassuming spot, but don't let the facade fool you. Actually, it's the epitome of duvet here, but who cares??!! The food here is great! Cheap, fresh, quick and delicious...what more could you ask for!? The fish is fresh, the batter is great and the prices are good. They have great \"chips\" too with their fish. I also loved the crab cake and clam cake, too. This place is definitely a hidden gem in Levittown .", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T02:29:59" }, { "business_id": "45ClmqPAagmNvdUojFULZA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 3, "text": "I noticed this place on a ride down Walnut for work. Definitely my kind of place, so I parked and stopped in. Think fast farm to table food. I loved how everything is locally sourced, organic, fresh and healthy. However, I did not love the price! When I paid for my seasonal salad and cucumber limeade (which was AMAZEBALLS), I ended up with a total of around $15!!! I have no problem paying higher prices for quality, but 15 bucks for a salad and a 16oz lemonade is just insanity in my opinion. The salad was good; definitely not worth the $11 it cost, though. I realize this is U City and they locally source everything, etc, but I simply would not return due to the prices (this is one of the main reasons I left a three star review. I know quailty ingredients come with a price, however, $15 is just far too much.", "timestamp": "2014-06-25T17:36:12" } ]	{ "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 4, "text": "I was blown away by the food here and I didn't even eat in! My brother brought home take out which included the eggplant hummus and the brisket hummus, pita and saltim. While I don't eat red meat, I devoured the eggplant hummus and literally could not stop stuffing my face with the deliciousness that sat in that bowl. The hummus was so earthy and smoky and had such great flavor. The pita were amazing; even cold, they were incredible!!!!!! I simply cannot wait to try the food from here fresh. What an amazing place!!! Majestic, Zahav and chef Michael Solomon!!!!! A true gem!!!", "timestamp": "2014-09-27T00:59:15" }
kHmXUEOAsIbguUrPoX6Tkg	[ { "business_id": "jXDr7IkNlkJGuQYzth9CMg", "business_name": "The New Il Mi Jung", "rating": 1, "text": "While the food is really great and delicious, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. The staff there neglected giving us the sides, did not offer us drink refills, and did not allow me to order BBQ since my husband ordered BBQ special (even though we've done it many times) (my husband gets special and I would get BBQ chicken). They know what we get, and would not allow us to order what we wanted. They were actually very rude to us tonight, and we were regulars, going 2-3x/month. After tonight, we will not be returning. They lost two regular customers due to rudeness and lack of acceptable service tonight. We'll be going to Myung Ga from now on.", "timestamp": "2009-10-10T02:54:00" }, { "business_id": "FJl6LCHbqiM9mvSwDjFAjw", "business_name": "Kim's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing!!! It's different than other Korean restaurants as they don't use gas for the grills, just hot coals. The banchan are AMAZING, and the meat portions are huge!!! They even have steamed egg!!! Highly recommended!!!! Korean food can be pretty pricey for the meat dishes, which is the case here, but it's worth it. Since it;s in Olney, I'll only go during daylight hours.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:06:32" }, { "business_id": "6sWAn5N1h5d4pd1hEu497A", "business_name": "Young Bin Kwan", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing! It's a full buffet of raw meat that you take yourself and grill at your table in the charcoal Korean grills. I highly recommend this place for Korean food newbies as you can really experience various meats without being committed to something you may not like. The banchan are amazing! So many choices!!!!!!! The whole place is amazing, and it's only $23/pp!!!! The little Korean ladies will help you out if you're a Korean BBQ newbie. Just keep in mind that it's at the bottom of an apartment complex, so it's relatively easy to miss. You WILL smell like you doused yourself in charcoal cologne though afterwards. It's not owned by the same people anymore, and the food has suffered since then.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:15:43" }, { "business_id": "-pyobEWdpZ6jUp42f3I2xw", "business_name": "Dolsot House", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is AMAZING!!! Although you can't cook your own meats here, it's well worth it! The portions are huge, and the prices are very reasonable! They'll refill your bancha if you like something a lot, and the owners are extremely helpful in helping decipher the menu. An absolute hit!!!! The soon tofu is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-09T17:49:23" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "Incredible food, incredible location (Capogiro right down the street for dessert!). The falaffel is so delicious, and their hummus is so smooth and creamy. I had my first falaffel here, and it was incredible. The ONLY complaint I have is that their hours are really funky. They're dirt cheap and always really busy. A real winner!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:06:20" }, { "business_id": "6JVHcQBnyA1DzK4z65cJSw", "business_name": "Falafel Factory", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was great!!! I love how they offer baked falafel. However, their pitas were definitely not homemade like they claimed to be. It's a good alternative if you can't make it to Mama's (hell, the cashier even said the owner goes to Mama's!!). All in all, good falafel.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:10:08" }, { "business_id": "ki0qSHmHNgUjKPRzYDTPow", "business_name": "The Pub 2900", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:24:39" }, { "business_id": "z5GlwQqwr4H8ruCjpnE_BA", "business_name": "Club House Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15. They're owned by the same company as Great American Diner Pub.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:25:22" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Alma de Cuba was delicious!!!! The ceviche is out of this world!!! My only two complaints were that my salmon was undercooked (still transparent in the middle) which really pissed me off because for $30 for a 4 oz portion of salmon, I really believe it should've been cooked to perfection the first time and they forgot one of the entrees in our order. However, the waitstaff was great in correcting the problems, and even offered us a complimentary meal the next time we came in. A great Cuban experience with yummy food!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:29:26" }, { "business_id": "gim0CxngZb6WKPu6BtfzWA", "business_name": "Food Castle Express", "rating": 5, "text": "Great food, and the staff is very helpful. The naan and roti are so delicious!!! The atmosphere is really nice, and the staff are really helpful in deciphering the menu. A hidden gem out of the ton of Indian restaurants in Bensalem.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:32:27" }, { "business_id": "7pwZZVVlYCxQvVdd8Q03wg", "business_name": "La Rosa Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best pizza places in Philadelphia. I've been coming here with my family since I was 5, and always stop by when I'm in South Philly. Prices are still really good!!! Get 1/2 red and 1/2 white for two amazingly delicious different pizza experiences! They don't take credit cards, and they have no seating inside.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:34:36" }, { "business_id": "GFbo0kqqDybKTPkRaJgGMQ", "business_name": "Tijuana Flats", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!! Some of the best take our mexican food I've ever had!!! They offer a power lite option (which is fat free sour cream and light cheese) so you can still get the gooey and creamy flavors of a delicious Mexican meal with reduced calories. Their sauce \"bar\" is phenomenal!! Literally 20 different hot sauces to choose from. Do not pass this place up!!! The atmosphere is really cool, too, with lots of autographed celebrity photos on the walls as well as funky Mexican/Spanish style decor. (They frequently have certificates on restaurant.com too!)", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:37:54" }, { "business_id": "jziliEq8Zum-EynD5v-Hvg", "business_name": "Chifa", "rating": 4, "text": "Service was great. The waitress was extremely helpful with explaining the menu and helping us choose our dinners. The food was good but the portions were small for the price, which is typical of tapas style. The rolls with the guava butter that they bring pre meal were amazing. The pork belly buns were so delicious that our party actually ordered two more orders!! The red curry was fab, but was too rich for me. The Peruvian ceviche with a side of crunchy corn thingies and crispy plantains was simply amazing!!!! Clean, citrusy, refreshing, just like good ceviche should be!! All in all, a great experience!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:42:53" }, { "business_id": "_wcOVX6PPvhXGMpUa2Ij8A", "business_name": "Melrose Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is not very deserving of 5 stars (think typical drab diner food), but the buttercream cake deserves 50 stars!!! The cake is SO moist and delicious, and the icing, oh my, has got to be the best buttercream icing I've ever eaten. Nothing beats stopping here after a night of boozing in the city to grab two slices of cake!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:37:08" }, { "business_id": "goI3MrJIPJxknQdKtFkkGw", "business_name": "Stoltzfus Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "The Amish market is awesome!!!! Their pretzels are out of this world, and they have a ton of really cool and interesting foods/products. The only downside is that they're only open Thurs-Sat, and their hours are weird. Their prices are very reasonable, and they have everything you could want: spices, meats, fruits, veggies, baked goods and even a restaurant!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:41:28" }, { "business_id": "wb_z1h7XR5IQhVRZHlMuLQ", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore Redstone! Their food is relatively simple in comparison to other restaurants in the price range, but boy oh boy it's yummy. Their mac and cheese is simply divine, and is made with 5 different cheeses. Their french fries are awesome, and they even handmake their ketchup!! A MUST HAVE while here is the StoliDoli, which is Stoli vodka that sits in a cored pineapple for ~1 week, then is served in a martini glass. Amazing!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:44:34" }, { "business_id": "0aflm9H-XNg8eUAoeWmh9Q", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about all I can say about here. WAY overpriced for underperforming food. Everything is SO high in calories and fat here that it's scary! Granted, they make the place look nice, but it's to compensate for their awful food.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:47:56" }, { "business_id": "-qk__vjJxfJrCWn3UaMv_Q", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory - Cherry Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing restaurant!!!! The menu is the longest one I've ever seen, so you'll definitely find something you like. The portions are mammoth, and will easily feed you for two days. The wait tends to be pretty long (gotta love the American desire for gluttony!), so get there early. All in all, a great place for date night or to take the family. The only downfall is that they do not accept reservations.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:50:38" }, { "business_id": "NDXH8dHdC8k2PrEEZPQBIg", "business_name": "Shogun Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Shogun!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. The decor is really nice inside, and it has a great atmosphere. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. The roll is that is wrapped with the yellow soy paper and topped with baked scallops is amazing!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:53:37" }, { "business_id": "9_V0SWbQPnZ0mR3kljXqBQ", "business_name": "Sakura Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Sakura!!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. THe $7.95 chicken hibachi special is SO large!! I'd definitely reccommend it!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:55:28" }, { "business_id": "MWel8zS7L7dzWC0_IY_Pzg", "business_name": "Mini Of The Main Line", "rating": 1, "text": "ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RUDE EMPLOYEES. They're only out to RIP PEOPLE OFF, and are extremely disrespectful and nasty. They NEVER return calls, and if they do, it's only to tell you that you need to put more money into a car that has more problems than a math book. Aviod this place like the plague, and head to Otto's in West Chester or Princeton Mini in NJ.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible is the only way to describe this place. I've taken many trips into the city just to get their gelato. The dark dark chocolate is my favorite!!! Tip: If you're interested in knowing their flavors, check their site. Be forewarned though, the gelato is rather pricey (~$6 for ~5 ounces) but it's definitely worth it as a treat!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:01:57" }, { "business_id": "JPfe9B-RLrE5Nz75kcKImQ", "business_name": "Govinda's Vegetarian", "rating": 5, "text": "Delish vegan/vegetarian food here!!! The 'chicken' cheesesteak is SO good!!!! You would have no idea it wasn't chicken if you didn't look at the cubes of textured soy protein. They do a beautiful job of seasoning their soy protein so it actually tastes better than the real thing! A winner!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:04:23" }, { "business_id": "EekwCjDqa9VT6Kq_aVE_0Q", "business_name": "Pho Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious pho and vietnamese cuisine!!! Their prices are extremely reasonable and their food is out of this world!!! The grilled pork banh mi (which is basically a grilled pork hoagie with cilantro, pickled dikon & carrots, cucumber, and some sauce. I also get hosin on the side)is delicious, and the cold Grilled Pork Spring rolls are divine!!! A must try in Bucks county!", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:38:03" }, { "business_id": "ytynqOUb3hjKeJfRj5Tshw", "business_name": "Reading Terminal Market", "rating": 5, "text": "An incredible place that is a must hit in Philly. Tons of food selections, most of which are very reasonably priced. DiNic's is a MUST try. Going on the weekends is a surefire way to ensure all vendors are open, but be prepared for it to be very crowded and hard to walk around.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:42:48" }, { "business_id": "RuuGJoMm2Y3wbLbPPHTvqw", "business_name": "Phily Diner & Sports Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about it for the place. The food is sub par, and they have terrible service, even when they're not busy. Their prices are reasonable, however, the food leaves a lot to be desired, and it's gotten worse since they changed to \"bar\" format. Skip this one.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T14:10:43" }, { "business_id": "T9n_LqUUhC2b1ALhg57Y5Q", "business_name": "Texas Roadhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Food is really good here, but they're very inconsistent. We typically order from here every week, and the food can be in a monstrous portion one week, then not enough to feed one person the next week. I love how they offer the veg place option, which allows you to choose 4 sides.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:08:47" }, { "business_id": "8CG5nPzDkMkQEsH1k_hdVA", "business_name": "Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious pizza here!!! The pizza was crispy and definitely coal fired. They're rather pricey for a pizza which is why I don't come here more often. If you want to try them out, go during lunch when you can get a personal pizza for ~$8.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:34:01" }, { "business_id": "8_n64z4tzSJXMK4fYPzxvw", "business_name": "Jay West", "rating": 5, "text": "I got my wedding dress here and never had any issues. They have gowns in all price ranges, and they carry all different designers. Their alterations are rather pricey, so be prepared to spend around an extra $250 for those. All in all, a great experience for purchasing my wedding gown.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:04:53" }, { "business_id": "aTpaOvF1FFGj8t_5U2_kHA", "business_name": "Produce Junction", "rating": 1, "text": "Fruit and veggies are cheap, however, I'll gladly pay an extra $1.00/lb for my apples to be treated like a human being. The staff are insanely rude and talk about you in Spanish while you're waiting in line. Avoid at all costs.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:10:43" }, { "business_id": "fQixVK0uar3ArJtNeug8nQ", "business_name": "Giant Food Stores", "rating": 4, "text": "Great market here. Tons and tons of selections, as well as cafe inside the store. Their natural/organic section is great! I only shop there for sale items because their regular priced items are quite expensive. All in all a good market with a big selection.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_UOg5_pk9IhKee91eWrT4A", "business_name": "Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty decent BBQ here, although it does not compare to a local joint that is no longer around. I really like it here coz it's very hard to find BBQ turkey breast and they have it here. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here but if I was nearby, I'd hit it up.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:33:02" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "Yeah, a big fat no to Banana Leaf. After much persusasion by a close friend, we decided to check it out on Friday night. The place seemed very busy, which we took as a good sign, however, looks can decieve. To start off, our waiter had multiple long, thick hairs so big they could've been braided) growing out of a mole the size of a quarter on the side of his face. I should've known that things were going to go downhill from there. The service was very slow, and the food was just terrible. Their menu is almost the same as Penang, which is why I thought it'd be great (minus the gross growth on our waiter). I had the mango chicken, which is phenomenal at Penang, but was dry and crispy here. The noodle dishes were too crunchy and greasy. Roti was actually raw and undercooked as well. I definitely would not return here, even if the waiter cut the hair from his facial growth.", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:10:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!!!!!! The mango chicken is out of this world!!! It's so flavorful and comes in a very hearty portion size! Their roti is crispy, and always perfectly cooked. Mee Siam is hearty and filling, yet not overly greasy and heavy. There really is nothing else to say about Penang other than to go and eat there!", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:12:54" }, { "business_id": "KNDMUyeW8bSsLXGSNyQS-Q", "business_name": "Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is ok, nothing special. On a typical night, there are hoards of obese people stuffing their faces with cheaply made desserts and greasy, breaded and fried foods. The only plus here is the all you can eat snow crab legs.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:51:02" }, { "business_id": "EdopUxxfxqEA79Vcy_dT3g", "business_name": "Fuel", "rating": 3, "text": "Eh. I was not very impressed with here. I came on a Friday night around 9:30pm and there were a few people here. It smelled good in here so I was excited to try it out. Food was ready quick and smelled yummy in the car. However my olfactory sense was tricked because the food did not remotely taste as good as it smelled. The Thai chicken sandwich was rather dry and had WAY too much basil on it. I took the basil off and it still had a very strong basil taste. The South Philly panini was surprisingly greasy and the panini bread was very chewy. The banana whip was yummy as well as the raspberry NSA tea. I definitely would not go out of my way to eat here again, and would travel out of my way across the Ben to Washington Twp NJ to Musclemaker grill before coming back here.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:11" }, { "business_id": "2Q1R2OhBbAQ581vK_r7NhA", "business_name": "Ooka Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "A hidden gem in Willow Grove!! The sushi here is incredible , and has to be some of the freshest sushi I've ever had. The food off of the non-sushi menu is delicious as well. They have great lunch specials too!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:53" }, { "business_id": "-wlmZ-b35UJ-GY-59NDxyw", "business_name": "H Mart - Elkins Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Hmart is amazing!!!! Although I'm not Korean, my family and I adore Korean food. They have amazing bulgogi and kalbi, as well as a slew of other prepared foods. Their prices on veggies and fruit are great, and they have everything you could ever want for cooking Asian/Korean style. They have an awesome food court upstairs with many many Asian food options. This is the best Hmart around!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:53:20" }, { "business_id": "Og1HekJMHKqsvtWaUp9V8g", "business_name": "Flying Monkey Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, this place was a disappointment. 2.25-2.50 for hard as a rock, weirdly flavored cupcakes. I bought the lavender, meyer lemon, guinness, peanut butter, and creme brulee. The lavender was absolutely disgusting and tasted like they threw body lotion on top of a cupcake, and sold it . The meyer lemon was extremely sugary and did not have much of a lemon taste to it. The guinness was very oddly flavored and did not taste like guinness at all. The peanut butter was very very rich and way too peanut buttery. All you tasted was the frosting. The creme brulee tasted a little bit like french toast, and was the only cupcake that I would even consider eating if it was the last cupcake available on earth. The icing on all of the cupcakes was hard as a rock, and the presentation of the cupcakes made them look like they were iced by my 5 year old cousin. Nasty all around.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:28:25" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly wow!!! What an amazing cupcake find!! The outside looks like a clothing store, and the inside is very unique.The store is set up really cool with the cupcakes in cabinets, so it gives this real boutiquey feel . The sweet potato cupcake with pecans and cream cheese frosting was to die for!!! The plain buttercream was divine as well. I really wanted to try the red velvet, but they were sold out. It's very cramped in here spacewise, and they don't accept credit/debit cards either. They're pricey, too, so I would definitely only go here for a special, special occasion. A dozen cupcakes would run over $30.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:32:24" }, { "business_id": "TsPb4qM79Nue6sDKANEdgQ", "business_name": "Planet Fitness", "rating": 5, "text": "Great gym, very cheap, and they're open 24hrs (except Sat and Sun). Be forewarned that it's no frills (no classes, no pool, no sauna). They have tanning beds but they are free for the black card members only.", "timestamp": "2010-08-29T01:32:31" }, { "business_id": "7Or2xPBkTNYRxD9SiMQVOQ", "business_name": "Felix's Caketeria", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, 1,000 times over!!!! Felix's makes Philly Cupcake look like the bakery at Walmart! We just moved to Newtown, and upon exploring town, we discovered this gem. Thankfully, parking is easy here as the bakery is an independent building. When you first walk in, you're greeted by the pleasant and friendly owners/baker, which is a rarity these days. The aroma here is insanely intoxicating, and transports you to a world of delectable baked goods. The display case is rather small, but the flavors are HUGE. I bought 5 cupcakes: original vanilla with buttercream, the Elvis (banana spice cake with peanut butter buttercream), red velvet, peanut butter and jelly (raspberry jelly), and sea salt caramel. The buttercream original was ok; the buttercream was too fluffy for my tastes, but it was yummy. The red velvet had to be the BEST red velvet cupcake I've ever had. I could eat the cream cheese frosting by the bucketful!!!! The Elvis was sinfully delicious; Felix must be a madman for creating this flavor!!! The PBandJ was amazing; it was not a fake, sugary, kid-friendly taste, but a very sophisticated adult tasting PBandJ with seeded red raspberry preserves. The sea salt caramel was indescribable; the mix of flavors was so perfect, with the most magical ratio of salty to sweet. The ONLY thing I don't like about Felix's is that it's so close to where I live. That's dangerous for a cupcake fiend like me!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-10-08T00:36:15" }, { "business_id": "Z4ERIzhdyduAew1O5KUvXw", "business_name": "Meglio Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "The pizza here is really yummy. I love a good, saucy, thin crust pizza, and they hit the nail on the head. The margharita pizza is really good, and their ingerdients are very fresh. Just make sure you ask them to make the pizza well done as the dough tends to be chewy and slightly underdone if you don't ask them to cook it longer.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T16:56:58" }, { "business_id": "IbndcMURguByburM72o3SA", "business_name": "State Street Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, this place is surprisingly delicious!! I stopped by for lunch on a busy Sunday afternoon, and was very impressed with the amount of people who were inside eating and waiting for takeout. I ordered the tofu veggie balls (tofu 'meatbally' topped with roasted veggies, marinara and parmesean cheese) and was very surprised with the flavor. The sandwich was large, and the tofu balls were very well flavored. The roasted veggies atop the sandwich were perfectly roasted. The only gripe (and reason for 4 instead of 5 stars) about here is that it took 40 minutes to get my sandwich, so next time, I'd definitely call in an order and pick it up later.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:08:13" }, { "business_id": "wAwcCuzwyOdny_BteT9Vew", "business_name": "La Pergola", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely adore the hummus and pita bread here. I'm a big fan of hummus, and love a very creamy, unprocessed hummus. The decor is rather flamboyant as other reviewers have noted, however, the flavors make up for it. I've never eaten anything else here (I typically only have a few minutes to get something, and the hummus is easy and quick to package, which is why I haven't tried anything else), but if the rest of the food is as yummy as the hummus, then this place is a hidden gem. Parking can be a nightmare on West Ave, so be forewarned.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:14:47" }, { "business_id": "3AjwyeF8oiTiHij9vFgyMw", "business_name": "Sam's Italian Market & Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Stay away from this place. They increase their prices, and don't post the price changes to notify customers. Then when you say the price is wrong they tell your not getting it for the prices listed on their menu. Rip off", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T14:59:37" }, { "business_id": "ntiIq1FNqduOyyowMFGh5A", "business_name": "Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly, talk about a hole in the wall, but looks deceive. It has one the most minimal menus I've ever seen, but boy oh boy, the food is delicious. I felt like I was sitting in a noodle cafe in China the food as the experience was so authentic. The prices are amazing, and the portions are huge to top it all off. This food would probably be a tough eat in the summer months as it's a super hot soup, but it should definitely be on the list for cooler months.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:07:31" }, { "business_id": "J8S7cPPlTgsQnXKVfTyN8g", "business_name": "PYT", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is about it for PYT. I was excited to finally use my groupon, as everything seemed to be yummy from the reviews and smells inside. I ordered two burgers to go, so maybe the experience would be different had I eaten in, but I didn't. There were no other patrons in the restaurant at this time, so I was a little peeved that it took 30 minutes to get my burgers. The Calibunga burger was ok, but as many reviews mentioned, it was rather soggy and not very firm. The bun should've been toasted as I'm sure it would have made the bun less soggy too. The chips also were not very crunchy, which surprised me. I got a Korean shortrib burger for my husband and ordered it medium, and guess what? It was so rare, it mooed. That was an immediate turn off for him, and really ruined the experience. He had to cook it to meduim himself on the grill. Overall, I wouldn't try this place again, even with another groupon offer. The prices are too outrageous and the food isn't all it's hyped out to be.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:01:15" }, { "business_id": "cjGcc6E32U5DAMG_bScclg", "business_name": "Tre Fratelli", "rating": 5, "text": "Tre Fratelli REALLY surprised me. My husband and I went for dinner one weekday night with a restaurant.com gift certificate as we wanted to try it out, and we were very glad we did. The restaurant is very unassuming (the pizza \"parlor\" in the front is actually a bit dirty looking), but the restaurant itself is large and welcoming. The salads were delicious, and the dressing was very very good. My husband ordered the manicotti and I ordered a chicken dish with balsalmic vinegar and bruchetta on top. The food was brought out, and we were blown away with the immense portion sizes. The chicken in my dish was cooked to perfection and the bruchetta was so fresh and delicious! The ricotta in the manicotti was some of the best velvety smooth and creamy ricotta I've ever had. We both walked out with large portions of leftovers. I was very impressed and would come back again in a second the next time the craving for Italian hits me.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:09:43" }, { "business_id": "V2uSS4OumRDvuVM_2ZSc1Q", "business_name": "Cancun Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Cancun had some of the best mexican food hands down outside of Mexico itself. The menu is mind blowingly huge, prices are extremely reasonable (you can get two of their combo dinner platters for under $20) and their portions are just as big. Everything is so fresh and delicious. The food is so authentic as well. Be sure to get the refried beans as they are some of the best I've ever eaten.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:18:49" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 5, "text": "I was so excited to try Han, and I finally got to, and it was AMAZING!!! Han has the best Chinese food I've ever eaten, and has got to be in the top 3 restaurants I've tried in my life. And to top it all off, you'll leave with tons of leftover food. The spicy cucumbers were phenomenal; crunchy, sweet and slathered in this delicious spicy chili oil mixture. Deceptively delicious!!! The spice hits you at the end. The dan dan noodles were perfection. Tender, spicy and superb. There really are no words. The wontons in chili oil were ok; I like more meat and less dough with my wontons which is why I wasn't a big fan, but the flavors were delicious. My husband had the garlic sauce pork, and it was amazing! The pork was tender and cooked perfectly, and wasn't too spicy (he can't eat foods that are extremely spicy due to GI issues, but we went here to celebrate my birthday). I had the dry pepper chicken and was blown away. It was simply the best chinese chicken dish I had ever eaten. The chicken was so crispy, yet juicy, and wasn't greasy at all like you'd expect it to be. The flavors just exploded in my mouth, but unfortunately, I was too stuffed from the monstrous appetizer servings to eat most of it. Han Dynasty is simply amazing; stellar food, stellar service and huge portions. Just make sure to bring some tissues to blow your runny nose. I can't wait to come back here!", "timestamp": "2011-04-26T00:01:31" }, { "business_id": "J4QD1PKOkaM0WWsheYFY7Q", "business_name": "New Life Thrift", "rating": 2, "text": "While a lot of people I know like this thrift shop, I'm not one of them. Although it's very roomy and there are a lot of things, most items are pretty old and outdated in comparison to other thrift stores I've frequented in MontCo and Bucks. The clothing tends to be very outdated, too. Their prices also seem rather high for a thrift store (although I understand the money is for charity, but $150 for a used sofa is a little bit outrageous). Impact in Horsham is much better, in my opinion. Parking here is also very annoying and difficult with the one way street to exit and goofy sloped lot.", "timestamp": "2011-05-19T00:45:04" }, { "business_id": "LNHq9WxfhN2UBNOR2tnRQQ", "business_name": "Corropolese Bakery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy crap, this place has amazing tomato pie!!! It seems to be a common occurrance in the area that no one knows what an authenric tomato pie is (SQUARE pie with just tomato sauce and sprinkled parmesean cheese), but this place nailed it!! The sauce is perfect; a little bit of sweet with a little bit of the good acidity needed in a good tomato sause. Eight slices only cost $3.85!!! Yes, EIGHT! An entire pie of 30 slices runs something like $13 bucks. Insane deal, insane pizza. The best tomato pie I've ever had.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:51:18" }, { "business_id": "NNZ4Zjir0S101ltpfgaI1w", "business_name": "Golden Dawn", "rating": 3, "text": "This diner was ok. I wasn't too impressed as I used to live in NJ, the land of diners. The service was very good, however, the food was subpar although they gave you a lot of it. I'd probably give them another chance if I was in the area, but wouldn't drive out of my way to come and eat here. There are much better diners throughout Levittown/Bristol/Falls Twp.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:56:18" }, { "business_id": "HIAJ2mnlm_pP38_8GbgQ5g", "business_name": "Hmart", "rating": 4, "text": "H-Mart is an amazing grocery store!!!! They have rock bottom prices on excellent produce, plus they have a slew of incredibly hard to find Asian ingredients. This H-mart is relatively small compared to the others I've been too, however, they do have a ton of stuff. Be forewarned, though, as their meat (excluding fish) tends to be rather pricey, even for the special cuts that are used in Asian cooking.", "timestamp": "2011-06-19T00:52:15" }, { "business_id": "UB8sxbUN7kPZum22U2O9kg", "business_name": "Julio's Famous Pizzeria", "rating": 2, "text": "Pizza here is subpar. Very greasy, extremely cheesy and very sloppy. The box was soaked with grease. The crust was chewy and had no crisp or crunch to it at all. We also ordered one pizza which took AN HOUR to make. Really?? Better pizza places are not hard to find in the area, and we definitely will not be returning here in the future.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T18:10:45" }, { "business_id": "xUAPlkR2KD81spJzt96TBw", "business_name": "Cafe Bombay Indian Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Cafe Bombay has some of the best Indian food I've ever had. They're located in downtown Bristol, secluded from the main highway, so it can be hard to find it. The food is so fresh, authentic and simply delicious. The daal is superb, and is seasoned perfectly. I am in love with their chicken tikka masala. The sauce is an amazing compliment to incredibly tender chicken. The samosas are phenomenal too. They have an incredibly naan seasoned with cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins that is a great compliment to the salty and savory food. Make sure you end your meal with a mango lassi, too; they have the best I've ever drank. They tend to be rather slow in cooking the food, so I definitely recommend calling your order in and picking it up. A true hidden gem in Bucks county.", "timestamp": "2011-09-23T01:47:19" }, { "business_id": "zJoT9gFvGtZAhbdcIF4Xmw", "business_name": "Buffalo Wild Wings", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, the food here was horrible!!!! The fries were rubbery and chewy, they shorted me some chicken strips in my almost $10 meal of thinly sliced tough and chewy grilled chicken strips, and the sauces were incredibly salty and gross. I also had a side salad which was wilted and brown. I will never patronize here again; what a terrible food experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-18T16:54:29" }, { "business_id": "aunmz06iWvo3bd6MMHEbqg", "business_name": "Rivers Casino Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh Sugarhouse is definitely not sweet. The casino is rather small and the lack of a variety of food choices is a turn off. There's a fast food type eatery and a bar with typical bar food. Every single slot machine is electronic which takes away from the Vegas styling in my opinion. I'd much rather go to Parx if I want to gamble in the Philly area. The lovely view of the green Delaware River doesn't score it any points either.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:47:52" }, { "business_id": "zKOFqb0RyrnY9t02f0QFTQ", "business_name": "Fritz's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing to say about Fritz's other than everything is out of this world. The sticky buns are delectable, the cinnamon rolls are incredible (and not to mention the size of a small baby) and the peanut butter brownies are perfection. I can't come in here anymore because I always walk out with at least 3 or 4 sweets. It's one of the best bakeries I've ever been to that serves quality old fashioned sweets without resorting to the modern day ' boutique' styling of a lot of bakeries around.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:49:51" }, { "business_id": "LR4aKXyxN-a8WTgQ1o9hBA", "business_name": "Bistro at Cherry Hill", "rating": 1, "text": "The food here is terrible!!! I ordered a salad and it was wilted, brown and believe it or not, some of the lettuce was frozen. The staff were really rude, and when I complained to the manager named John, he told me the food was \"fine\" and refused to swap my salad out for another entree or credit the meal. What a horrible experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:50:23" }, { "business_id": "8mwV72Ro56pN6nbqAojaKg", "business_name": "Chef Chun Chinese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Chef Chun has some of the most amazing Chinese food in south Jersey. The shrimp wonton soup is spectacular; the wontons are so fresh and the broth is perfect! Keep in mind that they're closed on Monday.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:53:33" }, { "business_id": "whmn0dUpEb2NbmpVF2Xxcw", "business_name": "Shady Brook Farm", "rating": 4, "text": "Shady Brook is a great little farm, market, pick your own and winery in Yardley. The ice cream shop inside has some of the most amazing home made ice cream I've ever had, but I haven't eaten any of their prepared foods so I can't speak to the quality of those products. As with most places in the Yardley/Newtown area, they tend to be rather overpriced, but it's a great places to take the family on a Saturday afternoon in the fall for pumpkin picking and hot cocoa.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:00:53" }, { "business_id": "HkL-EWa39zm93SEAx4xXXA", "business_name": "Styer Orchard", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Syter Orchard!!!! They have the most extensive selection of pick your own fruits and veggies that I've ever seen. Something about harvesting your own crop really makes cooking/eating them worthwhile. In the fall, they have pick your own pumpkins and apples, which I love! The prices are incredibly cheap for pick your own too (obviously there are no labor costs for the farm staff for picking), and it's just plain fun! I can't wait until next fall when our son is old enough to go on the hayride to pick his own pumpkin! They can get pretty crowded on a weekend afternoon with families and children, so be prepared!", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:06:04" }, { "business_id": "cTra1xx8NBSp_x7IFi7qXw", "business_name": "Muscle Maker Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Muscle Maker is amazing!! It's such a shame that this one isn't closer, but I stop here every time I visit my mom in Turnersville. The concept is great, seeing as how I try to watch my calorie/fat intake, so it's right up my alley. One would think that the food would be drab and bland as most low fat/fat free foods are, but it's not. The southwest wrap is a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures, from spicy to creamy to crunchy to a hint of sweetness. Rumor has it that they're putting one in Langhorne in the Redner's shopping center which is both a wonderful and dangerous thing (dangerous for me as now it'll only be 5 minutes away instead of 50!)", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T15:22:55" }, { "business_id": "w4_14pVOLW2Tdm9LTczORg", "business_name": "Corner Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is delicious! I have only eaten breakfast and salads (for lunch) here, so I can't comment on the pastas/sandwiches. However, the salads are delicious and the swiss chilled oatmeal is AMAZING!!!!! The baked goods look divine, too, but I've never indulged in them. During breakfast and lunchtime, they tend to be very crowded, but they are really speedy in delivering food to you. The only reason I gave it four stars is because the prices are slightly high for the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:17:34" }, { "business_id": "Rw2Aw3vyj09BLyKfz-V8fw", "business_name": "Tony Roni's", "rating": 2, "text": "The pizza here is subpar; it's nothing to write home about. Pizza here is always excessively greasy, regardless of what kind you get. The slices are rather large, which I'm sure is an attempt to make up for the subpar food. This place is definitely not on the top of my list of pizza places in Willow Grove.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:20:50" }, { "business_id": "nt5wkQvL3UGT1LDTSAHMDA", "business_name": "The Fresh Market", "rating": 3, "text": "Think a more expensive version of Whole Foods when shopping at Fresh Market ($8.00 for a pound of cut up fruit is insanity) Now, I realize they're all about organic/vegan/gluten free, but boy oh boy, are their prices outrageous. They do have an extremely unique and varied selection of products, but I would never do my weekly grocery shopping here. Their sushi is very delicious, and is extremely reasonably priced, though. They also have really good prepared foods in the deli case.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:02:49" }, { "business_id": "ZSJhSNJrZGDRS5Ef7ivnzA", "business_name": "Koba", "rating": 2, "text": "The quality of this restaurant has gone way downhill since ownership changed hands. We used to travel from lower Bucks county to come here when it was Young Bin Kwan, but have not been back here (nor will we be) since our first try under new ownership. We took a friend from out of town here, raving about this delicious Korean buffet in Jenkintown, thinking it was still YBK; yet we were extremely embarrassed with our dinner reccommendation once we left. The banchan was horrible, and there wasn't very much of it (YBK had at least 8 different banchan on the buffet). The meat was of poor quality, and the staff let some pans sit without meat in them for our entire meal (which is a shame for me because I don't eat beef, and they never refilled the chicken). It's such a shame that this place is under new ownership because it was one of the only Korean buffets around in the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:08:50" }, { "business_id": "At6iwGTy6bDxc7PUEOTvQw", "business_name": "Jake's Wayback Burgers", "rating": 2, "text": "I went here for lunch one day but was really disappointed that the own manager didn't know about the meat there. I wanted a turkey burger as I don't eat beef and asked the fat percentage of the ground turkey (I have a sensitive stomach and can only eat 90/10 or higher and the manager was clueless. He even brought the box of frozen meat out which didn't have the percentage of fat on it either. With that I walked out. They know the fat percentage of all the beef they serve, so why should the turkey be any different?", "timestamp": "2011-12-18T00:16:09" }, { "business_id": "eMiN8nm70jjKg8izikVWDA", "business_name": "Chickie's & Pete's", "rating": 3, "text": "Chickie's and Pete's is ok; there's really nothing remarkable about the place. The mussels in red sauce are really good, though; the red sauce is a nice combo of garlicky and sweet at the same time, so it has kind of a unique flavor. The tomato pie is really good as well. Meh to the fries; they're really nothing special. If you've had them once, you don't need to have them again; they're fries. The service has got to be the slowest and most jumbled restaurant service I've ever seen, though; our table had food coming out at various times (non apps), and each item was expedited by a different person. The atmosphere in the dining section (separate from the bar) is so loud that you can't hear yourself think. If you want decent food, slow service and a mediocre sports bar, then Chickie's is for you.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:25:47" }, { "business_id": "HpLIHgoz3XPTyol5tKKb_w", "business_name": "Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Update to my original: I really wanted to like this place, but I just can't! The sushi was still subpar and way overpriced; it didn't have much in the way of flavor and was really just blah. The service is obnoxiously slow (think 15 minutes for drinks), the place is the loudest restaurant I've ever been in, and perhaps the most bothersome part of the entire meal was being sat next to the birthday gong which rang at least 10 times during our meal. A hibachi meal for three took almost two hours from start to finish, which is ridiculous. We gave it a shot a second time and were sorely disappointed again. Arirang, you fail yet again.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:35:46" }, { "business_id": "1Lr4sdFV9c1-W3R2D_zV4w", "business_name": "Mirch Masasla", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm giving MM two stars because their hours are downright AWFUL. Twice, I've gone here after 12:00pm for their lunch buffet (which is incredible) yet they weren't open when their hours clearly state 12 is the opening time. It really irks me when a restaurant can't even keep up on their hours.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:22:15" }, { "business_id": "WWO34S7RwBWlsjJEYuTAaw", "business_name": "Indian Hut-Bensalem", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is downright awful. Think greasy, overpriced, and underportioned. They claim to be known for their cakes and curry, but their curry is incredibly spicy (Even when asking for it relatively mild) and their cakes remind me of the cheap, generic Chinese buffet cakes. The service was also very slow; it took over 1/2 hour to get a curry chicken and a cake, and there was one other person in the store. Avoid this place.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:24:56" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 5, "text": "The donuts here are one thing, but holy moly, the chicken is out of this world. We got the honey ginger, coconut curry and za'atar and each flavor was incredible. You could easily distinguish the various seasonings in each flavor, too. The chicken is double fried which made it so crispy but still allows it to maintain its juiciness. My only complaint is that I wish there was more seasoning on the chicken, but other than that, it was pure perfection.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:46:52" }, { "business_id": "qETpOF88MbmtSyOWEDaD_A", "business_name": "Duross & Langel", "rating": 5, "text": "The soap here is incredible!!! The staff was very kind and friendly, and helped us pick out the best scents. The black pepper doesn't smell like black pepper in the least, but the scent is one of the most perfect scents I have ever smelled. I was so overwhelmed with soap that I didn't even have a chance to check out the other items such as lotions, oils, deodorants, and even baby products! They're rather expensive, though (think $5 for a 1/2 bar) but the scents are so amazing that they're worth the splurge.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:50:37" }, { "business_id": "6DFobber72AV0mnBV5KeQQ", "business_name": "Anne's Kitchen Table", "rating": 1, "text": "I was SORELY disappointed with Anne's. I take reviews on yelp very seriously, and usually get what's recommended in 5 star reviews, so here was no different. I ordered an asian wrap with noodles for takeout, and was really excited to try it as it smelled delicious! Well, I opened the paper to discover both covers SOAKED in sauce, which normally wouldn't be an issue, except the sauce was mostly oil. The entire outside of the wrap was soaked with oily sauce as well. I took one bite and couldn't eat anymore of the wrap because it was so oily. It was such a shame because the veggies seemed incredibly fresh and delectable, but again, the sauce was so oily I couldn't eat my lunch.", "timestamp": "2012-04-10T23:10:49" }, { "business_id": "0R2yKDNMUztQwgo8pG4z-Q", "business_name": "Triumph Brewing Company", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't speak for the food here, but the beer is delicious! I love how they offer a sampler of their beers (a full mini glass of each, 9 total) for $12! I was pleasantly surprised by the belgian somethin else and the black lager, both of which were incredible! What a great way to get a good buzz off of some really delicious beers.", "timestamp": "2012-04-24T00:03:43" }, { "business_id": "oBNrLz4EDhiscSlbOl8uAw", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper - New Orleans", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't too impressed with the food here. I was really excited to try their breakfast, but honestly, it was nothing special. I had the carrot cake pancakes (A special), brother had the bananas foster pain and hubby the original french toast. The pancakes were ok, nice and fluffy, however, they overloaded them with cream cheese icing, so that was the predominant taste. The bananas foster pain wasn't that good either; the foster sauce was overcooked so it tasted burnt and the french toast was too hard. The really disappointing part was that they had the same specials all week so there was never an opportunity to try any of their other famed specials.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:25:45" }, { "business_id": "9DEHXZfOO1kY_be0nRK-ng", "business_name": "Philly Steak & Gyro", "rating": 1, "text": "This place is gross. I was going to get breakfast here the other day before a long flight until I saw that the fryer hadn't been cleaned since what seemed like 1970 and the employees were handling food without gloves on. Ick ick ick!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:26:02" }, { "business_id": "D3QVe8AXcEJOFg5GItUPtg", "business_name": "Pelham Hotel", "rating": 2, "text": "The location was phenomenal, however, the hotel was rather dire. Our room was on the 4th floor and it had no windows, so it was always dark. Every time we got on the left elevator to go from the first to the fourth floor, I thought we were going to drop down the shaft as it jolted at the floor before the door opened. I thought I was riding the Tower of Terror at Disney! The beds were incredibly uncomfortable, the wallpaper was peeling, and the shower was AWFUL. Free wifi for guests was great, though! Most of the staff were incredibly knowledgeable about directions/food/attractions, however, the one young lady working during the day had no clue where anything was or how to get anywhere. Really!? I wasn't expecting the Waldorf but you get what you pay for, so I didn't expect much. If they remodeled and modernized, it'd be a fab hotel!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:33:03" }, { "business_id": "agK5cXwnBQozM2M-5kLvzw", "business_name": "Red Gravy", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVED this place, and am really sad that I'll never get to eat here again! What an amazing find, away from all of the hustle and bustle of the busiest places in NOLA. The food was so incredible that we ate here for breakfast three days in a row. They do, however, serve lunch too but not dinner. I had the oatmeal each day, which was a huge bowl of homemade oatmeal with fresh fruit and freshly made granola. It was incredible! My husband got the french toast each day because it was simply that good. I tasted a little bit of my brother's entrees each day and everything was phenomenal (the cannoli pancakes, the Debra sandwich and their specialty omelet (with gravy, meatballs and ricotta). The best part of this place is that the owner is from Jersey, so her Italian cooking is spot on. I'm sure their lunches are just as amazing as their breakfasts.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:37:49" }, { "business_id": "n_fUROdhfmLwd_mpBi55ew", "business_name": "Central Grocery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Muffuletta oh muffuletta, THANKFULLY you are not a staple sandwich of my home city. Being an Italian from Philadelphia, my expectations of an Italian sandwich are incredibly high, so I was really excited to see if the muffuletta lived up to my high Italian sandwich standards, Well, we have a winner!!! The grocery part of the store has some really funky old Italian groceries, but the sandwich shoppe is where it's at. Don't expect much from here other than ordering your slice of heaven, sitting at the dingy tables and experiencing pure sandwich perfection. You can feed an entire family of four with a whole, too. The bread was so soft and delicious, and was the perfect ratio for the innards of the sandwich. The Italian meats and extra sharp provolone rivaled any of the best in Philly, and the olive salad, well, holy crap, it was amazing!!!! It was a little salty, but I was willing to overlook that because it was so delicious (and I HATE olives, so I was shocked when I actually went and purchased an entire 16oz jar to take home with me). I was blown away by the muffuletta!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:15:00" }, { "business_id": "QdER5KjucCVtOXdU1g7kpA", "business_name": "Pepper Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "This place was incredibly cool!! I have never seen so many hot sauces, salsas and seasonings in one location ever. They have their own line of sauces/seasonings/salsas they make and sell, so everything is homemade and genuine. The employees are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and will go out of their way to help. The best part is that you can sample an incredible number of their products so you can know what everything tastes like. Winners are: sweet potato butter, ALL of their rubs and the pineapple salsa. I wish there was a place like this in Philly.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:18:27" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Dingy, dark and off the map bars always have the best food, and here was no exception. We waited about 1/2 hour and I'd gladly wait another hour to eat this food. The jambalaya and red beans and rice were phenomenal; what an amazing explosion of flavor! The fried chicken was ok, nothing too spectacular. They have a sampler platter so you can get a little bit of everything that they have to offer. What a great way to experience true New Orleans food!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:21:22" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 4, "text": "All we did here was drink, and we did that A LOT! The mint juleps were great! The hurricane was a little too sweet for my liking, but it did the job in getting me buzzed. I only drank one because it was the raved about drink in NOLA. The courtyard was a really cool and relaxing way to enjoy some drinks and do some people watching.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:54:26" }, { "business_id": "EMfJpVozzk238AM51H18Dw", "business_name": "Meltdown", "rating": 5, "text": "Sheer, sheer perfection. We were walking around the French Quarter and saw three people with these scrumptious looking popsicles and we knew instantaneously we had to fine the place that sold them. We yelped them and it turned out that they were closed, but we were so determined to get these yummy popsicles that we came back the next day. One bite and we realized that we had made the right decision. The pineapple cilantro pop was so flavorful and refreshing that we went and got another for the walk back to the hotel. The salted caramel was an out of this world flavor experience. It was creamy, refreshing, sweet, salty and hands down the best ice cream treat I've ever had. Whoever makes these pops needs to go into business nationally IMMEDIATELY and sell these babies!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:05:08" }, { "business_id": "u7uFQCoHFtBKCtbWUm6yZw", "business_name": "Emeril's ", "rating": 4, "text": "Emeril's is the #3 dining experience I've had in my life. The atmosphere is incredible, but the food is even more incredible. I had the BBQ shrimp and a salad as my entree (I was too full from lunch), my brother had the double cut pork chop and my hubby had the chicken. Everything was spot on, flavorful and perfect, except the time it took to get our meals (think an hour after ordering, which is unacceptable in a place like this; I've eaten at places like Emeril's all over the country and have never had entrees take this long to come out). The servers never let our water get down to 3/4 full and were always attentive to what we wanted or needed. The desserts were incredible too. The banana cream pie was incredible (but wasn't life changing) and the chocolate peanut butter pie was superb. All in all, the best dining experience we had in NOLA.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:12:42" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Cochon how I wanted to LOVE you but I just can't. We went all out and got a few small plates and some entrees so we could experience it all, so I'll break down each one. Wood fried oyster roast- INCREDIBLE!!!! That's all. I wanted to eat 5 more of these plates. Fried boudin- Ok; flavors were really good but they were fried too long so they were slightly too oily. Smoked pork ribs- Ick, these were terrible. They were swimming in their own grease and were chewy and not at all tender (and my family owns BBQ joints) Pork cheeks-These were delish!! The meat was so tender and the flavors were incredible! Mushroom salad- Yummy, but the dried lemon slices were extremely bitter, so I had to pick them out of the salad before I finished. This is where the yumminess stopped, in my opinion. The cochon was the best entree, but it wasn't nearly as good as I had expected it to be. It seemed like glorified pulled pork to me. The brisket was not very good; the meat was really tough and chewy, but the horseradish potato salad was pretty good. I had a chicken dish which was extremely overcooked, oily and dry, and the accompaniments (minted peas and other veggies) were cold. The staff were great, though, and were really thorough, but my expectations were definitely not met here. I was pretty disappointed with my meal with the exceptions of a few gems explained above.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:29:00" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 5, "text": "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, oh boy!!!!!!! I am a sweets fanatic so I was really excited to stop by here and get a few things. The macaroons were wonderful; perfect filling to cookie ratio and the flavors were great. The gelato was incredible, too; creamy, well flavored and delicious. They're more than willing to give samples out (each of us got a whole macaroon!) and a bunch of gelato samples which is great for people as indecisive as my family. We took home some marshmallows which are divine and a great memory of the deliciousness of Sucre. I just wish I could've had one of everything!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:32:49" }, { "business_id": "vN6v8m4DO45Z4pp8yxxF_w", "business_name": "Surrey's Café & Juice Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "We didn't eat here, so I can't speak to the food, but the juice was great. We got a mango-carrot-pineapple juice to go, which was really pricey (5.25!!!) which is why I knocked a star off, but the juice was really yummy and refreshing for a hot New Orleans day. The atmosphere and location of this place is really cool, too.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:35:06" }, { "business_id": "_ab50qdWOk0DdB6XOrBitw", "business_name": "Acme Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "What a great way to experience NOLA cuisine on our first day in town. We stopped by after a long day of traveling and were seated immediately (it was a Monday at 3:00pm), but it was still rather crowded. We got our food very quickly, and I'm glad we did because everything was incredible! Three of us devoured our boo fries in about 5 minutes (DELISH!), and my brother and I were fortunate enough to have ordered the chargrilled oysters (over the raw) to split. They were INCREDIBLE!! The garlic and cheese were an excellent combo and made for some incredibly happy foodies! We were so blown away that we ordered another dozen. I was really happy we decided to go here over Felix's as everything was so good!!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:31:47" }, { "business_id": "UH87t9fT_oTLMZfr5iCbQg", "business_name": "Tropical Isle", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh hand grenade, you were my go to drink in NOLA!!! I must've drank at least 6 during our 4 day stay here. They were cold, refreshing and full of alcohol, so what's not to love??!!! I'm sure the TSA loved seeing the multitude of hand grenade cups stuffed in our suitcases!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:34:12" }, { "business_id": "0eP5RJNSsSYdPvUY3ZbTvw", "business_name": "Cat's Meow", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, so the place is a little divey (think dirty old men and drunk college guys tossing beads to girls cruising Bourbon St), but it was always happening. I did quite a few karaoke songs here, and each time I sang, it was just a blast. It's a great place to watch the liquor overtake people's inhibitions. Drinks are expensive, though ($6 for a domestic bottle) so drink a lot beforehand.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:26:17" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "We stopped in here after a not so great experience at Cochon but we were blown away by the butcher. The atmosphere is incredible; great ambient lighting, awesome decor, and the best part: the curing meat display! We didn't get anything to eat here because we just had dinner, but everything smelled incredible. We got some bacon chocolate covered almonds and they were such a new and different flavor experience, but they were phenomenal! We also got a sweet potato habenero sauce to take home because it was so delicious! I'm really disappointed that we didn't get to eat here, but the sights and smells were enough to please me!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:51:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 5, "text": "When I travel, I really enjoy going to the local supermarket (call me strange, but I find it a really cool way to experience local food finds). I'm really glad we walked over here because this was one of the coolest markets I've ever been to! Unlike the northeast, there was liquor here (hey, gotta grab a bottle of vino with your lunch!), and their cafe section was immense! They have every type of prepared food imaginable, and their meat/deli/bakery was great! They are pricey, but it was worth the trip to check out a really cool local market.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:56:51" }, { "business_id": "krCwF4raTYvBcCEwcbA88Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Mills", "rating": 2, "text": "The only stores worth shopping in here are the Off 5th and Last Call Neiman Marcus. Most of the stores are not name brand, and the mall itself it just filthy. Thankfully, Saks and Neiman both have entrances that don't require entrance into the mall.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T12:36:27" }, { "business_id": "11qwVOxX-Z0bWAnfpVLnlw", "business_name": "Mike Serio's Poboys", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted a true, genuine po'boy but didn't want to go too far, so I took the hotel concierge's advice and went here. I wanted a 1/2 shrimp and 1/2 oyster, which wasn't on the menu, so it cost $13! When the sandwich came out, it was rather small, and the shrimp were wayyyyy too little (think shrimp salad sized shrimp). The fried oysters were pretty good, as was the bread, but overall, I was generally disappointed. I don't mind paying that much for a delish po'boy (Johnny's!), but was really upset that the subpar one I had here costs that much. Just walk the extra 1/2 mile to Johnny's.", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:51:11" }, { "business_id": "Eb1XmmLWyt_way5NNZ7-Pw", "business_name": "Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport MSY", "rating": 3, "text": "Ick, this is one of the most aestetically unpleasing airports I've ever been to. Granted, things ran rather smoothly, but when I'm sitting in a gate for a few hours, I don't want to see stained carpet, torn seats and spiders crawling on the walls. There also was an overabundance of unused space here (think gates with no chairs, no ticket booths, etc) which was rather strange. I was also disappointed with the food choices (or lack thereof) in my terminal, too. The secutiry line ran pretty quickly, too, although anything is a significant improvement over the 90 minute long like I had to wait in at Philly to get here. The one positive was that in the 5 minute walk to the baggage terminal, our bags were already out on the roundabout!!! I was amazed! Staff here are really great, too!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:54:06" }, { "business_id": "FDx_EgHcBvIRGH4UlyuNCA", "business_name": "Pinkberry", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really excited to see Pinkberry within very close proximity to my hoteI, but wasn't sure if I wanted to try them due to their hype and trendiness. However, my brother swore it was some of the best froyo he's ever had in his life, so I was convinced to try them. The store is really chic and modern, and had a really cool vibe for such a small place. We got mango and pom together (reccommended by the staff) and it was such a refreshing treat on such a hot day. The yogurt was very creamy and just the right consistency, too. Although we didn't get toppings, I really liked the idea of paying one price for a yogurt with \"as many toppings as will fit\" rather than paying per ounce. I just wish they would open a store in the Philly area!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:59:52" }, { "business_id": "GJI1ITRdwr6Ov3GVKOTZcQ", "business_name": "Hong Luck Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is interesting to say the least. The outside looks like an old 70's diner, so it's slightly off putting when you pull up to the restaurant. Upon walking into here my brain immediately breaks into the Spongebob Squarepants theme song (think tiki huts, blowfish light fixtures, bamboo everywhere)! I have never, ever, EVER in my life been in a restaurant as tacky looking as this, and they really do deserve a decor makeover by Robert Irvine. However, despite their gaudy decor, they have incredible food! The curry chicken was incredible; the flavors were incredible, although it was a little too salty. The garlic boneless spareribs are out of this world; they're the perfect combination of sweet and salty. The portions are huge and the prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. This restaurant serves the best Chinese food in Levittown, so it's definitely worth overlooking the horrible decor for some delicious food.", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T01:46:30" }, { "business_id": "vFifkrt8fU4k31NrQF-KnA", "business_name": "Giant Food Store", "rating": 5, "text": "This market is one of the best I've ever been too! They have an incredible assortment of freshly prepared foods of all varieties (Chinese, paninis, sandwiches, coffee shop, pizzas, etc) but the clear prepared food winner here is the fresh made salad section. The salad is always huge, and the best part is that you can have your salad made by one of the employees rather than settling for one in the cold case that was made at 8am. You can also customize what you want in your salad, so you're not limited if you have an allergy or just don't like something. The other sections of the store are great; they have a wonderful organic section and some great bulk products. This a great option that is much better than Saladworks, and every week, they offer a different salad on sale for around $5.99. One of the coolest parts of this market is that they have a cooking school inside, with some free classes (others you may have to pay $15-20 for) but they have a full kitchen inside the \"Cooking school\" where you not only learn to prepare a meal, but you can actually prepare it yourself. They also have a nutritionist on staff that teaches specialty cooking classes, such as low sodium or low fat cooking. They even go so far as to offer classes for seniors and kids! Everything here makes this one truly unique and even exciting shopping opportunity!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T16:23:58" }, { "business_id": "1e1qCk-tKAkFn-or-o-h0A", "business_name": "Sammy Chon's KTown BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is just as good as the store in Cherry Hill, so each time we decide to hit up Sam for Korean, we're coming here (no more trips over the Walt for yummy Korean food!) ! Sam was the first person to introduce my family and I to Korean food, so we're faithful to him 'till the end. The soy and honey sesame wings are incredible; they're so crispy and flavorful, yet not greasy at all. They're highly addictive, so I recommend only getting 4 because you will have no room left for your dinner if you get 10. I absolutely LOVE the banchan; each time you go, there is an array of about 8 banchan, each different at every trip to the restaurant. I always get the same thing when we eat at Sammy's, which is the soon dubu stew, spicy 3.5 stars with spicy pork. It's a soft tofu cooked in a spicy (as spicy as you want, but be warned, anything above a 4 will make your eyes tear up!) broth with meat of your choice. It's probably unlike any other food you've ever eaten, so make sure you try it because there is no comparison to anything if you haven't had Korean food before. It comes out in a hot pot so it's always EXTREMELY hot. I always ask for a glass of ice to put in the stew to cool it down because I've made the mistake of burning my mouth on soon dubu one time too many. This location serves alcohol, and we were recommended a mango flavored Korean drink. I thought we each were getting a glass, but boy was I wrong; we got a carafe!!! The drink was delicious! It was cool and refreshing, and ended up being the perfect compliment to our hot (both in temperature and spice) meals. My husband always gets the LA kalbi (marinated short ribs) which he swears by and wishes he could eat on a daily basis. Everything Sam makes is incredible! If you're a newbie to Korean food, definitely come here with an open mind and be willing to try something new and possible off the cusp than what you'd normally eat. Trust me, you'll be pleasantly surprised!", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:19:19" }, { "business_id": "ssr49VxAlvrBo7F7izQvXA", "business_name": "The Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "I love love love The Pub. Eating here will make you feel like you're dining at the Renaissance faire (just hand me a turkey leg and a velvet dress and you're good to go!) but the food is great. They have some delicious selections on their salad bar, with my favorite being the zucchini bread. They have some of the best crab cakes I've ever eaten, too. Whether you're a seafood lover like I am, or a pure carnivore like my husband (who highly recommends the 26oz porterhouse), you'll find something delicious and quite large to eat. The portions are enough to feed you for two days, so be prepared to take home some of your meal. The only thing I don't like about the place is you dine extremely close to your neighbors, but I guess it's all part of the experience.", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:20:40" }, { "business_id": "t-QoyFuiNKPOioysQx2qHA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "This location is probably one of the smallest Whole Foods I've ever been in, but they have an immense selection of products that are unique and hard to find. They have a mind blowing selection of natural, organic, and vegan makeup/lotions/etc., which is great. Their bakery is rather small, but they have some of the most delicious desserts and baked goods ever!!! DEFINITELY make sure you get some seeduction ROLLS (the loaf is amazing, but the rolls are much better) to take home with you. The awesome part of the bread bakery is that you can get a 1/2 loaf of bread (which is great for my family because I'm the only one that eats the unique breads they have, so nothing goes to waste. I also love their bulk section because you can get just what you need weight-wise of some really different and unique grains. They have an amazing selection of cold prepared foods in the deli case, with some great vegan and vegetarian choices. They also have a wonderful salad bar with some deliciously healthy selections. The even package some of their best products in ready to go containers so you can take them home with you. They also have a wonderful meat selection, with a significant amount of \"green\" meat (grass fed, no antibiotcs, etc). The produce selection is vast and truly unique; I've seen some really weird fruits and veggies that I've never seen before here. Be prepared as their prices are high, but you're getting good quality, healthy food, so it's well worth it.", "timestamp": "2012-06-02T01:04:03" }, { "business_id": "VVH6k9-ycttH3TV_lk5WfQ", "business_name": "Willie Mae's Scotch House", "rating": 4, "text": "Off in the land of the 7th ward in what is a pretty rough looking neighborhood, stands Willie Mae's. We took our awesome scooters here (thankfully, as it's not within walking distance from the French Quarter) and were prepared for some fried chicken goodness. I'm NOT a big fried foods person, so I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it here, but I was wrong. The restaurant is pretty much off the beaten path, but I've learned in my travels that some of the most amazing places are. The place is nothing spectacular inside, but it was really cool to read the various articles from magazines the restaurant was featured in. We reviewed our short menu and decided on nothing other than the fried chicken platter and some cornbread. Out sides were brought out along with our chicken after a relatively short wait, and we dug in. The chicken was placed on a big platter in the middle of the table, so it was like a chicken free for all at the table. The sides were HUGE, and looked delicious. I was really thrilled when the red beans and rice tasted as good as they looked, but I was slightly disappointed in the green beans. The red beans were incredible; they were slightly smoky and somewhat spicy, and were perfect! After I downed the whole bowl, it was time to tackle the chicken mountain. I broke off a piece of the breading to taste just that, and holy crap, it was delicious!!!! It was greasy (of course!), but was so delicious that I found myself scouring the crunchy pieces of the batter off of the bottom of the plate!! Once I finally got to the chicken, I was very impressed. The chicken was so moist and tender, and was some of the best chicken I had ever eaten. The combination of the deliciously crunchy, spicy batter and the moist, tender chicken made for a wonderful chicken experience. I felt like an authentic NOLA citizen while eating here. Like I said earlier, I'm not a fan of fried foods, but I was definitely a fan of Willie Mae's.", "timestamp": "2012-06-03T00:27:17" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "Jules is delicious!!! They have some amazingly creative pizza creations, and it's extra yummy because the thin crust allows you to really taste the flavors of the pizzas. They use organic and local veggies, hormone free meats and they combine flavors really well. The winners are (I can't remember the names) the greek pizza, the chicken with cilantro pizza, and the potato topped pizza. Be sure to check in on foursquare for a free slice with check in.", "timestamp": "2012-10-18T21:19:58" }, { "business_id": "iD25g7vUG3asELjXtMGF9w", "business_name": "Taqueria del Sol", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is all I can say for TDS. The restaurant itself is just cold.... not literally, but figuratively. There was no decor, no menu boards, stainless steel prep tables as dining tables, no soda machines, staff EVERYWHERE with no identification (shirts, nametags, etc). The food is reasonably priced and most of it was quite good, but what really irked my party was the fact that they charge for extra salsa!!! We ordered a salsa trio (which included 3 samples of the various salsas, in 2oz glass prep bowls), and when my brother asked for more salsa for his tacos (mind you, we ordered one of ever taco, three burritos and guacamole), he was told he'd have to buy the trio again! Really!!??? We spent over $40 on food, drinks and apps, too. Even though the food was decent, I wouldn't return as the atmosphere is just blah and you can't get extra salsa for your damn tacos!", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:14:36" }, { "business_id": "tpDJ0vOYiBLxMqtGvhBSmw", "business_name": "Top It Frozen Yogurt Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Top It is wonderful! They're your typical froyo place, but they have delicious and authentic flavors that vary daily and based on the season. They have nutritional info displayed for all to see, so you can know exactly what you're eating. They also have a ton of different and unique toppings. If you check in via yelp on your smartphone, you get 20% off which is a great incentive to come here (in addition to the yummy yogurt!!!). Don't forget to join their email list; they frequently send coupons out via email.", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:17:26" }, { "business_id": "knp4GbMlIQZAppyEVnUkQg", "business_name": "Koja Grille", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow this place is NOT it. I should've known the experience was gonna be bad when the brought my take out order, which the waitress clearly marked to go, to me out on a plate. I'm someone who adores Korean food and was excited to try Koja out, but I should've just stuck to my regular Korean spots. The food was overpriced, completely non authentic (non grilled bulgogi with broccoli and carrots????), and subpar. The wings were soggy and although I ordered them mild, they were made spicy. The food here is equivalent to overpriced icky Chinese. I haven't been this disappointed with food in Philly for a very long time. To make matters worse, the staff was incredibly rude and snippy with me. With all of the amazing Korean places in Philly, I'm surprised they stay in business here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T02:02:04" }, { "business_id": "LcURr5CJT0Uo0H18l31qpg", "business_name": "The Lite Choice", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great yogurt place! I'm a big fan of froyo in general, so I was excited to try out a place that offered such decadence in yogurt. I had a fluffernutter yogurt and was so impressed that this yogurt was light! It had such great flavor and didn't have that weird aftertaste that some froyo has. The only downside was that the yogurt is pricey.", "timestamp": "2013-04-30T01:34:20" }, { "business_id": "by3Pd_qk6R9ik3C2Ng_-rg", "business_name": "Margaritas Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Eh, this place is not it. The service is incredibly slow, chaotic and messy. Apps came out literally 30 seconds before food which is a big no no. The portion of guacamole we had was laughably small; think the size of a single scoop of ice cream EVERYTHING was slathered in cheese, to the point where all you could taste was cheese. The margaritas were good, though, but that was after my server brought me the wrong flavor twice. The food here is definitely not worth the price; save a few bucks (hell, more than a few!) and get a much better and way more authentic meal at Cancun down the street.", "timestamp": "2013-06-23T03:16:59" }, { "business_id": "lakMZT5PYQltSOjGXWnJ0g", "business_name": "Lil' Pop Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "My gosh, the Popsicles here are amazing!!!!! I go once a week on my lunch break and get two Popsicles. The best flavors are the milk based ones...last week, I had a lemon blueberry buttermilk and it tasted like a frozen cheesecake! I also had a watermelon rhubarb which was ok. The coconut hibiscus is divine as well! What a gem in West Philly!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:42:55" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "omgee, this place is phenomenal! I came here on the recommendation of some coworkers and I'm glad I did! Their burritos are big enough to feed a small army,and their flavors are amazing. Both times I went, I had a chicken and sweet potato burrito and it was divine! The sweet potatoes are such a unique and flavorful addition to the burritos. I also loved how they put guac on all of their burritos. Honest Toms is quickly becoming a favorite lunch spotlight of mine in West!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:46:34" }, { "business_id": "U30ggGzFpXvc2NZYwOW3qg", "business_name": "Mood Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Jeez, where to begin with Mood???? I came here for lunch a few weeks ago with a coworker, and while he wasn't a fan (he's not as adventurous with food a I am), I loved it! If you're looking for your typical Indian food, skip here; if you want a flavor adventure that is unique and different, then this is your place. I had no clue what a chaat was until I came here, so the owner explained everything to me. The chaats here anew amazing; there are so many flavors, textures, colors, and unique ingredients that every bite is something different. They also have the best lassis I've ever had, and what makes them even better is the flavors! Skip the traditional mango (even though its awesome) and give fig a try. It was creamy, sweet perfection. I'm sure the food here isn't diet friendly, which is not good for me because its so close to work!!!!!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:53:14" }, { "business_id": "oGAnlXgorzsRqeA4S0UhlQ", "business_name": "Scappa Brick Oven Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "This place has some of the best Italian and pizza in Levittown. Everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. I really enjoyed their tomato pie; the sauce was a perfect combo of sweet and salty. All in all, a great place to grab a flavorful and well priced Italian meal.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:55:19" }, { "business_id": "hG1CdQIZGnHcYDdpNnVbSQ", "business_name": "My Little Kupkake", "rating": 1, "text": "Ick, I had a cupcake from here which I picked up from DIbrunos in the city, and I was not impressed. Im a cupcake fanatic, so I take cupcakes seriously!The cake itself was dry and dense, the icing was too sweet and there was entirely too much of it. If you're going to market and sell your cupcakes in another location, at least ensure they're good.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:57:54" }, { "business_id": "9OhPfV0C3Q49l5tSre2MuQ", "business_name": "Kabobeesh", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh lawd, Kabobeesh is incredible!!! I am so happy that this place is so close to where I work that I go here every Tuesday for lunch. For $10, you get an incredible amount of food that can feed you for days. I always am enticed by the kebobs in the case, which are always so fresh and flavorful. My favorite is the tandoori chicken, which is so moist, tender and flavorful that I'm drooling as I write this. They always have delicious sides and dishes besides the kebobs. I'm a huge fan of the yellow daal which is so perfectly seasoned and so flavorful. The homemade naan is to die for as well. The only downfall is that the service tends to be rather slow, but for food this awesome, it's worth the wait!!!", "timestamp": "2013-10-01T00:02:52" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. I was overhyped to try here, and was slightly disappointed. The place is incredibly small, and I knew it wasn't going to be the best dining experience when we were sat by the draft of the open door which rushed in the cold January air. Cocktail: the sgroppino was fabulous! The sorbet was so fresh and flavorful. Very string too! Apps: the garlic bread was yummy! Nothing phenomenal but good. The fig bruschetta was great too, but I wasn't a fan of how overwhelming the Gorgonzola was. It took away from the other flavors of the dish. The arancini were meh; rather bland and flavorless. It almost tasted frozen to me; it was definitely the loser of the night. The fresh mozzarella was the star of the night: creamy, salty, briney goodness. It literally melted in my mouth. We each had a pasta dish. The gnocchi were yummy; I loved the crunchiness that came from the pan sear. The fusili were ok; I'm just not a big fan of oily sauces. The spaghetti and meatballs were great, though. The portion was gigantic; however, I was a bit surprised that the meatball tasted more like hot Italian sausage than a classic meatball. The service was great, though. Our server was knowledgable, personable and friendly. I usually never leave a restaurant like this stuffed, but I felt like I was going to explode when we were done eating. $100 for three people including drinks is a great price, too. You really get a lot of food for a fair price. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I felt like the food here was oversold and under delivered. I guess I expected more from this empire (I could eat at Barbuzzo daily!) Would I return? Highly unlikely. There are just too many other choices in Philly which are equivalent in price that have much more to offer.", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:04:04" }, { "business_id": "UyTx6ci7ATsWco_mE4J8Jw", "business_name": "Pamcakes, a Philly Cupcakery", "rating": 2, "text": "I expected more from Pamcakes... I am a cupcake fiend. I make it a point to try as many cupcake places as I can in the city, and while I have tried many, I'm nowhere near trying them all. I also bake my own, so I'm always pumped to try new (to me) shops I went in on a Thursday around 1115 and no one was in the shop. The display was pretty meager; a few of this flavor, two of that one, etc, . I ordered a red velvet, lemon raspberry, triple chocolate and vanilla with buttercream. The red velvet was one of the best red velvet cupcakes I've ever had. The cream Cheese frosting was divine; light, fluffy and not overtly sweet. The lemon raspberry was fair; not good, not bad, just average. The triple chocolate was awful. The cake was dry and crumbly and the icing was way too sweet. The vanilla was bad too. Dry cake, bland frosting and extremely dense. The worst part of the experience was on three of the four cupcakes, the icing was hard and crunchy. I honestly thought they were yesterday's leftovers. They certainly didn't taste fresh. I was very disappointed with the cupcakes here. I expected so much more and was highly let down. Such a shame, too", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:17:37" }, { "business_id": "OxkdxarPVk_BNGDpllqiBA", "business_name": "Under the Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Under the Pier is a rather unassuming spot, but don't let the facade fool you. Actually, it's the epitome of duvet here, but who cares??!! The food here is great! Cheap, fresh, quick and delicious...what more could you ask for!? The fish is fresh, the batter is great and the prices are good. They have great \"chips\" too with their fish. I also loved the crab cake and clam cake, too. This place is definitely a hidden gem in Levittown .", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T02:29:59" }, { "business_id": "45ClmqPAagmNvdUojFULZA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 3, "text": "I noticed this place on a ride down Walnut for work. Definitely my kind of place, so I parked and stopped in. Think fast farm to table food. I loved how everything is locally sourced, organic, fresh and healthy. However, I did not love the price! When I paid for my seasonal salad and cucumber limeade (which was AMAZEBALLS), I ended up with a total of around $15!!! I have no problem paying higher prices for quality, but 15 bucks for a salad and a 16oz lemonade is just insanity in my opinion. The salad was good; definitely not worth the $11 it cost, though. I realize this is U City and they locally source everything, etc, but I simply would not return due to the prices (this is one of the main reasons I left a three star review. I know quailty ingredients come with a price, however, $15 is just far too much.", "timestamp": "2014-06-25T17:36:12" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 4, "text": "I was blown away by the food here and I didn't even eat in! My brother brought home take out which included the eggplant hummus and the brisket hummus, pita and saltim. While I don't eat red meat, I devoured the eggplant hummus and literally could not stop stuffing my face with the deliciousness that sat in that bowl. The hummus was so earthy and smoky and had such great flavor. The pita were amazing; even cold, they were incredible!!!!!! I simply cannot wait to try the food from here fresh. What an amazing place!!! Majestic, Zahav and chef Michael Solomon!!!!! A true gem!!!", "timestamp": "2014-09-27T00:59:15" } ]	{ "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here on restaurant week and was very disappointed here. This was my first experience at a Garces restaurant, so I was really excited to eat here. Normally, I give yelp a lot of credit in helping me select where to eat, and I figured I'd try here despite (more than) a few wishy-washy review. For starters, the service here is awful. It took 20 minutes to even be asked for drinks and probably 15 people walked by us without acknowledging us, which normally would send me packing, but I was anticipating a great meal so I stuck it out. The menu was limited to only restaurant week selections which I'm never a fan of. We started with the fresh mozzarella which was the clear winner of the night; warm, briney, salty goodness. The second course was a micro green salad which was topped with such a bitter garlic oil they I could barely eat it. For my meal, I had the risotto with scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly, however they were so overly salty, I couldn't eat them. The risotto was a bit too al dente for my liking but it tasted OK. Overall, I was extremely disappointed in the experience here. I expect the utmost care, attention to service and food at restaurants like this, and I didn't get it. I will not be back.", "timestamp": "2014-09-28T13:12:12" }
kHmXUEOAsIbguUrPoX6Tkg	[ { "business_id": "jXDr7IkNlkJGuQYzth9CMg", "business_name": "The New Il Mi Jung", "rating": 1, "text": "While the food is really great and delicious, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. The staff there neglected giving us the sides, did not offer us drink refills, and did not allow me to order BBQ since my husband ordered BBQ special (even though we've done it many times) (my husband gets special and I would get BBQ chicken). They know what we get, and would not allow us to order what we wanted. They were actually very rude to us tonight, and we were regulars, going 2-3x/month. After tonight, we will not be returning. They lost two regular customers due to rudeness and lack of acceptable service tonight. We'll be going to Myung Ga from now on.", "timestamp": "2009-10-10T02:54:00" }, { "business_id": "FJl6LCHbqiM9mvSwDjFAjw", "business_name": "Kim's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing!!! It's different than other Korean restaurants as they don't use gas for the grills, just hot coals. The banchan are AMAZING, and the meat portions are huge!!! They even have steamed egg!!! Highly recommended!!!! Korean food can be pretty pricey for the meat dishes, which is the case here, but it's worth it. Since it;s in Olney, I'll only go during daylight hours.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:06:32" }, { "business_id": "6sWAn5N1h5d4pd1hEu497A", "business_name": "Young Bin Kwan", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing! It's a full buffet of raw meat that you take yourself and grill at your table in the charcoal Korean grills. I highly recommend this place for Korean food newbies as you can really experience various meats without being committed to something you may not like. The banchan are amazing! So many choices!!!!!!! The whole place is amazing, and it's only $23/pp!!!! The little Korean ladies will help you out if you're a Korean BBQ newbie. Just keep in mind that it's at the bottom of an apartment complex, so it's relatively easy to miss. You WILL smell like you doused yourself in charcoal cologne though afterwards. It's not owned by the same people anymore, and the food has suffered since then.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:15:43" }, { "business_id": "-pyobEWdpZ6jUp42f3I2xw", "business_name": "Dolsot House", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is AMAZING!!! Although you can't cook your own meats here, it's well worth it! The portions are huge, and the prices are very reasonable! They'll refill your bancha if you like something a lot, and the owners are extremely helpful in helping decipher the menu. An absolute hit!!!! The soon tofu is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-09T17:49:23" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "Incredible food, incredible location (Capogiro right down the street for dessert!). The falaffel is so delicious, and their hummus is so smooth and creamy. I had my first falaffel here, and it was incredible. The ONLY complaint I have is that their hours are really funky. They're dirt cheap and always really busy. A real winner!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:06:20" }, { "business_id": "6JVHcQBnyA1DzK4z65cJSw", "business_name": "Falafel Factory", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was great!!! I love how they offer baked falafel. However, their pitas were definitely not homemade like they claimed to be. It's a good alternative if you can't make it to Mama's (hell, the cashier even said the owner goes to Mama's!!). All in all, good falafel.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:10:08" }, { "business_id": "ki0qSHmHNgUjKPRzYDTPow", "business_name": "The Pub 2900", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:24:39" }, { "business_id": "z5GlwQqwr4H8ruCjpnE_BA", "business_name": "Club House Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15. They're owned by the same company as Great American Diner Pub.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:25:22" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Alma de Cuba was delicious!!!! The ceviche is out of this world!!! My only two complaints were that my salmon was undercooked (still transparent in the middle) which really pissed me off because for $30 for a 4 oz portion of salmon, I really believe it should've been cooked to perfection the first time and they forgot one of the entrees in our order. However, the waitstaff was great in correcting the problems, and even offered us a complimentary meal the next time we came in. A great Cuban experience with yummy food!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:29:26" }, { "business_id": "gim0CxngZb6WKPu6BtfzWA", "business_name": "Food Castle Express", "rating": 5, "text": "Great food, and the staff is very helpful. The naan and roti are so delicious!!! The atmosphere is really nice, and the staff are really helpful in deciphering the menu. A hidden gem out of the ton of Indian restaurants in Bensalem.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:32:27" }, { "business_id": "7pwZZVVlYCxQvVdd8Q03wg", "business_name": "La Rosa Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best pizza places in Philadelphia. I've been coming here with my family since I was 5, and always stop by when I'm in South Philly. Prices are still really good!!! Get 1/2 red and 1/2 white for two amazingly delicious different pizza experiences! They don't take credit cards, and they have no seating inside.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:34:36" }, { "business_id": "GFbo0kqqDybKTPkRaJgGMQ", "business_name": "Tijuana Flats", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!! Some of the best take our mexican food I've ever had!!! They offer a power lite option (which is fat free sour cream and light cheese) so you can still get the gooey and creamy flavors of a delicious Mexican meal with reduced calories. Their sauce \"bar\" is phenomenal!! Literally 20 different hot sauces to choose from. Do not pass this place up!!! The atmosphere is really cool, too, with lots of autographed celebrity photos on the walls as well as funky Mexican/Spanish style decor. (They frequently have certificates on restaurant.com too!)", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:37:54" }, { "business_id": "jziliEq8Zum-EynD5v-Hvg", "business_name": "Chifa", "rating": 4, "text": "Service was great. The waitress was extremely helpful with explaining the menu and helping us choose our dinners. The food was good but the portions were small for the price, which is typical of tapas style. The rolls with the guava butter that they bring pre meal were amazing. The pork belly buns were so delicious that our party actually ordered two more orders!! The red curry was fab, but was too rich for me. The Peruvian ceviche with a side of crunchy corn thingies and crispy plantains was simply amazing!!!! Clean, citrusy, refreshing, just like good ceviche should be!! All in all, a great experience!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:42:53" }, { "business_id": "_wcOVX6PPvhXGMpUa2Ij8A", "business_name": "Melrose Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is not very deserving of 5 stars (think typical drab diner food), but the buttercream cake deserves 50 stars!!! The cake is SO moist and delicious, and the icing, oh my, has got to be the best buttercream icing I've ever eaten. Nothing beats stopping here after a night of boozing in the city to grab two slices of cake!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:37:08" }, { "business_id": "goI3MrJIPJxknQdKtFkkGw", "business_name": "Stoltzfus Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "The Amish market is awesome!!!! Their pretzels are out of this world, and they have a ton of really cool and interesting foods/products. The only downside is that they're only open Thurs-Sat, and their hours are weird. Their prices are very reasonable, and they have everything you could want: spices, meats, fruits, veggies, baked goods and even a restaurant!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:41:28" }, { "business_id": "wb_z1h7XR5IQhVRZHlMuLQ", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore Redstone! Their food is relatively simple in comparison to other restaurants in the price range, but boy oh boy it's yummy. Their mac and cheese is simply divine, and is made with 5 different cheeses. Their french fries are awesome, and they even handmake their ketchup!! A MUST HAVE while here is the StoliDoli, which is Stoli vodka that sits in a cored pineapple for ~1 week, then is served in a martini glass. Amazing!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:44:34" }, { "business_id": "0aflm9H-XNg8eUAoeWmh9Q", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about all I can say about here. WAY overpriced for underperforming food. Everything is SO high in calories and fat here that it's scary! Granted, they make the place look nice, but it's to compensate for their awful food.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:47:56" }, { "business_id": "-qk__vjJxfJrCWn3UaMv_Q", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory - Cherry Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing restaurant!!!! The menu is the longest one I've ever seen, so you'll definitely find something you like. The portions are mammoth, and will easily feed you for two days. The wait tends to be pretty long (gotta love the American desire for gluttony!), so get there early. All in all, a great place for date night or to take the family. The only downfall is that they do not accept reservations.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:50:38" }, { "business_id": "NDXH8dHdC8k2PrEEZPQBIg", "business_name": "Shogun Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Shogun!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. The decor is really nice inside, and it has a great atmosphere. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. The roll is that is wrapped with the yellow soy paper and topped with baked scallops is amazing!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:53:37" }, { "business_id": "9_V0SWbQPnZ0mR3kljXqBQ", "business_name": "Sakura Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Sakura!!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. THe $7.95 chicken hibachi special is SO large!! I'd definitely reccommend it!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:55:28" }, { "business_id": "MWel8zS7L7dzWC0_IY_Pzg", "business_name": "Mini Of The Main Line", "rating": 1, "text": "ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RUDE EMPLOYEES. They're only out to RIP PEOPLE OFF, and are extremely disrespectful and nasty. They NEVER return calls, and if they do, it's only to tell you that you need to put more money into a car that has more problems than a math book. Aviod this place like the plague, and head to Otto's in West Chester or Princeton Mini in NJ.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible is the only way to describe this place. I've taken many trips into the city just to get their gelato. The dark dark chocolate is my favorite!!! Tip: If you're interested in knowing their flavors, check their site. Be forewarned though, the gelato is rather pricey (~$6 for ~5 ounces) but it's definitely worth it as a treat!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:01:57" }, { "business_id": "JPfe9B-RLrE5Nz75kcKImQ", "business_name": "Govinda's Vegetarian", "rating": 5, "text": "Delish vegan/vegetarian food here!!! The 'chicken' cheesesteak is SO good!!!! You would have no idea it wasn't chicken if you didn't look at the cubes of textured soy protein. They do a beautiful job of seasoning their soy protein so it actually tastes better than the real thing! A winner!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:04:23" }, { "business_id": "EekwCjDqa9VT6Kq_aVE_0Q", "business_name": "Pho Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious pho and vietnamese cuisine!!! Their prices are extremely reasonable and their food is out of this world!!! The grilled pork banh mi (which is basically a grilled pork hoagie with cilantro, pickled dikon & carrots, cucumber, and some sauce. I also get hosin on the side)is delicious, and the cold Grilled Pork Spring rolls are divine!!! A must try in Bucks county!", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:38:03" }, { "business_id": "ytynqOUb3hjKeJfRj5Tshw", "business_name": "Reading Terminal Market", "rating": 5, "text": "An incredible place that is a must hit in Philly. Tons of food selections, most of which are very reasonably priced. DiNic's is a MUST try. Going on the weekends is a surefire way to ensure all vendors are open, but be prepared for it to be very crowded and hard to walk around.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:42:48" }, { "business_id": "RuuGJoMm2Y3wbLbPPHTvqw", "business_name": "Phily Diner & Sports Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about it for the place. The food is sub par, and they have terrible service, even when they're not busy. Their prices are reasonable, however, the food leaves a lot to be desired, and it's gotten worse since they changed to \"bar\" format. Skip this one.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T14:10:43" }, { "business_id": "T9n_LqUUhC2b1ALhg57Y5Q", "business_name": "Texas Roadhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Food is really good here, but they're very inconsistent. We typically order from here every week, and the food can be in a monstrous portion one week, then not enough to feed one person the next week. I love how they offer the veg place option, which allows you to choose 4 sides.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:08:47" }, { "business_id": "8CG5nPzDkMkQEsH1k_hdVA", "business_name": "Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious pizza here!!! The pizza was crispy and definitely coal fired. They're rather pricey for a pizza which is why I don't come here more often. If you want to try them out, go during lunch when you can get a personal pizza for ~$8.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:34:01" }, { "business_id": "8_n64z4tzSJXMK4fYPzxvw", "business_name": "Jay West", "rating": 5, "text": "I got my wedding dress here and never had any issues. They have gowns in all price ranges, and they carry all different designers. Their alterations are rather pricey, so be prepared to spend around an extra $250 for those. All in all, a great experience for purchasing my wedding gown.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:04:53" }, { "business_id": "aTpaOvF1FFGj8t_5U2_kHA", "business_name": "Produce Junction", "rating": 1, "text": "Fruit and veggies are cheap, however, I'll gladly pay an extra $1.00/lb for my apples to be treated like a human being. The staff are insanely rude and talk about you in Spanish while you're waiting in line. Avoid at all costs.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:10:43" }, { "business_id": "fQixVK0uar3ArJtNeug8nQ", "business_name": "Giant Food Stores", "rating": 4, "text": "Great market here. Tons and tons of selections, as well as cafe inside the store. Their natural/organic section is great! I only shop there for sale items because their regular priced items are quite expensive. All in all a good market with a big selection.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_UOg5_pk9IhKee91eWrT4A", "business_name": "Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty decent BBQ here, although it does not compare to a local joint that is no longer around. I really like it here coz it's very hard to find BBQ turkey breast and they have it here. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here but if I was nearby, I'd hit it up.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:33:02" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "Yeah, a big fat no to Banana Leaf. After much persusasion by a close friend, we decided to check it out on Friday night. The place seemed very busy, which we took as a good sign, however, looks can decieve. To start off, our waiter had multiple long, thick hairs so big they could've been braided) growing out of a mole the size of a quarter on the side of his face. I should've known that things were going to go downhill from there. The service was very slow, and the food was just terrible. Their menu is almost the same as Penang, which is why I thought it'd be great (minus the gross growth on our waiter). I had the mango chicken, which is phenomenal at Penang, but was dry and crispy here. The noodle dishes were too crunchy and greasy. Roti was actually raw and undercooked as well. I definitely would not return here, even if the waiter cut the hair from his facial growth.", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:10:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!!!!!! The mango chicken is out of this world!!! It's so flavorful and comes in a very hearty portion size! Their roti is crispy, and always perfectly cooked. Mee Siam is hearty and filling, yet not overly greasy and heavy. There really is nothing else to say about Penang other than to go and eat there!", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:12:54" }, { "business_id": "KNDMUyeW8bSsLXGSNyQS-Q", "business_name": "Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is ok, nothing special. On a typical night, there are hoards of obese people stuffing their faces with cheaply made desserts and greasy, breaded and fried foods. The only plus here is the all you can eat snow crab legs.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:51:02" }, { "business_id": "EdopUxxfxqEA79Vcy_dT3g", "business_name": "Fuel", "rating": 3, "text": "Eh. I was not very impressed with here. I came on a Friday night around 9:30pm and there were a few people here. It smelled good in here so I was excited to try it out. Food was ready quick and smelled yummy in the car. However my olfactory sense was tricked because the food did not remotely taste as good as it smelled. The Thai chicken sandwich was rather dry and had WAY too much basil on it. I took the basil off and it still had a very strong basil taste. The South Philly panini was surprisingly greasy and the panini bread was very chewy. The banana whip was yummy as well as the raspberry NSA tea. I definitely would not go out of my way to eat here again, and would travel out of my way across the Ben to Washington Twp NJ to Musclemaker grill before coming back here.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:11" }, { "business_id": "2Q1R2OhBbAQ581vK_r7NhA", "business_name": "Ooka Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "A hidden gem in Willow Grove!! The sushi here is incredible , and has to be some of the freshest sushi I've ever had. The food off of the non-sushi menu is delicious as well. They have great lunch specials too!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:53" }, { "business_id": "-wlmZ-b35UJ-GY-59NDxyw", "business_name": "H Mart - Elkins Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Hmart is amazing!!!! Although I'm not Korean, my family and I adore Korean food. They have amazing bulgogi and kalbi, as well as a slew of other prepared foods. Their prices on veggies and fruit are great, and they have everything you could ever want for cooking Asian/Korean style. They have an awesome food court upstairs with many many Asian food options. This is the best Hmart around!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:53:20" }, { "business_id": "Og1HekJMHKqsvtWaUp9V8g", "business_name": "Flying Monkey Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, this place was a disappointment. 2.25-2.50 for hard as a rock, weirdly flavored cupcakes. I bought the lavender, meyer lemon, guinness, peanut butter, and creme brulee. The lavender was absolutely disgusting and tasted like they threw body lotion on top of a cupcake, and sold it . The meyer lemon was extremely sugary and did not have much of a lemon taste to it. The guinness was very oddly flavored and did not taste like guinness at all. The peanut butter was very very rich and way too peanut buttery. All you tasted was the frosting. The creme brulee tasted a little bit like french toast, and was the only cupcake that I would even consider eating if it was the last cupcake available on earth. The icing on all of the cupcakes was hard as a rock, and the presentation of the cupcakes made them look like they were iced by my 5 year old cousin. Nasty all around.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:28:25" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly wow!!! What an amazing cupcake find!! The outside looks like a clothing store, and the inside is very unique.The store is set up really cool with the cupcakes in cabinets, so it gives this real boutiquey feel . The sweet potato cupcake with pecans and cream cheese frosting was to die for!!! The plain buttercream was divine as well. I really wanted to try the red velvet, but they were sold out. It's very cramped in here spacewise, and they don't accept credit/debit cards either. They're pricey, too, so I would definitely only go here for a special, special occasion. A dozen cupcakes would run over $30.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:32:24" }, { "business_id": "TsPb4qM79Nue6sDKANEdgQ", "business_name": "Planet Fitness", "rating": 5, "text": "Great gym, very cheap, and they're open 24hrs (except Sat and Sun). Be forewarned that it's no frills (no classes, no pool, no sauna). They have tanning beds but they are free for the black card members only.", "timestamp": "2010-08-29T01:32:31" }, { "business_id": "7Or2xPBkTNYRxD9SiMQVOQ", "business_name": "Felix's Caketeria", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, 1,000 times over!!!! Felix's makes Philly Cupcake look like the bakery at Walmart! We just moved to Newtown, and upon exploring town, we discovered this gem. Thankfully, parking is easy here as the bakery is an independent building. When you first walk in, you're greeted by the pleasant and friendly owners/baker, which is a rarity these days. The aroma here is insanely intoxicating, and transports you to a world of delectable baked goods. The display case is rather small, but the flavors are HUGE. I bought 5 cupcakes: original vanilla with buttercream, the Elvis (banana spice cake with peanut butter buttercream), red velvet, peanut butter and jelly (raspberry jelly), and sea salt caramel. The buttercream original was ok; the buttercream was too fluffy for my tastes, but it was yummy. The red velvet had to be the BEST red velvet cupcake I've ever had. I could eat the cream cheese frosting by the bucketful!!!! The Elvis was sinfully delicious; Felix must be a madman for creating this flavor!!! The PBandJ was amazing; it was not a fake, sugary, kid-friendly taste, but a very sophisticated adult tasting PBandJ with seeded red raspberry preserves. The sea salt caramel was indescribable; the mix of flavors was so perfect, with the most magical ratio of salty to sweet. The ONLY thing I don't like about Felix's is that it's so close to where I live. That's dangerous for a cupcake fiend like me!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-10-08T00:36:15" }, { "business_id": "Z4ERIzhdyduAew1O5KUvXw", "business_name": "Meglio Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "The pizza here is really yummy. I love a good, saucy, thin crust pizza, and they hit the nail on the head. The margharita pizza is really good, and their ingerdients are very fresh. Just make sure you ask them to make the pizza well done as the dough tends to be chewy and slightly underdone if you don't ask them to cook it longer.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T16:56:58" }, { "business_id": "IbndcMURguByburM72o3SA", "business_name": "State Street Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, this place is surprisingly delicious!! I stopped by for lunch on a busy Sunday afternoon, and was very impressed with the amount of people who were inside eating and waiting for takeout. I ordered the tofu veggie balls (tofu 'meatbally' topped with roasted veggies, marinara and parmesean cheese) and was very surprised with the flavor. The sandwich was large, and the tofu balls were very well flavored. The roasted veggies atop the sandwich were perfectly roasted. The only gripe (and reason for 4 instead of 5 stars) about here is that it took 40 minutes to get my sandwich, so next time, I'd definitely call in an order and pick it up later.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:08:13" }, { "business_id": "wAwcCuzwyOdny_BteT9Vew", "business_name": "La Pergola", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely adore the hummus and pita bread here. I'm a big fan of hummus, and love a very creamy, unprocessed hummus. The decor is rather flamboyant as other reviewers have noted, however, the flavors make up for it. I've never eaten anything else here (I typically only have a few minutes to get something, and the hummus is easy and quick to package, which is why I haven't tried anything else), but if the rest of the food is as yummy as the hummus, then this place is a hidden gem. Parking can be a nightmare on West Ave, so be forewarned.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:14:47" }, { "business_id": "3AjwyeF8oiTiHij9vFgyMw", "business_name": "Sam's Italian Market & Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Stay away from this place. They increase their prices, and don't post the price changes to notify customers. Then when you say the price is wrong they tell your not getting it for the prices listed on their menu. Rip off", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T14:59:37" }, { "business_id": "ntiIq1FNqduOyyowMFGh5A", "business_name": "Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly, talk about a hole in the wall, but looks deceive. It has one the most minimal menus I've ever seen, but boy oh boy, the food is delicious. I felt like I was sitting in a noodle cafe in China the food as the experience was so authentic. The prices are amazing, and the portions are huge to top it all off. This food would probably be a tough eat in the summer months as it's a super hot soup, but it should definitely be on the list for cooler months.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:07:31" }, { "business_id": "J8S7cPPlTgsQnXKVfTyN8g", "business_name": "PYT", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is about it for PYT. I was excited to finally use my groupon, as everything seemed to be yummy from the reviews and smells inside. I ordered two burgers to go, so maybe the experience would be different had I eaten in, but I didn't. There were no other patrons in the restaurant at this time, so I was a little peeved that it took 30 minutes to get my burgers. The Calibunga burger was ok, but as many reviews mentioned, it was rather soggy and not very firm. The bun should've been toasted as I'm sure it would have made the bun less soggy too. The chips also were not very crunchy, which surprised me. I got a Korean shortrib burger for my husband and ordered it medium, and guess what? It was so rare, it mooed. That was an immediate turn off for him, and really ruined the experience. He had to cook it to meduim himself on the grill. Overall, I wouldn't try this place again, even with another groupon offer. The prices are too outrageous and the food isn't all it's hyped out to be.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:01:15" }, { "business_id": "cjGcc6E32U5DAMG_bScclg", "business_name": "Tre Fratelli", "rating": 5, "text": "Tre Fratelli REALLY surprised me. My husband and I went for dinner one weekday night with a restaurant.com gift certificate as we wanted to try it out, and we were very glad we did. The restaurant is very unassuming (the pizza \"parlor\" in the front is actually a bit dirty looking), but the restaurant itself is large and welcoming. The salads were delicious, and the dressing was very very good. My husband ordered the manicotti and I ordered a chicken dish with balsalmic vinegar and bruchetta on top. The food was brought out, and we were blown away with the immense portion sizes. The chicken in my dish was cooked to perfection and the bruchetta was so fresh and delicious! The ricotta in the manicotti was some of the best velvety smooth and creamy ricotta I've ever had. We both walked out with large portions of leftovers. I was very impressed and would come back again in a second the next time the craving for Italian hits me.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:09:43" }, { "business_id": "V2uSS4OumRDvuVM_2ZSc1Q", "business_name": "Cancun Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Cancun had some of the best mexican food hands down outside of Mexico itself. The menu is mind blowingly huge, prices are extremely reasonable (you can get two of their combo dinner platters for under $20) and their portions are just as big. Everything is so fresh and delicious. The food is so authentic as well. Be sure to get the refried beans as they are some of the best I've ever eaten.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:18:49" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 5, "text": "I was so excited to try Han, and I finally got to, and it was AMAZING!!! Han has the best Chinese food I've ever eaten, and has got to be in the top 3 restaurants I've tried in my life. And to top it all off, you'll leave with tons of leftover food. The spicy cucumbers were phenomenal; crunchy, sweet and slathered in this delicious spicy chili oil mixture. Deceptively delicious!!! The spice hits you at the end. The dan dan noodles were perfection. Tender, spicy and superb. There really are no words. The wontons in chili oil were ok; I like more meat and less dough with my wontons which is why I wasn't a big fan, but the flavors were delicious. My husband had the garlic sauce pork, and it was amazing! The pork was tender and cooked perfectly, and wasn't too spicy (he can't eat foods that are extremely spicy due to GI issues, but we went here to celebrate my birthday). I had the dry pepper chicken and was blown away. It was simply the best chinese chicken dish I had ever eaten. The chicken was so crispy, yet juicy, and wasn't greasy at all like you'd expect it to be. The flavors just exploded in my mouth, but unfortunately, I was too stuffed from the monstrous appetizer servings to eat most of it. Han Dynasty is simply amazing; stellar food, stellar service and huge portions. Just make sure to bring some tissues to blow your runny nose. I can't wait to come back here!", "timestamp": "2011-04-26T00:01:31" }, { "business_id": "J4QD1PKOkaM0WWsheYFY7Q", "business_name": "New Life Thrift", "rating": 2, "text": "While a lot of people I know like this thrift shop, I'm not one of them. Although it's very roomy and there are a lot of things, most items are pretty old and outdated in comparison to other thrift stores I've frequented in MontCo and Bucks. The clothing tends to be very outdated, too. Their prices also seem rather high for a thrift store (although I understand the money is for charity, but $150 for a used sofa is a little bit outrageous). Impact in Horsham is much better, in my opinion. Parking here is also very annoying and difficult with the one way street to exit and goofy sloped lot.", "timestamp": "2011-05-19T00:45:04" }, { "business_id": "LNHq9WxfhN2UBNOR2tnRQQ", "business_name": "Corropolese Bakery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy crap, this place has amazing tomato pie!!! It seems to be a common occurrance in the area that no one knows what an authenric tomato pie is (SQUARE pie with just tomato sauce and sprinkled parmesean cheese), but this place nailed it!! The sauce is perfect; a little bit of sweet with a little bit of the good acidity needed in a good tomato sause. Eight slices only cost $3.85!!! Yes, EIGHT! An entire pie of 30 slices runs something like $13 bucks. Insane deal, insane pizza. The best tomato pie I've ever had.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:51:18" }, { "business_id": "NNZ4Zjir0S101ltpfgaI1w", "business_name": "Golden Dawn", "rating": 3, "text": "This diner was ok. I wasn't too impressed as I used to live in NJ, the land of diners. The service was very good, however, the food was subpar although they gave you a lot of it. I'd probably give them another chance if I was in the area, but wouldn't drive out of my way to come and eat here. There are much better diners throughout Levittown/Bristol/Falls Twp.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:56:18" }, { "business_id": "HIAJ2mnlm_pP38_8GbgQ5g", "business_name": "Hmart", "rating": 4, "text": "H-Mart is an amazing grocery store!!!! They have rock bottom prices on excellent produce, plus they have a slew of incredibly hard to find Asian ingredients. This H-mart is relatively small compared to the others I've been too, however, they do have a ton of stuff. Be forewarned, though, as their meat (excluding fish) tends to be rather pricey, even for the special cuts that are used in Asian cooking.", "timestamp": "2011-06-19T00:52:15" }, { "business_id": "UB8sxbUN7kPZum22U2O9kg", "business_name": "Julio's Famous Pizzeria", "rating": 2, "text": "Pizza here is subpar. Very greasy, extremely cheesy and very sloppy. The box was soaked with grease. The crust was chewy and had no crisp or crunch to it at all. We also ordered one pizza which took AN HOUR to make. Really?? Better pizza places are not hard to find in the area, and we definitely will not be returning here in the future.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T18:10:45" }, { "business_id": "xUAPlkR2KD81spJzt96TBw", "business_name": "Cafe Bombay Indian Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Cafe Bombay has some of the best Indian food I've ever had. They're located in downtown Bristol, secluded from the main highway, so it can be hard to find it. The food is so fresh, authentic and simply delicious. The daal is superb, and is seasoned perfectly. I am in love with their chicken tikka masala. The sauce is an amazing compliment to incredibly tender chicken. The samosas are phenomenal too. They have an incredibly naan seasoned with cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins that is a great compliment to the salty and savory food. Make sure you end your meal with a mango lassi, too; they have the best I've ever drank. They tend to be rather slow in cooking the food, so I definitely recommend calling your order in and picking it up. A true hidden gem in Bucks county.", "timestamp": "2011-09-23T01:47:19" }, { "business_id": "zJoT9gFvGtZAhbdcIF4Xmw", "business_name": "Buffalo Wild Wings", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, the food here was horrible!!!! The fries were rubbery and chewy, they shorted me some chicken strips in my almost $10 meal of thinly sliced tough and chewy grilled chicken strips, and the sauces were incredibly salty and gross. I also had a side salad which was wilted and brown. I will never patronize here again; what a terrible food experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-18T16:54:29" }, { "business_id": "aunmz06iWvo3bd6MMHEbqg", "business_name": "Rivers Casino Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh Sugarhouse is definitely not sweet. The casino is rather small and the lack of a variety of food choices is a turn off. There's a fast food type eatery and a bar with typical bar food. Every single slot machine is electronic which takes away from the Vegas styling in my opinion. I'd much rather go to Parx if I want to gamble in the Philly area. The lovely view of the green Delaware River doesn't score it any points either.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:47:52" }, { "business_id": "zKOFqb0RyrnY9t02f0QFTQ", "business_name": "Fritz's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing to say about Fritz's other than everything is out of this world. The sticky buns are delectable, the cinnamon rolls are incredible (and not to mention the size of a small baby) and the peanut butter brownies are perfection. I can't come in here anymore because I always walk out with at least 3 or 4 sweets. It's one of the best bakeries I've ever been to that serves quality old fashioned sweets without resorting to the modern day ' boutique' styling of a lot of bakeries around.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:49:51" }, { "business_id": "LR4aKXyxN-a8WTgQ1o9hBA", "business_name": "Bistro at Cherry Hill", "rating": 1, "text": "The food here is terrible!!! I ordered a salad and it was wilted, brown and believe it or not, some of the lettuce was frozen. The staff were really rude, and when I complained to the manager named John, he told me the food was \"fine\" and refused to swap my salad out for another entree or credit the meal. What a horrible experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:50:23" }, { "business_id": "8mwV72Ro56pN6nbqAojaKg", "business_name": "Chef Chun Chinese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Chef Chun has some of the most amazing Chinese food in south Jersey. The shrimp wonton soup is spectacular; the wontons are so fresh and the broth is perfect! Keep in mind that they're closed on Monday.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:53:33" }, { "business_id": "whmn0dUpEb2NbmpVF2Xxcw", "business_name": "Shady Brook Farm", "rating": 4, "text": "Shady Brook is a great little farm, market, pick your own and winery in Yardley. The ice cream shop inside has some of the most amazing home made ice cream I've ever had, but I haven't eaten any of their prepared foods so I can't speak to the quality of those products. As with most places in the Yardley/Newtown area, they tend to be rather overpriced, but it's a great places to take the family on a Saturday afternoon in the fall for pumpkin picking and hot cocoa.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:00:53" }, { "business_id": "HkL-EWa39zm93SEAx4xXXA", "business_name": "Styer Orchard", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Syter Orchard!!!! They have the most extensive selection of pick your own fruits and veggies that I've ever seen. Something about harvesting your own crop really makes cooking/eating them worthwhile. In the fall, they have pick your own pumpkins and apples, which I love! The prices are incredibly cheap for pick your own too (obviously there are no labor costs for the farm staff for picking), and it's just plain fun! I can't wait until next fall when our son is old enough to go on the hayride to pick his own pumpkin! They can get pretty crowded on a weekend afternoon with families and children, so be prepared!", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:06:04" }, { "business_id": "cTra1xx8NBSp_x7IFi7qXw", "business_name": "Muscle Maker Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Muscle Maker is amazing!! It's such a shame that this one isn't closer, but I stop here every time I visit my mom in Turnersville. The concept is great, seeing as how I try to watch my calorie/fat intake, so it's right up my alley. One would think that the food would be drab and bland as most low fat/fat free foods are, but it's not. The southwest wrap is a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures, from spicy to creamy to crunchy to a hint of sweetness. Rumor has it that they're putting one in Langhorne in the Redner's shopping center which is both a wonderful and dangerous thing (dangerous for me as now it'll only be 5 minutes away instead of 50!)", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T15:22:55" }, { "business_id": "w4_14pVOLW2Tdm9LTczORg", "business_name": "Corner Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is delicious! I have only eaten breakfast and salads (for lunch) here, so I can't comment on the pastas/sandwiches. However, the salads are delicious and the swiss chilled oatmeal is AMAZING!!!!! The baked goods look divine, too, but I've never indulged in them. During breakfast and lunchtime, they tend to be very crowded, but they are really speedy in delivering food to you. The only reason I gave it four stars is because the prices are slightly high for the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:17:34" }, { "business_id": "Rw2Aw3vyj09BLyKfz-V8fw", "business_name": "Tony Roni's", "rating": 2, "text": "The pizza here is subpar; it's nothing to write home about. Pizza here is always excessively greasy, regardless of what kind you get. The slices are rather large, which I'm sure is an attempt to make up for the subpar food. This place is definitely not on the top of my list of pizza places in Willow Grove.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:20:50" }, { "business_id": "nt5wkQvL3UGT1LDTSAHMDA", "business_name": "The Fresh Market", "rating": 3, "text": "Think a more expensive version of Whole Foods when shopping at Fresh Market ($8.00 for a pound of cut up fruit is insanity) Now, I realize they're all about organic/vegan/gluten free, but boy oh boy, are their prices outrageous. They do have an extremely unique and varied selection of products, but I would never do my weekly grocery shopping here. Their sushi is very delicious, and is extremely reasonably priced, though. They also have really good prepared foods in the deli case.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:02:49" }, { "business_id": "ZSJhSNJrZGDRS5Ef7ivnzA", "business_name": "Koba", "rating": 2, "text": "The quality of this restaurant has gone way downhill since ownership changed hands. We used to travel from lower Bucks county to come here when it was Young Bin Kwan, but have not been back here (nor will we be) since our first try under new ownership. We took a friend from out of town here, raving about this delicious Korean buffet in Jenkintown, thinking it was still YBK; yet we were extremely embarrassed with our dinner reccommendation once we left. The banchan was horrible, and there wasn't very much of it (YBK had at least 8 different banchan on the buffet). The meat was of poor quality, and the staff let some pans sit without meat in them for our entire meal (which is a shame for me because I don't eat beef, and they never refilled the chicken). It's such a shame that this place is under new ownership because it was one of the only Korean buffets around in the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:08:50" }, { "business_id": "At6iwGTy6bDxc7PUEOTvQw", "business_name": "Jake's Wayback Burgers", "rating": 2, "text": "I went here for lunch one day but was really disappointed that the own manager didn't know about the meat there. I wanted a turkey burger as I don't eat beef and asked the fat percentage of the ground turkey (I have a sensitive stomach and can only eat 90/10 or higher and the manager was clueless. He even brought the box of frozen meat out which didn't have the percentage of fat on it either. With that I walked out. They know the fat percentage of all the beef they serve, so why should the turkey be any different?", "timestamp": "2011-12-18T00:16:09" }, { "business_id": "eMiN8nm70jjKg8izikVWDA", "business_name": "Chickie's & Pete's", "rating": 3, "text": "Chickie's and Pete's is ok; there's really nothing remarkable about the place. The mussels in red sauce are really good, though; the red sauce is a nice combo of garlicky and sweet at the same time, so it has kind of a unique flavor. The tomato pie is really good as well. Meh to the fries; they're really nothing special. If you've had them once, you don't need to have them again; they're fries. The service has got to be the slowest and most jumbled restaurant service I've ever seen, though; our table had food coming out at various times (non apps), and each item was expedited by a different person. The atmosphere in the dining section (separate from the bar) is so loud that you can't hear yourself think. If you want decent food, slow service and a mediocre sports bar, then Chickie's is for you.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:25:47" }, { "business_id": "HpLIHgoz3XPTyol5tKKb_w", "business_name": "Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Update to my original: I really wanted to like this place, but I just can't! The sushi was still subpar and way overpriced; it didn't have much in the way of flavor and was really just blah. The service is obnoxiously slow (think 15 minutes for drinks), the place is the loudest restaurant I've ever been in, and perhaps the most bothersome part of the entire meal was being sat next to the birthday gong which rang at least 10 times during our meal. A hibachi meal for three took almost two hours from start to finish, which is ridiculous. We gave it a shot a second time and were sorely disappointed again. Arirang, you fail yet again.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:35:46" }, { "business_id": "1Lr4sdFV9c1-W3R2D_zV4w", "business_name": "Mirch Masasla", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm giving MM two stars because their hours are downright AWFUL. Twice, I've gone here after 12:00pm for their lunch buffet (which is incredible) yet they weren't open when their hours clearly state 12 is the opening time. It really irks me when a restaurant can't even keep up on their hours.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:22:15" }, { "business_id": "WWO34S7RwBWlsjJEYuTAaw", "business_name": "Indian Hut-Bensalem", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is downright awful. Think greasy, overpriced, and underportioned. They claim to be known for their cakes and curry, but their curry is incredibly spicy (Even when asking for it relatively mild) and their cakes remind me of the cheap, generic Chinese buffet cakes. The service was also very slow; it took over 1/2 hour to get a curry chicken and a cake, and there was one other person in the store. Avoid this place.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:24:56" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 5, "text": "The donuts here are one thing, but holy moly, the chicken is out of this world. We got the honey ginger, coconut curry and za'atar and each flavor was incredible. You could easily distinguish the various seasonings in each flavor, too. The chicken is double fried which made it so crispy but still allows it to maintain its juiciness. My only complaint is that I wish there was more seasoning on the chicken, but other than that, it was pure perfection.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:46:52" }, { "business_id": "qETpOF88MbmtSyOWEDaD_A", "business_name": "Duross & Langel", "rating": 5, "text": "The soap here is incredible!!! The staff was very kind and friendly, and helped us pick out the best scents. The black pepper doesn't smell like black pepper in the least, but the scent is one of the most perfect scents I have ever smelled. I was so overwhelmed with soap that I didn't even have a chance to check out the other items such as lotions, oils, deodorants, and even baby products! They're rather expensive, though (think $5 for a 1/2 bar) but the scents are so amazing that they're worth the splurge.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:50:37" }, { "business_id": "6DFobber72AV0mnBV5KeQQ", "business_name": "Anne's Kitchen Table", "rating": 1, "text": "I was SORELY disappointed with Anne's. I take reviews on yelp very seriously, and usually get what's recommended in 5 star reviews, so here was no different. I ordered an asian wrap with noodles for takeout, and was really excited to try it as it smelled delicious! Well, I opened the paper to discover both covers SOAKED in sauce, which normally wouldn't be an issue, except the sauce was mostly oil. The entire outside of the wrap was soaked with oily sauce as well. I took one bite and couldn't eat anymore of the wrap because it was so oily. It was such a shame because the veggies seemed incredibly fresh and delectable, but again, the sauce was so oily I couldn't eat my lunch.", "timestamp": "2012-04-10T23:10:49" }, { "business_id": "0R2yKDNMUztQwgo8pG4z-Q", "business_name": "Triumph Brewing Company", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't speak for the food here, but the beer is delicious! I love how they offer a sampler of their beers (a full mini glass of each, 9 total) for $12! I was pleasantly surprised by the belgian somethin else and the black lager, both of which were incredible! What a great way to get a good buzz off of some really delicious beers.", "timestamp": "2012-04-24T00:03:43" }, { "business_id": "oBNrLz4EDhiscSlbOl8uAw", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper - New Orleans", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't too impressed with the food here. I was really excited to try their breakfast, but honestly, it was nothing special. I had the carrot cake pancakes (A special), brother had the bananas foster pain and hubby the original french toast. The pancakes were ok, nice and fluffy, however, they overloaded them with cream cheese icing, so that was the predominant taste. The bananas foster pain wasn't that good either; the foster sauce was overcooked so it tasted burnt and the french toast was too hard. The really disappointing part was that they had the same specials all week so there was never an opportunity to try any of their other famed specials.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:25:45" }, { "business_id": "9DEHXZfOO1kY_be0nRK-ng", "business_name": "Philly Steak & Gyro", "rating": 1, "text": "This place is gross. I was going to get breakfast here the other day before a long flight until I saw that the fryer hadn't been cleaned since what seemed like 1970 and the employees were handling food without gloves on. Ick ick ick!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:26:02" }, { "business_id": "D3QVe8AXcEJOFg5GItUPtg", "business_name": "Pelham Hotel", "rating": 2, "text": "The location was phenomenal, however, the hotel was rather dire. Our room was on the 4th floor and it had no windows, so it was always dark. Every time we got on the left elevator to go from the first to the fourth floor, I thought we were going to drop down the shaft as it jolted at the floor before the door opened. I thought I was riding the Tower of Terror at Disney! The beds were incredibly uncomfortable, the wallpaper was peeling, and the shower was AWFUL. Free wifi for guests was great, though! Most of the staff were incredibly knowledgeable about directions/food/attractions, however, the one young lady working during the day had no clue where anything was or how to get anywhere. Really!? I wasn't expecting the Waldorf but you get what you pay for, so I didn't expect much. If they remodeled and modernized, it'd be a fab hotel!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:33:03" }, { "business_id": "agK5cXwnBQozM2M-5kLvzw", "business_name": "Red Gravy", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVED this place, and am really sad that I'll never get to eat here again! What an amazing find, away from all of the hustle and bustle of the busiest places in NOLA. The food was so incredible that we ate here for breakfast three days in a row. They do, however, serve lunch too but not dinner. I had the oatmeal each day, which was a huge bowl of homemade oatmeal with fresh fruit and freshly made granola. It was incredible! My husband got the french toast each day because it was simply that good. I tasted a little bit of my brother's entrees each day and everything was phenomenal (the cannoli pancakes, the Debra sandwich and their specialty omelet (with gravy, meatballs and ricotta). The best part of this place is that the owner is from Jersey, so her Italian cooking is spot on. I'm sure their lunches are just as amazing as their breakfasts.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:37:49" }, { "business_id": "n_fUROdhfmLwd_mpBi55ew", "business_name": "Central Grocery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Muffuletta oh muffuletta, THANKFULLY you are not a staple sandwich of my home city. Being an Italian from Philadelphia, my expectations of an Italian sandwich are incredibly high, so I was really excited to see if the muffuletta lived up to my high Italian sandwich standards, Well, we have a winner!!! The grocery part of the store has some really funky old Italian groceries, but the sandwich shoppe is where it's at. Don't expect much from here other than ordering your slice of heaven, sitting at the dingy tables and experiencing pure sandwich perfection. You can feed an entire family of four with a whole, too. The bread was so soft and delicious, and was the perfect ratio for the innards of the sandwich. The Italian meats and extra sharp provolone rivaled any of the best in Philly, and the olive salad, well, holy crap, it was amazing!!!! It was a little salty, but I was willing to overlook that because it was so delicious (and I HATE olives, so I was shocked when I actually went and purchased an entire 16oz jar to take home with me). I was blown away by the muffuletta!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:15:00" }, { "business_id": "QdER5KjucCVtOXdU1g7kpA", "business_name": "Pepper Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "This place was incredibly cool!! I have never seen so many hot sauces, salsas and seasonings in one location ever. They have their own line of sauces/seasonings/salsas they make and sell, so everything is homemade and genuine. The employees are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and will go out of their way to help. The best part is that you can sample an incredible number of their products so you can know what everything tastes like. Winners are: sweet potato butter, ALL of their rubs and the pineapple salsa. I wish there was a place like this in Philly.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:18:27" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Dingy, dark and off the map bars always have the best food, and here was no exception. We waited about 1/2 hour and I'd gladly wait another hour to eat this food. The jambalaya and red beans and rice were phenomenal; what an amazing explosion of flavor! The fried chicken was ok, nothing too spectacular. They have a sampler platter so you can get a little bit of everything that they have to offer. What a great way to experience true New Orleans food!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:21:22" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 4, "text": "All we did here was drink, and we did that A LOT! The mint juleps were great! The hurricane was a little too sweet for my liking, but it did the job in getting me buzzed. I only drank one because it was the raved about drink in NOLA. The courtyard was a really cool and relaxing way to enjoy some drinks and do some people watching.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:54:26" }, { "business_id": "EMfJpVozzk238AM51H18Dw", "business_name": "Meltdown", "rating": 5, "text": "Sheer, sheer perfection. We were walking around the French Quarter and saw three people with these scrumptious looking popsicles and we knew instantaneously we had to fine the place that sold them. We yelped them and it turned out that they were closed, but we were so determined to get these yummy popsicles that we came back the next day. One bite and we realized that we had made the right decision. The pineapple cilantro pop was so flavorful and refreshing that we went and got another for the walk back to the hotel. The salted caramel was an out of this world flavor experience. It was creamy, refreshing, sweet, salty and hands down the best ice cream treat I've ever had. Whoever makes these pops needs to go into business nationally IMMEDIATELY and sell these babies!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:05:08" }, { "business_id": "u7uFQCoHFtBKCtbWUm6yZw", "business_name": "Emeril's ", "rating": 4, "text": "Emeril's is the #3 dining experience I've had in my life. The atmosphere is incredible, but the food is even more incredible. I had the BBQ shrimp and a salad as my entree (I was too full from lunch), my brother had the double cut pork chop and my hubby had the chicken. Everything was spot on, flavorful and perfect, except the time it took to get our meals (think an hour after ordering, which is unacceptable in a place like this; I've eaten at places like Emeril's all over the country and have never had entrees take this long to come out). The servers never let our water get down to 3/4 full and were always attentive to what we wanted or needed. The desserts were incredible too. The banana cream pie was incredible (but wasn't life changing) and the chocolate peanut butter pie was superb. All in all, the best dining experience we had in NOLA.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:12:42" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Cochon how I wanted to LOVE you but I just can't. We went all out and got a few small plates and some entrees so we could experience it all, so I'll break down each one. Wood fried oyster roast- INCREDIBLE!!!! That's all. I wanted to eat 5 more of these plates. Fried boudin- Ok; flavors were really good but they were fried too long so they were slightly too oily. Smoked pork ribs- Ick, these were terrible. They were swimming in their own grease and were chewy and not at all tender (and my family owns BBQ joints) Pork cheeks-These were delish!! The meat was so tender and the flavors were incredible! Mushroom salad- Yummy, but the dried lemon slices were extremely bitter, so I had to pick them out of the salad before I finished. This is where the yumminess stopped, in my opinion. The cochon was the best entree, but it wasn't nearly as good as I had expected it to be. It seemed like glorified pulled pork to me. The brisket was not very good; the meat was really tough and chewy, but the horseradish potato salad was pretty good. I had a chicken dish which was extremely overcooked, oily and dry, and the accompaniments (minted peas and other veggies) were cold. The staff were great, though, and were really thorough, but my expectations were definitely not met here. I was pretty disappointed with my meal with the exceptions of a few gems explained above.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:29:00" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 5, "text": "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, oh boy!!!!!!! I am a sweets fanatic so I was really excited to stop by here and get a few things. The macaroons were wonderful; perfect filling to cookie ratio and the flavors were great. The gelato was incredible, too; creamy, well flavored and delicious. They're more than willing to give samples out (each of us got a whole macaroon!) and a bunch of gelato samples which is great for people as indecisive as my family. We took home some marshmallows which are divine and a great memory of the deliciousness of Sucre. I just wish I could've had one of everything!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:32:49" }, { "business_id": "vN6v8m4DO45Z4pp8yxxF_w", "business_name": "Surrey's Café & Juice Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "We didn't eat here, so I can't speak to the food, but the juice was great. We got a mango-carrot-pineapple juice to go, which was really pricey (5.25!!!) which is why I knocked a star off, but the juice was really yummy and refreshing for a hot New Orleans day. The atmosphere and location of this place is really cool, too.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:35:06" }, { "business_id": "_ab50qdWOk0DdB6XOrBitw", "business_name": "Acme Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "What a great way to experience NOLA cuisine on our first day in town. We stopped by after a long day of traveling and were seated immediately (it was a Monday at 3:00pm), but it was still rather crowded. We got our food very quickly, and I'm glad we did because everything was incredible! Three of us devoured our boo fries in about 5 minutes (DELISH!), and my brother and I were fortunate enough to have ordered the chargrilled oysters (over the raw) to split. They were INCREDIBLE!! The garlic and cheese were an excellent combo and made for some incredibly happy foodies! We were so blown away that we ordered another dozen. I was really happy we decided to go here over Felix's as everything was so good!!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:31:47" }, { "business_id": "UH87t9fT_oTLMZfr5iCbQg", "business_name": "Tropical Isle", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh hand grenade, you were my go to drink in NOLA!!! I must've drank at least 6 during our 4 day stay here. They were cold, refreshing and full of alcohol, so what's not to love??!!! I'm sure the TSA loved seeing the multitude of hand grenade cups stuffed in our suitcases!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:34:12" }, { "business_id": "0eP5RJNSsSYdPvUY3ZbTvw", "business_name": "Cat's Meow", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, so the place is a little divey (think dirty old men and drunk college guys tossing beads to girls cruising Bourbon St), but it was always happening. I did quite a few karaoke songs here, and each time I sang, it was just a blast. It's a great place to watch the liquor overtake people's inhibitions. Drinks are expensive, though ($6 for a domestic bottle) so drink a lot beforehand.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:26:17" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "We stopped in here after a not so great experience at Cochon but we were blown away by the butcher. The atmosphere is incredible; great ambient lighting, awesome decor, and the best part: the curing meat display! We didn't get anything to eat here because we just had dinner, but everything smelled incredible. We got some bacon chocolate covered almonds and they were such a new and different flavor experience, but they were phenomenal! We also got a sweet potato habenero sauce to take home because it was so delicious! I'm really disappointed that we didn't get to eat here, but the sights and smells were enough to please me!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:51:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 5, "text": "When I travel, I really enjoy going to the local supermarket (call me strange, but I find it a really cool way to experience local food finds). I'm really glad we walked over here because this was one of the coolest markets I've ever been to! Unlike the northeast, there was liquor here (hey, gotta grab a bottle of vino with your lunch!), and their cafe section was immense! They have every type of prepared food imaginable, and their meat/deli/bakery was great! They are pricey, but it was worth the trip to check out a really cool local market.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:56:51" }, { "business_id": "krCwF4raTYvBcCEwcbA88Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Mills", "rating": 2, "text": "The only stores worth shopping in here are the Off 5th and Last Call Neiman Marcus. Most of the stores are not name brand, and the mall itself it just filthy. Thankfully, Saks and Neiman both have entrances that don't require entrance into the mall.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T12:36:27" }, { "business_id": "11qwVOxX-Z0bWAnfpVLnlw", "business_name": "Mike Serio's Poboys", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted a true, genuine po'boy but didn't want to go too far, so I took the hotel concierge's advice and went here. I wanted a 1/2 shrimp and 1/2 oyster, which wasn't on the menu, so it cost $13! When the sandwich came out, it was rather small, and the shrimp were wayyyyy too little (think shrimp salad sized shrimp). The fried oysters were pretty good, as was the bread, but overall, I was generally disappointed. I don't mind paying that much for a delish po'boy (Johnny's!), but was really upset that the subpar one I had here costs that much. Just walk the extra 1/2 mile to Johnny's.", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:51:11" }, { "business_id": "Eb1XmmLWyt_way5NNZ7-Pw", "business_name": "Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport MSY", "rating": 3, "text": "Ick, this is one of the most aestetically unpleasing airports I've ever been to. Granted, things ran rather smoothly, but when I'm sitting in a gate for a few hours, I don't want to see stained carpet, torn seats and spiders crawling on the walls. There also was an overabundance of unused space here (think gates with no chairs, no ticket booths, etc) which was rather strange. I was also disappointed with the food choices (or lack thereof) in my terminal, too. The secutiry line ran pretty quickly, too, although anything is a significant improvement over the 90 minute long like I had to wait in at Philly to get here. The one positive was that in the 5 minute walk to the baggage terminal, our bags were already out on the roundabout!!! I was amazed! Staff here are really great, too!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:54:06" }, { "business_id": "FDx_EgHcBvIRGH4UlyuNCA", "business_name": "Pinkberry", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really excited to see Pinkberry within very close proximity to my hoteI, but wasn't sure if I wanted to try them due to their hype and trendiness. However, my brother swore it was some of the best froyo he's ever had in his life, so I was convinced to try them. The store is really chic and modern, and had a really cool vibe for such a small place. We got mango and pom together (reccommended by the staff) and it was such a refreshing treat on such a hot day. The yogurt was very creamy and just the right consistency, too. Although we didn't get toppings, I really liked the idea of paying one price for a yogurt with \"as many toppings as will fit\" rather than paying per ounce. I just wish they would open a store in the Philly area!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:59:52" }, { "business_id": "GJI1ITRdwr6Ov3GVKOTZcQ", "business_name": "Hong Luck Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is interesting to say the least. The outside looks like an old 70's diner, so it's slightly off putting when you pull up to the restaurant. Upon walking into here my brain immediately breaks into the Spongebob Squarepants theme song (think tiki huts, blowfish light fixtures, bamboo everywhere)! I have never, ever, EVER in my life been in a restaurant as tacky looking as this, and they really do deserve a decor makeover by Robert Irvine. However, despite their gaudy decor, they have incredible food! The curry chicken was incredible; the flavors were incredible, although it was a little too salty. The garlic boneless spareribs are out of this world; they're the perfect combination of sweet and salty. The portions are huge and the prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. This restaurant serves the best Chinese food in Levittown, so it's definitely worth overlooking the horrible decor for some delicious food.", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T01:46:30" }, { "business_id": "vFifkrt8fU4k31NrQF-KnA", "business_name": "Giant Food Store", "rating": 5, "text": "This market is one of the best I've ever been too! They have an incredible assortment of freshly prepared foods of all varieties (Chinese, paninis, sandwiches, coffee shop, pizzas, etc) but the clear prepared food winner here is the fresh made salad section. The salad is always huge, and the best part is that you can have your salad made by one of the employees rather than settling for one in the cold case that was made at 8am. You can also customize what you want in your salad, so you're not limited if you have an allergy or just don't like something. The other sections of the store are great; they have a wonderful organic section and some great bulk products. This a great option that is much better than Saladworks, and every week, they offer a different salad on sale for around $5.99. One of the coolest parts of this market is that they have a cooking school inside, with some free classes (others you may have to pay $15-20 for) but they have a full kitchen inside the \"Cooking school\" where you not only learn to prepare a meal, but you can actually prepare it yourself. They also have a nutritionist on staff that teaches specialty cooking classes, such as low sodium or low fat cooking. They even go so far as to offer classes for seniors and kids! Everything here makes this one truly unique and even exciting shopping opportunity!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T16:23:58" }, { "business_id": "1e1qCk-tKAkFn-or-o-h0A", "business_name": "Sammy Chon's KTown BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is just as good as the store in Cherry Hill, so each time we decide to hit up Sam for Korean, we're coming here (no more trips over the Walt for yummy Korean food!) ! Sam was the first person to introduce my family and I to Korean food, so we're faithful to him 'till the end. The soy and honey sesame wings are incredible; they're so crispy and flavorful, yet not greasy at all. They're highly addictive, so I recommend only getting 4 because you will have no room left for your dinner if you get 10. I absolutely LOVE the banchan; each time you go, there is an array of about 8 banchan, each different at every trip to the restaurant. I always get the same thing when we eat at Sammy's, which is the soon dubu stew, spicy 3.5 stars with spicy pork. It's a soft tofu cooked in a spicy (as spicy as you want, but be warned, anything above a 4 will make your eyes tear up!) broth with meat of your choice. It's probably unlike any other food you've ever eaten, so make sure you try it because there is no comparison to anything if you haven't had Korean food before. It comes out in a hot pot so it's always EXTREMELY hot. I always ask for a glass of ice to put in the stew to cool it down because I've made the mistake of burning my mouth on soon dubu one time too many. This location serves alcohol, and we were recommended a mango flavored Korean drink. I thought we each were getting a glass, but boy was I wrong; we got a carafe!!! The drink was delicious! It was cool and refreshing, and ended up being the perfect compliment to our hot (both in temperature and spice) meals. My husband always gets the LA kalbi (marinated short ribs) which he swears by and wishes he could eat on a daily basis. Everything Sam makes is incredible! If you're a newbie to Korean food, definitely come here with an open mind and be willing to try something new and possible off the cusp than what you'd normally eat. Trust me, you'll be pleasantly surprised!", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:19:19" }, { "business_id": "ssr49VxAlvrBo7F7izQvXA", "business_name": "The Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "I love love love The Pub. Eating here will make you feel like you're dining at the Renaissance faire (just hand me a turkey leg and a velvet dress and you're good to go!) but the food is great. They have some delicious selections on their salad bar, with my favorite being the zucchini bread. They have some of the best crab cakes I've ever eaten, too. Whether you're a seafood lover like I am, or a pure carnivore like my husband (who highly recommends the 26oz porterhouse), you'll find something delicious and quite large to eat. The portions are enough to feed you for two days, so be prepared to take home some of your meal. The only thing I don't like about the place is you dine extremely close to your neighbors, but I guess it's all part of the experience.", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:20:40" }, { "business_id": "t-QoyFuiNKPOioysQx2qHA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "This location is probably one of the smallest Whole Foods I've ever been in, but they have an immense selection of products that are unique and hard to find. They have a mind blowing selection of natural, organic, and vegan makeup/lotions/etc., which is great. Their bakery is rather small, but they have some of the most delicious desserts and baked goods ever!!! DEFINITELY make sure you get some seeduction ROLLS (the loaf is amazing, but the rolls are much better) to take home with you. The awesome part of the bread bakery is that you can get a 1/2 loaf of bread (which is great for my family because I'm the only one that eats the unique breads they have, so nothing goes to waste. I also love their bulk section because you can get just what you need weight-wise of some really different and unique grains. They have an amazing selection of cold prepared foods in the deli case, with some great vegan and vegetarian choices. They also have a wonderful salad bar with some deliciously healthy selections. The even package some of their best products in ready to go containers so you can take them home with you. They also have a wonderful meat selection, with a significant amount of \"green\" meat (grass fed, no antibiotcs, etc). The produce selection is vast and truly unique; I've seen some really weird fruits and veggies that I've never seen before here. Be prepared as their prices are high, but you're getting good quality, healthy food, so it's well worth it.", "timestamp": "2012-06-02T01:04:03" }, { "business_id": "VVH6k9-ycttH3TV_lk5WfQ", "business_name": "Willie Mae's Scotch House", "rating": 4, "text": "Off in the land of the 7th ward in what is a pretty rough looking neighborhood, stands Willie Mae's. We took our awesome scooters here (thankfully, as it's not within walking distance from the French Quarter) and were prepared for some fried chicken goodness. I'm NOT a big fried foods person, so I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it here, but I was wrong. The restaurant is pretty much off the beaten path, but I've learned in my travels that some of the most amazing places are. The place is nothing spectacular inside, but it was really cool to read the various articles from magazines the restaurant was featured in. We reviewed our short menu and decided on nothing other than the fried chicken platter and some cornbread. Out sides were brought out along with our chicken after a relatively short wait, and we dug in. The chicken was placed on a big platter in the middle of the table, so it was like a chicken free for all at the table. The sides were HUGE, and looked delicious. I was really thrilled when the red beans and rice tasted as good as they looked, but I was slightly disappointed in the green beans. The red beans were incredible; they were slightly smoky and somewhat spicy, and were perfect! After I downed the whole bowl, it was time to tackle the chicken mountain. I broke off a piece of the breading to taste just that, and holy crap, it was delicious!!!! It was greasy (of course!), but was so delicious that I found myself scouring the crunchy pieces of the batter off of the bottom of the plate!! Once I finally got to the chicken, I was very impressed. The chicken was so moist and tender, and was some of the best chicken I had ever eaten. The combination of the deliciously crunchy, spicy batter and the moist, tender chicken made for a wonderful chicken experience. I felt like an authentic NOLA citizen while eating here. Like I said earlier, I'm not a fan of fried foods, but I was definitely a fan of Willie Mae's.", "timestamp": "2012-06-03T00:27:17" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "Jules is delicious!!! They have some amazingly creative pizza creations, and it's extra yummy because the thin crust allows you to really taste the flavors of the pizzas. They use organic and local veggies, hormone free meats and they combine flavors really well. The winners are (I can't remember the names) the greek pizza, the chicken with cilantro pizza, and the potato topped pizza. Be sure to check in on foursquare for a free slice with check in.", "timestamp": "2012-10-18T21:19:58" }, { "business_id": "iD25g7vUG3asELjXtMGF9w", "business_name": "Taqueria del Sol", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is all I can say for TDS. The restaurant itself is just cold.... not literally, but figuratively. There was no decor, no menu boards, stainless steel prep tables as dining tables, no soda machines, staff EVERYWHERE with no identification (shirts, nametags, etc). The food is reasonably priced and most of it was quite good, but what really irked my party was the fact that they charge for extra salsa!!! We ordered a salsa trio (which included 3 samples of the various salsas, in 2oz glass prep bowls), and when my brother asked for more salsa for his tacos (mind you, we ordered one of ever taco, three burritos and guacamole), he was told he'd have to buy the trio again! Really!!??? We spent over $40 on food, drinks and apps, too. Even though the food was decent, I wouldn't return as the atmosphere is just blah and you can't get extra salsa for your damn tacos!", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:14:36" }, { "business_id": "tpDJ0vOYiBLxMqtGvhBSmw", "business_name": "Top It Frozen Yogurt Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Top It is wonderful! They're your typical froyo place, but they have delicious and authentic flavors that vary daily and based on the season. They have nutritional info displayed for all to see, so you can know exactly what you're eating. They also have a ton of different and unique toppings. If you check in via yelp on your smartphone, you get 20% off which is a great incentive to come here (in addition to the yummy yogurt!!!). Don't forget to join their email list; they frequently send coupons out via email.", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:17:26" }, { "business_id": "knp4GbMlIQZAppyEVnUkQg", "business_name": "Koja Grille", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow this place is NOT it. I should've known the experience was gonna be bad when the brought my take out order, which the waitress clearly marked to go, to me out on a plate. I'm someone who adores Korean food and was excited to try Koja out, but I should've just stuck to my regular Korean spots. The food was overpriced, completely non authentic (non grilled bulgogi with broccoli and carrots????), and subpar. The wings were soggy and although I ordered them mild, they were made spicy. The food here is equivalent to overpriced icky Chinese. I haven't been this disappointed with food in Philly for a very long time. To make matters worse, the staff was incredibly rude and snippy with me. With all of the amazing Korean places in Philly, I'm surprised they stay in business here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T02:02:04" }, { "business_id": "LcURr5CJT0Uo0H18l31qpg", "business_name": "The Lite Choice", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great yogurt place! I'm a big fan of froyo in general, so I was excited to try out a place that offered such decadence in yogurt. I had a fluffernutter yogurt and was so impressed that this yogurt was light! It had such great flavor and didn't have that weird aftertaste that some froyo has. The only downside was that the yogurt is pricey.", "timestamp": "2013-04-30T01:34:20" }, { "business_id": "by3Pd_qk6R9ik3C2Ng_-rg", "business_name": "Margaritas Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Eh, this place is not it. The service is incredibly slow, chaotic and messy. Apps came out literally 30 seconds before food which is a big no no. The portion of guacamole we had was laughably small; think the size of a single scoop of ice cream EVERYTHING was slathered in cheese, to the point where all you could taste was cheese. The margaritas were good, though, but that was after my server brought me the wrong flavor twice. The food here is definitely not worth the price; save a few bucks (hell, more than a few!) and get a much better and way more authentic meal at Cancun down the street.", "timestamp": "2013-06-23T03:16:59" }, { "business_id": "lakMZT5PYQltSOjGXWnJ0g", "business_name": "Lil' Pop Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "My gosh, the Popsicles here are amazing!!!!! I go once a week on my lunch break and get two Popsicles. The best flavors are the milk based ones...last week, I had a lemon blueberry buttermilk and it tasted like a frozen cheesecake! I also had a watermelon rhubarb which was ok. The coconut hibiscus is divine as well! What a gem in West Philly!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:42:55" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "omgee, this place is phenomenal! I came here on the recommendation of some coworkers and I'm glad I did! Their burritos are big enough to feed a small army,and their flavors are amazing. Both times I went, I had a chicken and sweet potato burrito and it was divine! The sweet potatoes are such a unique and flavorful addition to the burritos. I also loved how they put guac on all of their burritos. Honest Toms is quickly becoming a favorite lunch spotlight of mine in West!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:46:34" }, { "business_id": "U30ggGzFpXvc2NZYwOW3qg", "business_name": "Mood Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Jeez, where to begin with Mood???? I came here for lunch a few weeks ago with a coworker, and while he wasn't a fan (he's not as adventurous with food a I am), I loved it! If you're looking for your typical Indian food, skip here; if you want a flavor adventure that is unique and different, then this is your place. I had no clue what a chaat was until I came here, so the owner explained everything to me. The chaats here anew amazing; there are so many flavors, textures, colors, and unique ingredients that every bite is something different. They also have the best lassis I've ever had, and what makes them even better is the flavors! Skip the traditional mango (even though its awesome) and give fig a try. It was creamy, sweet perfection. I'm sure the food here isn't diet friendly, which is not good for me because its so close to work!!!!!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:53:14" }, { "business_id": "oGAnlXgorzsRqeA4S0UhlQ", "business_name": "Scappa Brick Oven Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "This place has some of the best Italian and pizza in Levittown. Everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. I really enjoyed their tomato pie; the sauce was a perfect combo of sweet and salty. All in all, a great place to grab a flavorful and well priced Italian meal.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:55:19" }, { "business_id": "hG1CdQIZGnHcYDdpNnVbSQ", "business_name": "My Little Kupkake", "rating": 1, "text": "Ick, I had a cupcake from here which I picked up from DIbrunos in the city, and I was not impressed. Im a cupcake fanatic, so I take cupcakes seriously!The cake itself was dry and dense, the icing was too sweet and there was entirely too much of it. If you're going to market and sell your cupcakes in another location, at least ensure they're good.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:57:54" }, { "business_id": "9OhPfV0C3Q49l5tSre2MuQ", "business_name": "Kabobeesh", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh lawd, Kabobeesh is incredible!!! I am so happy that this place is so close to where I work that I go here every Tuesday for lunch. For $10, you get an incredible amount of food that can feed you for days. I always am enticed by the kebobs in the case, which are always so fresh and flavorful. My favorite is the tandoori chicken, which is so moist, tender and flavorful that I'm drooling as I write this. They always have delicious sides and dishes besides the kebobs. I'm a huge fan of the yellow daal which is so perfectly seasoned and so flavorful. The homemade naan is to die for as well. The only downfall is that the service tends to be rather slow, but for food this awesome, it's worth the wait!!!", "timestamp": "2013-10-01T00:02:52" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. I was overhyped to try here, and was slightly disappointed. The place is incredibly small, and I knew it wasn't going to be the best dining experience when we were sat by the draft of the open door which rushed in the cold January air. Cocktail: the sgroppino was fabulous! The sorbet was so fresh and flavorful. Very string too! Apps: the garlic bread was yummy! Nothing phenomenal but good. The fig bruschetta was great too, but I wasn't a fan of how overwhelming the Gorgonzola was. It took away from the other flavors of the dish. The arancini were meh; rather bland and flavorless. It almost tasted frozen to me; it was definitely the loser of the night. The fresh mozzarella was the star of the night: creamy, salty, briney goodness. It literally melted in my mouth. We each had a pasta dish. The gnocchi were yummy; I loved the crunchiness that came from the pan sear. The fusili were ok; I'm just not a big fan of oily sauces. The spaghetti and meatballs were great, though. The portion was gigantic; however, I was a bit surprised that the meatball tasted more like hot Italian sausage than a classic meatball. The service was great, though. Our server was knowledgable, personable and friendly. I usually never leave a restaurant like this stuffed, but I felt like I was going to explode when we were done eating. $100 for three people including drinks is a great price, too. You really get a lot of food for a fair price. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I felt like the food here was oversold and under delivered. I guess I expected more from this empire (I could eat at Barbuzzo daily!) Would I return? Highly unlikely. There are just too many other choices in Philly which are equivalent in price that have much more to offer.", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:04:04" }, { "business_id": "UyTx6ci7ATsWco_mE4J8Jw", "business_name": "Pamcakes, a Philly Cupcakery", "rating": 2, "text": "I expected more from Pamcakes... I am a cupcake fiend. I make it a point to try as many cupcake places as I can in the city, and while I have tried many, I'm nowhere near trying them all. I also bake my own, so I'm always pumped to try new (to me) shops I went in on a Thursday around 1115 and no one was in the shop. The display was pretty meager; a few of this flavor, two of that one, etc, . I ordered a red velvet, lemon raspberry, triple chocolate and vanilla with buttercream. The red velvet was one of the best red velvet cupcakes I've ever had. The cream Cheese frosting was divine; light, fluffy and not overtly sweet. The lemon raspberry was fair; not good, not bad, just average. The triple chocolate was awful. The cake was dry and crumbly and the icing was way too sweet. The vanilla was bad too. Dry cake, bland frosting and extremely dense. The worst part of the experience was on three of the four cupcakes, the icing was hard and crunchy. I honestly thought they were yesterday's leftovers. They certainly didn't taste fresh. I was very disappointed with the cupcakes here. I expected so much more and was highly let down. Such a shame, too", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:17:37" }, { "business_id": "OxkdxarPVk_BNGDpllqiBA", "business_name": "Under the Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Under the Pier is a rather unassuming spot, but don't let the facade fool you. Actually, it's the epitome of duvet here, but who cares??!! The food here is great! Cheap, fresh, quick and delicious...what more could you ask for!? The fish is fresh, the batter is great and the prices are good. They have great \"chips\" too with their fish. I also loved the crab cake and clam cake, too. This place is definitely a hidden gem in Levittown .", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T02:29:59" }, { "business_id": "45ClmqPAagmNvdUojFULZA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 3, "text": "I noticed this place on a ride down Walnut for work. Definitely my kind of place, so I parked and stopped in. Think fast farm to table food. I loved how everything is locally sourced, organic, fresh and healthy. However, I did not love the price! When I paid for my seasonal salad and cucumber limeade (which was AMAZEBALLS), I ended up with a total of around $15!!! I have no problem paying higher prices for quality, but 15 bucks for a salad and a 16oz lemonade is just insanity in my opinion. The salad was good; definitely not worth the $11 it cost, though. I realize this is U City and they locally source everything, etc, but I simply would not return due to the prices (this is one of the main reasons I left a three star review. I know quailty ingredients come with a price, however, $15 is just far too much.", "timestamp": "2014-06-25T17:36:12" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 4, "text": "I was blown away by the food here and I didn't even eat in! My brother brought home take out which included the eggplant hummus and the brisket hummus, pita and saltim. While I don't eat red meat, I devoured the eggplant hummus and literally could not stop stuffing my face with the deliciousness that sat in that bowl. The hummus was so earthy and smoky and had such great flavor. The pita were amazing; even cold, they were incredible!!!!!! I simply cannot wait to try the food from here fresh. What an amazing place!!! Majestic, Zahav and chef Michael Solomon!!!!! A true gem!!!", "timestamp": "2014-09-27T00:59:15" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here on restaurant week and was very disappointed here. This was my first experience at a Garces restaurant, so I was really excited to eat here. Normally, I give yelp a lot of credit in helping me select where to eat, and I figured I'd try here despite (more than) a few wishy-washy review. For starters, the service here is awful. It took 20 minutes to even be asked for drinks and probably 15 people walked by us without acknowledging us, which normally would send me packing, but I was anticipating a great meal so I stuck it out. The menu was limited to only restaurant week selections which I'm never a fan of. We started with the fresh mozzarella which was the clear winner of the night; warm, briney, salty goodness. The second course was a micro green salad which was topped with such a bitter garlic oil they I could barely eat it. For my meal, I had the risotto with scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly, however they were so overly salty, I couldn't eat them. The risotto was a bit too al dente for my liking but it tasted OK. Overall, I was extremely disappointed in the experience here. I expect the utmost care, attention to service and food at restaurants like this, and I didn't get it. I will not be back.", "timestamp": "2014-09-28T13:12:12" } ]	{ "business_id": "O6hY9yenifuRXrpc4TfgsQ", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is awesome!!! We came on a Saturday night and the place was packed!!! For such an unassuming location, it was wall to wall people. The decor is rather gaudy; it reminds me of my grandma's country kitchen but it was an intimate ambiance. We ordered the blue moon and general tso wings, which were yummy! The general tso were sticky, sweet and a bit spicy, but the best part was the homemade wasabi Bleu cheese. Spot on!!! We also had the duck fat fries which were phenomenal!!! Salty, savory, cheesy, hand cut fries...everything just melted together for an amazing flavor experience!!! The original mac and cheese was ok; I'm not a fan of smoky cheeses in my mac and cheese, but it had a nice creamy consistency. I ordered a turkey burger for dinner which I was good. It was slightly dry, and it didn't come on a brioche bun as advertised but rather on a potato bun. I was a bit let down by that, but the burger was still good. We ended the night with a lemon scented cheesecake. Incredibly delicious!!! The crust had a bit of saltiness to it which complimented the sweet cheesecake and bitter lemon. All in all, this place is delicious! Don't let their boring strip mall outside deter you from the yumminess inside!!!", "timestamp": "2015-04-12T02:46:35" }
kHmXUEOAsIbguUrPoX6Tkg	[ { "business_id": "jXDr7IkNlkJGuQYzth9CMg", "business_name": "The New Il Mi Jung", "rating": 1, "text": "While the food is really great and delicious, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. The staff there neglected giving us the sides, did not offer us drink refills, and did not allow me to order BBQ since my husband ordered BBQ special (even though we've done it many times) (my husband gets special and I would get BBQ chicken). They know what we get, and would not allow us to order what we wanted. They were actually very rude to us tonight, and we were regulars, going 2-3x/month. After tonight, we will not be returning. They lost two regular customers due to rudeness and lack of acceptable service tonight. We'll be going to Myung Ga from now on.", "timestamp": "2009-10-10T02:54:00" }, { "business_id": "FJl6LCHbqiM9mvSwDjFAjw", "business_name": "Kim's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing!!! It's different than other Korean restaurants as they don't use gas for the grills, just hot coals. The banchan are AMAZING, and the meat portions are huge!!! They even have steamed egg!!! Highly recommended!!!! Korean food can be pretty pricey for the meat dishes, which is the case here, but it's worth it. Since it;s in Olney, I'll only go during daylight hours.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:06:32" }, { "business_id": "6sWAn5N1h5d4pd1hEu497A", "business_name": "Young Bin Kwan", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing! It's a full buffet of raw meat that you take yourself and grill at your table in the charcoal Korean grills. I highly recommend this place for Korean food newbies as you can really experience various meats without being committed to something you may not like. The banchan are amazing! So many choices!!!!!!! The whole place is amazing, and it's only $23/pp!!!! The little Korean ladies will help you out if you're a Korean BBQ newbie. Just keep in mind that it's at the bottom of an apartment complex, so it's relatively easy to miss. You WILL smell like you doused yourself in charcoal cologne though afterwards. It's not owned by the same people anymore, and the food has suffered since then.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:15:43" }, { "business_id": "-pyobEWdpZ6jUp42f3I2xw", "business_name": "Dolsot House", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is AMAZING!!! Although you can't cook your own meats here, it's well worth it! The portions are huge, and the prices are very reasonable! They'll refill your bancha if you like something a lot, and the owners are extremely helpful in helping decipher the menu. An absolute hit!!!! The soon tofu is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-09T17:49:23" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "Incredible food, incredible location (Capogiro right down the street for dessert!). The falaffel is so delicious, and their hummus is so smooth and creamy. I had my first falaffel here, and it was incredible. The ONLY complaint I have is that their hours are really funky. They're dirt cheap and always really busy. A real winner!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:06:20" }, { "business_id": "6JVHcQBnyA1DzK4z65cJSw", "business_name": "Falafel Factory", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was great!!! I love how they offer baked falafel. However, their pitas were definitely not homemade like they claimed to be. It's a good alternative if you can't make it to Mama's (hell, the cashier even said the owner goes to Mama's!!). All in all, good falafel.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:10:08" }, { "business_id": "ki0qSHmHNgUjKPRzYDTPow", "business_name": "The Pub 2900", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:24:39" }, { "business_id": "z5GlwQqwr4H8ruCjpnE_BA", "business_name": "Club House Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15. They're owned by the same company as Great American Diner Pub.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:25:22" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Alma de Cuba was delicious!!!! The ceviche is out of this world!!! My only two complaints were that my salmon was undercooked (still transparent in the middle) which really pissed me off because for $30 for a 4 oz portion of salmon, I really believe it should've been cooked to perfection the first time and they forgot one of the entrees in our order. However, the waitstaff was great in correcting the problems, and even offered us a complimentary meal the next time we came in. A great Cuban experience with yummy food!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:29:26" }, { "business_id": "gim0CxngZb6WKPu6BtfzWA", "business_name": "Food Castle Express", "rating": 5, "text": "Great food, and the staff is very helpful. The naan and roti are so delicious!!! The atmosphere is really nice, and the staff are really helpful in deciphering the menu. A hidden gem out of the ton of Indian restaurants in Bensalem.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:32:27" }, { "business_id": "7pwZZVVlYCxQvVdd8Q03wg", "business_name": "La Rosa Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best pizza places in Philadelphia. I've been coming here with my family since I was 5, and always stop by when I'm in South Philly. Prices are still really good!!! Get 1/2 red and 1/2 white for two amazingly delicious different pizza experiences! They don't take credit cards, and they have no seating inside.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:34:36" }, { "business_id": "GFbo0kqqDybKTPkRaJgGMQ", "business_name": "Tijuana Flats", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!! Some of the best take our mexican food I've ever had!!! They offer a power lite option (which is fat free sour cream and light cheese) so you can still get the gooey and creamy flavors of a delicious Mexican meal with reduced calories. Their sauce \"bar\" is phenomenal!! Literally 20 different hot sauces to choose from. Do not pass this place up!!! The atmosphere is really cool, too, with lots of autographed celebrity photos on the walls as well as funky Mexican/Spanish style decor. (They frequently have certificates on restaurant.com too!)", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:37:54" }, { "business_id": "jziliEq8Zum-EynD5v-Hvg", "business_name": "Chifa", "rating": 4, "text": "Service was great. The waitress was extremely helpful with explaining the menu and helping us choose our dinners. The food was good but the portions were small for the price, which is typical of tapas style. The rolls with the guava butter that they bring pre meal were amazing. The pork belly buns were so delicious that our party actually ordered two more orders!! The red curry was fab, but was too rich for me. The Peruvian ceviche with a side of crunchy corn thingies and crispy plantains was simply amazing!!!! Clean, citrusy, refreshing, just like good ceviche should be!! All in all, a great experience!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:42:53" }, { "business_id": "_wcOVX6PPvhXGMpUa2Ij8A", "business_name": "Melrose Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is not very deserving of 5 stars (think typical drab diner food), but the buttercream cake deserves 50 stars!!! The cake is SO moist and delicious, and the icing, oh my, has got to be the best buttercream icing I've ever eaten. Nothing beats stopping here after a night of boozing in the city to grab two slices of cake!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:37:08" }, { "business_id": "goI3MrJIPJxknQdKtFkkGw", "business_name": "Stoltzfus Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "The Amish market is awesome!!!! Their pretzels are out of this world, and they have a ton of really cool and interesting foods/products. The only downside is that they're only open Thurs-Sat, and their hours are weird. Their prices are very reasonable, and they have everything you could want: spices, meats, fruits, veggies, baked goods and even a restaurant!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:41:28" }, { "business_id": "wb_z1h7XR5IQhVRZHlMuLQ", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore Redstone! Their food is relatively simple in comparison to other restaurants in the price range, but boy oh boy it's yummy. Their mac and cheese is simply divine, and is made with 5 different cheeses. Their french fries are awesome, and they even handmake their ketchup!! A MUST HAVE while here is the StoliDoli, which is Stoli vodka that sits in a cored pineapple for ~1 week, then is served in a martini glass. Amazing!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:44:34" }, { "business_id": "0aflm9H-XNg8eUAoeWmh9Q", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about all I can say about here. WAY overpriced for underperforming food. Everything is SO high in calories and fat here that it's scary! Granted, they make the place look nice, but it's to compensate for their awful food.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:47:56" }, { "business_id": "-qk__vjJxfJrCWn3UaMv_Q", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory - Cherry Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing restaurant!!!! The menu is the longest one I've ever seen, so you'll definitely find something you like. The portions are mammoth, and will easily feed you for two days. The wait tends to be pretty long (gotta love the American desire for gluttony!), so get there early. All in all, a great place for date night or to take the family. The only downfall is that they do not accept reservations.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:50:38" }, { "business_id": "NDXH8dHdC8k2PrEEZPQBIg", "business_name": "Shogun Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Shogun!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. The decor is really nice inside, and it has a great atmosphere. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. The roll is that is wrapped with the yellow soy paper and topped with baked scallops is amazing!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:53:37" }, { "business_id": "9_V0SWbQPnZ0mR3kljXqBQ", "business_name": "Sakura Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Sakura!!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. THe $7.95 chicken hibachi special is SO large!! I'd definitely reccommend it!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:55:28" }, { "business_id": "MWel8zS7L7dzWC0_IY_Pzg", "business_name": "Mini Of The Main Line", "rating": 1, "text": "ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RUDE EMPLOYEES. They're only out to RIP PEOPLE OFF, and are extremely disrespectful and nasty. They NEVER return calls, and if they do, it's only to tell you that you need to put more money into a car that has more problems than a math book. Aviod this place like the plague, and head to Otto's in West Chester or Princeton Mini in NJ.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible is the only way to describe this place. I've taken many trips into the city just to get their gelato. The dark dark chocolate is my favorite!!! Tip: If you're interested in knowing their flavors, check their site. Be forewarned though, the gelato is rather pricey (~$6 for ~5 ounces) but it's definitely worth it as a treat!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:01:57" }, { "business_id": "JPfe9B-RLrE5Nz75kcKImQ", "business_name": "Govinda's Vegetarian", "rating": 5, "text": "Delish vegan/vegetarian food here!!! The 'chicken' cheesesteak is SO good!!!! You would have no idea it wasn't chicken if you didn't look at the cubes of textured soy protein. They do a beautiful job of seasoning their soy protein so it actually tastes better than the real thing! A winner!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:04:23" }, { "business_id": "EekwCjDqa9VT6Kq_aVE_0Q", "business_name": "Pho Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious pho and vietnamese cuisine!!! Their prices are extremely reasonable and their food is out of this world!!! The grilled pork banh mi (which is basically a grilled pork hoagie with cilantro, pickled dikon & carrots, cucumber, and some sauce. I also get hosin on the side)is delicious, and the cold Grilled Pork Spring rolls are divine!!! A must try in Bucks county!", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:38:03" }, { "business_id": "ytynqOUb3hjKeJfRj5Tshw", "business_name": "Reading Terminal Market", "rating": 5, "text": "An incredible place that is a must hit in Philly. Tons of food selections, most of which are very reasonably priced. DiNic's is a MUST try. Going on the weekends is a surefire way to ensure all vendors are open, but be prepared for it to be very crowded and hard to walk around.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:42:48" }, { "business_id": "RuuGJoMm2Y3wbLbPPHTvqw", "business_name": "Phily Diner & Sports Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about it for the place. The food is sub par, and they have terrible service, even when they're not busy. Their prices are reasonable, however, the food leaves a lot to be desired, and it's gotten worse since they changed to \"bar\" format. Skip this one.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T14:10:43" }, { "business_id": "T9n_LqUUhC2b1ALhg57Y5Q", "business_name": "Texas Roadhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Food is really good here, but they're very inconsistent. We typically order from here every week, and the food can be in a monstrous portion one week, then not enough to feed one person the next week. I love how they offer the veg place option, which allows you to choose 4 sides.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:08:47" }, { "business_id": "8CG5nPzDkMkQEsH1k_hdVA", "business_name": "Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious pizza here!!! The pizza was crispy and definitely coal fired. They're rather pricey for a pizza which is why I don't come here more often. If you want to try them out, go during lunch when you can get a personal pizza for ~$8.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:34:01" }, { "business_id": "8_n64z4tzSJXMK4fYPzxvw", "business_name": "Jay West", "rating": 5, "text": "I got my wedding dress here and never had any issues. They have gowns in all price ranges, and they carry all different designers. Their alterations are rather pricey, so be prepared to spend around an extra $250 for those. All in all, a great experience for purchasing my wedding gown.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:04:53" }, { "business_id": "aTpaOvF1FFGj8t_5U2_kHA", "business_name": "Produce Junction", "rating": 1, "text": "Fruit and veggies are cheap, however, I'll gladly pay an extra $1.00/lb for my apples to be treated like a human being. The staff are insanely rude and talk about you in Spanish while you're waiting in line. Avoid at all costs.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:10:43" }, { "business_id": "fQixVK0uar3ArJtNeug8nQ", "business_name": "Giant Food Stores", "rating": 4, "text": "Great market here. Tons and tons of selections, as well as cafe inside the store. Their natural/organic section is great! I only shop there for sale items because their regular priced items are quite expensive. All in all a good market with a big selection.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_UOg5_pk9IhKee91eWrT4A", "business_name": "Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty decent BBQ here, although it does not compare to a local joint that is no longer around. I really like it here coz it's very hard to find BBQ turkey breast and they have it here. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here but if I was nearby, I'd hit it up.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:33:02" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "Yeah, a big fat no to Banana Leaf. After much persusasion by a close friend, we decided to check it out on Friday night. The place seemed very busy, which we took as a good sign, however, looks can decieve. To start off, our waiter had multiple long, thick hairs so big they could've been braided) growing out of a mole the size of a quarter on the side of his face. I should've known that things were going to go downhill from there. The service was very slow, and the food was just terrible. Their menu is almost the same as Penang, which is why I thought it'd be great (minus the gross growth on our waiter). I had the mango chicken, which is phenomenal at Penang, but was dry and crispy here. The noodle dishes were too crunchy and greasy. Roti was actually raw and undercooked as well. I definitely would not return here, even if the waiter cut the hair from his facial growth.", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:10:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!!!!!! The mango chicken is out of this world!!! It's so flavorful and comes in a very hearty portion size! Their roti is crispy, and always perfectly cooked. Mee Siam is hearty and filling, yet not overly greasy and heavy. There really is nothing else to say about Penang other than to go and eat there!", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:12:54" }, { "business_id": "KNDMUyeW8bSsLXGSNyQS-Q", "business_name": "Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is ok, nothing special. On a typical night, there are hoards of obese people stuffing their faces with cheaply made desserts and greasy, breaded and fried foods. The only plus here is the all you can eat snow crab legs.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:51:02" }, { "business_id": "EdopUxxfxqEA79Vcy_dT3g", "business_name": "Fuel", "rating": 3, "text": "Eh. I was not very impressed with here. I came on a Friday night around 9:30pm and there were a few people here. It smelled good in here so I was excited to try it out. Food was ready quick and smelled yummy in the car. However my olfactory sense was tricked because the food did not remotely taste as good as it smelled. The Thai chicken sandwich was rather dry and had WAY too much basil on it. I took the basil off and it still had a very strong basil taste. The South Philly panini was surprisingly greasy and the panini bread was very chewy. The banana whip was yummy as well as the raspberry NSA tea. I definitely would not go out of my way to eat here again, and would travel out of my way across the Ben to Washington Twp NJ to Musclemaker grill before coming back here.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:11" }, { "business_id": "2Q1R2OhBbAQ581vK_r7NhA", "business_name": "Ooka Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "A hidden gem in Willow Grove!! The sushi here is incredible , and has to be some of the freshest sushi I've ever had. The food off of the non-sushi menu is delicious as well. They have great lunch specials too!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:53" }, { "business_id": "-wlmZ-b35UJ-GY-59NDxyw", "business_name": "H Mart - Elkins Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Hmart is amazing!!!! Although I'm not Korean, my family and I adore Korean food. They have amazing bulgogi and kalbi, as well as a slew of other prepared foods. Their prices on veggies and fruit are great, and they have everything you could ever want for cooking Asian/Korean style. They have an awesome food court upstairs with many many Asian food options. This is the best Hmart around!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:53:20" }, { "business_id": "Og1HekJMHKqsvtWaUp9V8g", "business_name": "Flying Monkey Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, this place was a disappointment. 2.25-2.50 for hard as a rock, weirdly flavored cupcakes. I bought the lavender, meyer lemon, guinness, peanut butter, and creme brulee. The lavender was absolutely disgusting and tasted like they threw body lotion on top of a cupcake, and sold it . The meyer lemon was extremely sugary and did not have much of a lemon taste to it. The guinness was very oddly flavored and did not taste like guinness at all. The peanut butter was very very rich and way too peanut buttery. All you tasted was the frosting. The creme brulee tasted a little bit like french toast, and was the only cupcake that I would even consider eating if it was the last cupcake available on earth. The icing on all of the cupcakes was hard as a rock, and the presentation of the cupcakes made them look like they were iced by my 5 year old cousin. Nasty all around.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:28:25" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly wow!!! What an amazing cupcake find!! The outside looks like a clothing store, and the inside is very unique.The store is set up really cool with the cupcakes in cabinets, so it gives this real boutiquey feel . The sweet potato cupcake with pecans and cream cheese frosting was to die for!!! The plain buttercream was divine as well. I really wanted to try the red velvet, but they were sold out. It's very cramped in here spacewise, and they don't accept credit/debit cards either. They're pricey, too, so I would definitely only go here for a special, special occasion. A dozen cupcakes would run over $30.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:32:24" }, { "business_id": "TsPb4qM79Nue6sDKANEdgQ", "business_name": "Planet Fitness", "rating": 5, "text": "Great gym, very cheap, and they're open 24hrs (except Sat and Sun). Be forewarned that it's no frills (no classes, no pool, no sauna). They have tanning beds but they are free for the black card members only.", "timestamp": "2010-08-29T01:32:31" }, { "business_id": "7Or2xPBkTNYRxD9SiMQVOQ", "business_name": "Felix's Caketeria", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, 1,000 times over!!!! Felix's makes Philly Cupcake look like the bakery at Walmart! We just moved to Newtown, and upon exploring town, we discovered this gem. Thankfully, parking is easy here as the bakery is an independent building. When you first walk in, you're greeted by the pleasant and friendly owners/baker, which is a rarity these days. The aroma here is insanely intoxicating, and transports you to a world of delectable baked goods. The display case is rather small, but the flavors are HUGE. I bought 5 cupcakes: original vanilla with buttercream, the Elvis (banana spice cake with peanut butter buttercream), red velvet, peanut butter and jelly (raspberry jelly), and sea salt caramel. The buttercream original was ok; the buttercream was too fluffy for my tastes, but it was yummy. The red velvet had to be the BEST red velvet cupcake I've ever had. I could eat the cream cheese frosting by the bucketful!!!! The Elvis was sinfully delicious; Felix must be a madman for creating this flavor!!! The PBandJ was amazing; it was not a fake, sugary, kid-friendly taste, but a very sophisticated adult tasting PBandJ with seeded red raspberry preserves. The sea salt caramel was indescribable; the mix of flavors was so perfect, with the most magical ratio of salty to sweet. The ONLY thing I don't like about Felix's is that it's so close to where I live. That's dangerous for a cupcake fiend like me!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-10-08T00:36:15" }, { "business_id": "Z4ERIzhdyduAew1O5KUvXw", "business_name": "Meglio Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "The pizza here is really yummy. I love a good, saucy, thin crust pizza, and they hit the nail on the head. The margharita pizza is really good, and their ingerdients are very fresh. Just make sure you ask them to make the pizza well done as the dough tends to be chewy and slightly underdone if you don't ask them to cook it longer.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T16:56:58" }, { "business_id": "IbndcMURguByburM72o3SA", "business_name": "State Street Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, this place is surprisingly delicious!! I stopped by for lunch on a busy Sunday afternoon, and was very impressed with the amount of people who were inside eating and waiting for takeout. I ordered the tofu veggie balls (tofu 'meatbally' topped with roasted veggies, marinara and parmesean cheese) and was very surprised with the flavor. The sandwich was large, and the tofu balls were very well flavored. The roasted veggies atop the sandwich were perfectly roasted. The only gripe (and reason for 4 instead of 5 stars) about here is that it took 40 minutes to get my sandwich, so next time, I'd definitely call in an order and pick it up later.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:08:13" }, { "business_id": "wAwcCuzwyOdny_BteT9Vew", "business_name": "La Pergola", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely adore the hummus and pita bread here. I'm a big fan of hummus, and love a very creamy, unprocessed hummus. The decor is rather flamboyant as other reviewers have noted, however, the flavors make up for it. I've never eaten anything else here (I typically only have a few minutes to get something, and the hummus is easy and quick to package, which is why I haven't tried anything else), but if the rest of the food is as yummy as the hummus, then this place is a hidden gem. Parking can be a nightmare on West Ave, so be forewarned.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:14:47" }, { "business_id": "3AjwyeF8oiTiHij9vFgyMw", "business_name": "Sam's Italian Market & Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Stay away from this place. They increase their prices, and don't post the price changes to notify customers. Then when you say the price is wrong they tell your not getting it for the prices listed on their menu. Rip off", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T14:59:37" }, { "business_id": "ntiIq1FNqduOyyowMFGh5A", "business_name": "Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly, talk about a hole in the wall, but looks deceive. It has one the most minimal menus I've ever seen, but boy oh boy, the food is delicious. I felt like I was sitting in a noodle cafe in China the food as the experience was so authentic. The prices are amazing, and the portions are huge to top it all off. This food would probably be a tough eat in the summer months as it's a super hot soup, but it should definitely be on the list for cooler months.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:07:31" }, { "business_id": "J8S7cPPlTgsQnXKVfTyN8g", "business_name": "PYT", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is about it for PYT. I was excited to finally use my groupon, as everything seemed to be yummy from the reviews and smells inside. I ordered two burgers to go, so maybe the experience would be different had I eaten in, but I didn't. There were no other patrons in the restaurant at this time, so I was a little peeved that it took 30 minutes to get my burgers. The Calibunga burger was ok, but as many reviews mentioned, it was rather soggy and not very firm. The bun should've been toasted as I'm sure it would have made the bun less soggy too. The chips also were not very crunchy, which surprised me. I got a Korean shortrib burger for my husband and ordered it medium, and guess what? It was so rare, it mooed. That was an immediate turn off for him, and really ruined the experience. He had to cook it to meduim himself on the grill. Overall, I wouldn't try this place again, even with another groupon offer. The prices are too outrageous and the food isn't all it's hyped out to be.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:01:15" }, { "business_id": "cjGcc6E32U5DAMG_bScclg", "business_name": "Tre Fratelli", "rating": 5, "text": "Tre Fratelli REALLY surprised me. My husband and I went for dinner one weekday night with a restaurant.com gift certificate as we wanted to try it out, and we were very glad we did. The restaurant is very unassuming (the pizza \"parlor\" in the front is actually a bit dirty looking), but the restaurant itself is large and welcoming. The salads were delicious, and the dressing was very very good. My husband ordered the manicotti and I ordered a chicken dish with balsalmic vinegar and bruchetta on top. The food was brought out, and we were blown away with the immense portion sizes. The chicken in my dish was cooked to perfection and the bruchetta was so fresh and delicious! The ricotta in the manicotti was some of the best velvety smooth and creamy ricotta I've ever had. We both walked out with large portions of leftovers. I was very impressed and would come back again in a second the next time the craving for Italian hits me.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:09:43" }, { "business_id": "V2uSS4OumRDvuVM_2ZSc1Q", "business_name": "Cancun Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Cancun had some of the best mexican food hands down outside of Mexico itself. The menu is mind blowingly huge, prices are extremely reasonable (you can get two of their combo dinner platters for under $20) and their portions are just as big. Everything is so fresh and delicious. The food is so authentic as well. Be sure to get the refried beans as they are some of the best I've ever eaten.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:18:49" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 5, "text": "I was so excited to try Han, and I finally got to, and it was AMAZING!!! Han has the best Chinese food I've ever eaten, and has got to be in the top 3 restaurants I've tried in my life. And to top it all off, you'll leave with tons of leftover food. The spicy cucumbers were phenomenal; crunchy, sweet and slathered in this delicious spicy chili oil mixture. Deceptively delicious!!! The spice hits you at the end. The dan dan noodles were perfection. Tender, spicy and superb. There really are no words. The wontons in chili oil were ok; I like more meat and less dough with my wontons which is why I wasn't a big fan, but the flavors were delicious. My husband had the garlic sauce pork, and it was amazing! The pork was tender and cooked perfectly, and wasn't too spicy (he can't eat foods that are extremely spicy due to GI issues, but we went here to celebrate my birthday). I had the dry pepper chicken and was blown away. It was simply the best chinese chicken dish I had ever eaten. The chicken was so crispy, yet juicy, and wasn't greasy at all like you'd expect it to be. The flavors just exploded in my mouth, but unfortunately, I was too stuffed from the monstrous appetizer servings to eat most of it. Han Dynasty is simply amazing; stellar food, stellar service and huge portions. Just make sure to bring some tissues to blow your runny nose. I can't wait to come back here!", "timestamp": "2011-04-26T00:01:31" }, { "business_id": "J4QD1PKOkaM0WWsheYFY7Q", "business_name": "New Life Thrift", "rating": 2, "text": "While a lot of people I know like this thrift shop, I'm not one of them. Although it's very roomy and there are a lot of things, most items are pretty old and outdated in comparison to other thrift stores I've frequented in MontCo and Bucks. The clothing tends to be very outdated, too. Their prices also seem rather high for a thrift store (although I understand the money is for charity, but $150 for a used sofa is a little bit outrageous). Impact in Horsham is much better, in my opinion. Parking here is also very annoying and difficult with the one way street to exit and goofy sloped lot.", "timestamp": "2011-05-19T00:45:04" }, { "business_id": "LNHq9WxfhN2UBNOR2tnRQQ", "business_name": "Corropolese Bakery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy crap, this place has amazing tomato pie!!! It seems to be a common occurrance in the area that no one knows what an authenric tomato pie is (SQUARE pie with just tomato sauce and sprinkled parmesean cheese), but this place nailed it!! The sauce is perfect; a little bit of sweet with a little bit of the good acidity needed in a good tomato sause. Eight slices only cost $3.85!!! Yes, EIGHT! An entire pie of 30 slices runs something like $13 bucks. Insane deal, insane pizza. The best tomato pie I've ever had.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:51:18" }, { "business_id": "NNZ4Zjir0S101ltpfgaI1w", "business_name": "Golden Dawn", "rating": 3, "text": "This diner was ok. I wasn't too impressed as I used to live in NJ, the land of diners. The service was very good, however, the food was subpar although they gave you a lot of it. I'd probably give them another chance if I was in the area, but wouldn't drive out of my way to come and eat here. There are much better diners throughout Levittown/Bristol/Falls Twp.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:56:18" }, { "business_id": "HIAJ2mnlm_pP38_8GbgQ5g", "business_name": "Hmart", "rating": 4, "text": "H-Mart is an amazing grocery store!!!! They have rock bottom prices on excellent produce, plus they have a slew of incredibly hard to find Asian ingredients. This H-mart is relatively small compared to the others I've been too, however, they do have a ton of stuff. Be forewarned, though, as their meat (excluding fish) tends to be rather pricey, even for the special cuts that are used in Asian cooking.", "timestamp": "2011-06-19T00:52:15" }, { "business_id": "UB8sxbUN7kPZum22U2O9kg", "business_name": "Julio's Famous Pizzeria", "rating": 2, "text": "Pizza here is subpar. Very greasy, extremely cheesy and very sloppy. The box was soaked with grease. The crust was chewy and had no crisp or crunch to it at all. We also ordered one pizza which took AN HOUR to make. Really?? Better pizza places are not hard to find in the area, and we definitely will not be returning here in the future.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T18:10:45" }, { "business_id": "xUAPlkR2KD81spJzt96TBw", "business_name": "Cafe Bombay Indian Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Cafe Bombay has some of the best Indian food I've ever had. They're located in downtown Bristol, secluded from the main highway, so it can be hard to find it. The food is so fresh, authentic and simply delicious. The daal is superb, and is seasoned perfectly. I am in love with their chicken tikka masala. The sauce is an amazing compliment to incredibly tender chicken. The samosas are phenomenal too. They have an incredibly naan seasoned with cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins that is a great compliment to the salty and savory food. Make sure you end your meal with a mango lassi, too; they have the best I've ever drank. They tend to be rather slow in cooking the food, so I definitely recommend calling your order in and picking it up. A true hidden gem in Bucks county.", "timestamp": "2011-09-23T01:47:19" }, { "business_id": "zJoT9gFvGtZAhbdcIF4Xmw", "business_name": "Buffalo Wild Wings", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, the food here was horrible!!!! The fries were rubbery and chewy, they shorted me some chicken strips in my almost $10 meal of thinly sliced tough and chewy grilled chicken strips, and the sauces were incredibly salty and gross. I also had a side salad which was wilted and brown. I will never patronize here again; what a terrible food experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-18T16:54:29" }, { "business_id": "aunmz06iWvo3bd6MMHEbqg", "business_name": "Rivers Casino Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh Sugarhouse is definitely not sweet. The casino is rather small and the lack of a variety of food choices is a turn off. There's a fast food type eatery and a bar with typical bar food. Every single slot machine is electronic which takes away from the Vegas styling in my opinion. I'd much rather go to Parx if I want to gamble in the Philly area. The lovely view of the green Delaware River doesn't score it any points either.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:47:52" }, { "business_id": "zKOFqb0RyrnY9t02f0QFTQ", "business_name": "Fritz's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing to say about Fritz's other than everything is out of this world. The sticky buns are delectable, the cinnamon rolls are incredible (and not to mention the size of a small baby) and the peanut butter brownies are perfection. I can't come in here anymore because I always walk out with at least 3 or 4 sweets. It's one of the best bakeries I've ever been to that serves quality old fashioned sweets without resorting to the modern day ' boutique' styling of a lot of bakeries around.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:49:51" }, { "business_id": "LR4aKXyxN-a8WTgQ1o9hBA", "business_name": "Bistro at Cherry Hill", "rating": 1, "text": "The food here is terrible!!! I ordered a salad and it was wilted, brown and believe it or not, some of the lettuce was frozen. The staff were really rude, and when I complained to the manager named John, he told me the food was \"fine\" and refused to swap my salad out for another entree or credit the meal. What a horrible experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:50:23" }, { "business_id": "8mwV72Ro56pN6nbqAojaKg", "business_name": "Chef Chun Chinese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Chef Chun has some of the most amazing Chinese food in south Jersey. The shrimp wonton soup is spectacular; the wontons are so fresh and the broth is perfect! Keep in mind that they're closed on Monday.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:53:33" }, { "business_id": "whmn0dUpEb2NbmpVF2Xxcw", "business_name": "Shady Brook Farm", "rating": 4, "text": "Shady Brook is a great little farm, market, pick your own and winery in Yardley. The ice cream shop inside has some of the most amazing home made ice cream I've ever had, but I haven't eaten any of their prepared foods so I can't speak to the quality of those products. As with most places in the Yardley/Newtown area, they tend to be rather overpriced, but it's a great places to take the family on a Saturday afternoon in the fall for pumpkin picking and hot cocoa.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:00:53" }, { "business_id": "HkL-EWa39zm93SEAx4xXXA", "business_name": "Styer Orchard", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Syter Orchard!!!! They have the most extensive selection of pick your own fruits and veggies that I've ever seen. Something about harvesting your own crop really makes cooking/eating them worthwhile. In the fall, they have pick your own pumpkins and apples, which I love! The prices are incredibly cheap for pick your own too (obviously there are no labor costs for the farm staff for picking), and it's just plain fun! I can't wait until next fall when our son is old enough to go on the hayride to pick his own pumpkin! They can get pretty crowded on a weekend afternoon with families and children, so be prepared!", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:06:04" }, { "business_id": "cTra1xx8NBSp_x7IFi7qXw", "business_name": "Muscle Maker Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Muscle Maker is amazing!! It's such a shame that this one isn't closer, but I stop here every time I visit my mom in Turnersville. The concept is great, seeing as how I try to watch my calorie/fat intake, so it's right up my alley. One would think that the food would be drab and bland as most low fat/fat free foods are, but it's not. The southwest wrap is a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures, from spicy to creamy to crunchy to a hint of sweetness. Rumor has it that they're putting one in Langhorne in the Redner's shopping center which is both a wonderful and dangerous thing (dangerous for me as now it'll only be 5 minutes away instead of 50!)", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T15:22:55" }, { "business_id": "w4_14pVOLW2Tdm9LTczORg", "business_name": "Corner Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is delicious! I have only eaten breakfast and salads (for lunch) here, so I can't comment on the pastas/sandwiches. However, the salads are delicious and the swiss chilled oatmeal is AMAZING!!!!! The baked goods look divine, too, but I've never indulged in them. During breakfast and lunchtime, they tend to be very crowded, but they are really speedy in delivering food to you. The only reason I gave it four stars is because the prices are slightly high for the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:17:34" }, { "business_id": "Rw2Aw3vyj09BLyKfz-V8fw", "business_name": "Tony Roni's", "rating": 2, "text": "The pizza here is subpar; it's nothing to write home about. Pizza here is always excessively greasy, regardless of what kind you get. The slices are rather large, which I'm sure is an attempt to make up for the subpar food. This place is definitely not on the top of my list of pizza places in Willow Grove.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:20:50" }, { "business_id": "nt5wkQvL3UGT1LDTSAHMDA", "business_name": "The Fresh Market", "rating": 3, "text": "Think a more expensive version of Whole Foods when shopping at Fresh Market ($8.00 for a pound of cut up fruit is insanity) Now, I realize they're all about organic/vegan/gluten free, but boy oh boy, are their prices outrageous. They do have an extremely unique and varied selection of products, but I would never do my weekly grocery shopping here. Their sushi is very delicious, and is extremely reasonably priced, though. They also have really good prepared foods in the deli case.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:02:49" }, { "business_id": "ZSJhSNJrZGDRS5Ef7ivnzA", "business_name": "Koba", "rating": 2, "text": "The quality of this restaurant has gone way downhill since ownership changed hands. We used to travel from lower Bucks county to come here when it was Young Bin Kwan, but have not been back here (nor will we be) since our first try under new ownership. We took a friend from out of town here, raving about this delicious Korean buffet in Jenkintown, thinking it was still YBK; yet we were extremely embarrassed with our dinner reccommendation once we left. The banchan was horrible, and there wasn't very much of it (YBK had at least 8 different banchan on the buffet). The meat was of poor quality, and the staff let some pans sit without meat in them for our entire meal (which is a shame for me because I don't eat beef, and they never refilled the chicken). It's such a shame that this place is under new ownership because it was one of the only Korean buffets around in the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:08:50" }, { "business_id": "At6iwGTy6bDxc7PUEOTvQw", "business_name": "Jake's Wayback Burgers", "rating": 2, "text": "I went here for lunch one day but was really disappointed that the own manager didn't know about the meat there. I wanted a turkey burger as I don't eat beef and asked the fat percentage of the ground turkey (I have a sensitive stomach and can only eat 90/10 or higher and the manager was clueless. He even brought the box of frozen meat out which didn't have the percentage of fat on it either. With that I walked out. They know the fat percentage of all the beef they serve, so why should the turkey be any different?", "timestamp": "2011-12-18T00:16:09" }, { "business_id": "eMiN8nm70jjKg8izikVWDA", "business_name": "Chickie's & Pete's", "rating": 3, "text": "Chickie's and Pete's is ok; there's really nothing remarkable about the place. The mussels in red sauce are really good, though; the red sauce is a nice combo of garlicky and sweet at the same time, so it has kind of a unique flavor. The tomato pie is really good as well. Meh to the fries; they're really nothing special. If you've had them once, you don't need to have them again; they're fries. The service has got to be the slowest and most jumbled restaurant service I've ever seen, though; our table had food coming out at various times (non apps), and each item was expedited by a different person. The atmosphere in the dining section (separate from the bar) is so loud that you can't hear yourself think. If you want decent food, slow service and a mediocre sports bar, then Chickie's is for you.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:25:47" }, { "business_id": "HpLIHgoz3XPTyol5tKKb_w", "business_name": "Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Update to my original: I really wanted to like this place, but I just can't! The sushi was still subpar and way overpriced; it didn't have much in the way of flavor and was really just blah. The service is obnoxiously slow (think 15 minutes for drinks), the place is the loudest restaurant I've ever been in, and perhaps the most bothersome part of the entire meal was being sat next to the birthday gong which rang at least 10 times during our meal. A hibachi meal for three took almost two hours from start to finish, which is ridiculous. We gave it a shot a second time and were sorely disappointed again. Arirang, you fail yet again.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:35:46" }, { "business_id": "1Lr4sdFV9c1-W3R2D_zV4w", "business_name": "Mirch Masasla", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm giving MM two stars because their hours are downright AWFUL. Twice, I've gone here after 12:00pm for their lunch buffet (which is incredible) yet they weren't open when their hours clearly state 12 is the opening time. It really irks me when a restaurant can't even keep up on their hours.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:22:15" }, { "business_id": "WWO34S7RwBWlsjJEYuTAaw", "business_name": "Indian Hut-Bensalem", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is downright awful. Think greasy, overpriced, and underportioned. They claim to be known for their cakes and curry, but their curry is incredibly spicy (Even when asking for it relatively mild) and their cakes remind me of the cheap, generic Chinese buffet cakes. The service was also very slow; it took over 1/2 hour to get a curry chicken and a cake, and there was one other person in the store. Avoid this place.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:24:56" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 5, "text": "The donuts here are one thing, but holy moly, the chicken is out of this world. We got the honey ginger, coconut curry and za'atar and each flavor was incredible. You could easily distinguish the various seasonings in each flavor, too. The chicken is double fried which made it so crispy but still allows it to maintain its juiciness. My only complaint is that I wish there was more seasoning on the chicken, but other than that, it was pure perfection.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:46:52" }, { "business_id": "qETpOF88MbmtSyOWEDaD_A", "business_name": "Duross & Langel", "rating": 5, "text": "The soap here is incredible!!! The staff was very kind and friendly, and helped us pick out the best scents. The black pepper doesn't smell like black pepper in the least, but the scent is one of the most perfect scents I have ever smelled. I was so overwhelmed with soap that I didn't even have a chance to check out the other items such as lotions, oils, deodorants, and even baby products! They're rather expensive, though (think $5 for a 1/2 bar) but the scents are so amazing that they're worth the splurge.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:50:37" }, { "business_id": "6DFobber72AV0mnBV5KeQQ", "business_name": "Anne's Kitchen Table", "rating": 1, "text": "I was SORELY disappointed with Anne's. I take reviews on yelp very seriously, and usually get what's recommended in 5 star reviews, so here was no different. I ordered an asian wrap with noodles for takeout, and was really excited to try it as it smelled delicious! Well, I opened the paper to discover both covers SOAKED in sauce, which normally wouldn't be an issue, except the sauce was mostly oil. The entire outside of the wrap was soaked with oily sauce as well. I took one bite and couldn't eat anymore of the wrap because it was so oily. It was such a shame because the veggies seemed incredibly fresh and delectable, but again, the sauce was so oily I couldn't eat my lunch.", "timestamp": "2012-04-10T23:10:49" }, { "business_id": "0R2yKDNMUztQwgo8pG4z-Q", "business_name": "Triumph Brewing Company", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't speak for the food here, but the beer is delicious! I love how they offer a sampler of their beers (a full mini glass of each, 9 total) for $12! I was pleasantly surprised by the belgian somethin else and the black lager, both of which were incredible! What a great way to get a good buzz off of some really delicious beers.", "timestamp": "2012-04-24T00:03:43" }, { "business_id": "oBNrLz4EDhiscSlbOl8uAw", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper - New Orleans", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't too impressed with the food here. I was really excited to try their breakfast, but honestly, it was nothing special. I had the carrot cake pancakes (A special), brother had the bananas foster pain and hubby the original french toast. The pancakes were ok, nice and fluffy, however, they overloaded them with cream cheese icing, so that was the predominant taste. The bananas foster pain wasn't that good either; the foster sauce was overcooked so it tasted burnt and the french toast was too hard. The really disappointing part was that they had the same specials all week so there was never an opportunity to try any of their other famed specials.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:25:45" }, { "business_id": "9DEHXZfOO1kY_be0nRK-ng", "business_name": "Philly Steak & Gyro", "rating": 1, "text": "This place is gross. I was going to get breakfast here the other day before a long flight until I saw that the fryer hadn't been cleaned since what seemed like 1970 and the employees were handling food without gloves on. Ick ick ick!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:26:02" }, { "business_id": "D3QVe8AXcEJOFg5GItUPtg", "business_name": "Pelham Hotel", "rating": 2, "text": "The location was phenomenal, however, the hotel was rather dire. Our room was on the 4th floor and it had no windows, so it was always dark. Every time we got on the left elevator to go from the first to the fourth floor, I thought we were going to drop down the shaft as it jolted at the floor before the door opened. I thought I was riding the Tower of Terror at Disney! The beds were incredibly uncomfortable, the wallpaper was peeling, and the shower was AWFUL. Free wifi for guests was great, though! Most of the staff were incredibly knowledgeable about directions/food/attractions, however, the one young lady working during the day had no clue where anything was or how to get anywhere. Really!? I wasn't expecting the Waldorf but you get what you pay for, so I didn't expect much. If they remodeled and modernized, it'd be a fab hotel!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:33:03" }, { "business_id": "agK5cXwnBQozM2M-5kLvzw", "business_name": "Red Gravy", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVED this place, and am really sad that I'll never get to eat here again! What an amazing find, away from all of the hustle and bustle of the busiest places in NOLA. The food was so incredible that we ate here for breakfast three days in a row. They do, however, serve lunch too but not dinner. I had the oatmeal each day, which was a huge bowl of homemade oatmeal with fresh fruit and freshly made granola. It was incredible! My husband got the french toast each day because it was simply that good. I tasted a little bit of my brother's entrees each day and everything was phenomenal (the cannoli pancakes, the Debra sandwich and their specialty omelet (with gravy, meatballs and ricotta). The best part of this place is that the owner is from Jersey, so her Italian cooking is spot on. I'm sure their lunches are just as amazing as their breakfasts.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:37:49" }, { "business_id": "n_fUROdhfmLwd_mpBi55ew", "business_name": "Central Grocery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Muffuletta oh muffuletta, THANKFULLY you are not a staple sandwich of my home city. Being an Italian from Philadelphia, my expectations of an Italian sandwich are incredibly high, so I was really excited to see if the muffuletta lived up to my high Italian sandwich standards, Well, we have a winner!!! The grocery part of the store has some really funky old Italian groceries, but the sandwich shoppe is where it's at. Don't expect much from here other than ordering your slice of heaven, sitting at the dingy tables and experiencing pure sandwich perfection. You can feed an entire family of four with a whole, too. The bread was so soft and delicious, and was the perfect ratio for the innards of the sandwich. The Italian meats and extra sharp provolone rivaled any of the best in Philly, and the olive salad, well, holy crap, it was amazing!!!! It was a little salty, but I was willing to overlook that because it was so delicious (and I HATE olives, so I was shocked when I actually went and purchased an entire 16oz jar to take home with me). I was blown away by the muffuletta!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:15:00" }, { "business_id": "QdER5KjucCVtOXdU1g7kpA", "business_name": "Pepper Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "This place was incredibly cool!! I have never seen so many hot sauces, salsas and seasonings in one location ever. They have their own line of sauces/seasonings/salsas they make and sell, so everything is homemade and genuine. The employees are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and will go out of their way to help. The best part is that you can sample an incredible number of their products so you can know what everything tastes like. Winners are: sweet potato butter, ALL of their rubs and the pineapple salsa. I wish there was a place like this in Philly.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:18:27" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Dingy, dark and off the map bars always have the best food, and here was no exception. We waited about 1/2 hour and I'd gladly wait another hour to eat this food. The jambalaya and red beans and rice were phenomenal; what an amazing explosion of flavor! The fried chicken was ok, nothing too spectacular. They have a sampler platter so you can get a little bit of everything that they have to offer. What a great way to experience true New Orleans food!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:21:22" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 4, "text": "All we did here was drink, and we did that A LOT! The mint juleps were great! The hurricane was a little too sweet for my liking, but it did the job in getting me buzzed. I only drank one because it was the raved about drink in NOLA. The courtyard was a really cool and relaxing way to enjoy some drinks and do some people watching.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:54:26" }, { "business_id": "EMfJpVozzk238AM51H18Dw", "business_name": "Meltdown", "rating": 5, "text": "Sheer, sheer perfection. We were walking around the French Quarter and saw three people with these scrumptious looking popsicles and we knew instantaneously we had to fine the place that sold them. We yelped them and it turned out that they were closed, but we were so determined to get these yummy popsicles that we came back the next day. One bite and we realized that we had made the right decision. The pineapple cilantro pop was so flavorful and refreshing that we went and got another for the walk back to the hotel. The salted caramel was an out of this world flavor experience. It was creamy, refreshing, sweet, salty and hands down the best ice cream treat I've ever had. Whoever makes these pops needs to go into business nationally IMMEDIATELY and sell these babies!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:05:08" }, { "business_id": "u7uFQCoHFtBKCtbWUm6yZw", "business_name": "Emeril's ", "rating": 4, "text": "Emeril's is the #3 dining experience I've had in my life. The atmosphere is incredible, but the food is even more incredible. I had the BBQ shrimp and a salad as my entree (I was too full from lunch), my brother had the double cut pork chop and my hubby had the chicken. Everything was spot on, flavorful and perfect, except the time it took to get our meals (think an hour after ordering, which is unacceptable in a place like this; I've eaten at places like Emeril's all over the country and have never had entrees take this long to come out). The servers never let our water get down to 3/4 full and were always attentive to what we wanted or needed. The desserts were incredible too. The banana cream pie was incredible (but wasn't life changing) and the chocolate peanut butter pie was superb. All in all, the best dining experience we had in NOLA.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:12:42" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Cochon how I wanted to LOVE you but I just can't. We went all out and got a few small plates and some entrees so we could experience it all, so I'll break down each one. Wood fried oyster roast- INCREDIBLE!!!! That's all. I wanted to eat 5 more of these plates. Fried boudin- Ok; flavors were really good but they were fried too long so they were slightly too oily. Smoked pork ribs- Ick, these were terrible. They were swimming in their own grease and were chewy and not at all tender (and my family owns BBQ joints) Pork cheeks-These were delish!! The meat was so tender and the flavors were incredible! Mushroom salad- Yummy, but the dried lemon slices were extremely bitter, so I had to pick them out of the salad before I finished. This is where the yumminess stopped, in my opinion. The cochon was the best entree, but it wasn't nearly as good as I had expected it to be. It seemed like glorified pulled pork to me. The brisket was not very good; the meat was really tough and chewy, but the horseradish potato salad was pretty good. I had a chicken dish which was extremely overcooked, oily and dry, and the accompaniments (minted peas and other veggies) were cold. The staff were great, though, and were really thorough, but my expectations were definitely not met here. I was pretty disappointed with my meal with the exceptions of a few gems explained above.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:29:00" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 5, "text": "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, oh boy!!!!!!! I am a sweets fanatic so I was really excited to stop by here and get a few things. The macaroons were wonderful; perfect filling to cookie ratio and the flavors were great. The gelato was incredible, too; creamy, well flavored and delicious. They're more than willing to give samples out (each of us got a whole macaroon!) and a bunch of gelato samples which is great for people as indecisive as my family. We took home some marshmallows which are divine and a great memory of the deliciousness of Sucre. I just wish I could've had one of everything!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:32:49" }, { "business_id": "vN6v8m4DO45Z4pp8yxxF_w", "business_name": "Surrey's Café & Juice Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "We didn't eat here, so I can't speak to the food, but the juice was great. We got a mango-carrot-pineapple juice to go, which was really pricey (5.25!!!) which is why I knocked a star off, but the juice was really yummy and refreshing for a hot New Orleans day. The atmosphere and location of this place is really cool, too.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:35:06" }, { "business_id": "_ab50qdWOk0DdB6XOrBitw", "business_name": "Acme Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "What a great way to experience NOLA cuisine on our first day in town. We stopped by after a long day of traveling and were seated immediately (it was a Monday at 3:00pm), but it was still rather crowded. We got our food very quickly, and I'm glad we did because everything was incredible! Three of us devoured our boo fries in about 5 minutes (DELISH!), and my brother and I were fortunate enough to have ordered the chargrilled oysters (over the raw) to split. They were INCREDIBLE!! The garlic and cheese were an excellent combo and made for some incredibly happy foodies! We were so blown away that we ordered another dozen. I was really happy we decided to go here over Felix's as everything was so good!!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:31:47" }, { "business_id": "UH87t9fT_oTLMZfr5iCbQg", "business_name": "Tropical Isle", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh hand grenade, you were my go to drink in NOLA!!! I must've drank at least 6 during our 4 day stay here. They were cold, refreshing and full of alcohol, so what's not to love??!!! I'm sure the TSA loved seeing the multitude of hand grenade cups stuffed in our suitcases!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:34:12" }, { "business_id": "0eP5RJNSsSYdPvUY3ZbTvw", "business_name": "Cat's Meow", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, so the place is a little divey (think dirty old men and drunk college guys tossing beads to girls cruising Bourbon St), but it was always happening. I did quite a few karaoke songs here, and each time I sang, it was just a blast. It's a great place to watch the liquor overtake people's inhibitions. Drinks are expensive, though ($6 for a domestic bottle) so drink a lot beforehand.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:26:17" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "We stopped in here after a not so great experience at Cochon but we were blown away by the butcher. The atmosphere is incredible; great ambient lighting, awesome decor, and the best part: the curing meat display! We didn't get anything to eat here because we just had dinner, but everything smelled incredible. We got some bacon chocolate covered almonds and they were such a new and different flavor experience, but they were phenomenal! We also got a sweet potato habenero sauce to take home because it was so delicious! I'm really disappointed that we didn't get to eat here, but the sights and smells were enough to please me!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:51:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 5, "text": "When I travel, I really enjoy going to the local supermarket (call me strange, but I find it a really cool way to experience local food finds). I'm really glad we walked over here because this was one of the coolest markets I've ever been to! Unlike the northeast, there was liquor here (hey, gotta grab a bottle of vino with your lunch!), and their cafe section was immense! They have every type of prepared food imaginable, and their meat/deli/bakery was great! They are pricey, but it was worth the trip to check out a really cool local market.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:56:51" }, { "business_id": "krCwF4raTYvBcCEwcbA88Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Mills", "rating": 2, "text": "The only stores worth shopping in here are the Off 5th and Last Call Neiman Marcus. Most of the stores are not name brand, and the mall itself it just filthy. Thankfully, Saks and Neiman both have entrances that don't require entrance into the mall.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T12:36:27" }, { "business_id": "11qwVOxX-Z0bWAnfpVLnlw", "business_name": "Mike Serio's Poboys", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted a true, genuine po'boy but didn't want to go too far, so I took the hotel concierge's advice and went here. I wanted a 1/2 shrimp and 1/2 oyster, which wasn't on the menu, so it cost $13! When the sandwich came out, it was rather small, and the shrimp were wayyyyy too little (think shrimp salad sized shrimp). The fried oysters were pretty good, as was the bread, but overall, I was generally disappointed. I don't mind paying that much for a delish po'boy (Johnny's!), but was really upset that the subpar one I had here costs that much. Just walk the extra 1/2 mile to Johnny's.", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:51:11" }, { "business_id": "Eb1XmmLWyt_way5NNZ7-Pw", "business_name": "Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport MSY", "rating": 3, "text": "Ick, this is one of the most aestetically unpleasing airports I've ever been to. Granted, things ran rather smoothly, but when I'm sitting in a gate for a few hours, I don't want to see stained carpet, torn seats and spiders crawling on the walls. There also was an overabundance of unused space here (think gates with no chairs, no ticket booths, etc) which was rather strange. I was also disappointed with the food choices (or lack thereof) in my terminal, too. The secutiry line ran pretty quickly, too, although anything is a significant improvement over the 90 minute long like I had to wait in at Philly to get here. The one positive was that in the 5 minute walk to the baggage terminal, our bags were already out on the roundabout!!! I was amazed! Staff here are really great, too!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:54:06" }, { "business_id": "FDx_EgHcBvIRGH4UlyuNCA", "business_name": "Pinkberry", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really excited to see Pinkberry within very close proximity to my hoteI, but wasn't sure if I wanted to try them due to their hype and trendiness. However, my brother swore it was some of the best froyo he's ever had in his life, so I was convinced to try them. The store is really chic and modern, and had a really cool vibe for such a small place. We got mango and pom together (reccommended by the staff) and it was such a refreshing treat on such a hot day. The yogurt was very creamy and just the right consistency, too. Although we didn't get toppings, I really liked the idea of paying one price for a yogurt with \"as many toppings as will fit\" rather than paying per ounce. I just wish they would open a store in the Philly area!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:59:52" }, { "business_id": "GJI1ITRdwr6Ov3GVKOTZcQ", "business_name": "Hong Luck Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is interesting to say the least. The outside looks like an old 70's diner, so it's slightly off putting when you pull up to the restaurant. Upon walking into here my brain immediately breaks into the Spongebob Squarepants theme song (think tiki huts, blowfish light fixtures, bamboo everywhere)! I have never, ever, EVER in my life been in a restaurant as tacky looking as this, and they really do deserve a decor makeover by Robert Irvine. However, despite their gaudy decor, they have incredible food! The curry chicken was incredible; the flavors were incredible, although it was a little too salty. The garlic boneless spareribs are out of this world; they're the perfect combination of sweet and salty. The portions are huge and the prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. This restaurant serves the best Chinese food in Levittown, so it's definitely worth overlooking the horrible decor for some delicious food.", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T01:46:30" }, { "business_id": "vFifkrt8fU4k31NrQF-KnA", "business_name": "Giant Food Store", "rating": 5, "text": "This market is one of the best I've ever been too! They have an incredible assortment of freshly prepared foods of all varieties (Chinese, paninis, sandwiches, coffee shop, pizzas, etc) but the clear prepared food winner here is the fresh made salad section. The salad is always huge, and the best part is that you can have your salad made by one of the employees rather than settling for one in the cold case that was made at 8am. You can also customize what you want in your salad, so you're not limited if you have an allergy or just don't like something. The other sections of the store are great; they have a wonderful organic section and some great bulk products. This a great option that is much better than Saladworks, and every week, they offer a different salad on sale for around $5.99. One of the coolest parts of this market is that they have a cooking school inside, with some free classes (others you may have to pay $15-20 for) but they have a full kitchen inside the \"Cooking school\" where you not only learn to prepare a meal, but you can actually prepare it yourself. They also have a nutritionist on staff that teaches specialty cooking classes, such as low sodium or low fat cooking. They even go so far as to offer classes for seniors and kids! Everything here makes this one truly unique and even exciting shopping opportunity!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T16:23:58" }, { "business_id": "1e1qCk-tKAkFn-or-o-h0A", "business_name": "Sammy Chon's KTown BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is just as good as the store in Cherry Hill, so each time we decide to hit up Sam for Korean, we're coming here (no more trips over the Walt for yummy Korean food!) ! Sam was the first person to introduce my family and I to Korean food, so we're faithful to him 'till the end. The soy and honey sesame wings are incredible; they're so crispy and flavorful, yet not greasy at all. They're highly addictive, so I recommend only getting 4 because you will have no room left for your dinner if you get 10. I absolutely LOVE the banchan; each time you go, there is an array of about 8 banchan, each different at every trip to the restaurant. I always get the same thing when we eat at Sammy's, which is the soon dubu stew, spicy 3.5 stars with spicy pork. It's a soft tofu cooked in a spicy (as spicy as you want, but be warned, anything above a 4 will make your eyes tear up!) broth with meat of your choice. It's probably unlike any other food you've ever eaten, so make sure you try it because there is no comparison to anything if you haven't had Korean food before. It comes out in a hot pot so it's always EXTREMELY hot. I always ask for a glass of ice to put in the stew to cool it down because I've made the mistake of burning my mouth on soon dubu one time too many. This location serves alcohol, and we were recommended a mango flavored Korean drink. I thought we each were getting a glass, but boy was I wrong; we got a carafe!!! The drink was delicious! It was cool and refreshing, and ended up being the perfect compliment to our hot (both in temperature and spice) meals. My husband always gets the LA kalbi (marinated short ribs) which he swears by and wishes he could eat on a daily basis. Everything Sam makes is incredible! If you're a newbie to Korean food, definitely come here with an open mind and be willing to try something new and possible off the cusp than what you'd normally eat. Trust me, you'll be pleasantly surprised!", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:19:19" }, { "business_id": "ssr49VxAlvrBo7F7izQvXA", "business_name": "The Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "I love love love The Pub. Eating here will make you feel like you're dining at the Renaissance faire (just hand me a turkey leg and a velvet dress and you're good to go!) but the food is great. They have some delicious selections on their salad bar, with my favorite being the zucchini bread. They have some of the best crab cakes I've ever eaten, too. Whether you're a seafood lover like I am, or a pure carnivore like my husband (who highly recommends the 26oz porterhouse), you'll find something delicious and quite large to eat. The portions are enough to feed you for two days, so be prepared to take home some of your meal. The only thing I don't like about the place is you dine extremely close to your neighbors, but I guess it's all part of the experience.", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:20:40" }, { "business_id": "t-QoyFuiNKPOioysQx2qHA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "This location is probably one of the smallest Whole Foods I've ever been in, but they have an immense selection of products that are unique and hard to find. They have a mind blowing selection of natural, organic, and vegan makeup/lotions/etc., which is great. Their bakery is rather small, but they have some of the most delicious desserts and baked goods ever!!! DEFINITELY make sure you get some seeduction ROLLS (the loaf is amazing, but the rolls are much better) to take home with you. The awesome part of the bread bakery is that you can get a 1/2 loaf of bread (which is great for my family because I'm the only one that eats the unique breads they have, so nothing goes to waste. I also love their bulk section because you can get just what you need weight-wise of some really different and unique grains. They have an amazing selection of cold prepared foods in the deli case, with some great vegan and vegetarian choices. They also have a wonderful salad bar with some deliciously healthy selections. The even package some of their best products in ready to go containers so you can take them home with you. They also have a wonderful meat selection, with a significant amount of \"green\" meat (grass fed, no antibiotcs, etc). The produce selection is vast and truly unique; I've seen some really weird fruits and veggies that I've never seen before here. Be prepared as their prices are high, but you're getting good quality, healthy food, so it's well worth it.", "timestamp": "2012-06-02T01:04:03" }, { "business_id": "VVH6k9-ycttH3TV_lk5WfQ", "business_name": "Willie Mae's Scotch House", "rating": 4, "text": "Off in the land of the 7th ward in what is a pretty rough looking neighborhood, stands Willie Mae's. We took our awesome scooters here (thankfully, as it's not within walking distance from the French Quarter) and were prepared for some fried chicken goodness. I'm NOT a big fried foods person, so I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it here, but I was wrong. The restaurant is pretty much off the beaten path, but I've learned in my travels that some of the most amazing places are. The place is nothing spectacular inside, but it was really cool to read the various articles from magazines the restaurant was featured in. We reviewed our short menu and decided on nothing other than the fried chicken platter and some cornbread. Out sides were brought out along with our chicken after a relatively short wait, and we dug in. The chicken was placed on a big platter in the middle of the table, so it was like a chicken free for all at the table. The sides were HUGE, and looked delicious. I was really thrilled when the red beans and rice tasted as good as they looked, but I was slightly disappointed in the green beans. The red beans were incredible; they were slightly smoky and somewhat spicy, and were perfect! After I downed the whole bowl, it was time to tackle the chicken mountain. I broke off a piece of the breading to taste just that, and holy crap, it was delicious!!!! It was greasy (of course!), but was so delicious that I found myself scouring the crunchy pieces of the batter off of the bottom of the plate!! Once I finally got to the chicken, I was very impressed. The chicken was so moist and tender, and was some of the best chicken I had ever eaten. The combination of the deliciously crunchy, spicy batter and the moist, tender chicken made for a wonderful chicken experience. I felt like an authentic NOLA citizen while eating here. Like I said earlier, I'm not a fan of fried foods, but I was definitely a fan of Willie Mae's.", "timestamp": "2012-06-03T00:27:17" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "Jules is delicious!!! They have some amazingly creative pizza creations, and it's extra yummy because the thin crust allows you to really taste the flavors of the pizzas. They use organic and local veggies, hormone free meats and they combine flavors really well. The winners are (I can't remember the names) the greek pizza, the chicken with cilantro pizza, and the potato topped pizza. Be sure to check in on foursquare for a free slice with check in.", "timestamp": "2012-10-18T21:19:58" }, { "business_id": "iD25g7vUG3asELjXtMGF9w", "business_name": "Taqueria del Sol", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is all I can say for TDS. The restaurant itself is just cold.... not literally, but figuratively. There was no decor, no menu boards, stainless steel prep tables as dining tables, no soda machines, staff EVERYWHERE with no identification (shirts, nametags, etc). The food is reasonably priced and most of it was quite good, but what really irked my party was the fact that they charge for extra salsa!!! We ordered a salsa trio (which included 3 samples of the various salsas, in 2oz glass prep bowls), and when my brother asked for more salsa for his tacos (mind you, we ordered one of ever taco, three burritos and guacamole), he was told he'd have to buy the trio again! Really!!??? We spent over $40 on food, drinks and apps, too. Even though the food was decent, I wouldn't return as the atmosphere is just blah and you can't get extra salsa for your damn tacos!", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:14:36" }, { "business_id": "tpDJ0vOYiBLxMqtGvhBSmw", "business_name": "Top It Frozen Yogurt Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Top It is wonderful! They're your typical froyo place, but they have delicious and authentic flavors that vary daily and based on the season. They have nutritional info displayed for all to see, so you can know exactly what you're eating. They also have a ton of different and unique toppings. If you check in via yelp on your smartphone, you get 20% off which is a great incentive to come here (in addition to the yummy yogurt!!!). Don't forget to join their email list; they frequently send coupons out via email.", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:17:26" }, { "business_id": "knp4GbMlIQZAppyEVnUkQg", "business_name": "Koja Grille", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow this place is NOT it. I should've known the experience was gonna be bad when the brought my take out order, which the waitress clearly marked to go, to me out on a plate. I'm someone who adores Korean food and was excited to try Koja out, but I should've just stuck to my regular Korean spots. The food was overpriced, completely non authentic (non grilled bulgogi with broccoli and carrots????), and subpar. The wings were soggy and although I ordered them mild, they were made spicy. The food here is equivalent to overpriced icky Chinese. I haven't been this disappointed with food in Philly for a very long time. To make matters worse, the staff was incredibly rude and snippy with me. With all of the amazing Korean places in Philly, I'm surprised they stay in business here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T02:02:04" }, { "business_id": "LcURr5CJT0Uo0H18l31qpg", "business_name": "The Lite Choice", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great yogurt place! I'm a big fan of froyo in general, so I was excited to try out a place that offered such decadence in yogurt. I had a fluffernutter yogurt and was so impressed that this yogurt was light! It had such great flavor and didn't have that weird aftertaste that some froyo has. The only downside was that the yogurt is pricey.", "timestamp": "2013-04-30T01:34:20" }, { "business_id": "by3Pd_qk6R9ik3C2Ng_-rg", "business_name": "Margaritas Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Eh, this place is not it. The service is incredibly slow, chaotic and messy. Apps came out literally 30 seconds before food which is a big no no. The portion of guacamole we had was laughably small; think the size of a single scoop of ice cream EVERYTHING was slathered in cheese, to the point where all you could taste was cheese. The margaritas were good, though, but that was after my server brought me the wrong flavor twice. The food here is definitely not worth the price; save a few bucks (hell, more than a few!) and get a much better and way more authentic meal at Cancun down the street.", "timestamp": "2013-06-23T03:16:59" }, { "business_id": "lakMZT5PYQltSOjGXWnJ0g", "business_name": "Lil' Pop Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "My gosh, the Popsicles here are amazing!!!!! I go once a week on my lunch break and get two Popsicles. The best flavors are the milk based ones...last week, I had a lemon blueberry buttermilk and it tasted like a frozen cheesecake! I also had a watermelon rhubarb which was ok. The coconut hibiscus is divine as well! What a gem in West Philly!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:42:55" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "omgee, this place is phenomenal! I came here on the recommendation of some coworkers and I'm glad I did! Their burritos are big enough to feed a small army,and their flavors are amazing. Both times I went, I had a chicken and sweet potato burrito and it was divine! The sweet potatoes are such a unique and flavorful addition to the burritos. I also loved how they put guac on all of their burritos. Honest Toms is quickly becoming a favorite lunch spotlight of mine in West!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:46:34" }, { "business_id": "U30ggGzFpXvc2NZYwOW3qg", "business_name": "Mood Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Jeez, where to begin with Mood???? I came here for lunch a few weeks ago with a coworker, and while he wasn't a fan (he's not as adventurous with food a I am), I loved it! If you're looking for your typical Indian food, skip here; if you want a flavor adventure that is unique and different, then this is your place. I had no clue what a chaat was until I came here, so the owner explained everything to me. The chaats here anew amazing; there are so many flavors, textures, colors, and unique ingredients that every bite is something different. They also have the best lassis I've ever had, and what makes them even better is the flavors! Skip the traditional mango (even though its awesome) and give fig a try. It was creamy, sweet perfection. I'm sure the food here isn't diet friendly, which is not good for me because its so close to work!!!!!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:53:14" }, { "business_id": "oGAnlXgorzsRqeA4S0UhlQ", "business_name": "Scappa Brick Oven Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "This place has some of the best Italian and pizza in Levittown. Everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. I really enjoyed their tomato pie; the sauce was a perfect combo of sweet and salty. All in all, a great place to grab a flavorful and well priced Italian meal.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:55:19" }, { "business_id": "hG1CdQIZGnHcYDdpNnVbSQ", "business_name": "My Little Kupkake", "rating": 1, "text": "Ick, I had a cupcake from here which I picked up from DIbrunos in the city, and I was not impressed. Im a cupcake fanatic, so I take cupcakes seriously!The cake itself was dry and dense, the icing was too sweet and there was entirely too much of it. If you're going to market and sell your cupcakes in another location, at least ensure they're good.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:57:54" }, { "business_id": "9OhPfV0C3Q49l5tSre2MuQ", "business_name": "Kabobeesh", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh lawd, Kabobeesh is incredible!!! I am so happy that this place is so close to where I work that I go here every Tuesday for lunch. For $10, you get an incredible amount of food that can feed you for days. I always am enticed by the kebobs in the case, which are always so fresh and flavorful. My favorite is the tandoori chicken, which is so moist, tender and flavorful that I'm drooling as I write this. They always have delicious sides and dishes besides the kebobs. I'm a huge fan of the yellow daal which is so perfectly seasoned and so flavorful. The homemade naan is to die for as well. The only downfall is that the service tends to be rather slow, but for food this awesome, it's worth the wait!!!", "timestamp": "2013-10-01T00:02:52" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. I was overhyped to try here, and was slightly disappointed. The place is incredibly small, and I knew it wasn't going to be the best dining experience when we were sat by the draft of the open door which rushed in the cold January air. Cocktail: the sgroppino was fabulous! The sorbet was so fresh and flavorful. Very string too! Apps: the garlic bread was yummy! Nothing phenomenal but good. The fig bruschetta was great too, but I wasn't a fan of how overwhelming the Gorgonzola was. It took away from the other flavors of the dish. The arancini were meh; rather bland and flavorless. It almost tasted frozen to me; it was definitely the loser of the night. The fresh mozzarella was the star of the night: creamy, salty, briney goodness. It literally melted in my mouth. We each had a pasta dish. The gnocchi were yummy; I loved the crunchiness that came from the pan sear. The fusili were ok; I'm just not a big fan of oily sauces. The spaghetti and meatballs were great, though. The portion was gigantic; however, I was a bit surprised that the meatball tasted more like hot Italian sausage than a classic meatball. The service was great, though. Our server was knowledgable, personable and friendly. I usually never leave a restaurant like this stuffed, but I felt like I was going to explode when we were done eating. $100 for three people including drinks is a great price, too. You really get a lot of food for a fair price. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I felt like the food here was oversold and under delivered. I guess I expected more from this empire (I could eat at Barbuzzo daily!) Would I return? Highly unlikely. There are just too many other choices in Philly which are equivalent in price that have much more to offer.", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:04:04" }, { "business_id": "UyTx6ci7ATsWco_mE4J8Jw", "business_name": "Pamcakes, a Philly Cupcakery", "rating": 2, "text": "I expected more from Pamcakes... I am a cupcake fiend. I make it a point to try as many cupcake places as I can in the city, and while I have tried many, I'm nowhere near trying them all. I also bake my own, so I'm always pumped to try new (to me) shops I went in on a Thursday around 1115 and no one was in the shop. The display was pretty meager; a few of this flavor, two of that one, etc, . I ordered a red velvet, lemon raspberry, triple chocolate and vanilla with buttercream. The red velvet was one of the best red velvet cupcakes I've ever had. The cream Cheese frosting was divine; light, fluffy and not overtly sweet. The lemon raspberry was fair; not good, not bad, just average. The triple chocolate was awful. The cake was dry and crumbly and the icing was way too sweet. The vanilla was bad too. Dry cake, bland frosting and extremely dense. The worst part of the experience was on three of the four cupcakes, the icing was hard and crunchy. I honestly thought they were yesterday's leftovers. They certainly didn't taste fresh. I was very disappointed with the cupcakes here. I expected so much more and was highly let down. Such a shame, too", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:17:37" }, { "business_id": "OxkdxarPVk_BNGDpllqiBA", "business_name": "Under the Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Under the Pier is a rather unassuming spot, but don't let the facade fool you. Actually, it's the epitome of duvet here, but who cares??!! The food here is great! Cheap, fresh, quick and delicious...what more could you ask for!? The fish is fresh, the batter is great and the prices are good. They have great \"chips\" too with their fish. I also loved the crab cake and clam cake, too. This place is definitely a hidden gem in Levittown .", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T02:29:59" }, { "business_id": "45ClmqPAagmNvdUojFULZA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 3, "text": "I noticed this place on a ride down Walnut for work. Definitely my kind of place, so I parked and stopped in. Think fast farm to table food. I loved how everything is locally sourced, organic, fresh and healthy. However, I did not love the price! When I paid for my seasonal salad and cucumber limeade (which was AMAZEBALLS), I ended up with a total of around $15!!! I have no problem paying higher prices for quality, but 15 bucks for a salad and a 16oz lemonade is just insanity in my opinion. The salad was good; definitely not worth the $11 it cost, though. I realize this is U City and they locally source everything, etc, but I simply would not return due to the prices (this is one of the main reasons I left a three star review. I know quailty ingredients come with a price, however, $15 is just far too much.", "timestamp": "2014-06-25T17:36:12" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 4, "text": "I was blown away by the food here and I didn't even eat in! My brother brought home take out which included the eggplant hummus and the brisket hummus, pita and saltim. While I don't eat red meat, I devoured the eggplant hummus and literally could not stop stuffing my face with the deliciousness that sat in that bowl. The hummus was so earthy and smoky and had such great flavor. The pita were amazing; even cold, they were incredible!!!!!! I simply cannot wait to try the food from here fresh. What an amazing place!!! Majestic, Zahav and chef Michael Solomon!!!!! A true gem!!!", "timestamp": "2014-09-27T00:59:15" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here on restaurant week and was very disappointed here. This was my first experience at a Garces restaurant, so I was really excited to eat here. Normally, I give yelp a lot of credit in helping me select where to eat, and I figured I'd try here despite (more than) a few wishy-washy review. For starters, the service here is awful. It took 20 minutes to even be asked for drinks and probably 15 people walked by us without acknowledging us, which normally would send me packing, but I was anticipating a great meal so I stuck it out. The menu was limited to only restaurant week selections which I'm never a fan of. We started with the fresh mozzarella which was the clear winner of the night; warm, briney, salty goodness. The second course was a micro green salad which was topped with such a bitter garlic oil they I could barely eat it. For my meal, I had the risotto with scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly, however they were so overly salty, I couldn't eat them. The risotto was a bit too al dente for my liking but it tasted OK. Overall, I was extremely disappointed in the experience here. I expect the utmost care, attention to service and food at restaurants like this, and I didn't get it. I will not be back.", "timestamp": "2014-09-28T13:12:12" }, { "business_id": "O6hY9yenifuRXrpc4TfgsQ", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is awesome!!! We came on a Saturday night and the place was packed!!! For such an unassuming location, it was wall to wall people. The decor is rather gaudy; it reminds me of my grandma's country kitchen but it was an intimate ambiance. We ordered the blue moon and general tso wings, which were yummy! The general tso were sticky, sweet and a bit spicy, but the best part was the homemade wasabi Bleu cheese. Spot on!!! We also had the duck fat fries which were phenomenal!!! Salty, savory, cheesy, hand cut fries...everything just melted together for an amazing flavor experience!!! The original mac and cheese was ok; I'm not a fan of smoky cheeses in my mac and cheese, but it had a nice creamy consistency. I ordered a turkey burger for dinner which I was good. It was slightly dry, and it didn't come on a brioche bun as advertised but rather on a potato bun. I was a bit let down by that, but the burger was still good. We ended the night with a lemon scented cheesecake. Incredibly delicious!!! The crust had a bit of saltiness to it which complimented the sweet cheesecake and bitter lemon. All in all, this place is delicious! Don't let their boring strip mall outside deter you from the yumminess inside!!!", "timestamp": "2015-04-12T02:46:35" } ]	{ "business_id": "gjFUrbSMo1rA1jgG5IhA2A", "business_name": "Chima Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. The service here is awful. Granted, we came on father's day but still, the service shouldn't have been as bad as it was. It took 15 minutes to get drinks and when the meats finally came around, the same kind of meat kept coming by. I had to ask the waitress to send the guy with the fish over to the table, and it still tool him 15 minutes to come by. The rest of the people in my party kept having to ask for the specific meat they wanted because some stuff just never came around. The salad bar was ok, it had a lot of selection to go with the food. The dessert, however, were subpar. You could definitely tell they were not handmade. I've been to other places like this before, so I wasn't impressed with the sword service like I'm sure some people are. There are plenty of other much better places to spend 50+ dollars at in Philadelphia.", "timestamp": "2015-07-07T01:04:57" }
kHmXUEOAsIbguUrPoX6Tkg	[ { "business_id": "jXDr7IkNlkJGuQYzth9CMg", "business_name": "The New Il Mi Jung", "rating": 1, "text": "While the food is really great and delicious, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. The staff there neglected giving us the sides, did not offer us drink refills, and did not allow me to order BBQ since my husband ordered BBQ special (even though we've done it many times) (my husband gets special and I would get BBQ chicken). They know what we get, and would not allow us to order what we wanted. They were actually very rude to us tonight, and we were regulars, going 2-3x/month. After tonight, we will not be returning. They lost two regular customers due to rudeness and lack of acceptable service tonight. We'll be going to Myung Ga from now on.", "timestamp": "2009-10-10T02:54:00" }, { "business_id": "FJl6LCHbqiM9mvSwDjFAjw", "business_name": "Kim's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing!!! It's different than other Korean restaurants as they don't use gas for the grills, just hot coals. The banchan are AMAZING, and the meat portions are huge!!! They even have steamed egg!!! Highly recommended!!!! Korean food can be pretty pricey for the meat dishes, which is the case here, but it's worth it. Since it;s in Olney, I'll only go during daylight hours.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:06:32" }, { "business_id": "6sWAn5N1h5d4pd1hEu497A", "business_name": "Young Bin Kwan", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing! It's a full buffet of raw meat that you take yourself and grill at your table in the charcoal Korean grills. I highly recommend this place for Korean food newbies as you can really experience various meats without being committed to something you may not like. The banchan are amazing! So many choices!!!!!!! The whole place is amazing, and it's only $23/pp!!!! The little Korean ladies will help you out if you're a Korean BBQ newbie. Just keep in mind that it's at the bottom of an apartment complex, so it's relatively easy to miss. You WILL smell like you doused yourself in charcoal cologne though afterwards. It's not owned by the same people anymore, and the food has suffered since then.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:15:43" }, { "business_id": "-pyobEWdpZ6jUp42f3I2xw", "business_name": "Dolsot House", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is AMAZING!!! Although you can't cook your own meats here, it's well worth it! The portions are huge, and the prices are very reasonable! They'll refill your bancha if you like something a lot, and the owners are extremely helpful in helping decipher the menu. An absolute hit!!!! The soon tofu is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-09T17:49:23" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "Incredible food, incredible location (Capogiro right down the street for dessert!). The falaffel is so delicious, and their hummus is so smooth and creamy. I had my first falaffel here, and it was incredible. The ONLY complaint I have is that their hours are really funky. They're dirt cheap and always really busy. A real winner!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:06:20" }, { "business_id": "6JVHcQBnyA1DzK4z65cJSw", "business_name": "Falafel Factory", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was great!!! I love how they offer baked falafel. However, their pitas were definitely not homemade like they claimed to be. It's a good alternative if you can't make it to Mama's (hell, the cashier even said the owner goes to Mama's!!). All in all, good falafel.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:10:08" }, { "business_id": "ki0qSHmHNgUjKPRzYDTPow", "business_name": "The Pub 2900", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:24:39" }, { "business_id": "z5GlwQqwr4H8ruCjpnE_BA", "business_name": "Club House Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15. They're owned by the same company as Great American Diner Pub.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:25:22" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Alma de Cuba was delicious!!!! The ceviche is out of this world!!! My only two complaints were that my salmon was undercooked (still transparent in the middle) which really pissed me off because for $30 for a 4 oz portion of salmon, I really believe it should've been cooked to perfection the first time and they forgot one of the entrees in our order. However, the waitstaff was great in correcting the problems, and even offered us a complimentary meal the next time we came in. A great Cuban experience with yummy food!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:29:26" }, { "business_id": "gim0CxngZb6WKPu6BtfzWA", "business_name": "Food Castle Express", "rating": 5, "text": "Great food, and the staff is very helpful. The naan and roti are so delicious!!! The atmosphere is really nice, and the staff are really helpful in deciphering the menu. A hidden gem out of the ton of Indian restaurants in Bensalem.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:32:27" }, { "business_id": "7pwZZVVlYCxQvVdd8Q03wg", "business_name": "La Rosa Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best pizza places in Philadelphia. I've been coming here with my family since I was 5, and always stop by when I'm in South Philly. Prices are still really good!!! Get 1/2 red and 1/2 white for two amazingly delicious different pizza experiences! They don't take credit cards, and they have no seating inside.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:34:36" }, { "business_id": "GFbo0kqqDybKTPkRaJgGMQ", "business_name": "Tijuana Flats", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!! Some of the best take our mexican food I've ever had!!! They offer a power lite option (which is fat free sour cream and light cheese) so you can still get the gooey and creamy flavors of a delicious Mexican meal with reduced calories. Their sauce \"bar\" is phenomenal!! Literally 20 different hot sauces to choose from. Do not pass this place up!!! The atmosphere is really cool, too, with lots of autographed celebrity photos on the walls as well as funky Mexican/Spanish style decor. (They frequently have certificates on restaurant.com too!)", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:37:54" }, { "business_id": "jziliEq8Zum-EynD5v-Hvg", "business_name": "Chifa", "rating": 4, "text": "Service was great. The waitress was extremely helpful with explaining the menu and helping us choose our dinners. The food was good but the portions were small for the price, which is typical of tapas style. The rolls with the guava butter that they bring pre meal were amazing. The pork belly buns were so delicious that our party actually ordered two more orders!! The red curry was fab, but was too rich for me. The Peruvian ceviche with a side of crunchy corn thingies and crispy plantains was simply amazing!!!! Clean, citrusy, refreshing, just like good ceviche should be!! All in all, a great experience!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:42:53" }, { "business_id": "_wcOVX6PPvhXGMpUa2Ij8A", "business_name": "Melrose Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is not very deserving of 5 stars (think typical drab diner food), but the buttercream cake deserves 50 stars!!! The cake is SO moist and delicious, and the icing, oh my, has got to be the best buttercream icing I've ever eaten. Nothing beats stopping here after a night of boozing in the city to grab two slices of cake!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:37:08" }, { "business_id": "goI3MrJIPJxknQdKtFkkGw", "business_name": "Stoltzfus Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "The Amish market is awesome!!!! Their pretzels are out of this world, and they have a ton of really cool and interesting foods/products. The only downside is that they're only open Thurs-Sat, and their hours are weird. Their prices are very reasonable, and they have everything you could want: spices, meats, fruits, veggies, baked goods and even a restaurant!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:41:28" }, { "business_id": "wb_z1h7XR5IQhVRZHlMuLQ", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore Redstone! Their food is relatively simple in comparison to other restaurants in the price range, but boy oh boy it's yummy. Their mac and cheese is simply divine, and is made with 5 different cheeses. Their french fries are awesome, and they even handmake their ketchup!! A MUST HAVE while here is the StoliDoli, which is Stoli vodka that sits in a cored pineapple for ~1 week, then is served in a martini glass. Amazing!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:44:34" }, { "business_id": "0aflm9H-XNg8eUAoeWmh9Q", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about all I can say about here. WAY overpriced for underperforming food. Everything is SO high in calories and fat here that it's scary! Granted, they make the place look nice, but it's to compensate for their awful food.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:47:56" }, { "business_id": "-qk__vjJxfJrCWn3UaMv_Q", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory - Cherry Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing restaurant!!!! The menu is the longest one I've ever seen, so you'll definitely find something you like. The portions are mammoth, and will easily feed you for two days. The wait tends to be pretty long (gotta love the American desire for gluttony!), so get there early. All in all, a great place for date night or to take the family. The only downfall is that they do not accept reservations.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:50:38" }, { "business_id": "NDXH8dHdC8k2PrEEZPQBIg", "business_name": "Shogun Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Shogun!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. The decor is really nice inside, and it has a great atmosphere. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. The roll is that is wrapped with the yellow soy paper and topped with baked scallops is amazing!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:53:37" }, { "business_id": "9_V0SWbQPnZ0mR3kljXqBQ", "business_name": "Sakura Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Sakura!!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. THe $7.95 chicken hibachi special is SO large!! I'd definitely reccommend it!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:55:28" }, { "business_id": "MWel8zS7L7dzWC0_IY_Pzg", "business_name": "Mini Of The Main Line", "rating": 1, "text": "ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RUDE EMPLOYEES. They're only out to RIP PEOPLE OFF, and are extremely disrespectful and nasty. They NEVER return calls, and if they do, it's only to tell you that you need to put more money into a car that has more problems than a math book. Aviod this place like the plague, and head to Otto's in West Chester or Princeton Mini in NJ.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible is the only way to describe this place. I've taken many trips into the city just to get their gelato. The dark dark chocolate is my favorite!!! Tip: If you're interested in knowing their flavors, check their site. Be forewarned though, the gelato is rather pricey (~$6 for ~5 ounces) but it's definitely worth it as a treat!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:01:57" }, { "business_id": "JPfe9B-RLrE5Nz75kcKImQ", "business_name": "Govinda's Vegetarian", "rating": 5, "text": "Delish vegan/vegetarian food here!!! The 'chicken' cheesesteak is SO good!!!! You would have no idea it wasn't chicken if you didn't look at the cubes of textured soy protein. They do a beautiful job of seasoning their soy protein so it actually tastes better than the real thing! A winner!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:04:23" }, { "business_id": "EekwCjDqa9VT6Kq_aVE_0Q", "business_name": "Pho Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious pho and vietnamese cuisine!!! Their prices are extremely reasonable and their food is out of this world!!! The grilled pork banh mi (which is basically a grilled pork hoagie with cilantro, pickled dikon & carrots, cucumber, and some sauce. I also get hosin on the side)is delicious, and the cold Grilled Pork Spring rolls are divine!!! A must try in Bucks county!", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:38:03" }, { "business_id": "ytynqOUb3hjKeJfRj5Tshw", "business_name": "Reading Terminal Market", "rating": 5, "text": "An incredible place that is a must hit in Philly. Tons of food selections, most of which are very reasonably priced. DiNic's is a MUST try. Going on the weekends is a surefire way to ensure all vendors are open, but be prepared for it to be very crowded and hard to walk around.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:42:48" }, { "business_id": "RuuGJoMm2Y3wbLbPPHTvqw", "business_name": "Phily Diner & Sports Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about it for the place. The food is sub par, and they have terrible service, even when they're not busy. Their prices are reasonable, however, the food leaves a lot to be desired, and it's gotten worse since they changed to \"bar\" format. Skip this one.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T14:10:43" }, { "business_id": "T9n_LqUUhC2b1ALhg57Y5Q", "business_name": "Texas Roadhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Food is really good here, but they're very inconsistent. We typically order from here every week, and the food can be in a monstrous portion one week, then not enough to feed one person the next week. I love how they offer the veg place option, which allows you to choose 4 sides.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:08:47" }, { "business_id": "8CG5nPzDkMkQEsH1k_hdVA", "business_name": "Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious pizza here!!! The pizza was crispy and definitely coal fired. They're rather pricey for a pizza which is why I don't come here more often. If you want to try them out, go during lunch when you can get a personal pizza for ~$8.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:34:01" }, { "business_id": "8_n64z4tzSJXMK4fYPzxvw", "business_name": "Jay West", "rating": 5, "text": "I got my wedding dress here and never had any issues. They have gowns in all price ranges, and they carry all different designers. Their alterations are rather pricey, so be prepared to spend around an extra $250 for those. All in all, a great experience for purchasing my wedding gown.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:04:53" }, { "business_id": "aTpaOvF1FFGj8t_5U2_kHA", "business_name": "Produce Junction", "rating": 1, "text": "Fruit and veggies are cheap, however, I'll gladly pay an extra $1.00/lb for my apples to be treated like a human being. The staff are insanely rude and talk about you in Spanish while you're waiting in line. Avoid at all costs.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:10:43" }, { "business_id": "fQixVK0uar3ArJtNeug8nQ", "business_name": "Giant Food Stores", "rating": 4, "text": "Great market here. Tons and tons of selections, as well as cafe inside the store. Their natural/organic section is great! I only shop there for sale items because their regular priced items are quite expensive. All in all a good market with a big selection.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_UOg5_pk9IhKee91eWrT4A", "business_name": "Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty decent BBQ here, although it does not compare to a local joint that is no longer around. I really like it here coz it's very hard to find BBQ turkey breast and they have it here. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here but if I was nearby, I'd hit it up.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:33:02" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "Yeah, a big fat no to Banana Leaf. After much persusasion by a close friend, we decided to check it out on Friday night. The place seemed very busy, which we took as a good sign, however, looks can decieve. To start off, our waiter had multiple long, thick hairs so big they could've been braided) growing out of a mole the size of a quarter on the side of his face. I should've known that things were going to go downhill from there. The service was very slow, and the food was just terrible. Their menu is almost the same as Penang, which is why I thought it'd be great (minus the gross growth on our waiter). I had the mango chicken, which is phenomenal at Penang, but was dry and crispy here. The noodle dishes were too crunchy and greasy. Roti was actually raw and undercooked as well. I definitely would not return here, even if the waiter cut the hair from his facial growth.", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:10:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!!!!!! The mango chicken is out of this world!!! It's so flavorful and comes in a very hearty portion size! Their roti is crispy, and always perfectly cooked. Mee Siam is hearty and filling, yet not overly greasy and heavy. There really is nothing else to say about Penang other than to go and eat there!", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:12:54" }, { "business_id": "KNDMUyeW8bSsLXGSNyQS-Q", "business_name": "Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is ok, nothing special. On a typical night, there are hoards of obese people stuffing their faces with cheaply made desserts and greasy, breaded and fried foods. The only plus here is the all you can eat snow crab legs.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:51:02" }, { "business_id": "EdopUxxfxqEA79Vcy_dT3g", "business_name": "Fuel", "rating": 3, "text": "Eh. I was not very impressed with here. I came on a Friday night around 9:30pm and there were a few people here. It smelled good in here so I was excited to try it out. Food was ready quick and smelled yummy in the car. However my olfactory sense was tricked because the food did not remotely taste as good as it smelled. The Thai chicken sandwich was rather dry and had WAY too much basil on it. I took the basil off and it still had a very strong basil taste. The South Philly panini was surprisingly greasy and the panini bread was very chewy. The banana whip was yummy as well as the raspberry NSA tea. I definitely would not go out of my way to eat here again, and would travel out of my way across the Ben to Washington Twp NJ to Musclemaker grill before coming back here.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:11" }, { "business_id": "2Q1R2OhBbAQ581vK_r7NhA", "business_name": "Ooka Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "A hidden gem in Willow Grove!! The sushi here is incredible , and has to be some of the freshest sushi I've ever had. The food off of the non-sushi menu is delicious as well. They have great lunch specials too!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:53" }, { "business_id": "-wlmZ-b35UJ-GY-59NDxyw", "business_name": "H Mart - Elkins Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Hmart is amazing!!!! Although I'm not Korean, my family and I adore Korean food. They have amazing bulgogi and kalbi, as well as a slew of other prepared foods. Their prices on veggies and fruit are great, and they have everything you could ever want for cooking Asian/Korean style. They have an awesome food court upstairs with many many Asian food options. This is the best Hmart around!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:53:20" }, { "business_id": "Og1HekJMHKqsvtWaUp9V8g", "business_name": "Flying Monkey Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, this place was a disappointment. 2.25-2.50 for hard as a rock, weirdly flavored cupcakes. I bought the lavender, meyer lemon, guinness, peanut butter, and creme brulee. The lavender was absolutely disgusting and tasted like they threw body lotion on top of a cupcake, and sold it . The meyer lemon was extremely sugary and did not have much of a lemon taste to it. The guinness was very oddly flavored and did not taste like guinness at all. The peanut butter was very very rich and way too peanut buttery. All you tasted was the frosting. The creme brulee tasted a little bit like french toast, and was the only cupcake that I would even consider eating if it was the last cupcake available on earth. The icing on all of the cupcakes was hard as a rock, and the presentation of the cupcakes made them look like they were iced by my 5 year old cousin. Nasty all around.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:28:25" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly wow!!! What an amazing cupcake find!! The outside looks like a clothing store, and the inside is very unique.The store is set up really cool with the cupcakes in cabinets, so it gives this real boutiquey feel . The sweet potato cupcake with pecans and cream cheese frosting was to die for!!! The plain buttercream was divine as well. I really wanted to try the red velvet, but they were sold out. It's very cramped in here spacewise, and they don't accept credit/debit cards either. They're pricey, too, so I would definitely only go here for a special, special occasion. A dozen cupcakes would run over $30.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:32:24" }, { "business_id": "TsPb4qM79Nue6sDKANEdgQ", "business_name": "Planet Fitness", "rating": 5, "text": "Great gym, very cheap, and they're open 24hrs (except Sat and Sun). Be forewarned that it's no frills (no classes, no pool, no sauna). They have tanning beds but they are free for the black card members only.", "timestamp": "2010-08-29T01:32:31" }, { "business_id": "7Or2xPBkTNYRxD9SiMQVOQ", "business_name": "Felix's Caketeria", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, 1,000 times over!!!! Felix's makes Philly Cupcake look like the bakery at Walmart! We just moved to Newtown, and upon exploring town, we discovered this gem. Thankfully, parking is easy here as the bakery is an independent building. When you first walk in, you're greeted by the pleasant and friendly owners/baker, which is a rarity these days. The aroma here is insanely intoxicating, and transports you to a world of delectable baked goods. The display case is rather small, but the flavors are HUGE. I bought 5 cupcakes: original vanilla with buttercream, the Elvis (banana spice cake with peanut butter buttercream), red velvet, peanut butter and jelly (raspberry jelly), and sea salt caramel. The buttercream original was ok; the buttercream was too fluffy for my tastes, but it was yummy. The red velvet had to be the BEST red velvet cupcake I've ever had. I could eat the cream cheese frosting by the bucketful!!!! The Elvis was sinfully delicious; Felix must be a madman for creating this flavor!!! The PBandJ was amazing; it was not a fake, sugary, kid-friendly taste, but a very sophisticated adult tasting PBandJ with seeded red raspberry preserves. The sea salt caramel was indescribable; the mix of flavors was so perfect, with the most magical ratio of salty to sweet. The ONLY thing I don't like about Felix's is that it's so close to where I live. That's dangerous for a cupcake fiend like me!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-10-08T00:36:15" }, { "business_id": "Z4ERIzhdyduAew1O5KUvXw", "business_name": "Meglio Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "The pizza here is really yummy. I love a good, saucy, thin crust pizza, and they hit the nail on the head. The margharita pizza is really good, and their ingerdients are very fresh. Just make sure you ask them to make the pizza well done as the dough tends to be chewy and slightly underdone if you don't ask them to cook it longer.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T16:56:58" }, { "business_id": "IbndcMURguByburM72o3SA", "business_name": "State Street Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, this place is surprisingly delicious!! I stopped by for lunch on a busy Sunday afternoon, and was very impressed with the amount of people who were inside eating and waiting for takeout. I ordered the tofu veggie balls (tofu 'meatbally' topped with roasted veggies, marinara and parmesean cheese) and was very surprised with the flavor. The sandwich was large, and the tofu balls were very well flavored. The roasted veggies atop the sandwich were perfectly roasted. The only gripe (and reason for 4 instead of 5 stars) about here is that it took 40 minutes to get my sandwich, so next time, I'd definitely call in an order and pick it up later.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:08:13" }, { "business_id": "wAwcCuzwyOdny_BteT9Vew", "business_name": "La Pergola", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely adore the hummus and pita bread here. I'm a big fan of hummus, and love a very creamy, unprocessed hummus. The decor is rather flamboyant as other reviewers have noted, however, the flavors make up for it. I've never eaten anything else here (I typically only have a few minutes to get something, and the hummus is easy and quick to package, which is why I haven't tried anything else), but if the rest of the food is as yummy as the hummus, then this place is a hidden gem. Parking can be a nightmare on West Ave, so be forewarned.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:14:47" }, { "business_id": "3AjwyeF8oiTiHij9vFgyMw", "business_name": "Sam's Italian Market & Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Stay away from this place. They increase their prices, and don't post the price changes to notify customers. Then when you say the price is wrong they tell your not getting it for the prices listed on their menu. Rip off", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T14:59:37" }, { "business_id": "ntiIq1FNqduOyyowMFGh5A", "business_name": "Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly, talk about a hole in the wall, but looks deceive. It has one the most minimal menus I've ever seen, but boy oh boy, the food is delicious. I felt like I was sitting in a noodle cafe in China the food as the experience was so authentic. The prices are amazing, and the portions are huge to top it all off. This food would probably be a tough eat in the summer months as it's a super hot soup, but it should definitely be on the list for cooler months.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:07:31" }, { "business_id": "J8S7cPPlTgsQnXKVfTyN8g", "business_name": "PYT", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is about it for PYT. I was excited to finally use my groupon, as everything seemed to be yummy from the reviews and smells inside. I ordered two burgers to go, so maybe the experience would be different had I eaten in, but I didn't. There were no other patrons in the restaurant at this time, so I was a little peeved that it took 30 minutes to get my burgers. The Calibunga burger was ok, but as many reviews mentioned, it was rather soggy and not very firm. The bun should've been toasted as I'm sure it would have made the bun less soggy too. The chips also were not very crunchy, which surprised me. I got a Korean shortrib burger for my husband and ordered it medium, and guess what? It was so rare, it mooed. That was an immediate turn off for him, and really ruined the experience. He had to cook it to meduim himself on the grill. Overall, I wouldn't try this place again, even with another groupon offer. The prices are too outrageous and the food isn't all it's hyped out to be.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:01:15" }, { "business_id": "cjGcc6E32U5DAMG_bScclg", "business_name": "Tre Fratelli", "rating": 5, "text": "Tre Fratelli REALLY surprised me. My husband and I went for dinner one weekday night with a restaurant.com gift certificate as we wanted to try it out, and we were very glad we did. The restaurant is very unassuming (the pizza \"parlor\" in the front is actually a bit dirty looking), but the restaurant itself is large and welcoming. The salads were delicious, and the dressing was very very good. My husband ordered the manicotti and I ordered a chicken dish with balsalmic vinegar and bruchetta on top. The food was brought out, and we were blown away with the immense portion sizes. The chicken in my dish was cooked to perfection and the bruchetta was so fresh and delicious! The ricotta in the manicotti was some of the best velvety smooth and creamy ricotta I've ever had. We both walked out with large portions of leftovers. I was very impressed and would come back again in a second the next time the craving for Italian hits me.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:09:43" }, { "business_id": "V2uSS4OumRDvuVM_2ZSc1Q", "business_name": "Cancun Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Cancun had some of the best mexican food hands down outside of Mexico itself. The menu is mind blowingly huge, prices are extremely reasonable (you can get two of their combo dinner platters for under $20) and their portions are just as big. Everything is so fresh and delicious. The food is so authentic as well. Be sure to get the refried beans as they are some of the best I've ever eaten.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:18:49" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 5, "text": "I was so excited to try Han, and I finally got to, and it was AMAZING!!! Han has the best Chinese food I've ever eaten, and has got to be in the top 3 restaurants I've tried in my life. And to top it all off, you'll leave with tons of leftover food. The spicy cucumbers were phenomenal; crunchy, sweet and slathered in this delicious spicy chili oil mixture. Deceptively delicious!!! The spice hits you at the end. The dan dan noodles were perfection. Tender, spicy and superb. There really are no words. The wontons in chili oil were ok; I like more meat and less dough with my wontons which is why I wasn't a big fan, but the flavors were delicious. My husband had the garlic sauce pork, and it was amazing! The pork was tender and cooked perfectly, and wasn't too spicy (he can't eat foods that are extremely spicy due to GI issues, but we went here to celebrate my birthday). I had the dry pepper chicken and was blown away. It was simply the best chinese chicken dish I had ever eaten. The chicken was so crispy, yet juicy, and wasn't greasy at all like you'd expect it to be. The flavors just exploded in my mouth, but unfortunately, I was too stuffed from the monstrous appetizer servings to eat most of it. Han Dynasty is simply amazing; stellar food, stellar service and huge portions. Just make sure to bring some tissues to blow your runny nose. I can't wait to come back here!", "timestamp": "2011-04-26T00:01:31" }, { "business_id": "J4QD1PKOkaM0WWsheYFY7Q", "business_name": "New Life Thrift", "rating": 2, "text": "While a lot of people I know like this thrift shop, I'm not one of them. Although it's very roomy and there are a lot of things, most items are pretty old and outdated in comparison to other thrift stores I've frequented in MontCo and Bucks. The clothing tends to be very outdated, too. Their prices also seem rather high for a thrift store (although I understand the money is for charity, but $150 for a used sofa is a little bit outrageous). Impact in Horsham is much better, in my opinion. Parking here is also very annoying and difficult with the one way street to exit and goofy sloped lot.", "timestamp": "2011-05-19T00:45:04" }, { "business_id": "LNHq9WxfhN2UBNOR2tnRQQ", "business_name": "Corropolese Bakery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy crap, this place has amazing tomato pie!!! It seems to be a common occurrance in the area that no one knows what an authenric tomato pie is (SQUARE pie with just tomato sauce and sprinkled parmesean cheese), but this place nailed it!! The sauce is perfect; a little bit of sweet with a little bit of the good acidity needed in a good tomato sause. Eight slices only cost $3.85!!! Yes, EIGHT! An entire pie of 30 slices runs something like $13 bucks. Insane deal, insane pizza. The best tomato pie I've ever had.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:51:18" }, { "business_id": "NNZ4Zjir0S101ltpfgaI1w", "business_name": "Golden Dawn", "rating": 3, "text": "This diner was ok. I wasn't too impressed as I used to live in NJ, the land of diners. The service was very good, however, the food was subpar although they gave you a lot of it. I'd probably give them another chance if I was in the area, but wouldn't drive out of my way to come and eat here. There are much better diners throughout Levittown/Bristol/Falls Twp.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:56:18" }, { "business_id": "HIAJ2mnlm_pP38_8GbgQ5g", "business_name": "Hmart", "rating": 4, "text": "H-Mart is an amazing grocery store!!!! They have rock bottom prices on excellent produce, plus they have a slew of incredibly hard to find Asian ingredients. This H-mart is relatively small compared to the others I've been too, however, they do have a ton of stuff. Be forewarned, though, as their meat (excluding fish) tends to be rather pricey, even for the special cuts that are used in Asian cooking.", "timestamp": "2011-06-19T00:52:15" }, { "business_id": "UB8sxbUN7kPZum22U2O9kg", "business_name": "Julio's Famous Pizzeria", "rating": 2, "text": "Pizza here is subpar. Very greasy, extremely cheesy and very sloppy. The box was soaked with grease. The crust was chewy and had no crisp or crunch to it at all. We also ordered one pizza which took AN HOUR to make. Really?? Better pizza places are not hard to find in the area, and we definitely will not be returning here in the future.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T18:10:45" }, { "business_id": "xUAPlkR2KD81spJzt96TBw", "business_name": "Cafe Bombay Indian Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Cafe Bombay has some of the best Indian food I've ever had. They're located in downtown Bristol, secluded from the main highway, so it can be hard to find it. The food is so fresh, authentic and simply delicious. The daal is superb, and is seasoned perfectly. I am in love with their chicken tikka masala. The sauce is an amazing compliment to incredibly tender chicken. The samosas are phenomenal too. They have an incredibly naan seasoned with cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins that is a great compliment to the salty and savory food. Make sure you end your meal with a mango lassi, too; they have the best I've ever drank. They tend to be rather slow in cooking the food, so I definitely recommend calling your order in and picking it up. A true hidden gem in Bucks county.", "timestamp": "2011-09-23T01:47:19" }, { "business_id": "zJoT9gFvGtZAhbdcIF4Xmw", "business_name": "Buffalo Wild Wings", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, the food here was horrible!!!! The fries were rubbery and chewy, they shorted me some chicken strips in my almost $10 meal of thinly sliced tough and chewy grilled chicken strips, and the sauces were incredibly salty and gross. I also had a side salad which was wilted and brown. I will never patronize here again; what a terrible food experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-18T16:54:29" }, { "business_id": "aunmz06iWvo3bd6MMHEbqg", "business_name": "Rivers Casino Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh Sugarhouse is definitely not sweet. The casino is rather small and the lack of a variety of food choices is a turn off. There's a fast food type eatery and a bar with typical bar food. Every single slot machine is electronic which takes away from the Vegas styling in my opinion. I'd much rather go to Parx if I want to gamble in the Philly area. The lovely view of the green Delaware River doesn't score it any points either.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:47:52" }, { "business_id": "zKOFqb0RyrnY9t02f0QFTQ", "business_name": "Fritz's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing to say about Fritz's other than everything is out of this world. The sticky buns are delectable, the cinnamon rolls are incredible (and not to mention the size of a small baby) and the peanut butter brownies are perfection. I can't come in here anymore because I always walk out with at least 3 or 4 sweets. It's one of the best bakeries I've ever been to that serves quality old fashioned sweets without resorting to the modern day ' boutique' styling of a lot of bakeries around.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:49:51" }, { "business_id": "LR4aKXyxN-a8WTgQ1o9hBA", "business_name": "Bistro at Cherry Hill", "rating": 1, "text": "The food here is terrible!!! I ordered a salad and it was wilted, brown and believe it or not, some of the lettuce was frozen. The staff were really rude, and when I complained to the manager named John, he told me the food was \"fine\" and refused to swap my salad out for another entree or credit the meal. What a horrible experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:50:23" }, { "business_id": "8mwV72Ro56pN6nbqAojaKg", "business_name": "Chef Chun Chinese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Chef Chun has some of the most amazing Chinese food in south Jersey. The shrimp wonton soup is spectacular; the wontons are so fresh and the broth is perfect! Keep in mind that they're closed on Monday.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:53:33" }, { "business_id": "whmn0dUpEb2NbmpVF2Xxcw", "business_name": "Shady Brook Farm", "rating": 4, "text": "Shady Brook is a great little farm, market, pick your own and winery in Yardley. The ice cream shop inside has some of the most amazing home made ice cream I've ever had, but I haven't eaten any of their prepared foods so I can't speak to the quality of those products. As with most places in the Yardley/Newtown area, they tend to be rather overpriced, but it's a great places to take the family on a Saturday afternoon in the fall for pumpkin picking and hot cocoa.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:00:53" }, { "business_id": "HkL-EWa39zm93SEAx4xXXA", "business_name": "Styer Orchard", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Syter Orchard!!!! They have the most extensive selection of pick your own fruits and veggies that I've ever seen. Something about harvesting your own crop really makes cooking/eating them worthwhile. In the fall, they have pick your own pumpkins and apples, which I love! The prices are incredibly cheap for pick your own too (obviously there are no labor costs for the farm staff for picking), and it's just plain fun! I can't wait until next fall when our son is old enough to go on the hayride to pick his own pumpkin! They can get pretty crowded on a weekend afternoon with families and children, so be prepared!", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:06:04" }, { "business_id": "cTra1xx8NBSp_x7IFi7qXw", "business_name": "Muscle Maker Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Muscle Maker is amazing!! It's such a shame that this one isn't closer, but I stop here every time I visit my mom in Turnersville. The concept is great, seeing as how I try to watch my calorie/fat intake, so it's right up my alley. One would think that the food would be drab and bland as most low fat/fat free foods are, but it's not. The southwest wrap is a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures, from spicy to creamy to crunchy to a hint of sweetness. Rumor has it that they're putting one in Langhorne in the Redner's shopping center which is both a wonderful and dangerous thing (dangerous for me as now it'll only be 5 minutes away instead of 50!)", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T15:22:55" }, { "business_id": "w4_14pVOLW2Tdm9LTczORg", "business_name": "Corner Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is delicious! I have only eaten breakfast and salads (for lunch) here, so I can't comment on the pastas/sandwiches. However, the salads are delicious and the swiss chilled oatmeal is AMAZING!!!!! The baked goods look divine, too, but I've never indulged in them. During breakfast and lunchtime, they tend to be very crowded, but they are really speedy in delivering food to you. The only reason I gave it four stars is because the prices are slightly high for the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:17:34" }, { "business_id": "Rw2Aw3vyj09BLyKfz-V8fw", "business_name": "Tony Roni's", "rating": 2, "text": "The pizza here is subpar; it's nothing to write home about. Pizza here is always excessively greasy, regardless of what kind you get. The slices are rather large, which I'm sure is an attempt to make up for the subpar food. This place is definitely not on the top of my list of pizza places in Willow Grove.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:20:50" }, { "business_id": "nt5wkQvL3UGT1LDTSAHMDA", "business_name": "The Fresh Market", "rating": 3, "text": "Think a more expensive version of Whole Foods when shopping at Fresh Market ($8.00 for a pound of cut up fruit is insanity) Now, I realize they're all about organic/vegan/gluten free, but boy oh boy, are their prices outrageous. They do have an extremely unique and varied selection of products, but I would never do my weekly grocery shopping here. Their sushi is very delicious, and is extremely reasonably priced, though. They also have really good prepared foods in the deli case.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:02:49" }, { "business_id": "ZSJhSNJrZGDRS5Ef7ivnzA", "business_name": "Koba", "rating": 2, "text": "The quality of this restaurant has gone way downhill since ownership changed hands. We used to travel from lower Bucks county to come here when it was Young Bin Kwan, but have not been back here (nor will we be) since our first try under new ownership. We took a friend from out of town here, raving about this delicious Korean buffet in Jenkintown, thinking it was still YBK; yet we were extremely embarrassed with our dinner reccommendation once we left. The banchan was horrible, and there wasn't very much of it (YBK had at least 8 different banchan on the buffet). The meat was of poor quality, and the staff let some pans sit without meat in them for our entire meal (which is a shame for me because I don't eat beef, and they never refilled the chicken). It's such a shame that this place is under new ownership because it was one of the only Korean buffets around in the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:08:50" }, { "business_id": "At6iwGTy6bDxc7PUEOTvQw", "business_name": "Jake's Wayback Burgers", "rating": 2, "text": "I went here for lunch one day but was really disappointed that the own manager didn't know about the meat there. I wanted a turkey burger as I don't eat beef and asked the fat percentage of the ground turkey (I have a sensitive stomach and can only eat 90/10 or higher and the manager was clueless. He even brought the box of frozen meat out which didn't have the percentage of fat on it either. With that I walked out. They know the fat percentage of all the beef they serve, so why should the turkey be any different?", "timestamp": "2011-12-18T00:16:09" }, { "business_id": "eMiN8nm70jjKg8izikVWDA", "business_name": "Chickie's & Pete's", "rating": 3, "text": "Chickie's and Pete's is ok; there's really nothing remarkable about the place. The mussels in red sauce are really good, though; the red sauce is a nice combo of garlicky and sweet at the same time, so it has kind of a unique flavor. The tomato pie is really good as well. Meh to the fries; they're really nothing special. If you've had them once, you don't need to have them again; they're fries. The service has got to be the slowest and most jumbled restaurant service I've ever seen, though; our table had food coming out at various times (non apps), and each item was expedited by a different person. The atmosphere in the dining section (separate from the bar) is so loud that you can't hear yourself think. If you want decent food, slow service and a mediocre sports bar, then Chickie's is for you.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:25:47" }, { "business_id": "HpLIHgoz3XPTyol5tKKb_w", "business_name": "Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Update to my original: I really wanted to like this place, but I just can't! The sushi was still subpar and way overpriced; it didn't have much in the way of flavor and was really just blah. The service is obnoxiously slow (think 15 minutes for drinks), the place is the loudest restaurant I've ever been in, and perhaps the most bothersome part of the entire meal was being sat next to the birthday gong which rang at least 10 times during our meal. A hibachi meal for three took almost two hours from start to finish, which is ridiculous. We gave it a shot a second time and were sorely disappointed again. Arirang, you fail yet again.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:35:46" }, { "business_id": "1Lr4sdFV9c1-W3R2D_zV4w", "business_name": "Mirch Masasla", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm giving MM two stars because their hours are downright AWFUL. Twice, I've gone here after 12:00pm for their lunch buffet (which is incredible) yet they weren't open when their hours clearly state 12 is the opening time. It really irks me when a restaurant can't even keep up on their hours.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:22:15" }, { "business_id": "WWO34S7RwBWlsjJEYuTAaw", "business_name": "Indian Hut-Bensalem", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is downright awful. Think greasy, overpriced, and underportioned. They claim to be known for their cakes and curry, but their curry is incredibly spicy (Even when asking for it relatively mild) and their cakes remind me of the cheap, generic Chinese buffet cakes. The service was also very slow; it took over 1/2 hour to get a curry chicken and a cake, and there was one other person in the store. Avoid this place.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:24:56" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 5, "text": "The donuts here are one thing, but holy moly, the chicken is out of this world. We got the honey ginger, coconut curry and za'atar and each flavor was incredible. You could easily distinguish the various seasonings in each flavor, too. The chicken is double fried which made it so crispy but still allows it to maintain its juiciness. My only complaint is that I wish there was more seasoning on the chicken, but other than that, it was pure perfection.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:46:52" }, { "business_id": "qETpOF88MbmtSyOWEDaD_A", "business_name": "Duross & Langel", "rating": 5, "text": "The soap here is incredible!!! The staff was very kind and friendly, and helped us pick out the best scents. The black pepper doesn't smell like black pepper in the least, but the scent is one of the most perfect scents I have ever smelled. I was so overwhelmed with soap that I didn't even have a chance to check out the other items such as lotions, oils, deodorants, and even baby products! They're rather expensive, though (think $5 for a 1/2 bar) but the scents are so amazing that they're worth the splurge.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:50:37" }, { "business_id": "6DFobber72AV0mnBV5KeQQ", "business_name": "Anne's Kitchen Table", "rating": 1, "text": "I was SORELY disappointed with Anne's. I take reviews on yelp very seriously, and usually get what's recommended in 5 star reviews, so here was no different. I ordered an asian wrap with noodles for takeout, and was really excited to try it as it smelled delicious! Well, I opened the paper to discover both covers SOAKED in sauce, which normally wouldn't be an issue, except the sauce was mostly oil. The entire outside of the wrap was soaked with oily sauce as well. I took one bite and couldn't eat anymore of the wrap because it was so oily. It was such a shame because the veggies seemed incredibly fresh and delectable, but again, the sauce was so oily I couldn't eat my lunch.", "timestamp": "2012-04-10T23:10:49" }, { "business_id": "0R2yKDNMUztQwgo8pG4z-Q", "business_name": "Triumph Brewing Company", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't speak for the food here, but the beer is delicious! I love how they offer a sampler of their beers (a full mini glass of each, 9 total) for $12! I was pleasantly surprised by the belgian somethin else and the black lager, both of which were incredible! What a great way to get a good buzz off of some really delicious beers.", "timestamp": "2012-04-24T00:03:43" }, { "business_id": "oBNrLz4EDhiscSlbOl8uAw", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper - New Orleans", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't too impressed with the food here. I was really excited to try their breakfast, but honestly, it was nothing special. I had the carrot cake pancakes (A special), brother had the bananas foster pain and hubby the original french toast. The pancakes were ok, nice and fluffy, however, they overloaded them with cream cheese icing, so that was the predominant taste. The bananas foster pain wasn't that good either; the foster sauce was overcooked so it tasted burnt and the french toast was too hard. The really disappointing part was that they had the same specials all week so there was never an opportunity to try any of their other famed specials.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:25:45" }, { "business_id": "9DEHXZfOO1kY_be0nRK-ng", "business_name": "Philly Steak & Gyro", "rating": 1, "text": "This place is gross. I was going to get breakfast here the other day before a long flight until I saw that the fryer hadn't been cleaned since what seemed like 1970 and the employees were handling food without gloves on. Ick ick ick!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:26:02" }, { "business_id": "D3QVe8AXcEJOFg5GItUPtg", "business_name": "Pelham Hotel", "rating": 2, "text": "The location was phenomenal, however, the hotel was rather dire. Our room was on the 4th floor and it had no windows, so it was always dark. Every time we got on the left elevator to go from the first to the fourth floor, I thought we were going to drop down the shaft as it jolted at the floor before the door opened. I thought I was riding the Tower of Terror at Disney! The beds were incredibly uncomfortable, the wallpaper was peeling, and the shower was AWFUL. Free wifi for guests was great, though! Most of the staff were incredibly knowledgeable about directions/food/attractions, however, the one young lady working during the day had no clue where anything was or how to get anywhere. Really!? I wasn't expecting the Waldorf but you get what you pay for, so I didn't expect much. If they remodeled and modernized, it'd be a fab hotel!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:33:03" }, { "business_id": "agK5cXwnBQozM2M-5kLvzw", "business_name": "Red Gravy", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVED this place, and am really sad that I'll never get to eat here again! What an amazing find, away from all of the hustle and bustle of the busiest places in NOLA. The food was so incredible that we ate here for breakfast three days in a row. They do, however, serve lunch too but not dinner. I had the oatmeal each day, which was a huge bowl of homemade oatmeal with fresh fruit and freshly made granola. It was incredible! My husband got the french toast each day because it was simply that good. I tasted a little bit of my brother's entrees each day and everything was phenomenal (the cannoli pancakes, the Debra sandwich and their specialty omelet (with gravy, meatballs and ricotta). The best part of this place is that the owner is from Jersey, so her Italian cooking is spot on. I'm sure their lunches are just as amazing as their breakfasts.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:37:49" }, { "business_id": "n_fUROdhfmLwd_mpBi55ew", "business_name": "Central Grocery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Muffuletta oh muffuletta, THANKFULLY you are not a staple sandwich of my home city. Being an Italian from Philadelphia, my expectations of an Italian sandwich are incredibly high, so I was really excited to see if the muffuletta lived up to my high Italian sandwich standards, Well, we have a winner!!! The grocery part of the store has some really funky old Italian groceries, but the sandwich shoppe is where it's at. Don't expect much from here other than ordering your slice of heaven, sitting at the dingy tables and experiencing pure sandwich perfection. You can feed an entire family of four with a whole, too. The bread was so soft and delicious, and was the perfect ratio for the innards of the sandwich. The Italian meats and extra sharp provolone rivaled any of the best in Philly, and the olive salad, well, holy crap, it was amazing!!!! It was a little salty, but I was willing to overlook that because it was so delicious (and I HATE olives, so I was shocked when I actually went and purchased an entire 16oz jar to take home with me). I was blown away by the muffuletta!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:15:00" }, { "business_id": "QdER5KjucCVtOXdU1g7kpA", "business_name": "Pepper Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "This place was incredibly cool!! I have never seen so many hot sauces, salsas and seasonings in one location ever. They have their own line of sauces/seasonings/salsas they make and sell, so everything is homemade and genuine. The employees are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and will go out of their way to help. The best part is that you can sample an incredible number of their products so you can know what everything tastes like. Winners are: sweet potato butter, ALL of their rubs and the pineapple salsa. I wish there was a place like this in Philly.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:18:27" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Dingy, dark and off the map bars always have the best food, and here was no exception. We waited about 1/2 hour and I'd gladly wait another hour to eat this food. The jambalaya and red beans and rice were phenomenal; what an amazing explosion of flavor! The fried chicken was ok, nothing too spectacular. They have a sampler platter so you can get a little bit of everything that they have to offer. What a great way to experience true New Orleans food!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:21:22" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 4, "text": "All we did here was drink, and we did that A LOT! The mint juleps were great! The hurricane was a little too sweet for my liking, but it did the job in getting me buzzed. I only drank one because it was the raved about drink in NOLA. The courtyard was a really cool and relaxing way to enjoy some drinks and do some people watching.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:54:26" }, { "business_id": "EMfJpVozzk238AM51H18Dw", "business_name": "Meltdown", "rating": 5, "text": "Sheer, sheer perfection. We were walking around the French Quarter and saw three people with these scrumptious looking popsicles and we knew instantaneously we had to fine the place that sold them. We yelped them and it turned out that they were closed, but we were so determined to get these yummy popsicles that we came back the next day. One bite and we realized that we had made the right decision. The pineapple cilantro pop was so flavorful and refreshing that we went and got another for the walk back to the hotel. The salted caramel was an out of this world flavor experience. It was creamy, refreshing, sweet, salty and hands down the best ice cream treat I've ever had. Whoever makes these pops needs to go into business nationally IMMEDIATELY and sell these babies!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:05:08" }, { "business_id": "u7uFQCoHFtBKCtbWUm6yZw", "business_name": "Emeril's ", "rating": 4, "text": "Emeril's is the #3 dining experience I've had in my life. The atmosphere is incredible, but the food is even more incredible. I had the BBQ shrimp and a salad as my entree (I was too full from lunch), my brother had the double cut pork chop and my hubby had the chicken. Everything was spot on, flavorful and perfect, except the time it took to get our meals (think an hour after ordering, which is unacceptable in a place like this; I've eaten at places like Emeril's all over the country and have never had entrees take this long to come out). The servers never let our water get down to 3/4 full and were always attentive to what we wanted or needed. The desserts were incredible too. The banana cream pie was incredible (but wasn't life changing) and the chocolate peanut butter pie was superb. All in all, the best dining experience we had in NOLA.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:12:42" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Cochon how I wanted to LOVE you but I just can't. We went all out and got a few small plates and some entrees so we could experience it all, so I'll break down each one. Wood fried oyster roast- INCREDIBLE!!!! That's all. I wanted to eat 5 more of these plates. Fried boudin- Ok; flavors were really good but they were fried too long so they were slightly too oily. Smoked pork ribs- Ick, these were terrible. They were swimming in their own grease and were chewy and not at all tender (and my family owns BBQ joints) Pork cheeks-These were delish!! The meat was so tender and the flavors were incredible! Mushroom salad- Yummy, but the dried lemon slices were extremely bitter, so I had to pick them out of the salad before I finished. This is where the yumminess stopped, in my opinion. The cochon was the best entree, but it wasn't nearly as good as I had expected it to be. It seemed like glorified pulled pork to me. The brisket was not very good; the meat was really tough and chewy, but the horseradish potato salad was pretty good. I had a chicken dish which was extremely overcooked, oily and dry, and the accompaniments (minted peas and other veggies) were cold. The staff were great, though, and were really thorough, but my expectations were definitely not met here. I was pretty disappointed with my meal with the exceptions of a few gems explained above.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:29:00" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 5, "text": "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, oh boy!!!!!!! I am a sweets fanatic so I was really excited to stop by here and get a few things. The macaroons were wonderful; perfect filling to cookie ratio and the flavors were great. The gelato was incredible, too; creamy, well flavored and delicious. They're more than willing to give samples out (each of us got a whole macaroon!) and a bunch of gelato samples which is great for people as indecisive as my family. We took home some marshmallows which are divine and a great memory of the deliciousness of Sucre. I just wish I could've had one of everything!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:32:49" }, { "business_id": "vN6v8m4DO45Z4pp8yxxF_w", "business_name": "Surrey's Café & Juice Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "We didn't eat here, so I can't speak to the food, but the juice was great. We got a mango-carrot-pineapple juice to go, which was really pricey (5.25!!!) which is why I knocked a star off, but the juice was really yummy and refreshing for a hot New Orleans day. The atmosphere and location of this place is really cool, too.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:35:06" }, { "business_id": "_ab50qdWOk0DdB6XOrBitw", "business_name": "Acme Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "What a great way to experience NOLA cuisine on our first day in town. We stopped by after a long day of traveling and were seated immediately (it was a Monday at 3:00pm), but it was still rather crowded. We got our food very quickly, and I'm glad we did because everything was incredible! Three of us devoured our boo fries in about 5 minutes (DELISH!), and my brother and I were fortunate enough to have ordered the chargrilled oysters (over the raw) to split. They were INCREDIBLE!! The garlic and cheese were an excellent combo and made for some incredibly happy foodies! We were so blown away that we ordered another dozen. I was really happy we decided to go here over Felix's as everything was so good!!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:31:47" }, { "business_id": "UH87t9fT_oTLMZfr5iCbQg", "business_name": "Tropical Isle", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh hand grenade, you were my go to drink in NOLA!!! I must've drank at least 6 during our 4 day stay here. They were cold, refreshing and full of alcohol, so what's not to love??!!! I'm sure the TSA loved seeing the multitude of hand grenade cups stuffed in our suitcases!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:34:12" }, { "business_id": "0eP5RJNSsSYdPvUY3ZbTvw", "business_name": "Cat's Meow", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, so the place is a little divey (think dirty old men and drunk college guys tossing beads to girls cruising Bourbon St), but it was always happening. I did quite a few karaoke songs here, and each time I sang, it was just a blast. It's a great place to watch the liquor overtake people's inhibitions. Drinks are expensive, though ($6 for a domestic bottle) so drink a lot beforehand.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:26:17" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "We stopped in here after a not so great experience at Cochon but we were blown away by the butcher. The atmosphere is incredible; great ambient lighting, awesome decor, and the best part: the curing meat display! We didn't get anything to eat here because we just had dinner, but everything smelled incredible. We got some bacon chocolate covered almonds and they were such a new and different flavor experience, but they were phenomenal! We also got a sweet potato habenero sauce to take home because it was so delicious! I'm really disappointed that we didn't get to eat here, but the sights and smells were enough to please me!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:51:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 5, "text": "When I travel, I really enjoy going to the local supermarket (call me strange, but I find it a really cool way to experience local food finds). I'm really glad we walked over here because this was one of the coolest markets I've ever been to! Unlike the northeast, there was liquor here (hey, gotta grab a bottle of vino with your lunch!), and their cafe section was immense! They have every type of prepared food imaginable, and their meat/deli/bakery was great! They are pricey, but it was worth the trip to check out a really cool local market.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:56:51" }, { "business_id": "krCwF4raTYvBcCEwcbA88Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Mills", "rating": 2, "text": "The only stores worth shopping in here are the Off 5th and Last Call Neiman Marcus. Most of the stores are not name brand, and the mall itself it just filthy. Thankfully, Saks and Neiman both have entrances that don't require entrance into the mall.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T12:36:27" }, { "business_id": "11qwVOxX-Z0bWAnfpVLnlw", "business_name": "Mike Serio's Poboys", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted a true, genuine po'boy but didn't want to go too far, so I took the hotel concierge's advice and went here. I wanted a 1/2 shrimp and 1/2 oyster, which wasn't on the menu, so it cost $13! When the sandwich came out, it was rather small, and the shrimp were wayyyyy too little (think shrimp salad sized shrimp). The fried oysters were pretty good, as was the bread, but overall, I was generally disappointed. I don't mind paying that much for a delish po'boy (Johnny's!), but was really upset that the subpar one I had here costs that much. Just walk the extra 1/2 mile to Johnny's.", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:51:11" }, { "business_id": "Eb1XmmLWyt_way5NNZ7-Pw", "business_name": "Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport MSY", "rating": 3, "text": "Ick, this is one of the most aestetically unpleasing airports I've ever been to. Granted, things ran rather smoothly, but when I'm sitting in a gate for a few hours, I don't want to see stained carpet, torn seats and spiders crawling on the walls. There also was an overabundance of unused space here (think gates with no chairs, no ticket booths, etc) which was rather strange. I was also disappointed with the food choices (or lack thereof) in my terminal, too. The secutiry line ran pretty quickly, too, although anything is a significant improvement over the 90 minute long like I had to wait in at Philly to get here. The one positive was that in the 5 minute walk to the baggage terminal, our bags were already out on the roundabout!!! I was amazed! Staff here are really great, too!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:54:06" }, { "business_id": "FDx_EgHcBvIRGH4UlyuNCA", "business_name": "Pinkberry", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really excited to see Pinkberry within very close proximity to my hoteI, but wasn't sure if I wanted to try them due to their hype and trendiness. However, my brother swore it was some of the best froyo he's ever had in his life, so I was convinced to try them. The store is really chic and modern, and had a really cool vibe for such a small place. We got mango and pom together (reccommended by the staff) and it was such a refreshing treat on such a hot day. The yogurt was very creamy and just the right consistency, too. Although we didn't get toppings, I really liked the idea of paying one price for a yogurt with \"as many toppings as will fit\" rather than paying per ounce. I just wish they would open a store in the Philly area!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:59:52" }, { "business_id": "GJI1ITRdwr6Ov3GVKOTZcQ", "business_name": "Hong Luck Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is interesting to say the least. The outside looks like an old 70's diner, so it's slightly off putting when you pull up to the restaurant. Upon walking into here my brain immediately breaks into the Spongebob Squarepants theme song (think tiki huts, blowfish light fixtures, bamboo everywhere)! I have never, ever, EVER in my life been in a restaurant as tacky looking as this, and they really do deserve a decor makeover by Robert Irvine. However, despite their gaudy decor, they have incredible food! The curry chicken was incredible; the flavors were incredible, although it was a little too salty. The garlic boneless spareribs are out of this world; they're the perfect combination of sweet and salty. The portions are huge and the prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. This restaurant serves the best Chinese food in Levittown, so it's definitely worth overlooking the horrible decor for some delicious food.", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T01:46:30" }, { "business_id": "vFifkrt8fU4k31NrQF-KnA", "business_name": "Giant Food Store", "rating": 5, "text": "This market is one of the best I've ever been too! They have an incredible assortment of freshly prepared foods of all varieties (Chinese, paninis, sandwiches, coffee shop, pizzas, etc) but the clear prepared food winner here is the fresh made salad section. The salad is always huge, and the best part is that you can have your salad made by one of the employees rather than settling for one in the cold case that was made at 8am. You can also customize what you want in your salad, so you're not limited if you have an allergy or just don't like something. The other sections of the store are great; they have a wonderful organic section and some great bulk products. This a great option that is much better than Saladworks, and every week, they offer a different salad on sale for around $5.99. One of the coolest parts of this market is that they have a cooking school inside, with some free classes (others you may have to pay $15-20 for) but they have a full kitchen inside the \"Cooking school\" where you not only learn to prepare a meal, but you can actually prepare it yourself. They also have a nutritionist on staff that teaches specialty cooking classes, such as low sodium or low fat cooking. They even go so far as to offer classes for seniors and kids! Everything here makes this one truly unique and even exciting shopping opportunity!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T16:23:58" }, { "business_id": "1e1qCk-tKAkFn-or-o-h0A", "business_name": "Sammy Chon's KTown BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is just as good as the store in Cherry Hill, so each time we decide to hit up Sam for Korean, we're coming here (no more trips over the Walt for yummy Korean food!) ! Sam was the first person to introduce my family and I to Korean food, so we're faithful to him 'till the end. The soy and honey sesame wings are incredible; they're so crispy and flavorful, yet not greasy at all. They're highly addictive, so I recommend only getting 4 because you will have no room left for your dinner if you get 10. I absolutely LOVE the banchan; each time you go, there is an array of about 8 banchan, each different at every trip to the restaurant. I always get the same thing when we eat at Sammy's, which is the soon dubu stew, spicy 3.5 stars with spicy pork. It's a soft tofu cooked in a spicy (as spicy as you want, but be warned, anything above a 4 will make your eyes tear up!) broth with meat of your choice. It's probably unlike any other food you've ever eaten, so make sure you try it because there is no comparison to anything if you haven't had Korean food before. It comes out in a hot pot so it's always EXTREMELY hot. I always ask for a glass of ice to put in the stew to cool it down because I've made the mistake of burning my mouth on soon dubu one time too many. This location serves alcohol, and we were recommended a mango flavored Korean drink. I thought we each were getting a glass, but boy was I wrong; we got a carafe!!! The drink was delicious! It was cool and refreshing, and ended up being the perfect compliment to our hot (both in temperature and spice) meals. My husband always gets the LA kalbi (marinated short ribs) which he swears by and wishes he could eat on a daily basis. Everything Sam makes is incredible! If you're a newbie to Korean food, definitely come here with an open mind and be willing to try something new and possible off the cusp than what you'd normally eat. Trust me, you'll be pleasantly surprised!", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:19:19" }, { "business_id": "ssr49VxAlvrBo7F7izQvXA", "business_name": "The Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "I love love love The Pub. Eating here will make you feel like you're dining at the Renaissance faire (just hand me a turkey leg and a velvet dress and you're good to go!) but the food is great. They have some delicious selections on their salad bar, with my favorite being the zucchini bread. They have some of the best crab cakes I've ever eaten, too. Whether you're a seafood lover like I am, or a pure carnivore like my husband (who highly recommends the 26oz porterhouse), you'll find something delicious and quite large to eat. The portions are enough to feed you for two days, so be prepared to take home some of your meal. The only thing I don't like about the place is you dine extremely close to your neighbors, but I guess it's all part of the experience.", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:20:40" }, { "business_id": "t-QoyFuiNKPOioysQx2qHA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "This location is probably one of the smallest Whole Foods I've ever been in, but they have an immense selection of products that are unique and hard to find. They have a mind blowing selection of natural, organic, and vegan makeup/lotions/etc., which is great. Their bakery is rather small, but they have some of the most delicious desserts and baked goods ever!!! DEFINITELY make sure you get some seeduction ROLLS (the loaf is amazing, but the rolls are much better) to take home with you. The awesome part of the bread bakery is that you can get a 1/2 loaf of bread (which is great for my family because I'm the only one that eats the unique breads they have, so nothing goes to waste. I also love their bulk section because you can get just what you need weight-wise of some really different and unique grains. They have an amazing selection of cold prepared foods in the deli case, with some great vegan and vegetarian choices. They also have a wonderful salad bar with some deliciously healthy selections. The even package some of their best products in ready to go containers so you can take them home with you. They also have a wonderful meat selection, with a significant amount of \"green\" meat (grass fed, no antibiotcs, etc). The produce selection is vast and truly unique; I've seen some really weird fruits and veggies that I've never seen before here. Be prepared as their prices are high, but you're getting good quality, healthy food, so it's well worth it.", "timestamp": "2012-06-02T01:04:03" }, { "business_id": "VVH6k9-ycttH3TV_lk5WfQ", "business_name": "Willie Mae's Scotch House", "rating": 4, "text": "Off in the land of the 7th ward in what is a pretty rough looking neighborhood, stands Willie Mae's. We took our awesome scooters here (thankfully, as it's not within walking distance from the French Quarter) and were prepared for some fried chicken goodness. I'm NOT a big fried foods person, so I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it here, but I was wrong. The restaurant is pretty much off the beaten path, but I've learned in my travels that some of the most amazing places are. The place is nothing spectacular inside, but it was really cool to read the various articles from magazines the restaurant was featured in. We reviewed our short menu and decided on nothing other than the fried chicken platter and some cornbread. Out sides were brought out along with our chicken after a relatively short wait, and we dug in. The chicken was placed on a big platter in the middle of the table, so it was like a chicken free for all at the table. The sides were HUGE, and looked delicious. I was really thrilled when the red beans and rice tasted as good as they looked, but I was slightly disappointed in the green beans. The red beans were incredible; they were slightly smoky and somewhat spicy, and were perfect! After I downed the whole bowl, it was time to tackle the chicken mountain. I broke off a piece of the breading to taste just that, and holy crap, it was delicious!!!! It was greasy (of course!), but was so delicious that I found myself scouring the crunchy pieces of the batter off of the bottom of the plate!! Once I finally got to the chicken, I was very impressed. The chicken was so moist and tender, and was some of the best chicken I had ever eaten. The combination of the deliciously crunchy, spicy batter and the moist, tender chicken made for a wonderful chicken experience. I felt like an authentic NOLA citizen while eating here. Like I said earlier, I'm not a fan of fried foods, but I was definitely a fan of Willie Mae's.", "timestamp": "2012-06-03T00:27:17" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "Jules is delicious!!! They have some amazingly creative pizza creations, and it's extra yummy because the thin crust allows you to really taste the flavors of the pizzas. They use organic and local veggies, hormone free meats and they combine flavors really well. The winners are (I can't remember the names) the greek pizza, the chicken with cilantro pizza, and the potato topped pizza. Be sure to check in on foursquare for a free slice with check in.", "timestamp": "2012-10-18T21:19:58" }, { "business_id": "iD25g7vUG3asELjXtMGF9w", "business_name": "Taqueria del Sol", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is all I can say for TDS. The restaurant itself is just cold.... not literally, but figuratively. There was no decor, no menu boards, stainless steel prep tables as dining tables, no soda machines, staff EVERYWHERE with no identification (shirts, nametags, etc). The food is reasonably priced and most of it was quite good, but what really irked my party was the fact that they charge for extra salsa!!! We ordered a salsa trio (which included 3 samples of the various salsas, in 2oz glass prep bowls), and when my brother asked for more salsa for his tacos (mind you, we ordered one of ever taco, three burritos and guacamole), he was told he'd have to buy the trio again! Really!!??? We spent over $40 on food, drinks and apps, too. Even though the food was decent, I wouldn't return as the atmosphere is just blah and you can't get extra salsa for your damn tacos!", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:14:36" }, { "business_id": "tpDJ0vOYiBLxMqtGvhBSmw", "business_name": "Top It Frozen Yogurt Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Top It is wonderful! They're your typical froyo place, but they have delicious and authentic flavors that vary daily and based on the season. They have nutritional info displayed for all to see, so you can know exactly what you're eating. They also have a ton of different and unique toppings. If you check in via yelp on your smartphone, you get 20% off which is a great incentive to come here (in addition to the yummy yogurt!!!). Don't forget to join their email list; they frequently send coupons out via email.", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:17:26" }, { "business_id": "knp4GbMlIQZAppyEVnUkQg", "business_name": "Koja Grille", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow this place is NOT it. I should've known the experience was gonna be bad when the brought my take out order, which the waitress clearly marked to go, to me out on a plate. I'm someone who adores Korean food and was excited to try Koja out, but I should've just stuck to my regular Korean spots. The food was overpriced, completely non authentic (non grilled bulgogi with broccoli and carrots????), and subpar. The wings were soggy and although I ordered them mild, they were made spicy. The food here is equivalent to overpriced icky Chinese. I haven't been this disappointed with food in Philly for a very long time. To make matters worse, the staff was incredibly rude and snippy with me. With all of the amazing Korean places in Philly, I'm surprised they stay in business here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T02:02:04" }, { "business_id": "LcURr5CJT0Uo0H18l31qpg", "business_name": "The Lite Choice", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great yogurt place! I'm a big fan of froyo in general, so I was excited to try out a place that offered such decadence in yogurt. I had a fluffernutter yogurt and was so impressed that this yogurt was light! It had such great flavor and didn't have that weird aftertaste that some froyo has. The only downside was that the yogurt is pricey.", "timestamp": "2013-04-30T01:34:20" }, { "business_id": "by3Pd_qk6R9ik3C2Ng_-rg", "business_name": "Margaritas Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Eh, this place is not it. The service is incredibly slow, chaotic and messy. Apps came out literally 30 seconds before food which is a big no no. The portion of guacamole we had was laughably small; think the size of a single scoop of ice cream EVERYTHING was slathered in cheese, to the point where all you could taste was cheese. The margaritas were good, though, but that was after my server brought me the wrong flavor twice. The food here is definitely not worth the price; save a few bucks (hell, more than a few!) and get a much better and way more authentic meal at Cancun down the street.", "timestamp": "2013-06-23T03:16:59" }, { "business_id": "lakMZT5PYQltSOjGXWnJ0g", "business_name": "Lil' Pop Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "My gosh, the Popsicles here are amazing!!!!! I go once a week on my lunch break and get two Popsicles. The best flavors are the milk based ones...last week, I had a lemon blueberry buttermilk and it tasted like a frozen cheesecake! I also had a watermelon rhubarb which was ok. The coconut hibiscus is divine as well! What a gem in West Philly!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:42:55" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "omgee, this place is phenomenal! I came here on the recommendation of some coworkers and I'm glad I did! Their burritos are big enough to feed a small army,and their flavors are amazing. Both times I went, I had a chicken and sweet potato burrito and it was divine! The sweet potatoes are such a unique and flavorful addition to the burritos. I also loved how they put guac on all of their burritos. Honest Toms is quickly becoming a favorite lunch spotlight of mine in West!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:46:34" }, { "business_id": "U30ggGzFpXvc2NZYwOW3qg", "business_name": "Mood Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Jeez, where to begin with Mood???? I came here for lunch a few weeks ago with a coworker, and while he wasn't a fan (he's not as adventurous with food a I am), I loved it! If you're looking for your typical Indian food, skip here; if you want a flavor adventure that is unique and different, then this is your place. I had no clue what a chaat was until I came here, so the owner explained everything to me. The chaats here anew amazing; there are so many flavors, textures, colors, and unique ingredients that every bite is something different. They also have the best lassis I've ever had, and what makes them even better is the flavors! Skip the traditional mango (even though its awesome) and give fig a try. It was creamy, sweet perfection. I'm sure the food here isn't diet friendly, which is not good for me because its so close to work!!!!!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:53:14" }, { "business_id": "oGAnlXgorzsRqeA4S0UhlQ", "business_name": "Scappa Brick Oven Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "This place has some of the best Italian and pizza in Levittown. Everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. I really enjoyed their tomato pie; the sauce was a perfect combo of sweet and salty. All in all, a great place to grab a flavorful and well priced Italian meal.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:55:19" }, { "business_id": "hG1CdQIZGnHcYDdpNnVbSQ", "business_name": "My Little Kupkake", "rating": 1, "text": "Ick, I had a cupcake from here which I picked up from DIbrunos in the city, and I was not impressed. Im a cupcake fanatic, so I take cupcakes seriously!The cake itself was dry and dense, the icing was too sweet and there was entirely too much of it. If you're going to market and sell your cupcakes in another location, at least ensure they're good.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:57:54" }, { "business_id": "9OhPfV0C3Q49l5tSre2MuQ", "business_name": "Kabobeesh", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh lawd, Kabobeesh is incredible!!! I am so happy that this place is so close to where I work that I go here every Tuesday for lunch. For $10, you get an incredible amount of food that can feed you for days. I always am enticed by the kebobs in the case, which are always so fresh and flavorful. My favorite is the tandoori chicken, which is so moist, tender and flavorful that I'm drooling as I write this. They always have delicious sides and dishes besides the kebobs. I'm a huge fan of the yellow daal which is so perfectly seasoned and so flavorful. The homemade naan is to die for as well. The only downfall is that the service tends to be rather slow, but for food this awesome, it's worth the wait!!!", "timestamp": "2013-10-01T00:02:52" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. I was overhyped to try here, and was slightly disappointed. The place is incredibly small, and I knew it wasn't going to be the best dining experience when we were sat by the draft of the open door which rushed in the cold January air. Cocktail: the sgroppino was fabulous! The sorbet was so fresh and flavorful. Very string too! Apps: the garlic bread was yummy! Nothing phenomenal but good. The fig bruschetta was great too, but I wasn't a fan of how overwhelming the Gorgonzola was. It took away from the other flavors of the dish. The arancini were meh; rather bland and flavorless. It almost tasted frozen to me; it was definitely the loser of the night. The fresh mozzarella was the star of the night: creamy, salty, briney goodness. It literally melted in my mouth. We each had a pasta dish. The gnocchi were yummy; I loved the crunchiness that came from the pan sear. The fusili were ok; I'm just not a big fan of oily sauces. The spaghetti and meatballs were great, though. The portion was gigantic; however, I was a bit surprised that the meatball tasted more like hot Italian sausage than a classic meatball. The service was great, though. Our server was knowledgable, personable and friendly. I usually never leave a restaurant like this stuffed, but I felt like I was going to explode when we were done eating. $100 for three people including drinks is a great price, too. You really get a lot of food for a fair price. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I felt like the food here was oversold and under delivered. I guess I expected more from this empire (I could eat at Barbuzzo daily!) Would I return? Highly unlikely. There are just too many other choices in Philly which are equivalent in price that have much more to offer.", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:04:04" }, { "business_id": "UyTx6ci7ATsWco_mE4J8Jw", "business_name": "Pamcakes, a Philly Cupcakery", "rating": 2, "text": "I expected more from Pamcakes... I am a cupcake fiend. I make it a point to try as many cupcake places as I can in the city, and while I have tried many, I'm nowhere near trying them all. I also bake my own, so I'm always pumped to try new (to me) shops I went in on a Thursday around 1115 and no one was in the shop. The display was pretty meager; a few of this flavor, two of that one, etc, . I ordered a red velvet, lemon raspberry, triple chocolate and vanilla with buttercream. The red velvet was one of the best red velvet cupcakes I've ever had. The cream Cheese frosting was divine; light, fluffy and not overtly sweet. The lemon raspberry was fair; not good, not bad, just average. The triple chocolate was awful. The cake was dry and crumbly and the icing was way too sweet. The vanilla was bad too. Dry cake, bland frosting and extremely dense. The worst part of the experience was on three of the four cupcakes, the icing was hard and crunchy. I honestly thought they were yesterday's leftovers. They certainly didn't taste fresh. I was very disappointed with the cupcakes here. I expected so much more and was highly let down. Such a shame, too", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:17:37" }, { "business_id": "OxkdxarPVk_BNGDpllqiBA", "business_name": "Under the Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Under the Pier is a rather unassuming spot, but don't let the facade fool you. Actually, it's the epitome of duvet here, but who cares??!! The food here is great! Cheap, fresh, quick and delicious...what more could you ask for!? The fish is fresh, the batter is great and the prices are good. They have great \"chips\" too with their fish. I also loved the crab cake and clam cake, too. This place is definitely a hidden gem in Levittown .", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T02:29:59" }, { "business_id": "45ClmqPAagmNvdUojFULZA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 3, "text": "I noticed this place on a ride down Walnut for work. Definitely my kind of place, so I parked and stopped in. Think fast farm to table food. I loved how everything is locally sourced, organic, fresh and healthy. However, I did not love the price! When I paid for my seasonal salad and cucumber limeade (which was AMAZEBALLS), I ended up with a total of around $15!!! I have no problem paying higher prices for quality, but 15 bucks for a salad and a 16oz lemonade is just insanity in my opinion. The salad was good; definitely not worth the $11 it cost, though. I realize this is U City and they locally source everything, etc, but I simply would not return due to the prices (this is one of the main reasons I left a three star review. I know quailty ingredients come with a price, however, $15 is just far too much.", "timestamp": "2014-06-25T17:36:12" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 4, "text": "I was blown away by the food here and I didn't even eat in! My brother brought home take out which included the eggplant hummus and the brisket hummus, pita and saltim. While I don't eat red meat, I devoured the eggplant hummus and literally could not stop stuffing my face with the deliciousness that sat in that bowl. The hummus was so earthy and smoky and had such great flavor. The pita were amazing; even cold, they were incredible!!!!!! I simply cannot wait to try the food from here fresh. What an amazing place!!! Majestic, Zahav and chef Michael Solomon!!!!! A true gem!!!", "timestamp": "2014-09-27T00:59:15" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here on restaurant week and was very disappointed here. This was my first experience at a Garces restaurant, so I was really excited to eat here. Normally, I give yelp a lot of credit in helping me select where to eat, and I figured I'd try here despite (more than) a few wishy-washy review. For starters, the service here is awful. It took 20 minutes to even be asked for drinks and probably 15 people walked by us without acknowledging us, which normally would send me packing, but I was anticipating a great meal so I stuck it out. The menu was limited to only restaurant week selections which I'm never a fan of. We started with the fresh mozzarella which was the clear winner of the night; warm, briney, salty goodness. The second course was a micro green salad which was topped with such a bitter garlic oil they I could barely eat it. For my meal, I had the risotto with scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly, however they were so overly salty, I couldn't eat them. The risotto was a bit too al dente for my liking but it tasted OK. Overall, I was extremely disappointed in the experience here. I expect the utmost care, attention to service and food at restaurants like this, and I didn't get it. I will not be back.", "timestamp": "2014-09-28T13:12:12" }, { "business_id": "O6hY9yenifuRXrpc4TfgsQ", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is awesome!!! We came on a Saturday night and the place was packed!!! For such an unassuming location, it was wall to wall people. The decor is rather gaudy; it reminds me of my grandma's country kitchen but it was an intimate ambiance. We ordered the blue moon and general tso wings, which were yummy! The general tso were sticky, sweet and a bit spicy, but the best part was the homemade wasabi Bleu cheese. Spot on!!! We also had the duck fat fries which were phenomenal!!! Salty, savory, cheesy, hand cut fries...everything just melted together for an amazing flavor experience!!! The original mac and cheese was ok; I'm not a fan of smoky cheeses in my mac and cheese, but it had a nice creamy consistency. I ordered a turkey burger for dinner which I was good. It was slightly dry, and it didn't come on a brioche bun as advertised but rather on a potato bun. I was a bit let down by that, but the burger was still good. We ended the night with a lemon scented cheesecake. Incredibly delicious!!! The crust had a bit of saltiness to it which complimented the sweet cheesecake and bitter lemon. All in all, this place is delicious! Don't let their boring strip mall outside deter you from the yumminess inside!!!", "timestamp": "2015-04-12T02:46:35" }, { "business_id": "gjFUrbSMo1rA1jgG5IhA2A", "business_name": "Chima Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. The service here is awful. Granted, we came on father's day but still, the service shouldn't have been as bad as it was. It took 15 minutes to get drinks and when the meats finally came around, the same kind of meat kept coming by. I had to ask the waitress to send the guy with the fish over to the table, and it still tool him 15 minutes to come by. The rest of the people in my party kept having to ask for the specific meat they wanted because some stuff just never came around. The salad bar was ok, it had a lot of selection to go with the food. The dessert, however, were subpar. You could definitely tell they were not handmade. I've been to other places like this before, so I wasn't impressed with the sword service like I'm sure some people are. There are plenty of other much better places to spend 50+ dollars at in Philadelphia.", "timestamp": "2015-07-07T01:04:57" } ]	{ "business_id": "wUnLSg_GKfEIQ5CQQ770_g", "business_name": "Vetri Cucina", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh my gosh what an experience!!!! I had the privilege of coming here for my 30th birthday in April and it was everything I expected and more. I felt like I was in an old world Italian kitchen as the ambiance was perfect as well. I can finally check this place off my bucket list!! Our waiter, Bill, was incredible. Attentive, knowledgeable and interesting, he made the night that much better. I truly never experienced service as incredible as the service here, which took the night from a meal to an experience. We let Bill decide what to bring us., letting him know what we preferred and let him select. The foie was incredible ( it was my first time eating it) and I wanted more!! I can't remember specifics as to what we had, but every dish was simply amazing. Everything in the evening was A++++. I also opted for the wine tasting (hey go big or go home!) which was completely worth the money, as every glass was perfectly complimentary to the plate. I've never been so pleased, satisfied and happy with a meal as I was when I left here. Although the plates were small, there were so many plates that I was incredibly stuffed at the end of the meal. Vetri was everything I had hoped for and more, and although I will likely never get to go back (think two car payments for three people), I'm so honored and pleased that I got to eat here. I will never forget the meal or experience I had here. Absolutely incredible job, Marc Vetri!!!!", "timestamp": "2015-07-25T01:08:32" }
kHmXUEOAsIbguUrPoX6Tkg	[ { "business_id": "jXDr7IkNlkJGuQYzth9CMg", "business_name": "The New Il Mi Jung", "rating": 1, "text": "While the food is really great and delicious, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. The staff there neglected giving us the sides, did not offer us drink refills, and did not allow me to order BBQ since my husband ordered BBQ special (even though we've done it many times) (my husband gets special and I would get BBQ chicken). They know what we get, and would not allow us to order what we wanted. They were actually very rude to us tonight, and we were regulars, going 2-3x/month. After tonight, we will not be returning. They lost two regular customers due to rudeness and lack of acceptable service tonight. We'll be going to Myung Ga from now on.", "timestamp": "2009-10-10T02:54:00" }, { "business_id": "FJl6LCHbqiM9mvSwDjFAjw", "business_name": "Kim's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing!!! It's different than other Korean restaurants as they don't use gas for the grills, just hot coals. The banchan are AMAZING, and the meat portions are huge!!! They even have steamed egg!!! Highly recommended!!!! Korean food can be pretty pricey for the meat dishes, which is the case here, but it's worth it. Since it;s in Olney, I'll only go during daylight hours.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:06:32" }, { "business_id": "6sWAn5N1h5d4pd1hEu497A", "business_name": "Young Bin Kwan", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing! It's a full buffet of raw meat that you take yourself and grill at your table in the charcoal Korean grills. I highly recommend this place for Korean food newbies as you can really experience various meats without being committed to something you may not like. The banchan are amazing! So many choices!!!!!!! The whole place is amazing, and it's only $23/pp!!!! The little Korean ladies will help you out if you're a Korean BBQ newbie. Just keep in mind that it's at the bottom of an apartment complex, so it's relatively easy to miss. You WILL smell like you doused yourself in charcoal cologne though afterwards. It's not owned by the same people anymore, and the food has suffered since then.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:15:43" }, { "business_id": "-pyobEWdpZ6jUp42f3I2xw", "business_name": "Dolsot House", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is AMAZING!!! Although you can't cook your own meats here, it's well worth it! The portions are huge, and the prices are very reasonable! They'll refill your bancha if you like something a lot, and the owners are extremely helpful in helping decipher the menu. An absolute hit!!!! The soon tofu is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-09T17:49:23" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "Incredible food, incredible location (Capogiro right down the street for dessert!). The falaffel is so delicious, and their hummus is so smooth and creamy. I had my first falaffel here, and it was incredible. The ONLY complaint I have is that their hours are really funky. They're dirt cheap and always really busy. A real winner!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:06:20" }, { "business_id": "6JVHcQBnyA1DzK4z65cJSw", "business_name": "Falafel Factory", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was great!!! I love how they offer baked falafel. However, their pitas were definitely not homemade like they claimed to be. It's a good alternative if you can't make it to Mama's (hell, the cashier even said the owner goes to Mama's!!). All in all, good falafel.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:10:08" }, { "business_id": "ki0qSHmHNgUjKPRzYDTPow", "business_name": "The Pub 2900", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:24:39" }, { "business_id": "z5GlwQqwr4H8ruCjpnE_BA", "business_name": "Club House Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15. They're owned by the same company as Great American Diner Pub.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:25:22" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Alma de Cuba was delicious!!!! The ceviche is out of this world!!! My only two complaints were that my salmon was undercooked (still transparent in the middle) which really pissed me off because for $30 for a 4 oz portion of salmon, I really believe it should've been cooked to perfection the first time and they forgot one of the entrees in our order. However, the waitstaff was great in correcting the problems, and even offered us a complimentary meal the next time we came in. A great Cuban experience with yummy food!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:29:26" }, { "business_id": "gim0CxngZb6WKPu6BtfzWA", "business_name": "Food Castle Express", "rating": 5, "text": "Great food, and the staff is very helpful. The naan and roti are so delicious!!! The atmosphere is really nice, and the staff are really helpful in deciphering the menu. A hidden gem out of the ton of Indian restaurants in Bensalem.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:32:27" }, { "business_id": "7pwZZVVlYCxQvVdd8Q03wg", "business_name": "La Rosa Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best pizza places in Philadelphia. I've been coming here with my family since I was 5, and always stop by when I'm in South Philly. Prices are still really good!!! Get 1/2 red and 1/2 white for two amazingly delicious different pizza experiences! They don't take credit cards, and they have no seating inside.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:34:36" }, { "business_id": "GFbo0kqqDybKTPkRaJgGMQ", "business_name": "Tijuana Flats", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!! Some of the best take our mexican food I've ever had!!! They offer a power lite option (which is fat free sour cream and light cheese) so you can still get the gooey and creamy flavors of a delicious Mexican meal with reduced calories. Their sauce \"bar\" is phenomenal!! Literally 20 different hot sauces to choose from. Do not pass this place up!!! The atmosphere is really cool, too, with lots of autographed celebrity photos on the walls as well as funky Mexican/Spanish style decor. (They frequently have certificates on restaurant.com too!)", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:37:54" }, { "business_id": "jziliEq8Zum-EynD5v-Hvg", "business_name": "Chifa", "rating": 4, "text": "Service was great. The waitress was extremely helpful with explaining the menu and helping us choose our dinners. The food was good but the portions were small for the price, which is typical of tapas style. The rolls with the guava butter that they bring pre meal were amazing. The pork belly buns were so delicious that our party actually ordered two more orders!! The red curry was fab, but was too rich for me. The Peruvian ceviche with a side of crunchy corn thingies and crispy plantains was simply amazing!!!! Clean, citrusy, refreshing, just like good ceviche should be!! All in all, a great experience!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:42:53" }, { "business_id": "_wcOVX6PPvhXGMpUa2Ij8A", "business_name": "Melrose Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is not very deserving of 5 stars (think typical drab diner food), but the buttercream cake deserves 50 stars!!! The cake is SO moist and delicious, and the icing, oh my, has got to be the best buttercream icing I've ever eaten. Nothing beats stopping here after a night of boozing in the city to grab two slices of cake!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:37:08" }, { "business_id": "goI3MrJIPJxknQdKtFkkGw", "business_name": "Stoltzfus Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "The Amish market is awesome!!!! Their pretzels are out of this world, and they have a ton of really cool and interesting foods/products. The only downside is that they're only open Thurs-Sat, and their hours are weird. Their prices are very reasonable, and they have everything you could want: spices, meats, fruits, veggies, baked goods and even a restaurant!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:41:28" }, { "business_id": "wb_z1h7XR5IQhVRZHlMuLQ", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore Redstone! Their food is relatively simple in comparison to other restaurants in the price range, but boy oh boy it's yummy. Their mac and cheese is simply divine, and is made with 5 different cheeses. Their french fries are awesome, and they even handmake their ketchup!! A MUST HAVE while here is the StoliDoli, which is Stoli vodka that sits in a cored pineapple for ~1 week, then is served in a martini glass. Amazing!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:44:34" }, { "business_id": "0aflm9H-XNg8eUAoeWmh9Q", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about all I can say about here. WAY overpriced for underperforming food. Everything is SO high in calories and fat here that it's scary! Granted, they make the place look nice, but it's to compensate for their awful food.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:47:56" }, { "business_id": "-qk__vjJxfJrCWn3UaMv_Q", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory - Cherry Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing restaurant!!!! The menu is the longest one I've ever seen, so you'll definitely find something you like. The portions are mammoth, and will easily feed you for two days. The wait tends to be pretty long (gotta love the American desire for gluttony!), so get there early. All in all, a great place for date night or to take the family. The only downfall is that they do not accept reservations.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:50:38" }, { "business_id": "NDXH8dHdC8k2PrEEZPQBIg", "business_name": "Shogun Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Shogun!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. The decor is really nice inside, and it has a great atmosphere. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. The roll is that is wrapped with the yellow soy paper and topped with baked scallops is amazing!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:53:37" }, { "business_id": "9_V0SWbQPnZ0mR3kljXqBQ", "business_name": "Sakura Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Sakura!!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. THe $7.95 chicken hibachi special is SO large!! I'd definitely reccommend it!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:55:28" }, { "business_id": "MWel8zS7L7dzWC0_IY_Pzg", "business_name": "Mini Of The Main Line", "rating": 1, "text": "ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RUDE EMPLOYEES. They're only out to RIP PEOPLE OFF, and are extremely disrespectful and nasty. They NEVER return calls, and if they do, it's only to tell you that you need to put more money into a car that has more problems than a math book. Aviod this place like the plague, and head to Otto's in West Chester or Princeton Mini in NJ.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible is the only way to describe this place. I've taken many trips into the city just to get their gelato. The dark dark chocolate is my favorite!!! Tip: If you're interested in knowing their flavors, check their site. Be forewarned though, the gelato is rather pricey (~$6 for ~5 ounces) but it's definitely worth it as a treat!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:01:57" }, { "business_id": "JPfe9B-RLrE5Nz75kcKImQ", "business_name": "Govinda's Vegetarian", "rating": 5, "text": "Delish vegan/vegetarian food here!!! The 'chicken' cheesesteak is SO good!!!! You would have no idea it wasn't chicken if you didn't look at the cubes of textured soy protein. They do a beautiful job of seasoning their soy protein so it actually tastes better than the real thing! A winner!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:04:23" }, { "business_id": "EekwCjDqa9VT6Kq_aVE_0Q", "business_name": "Pho Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious pho and vietnamese cuisine!!! Their prices are extremely reasonable and their food is out of this world!!! The grilled pork banh mi (which is basically a grilled pork hoagie with cilantro, pickled dikon & carrots, cucumber, and some sauce. I also get hosin on the side)is delicious, and the cold Grilled Pork Spring rolls are divine!!! A must try in Bucks county!", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:38:03" }, { "business_id": "ytynqOUb3hjKeJfRj5Tshw", "business_name": "Reading Terminal Market", "rating": 5, "text": "An incredible place that is a must hit in Philly. Tons of food selections, most of which are very reasonably priced. DiNic's is a MUST try. Going on the weekends is a surefire way to ensure all vendors are open, but be prepared for it to be very crowded and hard to walk around.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:42:48" }, { "business_id": "RuuGJoMm2Y3wbLbPPHTvqw", "business_name": "Phily Diner & Sports Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about it for the place. The food is sub par, and they have terrible service, even when they're not busy. Their prices are reasonable, however, the food leaves a lot to be desired, and it's gotten worse since they changed to \"bar\" format. Skip this one.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T14:10:43" }, { "business_id": "T9n_LqUUhC2b1ALhg57Y5Q", "business_name": "Texas Roadhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Food is really good here, but they're very inconsistent. We typically order from here every week, and the food can be in a monstrous portion one week, then not enough to feed one person the next week. I love how they offer the veg place option, which allows you to choose 4 sides.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:08:47" }, { "business_id": "8CG5nPzDkMkQEsH1k_hdVA", "business_name": "Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious pizza here!!! The pizza was crispy and definitely coal fired. They're rather pricey for a pizza which is why I don't come here more often. If you want to try them out, go during lunch when you can get a personal pizza for ~$8.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:34:01" }, { "business_id": "8_n64z4tzSJXMK4fYPzxvw", "business_name": "Jay West", "rating": 5, "text": "I got my wedding dress here and never had any issues. They have gowns in all price ranges, and they carry all different designers. Their alterations are rather pricey, so be prepared to spend around an extra $250 for those. All in all, a great experience for purchasing my wedding gown.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:04:53" }, { "business_id": "aTpaOvF1FFGj8t_5U2_kHA", "business_name": "Produce Junction", "rating": 1, "text": "Fruit and veggies are cheap, however, I'll gladly pay an extra $1.00/lb for my apples to be treated like a human being. The staff are insanely rude and talk about you in Spanish while you're waiting in line. Avoid at all costs.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:10:43" }, { "business_id": "fQixVK0uar3ArJtNeug8nQ", "business_name": "Giant Food Stores", "rating": 4, "text": "Great market here. Tons and tons of selections, as well as cafe inside the store. Their natural/organic section is great! I only shop there for sale items because their regular priced items are quite expensive. All in all a good market with a big selection.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_UOg5_pk9IhKee91eWrT4A", "business_name": "Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty decent BBQ here, although it does not compare to a local joint that is no longer around. I really like it here coz it's very hard to find BBQ turkey breast and they have it here. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here but if I was nearby, I'd hit it up.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:33:02" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "Yeah, a big fat no to Banana Leaf. After much persusasion by a close friend, we decided to check it out on Friday night. The place seemed very busy, which we took as a good sign, however, looks can decieve. To start off, our waiter had multiple long, thick hairs so big they could've been braided) growing out of a mole the size of a quarter on the side of his face. I should've known that things were going to go downhill from there. The service was very slow, and the food was just terrible. Their menu is almost the same as Penang, which is why I thought it'd be great (minus the gross growth on our waiter). I had the mango chicken, which is phenomenal at Penang, but was dry and crispy here. The noodle dishes were too crunchy and greasy. Roti was actually raw and undercooked as well. I definitely would not return here, even if the waiter cut the hair from his facial growth.", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:10:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!!!!!! The mango chicken is out of this world!!! It's so flavorful and comes in a very hearty portion size! Their roti is crispy, and always perfectly cooked. Mee Siam is hearty and filling, yet not overly greasy and heavy. There really is nothing else to say about Penang other than to go and eat there!", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:12:54" }, { "business_id": "KNDMUyeW8bSsLXGSNyQS-Q", "business_name": "Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is ok, nothing special. On a typical night, there are hoards of obese people stuffing their faces with cheaply made desserts and greasy, breaded and fried foods. The only plus here is the all you can eat snow crab legs.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:51:02" }, { "business_id": "EdopUxxfxqEA79Vcy_dT3g", "business_name": "Fuel", "rating": 3, "text": "Eh. I was not very impressed with here. I came on a Friday night around 9:30pm and there were a few people here. It smelled good in here so I was excited to try it out. Food was ready quick and smelled yummy in the car. However my olfactory sense was tricked because the food did not remotely taste as good as it smelled. The Thai chicken sandwich was rather dry and had WAY too much basil on it. I took the basil off and it still had a very strong basil taste. The South Philly panini was surprisingly greasy and the panini bread was very chewy. The banana whip was yummy as well as the raspberry NSA tea. I definitely would not go out of my way to eat here again, and would travel out of my way across the Ben to Washington Twp NJ to Musclemaker grill before coming back here.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:11" }, { "business_id": "2Q1R2OhBbAQ581vK_r7NhA", "business_name": "Ooka Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "A hidden gem in Willow Grove!! The sushi here is incredible , and has to be some of the freshest sushi I've ever had. The food off of the non-sushi menu is delicious as well. They have great lunch specials too!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:53" }, { "business_id": "-wlmZ-b35UJ-GY-59NDxyw", "business_name": "H Mart - Elkins Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Hmart is amazing!!!! Although I'm not Korean, my family and I adore Korean food. They have amazing bulgogi and kalbi, as well as a slew of other prepared foods. Their prices on veggies and fruit are great, and they have everything you could ever want for cooking Asian/Korean style. They have an awesome food court upstairs with many many Asian food options. This is the best Hmart around!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:53:20" }, { "business_id": "Og1HekJMHKqsvtWaUp9V8g", "business_name": "Flying Monkey Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, this place was a disappointment. 2.25-2.50 for hard as a rock, weirdly flavored cupcakes. I bought the lavender, meyer lemon, guinness, peanut butter, and creme brulee. The lavender was absolutely disgusting and tasted like they threw body lotion on top of a cupcake, and sold it . The meyer lemon was extremely sugary and did not have much of a lemon taste to it. The guinness was very oddly flavored and did not taste like guinness at all. The peanut butter was very very rich and way too peanut buttery. All you tasted was the frosting. The creme brulee tasted a little bit like french toast, and was the only cupcake that I would even consider eating if it was the last cupcake available on earth. The icing on all of the cupcakes was hard as a rock, and the presentation of the cupcakes made them look like they were iced by my 5 year old cousin. Nasty all around.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:28:25" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly wow!!! What an amazing cupcake find!! The outside looks like a clothing store, and the inside is very unique.The store is set up really cool with the cupcakes in cabinets, so it gives this real boutiquey feel . The sweet potato cupcake with pecans and cream cheese frosting was to die for!!! The plain buttercream was divine as well. I really wanted to try the red velvet, but they were sold out. It's very cramped in here spacewise, and they don't accept credit/debit cards either. They're pricey, too, so I would definitely only go here for a special, special occasion. A dozen cupcakes would run over $30.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:32:24" }, { "business_id": "TsPb4qM79Nue6sDKANEdgQ", "business_name": "Planet Fitness", "rating": 5, "text": "Great gym, very cheap, and they're open 24hrs (except Sat and Sun). Be forewarned that it's no frills (no classes, no pool, no sauna). They have tanning beds but they are free for the black card members only.", "timestamp": "2010-08-29T01:32:31" }, { "business_id": "7Or2xPBkTNYRxD9SiMQVOQ", "business_name": "Felix's Caketeria", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, 1,000 times over!!!! Felix's makes Philly Cupcake look like the bakery at Walmart! We just moved to Newtown, and upon exploring town, we discovered this gem. Thankfully, parking is easy here as the bakery is an independent building. When you first walk in, you're greeted by the pleasant and friendly owners/baker, which is a rarity these days. The aroma here is insanely intoxicating, and transports you to a world of delectable baked goods. The display case is rather small, but the flavors are HUGE. I bought 5 cupcakes: original vanilla with buttercream, the Elvis (banana spice cake with peanut butter buttercream), red velvet, peanut butter and jelly (raspberry jelly), and sea salt caramel. The buttercream original was ok; the buttercream was too fluffy for my tastes, but it was yummy. The red velvet had to be the BEST red velvet cupcake I've ever had. I could eat the cream cheese frosting by the bucketful!!!! The Elvis was sinfully delicious; Felix must be a madman for creating this flavor!!! The PBandJ was amazing; it was not a fake, sugary, kid-friendly taste, but a very sophisticated adult tasting PBandJ with seeded red raspberry preserves. The sea salt caramel was indescribable; the mix of flavors was so perfect, with the most magical ratio of salty to sweet. The ONLY thing I don't like about Felix's is that it's so close to where I live. That's dangerous for a cupcake fiend like me!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-10-08T00:36:15" }, { "business_id": "Z4ERIzhdyduAew1O5KUvXw", "business_name": "Meglio Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "The pizza here is really yummy. I love a good, saucy, thin crust pizza, and they hit the nail on the head. The margharita pizza is really good, and their ingerdients are very fresh. Just make sure you ask them to make the pizza well done as the dough tends to be chewy and slightly underdone if you don't ask them to cook it longer.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T16:56:58" }, { "business_id": "IbndcMURguByburM72o3SA", "business_name": "State Street Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, this place is surprisingly delicious!! I stopped by for lunch on a busy Sunday afternoon, and was very impressed with the amount of people who were inside eating and waiting for takeout. I ordered the tofu veggie balls (tofu 'meatbally' topped with roasted veggies, marinara and parmesean cheese) and was very surprised with the flavor. The sandwich was large, and the tofu balls were very well flavored. The roasted veggies atop the sandwich were perfectly roasted. The only gripe (and reason for 4 instead of 5 stars) about here is that it took 40 minutes to get my sandwich, so next time, I'd definitely call in an order and pick it up later.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:08:13" }, { "business_id": "wAwcCuzwyOdny_BteT9Vew", "business_name": "La Pergola", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely adore the hummus and pita bread here. I'm a big fan of hummus, and love a very creamy, unprocessed hummus. The decor is rather flamboyant as other reviewers have noted, however, the flavors make up for it. I've never eaten anything else here (I typically only have a few minutes to get something, and the hummus is easy and quick to package, which is why I haven't tried anything else), but if the rest of the food is as yummy as the hummus, then this place is a hidden gem. Parking can be a nightmare on West Ave, so be forewarned.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:14:47" }, { "business_id": "3AjwyeF8oiTiHij9vFgyMw", "business_name": "Sam's Italian Market & Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Stay away from this place. They increase their prices, and don't post the price changes to notify customers. Then when you say the price is wrong they tell your not getting it for the prices listed on their menu. Rip off", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T14:59:37" }, { "business_id": "ntiIq1FNqduOyyowMFGh5A", "business_name": "Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly, talk about a hole in the wall, but looks deceive. It has one the most minimal menus I've ever seen, but boy oh boy, the food is delicious. I felt like I was sitting in a noodle cafe in China the food as the experience was so authentic. The prices are amazing, and the portions are huge to top it all off. This food would probably be a tough eat in the summer months as it's a super hot soup, but it should definitely be on the list for cooler months.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:07:31" }, { "business_id": "J8S7cPPlTgsQnXKVfTyN8g", "business_name": "PYT", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is about it for PYT. I was excited to finally use my groupon, as everything seemed to be yummy from the reviews and smells inside. I ordered two burgers to go, so maybe the experience would be different had I eaten in, but I didn't. There were no other patrons in the restaurant at this time, so I was a little peeved that it took 30 minutes to get my burgers. The Calibunga burger was ok, but as many reviews mentioned, it was rather soggy and not very firm. The bun should've been toasted as I'm sure it would have made the bun less soggy too. The chips also were not very crunchy, which surprised me. I got a Korean shortrib burger for my husband and ordered it medium, and guess what? It was so rare, it mooed. That was an immediate turn off for him, and really ruined the experience. He had to cook it to meduim himself on the grill. Overall, I wouldn't try this place again, even with another groupon offer. The prices are too outrageous and the food isn't all it's hyped out to be.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:01:15" }, { "business_id": "cjGcc6E32U5DAMG_bScclg", "business_name": "Tre Fratelli", "rating": 5, "text": "Tre Fratelli REALLY surprised me. My husband and I went for dinner one weekday night with a restaurant.com gift certificate as we wanted to try it out, and we were very glad we did. The restaurant is very unassuming (the pizza \"parlor\" in the front is actually a bit dirty looking), but the restaurant itself is large and welcoming. The salads were delicious, and the dressing was very very good. My husband ordered the manicotti and I ordered a chicken dish with balsalmic vinegar and bruchetta on top. The food was brought out, and we were blown away with the immense portion sizes. The chicken in my dish was cooked to perfection and the bruchetta was so fresh and delicious! The ricotta in the manicotti was some of the best velvety smooth and creamy ricotta I've ever had. We both walked out with large portions of leftovers. I was very impressed and would come back again in a second the next time the craving for Italian hits me.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:09:43" }, { "business_id": "V2uSS4OumRDvuVM_2ZSc1Q", "business_name": "Cancun Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Cancun had some of the best mexican food hands down outside of Mexico itself. The menu is mind blowingly huge, prices are extremely reasonable (you can get two of their combo dinner platters for under $20) and their portions are just as big. Everything is so fresh and delicious. The food is so authentic as well. Be sure to get the refried beans as they are some of the best I've ever eaten.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:18:49" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 5, "text": "I was so excited to try Han, and I finally got to, and it was AMAZING!!! Han has the best Chinese food I've ever eaten, and has got to be in the top 3 restaurants I've tried in my life. And to top it all off, you'll leave with tons of leftover food. The spicy cucumbers were phenomenal; crunchy, sweet and slathered in this delicious spicy chili oil mixture. Deceptively delicious!!! The spice hits you at the end. The dan dan noodles were perfection. Tender, spicy and superb. There really are no words. The wontons in chili oil were ok; I like more meat and less dough with my wontons which is why I wasn't a big fan, but the flavors were delicious. My husband had the garlic sauce pork, and it was amazing! The pork was tender and cooked perfectly, and wasn't too spicy (he can't eat foods that are extremely spicy due to GI issues, but we went here to celebrate my birthday). I had the dry pepper chicken and was blown away. It was simply the best chinese chicken dish I had ever eaten. The chicken was so crispy, yet juicy, and wasn't greasy at all like you'd expect it to be. The flavors just exploded in my mouth, but unfortunately, I was too stuffed from the monstrous appetizer servings to eat most of it. Han Dynasty is simply amazing; stellar food, stellar service and huge portions. Just make sure to bring some tissues to blow your runny nose. I can't wait to come back here!", "timestamp": "2011-04-26T00:01:31" }, { "business_id": "J4QD1PKOkaM0WWsheYFY7Q", "business_name": "New Life Thrift", "rating": 2, "text": "While a lot of people I know like this thrift shop, I'm not one of them. Although it's very roomy and there are a lot of things, most items are pretty old and outdated in comparison to other thrift stores I've frequented in MontCo and Bucks. The clothing tends to be very outdated, too. Their prices also seem rather high for a thrift store (although I understand the money is for charity, but $150 for a used sofa is a little bit outrageous). Impact in Horsham is much better, in my opinion. Parking here is also very annoying and difficult with the one way street to exit and goofy sloped lot.", "timestamp": "2011-05-19T00:45:04" }, { "business_id": "LNHq9WxfhN2UBNOR2tnRQQ", "business_name": "Corropolese Bakery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy crap, this place has amazing tomato pie!!! It seems to be a common occurrance in the area that no one knows what an authenric tomato pie is (SQUARE pie with just tomato sauce and sprinkled parmesean cheese), but this place nailed it!! The sauce is perfect; a little bit of sweet with a little bit of the good acidity needed in a good tomato sause. Eight slices only cost $3.85!!! Yes, EIGHT! An entire pie of 30 slices runs something like $13 bucks. Insane deal, insane pizza. The best tomato pie I've ever had.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:51:18" }, { "business_id": "NNZ4Zjir0S101ltpfgaI1w", "business_name": "Golden Dawn", "rating": 3, "text": "This diner was ok. I wasn't too impressed as I used to live in NJ, the land of diners. The service was very good, however, the food was subpar although they gave you a lot of it. I'd probably give them another chance if I was in the area, but wouldn't drive out of my way to come and eat here. There are much better diners throughout Levittown/Bristol/Falls Twp.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:56:18" }, { "business_id": "HIAJ2mnlm_pP38_8GbgQ5g", "business_name": "Hmart", "rating": 4, "text": "H-Mart is an amazing grocery store!!!! They have rock bottom prices on excellent produce, plus they have a slew of incredibly hard to find Asian ingredients. This H-mart is relatively small compared to the others I've been too, however, they do have a ton of stuff. Be forewarned, though, as their meat (excluding fish) tends to be rather pricey, even for the special cuts that are used in Asian cooking.", "timestamp": "2011-06-19T00:52:15" }, { "business_id": "UB8sxbUN7kPZum22U2O9kg", "business_name": "Julio's Famous Pizzeria", "rating": 2, "text": "Pizza here is subpar. Very greasy, extremely cheesy and very sloppy. The box was soaked with grease. The crust was chewy and had no crisp or crunch to it at all. We also ordered one pizza which took AN HOUR to make. Really?? Better pizza places are not hard to find in the area, and we definitely will not be returning here in the future.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T18:10:45" }, { "business_id": "xUAPlkR2KD81spJzt96TBw", "business_name": "Cafe Bombay Indian Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Cafe Bombay has some of the best Indian food I've ever had. They're located in downtown Bristol, secluded from the main highway, so it can be hard to find it. The food is so fresh, authentic and simply delicious. The daal is superb, and is seasoned perfectly. I am in love with their chicken tikka masala. The sauce is an amazing compliment to incredibly tender chicken. The samosas are phenomenal too. They have an incredibly naan seasoned with cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins that is a great compliment to the salty and savory food. Make sure you end your meal with a mango lassi, too; they have the best I've ever drank. They tend to be rather slow in cooking the food, so I definitely recommend calling your order in and picking it up. A true hidden gem in Bucks county.", "timestamp": "2011-09-23T01:47:19" }, { "business_id": "zJoT9gFvGtZAhbdcIF4Xmw", "business_name": "Buffalo Wild Wings", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, the food here was horrible!!!! The fries were rubbery and chewy, they shorted me some chicken strips in my almost $10 meal of thinly sliced tough and chewy grilled chicken strips, and the sauces were incredibly salty and gross. I also had a side salad which was wilted and brown. I will never patronize here again; what a terrible food experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-18T16:54:29" }, { "business_id": "aunmz06iWvo3bd6MMHEbqg", "business_name": "Rivers Casino Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh Sugarhouse is definitely not sweet. The casino is rather small and the lack of a variety of food choices is a turn off. There's a fast food type eatery and a bar with typical bar food. Every single slot machine is electronic which takes away from the Vegas styling in my opinion. I'd much rather go to Parx if I want to gamble in the Philly area. The lovely view of the green Delaware River doesn't score it any points either.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:47:52" }, { "business_id": "zKOFqb0RyrnY9t02f0QFTQ", "business_name": "Fritz's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing to say about Fritz's other than everything is out of this world. The sticky buns are delectable, the cinnamon rolls are incredible (and not to mention the size of a small baby) and the peanut butter brownies are perfection. I can't come in here anymore because I always walk out with at least 3 or 4 sweets. It's one of the best bakeries I've ever been to that serves quality old fashioned sweets without resorting to the modern day ' boutique' styling of a lot of bakeries around.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:49:51" }, { "business_id": "LR4aKXyxN-a8WTgQ1o9hBA", "business_name": "Bistro at Cherry Hill", "rating": 1, "text": "The food here is terrible!!! I ordered a salad and it was wilted, brown and believe it or not, some of the lettuce was frozen. The staff were really rude, and when I complained to the manager named John, he told me the food was \"fine\" and refused to swap my salad out for another entree or credit the meal. What a horrible experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:50:23" }, { "business_id": "8mwV72Ro56pN6nbqAojaKg", "business_name": "Chef Chun Chinese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Chef Chun has some of the most amazing Chinese food in south Jersey. The shrimp wonton soup is spectacular; the wontons are so fresh and the broth is perfect! Keep in mind that they're closed on Monday.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:53:33" }, { "business_id": "whmn0dUpEb2NbmpVF2Xxcw", "business_name": "Shady Brook Farm", "rating": 4, "text": "Shady Brook is a great little farm, market, pick your own and winery in Yardley. The ice cream shop inside has some of the most amazing home made ice cream I've ever had, but I haven't eaten any of their prepared foods so I can't speak to the quality of those products. As with most places in the Yardley/Newtown area, they tend to be rather overpriced, but it's a great places to take the family on a Saturday afternoon in the fall for pumpkin picking and hot cocoa.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:00:53" }, { "business_id": "HkL-EWa39zm93SEAx4xXXA", "business_name": "Styer Orchard", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Syter Orchard!!!! They have the most extensive selection of pick your own fruits and veggies that I've ever seen. Something about harvesting your own crop really makes cooking/eating them worthwhile. In the fall, they have pick your own pumpkins and apples, which I love! The prices are incredibly cheap for pick your own too (obviously there are no labor costs for the farm staff for picking), and it's just plain fun! I can't wait until next fall when our son is old enough to go on the hayride to pick his own pumpkin! They can get pretty crowded on a weekend afternoon with families and children, so be prepared!", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:06:04" }, { "business_id": "cTra1xx8NBSp_x7IFi7qXw", "business_name": "Muscle Maker Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Muscle Maker is amazing!! It's such a shame that this one isn't closer, but I stop here every time I visit my mom in Turnersville. The concept is great, seeing as how I try to watch my calorie/fat intake, so it's right up my alley. One would think that the food would be drab and bland as most low fat/fat free foods are, but it's not. The southwest wrap is a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures, from spicy to creamy to crunchy to a hint of sweetness. Rumor has it that they're putting one in Langhorne in the Redner's shopping center which is both a wonderful and dangerous thing (dangerous for me as now it'll only be 5 minutes away instead of 50!)", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T15:22:55" }, { "business_id": "w4_14pVOLW2Tdm9LTczORg", "business_name": "Corner Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is delicious! I have only eaten breakfast and salads (for lunch) here, so I can't comment on the pastas/sandwiches. However, the salads are delicious and the swiss chilled oatmeal is AMAZING!!!!! The baked goods look divine, too, but I've never indulged in them. During breakfast and lunchtime, they tend to be very crowded, but they are really speedy in delivering food to you. The only reason I gave it four stars is because the prices are slightly high for the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:17:34" }, { "business_id": "Rw2Aw3vyj09BLyKfz-V8fw", "business_name": "Tony Roni's", "rating": 2, "text": "The pizza here is subpar; it's nothing to write home about. Pizza here is always excessively greasy, regardless of what kind you get. The slices are rather large, which I'm sure is an attempt to make up for the subpar food. This place is definitely not on the top of my list of pizza places in Willow Grove.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:20:50" }, { "business_id": "nt5wkQvL3UGT1LDTSAHMDA", "business_name": "The Fresh Market", "rating": 3, "text": "Think a more expensive version of Whole Foods when shopping at Fresh Market ($8.00 for a pound of cut up fruit is insanity) Now, I realize they're all about organic/vegan/gluten free, but boy oh boy, are their prices outrageous. They do have an extremely unique and varied selection of products, but I would never do my weekly grocery shopping here. Their sushi is very delicious, and is extremely reasonably priced, though. They also have really good prepared foods in the deli case.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:02:49" }, { "business_id": "ZSJhSNJrZGDRS5Ef7ivnzA", "business_name": "Koba", "rating": 2, "text": "The quality of this restaurant has gone way downhill since ownership changed hands. We used to travel from lower Bucks county to come here when it was Young Bin Kwan, but have not been back here (nor will we be) since our first try under new ownership. We took a friend from out of town here, raving about this delicious Korean buffet in Jenkintown, thinking it was still YBK; yet we were extremely embarrassed with our dinner reccommendation once we left. The banchan was horrible, and there wasn't very much of it (YBK had at least 8 different banchan on the buffet). The meat was of poor quality, and the staff let some pans sit without meat in them for our entire meal (which is a shame for me because I don't eat beef, and they never refilled the chicken). It's such a shame that this place is under new ownership because it was one of the only Korean buffets around in the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:08:50" }, { "business_id": "At6iwGTy6bDxc7PUEOTvQw", "business_name": "Jake's Wayback Burgers", "rating": 2, "text": "I went here for lunch one day but was really disappointed that the own manager didn't know about the meat there. I wanted a turkey burger as I don't eat beef and asked the fat percentage of the ground turkey (I have a sensitive stomach and can only eat 90/10 or higher and the manager was clueless. He even brought the box of frozen meat out which didn't have the percentage of fat on it either. With that I walked out. They know the fat percentage of all the beef they serve, so why should the turkey be any different?", "timestamp": "2011-12-18T00:16:09" }, { "business_id": "eMiN8nm70jjKg8izikVWDA", "business_name": "Chickie's & Pete's", "rating": 3, "text": "Chickie's and Pete's is ok; there's really nothing remarkable about the place. The mussels in red sauce are really good, though; the red sauce is a nice combo of garlicky and sweet at the same time, so it has kind of a unique flavor. The tomato pie is really good as well. Meh to the fries; they're really nothing special. If you've had them once, you don't need to have them again; they're fries. The service has got to be the slowest and most jumbled restaurant service I've ever seen, though; our table had food coming out at various times (non apps), and each item was expedited by a different person. The atmosphere in the dining section (separate from the bar) is so loud that you can't hear yourself think. If you want decent food, slow service and a mediocre sports bar, then Chickie's is for you.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:25:47" }, { "business_id": "HpLIHgoz3XPTyol5tKKb_w", "business_name": "Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Update to my original: I really wanted to like this place, but I just can't! The sushi was still subpar and way overpriced; it didn't have much in the way of flavor and was really just blah. The service is obnoxiously slow (think 15 minutes for drinks), the place is the loudest restaurant I've ever been in, and perhaps the most bothersome part of the entire meal was being sat next to the birthday gong which rang at least 10 times during our meal. A hibachi meal for three took almost two hours from start to finish, which is ridiculous. We gave it a shot a second time and were sorely disappointed again. Arirang, you fail yet again.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:35:46" }, { "business_id": "1Lr4sdFV9c1-W3R2D_zV4w", "business_name": "Mirch Masasla", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm giving MM two stars because their hours are downright AWFUL. Twice, I've gone here after 12:00pm for their lunch buffet (which is incredible) yet they weren't open when their hours clearly state 12 is the opening time. It really irks me when a restaurant can't even keep up on their hours.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:22:15" }, { "business_id": "WWO34S7RwBWlsjJEYuTAaw", "business_name": "Indian Hut-Bensalem", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is downright awful. Think greasy, overpriced, and underportioned. They claim to be known for their cakes and curry, but their curry is incredibly spicy (Even when asking for it relatively mild) and their cakes remind me of the cheap, generic Chinese buffet cakes. The service was also very slow; it took over 1/2 hour to get a curry chicken and a cake, and there was one other person in the store. Avoid this place.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:24:56" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 5, "text": "The donuts here are one thing, but holy moly, the chicken is out of this world. We got the honey ginger, coconut curry and za'atar and each flavor was incredible. You could easily distinguish the various seasonings in each flavor, too. The chicken is double fried which made it so crispy but still allows it to maintain its juiciness. My only complaint is that I wish there was more seasoning on the chicken, but other than that, it was pure perfection.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:46:52" }, { "business_id": "qETpOF88MbmtSyOWEDaD_A", "business_name": "Duross & Langel", "rating": 5, "text": "The soap here is incredible!!! The staff was very kind and friendly, and helped us pick out the best scents. The black pepper doesn't smell like black pepper in the least, but the scent is one of the most perfect scents I have ever smelled. I was so overwhelmed with soap that I didn't even have a chance to check out the other items such as lotions, oils, deodorants, and even baby products! They're rather expensive, though (think $5 for a 1/2 bar) but the scents are so amazing that they're worth the splurge.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:50:37" }, { "business_id": "6DFobber72AV0mnBV5KeQQ", "business_name": "Anne's Kitchen Table", "rating": 1, "text": "I was SORELY disappointed with Anne's. I take reviews on yelp very seriously, and usually get what's recommended in 5 star reviews, so here was no different. I ordered an asian wrap with noodles for takeout, and was really excited to try it as it smelled delicious! Well, I opened the paper to discover both covers SOAKED in sauce, which normally wouldn't be an issue, except the sauce was mostly oil. The entire outside of the wrap was soaked with oily sauce as well. I took one bite and couldn't eat anymore of the wrap because it was so oily. It was such a shame because the veggies seemed incredibly fresh and delectable, but again, the sauce was so oily I couldn't eat my lunch.", "timestamp": "2012-04-10T23:10:49" }, { "business_id": "0R2yKDNMUztQwgo8pG4z-Q", "business_name": "Triumph Brewing Company", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't speak for the food here, but the beer is delicious! I love how they offer a sampler of their beers (a full mini glass of each, 9 total) for $12! I was pleasantly surprised by the belgian somethin else and the black lager, both of which were incredible! What a great way to get a good buzz off of some really delicious beers.", "timestamp": "2012-04-24T00:03:43" }, { "business_id": "oBNrLz4EDhiscSlbOl8uAw", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper - New Orleans", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't too impressed with the food here. I was really excited to try their breakfast, but honestly, it was nothing special. I had the carrot cake pancakes (A special), brother had the bananas foster pain and hubby the original french toast. The pancakes were ok, nice and fluffy, however, they overloaded them with cream cheese icing, so that was the predominant taste. The bananas foster pain wasn't that good either; the foster sauce was overcooked so it tasted burnt and the french toast was too hard. The really disappointing part was that they had the same specials all week so there was never an opportunity to try any of their other famed specials.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:25:45" }, { "business_id": "9DEHXZfOO1kY_be0nRK-ng", "business_name": "Philly Steak & Gyro", "rating": 1, "text": "This place is gross. I was going to get breakfast here the other day before a long flight until I saw that the fryer hadn't been cleaned since what seemed like 1970 and the employees were handling food without gloves on. Ick ick ick!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:26:02" }, { "business_id": "D3QVe8AXcEJOFg5GItUPtg", "business_name": "Pelham Hotel", "rating": 2, "text": "The location was phenomenal, however, the hotel was rather dire. Our room was on the 4th floor and it had no windows, so it was always dark. Every time we got on the left elevator to go from the first to the fourth floor, I thought we were going to drop down the shaft as it jolted at the floor before the door opened. I thought I was riding the Tower of Terror at Disney! The beds were incredibly uncomfortable, the wallpaper was peeling, and the shower was AWFUL. Free wifi for guests was great, though! Most of the staff were incredibly knowledgeable about directions/food/attractions, however, the one young lady working during the day had no clue where anything was or how to get anywhere. Really!? I wasn't expecting the Waldorf but you get what you pay for, so I didn't expect much. If they remodeled and modernized, it'd be a fab hotel!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:33:03" }, { "business_id": "agK5cXwnBQozM2M-5kLvzw", "business_name": "Red Gravy", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVED this place, and am really sad that I'll never get to eat here again! What an amazing find, away from all of the hustle and bustle of the busiest places in NOLA. The food was so incredible that we ate here for breakfast three days in a row. They do, however, serve lunch too but not dinner. I had the oatmeal each day, which was a huge bowl of homemade oatmeal with fresh fruit and freshly made granola. It was incredible! My husband got the french toast each day because it was simply that good. I tasted a little bit of my brother's entrees each day and everything was phenomenal (the cannoli pancakes, the Debra sandwich and their specialty omelet (with gravy, meatballs and ricotta). The best part of this place is that the owner is from Jersey, so her Italian cooking is spot on. I'm sure their lunches are just as amazing as their breakfasts.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:37:49" }, { "business_id": "n_fUROdhfmLwd_mpBi55ew", "business_name": "Central Grocery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Muffuletta oh muffuletta, THANKFULLY you are not a staple sandwich of my home city. Being an Italian from Philadelphia, my expectations of an Italian sandwich are incredibly high, so I was really excited to see if the muffuletta lived up to my high Italian sandwich standards, Well, we have a winner!!! The grocery part of the store has some really funky old Italian groceries, but the sandwich shoppe is where it's at. Don't expect much from here other than ordering your slice of heaven, sitting at the dingy tables and experiencing pure sandwich perfection. You can feed an entire family of four with a whole, too. The bread was so soft and delicious, and was the perfect ratio for the innards of the sandwich. The Italian meats and extra sharp provolone rivaled any of the best in Philly, and the olive salad, well, holy crap, it was amazing!!!! It was a little salty, but I was willing to overlook that because it was so delicious (and I HATE olives, so I was shocked when I actually went and purchased an entire 16oz jar to take home with me). I was blown away by the muffuletta!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:15:00" }, { "business_id": "QdER5KjucCVtOXdU1g7kpA", "business_name": "Pepper Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "This place was incredibly cool!! I have never seen so many hot sauces, salsas and seasonings in one location ever. They have their own line of sauces/seasonings/salsas they make and sell, so everything is homemade and genuine. The employees are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and will go out of their way to help. The best part is that you can sample an incredible number of their products so you can know what everything tastes like. Winners are: sweet potato butter, ALL of their rubs and the pineapple salsa. I wish there was a place like this in Philly.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:18:27" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Dingy, dark and off the map bars always have the best food, and here was no exception. We waited about 1/2 hour and I'd gladly wait another hour to eat this food. The jambalaya and red beans and rice were phenomenal; what an amazing explosion of flavor! The fried chicken was ok, nothing too spectacular. They have a sampler platter so you can get a little bit of everything that they have to offer. What a great way to experience true New Orleans food!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:21:22" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 4, "text": "All we did here was drink, and we did that A LOT! The mint juleps were great! The hurricane was a little too sweet for my liking, but it did the job in getting me buzzed. I only drank one because it was the raved about drink in NOLA. The courtyard was a really cool and relaxing way to enjoy some drinks and do some people watching.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:54:26" }, { "business_id": "EMfJpVozzk238AM51H18Dw", "business_name": "Meltdown", "rating": 5, "text": "Sheer, sheer perfection. We were walking around the French Quarter and saw three people with these scrumptious looking popsicles and we knew instantaneously we had to fine the place that sold them. We yelped them and it turned out that they were closed, but we were so determined to get these yummy popsicles that we came back the next day. One bite and we realized that we had made the right decision. The pineapple cilantro pop was so flavorful and refreshing that we went and got another for the walk back to the hotel. The salted caramel was an out of this world flavor experience. It was creamy, refreshing, sweet, salty and hands down the best ice cream treat I've ever had. Whoever makes these pops needs to go into business nationally IMMEDIATELY and sell these babies!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:05:08" }, { "business_id": "u7uFQCoHFtBKCtbWUm6yZw", "business_name": "Emeril's ", "rating": 4, "text": "Emeril's is the #3 dining experience I've had in my life. The atmosphere is incredible, but the food is even more incredible. I had the BBQ shrimp and a salad as my entree (I was too full from lunch), my brother had the double cut pork chop and my hubby had the chicken. Everything was spot on, flavorful and perfect, except the time it took to get our meals (think an hour after ordering, which is unacceptable in a place like this; I've eaten at places like Emeril's all over the country and have never had entrees take this long to come out). The servers never let our water get down to 3/4 full and were always attentive to what we wanted or needed. The desserts were incredible too. The banana cream pie was incredible (but wasn't life changing) and the chocolate peanut butter pie was superb. All in all, the best dining experience we had in NOLA.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:12:42" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Cochon how I wanted to LOVE you but I just can't. We went all out and got a few small plates and some entrees so we could experience it all, so I'll break down each one. Wood fried oyster roast- INCREDIBLE!!!! That's all. I wanted to eat 5 more of these plates. Fried boudin- Ok; flavors were really good but they were fried too long so they were slightly too oily. Smoked pork ribs- Ick, these were terrible. They were swimming in their own grease and were chewy and not at all tender (and my family owns BBQ joints) Pork cheeks-These were delish!! The meat was so tender and the flavors were incredible! Mushroom salad- Yummy, but the dried lemon slices were extremely bitter, so I had to pick them out of the salad before I finished. This is where the yumminess stopped, in my opinion. The cochon was the best entree, but it wasn't nearly as good as I had expected it to be. It seemed like glorified pulled pork to me. The brisket was not very good; the meat was really tough and chewy, but the horseradish potato salad was pretty good. I had a chicken dish which was extremely overcooked, oily and dry, and the accompaniments (minted peas and other veggies) were cold. The staff were great, though, and were really thorough, but my expectations were definitely not met here. I was pretty disappointed with my meal with the exceptions of a few gems explained above.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:29:00" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 5, "text": "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, oh boy!!!!!!! I am a sweets fanatic so I was really excited to stop by here and get a few things. The macaroons were wonderful; perfect filling to cookie ratio and the flavors were great. The gelato was incredible, too; creamy, well flavored and delicious. They're more than willing to give samples out (each of us got a whole macaroon!) and a bunch of gelato samples which is great for people as indecisive as my family. We took home some marshmallows which are divine and a great memory of the deliciousness of Sucre. I just wish I could've had one of everything!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:32:49" }, { "business_id": "vN6v8m4DO45Z4pp8yxxF_w", "business_name": "Surrey's Café & Juice Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "We didn't eat here, so I can't speak to the food, but the juice was great. We got a mango-carrot-pineapple juice to go, which was really pricey (5.25!!!) which is why I knocked a star off, but the juice was really yummy and refreshing for a hot New Orleans day. The atmosphere and location of this place is really cool, too.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:35:06" }, { "business_id": "_ab50qdWOk0DdB6XOrBitw", "business_name": "Acme Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "What a great way to experience NOLA cuisine on our first day in town. We stopped by after a long day of traveling and were seated immediately (it was a Monday at 3:00pm), but it was still rather crowded. We got our food very quickly, and I'm glad we did because everything was incredible! Three of us devoured our boo fries in about 5 minutes (DELISH!), and my brother and I were fortunate enough to have ordered the chargrilled oysters (over the raw) to split. They were INCREDIBLE!! The garlic and cheese were an excellent combo and made for some incredibly happy foodies! We were so blown away that we ordered another dozen. I was really happy we decided to go here over Felix's as everything was so good!!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:31:47" }, { "business_id": "UH87t9fT_oTLMZfr5iCbQg", "business_name": "Tropical Isle", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh hand grenade, you were my go to drink in NOLA!!! I must've drank at least 6 during our 4 day stay here. They were cold, refreshing and full of alcohol, so what's not to love??!!! I'm sure the TSA loved seeing the multitude of hand grenade cups stuffed in our suitcases!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:34:12" }, { "business_id": "0eP5RJNSsSYdPvUY3ZbTvw", "business_name": "Cat's Meow", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, so the place is a little divey (think dirty old men and drunk college guys tossing beads to girls cruising Bourbon St), but it was always happening. I did quite a few karaoke songs here, and each time I sang, it was just a blast. It's a great place to watch the liquor overtake people's inhibitions. Drinks are expensive, though ($6 for a domestic bottle) so drink a lot beforehand.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:26:17" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "We stopped in here after a not so great experience at Cochon but we were blown away by the butcher. The atmosphere is incredible; great ambient lighting, awesome decor, and the best part: the curing meat display! We didn't get anything to eat here because we just had dinner, but everything smelled incredible. We got some bacon chocolate covered almonds and they were such a new and different flavor experience, but they were phenomenal! We also got a sweet potato habenero sauce to take home because it was so delicious! I'm really disappointed that we didn't get to eat here, but the sights and smells were enough to please me!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:51:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 5, "text": "When I travel, I really enjoy going to the local supermarket (call me strange, but I find it a really cool way to experience local food finds). I'm really glad we walked over here because this was one of the coolest markets I've ever been to! Unlike the northeast, there was liquor here (hey, gotta grab a bottle of vino with your lunch!), and their cafe section was immense! They have every type of prepared food imaginable, and their meat/deli/bakery was great! They are pricey, but it was worth the trip to check out a really cool local market.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:56:51" }, { "business_id": "krCwF4raTYvBcCEwcbA88Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Mills", "rating": 2, "text": "The only stores worth shopping in here are the Off 5th and Last Call Neiman Marcus. Most of the stores are not name brand, and the mall itself it just filthy. Thankfully, Saks and Neiman both have entrances that don't require entrance into the mall.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T12:36:27" }, { "business_id": "11qwVOxX-Z0bWAnfpVLnlw", "business_name": "Mike Serio's Poboys", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted a true, genuine po'boy but didn't want to go too far, so I took the hotel concierge's advice and went here. I wanted a 1/2 shrimp and 1/2 oyster, which wasn't on the menu, so it cost $13! When the sandwich came out, it was rather small, and the shrimp were wayyyyy too little (think shrimp salad sized shrimp). The fried oysters were pretty good, as was the bread, but overall, I was generally disappointed. I don't mind paying that much for a delish po'boy (Johnny's!), but was really upset that the subpar one I had here costs that much. Just walk the extra 1/2 mile to Johnny's.", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:51:11" }, { "business_id": "Eb1XmmLWyt_way5NNZ7-Pw", "business_name": "Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport MSY", "rating": 3, "text": "Ick, this is one of the most aestetically unpleasing airports I've ever been to. Granted, things ran rather smoothly, but when I'm sitting in a gate for a few hours, I don't want to see stained carpet, torn seats and spiders crawling on the walls. There also was an overabundance of unused space here (think gates with no chairs, no ticket booths, etc) which was rather strange. I was also disappointed with the food choices (or lack thereof) in my terminal, too. The secutiry line ran pretty quickly, too, although anything is a significant improvement over the 90 minute long like I had to wait in at Philly to get here. The one positive was that in the 5 minute walk to the baggage terminal, our bags were already out on the roundabout!!! I was amazed! Staff here are really great, too!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:54:06" }, { "business_id": "FDx_EgHcBvIRGH4UlyuNCA", "business_name": "Pinkberry", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really excited to see Pinkberry within very close proximity to my hoteI, but wasn't sure if I wanted to try them due to their hype and trendiness. However, my brother swore it was some of the best froyo he's ever had in his life, so I was convinced to try them. The store is really chic and modern, and had a really cool vibe for such a small place. We got mango and pom together (reccommended by the staff) and it was such a refreshing treat on such a hot day. The yogurt was very creamy and just the right consistency, too. Although we didn't get toppings, I really liked the idea of paying one price for a yogurt with \"as many toppings as will fit\" rather than paying per ounce. I just wish they would open a store in the Philly area!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:59:52" }, { "business_id": "GJI1ITRdwr6Ov3GVKOTZcQ", "business_name": "Hong Luck Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is interesting to say the least. The outside looks like an old 70's diner, so it's slightly off putting when you pull up to the restaurant. Upon walking into here my brain immediately breaks into the Spongebob Squarepants theme song (think tiki huts, blowfish light fixtures, bamboo everywhere)! I have never, ever, EVER in my life been in a restaurant as tacky looking as this, and they really do deserve a decor makeover by Robert Irvine. However, despite their gaudy decor, they have incredible food! The curry chicken was incredible; the flavors were incredible, although it was a little too salty. The garlic boneless spareribs are out of this world; they're the perfect combination of sweet and salty. The portions are huge and the prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. This restaurant serves the best Chinese food in Levittown, so it's definitely worth overlooking the horrible decor for some delicious food.", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T01:46:30" }, { "business_id": "vFifkrt8fU4k31NrQF-KnA", "business_name": "Giant Food Store", "rating": 5, "text": "This market is one of the best I've ever been too! They have an incredible assortment of freshly prepared foods of all varieties (Chinese, paninis, sandwiches, coffee shop, pizzas, etc) but the clear prepared food winner here is the fresh made salad section. The salad is always huge, and the best part is that you can have your salad made by one of the employees rather than settling for one in the cold case that was made at 8am. You can also customize what you want in your salad, so you're not limited if you have an allergy or just don't like something. The other sections of the store are great; they have a wonderful organic section and some great bulk products. This a great option that is much better than Saladworks, and every week, they offer a different salad on sale for around $5.99. One of the coolest parts of this market is that they have a cooking school inside, with some free classes (others you may have to pay $15-20 for) but they have a full kitchen inside the \"Cooking school\" where you not only learn to prepare a meal, but you can actually prepare it yourself. They also have a nutritionist on staff that teaches specialty cooking classes, such as low sodium or low fat cooking. They even go so far as to offer classes for seniors and kids! Everything here makes this one truly unique and even exciting shopping opportunity!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T16:23:58" }, { "business_id": "1e1qCk-tKAkFn-or-o-h0A", "business_name": "Sammy Chon's KTown BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is just as good as the store in Cherry Hill, so each time we decide to hit up Sam for Korean, we're coming here (no more trips over the Walt for yummy Korean food!) ! Sam was the first person to introduce my family and I to Korean food, so we're faithful to him 'till the end. The soy and honey sesame wings are incredible; they're so crispy and flavorful, yet not greasy at all. They're highly addictive, so I recommend only getting 4 because you will have no room left for your dinner if you get 10. I absolutely LOVE the banchan; each time you go, there is an array of about 8 banchan, each different at every trip to the restaurant. I always get the same thing when we eat at Sammy's, which is the soon dubu stew, spicy 3.5 stars with spicy pork. It's a soft tofu cooked in a spicy (as spicy as you want, but be warned, anything above a 4 will make your eyes tear up!) broth with meat of your choice. It's probably unlike any other food you've ever eaten, so make sure you try it because there is no comparison to anything if you haven't had Korean food before. It comes out in a hot pot so it's always EXTREMELY hot. I always ask for a glass of ice to put in the stew to cool it down because I've made the mistake of burning my mouth on soon dubu one time too many. This location serves alcohol, and we were recommended a mango flavored Korean drink. I thought we each were getting a glass, but boy was I wrong; we got a carafe!!! The drink was delicious! It was cool and refreshing, and ended up being the perfect compliment to our hot (both in temperature and spice) meals. My husband always gets the LA kalbi (marinated short ribs) which he swears by and wishes he could eat on a daily basis. Everything Sam makes is incredible! If you're a newbie to Korean food, definitely come here with an open mind and be willing to try something new and possible off the cusp than what you'd normally eat. Trust me, you'll be pleasantly surprised!", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:19:19" }, { "business_id": "ssr49VxAlvrBo7F7izQvXA", "business_name": "The Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "I love love love The Pub. Eating here will make you feel like you're dining at the Renaissance faire (just hand me a turkey leg and a velvet dress and you're good to go!) but the food is great. They have some delicious selections on their salad bar, with my favorite being the zucchini bread. They have some of the best crab cakes I've ever eaten, too. Whether you're a seafood lover like I am, or a pure carnivore like my husband (who highly recommends the 26oz porterhouse), you'll find something delicious and quite large to eat. The portions are enough to feed you for two days, so be prepared to take home some of your meal. The only thing I don't like about the place is you dine extremely close to your neighbors, but I guess it's all part of the experience.", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:20:40" }, { "business_id": "t-QoyFuiNKPOioysQx2qHA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "This location is probably one of the smallest Whole Foods I've ever been in, but they have an immense selection of products that are unique and hard to find. They have a mind blowing selection of natural, organic, and vegan makeup/lotions/etc., which is great. Their bakery is rather small, but they have some of the most delicious desserts and baked goods ever!!! DEFINITELY make sure you get some seeduction ROLLS (the loaf is amazing, but the rolls are much better) to take home with you. The awesome part of the bread bakery is that you can get a 1/2 loaf of bread (which is great for my family because I'm the only one that eats the unique breads they have, so nothing goes to waste. I also love their bulk section because you can get just what you need weight-wise of some really different and unique grains. They have an amazing selection of cold prepared foods in the deli case, with some great vegan and vegetarian choices. They also have a wonderful salad bar with some deliciously healthy selections. The even package some of their best products in ready to go containers so you can take them home with you. They also have a wonderful meat selection, with a significant amount of \"green\" meat (grass fed, no antibiotcs, etc). The produce selection is vast and truly unique; I've seen some really weird fruits and veggies that I've never seen before here. Be prepared as their prices are high, but you're getting good quality, healthy food, so it's well worth it.", "timestamp": "2012-06-02T01:04:03" }, { "business_id": "VVH6k9-ycttH3TV_lk5WfQ", "business_name": "Willie Mae's Scotch House", "rating": 4, "text": "Off in the land of the 7th ward in what is a pretty rough looking neighborhood, stands Willie Mae's. We took our awesome scooters here (thankfully, as it's not within walking distance from the French Quarter) and were prepared for some fried chicken goodness. I'm NOT a big fried foods person, so I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it here, but I was wrong. The restaurant is pretty much off the beaten path, but I've learned in my travels that some of the most amazing places are. The place is nothing spectacular inside, but it was really cool to read the various articles from magazines the restaurant was featured in. We reviewed our short menu and decided on nothing other than the fried chicken platter and some cornbread. Out sides were brought out along with our chicken after a relatively short wait, and we dug in. The chicken was placed on a big platter in the middle of the table, so it was like a chicken free for all at the table. The sides were HUGE, and looked delicious. I was really thrilled when the red beans and rice tasted as good as they looked, but I was slightly disappointed in the green beans. The red beans were incredible; they were slightly smoky and somewhat spicy, and were perfect! After I downed the whole bowl, it was time to tackle the chicken mountain. I broke off a piece of the breading to taste just that, and holy crap, it was delicious!!!! It was greasy (of course!), but was so delicious that I found myself scouring the crunchy pieces of the batter off of the bottom of the plate!! Once I finally got to the chicken, I was very impressed. The chicken was so moist and tender, and was some of the best chicken I had ever eaten. The combination of the deliciously crunchy, spicy batter and the moist, tender chicken made for a wonderful chicken experience. I felt like an authentic NOLA citizen while eating here. Like I said earlier, I'm not a fan of fried foods, but I was definitely a fan of Willie Mae's.", "timestamp": "2012-06-03T00:27:17" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "Jules is delicious!!! They have some amazingly creative pizza creations, and it's extra yummy because the thin crust allows you to really taste the flavors of the pizzas. They use organic and local veggies, hormone free meats and they combine flavors really well. The winners are (I can't remember the names) the greek pizza, the chicken with cilantro pizza, and the potato topped pizza. Be sure to check in on foursquare for a free slice with check in.", "timestamp": "2012-10-18T21:19:58" }, { "business_id": "iD25g7vUG3asELjXtMGF9w", "business_name": "Taqueria del Sol", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is all I can say for TDS. The restaurant itself is just cold.... not literally, but figuratively. There was no decor, no menu boards, stainless steel prep tables as dining tables, no soda machines, staff EVERYWHERE with no identification (shirts, nametags, etc). The food is reasonably priced and most of it was quite good, but what really irked my party was the fact that they charge for extra salsa!!! We ordered a salsa trio (which included 3 samples of the various salsas, in 2oz glass prep bowls), and when my brother asked for more salsa for his tacos (mind you, we ordered one of ever taco, three burritos and guacamole), he was told he'd have to buy the trio again! Really!!??? We spent over $40 on food, drinks and apps, too. Even though the food was decent, I wouldn't return as the atmosphere is just blah and you can't get extra salsa for your damn tacos!", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:14:36" }, { "business_id": "tpDJ0vOYiBLxMqtGvhBSmw", "business_name": "Top It Frozen Yogurt Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Top It is wonderful! They're your typical froyo place, but they have delicious and authentic flavors that vary daily and based on the season. They have nutritional info displayed for all to see, so you can know exactly what you're eating. They also have a ton of different and unique toppings. If you check in via yelp on your smartphone, you get 20% off which is a great incentive to come here (in addition to the yummy yogurt!!!). Don't forget to join their email list; they frequently send coupons out via email.", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:17:26" }, { "business_id": "knp4GbMlIQZAppyEVnUkQg", "business_name": "Koja Grille", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow this place is NOT it. I should've known the experience was gonna be bad when the brought my take out order, which the waitress clearly marked to go, to me out on a plate. I'm someone who adores Korean food and was excited to try Koja out, but I should've just stuck to my regular Korean spots. The food was overpriced, completely non authentic (non grilled bulgogi with broccoli and carrots????), and subpar. The wings were soggy and although I ordered them mild, they were made spicy. The food here is equivalent to overpriced icky Chinese. I haven't been this disappointed with food in Philly for a very long time. To make matters worse, the staff was incredibly rude and snippy with me. With all of the amazing Korean places in Philly, I'm surprised they stay in business here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T02:02:04" }, { "business_id": "LcURr5CJT0Uo0H18l31qpg", "business_name": "The Lite Choice", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great yogurt place! I'm a big fan of froyo in general, so I was excited to try out a place that offered such decadence in yogurt. I had a fluffernutter yogurt and was so impressed that this yogurt was light! It had such great flavor and didn't have that weird aftertaste that some froyo has. The only downside was that the yogurt is pricey.", "timestamp": "2013-04-30T01:34:20" }, { "business_id": "by3Pd_qk6R9ik3C2Ng_-rg", "business_name": "Margaritas Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Eh, this place is not it. The service is incredibly slow, chaotic and messy. Apps came out literally 30 seconds before food which is a big no no. The portion of guacamole we had was laughably small; think the size of a single scoop of ice cream EVERYTHING was slathered in cheese, to the point where all you could taste was cheese. The margaritas were good, though, but that was after my server brought me the wrong flavor twice. The food here is definitely not worth the price; save a few bucks (hell, more than a few!) and get a much better and way more authentic meal at Cancun down the street.", "timestamp": "2013-06-23T03:16:59" }, { "business_id": "lakMZT5PYQltSOjGXWnJ0g", "business_name": "Lil' Pop Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "My gosh, the Popsicles here are amazing!!!!! I go once a week on my lunch break and get two Popsicles. The best flavors are the milk based ones...last week, I had a lemon blueberry buttermilk and it tasted like a frozen cheesecake! I also had a watermelon rhubarb which was ok. The coconut hibiscus is divine as well! What a gem in West Philly!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:42:55" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "omgee, this place is phenomenal! I came here on the recommendation of some coworkers and I'm glad I did! Their burritos are big enough to feed a small army,and their flavors are amazing. Both times I went, I had a chicken and sweet potato burrito and it was divine! The sweet potatoes are such a unique and flavorful addition to the burritos. I also loved how they put guac on all of their burritos. Honest Toms is quickly becoming a favorite lunch spotlight of mine in West!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:46:34" }, { "business_id": "U30ggGzFpXvc2NZYwOW3qg", "business_name": "Mood Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Jeez, where to begin with Mood???? I came here for lunch a few weeks ago with a coworker, and while he wasn't a fan (he's not as adventurous with food a I am), I loved it! If you're looking for your typical Indian food, skip here; if you want a flavor adventure that is unique and different, then this is your place. I had no clue what a chaat was until I came here, so the owner explained everything to me. The chaats here anew amazing; there are so many flavors, textures, colors, and unique ingredients that every bite is something different. They also have the best lassis I've ever had, and what makes them even better is the flavors! Skip the traditional mango (even though its awesome) and give fig a try. It was creamy, sweet perfection. I'm sure the food here isn't diet friendly, which is not good for me because its so close to work!!!!!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:53:14" }, { "business_id": "oGAnlXgorzsRqeA4S0UhlQ", "business_name": "Scappa Brick Oven Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "This place has some of the best Italian and pizza in Levittown. Everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. I really enjoyed their tomato pie; the sauce was a perfect combo of sweet and salty. All in all, a great place to grab a flavorful and well priced Italian meal.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:55:19" }, { "business_id": "hG1CdQIZGnHcYDdpNnVbSQ", "business_name": "My Little Kupkake", "rating": 1, "text": "Ick, I had a cupcake from here which I picked up from DIbrunos in the city, and I was not impressed. Im a cupcake fanatic, so I take cupcakes seriously!The cake itself was dry and dense, the icing was too sweet and there was entirely too much of it. If you're going to market and sell your cupcakes in another location, at least ensure they're good.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:57:54" }, { "business_id": "9OhPfV0C3Q49l5tSre2MuQ", "business_name": "Kabobeesh", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh lawd, Kabobeesh is incredible!!! I am so happy that this place is so close to where I work that I go here every Tuesday for lunch. For $10, you get an incredible amount of food that can feed you for days. I always am enticed by the kebobs in the case, which are always so fresh and flavorful. My favorite is the tandoori chicken, which is so moist, tender and flavorful that I'm drooling as I write this. They always have delicious sides and dishes besides the kebobs. I'm a huge fan of the yellow daal which is so perfectly seasoned and so flavorful. The homemade naan is to die for as well. The only downfall is that the service tends to be rather slow, but for food this awesome, it's worth the wait!!!", "timestamp": "2013-10-01T00:02:52" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. I was overhyped to try here, and was slightly disappointed. The place is incredibly small, and I knew it wasn't going to be the best dining experience when we were sat by the draft of the open door which rushed in the cold January air. Cocktail: the sgroppino was fabulous! The sorbet was so fresh and flavorful. Very string too! Apps: the garlic bread was yummy! Nothing phenomenal but good. The fig bruschetta was great too, but I wasn't a fan of how overwhelming the Gorgonzola was. It took away from the other flavors of the dish. The arancini were meh; rather bland and flavorless. It almost tasted frozen to me; it was definitely the loser of the night. The fresh mozzarella was the star of the night: creamy, salty, briney goodness. It literally melted in my mouth. We each had a pasta dish. The gnocchi were yummy; I loved the crunchiness that came from the pan sear. The fusili were ok; I'm just not a big fan of oily sauces. The spaghetti and meatballs were great, though. The portion was gigantic; however, I was a bit surprised that the meatball tasted more like hot Italian sausage than a classic meatball. The service was great, though. Our server was knowledgable, personable and friendly. I usually never leave a restaurant like this stuffed, but I felt like I was going to explode when we were done eating. $100 for three people including drinks is a great price, too. You really get a lot of food for a fair price. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I felt like the food here was oversold and under delivered. I guess I expected more from this empire (I could eat at Barbuzzo daily!) Would I return? Highly unlikely. There are just too many other choices in Philly which are equivalent in price that have much more to offer.", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:04:04" }, { "business_id": "UyTx6ci7ATsWco_mE4J8Jw", "business_name": "Pamcakes, a Philly Cupcakery", "rating": 2, "text": "I expected more from Pamcakes... I am a cupcake fiend. I make it a point to try as many cupcake places as I can in the city, and while I have tried many, I'm nowhere near trying them all. I also bake my own, so I'm always pumped to try new (to me) shops I went in on a Thursday around 1115 and no one was in the shop. The display was pretty meager; a few of this flavor, two of that one, etc, . I ordered a red velvet, lemon raspberry, triple chocolate and vanilla with buttercream. The red velvet was one of the best red velvet cupcakes I've ever had. The cream Cheese frosting was divine; light, fluffy and not overtly sweet. The lemon raspberry was fair; not good, not bad, just average. The triple chocolate was awful. The cake was dry and crumbly and the icing was way too sweet. The vanilla was bad too. Dry cake, bland frosting and extremely dense. The worst part of the experience was on three of the four cupcakes, the icing was hard and crunchy. I honestly thought they were yesterday's leftovers. They certainly didn't taste fresh. I was very disappointed with the cupcakes here. I expected so much more and was highly let down. Such a shame, too", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:17:37" }, { "business_id": "OxkdxarPVk_BNGDpllqiBA", "business_name": "Under the Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Under the Pier is a rather unassuming spot, but don't let the facade fool you. Actually, it's the epitome of duvet here, but who cares??!! The food here is great! Cheap, fresh, quick and delicious...what more could you ask for!? The fish is fresh, the batter is great and the prices are good. They have great \"chips\" too with their fish. I also loved the crab cake and clam cake, too. This place is definitely a hidden gem in Levittown .", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T02:29:59" }, { "business_id": "45ClmqPAagmNvdUojFULZA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 3, "text": "I noticed this place on a ride down Walnut for work. Definitely my kind of place, so I parked and stopped in. Think fast farm to table food. I loved how everything is locally sourced, organic, fresh and healthy. However, I did not love the price! When I paid for my seasonal salad and cucumber limeade (which was AMAZEBALLS), I ended up with a total of around $15!!! I have no problem paying higher prices for quality, but 15 bucks for a salad and a 16oz lemonade is just insanity in my opinion. The salad was good; definitely not worth the $11 it cost, though. I realize this is U City and they locally source everything, etc, but I simply would not return due to the prices (this is one of the main reasons I left a three star review. I know quailty ingredients come with a price, however, $15 is just far too much.", "timestamp": "2014-06-25T17:36:12" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 4, "text": "I was blown away by the food here and I didn't even eat in! My brother brought home take out which included the eggplant hummus and the brisket hummus, pita and saltim. While I don't eat red meat, I devoured the eggplant hummus and literally could not stop stuffing my face with the deliciousness that sat in that bowl. The hummus was so earthy and smoky and had such great flavor. The pita were amazing; even cold, they were incredible!!!!!! I simply cannot wait to try the food from here fresh. What an amazing place!!! Majestic, Zahav and chef Michael Solomon!!!!! A true gem!!!", "timestamp": "2014-09-27T00:59:15" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here on restaurant week and was very disappointed here. This was my first experience at a Garces restaurant, so I was really excited to eat here. Normally, I give yelp a lot of credit in helping me select where to eat, and I figured I'd try here despite (more than) a few wishy-washy review. For starters, the service here is awful. It took 20 minutes to even be asked for drinks and probably 15 people walked by us without acknowledging us, which normally would send me packing, but I was anticipating a great meal so I stuck it out. The menu was limited to only restaurant week selections which I'm never a fan of. We started with the fresh mozzarella which was the clear winner of the night; warm, briney, salty goodness. The second course was a micro green salad which was topped with such a bitter garlic oil they I could barely eat it. For my meal, I had the risotto with scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly, however they were so overly salty, I couldn't eat them. The risotto was a bit too al dente for my liking but it tasted OK. Overall, I was extremely disappointed in the experience here. I expect the utmost care, attention to service and food at restaurants like this, and I didn't get it. I will not be back.", "timestamp": "2014-09-28T13:12:12" }, { "business_id": "O6hY9yenifuRXrpc4TfgsQ", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is awesome!!! We came on a Saturday night and the place was packed!!! For such an unassuming location, it was wall to wall people. The decor is rather gaudy; it reminds me of my grandma's country kitchen but it was an intimate ambiance. We ordered the blue moon and general tso wings, which were yummy! The general tso were sticky, sweet and a bit spicy, but the best part was the homemade wasabi Bleu cheese. Spot on!!! We also had the duck fat fries which were phenomenal!!! Salty, savory, cheesy, hand cut fries...everything just melted together for an amazing flavor experience!!! The original mac and cheese was ok; I'm not a fan of smoky cheeses in my mac and cheese, but it had a nice creamy consistency. I ordered a turkey burger for dinner which I was good. It was slightly dry, and it didn't come on a brioche bun as advertised but rather on a potato bun. I was a bit let down by that, but the burger was still good. We ended the night with a lemon scented cheesecake. Incredibly delicious!!! The crust had a bit of saltiness to it which complimented the sweet cheesecake and bitter lemon. All in all, this place is delicious! Don't let their boring strip mall outside deter you from the yumminess inside!!!", "timestamp": "2015-04-12T02:46:35" }, { "business_id": "gjFUrbSMo1rA1jgG5IhA2A", "business_name": "Chima Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. The service here is awful. Granted, we came on father's day but still, the service shouldn't have been as bad as it was. It took 15 minutes to get drinks and when the meats finally came around, the same kind of meat kept coming by. I had to ask the waitress to send the guy with the fish over to the table, and it still tool him 15 minutes to come by. The rest of the people in my party kept having to ask for the specific meat they wanted because some stuff just never came around. The salad bar was ok, it had a lot of selection to go with the food. The dessert, however, were subpar. You could definitely tell they were not handmade. I've been to other places like this before, so I wasn't impressed with the sword service like I'm sure some people are. There are plenty of other much better places to spend 50+ dollars at in Philadelphia.", "timestamp": "2015-07-07T01:04:57" }, { "business_id": "wUnLSg_GKfEIQ5CQQ770_g", "business_name": "Vetri Cucina", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh my gosh what an experience!!!! I had the privilege of coming here for my 30th birthday in April and it was everything I expected and more. I felt like I was in an old world Italian kitchen as the ambiance was perfect as well. I can finally check this place off my bucket list!! Our waiter, Bill, was incredible. Attentive, knowledgeable and interesting, he made the night that much better. I truly never experienced service as incredible as the service here, which took the night from a meal to an experience. We let Bill decide what to bring us., letting him know what we preferred and let him select. The foie was incredible ( it was my first time eating it) and I wanted more!! I can't remember specifics as to what we had, but every dish was simply amazing. Everything in the evening was A++++. I also opted for the wine tasting (hey go big or go home!) which was completely worth the money, as every glass was perfectly complimentary to the plate. I've never been so pleased, satisfied and happy with a meal as I was when I left here. Although the plates were small, there were so many plates that I was incredibly stuffed at the end of the meal. Vetri was everything I had hoped for and more, and although I will likely never get to go back (think two car payments for three people), I'm so honored and pleased that I got to eat here. I will never forget the meal or experience I had here. Absolutely incredible job, Marc Vetri!!!!", "timestamp": "2015-07-25T01:08:32" } ]	{ "business_id": "yEXvgdOxH6EGrwGmELzQAQ", "business_name": "Stripp'd Cold Pressed Juice", "rating": 1, "text": "I'm really disappointed in this place as well as the customer service. I emailed their website and told them that not only were they out of coconut topping, but they were out of the blue algae bowl but this wasn't made aware to me until AFTER I ordered. I got matcha bowl and it was also disgusting. The base was so sour that I couldn't even eat the thing! I was really pissed I paid $13 for the bowl. When I told (who I assume is the owner), she proceeded to tell me the \"sour taste is in fact part of the menu item....and this one was apparently not fitting to you\" She then proceeded to say the \"we will take the constructive criticism and insults in stride\" which pissed me off to no end. As a customer who paid more than the price of a meal for a smoothie bowl and was highly dissatisfied, I'm appalled that the criticism (which was negative because the bowl was just awful) was called an insult. The reply I wrote back stated I have had many matcha flavored items before absolutely none of which had this horrible sour taste and aftertaste, I got a reply saying that the mix is their own and those ingredients combined make for a sour taste (granted, none of the other told to me are at all sour on their own) C'mon..... not a single review on Yelp describes a sour taste to this bowl, so the fact that this place can't even acknowledge their fail is what really turns me off. I will NOT return here.", "timestamp": "2018-11-13T23:01:33" }
kHmXUEOAsIbguUrPoX6Tkg	[ { "business_id": "jXDr7IkNlkJGuQYzth9CMg", "business_name": "The New Il Mi Jung", "rating": 1, "text": "While the food is really great and delicious, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. The staff there neglected giving us the sides, did not offer us drink refills, and did not allow me to order BBQ since my husband ordered BBQ special (even though we've done it many times) (my husband gets special and I would get BBQ chicken). They know what we get, and would not allow us to order what we wanted. They were actually very rude to us tonight, and we were regulars, going 2-3x/month. After tonight, we will not be returning. They lost two regular customers due to rudeness and lack of acceptable service tonight. We'll be going to Myung Ga from now on.", "timestamp": "2009-10-10T02:54:00" }, { "business_id": "FJl6LCHbqiM9mvSwDjFAjw", "business_name": "Kim's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing!!! It's different than other Korean restaurants as they don't use gas for the grills, just hot coals. The banchan are AMAZING, and the meat portions are huge!!! They even have steamed egg!!! Highly recommended!!!! Korean food can be pretty pricey for the meat dishes, which is the case here, but it's worth it. Since it;s in Olney, I'll only go during daylight hours.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:06:32" }, { "business_id": "6sWAn5N1h5d4pd1hEu497A", "business_name": "Young Bin Kwan", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing! It's a full buffet of raw meat that you take yourself and grill at your table in the charcoal Korean grills. I highly recommend this place for Korean food newbies as you can really experience various meats without being committed to something you may not like. The banchan are amazing! So many choices!!!!!!! The whole place is amazing, and it's only $23/pp!!!! The little Korean ladies will help you out if you're a Korean BBQ newbie. Just keep in mind that it's at the bottom of an apartment complex, so it's relatively easy to miss. You WILL smell like you doused yourself in charcoal cologne though afterwards. It's not owned by the same people anymore, and the food has suffered since then.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:15:43" }, { "business_id": "-pyobEWdpZ6jUp42f3I2xw", "business_name": "Dolsot House", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is AMAZING!!! Although you can't cook your own meats here, it's well worth it! The portions are huge, and the prices are very reasonable! They'll refill your bancha if you like something a lot, and the owners are extremely helpful in helping decipher the menu. An absolute hit!!!! The soon tofu is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-09T17:49:23" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "Incredible food, incredible location (Capogiro right down the street for dessert!). The falaffel is so delicious, and their hummus is so smooth and creamy. I had my first falaffel here, and it was incredible. The ONLY complaint I have is that their hours are really funky. They're dirt cheap and always really busy. A real winner!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:06:20" }, { "business_id": "6JVHcQBnyA1DzK4z65cJSw", "business_name": "Falafel Factory", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was great!!! I love how they offer baked falafel. However, their pitas were definitely not homemade like they claimed to be. It's a good alternative if you can't make it to Mama's (hell, the cashier even said the owner goes to Mama's!!). All in all, good falafel.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:10:08" }, { "business_id": "ki0qSHmHNgUjKPRzYDTPow", "business_name": "The Pub 2900", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:24:39" }, { "business_id": "z5GlwQqwr4H8ruCjpnE_BA", "business_name": "Club House Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15. They're owned by the same company as Great American Diner Pub.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:25:22" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Alma de Cuba was delicious!!!! The ceviche is out of this world!!! My only two complaints were that my salmon was undercooked (still transparent in the middle) which really pissed me off because for $30 for a 4 oz portion of salmon, I really believe it should've been cooked to perfection the first time and they forgot one of the entrees in our order. However, the waitstaff was great in correcting the problems, and even offered us a complimentary meal the next time we came in. A great Cuban experience with yummy food!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:29:26" }, { "business_id": "gim0CxngZb6WKPu6BtfzWA", "business_name": "Food Castle Express", "rating": 5, "text": "Great food, and the staff is very helpful. The naan and roti are so delicious!!! The atmosphere is really nice, and the staff are really helpful in deciphering the menu. A hidden gem out of the ton of Indian restaurants in Bensalem.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:32:27" }, { "business_id": "7pwZZVVlYCxQvVdd8Q03wg", "business_name": "La Rosa Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best pizza places in Philadelphia. I've been coming here with my family since I was 5, and always stop by when I'm in South Philly. Prices are still really good!!! Get 1/2 red and 1/2 white for two amazingly delicious different pizza experiences! They don't take credit cards, and they have no seating inside.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:34:36" }, { "business_id": "GFbo0kqqDybKTPkRaJgGMQ", "business_name": "Tijuana Flats", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!! Some of the best take our mexican food I've ever had!!! They offer a power lite option (which is fat free sour cream and light cheese) so you can still get the gooey and creamy flavors of a delicious Mexican meal with reduced calories. Their sauce \"bar\" is phenomenal!! Literally 20 different hot sauces to choose from. Do not pass this place up!!! The atmosphere is really cool, too, with lots of autographed celebrity photos on the walls as well as funky Mexican/Spanish style decor. (They frequently have certificates on restaurant.com too!)", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:37:54" }, { "business_id": "jziliEq8Zum-EynD5v-Hvg", "business_name": "Chifa", "rating": 4, "text": "Service was great. The waitress was extremely helpful with explaining the menu and helping us choose our dinners. The food was good but the portions were small for the price, which is typical of tapas style. The rolls with the guava butter that they bring pre meal were amazing. The pork belly buns were so delicious that our party actually ordered two more orders!! The red curry was fab, but was too rich for me. The Peruvian ceviche with a side of crunchy corn thingies and crispy plantains was simply amazing!!!! Clean, citrusy, refreshing, just like good ceviche should be!! All in all, a great experience!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:42:53" }, { "business_id": "_wcOVX6PPvhXGMpUa2Ij8A", "business_name": "Melrose Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is not very deserving of 5 stars (think typical drab diner food), but the buttercream cake deserves 50 stars!!! The cake is SO moist and delicious, and the icing, oh my, has got to be the best buttercream icing I've ever eaten. Nothing beats stopping here after a night of boozing in the city to grab two slices of cake!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:37:08" }, { "business_id": "goI3MrJIPJxknQdKtFkkGw", "business_name": "Stoltzfus Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "The Amish market is awesome!!!! Their pretzels are out of this world, and they have a ton of really cool and interesting foods/products. The only downside is that they're only open Thurs-Sat, and their hours are weird. Their prices are very reasonable, and they have everything you could want: spices, meats, fruits, veggies, baked goods and even a restaurant!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:41:28" }, { "business_id": "wb_z1h7XR5IQhVRZHlMuLQ", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore Redstone! Their food is relatively simple in comparison to other restaurants in the price range, but boy oh boy it's yummy. Their mac and cheese is simply divine, and is made with 5 different cheeses. Their french fries are awesome, and they even handmake their ketchup!! A MUST HAVE while here is the StoliDoli, which is Stoli vodka that sits in a cored pineapple for ~1 week, then is served in a martini glass. Amazing!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:44:34" }, { "business_id": "0aflm9H-XNg8eUAoeWmh9Q", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about all I can say about here. WAY overpriced for underperforming food. Everything is SO high in calories and fat here that it's scary! Granted, they make the place look nice, but it's to compensate for their awful food.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:47:56" }, { "business_id": "-qk__vjJxfJrCWn3UaMv_Q", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory - Cherry Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing restaurant!!!! The menu is the longest one I've ever seen, so you'll definitely find something you like. The portions are mammoth, and will easily feed you for two days. The wait tends to be pretty long (gotta love the American desire for gluttony!), so get there early. All in all, a great place for date night or to take the family. The only downfall is that they do not accept reservations.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:50:38" }, { "business_id": "NDXH8dHdC8k2PrEEZPQBIg", "business_name": "Shogun Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Shogun!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. The decor is really nice inside, and it has a great atmosphere. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. The roll is that is wrapped with the yellow soy paper and topped with baked scallops is amazing!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:53:37" }, { "business_id": "9_V0SWbQPnZ0mR3kljXqBQ", "business_name": "Sakura Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Sakura!!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. THe $7.95 chicken hibachi special is SO large!! I'd definitely reccommend it!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:55:28" }, { "business_id": "MWel8zS7L7dzWC0_IY_Pzg", "business_name": "Mini Of The Main Line", "rating": 1, "text": "ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RUDE EMPLOYEES. They're only out to RIP PEOPLE OFF, and are extremely disrespectful and nasty. They NEVER return calls, and if they do, it's only to tell you that you need to put more money into a car that has more problems than a math book. Aviod this place like the plague, and head to Otto's in West Chester or Princeton Mini in NJ.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible is the only way to describe this place. I've taken many trips into the city just to get their gelato. The dark dark chocolate is my favorite!!! Tip: If you're interested in knowing their flavors, check their site. Be forewarned though, the gelato is rather pricey (~$6 for ~5 ounces) but it's definitely worth it as a treat!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:01:57" }, { "business_id": "JPfe9B-RLrE5Nz75kcKImQ", "business_name": "Govinda's Vegetarian", "rating": 5, "text": "Delish vegan/vegetarian food here!!! The 'chicken' cheesesteak is SO good!!!! You would have no idea it wasn't chicken if you didn't look at the cubes of textured soy protein. They do a beautiful job of seasoning their soy protein so it actually tastes better than the real thing! A winner!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:04:23" }, { "business_id": "EekwCjDqa9VT6Kq_aVE_0Q", "business_name": "Pho Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious pho and vietnamese cuisine!!! Their prices are extremely reasonable and their food is out of this world!!! The grilled pork banh mi (which is basically a grilled pork hoagie with cilantro, pickled dikon & carrots, cucumber, and some sauce. I also get hosin on the side)is delicious, and the cold Grilled Pork Spring rolls are divine!!! A must try in Bucks county!", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:38:03" }, { "business_id": "ytynqOUb3hjKeJfRj5Tshw", "business_name": "Reading Terminal Market", "rating": 5, "text": "An incredible place that is a must hit in Philly. Tons of food selections, most of which are very reasonably priced. DiNic's is a MUST try. Going on the weekends is a surefire way to ensure all vendors are open, but be prepared for it to be very crowded and hard to walk around.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:42:48" }, { "business_id": "RuuGJoMm2Y3wbLbPPHTvqw", "business_name": "Phily Diner & Sports Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about it for the place. The food is sub par, and they have terrible service, even when they're not busy. Their prices are reasonable, however, the food leaves a lot to be desired, and it's gotten worse since they changed to \"bar\" format. Skip this one.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T14:10:43" }, { "business_id": "T9n_LqUUhC2b1ALhg57Y5Q", "business_name": "Texas Roadhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Food is really good here, but they're very inconsistent. We typically order from here every week, and the food can be in a monstrous portion one week, then not enough to feed one person the next week. I love how they offer the veg place option, which allows you to choose 4 sides.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:08:47" }, { "business_id": "8CG5nPzDkMkQEsH1k_hdVA", "business_name": "Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious pizza here!!! The pizza was crispy and definitely coal fired. They're rather pricey for a pizza which is why I don't come here more often. If you want to try them out, go during lunch when you can get a personal pizza for ~$8.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:34:01" }, { "business_id": "8_n64z4tzSJXMK4fYPzxvw", "business_name": "Jay West", "rating": 5, "text": "I got my wedding dress here and never had any issues. They have gowns in all price ranges, and they carry all different designers. Their alterations are rather pricey, so be prepared to spend around an extra $250 for those. All in all, a great experience for purchasing my wedding gown.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:04:53" }, { "business_id": "aTpaOvF1FFGj8t_5U2_kHA", "business_name": "Produce Junction", "rating": 1, "text": "Fruit and veggies are cheap, however, I'll gladly pay an extra $1.00/lb for my apples to be treated like a human being. The staff are insanely rude and talk about you in Spanish while you're waiting in line. Avoid at all costs.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:10:43" }, { "business_id": "fQixVK0uar3ArJtNeug8nQ", "business_name": "Giant Food Stores", "rating": 4, "text": "Great market here. Tons and tons of selections, as well as cafe inside the store. Their natural/organic section is great! I only shop there for sale items because their regular priced items are quite expensive. All in all a good market with a big selection.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_UOg5_pk9IhKee91eWrT4A", "business_name": "Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty decent BBQ here, although it does not compare to a local joint that is no longer around. I really like it here coz it's very hard to find BBQ turkey breast and they have it here. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here but if I was nearby, I'd hit it up.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:33:02" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "Yeah, a big fat no to Banana Leaf. After much persusasion by a close friend, we decided to check it out on Friday night. The place seemed very busy, which we took as a good sign, however, looks can decieve. To start off, our waiter had multiple long, thick hairs so big they could've been braided) growing out of a mole the size of a quarter on the side of his face. I should've known that things were going to go downhill from there. The service was very slow, and the food was just terrible. Their menu is almost the same as Penang, which is why I thought it'd be great (minus the gross growth on our waiter). I had the mango chicken, which is phenomenal at Penang, but was dry and crispy here. The noodle dishes were too crunchy and greasy. Roti was actually raw and undercooked as well. I definitely would not return here, even if the waiter cut the hair from his facial growth.", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:10:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!!!!!! The mango chicken is out of this world!!! It's so flavorful and comes in a very hearty portion size! Their roti is crispy, and always perfectly cooked. Mee Siam is hearty and filling, yet not overly greasy and heavy. There really is nothing else to say about Penang other than to go and eat there!", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:12:54" }, { "business_id": "KNDMUyeW8bSsLXGSNyQS-Q", "business_name": "Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is ok, nothing special. On a typical night, there are hoards of obese people stuffing their faces with cheaply made desserts and greasy, breaded and fried foods. The only plus here is the all you can eat snow crab legs.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:51:02" }, { "business_id": "EdopUxxfxqEA79Vcy_dT3g", "business_name": "Fuel", "rating": 3, "text": "Eh. I was not very impressed with here. I came on a Friday night around 9:30pm and there were a few people here. It smelled good in here so I was excited to try it out. Food was ready quick and smelled yummy in the car. However my olfactory sense was tricked because the food did not remotely taste as good as it smelled. The Thai chicken sandwich was rather dry and had WAY too much basil on it. I took the basil off and it still had a very strong basil taste. The South Philly panini was surprisingly greasy and the panini bread was very chewy. The banana whip was yummy as well as the raspberry NSA tea. I definitely would not go out of my way to eat here again, and would travel out of my way across the Ben to Washington Twp NJ to Musclemaker grill before coming back here.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:11" }, { "business_id": "2Q1R2OhBbAQ581vK_r7NhA", "business_name": "Ooka Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "A hidden gem in Willow Grove!! The sushi here is incredible , and has to be some of the freshest sushi I've ever had. The food off of the non-sushi menu is delicious as well. They have great lunch specials too!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:53" }, { "business_id": "-wlmZ-b35UJ-GY-59NDxyw", "business_name": "H Mart - Elkins Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Hmart is amazing!!!! Although I'm not Korean, my family and I adore Korean food. They have amazing bulgogi and kalbi, as well as a slew of other prepared foods. Their prices on veggies and fruit are great, and they have everything you could ever want for cooking Asian/Korean style. They have an awesome food court upstairs with many many Asian food options. This is the best Hmart around!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:53:20" }, { "business_id": "Og1HekJMHKqsvtWaUp9V8g", "business_name": "Flying Monkey Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, this place was a disappointment. 2.25-2.50 for hard as a rock, weirdly flavored cupcakes. I bought the lavender, meyer lemon, guinness, peanut butter, and creme brulee. The lavender was absolutely disgusting and tasted like they threw body lotion on top of a cupcake, and sold it . The meyer lemon was extremely sugary and did not have much of a lemon taste to it. The guinness was very oddly flavored and did not taste like guinness at all. The peanut butter was very very rich and way too peanut buttery. All you tasted was the frosting. The creme brulee tasted a little bit like french toast, and was the only cupcake that I would even consider eating if it was the last cupcake available on earth. The icing on all of the cupcakes was hard as a rock, and the presentation of the cupcakes made them look like they were iced by my 5 year old cousin. Nasty all around.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:28:25" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly wow!!! What an amazing cupcake find!! The outside looks like a clothing store, and the inside is very unique.The store is set up really cool with the cupcakes in cabinets, so it gives this real boutiquey feel . The sweet potato cupcake with pecans and cream cheese frosting was to die for!!! The plain buttercream was divine as well. I really wanted to try the red velvet, but they were sold out. It's very cramped in here spacewise, and they don't accept credit/debit cards either. They're pricey, too, so I would definitely only go here for a special, special occasion. A dozen cupcakes would run over $30.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:32:24" }, { "business_id": "TsPb4qM79Nue6sDKANEdgQ", "business_name": "Planet Fitness", "rating": 5, "text": "Great gym, very cheap, and they're open 24hrs (except Sat and Sun). Be forewarned that it's no frills (no classes, no pool, no sauna). They have tanning beds but they are free for the black card members only.", "timestamp": "2010-08-29T01:32:31" }, { "business_id": "7Or2xPBkTNYRxD9SiMQVOQ", "business_name": "Felix's Caketeria", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, 1,000 times over!!!! Felix's makes Philly Cupcake look like the bakery at Walmart! We just moved to Newtown, and upon exploring town, we discovered this gem. Thankfully, parking is easy here as the bakery is an independent building. When you first walk in, you're greeted by the pleasant and friendly owners/baker, which is a rarity these days. The aroma here is insanely intoxicating, and transports you to a world of delectable baked goods. The display case is rather small, but the flavors are HUGE. I bought 5 cupcakes: original vanilla with buttercream, the Elvis (banana spice cake with peanut butter buttercream), red velvet, peanut butter and jelly (raspberry jelly), and sea salt caramel. The buttercream original was ok; the buttercream was too fluffy for my tastes, but it was yummy. The red velvet had to be the BEST red velvet cupcake I've ever had. I could eat the cream cheese frosting by the bucketful!!!! The Elvis was sinfully delicious; Felix must be a madman for creating this flavor!!! The PBandJ was amazing; it was not a fake, sugary, kid-friendly taste, but a very sophisticated adult tasting PBandJ with seeded red raspberry preserves. The sea salt caramel was indescribable; the mix of flavors was so perfect, with the most magical ratio of salty to sweet. The ONLY thing I don't like about Felix's is that it's so close to where I live. That's dangerous for a cupcake fiend like me!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-10-08T00:36:15" }, { "business_id": "Z4ERIzhdyduAew1O5KUvXw", "business_name": "Meglio Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "The pizza here is really yummy. I love a good, saucy, thin crust pizza, and they hit the nail on the head. The margharita pizza is really good, and their ingerdients are very fresh. Just make sure you ask them to make the pizza well done as the dough tends to be chewy and slightly underdone if you don't ask them to cook it longer.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T16:56:58" }, { "business_id": "IbndcMURguByburM72o3SA", "business_name": "State Street Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, this place is surprisingly delicious!! I stopped by for lunch on a busy Sunday afternoon, and was very impressed with the amount of people who were inside eating and waiting for takeout. I ordered the tofu veggie balls (tofu 'meatbally' topped with roasted veggies, marinara and parmesean cheese) and was very surprised with the flavor. The sandwich was large, and the tofu balls were very well flavored. The roasted veggies atop the sandwich were perfectly roasted. The only gripe (and reason for 4 instead of 5 stars) about here is that it took 40 minutes to get my sandwich, so next time, I'd definitely call in an order and pick it up later.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:08:13" }, { "business_id": "wAwcCuzwyOdny_BteT9Vew", "business_name": "La Pergola", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely adore the hummus and pita bread here. I'm a big fan of hummus, and love a very creamy, unprocessed hummus. The decor is rather flamboyant as other reviewers have noted, however, the flavors make up for it. I've never eaten anything else here (I typically only have a few minutes to get something, and the hummus is easy and quick to package, which is why I haven't tried anything else), but if the rest of the food is as yummy as the hummus, then this place is a hidden gem. Parking can be a nightmare on West Ave, so be forewarned.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:14:47" }, { "business_id": "3AjwyeF8oiTiHij9vFgyMw", "business_name": "Sam's Italian Market & Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Stay away from this place. They increase their prices, and don't post the price changes to notify customers. Then when you say the price is wrong they tell your not getting it for the prices listed on their menu. Rip off", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T14:59:37" }, { "business_id": "ntiIq1FNqduOyyowMFGh5A", "business_name": "Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly, talk about a hole in the wall, but looks deceive. It has one the most minimal menus I've ever seen, but boy oh boy, the food is delicious. I felt like I was sitting in a noodle cafe in China the food as the experience was so authentic. The prices are amazing, and the portions are huge to top it all off. This food would probably be a tough eat in the summer months as it's a super hot soup, but it should definitely be on the list for cooler months.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:07:31" }, { "business_id": "J8S7cPPlTgsQnXKVfTyN8g", "business_name": "PYT", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is about it for PYT. I was excited to finally use my groupon, as everything seemed to be yummy from the reviews and smells inside. I ordered two burgers to go, so maybe the experience would be different had I eaten in, but I didn't. There were no other patrons in the restaurant at this time, so I was a little peeved that it took 30 minutes to get my burgers. The Calibunga burger was ok, but as many reviews mentioned, it was rather soggy and not very firm. The bun should've been toasted as I'm sure it would have made the bun less soggy too. The chips also were not very crunchy, which surprised me. I got a Korean shortrib burger for my husband and ordered it medium, and guess what? It was so rare, it mooed. That was an immediate turn off for him, and really ruined the experience. He had to cook it to meduim himself on the grill. Overall, I wouldn't try this place again, even with another groupon offer. The prices are too outrageous and the food isn't all it's hyped out to be.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:01:15" }, { "business_id": "cjGcc6E32U5DAMG_bScclg", "business_name": "Tre Fratelli", "rating": 5, "text": "Tre Fratelli REALLY surprised me. My husband and I went for dinner one weekday night with a restaurant.com gift certificate as we wanted to try it out, and we were very glad we did. The restaurant is very unassuming (the pizza \"parlor\" in the front is actually a bit dirty looking), but the restaurant itself is large and welcoming. The salads were delicious, and the dressing was very very good. My husband ordered the manicotti and I ordered a chicken dish with balsalmic vinegar and bruchetta on top. The food was brought out, and we were blown away with the immense portion sizes. The chicken in my dish was cooked to perfection and the bruchetta was so fresh and delicious! The ricotta in the manicotti was some of the best velvety smooth and creamy ricotta I've ever had. We both walked out with large portions of leftovers. I was very impressed and would come back again in a second the next time the craving for Italian hits me.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:09:43" }, { "business_id": "V2uSS4OumRDvuVM_2ZSc1Q", "business_name": "Cancun Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Cancun had some of the best mexican food hands down outside of Mexico itself. The menu is mind blowingly huge, prices are extremely reasonable (you can get two of their combo dinner platters for under $20) and their portions are just as big. Everything is so fresh and delicious. The food is so authentic as well. Be sure to get the refried beans as they are some of the best I've ever eaten.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:18:49" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 5, "text": "I was so excited to try Han, and I finally got to, and it was AMAZING!!! Han has the best Chinese food I've ever eaten, and has got to be in the top 3 restaurants I've tried in my life. And to top it all off, you'll leave with tons of leftover food. The spicy cucumbers were phenomenal; crunchy, sweet and slathered in this delicious spicy chili oil mixture. Deceptively delicious!!! The spice hits you at the end. The dan dan noodles were perfection. Tender, spicy and superb. There really are no words. The wontons in chili oil were ok; I like more meat and less dough with my wontons which is why I wasn't a big fan, but the flavors were delicious. My husband had the garlic sauce pork, and it was amazing! The pork was tender and cooked perfectly, and wasn't too spicy (he can't eat foods that are extremely spicy due to GI issues, but we went here to celebrate my birthday). I had the dry pepper chicken and was blown away. It was simply the best chinese chicken dish I had ever eaten. The chicken was so crispy, yet juicy, and wasn't greasy at all like you'd expect it to be. The flavors just exploded in my mouth, but unfortunately, I was too stuffed from the monstrous appetizer servings to eat most of it. Han Dynasty is simply amazing; stellar food, stellar service and huge portions. Just make sure to bring some tissues to blow your runny nose. I can't wait to come back here!", "timestamp": "2011-04-26T00:01:31" }, { "business_id": "J4QD1PKOkaM0WWsheYFY7Q", "business_name": "New Life Thrift", "rating": 2, "text": "While a lot of people I know like this thrift shop, I'm not one of them. Although it's very roomy and there are a lot of things, most items are pretty old and outdated in comparison to other thrift stores I've frequented in MontCo and Bucks. The clothing tends to be very outdated, too. Their prices also seem rather high for a thrift store (although I understand the money is for charity, but $150 for a used sofa is a little bit outrageous). Impact in Horsham is much better, in my opinion. Parking here is also very annoying and difficult with the one way street to exit and goofy sloped lot.", "timestamp": "2011-05-19T00:45:04" }, { "business_id": "LNHq9WxfhN2UBNOR2tnRQQ", "business_name": "Corropolese Bakery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy crap, this place has amazing tomato pie!!! It seems to be a common occurrance in the area that no one knows what an authenric tomato pie is (SQUARE pie with just tomato sauce and sprinkled parmesean cheese), but this place nailed it!! The sauce is perfect; a little bit of sweet with a little bit of the good acidity needed in a good tomato sause. Eight slices only cost $3.85!!! Yes, EIGHT! An entire pie of 30 slices runs something like $13 bucks. Insane deal, insane pizza. The best tomato pie I've ever had.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:51:18" }, { "business_id": "NNZ4Zjir0S101ltpfgaI1w", "business_name": "Golden Dawn", "rating": 3, "text": "This diner was ok. I wasn't too impressed as I used to live in NJ, the land of diners. The service was very good, however, the food was subpar although they gave you a lot of it. I'd probably give them another chance if I was in the area, but wouldn't drive out of my way to come and eat here. There are much better diners throughout Levittown/Bristol/Falls Twp.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:56:18" }, { "business_id": "HIAJ2mnlm_pP38_8GbgQ5g", "business_name": "Hmart", "rating": 4, "text": "H-Mart is an amazing grocery store!!!! They have rock bottom prices on excellent produce, plus they have a slew of incredibly hard to find Asian ingredients. This H-mart is relatively small compared to the others I've been too, however, they do have a ton of stuff. Be forewarned, though, as their meat (excluding fish) tends to be rather pricey, even for the special cuts that are used in Asian cooking.", "timestamp": "2011-06-19T00:52:15" }, { "business_id": "UB8sxbUN7kPZum22U2O9kg", "business_name": "Julio's Famous Pizzeria", "rating": 2, "text": "Pizza here is subpar. Very greasy, extremely cheesy and very sloppy. The box was soaked with grease. The crust was chewy and had no crisp or crunch to it at all. We also ordered one pizza which took AN HOUR to make. Really?? Better pizza places are not hard to find in the area, and we definitely will not be returning here in the future.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T18:10:45" }, { "business_id": "xUAPlkR2KD81spJzt96TBw", "business_name": "Cafe Bombay Indian Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Cafe Bombay has some of the best Indian food I've ever had. They're located in downtown Bristol, secluded from the main highway, so it can be hard to find it. The food is so fresh, authentic and simply delicious. The daal is superb, and is seasoned perfectly. I am in love with their chicken tikka masala. The sauce is an amazing compliment to incredibly tender chicken. The samosas are phenomenal too. They have an incredibly naan seasoned with cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins that is a great compliment to the salty and savory food. Make sure you end your meal with a mango lassi, too; they have the best I've ever drank. They tend to be rather slow in cooking the food, so I definitely recommend calling your order in and picking it up. A true hidden gem in Bucks county.", "timestamp": "2011-09-23T01:47:19" }, { "business_id": "zJoT9gFvGtZAhbdcIF4Xmw", "business_name": "Buffalo Wild Wings", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, the food here was horrible!!!! The fries were rubbery and chewy, they shorted me some chicken strips in my almost $10 meal of thinly sliced tough and chewy grilled chicken strips, and the sauces were incredibly salty and gross. I also had a side salad which was wilted and brown. I will never patronize here again; what a terrible food experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-18T16:54:29" }, { "business_id": "aunmz06iWvo3bd6MMHEbqg", "business_name": "Rivers Casino Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh Sugarhouse is definitely not sweet. The casino is rather small and the lack of a variety of food choices is a turn off. There's a fast food type eatery and a bar with typical bar food. Every single slot machine is electronic which takes away from the Vegas styling in my opinion. I'd much rather go to Parx if I want to gamble in the Philly area. The lovely view of the green Delaware River doesn't score it any points either.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:47:52" }, { "business_id": "zKOFqb0RyrnY9t02f0QFTQ", "business_name": "Fritz's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing to say about Fritz's other than everything is out of this world. The sticky buns are delectable, the cinnamon rolls are incredible (and not to mention the size of a small baby) and the peanut butter brownies are perfection. I can't come in here anymore because I always walk out with at least 3 or 4 sweets. It's one of the best bakeries I've ever been to that serves quality old fashioned sweets without resorting to the modern day ' boutique' styling of a lot of bakeries around.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:49:51" }, { "business_id": "LR4aKXyxN-a8WTgQ1o9hBA", "business_name": "Bistro at Cherry Hill", "rating": 1, "text": "The food here is terrible!!! I ordered a salad and it was wilted, brown and believe it or not, some of the lettuce was frozen. The staff were really rude, and when I complained to the manager named John, he told me the food was \"fine\" and refused to swap my salad out for another entree or credit the meal. What a horrible experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:50:23" }, { "business_id": "8mwV72Ro56pN6nbqAojaKg", "business_name": "Chef Chun Chinese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Chef Chun has some of the most amazing Chinese food in south Jersey. The shrimp wonton soup is spectacular; the wontons are so fresh and the broth is perfect! Keep in mind that they're closed on Monday.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:53:33" }, { "business_id": "whmn0dUpEb2NbmpVF2Xxcw", "business_name": "Shady Brook Farm", "rating": 4, "text": "Shady Brook is a great little farm, market, pick your own and winery in Yardley. The ice cream shop inside has some of the most amazing home made ice cream I've ever had, but I haven't eaten any of their prepared foods so I can't speak to the quality of those products. As with most places in the Yardley/Newtown area, they tend to be rather overpriced, but it's a great places to take the family on a Saturday afternoon in the fall for pumpkin picking and hot cocoa.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:00:53" }, { "business_id": "HkL-EWa39zm93SEAx4xXXA", "business_name": "Styer Orchard", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Syter Orchard!!!! They have the most extensive selection of pick your own fruits and veggies that I've ever seen. Something about harvesting your own crop really makes cooking/eating them worthwhile. In the fall, they have pick your own pumpkins and apples, which I love! The prices are incredibly cheap for pick your own too (obviously there are no labor costs for the farm staff for picking), and it's just plain fun! I can't wait until next fall when our son is old enough to go on the hayride to pick his own pumpkin! They can get pretty crowded on a weekend afternoon with families and children, so be prepared!", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:06:04" }, { "business_id": "cTra1xx8NBSp_x7IFi7qXw", "business_name": "Muscle Maker Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Muscle Maker is amazing!! It's such a shame that this one isn't closer, but I stop here every time I visit my mom in Turnersville. The concept is great, seeing as how I try to watch my calorie/fat intake, so it's right up my alley. One would think that the food would be drab and bland as most low fat/fat free foods are, but it's not. The southwest wrap is a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures, from spicy to creamy to crunchy to a hint of sweetness. Rumor has it that they're putting one in Langhorne in the Redner's shopping center which is both a wonderful and dangerous thing (dangerous for me as now it'll only be 5 minutes away instead of 50!)", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T15:22:55" }, { "business_id": "w4_14pVOLW2Tdm9LTczORg", "business_name": "Corner Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is delicious! I have only eaten breakfast and salads (for lunch) here, so I can't comment on the pastas/sandwiches. However, the salads are delicious and the swiss chilled oatmeal is AMAZING!!!!! The baked goods look divine, too, but I've never indulged in them. During breakfast and lunchtime, they tend to be very crowded, but they are really speedy in delivering food to you. The only reason I gave it four stars is because the prices are slightly high for the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:17:34" }, { "business_id": "Rw2Aw3vyj09BLyKfz-V8fw", "business_name": "Tony Roni's", "rating": 2, "text": "The pizza here is subpar; it's nothing to write home about. Pizza here is always excessively greasy, regardless of what kind you get. The slices are rather large, which I'm sure is an attempt to make up for the subpar food. This place is definitely not on the top of my list of pizza places in Willow Grove.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:20:50" }, { "business_id": "nt5wkQvL3UGT1LDTSAHMDA", "business_name": "The Fresh Market", "rating": 3, "text": "Think a more expensive version of Whole Foods when shopping at Fresh Market ($8.00 for a pound of cut up fruit is insanity) Now, I realize they're all about organic/vegan/gluten free, but boy oh boy, are their prices outrageous. They do have an extremely unique and varied selection of products, but I would never do my weekly grocery shopping here. Their sushi is very delicious, and is extremely reasonably priced, though. They also have really good prepared foods in the deli case.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:02:49" }, { "business_id": "ZSJhSNJrZGDRS5Ef7ivnzA", "business_name": "Koba", "rating": 2, "text": "The quality of this restaurant has gone way downhill since ownership changed hands. We used to travel from lower Bucks county to come here when it was Young Bin Kwan, but have not been back here (nor will we be) since our first try under new ownership. We took a friend from out of town here, raving about this delicious Korean buffet in Jenkintown, thinking it was still YBK; yet we were extremely embarrassed with our dinner reccommendation once we left. The banchan was horrible, and there wasn't very much of it (YBK had at least 8 different banchan on the buffet). The meat was of poor quality, and the staff let some pans sit without meat in them for our entire meal (which is a shame for me because I don't eat beef, and they never refilled the chicken). It's such a shame that this place is under new ownership because it was one of the only Korean buffets around in the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:08:50" }, { "business_id": "At6iwGTy6bDxc7PUEOTvQw", "business_name": "Jake's Wayback Burgers", "rating": 2, "text": "I went here for lunch one day but was really disappointed that the own manager didn't know about the meat there. I wanted a turkey burger as I don't eat beef and asked the fat percentage of the ground turkey (I have a sensitive stomach and can only eat 90/10 or higher and the manager was clueless. He even brought the box of frozen meat out which didn't have the percentage of fat on it either. With that I walked out. They know the fat percentage of all the beef they serve, so why should the turkey be any different?", "timestamp": "2011-12-18T00:16:09" }, { "business_id": "eMiN8nm70jjKg8izikVWDA", "business_name": "Chickie's & Pete's", "rating": 3, "text": "Chickie's and Pete's is ok; there's really nothing remarkable about the place. The mussels in red sauce are really good, though; the red sauce is a nice combo of garlicky and sweet at the same time, so it has kind of a unique flavor. The tomato pie is really good as well. Meh to the fries; they're really nothing special. If you've had them once, you don't need to have them again; they're fries. The service has got to be the slowest and most jumbled restaurant service I've ever seen, though; our table had food coming out at various times (non apps), and each item was expedited by a different person. The atmosphere in the dining section (separate from the bar) is so loud that you can't hear yourself think. If you want decent food, slow service and a mediocre sports bar, then Chickie's is for you.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:25:47" }, { "business_id": "HpLIHgoz3XPTyol5tKKb_w", "business_name": "Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Update to my original: I really wanted to like this place, but I just can't! The sushi was still subpar and way overpriced; it didn't have much in the way of flavor and was really just blah. The service is obnoxiously slow (think 15 minutes for drinks), the place is the loudest restaurant I've ever been in, and perhaps the most bothersome part of the entire meal was being sat next to the birthday gong which rang at least 10 times during our meal. A hibachi meal for three took almost two hours from start to finish, which is ridiculous. We gave it a shot a second time and were sorely disappointed again. Arirang, you fail yet again.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:35:46" }, { "business_id": "1Lr4sdFV9c1-W3R2D_zV4w", "business_name": "Mirch Masasla", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm giving MM two stars because their hours are downright AWFUL. Twice, I've gone here after 12:00pm for their lunch buffet (which is incredible) yet they weren't open when their hours clearly state 12 is the opening time. It really irks me when a restaurant can't even keep up on their hours.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:22:15" }, { "business_id": "WWO34S7RwBWlsjJEYuTAaw", "business_name": "Indian Hut-Bensalem", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is downright awful. Think greasy, overpriced, and underportioned. They claim to be known for their cakes and curry, but their curry is incredibly spicy (Even when asking for it relatively mild) and their cakes remind me of the cheap, generic Chinese buffet cakes. The service was also very slow; it took over 1/2 hour to get a curry chicken and a cake, and there was one other person in the store. Avoid this place.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:24:56" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 5, "text": "The donuts here are one thing, but holy moly, the chicken is out of this world. We got the honey ginger, coconut curry and za'atar and each flavor was incredible. You could easily distinguish the various seasonings in each flavor, too. The chicken is double fried which made it so crispy but still allows it to maintain its juiciness. My only complaint is that I wish there was more seasoning on the chicken, but other than that, it was pure perfection.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:46:52" }, { "business_id": "qETpOF88MbmtSyOWEDaD_A", "business_name": "Duross & Langel", "rating": 5, "text": "The soap here is incredible!!! The staff was very kind and friendly, and helped us pick out the best scents. The black pepper doesn't smell like black pepper in the least, but the scent is one of the most perfect scents I have ever smelled. I was so overwhelmed with soap that I didn't even have a chance to check out the other items such as lotions, oils, deodorants, and even baby products! They're rather expensive, though (think $5 for a 1/2 bar) but the scents are so amazing that they're worth the splurge.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:50:37" }, { "business_id": "6DFobber72AV0mnBV5KeQQ", "business_name": "Anne's Kitchen Table", "rating": 1, "text": "I was SORELY disappointed with Anne's. I take reviews on yelp very seriously, and usually get what's recommended in 5 star reviews, so here was no different. I ordered an asian wrap with noodles for takeout, and was really excited to try it as it smelled delicious! Well, I opened the paper to discover both covers SOAKED in sauce, which normally wouldn't be an issue, except the sauce was mostly oil. The entire outside of the wrap was soaked with oily sauce as well. I took one bite and couldn't eat anymore of the wrap because it was so oily. It was such a shame because the veggies seemed incredibly fresh and delectable, but again, the sauce was so oily I couldn't eat my lunch.", "timestamp": "2012-04-10T23:10:49" }, { "business_id": "0R2yKDNMUztQwgo8pG4z-Q", "business_name": "Triumph Brewing Company", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't speak for the food here, but the beer is delicious! I love how they offer a sampler of their beers (a full mini glass of each, 9 total) for $12! I was pleasantly surprised by the belgian somethin else and the black lager, both of which were incredible! What a great way to get a good buzz off of some really delicious beers.", "timestamp": "2012-04-24T00:03:43" }, { "business_id": "oBNrLz4EDhiscSlbOl8uAw", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper - New Orleans", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't too impressed with the food here. I was really excited to try their breakfast, but honestly, it was nothing special. I had the carrot cake pancakes (A special), brother had the bananas foster pain and hubby the original french toast. The pancakes were ok, nice and fluffy, however, they overloaded them with cream cheese icing, so that was the predominant taste. The bananas foster pain wasn't that good either; the foster sauce was overcooked so it tasted burnt and the french toast was too hard. The really disappointing part was that they had the same specials all week so there was never an opportunity to try any of their other famed specials.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:25:45" }, { "business_id": "9DEHXZfOO1kY_be0nRK-ng", "business_name": "Philly Steak & Gyro", "rating": 1, "text": "This place is gross. I was going to get breakfast here the other day before a long flight until I saw that the fryer hadn't been cleaned since what seemed like 1970 and the employees were handling food without gloves on. Ick ick ick!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:26:02" }, { "business_id": "D3QVe8AXcEJOFg5GItUPtg", "business_name": "Pelham Hotel", "rating": 2, "text": "The location was phenomenal, however, the hotel was rather dire. Our room was on the 4th floor and it had no windows, so it was always dark. Every time we got on the left elevator to go from the first to the fourth floor, I thought we were going to drop down the shaft as it jolted at the floor before the door opened. I thought I was riding the Tower of Terror at Disney! The beds were incredibly uncomfortable, the wallpaper was peeling, and the shower was AWFUL. Free wifi for guests was great, though! Most of the staff were incredibly knowledgeable about directions/food/attractions, however, the one young lady working during the day had no clue where anything was or how to get anywhere. Really!? I wasn't expecting the Waldorf but you get what you pay for, so I didn't expect much. If they remodeled and modernized, it'd be a fab hotel!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:33:03" }, { "business_id": "agK5cXwnBQozM2M-5kLvzw", "business_name": "Red Gravy", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVED this place, and am really sad that I'll never get to eat here again! What an amazing find, away from all of the hustle and bustle of the busiest places in NOLA. The food was so incredible that we ate here for breakfast three days in a row. They do, however, serve lunch too but not dinner. I had the oatmeal each day, which was a huge bowl of homemade oatmeal with fresh fruit and freshly made granola. It was incredible! My husband got the french toast each day because it was simply that good. I tasted a little bit of my brother's entrees each day and everything was phenomenal (the cannoli pancakes, the Debra sandwich and their specialty omelet (with gravy, meatballs and ricotta). The best part of this place is that the owner is from Jersey, so her Italian cooking is spot on. I'm sure their lunches are just as amazing as their breakfasts.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:37:49" }, { "business_id": "n_fUROdhfmLwd_mpBi55ew", "business_name": "Central Grocery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Muffuletta oh muffuletta, THANKFULLY you are not a staple sandwich of my home city. Being an Italian from Philadelphia, my expectations of an Italian sandwich are incredibly high, so I was really excited to see if the muffuletta lived up to my high Italian sandwich standards, Well, we have a winner!!! The grocery part of the store has some really funky old Italian groceries, but the sandwich shoppe is where it's at. Don't expect much from here other than ordering your slice of heaven, sitting at the dingy tables and experiencing pure sandwich perfection. You can feed an entire family of four with a whole, too. The bread was so soft and delicious, and was the perfect ratio for the innards of the sandwich. The Italian meats and extra sharp provolone rivaled any of the best in Philly, and the olive salad, well, holy crap, it was amazing!!!! It was a little salty, but I was willing to overlook that because it was so delicious (and I HATE olives, so I was shocked when I actually went and purchased an entire 16oz jar to take home with me). I was blown away by the muffuletta!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:15:00" }, { "business_id": "QdER5KjucCVtOXdU1g7kpA", "business_name": "Pepper Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "This place was incredibly cool!! I have never seen so many hot sauces, salsas and seasonings in one location ever. They have their own line of sauces/seasonings/salsas they make and sell, so everything is homemade and genuine. The employees are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and will go out of their way to help. The best part is that you can sample an incredible number of their products so you can know what everything tastes like. Winners are: sweet potato butter, ALL of their rubs and the pineapple salsa. I wish there was a place like this in Philly.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:18:27" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Dingy, dark and off the map bars always have the best food, and here was no exception. We waited about 1/2 hour and I'd gladly wait another hour to eat this food. The jambalaya and red beans and rice were phenomenal; what an amazing explosion of flavor! The fried chicken was ok, nothing too spectacular. They have a sampler platter so you can get a little bit of everything that they have to offer. What a great way to experience true New Orleans food!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:21:22" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 4, "text": "All we did here was drink, and we did that A LOT! The mint juleps were great! The hurricane was a little too sweet for my liking, but it did the job in getting me buzzed. I only drank one because it was the raved about drink in NOLA. The courtyard was a really cool and relaxing way to enjoy some drinks and do some people watching.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:54:26" }, { "business_id": "EMfJpVozzk238AM51H18Dw", "business_name": "Meltdown", "rating": 5, "text": "Sheer, sheer perfection. We were walking around the French Quarter and saw three people with these scrumptious looking popsicles and we knew instantaneously we had to fine the place that sold them. We yelped them and it turned out that they were closed, but we were so determined to get these yummy popsicles that we came back the next day. One bite and we realized that we had made the right decision. The pineapple cilantro pop was so flavorful and refreshing that we went and got another for the walk back to the hotel. The salted caramel was an out of this world flavor experience. It was creamy, refreshing, sweet, salty and hands down the best ice cream treat I've ever had. Whoever makes these pops needs to go into business nationally IMMEDIATELY and sell these babies!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:05:08" }, { "business_id": "u7uFQCoHFtBKCtbWUm6yZw", "business_name": "Emeril's ", "rating": 4, "text": "Emeril's is the #3 dining experience I've had in my life. The atmosphere is incredible, but the food is even more incredible. I had the BBQ shrimp and a salad as my entree (I was too full from lunch), my brother had the double cut pork chop and my hubby had the chicken. Everything was spot on, flavorful and perfect, except the time it took to get our meals (think an hour after ordering, which is unacceptable in a place like this; I've eaten at places like Emeril's all over the country and have never had entrees take this long to come out). The servers never let our water get down to 3/4 full and were always attentive to what we wanted or needed. The desserts were incredible too. The banana cream pie was incredible (but wasn't life changing) and the chocolate peanut butter pie was superb. All in all, the best dining experience we had in NOLA.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:12:42" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Cochon how I wanted to LOVE you but I just can't. We went all out and got a few small plates and some entrees so we could experience it all, so I'll break down each one. Wood fried oyster roast- INCREDIBLE!!!! That's all. I wanted to eat 5 more of these plates. Fried boudin- Ok; flavors were really good but they were fried too long so they were slightly too oily. Smoked pork ribs- Ick, these were terrible. They were swimming in their own grease and were chewy and not at all tender (and my family owns BBQ joints) Pork cheeks-These were delish!! The meat was so tender and the flavors were incredible! Mushroom salad- Yummy, but the dried lemon slices were extremely bitter, so I had to pick them out of the salad before I finished. This is where the yumminess stopped, in my opinion. The cochon was the best entree, but it wasn't nearly as good as I had expected it to be. It seemed like glorified pulled pork to me. The brisket was not very good; the meat was really tough and chewy, but the horseradish potato salad was pretty good. I had a chicken dish which was extremely overcooked, oily and dry, and the accompaniments (minted peas and other veggies) were cold. The staff were great, though, and were really thorough, but my expectations were definitely not met here. I was pretty disappointed with my meal with the exceptions of a few gems explained above.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:29:00" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 5, "text": "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, oh boy!!!!!!! I am a sweets fanatic so I was really excited to stop by here and get a few things. The macaroons were wonderful; perfect filling to cookie ratio and the flavors were great. The gelato was incredible, too; creamy, well flavored and delicious. They're more than willing to give samples out (each of us got a whole macaroon!) and a bunch of gelato samples which is great for people as indecisive as my family. We took home some marshmallows which are divine and a great memory of the deliciousness of Sucre. I just wish I could've had one of everything!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:32:49" }, { "business_id": "vN6v8m4DO45Z4pp8yxxF_w", "business_name": "Surrey's Café & Juice Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "We didn't eat here, so I can't speak to the food, but the juice was great. We got a mango-carrot-pineapple juice to go, which was really pricey (5.25!!!) which is why I knocked a star off, but the juice was really yummy and refreshing for a hot New Orleans day. The atmosphere and location of this place is really cool, too.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:35:06" }, { "business_id": "_ab50qdWOk0DdB6XOrBitw", "business_name": "Acme Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "What a great way to experience NOLA cuisine on our first day in town. We stopped by after a long day of traveling and were seated immediately (it was a Monday at 3:00pm), but it was still rather crowded. We got our food very quickly, and I'm glad we did because everything was incredible! Three of us devoured our boo fries in about 5 minutes (DELISH!), and my brother and I were fortunate enough to have ordered the chargrilled oysters (over the raw) to split. They were INCREDIBLE!! The garlic and cheese were an excellent combo and made for some incredibly happy foodies! We were so blown away that we ordered another dozen. I was really happy we decided to go here over Felix's as everything was so good!!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:31:47" }, { "business_id": "UH87t9fT_oTLMZfr5iCbQg", "business_name": "Tropical Isle", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh hand grenade, you were my go to drink in NOLA!!! I must've drank at least 6 during our 4 day stay here. They were cold, refreshing and full of alcohol, so what's not to love??!!! I'm sure the TSA loved seeing the multitude of hand grenade cups stuffed in our suitcases!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:34:12" }, { "business_id": "0eP5RJNSsSYdPvUY3ZbTvw", "business_name": "Cat's Meow", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, so the place is a little divey (think dirty old men and drunk college guys tossing beads to girls cruising Bourbon St), but it was always happening. I did quite a few karaoke songs here, and each time I sang, it was just a blast. It's a great place to watch the liquor overtake people's inhibitions. Drinks are expensive, though ($6 for a domestic bottle) so drink a lot beforehand.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:26:17" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "We stopped in here after a not so great experience at Cochon but we were blown away by the butcher. The atmosphere is incredible; great ambient lighting, awesome decor, and the best part: the curing meat display! We didn't get anything to eat here because we just had dinner, but everything smelled incredible. We got some bacon chocolate covered almonds and they were such a new and different flavor experience, but they were phenomenal! We also got a sweet potato habenero sauce to take home because it was so delicious! I'm really disappointed that we didn't get to eat here, but the sights and smells were enough to please me!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:51:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 5, "text": "When I travel, I really enjoy going to the local supermarket (call me strange, but I find it a really cool way to experience local food finds). I'm really glad we walked over here because this was one of the coolest markets I've ever been to! Unlike the northeast, there was liquor here (hey, gotta grab a bottle of vino with your lunch!), and their cafe section was immense! They have every type of prepared food imaginable, and their meat/deli/bakery was great! They are pricey, but it was worth the trip to check out a really cool local market.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:56:51" }, { "business_id": "krCwF4raTYvBcCEwcbA88Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Mills", "rating": 2, "text": "The only stores worth shopping in here are the Off 5th and Last Call Neiman Marcus. Most of the stores are not name brand, and the mall itself it just filthy. Thankfully, Saks and Neiman both have entrances that don't require entrance into the mall.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T12:36:27" }, { "business_id": "11qwVOxX-Z0bWAnfpVLnlw", "business_name": "Mike Serio's Poboys", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted a true, genuine po'boy but didn't want to go too far, so I took the hotel concierge's advice and went here. I wanted a 1/2 shrimp and 1/2 oyster, which wasn't on the menu, so it cost $13! When the sandwich came out, it was rather small, and the shrimp were wayyyyy too little (think shrimp salad sized shrimp). The fried oysters were pretty good, as was the bread, but overall, I was generally disappointed. I don't mind paying that much for a delish po'boy (Johnny's!), but was really upset that the subpar one I had here costs that much. Just walk the extra 1/2 mile to Johnny's.", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:51:11" }, { "business_id": "Eb1XmmLWyt_way5NNZ7-Pw", "business_name": "Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport MSY", "rating": 3, "text": "Ick, this is one of the most aestetically unpleasing airports I've ever been to. Granted, things ran rather smoothly, but when I'm sitting in a gate for a few hours, I don't want to see stained carpet, torn seats and spiders crawling on the walls. There also was an overabundance of unused space here (think gates with no chairs, no ticket booths, etc) which was rather strange. I was also disappointed with the food choices (or lack thereof) in my terminal, too. The secutiry line ran pretty quickly, too, although anything is a significant improvement over the 90 minute long like I had to wait in at Philly to get here. The one positive was that in the 5 minute walk to the baggage terminal, our bags were already out on the roundabout!!! I was amazed! Staff here are really great, too!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:54:06" }, { "business_id": "FDx_EgHcBvIRGH4UlyuNCA", "business_name": "Pinkberry", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really excited to see Pinkberry within very close proximity to my hoteI, but wasn't sure if I wanted to try them due to their hype and trendiness. However, my brother swore it was some of the best froyo he's ever had in his life, so I was convinced to try them. The store is really chic and modern, and had a really cool vibe for such a small place. We got mango and pom together (reccommended by the staff) and it was such a refreshing treat on such a hot day. The yogurt was very creamy and just the right consistency, too. Although we didn't get toppings, I really liked the idea of paying one price for a yogurt with \"as many toppings as will fit\" rather than paying per ounce. I just wish they would open a store in the Philly area!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:59:52" }, { "business_id": "GJI1ITRdwr6Ov3GVKOTZcQ", "business_name": "Hong Luck Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is interesting to say the least. The outside looks like an old 70's diner, so it's slightly off putting when you pull up to the restaurant. Upon walking into here my brain immediately breaks into the Spongebob Squarepants theme song (think tiki huts, blowfish light fixtures, bamboo everywhere)! I have never, ever, EVER in my life been in a restaurant as tacky looking as this, and they really do deserve a decor makeover by Robert Irvine. However, despite their gaudy decor, they have incredible food! The curry chicken was incredible; the flavors were incredible, although it was a little too salty. The garlic boneless spareribs are out of this world; they're the perfect combination of sweet and salty. The portions are huge and the prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. This restaurant serves the best Chinese food in Levittown, so it's definitely worth overlooking the horrible decor for some delicious food.", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T01:46:30" }, { "business_id": "vFifkrt8fU4k31NrQF-KnA", "business_name": "Giant Food Store", "rating": 5, "text": "This market is one of the best I've ever been too! They have an incredible assortment of freshly prepared foods of all varieties (Chinese, paninis, sandwiches, coffee shop, pizzas, etc) but the clear prepared food winner here is the fresh made salad section. The salad is always huge, and the best part is that you can have your salad made by one of the employees rather than settling for one in the cold case that was made at 8am. You can also customize what you want in your salad, so you're not limited if you have an allergy or just don't like something. The other sections of the store are great; they have a wonderful organic section and some great bulk products. This a great option that is much better than Saladworks, and every week, they offer a different salad on sale for around $5.99. One of the coolest parts of this market is that they have a cooking school inside, with some free classes (others you may have to pay $15-20 for) but they have a full kitchen inside the \"Cooking school\" where you not only learn to prepare a meal, but you can actually prepare it yourself. They also have a nutritionist on staff that teaches specialty cooking classes, such as low sodium or low fat cooking. They even go so far as to offer classes for seniors and kids! Everything here makes this one truly unique and even exciting shopping opportunity!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T16:23:58" }, { "business_id": "1e1qCk-tKAkFn-or-o-h0A", "business_name": "Sammy Chon's KTown BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is just as good as the store in Cherry Hill, so each time we decide to hit up Sam for Korean, we're coming here (no more trips over the Walt for yummy Korean food!) ! Sam was the first person to introduce my family and I to Korean food, so we're faithful to him 'till the end. The soy and honey sesame wings are incredible; they're so crispy and flavorful, yet not greasy at all. They're highly addictive, so I recommend only getting 4 because you will have no room left for your dinner if you get 10. I absolutely LOVE the banchan; each time you go, there is an array of about 8 banchan, each different at every trip to the restaurant. I always get the same thing when we eat at Sammy's, which is the soon dubu stew, spicy 3.5 stars with spicy pork. It's a soft tofu cooked in a spicy (as spicy as you want, but be warned, anything above a 4 will make your eyes tear up!) broth with meat of your choice. It's probably unlike any other food you've ever eaten, so make sure you try it because there is no comparison to anything if you haven't had Korean food before. It comes out in a hot pot so it's always EXTREMELY hot. I always ask for a glass of ice to put in the stew to cool it down because I've made the mistake of burning my mouth on soon dubu one time too many. This location serves alcohol, and we were recommended a mango flavored Korean drink. I thought we each were getting a glass, but boy was I wrong; we got a carafe!!! The drink was delicious! It was cool and refreshing, and ended up being the perfect compliment to our hot (both in temperature and spice) meals. My husband always gets the LA kalbi (marinated short ribs) which he swears by and wishes he could eat on a daily basis. Everything Sam makes is incredible! If you're a newbie to Korean food, definitely come here with an open mind and be willing to try something new and possible off the cusp than what you'd normally eat. Trust me, you'll be pleasantly surprised!", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:19:19" }, { "business_id": "ssr49VxAlvrBo7F7izQvXA", "business_name": "The Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "I love love love The Pub. Eating here will make you feel like you're dining at the Renaissance faire (just hand me a turkey leg and a velvet dress and you're good to go!) but the food is great. They have some delicious selections on their salad bar, with my favorite being the zucchini bread. They have some of the best crab cakes I've ever eaten, too. Whether you're a seafood lover like I am, or a pure carnivore like my husband (who highly recommends the 26oz porterhouse), you'll find something delicious and quite large to eat. The portions are enough to feed you for two days, so be prepared to take home some of your meal. The only thing I don't like about the place is you dine extremely close to your neighbors, but I guess it's all part of the experience.", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:20:40" }, { "business_id": "t-QoyFuiNKPOioysQx2qHA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "This location is probably one of the smallest Whole Foods I've ever been in, but they have an immense selection of products that are unique and hard to find. They have a mind blowing selection of natural, organic, and vegan makeup/lotions/etc., which is great. Their bakery is rather small, but they have some of the most delicious desserts and baked goods ever!!! DEFINITELY make sure you get some seeduction ROLLS (the loaf is amazing, but the rolls are much better) to take home with you. The awesome part of the bread bakery is that you can get a 1/2 loaf of bread (which is great for my family because I'm the only one that eats the unique breads they have, so nothing goes to waste. I also love their bulk section because you can get just what you need weight-wise of some really different and unique grains. They have an amazing selection of cold prepared foods in the deli case, with some great vegan and vegetarian choices. They also have a wonderful salad bar with some deliciously healthy selections. The even package some of their best products in ready to go containers so you can take them home with you. They also have a wonderful meat selection, with a significant amount of \"green\" meat (grass fed, no antibiotcs, etc). The produce selection is vast and truly unique; I've seen some really weird fruits and veggies that I've never seen before here. Be prepared as their prices are high, but you're getting good quality, healthy food, so it's well worth it.", "timestamp": "2012-06-02T01:04:03" }, { "business_id": "VVH6k9-ycttH3TV_lk5WfQ", "business_name": "Willie Mae's Scotch House", "rating": 4, "text": "Off in the land of the 7th ward in what is a pretty rough looking neighborhood, stands Willie Mae's. We took our awesome scooters here (thankfully, as it's not within walking distance from the French Quarter) and were prepared for some fried chicken goodness. I'm NOT a big fried foods person, so I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it here, but I was wrong. The restaurant is pretty much off the beaten path, but I've learned in my travels that some of the most amazing places are. The place is nothing spectacular inside, but it was really cool to read the various articles from magazines the restaurant was featured in. We reviewed our short menu and decided on nothing other than the fried chicken platter and some cornbread. Out sides were brought out along with our chicken after a relatively short wait, and we dug in. The chicken was placed on a big platter in the middle of the table, so it was like a chicken free for all at the table. The sides were HUGE, and looked delicious. I was really thrilled when the red beans and rice tasted as good as they looked, but I was slightly disappointed in the green beans. The red beans were incredible; they were slightly smoky and somewhat spicy, and were perfect! After I downed the whole bowl, it was time to tackle the chicken mountain. I broke off a piece of the breading to taste just that, and holy crap, it was delicious!!!! It was greasy (of course!), but was so delicious that I found myself scouring the crunchy pieces of the batter off of the bottom of the plate!! Once I finally got to the chicken, I was very impressed. The chicken was so moist and tender, and was some of the best chicken I had ever eaten. The combination of the deliciously crunchy, spicy batter and the moist, tender chicken made for a wonderful chicken experience. I felt like an authentic NOLA citizen while eating here. Like I said earlier, I'm not a fan of fried foods, but I was definitely a fan of Willie Mae's.", "timestamp": "2012-06-03T00:27:17" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "Jules is delicious!!! They have some amazingly creative pizza creations, and it's extra yummy because the thin crust allows you to really taste the flavors of the pizzas. They use organic and local veggies, hormone free meats and they combine flavors really well. The winners are (I can't remember the names) the greek pizza, the chicken with cilantro pizza, and the potato topped pizza. Be sure to check in on foursquare for a free slice with check in.", "timestamp": "2012-10-18T21:19:58" }, { "business_id": "iD25g7vUG3asELjXtMGF9w", "business_name": "Taqueria del Sol", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is all I can say for TDS. The restaurant itself is just cold.... not literally, but figuratively. There was no decor, no menu boards, stainless steel prep tables as dining tables, no soda machines, staff EVERYWHERE with no identification (shirts, nametags, etc). The food is reasonably priced and most of it was quite good, but what really irked my party was the fact that they charge for extra salsa!!! We ordered a salsa trio (which included 3 samples of the various salsas, in 2oz glass prep bowls), and when my brother asked for more salsa for his tacos (mind you, we ordered one of ever taco, three burritos and guacamole), he was told he'd have to buy the trio again! Really!!??? We spent over $40 on food, drinks and apps, too. Even though the food was decent, I wouldn't return as the atmosphere is just blah and you can't get extra salsa for your damn tacos!", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:14:36" }, { "business_id": "tpDJ0vOYiBLxMqtGvhBSmw", "business_name": "Top It Frozen Yogurt Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Top It is wonderful! They're your typical froyo place, but they have delicious and authentic flavors that vary daily and based on the season. They have nutritional info displayed for all to see, so you can know exactly what you're eating. They also have a ton of different and unique toppings. If you check in via yelp on your smartphone, you get 20% off which is a great incentive to come here (in addition to the yummy yogurt!!!). Don't forget to join their email list; they frequently send coupons out via email.", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:17:26" }, { "business_id": "knp4GbMlIQZAppyEVnUkQg", "business_name": "Koja Grille", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow this place is NOT it. I should've known the experience was gonna be bad when the brought my take out order, which the waitress clearly marked to go, to me out on a plate. I'm someone who adores Korean food and was excited to try Koja out, but I should've just stuck to my regular Korean spots. The food was overpriced, completely non authentic (non grilled bulgogi with broccoli and carrots????), and subpar. The wings were soggy and although I ordered them mild, they were made spicy. The food here is equivalent to overpriced icky Chinese. I haven't been this disappointed with food in Philly for a very long time. To make matters worse, the staff was incredibly rude and snippy with me. With all of the amazing Korean places in Philly, I'm surprised they stay in business here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T02:02:04" }, { "business_id": "LcURr5CJT0Uo0H18l31qpg", "business_name": "The Lite Choice", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great yogurt place! I'm a big fan of froyo in general, so I was excited to try out a place that offered such decadence in yogurt. I had a fluffernutter yogurt and was so impressed that this yogurt was light! It had such great flavor and didn't have that weird aftertaste that some froyo has. The only downside was that the yogurt is pricey.", "timestamp": "2013-04-30T01:34:20" }, { "business_id": "by3Pd_qk6R9ik3C2Ng_-rg", "business_name": "Margaritas Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Eh, this place is not it. The service is incredibly slow, chaotic and messy. Apps came out literally 30 seconds before food which is a big no no. The portion of guacamole we had was laughably small; think the size of a single scoop of ice cream EVERYTHING was slathered in cheese, to the point where all you could taste was cheese. The margaritas were good, though, but that was after my server brought me the wrong flavor twice. The food here is definitely not worth the price; save a few bucks (hell, more than a few!) and get a much better and way more authentic meal at Cancun down the street.", "timestamp": "2013-06-23T03:16:59" }, { "business_id": "lakMZT5PYQltSOjGXWnJ0g", "business_name": "Lil' Pop Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "My gosh, the Popsicles here are amazing!!!!! I go once a week on my lunch break and get two Popsicles. The best flavors are the milk based ones...last week, I had a lemon blueberry buttermilk and it tasted like a frozen cheesecake! I also had a watermelon rhubarb which was ok. The coconut hibiscus is divine as well! What a gem in West Philly!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:42:55" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "omgee, this place is phenomenal! I came here on the recommendation of some coworkers and I'm glad I did! Their burritos are big enough to feed a small army,and their flavors are amazing. Both times I went, I had a chicken and sweet potato burrito and it was divine! The sweet potatoes are such a unique and flavorful addition to the burritos. I also loved how they put guac on all of their burritos. Honest Toms is quickly becoming a favorite lunch spotlight of mine in West!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:46:34" }, { "business_id": "U30ggGzFpXvc2NZYwOW3qg", "business_name": "Mood Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Jeez, where to begin with Mood???? I came here for lunch a few weeks ago with a coworker, and while he wasn't a fan (he's not as adventurous with food a I am), I loved it! If you're looking for your typical Indian food, skip here; if you want a flavor adventure that is unique and different, then this is your place. I had no clue what a chaat was until I came here, so the owner explained everything to me. The chaats here anew amazing; there are so many flavors, textures, colors, and unique ingredients that every bite is something different. They also have the best lassis I've ever had, and what makes them even better is the flavors! Skip the traditional mango (even though its awesome) and give fig a try. It was creamy, sweet perfection. I'm sure the food here isn't diet friendly, which is not good for me because its so close to work!!!!!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:53:14" }, { "business_id": "oGAnlXgorzsRqeA4S0UhlQ", "business_name": "Scappa Brick Oven Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "This place has some of the best Italian and pizza in Levittown. Everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. I really enjoyed their tomato pie; the sauce was a perfect combo of sweet and salty. All in all, a great place to grab a flavorful and well priced Italian meal.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:55:19" }, { "business_id": "hG1CdQIZGnHcYDdpNnVbSQ", "business_name": "My Little Kupkake", "rating": 1, "text": "Ick, I had a cupcake from here which I picked up from DIbrunos in the city, and I was not impressed. Im a cupcake fanatic, so I take cupcakes seriously!The cake itself was dry and dense, the icing was too sweet and there was entirely too much of it. If you're going to market and sell your cupcakes in another location, at least ensure they're good.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:57:54" }, { "business_id": "9OhPfV0C3Q49l5tSre2MuQ", "business_name": "Kabobeesh", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh lawd, Kabobeesh is incredible!!! I am so happy that this place is so close to where I work that I go here every Tuesday for lunch. For $10, you get an incredible amount of food that can feed you for days. I always am enticed by the kebobs in the case, which are always so fresh and flavorful. My favorite is the tandoori chicken, which is so moist, tender and flavorful that I'm drooling as I write this. They always have delicious sides and dishes besides the kebobs. I'm a huge fan of the yellow daal which is so perfectly seasoned and so flavorful. The homemade naan is to die for as well. The only downfall is that the service tends to be rather slow, but for food this awesome, it's worth the wait!!!", "timestamp": "2013-10-01T00:02:52" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. I was overhyped to try here, and was slightly disappointed. The place is incredibly small, and I knew it wasn't going to be the best dining experience when we were sat by the draft of the open door which rushed in the cold January air. Cocktail: the sgroppino was fabulous! The sorbet was so fresh and flavorful. Very string too! Apps: the garlic bread was yummy! Nothing phenomenal but good. The fig bruschetta was great too, but I wasn't a fan of how overwhelming the Gorgonzola was. It took away from the other flavors of the dish. The arancini were meh; rather bland and flavorless. It almost tasted frozen to me; it was definitely the loser of the night. The fresh mozzarella was the star of the night: creamy, salty, briney goodness. It literally melted in my mouth. We each had a pasta dish. The gnocchi were yummy; I loved the crunchiness that came from the pan sear. The fusili were ok; I'm just not a big fan of oily sauces. The spaghetti and meatballs were great, though. The portion was gigantic; however, I was a bit surprised that the meatball tasted more like hot Italian sausage than a classic meatball. The service was great, though. Our server was knowledgable, personable and friendly. I usually never leave a restaurant like this stuffed, but I felt like I was going to explode when we were done eating. $100 for three people including drinks is a great price, too. You really get a lot of food for a fair price. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I felt like the food here was oversold and under delivered. I guess I expected more from this empire (I could eat at Barbuzzo daily!) Would I return? Highly unlikely. There are just too many other choices in Philly which are equivalent in price that have much more to offer.", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:04:04" }, { "business_id": "UyTx6ci7ATsWco_mE4J8Jw", "business_name": "Pamcakes, a Philly Cupcakery", "rating": 2, "text": "I expected more from Pamcakes... I am a cupcake fiend. I make it a point to try as many cupcake places as I can in the city, and while I have tried many, I'm nowhere near trying them all. I also bake my own, so I'm always pumped to try new (to me) shops I went in on a Thursday around 1115 and no one was in the shop. The display was pretty meager; a few of this flavor, two of that one, etc, . I ordered a red velvet, lemon raspberry, triple chocolate and vanilla with buttercream. The red velvet was one of the best red velvet cupcakes I've ever had. The cream Cheese frosting was divine; light, fluffy and not overtly sweet. The lemon raspberry was fair; not good, not bad, just average. The triple chocolate was awful. The cake was dry and crumbly and the icing was way too sweet. The vanilla was bad too. Dry cake, bland frosting and extremely dense. The worst part of the experience was on three of the four cupcakes, the icing was hard and crunchy. I honestly thought they were yesterday's leftovers. They certainly didn't taste fresh. I was very disappointed with the cupcakes here. I expected so much more and was highly let down. Such a shame, too", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:17:37" }, { "business_id": "OxkdxarPVk_BNGDpllqiBA", "business_name": "Under the Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Under the Pier is a rather unassuming spot, but don't let the facade fool you. Actually, it's the epitome of duvet here, but who cares??!! The food here is great! Cheap, fresh, quick and delicious...what more could you ask for!? The fish is fresh, the batter is great and the prices are good. They have great \"chips\" too with their fish. I also loved the crab cake and clam cake, too. This place is definitely a hidden gem in Levittown .", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T02:29:59" }, { "business_id": "45ClmqPAagmNvdUojFULZA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 3, "text": "I noticed this place on a ride down Walnut for work. Definitely my kind of place, so I parked and stopped in. Think fast farm to table food. I loved how everything is locally sourced, organic, fresh and healthy. However, I did not love the price! When I paid for my seasonal salad and cucumber limeade (which was AMAZEBALLS), I ended up with a total of around $15!!! I have no problem paying higher prices for quality, but 15 bucks for a salad and a 16oz lemonade is just insanity in my opinion. The salad was good; definitely not worth the $11 it cost, though. I realize this is U City and they locally source everything, etc, but I simply would not return due to the prices (this is one of the main reasons I left a three star review. I know quailty ingredients come with a price, however, $15 is just far too much.", "timestamp": "2014-06-25T17:36:12" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 4, "text": "I was blown away by the food here and I didn't even eat in! My brother brought home take out which included the eggplant hummus and the brisket hummus, pita and saltim. While I don't eat red meat, I devoured the eggplant hummus and literally could not stop stuffing my face with the deliciousness that sat in that bowl. The hummus was so earthy and smoky and had such great flavor. The pita were amazing; even cold, they were incredible!!!!!! I simply cannot wait to try the food from here fresh. What an amazing place!!! Majestic, Zahav and chef Michael Solomon!!!!! A true gem!!!", "timestamp": "2014-09-27T00:59:15" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here on restaurant week and was very disappointed here. This was my first experience at a Garces restaurant, so I was really excited to eat here. Normally, I give yelp a lot of credit in helping me select where to eat, and I figured I'd try here despite (more than) a few wishy-washy review. For starters, the service here is awful. It took 20 minutes to even be asked for drinks and probably 15 people walked by us without acknowledging us, which normally would send me packing, but I was anticipating a great meal so I stuck it out. The menu was limited to only restaurant week selections which I'm never a fan of. We started with the fresh mozzarella which was the clear winner of the night; warm, briney, salty goodness. The second course was a micro green salad which was topped with such a bitter garlic oil they I could barely eat it. For my meal, I had the risotto with scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly, however they were so overly salty, I couldn't eat them. The risotto was a bit too al dente for my liking but it tasted OK. Overall, I was extremely disappointed in the experience here. I expect the utmost care, attention to service and food at restaurants like this, and I didn't get it. I will not be back.", "timestamp": "2014-09-28T13:12:12" }, { "business_id": "O6hY9yenifuRXrpc4TfgsQ", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is awesome!!! We came on a Saturday night and the place was packed!!! For such an unassuming location, it was wall to wall people. The decor is rather gaudy; it reminds me of my grandma's country kitchen but it was an intimate ambiance. We ordered the blue moon and general tso wings, which were yummy! The general tso were sticky, sweet and a bit spicy, but the best part was the homemade wasabi Bleu cheese. Spot on!!! We also had the duck fat fries which were phenomenal!!! Salty, savory, cheesy, hand cut fries...everything just melted together for an amazing flavor experience!!! The original mac and cheese was ok; I'm not a fan of smoky cheeses in my mac and cheese, but it had a nice creamy consistency. I ordered a turkey burger for dinner which I was good. It was slightly dry, and it didn't come on a brioche bun as advertised but rather on a potato bun. I was a bit let down by that, but the burger was still good. We ended the night with a lemon scented cheesecake. Incredibly delicious!!! The crust had a bit of saltiness to it which complimented the sweet cheesecake and bitter lemon. All in all, this place is delicious! Don't let their boring strip mall outside deter you from the yumminess inside!!!", "timestamp": "2015-04-12T02:46:35" }, { "business_id": "gjFUrbSMo1rA1jgG5IhA2A", "business_name": "Chima Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. The service here is awful. Granted, we came on father's day but still, the service shouldn't have been as bad as it was. It took 15 minutes to get drinks and when the meats finally came around, the same kind of meat kept coming by. I had to ask the waitress to send the guy with the fish over to the table, and it still tool him 15 minutes to come by. The rest of the people in my party kept having to ask for the specific meat they wanted because some stuff just never came around. The salad bar was ok, it had a lot of selection to go with the food. The dessert, however, were subpar. You could definitely tell they were not handmade. I've been to other places like this before, so I wasn't impressed with the sword service like I'm sure some people are. There are plenty of other much better places to spend 50+ dollars at in Philadelphia.", "timestamp": "2015-07-07T01:04:57" }, { "business_id": "wUnLSg_GKfEIQ5CQQ770_g", "business_name": "Vetri Cucina", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh my gosh what an experience!!!! I had the privilege of coming here for my 30th birthday in April and it was everything I expected and more. I felt like I was in an old world Italian kitchen as the ambiance was perfect as well. I can finally check this place off my bucket list!! Our waiter, Bill, was incredible. Attentive, knowledgeable and interesting, he made the night that much better. I truly never experienced service as incredible as the service here, which took the night from a meal to an experience. We let Bill decide what to bring us., letting him know what we preferred and let him select. The foie was incredible ( it was my first time eating it) and I wanted more!! I can't remember specifics as to what we had, but every dish was simply amazing. Everything in the evening was A++++. I also opted for the wine tasting (hey go big or go home!) which was completely worth the money, as every glass was perfectly complimentary to the plate. I've never been so pleased, satisfied and happy with a meal as I was when I left here. Although the plates were small, there were so many plates that I was incredibly stuffed at the end of the meal. Vetri was everything I had hoped for and more, and although I will likely never get to go back (think two car payments for three people), I'm so honored and pleased that I got to eat here. I will never forget the meal or experience I had here. Absolutely incredible job, Marc Vetri!!!!", "timestamp": "2015-07-25T01:08:32" }, { "business_id": "yEXvgdOxH6EGrwGmELzQAQ", "business_name": "Stripp'd Cold Pressed Juice", "rating": 1, "text": "I'm really disappointed in this place as well as the customer service. I emailed their website and told them that not only were they out of coconut topping, but they were out of the blue algae bowl but this wasn't made aware to me until AFTER I ordered. I got matcha bowl and it was also disgusting. The base was so sour that I couldn't even eat the thing! I was really pissed I paid $13 for the bowl. When I told (who I assume is the owner), she proceeded to tell me the \"sour taste is in fact part of the menu item....and this one was apparently not fitting to you\" She then proceeded to say the \"we will take the constructive criticism and insults in stride\" which pissed me off to no end. As a customer who paid more than the price of a meal for a smoothie bowl and was highly dissatisfied, I'm appalled that the criticism (which was negative because the bowl was just awful) was called an insult. The reply I wrote back stated I have had many matcha flavored items before absolutely none of which had this horrible sour taste and aftertaste, I got a reply saying that the mix is their own and those ingredients combined make for a sour taste (granted, none of the other told to me are at all sour on their own) C'mon..... not a single review on Yelp describes a sour taste to this bowl, so the fact that this place can't even acknowledge their fail is what really turns me off. I will NOT return here.", "timestamp": "2018-11-13T23:01:33" } ]	{ "business_id": "Ujl55uQMbCPhS7mswgvpwQ", "business_name": "Curiosity Doughnuts", "rating": 4, "text": "Hands down the BEST DONUTS ever!!!! I'm a donut fiend, and these are perfection!! They're light, fluffky, airy and the flavors are out of this world! My fav is the blood orange. I absolutely love this place!!", "timestamp": "2019-08-17T09:54:15" }
kHmXUEOAsIbguUrPoX6Tkg	[ { "business_id": "jXDr7IkNlkJGuQYzth9CMg", "business_name": "The New Il Mi Jung", "rating": 1, "text": "While the food is really great and delicious, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. The staff there neglected giving us the sides, did not offer us drink refills, and did not allow me to order BBQ since my husband ordered BBQ special (even though we've done it many times) (my husband gets special and I would get BBQ chicken). They know what we get, and would not allow us to order what we wanted. They were actually very rude to us tonight, and we were regulars, going 2-3x/month. After tonight, we will not be returning. They lost two regular customers due to rudeness and lack of acceptable service tonight. We'll be going to Myung Ga from now on.", "timestamp": "2009-10-10T02:54:00" }, { "business_id": "FJl6LCHbqiM9mvSwDjFAjw", "business_name": "Kim's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing!!! It's different than other Korean restaurants as they don't use gas for the grills, just hot coals. The banchan are AMAZING, and the meat portions are huge!!! They even have steamed egg!!! Highly recommended!!!! Korean food can be pretty pricey for the meat dishes, which is the case here, but it's worth it. Since it;s in Olney, I'll only go during daylight hours.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:06:32" }, { "business_id": "6sWAn5N1h5d4pd1hEu497A", "business_name": "Young Bin Kwan", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing! It's a full buffet of raw meat that you take yourself and grill at your table in the charcoal Korean grills. I highly recommend this place for Korean food newbies as you can really experience various meats without being committed to something you may not like. The banchan are amazing! So many choices!!!!!!! The whole place is amazing, and it's only $23/pp!!!! The little Korean ladies will help you out if you're a Korean BBQ newbie. Just keep in mind that it's at the bottom of an apartment complex, so it's relatively easy to miss. You WILL smell like you doused yourself in charcoal cologne though afterwards. It's not owned by the same people anymore, and the food has suffered since then.", "timestamp": "2010-07-06T22:15:43" }, { "business_id": "-pyobEWdpZ6jUp42f3I2xw", "business_name": "Dolsot House", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is AMAZING!!! Although you can't cook your own meats here, it's well worth it! The portions are huge, and the prices are very reasonable! They'll refill your bancha if you like something a lot, and the owners are extremely helpful in helping decipher the menu. An absolute hit!!!! The soon tofu is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-09T17:49:23" }, { "business_id": "hkirr3WzSTx2d9cdP_NKSQ", "business_name": "Mama's Vegetarian", "rating": 4, "text": "Incredible food, incredible location (Capogiro right down the street for dessert!). The falaffel is so delicious, and their hummus is so smooth and creamy. I had my first falaffel here, and it was incredible. The ONLY complaint I have is that their hours are really funky. They're dirt cheap and always really busy. A real winner!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:06:20" }, { "business_id": "6JVHcQBnyA1DzK4z65cJSw", "business_name": "Falafel Factory", "rating": 4, "text": "This place was great!!! I love how they offer baked falafel. However, their pitas were definitely not homemade like they claimed to be. It's a good alternative if you can't make it to Mama's (hell, the cashier even said the owner goes to Mama's!!). All in all, good falafel.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T17:10:08" }, { "business_id": "ki0qSHmHNgUjKPRzYDTPow", "business_name": "The Pub 2900", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:24:39" }, { "business_id": "z5GlwQqwr4H8ruCjpnE_BA", "business_name": "Club House Diner", "rating": 2, "text": "Their menu is huge, so there is no doubt you will find something you like. However, the service leaves A LOT to be desired. A LOT. They take 20 minutes to even bring your drink out, and will bring apps with your meal. Terrible service and rude wait staff, however, on 50% off night, I'll gladly deal with a bitchy waitress and a 20 minutes to serve diet coke. Can't beat a meal for two for ~$15. They're owned by the same company as Great American Diner Pub.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:25:22" }, { "business_id": "R17gwW6zn9ilslbdvKdgsg", "business_name": "Alma de Cuba", "rating": 4, "text": "Alma de Cuba was delicious!!!! The ceviche is out of this world!!! My only two complaints were that my salmon was undercooked (still transparent in the middle) which really pissed me off because for $30 for a 4 oz portion of salmon, I really believe it should've been cooked to perfection the first time and they forgot one of the entrees in our order. However, the waitstaff was great in correcting the problems, and even offered us a complimentary meal the next time we came in. A great Cuban experience with yummy food!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:29:26" }, { "business_id": "gim0CxngZb6WKPu6BtfzWA", "business_name": "Food Castle Express", "rating": 5, "text": "Great food, and the staff is very helpful. The naan and roti are so delicious!!! The atmosphere is really nice, and the staff are really helpful in deciphering the menu. A hidden gem out of the ton of Indian restaurants in Bensalem.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:32:27" }, { "business_id": "7pwZZVVlYCxQvVdd8Q03wg", "business_name": "La Rosa Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "One of the best pizza places in Philadelphia. I've been coming here with my family since I was 5, and always stop by when I'm in South Philly. Prices are still really good!!! Get 1/2 red and 1/2 white for two amazingly delicious different pizza experiences! They don't take credit cards, and they have no seating inside.", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:34:36" }, { "business_id": "GFbo0kqqDybKTPkRaJgGMQ", "business_name": "Tijuana Flats", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!! Some of the best take our mexican food I've ever had!!! They offer a power lite option (which is fat free sour cream and light cheese) so you can still get the gooey and creamy flavors of a delicious Mexican meal with reduced calories. Their sauce \"bar\" is phenomenal!! Literally 20 different hot sauces to choose from. Do not pass this place up!!! The atmosphere is really cool, too, with lots of autographed celebrity photos on the walls as well as funky Mexican/Spanish style decor. (They frequently have certificates on restaurant.com too!)", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:37:54" }, { "business_id": "jziliEq8Zum-EynD5v-Hvg", "business_name": "Chifa", "rating": 4, "text": "Service was great. The waitress was extremely helpful with explaining the menu and helping us choose our dinners. The food was good but the portions were small for the price, which is typical of tapas style. The rolls with the guava butter that they bring pre meal were amazing. The pork belly buns were so delicious that our party actually ordered two more orders!! The red curry was fab, but was too rich for me. The Peruvian ceviche with a side of crunchy corn thingies and crispy plantains was simply amazing!!!! Clean, citrusy, refreshing, just like good ceviche should be!! All in all, a great experience!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-14T18:42:53" }, { "business_id": "_wcOVX6PPvhXGMpUa2Ij8A", "business_name": "Melrose Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "The food is not very deserving of 5 stars (think typical drab diner food), but the buttercream cake deserves 50 stars!!! The cake is SO moist and delicious, and the icing, oh my, has got to be the best buttercream icing I've ever eaten. Nothing beats stopping here after a night of boozing in the city to grab two slices of cake!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:37:08" }, { "business_id": "goI3MrJIPJxknQdKtFkkGw", "business_name": "Stoltzfus Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "The Amish market is awesome!!!! Their pretzels are out of this world, and they have a ton of really cool and interesting foods/products. The only downside is that they're only open Thurs-Sat, and their hours are weird. Their prices are very reasonable, and they have everything you could want: spices, meats, fruits, veggies, baked goods and even a restaurant!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:41:28" }, { "business_id": "wb_z1h7XR5IQhVRZHlMuLQ", "business_name": "Redstone American Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I adore Redstone! Their food is relatively simple in comparison to other restaurants in the price range, but boy oh boy it's yummy. Their mac and cheese is simply divine, and is made with 5 different cheeses. Their french fries are awesome, and they even handmake their ketchup!! A MUST HAVE while here is the StoliDoli, which is Stoli vodka that sits in a cored pineapple for ~1 week, then is served in a martini glass. Amazing!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:44:34" }, { "business_id": "0aflm9H-XNg8eUAoeWmh9Q", "business_name": "P.F. Chang's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about all I can say about here. WAY overpriced for underperforming food. Everything is SO high in calories and fat here that it's scary! Granted, they make the place look nice, but it's to compensate for their awful food.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:47:56" }, { "business_id": "-qk__vjJxfJrCWn3UaMv_Q", "business_name": "The Cheesecake Factory - Cherry Hill", "rating": 4, "text": "Amazing restaurant!!!! The menu is the longest one I've ever seen, so you'll definitely find something you like. The portions are mammoth, and will easily feed you for two days. The wait tends to be pretty long (gotta love the American desire for gluttony!), so get there early. All in all, a great place for date night or to take the family. The only downfall is that they do not accept reservations.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:50:38" }, { "business_id": "NDXH8dHdC8k2PrEEZPQBIg", "business_name": "Shogun Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Shogun!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. The decor is really nice inside, and it has a great atmosphere. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. The roll is that is wrapped with the yellow soy paper and topped with baked scallops is amazing!!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:53:37" }, { "business_id": "9_V0SWbQPnZ0mR3kljXqBQ", "business_name": "Sakura Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Sakura!!! Their 50% off sushi menu is very extensive, and is not limited to the basic rolls. They offer the menu everyday, and make delicious sushi. They're quick with the food, too. Definitely check out the 50% off menu for sushi. You can get the 'fancier' rolls and feed two people for under $20. THe $7.95 chicken hibachi special is SO large!! I'd definitely reccommend it!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:55:28" }, { "business_id": "MWel8zS7L7dzWC0_IY_Pzg", "business_name": "Mini Of The Main Line", "rating": 1, "text": "ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RUDE EMPLOYEES. They're only out to RIP PEOPLE OFF, and are extremely disrespectful and nasty. They NEVER return calls, and if they do, it's only to tell you that you need to put more money into a car that has more problems than a math book. Aviod this place like the plague, and head to Otto's in West Chester or Princeton Mini in NJ.", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T17:57:50" }, { "business_id": "yPxNNSmPHKO3m_kq53D4Jg", "business_name": "Capogiro Gelato", "rating": 5, "text": "Incredible is the only way to describe this place. I've taken many trips into the city just to get their gelato. The dark dark chocolate is my favorite!!! Tip: If you're interested in knowing their flavors, check their site. Be forewarned though, the gelato is rather pricey (~$6 for ~5 ounces) but it's definitely worth it as a treat!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:01:57" }, { "business_id": "JPfe9B-RLrE5Nz75kcKImQ", "business_name": "Govinda's Vegetarian", "rating": 5, "text": "Delish vegan/vegetarian food here!!! The 'chicken' cheesesteak is SO good!!!! You would have no idea it wasn't chicken if you didn't look at the cubes of textured soy protein. They do a beautiful job of seasoning their soy protein so it actually tastes better than the real thing! A winner!!", "timestamp": "2010-07-15T18:04:23" }, { "business_id": "EekwCjDqa9VT6Kq_aVE_0Q", "business_name": "Pho Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious pho and vietnamese cuisine!!! Their prices are extremely reasonable and their food is out of this world!!! The grilled pork banh mi (which is basically a grilled pork hoagie with cilantro, pickled dikon & carrots, cucumber, and some sauce. I also get hosin on the side)is delicious, and the cold Grilled Pork Spring rolls are divine!!! A must try in Bucks county!", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:38:03" }, { "business_id": "ytynqOUb3hjKeJfRj5Tshw", "business_name": "Reading Terminal Market", "rating": 5, "text": "An incredible place that is a must hit in Philly. Tons of food selections, most of which are very reasonably priced. DiNic's is a MUST try. Going on the weekends is a surefire way to ensure all vendors are open, but be prepared for it to be very crowded and hard to walk around.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T13:42:48" }, { "business_id": "RuuGJoMm2Y3wbLbPPHTvqw", "business_name": "Phily Diner & Sports Bar", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh is about it for the place. The food is sub par, and they have terrible service, even when they're not busy. Their prices are reasonable, however, the food leaves a lot to be desired, and it's gotten worse since they changed to \"bar\" format. Skip this one.", "timestamp": "2010-07-16T14:10:43" }, { "business_id": "T9n_LqUUhC2b1ALhg57Y5Q", "business_name": "Texas Roadhouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Food is really good here, but they're very inconsistent. We typically order from here every week, and the food can be in a monstrous portion one week, then not enough to feed one person the next week. I love how they offer the veg place option, which allows you to choose 4 sides.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:08:47" }, { "business_id": "8CG5nPzDkMkQEsH1k_hdVA", "business_name": "Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Delicious pizza here!!! The pizza was crispy and definitely coal fired. They're rather pricey for a pizza which is why I don't come here more often. If you want to try them out, go during lunch when you can get a personal pizza for ~$8.", "timestamp": "2010-07-19T21:34:01" }, { "business_id": "8_n64z4tzSJXMK4fYPzxvw", "business_name": "Jay West", "rating": 5, "text": "I got my wedding dress here and never had any issues. They have gowns in all price ranges, and they carry all different designers. Their alterations are rather pricey, so be prepared to spend around an extra $250 for those. All in all, a great experience for purchasing my wedding gown.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:04:53" }, { "business_id": "aTpaOvF1FFGj8t_5U2_kHA", "business_name": "Produce Junction", "rating": 1, "text": "Fruit and veggies are cheap, however, I'll gladly pay an extra $1.00/lb for my apples to be treated like a human being. The staff are insanely rude and talk about you in Spanish while you're waiting in line. Avoid at all costs.", "timestamp": "2010-07-20T17:10:43" }, { "business_id": "fQixVK0uar3ArJtNeug8nQ", "business_name": "Giant Food Stores", "rating": 4, "text": "Great market here. Tons and tons of selections, as well as cafe inside the store. Their natural/organic section is great! I only shop there for sale items because their regular priced items are quite expensive. All in all a good market with a big selection.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:31:48" }, { "business_id": "_UOg5_pk9IhKee91eWrT4A", "business_name": "Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse", "rating": 4, "text": "Pretty decent BBQ here, although it does not compare to a local joint that is no longer around. I really like it here coz it's very hard to find BBQ turkey breast and they have it here. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here but if I was nearby, I'd hit it up.", "timestamp": "2010-08-15T02:33:02" }, { "business_id": "vUkiYPpbkMXA99WneLSGkQ", "business_name": "Banana Leaf", "rating": 1, "text": "Yeah, a big fat no to Banana Leaf. After much persusasion by a close friend, we decided to check it out on Friday night. The place seemed very busy, which we took as a good sign, however, looks can decieve. To start off, our waiter had multiple long, thick hairs so big they could've been braided) growing out of a mole the size of a quarter on the side of his face. I should've known that things were going to go downhill from there. The service was very slow, and the food was just terrible. Their menu is almost the same as Penang, which is why I thought it'd be great (minus the gross growth on our waiter). I had the mango chicken, which is phenomenal at Penang, but was dry and crispy here. The noodle dishes were too crunchy and greasy. Roti was actually raw and undercooked as well. I definitely would not return here, even if the waiter cut the hair from his facial growth.", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:10:27" }, { "business_id": "eaDZlSuVS0EY67Ke6pRP6Q", "business_name": "Penang", "rating": 5, "text": "Delicious!!!!!!!!! The mango chicken is out of this world!!! It's so flavorful and comes in a very hearty portion size! Their roti is crispy, and always perfectly cooked. Mee Siam is hearty and filling, yet not overly greasy and heavy. There really is nothing else to say about Penang other than to go and eat there!", "timestamp": "2010-08-17T18:12:54" }, { "business_id": "KNDMUyeW8bSsLXGSNyQS-Q", "business_name": "Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is ok, nothing special. On a typical night, there are hoards of obese people stuffing their faces with cheaply made desserts and greasy, breaded and fried foods. The only plus here is the all you can eat snow crab legs.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:51:02" }, { "business_id": "EdopUxxfxqEA79Vcy_dT3g", "business_name": "Fuel", "rating": 3, "text": "Eh. I was not very impressed with here. I came on a Friday night around 9:30pm and there were a few people here. It smelled good in here so I was excited to try it out. Food was ready quick and smelled yummy in the car. However my olfactory sense was tricked because the food did not remotely taste as good as it smelled. The Thai chicken sandwich was rather dry and had WAY too much basil on it. I took the basil off and it still had a very strong basil taste. The South Philly panini was surprisingly greasy and the panini bread was very chewy. The banana whip was yummy as well as the raspberry NSA tea. I definitely would not go out of my way to eat here again, and would travel out of my way across the Ben to Washington Twp NJ to Musclemaker grill before coming back here.", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:11" }, { "business_id": "2Q1R2OhBbAQ581vK_r7NhA", "business_name": "Ooka Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "A hidden gem in Willow Grove!! The sushi here is incredible , and has to be some of the freshest sushi I've ever had. The food off of the non-sushi menu is delicious as well. They have great lunch specials too!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:52:53" }, { "business_id": "-wlmZ-b35UJ-GY-59NDxyw", "business_name": "H Mart - Elkins Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Hmart is amazing!!!! Although I'm not Korean, my family and I adore Korean food. They have amazing bulgogi and kalbi, as well as a slew of other prepared foods. Their prices on veggies and fruit are great, and they have everything you could ever want for cooking Asian/Korean style. They have an awesome food court upstairs with many many Asian food options. This is the best Hmart around!", "timestamp": "2010-08-18T19:53:20" }, { "business_id": "Og1HekJMHKqsvtWaUp9V8g", "business_name": "Flying Monkey Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, this place was a disappointment. 2.25-2.50 for hard as a rock, weirdly flavored cupcakes. I bought the lavender, meyer lemon, guinness, peanut butter, and creme brulee. The lavender was absolutely disgusting and tasted like they threw body lotion on top of a cupcake, and sold it . The meyer lemon was extremely sugary and did not have much of a lemon taste to it. The guinness was very oddly flavored and did not taste like guinness at all. The peanut butter was very very rich and way too peanut buttery. All you tasted was the frosting. The creme brulee tasted a little bit like french toast, and was the only cupcake that I would even consider eating if it was the last cupcake available on earth. The icing on all of the cupcakes was hard as a rock, and the presentation of the cupcakes made them look like they were iced by my 5 year old cousin. Nasty all around.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:28:25" }, { "business_id": "znx1v_c2IPKOXlYAbqFYvg", "business_name": "Philly Cupcake", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly wow!!! What an amazing cupcake find!! The outside looks like a clothing store, and the inside is very unique.The store is set up really cool with the cupcakes in cabinets, so it gives this real boutiquey feel . The sweet potato cupcake with pecans and cream cheese frosting was to die for!!! The plain buttercream was divine as well. I really wanted to try the red velvet, but they were sold out. It's very cramped in here spacewise, and they don't accept credit/debit cards either. They're pricey, too, so I would definitely only go here for a special, special occasion. A dozen cupcakes would run over $30.", "timestamp": "2010-08-21T22:32:24" }, { "business_id": "TsPb4qM79Nue6sDKANEdgQ", "business_name": "Planet Fitness", "rating": 5, "text": "Great gym, very cheap, and they're open 24hrs (except Sat and Sun). Be forewarned that it's no frills (no classes, no pool, no sauna). They have tanning beds but they are free for the black card members only.", "timestamp": "2010-08-29T01:32:31" }, { "business_id": "7Or2xPBkTNYRxD9SiMQVOQ", "business_name": "Felix's Caketeria", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, 1,000 times over!!!! Felix's makes Philly Cupcake look like the bakery at Walmart! We just moved to Newtown, and upon exploring town, we discovered this gem. Thankfully, parking is easy here as the bakery is an independent building. When you first walk in, you're greeted by the pleasant and friendly owners/baker, which is a rarity these days. The aroma here is insanely intoxicating, and transports you to a world of delectable baked goods. The display case is rather small, but the flavors are HUGE. I bought 5 cupcakes: original vanilla with buttercream, the Elvis (banana spice cake with peanut butter buttercream), red velvet, peanut butter and jelly (raspberry jelly), and sea salt caramel. The buttercream original was ok; the buttercream was too fluffy for my tastes, but it was yummy. The red velvet had to be the BEST red velvet cupcake I've ever had. I could eat the cream cheese frosting by the bucketful!!!! The Elvis was sinfully delicious; Felix must be a madman for creating this flavor!!! The PBandJ was amazing; it was not a fake, sugary, kid-friendly taste, but a very sophisticated adult tasting PBandJ with seeded red raspberry preserves. The sea salt caramel was indescribable; the mix of flavors was so perfect, with the most magical ratio of salty to sweet. The ONLY thing I don't like about Felix's is that it's so close to where I live. That's dangerous for a cupcake fiend like me!!!!", "timestamp": "2010-10-08T00:36:15" }, { "business_id": "Z4ERIzhdyduAew1O5KUvXw", "business_name": "Meglio Pizzeria", "rating": 4, "text": "The pizza here is really yummy. I love a good, saucy, thin crust pizza, and they hit the nail on the head. The margharita pizza is really good, and their ingerdients are very fresh. Just make sure you ask them to make the pizza well done as the dough tends to be chewy and slightly underdone if you don't ask them to cook it longer.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T16:56:58" }, { "business_id": "IbndcMURguByburM72o3SA", "business_name": "State Street Kitchen", "rating": 4, "text": "Wow, this place is surprisingly delicious!! I stopped by for lunch on a busy Sunday afternoon, and was very impressed with the amount of people who were inside eating and waiting for takeout. I ordered the tofu veggie balls (tofu 'meatbally' topped with roasted veggies, marinara and parmesean cheese) and was very surprised with the flavor. The sandwich was large, and the tofu balls were very well flavored. The roasted veggies atop the sandwich were perfectly roasted. The only gripe (and reason for 4 instead of 5 stars) about here is that it took 40 minutes to get my sandwich, so next time, I'd definitely call in an order and pick it up later.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:08:13" }, { "business_id": "wAwcCuzwyOdny_BteT9Vew", "business_name": "La Pergola", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely adore the hummus and pita bread here. I'm a big fan of hummus, and love a very creamy, unprocessed hummus. The decor is rather flamboyant as other reviewers have noted, however, the flavors make up for it. I've never eaten anything else here (I typically only have a few minutes to get something, and the hummus is easy and quick to package, which is why I haven't tried anything else), but if the rest of the food is as yummy as the hummus, then this place is a hidden gem. Parking can be a nightmare on West Ave, so be forewarned.", "timestamp": "2010-10-12T17:14:47" }, { "business_id": "3AjwyeF8oiTiHij9vFgyMw", "business_name": "Sam's Italian Market & Bakery", "rating": 1, "text": "Stay away from this place. They increase their prices, and don't post the price changes to notify customers. Then when you say the price is wrong they tell your not getting it for the prices listed on their menu. Rip off", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T14:59:37" }, { "business_id": "ntiIq1FNqduOyyowMFGh5A", "business_name": "Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy moly, talk about a hole in the wall, but looks deceive. It has one the most minimal menus I've ever seen, but boy oh boy, the food is delicious. I felt like I was sitting in a noodle cafe in China the food as the experience was so authentic. The prices are amazing, and the portions are huge to top it all off. This food would probably be a tough eat in the summer months as it's a super hot soup, but it should definitely be on the list for cooler months.", "timestamp": "2011-04-04T21:07:31" }, { "business_id": "J8S7cPPlTgsQnXKVfTyN8g", "business_name": "PYT", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is about it for PYT. I was excited to finally use my groupon, as everything seemed to be yummy from the reviews and smells inside. I ordered two burgers to go, so maybe the experience would be different had I eaten in, but I didn't. There were no other patrons in the restaurant at this time, so I was a little peeved that it took 30 minutes to get my burgers. The Calibunga burger was ok, but as many reviews mentioned, it was rather soggy and not very firm. The bun should've been toasted as I'm sure it would have made the bun less soggy too. The chips also were not very crunchy, which surprised me. I got a Korean shortrib burger for my husband and ordered it medium, and guess what? It was so rare, it mooed. That was an immediate turn off for him, and really ruined the experience. He had to cook it to meduim himself on the grill. Overall, I wouldn't try this place again, even with another groupon offer. The prices are too outrageous and the food isn't all it's hyped out to be.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:01:15" }, { "business_id": "cjGcc6E32U5DAMG_bScclg", "business_name": "Tre Fratelli", "rating": 5, "text": "Tre Fratelli REALLY surprised me. My husband and I went for dinner one weekday night with a restaurant.com gift certificate as we wanted to try it out, and we were very glad we did. The restaurant is very unassuming (the pizza \"parlor\" in the front is actually a bit dirty looking), but the restaurant itself is large and welcoming. The salads were delicious, and the dressing was very very good. My husband ordered the manicotti and I ordered a chicken dish with balsalmic vinegar and bruchetta on top. The food was brought out, and we were blown away with the immense portion sizes. The chicken in my dish was cooked to perfection and the bruchetta was so fresh and delicious! The ricotta in the manicotti was some of the best velvety smooth and creamy ricotta I've ever had. We both walked out with large portions of leftovers. I was very impressed and would come back again in a second the next time the craving for Italian hits me.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:09:43" }, { "business_id": "V2uSS4OumRDvuVM_2ZSc1Q", "business_name": "Cancun Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Cancun had some of the best mexican food hands down outside of Mexico itself. The menu is mind blowingly huge, prices are extremely reasonable (you can get two of their combo dinner platters for under $20) and their portions are just as big. Everything is so fresh and delicious. The food is so authentic as well. Be sure to get the refried beans as they are some of the best I've ever eaten.", "timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:18:49" }, { "business_id": "qISf5ojuYbD9h71NumGUQA", "business_name": "Han Dynasty", "rating": 5, "text": "I was so excited to try Han, and I finally got to, and it was AMAZING!!! Han has the best Chinese food I've ever eaten, and has got to be in the top 3 restaurants I've tried in my life. And to top it all off, you'll leave with tons of leftover food. The spicy cucumbers were phenomenal; crunchy, sweet and slathered in this delicious spicy chili oil mixture. Deceptively delicious!!! The spice hits you at the end. The dan dan noodles were perfection. Tender, spicy and superb. There really are no words. The wontons in chili oil were ok; I like more meat and less dough with my wontons which is why I wasn't a big fan, but the flavors were delicious. My husband had the garlic sauce pork, and it was amazing! The pork was tender and cooked perfectly, and wasn't too spicy (he can't eat foods that are extremely spicy due to GI issues, but we went here to celebrate my birthday). I had the dry pepper chicken and was blown away. It was simply the best chinese chicken dish I had ever eaten. The chicken was so crispy, yet juicy, and wasn't greasy at all like you'd expect it to be. The flavors just exploded in my mouth, but unfortunately, I was too stuffed from the monstrous appetizer servings to eat most of it. Han Dynasty is simply amazing; stellar food, stellar service and huge portions. Just make sure to bring some tissues to blow your runny nose. I can't wait to come back here!", "timestamp": "2011-04-26T00:01:31" }, { "business_id": "J4QD1PKOkaM0WWsheYFY7Q", "business_name": "New Life Thrift", "rating": 2, "text": "While a lot of people I know like this thrift shop, I'm not one of them. Although it's very roomy and there are a lot of things, most items are pretty old and outdated in comparison to other thrift stores I've frequented in MontCo and Bucks. The clothing tends to be very outdated, too. Their prices also seem rather high for a thrift store (although I understand the money is for charity, but $150 for a used sofa is a little bit outrageous). Impact in Horsham is much better, in my opinion. Parking here is also very annoying and difficult with the one way street to exit and goofy sloped lot.", "timestamp": "2011-05-19T00:45:04" }, { "business_id": "LNHq9WxfhN2UBNOR2tnRQQ", "business_name": "Corropolese Bakery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Holy crap, this place has amazing tomato pie!!! It seems to be a common occurrance in the area that no one knows what an authenric tomato pie is (SQUARE pie with just tomato sauce and sprinkled parmesean cheese), but this place nailed it!! The sauce is perfect; a little bit of sweet with a little bit of the good acidity needed in a good tomato sause. Eight slices only cost $3.85!!! Yes, EIGHT! An entire pie of 30 slices runs something like $13 bucks. Insane deal, insane pizza. The best tomato pie I've ever had.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:51:18" }, { "business_id": "NNZ4Zjir0S101ltpfgaI1w", "business_name": "Golden Dawn", "rating": 3, "text": "This diner was ok. I wasn't too impressed as I used to live in NJ, the land of diners. The service was very good, however, the food was subpar although they gave you a lot of it. I'd probably give them another chance if I was in the area, but wouldn't drive out of my way to come and eat here. There are much better diners throughout Levittown/Bristol/Falls Twp.", "timestamp": "2011-05-25T14:56:18" }, { "business_id": "HIAJ2mnlm_pP38_8GbgQ5g", "business_name": "Hmart", "rating": 4, "text": "H-Mart is an amazing grocery store!!!! They have rock bottom prices on excellent produce, plus they have a slew of incredibly hard to find Asian ingredients. This H-mart is relatively small compared to the others I've been too, however, they do have a ton of stuff. Be forewarned, though, as their meat (excluding fish) tends to be rather pricey, even for the special cuts that are used in Asian cooking.", "timestamp": "2011-06-19T00:52:15" }, { "business_id": "UB8sxbUN7kPZum22U2O9kg", "business_name": "Julio's Famous Pizzeria", "rating": 2, "text": "Pizza here is subpar. Very greasy, extremely cheesy and very sloppy. The box was soaked with grease. The crust was chewy and had no crisp or crunch to it at all. We also ordered one pizza which took AN HOUR to make. Really?? Better pizza places are not hard to find in the area, and we definitely will not be returning here in the future.", "timestamp": "2011-07-25T18:10:45" }, { "business_id": "xUAPlkR2KD81spJzt96TBw", "business_name": "Cafe Bombay Indian Cuisine", "rating": 5, "text": "Cafe Bombay has some of the best Indian food I've ever had. They're located in downtown Bristol, secluded from the main highway, so it can be hard to find it. The food is so fresh, authentic and simply delicious. The daal is superb, and is seasoned perfectly. I am in love with their chicken tikka masala. The sauce is an amazing compliment to incredibly tender chicken. The samosas are phenomenal too. They have an incredibly naan seasoned with cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins that is a great compliment to the salty and savory food. Make sure you end your meal with a mango lassi, too; they have the best I've ever drank. They tend to be rather slow in cooking the food, so I definitely recommend calling your order in and picking it up. A true hidden gem in Bucks county.", "timestamp": "2011-09-23T01:47:19" }, { "business_id": "zJoT9gFvGtZAhbdcIF4Xmw", "business_name": "Buffalo Wild Wings", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow, the food here was horrible!!!! The fries were rubbery and chewy, they shorted me some chicken strips in my almost $10 meal of thinly sliced tough and chewy grilled chicken strips, and the sauces were incredibly salty and gross. I also had a side salad which was wilted and brown. I will never patronize here again; what a terrible food experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-18T16:54:29" }, { "business_id": "aunmz06iWvo3bd6MMHEbqg", "business_name": "Rivers Casino Philadelphia", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh Sugarhouse is definitely not sweet. The casino is rather small and the lack of a variety of food choices is a turn off. There's a fast food type eatery and a bar with typical bar food. Every single slot machine is electronic which takes away from the Vegas styling in my opinion. I'd much rather go to Parx if I want to gamble in the Philly area. The lovely view of the green Delaware River doesn't score it any points either.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:47:52" }, { "business_id": "zKOFqb0RyrnY9t02f0QFTQ", "business_name": "Fritz's Bakery", "rating": 5, "text": "There is nothing to say about Fritz's other than everything is out of this world. The sticky buns are delectable, the cinnamon rolls are incredible (and not to mention the size of a small baby) and the peanut butter brownies are perfection. I can't come in here anymore because I always walk out with at least 3 or 4 sweets. It's one of the best bakeries I've ever been to that serves quality old fashioned sweets without resorting to the modern day ' boutique' styling of a lot of bakeries around.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:49:51" }, { "business_id": "LR4aKXyxN-a8WTgQ1o9hBA", "business_name": "Bistro at Cherry Hill", "rating": 1, "text": "The food here is terrible!!! I ordered a salad and it was wilted, brown and believe it or not, some of the lettuce was frozen. The staff were really rude, and when I complained to the manager named John, he told me the food was \"fine\" and refused to swap my salad out for another entree or credit the meal. What a horrible experience.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:50:23" }, { "business_id": "8mwV72Ro56pN6nbqAojaKg", "business_name": "Chef Chun Chinese Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "Chef Chun has some of the most amazing Chinese food in south Jersey. The shrimp wonton soup is spectacular; the wontons are so fresh and the broth is perfect! Keep in mind that they're closed on Monday.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T13:53:33" }, { "business_id": "whmn0dUpEb2NbmpVF2Xxcw", "business_name": "Shady Brook Farm", "rating": 4, "text": "Shady Brook is a great little farm, market, pick your own and winery in Yardley. The ice cream shop inside has some of the most amazing home made ice cream I've ever had, but I haven't eaten any of their prepared foods so I can't speak to the quality of those products. As with most places in the Yardley/Newtown area, they tend to be rather overpriced, but it's a great places to take the family on a Saturday afternoon in the fall for pumpkin picking and hot cocoa.", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:00:53" }, { "business_id": "HkL-EWa39zm93SEAx4xXXA", "business_name": "Styer Orchard", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Syter Orchard!!!! They have the most extensive selection of pick your own fruits and veggies that I've ever seen. Something about harvesting your own crop really makes cooking/eating them worthwhile. In the fall, they have pick your own pumpkins and apples, which I love! The prices are incredibly cheap for pick your own too (obviously there are no labor costs for the farm staff for picking), and it's just plain fun! I can't wait until next fall when our son is old enough to go on the hayride to pick his own pumpkin! They can get pretty crowded on a weekend afternoon with families and children, so be prepared!", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T14:06:04" }, { "business_id": "cTra1xx8NBSp_x7IFi7qXw", "business_name": "Muscle Maker Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "Muscle Maker is amazing!! It's such a shame that this one isn't closer, but I stop here every time I visit my mom in Turnersville. The concept is great, seeing as how I try to watch my calorie/fat intake, so it's right up my alley. One would think that the food would be drab and bland as most low fat/fat free foods are, but it's not. The southwest wrap is a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures, from spicy to creamy to crunchy to a hint of sweetness. Rumor has it that they're putting one in Langhorne in the Redner's shopping center which is both a wonderful and dangerous thing (dangerous for me as now it'll only be 5 minutes away instead of 50!)", "timestamp": "2011-10-21T15:22:55" }, { "business_id": "w4_14pVOLW2Tdm9LTczORg", "business_name": "Corner Bakery", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is delicious! I have only eaten breakfast and salads (for lunch) here, so I can't comment on the pastas/sandwiches. However, the salads are delicious and the swiss chilled oatmeal is AMAZING!!!!! The baked goods look divine, too, but I've never indulged in them. During breakfast and lunchtime, they tend to be very crowded, but they are really speedy in delivering food to you. The only reason I gave it four stars is because the prices are slightly high for the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:17:34" }, { "business_id": "Rw2Aw3vyj09BLyKfz-V8fw", "business_name": "Tony Roni's", "rating": 2, "text": "The pizza here is subpar; it's nothing to write home about. Pizza here is always excessively greasy, regardless of what kind you get. The slices are rather large, which I'm sure is an attempt to make up for the subpar food. This place is definitely not on the top of my list of pizza places in Willow Grove.", "timestamp": "2011-11-12T01:20:50" }, { "business_id": "nt5wkQvL3UGT1LDTSAHMDA", "business_name": "The Fresh Market", "rating": 3, "text": "Think a more expensive version of Whole Foods when shopping at Fresh Market ($8.00 for a pound of cut up fruit is insanity) Now, I realize they're all about organic/vegan/gluten free, but boy oh boy, are their prices outrageous. They do have an extremely unique and varied selection of products, but I would never do my weekly grocery shopping here. Their sushi is very delicious, and is extremely reasonably priced, though. They also have really good prepared foods in the deli case.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:02:49" }, { "business_id": "ZSJhSNJrZGDRS5Ef7ivnzA", "business_name": "Koba", "rating": 2, "text": "The quality of this restaurant has gone way downhill since ownership changed hands. We used to travel from lower Bucks county to come here when it was Young Bin Kwan, but have not been back here (nor will we be) since our first try under new ownership. We took a friend from out of town here, raving about this delicious Korean buffet in Jenkintown, thinking it was still YBK; yet we were extremely embarrassed with our dinner reccommendation once we left. The banchan was horrible, and there wasn't very much of it (YBK had at least 8 different banchan on the buffet). The meat was of poor quality, and the staff let some pans sit without meat in them for our entire meal (which is a shame for me because I don't eat beef, and they never refilled the chicken). It's such a shame that this place is under new ownership because it was one of the only Korean buffets around in the area.", "timestamp": "2011-11-30T14:08:50" }, { "business_id": "At6iwGTy6bDxc7PUEOTvQw", "business_name": "Jake's Wayback Burgers", "rating": 2, "text": "I went here for lunch one day but was really disappointed that the own manager didn't know about the meat there. I wanted a turkey burger as I don't eat beef and asked the fat percentage of the ground turkey (I have a sensitive stomach and can only eat 90/10 or higher and the manager was clueless. He even brought the box of frozen meat out which didn't have the percentage of fat on it either. With that I walked out. They know the fat percentage of all the beef they serve, so why should the turkey be any different?", "timestamp": "2011-12-18T00:16:09" }, { "business_id": "eMiN8nm70jjKg8izikVWDA", "business_name": "Chickie's & Pete's", "rating": 3, "text": "Chickie's and Pete's is ok; there's really nothing remarkable about the place. The mussels in red sauce are really good, though; the red sauce is a nice combo of garlicky and sweet at the same time, so it has kind of a unique flavor. The tomato pie is really good as well. Meh to the fries; they're really nothing special. If you've had them once, you don't need to have them again; they're fries. The service has got to be the slowest and most jumbled restaurant service I've ever seen, though; our table had food coming out at various times (non apps), and each item was expedited by a different person. The atmosphere in the dining section (separate from the bar) is so loud that you can't hear yourself think. If you want decent food, slow service and a mediocre sports bar, then Chickie's is for you.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:25:47" }, { "business_id": "HpLIHgoz3XPTyol5tKKb_w", "business_name": "Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Update to my original: I really wanted to like this place, but I just can't! The sushi was still subpar and way overpriced; it didn't have much in the way of flavor and was really just blah. The service is obnoxiously slow (think 15 minutes for drinks), the place is the loudest restaurant I've ever been in, and perhaps the most bothersome part of the entire meal was being sat next to the birthday gong which rang at least 10 times during our meal. A hibachi meal for three took almost two hours from start to finish, which is ridiculous. We gave it a shot a second time and were sorely disappointed again. Arirang, you fail yet again.", "timestamp": "2012-01-03T02:35:46" }, { "business_id": "1Lr4sdFV9c1-W3R2D_zV4w", "business_name": "Mirch Masasla", "rating": 2, "text": "I'm giving MM two stars because their hours are downright AWFUL. Twice, I've gone here after 12:00pm for their lunch buffet (which is incredible) yet they weren't open when their hours clearly state 12 is the opening time. It really irks me when a restaurant can't even keep up on their hours.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:22:15" }, { "business_id": "WWO34S7RwBWlsjJEYuTAaw", "business_name": "Indian Hut-Bensalem", "rating": 2, "text": "The food here is downright awful. Think greasy, overpriced, and underportioned. They claim to be known for their cakes and curry, but their curry is incredibly spicy (Even when asking for it relatively mild) and their cakes remind me of the cheap, generic Chinese buffet cakes. The service was also very slow; it took over 1/2 hour to get a curry chicken and a cake, and there was one other person in the store. Avoid this place.", "timestamp": "2012-01-07T21:24:56" }, { "business_id": "Oun4NN-u5yiHIxDqtJnxgA", "business_name": "Federal Donuts", "rating": 5, "text": "The donuts here are one thing, but holy moly, the chicken is out of this world. We got the honey ginger, coconut curry and za'atar and each flavor was incredible. You could easily distinguish the various seasonings in each flavor, too. The chicken is double fried which made it so crispy but still allows it to maintain its juiciness. My only complaint is that I wish there was more seasoning on the chicken, but other than that, it was pure perfection.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:46:52" }, { "business_id": "qETpOF88MbmtSyOWEDaD_A", "business_name": "Duross & Langel", "rating": 5, "text": "The soap here is incredible!!! The staff was very kind and friendly, and helped us pick out the best scents. The black pepper doesn't smell like black pepper in the least, but the scent is one of the most perfect scents I have ever smelled. I was so overwhelmed with soap that I didn't even have a chance to check out the other items such as lotions, oils, deodorants, and even baby products! They're rather expensive, though (think $5 for a 1/2 bar) but the scents are so amazing that they're worth the splurge.", "timestamp": "2012-04-04T23:50:37" }, { "business_id": "6DFobber72AV0mnBV5KeQQ", "business_name": "Anne's Kitchen Table", "rating": 1, "text": "I was SORELY disappointed with Anne's. I take reviews on yelp very seriously, and usually get what's recommended in 5 star reviews, so here was no different. I ordered an asian wrap with noodles for takeout, and was really excited to try it as it smelled delicious! Well, I opened the paper to discover both covers SOAKED in sauce, which normally wouldn't be an issue, except the sauce was mostly oil. The entire outside of the wrap was soaked with oily sauce as well. I took one bite and couldn't eat anymore of the wrap because it was so oily. It was such a shame because the veggies seemed incredibly fresh and delectable, but again, the sauce was so oily I couldn't eat my lunch.", "timestamp": "2012-04-10T23:10:49" }, { "business_id": "0R2yKDNMUztQwgo8pG4z-Q", "business_name": "Triumph Brewing Company", "rating": 5, "text": "I can't speak for the food here, but the beer is delicious! I love how they offer a sampler of their beers (a full mini glass of each, 9 total) for $12! I was pleasantly surprised by the belgian somethin else and the black lager, both of which were incredible! What a great way to get a good buzz off of some really delicious beers.", "timestamp": "2012-04-24T00:03:43" }, { "business_id": "oBNrLz4EDhiscSlbOl8uAw", "business_name": "Ruby Slipper - New Orleans", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't too impressed with the food here. I was really excited to try their breakfast, but honestly, it was nothing special. I had the carrot cake pancakes (A special), brother had the bananas foster pain and hubby the original french toast. The pancakes were ok, nice and fluffy, however, they overloaded them with cream cheese icing, so that was the predominant taste. The bananas foster pain wasn't that good either; the foster sauce was overcooked so it tasted burnt and the french toast was too hard. The really disappointing part was that they had the same specials all week so there was never an opportunity to try any of their other famed specials.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:25:45" }, { "business_id": "9DEHXZfOO1kY_be0nRK-ng", "business_name": "Philly Steak & Gyro", "rating": 1, "text": "This place is gross. I was going to get breakfast here the other day before a long flight until I saw that the fryer hadn't been cleaned since what seemed like 1970 and the employees were handling food without gloves on. Ick ick ick!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:26:02" }, { "business_id": "D3QVe8AXcEJOFg5GItUPtg", "business_name": "Pelham Hotel", "rating": 2, "text": "The location was phenomenal, however, the hotel was rather dire. Our room was on the 4th floor and it had no windows, so it was always dark. Every time we got on the left elevator to go from the first to the fourth floor, I thought we were going to drop down the shaft as it jolted at the floor before the door opened. I thought I was riding the Tower of Terror at Disney! The beds were incredibly uncomfortable, the wallpaper was peeling, and the shower was AWFUL. Free wifi for guests was great, though! Most of the staff were incredibly knowledgeable about directions/food/attractions, however, the one young lady working during the day had no clue where anything was or how to get anywhere. Really!? I wasn't expecting the Waldorf but you get what you pay for, so I didn't expect much. If they remodeled and modernized, it'd be a fab hotel!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:33:03" }, { "business_id": "agK5cXwnBQozM2M-5kLvzw", "business_name": "Red Gravy", "rating": 5, "text": "I LOVED this place, and am really sad that I'll never get to eat here again! What an amazing find, away from all of the hustle and bustle of the busiest places in NOLA. The food was so incredible that we ate here for breakfast three days in a row. They do, however, serve lunch too but not dinner. I had the oatmeal each day, which was a huge bowl of homemade oatmeal with fresh fruit and freshly made granola. It was incredible! My husband got the french toast each day because it was simply that good. I tasted a little bit of my brother's entrees each day and everything was phenomenal (the cannoli pancakes, the Debra sandwich and their specialty omelet (with gravy, meatballs and ricotta). The best part of this place is that the owner is from Jersey, so her Italian cooking is spot on. I'm sure their lunches are just as amazing as their breakfasts.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T19:37:49" }, { "business_id": "n_fUROdhfmLwd_mpBi55ew", "business_name": "Central Grocery & Deli", "rating": 5, "text": "Muffuletta oh muffuletta, THANKFULLY you are not a staple sandwich of my home city. Being an Italian from Philadelphia, my expectations of an Italian sandwich are incredibly high, so I was really excited to see if the muffuletta lived up to my high Italian sandwich standards, Well, we have a winner!!! The grocery part of the store has some really funky old Italian groceries, but the sandwich shoppe is where it's at. Don't expect much from here other than ordering your slice of heaven, sitting at the dingy tables and experiencing pure sandwich perfection. You can feed an entire family of four with a whole, too. The bread was so soft and delicious, and was the perfect ratio for the innards of the sandwich. The Italian meats and extra sharp provolone rivaled any of the best in Philly, and the olive salad, well, holy crap, it was amazing!!!! It was a little salty, but I was willing to overlook that because it was so delicious (and I HATE olives, so I was shocked when I actually went and purchased an entire 16oz jar to take home with me). I was blown away by the muffuletta!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:15:00" }, { "business_id": "QdER5KjucCVtOXdU1g7kpA", "business_name": "Pepper Palace", "rating": 5, "text": "This place was incredibly cool!! I have never seen so many hot sauces, salsas and seasonings in one location ever. They have their own line of sauces/seasonings/salsas they make and sell, so everything is homemade and genuine. The employees are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and will go out of their way to help. The best part is that you can sample an incredible number of their products so you can know what everything tastes like. Winners are: sweet potato butter, ALL of their rubs and the pineapple salsa. I wish there was a place like this in Philly.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:18:27" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Dingy, dark and off the map bars always have the best food, and here was no exception. We waited about 1/2 hour and I'd gladly wait another hour to eat this food. The jambalaya and red beans and rice were phenomenal; what an amazing explosion of flavor! The fried chicken was ok, nothing too spectacular. They have a sampler platter so you can get a little bit of everything that they have to offer. What a great way to experience true New Orleans food!", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:21:22" }, { "business_id": "6Ty-KKWq6hLZYW8DWEHYvg", "business_name": "Pat O'Brien’s", "rating": 4, "text": "All we did here was drink, and we did that A LOT! The mint juleps were great! The hurricane was a little too sweet for my liking, but it did the job in getting me buzzed. I only drank one because it was the raved about drink in NOLA. The courtyard was a really cool and relaxing way to enjoy some drinks and do some people watching.", "timestamp": "2012-05-26T23:54:26" }, { "business_id": "EMfJpVozzk238AM51H18Dw", "business_name": "Meltdown", "rating": 5, "text": "Sheer, sheer perfection. We were walking around the French Quarter and saw three people with these scrumptious looking popsicles and we knew instantaneously we had to fine the place that sold them. We yelped them and it turned out that they were closed, but we were so determined to get these yummy popsicles that we came back the next day. One bite and we realized that we had made the right decision. The pineapple cilantro pop was so flavorful and refreshing that we went and got another for the walk back to the hotel. The salted caramel was an out of this world flavor experience. It was creamy, refreshing, sweet, salty and hands down the best ice cream treat I've ever had. Whoever makes these pops needs to go into business nationally IMMEDIATELY and sell these babies!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:05:08" }, { "business_id": "u7uFQCoHFtBKCtbWUm6yZw", "business_name": "Emeril's ", "rating": 4, "text": "Emeril's is the #3 dining experience I've had in my life. The atmosphere is incredible, but the food is even more incredible. I had the BBQ shrimp and a salad as my entree (I was too full from lunch), my brother had the double cut pork chop and my hubby had the chicken. Everything was spot on, flavorful and perfect, except the time it took to get our meals (think an hour after ordering, which is unacceptable in a place like this; I've eaten at places like Emeril's all over the country and have never had entrees take this long to come out). The servers never let our water get down to 3/4 full and were always attentive to what we wanted or needed. The desserts were incredible too. The banana cream pie was incredible (but wasn't life changing) and the chocolate peanut butter pie was superb. All in all, the best dining experience we had in NOLA.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:12:42" }, { "business_id": "6a4gLLFSgr-Q6CZXDLzBGQ", "business_name": "Cochon", "rating": 3, "text": "Oh Cochon how I wanted to LOVE you but I just can't. We went all out and got a few small plates and some entrees so we could experience it all, so I'll break down each one. Wood fried oyster roast- INCREDIBLE!!!! That's all. I wanted to eat 5 more of these plates. Fried boudin- Ok; flavors were really good but they were fried too long so they were slightly too oily. Smoked pork ribs- Ick, these were terrible. They were swimming in their own grease and were chewy and not at all tender (and my family owns BBQ joints) Pork cheeks-These were delish!! The meat was so tender and the flavors were incredible! Mushroom salad- Yummy, but the dried lemon slices were extremely bitter, so I had to pick them out of the salad before I finished. This is where the yumminess stopped, in my opinion. The cochon was the best entree, but it wasn't nearly as good as I had expected it to be. It seemed like glorified pulled pork to me. The brisket was not very good; the meat was really tough and chewy, but the horseradish potato salad was pretty good. I had a chicken dish which was extremely overcooked, oily and dry, and the accompaniments (minted peas and other veggies) were cold. The staff were great, though, and were really thorough, but my expectations were definitely not met here. I was pretty disappointed with my meal with the exceptions of a few gems explained above.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:29:00" }, { "business_id": "jar_5KMQZtgOseRdUN3L0w", "business_name": "Sucré", "rating": 5, "text": "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, oh boy!!!!!!! I am a sweets fanatic so I was really excited to stop by here and get a few things. The macaroons were wonderful; perfect filling to cookie ratio and the flavors were great. The gelato was incredible, too; creamy, well flavored and delicious. They're more than willing to give samples out (each of us got a whole macaroon!) and a bunch of gelato samples which is great for people as indecisive as my family. We took home some marshmallows which are divine and a great memory of the deliciousness of Sucre. I just wish I could've had one of everything!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:32:49" }, { "business_id": "vN6v8m4DO45Z4pp8yxxF_w", "business_name": "Surrey's Café & Juice Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "We didn't eat here, so I can't speak to the food, but the juice was great. We got a mango-carrot-pineapple juice to go, which was really pricey (5.25!!!) which is why I knocked a star off, but the juice was really yummy and refreshing for a hot New Orleans day. The atmosphere and location of this place is really cool, too.", "timestamp": "2012-05-27T00:35:06" }, { "business_id": "_ab50qdWOk0DdB6XOrBitw", "business_name": "Acme Oyster House", "rating": 5, "text": "What a great way to experience NOLA cuisine on our first day in town. We stopped by after a long day of traveling and were seated immediately (it was a Monday at 3:00pm), but it was still rather crowded. We got our food very quickly, and I'm glad we did because everything was incredible! Three of us devoured our boo fries in about 5 minutes (DELISH!), and my brother and I were fortunate enough to have ordered the chargrilled oysters (over the raw) to split. They were INCREDIBLE!! The garlic and cheese were an excellent combo and made for some incredibly happy foodies! We were so blown away that we ordered another dozen. I was really happy we decided to go here over Felix's as everything was so good!!!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:31:47" }, { "business_id": "UH87t9fT_oTLMZfr5iCbQg", "business_name": "Tropical Isle", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh hand grenade, you were my go to drink in NOLA!!! I must've drank at least 6 during our 4 day stay here. They were cold, refreshing and full of alcohol, so what's not to love??!!! I'm sure the TSA loved seeing the multitude of hand grenade cups stuffed in our suitcases!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T00:34:12" }, { "business_id": "0eP5RJNSsSYdPvUY3ZbTvw", "business_name": "Cat's Meow", "rating": 3, "text": "Ok, so the place is a little divey (think dirty old men and drunk college guys tossing beads to girls cruising Bourbon St), but it was always happening. I did quite a few karaoke songs here, and each time I sang, it was just a blast. It's a great place to watch the liquor overtake people's inhibitions. Drinks are expensive, though ($6 for a domestic bottle) so drink a lot beforehand.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:26:17" }, { "business_id": "gTC8IQ_i8zXytWSly3Ttvg", "business_name": "Cochon Butcher", "rating": 5, "text": "We stopped in here after a not so great experience at Cochon but we were blown away by the butcher. The atmosphere is incredible; great ambient lighting, awesome decor, and the best part: the curing meat display! We didn't get anything to eat here because we just had dinner, but everything smelled incredible. We got some bacon chocolate covered almonds and they were such a new and different flavor experience, but they were phenomenal! We also got a sweet potato habenero sauce to take home because it was so delicious! I'm really disappointed that we didn't get to eat here, but the sights and smells were enough to please me!", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:51:41" }, { "business_id": "9cybDNxJ7cyNVkmwm-ktcg", "business_name": "Rouses Market", "rating": 5, "text": "When I travel, I really enjoy going to the local supermarket (call me strange, but I find it a really cool way to experience local food finds). I'm really glad we walked over here because this was one of the coolest markets I've ever been to! Unlike the northeast, there was liquor here (hey, gotta grab a bottle of vino with your lunch!), and their cafe section was immense! They have every type of prepared food imaginable, and their meat/deli/bakery was great! They are pricey, but it was worth the trip to check out a really cool local market.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T01:56:51" }, { "business_id": "krCwF4raTYvBcCEwcbA88Q", "business_name": "Philadelphia Mills", "rating": 2, "text": "The only stores worth shopping in here are the Off 5th and Last Call Neiman Marcus. Most of the stores are not name brand, and the mall itself it just filthy. Thankfully, Saks and Neiman both have entrances that don't require entrance into the mall.", "timestamp": "2012-05-28T12:36:27" }, { "business_id": "11qwVOxX-Z0bWAnfpVLnlw", "business_name": "Mike Serio's Poboys", "rating": 2, "text": "I wanted a true, genuine po'boy but didn't want to go too far, so I took the hotel concierge's advice and went here. I wanted a 1/2 shrimp and 1/2 oyster, which wasn't on the menu, so it cost $13! When the sandwich came out, it was rather small, and the shrimp were wayyyyy too little (think shrimp salad sized shrimp). The fried oysters were pretty good, as was the bread, but overall, I was generally disappointed. I don't mind paying that much for a delish po'boy (Johnny's!), but was really upset that the subpar one I had here costs that much. Just walk the extra 1/2 mile to Johnny's.", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:51:11" }, { "business_id": "Eb1XmmLWyt_way5NNZ7-Pw", "business_name": "Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport MSY", "rating": 3, "text": "Ick, this is one of the most aestetically unpleasing airports I've ever been to. Granted, things ran rather smoothly, but when I'm sitting in a gate for a few hours, I don't want to see stained carpet, torn seats and spiders crawling on the walls. There also was an overabundance of unused space here (think gates with no chairs, no ticket booths, etc) which was rather strange. I was also disappointed with the food choices (or lack thereof) in my terminal, too. The secutiry line ran pretty quickly, too, although anything is a significant improvement over the 90 minute long like I had to wait in at Philly to get here. The one positive was that in the 5 minute walk to the baggage terminal, our bags were already out on the roundabout!!! I was amazed! Staff here are really great, too!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:54:06" }, { "business_id": "FDx_EgHcBvIRGH4UlyuNCA", "business_name": "Pinkberry", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really excited to see Pinkberry within very close proximity to my hoteI, but wasn't sure if I wanted to try them due to their hype and trendiness. However, my brother swore it was some of the best froyo he's ever had in his life, so I was convinced to try them. The store is really chic and modern, and had a really cool vibe for such a small place. We got mango and pom together (reccommended by the staff) and it was such a refreshing treat on such a hot day. The yogurt was very creamy and just the right consistency, too. Although we didn't get toppings, I really liked the idea of paying one price for a yogurt with \"as many toppings as will fit\" rather than paying per ounce. I just wish they would open a store in the Philly area!", "timestamp": "2012-05-29T13:59:52" }, { "business_id": "GJI1ITRdwr6Ov3GVKOTZcQ", "business_name": "Hong Luck Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "This place is interesting to say the least. The outside looks like an old 70's diner, so it's slightly off putting when you pull up to the restaurant. Upon walking into here my brain immediately breaks into the Spongebob Squarepants theme song (think tiki huts, blowfish light fixtures, bamboo everywhere)! I have never, ever, EVER in my life been in a restaurant as tacky looking as this, and they really do deserve a decor makeover by Robert Irvine. However, despite their gaudy decor, they have incredible food! The curry chicken was incredible; the flavors were incredible, although it was a little too salty. The garlic boneless spareribs are out of this world; they're the perfect combination of sweet and salty. The portions are huge and the prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. This restaurant serves the best Chinese food in Levittown, so it's definitely worth overlooking the horrible decor for some delicious food.", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T01:46:30" }, { "business_id": "vFifkrt8fU4k31NrQF-KnA", "business_name": "Giant Food Store", "rating": 5, "text": "This market is one of the best I've ever been too! They have an incredible assortment of freshly prepared foods of all varieties (Chinese, paninis, sandwiches, coffee shop, pizzas, etc) but the clear prepared food winner here is the fresh made salad section. The salad is always huge, and the best part is that you can have your salad made by one of the employees rather than settling for one in the cold case that was made at 8am. You can also customize what you want in your salad, so you're not limited if you have an allergy or just don't like something. The other sections of the store are great; they have a wonderful organic section and some great bulk products. This a great option that is much better than Saladworks, and every week, they offer a different salad on sale for around $5.99. One of the coolest parts of this market is that they have a cooking school inside, with some free classes (others you may have to pay $15-20 for) but they have a full kitchen inside the \"Cooking school\" where you not only learn to prepare a meal, but you can actually prepare it yourself. They also have a nutritionist on staff that teaches specialty cooking classes, such as low sodium or low fat cooking. They even go so far as to offer classes for seniors and kids! Everything here makes this one truly unique and even exciting shopping opportunity!", "timestamp": "2012-05-31T16:23:58" }, { "business_id": "1e1qCk-tKAkFn-or-o-h0A", "business_name": "Sammy Chon's KTown BBQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is just as good as the store in Cherry Hill, so each time we decide to hit up Sam for Korean, we're coming here (no more trips over the Walt for yummy Korean food!) ! Sam was the first person to introduce my family and I to Korean food, so we're faithful to him 'till the end. The soy and honey sesame wings are incredible; they're so crispy and flavorful, yet not greasy at all. They're highly addictive, so I recommend only getting 4 because you will have no room left for your dinner if you get 10. I absolutely LOVE the banchan; each time you go, there is an array of about 8 banchan, each different at every trip to the restaurant. I always get the same thing when we eat at Sammy's, which is the soon dubu stew, spicy 3.5 stars with spicy pork. It's a soft tofu cooked in a spicy (as spicy as you want, but be warned, anything above a 4 will make your eyes tear up!) broth with meat of your choice. It's probably unlike any other food you've ever eaten, so make sure you try it because there is no comparison to anything if you haven't had Korean food before. It comes out in a hot pot so it's always EXTREMELY hot. I always ask for a glass of ice to put in the stew to cool it down because I've made the mistake of burning my mouth on soon dubu one time too many. This location serves alcohol, and we were recommended a mango flavored Korean drink. I thought we each were getting a glass, but boy was I wrong; we got a carafe!!! The drink was delicious! It was cool and refreshing, and ended up being the perfect compliment to our hot (both in temperature and spice) meals. My husband always gets the LA kalbi (marinated short ribs) which he swears by and wishes he could eat on a daily basis. Everything Sam makes is incredible! If you're a newbie to Korean food, definitely come here with an open mind and be willing to try something new and possible off the cusp than what you'd normally eat. Trust me, you'll be pleasantly surprised!", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:19:19" }, { "business_id": "ssr49VxAlvrBo7F7izQvXA", "business_name": "The Pub", "rating": 4, "text": "I love love love The Pub. Eating here will make you feel like you're dining at the Renaissance faire (just hand me a turkey leg and a velvet dress and you're good to go!) but the food is great. They have some delicious selections on their salad bar, with my favorite being the zucchini bread. They have some of the best crab cakes I've ever eaten, too. Whether you're a seafood lover like I am, or a pure carnivore like my husband (who highly recommends the 26oz porterhouse), you'll find something delicious and quite large to eat. The portions are enough to feed you for two days, so be prepared to take home some of your meal. The only thing I don't like about the place is you dine extremely close to your neighbors, but I guess it's all part of the experience.", "timestamp": "2012-06-01T00:20:40" }, { "business_id": "t-QoyFuiNKPOioysQx2qHA", "business_name": "Whole Foods Market", "rating": 4, "text": "This location is probably one of the smallest Whole Foods I've ever been in, but they have an immense selection of products that are unique and hard to find. They have a mind blowing selection of natural, organic, and vegan makeup/lotions/etc., which is great. Their bakery is rather small, but they have some of the most delicious desserts and baked goods ever!!! DEFINITELY make sure you get some seeduction ROLLS (the loaf is amazing, but the rolls are much better) to take home with you. The awesome part of the bread bakery is that you can get a 1/2 loaf of bread (which is great for my family because I'm the only one that eats the unique breads they have, so nothing goes to waste. I also love their bulk section because you can get just what you need weight-wise of some really different and unique grains. They have an amazing selection of cold prepared foods in the deli case, with some great vegan and vegetarian choices. They also have a wonderful salad bar with some deliciously healthy selections. The even package some of their best products in ready to go containers so you can take them home with you. They also have a wonderful meat selection, with a significant amount of \"green\" meat (grass fed, no antibiotcs, etc). The produce selection is vast and truly unique; I've seen some really weird fruits and veggies that I've never seen before here. Be prepared as their prices are high, but you're getting good quality, healthy food, so it's well worth it.", "timestamp": "2012-06-02T01:04:03" }, { "business_id": "VVH6k9-ycttH3TV_lk5WfQ", "business_name": "Willie Mae's Scotch House", "rating": 4, "text": "Off in the land of the 7th ward in what is a pretty rough looking neighborhood, stands Willie Mae's. We took our awesome scooters here (thankfully, as it's not within walking distance from the French Quarter) and were prepared for some fried chicken goodness. I'm NOT a big fried foods person, so I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it here, but I was wrong. The restaurant is pretty much off the beaten path, but I've learned in my travels that some of the most amazing places are. The place is nothing spectacular inside, but it was really cool to read the various articles from magazines the restaurant was featured in. We reviewed our short menu and decided on nothing other than the fried chicken platter and some cornbread. Out sides were brought out along with our chicken after a relatively short wait, and we dug in. The chicken was placed on a big platter in the middle of the table, so it was like a chicken free for all at the table. The sides were HUGE, and looked delicious. I was really thrilled when the red beans and rice tasted as good as they looked, but I was slightly disappointed in the green beans. The red beans were incredible; they were slightly smoky and somewhat spicy, and were perfect! After I downed the whole bowl, it was time to tackle the chicken mountain. I broke off a piece of the breading to taste just that, and holy crap, it was delicious!!!! It was greasy (of course!), but was so delicious that I found myself scouring the crunchy pieces of the batter off of the bottom of the plate!! Once I finally got to the chicken, I was very impressed. The chicken was so moist and tender, and was some of the best chicken I had ever eaten. The combination of the deliciously crunchy, spicy batter and the moist, tender chicken made for a wonderful chicken experience. I felt like an authentic NOLA citizen while eating here. Like I said earlier, I'm not a fan of fried foods, but I was definitely a fan of Willie Mae's.", "timestamp": "2012-06-03T00:27:17" }, { "business_id": "VvqYQ98FjO0iYpKHgu91fw", "business_name": "Jules Thin Crust", "rating": 5, "text": "Jules is delicious!!! They have some amazingly creative pizza creations, and it's extra yummy because the thin crust allows you to really taste the flavors of the pizzas. They use organic and local veggies, hormone free meats and they combine flavors really well. The winners are (I can't remember the names) the greek pizza, the chicken with cilantro pizza, and the potato topped pizza. Be sure to check in on foursquare for a free slice with check in.", "timestamp": "2012-10-18T21:19:58" }, { "business_id": "iD25g7vUG3asELjXtMGF9w", "business_name": "Taqueria del Sol", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh is all I can say for TDS. The restaurant itself is just cold.... not literally, but figuratively. There was no decor, no menu boards, stainless steel prep tables as dining tables, no soda machines, staff EVERYWHERE with no identification (shirts, nametags, etc). The food is reasonably priced and most of it was quite good, but what really irked my party was the fact that they charge for extra salsa!!! We ordered a salsa trio (which included 3 samples of the various salsas, in 2oz glass prep bowls), and when my brother asked for more salsa for his tacos (mind you, we ordered one of ever taco, three burritos and guacamole), he was told he'd have to buy the trio again! Really!!??? We spent over $40 on food, drinks and apps, too. Even though the food was decent, I wouldn't return as the atmosphere is just blah and you can't get extra salsa for your damn tacos!", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:14:36" }, { "business_id": "tpDJ0vOYiBLxMqtGvhBSmw", "business_name": "Top It Frozen Yogurt Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Top It is wonderful! They're your typical froyo place, but they have delicious and authentic flavors that vary daily and based on the season. They have nutritional info displayed for all to see, so you can know exactly what you're eating. They also have a ton of different and unique toppings. If you check in via yelp on your smartphone, you get 20% off which is a great incentive to come here (in addition to the yummy yogurt!!!). Don't forget to join their email list; they frequently send coupons out via email.", "timestamp": "2012-12-04T02:17:26" }, { "business_id": "knp4GbMlIQZAppyEVnUkQg", "business_name": "Koja Grille", "rating": 1, "text": "Wow this place is NOT it. I should've known the experience was gonna be bad when the brought my take out order, which the waitress clearly marked to go, to me out on a plate. I'm someone who adores Korean food and was excited to try Koja out, but I should've just stuck to my regular Korean spots. The food was overpriced, completely non authentic (non grilled bulgogi with broccoli and carrots????), and subpar. The wings were soggy and although I ordered them mild, they were made spicy. The food here is equivalent to overpriced icky Chinese. I haven't been this disappointed with food in Philly for a very long time. To make matters worse, the staff was incredibly rude and snippy with me. With all of the amazing Korean places in Philly, I'm surprised they stay in business here.", "timestamp": "2013-04-04T02:02:04" }, { "business_id": "LcURr5CJT0Uo0H18l31qpg", "business_name": "The Lite Choice", "rating": 4, "text": "What a great yogurt place! I'm a big fan of froyo in general, so I was excited to try out a place that offered such decadence in yogurt. I had a fluffernutter yogurt and was so impressed that this yogurt was light! It had such great flavor and didn't have that weird aftertaste that some froyo has. The only downside was that the yogurt is pricey.", "timestamp": "2013-04-30T01:34:20" }, { "business_id": "by3Pd_qk6R9ik3C2Ng_-rg", "business_name": "Margaritas Mexican Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Eh, this place is not it. The service is incredibly slow, chaotic and messy. Apps came out literally 30 seconds before food which is a big no no. The portion of guacamole we had was laughably small; think the size of a single scoop of ice cream EVERYTHING was slathered in cheese, to the point where all you could taste was cheese. The margaritas were good, though, but that was after my server brought me the wrong flavor twice. The food here is definitely not worth the price; save a few bucks (hell, more than a few!) and get a much better and way more authentic meal at Cancun down the street.", "timestamp": "2013-06-23T03:16:59" }, { "business_id": "lakMZT5PYQltSOjGXWnJ0g", "business_name": "Lil' Pop Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "My gosh, the Popsicles here are amazing!!!!! I go once a week on my lunch break and get two Popsicles. The best flavors are the milk based ones...last week, I had a lemon blueberry buttermilk and it tasted like a frozen cheesecake! I also had a watermelon rhubarb which was ok. The coconut hibiscus is divine as well! What a gem in West Philly!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:42:55" }, { "business_id": "RadvqFuRTZNEfSZ_avPRog", "business_name": "Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop", "rating": 5, "text": "omgee, this place is phenomenal! I came here on the recommendation of some coworkers and I'm glad I did! Their burritos are big enough to feed a small army,and their flavors are amazing. Both times I went, I had a chicken and sweet potato burrito and it was divine! The sweet potatoes are such a unique and flavorful addition to the burritos. I also loved how they put guac on all of their burritos. Honest Toms is quickly becoming a favorite lunch spotlight of mine in West!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:46:34" }, { "business_id": "U30ggGzFpXvc2NZYwOW3qg", "business_name": "Mood Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Jeez, where to begin with Mood???? I came here for lunch a few weeks ago with a coworker, and while he wasn't a fan (he's not as adventurous with food a I am), I loved it! If you're looking for your typical Indian food, skip here; if you want a flavor adventure that is unique and different, then this is your place. I had no clue what a chaat was until I came here, so the owner explained everything to me. The chaats here anew amazing; there are so many flavors, textures, colors, and unique ingredients that every bite is something different. They also have the best lassis I've ever had, and what makes them even better is the flavors! Skip the traditional mango (even though its awesome) and give fig a try. It was creamy, sweet perfection. I'm sure the food here isn't diet friendly, which is not good for me because its so close to work!!!!!", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:53:14" }, { "business_id": "oGAnlXgorzsRqeA4S0UhlQ", "business_name": "Scappa Brick Oven Trattoria", "rating": 4, "text": "This place has some of the best Italian and pizza in Levittown. Everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. I really enjoyed their tomato pie; the sauce was a perfect combo of sweet and salty. All in all, a great place to grab a flavorful and well priced Italian meal.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:55:19" }, { "business_id": "hG1CdQIZGnHcYDdpNnVbSQ", "business_name": "My Little Kupkake", "rating": 1, "text": "Ick, I had a cupcake from here which I picked up from DIbrunos in the city, and I was not impressed. Im a cupcake fanatic, so I take cupcakes seriously!The cake itself was dry and dense, the icing was too sweet and there was entirely too much of it. If you're going to market and sell your cupcakes in another location, at least ensure they're good.", "timestamp": "2013-07-20T14:57:54" }, { "business_id": "9OhPfV0C3Q49l5tSre2MuQ", "business_name": "Kabobeesh", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh lawd, Kabobeesh is incredible!!! I am so happy that this place is so close to where I work that I go here every Tuesday for lunch. For $10, you get an incredible amount of food that can feed you for days. I always am enticed by the kebobs in the case, which are always so fresh and flavorful. My favorite is the tandoori chicken, which is so moist, tender and flavorful that I'm drooling as I write this. They always have delicious sides and dishes besides the kebobs. I'm a huge fan of the yellow daal which is so perfectly seasoned and so flavorful. The homemade naan is to die for as well. The only downfall is that the service tends to be rather slow, but for food this awesome, it's worth the wait!!!", "timestamp": "2013-10-01T00:02:52" }, { "business_id": "lKU_kljhbEQKIPaM1Zbqiw", "business_name": "Little Nonna's", "rating": 2, "text": "Eh. I was overhyped to try here, and was slightly disappointed. The place is incredibly small, and I knew it wasn't going to be the best dining experience when we were sat by the draft of the open door which rushed in the cold January air. Cocktail: the sgroppino was fabulous! The sorbet was so fresh and flavorful. Very string too! Apps: the garlic bread was yummy! Nothing phenomenal but good. The fig bruschetta was great too, but I wasn't a fan of how overwhelming the Gorgonzola was. It took away from the other flavors of the dish. The arancini were meh; rather bland and flavorless. It almost tasted frozen to me; it was definitely the loser of the night. The fresh mozzarella was the star of the night: creamy, salty, briney goodness. It literally melted in my mouth. We each had a pasta dish. The gnocchi were yummy; I loved the crunchiness that came from the pan sear. The fusili were ok; I'm just not a big fan of oily sauces. The spaghetti and meatballs were great, though. The portion was gigantic; however, I was a bit surprised that the meatball tasted more like hot Italian sausage than a classic meatball. The service was great, though. Our server was knowledgable, personable and friendly. I usually never leave a restaurant like this stuffed, but I felt like I was going to explode when we were done eating. $100 for three people including drinks is a great price, too. You really get a lot of food for a fair price. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I felt like the food here was oversold and under delivered. I guess I expected more from this empire (I could eat at Barbuzzo daily!) Would I return? Highly unlikely. There are just too many other choices in Philly which are equivalent in price that have much more to offer.", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:04:04" }, { "business_id": "UyTx6ci7ATsWco_mE4J8Jw", "business_name": "Pamcakes, a Philly Cupcakery", "rating": 2, "text": "I expected more from Pamcakes... I am a cupcake fiend. I make it a point to try as many cupcake places as I can in the city, and while I have tried many, I'm nowhere near trying them all. I also bake my own, so I'm always pumped to try new (to me) shops I went in on a Thursday around 1115 and no one was in the shop. The display was pretty meager; a few of this flavor, two of that one, etc, . I ordered a red velvet, lemon raspberry, triple chocolate and vanilla with buttercream. The red velvet was one of the best red velvet cupcakes I've ever had. The cream Cheese frosting was divine; light, fluffy and not overtly sweet. The lemon raspberry was fair; not good, not bad, just average. The triple chocolate was awful. The cake was dry and crumbly and the icing was way too sweet. The vanilla was bad too. Dry cake, bland frosting and extremely dense. The worst part of the experience was on three of the four cupcakes, the icing was hard and crunchy. I honestly thought they were yesterday's leftovers. They certainly didn't taste fresh. I was very disappointed with the cupcakes here. I expected so much more and was highly let down. Such a shame, too", "timestamp": "2014-01-11T04:17:37" }, { "business_id": "OxkdxarPVk_BNGDpllqiBA", "business_name": "Under the Pier", "rating": 4, "text": "Under the Pier is a rather unassuming spot, but don't let the facade fool you. Actually, it's the epitome of duvet here, but who cares??!! The food here is great! Cheap, fresh, quick and delicious...what more could you ask for!? The fish is fresh, the batter is great and the prices are good. They have great \"chips\" too with their fish. I also loved the crab cake and clam cake, too. This place is definitely a hidden gem in Levittown .", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T02:29:59" }, { "business_id": "45ClmqPAagmNvdUojFULZA", "business_name": "sweetgreen", "rating": 3, "text": "I noticed this place on a ride down Walnut for work. Definitely my kind of place, so I parked and stopped in. Think fast farm to table food. I loved how everything is locally sourced, organic, fresh and healthy. However, I did not love the price! When I paid for my seasonal salad and cucumber limeade (which was AMAZEBALLS), I ended up with a total of around $15!!! I have no problem paying higher prices for quality, but 15 bucks for a salad and a 16oz lemonade is just insanity in my opinion. The salad was good; definitely not worth the $11 it cost, though. I realize this is U City and they locally source everything, etc, but I simply would not return due to the prices (this is one of the main reasons I left a three star review. I know quailty ingredients come with a price, however, $15 is just far too much.", "timestamp": "2014-06-25T17:36:12" }, { "business_id": "JVDHxMnKjif8XdXVFWiClg", "business_name": "Dizengoff", "rating": 4, "text": "I was blown away by the food here and I didn't even eat in! My brother brought home take out which included the eggplant hummus and the brisket hummus, pita and saltim. While I don't eat red meat, I devoured the eggplant hummus and literally could not stop stuffing my face with the deliciousness that sat in that bowl. The hummus was so earthy and smoky and had such great flavor. The pita were amazing; even cold, they were incredible!!!!!! I simply cannot wait to try the food from here fresh. What an amazing place!!! Majestic, Zahav and chef Michael Solomon!!!!! A true gem!!!", "timestamp": "2014-09-27T00:59:15" }, { "business_id": "NFzfuIFghE-HnrodHpaT6A", "business_name": "Garces Trading Company", "rating": 2, "text": "I came here on restaurant week and was very disappointed here. This was my first experience at a Garces restaurant, so I was really excited to eat here. Normally, I give yelp a lot of credit in helping me select where to eat, and I figured I'd try here despite (more than) a few wishy-washy review. For starters, the service here is awful. It took 20 minutes to even be asked for drinks and probably 15 people walked by us without acknowledging us, which normally would send me packing, but I was anticipating a great meal so I stuck it out. The menu was limited to only restaurant week selections which I'm never a fan of. We started with the fresh mozzarella which was the clear winner of the night; warm, briney, salty goodness. The second course was a micro green salad which was topped with such a bitter garlic oil they I could barely eat it. For my meal, I had the risotto with scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly, however they were so overly salty, I couldn't eat them. The risotto was a bit too al dente for my liking but it tasted OK. Overall, I was extremely disappointed in the experience here. I expect the utmost care, attention to service and food at restaurants like this, and I didn't get it. I will not be back.", "timestamp": "2014-09-28T13:12:12" }, { "business_id": "O6hY9yenifuRXrpc4TfgsQ", "business_name": "The Blue Duck", "rating": 4, "text": "The food here is awesome!!! We came on a Saturday night and the place was packed!!! For such an unassuming location, it was wall to wall people. The decor is rather gaudy; it reminds me of my grandma's country kitchen but it was an intimate ambiance. We ordered the blue moon and general tso wings, which were yummy! The general tso were sticky, sweet and a bit spicy, but the best part was the homemade wasabi Bleu cheese. Spot on!!! We also had the duck fat fries which were phenomenal!!! Salty, savory, cheesy, hand cut fries...everything just melted together for an amazing flavor experience!!! The original mac and cheese was ok; I'm not a fan of smoky cheeses in my mac and cheese, but it had a nice creamy consistency. I ordered a turkey burger for dinner which I was good. It was slightly dry, and it didn't come on a brioche bun as advertised but rather on a potato bun. I was a bit let down by that, but the burger was still good. We ended the night with a lemon scented cheesecake. Incredibly delicious!!! The crust had a bit of saltiness to it which complimented the sweet cheesecake and bitter lemon. All in all, this place is delicious! Don't let their boring strip mall outside deter you from the yumminess inside!!!", "timestamp": "2015-04-12T02:46:35" }, { "business_id": "gjFUrbSMo1rA1jgG5IhA2A", "business_name": "Chima Steakhouse", "rating": 2, "text": "Meh. The service here is awful. Granted, we came on father's day but still, the service shouldn't have been as bad as it was. It took 15 minutes to get drinks and when the meats finally came around, the same kind of meat kept coming by. I had to ask the waitress to send the guy with the fish over to the table, and it still tool him 15 minutes to come by. The rest of the people in my party kept having to ask for the specific meat they wanted because some stuff just never came around. The salad bar was ok, it had a lot of selection to go with the food. The dessert, however, were subpar. You could definitely tell they were not handmade. I've been to other places like this before, so I wasn't impressed with the sword service like I'm sure some people are. There are plenty of other much better places to spend 50+ dollars at in Philadelphia.", "timestamp": "2015-07-07T01:04:57" }, { "business_id": "wUnLSg_GKfEIQ5CQQ770_g", "business_name": "Vetri Cucina", "rating": 5, "text": "Oh my gosh what an experience!!!! I had the privilege of coming here for my 30th birthday in April and it was everything I expected and more. I felt like I was in an old world Italian kitchen as the ambiance was perfect as well. I can finally check this place off my bucket list!! Our waiter, Bill, was incredible. Attentive, knowledgeable and interesting, he made the night that much better. I truly never experienced service as incredible as the service here, which took the night from a meal to an experience. We let Bill decide what to bring us., letting him know what we preferred and let him select. The foie was incredible ( it was my first time eating it) and I wanted more!! I can't remember specifics as to what we had, but every dish was simply amazing. Everything in the evening was A++++. I also opted for the wine tasting (hey go big or go home!) which was completely worth the money, as every glass was perfectly complimentary to the plate. I've never been so pleased, satisfied and happy with a meal as I was when I left here. Although the plates were small, there were so many plates that I was incredibly stuffed at the end of the meal. Vetri was everything I had hoped for and more, and although I will likely never get to go back (think two car payments for three people), I'm so honored and pleased that I got to eat here. I will never forget the meal or experience I had here. Absolutely incredible job, Marc Vetri!!!!", "timestamp": "2015-07-25T01:08:32" }, { "business_id": "yEXvgdOxH6EGrwGmELzQAQ", "business_name": "Stripp'd Cold Pressed Juice", "rating": 1, "text": "I'm really disappointed in this place as well as the customer service. I emailed their website and told them that not only were they out of coconut topping, but they were out of the blue algae bowl but this wasn't made aware to me until AFTER I ordered. I got matcha bowl and it was also disgusting. The base was so sour that I couldn't even eat the thing! I was really pissed I paid $13 for the bowl. When I told (who I assume is the owner), she proceeded to tell me the \"sour taste is in fact part of the menu item....and this one was apparently not fitting to you\" She then proceeded to say the \"we will take the constructive criticism and insults in stride\" which pissed me off to no end. As a customer who paid more than the price of a meal for a smoothie bowl and was highly dissatisfied, I'm appalled that the criticism (which was negative because the bowl was just awful) was called an insult. The reply I wrote back stated I have had many matcha flavored items before absolutely none of which had this horrible sour taste and aftertaste, I got a reply saying that the mix is their own and those ingredients combined make for a sour taste (granted, none of the other told to me are at all sour on their own) C'mon..... not a single review on Yelp describes a sour taste to this bowl, so the fact that this place can't even acknowledge their fail is what really turns me off. I will NOT return here.", "timestamp": "2018-11-13T23:01:33" }, { "business_id": "Ujl55uQMbCPhS7mswgvpwQ", "business_name": "Curiosity Doughnuts", "rating": 4, "text": "Hands down the BEST DONUTS ever!!!! I'm a donut fiend, and these are perfection!! They're light, fluffky, airy and the flavors are out of this world! My fav is the blood orange. I absolutely love this place!!", "timestamp": "2019-08-17T09:54:15" } ]	{ "business_id": "pm8E0D_NXD7OEMIq8P3YNQ", "business_name": "Imprint Beer", "rating": 5, "text": "Some of the best beers I've ever had. Multiple new releases every week, and the most amazing collection of sours I've ever encountered. Hatfield has a lot more walk in than Pottstown but everything here is amazing! The smoojies are amazing!!!", "timestamp": "2020-10-20T00:33:59" }
mEOMAeEonZoUx2nPM3v6fg	[ { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Do not believe the hype! I have no idea how this restaurant gets the reviews it gets. My husband and I were severely disappointed after having such high expectations from the feedback and fanfare. Nothing about our meal was good. The crab claws were bland; the batter had no seasoning and I had to request some from the kitchen to sprinkle on top just to eat them. Burger was dry hard,, over cooked and favorless even with cheese, bacon, and mushrooms. I could not believe how bad it was with all the good feedback. One thing I can say is that the mushrooms did have flavor, really bad burnt grill debris flavor. They left an unsettling taste that upset my stomach. Customer Beware, the corn and crab soup is really corn shrimp and crab soup with hardly any crab. There is no mention of the shrimp any where on the menu. Some may think this is a good thing, but I feel the taste of shrimp kills any hint of crab flavor. Not even the drinks were good. Red creme soda was almost pure syrup, Coke was flat. Even the service was terrible. I only saw a waiter about every 10-15 minutes across the entire dining room when it was fully seated. It took 15 minutes to get my bill. 15 Minutes to get the seasoning I had to ask for to eat my appetizer. The food took forever to come out and by the time it did, the cheese they melted over the potato had hardened. I also ordered sour creme and chives on my potato and did not get either. THIS IS NEW ORLEANS, WE CAN SO BETTER! DON'T BOTHER!$", "timestamp": "2011-05-21T03:51:46" }, { "business_id": "5uoRXyHxs6nH_ORItDCoaQ", "business_name": "Sake Sushi Hibachi House", "rating": 4, "text": "Best hibachi in the area, especially for the price!! Japanese soup, salad, rice our noodles and two shrimp come with dinner. The fillet is delicious and makes sake sushi my favorite steak house. Everything is consistently delicious! I am more or less addicted to this place!", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T19:24:44" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Tracey's had the best yourself po' boy in the world! Literally! I suggest getting it with mayo and swiss only... for optimum dining enjoyment. I have not tried any thing else, except for the gravey fries. Gravy is amazing, fries need improvement, but the two together are reminiscent of mashed potatos and gravey. If you are in new orleans, this is a must try!", "timestamp": "2011-07-08T00:42:59" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "La Divina is la delicious! The gelato is creamy and ddecadent. The bananas foster has a delightful ribbon of caramel heaven. The mango is almost as bold and sensuous as the ones I've had from local farmers markets in Costa Rica. I cannot wait to come back and try more flavors. I wish they offered a sampler of every one.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:00:10" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "Everything here is fresh. The burger was still seasoned with a great flavor. They cook them to order and they actually deliver the temperature you request! Great cheese, a house made roll, and super fresh veggies are served with their amazing hand-cut, real potato fries. There are two squeeze bottles presented with the meal. The first is a hearty ketchup that elevates the burger perfectly. The second is an aioli sauce that goes great with the fries. One of the best burgers I've had.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:01:21" }, { "business_id": "Www0sdTTumnFyuBx2ImvMg", "business_name": "Mi Pequeña Honduras", "rating": 5, "text": "If you are looking for excellent quality, authentic central american food (NOT MEXICAN FOOD) go here! Every thing is fresh and fully of life. The Zacatuste is great for dinner, where as the enchilada/tostada is a fantastic lunch. The taquitos are the best I've ever had and retain a delightfully crispy texture even with the sauce its topped with. I eat here weekly if possible. The place is very clean and has a great atmosphere, from the beautiful flowers in the bed out front to the interior tile work. It is only one block off of Williams and pretty easy to find. Additional parking is available in back, but the alley is a bit tight. NOTE: If you are looking for TexMex, tacos, chips and salsa, queso, or fajitas this is not what you are looking for. However, you will rethink Hispanic food if you eat here! Me encanta Mi Pueblito!", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:14:08" }, { "business_id": "stqWlKEgXweNQSsxOsHjVA", "business_name": "Mahony's Po-Boys & Seafood - Uptown", "rating": 1, "text": "I had been told that there was a roast beef po boy at Mahony's rivaled the one I adore at Tracey's, which says a lot. I realized tonight, I have been lied to. The evening began with great promise. We had ordered gravy \"dirty\" fries and a roast beef poboy. The fries arrived ahead of the sandwiches by about 5 minutes. They were beautifully fried and hand-cut, covered in beef debris and gravy. The tasted good too! We devoured them and anxiously awaited our sandwiches. Then they arrived... Surprisingly, the meat and gravy on the sandwich tasted so differently from t hat on the first and not in a good way! The roast had a very strange taste that I cannot place. The more I ate, the stronger it got. I actually stopped eating about halfway through and decided that it was all around unappealing. Mahony's appears to have fallen victim to the phenomena becoming frighteningly common in the N.O. The under-stuffed poboy. At $12.00 for the 12 inch, I expected overflowing amounts of succulent, gravy drenched deliciousness. A single thin layer of beef accompanied by gravy and some chunks of fat was all that there was. Don't bother with Mahony's if you want a New Orleans style roast beef, keep going towards the cbd and go to Tracey Irish Pub!", "timestamp": "2011-09-16T22:29:34" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Coop's is the best find in the French Quarter! Their fried crab claws are the best in the City and pair great with the real (fresh) french fries. I am a particular fan if the crawfish and andouille pasta. It comes with the most generous serving of crawfish I've ever sean from a restaurant. I've also had the fried shrimp which are fresh and perfectly cooked. The batter is delicious. The atmosphere is.... a bar that many several years ago was a horse barn. There used to be a sweet little grey kitty that had free roam of the place but someone complained...", "timestamp": "2011-09-25T19:36:58" }, { "business_id": "4WdDY97x4GdMYtyk1KQMnw", "business_name": "Lilly's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly's has the best Vietnamese food I've had. It is excellent. The vegetables are fresh and crisp; the beef, tender and delicious. The crab rangoons are excellent! They use real crab, which is a rarity, I find. The rangoons come with or without bacon. They use a different sauce than the sweet and sour or duck sauce you see at most places but it is delicious. Lilly's is a must try.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T01:53:04" }, { "business_id": "Ye5nmTmZ7cL7BQshqZeIWQ", "business_name": "McClure's", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite thing to eat at Mcclures is pulled pork with Cole slaw. I eat both I'm the same bite. The textual combination is most satisfying. The slaw is vinegar based, not a heavy mayo slaw. The pork is tender and smoky and delicious. They pair amazingly. All the sides are good and a bit different team the norm, a refreshing experience in the bbq world. The mac and cheese is very good, beans are different but awesome. They also offer bite sized desserts, baked in-house and at very reasonable prices and portions. My husband and I often split all meats and all sides. It's a great deal and you get to try everything. It's a must for first time visitors. We like to save the chicken and make smoked chicken paninis for lunch the next day.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T02:16:25" }, { "business_id": "bp5Mk2d0qofUeF5uLauIbg", "business_name": "Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop", "rating": 2, "text": "It is amazing how my opinion of this place has changed with time. When I first ate at chef ron's, I had the etouffe and some gumbo and i really enjoyed it. I would call it a 4 star visit. This was about a year ago. I returned shortly after this first visit and I tried the spaghetti and meatballs. These were... different. They have pine nuts in the meatballs which adds a definitive crunch to the generally crunchless dish. I found it odd, but not exactly bad. Definitely out of place. Three star visit. I just went to chef rons again. This would be my third and final visit. I ordered crab claws which have always been over cooked and understand here. The Abita butter helps, usually. The other night, it had a terrible bitter after taste, and over cooked and under seasoned crab claws as per the usual. I proceed to the entree. I ordered fried chicken, a side of macaroni and cheese, and a side of jambalaya. The chicken was rubbery and had a strange texture. It could have been seasoned better and the breeding was flowery. The jambalaya is a very heavy tomato sauce based variant. The sausage and chicken in the jambalaya was delicious. But, it is not what I call jambalaya and I did not care for it otherwise. I did enjoy the macaroni a good bit, perhaps, only realative to the rest of the meal. I tried my husband's gumbo and red beans was also disappointed. So, I reside at two unfortunate stars.", "timestamp": "2013-11-26T03:16:26" }, { "business_id": "BuQGsltd3B4L_HRCP2jpTQ", "business_name": "Joey K's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I ordered claws; the peon was a little small. They were good, but fried in bread crumbs, which is not my preference. I also ordered crab and corn bisque. Again, good not great. The French fries were frozen.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T02:54:29" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 5, "text": "There is a reason that this little Italian bakery is the best restaurant in New Orleans. Everything is amazing. Tira mi su, gelato, hot chocolate, cheesecakes, & pastries... You cannot go wrong. The spumoni is a must try. Don't be afraid of it! There is almost always a line. You may have to park around the corner or down the street. It's worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T03:01:33" }, { "business_id": "Z4qfMpj8jymG3_XjTBKN0A", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - Uptown", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best taquiera in the area. I love the steak chimichanga, a deep fried burrito covered in queso.. The queso they cover it in is awesome. The steak is never fatty and has an excellent grilled flavor. I also get the steak plato. I think it is a better deal than getting tacos because you get a lot of rice and beans and all the fixing plus some tortillas for about the price of two tacos. You can add a drink chips and queso to your order for a couple of bucks. The churros are delicious too. Terrill them you want one when you first order.", "timestamp": "2013-12-16T00:58:26" }, { "business_id": "C5xuoT2SwR8tXRH5O8HLXw", "business_name": "Fiesta Latina", "rating": 4, "text": "Fiesta Latina is my go - to spot for pupusas, especially since La Profecia closed. The chips and salsa are very good as well. They serve Fresca Toronja to which is awesome. I have not tried anything else.", "timestamp": "2013-12-17T01:10:33" }, { "business_id": "nvUoCZ-m21m2yRZq5ugQhw", "business_name": "Lucky Rooster", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is fantastic. I tried the dumplings, kfc, Thai ribs, and rice. I watch a lot of travel food shows and I have always wanted to try Asain-style dumplings. I finally did here and they were so light and delicate and delicious! I could eat 100, unfortunately, the appetizer only comes with 3... The rice was good, but not great. Everything else was amazing. I can't wait to go back. I will say that the portions are a bit small over all.", "timestamp": "2013-12-29T00:55:19" }, { "business_id": "e7hf4M8Z1ltmnABM_ByVuQ", "business_name": "Crazy Johnnie's", "rating": 5, "text": "Best prime rib in the city! Complete with au jus and horseradish, Johnny potatoes, and a spiced Apple slice, it is delicious! We always start with dippin' bread. I can't really explain the dip; you just have to try it. They are famous for their filet and filet po-boy (great for lunch) as well as barbeque shrimp. The restaurant itself is dimly lit and old school. It has a big bar and the bar ambiance is felt all around.", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T03:02:35" }, { "business_id": "oCtDz1M-m-iYH1cG2o4mtA", "business_name": "Foodie Call", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of the best food trucks in the city. The Poutine is my favorite. Whenever they have lemon squares, I buy half a dozen. The burger is delicious and the onions are nicely caramelized. Definitely give them a try! Check Facebook for location post. I generally find them at the rusty nail, 45 tchoup, or one of the round ups. They take credit cards.", "timestamp": "2014-04-11T00:57:22" }, { "business_id": "ndVzILWR-DJXpfOlHm556A", "business_name": "Liberty Cheesesteaks", "rating": 5, "text": "The last time I reviewed liberty cheese steaks my two big complaints were lack of peppers as a toppings and the expensive drinks. They now have two options for peppers, sweet banana and hot cherries, and they offer a fries and drink combo for an extra $3.00. The cheese steaks are delicious with tender, flavorful meat and melty cheese. I now consider this place a great value and it is a regular on my dining-out rotation. Average price for a \"shorty\" sandwich, fries, and drink is about $10.", "timestamp": "2014-07-27T19:03:39" }, { "business_id": "xCdqyXUbY0Tzfmbx9tx0YQ", "business_name": "Panera Bread", "rating": 4, "text": "Panetta is ideal for lunch, and sometimes a light dinner. The food is pre fabricated in one way or another but is good and consistent. The baked goods are delicious and the coffee drinks equally delectable. I live the black bean soup and the mac and cheese is one of the best I've had. If you order a meal and a drink, you can add any pastry for 99¢.... I'm a sucker for a sweet.", "timestamp": "2014-08-10T19:15:17" }, { "business_id": "q6hWVlVeiCgMgM22wt1wfw", "business_name": "The Company Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "If you like dry over-cooked burgers, then DO NOT come here. At company burger you will find a delicious medium-well burger served in the classic American way, with no lettuce and no tomato. A delicious burger made with premium beef, and topped with melty cheese, house made pickles and grilled onions can be made more delicious with the addition of bacon or a sunny side up egg, if you like. Like mayo? There's a whole bar! Excellent butter milk soaked onion rings, house cut fries fries, and crispy tater tots are served at a reasonable price. They serve alcohol and always have drink specials. They now have fountain drinks. The Company Burger: The best burger in New Orleans!", "timestamp": "2014-09-21T01:12:44" }, { "business_id": "wVrJOXjRrPKIfZbNnrl3ow", "business_name": "Pizza Delicious", "rating": 5, "text": "Their pizza is delicious. Traditional topped, pepperoni cheese and margherita, are always available. They also have varying daily pizza specials and pasta specials ve never tried their specials though; I'm a pepperoni purist. The garlic knots are delicious if you want more than just pizza.", "timestamp": "2014-11-10T01:37:15" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Finding a good roast beef po-boy has been been like chasing a moving target lately. Parkway is my current favorite and it is tied with St. Rose Tavern rock is a bit of a drive for a sandwich. I like the po-boy better than the atmosphere at Parkway. The po-boy is debris style with a great gravy. The bread is classic new Orleans french. The atmosphere is super casual picnic table group seating. There's a few tables at the bar where you can get service. Otherwise there is an order line and they call your name when it's ready.", "timestamp": "2014-11-24T18:09:08" }, { "business_id": "OEOpxiewgI7Sr2de0LVuMg", "business_name": "Crêpes à la Cart", "rating": 4, "text": "As with all things nutella, banana nutella crepes are delicious! I must be honest, i have not tried any other crepe. I want to, but... then, i think about banana surrounded by nutella and enveloped in spongy crepe. Yum! The place is located on Tulane's campus more or less. It has a very college vibe. There are a few chairs outside but otherwise no seating.", "timestamp": "2014-12-16T02:34:20" }, { "business_id": "G1fQJ8k5U1gdX0vWODCZYA", "business_name": "Cafe Nino", "rating": 5, "text": "I love red gravy. At Cafe Nino, you can practically drink it straight it is so good. I tell Nino he should serve it in a bread bowl and sell it as \"Italian Tomato Soup.\" A chiffon of basil and a sprinkle of cheese... guaranteed hit. Since this has yet to make it on the menu, I get my red gravy with a side of bread sticks. They are also delicious. Cafe Nino is one of the few true New York style pizza places in the area and definitely one of the best. Only the classic options are available. No fancy combos, just the good stuff. If you are not in the mood for pizza, try something from the cafeteria-style hot food line. The lasagna is composed of mini meatballs! Yum! These items vary day to day and are usually ready to go in just a minute, if you are in a hurry. The atmosphere is not fancy. Don't expect much. The people are friendly. One of my favorite places. Warning: CASH ONLY!", "timestamp": "2015-01-10T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "_X4t5U6oI6yXE9WBAtdu8w", "business_name": "NOLA Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "NOLA Smokehouse is by far the best barbaque in New Orleans. Nothing more really needs to be said, but I'm going to say more anyway: It's the only place I've seen burnt ends available. The pulled pork is fantastic. Its the reason I only want bbq here now. It couples great with the Steen's cane syrup cole slaw. The spoonbread is the best thing I've ever had, ever. It is addictive. I can consume mass quantities of the stuff if left unsupervised. My husband knows that he cannot eat here without me if he does not bring home spoon bread. Every once in a blue moon they do a reservation-only steak night. Delicious. Delicious, as in best rib-eye I've ever eaten delicious. Gumbo? Oh yes. On occasion it is available and it is a warm bowl of bbq chickenand sausage comfort. And on top of all that, the people are awesome. They are super-friendly and super-nice. You will never get rude service here. Family owned and operated and it shows. The minimalist decor reinforces that fact that the quality of the food is the number one priority. They conscientiously source their meats and veggies from what I understand. Studies have shown that happy animals have tastier meat. Maybe that's their secret. 20 oz coke products are available. No fountain drinks. I think they have barqs in a glass bottle too. The menu changes daily. Call or check facebook if you are heart-set in one thing in particular. They almost always sell out and generally don't make it far past lunch time. So, if you want to experience the wonderful things that this man can do with a smoker and some excellent quality meats, get there early.", "timestamp": "2015-01-16T16:32:22" }, { "business_id": "mAPhGy1jm7va499TPFlHzQ", "business_name": "Parran's PO-Boys", "rating": 4, "text": "Parran's is great for lunch. They offer a variety of New Orleans favorites. My husband loves the red beans and sausage, made in house. I am a fan of meatballs and spaghetti and their's is very good. They have daily specials as well.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:10:31" }, { "business_id": "7H1b6TZ-LNxyGx1cv9suJQ", "business_name": "Sonic Drive-In", "rating": 4, "text": "Four stars for the shakes! They are fresh-made, not that artificial syrup crap McDonald's and Rally's have. If you go at happy hour they are half off. I believe happy hour is from 2-4, maybe after 8 pm as well? I also like the hot dogs here. The chicken strips are burgers are good, not great. The tater tots are delicious! Fries, not so much. This particular location has a drive thru window as well as the drive in. Sometimes the drive thru is faster.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:18:12" }, { "business_id": "MbNcVhRqpNPcvgFzWgaxSQ", "business_name": "MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes", "rating": 5, "text": "MOOYAH is delicious! The burgers are delicious. The fries are delicious. The shakes are delicious. The options for burger toppings are impressive and most are included in the price. The cheese selection is great. Between cheese options and topping options, you can create countless different burgers. The fries are fresh cut double fried perfection. Shakes are fresh and thick with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Definitely one of the best burgers in the area.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T17:49:54" }, { "business_id": "Ro1I-E9gwe3t67_jz2cMkA", "business_name": "Mo's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Moe's Pizza is not New York Style. It is not brick oven style. Definitely not Chicago Style. So, I cannot describe the style of the pizza by the standard categories. What I can say is that the crust is on the thick side, with a very crispy bottom. If you like bread you will probably love it. It is great for supporting a lot of toppings. I generally get the supreme and it is covered in an assortment of meats, veggies, and mushrooms. It is fantastic. The cheese is excellent. It is overall delicious. The best part about Moe's is that they sell pizza by the slice. \"By the slice\" is a bit of an understatement, however, because the slice is huge and they cut it in two before they serve it. It's enough for two meals for me, but my husband eats both slices. Two slices and two drinks is under $15. They also have a few Italian dinners. I haven't tried them, but they are available. If you get a while pie, be aware, it is huge. It can easily feed a family.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T18:58:51" }, { "business_id": "v-wVkCLas3yapQ--sBSQ4Q", "business_name": "Dolce Vita Pizzeria", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to eat here a lot when Chef Bogdan ran the place. By a lot , I mean over 30 times. My review at that time was 5 stars. Some time last year, Chef Bogdan hung up his chef's hat and bowed out of the business. Since then, nothing has been the same. On my most recent visit, I order a single pizza and garlic bread. The garlic bread took over 20 minutes (use to take 5 min) to arrive and when they did arrive they were COLD! Very disappointing. When I inquired about what was taking so long, I was informed that the chef was making all pizza for the for tables seated in the restauraunt at once, a concept that truely puzzles me. When I witnessed a table that had just ordered get served their pizza immediately, I lost it. We had somewhere to be and chose pizza because it's usually quick and delicious. After 35 minutes of waiting, we paid for the cold breadsticks and we left, hungry and irritated. When we left, the pizza was not in the oven yet. I find this experience especially disappointing because I truely loved Dolce Vita, but each time I've eaten there since Chef left has been a bad experience. Maybe, if you never ate here when Bogdan was in charge, you will like it...", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T02:49:33" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I love hibachi. I have eaten it just about everywhere it is offered in the area. This location of Little Tokyo is the best. The hibachi comes with noodles; hibachi rice is extra. The filet and the shrimp are delicious and the chefs are very good about not over cooking the meats. They let you share, but there is an extra $5 charge which includes an extra soup and salad. Everything is cooked in garlic butter. In my opinion, the liberal use of garlic butter is the deciding factor in the taste of hibachi. They get an A. The veggies are very well seasoned, but they do not include broccoli.", "timestamp": "2015-03-15T01:41:07" }, { "business_id": "eLjXnfYwkr8zz0VhwMhOGw", "business_name": "Pizza Domenica", "rating": 5, "text": "Pizza Domenica is one of the best Napoli style pizza place in town. It is a branch out from Domenica Restauraunt on Baronne in the CBD, which also serves delicious pizza. Both are run by Alon Shaya, protégé of John Besh. You have to try the garlic knots. More specifically, you must try the amazing, aerated, fluffy cheese dip that comes with the knots. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. The delicate texture and tart taste intrigues my palate with a sharp tanginess that I found exhilarating. The spicy salami on the 'pepperoni' pizza is like no other. It is so good! I dream about it, frequently. The crust has a great rustic flavor and is thin and crispy. I love the little bits of burned pieces! The prosciutto is also devine and is equally craveable. I'm pretty sure all meats are house cured or Italian imports. Honestly, the experience and over all quality at the Domenica on Baronne is SLIGHTLY better (bread comes with your meal, your check comes with amazing chocolate cookies, pizza menu varies slightly.) I'm not surprised by this, as Domenica is a higher caliber of restauraunt. But, when getting a table at the Domenica isn't an option, I'm greatful they have a pizza only restauraunt.", "timestamp": "2015-03-16T01:48:15" }, { "business_id": "f-WhNOSwN1aB4nRFekf01g", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 4, "text": "Id you haven't been to the Smoothie King center since it was know as the New Orleans Arena, you are in for a nice surprise. The arena has had a face lift and, while the seats are the same, everything else has been refreshed. Most importantly, the food options are far more varied and appeal to many tastes. The quality of the food is very good and significantly improved from a few years back. The drink options are much improved as well and include full service bars, spiked lemonade, bottled and draft beer and of course, smoothies. There is even a spot for sweets. You can get funnel cake, cotton candy, and all kinds of delicious things I was too full to take in. The venue finally feels a bit swanky and top notch. We are moving on up!", "timestamp": "2015-03-19T00:30:09" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 5, "text": "The Freret Market is my favorite local market and a great place to eat lunch. It is usually on the first Saturday of the month from fall through spring. If you are using credit cards you will need to visit the booth in the middle where you can get cash. They charge a small fee. You don't need a pin. My favorite things here are the cup cashless at Creole Cupcakes, Yakamien from Mrs. Linda, and fries from the Fry Bar. La Cocinita Food Truck is frequently there as well. They are delicious! The market had great local music. Sometimes the Mardi Gras Indians make am appearance. Additionally, local crafts and art with a distinctly new orleans touch can be found.", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:43:53" }, { "business_id": "oYF96W1boB-0E3g3i8U_zw", "business_name": "Wink's World Famous Buttermilk Drop Bakery & Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "This review is primarily applicable to the buttermilk drops and customer service. Everything else looked amazingly delicious, but, regrettably, I only tried the drops. Unlike anywhere I've had them before, Wink offers buttermilk drops covered in chocolate ganache with nuts, like a turtle, and these are awesome, because buttermilk drops arent delcicous enough. Right? The ones that are rolled in cinnamon sugar are good not great. Classic glazed is classically decadent. The glazed were unbelievably good. They were the best I've ever eaten and so fresh and moist. I could probably eat a dozen. The customer service was great. The ladies were friendly and happy. I can feel another visit in my imminent future.", "timestamp": "2015-04-09T02:05:35" }, { "business_id": "R46XVcmUzy8qeerHyZQtEg", "business_name": "The Big Cheezy", "rating": 4, "text": "The menu is overwhelming, so be prepared. The prices are reasonable if you order one of their specialty grilled cheezes but if you go the custom build route, the costs add up quickly. This will be one of the best grilled cheeses of your life. So be prepared for crispy bread, melty delicious cheeses, and other yummy delights. They offer an original grilled cheese and soup combo for about $8. The tomato basil soup is very good and I very much so enjoyed the gumbo. (Those two are the only soup options by the way. ) They also have dessert beignets. They are incredible! I dont care how full I am, I will always have room for dessert. Do not park on the right ride of the building. As the signs say, they tow, and they tow very quickly from what I understand. I am disappointed to say that this is not the same Big Cheezey that made an appearance a few years ago at some of the street food events. The owners of this place bought the name, but its not the same people.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:16:33" }, { "business_id": "OxXMZfaRZc7SJnjMBkO1ww", "business_name": "Taceaux Loceaux", "rating": 5, "text": "Taceaux loceaux is one if the best food trucks in the country. Their taceauxs are amazing. I eat here about once a week. My favorites are the chubster, kermits bbq, and delta prawn, but be warned, the selection varies and items do sell out. Though not often available, the quesadillas are filled with real, melty, stretchy cheese and usually brisket. The brisket can be greasy some nights, which is always a disappointment for me. When it isnt, greasy they are absolutely scrumptious. Pretty much anything you try should be good (except maybe the tofu or all hat no catlle, unless, of course, you like that vegetarian sort of thing). Most people go crazy for the avacado fries, but avacados aren't my thing. This is not your stereotypical taco truck. Almost everything is some type of fusion and it all works very well. The chef understands how to deliver flavors on a five star level at one dollar sign price, a very rare find.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:36:45" }, { "business_id": "3db1R99-mdSvx3QwryJSNQ", "business_name": "The Camellia Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Camellia Grill is the only local diner I frequent. It has a great classic feel with only bar style seating and service available. It could be the chocolate freezes, but it's probably a combination of that and the friendly service, clean kitchen, and great breakfast that makes this my goto breakfast-served-all-day spot (but mostly it's the choclate freezes. ) I really like the waffle, even though it is thin and far from my preferential Belgian style. The syrup tastes real, but I'm not sure if it is actual maple or a good copy. The omlets are awesome. They mix everything up and cook the mix into supper fluffy decadent eggs. Camelia Grill is a great stop for breakfast! Not in the mood for breakfast? They also have great okra gumbo, classic grilled cheese, good burgers, and some other options I haven tried like fried chicken strips and hot dogs.", "timestamp": "2015-05-04T01:16:05" } ]	{ "business_id": "A8ivmB48-sMd4eBwIErs7A", "business_name": "The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk", "rating": 4, "text": "The Outlets ay Riverwalk are far better than any other mall that has occupied this space. There are options to appeal to everyone. My favorites are the Lucky Jeans oulet and the Ann Taylor LOFT outlet. Others include gap, Nemien Marcus Last Call, Tommy Bahama, New Balance, Coach, Forever 21, Guess, and Kenneth Cole. The food court is awesome. It puts most malls to shame. They offer Canes Fried Chicken Fingers, Izzo's Illegal Burrito, Mooyah Burger's and Fries, Monas Mediterranean, Mandarin Express, (cheese)Steaks and Fries, Villa Italian, Aunt Annies Pretzels, Mike Andersins Seafood, a sald place and of course a Daiquiri shop and a few other places. Outside of the food court you can find a Cafe du Monde, Red Mango FroYo, Pralines, Popcorn Bistro, and Great American cookie Company. The views of the river from the food court are some of the best in the city. You can get $7 of parking with $20 purchase. Visit the security booth near the exits to the parking lots.", "timestamp": "2015-07-12T20:54:12" }
mEOMAeEonZoUx2nPM3v6fg	[ { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Do not believe the hype! I have no idea how this restaurant gets the reviews it gets. My husband and I were severely disappointed after having such high expectations from the feedback and fanfare. Nothing about our meal was good. The crab claws were bland; the batter had no seasoning and I had to request some from the kitchen to sprinkle on top just to eat them. Burger was dry hard,, over cooked and favorless even with cheese, bacon, and mushrooms. I could not believe how bad it was with all the good feedback. One thing I can say is that the mushrooms did have flavor, really bad burnt grill debris flavor. They left an unsettling taste that upset my stomach. Customer Beware, the corn and crab soup is really corn shrimp and crab soup with hardly any crab. There is no mention of the shrimp any where on the menu. Some may think this is a good thing, but I feel the taste of shrimp kills any hint of crab flavor. Not even the drinks were good. Red creme soda was almost pure syrup, Coke was flat. Even the service was terrible. I only saw a waiter about every 10-15 minutes across the entire dining room when it was fully seated. It took 15 minutes to get my bill. 15 Minutes to get the seasoning I had to ask for to eat my appetizer. The food took forever to come out and by the time it did, the cheese they melted over the potato had hardened. I also ordered sour creme and chives on my potato and did not get either. THIS IS NEW ORLEANS, WE CAN SO BETTER! DON'T BOTHER!$", "timestamp": "2011-05-21T03:51:46" }, { "business_id": "5uoRXyHxs6nH_ORItDCoaQ", "business_name": "Sake Sushi Hibachi House", "rating": 4, "text": "Best hibachi in the area, especially for the price!! Japanese soup, salad, rice our noodles and two shrimp come with dinner. The fillet is delicious and makes sake sushi my favorite steak house. Everything is consistently delicious! I am more or less addicted to this place!", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T19:24:44" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Tracey's had the best yourself po' boy in the world! Literally! I suggest getting it with mayo and swiss only... for optimum dining enjoyment. I have not tried any thing else, except for the gravey fries. Gravy is amazing, fries need improvement, but the two together are reminiscent of mashed potatos and gravey. If you are in new orleans, this is a must try!", "timestamp": "2011-07-08T00:42:59" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "La Divina is la delicious! The gelato is creamy and ddecadent. The bananas foster has a delightful ribbon of caramel heaven. The mango is almost as bold and sensuous as the ones I've had from local farmers markets in Costa Rica. I cannot wait to come back and try more flavors. I wish they offered a sampler of every one.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:00:10" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "Everything here is fresh. The burger was still seasoned with a great flavor. They cook them to order and they actually deliver the temperature you request! Great cheese, a house made roll, and super fresh veggies are served with their amazing hand-cut, real potato fries. There are two squeeze bottles presented with the meal. The first is a hearty ketchup that elevates the burger perfectly. The second is an aioli sauce that goes great with the fries. One of the best burgers I've had.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:01:21" }, { "business_id": "Www0sdTTumnFyuBx2ImvMg", "business_name": "Mi Pequeña Honduras", "rating": 5, "text": "If you are looking for excellent quality, authentic central american food (NOT MEXICAN FOOD) go here! Every thing is fresh and fully of life. The Zacatuste is great for dinner, where as the enchilada/tostada is a fantastic lunch. The taquitos are the best I've ever had and retain a delightfully crispy texture even with the sauce its topped with. I eat here weekly if possible. The place is very clean and has a great atmosphere, from the beautiful flowers in the bed out front to the interior tile work. It is only one block off of Williams and pretty easy to find. Additional parking is available in back, but the alley is a bit tight. NOTE: If you are looking for TexMex, tacos, chips and salsa, queso, or fajitas this is not what you are looking for. However, you will rethink Hispanic food if you eat here! Me encanta Mi Pueblito!", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:14:08" }, { "business_id": "stqWlKEgXweNQSsxOsHjVA", "business_name": "Mahony's Po-Boys & Seafood - Uptown", "rating": 1, "text": "I had been told that there was a roast beef po boy at Mahony's rivaled the one I adore at Tracey's, which says a lot. I realized tonight, I have been lied to. The evening began with great promise. We had ordered gravy \"dirty\" fries and a roast beef poboy. The fries arrived ahead of the sandwiches by about 5 minutes. They were beautifully fried and hand-cut, covered in beef debris and gravy. The tasted good too! We devoured them and anxiously awaited our sandwiches. Then they arrived... Surprisingly, the meat and gravy on the sandwich tasted so differently from t hat on the first and not in a good way! The roast had a very strange taste that I cannot place. The more I ate, the stronger it got. I actually stopped eating about halfway through and decided that it was all around unappealing. Mahony's appears to have fallen victim to the phenomena becoming frighteningly common in the N.O. The under-stuffed poboy. At $12.00 for the 12 inch, I expected overflowing amounts of succulent, gravy drenched deliciousness. A single thin layer of beef accompanied by gravy and some chunks of fat was all that there was. Don't bother with Mahony's if you want a New Orleans style roast beef, keep going towards the cbd and go to Tracey Irish Pub!", "timestamp": "2011-09-16T22:29:34" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Coop's is the best find in the French Quarter! Their fried crab claws are the best in the City and pair great with the real (fresh) french fries. I am a particular fan if the crawfish and andouille pasta. It comes with the most generous serving of crawfish I've ever sean from a restaurant. I've also had the fried shrimp which are fresh and perfectly cooked. The batter is delicious. The atmosphere is.... a bar that many several years ago was a horse barn. There used to be a sweet little grey kitty that had free roam of the place but someone complained...", "timestamp": "2011-09-25T19:36:58" }, { "business_id": "4WdDY97x4GdMYtyk1KQMnw", "business_name": "Lilly's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly's has the best Vietnamese food I've had. It is excellent. The vegetables are fresh and crisp; the beef, tender and delicious. The crab rangoons are excellent! They use real crab, which is a rarity, I find. The rangoons come with or without bacon. They use a different sauce than the sweet and sour or duck sauce you see at most places but it is delicious. Lilly's is a must try.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T01:53:04" }, { "business_id": "Ye5nmTmZ7cL7BQshqZeIWQ", "business_name": "McClure's", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite thing to eat at Mcclures is pulled pork with Cole slaw. I eat both I'm the same bite. The textual combination is most satisfying. The slaw is vinegar based, not a heavy mayo slaw. The pork is tender and smoky and delicious. They pair amazingly. All the sides are good and a bit different team the norm, a refreshing experience in the bbq world. The mac and cheese is very good, beans are different but awesome. They also offer bite sized desserts, baked in-house and at very reasonable prices and portions. My husband and I often split all meats and all sides. It's a great deal and you get to try everything. It's a must for first time visitors. We like to save the chicken and make smoked chicken paninis for lunch the next day.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T02:16:25" }, { "business_id": "bp5Mk2d0qofUeF5uLauIbg", "business_name": "Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop", "rating": 2, "text": "It is amazing how my opinion of this place has changed with time. When I first ate at chef ron's, I had the etouffe and some gumbo and i really enjoyed it. I would call it a 4 star visit. This was about a year ago. I returned shortly after this first visit and I tried the spaghetti and meatballs. These were... different. They have pine nuts in the meatballs which adds a definitive crunch to the generally crunchless dish. I found it odd, but not exactly bad. Definitely out of place. Three star visit. I just went to chef rons again. This would be my third and final visit. I ordered crab claws which have always been over cooked and understand here. The Abita butter helps, usually. The other night, it had a terrible bitter after taste, and over cooked and under seasoned crab claws as per the usual. I proceed to the entree. I ordered fried chicken, a side of macaroni and cheese, and a side of jambalaya. The chicken was rubbery and had a strange texture. It could have been seasoned better and the breeding was flowery. The jambalaya is a very heavy tomato sauce based variant. The sausage and chicken in the jambalaya was delicious. But, it is not what I call jambalaya and I did not care for it otherwise. I did enjoy the macaroni a good bit, perhaps, only realative to the rest of the meal. I tried my husband's gumbo and red beans was also disappointed. So, I reside at two unfortunate stars.", "timestamp": "2013-11-26T03:16:26" }, { "business_id": "BuQGsltd3B4L_HRCP2jpTQ", "business_name": "Joey K's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I ordered claws; the peon was a little small. They were good, but fried in bread crumbs, which is not my preference. I also ordered crab and corn bisque. Again, good not great. The French fries were frozen.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T02:54:29" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 5, "text": "There is a reason that this little Italian bakery is the best restaurant in New Orleans. Everything is amazing. Tira mi su, gelato, hot chocolate, cheesecakes, & pastries... You cannot go wrong. The spumoni is a must try. Don't be afraid of it! There is almost always a line. You may have to park around the corner or down the street. It's worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T03:01:33" }, { "business_id": "Z4qfMpj8jymG3_XjTBKN0A", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - Uptown", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best taquiera in the area. I love the steak chimichanga, a deep fried burrito covered in queso.. The queso they cover it in is awesome. The steak is never fatty and has an excellent grilled flavor. I also get the steak plato. I think it is a better deal than getting tacos because you get a lot of rice and beans and all the fixing plus some tortillas for about the price of two tacos. You can add a drink chips and queso to your order for a couple of bucks. The churros are delicious too. Terrill them you want one when you first order.", "timestamp": "2013-12-16T00:58:26" }, { "business_id": "C5xuoT2SwR8tXRH5O8HLXw", "business_name": "Fiesta Latina", "rating": 4, "text": "Fiesta Latina is my go - to spot for pupusas, especially since La Profecia closed. The chips and salsa are very good as well. They serve Fresca Toronja to which is awesome. I have not tried anything else.", "timestamp": "2013-12-17T01:10:33" }, { "business_id": "nvUoCZ-m21m2yRZq5ugQhw", "business_name": "Lucky Rooster", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is fantastic. I tried the dumplings, kfc, Thai ribs, and rice. I watch a lot of travel food shows and I have always wanted to try Asain-style dumplings. I finally did here and they were so light and delicate and delicious! I could eat 100, unfortunately, the appetizer only comes with 3... The rice was good, but not great. Everything else was amazing. I can't wait to go back. I will say that the portions are a bit small over all.", "timestamp": "2013-12-29T00:55:19" }, { "business_id": "e7hf4M8Z1ltmnABM_ByVuQ", "business_name": "Crazy Johnnie's", "rating": 5, "text": "Best prime rib in the city! Complete with au jus and horseradish, Johnny potatoes, and a spiced Apple slice, it is delicious! We always start with dippin' bread. I can't really explain the dip; you just have to try it. They are famous for their filet and filet po-boy (great for lunch) as well as barbeque shrimp. The restaurant itself is dimly lit and old school. It has a big bar and the bar ambiance is felt all around.", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T03:02:35" }, { "business_id": "oCtDz1M-m-iYH1cG2o4mtA", "business_name": "Foodie Call", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of the best food trucks in the city. The Poutine is my favorite. Whenever they have lemon squares, I buy half a dozen. The burger is delicious and the onions are nicely caramelized. Definitely give them a try! Check Facebook for location post. I generally find them at the rusty nail, 45 tchoup, or one of the round ups. They take credit cards.", "timestamp": "2014-04-11T00:57:22" }, { "business_id": "ndVzILWR-DJXpfOlHm556A", "business_name": "Liberty Cheesesteaks", "rating": 5, "text": "The last time I reviewed liberty cheese steaks my two big complaints were lack of peppers as a toppings and the expensive drinks. They now have two options for peppers, sweet banana and hot cherries, and they offer a fries and drink combo for an extra $3.00. The cheese steaks are delicious with tender, flavorful meat and melty cheese. I now consider this place a great value and it is a regular on my dining-out rotation. Average price for a \"shorty\" sandwich, fries, and drink is about $10.", "timestamp": "2014-07-27T19:03:39" }, { "business_id": "xCdqyXUbY0Tzfmbx9tx0YQ", "business_name": "Panera Bread", "rating": 4, "text": "Panetta is ideal for lunch, and sometimes a light dinner. The food is pre fabricated in one way or another but is good and consistent. The baked goods are delicious and the coffee drinks equally delectable. I live the black bean soup and the mac and cheese is one of the best I've had. If you order a meal and a drink, you can add any pastry for 99¢.... I'm a sucker for a sweet.", "timestamp": "2014-08-10T19:15:17" }, { "business_id": "q6hWVlVeiCgMgM22wt1wfw", "business_name": "The Company Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "If you like dry over-cooked burgers, then DO NOT come here. At company burger you will find a delicious medium-well burger served in the classic American way, with no lettuce and no tomato. A delicious burger made with premium beef, and topped with melty cheese, house made pickles and grilled onions can be made more delicious with the addition of bacon or a sunny side up egg, if you like. Like mayo? There's a whole bar! Excellent butter milk soaked onion rings, house cut fries fries, and crispy tater tots are served at a reasonable price. They serve alcohol and always have drink specials. They now have fountain drinks. The Company Burger: The best burger in New Orleans!", "timestamp": "2014-09-21T01:12:44" }, { "business_id": "wVrJOXjRrPKIfZbNnrl3ow", "business_name": "Pizza Delicious", "rating": 5, "text": "Their pizza is delicious. Traditional topped, pepperoni cheese and margherita, are always available. They also have varying daily pizza specials and pasta specials ve never tried their specials though; I'm a pepperoni purist. The garlic knots are delicious if you want more than just pizza.", "timestamp": "2014-11-10T01:37:15" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Finding a good roast beef po-boy has been been like chasing a moving target lately. Parkway is my current favorite and it is tied with St. Rose Tavern rock is a bit of a drive for a sandwich. I like the po-boy better than the atmosphere at Parkway. The po-boy is debris style with a great gravy. The bread is classic new Orleans french. The atmosphere is super casual picnic table group seating. There's a few tables at the bar where you can get service. Otherwise there is an order line and they call your name when it's ready.", "timestamp": "2014-11-24T18:09:08" }, { "business_id": "OEOpxiewgI7Sr2de0LVuMg", "business_name": "Crêpes à la Cart", "rating": 4, "text": "As with all things nutella, banana nutella crepes are delicious! I must be honest, i have not tried any other crepe. I want to, but... then, i think about banana surrounded by nutella and enveloped in spongy crepe. Yum! The place is located on Tulane's campus more or less. It has a very college vibe. There are a few chairs outside but otherwise no seating.", "timestamp": "2014-12-16T02:34:20" }, { "business_id": "G1fQJ8k5U1gdX0vWODCZYA", "business_name": "Cafe Nino", "rating": 5, "text": "I love red gravy. At Cafe Nino, you can practically drink it straight it is so good. I tell Nino he should serve it in a bread bowl and sell it as \"Italian Tomato Soup.\" A chiffon of basil and a sprinkle of cheese... guaranteed hit. Since this has yet to make it on the menu, I get my red gravy with a side of bread sticks. They are also delicious. Cafe Nino is one of the few true New York style pizza places in the area and definitely one of the best. Only the classic options are available. No fancy combos, just the good stuff. If you are not in the mood for pizza, try something from the cafeteria-style hot food line. The lasagna is composed of mini meatballs! Yum! These items vary day to day and are usually ready to go in just a minute, if you are in a hurry. The atmosphere is not fancy. Don't expect much. The people are friendly. One of my favorite places. Warning: CASH ONLY!", "timestamp": "2015-01-10T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "_X4t5U6oI6yXE9WBAtdu8w", "business_name": "NOLA Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "NOLA Smokehouse is by far the best barbaque in New Orleans. Nothing more really needs to be said, but I'm going to say more anyway: It's the only place I've seen burnt ends available. The pulled pork is fantastic. Its the reason I only want bbq here now. It couples great with the Steen's cane syrup cole slaw. The spoonbread is the best thing I've ever had, ever. It is addictive. I can consume mass quantities of the stuff if left unsupervised. My husband knows that he cannot eat here without me if he does not bring home spoon bread. Every once in a blue moon they do a reservation-only steak night. Delicious. Delicious, as in best rib-eye I've ever eaten delicious. Gumbo? Oh yes. On occasion it is available and it is a warm bowl of bbq chickenand sausage comfort. And on top of all that, the people are awesome. They are super-friendly and super-nice. You will never get rude service here. Family owned and operated and it shows. The minimalist decor reinforces that fact that the quality of the food is the number one priority. They conscientiously source their meats and veggies from what I understand. Studies have shown that happy animals have tastier meat. Maybe that's their secret. 20 oz coke products are available. No fountain drinks. I think they have barqs in a glass bottle too. The menu changes daily. Call or check facebook if you are heart-set in one thing in particular. They almost always sell out and generally don't make it far past lunch time. So, if you want to experience the wonderful things that this man can do with a smoker and some excellent quality meats, get there early.", "timestamp": "2015-01-16T16:32:22" }, { "business_id": "mAPhGy1jm7va499TPFlHzQ", "business_name": "Parran's PO-Boys", "rating": 4, "text": "Parran's is great for lunch. They offer a variety of New Orleans favorites. My husband loves the red beans and sausage, made in house. I am a fan of meatballs and spaghetti and their's is very good. They have daily specials as well.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:10:31" }, { "business_id": "7H1b6TZ-LNxyGx1cv9suJQ", "business_name": "Sonic Drive-In", "rating": 4, "text": "Four stars for the shakes! They are fresh-made, not that artificial syrup crap McDonald's and Rally's have. If you go at happy hour they are half off. I believe happy hour is from 2-4, maybe after 8 pm as well? I also like the hot dogs here. The chicken strips are burgers are good, not great. The tater tots are delicious! Fries, not so much. This particular location has a drive thru window as well as the drive in. Sometimes the drive thru is faster.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:18:12" }, { "business_id": "MbNcVhRqpNPcvgFzWgaxSQ", "business_name": "MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes", "rating": 5, "text": "MOOYAH is delicious! The burgers are delicious. The fries are delicious. The shakes are delicious. The options for burger toppings are impressive and most are included in the price. The cheese selection is great. Between cheese options and topping options, you can create countless different burgers. The fries are fresh cut double fried perfection. Shakes are fresh and thick with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Definitely one of the best burgers in the area.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T17:49:54" }, { "business_id": "Ro1I-E9gwe3t67_jz2cMkA", "business_name": "Mo's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Moe's Pizza is not New York Style. It is not brick oven style. Definitely not Chicago Style. So, I cannot describe the style of the pizza by the standard categories. What I can say is that the crust is on the thick side, with a very crispy bottom. If you like bread you will probably love it. It is great for supporting a lot of toppings. I generally get the supreme and it is covered in an assortment of meats, veggies, and mushrooms. It is fantastic. The cheese is excellent. It is overall delicious. The best part about Moe's is that they sell pizza by the slice. \"By the slice\" is a bit of an understatement, however, because the slice is huge and they cut it in two before they serve it. It's enough for two meals for me, but my husband eats both slices. Two slices and two drinks is under $15. They also have a few Italian dinners. I haven't tried them, but they are available. If you get a while pie, be aware, it is huge. It can easily feed a family.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T18:58:51" }, { "business_id": "v-wVkCLas3yapQ--sBSQ4Q", "business_name": "Dolce Vita Pizzeria", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to eat here a lot when Chef Bogdan ran the place. By a lot , I mean over 30 times. My review at that time was 5 stars. Some time last year, Chef Bogdan hung up his chef's hat and bowed out of the business. Since then, nothing has been the same. On my most recent visit, I order a single pizza and garlic bread. The garlic bread took over 20 minutes (use to take 5 min) to arrive and when they did arrive they were COLD! Very disappointing. When I inquired about what was taking so long, I was informed that the chef was making all pizza for the for tables seated in the restauraunt at once, a concept that truely puzzles me. When I witnessed a table that had just ordered get served their pizza immediately, I lost it. We had somewhere to be and chose pizza because it's usually quick and delicious. After 35 minutes of waiting, we paid for the cold breadsticks and we left, hungry and irritated. When we left, the pizza was not in the oven yet. I find this experience especially disappointing because I truely loved Dolce Vita, but each time I've eaten there since Chef left has been a bad experience. Maybe, if you never ate here when Bogdan was in charge, you will like it...", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T02:49:33" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I love hibachi. I have eaten it just about everywhere it is offered in the area. This location of Little Tokyo is the best. The hibachi comes with noodles; hibachi rice is extra. The filet and the shrimp are delicious and the chefs are very good about not over cooking the meats. They let you share, but there is an extra $5 charge which includes an extra soup and salad. Everything is cooked in garlic butter. In my opinion, the liberal use of garlic butter is the deciding factor in the taste of hibachi. They get an A. The veggies are very well seasoned, but they do not include broccoli.", "timestamp": "2015-03-15T01:41:07" }, { "business_id": "eLjXnfYwkr8zz0VhwMhOGw", "business_name": "Pizza Domenica", "rating": 5, "text": "Pizza Domenica is one of the best Napoli style pizza place in town. It is a branch out from Domenica Restauraunt on Baronne in the CBD, which also serves delicious pizza. Both are run by Alon Shaya, protégé of John Besh. You have to try the garlic knots. More specifically, you must try the amazing, aerated, fluffy cheese dip that comes with the knots. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. The delicate texture and tart taste intrigues my palate with a sharp tanginess that I found exhilarating. The spicy salami on the 'pepperoni' pizza is like no other. It is so good! I dream about it, frequently. The crust has a great rustic flavor and is thin and crispy. I love the little bits of burned pieces! The prosciutto is also devine and is equally craveable. I'm pretty sure all meats are house cured or Italian imports. Honestly, the experience and over all quality at the Domenica on Baronne is SLIGHTLY better (bread comes with your meal, your check comes with amazing chocolate cookies, pizza menu varies slightly.) I'm not surprised by this, as Domenica is a higher caliber of restauraunt. But, when getting a table at the Domenica isn't an option, I'm greatful they have a pizza only restauraunt.", "timestamp": "2015-03-16T01:48:15" }, { "business_id": "f-WhNOSwN1aB4nRFekf01g", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 4, "text": "Id you haven't been to the Smoothie King center since it was know as the New Orleans Arena, you are in for a nice surprise. The arena has had a face lift and, while the seats are the same, everything else has been refreshed. Most importantly, the food options are far more varied and appeal to many tastes. The quality of the food is very good and significantly improved from a few years back. The drink options are much improved as well and include full service bars, spiked lemonade, bottled and draft beer and of course, smoothies. There is even a spot for sweets. You can get funnel cake, cotton candy, and all kinds of delicious things I was too full to take in. The venue finally feels a bit swanky and top notch. We are moving on up!", "timestamp": "2015-03-19T00:30:09" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 5, "text": "The Freret Market is my favorite local market and a great place to eat lunch. It is usually on the first Saturday of the month from fall through spring. If you are using credit cards you will need to visit the booth in the middle where you can get cash. They charge a small fee. You don't need a pin. My favorite things here are the cup cashless at Creole Cupcakes, Yakamien from Mrs. Linda, and fries from the Fry Bar. La Cocinita Food Truck is frequently there as well. They are delicious! The market had great local music. Sometimes the Mardi Gras Indians make am appearance. Additionally, local crafts and art with a distinctly new orleans touch can be found.", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:43:53" }, { "business_id": "oYF96W1boB-0E3g3i8U_zw", "business_name": "Wink's World Famous Buttermilk Drop Bakery & Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "This review is primarily applicable to the buttermilk drops and customer service. Everything else looked amazingly delicious, but, regrettably, I only tried the drops. Unlike anywhere I've had them before, Wink offers buttermilk drops covered in chocolate ganache with nuts, like a turtle, and these are awesome, because buttermilk drops arent delcicous enough. Right? The ones that are rolled in cinnamon sugar are good not great. Classic glazed is classically decadent. The glazed were unbelievably good. They were the best I've ever eaten and so fresh and moist. I could probably eat a dozen. The customer service was great. The ladies were friendly and happy. I can feel another visit in my imminent future.", "timestamp": "2015-04-09T02:05:35" }, { "business_id": "R46XVcmUzy8qeerHyZQtEg", "business_name": "The Big Cheezy", "rating": 4, "text": "The menu is overwhelming, so be prepared. The prices are reasonable if you order one of their specialty grilled cheezes but if you go the custom build route, the costs add up quickly. This will be one of the best grilled cheeses of your life. So be prepared for crispy bread, melty delicious cheeses, and other yummy delights. They offer an original grilled cheese and soup combo for about $8. The tomato basil soup is very good and I very much so enjoyed the gumbo. (Those two are the only soup options by the way. ) They also have dessert beignets. They are incredible! I dont care how full I am, I will always have room for dessert. Do not park on the right ride of the building. As the signs say, they tow, and they tow very quickly from what I understand. I am disappointed to say that this is not the same Big Cheezey that made an appearance a few years ago at some of the street food events. The owners of this place bought the name, but its not the same people.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:16:33" }, { "business_id": "OxXMZfaRZc7SJnjMBkO1ww", "business_name": "Taceaux Loceaux", "rating": 5, "text": "Taceaux loceaux is one if the best food trucks in the country. Their taceauxs are amazing. I eat here about once a week. My favorites are the chubster, kermits bbq, and delta prawn, but be warned, the selection varies and items do sell out. Though not often available, the quesadillas are filled with real, melty, stretchy cheese and usually brisket. The brisket can be greasy some nights, which is always a disappointment for me. When it isnt, greasy they are absolutely scrumptious. Pretty much anything you try should be good (except maybe the tofu or all hat no catlle, unless, of course, you like that vegetarian sort of thing). Most people go crazy for the avacado fries, but avacados aren't my thing. This is not your stereotypical taco truck. Almost everything is some type of fusion and it all works very well. The chef understands how to deliver flavors on a five star level at one dollar sign price, a very rare find.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:36:45" }, { "business_id": "3db1R99-mdSvx3QwryJSNQ", "business_name": "The Camellia Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Camellia Grill is the only local diner I frequent. It has a great classic feel with only bar style seating and service available. It could be the chocolate freezes, but it's probably a combination of that and the friendly service, clean kitchen, and great breakfast that makes this my goto breakfast-served-all-day spot (but mostly it's the choclate freezes. ) I really like the waffle, even though it is thin and far from my preferential Belgian style. The syrup tastes real, but I'm not sure if it is actual maple or a good copy. The omlets are awesome. They mix everything up and cook the mix into supper fluffy decadent eggs. Camelia Grill is a great stop for breakfast! Not in the mood for breakfast? They also have great okra gumbo, classic grilled cheese, good burgers, and some other options I haven tried like fried chicken strips and hot dogs.", "timestamp": "2015-05-04T01:16:05" }, { "business_id": "A8ivmB48-sMd4eBwIErs7A", "business_name": "The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk", "rating": 4, "text": "The Outlets ay Riverwalk are far better than any other mall that has occupied this space. There are options to appeal to everyone. My favorites are the Lucky Jeans oulet and the Ann Taylor LOFT outlet. Others include gap, Nemien Marcus Last Call, Tommy Bahama, New Balance, Coach, Forever 21, Guess, and Kenneth Cole. The food court is awesome. It puts most malls to shame. They offer Canes Fried Chicken Fingers, Izzo's Illegal Burrito, Mooyah Burger's and Fries, Monas Mediterranean, Mandarin Express, (cheese)Steaks and Fries, Villa Italian, Aunt Annies Pretzels, Mike Andersins Seafood, a sald place and of course a Daiquiri shop and a few other places. Outside of the food court you can find a Cafe du Monde, Red Mango FroYo, Pralines, Popcorn Bistro, and Great American cookie Company. The views of the river from the food court are some of the best in the city. You can get $7 of parking with $20 purchase. Visit the security booth near the exits to the parking lots.", "timestamp": "2015-07-12T20:54:12" } ]	{ "business_id": "J3ZsfPsk47ozaJ2VZZLYGQ", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 2, "text": "Jimmy Johns is terrible. The only reason I can find to justify people's love of the place is that it is cheap and the quality of the meat appears to be be better than Subway. The bread is flavorless. The bacon is terrible and I'm not convinced that it had been cooked in anyway. I could not eat it. The toppings and cheese options are practically nonexistent. However, if you don't care what your food trades like, you may love this place. It's clean, the service is fast and the prices are great.", "timestamp": "2015-07-14T22:53:31" }
mEOMAeEonZoUx2nPM3v6fg	[ { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Do not believe the hype! I have no idea how this restaurant gets the reviews it gets. My husband and I were severely disappointed after having such high expectations from the feedback and fanfare. Nothing about our meal was good. The crab claws were bland; the batter had no seasoning and I had to request some from the kitchen to sprinkle on top just to eat them. Burger was dry hard,, over cooked and favorless even with cheese, bacon, and mushrooms. I could not believe how bad it was with all the good feedback. One thing I can say is that the mushrooms did have flavor, really bad burnt grill debris flavor. They left an unsettling taste that upset my stomach. Customer Beware, the corn and crab soup is really corn shrimp and crab soup with hardly any crab. There is no mention of the shrimp any where on the menu. Some may think this is a good thing, but I feel the taste of shrimp kills any hint of crab flavor. Not even the drinks were good. Red creme soda was almost pure syrup, Coke was flat. Even the service was terrible. I only saw a waiter about every 10-15 minutes across the entire dining room when it was fully seated. It took 15 minutes to get my bill. 15 Minutes to get the seasoning I had to ask for to eat my appetizer. The food took forever to come out and by the time it did, the cheese they melted over the potato had hardened. I also ordered sour creme and chives on my potato and did not get either. THIS IS NEW ORLEANS, WE CAN SO BETTER! DON'T BOTHER!$", "timestamp": "2011-05-21T03:51:46" }, { "business_id": "5uoRXyHxs6nH_ORItDCoaQ", "business_name": "Sake Sushi Hibachi House", "rating": 4, "text": "Best hibachi in the area, especially for the price!! Japanese soup, salad, rice our noodles and two shrimp come with dinner. The fillet is delicious and makes sake sushi my favorite steak house. Everything is consistently delicious! I am more or less addicted to this place!", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T19:24:44" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Tracey's had the best yourself po' boy in the world! Literally! I suggest getting it with mayo and swiss only... for optimum dining enjoyment. I have not tried any thing else, except for the gravey fries. Gravy is amazing, fries need improvement, but the two together are reminiscent of mashed potatos and gravey. If you are in new orleans, this is a must try!", "timestamp": "2011-07-08T00:42:59" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "La Divina is la delicious! The gelato is creamy and ddecadent. The bananas foster has a delightful ribbon of caramel heaven. The mango is almost as bold and sensuous as the ones I've had from local farmers markets in Costa Rica. I cannot wait to come back and try more flavors. I wish they offered a sampler of every one.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:00:10" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "Everything here is fresh. The burger was still seasoned with a great flavor. They cook them to order and they actually deliver the temperature you request! Great cheese, a house made roll, and super fresh veggies are served with their amazing hand-cut, real potato fries. There are two squeeze bottles presented with the meal. The first is a hearty ketchup that elevates the burger perfectly. The second is an aioli sauce that goes great with the fries. One of the best burgers I've had.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:01:21" }, { "business_id": "Www0sdTTumnFyuBx2ImvMg", "business_name": "Mi Pequeña Honduras", "rating": 5, "text": "If you are looking for excellent quality, authentic central american food (NOT MEXICAN FOOD) go here! Every thing is fresh and fully of life. The Zacatuste is great for dinner, where as the enchilada/tostada is a fantastic lunch. The taquitos are the best I've ever had and retain a delightfully crispy texture even with the sauce its topped with. I eat here weekly if possible. The place is very clean and has a great atmosphere, from the beautiful flowers in the bed out front to the interior tile work. It is only one block off of Williams and pretty easy to find. Additional parking is available in back, but the alley is a bit tight. NOTE: If you are looking for TexMex, tacos, chips and salsa, queso, or fajitas this is not what you are looking for. However, you will rethink Hispanic food if you eat here! Me encanta Mi Pueblito!", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:14:08" }, { "business_id": "stqWlKEgXweNQSsxOsHjVA", "business_name": "Mahony's Po-Boys & Seafood - Uptown", "rating": 1, "text": "I had been told that there was a roast beef po boy at Mahony's rivaled the one I adore at Tracey's, which says a lot. I realized tonight, I have been lied to. The evening began with great promise. We had ordered gravy \"dirty\" fries and a roast beef poboy. The fries arrived ahead of the sandwiches by about 5 minutes. They were beautifully fried and hand-cut, covered in beef debris and gravy. The tasted good too! We devoured them and anxiously awaited our sandwiches. Then they arrived... Surprisingly, the meat and gravy on the sandwich tasted so differently from t hat on the first and not in a good way! The roast had a very strange taste that I cannot place. The more I ate, the stronger it got. I actually stopped eating about halfway through and decided that it was all around unappealing. Mahony's appears to have fallen victim to the phenomena becoming frighteningly common in the N.O. The under-stuffed poboy. At $12.00 for the 12 inch, I expected overflowing amounts of succulent, gravy drenched deliciousness. A single thin layer of beef accompanied by gravy and some chunks of fat was all that there was. Don't bother with Mahony's if you want a New Orleans style roast beef, keep going towards the cbd and go to Tracey Irish Pub!", "timestamp": "2011-09-16T22:29:34" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Coop's is the best find in the French Quarter! Their fried crab claws are the best in the City and pair great with the real (fresh) french fries. I am a particular fan if the crawfish and andouille pasta. It comes with the most generous serving of crawfish I've ever sean from a restaurant. I've also had the fried shrimp which are fresh and perfectly cooked. The batter is delicious. The atmosphere is.... a bar that many several years ago was a horse barn. There used to be a sweet little grey kitty that had free roam of the place but someone complained...", "timestamp": "2011-09-25T19:36:58" }, { "business_id": "4WdDY97x4GdMYtyk1KQMnw", "business_name": "Lilly's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly's has the best Vietnamese food I've had. It is excellent. The vegetables are fresh and crisp; the beef, tender and delicious. The crab rangoons are excellent! They use real crab, which is a rarity, I find. The rangoons come with or without bacon. They use a different sauce than the sweet and sour or duck sauce you see at most places but it is delicious. Lilly's is a must try.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T01:53:04" }, { "business_id": "Ye5nmTmZ7cL7BQshqZeIWQ", "business_name": "McClure's", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite thing to eat at Mcclures is pulled pork with Cole slaw. I eat both I'm the same bite. The textual combination is most satisfying. The slaw is vinegar based, not a heavy mayo slaw. The pork is tender and smoky and delicious. They pair amazingly. All the sides are good and a bit different team the norm, a refreshing experience in the bbq world. The mac and cheese is very good, beans are different but awesome. They also offer bite sized desserts, baked in-house and at very reasonable prices and portions. My husband and I often split all meats and all sides. It's a great deal and you get to try everything. It's a must for first time visitors. We like to save the chicken and make smoked chicken paninis for lunch the next day.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T02:16:25" }, { "business_id": "bp5Mk2d0qofUeF5uLauIbg", "business_name": "Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop", "rating": 2, "text": "It is amazing how my opinion of this place has changed with time. When I first ate at chef ron's, I had the etouffe and some gumbo and i really enjoyed it. I would call it a 4 star visit. This was about a year ago. I returned shortly after this first visit and I tried the spaghetti and meatballs. These were... different. They have pine nuts in the meatballs which adds a definitive crunch to the generally crunchless dish. I found it odd, but not exactly bad. Definitely out of place. Three star visit. I just went to chef rons again. This would be my third and final visit. I ordered crab claws which have always been over cooked and understand here. The Abita butter helps, usually. The other night, it had a terrible bitter after taste, and over cooked and under seasoned crab claws as per the usual. I proceed to the entree. I ordered fried chicken, a side of macaroni and cheese, and a side of jambalaya. The chicken was rubbery and had a strange texture. It could have been seasoned better and the breeding was flowery. The jambalaya is a very heavy tomato sauce based variant. The sausage and chicken in the jambalaya was delicious. But, it is not what I call jambalaya and I did not care for it otherwise. I did enjoy the macaroni a good bit, perhaps, only realative to the rest of the meal. I tried my husband's gumbo and red beans was also disappointed. So, I reside at two unfortunate stars.", "timestamp": "2013-11-26T03:16:26" }, { "business_id": "BuQGsltd3B4L_HRCP2jpTQ", "business_name": "Joey K's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I ordered claws; the peon was a little small. They were good, but fried in bread crumbs, which is not my preference. I also ordered crab and corn bisque. Again, good not great. The French fries were frozen.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T02:54:29" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 5, "text": "There is a reason that this little Italian bakery is the best restaurant in New Orleans. Everything is amazing. Tira mi su, gelato, hot chocolate, cheesecakes, & pastries... You cannot go wrong. The spumoni is a must try. Don't be afraid of it! There is almost always a line. You may have to park around the corner or down the street. It's worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T03:01:33" }, { "business_id": "Z4qfMpj8jymG3_XjTBKN0A", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - Uptown", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best taquiera in the area. I love the steak chimichanga, a deep fried burrito covered in queso.. The queso they cover it in is awesome. The steak is never fatty and has an excellent grilled flavor. I also get the steak plato. I think it is a better deal than getting tacos because you get a lot of rice and beans and all the fixing plus some tortillas for about the price of two tacos. You can add a drink chips and queso to your order for a couple of bucks. The churros are delicious too. Terrill them you want one when you first order.", "timestamp": "2013-12-16T00:58:26" }, { "business_id": "C5xuoT2SwR8tXRH5O8HLXw", "business_name": "Fiesta Latina", "rating": 4, "text": "Fiesta Latina is my go - to spot for pupusas, especially since La Profecia closed. The chips and salsa are very good as well. They serve Fresca Toronja to which is awesome. I have not tried anything else.", "timestamp": "2013-12-17T01:10:33" }, { "business_id": "nvUoCZ-m21m2yRZq5ugQhw", "business_name": "Lucky Rooster", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is fantastic. I tried the dumplings, kfc, Thai ribs, and rice. I watch a lot of travel food shows and I have always wanted to try Asain-style dumplings. I finally did here and they were so light and delicate and delicious! I could eat 100, unfortunately, the appetizer only comes with 3... The rice was good, but not great. Everything else was amazing. I can't wait to go back. I will say that the portions are a bit small over all.", "timestamp": "2013-12-29T00:55:19" }, { "business_id": "e7hf4M8Z1ltmnABM_ByVuQ", "business_name": "Crazy Johnnie's", "rating": 5, "text": "Best prime rib in the city! Complete with au jus and horseradish, Johnny potatoes, and a spiced Apple slice, it is delicious! We always start with dippin' bread. I can't really explain the dip; you just have to try it. They are famous for their filet and filet po-boy (great for lunch) as well as barbeque shrimp. The restaurant itself is dimly lit and old school. It has a big bar and the bar ambiance is felt all around.", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T03:02:35" }, { "business_id": "oCtDz1M-m-iYH1cG2o4mtA", "business_name": "Foodie Call", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of the best food trucks in the city. The Poutine is my favorite. Whenever they have lemon squares, I buy half a dozen. The burger is delicious and the onions are nicely caramelized. Definitely give them a try! Check Facebook for location post. I generally find them at the rusty nail, 45 tchoup, or one of the round ups. They take credit cards.", "timestamp": "2014-04-11T00:57:22" }, { "business_id": "ndVzILWR-DJXpfOlHm556A", "business_name": "Liberty Cheesesteaks", "rating": 5, "text": "The last time I reviewed liberty cheese steaks my two big complaints were lack of peppers as a toppings and the expensive drinks. They now have two options for peppers, sweet banana and hot cherries, and they offer a fries and drink combo for an extra $3.00. The cheese steaks are delicious with tender, flavorful meat and melty cheese. I now consider this place a great value and it is a regular on my dining-out rotation. Average price for a \"shorty\" sandwich, fries, and drink is about $10.", "timestamp": "2014-07-27T19:03:39" }, { "business_id": "xCdqyXUbY0Tzfmbx9tx0YQ", "business_name": "Panera Bread", "rating": 4, "text": "Panetta is ideal for lunch, and sometimes a light dinner. The food is pre fabricated in one way or another but is good and consistent. The baked goods are delicious and the coffee drinks equally delectable. I live the black bean soup and the mac and cheese is one of the best I've had. If you order a meal and a drink, you can add any pastry for 99¢.... I'm a sucker for a sweet.", "timestamp": "2014-08-10T19:15:17" }, { "business_id": "q6hWVlVeiCgMgM22wt1wfw", "business_name": "The Company Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "If you like dry over-cooked burgers, then DO NOT come here. At company burger you will find a delicious medium-well burger served in the classic American way, with no lettuce and no tomato. A delicious burger made with premium beef, and topped with melty cheese, house made pickles and grilled onions can be made more delicious with the addition of bacon or a sunny side up egg, if you like. Like mayo? There's a whole bar! Excellent butter milk soaked onion rings, house cut fries fries, and crispy tater tots are served at a reasonable price. They serve alcohol and always have drink specials. They now have fountain drinks. The Company Burger: The best burger in New Orleans!", "timestamp": "2014-09-21T01:12:44" }, { "business_id": "wVrJOXjRrPKIfZbNnrl3ow", "business_name": "Pizza Delicious", "rating": 5, "text": "Their pizza is delicious. Traditional topped, pepperoni cheese and margherita, are always available. They also have varying daily pizza specials and pasta specials ve never tried their specials though; I'm a pepperoni purist. The garlic knots are delicious if you want more than just pizza.", "timestamp": "2014-11-10T01:37:15" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Finding a good roast beef po-boy has been been like chasing a moving target lately. Parkway is my current favorite and it is tied with St. Rose Tavern rock is a bit of a drive for a sandwich. I like the po-boy better than the atmosphere at Parkway. The po-boy is debris style with a great gravy. The bread is classic new Orleans french. The atmosphere is super casual picnic table group seating. There's a few tables at the bar where you can get service. Otherwise there is an order line and they call your name when it's ready.", "timestamp": "2014-11-24T18:09:08" }, { "business_id": "OEOpxiewgI7Sr2de0LVuMg", "business_name": "Crêpes à la Cart", "rating": 4, "text": "As with all things nutella, banana nutella crepes are delicious! I must be honest, i have not tried any other crepe. I want to, but... then, i think about banana surrounded by nutella and enveloped in spongy crepe. Yum! The place is located on Tulane's campus more or less. It has a very college vibe. There are a few chairs outside but otherwise no seating.", "timestamp": "2014-12-16T02:34:20" }, { "business_id": "G1fQJ8k5U1gdX0vWODCZYA", "business_name": "Cafe Nino", "rating": 5, "text": "I love red gravy. At Cafe Nino, you can practically drink it straight it is so good. I tell Nino he should serve it in a bread bowl and sell it as \"Italian Tomato Soup.\" A chiffon of basil and a sprinkle of cheese... guaranteed hit. Since this has yet to make it on the menu, I get my red gravy with a side of bread sticks. They are also delicious. Cafe Nino is one of the few true New York style pizza places in the area and definitely one of the best. Only the classic options are available. No fancy combos, just the good stuff. If you are not in the mood for pizza, try something from the cafeteria-style hot food line. The lasagna is composed of mini meatballs! Yum! These items vary day to day and are usually ready to go in just a minute, if you are in a hurry. The atmosphere is not fancy. Don't expect much. The people are friendly. One of my favorite places. Warning: CASH ONLY!", "timestamp": "2015-01-10T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "_X4t5U6oI6yXE9WBAtdu8w", "business_name": "NOLA Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "NOLA Smokehouse is by far the best barbaque in New Orleans. Nothing more really needs to be said, but I'm going to say more anyway: It's the only place I've seen burnt ends available. The pulled pork is fantastic. Its the reason I only want bbq here now. It couples great with the Steen's cane syrup cole slaw. The spoonbread is the best thing I've ever had, ever. It is addictive. I can consume mass quantities of the stuff if left unsupervised. My husband knows that he cannot eat here without me if he does not bring home spoon bread. Every once in a blue moon they do a reservation-only steak night. Delicious. Delicious, as in best rib-eye I've ever eaten delicious. Gumbo? Oh yes. On occasion it is available and it is a warm bowl of bbq chickenand sausage comfort. And on top of all that, the people are awesome. They are super-friendly and super-nice. You will never get rude service here. Family owned and operated and it shows. The minimalist decor reinforces that fact that the quality of the food is the number one priority. They conscientiously source their meats and veggies from what I understand. Studies have shown that happy animals have tastier meat. Maybe that's their secret. 20 oz coke products are available. No fountain drinks. I think they have barqs in a glass bottle too. The menu changes daily. Call or check facebook if you are heart-set in one thing in particular. They almost always sell out and generally don't make it far past lunch time. So, if you want to experience the wonderful things that this man can do with a smoker and some excellent quality meats, get there early.", "timestamp": "2015-01-16T16:32:22" }, { "business_id": "mAPhGy1jm7va499TPFlHzQ", "business_name": "Parran's PO-Boys", "rating": 4, "text": "Parran's is great for lunch. They offer a variety of New Orleans favorites. My husband loves the red beans and sausage, made in house. I am a fan of meatballs and spaghetti and their's is very good. They have daily specials as well.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:10:31" }, { "business_id": "7H1b6TZ-LNxyGx1cv9suJQ", "business_name": "Sonic Drive-In", "rating": 4, "text": "Four stars for the shakes! They are fresh-made, not that artificial syrup crap McDonald's and Rally's have. If you go at happy hour they are half off. I believe happy hour is from 2-4, maybe after 8 pm as well? I also like the hot dogs here. The chicken strips are burgers are good, not great. The tater tots are delicious! Fries, not so much. This particular location has a drive thru window as well as the drive in. Sometimes the drive thru is faster.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:18:12" }, { "business_id": "MbNcVhRqpNPcvgFzWgaxSQ", "business_name": "MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes", "rating": 5, "text": "MOOYAH is delicious! The burgers are delicious. The fries are delicious. The shakes are delicious. The options for burger toppings are impressive and most are included in the price. The cheese selection is great. Between cheese options and topping options, you can create countless different burgers. The fries are fresh cut double fried perfection. Shakes are fresh and thick with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Definitely one of the best burgers in the area.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T17:49:54" }, { "business_id": "Ro1I-E9gwe3t67_jz2cMkA", "business_name": "Mo's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Moe's Pizza is not New York Style. It is not brick oven style. Definitely not Chicago Style. So, I cannot describe the style of the pizza by the standard categories. What I can say is that the crust is on the thick side, with a very crispy bottom. If you like bread you will probably love it. It is great for supporting a lot of toppings. I generally get the supreme and it is covered in an assortment of meats, veggies, and mushrooms. It is fantastic. The cheese is excellent. It is overall delicious. The best part about Moe's is that they sell pizza by the slice. \"By the slice\" is a bit of an understatement, however, because the slice is huge and they cut it in two before they serve it. It's enough for two meals for me, but my husband eats both slices. Two slices and two drinks is under $15. They also have a few Italian dinners. I haven't tried them, but they are available. If you get a while pie, be aware, it is huge. It can easily feed a family.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T18:58:51" }, { "business_id": "v-wVkCLas3yapQ--sBSQ4Q", "business_name": "Dolce Vita Pizzeria", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to eat here a lot when Chef Bogdan ran the place. By a lot , I mean over 30 times. My review at that time was 5 stars. Some time last year, Chef Bogdan hung up his chef's hat and bowed out of the business. Since then, nothing has been the same. On my most recent visit, I order a single pizza and garlic bread. The garlic bread took over 20 minutes (use to take 5 min) to arrive and when they did arrive they were COLD! Very disappointing. When I inquired about what was taking so long, I was informed that the chef was making all pizza for the for tables seated in the restauraunt at once, a concept that truely puzzles me. When I witnessed a table that had just ordered get served their pizza immediately, I lost it. We had somewhere to be and chose pizza because it's usually quick and delicious. After 35 minutes of waiting, we paid for the cold breadsticks and we left, hungry and irritated. When we left, the pizza was not in the oven yet. I find this experience especially disappointing because I truely loved Dolce Vita, but each time I've eaten there since Chef left has been a bad experience. Maybe, if you never ate here when Bogdan was in charge, you will like it...", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T02:49:33" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I love hibachi. I have eaten it just about everywhere it is offered in the area. This location of Little Tokyo is the best. The hibachi comes with noodles; hibachi rice is extra. The filet and the shrimp are delicious and the chefs are very good about not over cooking the meats. They let you share, but there is an extra $5 charge which includes an extra soup and salad. Everything is cooked in garlic butter. In my opinion, the liberal use of garlic butter is the deciding factor in the taste of hibachi. They get an A. The veggies are very well seasoned, but they do not include broccoli.", "timestamp": "2015-03-15T01:41:07" }, { "business_id": "eLjXnfYwkr8zz0VhwMhOGw", "business_name": "Pizza Domenica", "rating": 5, "text": "Pizza Domenica is one of the best Napoli style pizza place in town. It is a branch out from Domenica Restauraunt on Baronne in the CBD, which also serves delicious pizza. Both are run by Alon Shaya, protégé of John Besh. You have to try the garlic knots. More specifically, you must try the amazing, aerated, fluffy cheese dip that comes with the knots. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. The delicate texture and tart taste intrigues my palate with a sharp tanginess that I found exhilarating. The spicy salami on the 'pepperoni' pizza is like no other. It is so good! I dream about it, frequently. The crust has a great rustic flavor and is thin and crispy. I love the little bits of burned pieces! The prosciutto is also devine and is equally craveable. I'm pretty sure all meats are house cured or Italian imports. Honestly, the experience and over all quality at the Domenica on Baronne is SLIGHTLY better (bread comes with your meal, your check comes with amazing chocolate cookies, pizza menu varies slightly.) I'm not surprised by this, as Domenica is a higher caliber of restauraunt. But, when getting a table at the Domenica isn't an option, I'm greatful they have a pizza only restauraunt.", "timestamp": "2015-03-16T01:48:15" }, { "business_id": "f-WhNOSwN1aB4nRFekf01g", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 4, "text": "Id you haven't been to the Smoothie King center since it was know as the New Orleans Arena, you are in for a nice surprise. The arena has had a face lift and, while the seats are the same, everything else has been refreshed. Most importantly, the food options are far more varied and appeal to many tastes. The quality of the food is very good and significantly improved from a few years back. The drink options are much improved as well and include full service bars, spiked lemonade, bottled and draft beer and of course, smoothies. There is even a spot for sweets. You can get funnel cake, cotton candy, and all kinds of delicious things I was too full to take in. The venue finally feels a bit swanky and top notch. We are moving on up!", "timestamp": "2015-03-19T00:30:09" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 5, "text": "The Freret Market is my favorite local market and a great place to eat lunch. It is usually on the first Saturday of the month from fall through spring. If you are using credit cards you will need to visit the booth in the middle where you can get cash. They charge a small fee. You don't need a pin. My favorite things here are the cup cashless at Creole Cupcakes, Yakamien from Mrs. Linda, and fries from the Fry Bar. La Cocinita Food Truck is frequently there as well. They are delicious! The market had great local music. Sometimes the Mardi Gras Indians make am appearance. Additionally, local crafts and art with a distinctly new orleans touch can be found.", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:43:53" }, { "business_id": "oYF96W1boB-0E3g3i8U_zw", "business_name": "Wink's World Famous Buttermilk Drop Bakery & Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "This review is primarily applicable to the buttermilk drops and customer service. Everything else looked amazingly delicious, but, regrettably, I only tried the drops. Unlike anywhere I've had them before, Wink offers buttermilk drops covered in chocolate ganache with nuts, like a turtle, and these are awesome, because buttermilk drops arent delcicous enough. Right? The ones that are rolled in cinnamon sugar are good not great. Classic glazed is classically decadent. The glazed were unbelievably good. They were the best I've ever eaten and so fresh and moist. I could probably eat a dozen. The customer service was great. The ladies were friendly and happy. I can feel another visit in my imminent future.", "timestamp": "2015-04-09T02:05:35" }, { "business_id": "R46XVcmUzy8qeerHyZQtEg", "business_name": "The Big Cheezy", "rating": 4, "text": "The menu is overwhelming, so be prepared. The prices are reasonable if you order one of their specialty grilled cheezes but if you go the custom build route, the costs add up quickly. This will be one of the best grilled cheeses of your life. So be prepared for crispy bread, melty delicious cheeses, and other yummy delights. They offer an original grilled cheese and soup combo for about $8. The tomato basil soup is very good and I very much so enjoyed the gumbo. (Those two are the only soup options by the way. ) They also have dessert beignets. They are incredible! I dont care how full I am, I will always have room for dessert. Do not park on the right ride of the building. As the signs say, they tow, and they tow very quickly from what I understand. I am disappointed to say that this is not the same Big Cheezey that made an appearance a few years ago at some of the street food events. The owners of this place bought the name, but its not the same people.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:16:33" }, { "business_id": "OxXMZfaRZc7SJnjMBkO1ww", "business_name": "Taceaux Loceaux", "rating": 5, "text": "Taceaux loceaux is one if the best food trucks in the country. Their taceauxs are amazing. I eat here about once a week. My favorites are the chubster, kermits bbq, and delta prawn, but be warned, the selection varies and items do sell out. Though not often available, the quesadillas are filled with real, melty, stretchy cheese and usually brisket. The brisket can be greasy some nights, which is always a disappointment for me. When it isnt, greasy they are absolutely scrumptious. Pretty much anything you try should be good (except maybe the tofu or all hat no catlle, unless, of course, you like that vegetarian sort of thing). Most people go crazy for the avacado fries, but avacados aren't my thing. This is not your stereotypical taco truck. Almost everything is some type of fusion and it all works very well. The chef understands how to deliver flavors on a five star level at one dollar sign price, a very rare find.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:36:45" }, { "business_id": "3db1R99-mdSvx3QwryJSNQ", "business_name": "The Camellia Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Camellia Grill is the only local diner I frequent. It has a great classic feel with only bar style seating and service available. It could be the chocolate freezes, but it's probably a combination of that and the friendly service, clean kitchen, and great breakfast that makes this my goto breakfast-served-all-day spot (but mostly it's the choclate freezes. ) I really like the waffle, even though it is thin and far from my preferential Belgian style. The syrup tastes real, but I'm not sure if it is actual maple or a good copy. The omlets are awesome. They mix everything up and cook the mix into supper fluffy decadent eggs. Camelia Grill is a great stop for breakfast! Not in the mood for breakfast? They also have great okra gumbo, classic grilled cheese, good burgers, and some other options I haven tried like fried chicken strips and hot dogs.", "timestamp": "2015-05-04T01:16:05" }, { "business_id": "A8ivmB48-sMd4eBwIErs7A", "business_name": "The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk", "rating": 4, "text": "The Outlets ay Riverwalk are far better than any other mall that has occupied this space. There are options to appeal to everyone. My favorites are the Lucky Jeans oulet and the Ann Taylor LOFT outlet. Others include gap, Nemien Marcus Last Call, Tommy Bahama, New Balance, Coach, Forever 21, Guess, and Kenneth Cole. The food court is awesome. It puts most malls to shame. They offer Canes Fried Chicken Fingers, Izzo's Illegal Burrito, Mooyah Burger's and Fries, Monas Mediterranean, Mandarin Express, (cheese)Steaks and Fries, Villa Italian, Aunt Annies Pretzels, Mike Andersins Seafood, a sald place and of course a Daiquiri shop and a few other places. Outside of the food court you can find a Cafe du Monde, Red Mango FroYo, Pralines, Popcorn Bistro, and Great American cookie Company. The views of the river from the food court are some of the best in the city. You can get $7 of parking with $20 purchase. Visit the security booth near the exits to the parking lots.", "timestamp": "2015-07-12T20:54:12" }, { "business_id": "J3ZsfPsk47ozaJ2VZZLYGQ", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 2, "text": "Jimmy Johns is terrible. The only reason I can find to justify people's love of the place is that it is cheap and the quality of the meat appears to be be better than Subway. The bread is flavorless. The bacon is terrible and I'm not convinced that it had been cooked in anyway. I could not eat it. The toppings and cheese options are practically nonexistent. However, if you don't care what your food trades like, you may love this place. It's clean, the service is fast and the prices are great.", "timestamp": "2015-07-14T22:53:31" } ]	{ "business_id": "SI3q166YxgbxzQxMfpiWjQ", "business_name": "Bayou Hot Wings", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is great! They have the best tasting chicken wings and fried chicken tenders in the area. The sauce options are all delictable and well varied to appeal to many different tastes. I love the pepper jelly. It is my favorite. I need to try some different ones but the pepperjelly is so good I have not really gone through them all. I have tried the thai chili glaze and it was delicious too, but, pepper jelly is better. The onion rings are made fresh, well seasoned, and thick sliced. The French fries are what I classify as steak fries but they have a nice airy texture and are really good. They are served tossed in house made cajun seasoning. The restauraunt is very small with a few bars to eat at long the walls and two larger picnic tables outside. They do a lot of togo business. The drink selectioms are primarily glass bottles. A note on the chicken wings: they are not those freakishly huge chicken wings; they are on the smaller side.", "timestamp": "2015-07-15T00:20:20" }
mEOMAeEonZoUx2nPM3v6fg	[ { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Do not believe the hype! I have no idea how this restaurant gets the reviews it gets. My husband and I were severely disappointed after having such high expectations from the feedback and fanfare. Nothing about our meal was good. The crab claws were bland; the batter had no seasoning and I had to request some from the kitchen to sprinkle on top just to eat them. Burger was dry hard,, over cooked and favorless even with cheese, bacon, and mushrooms. I could not believe how bad it was with all the good feedback. One thing I can say is that the mushrooms did have flavor, really bad burnt grill debris flavor. They left an unsettling taste that upset my stomach. Customer Beware, the corn and crab soup is really corn shrimp and crab soup with hardly any crab. There is no mention of the shrimp any where on the menu. Some may think this is a good thing, but I feel the taste of shrimp kills any hint of crab flavor. Not even the drinks were good. Red creme soda was almost pure syrup, Coke was flat. Even the service was terrible. I only saw a waiter about every 10-15 minutes across the entire dining room when it was fully seated. It took 15 minutes to get my bill. 15 Minutes to get the seasoning I had to ask for to eat my appetizer. The food took forever to come out and by the time it did, the cheese they melted over the potato had hardened. I also ordered sour creme and chives on my potato and did not get either. THIS IS NEW ORLEANS, WE CAN SO BETTER! DON'T BOTHER!$", "timestamp": "2011-05-21T03:51:46" }, { "business_id": "5uoRXyHxs6nH_ORItDCoaQ", "business_name": "Sake Sushi Hibachi House", "rating": 4, "text": "Best hibachi in the area, especially for the price!! Japanese soup, salad, rice our noodles and two shrimp come with dinner. The fillet is delicious and makes sake sushi my favorite steak house. Everything is consistently delicious! I am more or less addicted to this place!", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T19:24:44" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Tracey's had the best yourself po' boy in the world! Literally! I suggest getting it with mayo and swiss only... for optimum dining enjoyment. I have not tried any thing else, except for the gravey fries. Gravy is amazing, fries need improvement, but the two together are reminiscent of mashed potatos and gravey. If you are in new orleans, this is a must try!", "timestamp": "2011-07-08T00:42:59" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "La Divina is la delicious! The gelato is creamy and ddecadent. The bananas foster has a delightful ribbon of caramel heaven. The mango is almost as bold and sensuous as the ones I've had from local farmers markets in Costa Rica. I cannot wait to come back and try more flavors. I wish they offered a sampler of every one.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:00:10" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "Everything here is fresh. The burger was still seasoned with a great flavor. They cook them to order and they actually deliver the temperature you request! Great cheese, a house made roll, and super fresh veggies are served with their amazing hand-cut, real potato fries. There are two squeeze bottles presented with the meal. The first is a hearty ketchup that elevates the burger perfectly. The second is an aioli sauce that goes great with the fries. One of the best burgers I've had.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:01:21" }, { "business_id": "Www0sdTTumnFyuBx2ImvMg", "business_name": "Mi Pequeña Honduras", "rating": 5, "text": "If you are looking for excellent quality, authentic central american food (NOT MEXICAN FOOD) go here! Every thing is fresh and fully of life. The Zacatuste is great for dinner, where as the enchilada/tostada is a fantastic lunch. The taquitos are the best I've ever had and retain a delightfully crispy texture even with the sauce its topped with. I eat here weekly if possible. The place is very clean and has a great atmosphere, from the beautiful flowers in the bed out front to the interior tile work. It is only one block off of Williams and pretty easy to find. Additional parking is available in back, but the alley is a bit tight. NOTE: If you are looking for TexMex, tacos, chips and salsa, queso, or fajitas this is not what you are looking for. However, you will rethink Hispanic food if you eat here! Me encanta Mi Pueblito!", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:14:08" }, { "business_id": "stqWlKEgXweNQSsxOsHjVA", "business_name": "Mahony's Po-Boys & Seafood - Uptown", "rating": 1, "text": "I had been told that there was a roast beef po boy at Mahony's rivaled the one I adore at Tracey's, which says a lot. I realized tonight, I have been lied to. The evening began with great promise. We had ordered gravy \"dirty\" fries and a roast beef poboy. The fries arrived ahead of the sandwiches by about 5 minutes. They were beautifully fried and hand-cut, covered in beef debris and gravy. The tasted good too! We devoured them and anxiously awaited our sandwiches. Then they arrived... Surprisingly, the meat and gravy on the sandwich tasted so differently from t hat on the first and not in a good way! The roast had a very strange taste that I cannot place. The more I ate, the stronger it got. I actually stopped eating about halfway through and decided that it was all around unappealing. Mahony's appears to have fallen victim to the phenomena becoming frighteningly common in the N.O. The under-stuffed poboy. At $12.00 for the 12 inch, I expected overflowing amounts of succulent, gravy drenched deliciousness. A single thin layer of beef accompanied by gravy and some chunks of fat was all that there was. Don't bother with Mahony's if you want a New Orleans style roast beef, keep going towards the cbd and go to Tracey Irish Pub!", "timestamp": "2011-09-16T22:29:34" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Coop's is the best find in the French Quarter! Their fried crab claws are the best in the City and pair great with the real (fresh) french fries. I am a particular fan if the crawfish and andouille pasta. It comes with the most generous serving of crawfish I've ever sean from a restaurant. I've also had the fried shrimp which are fresh and perfectly cooked. The batter is delicious. The atmosphere is.... a bar that many several years ago was a horse barn. There used to be a sweet little grey kitty that had free roam of the place but someone complained...", "timestamp": "2011-09-25T19:36:58" }, { "business_id": "4WdDY97x4GdMYtyk1KQMnw", "business_name": "Lilly's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly's has the best Vietnamese food I've had. It is excellent. The vegetables are fresh and crisp; the beef, tender and delicious. The crab rangoons are excellent! They use real crab, which is a rarity, I find. The rangoons come with or without bacon. They use a different sauce than the sweet and sour or duck sauce you see at most places but it is delicious. Lilly's is a must try.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T01:53:04" }, { "business_id": "Ye5nmTmZ7cL7BQshqZeIWQ", "business_name": "McClure's", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite thing to eat at Mcclures is pulled pork with Cole slaw. I eat both I'm the same bite. The textual combination is most satisfying. The slaw is vinegar based, not a heavy mayo slaw. The pork is tender and smoky and delicious. They pair amazingly. All the sides are good and a bit different team the norm, a refreshing experience in the bbq world. The mac and cheese is very good, beans are different but awesome. They also offer bite sized desserts, baked in-house and at very reasonable prices and portions. My husband and I often split all meats and all sides. It's a great deal and you get to try everything. It's a must for first time visitors. We like to save the chicken and make smoked chicken paninis for lunch the next day.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T02:16:25" }, { "business_id": "bp5Mk2d0qofUeF5uLauIbg", "business_name": "Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop", "rating": 2, "text": "It is amazing how my opinion of this place has changed with time. When I first ate at chef ron's, I had the etouffe and some gumbo and i really enjoyed it. I would call it a 4 star visit. This was about a year ago. I returned shortly after this first visit and I tried the spaghetti and meatballs. These were... different. They have pine nuts in the meatballs which adds a definitive crunch to the generally crunchless dish. I found it odd, but not exactly bad. Definitely out of place. Three star visit. I just went to chef rons again. This would be my third and final visit. I ordered crab claws which have always been over cooked and understand here. The Abita butter helps, usually. The other night, it had a terrible bitter after taste, and over cooked and under seasoned crab claws as per the usual. I proceed to the entree. I ordered fried chicken, a side of macaroni and cheese, and a side of jambalaya. The chicken was rubbery and had a strange texture. It could have been seasoned better and the breeding was flowery. The jambalaya is a very heavy tomato sauce based variant. The sausage and chicken in the jambalaya was delicious. But, it is not what I call jambalaya and I did not care for it otherwise. I did enjoy the macaroni a good bit, perhaps, only realative to the rest of the meal. I tried my husband's gumbo and red beans was also disappointed. So, I reside at two unfortunate stars.", "timestamp": "2013-11-26T03:16:26" }, { "business_id": "BuQGsltd3B4L_HRCP2jpTQ", "business_name": "Joey K's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I ordered claws; the peon was a little small. They were good, but fried in bread crumbs, which is not my preference. I also ordered crab and corn bisque. Again, good not great. The French fries were frozen.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T02:54:29" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 5, "text": "There is a reason that this little Italian bakery is the best restaurant in New Orleans. Everything is amazing. Tira mi su, gelato, hot chocolate, cheesecakes, & pastries... You cannot go wrong. The spumoni is a must try. Don't be afraid of it! There is almost always a line. You may have to park around the corner or down the street. It's worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T03:01:33" }, { "business_id": "Z4qfMpj8jymG3_XjTBKN0A", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - Uptown", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best taquiera in the area. I love the steak chimichanga, a deep fried burrito covered in queso.. The queso they cover it in is awesome. The steak is never fatty and has an excellent grilled flavor. I also get the steak plato. I think it is a better deal than getting tacos because you get a lot of rice and beans and all the fixing plus some tortillas for about the price of two tacos. You can add a drink chips and queso to your order for a couple of bucks. The churros are delicious too. Terrill them you want one when you first order.", "timestamp": "2013-12-16T00:58:26" }, { "business_id": "C5xuoT2SwR8tXRH5O8HLXw", "business_name": "Fiesta Latina", "rating": 4, "text": "Fiesta Latina is my go - to spot for pupusas, especially since La Profecia closed. The chips and salsa are very good as well. They serve Fresca Toronja to which is awesome. I have not tried anything else.", "timestamp": "2013-12-17T01:10:33" }, { "business_id": "nvUoCZ-m21m2yRZq5ugQhw", "business_name": "Lucky Rooster", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is fantastic. I tried the dumplings, kfc, Thai ribs, and rice. I watch a lot of travel food shows and I have always wanted to try Asain-style dumplings. I finally did here and they were so light and delicate and delicious! I could eat 100, unfortunately, the appetizer only comes with 3... The rice was good, but not great. Everything else was amazing. I can't wait to go back. I will say that the portions are a bit small over all.", "timestamp": "2013-12-29T00:55:19" }, { "business_id": "e7hf4M8Z1ltmnABM_ByVuQ", "business_name": "Crazy Johnnie's", "rating": 5, "text": "Best prime rib in the city! Complete with au jus and horseradish, Johnny potatoes, and a spiced Apple slice, it is delicious! We always start with dippin' bread. I can't really explain the dip; you just have to try it. They are famous for their filet and filet po-boy (great for lunch) as well as barbeque shrimp. The restaurant itself is dimly lit and old school. It has a big bar and the bar ambiance is felt all around.", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T03:02:35" }, { "business_id": "oCtDz1M-m-iYH1cG2o4mtA", "business_name": "Foodie Call", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of the best food trucks in the city. The Poutine is my favorite. Whenever they have lemon squares, I buy half a dozen. The burger is delicious and the onions are nicely caramelized. Definitely give them a try! Check Facebook for location post. I generally find them at the rusty nail, 45 tchoup, or one of the round ups. They take credit cards.", "timestamp": "2014-04-11T00:57:22" }, { "business_id": "ndVzILWR-DJXpfOlHm556A", "business_name": "Liberty Cheesesteaks", "rating": 5, "text": "The last time I reviewed liberty cheese steaks my two big complaints were lack of peppers as a toppings and the expensive drinks. They now have two options for peppers, sweet banana and hot cherries, and they offer a fries and drink combo for an extra $3.00. The cheese steaks are delicious with tender, flavorful meat and melty cheese. I now consider this place a great value and it is a regular on my dining-out rotation. Average price for a \"shorty\" sandwich, fries, and drink is about $10.", "timestamp": "2014-07-27T19:03:39" }, { "business_id": "xCdqyXUbY0Tzfmbx9tx0YQ", "business_name": "Panera Bread", "rating": 4, "text": "Panetta is ideal for lunch, and sometimes a light dinner. The food is pre fabricated in one way or another but is good and consistent. The baked goods are delicious and the coffee drinks equally delectable. I live the black bean soup and the mac and cheese is one of the best I've had. If you order a meal and a drink, you can add any pastry for 99¢.... I'm a sucker for a sweet.", "timestamp": "2014-08-10T19:15:17" }, { "business_id": "q6hWVlVeiCgMgM22wt1wfw", "business_name": "The Company Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "If you like dry over-cooked burgers, then DO NOT come here. At company burger you will find a delicious medium-well burger served in the classic American way, with no lettuce and no tomato. A delicious burger made with premium beef, and topped with melty cheese, house made pickles and grilled onions can be made more delicious with the addition of bacon or a sunny side up egg, if you like. Like mayo? There's a whole bar! Excellent butter milk soaked onion rings, house cut fries fries, and crispy tater tots are served at a reasonable price. They serve alcohol and always have drink specials. They now have fountain drinks. The Company Burger: The best burger in New Orleans!", "timestamp": "2014-09-21T01:12:44" }, { "business_id": "wVrJOXjRrPKIfZbNnrl3ow", "business_name": "Pizza Delicious", "rating": 5, "text": "Their pizza is delicious. Traditional topped, pepperoni cheese and margherita, are always available. They also have varying daily pizza specials and pasta specials ve never tried their specials though; I'm a pepperoni purist. The garlic knots are delicious if you want more than just pizza.", "timestamp": "2014-11-10T01:37:15" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Finding a good roast beef po-boy has been been like chasing a moving target lately. Parkway is my current favorite and it is tied with St. Rose Tavern rock is a bit of a drive for a sandwich. I like the po-boy better than the atmosphere at Parkway. The po-boy is debris style with a great gravy. The bread is classic new Orleans french. The atmosphere is super casual picnic table group seating. There's a few tables at the bar where you can get service. Otherwise there is an order line and they call your name when it's ready.", "timestamp": "2014-11-24T18:09:08" }, { "business_id": "OEOpxiewgI7Sr2de0LVuMg", "business_name": "Crêpes à la Cart", "rating": 4, "text": "As with all things nutella, banana nutella crepes are delicious! I must be honest, i have not tried any other crepe. I want to, but... then, i think about banana surrounded by nutella and enveloped in spongy crepe. Yum! The place is located on Tulane's campus more or less. It has a very college vibe. There are a few chairs outside but otherwise no seating.", "timestamp": "2014-12-16T02:34:20" }, { "business_id": "G1fQJ8k5U1gdX0vWODCZYA", "business_name": "Cafe Nino", "rating": 5, "text": "I love red gravy. At Cafe Nino, you can practically drink it straight it is so good. I tell Nino he should serve it in a bread bowl and sell it as \"Italian Tomato Soup.\" A chiffon of basil and a sprinkle of cheese... guaranteed hit. Since this has yet to make it on the menu, I get my red gravy with a side of bread sticks. They are also delicious. Cafe Nino is one of the few true New York style pizza places in the area and definitely one of the best. Only the classic options are available. No fancy combos, just the good stuff. If you are not in the mood for pizza, try something from the cafeteria-style hot food line. The lasagna is composed of mini meatballs! Yum! These items vary day to day and are usually ready to go in just a minute, if you are in a hurry. The atmosphere is not fancy. Don't expect much. The people are friendly. One of my favorite places. Warning: CASH ONLY!", "timestamp": "2015-01-10T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "_X4t5U6oI6yXE9WBAtdu8w", "business_name": "NOLA Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "NOLA Smokehouse is by far the best barbaque in New Orleans. Nothing more really needs to be said, but I'm going to say more anyway: It's the only place I've seen burnt ends available. The pulled pork is fantastic. Its the reason I only want bbq here now. It couples great with the Steen's cane syrup cole slaw. The spoonbread is the best thing I've ever had, ever. It is addictive. I can consume mass quantities of the stuff if left unsupervised. My husband knows that he cannot eat here without me if he does not bring home spoon bread. Every once in a blue moon they do a reservation-only steak night. Delicious. Delicious, as in best rib-eye I've ever eaten delicious. Gumbo? Oh yes. On occasion it is available and it is a warm bowl of bbq chickenand sausage comfort. And on top of all that, the people are awesome. They are super-friendly and super-nice. You will never get rude service here. Family owned and operated and it shows. The minimalist decor reinforces that fact that the quality of the food is the number one priority. They conscientiously source their meats and veggies from what I understand. Studies have shown that happy animals have tastier meat. Maybe that's their secret. 20 oz coke products are available. No fountain drinks. I think they have barqs in a glass bottle too. The menu changes daily. Call or check facebook if you are heart-set in one thing in particular. They almost always sell out and generally don't make it far past lunch time. So, if you want to experience the wonderful things that this man can do with a smoker and some excellent quality meats, get there early.", "timestamp": "2015-01-16T16:32:22" }, { "business_id": "mAPhGy1jm7va499TPFlHzQ", "business_name": "Parran's PO-Boys", "rating": 4, "text": "Parran's is great for lunch. They offer a variety of New Orleans favorites. My husband loves the red beans and sausage, made in house. I am a fan of meatballs and spaghetti and their's is very good. They have daily specials as well.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:10:31" }, { "business_id": "7H1b6TZ-LNxyGx1cv9suJQ", "business_name": "Sonic Drive-In", "rating": 4, "text": "Four stars for the shakes! They are fresh-made, not that artificial syrup crap McDonald's and Rally's have. If you go at happy hour they are half off. I believe happy hour is from 2-4, maybe after 8 pm as well? I also like the hot dogs here. The chicken strips are burgers are good, not great. The tater tots are delicious! Fries, not so much. This particular location has a drive thru window as well as the drive in. Sometimes the drive thru is faster.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:18:12" }, { "business_id": "MbNcVhRqpNPcvgFzWgaxSQ", "business_name": "MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes", "rating": 5, "text": "MOOYAH is delicious! The burgers are delicious. The fries are delicious. The shakes are delicious. The options for burger toppings are impressive and most are included in the price. The cheese selection is great. Between cheese options and topping options, you can create countless different burgers. The fries are fresh cut double fried perfection. Shakes are fresh and thick with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Definitely one of the best burgers in the area.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T17:49:54" }, { "business_id": "Ro1I-E9gwe3t67_jz2cMkA", "business_name": "Mo's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Moe's Pizza is not New York Style. It is not brick oven style. Definitely not Chicago Style. So, I cannot describe the style of the pizza by the standard categories. What I can say is that the crust is on the thick side, with a very crispy bottom. If you like bread you will probably love it. It is great for supporting a lot of toppings. I generally get the supreme and it is covered in an assortment of meats, veggies, and mushrooms. It is fantastic. The cheese is excellent. It is overall delicious. The best part about Moe's is that they sell pizza by the slice. \"By the slice\" is a bit of an understatement, however, because the slice is huge and they cut it in two before they serve it. It's enough for two meals for me, but my husband eats both slices. Two slices and two drinks is under $15. They also have a few Italian dinners. I haven't tried them, but they are available. If you get a while pie, be aware, it is huge. It can easily feed a family.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T18:58:51" }, { "business_id": "v-wVkCLas3yapQ--sBSQ4Q", "business_name": "Dolce Vita Pizzeria", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to eat here a lot when Chef Bogdan ran the place. By a lot , I mean over 30 times. My review at that time was 5 stars. Some time last year, Chef Bogdan hung up his chef's hat and bowed out of the business. Since then, nothing has been the same. On my most recent visit, I order a single pizza and garlic bread. The garlic bread took over 20 minutes (use to take 5 min) to arrive and when they did arrive they were COLD! Very disappointing. When I inquired about what was taking so long, I was informed that the chef was making all pizza for the for tables seated in the restauraunt at once, a concept that truely puzzles me. When I witnessed a table that had just ordered get served their pizza immediately, I lost it. We had somewhere to be and chose pizza because it's usually quick and delicious. After 35 minutes of waiting, we paid for the cold breadsticks and we left, hungry and irritated. When we left, the pizza was not in the oven yet. I find this experience especially disappointing because I truely loved Dolce Vita, but each time I've eaten there since Chef left has been a bad experience. Maybe, if you never ate here when Bogdan was in charge, you will like it...", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T02:49:33" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I love hibachi. I have eaten it just about everywhere it is offered in the area. This location of Little Tokyo is the best. The hibachi comes with noodles; hibachi rice is extra. The filet and the shrimp are delicious and the chefs are very good about not over cooking the meats. They let you share, but there is an extra $5 charge which includes an extra soup and salad. Everything is cooked in garlic butter. In my opinion, the liberal use of garlic butter is the deciding factor in the taste of hibachi. They get an A. The veggies are very well seasoned, but they do not include broccoli.", "timestamp": "2015-03-15T01:41:07" }, { "business_id": "eLjXnfYwkr8zz0VhwMhOGw", "business_name": "Pizza Domenica", "rating": 5, "text": "Pizza Domenica is one of the best Napoli style pizza place in town. It is a branch out from Domenica Restauraunt on Baronne in the CBD, which also serves delicious pizza. Both are run by Alon Shaya, protégé of John Besh. You have to try the garlic knots. More specifically, you must try the amazing, aerated, fluffy cheese dip that comes with the knots. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. The delicate texture and tart taste intrigues my palate with a sharp tanginess that I found exhilarating. The spicy salami on the 'pepperoni' pizza is like no other. It is so good! I dream about it, frequently. The crust has a great rustic flavor and is thin and crispy. I love the little bits of burned pieces! The prosciutto is also devine and is equally craveable. I'm pretty sure all meats are house cured or Italian imports. Honestly, the experience and over all quality at the Domenica on Baronne is SLIGHTLY better (bread comes with your meal, your check comes with amazing chocolate cookies, pizza menu varies slightly.) I'm not surprised by this, as Domenica is a higher caliber of restauraunt. But, when getting a table at the Domenica isn't an option, I'm greatful they have a pizza only restauraunt.", "timestamp": "2015-03-16T01:48:15" }, { "business_id": "f-WhNOSwN1aB4nRFekf01g", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 4, "text": "Id you haven't been to the Smoothie King center since it was know as the New Orleans Arena, you are in for a nice surprise. The arena has had a face lift and, while the seats are the same, everything else has been refreshed. Most importantly, the food options are far more varied and appeal to many tastes. The quality of the food is very good and significantly improved from a few years back. The drink options are much improved as well and include full service bars, spiked lemonade, bottled and draft beer and of course, smoothies. There is even a spot for sweets. You can get funnel cake, cotton candy, and all kinds of delicious things I was too full to take in. The venue finally feels a bit swanky and top notch. We are moving on up!", "timestamp": "2015-03-19T00:30:09" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 5, "text": "The Freret Market is my favorite local market and a great place to eat lunch. It is usually on the first Saturday of the month from fall through spring. If you are using credit cards you will need to visit the booth in the middle where you can get cash. They charge a small fee. You don't need a pin. My favorite things here are the cup cashless at Creole Cupcakes, Yakamien from Mrs. Linda, and fries from the Fry Bar. La Cocinita Food Truck is frequently there as well. They are delicious! The market had great local music. Sometimes the Mardi Gras Indians make am appearance. Additionally, local crafts and art with a distinctly new orleans touch can be found.", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:43:53" }, { "business_id": "oYF96W1boB-0E3g3i8U_zw", "business_name": "Wink's World Famous Buttermilk Drop Bakery & Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "This review is primarily applicable to the buttermilk drops and customer service. Everything else looked amazingly delicious, but, regrettably, I only tried the drops. Unlike anywhere I've had them before, Wink offers buttermilk drops covered in chocolate ganache with nuts, like a turtle, and these are awesome, because buttermilk drops arent delcicous enough. Right? The ones that are rolled in cinnamon sugar are good not great. Classic glazed is classically decadent. The glazed were unbelievably good. They were the best I've ever eaten and so fresh and moist. I could probably eat a dozen. The customer service was great. The ladies were friendly and happy. I can feel another visit in my imminent future.", "timestamp": "2015-04-09T02:05:35" }, { "business_id": "R46XVcmUzy8qeerHyZQtEg", "business_name": "The Big Cheezy", "rating": 4, "text": "The menu is overwhelming, so be prepared. The prices are reasonable if you order one of their specialty grilled cheezes but if you go the custom build route, the costs add up quickly. This will be one of the best grilled cheeses of your life. So be prepared for crispy bread, melty delicious cheeses, and other yummy delights. They offer an original grilled cheese and soup combo for about $8. The tomato basil soup is very good and I very much so enjoyed the gumbo. (Those two are the only soup options by the way. ) They also have dessert beignets. They are incredible! I dont care how full I am, I will always have room for dessert. Do not park on the right ride of the building. As the signs say, they tow, and they tow very quickly from what I understand. I am disappointed to say that this is not the same Big Cheezey that made an appearance a few years ago at some of the street food events. The owners of this place bought the name, but its not the same people.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:16:33" }, { "business_id": "OxXMZfaRZc7SJnjMBkO1ww", "business_name": "Taceaux Loceaux", "rating": 5, "text": "Taceaux loceaux is one if the best food trucks in the country. Their taceauxs are amazing. I eat here about once a week. My favorites are the chubster, kermits bbq, and delta prawn, but be warned, the selection varies and items do sell out. Though not often available, the quesadillas are filled with real, melty, stretchy cheese and usually brisket. The brisket can be greasy some nights, which is always a disappointment for me. When it isnt, greasy they are absolutely scrumptious. Pretty much anything you try should be good (except maybe the tofu or all hat no catlle, unless, of course, you like that vegetarian sort of thing). Most people go crazy for the avacado fries, but avacados aren't my thing. This is not your stereotypical taco truck. Almost everything is some type of fusion and it all works very well. The chef understands how to deliver flavors on a five star level at one dollar sign price, a very rare find.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:36:45" }, { "business_id": "3db1R99-mdSvx3QwryJSNQ", "business_name": "The Camellia Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Camellia Grill is the only local diner I frequent. It has a great classic feel with only bar style seating and service available. It could be the chocolate freezes, but it's probably a combination of that and the friendly service, clean kitchen, and great breakfast that makes this my goto breakfast-served-all-day spot (but mostly it's the choclate freezes. ) I really like the waffle, even though it is thin and far from my preferential Belgian style. The syrup tastes real, but I'm not sure if it is actual maple or a good copy. The omlets are awesome. They mix everything up and cook the mix into supper fluffy decadent eggs. Camelia Grill is a great stop for breakfast! Not in the mood for breakfast? They also have great okra gumbo, classic grilled cheese, good burgers, and some other options I haven tried like fried chicken strips and hot dogs.", "timestamp": "2015-05-04T01:16:05" }, { "business_id": "A8ivmB48-sMd4eBwIErs7A", "business_name": "The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk", "rating": 4, "text": "The Outlets ay Riverwalk are far better than any other mall that has occupied this space. There are options to appeal to everyone. My favorites are the Lucky Jeans oulet and the Ann Taylor LOFT outlet. Others include gap, Nemien Marcus Last Call, Tommy Bahama, New Balance, Coach, Forever 21, Guess, and Kenneth Cole. The food court is awesome. It puts most malls to shame. They offer Canes Fried Chicken Fingers, Izzo's Illegal Burrito, Mooyah Burger's and Fries, Monas Mediterranean, Mandarin Express, (cheese)Steaks and Fries, Villa Italian, Aunt Annies Pretzels, Mike Andersins Seafood, a sald place and of course a Daiquiri shop and a few other places. Outside of the food court you can find a Cafe du Monde, Red Mango FroYo, Pralines, Popcorn Bistro, and Great American cookie Company. The views of the river from the food court are some of the best in the city. You can get $7 of parking with $20 purchase. Visit the security booth near the exits to the parking lots.", "timestamp": "2015-07-12T20:54:12" }, { "business_id": "J3ZsfPsk47ozaJ2VZZLYGQ", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 2, "text": "Jimmy Johns is terrible. The only reason I can find to justify people's love of the place is that it is cheap and the quality of the meat appears to be be better than Subway. The bread is flavorless. The bacon is terrible and I'm not convinced that it had been cooked in anyway. I could not eat it. The toppings and cheese options are practically nonexistent. However, if you don't care what your food trades like, you may love this place. It's clean, the service is fast and the prices are great.", "timestamp": "2015-07-14T22:53:31" }, { "business_id": "SI3q166YxgbxzQxMfpiWjQ", "business_name": "Bayou Hot Wings", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is great! They have the best tasting chicken wings and fried chicken tenders in the area. The sauce options are all delictable and well varied to appeal to many different tastes. I love the pepper jelly. It is my favorite. I need to try some different ones but the pepperjelly is so good I have not really gone through them all. I have tried the thai chili glaze and it was delicious too, but, pepper jelly is better. The onion rings are made fresh, well seasoned, and thick sliced. The French fries are what I classify as steak fries but they have a nice airy texture and are really good. They are served tossed in house made cajun seasoning. The restauraunt is very small with a few bars to eat at long the walls and two larger picnic tables outside. They do a lot of togo business. The drink selectioms are primarily glass bottles. A note on the chicken wings: they are not those freakishly huge chicken wings; they are on the smaller side.", "timestamp": "2015-07-15T00:20:20" } ]	{ "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Things to know about Mosca's before you go: They are strictly cash only It takes around 50 minutes to get your food The restauraunt can get VERY loud Portions are huge You usually need reservations The menu is limited I find Moscas to be expensive for what you get. I have mainly tried the spaghetti and meatballs. The red gravy is good, but the meatballs are dense. The pasta was angle hair cooked al dente. I have also had the crab salad which was mostly iceberg lettuce tossed in a light house dressing and sprinkled with crab meat. It tasted better than it looked but I was not overly impressed. Supposidly the oysters and chicken la mosca are amazing and I am told that they would change my mind about the place. If I come again, I will have to give the chicken a try (I dont eat oysters). For me, the food is not good enough to justify the drive, cost, and time, but it is the noise factor that definitely kills it for me. It is so loud you cannot talk to the person sitting next to you without shouting and only further adding to the earsplitting noise. 50 minutes of staring at the people you are with and smothered by the reverberation of ever conversation in the room is not my idea of a nice meal.", "timestamp": "2015-07-18T01:59:35" }
mEOMAeEonZoUx2nPM3v6fg	[ { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Do not believe the hype! I have no idea how this restaurant gets the reviews it gets. My husband and I were severely disappointed after having such high expectations from the feedback and fanfare. Nothing about our meal was good. The crab claws were bland; the batter had no seasoning and I had to request some from the kitchen to sprinkle on top just to eat them. Burger was dry hard,, over cooked and favorless even with cheese, bacon, and mushrooms. I could not believe how bad it was with all the good feedback. One thing I can say is that the mushrooms did have flavor, really bad burnt grill debris flavor. They left an unsettling taste that upset my stomach. Customer Beware, the corn and crab soup is really corn shrimp and crab soup with hardly any crab. There is no mention of the shrimp any where on the menu. Some may think this is a good thing, but I feel the taste of shrimp kills any hint of crab flavor. Not even the drinks were good. Red creme soda was almost pure syrup, Coke was flat. Even the service was terrible. I only saw a waiter about every 10-15 minutes across the entire dining room when it was fully seated. It took 15 minutes to get my bill. 15 Minutes to get the seasoning I had to ask for to eat my appetizer. The food took forever to come out and by the time it did, the cheese they melted over the potato had hardened. I also ordered sour creme and chives on my potato and did not get either. THIS IS NEW ORLEANS, WE CAN SO BETTER! DON'T BOTHER!$", "timestamp": "2011-05-21T03:51:46" }, { "business_id": "5uoRXyHxs6nH_ORItDCoaQ", "business_name": "Sake Sushi Hibachi House", "rating": 4, "text": "Best hibachi in the area, especially for the price!! Japanese soup, salad, rice our noodles and two shrimp come with dinner. The fillet is delicious and makes sake sushi my favorite steak house. Everything is consistently delicious! I am more or less addicted to this place!", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T19:24:44" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Tracey's had the best yourself po' boy in the world! Literally! I suggest getting it with mayo and swiss only... for optimum dining enjoyment. I have not tried any thing else, except for the gravey fries. Gravy is amazing, fries need improvement, but the two together are reminiscent of mashed potatos and gravey. If you are in new orleans, this is a must try!", "timestamp": "2011-07-08T00:42:59" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "La Divina is la delicious! The gelato is creamy and ddecadent. The bananas foster has a delightful ribbon of caramel heaven. The mango is almost as bold and sensuous as the ones I've had from local farmers markets in Costa Rica. I cannot wait to come back and try more flavors. I wish they offered a sampler of every one.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:00:10" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "Everything here is fresh. The burger was still seasoned with a great flavor. They cook them to order and they actually deliver the temperature you request! Great cheese, a house made roll, and super fresh veggies are served with their amazing hand-cut, real potato fries. There are two squeeze bottles presented with the meal. The first is a hearty ketchup that elevates the burger perfectly. The second is an aioli sauce that goes great with the fries. One of the best burgers I've had.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:01:21" }, { "business_id": "Www0sdTTumnFyuBx2ImvMg", "business_name": "Mi Pequeña Honduras", "rating": 5, "text": "If you are looking for excellent quality, authentic central american food (NOT MEXICAN FOOD) go here! Every thing is fresh and fully of life. The Zacatuste is great for dinner, where as the enchilada/tostada is a fantastic lunch. The taquitos are the best I've ever had and retain a delightfully crispy texture even with the sauce its topped with. I eat here weekly if possible. The place is very clean and has a great atmosphere, from the beautiful flowers in the bed out front to the interior tile work. It is only one block off of Williams and pretty easy to find. Additional parking is available in back, but the alley is a bit tight. NOTE: If you are looking for TexMex, tacos, chips and salsa, queso, or fajitas this is not what you are looking for. However, you will rethink Hispanic food if you eat here! Me encanta Mi Pueblito!", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:14:08" }, { "business_id": "stqWlKEgXweNQSsxOsHjVA", "business_name": "Mahony's Po-Boys & Seafood - Uptown", "rating": 1, "text": "I had been told that there was a roast beef po boy at Mahony's rivaled the one I adore at Tracey's, which says a lot. I realized tonight, I have been lied to. The evening began with great promise. We had ordered gravy \"dirty\" fries and a roast beef poboy. The fries arrived ahead of the sandwiches by about 5 minutes. They were beautifully fried and hand-cut, covered in beef debris and gravy. The tasted good too! We devoured them and anxiously awaited our sandwiches. Then they arrived... Surprisingly, the meat and gravy on the sandwich tasted so differently from t hat on the first and not in a good way! The roast had a very strange taste that I cannot place. The more I ate, the stronger it got. I actually stopped eating about halfway through and decided that it was all around unappealing. Mahony's appears to have fallen victim to the phenomena becoming frighteningly common in the N.O. The under-stuffed poboy. At $12.00 for the 12 inch, I expected overflowing amounts of succulent, gravy drenched deliciousness. A single thin layer of beef accompanied by gravy and some chunks of fat was all that there was. Don't bother with Mahony's if you want a New Orleans style roast beef, keep going towards the cbd and go to Tracey Irish Pub!", "timestamp": "2011-09-16T22:29:34" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Coop's is the best find in the French Quarter! Their fried crab claws are the best in the City and pair great with the real (fresh) french fries. I am a particular fan if the crawfish and andouille pasta. It comes with the most generous serving of crawfish I've ever sean from a restaurant. I've also had the fried shrimp which are fresh and perfectly cooked. The batter is delicious. The atmosphere is.... a bar that many several years ago was a horse barn. There used to be a sweet little grey kitty that had free roam of the place but someone complained...", "timestamp": "2011-09-25T19:36:58" }, { "business_id": "4WdDY97x4GdMYtyk1KQMnw", "business_name": "Lilly's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly's has the best Vietnamese food I've had. It is excellent. The vegetables are fresh and crisp; the beef, tender and delicious. The crab rangoons are excellent! They use real crab, which is a rarity, I find. The rangoons come with or without bacon. They use a different sauce than the sweet and sour or duck sauce you see at most places but it is delicious. Lilly's is a must try.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T01:53:04" }, { "business_id": "Ye5nmTmZ7cL7BQshqZeIWQ", "business_name": "McClure's", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite thing to eat at Mcclures is pulled pork with Cole slaw. I eat both I'm the same bite. The textual combination is most satisfying. The slaw is vinegar based, not a heavy mayo slaw. The pork is tender and smoky and delicious. They pair amazingly. All the sides are good and a bit different team the norm, a refreshing experience in the bbq world. The mac and cheese is very good, beans are different but awesome. They also offer bite sized desserts, baked in-house and at very reasonable prices and portions. My husband and I often split all meats and all sides. It's a great deal and you get to try everything. It's a must for first time visitors. We like to save the chicken and make smoked chicken paninis for lunch the next day.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T02:16:25" }, { "business_id": "bp5Mk2d0qofUeF5uLauIbg", "business_name": "Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop", "rating": 2, "text": "It is amazing how my opinion of this place has changed with time. When I first ate at chef ron's, I had the etouffe and some gumbo and i really enjoyed it. I would call it a 4 star visit. This was about a year ago. I returned shortly after this first visit and I tried the spaghetti and meatballs. These were... different. They have pine nuts in the meatballs which adds a definitive crunch to the generally crunchless dish. I found it odd, but not exactly bad. Definitely out of place. Three star visit. I just went to chef rons again. This would be my third and final visit. I ordered crab claws which have always been over cooked and understand here. The Abita butter helps, usually. The other night, it had a terrible bitter after taste, and over cooked and under seasoned crab claws as per the usual. I proceed to the entree. I ordered fried chicken, a side of macaroni and cheese, and a side of jambalaya. The chicken was rubbery and had a strange texture. It could have been seasoned better and the breeding was flowery. The jambalaya is a very heavy tomato sauce based variant. The sausage and chicken in the jambalaya was delicious. But, it is not what I call jambalaya and I did not care for it otherwise. I did enjoy the macaroni a good bit, perhaps, only realative to the rest of the meal. I tried my husband's gumbo and red beans was also disappointed. So, I reside at two unfortunate stars.", "timestamp": "2013-11-26T03:16:26" }, { "business_id": "BuQGsltd3B4L_HRCP2jpTQ", "business_name": "Joey K's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I ordered claws; the peon was a little small. They were good, but fried in bread crumbs, which is not my preference. I also ordered crab and corn bisque. Again, good not great. The French fries were frozen.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T02:54:29" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 5, "text": "There is a reason that this little Italian bakery is the best restaurant in New Orleans. Everything is amazing. Tira mi su, gelato, hot chocolate, cheesecakes, & pastries... You cannot go wrong. The spumoni is a must try. Don't be afraid of it! There is almost always a line. You may have to park around the corner or down the street. It's worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T03:01:33" }, { "business_id": "Z4qfMpj8jymG3_XjTBKN0A", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - Uptown", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best taquiera in the area. I love the steak chimichanga, a deep fried burrito covered in queso.. The queso they cover it in is awesome. The steak is never fatty and has an excellent grilled flavor. I also get the steak plato. I think it is a better deal than getting tacos because you get a lot of rice and beans and all the fixing plus some tortillas for about the price of two tacos. You can add a drink chips and queso to your order for a couple of bucks. The churros are delicious too. Terrill them you want one when you first order.", "timestamp": "2013-12-16T00:58:26" }, { "business_id": "C5xuoT2SwR8tXRH5O8HLXw", "business_name": "Fiesta Latina", "rating": 4, "text": "Fiesta Latina is my go - to spot for pupusas, especially since La Profecia closed. The chips and salsa are very good as well. They serve Fresca Toronja to which is awesome. I have not tried anything else.", "timestamp": "2013-12-17T01:10:33" }, { "business_id": "nvUoCZ-m21m2yRZq5ugQhw", "business_name": "Lucky Rooster", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is fantastic. I tried the dumplings, kfc, Thai ribs, and rice. I watch a lot of travel food shows and I have always wanted to try Asain-style dumplings. I finally did here and they were so light and delicate and delicious! I could eat 100, unfortunately, the appetizer only comes with 3... The rice was good, but not great. Everything else was amazing. I can't wait to go back. I will say that the portions are a bit small over all.", "timestamp": "2013-12-29T00:55:19" }, { "business_id": "e7hf4M8Z1ltmnABM_ByVuQ", "business_name": "Crazy Johnnie's", "rating": 5, "text": "Best prime rib in the city! Complete with au jus and horseradish, Johnny potatoes, and a spiced Apple slice, it is delicious! We always start with dippin' bread. I can't really explain the dip; you just have to try it. They are famous for their filet and filet po-boy (great for lunch) as well as barbeque shrimp. The restaurant itself is dimly lit and old school. It has a big bar and the bar ambiance is felt all around.", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T03:02:35" }, { "business_id": "oCtDz1M-m-iYH1cG2o4mtA", "business_name": "Foodie Call", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of the best food trucks in the city. The Poutine is my favorite. Whenever they have lemon squares, I buy half a dozen. The burger is delicious and the onions are nicely caramelized. Definitely give them a try! Check Facebook for location post. I generally find them at the rusty nail, 45 tchoup, or one of the round ups. They take credit cards.", "timestamp": "2014-04-11T00:57:22" }, { "business_id": "ndVzILWR-DJXpfOlHm556A", "business_name": "Liberty Cheesesteaks", "rating": 5, "text": "The last time I reviewed liberty cheese steaks my two big complaints were lack of peppers as a toppings and the expensive drinks. They now have two options for peppers, sweet banana and hot cherries, and they offer a fries and drink combo for an extra $3.00. The cheese steaks are delicious with tender, flavorful meat and melty cheese. I now consider this place a great value and it is a regular on my dining-out rotation. Average price for a \"shorty\" sandwich, fries, and drink is about $10.", "timestamp": "2014-07-27T19:03:39" }, { "business_id": "xCdqyXUbY0Tzfmbx9tx0YQ", "business_name": "Panera Bread", "rating": 4, "text": "Panetta is ideal for lunch, and sometimes a light dinner. The food is pre fabricated in one way or another but is good and consistent. The baked goods are delicious and the coffee drinks equally delectable. I live the black bean soup and the mac and cheese is one of the best I've had. If you order a meal and a drink, you can add any pastry for 99¢.... I'm a sucker for a sweet.", "timestamp": "2014-08-10T19:15:17" }, { "business_id": "q6hWVlVeiCgMgM22wt1wfw", "business_name": "The Company Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "If you like dry over-cooked burgers, then DO NOT come here. At company burger you will find a delicious medium-well burger served in the classic American way, with no lettuce and no tomato. A delicious burger made with premium beef, and topped with melty cheese, house made pickles and grilled onions can be made more delicious with the addition of bacon or a sunny side up egg, if you like. Like mayo? There's a whole bar! Excellent butter milk soaked onion rings, house cut fries fries, and crispy tater tots are served at a reasonable price. They serve alcohol and always have drink specials. They now have fountain drinks. The Company Burger: The best burger in New Orleans!", "timestamp": "2014-09-21T01:12:44" }, { "business_id": "wVrJOXjRrPKIfZbNnrl3ow", "business_name": "Pizza Delicious", "rating": 5, "text": "Their pizza is delicious. Traditional topped, pepperoni cheese and margherita, are always available. They also have varying daily pizza specials and pasta specials ve never tried their specials though; I'm a pepperoni purist. The garlic knots are delicious if you want more than just pizza.", "timestamp": "2014-11-10T01:37:15" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Finding a good roast beef po-boy has been been like chasing a moving target lately. Parkway is my current favorite and it is tied with St. Rose Tavern rock is a bit of a drive for a sandwich. I like the po-boy better than the atmosphere at Parkway. The po-boy is debris style with a great gravy. The bread is classic new Orleans french. The atmosphere is super casual picnic table group seating. There's a few tables at the bar where you can get service. Otherwise there is an order line and they call your name when it's ready.", "timestamp": "2014-11-24T18:09:08" }, { "business_id": "OEOpxiewgI7Sr2de0LVuMg", "business_name": "Crêpes à la Cart", "rating": 4, "text": "As with all things nutella, banana nutella crepes are delicious! I must be honest, i have not tried any other crepe. I want to, but... then, i think about banana surrounded by nutella and enveloped in spongy crepe. Yum! The place is located on Tulane's campus more or less. It has a very college vibe. There are a few chairs outside but otherwise no seating.", "timestamp": "2014-12-16T02:34:20" }, { "business_id": "G1fQJ8k5U1gdX0vWODCZYA", "business_name": "Cafe Nino", "rating": 5, "text": "I love red gravy. At Cafe Nino, you can practically drink it straight it is so good. I tell Nino he should serve it in a bread bowl and sell it as \"Italian Tomato Soup.\" A chiffon of basil and a sprinkle of cheese... guaranteed hit. Since this has yet to make it on the menu, I get my red gravy with a side of bread sticks. They are also delicious. Cafe Nino is one of the few true New York style pizza places in the area and definitely one of the best. Only the classic options are available. No fancy combos, just the good stuff. If you are not in the mood for pizza, try something from the cafeteria-style hot food line. The lasagna is composed of mini meatballs! Yum! These items vary day to day and are usually ready to go in just a minute, if you are in a hurry. The atmosphere is not fancy. Don't expect much. The people are friendly. One of my favorite places. Warning: CASH ONLY!", "timestamp": "2015-01-10T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "_X4t5U6oI6yXE9WBAtdu8w", "business_name": "NOLA Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "NOLA Smokehouse is by far the best barbaque in New Orleans. Nothing more really needs to be said, but I'm going to say more anyway: It's the only place I've seen burnt ends available. The pulled pork is fantastic. Its the reason I only want bbq here now. It couples great with the Steen's cane syrup cole slaw. The spoonbread is the best thing I've ever had, ever. It is addictive. I can consume mass quantities of the stuff if left unsupervised. My husband knows that he cannot eat here without me if he does not bring home spoon bread. Every once in a blue moon they do a reservation-only steak night. Delicious. Delicious, as in best rib-eye I've ever eaten delicious. Gumbo? Oh yes. On occasion it is available and it is a warm bowl of bbq chickenand sausage comfort. And on top of all that, the people are awesome. They are super-friendly and super-nice. You will never get rude service here. Family owned and operated and it shows. The minimalist decor reinforces that fact that the quality of the food is the number one priority. They conscientiously source their meats and veggies from what I understand. Studies have shown that happy animals have tastier meat. Maybe that's their secret. 20 oz coke products are available. No fountain drinks. I think they have barqs in a glass bottle too. The menu changes daily. Call or check facebook if you are heart-set in one thing in particular. They almost always sell out and generally don't make it far past lunch time. So, if you want to experience the wonderful things that this man can do with a smoker and some excellent quality meats, get there early.", "timestamp": "2015-01-16T16:32:22" }, { "business_id": "mAPhGy1jm7va499TPFlHzQ", "business_name": "Parran's PO-Boys", "rating": 4, "text": "Parran's is great for lunch. They offer a variety of New Orleans favorites. My husband loves the red beans and sausage, made in house. I am a fan of meatballs and spaghetti and their's is very good. They have daily specials as well.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:10:31" }, { "business_id": "7H1b6TZ-LNxyGx1cv9suJQ", "business_name": "Sonic Drive-In", "rating": 4, "text": "Four stars for the shakes! They are fresh-made, not that artificial syrup crap McDonald's and Rally's have. If you go at happy hour they are half off. I believe happy hour is from 2-4, maybe after 8 pm as well? I also like the hot dogs here. The chicken strips are burgers are good, not great. The tater tots are delicious! Fries, not so much. This particular location has a drive thru window as well as the drive in. Sometimes the drive thru is faster.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:18:12" }, { "business_id": "MbNcVhRqpNPcvgFzWgaxSQ", "business_name": "MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes", "rating": 5, "text": "MOOYAH is delicious! The burgers are delicious. The fries are delicious. The shakes are delicious. The options for burger toppings are impressive and most are included in the price. The cheese selection is great. Between cheese options and topping options, you can create countless different burgers. The fries are fresh cut double fried perfection. Shakes are fresh and thick with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Definitely one of the best burgers in the area.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T17:49:54" }, { "business_id": "Ro1I-E9gwe3t67_jz2cMkA", "business_name": "Mo's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Moe's Pizza is not New York Style. It is not brick oven style. Definitely not Chicago Style. So, I cannot describe the style of the pizza by the standard categories. What I can say is that the crust is on the thick side, with a very crispy bottom. If you like bread you will probably love it. It is great for supporting a lot of toppings. I generally get the supreme and it is covered in an assortment of meats, veggies, and mushrooms. It is fantastic. The cheese is excellent. It is overall delicious. The best part about Moe's is that they sell pizza by the slice. \"By the slice\" is a bit of an understatement, however, because the slice is huge and they cut it in two before they serve it. It's enough for two meals for me, but my husband eats both slices. Two slices and two drinks is under $15. They also have a few Italian dinners. I haven't tried them, but they are available. If you get a while pie, be aware, it is huge. It can easily feed a family.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T18:58:51" }, { "business_id": "v-wVkCLas3yapQ--sBSQ4Q", "business_name": "Dolce Vita Pizzeria", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to eat here a lot when Chef Bogdan ran the place. By a lot , I mean over 30 times. My review at that time was 5 stars. Some time last year, Chef Bogdan hung up his chef's hat and bowed out of the business. Since then, nothing has been the same. On my most recent visit, I order a single pizza and garlic bread. The garlic bread took over 20 minutes (use to take 5 min) to arrive and when they did arrive they were COLD! Very disappointing. When I inquired about what was taking so long, I was informed that the chef was making all pizza for the for tables seated in the restauraunt at once, a concept that truely puzzles me. When I witnessed a table that had just ordered get served their pizza immediately, I lost it. We had somewhere to be and chose pizza because it's usually quick and delicious. After 35 minutes of waiting, we paid for the cold breadsticks and we left, hungry and irritated. When we left, the pizza was not in the oven yet. I find this experience especially disappointing because I truely loved Dolce Vita, but each time I've eaten there since Chef left has been a bad experience. Maybe, if you never ate here when Bogdan was in charge, you will like it...", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T02:49:33" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I love hibachi. I have eaten it just about everywhere it is offered in the area. This location of Little Tokyo is the best. The hibachi comes with noodles; hibachi rice is extra. The filet and the shrimp are delicious and the chefs are very good about not over cooking the meats. They let you share, but there is an extra $5 charge which includes an extra soup and salad. Everything is cooked in garlic butter. In my opinion, the liberal use of garlic butter is the deciding factor in the taste of hibachi. They get an A. The veggies are very well seasoned, but they do not include broccoli.", "timestamp": "2015-03-15T01:41:07" }, { "business_id": "eLjXnfYwkr8zz0VhwMhOGw", "business_name": "Pizza Domenica", "rating": 5, "text": "Pizza Domenica is one of the best Napoli style pizza place in town. It is a branch out from Domenica Restauraunt on Baronne in the CBD, which also serves delicious pizza. Both are run by Alon Shaya, protégé of John Besh. You have to try the garlic knots. More specifically, you must try the amazing, aerated, fluffy cheese dip that comes with the knots. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. The delicate texture and tart taste intrigues my palate with a sharp tanginess that I found exhilarating. The spicy salami on the 'pepperoni' pizza is like no other. It is so good! I dream about it, frequently. The crust has a great rustic flavor and is thin and crispy. I love the little bits of burned pieces! The prosciutto is also devine and is equally craveable. I'm pretty sure all meats are house cured or Italian imports. Honestly, the experience and over all quality at the Domenica on Baronne is SLIGHTLY better (bread comes with your meal, your check comes with amazing chocolate cookies, pizza menu varies slightly.) I'm not surprised by this, as Domenica is a higher caliber of restauraunt. But, when getting a table at the Domenica isn't an option, I'm greatful they have a pizza only restauraunt.", "timestamp": "2015-03-16T01:48:15" }, { "business_id": "f-WhNOSwN1aB4nRFekf01g", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 4, "text": "Id you haven't been to the Smoothie King center since it was know as the New Orleans Arena, you are in for a nice surprise. The arena has had a face lift and, while the seats are the same, everything else has been refreshed. Most importantly, the food options are far more varied and appeal to many tastes. The quality of the food is very good and significantly improved from a few years back. The drink options are much improved as well and include full service bars, spiked lemonade, bottled and draft beer and of course, smoothies. There is even a spot for sweets. You can get funnel cake, cotton candy, and all kinds of delicious things I was too full to take in. The venue finally feels a bit swanky and top notch. We are moving on up!", "timestamp": "2015-03-19T00:30:09" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 5, "text": "The Freret Market is my favorite local market and a great place to eat lunch. It is usually on the first Saturday of the month from fall through spring. If you are using credit cards you will need to visit the booth in the middle where you can get cash. They charge a small fee. You don't need a pin. My favorite things here are the cup cashless at Creole Cupcakes, Yakamien from Mrs. Linda, and fries from the Fry Bar. La Cocinita Food Truck is frequently there as well. They are delicious! The market had great local music. Sometimes the Mardi Gras Indians make am appearance. Additionally, local crafts and art with a distinctly new orleans touch can be found.", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:43:53" }, { "business_id": "oYF96W1boB-0E3g3i8U_zw", "business_name": "Wink's World Famous Buttermilk Drop Bakery & Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "This review is primarily applicable to the buttermilk drops and customer service. Everything else looked amazingly delicious, but, regrettably, I only tried the drops. Unlike anywhere I've had them before, Wink offers buttermilk drops covered in chocolate ganache with nuts, like a turtle, and these are awesome, because buttermilk drops arent delcicous enough. Right? The ones that are rolled in cinnamon sugar are good not great. Classic glazed is classically decadent. The glazed were unbelievably good. They were the best I've ever eaten and so fresh and moist. I could probably eat a dozen. The customer service was great. The ladies were friendly and happy. I can feel another visit in my imminent future.", "timestamp": "2015-04-09T02:05:35" }, { "business_id": "R46XVcmUzy8qeerHyZQtEg", "business_name": "The Big Cheezy", "rating": 4, "text": "The menu is overwhelming, so be prepared. The prices are reasonable if you order one of their specialty grilled cheezes but if you go the custom build route, the costs add up quickly. This will be one of the best grilled cheeses of your life. So be prepared for crispy bread, melty delicious cheeses, and other yummy delights. They offer an original grilled cheese and soup combo for about $8. The tomato basil soup is very good and I very much so enjoyed the gumbo. (Those two are the only soup options by the way. ) They also have dessert beignets. They are incredible! I dont care how full I am, I will always have room for dessert. Do not park on the right ride of the building. As the signs say, they tow, and they tow very quickly from what I understand. I am disappointed to say that this is not the same Big Cheezey that made an appearance a few years ago at some of the street food events. The owners of this place bought the name, but its not the same people.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:16:33" }, { "business_id": "OxXMZfaRZc7SJnjMBkO1ww", "business_name": "Taceaux Loceaux", "rating": 5, "text": "Taceaux loceaux is one if the best food trucks in the country. Their taceauxs are amazing. I eat here about once a week. My favorites are the chubster, kermits bbq, and delta prawn, but be warned, the selection varies and items do sell out. Though not often available, the quesadillas are filled with real, melty, stretchy cheese and usually brisket. The brisket can be greasy some nights, which is always a disappointment for me. When it isnt, greasy they are absolutely scrumptious. Pretty much anything you try should be good (except maybe the tofu or all hat no catlle, unless, of course, you like that vegetarian sort of thing). Most people go crazy for the avacado fries, but avacados aren't my thing. This is not your stereotypical taco truck. Almost everything is some type of fusion and it all works very well. The chef understands how to deliver flavors on a five star level at one dollar sign price, a very rare find.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:36:45" }, { "business_id": "3db1R99-mdSvx3QwryJSNQ", "business_name": "The Camellia Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Camellia Grill is the only local diner I frequent. It has a great classic feel with only bar style seating and service available. It could be the chocolate freezes, but it's probably a combination of that and the friendly service, clean kitchen, and great breakfast that makes this my goto breakfast-served-all-day spot (but mostly it's the choclate freezes. ) I really like the waffle, even though it is thin and far from my preferential Belgian style. The syrup tastes real, but I'm not sure if it is actual maple or a good copy. The omlets are awesome. They mix everything up and cook the mix into supper fluffy decadent eggs. Camelia Grill is a great stop for breakfast! Not in the mood for breakfast? They also have great okra gumbo, classic grilled cheese, good burgers, and some other options I haven tried like fried chicken strips and hot dogs.", "timestamp": "2015-05-04T01:16:05" }, { "business_id": "A8ivmB48-sMd4eBwIErs7A", "business_name": "The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk", "rating": 4, "text": "The Outlets ay Riverwalk are far better than any other mall that has occupied this space. There are options to appeal to everyone. My favorites are the Lucky Jeans oulet and the Ann Taylor LOFT outlet. Others include gap, Nemien Marcus Last Call, Tommy Bahama, New Balance, Coach, Forever 21, Guess, and Kenneth Cole. The food court is awesome. It puts most malls to shame. They offer Canes Fried Chicken Fingers, Izzo's Illegal Burrito, Mooyah Burger's and Fries, Monas Mediterranean, Mandarin Express, (cheese)Steaks and Fries, Villa Italian, Aunt Annies Pretzels, Mike Andersins Seafood, a sald place and of course a Daiquiri shop and a few other places. Outside of the food court you can find a Cafe du Monde, Red Mango FroYo, Pralines, Popcorn Bistro, and Great American cookie Company. The views of the river from the food court are some of the best in the city. You can get $7 of parking with $20 purchase. Visit the security booth near the exits to the parking lots.", "timestamp": "2015-07-12T20:54:12" }, { "business_id": "J3ZsfPsk47ozaJ2VZZLYGQ", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 2, "text": "Jimmy Johns is terrible. The only reason I can find to justify people's love of the place is that it is cheap and the quality of the meat appears to be be better than Subway. The bread is flavorless. The bacon is terrible and I'm not convinced that it had been cooked in anyway. I could not eat it. The toppings and cheese options are practically nonexistent. However, if you don't care what your food trades like, you may love this place. It's clean, the service is fast and the prices are great.", "timestamp": "2015-07-14T22:53:31" }, { "business_id": "SI3q166YxgbxzQxMfpiWjQ", "business_name": "Bayou Hot Wings", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is great! They have the best tasting chicken wings and fried chicken tenders in the area. The sauce options are all delictable and well varied to appeal to many different tastes. I love the pepper jelly. It is my favorite. I need to try some different ones but the pepperjelly is so good I have not really gone through them all. I have tried the thai chili glaze and it was delicious too, but, pepper jelly is better. The onion rings are made fresh, well seasoned, and thick sliced. The French fries are what I classify as steak fries but they have a nice airy texture and are really good. They are served tossed in house made cajun seasoning. The restauraunt is very small with a few bars to eat at long the walls and two larger picnic tables outside. They do a lot of togo business. The drink selectioms are primarily glass bottles. A note on the chicken wings: they are not those freakishly huge chicken wings; they are on the smaller side.", "timestamp": "2015-07-15T00:20:20" }, { "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Things to know about Mosca's before you go: They are strictly cash only It takes around 50 minutes to get your food The restauraunt can get VERY loud Portions are huge You usually need reservations The menu is limited I find Moscas to be expensive for what you get. I have mainly tried the spaghetti and meatballs. The red gravy is good, but the meatballs are dense. The pasta was angle hair cooked al dente. I have also had the crab salad which was mostly iceberg lettuce tossed in a light house dressing and sprinkled with crab meat. It tasted better than it looked but I was not overly impressed. Supposidly the oysters and chicken la mosca are amazing and I am told that they would change my mind about the place. If I come again, I will have to give the chicken a try (I dont eat oysters). For me, the food is not good enough to justify the drive, cost, and time, but it is the noise factor that definitely kills it for me. It is so loud you cannot talk to the person sitting next to you without shouting and only further adding to the earsplitting noise. 50 minutes of staring at the people you are with and smothered by the reverberation of ever conversation in the room is not my idea of a nice meal.", "timestamp": "2015-07-18T01:59:35" } ]	{ "business_id": "m57EWrMrPAeQnjvfqmGNqA", "business_name": "Swan River Yoga Mid-City Mandir", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place! It is an oasis for me. I always feel welcomed and never judged. I am completely addicted to restorative yoga. It really helps my stress and pain levels. I love atmosphere of the mandir. They use therapeutic aromas and music to enhance the calming aire. The teachers are great. They adapt to your level and needs and are very calm and tranquil in class. I leave feeling centered and at peace. I was so inspired by the restorative yoga that I've started going to beginner yoga as well. I may be equally addicted. Again, the teachers are great, helpful and kind. Everything it is for beginners, this class is still a workout. They also offer a 4 week beginner yoga course which I am going to take one the next one starts. This focused more on teaching the correct way to do each pose. Great for complete novice like myself. They also offer very challenging courses. Check the website for schedules and class descriptions. All of the equipment you may need is available, making Swan River very beginner friendly.", "timestamp": "2015-08-13T00:22:41" }
mEOMAeEonZoUx2nPM3v6fg	[ { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Do not believe the hype! I have no idea how this restaurant gets the reviews it gets. My husband and I were severely disappointed after having such high expectations from the feedback and fanfare. Nothing about our meal was good. The crab claws were bland; the batter had no seasoning and I had to request some from the kitchen to sprinkle on top just to eat them. Burger was dry hard,, over cooked and favorless even with cheese, bacon, and mushrooms. I could not believe how bad it was with all the good feedback. One thing I can say is that the mushrooms did have flavor, really bad burnt grill debris flavor. They left an unsettling taste that upset my stomach. Customer Beware, the corn and crab soup is really corn shrimp and crab soup with hardly any crab. There is no mention of the shrimp any where on the menu. Some may think this is a good thing, but I feel the taste of shrimp kills any hint of crab flavor. Not even the drinks were good. Red creme soda was almost pure syrup, Coke was flat. Even the service was terrible. I only saw a waiter about every 10-15 minutes across the entire dining room when it was fully seated. It took 15 minutes to get my bill. 15 Minutes to get the seasoning I had to ask for to eat my appetizer. The food took forever to come out and by the time it did, the cheese they melted over the potato had hardened. I also ordered sour creme and chives on my potato and did not get either. THIS IS NEW ORLEANS, WE CAN SO BETTER! DON'T BOTHER!$", "timestamp": "2011-05-21T03:51:46" }, { "business_id": "5uoRXyHxs6nH_ORItDCoaQ", "business_name": "Sake Sushi Hibachi House", "rating": 4, "text": "Best hibachi in the area, especially for the price!! Japanese soup, salad, rice our noodles and two shrimp come with dinner. The fillet is delicious and makes sake sushi my favorite steak house. Everything is consistently delicious! I am more or less addicted to this place!", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T19:24:44" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Tracey's had the best yourself po' boy in the world! Literally! I suggest getting it with mayo and swiss only... for optimum dining enjoyment. I have not tried any thing else, except for the gravey fries. Gravy is amazing, fries need improvement, but the two together are reminiscent of mashed potatos and gravey. If you are in new orleans, this is a must try!", "timestamp": "2011-07-08T00:42:59" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "La Divina is la delicious! The gelato is creamy and ddecadent. The bananas foster has a delightful ribbon of caramel heaven. The mango is almost as bold and sensuous as the ones I've had from local farmers markets in Costa Rica. I cannot wait to come back and try more flavors. I wish they offered a sampler of every one.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:00:10" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "Everything here is fresh. The burger was still seasoned with a great flavor. They cook them to order and they actually deliver the temperature you request! Great cheese, a house made roll, and super fresh veggies are served with their amazing hand-cut, real potato fries. There are two squeeze bottles presented with the meal. The first is a hearty ketchup that elevates the burger perfectly. The second is an aioli sauce that goes great with the fries. One of the best burgers I've had.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:01:21" }, { "business_id": "Www0sdTTumnFyuBx2ImvMg", "business_name": "Mi Pequeña Honduras", "rating": 5, "text": "If you are looking for excellent quality, authentic central american food (NOT MEXICAN FOOD) go here! Every thing is fresh and fully of life. The Zacatuste is great for dinner, where as the enchilada/tostada is a fantastic lunch. The taquitos are the best I've ever had and retain a delightfully crispy texture even with the sauce its topped with. I eat here weekly if possible. The place is very clean and has a great atmosphere, from the beautiful flowers in the bed out front to the interior tile work. It is only one block off of Williams and pretty easy to find. Additional parking is available in back, but the alley is a bit tight. NOTE: If you are looking for TexMex, tacos, chips and salsa, queso, or fajitas this is not what you are looking for. However, you will rethink Hispanic food if you eat here! Me encanta Mi Pueblito!", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:14:08" }, { "business_id": "stqWlKEgXweNQSsxOsHjVA", "business_name": "Mahony's Po-Boys & Seafood - Uptown", "rating": 1, "text": "I had been told that there was a roast beef po boy at Mahony's rivaled the one I adore at Tracey's, which says a lot. I realized tonight, I have been lied to. The evening began with great promise. We had ordered gravy \"dirty\" fries and a roast beef poboy. The fries arrived ahead of the sandwiches by about 5 minutes. They were beautifully fried and hand-cut, covered in beef debris and gravy. The tasted good too! We devoured them and anxiously awaited our sandwiches. Then they arrived... Surprisingly, the meat and gravy on the sandwich tasted so differently from t hat on the first and not in a good way! The roast had a very strange taste that I cannot place. The more I ate, the stronger it got. I actually stopped eating about halfway through and decided that it was all around unappealing. Mahony's appears to have fallen victim to the phenomena becoming frighteningly common in the N.O. The under-stuffed poboy. At $12.00 for the 12 inch, I expected overflowing amounts of succulent, gravy drenched deliciousness. A single thin layer of beef accompanied by gravy and some chunks of fat was all that there was. Don't bother with Mahony's if you want a New Orleans style roast beef, keep going towards the cbd and go to Tracey Irish Pub!", "timestamp": "2011-09-16T22:29:34" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Coop's is the best find in the French Quarter! Their fried crab claws are the best in the City and pair great with the real (fresh) french fries. I am a particular fan if the crawfish and andouille pasta. It comes with the most generous serving of crawfish I've ever sean from a restaurant. I've also had the fried shrimp which are fresh and perfectly cooked. The batter is delicious. The atmosphere is.... a bar that many several years ago was a horse barn. There used to be a sweet little grey kitty that had free roam of the place but someone complained...", "timestamp": "2011-09-25T19:36:58" }, { "business_id": "4WdDY97x4GdMYtyk1KQMnw", "business_name": "Lilly's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly's has the best Vietnamese food I've had. It is excellent. The vegetables are fresh and crisp; the beef, tender and delicious. The crab rangoons are excellent! They use real crab, which is a rarity, I find. The rangoons come with or without bacon. They use a different sauce than the sweet and sour or duck sauce you see at most places but it is delicious. Lilly's is a must try.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T01:53:04" }, { "business_id": "Ye5nmTmZ7cL7BQshqZeIWQ", "business_name": "McClure's", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite thing to eat at Mcclures is pulled pork with Cole slaw. I eat both I'm the same bite. The textual combination is most satisfying. The slaw is vinegar based, not a heavy mayo slaw. The pork is tender and smoky and delicious. They pair amazingly. All the sides are good and a bit different team the norm, a refreshing experience in the bbq world. The mac and cheese is very good, beans are different but awesome. They also offer bite sized desserts, baked in-house and at very reasonable prices and portions. My husband and I often split all meats and all sides. It's a great deal and you get to try everything. It's a must for first time visitors. We like to save the chicken and make smoked chicken paninis for lunch the next day.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T02:16:25" }, { "business_id": "bp5Mk2d0qofUeF5uLauIbg", "business_name": "Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop", "rating": 2, "text": "It is amazing how my opinion of this place has changed with time. When I first ate at chef ron's, I had the etouffe and some gumbo and i really enjoyed it. I would call it a 4 star visit. This was about a year ago. I returned shortly after this first visit and I tried the spaghetti and meatballs. These were... different. They have pine nuts in the meatballs which adds a definitive crunch to the generally crunchless dish. I found it odd, but not exactly bad. Definitely out of place. Three star visit. I just went to chef rons again. This would be my third and final visit. I ordered crab claws which have always been over cooked and understand here. The Abita butter helps, usually. The other night, it had a terrible bitter after taste, and over cooked and under seasoned crab claws as per the usual. I proceed to the entree. I ordered fried chicken, a side of macaroni and cheese, and a side of jambalaya. The chicken was rubbery and had a strange texture. It could have been seasoned better and the breeding was flowery. The jambalaya is a very heavy tomato sauce based variant. The sausage and chicken in the jambalaya was delicious. But, it is not what I call jambalaya and I did not care for it otherwise. I did enjoy the macaroni a good bit, perhaps, only realative to the rest of the meal. I tried my husband's gumbo and red beans was also disappointed. So, I reside at two unfortunate stars.", "timestamp": "2013-11-26T03:16:26" }, { "business_id": "BuQGsltd3B4L_HRCP2jpTQ", "business_name": "Joey K's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I ordered claws; the peon was a little small. They were good, but fried in bread crumbs, which is not my preference. I also ordered crab and corn bisque. Again, good not great. The French fries were frozen.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T02:54:29" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 5, "text": "There is a reason that this little Italian bakery is the best restaurant in New Orleans. Everything is amazing. Tira mi su, gelato, hot chocolate, cheesecakes, & pastries... You cannot go wrong. The spumoni is a must try. Don't be afraid of it! There is almost always a line. You may have to park around the corner or down the street. It's worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T03:01:33" }, { "business_id": "Z4qfMpj8jymG3_XjTBKN0A", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - Uptown", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best taquiera in the area. I love the steak chimichanga, a deep fried burrito covered in queso.. The queso they cover it in is awesome. The steak is never fatty and has an excellent grilled flavor. I also get the steak plato. I think it is a better deal than getting tacos because you get a lot of rice and beans and all the fixing plus some tortillas for about the price of two tacos. You can add a drink chips and queso to your order for a couple of bucks. The churros are delicious too. Terrill them you want one when you first order.", "timestamp": "2013-12-16T00:58:26" }, { "business_id": "C5xuoT2SwR8tXRH5O8HLXw", "business_name": "Fiesta Latina", "rating": 4, "text": "Fiesta Latina is my go - to spot for pupusas, especially since La Profecia closed. The chips and salsa are very good as well. They serve Fresca Toronja to which is awesome. I have not tried anything else.", "timestamp": "2013-12-17T01:10:33" }, { "business_id": "nvUoCZ-m21m2yRZq5ugQhw", "business_name": "Lucky Rooster", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is fantastic. I tried the dumplings, kfc, Thai ribs, and rice. I watch a lot of travel food shows and I have always wanted to try Asain-style dumplings. I finally did here and they were so light and delicate and delicious! I could eat 100, unfortunately, the appetizer only comes with 3... The rice was good, but not great. Everything else was amazing. I can't wait to go back. I will say that the portions are a bit small over all.", "timestamp": "2013-12-29T00:55:19" }, { "business_id": "e7hf4M8Z1ltmnABM_ByVuQ", "business_name": "Crazy Johnnie's", "rating": 5, "text": "Best prime rib in the city! Complete with au jus and horseradish, Johnny potatoes, and a spiced Apple slice, it is delicious! We always start with dippin' bread. I can't really explain the dip; you just have to try it. They are famous for their filet and filet po-boy (great for lunch) as well as barbeque shrimp. The restaurant itself is dimly lit and old school. It has a big bar and the bar ambiance is felt all around.", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T03:02:35" }, { "business_id": "oCtDz1M-m-iYH1cG2o4mtA", "business_name": "Foodie Call", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of the best food trucks in the city. The Poutine is my favorite. Whenever they have lemon squares, I buy half a dozen. The burger is delicious and the onions are nicely caramelized. Definitely give them a try! Check Facebook for location post. I generally find them at the rusty nail, 45 tchoup, or one of the round ups. They take credit cards.", "timestamp": "2014-04-11T00:57:22" }, { "business_id": "ndVzILWR-DJXpfOlHm556A", "business_name": "Liberty Cheesesteaks", "rating": 5, "text": "The last time I reviewed liberty cheese steaks my two big complaints were lack of peppers as a toppings and the expensive drinks. They now have two options for peppers, sweet banana and hot cherries, and they offer a fries and drink combo for an extra $3.00. The cheese steaks are delicious with tender, flavorful meat and melty cheese. I now consider this place a great value and it is a regular on my dining-out rotation. Average price for a \"shorty\" sandwich, fries, and drink is about $10.", "timestamp": "2014-07-27T19:03:39" }, { "business_id": "xCdqyXUbY0Tzfmbx9tx0YQ", "business_name": "Panera Bread", "rating": 4, "text": "Panetta is ideal for lunch, and sometimes a light dinner. The food is pre fabricated in one way or another but is good and consistent. The baked goods are delicious and the coffee drinks equally delectable. I live the black bean soup and the mac and cheese is one of the best I've had. If you order a meal and a drink, you can add any pastry for 99¢.... I'm a sucker for a sweet.", "timestamp": "2014-08-10T19:15:17" }, { "business_id": "q6hWVlVeiCgMgM22wt1wfw", "business_name": "The Company Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "If you like dry over-cooked burgers, then DO NOT come here. At company burger you will find a delicious medium-well burger served in the classic American way, with no lettuce and no tomato. A delicious burger made with premium beef, and topped with melty cheese, house made pickles and grilled onions can be made more delicious with the addition of bacon or a sunny side up egg, if you like. Like mayo? There's a whole bar! Excellent butter milk soaked onion rings, house cut fries fries, and crispy tater tots are served at a reasonable price. They serve alcohol and always have drink specials. They now have fountain drinks. The Company Burger: The best burger in New Orleans!", "timestamp": "2014-09-21T01:12:44" }, { "business_id": "wVrJOXjRrPKIfZbNnrl3ow", "business_name": "Pizza Delicious", "rating": 5, "text": "Their pizza is delicious. Traditional topped, pepperoni cheese and margherita, are always available. They also have varying daily pizza specials and pasta specials ve never tried their specials though; I'm a pepperoni purist. The garlic knots are delicious if you want more than just pizza.", "timestamp": "2014-11-10T01:37:15" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Finding a good roast beef po-boy has been been like chasing a moving target lately. Parkway is my current favorite and it is tied with St. Rose Tavern rock is a bit of a drive for a sandwich. I like the po-boy better than the atmosphere at Parkway. The po-boy is debris style with a great gravy. The bread is classic new Orleans french. The atmosphere is super casual picnic table group seating. There's a few tables at the bar where you can get service. Otherwise there is an order line and they call your name when it's ready.", "timestamp": "2014-11-24T18:09:08" }, { "business_id": "OEOpxiewgI7Sr2de0LVuMg", "business_name": "Crêpes à la Cart", "rating": 4, "text": "As with all things nutella, banana nutella crepes are delicious! I must be honest, i have not tried any other crepe. I want to, but... then, i think about banana surrounded by nutella and enveloped in spongy crepe. Yum! The place is located on Tulane's campus more or less. It has a very college vibe. There are a few chairs outside but otherwise no seating.", "timestamp": "2014-12-16T02:34:20" }, { "business_id": "G1fQJ8k5U1gdX0vWODCZYA", "business_name": "Cafe Nino", "rating": 5, "text": "I love red gravy. At Cafe Nino, you can practically drink it straight it is so good. I tell Nino he should serve it in a bread bowl and sell it as \"Italian Tomato Soup.\" A chiffon of basil and a sprinkle of cheese... guaranteed hit. Since this has yet to make it on the menu, I get my red gravy with a side of bread sticks. They are also delicious. Cafe Nino is one of the few true New York style pizza places in the area and definitely one of the best. Only the classic options are available. No fancy combos, just the good stuff. If you are not in the mood for pizza, try something from the cafeteria-style hot food line. The lasagna is composed of mini meatballs! Yum! These items vary day to day and are usually ready to go in just a minute, if you are in a hurry. The atmosphere is not fancy. Don't expect much. The people are friendly. One of my favorite places. Warning: CASH ONLY!", "timestamp": "2015-01-10T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "_X4t5U6oI6yXE9WBAtdu8w", "business_name": "NOLA Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "NOLA Smokehouse is by far the best barbaque in New Orleans. Nothing more really needs to be said, but I'm going to say more anyway: It's the only place I've seen burnt ends available. The pulled pork is fantastic. Its the reason I only want bbq here now. It couples great with the Steen's cane syrup cole slaw. The spoonbread is the best thing I've ever had, ever. It is addictive. I can consume mass quantities of the stuff if left unsupervised. My husband knows that he cannot eat here without me if he does not bring home spoon bread. Every once in a blue moon they do a reservation-only steak night. Delicious. Delicious, as in best rib-eye I've ever eaten delicious. Gumbo? Oh yes. On occasion it is available and it is a warm bowl of bbq chickenand sausage comfort. And on top of all that, the people are awesome. They are super-friendly and super-nice. You will never get rude service here. Family owned and operated and it shows. The minimalist decor reinforces that fact that the quality of the food is the number one priority. They conscientiously source their meats and veggies from what I understand. Studies have shown that happy animals have tastier meat. Maybe that's their secret. 20 oz coke products are available. No fountain drinks. I think they have barqs in a glass bottle too. The menu changes daily. Call or check facebook if you are heart-set in one thing in particular. They almost always sell out and generally don't make it far past lunch time. So, if you want to experience the wonderful things that this man can do with a smoker and some excellent quality meats, get there early.", "timestamp": "2015-01-16T16:32:22" }, { "business_id": "mAPhGy1jm7va499TPFlHzQ", "business_name": "Parran's PO-Boys", "rating": 4, "text": "Parran's is great for lunch. They offer a variety of New Orleans favorites. My husband loves the red beans and sausage, made in house. I am a fan of meatballs and spaghetti and their's is very good. They have daily specials as well.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:10:31" }, { "business_id": "7H1b6TZ-LNxyGx1cv9suJQ", "business_name": "Sonic Drive-In", "rating": 4, "text": "Four stars for the shakes! They are fresh-made, not that artificial syrup crap McDonald's and Rally's have. If you go at happy hour they are half off. I believe happy hour is from 2-4, maybe after 8 pm as well? I also like the hot dogs here. The chicken strips are burgers are good, not great. The tater tots are delicious! Fries, not so much. This particular location has a drive thru window as well as the drive in. Sometimes the drive thru is faster.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:18:12" }, { "business_id": "MbNcVhRqpNPcvgFzWgaxSQ", "business_name": "MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes", "rating": 5, "text": "MOOYAH is delicious! The burgers are delicious. The fries are delicious. The shakes are delicious. The options for burger toppings are impressive and most are included in the price. The cheese selection is great. Between cheese options and topping options, you can create countless different burgers. The fries are fresh cut double fried perfection. Shakes are fresh and thick with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Definitely one of the best burgers in the area.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T17:49:54" }, { "business_id": "Ro1I-E9gwe3t67_jz2cMkA", "business_name": "Mo's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Moe's Pizza is not New York Style. It is not brick oven style. Definitely not Chicago Style. So, I cannot describe the style of the pizza by the standard categories. What I can say is that the crust is on the thick side, with a very crispy bottom. If you like bread you will probably love it. It is great for supporting a lot of toppings. I generally get the supreme and it is covered in an assortment of meats, veggies, and mushrooms. It is fantastic. The cheese is excellent. It is overall delicious. The best part about Moe's is that they sell pizza by the slice. \"By the slice\" is a bit of an understatement, however, because the slice is huge and they cut it in two before they serve it. It's enough for two meals for me, but my husband eats both slices. Two slices and two drinks is under $15. They also have a few Italian dinners. I haven't tried them, but they are available. If you get a while pie, be aware, it is huge. It can easily feed a family.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T18:58:51" }, { "business_id": "v-wVkCLas3yapQ--sBSQ4Q", "business_name": "Dolce Vita Pizzeria", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to eat here a lot when Chef Bogdan ran the place. By a lot , I mean over 30 times. My review at that time was 5 stars. Some time last year, Chef Bogdan hung up his chef's hat and bowed out of the business. Since then, nothing has been the same. On my most recent visit, I order a single pizza and garlic bread. The garlic bread took over 20 minutes (use to take 5 min) to arrive and when they did arrive they were COLD! Very disappointing. When I inquired about what was taking so long, I was informed that the chef was making all pizza for the for tables seated in the restauraunt at once, a concept that truely puzzles me. When I witnessed a table that had just ordered get served their pizza immediately, I lost it. We had somewhere to be and chose pizza because it's usually quick and delicious. After 35 minutes of waiting, we paid for the cold breadsticks and we left, hungry and irritated. When we left, the pizza was not in the oven yet. I find this experience especially disappointing because I truely loved Dolce Vita, but each time I've eaten there since Chef left has been a bad experience. Maybe, if you never ate here when Bogdan was in charge, you will like it...", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T02:49:33" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I love hibachi. I have eaten it just about everywhere it is offered in the area. This location of Little Tokyo is the best. The hibachi comes with noodles; hibachi rice is extra. The filet and the shrimp are delicious and the chefs are very good about not over cooking the meats. They let you share, but there is an extra $5 charge which includes an extra soup and salad. Everything is cooked in garlic butter. In my opinion, the liberal use of garlic butter is the deciding factor in the taste of hibachi. They get an A. The veggies are very well seasoned, but they do not include broccoli.", "timestamp": "2015-03-15T01:41:07" }, { "business_id": "eLjXnfYwkr8zz0VhwMhOGw", "business_name": "Pizza Domenica", "rating": 5, "text": "Pizza Domenica is one of the best Napoli style pizza place in town. It is a branch out from Domenica Restauraunt on Baronne in the CBD, which also serves delicious pizza. Both are run by Alon Shaya, protégé of John Besh. You have to try the garlic knots. More specifically, you must try the amazing, aerated, fluffy cheese dip that comes with the knots. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. The delicate texture and tart taste intrigues my palate with a sharp tanginess that I found exhilarating. The spicy salami on the 'pepperoni' pizza is like no other. It is so good! I dream about it, frequently. The crust has a great rustic flavor and is thin and crispy. I love the little bits of burned pieces! The prosciutto is also devine and is equally craveable. I'm pretty sure all meats are house cured or Italian imports. Honestly, the experience and over all quality at the Domenica on Baronne is SLIGHTLY better (bread comes with your meal, your check comes with amazing chocolate cookies, pizza menu varies slightly.) I'm not surprised by this, as Domenica is a higher caliber of restauraunt. But, when getting a table at the Domenica isn't an option, I'm greatful they have a pizza only restauraunt.", "timestamp": "2015-03-16T01:48:15" }, { "business_id": "f-WhNOSwN1aB4nRFekf01g", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 4, "text": "Id you haven't been to the Smoothie King center since it was know as the New Orleans Arena, you are in for a nice surprise. The arena has had a face lift and, while the seats are the same, everything else has been refreshed. Most importantly, the food options are far more varied and appeal to many tastes. The quality of the food is very good and significantly improved from a few years back. The drink options are much improved as well and include full service bars, spiked lemonade, bottled and draft beer and of course, smoothies. There is even a spot for sweets. You can get funnel cake, cotton candy, and all kinds of delicious things I was too full to take in. The venue finally feels a bit swanky and top notch. We are moving on up!", "timestamp": "2015-03-19T00:30:09" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 5, "text": "The Freret Market is my favorite local market and a great place to eat lunch. It is usually on the first Saturday of the month from fall through spring. If you are using credit cards you will need to visit the booth in the middle where you can get cash. They charge a small fee. You don't need a pin. My favorite things here are the cup cashless at Creole Cupcakes, Yakamien from Mrs. Linda, and fries from the Fry Bar. La Cocinita Food Truck is frequently there as well. They are delicious! The market had great local music. Sometimes the Mardi Gras Indians make am appearance. Additionally, local crafts and art with a distinctly new orleans touch can be found.", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:43:53" }, { "business_id": "oYF96W1boB-0E3g3i8U_zw", "business_name": "Wink's World Famous Buttermilk Drop Bakery & Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "This review is primarily applicable to the buttermilk drops and customer service. Everything else looked amazingly delicious, but, regrettably, I only tried the drops. Unlike anywhere I've had them before, Wink offers buttermilk drops covered in chocolate ganache with nuts, like a turtle, and these are awesome, because buttermilk drops arent delcicous enough. Right? The ones that are rolled in cinnamon sugar are good not great. Classic glazed is classically decadent. The glazed were unbelievably good. They were the best I've ever eaten and so fresh and moist. I could probably eat a dozen. The customer service was great. The ladies were friendly and happy. I can feel another visit in my imminent future.", "timestamp": "2015-04-09T02:05:35" }, { "business_id": "R46XVcmUzy8qeerHyZQtEg", "business_name": "The Big Cheezy", "rating": 4, "text": "The menu is overwhelming, so be prepared. The prices are reasonable if you order one of their specialty grilled cheezes but if you go the custom build route, the costs add up quickly. This will be one of the best grilled cheeses of your life. So be prepared for crispy bread, melty delicious cheeses, and other yummy delights. They offer an original grilled cheese and soup combo for about $8. The tomato basil soup is very good and I very much so enjoyed the gumbo. (Those two are the only soup options by the way. ) They also have dessert beignets. They are incredible! I dont care how full I am, I will always have room for dessert. Do not park on the right ride of the building. As the signs say, they tow, and they tow very quickly from what I understand. I am disappointed to say that this is not the same Big Cheezey that made an appearance a few years ago at some of the street food events. The owners of this place bought the name, but its not the same people.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:16:33" }, { "business_id": "OxXMZfaRZc7SJnjMBkO1ww", "business_name": "Taceaux Loceaux", "rating": 5, "text": "Taceaux loceaux is one if the best food trucks in the country. Their taceauxs are amazing. I eat here about once a week. My favorites are the chubster, kermits bbq, and delta prawn, but be warned, the selection varies and items do sell out. Though not often available, the quesadillas are filled with real, melty, stretchy cheese and usually brisket. The brisket can be greasy some nights, which is always a disappointment for me. When it isnt, greasy they are absolutely scrumptious. Pretty much anything you try should be good (except maybe the tofu or all hat no catlle, unless, of course, you like that vegetarian sort of thing). Most people go crazy for the avacado fries, but avacados aren't my thing. This is not your stereotypical taco truck. Almost everything is some type of fusion and it all works very well. The chef understands how to deliver flavors on a five star level at one dollar sign price, a very rare find.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:36:45" }, { "business_id": "3db1R99-mdSvx3QwryJSNQ", "business_name": "The Camellia Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Camellia Grill is the only local diner I frequent. It has a great classic feel with only bar style seating and service available. It could be the chocolate freezes, but it's probably a combination of that and the friendly service, clean kitchen, and great breakfast that makes this my goto breakfast-served-all-day spot (but mostly it's the choclate freezes. ) I really like the waffle, even though it is thin and far from my preferential Belgian style. The syrup tastes real, but I'm not sure if it is actual maple or a good copy. The omlets are awesome. They mix everything up and cook the mix into supper fluffy decadent eggs. Camelia Grill is a great stop for breakfast! Not in the mood for breakfast? They also have great okra gumbo, classic grilled cheese, good burgers, and some other options I haven tried like fried chicken strips and hot dogs.", "timestamp": "2015-05-04T01:16:05" }, { "business_id": "A8ivmB48-sMd4eBwIErs7A", "business_name": "The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk", "rating": 4, "text": "The Outlets ay Riverwalk are far better than any other mall that has occupied this space. There are options to appeal to everyone. My favorites are the Lucky Jeans oulet and the Ann Taylor LOFT outlet. Others include gap, Nemien Marcus Last Call, Tommy Bahama, New Balance, Coach, Forever 21, Guess, and Kenneth Cole. The food court is awesome. It puts most malls to shame. They offer Canes Fried Chicken Fingers, Izzo's Illegal Burrito, Mooyah Burger's and Fries, Monas Mediterranean, Mandarin Express, (cheese)Steaks and Fries, Villa Italian, Aunt Annies Pretzels, Mike Andersins Seafood, a sald place and of course a Daiquiri shop and a few other places. Outside of the food court you can find a Cafe du Monde, Red Mango FroYo, Pralines, Popcorn Bistro, and Great American cookie Company. The views of the river from the food court are some of the best in the city. You can get $7 of parking with $20 purchase. Visit the security booth near the exits to the parking lots.", "timestamp": "2015-07-12T20:54:12" }, { "business_id": "J3ZsfPsk47ozaJ2VZZLYGQ", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 2, "text": "Jimmy Johns is terrible. The only reason I can find to justify people's love of the place is that it is cheap and the quality of the meat appears to be be better than Subway. The bread is flavorless. The bacon is terrible and I'm not convinced that it had been cooked in anyway. I could not eat it. The toppings and cheese options are practically nonexistent. However, if you don't care what your food trades like, you may love this place. It's clean, the service is fast and the prices are great.", "timestamp": "2015-07-14T22:53:31" }, { "business_id": "SI3q166YxgbxzQxMfpiWjQ", "business_name": "Bayou Hot Wings", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is great! They have the best tasting chicken wings and fried chicken tenders in the area. The sauce options are all delictable and well varied to appeal to many different tastes. I love the pepper jelly. It is my favorite. I need to try some different ones but the pepperjelly is so good I have not really gone through them all. I have tried the thai chili glaze and it was delicious too, but, pepper jelly is better. The onion rings are made fresh, well seasoned, and thick sliced. The French fries are what I classify as steak fries but they have a nice airy texture and are really good. They are served tossed in house made cajun seasoning. The restauraunt is very small with a few bars to eat at long the walls and two larger picnic tables outside. They do a lot of togo business. The drink selectioms are primarily glass bottles. A note on the chicken wings: they are not those freakishly huge chicken wings; they are on the smaller side.", "timestamp": "2015-07-15T00:20:20" }, { "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Things to know about Mosca's before you go: They are strictly cash only It takes around 50 minutes to get your food The restauraunt can get VERY loud Portions are huge You usually need reservations The menu is limited I find Moscas to be expensive for what you get. I have mainly tried the spaghetti and meatballs. The red gravy is good, but the meatballs are dense. The pasta was angle hair cooked al dente. I have also had the crab salad which was mostly iceberg lettuce tossed in a light house dressing and sprinkled with crab meat. It tasted better than it looked but I was not overly impressed. Supposidly the oysters and chicken la mosca are amazing and I am told that they would change my mind about the place. If I come again, I will have to give the chicken a try (I dont eat oysters). For me, the food is not good enough to justify the drive, cost, and time, but it is the noise factor that definitely kills it for me. It is so loud you cannot talk to the person sitting next to you without shouting and only further adding to the earsplitting noise. 50 minutes of staring at the people you are with and smothered by the reverberation of ever conversation in the room is not my idea of a nice meal.", "timestamp": "2015-07-18T01:59:35" }, { "business_id": "m57EWrMrPAeQnjvfqmGNqA", "business_name": "Swan River Yoga Mid-City Mandir", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place! It is an oasis for me. I always feel welcomed and never judged. I am completely addicted to restorative yoga. It really helps my stress and pain levels. I love atmosphere of the mandir. They use therapeutic aromas and music to enhance the calming aire. The teachers are great. They adapt to your level and needs and are very calm and tranquil in class. I leave feeling centered and at peace. I was so inspired by the restorative yoga that I've started going to beginner yoga as well. I may be equally addicted. Again, the teachers are great, helpful and kind. Everything it is for beginners, this class is still a workout. They also offer a 4 week beginner yoga course which I am going to take one the next one starts. This focused more on teaching the correct way to do each pose. Great for complete novice like myself. They also offer very challenging courses. Check the website for schedules and class descriptions. All of the equipment you may need is available, making Swan River very beginner friendly.", "timestamp": "2015-08-13T00:22:41" } ]	{ "business_id": "ZRFAWkVoql1vdI-0cO3How", "business_name": "Bud's Broiler", "rating": 4, "text": "Good food fast. That's Bud's Broiler. I've bee eating here since I was a kid. Every location has a different quality standard it seems. There's a guy that works at this one that seems to keep quality high. The meat is cooked on a real charcoal grill. I love the hot dogs and the burgers. The hot dogs are sliced and then grilled, served on a round bun. The chili is good and just hot enough to melt the fresh grated (I think) cheese. The burger patties are thin and full of charcoal-grilled flavor. The house sauce is the perfect pairing to the burgers, but they put a lot on so beware. The fries by themselves suck, but cover them in chili and cheese and they are yumstuffs. The place is dated and divery with video poker machines and a few video games. It is also clean and cozy.", "timestamp": "2015-11-21T19:13:43" }
mEOMAeEonZoUx2nPM3v6fg	[ { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Do not believe the hype! I have no idea how this restaurant gets the reviews it gets. My husband and I were severely disappointed after having such high expectations from the feedback and fanfare. Nothing about our meal was good. The crab claws were bland; the batter had no seasoning and I had to request some from the kitchen to sprinkle on top just to eat them. Burger was dry hard,, over cooked and favorless even with cheese, bacon, and mushrooms. I could not believe how bad it was with all the good feedback. One thing I can say is that the mushrooms did have flavor, really bad burnt grill debris flavor. They left an unsettling taste that upset my stomach. Customer Beware, the corn and crab soup is really corn shrimp and crab soup with hardly any crab. There is no mention of the shrimp any where on the menu. Some may think this is a good thing, but I feel the taste of shrimp kills any hint of crab flavor. Not even the drinks were good. Red creme soda was almost pure syrup, Coke was flat. Even the service was terrible. I only saw a waiter about every 10-15 minutes across the entire dining room when it was fully seated. It took 15 minutes to get my bill. 15 Minutes to get the seasoning I had to ask for to eat my appetizer. The food took forever to come out and by the time it did, the cheese they melted over the potato had hardened. I also ordered sour creme and chives on my potato and did not get either. THIS IS NEW ORLEANS, WE CAN SO BETTER! DON'T BOTHER!$", "timestamp": "2011-05-21T03:51:46" }, { "business_id": "5uoRXyHxs6nH_ORItDCoaQ", "business_name": "Sake Sushi Hibachi House", "rating": 4, "text": "Best hibachi in the area, especially for the price!! Japanese soup, salad, rice our noodles and two shrimp come with dinner. The fillet is delicious and makes sake sushi my favorite steak house. Everything is consistently delicious! I am more or less addicted to this place!", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T19:24:44" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Tracey's had the best yourself po' boy in the world! Literally! I suggest getting it with mayo and swiss only... for optimum dining enjoyment. I have not tried any thing else, except for the gravey fries. Gravy is amazing, fries need improvement, but the two together are reminiscent of mashed potatos and gravey. If you are in new orleans, this is a must try!", "timestamp": "2011-07-08T00:42:59" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "La Divina is la delicious! The gelato is creamy and ddecadent. The bananas foster has a delightful ribbon of caramel heaven. The mango is almost as bold and sensuous as the ones I've had from local farmers markets in Costa Rica. I cannot wait to come back and try more flavors. I wish they offered a sampler of every one.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:00:10" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "Everything here is fresh. The burger was still seasoned with a great flavor. They cook them to order and they actually deliver the temperature you request! Great cheese, a house made roll, and super fresh veggies are served with their amazing hand-cut, real potato fries. There are two squeeze bottles presented with the meal. The first is a hearty ketchup that elevates the burger perfectly. The second is an aioli sauce that goes great with the fries. One of the best burgers I've had.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:01:21" }, { "business_id": "Www0sdTTumnFyuBx2ImvMg", "business_name": "Mi Pequeña Honduras", "rating": 5, "text": "If you are looking for excellent quality, authentic central american food (NOT MEXICAN FOOD) go here! Every thing is fresh and fully of life. The Zacatuste is great for dinner, where as the enchilada/tostada is a fantastic lunch. The taquitos are the best I've ever had and retain a delightfully crispy texture even with the sauce its topped with. I eat here weekly if possible. The place is very clean and has a great atmosphere, from the beautiful flowers in the bed out front to the interior tile work. It is only one block off of Williams and pretty easy to find. Additional parking is available in back, but the alley is a bit tight. NOTE: If you are looking for TexMex, tacos, chips and salsa, queso, or fajitas this is not what you are looking for. However, you will rethink Hispanic food if you eat here! Me encanta Mi Pueblito!", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:14:08" }, { "business_id": "stqWlKEgXweNQSsxOsHjVA", "business_name": "Mahony's Po-Boys & Seafood - Uptown", "rating": 1, "text": "I had been told that there was a roast beef po boy at Mahony's rivaled the one I adore at Tracey's, which says a lot. I realized tonight, I have been lied to. The evening began with great promise. We had ordered gravy \"dirty\" fries and a roast beef poboy. The fries arrived ahead of the sandwiches by about 5 minutes. They were beautifully fried and hand-cut, covered in beef debris and gravy. The tasted good too! We devoured them and anxiously awaited our sandwiches. Then they arrived... Surprisingly, the meat and gravy on the sandwich tasted so differently from t hat on the first and not in a good way! The roast had a very strange taste that I cannot place. The more I ate, the stronger it got. I actually stopped eating about halfway through and decided that it was all around unappealing. Mahony's appears to have fallen victim to the phenomena becoming frighteningly common in the N.O. The under-stuffed poboy. At $12.00 for the 12 inch, I expected overflowing amounts of succulent, gravy drenched deliciousness. A single thin layer of beef accompanied by gravy and some chunks of fat was all that there was. Don't bother with Mahony's if you want a New Orleans style roast beef, keep going towards the cbd and go to Tracey Irish Pub!", "timestamp": "2011-09-16T22:29:34" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Coop's is the best find in the French Quarter! Their fried crab claws are the best in the City and pair great with the real (fresh) french fries. I am a particular fan if the crawfish and andouille pasta. It comes with the most generous serving of crawfish I've ever sean from a restaurant. I've also had the fried shrimp which are fresh and perfectly cooked. The batter is delicious. The atmosphere is.... a bar that many several years ago was a horse barn. There used to be a sweet little grey kitty that had free roam of the place but someone complained...", "timestamp": "2011-09-25T19:36:58" }, { "business_id": "4WdDY97x4GdMYtyk1KQMnw", "business_name": "Lilly's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly's has the best Vietnamese food I've had. It is excellent. The vegetables are fresh and crisp; the beef, tender and delicious. The crab rangoons are excellent! They use real crab, which is a rarity, I find. The rangoons come with or without bacon. They use a different sauce than the sweet and sour or duck sauce you see at most places but it is delicious. Lilly's is a must try.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T01:53:04" }, { "business_id": "Ye5nmTmZ7cL7BQshqZeIWQ", "business_name": "McClure's", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite thing to eat at Mcclures is pulled pork with Cole slaw. I eat both I'm the same bite. The textual combination is most satisfying. The slaw is vinegar based, not a heavy mayo slaw. The pork is tender and smoky and delicious. They pair amazingly. All the sides are good and a bit different team the norm, a refreshing experience in the bbq world. The mac and cheese is very good, beans are different but awesome. They also offer bite sized desserts, baked in-house and at very reasonable prices and portions. My husband and I often split all meats and all sides. It's a great deal and you get to try everything. It's a must for first time visitors. We like to save the chicken and make smoked chicken paninis for lunch the next day.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T02:16:25" }, { "business_id": "bp5Mk2d0qofUeF5uLauIbg", "business_name": "Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop", "rating": 2, "text": "It is amazing how my opinion of this place has changed with time. When I first ate at chef ron's, I had the etouffe and some gumbo and i really enjoyed it. I would call it a 4 star visit. This was about a year ago. I returned shortly after this first visit and I tried the spaghetti and meatballs. These were... different. They have pine nuts in the meatballs which adds a definitive crunch to the generally crunchless dish. I found it odd, but not exactly bad. Definitely out of place. Three star visit. I just went to chef rons again. This would be my third and final visit. I ordered crab claws which have always been over cooked and understand here. The Abita butter helps, usually. The other night, it had a terrible bitter after taste, and over cooked and under seasoned crab claws as per the usual. I proceed to the entree. I ordered fried chicken, a side of macaroni and cheese, and a side of jambalaya. The chicken was rubbery and had a strange texture. It could have been seasoned better and the breeding was flowery. The jambalaya is a very heavy tomato sauce based variant. The sausage and chicken in the jambalaya was delicious. But, it is not what I call jambalaya and I did not care for it otherwise. I did enjoy the macaroni a good bit, perhaps, only realative to the rest of the meal. I tried my husband's gumbo and red beans was also disappointed. So, I reside at two unfortunate stars.", "timestamp": "2013-11-26T03:16:26" }, { "business_id": "BuQGsltd3B4L_HRCP2jpTQ", "business_name": "Joey K's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I ordered claws; the peon was a little small. They were good, but fried in bread crumbs, which is not my preference. I also ordered crab and corn bisque. Again, good not great. The French fries were frozen.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T02:54:29" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 5, "text": "There is a reason that this little Italian bakery is the best restaurant in New Orleans. Everything is amazing. Tira mi su, gelato, hot chocolate, cheesecakes, & pastries... You cannot go wrong. The spumoni is a must try. Don't be afraid of it! There is almost always a line. You may have to park around the corner or down the street. It's worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T03:01:33" }, { "business_id": "Z4qfMpj8jymG3_XjTBKN0A", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - Uptown", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best taquiera in the area. I love the steak chimichanga, a deep fried burrito covered in queso.. The queso they cover it in is awesome. The steak is never fatty and has an excellent grilled flavor. I also get the steak plato. I think it is a better deal than getting tacos because you get a lot of rice and beans and all the fixing plus some tortillas for about the price of two tacos. You can add a drink chips and queso to your order for a couple of bucks. The churros are delicious too. Terrill them you want one when you first order.", "timestamp": "2013-12-16T00:58:26" }, { "business_id": "C5xuoT2SwR8tXRH5O8HLXw", "business_name": "Fiesta Latina", "rating": 4, "text": "Fiesta Latina is my go - to spot for pupusas, especially since La Profecia closed. The chips and salsa are very good as well. They serve Fresca Toronja to which is awesome. I have not tried anything else.", "timestamp": "2013-12-17T01:10:33" }, { "business_id": "nvUoCZ-m21m2yRZq5ugQhw", "business_name": "Lucky Rooster", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is fantastic. I tried the dumplings, kfc, Thai ribs, and rice. I watch a lot of travel food shows and I have always wanted to try Asain-style dumplings. I finally did here and they were so light and delicate and delicious! I could eat 100, unfortunately, the appetizer only comes with 3... The rice was good, but not great. Everything else was amazing. I can't wait to go back. I will say that the portions are a bit small over all.", "timestamp": "2013-12-29T00:55:19" }, { "business_id": "e7hf4M8Z1ltmnABM_ByVuQ", "business_name": "Crazy Johnnie's", "rating": 5, "text": "Best prime rib in the city! Complete with au jus and horseradish, Johnny potatoes, and a spiced Apple slice, it is delicious! We always start with dippin' bread. I can't really explain the dip; you just have to try it. They are famous for their filet and filet po-boy (great for lunch) as well as barbeque shrimp. The restaurant itself is dimly lit and old school. It has a big bar and the bar ambiance is felt all around.", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T03:02:35" }, { "business_id": "oCtDz1M-m-iYH1cG2o4mtA", "business_name": "Foodie Call", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of the best food trucks in the city. The Poutine is my favorite. Whenever they have lemon squares, I buy half a dozen. The burger is delicious and the onions are nicely caramelized. Definitely give them a try! Check Facebook for location post. I generally find them at the rusty nail, 45 tchoup, or one of the round ups. They take credit cards.", "timestamp": "2014-04-11T00:57:22" }, { "business_id": "ndVzILWR-DJXpfOlHm556A", "business_name": "Liberty Cheesesteaks", "rating": 5, "text": "The last time I reviewed liberty cheese steaks my two big complaints were lack of peppers as a toppings and the expensive drinks. They now have two options for peppers, sweet banana and hot cherries, and they offer a fries and drink combo for an extra $3.00. The cheese steaks are delicious with tender, flavorful meat and melty cheese. I now consider this place a great value and it is a regular on my dining-out rotation. Average price for a \"shorty\" sandwich, fries, and drink is about $10.", "timestamp": "2014-07-27T19:03:39" }, { "business_id": "xCdqyXUbY0Tzfmbx9tx0YQ", "business_name": "Panera Bread", "rating": 4, "text": "Panetta is ideal for lunch, and sometimes a light dinner. The food is pre fabricated in one way or another but is good and consistent. The baked goods are delicious and the coffee drinks equally delectable. I live the black bean soup and the mac and cheese is one of the best I've had. If you order a meal and a drink, you can add any pastry for 99¢.... I'm a sucker for a sweet.", "timestamp": "2014-08-10T19:15:17" }, { "business_id": "q6hWVlVeiCgMgM22wt1wfw", "business_name": "The Company Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "If you like dry over-cooked burgers, then DO NOT come here. At company burger you will find a delicious medium-well burger served in the classic American way, with no lettuce and no tomato. A delicious burger made with premium beef, and topped with melty cheese, house made pickles and grilled onions can be made more delicious with the addition of bacon or a sunny side up egg, if you like. Like mayo? There's a whole bar! Excellent butter milk soaked onion rings, house cut fries fries, and crispy tater tots are served at a reasonable price. They serve alcohol and always have drink specials. They now have fountain drinks. The Company Burger: The best burger in New Orleans!", "timestamp": "2014-09-21T01:12:44" }, { "business_id": "wVrJOXjRrPKIfZbNnrl3ow", "business_name": "Pizza Delicious", "rating": 5, "text": "Their pizza is delicious. Traditional topped, pepperoni cheese and margherita, are always available. They also have varying daily pizza specials and pasta specials ve never tried their specials though; I'm a pepperoni purist. The garlic knots are delicious if you want more than just pizza.", "timestamp": "2014-11-10T01:37:15" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Finding a good roast beef po-boy has been been like chasing a moving target lately. Parkway is my current favorite and it is tied with St. Rose Tavern rock is a bit of a drive for a sandwich. I like the po-boy better than the atmosphere at Parkway. The po-boy is debris style with a great gravy. The bread is classic new Orleans french. The atmosphere is super casual picnic table group seating. There's a few tables at the bar where you can get service. Otherwise there is an order line and they call your name when it's ready.", "timestamp": "2014-11-24T18:09:08" }, { "business_id": "OEOpxiewgI7Sr2de0LVuMg", "business_name": "Crêpes à la Cart", "rating": 4, "text": "As with all things nutella, banana nutella crepes are delicious! I must be honest, i have not tried any other crepe. I want to, but... then, i think about banana surrounded by nutella and enveloped in spongy crepe. Yum! The place is located on Tulane's campus more or less. It has a very college vibe. There are a few chairs outside but otherwise no seating.", "timestamp": "2014-12-16T02:34:20" }, { "business_id": "G1fQJ8k5U1gdX0vWODCZYA", "business_name": "Cafe Nino", "rating": 5, "text": "I love red gravy. At Cafe Nino, you can practically drink it straight it is so good. I tell Nino he should serve it in a bread bowl and sell it as \"Italian Tomato Soup.\" A chiffon of basil and a sprinkle of cheese... guaranteed hit. Since this has yet to make it on the menu, I get my red gravy with a side of bread sticks. They are also delicious. Cafe Nino is one of the few true New York style pizza places in the area and definitely one of the best. Only the classic options are available. No fancy combos, just the good stuff. If you are not in the mood for pizza, try something from the cafeteria-style hot food line. The lasagna is composed of mini meatballs! Yum! These items vary day to day and are usually ready to go in just a minute, if you are in a hurry. The atmosphere is not fancy. Don't expect much. The people are friendly. One of my favorite places. Warning: CASH ONLY!", "timestamp": "2015-01-10T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "_X4t5U6oI6yXE9WBAtdu8w", "business_name": "NOLA Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "NOLA Smokehouse is by far the best barbaque in New Orleans. Nothing more really needs to be said, but I'm going to say more anyway: It's the only place I've seen burnt ends available. The pulled pork is fantastic. Its the reason I only want bbq here now. It couples great with the Steen's cane syrup cole slaw. The spoonbread is the best thing I've ever had, ever. It is addictive. I can consume mass quantities of the stuff if left unsupervised. My husband knows that he cannot eat here without me if he does not bring home spoon bread. Every once in a blue moon they do a reservation-only steak night. Delicious. Delicious, as in best rib-eye I've ever eaten delicious. Gumbo? Oh yes. On occasion it is available and it is a warm bowl of bbq chickenand sausage comfort. And on top of all that, the people are awesome. They are super-friendly and super-nice. You will never get rude service here. Family owned and operated and it shows. The minimalist decor reinforces that fact that the quality of the food is the number one priority. They conscientiously source their meats and veggies from what I understand. Studies have shown that happy animals have tastier meat. Maybe that's their secret. 20 oz coke products are available. No fountain drinks. I think they have barqs in a glass bottle too. The menu changes daily. Call or check facebook if you are heart-set in one thing in particular. They almost always sell out and generally don't make it far past lunch time. So, if you want to experience the wonderful things that this man can do with a smoker and some excellent quality meats, get there early.", "timestamp": "2015-01-16T16:32:22" }, { "business_id": "mAPhGy1jm7va499TPFlHzQ", "business_name": "Parran's PO-Boys", "rating": 4, "text": "Parran's is great for lunch. They offer a variety of New Orleans favorites. My husband loves the red beans and sausage, made in house. I am a fan of meatballs and spaghetti and their's is very good. They have daily specials as well.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:10:31" }, { "business_id": "7H1b6TZ-LNxyGx1cv9suJQ", "business_name": "Sonic Drive-In", "rating": 4, "text": "Four stars for the shakes! They are fresh-made, not that artificial syrup crap McDonald's and Rally's have. If you go at happy hour they are half off. I believe happy hour is from 2-4, maybe after 8 pm as well? I also like the hot dogs here. The chicken strips are burgers are good, not great. The tater tots are delicious! Fries, not so much. This particular location has a drive thru window as well as the drive in. Sometimes the drive thru is faster.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:18:12" }, { "business_id": "MbNcVhRqpNPcvgFzWgaxSQ", "business_name": "MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes", "rating": 5, "text": "MOOYAH is delicious! The burgers are delicious. The fries are delicious. The shakes are delicious. The options for burger toppings are impressive and most are included in the price. The cheese selection is great. Between cheese options and topping options, you can create countless different burgers. The fries are fresh cut double fried perfection. Shakes are fresh and thick with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Definitely one of the best burgers in the area.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T17:49:54" }, { "business_id": "Ro1I-E9gwe3t67_jz2cMkA", "business_name": "Mo's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Moe's Pizza is not New York Style. It is not brick oven style. Definitely not Chicago Style. So, I cannot describe the style of the pizza by the standard categories. What I can say is that the crust is on the thick side, with a very crispy bottom. If you like bread you will probably love it. It is great for supporting a lot of toppings. I generally get the supreme and it is covered in an assortment of meats, veggies, and mushrooms. It is fantastic. The cheese is excellent. It is overall delicious. The best part about Moe's is that they sell pizza by the slice. \"By the slice\" is a bit of an understatement, however, because the slice is huge and they cut it in two before they serve it. It's enough for two meals for me, but my husband eats both slices. Two slices and two drinks is under $15. They also have a few Italian dinners. I haven't tried them, but they are available. If you get a while pie, be aware, it is huge. It can easily feed a family.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T18:58:51" }, { "business_id": "v-wVkCLas3yapQ--sBSQ4Q", "business_name": "Dolce Vita Pizzeria", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to eat here a lot when Chef Bogdan ran the place. By a lot , I mean over 30 times. My review at that time was 5 stars. Some time last year, Chef Bogdan hung up his chef's hat and bowed out of the business. Since then, nothing has been the same. On my most recent visit, I order a single pizza and garlic bread. The garlic bread took over 20 minutes (use to take 5 min) to arrive and when they did arrive they were COLD! Very disappointing. When I inquired about what was taking so long, I was informed that the chef was making all pizza for the for tables seated in the restauraunt at once, a concept that truely puzzles me. When I witnessed a table that had just ordered get served their pizza immediately, I lost it. We had somewhere to be and chose pizza because it's usually quick and delicious. After 35 minutes of waiting, we paid for the cold breadsticks and we left, hungry and irritated. When we left, the pizza was not in the oven yet. I find this experience especially disappointing because I truely loved Dolce Vita, but each time I've eaten there since Chef left has been a bad experience. Maybe, if you never ate here when Bogdan was in charge, you will like it...", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T02:49:33" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I love hibachi. I have eaten it just about everywhere it is offered in the area. This location of Little Tokyo is the best. The hibachi comes with noodles; hibachi rice is extra. The filet and the shrimp are delicious and the chefs are very good about not over cooking the meats. They let you share, but there is an extra $5 charge which includes an extra soup and salad. Everything is cooked in garlic butter. In my opinion, the liberal use of garlic butter is the deciding factor in the taste of hibachi. They get an A. The veggies are very well seasoned, but they do not include broccoli.", "timestamp": "2015-03-15T01:41:07" }, { "business_id": "eLjXnfYwkr8zz0VhwMhOGw", "business_name": "Pizza Domenica", "rating": 5, "text": "Pizza Domenica is one of the best Napoli style pizza place in town. It is a branch out from Domenica Restauraunt on Baronne in the CBD, which also serves delicious pizza. Both are run by Alon Shaya, protégé of John Besh. You have to try the garlic knots. More specifically, you must try the amazing, aerated, fluffy cheese dip that comes with the knots. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. The delicate texture and tart taste intrigues my palate with a sharp tanginess that I found exhilarating. The spicy salami on the 'pepperoni' pizza is like no other. It is so good! I dream about it, frequently. The crust has a great rustic flavor and is thin and crispy. I love the little bits of burned pieces! The prosciutto is also devine and is equally craveable. I'm pretty sure all meats are house cured or Italian imports. Honestly, the experience and over all quality at the Domenica on Baronne is SLIGHTLY better (bread comes with your meal, your check comes with amazing chocolate cookies, pizza menu varies slightly.) I'm not surprised by this, as Domenica is a higher caliber of restauraunt. But, when getting a table at the Domenica isn't an option, I'm greatful they have a pizza only restauraunt.", "timestamp": "2015-03-16T01:48:15" }, { "business_id": "f-WhNOSwN1aB4nRFekf01g", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 4, "text": "Id you haven't been to the Smoothie King center since it was know as the New Orleans Arena, you are in for a nice surprise. The arena has had a face lift and, while the seats are the same, everything else has been refreshed. Most importantly, the food options are far more varied and appeal to many tastes. The quality of the food is very good and significantly improved from a few years back. The drink options are much improved as well and include full service bars, spiked lemonade, bottled and draft beer and of course, smoothies. There is even a spot for sweets. You can get funnel cake, cotton candy, and all kinds of delicious things I was too full to take in. The venue finally feels a bit swanky and top notch. We are moving on up!", "timestamp": "2015-03-19T00:30:09" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 5, "text": "The Freret Market is my favorite local market and a great place to eat lunch. It is usually on the first Saturday of the month from fall through spring. If you are using credit cards you will need to visit the booth in the middle where you can get cash. They charge a small fee. You don't need a pin. My favorite things here are the cup cashless at Creole Cupcakes, Yakamien from Mrs. Linda, and fries from the Fry Bar. La Cocinita Food Truck is frequently there as well. They are delicious! The market had great local music. Sometimes the Mardi Gras Indians make am appearance. Additionally, local crafts and art with a distinctly new orleans touch can be found.", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:43:53" }, { "business_id": "oYF96W1boB-0E3g3i8U_zw", "business_name": "Wink's World Famous Buttermilk Drop Bakery & Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "This review is primarily applicable to the buttermilk drops and customer service. Everything else looked amazingly delicious, but, regrettably, I only tried the drops. Unlike anywhere I've had them before, Wink offers buttermilk drops covered in chocolate ganache with nuts, like a turtle, and these are awesome, because buttermilk drops arent delcicous enough. Right? The ones that are rolled in cinnamon sugar are good not great. Classic glazed is classically decadent. The glazed were unbelievably good. They were the best I've ever eaten and so fresh and moist. I could probably eat a dozen. The customer service was great. The ladies were friendly and happy. I can feel another visit in my imminent future.", "timestamp": "2015-04-09T02:05:35" }, { "business_id": "R46XVcmUzy8qeerHyZQtEg", "business_name": "The Big Cheezy", "rating": 4, "text": "The menu is overwhelming, so be prepared. The prices are reasonable if you order one of their specialty grilled cheezes but if you go the custom build route, the costs add up quickly. This will be one of the best grilled cheeses of your life. So be prepared for crispy bread, melty delicious cheeses, and other yummy delights. They offer an original grilled cheese and soup combo for about $8. The tomato basil soup is very good and I very much so enjoyed the gumbo. (Those two are the only soup options by the way. ) They also have dessert beignets. They are incredible! I dont care how full I am, I will always have room for dessert. Do not park on the right ride of the building. As the signs say, they tow, and they tow very quickly from what I understand. I am disappointed to say that this is not the same Big Cheezey that made an appearance a few years ago at some of the street food events. The owners of this place bought the name, but its not the same people.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:16:33" }, { "business_id": "OxXMZfaRZc7SJnjMBkO1ww", "business_name": "Taceaux Loceaux", "rating": 5, "text": "Taceaux loceaux is one if the best food trucks in the country. Their taceauxs are amazing. I eat here about once a week. My favorites are the chubster, kermits bbq, and delta prawn, but be warned, the selection varies and items do sell out. Though not often available, the quesadillas are filled with real, melty, stretchy cheese and usually brisket. The brisket can be greasy some nights, which is always a disappointment for me. When it isnt, greasy they are absolutely scrumptious. Pretty much anything you try should be good (except maybe the tofu or all hat no catlle, unless, of course, you like that vegetarian sort of thing). Most people go crazy for the avacado fries, but avacados aren't my thing. This is not your stereotypical taco truck. Almost everything is some type of fusion and it all works very well. The chef understands how to deliver flavors on a five star level at one dollar sign price, a very rare find.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:36:45" }, { "business_id": "3db1R99-mdSvx3QwryJSNQ", "business_name": "The Camellia Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Camellia Grill is the only local diner I frequent. It has a great classic feel with only bar style seating and service available. It could be the chocolate freezes, but it's probably a combination of that and the friendly service, clean kitchen, and great breakfast that makes this my goto breakfast-served-all-day spot (but mostly it's the choclate freezes. ) I really like the waffle, even though it is thin and far from my preferential Belgian style. The syrup tastes real, but I'm not sure if it is actual maple or a good copy. The omlets are awesome. They mix everything up and cook the mix into supper fluffy decadent eggs. Camelia Grill is a great stop for breakfast! Not in the mood for breakfast? They also have great okra gumbo, classic grilled cheese, good burgers, and some other options I haven tried like fried chicken strips and hot dogs.", "timestamp": "2015-05-04T01:16:05" }, { "business_id": "A8ivmB48-sMd4eBwIErs7A", "business_name": "The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk", "rating": 4, "text": "The Outlets ay Riverwalk are far better than any other mall that has occupied this space. There are options to appeal to everyone. My favorites are the Lucky Jeans oulet and the Ann Taylor LOFT outlet. Others include gap, Nemien Marcus Last Call, Tommy Bahama, New Balance, Coach, Forever 21, Guess, and Kenneth Cole. The food court is awesome. It puts most malls to shame. They offer Canes Fried Chicken Fingers, Izzo's Illegal Burrito, Mooyah Burger's and Fries, Monas Mediterranean, Mandarin Express, (cheese)Steaks and Fries, Villa Italian, Aunt Annies Pretzels, Mike Andersins Seafood, a sald place and of course a Daiquiri shop and a few other places. Outside of the food court you can find a Cafe du Monde, Red Mango FroYo, Pralines, Popcorn Bistro, and Great American cookie Company. The views of the river from the food court are some of the best in the city. You can get $7 of parking with $20 purchase. Visit the security booth near the exits to the parking lots.", "timestamp": "2015-07-12T20:54:12" }, { "business_id": "J3ZsfPsk47ozaJ2VZZLYGQ", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 2, "text": "Jimmy Johns is terrible. The only reason I can find to justify people's love of the place is that it is cheap and the quality of the meat appears to be be better than Subway. The bread is flavorless. The bacon is terrible and I'm not convinced that it had been cooked in anyway. I could not eat it. The toppings and cheese options are practically nonexistent. However, if you don't care what your food trades like, you may love this place. It's clean, the service is fast and the prices are great.", "timestamp": "2015-07-14T22:53:31" }, { "business_id": "SI3q166YxgbxzQxMfpiWjQ", "business_name": "Bayou Hot Wings", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is great! They have the best tasting chicken wings and fried chicken tenders in the area. The sauce options are all delictable and well varied to appeal to many different tastes. I love the pepper jelly. It is my favorite. I need to try some different ones but the pepperjelly is so good I have not really gone through them all. I have tried the thai chili glaze and it was delicious too, but, pepper jelly is better. The onion rings are made fresh, well seasoned, and thick sliced. The French fries are what I classify as steak fries but they have a nice airy texture and are really good. They are served tossed in house made cajun seasoning. The restauraunt is very small with a few bars to eat at long the walls and two larger picnic tables outside. They do a lot of togo business. The drink selectioms are primarily glass bottles. A note on the chicken wings: they are not those freakishly huge chicken wings; they are on the smaller side.", "timestamp": "2015-07-15T00:20:20" }, { "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Things to know about Mosca's before you go: They are strictly cash only It takes around 50 minutes to get your food The restauraunt can get VERY loud Portions are huge You usually need reservations The menu is limited I find Moscas to be expensive for what you get. I have mainly tried the spaghetti and meatballs. The red gravy is good, but the meatballs are dense. The pasta was angle hair cooked al dente. I have also had the crab salad which was mostly iceberg lettuce tossed in a light house dressing and sprinkled with crab meat. It tasted better than it looked but I was not overly impressed. Supposidly the oysters and chicken la mosca are amazing and I am told that they would change my mind about the place. If I come again, I will have to give the chicken a try (I dont eat oysters). For me, the food is not good enough to justify the drive, cost, and time, but it is the noise factor that definitely kills it for me. It is so loud you cannot talk to the person sitting next to you without shouting and only further adding to the earsplitting noise. 50 minutes of staring at the people you are with and smothered by the reverberation of ever conversation in the room is not my idea of a nice meal.", "timestamp": "2015-07-18T01:59:35" }, { "business_id": "m57EWrMrPAeQnjvfqmGNqA", "business_name": "Swan River Yoga Mid-City Mandir", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place! It is an oasis for me. I always feel welcomed and never judged. I am completely addicted to restorative yoga. It really helps my stress and pain levels. I love atmosphere of the mandir. They use therapeutic aromas and music to enhance the calming aire. The teachers are great. They adapt to your level and needs and are very calm and tranquil in class. I leave feeling centered and at peace. I was so inspired by the restorative yoga that I've started going to beginner yoga as well. I may be equally addicted. Again, the teachers are great, helpful and kind. Everything it is for beginners, this class is still a workout. They also offer a 4 week beginner yoga course which I am going to take one the next one starts. This focused more on teaching the correct way to do each pose. Great for complete novice like myself. They also offer very challenging courses. Check the website for schedules and class descriptions. All of the equipment you may need is available, making Swan River very beginner friendly.", "timestamp": "2015-08-13T00:22:41" }, { "business_id": "ZRFAWkVoql1vdI-0cO3How", "business_name": "Bud's Broiler", "rating": 4, "text": "Good food fast. That's Bud's Broiler. I've bee eating here since I was a kid. Every location has a different quality standard it seems. There's a guy that works at this one that seems to keep quality high. The meat is cooked on a real charcoal grill. I love the hot dogs and the burgers. The hot dogs are sliced and then grilled, served on a round bun. The chili is good and just hot enough to melt the fresh grated (I think) cheese. The burger patties are thin and full of charcoal-grilled flavor. The house sauce is the perfect pairing to the burgers, but they put a lot on so beware. The fries by themselves suck, but cover them in chili and cheese and they are yumstuffs. The place is dated and divery with video poker machines and a few video games. It is also clean and cozy.", "timestamp": "2015-11-21T19:13:43" } ]	{ "business_id": "7UtseA2asDy38T20c7P8_A", "business_name": "Best Chevrolet", "rating": 3, "text": "After negotating saturday and me walking out, they called me today, Tuesday, and made the deal work. Nick helped a lot. Beware, they are going to play games. I want a truck, and the chevys seem like the way to go, so here I am. Otherwise, Id buy from subaru. The experience there was much more straight forward. Internet sales person was not knowledgeable and didn't even know the internet listed price. When I arrived in initally, I was told the vehicle had sold weeks ago. I looked up a similar one online and we proceed from there. The original offer they made me was $6,000 more than the price on the internet. They also wanted to add $2000 for extra accesories not listed on the website. The next offer they made was better but still game very little in trade value. Im not sure if others will get the deal they want, but i did.", "timestamp": "2016-02-17T01:37:48" }
mEOMAeEonZoUx2nPM3v6fg	[ { "business_id": "4ADeBcc3O4zmTrp60H4O_A", "business_name": "Lakeview Harbor Restaurant", "rating": 1, "text": "Do not believe the hype! I have no idea how this restaurant gets the reviews it gets. My husband and I were severely disappointed after having such high expectations from the feedback and fanfare. Nothing about our meal was good. The crab claws were bland; the batter had no seasoning and I had to request some from the kitchen to sprinkle on top just to eat them. Burger was dry hard,, over cooked and favorless even with cheese, bacon, and mushrooms. I could not believe how bad it was with all the good feedback. One thing I can say is that the mushrooms did have flavor, really bad burnt grill debris flavor. They left an unsettling taste that upset my stomach. Customer Beware, the corn and crab soup is really corn shrimp and crab soup with hardly any crab. There is no mention of the shrimp any where on the menu. Some may think this is a good thing, but I feel the taste of shrimp kills any hint of crab flavor. Not even the drinks were good. Red creme soda was almost pure syrup, Coke was flat. Even the service was terrible. I only saw a waiter about every 10-15 minutes across the entire dining room when it was fully seated. It took 15 minutes to get my bill. 15 Minutes to get the seasoning I had to ask for to eat my appetizer. The food took forever to come out and by the time it did, the cheese they melted over the potato had hardened. I also ordered sour creme and chives on my potato and did not get either. THIS IS NEW ORLEANS, WE CAN SO BETTER! DON'T BOTHER!$", "timestamp": "2011-05-21T03:51:46" }, { "business_id": "5uoRXyHxs6nH_ORItDCoaQ", "business_name": "Sake Sushi Hibachi House", "rating": 4, "text": "Best hibachi in the area, especially for the price!! Japanese soup, salad, rice our noodles and two shrimp come with dinner. The fillet is delicious and makes sake sushi my favorite steak house. Everything is consistently delicious! I am more or less addicted to this place!", "timestamp": "2011-06-05T19:24:44" }, { "business_id": "y0CPKGHQBPH-maFgP5IFYg", "business_name": "Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar", "rating": 5, "text": "Tracey's had the best yourself po' boy in the world! Literally! I suggest getting it with mayo and swiss only... for optimum dining enjoyment. I have not tried any thing else, except for the gravey fries. Gravy is amazing, fries need improvement, but the two together are reminiscent of mashed potatos and gravey. If you are in new orleans, this is a must try!", "timestamp": "2011-07-08T00:42:59" }, { "business_id": "9ng2rcAA3Lb6m_t4IY0QcA", "business_name": "La Divina Gelateria", "rating": 4, "text": "La Divina is la delicious! The gelato is creamy and ddecadent. The bananas foster has a delightful ribbon of caramel heaven. The mango is almost as bold and sensuous as the ones I've had from local farmers markets in Costa Rica. I cannot wait to come back and try more flavors. I wish they offered a sampler of every one.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:00:10" }, { "business_id": "F9OFNrITmQ1a9glscJ20ag", "business_name": "Cowbell", "rating": 4, "text": "Everything here is fresh. The burger was still seasoned with a great flavor. They cook them to order and they actually deliver the temperature you request! Great cheese, a house made roll, and super fresh veggies are served with their amazing hand-cut, real potato fries. There are two squeeze bottles presented with the meal. The first is a hearty ketchup that elevates the burger perfectly. The second is an aioli sauce that goes great with the fries. One of the best burgers I've had.", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:01:21" }, { "business_id": "Www0sdTTumnFyuBx2ImvMg", "business_name": "Mi Pequeña Honduras", "rating": 5, "text": "If you are looking for excellent quality, authentic central american food (NOT MEXICAN FOOD) go here! Every thing is fresh and fully of life. The Zacatuste is great for dinner, where as the enchilada/tostada is a fantastic lunch. The taquitos are the best I've ever had and retain a delightfully crispy texture even with the sauce its topped with. I eat here weekly if possible. The place is very clean and has a great atmosphere, from the beautiful flowers in the bed out front to the interior tile work. It is only one block off of Williams and pretty easy to find. Additional parking is available in back, but the alley is a bit tight. NOTE: If you are looking for TexMex, tacos, chips and salsa, queso, or fajitas this is not what you are looking for. However, you will rethink Hispanic food if you eat here! Me encanta Mi Pueblito!", "timestamp": "2011-08-05T00:14:08" }, { "business_id": "stqWlKEgXweNQSsxOsHjVA", "business_name": "Mahony's Po-Boys & Seafood - Uptown", "rating": 1, "text": "I had been told that there was a roast beef po boy at Mahony's rivaled the one I adore at Tracey's, which says a lot. I realized tonight, I have been lied to. The evening began with great promise. We had ordered gravy \"dirty\" fries and a roast beef poboy. The fries arrived ahead of the sandwiches by about 5 minutes. They were beautifully fried and hand-cut, covered in beef debris and gravy. The tasted good too! We devoured them and anxiously awaited our sandwiches. Then they arrived... Surprisingly, the meat and gravy on the sandwich tasted so differently from t hat on the first and not in a good way! The roast had a very strange taste that I cannot place. The more I ate, the stronger it got. I actually stopped eating about halfway through and decided that it was all around unappealing. Mahony's appears to have fallen victim to the phenomena becoming frighteningly common in the N.O. The under-stuffed poboy. At $12.00 for the 12 inch, I expected overflowing amounts of succulent, gravy drenched deliciousness. A single thin layer of beef accompanied by gravy and some chunks of fat was all that there was. Don't bother with Mahony's if you want a New Orleans style roast beef, keep going towards the cbd and go to Tracey Irish Pub!", "timestamp": "2011-09-16T22:29:34" }, { "business_id": "XnQ84ylyAZwh-XfHGGNBbQ", "business_name": "Coop's Place", "rating": 5, "text": "Coop's is the best find in the French Quarter! Their fried crab claws are the best in the City and pair great with the real (fresh) french fries. I am a particular fan if the crawfish and andouille pasta. It comes with the most generous serving of crawfish I've ever sean from a restaurant. I've also had the fried shrimp which are fresh and perfectly cooked. The batter is delicious. The atmosphere is.... a bar that many several years ago was a horse barn. There used to be a sweet little grey kitty that had free roam of the place but someone complained...", "timestamp": "2011-09-25T19:36:58" }, { "business_id": "4WdDY97x4GdMYtyk1KQMnw", "business_name": "Lilly's Cafe", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly's has the best Vietnamese food I've had. It is excellent. The vegetables are fresh and crisp; the beef, tender and delicious. The crab rangoons are excellent! They use real crab, which is a rarity, I find. The rangoons come with or without bacon. They use a different sauce than the sweet and sour or duck sauce you see at most places but it is delicious. Lilly's is a must try.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T01:53:04" }, { "business_id": "Ye5nmTmZ7cL7BQshqZeIWQ", "business_name": "McClure's", "rating": 5, "text": "My favorite thing to eat at Mcclures is pulled pork with Cole slaw. I eat both I'm the same bite. The textual combination is most satisfying. The slaw is vinegar based, not a heavy mayo slaw. The pork is tender and smoky and delicious. They pair amazingly. All the sides are good and a bit different team the norm, a refreshing experience in the bbq world. The mac and cheese is very good, beans are different but awesome. They also offer bite sized desserts, baked in-house and at very reasonable prices and portions. My husband and I often split all meats and all sides. It's a great deal and you get to try everything. It's a must for first time visitors. We like to save the chicken and make smoked chicken paninis for lunch the next day.", "timestamp": "2013-11-02T02:16:25" }, { "business_id": "bp5Mk2d0qofUeF5uLauIbg", "business_name": "Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop", "rating": 2, "text": "It is amazing how my opinion of this place has changed with time. When I first ate at chef ron's, I had the etouffe and some gumbo and i really enjoyed it. I would call it a 4 star visit. This was about a year ago. I returned shortly after this first visit and I tried the spaghetti and meatballs. These were... different. They have pine nuts in the meatballs which adds a definitive crunch to the generally crunchless dish. I found it odd, but not exactly bad. Definitely out of place. Three star visit. I just went to chef rons again. This would be my third and final visit. I ordered crab claws which have always been over cooked and understand here. The Abita butter helps, usually. The other night, it had a terrible bitter after taste, and over cooked and under seasoned crab claws as per the usual. I proceed to the entree. I ordered fried chicken, a side of macaroni and cheese, and a side of jambalaya. The chicken was rubbery and had a strange texture. It could have been seasoned better and the breeding was flowery. The jambalaya is a very heavy tomato sauce based variant. The sausage and chicken in the jambalaya was delicious. But, it is not what I call jambalaya and I did not care for it otherwise. I did enjoy the macaroni a good bit, perhaps, only realative to the rest of the meal. I tried my husband's gumbo and red beans was also disappointed. So, I reside at two unfortunate stars.", "timestamp": "2013-11-26T03:16:26" }, { "business_id": "BuQGsltd3B4L_HRCP2jpTQ", "business_name": "Joey K's Restaurant & Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I ordered claws; the peon was a little small. They were good, but fried in bread crumbs, which is not my preference. I also ordered crab and corn bisque. Again, good not great. The French fries were frozen.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T02:54:29" }, { "business_id": "dclL14pr7OojCOKJ_ZbMbQ", "business_name": "Angelo Brocato", "rating": 5, "text": "There is a reason that this little Italian bakery is the best restaurant in New Orleans. Everything is amazing. Tira mi su, gelato, hot chocolate, cheesecakes, & pastries... You cannot go wrong. The spumoni is a must try. Don't be afraid of it! There is almost always a line. You may have to park around the corner or down the street. It's worth it.", "timestamp": "2013-12-07T03:01:33" }, { "business_id": "Z4qfMpj8jymG3_XjTBKN0A", "business_name": "Felipe's Mexican Taqueria - Uptown", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the best taquiera in the area. I love the steak chimichanga, a deep fried burrito covered in queso.. The queso they cover it in is awesome. The steak is never fatty and has an excellent grilled flavor. I also get the steak plato. I think it is a better deal than getting tacos because you get a lot of rice and beans and all the fixing plus some tortillas for about the price of two tacos. You can add a drink chips and queso to your order for a couple of bucks. The churros are delicious too. Terrill them you want one when you first order.", "timestamp": "2013-12-16T00:58:26" }, { "business_id": "C5xuoT2SwR8tXRH5O8HLXw", "business_name": "Fiesta Latina", "rating": 4, "text": "Fiesta Latina is my go - to spot for pupusas, especially since La Profecia closed. The chips and salsa are very good as well. They serve Fresca Toronja to which is awesome. I have not tried anything else.", "timestamp": "2013-12-17T01:10:33" }, { "business_id": "nvUoCZ-m21m2yRZq5ugQhw", "business_name": "Lucky Rooster", "rating": 5, "text": "The food here is fantastic. I tried the dumplings, kfc, Thai ribs, and rice. I watch a lot of travel food shows and I have always wanted to try Asain-style dumplings. I finally did here and they were so light and delicate and delicious! I could eat 100, unfortunately, the appetizer only comes with 3... The rice was good, but not great. Everything else was amazing. I can't wait to go back. I will say that the portions are a bit small over all.", "timestamp": "2013-12-29T00:55:19" }, { "business_id": "e7hf4M8Z1ltmnABM_ByVuQ", "business_name": "Crazy Johnnie's", "rating": 5, "text": "Best prime rib in the city! Complete with au jus and horseradish, Johnny potatoes, and a spiced Apple slice, it is delicious! We always start with dippin' bread. I can't really explain the dip; you just have to try it. They are famous for their filet and filet po-boy (great for lunch) as well as barbeque shrimp. The restaurant itself is dimly lit and old school. It has a big bar and the bar ambiance is felt all around.", "timestamp": "2014-01-12T03:02:35" }, { "business_id": "oCtDz1M-m-iYH1cG2o4mtA", "business_name": "Foodie Call", "rating": 5, "text": "This is one of the best food trucks in the city. The Poutine is my favorite. Whenever they have lemon squares, I buy half a dozen. The burger is delicious and the onions are nicely caramelized. Definitely give them a try! Check Facebook for location post. I generally find them at the rusty nail, 45 tchoup, or one of the round ups. They take credit cards.", "timestamp": "2014-04-11T00:57:22" }, { "business_id": "ndVzILWR-DJXpfOlHm556A", "business_name": "Liberty Cheesesteaks", "rating": 5, "text": "The last time I reviewed liberty cheese steaks my two big complaints were lack of peppers as a toppings and the expensive drinks. They now have two options for peppers, sweet banana and hot cherries, and they offer a fries and drink combo for an extra $3.00. The cheese steaks are delicious with tender, flavorful meat and melty cheese. I now consider this place a great value and it is a regular on my dining-out rotation. Average price for a \"shorty\" sandwich, fries, and drink is about $10.", "timestamp": "2014-07-27T19:03:39" }, { "business_id": "xCdqyXUbY0Tzfmbx9tx0YQ", "business_name": "Panera Bread", "rating": 4, "text": "Panetta is ideal for lunch, and sometimes a light dinner. The food is pre fabricated in one way or another but is good and consistent. The baked goods are delicious and the coffee drinks equally delectable. I live the black bean soup and the mac and cheese is one of the best I've had. If you order a meal and a drink, you can add any pastry for 99¢.... I'm a sucker for a sweet.", "timestamp": "2014-08-10T19:15:17" }, { "business_id": "q6hWVlVeiCgMgM22wt1wfw", "business_name": "The Company Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "If you like dry over-cooked burgers, then DO NOT come here. At company burger you will find a delicious medium-well burger served in the classic American way, with no lettuce and no tomato. A delicious burger made with premium beef, and topped with melty cheese, house made pickles and grilled onions can be made more delicious with the addition of bacon or a sunny side up egg, if you like. Like mayo? There's a whole bar! Excellent butter milk soaked onion rings, house cut fries fries, and crispy tater tots are served at a reasonable price. They serve alcohol and always have drink specials. They now have fountain drinks. The Company Burger: The best burger in New Orleans!", "timestamp": "2014-09-21T01:12:44" }, { "business_id": "wVrJOXjRrPKIfZbNnrl3ow", "business_name": "Pizza Delicious", "rating": 5, "text": "Their pizza is delicious. Traditional topped, pepperoni cheese and margherita, are always available. They also have varying daily pizza specials and pasta specials ve never tried their specials though; I'm a pepperoni purist. The garlic knots are delicious if you want more than just pizza.", "timestamp": "2014-11-10T01:37:15" }, { "business_id": "TcNZXteosegb1RO4O5hREw", "business_name": "Parkway Bakery & Tavern", "rating": 4, "text": "Finding a good roast beef po-boy has been been like chasing a moving target lately. Parkway is my current favorite and it is tied with St. Rose Tavern rock is a bit of a drive for a sandwich. I like the po-boy better than the atmosphere at Parkway. The po-boy is debris style with a great gravy. The bread is classic new Orleans french. The atmosphere is super casual picnic table group seating. There's a few tables at the bar where you can get service. Otherwise there is an order line and they call your name when it's ready.", "timestamp": "2014-11-24T18:09:08" }, { "business_id": "OEOpxiewgI7Sr2de0LVuMg", "business_name": "Crêpes à la Cart", "rating": 4, "text": "As with all things nutella, banana nutella crepes are delicious! I must be honest, i have not tried any other crepe. I want to, but... then, i think about banana surrounded by nutella and enveloped in spongy crepe. Yum! The place is located on Tulane's campus more or less. It has a very college vibe. There are a few chairs outside but otherwise no seating.", "timestamp": "2014-12-16T02:34:20" }, { "business_id": "G1fQJ8k5U1gdX0vWODCZYA", "business_name": "Cafe Nino", "rating": 5, "text": "I love red gravy. At Cafe Nino, you can practically drink it straight it is so good. I tell Nino he should serve it in a bread bowl and sell it as \"Italian Tomato Soup.\" A chiffon of basil and a sprinkle of cheese... guaranteed hit. Since this has yet to make it on the menu, I get my red gravy with a side of bread sticks. They are also delicious. Cafe Nino is one of the few true New York style pizza places in the area and definitely one of the best. Only the classic options are available. No fancy combos, just the good stuff. If you are not in the mood for pizza, try something from the cafeteria-style hot food line. The lasagna is composed of mini meatballs! Yum! These items vary day to day and are usually ready to go in just a minute, if you are in a hurry. The atmosphere is not fancy. Don't expect much. The people are friendly. One of my favorite places. Warning: CASH ONLY!", "timestamp": "2015-01-10T00:10:51" }, { "business_id": "_X4t5U6oI6yXE9WBAtdu8w", "business_name": "NOLA Smokehouse", "rating": 5, "text": "NOLA Smokehouse is by far the best barbaque in New Orleans. Nothing more really needs to be said, but I'm going to say more anyway: It's the only place I've seen burnt ends available. The pulled pork is fantastic. Its the reason I only want bbq here now. It couples great with the Steen's cane syrup cole slaw. The spoonbread is the best thing I've ever had, ever. It is addictive. I can consume mass quantities of the stuff if left unsupervised. My husband knows that he cannot eat here without me if he does not bring home spoon bread. Every once in a blue moon they do a reservation-only steak night. Delicious. Delicious, as in best rib-eye I've ever eaten delicious. Gumbo? Oh yes. On occasion it is available and it is a warm bowl of bbq chickenand sausage comfort. And on top of all that, the people are awesome. They are super-friendly and super-nice. You will never get rude service here. Family owned and operated and it shows. The minimalist decor reinforces that fact that the quality of the food is the number one priority. They conscientiously source their meats and veggies from what I understand. Studies have shown that happy animals have tastier meat. Maybe that's their secret. 20 oz coke products are available. No fountain drinks. I think they have barqs in a glass bottle too. The menu changes daily. Call or check facebook if you are heart-set in one thing in particular. They almost always sell out and generally don't make it far past lunch time. So, if you want to experience the wonderful things that this man can do with a smoker and some excellent quality meats, get there early.", "timestamp": "2015-01-16T16:32:22" }, { "business_id": "mAPhGy1jm7va499TPFlHzQ", "business_name": "Parran's PO-Boys", "rating": 4, "text": "Parran's is great for lunch. They offer a variety of New Orleans favorites. My husband loves the red beans and sausage, made in house. I am a fan of meatballs and spaghetti and their's is very good. They have daily specials as well.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:10:31" }, { "business_id": "7H1b6TZ-LNxyGx1cv9suJQ", "business_name": "Sonic Drive-In", "rating": 4, "text": "Four stars for the shakes! They are fresh-made, not that artificial syrup crap McDonald's and Rally's have. If you go at happy hour they are half off. I believe happy hour is from 2-4, maybe after 8 pm as well? I also like the hot dogs here. The chicken strips are burgers are good, not great. The tater tots are delicious! Fries, not so much. This particular location has a drive thru window as well as the drive in. Sometimes the drive thru is faster.", "timestamp": "2015-01-24T19:18:12" }, { "business_id": "MbNcVhRqpNPcvgFzWgaxSQ", "business_name": "MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes", "rating": 5, "text": "MOOYAH is delicious! The burgers are delicious. The fries are delicious. The shakes are delicious. The options for burger toppings are impressive and most are included in the price. The cheese selection is great. Between cheese options and topping options, you can create countless different burgers. The fries are fresh cut double fried perfection. Shakes are fresh and thick with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Definitely one of the best burgers in the area.", "timestamp": "2015-02-13T17:49:54" }, { "business_id": "Ro1I-E9gwe3t67_jz2cMkA", "business_name": "Mo's Pizza", "rating": 4, "text": "Moe's Pizza is not New York Style. It is not brick oven style. Definitely not Chicago Style. So, I cannot describe the style of the pizza by the standard categories. What I can say is that the crust is on the thick side, with a very crispy bottom. If you like bread you will probably love it. It is great for supporting a lot of toppings. I generally get the supreme and it is covered in an assortment of meats, veggies, and mushrooms. It is fantastic. The cheese is excellent. It is overall delicious. The best part about Moe's is that they sell pizza by the slice. \"By the slice\" is a bit of an understatement, however, because the slice is huge and they cut it in two before they serve it. It's enough for two meals for me, but my husband eats both slices. Two slices and two drinks is under $15. They also have a few Italian dinners. I haven't tried them, but they are available. If you get a while pie, be aware, it is huge. It can easily feed a family.", "timestamp": "2015-02-14T18:58:51" }, { "business_id": "v-wVkCLas3yapQ--sBSQ4Q", "business_name": "Dolce Vita Pizzeria", "rating": 3, "text": "I used to eat here a lot when Chef Bogdan ran the place. By a lot , I mean over 30 times. My review at that time was 5 stars. Some time last year, Chef Bogdan hung up his chef's hat and bowed out of the business. Since then, nothing has been the same. On my most recent visit, I order a single pizza and garlic bread. The garlic bread took over 20 minutes (use to take 5 min) to arrive and when they did arrive they were COLD! Very disappointing. When I inquired about what was taking so long, I was informed that the chef was making all pizza for the for tables seated in the restauraunt at once, a concept that truely puzzles me. When I witnessed a table that had just ordered get served their pizza immediately, I lost it. We had somewhere to be and chose pizza because it's usually quick and delicious. After 35 minutes of waiting, we paid for the cold breadsticks and we left, hungry and irritated. When we left, the pizza was not in the oven yet. I find this experience especially disappointing because I truely loved Dolce Vita, but each time I've eaten there since Chef left has been a bad experience. Maybe, if you never ate here when Bogdan was in charge, you will like it...", "timestamp": "2015-03-02T02:49:33" }, { "business_id": "TAuGNUCQ00CVPfCzsFipXg", "business_name": "Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I love hibachi. I have eaten it just about everywhere it is offered in the area. This location of Little Tokyo is the best. The hibachi comes with noodles; hibachi rice is extra. The filet and the shrimp are delicious and the chefs are very good about not over cooking the meats. They let you share, but there is an extra $5 charge which includes an extra soup and salad. Everything is cooked in garlic butter. In my opinion, the liberal use of garlic butter is the deciding factor in the taste of hibachi. They get an A. The veggies are very well seasoned, but they do not include broccoli.", "timestamp": "2015-03-15T01:41:07" }, { "business_id": "eLjXnfYwkr8zz0VhwMhOGw", "business_name": "Pizza Domenica", "rating": 5, "text": "Pizza Domenica is one of the best Napoli style pizza place in town. It is a branch out from Domenica Restauraunt on Baronne in the CBD, which also serves delicious pizza. Both are run by Alon Shaya, protégé of John Besh. You have to try the garlic knots. More specifically, you must try the amazing, aerated, fluffy cheese dip that comes with the knots. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. The delicate texture and tart taste intrigues my palate with a sharp tanginess that I found exhilarating. The spicy salami on the 'pepperoni' pizza is like no other. It is so good! I dream about it, frequently. The crust has a great rustic flavor and is thin and crispy. I love the little bits of burned pieces! The prosciutto is also devine and is equally craveable. I'm pretty sure all meats are house cured or Italian imports. Honestly, the experience and over all quality at the Domenica on Baronne is SLIGHTLY better (bread comes with your meal, your check comes with amazing chocolate cookies, pizza menu varies slightly.) I'm not surprised by this, as Domenica is a higher caliber of restauraunt. But, when getting a table at the Domenica isn't an option, I'm greatful they have a pizza only restauraunt.", "timestamp": "2015-03-16T01:48:15" }, { "business_id": "f-WhNOSwN1aB4nRFekf01g", "business_name": "Smoothie King", "rating": 4, "text": "Id you haven't been to the Smoothie King center since it was know as the New Orleans Arena, you are in for a nice surprise. The arena has had a face lift and, while the seats are the same, everything else has been refreshed. Most importantly, the food options are far more varied and appeal to many tastes. The quality of the food is very good and significantly improved from a few years back. The drink options are much improved as well and include full service bars, spiked lemonade, bottled and draft beer and of course, smoothies. There is even a spot for sweets. You can get funnel cake, cotton candy, and all kinds of delicious things I was too full to take in. The venue finally feels a bit swanky and top notch. We are moving on up!", "timestamp": "2015-03-19T00:30:09" }, { "business_id": "wMkS8tFWJwenttfXpZW_oA", "business_name": "Freret Market", "rating": 5, "text": "The Freret Market is my favorite local market and a great place to eat lunch. It is usually on the first Saturday of the month from fall through spring. If you are using credit cards you will need to visit the booth in the middle where you can get cash. They charge a small fee. You don't need a pin. My favorite things here are the cup cashless at Creole Cupcakes, Yakamien from Mrs. Linda, and fries from the Fry Bar. La Cocinita Food Truck is frequently there as well. They are delicious! The market had great local music. Sometimes the Mardi Gras Indians make am appearance. Additionally, local crafts and art with a distinctly new orleans touch can be found.", "timestamp": "2015-03-25T17:43:53" }, { "business_id": "oYF96W1boB-0E3g3i8U_zw", "business_name": "Wink's World Famous Buttermilk Drop Bakery & Bistro", "rating": 5, "text": "This review is primarily applicable to the buttermilk drops and customer service. Everything else looked amazingly delicious, but, regrettably, I only tried the drops. Unlike anywhere I've had them before, Wink offers buttermilk drops covered in chocolate ganache with nuts, like a turtle, and these are awesome, because buttermilk drops arent delcicous enough. Right? The ones that are rolled in cinnamon sugar are good not great. Classic glazed is classically decadent. The glazed were unbelievably good. They were the best I've ever eaten and so fresh and moist. I could probably eat a dozen. The customer service was great. The ladies were friendly and happy. I can feel another visit in my imminent future.", "timestamp": "2015-04-09T02:05:35" }, { "business_id": "R46XVcmUzy8qeerHyZQtEg", "business_name": "The Big Cheezy", "rating": 4, "text": "The menu is overwhelming, so be prepared. The prices are reasonable if you order one of their specialty grilled cheezes but if you go the custom build route, the costs add up quickly. This will be one of the best grilled cheeses of your life. So be prepared for crispy bread, melty delicious cheeses, and other yummy delights. They offer an original grilled cheese and soup combo for about $8. The tomato basil soup is very good and I very much so enjoyed the gumbo. (Those two are the only soup options by the way. ) They also have dessert beignets. They are incredible! I dont care how full I am, I will always have room for dessert. Do not park on the right ride of the building. As the signs say, they tow, and they tow very quickly from what I understand. I am disappointed to say that this is not the same Big Cheezey that made an appearance a few years ago at some of the street food events. The owners of this place bought the name, but its not the same people.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:16:33" }, { "business_id": "OxXMZfaRZc7SJnjMBkO1ww", "business_name": "Taceaux Loceaux", "rating": 5, "text": "Taceaux loceaux is one if the best food trucks in the country. Their taceauxs are amazing. I eat here about once a week. My favorites are the chubster, kermits bbq, and delta prawn, but be warned, the selection varies and items do sell out. Though not often available, the quesadillas are filled with real, melty, stretchy cheese and usually brisket. The brisket can be greasy some nights, which is always a disappointment for me. When it isnt, greasy they are absolutely scrumptious. Pretty much anything you try should be good (except maybe the tofu or all hat no catlle, unless, of course, you like that vegetarian sort of thing). Most people go crazy for the avacado fries, but avacados aren't my thing. This is not your stereotypical taco truck. Almost everything is some type of fusion and it all works very well. The chef understands how to deliver flavors on a five star level at one dollar sign price, a very rare find.", "timestamp": "2015-04-22T01:36:45" }, { "business_id": "3db1R99-mdSvx3QwryJSNQ", "business_name": "The Camellia Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Camellia Grill is the only local diner I frequent. It has a great classic feel with only bar style seating and service available. It could be the chocolate freezes, but it's probably a combination of that and the friendly service, clean kitchen, and great breakfast that makes this my goto breakfast-served-all-day spot (but mostly it's the choclate freezes. ) I really like the waffle, even though it is thin and far from my preferential Belgian style. The syrup tastes real, but I'm not sure if it is actual maple or a good copy. The omlets are awesome. They mix everything up and cook the mix into supper fluffy decadent eggs. Camelia Grill is a great stop for breakfast! Not in the mood for breakfast? They also have great okra gumbo, classic grilled cheese, good burgers, and some other options I haven tried like fried chicken strips and hot dogs.", "timestamp": "2015-05-04T01:16:05" }, { "business_id": "A8ivmB48-sMd4eBwIErs7A", "business_name": "The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk", "rating": 4, "text": "The Outlets ay Riverwalk are far better than any other mall that has occupied this space. There are options to appeal to everyone. My favorites are the Lucky Jeans oulet and the Ann Taylor LOFT outlet. Others include gap, Nemien Marcus Last Call, Tommy Bahama, New Balance, Coach, Forever 21, Guess, and Kenneth Cole. The food court is awesome. It puts most malls to shame. They offer Canes Fried Chicken Fingers, Izzo's Illegal Burrito, Mooyah Burger's and Fries, Monas Mediterranean, Mandarin Express, (cheese)Steaks and Fries, Villa Italian, Aunt Annies Pretzels, Mike Andersins Seafood, a sald place and of course a Daiquiri shop and a few other places. Outside of the food court you can find a Cafe du Monde, Red Mango FroYo, Pralines, Popcorn Bistro, and Great American cookie Company. The views of the river from the food court are some of the best in the city. You can get $7 of parking with $20 purchase. Visit the security booth near the exits to the parking lots.", "timestamp": "2015-07-12T20:54:12" }, { "business_id": "J3ZsfPsk47ozaJ2VZZLYGQ", "business_name": "Jimmy John's", "rating": 2, "text": "Jimmy Johns is terrible. The only reason I can find to justify people's love of the place is that it is cheap and the quality of the meat appears to be be better than Subway. The bread is flavorless. The bacon is terrible and I'm not convinced that it had been cooked in anyway. I could not eat it. The toppings and cheese options are practically nonexistent. However, if you don't care what your food trades like, you may love this place. It's clean, the service is fast and the prices are great.", "timestamp": "2015-07-14T22:53:31" }, { "business_id": "SI3q166YxgbxzQxMfpiWjQ", "business_name": "Bayou Hot Wings", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is great! They have the best tasting chicken wings and fried chicken tenders in the area. The sauce options are all delictable and well varied to appeal to many different tastes. I love the pepper jelly. It is my favorite. I need to try some different ones but the pepperjelly is so good I have not really gone through them all. I have tried the thai chili glaze and it was delicious too, but, pepper jelly is better. The onion rings are made fresh, well seasoned, and thick sliced. The French fries are what I classify as steak fries but they have a nice airy texture and are really good. They are served tossed in house made cajun seasoning. The restauraunt is very small with a few bars to eat at long the walls and two larger picnic tables outside. They do a lot of togo business. The drink selectioms are primarily glass bottles. A note on the chicken wings: they are not those freakishly huge chicken wings; they are on the smaller side.", "timestamp": "2015-07-15T00:20:20" }, { "business_id": "dU0ZYEZXTtMdDC9XwARtDw", "business_name": "Mosca's Restaurant", "rating": 3, "text": "Things to know about Mosca's before you go: They are strictly cash only It takes around 50 minutes to get your food The restauraunt can get VERY loud Portions are huge You usually need reservations The menu is limited I find Moscas to be expensive for what you get. I have mainly tried the spaghetti and meatballs. The red gravy is good, but the meatballs are dense. The pasta was angle hair cooked al dente. I have also had the crab salad which was mostly iceberg lettuce tossed in a light house dressing and sprinkled with crab meat. It tasted better than it looked but I was not overly impressed. Supposidly the oysters and chicken la mosca are amazing and I am told that they would change my mind about the place. If I come again, I will have to give the chicken a try (I dont eat oysters). For me, the food is not good enough to justify the drive, cost, and time, but it is the noise factor that definitely kills it for me. It is so loud you cannot talk to the person sitting next to you without shouting and only further adding to the earsplitting noise. 50 minutes of staring at the people you are with and smothered by the reverberation of ever conversation in the room is not my idea of a nice meal.", "timestamp": "2015-07-18T01:59:35" }, { "business_id": "m57EWrMrPAeQnjvfqmGNqA", "business_name": "Swan River Yoga Mid-City Mandir", "rating": 5, "text": "I love this place! It is an oasis for me. I always feel welcomed and never judged. I am completely addicted to restorative yoga. It really helps my stress and pain levels. I love atmosphere of the mandir. They use therapeutic aromas and music to enhance the calming aire. The teachers are great. They adapt to your level and needs and are very calm and tranquil in class. I leave feeling centered and at peace. I was so inspired by the restorative yoga that I've started going to beginner yoga as well. I may be equally addicted. Again, the teachers are great, helpful and kind. Everything it is for beginners, this class is still a workout. They also offer a 4 week beginner yoga course which I am going to take one the next one starts. This focused more on teaching the correct way to do each pose. Great for complete novice like myself. They also offer very challenging courses. Check the website for schedules and class descriptions. All of the equipment you may need is available, making Swan River very beginner friendly.", "timestamp": "2015-08-13T00:22:41" }, { "business_id": "ZRFAWkVoql1vdI-0cO3How", "business_name": "Bud's Broiler", "rating": 4, "text": "Good food fast. That's Bud's Broiler. I've bee eating here since I was a kid. Every location has a different quality standard it seems. There's a guy that works at this one that seems to keep quality high. The meat is cooked on a real charcoal grill. I love the hot dogs and the burgers. The hot dogs are sliced and then grilled, served on a round bun. The chili is good and just hot enough to melt the fresh grated (I think) cheese. The burger patties are thin and full of charcoal-grilled flavor. The house sauce is the perfect pairing to the burgers, but they put a lot on so beware. The fries by themselves suck, but cover them in chili and cheese and they are yumstuffs. The place is dated and divery with video poker machines and a few video games. It is also clean and cozy.", "timestamp": "2015-11-21T19:13:43" }, { "business_id": "7UtseA2asDy38T20c7P8_A", "business_name": "Best Chevrolet", "rating": 3, "text": "After negotating saturday and me walking out, they called me today, Tuesday, and made the deal work. Nick helped a lot. Beware, they are going to play games. I want a truck, and the chevys seem like the way to go, so here I am. Otherwise, Id buy from subaru. The experience there was much more straight forward. Internet sales person was not knowledgeable and didn't even know the internet listed price. When I arrived in initally, I was told the vehicle had sold weeks ago. I looked up a similar one online and we proceed from there. The original offer they made me was $6,000 more than the price on the internet. They also wanted to add $2000 for extra accesories not listed on the website. The next offer they made was better but still game very little in trade value. Im not sure if others will get the deal they want, but i did.", "timestamp": "2016-02-17T01:37:48" } ]	{ "business_id": "u537LRjJmHI4eqMARsP9ng", "business_name": "Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "This place is amazing. If you have ever had a dream of endless, amazing, perfectly cooked meats brought served to you, this is your Valhalla. There are nearly countless cuts of beef, lamb, pork, and chicken. They are sliced at your table at your beck and call. The flow of cuts are constant. It is almost overwhelming. The meats all taste different from one and other and are all top quality. They are cooked to perfection. There sides are delish too, but who goes to a meat buffet for the sides. The cocktails are exceptional and I recommend the Superfruit Lemonade. This place is expensive but entirely worth it. I wouldn't put it on the regular rotation but for special nights, it is my new favorite.", "timestamp": "2016-02-20T03:42:39" }
pYXeL0RCqus2IfhthYCOyA	[ { "business_id": "pqHCY2NE8_aVl0EsDRbUtg", "business_name": "Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que", "rating": 5, "text": "Crisp slaw & spicy sauce are the 2 things that get me fired up about BBQ! FD has these in spades. Then top it off with a selicious selection of Home-style Desserts, bring out the cot I'm moving in here!!! It only gets better when I can bring friends & family who can find eats to wet their palate & want to pull out a pallet too.", "timestamp": "2011-07-11T16:49:02" }, { "business_id": "U_NCpKQDf3z7qSBjvv4U0Q", "business_name": "Cafe Desta", "rating": 5, "text": "Naked brick walls for art, Yummy food with a sprinkle of great conversation? Must be Cafe Desta. Yes, there's lots of places with art on brick and maybe some have food but very few, if any, have the fun knowledgeable owners/staff of Cafe Desta. From the moment I walked in the door till I left, I felt welcomed and pampered. After my rough day shopping I needed to be coddled. And I was totally spoiled! I was offered a drink and chose mint tea. This wasn't your grandma's teabag, it was ambrosia mint tea. No bitterness or paper tea bag taste. While sipping my teabrosia, I had a long talk with . . . . . I'm calling him Tee, and decided on the cubed lamb because they can put the hot stuff on the side. It was so yummy, even the hot sauce/paste was flavorful. The cheese reminded me of cheese curd and made me miss Wisconsin. I didn't think I'd like the veggies that came with the lamb dish because they had cooked carrots and I don't like cooked carrots. So, I can't say I don't like cooked carrots any more because these were so good mixed with green beans in a tomatolishes sauce. Enough of my rambling. Let me add on the obvious if you know anything about Ethiopian food. They have family style and single servings. I needed a to go container and guess what? Tee boxed it for me.", "timestamp": "2012-01-05T07:27:20" }, { "business_id": "RFIHFxmNH9dM0ouz2N8ZjQ", "business_name": "Cafe Marcel", "rating": 5, "text": "I was just checking my stats and realized all my reviews are 5 stars. What can I say, I always get great service. Like I did 2 times at Cafe Marcel. It was so good yesterday, I made my big brother take me today. Michelle & Joe's restaurant is like coming home to my French Granny's. I'm sure I don't have a French Granny and Michelle & Joe aren't old enough to be my Grandparents. Still I felt welcomed and left full of good food. Taste buds spinning so much I left my long sleeve shirt. Had to take it off cuz just like at Granny's they had the heat on so I was comfy. I had the Feta cheese, Tomato Pesto Crepe. Michelle says it doesn't matter how you pronounce it cuz it's all good. So do I.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T01:40:35" }, { "business_id": "LRr-aw58xVMkUu0OSL_BpQ", "business_name": "The Little One", "rating": 5, "text": "I HEART a company when an employee/owner recognizes you when you were just there a week before. That's what happened at Little Cafe Poca Cosa. This action lets me know the hugs aren't just a gimmick. I try to go on off hours so I don't get jammed in there with all the suits from the downtown offices. But even when I do. I take that as an opportunity to meet someone new. So, I've always had prompt friendly service. Except that one time when I was talking to this really cute suit and the waitress kept bothering us. I love the fact that they encourage you to only eat what you think you can eat so they don't have to waste food. I also like that they give back to the community. Oops, I forgot to tell you about the food. Very health-yummy!", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T02:35:25" }, { "business_id": "2njTjQ35skXN171KoobeGg", "business_name": "Raging Sage", "rating": 5, "text": "Well Jiminy Crickets!!! I wish I could give these guys 1 star then maybe it will not be as crowded. The good news is I've seen lots of cute guys here and when it's crowded you may have to share a table or even a chair. How fun would that be? OK, enough funnin'. Let's talk coffee and baked goods. Actually we don't have to talk coffee and baked goods because they're both so good you can have one without the other. Now I have a craving for and Ed O'Neil movie.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:51:01" }, { "business_id": "BxRHz-iSQGCGSuAGwkeUsw", "business_name": "Albertsons", "rating": 5, "text": "I use to take the bus past 2 other stores to get to this store because of the great selection, knowledgeable staff & fair prices. Now I live about 1/2 mile closer to another store in the opposite direction of the Albertson's. But Al and his staff are still my choice.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:55:08" }, { "business_id": "0THt7q5pk6FBVYjeGsITaA", "business_name": "Al's Ace Hardware", "rating": 5, "text": "Ace is the place with the helpful hardware WOman! I'm always greeted with a smile & offers of help. The cool part is they let me poke around just looking at the cool stuff. I'm a multimedia artist and sometimes just browsing in a hardware store can bring up suppressed Ace. Oops Art. Then when an idea pops in my head the WOman help me get it out and into my cart.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T04:04:08" }, { "business_id": "7_1GqlDlbkShY0az7J0XNg", "business_name": "LaCo", "rating": 4, "text": "La Cocina is a great place for a healthy lunch & relaxing. I don't recommend it if you're in a hurry. There's of shops, coffee house, restaurant and bar all staffed by a minimal number of people. But, it's worth a little wait because not only does it taste good, you're not going to add much weight. I've tried the quinoa, veggies in peanut sauce with tofu and felt the pounds come off. So, I had the Chocolate tofu pie thinking the pounds would come back but they didn't. I was full but not stuffed and no sugar crash. I also had the Mediterranean appetizer plate and felt was fully satisfied. I started with the hibiscus lemon-aid. Like everything else full of flavor not too sweet. Cuz I'm sweet enough.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:00:26" }, { "business_id": "bo_03Xq6RenVdK3yVuDGiA", "business_name": "Nimbus Brewing", "rating": 4, "text": "I love it when a plan come together! My brother and I went to Nimbus to hear Amosphere, a local based band. Usually the band plays from 10pm to 1 or 2 am & that's too late for us on days we have to get up early. Saturday (1/7/12) the band started at 7 but I had a late lunch so was ready to eat when I got there. We sat there for what seems like hours as the waitresses ran orders to & from the small window. I kept trying to give them the sign but they we so busy. Plus as I found out later the waitress don't take drink orders, you've gotta go to the bar. I must have been giving the give me a beer now sign and not the give me food now sign. It really wasn't hours it was just about 15 to 20 minutes. When a waitress came over to offer a humongous platter of chicken nachos for free cuz someone couldn't eat around the jalapenos. The nachos would have been a steal at twice the price. Great music & great food washed down with a pint of Nimbus Old Monkeyshine Ale, an exceptional example of a true, traditional-style English Pub beer.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:25:58" }, { "business_id": "yJZbNhVoTdhcI9dYVzLJuQ", "business_name": "Playground Bar & Lounge", "rating": 5, "text": "Indian Jones I'm not but I did unearth this Jewel in the desert. Well, actually I stumbled upon it. I was hungry and popped into the Hub for something yummy. I saw the ad I've been seeing for months that Playground would be opening soon. Well It was today at 4pm; I'd call that soon. The HUB Restaurant owner started the fire that got this diamond to the glimmering state it is in today. I was greeted by doormen dressed in Tucson Dressy. I was still wearing my layers of thermal and turtle neck I had on when I left the house this morning but I was still welcomed. While most of the guests were dressed for an evening of adult Recess on the Playground, there were others who came as they were. It wasn't crowded and there's enough playground equipment so you don't have to wait for your libation. I'm going to say even when they're at capacity you should still be able to get your drink on in a timely manner. I really liked the low seating in a far east/Mediterranean style. Not to far to fall, just in case. Speaking of style, I could live in the ladies room. I love the urban-rip-the-space-time fabric, we're in New York feel. Bare-brick walls mixed with vinyl wallpaper and mirrors. The good kind of mirrors that make you look smaller than you are. But the one above the sink had a video of how to put make-up on. The only thing missing was a lady selling make-up cuz I didn't have any. I'm going back as they open at 4pm and that's way before my bed time.", "timestamp": "2012-01-13T03:17:18" }, { "business_id": "8wkPLsDbGU3GcW8CoD-4aA", "business_name": "Caffe Luce", "rating": 5, "text": "Finally a place to spend my federation credits. I had heard about companies using iPads as cash registers but this is the 1st time I interacted with one. On the iPad it gives you tip options I think that's nice just in case you forget. I love the decor too. Behind the food prep area is a sign that reads Congress & 5th posted on \"subway\" tile. I know if you've been in some of the subways around the country, the thought of your food being prepared there might not sound palatable but you can't miss with this vegetarian menu. I heard people ordering coffee and they sounded happy with the results. It was after 1pm so I had wine. I was thinking wine spritzer and they accommodated by serving a glass of wine with a jelly glass jar of made on the spot sparkling water. And a smile to boot. There's a nifty system for getting a food order from the cash register to the prep area. It's written on an old fashion order form then attached to an alligator clip hung from a trolley type line on the ceiling. Then it's Zip-lined on the magnetic orderslip delivery system. I love it when new and old comes together.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:04:54" }, { "business_id": "9hVDlAouG9J1ORXOlBi44g", "business_name": "Summit Hut", "rating": 5, "text": "I Heart Summit Hut because they don't look at me a judge that I'm not an outdoors person. And even though I'm not they have lots of things I use like water bottles, t-shirts and unusual nicknacks. I was looking for solar cell phone options and they had them. One was a complete kid with rechargeable batteries and the other was for charging everything from your iPhone to your old no name MP3 player. I was very impressed with the teamwork. I asked a question from the single guy standing at the registers and he didn't call anyone he just grabbed the keys and began helping me. Another employee saw the void and popped into the vacant area, very smooth. I bet there's a couple of football and basketball teams that could benefit from taking a Summit Hut customer training class.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:28:11" }, { "business_id": "vdCQoE2il097-vc_gIQzYw", "business_name": "Bruegger's Bagels", "rating": 4, "text": "I use to pop into this Bruegger's between buses on my way to Pima west campus. I've always gotten great service. Sometimes some of the customer's are slow but the employees are great that they match the customer that way customer's who have time do not feel rushed.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:31:24" }, { "business_id": "OvC4Ecgzk2SI7R8qD0rk9Q", "business_name": "Sky Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "When I 1st read about Sky Bar I couldn't wait to check it out. That was over a year ago. I'd pop in just to cool off when it was over 90 and for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to stroll 4th Ave. I dropped in for a cool drink and it's not what I expected. You have to bring your party with you. At least when I was there things were very clicky. The point is if I'm bringing my party with me, we could just go to the store and buy the same stuff they serve there & hang at a friend's house.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T05:57:22" }, { "business_id": "J6EXRXbejBgOv4SWamMEAA", "business_name": "Culver's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been hearing about this place as if it's the second coming of the Messiah. Upscale fast food is still fast food. I'd pay a little extra for a maitre d, waitron and a bus-person . I don't mind ordering at the counter I think it was the large lighted menu over the back of the order-taker's head that made me feel like a clown or a king was going to come at me any second. I had the prime-rib sandwich. It was flavorful, tender and juicy. Most importantly the bread was very good and held-up nicely. I washed it down with a chocolate shake and it was no king or queen. Messiah? No, maybe John his cousin.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T07:16:52" }, { "business_id": "g7WfbAnXnMVXVNcc0SBM3A", "business_name": "Performance Bicycle", "rating": 2, "text": "I think they expect you to look like a Performance Cyclist or you don't get any help. Not even a smile or a please don't steal anything hello. I wandered around for almost 10 minutes without any acknowledgement that I might be a paying customer. The same thing happened the last time I went into this store. They're the closest bike shop to me and when I called to check hours the guy was really nice. I must have a Performance Cyclist's voice. Good thing I'm smart cuz I was able to cruised around and find out they didn't have bike grease. There were lots of other customer's there getting good service so, I don't think they're to be avoided if you look the part.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:44:14" }, { "business_id": "T7ybhSamtbgI2Ece8Z8IHQ", "business_name": "RC Bicycles", "rating": 5, "text": "Double up those stars! RC get 10 stars from me. This was my 3rd shop to try and find bike grease. And let's not talk about cell minutes used. It was a nice day so I started walking to the 1st place that was about 1 mile away, the next place was about 1.2 miles from the 1st place and RC was a little less than a mile from the 2nd place. What a great workout? The nice young man working by himself at RC took time to advise me that most people do not attempt to put together their bikes. I explained to him that it was just the front wheel, seat and peddles. Plus, I had no way to get the bike to a shop. So, he gave me some tips and grease and away I went. Guess where I'm buying all of my accessories?", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:58:10" }, { "business_id": "57Vny0AxGdEQBETfd7xU4A", "business_name": "Chopstix Asian Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "DH and I 1st rolled in here when they 1st opened. Because of the location we thought we'd better get in there before it closes. Well here we are years later and I finally got my big bro in the Stixs for dinner. It's not on my normal beaten path but when I find myself in the area it's my go to place. There's a few fast food places near but if you're looking for a good quick lunch, their buffet can not be beat with multiple options for less than $7.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T01:59:22" }, { "business_id": "wa_bwyY57etHjtJ2Fw0E3g", "business_name": "Pita Jungle", "rating": 4, "text": "If I had a penny for every time I had plans to eat at the Jungle but plans fell through, I could retire. Well, maybe take a few days off. I told the hostess about my trouble getting there and she made sympathetic noises. I went for the happy hour \"tapas\" so I could try a little of everything. The baba ghanouj's flavors were distinct and mingled perfectly. The pita was just the right thickness and slightly crispy so the baba didn't smash into the ghanouj. My waiter suggested the lemon chicken and if it wasn't half jerky-ed, it would have been great, All the flavors were there except for the ones that slipped away with the moisture. The Baklava more than made up for the chicken mishap. So, instead of 3 stars we're doing 4.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:30:14" }, { "business_id": "gAB-cDpBycjonNkiQMLCqw", "business_name": "Rita Ranch RV & Self Storage", "rating": 4, "text": "These kids now days have everything. I had to wash my dog in the bathtub, uphill both ways. Really, this is a great idea. I'd never even heard of it till I was visiting friends and family in the area. It's $5 for 10 minutes and just like when you wash your car it's up to you how you spend your minutes. Well not exactly like the car, the car doesn't try to bite or sit on the hose. You don't have to give the car treats to get it to into the wash area. And most importantly the car doesn't shake stinky wet dog water all over you during and after the wash. But that's all on the dog. The owners have done a good job of partitioning the areas where up to 8 dogs can be washed at a time with 2 at each of the four areas. I'm just thinking a little more space might be good. even my little niece had a hard time getting on the other side of the dog to help keep her (the dog) settled.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:54:32" }, { "business_id": "UIlOq8dHsaqOqTZJVvI8tQ", "business_name": "McDonald's", "rating": 5, "text": "Hands down best McDonald's experience ever. We were in and out in no time even-though I had no clue what I wanted because I haven't seen a McDonald's menu in years. Well almost in and out in no time. I had to order the chocolate shake just when the machine decided to run out of chocolate. The reason for the 5 stars is the cashier apologizing over and over. Give the \"man\" a raise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:59:55" }, { "business_id": "NnuxEbv5rlz0HOg0XM8EAw", "business_name": "Purple Heart Park: Ivan's Spot", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a wonderful area to play, sit, run, jump and even worship. Sometimes, my old church has a \"Spring Fling\" service at this park. It's large enough so while we're doing our thing with the band and the jumping castles other park goers while welcomed are not overcome by the noise. By that I mean they can hear it us but it's not like we got the bass cranked up. But on this day, it wasn't spring like at all. We drove the mile to the park just in case the clouds decided not to just look cold but also let loose some rain. We had the park to our selves except for a few other brave souls or kids/dogs who don't understand bad weather. A great time was had by all and we got some much needed exercise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:09:18" }, { "business_id": "OOoxH_7PHboLOZjvLKmt7g", "business_name": "Target", "rating": 4, "text": "I was glad when this Target opened giving new life to my beloved El Con mall. I have a love hate relationship with the grocery department. Yes, I don't have to make that extra stop but it makes the target bill higher. This day I was looking for bike tools and grease. They really don't have much in the way of tools and that makes since sine because they have a home improvement store next door. But, because they sale bikes I was thinking this would be a good place for bike grease. Nope! In lieu of having employees to help how about a few of those you-are-here maps? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's short and can't see the signs above the tall shelves.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:31:15" }, { "business_id": "1vLZFm0f85DwB5jCeA7Olg", "business_name": "Sir Veza's Taco Garage", "rating": 1, "text": "What we have here Gentlemen is a failure to maintain the quality of service and food we started with when we opened. There is an inverse relationship between price and food eat-ability. The prices have gone up while food savor has decreased.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T06:34:29" }, { "business_id": "wJmyu7W1K9A_gE8Ed4Bc9w", "business_name": "Trident Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been in love with this place for years. Haven't been in for a while and was afraid they had updated their menu. But they hadn't. I had my all time fave, peel-n-eat shrimp steamed in Old Bay with a side salad. Washed down with a Black n Tan. The service was quick, friendly and efficient.", "timestamp": "2012-01-26T19:48:58" }, { "business_id": "NesMl0Tiq1FsPoX2LzHkNg", "business_name": "PJ Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I love it when a plan comes together! A few days before I tried PJ Subs my brother and I were talking about where to get a great sub in town. We had given up on finding a good place. The next day, in a friends car, I saw the sign I must have flown past many times. But since I had Subs on the brain it stuck this time. I had to make a note to myself because I don't hangout at the corner of 6th & Tucson as much as I use to back in the day. Not sure why, it's a perfectly good corner. I wasn't sure what door to enter, didn't want to interrupt a mechanic in the middle of an Auto-pay. Turns out no cars or car fumes just good-friendly service & good food. I had the roast beef on rye with a beer can't remember the name of cause this was a while ago. After some planning & rescheduling, I was able to introduce my brother to PJ's he liked it too. As the little sister it's nice to show my big brother a SUB or 2.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T06:39:28" }, { "business_id": "T1E8IfL27VEeVa9jGjnl3w", "business_name": "Goodwill Thrift Store and Donation Center", "rating": 5, "text": "Doin' The Snoopy dance & elephant walk like an Egyptian. I love the deals at thrift stores, but I do not like the smell they sometimes have. Add to the smell the messiness and I'm outta there. If I wanted to look through piles of clothes and junk accompanied by an unidentifiable smell, I'd have stayed at home. This location has always been a gem on the pinkie finger of 4th Ave. You're strolling along heading south you can see the underpass coming up there's a few bars then you're in downtown. But, wait there's an unassuming door at this building that looks like a Goodwill storage facility. It's not a storage facility it's a very nice store with clean affordable clothes, jewelry, books, furniture & more. This Shopanista's nirvana was reached when she noticed 2 each, men's & women's restrooms also clean and tidy! Well, the one woman's I went to was. I would have been doing the Snoopy dance even if there wasn't a guy right outside playing The Linus & Lucy song followed by The Elephant Walk. I love both of those songs so I was walking like an Egyptian when I strolled out of there with my new Shel Silverstein book, Falling Up for $7.99.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:34:07" }, { "business_id": "bTBRqXfF-A1R-ShOsr7kbg", "business_name": "Monkey Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "Love this Monkey BEST! The General Manager, Ralphie, remembered my usual order & I haven't been to the Monkey in months. That's customer service folks. My order, that Ralphie remembered was served quickly! My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly, tasted great. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great, was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great & was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries, had a side of the tastiest Bar-B-Que sauce this side of . . . anywhere! Oh, BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:44:05" }, { "business_id": "nayQkd06InyPDfX12IjjWw", "business_name": "AMC Foothills 15", "rating": 2, "text": "I took 3 buses to get; here? I'll never do that again! Unless I forget none of the seats recline. I'm surprised I noticed the seat deficiency still being shell shocked from paying $15 for a bottle of water, juice and a SMALL bag of popcorn. I don't even like popcorn but I wanted to get into the whole movie spirit. No, I'm not an alien from another mother. I usually don't go to theaters because of the crowds and you can't pause or rewind. Let's face it, when I'm in my intimate home, it's easier to imagine I'm the leading lady. The leading man falling under my irresistible spell. As expected the movie, One for the Money, was worth every inconvenience & I will be buying this one for my small collection!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:03:48" }, { "business_id": "TAUGnIQDR9-m23DWLZ0dow", "business_name": "Sushi Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "First time at this location! Same great service, same great food, as the old Broadway & new Broadway locations. I wasn't starving, so had a glass of the green tea and the Rainbow Roll. Totally hit the spot. I love that they don't try to bulldoze more food into you. Don't take my word for it! When the guy at the next table asked to speak to a manager I thought here we go, he's going to complain about being served raw fish. (Really, that happened one time at a sushi restaurant. That was our last date!) But, not this guy, evidently he & his companion attend the garden frequently & wanted to let the management know \"our\" waiter had done an exceptional job. I thought he had done the usually upstanding \"Garden\" variety service. Maybe I should have ordered more food.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:35:20" }, { "business_id": "qoJH8TCkmXor8BXOcgD5zQ", "business_name": "Chicago Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I use to live here when I was single. I had heard there were new owners and was under the impression a remodeling had been done. The only thing I noticed that was no low top tables. Being short I like to sit in the low chairs. I can see why these wouldn't be popular because you can't see the band if you're sitting low. So, get up and dance or belly up to the bar & get ignored. If all else fails go to the ladies' room. Ok, maybe there was some slight remolding here. The stall-doors stay closed, Oh wait, I was there before it got crowded. Back in the day, the doors worked great if you were the only one in there but if someone was in the stall next to you, the force of them pulling their door shut caused your door to fly open. Anyways, it's still a Dive!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:17:36" }, { "business_id": "W7NxQw8UYFR0HLPrI08tvw", "business_name": "Chipotle Mexican Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Don't know what it is but If my tummy's feeling icky, I can count on Chipotle's stake to fix me up. I just have to remember not to go during full on lunch time. I usually go between 2 & 4 when it's peaceful and calm. Busy or not the service is always friendly and fast!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:21:25" }, { "business_id": "ZXXGB-xi6n3RE3X1OzRR6g", "business_name": "Walgreens", "rating": 4, "text": "The microwave did it! When it takes 3-5 minutes to heat up a yummy meal in a box, you get the idea everything should take 3-5 minutes. So, when the Pharm asst said I had to wait 30 minutes for my meds I thought Id drop dead of hunger. It was a lovely January afternoon so I walked the 1/2 mile from the dentist office to the drugstore. By the time I got there the bowl of cereal from 7:30 am was long gone & I was advised it would take 1/2 hour to prepare my meds. There's several fantastic options for lunch in the area but, none of them were 1/2 hour options so I waited & shopped. I must have been in all out shopaholic mode because I didn't hear my name called. I did check in with the Pharm asst after 35 minutes and my meds were ready. How much? And that's with the Pharm discount card? This is where the lost star went. This discount card has been a little crazy. You're suppose to get credit for buying \"Walgreen's\" products. Then when you buy stuff you swipe your card the credits are applied to your purchase. Plus the pharmacy is to automatically know you have the card and the discount applied. The Pharm assit didn't know if the discount had been applied when she advised the amount of my meds. Plus evidently my card is to expire next month. I renewed it this month because I could do it for $5 instead of $20. Sale ending the day I was there. Other than the discount card issue everyone was very helpful and friendly. I received an appropriate amount of \"please don't steal anything smiles & offers of help\" while I shopped. Not a good idea to hit the Pharm if you're hungry because evidently the lunchroom with microwave is nearby. While I was waiting for the Pharm assit to figure out if I received the card discount, we smelled something yummy that was ready to eat in 3-5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:23:51" }, { "business_id": "AKFahOtdDQA7NVXZyDajCA", "business_name": "Trader Joe's", "rating": 4, "text": "I loves me some TJ's!!! Just an overall comment I'm sure everyone knows, don't fall in love with any product you buy at a TJ's, because they may discontinue it without warning. This location has the same great friendly service I've come to enjoy from all TJ's. And the food's good too! BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:30:30" }, { "business_id": "9fOkyQs0TcVqqe_5c51b_w", "business_name": "Cheba Hut Toasted Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I feel like I'm hanging with the cool kids when I go to Cheba Hut. I love the KGB, roast beef with real grated horseradish. I sometimes think I'll try something different but the horseradish calls my name.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:09:19" }, { "business_id": "Gekeq1c-fuezmx0PSGQvzw", "business_name": "East Coast Super Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "Found my lost love! I use to go ECSS when I was attending the U of A. The other day I was in the old neighborhood and thought the place was closed. I found myself in the neighborhood again, HONEST IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. This time I vowed not to leave till I got the scoop. I walked around the big red adobe wall, entered the gate, walked through the eerily quite courtyard. Suddenly I had saw the headline, \"body of Debbi W found (wherever) last seen in the U of A area near the abandoned business, East Coast Super Subs. I thought I heard a man call my name from the other side of the fence. I jumped. Finally I was close enough to the window to look inside and there were people in there. The glass was tinted so, their zombiness was not determined till I opened the door. I was greeted with a hello and May I help you? I ordered and received quickly the best roast-beef sandwich I'd had since I was last at ECSS when they were on 6th Street near Campbell and I was still an undergrad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:39:54" }, { "business_id": "WRZEQEDsZoTB8MfgUex45Q", "business_name": "Temple Of Music And Art", "rating": 5, "text": "Not a bad seat in the house. I love it when you can see a show without doing the bobblehead dance with the heads in front of you. The tiered seating is expertly layered that unless you're sitting behind a 7 foot tall person you'll be-able to see over the persons in-front of you. While the seating is important, before you get to your seat you're welcomed into the Temple and are prepared for your music/art enlightenment. At some ceremonies there's 1 or 2 carts in the courtyard serving sweets/snacks/drinks. Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS was very good and I'm glad I got to see it at the Temple. I laughed so hard my stomach started to hurt & tears were flowing.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:22:07" }, { "business_id": "p86gxGhlZEE9I9icCyJqFA", "business_name": "Safeway", "rating": 4, "text": "When I lived off 22nd street I would pass 2 other stores on my bike to get to this store because of it's fresh produce and friendly service. I popped in here the other day to grab some water cuz I forgot my water bottle again. It was like coming home to family. Different employees but still fun and friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:27:42" }, { "business_id": "qOw6FD59FvUMmkaTjVqS8Q", "business_name": "Tucson Food Truck Roundup", "rating": 5, "text": "Are you going to Tucson Food Truck Round-Up? Parsley, sage, STRAWBERRY and thyme . . . (album screeches to a stop!) Strawberry you say? Yep! Strawberry & Thyme is the Cyclopsicle I had! If you love sweet & savory, you've gotta try this. If you don't love sweet & savory you've gotta try this. It will blow your mind! In addition, to the great food there was great music! The Shawn Kebler Trio 4:30 - 6:00 then Those Beatles Guys 6:15 - 7:45. As if that wasn't enough, there's artist doing there magic right in front of you. Check out the pics of Mel Dominguez and David Tineo. Their art & energetic personalities were a great addition to the food, fun and frolicking.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T19:02:26" }, { "business_id": "gKpsoVjBEnrNkzaOfxpOUA", "business_name": "Fox Tucson Theatre", "rating": 5, "text": "I almost broke my sacroiliac again & loved it! Seeing Starting Over - The Lennon Experience at the Fox reminded me of going to concerts in the mid to late seventies with general admission & huge dance floors. Of course The Fox doesn't have general admission & there wasn't a huge dance floor but the seats are spaced far enough apart that you can really get your motor running. There's assigned seating & crowd control but I didn't get the feeling I was in a police state. That would have been the opposite of the Lennon message. Time was on my side at this concert because the band started way before my bedtime and when it was past my bedtime, 8:30, I was still rocking and rolling. I knew the crowd was getting really revved up when I saw the huge bouncer advance to the stage. He did a great job of deterring fans from jumping on the stage or tossing any unmentionables at anyone. Luckily I had my YELP friends with me to hole me back. After the concert was over my friends and I stood in line to get autographs. After all of the excitement, I wanted to head out on the highway but opted for the quick drive home. I was very glad the Fox is downtown and not way out of town like some of the music venues. I really loved this event and am very happy Fox was the location for the World Premiere of Starting Over - the Lennon Experience. I'm going to start checking out the webpage more for stuff to do. A few people we turned off by alterations in some lyrics but I bet that's because of copyright issues. You know what I say to changed lyrics . . . Don't let the man ruin your mellow! That sounds like a Beatles era saying, right?", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T08:06:04" }, { "business_id": "Vhl0ZYmbPACG2FPLtvR5hg", "business_name": "The RumRunner", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Rum so when I found out there's a place called the Rum Runner I had to check it out. I didn't know if it was a bar, liquor store or restaurant. (This was preYELP days). When I walked in & saw all the wine I was a little intimidated. Back then I hadn't been to a wine tasting & picked my wine by price divided by how pretty was the label. If the resulting number was less than1, I'd buy as long as the price wasn't above how much I had in my pocket. The intimidation began melting away when I was greeted with a smile and an offer of help. Then I saw the cheese/pate case. I had never had pate and was keen to try but was concerned about the price. While I was trying to decide if I could afford some pate and rum, I was offered a taste of pate. Too bad no rum tasting that day. Yum, Yum, the Salmon pate was HEAVEN as well as the others I tried. So, I took the advice of the counter employee and bought all of the ones I liked plus some crackers & matching wine. It was less than $50 and I had dinner for two plus leftovers. Date night was very successful!", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T15:44:53" }, { "business_id": "nsWxhtg7XAnl5DtH-_d-vA", "business_name": "Tucson Botanical Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "When I was a little girl, I loved to run in the field across from our house and chase butterflies. One time a neighbor gave me a net to help me catch the butterflies and I was very happy till I caught one and saw how bug like it was. Once I got over my squeamishness, I put a captive in a jar and took it home. I think we consulted some expert and put some kind of food in the jar but it only lasted a day. I was very upset to think I had shortened the creatures life. And even if the life wasn't shortened, I'm sure it would have rather been with friends then locked up in a jar. Well never fear the experts at the Gardens know how to treat the butterflies that call the park their home. I love to hang out at the TBG whenever I get a chance but it's best in the spring and fall. The staff is always friendly and helpful too. There are a number of events and classes. In addition volunteer opportunities too. And it's centrally located so you can pop in on your way to somewhere else in town.", "timestamp": "2012-02-09T05:40:40" }, { "business_id": "z5r59h-c7vCS53k1YKSfxg", "business_name": "Lotus Massage & Wellness Center", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a puddle when Ingrid was done with my massage. I wanted to ask her to marry me cuz I love her. Well not just her, the whole center screams calmness and peace. But not the 60's type where you don't know if the'll be open cuz they were/are smoking peyote. Very professional and worth the money.", "timestamp": "2012-02-11T01:17:13" }, { "business_id": "26rvYn1RPbJCBW-cW05xnQ", "business_name": "Sun Tran", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the way Tucson's bus system has improved over the years. There's more weekend & late night service. A great option if you plan on drinking. If you're going to close the bar down you'll need to make other arrangements to get home but at least you can bus there so you're not cabbing both ways. There's still the stupid way buses that meet at an intersection are scheduled to arrive at the same time so it doesn't matter what bus you want to transfer to you can't because by the time you get across the street the bus has gone.", "timestamp": "2012-02-12T13:29:33" }, { "business_id": "4QMIJJWQOh7zpEwOXhFJqw", "business_name": "Renee's Tucson", "rating": 5, "text": "Chillin at Renee's listening to Mack the Knife on Valentine's Day reminded me of my first love & favorite Valentine, my mom. She loved Louis Armstrong. Even though I don't have my mom with me I got lots of love & comfort food at Renee's. I had the meatballs in marinara sauce with the pepper salad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-14T23:53:42" }, { "business_id": "t3yNTcIYyCreySnwVl5tjw", "business_name": "The Loft Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "ACTION!!! Not sure why I don't go here more often. The staff is friendly and the seats are comfy. I didn't have any food at The 2012 Academy Award Nominated Action Short Films showing but my friend had the pizza. It looked and smelled good. They have beer too.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T16:33:51" }, { "business_id": "-1MhPXk1FglglUAmuPLIGg", "business_name": "Red Garter Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "Best hamburger in town! Cooked just the way I like it, right after it gets done screaming. I love being Burger Kinged. I had a combination of the Swiss burger and southwest burger. Bacon, mushrooms, Swiss cheese and yummy bar-b-que sauce. The bread was good too, but I left most of it because the burger was so large. The onion rings were so good I skipped the ketchup. I held back a star because when I walked in a waitress walked by me without acknowledged I was there. The bartender looked up but didn't give a nod or anything. I know it's not Cheers but still a howdy ma'am would have been nice. I got a little concerned that maybe I had stepped into a time warp and was in a 1950's bar. I did a check for other dark faces and found one that was much lighter than mine so, I began to relax. Once my waitress came over to greet me (I'd been sitting about 4 minutes) she was genuinely very friendly. So, let's give them back 1/2 a star. The jukebox is off the hook. All my old favorite rock-n-roll songs were playing. There's ton's of TVs for you sports fans. It is a little pricey. I was expecting some Happy Hour pricing as it was 5pm. But you get what you pay for in this world. I'm a big bathroom nut. If a place has a nice clean bathroom, I'm going to spend a lot of time there. Rg's was clean enough but no hook for my purse and sweater. So now we're down to 3 stars.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T17:02:26" }, { "business_id": "SbdL-8NSmTWgSwdGZBa7WQ", "business_name": "Fresco Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "I love good-hot pizza & that's why I have Fresco deliver. Sometimes I order the eggplant parmesan & combo subs. It doesn't matter they always deliver hot & fresh food with a smile. With that said the best part is when they answer the phone you can hear the smile. Most of the time when I call businesses I get the feeling I'm interrupting something. Not at Fresco.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T21:47:04" }, { "business_id": "6pVVwtFmd7VBsgyFPHvU_w", "business_name": "Union Public House", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to my first UYE here. I'll never forget it. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was really good. I had the cheesy tots. House made potato tots covered with a house made cheese sauce. I want to be buried in that sauce. Then I had the special, scallops. I almost fell over when I was told $12 for 2 scallops. But they were huge. Then, I almost fell over because the were so tender. The noise from the other patrons was deafening and there was heavy metal music playing but you really couldn't hear it because of the noise from the people talking. There was a lot of sound bouncing off the walls. We had the same problem at our church. They make dampening panels for that. But before that gets fixed I think some money should be put into new fixtures for the ladies room. It was kinda clean but the toilet was stopped up. One of the YELPers I was with, told the owner and it got fixed right away. Yes, I'm crazy that way, I went back to check. But even without stopped toilet the L. room gets an F, because the sinks would be called retro if they were refinished. But they weren't. One more thing, the faucets don't have to be automatic but working would be nice. I don't like L. rooms in dives to be icky either. However, UPH is NO dive.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:03:22" }, { "business_id": "ta8tixXzHXFogPiYlB2a5A", "business_name": "Robert's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I was busing it the other day & missed the bus by that much. Some businesses don't like it if you pop into there place to keep warm for half an hour for the next bus. My waitress at was A-Ok with it. She kept offering to get me something to eat. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was going to eat elsewhere. I did have a really good cup of coffee & a great conversation with her. I don't know why I don't go to Robert's more often.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:08:15" }, { "business_id": "Ch8VCPuGX6lJWBaofljE1A", "business_name": "Udall Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Grazing In The Grass There's a lot going on at this park. My favorite is the László Veres Amphitheater, where Arizona Symphonic Winds plays every Summer and Fall. We pack a dinner, bring blankets, lawn chairs and friends, equals a great time in the Arizona. Since it's in the evening the wind comes along and it's really nice in the grass.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:23:27" }, { "business_id": "BauybYsfqd0y6KDrJ6ZxjQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "My get up and go was still in the bed. So, I popped in her to get a dirty-soy chai. Fixed me right up. Thanks perky & patient order taker. I always think I'm going to try something new and I rarely do.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:27:30" }, { "business_id": "sTaUoMUban-Hdhy8m3eM-A", "business_name": "Big Lots", "rating": 3, "text": "When I met my husband he loved going to big lots. I hated it because it was so unorganized. This one is very organized. I had gotten caught in the rain on a bus day. No umbrella or poncho. I had some important documents with me too. The customer service desk clerk and all cashiers were busy when I went in so I could ask; WHERE ARE THE RAIN PNCHOS? I needed to get across this huge parking lot to the bus stop quickly. It makes since rain ponchos would be near the clothing. And there they were. I think in the store we use to go to they keep rain ponchos in the automotive or hardware section.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:34:42" }, { "business_id": "J-Go00lYW4f4a3lLLtoh_A", "business_name": "Bobo's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "You can leave your party at home! What a great neighborhood cafe. I've only been in here twice but both times had great conversations with fellow diners. That's one of the things I really love about Tucson is there's so many places you can go and people are friendly. You don't have to bring your party with you. The staff is friendly but not intrusive. The last time I went I had the grilled cheese sandwich. When I ordered. The guy sitting next to me said i should order the chicken special he had. The chicken did look and smell good. But I told him about how us YELPers where talking about where to go for good grilled cheese. And we were off. He likes YELP but didn't know about how social and fun we are. The sandwich arrived on sourdough with cheese oozing out the sides but not so much that I needed a spoon to hole it all together. You can add stuff on the grilled cheese like chicken, ham or tomato but it was fantastic naked. I choose the cottage cheese for the side.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:51:31" }, { "business_id": "tJ_dQUc5m--Wgo7NRIjyzA", "business_name": "Food Conspiracy Co-op", "rating": 4, "text": "I was going to became a member this weekend at the birthday bash but the day got away from me. The rewards are awesome (see links below). Maybe I'll Git R done later this week. When I was in a few weeks ago the produce was very fresh. I think the upswing in local producers of good quality produce has really helped. The good news is I don't have to wait for a nearby farmers market to get good fresh local produce. They have a good selection of healthy cereals and bulk nuts, granola, etc. The cashier was real nice too and very knowledgeable about products and the birthday bash. Love this place! http://www.foodconspiracy.coop/membership/benefits/ http://www.foodconspiracy.org/about/co-op-discount-network/", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:04:16" }, { "business_id": "WFBdR8ZotMOKDkZ0skufIA", "business_name": "Michaels", "rating": 3, "text": "I've seen it messier but I was able to hijack an employee for help. I was in a hurry. Usually I know it's going to take a while and I just go up and down each \"um aisle\" till I give up. Anyways this time I was in and out in a jiff. They now have a screen to assist with the cash register line flow.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:13:27" }, { "business_id": "idWOWHJ7zInwE8SPBcFHLg", "business_name": "Sabino Cycles", "rating": 4, "text": "I had just finished lunch in the strip mall and was stuck in the rain. And I had cake to go. (Remember the song, someone left the cake out in the rain). I went in to see if they had a nice rain poncho. They didn't & the sales lady didn't laugh at me because it would be hard to fit your helmet on over the hood of a rain poncho. We both had a good laugh at me. I told her about my electric bike and asked if they could fix the non-electric stuff, because they are really convenient for my truck owner brother and I. She said they'd be happy to help.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:32:24" }, { "business_id": "ly0nkQsbvKkHNUyl5AGdjA", "business_name": "Isabella's Ice Cream", "rating": 5, "text": "You scream, I'm eating the ice cream. Not only is it very very very good, there's experimental flavors. I tried one with lavender. And there's a few other yummy unusual flavors that's gone out of my head right now. You can request flavors too. Owner is very very very friendly. So, don't scream at her.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:16:36" }, { "business_id": "s1p9pg69MZA7vRiFCewQlQ", "business_name": "Ordinary Bike Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "I was looking for info about electric bikes and got some good recommendations. I also got an offer to bring the bike in for non-electric repair issues. The employee was very friendly and helpful. I was in and out in under 5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-24T07:00:42" }, { "business_id": "AVBqx8FaXza6x-bb_FLOTQ", "business_name": "Anita Street Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I never thought I'd be in a love triangle. But here I am, Anita Street Market, YELP and me. I love ASM because of the great food and service. I love YELP because reading a friend's review reminded me it's been too long since I've visited ASM. I usually get the gorditas made with cottage cheese. I have to buy 2 packages because I eat one on the way home. They have a good selection of cheese and other essentials for a Mexican fiesta. I'm a big fusion cuisine nut so I put mid or far east seasoned stuff with the stuff I get from ASM! YUM!", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T17:00:52" }, { "business_id": "jaFGVtpEMSyh8AHi8jh-wA", "business_name": "Bicas - Bicycle Inter Community Art & Salvage", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a little concerned about walking into Bicas because these guys put bikes together and I can hardly ride one. I was really relieved when I had one foot in the door & was greeted with a friendly smile & offer for help. I was there for the Underground Art class, Bike Zine Origami Stars with Rachel Sandler. I really had too much fun & almost broke my laughing bone. There were fellow crocheters, knitters & painters learning how to make Origami Stars. Mine turned out really cool. Check out my pic. I can't wait till next week for the Japanese Book binding class. Check out their website for more classes and art exhibits. There's a new art studio and gallery featuring bicycle-themed and recycled art by local and international artists. You can go home with some bike art originals.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T16:45:59" }, { "business_id": "zwrgCMuZyFX46mL3piDyjg", "business_name": "Cup Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Funny-adult story about the 1st time I ate here. Starts with my BFF recovering from a breakup, there's 2 French Policemen on holiday & ends with the heart breaker & chicken satay. I've tried other dishes but always go back to the heart breaker & chicken satay. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't have them on the menu anymore because the funny story happened, well nevermind how long ago it was. It's still a funny story and the food at the cup is still GREAT!!! Subtracted a star because sometimes service is a little iffy. There's been some occasions when I feel like I've interrupted servers FUN TIME. But, most of the time service is good.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T17:14:31" }, { "business_id": "Ixj573yo0PMWFGXmnka9MA", "business_name": "The Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only had my bike for a few months & today was my first big outing. I was meeting friends at Rillito Park Race Track & wanted to really enjoy nature. A few clicks on my map app & a plan was born. Tucson really is a bike friendly town. I was able to safely ride from Yoga class to the where Tucson Blvd intersects with the bike path. I was a little concerned when I saw the end of road barriers at the end of Tucson Blvd. Then I thought that's for cars ding-a-ling. So, I threaded my way barriers to be greeted by a wonderful park. Then I turned on the path. There was lots of room & the center line was clearly marked. Fellow bikers & walkers were very friendly. A big thanks to the lady who helped me turn on the correct bridge. I'd subtract one half star because the bridges aren't marked. There was a huge map at the trail head but at that point I didn't need no stinking map.", "timestamp": "2012-03-05T06:45:48" }, { "business_id": "zGiOO2bxasexYRQt6y9ClA", "business_name": "JOANN Fabrics and Crafts", "rating": 4, "text": "I almost have enough yarn to open my own yarn shop. But I had to get more. It was on sale & I had a get an extra 15% off from my Joann Phone app. The fabric area in every fabric store always seems to be an area of high anxiety. I try to stay away. I needed some fabric for the lining of a purse I crocheted so I picked up some precut quilting fabric. The precut squares are only $1.99 for 18X21 piece. I'm no geometry wiz kid but that's not a square. Anyways, it was fast and cheap. Also got some yarn for some future projects. And some New hooks that were less than $3 with bamboo handles.", "timestamp": "2012-03-06T17:21:34" }, { "business_id": "1teRq-Q6XG6l-WoinZFX0g", "business_name": "The University of Arizona", "rating": 4, "text": "The U of OZ is a great school & a must see for any sightseeing trip. The admission process at any large school is bound to have hurdles. At OZ there's lots of little people to help you. Just like in the real Oz there's some double speak to translate. It's very exciting when you, the scarecrow, lion & tin man meet with your all knowing advisor the 1st time. Then meeting whit the advisor the last time before You get the coveted piece of paper. The road is not always yellow & easy to follow but when you're done you know you can do anything life tosses at you. The tourist will not see lions, tigers & bears. If you're lucky you'll see Wilbur the wildcat along with museums, concert halls & really nice restaurants. Plus I understand the basketball team isn't bad. Just arrive on campus & ask anyone for info. Everyone is really friendly. There's also a info office near the mall, the huge grassy area at the center of campus.", "timestamp": "2012-03-07T16:33:00" }, { "business_id": "1W657uKWvcMKIHaOmEOc-g", "business_name": "Caffe Milano", "rating": 5, "text": "Authentic Italian food without passport = Space time anomaly. Well, I've never been to Italy but I bet you all the change in my pocket the food is just like the lunch I had at Caffe Milano. While I was trying to decide what to have a regular popped in and started telling me what was good. He really could have saved himself a lot of words if he'd said the truth, It's all good. And you get a lot of food too. I had to skip dessert.", "timestamp": "2012-03-09T07:06:03" }, { "business_id": "6wzZ9FR3-bfqFz8ySgyavQ", "business_name": "Dickman's Meat & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "No clue why when I lived a little over a mile from the old location I never went here. But I'm so glad I did. I haven't had a sandwich that good in a long time. The side bow tie pasta salad was really good too. There's a great selection of take home meats, cheeses & fixings. Wild boar anyone?", "timestamp": "2012-03-10T11:02:13" }, { "business_id": "AXaeGUt_wSPjsLAWHpRFSQ", "business_name": "Church's Chicken", "rating": 3, "text": "When I need some comfort food Churches is my go to place. The service is good. I tell them how hungry I am and they work it out so I don't have to pay much. Last time I was here I was stuffed for less than $5.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T16:52:41" }, { "business_id": "MUOCeTGhL5llXe8GAuqOMA", "business_name": "Ike's Coffee & Tea", "rating": 4, "text": "Adult entertainment? No, but they do have an adult grilled cheese Sandwich. For the life of me I can't remember the name. It was goat cheese, tomato and spinach I think. I thought I had already written this review and I visited there weeks ago. I'll have to pop in again to give you the detailed info. But, I didn't want to delay the review any longer. Service was really good. The cook was sampling a yummy looking smoothie & I asked several probing questions. After a little awkwardness I confessed about being a YELPer & how we were going to have a juicing event soon. So, I was looking for interesting things to mix together for my juicing event shopping.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T17:02:31" }, { "business_id": "SgTZIh4nFftQxoXqX1eJcQ", "business_name": "Brandi Fenton Memorial Park", "rating": 4, "text": "The park is a great place to go on dates. There's not a lot of trees to duck behind and do whatever it is people do when they duck behind trees. But there is a lot of space and the air is really fresh. I think it would be a great place to play bocce ball. I have been here a few times for fundraising events and had a great time. Like I said there's lots of room to play frisbee or toss a ball. At the HOPE fundraiser we Hula hooped. Hadn't done that in over 20 years.", "timestamp": "2012-03-14T07:19:40" }, { "business_id": "rmmUhScUsA3xXbhDhRlb9A", "business_name": "Macy's", "rating": 4, "text": "I love the spring sales. The quality is real good too. I have skirts from over 10 years ago. I use to wear them ever week when I was working. They are just starting to look worn and I only paid $5 for 1 and $10 for the other. I couldn't make them for that price. I wish they had more made in America stuff but then would the skirt ever be marked down to $5? The staff is always nice and helpful. I usually get a sincerer hello. Not the please don't still anything hello. I think the times you enter a department and there's no one there that person is on break. Nice to see a company still employs the tried and true systems we used back in the day when I worked at a competing department store.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:01:51" }, { "business_id": "GNo1zeiPKErB7Ww_j3IlOg", "business_name": "The Tasteful Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "MGJ (mean green juice) ICE CREAM???!!! When I heard Isabella's Ice Cream had made MGJ for The Tasteful Kitchen, I made a bee line to them. To bad I was busy then they aren't open Mondays and Tuesdays so, yesterday was my first chance to enjoy. Everything was so delicious. I had quite a bit of food but wasn't too full for the ice cream. I had the mango butternut raw foods soup, the raw foods veggie burger with a salad and spicy sweet potato/carrot fries. This may actually be the diet for me. I'm not a huge fan of bread on a burger anyways. It kinda takes away the flavor and fills me up so I don't have room for Ice Cream. The service was impeccable. I felt like a queen on vacation. There's classes to learn how to cook or not cook like The Tasteful Kitchen staff.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:34:14" }, { "business_id": "_jADWOt1FkWMWGIlz30cew", "business_name": "Reid Park Biking/Walking Path", "rating": 5, "text": "If I had $100 for each step I took on this path, we'd all be rich! Just the right amount of everything is the key to this urban ParkBikingWalking path. The right amount of shade mixed with the right amount of sun. The right amount of cyclist mixed with walkers and runners tossed in for good measure. It's a beautiful doggy dance.", "timestamp": "2012-03-16T05:58:47" }, { "business_id": "uf3strC3s96XPOM502o5lw", "business_name": "Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block", "rating": 3, "text": "Tucson Museum of ART - Spring Artisans' Market is a great place to meet nice people and drown in creativity. And it's nice that the museum takes advantage of the increased traffic by opening it's doors for free. The only annoyance is when you find something you want to buy you have to go to a central cashier and pay for it then make your way back to the artists booth to collect the item. It's not so bad when I'm by myself but when I'm with my brother, Mr personality, we have to stop every 2 feet to say hi to someone he knows. Anyways, lots of hugs and flesh pressing.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:12:49" }, { "business_id": "dh1C733vVNx7BaIBmwMwNQ", "business_name": "Cafe A La Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "Had some mind blowing Irish car bomber cupcakes at the Irish cook off last weekend. So, I made sure when I was downtown to pop in and see what else they offered. I'd eaten here PY (PreYelp). What can I say when you're enjoying something with the intent of writing about it later, you notice things you didn't notice before. Like I ordered potato salad (don't know why, cuz I don't like potatoes) when may plate was brought out I thought they had made a mistake because I didn't see any potatoes. Lots of yummy marinated seasoned fresh veggies. I knew they were yummy before I tasted them cuz of the smell. So I dug in, and well look at that potatoes in my potato salad. And the potatoes tasted good. The review I was writing in my head had gone from 5 stars to 2 and up to 6 stars. Oops have to factor in the chai tea latte, brisket sandwich and chocolate chip walnut cookie. Ladies & gentlemen we have broken the YELP star barrier. The loud boom you just heard is the sound made by the smashing of molecules when a company gets more than 10 stars. I have to meet with the Big Bang Theory cast to have the physics explained but Cafe a la C'Art has blown my mind again.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:35:17" }, { "business_id": "tBWjMqUc0yP5lRElCfDaKg", "business_name": "1702", "rating": 4, "text": "My BFF would move in here if he could. I usually only go here with my crazy friends who make it hard to have a good experience. They are kinda rude to the staff but the staff is always nice and helpful. The other day was my 1st time alone to try the chicken ice cream. It was good and so was the pesto pizza. Service was really good too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T07:23:41" }, { "business_id": "rTxjTF2FgHpyHdMbhBuMBg", "business_name": "Caravan Mideastern Foods", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't greeted when I entered but I did get a hardy goodbye. They have lots of yummy stuff for competitive prices. I got a huge container of Nutella for about $5. Can't find the receipt but I know it wasn't $6. My neighbor told me about Caravan. She said they do a lot of their, oh poo we forgot ________ shopping at Caravan.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T16:11:35" }, { "business_id": "EW2mdIhlnowmtp1JY6MhPA", "business_name": "Himmel Park", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a nice resting spot when I'm biking home form downtown. I wasn't really tired but it filled my heart with joy to hear all the kids running and playing. I sat and cranked out a few pages on my book. Afternoons during the week is a good time to go if you're not into crowds. There's all kinds of events happening on the weekends. From birthday jumping castles to jousting. I think I've seen a soccer game or two. Now that I think about it these events happen late afternoons too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-22T00:48:31" }, { "business_id": "PGlHVBkiCvfNE9yDes1lOw", "business_name": "Aqua Vita", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes these neighborhood markets have iffy produce & some smell bad. And if you're real lucky the employees are rude. But not this neighborhood market. Fresh delicious produce and dairy. Nice frozen food section. The prices are high. But I guess that's to be expected when they don't have the buying power of the big stores.", "timestamp": "2012-03-23T00:36:37" }, { "business_id": "LMAqSWASePVhhOZkUs2vvQ", "business_name": "UA BookStores", "rating": 3, "text": "It's a college bookstore but not just for students. But, it's still a college bookstore. The prices aren't very competitive but the store is usually clean. Customer service is sometimes hard to find but when you get someone they are friendly and helpful. There's a lot of community outreach events like the children's book program. I met Clifford the Big Red Dog. He didn't bite when I asked him to take a picture with me. Like I said it's a college bookstore so parking is a little challenging. I suggest biking, busing or the trolley when it's up and going.", "timestamp": "2012-03-26T18:08:39" }, { "business_id": "d26VEnmSq_r2wJ35L9RYUw", "business_name": "Little Mexico Steakhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Margaritas, Flat Enchiladas & Green Corn Tamales. Several friends stopped by on our way back to town after a visit to the reservation. We had been in the hot sun for a few hours with just warm water to wet our whistles so that may be why the clean, fresh, not-2-sweet-not-2-alcoholey Rita pitchers were so good. I guess I'll have to do more investigating darn. Then the food arrived. More taste explosions and sirens. All this and the service was quick and friendly too. Then to top it off the bathroom was clean and there was a hook for my purse.", "timestamp": "2012-04-16T05:08:55" }, { "business_id": "X1oJuhLy8JxzmXkWLCqW6g", "business_name": "Baggin's Gourmet Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "The Unforgettable is unforgettable. I use to work across the street from a now closed Baggin's. The plan was to start at the top and work my way through the sandwich list. Well, after one bite of the Unforgettable the plan was scrapped. Over the years I've tried other Baggin's sandwiches but I still keep going back to my 1st love. I've been to this location several times and it's always Unforgettably fantastic.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:06:55" }, { "business_id": "J_w5J7dgRpyB4GFiBJIDIg", "business_name": "Xoom Juice", "rating": 4, "text": "I promise I'm not an alien from another planet but I'm not a fan of smoothies as a meal. With that said I love the spoon Xoom Spoon Velvet Amazon. With the Hemp Granola it is very filling. The service has always been with a smile even when it gets busy and loud.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:13:24" }, { "business_id": "5nOTwLs2lCpsFwZzHA6Hvg", "business_name": "Rubio's", "rating": 4, "text": "I Heart grilled fish taco's washed down with a cold beer. The service is always friendly and fast. there's great music too. I always feel like I've spent lots of money to get to some remote island where all of my cares have been washed away by the ocean.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:18:53" }, { "business_id": "X-IMyKLRxkspQYLKBed8sA", "business_name": "Hope Animal Shelter", "rating": 4, "text": "I love going to Hope events and visiting the warm cuddles there. They sponsor classes about communicating with your animal how to catch a star cat and all kinds of health issues. The staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:32:58" }, { "business_id": "sOjbtBWo-m6rpjHv4tA_oQ", "business_name": "Brewd Coffee & Food", "rating": 4, "text": "There's no excuse not to go here during the construction because 6th Ave is a 2 way street now. I hesitate to write a favorable review because during the construction a lot of people have been staying away so it's very quite and peaceful. I hung out here for a few hours the other day to finish reading a book that was due back to the library. Very comfortable seats and friendly service. I had a flat-bread sandwich that was really good. Lots of plugs for all your devices. Next time I'm bringing in my bike battery and charging it.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:45:50" }, { "business_id": "2h0D_jeKy81uZgpZGZmGPA", "business_name": "Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue", "rating": 4, "text": "McGarrett: Book em Danno Williams: What's the charge? McGarrett: Selling yummy Hawaii style food on the main land. Williams: That won't hold up in court! McGarrett: I don't care Danno! I want these guys to go down. Williams: Well ya know what I think? McGarrett: NO!!! And please don't tell me! Williams: I'm telling you anyways my uninspired friend. McGarrett: I'm not listening! Williams: When Tucsonians taste this food they get Hawaii fever and will watch our show more. McGarrett: Oh, good point. Hey all you Tucsonians hang ten to MHBBQ for the Hawaii Chicken sandwich. Don't forget dessert. Passion squares, Lemon bars & cream cheese brownies make you escape the blazing desert heat & enjoy the soft Hawaiian breeze. For an additional visual experience watch my show. Williams: MY SHOW?!?!?!?", "timestamp": "2012-05-09T16:50:41" } ]	{ "business_id": "D44IBRDtEScaWELey5IfCA", "business_name": "May's Counter Chicken And Waffles", "rating": 2, "text": "I had considered purchasing a home around the corner from May's so I could wonder over in my PJs. But the last couple of times I went made me glad I didn't impulse buy a HOUSE. As a frequent visitor (at least once a week) I knew all of the wait staff and some of the cooks. Everyone was very friendly, then there was a change in ownership/management. And a lot of the friendly staff left. Then the waffle recipe changed. I was assured it hadn't. So, the gang and I got together for a visit and all agree the waffles tasted generic. So, I stopped ordering the waffles and tried some of the other offerings. I noticed salads and chicken pieces getting smaller and the prices going up. So, now instead of going ever week I may make it to May's once a month. I would have given 1 star but I've been getting emails about music nights. the musicians have great profiles and look promising. The only thing is the music offerings are not consistent and whenever there's an event I have previous plans.", "timestamp": "2012-12-03T18:05:28" }
pYXeL0RCqus2IfhthYCOyA	[ { "business_id": "pqHCY2NE8_aVl0EsDRbUtg", "business_name": "Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que", "rating": 5, "text": "Crisp slaw & spicy sauce are the 2 things that get me fired up about BBQ! FD has these in spades. Then top it off with a selicious selection of Home-style Desserts, bring out the cot I'm moving in here!!! It only gets better when I can bring friends & family who can find eats to wet their palate & want to pull out a pallet too.", "timestamp": "2011-07-11T16:49:02" }, { "business_id": "U_NCpKQDf3z7qSBjvv4U0Q", "business_name": "Cafe Desta", "rating": 5, "text": "Naked brick walls for art, Yummy food with a sprinkle of great conversation? Must be Cafe Desta. Yes, there's lots of places with art on brick and maybe some have food but very few, if any, have the fun knowledgeable owners/staff of Cafe Desta. From the moment I walked in the door till I left, I felt welcomed and pampered. After my rough day shopping I needed to be coddled. And I was totally spoiled! I was offered a drink and chose mint tea. This wasn't your grandma's teabag, it was ambrosia mint tea. No bitterness or paper tea bag taste. While sipping my teabrosia, I had a long talk with . . . . . I'm calling him Tee, and decided on the cubed lamb because they can put the hot stuff on the side. It was so yummy, even the hot sauce/paste was flavorful. The cheese reminded me of cheese curd and made me miss Wisconsin. I didn't think I'd like the veggies that came with the lamb dish because they had cooked carrots and I don't like cooked carrots. So, I can't say I don't like cooked carrots any more because these were so good mixed with green beans in a tomatolishes sauce. Enough of my rambling. Let me add on the obvious if you know anything about Ethiopian food. They have family style and single servings. I needed a to go container and guess what? Tee boxed it for me.", "timestamp": "2012-01-05T07:27:20" }, { "business_id": "RFIHFxmNH9dM0ouz2N8ZjQ", "business_name": "Cafe Marcel", "rating": 5, "text": "I was just checking my stats and realized all my reviews are 5 stars. What can I say, I always get great service. Like I did 2 times at Cafe Marcel. It was so good yesterday, I made my big brother take me today. Michelle & Joe's restaurant is like coming home to my French Granny's. I'm sure I don't have a French Granny and Michelle & Joe aren't old enough to be my Grandparents. Still I felt welcomed and left full of good food. Taste buds spinning so much I left my long sleeve shirt. Had to take it off cuz just like at Granny's they had the heat on so I was comfy. I had the Feta cheese, Tomato Pesto Crepe. Michelle says it doesn't matter how you pronounce it cuz it's all good. So do I.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T01:40:35" }, { "business_id": "LRr-aw58xVMkUu0OSL_BpQ", "business_name": "The Little One", "rating": 5, "text": "I HEART a company when an employee/owner recognizes you when you were just there a week before. That's what happened at Little Cafe Poca Cosa. This action lets me know the hugs aren't just a gimmick. I try to go on off hours so I don't get jammed in there with all the suits from the downtown offices. But even when I do. I take that as an opportunity to meet someone new. So, I've always had prompt friendly service. Except that one time when I was talking to this really cute suit and the waitress kept bothering us. I love the fact that they encourage you to only eat what you think you can eat so they don't have to waste food. I also like that they give back to the community. Oops, I forgot to tell you about the food. Very health-yummy!", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T02:35:25" }, { "business_id": "2njTjQ35skXN171KoobeGg", "business_name": "Raging Sage", "rating": 5, "text": "Well Jiminy Crickets!!! I wish I could give these guys 1 star then maybe it will not be as crowded. The good news is I've seen lots of cute guys here and when it's crowded you may have to share a table or even a chair. How fun would that be? OK, enough funnin'. Let's talk coffee and baked goods. Actually we don't have to talk coffee and baked goods because they're both so good you can have one without the other. Now I have a craving for and Ed O'Neil movie.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:51:01" }, { "business_id": "BxRHz-iSQGCGSuAGwkeUsw", "business_name": "Albertsons", "rating": 5, "text": "I use to take the bus past 2 other stores to get to this store because of the great selection, knowledgeable staff & fair prices. Now I live about 1/2 mile closer to another store in the opposite direction of the Albertson's. But Al and his staff are still my choice.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:55:08" }, { "business_id": "0THt7q5pk6FBVYjeGsITaA", "business_name": "Al's Ace Hardware", "rating": 5, "text": "Ace is the place with the helpful hardware WOman! I'm always greeted with a smile & offers of help. The cool part is they let me poke around just looking at the cool stuff. I'm a multimedia artist and sometimes just browsing in a hardware store can bring up suppressed Ace. Oops Art. Then when an idea pops in my head the WOman help me get it out and into my cart.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T04:04:08" }, { "business_id": "7_1GqlDlbkShY0az7J0XNg", "business_name": "LaCo", "rating": 4, "text": "La Cocina is a great place for a healthy lunch & relaxing. I don't recommend it if you're in a hurry. There's of shops, coffee house, restaurant and bar all staffed by a minimal number of people. But, it's worth a little wait because not only does it taste good, you're not going to add much weight. I've tried the quinoa, veggies in peanut sauce with tofu and felt the pounds come off. So, I had the Chocolate tofu pie thinking the pounds would come back but they didn't. I was full but not stuffed and no sugar crash. I also had the Mediterranean appetizer plate and felt was fully satisfied. I started with the hibiscus lemon-aid. Like everything else full of flavor not too sweet. Cuz I'm sweet enough.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:00:26" }, { "business_id": "bo_03Xq6RenVdK3yVuDGiA", "business_name": "Nimbus Brewing", "rating": 4, "text": "I love it when a plan come together! My brother and I went to Nimbus to hear Amosphere, a local based band. Usually the band plays from 10pm to 1 or 2 am & that's too late for us on days we have to get up early. Saturday (1/7/12) the band started at 7 but I had a late lunch so was ready to eat when I got there. We sat there for what seems like hours as the waitresses ran orders to & from the small window. I kept trying to give them the sign but they we so busy. Plus as I found out later the waitress don't take drink orders, you've gotta go to the bar. I must have been giving the give me a beer now sign and not the give me food now sign. It really wasn't hours it was just about 15 to 20 minutes. When a waitress came over to offer a humongous platter of chicken nachos for free cuz someone couldn't eat around the jalapenos. The nachos would have been a steal at twice the price. Great music & great food washed down with a pint of Nimbus Old Monkeyshine Ale, an exceptional example of a true, traditional-style English Pub beer.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:25:58" }, { "business_id": "yJZbNhVoTdhcI9dYVzLJuQ", "business_name": "Playground Bar & Lounge", "rating": 5, "text": "Indian Jones I'm not but I did unearth this Jewel in the desert. Well, actually I stumbled upon it. I was hungry and popped into the Hub for something yummy. I saw the ad I've been seeing for months that Playground would be opening soon. Well It was today at 4pm; I'd call that soon. The HUB Restaurant owner started the fire that got this diamond to the glimmering state it is in today. I was greeted by doormen dressed in Tucson Dressy. I was still wearing my layers of thermal and turtle neck I had on when I left the house this morning but I was still welcomed. While most of the guests were dressed for an evening of adult Recess on the Playground, there were others who came as they were. It wasn't crowded and there's enough playground equipment so you don't have to wait for your libation. I'm going to say even when they're at capacity you should still be able to get your drink on in a timely manner. I really liked the low seating in a far east/Mediterranean style. Not to far to fall, just in case. Speaking of style, I could live in the ladies room. I love the urban-rip-the-space-time fabric, we're in New York feel. Bare-brick walls mixed with vinyl wallpaper and mirrors. The good kind of mirrors that make you look smaller than you are. But the one above the sink had a video of how to put make-up on. The only thing missing was a lady selling make-up cuz I didn't have any. I'm going back as they open at 4pm and that's way before my bed time.", "timestamp": "2012-01-13T03:17:18" }, { "business_id": "8wkPLsDbGU3GcW8CoD-4aA", "business_name": "Caffe Luce", "rating": 5, "text": "Finally a place to spend my federation credits. I had heard about companies using iPads as cash registers but this is the 1st time I interacted with one. On the iPad it gives you tip options I think that's nice just in case you forget. I love the decor too. Behind the food prep area is a sign that reads Congress & 5th posted on \"subway\" tile. I know if you've been in some of the subways around the country, the thought of your food being prepared there might not sound palatable but you can't miss with this vegetarian menu. I heard people ordering coffee and they sounded happy with the results. It was after 1pm so I had wine. I was thinking wine spritzer and they accommodated by serving a glass of wine with a jelly glass jar of made on the spot sparkling water. And a smile to boot. There's a nifty system for getting a food order from the cash register to the prep area. It's written on an old fashion order form then attached to an alligator clip hung from a trolley type line on the ceiling. Then it's Zip-lined on the magnetic orderslip delivery system. I love it when new and old comes together.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:04:54" }, { "business_id": "9hVDlAouG9J1ORXOlBi44g", "business_name": "Summit Hut", "rating": 5, "text": "I Heart Summit Hut because they don't look at me a judge that I'm not an outdoors person. And even though I'm not they have lots of things I use like water bottles, t-shirts and unusual nicknacks. I was looking for solar cell phone options and they had them. One was a complete kid with rechargeable batteries and the other was for charging everything from your iPhone to your old no name MP3 player. I was very impressed with the teamwork. I asked a question from the single guy standing at the registers and he didn't call anyone he just grabbed the keys and began helping me. Another employee saw the void and popped into the vacant area, very smooth. I bet there's a couple of football and basketball teams that could benefit from taking a Summit Hut customer training class.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:28:11" }, { "business_id": "vdCQoE2il097-vc_gIQzYw", "business_name": "Bruegger's Bagels", "rating": 4, "text": "I use to pop into this Bruegger's between buses on my way to Pima west campus. I've always gotten great service. Sometimes some of the customer's are slow but the employees are great that they match the customer that way customer's who have time do not feel rushed.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:31:24" }, { "business_id": "OvC4Ecgzk2SI7R8qD0rk9Q", "business_name": "Sky Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "When I 1st read about Sky Bar I couldn't wait to check it out. That was over a year ago. I'd pop in just to cool off when it was over 90 and for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to stroll 4th Ave. I dropped in for a cool drink and it's not what I expected. You have to bring your party with you. At least when I was there things were very clicky. The point is if I'm bringing my party with me, we could just go to the store and buy the same stuff they serve there & hang at a friend's house.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T05:57:22" }, { "business_id": "J6EXRXbejBgOv4SWamMEAA", "business_name": "Culver's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been hearing about this place as if it's the second coming of the Messiah. Upscale fast food is still fast food. I'd pay a little extra for a maitre d, waitron and a bus-person . I don't mind ordering at the counter I think it was the large lighted menu over the back of the order-taker's head that made me feel like a clown or a king was going to come at me any second. I had the prime-rib sandwich. It was flavorful, tender and juicy. Most importantly the bread was very good and held-up nicely. I washed it down with a chocolate shake and it was no king or queen. Messiah? No, maybe John his cousin.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T07:16:52" }, { "business_id": "g7WfbAnXnMVXVNcc0SBM3A", "business_name": "Performance Bicycle", "rating": 2, "text": "I think they expect you to look like a Performance Cyclist or you don't get any help. Not even a smile or a please don't steal anything hello. I wandered around for almost 10 minutes without any acknowledgement that I might be a paying customer. The same thing happened the last time I went into this store. They're the closest bike shop to me and when I called to check hours the guy was really nice. I must have a Performance Cyclist's voice. Good thing I'm smart cuz I was able to cruised around and find out they didn't have bike grease. There were lots of other customer's there getting good service so, I don't think they're to be avoided if you look the part.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:44:14" }, { "business_id": "T7ybhSamtbgI2Ece8Z8IHQ", "business_name": "RC Bicycles", "rating": 5, "text": "Double up those stars! RC get 10 stars from me. This was my 3rd shop to try and find bike grease. And let's not talk about cell minutes used. It was a nice day so I started walking to the 1st place that was about 1 mile away, the next place was about 1.2 miles from the 1st place and RC was a little less than a mile from the 2nd place. What a great workout? The nice young man working by himself at RC took time to advise me that most people do not attempt to put together their bikes. I explained to him that it was just the front wheel, seat and peddles. Plus, I had no way to get the bike to a shop. So, he gave me some tips and grease and away I went. Guess where I'm buying all of my accessories?", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:58:10" }, { "business_id": "57Vny0AxGdEQBETfd7xU4A", "business_name": "Chopstix Asian Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "DH and I 1st rolled in here when they 1st opened. Because of the location we thought we'd better get in there before it closes. Well here we are years later and I finally got my big bro in the Stixs for dinner. It's not on my normal beaten path but when I find myself in the area it's my go to place. There's a few fast food places near but if you're looking for a good quick lunch, their buffet can not be beat with multiple options for less than $7.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T01:59:22" }, { "business_id": "wa_bwyY57etHjtJ2Fw0E3g", "business_name": "Pita Jungle", "rating": 4, "text": "If I had a penny for every time I had plans to eat at the Jungle but plans fell through, I could retire. Well, maybe take a few days off. I told the hostess about my trouble getting there and she made sympathetic noises. I went for the happy hour \"tapas\" so I could try a little of everything. The baba ghanouj's flavors were distinct and mingled perfectly. The pita was just the right thickness and slightly crispy so the baba didn't smash into the ghanouj. My waiter suggested the lemon chicken and if it wasn't half jerky-ed, it would have been great, All the flavors were there except for the ones that slipped away with the moisture. The Baklava more than made up for the chicken mishap. So, instead of 3 stars we're doing 4.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:30:14" }, { "business_id": "gAB-cDpBycjonNkiQMLCqw", "business_name": "Rita Ranch RV & Self Storage", "rating": 4, "text": "These kids now days have everything. I had to wash my dog in the bathtub, uphill both ways. Really, this is a great idea. I'd never even heard of it till I was visiting friends and family in the area. It's $5 for 10 minutes and just like when you wash your car it's up to you how you spend your minutes. Well not exactly like the car, the car doesn't try to bite or sit on the hose. You don't have to give the car treats to get it to into the wash area. And most importantly the car doesn't shake stinky wet dog water all over you during and after the wash. But that's all on the dog. The owners have done a good job of partitioning the areas where up to 8 dogs can be washed at a time with 2 at each of the four areas. I'm just thinking a little more space might be good. even my little niece had a hard time getting on the other side of the dog to help keep her (the dog) settled.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:54:32" }, { "business_id": "UIlOq8dHsaqOqTZJVvI8tQ", "business_name": "McDonald's", "rating": 5, "text": "Hands down best McDonald's experience ever. We were in and out in no time even-though I had no clue what I wanted because I haven't seen a McDonald's menu in years. Well almost in and out in no time. I had to order the chocolate shake just when the machine decided to run out of chocolate. The reason for the 5 stars is the cashier apologizing over and over. Give the \"man\" a raise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:59:55" }, { "business_id": "NnuxEbv5rlz0HOg0XM8EAw", "business_name": "Purple Heart Park: Ivan's Spot", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a wonderful area to play, sit, run, jump and even worship. Sometimes, my old church has a \"Spring Fling\" service at this park. It's large enough so while we're doing our thing with the band and the jumping castles other park goers while welcomed are not overcome by the noise. By that I mean they can hear it us but it's not like we got the bass cranked up. But on this day, it wasn't spring like at all. We drove the mile to the park just in case the clouds decided not to just look cold but also let loose some rain. We had the park to our selves except for a few other brave souls or kids/dogs who don't understand bad weather. A great time was had by all and we got some much needed exercise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:09:18" }, { "business_id": "OOoxH_7PHboLOZjvLKmt7g", "business_name": "Target", "rating": 4, "text": "I was glad when this Target opened giving new life to my beloved El Con mall. I have a love hate relationship with the grocery department. Yes, I don't have to make that extra stop but it makes the target bill higher. This day I was looking for bike tools and grease. They really don't have much in the way of tools and that makes since sine because they have a home improvement store next door. But, because they sale bikes I was thinking this would be a good place for bike grease. Nope! In lieu of having employees to help how about a few of those you-are-here maps? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's short and can't see the signs above the tall shelves.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:31:15" }, { "business_id": "1vLZFm0f85DwB5jCeA7Olg", "business_name": "Sir Veza's Taco Garage", "rating": 1, "text": "What we have here Gentlemen is a failure to maintain the quality of service and food we started with when we opened. There is an inverse relationship between price and food eat-ability. The prices have gone up while food savor has decreased.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T06:34:29" }, { "business_id": "wJmyu7W1K9A_gE8Ed4Bc9w", "business_name": "Trident Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been in love with this place for years. Haven't been in for a while and was afraid they had updated their menu. But they hadn't. I had my all time fave, peel-n-eat shrimp steamed in Old Bay with a side salad. Washed down with a Black n Tan. The service was quick, friendly and efficient.", "timestamp": "2012-01-26T19:48:58" }, { "business_id": "NesMl0Tiq1FsPoX2LzHkNg", "business_name": "PJ Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I love it when a plan comes together! A few days before I tried PJ Subs my brother and I were talking about where to get a great sub in town. We had given up on finding a good place. The next day, in a friends car, I saw the sign I must have flown past many times. But since I had Subs on the brain it stuck this time. I had to make a note to myself because I don't hangout at the corner of 6th & Tucson as much as I use to back in the day. Not sure why, it's a perfectly good corner. I wasn't sure what door to enter, didn't want to interrupt a mechanic in the middle of an Auto-pay. Turns out no cars or car fumes just good-friendly service & good food. I had the roast beef on rye with a beer can't remember the name of cause this was a while ago. After some planning & rescheduling, I was able to introduce my brother to PJ's he liked it too. As the little sister it's nice to show my big brother a SUB or 2.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T06:39:28" }, { "business_id": "T1E8IfL27VEeVa9jGjnl3w", "business_name": "Goodwill Thrift Store and Donation Center", "rating": 5, "text": "Doin' The Snoopy dance & elephant walk like an Egyptian. I love the deals at thrift stores, but I do not like the smell they sometimes have. Add to the smell the messiness and I'm outta there. If I wanted to look through piles of clothes and junk accompanied by an unidentifiable smell, I'd have stayed at home. This location has always been a gem on the pinkie finger of 4th Ave. You're strolling along heading south you can see the underpass coming up there's a few bars then you're in downtown. But, wait there's an unassuming door at this building that looks like a Goodwill storage facility. It's not a storage facility it's a very nice store with clean affordable clothes, jewelry, books, furniture & more. This Shopanista's nirvana was reached when she noticed 2 each, men's & women's restrooms also clean and tidy! Well, the one woman's I went to was. I would have been doing the Snoopy dance even if there wasn't a guy right outside playing The Linus & Lucy song followed by The Elephant Walk. I love both of those songs so I was walking like an Egyptian when I strolled out of there with my new Shel Silverstein book, Falling Up for $7.99.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:34:07" }, { "business_id": "bTBRqXfF-A1R-ShOsr7kbg", "business_name": "Monkey Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "Love this Monkey BEST! The General Manager, Ralphie, remembered my usual order & I haven't been to the Monkey in months. That's customer service folks. My order, that Ralphie remembered was served quickly! My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly, tasted great. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great, was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great & was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries, had a side of the tastiest Bar-B-Que sauce this side of . . . anywhere! Oh, BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:44:05" }, { "business_id": "nayQkd06InyPDfX12IjjWw", "business_name": "AMC Foothills 15", "rating": 2, "text": "I took 3 buses to get; here? I'll never do that again! Unless I forget none of the seats recline. I'm surprised I noticed the seat deficiency still being shell shocked from paying $15 for a bottle of water, juice and a SMALL bag of popcorn. I don't even like popcorn but I wanted to get into the whole movie spirit. No, I'm not an alien from another mother. I usually don't go to theaters because of the crowds and you can't pause or rewind. Let's face it, when I'm in my intimate home, it's easier to imagine I'm the leading lady. The leading man falling under my irresistible spell. As expected the movie, One for the Money, was worth every inconvenience & I will be buying this one for my small collection!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:03:48" }, { "business_id": "TAUGnIQDR9-m23DWLZ0dow", "business_name": "Sushi Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "First time at this location! Same great service, same great food, as the old Broadway & new Broadway locations. I wasn't starving, so had a glass of the green tea and the Rainbow Roll. Totally hit the spot. I love that they don't try to bulldoze more food into you. Don't take my word for it! When the guy at the next table asked to speak to a manager I thought here we go, he's going to complain about being served raw fish. (Really, that happened one time at a sushi restaurant. That was our last date!) But, not this guy, evidently he & his companion attend the garden frequently & wanted to let the management know \"our\" waiter had done an exceptional job. I thought he had done the usually upstanding \"Garden\" variety service. Maybe I should have ordered more food.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:35:20" }, { "business_id": "qoJH8TCkmXor8BXOcgD5zQ", "business_name": "Chicago Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I use to live here when I was single. I had heard there were new owners and was under the impression a remodeling had been done. The only thing I noticed that was no low top tables. Being short I like to sit in the low chairs. I can see why these wouldn't be popular because you can't see the band if you're sitting low. So, get up and dance or belly up to the bar & get ignored. If all else fails go to the ladies' room. Ok, maybe there was some slight remolding here. The stall-doors stay closed, Oh wait, I was there before it got crowded. Back in the day, the doors worked great if you were the only one in there but if someone was in the stall next to you, the force of them pulling their door shut caused your door to fly open. Anyways, it's still a Dive!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:17:36" }, { "business_id": "W7NxQw8UYFR0HLPrI08tvw", "business_name": "Chipotle Mexican Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Don't know what it is but If my tummy's feeling icky, I can count on Chipotle's stake to fix me up. I just have to remember not to go during full on lunch time. I usually go between 2 & 4 when it's peaceful and calm. Busy or not the service is always friendly and fast!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:21:25" }, { "business_id": "ZXXGB-xi6n3RE3X1OzRR6g", "business_name": "Walgreens", "rating": 4, "text": "The microwave did it! When it takes 3-5 minutes to heat up a yummy meal in a box, you get the idea everything should take 3-5 minutes. So, when the Pharm asst said I had to wait 30 minutes for my meds I thought Id drop dead of hunger. It was a lovely January afternoon so I walked the 1/2 mile from the dentist office to the drugstore. By the time I got there the bowl of cereal from 7:30 am was long gone & I was advised it would take 1/2 hour to prepare my meds. There's several fantastic options for lunch in the area but, none of them were 1/2 hour options so I waited & shopped. I must have been in all out shopaholic mode because I didn't hear my name called. I did check in with the Pharm asst after 35 minutes and my meds were ready. How much? And that's with the Pharm discount card? This is where the lost star went. This discount card has been a little crazy. You're suppose to get credit for buying \"Walgreen's\" products. Then when you buy stuff you swipe your card the credits are applied to your purchase. Plus the pharmacy is to automatically know you have the card and the discount applied. The Pharm assit didn't know if the discount had been applied when she advised the amount of my meds. Plus evidently my card is to expire next month. I renewed it this month because I could do it for $5 instead of $20. Sale ending the day I was there. Other than the discount card issue everyone was very helpful and friendly. I received an appropriate amount of \"please don't steal anything smiles & offers of help\" while I shopped. Not a good idea to hit the Pharm if you're hungry because evidently the lunchroom with microwave is nearby. While I was waiting for the Pharm assit to figure out if I received the card discount, we smelled something yummy that was ready to eat in 3-5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:23:51" }, { "business_id": "AKFahOtdDQA7NVXZyDajCA", "business_name": "Trader Joe's", "rating": 4, "text": "I loves me some TJ's!!! Just an overall comment I'm sure everyone knows, don't fall in love with any product you buy at a TJ's, because they may discontinue it without warning. This location has the same great friendly service I've come to enjoy from all TJ's. And the food's good too! BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:30:30" }, { "business_id": "9fOkyQs0TcVqqe_5c51b_w", "business_name": "Cheba Hut Toasted Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I feel like I'm hanging with the cool kids when I go to Cheba Hut. I love the KGB, roast beef with real grated horseradish. I sometimes think I'll try something different but the horseradish calls my name.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:09:19" }, { "business_id": "Gekeq1c-fuezmx0PSGQvzw", "business_name": "East Coast Super Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "Found my lost love! I use to go ECSS when I was attending the U of A. The other day I was in the old neighborhood and thought the place was closed. I found myself in the neighborhood again, HONEST IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. This time I vowed not to leave till I got the scoop. I walked around the big red adobe wall, entered the gate, walked through the eerily quite courtyard. Suddenly I had saw the headline, \"body of Debbi W found (wherever) last seen in the U of A area near the abandoned business, East Coast Super Subs. I thought I heard a man call my name from the other side of the fence. I jumped. Finally I was close enough to the window to look inside and there were people in there. The glass was tinted so, their zombiness was not determined till I opened the door. I was greeted with a hello and May I help you? I ordered and received quickly the best roast-beef sandwich I'd had since I was last at ECSS when they were on 6th Street near Campbell and I was still an undergrad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:39:54" }, { "business_id": "WRZEQEDsZoTB8MfgUex45Q", "business_name": "Temple Of Music And Art", "rating": 5, "text": "Not a bad seat in the house. I love it when you can see a show without doing the bobblehead dance with the heads in front of you. The tiered seating is expertly layered that unless you're sitting behind a 7 foot tall person you'll be-able to see over the persons in-front of you. While the seating is important, before you get to your seat you're welcomed into the Temple and are prepared for your music/art enlightenment. At some ceremonies there's 1 or 2 carts in the courtyard serving sweets/snacks/drinks. Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS was very good and I'm glad I got to see it at the Temple. I laughed so hard my stomach started to hurt & tears were flowing.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:22:07" }, { "business_id": "p86gxGhlZEE9I9icCyJqFA", "business_name": "Safeway", "rating": 4, "text": "When I lived off 22nd street I would pass 2 other stores on my bike to get to this store because of it's fresh produce and friendly service. I popped in here the other day to grab some water cuz I forgot my water bottle again. It was like coming home to family. Different employees but still fun and friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:27:42" }, { "business_id": "qOw6FD59FvUMmkaTjVqS8Q", "business_name": "Tucson Food Truck Roundup", "rating": 5, "text": "Are you going to Tucson Food Truck Round-Up? Parsley, sage, STRAWBERRY and thyme . . . (album screeches to a stop!) Strawberry you say? Yep! Strawberry & Thyme is the Cyclopsicle I had! If you love sweet & savory, you've gotta try this. If you don't love sweet & savory you've gotta try this. It will blow your mind! In addition, to the great food there was great music! The Shawn Kebler Trio 4:30 - 6:00 then Those Beatles Guys 6:15 - 7:45. As if that wasn't enough, there's artist doing there magic right in front of you. Check out the pics of Mel Dominguez and David Tineo. Their art & energetic personalities were a great addition to the food, fun and frolicking.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T19:02:26" }, { "business_id": "gKpsoVjBEnrNkzaOfxpOUA", "business_name": "Fox Tucson Theatre", "rating": 5, "text": "I almost broke my sacroiliac again & loved it! Seeing Starting Over - The Lennon Experience at the Fox reminded me of going to concerts in the mid to late seventies with general admission & huge dance floors. Of course The Fox doesn't have general admission & there wasn't a huge dance floor but the seats are spaced far enough apart that you can really get your motor running. There's assigned seating & crowd control but I didn't get the feeling I was in a police state. That would have been the opposite of the Lennon message. Time was on my side at this concert because the band started way before my bedtime and when it was past my bedtime, 8:30, I was still rocking and rolling. I knew the crowd was getting really revved up when I saw the huge bouncer advance to the stage. He did a great job of deterring fans from jumping on the stage or tossing any unmentionables at anyone. Luckily I had my YELP friends with me to hole me back. After the concert was over my friends and I stood in line to get autographs. After all of the excitement, I wanted to head out on the highway but opted for the quick drive home. I was very glad the Fox is downtown and not way out of town like some of the music venues. I really loved this event and am very happy Fox was the location for the World Premiere of Starting Over - the Lennon Experience. I'm going to start checking out the webpage more for stuff to do. A few people we turned off by alterations in some lyrics but I bet that's because of copyright issues. You know what I say to changed lyrics . . . Don't let the man ruin your mellow! That sounds like a Beatles era saying, right?", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T08:06:04" }, { "business_id": "Vhl0ZYmbPACG2FPLtvR5hg", "business_name": "The RumRunner", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Rum so when I found out there's a place called the Rum Runner I had to check it out. I didn't know if it was a bar, liquor store or restaurant. (This was preYELP days). When I walked in & saw all the wine I was a little intimidated. Back then I hadn't been to a wine tasting & picked my wine by price divided by how pretty was the label. If the resulting number was less than1, I'd buy as long as the price wasn't above how much I had in my pocket. The intimidation began melting away when I was greeted with a smile and an offer of help. Then I saw the cheese/pate case. I had never had pate and was keen to try but was concerned about the price. While I was trying to decide if I could afford some pate and rum, I was offered a taste of pate. Too bad no rum tasting that day. Yum, Yum, the Salmon pate was HEAVEN as well as the others I tried. So, I took the advice of the counter employee and bought all of the ones I liked plus some crackers & matching wine. It was less than $50 and I had dinner for two plus leftovers. Date night was very successful!", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T15:44:53" }, { "business_id": "nsWxhtg7XAnl5DtH-_d-vA", "business_name": "Tucson Botanical Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "When I was a little girl, I loved to run in the field across from our house and chase butterflies. One time a neighbor gave me a net to help me catch the butterflies and I was very happy till I caught one and saw how bug like it was. Once I got over my squeamishness, I put a captive in a jar and took it home. I think we consulted some expert and put some kind of food in the jar but it only lasted a day. I was very upset to think I had shortened the creatures life. And even if the life wasn't shortened, I'm sure it would have rather been with friends then locked up in a jar. Well never fear the experts at the Gardens know how to treat the butterflies that call the park their home. I love to hang out at the TBG whenever I get a chance but it's best in the spring and fall. The staff is always friendly and helpful too. There are a number of events and classes. In addition volunteer opportunities too. And it's centrally located so you can pop in on your way to somewhere else in town.", "timestamp": "2012-02-09T05:40:40" }, { "business_id": "z5r59h-c7vCS53k1YKSfxg", "business_name": "Lotus Massage & Wellness Center", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a puddle when Ingrid was done with my massage. I wanted to ask her to marry me cuz I love her. Well not just her, the whole center screams calmness and peace. But not the 60's type where you don't know if the'll be open cuz they were/are smoking peyote. Very professional and worth the money.", "timestamp": "2012-02-11T01:17:13" }, { "business_id": "26rvYn1RPbJCBW-cW05xnQ", "business_name": "Sun Tran", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the way Tucson's bus system has improved over the years. There's more weekend & late night service. A great option if you plan on drinking. If you're going to close the bar down you'll need to make other arrangements to get home but at least you can bus there so you're not cabbing both ways. There's still the stupid way buses that meet at an intersection are scheduled to arrive at the same time so it doesn't matter what bus you want to transfer to you can't because by the time you get across the street the bus has gone.", "timestamp": "2012-02-12T13:29:33" }, { "business_id": "4QMIJJWQOh7zpEwOXhFJqw", "business_name": "Renee's Tucson", "rating": 5, "text": "Chillin at Renee's listening to Mack the Knife on Valentine's Day reminded me of my first love & favorite Valentine, my mom. She loved Louis Armstrong. Even though I don't have my mom with me I got lots of love & comfort food at Renee's. I had the meatballs in marinara sauce with the pepper salad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-14T23:53:42" }, { "business_id": "t3yNTcIYyCreySnwVl5tjw", "business_name": "The Loft Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "ACTION!!! Not sure why I don't go here more often. The staff is friendly and the seats are comfy. I didn't have any food at The 2012 Academy Award Nominated Action Short Films showing but my friend had the pizza. It looked and smelled good. They have beer too.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T16:33:51" }, { "business_id": "-1MhPXk1FglglUAmuPLIGg", "business_name": "Red Garter Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "Best hamburger in town! Cooked just the way I like it, right after it gets done screaming. I love being Burger Kinged. I had a combination of the Swiss burger and southwest burger. Bacon, mushrooms, Swiss cheese and yummy bar-b-que sauce. The bread was good too, but I left most of it because the burger was so large. The onion rings were so good I skipped the ketchup. I held back a star because when I walked in a waitress walked by me without acknowledged I was there. The bartender looked up but didn't give a nod or anything. I know it's not Cheers but still a howdy ma'am would have been nice. I got a little concerned that maybe I had stepped into a time warp and was in a 1950's bar. I did a check for other dark faces and found one that was much lighter than mine so, I began to relax. Once my waitress came over to greet me (I'd been sitting about 4 minutes) she was genuinely very friendly. So, let's give them back 1/2 a star. The jukebox is off the hook. All my old favorite rock-n-roll songs were playing. There's ton's of TVs for you sports fans. It is a little pricey. I was expecting some Happy Hour pricing as it was 5pm. But you get what you pay for in this world. I'm a big bathroom nut. If a place has a nice clean bathroom, I'm going to spend a lot of time there. Rg's was clean enough but no hook for my purse and sweater. So now we're down to 3 stars.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T17:02:26" }, { "business_id": "SbdL-8NSmTWgSwdGZBa7WQ", "business_name": "Fresco Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "I love good-hot pizza & that's why I have Fresco deliver. Sometimes I order the eggplant parmesan & combo subs. It doesn't matter they always deliver hot & fresh food with a smile. With that said the best part is when they answer the phone you can hear the smile. Most of the time when I call businesses I get the feeling I'm interrupting something. Not at Fresco.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T21:47:04" }, { "business_id": "6pVVwtFmd7VBsgyFPHvU_w", "business_name": "Union Public House", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to my first UYE here. I'll never forget it. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was really good. I had the cheesy tots. House made potato tots covered with a house made cheese sauce. I want to be buried in that sauce. Then I had the special, scallops. I almost fell over when I was told $12 for 2 scallops. But they were huge. Then, I almost fell over because the were so tender. The noise from the other patrons was deafening and there was heavy metal music playing but you really couldn't hear it because of the noise from the people talking. There was a lot of sound bouncing off the walls. We had the same problem at our church. They make dampening panels for that. But before that gets fixed I think some money should be put into new fixtures for the ladies room. It was kinda clean but the toilet was stopped up. One of the YELPers I was with, told the owner and it got fixed right away. Yes, I'm crazy that way, I went back to check. But even without stopped toilet the L. room gets an F, because the sinks would be called retro if they were refinished. But they weren't. One more thing, the faucets don't have to be automatic but working would be nice. I don't like L. rooms in dives to be icky either. However, UPH is NO dive.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:03:22" }, { "business_id": "ta8tixXzHXFogPiYlB2a5A", "business_name": "Robert's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I was busing it the other day & missed the bus by that much. Some businesses don't like it if you pop into there place to keep warm for half an hour for the next bus. My waitress at was A-Ok with it. She kept offering to get me something to eat. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was going to eat elsewhere. I did have a really good cup of coffee & a great conversation with her. I don't know why I don't go to Robert's more often.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:08:15" }, { "business_id": "Ch8VCPuGX6lJWBaofljE1A", "business_name": "Udall Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Grazing In The Grass There's a lot going on at this park. My favorite is the László Veres Amphitheater, where Arizona Symphonic Winds plays every Summer and Fall. We pack a dinner, bring blankets, lawn chairs and friends, equals a great time in the Arizona. Since it's in the evening the wind comes along and it's really nice in the grass.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:23:27" }, { "business_id": "BauybYsfqd0y6KDrJ6ZxjQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "My get up and go was still in the bed. So, I popped in her to get a dirty-soy chai. Fixed me right up. Thanks perky & patient order taker. I always think I'm going to try something new and I rarely do.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:27:30" }, { "business_id": "sTaUoMUban-Hdhy8m3eM-A", "business_name": "Big Lots", "rating": 3, "text": "When I met my husband he loved going to big lots. I hated it because it was so unorganized. This one is very organized. I had gotten caught in the rain on a bus day. No umbrella or poncho. I had some important documents with me too. The customer service desk clerk and all cashiers were busy when I went in so I could ask; WHERE ARE THE RAIN PNCHOS? I needed to get across this huge parking lot to the bus stop quickly. It makes since rain ponchos would be near the clothing. And there they were. I think in the store we use to go to they keep rain ponchos in the automotive or hardware section.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:34:42" }, { "business_id": "J-Go00lYW4f4a3lLLtoh_A", "business_name": "Bobo's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "You can leave your party at home! What a great neighborhood cafe. I've only been in here twice but both times had great conversations with fellow diners. That's one of the things I really love about Tucson is there's so many places you can go and people are friendly. You don't have to bring your party with you. The staff is friendly but not intrusive. The last time I went I had the grilled cheese sandwich. When I ordered. The guy sitting next to me said i should order the chicken special he had. The chicken did look and smell good. But I told him about how us YELPers where talking about where to go for good grilled cheese. And we were off. He likes YELP but didn't know about how social and fun we are. The sandwich arrived on sourdough with cheese oozing out the sides but not so much that I needed a spoon to hole it all together. You can add stuff on the grilled cheese like chicken, ham or tomato but it was fantastic naked. I choose the cottage cheese for the side.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:51:31" }, { "business_id": "tJ_dQUc5m--Wgo7NRIjyzA", "business_name": "Food Conspiracy Co-op", "rating": 4, "text": "I was going to became a member this weekend at the birthday bash but the day got away from me. The rewards are awesome (see links below). Maybe I'll Git R done later this week. When I was in a few weeks ago the produce was very fresh. I think the upswing in local producers of good quality produce has really helped. The good news is I don't have to wait for a nearby farmers market to get good fresh local produce. They have a good selection of healthy cereals and bulk nuts, granola, etc. The cashier was real nice too and very knowledgeable about products and the birthday bash. Love this place! http://www.foodconspiracy.coop/membership/benefits/ http://www.foodconspiracy.org/about/co-op-discount-network/", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:04:16" }, { "business_id": "WFBdR8ZotMOKDkZ0skufIA", "business_name": "Michaels", "rating": 3, "text": "I've seen it messier but I was able to hijack an employee for help. I was in a hurry. Usually I know it's going to take a while and I just go up and down each \"um aisle\" till I give up. Anyways this time I was in and out in a jiff. They now have a screen to assist with the cash register line flow.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:13:27" }, { "business_id": "idWOWHJ7zInwE8SPBcFHLg", "business_name": "Sabino Cycles", "rating": 4, "text": "I had just finished lunch in the strip mall and was stuck in the rain. And I had cake to go. (Remember the song, someone left the cake out in the rain). I went in to see if they had a nice rain poncho. They didn't & the sales lady didn't laugh at me because it would be hard to fit your helmet on over the hood of a rain poncho. We both had a good laugh at me. I told her about my electric bike and asked if they could fix the non-electric stuff, because they are really convenient for my truck owner brother and I. She said they'd be happy to help.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:32:24" }, { "business_id": "ly0nkQsbvKkHNUyl5AGdjA", "business_name": "Isabella's Ice Cream", "rating": 5, "text": "You scream, I'm eating the ice cream. Not only is it very very very good, there's experimental flavors. I tried one with lavender. And there's a few other yummy unusual flavors that's gone out of my head right now. You can request flavors too. Owner is very very very friendly. So, don't scream at her.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:16:36" }, { "business_id": "s1p9pg69MZA7vRiFCewQlQ", "business_name": "Ordinary Bike Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "I was looking for info about electric bikes and got some good recommendations. I also got an offer to bring the bike in for non-electric repair issues. The employee was very friendly and helpful. I was in and out in under 5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-24T07:00:42" }, { "business_id": "AVBqx8FaXza6x-bb_FLOTQ", "business_name": "Anita Street Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I never thought I'd be in a love triangle. But here I am, Anita Street Market, YELP and me. I love ASM because of the great food and service. I love YELP because reading a friend's review reminded me it's been too long since I've visited ASM. I usually get the gorditas made with cottage cheese. I have to buy 2 packages because I eat one on the way home. They have a good selection of cheese and other essentials for a Mexican fiesta. I'm a big fusion cuisine nut so I put mid or far east seasoned stuff with the stuff I get from ASM! YUM!", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T17:00:52" }, { "business_id": "jaFGVtpEMSyh8AHi8jh-wA", "business_name": "Bicas - Bicycle Inter Community Art & Salvage", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a little concerned about walking into Bicas because these guys put bikes together and I can hardly ride one. I was really relieved when I had one foot in the door & was greeted with a friendly smile & offer for help. I was there for the Underground Art class, Bike Zine Origami Stars with Rachel Sandler. I really had too much fun & almost broke my laughing bone. There were fellow crocheters, knitters & painters learning how to make Origami Stars. Mine turned out really cool. Check out my pic. I can't wait till next week for the Japanese Book binding class. Check out their website for more classes and art exhibits. There's a new art studio and gallery featuring bicycle-themed and recycled art by local and international artists. You can go home with some bike art originals.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T16:45:59" }, { "business_id": "zwrgCMuZyFX46mL3piDyjg", "business_name": "Cup Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Funny-adult story about the 1st time I ate here. Starts with my BFF recovering from a breakup, there's 2 French Policemen on holiday & ends with the heart breaker & chicken satay. I've tried other dishes but always go back to the heart breaker & chicken satay. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't have them on the menu anymore because the funny story happened, well nevermind how long ago it was. It's still a funny story and the food at the cup is still GREAT!!! Subtracted a star because sometimes service is a little iffy. There's been some occasions when I feel like I've interrupted servers FUN TIME. But, most of the time service is good.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T17:14:31" }, { "business_id": "Ixj573yo0PMWFGXmnka9MA", "business_name": "The Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only had my bike for a few months & today was my first big outing. I was meeting friends at Rillito Park Race Track & wanted to really enjoy nature. A few clicks on my map app & a plan was born. Tucson really is a bike friendly town. I was able to safely ride from Yoga class to the where Tucson Blvd intersects with the bike path. I was a little concerned when I saw the end of road barriers at the end of Tucson Blvd. Then I thought that's for cars ding-a-ling. So, I threaded my way barriers to be greeted by a wonderful park. Then I turned on the path. There was lots of room & the center line was clearly marked. Fellow bikers & walkers were very friendly. A big thanks to the lady who helped me turn on the correct bridge. I'd subtract one half star because the bridges aren't marked. There was a huge map at the trail head but at that point I didn't need no stinking map.", "timestamp": "2012-03-05T06:45:48" }, { "business_id": "zGiOO2bxasexYRQt6y9ClA", "business_name": "JOANN Fabrics and Crafts", "rating": 4, "text": "I almost have enough yarn to open my own yarn shop. But I had to get more. It was on sale & I had a get an extra 15% off from my Joann Phone app. The fabric area in every fabric store always seems to be an area of high anxiety. I try to stay away. I needed some fabric for the lining of a purse I crocheted so I picked up some precut quilting fabric. The precut squares are only $1.99 for 18X21 piece. I'm no geometry wiz kid but that's not a square. Anyways, it was fast and cheap. Also got some yarn for some future projects. And some New hooks that were less than $3 with bamboo handles.", "timestamp": "2012-03-06T17:21:34" }, { "business_id": "1teRq-Q6XG6l-WoinZFX0g", "business_name": "The University of Arizona", "rating": 4, "text": "The U of OZ is a great school & a must see for any sightseeing trip. The admission process at any large school is bound to have hurdles. At OZ there's lots of little people to help you. Just like in the real Oz there's some double speak to translate. It's very exciting when you, the scarecrow, lion & tin man meet with your all knowing advisor the 1st time. Then meeting whit the advisor the last time before You get the coveted piece of paper. The road is not always yellow & easy to follow but when you're done you know you can do anything life tosses at you. The tourist will not see lions, tigers & bears. If you're lucky you'll see Wilbur the wildcat along with museums, concert halls & really nice restaurants. Plus I understand the basketball team isn't bad. Just arrive on campus & ask anyone for info. Everyone is really friendly. There's also a info office near the mall, the huge grassy area at the center of campus.", "timestamp": "2012-03-07T16:33:00" }, { "business_id": "1W657uKWvcMKIHaOmEOc-g", "business_name": "Caffe Milano", "rating": 5, "text": "Authentic Italian food without passport = Space time anomaly. Well, I've never been to Italy but I bet you all the change in my pocket the food is just like the lunch I had at Caffe Milano. While I was trying to decide what to have a regular popped in and started telling me what was good. He really could have saved himself a lot of words if he'd said the truth, It's all good. And you get a lot of food too. I had to skip dessert.", "timestamp": "2012-03-09T07:06:03" }, { "business_id": "6wzZ9FR3-bfqFz8ySgyavQ", "business_name": "Dickman's Meat & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "No clue why when I lived a little over a mile from the old location I never went here. But I'm so glad I did. I haven't had a sandwich that good in a long time. The side bow tie pasta salad was really good too. There's a great selection of take home meats, cheeses & fixings. Wild boar anyone?", "timestamp": "2012-03-10T11:02:13" }, { "business_id": "AXaeGUt_wSPjsLAWHpRFSQ", "business_name": "Church's Chicken", "rating": 3, "text": "When I need some comfort food Churches is my go to place. The service is good. I tell them how hungry I am and they work it out so I don't have to pay much. Last time I was here I was stuffed for less than $5.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T16:52:41" }, { "business_id": "MUOCeTGhL5llXe8GAuqOMA", "business_name": "Ike's Coffee & Tea", "rating": 4, "text": "Adult entertainment? No, but they do have an adult grilled cheese Sandwich. For the life of me I can't remember the name. It was goat cheese, tomato and spinach I think. I thought I had already written this review and I visited there weeks ago. I'll have to pop in again to give you the detailed info. But, I didn't want to delay the review any longer. Service was really good. The cook was sampling a yummy looking smoothie & I asked several probing questions. After a little awkwardness I confessed about being a YELPer & how we were going to have a juicing event soon. So, I was looking for interesting things to mix together for my juicing event shopping.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T17:02:31" }, { "business_id": "SgTZIh4nFftQxoXqX1eJcQ", "business_name": "Brandi Fenton Memorial Park", "rating": 4, "text": "The park is a great place to go on dates. There's not a lot of trees to duck behind and do whatever it is people do when they duck behind trees. But there is a lot of space and the air is really fresh. I think it would be a great place to play bocce ball. I have been here a few times for fundraising events and had a great time. Like I said there's lots of room to play frisbee or toss a ball. At the HOPE fundraiser we Hula hooped. Hadn't done that in over 20 years.", "timestamp": "2012-03-14T07:19:40" }, { "business_id": "rmmUhScUsA3xXbhDhRlb9A", "business_name": "Macy's", "rating": 4, "text": "I love the spring sales. The quality is real good too. I have skirts from over 10 years ago. I use to wear them ever week when I was working. They are just starting to look worn and I only paid $5 for 1 and $10 for the other. I couldn't make them for that price. I wish they had more made in America stuff but then would the skirt ever be marked down to $5? The staff is always nice and helpful. I usually get a sincerer hello. Not the please don't still anything hello. I think the times you enter a department and there's no one there that person is on break. Nice to see a company still employs the tried and true systems we used back in the day when I worked at a competing department store.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:01:51" }, { "business_id": "GNo1zeiPKErB7Ww_j3IlOg", "business_name": "The Tasteful Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "MGJ (mean green juice) ICE CREAM???!!! When I heard Isabella's Ice Cream had made MGJ for The Tasteful Kitchen, I made a bee line to them. To bad I was busy then they aren't open Mondays and Tuesdays so, yesterday was my first chance to enjoy. Everything was so delicious. I had quite a bit of food but wasn't too full for the ice cream. I had the mango butternut raw foods soup, the raw foods veggie burger with a salad and spicy sweet potato/carrot fries. This may actually be the diet for me. I'm not a huge fan of bread on a burger anyways. It kinda takes away the flavor and fills me up so I don't have room for Ice Cream. The service was impeccable. I felt like a queen on vacation. There's classes to learn how to cook or not cook like The Tasteful Kitchen staff.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:34:14" }, { "business_id": "_jADWOt1FkWMWGIlz30cew", "business_name": "Reid Park Biking/Walking Path", "rating": 5, "text": "If I had $100 for each step I took on this path, we'd all be rich! Just the right amount of everything is the key to this urban ParkBikingWalking path. The right amount of shade mixed with the right amount of sun. The right amount of cyclist mixed with walkers and runners tossed in for good measure. It's a beautiful doggy dance.", "timestamp": "2012-03-16T05:58:47" }, { "business_id": "uf3strC3s96XPOM502o5lw", "business_name": "Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block", "rating": 3, "text": "Tucson Museum of ART - Spring Artisans' Market is a great place to meet nice people and drown in creativity. And it's nice that the museum takes advantage of the increased traffic by opening it's doors for free. The only annoyance is when you find something you want to buy you have to go to a central cashier and pay for it then make your way back to the artists booth to collect the item. It's not so bad when I'm by myself but when I'm with my brother, Mr personality, we have to stop every 2 feet to say hi to someone he knows. Anyways, lots of hugs and flesh pressing.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:12:49" }, { "business_id": "dh1C733vVNx7BaIBmwMwNQ", "business_name": "Cafe A La Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "Had some mind blowing Irish car bomber cupcakes at the Irish cook off last weekend. So, I made sure when I was downtown to pop in and see what else they offered. I'd eaten here PY (PreYelp). What can I say when you're enjoying something with the intent of writing about it later, you notice things you didn't notice before. Like I ordered potato salad (don't know why, cuz I don't like potatoes) when may plate was brought out I thought they had made a mistake because I didn't see any potatoes. Lots of yummy marinated seasoned fresh veggies. I knew they were yummy before I tasted them cuz of the smell. So I dug in, and well look at that potatoes in my potato salad. And the potatoes tasted good. The review I was writing in my head had gone from 5 stars to 2 and up to 6 stars. Oops have to factor in the chai tea latte, brisket sandwich and chocolate chip walnut cookie. Ladies & gentlemen we have broken the YELP star barrier. The loud boom you just heard is the sound made by the smashing of molecules when a company gets more than 10 stars. I have to meet with the Big Bang Theory cast to have the physics explained but Cafe a la C'Art has blown my mind again.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:35:17" }, { "business_id": "tBWjMqUc0yP5lRElCfDaKg", "business_name": "1702", "rating": 4, "text": "My BFF would move in here if he could. I usually only go here with my crazy friends who make it hard to have a good experience. They are kinda rude to the staff but the staff is always nice and helpful. The other day was my 1st time alone to try the chicken ice cream. It was good and so was the pesto pizza. Service was really good too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T07:23:41" }, { "business_id": "rTxjTF2FgHpyHdMbhBuMBg", "business_name": "Caravan Mideastern Foods", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't greeted when I entered but I did get a hardy goodbye. They have lots of yummy stuff for competitive prices. I got a huge container of Nutella for about $5. Can't find the receipt but I know it wasn't $6. My neighbor told me about Caravan. She said they do a lot of their, oh poo we forgot ________ shopping at Caravan.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T16:11:35" }, { "business_id": "EW2mdIhlnowmtp1JY6MhPA", "business_name": "Himmel Park", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a nice resting spot when I'm biking home form downtown. I wasn't really tired but it filled my heart with joy to hear all the kids running and playing. I sat and cranked out a few pages on my book. Afternoons during the week is a good time to go if you're not into crowds. There's all kinds of events happening on the weekends. From birthday jumping castles to jousting. I think I've seen a soccer game or two. Now that I think about it these events happen late afternoons too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-22T00:48:31" }, { "business_id": "PGlHVBkiCvfNE9yDes1lOw", "business_name": "Aqua Vita", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes these neighborhood markets have iffy produce & some smell bad. And if you're real lucky the employees are rude. But not this neighborhood market. Fresh delicious produce and dairy. Nice frozen food section. The prices are high. But I guess that's to be expected when they don't have the buying power of the big stores.", "timestamp": "2012-03-23T00:36:37" }, { "business_id": "LMAqSWASePVhhOZkUs2vvQ", "business_name": "UA BookStores", "rating": 3, "text": "It's a college bookstore but not just for students. But, it's still a college bookstore. The prices aren't very competitive but the store is usually clean. Customer service is sometimes hard to find but when you get someone they are friendly and helpful. There's a lot of community outreach events like the children's book program. I met Clifford the Big Red Dog. He didn't bite when I asked him to take a picture with me. Like I said it's a college bookstore so parking is a little challenging. I suggest biking, busing or the trolley when it's up and going.", "timestamp": "2012-03-26T18:08:39" }, { "business_id": "d26VEnmSq_r2wJ35L9RYUw", "business_name": "Little Mexico Steakhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Margaritas, Flat Enchiladas & Green Corn Tamales. Several friends stopped by on our way back to town after a visit to the reservation. We had been in the hot sun for a few hours with just warm water to wet our whistles so that may be why the clean, fresh, not-2-sweet-not-2-alcoholey Rita pitchers were so good. I guess I'll have to do more investigating darn. Then the food arrived. More taste explosions and sirens. All this and the service was quick and friendly too. Then to top it off the bathroom was clean and there was a hook for my purse.", "timestamp": "2012-04-16T05:08:55" }, { "business_id": "X1oJuhLy8JxzmXkWLCqW6g", "business_name": "Baggin's Gourmet Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "The Unforgettable is unforgettable. I use to work across the street from a now closed Baggin's. The plan was to start at the top and work my way through the sandwich list. Well, after one bite of the Unforgettable the plan was scrapped. Over the years I've tried other Baggin's sandwiches but I still keep going back to my 1st love. I've been to this location several times and it's always Unforgettably fantastic.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:06:55" }, { "business_id": "J_w5J7dgRpyB4GFiBJIDIg", "business_name": "Xoom Juice", "rating": 4, "text": "I promise I'm not an alien from another planet but I'm not a fan of smoothies as a meal. With that said I love the spoon Xoom Spoon Velvet Amazon. With the Hemp Granola it is very filling. The service has always been with a smile even when it gets busy and loud.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:13:24" }, { "business_id": "5nOTwLs2lCpsFwZzHA6Hvg", "business_name": "Rubio's", "rating": 4, "text": "I Heart grilled fish taco's washed down with a cold beer. The service is always friendly and fast. there's great music too. I always feel like I've spent lots of money to get to some remote island where all of my cares have been washed away by the ocean.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:18:53" }, { "business_id": "X-IMyKLRxkspQYLKBed8sA", "business_name": "Hope Animal Shelter", "rating": 4, "text": "I love going to Hope events and visiting the warm cuddles there. They sponsor classes about communicating with your animal how to catch a star cat and all kinds of health issues. The staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:32:58" }, { "business_id": "sOjbtBWo-m6rpjHv4tA_oQ", "business_name": "Brewd Coffee & Food", "rating": 4, "text": "There's no excuse not to go here during the construction because 6th Ave is a 2 way street now. I hesitate to write a favorable review because during the construction a lot of people have been staying away so it's very quite and peaceful. I hung out here for a few hours the other day to finish reading a book that was due back to the library. Very comfortable seats and friendly service. I had a flat-bread sandwich that was really good. Lots of plugs for all your devices. Next time I'm bringing in my bike battery and charging it.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:45:50" }, { "business_id": "2h0D_jeKy81uZgpZGZmGPA", "business_name": "Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue", "rating": 4, "text": "McGarrett: Book em Danno Williams: What's the charge? McGarrett: Selling yummy Hawaii style food on the main land. Williams: That won't hold up in court! McGarrett: I don't care Danno! I want these guys to go down. Williams: Well ya know what I think? McGarrett: NO!!! And please don't tell me! Williams: I'm telling you anyways my uninspired friend. McGarrett: I'm not listening! Williams: When Tucsonians taste this food they get Hawaii fever and will watch our show more. McGarrett: Oh, good point. Hey all you Tucsonians hang ten to MHBBQ for the Hawaii Chicken sandwich. Don't forget dessert. Passion squares, Lemon bars & cream cheese brownies make you escape the blazing desert heat & enjoy the soft Hawaiian breeze. For an additional visual experience watch my show. Williams: MY SHOW?!?!?!?", "timestamp": "2012-05-09T16:50:41" }, { "business_id": "D44IBRDtEScaWELey5IfCA", "business_name": "May's Counter Chicken And Waffles", "rating": 2, "text": "I had considered purchasing a home around the corner from May's so I could wonder over in my PJs. But the last couple of times I went made me glad I didn't impulse buy a HOUSE. As a frequent visitor (at least once a week) I knew all of the wait staff and some of the cooks. Everyone was very friendly, then there was a change in ownership/management. And a lot of the friendly staff left. Then the waffle recipe changed. I was assured it hadn't. So, the gang and I got together for a visit and all agree the waffles tasted generic. So, I stopped ordering the waffles and tried some of the other offerings. I noticed salads and chicken pieces getting smaller and the prices going up. So, now instead of going ever week I may make it to May's once a month. I would have given 1 star but I've been getting emails about music nights. the musicians have great profiles and look promising. The only thing is the music offerings are not consistent and whenever there's an event I have previous plans.", "timestamp": "2012-12-03T18:05:28" } ]	{ "business_id": "Hi4AgS-uR-lEOF4oZl546g", "business_name": "China Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "I was a little concerned when I read the first sentence of Mark S's review, \"Probably the most authentic Chinese food I have had since visiting Chinatown in San Francisco.\" When I was in San Francisco I had what I was told was authentic Chinese food and I didn't like it. Also, Here in Tucson I've been to \"authentic Chinese food\" establishments and ended up with a pile of napkins filled with food my tongue rejected. I've always felt a little embarrassed but try as I may I couldn't drink enough beer, water or wine to get the food to go down my throat. However, at China Pasta house everything was great. The dumplings were cooked to perfection. Usually there's something crazy with the texture (to wormy). I tried some of my neighbor's noodle soup and it was good too. So, I was excited to get my Spicy Fried Rice Cake with Shrimp. It was everything I'd hoped for in an authentic Chinese Restaurant. I was thinking one of those fried rice cakes you get at the store but fresh and yummy but what I got was a yummy mix of a firm rice cake sliced to perfection, fresh crisp veggies and lots of shrimp. I offered to share with my neighbor but thank God she said no because I'm going to relive the ecstasy for lunch. Leftovers ROCK!", "timestamp": "2012-12-06T16:51:45" }
pYXeL0RCqus2IfhthYCOyA	[ { "business_id": "pqHCY2NE8_aVl0EsDRbUtg", "business_name": "Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que", "rating": 5, "text": "Crisp slaw & spicy sauce are the 2 things that get me fired up about BBQ! FD has these in spades. Then top it off with a selicious selection of Home-style Desserts, bring out the cot I'm moving in here!!! It only gets better when I can bring friends & family who can find eats to wet their palate & want to pull out a pallet too.", "timestamp": "2011-07-11T16:49:02" }, { "business_id": "U_NCpKQDf3z7qSBjvv4U0Q", "business_name": "Cafe Desta", "rating": 5, "text": "Naked brick walls for art, Yummy food with a sprinkle of great conversation? Must be Cafe Desta. Yes, there's lots of places with art on brick and maybe some have food but very few, if any, have the fun knowledgeable owners/staff of Cafe Desta. From the moment I walked in the door till I left, I felt welcomed and pampered. After my rough day shopping I needed to be coddled. And I was totally spoiled! I was offered a drink and chose mint tea. This wasn't your grandma's teabag, it was ambrosia mint tea. No bitterness or paper tea bag taste. While sipping my teabrosia, I had a long talk with . . . . . I'm calling him Tee, and decided on the cubed lamb because they can put the hot stuff on the side. It was so yummy, even the hot sauce/paste was flavorful. The cheese reminded me of cheese curd and made me miss Wisconsin. I didn't think I'd like the veggies that came with the lamb dish because they had cooked carrots and I don't like cooked carrots. So, I can't say I don't like cooked carrots any more because these were so good mixed with green beans in a tomatolishes sauce. Enough of my rambling. Let me add on the obvious if you know anything about Ethiopian food. They have family style and single servings. I needed a to go container and guess what? Tee boxed it for me.", "timestamp": "2012-01-05T07:27:20" }, { "business_id": "RFIHFxmNH9dM0ouz2N8ZjQ", "business_name": "Cafe Marcel", "rating": 5, "text": "I was just checking my stats and realized all my reviews are 5 stars. What can I say, I always get great service. Like I did 2 times at Cafe Marcel. It was so good yesterday, I made my big brother take me today. Michelle & Joe's restaurant is like coming home to my French Granny's. I'm sure I don't have a French Granny and Michelle & Joe aren't old enough to be my Grandparents. Still I felt welcomed and left full of good food. Taste buds spinning so much I left my long sleeve shirt. Had to take it off cuz just like at Granny's they had the heat on so I was comfy. I had the Feta cheese, Tomato Pesto Crepe. Michelle says it doesn't matter how you pronounce it cuz it's all good. So do I.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T01:40:35" }, { "business_id": "LRr-aw58xVMkUu0OSL_BpQ", "business_name": "The Little One", "rating": 5, "text": "I HEART a company when an employee/owner recognizes you when you were just there a week before. That's what happened at Little Cafe Poca Cosa. This action lets me know the hugs aren't just a gimmick. I try to go on off hours so I don't get jammed in there with all the suits from the downtown offices. But even when I do. I take that as an opportunity to meet someone new. So, I've always had prompt friendly service. Except that one time when I was talking to this really cute suit and the waitress kept bothering us. I love the fact that they encourage you to only eat what you think you can eat so they don't have to waste food. I also like that they give back to the community. Oops, I forgot to tell you about the food. Very health-yummy!", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T02:35:25" }, { "business_id": "2njTjQ35skXN171KoobeGg", "business_name": "Raging Sage", "rating": 5, "text": "Well Jiminy Crickets!!! I wish I could give these guys 1 star then maybe it will not be as crowded. The good news is I've seen lots of cute guys here and when it's crowded you may have to share a table or even a chair. How fun would that be? OK, enough funnin'. Let's talk coffee and baked goods. Actually we don't have to talk coffee and baked goods because they're both so good you can have one without the other. Now I have a craving for and Ed O'Neil movie.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:51:01" }, { "business_id": "BxRHz-iSQGCGSuAGwkeUsw", "business_name": "Albertsons", "rating": 5, "text": "I use to take the bus past 2 other stores to get to this store because of the great selection, knowledgeable staff & fair prices. Now I live about 1/2 mile closer to another store in the opposite direction of the Albertson's. But Al and his staff are still my choice.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:55:08" }, { "business_id": "0THt7q5pk6FBVYjeGsITaA", "business_name": "Al's Ace Hardware", "rating": 5, "text": "Ace is the place with the helpful hardware WOman! I'm always greeted with a smile & offers of help. The cool part is they let me poke around just looking at the cool stuff. I'm a multimedia artist and sometimes just browsing in a hardware store can bring up suppressed Ace. Oops Art. Then when an idea pops in my head the WOman help me get it out and into my cart.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T04:04:08" }, { "business_id": "7_1GqlDlbkShY0az7J0XNg", "business_name": "LaCo", "rating": 4, "text": "La Cocina is a great place for a healthy lunch & relaxing. I don't recommend it if you're in a hurry. There's of shops, coffee house, restaurant and bar all staffed by a minimal number of people. But, it's worth a little wait because not only does it taste good, you're not going to add much weight. I've tried the quinoa, veggies in peanut sauce with tofu and felt the pounds come off. So, I had the Chocolate tofu pie thinking the pounds would come back but they didn't. I was full but not stuffed and no sugar crash. I also had the Mediterranean appetizer plate and felt was fully satisfied. I started with the hibiscus lemon-aid. Like everything else full of flavor not too sweet. Cuz I'm sweet enough.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:00:26" }, { "business_id": "bo_03Xq6RenVdK3yVuDGiA", "business_name": "Nimbus Brewing", "rating": 4, "text": "I love it when a plan come together! My brother and I went to Nimbus to hear Amosphere, a local based band. Usually the band plays from 10pm to 1 or 2 am & that's too late for us on days we have to get up early. Saturday (1/7/12) the band started at 7 but I had a late lunch so was ready to eat when I got there. We sat there for what seems like hours as the waitresses ran orders to & from the small window. I kept trying to give them the sign but they we so busy. Plus as I found out later the waitress don't take drink orders, you've gotta go to the bar. I must have been giving the give me a beer now sign and not the give me food now sign. It really wasn't hours it was just about 15 to 20 minutes. When a waitress came over to offer a humongous platter of chicken nachos for free cuz someone couldn't eat around the jalapenos. The nachos would have been a steal at twice the price. Great music & great food washed down with a pint of Nimbus Old Monkeyshine Ale, an exceptional example of a true, traditional-style English Pub beer.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:25:58" }, { "business_id": "yJZbNhVoTdhcI9dYVzLJuQ", "business_name": "Playground Bar & Lounge", "rating": 5, "text": "Indian Jones I'm not but I did unearth this Jewel in the desert. Well, actually I stumbled upon it. I was hungry and popped into the Hub for something yummy. I saw the ad I've been seeing for months that Playground would be opening soon. Well It was today at 4pm; I'd call that soon. The HUB Restaurant owner started the fire that got this diamond to the glimmering state it is in today. I was greeted by doormen dressed in Tucson Dressy. I was still wearing my layers of thermal and turtle neck I had on when I left the house this morning but I was still welcomed. While most of the guests were dressed for an evening of adult Recess on the Playground, there were others who came as they were. It wasn't crowded and there's enough playground equipment so you don't have to wait for your libation. I'm going to say even when they're at capacity you should still be able to get your drink on in a timely manner. I really liked the low seating in a far east/Mediterranean style. Not to far to fall, just in case. Speaking of style, I could live in the ladies room. I love the urban-rip-the-space-time fabric, we're in New York feel. Bare-brick walls mixed with vinyl wallpaper and mirrors. The good kind of mirrors that make you look smaller than you are. But the one above the sink had a video of how to put make-up on. The only thing missing was a lady selling make-up cuz I didn't have any. I'm going back as they open at 4pm and that's way before my bed time.", "timestamp": "2012-01-13T03:17:18" }, { "business_id": "8wkPLsDbGU3GcW8CoD-4aA", "business_name": "Caffe Luce", "rating": 5, "text": "Finally a place to spend my federation credits. I had heard about companies using iPads as cash registers but this is the 1st time I interacted with one. On the iPad it gives you tip options I think that's nice just in case you forget. I love the decor too. Behind the food prep area is a sign that reads Congress & 5th posted on \"subway\" tile. I know if you've been in some of the subways around the country, the thought of your food being prepared there might not sound palatable but you can't miss with this vegetarian menu. I heard people ordering coffee and they sounded happy with the results. It was after 1pm so I had wine. I was thinking wine spritzer and they accommodated by serving a glass of wine with a jelly glass jar of made on the spot sparkling water. And a smile to boot. There's a nifty system for getting a food order from the cash register to the prep area. It's written on an old fashion order form then attached to an alligator clip hung from a trolley type line on the ceiling. Then it's Zip-lined on the magnetic orderslip delivery system. I love it when new and old comes together.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:04:54" }, { "business_id": "9hVDlAouG9J1ORXOlBi44g", "business_name": "Summit Hut", "rating": 5, "text": "I Heart Summit Hut because they don't look at me a judge that I'm not an outdoors person. And even though I'm not they have lots of things I use like water bottles, t-shirts and unusual nicknacks. I was looking for solar cell phone options and they had them. One was a complete kid with rechargeable batteries and the other was for charging everything from your iPhone to your old no name MP3 player. I was very impressed with the teamwork. I asked a question from the single guy standing at the registers and he didn't call anyone he just grabbed the keys and began helping me. Another employee saw the void and popped into the vacant area, very smooth. I bet there's a couple of football and basketball teams that could benefit from taking a Summit Hut customer training class.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:28:11" }, { "business_id": "vdCQoE2il097-vc_gIQzYw", "business_name": "Bruegger's Bagels", "rating": 4, "text": "I use to pop into this Bruegger's between buses on my way to Pima west campus. I've always gotten great service. Sometimes some of the customer's are slow but the employees are great that they match the customer that way customer's who have time do not feel rushed.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:31:24" }, { "business_id": "OvC4Ecgzk2SI7R8qD0rk9Q", "business_name": "Sky Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "When I 1st read about Sky Bar I couldn't wait to check it out. That was over a year ago. I'd pop in just to cool off when it was over 90 and for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to stroll 4th Ave. I dropped in for a cool drink and it's not what I expected. You have to bring your party with you. At least when I was there things were very clicky. The point is if I'm bringing my party with me, we could just go to the store and buy the same stuff they serve there & hang at a friend's house.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T05:57:22" }, { "business_id": "J6EXRXbejBgOv4SWamMEAA", "business_name": "Culver's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been hearing about this place as if it's the second coming of the Messiah. Upscale fast food is still fast food. I'd pay a little extra for a maitre d, waitron and a bus-person . I don't mind ordering at the counter I think it was the large lighted menu over the back of the order-taker's head that made me feel like a clown or a king was going to come at me any second. I had the prime-rib sandwich. It was flavorful, tender and juicy. Most importantly the bread was very good and held-up nicely. I washed it down with a chocolate shake and it was no king or queen. Messiah? No, maybe John his cousin.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T07:16:52" }, { "business_id": "g7WfbAnXnMVXVNcc0SBM3A", "business_name": "Performance Bicycle", "rating": 2, "text": "I think they expect you to look like a Performance Cyclist or you don't get any help. Not even a smile or a please don't steal anything hello. I wandered around for almost 10 minutes without any acknowledgement that I might be a paying customer. The same thing happened the last time I went into this store. They're the closest bike shop to me and when I called to check hours the guy was really nice. I must have a Performance Cyclist's voice. Good thing I'm smart cuz I was able to cruised around and find out they didn't have bike grease. There were lots of other customer's there getting good service so, I don't think they're to be avoided if you look the part.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:44:14" }, { "business_id": "T7ybhSamtbgI2Ece8Z8IHQ", "business_name": "RC Bicycles", "rating": 5, "text": "Double up those stars! RC get 10 stars from me. This was my 3rd shop to try and find bike grease. And let's not talk about cell minutes used. It was a nice day so I started walking to the 1st place that was about 1 mile away, the next place was about 1.2 miles from the 1st place and RC was a little less than a mile from the 2nd place. What a great workout? The nice young man working by himself at RC took time to advise me that most people do not attempt to put together their bikes. I explained to him that it was just the front wheel, seat and peddles. Plus, I had no way to get the bike to a shop. So, he gave me some tips and grease and away I went. Guess where I'm buying all of my accessories?", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:58:10" }, { "business_id": "57Vny0AxGdEQBETfd7xU4A", "business_name": "Chopstix Asian Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "DH and I 1st rolled in here when they 1st opened. Because of the location we thought we'd better get in there before it closes. Well here we are years later and I finally got my big bro in the Stixs for dinner. It's not on my normal beaten path but when I find myself in the area it's my go to place. There's a few fast food places near but if you're looking for a good quick lunch, their buffet can not be beat with multiple options for less than $7.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T01:59:22" }, { "business_id": "wa_bwyY57etHjtJ2Fw0E3g", "business_name": "Pita Jungle", "rating": 4, "text": "If I had a penny for every time I had plans to eat at the Jungle but plans fell through, I could retire. Well, maybe take a few days off. I told the hostess about my trouble getting there and she made sympathetic noises. I went for the happy hour \"tapas\" so I could try a little of everything. The baba ghanouj's flavors were distinct and mingled perfectly. The pita was just the right thickness and slightly crispy so the baba didn't smash into the ghanouj. My waiter suggested the lemon chicken and if it wasn't half jerky-ed, it would have been great, All the flavors were there except for the ones that slipped away with the moisture. The Baklava more than made up for the chicken mishap. So, instead of 3 stars we're doing 4.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:30:14" }, { "business_id": "gAB-cDpBycjonNkiQMLCqw", "business_name": "Rita Ranch RV & Self Storage", "rating": 4, "text": "These kids now days have everything. I had to wash my dog in the bathtub, uphill both ways. Really, this is a great idea. I'd never even heard of it till I was visiting friends and family in the area. It's $5 for 10 minutes and just like when you wash your car it's up to you how you spend your minutes. Well not exactly like the car, the car doesn't try to bite or sit on the hose. You don't have to give the car treats to get it to into the wash area. And most importantly the car doesn't shake stinky wet dog water all over you during and after the wash. But that's all on the dog. The owners have done a good job of partitioning the areas where up to 8 dogs can be washed at a time with 2 at each of the four areas. I'm just thinking a little more space might be good. even my little niece had a hard time getting on the other side of the dog to help keep her (the dog) settled.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:54:32" }, { "business_id": "UIlOq8dHsaqOqTZJVvI8tQ", "business_name": "McDonald's", "rating": 5, "text": "Hands down best McDonald's experience ever. We were in and out in no time even-though I had no clue what I wanted because I haven't seen a McDonald's menu in years. Well almost in and out in no time. I had to order the chocolate shake just when the machine decided to run out of chocolate. The reason for the 5 stars is the cashier apologizing over and over. Give the \"man\" a raise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:59:55" }, { "business_id": "NnuxEbv5rlz0HOg0XM8EAw", "business_name": "Purple Heart Park: Ivan's Spot", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a wonderful area to play, sit, run, jump and even worship. Sometimes, my old church has a \"Spring Fling\" service at this park. It's large enough so while we're doing our thing with the band and the jumping castles other park goers while welcomed are not overcome by the noise. By that I mean they can hear it us but it's not like we got the bass cranked up. But on this day, it wasn't spring like at all. We drove the mile to the park just in case the clouds decided not to just look cold but also let loose some rain. We had the park to our selves except for a few other brave souls or kids/dogs who don't understand bad weather. A great time was had by all and we got some much needed exercise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:09:18" }, { "business_id": "OOoxH_7PHboLOZjvLKmt7g", "business_name": "Target", "rating": 4, "text": "I was glad when this Target opened giving new life to my beloved El Con mall. I have a love hate relationship with the grocery department. Yes, I don't have to make that extra stop but it makes the target bill higher. This day I was looking for bike tools and grease. They really don't have much in the way of tools and that makes since sine because they have a home improvement store next door. But, because they sale bikes I was thinking this would be a good place for bike grease. Nope! In lieu of having employees to help how about a few of those you-are-here maps? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's short and can't see the signs above the tall shelves.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:31:15" }, { "business_id": "1vLZFm0f85DwB5jCeA7Olg", "business_name": "Sir Veza's Taco Garage", "rating": 1, "text": "What we have here Gentlemen is a failure to maintain the quality of service and food we started with when we opened. There is an inverse relationship between price and food eat-ability. The prices have gone up while food savor has decreased.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T06:34:29" }, { "business_id": "wJmyu7W1K9A_gE8Ed4Bc9w", "business_name": "Trident Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been in love with this place for years. Haven't been in for a while and was afraid they had updated their menu. But they hadn't. I had my all time fave, peel-n-eat shrimp steamed in Old Bay with a side salad. Washed down with a Black n Tan. The service was quick, friendly and efficient.", "timestamp": "2012-01-26T19:48:58" }, { "business_id": "NesMl0Tiq1FsPoX2LzHkNg", "business_name": "PJ Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I love it when a plan comes together! A few days before I tried PJ Subs my brother and I were talking about where to get a great sub in town. We had given up on finding a good place. The next day, in a friends car, I saw the sign I must have flown past many times. But since I had Subs on the brain it stuck this time. I had to make a note to myself because I don't hangout at the corner of 6th & Tucson as much as I use to back in the day. Not sure why, it's a perfectly good corner. I wasn't sure what door to enter, didn't want to interrupt a mechanic in the middle of an Auto-pay. Turns out no cars or car fumes just good-friendly service & good food. I had the roast beef on rye with a beer can't remember the name of cause this was a while ago. After some planning & rescheduling, I was able to introduce my brother to PJ's he liked it too. As the little sister it's nice to show my big brother a SUB or 2.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T06:39:28" }, { "business_id": "T1E8IfL27VEeVa9jGjnl3w", "business_name": "Goodwill Thrift Store and Donation Center", "rating": 5, "text": "Doin' The Snoopy dance & elephant walk like an Egyptian. I love the deals at thrift stores, but I do not like the smell they sometimes have. Add to the smell the messiness and I'm outta there. If I wanted to look through piles of clothes and junk accompanied by an unidentifiable smell, I'd have stayed at home. This location has always been a gem on the pinkie finger of 4th Ave. You're strolling along heading south you can see the underpass coming up there's a few bars then you're in downtown. But, wait there's an unassuming door at this building that looks like a Goodwill storage facility. It's not a storage facility it's a very nice store with clean affordable clothes, jewelry, books, furniture & more. This Shopanista's nirvana was reached when she noticed 2 each, men's & women's restrooms also clean and tidy! Well, the one woman's I went to was. I would have been doing the Snoopy dance even if there wasn't a guy right outside playing The Linus & Lucy song followed by The Elephant Walk. I love both of those songs so I was walking like an Egyptian when I strolled out of there with my new Shel Silverstein book, Falling Up for $7.99.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:34:07" }, { "business_id": "bTBRqXfF-A1R-ShOsr7kbg", "business_name": "Monkey Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "Love this Monkey BEST! The General Manager, Ralphie, remembered my usual order & I haven't been to the Monkey in months. That's customer service folks. My order, that Ralphie remembered was served quickly! My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly, tasted great. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great, was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great & was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries, had a side of the tastiest Bar-B-Que sauce this side of . . . anywhere! Oh, BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:44:05" }, { "business_id": "nayQkd06InyPDfX12IjjWw", "business_name": "AMC Foothills 15", "rating": 2, "text": "I took 3 buses to get; here? I'll never do that again! Unless I forget none of the seats recline. I'm surprised I noticed the seat deficiency still being shell shocked from paying $15 for a bottle of water, juice and a SMALL bag of popcorn. I don't even like popcorn but I wanted to get into the whole movie spirit. No, I'm not an alien from another mother. I usually don't go to theaters because of the crowds and you can't pause or rewind. Let's face it, when I'm in my intimate home, it's easier to imagine I'm the leading lady. The leading man falling under my irresistible spell. As expected the movie, One for the Money, was worth every inconvenience & I will be buying this one for my small collection!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:03:48" }, { "business_id": "TAUGnIQDR9-m23DWLZ0dow", "business_name": "Sushi Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "First time at this location! Same great service, same great food, as the old Broadway & new Broadway locations. I wasn't starving, so had a glass of the green tea and the Rainbow Roll. Totally hit the spot. I love that they don't try to bulldoze more food into you. Don't take my word for it! When the guy at the next table asked to speak to a manager I thought here we go, he's going to complain about being served raw fish. (Really, that happened one time at a sushi restaurant. That was our last date!) But, not this guy, evidently he & his companion attend the garden frequently & wanted to let the management know \"our\" waiter had done an exceptional job. I thought he had done the usually upstanding \"Garden\" variety service. Maybe I should have ordered more food.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:35:20" }, { "business_id": "qoJH8TCkmXor8BXOcgD5zQ", "business_name": "Chicago Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I use to live here when I was single. I had heard there were new owners and was under the impression a remodeling had been done. The only thing I noticed that was no low top tables. Being short I like to sit in the low chairs. I can see why these wouldn't be popular because you can't see the band if you're sitting low. So, get up and dance or belly up to the bar & get ignored. If all else fails go to the ladies' room. Ok, maybe there was some slight remolding here. The stall-doors stay closed, Oh wait, I was there before it got crowded. Back in the day, the doors worked great if you were the only one in there but if someone was in the stall next to you, the force of them pulling their door shut caused your door to fly open. Anyways, it's still a Dive!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:17:36" }, { "business_id": "W7NxQw8UYFR0HLPrI08tvw", "business_name": "Chipotle Mexican Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Don't know what it is but If my tummy's feeling icky, I can count on Chipotle's stake to fix me up. I just have to remember not to go during full on lunch time. I usually go between 2 & 4 when it's peaceful and calm. Busy or not the service is always friendly and fast!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:21:25" }, { "business_id": "ZXXGB-xi6n3RE3X1OzRR6g", "business_name": "Walgreens", "rating": 4, "text": "The microwave did it! When it takes 3-5 minutes to heat up a yummy meal in a box, you get the idea everything should take 3-5 minutes. So, when the Pharm asst said I had to wait 30 minutes for my meds I thought Id drop dead of hunger. It was a lovely January afternoon so I walked the 1/2 mile from the dentist office to the drugstore. By the time I got there the bowl of cereal from 7:30 am was long gone & I was advised it would take 1/2 hour to prepare my meds. There's several fantastic options for lunch in the area but, none of them were 1/2 hour options so I waited & shopped. I must have been in all out shopaholic mode because I didn't hear my name called. I did check in with the Pharm asst after 35 minutes and my meds were ready. How much? And that's with the Pharm discount card? This is where the lost star went. This discount card has been a little crazy. You're suppose to get credit for buying \"Walgreen's\" products. Then when you buy stuff you swipe your card the credits are applied to your purchase. Plus the pharmacy is to automatically know you have the card and the discount applied. The Pharm assit didn't know if the discount had been applied when she advised the amount of my meds. Plus evidently my card is to expire next month. I renewed it this month because I could do it for $5 instead of $20. Sale ending the day I was there. Other than the discount card issue everyone was very helpful and friendly. I received an appropriate amount of \"please don't steal anything smiles & offers of help\" while I shopped. Not a good idea to hit the Pharm if you're hungry because evidently the lunchroom with microwave is nearby. While I was waiting for the Pharm assit to figure out if I received the card discount, we smelled something yummy that was ready to eat in 3-5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:23:51" }, { "business_id": "AKFahOtdDQA7NVXZyDajCA", "business_name": "Trader Joe's", "rating": 4, "text": "I loves me some TJ's!!! Just an overall comment I'm sure everyone knows, don't fall in love with any product you buy at a TJ's, because they may discontinue it without warning. This location has the same great friendly service I've come to enjoy from all TJ's. And the food's good too! BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:30:30" }, { "business_id": "9fOkyQs0TcVqqe_5c51b_w", "business_name": "Cheba Hut Toasted Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I feel like I'm hanging with the cool kids when I go to Cheba Hut. I love the KGB, roast beef with real grated horseradish. I sometimes think I'll try something different but the horseradish calls my name.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:09:19" }, { "business_id": "Gekeq1c-fuezmx0PSGQvzw", "business_name": "East Coast Super Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "Found my lost love! I use to go ECSS when I was attending the U of A. The other day I was in the old neighborhood and thought the place was closed. I found myself in the neighborhood again, HONEST IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. This time I vowed not to leave till I got the scoop. I walked around the big red adobe wall, entered the gate, walked through the eerily quite courtyard. Suddenly I had saw the headline, \"body of Debbi W found (wherever) last seen in the U of A area near the abandoned business, East Coast Super Subs. I thought I heard a man call my name from the other side of the fence. I jumped. Finally I was close enough to the window to look inside and there were people in there. The glass was tinted so, their zombiness was not determined till I opened the door. I was greeted with a hello and May I help you? I ordered and received quickly the best roast-beef sandwich I'd had since I was last at ECSS when they were on 6th Street near Campbell and I was still an undergrad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:39:54" }, { "business_id": "WRZEQEDsZoTB8MfgUex45Q", "business_name": "Temple Of Music And Art", "rating": 5, "text": "Not a bad seat in the house. I love it when you can see a show without doing the bobblehead dance with the heads in front of you. The tiered seating is expertly layered that unless you're sitting behind a 7 foot tall person you'll be-able to see over the persons in-front of you. While the seating is important, before you get to your seat you're welcomed into the Temple and are prepared for your music/art enlightenment. At some ceremonies there's 1 or 2 carts in the courtyard serving sweets/snacks/drinks. Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS was very good and I'm glad I got to see it at the Temple. I laughed so hard my stomach started to hurt & tears were flowing.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:22:07" }, { "business_id": "p86gxGhlZEE9I9icCyJqFA", "business_name": "Safeway", "rating": 4, "text": "When I lived off 22nd street I would pass 2 other stores on my bike to get to this store because of it's fresh produce and friendly service. I popped in here the other day to grab some water cuz I forgot my water bottle again. It was like coming home to family. Different employees but still fun and friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:27:42" }, { "business_id": "qOw6FD59FvUMmkaTjVqS8Q", "business_name": "Tucson Food Truck Roundup", "rating": 5, "text": "Are you going to Tucson Food Truck Round-Up? Parsley, sage, STRAWBERRY and thyme . . . (album screeches to a stop!) Strawberry you say? Yep! Strawberry & Thyme is the Cyclopsicle I had! If you love sweet & savory, you've gotta try this. If you don't love sweet & savory you've gotta try this. It will blow your mind! In addition, to the great food there was great music! The Shawn Kebler Trio 4:30 - 6:00 then Those Beatles Guys 6:15 - 7:45. As if that wasn't enough, there's artist doing there magic right in front of you. Check out the pics of Mel Dominguez and David Tineo. Their art & energetic personalities were a great addition to the food, fun and frolicking.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T19:02:26" }, { "business_id": "gKpsoVjBEnrNkzaOfxpOUA", "business_name": "Fox Tucson Theatre", "rating": 5, "text": "I almost broke my sacroiliac again & loved it! Seeing Starting Over - The Lennon Experience at the Fox reminded me of going to concerts in the mid to late seventies with general admission & huge dance floors. Of course The Fox doesn't have general admission & there wasn't a huge dance floor but the seats are spaced far enough apart that you can really get your motor running. There's assigned seating & crowd control but I didn't get the feeling I was in a police state. That would have been the opposite of the Lennon message. Time was on my side at this concert because the band started way before my bedtime and when it was past my bedtime, 8:30, I was still rocking and rolling. I knew the crowd was getting really revved up when I saw the huge bouncer advance to the stage. He did a great job of deterring fans from jumping on the stage or tossing any unmentionables at anyone. Luckily I had my YELP friends with me to hole me back. After the concert was over my friends and I stood in line to get autographs. After all of the excitement, I wanted to head out on the highway but opted for the quick drive home. I was very glad the Fox is downtown and not way out of town like some of the music venues. I really loved this event and am very happy Fox was the location for the World Premiere of Starting Over - the Lennon Experience. I'm going to start checking out the webpage more for stuff to do. A few people we turned off by alterations in some lyrics but I bet that's because of copyright issues. You know what I say to changed lyrics . . . Don't let the man ruin your mellow! That sounds like a Beatles era saying, right?", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T08:06:04" }, { "business_id": "Vhl0ZYmbPACG2FPLtvR5hg", "business_name": "The RumRunner", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Rum so when I found out there's a place called the Rum Runner I had to check it out. I didn't know if it was a bar, liquor store or restaurant. (This was preYELP days). When I walked in & saw all the wine I was a little intimidated. Back then I hadn't been to a wine tasting & picked my wine by price divided by how pretty was the label. If the resulting number was less than1, I'd buy as long as the price wasn't above how much I had in my pocket. The intimidation began melting away when I was greeted with a smile and an offer of help. Then I saw the cheese/pate case. I had never had pate and was keen to try but was concerned about the price. While I was trying to decide if I could afford some pate and rum, I was offered a taste of pate. Too bad no rum tasting that day. Yum, Yum, the Salmon pate was HEAVEN as well as the others I tried. So, I took the advice of the counter employee and bought all of the ones I liked plus some crackers & matching wine. It was less than $50 and I had dinner for two plus leftovers. Date night was very successful!", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T15:44:53" }, { "business_id": "nsWxhtg7XAnl5DtH-_d-vA", "business_name": "Tucson Botanical Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "When I was a little girl, I loved to run in the field across from our house and chase butterflies. One time a neighbor gave me a net to help me catch the butterflies and I was very happy till I caught one and saw how bug like it was. Once I got over my squeamishness, I put a captive in a jar and took it home. I think we consulted some expert and put some kind of food in the jar but it only lasted a day. I was very upset to think I had shortened the creatures life. And even if the life wasn't shortened, I'm sure it would have rather been with friends then locked up in a jar. Well never fear the experts at the Gardens know how to treat the butterflies that call the park their home. I love to hang out at the TBG whenever I get a chance but it's best in the spring and fall. The staff is always friendly and helpful too. There are a number of events and classes. In addition volunteer opportunities too. And it's centrally located so you can pop in on your way to somewhere else in town.", "timestamp": "2012-02-09T05:40:40" }, { "business_id": "z5r59h-c7vCS53k1YKSfxg", "business_name": "Lotus Massage & Wellness Center", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a puddle when Ingrid was done with my massage. I wanted to ask her to marry me cuz I love her. Well not just her, the whole center screams calmness and peace. But not the 60's type where you don't know if the'll be open cuz they were/are smoking peyote. Very professional and worth the money.", "timestamp": "2012-02-11T01:17:13" }, { "business_id": "26rvYn1RPbJCBW-cW05xnQ", "business_name": "Sun Tran", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the way Tucson's bus system has improved over the years. There's more weekend & late night service. A great option if you plan on drinking. If you're going to close the bar down you'll need to make other arrangements to get home but at least you can bus there so you're not cabbing both ways. There's still the stupid way buses that meet at an intersection are scheduled to arrive at the same time so it doesn't matter what bus you want to transfer to you can't because by the time you get across the street the bus has gone.", "timestamp": "2012-02-12T13:29:33" }, { "business_id": "4QMIJJWQOh7zpEwOXhFJqw", "business_name": "Renee's Tucson", "rating": 5, "text": "Chillin at Renee's listening to Mack the Knife on Valentine's Day reminded me of my first love & favorite Valentine, my mom. She loved Louis Armstrong. Even though I don't have my mom with me I got lots of love & comfort food at Renee's. I had the meatballs in marinara sauce with the pepper salad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-14T23:53:42" }, { "business_id": "t3yNTcIYyCreySnwVl5tjw", "business_name": "The Loft Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "ACTION!!! Not sure why I don't go here more often. The staff is friendly and the seats are comfy. I didn't have any food at The 2012 Academy Award Nominated Action Short Films showing but my friend had the pizza. It looked and smelled good. They have beer too.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T16:33:51" }, { "business_id": "-1MhPXk1FglglUAmuPLIGg", "business_name": "Red Garter Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "Best hamburger in town! Cooked just the way I like it, right after it gets done screaming. I love being Burger Kinged. I had a combination of the Swiss burger and southwest burger. Bacon, mushrooms, Swiss cheese and yummy bar-b-que sauce. The bread was good too, but I left most of it because the burger was so large. The onion rings were so good I skipped the ketchup. I held back a star because when I walked in a waitress walked by me without acknowledged I was there. The bartender looked up but didn't give a nod or anything. I know it's not Cheers but still a howdy ma'am would have been nice. I got a little concerned that maybe I had stepped into a time warp and was in a 1950's bar. I did a check for other dark faces and found one that was much lighter than mine so, I began to relax. Once my waitress came over to greet me (I'd been sitting about 4 minutes) she was genuinely very friendly. So, let's give them back 1/2 a star. The jukebox is off the hook. All my old favorite rock-n-roll songs were playing. There's ton's of TVs for you sports fans. It is a little pricey. I was expecting some Happy Hour pricing as it was 5pm. But you get what you pay for in this world. I'm a big bathroom nut. If a place has a nice clean bathroom, I'm going to spend a lot of time there. Rg's was clean enough but no hook for my purse and sweater. So now we're down to 3 stars.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T17:02:26" }, { "business_id": "SbdL-8NSmTWgSwdGZBa7WQ", "business_name": "Fresco Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "I love good-hot pizza & that's why I have Fresco deliver. Sometimes I order the eggplant parmesan & combo subs. It doesn't matter they always deliver hot & fresh food with a smile. With that said the best part is when they answer the phone you can hear the smile. Most of the time when I call businesses I get the feeling I'm interrupting something. Not at Fresco.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T21:47:04" }, { "business_id": "6pVVwtFmd7VBsgyFPHvU_w", "business_name": "Union Public House", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to my first UYE here. I'll never forget it. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was really good. I had the cheesy tots. House made potato tots covered with a house made cheese sauce. I want to be buried in that sauce. Then I had the special, scallops. I almost fell over when I was told $12 for 2 scallops. But they were huge. Then, I almost fell over because the were so tender. The noise from the other patrons was deafening and there was heavy metal music playing but you really couldn't hear it because of the noise from the people talking. There was a lot of sound bouncing off the walls. We had the same problem at our church. They make dampening panels for that. But before that gets fixed I think some money should be put into new fixtures for the ladies room. It was kinda clean but the toilet was stopped up. One of the YELPers I was with, told the owner and it got fixed right away. Yes, I'm crazy that way, I went back to check. But even without stopped toilet the L. room gets an F, because the sinks would be called retro if they were refinished. But they weren't. One more thing, the faucets don't have to be automatic but working would be nice. I don't like L. rooms in dives to be icky either. However, UPH is NO dive.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:03:22" }, { "business_id": "ta8tixXzHXFogPiYlB2a5A", "business_name": "Robert's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I was busing it the other day & missed the bus by that much. Some businesses don't like it if you pop into there place to keep warm for half an hour for the next bus. My waitress at was A-Ok with it. She kept offering to get me something to eat. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was going to eat elsewhere. I did have a really good cup of coffee & a great conversation with her. I don't know why I don't go to Robert's more often.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:08:15" }, { "business_id": "Ch8VCPuGX6lJWBaofljE1A", "business_name": "Udall Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Grazing In The Grass There's a lot going on at this park. My favorite is the László Veres Amphitheater, where Arizona Symphonic Winds plays every Summer and Fall. We pack a dinner, bring blankets, lawn chairs and friends, equals a great time in the Arizona. Since it's in the evening the wind comes along and it's really nice in the grass.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:23:27" }, { "business_id": "BauybYsfqd0y6KDrJ6ZxjQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "My get up and go was still in the bed. So, I popped in her to get a dirty-soy chai. Fixed me right up. Thanks perky & patient order taker. I always think I'm going to try something new and I rarely do.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:27:30" }, { "business_id": "sTaUoMUban-Hdhy8m3eM-A", "business_name": "Big Lots", "rating": 3, "text": "When I met my husband he loved going to big lots. I hated it because it was so unorganized. This one is very organized. I had gotten caught in the rain on a bus day. No umbrella or poncho. I had some important documents with me too. The customer service desk clerk and all cashiers were busy when I went in so I could ask; WHERE ARE THE RAIN PNCHOS? I needed to get across this huge parking lot to the bus stop quickly. It makes since rain ponchos would be near the clothing. And there they were. I think in the store we use to go to they keep rain ponchos in the automotive or hardware section.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:34:42" }, { "business_id": "J-Go00lYW4f4a3lLLtoh_A", "business_name": "Bobo's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "You can leave your party at home! What a great neighborhood cafe. I've only been in here twice but both times had great conversations with fellow diners. That's one of the things I really love about Tucson is there's so many places you can go and people are friendly. You don't have to bring your party with you. The staff is friendly but not intrusive. The last time I went I had the grilled cheese sandwich. When I ordered. The guy sitting next to me said i should order the chicken special he had. The chicken did look and smell good. But I told him about how us YELPers where talking about where to go for good grilled cheese. And we were off. He likes YELP but didn't know about how social and fun we are. The sandwich arrived on sourdough with cheese oozing out the sides but not so much that I needed a spoon to hole it all together. You can add stuff on the grilled cheese like chicken, ham or tomato but it was fantastic naked. I choose the cottage cheese for the side.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:51:31" }, { "business_id": "tJ_dQUc5m--Wgo7NRIjyzA", "business_name": "Food Conspiracy Co-op", "rating": 4, "text": "I was going to became a member this weekend at the birthday bash but the day got away from me. The rewards are awesome (see links below). Maybe I'll Git R done later this week. When I was in a few weeks ago the produce was very fresh. I think the upswing in local producers of good quality produce has really helped. The good news is I don't have to wait for a nearby farmers market to get good fresh local produce. They have a good selection of healthy cereals and bulk nuts, granola, etc. The cashier was real nice too and very knowledgeable about products and the birthday bash. Love this place! http://www.foodconspiracy.coop/membership/benefits/ http://www.foodconspiracy.org/about/co-op-discount-network/", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:04:16" }, { "business_id": "WFBdR8ZotMOKDkZ0skufIA", "business_name": "Michaels", "rating": 3, "text": "I've seen it messier but I was able to hijack an employee for help. I was in a hurry. Usually I know it's going to take a while and I just go up and down each \"um aisle\" till I give up. Anyways this time I was in and out in a jiff. They now have a screen to assist with the cash register line flow.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:13:27" }, { "business_id": "idWOWHJ7zInwE8SPBcFHLg", "business_name": "Sabino Cycles", "rating": 4, "text": "I had just finished lunch in the strip mall and was stuck in the rain. And I had cake to go. (Remember the song, someone left the cake out in the rain). I went in to see if they had a nice rain poncho. They didn't & the sales lady didn't laugh at me because it would be hard to fit your helmet on over the hood of a rain poncho. We both had a good laugh at me. I told her about my electric bike and asked if they could fix the non-electric stuff, because they are really convenient for my truck owner brother and I. She said they'd be happy to help.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:32:24" }, { "business_id": "ly0nkQsbvKkHNUyl5AGdjA", "business_name": "Isabella's Ice Cream", "rating": 5, "text": "You scream, I'm eating the ice cream. Not only is it very very very good, there's experimental flavors. I tried one with lavender. And there's a few other yummy unusual flavors that's gone out of my head right now. You can request flavors too. Owner is very very very friendly. So, don't scream at her.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:16:36" }, { "business_id": "s1p9pg69MZA7vRiFCewQlQ", "business_name": "Ordinary Bike Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "I was looking for info about electric bikes and got some good recommendations. I also got an offer to bring the bike in for non-electric repair issues. The employee was very friendly and helpful. I was in and out in under 5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-24T07:00:42" }, { "business_id": "AVBqx8FaXza6x-bb_FLOTQ", "business_name": "Anita Street Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I never thought I'd be in a love triangle. But here I am, Anita Street Market, YELP and me. I love ASM because of the great food and service. I love YELP because reading a friend's review reminded me it's been too long since I've visited ASM. I usually get the gorditas made with cottage cheese. I have to buy 2 packages because I eat one on the way home. They have a good selection of cheese and other essentials for a Mexican fiesta. I'm a big fusion cuisine nut so I put mid or far east seasoned stuff with the stuff I get from ASM! YUM!", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T17:00:52" }, { "business_id": "jaFGVtpEMSyh8AHi8jh-wA", "business_name": "Bicas - Bicycle Inter Community Art & Salvage", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a little concerned about walking into Bicas because these guys put bikes together and I can hardly ride one. I was really relieved when I had one foot in the door & was greeted with a friendly smile & offer for help. I was there for the Underground Art class, Bike Zine Origami Stars with Rachel Sandler. I really had too much fun & almost broke my laughing bone. There were fellow crocheters, knitters & painters learning how to make Origami Stars. Mine turned out really cool. Check out my pic. I can't wait till next week for the Japanese Book binding class. Check out their website for more classes and art exhibits. There's a new art studio and gallery featuring bicycle-themed and recycled art by local and international artists. You can go home with some bike art originals.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T16:45:59" }, { "business_id": "zwrgCMuZyFX46mL3piDyjg", "business_name": "Cup Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Funny-adult story about the 1st time I ate here. Starts with my BFF recovering from a breakup, there's 2 French Policemen on holiday & ends with the heart breaker & chicken satay. I've tried other dishes but always go back to the heart breaker & chicken satay. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't have them on the menu anymore because the funny story happened, well nevermind how long ago it was. It's still a funny story and the food at the cup is still GREAT!!! Subtracted a star because sometimes service is a little iffy. There's been some occasions when I feel like I've interrupted servers FUN TIME. But, most of the time service is good.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T17:14:31" }, { "business_id": "Ixj573yo0PMWFGXmnka9MA", "business_name": "The Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only had my bike for a few months & today was my first big outing. I was meeting friends at Rillito Park Race Track & wanted to really enjoy nature. A few clicks on my map app & a plan was born. Tucson really is a bike friendly town. I was able to safely ride from Yoga class to the where Tucson Blvd intersects with the bike path. I was a little concerned when I saw the end of road barriers at the end of Tucson Blvd. Then I thought that's for cars ding-a-ling. So, I threaded my way barriers to be greeted by a wonderful park. Then I turned on the path. There was lots of room & the center line was clearly marked. Fellow bikers & walkers were very friendly. A big thanks to the lady who helped me turn on the correct bridge. I'd subtract one half star because the bridges aren't marked. There was a huge map at the trail head but at that point I didn't need no stinking map.", "timestamp": "2012-03-05T06:45:48" }, { "business_id": "zGiOO2bxasexYRQt6y9ClA", "business_name": "JOANN Fabrics and Crafts", "rating": 4, "text": "I almost have enough yarn to open my own yarn shop. But I had to get more. It was on sale & I had a get an extra 15% off from my Joann Phone app. The fabric area in every fabric store always seems to be an area of high anxiety. I try to stay away. I needed some fabric for the lining of a purse I crocheted so I picked up some precut quilting fabric. The precut squares are only $1.99 for 18X21 piece. I'm no geometry wiz kid but that's not a square. Anyways, it was fast and cheap. Also got some yarn for some future projects. And some New hooks that were less than $3 with bamboo handles.", "timestamp": "2012-03-06T17:21:34" }, { "business_id": "1teRq-Q6XG6l-WoinZFX0g", "business_name": "The University of Arizona", "rating": 4, "text": "The U of OZ is a great school & a must see for any sightseeing trip. The admission process at any large school is bound to have hurdles. At OZ there's lots of little people to help you. Just like in the real Oz there's some double speak to translate. It's very exciting when you, the scarecrow, lion & tin man meet with your all knowing advisor the 1st time. Then meeting whit the advisor the last time before You get the coveted piece of paper. The road is not always yellow & easy to follow but when you're done you know you can do anything life tosses at you. The tourist will not see lions, tigers & bears. If you're lucky you'll see Wilbur the wildcat along with museums, concert halls & really nice restaurants. Plus I understand the basketball team isn't bad. Just arrive on campus & ask anyone for info. Everyone is really friendly. There's also a info office near the mall, the huge grassy area at the center of campus.", "timestamp": "2012-03-07T16:33:00" }, { "business_id": "1W657uKWvcMKIHaOmEOc-g", "business_name": "Caffe Milano", "rating": 5, "text": "Authentic Italian food without passport = Space time anomaly. Well, I've never been to Italy but I bet you all the change in my pocket the food is just like the lunch I had at Caffe Milano. While I was trying to decide what to have a regular popped in and started telling me what was good. He really could have saved himself a lot of words if he'd said the truth, It's all good. And you get a lot of food too. I had to skip dessert.", "timestamp": "2012-03-09T07:06:03" }, { "business_id": "6wzZ9FR3-bfqFz8ySgyavQ", "business_name": "Dickman's Meat & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "No clue why when I lived a little over a mile from the old location I never went here. But I'm so glad I did. I haven't had a sandwich that good in a long time. The side bow tie pasta salad was really good too. There's a great selection of take home meats, cheeses & fixings. Wild boar anyone?", "timestamp": "2012-03-10T11:02:13" }, { "business_id": "AXaeGUt_wSPjsLAWHpRFSQ", "business_name": "Church's Chicken", "rating": 3, "text": "When I need some comfort food Churches is my go to place. The service is good. I tell them how hungry I am and they work it out so I don't have to pay much. Last time I was here I was stuffed for less than $5.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T16:52:41" }, { "business_id": "MUOCeTGhL5llXe8GAuqOMA", "business_name": "Ike's Coffee & Tea", "rating": 4, "text": "Adult entertainment? No, but they do have an adult grilled cheese Sandwich. For the life of me I can't remember the name. It was goat cheese, tomato and spinach I think. I thought I had already written this review and I visited there weeks ago. I'll have to pop in again to give you the detailed info. But, I didn't want to delay the review any longer. Service was really good. The cook was sampling a yummy looking smoothie & I asked several probing questions. After a little awkwardness I confessed about being a YELPer & how we were going to have a juicing event soon. So, I was looking for interesting things to mix together for my juicing event shopping.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T17:02:31" }, { "business_id": "SgTZIh4nFftQxoXqX1eJcQ", "business_name": "Brandi Fenton Memorial Park", "rating": 4, "text": "The park is a great place to go on dates. There's not a lot of trees to duck behind and do whatever it is people do when they duck behind trees. But there is a lot of space and the air is really fresh. I think it would be a great place to play bocce ball. I have been here a few times for fundraising events and had a great time. Like I said there's lots of room to play frisbee or toss a ball. At the HOPE fundraiser we Hula hooped. Hadn't done that in over 20 years.", "timestamp": "2012-03-14T07:19:40" }, { "business_id": "rmmUhScUsA3xXbhDhRlb9A", "business_name": "Macy's", "rating": 4, "text": "I love the spring sales. The quality is real good too. I have skirts from over 10 years ago. I use to wear them ever week when I was working. They are just starting to look worn and I only paid $5 for 1 and $10 for the other. I couldn't make them for that price. I wish they had more made in America stuff but then would the skirt ever be marked down to $5? The staff is always nice and helpful. I usually get a sincerer hello. Not the please don't still anything hello. I think the times you enter a department and there's no one there that person is on break. Nice to see a company still employs the tried and true systems we used back in the day when I worked at a competing department store.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:01:51" }, { "business_id": "GNo1zeiPKErB7Ww_j3IlOg", "business_name": "The Tasteful Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "MGJ (mean green juice) ICE CREAM???!!! When I heard Isabella's Ice Cream had made MGJ for The Tasteful Kitchen, I made a bee line to them. To bad I was busy then they aren't open Mondays and Tuesdays so, yesterday was my first chance to enjoy. Everything was so delicious. I had quite a bit of food but wasn't too full for the ice cream. I had the mango butternut raw foods soup, the raw foods veggie burger with a salad and spicy sweet potato/carrot fries. This may actually be the diet for me. I'm not a huge fan of bread on a burger anyways. It kinda takes away the flavor and fills me up so I don't have room for Ice Cream. The service was impeccable. I felt like a queen on vacation. There's classes to learn how to cook or not cook like The Tasteful Kitchen staff.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:34:14" }, { "business_id": "_jADWOt1FkWMWGIlz30cew", "business_name": "Reid Park Biking/Walking Path", "rating": 5, "text": "If I had $100 for each step I took on this path, we'd all be rich! Just the right amount of everything is the key to this urban ParkBikingWalking path. The right amount of shade mixed with the right amount of sun. The right amount of cyclist mixed with walkers and runners tossed in for good measure. It's a beautiful doggy dance.", "timestamp": "2012-03-16T05:58:47" }, { "business_id": "uf3strC3s96XPOM502o5lw", "business_name": "Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block", "rating": 3, "text": "Tucson Museum of ART - Spring Artisans' Market is a great place to meet nice people and drown in creativity. And it's nice that the museum takes advantage of the increased traffic by opening it's doors for free. The only annoyance is when you find something you want to buy you have to go to a central cashier and pay for it then make your way back to the artists booth to collect the item. It's not so bad when I'm by myself but when I'm with my brother, Mr personality, we have to stop every 2 feet to say hi to someone he knows. Anyways, lots of hugs and flesh pressing.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:12:49" }, { "business_id": "dh1C733vVNx7BaIBmwMwNQ", "business_name": "Cafe A La Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "Had some mind blowing Irish car bomber cupcakes at the Irish cook off last weekend. So, I made sure when I was downtown to pop in and see what else they offered. I'd eaten here PY (PreYelp). What can I say when you're enjoying something with the intent of writing about it later, you notice things you didn't notice before. Like I ordered potato salad (don't know why, cuz I don't like potatoes) when may plate was brought out I thought they had made a mistake because I didn't see any potatoes. Lots of yummy marinated seasoned fresh veggies. I knew they were yummy before I tasted them cuz of the smell. So I dug in, and well look at that potatoes in my potato salad. And the potatoes tasted good. The review I was writing in my head had gone from 5 stars to 2 and up to 6 stars. Oops have to factor in the chai tea latte, brisket sandwich and chocolate chip walnut cookie. Ladies & gentlemen we have broken the YELP star barrier. The loud boom you just heard is the sound made by the smashing of molecules when a company gets more than 10 stars. I have to meet with the Big Bang Theory cast to have the physics explained but Cafe a la C'Art has blown my mind again.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:35:17" }, { "business_id": "tBWjMqUc0yP5lRElCfDaKg", "business_name": "1702", "rating": 4, "text": "My BFF would move in here if he could. I usually only go here with my crazy friends who make it hard to have a good experience. They are kinda rude to the staff but the staff is always nice and helpful. The other day was my 1st time alone to try the chicken ice cream. It was good and so was the pesto pizza. Service was really good too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T07:23:41" }, { "business_id": "rTxjTF2FgHpyHdMbhBuMBg", "business_name": "Caravan Mideastern Foods", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't greeted when I entered but I did get a hardy goodbye. They have lots of yummy stuff for competitive prices. I got a huge container of Nutella for about $5. Can't find the receipt but I know it wasn't $6. My neighbor told me about Caravan. She said they do a lot of their, oh poo we forgot ________ shopping at Caravan.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T16:11:35" }, { "business_id": "EW2mdIhlnowmtp1JY6MhPA", "business_name": "Himmel Park", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a nice resting spot when I'm biking home form downtown. I wasn't really tired but it filled my heart with joy to hear all the kids running and playing. I sat and cranked out a few pages on my book. Afternoons during the week is a good time to go if you're not into crowds. There's all kinds of events happening on the weekends. From birthday jumping castles to jousting. I think I've seen a soccer game or two. Now that I think about it these events happen late afternoons too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-22T00:48:31" }, { "business_id": "PGlHVBkiCvfNE9yDes1lOw", "business_name": "Aqua Vita", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes these neighborhood markets have iffy produce & some smell bad. And if you're real lucky the employees are rude. But not this neighborhood market. Fresh delicious produce and dairy. Nice frozen food section. The prices are high. But I guess that's to be expected when they don't have the buying power of the big stores.", "timestamp": "2012-03-23T00:36:37" }, { "business_id": "LMAqSWASePVhhOZkUs2vvQ", "business_name": "UA BookStores", "rating": 3, "text": "It's a college bookstore but not just for students. But, it's still a college bookstore. The prices aren't very competitive but the store is usually clean. Customer service is sometimes hard to find but when you get someone they are friendly and helpful. There's a lot of community outreach events like the children's book program. I met Clifford the Big Red Dog. He didn't bite when I asked him to take a picture with me. Like I said it's a college bookstore so parking is a little challenging. I suggest biking, busing or the trolley when it's up and going.", "timestamp": "2012-03-26T18:08:39" }, { "business_id": "d26VEnmSq_r2wJ35L9RYUw", "business_name": "Little Mexico Steakhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Margaritas, Flat Enchiladas & Green Corn Tamales. Several friends stopped by on our way back to town after a visit to the reservation. We had been in the hot sun for a few hours with just warm water to wet our whistles so that may be why the clean, fresh, not-2-sweet-not-2-alcoholey Rita pitchers were so good. I guess I'll have to do more investigating darn. Then the food arrived. More taste explosions and sirens. All this and the service was quick and friendly too. Then to top it off the bathroom was clean and there was a hook for my purse.", "timestamp": "2012-04-16T05:08:55" }, { "business_id": "X1oJuhLy8JxzmXkWLCqW6g", "business_name": "Baggin's Gourmet Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "The Unforgettable is unforgettable. I use to work across the street from a now closed Baggin's. The plan was to start at the top and work my way through the sandwich list. Well, after one bite of the Unforgettable the plan was scrapped. Over the years I've tried other Baggin's sandwiches but I still keep going back to my 1st love. I've been to this location several times and it's always Unforgettably fantastic.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:06:55" }, { "business_id": "J_w5J7dgRpyB4GFiBJIDIg", "business_name": "Xoom Juice", "rating": 4, "text": "I promise I'm not an alien from another planet but I'm not a fan of smoothies as a meal. With that said I love the spoon Xoom Spoon Velvet Amazon. With the Hemp Granola it is very filling. The service has always been with a smile even when it gets busy and loud.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:13:24" }, { "business_id": "5nOTwLs2lCpsFwZzHA6Hvg", "business_name": "Rubio's", "rating": 4, "text": "I Heart grilled fish taco's washed down with a cold beer. The service is always friendly and fast. there's great music too. I always feel like I've spent lots of money to get to some remote island where all of my cares have been washed away by the ocean.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:18:53" }, { "business_id": "X-IMyKLRxkspQYLKBed8sA", "business_name": "Hope Animal Shelter", "rating": 4, "text": "I love going to Hope events and visiting the warm cuddles there. They sponsor classes about communicating with your animal how to catch a star cat and all kinds of health issues. The staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:32:58" }, { "business_id": "sOjbtBWo-m6rpjHv4tA_oQ", "business_name": "Brewd Coffee & Food", "rating": 4, "text": "There's no excuse not to go here during the construction because 6th Ave is a 2 way street now. I hesitate to write a favorable review because during the construction a lot of people have been staying away so it's very quite and peaceful. I hung out here for a few hours the other day to finish reading a book that was due back to the library. Very comfortable seats and friendly service. I had a flat-bread sandwich that was really good. Lots of plugs for all your devices. Next time I'm bringing in my bike battery and charging it.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:45:50" }, { "business_id": "2h0D_jeKy81uZgpZGZmGPA", "business_name": "Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue", "rating": 4, "text": "McGarrett: Book em Danno Williams: What's the charge? McGarrett: Selling yummy Hawaii style food on the main land. Williams: That won't hold up in court! McGarrett: I don't care Danno! I want these guys to go down. Williams: Well ya know what I think? McGarrett: NO!!! And please don't tell me! Williams: I'm telling you anyways my uninspired friend. McGarrett: I'm not listening! Williams: When Tucsonians taste this food they get Hawaii fever and will watch our show more. McGarrett: Oh, good point. Hey all you Tucsonians hang ten to MHBBQ for the Hawaii Chicken sandwich. Don't forget dessert. Passion squares, Lemon bars & cream cheese brownies make you escape the blazing desert heat & enjoy the soft Hawaiian breeze. For an additional visual experience watch my show. Williams: MY SHOW?!?!?!?", "timestamp": "2012-05-09T16:50:41" }, { "business_id": "D44IBRDtEScaWELey5IfCA", "business_name": "May's Counter Chicken And Waffles", "rating": 2, "text": "I had considered purchasing a home around the corner from May's so I could wonder over in my PJs. But the last couple of times I went made me glad I didn't impulse buy a HOUSE. As a frequent visitor (at least once a week) I knew all of the wait staff and some of the cooks. Everyone was very friendly, then there was a change in ownership/management. And a lot of the friendly staff left. Then the waffle recipe changed. I was assured it hadn't. So, the gang and I got together for a visit and all agree the waffles tasted generic. So, I stopped ordering the waffles and tried some of the other offerings. I noticed salads and chicken pieces getting smaller and the prices going up. So, now instead of going ever week I may make it to May's once a month. I would have given 1 star but I've been getting emails about music nights. the musicians have great profiles and look promising. The only thing is the music offerings are not consistent and whenever there's an event I have previous plans.", "timestamp": "2012-12-03T18:05:28" }, { "business_id": "Hi4AgS-uR-lEOF4oZl546g", "business_name": "China Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "I was a little concerned when I read the first sentence of Mark S's review, \"Probably the most authentic Chinese food I have had since visiting Chinatown in San Francisco.\" When I was in San Francisco I had what I was told was authentic Chinese food and I didn't like it. Also, Here in Tucson I've been to \"authentic Chinese food\" establishments and ended up with a pile of napkins filled with food my tongue rejected. I've always felt a little embarrassed but try as I may I couldn't drink enough beer, water or wine to get the food to go down my throat. However, at China Pasta house everything was great. The dumplings were cooked to perfection. Usually there's something crazy with the texture (to wormy). I tried some of my neighbor's noodle soup and it was good too. So, I was excited to get my Spicy Fried Rice Cake with Shrimp. It was everything I'd hoped for in an authentic Chinese Restaurant. I was thinking one of those fried rice cakes you get at the store but fresh and yummy but what I got was a yummy mix of a firm rice cake sliced to perfection, fresh crisp veggies and lots of shrimp. I offered to share with my neighbor but thank God she said no because I'm going to relive the ecstasy for lunch. Leftovers ROCK!", "timestamp": "2012-12-06T16:51:45" } ]	{ "business_id": "KbSpEQ_54ovgNxOoxKP79g", "business_name": "Time Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Great Pizza!!! My summer resolution is to have Time market Pizza every Friday night for the next 10 years. They have traditional and not so traditional options. The staff is very professional and friendly. I love the way the thin crust crackles and cheese cheesles.", "timestamp": "2012-12-14T15:54:12" }
pYXeL0RCqus2IfhthYCOyA	[ { "business_id": "pqHCY2NE8_aVl0EsDRbUtg", "business_name": "Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que", "rating": 5, "text": "Crisp slaw & spicy sauce are the 2 things that get me fired up about BBQ! FD has these in spades. Then top it off with a selicious selection of Home-style Desserts, bring out the cot I'm moving in here!!! It only gets better when I can bring friends & family who can find eats to wet their palate & want to pull out a pallet too.", "timestamp": "2011-07-11T16:49:02" }, { "business_id": "U_NCpKQDf3z7qSBjvv4U0Q", "business_name": "Cafe Desta", "rating": 5, "text": "Naked brick walls for art, Yummy food with a sprinkle of great conversation? Must be Cafe Desta. Yes, there's lots of places with art on brick and maybe some have food but very few, if any, have the fun knowledgeable owners/staff of Cafe Desta. From the moment I walked in the door till I left, I felt welcomed and pampered. After my rough day shopping I needed to be coddled. And I was totally spoiled! I was offered a drink and chose mint tea. This wasn't your grandma's teabag, it was ambrosia mint tea. No bitterness or paper tea bag taste. While sipping my teabrosia, I had a long talk with . . . . . I'm calling him Tee, and decided on the cubed lamb because they can put the hot stuff on the side. It was so yummy, even the hot sauce/paste was flavorful. The cheese reminded me of cheese curd and made me miss Wisconsin. I didn't think I'd like the veggies that came with the lamb dish because they had cooked carrots and I don't like cooked carrots. So, I can't say I don't like cooked carrots any more because these were so good mixed with green beans in a tomatolishes sauce. Enough of my rambling. Let me add on the obvious if you know anything about Ethiopian food. They have family style and single servings. I needed a to go container and guess what? Tee boxed it for me.", "timestamp": "2012-01-05T07:27:20" }, { "business_id": "RFIHFxmNH9dM0ouz2N8ZjQ", "business_name": "Cafe Marcel", "rating": 5, "text": "I was just checking my stats and realized all my reviews are 5 stars. What can I say, I always get great service. Like I did 2 times at Cafe Marcel. It was so good yesterday, I made my big brother take me today. Michelle & Joe's restaurant is like coming home to my French Granny's. I'm sure I don't have a French Granny and Michelle & Joe aren't old enough to be my Grandparents. Still I felt welcomed and left full of good food. Taste buds spinning so much I left my long sleeve shirt. Had to take it off cuz just like at Granny's they had the heat on so I was comfy. I had the Feta cheese, Tomato Pesto Crepe. Michelle says it doesn't matter how you pronounce it cuz it's all good. So do I.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T01:40:35" }, { "business_id": "LRr-aw58xVMkUu0OSL_BpQ", "business_name": "The Little One", "rating": 5, "text": "I HEART a company when an employee/owner recognizes you when you were just there a week before. That's what happened at Little Cafe Poca Cosa. This action lets me know the hugs aren't just a gimmick. I try to go on off hours so I don't get jammed in there with all the suits from the downtown offices. But even when I do. I take that as an opportunity to meet someone new. So, I've always had prompt friendly service. Except that one time when I was talking to this really cute suit and the waitress kept bothering us. I love the fact that they encourage you to only eat what you think you can eat so they don't have to waste food. I also like that they give back to the community. Oops, I forgot to tell you about the food. Very health-yummy!", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T02:35:25" }, { "business_id": "2njTjQ35skXN171KoobeGg", "business_name": "Raging Sage", "rating": 5, "text": "Well Jiminy Crickets!!! I wish I could give these guys 1 star then maybe it will not be as crowded. The good news is I've seen lots of cute guys here and when it's crowded you may have to share a table or even a chair. How fun would that be? OK, enough funnin'. Let's talk coffee and baked goods. Actually we don't have to talk coffee and baked goods because they're both so good you can have one without the other. Now I have a craving for and Ed O'Neil movie.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:51:01" }, { "business_id": "BxRHz-iSQGCGSuAGwkeUsw", "business_name": "Albertsons", "rating": 5, "text": "I use to take the bus past 2 other stores to get to this store because of the great selection, knowledgeable staff & fair prices. Now I live about 1/2 mile closer to another store in the opposite direction of the Albertson's. But Al and his staff are still my choice.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:55:08" }, { "business_id": "0THt7q5pk6FBVYjeGsITaA", "business_name": "Al's Ace Hardware", "rating": 5, "text": "Ace is the place with the helpful hardware WOman! I'm always greeted with a smile & offers of help. The cool part is they let me poke around just looking at the cool stuff. I'm a multimedia artist and sometimes just browsing in a hardware store can bring up suppressed Ace. Oops Art. Then when an idea pops in my head the WOman help me get it out and into my cart.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T04:04:08" }, { "business_id": "7_1GqlDlbkShY0az7J0XNg", "business_name": "LaCo", "rating": 4, "text": "La Cocina is a great place for a healthy lunch & relaxing. I don't recommend it if you're in a hurry. There's of shops, coffee house, restaurant and bar all staffed by a minimal number of people. But, it's worth a little wait because not only does it taste good, you're not going to add much weight. I've tried the quinoa, veggies in peanut sauce with tofu and felt the pounds come off. So, I had the Chocolate tofu pie thinking the pounds would come back but they didn't. I was full but not stuffed and no sugar crash. I also had the Mediterranean appetizer plate and felt was fully satisfied. I started with the hibiscus lemon-aid. Like everything else full of flavor not too sweet. Cuz I'm sweet enough.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:00:26" }, { "business_id": "bo_03Xq6RenVdK3yVuDGiA", "business_name": "Nimbus Brewing", "rating": 4, "text": "I love it when a plan come together! My brother and I went to Nimbus to hear Amosphere, a local based band. Usually the band plays from 10pm to 1 or 2 am & that's too late for us on days we have to get up early. Saturday (1/7/12) the band started at 7 but I had a late lunch so was ready to eat when I got there. We sat there for what seems like hours as the waitresses ran orders to & from the small window. I kept trying to give them the sign but they we so busy. Plus as I found out later the waitress don't take drink orders, you've gotta go to the bar. I must have been giving the give me a beer now sign and not the give me food now sign. It really wasn't hours it was just about 15 to 20 minutes. When a waitress came over to offer a humongous platter of chicken nachos for free cuz someone couldn't eat around the jalapenos. The nachos would have been a steal at twice the price. Great music & great food washed down with a pint of Nimbus Old Monkeyshine Ale, an exceptional example of a true, traditional-style English Pub beer.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:25:58" }, { "business_id": "yJZbNhVoTdhcI9dYVzLJuQ", "business_name": "Playground Bar & Lounge", "rating": 5, "text": "Indian Jones I'm not but I did unearth this Jewel in the desert. Well, actually I stumbled upon it. I was hungry and popped into the Hub for something yummy. I saw the ad I've been seeing for months that Playground would be opening soon. Well It was today at 4pm; I'd call that soon. The HUB Restaurant owner started the fire that got this diamond to the glimmering state it is in today. I was greeted by doormen dressed in Tucson Dressy. I was still wearing my layers of thermal and turtle neck I had on when I left the house this morning but I was still welcomed. While most of the guests were dressed for an evening of adult Recess on the Playground, there were others who came as they were. It wasn't crowded and there's enough playground equipment so you don't have to wait for your libation. I'm going to say even when they're at capacity you should still be able to get your drink on in a timely manner. I really liked the low seating in a far east/Mediterranean style. Not to far to fall, just in case. Speaking of style, I could live in the ladies room. I love the urban-rip-the-space-time fabric, we're in New York feel. Bare-brick walls mixed with vinyl wallpaper and mirrors. The good kind of mirrors that make you look smaller than you are. But the one above the sink had a video of how to put make-up on. The only thing missing was a lady selling make-up cuz I didn't have any. I'm going back as they open at 4pm and that's way before my bed time.", "timestamp": "2012-01-13T03:17:18" }, { "business_id": "8wkPLsDbGU3GcW8CoD-4aA", "business_name": "Caffe Luce", "rating": 5, "text": "Finally a place to spend my federation credits. I had heard about companies using iPads as cash registers but this is the 1st time I interacted with one. On the iPad it gives you tip options I think that's nice just in case you forget. I love the decor too. Behind the food prep area is a sign that reads Congress & 5th posted on \"subway\" tile. I know if you've been in some of the subways around the country, the thought of your food being prepared there might not sound palatable but you can't miss with this vegetarian menu. I heard people ordering coffee and they sounded happy with the results. It was after 1pm so I had wine. I was thinking wine spritzer and they accommodated by serving a glass of wine with a jelly glass jar of made on the spot sparkling water. And a smile to boot. There's a nifty system for getting a food order from the cash register to the prep area. It's written on an old fashion order form then attached to an alligator clip hung from a trolley type line on the ceiling. Then it's Zip-lined on the magnetic orderslip delivery system. I love it when new and old comes together.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:04:54" }, { "business_id": "9hVDlAouG9J1ORXOlBi44g", "business_name": "Summit Hut", "rating": 5, "text": "I Heart Summit Hut because they don't look at me a judge that I'm not an outdoors person. And even though I'm not they have lots of things I use like water bottles, t-shirts and unusual nicknacks. I was looking for solar cell phone options and they had them. One was a complete kid with rechargeable batteries and the other was for charging everything from your iPhone to your old no name MP3 player. I was very impressed with the teamwork. I asked a question from the single guy standing at the registers and he didn't call anyone he just grabbed the keys and began helping me. Another employee saw the void and popped into the vacant area, very smooth. I bet there's a couple of football and basketball teams that could benefit from taking a Summit Hut customer training class.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:28:11" }, { "business_id": "vdCQoE2il097-vc_gIQzYw", "business_name": "Bruegger's Bagels", "rating": 4, "text": "I use to pop into this Bruegger's between buses on my way to Pima west campus. I've always gotten great service. Sometimes some of the customer's are slow but the employees are great that they match the customer that way customer's who have time do not feel rushed.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:31:24" }, { "business_id": "OvC4Ecgzk2SI7R8qD0rk9Q", "business_name": "Sky Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "When I 1st read about Sky Bar I couldn't wait to check it out. That was over a year ago. I'd pop in just to cool off when it was over 90 and for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to stroll 4th Ave. I dropped in for a cool drink and it's not what I expected. You have to bring your party with you. At least when I was there things were very clicky. The point is if I'm bringing my party with me, we could just go to the store and buy the same stuff they serve there & hang at a friend's house.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T05:57:22" }, { "business_id": "J6EXRXbejBgOv4SWamMEAA", "business_name": "Culver's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been hearing about this place as if it's the second coming of the Messiah. Upscale fast food is still fast food. I'd pay a little extra for a maitre d, waitron and a bus-person . I don't mind ordering at the counter I think it was the large lighted menu over the back of the order-taker's head that made me feel like a clown or a king was going to come at me any second. I had the prime-rib sandwich. It was flavorful, tender and juicy. Most importantly the bread was very good and held-up nicely. I washed it down with a chocolate shake and it was no king or queen. Messiah? No, maybe John his cousin.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T07:16:52" }, { "business_id": "g7WfbAnXnMVXVNcc0SBM3A", "business_name": "Performance Bicycle", "rating": 2, "text": "I think they expect you to look like a Performance Cyclist or you don't get any help. Not even a smile or a please don't steal anything hello. I wandered around for almost 10 minutes without any acknowledgement that I might be a paying customer. The same thing happened the last time I went into this store. They're the closest bike shop to me and when I called to check hours the guy was really nice. I must have a Performance Cyclist's voice. Good thing I'm smart cuz I was able to cruised around and find out they didn't have bike grease. There were lots of other customer's there getting good service so, I don't think they're to be avoided if you look the part.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:44:14" }, { "business_id": "T7ybhSamtbgI2Ece8Z8IHQ", "business_name": "RC Bicycles", "rating": 5, "text": "Double up those stars! RC get 10 stars from me. This was my 3rd shop to try and find bike grease. And let's not talk about cell minutes used. It was a nice day so I started walking to the 1st place that was about 1 mile away, the next place was about 1.2 miles from the 1st place and RC was a little less than a mile from the 2nd place. What a great workout? The nice young man working by himself at RC took time to advise me that most people do not attempt to put together their bikes. I explained to him that it was just the front wheel, seat and peddles. Plus, I had no way to get the bike to a shop. So, he gave me some tips and grease and away I went. Guess where I'm buying all of my accessories?", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:58:10" }, { "business_id": "57Vny0AxGdEQBETfd7xU4A", "business_name": "Chopstix Asian Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "DH and I 1st rolled in here when they 1st opened. Because of the location we thought we'd better get in there before it closes. Well here we are years later and I finally got my big bro in the Stixs for dinner. It's not on my normal beaten path but when I find myself in the area it's my go to place. There's a few fast food places near but if you're looking for a good quick lunch, their buffet can not be beat with multiple options for less than $7.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T01:59:22" }, { "business_id": "wa_bwyY57etHjtJ2Fw0E3g", "business_name": "Pita Jungle", "rating": 4, "text": "If I had a penny for every time I had plans to eat at the Jungle but plans fell through, I could retire. Well, maybe take a few days off. I told the hostess about my trouble getting there and she made sympathetic noises. I went for the happy hour \"tapas\" so I could try a little of everything. The baba ghanouj's flavors were distinct and mingled perfectly. The pita was just the right thickness and slightly crispy so the baba didn't smash into the ghanouj. My waiter suggested the lemon chicken and if it wasn't half jerky-ed, it would have been great, All the flavors were there except for the ones that slipped away with the moisture. The Baklava more than made up for the chicken mishap. So, instead of 3 stars we're doing 4.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:30:14" }, { "business_id": "gAB-cDpBycjonNkiQMLCqw", "business_name": "Rita Ranch RV & Self Storage", "rating": 4, "text": "These kids now days have everything. I had to wash my dog in the bathtub, uphill both ways. Really, this is a great idea. I'd never even heard of it till I was visiting friends and family in the area. It's $5 for 10 minutes and just like when you wash your car it's up to you how you spend your minutes. Well not exactly like the car, the car doesn't try to bite or sit on the hose. You don't have to give the car treats to get it to into the wash area. And most importantly the car doesn't shake stinky wet dog water all over you during and after the wash. But that's all on the dog. The owners have done a good job of partitioning the areas where up to 8 dogs can be washed at a time with 2 at each of the four areas. I'm just thinking a little more space might be good. even my little niece had a hard time getting on the other side of the dog to help keep her (the dog) settled.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:54:32" }, { "business_id": "UIlOq8dHsaqOqTZJVvI8tQ", "business_name": "McDonald's", "rating": 5, "text": "Hands down best McDonald's experience ever. We were in and out in no time even-though I had no clue what I wanted because I haven't seen a McDonald's menu in years. Well almost in and out in no time. I had to order the chocolate shake just when the machine decided to run out of chocolate. The reason for the 5 stars is the cashier apologizing over and over. Give the \"man\" a raise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:59:55" }, { "business_id": "NnuxEbv5rlz0HOg0XM8EAw", "business_name": "Purple Heart Park: Ivan's Spot", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a wonderful area to play, sit, run, jump and even worship. Sometimes, my old church has a \"Spring Fling\" service at this park. It's large enough so while we're doing our thing with the band and the jumping castles other park goers while welcomed are not overcome by the noise. By that I mean they can hear it us but it's not like we got the bass cranked up. But on this day, it wasn't spring like at all. We drove the mile to the park just in case the clouds decided not to just look cold but also let loose some rain. We had the park to our selves except for a few other brave souls or kids/dogs who don't understand bad weather. A great time was had by all and we got some much needed exercise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:09:18" }, { "business_id": "OOoxH_7PHboLOZjvLKmt7g", "business_name": "Target", "rating": 4, "text": "I was glad when this Target opened giving new life to my beloved El Con mall. I have a love hate relationship with the grocery department. Yes, I don't have to make that extra stop but it makes the target bill higher. This day I was looking for bike tools and grease. They really don't have much in the way of tools and that makes since sine because they have a home improvement store next door. But, because they sale bikes I was thinking this would be a good place for bike grease. Nope! In lieu of having employees to help how about a few of those you-are-here maps? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's short and can't see the signs above the tall shelves.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:31:15" }, { "business_id": "1vLZFm0f85DwB5jCeA7Olg", "business_name": "Sir Veza's Taco Garage", "rating": 1, "text": "What we have here Gentlemen is a failure to maintain the quality of service and food we started with when we opened. There is an inverse relationship between price and food eat-ability. The prices have gone up while food savor has decreased.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T06:34:29" }, { "business_id": "wJmyu7W1K9A_gE8Ed4Bc9w", "business_name": "Trident Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been in love with this place for years. Haven't been in for a while and was afraid they had updated their menu. But they hadn't. I had my all time fave, peel-n-eat shrimp steamed in Old Bay with a side salad. Washed down with a Black n Tan. The service was quick, friendly and efficient.", "timestamp": "2012-01-26T19:48:58" }, { "business_id": "NesMl0Tiq1FsPoX2LzHkNg", "business_name": "PJ Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I love it when a plan comes together! A few days before I tried PJ Subs my brother and I were talking about where to get a great sub in town. We had given up on finding a good place. The next day, in a friends car, I saw the sign I must have flown past many times. But since I had Subs on the brain it stuck this time. I had to make a note to myself because I don't hangout at the corner of 6th & Tucson as much as I use to back in the day. Not sure why, it's a perfectly good corner. I wasn't sure what door to enter, didn't want to interrupt a mechanic in the middle of an Auto-pay. Turns out no cars or car fumes just good-friendly service & good food. I had the roast beef on rye with a beer can't remember the name of cause this was a while ago. After some planning & rescheduling, I was able to introduce my brother to PJ's he liked it too. As the little sister it's nice to show my big brother a SUB or 2.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T06:39:28" }, { "business_id": "T1E8IfL27VEeVa9jGjnl3w", "business_name": "Goodwill Thrift Store and Donation Center", "rating": 5, "text": "Doin' The Snoopy dance & elephant walk like an Egyptian. I love the deals at thrift stores, but I do not like the smell they sometimes have. Add to the smell the messiness and I'm outta there. If I wanted to look through piles of clothes and junk accompanied by an unidentifiable smell, I'd have stayed at home. This location has always been a gem on the pinkie finger of 4th Ave. You're strolling along heading south you can see the underpass coming up there's a few bars then you're in downtown. But, wait there's an unassuming door at this building that looks like a Goodwill storage facility. It's not a storage facility it's a very nice store with clean affordable clothes, jewelry, books, furniture & more. This Shopanista's nirvana was reached when she noticed 2 each, men's & women's restrooms also clean and tidy! Well, the one woman's I went to was. I would have been doing the Snoopy dance even if there wasn't a guy right outside playing The Linus & Lucy song followed by The Elephant Walk. I love both of those songs so I was walking like an Egyptian when I strolled out of there with my new Shel Silverstein book, Falling Up for $7.99.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:34:07" }, { "business_id": "bTBRqXfF-A1R-ShOsr7kbg", "business_name": "Monkey Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "Love this Monkey BEST! The General Manager, Ralphie, remembered my usual order & I haven't been to the Monkey in months. That's customer service folks. My order, that Ralphie remembered was served quickly! My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly, tasted great. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great, was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great & was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries, had a side of the tastiest Bar-B-Que sauce this side of . . . anywhere! Oh, BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:44:05" }, { "business_id": "nayQkd06InyPDfX12IjjWw", "business_name": "AMC Foothills 15", "rating": 2, "text": "I took 3 buses to get; here? I'll never do that again! Unless I forget none of the seats recline. I'm surprised I noticed the seat deficiency still being shell shocked from paying $15 for a bottle of water, juice and a SMALL bag of popcorn. I don't even like popcorn but I wanted to get into the whole movie spirit. No, I'm not an alien from another mother. I usually don't go to theaters because of the crowds and you can't pause or rewind. Let's face it, when I'm in my intimate home, it's easier to imagine I'm the leading lady. The leading man falling under my irresistible spell. As expected the movie, One for the Money, was worth every inconvenience & I will be buying this one for my small collection!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:03:48" }, { "business_id": "TAUGnIQDR9-m23DWLZ0dow", "business_name": "Sushi Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "First time at this location! Same great service, same great food, as the old Broadway & new Broadway locations. I wasn't starving, so had a glass of the green tea and the Rainbow Roll. Totally hit the spot. I love that they don't try to bulldoze more food into you. Don't take my word for it! When the guy at the next table asked to speak to a manager I thought here we go, he's going to complain about being served raw fish. (Really, that happened one time at a sushi restaurant. That was our last date!) But, not this guy, evidently he & his companion attend the garden frequently & wanted to let the management know \"our\" waiter had done an exceptional job. I thought he had done the usually upstanding \"Garden\" variety service. Maybe I should have ordered more food.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:35:20" }, { "business_id": "qoJH8TCkmXor8BXOcgD5zQ", "business_name": "Chicago Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I use to live here when I was single. I had heard there were new owners and was under the impression a remodeling had been done. The only thing I noticed that was no low top tables. Being short I like to sit in the low chairs. I can see why these wouldn't be popular because you can't see the band if you're sitting low. So, get up and dance or belly up to the bar & get ignored. If all else fails go to the ladies' room. Ok, maybe there was some slight remolding here. The stall-doors stay closed, Oh wait, I was there before it got crowded. Back in the day, the doors worked great if you were the only one in there but if someone was in the stall next to you, the force of them pulling their door shut caused your door to fly open. Anyways, it's still a Dive!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:17:36" }, { "business_id": "W7NxQw8UYFR0HLPrI08tvw", "business_name": "Chipotle Mexican Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Don't know what it is but If my tummy's feeling icky, I can count on Chipotle's stake to fix me up. I just have to remember not to go during full on lunch time. I usually go between 2 & 4 when it's peaceful and calm. Busy or not the service is always friendly and fast!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:21:25" }, { "business_id": "ZXXGB-xi6n3RE3X1OzRR6g", "business_name": "Walgreens", "rating": 4, "text": "The microwave did it! When it takes 3-5 minutes to heat up a yummy meal in a box, you get the idea everything should take 3-5 minutes. So, when the Pharm asst said I had to wait 30 minutes for my meds I thought Id drop dead of hunger. It was a lovely January afternoon so I walked the 1/2 mile from the dentist office to the drugstore. By the time I got there the bowl of cereal from 7:30 am was long gone & I was advised it would take 1/2 hour to prepare my meds. There's several fantastic options for lunch in the area but, none of them were 1/2 hour options so I waited & shopped. I must have been in all out shopaholic mode because I didn't hear my name called. I did check in with the Pharm asst after 35 minutes and my meds were ready. How much? And that's with the Pharm discount card? This is where the lost star went. This discount card has been a little crazy. You're suppose to get credit for buying \"Walgreen's\" products. Then when you buy stuff you swipe your card the credits are applied to your purchase. Plus the pharmacy is to automatically know you have the card and the discount applied. The Pharm assit didn't know if the discount had been applied when she advised the amount of my meds. Plus evidently my card is to expire next month. I renewed it this month because I could do it for $5 instead of $20. Sale ending the day I was there. Other than the discount card issue everyone was very helpful and friendly. I received an appropriate amount of \"please don't steal anything smiles & offers of help\" while I shopped. Not a good idea to hit the Pharm if you're hungry because evidently the lunchroom with microwave is nearby. While I was waiting for the Pharm assit to figure out if I received the card discount, we smelled something yummy that was ready to eat in 3-5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:23:51" }, { "business_id": "AKFahOtdDQA7NVXZyDajCA", "business_name": "Trader Joe's", "rating": 4, "text": "I loves me some TJ's!!! Just an overall comment I'm sure everyone knows, don't fall in love with any product you buy at a TJ's, because they may discontinue it without warning. This location has the same great friendly service I've come to enjoy from all TJ's. And the food's good too! BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:30:30" }, { "business_id": "9fOkyQs0TcVqqe_5c51b_w", "business_name": "Cheba Hut Toasted Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I feel like I'm hanging with the cool kids when I go to Cheba Hut. I love the KGB, roast beef with real grated horseradish. I sometimes think I'll try something different but the horseradish calls my name.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:09:19" }, { "business_id": "Gekeq1c-fuezmx0PSGQvzw", "business_name": "East Coast Super Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "Found my lost love! I use to go ECSS when I was attending the U of A. The other day I was in the old neighborhood and thought the place was closed. I found myself in the neighborhood again, HONEST IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. This time I vowed not to leave till I got the scoop. I walked around the big red adobe wall, entered the gate, walked through the eerily quite courtyard. Suddenly I had saw the headline, \"body of Debbi W found (wherever) last seen in the U of A area near the abandoned business, East Coast Super Subs. I thought I heard a man call my name from the other side of the fence. I jumped. Finally I was close enough to the window to look inside and there were people in there. The glass was tinted so, their zombiness was not determined till I opened the door. I was greeted with a hello and May I help you? I ordered and received quickly the best roast-beef sandwich I'd had since I was last at ECSS when they were on 6th Street near Campbell and I was still an undergrad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:39:54" }, { "business_id": "WRZEQEDsZoTB8MfgUex45Q", "business_name": "Temple Of Music And Art", "rating": 5, "text": "Not a bad seat in the house. I love it when you can see a show without doing the bobblehead dance with the heads in front of you. The tiered seating is expertly layered that unless you're sitting behind a 7 foot tall person you'll be-able to see over the persons in-front of you. While the seating is important, before you get to your seat you're welcomed into the Temple and are prepared for your music/art enlightenment. At some ceremonies there's 1 or 2 carts in the courtyard serving sweets/snacks/drinks. Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS was very good and I'm glad I got to see it at the Temple. I laughed so hard my stomach started to hurt & tears were flowing.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:22:07" }, { "business_id": "p86gxGhlZEE9I9icCyJqFA", "business_name": "Safeway", "rating": 4, "text": "When I lived off 22nd street I would pass 2 other stores on my bike to get to this store because of it's fresh produce and friendly service. I popped in here the other day to grab some water cuz I forgot my water bottle again. It was like coming home to family. Different employees but still fun and friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:27:42" }, { "business_id": "qOw6FD59FvUMmkaTjVqS8Q", "business_name": "Tucson Food Truck Roundup", "rating": 5, "text": "Are you going to Tucson Food Truck Round-Up? Parsley, sage, STRAWBERRY and thyme . . . (album screeches to a stop!) Strawberry you say? Yep! Strawberry & Thyme is the Cyclopsicle I had! If you love sweet & savory, you've gotta try this. If you don't love sweet & savory you've gotta try this. It will blow your mind! In addition, to the great food there was great music! The Shawn Kebler Trio 4:30 - 6:00 then Those Beatles Guys 6:15 - 7:45. As if that wasn't enough, there's artist doing there magic right in front of you. Check out the pics of Mel Dominguez and David Tineo. Their art & energetic personalities were a great addition to the food, fun and frolicking.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T19:02:26" }, { "business_id": "gKpsoVjBEnrNkzaOfxpOUA", "business_name": "Fox Tucson Theatre", "rating": 5, "text": "I almost broke my sacroiliac again & loved it! Seeing Starting Over - The Lennon Experience at the Fox reminded me of going to concerts in the mid to late seventies with general admission & huge dance floors. Of course The Fox doesn't have general admission & there wasn't a huge dance floor but the seats are spaced far enough apart that you can really get your motor running. There's assigned seating & crowd control but I didn't get the feeling I was in a police state. That would have been the opposite of the Lennon message. Time was on my side at this concert because the band started way before my bedtime and when it was past my bedtime, 8:30, I was still rocking and rolling. I knew the crowd was getting really revved up when I saw the huge bouncer advance to the stage. He did a great job of deterring fans from jumping on the stage or tossing any unmentionables at anyone. Luckily I had my YELP friends with me to hole me back. After the concert was over my friends and I stood in line to get autographs. After all of the excitement, I wanted to head out on the highway but opted for the quick drive home. I was very glad the Fox is downtown and not way out of town like some of the music venues. I really loved this event and am very happy Fox was the location for the World Premiere of Starting Over - the Lennon Experience. I'm going to start checking out the webpage more for stuff to do. A few people we turned off by alterations in some lyrics but I bet that's because of copyright issues. You know what I say to changed lyrics . . . Don't let the man ruin your mellow! That sounds like a Beatles era saying, right?", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T08:06:04" }, { "business_id": "Vhl0ZYmbPACG2FPLtvR5hg", "business_name": "The RumRunner", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Rum so when I found out there's a place called the Rum Runner I had to check it out. I didn't know if it was a bar, liquor store or restaurant. (This was preYELP days). When I walked in & saw all the wine I was a little intimidated. Back then I hadn't been to a wine tasting & picked my wine by price divided by how pretty was the label. If the resulting number was less than1, I'd buy as long as the price wasn't above how much I had in my pocket. The intimidation began melting away when I was greeted with a smile and an offer of help. Then I saw the cheese/pate case. I had never had pate and was keen to try but was concerned about the price. While I was trying to decide if I could afford some pate and rum, I was offered a taste of pate. Too bad no rum tasting that day. Yum, Yum, the Salmon pate was HEAVEN as well as the others I tried. So, I took the advice of the counter employee and bought all of the ones I liked plus some crackers & matching wine. It was less than $50 and I had dinner for two plus leftovers. Date night was very successful!", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T15:44:53" }, { "business_id": "nsWxhtg7XAnl5DtH-_d-vA", "business_name": "Tucson Botanical Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "When I was a little girl, I loved to run in the field across from our house and chase butterflies. One time a neighbor gave me a net to help me catch the butterflies and I was very happy till I caught one and saw how bug like it was. Once I got over my squeamishness, I put a captive in a jar and took it home. I think we consulted some expert and put some kind of food in the jar but it only lasted a day. I was very upset to think I had shortened the creatures life. And even if the life wasn't shortened, I'm sure it would have rather been with friends then locked up in a jar. Well never fear the experts at the Gardens know how to treat the butterflies that call the park their home. I love to hang out at the TBG whenever I get a chance but it's best in the spring and fall. The staff is always friendly and helpful too. There are a number of events and classes. In addition volunteer opportunities too. And it's centrally located so you can pop in on your way to somewhere else in town.", "timestamp": "2012-02-09T05:40:40" }, { "business_id": "z5r59h-c7vCS53k1YKSfxg", "business_name": "Lotus Massage & Wellness Center", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a puddle when Ingrid was done with my massage. I wanted to ask her to marry me cuz I love her. Well not just her, the whole center screams calmness and peace. But not the 60's type where you don't know if the'll be open cuz they were/are smoking peyote. Very professional and worth the money.", "timestamp": "2012-02-11T01:17:13" }, { "business_id": "26rvYn1RPbJCBW-cW05xnQ", "business_name": "Sun Tran", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the way Tucson's bus system has improved over the years. There's more weekend & late night service. A great option if you plan on drinking. If you're going to close the bar down you'll need to make other arrangements to get home but at least you can bus there so you're not cabbing both ways. There's still the stupid way buses that meet at an intersection are scheduled to arrive at the same time so it doesn't matter what bus you want to transfer to you can't because by the time you get across the street the bus has gone.", "timestamp": "2012-02-12T13:29:33" }, { "business_id": "4QMIJJWQOh7zpEwOXhFJqw", "business_name": "Renee's Tucson", "rating": 5, "text": "Chillin at Renee's listening to Mack the Knife on Valentine's Day reminded me of my first love & favorite Valentine, my mom. She loved Louis Armstrong. Even though I don't have my mom with me I got lots of love & comfort food at Renee's. I had the meatballs in marinara sauce with the pepper salad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-14T23:53:42" }, { "business_id": "t3yNTcIYyCreySnwVl5tjw", "business_name": "The Loft Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "ACTION!!! Not sure why I don't go here more often. The staff is friendly and the seats are comfy. I didn't have any food at The 2012 Academy Award Nominated Action Short Films showing but my friend had the pizza. It looked and smelled good. They have beer too.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T16:33:51" }, { "business_id": "-1MhPXk1FglglUAmuPLIGg", "business_name": "Red Garter Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "Best hamburger in town! Cooked just the way I like it, right after it gets done screaming. I love being Burger Kinged. I had a combination of the Swiss burger and southwest burger. Bacon, mushrooms, Swiss cheese and yummy bar-b-que sauce. The bread was good too, but I left most of it because the burger was so large. The onion rings were so good I skipped the ketchup. I held back a star because when I walked in a waitress walked by me without acknowledged I was there. The bartender looked up but didn't give a nod or anything. I know it's not Cheers but still a howdy ma'am would have been nice. I got a little concerned that maybe I had stepped into a time warp and was in a 1950's bar. I did a check for other dark faces and found one that was much lighter than mine so, I began to relax. Once my waitress came over to greet me (I'd been sitting about 4 minutes) she was genuinely very friendly. So, let's give them back 1/2 a star. The jukebox is off the hook. All my old favorite rock-n-roll songs were playing. There's ton's of TVs for you sports fans. It is a little pricey. I was expecting some Happy Hour pricing as it was 5pm. But you get what you pay for in this world. I'm a big bathroom nut. If a place has a nice clean bathroom, I'm going to spend a lot of time there. Rg's was clean enough but no hook for my purse and sweater. So now we're down to 3 stars.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T17:02:26" }, { "business_id": "SbdL-8NSmTWgSwdGZBa7WQ", "business_name": "Fresco Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "I love good-hot pizza & that's why I have Fresco deliver. Sometimes I order the eggplant parmesan & combo subs. It doesn't matter they always deliver hot & fresh food with a smile. With that said the best part is when they answer the phone you can hear the smile. Most of the time when I call businesses I get the feeling I'm interrupting something. Not at Fresco.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T21:47:04" }, { "business_id": "6pVVwtFmd7VBsgyFPHvU_w", "business_name": "Union Public House", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to my first UYE here. I'll never forget it. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was really good. I had the cheesy tots. House made potato tots covered with a house made cheese sauce. I want to be buried in that sauce. Then I had the special, scallops. I almost fell over when I was told $12 for 2 scallops. But they were huge. Then, I almost fell over because the were so tender. The noise from the other patrons was deafening and there was heavy metal music playing but you really couldn't hear it because of the noise from the people talking. There was a lot of sound bouncing off the walls. We had the same problem at our church. They make dampening panels for that. But before that gets fixed I think some money should be put into new fixtures for the ladies room. It was kinda clean but the toilet was stopped up. One of the YELPers I was with, told the owner and it got fixed right away. Yes, I'm crazy that way, I went back to check. But even without stopped toilet the L. room gets an F, because the sinks would be called retro if they were refinished. But they weren't. One more thing, the faucets don't have to be automatic but working would be nice. I don't like L. rooms in dives to be icky either. However, UPH is NO dive.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:03:22" }, { "business_id": "ta8tixXzHXFogPiYlB2a5A", "business_name": "Robert's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I was busing it the other day & missed the bus by that much. Some businesses don't like it if you pop into there place to keep warm for half an hour for the next bus. My waitress at was A-Ok with it. She kept offering to get me something to eat. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was going to eat elsewhere. I did have a really good cup of coffee & a great conversation with her. I don't know why I don't go to Robert's more often.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:08:15" }, { "business_id": "Ch8VCPuGX6lJWBaofljE1A", "business_name": "Udall Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Grazing In The Grass There's a lot going on at this park. My favorite is the László Veres Amphitheater, where Arizona Symphonic Winds plays every Summer and Fall. We pack a dinner, bring blankets, lawn chairs and friends, equals a great time in the Arizona. Since it's in the evening the wind comes along and it's really nice in the grass.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:23:27" }, { "business_id": "BauybYsfqd0y6KDrJ6ZxjQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "My get up and go was still in the bed. So, I popped in her to get a dirty-soy chai. Fixed me right up. Thanks perky & patient order taker. I always think I'm going to try something new and I rarely do.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:27:30" }, { "business_id": "sTaUoMUban-Hdhy8m3eM-A", "business_name": "Big Lots", "rating": 3, "text": "When I met my husband he loved going to big lots. I hated it because it was so unorganized. This one is very organized. I had gotten caught in the rain on a bus day. No umbrella or poncho. I had some important documents with me too. The customer service desk clerk and all cashiers were busy when I went in so I could ask; WHERE ARE THE RAIN PNCHOS? I needed to get across this huge parking lot to the bus stop quickly. It makes since rain ponchos would be near the clothing. And there they were. I think in the store we use to go to they keep rain ponchos in the automotive or hardware section.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:34:42" }, { "business_id": "J-Go00lYW4f4a3lLLtoh_A", "business_name": "Bobo's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "You can leave your party at home! What a great neighborhood cafe. I've only been in here twice but both times had great conversations with fellow diners. That's one of the things I really love about Tucson is there's so many places you can go and people are friendly. You don't have to bring your party with you. The staff is friendly but not intrusive. The last time I went I had the grilled cheese sandwich. When I ordered. The guy sitting next to me said i should order the chicken special he had. The chicken did look and smell good. But I told him about how us YELPers where talking about where to go for good grilled cheese. And we were off. He likes YELP but didn't know about how social and fun we are. The sandwich arrived on sourdough with cheese oozing out the sides but not so much that I needed a spoon to hole it all together. You can add stuff on the grilled cheese like chicken, ham or tomato but it was fantastic naked. I choose the cottage cheese for the side.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:51:31" }, { "business_id": "tJ_dQUc5m--Wgo7NRIjyzA", "business_name": "Food Conspiracy Co-op", "rating": 4, "text": "I was going to became a member this weekend at the birthday bash but the day got away from me. The rewards are awesome (see links below). Maybe I'll Git R done later this week. When I was in a few weeks ago the produce was very fresh. I think the upswing in local producers of good quality produce has really helped. The good news is I don't have to wait for a nearby farmers market to get good fresh local produce. They have a good selection of healthy cereals and bulk nuts, granola, etc. The cashier was real nice too and very knowledgeable about products and the birthday bash. Love this place! http://www.foodconspiracy.coop/membership/benefits/ http://www.foodconspiracy.org/about/co-op-discount-network/", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:04:16" }, { "business_id": "WFBdR8ZotMOKDkZ0skufIA", "business_name": "Michaels", "rating": 3, "text": "I've seen it messier but I was able to hijack an employee for help. I was in a hurry. Usually I know it's going to take a while and I just go up and down each \"um aisle\" till I give up. Anyways this time I was in and out in a jiff. They now have a screen to assist with the cash register line flow.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:13:27" }, { "business_id": "idWOWHJ7zInwE8SPBcFHLg", "business_name": "Sabino Cycles", "rating": 4, "text": "I had just finished lunch in the strip mall and was stuck in the rain. And I had cake to go. (Remember the song, someone left the cake out in the rain). I went in to see if they had a nice rain poncho. They didn't & the sales lady didn't laugh at me because it would be hard to fit your helmet on over the hood of a rain poncho. We both had a good laugh at me. I told her about my electric bike and asked if they could fix the non-electric stuff, because they are really convenient for my truck owner brother and I. She said they'd be happy to help.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:32:24" }, { "business_id": "ly0nkQsbvKkHNUyl5AGdjA", "business_name": "Isabella's Ice Cream", "rating": 5, "text": "You scream, I'm eating the ice cream. Not only is it very very very good, there's experimental flavors. I tried one with lavender. And there's a few other yummy unusual flavors that's gone out of my head right now. You can request flavors too. Owner is very very very friendly. So, don't scream at her.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:16:36" }, { "business_id": "s1p9pg69MZA7vRiFCewQlQ", "business_name": "Ordinary Bike Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "I was looking for info about electric bikes and got some good recommendations. I also got an offer to bring the bike in for non-electric repair issues. The employee was very friendly and helpful. I was in and out in under 5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-24T07:00:42" }, { "business_id": "AVBqx8FaXza6x-bb_FLOTQ", "business_name": "Anita Street Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I never thought I'd be in a love triangle. But here I am, Anita Street Market, YELP and me. I love ASM because of the great food and service. I love YELP because reading a friend's review reminded me it's been too long since I've visited ASM. I usually get the gorditas made with cottage cheese. I have to buy 2 packages because I eat one on the way home. They have a good selection of cheese and other essentials for a Mexican fiesta. I'm a big fusion cuisine nut so I put mid or far east seasoned stuff with the stuff I get from ASM! YUM!", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T17:00:52" }, { "business_id": "jaFGVtpEMSyh8AHi8jh-wA", "business_name": "Bicas - Bicycle Inter Community Art & Salvage", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a little concerned about walking into Bicas because these guys put bikes together and I can hardly ride one. I was really relieved when I had one foot in the door & was greeted with a friendly smile & offer for help. I was there for the Underground Art class, Bike Zine Origami Stars with Rachel Sandler. I really had too much fun & almost broke my laughing bone. There were fellow crocheters, knitters & painters learning how to make Origami Stars. Mine turned out really cool. Check out my pic. I can't wait till next week for the Japanese Book binding class. Check out their website for more classes and art exhibits. There's a new art studio and gallery featuring bicycle-themed and recycled art by local and international artists. You can go home with some bike art originals.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T16:45:59" }, { "business_id": "zwrgCMuZyFX46mL3piDyjg", "business_name": "Cup Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Funny-adult story about the 1st time I ate here. Starts with my BFF recovering from a breakup, there's 2 French Policemen on holiday & ends with the heart breaker & chicken satay. I've tried other dishes but always go back to the heart breaker & chicken satay. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't have them on the menu anymore because the funny story happened, well nevermind how long ago it was. It's still a funny story and the food at the cup is still GREAT!!! Subtracted a star because sometimes service is a little iffy. There's been some occasions when I feel like I've interrupted servers FUN TIME. But, most of the time service is good.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T17:14:31" }, { "business_id": "Ixj573yo0PMWFGXmnka9MA", "business_name": "The Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only had my bike for a few months & today was my first big outing. I was meeting friends at Rillito Park Race Track & wanted to really enjoy nature. A few clicks on my map app & a plan was born. Tucson really is a bike friendly town. I was able to safely ride from Yoga class to the where Tucson Blvd intersects with the bike path. I was a little concerned when I saw the end of road barriers at the end of Tucson Blvd. Then I thought that's for cars ding-a-ling. So, I threaded my way barriers to be greeted by a wonderful park. Then I turned on the path. There was lots of room & the center line was clearly marked. Fellow bikers & walkers were very friendly. A big thanks to the lady who helped me turn on the correct bridge. I'd subtract one half star because the bridges aren't marked. There was a huge map at the trail head but at that point I didn't need no stinking map.", "timestamp": "2012-03-05T06:45:48" }, { "business_id": "zGiOO2bxasexYRQt6y9ClA", "business_name": "JOANN Fabrics and Crafts", "rating": 4, "text": "I almost have enough yarn to open my own yarn shop. But I had to get more. It was on sale & I had a get an extra 15% off from my Joann Phone app. The fabric area in every fabric store always seems to be an area of high anxiety. I try to stay away. I needed some fabric for the lining of a purse I crocheted so I picked up some precut quilting fabric. The precut squares are only $1.99 for 18X21 piece. I'm no geometry wiz kid but that's not a square. Anyways, it was fast and cheap. Also got some yarn for some future projects. And some New hooks that were less than $3 with bamboo handles.", "timestamp": "2012-03-06T17:21:34" }, { "business_id": "1teRq-Q6XG6l-WoinZFX0g", "business_name": "The University of Arizona", "rating": 4, "text": "The U of OZ is a great school & a must see for any sightseeing trip. The admission process at any large school is bound to have hurdles. At OZ there's lots of little people to help you. Just like in the real Oz there's some double speak to translate. It's very exciting when you, the scarecrow, lion & tin man meet with your all knowing advisor the 1st time. Then meeting whit the advisor the last time before You get the coveted piece of paper. The road is not always yellow & easy to follow but when you're done you know you can do anything life tosses at you. The tourist will not see lions, tigers & bears. If you're lucky you'll see Wilbur the wildcat along with museums, concert halls & really nice restaurants. Plus I understand the basketball team isn't bad. Just arrive on campus & ask anyone for info. Everyone is really friendly. There's also a info office near the mall, the huge grassy area at the center of campus.", "timestamp": "2012-03-07T16:33:00" }, { "business_id": "1W657uKWvcMKIHaOmEOc-g", "business_name": "Caffe Milano", "rating": 5, "text": "Authentic Italian food without passport = Space time anomaly. Well, I've never been to Italy but I bet you all the change in my pocket the food is just like the lunch I had at Caffe Milano. While I was trying to decide what to have a regular popped in and started telling me what was good. He really could have saved himself a lot of words if he'd said the truth, It's all good. And you get a lot of food too. I had to skip dessert.", "timestamp": "2012-03-09T07:06:03" }, { "business_id": "6wzZ9FR3-bfqFz8ySgyavQ", "business_name": "Dickman's Meat & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "No clue why when I lived a little over a mile from the old location I never went here. But I'm so glad I did. I haven't had a sandwich that good in a long time. The side bow tie pasta salad was really good too. There's a great selection of take home meats, cheeses & fixings. Wild boar anyone?", "timestamp": "2012-03-10T11:02:13" }, { "business_id": "AXaeGUt_wSPjsLAWHpRFSQ", "business_name": "Church's Chicken", "rating": 3, "text": "When I need some comfort food Churches is my go to place. The service is good. I tell them how hungry I am and they work it out so I don't have to pay much. Last time I was here I was stuffed for less than $5.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T16:52:41" }, { "business_id": "MUOCeTGhL5llXe8GAuqOMA", "business_name": "Ike's Coffee & Tea", "rating": 4, "text": "Adult entertainment? No, but they do have an adult grilled cheese Sandwich. For the life of me I can't remember the name. It was goat cheese, tomato and spinach I think. I thought I had already written this review and I visited there weeks ago. I'll have to pop in again to give you the detailed info. But, I didn't want to delay the review any longer. Service was really good. The cook was sampling a yummy looking smoothie & I asked several probing questions. After a little awkwardness I confessed about being a YELPer & how we were going to have a juicing event soon. So, I was looking for interesting things to mix together for my juicing event shopping.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T17:02:31" }, { "business_id": "SgTZIh4nFftQxoXqX1eJcQ", "business_name": "Brandi Fenton Memorial Park", "rating": 4, "text": "The park is a great place to go on dates. There's not a lot of trees to duck behind and do whatever it is people do when they duck behind trees. But there is a lot of space and the air is really fresh. I think it would be a great place to play bocce ball. I have been here a few times for fundraising events and had a great time. Like I said there's lots of room to play frisbee or toss a ball. At the HOPE fundraiser we Hula hooped. Hadn't done that in over 20 years.", "timestamp": "2012-03-14T07:19:40" }, { "business_id": "rmmUhScUsA3xXbhDhRlb9A", "business_name": "Macy's", "rating": 4, "text": "I love the spring sales. The quality is real good too. I have skirts from over 10 years ago. I use to wear them ever week when I was working. They are just starting to look worn and I only paid $5 for 1 and $10 for the other. I couldn't make them for that price. I wish they had more made in America stuff but then would the skirt ever be marked down to $5? The staff is always nice and helpful. I usually get a sincerer hello. Not the please don't still anything hello. I think the times you enter a department and there's no one there that person is on break. Nice to see a company still employs the tried and true systems we used back in the day when I worked at a competing department store.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:01:51" }, { "business_id": "GNo1zeiPKErB7Ww_j3IlOg", "business_name": "The Tasteful Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "MGJ (mean green juice) ICE CREAM???!!! When I heard Isabella's Ice Cream had made MGJ for The Tasteful Kitchen, I made a bee line to them. To bad I was busy then they aren't open Mondays and Tuesdays so, yesterday was my first chance to enjoy. Everything was so delicious. I had quite a bit of food but wasn't too full for the ice cream. I had the mango butternut raw foods soup, the raw foods veggie burger with a salad and spicy sweet potato/carrot fries. This may actually be the diet for me. I'm not a huge fan of bread on a burger anyways. It kinda takes away the flavor and fills me up so I don't have room for Ice Cream. The service was impeccable. I felt like a queen on vacation. There's classes to learn how to cook or not cook like The Tasteful Kitchen staff.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:34:14" }, { "business_id": "_jADWOt1FkWMWGIlz30cew", "business_name": "Reid Park Biking/Walking Path", "rating": 5, "text": "If I had $100 for each step I took on this path, we'd all be rich! Just the right amount of everything is the key to this urban ParkBikingWalking path. The right amount of shade mixed with the right amount of sun. The right amount of cyclist mixed with walkers and runners tossed in for good measure. It's a beautiful doggy dance.", "timestamp": "2012-03-16T05:58:47" }, { "business_id": "uf3strC3s96XPOM502o5lw", "business_name": "Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block", "rating": 3, "text": "Tucson Museum of ART - Spring Artisans' Market is a great place to meet nice people and drown in creativity. And it's nice that the museum takes advantage of the increased traffic by opening it's doors for free. The only annoyance is when you find something you want to buy you have to go to a central cashier and pay for it then make your way back to the artists booth to collect the item. It's not so bad when I'm by myself but when I'm with my brother, Mr personality, we have to stop every 2 feet to say hi to someone he knows. Anyways, lots of hugs and flesh pressing.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:12:49" }, { "business_id": "dh1C733vVNx7BaIBmwMwNQ", "business_name": "Cafe A La Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "Had some mind blowing Irish car bomber cupcakes at the Irish cook off last weekend. So, I made sure when I was downtown to pop in and see what else they offered. I'd eaten here PY (PreYelp). What can I say when you're enjoying something with the intent of writing about it later, you notice things you didn't notice before. Like I ordered potato salad (don't know why, cuz I don't like potatoes) when may plate was brought out I thought they had made a mistake because I didn't see any potatoes. Lots of yummy marinated seasoned fresh veggies. I knew they were yummy before I tasted them cuz of the smell. So I dug in, and well look at that potatoes in my potato salad. And the potatoes tasted good. The review I was writing in my head had gone from 5 stars to 2 and up to 6 stars. Oops have to factor in the chai tea latte, brisket sandwich and chocolate chip walnut cookie. Ladies & gentlemen we have broken the YELP star barrier. The loud boom you just heard is the sound made by the smashing of molecules when a company gets more than 10 stars. I have to meet with the Big Bang Theory cast to have the physics explained but Cafe a la C'Art has blown my mind again.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:35:17" }, { "business_id": "tBWjMqUc0yP5lRElCfDaKg", "business_name": "1702", "rating": 4, "text": "My BFF would move in here if he could. I usually only go here with my crazy friends who make it hard to have a good experience. They are kinda rude to the staff but the staff is always nice and helpful. The other day was my 1st time alone to try the chicken ice cream. It was good and so was the pesto pizza. Service was really good too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T07:23:41" }, { "business_id": "rTxjTF2FgHpyHdMbhBuMBg", "business_name": "Caravan Mideastern Foods", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't greeted when I entered but I did get a hardy goodbye. They have lots of yummy stuff for competitive prices. I got a huge container of Nutella for about $5. Can't find the receipt but I know it wasn't $6. My neighbor told me about Caravan. She said they do a lot of their, oh poo we forgot ________ shopping at Caravan.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T16:11:35" }, { "business_id": "EW2mdIhlnowmtp1JY6MhPA", "business_name": "Himmel Park", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a nice resting spot when I'm biking home form downtown. I wasn't really tired but it filled my heart with joy to hear all the kids running and playing. I sat and cranked out a few pages on my book. Afternoons during the week is a good time to go if you're not into crowds. There's all kinds of events happening on the weekends. From birthday jumping castles to jousting. I think I've seen a soccer game or two. Now that I think about it these events happen late afternoons too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-22T00:48:31" }, { "business_id": "PGlHVBkiCvfNE9yDes1lOw", "business_name": "Aqua Vita", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes these neighborhood markets have iffy produce & some smell bad. And if you're real lucky the employees are rude. But not this neighborhood market. Fresh delicious produce and dairy. Nice frozen food section. The prices are high. But I guess that's to be expected when they don't have the buying power of the big stores.", "timestamp": "2012-03-23T00:36:37" }, { "business_id": "LMAqSWASePVhhOZkUs2vvQ", "business_name": "UA BookStores", "rating": 3, "text": "It's a college bookstore but not just for students. But, it's still a college bookstore. The prices aren't very competitive but the store is usually clean. Customer service is sometimes hard to find but when you get someone they are friendly and helpful. There's a lot of community outreach events like the children's book program. I met Clifford the Big Red Dog. He didn't bite when I asked him to take a picture with me. Like I said it's a college bookstore so parking is a little challenging. I suggest biking, busing or the trolley when it's up and going.", "timestamp": "2012-03-26T18:08:39" }, { "business_id": "d26VEnmSq_r2wJ35L9RYUw", "business_name": "Little Mexico Steakhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Margaritas, Flat Enchiladas & Green Corn Tamales. Several friends stopped by on our way back to town after a visit to the reservation. We had been in the hot sun for a few hours with just warm water to wet our whistles so that may be why the clean, fresh, not-2-sweet-not-2-alcoholey Rita pitchers were so good. I guess I'll have to do more investigating darn. Then the food arrived. More taste explosions and sirens. All this and the service was quick and friendly too. Then to top it off the bathroom was clean and there was a hook for my purse.", "timestamp": "2012-04-16T05:08:55" }, { "business_id": "X1oJuhLy8JxzmXkWLCqW6g", "business_name": "Baggin's Gourmet Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "The Unforgettable is unforgettable. I use to work across the street from a now closed Baggin's. The plan was to start at the top and work my way through the sandwich list. Well, after one bite of the Unforgettable the plan was scrapped. Over the years I've tried other Baggin's sandwiches but I still keep going back to my 1st love. I've been to this location several times and it's always Unforgettably fantastic.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:06:55" }, { "business_id": "J_w5J7dgRpyB4GFiBJIDIg", "business_name": "Xoom Juice", "rating": 4, "text": "I promise I'm not an alien from another planet but I'm not a fan of smoothies as a meal. With that said I love the spoon Xoom Spoon Velvet Amazon. With the Hemp Granola it is very filling. The service has always been with a smile even when it gets busy and loud.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:13:24" }, { "business_id": "5nOTwLs2lCpsFwZzHA6Hvg", "business_name": "Rubio's", "rating": 4, "text": "I Heart grilled fish taco's washed down with a cold beer. The service is always friendly and fast. there's great music too. I always feel like I've spent lots of money to get to some remote island where all of my cares have been washed away by the ocean.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:18:53" }, { "business_id": "X-IMyKLRxkspQYLKBed8sA", "business_name": "Hope Animal Shelter", "rating": 4, "text": "I love going to Hope events and visiting the warm cuddles there. They sponsor classes about communicating with your animal how to catch a star cat and all kinds of health issues. The staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:32:58" }, { "business_id": "sOjbtBWo-m6rpjHv4tA_oQ", "business_name": "Brewd Coffee & Food", "rating": 4, "text": "There's no excuse not to go here during the construction because 6th Ave is a 2 way street now. I hesitate to write a favorable review because during the construction a lot of people have been staying away so it's very quite and peaceful. I hung out here for a few hours the other day to finish reading a book that was due back to the library. Very comfortable seats and friendly service. I had a flat-bread sandwich that was really good. Lots of plugs for all your devices. Next time I'm bringing in my bike battery and charging it.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:45:50" }, { "business_id": "2h0D_jeKy81uZgpZGZmGPA", "business_name": "Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue", "rating": 4, "text": "McGarrett: Book em Danno Williams: What's the charge? McGarrett: Selling yummy Hawaii style food on the main land. Williams: That won't hold up in court! McGarrett: I don't care Danno! I want these guys to go down. Williams: Well ya know what I think? McGarrett: NO!!! And please don't tell me! Williams: I'm telling you anyways my uninspired friend. McGarrett: I'm not listening! Williams: When Tucsonians taste this food they get Hawaii fever and will watch our show more. McGarrett: Oh, good point. Hey all you Tucsonians hang ten to MHBBQ for the Hawaii Chicken sandwich. Don't forget dessert. Passion squares, Lemon bars & cream cheese brownies make you escape the blazing desert heat & enjoy the soft Hawaiian breeze. For an additional visual experience watch my show. Williams: MY SHOW?!?!?!?", "timestamp": "2012-05-09T16:50:41" }, { "business_id": "D44IBRDtEScaWELey5IfCA", "business_name": "May's Counter Chicken And Waffles", "rating": 2, "text": "I had considered purchasing a home around the corner from May's so I could wonder over in my PJs. But the last couple of times I went made me glad I didn't impulse buy a HOUSE. As a frequent visitor (at least once a week) I knew all of the wait staff and some of the cooks. Everyone was very friendly, then there was a change in ownership/management. And a lot of the friendly staff left. Then the waffle recipe changed. I was assured it hadn't. So, the gang and I got together for a visit and all agree the waffles tasted generic. So, I stopped ordering the waffles and tried some of the other offerings. I noticed salads and chicken pieces getting smaller and the prices going up. So, now instead of going ever week I may make it to May's once a month. I would have given 1 star but I've been getting emails about music nights. the musicians have great profiles and look promising. The only thing is the music offerings are not consistent and whenever there's an event I have previous plans.", "timestamp": "2012-12-03T18:05:28" }, { "business_id": "Hi4AgS-uR-lEOF4oZl546g", "business_name": "China Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "I was a little concerned when I read the first sentence of Mark S's review, \"Probably the most authentic Chinese food I have had since visiting Chinatown in San Francisco.\" When I was in San Francisco I had what I was told was authentic Chinese food and I didn't like it. Also, Here in Tucson I've been to \"authentic Chinese food\" establishments and ended up with a pile of napkins filled with food my tongue rejected. I've always felt a little embarrassed but try as I may I couldn't drink enough beer, water or wine to get the food to go down my throat. However, at China Pasta house everything was great. The dumplings were cooked to perfection. Usually there's something crazy with the texture (to wormy). I tried some of my neighbor's noodle soup and it was good too. So, I was excited to get my Spicy Fried Rice Cake with Shrimp. It was everything I'd hoped for in an authentic Chinese Restaurant. I was thinking one of those fried rice cakes you get at the store but fresh and yummy but what I got was a yummy mix of a firm rice cake sliced to perfection, fresh crisp veggies and lots of shrimp. I offered to share with my neighbor but thank God she said no because I'm going to relive the ecstasy for lunch. Leftovers ROCK!", "timestamp": "2012-12-06T16:51:45" }, { "business_id": "KbSpEQ_54ovgNxOoxKP79g", "business_name": "Time Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Great Pizza!!! My summer resolution is to have Time market Pizza every Friday night for the next 10 years. They have traditional and not so traditional options. The staff is very professional and friendly. I love the way the thin crust crackles and cheese cheesles.", "timestamp": "2012-12-14T15:54:12" } ]	{ "business_id": "i3k1luXdsi_cShv-agBxGg", "business_name": "Ooo! Outside Of Ordinary", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really impressed by the unusual selection of stuff I didn't know I needed. Loved the round purses with holographic pictures of eyes. And the toy selection is great. Looking for the right toy for the kid that has every electronic toy and needs a little nostalgia this is the place. Really, what are they going to do when the lights go out during the end of the world?", "timestamp": "2012-12-14T15:58:44" }
pYXeL0RCqus2IfhthYCOyA	[ { "business_id": "pqHCY2NE8_aVl0EsDRbUtg", "business_name": "Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que", "rating": 5, "text": "Crisp slaw & spicy sauce are the 2 things that get me fired up about BBQ! FD has these in spades. Then top it off with a selicious selection of Home-style Desserts, bring out the cot I'm moving in here!!! It only gets better when I can bring friends & family who can find eats to wet their palate & want to pull out a pallet too.", "timestamp": "2011-07-11T16:49:02" }, { "business_id": "U_NCpKQDf3z7qSBjvv4U0Q", "business_name": "Cafe Desta", "rating": 5, "text": "Naked brick walls for art, Yummy food with a sprinkle of great conversation? Must be Cafe Desta. Yes, there's lots of places with art on brick and maybe some have food but very few, if any, have the fun knowledgeable owners/staff of Cafe Desta. From the moment I walked in the door till I left, I felt welcomed and pampered. After my rough day shopping I needed to be coddled. And I was totally spoiled! I was offered a drink and chose mint tea. This wasn't your grandma's teabag, it was ambrosia mint tea. No bitterness or paper tea bag taste. While sipping my teabrosia, I had a long talk with . . . . . I'm calling him Tee, and decided on the cubed lamb because they can put the hot stuff on the side. It was so yummy, even the hot sauce/paste was flavorful. The cheese reminded me of cheese curd and made me miss Wisconsin. I didn't think I'd like the veggies that came with the lamb dish because they had cooked carrots and I don't like cooked carrots. So, I can't say I don't like cooked carrots any more because these were so good mixed with green beans in a tomatolishes sauce. Enough of my rambling. Let me add on the obvious if you know anything about Ethiopian food. They have family style and single servings. I needed a to go container and guess what? Tee boxed it for me.", "timestamp": "2012-01-05T07:27:20" }, { "business_id": "RFIHFxmNH9dM0ouz2N8ZjQ", "business_name": "Cafe Marcel", "rating": 5, "text": "I was just checking my stats and realized all my reviews are 5 stars. What can I say, I always get great service. Like I did 2 times at Cafe Marcel. It was so good yesterday, I made my big brother take me today. Michelle & Joe's restaurant is like coming home to my French Granny's. I'm sure I don't have a French Granny and Michelle & Joe aren't old enough to be my Grandparents. Still I felt welcomed and left full of good food. Taste buds spinning so much I left my long sleeve shirt. Had to take it off cuz just like at Granny's they had the heat on so I was comfy. I had the Feta cheese, Tomato Pesto Crepe. Michelle says it doesn't matter how you pronounce it cuz it's all good. So do I.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T01:40:35" }, { "business_id": "LRr-aw58xVMkUu0OSL_BpQ", "business_name": "The Little One", "rating": 5, "text": "I HEART a company when an employee/owner recognizes you when you were just there a week before. That's what happened at Little Cafe Poca Cosa. This action lets me know the hugs aren't just a gimmick. I try to go on off hours so I don't get jammed in there with all the suits from the downtown offices. But even when I do. I take that as an opportunity to meet someone new. So, I've always had prompt friendly service. Except that one time when I was talking to this really cute suit and the waitress kept bothering us. I love the fact that they encourage you to only eat what you think you can eat so they don't have to waste food. I also like that they give back to the community. Oops, I forgot to tell you about the food. Very health-yummy!", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T02:35:25" }, { "business_id": "2njTjQ35skXN171KoobeGg", "business_name": "Raging Sage", "rating": 5, "text": "Well Jiminy Crickets!!! I wish I could give these guys 1 star then maybe it will not be as crowded. The good news is I've seen lots of cute guys here and when it's crowded you may have to share a table or even a chair. How fun would that be? OK, enough funnin'. Let's talk coffee and baked goods. Actually we don't have to talk coffee and baked goods because they're both so good you can have one without the other. Now I have a craving for and Ed O'Neil movie.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:51:01" }, { "business_id": "BxRHz-iSQGCGSuAGwkeUsw", "business_name": "Albertsons", "rating": 5, "text": "I use to take the bus past 2 other stores to get to this store because of the great selection, knowledgeable staff & fair prices. Now I live about 1/2 mile closer to another store in the opposite direction of the Albertson's. But Al and his staff are still my choice.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:55:08" }, { "business_id": "0THt7q5pk6FBVYjeGsITaA", "business_name": "Al's Ace Hardware", "rating": 5, "text": "Ace is the place with the helpful hardware WOman! I'm always greeted with a smile & offers of help. The cool part is they let me poke around just looking at the cool stuff. I'm a multimedia artist and sometimes just browsing in a hardware store can bring up suppressed Ace. Oops Art. Then when an idea pops in my head the WOman help me get it out and into my cart.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T04:04:08" }, { "business_id": "7_1GqlDlbkShY0az7J0XNg", "business_name": "LaCo", "rating": 4, "text": "La Cocina is a great place for a healthy lunch & relaxing. I don't recommend it if you're in a hurry. There's of shops, coffee house, restaurant and bar all staffed by a minimal number of people. But, it's worth a little wait because not only does it taste good, you're not going to add much weight. I've tried the quinoa, veggies in peanut sauce with tofu and felt the pounds come off. So, I had the Chocolate tofu pie thinking the pounds would come back but they didn't. I was full but not stuffed and no sugar crash. I also had the Mediterranean appetizer plate and felt was fully satisfied. I started with the hibiscus lemon-aid. Like everything else full of flavor not too sweet. Cuz I'm sweet enough.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:00:26" }, { "business_id": "bo_03Xq6RenVdK3yVuDGiA", "business_name": "Nimbus Brewing", "rating": 4, "text": "I love it when a plan come together! My brother and I went to Nimbus to hear Amosphere, a local based band. Usually the band plays from 10pm to 1 or 2 am & that's too late for us on days we have to get up early. Saturday (1/7/12) the band started at 7 but I had a late lunch so was ready to eat when I got there. We sat there for what seems like hours as the waitresses ran orders to & from the small window. I kept trying to give them the sign but they we so busy. Plus as I found out later the waitress don't take drink orders, you've gotta go to the bar. I must have been giving the give me a beer now sign and not the give me food now sign. It really wasn't hours it was just about 15 to 20 minutes. When a waitress came over to offer a humongous platter of chicken nachos for free cuz someone couldn't eat around the jalapenos. The nachos would have been a steal at twice the price. Great music & great food washed down with a pint of Nimbus Old Monkeyshine Ale, an exceptional example of a true, traditional-style English Pub beer.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:25:58" }, { "business_id": "yJZbNhVoTdhcI9dYVzLJuQ", "business_name": "Playground Bar & Lounge", "rating": 5, "text": "Indian Jones I'm not but I did unearth this Jewel in the desert. Well, actually I stumbled upon it. I was hungry and popped into the Hub for something yummy. I saw the ad I've been seeing for months that Playground would be opening soon. Well It was today at 4pm; I'd call that soon. The HUB Restaurant owner started the fire that got this diamond to the glimmering state it is in today. I was greeted by doormen dressed in Tucson Dressy. I was still wearing my layers of thermal and turtle neck I had on when I left the house this morning but I was still welcomed. While most of the guests were dressed for an evening of adult Recess on the Playground, there were others who came as they were. It wasn't crowded and there's enough playground equipment so you don't have to wait for your libation. I'm going to say even when they're at capacity you should still be able to get your drink on in a timely manner. I really liked the low seating in a far east/Mediterranean style. Not to far to fall, just in case. Speaking of style, I could live in the ladies room. I love the urban-rip-the-space-time fabric, we're in New York feel. Bare-brick walls mixed with vinyl wallpaper and mirrors. The good kind of mirrors that make you look smaller than you are. But the one above the sink had a video of how to put make-up on. The only thing missing was a lady selling make-up cuz I didn't have any. I'm going back as they open at 4pm and that's way before my bed time.", "timestamp": "2012-01-13T03:17:18" }, { "business_id": "8wkPLsDbGU3GcW8CoD-4aA", "business_name": "Caffe Luce", "rating": 5, "text": "Finally a place to spend my federation credits. I had heard about companies using iPads as cash registers but this is the 1st time I interacted with one. On the iPad it gives you tip options I think that's nice just in case you forget. I love the decor too. Behind the food prep area is a sign that reads Congress & 5th posted on \"subway\" tile. I know if you've been in some of the subways around the country, the thought of your food being prepared there might not sound palatable but you can't miss with this vegetarian menu. I heard people ordering coffee and they sounded happy with the results. It was after 1pm so I had wine. I was thinking wine spritzer and they accommodated by serving a glass of wine with a jelly glass jar of made on the spot sparkling water. And a smile to boot. There's a nifty system for getting a food order from the cash register to the prep area. It's written on an old fashion order form then attached to an alligator clip hung from a trolley type line on the ceiling. Then it's Zip-lined on the magnetic orderslip delivery system. I love it when new and old comes together.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:04:54" }, { "business_id": "9hVDlAouG9J1ORXOlBi44g", "business_name": "Summit Hut", "rating": 5, "text": "I Heart Summit Hut because they don't look at me a judge that I'm not an outdoors person. And even though I'm not they have lots of things I use like water bottles, t-shirts and unusual nicknacks. I was looking for solar cell phone options and they had them. One was a complete kid with rechargeable batteries and the other was for charging everything from your iPhone to your old no name MP3 player. I was very impressed with the teamwork. I asked a question from the single guy standing at the registers and he didn't call anyone he just grabbed the keys and began helping me. Another employee saw the void and popped into the vacant area, very smooth. I bet there's a couple of football and basketball teams that could benefit from taking a Summit Hut customer training class.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:28:11" }, { "business_id": "vdCQoE2il097-vc_gIQzYw", "business_name": "Bruegger's Bagels", "rating": 4, "text": "I use to pop into this Bruegger's between buses on my way to Pima west campus. I've always gotten great service. Sometimes some of the customer's are slow but the employees are great that they match the customer that way customer's who have time do not feel rushed.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:31:24" }, { "business_id": "OvC4Ecgzk2SI7R8qD0rk9Q", "business_name": "Sky Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "When I 1st read about Sky Bar I couldn't wait to check it out. That was over a year ago. I'd pop in just to cool off when it was over 90 and for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to stroll 4th Ave. I dropped in for a cool drink and it's not what I expected. You have to bring your party with you. At least when I was there things were very clicky. The point is if I'm bringing my party with me, we could just go to the store and buy the same stuff they serve there & hang at a friend's house.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T05:57:22" }, { "business_id": "J6EXRXbejBgOv4SWamMEAA", "business_name": "Culver's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been hearing about this place as if it's the second coming of the Messiah. Upscale fast food is still fast food. I'd pay a little extra for a maitre d, waitron and a bus-person . I don't mind ordering at the counter I think it was the large lighted menu over the back of the order-taker's head that made me feel like a clown or a king was going to come at me any second. I had the prime-rib sandwich. It was flavorful, tender and juicy. Most importantly the bread was very good and held-up nicely. I washed it down with a chocolate shake and it was no king or queen. Messiah? No, maybe John his cousin.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T07:16:52" }, { "business_id": "g7WfbAnXnMVXVNcc0SBM3A", "business_name": "Performance Bicycle", "rating": 2, "text": "I think they expect you to look like a Performance Cyclist or you don't get any help. Not even a smile or a please don't steal anything hello. I wandered around for almost 10 minutes without any acknowledgement that I might be a paying customer. The same thing happened the last time I went into this store. They're the closest bike shop to me and when I called to check hours the guy was really nice. I must have a Performance Cyclist's voice. Good thing I'm smart cuz I was able to cruised around and find out they didn't have bike grease. There were lots of other customer's there getting good service so, I don't think they're to be avoided if you look the part.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:44:14" }, { "business_id": "T7ybhSamtbgI2Ece8Z8IHQ", "business_name": "RC Bicycles", "rating": 5, "text": "Double up those stars! RC get 10 stars from me. This was my 3rd shop to try and find bike grease. And let's not talk about cell minutes used. It was a nice day so I started walking to the 1st place that was about 1 mile away, the next place was about 1.2 miles from the 1st place and RC was a little less than a mile from the 2nd place. What a great workout? The nice young man working by himself at RC took time to advise me that most people do not attempt to put together their bikes. I explained to him that it was just the front wheel, seat and peddles. Plus, I had no way to get the bike to a shop. So, he gave me some tips and grease and away I went. Guess where I'm buying all of my accessories?", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:58:10" }, { "business_id": "57Vny0AxGdEQBETfd7xU4A", "business_name": "Chopstix Asian Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "DH and I 1st rolled in here when they 1st opened. Because of the location we thought we'd better get in there before it closes. Well here we are years later and I finally got my big bro in the Stixs for dinner. It's not on my normal beaten path but when I find myself in the area it's my go to place. There's a few fast food places near but if you're looking for a good quick lunch, their buffet can not be beat with multiple options for less than $7.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T01:59:22" }, { "business_id": "wa_bwyY57etHjtJ2Fw0E3g", "business_name": "Pita Jungle", "rating": 4, "text": "If I had a penny for every time I had plans to eat at the Jungle but plans fell through, I could retire. Well, maybe take a few days off. I told the hostess about my trouble getting there and she made sympathetic noises. I went for the happy hour \"tapas\" so I could try a little of everything. The baba ghanouj's flavors were distinct and mingled perfectly. The pita was just the right thickness and slightly crispy so the baba didn't smash into the ghanouj. My waiter suggested the lemon chicken and if it wasn't half jerky-ed, it would have been great, All the flavors were there except for the ones that slipped away with the moisture. The Baklava more than made up for the chicken mishap. So, instead of 3 stars we're doing 4.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:30:14" }, { "business_id": "gAB-cDpBycjonNkiQMLCqw", "business_name": "Rita Ranch RV & Self Storage", "rating": 4, "text": "These kids now days have everything. I had to wash my dog in the bathtub, uphill both ways. Really, this is a great idea. I'd never even heard of it till I was visiting friends and family in the area. It's $5 for 10 minutes and just like when you wash your car it's up to you how you spend your minutes. Well not exactly like the car, the car doesn't try to bite or sit on the hose. You don't have to give the car treats to get it to into the wash area. And most importantly the car doesn't shake stinky wet dog water all over you during and after the wash. But that's all on the dog. The owners have done a good job of partitioning the areas where up to 8 dogs can be washed at a time with 2 at each of the four areas. I'm just thinking a little more space might be good. even my little niece had a hard time getting on the other side of the dog to help keep her (the dog) settled.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:54:32" }, { "business_id": "UIlOq8dHsaqOqTZJVvI8tQ", "business_name": "McDonald's", "rating": 5, "text": "Hands down best McDonald's experience ever. We were in and out in no time even-though I had no clue what I wanted because I haven't seen a McDonald's menu in years. Well almost in and out in no time. I had to order the chocolate shake just when the machine decided to run out of chocolate. The reason for the 5 stars is the cashier apologizing over and over. Give the \"man\" a raise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:59:55" }, { "business_id": "NnuxEbv5rlz0HOg0XM8EAw", "business_name": "Purple Heart Park: Ivan's Spot", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a wonderful area to play, sit, run, jump and even worship. Sometimes, my old church has a \"Spring Fling\" service at this park. It's large enough so while we're doing our thing with the band and the jumping castles other park goers while welcomed are not overcome by the noise. By that I mean they can hear it us but it's not like we got the bass cranked up. But on this day, it wasn't spring like at all. We drove the mile to the park just in case the clouds decided not to just look cold but also let loose some rain. We had the park to our selves except for a few other brave souls or kids/dogs who don't understand bad weather. A great time was had by all and we got some much needed exercise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:09:18" }, { "business_id": "OOoxH_7PHboLOZjvLKmt7g", "business_name": "Target", "rating": 4, "text": "I was glad when this Target opened giving new life to my beloved El Con mall. I have a love hate relationship with the grocery department. Yes, I don't have to make that extra stop but it makes the target bill higher. This day I was looking for bike tools and grease. They really don't have much in the way of tools and that makes since sine because they have a home improvement store next door. But, because they sale bikes I was thinking this would be a good place for bike grease. Nope! In lieu of having employees to help how about a few of those you-are-here maps? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's short and can't see the signs above the tall shelves.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:31:15" }, { "business_id": "1vLZFm0f85DwB5jCeA7Olg", "business_name": "Sir Veza's Taco Garage", "rating": 1, "text": "What we have here Gentlemen is a failure to maintain the quality of service and food we started with when we opened. There is an inverse relationship between price and food eat-ability. The prices have gone up while food savor has decreased.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T06:34:29" }, { "business_id": "wJmyu7W1K9A_gE8Ed4Bc9w", "business_name": "Trident Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been in love with this place for years. Haven't been in for a while and was afraid they had updated their menu. But they hadn't. I had my all time fave, peel-n-eat shrimp steamed in Old Bay with a side salad. Washed down with a Black n Tan. The service was quick, friendly and efficient.", "timestamp": "2012-01-26T19:48:58" }, { "business_id": "NesMl0Tiq1FsPoX2LzHkNg", "business_name": "PJ Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I love it when a plan comes together! A few days before I tried PJ Subs my brother and I were talking about where to get a great sub in town. We had given up on finding a good place. The next day, in a friends car, I saw the sign I must have flown past many times. But since I had Subs on the brain it stuck this time. I had to make a note to myself because I don't hangout at the corner of 6th & Tucson as much as I use to back in the day. Not sure why, it's a perfectly good corner. I wasn't sure what door to enter, didn't want to interrupt a mechanic in the middle of an Auto-pay. Turns out no cars or car fumes just good-friendly service & good food. I had the roast beef on rye with a beer can't remember the name of cause this was a while ago. After some planning & rescheduling, I was able to introduce my brother to PJ's he liked it too. As the little sister it's nice to show my big brother a SUB or 2.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T06:39:28" }, { "business_id": "T1E8IfL27VEeVa9jGjnl3w", "business_name": "Goodwill Thrift Store and Donation Center", "rating": 5, "text": "Doin' The Snoopy dance & elephant walk like an Egyptian. I love the deals at thrift stores, but I do not like the smell they sometimes have. Add to the smell the messiness and I'm outta there. If I wanted to look through piles of clothes and junk accompanied by an unidentifiable smell, I'd have stayed at home. This location has always been a gem on the pinkie finger of 4th Ave. You're strolling along heading south you can see the underpass coming up there's a few bars then you're in downtown. But, wait there's an unassuming door at this building that looks like a Goodwill storage facility. It's not a storage facility it's a very nice store with clean affordable clothes, jewelry, books, furniture & more. This Shopanista's nirvana was reached when she noticed 2 each, men's & women's restrooms also clean and tidy! Well, the one woman's I went to was. I would have been doing the Snoopy dance even if there wasn't a guy right outside playing The Linus & Lucy song followed by The Elephant Walk. I love both of those songs so I was walking like an Egyptian when I strolled out of there with my new Shel Silverstein book, Falling Up for $7.99.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:34:07" }, { "business_id": "bTBRqXfF-A1R-ShOsr7kbg", "business_name": "Monkey Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "Love this Monkey BEST! The General Manager, Ralphie, remembered my usual order & I haven't been to the Monkey in months. That's customer service folks. My order, that Ralphie remembered was served quickly! My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly, tasted great. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great, was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great & was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries, had a side of the tastiest Bar-B-Que sauce this side of . . . anywhere! Oh, BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:44:05" }, { "business_id": "nayQkd06InyPDfX12IjjWw", "business_name": "AMC Foothills 15", "rating": 2, "text": "I took 3 buses to get; here? I'll never do that again! Unless I forget none of the seats recline. I'm surprised I noticed the seat deficiency still being shell shocked from paying $15 for a bottle of water, juice and a SMALL bag of popcorn. I don't even like popcorn but I wanted to get into the whole movie spirit. No, I'm not an alien from another mother. I usually don't go to theaters because of the crowds and you can't pause or rewind. Let's face it, when I'm in my intimate home, it's easier to imagine I'm the leading lady. The leading man falling under my irresistible spell. As expected the movie, One for the Money, was worth every inconvenience & I will be buying this one for my small collection!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:03:48" }, { "business_id": "TAUGnIQDR9-m23DWLZ0dow", "business_name": "Sushi Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "First time at this location! Same great service, same great food, as the old Broadway & new Broadway locations. I wasn't starving, so had a glass of the green tea and the Rainbow Roll. Totally hit the spot. I love that they don't try to bulldoze more food into you. Don't take my word for it! When the guy at the next table asked to speak to a manager I thought here we go, he's going to complain about being served raw fish. (Really, that happened one time at a sushi restaurant. That was our last date!) But, not this guy, evidently he & his companion attend the garden frequently & wanted to let the management know \"our\" waiter had done an exceptional job. I thought he had done the usually upstanding \"Garden\" variety service. Maybe I should have ordered more food.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:35:20" }, { "business_id": "qoJH8TCkmXor8BXOcgD5zQ", "business_name": "Chicago Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I use to live here when I was single. I had heard there were new owners and was under the impression a remodeling had been done. The only thing I noticed that was no low top tables. Being short I like to sit in the low chairs. I can see why these wouldn't be popular because you can't see the band if you're sitting low. So, get up and dance or belly up to the bar & get ignored. If all else fails go to the ladies' room. Ok, maybe there was some slight remolding here. The stall-doors stay closed, Oh wait, I was there before it got crowded. Back in the day, the doors worked great if you were the only one in there but if someone was in the stall next to you, the force of them pulling their door shut caused your door to fly open. Anyways, it's still a Dive!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:17:36" }, { "business_id": "W7NxQw8UYFR0HLPrI08tvw", "business_name": "Chipotle Mexican Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Don't know what it is but If my tummy's feeling icky, I can count on Chipotle's stake to fix me up. I just have to remember not to go during full on lunch time. I usually go between 2 & 4 when it's peaceful and calm. Busy or not the service is always friendly and fast!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:21:25" }, { "business_id": "ZXXGB-xi6n3RE3X1OzRR6g", "business_name": "Walgreens", "rating": 4, "text": "The microwave did it! When it takes 3-5 minutes to heat up a yummy meal in a box, you get the idea everything should take 3-5 minutes. So, when the Pharm asst said I had to wait 30 minutes for my meds I thought Id drop dead of hunger. It was a lovely January afternoon so I walked the 1/2 mile from the dentist office to the drugstore. By the time I got there the bowl of cereal from 7:30 am was long gone & I was advised it would take 1/2 hour to prepare my meds. There's several fantastic options for lunch in the area but, none of them were 1/2 hour options so I waited & shopped. I must have been in all out shopaholic mode because I didn't hear my name called. I did check in with the Pharm asst after 35 minutes and my meds were ready. How much? And that's with the Pharm discount card? This is where the lost star went. This discount card has been a little crazy. You're suppose to get credit for buying \"Walgreen's\" products. Then when you buy stuff you swipe your card the credits are applied to your purchase. Plus the pharmacy is to automatically know you have the card and the discount applied. The Pharm assit didn't know if the discount had been applied when she advised the amount of my meds. Plus evidently my card is to expire next month. I renewed it this month because I could do it for $5 instead of $20. Sale ending the day I was there. Other than the discount card issue everyone was very helpful and friendly. I received an appropriate amount of \"please don't steal anything smiles & offers of help\" while I shopped. Not a good idea to hit the Pharm if you're hungry because evidently the lunchroom with microwave is nearby. While I was waiting for the Pharm assit to figure out if I received the card discount, we smelled something yummy that was ready to eat in 3-5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:23:51" }, { "business_id": "AKFahOtdDQA7NVXZyDajCA", "business_name": "Trader Joe's", "rating": 4, "text": "I loves me some TJ's!!! Just an overall comment I'm sure everyone knows, don't fall in love with any product you buy at a TJ's, because they may discontinue it without warning. This location has the same great friendly service I've come to enjoy from all TJ's. And the food's good too! BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:30:30" }, { "business_id": "9fOkyQs0TcVqqe_5c51b_w", "business_name": "Cheba Hut Toasted Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I feel like I'm hanging with the cool kids when I go to Cheba Hut. I love the KGB, roast beef with real grated horseradish. I sometimes think I'll try something different but the horseradish calls my name.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:09:19" }, { "business_id": "Gekeq1c-fuezmx0PSGQvzw", "business_name": "East Coast Super Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "Found my lost love! I use to go ECSS when I was attending the U of A. The other day I was in the old neighborhood and thought the place was closed. I found myself in the neighborhood again, HONEST IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. This time I vowed not to leave till I got the scoop. I walked around the big red adobe wall, entered the gate, walked through the eerily quite courtyard. Suddenly I had saw the headline, \"body of Debbi W found (wherever) last seen in the U of A area near the abandoned business, East Coast Super Subs. I thought I heard a man call my name from the other side of the fence. I jumped. Finally I was close enough to the window to look inside and there were people in there. The glass was tinted so, their zombiness was not determined till I opened the door. I was greeted with a hello and May I help you? I ordered and received quickly the best roast-beef sandwich I'd had since I was last at ECSS when they were on 6th Street near Campbell and I was still an undergrad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:39:54" }, { "business_id": "WRZEQEDsZoTB8MfgUex45Q", "business_name": "Temple Of Music And Art", "rating": 5, "text": "Not a bad seat in the house. I love it when you can see a show without doing the bobblehead dance with the heads in front of you. The tiered seating is expertly layered that unless you're sitting behind a 7 foot tall person you'll be-able to see over the persons in-front of you. While the seating is important, before you get to your seat you're welcomed into the Temple and are prepared for your music/art enlightenment. At some ceremonies there's 1 or 2 carts in the courtyard serving sweets/snacks/drinks. Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS was very good and I'm glad I got to see it at the Temple. I laughed so hard my stomach started to hurt & tears were flowing.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:22:07" }, { "business_id": "p86gxGhlZEE9I9icCyJqFA", "business_name": "Safeway", "rating": 4, "text": "When I lived off 22nd street I would pass 2 other stores on my bike to get to this store because of it's fresh produce and friendly service. I popped in here the other day to grab some water cuz I forgot my water bottle again. It was like coming home to family. Different employees but still fun and friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:27:42" }, { "business_id": "qOw6FD59FvUMmkaTjVqS8Q", "business_name": "Tucson Food Truck Roundup", "rating": 5, "text": "Are you going to Tucson Food Truck Round-Up? Parsley, sage, STRAWBERRY and thyme . . . (album screeches to a stop!) Strawberry you say? Yep! Strawberry & Thyme is the Cyclopsicle I had! If you love sweet & savory, you've gotta try this. If you don't love sweet & savory you've gotta try this. It will blow your mind! In addition, to the great food there was great music! The Shawn Kebler Trio 4:30 - 6:00 then Those Beatles Guys 6:15 - 7:45. As if that wasn't enough, there's artist doing there magic right in front of you. Check out the pics of Mel Dominguez and David Tineo. Their art & energetic personalities were a great addition to the food, fun and frolicking.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T19:02:26" }, { "business_id": "gKpsoVjBEnrNkzaOfxpOUA", "business_name": "Fox Tucson Theatre", "rating": 5, "text": "I almost broke my sacroiliac again & loved it! Seeing Starting Over - The Lennon Experience at the Fox reminded me of going to concerts in the mid to late seventies with general admission & huge dance floors. Of course The Fox doesn't have general admission & there wasn't a huge dance floor but the seats are spaced far enough apart that you can really get your motor running. There's assigned seating & crowd control but I didn't get the feeling I was in a police state. That would have been the opposite of the Lennon message. Time was on my side at this concert because the band started way before my bedtime and when it was past my bedtime, 8:30, I was still rocking and rolling. I knew the crowd was getting really revved up when I saw the huge bouncer advance to the stage. He did a great job of deterring fans from jumping on the stage or tossing any unmentionables at anyone. Luckily I had my YELP friends with me to hole me back. After the concert was over my friends and I stood in line to get autographs. After all of the excitement, I wanted to head out on the highway but opted for the quick drive home. I was very glad the Fox is downtown and not way out of town like some of the music venues. I really loved this event and am very happy Fox was the location for the World Premiere of Starting Over - the Lennon Experience. I'm going to start checking out the webpage more for stuff to do. A few people we turned off by alterations in some lyrics but I bet that's because of copyright issues. You know what I say to changed lyrics . . . Don't let the man ruin your mellow! That sounds like a Beatles era saying, right?", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T08:06:04" }, { "business_id": "Vhl0ZYmbPACG2FPLtvR5hg", "business_name": "The RumRunner", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Rum so when I found out there's a place called the Rum Runner I had to check it out. I didn't know if it was a bar, liquor store or restaurant. (This was preYELP days). When I walked in & saw all the wine I was a little intimidated. Back then I hadn't been to a wine tasting & picked my wine by price divided by how pretty was the label. If the resulting number was less than1, I'd buy as long as the price wasn't above how much I had in my pocket. The intimidation began melting away when I was greeted with a smile and an offer of help. Then I saw the cheese/pate case. I had never had pate and was keen to try but was concerned about the price. While I was trying to decide if I could afford some pate and rum, I was offered a taste of pate. Too bad no rum tasting that day. Yum, Yum, the Salmon pate was HEAVEN as well as the others I tried. So, I took the advice of the counter employee and bought all of the ones I liked plus some crackers & matching wine. It was less than $50 and I had dinner for two plus leftovers. Date night was very successful!", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T15:44:53" }, { "business_id": "nsWxhtg7XAnl5DtH-_d-vA", "business_name": "Tucson Botanical Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "When I was a little girl, I loved to run in the field across from our house and chase butterflies. One time a neighbor gave me a net to help me catch the butterflies and I was very happy till I caught one and saw how bug like it was. Once I got over my squeamishness, I put a captive in a jar and took it home. I think we consulted some expert and put some kind of food in the jar but it only lasted a day. I was very upset to think I had shortened the creatures life. And even if the life wasn't shortened, I'm sure it would have rather been with friends then locked up in a jar. Well never fear the experts at the Gardens know how to treat the butterflies that call the park their home. I love to hang out at the TBG whenever I get a chance but it's best in the spring and fall. The staff is always friendly and helpful too. There are a number of events and classes. In addition volunteer opportunities too. And it's centrally located so you can pop in on your way to somewhere else in town.", "timestamp": "2012-02-09T05:40:40" }, { "business_id": "z5r59h-c7vCS53k1YKSfxg", "business_name": "Lotus Massage & Wellness Center", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a puddle when Ingrid was done with my massage. I wanted to ask her to marry me cuz I love her. Well not just her, the whole center screams calmness and peace. But not the 60's type where you don't know if the'll be open cuz they were/are smoking peyote. Very professional and worth the money.", "timestamp": "2012-02-11T01:17:13" }, { "business_id": "26rvYn1RPbJCBW-cW05xnQ", "business_name": "Sun Tran", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the way Tucson's bus system has improved over the years. There's more weekend & late night service. A great option if you plan on drinking. If you're going to close the bar down you'll need to make other arrangements to get home but at least you can bus there so you're not cabbing both ways. There's still the stupid way buses that meet at an intersection are scheduled to arrive at the same time so it doesn't matter what bus you want to transfer to you can't because by the time you get across the street the bus has gone.", "timestamp": "2012-02-12T13:29:33" }, { "business_id": "4QMIJJWQOh7zpEwOXhFJqw", "business_name": "Renee's Tucson", "rating": 5, "text": "Chillin at Renee's listening to Mack the Knife on Valentine's Day reminded me of my first love & favorite Valentine, my mom. She loved Louis Armstrong. Even though I don't have my mom with me I got lots of love & comfort food at Renee's. I had the meatballs in marinara sauce with the pepper salad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-14T23:53:42" }, { "business_id": "t3yNTcIYyCreySnwVl5tjw", "business_name": "The Loft Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "ACTION!!! Not sure why I don't go here more often. The staff is friendly and the seats are comfy. I didn't have any food at The 2012 Academy Award Nominated Action Short Films showing but my friend had the pizza. It looked and smelled good. They have beer too.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T16:33:51" }, { "business_id": "-1MhPXk1FglglUAmuPLIGg", "business_name": "Red Garter Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "Best hamburger in town! Cooked just the way I like it, right after it gets done screaming. I love being Burger Kinged. I had a combination of the Swiss burger and southwest burger. Bacon, mushrooms, Swiss cheese and yummy bar-b-que sauce. The bread was good too, but I left most of it because the burger was so large. The onion rings were so good I skipped the ketchup. I held back a star because when I walked in a waitress walked by me without acknowledged I was there. The bartender looked up but didn't give a nod or anything. I know it's not Cheers but still a howdy ma'am would have been nice. I got a little concerned that maybe I had stepped into a time warp and was in a 1950's bar. I did a check for other dark faces and found one that was much lighter than mine so, I began to relax. Once my waitress came over to greet me (I'd been sitting about 4 minutes) she was genuinely very friendly. So, let's give them back 1/2 a star. The jukebox is off the hook. All my old favorite rock-n-roll songs were playing. There's ton's of TVs for you sports fans. It is a little pricey. I was expecting some Happy Hour pricing as it was 5pm. But you get what you pay for in this world. I'm a big bathroom nut. If a place has a nice clean bathroom, I'm going to spend a lot of time there. Rg's was clean enough but no hook for my purse and sweater. So now we're down to 3 stars.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T17:02:26" }, { "business_id": "SbdL-8NSmTWgSwdGZBa7WQ", "business_name": "Fresco Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "I love good-hot pizza & that's why I have Fresco deliver. Sometimes I order the eggplant parmesan & combo subs. It doesn't matter they always deliver hot & fresh food with a smile. With that said the best part is when they answer the phone you can hear the smile. Most of the time when I call businesses I get the feeling I'm interrupting something. Not at Fresco.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T21:47:04" }, { "business_id": "6pVVwtFmd7VBsgyFPHvU_w", "business_name": "Union Public House", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to my first UYE here. I'll never forget it. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was really good. I had the cheesy tots. House made potato tots covered with a house made cheese sauce. I want to be buried in that sauce. Then I had the special, scallops. I almost fell over when I was told $12 for 2 scallops. But they were huge. Then, I almost fell over because the were so tender. The noise from the other patrons was deafening and there was heavy metal music playing but you really couldn't hear it because of the noise from the people talking. There was a lot of sound bouncing off the walls. We had the same problem at our church. They make dampening panels for that. But before that gets fixed I think some money should be put into new fixtures for the ladies room. It was kinda clean but the toilet was stopped up. One of the YELPers I was with, told the owner and it got fixed right away. Yes, I'm crazy that way, I went back to check. But even without stopped toilet the L. room gets an F, because the sinks would be called retro if they were refinished. But they weren't. One more thing, the faucets don't have to be automatic but working would be nice. I don't like L. rooms in dives to be icky either. However, UPH is NO dive.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:03:22" }, { "business_id": "ta8tixXzHXFogPiYlB2a5A", "business_name": "Robert's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I was busing it the other day & missed the bus by that much. Some businesses don't like it if you pop into there place to keep warm for half an hour for the next bus. My waitress at was A-Ok with it. She kept offering to get me something to eat. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was going to eat elsewhere. I did have a really good cup of coffee & a great conversation with her. I don't know why I don't go to Robert's more often.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:08:15" }, { "business_id": "Ch8VCPuGX6lJWBaofljE1A", "business_name": "Udall Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Grazing In The Grass There's a lot going on at this park. My favorite is the László Veres Amphitheater, where Arizona Symphonic Winds plays every Summer and Fall. We pack a dinner, bring blankets, lawn chairs and friends, equals a great time in the Arizona. Since it's in the evening the wind comes along and it's really nice in the grass.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:23:27" }, { "business_id": "BauybYsfqd0y6KDrJ6ZxjQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "My get up and go was still in the bed. So, I popped in her to get a dirty-soy chai. Fixed me right up. Thanks perky & patient order taker. I always think I'm going to try something new and I rarely do.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:27:30" }, { "business_id": "sTaUoMUban-Hdhy8m3eM-A", "business_name": "Big Lots", "rating": 3, "text": "When I met my husband he loved going to big lots. I hated it because it was so unorganized. This one is very organized. I had gotten caught in the rain on a bus day. No umbrella or poncho. I had some important documents with me too. The customer service desk clerk and all cashiers were busy when I went in so I could ask; WHERE ARE THE RAIN PNCHOS? I needed to get across this huge parking lot to the bus stop quickly. It makes since rain ponchos would be near the clothing. And there they were. I think in the store we use to go to they keep rain ponchos in the automotive or hardware section.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:34:42" }, { "business_id": "J-Go00lYW4f4a3lLLtoh_A", "business_name": "Bobo's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "You can leave your party at home! What a great neighborhood cafe. I've only been in here twice but both times had great conversations with fellow diners. That's one of the things I really love about Tucson is there's so many places you can go and people are friendly. You don't have to bring your party with you. The staff is friendly but not intrusive. The last time I went I had the grilled cheese sandwich. When I ordered. The guy sitting next to me said i should order the chicken special he had. The chicken did look and smell good. But I told him about how us YELPers where talking about where to go for good grilled cheese. And we were off. He likes YELP but didn't know about how social and fun we are. The sandwich arrived on sourdough with cheese oozing out the sides but not so much that I needed a spoon to hole it all together. You can add stuff on the grilled cheese like chicken, ham or tomato but it was fantastic naked. I choose the cottage cheese for the side.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:51:31" }, { "business_id": "tJ_dQUc5m--Wgo7NRIjyzA", "business_name": "Food Conspiracy Co-op", "rating": 4, "text": "I was going to became a member this weekend at the birthday bash but the day got away from me. The rewards are awesome (see links below). Maybe I'll Git R done later this week. When I was in a few weeks ago the produce was very fresh. I think the upswing in local producers of good quality produce has really helped. The good news is I don't have to wait for a nearby farmers market to get good fresh local produce. They have a good selection of healthy cereals and bulk nuts, granola, etc. The cashier was real nice too and very knowledgeable about products and the birthday bash. Love this place! http://www.foodconspiracy.coop/membership/benefits/ http://www.foodconspiracy.org/about/co-op-discount-network/", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:04:16" }, { "business_id": "WFBdR8ZotMOKDkZ0skufIA", "business_name": "Michaels", "rating": 3, "text": "I've seen it messier but I was able to hijack an employee for help. I was in a hurry. Usually I know it's going to take a while and I just go up and down each \"um aisle\" till I give up. Anyways this time I was in and out in a jiff. They now have a screen to assist with the cash register line flow.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:13:27" }, { "business_id": "idWOWHJ7zInwE8SPBcFHLg", "business_name": "Sabino Cycles", "rating": 4, "text": "I had just finished lunch in the strip mall and was stuck in the rain. And I had cake to go. (Remember the song, someone left the cake out in the rain). I went in to see if they had a nice rain poncho. They didn't & the sales lady didn't laugh at me because it would be hard to fit your helmet on over the hood of a rain poncho. We both had a good laugh at me. I told her about my electric bike and asked if they could fix the non-electric stuff, because they are really convenient for my truck owner brother and I. She said they'd be happy to help.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:32:24" }, { "business_id": "ly0nkQsbvKkHNUyl5AGdjA", "business_name": "Isabella's Ice Cream", "rating": 5, "text": "You scream, I'm eating the ice cream. Not only is it very very very good, there's experimental flavors. I tried one with lavender. And there's a few other yummy unusual flavors that's gone out of my head right now. You can request flavors too. Owner is very very very friendly. So, don't scream at her.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:16:36" }, { "business_id": "s1p9pg69MZA7vRiFCewQlQ", "business_name": "Ordinary Bike Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "I was looking for info about electric bikes and got some good recommendations. I also got an offer to bring the bike in for non-electric repair issues. The employee was very friendly and helpful. I was in and out in under 5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-24T07:00:42" }, { "business_id": "AVBqx8FaXza6x-bb_FLOTQ", "business_name": "Anita Street Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I never thought I'd be in a love triangle. But here I am, Anita Street Market, YELP and me. I love ASM because of the great food and service. I love YELP because reading a friend's review reminded me it's been too long since I've visited ASM. I usually get the gorditas made with cottage cheese. I have to buy 2 packages because I eat one on the way home. They have a good selection of cheese and other essentials for a Mexican fiesta. I'm a big fusion cuisine nut so I put mid or far east seasoned stuff with the stuff I get from ASM! YUM!", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T17:00:52" }, { "business_id": "jaFGVtpEMSyh8AHi8jh-wA", "business_name": "Bicas - Bicycle Inter Community Art & Salvage", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a little concerned about walking into Bicas because these guys put bikes together and I can hardly ride one. I was really relieved when I had one foot in the door & was greeted with a friendly smile & offer for help. I was there for the Underground Art class, Bike Zine Origami Stars with Rachel Sandler. I really had too much fun & almost broke my laughing bone. There were fellow crocheters, knitters & painters learning how to make Origami Stars. Mine turned out really cool. Check out my pic. I can't wait till next week for the Japanese Book binding class. Check out their website for more classes and art exhibits. There's a new art studio and gallery featuring bicycle-themed and recycled art by local and international artists. You can go home with some bike art originals.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T16:45:59" }, { "business_id": "zwrgCMuZyFX46mL3piDyjg", "business_name": "Cup Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Funny-adult story about the 1st time I ate here. Starts with my BFF recovering from a breakup, there's 2 French Policemen on holiday & ends with the heart breaker & chicken satay. I've tried other dishes but always go back to the heart breaker & chicken satay. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't have them on the menu anymore because the funny story happened, well nevermind how long ago it was. It's still a funny story and the food at the cup is still GREAT!!! Subtracted a star because sometimes service is a little iffy. There's been some occasions when I feel like I've interrupted servers FUN TIME. But, most of the time service is good.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T17:14:31" }, { "business_id": "Ixj573yo0PMWFGXmnka9MA", "business_name": "The Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only had my bike for a few months & today was my first big outing. I was meeting friends at Rillito Park Race Track & wanted to really enjoy nature. A few clicks on my map app & a plan was born. Tucson really is a bike friendly town. I was able to safely ride from Yoga class to the where Tucson Blvd intersects with the bike path. I was a little concerned when I saw the end of road barriers at the end of Tucson Blvd. Then I thought that's for cars ding-a-ling. So, I threaded my way barriers to be greeted by a wonderful park. Then I turned on the path. There was lots of room & the center line was clearly marked. Fellow bikers & walkers were very friendly. A big thanks to the lady who helped me turn on the correct bridge. I'd subtract one half star because the bridges aren't marked. There was a huge map at the trail head but at that point I didn't need no stinking map.", "timestamp": "2012-03-05T06:45:48" }, { "business_id": "zGiOO2bxasexYRQt6y9ClA", "business_name": "JOANN Fabrics and Crafts", "rating": 4, "text": "I almost have enough yarn to open my own yarn shop. But I had to get more. It was on sale & I had a get an extra 15% off from my Joann Phone app. The fabric area in every fabric store always seems to be an area of high anxiety. I try to stay away. I needed some fabric for the lining of a purse I crocheted so I picked up some precut quilting fabric. The precut squares are only $1.99 for 18X21 piece. I'm no geometry wiz kid but that's not a square. Anyways, it was fast and cheap. Also got some yarn for some future projects. And some New hooks that were less than $3 with bamboo handles.", "timestamp": "2012-03-06T17:21:34" }, { "business_id": "1teRq-Q6XG6l-WoinZFX0g", "business_name": "The University of Arizona", "rating": 4, "text": "The U of OZ is a great school & a must see for any sightseeing trip. The admission process at any large school is bound to have hurdles. At OZ there's lots of little people to help you. Just like in the real Oz there's some double speak to translate. It's very exciting when you, the scarecrow, lion & tin man meet with your all knowing advisor the 1st time. Then meeting whit the advisor the last time before You get the coveted piece of paper. The road is not always yellow & easy to follow but when you're done you know you can do anything life tosses at you. The tourist will not see lions, tigers & bears. If you're lucky you'll see Wilbur the wildcat along with museums, concert halls & really nice restaurants. Plus I understand the basketball team isn't bad. Just arrive on campus & ask anyone for info. Everyone is really friendly. There's also a info office near the mall, the huge grassy area at the center of campus.", "timestamp": "2012-03-07T16:33:00" }, { "business_id": "1W657uKWvcMKIHaOmEOc-g", "business_name": "Caffe Milano", "rating": 5, "text": "Authentic Italian food without passport = Space time anomaly. Well, I've never been to Italy but I bet you all the change in my pocket the food is just like the lunch I had at Caffe Milano. While I was trying to decide what to have a regular popped in and started telling me what was good. He really could have saved himself a lot of words if he'd said the truth, It's all good. And you get a lot of food too. I had to skip dessert.", "timestamp": "2012-03-09T07:06:03" }, { "business_id": "6wzZ9FR3-bfqFz8ySgyavQ", "business_name": "Dickman's Meat & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "No clue why when I lived a little over a mile from the old location I never went here. But I'm so glad I did. I haven't had a sandwich that good in a long time. The side bow tie pasta salad was really good too. There's a great selection of take home meats, cheeses & fixings. Wild boar anyone?", "timestamp": "2012-03-10T11:02:13" }, { "business_id": "AXaeGUt_wSPjsLAWHpRFSQ", "business_name": "Church's Chicken", "rating": 3, "text": "When I need some comfort food Churches is my go to place. The service is good. I tell them how hungry I am and they work it out so I don't have to pay much. Last time I was here I was stuffed for less than $5.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T16:52:41" }, { "business_id": "MUOCeTGhL5llXe8GAuqOMA", "business_name": "Ike's Coffee & Tea", "rating": 4, "text": "Adult entertainment? No, but they do have an adult grilled cheese Sandwich. For the life of me I can't remember the name. It was goat cheese, tomato and spinach I think. I thought I had already written this review and I visited there weeks ago. I'll have to pop in again to give you the detailed info. But, I didn't want to delay the review any longer. Service was really good. The cook was sampling a yummy looking smoothie & I asked several probing questions. After a little awkwardness I confessed about being a YELPer & how we were going to have a juicing event soon. So, I was looking for interesting things to mix together for my juicing event shopping.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T17:02:31" }, { "business_id": "SgTZIh4nFftQxoXqX1eJcQ", "business_name": "Brandi Fenton Memorial Park", "rating": 4, "text": "The park is a great place to go on dates. There's not a lot of trees to duck behind and do whatever it is people do when they duck behind trees. But there is a lot of space and the air is really fresh. I think it would be a great place to play bocce ball. I have been here a few times for fundraising events and had a great time. Like I said there's lots of room to play frisbee or toss a ball. At the HOPE fundraiser we Hula hooped. Hadn't done that in over 20 years.", "timestamp": "2012-03-14T07:19:40" }, { "business_id": "rmmUhScUsA3xXbhDhRlb9A", "business_name": "Macy's", "rating": 4, "text": "I love the spring sales. The quality is real good too. I have skirts from over 10 years ago. I use to wear them ever week when I was working. They are just starting to look worn and I only paid $5 for 1 and $10 for the other. I couldn't make them for that price. I wish they had more made in America stuff but then would the skirt ever be marked down to $5? The staff is always nice and helpful. I usually get a sincerer hello. Not the please don't still anything hello. I think the times you enter a department and there's no one there that person is on break. Nice to see a company still employs the tried and true systems we used back in the day when I worked at a competing department store.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:01:51" }, { "business_id": "GNo1zeiPKErB7Ww_j3IlOg", "business_name": "The Tasteful Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "MGJ (mean green juice) ICE CREAM???!!! When I heard Isabella's Ice Cream had made MGJ for The Tasteful Kitchen, I made a bee line to them. To bad I was busy then they aren't open Mondays and Tuesdays so, yesterday was my first chance to enjoy. Everything was so delicious. I had quite a bit of food but wasn't too full for the ice cream. I had the mango butternut raw foods soup, the raw foods veggie burger with a salad and spicy sweet potato/carrot fries. This may actually be the diet for me. I'm not a huge fan of bread on a burger anyways. It kinda takes away the flavor and fills me up so I don't have room for Ice Cream. The service was impeccable. I felt like a queen on vacation. There's classes to learn how to cook or not cook like The Tasteful Kitchen staff.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:34:14" }, { "business_id": "_jADWOt1FkWMWGIlz30cew", "business_name": "Reid Park Biking/Walking Path", "rating": 5, "text": "If I had $100 for each step I took on this path, we'd all be rich! Just the right amount of everything is the key to this urban ParkBikingWalking path. The right amount of shade mixed with the right amount of sun. The right amount of cyclist mixed with walkers and runners tossed in for good measure. It's a beautiful doggy dance.", "timestamp": "2012-03-16T05:58:47" }, { "business_id": "uf3strC3s96XPOM502o5lw", "business_name": "Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block", "rating": 3, "text": "Tucson Museum of ART - Spring Artisans' Market is a great place to meet nice people and drown in creativity. And it's nice that the museum takes advantage of the increased traffic by opening it's doors for free. The only annoyance is when you find something you want to buy you have to go to a central cashier and pay for it then make your way back to the artists booth to collect the item. It's not so bad when I'm by myself but when I'm with my brother, Mr personality, we have to stop every 2 feet to say hi to someone he knows. Anyways, lots of hugs and flesh pressing.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:12:49" }, { "business_id": "dh1C733vVNx7BaIBmwMwNQ", "business_name": "Cafe A La Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "Had some mind blowing Irish car bomber cupcakes at the Irish cook off last weekend. So, I made sure when I was downtown to pop in and see what else they offered. I'd eaten here PY (PreYelp). What can I say when you're enjoying something with the intent of writing about it later, you notice things you didn't notice before. Like I ordered potato salad (don't know why, cuz I don't like potatoes) when may plate was brought out I thought they had made a mistake because I didn't see any potatoes. Lots of yummy marinated seasoned fresh veggies. I knew they were yummy before I tasted them cuz of the smell. So I dug in, and well look at that potatoes in my potato salad. And the potatoes tasted good. The review I was writing in my head had gone from 5 stars to 2 and up to 6 stars. Oops have to factor in the chai tea latte, brisket sandwich and chocolate chip walnut cookie. Ladies & gentlemen we have broken the YELP star barrier. The loud boom you just heard is the sound made by the smashing of molecules when a company gets more than 10 stars. I have to meet with the Big Bang Theory cast to have the physics explained but Cafe a la C'Art has blown my mind again.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:35:17" }, { "business_id": "tBWjMqUc0yP5lRElCfDaKg", "business_name": "1702", "rating": 4, "text": "My BFF would move in here if he could. I usually only go here with my crazy friends who make it hard to have a good experience. They are kinda rude to the staff but the staff is always nice and helpful. The other day was my 1st time alone to try the chicken ice cream. It was good and so was the pesto pizza. Service was really good too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T07:23:41" }, { "business_id": "rTxjTF2FgHpyHdMbhBuMBg", "business_name": "Caravan Mideastern Foods", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't greeted when I entered but I did get a hardy goodbye. They have lots of yummy stuff for competitive prices. I got a huge container of Nutella for about $5. Can't find the receipt but I know it wasn't $6. My neighbor told me about Caravan. She said they do a lot of their, oh poo we forgot ________ shopping at Caravan.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T16:11:35" }, { "business_id": "EW2mdIhlnowmtp1JY6MhPA", "business_name": "Himmel Park", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a nice resting spot when I'm biking home form downtown. I wasn't really tired but it filled my heart with joy to hear all the kids running and playing. I sat and cranked out a few pages on my book. Afternoons during the week is a good time to go if you're not into crowds. There's all kinds of events happening on the weekends. From birthday jumping castles to jousting. I think I've seen a soccer game or two. Now that I think about it these events happen late afternoons too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-22T00:48:31" }, { "business_id": "PGlHVBkiCvfNE9yDes1lOw", "business_name": "Aqua Vita", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes these neighborhood markets have iffy produce & some smell bad. And if you're real lucky the employees are rude. But not this neighborhood market. Fresh delicious produce and dairy. Nice frozen food section. The prices are high. But I guess that's to be expected when they don't have the buying power of the big stores.", "timestamp": "2012-03-23T00:36:37" }, { "business_id": "LMAqSWASePVhhOZkUs2vvQ", "business_name": "UA BookStores", "rating": 3, "text": "It's a college bookstore but not just for students. But, it's still a college bookstore. The prices aren't very competitive but the store is usually clean. Customer service is sometimes hard to find but when you get someone they are friendly and helpful. There's a lot of community outreach events like the children's book program. I met Clifford the Big Red Dog. He didn't bite when I asked him to take a picture with me. Like I said it's a college bookstore so parking is a little challenging. I suggest biking, busing or the trolley when it's up and going.", "timestamp": "2012-03-26T18:08:39" }, { "business_id": "d26VEnmSq_r2wJ35L9RYUw", "business_name": "Little Mexico Steakhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Margaritas, Flat Enchiladas & Green Corn Tamales. Several friends stopped by on our way back to town after a visit to the reservation. We had been in the hot sun for a few hours with just warm water to wet our whistles so that may be why the clean, fresh, not-2-sweet-not-2-alcoholey Rita pitchers were so good. I guess I'll have to do more investigating darn. Then the food arrived. More taste explosions and sirens. All this and the service was quick and friendly too. Then to top it off the bathroom was clean and there was a hook for my purse.", "timestamp": "2012-04-16T05:08:55" }, { "business_id": "X1oJuhLy8JxzmXkWLCqW6g", "business_name": "Baggin's Gourmet Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "The Unforgettable is unforgettable. I use to work across the street from a now closed Baggin's. The plan was to start at the top and work my way through the sandwich list. Well, after one bite of the Unforgettable the plan was scrapped. Over the years I've tried other Baggin's sandwiches but I still keep going back to my 1st love. I've been to this location several times and it's always Unforgettably fantastic.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:06:55" }, { "business_id": "J_w5J7dgRpyB4GFiBJIDIg", "business_name": "Xoom Juice", "rating": 4, "text": "I promise I'm not an alien from another planet but I'm not a fan of smoothies as a meal. With that said I love the spoon Xoom Spoon Velvet Amazon. With the Hemp Granola it is very filling. The service has always been with a smile even when it gets busy and loud.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:13:24" }, { "business_id": "5nOTwLs2lCpsFwZzHA6Hvg", "business_name": "Rubio's", "rating": 4, "text": "I Heart grilled fish taco's washed down with a cold beer. The service is always friendly and fast. there's great music too. I always feel like I've spent lots of money to get to some remote island where all of my cares have been washed away by the ocean.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:18:53" }, { "business_id": "X-IMyKLRxkspQYLKBed8sA", "business_name": "Hope Animal Shelter", "rating": 4, "text": "I love going to Hope events and visiting the warm cuddles there. They sponsor classes about communicating with your animal how to catch a star cat and all kinds of health issues. The staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:32:58" }, { "business_id": "sOjbtBWo-m6rpjHv4tA_oQ", "business_name": "Brewd Coffee & Food", "rating": 4, "text": "There's no excuse not to go here during the construction because 6th Ave is a 2 way street now. I hesitate to write a favorable review because during the construction a lot of people have been staying away so it's very quite and peaceful. I hung out here for a few hours the other day to finish reading a book that was due back to the library. Very comfortable seats and friendly service. I had a flat-bread sandwich that was really good. Lots of plugs for all your devices. Next time I'm bringing in my bike battery and charging it.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:45:50" }, { "business_id": "2h0D_jeKy81uZgpZGZmGPA", "business_name": "Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue", "rating": 4, "text": "McGarrett: Book em Danno Williams: What's the charge? McGarrett: Selling yummy Hawaii style food on the main land. Williams: That won't hold up in court! McGarrett: I don't care Danno! I want these guys to go down. Williams: Well ya know what I think? McGarrett: NO!!! And please don't tell me! Williams: I'm telling you anyways my uninspired friend. McGarrett: I'm not listening! Williams: When Tucsonians taste this food they get Hawaii fever and will watch our show more. McGarrett: Oh, good point. Hey all you Tucsonians hang ten to MHBBQ for the Hawaii Chicken sandwich. Don't forget dessert. Passion squares, Lemon bars & cream cheese brownies make you escape the blazing desert heat & enjoy the soft Hawaiian breeze. For an additional visual experience watch my show. Williams: MY SHOW?!?!?!?", "timestamp": "2012-05-09T16:50:41" }, { "business_id": "D44IBRDtEScaWELey5IfCA", "business_name": "May's Counter Chicken And Waffles", "rating": 2, "text": "I had considered purchasing a home around the corner from May's so I could wonder over in my PJs. But the last couple of times I went made me glad I didn't impulse buy a HOUSE. As a frequent visitor (at least once a week) I knew all of the wait staff and some of the cooks. Everyone was very friendly, then there was a change in ownership/management. And a lot of the friendly staff left. Then the waffle recipe changed. I was assured it hadn't. So, the gang and I got together for a visit and all agree the waffles tasted generic. So, I stopped ordering the waffles and tried some of the other offerings. I noticed salads and chicken pieces getting smaller and the prices going up. So, now instead of going ever week I may make it to May's once a month. I would have given 1 star but I've been getting emails about music nights. the musicians have great profiles and look promising. The only thing is the music offerings are not consistent and whenever there's an event I have previous plans.", "timestamp": "2012-12-03T18:05:28" }, { "business_id": "Hi4AgS-uR-lEOF4oZl546g", "business_name": "China Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "I was a little concerned when I read the first sentence of Mark S's review, \"Probably the most authentic Chinese food I have had since visiting Chinatown in San Francisco.\" When I was in San Francisco I had what I was told was authentic Chinese food and I didn't like it. Also, Here in Tucson I've been to \"authentic Chinese food\" establishments and ended up with a pile of napkins filled with food my tongue rejected. I've always felt a little embarrassed but try as I may I couldn't drink enough beer, water or wine to get the food to go down my throat. However, at China Pasta house everything was great. The dumplings were cooked to perfection. Usually there's something crazy with the texture (to wormy). I tried some of my neighbor's noodle soup and it was good too. So, I was excited to get my Spicy Fried Rice Cake with Shrimp. It was everything I'd hoped for in an authentic Chinese Restaurant. I was thinking one of those fried rice cakes you get at the store but fresh and yummy but what I got was a yummy mix of a firm rice cake sliced to perfection, fresh crisp veggies and lots of shrimp. I offered to share with my neighbor but thank God she said no because I'm going to relive the ecstasy for lunch. Leftovers ROCK!", "timestamp": "2012-12-06T16:51:45" }, { "business_id": "KbSpEQ_54ovgNxOoxKP79g", "business_name": "Time Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Great Pizza!!! My summer resolution is to have Time market Pizza every Friday night for the next 10 years. They have traditional and not so traditional options. The staff is very professional and friendly. I love the way the thin crust crackles and cheese cheesles.", "timestamp": "2012-12-14T15:54:12" }, { "business_id": "i3k1luXdsi_cShv-agBxGg", "business_name": "Ooo! Outside Of Ordinary", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really impressed by the unusual selection of stuff I didn't know I needed. Loved the round purses with holographic pictures of eyes. And the toy selection is great. Looking for the right toy for the kid that has every electronic toy and needs a little nostalgia this is the place. Really, what are they going to do when the lights go out during the end of the world?", "timestamp": "2012-12-14T15:58:44" } ]	{ "business_id": "AUBQPQ8wftMBbP2Q3Lbn0w", "business_name": "Sakura", "rating": 4, "text": "Was very excited all day thinking of enjoying some jazz, food and good friends. But it was canceled because of the cold. :-( Still had a good time. Would have been better if there was jazz instead of sports but, the chocolate martini and lettuce wraps were just what the doctor ordered after a long days work. (Half off appetizers and $1 off drinks) YUM!!!", "timestamp": "2013-01-13T03:00:08" }
pYXeL0RCqus2IfhthYCOyA	[ { "business_id": "pqHCY2NE8_aVl0EsDRbUtg", "business_name": "Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que", "rating": 5, "text": "Crisp slaw & spicy sauce are the 2 things that get me fired up about BBQ! FD has these in spades. Then top it off with a selicious selection of Home-style Desserts, bring out the cot I'm moving in here!!! It only gets better when I can bring friends & family who can find eats to wet their palate & want to pull out a pallet too.", "timestamp": "2011-07-11T16:49:02" }, { "business_id": "U_NCpKQDf3z7qSBjvv4U0Q", "business_name": "Cafe Desta", "rating": 5, "text": "Naked brick walls for art, Yummy food with a sprinkle of great conversation? Must be Cafe Desta. Yes, there's lots of places with art on brick and maybe some have food but very few, if any, have the fun knowledgeable owners/staff of Cafe Desta. From the moment I walked in the door till I left, I felt welcomed and pampered. After my rough day shopping I needed to be coddled. And I was totally spoiled! I was offered a drink and chose mint tea. This wasn't your grandma's teabag, it was ambrosia mint tea. No bitterness or paper tea bag taste. While sipping my teabrosia, I had a long talk with . . . . . I'm calling him Tee, and decided on the cubed lamb because they can put the hot stuff on the side. It was so yummy, even the hot sauce/paste was flavorful. The cheese reminded me of cheese curd and made me miss Wisconsin. I didn't think I'd like the veggies that came with the lamb dish because they had cooked carrots and I don't like cooked carrots. So, I can't say I don't like cooked carrots any more because these were so good mixed with green beans in a tomatolishes sauce. Enough of my rambling. Let me add on the obvious if you know anything about Ethiopian food. They have family style and single servings. I needed a to go container and guess what? Tee boxed it for me.", "timestamp": "2012-01-05T07:27:20" }, { "business_id": "RFIHFxmNH9dM0ouz2N8ZjQ", "business_name": "Cafe Marcel", "rating": 5, "text": "I was just checking my stats and realized all my reviews are 5 stars. What can I say, I always get great service. Like I did 2 times at Cafe Marcel. It was so good yesterday, I made my big brother take me today. Michelle & Joe's restaurant is like coming home to my French Granny's. I'm sure I don't have a French Granny and Michelle & Joe aren't old enough to be my Grandparents. Still I felt welcomed and left full of good food. Taste buds spinning so much I left my long sleeve shirt. Had to take it off cuz just like at Granny's they had the heat on so I was comfy. I had the Feta cheese, Tomato Pesto Crepe. Michelle says it doesn't matter how you pronounce it cuz it's all good. So do I.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T01:40:35" }, { "business_id": "LRr-aw58xVMkUu0OSL_BpQ", "business_name": "The Little One", "rating": 5, "text": "I HEART a company when an employee/owner recognizes you when you were just there a week before. That's what happened at Little Cafe Poca Cosa. This action lets me know the hugs aren't just a gimmick. I try to go on off hours so I don't get jammed in there with all the suits from the downtown offices. But even when I do. I take that as an opportunity to meet someone new. So, I've always had prompt friendly service. Except that one time when I was talking to this really cute suit and the waitress kept bothering us. I love the fact that they encourage you to only eat what you think you can eat so they don't have to waste food. I also like that they give back to the community. Oops, I forgot to tell you about the food. Very health-yummy!", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T02:35:25" }, { "business_id": "2njTjQ35skXN171KoobeGg", "business_name": "Raging Sage", "rating": 5, "text": "Well Jiminy Crickets!!! I wish I could give these guys 1 star then maybe it will not be as crowded. The good news is I've seen lots of cute guys here and when it's crowded you may have to share a table or even a chair. How fun would that be? OK, enough funnin'. Let's talk coffee and baked goods. Actually we don't have to talk coffee and baked goods because they're both so good you can have one without the other. Now I have a craving for and Ed O'Neil movie.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:51:01" }, { "business_id": "BxRHz-iSQGCGSuAGwkeUsw", "business_name": "Albertsons", "rating": 5, "text": "I use to take the bus past 2 other stores to get to this store because of the great selection, knowledgeable staff & fair prices. Now I live about 1/2 mile closer to another store in the opposite direction of the Albertson's. But Al and his staff are still my choice.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:55:08" }, { "business_id": "0THt7q5pk6FBVYjeGsITaA", "business_name": "Al's Ace Hardware", "rating": 5, "text": "Ace is the place with the helpful hardware WOman! I'm always greeted with a smile & offers of help. The cool part is they let me poke around just looking at the cool stuff. I'm a multimedia artist and sometimes just browsing in a hardware store can bring up suppressed Ace. Oops Art. Then when an idea pops in my head the WOman help me get it out and into my cart.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T04:04:08" }, { "business_id": "7_1GqlDlbkShY0az7J0XNg", "business_name": "LaCo", "rating": 4, "text": "La Cocina is a great place for a healthy lunch & relaxing. I don't recommend it if you're in a hurry. There's of shops, coffee house, restaurant and bar all staffed by a minimal number of people. But, it's worth a little wait because not only does it taste good, you're not going to add much weight. I've tried the quinoa, veggies in peanut sauce with tofu and felt the pounds come off. So, I had the Chocolate tofu pie thinking the pounds would come back but they didn't. I was full but not stuffed and no sugar crash. I also had the Mediterranean appetizer plate and felt was fully satisfied. I started with the hibiscus lemon-aid. Like everything else full of flavor not too sweet. Cuz I'm sweet enough.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:00:26" }, { "business_id": "bo_03Xq6RenVdK3yVuDGiA", "business_name": "Nimbus Brewing", "rating": 4, "text": "I love it when a plan come together! My brother and I went to Nimbus to hear Amosphere, a local based band. Usually the band plays from 10pm to 1 or 2 am & that's too late for us on days we have to get up early. Saturday (1/7/12) the band started at 7 but I had a late lunch so was ready to eat when I got there. We sat there for what seems like hours as the waitresses ran orders to & from the small window. I kept trying to give them the sign but they we so busy. Plus as I found out later the waitress don't take drink orders, you've gotta go to the bar. I must have been giving the give me a beer now sign and not the give me food now sign. It really wasn't hours it was just about 15 to 20 minutes. When a waitress came over to offer a humongous platter of chicken nachos for free cuz someone couldn't eat around the jalapenos. The nachos would have been a steal at twice the price. Great music & great food washed down with a pint of Nimbus Old Monkeyshine Ale, an exceptional example of a true, traditional-style English Pub beer.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:25:58" }, { "business_id": "yJZbNhVoTdhcI9dYVzLJuQ", "business_name": "Playground Bar & Lounge", "rating": 5, "text": "Indian Jones I'm not but I did unearth this Jewel in the desert. Well, actually I stumbled upon it. I was hungry and popped into the Hub for something yummy. I saw the ad I've been seeing for months that Playground would be opening soon. Well It was today at 4pm; I'd call that soon. The HUB Restaurant owner started the fire that got this diamond to the glimmering state it is in today. I was greeted by doormen dressed in Tucson Dressy. I was still wearing my layers of thermal and turtle neck I had on when I left the house this morning but I was still welcomed. While most of the guests were dressed for an evening of adult Recess on the Playground, there were others who came as they were. It wasn't crowded and there's enough playground equipment so you don't have to wait for your libation. I'm going to say even when they're at capacity you should still be able to get your drink on in a timely manner. I really liked the low seating in a far east/Mediterranean style. Not to far to fall, just in case. Speaking of style, I could live in the ladies room. I love the urban-rip-the-space-time fabric, we're in New York feel. Bare-brick walls mixed with vinyl wallpaper and mirrors. The good kind of mirrors that make you look smaller than you are. But the one above the sink had a video of how to put make-up on. The only thing missing was a lady selling make-up cuz I didn't have any. I'm going back as they open at 4pm and that's way before my bed time.", "timestamp": "2012-01-13T03:17:18" }, { "business_id": "8wkPLsDbGU3GcW8CoD-4aA", "business_name": "Caffe Luce", "rating": 5, "text": "Finally a place to spend my federation credits. I had heard about companies using iPads as cash registers but this is the 1st time I interacted with one. On the iPad it gives you tip options I think that's nice just in case you forget. I love the decor too. Behind the food prep area is a sign that reads Congress & 5th posted on \"subway\" tile. I know if you've been in some of the subways around the country, the thought of your food being prepared there might not sound palatable but you can't miss with this vegetarian menu. I heard people ordering coffee and they sounded happy with the results. It was after 1pm so I had wine. I was thinking wine spritzer and they accommodated by serving a glass of wine with a jelly glass jar of made on the spot sparkling water. And a smile to boot. There's a nifty system for getting a food order from the cash register to the prep area. It's written on an old fashion order form then attached to an alligator clip hung from a trolley type line on the ceiling. Then it's Zip-lined on the magnetic orderslip delivery system. I love it when new and old comes together.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:04:54" }, { "business_id": "9hVDlAouG9J1ORXOlBi44g", "business_name": "Summit Hut", "rating": 5, "text": "I Heart Summit Hut because they don't look at me a judge that I'm not an outdoors person. And even though I'm not they have lots of things I use like water bottles, t-shirts and unusual nicknacks. I was looking for solar cell phone options and they had them. One was a complete kid with rechargeable batteries and the other was for charging everything from your iPhone to your old no name MP3 player. I was very impressed with the teamwork. I asked a question from the single guy standing at the registers and he didn't call anyone he just grabbed the keys and began helping me. Another employee saw the void and popped into the vacant area, very smooth. I bet there's a couple of football and basketball teams that could benefit from taking a Summit Hut customer training class.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:28:11" }, { "business_id": "vdCQoE2il097-vc_gIQzYw", "business_name": "Bruegger's Bagels", "rating": 4, "text": "I use to pop into this Bruegger's between buses on my way to Pima west campus. I've always gotten great service. Sometimes some of the customer's are slow but the employees are great that they match the customer that way customer's who have time do not feel rushed.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:31:24" }, { "business_id": "OvC4Ecgzk2SI7R8qD0rk9Q", "business_name": "Sky Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "When I 1st read about Sky Bar I couldn't wait to check it out. That was over a year ago. I'd pop in just to cool off when it was over 90 and for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to stroll 4th Ave. I dropped in for a cool drink and it's not what I expected. You have to bring your party with you. At least when I was there things were very clicky. The point is if I'm bringing my party with me, we could just go to the store and buy the same stuff they serve there & hang at a friend's house.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T05:57:22" }, { "business_id": "J6EXRXbejBgOv4SWamMEAA", "business_name": "Culver's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been hearing about this place as if it's the second coming of the Messiah. Upscale fast food is still fast food. I'd pay a little extra for a maitre d, waitron and a bus-person . I don't mind ordering at the counter I think it was the large lighted menu over the back of the order-taker's head that made me feel like a clown or a king was going to come at me any second. I had the prime-rib sandwich. It was flavorful, tender and juicy. Most importantly the bread was very good and held-up nicely. I washed it down with a chocolate shake and it was no king or queen. Messiah? No, maybe John his cousin.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T07:16:52" }, { "business_id": "g7WfbAnXnMVXVNcc0SBM3A", "business_name": "Performance Bicycle", "rating": 2, "text": "I think they expect you to look like a Performance Cyclist or you don't get any help. Not even a smile or a please don't steal anything hello. I wandered around for almost 10 minutes without any acknowledgement that I might be a paying customer. The same thing happened the last time I went into this store. They're the closest bike shop to me and when I called to check hours the guy was really nice. I must have a Performance Cyclist's voice. Good thing I'm smart cuz I was able to cruised around and find out they didn't have bike grease. There were lots of other customer's there getting good service so, I don't think they're to be avoided if you look the part.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:44:14" }, { "business_id": "T7ybhSamtbgI2Ece8Z8IHQ", "business_name": "RC Bicycles", "rating": 5, "text": "Double up those stars! RC get 10 stars from me. This was my 3rd shop to try and find bike grease. And let's not talk about cell minutes used. It was a nice day so I started walking to the 1st place that was about 1 mile away, the next place was about 1.2 miles from the 1st place and RC was a little less than a mile from the 2nd place. What a great workout? The nice young man working by himself at RC took time to advise me that most people do not attempt to put together their bikes. I explained to him that it was just the front wheel, seat and peddles. Plus, I had no way to get the bike to a shop. So, he gave me some tips and grease and away I went. Guess where I'm buying all of my accessories?", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:58:10" }, { "business_id": "57Vny0AxGdEQBETfd7xU4A", "business_name": "Chopstix Asian Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "DH and I 1st rolled in here when they 1st opened. Because of the location we thought we'd better get in there before it closes. Well here we are years later and I finally got my big bro in the Stixs for dinner. It's not on my normal beaten path but when I find myself in the area it's my go to place. There's a few fast food places near but if you're looking for a good quick lunch, their buffet can not be beat with multiple options for less than $7.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T01:59:22" }, { "business_id": "wa_bwyY57etHjtJ2Fw0E3g", "business_name": "Pita Jungle", "rating": 4, "text": "If I had a penny for every time I had plans to eat at the Jungle but plans fell through, I could retire. Well, maybe take a few days off. I told the hostess about my trouble getting there and she made sympathetic noises. I went for the happy hour \"tapas\" so I could try a little of everything. The baba ghanouj's flavors were distinct and mingled perfectly. The pita was just the right thickness and slightly crispy so the baba didn't smash into the ghanouj. My waiter suggested the lemon chicken and if it wasn't half jerky-ed, it would have been great, All the flavors were there except for the ones that slipped away with the moisture. The Baklava more than made up for the chicken mishap. So, instead of 3 stars we're doing 4.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:30:14" }, { "business_id": "gAB-cDpBycjonNkiQMLCqw", "business_name": "Rita Ranch RV & Self Storage", "rating": 4, "text": "These kids now days have everything. I had to wash my dog in the bathtub, uphill both ways. Really, this is a great idea. I'd never even heard of it till I was visiting friends and family in the area. It's $5 for 10 minutes and just like when you wash your car it's up to you how you spend your minutes. Well not exactly like the car, the car doesn't try to bite or sit on the hose. You don't have to give the car treats to get it to into the wash area. And most importantly the car doesn't shake stinky wet dog water all over you during and after the wash. But that's all on the dog. The owners have done a good job of partitioning the areas where up to 8 dogs can be washed at a time with 2 at each of the four areas. I'm just thinking a little more space might be good. even my little niece had a hard time getting on the other side of the dog to help keep her (the dog) settled.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:54:32" }, { "business_id": "UIlOq8dHsaqOqTZJVvI8tQ", "business_name": "McDonald's", "rating": 5, "text": "Hands down best McDonald's experience ever. We were in and out in no time even-though I had no clue what I wanted because I haven't seen a McDonald's menu in years. Well almost in and out in no time. I had to order the chocolate shake just when the machine decided to run out of chocolate. The reason for the 5 stars is the cashier apologizing over and over. Give the \"man\" a raise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:59:55" }, { "business_id": "NnuxEbv5rlz0HOg0XM8EAw", "business_name": "Purple Heart Park: Ivan's Spot", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a wonderful area to play, sit, run, jump and even worship. Sometimes, my old church has a \"Spring Fling\" service at this park. It's large enough so while we're doing our thing with the band and the jumping castles other park goers while welcomed are not overcome by the noise. By that I mean they can hear it us but it's not like we got the bass cranked up. But on this day, it wasn't spring like at all. We drove the mile to the park just in case the clouds decided not to just look cold but also let loose some rain. We had the park to our selves except for a few other brave souls or kids/dogs who don't understand bad weather. A great time was had by all and we got some much needed exercise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:09:18" }, { "business_id": "OOoxH_7PHboLOZjvLKmt7g", "business_name": "Target", "rating": 4, "text": "I was glad when this Target opened giving new life to my beloved El Con mall. I have a love hate relationship with the grocery department. Yes, I don't have to make that extra stop but it makes the target bill higher. This day I was looking for bike tools and grease. They really don't have much in the way of tools and that makes since sine because they have a home improvement store next door. But, because they sale bikes I was thinking this would be a good place for bike grease. Nope! In lieu of having employees to help how about a few of those you-are-here maps? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's short and can't see the signs above the tall shelves.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:31:15" }, { "business_id": "1vLZFm0f85DwB5jCeA7Olg", "business_name": "Sir Veza's Taco Garage", "rating": 1, "text": "What we have here Gentlemen is a failure to maintain the quality of service and food we started with when we opened. There is an inverse relationship between price and food eat-ability. The prices have gone up while food savor has decreased.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T06:34:29" }, { "business_id": "wJmyu7W1K9A_gE8Ed4Bc9w", "business_name": "Trident Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been in love with this place for years. Haven't been in for a while and was afraid they had updated their menu. But they hadn't. I had my all time fave, peel-n-eat shrimp steamed in Old Bay with a side salad. Washed down with a Black n Tan. The service was quick, friendly and efficient.", "timestamp": "2012-01-26T19:48:58" }, { "business_id": "NesMl0Tiq1FsPoX2LzHkNg", "business_name": "PJ Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I love it when a plan comes together! A few days before I tried PJ Subs my brother and I were talking about where to get a great sub in town. We had given up on finding a good place. The next day, in a friends car, I saw the sign I must have flown past many times. But since I had Subs on the brain it stuck this time. I had to make a note to myself because I don't hangout at the corner of 6th & Tucson as much as I use to back in the day. Not sure why, it's a perfectly good corner. I wasn't sure what door to enter, didn't want to interrupt a mechanic in the middle of an Auto-pay. Turns out no cars or car fumes just good-friendly service & good food. I had the roast beef on rye with a beer can't remember the name of cause this was a while ago. After some planning & rescheduling, I was able to introduce my brother to PJ's he liked it too. As the little sister it's nice to show my big brother a SUB or 2.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T06:39:28" }, { "business_id": "T1E8IfL27VEeVa9jGjnl3w", "business_name": "Goodwill Thrift Store and Donation Center", "rating": 5, "text": "Doin' The Snoopy dance & elephant walk like an Egyptian. I love the deals at thrift stores, but I do not like the smell they sometimes have. Add to the smell the messiness and I'm outta there. If I wanted to look through piles of clothes and junk accompanied by an unidentifiable smell, I'd have stayed at home. This location has always been a gem on the pinkie finger of 4th Ave. You're strolling along heading south you can see the underpass coming up there's a few bars then you're in downtown. But, wait there's an unassuming door at this building that looks like a Goodwill storage facility. It's not a storage facility it's a very nice store with clean affordable clothes, jewelry, books, furniture & more. This Shopanista's nirvana was reached when she noticed 2 each, men's & women's restrooms also clean and tidy! Well, the one woman's I went to was. I would have been doing the Snoopy dance even if there wasn't a guy right outside playing The Linus & Lucy song followed by The Elephant Walk. I love both of those songs so I was walking like an Egyptian when I strolled out of there with my new Shel Silverstein book, Falling Up for $7.99.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:34:07" }, { "business_id": "bTBRqXfF-A1R-ShOsr7kbg", "business_name": "Monkey Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "Love this Monkey BEST! The General Manager, Ralphie, remembered my usual order & I haven't been to the Monkey in months. That's customer service folks. My order, that Ralphie remembered was served quickly! My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly, tasted great. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great, was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great & was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries, had a side of the tastiest Bar-B-Que sauce this side of . . . anywhere! Oh, BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:44:05" }, { "business_id": "nayQkd06InyPDfX12IjjWw", "business_name": "AMC Foothills 15", "rating": 2, "text": "I took 3 buses to get; here? I'll never do that again! Unless I forget none of the seats recline. I'm surprised I noticed the seat deficiency still being shell shocked from paying $15 for a bottle of water, juice and a SMALL bag of popcorn. I don't even like popcorn but I wanted to get into the whole movie spirit. No, I'm not an alien from another mother. I usually don't go to theaters because of the crowds and you can't pause or rewind. Let's face it, when I'm in my intimate home, it's easier to imagine I'm the leading lady. The leading man falling under my irresistible spell. As expected the movie, One for the Money, was worth every inconvenience & I will be buying this one for my small collection!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:03:48" }, { "business_id": "TAUGnIQDR9-m23DWLZ0dow", "business_name": "Sushi Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "First time at this location! Same great service, same great food, as the old Broadway & new Broadway locations. I wasn't starving, so had a glass of the green tea and the Rainbow Roll. Totally hit the spot. I love that they don't try to bulldoze more food into you. Don't take my word for it! When the guy at the next table asked to speak to a manager I thought here we go, he's going to complain about being served raw fish. (Really, that happened one time at a sushi restaurant. That was our last date!) But, not this guy, evidently he & his companion attend the garden frequently & wanted to let the management know \"our\" waiter had done an exceptional job. I thought he had done the usually upstanding \"Garden\" variety service. Maybe I should have ordered more food.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:35:20" }, { "business_id": "qoJH8TCkmXor8BXOcgD5zQ", "business_name": "Chicago Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I use to live here when I was single. I had heard there were new owners and was under the impression a remodeling had been done. The only thing I noticed that was no low top tables. Being short I like to sit in the low chairs. I can see why these wouldn't be popular because you can't see the band if you're sitting low. So, get up and dance or belly up to the bar & get ignored. If all else fails go to the ladies' room. Ok, maybe there was some slight remolding here. The stall-doors stay closed, Oh wait, I was there before it got crowded. Back in the day, the doors worked great if you were the only one in there but if someone was in the stall next to you, the force of them pulling their door shut caused your door to fly open. Anyways, it's still a Dive!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:17:36" }, { "business_id": "W7NxQw8UYFR0HLPrI08tvw", "business_name": "Chipotle Mexican Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Don't know what it is but If my tummy's feeling icky, I can count on Chipotle's stake to fix me up. I just have to remember not to go during full on lunch time. I usually go between 2 & 4 when it's peaceful and calm. Busy or not the service is always friendly and fast!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:21:25" }, { "business_id": "ZXXGB-xi6n3RE3X1OzRR6g", "business_name": "Walgreens", "rating": 4, "text": "The microwave did it! When it takes 3-5 minutes to heat up a yummy meal in a box, you get the idea everything should take 3-5 minutes. So, when the Pharm asst said I had to wait 30 minutes for my meds I thought Id drop dead of hunger. It was a lovely January afternoon so I walked the 1/2 mile from the dentist office to the drugstore. By the time I got there the bowl of cereal from 7:30 am was long gone & I was advised it would take 1/2 hour to prepare my meds. There's several fantastic options for lunch in the area but, none of them were 1/2 hour options so I waited & shopped. I must have been in all out shopaholic mode because I didn't hear my name called. I did check in with the Pharm asst after 35 minutes and my meds were ready. How much? And that's with the Pharm discount card? This is where the lost star went. This discount card has been a little crazy. You're suppose to get credit for buying \"Walgreen's\" products. Then when you buy stuff you swipe your card the credits are applied to your purchase. Plus the pharmacy is to automatically know you have the card and the discount applied. The Pharm assit didn't know if the discount had been applied when she advised the amount of my meds. Plus evidently my card is to expire next month. I renewed it this month because I could do it for $5 instead of $20. Sale ending the day I was there. Other than the discount card issue everyone was very helpful and friendly. I received an appropriate amount of \"please don't steal anything smiles & offers of help\" while I shopped. Not a good idea to hit the Pharm if you're hungry because evidently the lunchroom with microwave is nearby. While I was waiting for the Pharm assit to figure out if I received the card discount, we smelled something yummy that was ready to eat in 3-5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:23:51" }, { "business_id": "AKFahOtdDQA7NVXZyDajCA", "business_name": "Trader Joe's", "rating": 4, "text": "I loves me some TJ's!!! Just an overall comment I'm sure everyone knows, don't fall in love with any product you buy at a TJ's, because they may discontinue it without warning. This location has the same great friendly service I've come to enjoy from all TJ's. And the food's good too! BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:30:30" }, { "business_id": "9fOkyQs0TcVqqe_5c51b_w", "business_name": "Cheba Hut Toasted Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I feel like I'm hanging with the cool kids when I go to Cheba Hut. I love the KGB, roast beef with real grated horseradish. I sometimes think I'll try something different but the horseradish calls my name.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:09:19" }, { "business_id": "Gekeq1c-fuezmx0PSGQvzw", "business_name": "East Coast Super Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "Found my lost love! I use to go ECSS when I was attending the U of A. The other day I was in the old neighborhood and thought the place was closed. I found myself in the neighborhood again, HONEST IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. This time I vowed not to leave till I got the scoop. I walked around the big red adobe wall, entered the gate, walked through the eerily quite courtyard. Suddenly I had saw the headline, \"body of Debbi W found (wherever) last seen in the U of A area near the abandoned business, East Coast Super Subs. I thought I heard a man call my name from the other side of the fence. I jumped. Finally I was close enough to the window to look inside and there were people in there. The glass was tinted so, their zombiness was not determined till I opened the door. I was greeted with a hello and May I help you? I ordered and received quickly the best roast-beef sandwich I'd had since I was last at ECSS when they were on 6th Street near Campbell and I was still an undergrad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:39:54" }, { "business_id": "WRZEQEDsZoTB8MfgUex45Q", "business_name": "Temple Of Music And Art", "rating": 5, "text": "Not a bad seat in the house. I love it when you can see a show without doing the bobblehead dance with the heads in front of you. The tiered seating is expertly layered that unless you're sitting behind a 7 foot tall person you'll be-able to see over the persons in-front of you. While the seating is important, before you get to your seat you're welcomed into the Temple and are prepared for your music/art enlightenment. At some ceremonies there's 1 or 2 carts in the courtyard serving sweets/snacks/drinks. Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS was very good and I'm glad I got to see it at the Temple. I laughed so hard my stomach started to hurt & tears were flowing.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:22:07" }, { "business_id": "p86gxGhlZEE9I9icCyJqFA", "business_name": "Safeway", "rating": 4, "text": "When I lived off 22nd street I would pass 2 other stores on my bike to get to this store because of it's fresh produce and friendly service. I popped in here the other day to grab some water cuz I forgot my water bottle again. It was like coming home to family. Different employees but still fun and friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:27:42" }, { "business_id": "qOw6FD59FvUMmkaTjVqS8Q", "business_name": "Tucson Food Truck Roundup", "rating": 5, "text": "Are you going to Tucson Food Truck Round-Up? Parsley, sage, STRAWBERRY and thyme . . . (album screeches to a stop!) Strawberry you say? Yep! Strawberry & Thyme is the Cyclopsicle I had! If you love sweet & savory, you've gotta try this. If you don't love sweet & savory you've gotta try this. It will blow your mind! In addition, to the great food there was great music! The Shawn Kebler Trio 4:30 - 6:00 then Those Beatles Guys 6:15 - 7:45. As if that wasn't enough, there's artist doing there magic right in front of you. Check out the pics of Mel Dominguez and David Tineo. Their art & energetic personalities were a great addition to the food, fun and frolicking.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T19:02:26" }, { "business_id": "gKpsoVjBEnrNkzaOfxpOUA", "business_name": "Fox Tucson Theatre", "rating": 5, "text": "I almost broke my sacroiliac again & loved it! Seeing Starting Over - The Lennon Experience at the Fox reminded me of going to concerts in the mid to late seventies with general admission & huge dance floors. Of course The Fox doesn't have general admission & there wasn't a huge dance floor but the seats are spaced far enough apart that you can really get your motor running. There's assigned seating & crowd control but I didn't get the feeling I was in a police state. That would have been the opposite of the Lennon message. Time was on my side at this concert because the band started way before my bedtime and when it was past my bedtime, 8:30, I was still rocking and rolling. I knew the crowd was getting really revved up when I saw the huge bouncer advance to the stage. He did a great job of deterring fans from jumping on the stage or tossing any unmentionables at anyone. Luckily I had my YELP friends with me to hole me back. After the concert was over my friends and I stood in line to get autographs. After all of the excitement, I wanted to head out on the highway but opted for the quick drive home. I was very glad the Fox is downtown and not way out of town like some of the music venues. I really loved this event and am very happy Fox was the location for the World Premiere of Starting Over - the Lennon Experience. I'm going to start checking out the webpage more for stuff to do. A few people we turned off by alterations in some lyrics but I bet that's because of copyright issues. You know what I say to changed lyrics . . . Don't let the man ruin your mellow! That sounds like a Beatles era saying, right?", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T08:06:04" }, { "business_id": "Vhl0ZYmbPACG2FPLtvR5hg", "business_name": "The RumRunner", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Rum so when I found out there's a place called the Rum Runner I had to check it out. I didn't know if it was a bar, liquor store or restaurant. (This was preYELP days). When I walked in & saw all the wine I was a little intimidated. Back then I hadn't been to a wine tasting & picked my wine by price divided by how pretty was the label. If the resulting number was less than1, I'd buy as long as the price wasn't above how much I had in my pocket. The intimidation began melting away when I was greeted with a smile and an offer of help. Then I saw the cheese/pate case. I had never had pate and was keen to try but was concerned about the price. While I was trying to decide if I could afford some pate and rum, I was offered a taste of pate. Too bad no rum tasting that day. Yum, Yum, the Salmon pate was HEAVEN as well as the others I tried. So, I took the advice of the counter employee and bought all of the ones I liked plus some crackers & matching wine. It was less than $50 and I had dinner for two plus leftovers. Date night was very successful!", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T15:44:53" }, { "business_id": "nsWxhtg7XAnl5DtH-_d-vA", "business_name": "Tucson Botanical Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "When I was a little girl, I loved to run in the field across from our house and chase butterflies. One time a neighbor gave me a net to help me catch the butterflies and I was very happy till I caught one and saw how bug like it was. Once I got over my squeamishness, I put a captive in a jar and took it home. I think we consulted some expert and put some kind of food in the jar but it only lasted a day. I was very upset to think I had shortened the creatures life. And even if the life wasn't shortened, I'm sure it would have rather been with friends then locked up in a jar. Well never fear the experts at the Gardens know how to treat the butterflies that call the park their home. I love to hang out at the TBG whenever I get a chance but it's best in the spring and fall. The staff is always friendly and helpful too. There are a number of events and classes. In addition volunteer opportunities too. And it's centrally located so you can pop in on your way to somewhere else in town.", "timestamp": "2012-02-09T05:40:40" }, { "business_id": "z5r59h-c7vCS53k1YKSfxg", "business_name": "Lotus Massage & Wellness Center", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a puddle when Ingrid was done with my massage. I wanted to ask her to marry me cuz I love her. Well not just her, the whole center screams calmness and peace. But not the 60's type where you don't know if the'll be open cuz they were/are smoking peyote. Very professional and worth the money.", "timestamp": "2012-02-11T01:17:13" }, { "business_id": "26rvYn1RPbJCBW-cW05xnQ", "business_name": "Sun Tran", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the way Tucson's bus system has improved over the years. There's more weekend & late night service. A great option if you plan on drinking. If you're going to close the bar down you'll need to make other arrangements to get home but at least you can bus there so you're not cabbing both ways. There's still the stupid way buses that meet at an intersection are scheduled to arrive at the same time so it doesn't matter what bus you want to transfer to you can't because by the time you get across the street the bus has gone.", "timestamp": "2012-02-12T13:29:33" }, { "business_id": "4QMIJJWQOh7zpEwOXhFJqw", "business_name": "Renee's Tucson", "rating": 5, "text": "Chillin at Renee's listening to Mack the Knife on Valentine's Day reminded me of my first love & favorite Valentine, my mom. She loved Louis Armstrong. Even though I don't have my mom with me I got lots of love & comfort food at Renee's. I had the meatballs in marinara sauce with the pepper salad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-14T23:53:42" }, { "business_id": "t3yNTcIYyCreySnwVl5tjw", "business_name": "The Loft Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "ACTION!!! Not sure why I don't go here more often. The staff is friendly and the seats are comfy. I didn't have any food at The 2012 Academy Award Nominated Action Short Films showing but my friend had the pizza. It looked and smelled good. They have beer too.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T16:33:51" }, { "business_id": "-1MhPXk1FglglUAmuPLIGg", "business_name": "Red Garter Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "Best hamburger in town! Cooked just the way I like it, right after it gets done screaming. I love being Burger Kinged. I had a combination of the Swiss burger and southwest burger. Bacon, mushrooms, Swiss cheese and yummy bar-b-que sauce. The bread was good too, but I left most of it because the burger was so large. The onion rings were so good I skipped the ketchup. I held back a star because when I walked in a waitress walked by me without acknowledged I was there. The bartender looked up but didn't give a nod or anything. I know it's not Cheers but still a howdy ma'am would have been nice. I got a little concerned that maybe I had stepped into a time warp and was in a 1950's bar. I did a check for other dark faces and found one that was much lighter than mine so, I began to relax. Once my waitress came over to greet me (I'd been sitting about 4 minutes) she was genuinely very friendly. So, let's give them back 1/2 a star. The jukebox is off the hook. All my old favorite rock-n-roll songs were playing. There's ton's of TVs for you sports fans. It is a little pricey. I was expecting some Happy Hour pricing as it was 5pm. But you get what you pay for in this world. I'm a big bathroom nut. If a place has a nice clean bathroom, I'm going to spend a lot of time there. Rg's was clean enough but no hook for my purse and sweater. So now we're down to 3 stars.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T17:02:26" }, { "business_id": "SbdL-8NSmTWgSwdGZBa7WQ", "business_name": "Fresco Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "I love good-hot pizza & that's why I have Fresco deliver. Sometimes I order the eggplant parmesan & combo subs. It doesn't matter they always deliver hot & fresh food with a smile. With that said the best part is when they answer the phone you can hear the smile. Most of the time when I call businesses I get the feeling I'm interrupting something. Not at Fresco.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T21:47:04" }, { "business_id": "6pVVwtFmd7VBsgyFPHvU_w", "business_name": "Union Public House", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to my first UYE here. I'll never forget it. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was really good. I had the cheesy tots. House made potato tots covered with a house made cheese sauce. I want to be buried in that sauce. Then I had the special, scallops. I almost fell over when I was told $12 for 2 scallops. But they were huge. Then, I almost fell over because the were so tender. The noise from the other patrons was deafening and there was heavy metal music playing but you really couldn't hear it because of the noise from the people talking. There was a lot of sound bouncing off the walls. We had the same problem at our church. They make dampening panels for that. But before that gets fixed I think some money should be put into new fixtures for the ladies room. It was kinda clean but the toilet was stopped up. One of the YELPers I was with, told the owner and it got fixed right away. Yes, I'm crazy that way, I went back to check. But even without stopped toilet the L. room gets an F, because the sinks would be called retro if they were refinished. But they weren't. One more thing, the faucets don't have to be automatic but working would be nice. I don't like L. rooms in dives to be icky either. However, UPH is NO dive.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:03:22" }, { "business_id": "ta8tixXzHXFogPiYlB2a5A", "business_name": "Robert's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I was busing it the other day & missed the bus by that much. Some businesses don't like it if you pop into there place to keep warm for half an hour for the next bus. My waitress at was A-Ok with it. She kept offering to get me something to eat. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was going to eat elsewhere. I did have a really good cup of coffee & a great conversation with her. I don't know why I don't go to Robert's more often.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:08:15" }, { "business_id": "Ch8VCPuGX6lJWBaofljE1A", "business_name": "Udall Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Grazing In The Grass There's a lot going on at this park. My favorite is the László Veres Amphitheater, where Arizona Symphonic Winds plays every Summer and Fall. We pack a dinner, bring blankets, lawn chairs and friends, equals a great time in the Arizona. Since it's in the evening the wind comes along and it's really nice in the grass.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:23:27" }, { "business_id": "BauybYsfqd0y6KDrJ6ZxjQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "My get up and go was still in the bed. So, I popped in her to get a dirty-soy chai. Fixed me right up. Thanks perky & patient order taker. I always think I'm going to try something new and I rarely do.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:27:30" }, { "business_id": "sTaUoMUban-Hdhy8m3eM-A", "business_name": "Big Lots", "rating": 3, "text": "When I met my husband he loved going to big lots. I hated it because it was so unorganized. This one is very organized. I had gotten caught in the rain on a bus day. No umbrella or poncho. I had some important documents with me too. The customer service desk clerk and all cashiers were busy when I went in so I could ask; WHERE ARE THE RAIN PNCHOS? I needed to get across this huge parking lot to the bus stop quickly. It makes since rain ponchos would be near the clothing. And there they were. I think in the store we use to go to they keep rain ponchos in the automotive or hardware section.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:34:42" }, { "business_id": "J-Go00lYW4f4a3lLLtoh_A", "business_name": "Bobo's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "You can leave your party at home! What a great neighborhood cafe. I've only been in here twice but both times had great conversations with fellow diners. That's one of the things I really love about Tucson is there's so many places you can go and people are friendly. You don't have to bring your party with you. The staff is friendly but not intrusive. The last time I went I had the grilled cheese sandwich. When I ordered. The guy sitting next to me said i should order the chicken special he had. The chicken did look and smell good. But I told him about how us YELPers where talking about where to go for good grilled cheese. And we were off. He likes YELP but didn't know about how social and fun we are. The sandwich arrived on sourdough with cheese oozing out the sides but not so much that I needed a spoon to hole it all together. You can add stuff on the grilled cheese like chicken, ham or tomato but it was fantastic naked. I choose the cottage cheese for the side.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:51:31" }, { "business_id": "tJ_dQUc5m--Wgo7NRIjyzA", "business_name": "Food Conspiracy Co-op", "rating": 4, "text": "I was going to became a member this weekend at the birthday bash but the day got away from me. The rewards are awesome (see links below). Maybe I'll Git R done later this week. When I was in a few weeks ago the produce was very fresh. I think the upswing in local producers of good quality produce has really helped. The good news is I don't have to wait for a nearby farmers market to get good fresh local produce. They have a good selection of healthy cereals and bulk nuts, granola, etc. The cashier was real nice too and very knowledgeable about products and the birthday bash. Love this place! http://www.foodconspiracy.coop/membership/benefits/ http://www.foodconspiracy.org/about/co-op-discount-network/", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:04:16" }, { "business_id": "WFBdR8ZotMOKDkZ0skufIA", "business_name": "Michaels", "rating": 3, "text": "I've seen it messier but I was able to hijack an employee for help. I was in a hurry. Usually I know it's going to take a while and I just go up and down each \"um aisle\" till I give up. Anyways this time I was in and out in a jiff. They now have a screen to assist with the cash register line flow.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:13:27" }, { "business_id": "idWOWHJ7zInwE8SPBcFHLg", "business_name": "Sabino Cycles", "rating": 4, "text": "I had just finished lunch in the strip mall and was stuck in the rain. And I had cake to go. (Remember the song, someone left the cake out in the rain). I went in to see if they had a nice rain poncho. They didn't & the sales lady didn't laugh at me because it would be hard to fit your helmet on over the hood of a rain poncho. We both had a good laugh at me. I told her about my electric bike and asked if they could fix the non-electric stuff, because they are really convenient for my truck owner brother and I. She said they'd be happy to help.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:32:24" }, { "business_id": "ly0nkQsbvKkHNUyl5AGdjA", "business_name": "Isabella's Ice Cream", "rating": 5, "text": "You scream, I'm eating the ice cream. Not only is it very very very good, there's experimental flavors. I tried one with lavender. And there's a few other yummy unusual flavors that's gone out of my head right now. You can request flavors too. Owner is very very very friendly. So, don't scream at her.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:16:36" }, { "business_id": "s1p9pg69MZA7vRiFCewQlQ", "business_name": "Ordinary Bike Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "I was looking for info about electric bikes and got some good recommendations. I also got an offer to bring the bike in for non-electric repair issues. The employee was very friendly and helpful. I was in and out in under 5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-24T07:00:42" }, { "business_id": "AVBqx8FaXza6x-bb_FLOTQ", "business_name": "Anita Street Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I never thought I'd be in a love triangle. But here I am, Anita Street Market, YELP and me. I love ASM because of the great food and service. I love YELP because reading a friend's review reminded me it's been too long since I've visited ASM. I usually get the gorditas made with cottage cheese. I have to buy 2 packages because I eat one on the way home. They have a good selection of cheese and other essentials for a Mexican fiesta. I'm a big fusion cuisine nut so I put mid or far east seasoned stuff with the stuff I get from ASM! YUM!", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T17:00:52" }, { "business_id": "jaFGVtpEMSyh8AHi8jh-wA", "business_name": "Bicas - Bicycle Inter Community Art & Salvage", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a little concerned about walking into Bicas because these guys put bikes together and I can hardly ride one. I was really relieved when I had one foot in the door & was greeted with a friendly smile & offer for help. I was there for the Underground Art class, Bike Zine Origami Stars with Rachel Sandler. I really had too much fun & almost broke my laughing bone. There were fellow crocheters, knitters & painters learning how to make Origami Stars. Mine turned out really cool. Check out my pic. I can't wait till next week for the Japanese Book binding class. Check out their website for more classes and art exhibits. There's a new art studio and gallery featuring bicycle-themed and recycled art by local and international artists. You can go home with some bike art originals.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T16:45:59" }, { "business_id": "zwrgCMuZyFX46mL3piDyjg", "business_name": "Cup Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Funny-adult story about the 1st time I ate here. Starts with my BFF recovering from a breakup, there's 2 French Policemen on holiday & ends with the heart breaker & chicken satay. I've tried other dishes but always go back to the heart breaker & chicken satay. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't have them on the menu anymore because the funny story happened, well nevermind how long ago it was. It's still a funny story and the food at the cup is still GREAT!!! Subtracted a star because sometimes service is a little iffy. There's been some occasions when I feel like I've interrupted servers FUN TIME. But, most of the time service is good.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T17:14:31" }, { "business_id": "Ixj573yo0PMWFGXmnka9MA", "business_name": "The Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only had my bike for a few months & today was my first big outing. I was meeting friends at Rillito Park Race Track & wanted to really enjoy nature. A few clicks on my map app & a plan was born. Tucson really is a bike friendly town. I was able to safely ride from Yoga class to the where Tucson Blvd intersects with the bike path. I was a little concerned when I saw the end of road barriers at the end of Tucson Blvd. Then I thought that's for cars ding-a-ling. So, I threaded my way barriers to be greeted by a wonderful park. Then I turned on the path. There was lots of room & the center line was clearly marked. Fellow bikers & walkers were very friendly. A big thanks to the lady who helped me turn on the correct bridge. I'd subtract one half star because the bridges aren't marked. There was a huge map at the trail head but at that point I didn't need no stinking map.", "timestamp": "2012-03-05T06:45:48" }, { "business_id": "zGiOO2bxasexYRQt6y9ClA", "business_name": "JOANN Fabrics and Crafts", "rating": 4, "text": "I almost have enough yarn to open my own yarn shop. But I had to get more. It was on sale & I had a get an extra 15% off from my Joann Phone app. The fabric area in every fabric store always seems to be an area of high anxiety. I try to stay away. I needed some fabric for the lining of a purse I crocheted so I picked up some precut quilting fabric. The precut squares are only $1.99 for 18X21 piece. I'm no geometry wiz kid but that's not a square. Anyways, it was fast and cheap. Also got some yarn for some future projects. And some New hooks that were less than $3 with bamboo handles.", "timestamp": "2012-03-06T17:21:34" }, { "business_id": "1teRq-Q6XG6l-WoinZFX0g", "business_name": "The University of Arizona", "rating": 4, "text": "The U of OZ is a great school & a must see for any sightseeing trip. The admission process at any large school is bound to have hurdles. At OZ there's lots of little people to help you. Just like in the real Oz there's some double speak to translate. It's very exciting when you, the scarecrow, lion & tin man meet with your all knowing advisor the 1st time. Then meeting whit the advisor the last time before You get the coveted piece of paper. The road is not always yellow & easy to follow but when you're done you know you can do anything life tosses at you. The tourist will not see lions, tigers & bears. If you're lucky you'll see Wilbur the wildcat along with museums, concert halls & really nice restaurants. Plus I understand the basketball team isn't bad. Just arrive on campus & ask anyone for info. Everyone is really friendly. There's also a info office near the mall, the huge grassy area at the center of campus.", "timestamp": "2012-03-07T16:33:00" }, { "business_id": "1W657uKWvcMKIHaOmEOc-g", "business_name": "Caffe Milano", "rating": 5, "text": "Authentic Italian food without passport = Space time anomaly. Well, I've never been to Italy but I bet you all the change in my pocket the food is just like the lunch I had at Caffe Milano. While I was trying to decide what to have a regular popped in and started telling me what was good. He really could have saved himself a lot of words if he'd said the truth, It's all good. And you get a lot of food too. I had to skip dessert.", "timestamp": "2012-03-09T07:06:03" }, { "business_id": "6wzZ9FR3-bfqFz8ySgyavQ", "business_name": "Dickman's Meat & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "No clue why when I lived a little over a mile from the old location I never went here. But I'm so glad I did. I haven't had a sandwich that good in a long time. The side bow tie pasta salad was really good too. There's a great selection of take home meats, cheeses & fixings. Wild boar anyone?", "timestamp": "2012-03-10T11:02:13" }, { "business_id": "AXaeGUt_wSPjsLAWHpRFSQ", "business_name": "Church's Chicken", "rating": 3, "text": "When I need some comfort food Churches is my go to place. The service is good. I tell them how hungry I am and they work it out so I don't have to pay much. Last time I was here I was stuffed for less than $5.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T16:52:41" }, { "business_id": "MUOCeTGhL5llXe8GAuqOMA", "business_name": "Ike's Coffee & Tea", "rating": 4, "text": "Adult entertainment? No, but they do have an adult grilled cheese Sandwich. For the life of me I can't remember the name. It was goat cheese, tomato and spinach I think. I thought I had already written this review and I visited there weeks ago. I'll have to pop in again to give you the detailed info. But, I didn't want to delay the review any longer. Service was really good. The cook was sampling a yummy looking smoothie & I asked several probing questions. After a little awkwardness I confessed about being a YELPer & how we were going to have a juicing event soon. So, I was looking for interesting things to mix together for my juicing event shopping.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T17:02:31" }, { "business_id": "SgTZIh4nFftQxoXqX1eJcQ", "business_name": "Brandi Fenton Memorial Park", "rating": 4, "text": "The park is a great place to go on dates. There's not a lot of trees to duck behind and do whatever it is people do when they duck behind trees. But there is a lot of space and the air is really fresh. I think it would be a great place to play bocce ball. I have been here a few times for fundraising events and had a great time. Like I said there's lots of room to play frisbee or toss a ball. At the HOPE fundraiser we Hula hooped. Hadn't done that in over 20 years.", "timestamp": "2012-03-14T07:19:40" }, { "business_id": "rmmUhScUsA3xXbhDhRlb9A", "business_name": "Macy's", "rating": 4, "text": "I love the spring sales. The quality is real good too. I have skirts from over 10 years ago. I use to wear them ever week when I was working. They are just starting to look worn and I only paid $5 for 1 and $10 for the other. I couldn't make them for that price. I wish they had more made in America stuff but then would the skirt ever be marked down to $5? The staff is always nice and helpful. I usually get a sincerer hello. Not the please don't still anything hello. I think the times you enter a department and there's no one there that person is on break. Nice to see a company still employs the tried and true systems we used back in the day when I worked at a competing department store.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:01:51" }, { "business_id": "GNo1zeiPKErB7Ww_j3IlOg", "business_name": "The Tasteful Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "MGJ (mean green juice) ICE CREAM???!!! When I heard Isabella's Ice Cream had made MGJ for The Tasteful Kitchen, I made a bee line to them. To bad I was busy then they aren't open Mondays and Tuesdays so, yesterday was my first chance to enjoy. Everything was so delicious. I had quite a bit of food but wasn't too full for the ice cream. I had the mango butternut raw foods soup, the raw foods veggie burger with a salad and spicy sweet potato/carrot fries. This may actually be the diet for me. I'm not a huge fan of bread on a burger anyways. It kinda takes away the flavor and fills me up so I don't have room for Ice Cream. The service was impeccable. I felt like a queen on vacation. There's classes to learn how to cook or not cook like The Tasteful Kitchen staff.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:34:14" }, { "business_id": "_jADWOt1FkWMWGIlz30cew", "business_name": "Reid Park Biking/Walking Path", "rating": 5, "text": "If I had $100 for each step I took on this path, we'd all be rich! Just the right amount of everything is the key to this urban ParkBikingWalking path. The right amount of shade mixed with the right amount of sun. The right amount of cyclist mixed with walkers and runners tossed in for good measure. It's a beautiful doggy dance.", "timestamp": "2012-03-16T05:58:47" }, { "business_id": "uf3strC3s96XPOM502o5lw", "business_name": "Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block", "rating": 3, "text": "Tucson Museum of ART - Spring Artisans' Market is a great place to meet nice people and drown in creativity. And it's nice that the museum takes advantage of the increased traffic by opening it's doors for free. The only annoyance is when you find something you want to buy you have to go to a central cashier and pay for it then make your way back to the artists booth to collect the item. It's not so bad when I'm by myself but when I'm with my brother, Mr personality, we have to stop every 2 feet to say hi to someone he knows. Anyways, lots of hugs and flesh pressing.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:12:49" }, { "business_id": "dh1C733vVNx7BaIBmwMwNQ", "business_name": "Cafe A La Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "Had some mind blowing Irish car bomber cupcakes at the Irish cook off last weekend. So, I made sure when I was downtown to pop in and see what else they offered. I'd eaten here PY (PreYelp). What can I say when you're enjoying something with the intent of writing about it later, you notice things you didn't notice before. Like I ordered potato salad (don't know why, cuz I don't like potatoes) when may plate was brought out I thought they had made a mistake because I didn't see any potatoes. Lots of yummy marinated seasoned fresh veggies. I knew they were yummy before I tasted them cuz of the smell. So I dug in, and well look at that potatoes in my potato salad. And the potatoes tasted good. The review I was writing in my head had gone from 5 stars to 2 and up to 6 stars. Oops have to factor in the chai tea latte, brisket sandwich and chocolate chip walnut cookie. Ladies & gentlemen we have broken the YELP star barrier. The loud boom you just heard is the sound made by the smashing of molecules when a company gets more than 10 stars. I have to meet with the Big Bang Theory cast to have the physics explained but Cafe a la C'Art has blown my mind again.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:35:17" }, { "business_id": "tBWjMqUc0yP5lRElCfDaKg", "business_name": "1702", "rating": 4, "text": "My BFF would move in here if he could. I usually only go here with my crazy friends who make it hard to have a good experience. They are kinda rude to the staff but the staff is always nice and helpful. The other day was my 1st time alone to try the chicken ice cream. It was good and so was the pesto pizza. Service was really good too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T07:23:41" }, { "business_id": "rTxjTF2FgHpyHdMbhBuMBg", "business_name": "Caravan Mideastern Foods", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't greeted when I entered but I did get a hardy goodbye. They have lots of yummy stuff for competitive prices. I got a huge container of Nutella for about $5. Can't find the receipt but I know it wasn't $6. My neighbor told me about Caravan. She said they do a lot of their, oh poo we forgot ________ shopping at Caravan.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T16:11:35" }, { "business_id": "EW2mdIhlnowmtp1JY6MhPA", "business_name": "Himmel Park", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a nice resting spot when I'm biking home form downtown. I wasn't really tired but it filled my heart with joy to hear all the kids running and playing. I sat and cranked out a few pages on my book. Afternoons during the week is a good time to go if you're not into crowds. There's all kinds of events happening on the weekends. From birthday jumping castles to jousting. I think I've seen a soccer game or two. Now that I think about it these events happen late afternoons too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-22T00:48:31" }, { "business_id": "PGlHVBkiCvfNE9yDes1lOw", "business_name": "Aqua Vita", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes these neighborhood markets have iffy produce & some smell bad. And if you're real lucky the employees are rude. But not this neighborhood market. Fresh delicious produce and dairy. Nice frozen food section. The prices are high. But I guess that's to be expected when they don't have the buying power of the big stores.", "timestamp": "2012-03-23T00:36:37" }, { "business_id": "LMAqSWASePVhhOZkUs2vvQ", "business_name": "UA BookStores", "rating": 3, "text": "It's a college bookstore but not just for students. But, it's still a college bookstore. The prices aren't very competitive but the store is usually clean. Customer service is sometimes hard to find but when you get someone they are friendly and helpful. There's a lot of community outreach events like the children's book program. I met Clifford the Big Red Dog. He didn't bite when I asked him to take a picture with me. Like I said it's a college bookstore so parking is a little challenging. I suggest biking, busing or the trolley when it's up and going.", "timestamp": "2012-03-26T18:08:39" }, { "business_id": "d26VEnmSq_r2wJ35L9RYUw", "business_name": "Little Mexico Steakhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Margaritas, Flat Enchiladas & Green Corn Tamales. Several friends stopped by on our way back to town after a visit to the reservation. We had been in the hot sun for a few hours with just warm water to wet our whistles so that may be why the clean, fresh, not-2-sweet-not-2-alcoholey Rita pitchers were so good. I guess I'll have to do more investigating darn. Then the food arrived. More taste explosions and sirens. All this and the service was quick and friendly too. Then to top it off the bathroom was clean and there was a hook for my purse.", "timestamp": "2012-04-16T05:08:55" }, { "business_id": "X1oJuhLy8JxzmXkWLCqW6g", "business_name": "Baggin's Gourmet Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "The Unforgettable is unforgettable. I use to work across the street from a now closed Baggin's. The plan was to start at the top and work my way through the sandwich list. Well, after one bite of the Unforgettable the plan was scrapped. Over the years I've tried other Baggin's sandwiches but I still keep going back to my 1st love. I've been to this location several times and it's always Unforgettably fantastic.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:06:55" }, { "business_id": "J_w5J7dgRpyB4GFiBJIDIg", "business_name": "Xoom Juice", "rating": 4, "text": "I promise I'm not an alien from another planet but I'm not a fan of smoothies as a meal. With that said I love the spoon Xoom Spoon Velvet Amazon. With the Hemp Granola it is very filling. The service has always been with a smile even when it gets busy and loud.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:13:24" }, { "business_id": "5nOTwLs2lCpsFwZzHA6Hvg", "business_name": "Rubio's", "rating": 4, "text": "I Heart grilled fish taco's washed down with a cold beer. The service is always friendly and fast. there's great music too. I always feel like I've spent lots of money to get to some remote island where all of my cares have been washed away by the ocean.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:18:53" }, { "business_id": "X-IMyKLRxkspQYLKBed8sA", "business_name": "Hope Animal Shelter", "rating": 4, "text": "I love going to Hope events and visiting the warm cuddles there. They sponsor classes about communicating with your animal how to catch a star cat and all kinds of health issues. The staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:32:58" }, { "business_id": "sOjbtBWo-m6rpjHv4tA_oQ", "business_name": "Brewd Coffee & Food", "rating": 4, "text": "There's no excuse not to go here during the construction because 6th Ave is a 2 way street now. I hesitate to write a favorable review because during the construction a lot of people have been staying away so it's very quite and peaceful. I hung out here for a few hours the other day to finish reading a book that was due back to the library. Very comfortable seats and friendly service. I had a flat-bread sandwich that was really good. Lots of plugs for all your devices. Next time I'm bringing in my bike battery and charging it.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:45:50" }, { "business_id": "2h0D_jeKy81uZgpZGZmGPA", "business_name": "Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue", "rating": 4, "text": "McGarrett: Book em Danno Williams: What's the charge? McGarrett: Selling yummy Hawaii style food on the main land. Williams: That won't hold up in court! McGarrett: I don't care Danno! I want these guys to go down. Williams: Well ya know what I think? McGarrett: NO!!! And please don't tell me! Williams: I'm telling you anyways my uninspired friend. McGarrett: I'm not listening! Williams: When Tucsonians taste this food they get Hawaii fever and will watch our show more. McGarrett: Oh, good point. Hey all you Tucsonians hang ten to MHBBQ for the Hawaii Chicken sandwich. Don't forget dessert. Passion squares, Lemon bars & cream cheese brownies make you escape the blazing desert heat & enjoy the soft Hawaiian breeze. For an additional visual experience watch my show. Williams: MY SHOW?!?!?!?", "timestamp": "2012-05-09T16:50:41" }, { "business_id": "D44IBRDtEScaWELey5IfCA", "business_name": "May's Counter Chicken And Waffles", "rating": 2, "text": "I had considered purchasing a home around the corner from May's so I could wonder over in my PJs. But the last couple of times I went made me glad I didn't impulse buy a HOUSE. As a frequent visitor (at least once a week) I knew all of the wait staff and some of the cooks. Everyone was very friendly, then there was a change in ownership/management. And a lot of the friendly staff left. Then the waffle recipe changed. I was assured it hadn't. So, the gang and I got together for a visit and all agree the waffles tasted generic. So, I stopped ordering the waffles and tried some of the other offerings. I noticed salads and chicken pieces getting smaller and the prices going up. So, now instead of going ever week I may make it to May's once a month. I would have given 1 star but I've been getting emails about music nights. the musicians have great profiles and look promising. The only thing is the music offerings are not consistent and whenever there's an event I have previous plans.", "timestamp": "2012-12-03T18:05:28" }, { "business_id": "Hi4AgS-uR-lEOF4oZl546g", "business_name": "China Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "I was a little concerned when I read the first sentence of Mark S's review, \"Probably the most authentic Chinese food I have had since visiting Chinatown in San Francisco.\" When I was in San Francisco I had what I was told was authentic Chinese food and I didn't like it. Also, Here in Tucson I've been to \"authentic Chinese food\" establishments and ended up with a pile of napkins filled with food my tongue rejected. I've always felt a little embarrassed but try as I may I couldn't drink enough beer, water or wine to get the food to go down my throat. However, at China Pasta house everything was great. The dumplings were cooked to perfection. Usually there's something crazy with the texture (to wormy). I tried some of my neighbor's noodle soup and it was good too. So, I was excited to get my Spicy Fried Rice Cake with Shrimp. It was everything I'd hoped for in an authentic Chinese Restaurant. I was thinking one of those fried rice cakes you get at the store but fresh and yummy but what I got was a yummy mix of a firm rice cake sliced to perfection, fresh crisp veggies and lots of shrimp. I offered to share with my neighbor but thank God she said no because I'm going to relive the ecstasy for lunch. Leftovers ROCK!", "timestamp": "2012-12-06T16:51:45" }, { "business_id": "KbSpEQ_54ovgNxOoxKP79g", "business_name": "Time Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Great Pizza!!! My summer resolution is to have Time market Pizza every Friday night for the next 10 years. They have traditional and not so traditional options. The staff is very professional and friendly. I love the way the thin crust crackles and cheese cheesles.", "timestamp": "2012-12-14T15:54:12" }, { "business_id": "i3k1luXdsi_cShv-agBxGg", "business_name": "Ooo! Outside Of Ordinary", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really impressed by the unusual selection of stuff I didn't know I needed. Loved the round purses with holographic pictures of eyes. And the toy selection is great. Looking for the right toy for the kid that has every electronic toy and needs a little nostalgia this is the place. Really, what are they going to do when the lights go out during the end of the world?", "timestamp": "2012-12-14T15:58:44" }, { "business_id": "AUBQPQ8wftMBbP2Q3Lbn0w", "business_name": "Sakura", "rating": 4, "text": "Was very excited all day thinking of enjoying some jazz, food and good friends. But it was canceled because of the cold. :-( Still had a good time. Would have been better if there was jazz instead of sports but, the chocolate martini and lettuce wraps were just what the doctor ordered after a long days work. (Half off appetizers and $1 off drinks) YUM!!!", "timestamp": "2013-01-13T03:00:08" } ]	{ "business_id": "ajfmcCilbPMKb_VxswIuQQ", "business_name": "Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea", "rating": 5, "text": "These guys still have it. Healthy good tasting food at a reasonable price and scrumptious coffee too. Don't like coffee? Just like any other great coffee house there's teas and smoothies for the snooties. What sets this place apart is it's great customer service. I hadn't been in for years but when I walked in that door I felt like I was at home again.", "timestamp": "2013-01-13T03:06:07" }
pYXeL0RCqus2IfhthYCOyA	[ { "business_id": "pqHCY2NE8_aVl0EsDRbUtg", "business_name": "Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que", "rating": 5, "text": "Crisp slaw & spicy sauce are the 2 things that get me fired up about BBQ! FD has these in spades. Then top it off with a selicious selection of Home-style Desserts, bring out the cot I'm moving in here!!! It only gets better when I can bring friends & family who can find eats to wet their palate & want to pull out a pallet too.", "timestamp": "2011-07-11T16:49:02" }, { "business_id": "U_NCpKQDf3z7qSBjvv4U0Q", "business_name": "Cafe Desta", "rating": 5, "text": "Naked brick walls for art, Yummy food with a sprinkle of great conversation? Must be Cafe Desta. Yes, there's lots of places with art on brick and maybe some have food but very few, if any, have the fun knowledgeable owners/staff of Cafe Desta. From the moment I walked in the door till I left, I felt welcomed and pampered. After my rough day shopping I needed to be coddled. And I was totally spoiled! I was offered a drink and chose mint tea. This wasn't your grandma's teabag, it was ambrosia mint tea. No bitterness or paper tea bag taste. While sipping my teabrosia, I had a long talk with . . . . . I'm calling him Tee, and decided on the cubed lamb because they can put the hot stuff on the side. It was so yummy, even the hot sauce/paste was flavorful. The cheese reminded me of cheese curd and made me miss Wisconsin. I didn't think I'd like the veggies that came with the lamb dish because they had cooked carrots and I don't like cooked carrots. So, I can't say I don't like cooked carrots any more because these were so good mixed with green beans in a tomatolishes sauce. Enough of my rambling. Let me add on the obvious if you know anything about Ethiopian food. They have family style and single servings. I needed a to go container and guess what? Tee boxed it for me.", "timestamp": "2012-01-05T07:27:20" }, { "business_id": "RFIHFxmNH9dM0ouz2N8ZjQ", "business_name": "Cafe Marcel", "rating": 5, "text": "I was just checking my stats and realized all my reviews are 5 stars. What can I say, I always get great service. Like I did 2 times at Cafe Marcel. It was so good yesterday, I made my big brother take me today. Michelle & Joe's restaurant is like coming home to my French Granny's. I'm sure I don't have a French Granny and Michelle & Joe aren't old enough to be my Grandparents. Still I felt welcomed and left full of good food. Taste buds spinning so much I left my long sleeve shirt. Had to take it off cuz just like at Granny's they had the heat on so I was comfy. I had the Feta cheese, Tomato Pesto Crepe. Michelle says it doesn't matter how you pronounce it cuz it's all good. So do I.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T01:40:35" }, { "business_id": "LRr-aw58xVMkUu0OSL_BpQ", "business_name": "The Little One", "rating": 5, "text": "I HEART a company when an employee/owner recognizes you when you were just there a week before. That's what happened at Little Cafe Poca Cosa. This action lets me know the hugs aren't just a gimmick. I try to go on off hours so I don't get jammed in there with all the suits from the downtown offices. But even when I do. I take that as an opportunity to meet someone new. So, I've always had prompt friendly service. Except that one time when I was talking to this really cute suit and the waitress kept bothering us. I love the fact that they encourage you to only eat what you think you can eat so they don't have to waste food. I also like that they give back to the community. Oops, I forgot to tell you about the food. Very health-yummy!", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T02:35:25" }, { "business_id": "2njTjQ35skXN171KoobeGg", "business_name": "Raging Sage", "rating": 5, "text": "Well Jiminy Crickets!!! I wish I could give these guys 1 star then maybe it will not be as crowded. The good news is I've seen lots of cute guys here and when it's crowded you may have to share a table or even a chair. How fun would that be? OK, enough funnin'. Let's talk coffee and baked goods. Actually we don't have to talk coffee and baked goods because they're both so good you can have one without the other. Now I have a craving for and Ed O'Neil movie.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:51:01" }, { "business_id": "BxRHz-iSQGCGSuAGwkeUsw", "business_name": "Albertsons", "rating": 5, "text": "I use to take the bus past 2 other stores to get to this store because of the great selection, knowledgeable staff & fair prices. Now I live about 1/2 mile closer to another store in the opposite direction of the Albertson's. But Al and his staff are still my choice.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:55:08" }, { "business_id": "0THt7q5pk6FBVYjeGsITaA", "business_name": "Al's Ace Hardware", "rating": 5, "text": "Ace is the place with the helpful hardware WOman! I'm always greeted with a smile & offers of help. The cool part is they let me poke around just looking at the cool stuff. I'm a multimedia artist and sometimes just browsing in a hardware store can bring up suppressed Ace. Oops Art. Then when an idea pops in my head the WOman help me get it out and into my cart.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T04:04:08" }, { "business_id": "7_1GqlDlbkShY0az7J0XNg", "business_name": "LaCo", "rating": 4, "text": "La Cocina is a great place for a healthy lunch & relaxing. I don't recommend it if you're in a hurry. There's of shops, coffee house, restaurant and bar all staffed by a minimal number of people. But, it's worth a little wait because not only does it taste good, you're not going to add much weight. I've tried the quinoa, veggies in peanut sauce with tofu and felt the pounds come off. So, I had the Chocolate tofu pie thinking the pounds would come back but they didn't. I was full but not stuffed and no sugar crash. I also had the Mediterranean appetizer plate and felt was fully satisfied. I started with the hibiscus lemon-aid. Like everything else full of flavor not too sweet. Cuz I'm sweet enough.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:00:26" }, { "business_id": "bo_03Xq6RenVdK3yVuDGiA", "business_name": "Nimbus Brewing", "rating": 4, "text": "I love it when a plan come together! My brother and I went to Nimbus to hear Amosphere, a local based band. Usually the band plays from 10pm to 1 or 2 am & that's too late for us on days we have to get up early. Saturday (1/7/12) the band started at 7 but I had a late lunch so was ready to eat when I got there. We sat there for what seems like hours as the waitresses ran orders to & from the small window. I kept trying to give them the sign but they we so busy. Plus as I found out later the waitress don't take drink orders, you've gotta go to the bar. I must have been giving the give me a beer now sign and not the give me food now sign. It really wasn't hours it was just about 15 to 20 minutes. When a waitress came over to offer a humongous platter of chicken nachos for free cuz someone couldn't eat around the jalapenos. The nachos would have been a steal at twice the price. Great music & great food washed down with a pint of Nimbus Old Monkeyshine Ale, an exceptional example of a true, traditional-style English Pub beer.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:25:58" }, { "business_id": "yJZbNhVoTdhcI9dYVzLJuQ", "business_name": "Playground Bar & Lounge", "rating": 5, "text": "Indian Jones I'm not but I did unearth this Jewel in the desert. Well, actually I stumbled upon it. I was hungry and popped into the Hub for something yummy. I saw the ad I've been seeing for months that Playground would be opening soon. Well It was today at 4pm; I'd call that soon. The HUB Restaurant owner started the fire that got this diamond to the glimmering state it is in today. I was greeted by doormen dressed in Tucson Dressy. I was still wearing my layers of thermal and turtle neck I had on when I left the house this morning but I was still welcomed. While most of the guests were dressed for an evening of adult Recess on the Playground, there were others who came as they were. It wasn't crowded and there's enough playground equipment so you don't have to wait for your libation. I'm going to say even when they're at capacity you should still be able to get your drink on in a timely manner. I really liked the low seating in a far east/Mediterranean style. Not to far to fall, just in case. Speaking of style, I could live in the ladies room. I love the urban-rip-the-space-time fabric, we're in New York feel. Bare-brick walls mixed with vinyl wallpaper and mirrors. The good kind of mirrors that make you look smaller than you are. But the one above the sink had a video of how to put make-up on. The only thing missing was a lady selling make-up cuz I didn't have any. I'm going back as they open at 4pm and that's way before my bed time.", "timestamp": "2012-01-13T03:17:18" }, { "business_id": "8wkPLsDbGU3GcW8CoD-4aA", "business_name": "Caffe Luce", "rating": 5, "text": "Finally a place to spend my federation credits. I had heard about companies using iPads as cash registers but this is the 1st time I interacted with one. On the iPad it gives you tip options I think that's nice just in case you forget. I love the decor too. Behind the food prep area is a sign that reads Congress & 5th posted on \"subway\" tile. I know if you've been in some of the subways around the country, the thought of your food being prepared there might not sound palatable but you can't miss with this vegetarian menu. I heard people ordering coffee and they sounded happy with the results. It was after 1pm so I had wine. I was thinking wine spritzer and they accommodated by serving a glass of wine with a jelly glass jar of made on the spot sparkling water. And a smile to boot. There's a nifty system for getting a food order from the cash register to the prep area. It's written on an old fashion order form then attached to an alligator clip hung from a trolley type line on the ceiling. Then it's Zip-lined on the magnetic orderslip delivery system. I love it when new and old comes together.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:04:54" }, { "business_id": "9hVDlAouG9J1ORXOlBi44g", "business_name": "Summit Hut", "rating": 5, "text": "I Heart Summit Hut because they don't look at me a judge that I'm not an outdoors person. And even though I'm not they have lots of things I use like water bottles, t-shirts and unusual nicknacks. I was looking for solar cell phone options and they had them. One was a complete kid with rechargeable batteries and the other was for charging everything from your iPhone to your old no name MP3 player. I was very impressed with the teamwork. I asked a question from the single guy standing at the registers and he didn't call anyone he just grabbed the keys and began helping me. Another employee saw the void and popped into the vacant area, very smooth. I bet there's a couple of football and basketball teams that could benefit from taking a Summit Hut customer training class.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:28:11" }, { "business_id": "vdCQoE2il097-vc_gIQzYw", "business_name": "Bruegger's Bagels", "rating": 4, "text": "I use to pop into this Bruegger's between buses on my way to Pima west campus. I've always gotten great service. Sometimes some of the customer's are slow but the employees are great that they match the customer that way customer's who have time do not feel rushed.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:31:24" }, { "business_id": "OvC4Ecgzk2SI7R8qD0rk9Q", "business_name": "Sky Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "When I 1st read about Sky Bar I couldn't wait to check it out. That was over a year ago. I'd pop in just to cool off when it was over 90 and for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to stroll 4th Ave. I dropped in for a cool drink and it's not what I expected. You have to bring your party with you. At least when I was there things were very clicky. The point is if I'm bringing my party with me, we could just go to the store and buy the same stuff they serve there & hang at a friend's house.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T05:57:22" }, { "business_id": "J6EXRXbejBgOv4SWamMEAA", "business_name": "Culver's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been hearing about this place as if it's the second coming of the Messiah. Upscale fast food is still fast food. I'd pay a little extra for a maitre d, waitron and a bus-person . I don't mind ordering at the counter I think it was the large lighted menu over the back of the order-taker's head that made me feel like a clown or a king was going to come at me any second. I had the prime-rib sandwich. It was flavorful, tender and juicy. Most importantly the bread was very good and held-up nicely. I washed it down with a chocolate shake and it was no king or queen. Messiah? No, maybe John his cousin.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T07:16:52" }, { "business_id": "g7WfbAnXnMVXVNcc0SBM3A", "business_name": "Performance Bicycle", "rating": 2, "text": "I think they expect you to look like a Performance Cyclist or you don't get any help. Not even a smile or a please don't steal anything hello. I wandered around for almost 10 minutes without any acknowledgement that I might be a paying customer. The same thing happened the last time I went into this store. They're the closest bike shop to me and when I called to check hours the guy was really nice. I must have a Performance Cyclist's voice. Good thing I'm smart cuz I was able to cruised around and find out they didn't have bike grease. There were lots of other customer's there getting good service so, I don't think they're to be avoided if you look the part.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:44:14" }, { "business_id": "T7ybhSamtbgI2Ece8Z8IHQ", "business_name": "RC Bicycles", "rating": 5, "text": "Double up those stars! RC get 10 stars from me. This was my 3rd shop to try and find bike grease. And let's not talk about cell minutes used. It was a nice day so I started walking to the 1st place that was about 1 mile away, the next place was about 1.2 miles from the 1st place and RC was a little less than a mile from the 2nd place. What a great workout? The nice young man working by himself at RC took time to advise me that most people do not attempt to put together their bikes. I explained to him that it was just the front wheel, seat and peddles. Plus, I had no way to get the bike to a shop. So, he gave me some tips and grease and away I went. Guess where I'm buying all of my accessories?", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:58:10" }, { "business_id": "57Vny0AxGdEQBETfd7xU4A", "business_name": "Chopstix Asian Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "DH and I 1st rolled in here when they 1st opened. Because of the location we thought we'd better get in there before it closes. Well here we are years later and I finally got my big bro in the Stixs for dinner. It's not on my normal beaten path but when I find myself in the area it's my go to place. There's a few fast food places near but if you're looking for a good quick lunch, their buffet can not be beat with multiple options for less than $7.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T01:59:22" }, { "business_id": "wa_bwyY57etHjtJ2Fw0E3g", "business_name": "Pita Jungle", "rating": 4, "text": "If I had a penny for every time I had plans to eat at the Jungle but plans fell through, I could retire. Well, maybe take a few days off. I told the hostess about my trouble getting there and she made sympathetic noises. I went for the happy hour \"tapas\" so I could try a little of everything. The baba ghanouj's flavors were distinct and mingled perfectly. The pita was just the right thickness and slightly crispy so the baba didn't smash into the ghanouj. My waiter suggested the lemon chicken and if it wasn't half jerky-ed, it would have been great, All the flavors were there except for the ones that slipped away with the moisture. The Baklava more than made up for the chicken mishap. So, instead of 3 stars we're doing 4.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:30:14" }, { "business_id": "gAB-cDpBycjonNkiQMLCqw", "business_name": "Rita Ranch RV & Self Storage", "rating": 4, "text": "These kids now days have everything. I had to wash my dog in the bathtub, uphill both ways. Really, this is a great idea. I'd never even heard of it till I was visiting friends and family in the area. It's $5 for 10 minutes and just like when you wash your car it's up to you how you spend your minutes. Well not exactly like the car, the car doesn't try to bite or sit on the hose. You don't have to give the car treats to get it to into the wash area. And most importantly the car doesn't shake stinky wet dog water all over you during and after the wash. But that's all on the dog. The owners have done a good job of partitioning the areas where up to 8 dogs can be washed at a time with 2 at each of the four areas. I'm just thinking a little more space might be good. even my little niece had a hard time getting on the other side of the dog to help keep her (the dog) settled.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:54:32" }, { "business_id": "UIlOq8dHsaqOqTZJVvI8tQ", "business_name": "McDonald's", "rating": 5, "text": "Hands down best McDonald's experience ever. We were in and out in no time even-though I had no clue what I wanted because I haven't seen a McDonald's menu in years. Well almost in and out in no time. I had to order the chocolate shake just when the machine decided to run out of chocolate. The reason for the 5 stars is the cashier apologizing over and over. Give the \"man\" a raise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:59:55" }, { "business_id": "NnuxEbv5rlz0HOg0XM8EAw", "business_name": "Purple Heart Park: Ivan's Spot", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a wonderful area to play, sit, run, jump and even worship. Sometimes, my old church has a \"Spring Fling\" service at this park. It's large enough so while we're doing our thing with the band and the jumping castles other park goers while welcomed are not overcome by the noise. By that I mean they can hear it us but it's not like we got the bass cranked up. But on this day, it wasn't spring like at all. We drove the mile to the park just in case the clouds decided not to just look cold but also let loose some rain. We had the park to our selves except for a few other brave souls or kids/dogs who don't understand bad weather. A great time was had by all and we got some much needed exercise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:09:18" }, { "business_id": "OOoxH_7PHboLOZjvLKmt7g", "business_name": "Target", "rating": 4, "text": "I was glad when this Target opened giving new life to my beloved El Con mall. I have a love hate relationship with the grocery department. Yes, I don't have to make that extra stop but it makes the target bill higher. This day I was looking for bike tools and grease. They really don't have much in the way of tools and that makes since sine because they have a home improvement store next door. But, because they sale bikes I was thinking this would be a good place for bike grease. Nope! In lieu of having employees to help how about a few of those you-are-here maps? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's short and can't see the signs above the tall shelves.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:31:15" }, { "business_id": "1vLZFm0f85DwB5jCeA7Olg", "business_name": "Sir Veza's Taco Garage", "rating": 1, "text": "What we have here Gentlemen is a failure to maintain the quality of service and food we started with when we opened. There is an inverse relationship between price and food eat-ability. The prices have gone up while food savor has decreased.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T06:34:29" }, { "business_id": "wJmyu7W1K9A_gE8Ed4Bc9w", "business_name": "Trident Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been in love with this place for years. Haven't been in for a while and was afraid they had updated their menu. But they hadn't. I had my all time fave, peel-n-eat shrimp steamed in Old Bay with a side salad. Washed down with a Black n Tan. The service was quick, friendly and efficient.", "timestamp": "2012-01-26T19:48:58" }, { "business_id": "NesMl0Tiq1FsPoX2LzHkNg", "business_name": "PJ Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I love it when a plan comes together! A few days before I tried PJ Subs my brother and I were talking about where to get a great sub in town. We had given up on finding a good place. The next day, in a friends car, I saw the sign I must have flown past many times. But since I had Subs on the brain it stuck this time. I had to make a note to myself because I don't hangout at the corner of 6th & Tucson as much as I use to back in the day. Not sure why, it's a perfectly good corner. I wasn't sure what door to enter, didn't want to interrupt a mechanic in the middle of an Auto-pay. Turns out no cars or car fumes just good-friendly service & good food. I had the roast beef on rye with a beer can't remember the name of cause this was a while ago. After some planning & rescheduling, I was able to introduce my brother to PJ's he liked it too. As the little sister it's nice to show my big brother a SUB or 2.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T06:39:28" }, { "business_id": "T1E8IfL27VEeVa9jGjnl3w", "business_name": "Goodwill Thrift Store and Donation Center", "rating": 5, "text": "Doin' The Snoopy dance & elephant walk like an Egyptian. I love the deals at thrift stores, but I do not like the smell they sometimes have. Add to the smell the messiness and I'm outta there. If I wanted to look through piles of clothes and junk accompanied by an unidentifiable smell, I'd have stayed at home. This location has always been a gem on the pinkie finger of 4th Ave. You're strolling along heading south you can see the underpass coming up there's a few bars then you're in downtown. But, wait there's an unassuming door at this building that looks like a Goodwill storage facility. It's not a storage facility it's a very nice store with clean affordable clothes, jewelry, books, furniture & more. This Shopanista's nirvana was reached when she noticed 2 each, men's & women's restrooms also clean and tidy! Well, the one woman's I went to was. I would have been doing the Snoopy dance even if there wasn't a guy right outside playing The Linus & Lucy song followed by The Elephant Walk. I love both of those songs so I was walking like an Egyptian when I strolled out of there with my new Shel Silverstein book, Falling Up for $7.99.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:34:07" }, { "business_id": "bTBRqXfF-A1R-ShOsr7kbg", "business_name": "Monkey Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "Love this Monkey BEST! The General Manager, Ralphie, remembered my usual order & I haven't been to the Monkey in months. That's customer service folks. My order, that Ralphie remembered was served quickly! My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly, tasted great. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great, was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great & was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries, had a side of the tastiest Bar-B-Que sauce this side of . . . anywhere! Oh, BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:44:05" }, { "business_id": "nayQkd06InyPDfX12IjjWw", "business_name": "AMC Foothills 15", "rating": 2, "text": "I took 3 buses to get; here? I'll never do that again! Unless I forget none of the seats recline. I'm surprised I noticed the seat deficiency still being shell shocked from paying $15 for a bottle of water, juice and a SMALL bag of popcorn. I don't even like popcorn but I wanted to get into the whole movie spirit. No, I'm not an alien from another mother. I usually don't go to theaters because of the crowds and you can't pause or rewind. Let's face it, when I'm in my intimate home, it's easier to imagine I'm the leading lady. The leading man falling under my irresistible spell. As expected the movie, One for the Money, was worth every inconvenience & I will be buying this one for my small collection!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:03:48" }, { "business_id": "TAUGnIQDR9-m23DWLZ0dow", "business_name": "Sushi Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "First time at this location! Same great service, same great food, as the old Broadway & new Broadway locations. I wasn't starving, so had a glass of the green tea and the Rainbow Roll. Totally hit the spot. I love that they don't try to bulldoze more food into you. Don't take my word for it! When the guy at the next table asked to speak to a manager I thought here we go, he's going to complain about being served raw fish. (Really, that happened one time at a sushi restaurant. That was our last date!) But, not this guy, evidently he & his companion attend the garden frequently & wanted to let the management know \"our\" waiter had done an exceptional job. I thought he had done the usually upstanding \"Garden\" variety service. Maybe I should have ordered more food.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:35:20" }, { "business_id": "qoJH8TCkmXor8BXOcgD5zQ", "business_name": "Chicago Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I use to live here when I was single. I had heard there were new owners and was under the impression a remodeling had been done. The only thing I noticed that was no low top tables. Being short I like to sit in the low chairs. I can see why these wouldn't be popular because you can't see the band if you're sitting low. So, get up and dance or belly up to the bar & get ignored. If all else fails go to the ladies' room. Ok, maybe there was some slight remolding here. The stall-doors stay closed, Oh wait, I was there before it got crowded. Back in the day, the doors worked great if you were the only one in there but if someone was in the stall next to you, the force of them pulling their door shut caused your door to fly open. Anyways, it's still a Dive!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:17:36" }, { "business_id": "W7NxQw8UYFR0HLPrI08tvw", "business_name": "Chipotle Mexican Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Don't know what it is but If my tummy's feeling icky, I can count on Chipotle's stake to fix me up. I just have to remember not to go during full on lunch time. I usually go between 2 & 4 when it's peaceful and calm. Busy or not the service is always friendly and fast!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:21:25" }, { "business_id": "ZXXGB-xi6n3RE3X1OzRR6g", "business_name": "Walgreens", "rating": 4, "text": "The microwave did it! When it takes 3-5 minutes to heat up a yummy meal in a box, you get the idea everything should take 3-5 minutes. So, when the Pharm asst said I had to wait 30 minutes for my meds I thought Id drop dead of hunger. It was a lovely January afternoon so I walked the 1/2 mile from the dentist office to the drugstore. By the time I got there the bowl of cereal from 7:30 am was long gone & I was advised it would take 1/2 hour to prepare my meds. There's several fantastic options for lunch in the area but, none of them were 1/2 hour options so I waited & shopped. I must have been in all out shopaholic mode because I didn't hear my name called. I did check in with the Pharm asst after 35 minutes and my meds were ready. How much? And that's with the Pharm discount card? This is where the lost star went. This discount card has been a little crazy. You're suppose to get credit for buying \"Walgreen's\" products. Then when you buy stuff you swipe your card the credits are applied to your purchase. Plus the pharmacy is to automatically know you have the card and the discount applied. The Pharm assit didn't know if the discount had been applied when she advised the amount of my meds. Plus evidently my card is to expire next month. I renewed it this month because I could do it for $5 instead of $20. Sale ending the day I was there. Other than the discount card issue everyone was very helpful and friendly. I received an appropriate amount of \"please don't steal anything smiles & offers of help\" while I shopped. Not a good idea to hit the Pharm if you're hungry because evidently the lunchroom with microwave is nearby. While I was waiting for the Pharm assit to figure out if I received the card discount, we smelled something yummy that was ready to eat in 3-5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:23:51" }, { "business_id": "AKFahOtdDQA7NVXZyDajCA", "business_name": "Trader Joe's", "rating": 4, "text": "I loves me some TJ's!!! Just an overall comment I'm sure everyone knows, don't fall in love with any product you buy at a TJ's, because they may discontinue it without warning. This location has the same great friendly service I've come to enjoy from all TJ's. And the food's good too! BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:30:30" }, { "business_id": "9fOkyQs0TcVqqe_5c51b_w", "business_name": "Cheba Hut Toasted Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I feel like I'm hanging with the cool kids when I go to Cheba Hut. I love the KGB, roast beef with real grated horseradish. I sometimes think I'll try something different but the horseradish calls my name.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:09:19" }, { "business_id": "Gekeq1c-fuezmx0PSGQvzw", "business_name": "East Coast Super Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "Found my lost love! I use to go ECSS when I was attending the U of A. The other day I was in the old neighborhood and thought the place was closed. I found myself in the neighborhood again, HONEST IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. This time I vowed not to leave till I got the scoop. I walked around the big red adobe wall, entered the gate, walked through the eerily quite courtyard. Suddenly I had saw the headline, \"body of Debbi W found (wherever) last seen in the U of A area near the abandoned business, East Coast Super Subs. I thought I heard a man call my name from the other side of the fence. I jumped. Finally I was close enough to the window to look inside and there were people in there. The glass was tinted so, their zombiness was not determined till I opened the door. I was greeted with a hello and May I help you? I ordered and received quickly the best roast-beef sandwich I'd had since I was last at ECSS when they were on 6th Street near Campbell and I was still an undergrad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:39:54" }, { "business_id": "WRZEQEDsZoTB8MfgUex45Q", "business_name": "Temple Of Music And Art", "rating": 5, "text": "Not a bad seat in the house. I love it when you can see a show without doing the bobblehead dance with the heads in front of you. The tiered seating is expertly layered that unless you're sitting behind a 7 foot tall person you'll be-able to see over the persons in-front of you. While the seating is important, before you get to your seat you're welcomed into the Temple and are prepared for your music/art enlightenment. At some ceremonies there's 1 or 2 carts in the courtyard serving sweets/snacks/drinks. Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS was very good and I'm glad I got to see it at the Temple. I laughed so hard my stomach started to hurt & tears were flowing.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:22:07" }, { "business_id": "p86gxGhlZEE9I9icCyJqFA", "business_name": "Safeway", "rating": 4, "text": "When I lived off 22nd street I would pass 2 other stores on my bike to get to this store because of it's fresh produce and friendly service. I popped in here the other day to grab some water cuz I forgot my water bottle again. It was like coming home to family. Different employees but still fun and friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:27:42" }, { "business_id": "qOw6FD59FvUMmkaTjVqS8Q", "business_name": "Tucson Food Truck Roundup", "rating": 5, "text": "Are you going to Tucson Food Truck Round-Up? Parsley, sage, STRAWBERRY and thyme . . . (album screeches to a stop!) Strawberry you say? Yep! Strawberry & Thyme is the Cyclopsicle I had! If you love sweet & savory, you've gotta try this. If you don't love sweet & savory you've gotta try this. It will blow your mind! In addition, to the great food there was great music! The Shawn Kebler Trio 4:30 - 6:00 then Those Beatles Guys 6:15 - 7:45. As if that wasn't enough, there's artist doing there magic right in front of you. Check out the pics of Mel Dominguez and David Tineo. Their art & energetic personalities were a great addition to the food, fun and frolicking.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T19:02:26" }, { "business_id": "gKpsoVjBEnrNkzaOfxpOUA", "business_name": "Fox Tucson Theatre", "rating": 5, "text": "I almost broke my sacroiliac again & loved it! Seeing Starting Over - The Lennon Experience at the Fox reminded me of going to concerts in the mid to late seventies with general admission & huge dance floors. Of course The Fox doesn't have general admission & there wasn't a huge dance floor but the seats are spaced far enough apart that you can really get your motor running. There's assigned seating & crowd control but I didn't get the feeling I was in a police state. That would have been the opposite of the Lennon message. Time was on my side at this concert because the band started way before my bedtime and when it was past my bedtime, 8:30, I was still rocking and rolling. I knew the crowd was getting really revved up when I saw the huge bouncer advance to the stage. He did a great job of deterring fans from jumping on the stage or tossing any unmentionables at anyone. Luckily I had my YELP friends with me to hole me back. After the concert was over my friends and I stood in line to get autographs. After all of the excitement, I wanted to head out on the highway but opted for the quick drive home. I was very glad the Fox is downtown and not way out of town like some of the music venues. I really loved this event and am very happy Fox was the location for the World Premiere of Starting Over - the Lennon Experience. I'm going to start checking out the webpage more for stuff to do. A few people we turned off by alterations in some lyrics but I bet that's because of copyright issues. You know what I say to changed lyrics . . . Don't let the man ruin your mellow! That sounds like a Beatles era saying, right?", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T08:06:04" }, { "business_id": "Vhl0ZYmbPACG2FPLtvR5hg", "business_name": "The RumRunner", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Rum so when I found out there's a place called the Rum Runner I had to check it out. I didn't know if it was a bar, liquor store or restaurant. (This was preYELP days). When I walked in & saw all the wine I was a little intimidated. Back then I hadn't been to a wine tasting & picked my wine by price divided by how pretty was the label. If the resulting number was less than1, I'd buy as long as the price wasn't above how much I had in my pocket. The intimidation began melting away when I was greeted with a smile and an offer of help. Then I saw the cheese/pate case. I had never had pate and was keen to try but was concerned about the price. While I was trying to decide if I could afford some pate and rum, I was offered a taste of pate. Too bad no rum tasting that day. Yum, Yum, the Salmon pate was HEAVEN as well as the others I tried. So, I took the advice of the counter employee and bought all of the ones I liked plus some crackers & matching wine. It was less than $50 and I had dinner for two plus leftovers. Date night was very successful!", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T15:44:53" }, { "business_id": "nsWxhtg7XAnl5DtH-_d-vA", "business_name": "Tucson Botanical Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "When I was a little girl, I loved to run in the field across from our house and chase butterflies. One time a neighbor gave me a net to help me catch the butterflies and I was very happy till I caught one and saw how bug like it was. Once I got over my squeamishness, I put a captive in a jar and took it home. I think we consulted some expert and put some kind of food in the jar but it only lasted a day. I was very upset to think I had shortened the creatures life. And even if the life wasn't shortened, I'm sure it would have rather been with friends then locked up in a jar. Well never fear the experts at the Gardens know how to treat the butterflies that call the park their home. I love to hang out at the TBG whenever I get a chance but it's best in the spring and fall. The staff is always friendly and helpful too. There are a number of events and classes. In addition volunteer opportunities too. And it's centrally located so you can pop in on your way to somewhere else in town.", "timestamp": "2012-02-09T05:40:40" }, { "business_id": "z5r59h-c7vCS53k1YKSfxg", "business_name": "Lotus Massage & Wellness Center", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a puddle when Ingrid was done with my massage. I wanted to ask her to marry me cuz I love her. Well not just her, the whole center screams calmness and peace. But not the 60's type where you don't know if the'll be open cuz they were/are smoking peyote. Very professional and worth the money.", "timestamp": "2012-02-11T01:17:13" }, { "business_id": "26rvYn1RPbJCBW-cW05xnQ", "business_name": "Sun Tran", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the way Tucson's bus system has improved over the years. There's more weekend & late night service. A great option if you plan on drinking. If you're going to close the bar down you'll need to make other arrangements to get home but at least you can bus there so you're not cabbing both ways. There's still the stupid way buses that meet at an intersection are scheduled to arrive at the same time so it doesn't matter what bus you want to transfer to you can't because by the time you get across the street the bus has gone.", "timestamp": "2012-02-12T13:29:33" }, { "business_id": "4QMIJJWQOh7zpEwOXhFJqw", "business_name": "Renee's Tucson", "rating": 5, "text": "Chillin at Renee's listening to Mack the Knife on Valentine's Day reminded me of my first love & favorite Valentine, my mom. She loved Louis Armstrong. Even though I don't have my mom with me I got lots of love & comfort food at Renee's. I had the meatballs in marinara sauce with the pepper salad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-14T23:53:42" }, { "business_id": "t3yNTcIYyCreySnwVl5tjw", "business_name": "The Loft Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "ACTION!!! Not sure why I don't go here more often. The staff is friendly and the seats are comfy. I didn't have any food at The 2012 Academy Award Nominated Action Short Films showing but my friend had the pizza. It looked and smelled good. They have beer too.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T16:33:51" }, { "business_id": "-1MhPXk1FglglUAmuPLIGg", "business_name": "Red Garter Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "Best hamburger in town! Cooked just the way I like it, right after it gets done screaming. I love being Burger Kinged. I had a combination of the Swiss burger and southwest burger. Bacon, mushrooms, Swiss cheese and yummy bar-b-que sauce. The bread was good too, but I left most of it because the burger was so large. The onion rings were so good I skipped the ketchup. I held back a star because when I walked in a waitress walked by me without acknowledged I was there. The bartender looked up but didn't give a nod or anything. I know it's not Cheers but still a howdy ma'am would have been nice. I got a little concerned that maybe I had stepped into a time warp and was in a 1950's bar. I did a check for other dark faces and found one that was much lighter than mine so, I began to relax. Once my waitress came over to greet me (I'd been sitting about 4 minutes) she was genuinely very friendly. So, let's give them back 1/2 a star. The jukebox is off the hook. All my old favorite rock-n-roll songs were playing. There's ton's of TVs for you sports fans. It is a little pricey. I was expecting some Happy Hour pricing as it was 5pm. But you get what you pay for in this world. I'm a big bathroom nut. If a place has a nice clean bathroom, I'm going to spend a lot of time there. Rg's was clean enough but no hook for my purse and sweater. So now we're down to 3 stars.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T17:02:26" }, { "business_id": "SbdL-8NSmTWgSwdGZBa7WQ", "business_name": "Fresco Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "I love good-hot pizza & that's why I have Fresco deliver. Sometimes I order the eggplant parmesan & combo subs. It doesn't matter they always deliver hot & fresh food with a smile. With that said the best part is when they answer the phone you can hear the smile. Most of the time when I call businesses I get the feeling I'm interrupting something. Not at Fresco.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T21:47:04" }, { "business_id": "6pVVwtFmd7VBsgyFPHvU_w", "business_name": "Union Public House", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to my first UYE here. I'll never forget it. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was really good. I had the cheesy tots. House made potato tots covered with a house made cheese sauce. I want to be buried in that sauce. Then I had the special, scallops. I almost fell over when I was told $12 for 2 scallops. But they were huge. Then, I almost fell over because the were so tender. The noise from the other patrons was deafening and there was heavy metal music playing but you really couldn't hear it because of the noise from the people talking. There was a lot of sound bouncing off the walls. We had the same problem at our church. They make dampening panels for that. But before that gets fixed I think some money should be put into new fixtures for the ladies room. It was kinda clean but the toilet was stopped up. One of the YELPers I was with, told the owner and it got fixed right away. Yes, I'm crazy that way, I went back to check. But even without stopped toilet the L. room gets an F, because the sinks would be called retro if they were refinished. But they weren't. One more thing, the faucets don't have to be automatic but working would be nice. I don't like L. rooms in dives to be icky either. However, UPH is NO dive.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:03:22" }, { "business_id": "ta8tixXzHXFogPiYlB2a5A", "business_name": "Robert's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I was busing it the other day & missed the bus by that much. Some businesses don't like it if you pop into there place to keep warm for half an hour for the next bus. My waitress at was A-Ok with it. She kept offering to get me something to eat. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was going to eat elsewhere. I did have a really good cup of coffee & a great conversation with her. I don't know why I don't go to Robert's more often.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:08:15" }, { "business_id": "Ch8VCPuGX6lJWBaofljE1A", "business_name": "Udall Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Grazing In The Grass There's a lot going on at this park. My favorite is the László Veres Amphitheater, where Arizona Symphonic Winds plays every Summer and Fall. We pack a dinner, bring blankets, lawn chairs and friends, equals a great time in the Arizona. Since it's in the evening the wind comes along and it's really nice in the grass.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:23:27" }, { "business_id": "BauybYsfqd0y6KDrJ6ZxjQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "My get up and go was still in the bed. So, I popped in her to get a dirty-soy chai. Fixed me right up. Thanks perky & patient order taker. I always think I'm going to try something new and I rarely do.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:27:30" }, { "business_id": "sTaUoMUban-Hdhy8m3eM-A", "business_name": "Big Lots", "rating": 3, "text": "When I met my husband he loved going to big lots. I hated it because it was so unorganized. This one is very organized. I had gotten caught in the rain on a bus day. No umbrella or poncho. I had some important documents with me too. The customer service desk clerk and all cashiers were busy when I went in so I could ask; WHERE ARE THE RAIN PNCHOS? I needed to get across this huge parking lot to the bus stop quickly. It makes since rain ponchos would be near the clothing. And there they were. I think in the store we use to go to they keep rain ponchos in the automotive or hardware section.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:34:42" }, { "business_id": "J-Go00lYW4f4a3lLLtoh_A", "business_name": "Bobo's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "You can leave your party at home! What a great neighborhood cafe. I've only been in here twice but both times had great conversations with fellow diners. That's one of the things I really love about Tucson is there's so many places you can go and people are friendly. You don't have to bring your party with you. The staff is friendly but not intrusive. The last time I went I had the grilled cheese sandwich. When I ordered. The guy sitting next to me said i should order the chicken special he had. The chicken did look and smell good. But I told him about how us YELPers where talking about where to go for good grilled cheese. And we were off. He likes YELP but didn't know about how social and fun we are. The sandwich arrived on sourdough with cheese oozing out the sides but not so much that I needed a spoon to hole it all together. You can add stuff on the grilled cheese like chicken, ham or tomato but it was fantastic naked. I choose the cottage cheese for the side.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:51:31" }, { "business_id": "tJ_dQUc5m--Wgo7NRIjyzA", "business_name": "Food Conspiracy Co-op", "rating": 4, "text": "I was going to became a member this weekend at the birthday bash but the day got away from me. The rewards are awesome (see links below). Maybe I'll Git R done later this week. When I was in a few weeks ago the produce was very fresh. I think the upswing in local producers of good quality produce has really helped. The good news is I don't have to wait for a nearby farmers market to get good fresh local produce. They have a good selection of healthy cereals and bulk nuts, granola, etc. The cashier was real nice too and very knowledgeable about products and the birthday bash. Love this place! http://www.foodconspiracy.coop/membership/benefits/ http://www.foodconspiracy.org/about/co-op-discount-network/", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:04:16" }, { "business_id": "WFBdR8ZotMOKDkZ0skufIA", "business_name": "Michaels", "rating": 3, "text": "I've seen it messier but I was able to hijack an employee for help. I was in a hurry. Usually I know it's going to take a while and I just go up and down each \"um aisle\" till I give up. Anyways this time I was in and out in a jiff. They now have a screen to assist with the cash register line flow.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:13:27" }, { "business_id": "idWOWHJ7zInwE8SPBcFHLg", "business_name": "Sabino Cycles", "rating": 4, "text": "I had just finished lunch in the strip mall and was stuck in the rain. And I had cake to go. (Remember the song, someone left the cake out in the rain). I went in to see if they had a nice rain poncho. They didn't & the sales lady didn't laugh at me because it would be hard to fit your helmet on over the hood of a rain poncho. We both had a good laugh at me. I told her about my electric bike and asked if they could fix the non-electric stuff, because they are really convenient for my truck owner brother and I. She said they'd be happy to help.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:32:24" }, { "business_id": "ly0nkQsbvKkHNUyl5AGdjA", "business_name": "Isabella's Ice Cream", "rating": 5, "text": "You scream, I'm eating the ice cream. Not only is it very very very good, there's experimental flavors. I tried one with lavender. And there's a few other yummy unusual flavors that's gone out of my head right now. You can request flavors too. Owner is very very very friendly. So, don't scream at her.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:16:36" }, { "business_id": "s1p9pg69MZA7vRiFCewQlQ", "business_name": "Ordinary Bike Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "I was looking for info about electric bikes and got some good recommendations. I also got an offer to bring the bike in for non-electric repair issues. The employee was very friendly and helpful. I was in and out in under 5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-24T07:00:42" }, { "business_id": "AVBqx8FaXza6x-bb_FLOTQ", "business_name": "Anita Street Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I never thought I'd be in a love triangle. But here I am, Anita Street Market, YELP and me. I love ASM because of the great food and service. I love YELP because reading a friend's review reminded me it's been too long since I've visited ASM. I usually get the gorditas made with cottage cheese. I have to buy 2 packages because I eat one on the way home. They have a good selection of cheese and other essentials for a Mexican fiesta. I'm a big fusion cuisine nut so I put mid or far east seasoned stuff with the stuff I get from ASM! YUM!", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T17:00:52" }, { "business_id": "jaFGVtpEMSyh8AHi8jh-wA", "business_name": "Bicas - Bicycle Inter Community Art & Salvage", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a little concerned about walking into Bicas because these guys put bikes together and I can hardly ride one. I was really relieved when I had one foot in the door & was greeted with a friendly smile & offer for help. I was there for the Underground Art class, Bike Zine Origami Stars with Rachel Sandler. I really had too much fun & almost broke my laughing bone. There were fellow crocheters, knitters & painters learning how to make Origami Stars. Mine turned out really cool. Check out my pic. I can't wait till next week for the Japanese Book binding class. Check out their website for more classes and art exhibits. There's a new art studio and gallery featuring bicycle-themed and recycled art by local and international artists. You can go home with some bike art originals.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T16:45:59" }, { "business_id": "zwrgCMuZyFX46mL3piDyjg", "business_name": "Cup Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Funny-adult story about the 1st time I ate here. Starts with my BFF recovering from a breakup, there's 2 French Policemen on holiday & ends with the heart breaker & chicken satay. I've tried other dishes but always go back to the heart breaker & chicken satay. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't have them on the menu anymore because the funny story happened, well nevermind how long ago it was. It's still a funny story and the food at the cup is still GREAT!!! Subtracted a star because sometimes service is a little iffy. There's been some occasions when I feel like I've interrupted servers FUN TIME. But, most of the time service is good.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T17:14:31" }, { "business_id": "Ixj573yo0PMWFGXmnka9MA", "business_name": "The Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only had my bike for a few months & today was my first big outing. I was meeting friends at Rillito Park Race Track & wanted to really enjoy nature. A few clicks on my map app & a plan was born. Tucson really is a bike friendly town. I was able to safely ride from Yoga class to the where Tucson Blvd intersects with the bike path. I was a little concerned when I saw the end of road barriers at the end of Tucson Blvd. Then I thought that's for cars ding-a-ling. So, I threaded my way barriers to be greeted by a wonderful park. Then I turned on the path. There was lots of room & the center line was clearly marked. Fellow bikers & walkers were very friendly. A big thanks to the lady who helped me turn on the correct bridge. I'd subtract one half star because the bridges aren't marked. There was a huge map at the trail head but at that point I didn't need no stinking map.", "timestamp": "2012-03-05T06:45:48" }, { "business_id": "zGiOO2bxasexYRQt6y9ClA", "business_name": "JOANN Fabrics and Crafts", "rating": 4, "text": "I almost have enough yarn to open my own yarn shop. But I had to get more. It was on sale & I had a get an extra 15% off from my Joann Phone app. The fabric area in every fabric store always seems to be an area of high anxiety. I try to stay away. I needed some fabric for the lining of a purse I crocheted so I picked up some precut quilting fabric. The precut squares are only $1.99 for 18X21 piece. I'm no geometry wiz kid but that's not a square. Anyways, it was fast and cheap. Also got some yarn for some future projects. And some New hooks that were less than $3 with bamboo handles.", "timestamp": "2012-03-06T17:21:34" }, { "business_id": "1teRq-Q6XG6l-WoinZFX0g", "business_name": "The University of Arizona", "rating": 4, "text": "The U of OZ is a great school & a must see for any sightseeing trip. The admission process at any large school is bound to have hurdles. At OZ there's lots of little people to help you. Just like in the real Oz there's some double speak to translate. It's very exciting when you, the scarecrow, lion & tin man meet with your all knowing advisor the 1st time. Then meeting whit the advisor the last time before You get the coveted piece of paper. The road is not always yellow & easy to follow but when you're done you know you can do anything life tosses at you. The tourist will not see lions, tigers & bears. If you're lucky you'll see Wilbur the wildcat along with museums, concert halls & really nice restaurants. Plus I understand the basketball team isn't bad. Just arrive on campus & ask anyone for info. Everyone is really friendly. There's also a info office near the mall, the huge grassy area at the center of campus.", "timestamp": "2012-03-07T16:33:00" }, { "business_id": "1W657uKWvcMKIHaOmEOc-g", "business_name": "Caffe Milano", "rating": 5, "text": "Authentic Italian food without passport = Space time anomaly. Well, I've never been to Italy but I bet you all the change in my pocket the food is just like the lunch I had at Caffe Milano. While I was trying to decide what to have a regular popped in and started telling me what was good. He really could have saved himself a lot of words if he'd said the truth, It's all good. And you get a lot of food too. I had to skip dessert.", "timestamp": "2012-03-09T07:06:03" }, { "business_id": "6wzZ9FR3-bfqFz8ySgyavQ", "business_name": "Dickman's Meat & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "No clue why when I lived a little over a mile from the old location I never went here. But I'm so glad I did. I haven't had a sandwich that good in a long time. The side bow tie pasta salad was really good too. There's a great selection of take home meats, cheeses & fixings. Wild boar anyone?", "timestamp": "2012-03-10T11:02:13" }, { "business_id": "AXaeGUt_wSPjsLAWHpRFSQ", "business_name": "Church's Chicken", "rating": 3, "text": "When I need some comfort food Churches is my go to place. The service is good. I tell them how hungry I am and they work it out so I don't have to pay much. Last time I was here I was stuffed for less than $5.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T16:52:41" }, { "business_id": "MUOCeTGhL5llXe8GAuqOMA", "business_name": "Ike's Coffee & Tea", "rating": 4, "text": "Adult entertainment? No, but they do have an adult grilled cheese Sandwich. For the life of me I can't remember the name. It was goat cheese, tomato and spinach I think. I thought I had already written this review and I visited there weeks ago. I'll have to pop in again to give you the detailed info. But, I didn't want to delay the review any longer. Service was really good. The cook was sampling a yummy looking smoothie & I asked several probing questions. After a little awkwardness I confessed about being a YELPer & how we were going to have a juicing event soon. So, I was looking for interesting things to mix together for my juicing event shopping.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T17:02:31" }, { "business_id": "SgTZIh4nFftQxoXqX1eJcQ", "business_name": "Brandi Fenton Memorial Park", "rating": 4, "text": "The park is a great place to go on dates. There's not a lot of trees to duck behind and do whatever it is people do when they duck behind trees. But there is a lot of space and the air is really fresh. I think it would be a great place to play bocce ball. I have been here a few times for fundraising events and had a great time. Like I said there's lots of room to play frisbee or toss a ball. At the HOPE fundraiser we Hula hooped. Hadn't done that in over 20 years.", "timestamp": "2012-03-14T07:19:40" }, { "business_id": "rmmUhScUsA3xXbhDhRlb9A", "business_name": "Macy's", "rating": 4, "text": "I love the spring sales. The quality is real good too. I have skirts from over 10 years ago. I use to wear them ever week when I was working. They are just starting to look worn and I only paid $5 for 1 and $10 for the other. I couldn't make them for that price. I wish they had more made in America stuff but then would the skirt ever be marked down to $5? The staff is always nice and helpful. I usually get a sincerer hello. Not the please don't still anything hello. I think the times you enter a department and there's no one there that person is on break. Nice to see a company still employs the tried and true systems we used back in the day when I worked at a competing department store.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:01:51" }, { "business_id": "GNo1zeiPKErB7Ww_j3IlOg", "business_name": "The Tasteful Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "MGJ (mean green juice) ICE CREAM???!!! When I heard Isabella's Ice Cream had made MGJ for The Tasteful Kitchen, I made a bee line to them. To bad I was busy then they aren't open Mondays and Tuesdays so, yesterday was my first chance to enjoy. Everything was so delicious. I had quite a bit of food but wasn't too full for the ice cream. I had the mango butternut raw foods soup, the raw foods veggie burger with a salad and spicy sweet potato/carrot fries. This may actually be the diet for me. I'm not a huge fan of bread on a burger anyways. It kinda takes away the flavor and fills me up so I don't have room for Ice Cream. The service was impeccable. I felt like a queen on vacation. There's classes to learn how to cook or not cook like The Tasteful Kitchen staff.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:34:14" }, { "business_id": "_jADWOt1FkWMWGIlz30cew", "business_name": "Reid Park Biking/Walking Path", "rating": 5, "text": "If I had $100 for each step I took on this path, we'd all be rich! Just the right amount of everything is the key to this urban ParkBikingWalking path. The right amount of shade mixed with the right amount of sun. The right amount of cyclist mixed with walkers and runners tossed in for good measure. It's a beautiful doggy dance.", "timestamp": "2012-03-16T05:58:47" }, { "business_id": "uf3strC3s96XPOM502o5lw", "business_name": "Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block", "rating": 3, "text": "Tucson Museum of ART - Spring Artisans' Market is a great place to meet nice people and drown in creativity. And it's nice that the museum takes advantage of the increased traffic by opening it's doors for free. The only annoyance is when you find something you want to buy you have to go to a central cashier and pay for it then make your way back to the artists booth to collect the item. It's not so bad when I'm by myself but when I'm with my brother, Mr personality, we have to stop every 2 feet to say hi to someone he knows. Anyways, lots of hugs and flesh pressing.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:12:49" }, { "business_id": "dh1C733vVNx7BaIBmwMwNQ", "business_name": "Cafe A La Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "Had some mind blowing Irish car bomber cupcakes at the Irish cook off last weekend. So, I made sure when I was downtown to pop in and see what else they offered. I'd eaten here PY (PreYelp). What can I say when you're enjoying something with the intent of writing about it later, you notice things you didn't notice before. Like I ordered potato salad (don't know why, cuz I don't like potatoes) when may plate was brought out I thought they had made a mistake because I didn't see any potatoes. Lots of yummy marinated seasoned fresh veggies. I knew they were yummy before I tasted them cuz of the smell. So I dug in, and well look at that potatoes in my potato salad. And the potatoes tasted good. The review I was writing in my head had gone from 5 stars to 2 and up to 6 stars. Oops have to factor in the chai tea latte, brisket sandwich and chocolate chip walnut cookie. Ladies & gentlemen we have broken the YELP star barrier. The loud boom you just heard is the sound made by the smashing of molecules when a company gets more than 10 stars. I have to meet with the Big Bang Theory cast to have the physics explained but Cafe a la C'Art has blown my mind again.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:35:17" }, { "business_id": "tBWjMqUc0yP5lRElCfDaKg", "business_name": "1702", "rating": 4, "text": "My BFF would move in here if he could. I usually only go here with my crazy friends who make it hard to have a good experience. They are kinda rude to the staff but the staff is always nice and helpful. The other day was my 1st time alone to try the chicken ice cream. It was good and so was the pesto pizza. Service was really good too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T07:23:41" }, { "business_id": "rTxjTF2FgHpyHdMbhBuMBg", "business_name": "Caravan Mideastern Foods", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't greeted when I entered but I did get a hardy goodbye. They have lots of yummy stuff for competitive prices. I got a huge container of Nutella for about $5. Can't find the receipt but I know it wasn't $6. My neighbor told me about Caravan. She said they do a lot of their, oh poo we forgot ________ shopping at Caravan.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T16:11:35" }, { "business_id": "EW2mdIhlnowmtp1JY6MhPA", "business_name": "Himmel Park", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a nice resting spot when I'm biking home form downtown. I wasn't really tired but it filled my heart with joy to hear all the kids running and playing. I sat and cranked out a few pages on my book. Afternoons during the week is a good time to go if you're not into crowds. There's all kinds of events happening on the weekends. From birthday jumping castles to jousting. I think I've seen a soccer game or two. Now that I think about it these events happen late afternoons too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-22T00:48:31" }, { "business_id": "PGlHVBkiCvfNE9yDes1lOw", "business_name": "Aqua Vita", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes these neighborhood markets have iffy produce & some smell bad. And if you're real lucky the employees are rude. But not this neighborhood market. Fresh delicious produce and dairy. Nice frozen food section. The prices are high. But I guess that's to be expected when they don't have the buying power of the big stores.", "timestamp": "2012-03-23T00:36:37" }, { "business_id": "LMAqSWASePVhhOZkUs2vvQ", "business_name": "UA BookStores", "rating": 3, "text": "It's a college bookstore but not just for students. But, it's still a college bookstore. The prices aren't very competitive but the store is usually clean. Customer service is sometimes hard to find but when you get someone they are friendly and helpful. There's a lot of community outreach events like the children's book program. I met Clifford the Big Red Dog. He didn't bite when I asked him to take a picture with me. Like I said it's a college bookstore so parking is a little challenging. I suggest biking, busing or the trolley when it's up and going.", "timestamp": "2012-03-26T18:08:39" }, { "business_id": "d26VEnmSq_r2wJ35L9RYUw", "business_name": "Little Mexico Steakhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Margaritas, Flat Enchiladas & Green Corn Tamales. Several friends stopped by on our way back to town after a visit to the reservation. We had been in the hot sun for a few hours with just warm water to wet our whistles so that may be why the clean, fresh, not-2-sweet-not-2-alcoholey Rita pitchers were so good. I guess I'll have to do more investigating darn. Then the food arrived. More taste explosions and sirens. All this and the service was quick and friendly too. Then to top it off the bathroom was clean and there was a hook for my purse.", "timestamp": "2012-04-16T05:08:55" }, { "business_id": "X1oJuhLy8JxzmXkWLCqW6g", "business_name": "Baggin's Gourmet Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "The Unforgettable is unforgettable. I use to work across the street from a now closed Baggin's. The plan was to start at the top and work my way through the sandwich list. Well, after one bite of the Unforgettable the plan was scrapped. Over the years I've tried other Baggin's sandwiches but I still keep going back to my 1st love. I've been to this location several times and it's always Unforgettably fantastic.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:06:55" }, { "business_id": "J_w5J7dgRpyB4GFiBJIDIg", "business_name": "Xoom Juice", "rating": 4, "text": "I promise I'm not an alien from another planet but I'm not a fan of smoothies as a meal. With that said I love the spoon Xoom Spoon Velvet Amazon. With the Hemp Granola it is very filling. The service has always been with a smile even when it gets busy and loud.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:13:24" }, { "business_id": "5nOTwLs2lCpsFwZzHA6Hvg", "business_name": "Rubio's", "rating": 4, "text": "I Heart grilled fish taco's washed down with a cold beer. The service is always friendly and fast. there's great music too. I always feel like I've spent lots of money to get to some remote island where all of my cares have been washed away by the ocean.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:18:53" }, { "business_id": "X-IMyKLRxkspQYLKBed8sA", "business_name": "Hope Animal Shelter", "rating": 4, "text": "I love going to Hope events and visiting the warm cuddles there. They sponsor classes about communicating with your animal how to catch a star cat and all kinds of health issues. The staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:32:58" }, { "business_id": "sOjbtBWo-m6rpjHv4tA_oQ", "business_name": "Brewd Coffee & Food", "rating": 4, "text": "There's no excuse not to go here during the construction because 6th Ave is a 2 way street now. I hesitate to write a favorable review because during the construction a lot of people have been staying away so it's very quite and peaceful. I hung out here for a few hours the other day to finish reading a book that was due back to the library. Very comfortable seats and friendly service. I had a flat-bread sandwich that was really good. Lots of plugs for all your devices. Next time I'm bringing in my bike battery and charging it.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:45:50" }, { "business_id": "2h0D_jeKy81uZgpZGZmGPA", "business_name": "Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue", "rating": 4, "text": "McGarrett: Book em Danno Williams: What's the charge? McGarrett: Selling yummy Hawaii style food on the main land. Williams: That won't hold up in court! McGarrett: I don't care Danno! I want these guys to go down. Williams: Well ya know what I think? McGarrett: NO!!! And please don't tell me! Williams: I'm telling you anyways my uninspired friend. McGarrett: I'm not listening! Williams: When Tucsonians taste this food they get Hawaii fever and will watch our show more. McGarrett: Oh, good point. Hey all you Tucsonians hang ten to MHBBQ for the Hawaii Chicken sandwich. Don't forget dessert. Passion squares, Lemon bars & cream cheese brownies make you escape the blazing desert heat & enjoy the soft Hawaiian breeze. For an additional visual experience watch my show. Williams: MY SHOW?!?!?!?", "timestamp": "2012-05-09T16:50:41" }, { "business_id": "D44IBRDtEScaWELey5IfCA", "business_name": "May's Counter Chicken And Waffles", "rating": 2, "text": "I had considered purchasing a home around the corner from May's so I could wonder over in my PJs. But the last couple of times I went made me glad I didn't impulse buy a HOUSE. As a frequent visitor (at least once a week) I knew all of the wait staff and some of the cooks. Everyone was very friendly, then there was a change in ownership/management. And a lot of the friendly staff left. Then the waffle recipe changed. I was assured it hadn't. So, the gang and I got together for a visit and all agree the waffles tasted generic. So, I stopped ordering the waffles and tried some of the other offerings. I noticed salads and chicken pieces getting smaller and the prices going up. So, now instead of going ever week I may make it to May's once a month. I would have given 1 star but I've been getting emails about music nights. the musicians have great profiles and look promising. The only thing is the music offerings are not consistent and whenever there's an event I have previous plans.", "timestamp": "2012-12-03T18:05:28" }, { "business_id": "Hi4AgS-uR-lEOF4oZl546g", "business_name": "China Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "I was a little concerned when I read the first sentence of Mark S's review, \"Probably the most authentic Chinese food I have had since visiting Chinatown in San Francisco.\" When I was in San Francisco I had what I was told was authentic Chinese food and I didn't like it. Also, Here in Tucson I've been to \"authentic Chinese food\" establishments and ended up with a pile of napkins filled with food my tongue rejected. I've always felt a little embarrassed but try as I may I couldn't drink enough beer, water or wine to get the food to go down my throat. However, at China Pasta house everything was great. The dumplings were cooked to perfection. Usually there's something crazy with the texture (to wormy). I tried some of my neighbor's noodle soup and it was good too. So, I was excited to get my Spicy Fried Rice Cake with Shrimp. It was everything I'd hoped for in an authentic Chinese Restaurant. I was thinking one of those fried rice cakes you get at the store but fresh and yummy but what I got was a yummy mix of a firm rice cake sliced to perfection, fresh crisp veggies and lots of shrimp. I offered to share with my neighbor but thank God she said no because I'm going to relive the ecstasy for lunch. Leftovers ROCK!", "timestamp": "2012-12-06T16:51:45" }, { "business_id": "KbSpEQ_54ovgNxOoxKP79g", "business_name": "Time Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Great Pizza!!! My summer resolution is to have Time market Pizza every Friday night for the next 10 years. They have traditional and not so traditional options. The staff is very professional and friendly. I love the way the thin crust crackles and cheese cheesles.", "timestamp": "2012-12-14T15:54:12" }, { "business_id": "i3k1luXdsi_cShv-agBxGg", "business_name": "Ooo! Outside Of Ordinary", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really impressed by the unusual selection of stuff I didn't know I needed. Loved the round purses with holographic pictures of eyes. And the toy selection is great. Looking for the right toy for the kid that has every electronic toy and needs a little nostalgia this is the place. Really, what are they going to do when the lights go out during the end of the world?", "timestamp": "2012-12-14T15:58:44" }, { "business_id": "AUBQPQ8wftMBbP2Q3Lbn0w", "business_name": "Sakura", "rating": 4, "text": "Was very excited all day thinking of enjoying some jazz, food and good friends. But it was canceled because of the cold. :-( Still had a good time. Would have been better if there was jazz instead of sports but, the chocolate martini and lettuce wraps were just what the doctor ordered after a long days work. (Half off appetizers and $1 off drinks) YUM!!!", "timestamp": "2013-01-13T03:00:08" }, { "business_id": "ajfmcCilbPMKb_VxswIuQQ", "business_name": "Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea", "rating": 5, "text": "These guys still have it. Healthy good tasting food at a reasonable price and scrumptious coffee too. Don't like coffee? Just like any other great coffee house there's teas and smoothies for the snooties. What sets this place apart is it's great customer service. I hadn't been in for years but when I walked in that door I felt like I was at home again.", "timestamp": "2013-01-13T03:06:07" } ]	{ "business_id": "HoCO8CHjAPZWP4P2PoTcZg", "business_name": "Javelina Cantina", "rating": 1, "text": "This place use to totally rock the Kasbah! Sometimes friends come into town and want to visit this place for old times sake. Then look at me like it's my fault cause the food and service is so bad. Next time, I'm putting my foot down HARD! No pig cellar. (Thanks Google Translate.)", "timestamp": "2013-01-13T03:19:45" }
pYXeL0RCqus2IfhthYCOyA	[ { "business_id": "pqHCY2NE8_aVl0EsDRbUtg", "business_name": "Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que", "rating": 5, "text": "Crisp slaw & spicy sauce are the 2 things that get me fired up about BBQ! FD has these in spades. Then top it off with a selicious selection of Home-style Desserts, bring out the cot I'm moving in here!!! It only gets better when I can bring friends & family who can find eats to wet their palate & want to pull out a pallet too.", "timestamp": "2011-07-11T16:49:02" }, { "business_id": "U_NCpKQDf3z7qSBjvv4U0Q", "business_name": "Cafe Desta", "rating": 5, "text": "Naked brick walls for art, Yummy food with a sprinkle of great conversation? Must be Cafe Desta. Yes, there's lots of places with art on brick and maybe some have food but very few, if any, have the fun knowledgeable owners/staff of Cafe Desta. From the moment I walked in the door till I left, I felt welcomed and pampered. After my rough day shopping I needed to be coddled. And I was totally spoiled! I was offered a drink and chose mint tea. This wasn't your grandma's teabag, it was ambrosia mint tea. No bitterness or paper tea bag taste. While sipping my teabrosia, I had a long talk with . . . . . I'm calling him Tee, and decided on the cubed lamb because they can put the hot stuff on the side. It was so yummy, even the hot sauce/paste was flavorful. The cheese reminded me of cheese curd and made me miss Wisconsin. I didn't think I'd like the veggies that came with the lamb dish because they had cooked carrots and I don't like cooked carrots. So, I can't say I don't like cooked carrots any more because these were so good mixed with green beans in a tomatolishes sauce. Enough of my rambling. Let me add on the obvious if you know anything about Ethiopian food. They have family style and single servings. I needed a to go container and guess what? Tee boxed it for me.", "timestamp": "2012-01-05T07:27:20" }, { "business_id": "RFIHFxmNH9dM0ouz2N8ZjQ", "business_name": "Cafe Marcel", "rating": 5, "text": "I was just checking my stats and realized all my reviews are 5 stars. What can I say, I always get great service. Like I did 2 times at Cafe Marcel. It was so good yesterday, I made my big brother take me today. Michelle & Joe's restaurant is like coming home to my French Granny's. I'm sure I don't have a French Granny and Michelle & Joe aren't old enough to be my Grandparents. Still I felt welcomed and left full of good food. Taste buds spinning so much I left my long sleeve shirt. Had to take it off cuz just like at Granny's they had the heat on so I was comfy. I had the Feta cheese, Tomato Pesto Crepe. Michelle says it doesn't matter how you pronounce it cuz it's all good. So do I.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T01:40:35" }, { "business_id": "LRr-aw58xVMkUu0OSL_BpQ", "business_name": "The Little One", "rating": 5, "text": "I HEART a company when an employee/owner recognizes you when you were just there a week before. That's what happened at Little Cafe Poca Cosa. This action lets me know the hugs aren't just a gimmick. I try to go on off hours so I don't get jammed in there with all the suits from the downtown offices. But even when I do. I take that as an opportunity to meet someone new. So, I've always had prompt friendly service. Except that one time when I was talking to this really cute suit and the waitress kept bothering us. I love the fact that they encourage you to only eat what you think you can eat so they don't have to waste food. I also like that they give back to the community. Oops, I forgot to tell you about the food. Very health-yummy!", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T02:35:25" }, { "business_id": "2njTjQ35skXN171KoobeGg", "business_name": "Raging Sage", "rating": 5, "text": "Well Jiminy Crickets!!! I wish I could give these guys 1 star then maybe it will not be as crowded. The good news is I've seen lots of cute guys here and when it's crowded you may have to share a table or even a chair. How fun would that be? OK, enough funnin'. Let's talk coffee and baked goods. Actually we don't have to talk coffee and baked goods because they're both so good you can have one without the other. Now I have a craving for and Ed O'Neil movie.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:51:01" }, { "business_id": "BxRHz-iSQGCGSuAGwkeUsw", "business_name": "Albertsons", "rating": 5, "text": "I use to take the bus past 2 other stores to get to this store because of the great selection, knowledgeable staff & fair prices. Now I live about 1/2 mile closer to another store in the opposite direction of the Albertson's. But Al and his staff are still my choice.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T03:55:08" }, { "business_id": "0THt7q5pk6FBVYjeGsITaA", "business_name": "Al's Ace Hardware", "rating": 5, "text": "Ace is the place with the helpful hardware WOman! I'm always greeted with a smile & offers of help. The cool part is they let me poke around just looking at the cool stuff. I'm a multimedia artist and sometimes just browsing in a hardware store can bring up suppressed Ace. Oops Art. Then when an idea pops in my head the WOman help me get it out and into my cart.", "timestamp": "2012-01-09T04:04:08" }, { "business_id": "7_1GqlDlbkShY0az7J0XNg", "business_name": "LaCo", "rating": 4, "text": "La Cocina is a great place for a healthy lunch & relaxing. I don't recommend it if you're in a hurry. There's of shops, coffee house, restaurant and bar all staffed by a minimal number of people. But, it's worth a little wait because not only does it taste good, you're not going to add much weight. I've tried the quinoa, veggies in peanut sauce with tofu and felt the pounds come off. So, I had the Chocolate tofu pie thinking the pounds would come back but they didn't. I was full but not stuffed and no sugar crash. I also had the Mediterranean appetizer plate and felt was fully satisfied. I started with the hibiscus lemon-aid. Like everything else full of flavor not too sweet. Cuz I'm sweet enough.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:00:26" }, { "business_id": "bo_03Xq6RenVdK3yVuDGiA", "business_name": "Nimbus Brewing", "rating": 4, "text": "I love it when a plan come together! My brother and I went to Nimbus to hear Amosphere, a local based band. Usually the band plays from 10pm to 1 or 2 am & that's too late for us on days we have to get up early. Saturday (1/7/12) the band started at 7 but I had a late lunch so was ready to eat when I got there. We sat there for what seems like hours as the waitresses ran orders to & from the small window. I kept trying to give them the sign but they we so busy. Plus as I found out later the waitress don't take drink orders, you've gotta go to the bar. I must have been giving the give me a beer now sign and not the give me food now sign. It really wasn't hours it was just about 15 to 20 minutes. When a waitress came over to offer a humongous platter of chicken nachos for free cuz someone couldn't eat around the jalapenos. The nachos would have been a steal at twice the price. Great music & great food washed down with a pint of Nimbus Old Monkeyshine Ale, an exceptional example of a true, traditional-style English Pub beer.", "timestamp": "2012-01-11T01:25:58" }, { "business_id": "yJZbNhVoTdhcI9dYVzLJuQ", "business_name": "Playground Bar & Lounge", "rating": 5, "text": "Indian Jones I'm not but I did unearth this Jewel in the desert. Well, actually I stumbled upon it. I was hungry and popped into the Hub for something yummy. I saw the ad I've been seeing for months that Playground would be opening soon. Well It was today at 4pm; I'd call that soon. The HUB Restaurant owner started the fire that got this diamond to the glimmering state it is in today. I was greeted by doormen dressed in Tucson Dressy. I was still wearing my layers of thermal and turtle neck I had on when I left the house this morning but I was still welcomed. While most of the guests were dressed for an evening of adult Recess on the Playground, there were others who came as they were. It wasn't crowded and there's enough playground equipment so you don't have to wait for your libation. I'm going to say even when they're at capacity you should still be able to get your drink on in a timely manner. I really liked the low seating in a far east/Mediterranean style. Not to far to fall, just in case. Speaking of style, I could live in the ladies room. I love the urban-rip-the-space-time fabric, we're in New York feel. Bare-brick walls mixed with vinyl wallpaper and mirrors. The good kind of mirrors that make you look smaller than you are. But the one above the sink had a video of how to put make-up on. The only thing missing was a lady selling make-up cuz I didn't have any. I'm going back as they open at 4pm and that's way before my bed time.", "timestamp": "2012-01-13T03:17:18" }, { "business_id": "8wkPLsDbGU3GcW8CoD-4aA", "business_name": "Caffe Luce", "rating": 5, "text": "Finally a place to spend my federation credits. I had heard about companies using iPads as cash registers but this is the 1st time I interacted with one. On the iPad it gives you tip options I think that's nice just in case you forget. I love the decor too. Behind the food prep area is a sign that reads Congress & 5th posted on \"subway\" tile. I know if you've been in some of the subways around the country, the thought of your food being prepared there might not sound palatable but you can't miss with this vegetarian menu. I heard people ordering coffee and they sounded happy with the results. It was after 1pm so I had wine. I was thinking wine spritzer and they accommodated by serving a glass of wine with a jelly glass jar of made on the spot sparkling water. And a smile to boot. There's a nifty system for getting a food order from the cash register to the prep area. It's written on an old fashion order form then attached to an alligator clip hung from a trolley type line on the ceiling. Then it's Zip-lined on the magnetic orderslip delivery system. I love it when new and old comes together.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:04:54" }, { "business_id": "9hVDlAouG9J1ORXOlBi44g", "business_name": "Summit Hut", "rating": 5, "text": "I Heart Summit Hut because they don't look at me a judge that I'm not an outdoors person. And even though I'm not they have lots of things I use like water bottles, t-shirts and unusual nicknacks. I was looking for solar cell phone options and they had them. One was a complete kid with rechargeable batteries and the other was for charging everything from your iPhone to your old no name MP3 player. I was very impressed with the teamwork. I asked a question from the single guy standing at the registers and he didn't call anyone he just grabbed the keys and began helping me. Another employee saw the void and popped into the vacant area, very smooth. I bet there's a couple of football and basketball teams that could benefit from taking a Summit Hut customer training class.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:28:11" }, { "business_id": "vdCQoE2il097-vc_gIQzYw", "business_name": "Bruegger's Bagels", "rating": 4, "text": "I use to pop into this Bruegger's between buses on my way to Pima west campus. I've always gotten great service. Sometimes some of the customer's are slow but the employees are great that they match the customer that way customer's who have time do not feel rushed.", "timestamp": "2012-01-15T01:31:24" }, { "business_id": "OvC4Ecgzk2SI7R8qD0rk9Q", "business_name": "Sky Bar", "rating": 4, "text": "When I 1st read about Sky Bar I couldn't wait to check it out. That was over a year ago. I'd pop in just to cool off when it was over 90 and for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to stroll 4th Ave. I dropped in for a cool drink and it's not what I expected. You have to bring your party with you. At least when I was there things were very clicky. The point is if I'm bringing my party with me, we could just go to the store and buy the same stuff they serve there & hang at a friend's house.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T05:57:22" }, { "business_id": "J6EXRXbejBgOv4SWamMEAA", "business_name": "Culver's", "rating": 3, "text": "I've been hearing about this place as if it's the second coming of the Messiah. Upscale fast food is still fast food. I'd pay a little extra for a maitre d, waitron and a bus-person . I don't mind ordering at the counter I think it was the large lighted menu over the back of the order-taker's head that made me feel like a clown or a king was going to come at me any second. I had the prime-rib sandwich. It was flavorful, tender and juicy. Most importantly the bread was very good and held-up nicely. I washed it down with a chocolate shake and it was no king or queen. Messiah? No, maybe John his cousin.", "timestamp": "2012-01-20T07:16:52" }, { "business_id": "g7WfbAnXnMVXVNcc0SBM3A", "business_name": "Performance Bicycle", "rating": 2, "text": "I think they expect you to look like a Performance Cyclist or you don't get any help. Not even a smile or a please don't steal anything hello. I wandered around for almost 10 minutes without any acknowledgement that I might be a paying customer. The same thing happened the last time I went into this store. They're the closest bike shop to me and when I called to check hours the guy was really nice. I must have a Performance Cyclist's voice. Good thing I'm smart cuz I was able to cruised around and find out they didn't have bike grease. There were lots of other customer's there getting good service so, I don't think they're to be avoided if you look the part.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:44:14" }, { "business_id": "T7ybhSamtbgI2Ece8Z8IHQ", "business_name": "RC Bicycles", "rating": 5, "text": "Double up those stars! RC get 10 stars from me. This was my 3rd shop to try and find bike grease. And let's not talk about cell minutes used. It was a nice day so I started walking to the 1st place that was about 1 mile away, the next place was about 1.2 miles from the 1st place and RC was a little less than a mile from the 2nd place. What a great workout? The nice young man working by himself at RC took time to advise me that most people do not attempt to put together their bikes. I explained to him that it was just the front wheel, seat and peddles. Plus, I had no way to get the bike to a shop. So, he gave me some tips and grease and away I went. Guess where I'm buying all of my accessories?", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T00:58:10" }, { "business_id": "57Vny0AxGdEQBETfd7xU4A", "business_name": "Chopstix Asian Diner", "rating": 5, "text": "DH and I 1st rolled in here when they 1st opened. Because of the location we thought we'd better get in there before it closes. Well here we are years later and I finally got my big bro in the Stixs for dinner. It's not on my normal beaten path but when I find myself in the area it's my go to place. There's a few fast food places near but if you're looking for a good quick lunch, their buffet can not be beat with multiple options for less than $7.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T01:59:22" }, { "business_id": "wa_bwyY57etHjtJ2Fw0E3g", "business_name": "Pita Jungle", "rating": 4, "text": "If I had a penny for every time I had plans to eat at the Jungle but plans fell through, I could retire. Well, maybe take a few days off. I told the hostess about my trouble getting there and she made sympathetic noises. I went for the happy hour \"tapas\" so I could try a little of everything. The baba ghanouj's flavors were distinct and mingled perfectly. The pita was just the right thickness and slightly crispy so the baba didn't smash into the ghanouj. My waiter suggested the lemon chicken and if it wasn't half jerky-ed, it would have been great, All the flavors were there except for the ones that slipped away with the moisture. The Baklava more than made up for the chicken mishap. So, instead of 3 stars we're doing 4.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:30:14" }, { "business_id": "gAB-cDpBycjonNkiQMLCqw", "business_name": "Rita Ranch RV & Self Storage", "rating": 4, "text": "These kids now days have everything. I had to wash my dog in the bathtub, uphill both ways. Really, this is a great idea. I'd never even heard of it till I was visiting friends and family in the area. It's $5 for 10 minutes and just like when you wash your car it's up to you how you spend your minutes. Well not exactly like the car, the car doesn't try to bite or sit on the hose. You don't have to give the car treats to get it to into the wash area. And most importantly the car doesn't shake stinky wet dog water all over you during and after the wash. But that's all on the dog. The owners have done a good job of partitioning the areas where up to 8 dogs can be washed at a time with 2 at each of the four areas. I'm just thinking a little more space might be good. even my little niece had a hard time getting on the other side of the dog to help keep her (the dog) settled.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:54:32" }, { "business_id": "UIlOq8dHsaqOqTZJVvI8tQ", "business_name": "McDonald's", "rating": 5, "text": "Hands down best McDonald's experience ever. We were in and out in no time even-though I had no clue what I wanted because I haven't seen a McDonald's menu in years. Well almost in and out in no time. I had to order the chocolate shake just when the machine decided to run out of chocolate. The reason for the 5 stars is the cashier apologizing over and over. Give the \"man\" a raise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T03:59:55" }, { "business_id": "NnuxEbv5rlz0HOg0XM8EAw", "business_name": "Purple Heart Park: Ivan's Spot", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a wonderful area to play, sit, run, jump and even worship. Sometimes, my old church has a \"Spring Fling\" service at this park. It's large enough so while we're doing our thing with the band and the jumping castles other park goers while welcomed are not overcome by the noise. By that I mean they can hear it us but it's not like we got the bass cranked up. But on this day, it wasn't spring like at all. We drove the mile to the park just in case the clouds decided not to just look cold but also let loose some rain. We had the park to our selves except for a few other brave souls or kids/dogs who don't understand bad weather. A great time was had by all and we got some much needed exercise.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:09:18" }, { "business_id": "OOoxH_7PHboLOZjvLKmt7g", "business_name": "Target", "rating": 4, "text": "I was glad when this Target opened giving new life to my beloved El Con mall. I have a love hate relationship with the grocery department. Yes, I don't have to make that extra stop but it makes the target bill higher. This day I was looking for bike tools and grease. They really don't have much in the way of tools and that makes since sine because they have a home improvement store next door. But, because they sale bikes I was thinking this would be a good place for bike grease. Nope! In lieu of having employees to help how about a few of those you-are-here maps? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's short and can't see the signs above the tall shelves.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T04:31:15" }, { "business_id": "1vLZFm0f85DwB5jCeA7Olg", "business_name": "Sir Veza's Taco Garage", "rating": 1, "text": "What we have here Gentlemen is a failure to maintain the quality of service and food we started with when we opened. There is an inverse relationship between price and food eat-ability. The prices have gone up while food savor has decreased.", "timestamp": "2012-01-23T06:34:29" }, { "business_id": "wJmyu7W1K9A_gE8Ed4Bc9w", "business_name": "Trident Grill", "rating": 5, "text": "I've been in love with this place for years. Haven't been in for a while and was afraid they had updated their menu. But they hadn't. I had my all time fave, peel-n-eat shrimp steamed in Old Bay with a side salad. Washed down with a Black n Tan. The service was quick, friendly and efficient.", "timestamp": "2012-01-26T19:48:58" }, { "business_id": "NesMl0Tiq1FsPoX2LzHkNg", "business_name": "PJ Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I love it when a plan comes together! A few days before I tried PJ Subs my brother and I were talking about where to get a great sub in town. We had given up on finding a good place. The next day, in a friends car, I saw the sign I must have flown past many times. But since I had Subs on the brain it stuck this time. I had to make a note to myself because I don't hangout at the corner of 6th & Tucson as much as I use to back in the day. Not sure why, it's a perfectly good corner. I wasn't sure what door to enter, didn't want to interrupt a mechanic in the middle of an Auto-pay. Turns out no cars or car fumes just good-friendly service & good food. I had the roast beef on rye with a beer can't remember the name of cause this was a while ago. After some planning & rescheduling, I was able to introduce my brother to PJ's he liked it too. As the little sister it's nice to show my big brother a SUB or 2.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T06:39:28" }, { "business_id": "T1E8IfL27VEeVa9jGjnl3w", "business_name": "Goodwill Thrift Store and Donation Center", "rating": 5, "text": "Doin' The Snoopy dance & elephant walk like an Egyptian. I love the deals at thrift stores, but I do not like the smell they sometimes have. Add to the smell the messiness and I'm outta there. If I wanted to look through piles of clothes and junk accompanied by an unidentifiable smell, I'd have stayed at home. This location has always been a gem on the pinkie finger of 4th Ave. You're strolling along heading south you can see the underpass coming up there's a few bars then you're in downtown. But, wait there's an unassuming door at this building that looks like a Goodwill storage facility. It's not a storage facility it's a very nice store with clean affordable clothes, jewelry, books, furniture & more. This Shopanista's nirvana was reached when she noticed 2 each, men's & women's restrooms also clean and tidy! Well, the one woman's I went to was. I would have been doing the Snoopy dance even if there wasn't a guy right outside playing The Linus & Lucy song followed by The Elephant Walk. I love both of those songs so I was walking like an Egyptian when I strolled out of there with my new Shel Silverstein book, Falling Up for $7.99.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:34:07" }, { "business_id": "bTBRqXfF-A1R-ShOsr7kbg", "business_name": "Monkey Burger", "rating": 5, "text": "Love this Monkey BEST! The General Manager, Ralphie, remembered my usual order & I haven't been to the Monkey in months. That's customer service folks. My order, that Ralphie remembered was served quickly! My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly, tasted great. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great, was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries. My order, that Ralphie remembered & was served quickly & tasted great & was a Mattie's Monkey with sweet potato fries, had a side of the tastiest Bar-B-Que sauce this side of . . . anywhere! Oh, BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T12:44:05" }, { "business_id": "nayQkd06InyPDfX12IjjWw", "business_name": "AMC Foothills 15", "rating": 2, "text": "I took 3 buses to get; here? I'll never do that again! Unless I forget none of the seats recline. I'm surprised I noticed the seat deficiency still being shell shocked from paying $15 for a bottle of water, juice and a SMALL bag of popcorn. I don't even like popcorn but I wanted to get into the whole movie spirit. No, I'm not an alien from another mother. I usually don't go to theaters because of the crowds and you can't pause or rewind. Let's face it, when I'm in my intimate home, it's easier to imagine I'm the leading lady. The leading man falling under my irresistible spell. As expected the movie, One for the Money, was worth every inconvenience & I will be buying this one for my small collection!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:03:48" }, { "business_id": "TAUGnIQDR9-m23DWLZ0dow", "business_name": "Sushi Garden", "rating": 5, "text": "First time at this location! Same great service, same great food, as the old Broadway & new Broadway locations. I wasn't starving, so had a glass of the green tea and the Rainbow Roll. Totally hit the spot. I love that they don't try to bulldoze more food into you. Don't take my word for it! When the guy at the next table asked to speak to a manager I thought here we go, he's going to complain about being served raw fish. (Really, that happened one time at a sushi restaurant. That was our last date!) But, not this guy, evidently he & his companion attend the garden frequently & wanted to let the management know \"our\" waiter had done an exceptional job. I thought he had done the usually upstanding \"Garden\" variety service. Maybe I should have ordered more food.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T13:35:20" }, { "business_id": "qoJH8TCkmXor8BXOcgD5zQ", "business_name": "Chicago Bar", "rating": 3, "text": "I use to live here when I was single. I had heard there were new owners and was under the impression a remodeling had been done. The only thing I noticed that was no low top tables. Being short I like to sit in the low chairs. I can see why these wouldn't be popular because you can't see the band if you're sitting low. So, get up and dance or belly up to the bar & get ignored. If all else fails go to the ladies' room. Ok, maybe there was some slight remolding here. The stall-doors stay closed, Oh wait, I was there before it got crowded. Back in the day, the doors worked great if you were the only one in there but if someone was in the stall next to you, the force of them pulling their door shut caused your door to fly open. Anyways, it's still a Dive!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:17:36" }, { "business_id": "W7NxQw8UYFR0HLPrI08tvw", "business_name": "Chipotle Mexican Grill", "rating": 4, "text": "Don't know what it is but If my tummy's feeling icky, I can count on Chipotle's stake to fix me up. I just have to remember not to go during full on lunch time. I usually go between 2 & 4 when it's peaceful and calm. Busy or not the service is always friendly and fast!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:21:25" }, { "business_id": "ZXXGB-xi6n3RE3X1OzRR6g", "business_name": "Walgreens", "rating": 4, "text": "The microwave did it! When it takes 3-5 minutes to heat up a yummy meal in a box, you get the idea everything should take 3-5 minutes. So, when the Pharm asst said I had to wait 30 minutes for my meds I thought Id drop dead of hunger. It was a lovely January afternoon so I walked the 1/2 mile from the dentist office to the drugstore. By the time I got there the bowl of cereal from 7:30 am was long gone & I was advised it would take 1/2 hour to prepare my meds. There's several fantastic options for lunch in the area but, none of them were 1/2 hour options so I waited & shopped. I must have been in all out shopaholic mode because I didn't hear my name called. I did check in with the Pharm asst after 35 minutes and my meds were ready. How much? And that's with the Pharm discount card? This is where the lost star went. This discount card has been a little crazy. You're suppose to get credit for buying \"Walgreen's\" products. Then when you buy stuff you swipe your card the credits are applied to your purchase. Plus the pharmacy is to automatically know you have the card and the discount applied. The Pharm assit didn't know if the discount had been applied when she advised the amount of my meds. Plus evidently my card is to expire next month. I renewed it this month because I could do it for $5 instead of $20. Sale ending the day I was there. Other than the discount card issue everyone was very helpful and friendly. I received an appropriate amount of \"please don't steal anything smiles & offers of help\" while I shopped. Not a good idea to hit the Pharm if you're hungry because evidently the lunchroom with microwave is nearby. While I was waiting for the Pharm assit to figure out if I received the card discount, we smelled something yummy that was ready to eat in 3-5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:23:51" }, { "business_id": "AKFahOtdDQA7NVXZyDajCA", "business_name": "Trader Joe's", "rating": 4, "text": "I loves me some TJ's!!! Just an overall comment I'm sure everyone knows, don't fall in love with any product you buy at a TJ's, because they may discontinue it without warning. This location has the same great friendly service I've come to enjoy from all TJ's. And the food's good too! BEER!", "timestamp": "2012-02-01T14:30:30" }, { "business_id": "9fOkyQs0TcVqqe_5c51b_w", "business_name": "Cheba Hut Toasted Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "I feel like I'm hanging with the cool kids when I go to Cheba Hut. I love the KGB, roast beef with real grated horseradish. I sometimes think I'll try something different but the horseradish calls my name.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:09:19" }, { "business_id": "Gekeq1c-fuezmx0PSGQvzw", "business_name": "East Coast Super Subs", "rating": 5, "text": "Found my lost love! I use to go ECSS when I was attending the U of A. The other day I was in the old neighborhood and thought the place was closed. I found myself in the neighborhood again, HONEST IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. This time I vowed not to leave till I got the scoop. I walked around the big red adobe wall, entered the gate, walked through the eerily quite courtyard. Suddenly I had saw the headline, \"body of Debbi W found (wherever) last seen in the U of A area near the abandoned business, East Coast Super Subs. I thought I heard a man call my name from the other side of the fence. I jumped. Finally I was close enough to the window to look inside and there were people in there. The glass was tinted so, their zombiness was not determined till I opened the door. I was greeted with a hello and May I help you? I ordered and received quickly the best roast-beef sandwich I'd had since I was last at ECSS when they were on 6th Street near Campbell and I was still an undergrad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T00:39:54" }, { "business_id": "WRZEQEDsZoTB8MfgUex45Q", "business_name": "Temple Of Music And Art", "rating": 5, "text": "Not a bad seat in the house. I love it when you can see a show without doing the bobblehead dance with the heads in front of you. The tiered seating is expertly layered that unless you're sitting behind a 7 foot tall person you'll be-able to see over the persons in-front of you. While the seating is important, before you get to your seat you're welcomed into the Temple and are prepared for your music/art enlightenment. At some ceremonies there's 1 or 2 carts in the courtyard serving sweets/snacks/drinks. Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS was very good and I'm glad I got to see it at the Temple. I laughed so hard my stomach started to hurt & tears were flowing.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:22:07" }, { "business_id": "p86gxGhlZEE9I9icCyJqFA", "business_name": "Safeway", "rating": 4, "text": "When I lived off 22nd street I would pass 2 other stores on my bike to get to this store because of it's fresh produce and friendly service. I popped in here the other day to grab some water cuz I forgot my water bottle again. It was like coming home to family. Different employees but still fun and friendly.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T01:27:42" }, { "business_id": "qOw6FD59FvUMmkaTjVqS8Q", "business_name": "Tucson Food Truck Roundup", "rating": 5, "text": "Are you going to Tucson Food Truck Round-Up? Parsley, sage, STRAWBERRY and thyme . . . (album screeches to a stop!) Strawberry you say? Yep! Strawberry & Thyme is the Cyclopsicle I had! If you love sweet & savory, you've gotta try this. If you don't love sweet & savory you've gotta try this. It will blow your mind! In addition, to the great food there was great music! The Shawn Kebler Trio 4:30 - 6:00 then Those Beatles Guys 6:15 - 7:45. As if that wasn't enough, there's artist doing there magic right in front of you. Check out the pics of Mel Dominguez and David Tineo. Their art & energetic personalities were a great addition to the food, fun and frolicking.", "timestamp": "2012-02-04T19:02:26" }, { "business_id": "gKpsoVjBEnrNkzaOfxpOUA", "business_name": "Fox Tucson Theatre", "rating": 5, "text": "I almost broke my sacroiliac again & loved it! Seeing Starting Over - The Lennon Experience at the Fox reminded me of going to concerts in the mid to late seventies with general admission & huge dance floors. Of course The Fox doesn't have general admission & there wasn't a huge dance floor but the seats are spaced far enough apart that you can really get your motor running. There's assigned seating & crowd control but I didn't get the feeling I was in a police state. That would have been the opposite of the Lennon message. Time was on my side at this concert because the band started way before my bedtime and when it was past my bedtime, 8:30, I was still rocking and rolling. I knew the crowd was getting really revved up when I saw the huge bouncer advance to the stage. He did a great job of deterring fans from jumping on the stage or tossing any unmentionables at anyone. Luckily I had my YELP friends with me to hole me back. After the concert was over my friends and I stood in line to get autographs. After all of the excitement, I wanted to head out on the highway but opted for the quick drive home. I was very glad the Fox is downtown and not way out of town like some of the music venues. I really loved this event and am very happy Fox was the location for the World Premiere of Starting Over - the Lennon Experience. I'm going to start checking out the webpage more for stuff to do. A few people we turned off by alterations in some lyrics but I bet that's because of copyright issues. You know what I say to changed lyrics . . . Don't let the man ruin your mellow! That sounds like a Beatles era saying, right?", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T08:06:04" }, { "business_id": "Vhl0ZYmbPACG2FPLtvR5hg", "business_name": "The RumRunner", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Rum so when I found out there's a place called the Rum Runner I had to check it out. I didn't know if it was a bar, liquor store or restaurant. (This was preYELP days). When I walked in & saw all the wine I was a little intimidated. Back then I hadn't been to a wine tasting & picked my wine by price divided by how pretty was the label. If the resulting number was less than1, I'd buy as long as the price wasn't above how much I had in my pocket. The intimidation began melting away when I was greeted with a smile and an offer of help. Then I saw the cheese/pate case. I had never had pate and was keen to try but was concerned about the price. While I was trying to decide if I could afford some pate and rum, I was offered a taste of pate. Too bad no rum tasting that day. Yum, Yum, the Salmon pate was HEAVEN as well as the others I tried. So, I took the advice of the counter employee and bought all of the ones I liked plus some crackers & matching wine. It was less than $50 and I had dinner for two plus leftovers. Date night was very successful!", "timestamp": "2012-02-07T15:44:53" }, { "business_id": "nsWxhtg7XAnl5DtH-_d-vA", "business_name": "Tucson Botanical Gardens", "rating": 5, "text": "When I was a little girl, I loved to run in the field across from our house and chase butterflies. One time a neighbor gave me a net to help me catch the butterflies and I was very happy till I caught one and saw how bug like it was. Once I got over my squeamishness, I put a captive in a jar and took it home. I think we consulted some expert and put some kind of food in the jar but it only lasted a day. I was very upset to think I had shortened the creatures life. And even if the life wasn't shortened, I'm sure it would have rather been with friends then locked up in a jar. Well never fear the experts at the Gardens know how to treat the butterflies that call the park their home. I love to hang out at the TBG whenever I get a chance but it's best in the spring and fall. The staff is always friendly and helpful too. There are a number of events and classes. In addition volunteer opportunities too. And it's centrally located so you can pop in on your way to somewhere else in town.", "timestamp": "2012-02-09T05:40:40" }, { "business_id": "z5r59h-c7vCS53k1YKSfxg", "business_name": "Lotus Massage & Wellness Center", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a puddle when Ingrid was done with my massage. I wanted to ask her to marry me cuz I love her. Well not just her, the whole center screams calmness and peace. But not the 60's type where you don't know if the'll be open cuz they were/are smoking peyote. Very professional and worth the money.", "timestamp": "2012-02-11T01:17:13" }, { "business_id": "26rvYn1RPbJCBW-cW05xnQ", "business_name": "Sun Tran", "rating": 3, "text": "I love the way Tucson's bus system has improved over the years. There's more weekend & late night service. A great option if you plan on drinking. If you're going to close the bar down you'll need to make other arrangements to get home but at least you can bus there so you're not cabbing both ways. There's still the stupid way buses that meet at an intersection are scheduled to arrive at the same time so it doesn't matter what bus you want to transfer to you can't because by the time you get across the street the bus has gone.", "timestamp": "2012-02-12T13:29:33" }, { "business_id": "4QMIJJWQOh7zpEwOXhFJqw", "business_name": "Renee's Tucson", "rating": 5, "text": "Chillin at Renee's listening to Mack the Knife on Valentine's Day reminded me of my first love & favorite Valentine, my mom. She loved Louis Armstrong. Even though I don't have my mom with me I got lots of love & comfort food at Renee's. I had the meatballs in marinara sauce with the pepper salad.", "timestamp": "2012-02-14T23:53:42" }, { "business_id": "t3yNTcIYyCreySnwVl5tjw", "business_name": "The Loft Cinema", "rating": 5, "text": "ACTION!!! Not sure why I don't go here more often. The staff is friendly and the seats are comfy. I didn't have any food at The 2012 Academy Award Nominated Action Short Films showing but my friend had the pizza. It looked and smelled good. They have beer too.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T16:33:51" }, { "business_id": "-1MhPXk1FglglUAmuPLIGg", "business_name": "Red Garter Saloon", "rating": 3, "text": "Best hamburger in town! Cooked just the way I like it, right after it gets done screaming. I love being Burger Kinged. I had a combination of the Swiss burger and southwest burger. Bacon, mushrooms, Swiss cheese and yummy bar-b-que sauce. The bread was good too, but I left most of it because the burger was so large. The onion rings were so good I skipped the ketchup. I held back a star because when I walked in a waitress walked by me without acknowledged I was there. The bartender looked up but didn't give a nod or anything. I know it's not Cheers but still a howdy ma'am would have been nice. I got a little concerned that maybe I had stepped into a time warp and was in a 1950's bar. I did a check for other dark faces and found one that was much lighter than mine so, I began to relax. Once my waitress came over to greet me (I'd been sitting about 4 minutes) she was genuinely very friendly. So, let's give them back 1/2 a star. The jukebox is off the hook. All my old favorite rock-n-roll songs were playing. There's ton's of TVs for you sports fans. It is a little pricey. I was expecting some Happy Hour pricing as it was 5pm. But you get what you pay for in this world. I'm a big bathroom nut. If a place has a nice clean bathroom, I'm going to spend a lot of time there. Rg's was clean enough but no hook for my purse and sweater. So now we're down to 3 stars.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T17:02:26" }, { "business_id": "SbdL-8NSmTWgSwdGZBa7WQ", "business_name": "Fresco Pizzeria", "rating": 5, "text": "I love good-hot pizza & that's why I have Fresco deliver. Sometimes I order the eggplant parmesan & combo subs. It doesn't matter they always deliver hot & fresh food with a smile. With that said the best part is when they answer the phone you can hear the smile. Most of the time when I call businesses I get the feeling I'm interrupting something. Not at Fresco.", "timestamp": "2012-02-16T21:47:04" }, { "business_id": "6pVVwtFmd7VBsgyFPHvU_w", "business_name": "Union Public House", "rating": 3, "text": "Went to my first UYE here. I'll never forget it. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was really good. I had the cheesy tots. House made potato tots covered with a house made cheese sauce. I want to be buried in that sauce. Then I had the special, scallops. I almost fell over when I was told $12 for 2 scallops. But they were huge. Then, I almost fell over because the were so tender. The noise from the other patrons was deafening and there was heavy metal music playing but you really couldn't hear it because of the noise from the people talking. There was a lot of sound bouncing off the walls. We had the same problem at our church. They make dampening panels for that. But before that gets fixed I think some money should be put into new fixtures for the ladies room. It was kinda clean but the toilet was stopped up. One of the YELPers I was with, told the owner and it got fixed right away. Yes, I'm crazy that way, I went back to check. But even without stopped toilet the L. room gets an F, because the sinks would be called retro if they were refinished. But they weren't. One more thing, the faucets don't have to be automatic but working would be nice. I don't like L. rooms in dives to be icky either. However, UPH is NO dive.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:03:22" }, { "business_id": "ta8tixXzHXFogPiYlB2a5A", "business_name": "Robert's Restaurant", "rating": 4, "text": "I was busing it the other day & missed the bus by that much. Some businesses don't like it if you pop into there place to keep warm for half an hour for the next bus. My waitress at was A-Ok with it. She kept offering to get me something to eat. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was going to eat elsewhere. I did have a really good cup of coffee & a great conversation with her. I don't know why I don't go to Robert's more often.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:08:15" }, { "business_id": "Ch8VCPuGX6lJWBaofljE1A", "business_name": "Udall Park", "rating": 5, "text": "Grazing In The Grass There's a lot going on at this park. My favorite is the László Veres Amphitheater, where Arizona Symphonic Winds plays every Summer and Fall. We pack a dinner, bring blankets, lawn chairs and friends, equals a great time in the Arizona. Since it's in the evening the wind comes along and it's really nice in the grass.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:23:27" }, { "business_id": "BauybYsfqd0y6KDrJ6ZxjQ", "business_name": "Starbucks", "rating": 3, "text": "My get up and go was still in the bed. So, I popped in her to get a dirty-soy chai. Fixed me right up. Thanks perky & patient order taker. I always think I'm going to try something new and I rarely do.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:27:30" }, { "business_id": "sTaUoMUban-Hdhy8m3eM-A", "business_name": "Big Lots", "rating": 3, "text": "When I met my husband he loved going to big lots. I hated it because it was so unorganized. This one is very organized. I had gotten caught in the rain on a bus day. No umbrella or poncho. I had some important documents with me too. The customer service desk clerk and all cashiers were busy when I went in so I could ask; WHERE ARE THE RAIN PNCHOS? I needed to get across this huge parking lot to the bus stop quickly. It makes since rain ponchos would be near the clothing. And there they were. I think in the store we use to go to they keep rain ponchos in the automotive or hardware section.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:34:42" }, { "business_id": "J-Go00lYW4f4a3lLLtoh_A", "business_name": "Bobo's Restaurant", "rating": 5, "text": "You can leave your party at home! What a great neighborhood cafe. I've only been in here twice but both times had great conversations with fellow diners. That's one of the things I really love about Tucson is there's so many places you can go and people are friendly. You don't have to bring your party with you. The staff is friendly but not intrusive. The last time I went I had the grilled cheese sandwich. When I ordered. The guy sitting next to me said i should order the chicken special he had. The chicken did look and smell good. But I told him about how us YELPers where talking about where to go for good grilled cheese. And we were off. He likes YELP but didn't know about how social and fun we are. The sandwich arrived on sourdough with cheese oozing out the sides but not so much that I needed a spoon to hole it all together. You can add stuff on the grilled cheese like chicken, ham or tomato but it was fantastic naked. I choose the cottage cheese for the side.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T04:51:31" }, { "business_id": "tJ_dQUc5m--Wgo7NRIjyzA", "business_name": "Food Conspiracy Co-op", "rating": 4, "text": "I was going to became a member this weekend at the birthday bash but the day got away from me. The rewards are awesome (see links below). Maybe I'll Git R done later this week. When I was in a few weeks ago the produce was very fresh. I think the upswing in local producers of good quality produce has really helped. The good news is I don't have to wait for a nearby farmers market to get good fresh local produce. They have a good selection of healthy cereals and bulk nuts, granola, etc. The cashier was real nice too and very knowledgeable about products and the birthday bash. Love this place! http://www.foodconspiracy.coop/membership/benefits/ http://www.foodconspiracy.org/about/co-op-discount-network/", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:04:16" }, { "business_id": "WFBdR8ZotMOKDkZ0skufIA", "business_name": "Michaels", "rating": 3, "text": "I've seen it messier but I was able to hijack an employee for help. I was in a hurry. Usually I know it's going to take a while and I just go up and down each \"um aisle\" till I give up. Anyways this time I was in and out in a jiff. They now have a screen to assist with the cash register line flow.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:13:27" }, { "business_id": "idWOWHJ7zInwE8SPBcFHLg", "business_name": "Sabino Cycles", "rating": 4, "text": "I had just finished lunch in the strip mall and was stuck in the rain. And I had cake to go. (Remember the song, someone left the cake out in the rain). I went in to see if they had a nice rain poncho. They didn't & the sales lady didn't laugh at me because it would be hard to fit your helmet on over the hood of a rain poncho. We both had a good laugh at me. I told her about my electric bike and asked if they could fix the non-electric stuff, because they are really convenient for my truck owner brother and I. She said they'd be happy to help.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T05:32:24" }, { "business_id": "ly0nkQsbvKkHNUyl5AGdjA", "business_name": "Isabella's Ice Cream", "rating": 5, "text": "You scream, I'm eating the ice cream. Not only is it very very very good, there's experimental flavors. I tried one with lavender. And there's a few other yummy unusual flavors that's gone out of my head right now. You can request flavors too. Owner is very very very friendly. So, don't scream at her.", "timestamp": "2012-02-22T06:16:36" }, { "business_id": "s1p9pg69MZA7vRiFCewQlQ", "business_name": "Ordinary Bike Shop", "rating": 4, "text": "I was looking for info about electric bikes and got some good recommendations. I also got an offer to bring the bike in for non-electric repair issues. The employee was very friendly and helpful. I was in and out in under 5 minutes.", "timestamp": "2012-02-24T07:00:42" }, { "business_id": "AVBqx8FaXza6x-bb_FLOTQ", "business_name": "Anita Street Market", "rating": 5, "text": "I never thought I'd be in a love triangle. But here I am, Anita Street Market, YELP and me. I love ASM because of the great food and service. I love YELP because reading a friend's review reminded me it's been too long since I've visited ASM. I usually get the gorditas made with cottage cheese. I have to buy 2 packages because I eat one on the way home. They have a good selection of cheese and other essentials for a Mexican fiesta. I'm a big fusion cuisine nut so I put mid or far east seasoned stuff with the stuff I get from ASM! YUM!", "timestamp": "2012-02-26T17:00:52" }, { "business_id": "jaFGVtpEMSyh8AHi8jh-wA", "business_name": "Bicas - Bicycle Inter Community Art & Salvage", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a little concerned about walking into Bicas because these guys put bikes together and I can hardly ride one. I was really relieved when I had one foot in the door & was greeted with a friendly smile & offer for help. I was there for the Underground Art class, Bike Zine Origami Stars with Rachel Sandler. I really had too much fun & almost broke my laughing bone. There were fellow crocheters, knitters & painters learning how to make Origami Stars. Mine turned out really cool. Check out my pic. I can't wait till next week for the Japanese Book binding class. Check out their website for more classes and art exhibits. There's a new art studio and gallery featuring bicycle-themed and recycled art by local and international artists. You can go home with some bike art originals.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T16:45:59" }, { "business_id": "zwrgCMuZyFX46mL3piDyjg", "business_name": "Cup Cafe", "rating": 4, "text": "Funny-adult story about the 1st time I ate here. Starts with my BFF recovering from a breakup, there's 2 French Policemen on holiday & ends with the heart breaker & chicken satay. I've tried other dishes but always go back to the heart breaker & chicken satay. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't have them on the menu anymore because the funny story happened, well nevermind how long ago it was. It's still a funny story and the food at the cup is still GREAT!!! Subtracted a star because sometimes service is a little iffy. There's been some occasions when I feel like I've interrupted servers FUN TIME. But, most of the time service is good.", "timestamp": "2012-03-01T17:14:31" }, { "business_id": "Ixj573yo0PMWFGXmnka9MA", "business_name": "The Loop", "rating": 4, "text": "I've only had my bike for a few months & today was my first big outing. I was meeting friends at Rillito Park Race Track & wanted to really enjoy nature. A few clicks on my map app & a plan was born. Tucson really is a bike friendly town. I was able to safely ride from Yoga class to the where Tucson Blvd intersects with the bike path. I was a little concerned when I saw the end of road barriers at the end of Tucson Blvd. Then I thought that's for cars ding-a-ling. So, I threaded my way barriers to be greeted by a wonderful park. Then I turned on the path. There was lots of room & the center line was clearly marked. Fellow bikers & walkers were very friendly. A big thanks to the lady who helped me turn on the correct bridge. I'd subtract one half star because the bridges aren't marked. There was a huge map at the trail head but at that point I didn't need no stinking map.", "timestamp": "2012-03-05T06:45:48" }, { "business_id": "zGiOO2bxasexYRQt6y9ClA", "business_name": "JOANN Fabrics and Crafts", "rating": 4, "text": "I almost have enough yarn to open my own yarn shop. But I had to get more. It was on sale & I had a get an extra 15% off from my Joann Phone app. The fabric area in every fabric store always seems to be an area of high anxiety. I try to stay away. I needed some fabric for the lining of a purse I crocheted so I picked up some precut quilting fabric. The precut squares are only $1.99 for 18X21 piece. I'm no geometry wiz kid but that's not a square. Anyways, it was fast and cheap. Also got some yarn for some future projects. And some New hooks that were less than $3 with bamboo handles.", "timestamp": "2012-03-06T17:21:34" }, { "business_id": "1teRq-Q6XG6l-WoinZFX0g", "business_name": "The University of Arizona", "rating": 4, "text": "The U of OZ is a great school & a must see for any sightseeing trip. The admission process at any large school is bound to have hurdles. At OZ there's lots of little people to help you. Just like in the real Oz there's some double speak to translate. It's very exciting when you, the scarecrow, lion & tin man meet with your all knowing advisor the 1st time. Then meeting whit the advisor the last time before You get the coveted piece of paper. The road is not always yellow & easy to follow but when you're done you know you can do anything life tosses at you. The tourist will not see lions, tigers & bears. If you're lucky you'll see Wilbur the wildcat along with museums, concert halls & really nice restaurants. Plus I understand the basketball team isn't bad. Just arrive on campus & ask anyone for info. Everyone is really friendly. There's also a info office near the mall, the huge grassy area at the center of campus.", "timestamp": "2012-03-07T16:33:00" }, { "business_id": "1W657uKWvcMKIHaOmEOc-g", "business_name": "Caffe Milano", "rating": 5, "text": "Authentic Italian food without passport = Space time anomaly. Well, I've never been to Italy but I bet you all the change in my pocket the food is just like the lunch I had at Caffe Milano. While I was trying to decide what to have a regular popped in and started telling me what was good. He really could have saved himself a lot of words if he'd said the truth, It's all good. And you get a lot of food too. I had to skip dessert.", "timestamp": "2012-03-09T07:06:03" }, { "business_id": "6wzZ9FR3-bfqFz8ySgyavQ", "business_name": "Dickman's Meat & Deli", "rating": 4, "text": "No clue why when I lived a little over a mile from the old location I never went here. But I'm so glad I did. I haven't had a sandwich that good in a long time. The side bow tie pasta salad was really good too. There's a great selection of take home meats, cheeses & fixings. Wild boar anyone?", "timestamp": "2012-03-10T11:02:13" }, { "business_id": "AXaeGUt_wSPjsLAWHpRFSQ", "business_name": "Church's Chicken", "rating": 3, "text": "When I need some comfort food Churches is my go to place. The service is good. I tell them how hungry I am and they work it out so I don't have to pay much. Last time I was here I was stuffed for less than $5.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T16:52:41" }, { "business_id": "MUOCeTGhL5llXe8GAuqOMA", "business_name": "Ike's Coffee & Tea", "rating": 4, "text": "Adult entertainment? No, but they do have an adult grilled cheese Sandwich. For the life of me I can't remember the name. It was goat cheese, tomato and spinach I think. I thought I had already written this review and I visited there weeks ago. I'll have to pop in again to give you the detailed info. But, I didn't want to delay the review any longer. Service was really good. The cook was sampling a yummy looking smoothie & I asked several probing questions. After a little awkwardness I confessed about being a YELPer & how we were going to have a juicing event soon. So, I was looking for interesting things to mix together for my juicing event shopping.", "timestamp": "2012-03-13T17:02:31" }, { "business_id": "SgTZIh4nFftQxoXqX1eJcQ", "business_name": "Brandi Fenton Memorial Park", "rating": 4, "text": "The park is a great place to go on dates. There's not a lot of trees to duck behind and do whatever it is people do when they duck behind trees. But there is a lot of space and the air is really fresh. I think it would be a great place to play bocce ball. I have been here a few times for fundraising events and had a great time. Like I said there's lots of room to play frisbee or toss a ball. At the HOPE fundraiser we Hula hooped. Hadn't done that in over 20 years.", "timestamp": "2012-03-14T07:19:40" }, { "business_id": "rmmUhScUsA3xXbhDhRlb9A", "business_name": "Macy's", "rating": 4, "text": "I love the spring sales. The quality is real good too. I have skirts from over 10 years ago. I use to wear them ever week when I was working. They are just starting to look worn and I only paid $5 for 1 and $10 for the other. I couldn't make them for that price. I wish they had more made in America stuff but then would the skirt ever be marked down to $5? The staff is always nice and helpful. I usually get a sincerer hello. Not the please don't still anything hello. I think the times you enter a department and there's no one there that person is on break. Nice to see a company still employs the tried and true systems we used back in the day when I worked at a competing department store.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:01:51" }, { "business_id": "GNo1zeiPKErB7Ww_j3IlOg", "business_name": "The Tasteful Kitchen", "rating": 5, "text": "MGJ (mean green juice) ICE CREAM???!!! When I heard Isabella's Ice Cream had made MGJ for The Tasteful Kitchen, I made a bee line to them. To bad I was busy then they aren't open Mondays and Tuesdays so, yesterday was my first chance to enjoy. Everything was so delicious. I had quite a bit of food but wasn't too full for the ice cream. I had the mango butternut raw foods soup, the raw foods veggie burger with a salad and spicy sweet potato/carrot fries. This may actually be the diet for me. I'm not a huge fan of bread on a burger anyways. It kinda takes away the flavor and fills me up so I don't have room for Ice Cream. The service was impeccable. I felt like a queen on vacation. There's classes to learn how to cook or not cook like The Tasteful Kitchen staff.", "timestamp": "2012-03-15T08:34:14" }, { "business_id": "_jADWOt1FkWMWGIlz30cew", "business_name": "Reid Park Biking/Walking Path", "rating": 5, "text": "If I had $100 for each step I took on this path, we'd all be rich! Just the right amount of everything is the key to this urban ParkBikingWalking path. The right amount of shade mixed with the right amount of sun. The right amount of cyclist mixed with walkers and runners tossed in for good measure. It's a beautiful doggy dance.", "timestamp": "2012-03-16T05:58:47" }, { "business_id": "uf3strC3s96XPOM502o5lw", "business_name": "Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block", "rating": 3, "text": "Tucson Museum of ART - Spring Artisans' Market is a great place to meet nice people and drown in creativity. And it's nice that the museum takes advantage of the increased traffic by opening it's doors for free. The only annoyance is when you find something you want to buy you have to go to a central cashier and pay for it then make your way back to the artists booth to collect the item. It's not so bad when I'm by myself but when I'm with my brother, Mr personality, we have to stop every 2 feet to say hi to someone he knows. Anyways, lots of hugs and flesh pressing.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:12:49" }, { "business_id": "dh1C733vVNx7BaIBmwMwNQ", "business_name": "Cafe A La Cart", "rating": 5, "text": "Had some mind blowing Irish car bomber cupcakes at the Irish cook off last weekend. So, I made sure when I was downtown to pop in and see what else they offered. I'd eaten here PY (PreYelp). What can I say when you're enjoying something with the intent of writing about it later, you notice things you didn't notice before. Like I ordered potato salad (don't know why, cuz I don't like potatoes) when may plate was brought out I thought they had made a mistake because I didn't see any potatoes. Lots of yummy marinated seasoned fresh veggies. I knew they were yummy before I tasted them cuz of the smell. So I dug in, and well look at that potatoes in my potato salad. And the potatoes tasted good. The review I was writing in my head had gone from 5 stars to 2 and up to 6 stars. Oops have to factor in the chai tea latte, brisket sandwich and chocolate chip walnut cookie. Ladies & gentlemen we have broken the YELP star barrier. The loud boom you just heard is the sound made by the smashing of molecules when a company gets more than 10 stars. I have to meet with the Big Bang Theory cast to have the physics explained but Cafe a la C'Art has blown my mind again.", "timestamp": "2012-03-17T07:35:17" }, { "business_id": "tBWjMqUc0yP5lRElCfDaKg", "business_name": "1702", "rating": 4, "text": "My BFF would move in here if he could. I usually only go here with my crazy friends who make it hard to have a good experience. They are kinda rude to the staff but the staff is always nice and helpful. The other day was my 1st time alone to try the chicken ice cream. It was good and so was the pesto pizza. Service was really good too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T07:23:41" }, { "business_id": "rTxjTF2FgHpyHdMbhBuMBg", "business_name": "Caravan Mideastern Foods", "rating": 3, "text": "I wasn't greeted when I entered but I did get a hardy goodbye. They have lots of yummy stuff for competitive prices. I got a huge container of Nutella for about $5. Can't find the receipt but I know it wasn't $6. My neighbor told me about Caravan. She said they do a lot of their, oh poo we forgot ________ shopping at Caravan.", "timestamp": "2012-03-20T16:11:35" }, { "business_id": "EW2mdIhlnowmtp1JY6MhPA", "business_name": "Himmel Park", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a nice resting spot when I'm biking home form downtown. I wasn't really tired but it filled my heart with joy to hear all the kids running and playing. I sat and cranked out a few pages on my book. Afternoons during the week is a good time to go if you're not into crowds. There's all kinds of events happening on the weekends. From birthday jumping castles to jousting. I think I've seen a soccer game or two. Now that I think about it these events happen late afternoons too.", "timestamp": "2012-03-22T00:48:31" }, { "business_id": "PGlHVBkiCvfNE9yDes1lOw", "business_name": "Aqua Vita", "rating": 3, "text": "Sometimes these neighborhood markets have iffy produce & some smell bad. And if you're real lucky the employees are rude. But not this neighborhood market. Fresh delicious produce and dairy. Nice frozen food section. The prices are high. But I guess that's to be expected when they don't have the buying power of the big stores.", "timestamp": "2012-03-23T00:36:37" }, { "business_id": "LMAqSWASePVhhOZkUs2vvQ", "business_name": "UA BookStores", "rating": 3, "text": "It's a college bookstore but not just for students. But, it's still a college bookstore. The prices aren't very competitive but the store is usually clean. Customer service is sometimes hard to find but when you get someone they are friendly and helpful. There's a lot of community outreach events like the children's book program. I met Clifford the Big Red Dog. He didn't bite when I asked him to take a picture with me. Like I said it's a college bookstore so parking is a little challenging. I suggest biking, busing or the trolley when it's up and going.", "timestamp": "2012-03-26T18:08:39" }, { "business_id": "d26VEnmSq_r2wJ35L9RYUw", "business_name": "Little Mexico Steakhouse", "rating": 5, "text": "The BEST Margaritas, Flat Enchiladas & Green Corn Tamales. Several friends stopped by on our way back to town after a visit to the reservation. We had been in the hot sun for a few hours with just warm water to wet our whistles so that may be why the clean, fresh, not-2-sweet-not-2-alcoholey Rita pitchers were so good. I guess I'll have to do more investigating darn. Then the food arrived. More taste explosions and sirens. All this and the service was quick and friendly too. Then to top it off the bathroom was clean and there was a hook for my purse.", "timestamp": "2012-04-16T05:08:55" }, { "business_id": "X1oJuhLy8JxzmXkWLCqW6g", "business_name": "Baggin's Gourmet Sandwiches", "rating": 4, "text": "The Unforgettable is unforgettable. I use to work across the street from a now closed Baggin's. The plan was to start at the top and work my way through the sandwich list. Well, after one bite of the Unforgettable the plan was scrapped. Over the years I've tried other Baggin's sandwiches but I still keep going back to my 1st love. I've been to this location several times and it's always Unforgettably fantastic.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:06:55" }, { "business_id": "J_w5J7dgRpyB4GFiBJIDIg", "business_name": "Xoom Juice", "rating": 4, "text": "I promise I'm not an alien from another planet but I'm not a fan of smoothies as a meal. With that said I love the spoon Xoom Spoon Velvet Amazon. With the Hemp Granola it is very filling. The service has always been with a smile even when it gets busy and loud.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:13:24" }, { "business_id": "5nOTwLs2lCpsFwZzHA6Hvg", "business_name": "Rubio's", "rating": 4, "text": "I Heart grilled fish taco's washed down with a cold beer. The service is always friendly and fast. there's great music too. I always feel like I've spent lots of money to get to some remote island where all of my cares have been washed away by the ocean.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:18:53" }, { "business_id": "X-IMyKLRxkspQYLKBed8sA", "business_name": "Hope Animal Shelter", "rating": 4, "text": "I love going to Hope events and visiting the warm cuddles there. They sponsor classes about communicating with your animal how to catch a star cat and all kinds of health issues. The staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:32:58" }, { "business_id": "sOjbtBWo-m6rpjHv4tA_oQ", "business_name": "Brewd Coffee & Food", "rating": 4, "text": "There's no excuse not to go here during the construction because 6th Ave is a 2 way street now. I hesitate to write a favorable review because during the construction a lot of people have been staying away so it's very quite and peaceful. I hung out here for a few hours the other day to finish reading a book that was due back to the library. Very comfortable seats and friendly service. I had a flat-bread sandwich that was really good. Lots of plugs for all your devices. Next time I'm bringing in my bike battery and charging it.", "timestamp": "2012-04-22T08:45:50" }, { "business_id": "2h0D_jeKy81uZgpZGZmGPA", "business_name": "Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue", "rating": 4, "text": "McGarrett: Book em Danno Williams: What's the charge? McGarrett: Selling yummy Hawaii style food on the main land. Williams: That won't hold up in court! McGarrett: I don't care Danno! I want these guys to go down. Williams: Well ya know what I think? McGarrett: NO!!! And please don't tell me! Williams: I'm telling you anyways my uninspired friend. McGarrett: I'm not listening! Williams: When Tucsonians taste this food they get Hawaii fever and will watch our show more. McGarrett: Oh, good point. Hey all you Tucsonians hang ten to MHBBQ for the Hawaii Chicken sandwich. Don't forget dessert. Passion squares, Lemon bars & cream cheese brownies make you escape the blazing desert heat & enjoy the soft Hawaiian breeze. For an additional visual experience watch my show. Williams: MY SHOW?!?!?!?", "timestamp": "2012-05-09T16:50:41" }, { "business_id": "D44IBRDtEScaWELey5IfCA", "business_name": "May's Counter Chicken And Waffles", "rating": 2, "text": "I had considered purchasing a home around the corner from May's so I could wonder over in my PJs. But the last couple of times I went made me glad I didn't impulse buy a HOUSE. As a frequent visitor (at least once a week) I knew all of the wait staff and some of the cooks. Everyone was very friendly, then there was a change in ownership/management. And a lot of the friendly staff left. Then the waffle recipe changed. I was assured it hadn't. So, the gang and I got together for a visit and all agree the waffles tasted generic. So, I stopped ordering the waffles and tried some of the other offerings. I noticed salads and chicken pieces getting smaller and the prices going up. So, now instead of going ever week I may make it to May's once a month. I would have given 1 star but I've been getting emails about music nights. the musicians have great profiles and look promising. The only thing is the music offerings are not consistent and whenever there's an event I have previous plans.", "timestamp": "2012-12-03T18:05:28" }, { "business_id": "Hi4AgS-uR-lEOF4oZl546g", "business_name": "China Pasta House", "rating": 4, "text": "I was a little concerned when I read the first sentence of Mark S's review, \"Probably the most authentic Chinese food I have had since visiting Chinatown in San Francisco.\" When I was in San Francisco I had what I was told was authentic Chinese food and I didn't like it. Also, Here in Tucson I've been to \"authentic Chinese food\" establishments and ended up with a pile of napkins filled with food my tongue rejected. I've always felt a little embarrassed but try as I may I couldn't drink enough beer, water or wine to get the food to go down my throat. However, at China Pasta house everything was great. The dumplings were cooked to perfection. Usually there's something crazy with the texture (to wormy). I tried some of my neighbor's noodle soup and it was good too. So, I was excited to get my Spicy Fried Rice Cake with Shrimp. It was everything I'd hoped for in an authentic Chinese Restaurant. I was thinking one of those fried rice cakes you get at the store but fresh and yummy but what I got was a yummy mix of a firm rice cake sliced to perfection, fresh crisp veggies and lots of shrimp. I offered to share with my neighbor but thank God she said no because I'm going to relive the ecstasy for lunch. Leftovers ROCK!", "timestamp": "2012-12-06T16:51:45" }, { "business_id": "KbSpEQ_54ovgNxOoxKP79g", "business_name": "Time Market", "rating": 4, "text": "Great Pizza!!! My summer resolution is to have Time market Pizza every Friday night for the next 10 years. They have traditional and not so traditional options. The staff is very professional and friendly. I love the way the thin crust crackles and cheese cheesles.", "timestamp": "2012-12-14T15:54:12" }, { "business_id": "i3k1luXdsi_cShv-agBxGg", "business_name": "Ooo! Outside Of Ordinary", "rating": 4, "text": "I was really impressed by the unusual selection of stuff I didn't know I needed. Loved the round purses with holographic pictures of eyes. And the toy selection is great. Looking for the right toy for the kid that has every electronic toy and needs a little nostalgia this is the place. Really, what are they going to do when the lights go out during the end of the world?", "timestamp": "2012-12-14T15:58:44" }, { "business_id": "AUBQPQ8wftMBbP2Q3Lbn0w", "business_name": "Sakura", "rating": 4, "text": "Was very excited all day thinking of enjoying some jazz, food and good friends. But it was canceled because of the cold. :-( Still had a good time. Would have been better if there was jazz instead of sports but, the chocolate martini and lettuce wraps were just what the doctor ordered after a long days work. (Half off appetizers and $1 off drinks) YUM!!!", "timestamp": "2013-01-13T03:00:08" }, { "business_id": "ajfmcCilbPMKb_VxswIuQQ", "business_name": "Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea", "rating": 5, "text": "These guys still have it. Healthy good tasting food at a reasonable price and scrumptious coffee too. Don't like coffee? Just like any other great coffee house there's teas and smoothies for the snooties. What sets this place apart is it's great customer service. I hadn't been in for years but when I walked in that door I felt like I was at home again.", "timestamp": "2013-01-13T03:06:07" }, { "business_id": "HoCO8CHjAPZWP4P2PoTcZg", "business_name": "Javelina Cantina", "rating": 1, "text": "This place use to totally rock the Kasbah! Sometimes friends come into town and want to visit this place for old times sake. Then look at me like it's my fault cause the food and service is so bad. Next time, I'm putting my foot down HARD! No pig cellar. (Thanks Google Translate.)", "timestamp": "2013-01-13T03:19:45" } ]	{ "business_id": "muxda1cSVtplETqTfYVgZA", "business_name": "HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery", "rating": 1, "text": "This was a really nice place but, over the past year the stench of privilege & entitlement on the part of customers & staff has made it a DUMP! As I entered a couple cut in front and almost trampled me getting to the hostess stand. Then after they were whisked off to their prime table, I waited two minutes for one of the two remaining employees at the hostess stand to acknowledge me. I had stopped in for some ice cream but, nothing they offered would squelch the bad taste in my mouth.", "timestamp": "2013-07-28T23:43:34" }

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